AN Here we go :)

All of you wondering why the Cullens hadn't seen it coming, or why they allowed to let Bella be taken... explanations will be coming up, just not yet ;)

The story follows Bella up until in a few chapters from now. Then I'll be mixing POVs probably between her and Edward.
So for now, you only know what Bella knows.

But explanations are coming, I promise :)

As always thanks for reading and let me know what you think!

Chapter 18 - freedom! Oh sweet Freedom!

I kept my head down as I walked into the back alley, my hood was drawn up and hung low over my eyes, shielding my face as much as possible.
I knocked on the ratty door that seemed to be held together by bandposters, and stickers which had been pasted over each other. I let my eyes roam over them, there were different bands of all kinds listed, but the going theme seemed to be Celtic rock.

I knocked again when there wasn't immediately an answer.

'Hold your horses.' A thick Irish accent spoke up from behind the closed door, rather gruffly. Footsteps sounded and then the door rattled. It gave a mighty groan as if protesting being opened.

'Yea?' A gruff voice asked. The man was still hidden in the sadows but visible enough to me. He was rather short, and looked a little rough around the edges. His beard was unkept and his shirt hadn't been washed in what I would guess would be about a week. I kept my face neutral.

'I'm here for the stuff.' I said vaguely.

'Are ya taking the piss?' he scoffed. 'nothing here for you, darlin'' he said motioning me away with his hand.

'Look, I've got the money.' I said, shoving the bag at him. 'The order's under Underhill.'

His eyebrows shot up as he looked at me again. 'You're Underhill?'

I nodded once.

'Alright then, come in.'

He stepped aside and gestured for me to enter with a shake of his head. I stepped across the threshold into the dark hallway, which believe it or not, was even dingier than the door and the alley had been. He closed the door behind us then brushed past me to lead the way. It was smoky in here too, as if there had been no ventilation for a few weeks and some heavy smoking. It also definitely smelled like pot, not regular tabacco. We walked down the hallway and stopped next to a small room.

He stepped inside and gestured to a chair. 'Take a seat.'
He closed the door behind us.

'No, thank you.' I declined politely.

The room looked even filthier than the man. I wasn't sure what the stains on the chairs were, but I was certain I didn't want to find out. It was dark and it was clear that this was where the pot smell had eminated from. There was a bong on his desk along with a little bag of weed and a few rolled joints.

'Alright then.' He said, sitting down himself on his desk chair and gathering his papers. He shuffeled some things around and then pulled open a few drawers. Finally he seemed to find what he was looking for. He handed me a manilla envelope. 'There you go.'

I took the envelope and opened it. I looked inside briefly. A new passport, birth certificate, drivers' licence… everything in my new name; Elizabeth Underhill, 25 years old.

'Everything's in there.' He muttered.

I nodded once. 'Yes. I see. Thank you.'

'It's all approved as well.'

I nodded again. Then handed him the bag of money.

Don't ask me how I came by it, I'm not proud of it… getting a new identity was apparently quite pricey, and I couldn't touch the money in my back account in my real name. That would be a beacon for anyone trying to find me, a yellowbrick road that would lead them right to me. I'd had to resort to stealing like a common thief to get the money. One wealthy mansion and I'd had it, but still I felt bad.

Still thiss was the only way for me to survive on my own. I had to make sure Isabella Swan disappeared forever. No trace of me could exist anymore. From now on, I could only be Elizabeth Underhill.

'Yep that's grand. Righty then. You can go out the front.' He said, pointing his tumb at me.

I blinked at him. I knew I was inexperienced with this type of stuff, as in I had absolutely no clue what I was doing, but surely it shouldn't be this easy.

'Okay.' I said hesitantly. 'Thank you.'

'Don't mention it.' He said, waving me away. But then turned towards me. 'I mean that. Don't mention it.'

'I won't'

'Well then a good day to you Ms Underhill.'

I smiled at him and nodded.

Then I headed out of the small office. Instead of going right and heading back the way we came, I turned left like he had indicated. The hallway to the left was just dingy and dirty. The walls were cracked and I swear I could hear the rats scurrying behind them. The hallway led to another beat down door. IT was cracked and the glass was so dirty you couldn't see through it anymore. A large crack shot through the middle. God this place was nasty. I was glad I was getting out of here.

