Chapter 10. 21st June 2010 - Volterra Italy.

Chapter 10.

21st June 2010 - Volterra Italy.

It was 11 hours later that the private jet landed in Florence, Demetri sighed happily, he enjoyed the travelling his job entailed, but nothing beat coming home. He smiled at Felix, who had an equally pleased look on his face. It wouldn't be long now before they would be back in Volterra; there was much to tell Aro, however there were still many questions to do with the Swan woman lingering for them to relax just yet. Demetri yawned quietly, before standing from his seat and heading to the back of the plane, the steward was already opening the rear hatch for them to exit as he approached; Demetri thanked him and hopped down the steps, as always a limo was already waiting on the tarmac. With a quick nod to the driver he slipped into the back and waited for Felix and Bella to join him.

A short drive through the Tuscan countryside later, they pulled into the ancient cobbled streets of Volterra, the terracotta coloured buildings clung to the Neolithic city walls, the Limo pulled to a stop in the town square, the clock tower standing like a sentinel watching over them. Felix grinned at Demetri, they were both pleased to be here, even if their company was somewhat an inconvenience. They climbed out of the Limo; Felix bending to lift the still unconscious Bella bridal style and carried her towards a hidden doorway to the Old Medici fortress, the familiar corridors soothed their weary minds, everything felt right here, safe, uncomplicated. They descended further into the building, continually going down to the depths of the ancient fortress, before finally stopping at a large thick, wooden door, Demetri stepped ahead and unlocked it, lighting a brass lantern that swung precariously just inside the small cell. Felix entered behind him and placed Bella gently onto the small wooden bed, before turning and exiting behind his friend.

The two men ascended the slopes and steps of the fortress in comfortable silence, both eager to see what Aro wished to do with the young woman, and equally concerned to hear why James and Victoria were not here. They didn't think too much of it, James and Victoria had left on a separate jet, however, by rights they should've arrived before both Felix and Demetri, this puzzled Demetri especially, he didn't trust either of them, he'd only agreed to spend time in their presence in order to fulfil the bomb making part of the agreement between the Volturi and James. Something in his gut told him to keep them close, and he was eager to find out where they had disappeared to.

They approached the large meeting room confidently, their strides long with purpose, they were met by Aro's secretary Heidi, she smiled seductively at Demetri, and Felix rolled his eyes, as his friend lapped up the attention. They followed her in silence, as she tottered ahead of them in leg breaking high heels, her hips swaying like a snake charmers flute, Felix smirked at his friend, whose eyes literally boggled out of his head. Aro stood and clapped gleefully as the two men entered the room.

"Demetri, Felix, how wonderful to see you, I take it your flight was pleasant, what news..." he said eager to be bought up to date on the situation.

"Aro. A pleasure to see you also, the first stage is well underway, we've left the Swan woman in the interrogation cell, I'm sure you'll be pleased to make her acquaintance soon." replied Demetri politely.

"Ah wonderful, has she been much trouble? Has she given us anything of use?"

"She's a feisty one," Felix chuckled.

"I must ask Aro, what of James and Victoria, I do not trust them, they follow orders adequately, but they need to be watched, something feels off about them." Demetri sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"Ah yes, our two new 'friends'," smiled Aro, "I've sent them on to Bourtzi, I didn't want them spending any time here, I'd like for you both to join them in a day or two."

Demetri nodded, "Of course Aro, although I wouldn't trust them to be left on their own for long."

"You worry too much Demetri, I've sent Alec and Jane to ensure all goes well."

Felix grinned, Alec and Jane was a sadistic pair if ever there were and he was confident that James and Victoria would give them no problems.

"Now then gentlemen, let's go, I'd like you to introduce me to our guest." Aro smiled eagerly.

They walked from the room together chatting idly as they descended into the bowls of the fortress. The three men strode through the halls with a confidence borne of familiarity, every nook, every cranny as familiar to them as the back of their own hands. The corridors eventually changed from classically lit, beautifully decorated passages to dim, dank and frightening. Their footsteps echoed off the ancient walls, walls that had held prisoners from many ages, walls that now held a young woman, who had done nothing but seek out information she shouldn't have access to. As they opened the door to the cell, they heard a gasp.

******

BellaPOV.

Ugh my head is killing me, I should've known better than to eat or drink anything that Gigantor had given me, but hunger beat common sense. I had no idea how long I'd been out this time, or where I was for that matter, was I still in that shitty little room, I didn't think so, for one I don't remember it having a light and I could clearly see that I was now on a bed, and not that shitty, mould ridden mattress I was on before. Was I even in the US anymore? What do they want with me? Why me?

So many questions and no obvious answers, I didn't know where I was, what day it was, if it was day or night, all I knew is that I was in a whole heap of trouble and that in all likelihood, no one was coming to get me out. I glanced around the cell, this one was different from the last one, older; it smelt damp, the lantern that swung by the door cast an eerie glow in the room, not quite chasing the darkness away, but enough to show me that I was definitely not in the same place as before. I sensed the lock turning before I heard it, I squinted at the shapes that formed in the halo of the lantern and gasped as I recognised two of the figures standing there. The third man, was tall, not quite as tall as Gigantor, but taller than me, had long dark hair, olive skin or at least that's how it appeared in the lamp light, and was impeccably dressed in a dark suit, he stood with an air of confidence, there was no kindness in his eyes, calculating, determined, he looked like a man that always got what he wanted, I hoped he'd enjoy the disappointment.

"Ah Ms Swan, you're awake," said Mr Smarmy. Yea that would do, he looked and spoke like a snake oil salesman.

"So it seems." I responded coolly.

I sat back on the small bed, drawing my knees up to my chest, keeping my eyes fixed on the three men stood in the doorway. Mr Smarmy nodded at Waldo, who walked into the room, drawing a chair opposite the bed. He stood and looked at me, a glare fixed in his eyes, Mr Smarmy walked into the room and sat down, Waldo and Gigantor stood either side of him, I rolled my eyes, seriously the guy must think he's Brando or something, I snorted and looked back at him defiantly.

"Something funny Ms Swan, surely you must understand that your situation isn't one that would warrant laughter, perhaps you underestimate the seriousness, no?" Mr Smarmy quipped.

"Oh I understand that you will kill me, the moment I tell you what you obviously think I know."

"Hmmm, perhaps we underestimate you Ms Swan, you seem to have a grasp on things, so how about you save yourself the time and worry and we hurry this along." he said rolling his hands in a circular motion.

"Or I could just sit here and say nothing at all and see where that gets me." I responded.

"Now Ms Swan I'm not a very patient man, you have something I want, and let me assure you, I ALWAYS get what I want." he replied in kind.

"Well in that case, asshole, it's about time you learnt that those that want, DON'T GET." I smirked, crossing my arms in defiance and cocking my chin at him.

