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.
With a slight moan and a groan, then a small movement of her hand, Bella appeared to be regaining consciousness. Esme was the first to notice it and then alerted her husband. Carlisle quickly moved closer to the bed to check over his new patient, and as he did Bella opened her eyes.
CHAPTER 38: AT THE LAST STAGES
Opening her eyes, Bella looks around trying to familiarize herself with the surroundings. Even though her mind is a bit fuzzy due to the drugs, she is able to realize that she's in a hospital room, but she isn't able to identify the couple that is standing by her bedside. So, as she tries to speak the only sound that comes out is more of a croak instead of recognizable words.
Realizing that she is trying to speak, Esme hurriedly poured a glass of cool water from the bedside table to help Bella clear her scratchy throat while Carlisle begins to explain to Bella who they are and why they are there.
"We've spoken several times on the phone but have never had the opportunity to meet until now, and I do regret that it is under these circumstances. We are Edward's parents, Carlisle and Esme Cullen, and when we heard about you being in an accident, we hurried here to give our support to you and Edward. But, of course, we had other matters that we wanted to discuss with our son also.
"However, we were somewhat surprised to find out the fuller picture that existed behind both yours and Edward's relationship. We were a bit upset that neither one of you were more forthcoming with us, but I can also understand why it wasn't possible. It doesn't mean that we're happy about Edward withholding such information from us, but we do understand the necessity of it." Carlisle pauses at this point as Esme is holding the cool drink out for Bella to take a sip or two, and to give himself a chance to gather his thoughts once more due to the rest of what he has to tell Bella.
"As you kn….." Carlisle is halted by the raising of Bella's hand as she has finished drinking and starts to speak.
"Dr. Cullen, I'm glad to meet you and Mrs. Cullen and sorry about the circumstances." She manages to whisper before continuing, "However, I need to know what has been happening while I've been in never-never land since it seems that you know more than what you should."
"I would say that it was about damn time, wouldn't you? However, your partners, Agents Hale and Brandon, due to recent developments, they've asked that I take over your case and update you as to the current circumstances and to tell you what they are planning." And, as before, Carlisle pauses as if he is considering his choice of words for what has to be said.
"Dr. Cullen, I'm not up to debating the should and shouldn't of the rules and regulations that the FBI has in place. There are certain ways that things have to be done to protect our charges and those closest to them and those conditions were followed.
"Now, due to circumstances that are beyond my knowledge at the moment, it seems that you have the advantage since it seems that you have been briefed as to what is happening and that you're aware of my working position that in no way interferes with my personal position with your son.
"So, with all of that being said, I would appreciate it if you would give me a moment or two to give my throat and voice a rest while you fill me in as to what Alice and Rosalie are planning." Although, Bella had just awakened from a medically induced coma and had a raw throat and a weak voice, she did manage to get her point across by speaking in her most professional voice.
Bella's tone of voice as well as her preciseness of wording caused Carlisle to hesitate as to how best to continue. Finally, as if coming to a decision, Carlisle began speaking in his professional voice like Bella had done. So, without further ado, he proceeded to update her about the person that had been found in her room, the arrival of her father, and everything that had developed after that. Then he said, "And that brings us up to your partners' plan; they wanted you to be brought awake so you can attend the meeting with them to help with the planning for the takedown. Then, instead of being in on all of the action for the takedown, they thought you would be the better person to find the young girl that was being held hostage and to retrieve her from harm.
"We agree with Alice and Rosalie that you aren't in any shape to be involved in any real physical activity that might be required in the upcoming battles of the takedown of the Volturi crime family." Carlisle finished explaining as he watched Bella closely.
Just as the Cullen's were watching Bella's reaction, so was she watching the couple. As the time crept by, she finally spoke and asked the Cullen's to let Alice and Rosalie know that she was in agreement with their plans. "The way my body had been abused leaves me unable to do more than what Alice and Rosalie has suggested."
XXXXXX
Unfortunately, the information Sam and Felix had found inside the house didn't lead them to the girl. They thought they had a good idea of where to find the girl, but it led to a dead end. According to the paperwork they had found, it was for building material, it gave them an idea that a playhouse or some small structure had been built a little way out from the main house. It was there that Sam and Felix felt they would find their charge's sister. But no matter where they looked there was nothing.
"What the hell else could all of that building material have been used for?" Felix questioned aloud as he was considering where he and Sam could look next.
"Felix, I think we need to consider that the building material was used somewhere inside of the house. The only way that we would be able to exclude that idea is to see the blueprints of the original house.
"It definitely wasn't used out here like we had thought." Sam said as he looked around the backyard one last time. He glanced toward the wooded area then shook his head as the idea that maybe, just maybe, a structure had been built in the woods.
Not realizing that he had been voicing his thoughts aloud until Felix responded, "Why would they build anything in the woods? This is a housing complex, so, any of the larger wildlife wouldn't be near here."
