A/N: This is my first attempt at a Twilight fan fiction. If you read it, I'd love to hear what you think, so leave a review! I know that there are a lot of 'Edward never came back' fics out there, and I know I haven't read all of them, so hopefully this isn't too similar to anything else someone's already written.

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns everything Twilight.

Late, again.

I growled at my bedside clock, wondering how it made the decision of whether or not to go off. For such a small device, it was very largely annoying .

Without turning on a light, so I wouldn't wake my nocturnal roommate, I dashed around the single bedroom in search of a matching, clean outfit.

I tripped over a pile of books on my way to the bathroom, but managed to regain balance before hitting the ground. That on its own indicated good things to come; normally, I was a walking disaster when rushed. Or, should I say, a falling disaster.

I took a shower that lasted approximately two minutes, more to wake myself up than to get clean - I usually showered at night. Brushing my hair took no time at all, which reminded me again why I'd had it cut so short in the first place. When I'd first come to Florida with Renee, things like my appearance and my behavior hadn't been very important to me. For the better part of a year, I was in pretty poor shape.

Ok, I'd been a downright wreck.

To put it short, I barely even remember the months it took for me to adjust to life without Edward. I existed, but just barely. I don't know how I managed to finish out the school year, but graduation came and I got to walk the stage along with everyone else. It was a strange experience, considering I knew none of the other students. I was glad when it was over with; I had thought it meant the end of trying so hard.

I'd been very wrong.

Renee expected more from me after the end of my high school life. She threw around words like 'college', and 'career' - things that I had no intentions of getting into. According to my mother, it was the only natural path for my life to take.

That was years ago now. I hadn't followed her advice perfectly, but then again, who ever listens to their parents? I had managed to secure a decent job, no thanks to my two year community college degree. As far as I was concerned, those two years were nothing but wasted time; but they made my mother happy, and I still wasn't above trying to please my parents.

For that reason alone, I had to lie to them on a very regular basis.

Both Charlie and Renee had skewed outlooks on my job and my personal life. Over the years, I had fed them so many lies that the words came without any hesitation now. I didn't even think twice about how wrong it was anymore; the line between right and wrong had been blurred far too long ago for me to change anything now.

With a bag of essentials tucked under my arm, I ducked out of the apartment, locking the door behind me. This wasn't the worst part of town, but break-ins weren't unheard of. I strolled down the six flights of stair at a snails pace - I'd tripped down them twice since the elevator had quit working, just one week ago, but had somehow managed to abstain from breaking any bones.

I didn't have far to walk, just down the street to the corner bus stop. If I'd been up on time, my ride would have been a much smaller, much sleeker sports car. It had probably been sitting just south of where I was now, right in front of my apartment building - oh, about three hours ago. Luckily, my employer was lenient, and rather supportive of the simple notion of sleep.

It was something he was deprived of, after all.

I made use of a few items in my bag during the short ride across town, using every available second and every ounce of my cosmetology skills to ensure I was as presentable as possible. My efforts were futile, really; no amount of makeup would allow me to blend in with the company I kept. I knew this well, but it never stopped me from trying.

The Bella Swan in Forks wouldn't have been able to step foot outside with this much makeup on without blushing and hiding behind her hair. It was a good thing I wasn't her anymore.

It was still early morning when I got off at my stop. I still hadn't quite gotten used to the heat of Florida - such a direct contrast to rainy Forks - though it had been my home for almost eight years. It made no sense whatsoever, considering I'd lived most my life in the dry hear of Phoenix, but somehow I'd grown accustomed to the weather in Forks during my short stay. The sunlight didn't warm me like it used to; not on the inside, at least.

The old Bella, the one who moved from Arizona to Washington, would have paused briefly to absorb the comfortable morning heat. I broke out into a brisk stride, past the dress shop with bars over the windows, past the old tattoo parlor that never failed to have at least one glossy, decked-out motorcycle parked out front. Past the abandoned, vandalized church and around the corner, to the multi-story office complex that appeared to be just as uninhabited.

The same path I took nearly every morning, save for those that I actually woke in time to catch my ride. On those rare mornings, I had only to walk from the underground parking garage to the elevator.