We sat and stared at each other for what seemed an age, both of us not willing to give an inch, he quirked an eyebrow, I quirked one back with a smirk for good measure, he crossed his legs, I crossed my arms, I wouldn't lose this game of wills. He nodded to Gigantor, I cocked my head. Gigantor stepped forward and pulled me from the bed, I went rigid, I figured there was no point in making things easy for him. The enormous man didn't even register, obviously my size in comparison to his was of no consequence to him. He threw me at the wall, I hit it with such velocity that my head connected seconds after my body, pain radiated out, from my arms through my torso finally settling up my back, my head throbbed, and I felt the tell tale trickle of blood down the side of my face. I barely had time to register anything else before Gigantor had me up again and backhanded me across the cheek. My head swung back violently, blood flew from my mouth and spattered across the wall. Gigantor continued to hold me up as he repeatedly hit me across the cheeks, until everything started to get fuzzy.

The next time I woke, I was alone again; I guess the three stooges got bored watching my unconscious ass. I groaned in pain as I tried to move in the bed. My head throbbed; my cheeks felt overheated and swollen, I'm sure I must look a sight. I gently felt my face, grimacing at the tenderness there, I ached everywhere, I considered telling them everything I know if it meant no more pain, but knowing my luck it wouldn't be enough. I resigned myself to my eventual death, I promised I wouldn't say anything and regardless of what they did to me, I would stand by that.

The next time the door opened, it was just Gigantor and Waldo, Mr Smarmy was obviously bored of me already. They both leered at me as they entered the room; Waldo sat as Gigantor leant against the wall.

"Ms Swan, I believe my associate got a little... carried away last time," Waldo said.

"You think so eh?" I ground out.

"So I propose a truce of sorts, you tell us what we ask and we promise not to hit you anymore... doesn't that sound fair?"

"Hmmm I talk and you promise no hitting, you didn't mention anything about no shooting or in fact no killing me at all, so I think at this time I'll decline your truce."

Gigantor smirked, "Feisty, just how I like them."

I cocked an eyebrow at him, tilting my chin in defiance. "Compliments, will get you no where asshole."

Waldo snorted quietly; I guess he needed a sense of humour to work with these jokers.

"So, it's stalemate."

"Oh I wouldn't say that, we have ways of making you talk, but I'd rather not have to use them, I can't say that I'm fond of hitting women, particularly women as beautiful as yourself." Waldo continued.

I coughed at his obvious lies, seriously this guy thought flattery would make me talk, and I’m really not that shallow.

"Look," I said, "I'm sure you've got places to go, people to kill and all that other dodgy shit you do, so how about you do what you're here to do, then fuck off."

Waldo tilted his head at me, contemplating his next move; it seems I'm better at chess than him. I quirked an eyebrow his way, "Well..."

Waldo looked over at Gigantor, and then looked back at me, he nodded minutely, before standing and stepping out of the room, leaving me with the behemoth, I guess that his dislike for violence only went as far as having to watch.

"Come on then Gigantor, bring it on, be the big man," I snarked.

Gigantor scratched his head, before looking at the door and then looking back at me, it seemed he was a little unsure of the game, I guess he wasn't the brains of the party.

"I see what you lack in brains you make up for in brawn, I bet you feel real special," I taunted.

He growled at me, so I guess I was really getting under his skin.

"Awww, did I upset you, what's the matter, don't like the truth, don't like that out of all the crayons in this fucked up box, you're certainly not the brightest and damn well certainly not the sharpest. I bet you rode the short bus to school huh."

Gigantor physically bristled, oh yea I was really getting under his skin.

"Does it feel good to hurt those weaker than you, do you get a kick out of hitting women, do you get off on it, oh I bet you do, a big man like you, I bet you get off on it, I bet you feel so big and strong taking on someone who can't physically better you, I bet it really pisses you off that I can better you with my brain, I bet you hate this, me talking to you like you're shit, because you know, that's what you are, you are shit to me, I am so much better than you, and I will tell you this for nothing, you can hit me, you can stab me, hell shoot me if you like, but I will not tell you a damn thing, so fill your boots asshole, at the end of this I might be dead, but you, you will still be stupid."

And there it was, the button went ping and Gigantors face flushed red with rage, I steeled myself as he crossed the room swiftly and kicked me in my stomach, the air left my lungs in a whoosh, and I doubled over in pain, yeah that hurt, but I would take it.

"Is that all you have big man." I groaned out breathlessly.

"Bitch, you know nothing, and you will talk, they always do," he spat through his teeth, coating my face in saliva.

"Fuck you," I spat, as he backhanded me across the face.

"Talk you bitch and this ends," he bellowed as he kicked me again, repeatedly in the stomach, the ribs, the back in fact, anything was fair game.

"What part of FUCK YOU are you having difficulty in understanding?" I sputtered, blood pooling in my mouth.

Gigantor growled in anger, stomping around the cell, kicking anything that was in his way. The chair that had been in front of the bed flew across the room, followed by a small table, if you could get degree's in pushing buttons I could guarantee earning one with honours. Waldo stepped into the room when he heard the noise, he placed a hand on Gigantors shoulder and he instantly calmed at his touch, well that was weird.  Waldo leant in to his associate and whispered something, I don't know what, but they both turned and left the room, slamming the door behind them, leaving me curled up on the bed.

I eventually slipped into a restless sleep, my dreams were haunted by faces, and phantom shadows. I woke up numerous times, the pain too much to take at times, blood pooling in my mouth forcing me to spit it out onto the damp floor. Surely I shouldn't still be doing that after this long. I guess I'd got some internal bleeding, Gigantor had really done a number on me, at this rate they'd be lucky if I lived long enough for them to try again.

I curled in on myself, the pain in my abdomen easing the more I curled up, I heard the lock turning at what I guess must be the next morning, rather than facing another beating, I chose to feign sleep, I heard the metal bowl hit the floor beside the bed, but ignored it, I wouldn't chose to eat anything they give me any time soon. I heard shuffling in the room and the sound of the chair being dragged from the corner it had been tossed and righted in front of the bed. I groaned internally, can't they just leave me alone. A cough interrupted my internal cringing and I continued to feign sleep.

"Isabella, I know you're awake, so I suggest you stop wasting my time and look at me." the voice said.

I groaned, pain flaring in my abdomen as I attempted to move, nausea swept through me and I was barely able to push my head over the edge of the bed before I vomited on the floor, my head swam with dizziness, the pain not dulling the feelings even minutely. I cracked an eye open and saw Mr Smarmy sitting there in front of me in his expensive suit, fiddling with his cuffs and picking imaginary lint from his sleeves.

"Isabella, a beautiful name for a beautiful woman, such a shame that you've been so obstinate." Mr Smarmy continued.

"Did you not get the memo asshole, or were there too many words for Gigantor to remember, here, I'll remind you... FUCK YOU." I groaned out, the pain in my abdomen flaring exponentially.

"You really do have a potty mouth Isabella,” Mr Smarmy retorted.

"Well it seems to be the only way your goons will get the hint, they're not exactly loquacious, well except with their fists that is."

"Perhaps if you were a little more...co-operative, things would be a little easier for you." he replied, tilting his head to observe me.

"Oh yea, because me spilling all my secrets is really going to stop you from having Gigantor and his little friend off me, yea I can see how easy that would make things. Nope I think I'll stay as I am, thanks but no thanks." I replied before turning my back on the smarmy leech.

I heard him sigh behind me, before standing and walking away to the door.

"You should reconsider Isabella; it's not just you that hangs in the balance." I didn't even have time to respond to his cryptic words before I heard the door shut behind him and the lock click into place.

*****

Demetri POV.

