Betrayal and Redemption
Chapter 2
Thank you to everyone who has favourited, reviewed, and followed either my story or me as an author, your thoughts mean a lot to mean along with your support. Now, because this is a fanfiction I can change time frames around. It's really complicated to explain. The present part of this story is set in 2012, season 3 episode 12. The story line about Alaric being a murderer is discarded. So from the twilight storyline to my present story is set in a 2012 like world, if that makes sense. She didn't get turned in the 1960's but 55 years ago in a world like today. Wow that didn't even make sense to me but is the fifth time I tried to explain it.
Back in America
Again Alex took the wheel. Rain drops feel down the freezing window pane Bella's head rested against. "You ok?" Alex asked.
Bella awoke from her daze and looked over. "Yeah, I'm fine" she smiled weakly before turning back and relaxing back into the same position. Her mind wondered to what she was going back too, how Damon would be when he saw her.
*Flashback*
Damon woke half wrapped in the thin white covers off their bed. He stretched out in one quick moment before getting up. "Bells?" he called out. He looked over to the left side of the bed, her side as she had picked so quickly to his amusement. A white piece of paper lay on her pillow. "Isa?" he called out once more as he walked round the bed. There was no reply.
He reached out and picked up the crisp stationary. The first words alone brought him to sit.
Dear Damon,
I can't bear the thought of you reading this, but not as much as the idea of seeing your face when I say these words. I can't do it Damon, I just can't. You know that I love you, more than I ever thought I could but that's why I had to leave. I can't stand by and watch you get hurt, my mistakes shouldn't bring you pain. I hope to see you once again when you are safe, when we are safe. That is if your take me. Damon, you mean the world to me. You are all that I want and everything I need.
All my love, B xx
One single tear fell from Damon's eye as he read. This couldn't be happening, not again. She could leave him again. At vampire speed he took off towards her walk-in wardrobe, not a single thing was left. He ripped every door of its hinges, each draw out of its place. Nothing. His rampaging growls echoed the whole house.
Down the stairs in a flash to the garage, her car was gone along with her motorbike. "No, no" he growled, "She's gone..." he fell into the wall for support, "She's gone" his whole frame fell limp at the same moment, slumping him to the floor legs out stretched head in hands. "Bella."
*End of Flashback*
"He hates me" She whispered. "I can feel it deep down, he hates me" Bella turned her head round to look at Alex. "I can't see him like that; I can't bear the thought of him in pain." Her expression contorted in guilt.
"Bella, you left him. But for the right reasons." Alex told her.
"Would you forgive me?" she asked sarcastically.
"Of course, you have a beautiful body and a Personality to match" she amended with a swift nod followed by a dazzling smile.
Bella laughed falling forward towards Alex. She smiled at her that was until something in the passenger side window caught her attention. "Looks like we have guests" Bella whispered. Both her and Alex looked up at the rear-view mirror at the silver Volvo backed up by a crimson red convertible.
"Looks like the bronze-haired idiot doesn't want to let go" Alex commented as both looked at each other.
"Let's pull over, I'm hungry" Bella sighed resting back into the seat, her left arm rest against the window, thumbnail in mouth.
At the next stop they pulled into a dinner. As they thought the Cullen's followed. Bella took a deep breath before releasing her seatbelt and slide out her seat. "Come on I'm in need of a burger" Alex ordered stretching her arm around Bella's shoulder and guiding her for the door. They slid into one of the booths and waited. As if on cue they were accompanied by Edward and the rest of his coven.
"Hey guys, enjoy your flight?" Bella asked with a smile taking the menu Alex offered her. "Must have been a small fortune for such a last minute thing right?"
Many looked sheepish, "We just found you we don't want to lose you again Bella" Esme whispered.
"So you followed me halfway around the world? It's not like we can be how we were, it's different. I'm different" Bella chided.
"Bells, we missed you. We don't have our embarrassed little sis anymore" Emmett boomed sliding in tightly next to her and swinging his arm out around her shoulders.
