It was quiet on the small cemetery of Forks which was bursting with a large crowd of people. Not many people had a memorial with that many. It seemed as if the whole town was saying good bye to their former chief of police. Even many residents of the reservation were standing solemnly around the coffin. The Cullen family to the wolves' misfortune were also present. It took all their willpower to not tear them apart. Jacob was struggling the hardest and tried to concentrate on the elderly, grey haired priest telling them about Charlie's life. Billy had refused to tell him about what he had talked with Bella, but the packs had understood that the Cullens were the reason that she would not return.

It simply would be too dangerous. Leah had suggested to kill them once and for all, but had been stopped by the others.

"There are not just the Cullen's at the moment and they have not broken the treaty yet. We are more, but you saw what they are capable off. We cannot kill them at the moment." her cousin Emily had told her. To Sam's shock she had also started showing signs of impending transformation. She had become moody, had started eating a lot and had missed her courses. At first she had been ecstatic at the prospect of having a little baby wolf, but after the rising of her body temperature it had become quite clear that she would probably the next new wolf girl.

The heavy black coffin was slowly lowered into the ground to its final resting place and the attendants of the funeral became aware that one Bella Swan had not shown up to her father's funeral.

"The dogs had contact with Bella." Edward hissed under the human hearing to his family. But unfortunately for him the dogs were completely focused on the funeral and avoided thinking about something else. Maybe his family would be able to find out anything about Bella's whereabouts at the wake. They desperately needed a lead to find her again. Alice had tried to focus on Bella but had come up empty again. Esme and Carlisle had visited Phoenix in hope to get a lead on Bella at her mother's funeral but had also returned empty. They had only heard that she had been placed under witness protection, but clearly no one was able to say where.

"Billy, the wake certainly gives Charlie credit. Well done." Carlisle said in hope of starting a conversation but Billy just nodded a thanks.

"Well, the most important person is unfortunately not able to be here." he said sadly.

"Does she know that the army has been besieged?" Jasper asked and was surprised by the sudden spike of anger in Billy. It was directed against them. He tried to calm himself and his face did not betray his anger.

"You can be certain that she knows, but I do not know her whereabouts." Staring menacicly at Edward he almost growled:"I suggest you stop poking our minds for her whereabouts, we do not know them, who she is with or what she does. She has not told us."

"So she has called you?" Alice asked surprised. "We are her family now so she should have called us!"

"She will not come back to you. It seems as if her godfather was finally able to knock some sense into her. My only regret is that so many people had to die first." Billy started shaking but luckily managed to get it under control again.

"Must be fantastic being able to walk again." Esme tried to ease the ever growing tension by changing the topic. "How did you explain it to the … humans?"

"I simply told them that I had taken part in an anonymous clinical study and that their treatment had surprisingly worked." he remarked never letting them out of his sight. "Now that the army is defeated, when are your friends finally returning to their homes? We never had this many wolves and if the changing rate continues like this then the whole tribe will transform."

"Some are already scattered around the world again, the others are nomads and do as they please. I cannot do anything."

"They have certainly overstayed their visit!" Billy growled. But before they could discuss this any further they overheard another conversation.

"I bet it was Bella!" they heard Jessica say smugly. "I mean she was clearly mental!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Angela defended her absent friend. "She would not have been able to kill anyone. She could not even kill a fly."

"You know the saying: Silent waters run deep! I mean it fits. Maybe she had some psycho episode and killed him in cold blood!"

"You are talking Bullshit, Jess." Mike cut in annoyed.

"Really. Am I? Then why is she not here. She was really off the reel when Ediboy left her. The episode with the bikers! Hallo! Perhaps because she feels some kind of remorse and does not want to be confronted with her crime at home."

"How could she have been at two places at once? Ever thought about that." Eric spat angrily. "Her parents were murdered at almost the exact time and they were on opposite sides of the continent! I sincerely hope that you do not want to become a lawyer because you suck." he told her.