I rapped twice on one plywood covered window to alert those inside to my arrival, on the off chance my footsteps and scent had gone unnoticed. I would only wait out front for a minute; though I much preferred to enter with one of them, I wouldn't risk drawing any outside attention.

The cardboard covered glass door swung outwards, letting sunlight stream into the opening. One long, slender arm stuck out of the shadows, holding the door in its current position. Every inch of the limb reflected the sunlight, glistening like a glove of diamonds.

It was something I saw on a daily basis, but I still couldn't keep my gasp of awe from escaping.

"Bella!" A musical voice greeted me with far too much enthusiasm for the hour.

"Good morning, Cassie."

I squeezed through the opening provided and into the dark entryway. As usual, the temperature change was abrupt - from warming oven to ice cooler in a matter of seconds. My sight was useless in this part of the building, where no one bothered with lights, because really, no one here needed them. The upper levels were only well lit for the benefit of those like myself.

"Nathan's got a job for you today," Cassie informed me in her bell-like voice. I didn't have to see her to know there was a stunning smile on her face; Cassie was smiling more often than not. "He's been talking to himself all morning, and yelling at Bryant, which, well, I suppose is normal. Of course, he won't tell me anything at all. I heard Bryant on the phone with the airport, he's booked two seats on a flight to who knows where, because Nathan called for me before I got the chance to hear. I think you're going to be going somewhere, maybe with Bryant, or Sophia."

I cut her off there, in the transitory second before she started into another thought. Cassie would ramble on for hours if no one stopped her. "Sounds like things have been interesting around here," I said casually, conversationally. "Maybe we should go see Nathan and find out what's going on."

Cassie's ice cold hand found mine easily in the darkness, and she tugged me forward eagerly. No doubt she was more interested in my assignment than I was - not that I wasn't interested at all. It'd been almost a year since my last long distance job, which had gone over fairly well. Better than I had expected, anyway.

Nathan didn't send me away very often. I like to think he understood me, and the fact that I could cause complications about as often as I could solve problems. Which was why, after my first solo excursion, Nathan had refused to let me leave the state without one of his more… resilient employees by my side.

I was contemplating the possible nature of this new task as Cassie led me, very impatiently, to the first floor elevator. Though the stairwell would have been her quicker option, Cassie had long ago become familiar with my much slower human pace (not to mention the clumsiness) and had resigned to using the otherwise pointless mode of transportation when in my company.

The darkness was broken when the doors swooshed apart, enabling me to see again. Cassie and I stepped inside right away, already sure that we would find it empty. This morning, like most others, I had no qualms with boxing myself in a small, enclosed space with the blond haired vampire; she wasn't thirsty today. I'd seen to that myself, only two afternoons ago. Her eternally red eyes were dark and glowing, obviously sated for the time being.

We ascended two floors and got off in a dimly lit hallway. Cassie skipped a few paces ahead of me, her long hair bouncing with her jovial movements. I took larger steps in order to keep up.

At the end of the hall, we hesitated momentarily outside of Nathan's office. A few seconds was all the time he needed; if we weren't welcome, he would have made sure we didn't enter. His ability to sense those around him would have informed him of our arrival before we'd even reached the door.

It was an impressive skill, sometimes.

"Bella! Come in, come in."

The doorknob was wretched from Cassie's hand as it swung inward. Nathan's lofty frame filled the space the door had just occupied.

"Morning, Nathan. You look like you could use a day out of the office." I raised my eyebrows while I spoke, taking in his rumpled brown hair and wrinkled clothes. The same clothes he'd worn yesterday. He'd probably been at his computer all night. "Too bad they're calling for a heat wave this week."

Nathan nodded impatiently, disregarding my greeting. He stepped aside so that I could enter the room, but moved at an unnatural speed to prevent Cassie from following.

"Go and speak with Bryant. Tell him to pack for cold weather."

I frowned and listened to Cassie's objection as Nathan closed the door in her face.

"That's not very nice, you know." I kept my voice light, teasing. I wasn't sure if Nathan was in the mood to hear me defend Cassie.

"Nice doesn't work with her." Nathan sighed and stepped heavily towards his desk; his feet actually made noises - a feat for a vampire. I followed his lead and sat in the antique armchair that was positioned opposite the massive oak desk. The desk was mostly empty, aside from the expensive computer and all of Nathan's paperwork. It was an uncluttered contrast to the office walls, which were nearly impossible to see behind Nathan's vast collection of artwork.

