Hi! Welcome to Icarus...a little story I've had floating around in my head for a while and have finally decided to put up on here. It's my first time writing anything from the Twilight universe and I have had a lot of fun playing with the characters. Even though this story is written in an AU, I've tried hard to keep the characters, for the most part, in character...with a few minor changes. Of course, Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer and I am claiming no credit there. This story will jump in on the action and then flashbacks will fill in the pieces.

Prologue- Bella

Present Day

Confined. This was the first thought my aching mind could latch onto after unwillingly being pulled from the peacefulness of oblivion. I was impressed that through my delirium I was able to grasp any sense of reality of all, but yes, I knew immediately I was restrained and could sense I was in some sort of small space. The floor jerked beneath me and I gasped, my hands flying out instinctively in front of me. I could hear voices soothing, trying to tell me something that I couldn't quite understand; the words a garbled mess of sound. Nothing made sense and I could feel myself becoming unhinged in panic as the moments drew on. I searched desperately for the comforting blackness again, favoring the void of nothingness over this insanity, but it was nowhere to be found, my mind too on edge to allow me to float too far.

As I drifted, awareness seized me again, alerting me that something about my newly discovered reality was horribly wrong. My body responded immediately, my heart beating nearly out of my chest while my lungs searched desperately for air. Was I dying? The thought was both alluring and frightening.

In the next moment I confirmed I wasn't alone, for alongside the voices there were hands pushing me backwards, attempting to restrain me even further. I wanted to laugh; where could I possibly run off to while I was busy dying? But the hands continued their pursuit and I felt my body being shifted around like a rag doll. Seconds later I collided with some solid form and a hazy face came into my vision, hovering eerily above my own. Cool hands pushed my chin upwards, forcing open my airway and I sucked in a huge breath of air greedily.

"You're alright, Bella. Deep breaths. You're doing excellent."

The voice seemed kind enough, and I was delighted to discover I could comprehend what it was saying. Maybe I wasn't dying after all. I obeyed the voice and took a few more deep breaths, coming around more with each inhale and exhale.

"Is she going to be OK?" A different concerned voice inquired from somewhere near me.

"She'll be fine. Everybody responds differently to the medication I gave her. Some don't wake up as well or easily as others."

Medication? Had I been sick? I couldn't remember anything after leaving work today. Was it still even today?

I groaned, finally having the mental capacity to realize that I needed to ask where I was. But the words were hard to get out and I struggled as more odd sounds emanated from my lips. My crude attempts at speech were halted a second later, as a plastic mask was shoved against my face and I felt oxygen being forced into my mouth and nose.

"Just keep breathing in and out. Don't worry about anything else right now."

I must be in the hospital... was there an accident? Oh, poor Charlie. And I couldn't even think about Renee, who chronically blew everything way out of proportion.

The face above me glanced over to another beside me, and following his gaze I realized that no, I wasn't in a hospital at all. I was in a car, a moving car, and a quick glance confirmed I didn't recognize any of the three men I was sharing occupancy with. My panic returned full force and I struggled to sit up, but those cold hands returned and kept me in place horizontally on the back seat. Staring up at the ceiling I tried desperately to make sense of what was happening but I still couldn't remember anything.

"Jasper, can you help out for a moment please?" the voice above me inquired.

It was still kind, and some part of me intrinsically wanted to trust it while the other part warned me not to. The occupant of the front seat turned around, reached back, and gave me a sad smile; regret showing briefly as he met my eyes. It was the most inappropriate of thoughts given my current circumstances, but I couldn't help but notice how oddly beautiful he was. Short golden curls framed a pale face devoid of any imperfections and I noticed with both alarm and fascination that his eyes were as golden as his hair. He grabbed my limp hand in his own, and immediately I felt my earlier panic subsiding as calm infused me. It was the strangest of feelings, but I let it steal over me, even as my mind screamed at me to be wary.

My body melted back into the leather seat and I took advantage of my new found serenity to survey my surroundings further. It was apparent that the vehicle was not cheap and I noticed it still maintained it's pleasant new car smell. I couldn't see the driver's face but his broad shoulders jutted out from the seat cushion and I caught a glimpse of a large black band encircling his wrist. Jasper had turned back around and had his gaze fixed on the road in front of us, but his arm was still awkwardly bent backwards, his fingertips now lightly touching my arm instead of grasping my hand. The drug like stupor I was in caused me from thinking too much at all about the odd action, and instead I strained my neck to see who was beside me.

The man gave me a warm smile as I turned, and I noticed immediately that his eyes were the same strange gold color as Jasper's and he was just as pale. But where Jasper's features were soft, his were much more angular and sharp. Icy blond hair adorned the top of his head and he was dressed very well, an obvious professional aura about him compared to most citizens of Forks.

"I know you have a lot of questions, Bella. But please know that none of us are going to hurt you. In fact, quite the opposite. We're all here to make sure that you're kept safe and well. Would you like to sit up now?"

I was lifted before I had a chance to respond, and the man beside me gently pulled the oxygen mask from my face as I noticed for the first time that I was still wearing the clothes I had put on for work that morning. He gave a curt nod in Jasper's direction, who, as if on command, dropped his hand away from my body. Reality came flooding back to me, but I still felt much more in control than I had previously.

"Bella, my name is Carlisle. For now, it's probably easier if we just stick to first names. Directly in front of me in the passenger seat is Jasper, and Emmett is driving." Emmett gave a quick wave and I saw his eyes flash from the rear-view mirror. Gold again. Disconcerted, I rolled the names around my mind. Carlisle, Emmett, Jasper. While I'm sure I had met an Emmett before, Jasper and Carlisle seemed especially strange for name choices.

Carlisle handed me a bottle of water which I accepted without question. "You should have something to drink and I'll try to explain what I can." I took a long drink, relieved to find the bottle still sealed.

"Can I ask you what the last thing you remember happening today was?"

He seemed uncomfortable as he asked, the same regret I saw flash momentarily in Jasper's eyes as he touched me, now apparent in his. I pushed myself to remember, but my brain was sluggish and foggy.

" I remember leaving work...locking the office door and walking out to my car. I was the last one to leave today and no one was in the parking lot except me."

I had no reason to feel nervous when I left, Forks was a hopelessly small town with virtually no crime. Carlisle nodded, encouraging me to continue on.

"That's all I can remember. I can't even remember finding my keys."

Unexpectedly, tears filled my eyes as I began to realize what must of happened. I had become a statistic, another sad face immortalized in youth forever on a lost poster. Despite the external noises surrounding me, my world grew suddenly very quiet. Carlisle's voice filled my head completely as he began to speak.

"Bella, Jasper and I were in the parking lot when you came out. We approached you and..."

Now he looked extremely uncomfortable.

" It's difficult to explain but we have the capability to make you unaware, which we took advantage of to get you here with us, as you are now. I'm sorry Bella, but we took you."

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