A few months later, miles away in a sunnier place a small redhead was slowly getting frustrated. She had begun her mercilessly hard training with Bella a few months ago. The second they had settled in she had taken her for a run around the perimeter. Although Bella had soon been out of breath she had forced herself to continue and had stubbornly refused to ask for anything. Not even water as to not appear weak. Before she had released her she had forced her to practice a routine of movements and warned her that these are the simplest movements that she will ever learn. Bella's coordination had been horrible but she had ordered her to practice whenever she had time. Just before dinner Bella had managed to follow the whole routine smoothly. The second day had started early with weight lifting, sit ups and many other things in the gym, then they were running again and training basic self defence. Now month later her clumsiness had lessened significantly and she had made quite the progress physically and mentally. Natasha had seen to her harsh physical training and Bella had raided the library in order to prepare for her finals not listening to her uncle that she read far too advanced literature. Bella still had not complained to anyone, but today something was different. Her mind was elsewhere and she had beaten the crap out of the boxing dummy she came in contact with. She was definitely angry at something.

"Stop! Before you hurt yourself!" Natasha ordered an exhausted Bella. "Where the hell is your mind? Your right hand is held wrongly again. You are physically here, but not mentally! Care to share." she asked in a secretive playful tone.

"I watched the Satellite feeds of my parents separate funerals again." she said. "The first time I knew I could not be there, but I wanted to be there somehow. So I was present in my mind."

"Please don't tell me that you hacked in our mainframe. Again" Natasha sighed dramatically. Barton had filled her in on Bella's little tricks. "We were recording the funerals because of the Cullen's not for you to watch them in infinity loop." At Bella's raised eyebrows she answered.

"We figured that they would show up there, because they are looking for you and we want to know how they manage to stay part of our digital world without getting recognized. By the way they are following every lead about you."

"So I've heard. The Cullen's were at both funerals and I just became so angry! They are the reason they are dead in the first place, they want to drag me into their mental world and they want to force me to stay with them! I feel so helpless because I'm not making any progress in getting stronger." Bella ranted panting heavily.

"Ok! Listen well, because I won't repeat it again. Got it!" Natasha told her. "Your anger is understandable. Feed your determination with it. Hell, you have the best coordination in the last few days because of it. But don't let it consume you. For fighting you need a clear might not see it but you are a fast learner and your coordination has become much better. Trust me you will get your chance of revenge eventually." She can run for miles without breaking into sweat now. A few months ago that would have been unimaginable.

"Thanks." Bella nodded in thought. But when! They are a security risk and each day they are coming closer.

Oh no! You are not going to space out now! "One more round and then get a shower! Dr. Helen Cho came to see your current problem." Natasha informed her.


Which problem? Falling in step with Natasha around the fence of the facility she wondered. The redhead always started a fast pace and she had serious trouble keeping up. Every few hundred meters were watch towers guarded by military personnel. How they were able to stay there all day in this godforsaken dry heat without breaking into sweat was a miracle to her. The buildings of the facilities looked only a few floors high but were in reality skyscrapers built into the ground. Her uncle had told her that they were all important scientists doing important things, but when she had asked what these "important" things were he had just told her:

"You'll find out one day!" She needed water and perhaps she could bring Eric some coffee down to get encouraging words for her finals. She had never thought it possible but running helped her now to think about problems. She vividly remembered how she had met one of the few friendly scientists around this facility.

In the cafeteria the scientists eating breakfast had just given her a short glimpse and had ignored her, well all but one. Apparently it was perfectly normal for new people to arrive. She had stood in line with Phil to get breakfast and her morning coordination had not been the best as she had stumbled into the elder man. Murmuring an apology she had tried to blend in again. The man before her had short, silvery and white hair, a small round belly and a very friendly face.

"Monday morning, it's understandable." he had smiled. "Eric Selvick, Astrophysicist." She shook his hand, applying pressure to the shaking and smiled:

"Bella Swan. High school student. Well sort of. Astrophysics you say? That's fascinating? What are you doing here then? I did not see a telescope, although the weather conditions must be perfect for watching the stars. … Ahm. Sorry I'm babbling!" He had not looked judgingly at her as she had expected but he had chuckled.

