AN:
Sorry for the wait you guys, hopefully I can update faster in the future.
I thank everyone who's spared their time to read and review my story, it's greatly appreciated!
To give a better picture on the timeline of this story, it somewhat predates Underworld, pretty much what was going on behind the scenes right before the Lycans tried to abduct Michael in the beginning of the movie, and subsequently after; but I will say this now, THIS STORY WILL NOT BE CANON. I warn you not to get too attached to any characters or their pairings. Even now I don't know how weird this will get, so bear with me.
I also fixed some of the grammatical errors in the last chapter, I will say my excuse is that I DID write most of it/ posted the whole thing in the middle of the night. I also have no Beta- the position is up for grabs if anyone would like in on this story. Fresh ideas are always welcome *cough* I'm desperate. Jk jk
Enough rambling, on with the show!
Still own nothing.
Warning for language
"The Volturi aren't supposed to be the villains, the way they seem to you. They are the foundation of our peace and civilization."
―Edward Cullen to Bella Cullen and Jacob Black
. • Ellipsis • .
Bella groaned aloud when the alarm on her phone started to go off. It buzzed loudly beside her pillow, and she didn't even have the energy to move her hand and shut the damn thing off. The vibration on the material underneath her face upset her growing headache further, and her half-awake self stupidly tried to bury her head further into the pillowcase, only to make matters worse. Like a child, she kicked her legs out angrily out onto her mattress quite indignantly, her comforter tangling itself around her feet. Fed up- she slapped around the other side of the bed to look for the bane of her mid-morning existence, her body wiggling across her queen-sized mattress to the edge where it laid. She swiped at the screen several times before successfully pressing the 'snooze' icon, and immediately collapsed on her back into the mounds of fluffiness.
She breathed out through her nose with a big huff, her eyes closed. She had until noon to be at the hospital, and she gave herself plenty of time till then to get ready.
Bella laid there for a few more minutes, the morning light fliting through her curtainless windows bothering her behind her eyelids, justly deciding to finally get up with a sigh.
She swung her body over the edge of her bed and fell in an ungraceful manner, her legs still managing to cling to the sheets on her mattress.
"Ow."
. • Ellipsis • .
She opened the locker labeled I. Swan and began to change out of her civilian clothes and into her scrubs. She was scheduled for the first half of her shift to make her rounds down in the ICU and the ID unit. It was her job to identify any potential diseases or poisons that came through the ICU, and on the rare occasion, assist in an emergency surgery when the need arose. But most of the time, she spent her time doing blood work. It was an even trade off as she got a closer look into her studies, literally speaking of course, and it kept her out of the spotlight for the most part. Still technically just a student, she really shouldn't have to worry about that, but her research was a delicate subject for her and she didn't need any hungry eyes peering over her shoulder- she had enough trouble with those already, although mostly looking a little lower.
Bella finished re-lacing her shoes and pulled her hair into a high ponytail to keep it out of the way. In the past she always tried to go for the far more efficient tight bun, but today she shamelessly rushed to her station, ready to get the day over with. She made her way out the door and down the hall towards the lab, passing a few nurses and doctors on the way, before reaching the metal door that led to the blood lab. She scanned her keycard quickly, gaining immediate access, and made her way inside. It was nothing more than a windowless freezer, the temperature significantly lower to store the blood safely. She grabbed her lab coat off the coat hanger and walked passed one of the refrigerated doors storing the blood, the letters reading Ziodex Industries on the cool glass, before sitting down on a stool in front of one of the computers. She logged-in to the hospital's database and pulled up her cases assigned to her that day and got to work.
…
The headache from the night before nagged at her temple as she stared down the barrel of a microscope, her eyes straining from the taxing work in the dark room. She switched slides and compared the patient's blood sample to a slide that contained form of leukemia; it was negative. She would have to go back and compare the doctor's notes with her findings, and inform them that their initial diagnosis was wrong. It was a common disease in children, and the child in question came in with a raging fever, vomiting, and an aggressive form of purpura on their neck and shoulders. It was one of the first things the doctor told her to test for after they isolated the symptoms and crossed off the other possibilities. She sat back up and took the blood sample to the lock up, and then back to the computer. As she sat down one of the tabs at the bottom of the screen blinked in a fashion. She clicked on it and waited for the results; it was a scan to see what trace elements were lingering in the blood. She was running additional tests in case she missed something: she had a suspicion that this was something more environmental seeing as some of the symptoms didn't fit the criteria, and were so severe from the onset.
