This takes place in September, eight months before the one-shot happens. This is mostly an EPOV story but there will be some occasional BPOV. Actually, chapter three is BPOV. I'm excited for this story to start already so I'm hoping you guys are too. There will usually be a song for each chapter with this story at the beginning or end but this chapter is song-less. The playlist starts next chapter.

I don't own Twilight, all the glory goes to Stephenie ;)

I was cruising in my Volvo without a care in the world. I was Lieutenant-Detective Edward Masen and life was perfect. I was single and got action anytime I so desired. I had a great job at which other officers despised me because I was that good. And I lived in the greatest city ever.

Things couldn't have turned out better if I had planned them. I pulled up to my familiar apartment and got out. I was off today and as much as I loved my job I loved what was waiting in my bed for me even better.

I rode the few floors upstairs on the elevator to my apartment. I unlocked the door and threw my keys on the table. They slid across the glass and knocked into a group of newspapers strewn across my dining room table.

So, she finally remembered to pick up the mail? It was a known-fact that the gorgeous girl sleeping in my bed was desired by every man who looked her way but goddamnit she could be as dumb as a doorknob.

I sat down at the table and poured myself a glass of scotch. Hey, it was happy hour somewhere.

I flipped through the stale pages of the newspaper absentmindedly. All the news reports about stuff going down in Seattle I was already well-informed of. I got through three newspapers when I saw the one I was most interested in reading but avoiding at the same time. It was the Seattle Weekly Journal.

It only came out on Sundays, like today, and each time I read the damn thing it made my blood boil. I wasn't sure why I always read it if I knew it'd piss me off but I think a part of me always wanted to know what she would write. The know-it-all, self-righteous, condescending, bitch from the investigative reporting section. Her name was Isabella Woods.

She was a sarcastic twit that always took a shot at our police department. Her little features for her column always made me livid but reading them was like a drug. I had to know what creative jab she'd come up with this week. And there was no avoiding her stories. The guys in the department never shut up about them. I had to order my team to stop talking about them.

Well, let's see what the ice princess comes up with this week.

City Government to Re-allocate Funds for SPD S.W.A.T. Team

How, the fuck did she find these things out?

A source that has asked to be unnamed, informed the Seattle Weekly Journal that the city government will be re-allocating some of its funds to help support the expansion of the Seattle Police Department's S.W.A.T. team. When questioned further the source divulged that the city government will be donating some 115 million dollars to the unit in order to help pay for more advanced technology, a new array of weapons, and more money to hire new agents. After doing research, I discovered the SPD's S.W.A.T. unit already had more than 80 million dollars of funding distributed to the small but impressive unit last year. The unit reportedly spent 35 million dollars of that funding on new technology for better operations and 40 million on weapons. So the question becomes if they bought so much new technology and better weapons why do they still need funding? And why is the city government so happy to oblige?

It turns out that city councilman Peter Herman had a stake in the decision and was a major supporter. Herman rallied for the SPD to receive its new funding. The vote to re-allocate the funds was unanimous and Herman couldn't be happier. When interviewed before this article was written Herman said: "The decision to re-allocate the Seattle Police Department's funds was unanimous because everyone on the council knew it was in the best interest of Seattle's citizens. With a high-performing S.W.A.T. team big-time drug dealers and other scum can be taken off the streets effectively."

The quote sounded innocent-enough until the issue of Herman's trustworthiness came up. As many citizens of our city know the city councilman has been investigated numerous times by the Ethics Committee and has been linked to mob boss Danny Fiori. When Fiori was brought into court last year on charges of racketeering and grand theft auto his company files were taken into custody. It was discovered later on that one of Fiori's gambling buddies was none other than Herman. The city council member refuted the evidence and was cleared on all charges due to a lack of stable evidence. His lawyers claimed the documents were inauthentic. Fiori made it off as well which brings us back to the present issue. Did Peter Herman rally votes so the SPD would be more lenient with him and steer clear of anything that might incriminate him?

When I spoke to the SPD's Chief of Police earlier this week he had this to say, "The Seattle Police Department is not intimidated or swayed by any sum of money. I can assure everyone that the head of our S.W.A.T. unit is more than itching to finally close in on the major drug-dealers in our area. Although, we appreciate Councilman Herman's efforts and the funding we received it will not stop us from arresting anyone involved in criminal activities. If Mr. Herman or the mayor or I for that matter participated in illegal activities we would be arrested and charged just the same as anyone else." That is a bold statement coming from a man who just got his S.W.A.T. team funded.

