STRUGGLES

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. She also makes the banners for each of my stories.

During all of what seemed to be tossing back and forth voices, sounds and smells were overpowering and Bella thought that it was a hospital surrounding, but, wasn't quite sure if she was right. However, the voices that she had identified as being hers only, but, was absent during the jerky movement of her, started once more, but, one particular voice was missing; the one that she needed to hear the most that would reassure her that all was okay and she was still loved and safe from harm.

CHAPTER 14: WARNINGS

She became aware that the movement hadn't stopped just momentarily, but, seemed to be more of a permanent nature to where her body wasn't being jerked around, but, the one solid thought that seemed to take root in her mind was that everyone that had been moving her were slowly drifting away. Even, the noise that had been constant for the last little bit during the jostling was dimming which seemed to indicate that all of the ones involved were disappearing to wherever they were going to be.

Some voices remained, but, as hard as she might try she was having a hard time identifying the owner of each voice and understanding what they were saying. Why were they talking so fast, it seemed in her current state, and why in the hell can't they talk in a language that could be understood by someone else listening to them? Bella was thinking to herself and, of course, she tried to tell them her thoughts, but, nothing happened; she knew in her world she was talking and thinking clearly, however, never realizing that to the people around her that they only saw an unconscious woman that didn't seem to be responding to any sort of stimulus they were trying to use to get a response from her. The entire situation was, at times, creating a building up of a lot of frustration to the people that were supporting her: family and friends alike.

XXXXXX

The door opened and everyone gathered in Bella's new room turned as if one to see who was entering. It turned out to be Det. Asher and he stopped to observe each individual that he saw in the room. He did manage to keep control of his features to where no one had a clue as to what his thoughts might be, or, could be able to guess as to why he was returning since he had been there earlier to place the guard outside of Bella's ICU room.

Carlisle was the first to break the silent that had begun to hang heavy in the room by asking, "And to what do we all owe the pleasure of your visit this time? Nothing has changed since your visit earlier today except for a change of rooms."

"You're correct about that Dr. Cullen, but, it is due to the change of rooms that I've returned."

"I don't see how the room change has anything to do with your return." Carlisle responded a bit tersely.

"Dad, I understand why Det. Asher is back and he's only following logical thinking in his return. He realizes that the move indicates that Mrs. Harrison's condition has improved enough that she no longer is required to have the exceptional service of the ICU. And, it is in that nature that he's wanting to know when Mrs. Harrison might be brought out from under her induced coma." Edward quickly explained to his father as well as the rest of the people in the room.

"But, -" Renee began only to have Charlie interrupt her with the explanation that it was a normal deduction and that the detective was only following procedure.

"Procedure, my ass," she begins only to pause as Phil reached out to squeeze her shoulder to try to give her comfort while letting her know that an emotional outburst wasn't going to change the situation and then she continued, "he's here because he can't stand it that he can't get to my daughter like he wants to do.

"He's wanting to close the case, as he sees it, and wipe his hands of charging an innocent woman of murder instead of seeing that she's the victim in this instance." Renee stopped right there as her emotions began to take control of her in spite of the fact that her husband was still standing close to her with his hand resting on her shoulder; wanting to help ease her pain, but, not knowing how other than just being there for her.

"Renee, you're incorrect about Det. Asher. He's not closing the case at this point. There's still too many unanswered questions and too many facts that still have to be verified, but, that won't stop the charges being filed as the police has to take the necessary actions that the current facts are dictating.

"You can't blame anyone for the conclusions that are being reached at this moment as there is nothing in place to contradict what the current facts are showing them." Charlie finished explaining as gently as he could to his ex-wife.

"But, how can they assume that our daughter is a murderer? There's no way that anyone who knows her would ever come to that conclusion. You wouldn't ever make that mistake."

"There's where you're wrong, Mrs. Dwyer. Chief Swan would have to do exactly the same as what Det. Asher is doing; it's just normal procedure regardless whether we like it or not." Edward told Bella's mother as a way of trying to explain how the law works and wanting to try to comfort while reassuring her at the same time. He hoped that his tone was conveying those facts as he continued saying, "You're reacting to what is happening now and acting as if there's no hope, however, you're incorrect, there is hope and I will get your daughter cleared of the charges.

"But, Mrs. Dwyer," he pauses just long enough to soften his voce even further before beginning once more, "Renee, you need to understand that knowing your daughter has no bearing on this case as procedures have to be followed. I did warn you that this was going to happen, but, that it wasn't going to be the final results. It is the final results that I have the means to influence to clear Mrs. Harrison of all charges once we've been able to prove that she is innocent."