"Please, just let us be with you for a bit. We want to know what happened." Alice smiled sitting with Em. They all watched with eagerness, she stared at them trying to decide.
She nodded and motioned for them to sit. "Come on." she laughed. As they slide in one of the waitresses came over to take their order.
"Good Morning, I'm Emily can I take your order?" the twenty-something girl asked plucking a small notepad and pencil out of her apron. Her eyes fell on the Cullen men and both Bella and Alex had to refrain from laughing.
"Yeah, can I have a cheeseburger, fries and a diet coke" Alex grinned.
"Yep, and you?" Emily fake smiled looking at Bella pointedly.
"Yes can I have a burger, large fries and a extra large strawberry milkshake." Bella said with a wink.
It was obvious the girl was eying her curvy frame before writing down the order. She turned to Emmett who looked at the menu slightly frightened. Bella stepped in, "Two orders of fries, three salads and Sodas for all of them" Bella answered taking the menus from the table and handing them to the waitress. Emily looked increasingly terrified she moved her eyes over the men once more before landing on Edward and Emmett. "Thanks." Bella smiled staring straight into the waitress eyes, "And hurry it along." Emily was brought out of her daze when Bella looked away, giving a swift nod before leaving. "And tones of Ketchup." Bella finished.
Alex looked at her pointedly, "Did you have to do that to the poor girl?" she asked with a slight laugh.
"What?" Bella asked innocently. Alex rolled her eyes.
"What did she do? Except for being a total bitch?" Rose asked.
"She compelled her." Alex said dismissively.
"She what?" Jasper asked.
"It's a vampire thing." Bella answered simply. "I can control a human with just a look in the eye, of course it's best if I've feed."
"Feed? As in humans?" Jasper asked. Bella looked to Alex.
"Yeah, I don't kill don't worry. I just feed of them." She answered.
"How can you do that? How does your kind turn each other?" Edward asked.
"Feedings easy it's the restraint you have to work on, and the whole transition things a little complicated. The human has to take vampire blood, die and then feed on human blood" she rushed. "But you're given the decision when you wake up after dying you either feed or die, again." Each Cullen looked deep in thought. Emily came over with a tray of drinks and placed them all on the table.
"Bella, tell us what happened?" Alice whispered. Bella looked down at her milkshake and frowned.
"When you lot left, when Edward, left. I felt broken, depressed. When I started hanging out with Jacob it started to get better but I still didn't feel right. One day I was on the beach, Jacob and the pack were out on a run and I never felt right sitting around Emily's house. That girl is overactive to extremes." She laughed. "So, I thought I'd go cliff diving, I saw lots of them do it before. But when I got up there I failed to notice the oncoming storm, that or I just didn't care."
Everyone was staring at her shocked; all but Alex who knew the story inside out and comfortingly rubbed her hand. "When I jumped, it was the most amazing feeling. But I couldn't swim, the tide just kept pulling me under over and over again till I couldn't tell which way was up. The water began to fill my lungs and just as I began to fall unconscious, he pulled me out..."
*flashback* Bella pov
I didn't know if I was alive or dead, somehow my mind came back to my body and I could feel damp wet sand against my hands and head. A harsh force pushed against my chest in a two set rhythm. "Breath, Please. Breath." A gruff voice growled, it wasn't Edward, I didn't know who it was. The force caused my body to lurch upwards with a gasp of much needed air. Long fingers came up to cradle my face. Water gushed like a faucet from my mouth and nose violently, on instinct I rolled onto my side. In seconds I felt a hard hand hit into the space between my shoulder blades.
My eyes lazily opened, taking in the bright beach but most of all the man knelling in the sand before me. He wore a black shirt, dark jeans and boots; all of which were soaked through. His dark hair sodden and dripping onto my chest was messy but still perfect. The emotion in his crystal blue eyes was one of relief.
