Hello! In the blink of an eye and blur of family events and work commitments, somehow two months have passed me by. I never intended to be gone this long. Thank you to everyone hanging in there with me and for all the reviews and notifications. As I said before, sometimes I'm writing this one sentence at a time, but I will always continue to write it. :)

I also wanted to give a big shout out to whomever rec'd my first story, The Heart of Darkness. I had a huge jump in readership a few weeks ago. I'm not sure where the rec occurred, but I truly appreciate it! Thank you!

Finally, as always, I have to thank LostIn PA. I couldn't do it without her.

Now on with it.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Tell Me Everything

"She is a beautiful piece of broken pottery; put back together by her own hands. And a critical world judges her cracks while missing the beauty of how she made herself whole again."

J.M. Storm

EPOV

Time moves slowly, the door mocking me as I stare it down. "What the hell is taking so long?"

"Calm down, partner." Jasper sidles up beside me. "She knows what she's doing. Trust her."

I glare. "I trust her. It's him that's the problem."

"She handles him all the time," Emmett grouses. "Apparently, her whole life." He kicks at the ground, his anxious energy prominent.

"Right," I mutter, working to calm my own restlessness. Charlie got to me. I need to get it together. Trying to disrupt my chaotic thoughts, I turn my attention to Embry who is leaning against the wall. He's been quiet since we left. It concerns me. Walking over, I mimic his stance. "How are you holding up?"

His narrowed eyes cut. "I'm not as helpless as people think."

"Hey," My hands rise in submission. "I never said you were helpless, but I can see that Charlie's arrival affected you."

Heat colors his face. "With a smirk, he plays God."

"Not for much longer."

"You don't have to reassure me." Pushing off the wall, he walks to the edge of the sidewalk. "There's no way any of them are getting a pass."

I was mistaken. He's not anxious. He's ignited. It's a confidence I've not seen before. "Okay then."

"Okay then," he reaffirms.

Redirected by the scrape of the door, my stomach tightens when Charlie walks out with his hand clutched around Bella's.

"That girl has been brainwashed or programmed in some form." Jasper's voice taunts, reminding me just how dangerous Charlie is.

Automatically, my feet carry me forward until I'm blocking their path. "Going somewhere?" Targeted on his hand, mine itches to yank it off hers.

"Nowhere of concern." Charlie's fingers tighten their grip.

"Knock it off." Bella pulls her hand back, stepping between us. "We're going to talk to Carlisle." Her uncompromising tone allows me to breathe. She's still my Bella. "Charlie claims to have the key to my memories."

"That's because he was there when they took them," Embry spits. "He's no hero."

Bella tilts her head assessing his reaction. "I know what I'm doing."

"You really think you can trust him?" Emmett walks closer, his fists flexing.

Bella laughs, it seems to unnerve Charlie. "Not even close." Her targeted stare narrows on Jasper. "Interested in revisiting your old position?"

"Fascinating offer," he hums sizing up our opponent. "It's been awhile since I've been in the lab, but I haven't forgotten the protocols. I assume you have a specific task in mind."

"Yes. I need some," she pauses, weighing her words, "quality assurance."

Jasper smiles knowingly. "You can count on me."

"Good." Maneuvering towards Embry, she motions for Emmett to follow. Huddled in a tight circle, the three of them whisper, too low for any words to escape.

With tightly crossed arms and a blank stare, Charlie watches them keenly. I bite my tongue from spewing unnecessary commentary about the whole scene. Charlie can try to cover his reaction all he wants; I doubt he's okay with being out of the loop. The longer they talk, the tighter his body becomes, it makes me curious as to whether Bella made the move just for show or if there is a practical purpose for their secretive conversation.

With one final affirmative nod, Bella marches back with a determined stride. "Let's go. Edward, you're with Jasper and me."

Charlie's stands stoically. "What about Embry and Emmett?"

"They have another task." Walking down the sidewalk, she looks over her shoulder. "I said let's go."

Grinning, I brush past Charlie. "You heard her." I should have known that she would not be easily outmaneuvered. Still, curiosity gnaws at my brain wondering what Bella and the boys discussed. It's hard to know whether her comment to Charlie is the truth or subterfuge. Bella always seems to have something up her sleeve.

