DISCLAIMERS:
This is a sand castle I built in Stephenie Meyer's sand box. The sand is hers, the castle is mine.
You may recognize some things in this story. Sometimes, that because I'm an evil Death Eater serving Lord Voldemort (AKA Moldy Warts) trying to steal the ideas of others for my own profit (see my castle?). Sometimes that's because "great minds think alike", remember "there's no such thing as an original idea anymore" and "it's all been done".
Death Eater's & Voldemort are the property of the brilliant JKR, Moldy Wartshas been a commonly used euphemism in many fan fiction stories.
CHAPTER 9: Carlisle
AN: Remember, I'm a dunce when it comes to cars. My characters are not. No details will be provided to avoid embarrassing myself.
Third person POV
Edward and Bella finally left Mike Newton behind and made their way to the school parking lot, Bella leading the way to show him to her car. When he spotted the car his mouth popped open. Her car was a thing of beauty. "Is that what I think it is?" Edward asked.
"Probably. Of course I gave it a few upgrades," said Bella. She was pleased she had managed to shock him. Most girls knew nothing about cars. Bella was not "most girls".
They both jumped into the luxury black car after Edward finally complete his ogling of the car. Edward quickly ran through the directions to his place, and they were off. Edward was relieved she had similar driving habits to the Cullens. She sped over a hundred miles per hour the whole way. And before they knew it they had pulled up to his house.
Alice was in her last class of the day when she got a vision of herself driving Jasper, Rose, and Emmett home in the Volvo, without Edward. Though uncertain why at first she quickly came to two conclusions. First, Edward was probably riding home with the new girl. Second, the why didn't really matter. The others were confused at first as to why she was driving, but took it in stride as she explained her vision. Of course, Emmett had to make some sexual references, but that was hardly abnormal! Alice wasted no time getting out of the parking lot and on the road to home. She was certain that Carlisle would have gotten off early to wait for them at home and warn Esme, but she felt both her 'parents' could use the extra information they had learned since Edward had contacted Carlisle.
CARLISLE POV
I had been in a semi-shocked state ever since the text I received from Edward. A new vampire was attending Forks High. A very unusual situation. We'd only ever met five other vegetarian vampires, the Denali coven. I wondered what had brought this new one to our town. Was it merely a coincidence? Had she actually been sent by the Volturi? Had she come to find us?
Because I new absolutely nothing about her I could even begin to hypothesize a theory. I finally decided to give the Denali's a call to see if they had any answers. "Hello, Carlisle, to what to I owe the pleasure?" Tanya's voice greeted me.
"Well, Edward tells me there is a new vampire at Forks high today. An apparently vegetarian vampire. I was wondering how she happened to land in the same town as my family. You don't happen to know of another vegetarian vampire, do you?" I asked, keeping my tone calm and diplomatic. I did not want her to think I was accusing her of anything, but I was curious.
"No, I've never met other vegetarians besides you Cullens and my family. Do you know anything about her?"
"Not as of yet, but I plan to speak with her as soon a possible. I don't know what brought her here but I'm interested to find out," I said. I had no idea how the new girl would take it, being questioned, and currently had no plans to make her feel like she was being interrogated. But protecting my family was always number one on my list. If it took violence, then so be it. It would rip into my heart and soul to resort to violence, but more so to let harm come to any member of my family.
"Well, I'll keep my ears open. If you need back up, we're not that far away, just give us a call. I can't speak for everyone, but I believe if you required our help that most of my family would join me in coming to you defense," said Tanya.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. I'm hoping this just means we'll have a new friend, but your support is reassuring. We'll call you later to let you know how it turns out, okay?"
"Good. I'll talk to you soon," and we hung up our phones.
I spent the rest of the day anxious to get home and meet the new girl. I manage to get my work done quickly, without attracting too much suspicion. I decided that I'd like to beat the kids home, and warn Esme in person. If the new girl was going to stick around she has to be informed of the rules. We had a tentative treaty with the wolves, and though we had not seen them since we had returned to the area, we were keeping to our part of the deal. If the wolves ever did return, I would have to speak with the Alpha and make sure the treaty was still acceptable.
I made it home shortly before 2:00 pm. I stepped into the house calling out for my wife, Esme, as I entered. She came to my side quickly, looking startled. I knew this was not at my appearance, she would have heard the car long before I even arrived, but rather form the fact that I was home so early.
"Carlisle! It's not even two, what brings you home so early? Nothings wrong, is there?" She looked ready to start babbling, were she so inclined.
