A/N: Well here it is at long last, the Visibility Series as one story. Added bonus of two chapters for you all. dealing with Maria and the Cullens. Enjoy xx Also thanks all, 'What Am I, Just A Toy' passed 10,000 hits xx
harrynginnyinatree pointed out some glaring inconsistencies in Bella's schooling timeline. I have fixed them in this adaptation but not the original three. Oops silly me I know they graduate multiple times but not her, so now we have Summer School and Orientation visits xx Alexis
When Did I Become Invisible?
See Me
It's funny how the little things in life, cause the most problems. You would think that having a Crazy, Blood Thirsty, Vampire after me, would be sending me off the deep end or even the Angry, Vengeful, Immature Wolf-Pack wishing me dead. But no neither of them are my biggest nor at present insurmountable problem. That honour goes to my Over-Protective, Angst-Ridden boyfriend and lately overbearing to boot.
It's his inability to talk to me, tell me the plain, unvarnished facts. That's all I want, to be included in the talks and discussions, like a grown-up and not patted on the head like a five-year-old and sent off to bed out of the way or dazzled into compliance, so he can decide what's best for me. It's my life god damn it. So that's why I presently am throwing all my stuff back in a bag, preparing to leave the Cullen's house for home.
Tomorrow is graduation and in preparation yesterday for the big party Alice decided we had to have tomorrow night, again without my input, I realised a lot of my clothes were missing from my room at Charlie's. An unknown vampire had been in my house while I'd been at the school for the last day and taken them. Something had just clicked in my head, that this and the other strange events of late were actually connected and all in my mind firmly to be laid at Victoria's door, she being the Crazy aforementioned Vampire.
Who would need my clothes other than for scent, scent for who, the newborn's in Seattle maybe, leap forward in my head and hey presto, a newborn army out for revenge, created by the Redheaded lunatic Victoria, simple? Alice said could be, Jasper thought definitely and Edward actually patted me on the head and suggested I leave the thinking to the vampires.
I was so stunned by his arrogance and ignorance, I just walked away. Obviously, I wasn't projecting any emotion at all in my stunned state because Jasper didn't even look up as I left the room although I did see Esme and Rose out of the corner of my eye and they did not look very pleased by the way he had treated me.
At the moment they were waiting on Carlisle and Emmett getting back from hunting, so they could have a family meeting to discuss it all, without me as usual, apparently, I'm not family after all. So as not to alert them all too soon, I went out via the rooftop deck and down the outside stairway. Not having my truck with me I picked up the keys for the Ducati as I entered the garage; let's see how he likes that, not much I'll guess.
I was seething by now and was both surprised and confused by neither Alice nor Jasper trying to stop me. But maybe they thought Edward deserved this, for once. I pushed the bike down the driveway before getting on and starting her up. In my anger I found calm and self-assurance, so had no problem handling her as I sped off home. I felt free for once and totally in control of my own destiny.
As I pulled up outside Charlie's, he was there and looked taken aback for a second before he started to open his mouth,
"Don't say one word Charlie or I climb right back on and keep driving forever!" That was all I had to say to stop him dead in his tracks.
He cocked his head to the side, looked me in the eye and just nodded. That's all it took for him to see I could and would be controlling my own life from now on, so how the hell was Edward so blind. When I got to my room I closed the window, locked it and pulled the drapes across. I know this wouldn't stop a vampire, but it was symbolic at least to me. The house phone was ringing and I heard Charlie shout for me,
"Not interested dad, say I'm in the bath, No I'm washing my hair" I called back laughing.
After all, that was universally known to mean, thanks but no thanks and I knew he would hear me. Not long after came the knock at the front door, but I know my dad, he would not let anyone in,
"She's busy Edward, what did you do this time? You'd think someone who thinks they're so damn smart would learn from his mistakes. I obviously was crediting you with more brains than you actually have. What nothing to say? Well, goodnight then" He said.
Then I heard the door close, and I waited for the tap on the window, which I ignored at first. Then I turned on some loud music to make my feelings known. I know he was probably out there all night but I just didn't give a damn and that did surprise me a little. I spent the time going over our whole relationship and I was disgusted with myself, how had I let him take over everything, I didn't even put up a fight really, god I was pathetic, Was being the operative word.
As I went to get dressed for the graduation ceremony the next morning, I found a large box in my cupboard, Alice of course. There was nothing wrong or over the top about the outfit, it was just more, tighter, classier and perfect for the new me. When I got down the stair Charlie smiled and gave me a hug.
