Chapter 5: Nightmare

Bella

Jacob drew back his right arm, his hand forming a fist. Throwing it forward, he struck my chin. The blow had me staggering backward. Losing my balance, I fell and cracked my head on the brick wall.

He came at me like a lion stalking his prey, hunched over and taking slow, measured steps.

I cowered against the wall.

Crying out, I jotted awake and upright. Confused by the loud, incessant beeping and the cool air entering my nose. I was in the medical center on the base.

'How did I get here?'

"Ah, Admiral Swan, you're awake," Doctor Candela said, coming into the view. She had a gentle smile on her face. "How are you feeling?"

I took a deep breath. My chest felt a little better and no longer felt like I was being squeezed. "How did I get here?" I asked.

"Esme Cullen called. When I arrived, Dr. Cullen informed me of your scare and your request to have him listen to your lungs."

Candela was aware of history, knew about my magical abilities, and what happened that had me and Dad leaving Forks. She and I had spoken at length about my coming back. "I thought I saw Jacob in town. As I calmed, my chest was tight."

She raised a brow. "Strong emotions can trigger your asthma. Were you experiencing any symptoms before your scare?"

I shook my head. "Could that be why I fainted?"

She smiled and nodded her head. "I did an x-ray when we got here. Nothing to be concerned about. Though, you should take it easy for the rest of the day."

"So, no fieldwork if Black Cat is activated."

She nodded again. "I've already made note you are not fit for field duty."

I blew out a breath. "When can I leave?" I scrunched up my face. "Crap! My car is in town."

Candela laughed. "My nurse will be in with the discharge papers shortly. Captain Uley is here and will be happy to give you a lift."

A nurse I didn't know handed me a pad and I signed on the form with my finger. "You're all set."

I hopped off the bed and walked out. Captain Uley was lounging on one of the couches watching the weather report. He was dressed much like me – jeans and a hoodie.

"Captain," I said, drawing his attention not that I had to refer to his rank. No uniform, no formality.

After looking over his shoulder, he stood. "Why am I your emergency contact?" he asked, humor in his voice.

"My dad is on a mission. Command suggested putting you down until he returns. Is that a problem?"

"Nah, I was one of Olden's after his wife passed away. His children live in Maine." He held the door open for me. "I'm glad to help where I can. Do you have anyone else listed?"

"It's just me and Dad, well my step-mom, but she's on the mission too. And they are stationed out of Seattle. I don't know many people here yet."

He hummed, pointing to his jeep. "So, where to?"

"The diner. My car is there."

~~ Black Cat ~~

The tension in the back of my head was the first clue I needed to eat. My stomach rumbling was my second. I glanced at the diner. Sam had dropped me off a minute ago. He didn't wait for me to get into my car since his wife had called and needed him at home.

I sighed, heading to my car. I would eat when I got home. There was a note under the wiper.

Oh, no! I thought, lifting the blade, and retrieving the flapping paper before it could be carried away by the slight breeze.

Bella,

I tried calling you, but your phone fell out of your pocket. I found it on my parents' couch. I dropped it off at the front gate of the base. Text or call me, please. Edward

A smile split my face. It seemed Edward was a worrier, not that I blamed him. My fainting was something to worry over.

I slipped in behind the wheel and drove back to the base, not planning on staying long.

"Admiral Swan," the guard greeted five minutes later. "Mr. Cullen dropped off your phone. And I've just received notification Black Cat has been put on alert."

Groaning, there goes starting on Monday. I hoped there was something to eat in the small kitchen of the Black Cat area of the security building. Leah was walking in, with a bag slung over her shoulder and a couple of shopping bags, as I parked. I was surprised.

"Bella," she greeted once we were both in the squad room. "How are you feeling?"

I glanced at her with my face scrunched up.

"Sam sent the team a message," she added. "The messages back and forth were those of concern. We all wanted to come but he told us to stand down."

"Wow! I haven't been on a team who cared about me like this."

She smiled at me. "We are a family, of sorts. We celebrate and cry together," she said.

I hadn't stopped to think about how I was feeling since leaving the medical building. "Honestly, I've been better. Still a little shaky and hungry," I remarked following her into the locker room.

We both changed out of our civvies. She into all black and me into black and gray fatigues. By the time we were back in the squad room, the guys started showing up.

"Your wife must be pissed, Sam," one of the men said.

"She was but understanding all the same." Sam noticed me. "I hope you're not coming with us if we get activated."

"And have Candela all over me. No thank you," I said with a chuckle. "As much as I would like to be out there with you, I'm staying behind and will assist from here."

I walked into my office and login into my computer and email. As I waited, I reached in my pocket and pulled out my cell. There was a missed call, the one Edward wrote about. I smiled as I returned his call.

"Congratulations! You've reached the right person! It's Edward. Unfortunately, you've called at the wrong time. Please leave a message and I'll call you back."

Geesh! His message made me laugh. "Edward, it's Bella. I didn't even know I lost my phone. Thanks for dropping it off at the base and leaving a note on my car. You have my number. Don't worry if I don't answer. My unit is on alert to help with a potential security issue. Talk to you soon. Bye."

Leah was leaning against the door when I turned around and dropped my cell on my desk. "Who's Edward?"

The events of this morning replayed in my mind. I could still feel the slight pressure of his lips on mine. His kiss had been sweet and a surprise, one I found I hadn't minded. "A guy I meet shortly after I arrived," I said with a shrug. "We had breakfast together."