Nathan smoothed his hands out over his keyboard without pressing any buttons. He scowled at the screen between us.

I waited patiently. My boss was an eccentric man of few words; he would say what was needed in his own time, and no one else's. I'd learned not to press him, not to irritate him, and just let him be. It was a considerably relaxed work-relationship that we shared.

"Bella, you know I dislike sending you away, but I'm afraid there are no others for this particular task." He looked towards me as he spoke, apologizing with his eyes.

I nodded, grinning weakly. There were very few possible directions for this conversation to take.

"Bryant will accompany you, of course. The both of you will be back in Florida by the end of the week, with any luck. It should be a relatively trouble-free matter. I hope you don't oppose too terribly."

I just shook my head and waited for the blow.

Nathan nodded; my reaction was expected. It was time to get to the details. "There is a firm in Port Angeles, Washington, one that I have taken an interest in owning. The current owners are understandably put out by my persistence." He smiled, mischief gleaming in his expression. I resisted the urge to giggle; Nathan was nothing if not a persistent capitalist. "I happen to know that one of my favorite employees has spent time in that area, so, naturally, I have to take advantage of that knowledge. Am I wrong to think that you could sway these men in my favor?"

The words I wanted to say had to be swallowed before I could answer Nathan properly. He wouldn't want to hear my natural response to being sent to Port Angeles.

After choking silently, I settled on a slight nod of affirmation. It was never difficult to sway Nathan's competitors - he provided enough funds to satisfy a God. It was in the compromise that my boss found his leisure. I would go and throw money at the owners until they caved, and Nathan would laugh about how much more he thought it would take.

"Well then, you should be off to pack."

I nodded again and stood, turning towards the door.

"Oh, Bella," Nathan stood as well, stepping around the desk in a movement too quick for me to see. "If you would, try not to wake Lorie. She had an… eventful evening."

I focused on keeping my expression smooth. "No problem." I was dismissed then, as Nathan was no longer looking at me, but at one of his paintings.

He could probably hear my teeth grinding together as I left the room.

The vampires here were no more murders than the company I had kept in Forks. But they didn't deny their craving for human blood, either. It was another blurring of right and wrong, one that I still wasn't positive

I'd completely accepted.

I suppose that if it wasn't for Sophia, it wouldn't be possible. Her ability was somewhat like Jasper's, in that she could sway the emotions of others; but her command went a lot further. She could alter a persons memories, as well as their mind-set - and her change was lasting.

Very few people were allowed to remember their dealings with my vampires.

Laurie, my nocturnal roommate, was one of the few. The marks over her neck and shoulders were physical evidence of her repeated encounters.

See, while vampires are indeed venomous, they are also very apt at withdrawing fluids from a persons bloodstream. My first demonstration of that fact had been years ago - in a time that I tried not to recall.

So long as we kept the unsuspecting humans rolling in on a regular basis, there was no need for any lives to be taken. Sophia kept them all from questioning the time spent in our 'office building'.

I'd have to find lunch for Bryant before we could leave - then it would be elk and deer until we got back home.

At least, I hoped. Bryant probably wasn't apposed to finishing a meal every now and then.

Cassie wasn't waiting for me in the hall, so I took the elevator down on my own. Seconds later I was in the underground parking garage. The car I sought was parked in the far corner, between Cassie's blue Lamborghini Murcielago and Sophia's less ostentatious gray Ford Fusion.

The car was probably the most expensive gift I'd received in my entire life. It was an absolutely beautiful orange Mitsubishi Eclipse, but, while I adored it, I refused to use it for anything other than work. I just couldn't bring myself to leave it parked on the street by my apartment overnight.

At home, I finally allowed myself to feel the disorder of my emotions. Nathan expected nothing less than total compliance. No matter how unappealing my job description became, I had no choice but to roll with the punches. Nathan looked out for me. Cassie was my best friend.

I threw clothes into a suitcase at random, grumbling to myself all the while.

It took no time at all to get ready to go. Lorie was still sleeping soundly when I locked up and left, dragging two moderately heavy suitcases behind me. Nathan said a week, but there was no way of gauging these things. If he wanted to buy, he'd buy; time was of no consequence.