When I glanced out of the window the bike was still there, so I thought why not make an entrance that would get tongues wagging. So after breakfast, I did my hair and put on some make-up, not too much, but noticeable. As I pulled into the school car park it was busy, everyone milling about. So lots of heads turned as I parked and pulled off the helmet, the rumble of murmurs was almost tangible.
All of the Cullens were there and they broke into applause, well except for him, he sat in his Volvo looking like someone had kicked his puppy. I smiled at them, took a bow and tossed the keys to Jasper thanking him for the loan.
"No problem Darlin' " He called back as he caught them with ease.
My other schoolmates rushed forward, trying to work out what was going on and get the gossip, not going to happen. I took Angela's arm and we walked into the school.
"Is everything okay Bella?" She asked and I told her yeah, but that I thought it was time to grow up and stand on my own two feet for a change. I couldn't resist a little dig when I said,
"After all, I'll be nineteen in a couple of months, we can't stay seventeen forever, Angie", that's when it hit me; I'd mentally not physically outgrown him.
I was always so worried about looking older I forgot that I would change mentally as well. That's what this was all about, he had been trying to control me so I wouldn't be able to outgrow him in my dependency and need for protection. The poor defenceless little woman, but he had pushed me away instead. He had forced my independent streak to the surface and ruined his own plans.
I wonder if he had ever really loved me like I had once whole-heartedly loved him. But he had shattered my faith in him with the mind games and leaving me behind so easily, that it had allowed doubt to creep in and wake me up to reality.
I knew this wasn't over yet but I was prepared and once the new-borns were dealt with I also knew they would be leaving once again. I hope this time Alice would stay in touch, the odd e-mail, maybe a flying visit during college, that would be good and eventually I would lose contact as I got on with living my own life, however long or short it was.
V
Was Visible Any Better, You Betcha!
Do I have pathetic tattooed on my brow?
Well, I may not be pathetic, but I sure am naive. I thought once the newborn army was dealt with everything would go back to normal, they'd leave and I'd go to college. I forgot about the time between me dumping Edward and the battle, he has not given up, thinking I'll change my mind, yeah right! To make matters worse Jacob Black just thought he could stroll in and take Edwards place, running my life and treating me like a china doll too, hell no, he got a flea in his ear for that!
Are there no men in this town? I'm surrounded by boys; Mike Newton is once again making a complete and utter fool of himself trying to impress me I think! Why do I attract immature, adolescent boys? Even across species, the males are still the same, be it Vampire, Shape Shifter or Human. None actually engage their brain before opening their mouths and I'm sick to death of it.
My father is having the time of his life, I'm sure he's running a book on who I'll kill first, I think his money's on Mike.' Oh My God' I just want to talk to a grown up! Have them consult me about things and treat me as a grown woman and not an object. I don't want to be worshipped, just loved! How hard is that people? In Forks, damn near impossible, I'm beginning to find. I can't wait to leave and go somewhere else and be someone else maybe, reinvent myself.
I've been there for all of the training sessions the Wolves and Vampires have been having. Both Edward and Jake said I couldn't go, too dangerous! Too scary for me! And so late at night! I told them both to suck it and Alice took me out there anyway. I couldn't see much as everyone was moving fast and so I missed the finer points, but as they were doing this for me I thought I should give them my support.
By night three, I was bringing energy snacks for the wolves and laughing and joking with Seth Clearwater, when the pack started growling and pawing at the ground. Edward got all panicky and told me to move away from them before they hurt me. I just mouthed 'Fuck Off' to him so Esme wouldn't hear me and stood beside Seth's now wolf shape.
An unknown to me, red-eyed vampire stepped out of the trees near the Cullen's. But it was blatantly obvious they knew him and Jasper lit up on seeing him. He was tall with sandy blond hair and dressed as if he'd just left the ranch, turned out later that he had. Denim-clad from head to foot and well-worn cowboy boots finished off the look.
He made the Cullens look overdressed and lacking in his casual distressed presence. This was no boy, hell he was like no man I'd ever seen either. Commanding and giving off the aura of power, the same one Jasper gave off occasionally. But this guy was exuding it all the time. I lifted my hand to my mouth to check I wasn't drooling, that would be beyond embarrassing. Seth had phased back and dressed by then and he laughed and said
"Shut your mouth, Bella, before you swallow a bug" I flushed bright red, and everyone swung round to look at me, making it worse.
