Chapter 38

"Ok, Emmett when I give the signal you will charge at Bella," Edward instructed. We were standing in an opening in the forest not far from the house. Emmett was standing at the other end hunched over like a football player ready to charge the line.

"OK!" Emmett laughed. He was excited to put my powers to the test and I was even more excited to show him.

"Bella, I'm going to stand beside you in case Emmett gets through the barrier,"

"Ok," I laughed. I was positive that I wouldn't need him. The power had worked before, why wouldn't it work now?

"Alright Emmett," Edward called out to him. I watched as Emmett charged at us. I stuck out my hand as I had before and thought of keeping Edward and myself safe from him.

He was within a couple of yards of us when he hit my invisible shield and fell to the ground. Rubbing his head he sat up and glared at us.

"Good job love," Edward replied before planting a kiss on my cheek.

"It was nothing," I laughed. Emmett snarled and went back to the ready position. I knew he was not only trying to get through the barrier to show me that he could, but because he wanted to prove himself as well.

"Ready?" he yelled back at us. Edward nodded and Emmett charged once again at us. I watched as he barreled closer and closer. I stuck my arm out as he got within about five yards from us. A second later and within a few feet of us he fell to the ground, blocked by my invisible shield.

"Ouch," he growled as he stood up rubbing his behind. I giggled at his reaction. This only upset him further as he stalked back to his position. I didn't want to admit it to Edward, but I was beginning to feel weak. It was as if all my energy was being sucked away each time I produced the shield. This was going to have to be the last time.

"Ready love?" Edward asked.

"Yes," I replied as I nodded.

"Ok Emmett," As the words left his mouth Emmett once again ran towards us. A look of pure determination was spread across his face as he closed the distance between us. Sticking my hand out I waited for him to meet my shield. He was almost an arm's length away when he finally came in contact with it. He was knocked back but managed this time to keep himself standing.

I was weak. It took all the energy I had in me to focus on the situation. Not fully aware, my knees had given out from under me. Edward had caught me just before I made contact with the ground.

"Bella!" he exclaimed frantically as I rested my head against his chest.

"I'm ok." I sighed against his torso.

"Is she ok?" Emmett asked as he rushed to Edward's side.

"Yes, I'm fine,"

"Bella, you are not fine,"

"Edward, I just got a little weak. It's nothing to worry about," I groaned.

"Nothing to worry about?" he asked a tone of anger in his voice. I noticed that he was packing me towards the forest.

"What are you doing?" I asked changing the subject. Emmett was following closely behind Edward, yet still giving us our "privacy".

"You need to feed," I was about to protest and tell him that I didn't need to when the burn ripped through my throat. Undoubtedly he was right. Groaning I nodded my head and allowed him to pack me through the woods.

"Edward,"

"Yes love?"

"I think we should keep working with my power,"

"I don't know," he replied.

"Edward, I need to learn how much I can take and maybe if I work on it enough I can control it enough to be able to use it more than just three times,"

"Bella, you can't even walk,"

"I can now, it just takes a while for the energy to regain itself," I replied. I remembered how I felt after the fight with Jake. I had been completely drained, but by the time we made it back to the mansion I was fine, the lost energy renewed.

"Are you sure?" he asked

"Yes, you can put me down if you want," I replied. Gently he put me on my feet.

"See," I said as I took a few steps, "I'm fine,"

"Bella, it just doesn't make since,"

"What doesn't make since?" I asked stopping in my tracks.

"Normally, if a power was draining, like yours seems to be, you would not gain back any energy until you fed,"

"And?" I asked not sure of where he was taking this. What did it matter as long as I was ok?

"So, where does the energy come from if it isn't from feeding?" he asked.

"Well I am thirsty," I groaned. The fire in the back of my throat was intensifying by the second.

"Yes, but you're able to walk now without having to feed first,"

"Edward, what are you getting at?" I asked growing slightly impatient as the blaze in the back of my throat grew exponentially.

"I'm not for sure, I need to talk to Carlisle," he replied a smug grin across his face.

"Well, let's go hunting first," I said grabbing his hand pulling him further into the forest. Emmett was chuckling behind us as I dragged Edward along.

Coming to a clearing, I spotted a herd of deer. Letting go of Edward's hand I ran up behind an unsuspecting doe and snapped its neck. Taking in the liquid, I tossed it aside and went to look for my next kill. I continued into the trees from the clearing and found yet another doe. Drinking it dry I felt the thirst subside to the normal burn.

I turned to see Edward leaning up against a tree, patiently waiting for me. I grinned sheepishly at what I knew he had witnessed. Taking my hand he led me back to the house, Emmett trailing close behind us.

"Would you like to speak to Carlisle with me?" he asked as we entered the house.

"Yes, seeing that it is about me," I replied. He chuckled a bit and led me to Carlisle's office. He tapped on the door waiting for Carlisle to acknowledge him.

"Come in,"

"Could we speak with you for a moment Carlisle?" Edward asked as we entered the office.

"Of course," he replied as he sat down some papers that he had been looking out.

