Disclaimer - All Characters and Copyrights belong to Stephanie Meyers.

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Chapter 3: Swan Views

La Push

Charlie's POV

It had been a couple of months since I had first learned about the things that went bump in the night were real. It had been months since I tragically injured by best friend's son. Months since I learned that my daughter had chose death as her new life style, and left with the enemies of my La Push family. To say I was disappointed in her choices would be an understatement. I had talked to her countless times about loving what was good for her, but I know now that my warnings had no value in the life of my daughter. How could they, when she had chosen to abandon her family and friends for her first love and greatest source of heartbreak. To give up life for death. To seek the darkness instead of the light.

I don't know if our paths would ever cross again, but I could hardly believe that they ever would. At least not on purpose. I knew nothing I could do would bring her back. She chose her path, and those of us that she left behind would just have to deal with the loss, each in our own ways. I couldn't bring it upon myself to be angry with either Billy or Jake for their roles in Bella's leaving. While they certainly didn't help the matter, I knew that nothing would deter her from the path she took. I had done enough damage myself to the Black family when I wounded Jake that fateful night. He didn't have to protect me, but he did so regardless of the consequences. I couldn't dwell on what could have been with Bella anymore, I had to focus on what is with Jake.

I was pulling up in the driveway at the Black's or I guess I could say our house. I watched with anticipation as I saw Jake and little Claire, being guided down the road with Quill and Embry excitingly pushing them along. Claire was screaming with laughter, and Jake had an actual smile on his face. It felt good to see, promising even. I could understand Jake's reluctance to be happy. The poor guy was still in pain from the accident. He hardly smiled, and just as rarely laughed anymore. I could see the inner demons going on through his head fighting for dominance of his soul. This was not the first time I have seen a Black male going through this struggle. Billy went through similar changes after he lost Sarah, and he was relinquished to being in a wheel chair.

However, despite all of the evident challenges Jake was struggling with, there was something that ran deeper happening to him. He had a certain sadness in the depth of his eyes. Ever since that thing came back, and reinserted itself into my daughter's life, Jake has been struggling to keep the real Bella afloat. When Jake and Bella were together, there was this spark between them. They were like two halves that were brought together, and became complete. I never saw my daughter laugh and smile as brightly as she did with Jake. Whenever I saw her with that thing, it was like she was in a trance, and her personality disappeared. There was only it and her in this new life those things had crafted for her. Friends and family fell to the wayside of those parasites. When she was with Jake she was so alive and there was this this defiance that only Jake could challenge her with. In return, she was all Jake saw. Their relationship was so easy. Her joy, was his joy. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her, yet he held off doing it all for her. Jake allowed her to think and to be, without smothering her. It hurt sometimes to see him look at her, and watch the amount of unrequited love he held for my daughter. It was like she was his center of gravity. Of course it has always been that way, ever since they were kids building mud pies with each other. He had always only ever seen her.

I had given up my old life in Forks. My home had become the source of all my greatest failures. The first, is when my ex-wife left with my daughter 17 years ago. The next was when I couldn't protect my daughter from the poison that destroyed her soul in the forms of the Cullens. Finally, the night I harmed poor Jake, who was like a son to me. The new housing additions to the Black homestead were almost done. This is one of the reasons I was excited to see Jake in the chair. I only hoped that he would like the new additions to help him while he recuperated. I was told normally his wolf healing would have healed him by now, but as of today, he had only made minor progress. Billy and the Elders were at a loss on why this was.

When I entered the house I passed Billy on the way in. His smile after witnessing the same incidence as me with his son, soon faded. I could tell something was on his mind. I walked over to the fridge, grabbed two beers for us, and plopped on the new recliner I had gotten for us, and handed him one. He sighed as he opened his up.

"What's on your mind Chief?," I asked as I took a swig.

"Those damn leeches never seem to leave us alone," Billy replied.

He recounted his conversation he had with the Doctor. I began to get as angry as Billy was. Those things had their nerves. Still trying to insert their dominance over others. As if they weren't happy enough they stole my daughter. Now they were still trying to punish Jake by threatening to cut off his supply of prescriptions. Although, as he recounted the story to me, it seemed there was more to this call then was at the surface. Why call now? After all this time we had been using the leftover scripts, why check in now? What were they hiding?

Bella's POV

I don't know how long it has been since we left my home in Forks. Exiled for my foolish choices. It seemed as though I could not focus most days. Or more accurately I had no interest in knowing. I do know that it had been sometime since my episode on Isle Esme. Carlisle and Edward would not leave me alone ever since my phantom pain occurred near my spinal region. Carlisle did a comprehensive exam, but could not determine any known causes. All they knew was that I was fine one moment, and the next it was if my spine was in flames. It didn't help that after I felt these sensations that I quickly regressed back into my depression.

Edward could not understand why I was so depressed. I could not quite comprehend it myself. I got what I wanted, didn't I? No, there was something deeper going on. I just could not get past the idea of Jacob being out of my life. I thought that Edward's leaving me was bad, but this was ten times worse. It was worse because I did not have Jacob there to comfort me, and help me work through these issues. The whole in my chest, seemed larger than when Edward had left me. I don't know why. Once, again a man who was important in my life, left me. However, I helped create the issue that led to my current situation. I truly had screwed things up, and my mind could not let me escape my self made prison I had constructed in my brain. It was as if my mind had set up a permanent shield around my brain to protect me.

We had not stayed on the island for long. Alice had visions of Victoria still chasing us, as well as the Volturi. It also seemed as though the Cullens were reluctant to transform me while I remained in this state. Funny how at one time this would have bothered me, but for now, I felt nothing. My depression had led to my reluctance to eat. Of course with Carlisle in the house my failure to eat was met with the most extreme response from Edward. He had me hooked up to IV's to force me to get nourishment. Besides my depression, I felt like I was being smothered with all of his attention. He was constantly hovering over me to protect me, but is all seemed so suffocating. At least the others attempted to lead normal lives while on the run.

