It was really her. Here. In the hospital. In uniform. He had thought it was all in his head. The smell even when it was stronger and more pronounced at the nurse's station. He thought he'd lost his mind for a moment, but it was really Bella. She had aged some. Her hair was longer. Her skin darker by a shade or two. She looked amazing and well put together. As she sat on his desk demanding an answer he didn't know what to say to her just yet, there was so much to talk about.

"Bella, I…" He moved forward and she shifted a bit in her spot angling the gun away from him. He chuckled a bit because he knew that she knew if he wanted to harm her he could without it.

"What?!" She looked angry as he laughed at her. Obviously this was something serious and upsetting. He could see the worry lines forming between her eyes.

"Sorry. You're just so well adjusted to your job position. He couldn't help but laugh. Forgive me." She just stared at him and waited in silence for the answer to her question. He took a deep breath. "I'm back because I wanted to come back. I wanted to get back into the swing of things." Back into the swing of life and not sulking all day every day.

"Is it just you? Are the others-" He could tell she was trying hard to feign disinterest but tears had started to build up and he could see how much it hurt her to be in here with him. To have her past stare her in the face when she was probably doing really well on her own without them there as a constant reminder.

"It's just me Bella." He stepped up to her and wiped away the first tear that fell. "I am so sorry. I didn't think I'd run into you here at this hospital or anywhere else. I thought that if I gave you and Forks enough room I'd-" His pager went off and he looked down at it. The transport had arrived and she needed to get back to her job. He handed her a tissue and said. "We have so much to talk about, if you want."

She pushed the hand away and refused to look him, probably afraid that he'd think she was weak being caught crying while on duty. "Okay," she said, her voice raspy. "I still live at Charlie's. You can meet me there. Tonight. After 8:30." She looked at the box of tissues on his desk. "And bring a big box of these. A lot happens in five years."

He nodded and took her hand to help her off his desk. He pulled her in close without thinking about it and hugged her softly. "I'm so sorry, Bella." He felt her shake a little and was afraid to let go, but they both had jobs to do. "8:30." He pulled away and opened the door.

She took a deep breath and headed out, before she walked through the door she turned around gave him a look that he couldn't describe and said, "I'd rather it be you that came back anyway." And she disappeared down the hall.

Carlisle shut the door and reached for the nearest object tossing it against the wall. Of all people that had been hurt because of that mess seeing Bella like that made him forget his own broken heart. She should've never been subjected to that. He passed back and forth in his office and then finally sat down. He would see her tonight and find out just how much had happened in the five years they'd been gone and he'd try to make it up to her in any way possible. He looked back through a couple more files when his pager when off again.

The x-ray and the stress test showed exactly what he had suspected and he made calls to admitting to make sure that they kept Mr. Crandol. They would drain the fluid from his lungs tomorrow and send him to dialysis the next day and start him on some medications to treat his arrhythmia. Maybe they could shock his heart back into rhythm. He turned off the computer around eight and packed up his things. On the way to Bella's her grabbed a box of tissues as requested and a bottle of Pink Moscato. He couldn't drink it, but she looked like she could use a glass or two. When he pulled up he noticed something different and realized that she no longer drove the big red truck and that the police cruiser Charlie drove wasn't there.

He knocked and heard her running down the steps. As she opened the door she looked like she just got out the shower. "Am I early or…"

"No, I got relieved late. Come in." She moved aside and when he walked in he noticed the way the house smelled solely of her. Not a hint of Charlie anywhere.

"Tissues and wine." He handed them to her and she walked to the kitchen without saying a word. He followed and took a seat at the kitchen table and watched as she poured herself a glass. "Bella, where's Charlie?"

She brought her glass, the bottle, and the tissues with her. Sitting down across from him she gave him a sad smile. "Like I said, a lot happens in five years."