"Nice setup Carlisle has here." Charlie walks quickly to catch up.

"Uh huh." Bella's eyes cut to him, her mind gauging every word he utters. "Good place to escape isn't it."

"If that's the type of thing you're trying to do," he remarks, returning her volley, the electricity between them palpable as we near Carlisle's door.

"Yes, if that's the type of thing you're trying to do," Bella repeats with an air of cynicism.

"Are you suggesting Carlisle wasn't trying to escape?"

Bella stops to face him as we reach the door. "I'm just saying he's your friend, not mine. Seems to me, you would know better than I what he was trying to do." She looks him up and down. "Got something to share before we go further?"

"Carlisle disappeared a long time ago and I respected him enough to let it happen. I'm just as clueless as anyone about his recent activities."

The tension peaks as she stands unmoving, not backing down from his challenging glare. "Well in that case, sounds like it's time to get you two reacquainted." Engaged in a merciless game of chicken, neither back down as she brusquely knocks on the door. Artfully, she steps to the side, ensuring that Charlie is in front when the door opens, even though the cameras would have already given away the surprise.

The door opens slowly. "This is an unexpected turn of events." With arms crossed, Carlisle stands at the threshold of the door. Although his tone is brusque, the pale nature of his face gives away his uneasiness.

With an outstretched arm, Charlie beams. "It's good to see you, old friend. It's been too long."

Carlisle returns a strained smile. "Yes, too long."

The contrived response makes the question of whether they've had contact recently murky. Bella remains silent, monitoring their interaction, wary of any displays put on simply for our benefit.

"Aren't you going to invite us in?" Charlie crowds the threshold of the door.

Carlisle swings his gaze to Bella. "I think I've been pretty understanding about your invasion. However, I'm quickly running out of space and patience for the number of characters you bring with you."

"After everything I risked to get you out." Charlie inches closer. "It pains me that you see me as a threat."

"Don't be mistaken. I don't see you as a threat." Although his words are sharp, he steps back, an act easily interpreted as submission by the likes of a man like Charlie. "The trouble you bring with you is what bothers me, not your presence. This is my sanctuary. I don't intend to lose it."

Bella rolls her eyes. "If you didn't want trouble, you shouldn't have gotten involved in the first place." Taking advantage of the leeway he provided, she pushes past him to enter the house. "At this point, I don't really care what you do or don't want."

With a crooked smile, Charlie follows. "Looks like whether or not we come in is not up to you."

Flustered, Carlisle waves Jasper and me in as well. "I have to say I'm surprised Bella invited you here given everything that you've done."

Charlie turns slowly. "And I'm surprised that Edward can stand to be in your presence given how you abandoned him. Let's not pretend that we both aren't guilty of things we'd rather forget."

The targeted words wound, Carlisle's ashen face turning red. "Noted. But let's not pretend that our sins are the same."

Smugly, Charlie looks him up and down. "And in what way exactly are your sins different than mine?"

Swallowing the pain, Carlisle looks at him shamefully. "After everything we went through, this is how you want to play it?"

"I'm not trying to 'play' anything, my friend."

"You smug, son of a bitch." Now it is Carlisle's turn to invade Charlie's space. "I'm not the one who initiated this project!"

Charlie shrugs. "You might not have thought up the request, but you certainly figured out how to make it work."

"And I lost everything that mattered to me because of it!" With fists clenched, they stand toe to toe.

I hold my breath, watching the reunion unfold, knowing that Bella, Jasper, and I are witnessing a conversation that both men would probably rather keep to themselves.

"No one asked you to bring your child into the mix. You made that decision all on your own."

"You're right. That was my choice." Carlisle laughs bitterly. "For some fucked up reason, I seemed to be the only one who cared about what you were doing to that girl." He points to Bella.

Bella keeps her emotions in check, watching them intently. "And what exactly was he doing to me?"

"You mean saving her?" Charlie sneers before Carlisle can answer Bella's question.

