A.N: Shock horror I'm back I know!! Just trying this story out, so don't get your hopes up that it'll be updated weekly or anything like that. Life is too busy for that I'm afraid!

Not my characters…. All belong to Stephanie Meyer. Boo hiss boo!

Hope you enjoy…

Bullets and Feathers.

"Edward I've had enough of your fooling around!" Carlisle's usually calm and soft voice growled at me as I swung my legs over the edge of a cloud, my back to him. "This has been going on for long enough. They don't deserve the punishment you set on them just because you're bored." he added coming closer and sitting down next to me, his voice loosing the hard, hurt edge it possessed earlier. "We only want what's best for you and them Edward." Carlisle motioned down below us, down at the humans.

Running my hands through my hair I took a deep breath, knowing every word he spoke was true. I was bored up here, bored and alone even though I lived with Carlisle, Esme and Emmett. They'd become like what the humans called family to me over the last hundred years or so. But in the last six months I'd become to feel restless and questioned my existence. What good was I doing up here?

"Esme and I have talked Edward…" Carlisle paused, his wings ruffling even though there was no wind up here; I knew it meant he felt a little uneasy. "We think it'd be good for you to have something to do, a job, responsibility…" he paused once more, turning to look at me quickly before looking down at Earth. "There's a human on Earth that I've been keeping my eye on. She's been so close to joining us on a number of occasions that I'm starting to worry. It's not her time and yet she's been so close so often, too often. It's not natural."

I thought over his words, wondering why he didn't just let her pass over and get it over with. "Can't you talk to James? Ask him to send one of his Grim Reapers after her and just get it done with? Or is it them fooling around with her that gets her so close all the time?" I asked, wondering what sick game James was playing on the poor human.

A soft laugh came from Carlisle and I looked over to see him shaking his head, his blond hair swaying back and forth. "It's not so simple. James has nothing to do with her. I asked him last week to lay off the poor girl but he had no idea who I was talking about. He has nothing to do with her close calls, it's her. All her."

"Unlucky." I mumbled as I thought over his words, trying to remember if I'd heard of anyone else with such bad luck before and coming up blank. "You're sure she's not just suicidal?" I asked, wondering if he'd overlooked the fact that a lot of kids out there came close to death a number of times because of failed attempts.

Carlisle only rolled his eyes at my question. "Let me show you."

He closed his eyes and stretched his hands out, his palms facing down toward the Earth and spoke quietly to himself, "Isabella Marie Swan". The earth before us spun and came nearer as it adjusted itself to show us the person we wished to look upon. It slowed down before stopping suddenly, ready to show us Miss Swan. With a wave of his hand, Carlisle pushed away the wisps of cloud that were in our way before pointing down at a woman who was walking down a crowded street.

"There's an armed robbery taking place around the next corner." Carlisle whispered, even though the humans would never hear or see us as we looked down upon them.

I watched as the Swan girl walked along the street, being bashed into by those she walked passed. She looked weak as she stopped every so often to prevent herself from falling or to rub a certain spot on her body where someone had hit her with a briefcase, umbrella or pram. She continued on each time, the only sign of her annoyance was in the choice of song she changed each time she had to stop. She'd gone from upbeat pop songs to calm classical.

A smile played on my lips as she settled on Clair de Lune, one of my favorites.

Shots of gunfire suddenly rang through the street. Those around the Swan girl ran for cover, heading into stores and hiding behind cars. I watched in awe and terror as Isabella kept walking on, the music filling her ears had obviously blocked out the gun fire and she hadn't noticed that she alone walked along the sidewalk because her eyes were glued to her feet. She rounded the corner and passed right by where the robbery was taking place, unaware of the threats spilling through the door which hung from its frame. The sirens of the police cars echoed down the street as well as the hum from the helicopter which was directly above her.

"Carlisle, can't you do something?" I asked as I watched the police cars round the corner and make their way toward Isabella.

"It's out of our hands Edward. She doesn't have a guardian angel assigned to her right now. No one wants to take her on." his voice held a note of despair as he spoke before he pointed to the door of the store which had just been kicked into the street. "Here we go." He mumbled as he leant closer and rested his head in his hand.

"Shit." I whispered as I watched the robbers run out into the street and take note of the police cars which were nearing them. Isabella walked on, humming to herself.