I pushed open the door carefully, afraid if I opened it too hard the glass would shatter. I stepped through the door and found myself in the street again. I looked around for a moment getting my bearings.

Dublin was a bustling city and I was still finding my way around. The roads were winding and sometimes hard to navigate, especially with all the people mingling about.
But it was a vibrant city. Old and full of history. It's people were friendly and I felt safe here, even though it was a busy city.

I knew I could blend into the crowds here, no one would notice me on the busy streets, and no one would be able to recognize me with my new appearance. I had bought a short blonde wig, and dull brown contact lenses. I wore black rimmed glasses and had taken to wearing red lipstick, something I had never done in my life. I had hardly recognized myself the first time I had donned everything. I was sure no one else would be able to tell it was me. Not the Volturi and definitely not the Cullens.

My next step was slightly harder. I had to get a job. I wasn't sure what I needed, but I knew I needed money. I had a little left over from my theft, but it didn't feel right to make a living like that. I wanted something steady. Before the Votluri had gotten me I'd enjoyed bartending immensely. But it had also left me vulnerable. Many people would see me and notice me. I had to give out my details... It could draw attention to me.

Then again, I had taken all kinds of precautions to make sure I wouldn't be recognized. And I needed money. So, I started heading into the good part of town again. The city centre was fillend with pubs and cafe's, but I knew I had to find a night job again. Although Ireland was usually rainy and overcast, it was summer and there were sunny days coming up for sure. So I wandered around the streets looking for night clubs.

As I passed St. Stephen's Green I finally found seomthing that looked promising. I glanced down at my watch and saw it was only five o clock. They wouldn't be open yet to the public, but there should be a manger or something around prepping for opening. I stepped through the door hesitantly.

'Can I help you?' a man asked from the bar.

'Hi' I said, walking over. I pulled my hood back and smiled brightly. the club was darkly coloured, with red walls and a dark wood flooring. There was a large space in the mdidle of the floor with a DJ booth at the end of it.

'I'm sorry for just barging in like this.' I said in my sweetest voice, giving him an alluring smile. 'But I was just wondering if you were hiring any bartenders?'

His eyes opened wide as he took me in. His eyes trailed up and down my body for a moment as his mouth opened and closed like a fish. I kept smiling at him until he finally shook himself out of it and gave me a slightly dazed smile.

'I'm not sure, I'm just a bartender. I could go ask in the back for ya.' He said.

I nodded immediately. 'That would be great, thank you.' I smiled and pushed my chest slightly forward. His eyes widened before he turned around and headed away from teh bar. His foot caught on something and he stumbled a bit before shooting me another grin and disappearing behind a saloon door just off the bar.

I sat down on a stool and listened carefully, so I would know what I would need to do to convince them to hire me. I knew I was attractive to humans, and right now I was not above using anything I could to get a job.

'Dude, There's this chick in the club, you have to hire her.' He bartender gushed.

'Aaron, I'm not really hiring right now.'

'But she's going to bring in everyone. Just come look at her, she's hot!'

'Hot doesn't qualify being a good bartender.'

'I can teach her.' Aaron immediately volunteered.

The other man groaned. Then there was some shuffling. 'I'll come with you.'

Aaron reappeared behind the bar and smiled brightly at me.

'The boss'll be here in a minute.' He said, stepping around the bar and coming to sit down next to me on a barstool. 'Do you have any bartending experience?'

I nodded. 'Yes. I've been a bartender for five years. I can do shows and tricks. I can make any cocktail you can think of.'

His eyes widened. 'Are you taking the piss?'

I shook my head. Although the five years was a lie, the rest was true. My week of bartending in America had taught me a lot. Plus being a vampire with superior senses also helped.

'Evenin.' A man stepped out of the saloon doors and stepped behind the bar. 'Aaron tells me you're looking for a bartending job?'

I nodded. 'Yes. I was wondering if you're hiring?'

The man hadn't looked up yet at me, he was looking down at an open menu that was on the bar.

'I'm not I'm afraid.' He answered, with a sigh.

I slipped my face into a pout. 'That's too bad…' I said laying it on a bit thick.

Aaron immediately came to my aid. 'She can do tricks, boss.' He quickly said.

The man looked up for the first time and I made sure to look down at the bar, while keeping my chest prominently displayed. For extra stimulant I also bit my bottom lip a little.

