Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight or Vampire Diaries. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and L.J. Smith. I do own the original characters made up for this storyline. Thank you.

Writer's Notes: Thank you armywife1979 for your review! I'm excited for everyone to follow along with the story. Bella will have to overcome a lot, and Edward's not done tormenting her yet. Right now, Bella doesn't have a real safe zone, but she will find that safe zone, very soon. Don't forget to review, follow and favorite! And thank you to all my silent followers!

[Swan Residence October 25th, 2022]

It was Tuesday, and Bella was still so out of it. She skipped school Monday because she finally crashed. Elena came home Monday and was concerned. When she found Bella curled up in bed sleeping, she left her be. It was a new day, and Bella couldn't just skip school again. She drug herself out of bed after looking at her clock. It was five in the morning. She got up, showered, dressed, and was down the stairs fixing herself some coffee. She was exhausted feeling. Her body was still sore, and she was becoming very anxious, and a bit jumpy too.

"Bella," Jeremy called to her and then he was beside her, his hand touched her shoulder, and she dropped her coffee mug in the floor, the hot liquid splashing and the mug shattering. She jumped, shaking her head, cursing under her breath at her anxiety.

"I'm sorry Jer," she muttered and stooped down with him to clean up the mess.

Jeremy frowned. "Maybe you should take another day. If you're not feeling well."

"I'm fine, just zoned out. You startled me is all." She said with a small smile.

Elena bounded down the stairs. "Everything okay?" Her eyes landing on Bella and Jeremy, hunched over in the floor cleaning up the shattered mess.

"Yeah, just me being clumsy again." Bella called back.

Jeremy grabbed the broken pieces of mug and put them in the trash and got a towel. He mopped the floor. "Hmm. I'll make you another cup. Go sit at the bar." He ordered Bella.

Bella sighed and sat down at the bar. Elena came and sat beside her. She put her arm around her. Bella leaned her head on Elena's shoulder automatically. "I'm just overtired guys." She made an excuse. It was better to make an excuse then explain the alternative.

"I get it. You work hard Bella." Jeremy said, setting another mug in front of her with steaming coffee. Milk, and three sugars, like she liked it.

Elena kissed her sister's cheek. "You need to give yourself a break sometimes. Don't overdo it."

Bella lifted her coffee, sipping it. Perfect. She sighed. "I know. I'll calm down after this next painting and the school mural." She made the empty promise and it seemed to satisfy Elena and Jeremy for the time being. She sipped her coffee some more, while Jeremy made bagels and crème cheese. Literally the only breakfast food any of them ate anymore.

Bella got to school at the same time Jeremy and Elena did. Jeremy took his truck for once, and Elena drove herself. Bella was free to do what she wanted after school without worrying about rides. Jake was already there, he drove with Tyler.

"Hey Bells," Jake said, grinning wide at her. He walked over towards her, letting Tyler get out of the truck by himself, struggling with his crutches, and Tyler scowled after Jake, as he managed to get his crutch under him, and hop out of the truck.

"Hey Jake," Bella smiled at her best friend. Jake was large, muscular, and tall. His bronze skin made her look like a ghost, and it was a running joke between the two of them. Jake was like a little brother to her, like Jeremy was, but Jake was just…Jake. He was from a local tribe here, but his parents both died, and the Lockwood's adopted him. She didn't remember why the tribe didn't keep him, and she assumed it wasn't anything Jake worried about because he never talked about the tribe thing.

"Missed you yesterday. Everything good?" He inquired.

Bella nodded. "I was just exhausted. No sleep all weekend. My paintings."

Jake nodded his understanding. "Got it. Well, I'm going to practice. How about we meet up at the Grille for food sometime this week?"

"Sounds good. Have a good practice." Bella waved him on. She went on inside, going to her locker first. She was still thinking about Friday night. Her memory was so fuzzy. She remembered the dance, and then getting in the limo and getting to the Lockwood estate. She remembered bumping into Kol, and then she saw Edward, and got a drink. Then she doesn't remember anything else. She frowned. What all happened? Did she consent to something that she couldn't remember? With whom? She didn't think she would willingly just have sex with anyone because she wasn't that type of girl. She was in a good amount of pain when she woke up, and there was a lot of blood, so it most definitely wasn't something consensual. She was deep in thought and was staring into her locker, when a hand touched her shoulder and she jumped, startled. She was so tense.

