Disclaimer- I own nothing, they belong to the own writers. I'm just playing around.

AN- IMPORTANT!- I know, I know, I'm a awful fanfic author. I've been getting a lot of messages lately if I was going to update 'A Blooming Rose'. Re-reading it however made me cringe slightly. There was just so many spelling mistakes and even in the short time, my writings changed slightly. So instead of just dropping the story, I am re-writing it. A blooming rose was the first fanfic I ever wrote and to be honest, too close to my heart to just abandon.

I am not just checking spelling, I'm tweaking the plot as well. Adding things I hadn't before. So it is practically the same plot but some things have changed, some major things.

Mainly the reason I couldn't just leave it alone was you people, all of you are so GREAT. the response was amazing, truly heart warming. So in return I want to give the best possible version of this.

WARNING - If you like Charlie and Renee, either don't read this story or don't complain about what I have done to there character. I know it seems outrageous but I promise you, I haven't just ruined them for no reason. This does lead somewhere and will be explained at a later date through the story. Just please don't jump the gun. I have also changed Bellas bad birthday party from eighteen to seventeen. It just fits better in my timeline.

I have no Beta, so mistakes are all mine, I have however checked and double checked, if I missed a few I really am sorry. Just please keep this in mind.

To the new readers, I hope you enjoy!

as always please review, I really do love hearing what you people have to say. favourite and follow if you want to too! :)

-Sparks94 _

3rd P.O.V

Bella was perched on the end of the window sill, staring aimlessly at the darkening night sky. There would be no stars out tonight, the constant cover of clouds would see to that. Forks weather was oppressive, always bearing down upon you. She really missed the sun and clear skies, the way you could just look up and loose yourself in the wide openness of blue hues. All she received her was gloomy greys. It pretty much summed up what her life had become.

She could faintly hear the quite snores of Charlie from the next room. It broke up the mundane silence that she had found encasing her more often then not lately. Night time was always the worst, it gave her time for her mind to wonder and remember. It no longer hurt her to remember, no, it pissed her off. Seeing, thinking about it sent her blood boiling. All that rage that settled into her pores was only directed at one person. Herself.

She had lost it when Edward had left her shattered on the forest floor. Giving her the same kind of courtesy you would a used Kleenex. She supposed that how he viewed her, in the end. Something to be thrown away and forgotten. Her world had crumbled around her, and so had she. Like a puppet with no strings, A dog with no owner who sat at the door and whined and whined, only Edward would not be coming back to give her pat and a biscuit for being a 'good girl'. It made her sick to her stomach. How could she let herself fall so far from who she was?

She felt foreign in her own skin. Things she had never seen before became clear. The Cullens were master manipulators. They had scooped out everything that made her, her and filled it with straw, a cheap imitation of herself. A pretty doll to put on the shelf and admire. The worst part, the dagger to the heart, was she had let them. She had spoke how they wanted her too, acted how they wanted her too, wore what they told her too.

Looking back at how she used to be and who she was now was... shocking. She couldn't believe they were the same girl. She had cooked, cleaned, worked. She had looked after her mother, looked after Charlie when she could. She was the one to sort the bills, the one to wash the clothes. How could she let herself go from that to... whatever the fuck she was now? She had always been able to look after herself, relying on no one because she had no one to rely on, now she couldn't even bring herself to eat, let alone anything else.

It was four months after the Cullens ditched town that she began the arduous task of healing. It was anything but easy, but slowly she got there, taking baby steps all the way. The biggest turning point was when she found that little black box. It housed her birthday presents and photos from that dreadful day. It was hidden underneath one of her loose floorboards. Edward must of hid it there, either in hopes that she would never find it or in hopes she would. More than likely the latter. It wasn't exactly a hard place to find.

Spilling the contents onto the floor, she gingerly fingered through them. Each item that passed through her finger tips made her anger flare even higher, the photos being the worst. It was like rooting through someone else's belongings. She wasn't that girl, smiling dumbly and the camera. It felt like she was looking at someone wearing her face, the features were right, the pose was right, but the expression was wrong, her eyes were wrong. They looked as hollow as she felt when Edward left her. Her mothers painted doll sprang to mind and it made her take action.