It was about 87% complete when the door to the room opened to reveal another intern in scrubs and glasses by the name of Dr. Adam Lock, he waved to her in greeting and she politely nodded her head in return and focused back on the screen, trying to use its green light to block him from her view. He walked over to her and leaned over her shoulder to see what she was waiting for, making her uncomfortable by invading her personal space.
"Excuse me," she said blandly as she ducked passed one of his arms and headed towards one of the Hematology Analyzers that beeped, thank god, just in time for her to remove the tray and used it as an excuse to look busy. She was replacing the droppers in the machine that collect the blood when he spoke up.
"What are you looking for? I thought that this was and open and closed case?" he asked, trying to look interested in what she was doing- if his face was any closer to the screen, his nose would be flat against it.
"Cancer is never really a closed case, not yet anyway. And the diagnosis was wrong; it's not cancer."
She turned on the faucet on full blast, running the old tubes under hot water and soap before placing them in a container labeled hazardous along with her old gloves, so that they could be properly disposed of later.
He nodded like he agreed with her, likely not that interested either way, and turned fully towards her as she sat back down, aggravated that she had to choose another stool farther away from her station.
Suddenly, as if sensing her mood, he backed up with a nervous smile and leaned on his forearms against the sterile metal table a good few feet away from her.
"I noticed I haven't seen you around since this morning when you came in, and figured we could both take a nice break down in the cafeteria, if you're not too busy?.."
Bella was better at hiding how awkward the situation was than he was, but her brow pinched just a bit and her mouth formed a hard line in agitation, "I don't know… I'm pretty backed-up right now…" she gestured to the computer screen that showed the other cases she still needed to process. She tried to make her face look alert and determined, but her exhaustion peered out through the cracks in her mask a little bit. "People are waiting for these…"
He immediately back peddled and waved his arms about in front of him, trying to recover some dignity.
"No worries, I'll be out of your hair. Just let me know if you need me to grab you a coffee or something, okay?" He stated concern and hope lining his voice. It was almost funny how desperate his attempts were, if they weren't so damn pitiful. Still, she didn't want to sound like a bitch and reject him right off the bat, but…
"Yeah. Sure, maybe later or something" she replied just as awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck hoping he would go away.
His expression pick up right away- Bella's heart fell into her stomach, before waving as he followed his que to leave, the heavy door hissing as it closed shut behind him.
Bella leaned forward dropped her head on the table, cradled by her arms, with a big thump.
Of all the days that she just needed a break, she couldn't avoid Mike Newton Ver. 2.0 and get her work done peacefully.
Adam was nice and all, but she wasn't interested in pursuing anyone romantically at the present time. When she first met him his crush was less obvious, but now he followed her everywhere like a lost puppy. Hell- He wasn't even in her department! She was almost constantly reminded of her classmate a few years back that she couldn't quite unstick.
Hopefully Adam would forget about her sooner rather than later, but she'd deal with it if she had to later on.
She picked her head up from its resting place and looked back at the screen that had the finished results. After a few quick seconds, Bella scanned the page and her eyes widened.
"Oh shit!"
. • Ellipsis • .
Three pairs of eyes stared on from their thrones as they calmly awaited their guests. Aro's broad shoulders were positioned with perfect poise, his fingers neatly drumming against the cushioned arm. This was the only sound in the marbled hall as the three Kings laid in wait, their more personal guard standing along the shadowed walls and silently protecting their masters. The doors opened up and three figures flooded into the atrium, the figure cornered in the middle of the other two- desperately fighting against the restraints of the guard members.
His whines and growls echoed off the walls of the room as his struggle grew more and more futile. To any outsider, the more recognizable one of the two guards: with his large build and awesome strength- struggled against the newborn's own strength and trying to subdue the younger vampire by his shoulders. All of those in the room could hear the fracturing of bones and flesh under its pressure.
To regain control of the situation, Aro raised a hand toward one of the inner guard, standing to the left closer to the thrones than the others.
"Jane." He commanded.
Like a grenade going off in the room- vampire's screams cut through the air like a thousand knives and the torture continued on for several minutes; his voice becoming raw and undistinguishable in its throws.
He stopped his struggling as his body gave and fell to the marbled floors, twitching uncontrollably. The guards flanked each side and brought him up to his knees, then grabbed both arms halfway up the shoulder and bent them far back causing his spine to arch upwards.