"Who are you?" I croaked. The man looked up suddenly like he could hear something I couldn't. He looked down at me once more before disappearing in a flash. I sat up properly in moments, looking around desperately, he was gone so fast. Super fast, like a vampire. Seconds later I heard my name being yelled, this voice was familiar. I turned just as Jake fell to his knees in front of me, his warm hands grabbing my face, his eyes looking over me terrified.
"Bella, Oh God Bella, what happened? We saw you jump, how did you get out? Are you ok?" Jake rushed pulling me in to him and squashing me to his form. My eyes looked over his shoulder still searching for him. "Im fine Jake, I'm fine." I whispered.
*End of flashback*
"And you just trusted him?" Edward asked judgmentally without thought. He looked down at Bella's glance.
"No, but that's another story." Bella said slightly irritated. "You're not the best person to talk of trust?"
The resulting silence drew on until movement came from behind the counter. Emily set the burgers down on the table, along with the fries and ketchup. The Cullen's looked sheepishly at their food that was until Bella grabbed their plates and silently dragged them to her area. Each of them looked up surprised and shocked. Bella picked up a bundle of fries and lifted them to her lips taking them in within two bites; she looked up to their assessing glances, "Helps with cravings." She defended simply. They all nodded Carlisle looked fascinated at her huge appetite.
"So, you can eat human food?" he asked.
She looked at him dumbly at first but warmed to his clinical interest and continued to eat, another handful of fries biting the dust. "Yep, and lots of it. The more I do the easier it gets, it's the same with coffee and alcohol." She answered stabbing her eager fork into a leafy mountain of lettuce. "Though that doesn't mean I should drink all the time, I've tried that. My police record tells as such."
The vampire lifted the bun of her burger and quickly removed the slimy green discs of pickle, her face contorted in disgust. Alex noticed and tsked at her friend. "You don't like pickles, what's wrong with you?" she frowned disgruntled; she hastily plucked the pickles from Bella's plate and placed them on her own.
Bella looked at her a little perplexed, deep in thought until a small smile broke out upon her lips. "Their foul, like sliced slugs." She answered with a laugh, remembering the first time she had expressed her distain for the vinegar soaked garnishes.
For the rest of lunch Bella asked what the Cullen's had done over time. Just as Emily brought them the bill, Alice turned to Alex. "So, who are you?"
Alex looked her taken a back. "I'm Alex, Alexandra but call me Alex or ill burn your ass." Alice recoiled with a frown. Bella laughed, "This is Alex Bennett. The witch of this operation." Bella smiled.
"Witch? So they do exist?" Carlisle asked.
"Yep, though I don't exactly have a cauldron and broom." She laughed. "Witches and warlocks are more from nature, that's why we're here to keep the balance of life."
"And how do you know are bells?" Em asked pulling Bella into a tight hug.
"We meet a few years ago when I was only starting to learn spells, we connected quickly. I was happy to help, plus my cousin lives in Mystic Falls. Our Grams died a year ago and I still haven't gone home to see her." The Cullen's nodded.
"And the kiss earlier, that's just friends?" Em asked with a sly smile.
"Well, I can't help it look at her." Alex grinned. "We're very close." Em wiggled his eyebrows.
"Ok, with that I think we should go." Bella said moving to get out of the booth. "Come, Alex." She called causing Emmett to laugh, all of them got up to leave. Bella turned to eye Emily and smile sweetly.
Emmett through an arm around Bella's shoulder and guided her towards her car. "Who's bike?" he asked.
"Mine." She answered. He beamed back at jasper who laughed at his expression. Bella climbed into the trucks bed and lifted the motorbike down with ease. She mounted the sleek crimson motorbike and gripped the matching helmet, "Try and keep up Em." She smirked before slipping it on and turning on the ignition. With a wink she snapped the visor down and sped out of the car park.
"Oh no she doesn't!" Emmett boomed sprinting for Rose's car.