Traffic was still light - most people had arrived at their destinations by now. I forfeit the use of air conditioning, opting to roll down my windows and enjoy the stifling heat of the south for as long as I was able. Soon it would be long sleeves and a jacket; the title 'summer' was a cruel deception when applied to my former home.

I parked in my normal spot and left my bags in the car. I'd let someone else move them if we took a different vehicle to the airport.

Sophia was pacing the third floor hallway when I stepped out of the elevator. Her usually stern expression was even more severe than normal; her lips were pulled down at the corners in a deep, deliberate frown.

"Missing Bryant already?" I asked, pitching my voice to sound understanding. I understood more than most - but those were emotions I refused to feel anymore.

The dark haired Vampire stilled, her pale hands resting on her hips. They were the color of snow against her black skirt.

"It's foolish of Nathan to send the two of you together. Bryant doesn't need that sort of freedom." Her words made her out to be controlling, as though she was attempting to rule over her mate's endeavors.

I knew better.

None of my vampire friend's were exactly moral, but Bryant was even less concerned with the nature of his meals than the others. Sophia had every reason to worry.

I agreed whole heartedly. "Has he thought to send you instead?" I asked, without any real hope.

Sophia's long inky hair slid over her shoulders as she shrugged. "He has his motives, of that I'm sure. He won't listen to a word I have to say on the subject." She stepped closer, lowering her voice - probably in vain. "Perhaps you could voice your opinion; Nathan has a remarkable fixation with you. You may be able to make him see reason."

My eyes widened in surprise. Sophia must have been pretty anxious over Bryant leaving, if she went so far as to enlist my help. Me, the human. Who knew a prideful vampire would ever sink so low?

"I can try." I drew the words out, hesitant to say them at all. We both knew that Nathan was impossible to persuade once his mind was made up. I probably wouldn't get five words in before he pushed me out the door.

Sophia nodded once, but now she looked distracted, cocking her head slightly to the side and frowning. I waited, knowing that she was listening to something my human ears weren't able to catch.

"Hmmm…" Sophia scowled, clenching her jaw just a bit tighter before speaking. "Nathan's talking with Bryant now. He's unusually enthusiastic about this issue, I wonder why that is."

I took a deep breath, trying very hard to keep my expression neutral. Nathan was the only one of them who knew where I'd lived before moving to Florida. He didn't know the exact nature of my background, only that it had somehow led to my understanding of a world that most humans coexisted with in ignorance. Oh, he'd asked me questions, a multitude of them, but I had given very vague answers. He didn't know about the Cullen's vegetarian diet, let alone their name or whereabouts, or even their numbers.

Sophia knew nothing, but I could tell that she was suspecting and that I was a part of her speculations.

"You can never know what Nathan is thinking," I hedged, taking a few steps in the direction of our topics office. Hopefully Sophia would take the hint and let me go. She'd never been one to engage me in conversation to begin with. "I'm sure he would be sending Mario, if that were still a possibility."

Sophia hissed beside me, where she had fallen into step. "Don't bring the traitor into this."

I quickened my pace, walking a little erratically because my focus was on the vampire stalking lithely by my side. I knew that Mario was a sore subject, but his name had effectively ended our conversation - my intention, of course.

Sophia's eyes were nearly black when we rounded the corner and came to Nathan's office. A very sour looking Cassie stood just outside the closed door. She was still pouting when I greeted her. I hid my smirk; over the years, the blonde vampire had acquired so many human expressions that sometimes it was easy to forget she was the an active member of the most lethal race ever created.

Ignoring Sophia, Cassie turned her pout on me. "Nathan told me to send you in. He absolutely won't let me do a thing, even though I could reserve your rooms on the internet, or book you a tour of the rainforest. It storms up there all the time, so I hope you remembered to pack a raincoat and a decent pair of boots. I've read that humans can have a number of reactions to extreme climate changes, so I printed you a list of the most common complaints, just in case you need it."

I smiled, not at all surprised by the endeavor. In her more human years, Cassie would have made a very proficient secretary to some big-headed corporate CEO.

I could feel Sophia's gaze on the back of my head as I turned the handle and let myself in to Nathan's office.

"Bella! Come in, sit down. Close the door behind you."

