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.

"She made the statement, 'Now, that you're awake the police will be talking to you about the murder charge they're planning to file against you'. Bella looked from her to me and froze. Her expression went completely blank and she began staring off into space looking at nothing in particular.

"Bella's mind has withdrawn from the world and retreated to a place that holds her suspended in her own world. That's all I can tell you."

CHAPTER 17: DECISIONS TO BE MADE

"Dad, are you sure of this? Is this just a temporary condition? How can we get her mind back to the present?" Edward fired these three questions at Carlisle, but, there were plenty of others that he wanted to ask and get answers as well; the same as Charlie who was standing there in a state of total shock from what he had just heard.

Charlie's mind was busily trying to come to grip with what Carlisle had just revealed and at the same time was trying to figure out a way to tell everyone else. He had no idea how to cope with this bit of information, however, he knew that if that son of a bitch was still alive he wouldn't be after doing this to his Bella: his baby girl, his only child. But, quickly Charlie snapped his mind back to the present as he realized that Carlisle was answering Edward as best he could

"Edward, I know this isn't what any of us expected, but, it's what has resulted from the carelessness of another that acted and spoke without any thought of what they might say and what the cause or effect their words might have to others around them.

"Right, now I've got to consider how to deal with this development in more ways than one, but, the most important one is how best to get the proper treatment for Bella."

It's at this point that Charlie decided he needed to join the conversation and demanded of no one in particular, "Now, without Bella telling us exactly what happened, how are we going to prove her innocence?"

Carlisle was quick to try to reassure his friend, "Don't despair, Charlie. Edward will be able to get Bella cleared. It might take a little more time and greater effort from everyone, but, it's isn't impossible. It's not even hopeless. You just have to keep the faith and we all have to keep doing what needs to be done to get the job done."

Edward looks at his father with an expression of surprise because of his statements made to Charlie Swan, but, he says nothing until Charlie turns to him and asks, "Is that right, young man? Is your father right about you being able to get my daughter cleared of the charges?" Shaking his head as if clearing it, Edward nods and tells him, "Yes, Charlie, it'll take a lot more work, but, we will just have to dig deeper and look harder for the facts needed. They're there, but, over time has been hidden deeply."

"Explain your meaning of 'hidden deeply'." Charlie demanded of the young man that was his daughter's attorney.

"Charlie, I'm just saying that all of the evidence we need has been buried underneath a bunch of lies and paperwork over a long period of time. We're just going to have to try to trace the path all the way back to find when all of this began. Maybe, we might get lucky and find out the true reason of why she refused to ask for help from you, her mother, or, her friends.

"Surely, she knew that Dad would have helped her if she would have allowed him to do so.

"But make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of things. It evidently won't be today, might not even tomorrow, but, we will get there." Edward told Charlie and Carlisle with the evidence of firm determination sounding in each word he spoke; not just to convince himself or the other two men, but, with the conviction of speaking the truth.

All three men were silent for only a moment before Charlie turned to both Carlisle and Edward asking them both the same question, "What are your intentions of taking care of this Nurse Johnson that treated my Bella in a very unprofessional manner?"

"Charlie, I'm not sure what my options are at the moment, but, be assured that I will be talking with the Chief of Staff and the hospital board concerning her behavior." And so saying to his friend, Carlisle looked to his son to see if Edward wanted to add anything.

"Charlie, my main interest at the moment is clearing Mrs. Harrison's name and freeing her from the current charges that are threatening her freedom, possibly, even her life. However, be assured that I'll make this nurse that has caused such damage to Bella's life pay dearly for her recklessness. She'll be lucky if she can ever work in her chosen profession after Dad and I are through with her, let alone have two pennies to rub together."

Charlie looked from one man to the other as if he was gauging the weight and truth of their words and commitment to what needs to be done and, possibly, the length of time that has been suggested it might require to accomplish the desired outcome. He saw nothing in either of their demeanor that would tell him that they had spoken nothing more than their absolute belief of what they are doing; that they're with him all the way in helping his daughter. So, with one very quickly, firm nod of his head, Charlie asked, "How do we tell the others what has happened, especially, Det. Asher?" But, just as quickly as he had asked that question he remarked, "I'll deal with the detective. Then I'll help deal with the others." And with that said he turned and left the room with father and son standing silently looking at each other and then towards the doorway.

It finally dawned on Edward that he was along with his dad and that he now had a chance to question him about some of his earlier statements he had made to Charlie. To say that what Carlisle had expressed about Edward's abilities with full confidence to Charlie had shocked him would be an understatement and it was something Edward wanted to talk to his father about; to find out if his dad really meant all that he had said. So, turning to his dad as he noticed that Carlisle was turning towards the door as if to leave, he asked, "Dad, do you really have that much confidence in me being able to clear Bella Harrison? Or, was that just said to try to ease Chief Swan's mind for the moment?"