" When are you graduating? If you don't mind my asking?"

"No, of course I don't mind. Well, actually I don't know but hopefully soon."

"Well, I sense a big story." he laughed nervously glancing at Phil behind her. "Especially as Agent Coulson is acting like an ever watchful mother hen."

"I am not!" a protesting voice came from behind her causing her to giggle as she was imagining her uncle clucking and wearing a chicken costume with his iconic black sunglasses. "As for your information she will sit her exams next week." At least she is laughing again.

"I am? Why has nobody told me! I need to prepare!" Bella cried desperately at her uncle.

"Bella trust me you are perfectly prepared." Phil stated calmly. Perfectionistic like her grandmother. I have to make sure she never crosses path with Rogers.

"How do you like the scientific subjects?" Selvick had started again looking at her with a hopeful look.

"Well,... I'm more the literary science type as I have found it more challenging at high school. The Science Subjects were just too easy." Why is he beaming at me? Did he want to hear that?

"Oh No! Selvick don't even think about it!" Phil groaned. "She has enough on her plate as it is"

"Bella, how good are you in physics. You know calculations and so on?"

"She is not going to do your base calculations. Dr. Selvick!" Phil cut in. Could she do it? Of course not. It's astrophysics for god's sake.

"I'm refused another assistant and you know how important the tass… ahm… it is." the elder man defended himself.

"Actually I have done some research in Astrophysics for my presentation on Wormholes but that is about it. And I hardly think this is going to help me here. Maybe if you could tell me which books I need to read in order to catch up then I'm more than willing to help." Bella beamed at him. I've been away too long from decentbooks as it is! My brain cells need new stimuli.

"Perfect!" he jumped laughingly.

"You know that could take too long for me to catch up on your research." Bella stated dryly.

"Didn't you have a heated discussion with our much evaded Dr. Sheldon Cooper a few days ago?" Selvick asked her.

"That's the name of the annoying brat?" she had shot back. "Marvellous. He has one coming."

"Oh no! What did you talk about?" Phil had wanted to know. He had heard that Bella and Dr. Cooper had clashed but everyone was bound to at one point. But no one had filled him in what all had been about. Bella looks dangerous enough to plan a serious prank.

"Well, he was trying to lecture me about Einstein's General Relativity. And I simply told him that there are some inconsistencies. That was all to set him up."

"Is that taught in High School?"

"Not to that extent, but I was just curious."

"Perfect."


"Quick! Come on! Something is going on in Bella's house!" Alice cried dashing out of the door and into the woods towards the swan residence.

"Bella's back!" Esme cried hopefully as they had searched the globe for their missing-not yet- family member. The rest of the family clan followed swiftly behind them but reaching the house they realized that it was not Bella.

A large black truck and several black SUVs were standing in front of the house. People dressed in black working overalls and two small identically looking men in black suits were walking in and out of the house. They could hear moving of furniture, noise of vacuum cleaners indicated that they were cleaning the house. But the crime scene cleaners had already cleaned all evidence a few months back. The house was habitable again. Does this mean that Bella is coming back and we don't have to look for her again? Edward? Can you pick up any thoughts? Carlisle asked his son.

"It's strange. I cannot pick up any thoughts at all! How?" he moaned annoyed.

"Maybe they are just focused on their work?" Alice suggested watching the bustling scene. Edward's gift not working on them is strange and disturbing.

All of a sudden a red VW rabbit was racing towards the residence and only stopped with screeching tires. Out jumped an angry Jacob who addressed one of the suit wearers in a loud voice:

"What the hell are you doing in Bella's house?"

But to his misfortune he did not have to wait long for an explanation. "Ah! You must be Mr. Jacob Black. You are just in time." the man in black not in the slightest impressed with this temperamental young man said which made Jacob stop in his tracks.

"Yes. Why?" How do they know who I am?

