Luminescence

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, only Stephanie M. has that privilege. So please don't sue me, because I'm making absolutely no money from this.

Chapter 10

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Victoria

Watching the doctor examine Bella was the most amusing part of my day. After decades of solitude it felt nice to indulge in something playful and harmless. I was just starting to realize that being immersed solely in a vampiric existence could get very dramatic and dull without someone to share it with.

I outright laughed when Bella jumped away from the icy stethoscope the doctor placed on her back to make sure Bella wasn't having trouble breathing. I laughed. It'd been so long since the last time I'd genuinely laughed. Most of the time, I used my smile, my voice, and my laughter as a tool in the hunt. It was strange to feel so light hearted, but I had to admit, seeing Bella topple off her stool so abruptly was hilarious. Why she didn't have a similar reaction to my touch was beyond me. I was as cold, if not colder than the stethoscope. So I simply chalked it up to one more reason why My Firefly was meant to be a vampire.

The doctor, a lovely woman in her thirties with short curly hair the color of rich mocha, kept trying to convince Bella to get an x-ray done on her shoulders. I finally decided it was time to intervene. A large part of me wanted to keep watching the comedy routine, but the pleading glances Bella shot me were just too pitiful.

"Excuse me, doctor?" I interjected.

"Hollis" she replied, turning to look at me with faint annoyance. "Dr. Hollis."

"I believe what Bella is trying to say, is that she's deathly afraid of medical equipment. Isn't that right Bella?" My Firefly was quick to pick up on my deception, even if she was a little too enthusiastic about it. The way she frantically nodded in agreement was just too cute.

"That's correct, as a child I visited the hospital for a blood test, and one of the machines nearby malfunctioned. It sparked and singed me. I've been nervous around hospital machines ever since. If there is any other way to check for broken bones without the x-ray I would appreciate it." Bella managed to conjure a genuine look of fear and the doctor's aggravation immediately melted into concerned sympathy. My Firefly's acting was a little too realistic for my liking, and I wondered if she'd actually experienced something like that when she was younger. My hackles rose at the thought of an adolescent Bella, scared and hurt, in a cold clinical hospital. Unfortunately, this was neither the time nor the place to give into my protective instincts, so I forced myself to tune back into the conversation.

"Miss Swan, from what I can see from your back, and by the way you are actually able to move without excessive pain, I'd say it's pretty safe to say you don't have any broken bones or ribs. However, I still strongly recommend getting an x-ray. As your doctor, I cannot fully treat you without taking necessary steps to ensure you won't have complications in the future."

My Bella looked uneasy, but I could tell she was breaking under the doctor's oh-so-reasonable arguments.

"Will Bella have to touch any of the equipment?" I asked, trying to divert Dr. Hollis's attention to me. "She might be more willing to participate if she knew what would be involved." I looked questioningly at Bella, but she returned the gesture with a nervous shrug. I could only guess that she didn't know if not touching the electronics would be enough to keep them functional. The good doctor straitened as if scenting possible victory.

"No contact will be required, I assure you. You'll be laid on a gurney, and a camera of sorts will be positioned above the areas we want to take x-rays of. No physical contact required. It'll take up to thirty minutes to get the x-rays back, but the process itself should only take minutes."

"A-alright." Bella agreed, but I could tell she was unhappy about it. The whole process was actually rather quick and painless, but I'd be lying if I said there weren't a few times where I thought we might have broken the hospital's expensive machine. When they finally finished all their tests, Bella was exhausted. Her body was in 'recovery mode' and working herself up had only aggravated the situation. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't in a similar situation, at this point it was all I could do not to stalk into the hall and drain the assault victim bleeding three doors down. The sluggish beating of his heart was a sweet siren call.

I might have attempted it too, but for some reason the thought of hunting with Bella in the immediate vicinity made me feel awkward and dirty. Quite frankly the sensation pissed me off, which further provoked my thirst. It was a vicious cycle.

