WARNING: The following story contains violence, coarse language and mature subjects. Readers discretion is advised.

Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue. I don't own Twilight, so please don't sue!

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Last night had been difficult…for both of us. It was harder than the night before. The night before had been all about me and how I felt but now, it was all about Bella.

I stayed with her, there in the shower for a while. I wasn't really counting time or noticing the cold water that was chilling my skin. All of my focus was on the shaking Bella who clung to my side like the water around us would turn into a raging river and she'd be dragged away by it's current. She just seemed so scared, so fragile and so damn innocent at that moment.

I soon realized I couldn't just keep her here where she could potentially freeze. She needed a change of clothes, a warm bed and a good night's rest. So, how was I going to accomplish all of that when I craved the woman in every way? Not only that but (call me a hypocrite) it seemed un-gentlemanly to take her clothes off when she wasn't exactly all there. So I had to make a decision. Either let her freeze or embarrass her beyond all reason. I thought it over as I held her gently in my arms and felt her cold skin shaking against mine. It made up my mind for me.

Slowly, I lifted myself away from her chilled body to get to my feet. She whimpered, sliding down the wall farther until I caught her arms and pulled her up. She collapsed against me, her body shaking not only from the cold but from the exertion of standing. I murmured encouragement to her before gently dragging her out of the shower stall and out onto the bathroom floor. Her feet slid easily across the tile and I felt like I was holding a rag doll instead of a full grown woman. She said nothing the whole time, only a few whimpers and groans leaving her lips as I rested her back against the sink. She didn't fall when I let her go, my hands still outstretched to catch her, but her whole body drooped forwards as if she couldn't hold herself upright.

I sighed before taking her face in my hands and staring into her brown eyes. She looked back sadly and I felt my chest ache for her. The horrors she had seen that day were like nothing she had ever experienced. She'd probably never seen a gun fired let alone a bomb go off. She didn't belong here, at all. She needed to go home and live the suburban life she was destined for. Find a man who could support her and be there when she needed him. Well, knowing Bella, she'd probably make most of the money herself.

Knowing Bella? I'd known her for only a few days! I was acting like I'd known her forever which was ridiculous. Bella was too complicated and introverted for me to know anything about her. What kind of secrets would she tell me? After all, I was only the guy here to protect her. She'd find someone worth while, someone who wouldn't be on call everyday for years before taking off to foreign countries for months on end. Yeah, that's who she needed.

I shook my head, dispelling it of these thoughts. God. I was acting like I was fucking in love with her or something. Wait…what?

Bella's groan made my thoughts disappear and my attention settle on her. She hissed through her teeth as she pulled herself further up on to the sink. I helped her, letting my hands rest on her sides as she got more comfortable. Her shirt was soaking wet and cold to the touch. It reminded me of the task I had at hand. Get Bella undressed and warm.

Her eyes opened and looked at me as I smiled half-heartedly. Her lips turned up slightly in response. "Bella," I whispered and her eyes flickered in recognition of her name. "I need to get you out of these clothes but I don't think…I don't think it would be a good idea if I did it."

She pressed her lips together and looked deep in thought for a moment with that furrowed brow. Suddenly, her hands went to the hem of her tee shirt and she started to pull it upwards. I spun around as fast as I could, catching the smallest glimpse of her stomach before my eyes went to the adjacent wall. Don't turn around, I chanted to myself over and over again. She deserved some kind of decency from me. I was not some savage animal. I didn't think with my dick (sometimes). And I was not going to treat her like a piece of meat.

I suddenly realized she needed something dry to wear. Looking around frantically without turning to look at her, I searched for something she could wear. Without anything on hand I had to think quickly. Damn this was more stressful than any hostage situation. I could hear her clothes hitting the floor with a wet splat each time and needed to think fast. Finally I realized my shirt was still dry and although it was a little…well smelly, it was still large enough to cover her. Quickly, I pulled the shirt over my head and handed it to her without turning around. "Here," I said. "Put this on."

