The Past Misunderstanding
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Stephenie Meyers. I do not own or claim to own them.
Chapter 4 – Warning of Danger
BPOV
My week had been going smoothly, and as Friday morning crept closer and closer, I was seriously considering emailing Alice and canceling the shopping trip as I had a bad feeling that something was going to happen. Fiona had talked me out of it, saying that I was first, overthinking things and second, I needed to reconnect with my friends in Forks, even if only one or two at a time. In addition to that, she tried, on a daily basis, to get me to go and introduce myself to my neighbors. I vehemently refused. She didn't know who my neighbors were, but I sure did. I wasn't ready to put myself out there to answer questions about anything. As for the coming weekend, I couldn't find it in my heart to argue with Fiona. So, checking with my security team, I found they didn't want to take any other precautions other than giving me a panic button.
Come Friday morning, I'd let Duncan know that I'd be ready by the early afternoon to leave. He'd be driving me in lieu of taking a shuttle. I liked the availability and speed of shuttle travel, but at times preferred the slower travel of the town car. Duncan was kind and one day explained that the car was completely electric — using solar and lunar technology to store energy —"no need to plug the car in to recharge it," he told me. I laughed at that. I'd studied the twentieth century, and the technology then was slowly evolving into today's. Anyway, he'd be driving me, and we'd be staying overnight in Seattle for the weekend, returning to Forks late Sunday afternoon. I went up to my office to work for a few hours on my book, having made my decision to accept the job at the high school. My mind wasn't on writing or research but on how I was going to explain to Alice come fall. I didn't have any ideas. Good thing I had time up my sleeve.
By mid-morning, I still hadn't written a word, staring at the last sentence while the cursor flashed. I decided to just take a break and check my email. I was just opening my messages when Fiona brought in the mail and a cup of tea.
"Join me, Fiona. I'm not getting much done this morning," I confessed as she set the tray down.
"I thought that might be the case. You weren't busy typing or looking something up in a book as you normally are."
"You know me so well in such a short time," I replied, looking back at my email, and I noticed had a message from Alice. We had been emailing back and forth all week. I thought about my dilemma again; it was a shame that I just didn't come out and tell her I only lived five miles away. "I received another message from Alice," I told Fiona.
"I'll wager that she is just checking, again, to see that you aren't going to back out of the shopping trip tomorrow," she said before taking a sip of her tea.
I opened the message, eager to see what Alice had to say. It was getting easier each day to respond. "You're right, that is exactly why she emailed," I said as I typed out a response and sent it. "I also have another company who wants me to consider working for them."
"I thought you had firmly decided on working here at the high school."
"I have, and I let them know yesterday. I should be getting my class schedule and everything next week. I'm having them send it to the base, and Charlie will bring or send it to me."
"I still don't understand why you just don't give the high school this address."
"Because I don't want anyone to know where I actually live, and by giving the base address everyone will think I will be living there. I'll have Duncan drive me to the base every morning."
She shook her head as she got up to leave. "I'd best be getting the weekly shopping done. Is there anything special you want for next week?"
"Strawberries," I answered. "But if none look good, I can do without."
She chuckled as she walked out of the office.
I reached for the mail, sifting through it. More cards of congratulations which could wait. The last was a letter from Forks High School. It must have been hand delivered to the base yesterday.
Isabella,
It was wonderful news to hear that you will be joining the high school staff, teaching AP Spanish and Latin. I know you will be a wonderful addition to a great staff. I would love to have you work with me on the Christmas Cantata this year, if you have the time that is. We can discuss this later. Welcome aboard.
Alexia Brandt
I smiled at the brief message. Ms. Brandt was my favorite teacher my senior year at the high school. Of course I'd be happy to help her out. I picked up the phone and dialed the base. "Hello, Bella."
"Hello, Mason. Would you please patch me through to the high school?"
"Certainly."
After a moment's pause, I heard the connecting rings. "Forks High School. This is Ms. Platt speaking. How can I direct your call?"