She clumsily gathered the offending items into her arms and dashed for the bathroom, dumping the contents into the sink. Yanking open the cabinet she rooted around until her fingers grasped cool metal. Pulling her prize from its hiding place, she ran her thumb over the cool dented metal. It was an old metal and leather lighter, once belonging to her grandfather. Flipping the lid, she span the wheel and smiled as the flame came to a spluttering life. Reaching down, she set fire to everything she could and hoped the rest would soon catch alight too. Like some kind of scene from a crappy romance film, a picture of her and Edward was on top. She watched avidly as the photo crackled under the heat, watched as his and her face bubbled, crisped and blackened. She got some sort of joy watching it, a sort of revenge, even if it was only on something that looked like him.

The healing after that picked up pace. Parts of her old self came back. Only not quite the same. She didn't think she would ever get back to the girl she used to be, or ever be that hollow shell again, but she was glad. In the ashes of the old Bella stood a new fortified one. One who wouldn't break again, but wouldn't let everyone walk all over her either. No more running after people, no more caring for people who didn't care for her. It was freeing.

It was that which led her to pick up the phone months later. There was only one place she wanted to go, one place where she could be fully herself, didn't have to look after anyone, where she felt loved. That place was her Nanas. Nana had always let her be herself, let her be the child she was supposed to be. The summers she got to spend there were the best memories she ever had.

She didn't need to speak much, for which she was grateful. She didn't even need to ask to come down, the older woman had pretty much demanded she come and stay. Nana had told her it was about time she came home. In fact, the normally warm toned woman was quite pissed she had gone to Charlies in the first place, instead of heading to Louisiana the first chance she got.

Home, it was something Bella really wanted right then and she realised from her memories of the comely house in rural Louisiana that, that was exactly where she was heading. After hanging up the phone, the truest smile she had felt in a long time graced her face. Home it seemed, was just in reach.

So here she was, a year later after Edwards departure. A loud car horn brought her out of her thoughts. Jumping up from her place, she scooped up her already packed backs and ran out of the room. She paused at the top of the stairs, glancing at Charlies shut door. She couldn't bring herself to wake him up, she would only get a cold re-buff and a 'see you sometime'. He would also be pissed she had woken him up. Even so, he knew she was leaving tonight, so if he really wanted to say good bye he would of stayed up the extra half an hour.

Blundering down the stairs two at a time, she managed to get out to the front door without a broken appendage, which was a big achievement for someone like Bella. Stepping out into the chilly air, she dropped her bags and locked the front door, posting the key back through the letter box. She wouldn't need it anymore. Turning around she spotted just who she wanted to see.

He hadn't changed much, scruffy jeans and a sleeveless shirt, messy blonde hair that needed a good brush. Grinning she flung herself at the man, laughing as he swirled her around and hugged her to him.

"Hey hells bells! Jesus, when did you grow out of pigtails and scratched up knees? What are you, twelve now?"

Bella grinned at him as he placed her back onto her own two feet. She knew he was just baiting her, but she couldn't resist the mischievous twinkle in his eyes, so she smacked him upside the head.

"Jay, I swear, to you I've been twelve for the last six birthdays. I know its hard to count but say it with me, EIGH-TEEN, eighteen."

He playfully swotted at her arm before bending over and picking up her bags, dumping them in the bed of his blue pick up.

"You see, I go to say it but twelve just keeps coming out. Are you sure you're eighteen? You've gotta stop growing on me Bells, you're making me feel old and I'm still in my prime! What will the ladies think?"

Bella laughed loudly as she slid into the truck. The leather of the seat moulded around her as she settled in. This was why she loved old cars. You can't beat the little things, like wooden dashboards and worn leather seats. He got in beside her and twisted the ignition key, The car roared to life, sending smalls vibrations through the seats.

"Oh my, is that a wrinkle Jay? And I'm pretty sure that's a grey hair!"

He scrambled for the flip down mirror, searching his face in the reflective surface before catching on and scoffing at her, eventually joining in with her laughter.

The two set off down the dark road, the further she got from Charlies house and out of Forks the lighter she felt. All doubts about this being the wrong idea vanished. She was going home, to her family, and nothing felt better than she did right then.

Jay reached over, one hand still on the steering wheel, and grasped hers in his other. His palm was rough and warm. Bella squeezed back.

"It's good to have you back Bells. You don't know how much everyone's missed you. Grandmas been practically splitting at the seems with excitement."

Bella smiled. She didn't need to tell him how good it felt going back, it was written all over her face.

"Its good to be back Jason, I missed you guys too, you, Sookie, Nanna. Cheers for coming so quick. You really didn't have to come the same night I called."