The shirt left my hand and I could hear her pulling it on, the fabric running over her soft skin. Fuck. Now I was jealous of a damn tee shirt! I waited a moment before she whispered that I could turn around. I knew this was going to be hell for my lower regions but I had to see. Slowly, I turned my head and almost passed out at what I saw. There she was, standing in my tee shirt that barely hit mid thigh on her. The navy colour of the shirt looked much better on her than it did on me. I'd have to make her wear my shirts more often.

The blush covered her cheeks as she looked away. Good. At least she was becoming herself again. Maybe the shock was wearing off. Hopefully, I was right.

"Come on," I said, clearing my throat in the process. She nodded and pushed herself off the sink. I watched carefully as she moved one foot at a time before reaching the door. It was like a toddler learning her first steps. I felt my chest ache again, just seeing her look so helpless. She stumbled and I thanked my developed reflexes as I dove forward to catch her. I couldn't be sure but I thought I heard her curse under her breath as she grabbed my arms for balance. I sure as hell didn't mind it. It was her hands on my skin, how could I complain? But maybe Bella didn't want that. Or maybe she hated depending on others. Another reason why Bella would probably bring home the bacon in her family.

Gently, I led her out of the bathroom and towards the bed. She managed to keep her feet from dragging but she did tend to trip herself. Again, I didn't mind being her anchor. We made our way towards the bed at a snail's pace and I was surprised that my impatience didn't rear it's ugly head. I was enjoying this too much. Finally, we reached our target and I was able to pull back the blankets before she sat down. Bella seemed kind of out of it again, staring at me with an odd expression on her face. Sighing inwardly I bent down, gently wrapping my fingers around one of her calves and lifting it up on to the bed. Damn, how'd she get such soft skin? It was like silk. Silk covering glass, my head reminded me. So I pulled her other leg up quickly and covered her with the blankets before I slipped in there with her.

I moved away slightly but she stopped me with a soft whimper. I frowned at her as her wild eyes stared back. She was frightened, that was for sure. "Don't leave," she said quickly. "I don't want to be alone. Not now…"

I hushed her and shook my head. "I'll be right back," I assured her but she didn't look like she believed me. "I promise." I added. It took her a moment of hesitation before she finally nodded, allowing me to leave her eye sight.

I went to the small closet by the hotel room door, opening it and reaching up on to the top shelf for the extra blankets that were stored there. I found a rather thick cover and decided that would keep her warm along with the sheets that were already covering her shivering body.

When I came back her eyes immediately lit up with relief. I knew I shouldn't have but it felt good to feel wanted by her in any way. Even though she had been through a dramatic catastrophe and only needed someone to be there to watch over her, I still felt wanted. I tried not to look at her as I spread the blanket across the bed and made sure she was underneath it. It wasn't really tucking her in…was it?

When I did look up she was watching me with those brown, doe eyes of hers. I could see the kindling of a fire beginning in the brown pools that stared so intently at me. Maybe I was right to think her shock was wearing away. Maybe she would turn out just fine tomorrow. We'd have to see.

I straightened up and away from her but she didn't say anything. She just looked at me. Well I guess that was a farewell. "Erm," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck before crossing my arms over my chest and feeling very exposed without my shirt. "Well…good night."

"Wait!" she cried, sitting up. "Don't…don't go. Please."

Her voice was just so begging that all I could do was stare at her. What was I to say to that? Did she only want me here as someone to lean on for now? Would she cast me aside later? I couldn't understand but I did know that I wanted to be here and if she wanted me now, I would take what I could get.

"It's alright," I said quickly before coming back towards her. She relaxed again, falling back against the pillows. She stretched her arm out and patted the spot next to her with a lazy smile and closed eyes. Did she even know what she was getting into? I didn't think so but again, I would take what I could get. So even though my pants were still damp from the shower water and I was shirtless, I climbed into the bed beside her, opting to stay over the covers. I may have been excited but I was still trying to be a gentleman.

As soon as I settled beside her, my back against the headboard, she snuggled closer to me. Again, I was surprised. It was like she had a completely different personality. Usually she saw me as scum on earth but today I was like her…savior? Not that I'm trying to compliment myself but it was the only word I could come up with at that point. After all, her head was resting on my chest and it was kind of difficult to think of anything else.