So where does this leave us now? With a possibly corrupted S.W.A.T. unit or a better performing division of the Seattle Police Department—we will just have to wait and see if this is the year they can put Fiori behind bars. Or if they make excuses about not having enough equipment and man-power to take him down. Either way this reporter will be waiting, not holding her breath.

Bitch!

Where the hell did she get off undermining my unit? We were more than capable of taking down Fiori. If those geniuses upstairs could ever get solid evidence of his less than legal business practices then we could certainly take him down. She wrote it herself that Herman and Fiori had gotten off due to legalities.

It was never a matter of not being able to take out Fiori. His lackeys weren't exactly the sharpest tools in the shed. Busting them while they operated was cake. It was getting the evidence and testimonies to stick that were the problem. Granted, I was a detective myself, it wasn't my responsibility to get incriminating evidence on the guy.

I groaned and threw the paper against the opposite wall. The wind slowed it down and sent the offensive article flying in a different direction from the rest of the newspaper. I poured myself another glass of scotch and downed it quickly.

I strolled over to the bedroom and found Vanessa passed out cold in my bed. She was curled in the same exact position I had left her in this morning. Her "clothes" were still scattered across my bedroom and I could see her dangerous-looking heels in the corner. I wasn't sure when they had made their way over there but it wasn't surprising. She had a tendency to throw clothes when we were otherwise preoccupied.

I placed my empty glass on the nightstand and climbed into bed. She stirred and turned over to face me. I waited.

"Hi," she said in a raspy voice.

"Hey."

"Where were you? Did you go somewhere?"

"Yeah, I stepped out this morning."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I just needed some time for myself. I went to the Harbor to think."

"Think about what?"

"Stuff."

"Oh…"she didn't finish.

I knew what she was about to bring up. It was the conversation we always had the day after we hooked up. Vanessa and I had known each other for a while. She always expected me to make some grand gesture and realize how solitary I was without her in my life on a regular basis. Mostly she expected me to make us official. She never got her way though.

"Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you ever going to make this a serious relationship or are we ever only going to be fuck buddies?"

"You already know the answer to that. I don't understand why you do this every time. It just makes you upset."

"Because, damnit Edward, I'm in this relationship too. I have feelings too!"

"Don't give me that. You knew my stance on dating beforehand. I warned you."

"I didn't expect to fall in love with you!" she shouted.

She was sitting up now, the sheet held closely to her chest. Her blue eyes were blazing with emotion and her brown eyebrows were pulled together. It was her trademark 'I'm-pissed-look.' I didn't respond to her. I couldn't say the same thing to her. I could never say those three little words to anyone and I doubted I ever would.

Phrases like "I love you" weren't part of my vocabulary. They were reserved for one person and she was miles away. The connotation was also much different. There was no romanticism when I told Esme I loved her. She was my mother and she raised me by herself…fuck yeah I loved the woman.

"Vanessa, I think you should go."

"Fine! I have a photo-shoot tomorrow anyway and I'm going to Miami this weekend for another one. When I get back we need to talk, Edward. If you don't plan on making some changes in this relationship when I get back then I think we should stop seeing each. I'm sick of being a booty call," she stood up and picked up her dress.

She slipped the silky, thin material on and grabbed her underwear and shoes off the floor. The leggy model made her way towards my open bedroom door and paused. She turned around.

"I'll stop by your job Tuesday afternoon before I leave. Please don't ruin this, Edward," her voice was grave.

She walked out and disappeared down the hall. I could hear the faint sound of my apartment door closing. I closed my eyes and sighed. It was so frustrating when they got like this. Why couldn't I ever find a girl who was okay with the casual sex? Why did they always want a relationship? I was the wrong guy to be dating in the first place.

I drank. I was sexually active. I had a dangerous job. I was a workaholic. I had a foul mouth. I was seriously emotionally and morally bankrupt. I could count the number of people I genuinely cared about on one hand. I was cynical and sarcastic to a fault. I was exceedingly self-absorbed.

