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Summary: Bella feels like she has settled for the ordinary in her life. Her best friend Alice tries to help her broaden her horizons. Will it work?

A/N .. This is a short note to apologize for the long time between updates. Had a bit of a writer's block going on and RL stress. I seem to be back on track so will hopefully update sooner rather than later from now on.

Chapter 21

Bella's POV

To say I was relieved that Charlie was finally waking up would be stating the obvious. I wasn't sure what I would have done if he'd died. Both Alice and I would have been to all intents and purposes without any family at all without him in our lives.

I finally let Edward take me to the house to eat and rest after the Doctor confirmed that Charlie was on the mend. I didn't know what to think when he asked me to have a look at my room to see if anything was missing. I probably couldn't have told him half the stuff that was in there anymore. I only visited my father every few weeks and I didn't really spend much time in that room other than sleeping.

Edward followed me up stairs and stood quietly by the door while I looked around the room. I couldn't see anything obviously wrong as I glanced around. A few things were moved a bit but I assumed this was due to the police and Edward's team going through the house. Nothing seemed to be missing but it didn't change the feeling I got from just being in my room, knowing someone had been through my things. I felt violated in a way. What gave this person the right to come into my home and hurt my father? What made them think that doing something like that was okay?

My eyes suddenly went blurry as tears welled up. I turned towards the door to see Edward taking a step inside, his arms held open. I didn't think. I just reacted, throwing myself into his arms and sobbing into the crook of his neck. I felt his arms surround me, soothing me.

What seemed like hours but was only actually minutes, my sobs lessened and I could feel anger start to well up. I slowly withdrew myself from Edward's arms, wiping the wetness from my face with my hands. His hands slid up to my shoulders and I felt his lips softly against my forehead. My eyes met his and all I could see was compassion and caring. Sighing, I smiled slightly at him and turned towards the door, grabbing his hand in mine as I passed him.

"Let's go check on Charlie. I don't see anything obviously missing from my room but that's not to say that something isn't. Most everything here is from my high school days. Nothing of value beyond memories."

Edward squeezed my hand gently and followed me downstairs and out the door. I locked up the house and Edward hit a button on a remote that he held. I looked at him questioningly and he handed it to me.

"It's the remote for the house alarm. I had the guys install it after they checked out the house. This one is yours and I've got one for your father as well."

I couldn't believe that he'd do something so thoughtful. I was constantly blown away by him and his actions. I took the remote from his hand and threw myself into his arms, resting my head on his shoulder. I squeezed him tightly and whispered my thanks in his ear.

"It was nothing Bella. I'd give anything so that you didn't have to go through the last few days again. If that means installing an alarm system, then so be it."

How on earth did I get so lucky to have met Edward? The stars were certainly aligned just right the night I decided to go to that show with Alice. I kissed his cheek before stepping back out of his arms.

"We should go. I'm sure the neighbours are wondering why we're just standing here." I said with a small laugh. The joy of being in a small town was that everyone knew who everyone else was and loved to keep an eye on everything. Especially Charlie Swan's daughter.

"They're just jealous." He replied with a snort.

I grinned up at him. I was amazed how he could life my spirits in spite of what was currently going on. I grabbed his hand and led him to the car. We headed back to the hospital to check on Charlie, hoping nothing had changed with his condition while we were gone.

We arrived to find that Charlie was actually awake and talking with the Doctor, they both looked serious. Edward squeezed my hand reassuringly and we went inside the room just in time to hear the Doctor telling my very stubborn father that he would have to take time off work.

"Not going to happen Doc. I'm not going to sit on my ass while others look into this case. You know the old adage, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That's my motto."

I knew that there was no way I was going to let my father defy the doctor's orders.

"Dad, you certainly are going to take time off to heal! For once, you are going to listen to someone. I almost lost you!" I cried.

Charlie looked away from the Doctor in surprise. He hadn't heard us enter the room and as he looked at me, I saw his eye become remorseful.

"Bella, I'm sorry. You know how I hate sitting around letting others do my work."

"Dad, you aren't even going to be allowed to be involved in this case! You're the victim! Just listen to the Doctor and take it easy for awhile. I can stay here or you could come and stay with me for a while. Edward's company is helping with the investigation so you'll be kept in the loop."

He looked away from me for a moment and then sighed. "Alright Bella. But I'm not going to Seattle. Too many people."

I sighed with relief. He wasn't going to argue with me. I turned my head towards Edward and was surprised to see a worried expression on his face.

"What's wrong Edward?"

