Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Alternate MS/Twilight
Disclaimer: All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.
Prompt: Measure

Bella fixed me with a glare, granted it was a confused and wary glare, but a glare nonetheless. "And why, pray tell, are you taking me to bed?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest as I opened her car door.

"Because you fell asleep during lunch, and Alice asked Mr. Banner if I could take you home." I could hear a car speeding closer and caught the essence of a thought filled with concern and love. The emotions were extremely strong even if there were no words associated with them, and the sound of the engine was one I was unfamiliar with, but looking up as it rounded the corner I saw that it was the police chief, Bella's father. The school must have called him.

"I'm perfectly fine, Edward," she was saying as I watched the cruiser draw closer. "Shut the door and take me back to school."

"No," I told her with half of a smile as her father pulled up behind us in the driveway. Bella's breathing caught and so I looked down at her and it seemed as if she was in a daze again. I cast my mind out, but failed to detect Jasper's presence anywhere.

"Is she all right?" I heard her father call as he ran up to us. Huh, that was odd. I realized then that his quietness wasn't from a simple and still mind, but more of a family trait. It seemed that Bella had inherited it in spades as where only her father's emotions came through, with her I had perfect silence.

"I'm fine Char–, er, dad," Bella called from the car as I stepped back, holding the door so the chief could examine his daughter. "I just fell asleep is all."

"The secretary said that you couldn't be woken up, even as you were carried out to the car," he said, fretting over her. Watching her I could see that was something she wasn't used to, and most certainly didn't enjoy. How strange, since most girls her age wanted to be pampered and coddled.

"That's what Edward said," she told him as she gave me another glare, causing me to laugh at how cute she was when she was upset, "when I woke up in his car." That drew her father's attention to me.

"What happened?" he asked, and I could tell this was the voice he must use when questioning people. It was filled with authority and command.

"She was sitting at lunch with my family, sir, but I'm afraid I was speaking with my brother so I didn't notice when she fell asleep. Only, when my sister, Alice, called over to me did I see that she was having trouble waking up," I lied smoothly, filling my voice with the same amount of command as he had. "Mr. Banner told me to bring her home, so I did," I added with a shrug as I could feel his concern growing. He might want to take her to the hospital, something I was fairly certain she wouldn't like. At least then she could meet Carlisle.

"Maybe," he began before being cut off by his daughter.

"Dad, I'm fine," she insisted as she struggled to get out of the car, gently pushing her father backward.

It looked like he was going to try to help her so I touched his shoulder and said, "Allow me, sir."

I lifted Bella into my arms, in spite of her protests to be allowed to walk and much to her father's amusement. I didn't want her to fight too much, lest he think I should put her down, so I breathed into her face, "Bella, don't strain yourself." It had the desired and normal effect of dulling her senses slightly, although unlike most humans instead of simply freezing she leaned in closer and smelled me, her eyes narrowing as I chuckled.

"Are you sure?" her father said as he watched me walk effortlessly, holding his daughter in my arms, "she can't be very light." The tenor of his worry changed and I surmised that he must be worried that I would drop her.

"Trust me, sir, she's quite light." I said the last into her face again, numbing her more, hoping it would appear as if she were drifting off again.

"Maybe I should take her to the hospital," he murmured to himself and I decided to forestall that notion.

"Why don't I call my dad and have him come over?" I asked, deciding that waiting here for him would be a good idea, giving me more time with her. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

"I'd hate to impose on his time," he said, worry coming through his thoughts and I could almost hear the difference now, based on his words. It amazed me how the subtle shift of the tenor of his thoughts, associated with his words, made it almost so I could read what he was thinking. It was more like looking through a filmy haze than the normal clear glass of others, and where he was barely translucent his daughter was opaque. Still, I thought it would also be helpful spending time with him, since I felt such a pull toward his only child.

Setting her on the couch I pulled out my phone and placed the call, knowing that if Carlisle were free he would pick up on the first ring. "Hello Edward, how's the patient?" he chuckled on the other end.

"Her father is worried about her and was thinking of bringing her into the hospital. I was wondering if you would come over here instead and take a look?" I asked, knowing he would understand what I was really asking. He didn't fail me.

"Ah, so the chief wants her examined and we don't want to expose Jasper's abilities? What should I do, take her temperature and measure her respiration?" he laughed. "And I'm guessing that waiting until I get off work gives you more time with her, am I right?"

"Yes," I replied, trying to keep myself from grimacing at his last comment, "and I'll make sure that assignment gets done."

"So being around her more does inure you to the burn some after all…interesting." He paused for a moment before speaking. "Tell him I'll be there in two hours, will that be enough time?"

"I'll pass that along, see you in two hours." With that I hung up the phone and turned to see Chief Swan hovering behind his daughter, not wanting her to notice his concern, but I could feel the relief emanate out from him. "Would you mind if I waited here for my father, sir?" I asked, hoping to ingratiate myself to this man so he would be willing to have me around often.

"Enough of the sir stuff, Edward. Call me Charlie," he said, sticking out his hand.

Happy Saturday!