Three days, that's what it had been, three damn days and that bloody woman still hadn't told us anything, well unless you count the various intonations of Fuck you that she spat at us.  Felix was swiftly losing his patience, he was not at all a patient man, he knew his strengths and weaknesses and this woman knew exactly what buttons to press. He'd beaten her to near unconsciousness that first day, I'm convinced she's suffered some internal bleeding, she'd been spitting blood regularly ever since. Aro refused to send in the physician, something I strongly disagreed with, but he's a sadistic son of a bitch and I'm sure he couldn't care less whether we got anything out of her or not, either way she would die. We'd spent numerous hours in that cell with her, exchanging jibes back and forth and were still no closer to cracking her, if it wasn't the job I'm sure she would've made a brilliant associate, such a shame her choice in sides was flawed.

"Ah Demetri, what news of our dear Isabella?" Aro called from across the hallway.

"No change Aro, she's incredibly stubborn, I fear we'll get nothing from her, I think she'll more than likely die before she gives anything up."

"Such a shame, she had such promise. I have business for you and Felix, I'd like for you to join Jane and Alec in Bourtzi, take Isabella with you, perhaps they could be a little more ah... persuasive." He replied.

I nodded in agreement, "As you wish Aro, I'll have the Helicopter readied for the next hour."

"Good, I'll have Heidi arrange for some medication to make her trip a little easier on you." Aro quipped, eagerness and joy radiating in his eyes.

"That would be most helpful Aro, is there anything else you wish for us to take?"

"No that is all, have Jane ... talk with her when you arrive, she knows what to do."

"No problem," I responded before striding back down the hall to my rooms to fill a bag. I called Felix on the way and less than fifty minutes later we were stood on the outskirts of town, Aro's helicopter sitting on the helipad waiting for us to board. The Swan woman was out cold in the back of Felix's car, she'd been heavily dosed with Barbiturates and wouldn't be waking any time soon. I pitied her in that moment, it was a shame she'd been caught up in all this, but when it came down to it, it was us or them; I wouldn't give it a second thought. I turned and gave Volterra one last look as we boarded our flight, I didn't know when we'd be back, hopefully this would be over soon, but we had work to do and I was nothing if not thorough. Felix unceremoniously dumped the young woman on a bench across the cabin of the Helicopter, strapping her down for takeoff, he glanced over at me and shrugged, he'd taken too much pleasure in the beatings he'd given her the past few days, it made my stomach churn thinking that he could do that to a woman, so carelessly.

"Let's get this show on the road brother, I'm eager to see how Bourtzi has changed since we were there last, and there's this hot little number in Nafplion that I'd love to see again," Felix quipped happily.

I shook my head at him, always thinking with his stomach or his dick. We settled into idle chatter as the helicopter took to the sky, it would be a few hours before we made it to Bourtzi, so we made comfortable and enjoyed the brief respite of the flight.

Chapter 9 - 19th June 2010 - Port Angeles WA.

19th June 2010 - Port Angeles WA.

BPOV

"Ugh" I sighed as I tried to lift my head, my head was throbbing, my body ached and I was tired, so so tired.

I slowly opened one eye, even that hurt, my head felt like a school marching band doing formations around my brain, I blinked, trying in vain to clear the fuzzy fogginess from my eyes. How long had I been out and for that matter, where the hell am I? As I began to get more accustomed to the darkness, I managed to make out that I was on the floor, well almost, I sniffed, cringing slightly at the musty smell that engulfed my nose, 'yuk!' I do hope there's nothing nasty in this mattress. I could vaguely make out the outline of a door across from me, but of course it was closed and the only hint of light appeared to be coming from a small viewing window about three quarters of the way up. Guess I'm not getting out of here any time soon then. I tried to stretch, but found my arms were hindered by the bonds holding them behind my back. Seriously, someone has some control issues, how do they think I'm going to get out of here if they drug me, lock me in a room and tie me up and heaven forbid I should need the bathroom.

I rolled a little, grimacing as pain shot through my side, damn that big dude must've done more damage than I thought, taking deep steadying breaths I pushed against the wall and slowly brought myself up to sit, well that wasn't too hard. Now if I could get a shower and some room service this hostage stuff wouldn't be so bad. Ha!  I smirked at myself, Stockholm syndrome much? I wonder how long I've been here, hell I don't even know what day it is, not that it matters, they probably think I'm dead by now anyway.

Sorry Dad.

I'm convinced I'm going a little batty, I've been muttering to myself for ages, holding conversations with my mom and dad, telling them I'm sorry I got kidnapped, sorry for dying, I'm sure they're going to kill me, so I need to get it all out before it happens. I've been thinking a lot about Al, about meeting him at MIT, Dad was so proud when I got accepted there and when I was approached by the CIA, well I'm sure he was tempted to put on a pink Tutu and dance the nutcracker round the station in joy. I think he was more excited than I was. Poor Al, I hope he didn't suffer, he was a really nice guy, bit like an old favourite uncle, I don't want to even think that they'd send anyone to find me, I'm just an analyst, no one important. The guys on the Seal team, I hope they're ok, I only knew of the for a few hours, but I'm glad I had the chance to show them the face behind the intel, it made it real for me, those guys are the important ones, they're the ones who put it on the line, I'm pleased I've done my bit for them, well until now, I guess I'm not much use right now, won't be ever again I think.

I was startled from my internal musings by the sound of the door being unlocked, I grimaced as light flooded the room, my eyes stinging at the intensity of it, then as it slowly started to get bearable, the enormous body of the behemoth that bought me here appeared in the door, a sinister smirk across his lips, his arms crossed against his chest. I squinted at him, like hell was I going to cower from him, it wouldn't make an ounce of difference whether I showed fear or not, I choose not, 'Operation Piss off the big guy' back in action.

"Hello Princess," he grinned.

"Whatever," I ground out petulantly.

He laughed, not a chuckle but a full blown belly laugh. "Glad I amuse you asshole.”

He stalked into the room, dragging a chair that I hadn't noticed before to sit in front of me, I glanced up at him, stared him straight in the eyes, defiantly cocking an eyebrow at him, he continued to laugh, his guffaws echoing down the corridor that stretched past the open door to my cell, yeah it's a cell, it's not worthy of being called anything else.

"Tsk, princess I like your feistiness, but really you need to tone down the angry kitten, not everyone is as forgiving as me."

"Fuck you!" I spat.

He chuckled some more, shaking his head as if I'd said some of the funniest stuff he'd ever heard.

"Why am I here? It's not like I can be useful, I'm not important enough to anyone."

"tut tut princess, you're plan B." he smirked.

"I'm sorry you've wasted your time if the best you can come up with for a plan B is me!" I laughed, "You may as well just kill me now, it'll save you some time in the long run"

He rolled his eyes at me, before leaning over and flicking a stray hair from my forehead and tucking it behind my ear. I flinched back away from his reach, "Don't touch me asshole" I spat venomously.

"Oh believe me princess, I'm the better option when it comes to touching" he frowned, before standing and walking back to the door, "I'll be right back, now don't you go anywhere." and then he casually walked out, closing and locking the door behind him, plunging me back into darkness.