"You know that we put Bella's power to the test today," Edward started.

"Yes, how did that go?" he asked.

"It worked out just fine; it just seems to drain her,"

"Yes, like it did when she first used it?"

"Yes, exactly. But I was wondering…" he started.

"She will be fine Edward," Carlisle. I felt like I was being talked about and was starting to feel awkward. Didn't they realize I was in the room?

"It's not that," he said.

"Well, what is it then?" Carlisle asked.

"You see, after using the power so many times she's completely drained, unable to walk even," Edward started.

"And?" Carlisle asked.

"What do you suggest?" Edward asked.

"That she feeds after she uses her power," Carlisle replied. He seemed to be slightly annoyed at Edward.

"Exactly, but the amazing thing is, the energy rebuilds itself,"

"What do you mean exactly?" Carlisle asked an interested tone now apparent in his voice.

"Well, I don't know how to explain it. Bella, could you please explain it to him?" he asked. Nodding my head I started.

"It's like every shield produced drains all the energy I have. At a certain point it becomes overwhelming and I'm no longer able to do it. Like Edward said, I can't even walk I'm so weak. But after a few moments, I regain the energy. Well most of it," I told him.

"Without feeding?" he questioned.

"Yes, without feeding,"

"That is something,"

"I thought so too," Edward chuckled. What could be so funny?

"Do you have any ideas Edward?" he asked. I stood completely dumbfounded by what they were talking about.

"Well, this is a mere hypothesis, but I believe she gets some of her energy from me," he said. I took in a gasp. Was I draining energy from him? Had I been harming him without knowing it?

"I do believe so,"

"But how?" I stammered.

"Bella, I don't know if I am correct. But I think your shield works because of the love you feel," Carlisle started. I nodded my head in agreement. It was because I loved Edward so much that I first produced it, I only wanted to keep him safe.

"And by using the love you feel you are able to produce the shield. Love is what keeps you going Bella. It's the reason you exist. I might be mistaken, but when you use the shield you are using some of that love and it drains you. When you come in contact with Edward you immediately feel that love and the lost energy is able to replenish itself," he clarified. I stood with my mouth open. My shield worked because of love?

"That does make sense," Edward replied a huge grin was spread across his face.

"I do however think that you should test this. I could be wrong,"

"But how?" I asked.

"Instead of Edward taking you in his arms when you become weak he will leave you alone and see if the energy comes back," Carlisle replied.

"I don't know about that," Edward said. I knew he was only worried about my safety, but I wanted to test this out. It felt amazing knowing that my power possibly worked because of love.

"Edward, it's important that you test this. It could be crucial to future use of her power if it becomes necessary,"

"But what if she is too weak? What if I lose her?"

"Edward, I won't let it go that far," I promised.

"I'll be there if you need me Edward," Carlisle offered.

"Fine, we will try it out tomorrow," Edward gave in. I could see that he wasn't happy.

"Everything will be fine Edward," I sighed squeezing his hand as we returned to our room.

"I don't know Bella,"

"I do Edward, have faith in me," I knew he was just worried about my wellbeing. But honestly, he could be a little overprotective at times. I wanted to test this out. I wanted to see if Carlisle was right, did my power really work because of love?

"I have faith in you. I'm just afraid to lose you,"

"Don't fret. I won't let it get as bad as it was today,"

"I trust you," he sighed. We walked over to the mattress and gently plopped down on it. I could see the worry present in his eyes.

"What is it Edward?" I asked.

"I just hate to see you like that,"

"Like what?" I asked.

"Like you were today,"

"What do you mean?" I asked as searching his eyes.

"Bella, when you were weak, when you had lost the energy, you looked like you did when I left," he explained.

"It's because the love had been sucked out of me," I sighed. I vaguely remembered how I felt when Edward had left. It was like all the life within me was gone. The feeling was reminiscent of the one I had today and when I was first changed.

"Is that what it feels like?" he asked his face twisted in horror.

"After I do it a few times,"

"Bella, maybe you shouldn't try it anymore,"

"Edward, I'll be fine. You're here with me and as long as you never leave me I'll be fine,"

"Bella, what if I don't get to you in time," he said. I rolled my eyes. He would be within an arms length of me and he was worried if he could get to me on time? Furthermore, this was merely a hypothesis, we weren't completely for sure if this was correct or not.

"Be reasonable Edward, you'll be a foot away from me," I laughed.

"Bella," he said his tone was serious. I could tell this was really taxing him.

"Please Edward. I really want to find out,"

"Fine, but I'm only giving you a couple of minutes at most to regain some of your strength," he replied with a tone of finality. I sighed knowing this was the best that I would get out of him. I just hoped that Carlisle was right.

(A/N: This has been a rough week! With a zoology exam to study for I haven't really had time to update. But I've taken the horrid test and I have survived, but verily. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I thought I should put a twist to Bella's power. What do you think? Should her power be linked to the love she feels? Please review and let me know. Thanks to all reviewers. I love getting reviews and seeing what everyone has to say.)