"We are cleaning and putting the house in mothballs at Ms. Swan's request." he informed the younger man and also involuntarily the vampires hidden in the safe shadow of the forest.

"You have seen her? How is she?" Jacob wanted to know. No! I need to know.

"No. Mr. Black I have not seen her personally but my ahm company was instructed to do the cleaning. And…" He fished out a key of his pant pocket and gave it to the astonished young man.

"This is for you from her. I have heard that you repaired this fine piece of truck history. A 1953 Chevy Pickup. Take good care of this baby."

She gives me her truck? Why? "But Charlie Swan bought it from my father it's hers." Jacob argued. Checking his tablet the small man answered:"No. Here it says: The truck is a gift back from her, because she knows how much… oh my… blood, sweat and tears you have put into rebuilding it and no one else will ever appreciate this car as much as you. Well she has obviously not met me yet ." he smiled at the much taller one. "But if you don't want it then I could buy it from you?" he asked.

"Don't even think about it Billy!" his twin called from the doorstep. "We live in a Museum already!"

"I was joking Eric! Ok!?" the former returned annoyed.

Taking the key he needed to know. "I will take it. Do you know how she is doing?" the man called Billy opened his mouth but was interrupted by an old feminine voice with British accent coming from the doorstep.

"She is quite alright now. Don't despair." An old woman gray and white hair was struggling to get down the steps. Although she looked something over ninety her eyes were showing a feisty, lucid spirit. "She has told me so much about you when she was just a little girl. Jacob Black. How she had loved to play on the beach with you."

After having finally mastered the steps she moved to stand next to him and looked at him appraisingly. "Well I can see what she saw in you: Such strong hands. Almost as good as my old Steve's but not quite."

Who is this woman? "What is it? Cat got your tongue boy?" Coming back to his senses and manners Jacob asked:" I'm sorry. Should I know you?"

Well maybe not quite as polite as I wanted. "No." she laughed with a raspy voice. "We have never met before! Don't worry! I've been told I'm a hard woman to forget."

Now it was Jacob's turn to laugh at the old woman's antiques but he stopped when two men in black suits came out of the house followed by a middle aged woman with brownish hair. They were carrying heavy boxes and he could smell Bella's scent on them.

"Why are you taking that? Those are Bella's belongings." he asked sharply but the brownish haired woman answered this time. "Yes, they are, but she has requested to bring all the stuff she cares about to a storage facility until she will be able to pick it up after her graduation."

"So she is really not coming back." he stated defeated already knowing the answer.

"No. At least not in the next few years, so you better be moving on." she told him kindly. "Bella doesn't want you pining after her. She wants you to live a good life."

"And how do you know that?" he asked. How can I after everything we've been through?

"Trust me." the old lady told him evenly. "We know her better than anyone in this town. "

"How?" What the hell! I know her best. I'm her best friend.

"We are kind of family and that is all you need to know young man." the old lady patted him on his arm.

"Ah! Splendid. We better be going. Enjoy your new car Jacob."

After heaving loaded the heavy boxes into one of the black vans the two agents opened the doors, helped the two women inside and drove off leaving a flabbergasted Jacob standing in front of the house.

The Cullens were watching and listening intently on everything happening. There was a familiarity between the old lady and the brownish haired woman. They had similar bone structure in the face so they had to be related, but they reminded Carlisle of someone else. But he could not pinpoint the person in his mind.

"I can hear their thoughts!" Edward exclaimed excitedly. "They are thinking about how to perfectly clean the house. Which substances to use, which cleaners. Boring. This one is thinking about his collection of … dr. who cards." Then one of the twins came back out reading silently from his tablet: "Last box has to be handed personally to Bella Swan on June 18th. Location: Phoenix Central High. Security detail: Red. Never to be left out of sight. Interesting girl."

"So the women just left and now you can read the minds again?" Esme asked for confirmation. "That's strange." Maybe their remark about being family is truer than they wanted to admit.

"I've found her! I now where she will be! We can finally continue!" Edward told them with darkening eyes.