I slumped back against the wall, my emotions were shot, and my mind was racing, what the hell he meant about me being plan B, seriously they had some really jacked up ideas if they thought I was of any use to them. I refuse to be a pawn in any ones game.

I don't know if it was minutes or hours, but after a while I got this feeling that I was being watched, so I slowly lifted my head towards the door, I briefly caught sight of a pair of eyes glancing through the viewing window before it was abruptly closed and I heard the sound of footsteps heading away. I knew the eyes didn't belong to Gigantor, but there was definitely something familiar about them, where had I seen eyes as blue as them before, and why did they make me want to vomit in my own mouth. I shuddered at the inexplicable feeling of dread that those eyes washed through me. A little while later I heard the sound of the lock on the door opening and then light spilt into the room, 'ah there you are Gigantor, back for more witty reparte?', the big dude stalked in, followed by a slightly shorter man, his deep blue eyes, kinder than the ones I'd seen previously, but still held a tone of 'don't fuck with me' in them.

"Evening princess, how do you like your accommodations, would you like some dinner, maybe stretch your legs, powder your nose, or some shit that you chicks do?" Gigantor quipped. The other guy stood silently by the door, cocking his head, observing me from afar. 'Yea come over here asshole and I'll bite your nuts off' I grinned at the thought.

"Why don't you go fuck yourself?" I snarked.

"See what I mean brother, quite the mouth on her this one."  Gigantor spoke to Waldo in the corner.

"Indeed brother, she has spunk, it'll be fun to break her." he responded.

I huffed in contempt, "yea well good luck with that fuckwit."

Waldo snorted in response, while Gigantor openly guffawed, his booming laugh filling the small room, I rolled my eyes at him and pouted. Before they could continue, Waldo's cell rang, he raised a finger to Gigantor, before answering, a lot of head bobbing and yes's, seriously, does this guy know how to use a phone, dude they can't see you when you bob your head. He eventually hung up his cell and turned to Gigantor.

"Abbiamo ricordato a Volterra, tutti noi, anche lei." he said.

I rolled my eyes, I guess they didn't do their homework on me; I could speak Italian like it was my mother tongue.

"Gli altri due sciocchi troppo?" Gigantor responded, well I guess I could get Intel from them, and then perhaps if I can get out of here I can be of some use.

They both glanced over at me, I tried to look nonchalant and not show that I could understand what they were saying. I curled my lip over my teeth and sneered at them, they both laughed.

"Well princess it looks like we're going on vacation together." Gigantor clapped gleefully.

"Whatever asshole, I'm sure you look a right marshmallow in your bikini." I quipped.

Gigantor glared at me before standing and walking over to Waldo, 'yea that's right pretty boy, walk away before I tear you a new asshole with just my tongue!'
They stood whispering in the corner, I wish they'd speak up, anything to break the monotony of sitting in this dark room. Waldo's cell rang again, geesh the guy doesn't say one sentence to me, but his phone is like a damned appendage. More head bobbing ensued, a few yes's and a long arsed glance at Gigantor, hmmm what was that about?

"Well princess it seems your friends have taken the bait, this is a most pleasing development," Waldo smirked at me, still attached to his damn cell.

"Yea, whatever, I'm sure my 'friends' can see right through your half arsed bull crap," I responded through gritted teeth 'at least I hope they did'.

"Indeed, although not without casualties," he all out grinned.

"You're so full of shit, it's a wonder you don't squelch when you walk." I ground out. 'Well shit, I didn't expect that'.

Gigantor stifled a grin, ha even he found that funny, damn. Waldo nodded to him and they both left the cell, Gigantor looked back in, a huge ass grin on his face.

"You be a good girl and I'll send some food down."

"Don't waste your time; I don't want shit from you." I responded.

He shook his head at me and closed the door, the sound of the lock clicking echoed through the cell. I slumped back against the wall, I really hope no one had been hurt because of me, I don't think I could cope having that on my conscience. I sat and pondered for the next few hours, well I guess it was hours, who the hell knows it's not like I have a clock or a light source in here to let me know what's going on in the world. I considered everything I'd been through, the beating I'd taken already at the hands of these arseholes, I resigned myself to the fact, that I'd probably have more before this ended, before they killed me, well time to toughen up Swan, swallow some cement and get hard, that's what my dad would say. If they think they're going to get anything from me, they've got another thing coming, I'll be damned if I don't make them work for the nothing I intend to give them. I nodded to myself, a dark chuckle escaped my lips at how ridiculous I must look, maybe they'd get me a deck of cards, anything to stop me from losing the plot, hell I'm already on my way, I'm talking to myself.

The lock turning and the door opening bought me back from crazy town, I looked up to see a face I'd hoped to never see again, like I'm that lucky, the tall Red headed woman sidled into the cell, a paper grocery bag in one hand, she sneered at me as she approached.

"Come to finish off your handy work bitch?" I scowled at her, "maybe you could untie me first, even up the playing field, or are you a chicken as well as a dirty whore!"

She narrowed her eyes at me, her lip curled back over her teeth and she all but growled at me, seems I struck a nerve, hell if this would get my time in here shortened I'm all for pissing off more people. 'Come one come all, piss off the baddies offer for one day only.'

"Cat got your tongue bitch, or have you taken too many steroids and diet pills to formulate anything more than a grunt?" I smirked, cocking an eyebrow at her defiantly.

She towered over me, her body trembling with rage 'yea roid rage no doubt', the grocery bag fell to the floor, as she grabbed my hair and pulled hard. Her face a mask of pure hate, she bought her face down to mine her hot breath snaked across my cheeks.

"Just because Felix and Demetri want to keep you as a little pet, don't think you'll be safe from me, you are nothing, watch your back, you never know when I'll get the urge to...take. You. out." she screeched.

She was halted from anything more by a cough coming from the door, Gigantor was stood there with his arms crossed against his chest, an angry look on his face, these arseholes were going to give me whiplash with all this back and forth. The red headed witch stood and sauntered back over to Gigantor, her fingers flexed along the buttons of his shirt, as she rubbed herself against him as she pushed past. What a slut!

I shied away from Gigantors penetrating glare, hoping he'd get the hint and go, hopefully taking the psycho with him; I didn't want to have any further encounters with that woman, and definitely not on my own. Gigantor huffed loudly and stormed across the cell to me, his eyes blazing angrily, was he angry with me or her? Please be her. He forcefully turned me around, I heard a sharp click, then felt metal against my wrists, great, he's going to cut my wrists, oh well saves me doing it. I was pleasantly surprised when I felt my bonds being sawn and my wrists being freed, I considered turning on him, maybe hitting him forcefully and making a run for it, but he must've read my mind as he held on to my wrists tightly.

"Don't even think of it." He whispered menacingly in my ear.

"I...I...I wasn't going to do anything," I stuttered out, sighing inwardly. Damn.

"Eat..." he said passing me the paper bag that the red headed bitch had dropped beside the mattress.

"I need the bathroom," I muttered, rubbing my painful wrists.

"There's a bucket in the corner." He nodded.

I froze, gasping, "You can't be serious!"

He leered at me, a menacing smirk on his face, his eyes angry yet holding some humour at my situation. "I'm very serious Ms Swan, either piss in the bucket, or in your pants, I don't really care which. You won't however be leaving this room."