Aro waved for his prodigy to quell her gift, much to her displeasure, and signaled for the smaller of the two vampires to give their report.
The tracker bowed his head to the three kings as he spoke, "This is Oleg Anatolv, we found him and seven other newborns, all he claims to have created, hiding in the Carpathian Mountains outside the border of Slovakia and Hungry, confirming the claims of disturbances in the area."
Aro gestured him forward and took his hand, his milky eyes growing distant- moving to a movie reel only privy to himself. His gaze re-focused once more as he returned his guard's arm, and regained his imposing position on the throne.
"Thank you Demetri, quite an excellent job indeed."
The vampire known as Demetri kept his head lowered as he bowed his body, promptly departing down the small staircase and resumed his post behind the prisoner.
Aro shared a discrete look with his brothers, before descending down the throne steps, each step taken overflowing with both aristocratic grace and resolute power.
"Well, well, well. My dear Oleg. It has come to the Volturi's attention that another of our species has been creating themselves what we call 'packs' of small newborns- all across Europe. You of course are not the first as you might have been told, and were either ignorant or neglectful of the fact that you were gaining a growing amount of attention from the human media in regards to a chain of mysterious massacres surrounding your coven."
He paced around the trio, using his hands to punctuate each and every word in his speech.
"Now it is our job as the Volturi, to keep the existence of vampires a secret to the outside world; it is in fact one of our most sacred laws. Super Omnia Legis. And the creation of newborn armies have been outlawed for centuries- in fact for that very reason;I wonder if your creator ever informed you of this?"
The vampire lay prone on the floor, unable to not listen, but equally unable to acknowledge Aro's words as the King himself knelt down to his level- Oleg could only groan, a pained garbled wail exiting out his mouth.
Their leader didn't have to order Felix or Demetri as they jerked the vampire's head to fall backward, revealing a partly missing jaw bone and gauged tongue.
Aro tsk'd disapprovingly at Felix: it wasn't the first occurrence of the vampire's violent temper and use of excessive force. He put it in the back of his mind to deal with at a later time.
"My poor Oleg, of course you would not know these laws, as it would be a crime for her otherwise not to inform you."
Aro shook his head in what appeared to be defeat. "As you have already witnessed, such a crime is only punishable by death."
Oleg jumped at this, his stone pallor impossibly paling at the remark, and he thrashed around in his captors hold- Felix grabbed his mop of medium length dark curly hair and forced him to look at his master. Aro sat patiently, watching every emotion that swept over the newborn's face: fear, rage, despair, and the most exciting- love. Perfect. This vampire not only bonded with his sire, but appeared to be infatuated with his creator, and maybe even trusted, he was completely torn apart to his barest layer at the mere mention of her death. Most of this held nothing of value to him of course, they had already had their suspicions about who was creating the newborns, but what they lacked was evidence. And this vampire's weakness was their gain, bringing them a step closer at putting out the spark before it turned into wildfire.
Aro grasped his chin, running his fingers along the seam inside his fractured jaw, drawing out a coarse scream from the vampire, streams of venom running down his face and chin.
"Now Oleg, I will extract your memories from you I will need you to be patient with me. At first it is quite, invasore. If you resist, it can only be more painful for you, and a clear mind is better to read."
The prisoner only fought more at the warning, his body quaking with unrestrained power and desperation, small cracks shattering themselves at his shoulders and neck.
Aro firmly grasped his stubbled chin in a fierce hold, and willed his gift to his fingertips.
Slowly, he immersed himself into the newborn's chaotic mind, a small sea of thoughts in comparison to the ocean of his own, but threw that thought away and sank further into its depths.
He saw everything.
…
He sat in a sewer, watching the others consume their prey- fighting and ripping apart each other over the last few precious drops of blood. A mix of blood and venom pooled at his feet as he walked over to separate one of the newer ones. He growled and kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying into a brick wall while grabbing the older one's hand and breaking of his fingers. He was just a young boy who he changed a few months back, and though he clawed and bite at Oleg's hand, he was also thrown easily pass the woman and hit the paved wall with a sickening crack. Oleg took the boy's fingers in his hand, held them up curiously, and began to break each finger: joint by joint. The boy's screams in the tunnel sounded depraved and animalistic, and it gave Oleg a rush of sadistic pleasure. He walked over and dumped them in the woman's hands, straightened the lapels of his leather jacket, and went on to check on the others without a second glance, his hand completely unharmed.