Carlisle smiled as he turned to face Edward, looking him directly in the eyes when he answered, "I know you, Edward. I said it because I know you and your absolute commitment to something once you have chosen to tackle the situation. You don't give up and you don't quit. You never have, even as a child, and I can't picture now that you've changed. It just isn't in your nature.

"Add to that the strength of the feelings you seem to have towards Bella, although, you haven't spoken of them, they are very much evident to your mother and myself.

"No, son, aside from my belief in your abilities, I believe in your strength of character and the feelings you carry in your heart for Bella." And with those spoken words leaving Edward once more stunned by the strength of his father's belief in him, Edward had nothing to say as he watched Carlisle leave the room.

XXXXXX

Everyone was impatiently waiting for the Nurse Alma Johnson to arrive and offer her statement as to the event that has all of them gathered together. To say that Dr. Carlisle Cullen didn't waste any time after leaving Edward a bit earlier would be an understatement. He was a man on a mission and that was to make sure that this nurse will not harm another patient due to her disregard to properly do her job for giving the best care possible for the patients assigned to her care.

Carlisle had immediately gone to the Chief of Staff to file his complaint against Nurse Johnson. As he was relaying the happening to his old friend Carlisle had made it very clear that he was wanting a full meeting of the hospital board to have a resolution of this situation. At first, Dr. Maxwell had tried to convince Carlisle to let him handle the matter, but, that offer was refused by Carlisle as he once again demanded for a full meeting of the board for a resolution. He explained that he felt an example for anyone that might behave improperly in the future in such a manner and for the knowledge of what the outcome could and would be.

With Carlisle standing fast in his demand to take this incident all the way to the full hospital board, Dr. Truman Maxwell had no choice, but, to do as his old friend had requested. So, now everyone was waiting for the nurse in question to put in an appearance to answer for the actions she's been accused.

Finally, with Nurse Johnson's arrival all board members settled into their places and the meeting once more resumed with Alma Johnson being informed as to the charges that have been leveled against her by Dr. Cullen. She didn't immediately reply, but, did take her time to look at each person seated around the long table, making sure to make eye contact with each and every person except for one: Carlisle.

"I did nothing more than trying to inform a patient as to what had been happening while they had been in a coma, medically induced or otherwise. The police were wanting to speak with her and had even posted an officer outside her door.

"And, Dr. Cullen was upset from the start that I was a few moments late getting to Mrs. Harrison after she had awakened in a state and had screamed which had been heard by other patients on the floor.

"At the moment the scream was heard I happened to be with another patient that had required my services as a nurse. That was why I was late arriving to tend to Mrs. Harrison's needs. I did-"

"Nurse Johnson, it wasn't merely the fact that you were a few moments late, it's the manner in which you conducted yourself upon your entrance and the affect your words had upon the patient that has brought you before us to determine what is to be done about this."

"As I was trying to tell you, I did try to explain to Dr. Cullen, but, he refused to listen to me."

Carlisle wasn't able to maintain his silence a moment longer, so, he told the nurse, "Your unthinkable actions caused my patient more harm than what you seem to care or realize. You threw her into such a state of severe stress which was already present due to the emotional trauma she had already experienced both mentally and physically, because of your words. She has completely broken down and retreated into herself because of you." He finished saying, but, was near to losing control of his professional façade.

Everyone in the room was silent due to the power that emulated from Carlisle's words and the way he delivered them as he addressed Nurse Johnson. No one knew what to say. Carlisle, however, looked around and then offered his apologies for how he had just conducted himself. And then he afterwards turned back to face Alma Johnson once more to add in a more modulated tone, "Regardless of what is decided by the board today you can expect to be hearing from Mrs. Harrison's attorney considering the damage that your irresponsible actions and ill-advised words have caused his client. It's even possible that he might consider taking action against the hospital as well, but, that will be his decision." Without uttering another word or waiting to hear what more the board would do about the matter, Carlisle left the room. He knew that his old friend would inform him as to what the board's decision would be.

He made his way back down to Bella's room to check on her and then he wanted to see what options he might have available that could possibly help treat her current mental condition.

XXXXXXX

Charlie quietly left the hospital and considered how to handle the current situation with both his family and the police. He needed to decide which had priority and which didn't at the moment. It didn't take too much thought for him to realize that family needed to be dealt with first since Renee would be like a pit bull with something clenched in its jaws. So, with that thought he became a man on a mission.

The police would be next on his list.

XXXXXX

Edward had decided that he would wait until he received further news from his father as to what the hospital was going to do about Nurse Johnson before deciding definitely upon his course of action.

A/N: Well, Carlisle didn't wait long before he set things in motion to do something about Nurse Johnson. What will be the board's decision concerning her actions? What will be everyone else's reactions once Charlie tells them what has happened now to Bella? How will the police take the information? What will be Edward's course of action now?

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