YOU'RE WHAT!
Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them.
It was as the figure was becoming fully conscious and aware of their surroundings that the sound of a leather strap snapped and then the sound of it making contact with bare skin could be heard as a piercing scream tore loose from the figure. The two sounds were repeated over and over for the count of three more times before their stopped. The session resumed after a fifteen-minute break and lasted just as long as the first. The next session begins after another fifteen minutes, but, this time the hanging figure lost consciousness.
CHAPTER 17: ARRANGEMENTS TO BE MADE
Edward and Felix waited while Sam dialed the number and then he put the call on speaker mode so all three could hear the conversation from the other side. After about three rings the phone on the other end was answered by a slightly out of breath man with what seemed to be a gruff, gravelly voice.
Sam didn't hesitate in identifying himself, "Charlie, this is Sam. How are you doing old man?"
"Sam, you don't normally call me out of the blue and begin a conversation with me in that manner." Was the response to the question and then it was followed with, "What has happened?"
"Now, Charlie Swan, what makes you th—" Sam remarked as a means of gaining time so he could collect himself enough to lead up to the reason for his call, but, was quickly interrupted by Charlie Swan.
"Cut the shit, Sam, and just tell me what this is all about. Did you need my help for something, or, is this a warning of some trouble heading my way?" But, it didn't take long before the elephant in the room was revealed. "Sam, has something happened to one of my kids?"
"Uh, yeah, Charlie. To Bella. Charlie, I'm sorry, but, there just isn't any easy way to say this: she's been kidnapped. She w-"
Once again Charlie interrupted Sam by saying, "Don't say another damn word. I'm on my way." And with that the line went dead. No one had a chance to utter a single word more.
Silence hung a bit heavy amongst the three occupants in the room and two of them seemed to be in a stunned state until the quietness was broken by Sam. "Well, I guess that went better than I thought it would. At least it was done quickly."
"So—uhu—so, that's Bella's dad." Edward seemed, at first, to have a hard time getting his observation spoken.
"You're correct; that's Bella's father." Sam remarked as he gave a small chuckle.
"Is he always that abrupt?"
Both Felix and Sam looked at each other and then turned their gaze in Edward's direction before Felix answered this time. "Yes. He's a man of few words, but, what words he does speak are to the point each and every time.
"I remember the first time Sam introduced him to me, but, before the man arrived Sam had told me quite a bit about the man. Oh, sure, I had heard about this man's reputation, but, was having a hard time believing half of what I'd been told. Even, when Sam confirmed the facts that I had asked him about it was still hard to believe.
"But, once he arrived to help Sam and me with a situation we had going at the time I was quick to realize that all I had been told about the man from everyone was the truth. A man of few words, but, quick thinking, quick getting to the heart of the matter and quick, accurate decisions made strictly based on the facts he had been presented with at the time. It surprised me, in fact of what I knew and had been told, that his actions were never beyond what was needed with the facts that he knew at the time."
"I know Bella told me a little about her father, but, the details were very censored. However, she did tell him about our growing relationship to which he had voice some reservations and told Bella, now all of this is according to what she relayed to me, that she would have to prove to him that our personal side wouldn't interfere with her professional duties."
"That sounds like Charlie. He believes very strongly in the law and a sworn officer's duty to uphold his job, but, he is also very protective of Bella, Alice and Rosalie. While Bella is his biological daughter, Alice and Rosalie he considers to be his daughters of the heart. He will do whatever is necessary to take care of his 'kids'." Sam, more or less, managed to confirm what Bella had told him about her dad and what little bit Edward had heard during and shortly after the phone conversations of only moments ago.
"I can understand that, but, I'm getting the impression that your call to him was for a couple of reasons. First, I know that you elected to be the person, instead of Bella's superiors, to call her dad since you seem to be on a more personal basis with him. And, secondly, I believe that you had another purpose that you haven't mentioned to call Mr. Swan into this." Edward told Sam, then looked from one Marshal to the other as if seeking some kind of confirmation.
"You're quick, but, at this time I'm not sure that I can really tell you anything." Sam told him. Felix was quick to join the conversation by telling Sam that he believed that what Sam was planning should be revealed to Edward since it did concern his safety.
"You really think that Edward should be filled in about this?" Sam asked his partner and close friend.
"Yeah, I do because after all it does concern him as I said. And, at least, it would forewarn the young man before it took place." Felix remarked as he began to grin.
"Excuse me, but, I'm still here in the same room with you two just in case you've forgotten. Also, about what do I need some kind of warning?" Edward questioned in a worried voice.