…
And then the next
…
He marveled at the way his skin shone like a thousand rubies in the sunlight as he drained his latest victim, covering himself in their blood. His maker stood a small distance away watching him in rapt attention, her fiery hair complimenting his appearance like some old wives tale. He admired the way it flowed down the curves of her back in rivers, so sanguine, and he could feel himself getting hard. He sped up to her intent on ravaging her, until she swatted him away like some insect. He sailed through the air several meters across the glade. He stopped at an old tree, so thick he could not touch his fingers together if he wrapped them around the bark- and his powerful body split like an axe down its middle. He recovered fast and stood up, admiring the way her face contorted with fury as she marched towards him. She hit him again, and he grew frustrated and wondered if this would be a reoccurring event. He growled as he got up to fight this time, but then howled in pain as she bent him over his back and removed his left arm from its socket like she would a twig. She stood over him and dropped the useless wiggling appendage at his feet like an offering and glared at him.
"Musíte být příště časovější." You have to be more in control next time, she told him. "Nebo to nebude jen ruka, kterou ztratíte," Or it won't just be an arm you lose
…
And the next
…
All he could feel was fiery, hot, searing pain- through his muscles, his veins, even his skull felt as if it were on fire. He screamed and screamed, his voice bouncing back at him like some demented opera.
.
He couldn't remember how long he'd been like this. This must be Hell, he thought. He prided himself on being a cowboy, like in American westerns, and committed his fair share of crimes and unmoral behavior. He would have laughed on any other occasion, but he couldn't breathe without screaming out and cursing the devil himself.
.
The pain was endless, his body broken a million different ways over, and over again. The only mercy he was given was that he could not see the demons who were tormenting his soul for eternity. He would have thought that they had gauged out his eyes, but they burned like two impossible suns lodged inside his sockets. His blood pumped faster to his heart and the pain multiplied itself tenfold.
.
Cold relief slowly flowed from every end of his body through his veins as his limbs became numb, and his head throbbed less. But all the fire seemed to only relocate to the center of his chest, and he clawed at his skin to rip out his heart. Shackles clamped around his wrist and a weight held sat down on his hips as he tried to buck them off. He was still blind and all he could hear was the beating of his heart, until a voice spoke up.
"Relax, je to skoro u konce."
Relax, it's almost over
He couldn't comprehend how a demon could sound so angelic, so peaceful, and he almost cried in his confusion. Whoever it was released one of his hands and gently caressed his cheek, the contact was the most sensual sensation he'd ever felt in his life, and he felt a single tear slide down his cheek before they caught it with their finger. They cooed at him like a child, and pet his head so that he may calm down. They murmured soft nothings into his ear.
"Neboj se, nikdy tě neopustím."
Don't fret, I won't ever leave you
…
They both stood in an abandoned warehouse, she told him where their next rendezvous would be the last time, and he loyally followed her every command like a priest to his Goddess. Over the last year she gave him more freedom telling him to create more of their kind and teach them their ways, saying she had to settle some business elsewhere. He pleaded her not to leave but she always promised him that next time will be the last time they part. And so it continued, he hunted for more followers, waiting for her return so that he could be rewarded for his patience, only to be abandoned again with the only hope of another promise. In his isolation from her, he wondered, was there someone else? He growled at the thought, and swore to disembowel anyone else that touched her.
She showed him a picture, it was a human, a girl, of no remarkable features. It was a graduation of some kind, as she wore an unflattering yellow gown that made her look unhealthier than she already was. She explained that the girl was responsible for the death of her past lover, that she wanted revenge. It tore him apart to have his insecurities confirmed that she may hold someone else in her heart. She reassured him that once they take care of the girl that she would put her past to rest, so that they could truly be together. He didn't understand, why couldn't she kill a simple human on her own? Why did she need the army he had built for her? She said the girl had disappeared without a trace, and that the coven who killed her mate must be hiding her- that's why she came all the way to Europe. She told him that meeting him was her destiny, that he had a special ability to find things, and they were meant to kill this girl together. So that they could love each other for eternity. He believed every word she said.