"Whoa darling," Jasper removed his hand, putting his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten ya."

Bella laughed nervously. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."

Jasper raised a brow, his forehead wrinkling a bit. "I called your name a few times. I thought maybe you had earbuds in," he motioned to her ear. "I was gonna give you the notes from Calculus since you missed yesterday." He said, handing her a spiral notebook.

"Thank you," she smiled at Jasper. He was a wholesome human. Her smile faltered a little. "Um Jasper…"

"Yes darling?"

"Friday night."

"Ah, the dance. You're not that bad of a dancer you know." He grinned.

Bella shook her head. "No at the party, the after party. Do you remember seeing me with anyone…or drinking too much?"

Jasper frowned instantly. "What happened?"

"Nothing, I'm just missing a big part of my memory. I think I drank too much and passed out, but I don't like having holes in my memory," she explained quickly.

Jasper wasn't buying it. He looked around the hallway. There were a few kids here and there, but class wouldn't start for another fifteen minutes. "Bella, if something happened…"

"I…" she drifted off. She couldn't tell Jasper. Sure, they were decent friends. He was charming, and easy going, but she couldn't tell him something so... intimate. "I seriously just drank too much and can't remember half the night." She smiled, trying to be convincing.

"Well, I rode there with you in the limo. You talked with Kol Mikaelson," he said and then saw Kol walking through the double doors, he whistled, and made a motion and Kol walked over, carrying a messenger bag. "Hey, you saw Bella at the party Friday night, right?"

Kol nodded, looking over at Bella. He smiled. "Yes, but briefly. I hooked up with Jer, and then we drank too much, I mean, I drank too much," he corrected, "and then we went back to the manor and played guitar until three in the morning. I don't think…" he drifted off. "Hmm. No Eddie was there, he asked where you were, and I pointed him towards the kitchen."

Jasper looked back to Bella. "So, Edward was there. Ask him and see where you went next. I'm sorry, I didn't see you after we got there darling. I was caught up in guitar hero with Matt Donovan, and Alice."

Kol frowned. "Wait, Bella you don't remember anything?"

Bella shook her head. "I remember getting there and bumping into you. But I started drinking, and then I just sort of blacked out." She explained.

Edward arrived just then. His eyes landed on Bella. He walked over, a bit nervous that Jasper and Kol were both there, and she was out on Monday. "What's up?" He said, fist bumping Jasper.

"Friday night, do you remember talking to Bella?" Jasper asked.

Edward nodded. "Yeah, I asked Kol where Bella was, and I went to the kitchen. She was drinking, I'm assuming beer from the keg. There was a lot of noise. The music was loud. She was really flushed and then she said she was stepping out for air. I was going to follow her out, but then got sidetracked with Jacob Lockwood falling into the pool." He explained the rehearsed story he had come up with over the weekend.

Bella sighed. "Okay. Well thanks anyways. I shouldn't ever drink I guess." She shrugged. "Thanks guys." She said and walked past them.

Jasper watched her walk away and he looked at Edward and Kol. "I don't think she's okay. Something happened to her at the party and she's not saying."

Kol frowned. "Her missing memory is strange. But then again I've drank too much and passed out and forgotten an entire day before."

The bell rang, indicating the start of school, and that everyone had five minutes to get to class. Jasper sighed. "Maybe you're right," He said to Kol and looked at Edward. "I would hate it if something did happen to her, and none of us stepped up to help."

Edward nodded. "I'll talk to her later and see if there's something up." He said and fist bumped Jasper again and walked off. His heart was slamming hard in his chest. Bella didn't have memory of what exactly happened, and that was working in his favor. He had to be very careful to make sure that she didn't remember anything else.

Bella felt like the day was just a blur. The last bell rang, and she left to meet Eric and Ben on the mural. Jessica was supposed to be taking some pictures of it today after school. She stood outside the school, looking at the massive mural of the Timberwolves that they reimagined. I looked like wolves were busting out of the side of the school. The wolves were realistic in nature, and Eric got the broken brick look down pat, and it was actually quite amazing and breathtaking to look at.