I must have fallen asleep after that because all I remembered was my short dreams before being blinded by sunlight. My eyes flickered open only to shut again quickly, bringing my hand up to cover them. The rays of early morning were shining through the blinds and right on to my face. I could feel my head aching from the sudden exposure to the sun as I groaned in protest. I did not want to get up right now. I felt so warm and comfortable with the softest pillow clenched in my arms. Wait…pillow?

My eyes opened again, blinking repeatedly before looking down at what was snuggled against my chest. Bella's cheek was resting on my shoulder, her warm breath fanning across my skin and making the goose bumps rise. Her face looked so relaxed with her lips slightly parted and her eyelashes fluttering as she dreamt.

She murmured something I couldn't hear before smiling and throwing her free arm across my stomach. What was she dreaming about, I wondered. About me? That thought made me smile. Did she dream about us together? Alone? I gently ran my fingers up her back and she giggled in her sleep, a small snort finishing off her laughter. I grinned, chuckling lightly at her silly antics as she slept on.

Finally I realized I couldn't stay with her anymore. I had made up my mind about what I wanted to do today and it would be easier if Bella wasn't awake.

Reluctantly, I slowly slipped my arm out from under her body and shuffled away. She grumbled something before reaching out and grabbing a hold of a pillow to crush to her body. I sighed, running a hand through my hair and rubbing my eyes, trying to remove the sleep within them. Why did this feel like a one night stand? I suddenly began to feel awful for letting her sleep in the same bed with me. I felt like I had taken advantage of her. I felt like shit even though it had been the best night's sleep I had ever had.

I stood and took one last look at the sleeping Bella before going to the connecting door and slipping into the other room. I closed it softly after myself before turning to see Mamun sitting on the bed. He had that knowing look in his eyes again and it was freaking me out.

"Don't say it," I muttered before trudging over to my duffle that sat on one of the dining chairs. I needed a shirt on before the others came back.

I heard Mamun sit up on the bed. "I know the feeling, Edward," he said.

"What feeling?" I asked, playing dumb. Finally I found a shirt, pulling it on and keeping my back towards Moony.

"I'm quite sure you know exactly what I'm talking about," he answered calmly.

I didn't say anything to him. Instead, I pulled on my boots and ran my hands through my hair again before heading for the door. "Where are you going?" Moony asked.

"The base," I said, turning once to see him frowning at me. "The Commander and I need to have a little chat." I paused before muttering the rest. "Watch Bella for me." Then without another word I opened the door and strode down the hall.

The lobby was filled with the smells of the buffet's breakfast and I'm sure that's where most of my team was. Most likely, Emmett was leading the line. I by passed that area and went straight out the doors to the parking lot where the Jeep sat waiting for me. This would be another day where I didn't eat in the morning, but I wasn't really thinking with my stomach right now.

The early morning traffic had me on edge. I wanted to get to the base as quickly as possible and talk with the Commander. It was urgent for not only my sanity but for Bella's as well.

I pulled into the SEALs base before jogging towards the open doors. I wasn't as lucky as I was yesterday, it seemed. Gianna, the receptionist, was sitting at her little desk and looked up when I came inside. She grinned widely at me before standing. "Good morning, Lieutenant," she murmured.

"I'm here to see the Commander," I said, cutting right to chase. "It's urgent."

She looked a little surprised by my abrupt answer to her sweet good morning. She blinked a few times before nodding and picking up her phone to speak quietly with the Commander. It was only a moment before she put it back down again and looked up at me. "He's on an important call right now but he should be finished soon."

I nodded before going to lean against the wall across from her desk. She stared at me for a moment before going back to her work. I must have looked a little too pissed off for her to try her flirting again. Well I was angry. I wanted to talk to him now and I get shafted because he's on a phone call? I clenched my hands into fists and tried not to go banging on his door. That would help nothing.

Finally, his door opened and he gave me that blinding grin again. "Masen!" he chuckled, waving me inside his office. "Come in!"

I followed him inside, closing the door after myself before sitting in the chair. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked after settling himself in his own chair.