…
He and his troupe were hiding in the mountains outside of Hungry. He could feel something in the back of his head that told him that they were being followed, so he had made as many loops and turns back and forth as they made their way down to Budapest. A month back in August, on his way back from their meeting, he caught the most alluring scent he'd ever smelt in a crowded train station. He followed the scent to find its owner so that he could drink every last drop of their blood. Just as the last of the passengers climbed aboard, in the corner of his eye he caught the profile a brunette running past the closing doors just in time. His vampiric eyes only caught a glimpse, but the memory was still so clear; it was HER. He tracked her all the way to Budapest, but he knew he had to wait for his orders. And he very well couldn't take seven other newborns on a crowded human train without causing a headache. But as he ventured back to his temporary base he could feel he was being followed, and cursed his luck. Hopefully whoever they were wouldn't catch up to them until he saw his sweet Victoria, and they could kill the girl without a fight. Besides- that's what the others were for right?
…
In what felt like years to Aro was but a few seconds to the other Vampires in the room. He pulled out of the man's thoughts, humming whilst tapping his chin with his pointer finger. He stood and turned around, not quite paying attention to the sounds of Felix and Demetri tearing the prisoner apart. He just continued to pace around the room as Caius commanded the rest of the guard leave and let the three deliberate- the carcass being dragged off into the lower levels for later disposal. Caius rounded on him like a rabid dog, demanding to know what Aro saw. Poor Caius, always quick to anger because of being the one lacking a gift out of the three; Aro did not bother with pity, as it would not help the man who would always feel inferior. Marcus sat in his throne still uninterested in anything that goes on in their coven, and has always been so since the death of his poor Didyme. Still, Aro told himself that he had his uses, and turned to the man practically slumping in his chair.
"What of the bond, Marcus?" He asked.
Marcus' slow eyes roved over towards the standing pair, his neck moving almost robotically and struggling with the movement. His burgundy irises despondent: dulled with time and sorrow.
"Nothing has changed," was all he drawled out, and moved head back to rest on his right hand. Aro resumed his quiet pondering, trying to put all of the pieces together, and Caius grew frustrated at their antics.
"What of it? It's nonsense! We're supposed to be tracking down the annoying she-devil, not fawning over your obsessions Aro!"
"She's moving west Aro, and creating more armies. If we don't resolve this soon the Romanian Coven will catch wind of her and use her to their advantage." Marcus warned uncaringly.
"We should have killed her when we had the chance. Now our mistakes have come back to slap us in the face!" Caius added.
Aro paused in his walking, nonplused by Caius' accusations, and turned back towards Marcus, lightly ghosting is fingers over the man's exposed forearm.
"I see." Aro then sat in his own throne, and finally turned to acknowledge the fuming blonde.
"Don't stress yourself Brother, at least not yet. It seems as though our informant has some very interesting connections, as it were." Aro wouldn't show it outwardly, but he did conceded that Caius was right. At the time of dispatching Hilda and her coven mates, they found out too late of the red witch's escape to the Americas, but it was decided that without a coven and exiled to the other side of the world, she was less of a threat and would let her live. They also used this as a reminder to Heidi, keeping her at their side on the condition that her remaining 'family' would not be hunted. Now of course Corin ensured her loyalty to the coven; they had no choice but to execute the woman to cover any liabilities that can be used against them because of their inactivity beforehand. Vampires around the world were becoming more and more unsettled in their solitude since the dawn modern age and needed to be reminded who had ensured the peace that has lasted millennia- the risk of exposure was too great.
Caius, of course, did not heed Aro's advice.
"Damn it all Aro! Just tell us what ever this is all about! I swear you're the most infuriating vampire I've ever-"as he continued on, Aro pushed the intercom button on a small table to his left and a few seconds later their latest human receptionist accompanied by another female vampire with long dark hair walked through the doors, both clothed in designer dresses and heals. He whispered a command to the vampire over Caius's continual shouts of anger, and the pair vanished for a moment before the vampire returned with a new guest. They could smell him from the elevator before they had stepped into the room, his lack of a good wash clearly evident. In the light they all observed the rumpled clothing, the lingering patches of dirt covering his skin from lack of hygiene, and the posture he held that suggested this man had given up all hope in life, his head cast downward in penitence. Caius' attention diverted to the newcomer; with a sudden new interest he begrudgingly quelled his anger for the moment as he sat back down in his throne and watched the scene play out with rapt eyes. Aro just ignored his behavior and studied the two vampires before him- even Marcus cut a glance towards the two and sat up a little straighter.