As I noted before, we didn't stay put for long in too many of our other destinations. It was all an endless blur to me. The Cullens did their best to break me out of my funk. I just couldn't let it go though. He left me, or more importantly he forced us to go. I always knew it would eventually happen when I transitioned, but it was a hard pill to swallow once it was jammed down my throat. I never dreamed I would miss my family and friends as much as I did. I always thought that the Cullens were all I needed. How wrong I was. I craved heat. I craved the smell of my father's old spice. I yearned for a muffin from Emily. Hell I even missed the snares and glares from Paul and Leah. But most importantly I longed for a bone crushing hug from my sun, my Jacob.

I could tell when we got further and further from Forks. It felt like my insides were being ripped apart. I could see out the window at our latest stop and see the sites of the Eiffel Tower, or Notre Dame Cathedral. When the pain seemed lesser, I noticed the views would be of Central Park or the Bean in Grant Park. Everything seemed so bland to me though. It got so bad, that I began dread the embrace of any Cullen. Their cold touch almost made me want to scream. What was happening to me? Why was I feeling this way?

Today seemed like it was going to be another day on the run. My shutters were on to the world around me as usual. My emotions were high and unbalanced. If I wasn't depressed, I was angry. And yet I don't know what stimulated some of these feelings when I had them. But then something broke through my mind wall. A name peaked my interest from a conversation occurring right in front of me. I guess they felt since I was catatonic most of the time, that it would be safe to talk in front of me today.

"Carlisle what do you mean this is interesting," Edward had asked. "Do you think it has something to do with Bella's condition?"

"I'm not sure son," replied Carlisle. "I have not had time to check in with my old hospital since I left. However, they are concerned about scripts that keep appearing in my name for someone from the reservation, Jacob Black."

"What would that dog need with medication," Edward snarled. "I thought those monsters healed on their own?"

"That was my understanding as well. But look here, the scripts began around the same time that Bella's mystery illness occurred. I don't know how, but perhaps they are linked,?" Carlisle stated.

My heart began to bump. Had something happened to my Jacob? I tried to ask, but I couldn't get my voice above a whisper.

"Well if it does affect Bella, this may be the answer to the questions that we are looking for," Edward shouted. "Quickly you must call them and demand some answers. It's the least they owe us for causing these issues. Lest we cut off their supply, and let them suffer the same way we have."

"Calm down Edward. Turning into a shouting match will not provide any answers. I will call the Black residence now, and see what insight they can give us without revealing our cards," Carlisle calmly stated as he reached for the phone and dialed.

Carlisle dialed the phone, and heard it picked up, "Hello?," the voice he recognized as William Black answered.

"William this is Carlisle Cullen." Carlisle could hear a gasp on the other end, and then silence for a moment or two.

Finally, he heard, "Yes, what can I do for you?," Billy stated.

"William, I am calling because of a call I received from my former hospital. They informed me that scripts were being turned in under my name for your son, Jacob. They were concerned about the legitimacy of the orders. I was worried as well, as I never wrote a script for your son, and despite what occurred between our families, I did not want the police to wrongly arrest someone," Carlisle stated calmly.

"I see. Yes, I understand your concern, but it was necessary for the health of my son," Billy stated."

"Oh my," Carlisle replied. "I am sorry to hear your son is not feeling well. May I be so bold as to ask what happened William?"

"Frankly, we are still dealing with cleaning up your messes around here, and I am not sure I should divulge anything to you," Billy countered.

"I'm sorry to hear that. You must understand though, if I don't have all the facts on your son's case, then I cannot give my colleagues a reasonable explanation on why you need the medicine or how you got them," Carlisle responded. Edward smiled smugly at the corner his father was placing the dog's father in. He failed to notice that Bella was paying attention as well.

"Very well. I don't need your threats, and I am only doing this so my son continues to get the help he needs," Billy rebuffed.

"Again I'm sorry for this inconvenience William, and for the harm my family has caused your tribe."

"Well save your apologies for anyone who believes them. After you left we were attacked by two different Vampire forces. The first were stragglers from the red head's Newborn army. We eliminated around 5-8 of them. However, that is not what caused the injuries to my son. A stray band of the Newborns had gone after Charlie. They were taken care of quickly by the Pack. However, soon another band of mature Vampires came looking for your family. They came into Forks, and then attacked Charlie. It was during that battle saving my best friend, the father of the girl you stole from his life, that my son was injured. As a result of the battle, my son became paralyzed, and because of what he is, the normal painkillers are not helping him enough. So there you have it. If you want to cancel the drugs, then go right ahead.".

"No, no, no. Of course not. That would be most negligent on my part. Is there anything we can do to help. I could...,"Carlisle was cut off.

"No, I am not interested in your help, Doctor. If you want to stop the drugs, I can't stop you. However, we are not interested in having any of you return to interrupt our daily lives again. I would appreciate if you never call here again, and leave us alone to let us try and rebuild our lives."

"But of course all my best wish...," Carlisle was cut off by Bella being restrained by Edward.

"Jacob! No, I want to know. Shut up Edward. What happened to Jake?," I screamed breaking out of my self inflicted prison. However, I did not get my answers as I tried to grab for the phone. Instead I heard Billy's hang up, "Goodbye Dr. Cullen." I slumped back defeated into Edward's arms.

"Bella my love you are back, please stay with us," Edward sounded panicked.

But I didn't listen, and I slowly felt the comfort of my walls go back up around me. They would protect me from my harsh reality. A reality where my Jacob was hurt, but I could do nothing to help. The eternal damsel in distress.