"Oh no, you don't! Emmett if you get a single scratch on that car I will hurt you." She screamed too late. Emmett frowned then ran for the Volvo.
"Emmett!" Edward growled.
"Come on!" Em yelled. Everyone ran for a car including Alex who couldn't help but smile. Each sped of Emmett taking the lead; they zigzag through the highway which soon eased out into streets. They came to a stop in front of a bar and grill. Bella dismounted and waited for them.
"Welcome to Mystic Falls!" she announced. She hadn't really been here before herself but knew her way around. "Let's go in, I need a drink."
As they entered Bella immediately spotted the man she loved sat at the bar, scotch in hand. She ushered everyone over to one of the large tables. A cute blonde came up to take their order, "What can I get you?" he asked.
"Red wine for me and a scotch for my friend." Alex smiled. The boy looked to everyone else. "They don't want anything." She added quickly, dismissing his weird look.
"Ok, I'll bring them over in a minute." He said then left still a little confused.
"What now?" Alice asked. Bella placed her finger to her lips.
"She can't talk, he'll hear her. He can't know she's her yet." Alex explained pointing with her thumb over her shoulder towards the bar. They tried not to make their analysing stares obvious, all except Emmett who stood up to look. Luckily there were people in the way.
"Sit the fuck down." Alex half screamed under her breath. Em frowned. "I'm sorry, but this is extremely difficult and not the time for you childish ways." The boy came back to serve their drinks. "Thanks." Alex grinned plucking the drinks from his hands.
"Oh thank God." Bella cheered under her breath. She put the glass to her lips.
"Should you really be drinking?" the deep voice asked. She turned to the brown haired boy and smiled; Bella jumped up and wrapped arms around his neck tightly. Alex was able to grab the glass out of her hand before it spilt.
"Stefan." She breathed with relief. "You don't know how happy I am to see you."
"I think we should go somewhere a little more private for this, I don't think we should do this here." He eyed the bar worried. Bella nodded, she waved for Alex to follow. She offered her the scotch downing it in one. Bella's eyes fell upon the bar one last time.
Twenty minutes later
Stefan pushed the large door open and stepped inside. Cautiously Bella stepped inside, "No human?" She asked looking around fascinated.
"No, my uncle Zach lived here for years but..." he looked down.
"Damon killed him?" she more stated than asked. All Stefan did was nod gravely.
"Who else?..." she asked rounding her way into the library. "Who else has he killed?"
"From when you left? Or recent?" Stefan questioned.
Bella looked at him sad, and then stared down at her heeled boots in thought. "Recent, anyone I know?" Stefan eyed the Cullen's.
"We'll talk later." Bella assured. She huffed and walked round the sofa "Well, are you gonna offer me a drink or what?" she asked falling back onto it.
"Sure, we got wine, Scotch?" Stefan leaning over the sofa. Bella turned, placing her arms on the cushions and resting down her chin.
"Got any O-?" she smirked.
"We only have Damon's stock and I'm not too sure how he'd feel about me giving you some." Stefan answered.
"How is he Stefan? What's happened?" Bella asked.
"He's bad Bella. First you left, but I wasn't around back then. Since I came back, since I found him he's been extremely...Damon." he finished with a sigh.
"You know I wouldn't have left if I didn't have to, if he was safe. But I couldn't risk it, all I could do was promise I would be back and now I fear he won't take me." Bella looked at her hands; he was all that she wanted.
"It's been 42 years since he's seen you, 42 years Bella." Stefan sighed. "You weren't there; you weren't the one who had to clear up the mess of scotch and sorority girls left in your wake."
"Stefan, I love him. If I have even the smallest of chances to be with him again I'm taking it." Bella yelled. "He's everything to me."
Stefan relaxed, taking in a deep breath. "Bella, you know I love you, like a sister. Years ago when we were with Lexi you really helped me out, you've saved my live more than once but I just don't know if Damon can take it." Stefan poured a glass of scotch in his anger and downed it in one.