What girl in their right mind would possibly love me? I knew Vanessa had her own bag of issues but shit. I didn't need to be concerned about hers as well. I fell asleep and started to dream of the last time I saw my father.

Flashback

I was only nine at the time. I had been a boy scout and was coming home from a troop meeting. My mother was in the driver's seat and was uncharacteristically quiet. She usually chattered away and asked me a long series of questions about my troop meeting until we got home. She was biting her lip to the point where I was sure she'd start bleeding. Her eyes were crazed and darting everywhere. They never focused on one thing for too long.

I looked at her skeptically and then glanced out the window. We were in my neighborhood now. I could see the James' house, the McGregor's house, O'Neill's house, Craig's house, and finally my house. The driveway was empty which was normal. I was relieved. I was worried Grandma Beth and Grandpa Ed had surprised us with a visit. I always had to sleep on the couch when they visited. And Mom never got along much with Grandma Beth and Grandpa Ed.

My mother turned the car off and stepped out. I looked at her as she turned in my direction to head into the house. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, as if she'd been crying a lot. I got curious again but said nothing. I had been raised to ignore adults like that. If you ever saw anything uncharacteristic or strange you just gnawed on the memory or visual. You never said anything.

I stared at my black and white Converse while we walked into the house. This was really strange. There were suitcases in the living room. Were we going on vacation? It was only October and school just started. Mom and Dad never let me miss school for stuff like this.

I heard a thump and turned around to see my mom drop her stuff in the middle of the hallway and disappear into her bedroom. She closed the door behind her. I heard the click of her lock and waited. It was a whole three minutes that she hadn't come back. I picked up her purse and keys and placed them on the hallway table.

My stomach growled and I realized that there was no afternoon snack waiting for me as usual. I inspected the kitchen and dining room. There was no PB&J or ham and cheese sandwich. No juice or milk. No animal crackers or fruit. Mom must have forgotten. I grabbed a glass of apple juice, being careful not to spill anywhere and an orange.

I passed by Mom and Dad's room on the way to mine and stopped when I heard a weird noise. I stepped closer to her door and got really quiet. I'd be in super trouble if she knew I was eavesdropping. I pressed my ear on her door and her weird noises. I concentrated really hard to place the sound and realized there were broken sobs coming from the other side of the door.

She was crying.

But why would she be crying? Did I upset her? Did I do something wrong? I gulped and backed away from the door. Dad would yell at me when he got home for upsetting Mom if he saw her crying. I retreated to my bedroom and did the homework Mrs. Kaufman had assigned. She was a mean teacher. She gave us a lot of homework.

I finished all of my assignments at around 6:00 and Mom still hadn't called me for dinner. I got out my baseball cards and started to re-organize my book. I was bored and I couldn't go out to play with Greg and Timmy. I needed to ask Mom for permission and there was no way I'd be anywhere near her door today.

Dad would be home soon at least. Maybe he'd still order a pizza for dinner, even if he was mad at me for making Mom cry. I climbed into my bed and started to count the glow-in-the-dark stars on my ceiling. I must have fallen asleep because it was dark and I was startled when I heard a door slam.

I shot up from my bed and looked at my clock. It was 8:30 at night. Was Mom finally up? I crept out of my bedroom and tip-toed towards Mom's door. It was open and she was missing. I could hear her talking to someone down the hall.

"Please, Edward don't do this. I love you. Edward loves you too. There's no family without you," my mother pleaded.

At first I thought she was talking to me until I saw my Dad brush past her and grab a piece of luggage.

"Esme, stop. I'm sick of your begging. I'm not in love with you anymore and Edward is fine. He's old enough to take care of himself. Why do you think I waited so long?"

"Has it really been this long?"

"I haven't touched you in years. You should know."

It wasn't until I was older that I realized exactly what that meant.

"I thought maybe it was just a stage. Plenty of couples have issues. We can work through this Edward. Please, don't leave me."

"No, Esme. I'm done. I knew almost ten years ago that we'd run our course. I was just waiting for Edward to get a little more mature. I wouldn't want to leave you with a baby."

"But you can leave me now!" my mother cried frantically.

I hadn't realized I was crying. My eyes were stinging from tears and my cheeks had a line of moisture on either side. I brushed the tears away and stared at my father. He was bringing his luggage to the front door. He was leaving without us. And it didn't sound like he ever planned on coming back.