Jason took his hand back and blew off her thanks with a wave of his hand.

"We Stackhouse's stick together Bella. You know that."

Jason and Bella pulled into Bon Temps early the next morning. The sun was blazing away in the cobalt blue sky. Bella smiled, There was not a cloud in sight. By the time the two of them pulled up to the white house, she was buzzing in her seat. She felt the most energetic she had in a long time. Too animated to sit still for too long, Bella bulldozed her way out of the truck, leaving behind a chuckling Jason.

She found her grandmother where she thought she would. Standing over the steaming stove, blue apron on and spatula in hand. The sight of it nearly made her weep. She hadn't realised just to what extent that she had missed these people, now she knew however, she was damned sure she wouldn't be dragged away like last time. Come hell or high water.

When Renee got to bored at playing mother, or she realised just who Bella was, when Charlie would rather be fishing, they would send her here. Bella thought that they used to do it in an act of punishment. They couldn't have been more wrong. Sending her here was like giving her Christmas and her birthday wrapped up all in one. Never mind that Renee and Charlie never celebrated them with her.

She could always count on Grandma Adele to greet her with a hug, to cuddle and play and talk with her. Something she didn't get from either her mother or father. Sending her here was the best thing they had ever, and more than likely, ever would do for her.

"Nana!"

Bella yelled as she jogged to the elderly ladies spread arms. The smile on Adele's face could rival the sun, and just like the sun it warmed her up from the inside out.

"Oh baby bells, look at you! Still as beautiful as the day you were born."

Bella was reluctant to leave Adele's arms, thankfully it seemed Adele was just as reluctant to let her go. She felt whole again, of finally being home. Of course, Jason in all his social skills ruined the moment.

"Grandma, where's the food?"

Bella couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled its way up. Good ol' Jay to think of his stomach first, well when he wasn't thinking with the thing between his legs that was.

Bella let herself be pushed into an open seat, and smiled gratefully at the large breakfast Adele placed in front of her. Sausage, eggs, bacon, toast, beans and a full glass of orange juice. Hearty food that Bella could only relate back to her Nana. Adele playfully rolled her eyes at Jason as he scoffed his down like there was no tomorrow. Bella couldn't swipe the grin from her face. No matter how long she was gone for, she was pretty sure some things would never change.

"You alright dearie? And don't even think about picking at your food. I wont let you leave this table until you clean your plate, you need some meat on those bones, Hasn't Charlie been feeding you?"

Bella grimaced slightly. What was she meant to say? I only get to eat when I cook it? And these last few months I've been an extra from The Walking Dead. No, it may have been prideful but she never wanted to speak about how weak she was. Didn't want to admit it, especially to her nana. The woman was the definition of strength. Never letting anything break her down, even when her husband went missing and Renees brother had died.

"You know how Charlie is, he can hardly do toast without burning the house down."

Bella tried to joke. Try and airbrush over how crap her family life was. Charlie wasn't the worst parent. Not by a long shot. After the... incident though, he became distant. Disengaged from her as if what she could do was catchy, like a virus. He never hit her, never raised his voice after what had happened when she was ten, but he did treat her like she didn't exist. Just a shadow moving around, not something to acknowledge.

Unfortunately Nana Adele was observant. A trait Bella had gotten from the woman. By the looks of it, she wasn't buying anything Bella was trying to sell.

"I could never stand that man. Don't try and pull the wool over my eyes Bella. I know your father, I know your mother to, I know what they are like. Why in the world did you go to him instead of here?"

Bella tried to swallow. Trying pointlessly to convince herself that, that was a lump of sausage in her throat, not bottled up emotion. She refused to cry, refused to give a single more tear to her lot in life. She had stopped crying over her parents lack of love for her when she was eleven, and she wouldn't... couldn't bring herself to revert back.

"Look Nana... What else could I have done? You had Sookie and Jason, you didn't need me darkening your doorstep. I would have just got in the way."

Bella jolted back in her seat. Adele had the spatula jerked in her face, as if she was wielding a knife. The fury blazing in her Nanas eyes did nothing to calm her frantic nerves. Bella shot a glance at Jason but found no help. He was holding his hands up in surrender, leaving her to the lion in floral dress that was her grandmother.