My Firefly was making herself comfortable near Renee's bed, even going so far as to rest her head on the sheets. As you can imagine, I was slightly uncomfortable because it gave the impression that she was going to spend all day in the hospital. As far as I could tell, that was her plan exactly. This was going to be torture.

Moving with my usual predator grace, I crossed the room to the door. The moment I touched the handle, Bella opened her toffee colored eyes to gaze at me curiously. "I'll be back shortly." I explained. She nodded, her eyelids fluttered closed, hand tightly clutching her mother's fingers.

I'd just reached the waiting room when a commotion near the front caught my attention. A man, perhaps mid to late twenties, was arguing with the receptionist I'd dazzled earlier to get in. He was well built and moderately attractive, with a healthy complexion and a strong heartbeat. Everything about him smelled of leather and Arizona dust storms. Much more appetizing than the drunks and undesirables I normally fed from. I could feel my mouth water as I imagined sinking my teeth into his soft vulnerable throat.

Unfortunately, the moment I'd made the decision to lure my prospective meal into the seedy part of town, I tuned into his conversation with the receptionist.

"-I'm sorry sir, but we're only allowing family members to visit at this time. The police are currently investigating her injuries, so until Miss Higgenbotham is awake, I cannot let you in. You can see her at a later date."

"This is ridiculous!" He shouted, throwing his arms into the air like a petulant child. "The woman I love is hurt, and I cannot even look on her in this time of need!" Higgenbotham. That name sounded awfully familiar. Then I realized; Bella's mother's name was Higgenbotham. I couldn't stop the wave of annoyance I felt at the conclusion that my new meal was now off limits. Why did all of Bella's loved ones have to smell so damn succulent? It was almost criminal how many delectable humans I had to resist for my Firefly. However, the man's plight was none of my concern, and I wasn't about to go out of my way to help him. If he didn't have the means to charm his way past security, that was just too bad.

After spending an hour collecting my wits, I made my way back to Renee's hospital room. I guess Bella was more tired than I thought because by the time I made it back inside she was already fast asleep. Although her features were marred by bruises, she projected an aura of peaceful innocence. I always thought it strange how humans could fall asleep at such awkward angles. Sitting in a chair while hunched over a hospital bed could not have been comfortable.

What surprised me the most however, was the gentle motion of Renee's fingers as they combed through her daughters hair. Obviously, Miss Higgenbotham had returned to the realm of consciousness. Ignoring my possessive vampire instincts, I stepped forward so that Renee would notice me. This would be my first actual meeting with the woman and I felt a little nervous. If Bella's room was any indication, making a favorable impression on her family was definitely the way to get into Bella's good graces.

Tired blue eyes rose to meet my own, and I could clearly see where my Firefly got most of her good looks. Her hair was short, but it was the same mahogany brown as Bella's with just the slightest tint of red. Unlike Bella, her face was round instead of heart shaped, but it was easy to see that she smiled more due to the laugh lines around her mouth and eyes. It was easy to pick out what came from Renee and what must have come from Bella's father. The discoloration on Renee's forehead did nothing to spoil her somewhat guileless beauty.

An awkward silenced stretched between us until Renee finally let her curiosity get the best of her.

"May I help you?" Her voice was slightly rough, probably from lack of use, yet astoundingly strong. I shifted my feet in an attempt to appear nervous before sitting in the other chair on the other side of her bed. Humans wouldn't have felt comfortable standing, and I had to maintain the charade.

"No, I'm just here for Bella. She was very worried about you." Renee's eyes narrowed in confusion, then took a look around the room, seemingly noticing it for the first time.

"I'm… In the hospital…" Suddenly her eyes widened with fright, probably from remembering the events from last night. Her gaze darted back to Bella in panic, as if to reconfirm her safety. After a moment, she refocused her attention back on me. "How do you know Bella? She's never mentioned you before."

I shrugged, thinking furiously. Bella and I had never discussed a 'How we met' story and I was reluctant to make one up on the spot. Unfortunately, Renee didn't look like she was going to back off anytime soon, so I decided that telling as much truth as I could was the way to go. If it was any other human, I would have ignored or disposed of them. However, since I was trying to win over Bella's family, neither of those options were viable.

