A/N Okay, this has been a long time coming. O. and I have been very busy with other projects and life. Sorry, we're so late in updating. I hope you still enjoy this section that will be very informative. Thanks again for reading. : )

Finally Meeting General Charles Swan

(Bella's POV)

I probably spent more time than I should have worrying over the shape-shifting wolf girl, but since the moment they placed her barely conscious body in the seat on the plane, and she brushed off my efforts to check her vitals aside, there was a very despondent look on her face.

They brought us to their facility. It was like a giant warehouse lit by fluorescent lighting and I wasn't sure if we were underground or above ground. I was fairly positive we were still in the states because I didn't have a passport on me and we hadn't flown enough hours to take us overseas, unless we were in Canada or south of the contiguous states.

We were lead to an area like a dormitory with cots and then group showers – one for girls and one for boys. Alice and I, along with a begrudgingly forlorn Leah, took advantage and showered, none of us making eye contact, giving the others privacy, and then changed into dark blue jumpers they had laid out for us. Everything about this place made me feel we were prisoners.

Agent Jane walked in on us after showering wanting a word with Leah. Leah left with her and this time both Alice and I worried. Was she going to be tasered again? Those two didn't get along at all. If Leah was a wolf instead of a human I could swear she'd have her hackles raised.

I had brushed out my hair and the facility had all our necessary toiletries. My hair was long and it felt good to finally brush it out after all the manhandling and action in the last 24 hour period.

Alice asked me, "What do you think they're talking about this time?"

"I don't know. I just hope Leah doesn't lose her temper and they hurt her or shoot her this time."

Alice squirted her lips together, looking like she was about to cry.

"Wait – I didn't mean that." Instantly, I held around her shoulders. "I'm sorry. I'm sure that won't happen. I mean," smiling, "I'm positive."

"I know." Alice's eyes reflected the bathroom lights. "I'm a little hungry. Do you think we can eat soon?"

"I hope so. I'm a little hungry too."

We finally walked back into the room with the cots and no sooner sat down, when Leah strode back into the same room. She and Agent Jane didn't talk long – only around 20 minutes.

Leah stomped across the room to a far cot. Her eyes never met ours. She simply grabbed a cot, lifted it, throwing it across the room and into a wall. And then she let out a very primal growl. She was strong even when she wasn't a wolf.

Both Alice and I gasped lightly, swallowing. We both looked to each other and back to Leah, who quickly sat on a cot, crossing her arms.

After a few furtive glances back and forth between Alice and me, I finally stood up and approached her. "Leah, what happened to you? What… did Jane say?"

"And that's your business, why?"

Again she gave me that angry stare and it made me want to cave in and hide from her, but this time I was braver and said, "Because I'm in the same ugly dark blue jumper as you and I feel we're kind of in this together and I was hoping you could help me figure things out." And then feeling more emotional over everything I said quietly, "and I'm scared – but, you seem like you're not."

Alice watched our exchange, as she pulled on some socks.

Leah looked over to Alice and then back to me. It was then I noticed a slight shift in her eyes and they weren't as hard. I wasn't sure if it was because I told her I was scared, or not, but she more gently and informatively told me, "I told you, didn't I? I warned you both to stay away from me and leave. But you both had to have your little adventure with the wolf girl. I wasn't telling you all this to be mean, but because I knew only bad could come of this and vampires, and what I did. And now, just like me, you'll be forced to work with the government to hunt vampires and be used until they no longer deem you necessary."

"But that's illegal – it's not right."

"Since when does a secret organization," she poked her finger at the insignia at the corner of my jumper, "like P-I-I need to do what's legal and right?" Leah laughed mockingly at me. "You are pathetically naïve, Bella Swan. You need to stop being scared and start growing up."

Leah got up and strode to the door to leave when she was met by a guard. He told her gruffly, "Stay in this area."

"I just need to go for a walk."

"Stay in this area, Miss."

Leah stood firm, and I worried she'd do something confrontational, but instead she walked back to a cot and laid down, turning to her side and looking like she was going to take a nap.

I felt Alice's hand on my arm. When I turned she was smiling. "She'll be alright. We just have to be patient. She's worried about her little brother."

"Why?"

"He's…" Alice looked toward the ceiling in that spacey look that she would get… "Here. We're all supposed to be here, despite what Leah said. Things happen and we don't know why, but we need to go through them to get to where we eventually need to be."

I gave Alice a kind smile, wondering what future vision she had to make her say such a thing. It did comfort me to some extent.