"Don't you dare talk about yourself that way, ever! You are MY granddaughter. My family. You are never in the way, you hear me? We are family Bella. If I still had the bones I used too I would have marched right up there and took you. Damn the law. The child services should have given me the rights any how, but with me being in my older years, already in the care of Jason and Sookie, and having no proof, they never let me. That doesn't change the fact that you're my blood. Jason and Sookies Blood. If you ever find yourself in that position again, you get you little butt here, okay?"

Bella frantically nodded. The spatula retreated and Bella sagged in her seat, letting Adele's words sink in. She never knew Nana had fought for her. She isn't surprised she didn't know though, It wouldn't be like Renee or Charlie to tell her. Still, it made her eyes misty to know that at least one person out there cared.

Thankfully conversation turned and she felt more comfortable with the topics. She nearly spewed out a mouthful of eggs when she found out Sookie was dating a vampire. Not the kind Edward was, but the kind that thought the best way to come out was to do so on national television. She wondered if all types of vampires had a flare for dramatics.

She was happy Sookie had found someone who took her for who she was, but she was weary as well. She may be smearing the relationship with her experiences with Edward and the Cullens, but something didn't sit right in her gut, and it wasn't the bacon. From the snit bits she gathered from Nana and Jason she saw a reflection of her and Edward. Fast progression, and all consuming. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

She had nothing against Human/Vampire relationships. Far from it. The world was a tough place that wants to rip you apart bit by bit. If you're one of the lucky bastards to find love, you better damn well fight for it, and clasp it with both hands.

Bella held back on her judgements. Who was she to judge anyway? If this Compton fellow excepted Sookie and made her happy, Bella was happy, until she saw something to prove otherwise.

Breakfast was over quicker than she thought. She had cleaned the plate and downed the juice without even realising she had done so.

"You might want to pop over and see Sookie, she's been vibrating with energy since she found out you were coming."

Bella sighed, sliding down her chair a little as if to dive and hide under the table. Sookie was a whirlwind wrapped in blonde hair and southern hospitality, but a whirlwind all the same. They should really have weather warnings for the small blonde. Bella could see it. A prim and proper woman, standing in front of a picture of Sookie. Voice loud as she spoke 'Sookie weather warning: level two, please were hard hats and protective clothing ; I repeat, level two!'

Bella didn't know how her cousin had such energy, but when it was aimed at you, it was lethal. Squaring her shoulders, Bella got up and took her dishes to the sink, intending to wash up only to have Nana swipe at her hands with that damned spatula. It stung her knuckle and made her drop the dish soap back into its resting place.

"No you don't. I can handle the dishes just fine young lady, listen to your cousin and go see Sookie, the quicker you go the less... bouncy she will be. Go on, let your hair down and be a teenager while you still can."

Bella smiled, snaked her arms around Adele's neck and hugged her. Letting go, Bella walked over to Jason.

"Can I borrow your car? And can you give us directions to this dinner?"

Jason nodded, cheeks bulging with god knows what. Ripping some paper from his wallet, he scribbled down the directions in hardly intelligible writing and chucked his keys at her. Luckily she caught them just before they hit her. Bella paused at the door way and looked back. Adele was at the sink, scrubbing away and Jason was cramming food down. It made her smile, Nana was right. This was her family and she really should have came here first.

As she was driving down the road, her mind wondered. It was never a good thing when her mind did this. It often locked onto things she would rather forget than ponder. like the first time Charlie and Renee found out Bella wasn't quite normal. They were visiting Bon temps in the summer Bella turned six, something they always did. Only this would be the last time they went as a family.

It was no secret of what Sookie could do in the family. She was a mind reader. Charlie and Renee were god fearing Christians. They shied away from Sookie, but Bella didn't. After about an hour of playing together, Bella did something she shouldn't have been able to. She read Charlies mind. It freaked them the hell out. Charlie and Renee ended up dragging her away, throwing her into the car and driving as if the gates of hell would open and satan himself was on their heels. Bella didn't understand it at all, at the time. They never visited again, but the responsibilities of being parents were something Charlie and Renee were never good at, so they packed her off to her grandmothers the next year.

It was then when Jason, Sookie and Bella watched a film were the womans hands glowed as she healed people. The next day they were playing as normal, when Sookie fell out of the tree, grazing her knee in the process. Bella thought it would be funny to pretend to be the woman, only it was not so funny when her hands glowed and Sookies scrape healed.