Jessica walked up with Ben and Eric and her mouth dropped. "Oh my gosh, you guys are just amazing. I can't believe that you've been working on this since May."

Ben grinned. "Well, Bella was the brains behind it. She came up with the design, we just helped execute it." He said and looked at Bella. She smiled at him.

"Thanks. It's completed. There will be an unveiling assembly Friday." Bella said.

Jessica eagerly wrote all of this down and then took a picture of the mural, and then a picture of Ben, Eric, and Bella standing together in front of the mural.

Bella took off after a few minutes after Jessica got done and went on to the Grille to get food. She skipped lunch to do some touch ups on the mural and was starving at this point.

She parked outside the Grille and walked in, going to her normal table, and taking a seat. Matt was working today instead of his sister, and he walked over, and smiled at her. "Hey, burger, fries, and coke?" He asked.

Bella smiled and nodded. "Thanks Matt." She said and he was off to get her order in. She took her phone out and texted Elena that the mural was done, and that she was going to be working in her art room until late on the final painting she had to get ready for the gallery.

She saw the motion of someone sitting down in front of her. She looked up at Damon Salvatore. "Hello." She said simply, setting her phone down.

Damon nodded, and looked at her, a serious expression on his face. "Hello Bella."

Bella raised a brow at him. "You're not smiling or making some weird snarky remark. Do you have a fever or something?"

He looked down. The news was likely to spread through Mystic Falls fast. He spoke to Sheriff Forbes already, and since he was Charlie's lawyer, and the executor over the will. "Bella, come with me please."

Bella frowned. "Why?"

"I need you to come with me Bella, it's best that we do this in private." Damon explained, and stood, taking his wallet out, and putting two twenties on the table and motioned for Matt to put the food in a bag to-go.

Bella stood, grabbing her bag. Matt walked over, handing Bella her food, glancing at Damon, and grabbing the money off the table.

Damon walked out of the Grille with her, and out to his car. He opened the passenger door. He drove a newer, black Mercedes.

"I can drive." Bella said, but when Damon didn't make a motion to shut the car door, she sighed and got in.

He went around the front of the car and got in. He drove towards the Salvatore mansion.

[Salvatore Mansion]

Damon parked in the second garage, next to Stefan's car, and got out, opening the door for Bella, and then leading her inside. When they walked into the parlor, Stefan, Elena, Jeremy, Alaric, and Jenna were all there. Bella looked around confused. "What's going on?"

"Sit down," Damon said gently.

Bella shook her head. "No, tell me what's going on. Why are you acting so cryptic?"

Damon looked at Alaric and then cleared his throat. "Bella, Jeremy, Elena…there's been an unfortunate accident."

Elena and Jeremy hadn't been told anything either or didn't like where the conversation was heading.

Bella shook her head. "I don't understand. What sort of accident?"

"Charlie. He was shot, and he didn't make it." Damon said gently. "I'm so sorry. Your father was an amazing man, and a hero."

Bella's legs gave out under her, as she sank to the ground. Damon reached out, catching her, and went to the ground with her.

Elena got up on shaky legs, going to the floor with Bella, her arms coming around her. She was just shell-shocked, both were.

Jeremy looked at Alaric and Jenna, his eyes already red with tears. "What happened?" He demanded.

Jenna swallowed. "He was called in on a hostage situation. Kids were taken hostage inside a school, up close to Quantico. He was called in to negotiate. When he got there, bullets were already flying, and he jumped into action, saving four of the kids before he got hit." Jenna explained, tears streaming down her face.

"The vest stopped the first three bullets to his chest, but the other bullet caught him in his armpit, and tore through. He…didn't make it because he was shielding another child from getting hit." Damon explained.

Jeremy shook his head, tears falling from his face, he sobbed.

Bella's eyes were wide with shock. This wasn't real. None of this was real. It couldn't be. This wasn't happening. She would wake up from this nightmare, and everything would be okay. She wasn't raped, her dad was alive, and everything was just fine. Nausea rolled in Bella's stomach as she tried to deny everything that was happening. She moved, pulling away from Elena and Damon and rushing out of the room, to the bathroom off the side of the parlor. She hurled, throwing up in the toilet, the pain wrenching through her body. Her stomach was empty, she hadn't eaten yet.