He looked like he didn't want to answer for a moment, then turned to Charlie. "Do you think it's a good idea to stay at your house? We still have no idea who broke in and they seem to be targeting Bella, not you. It really looks like you just got in the way of what they were looking for. Unfortunately, Bella didn't notice anything missing in her room but hers is the only one that looked like it was gone through thoroughly. The other rooms weren't. I'm worried that if they didn't get what they wanted, they'll be back. We installed a security system top to bottom but if someone really wanted to get to Bella here, they probably still could."

My father met Edward's eyes and I could almost see the silent conversation that they were having. Why was it when men got together, they just had to 'take care of the little woman'? I had to step in and curtail this bullshit right now.

"Edward, I have a license to carry a gun. I am more than capable of taking care of myself and my father."

Edward broke his eye contact with my father and turned to me with a surprised expression.

"Really? I didn't realize .. " His voice trailed off as he glanced between my father and I.

Charlie nodded to him. "She insisted on learning to shoot when she was a teenager. There had been some break ins in town at the time and I have to say I did feel better leaving her home when I got called out at night, knowing she could protect herself if need be. Not that any of the punks at the time had the balls to break into my house." He finished with a chuckle.

Edward laughed. "Yeah, I know I wouldn't have had the guts to break into a cop's house when I was a teen. Not that I broke into anyone's house that is." he quickly added that last part, looking sideways at me.

"Then it's settled. I'll stay with Dad until he's back on his feet." I stated looking directly at Edward, becoming disgruntled to see him shaking his head.

"Still too dangerous, Bella."

My eyes went to my Dad and then back to Edward. "Explain, please."

"I now know that you can take care of yourself but what about your Dad? What happens if you are asleep and someone gets in? What happens if you are out getting something for your Dad and someone shows up? The installed alarm system only does so much. It can't stop someone who is determined to do bodily harm. I know Charlie is capable of looking after himself when he is completely healthy, but he isn't right now. The other thng is that I'm not sure if the person who assaulted Charlie is a professional or just a really experienced burglar. There were no clues left behind and you didn't see anything noticeable taken. But that could only mean you interrupted him Charlie. Now I do have a suggestion that might work until Charlie is back on his feet."

My mind was still trying to cope with the visuals of someone getting at Charlie if we stayed home. Edward was right. Until Charlie was back on his feet completely, there was no way I could be there all the time. On the other hand, I knew we were going to have a fight on our hands getting my father to actually leave his house.

I looked over at my father and saw the determined glint in his eye. I waited for the explosion that never came.

To say I was surprised at what my father said next would be putting it mildly. My jaw dropped as I heard him ask Edward what his suggestion was. I almost asked him who he was and what he'd done with my father. I decided to just keep my mouth shut and let Edward explain his idea, hoping my father would agree to it.

"The company has a safe house on the outskirts of Seattle. Completely unknown by anyone. Bought and registered under a company name buried so deep no one would be able to find out it was ours. It's rigged with a state of the art security system. You and Bella can stay there for the time being. There won't be a problem for Bella taking time off. I'll have her apply for her vacation time over the phone. She can explain to the Human Resources Department that she is taking time off to take care of you and say you both are going on a recuperative vacation."

I watched Charlie nod at Edward's explanation. I couldn't even get angry over the fact that they were discussing this like I wasn't in the room. I was just grateful that Charlie wasn't arguing with this idea. I was worried that whoever broke into our house would come back if they hadn't get what they wanted. Edward's team apparently couldn't find any clues on who it could be and neither did the local police department.

I realized my attention had wandered when I heard my father say "Sounds like a plan Edward."

"Great! Bella, can you organize what you'll need for awhile? I know you'll want to let Alice know what is going on but you won't be able to tell her the location of the safehouse. I'll get some disposable cell phones that we can route through various servers. You can call her on those. The house has internet which goes through so many proxy servers that anyone trying to track you will get too frustrated to follow through with the trace."

I nodded. Growing up as the daughter of a cop, I was used to procedures and rules. I knew whatever Edward told us to do would be for our safety. I used my cell phone to call work as Edward suggested and then made a quick call to Alice. Her voice mail kicked in so I left a message that I was taking time off work to take care of Charlie and I'd call her again as soon as I could.

By the time we said goodnight to Charlie and headed to the house to pack some necessities, it was late so I suggested we just crash and head out in the morning. I called Alice again from the house phone and asked her to pack up some stuff I'd need for my 'vacation'. Edward could pick the bags up after he dropped us off at the safe house.

As my head hit the pillow and my eyes started to close, I realized that Edward never had explained his disappearing act on Sunday. I'd have to ask him about it in the morning was my last thought before I dozed off.

This story is not beta'd. Please forgive any errors.

Reviews are good, just saying LOL

Posted on 2012-07-23

Words: 2,305