It snow balled from there. When Jason bullied Sookie, Bella and Nana into watching the X-men, they had a show. Only it wasn't from the TV screen and good skills of the actors. It was from Bella turning blue and bending the metal spoon from her ice-cream in her hand when she started panicking. Jason had looked at her with awe but it was Sookies and Nanas face that was seared into her memory, shock and concern. Thankfully, none of it lasted, she could only hold certain things for little bursts at a time.

She was young then, too young to grasp how bad this could be. It was when she was nine that she got the full taste of what this meant for her. Adele had to sit her down after an incident in school. Being nine and remembering the look of awe on Jason's face, she had wanted to do that with her friends. Make them laugh and be happy like Jason was when she did what she could do with him.

At the time Gambit from X-men was her favourite thing, she wanted to dress like him, act like him, be him. So in school she had decided to delight her friends with a show. Picking up a pack of pencils, she had thrown them and made them explode like Gambit did to his cards. The kids loved it, however, the teacher not so much. It took Adele four hours to talk the teacher down. was adamant that Bella had snuck in some type of explosive and was threatening the class and children with it. She wanted Bella to get excluded and for the police to be informed. It never got to that point. Not with Adele backing her corner.

When they got home, Adele had sat her down and spoke to her. She had to keep this under lock and key. There was nothing wrong with her, she was special but other people wouldn't understand that. She had told her that people often got scared of things they couldn't understand.

They had a lot of names for the things she could do. Imitation, replication, but her favourite was mimicry. It sounded like a noise a bird would make and well, she was a swan. She took Adele's words to heart but Charlie and Renee were the ones to cement her fear.

She was ten, and so impressionable like all ten year olds. After an argument Renee had looked down and upset. She had only wanted to cheer Renee up, so she turned herself blue in hopes of a laugh. She received a shriek of fear instead. Charlie had come running in and saw his ten-year old and stumbled back with a yell. There shouts muddled together, bleeding into one loud noise. Bella could only pin-point some of the things they had said.

They thought she was possessed, that the devil was inside her and he would eat her soul, that she would burn in the fires of hell for eternity if she didn't repent. Being ten, she believed every single word. After the yells and Renee shaking her so hard she thought her brain would come loose, Renee dragged her into the narrow hallway. Charlie still frozen in fear at the doorway, fear of her. Renee had opened the under stairs closet and dragged Bella to it. Bella hated that damned closet. It was small and dark and everything that scared her. Bending down Renee had come face to face with her, telling her she better pray and pray hard. She proceeded to shove her into the closet, locking the door.

Bella had cried and banged on the door until her hands were sore and her voice horse. It wasn't the last time she was shoved into that closet and the effects were permanent. She never did anything out of the norm again, and she LOATHED small enclosed spaces. The doctor said she was severely claustrophobic. Bella disagreed to some extant, she just couldn't stand the flash backs she got or how she threw up afterwards.

Its why she never told the Cullens. She knew how they would act, just like Renee and Charlie. Everyone would. She had enough trouble fitting in with them without adding the whole freaky things she could pull of. In hindsight, she should have told them. They might of stayed then, if they knew she could run just as fast or be as hard as they could, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Every time she thought about copying something, Renee, Charlie and that mouldy closet came to mind. Even now the smell of mould made her wretch.

Pulling over, Bella snapped back to reality. Her knuckles were white against the tan steering wheel. She fought to get her breaths back under control. Chanting in her head to forget, push it back and lock it down. Just don't think about it, don't think, don't think, don't think.

Her shaking stopped and she could breath normally once more. Shaking herself, she squared her shoulders and set out. Merlotte was a quant building. Opening the double doors she walked in, and walked straight into someone. The drinks on her serving platter tilted and careened. Reaching over she helped the red headed waitress re-balance her drinks and shyly laughed.

"I'm so sorry! honestly, I could hurt someone in a padded room."

She checked out the woman to make sure she didn't damage the poor woman and sighed when she found she hadn't.

"That's alright darling, aren't you a pretty little thang! My names Arlene, can I help you?"

Bella noted the woman had a warm smile and settled a little. She had braced herself for scowling and cursing. Running a hand through her curly hair, she looked around the place. It reminded her of what she thought a hunters cabin would look like.

"I'm Bella, I'm just looking for-"

She never got to finish her question as a tornado disguised as a blonde woman blew her way over and grabbed her in a vice like grip.

"Bella! when did you get here? I missed you so much!"