"Thank you Renata, you may bring him forward."
With the upmost care, she gently guided the crestfallen figure to the base of the pedestal with one hand resting on his arm and another on his back. They stood there for a long period of time as Aro stared at the Vampire with an unknown feeling, as if just by seeing this man would unravel this mystery. But as always, things were never quite so simple, even with his unique gift.
"Tell me, my dear friend, how is it despite reading your mind, that even now you still confound me?" Aro queried.
They all sat silent as the Vampire lifted his head towards the masters, Renata standing by his side discretely looking with worry back and forth between the Vampire and her maker.
It was Carlisle Cullen's face that looked upon them: his lips and ears were sewn shut, small cracks spidering away from every corner and incision, with unholy agony spilling from his eyes.
. • Ellipsis • .
"Did you hear what happened today? There was a radiation leak near the nuclear plant, and a little girl was exposed."
"Oh my, I hope they contained it. There aren't many other hospitals to transfer to if there's an outbreak."
"No, no, they caught it early on. Apparently some student caught it-"
Bella took a bite of her grilled chicken salad, politely trying to ignore the conversation of the two men a table away from her, and failing miserably. She stabbed at another a little harder than the last forkful as the conversation continued.
"- can't believe who they let work in the hospital. It's just dangerous, is what it is."
His friend tried to defend her, unbeknownst to him.
"But they caught it on time, even the doctors did notice anything!"
"And what if they didn't? And worse I hear it was a woman- shouldn't be allowed to put people's lives in danger with their hülyeség."
"Aw- come on, don't you think you're over reacting?"
Bella scooted her chair loudly and got up, then threw her trash in the bin on her way out, not bothering to pay any attention to the shocked faces of her co-workers and headed to the woman's locker room to get a fresh shower. Afterward, when she was dressed down to her bare essentials (her bra and panties) she was drying her hair with a towel, when an intern poked her head in, then blushed and quickly turned away upon seeing Bella's indecent state. She called out for her attention.
"Hey Bella, the hospital chairman wants to see you in his office- He said it was urgent!"
She nodded her head, "Thanks Sacha, I'm heading there now."
The girl smiled awkwardly and waved back as she rushed out the door fast as humanly possible.
Bella walked over and sighed as she rested her head on the mirror above one of the sinks, still fogged up around its edges. She closed her eyes as she breathed in and out, willing the stress of her labors that day to exit her body. She opened them back up and stared back at the reflection before her; the woman in the glass looked worn and tired with dark circles under her eyes, her lips chapped, and slightly sharper cheekbones from her lack of nourishment. She put her right hand on the glass, smudging away the fog, and studied the feint scars on her arms and torso from the fight with James and from her birthday- including the bite mark. Akin to falling into a trance, she pulled back her wrist- her fingers traced over the silvery indents and bumps on her flesh, the skin there colder than her other hand- or any other part of her body to be frank, sending a shiver up her arm to her neck. She was hit with another cluster headache, and used her right hand to assuage her temple. She blinked away the lights and the fuzzy image in the mirror for a few moments and shook her head, focusing back on the task at hand to make herself presentable again.
...
"We got lucky you found this in time Miss Swan. Were any of the other samples contaminated?"
Bella shook her head, hair still slightly damp from the wash she just received, and was about to speak before one of the other doctors I the room interrupted her, "No chairman, we swept the entire wing, the only radiation contamination we found was with the patient's belongings. As you well know, she is being treated now as we speak sir."
He nodded his head, the white wisps on his own receding hair line falling with the movement. "Good, good. Even the smallest amount of exposure could have been disastrous for everyone in the hospital and its reputation." She remained silent biting her tongue. Clearly, it was more of an acknowledgement of the hospital's standing rather than her quick actions, and the other doctors in the room were eager to claim credit for their success.
He began speaking to some of the other doctors in the room, her existence easily ignored as she stood quietly in the corner. When the meeting commenced, she was asked to stay behind.
"Miss Swan, a moment please."
He gestured for her to take a seat in front of his desk and she obeyed. She was idly curious on why he wanted to speak with just her, as she held little importance to the hospital, and worry itched in the back of her skull.