Stefan went to Elena's side, pulling her into him, holding her as she cried.

Damon grimaced, standing, and going to check on Bella. Alaric held Jenna to him as she cried, the loss of her big brother, the one that was the protector in the family. Damon went to Bella's side, a hand brushing her shoulder and she jerked away from him, standing abruptly, swaying.

"Bella, I'm sorry." Damon murmured again.

"I can't. Um…" tears blinded her, and she shook her head. "He's not. He can't be." She sobbed. She felt dizzied with the threat of the anxiety attack overtaking her.

Damon caught her as she fell, hitting his chest with a thud. He swooped her up, carrying her back into the parlor. The sudden appearance of his unconscious sister, had him springing up from the couch, ignoring his own tears, and letting Damon lay her there. Jeremy went to her immediately, brushing her hair out of her face. Her face was stained with tears, and her breathing was even.

"Anxiety attack." Damon said and looked at Alaric. "We can discuss the other arrangements later."

Jenna sniffed, wiping at her face. "Elena and Bella are both eighteen."

"I'm seventeen," Jeremy said, wiping his own face. "I'm not leaving my sisters" He said, looking at his aunt. He loved his aunt, but she was young still too, and the burden of three teenagers was not something he wanted to put on her.

Alaric shook his head. "Of course not. Jenna and I will stay at the house with you three. No one has to go anywhere. We'll make sure that you three have everything you need."

"Thank you," Elena choked out, and buried her face in Stefan's chest again.

When Bella came to, she looked around. She was laying on a couch. She felt panicked suddenly, looking around her. Her clothes were still on, and she remembered what had happened. Damon just told her that her father was shot and killed. Her head exploded as she tried to sit up.

"Easy," Stefan said, walking over to her. He was walking through the door with water and pain medicine. He crouched down in front of her and handed her the water and the aspirin. She took it, drinking the water. "You've been out for a couple hours."

Bella looked around the empty parlor. "Where's Damon?"

"He went with Alaric and Jenna to Quantico." Stefan explained.

"To get my dad?"

Stefan nodded. "Yeah. They're bringing him back here. Jenna didn't think that you and your sister and brother should have to be the ones to handle all of that. She said she would take care of the funeral arrangements."

"Where's Elena and Jer?"

"They're at home. Alaric took them home first. Damon said to leave you sleeping, and for me to be here when you woke up." Stefan explained.

She nodded, looking at the cup of water. "Thank you." She murmured and sighed. "Can you take me to my Jeep?"

"No. Damon had your Jeep taken back to your house already. You shouldn't be driving anyways Bella."

"I'm okay. I just…need to get out of my head for a while."

"You shouldn't be alone."

"I don't need a babysitter. I'm going to be okay." She insisted. But was she really okay? So much has happened, and at this moment, maybe she shouldn't be alone.

Stefan looked at her, his green eyes searching hers. "Bella," he reached a hand out, putting it on her hand, when she tensed, he dropped it. "You lost your father. I know how that feels. It's hard. Don't shoulder all this pain."

She shut her eyes, focusing on pushing back the tears. She couldn't let it overtake her now. "I'm okay. I promise that I'll talk to someone about it if it becomes too much."

"Okay." He said and stood. "Come on, I'll drive you home. Get some rest."

Bella got up, her legs feeling numb, but she moved, a little stiff at first, following Stefan out to the garage to his car.

[Saturday, October 29th, 2020, The Swan Residence]

The funeral was over, and the memorial was done. Everyone around town came to the house to pay their respects. Bella wasn't up for all the company, but she let people pay their respects in peace.

Damon was good at getting people out of the house, in a courteous manner. Elena seemed exhausted, and Jeremy was fighting between despair and anger. Bella just felt a little lost.

"Bella," Damon called her name, careful not to touch her. She had been jumpy and tense anytime he touched her. Or anyone for that matter.

Bella looked over at him. "Hmm?"

"There are things outlined in the will and the estate that need to be gone through." He said gently.

She nodded. "I understand." She said and she walked towards her father's office, where Elena, Jeremy, Jenna, and Alaric were already sitting.