"Get 'em!" The gunmen called out before taking up aim and directing their guns toward the police cars that had just halted a few feet before Isabella.

A bullet shot out from the leader of the gang, and I watched in slow motion as it made its way directly to the back of Isabella's head. I jumped to my feet and tangled my hands in my hair in frustration as I watched her stop in her tracks. "Carlisle!! Do something!!" I shouted at him while keeping my eyes glued on the girl.

With a gasp I watched as she tiled her head to the side and her shoulders fell. I couldn't understand what she was doing until she knelt down and untangled her loose shoelaces and retied them. She'd missed the bullet by seconds when she'd knelt and I felt close to tears as she stood back up, totally unaware only until she then noticed the police cars which barricaded her way.

A brave cop ran toward her and pulled her into a shop's doorway and stood before her, protecting her from anymore stray bullets while she shut off her music and closed her eyes, looking utterly defeated as she hid behind the officer.

"That's enough Carlisle" I rasped as I turned and walked away, unable to watch her any longer. She'd just escaped her own death once more. I could tell from the look on her face that she'd had enough of always being in danger. Why hadn't she been assigned another guardian angel by now I wondered? She should have been assigned one at birth by the looks of things.

I voiced my opinion to Carlisle.

"It's not so simple Edward." Carlisle stood and made his way toward me, stopping a few paced behind. "Like I told you, no one wants to take her on. She's too much hard work. They all thought of her as being suicidal or a joke sent from James and his men and so didn't take the task seriously," I felt Carlisle's hand resting on my shoulder and turned to see him running his free hand down the side of his face. "It's not only that Edward. She has the ability to sense when angels are close by. It… what word did they use… 'freaked' yes, it freaked the others when she would turn and look at where they were standing guard over her. She's done it to each of them on a number of occasions I'm told."

"How? How is that possible?" I asked, confused at how a human could sense an angel's presence. Plenty of humans could sense the dead or even see them, but that was natural, they were still in the same world. But angels? Impossible.

"I've thought it over. I even asked Aro and he had the same theory as me. We believe that due to her high number of near death experiences that perhaps she's closer to our world than she is to the world of those who have passed over. She hasn't ever died, her heart has never stopped yet she has been so close. And I don't know… maybe having angels following her around so often has made her somewhat aware of our presence? It's just a theory."

"So what do I do? Do I become her guardian now?" I voiced my thoughts, knowing there was a reason Carlisle had shown me the girl.

"Only for a little while Edward. Felix's wings aren't quite healed yet, his visit to see James really hit him this time. He miss judged his landing and singed one of his wings quite badly, he was lucky to have made it back to us. It won't be for too long Edward. Do you think you could just keep an eye on her for me? For Esme? She worries over the girl."

I groaned, knowing that Carlisle used the 'Esme' card to seal the deal. There was no way I'd be able to say no to this job anymore. I felt a tug deep within me, and knew that I'd have taken it anyway, just so that I could protect the girl. I'd never encountered anyone in such unknowable danger.

"Fine. Only till Felix is better?" I asked, double checking that I had the facts right before I was summoned to protect the girl.

"Only till he's better." Carlisle assured me before leading me toward Aro.

Aro was stood over a rain cloud which was settled over Britain. He had a small smile on his face as we neared and I couldn't understand why. I'd learnt over the decades to never try and guess what Aro was thinking and why.

"Ah! Carlisle, Edward!" Aro called as we neared. He motioned for us to join him. "Come here, I want you to see this." He smiled as he pointed down to where there was a small gap between the rain clouds.

We made our way to his side and looked down. I didn't know what to expect to find as we gazed at the Earth, knowing I'd get it wrong yet I was still surprised by the sight I gazed upon. Aro had singled out a small fishing town by the sea, he'd pushed the rain clouds away and sunshine washed over the town's colourful houses and full harbour. The sight looked mythical, too perfect and too colourful. Yet it was real and it was beautiful.

"It's a little town I found about three decades ago. It gets better every year. They paint the houses different colours from their neighbours. You should hear them when a house is going to be painted… the suspense and speculation is quite addictive." Aro smiled, his eyes locked on a little pale blue fishing boat which was making its way out of the walled harbour and out to sea. "Lovely little town on the west coast of Wales. Aberaeron." He tore his eyes away and with a sigh, pushed the clouds back over the little gap and turned, making his way over to where the sun was shining.