"Thanks," I told her quickly. I glanced over to Leah asleep on the cot. So that's what she and Agent Jane talked about – her brother. No wonder she came in so pissed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wasn't sure how many hours passed but the military guards (my guess) guided us, weapons still out, toward a large mess hall. We were able to eat cafeteria style food, like sirloin burgers in gravy with lumpy mashed potatoes and peas and corn. It was pretty Hungry Man heated-up type entrees, and then the rolls…. Alice was asking us if she could have our rolls. Leah and I didn't eat them, and gave them to her easily. Jasper asked for them to please give his helping to Alice. That was really nice of him. I realized Alice was so small and she probably hadn't eaten much in her life. She just evoked that type of perception.

One of them singled me out, "Ms. Swan, come with me."

"Alone?" I asked, my eyes gliding toward Edward and Jasper, and then Alice, and finally to Leah.

There was the slightest bristle when she saw them about to take me away. I actually trusted that if I was in danger she would help me. I sensed that about her.

"Yes, Ms. Swan, the General wants to see you."

"Oh." I realized it was my dad. I asked, "General Charles Swan?"

"Yes Miss."

"Oh okay." I felt relieved and looked to Alice, "That's my real dad."

"Oh good," she said.

I looked to Edward one more time and in my mind I told him, I'll let you know what he says when I get back. I then followed them out of the mess hall. Maybe my dad, the General, could finally clear all this up.

We walked along a corridor that looked like every military facility I'd seen in movies through the years. Small, brightly lit corridors of linoleum flooring, and dully painted walls. Our steps were loud and hollow, especially the boots from the two soldiers who escorted me to where I needed to go.

We entered a very basic office with a desk, file cabinets to the side, and painted a dull white with a few photos of guys shaking hands on the wall.

Behind the desk sat a man in full military wear. His hair was dark brown or black and he had a tightly trimmed mustache, with dark, round eyes and he had a friendly look on his face. He actually smiled when I walked in.

"Bella?"

"…" I hesitated, "…Dad?"

He stood and rushed around the desk to embrace me. It was slightly awkward since I hadn't seen him since I was a toddler and I pulled back, a little uncomfortable and also upset that he was behind this, us being treated like criminals, and never coming by to visit me when I was little. I realized I was really upset at him for that.

Standing an arms length away from him I started in, "What is all this? Why did they put me and Edward Cullen in handcuffs and yank us around like criminals. Our rights were completely violated and then Leah Clearwater. They've been doing things to her – they electrocuted her. And…"

"Whoa… whoa there, Bella. Have a seat."

He finally waved off the two military guards. "You two may leave now."

"Yessir." They saluted and left, as my dad saluted them back, and then closed the door behind them.

My dad pointed out the chair again and I finally sat down. He walked back around his desk and sat also, clasping his hands within one another.

"You've stumbled onto something that you cannot fathom to understand."

"Then enlighten me, dad. Enlighten me to what's going on. I've seen vampires, and their freaky body parts, and people shape-shifting into giant wolves. Overall, I'm sure whatever you can tell me won't be a surprise."

He laughed somewhat admiringly. "You have that spunk in you like your mom."

"My mom is dead – thanks for visiting and for the comfort."

My sarcasm didn't escape him. He looked like I'd thrown a dart as his chest.

"Yes… um," he cleared his throat, "I was at the funeral."

I sat up. "What? I didn't see you."

"Only briefly I showed up at the back and left. My job keeps me watching life from a more clandestine position."

"Secret stuff – got it." I was still snappy.

"Look sweetheart."

"You haven't known me long enough to garner the endearment - Bella, should work."

"Bella, look at you – wow," he sat back in the chair, "really came in with some vim and vigor. I think you got that from me."

I think I rolled my eyes.

He still had a light snicker on his lips. "I'm going to be very open with you." He sat forward, hands on his desk, clasped within one another and with a serious face on. "Our government has been keeping an eye on vampire and shape shifting activity for a very long time. It's to the point that we're not going to be able to keep this secret any more. In a society where the internet and instant news footage is available to practically every human on earth with a cell phone, this is not going to stay hidden.

"There is a group out of Italy that goes by the name, The Volturi. Agent Jane, who I believe you've met, has worked with them since before World War I. She's an amazing woman when you consider she's lived longer than both you and I combined."

I continued listening, my attention definitely piqued as he went on. I didn't think she was amazing – I thought she was a bitch.

"There is a group that has worked alongside the Volturi within Europe and even within our country named simply, Paranormal Investigations. Out of England it is known as Paranormal Investigations Interpol or International – it depends on who is talking about it. The Europeans don't always get along as we've seen with the Euro dollar. Interpol is a British secret agency and so the Germans and Italians do not acknowledge their name and call it International. Frankly, we call it FPI, because it's something we're used to, and cost are siphoned through the federal level."