"It's about Miss. Swan, sir," I said as calmly as I could manage. I really wanted to shout at him but I kept my temper under control…for now.

He frowned. "What seems to be the problem?" he asked.

I inhaled deeply before leaning forward in my chair and staring him straight in the face. "She needs to be taken off of this assignment," I told him slowly.

He looked surprised for a moment before chuckling and shaking his head. "Why should she be taken off this assignment?" he said. "Miss. Swan has been doing a splendid job with reporting this event."

The way he said 'event' made my fingernails dig into my palms. Was this war just an 'event' to him? Was the deaths of civilians just a show? "She went into shock last night, sir," I growled.

He shook his head. "We all go into some sort of shock when we come here, Masen," he said before getting to his feet and going to stand by the window. He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it and inhaled before blowing out a cloud of grey. Who knew a man with such white teeth smoked? Maybe the stress was finally getting to him…

"Excuse me, sir," I said in a patronizing tone, getting to my feet. "But I must disagree with what you've said. Miss. Swan needs to be flown back to the States as soon as possible."

He turned to look at me, annoyance crossing his face. "Lieutenant Masen," he said in a demanding voice. "There will be no more discussion on this topic. There is no reason why Miss. Swan must be taken off this assignment. She wants to stay on it -"

"But she is not in the right mind!" I snarled. "It's too dangerous for her here!"

His eyes narrowed at me. I was really getting on his nerves now. He flicked his half finished cigarette out the open window before turning to look at me again. "Now you listen here, Lieutenant," he said darkly. "I do not appreciate being sniped at by a lower officer." I started to speak but he cut me off. "No more or I'll see to it that your team shall be reprimanded for this little argument you have started."

My mouth immediately closed. If he had said only I would be reprimanded I would have continued but he had to bring my team into this. I couldn't mess up their careers. They worked to hard for this and I was not about to just blow it for all of them.

Highland saw my change of heart and smirked. Asshole knew my weakness. He returned to his chair and to his work. "You know my decision, Masen," he said calmly. "And I'm glad you now see things my way. Miss. Swan will continue to be apart of your team and I will hear of no more complaints. Is that clear?"

My pause made him look up. "Yes, sir," I spat.

"Good," he said before going to look through his paper work. "I have your assignment. We have a tip off that a farm not that far from here has been showing some suspicious activities. It needs surveillance and action must be taken if there is any danger. The terrorists need to be taken out so there is no repeat of yesterday." As he handed me a map to the location, I wondered if that comment was directed towards me intentionally. "Is that clear?"

"Yes," I said before turning towards the door.

"Yes…?" he asked as I stopped with my hand on the door handle.

"Yes, sir," I growled before leaving the office.

I was striding towards the parking lot until Gianna called out for me. I turned hesitantly to see her waving two letters in her hands. "These came in for you and another member of your team," she said breathlessly. She handed them to me and I looked, smiling to myself. One had my name on it and the other had Jasper's. I would recognize that hand writing anywhere: Alice. Stuffing them in my pocket for later, I nodded to her and took off for the Jeep.

By the time I got back to the hotel room, the whole group was sitting around and talking quietly to one another. They looked up when I entered and I thanked God Bella wasn't in the room.

"Where've you been?" Emmett asked.

"Out," I answered, toeing off my boots before sitting on the bed with Jasper.

"We're not that dumb, Edward," Jazz said with a shake of his head.

I looked at them all and they stared expectantly back at me. I sighed, knowing I couldn't keep these kind of things from my team members. "I went to see the Commander, okay?" I said.

"And the reason for that visit would be…?" Emmett asked with raised eyebrows.

I glared at him before inhaling deeply, the smell of breakfast hitting my senses. While they were all staring at me I reached over and plucked the bread off of Emmett's plate before stuffing it in my mouth. "Hey!" he cried. "I was gonna eat that!"

"Your loss," I said, swallowing the bread and giving my stomach some kind of nutrition.

Emmett grumbled and crossed his arms like a child who was denied a chocolate bar. I smirked at him before speaking again. "All right," I started. "I went to the Commander because…because I wanted Bella to be sent home." I said the last part in a whisper.