Apparently it showed more on her face than she would have liked when he just chuckled at her and assured, "No need to worry Miss Swan, you're not in trouble. I actually wanted to congratulate you on a job well done. It is not often we see such, how shall I put this, uh, professionality in our students in the hospital. Most make a few mistakes here and there in the newness of it." He circled around the desk as he said this, using a silver handled cane to assist himself sitting down. His accent was heavy, like most of the senior heads in the Hospital and the professors at the school, but underneath it held a regal elegance that transcended the capabilities of the English language. She briefly thought of a high ceilinged room, black and red cloaks, and a man in a tailored suit with the most unusual eyes. She quickly banished the thought from her head, silently cursing herself for getting lost in such a memory, and turned her full attention to, for lack of a better word- her boss. If he noticed, didn't say anything, and just gestured for her to take a seat.
He continued, "I must apologize for my colleagues, though most are good intentioned they are quick to show their fangs if threatened." It was a lame excuse for their behavior, but she sensed his apology was genuine, and gave him a wane smile and gentle nod in return. His laugh lines broadened happily at her acceptance. She paused for a bit, weighing the situation, and took the risk of speaking first.
"If I may ask sir, what was it you needed to speak with me about?" She was puzzled, other than the official report- what could the chairman of the hospital want with a student? The possibilities in her mind were leaning more on the negative side of the spectrum, and she tried to ignore the unpleasant feeling building in her stomach.
"Right to the point! I like that! That's a very valuable trait in the right profession." He started, then realizing he was off topic and continued, "Before we get started, I have quite the secret to admit. I've had my eye on you for a while now, a bit longer than today's incident truthfully." He pinned her with his eyes, not in a grotesque way, but more analytical like studying the wingspan of a butterfly or a moth, still, she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "An older colleague of mine at the university brought up the thesis you submitted at one of our dinners, I apologize on his behalf, your theories on genetic evolution and viral cross-contamination just fascinated me and I pushed him for more details. I was hoping you and I could discuss it in person."
She was thrown for a loop, "S-Sir I don't have all the data with me if that's what you wanted-"He cut her off.
"No, no!" he waved both of his hands in front of him erratically, "There's no need for that. Actually, I had wanted to invite you to a fundraiser we are having for the hospital just after the upcoming conference. Many well-respected doctors will be staying in town to speak, and I thought that you could have a chance to pick their brains and make a few connections. Your study is something special that will attract more doctors to our hospital. In this instance, I am personally asking you to stay on officially after your graduation and continue your study. On top of which, I am prepared to give you a five-year grant to fund your research."
She sat there and gaped openly at him, before realizing her fault and snapping her mouth closed with a clap. She struggled to hide her embarrassment through her own overwhelming shock and confusion. He just smiled at her reassuringly and said, "Give it time to sink in and weigh all your options. I don't know what you have planned after you graduate, but I hope you consider my offer. You would be a gem for us to treasure."
She didn't know what to say, and just nodded mutely and asked, "When is the event?"
"A week from tomorrow, I will need your answer by next Thursday if you are willing to attend."
She got her wits about her, and they talked more on her thesis. She of course didn't go into detail, it relied heavily on her own private research and she didn't want to slip up on accident. Later, he let her go encouraging her not to worry herself too hard and just think it over. She took his kind gesture with a grain of salt as she walked out of the door thinking,
What am I going to do?
. • Ellipsis • .
When she arrived home, Bella opened up her lap top and went to her email- immediately seeing the 12 emails her mother sent her telling her to skype her as soon as possible, and she rolled her eyes. She plugged in her dead phone in the USB port and snorted when she saw all the missed phone calls and texts. The last one read:
Renée Today, 11:17 PM
Bella, if your dead please call me at least! I really need to speak with you!
If you don't I'll tell your father to start an international manhunt to bring you home.
L,
Mom
Bella sighed and shook her head in exasperation at Renée's antics and opened up the window to skype, waiting for to connect with her computer- with the six hour difference Renee would be getting home from school as her job as a teacher. It rang a little longer than it usually did, before it asked if she wanted to leave a text. Now a little more worried, Bella tried to redial her phone and waited again for her to pick up the call. Just when she was about to give up, a screen popped up and the faces of her mom Phil showed on screen. They screamed in unison,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Startled, Bella grabbed her chest in faux pain and stated, "And the last if you guys keep on scaring me like that."
Renée mock scowled at that and went on to scold her, "Well we wouldn't have to if you answered your phone. AND by rights you scared me, daughter who's half a world away not responding to any texts on her birthday. You had me worried!"