"Look, Esme…when Edward wakes up tell him I'm sorry but I can't do this anymore. I can't live a lie anymore. Heather makes me happy."

"That's her name?"

"Yes."

I heard a sob break free from my mother. Heather sounded younger than Mom.

"Goodbye, Esme."

"Dad!" my voice shouted.

I had never even made a conscience decision to announce my presence or address him. My voice shocked even myself. I ran down the hall and turned the corner. He was holding a duffle bag in his hand and pausing at the door. My mother was crying silently while he stared at me.

"She's your responsibility now."

And without another word he walked out the door and closed it behind him. I ran to the window and peeked outside. The front-lights on his car light up as he turned the car on. He backed out of the driveway and turned down the block. I never saw that car again and I never saw him again.

End Flashback

I awoke with a start. I had seen a number of scary movies in my life—The Exorcist included—but that dream always scared me and made my blood run cold. The absolute look of harshness and heartlessness was more frightening than anything I'd ever seen. To think someone could be so genuinely cruel and callous was disconcerting.

I stayed away from relationships. I would never want anyone to accuse me with their words or thoughts of being that way when I supposedly said I cared about them. At least with my indifference it was expected. Not a blindsiding action of selfishness. You couldn't be left disappointed if you had no expectations.

I sat on the side of my bed and held my face in my hands. I hated that dream. It was so vivid and it usually came around at the worst times. It had a habit of resurfacing after really emotionally draining situations or whenever something big was about to happen. Nothing major was supposed to be happening so I figured it had to do with my "argument" with Vanessa.

Normally, I would go to a bar and pick up some hot girl to entertain myself with after evenings like this one but I had work tomorrow. I ran a hand down my face and switched the lamp beside my bed on. I grabbed the Chinese food menu from my drawer and dialed the number.

The food came quickly so I grabbed a beer and some utensils from the kitchen. I placed them on the table when I heard a crumpling sound. I glanced down and the news article from this morning was still on the floor. I picked up the now ripped piece of paper and threw it in the trash. Stupid Isabella Woods.

I never understood why she deserved a column. Her writing wasn't exactly riveting and all she did was make jabs at the different government agencies and news in Seattle. I would bet she wasn't even from Seattle. She was probably some small-town hick that thought she was important because she wrote for a newspaper in a major city.

I sat there and chewed on my steamed broccoli when a thought occurred to me. Charlie had been quoted in her article. I wasn't exactly sure why or how but she always had a quote when the article was directly related to him. It actually drove me somewhat crazy. She was constantly humiliating us yet he still spoke to her.

I realize he tried to be diplomatic and maintain good relationships with even the haters but shit she was more than hater. I would go so far as to say she abhorred the Seattle Police Department. Isabella Woods took free speech to new extremes with her articles on us.

I grabbed my beer bottle roughly and took a swig of beer. I needed to get this chick off of my mind. I was having a crappy day as it was.

"Did you see Woods' article?" one of my officers asked me.

"Yes."

"What are you gonna do about it?"

"There's nothing I can do."

"Oh c'mon. You're the head of the S.W.A.T. team. I'm sure if you talk to Charlie he'll think of something to do."

"I highly doubt it. He seems to like her actually."

"What do you mean?"

"He's always giving her quotes. Obviously they speak."

"Good point. I never noticed that."

I was reading through a press statement I was supposed to release on the article. I was drowning in paperwork as well. This damn article had me up to my ears in a tree-hugger's nightmare. There were stacks of white computer paper everywhere.

"You know she took a stab at you. She sai—"

"Valence shut the hell up and get out of my office! I told you I don't want you dickheads to talk about her articles and yet here you are. You've got a shitload of paperwork to fill out on your desk that's for the Chief himself. I suggest you get your ass on it and quit gossiping like a chick. Understand?" my voice turned more authoritative towards the end.

"Yes, Lieutenant."

"Good, now get the fuck out of my office."

"Yes, sir."

Jay stood up and scrambled to the door. He was actually one of my favorite officers but God did he not know when to quit while he was ahead. He'd done it in for himself as soon as he mentioned the part that dealt with me.

I knew that was incredibly girly and a total cop-out but I wasn't interested in having a conversation about the little Starbuck's sipping, Nietzsche reading, "intellectual," that made it her personal pleasure in life undermining my superiors and coworkers.

