Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns everything in here except my imagination and some of the characters. I have also made some slight changes to her world.

I make no apologies for being British, but it does mean that sometimes my spelling/grammar or the words I use may be unfamiliar.

I have used my imagination to create some of the characters and their backgrounds. They are fictional and do not represent anyone living or dead from this reality. Although I can't speak for other realities….

A thousand thanks to my pre-readers Andrea and hubby Harry – I can't do this without you both!

Bella's POV

Kidnapped

I awoke the next morning with what I can only describe as the mother of all hangovers. On the bedside table were two painkillers and a glass of water. I swallowed the tablets and took a quick shower. Once I was dressed I looked in the mirror and groaned; at least I felt human again!

As I made my way into the kitchen to grab some breakfast, I was met by an amazing sight; the whole family was sat around the kitchen table which was full of absolutely everything you could think of for breakfast!

"Morning dear," laughed Esme when she saw my face. "Don't worry; we're not expecting you to eat everything! Everyone wanted to help make you breakfast after hearing what you did yesterday, but I think we went a little overboard!"

"You think?" I laughed, taking a seat next to Emmett.

"I'm so proud of you, little sis," whispered Emmett, holding my hand.

"Yeah," Rosalie added. "You're actually quite amazing, stupid, but amazing!"

"I can't believe you stood up to lycanthropes! I wish I could've seen it!" Alice giggled.

Even Jasper had something to say. "Bella, you were so brave and selfless, even when you defended Esme against Jacob. I'm so honoured to know you!"

Esme gave me a tissue to dry the tears I didn't even know had escaped.

"Thanks guys," I muttered through the sniffles.

"Oh, Bella, before I go to the hospital do you mind if I take some more blood? It's just to see if anything has changed. How's your headache now?"

I shook my head at Carlisle. "No, I don't mind and my headache isn't too bad, though I can't seem to remember getting home last night…"

"You were pretty much out of it," explained Esme. "Once the shaking stopped you were exhausted. Carlisle carried you up to your room and I got you ready for bed."

"Your dad said he would come over today," Carlisle said as he shuffled from one foot to the other. "I… erm… think he wants you to go home, Bella."

I sighed. "I know Carlisle. A part of me wants to go home, but a big part of me doesn't want to go back and be amongst people who are prejudiced against you, just because they have been told of a few incidences where vampires were 'bad'. It's like they can't make up their own minds, even when they've seen you being friendly." I sighed. I had a feeling I knew who had been spreading stories of 'bad' vampires and couldn't believe someone would stoop so low.

Carlisle disappeared while Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper stood up. "We'll always be here for you, Bella," said Alice. "But for now, it's hunting time for us. See you later!"

They all took off after saying their own goodbyes as Carlisle came back in with a medical bag. He took some blood while Esme held her breath, then he kissed Esme on her lips, kissed me on my forehead and was gone.

"Well, my boy will be home soon. Would you like to help me out in the front garden this morning?"

"I'd love to, mum," I replied. She cleared the table and was ready to go in less than a few seconds. My head spun as I watched her dash about and then disappear through the kitchen door to the back garden. I finished my coffee and followed her out, around the side of the house and into the front garden.

It was cloudy today but there was no rain forecast, so we set to work on the flowerbeds. Esme knew the names of all the plants in her garden and when they flowered. I was very impressed! I only knew a few herbs that were used in tribal medicine. We worked steadily for a few hours until Esme heard a vehicle approaching. This was it; I was finally going to meet him!

"There's a vehicle turning up the drive. What is Edward driving?"

I followed her gaze down the drive and waited. The anticipation was killing me. I wanted to see Edward in person – I'd had enough of just staring at the portrait of him! I wanted to shake his hand, to feel him as he hugs me, to hear his voice, to see him smile, to…

A white van came into view and stopped as it reached us. I couldn't see him as the sun was glinting off the windshield. I moved to my right and looked at the driver. It was…

Edric.