"You're, you're disgusting!" I huffed in response, blowing a strand of hair from my face indignantly.

Gigantor chuckled under his breath, stood and strolled out of the room, the door swung closed with a loud clang and the lock turned, plunging me back into darkness. I scrubbed my face in my hands, they were doing this to break me, I won't let them, if pissing in a bucket is what I have to do to survive in this hell hole, then so be it. I squinted in the darkness, the short blast of light from the corridor had knocked out my night vision, I had to fight to get it back. I felt for the opening in the paper bag, there seemed to be various food items inside, I could feel a chip packet, a bottle of something, a wrapped sandwich and a round paper cylinder, oh, toilet roll, well that was something at least. Hmmm bathroom or eat?

I stood from my position on the mattress, my legs were a little shaky from being in the same position for long periods of time, but I managed to feel my way around the room to the bucket, lovely. After my quick pit stop, I felt my way back to the mattress, ugh I felt disgusting, what I wouldn't do for a shower and a change of clothes right now. I took a seat and pushed myself back against the wall, plunging my hand into the bag I pulled out the bottle and the wrapped sandwich, wonder what they put in it. I gave it a cursory sniff, hmmm don't smell too bad, and tentatively took a bite, ham and cheese filled my mouth, well not exactly gourmet, but it'll do. I twisted the cap of the bottle and took a swig, can't really go wrong with water I guess. I finished the sandwich in quick time, I guess I must've been hungrier than I thought, my head was pounding, I wish they had left me some Tylenol in that bag, anything to get rid of the aches and pains from the beatings I'd already endured.

My stomach rolled suddenly, ugh maybe that sandwich wasn't such a good idea, I clutched myself around my waist, trying to hold or comfort the building feeling of nausea, my head was throbbing by now and my vision was blurring, dark spots intermingled with bright lights flashed across my eyes. Bastards must've drugged me again, ugh I feel terrible. I'm sure I saw the viewing window on the door open as I dropped the bottle and slumped back against the wall.

*****

Felix glanced through the small window in the door; smirking to himself he raised his cell to his ear.

"She's out for the count brother; we'll be able to move her in the next 10 minutes."

"Wonderful, have James and Victoria meet us at the airport, I don't want them coming near her." Demetri replied on the other end of the line.

"No problem brother, I'll prepare the vehicle, we should be ready to leave in 20."

"Good, leave a calling card, if we can tie them up here, we have a better chance of completing the next stage." Demetri responded.

"As you wish brother." Replied Felix, a smirk fixed plainly across his face as he flipped the cell phone shut.

Felix thumbed the syringe in his pocket, this was one of his favourite parts of the plan, the calling card as he and Demetri liked to call it. He gently unlocked the door to the room, the Swan woman was passed out on the mattress, the drug concoction had worked swiftly in incapacitating her. He would have to remember the dosage of this concoction for future usage. He stepped lightly across the room to her side, tentatively he nudged a lock of hair from her face, she didn't even flinch, she was out cold. He smiled to himself as he pushed her to sit upright, while tilting her neck to the side. Removing the syringe from his pocket he slipped the protective cap from the needle and using the light from the corridor plunged it into her carotid artery and drew a vial of blood from her. As he removed the needle from her neck he stemmed the pin prick with cotton wool and placed a small band aid over the wound.

He lifted the unconscious body of Bella over his shoulder and carried her out to the corridor, before placing her down on a chair just outside the door of the cell.

"Now you stay right here, I'll be right back," He spoke to her slumbering form.

Felix stepped back into the room, glancing around, deciding where to hit first. He pulled the small vial of blood from his pocket and strode over to the mattress, uncorking the top he flicked it, droplets of blood spattered over the mattress, the wall and on the floor, he flicked it liberally, leaving no place untouched by Bella's life blood. He stepped back to view his handy work, nodding smugly at his artwork. Yes that should do just fine.  He nodded in agreement with himself before stepping back into the corridor and lifting Bella from the chair and striding purposefully towards the warehouse and the SUV that sat idling with Demetri waiting on them to arrive.

"Everything done?" Demetri called out to Felix as he fastened the seatbelt around Bella's unconscious body.

"Everything is set Brother," Felix replied.

"Let's get out of here then, the other plane has already left, and I dislike being late."

Felix grinned as he jumped into the front passenger seat of the SUV, he was pleased to be getting out of this place, perhaps when they got to the fortress, he would be allowed the private time with the Swan woman he'd been hoping for. He'd really like to gag her permanently. They sped through the night to the William R Fairchild airport, at least this god forsaken little hole had the means for them to leave without having to drive all the way to Seattle. Demetri smiled at the security guard at the private entry, the middle aged man, just waved them on, barely looking up from his clip board to confirm the vehicle registration to the one he had on his paperwork. Demetri smirked to himself, how typical, even here the security was pitiful, despite the young woman's picture having been all over the news the past 24 hours.

They sped along the small side road to the private strip and stopped next to a small Lear jet, Demetri nodded to Felix before putting the SUV in park and jumping out and boarding the jet. Felix exited the SUV and went to the back door, unbuckling the sleeping Swan girl and carrying her bridal style after him onto the plane. He spoke quietly to the steward, who then went to the car and returned moments later with their bags while they settled in and prepared for takeoff.

A little after 9.15 pm the plane hurtled down the runway before taking to the sky, inside Demetri and Felix settled in for a quiet and relaxing flight home to Volterra Italy, while Isabella Swan remained unconscious, slumbering in relative peace, buckled into a plush leather seat.

Chapter 8 - 17th - 18th June 2010 - Port Angeles. WA.

Chapter 8 - 17th - 18th June 2010 - Port Angeles. WA.

EPOV.

It was almost 8.30 when the alarm on my cell rang out, I groaned while rubbing my hands through my hair, all the travelling and intelligence gathering the past few days starting to take their toll. I'm 27 going on 90. Jasper was still snoring lightly in the bed across the room, that guy could sleep through an air raid. I rolled out of my bed and strolled, stretching to the bathroom, to freshen up and take a leak. After a quick shower I dressed and headed out to the hotel restaurant to grab some coffee, before calling in for my 9am conference call. By the time I returned with coffee, Jasper was up and dressed and the rest of the guys had assembled in the room, hogging the small couch and random dining chairs in our room. I glanced around at them before leaning up against the small desk, the only space not occupied by my team and dialled up Mclean and waited as General Garrett and Phil Dwyer came on the line.

"Morning Gentlemen, hopefully you've rested well from your travels yesterday," said Phil cheerfully.

A series of grunts and 'yes sirs' resounded around the room.

"Down to business then gentlemen," continued the General.

"The 'Bella Principessa' is docked in the north dock at Port Angeles, we've requested that customs do a routine search this evening, you'll be on standby at the docks should they have any problems. Master Chief, I'd like for you to arrange your sniper team to take a perimeter viewpoint, north and south side. They'll be tagged Eagle 1 and Eagle 2 respectively.  We'll need eyes and ears at all times, the last thing we need is a fire fight in a civilian port. We've been watching the docks over night and observed 8 containers loaded in the early hours of this morning, according to the port, the ship is not due to leave until the end of the week, in fact the crew is on shore leave until Friday."

"Do we have any numbers for how many crew remain on board, sir?" I replied.

