Authors Note: Thanks so much to those of you who have reviewed and given me insight on the angel/vampire sex issue. I shall keep the rating and they will get together. Some are concerned about Bella rejecting Edward initially, but hey, isn't that what he did to her in the original? It's a little role reversal in parts. I'd like the characters to have a little fun too, so some chapters may be lighter in tone to the others, showing some characters in a different light to their originals. p.s JTStyle, NatashaK89, 00chely00 and Smufiest - I take all your comments on board, I love your ideas and will try to incorporate as many as I can. You are my inspiration, thank you Angels. Mx

Beauty and the Beasts

BPOV

I sent a text to my Mum to let her know I would be going out with Angela and would be back later that evening. We decided to take my car to Port Angeles, after all, I needed the experience. Driving in the US was a challenge, especially after I'd only recently passed my test in England. Angela was happy to give me directions and indulge my weakness for in-car singing. I loved to sing along to my stereo and even though Angela wasn't familiar with my favourite Ellie Goulding cd, she enjoyed it and giggled along at my enthusiastic singing.

It was easy talking to Angela, she was eager to know all about my interests and life in England. She told me about her family and her blossoming romance with Eric. He was all she had in the way of friends at school as she was painfully shy. Angela had a kind heart, pure thoughts and intentions and was actually rather beautiful. I would make a special effort to be her friend, there was nobody more worthy than her and I was sad that nobody else (apart from Eric) had bothered to realise what a special person she was.

As we made our way through the outskirts of the town, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, conscious that eyes were watching me. There were a few people on the streets, but nobody looking directly as us. I parked the car outside the bookstore and took a moment to gather my bag and listen for danger. He was here, watching us.

I couldn't help but smirk to myself at the thought that Edward had followed us and was watching, like a stalker. I knew I wasn't in danger from him, his thoughts revealed otherwise. He felt the need to protect me and Angela from whatever perils we may come across in town. I was sure I wouldn't need his help in a bookstore, after all, what more could happen to me than maybe getting a paper cut? I didn't acknowledge him as we made our way into the store.

Angela and I agreed to wander by ourselves for a little while and then go and have dinner down by the harbour. As I was browsing the books I rolled my eyes at the thought that he felt the need to be my hero. Part of me wanted to show him how much I could take care of myself and didn't need his help, another part of me felt flattered that he was so protective.

The bookstore was fairly large and doubled as a music store too. I was pleased to be able to pick up all the books I wanted and some sheet music. I was stunned that they had a full sized harp amongst the small selection of instruments for sale, it seemed out of place in such a small town store. A smile spread across my face as I thought of the irony of an angel playing a harp. It was a popular representation of an angel, sitting on a cloud, wings spread and playing a harp, 'the music of angels'. I didn't actually play harp, but would have loved to learn. Maybe I could get one for my eighteenth birthday. I had actually forgotten about my birthday, what with the transatlantic move and starting High School. It was in a few weeks and my Mum had mentioned about me having a party as a way to celebrate and try to make new friends. My parents were actually pretty cool in this respect, as long as things didn't get out of hand and luckily my friends back in England had never abused this rule. I wondered if I could arrange a party in such a short time until a vision flashed before my eyes.

Alice was with me at home in my back garden, the evening was balmy for September. Dad was fiddling with the gas barbeque, Mum was laying plates and salads on a wooden picnic table. Alice and I were putting up strings of fairy lights around the garden. Angela was there too, sorting out the sound system and music ready for an outside pool party.

My reverie was interrupted by Angela tapping me on the shoulder, we both jumped.

"Whoa, sorry to startle you, you looked miles away."

I shook my head to clear the vivid vision I had just had and smiled at Angela. I would talk to her about it over dinner.

"I was just admiring the harp, I'd love to play it". I said wistfully.

"Do you? Play, I mean?".

I sighed longingly, "No, but I would like to learn, maybe even get one. It's such a beautiful instrument.".

"Maybe you could ask for it for your birthday? It's not a bad price as it's second hand and looks like it needs a little restoration". Angela almost read my mind and I decided I would talk to my parents about it later.

"I think I may just do that, let's pay for our stuff and get some dinner, I'm so hungry my stomach is going to eat itself.". I linked arms with her, making sure to control my body and not 'shock' her and we made our way to the checkout.

Walking out into the pitch black night we made our way through the quiet streets towards the harbour and talked about books, music and boys. The sky was relatively clear and the stars were shining. The moon was obscured by a small grouping of clouds, it's glow permeating the night sky subtly. I was lucky the moon wasn't completely exposed as my skin only glowed slightly in the light, which I normally put down to my pale skin and shimmery body lotion if anyone noticed. I had to be particularly careful and use my future visions for nights where the moon was going to be unobscured, my skin would light up like a firefly and would definitely give me away as otherworldly.