"You wanted Bella to go home so you went to the Commander?" Emmett cried loudly.

I was about to give a sarcastic reply when we all heard someone clear their throat. Shit. I turned to see Bella's enraged face staring at me from the door frame. The fire in her brown eyes had never burned so bright and I felt that small amount of relief before the fear set in. She had heard what I'd said. And she was angry.

"Uhh," Mamun stuttered and I felt a little more relief. He would get her to calm down. "I think we should all go and leave these two alone." Wait. What the fuck? My head snapped over to see them all rising and going to the door. Were they insane? I jumped to my feet to follow them but Bella easily stepped in my way. I watched in agony as the door clicked shut, leaving us alone.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" she cried, pointing an accusing finger at me. "How dare you go to your Commander and make him take me off this assignment! You don't know what I've gone through to be here!"

"Bella, you don't understand," I tried to say but she just cut me off.

"No! You don't understand!" she snarled. "I worked for months to get this story! Do you know how many times I had to kiss up to my boss to get this? Do you know how disgusting he is? Do you know how disgusting you are!" Her voice got louder and louder with each sentence until she was quite literally screaming at me.

"But you don't why I did it-" I tried but again she cut me off.

"No! I know why you did it!" she yelled. "You want me out of the way because you think I'm some sort of weak willed woman! Well guess what asshole! This isn't the middle ages any more and certainly don't need some white fucking knight with a giant ego to come and rescue me! You don't know how tough I am! You don't know me at all!"

I tried repeatedly to tell her what actually happened but she just talked over me. She kept going on and on about how disgusting I was and how tough she was. She wasn't listening to me and there was nothing I could do to make her stop shouting. My head throbbed with a head ache already. I needed her to stop screaming. I stared at her raging face, the fire in her eyes and did something I now know was probably a bad idea. I kissed her.

My hands reached out, grabbed her face and pulled her to me until our lips were pressed together. She froze in shock with her hands still in mid air. I was waiting for that inevitable slap of the face to come but it didn't. Instead, her arms wrapped around my neck and her lips responded eagerly to mine. Fuck, her lips were soft. I felt my logical side shut down as I gave into the need for her. My hands grabbed her waist and crushed her body to mine. I wanted - no I needed to feel her warmth pressed against me. I needed to feel the uneven thumping of her heart. I needed to hear her shaky breath as I broke the kiss to let my lips travel down her neck, tasting her skin. I needed her.

She shuddered in my grasp as I breathed heavily against her jaw. I could never deny my want for this woman because I was very…excited…at this point. But who could blame me? It had been one, maybe two, years since I had even touched a woman like this. A man can only go so long without some kind of intimacy. And fuck I wanted her. I never wanted anyone to ever touch her this way. Only I was allowed to worship her body and soul. She was mine.

What the fuck am I thinking? Gasping in realization of what I was doing, I pushed her away and stumbled backwards before hitting the wall. I stared at her, the way her chest rose and fell, how her swollen lips were parted in surprise and how those innocent brown eyes watched me. I felt like shit instantly.

Without saying anything she ran out of the room and slammed the door after her. I could barely stand anymore, my legs were shaking so badly. I slid down the wall and into a heap on the floor, my face in my hands. What the hell had I been thinking? I was supposed to protect her not attack her! I groaned in agony. I was so God damned confused! Every cell in my body wanted her but then my logical side was reprimanding me for taking advantage of her. She was just an innocent woman. How could I be so callous towards her?

Then again, how could life be so unfair? The woman I really, truly wanted was unattainable. The woman I really, truly wanted did not want me. No, she hated me. She'd rather go through SEALs training than date me. She'd rather date Newton than she would me. And I noticed, while thinking about these things, my chest ached as if a knife had been plunged into my heart.

x_x_x_x_x_x_x

I pulled the Jeep off to the side of the road and into the greenery. In this part of the country there was lush greenery everywhere. Tall palm trees and large bushes surrounded the road we had traveled on for about an hour now. Finally, we had reached what was supposed to be the farm we were to monitor. I drove past the lane that led to the farm and parked a little ways down the road to hide the Jeep while we did surveillance.