"I'm a biologist," That was almost true, before I'd been turned I got caught up in the environmentalist movement during the 60's and was going to school for a degree in biology. Then I got bitten by an egocentric vampire and had my future ripped away. "About a week ago I was researching the effects the Monsoon season has on Arizona wildlife. I was tracking a swarm of bats in Oro Valley, chronicling their feeding habits, when I noticed something glowing in the distance…" My voice trailed off as I watched the blood drain from Renee's face. The terror that crossed her features was almost palpable. "I haven't told anyone." I murmured, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. Her fear seemed to diminish somewhat, but it was still lurking beneath the surface. "The last thing I want is Bella poked and prodded like some freak of nature."

"T-thank you. Bella doesn't have many friends. If someone had to find out, I'm glad it was someone who respects her right to live as normally as she wants." Only years of schooling my features kept me from flinching, because I wasn't respecting her right to live her own life. Vampirism or death didn't give a person much choice. Of course, neither of them knew about this little ultimatum.

Yet.

I was a selfish creature, and it was too late to turn back anyway.

"The police where here," I mentioned, 'casually', diverting my thoughts and the topic from my first encounter with Bella. "They took Bella's statement before they left. It was implied that you should contact them for questioning as soon as you wake, but I think they can wait a little while longer." Renee nodded slowly, and I could tell she was fighting off her body's urge to fall back asleep.

"Do you know what happened?" She whispered face flooded with fear; from the way her eyes lingered on Bella's injuries I could see she was concerned about what might have happened to her daughter. One woman, alone and defenseless, against two men? It was natural to assume that they could have touched Bella against her will. The implication sent a fresh wave of fury coursing through my body and I barely choked back a vicious snarl. I regained my composure with a visible effort. Unfortunately, Renee seemed to have taken my reaction as a sign of the worst and was visibly crying. Hurriedly, I gave her the same story Bella had fed the police an hour ago.

"Don't worry," I soothed, using every ounce of vampiric charm I possessed. "They never touched her…in that way."

Her sigh of relief was palpable.

I was spared the task of calming Renee's hysterics by the subject in question herself. My Firefly shifted, mumbled incoherently, before trembling and waking with a gasp. Her gaze snapped around the room before setting on her mother. Exclaiming in joy, Bella flung her arms around Renee before bursting into sobs. Unable to keep her composure now that she was finally sure her mother was safe.

"I was so afraid I lost you!" Each word was punctuated with a sniffle or a hiccup. Suddenly I felt like an intruder, but I couldn't rip my gaze from the scene unfolding before me. It was rare to see love like this.

For fourty years I'd lived as a vampire.

For fourty years I hunted humans.

For fourty years I watched as families and lovers abandoned and betrayed each other when death came knocking.

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A pair of lovers, the man screamed, a sharp acidic stench of urine filled the air as I pulled my lips from the throat of his sweetheart. He didn't fight, didn't strive to save his beloved from the wicked jaws of a monster, instead he ran. Blubbering weakly as he fell over his own feet. They never make it far.

A woman on her knees, tears streaming down her face as she begged for her life, bartering away her friend if she could just only live.

Twins. Fleeing through the woods. One of them turned, tripping the other to ensure his survival.

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Every ugly faucet of humanity was displayed, in perfect clarity, in my photogenic vampire brain. Sometimes it was too easy to hate them, the rolling masses of humanity. Their cowardice made it easier to kill them, made it easier to see them as something…less.

But not my Bella.

A surge of pride suffused my body as I watched the two women. My Firefly was a fighter. She didn't run. She didn't cry. She didn't beg. The injuries on Tweedledee and Tweedledum had been enough to show me that. Even when the danger was over, even as I crushed the bones in Tweedledum's hand, her first thought was for her mother. Not for herself, not for her secret or her safety, but for her mom.

Who wouldn't want that kind of loyalty? That kind of love?

I know I did.