"No. I mean destroying her! Jesus, are you so blind to your ambition that you can't see what you did? Those children were all unique, but they were also all damaged." He sighs, looking up. "God forgive me for even saying so. No one deserved what we did, but Bella," he looks down, "Bella was special. Everyone saw it. But what you and Doc seemed to miss is that it was her kindness and compassion that set her apart the most."

Bella flinches, her eyes bouncing between the two men.

"That's what also made her a target." Charlie's teeth grind as Carlisle's words penetrate his armor.

Carlisle smiles sadly. "The truly tragic thing is that I know you really believe that." He blows out a breath. "The other kids were already hardened by life, sadly comfortable in their solitude. But Bella wasn't. She desperately craved the compassion that she so easily gave to others. You could never see that. You ignored that her soul was dying."

"Hold on." Bella frowns, glancing over to me. "I still don't understand what this has to do with risking Edward."

My body pulsates, beginning to understand the connection. "You brought me in to help her."

"Yes," Carlisle whispers, his head dropping as he steps back from Charlie. "I decided to try to offset the despair. To give her a friend who didn't see her as a tool or weapon."

"My God," Bella hisses, more concerned for me than the hell she was obviously living. Despite my hatred for Carlisle, I can't be angry about the decision that brought me to Bella.

Turning, Carlisle tries to close the distance between us. "I swear, I never meant for you to get hurt."

"And yet he did," Charlie comments, trying to regain his emotional distance. "Obviously you made the wrong choice."

Carlisle steps closer, his eyes swimming in emotion. "I wish I could say that. I hate what I lost, I hate where we ended up, but I don't know if I can honestly say that I regret trying to save her. Maybe that makes me a horrible father. And will probably make you hate me even more, Edward, but that is the truth."

"A fool," Charlie mutters.

"Maybe," Carlisle retorts. "But if you really believed my choice was so wrong, why would you enlist Edward to go and get Bella?"

The question dazes Charlie, his bravado wavering. Clearing his throat, he looks towards Bella. "It may have been a mistake, but it was one that I could use to my advantage. Simple as that."

Unconvinced, Carlisle shakes his head. "You forget, my friend, we used to sit in my office late at night and talk. Under the cover of darkness, even you can show your heart, Charlie. You may be misguided where Bella is concerned, but I also know you care. You know how happy he made her. Don't deny it just because you think you have a reputation to uphold."

"I'm not trying to uphold anything."

"If you say so." He shakes his head sadly. "I remember the man who helped me so long ago. I can only hope that he's still there somewhere."

Charlie huffs. "We don't have time for sentimental bullshit. Newton is closing in."

Bella straightens. "You know that for sure?"

"No, but he's an excellent investigator, and Doc is connected. It won't take long for them to pick up your trail."

"Is that why are you here?" Carlisle asks

"Partly."

"What's the other part?" He pushes. Jasper catches my eye, both of us anxious to hear Charlie's answer.

Hesitating, he looks towards Bella, her penetrating stare daring him to tell the truth. "I came to fix things." His eyes pin Carlisle. "Why are you helping?"

Unfazed, Carlisle glances towards me. "Same."

The air crackles around us, as the conversation stalls, the history between them weighing us all down.

"Fantastic." Bella blurts, interrupting their silent standoff. "Since we're all big helpers, let's focus on the task at hand."

"And what task is that?" Carlisle asks.

"Charlie knows how to get my memories back, which means you have work to do."

Carlisle's eyes widen. "You have the scans?"

Charlie pulls the flash drive out of his pocket. "I have the scans, I have the research, and I have the procedure notes."

"Follow me." Carlisle walks quickly towards his lab. The lights flicker on as soon as he enters.

Bella moves directly to the desk, skimming her hand across the bare surface. "Did a little house cleaning I see?" With a sideways glance, Carlisle acknowledges he heard the comment but doesn't respond. "I guess a clean lab is a happy lab," she scoffs sarcastically.

"I do find that it helps to clear out the clutter," he retorts cryptically.

My spine tingles watching their interplay, uncomfortable with Bella's decision to confront him now. The fact that he got rid of the work he had out right after we left is concerning, but we need him focused. Embry is working on unlocking the information. We have nothing to gain by prodding him now.