His heartrate picked up. And I heard his sharp intake of breath. I bit down on my lip harder to stop myself from smirking, humans were easy.

Aaron cleared his throat loudly when he hadn't said anything yet after a few minutes. That seemed to snap him out of it.

He shook his hea to clear it and cleared his throat. 'Tricks, huh?' he asked.

I nodded, glancing up at him from under my lashes. 'Pretty much anything you want.' I said, a hint of suggestion seeping into my voice.

He swallowed hard and unconsciously seemed to fiddle with his wedding ring. 'Let's see what you got then' he said finally.

I sprang from my seat and clapped my hands excitedly. Then I planted my hands on the bartop and vaulted over, landing beside him. Both of them stared at me with their mouths hanging open in shock.

'What do you want to see?' I asked sweetly.

'Give us your most fancy move, darlin.' Aaron suggested and I grinned at him.

I took a moment to familiarize myself with the layout of the bar and then told the men to step back. The boss walked out from behind the bar and took a seat next to Aaron. I then proceeded to make a cocktail with the most extravangant show I could think of. The bottles flew through the air, twisting and turning. I spun around and slid across the floor left and right, twisting and turning the bottle and then shaker in my hands. Aaron and the boss looked on with their mouths gaping open. Then I slammed down the shaker, picked up a glass, put the garnishes on and while giving one last turn poured the liquid into the glass before slamming the shaker roughly down on the workstation.

I added two straws and put the Devil's margarita on the bar between them. Then I grinned at them. Aaron was looking at me with his mouth still hanging open. The boss was also surprised but more skeptical, like he couldn't believe I had really done that just now.

I gestured for them to taste the drink. As if in a trance they both reached for a straw and then put their fingers on the top before putting the other end in their mouth's and releasing their fingers. They swallowed and then their eyes widened. it was quite comincal how in sync they were.

'This is perfect.' The boss said. 'Exactly right.'

'Absolutely amazing. Boss, please add this to the menu.' Aaron said.

'Thanks.' I said smiling sweetly at them both.

'How long have you been bartending?' the boss asked.

'Five years.' I said without missing a beat.

'Where?' he asked.

'Mostely in America. I've been in Vegas.' I lied.

he nodded. 'The flair shows.' He remarked. 'You picked it up there?'

'That's awesome!' Aaron nodded, taking the glass form his boss and taking a swallow.

'How much can you work?'

'six nights a week, I can start anywhere from 9 to 10 and can stay until closing.'

'That means nightshifts.' The boss said. I nodded. 'You don't mind?'

I shook my head.

'I can't pay you much… just minimum wage and the share of tips.'

'That's fine.'

'How soon can you start?'

'Tonight?' I asked.

The man extended his hand. 'I'm Phil. Welcome to the team.'

I beamed at him and shook his hand quickly. 'Sorry, cold from the ice.' I said as he winced as my icy hand touched his. 'I'm Elizabeth Underhill.'

'Good to meet you. Aaron show her the set up and prepare both your stations.'

Aaron mock saluted his boss and then Phil disappeared through the salloon door again, shaking his head to himself.

'Good to have you on board.' Aaron said before launching into the bar system, how the cash registers worked, what type of people came in, and what they expected. He was the only other bartender tonight, so we'd have to share the bar. I nodded along as I listened to his explanations.

Then before I knew it aaron pushed a black shirt at me and told me to change. It was a simple shirt with the logo fo the club on it's back. I headed back and quickly changed, making sure my wig was securely in place. Then I stepped out again, ready to begin working.

Aaron was a lot of fun to hang out with. After that first shift we got to know each other very well. We hung out after closing drinking a few cocktails ourselves and I showed him some moves with the shaker and told him a few tricks for bottle throwing. He was easy going and laid back and most of all he was fun. I asked him for some tips on where to stay and he gave me directions to a hostel not far from there, that usually had some free rooms. He insisted on walking me to the hostel when we finally finished. I had wanted to assure him I would be fine, but then I realized that a female would be quite vulnerable this late at night. So I accepted. He walked me there and then wished me goodnight, telling me he looked forward to working with me again. I agreed and ducked into the hostel and booking a room for tonight. I would start looking for an appartment tomorrow. I couldn't help but smile as I made my way to my room. I had made a friend, I had a job again and I was safe. I could start my life over again.