Bella opened her mouth to defend herself when someone else cut her off- seriously what was with that today?
"Don't mind her Bells, she's just grouchy from planning the big surprise."
"Dad? Is that you?"
"In the flesh. Except I'm still at work in Washington, but I wanted a chance to grant you a happy birthday."
Bella laughed at the bad joke and felt a wave of love and home sickness wash over her. "Thank you Dad, it really means a lot."
"Hey, where's my thanks? I planned the darn thing."
Bella let out a chuckle and looked back at Phil and Renée, "Thank you mom, I love you guys."
She seemed content with the quasi-apology and moved on.
"So what was holding you up so late? It's gotta be almost- what, 12 o' clock over there right?"
Bella held up her pone in view, "Cell died, my shift at the hospital ran a little late today- so I just got home actually."
"Honey, you need to be more careful. You're only 23, if you don't have your phone on you getting to your apartment like that is dangerous." He mom scolded her, again, for the umpteenth time. She was all out for Bella seeing the world, but that didn't mean her instincts didn't kick in every 5 seconds she was away.
"It was a one-time thing Mom, it won't happen again."
Charlie sighed over his line.
"I'm with your mom on this one Bells, it dangerous. Just be a little more careful from now on okay? I don't want to call-in the cavalry and pick you up."
God please let him be joking. "Yeah, I got it."
Her mom butted-in again, "So Bella, how everything shaking up there? Find out when the next time we're gonna see you?"
Bella laughed at her mother's attempt at the younger generation's slang, "Everything's fine over here, I, um think I should be able to get a flight for Christmas pretty soon."
"Well you better, or we're kidnaping you. Gosh, we haven't seen you in over a year!" her mother stated.
"And be sure to make room for both of us in that busy schedule of yours, Jake's been asking about you."
Bella huffed, "You can tell that young father that the only thing he's got to worry about is raising his son, and that I'll text him tomorrow." She told her dad.
"It feels like you've been over there forever, can't wait for you to finally come home." Her mom said.
"Yeah mom me too."
"You look so pale, Baby you gotta go outside and get some sun and drink some Vitamin D."
"Um mom, I'm indoors mostly and Budapest is almost partly cloudy all day."
"I'm just concerned is all. I'm you mother, it's allowed."
"Have any plans yet after they let you go?" Charlie asked.
Bella debated on telling them the offer she just received, but decided to hide her cards for the moment.
"Got a few offers, but I'm still waiting to pick which one I want to follow."
"Good. At least it's just a couple more months away. Then you have a break until finish tat PhD you want so badly."
They spoke some more about little things, her mom's new job, Phil's retirement, and all the names Charlie had given Jacob's new kid whenever they came over to watch a game. "That kid's got a serious bite I tell ya." He said. Her mom said her goodbyes later on, and logged off giving her and Charlie some more personal time on the phone. He told her little things about Sue's cooking, and talking Seth about joining the police department. He mentioned the pack one or twice, still not aware of the tribe's secret and thought it strange how none of them moved on after high school, Seth being the most outgoing, but still chained to Forks. She remained a little quiet after that, feeling a little guilty about the world her father stepped into unknowingly because of her. She was terrified every day that something might happen to him, and clung to the knowledge that Jacob's pack would protect him. In the back of her mind she wondered of someone would start looking for her, a flash of fiery red hair floating through the water or those red eyes that stared into her soul and only saw an abyss.
They soon got off the phone after that with a short but meaningful goodbye. She stared at the screen wondering, really wondering, if any of them were really safe.
…
AN:
Wow that was a LONG and interesting chapter to write- I feel like I'm going to hell for being so giddy about how I wrote Carlisle in, but I think this is just the start of a great pile of things that will already put me there.
Um, don't read into that too much please. I promise to try to not kill the morally good characters. Maybe.
I hope I wrote Aro and the other Volturi members right, I was a little worried about that part. I misplaced the books when I moved a while back, so I had to rely on Twilight's Wiki page for some details (i.e the quote up top). There will be some mistakes, and I'm open to any suggestions or feedback either in PM or from reviews.
SO, more questions and riddles about Bella's recent past and what the hell happened with the Cullen's, eh?
Don't get too excited, because I'm still trying to decide how I want to resolve the end plot of this story, and mostly everyone in both of the two series will make appearances. But there will be more exciting stuff in the next chapter.
Now who to kill off…
Just kidding
See you next time.
TBC…