"Hello, Ms. Platt, this is Isabella Swan. Would Alexia Brandt be in today?"
"I haven't seen her come in the office today, but I am sure she is here, Isabella. Let me try her line. Oh, welcome aboard. I just sent your class schedule to the base. If you have any questions, feel free to call me or just stop by."
"I'll be sure to do that though I won't be in Forks until a week before classes start."
The line began to ring again and after the third ring, "Ms. Brandt speaking."
"Ms. Brandt, it's Bella."
"Well hello, Bella. Did you get my note?"
"Yes, that is why I am calling. I would love to help you out."
"Great. I don't know when I will be hold tryouts yet, but I will be making that decision as soon as I get the schedule for the auditorium. Oh, if you can make it, there is a town talent show the last weekend in July." A town talent show, a perfect solution; I had an idea formulating on how to let the town know I would be joining the high school teaching staff. I knew Alexia would help me out, but I wanted get everything sorted out before I let her know.
"I should be able to; I don't have any plans for that weekend. Oh, did the principal mention my condition?"
"Yes; he had all the staff sign that they were informed. I do have a question though. How are you going to prevent the town from finding out that you are working at the high school once school starts?"
I let out a laugh. "Sorry, I don't mean to laugh. I just don't want any announcements, during the summer, to be made that I am joining the staff."
"I can understand. I ran into your father at the base yesterday, and he told me you were quite upset when you found out you were national news."
"Not upset, just embarrassed. I really didn't think the news story would reach Forks."
"Well, I don't understand why you wouldn't want Forks to know, Bella. I've got to run. I have a student coming in for summer piano lessons."
"Okay. I'll talk to you soon. Bye."
It was now eleven, and I wouldn't be leaving for Seattle until after one or so. "No use sitting here," I said to myself. I shut down my computer and walked out of the office. Duncan was in the kitchen with Fiona. "Duncan, would you mind driving me to the base?"
"Not at all, Bella; I put your bags in the car already, so we can leave from there when you're done."
"Thanks. Drop me off near my dad's office. Bye, Fiona. Enjoy your Saturday off. See you Sunday."
"Bye, Bella. Have fun and think about telling your friends the truth."
I cringed at her words before following Duncan out the front door. He had the car already pulled out of the garage and opened the door for me. I gave him a smile of thanks as I got in with my phone to my ear.
"Hey, Charlie," I said when he answered. "I'm on my way to the base. Can you check to see if a simulation room is available for the next hour and a half?"
"Hold on and I'll check." I heard a series of clicking and then Charlie responded, "Simulation room six is free, and I've scheduled you. Are you stressed out?"
"A little; especially since I am meeting Alice, Esme, and Rosalie tomorrow for a girl's day. Plus, I just found out about the town's talent show planned for the end of July, and I thought it would be a perfect way to let everyone know I will be working at the high school."
"Oh, that reminds me, right after I sent Thomas with the mail, another letter arrived from the high school."
Duncan opened the door and helped me out. The drive was a little shorter than normal. I raised a questioning eye. 'Caught all the lights,' Duncan mouthed. "Okay, I'm near your office now. I'll pop in and get it. See you in a minute."
"Okay, Bells."
I walked into the building as Duncan drove away. He'd most likely go to the track or gym to exercise since he grabbed his gym bag. I'd call him or send someone to get him when I was done.
I walked into Charlie's office and his and saw was on the phone. I took the letter off his desk and waved bye at the same time he motioned me to sit. He hung up the phone with a heavy sigh. "Bells, that was your security team and a member of the Star Command Linguistics team. There is something that you should know."
There was a look of concern on his face. "What is it?" A sense of dread run through me.
"When they were doing the perimeter sweep, they found a breach in the wall. And the Linguistics team intercepted an encrypted message going to your old email account. Someone sent you a threatening message. We're trying to trace the message, but there is no telling how long it will take. I'd like to call in an expert on your security system."