I craved it.

Yearned for it as only a vampire in the 'eternal now' can.

I wanted Bella. It was a startling realization to come to. I'd never 'wanted' a human before, let alone a woman. At least, not in the way that a vampire wants, which is eternally. Normally the very idea of wanting a human would be terrifying. Mortals are so transitory, both in life and in love. Humans mourn, humans move on when they lose a loved one. Vampire's don't. Which made the thought of wanting or loving someone so 'temporary' frightening. A vampire wouldn't recover from such a loss.

Thankfully, this was not a problem I would ever have to confront, because I had the means to make Bella a permanent fixture in my life. Indeed, it had been my intention all along. So it was with no small comfort that I watched Renee rain kisses on her daughter's face.

"Bella, don't you ever do something so reckless ever again! I'm so glad you're ok. Those men could have killed you!" Watching Renee fluctuate from anger to joy was amusing, even if my Firefly didn't seem to have the same impression.

"Mom, can't breathe." She wheezed; rubbing gentle circles on her mother's back. Renee started a bit, before her concern won out and she loosened her hold. Something seemed to click in Renee's head and all trace of color vanished from her face.

"They're still out there, aren't they Bella? They know about you. It's not safe here anymore." My Firefly hesitated, torn between comforting her mother and keeping her safe. For obvious reasons she couldn't tell Renee that I'd broken into their home and brutally killed her two attackers. So she lied.

"Yes, they're still out there, but" She hastily reassured. "I don't think they'll be coming back again. Now that they know the police will be watching the place, that is."

I don't think Renee was convinced, because her expression morphed into one of strong resolution.

"No, I can't risk you Bella. It's too dangerous. I'm going to send you to live with Charlie. He's police chief now, he can protect you." I had no idea who Charlie was, but from the stricken look on Bella's face, I could tell the prospect wasn't appealing.

"What? Mom, no! You know how I feel about Forks. I'll go crazy there! It's always cloudy and wet, and there's never any sunshine! Please mom, don't send me to Charlie. You know how overprotective he is. Plus, how would you survive without me?" Renee's mouth twitched with a smile, but she remained largely unaffected by Bella's puppy dog stare. It was quite an accomplishment, I'm relatively certain I would have caved under such a pout. At this point, I was pretty sure both of them had forgotten I was in the room. It wasn't much of a surprise considering how silent and motionless I was.

"I'm sorry, but you're living with Charlie and that's final. As soon as they release me, we're going to pack your things and get you a plane ticket." Bella seemed stunned by her mother's determination. Giving the image that Renee probably often changed her mind. Realizing that her mother wasn't going to be swayed, my Firefly sought to compromise.

"Fine, but can't it wait until the end of the semester? At least by then I'll be seventeen and I won't have to repeat too much of the school year. It'll also give Charlie some time to get used to the idea of having me over." Renee appeared to contemplate that for a moment before reluctantly agreeing.

"Alright, but that's it. I don't want any more conflict from you on the matter. You're going to Washington and that's that." Bella obediently nodded. I took this time to interject and divert the subject away from Bella's current 'banishment'.

"Renee, I believe I remember a man asking for you down in the lobby. He looked really worried. Do you want me to tell the nurse to let him up?"

The effect my words had on her was instantaneous; everything about her seemed to light up as a giant smile made its way across her features.

"Phil? Phil is here? Yes, please. Let them know he can visit." I stood, smiling slyly at Bella's disgruntled look.

"Ok. I'll be back shortly."

No matter what happened now, I knew that with my Firefly in the picture, things were bound to stay interesting.

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A/N: I really don't have an excuse for not updating this sooner. It was mostly a combination of lack of inspiration and laziness. However, I haven't abandoned it.

I did want to say that I changed one little part of this story when I realized that if I didn't I was going to have to spend years in story time to get Bella to the right age. So basically, Bella is 16 about to turn 17. She didn't 'just turn 16' anymore.

Everyone got that? Good.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I really appreciate your support and I'll try to get around to replying to you guys.