"By all accounts there should be 4, an engineer, the captain, pilot and cook." responded Phil.

"What of the nature of the containers, any idea what's meant to be in them?" I asked.

"According to the logs, car parts, but that remains to be seen." added Phil.

"Ok Gentlemen, Edward will go over the finer details; however this is how we plan for this to go. Embry and Seth, we want you to head direct to the docks in the next hour, you need to get situated in your viewing points before the rest of the team arrive. Don't forget that this is a civilian port, so you need to blend in and not draw any attention to yourselves, this operation is black, so it should be as if you were never there. Jake and Quil, you'll need to take a customs launch when they do their routine inspection, we want you to inspect under the hull, the ships been sitting low in the water long before it was loaded, that means it was either not fully empty, or someone is playing games with us. Sam we need you to hook into the ships communications and monitor all traffic, we have very little useful intelligence on this, so you'll be the ears for this operation. Edward, Jasper and Emmett and Sam, you'll be the boarding team, in the event of customs coming across anything, you will be first and foremost back up and ultimately take control of the vessel." The General continued. "Be safe gentlemen and come home."

"Thank you sirs" I responded, "we'll be in touch this evening."

After hanging up the line, we gathered around the coffee table, and finalised the plan, I pointed out the choke points, boarding points and places of interest on the satellite image of the ship, Jasper briefed on weaponry and equipment and we all took a time out to prepare ourselves. Embry and Seth left soon after to take up position in the eagles nests, while we suited up, hoping that was all we'd have to do. At 6pm we loaded up the SUV's and drove down to the docks, it was still light out, so we were thankful for the dark tinted windows, the atmosphere around us was palpable, a mixture of excitement, adrenalin and a small shot of fear of the unknown. My guys are the best at what they do and that little shot of fear is what keeps them on their toes, I can only hope this trip was a false alarm, but the feeling in my gut said it was anything but. I don't know what we were expecting, did I think we'd find Swan, I had my doubts, but what I did know is that something was going on with this ship and Swan knew it long before we did.

The customs team arrived at the ship shortly after we had gotten into position, the Captain wasn't keen on them boarding, saying that his crew was on leave and that he didn't have any cargo at this time, yet we had seen the satellite footage of the eight containers being loaded. He finally acquiesced to the customs team and led them up to the bridge; Sam monitored both the comm chatter from the ship and also the mic's on the customs guys. Jake and Quil had completed their dive within 30 minutes of the customs boarding the ship, the hull was clear, no obvious tampering, although the forward hold appeared to be flooded, which lead them to believe that something was going on that they were trying to hide.

"Chief, this is Eagle 2, I have eyeball on our customs guys, and 2 xrays on the bridge, Xray 1 is Caucasian, 6ft 2, blue jump suit holding an MP4, Xray 2, 5ft 10, African American, black jump suit and also holding an MP4. Um Chief, the shit is about to hit the fan, they have our guys on the floor."

"Shit, copy that Eagle 2, keep eyes on and if you get the shot, take it." I replied.

I glanced back at the guys, they'd heard the message and cocked weapons ready, we nodded at each other and exited the vehicle, heading quietly along the side of the warehouse adjacent to the dock. Jasper took point and crouched at the corner, signalling to stop, before glancing around and darting across to the ship. Once he was in position he gestured for us to follow, I followed up the rear, as Jasper and Emmett slung themselves up over the bowline and climbed hand over feet to the deck of the ship, before taking up covering positions for myself and Sam. As we rallied behind a vent, we could hear shouting from the bridge, it seems the customs guys were really in the shit.

"Chief, this is Eagle 1; I have 2 Xrays, 20 yards on your left, both armed."

Jasper and Emmett nodded at me before they crept round the vent to the left, coming up behind the 2 guys silently taking them out. I signalled to them to take the port side and we'd meet at the bridge. Sam and I proceeded along the starboard side, taking care to be as quiet as possible, the plan was to get those guys out and take control of the ship. We met no resistance on our way to the bridge and soon we were in position on either side, preparing to enter.

"Chief, this is Eagle 2, the Xrays are jumpy as all hell, you need to take them out now"

I bleeped my mic in response so as not to alert those in the bridge, I heard the tell tale sound of a gun being cocked and we burst through the door, we were lucky, the element of surprise caught them off guard and we quickly took them out and freed the customs guys. While Jasper and Sam secured the bridge, Emmett and I went back on deck and lowered a ladder over for Jake and Quil to join us, we then split to thoroughly search the Ship.

We went deck by deck, cabin by cabin, and came up with nothing until we hit the forward hold, 8 containers sat in a line, each contained car parts, just as the manifest had said, however it was the last container that was the making for a really bad day. We'd cleared the whole ship and up to this point found nothing, apart from the four armed guys, however this last container really put the spanner in the works. I cautiously opened the container, the overhead lighting in the hold and my own flashlight, barely adequate enough to make out what was inside. I froze instinctively, everything about this one container felt wrong, not just wrong, very wrong. I drew my flashlight slowly across the inside of the container, for all intents and purposes it appeared mostly empty, but there in the back, sat my worst nightmare. I drew in a sharp breath when I saw it, running a hand through my hair.

"Shit" I muttered to myself.

This was bad, very very bad. The position of this container, paired with the 7 others full of car parts made it the perfect weapon, not only would its content blow us to smithereens, but in our attempt to escape we'd be shredded to pieces by flying parts.

"All teams, retreat, I repeat, retreat, fall back, get the fuck out of here." I called over my radio.

"What gives Chief?" Emmett called back

"Binary Liquid, Chemical Bomb, surrounded by car parts, it's a fucking over grown IED, now get the fuck off this ship,"

I slowly drew my flashlight across the container, pressure pads were positioned throughout and hooked into the bomb, thank fuck I hadn't stepped in there. The Bomb appeared to be on a remote detonator, so there had to be eyes on the ship.

"Eagle 1, Eagle 2, I need you guys to look around, possible bogey in your vicinity, look high." I called

"This is Eagle 1, I have possible eyeball on the bogey, they're on the communications pylon to the east."

"Take the shot Eagle 1 and don't you fucking miss, this bomb is remote," I replied.

"Chief, this is Eagle 2, I have eyeball on another bogey on a pylon to the west, shit, Chief you might want to run"

I barely had time to think before I turned on my heel and ran like my arse was on fire up the steps towards the bridge, I heard the tell tale sound of the remote activating on the bomb, the chugging sound of the two liquids merging and pushed myself harder, I'd barely made it to the door when an explosion ripped through the hold, sending me flying through the door. The last thing I remember was the sound of my guys calling me over the radio, and the screeching and groaning of burning metal coming from the hold.

My head felt woozy, my vision blurred as I slumped against the wall I'd been thrown against, pain, so much goddam pain, everything hurt, I felt like I'd been hit by a mack truck, I barely acknowledged the figure as everything slipped away from me, I was flying and I didn't care, weightless, painless, numb.

*******

EmPov

"All teams, retreat, I repeat, retreat, fall back, get the fuck out of here." the chief called over the comm.

What the hell made him call that?

"What gives Chief?" I called back, still bemused as to why he'd want us to fall back now, surely if he'd come across more xrays he'd call us in, I didn't get it.