"Procedures! Procedures like hell! I'm tired of hearing that word and phrases like 'it's normal under the circumstances', 'there's no other choice due to the current facts', 'there is no other option because of the facts', or any other words along those same lines. There's always choices and I know that procedural rules can be bent from time to time.

"This man is just believing the words of that bitch of a sister of the bastard that my daughter married. Surely he has enough sense to realize that Norma Harrison is lying her ugly ass off through her jealous teeth." Renee ranted as she had begun to pace back and forth within the confines of the hospital room while throwing glares at Det. Asher from time to time. As the emotions of the situation began to drain out of her Renee's shoulders dropped and she turned towards her husband where he quickly gathered her into his arms and he held her as she wept for her baby girl that was being treated so unjustly and for all of the pain she had gone through without saying a word to anyone.

And the biggest question she was continually asking herself was "why?" Why hadn't Bella told someone, anyone that she trusted, what was going on? How could she have continued to cover it all up and to add to the problem when she was questioned about it she lied about the causes of her injuries at the times they were severe enough for them to be treated by Dr. Cullen. "Why?" That needed to be answered and only Bella could supply that answer.

After a few moments Renee drew a deep breath and then turned out of Phil's arms to look over to Det. Asher once more with a deadly stare as she asked him, "How could you not be able to tell that that sleazy, slimy, sleep in a ditch bitch was lying to you?" And before the detective or anyone else could answer she squared up her shoulders and marched out of the room without a glance, a look, a stare, a meeting of the eyes of another person or another word to anyone. She didn't want to hear anything else from anyone if it wasn't spoken to let her know that her daughter was going to be okay and free of charges or free of any cloud of guilt or doubt hanging over her head.

But, at the door she hesitated briefly as she looked back at Bella, hoping to see some kind of change from the constant state of unconsciousness that her daughter had maintained. Just a small sign to let her know that Bella could at least hear them speaking to her, letting her know that she was loved and surrounded by a hell of a lot of support; people who were doing everything humanly possible to make sure she's cleared. So, with that one last look, Renee started her march once more to disappear completely from sight.

"Damn, that lady can be a bit scary, can't she." Det. Asher commented to no one in particular. Then he turned his attention back to Carlisle and asked, "When do you expect to start bringing her out from her induced coma?"

"It all depends on how she has reacted to the move. If her condition continues to stay stable over the next few hours, then we could begin later today or early tomorrow. But, there isn't any way that I can tell you when she'll wake up and be able to start answering your questions. That will depend strictly up to her and her own body."

The detective nodded his head as he looked around to notice once more who was gathered in the room since Renee Dwyer had left. He saw her step-father, her doctor, her father and her attorney as each of them were looking back at him in the same questioning manner that he seemed to be peering at them. Then with a bit of chuckle which broke the silence, Phil commented, "Yes, at times she can be quite scary in both looks and actions. And, if you don't mind a word of advice there are two other women that in the few days I've been here I've learned to be weary of and they are Rosalie Hale and Alice Cullen."

At those last comments being offered Phil Dwyer followed the same path of his wife as he left the room, but, leaving behind a stunned detective. Stunned because he wasn't quite sure how to accept the advice or statement of what Mr. Dwyer had said. Finally, he turned towards Carlisle, Charlie and Edward with a raised eyebrow as if asking how much truth was in the words of the departed man.

"If you want the truth about what he said then just cross either of the two." Carlisle quietly offered.

"I can't say anything for sure about Alice Cullen since I'm not that familiar with her, but, Rosalie Hale can do a lot of damage both verbally and physically, if push comes to shove. I personally have seen her in action." Charlie told Det. Asher.

Edward added his two cents worth to back up his father's statement by saying, "I know my sister manages to get her way and does use some scary tactics at times to achieve it. But, with Ms. Hale, I can say that I've been on the receiving end of her being scary as well when she's defending someone she cares a great deal about." Edward remarked, but, continued as he saw the quizzical look on the detective's face. "I was taken to task upon my arrival by Ms. Hale." He explained.

"Dr. Cullen, I would appreciate if you'd give me a call when you do decide to start bringing Mrs. Harrison out of her coma." And with that he left as the others were dreading what was going to be happening next.

A/N: Bella's out of ICU and in a private room. She's got a guard at the door and the detective is pushing to be notified as soon as she's out of the coma. It's getting near time for Carlisle to begin bringing Bella out of the coma once he's sure she suffered no ill effects from the move. What is Bella going to have to say once she is awake?

Thanks for reading the story and hope you will enjoy it. Your reviews, ideas and comments are always welcomed.