"You always were a stickler for cleanliness. I guess some things never change," I comment, hoping to end Bella's probe.

Carlisle throws me an appreciative smile, misinterpreting my interference as something done for his benefit. "Old habits are hard to break."

"Yes, they are," Bella retorts, hopefully, understanding the true intent of my actions.

Charlie moves around the room, seemingly ignoring our interaction, however, I doubt that he misses anything. "Impressive, Carlisle. Looks like you've been keeping up on your interests."

"I didn't have much of a choice." Charlie turns, silently questioning the cryptic comment. "I knew they wouldn't stop. It was just a matter of time before they went too far."

Charlie nods, turning back to look at the equipment against the wall, his back rising and falling with deep breaths. "Can't say that I'm not grateful." The emotion behind the comment is a surprising shift from earlier.

"Are you?" Carlisle questions cautiously.

"It has to end." Charlie shifts his stance. "We have to be the ones to do it."

"Why you?" Jasper asks.

"Because we started it. And Carlisle is right." He catches his eyes, the arrogant mask finally falling. "It's gone too far."

"I'm not sure I'm buying it." Jasper hops up on one of the counters. "You've spent years being a part of this shit. Why the attack of conscience now?"

Charlie shifts closer to Bella. "They chose to go after the wrong person."

Bella looks down at her hands. "Do they know?"

His face pinches in confusion. "Know what?"

"That I'm your niece."

He and Carlisle share a loaded look. "Not the CIA. I buried the paperwork. My charge was to help Doc recruit participants. At that point, we had already taken several kids from foster care. It was an easy bait and switch to make."

Bella's face sours. "Not the CIA," she repeats, "who does."

Surprisingly, without any pretense, he answers. "Doc and Carlisle were the only ones who knew."

"We were very careful," Carlisle adds. "Doc particularly didn't want to risk the project. He knew that the powers that be might shut everything down if they knew."

Bella robotically nods, a sign that she's processing everything logically rather than emotionally. "Then Newton doesn't know?"

"Not that I'm aware." Charlie blows out a frustrated breath. "Although it's likely that Doc has told him by now."

Bella's spine stiffens. "Then we better get to work. It won't take them long to connect your sudden trip to me. Where do we start, Carlisle?"

He holds out his hand. "Give me the flash drive."

After Charlie hands it over, Carlisle quickly plugs it into a computer. As soon as it loads, he pulls up different files, moving them to the various screens located along the wall. Their labels tell a horrific story. Neurological scans, medical charts, procedure pictures, research docs, and most concerning, critical errors. Charlie wasn't lying. Out of all of the information that we have gathered thus far, this appears to be the most complete.

Jasper hops down to take a closer look. "You have copies of everything?"

"Yes. I made sure," Charlie responds.

"They actually tried the surgery?" Carlisle clicks on the file labeled neurological scans, opening several documents. Bright colored scans lighten the room around us as they fill the screens.

"Yes."

"How effective was it?"

"It varied with each subject."

Carlisle highlights one of the scans, seeing something of interest. "What caused the difference?"

Charlie scoffs. "Look, Carlisle, I'm not going to pretend that I'm a doctor. The technicians would give me an overview. Most of the specifics were foreign. From what I understood, some minds are easier to manipulate than others."

"And mine?" Bella sneers. "How easy was it to manipulate my brain?"

Charlie smirks with a strange sense of pride. "Nearly impossible."

"But they still were able to do something," Carlisle counters. "Her memory block is pretty solid."

"Not as solid as I thought," Bella chimes in. Carlisle waits for an explanation. "According to Tyler, I needed upkeep from time to time. Right, Charlie?"

He swallows hard. "Yes. All attempts with you were temporary."

"Including surgery?" Carlisle pulls a notebook out of a nearby drawer.

"Yes."

"Exactly what did they do?" Picking up a pen, Carlisle prepares to jot down Charlie's every word. "Before I left, we could never figure out a way to do it that wouldn't cause damage elsewhere."