He jumped out of the van as the passenger door opened. My face fell further as Cal exited the vehicle and walked around to stand next to Edric.

"Hello sweetheart," said Cal. "I told you we'd see you again!" He grinned as his lip curled over his teeth. I think he was trying to appear threatening but I didn't feel afraid…

That was, until Esme glanced around us and grabbed my wrist. "Get behind me Bella," she hissed as she crouched down with her other hand in front of her.

"Now come on, we've only come for the girl, but if we have to go through you… then so be it!"

Five more lycanthropes came out of the woods and began to surround us. This wasn't going to end well.

Closer and closer…

They edged forward as Esme tried to keep her eyes on all of them. I saw Esme swiftly put her hand in her pocket, then her lips moved but I didn't hear anything. I knew she kept her phone in that pocket but she didn't pull it out. Maybe she thought it was too risky.

"When you see me start to fight, darling, I don't want you to be scared. If you get the chance, I want you to run inside and hide in your wardrobe. Whatever happens, I love you like my own."

"I love you too, mum," I whispered, as tears began to fall.

Now I was scared.

Cal took a few steps forward so I focused on him. He had a white rag in one hand and was watching me intently.

"Come quietly Bella and I won't hurt her, I promise. You don't want to see mummy dearest with her head ripped off, do you? NOW COME HERE!"

He lunged for me, just as another car came up the drive. It wasn't Carlisle's car; his was black but this one was silver. Everyone froze as it came to a screeching standstill behind the van. The driver's door opened… and I gasped.

It was Edward, looking very angry, but that wasn't what worried me.

The lycanthropes looked at him too, but that wasn't what worried me.

I worried me.

Or rather the feeling I had inside worried me.

Whatever this feeling was, it started as soon as I saw him, as soon as I looked into his eyes.

Whatever it was, it was building, increasing, gaining strength, gaining power.

What was this? What was happening to me? Was I going to shake and spring forth as a beautiful, powerful wolf?

It was continuing to build, taking over my body, my limbs. I couldn't move, couldn't think. All I could do was stare at this stranger whom I had dreamt about and talked to on the phone.

Only seconds had lapsed, but it felt a lot longer. Edward began to move slowly towards Esme and I, growling at the nearest lycanthropes.

Then he did it….

He looked me in the eye.

The feeling that had started in the pit of my stomach exploded out of me. In that split second, there was no one else. Just Edward and I. The whole world ceased to exist.

Then something… unexpected happened.

Edward flew backwards, but no one had touched him. I vaguely heard Esme shout him, but he continued, feet off the floor, moving backwards as if a great force was pushing him. His back hit a tree, but the tree snapped and he kept going. I watched, stunned, as Esme grabbed my shoulder.

"What's happening?" I whimpered. Fear gripped me. Who could push someone, a vampire, through the air like a rag doll? Cal rushed forward, ripping me from Esme's hold.

I heard her whisper very faintly: "I'm sorry, he's my son," and off she shot to where Edward had been flung. The white cloth was suddenly forced against my lips and nose, and I could feel myself being dragged towards the van. I could smell something sweet and I was pushed very roughly as my vision began to swim. I think I heard shouting as the darkness took over.

Then there was nothing.

...

Did the meeting go as you thought it would? Mmmm, probably not! What are you thinking?

Rec: I would recommend reading the 'Awakenings' series by Butterfly Betty. Amazing. In fact, any of her stories are worth a look see – Oh be quiet BB, you know they are! If you haven't heard of her, where have you been? Mars? ;)

This Life by Cara No. FFn no: 6861614 It's a WIP, but I love the strong Bella in this and Whistler is….. Yeah, go read.

Summary: There's no choice for Bella and Rose when the infamous Cullen brothers choose them as wives. It's called arranged marriages and it's reality. Another thing very real is Cullens lifestyle. Meet Irish Mobward and his beloved hellcat, Bella. No heavy angst.