As soon as I stepped out of the cool Jeep the heat hit me. And it wasn't just a dry heat, it was a muggy, rainforest type heat. The kind that made you sweat bullets in only a few minutes. The kind that weighed you down and made it difficult to breathe. I sighed, knowing this was going to be a long evening, before joining the team to throw a camouflaged tarp over the vehicle.

After trudging through dense forest and thick, wet mud we reached the outskirts of the farm. It wasn't much, just a little house, a paddock with a few cows grazing and an abandoned building only a few steps away. There were two cars parked by the house and a few dogs chasing chickens but nothing that seemed dangerous. Nonetheless, we snuck towards the building and carefully made our way inside. Jasper and Emmett gave me back up as we went in with our guns raised. But it was just as we expected: empty.

We waved everyone inside and set up our new hide out. I dropped myself in a corner, away from everyone else. Emmett found a ladder leading to the upper level of the building, giving him a good surveillance point. Newton followed him up there, tripping a little on the ladder but ending up safely beside Em. Mamun and Jasper took the window across the room, leaving Bella a little confused as to where to go. I forced my eyes away from her. I promised myself I would no longer worry about Bella Swan. She was just a journalist…a journalist that I happened to have very intimate feelings for.

Shaking my head, I dug into my pockets, pulling out Alice's letters I had to yet to read. I looked over at Jasper, wondering if I should tell him his wife I wrote to him. But then I suddenly felt selfish and ripped open my own letter first. My throat clenched when I saw my little sisters hand writing. I wouldn't admit it out loud but I missed her…a lot. She was annoying as hell but she was still my little Alice.

"Dear Eddie," it read and I had to roll my eyes when she used the name I hated being called. "Just incase you forgot about me, it's your sister, Alice. You always did have the habit of forgetting about me when the 'cool' kids were around, didn't you?" I chuckled lightly at her already annoying message. "Maybe you will remember me when I tell you I was pregnant. Was being the key word. I really wish you were here to say hi to your healthy nephew Masen Edward Whitlock. Jasper and I picked out the name before you all left, one for a girl and one for a boy. I'm sure he'll be happy it's a boy even though he told me he'd be happy either way. You're a man, I'm sure you'd understand the 'legacy of having a son.'" I grinned again, almost seeing her rolling eyes. "And I, being the cheesy woman I am, had to give my son the middle name of Edward. After my older (and only) brother whom I wish he could see right now. This whole running off to different countries thing is kind of getting old, don't you think? You definitely need to get yourself a girl." I inhaled deeply at that sentence, knowing I'd already found the girl I wanted but couldn't have. "But you better come back with my husband in good working order! This little boy is going to need a sister!" "Ugh, Alice," I complained. I did not need to know that. "I know you probably think that last sentence was disgusting but whatever! We all want you home. Mom is worried sick as it is. Don't you miss her cooking yet?" My mouth began to water at my mothers delicious food. She may have been overly protective but she knew how to cook. "I hope you read this before Jasper read his. I want you to commit his reaction to memory and tell me about it when you get back.

Hope you are all safe and when you come home you will be on diaper duty, mister. And I'll be sure to set you up on a few dates with some of my single friends. I've seen the way they look at you and besides, your taste in women is crap!" I laughed, shaking my head. "Well, that's all I can say right now. I miss you, Eddie.

Stay safe.

Alice."

Sighing I folded my letter carefully back into the envelope but I felt something blocking the letter from sitting comfortably. Looking inside, I grinned before pulling out a picture. It was a very jovial (and tired) looking Alice in a hospital bed with my mother beside her. They were both smiling at the camera and in my sisters arms was a bundle of blue blankets. A tiny head, with wild dark hair already, was peaking out. This was the first time I had ever seen my nephew. Looking at him in this, I knew he was going to look just like Alice.

But now Jasper had to know. Jazz was sitting with Moony at the window, staring out with a dreamy look on his face. It was time to tell him that he had a son. I pulled myself to my feet, stuffing my letter in my pocket before going over to the two men. Jasper looked up as I held out the letter to him. "It's from Alice," I said. I hadn't even finished before he snatched it from my hand and ripped it open. Grinning to myself, I went back to my corner as Jazz read it over.