"The equipment and technology improved enough to allow for a more targeted approach." He pauses. "They told me to think about it like a head wound. If you damage one part bad enough, it stops working correctly. They finally figured out what part to 'damage'."

Jasper shakes his head. "And that simplistic explanation shows just how little you understand about the project you oversaw. The brain is much more complicated than that."

"You're right, Jasper. However, the theory he's describing isn't wrong." Carlisle's pen frantically moves across the page. "But I take it that Bella was different."

"Yes. Like everything else, she didn't react like everyone else. It was clear from early on that the procedure didn't take, and it would have been too much of a risk to try again, so Doc figured out alternatives to keep the block in place."

"What alternatives?" Jasper pushes, anxious for the details.

"Hypnosis and pain control," Carlisle asserts. "Right, Charlie?"

"Right." Bella glares as he acknowledges he was a party to her pain. "It was the best way to dissuade her from questioning the cracks that occurred."

"It was a pretty effective technique," Jasper adds. "I've seen the results."

"But a technique that can be undone." Carlisle scans the folders again. "Is the key to unlocking the pain control in here?"

"Should be."

"If I can unlock that and find the code to undo the hypnosis that just might do it."

"You can get back everything?" Bella presses.

"Probably not everything. I can't undo what they did in their surgical attempt, but it sounds like most of your memory loss is not due to that but constraints they've held you under."

"It's that easy?" Given what I've witnessed, I find it hard to believe that everything can be undone so simply.

Carlisle frowns. "I didn't say easy, Son."

My muscles constrict at his continued insistence to call me that. "Then explain exactly what you are thinking, Carlisle." His face falls with the emphasis of his name.

"I'm interested in that as well," Jasper adds.

Bella, the one in the room with the most to lose, watches the conversation silently. She seems unaffected, heightening my fear that she is willing to risk everything for the chance to get her memory back. She may be willing to take the ultimate risk, but I'm not. I won't lose her again.

"How many key phrases did they use?" Carlisle asks, sidestepping the specific question.

"There was a handful that I heard often." Charlie moves to the computer and clicks on a file labeled procedure notes. "Doc was painstakingly detailed. I'm sure what you're looking for is here."

"Including a release phrase?" Jasper asks.

"Release phrase?" I ask wanting clarification.

"We used them during the experiments. It was to make sure a directive or conditioned response could be undone. Think of it like the antidote to a poison."

"Yes," Charlie answers. "They should be there too."

"Whatever has been done can be undone," Carlisle mumbles searching through the text in the file. Suddenly, he smiles. "Found them."

"What exactly does this mean?" Bella finally speaks us, also reading the text.

Carlisle turns. "It means that you need to go under again. We're going to unlock your memories."

"Wait." Jasper maneuvers his way to between Charlie and Carlisle to see the computer. "Show me everything." His role of quality assurance will be critical. He is the only one who will be able to ensure they are indeed undoing the damage, not creating more.

"What about the shot?" Bella asks suddenly.

"What?" Charlie looks at her nervously.

"Tyler said that Doc gave me a shot when I needed a tune-up. Wouldn't you need it to undo what they did?"

"It was probably to increase your level of suggestibility," Carlisle remarks, allowing Charlie to avoid answering. "It should be in the notes." He scrolls through, Jasper looking over his shoulder.

"There it is." Jasper points to the screen. "Fuck," he hisses.

"What was it?" Bella's hands twist around each other.

Jasper scrubs his hand over his face. "LSD. A shitload of LSD."

Bella leans against a desk absorbing the information. My fingers twitch, watching Charlie's apathetic stare. He had to know what they used, and the risks of using it, yet he allowed them to do time and time again. For all the power he wields, he's nothing but a fucking coward for doing this to someone he claims to love.

"I don't have that." Carlisle looks around the lab. Suddenly, he moves to a set of cabinets. "But I do have nitrous oxide."

"Laughing gas?" Jasper asks. "You sure that will work?"

He pulls a tank out of a large cabinet. Shuffling through the drawer above it, he finds a hose and mask. "Did you forget your research, agent? In the 70's, nitrous was one of the drugs that had the biggest effect on suggestion. Not quite the effect of LSD, but hopefully enough to get us where we need."