As Jay stepped out Emmett stepped in. He practically took up the whole doorframe he was so damn huge. He planted himself in the seat Jay had just vacated and leaned forward.

"Don't bring it up," I warned.

"I wasn't. I was going to bring you some news about it though."

"Don't bring that up either."

"You're going to want to hear this…trust me," he smirked at me.

I glanced at him from my papers and his dimples were prominent. It didn't matter if the guy was 6'5 and over 300 pounds. He still had a baby face.

"Make it quick. I have things to do," I snapped.

"I was up by the Chief's office, talking to Captain Oliveros and rumor has it that you should be expecting a phone call from him in the next few minutes."

"Who? Oliveros?"

"No. Charlie."

"Why?"

"Remember when I said news about the article?"

"Shit. What does he want?" I was wary.

"I heard he's making you do an interview with her."

Fuck me.

"Face-to-face," his smile grew.

Could it get any worse?

"Tomorrow morning," he leaned back in his chair satisfied.

Apparently, it could.

"Oliveros told you all of this?"

"No. He heard it from Swan's secretary. Apparently, she was talking to the girl and having it set up."

I held my face in my hands. This was not how I planned on finally getting my two cents in where Isabella Woods was concerned. If I ever spoke to her, I promised myself there'd be shouting and swearing involved. Now I was supposed to be doing an interview!

"He can forget it," I finally spoke.

"Who can forget what?" a voice that was very obviously not Emmett's spoke.

My head snapped up and Chief Swan was standing in my doorframe.

"Sorry, Masen. I didn't realize you were having a conversation. Nice to see you Sergeant McCarty," the Chief nodded at Emmett.

Emmett immediately stood up as did I and we saluted him.

"At ease, guys. McCarty do you think you can give Masen and I a minute?"

"Yes, sir," Emmett nodded and saluted him once more before walking out.

"Have a seat, sir," I motioned to Emmett's empty chair.

He took a seat and made himself comfortable. I sat down behind my desk and waited for the order. This was going to be unpleasant.

"I'll skip over the details Lieutenant since I'm sure you read the article in yesterday's Seattle Weekly Journal."

"Yes, sir."

"We've had quite some press over it in the last 24 hours and the public relations coordinator suggested we set up an interview between you and Ms. Sw—Woods."

"I see, sir."

"The interview will be tomorrow morning—in the conference room on my floor. Be there before 9:00. Be—Ms. Woods is always on time."

"Yes, sir."

"The goal is for her to really get a feel for you. I don't want there to be any miscommunication or misread information. Hopefully, a face-to-face interview will help her to stay off your back about this city council thing. If you can do a good job then she'll more than likely have no choice but to write about what a fantastic job you're doing with our S.W.A.T. team."

"With all due respect, sir. Don't you think we could maybe look into other avenues of dealing with thi—?" I didn't get to finish.

"Lieutenant, this is an order. There will be no refutation."

I sighed and resigned to my orders. No matter how many men I led on my team, I still had superiors of my own.

"Yes, sir."

"Good. I have to warn you Lieutenant, my da—Ms. Woods is a firecracker. You better be prepared to answer her questions."

"I understand."

"Okay, Lieutenant. I'm counting on you not to mess this up."

"Yes, sir."

I stood up and saluted him before he departed from my office. I let out the breath I was holding and sunk back into my chair. This was going to be awful. I just knew it. I'd never had such strong emotions of dislike towards someone I'd never met.

I could only imagine what it'd be like to put a face to those whiny articles I read every Sunday. I could picture her right now. She was definitely one of those condescending, intellectuals who looked down on everyone. I'd love to be the one to burst the little bubble she's living in but unfortunately it wouldn't be tomorrow.

So what did everyone think of the first chapter? Edward is a lot different now from when he's in the one-shot. A lot happens over the course of the few months they know each other and he changes. His love for her makes everything different.

I know some people will ask about why Edward didn't notice Charlie's slips but the truth is he doesn't even notice it he's so pissed. He doesn't think anything of it until later. And Bella uses a fake last name for safety reasons. She's well-known and it would be imprudent for her to be pubically known as the Chief of Police's daughter so Charlie keeps up with the charade.

Reviews make me happy so go ahead and click that ugly blue button, lol.