I leaned forward in the chair and put my heads between my legs trying to control my breathing. "If you feel the expert will be of help, then call. Give me a com-badge. And what does my team want to do?"
"They want you to cancel your trip this weekend. I advised against it, knowing if you cancel you'll not reschedule." I looked up at Charlie and he handed me a com-badge. "I'll request a transporter lock on you. If you hit your panic button, we'll beam you directly back here. You should call Alice and let her know." He motioned to his phone before getting up and leaving me in his office.
I picked up the phone and dialed the Cullens. "Hello." I recognized Carlisle's voice immediately.
"Hi, Carlisle, it's Bella, is Alice there?"
"No, she is out at the moment. Is something wrong, Bella? You're not calling to cancel are you?"
"I wouldn't dream of it, though, to be honest, it did cross my mind several times this week. Can you give me her cell number, or is she hunting?"
"Of course," he said and proceeded to give me the number.
"Thanks, Carlisle," I said, hanging up and quickly dialing Alice's cell.
"Bella," Alice answered.
"Hey, Alice."
"Why are you calling from the base?"
"I'm on my way to Seattle and am using the shuttle's phone." I hated lying to her, but I had to keep up the ruse.
"Oh," she responded. I could hear something behind her response, but she didn't go on.
"I don't have much time, Alice. I had to let you know that Star Command has put into place extra security measures for my safety this weekend."
"That can't be good. Can I know why?"
Should I tell her? Yes, I have to. "They intercepted an encrypted message going to an old email account. When the message was decrypted, they found it was a threat. I don't know the details, and frankly, I don't want to know. I have a panic button, and if I activate it, I will be beamed to a Star Command ship."
"That is all they gave you, a panic button? No security detail?"
"Of course that is not all they gave me! There will be two security teams in place at the mall; I won't know who they are. The plan, I think, is to flush out whoever is threatening me."
"And if you get shot before you can hit the panic button?"
"Alice, I don't think I will get shot. Plus, Charlie knows I'll be with you. You'll see if that is the plan. You tell me, I'll inform Charlie, and he'll send one of the security team members to my side."
"I just don't like it, Bella, but whatever. Thanks for letting me know. I have to go. My brother…"
I knew exactly who she was talking about. "Don't tell him, Alice."
"I won't make that promise, Bella. He still cares for you and knows I've been emailing and talking to you, just so that you know. If he asks if I talked to you, I'll tell him and will block my thoughts so he doesn't find out about what."
I let out a frustrated sigh and hung up without saying bye.
After a couple more minutes, I walked out of Charlie's office and saw he was standing outside, leaning against the wall talking on his cell. "She didn't take the news well, did she?"
"No, she didn't. I think it would've been better to cancel, but it is too late for that. She knows now and will most likely tell her family," I said, hearing my frustration in my answer as I stormed off towards the simulation rooms.
APOV
After Bella hung up on me, I thought about calling her right back but knew she wouldn't answer. I was mad at her for hanging up on me though I couldn't blame her. She was trying.
"You look mad. Who's to blame?" Edward asked when he saw me. A huge smile was plastered on his face, most likely at the prospect that it wasn't him for a change.
"Bella hung up on me."
"Why?"
I started singing in my head. "She was in a hurry. Interview with another company," I hated lying to Edward.
"You saw something, didn't you?"
"Edward, I haven't seen anything since telling you she was graduating."
"What do you mean?" he asked, grabbing me, the smile falling from his face.
"I think she is blocking me." I fought to free my cashmere top from his hands. He was stronger than me, and I couldn't budge his fingers.
"That can't be good. Did she sound like she was in danger?" He released — well, more like dropped me, but I saw it coming.
"Not directly, but I could tell she was hiding something," I said, not exactly lying.
I watched as Edward's hand went to head, running through his hair. "What exactly did she say?"
Oh boy, I thought.
"Alice?"