The stranger raised an eyebrow and winked at me, I heard two growls one from Jake and one from Edward. Alice called me over saying,
"Bella, this is Jasper's Brother Peter, Peter this is Isabella Swan, Bella to her friends",
"Pleasure to meet you Suga', " he said with a much more pronounced drawl than Jasper.
I felt my heart start racing and knew they all heard it too, damned unfair, bloody vampire and shifter hearing. This triggered more growling from the two idiots and I glanced at both of them and said
"Grow up! Morons" then turned back to Peter and held out my hand
"No, I definitely think the pleasure might be all mine" this time I winked at him and he broke out in a huge smile.
Edward being Edward grabbed my arm and tried to pull me away saying
"Bella Love, he's a human drinker don't get so close!" I pulled my arm away and said:
"Yes and I'm your singer, so guess who's more dangerous to me, Edward and don't call me Love again, do you hear me?" He huffed and said,
"I'm just trying to stop you doing anything foolish!" I turned to answer him with
"No Edward, you're just trying to stop me having a life! As per usual!"
I walked away over to Esme and she shook her head sadly.
"Sorry Bella, we've been trying to tell him to stop smothering you, but he seems unable to listen" she sighed and put her arm around me.
"I'll add that to the list of things Edward won't do!" I said bitchily and I heard several giggles from around the field.
"So Peter, how come you're here alone? Where's your wife?" I heard Edward say, and didn't miss everyone else's intake of breath.
In a quick blur of movement, Peter had Edward by the throat in the air, feet dangling above the ground.
"You know exactly where my ex-wife is Edward! You also know what happened because you've just pilfered it from my mind! You stupid prick, so for whose benefit was this little power play? Ah, Bella's! Thought she dumped you prudish ass, didn't she?" he asked voice dripping venom.
"A little advice Edward, don't try to play with the big boys, you just might get hurt! Do I make myself plain?" Before I could stop myself I said:
"Is it wrong that I'm a little turned on by that?" I said to Esme, and she could barely keep a straight face,
everyone else burst out laughing, well everyone except Edward and Jacob. Peter dropped Edward on his ass and came over to me
"You sure are somethin' else Suga', so let's try for that handshake again" he held out his huge hand and mine disappeared into it.
The current of electricity that passed between us made my hair audibly crackle and the whole field went silent as we just stared at each other.
"Shit! Did they just imprint?" quizzed Embry,
"Looked like the vampire equivalent to me!" said Jared in awe, Jacob growled, turned and ran howling into the night.
Edward sat on the ground shaking his head saying
"No, no, no!" quietly to himself.
All of this happens as we stared into each other's eyes, this was madness, but perfect madness all the same. Carlisle cleared his throat and suggested that was enough for tonight. Alice came over and tried to pull me away from Peter and I growled at her, she was shocked and was about to say something to me when Jasper put his hand over her mouth and picked her up,
"Sometimes I don't understand you Alice, who would be stupid enough to get between a newly mated couple, but you?" he said sternly.
"But! I never! How did that happen?" she stuttered, all eyes turned to her
"You never saw that happening?" asked Carlisle confused,
"I don't see her as clearly since she left Edward and now she's fading as I look at her!" she wailed.
"And Peter?" said Jasper
"Fading out too!" said Alice sadly.
"It's Bella's shield, protectin' us both. No outside interference will be brooked! Eh, Suga'?" Peter said and I just nodded happily,
He grinned and gathered me into his arms and leant down and kissed me, gently, but firmly and I opened up like a blossom below his lips.
"We need to talk, Isabella" Peter whispered in my ear,
"I was staying at the Cullens house tonight, will that do?" I murmured, he nodded
"Do you want a lift Suga'?" he went to turn his back and I stopped him, jumped up and wrapped my arms and legs around the front of him and he growled low in his throat.
"You're playin' with fire, little one!" he told me and I snuggled in closer,
"I know!" I laughed, and started peppering his throat with little kisses and nips, he was making a strange noise like a cross between a growl and a purr and I loved it.
"We won't get any talkin' done if you don't calm down," he said, as he ran us to the large white mansion, which was the Cullens home. He leant his head to the side to whisper into my ear,
"I can smell your scent and it's driving me mad, my Isabella" I smiled against his throat and sucked on his Adam's apple and he tripped, swore and growled simultaneously.
I couldn't help laughing, I have never been this happy, or felt this loved, not coddled or babied but pure unadulterated love.
V
Grand Central Station?
When we reach the house, he slid me down him, spun me around and kept me in front of him as he spoke. I tried to not smirk as I felt his erection between us; I was his shield in more ways than one today.