"I didn't do the original research, Doctor. I just ran the drills." Jasper continues to scroll through the documents. "I'll give it to Doc, he was certainly thorough. Given the level of secrecy of the project, I'm surprised. Great for us, but a mistake."

"That was my request," Charlie admits. "I may not have had enough time to stop them from doing this, but I always intended to change it."

Bella snorts, pushing off the desk. "I might believe that more if we weren't seven years down that road. I don't really care why it was documented, I'm just glad that it was. How much time do you need to prepare, Carlisle?"

"Not long." He moves the tank next to the area where he hypnotized Bella last time. "Jasper's right about the level of detail. I just need to follow the script."

Bella sits stiffly on the couch. "Good. I'm tired of discussing the history behind what happened. I just want to undo it."

"Bella," I caution. "Give them time to read through it. This isn't something you want to do rashly."

"Jasper," she calls out, holding my gaze. "What's the worst that could happen if we do this now?"

He continues to scroll. "Given that we are just trying the hypnosis, I would say the worst side effect would be a headache from the gas."

"You're sure?" I push.

"I understand your concern, Edward. But I promise it won't hurt her. Either it will work or it won't. And you and I will both be here to make sure they can't slip in anything unexpected."

Charlie glowers. "I wouldn't do that. I told you, I'm here to help end it."

Bella ignores his assertion. "See, quality assurance. Jasper will keep things on the up and up." Taking a deep breath, she leans against the couch. "Time's a wasting."

Moving, I sit next to her, lacing my fingers through hers. "You're sure."

"I trust you," she whispers. "I know you won't let anything happen to me."

"Never."

"I have to do this. I need my memories back." She flashes a soft smile. "Besides, if it works on me, maybe it will work on others too." Her words are loaded, obviously thinking about her classmates and…me.

Truthfully, I haven't had time to think too much about my missing past. It's been easier to ignore it. Besides, as far as I'm concerned, the only memories I would want back are the ones that involve her. "Don't do it for us, Mira. None of us blame you."

"I'm not." Her tone is resolute, yet I know she feels responsible for what happened to her classmates and maybe even me. It weighs on her heavily, more than anything else does. Somehow, I will find a way to convince her that everything that is happening is solely due to the decisions of Charlie and Doc. Regardless of her desire to rebel, she is not the one started this. This guilt is not hers to carry.

"Bella—"

"Are you ready?" Charlie interrupts watching us closely.

"Yes." Bella tightens her grip around my hand. "I'm ready."

As before, Carlisle lowers the lighting and lights a candle, the scent of lavender filling the air. After moving a chair in front of us, he checks the hose and mask preparing to put in on her. "You're going to feel a little lightheaded."

"I understand."

"See you on the other side, Bella." Jasper's tone a confirmation and promise to be with her the whole way.

She softly nods as the mask is placed over her nose and mouth. Slowly, her eyes close, her hand loosens around mine.

"Here goes nothing." Holding papers that he printed from the documents, Carlisle sits in front of her. Jasper places himself behind him, monitoring the words on the page. "Keep your eyes closed and take slow breaths. In through the nose and out through your mouth. Let's do this together four times."

As before, the slow breathing helps Bella relax. Her body sinks into the couch, her fingers loosening their grip even further.

"Good. Now let's count back from one hundred. Each exhale will count as one interval. Are you ready?" His words twist my stomach. We were just here. Last time was bad enough; today the stakes feel much higher.

"Ready," she whispers, her voice slurred and distorted by the mask and medication.

"Good." Carlisle's voice becomes slow and methodical. "Let's count together. 100, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95,94,93,92,91,90,89,87,86,85,84,…"

Her hand slips from mine completely as the numbers count down and she becomes lost in a hypnotic fog.

"Bella, can you hear me?"

"Yes."

"Good. I want you to think back. All the way back to your earliest memory."

"Are you thinking back?"

"Yes."

"Good. Tell me what you see."

My heart pounds as we all await her response. Closing my eyes, I take a breath, praying that when her eyes open she will still be my Bella.

Up next, what will Bella remember.