"Call Charlie," I suggested. "Maybe he can tell you what's going on. Bella is reaching out to us, well some of us, again, and I will not jeopardize losing her as a friend."
Edward stormed off, taking out his cell.
EPOV
I can't say I blamed Alice for not telling me anything. She told me enough to let me know something was wrong. I dialed the base and asked to speak with Commander Swan and was immediately connected. I knew Charlie wouldn't answer if he knew it was me calling, despite the fact he was feeding me information.
"Commander Swan."
"Charlie, don't hang up. Alice suggested I call you. What's going on? Is Bella in danger?"
"I had a feeling you would call, Edward. And I was trying to decide whether or not to call you. Plus, I'm not sure if I should tell you, but I'm going with my gut here and you should know."
There was a long pause and I figured Charlie was trying to figure out how to tell me without telling me, by contradicting himself. This was a game we both had gotten used to during the past six years. "Is she hurt?"
"No."
"Is she there?"
"Just walking out of my office now," he said. I heard him talking to Bella and she sounded mad. "Hold on, let me run back to my office."
I waited until I heard the door close before speaking, "Bella sounded mad. I wonder what Alice said."
"Who knows, Edward?"
"So, what is it I shouldn't know?"
"A death threat was received, and there was a security breach at her house."
"And she is in Seattle right now?"
"On her way," he responded.
"With or without a security detail? I asked through clenched teeth.
"Her personal security only. A larger team is at the base she is landing at, waiting to escort her to an interview and then to the hotel."
"She is going shopping with Alice, Esme, and Rosalie tomorrow. Is her detail going to be a close or far shadow?"
"Far shadow. She does have a panic button and com-badge. I've requested for a constant transporter lock on her."
I was running my hand through my hair again and again. This couldn't be happening. "Where is she staying, Charlie? And don't tell me you can't tell me."
"I don't know, but I'll find out. What number can I reach you at when I find out? And I know you well enough to know that you will want to stay close."
I gave Charlie my number and he said he would call me back in a half hour.
I immediately called Emmett and conferenced in Jasper. "Hey bro," Emmett answered.
"Emmett, Jasper, I just got off the phone with Charlie, and there's a death threat on Bella."
"Whoa, back up," Jasper said. "What's going on?"
"I don't know all the details, and Alice wouldn't tell me, so I called Charlie." I quickly relayed everything I knew and asked them to meet me at the house and be ready to head to Seattle.
A minute after I hung up, Charlie's call came through. "She is staying at the Sorrento Hotel. Her security team wouldn't give me the name she is staying under."
"Do they ever use the same alias?" Recalling the trip she joined us on in Greece and the name she insisted we call her in public, Aurora.
"No, I'm afraid not."
"Thanks, Charlie. Emmett and Jasper are going with me. We'll help out."
"I already let the Star Command team know to expect you. I'm afraid I can't let her personal security team know."
"We'll remain in the shadows, Charlie. Again, thanks."
"No problem, Edward. I know you still care for Bella, and I hope she'll realize what she had with you."
"You and me both. Bye."
I decided I should call Alice and let her know.
"Hello, Edward," she answered.
"Emmett, Jasper, and I will be part of the Star Command team shadowing Bella tomorrow. We'll be in the shadows."
"Thanks for letting me know."
"Thanks for giving me the heads up. See you around."
A/N: I want to share a comment that one of the betas, Madmum, left me when she reviewed/edited this chapter as it made me smile: "I'm glad they still drink cups of tea in the 23rd century!" I don't drink tea, myself, but know the relaxing abilities that most teas have. Whether it was tea, lemonade, or any other drink, the resulting conversation would have still happened.
The PTB MOD, SqueakyZ, made a very good observation about Charlie and Edward. They are not the cannon pair from the book. I like how Stephenie wrote them in the book, but for my purposes, they need to be friends. It will be made clear in later chapters why.
I want to thank the PTB betas, Madmum and April93, for their help in getting this chapter edited.
Hope you enjoyed. Please review.