Sam looked at Felix once again, Edward saw Felix nod once as he returned Sam's looked, then with a quick inhale/exhale of breath Sam turned to Edward and began to explain. "I thought it would be for the best to have Charlie Swan act as your protector instead of me. He's more than qualified to take over from Bella. That would free me up to continue in the same capacity as what I've been doing.
"It would also give you two a chance to get to know one another since you both care about the same person and you are dating his daughter. But, come to think about it, it would be all three of you guys getting to know Charlie and he getting to know all of you.
"And, just to correct a bit of misinformation about Charlie Swan; he's not Mr. Swan, but, Police Chief Charlie Swan. Didn't Bella tell you that her father was a Police Chief in a small town?" Sam informed Edward with a bit of too much enjoyment sounding in Sam's voice and being reflected in his facial expressions.
"And you thought to dump this on me when?" Edward said while trying to control the irk that was wanting to break through to appear in the sound of his words and persona. "Why couldn't you have tossed this out into the air during the meeting? Now, I have to be the one to explain what is about to take place to Jasper and Emmett. They are going to be blind to who my new protector is going to be in the beginning. This isn't going to be good; not good at all."
"Oh, don't worry, Edward, it isn't going to be that bad." Remarked Sam as he was trying to keep the smile of pleasure from his face. He was finding the situation that was coming a bit funny. 'Oh, to be a fly on the wall during the private moments of the charges' and Charlie Swan's meeting.' Sam thought to himself as he pictured it all in his mind and couldn't quite help the little chuckle from escaping as he did.
XXXXXX
Charlie Swan had just arrived home after pulling a double shift because one of his officers had to take off due to an emergency. A new bundle of joy had decided to arrive a little earlier and that fact brought remembrance back to Charlie of his Bella's arrival. She was determined to arrive into the world and has maintained that same determination growing up. And as he would, unaware of the fact, chuckle as he walked through memory lane of Bella's growing up; even, when he met Rosalie and Alice. They became his daughters as well.
He was quickly brought back to the presenE and the feeling of fatigue as the phone rang. Answering the phone Charlie immediately recognized Sam's voice, but, by the way Sam began the call Charlie knew that something was wrong. What? He didn't know right at that moment, but, something was and instead of wasting time with the pleasantries he demanded for Sam to get straight to the point.
Was his help needed for an undercover project? Was his department going to have to worry about some fugitive heading his way? Or-? The names of his kids flashed to the forefront of his mind. That was when he demanded to know if something had happened to one of his kids. Sam told him about Bella and he quickly told Sam that he was on his way and hung up.
The feeling of fatigue was quickly forgotten since this was the type of call he had always dreaded receiving where his girls were concerned. There wasn't any question about what action he would take; he was going to be where he was needed most and that was with his baby girl. The ones that took her would pay he vowed.
Charlie didn't waste any time calling his second in command to tell him a need had arisen out of town. It was explained that at the current time Charlie wasn't sure how long the unexpected case would require for him to be away, but, that he would continue to keep in touch from time to time to make sure all was going well in Forks.
With that handled Charlie made the call to make his travel arrangements. Then he quickly packed a few clothes and was on his way.
The way Charlie Swan saw it is that it would be better to learn all of the details face to face instead of over the phone. He needed facts to be able to plan how to retrieve his daughter and he could act quicker if he was on the spot. Conversing over the phone with very little to go on and not being in a position to act quickly would have created greater stress than being present when all was explained to him.
He, of course, wasn't happy when Bella had explained about a personal relationship developing with her charge as well about the same happening with both Rosalie and Alice. But, there wasn't much he could do about it as long as the girls still maintained their professional side of things and not let the personal rule their actions. From what he had heard, so far, they had been very professional in handling their responsibilities and he was proud of them for that.
He understood that if you found the person that was truly met to be your other half how quickly emotions could develop, but, he wanted to make sure his girls stayed sharp and that personal issues didn't interfere to jeopardize the safety of their charges or themselves.
As he made his way to meet Sam and Felix, Charlie refused to allow his mind, thoughts or emotions to lead him off in directions that didn't need exploring at that particular time.
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"I think the point has been made enough that this next time she comes around it would be time to start seeking some answers to our questions."
"Yeah, all right. Although, we weren't aiming to grab the bitch it might turn out better in the long run. She will be easier to break and we still have a bargaining chip to force her boyfriend to come to us."
A/N: We know what Sam is wanting Charlie to do. We know that Charlie is a person of few words, but, quick on the uptake of a situation. However, what will Charlie really do once he learns the details of what has happened to Bella? What will he have to say to Edward and the others once he meets them?
Hope you will enjoy this story and will let me know your thoughts, ideas and comments as we move forwards.