"Not really. Edward informed me of some rather surprising news today. Apparently there's a new vegetarian vampire in town, attend Forks high school," I knew that I had to get right to the point with her, else she'd worry. I made absolutely sure to mention the "vegetarian" part before the "vampire" part, no matter how few words there were between the two, no need to cause undue worry.
"A... New... Vampire?" she asked me, sounding as faint as a vampire mother can sound. She may not have been any of our kids' biological mother, but she was everyone's mother in every way that mattered. "How, who... what?"
"I don't know the answers to those questions. I suggested to Edward that he get her over here so we meet her, and ask those questions. I'm hoping that they'll bring her here this afternoon, which she'd be here very soon."
"Here? Soon? Do you really think that wise?"
"If she is going to cause us trouble I'd prefer to find out sooner rather than later. And if it comes to a…disagreement, better on the ground we know."
"Are you really afraid there will be a fight?" Esme asked me bluntly. We'd been dancing with our words so far, avoiding the phrasing implying a physical fight. Esme knew me well enough to know that I might start ignoring the possibility.
"Not so much, but she is an unknown entity, so you never know. If she's tame enough to attend school without causing problems and arousing suspicion I'm hoping not. I'm more hoping to make a new friend, one who then must be informed of the rules. Like the treaty with the wolves."
Esme smiled at me reassured that I was still being optimistic. For some reason unknown to me I tended to have this effect on my family. If I told them it would be okay, suddenly all their worries seemed to disappear. Sometimes I worried about the possible ramifications of this, what if I was wrong someday, what harm could be done then? On the other hand, I felt better knowing I could relieve my family of their fears with a few simple words.
A few words to Jasper and his fears that his "weaknesses" are a danger to the family were once again locked away. A few moments with Edward and his guilt over whatever he was agonizing himself over were gone again. Alice could be brought back from the panic her visions could cause her with a simple phrase from me. Rose could be comforted just as fast as I could say "It's okay". Emmett never needed much reassurance, but I knew if he ever did, I could give it to him. I felt good that my family trusted me so much. "I'll take care of it", "its okay" and similar phrases never seemed as powerful as when I said them to my family members.
I had gotten lost in my thoughts and was startled to hear the Volvo pull up. When the kids strolled in a few moments later I was surprised that Edward was not amongst them. Alice must have either read my future or my face as she spoke up. "Edward apparently found other transportation home."
"Well while we're waiting why don't you tell us what you know," Esme said.
We listened as they told us that she was "over three-quarters of a century old", counting vampire years only. That she was indeed vegetarian, and had apparently lived in Forks as a human. Before we could learn anymore information we all heard a car pull up, obviously going at a speed no normal human would drive at. Two doors opened and then Edward escorted a tall dark-haired vampire into the living room, where we had all gathered. Though not really necessary, we were all sitting down, doing it as habit at home helped us remember to do it with humans around, though we still kept still as stone, a vampire's natural state.
I stood up to greet the girl. "Carlisle, Esme, this is Bella Swan," Edward introduced. "Bella, this is Carlisle and Esme, my 'parents' for all intents and purposes."
"Hello, Doctor and Mrs. Cullen," the girl, Bella replied. Esme, who had also stood to meet the girl politely, went forward to greet Bella.
I, however, was frozen with shock. My memory, a vampiric perfect memory, was working in overdrive. I recalled an article written years ago in a medical journal. It covered addictions, but in a very unusual way. The doctor had done experiments to "cure" mosquitoes of eating human blood. Most other doctors would not been nearly as interested, but it had piqued my interest, after all vampires also survived on blood. I had tried a few of the techniques to help Jasper adjust to the vegetarian lifestyle. Not only that, but a few years later I had heard from a few of my nomad friends that there was apparently a vampire with healing abilities. This vampire was also a doctor who specialized in the healing of mythical beings. Now why had these thoughts suddenly struck me was because the name mentioned was always Bella, or Dr. Swan. Could it be they were one in the same? Could it be that "Dr. Bella Swan" if she existed, was the vampire before me? Somehow, I was certain I was correct.
I finally shook myself free of my musings. "Doctor Bella Swan?" I asked, choosing the bold, blunt approach for once.
Author's Notes:
Cliffhanger? Don't worry chapter 10 is already under way. I'm looking forward to writing a certain part.
I'm not sure how parallel AVB will follow Twilight. I'm not sure the same events really fit, you know?
I'm recommending any of you who havne't yet read it to check out the story Changing the Future, Bella & Edward read the Twilight series prior to meeting. The author is almost done the Twilight change of events.
Anyways… reviews are welcome.