Bella eyes narrowed. "I'll get my own drink then." She seethed, rounding the sofa and grasping the scotch bottle. Her eyes read the label and noticeably relaxed.
"Don't have too much its Damon's favourite." Stefan groaned.
"No its not, it's mine." Bella dismissed. "This is the only brand of scotch I drink, the others taste like shit. He always got it for me; he'd call me a pussy for drinking anything weaker."
"Well lucky for you we have every bottle ever made." Stefan answered. "Most is stocked in homes we own around the country. That and the wines Damon collects" he pointed to one of the built in cabinets containing a wine rack. Bella stepped back and opened the little metal latch.
Five bottles lay in the rack, all covered in a thick layer of dust. Bella picked up the first bottle, she weighed it automatically in her hands; empty. She blew lightly on the label and read out the brand and date. Staring in wonderment at the swift elegant writing. "It's the wine we had on our first date, our first proper date anyway." She laughed. She placed it down carefully and picked up the next, again clearing the label with a swipe of her sleeve. "Our first night together." Bella smiled.
The next bottle was of course empty but more noticeably smashed in half, small fragments collected in the bottom. "Our first fight." She giggled, "A girl flirted with him in a bar right in front of me, though he dismissed her I got angry when he stopped me from ripping her head off. I threw this at his head."
Finally she picked out a champagne bottle, "He had this saved for years, always saying there will come a time when we really want to celebrate, and we opened it the moment I agreed to marrying him." Bella's eyes went glassy with tears.
"Or more like an hour later, after you properly celebrated." Alex smirked. Bella rolled her eyes but still laughed since she wasn't completely wrong it was more like a couple of hours. Gently she placed it back where it was and closed the cabinet doors, relocking the latch.
"You too really did drink a lot of wine," Stefan mused.
"That's because I only drank that scotch, back then he only had a few bottles." Bella smiled.
"He still loves you Bella, I mean he kept all of these things because they were reminders of you." Alex stood and cuddled Bella into her.
"Come back later, he'll be here then. I'll stay away so you can have your privacy." Stefan whispered hugging her into him. "Besides, I want my big sister back." he laughed.
"Thank you Steffie." She giggled.
Three hours later
Bella stood on the porch of the Salvatore boarding house, again and again plucking up the courage to knock on the door only to fall short at the last second and recoil back into the darkness. Come on Bella! she canted in her head like a broke record. You have to do this, you need to do this!
Once more she went for the door; her knuckles barely grazed the dark brown wood. Damm! Almost there! A sudden gust of wind came past and almost knocked her off her feet.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to do it, Bells." Stefan whispered, he stood leaning against the side of the door frame.
"Stefan, get out of here. This is nothing to do with you!" Bella screeched under her breath.
He reached over and knocked on the door quickly. Bella's face turned horrified, the sound of heavy footsteps caused her stomach to do flips. Stefan shrunk back into the dark and away from the door. "Stefan," Bella hissed.
The door opened, "Damon." Bella voiced as strong as possible. Shocked blue eyes bore back at her.
"Bella?"
So that's the chapter! It was pure shit, the more I wrote the more shit it became but hay ho, it's been a month and I hate people who go more than that before updating so here you are. I now fear I will loose too many of you lovely readers. Please review anyway, flames and people who just want to tell me how rubbish I am in a non-constructive criticism way may get lost. I'm all for bettering my writing and my story but not if you don't tell me in a polite and professional manner. Mini rant over, to all that wish to review please do, each review is amazing and I always look forward to knowing how my story is being thought of even if it's bad.
Also if you do want to read more please tell me if you would like to see any more flashbacks: Klaus catching Elijah and Bella, some Bella and Klaus (how they met, lemons?), Bella and Elijah stuff, Lexi and Stefan with Bella stuff. I'm already going to add on Bella and Damon meeting again and their first dates etc. I hope to update soon, before Christmas :) LittleMissKsavatorexox