"I guess you're right. Since we can't find anything here it stands to reason that they either improved the house somewhere, even if we can't see it, or, they used the building material some place else. I just wish we had a clue to where that someplace could be.
"Let's head back to Bella's and make sure everyone is safe while we wait for the meeting tomorrow. We do need to consider what we can offer and have our ideas ready to present as everyone else contributes their thoughts also."
"I agree with that, my friend." Sam tells Felix as both men turn back to move toward the front of the property and their car. "I was so sure that we were onto something when we foundd all of those receipts for building material and the blueprint for what looked look a child's playhouse.' Sam spoke again as both men climbed into their vehicle.
XXXXXX
Esme called from the hospital to update Rosalie and Alice about Bella's condition and to the fact that Bella had agreed with the plans the two women had discussed. And as Bella was listening to the one-sided conversation, she requested to be able to speak with either Alice or Rosalie. So, Esme handed over her phone and Bella found out that she was talking with Rosalie.
"Rose, tell me quickly what you and Alice are planning and where can I be of help." Bella demanded to know.
It didn't take long for Rosalie to explain that although she and Alice knew that Bella would want to be awake to take part in the meeting, they also knew that she wouldn't be able to be active in the takedown.
"You're correct about that. However, it isn't your place to be involved in the takedown, either. You and Alice must continue to hold steady with the main priority of keeping all three of the guys safe until the trial.
"And, I don't think any of us, although we want to be there, should be at the discussion for any of the takedowns. Edward, Emmett and Jasper must be kept away from the meeting also. We don't want to give the Volturi scum or their attorneys any reason to file a complaint that the guys' testimony has been compromised or has been tainted in some way.
"Everyone on the legal investigative side knows otherwise, but the judge and the jury might have cause to consider the issue in a different light. Let Sam, Felix and everyone else do their job while we continue to do ours. There will be no further discussion about this matter; it is to be done as I've said, and no other way will be acceptable.
"Now, in regards to this teenager that is being held as hostage, or, rather, was being held as a hostage, what do we know about her and her brother?" Bella asked and then grimaced as she was trying to get more comfortable in her hospital bed.
Bella was told what Sam and Felix had been told by their hidden witness, as he is now being called instead of being referred to as someone that was caught as attempting to cause you harm and then they finished with what they had seen on a news report about a shooting. "The shooting turned out to be the address that Sam had been given as to being the residence of the hidden witness's family home.
"Sam and Felix went to investigate, and we are waiting to hear the details of what they were able to discover once they got to the scene."
"Okay." After Bella said that one word, there followed a brief moment of silence before anything else was said by Bella, but she did continue by saying, "Look, let me know what they found out once Sam and Felix do return, but at the moment I don't think it would be a good idea to let anyone know that I'm awake." Bella said to which both Rosalie and Alice agreed with her.
It was then that Bella asked, "How is it that I'm able to talk with the both of you and not be interrupted by any of the guys, especially Edward?"
"We convinced the guys to have a meeting of sorts of their own to decide what factors they would want to present to the others at the meeting. Of course, that was before you vetoed our presence at the meeting. So, they are off in your home office, Bella, making plans that they don't want us to know about." And, with that comment from Alice everyone laughed, Alice, Rosalie, Carlisle, Esme and Bella.
"Well, at least, it's keeping them occupied and out of trouble for the moment." Esme remarked with still of bit of laughter sounding in her tone. "I remember a time…." Esme started to say when she was interrupted by Carlisle telling her, "Honey, now isn't the time to be walking down memory lane."
"Mrs. Cullen, do you have any amusing stories concerning Jasper?" Alice asked only to have Rosalie butting in to say, "Don't forget to include Emmett in that question!"
"Actually, I do have plenty of stories concerning their college days." Esme answered.
At that point Bella drew their attention back to the subject at hand as they discussed possible suggestions that could be presented at the meeting through Sam and Felix.
But, after the conversation ended, Bella was silent as if deep in thought and didn't realize that Esme had spoken to her. It was the sound of a throat being cleared that captured her attention and drew her back to acknowledge the presence of the couple that was still in her hospital room.
Esme had asked Bella if she needed help to the bathroom to take a shower. Bella smiled and nodded her head.
It was while Bella was in the shower that she decided that she was going to go to the house that Alice and Rosalie had mentioned to see if she could find the teenager.
AN: Bella is awake and now we know what Alice's and Rosalie's plan was when they sent the senior Cullen's to the hospital. Bella made certain decisions that puts restraints on what the guys along with Alice and Rosalie are going to be allowed. How well do you think those instructions will go once the guys have been told? Bella has decided to go look for the girl. Do you think she'll find Janie when no one else has?
Hope you will enjoy this story and will let me know your thoughts, ideas and comments as we move forwards.