Author's Note: Thank you to the very few people who have reviewed my story. And to the rest of you…follow their example! I would love to hear what you guys are thinking.

This nice, long chapter sets things in motion…it's going to start picking up now!!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Twilight or anything else the genius Stephenie Meyer has dreamed up. I know…I'm disappointed, too.

Chapter Six: "Carlisle" Bella's POV

I opened my eyes, instantly regretting it. The harsh fluorescent lights burned my eyes, causing green and purple blurs to cover my pupils. I groaned and rubbed my eyes weakly.

"Bella?" my father's voice whispered. "Bella, sweetie, are you okay?"

I managed to look at his worried face. "Yeah, Dad. I'm just…stiff," I said as I stretched.

"You slept for a long time," he said. "So…no nightmares last night?"

I racked my brain, searching my dreams. I triumphantly realized there were no dreams to account for last night. "Nope," I said.

"First time in three nights," he said, relieved but exhausted. "Do you feel like eating? They brought you an egg-and-cheese-biscuit."

"I don't feel like eating that," I said. "I'll wait for lunch."

"I figured as much. The chemo doesn't seem to like that particular food."

"It doesn't," I agreed.

"Your mom called," he said quietly. "She's worried, but she can't leave her job. Apparently she's already had the flu and can't miss anymore days at school."

"Did you tell her it's fine?" I asked him.

"Yes." He paused, and then sighed. "Speaking of work…I have to work today. Deputy Mark is on vacation and they need me."

God forbid the dangerous town of Forks has more than two cops off-duty. "It's fine, Dad. You should work. Get back into your routine."

"That's not going to happen, Bells. I'll be here tomorrow."

"Okay, Dad. Have fun today. Eat a doughnut for me."

He laughed and patted his belly. "Okay. You eat anything for me. I'll call and check on you."

After Charlie left, I laid back and turned the TV on. I was engaged in an episode of Jeopardy for thirty minutes until Ashley, my morning nurse, entered my room.

"Hey, girl," she said in a thick Southern accent. "How are you feeling today?"

"Like crap," I admitted. "I'm hungry but I don't think I can eat."

She nodded understandingly. "I know, honey. Dr. Gupta has ordered an IV for you so you can get some nutrients."

"Great," I moaned. "Needles."

She smiled encouragingly. "If it makes you feel better, you have a new doctor who is hot. He wants to meet all the new patients, so he said he'll administer the IV himself."

"Maybe you can win him over," I smiled at her. I really didn't want to think about any hot guys--especially any hot doctors--but Ashley was so likeable. "I'm not interested in dating right now."

"A pretty gal like yourself? I can't imagine why. Can I get you anything?"

"Nah," I said. "I'm fine for now."

"Okay. Holler if you need anything." She patted my hand and left.

As soon as my room was quiet again, a very familiar voice from the hall shattered my world.

"Thank you, Dr. Gupta," the clear, calm, and smooth voice said pleasantly. "I'll take over Miss Swan's case, if you don't mind."

Impossible. I started to panic as I reviewed the side effects of chemotherapy. Are hallucinations normal? This is definitely a hallucination.

Silence followed, but I could hear the soft, brisk, familiar footsteps walking down the hall. Definitely a hallucination, I told myself as I started to hyperventilate.I wouldn't really be able to hear and distinguish his footsteps from the others…unless the hall was empty…

"Oh, excuse me," the haunting voice said. I noticed wheels were following the footsteps. Please God, I prayed. Don't do this to me. If I'm going to die, let me die a happy death with no interference from my past. I don't need to think of any of them…

Bella, you've gone crazy, I told myself. Absolutely crazy. Wait, no. You're having an allergic reaction to the chemo. That's why you're hallucinating. But why are you imagining him, and not the most obvious person? Why aren't you screaming for help? Reaching for the call button?

I tried to move my arm, but I realized that my muscles were frozen. Oh, that's why. You're in shock. Calm down. Breathe.

My hyperventilation slowed as the hauntingly familiar voice and footsteps were silent. That's right, Bella. Calm down.

And then a figure appeared at my door. My mouth fell open and my heart pounded.

A tall, muscled, young, blond doctor stood frozen in my doorway. His golden eyes were wide with anticipation. We sat frozen for a few seconds, just staring at each other.

Hallucinations can't be this clear…I can see the creases in his shirt, and his shadow against the wall…

I slapped myself in the face. Carlisle did not disappear.

"Whoa, Bella," he said quickly, pulling an IV bag in the room with him. "Don't do that, my dear. I'm really here." He paused at the foot of my bed, not really sure what to do.

His face had not changed at all in the past five years. He was still as young and glorious as ever, but now he looked scared. I still didn't trust my eyes…what if he wasn't really there?

He very slowly walked to my bedside and placed one hand on my arm. Cold, hard fingers stroked my forearm. "I'm really here," he said again.

You can't trust his touch. That isn't hard to dream up--just think of stone.

He bent down to be closer to my face, exhaling just as I inhaled. A sweet, honey-like perfume filled my nostrils, making my heart ache with recognition as I smelled every detail of his breath. I can't dream that up, I thought. It's far too perfect and real…

"Carlisle?" I whispered.

He nodded. "It's me."