Damon made sure that Bella was sitting before opening the large envelope that contained Charlie's will." The Swan Estate, and its holdings fall to the next in line, which would be Jenna Swan-Saltzman, with the overseer as Alaric Saltzman. There are a few subsidiaries and some stocks that will be relinquished to the oldest Swan son, which is Jeremy Swan. There are some major stocks that will be transferred to your name in the event of your father's death. There are three companies that are branches of the Swan franchise, and they are," Damon flipped the page. "Two gyms, and a Karate school, that Charlie bought into." He explained. "The life insurance policy is split 50/50 with the two eldest Swan girls, Bella and Elena. The first policy is for 2.5 million and the other is 4.6 million." He said and flipped the page again. "The Swan house is left to the three children; it cannot be sold unless all three parties sign in agreement." He looked over at Elena, Jeremy, and Bella, and saw how quiet they were, waiting for the rest of the will to be read. "There are partnerships with Mikaelson Enterprises, which are not void, as the responsibility falls on the eldest of the children, Isabella Swan." He looked up from the paper. "The partnership is with Klaus Mikaelson and his art gallery." He said and Bella's eyes met Damon's confused. "There are more stocks, that were left to Alaric Saltzman, and the secondary Swan house, was left to Alaric Saltzman and Jenna Swan-Saltzman." Damon flipped the page again. "There are several vehicles Charlie owns and a partnership with Salvatore garage, that will fall to the eldest son, Jeremy Swan. In the event of his death prior to the children reaching adulthood, the guardianship would fall to Jenna Swan-Saltzman, and Alaric Saltzman." He said and sighed. "Jeremy is the only one underage." He looked over at Alaric and Jenna. "I'm sure you two will work this out." Damon looked to Bella and the other two. "I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I really am. Charlie was a good friend, and an even better man. He will never be forgotten."

Bella teared up but wiped it away quickly. "Thank you, Damon."

Elena hugged her, and then Jeremy wrapped his arms around both his sisters.

Alaric and Jenna joined in the hug, and then Bella reached her hand out, for Damon, and Damon took it, and she pulled him into the family hug.

[Monday. October 31st Halloween]

Bella poured a lot of her emotion into her painting. She closed herself up in the art room, just trying to escape the feelings she was having. She lost her dad, and her innocence was stolen from her while she lay passed out at a party. She felt empty, broken, and a whole host of things right now.

There was a light knock on the door of the art room, and then Jake opened the door. He touched her shoulder lightly, and she jumped, tensing up, and flinching. "Jeez, Bells, it's just me. I'm sorry for scaring you." Jake said.

Bella looked at her best friend, smiling to hide the fear. "Oh, sorry, I didn't hear you come in."

"I see that. I wanted to check on you. I haven't seen you since the funeral."

"I'm okay. Just painting. I'll be at school tomorrow."

"Ah, Elena and Jeremy said that much today." He said and looked at the painting. He could always tell that she was pouring so much into a painting when it looked the way it did. "This the final piece for the gallery?"

Bella nodded, setting down her paints and wiping her hands on her apron. "Yeah, I wanted to get it done tonight so I can bring it over later."

"It looks done already, but I'm not an artist so…" Jake smiled, and then he reached down and took her hands in his. He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "I'm worried about you Bells," he said, still looking down at her hands.

"I'm okay. Really," she said softly. She pulled her hands out of his, still nervous about being touched.

Jake nodded. "I know how it feels to…to lose your parents."

"I know. I'm okay. Really. I'm sad, yes, but my dad…he was a hero, and he died a hero. I know he wouldn't want me to dwell on it or be crippled by the loss. He knew that this job was dangerous and knew that this is what he wanted to be doing. He raised me, Jer, and Elena the best he could, and I'm going to do my best to honor him." She said, turning and looking at the canvas now. The swirls of blues, greys, and the impression of an eagle soaring high into the grey-clouded sky, was symbolism. The darker hues were tinted with reds and deep violets. 'New Heights'.

He nodded, letting it go for now. "Well, there's the Halloween party that Caroline is throwing. Are you going to be there?"

Bella shook her head. "I don't know."

"Bella, you need to have fun. Don't lock yourself away. Please?"

She sighed, giving in to her best friend. "But don't leave me alone tonight. I drank too much last time and blacked out."

Jake smiled. "Promise." He said and then he was off.

She looked back at her canvas. It was done, she just needed to sign it.