Sookies southern twang was prominent and way too endearing. Sookie had grown older but hadn't really grown upwards since she last saw her. Bella couldn't really make fun, she herself was the same height, so was her mother, it must have been a Stackhouse thing. Sookie looked like one of the porcelain dolls Nana had on her shelves, bouncing blonde curls and all.

"This morning, Jason came and got me. I missed you too."

Bella had just enough time to brace herself before Sookie wrapped her arms around her and nearly squeezed the life from her. She did her best to return the strong hug.

"Just thought I would pop over and see you, you up to anything today after work Sook?"

Bella managed to squeak out as the blonde let go, dragging her to a chair and pulling her to sit as Sookie did the same on the next bar stool.

"Well today Bill is doing this historical speech for the local church group Gran goes too. You should come along!"

Bella became a bit edgy at that. It was no secret that she was socially inept. The last thing she wanted to do would be to embarrass Sookie. Seeing Sookies bright and hopeful face dashed all refusals. When had her cousin got so good at the puppy dog look?

"Of course I will Sook. I'm just going to pop out for a bit, looking for work, but I'll come back and we'll head there together yeah?"

If possible Sookie glowed even more, the brightness from her face almost becoming something tangible and corporeal. Bella wanted to try and reach out and touch it, only to manage last second to pull her hand back into her lap.

"SAM GET OVER HERE!"

The spell was well and truly broken. She didn't even now what octave that was but she was a hundred percent sure it could break glass. Maybe even shatter stone. A man in his late twenties, middle thirties at a push, came sauntering up the bar. Hand running up the rich oak as he went. He had stubble, sandy blonde hair and a wide, warm smile. Bella wondered if everyone in Bon Temps was warm or if she had been in frigid Forks for so long she forgot what real people were like. Bella hoped it was the first.

"Geez Sookie, no need to yell."

The smile on Sookies face never faltered.

"Well, this is my cousin Bella and she's looking for a job, you know you're not going to find someone better by nightshift and lets face it, this place gets too busy for just us to handle. Plus you owe me for all the double shifts I pull."

Bellas mouth popped open and she glanced between the man and her commandeering cousin.

"Sook! You cant just bully the poor man into giving me work!"

Sookie out rightly laughed at Bella.

"Of course I can! You're my baby cousin, if I cant bully anyone for you then I'm never going to get to bully anyone with my height!"

Bella managed to keep a blank look on her face before she broke and laughed along with Sookie. When was the last time she had laughed so hard? Bella had a feeling it was the last time she was here. she relished in the lightness of her chest, it felt good.

"Pretty sure I pay you for those double shifts Sookie. so Bella? How about I give you a test run today and if you're any good you can join this crazy lot tomorrow?"

Sam said with an eyebrow raised high. Bella disbelieved this for a moment. Getting work couldn't be that easy could it? She snapped herself out of it. She wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Sure, that sounds great if you don't mind. I mean you don't have to listen to little blonde wonder over there."

she sent Sookie a wink and got a scowl and pout in return. It made her chuckle.

"Well, its a done deal. Go get some uniform from the back and shadow Sookie or Arlene for the night to get the hang of things. Any problems, come to me, I'll be in my office in the back."

Like the little energy ball that Sookie was, she swiftly grabbed Bellas hand and dragged her to the back, which Bella guessed was the changing rooms.

"Right get changed and we'll go refill the source bottle before lunch hour hits. You don't want to see how cranky these people get without mustard or ketchup."

After the orders had been given, Sookie pushed her into a small cubical and threw over a white shirt with the Merlottes logo and black shorts. The top was a bit tight and the shorts a bit too short but they weren't flashing anything and she could move in them fine.

"Sorry if the shorts don't fit well, they're mine!"

After making sure for the third time she wasn't showing something she shouldn't, Bella whisked her hair up into a pony tail and headed out.

The task of refilling the bottles wasn't a hard one, so it gave the girls a chance to chat as they worked. It was all going well, when Sookie spilt some ketchup onto her hand, causing Arlene to scoff as she dried the glasses with a wash clothe.

"I bet that vampire Bill would get a rise out of that."

Bella grimaced a little. Obviously she had spoken too soon about things going well. Sookie rose her nose up in indignation as she wiped the source away with a paper towel.

"Well you would have to ask him yourself."

Bella realised what this was straight off. Arlene wasn't a fan of anything with too long of an incisor.

"Vamp club not all it was made up to be, huh? a lot of freaks I hear."