"So what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Aro asked as he stopped in the bright light, his white hair gleaming.

"Edward has decided to guard the Swan girl until Felix's wings are fully healed Aro." Carlisle spoke, a soft smile on his lips as he looked over at me and back again at Aro.

"Bravo Edward." Aro's eyes settled on me as he held out his hand. I placed my own hand in his and shook, knowing I was sealing the deal." So how do we do this Carlisle? From here on down there?" Aro asked, his hands steepled in thought.

"In this case Aro, I think it'd be better if he worked on Earth. She's so unpredictable and any little thing could result as a hazard. Don't you agree?" Carlisle asked before motioning to Esme and Emmett to join us.

"I saw you watching the Swan girl, how is she?" Esme asked as she stepped to Carlisle's side and rested against him, her worry evident in her eyes.

"She's fine although she nearly got shot today." Carlisle let her know as he rubbed Esme's back beneath her wings, trying to sooth her.

"That's the second time this month." Esme groaned as she shook her head. After taking a deep breath she looked up at Aro with a weak smile. "Good day Aro."

"My darling Esme, do not worry so. Your Edward is going to be guardian to our little clumsy human until Felix is better." Aro beamed at Esme; easing her discomfort with his enthusiasm I was sure.

"I knew you'd do the right thing Edward." Esme smiled her stunning smile at me which always managed to melt me. She'd become like a mother to me since I came here as an angel.

"Nice one bro." Emmett clapped me on the back before turning to Aro.

"Yo Aro. There's this chick on Earth who's in a bit of trouble, alright with you if I keep an eye out?" He asked as casually as he could, but I as well as Aro, Esme and Carlisle could tell it meant more to him than he was letting on. I'd spotted him following a human for some time. When I'd asked him about it, he'd said he was merely passing some time by watching others, but I knew him better than that.

"Do as you wish Emmett." Aro granted his wish with a nod of the head before turning back to Carlisle.

"Shall we do this now?" He asked looking from Carlisle to myself and back, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

I nodded my head, ready to get to the Swan girl and keep her out of trouble.

"Edward, before I let you go, you should know that while you're on Earth, you'll find that your senses will be heightened as a human's. You'll feel pain, joy boredom on the same level as them, understand?" I nodded my head. "You'll still have your wings and you'll be invisible to all humans." Aro paused, looking contemplative before continuing, "Although from what Carlisle has told me and those who have guarded her in the past, she might be able to sense you." I nodded my head once more in understanding. "You won't physically be able to get hurt although you might feel a faint hint of pain."

"If there aren't any questions, let us get you on your way." Aro clapped as he made his way over to the edge of the cloud where we stood and with a flick of his wrist spun the earth "Swan." he whispered and stopped on where Isabella was just arriving home with a police escort. "Poor child."

"Good bye Edward." Esme spoke before stepping forward and reaching on the tip of her toes to hug me. "Keep her safe." she added before releasing me so that I could shake hands with Carlisle.

"Take care son." Carlisle said before letting me say my farewell to Emmett.

"No peeking at her in the shower alright dude." He laughed as he butted his shoulder against mine and ruffled my hair.

Rolling my eyes I stepped toward Aro and held my hand out to shake his in goodbye. He took my hand, "Bon Voyage." He said before letting go of my hand and stepping out of the way.

I took a deep breath before opening my wings and letting them span out, stretching them in preparation before I closed them back up again and jumped off the edge.

I fell for a minute or two, the air rushing over me making me feel alive, ruffling my hair before I opened my wings and slowed my fall. My feathers felt as though they were being cleaned, as though cobwebs were being shaken out of them. I hadn't used my wings in a long time. I always chose to walk up on the clouds as Carlisle did and didn't visit earth that often, only every couple of years for a little holiday.

I closed my eyes and let myself feel the breeze against my skin, reveling in the fact that I felt more and more sensations the closer I neared the ground.

Finally my feet touched the ground and I shook my feathers out before folding them back up and taking a deep breath, readying myself for the challenge ahead.

A/N:

What do you think? Review to let me know if I should carry on or not….