"Edward? Can you hear my thoughts?" he asked, Edward shook his head sadly,
"Jasper? Emotions?" he said,
"Muted, but I've always gotten her emotions before, so I think that might be for my benefit, not your's Peter, Bella is the most unselfish person I know and she's guessin' I'd bet, that it might be a little hot and heavy for me" My eyebrows go up and I nod,
I had been thinking that and that I didn't want Edward to hear what Peter felt about me before I did.
"Where's your room Suga'," Peter asked, and as I was about to lead him up, Edward pipes up,
"I don't think that's a good idea! Do you Carlisle?" Jasper and Emmett shook their heads as if to say, 'what an idiot'.
"And why is that Edward? It was alright for me to be alone with you, me your singer! But you don't think its okay for me to be alone with my mate? Is that about right? You seriously need to grow up and mind your own business, before someone puts you in your place" I told him in a cold condescending voice.
Kind of like the one he always used on me. He spluttered and looked around as he heard all the voices in his head tell him to shut up, grow up and lastly give it up, going by their expressions.
"I think Bella will be quite safe with her mate, in fact, who better to protect her I would say," said Carlisle, he took Edward by the arm and lead him outside, intending to have a serious talk with him I hope.
"Geez does that idiot ever think before he opens his mouth?" I demanded "This is getting really wearing. I think for my sanity I'll take Peter to my place, Charlie's working so we'll be able to talk undisturbed. Please don't let him come there, I would hate to have to insist Peter kill him Esme" was my parting shot as we left via the back door.
"What did you ever see in him Suga'?" He asked as he ran carrying me to my house,
"God only knows, clearly, I was dazzled by him. But I've seen the light and he's pretty petty and immature" I said truthfully. When we arrived Peter sniffed and said,
"God this place reeks of Edward and that wolf boy!"
"But neither have been here for over eight weeks, give or take a day" I stated,
"I think you'll find your stalkers have both been here and in your house, more recently than that" he laughed.
"It's not funny! Creepy fuckers!" I bitched taking out my phone.
"Carlisle? Bella here, can you explain to me why Peter can scent Edward in my house recently? When I broke up with him two months ago? This has to stop Carlisle, that's stalking and downright weird and creepy! Can't you control him at all" I demanded. He sighed and apologised on Edwards behalf,
"I've sent him to Denali, Bella to give you and Peter breathing space. I really am sorry" I could hear it in his voice, he was at his wits end too,
"I know it's not your fault Carlisle, but doesn't he understand it's over, it's been over for a couple of months. I don't love him and I'm seriously beginning to dislike him intently. He better stop or the first thing I'll do after I'm changed is to punch his face in!" I ranted.
"I hate to admit it Bella but that might not be a bad idea, he has to get the message soon, I can't see Peter putting up with this for long," Carlisle told me. Just then Peter growled,
"Go home wolf boy! Do it on four legs now or three in a couple of minutes. I'm not Edward the pussy! I will take you out if I have to" he called out, and we heard paws pounding off in the direction of La Push.
"Was that Jacob? Bella" Carlisle asked,
"Yes," I huffed, "God can we move away soon Peter? Please, I can't take much more of this teenage angst" I begged. I didn't even hear the phone disconnecting, but Peter took it from my fingers and closed it,
"Soon Angel, just hang in there till after the battle and then we can go anywhere you like" he promised as he gathered me into his side and led me into the house.
We talked all night, he told me about as much of his human life he could remember, then about his start in the vampire world and I cried for him, he told me all about Charlotte and even though they weren't mates, how they stayed together, helping each other heal and learn a new way of life. So I couldn't hate her like I wanted to because she'd been there for him then.
How it had started to unravel as the years went by, till they were just companions and then she met her mate and left. The problem with that was she took everything with her, all his money and what little valuables he had and a few mementoes of his human life. This was unacceptable and I will be helping him recover it all, very soon. Nobody screws over my mate!
The sun was just coming up as I started to fall asleep, I felt myself being lifted and carried up the stairs, placed gently on my bed and my boots and socks removed. I felt him hesitate so I shimmied out of my jeans, rolled over and patted the bed behind me, it dipped under his weight and he gathered me up close to his chest and I was gone.
I slept so peacefully and only surfaced once when I knew he was not there, Charlie peeked in at me and I grunted at him and rolled back over. When he was gone Peter returned and I snuggled back into him and resumed my dreamless sleep. When morning arrived I woke in the arms of my own personal Adonis, not a bad way to start the day.
V