Sookies mask of indifference crumbled and she slumped slightly in her seat.

"It was fine."

Putting down the glass she had been drying for the last twenty minutes, Arlene lent on the wooden counter. She looked like she was ready to pounce.

"So what? that vampire get all hands-y with you?"

Sookie maintained her level headedness, something Bella wasn't sure she would of done in her place.

"Arlene, look I can look after myself. And no I wont be going out with him again."

Now Bella was confused. She was pretty sure Sookie wanted her to come meet him? Setting down her own bottles, Bella turned towards Sookie.

"I thought we were going to meet him? at the church group?"

Bella didn't miss the flash of sadness in Sookies eyes. It was gone quick but not quick enough. She wondered what this Bill had done to her? Would Sookie hold it against her if she set him on fire? even if it was only a little bit, just an arm. Knowing Sookie, she would.

"We're going for Gran, it means a lot to her. You're all about history, I thought you might like it."

Bella smiled and reached over, patting Sookie on the back. She did catch the smile Arlene and Sam shot each other however, and it took her a few moments to catch on. Sam, he must like her cousin.

"Okay that place was freaky but how are you ever going to find out if you never go for yourself?"

Sookie said as she slammed the bottle onto the counter. Bella could see her cheeks flushing in anger and once again, Bella was left confused.

"What place?"

Arlene was the one to give her an answer, leaning over the bar and stage whispering.

"Sookie went to a vampire bar in Shreveport, things got a little crazy down there."

Bella froze, She thought the vampire club thing had been metaphorical. NOT literal. Spluttering, she tried to get a hold on herself. Sookie, in a vampire bar? The one who swears she's a darling and still wears teddy bear nighties? How the hell did someone like Sookie end up somewhere like that? Temper flaring she whirled onto Sookie.

"What? What were you thinking?!"

Sookie scrambled for a response, before her eyes blazed to life and she huffed out her anger.

"I didn't think you would be one of those idiots who hate something Because its different Bella!"

Bellas muscled tensed. Did Sookie not know her at all? How could she hate something for being different when she herself wasn't... right. She could hear Renees voice screaming at her in her mind. Possessed, not natural, cursed, not her daughter, you're wrong Bella, wrong, wrong, WRONG!. Her jaw tensed so much, she thought her teeth would crack under the pressure. When she spoke it was through her clenched teeth.

"Don't ever think, or say that to me again. You know I don't. However, I know you. You would have sauntered in there and acted like dinner. Not once thinking about the danger you put yourself in, or Nana and Jason."

Bella understood it all better than Sookie, because she would have done that a year ago. She WAS Sookie a year ago, and being on the other side of a stupid decision, she could point out and see its flaws.

"Well, you and Bill agree on one thing. I can look after myself and excuse me? I'm older than you. You're eighteen! This is not how it works. I lecture you, not the other way around."

With a synchronisation that even twins found hard, the two girls huffed, picked up there bottles and got back to work. Bella didn't look up, even when Sam spoke.

"I said my piece yesterday. Well Sookie, I hope you aint too riled up to miss the descendants of the glorious dead."

Sam was speaking quietly but everyone around them was staring at the duo. Some more boldly than others, not even trying to hide behind menus or the pretence of eating.

"Well we have to go, Grans spent the whole week on it."

Sam looked away from the blonde and Bella got a good view of his face, it looked like he was gathering all the courage he could muster. She quietly put her bottles down and lent in for the show. What was that saying? If you cant beat them, join them.

"Well good... Because I was going to ask if you wanted to come with me, than we can go get a cup of coffee after."

Bella smirked internally. This was too precious. It was like watching two toddlers circling each other. Hopefully this wouldn't end with Sam pushing Sookie into a puddle of mud, or pulling her pigtails.

"Oooooooooooooooh, Sookies got a date!"

Bella teased as she bumped her hip into Sookies. The anger she felt earlier dissipating completely. Bella always had trouble holding on to her temper or keeping grudges. It just wasn't in her character. Sookie laughed and smacked her arm gently, more to get her stop bumping her hip.

"Are you asking me on a date?"

Bella sank onto her seat. Apparently if you looked up obliviousness, Sookies face would be right next to it.

"Yeah. Yeah, that's pretty much how I do it."

The rest of the shift went smoothly. No more tense or anxious moments, Bella was gratefully. She didn't want to get angry when she hadn't even been here a day.