As soon as I sat down there was a cry of joy I had never heard come from him before. "She did it!" he laughed, clutching the letter. "It's a boy!" He couldn't stop laughing and smiling. Moony grinned and slapped him on the back, muttering something that sounded like, "welcome to the club, son."

"Congrats, Jazz Man!" Em crowed from the ladder. "You know I'm totally teaching that kid kick boxing!"

We all laughed and Jasper looked up at me with his eyes shining with tears. Damn. I'd never seen him cry before. But looking at him I knew that having a son was not the only thing he was happy about. He was happy that Alice was okay, and that was what made him worthy to be with my sister. I nodded to him and he grinned back before going to the picture in his hand, showing Mamun eagerly.

I sighed, closing my eyes and leaning my head back against the wall. I had a nephew. That was pretty big. Another member to our family. I was sure my mother would be ecstatic. She still wanted me to have children so she could be a grandmother. Although having a nephew was great I wasn't sure I would be able to be anyone's father. I just wasn't cut out for that stuff. I was too attached to my career and I knew that Jasper was going to quit the SEALs field work soon to be with his family. Maybe he'd get a job at Intel back in the States. That was a steady career and he would always be there with Alice and Masen. I, on the other hand, could not give up the SEALs. All I knew was the military. Of course there was always that want to be a doctor but could I really go back to school after all this time away?

"Edward?"

My eyes snapped open to see Bella timidly staring at me and biting her lip. The lips I had just tasted a few hours ago. I growled at myself. Stop thinking about those things! "Yes?" I asked, a little coldly.

She flinched and visibly swallowed. "Um…can I sit down?" She pointed to the place beside me. I couldn't think of anything else to say and I wanted to try and be a gentleman. I nodded and she slowly dropped herself next to me.

We were silent for a moment before she spoke again. "I want to apologize for the way I acted before," she said slowly, staring at the floor. "I didn't let you tell me what actually happened with the Commander. I…didn't think about what you might have been thinking at that point. I had gone into…shock and it was terrifying for me." She finally looked up at me with a determined look in her eyes. "But I want to do this, Edward. I worked so hard to get here and I don't want to go now. I've come so far…" She looked away again but I could see the shining in her eyes. God, she was crying. My chest ached again as she tried to covertly rub the tears from her eyes.

Slowly I moved closer to her, bumping her shoulder playfully with my own. "Come on," I murmured, feeling really out of my element. Comforting crying woman was not exactly my forte. Last night had been enough for me. "If it makes you feel better, I'm a total asshole for even trying to get you out of here."

She laughed, rubbing her eyes once more before looking at me with a small smile. "You're right, Masen," she said. "You really are an asshole."

x_x_x_x _x_x_x

Author's Note:

1. Sorry for the wait on this one! I'm trying to catch the website Twilighted up with . It takes a little longer to get chapter's up on that one. I am also working with a beta for the Twilighted chapters (Andrea). But since I wanted to get this one out on here quickly I kind of by passed beta-ing. This is from my hands officially so if there are any mistakes I'm sorry but I'm not an English major.

2. If you are on Twilighted send me some love, huh? I have a topic on their forums set up so it'd be nice if you sent me hugs and kisses. Maybe even post a few Rob pictures? They always keep me going. Like the Robert magazine I have sitting next to me at this very moment. Wow. Those are some sexy pictures. Although I need a permanent marker because there is some Kristen pictures on the cover. Ugh. I might even post a few sneak peaks on the Twilighted forums topic for SEALs…

3. So yes, Alice and Jasper now have a baby boy named Masen Edward Whitlock. It's cute, non? Kinda cheesy with the name but I felt like being that way today.

4. Hell yeah to the make out scene! I've been waiting to write that part. Ooo it makes me all tingly. :D But hang in there ladies! This story train is soon coming up to the station called climax. Ooo I'm so excited! We are totally going to see Rageward in the future!

NOW PRESS THE REVIEW BUTTON DOWN THERE, PRONTO!