And then I couldn't control myself. As tired and weak as I was, I leapt up and threw myself at him, probably giving myself bruises as I hit his cold, sturdy body. His arms wrapped around me tightly, and he kissed my cheek as I started to weep onto his shoulder.

"Oh, Carlisle!" I exclaimed. "Carlisle, Carlisle, Carlisle…"

"Bella," he nodded. "I'm here. Shh, dearest. You're fine. I'm the doctor on your case."

The happy tears were flowing freely. "Carlisle, Carlisle," I repeated. "You're so…the same. You love me."

"Of course I do," he said. "You're still a daughter to me, Bella."

I pulled my face from his shoulder and looked into his golden eyes. "How did you know?" I started to ask, but the answer was obvious as soon as I thought up the question. "Ohh…Alice."

"Yes," he nodded. "Alice still…checks up on you from time to time."

I understood the double meaning in his words. "You came from London to Seattle for…me?"

"Of course! I went to Phoenix for you, didn't I?" he teased. And then he frowned. "How did you know we're in London?"

"A nurse told me I have a hot doctor from London," I admitted.

He laughed. "I see. Bella, how are you?"

I sighed and leaned back against my pillows again. Still, I was unable to let go of his hand. He sat on the side of my bed and looked at me with genuine concern in his eyes.

"I'm…fine, I guess," I said. "Chemotherapy sucks."

"I know it does," he sympathized. "But we're going to get you out of here."

My heart leapt with joy at his words, but the grief quickly overshadowed the happiness. Carlisle would leave as soon as I was in remission. Swallowing hard, I dismissed the thought. Enjoy him while you can, Bella. Work toward your health.

"How is everyone?" I asked him.

"We're fine, I suppose," he said. "I was working at a hospital in the city until Alice…thought of you. Esme renovates houses in London on the cloudy days. Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie don't work or go to school; rather, they just play and have fun in life."

I nodded. Those were all very obvious answers. "What about…" I was unable to say the name.

"You would be proud of him," Carlisle said slowly. "He earned his PhD and is practicing medicine with me."

Shock filled my brain. "Really? Edward…a doctor?"

"Yes," Carlisle nodded. "And a very good one, too. He's amazing with children in the emergency room."

"Wow," I said. "I'm…impressed." And even more heartbroken. He's found a new love. So what if it isn't another woman? Medicine has captured his heart…the heart that was once yours…

"He loves his work," Carlisle said quietly. "But he's unhappy."

"Why?" I asked incredulously. Edward, unhappy without me?

The beautiful doctor sighed. "He's going to kill me for saying this, but you're…not in his life."

The words knocked me breathless. When I recovered, I whispered, "That makes no sense."

"Bella, I have seen his face after he repented from serial murder…and even that grief doesn't compare to the grief he has lived in for five years now."

So it's guilt, then. He has seen Alice's visions of my depression and he feels responsible. Hot wetness trickled down my cheeks.

"Shh," Carlisle comforted me, wiping my tears away with his cold fingers. "Things will work out, Bella, one way or another. But for now we need to make you healthy again."

He pulled the IV bag and his tray of equipment to my bed. My stomach rolled when I saw the needles, but Carlisle's cold, familiar hands were comforting. I felt like I was lying in my own bed after years of being away from home. Home, I thought. It made sense. Carlisle was a Cullen. And whether they wanted to accept it or not, the Cullens were my home.

"Is anyone else here?" I asked as he started to wipe my fingertip with alcohol. My finger? Isn't it usually put in the top of my hand?

He shook his head. "No, just me."

I sighed. "I would love to see Esme and Alice."

"They want to see you, too," he said, uncapping the needle. "Trust me, you are often in all of our thoughts." He smiled wryly. "I'm no mind reader, but I know that for sure. Bella, I need you to hold still and don't panic. I'm doing things a little…differently from most doctors."

I watched in confusion as he gently pricked my fingertip. He smiled at me apologetically before wiping the blood drop off with his tongue. My heart jolted as the cold wetness made me flashback to my dream from a few nights ago.

"Carlisle, what are you doing?" I asked him.

He held a finger up, telling me to wait, as he picked up a cup of water and rinsed his mouth out. "My apologies, Bella," he said. "I was tasting the cancer cells…"

"You can taste them?" I asked in shock.

He nodded. "Yes. It will aid me in your treatment." He gently taped a cotton ball to my pricked finger and turned my hand over again.

"Huh," I said. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

He opened a new sterile wipe and wiped the top of my hand. "Hold your breath, dear," he said. "I remember you aren't very fond of IV's."

I smiled and closed my eyes. "I still haven't gotten over that fear."

I barely felt the needle slide into my skin. "I forgot how gentle you are," I admitted. "You should give the entire oncology staff IV lessons."

He chuckled and taped the IV down. "Maybe I should. Would you like a Popsicle or something to settle your stomach?"

"Sure," I said. "I'm pretty hungry."

"I'll have one of the nurses to bring you something."

"Are you leaving?" I asked, already panicking a little.

I have other patients to take care of," he reminded me, smiling comfortingly. "But I'll be with you as much as possible. Don't worry, dear; I'll be coming back."

"Okay," I nodded.

He softly kissed my hand. "Request me specifically if you need anything."

"I will. Thank you, Carlisle. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, darling. I'll be back ASAP."