She stared at me eyebrow raised. "Did something happen? You're blushing."

'Curse my telling face,' I thought.

I was saved from telling her when the email pinged. My eyes moved to it. A new message, high priority, from the admiral over another security team. I sat and opened the message.

Admiral Swan,

Delta team needs immediate backup. The situation has escalated to a firefight. Activate your team and make the necessary calls.

Oh! Welcome to Forks. Not the way we wanted you to start, but I know you will handle this curveball like a pro.

Admiral Frakes

There was a button on my desk, and I hesitated a moment before pressing it. The wrrreeeeeEEEEE wrrreeeeeEEEEE wrrreeeeeEEEEE made me jump as the strobing yellow light change to red with the sound.

Leah spun on her heel and raced to the front of the squad room, grabbing her gear bag from her desk. She and the rest of the team were out the door before I reached my office door. Man, they are fast.

Not wanting to be in the squad room alone, I headed back into my office. A new email appeared in my inbox as I sat. Opening it, I started reading the situation report, noting Sam was copied. It was bad and I was worried about my team. I knew from their fitness reports and weapon qualifications they could get the job done. What had me fretting was it was going to take them twenty minutes to get to the site, Delta squad could sustain some serious injuries in that time.

'I had to think. What did I have to do first?'

Picking up my desk phone, I dialed the med bay. "Prepare for minor injuries," I said when a nurse picked up.

"Certainly, Admiral Swan. Do you want me to call the local hospital and have them prepare?"

"No, they are my next call. Thanks for offering," I replied, hanging up. Putting the handset to my ear again, I pushed the button for ER at Forks hospital.

"Forks ER," a cheerful female voice said.

"This is Admiral Swan from Star Command. I need to speak with the head of the ER."

"One moment and I will connect you to Dr. Carlisle Cullen."

I winced. Edward had told me his father was a doctor, but to find out he was the head of the ER.

"This is Dr. Cullen," he answered two minutes later.

I blew out a breath. "Dr. Cullen, this is Admiral Isabella Swan," I said formally. "We have security officers taking heavy fire and they might require medical assistance. How many can you handle?"

"Two critical and eight minor," he answered without hesitation. "Seattle is the nearest major trauma center."

"Which hospital?" I asked, looking at the labels on my phone. There were four hospitals labeled. Forks, Port Angeles, and two in Seattle.

"Harborview," he replied.

It wasn't one of the hospitals programmed. "Do you have their number?"

"Not handy. I'll call them on your behalf. What's your number and I will call you back with what they can handle."

I gave him my desk number.

"Give me five minutes."

My next call was to shuttle services. "We received the alert. Our pilots are in the air or already landing. Medical is aboard each."

"We'll be going to Forks hospital with ten – two critical and eight minor. And Harborview in Seattle. I don't know how many," I said as I sent an email to medical with the same information. "Get the necessary flight plans ready."

My stomach growled as I hit send. I couldn't think about eating. My cell rang at the same time as my desk phone rang. I ignored it but glanced at the display, Edward, as I reached for my handset. "Admiral Swan."

"Harborview can take fifteen critical," Carlisle said without preamble. "What will you do if there are more than can be attended to?"

I breathed a sigh of relief. That covered both teams but no bystanders. There were sure to be bystanders injured. My email pinged with a message from Medical. Opening it, I read it. "Three starships are on standby for critical cases. They can take six each. Another four are en route."

"Three starships are on standby with four more en route," I answered. "I'll direct the medical teams to send civilians to you and Harborview."

"We're ready. Bella, how are you doing?" he said, a fatherly concern entering his voice.

His concern was foreign to me. Only family asked. Maybe that's why I responded the way I did when Leah asked. I didn't like when people I didn't know very well showed concern for me. "Health-wise or with this situation?" I asked.

"Both."

Stress can cause fainting, I recalled. My head rolled back until I was looking at the ceiling. I didn't know how to respond. "This is a stressful situation and the first major incident I've to handle outside of training. As for earlier, I'm not sure what caused me to faint or my breathing difficulties. Neither does Candela. She advised me to rest before all this started," I said with a little laugh.

My email pinged again – Sam. I swallowed. "We're code 4. No causalities. Medical is here. Minor injuries to both Delta and a few civilians, nothing serious. Hospitals can stand down."

Short and to the point. I liked it.

"Uh! What did you ask?" While reading the brief message, I missed what Carlisle had said.

"Do you have any theories about why you fainted?"

Oh, I had one not that I could tell anyone. Candela knew and had she believed it was my magical abilities, she would have told me. "I haven't been eating regular meals. I've been so busy unpacking that I've only been snacking and drinking water."

"Unpacking?"

Right, he wasn't aware. "I recently moved to Forks. I've only been here two days."

"Ah."

"Why don't you come over for dinner tonight, if the incident is resolved by then."

"Resolved. Minor injuries only. Medical is sending a few your way," I said, looking at my email. Another message came in from Candela.

I puffed out my cheeks, thinking about his invitation. "And how would your son feel about that?" I asked, stalling.

Carlisle chuckled. "It was his suggestion. And thank you for letting me know. I'll send out an email to Harborview."

"What time and the address?" I asked.

"Six. I'll have Edward text you the address, or he could come and pick you up. The driveway is a little hard to find."

Well, shoot! I wasn't directionally challenged, but hidden driveways… were a different story. "I'll have to think about that."

"See you at six."

Not five minutes later, I had a text from Edward. What's your address? :)