If Angela noticed, she didn't reveal it in her thoughts, she was full of the pleasure of our company and how easy it was. I allowed Angela to guide us to the restaurant, not being familiar with which establishments were any good. Ironically she chose an Italian called 'Bella Italia'.

I giggled mischievously at her, "Should we graffiti an 's' after my name?".

"I thought the restaurant would be appropriate and although the graffiti would be funny, but I don't think I'd like to be around when the Police Chief catches his daughter defiling property". Angela raised her brows at me, smirking. We walked through the door and waited to be seated.

"Good job I was just pulling your leg then." I replied jovially.

"Er, you were what?" She looked puzzled.

"You know, winding you up, teasing." I explained.

"Oh, OK, I get it. You're funny Bella." She laughed at me.

The waitress came over and ushered us to a vacant table near a window overlooking the ocean. I was mesmerised by the lights of the harbour glinting off the waves and the faint sound water lapping against the dock.

"This is perfect." I said to Angela.

"Glad you approve, lets order." She said, pouring over her menu.

We made our selections, ordered and chattered incessantly until our food arrived. Conversation with Angela was effortless, I was a good listener and she in return was a thoughtful and observant conversationalist.

We ate silently for a while, enjoying the delicious food, every now and again letting small moans of appreciation for the food fill the silence. I looked out onto the ocean, tuning out the conversations going on around us. I knew that Edward was still around, listening and waiting, like a guardian angel. I chuckled to myself at the absurdity of the situation.

After splitting the bill, we left the restaurant and walked out into the warm night. The streets were eerily deserted between the harbour and where we had parked my car. The sky had clouded over making the night seem somehow more sinister. I had an uneasy feeling that something was going to happen, sudden flashes of a violent encounter rushed though my brain. I tensed at Angela's side, fearing that very soon we would meet danger.

As we rounded the corner of a now closed row of stores, two men were leaned up against a car parked at the kerb about forty feet away. They were drinking beer from bottles, laughing and bragging about women they had slept with recently. I linked my arm with Angela's, urging her to cross the street with me. We would have to cross at some point and now seemed like the perfect time even though I knew that the men had seen us and were discussing whether or not to follow us.

I was aware that Edward was still following us in the shadows, a low growl escaping him when he caught the conversation. I turned my head slightly, whispering back towards him.

"No Edward, stay back, I can handle this."

A frustrated sigh preceded a plea of "Bella please…".

"Please, trust me…watch me.".

His mind revealed he would stay back, but stay close enough to intervene should he need to.

The two men crossed the road, stepping onto the path about ten feet behind us. Angela was trembling now, her heart beating faster and our footsteps speeding up. I whispered reassurance to her.

"It's ok Angela, don't be scared, I'll handle this.". She gave me a frightened look, her mind full of potential scenarios that would not end well.

I purposefully steered our direction to a side street, still heading in the direction of the car as not to alarm Angela with our change of course. The two men were gaining distance and they started to call out to us to stop and hang out with them. I knew, of course, what their intentions were. Their thoughts were vile and sadistic, this was something they had done before. Visions of several previous victims flashed before my eyes, the two men taking turns to rape and beat them.

Stopping instantly, I whirled around pulling Angela behind me. The men halted in surprise at being confronted, then swaggered slowly toward us leering and licking their lips. They were truly disgusting creatures who did not deserve to grace this earth. My fury was rising, always being buried deep and only surfacing in moments of extreme provocation.

Without turning around I said firmly and confidently to Angela, "run, run as fast as you can back to the car, call the Police, I'll be there soon, I promise.".

"No! You can't defend yourself against them Bella.". She was panicking now. Edward thoughts were screaming at me to let him help, his growl rumbling in his chest, fighting to escape his lungs.

"Please Angela.". Turning quickly to look into her eyes, willing her to comply. She nodded before bolting down the street out of sight.

"Stay where you are Edward.". I whispered, imploring him to abide by my request.

One of the men reached out to grab my arm, intent on pinning me against the side of a building before I could run too.

"You don't get to touch me you filthy excuse for a human being". My tone was hostile, giving no doubt that I meant it.

They both frowned at each other and let out an evil laugh, a smirks forming on their faces at my fearlessness, believing it to be an act. "I'll show this little bitch exactly how I'm going to touch her…".

Before either of them could act, I lay a hand on each of their grabbing arms and closed my eyes. I felt the instantaneous rush of power through my body radiating the force of my anger straight into the men, my hands pushing them to their knees. The feeling was like an electric shock, pulsing and crackling through every nerve ending. My eyes flashed white hot paralyzing them with my glare.