I did as I was told, sitting in the same armchair I had occupied earlier that morning. Bryant stood with his back to me, his lanky frame bent ever so slightly as he appeared to more closely examine one of Nathan's many paintings.

Nathan smiled, displaying his perfectly white set of teeth, before speaking loudly. "I understand that certain members of my corporation think I'm wrong in my choices when it comes to this matter. I tell you, Bella, as I am sure you well know, I have put it to a great deal of thought. Your familiarity with the area alone serves well enough to justify my decision, would you not agree?"

I sat just a bit more rigid in my chair and nodded.

"It is not a problem, Nathan. I'm capable of completing a simple business deal." What I really felt like saying was, 'Gee, thanks a lot for telling everybody I used to live in Washington. You just opened up a whole new conversational outlet for Cassie to abuse', but I was used to editing my thoughts by now.

"Very well, then." Nathan sat back in his chair. Suddenly he was sliding the mouse across the desktop, his eyes and attention having moved on to the computer screen between us in the amount of time it would take a normal person to blink. He continued speaking to me, nonetheless. "Your flight arrangements have been taken care of. For lack of better choices, Kim will be driving the two of you to the airport."

His fingers clicked away at the keyboard at lightning speed as I contemplated getting into a car with my human coworker behind the wheel. Kim was older than me by several years, and had been a part of Nathan's little enterprise for quite some time before I joined up.

It was only in recent times that Nathan and his companions made the switch to sampling without slaughtering. Their record was not so pristine in the early days, and that was where Kim came in. She was barely a teenager when she witnessed her father, her only living relative, murdered at the hands, or, more correctly, the teeth, of my boss. He hadn't meant to kill; Sophia had been standing by, ready to do whatever it was that she did to jumble the memory of their conquests. Only this time she wasn't needed.

Sometimes - though now it was very uncommon - the urge to drink could not be harnessed by the intent to stop.

Expectedly, Kim burst into violent sobs and ran to her deceased fathers side. Very unexpectedly, she then turned to Nathan and thanked him so sincerely that the vampire was shocked speechless. As it turned out, Kim's father had been making her life hell by way of every type of abuse one could imagine. Nathan, being the least heartless stone creature I've ever come across - save one or two, perhaps - took a liking to the girl and assumed responsibility for her wellbeing.

Being raised by vampires would do a lot to promote recklessness on any human's part.

Nathan's eyes twitched back to my face when I didn't respond right away. Still smiling, still amused.

"She promised to deliver you safely, and in one piece."

I nodded out of habit, while reminding myself that my fears were unnecessary. If Kim happened to lose control of the car, Bryant would remove both of us from danger before the impact.

Nathan's smile faltered as he judged my expression. "You are abnormally quiet today, Bella. Does this assignment offend you so greatly?"

"No, of course not," I lied through my teeth. "I'm just thinking about how weird it'll be, going back after all these years. I'm wondering if I'll still recognize the place."

It wasn't entirely a lie - Charlie had said that several well-known buildings had been demolished to make room for a newer, bigger mall. And I wasn't overly perturbed about it; the cause of my apprehension wouldn't be around, anyway.

Maybe that was the problem. Maybe I was afraid to face a Forks where the Cullen's didn't exist anymore.

Well, that was okay - there would be no need for me to step foot in Forks.

"Good, good. It is healthy to test ones memory. Now, Kim will be bringing today's clients with her, so you're free to spend the afternoon as you please - assuming you are ready to leave by dusk, that is."

I thanked him - though his attention had already returned to his computer - and stood.

"I hope Kim brings enough - it's going to take a lot to prepare me for a week alone with Bella." Bryant's smooth voice spoke quietly from behind me, reminding me of his presence.

"Don't worry, Bryant." I smiled at him over my shoulder, only slightly troubled with his choice of words. "I know where the deer and the antelope roam - I won't let you go thirsty."

Bryant laughed in his gently, hushed voice. "That would require a large amount of persuasion on your part. I happen to think you would be much tastier than some deer."

Nathan cleared his throat, a noise that was as surprising as it was distracting.

"I'd prefer if you would not test that theory, Bryant."

I glared at the messy-haired vampire before taking my leave. Was it too much to ask for my murder to be prohibited altogether?

Preferences just weren't as solid as orders.