"Binary Liquid, Chemical Bomb, surround by car parts, it's a fucking over grown IED, now get the fuck off this ship," he responded anxiously.

Shit! Holy motherfucking hell, I stood back on the deck of the ship, casting my eyes around, trying to see where he'd spring from, there was no way I was gonna leave him behind. Jake and Quil appeared to the side of me, both looking concerned, still no sign of Edward, we could hear him on the comm, telling Embry and Seth to cast eyes out and look high, we all did the same, they both responded shortly after with bogeys on pylons to the east and west of us. Jasper and Sam were down on the dock with the customs guys taking up defensive positions, I glanced at Jasper and he nodded as we began to fall back to the rally point. We'd barely made it to the vent, when the whole damn ship rocked and a huge explosion shook from below us, Jake lost his footing and fell forward, head butting the vent with such a force that he was knocked out, Quil staggered slightly but maintained his balance, before going to check on Jake. The bridge was now in flames and there was still no sign of Edward.

Jasper called us over the comm, Quil looked at me to respond while he tended to Jake. "Jakes down, Quil's attending, I'm good, still no sign of Edward, we need to regroup and go find him." I responded swiftly.

Jasper looked at me and shook his head as shots rang out from our sniper teams. "This is Eagle 1, East tower clear, I repeat East tower clear."

"Thank you Eagle 1, keep eyeballs east and on the bridge, we'll rally at the exfil in 20 mikes." Jasper responded.

"This is Eagle 2, West tower, multiple bogeys, 1 Xray down, I don't have a clear shot, 2 black SUV's in situ, request spotter."

"Sam’s coming to join you Eagle 2, you know what to do." Jasper stated clearly.

I glanced back at Quil and Jake, while casting an eye around the deck, the fire on the bridge was taking hold, I could only hope that Edward had got out and was hiding out somewhere with a dead comm. I could hear sirens gradually piercing the air and the flashing lights of fire trucks and police barrelling into the port as we cautiously left the ship, Jasper covered us from his position on the dock as Seth watched us from on high in his tower. Jake was starting to come round on Quils shoulder, a huge gash going from his temple down to his eye socket. I covered them as we slowly made it down the dock, taking no chances that we could be ambushed at any time.

Jasper stood and helped Quil get Jake in the back of one of the SUVs’, while I continued to scan the dock for any signs of Edward, he should've appeared by now, or at the least popped smoke, but there was nothing and I had a very uneasy feeling in my gut. I felt Jasper's hand on my shoulder and jumped instinctively, my nerves shot to shit, adrenalin still coursing through me; I lowered my gun and let out a breath, rubbing the back of my head.

"Sorry man, didn't mean to startle you, we need to fall back and let the police and fire guys do their thing." he said.

"I know, but I'm just kinda concerned that Edwards not back, shit he's not even popped smoke or anything." I replied.

"I know man, but we did what we were meant to do, we have to step back, it's a civilian port, and unless we get the go ahead, we can't go back in, as much as I really want to run the fuck in there and find him."

I nodded in response, shrugging my shoulder despondently, I glanced up at the ship, the bridge was fully alight now, flames licking across the windows and spreading out onto the deck. I knew instinctively that there was little chance that Edward had gotten out, I knew for sure he would've found a way to contact or make his presence known had he been able to and that feeling did not sit well in my gut at all. Me and Edward had been through hell and back together, we joined up at the same time, we went through training together, and faced every mission side by side, practically brothers, heck we even swapped letters for our families should something happen. Promised each other that we'd look after them. Dammit, how was I going to face his mom? I promised her I'd look out for him, just like he'd promised my Rosie.

I was pulled from my internal musing by a flurry of comm chatter.

"This is Eagle 2, the bogeys are at the water on the other side of the docks, they appear to be loading up a body into the trunk of an SUV, it's hard to make out who it is, possibly Swan, and holy crow that dude is massive."

"Keep eyes on Eagle 2, if you can get plates or anything that would help." Jasper called back.

The Fire dept were now fully ensconced and tackling the rising flames on the ship, the police had set up a series of blocks to prevent anyone coming in close, and Jasper had jumped into the lead SUV and was digging out the sat phone to put in the call he didn't want to make to Mclean. I watched him gesture wildly and rub his hair while he talked, before hanging up and shake his head, taking a deep breath he stepped back out.

"They want us to stand down and stay out of the way, unless the police or whoever find anything and call us in. Shit! They’ve already written him off as collateral, for all we know he's laying unconscious on that fucking boat waiting for us to go get him and those stupid fuckers have ordered us to leave him there." Jasper ground out through his teeth.

I grimaced at him, the guy never got emotional, hell he shouldn't even be on the teams, the guy was so laid back surfing was more his speed, I could just see him sitting happy on a beach somewhere, smoking dope and catching some waves.

"Fuck it, I'm going in, you coming?" he finally stated, grabbing my arm as he went to walk past.

"Hell yeah, they can bust my ass later." I responded.

We approached the Police Chief, more out of courtesy, that dude wasn't going to stop us regardless.

"Er fella's you can't go up there" he said to us nervously.

Jasper eyed him, hitting him with the gnarliest stink eye I've ever seen, the cop just shrunk back and told us to carry on. I smirked, damn that messy haired asshole better appreciate this. We casually boarded the ship and made our way towards the slightly smouldering bridge, the fire fighters had done a good job of clearing it and damping down, we passed a few guys as we made our way up the steps to the side entry to the wheel house. The air was smoky and hot, the walls were blackened with soot and the grey paint was peeling off in large chunks leaving exposed metal. The intensity of the heat must have been immense, the devastation of the bridge was incredible, and it was barely recognisable from the place we'd entered earlier. We headed slowly to the rear door that lead towards the corridor that went to the hold, Edwards last known position. As we stepped through the door, Jasper stopped, I crashed into his back, having no time to stop myself moving forwards in time. Barely 10 yards from where we stood, was the remains of the door that lead down to the forward hold, the burnt and buckled metal of Edward's MP5 sub machine gun, shreds of kevlar, a few wires that looked like they'd come from a comm set, a tattered smoking boot and blood  a shit ton of blood. No Edward, I groaned at the sight before me and Jasper cast his eyes between me and Edwards’s stuff, unsure of what he could say. I shook my head, nothing else could be said, running my hands through my hair I took a deep breath and sighed, "Dammit man, why'd you have to go and be a damn hero?"

Jasper grabbed my arm and motioned for me to head back out, there was nothing we could do here. We headed back down to the SUVs’ and the rest of the team, Seth and Embry had rejoined us, all of us silent in our own thoughts. Jake had slowly regained consciousness in the back of the SUV and was glancing around us warily; his face had a look of pain and confusion etched across it.

"Umm guys, where's the Chief?" he asked "I bet the General and that CIA dude is going to roast our asses when we get back"

"He didn't make it Jake." I mumbled, slamming my fist down on the trunk of the vehicle.

"Huh?" he responded.

"Me and Jas, checked out the last position, we found his gun, some tattered kevlar, remains of his comm set, a boot and boatload of blood, do you get it Jake? He didn't make it!" I bellowed.

"Shit" he hissed.