"You will give yourselves up the Police, you will admit all your crimes, you will be suitably punished and you will beg God for forgiveness". My voice was low and reverberated around the street, bouncing off the walls and windows like an echo. I knew it sounded completely unlike my human voice. It was my spirit voice, the one I used to get people to succumb to my will.

They could not speak, but their thoughts screamed in their heads. Their minds reliving the images of every ounce of pain inflicted on their victims, reflected back to them in their paralyzed bodies. The fear and agony in their eyes was retribution enough.

I could hear a siren close by and prepared myself for my cover story, I gave each of the men a good hard kick in the balls, then released them from my force. They both rolled on to their sides, clutching themselves between the legs.

I gave myself a satisfied smile and whispered to Edward. "I told you I could take care of myself".

I heard a chuckle and a "as they say in England, I'm 'gob-smacked' Bella. You are definitely telling me how you did that! No more hiding, please?". His plea was actually quite sweet, I felt my will faltering.

I looked up to see him on the roof of a four story building across the street. He had watched the whole thing from a birds eye view. He was right. In my attempt to show him how independent I was, I had exposed a huge part of me and there was no going back. I'd had such an enjoyable time with Angela that I felt charitable enough to give in a little. He was actually quite chivalrous in a charming, old fashioned sort of way and his admiration of me was getting hard to ignore. I had a flash of a vision just then, Edward perched on the sill of my open window, watching me as I slept. Unbelievable! If I wasn't so sure that he only held a fascination for watching me sleep, I would've found it creepy.

"Maybe seeing as how you asked so nicely. I'll see you later, stalker." I answered playfully. I turned to meet the Police car that was screeching to a halt behind me. Two male officers ran over to me and seeing my 'assailants' writhing on the floor, they gave me questioning looks before asking if I was ok.

"My Dad showed me self-defence.". I offered sweetly, the picture of innocence. There was no reason for them to believe that I had used any unusual force to overcome my attackers, so this seemed the most plausible response.

"Well, that's very wise of your Dad Miss. Remind me not to meet you in a dark alley….". The older Policeman smiled, amused that I had reduced to lowlifes to the ground so easily.

I smiled in return, "Officers, I can assure you I don't intend walking down any dark alleys in the near future. I'm aware that you probably need a statement from me, but I made my friend run back to the car on her own to call you for help. I don't want to leave her alone any longer, she must be worried sick.".

They were both stunned at my calm appearance, convinced that it must be adrenaline keeping me from falling apart at what could have happened.

"That's fine, I'll give you a ride back to your car whilst my colleague finishes up with these two, why don't you give her a call to let her know you're safe. I can take your statement there.".

He opened the door for me and I got in the back of the car, we rode silently for a minute and I used the opportunity to quickly phone Angela to say I'd be there in a few minutes.

"Are you sure you're OK Miss? Not in shock or hurt at all?" He asked with a concerned tone as he we rode the five minute journey back to the bookstore.

"Honestly, I'm fine. You sound just like my Dad, he's a Policeman too.". I conceded.

"Ah, I noticed your accent, he's not the British one over at Forks that everyone's' been talking about for miles around is he?". He asked curiously.

"That's him, I'm Isabella, Charlie Swan's daughter. Making a reputation for himself already is he?". I joked.

"Nah, a few of the guys at the station have spoken with him about some recent animal attacks. He's got a great sense of humour, we're trying to sort out a poker night with him and some of the other guys at Forks station, take a little of their money!".

"I'm sure he'd love that. I have to warn you though, he's very good. A bit of a shark I'd say.". I loved hearing stories about my Dad, he was in fact, a very decent bloke. He made me laugh and was great fun to be around. I'm pretty sure he missed his friends back in England, so the opportunity to make some new friends would be welcome to him.

"I'll heed the warning, thanks" he said with a low chuckle.

We had reached the bookstore now and Angela rushed to meet me, throwing her arms around my neck in sheer relief.

"Oh Bella! Are you OK? What happened, are you hurt?" She blurted out, clearly distraught.

"I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm not hurt and they both got a hefty kick in the nuts for their hassle.". I reassured her, stroking her back as she hugged me.

I pulled away and sensing she seemed content with my answer. We moved to sit in my car ready to give the Officer my statement.

"Well, what a great welcome you've had today Bella, I feel bad for you." She sighed forlornly.

"It was certainly not what I was expecting at all, but hey, life is full of surprises and that's what makes it interesting.". I replied philosophically. I had certainly had a day of surprises and I had a feeling that there were more to come. I felt drained after all the days action and would be glad to get home to enjoy a good nights sleep. I hoped Edward would enjoy his night too, hoping in hindsight, that I wouldn't talk in my sleep like I usually did.