"Sorry dude, I'm just a bit out of it right now, fuck, I just want to get out of here and get drunk," I replied

Everyone nodded in agreement, we all felt the same, some of us more than others, we'd been a team for a long time and this shit hurt, we clambered back into the vehicles and headed back to the hotel, none of us wanting to be there, all of us wanting to go home. When we got back to the hotel, I moved my gear to Jaspers room and we sat for hours and talked, out of all of us, Jas and I had been with Edward the longest, we were the original 3 on the team, brothers in arms, and losing him like this hit us bad.

"I'll come with you Em, when we get back I'll come with you to tell them." Jasper said quietly.

We'd been sitting for the past few hours drinking beer and talking about all the crazy shit the three of us had done together, we'd both laughed like loons remembering the time in Singapore when we'd all staggered out of some dive bar, drunk as skunks and Edward had stolen a rickshaw and run us back to the base in it, followed the whole way by this little dude screaming at us for stealing his rickshaw, damn that little fucker was scary, threw his shoes at Edward when we got to the gates. We'd laughed our heads off at the barely 4ft little shit demanding compensation, then we spent the rest of the night and the following day locked up in the guardhouse for it. Was worth the roasting though that was some funny shit.

"Thanks man, I promised him I'd tell them, not have some suited up desk general spout off about shit he knows nothing about."

*******

We rose early the next morning, keen to get the fuck out of dodge, none of us spoke as we loaded up the cars and drove out of Port Angeles, we barely gave the place another glance as we hit the highway and headed out to Fairchild Air base. As we drove into our waiting C-130 I glanced at the rest of the guys, an uneasy silence surrounded us, none of this felt right, we'd arrived here two days ago, ready to hit the ground running, and now it's almost as if the ground had been stripped out from beneath us and as hard as we ran, we were getting nowhere. I chuckled darkly to myself, Edward would've brooded over this shit for hours if he was here, if he wasn't dead. I scrubbed my face roughly, stubble digging into my palm, I'd seen no reason to shave, maybe when I get home.

Home, the one place I needed to be, the last place I wanted to be right now. I wanted to turn the clock back two days and convince Edward that we shouldn't come here, but he would've come anyway, with or without us. Pig headed ass. We took our places in the plane, Jasper sat off to the back, gazing out through the small window as we taxied down the runway, shut off in his own little world, in a way, he was hurting as much if not more than me, he was married to Edwards little sister, Alice, I at least would be able to get away from it all once I'd kept my promise, Jasper would have to live through it, up close.

We arrived in the late evening at Andrews Air base and drove direct to Mclean for debriefing. General Garrett was surprisingly sympathetic, pissed as all hell that we'd had to open fire and take out some people, but by all accounts those who we had taken alive had given them some pretty useful Intel. Well at least it wasn't a total loss then. After the debrief, he held me and Jasper back, offering to go and see Edwards family and break the news, we both declined, we'd made promises and we were going to keep them. He stood the team down for the next two weeks, we were a man down now anyhow and they needed time to work through the Intel.

Driving from the CIA HQ at Mclean to Edwards’s parents place was both the longest and shortest ride of my life. Jasper and I were silent throughout, both of us trapped in thought, how were we going to approach this, could we tell them their son was dead, could we live with ourselves for not keeping him alive? Worst of all, how could we break his moms heart. I felt terrible, as much as I felt Edwards loss as a brother, I couldn't even begin to imagine what it's going to be like for his parents. No parent wants to bury their child. Hell they wouldn't even be able to do that, we didn't even find a body; the explosion had taken that away from us.

As we drove up the short drive to the large house, I was struck with memories of BBQ's with the whole team and the families here, playing football on Independence Day, setting off fireworks, laughing and joking and drinking and loving and fun and friendship. We pulled up behind Carlisle's town car and headed up the path to the front door. As we reached the door, it swung open and a blur sped passed me and knocked Jasper to the floor, Alice, she must've gotten a ride with Dr. C. Jasper pulled himself up off the floor as Alice clung to him like a limpet and we entered the house, she dropped from his grasp and run towards the kitchen.

"Mom! Dad! They’re back!"

Jasper cocked an eyebrow at me and I grimaced, shaking my head slightly. Not exactly how we wanted to do this. Carlisle and Esme entered the foyer, seeing me and Jasper standing there. I guess we looked kind of tired and bedraggled to them, as it didn't really register for a few seconds that Edward wasn't with us.

"Boys, good to see you back, I take it Edwards still back on base; I swear that boy needs to slow down..." Esme gushed.

"Mrs Cullen..." I started

"Esme dear, you've known me a long time now Emmett, no need to be so formal."

"Esme, Christ..." I mumbled. "I'm, God...sorry, I don't know how to do this..." I continued, running my hands through my hair.

Carlisle eyed me speculatively, his head cocked, Jasper tensed up beside me.

"Emmett dear, what's wrong, you're so nervous, and Jasper, why the worried face?" Esme asked, looking between us.

Alice glanced at Jasper, staring pleadingly into his eyes, as if they would tell her everything. Her hands went to her mouth, her eyes widened in a look of shock and total devastation, Jasper couldn't take anymore and drew her into his arms. Carlisle looked from me to Alice and Jasper, the situation suddenly dawning on him, the world crashing into flames in his eyes.

"Why don't we sit down Esme, then Emmett can get down to telling us what he's trying to say." He said quietly to his wife, walking her to the couches in the lounge area.

I followed, with Jasper and Alice behind me, my shoulders dropped, my heart aching at being the one to rip the bottom out of their world.

"Esme, Carlisle," I coughed slightly, "When we joined the teams, Edward and I, well Jasper too actually we all promised each other, that if something was to happen that we'd be there for our families," I glanced at Jasper, who was holding tightly to Alice, he nodded for me to continue. "Now I can't tell you what we've been doing, or where we've been, only that it was of national importance."

Esme looked at me, concern, panic, fear, hope crossing her features.

"We encountered opposition and during the mission, Edward called for us to fall back, unfortunately he wasn't in a position to safely do so his self. Needless to say we returned to the rally point, but Edward failed to meet us there. We attempted to get to him, but only after the situation had been brought back into our control was we able to determine what had happened to him." Christ this is hard.

"Is he hurt badly Emmett, God we need to get to the hospital to see him, what hospital did he go to?" Esme babbled barely coherently. Carlisle glanced at me, heartbreak stretched across his face as he tried to calm his wife beside him.

"Um, Esme..." I sighed, "We didn't find him, we found bits of equipment, some blood, but ma'am we didn't find Edward. Ma'am the explosion, the fire... Christ, we didn't find him. He's gone, I'm sorry Esme, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." I sobbed the last bit.

I pulled Edwards letter from my inside pocket, I'd promised him that if he never made it back that I'd give it to them, and I keep my promises.

"Sir, Edward asked me a long time ago, to give this to you, should anything happen." I handed the letter to Carlisle, my hand shaking with emotion.

I stood then and stepped to Esme, who was sobbing uncontrollably on the couch. I gently touched her shoulder and waited patiently for her to lift her eyes to me.

"I'm sorry, I failed him Esme, I failed you and Carlisle and Alice, I failed to bring him home."

She stood then and engulfed me in her arms as we both sobbed her for her son, me for my brother and best friend.

"I forgive you Emmett," she whispered into my hair