"I'm guessing a rose by any other name is still a rose too – so… dad, I really don't care. However, what about our country? Are we being held here by England because there's a P-I-I on my jumper, not an F-P-I?" I pointed to the corner.

"Well, they're running the vampire investigation, and we are in Canada at the moment."

"Canada?"

He merely nodded and then continued, "We are in control of the shape shifters and suspect there are others who shape shift into something other than a wolf even. There are two volunteers who are having samples of blood and skin taken by the two Cullen doctors, Esme and Carlisle. I believe you were involved with their son, Edward."

"WHOA – no involvement." I held out my hand. "No way - he's a total geek. I happened to be with him and then he and Alice had some crazy idea to save the wolf girl, Leah, and then she was nearly killed and he drove her to his friend Jasper the Desert Vamp guy's strange underground lair to be worked on and she was bleeding a lot and I passed out – it was crazy, and then that Agent Jane and her SWAT team broke into Jasper's place and kidnapped us – very roughly I might add – and brought us here without allowing us a phone call or legal representation, and frankly," I crossed my arms, "I'm thinking lawsuit."

I realized once I stopped speaking I was shaking. This experience had really unnerved me.

"Look Bella…."

He stood from the desk, his hands clasped behind his back as he walked out from behind his desk and paced a bit. "Our country had a moment of dire circumstances back at the turn of the century when an ex-Volturi member tried to take over and rule the human race once before. Fortunately, thanks to one of your members, Jasper Whitlock and other patriots, it was subverted. At that time, Agent Jane worked as a double agent and helped us out immensely. Not many people know that. And then in the 1950s another group of vampires tried a similar takeover. At that time they took the newborns, as they call those changed into vampires, and placed them in a secret location. You might know it as Roswell."

"No way."

"Yes. Dr. Carlisle Cullen, whose father started the Roswell Project, used DNA from vampires and has been studying them extensively since that time."

"That's a really long time. What did they find out?"

"That the vampires don't make sense. They are nearly impossible to kill unless you work with something paranormal. We have noted the shape shifters are built to defeat vampires, and then other vampires can also fight off vampires, which made Jasper Whitlock a wonderful resource… and Agent Jane. The Cullen's had been trying to experiment on strengthening the genes of the vampires."

"Wait – why would you do that?" I shrieked. "All kinds of things could go wrong doing something like that. Don't you watch movies?"

My dad, the General laughed under his breath. "You… are very quick." He smiled softly, his eyes looking me over, as if he was taking me in. "That is a smart observation."

I realized that is exactly what happened by the dire look in his eyes.

"If we could have an army of vampires that are stronger they could defeat the ones… that are trying to rule the human race. That was the thinking – however…" My father stopped pacing and faced me, his eyes creasing at the corners. I finally noticed he looked like he hadn't slept in a very long time. "Someone somehow got a hold of the experimental fluids. We suspect an inside job."

"Agent Jane?"

He shook his head. "She didn't have access to it. She is our Volturi representative and has been with PII for a very long time – much longer than me. Basically, it has the ability to make them very strong, and has made them able to breed even stronger vampires. The shape shifters haven't evolved enough to combat them. That wolf girl – we had satellite footage of her fighting them. She was no match. They, surprisingly, didn't kill her."

He smiled, looking impressed when he said, "And I saw you on that footage with a very daring and foolish rescue. Why did you go and take on vampires to save that wolf girl?"

"She saved me. She saved me after I got off work a few nights ago. And for some reason…" I couldn't believe I was about to open to my dad. After all these years where he was completely absent from my life, I was going to tell him this, "I wanted to help. I wasn't able to become a paramedic because of my problem with fainting at the sight of blood, and so I became a 911 operator. When I was offered to help save Leah it only took me a few moments to realize that's what I wanted to do – return the favor. And I realize – I'm glad I did."

The General sat down on the chair beside me and took my hand in his. His eyes were a soft, light brown and I realized we had the same color eyes. "I wasn't able to be a part of your life, but you've turned out quite impressively." His mustache turned up at the corners. "That's really brave and quite something, sweetheart… I'm sorry, Bella."

"Thank you… dad."

He stood up from the chair. "I think it's time we go talk with Dr. and Dr. Cullen. I'm sure by now they've shared what I've shared with you, with their son, Edward and the other two, Alice and Leah. Jasper Whitlock already knew of this. In fact, he was quite adamant against the Roswell plan and disappeared for a long time afterward. He used to be the one in the position Agent Jane is in now."

"He worked for PII?"

"He's worked in many capacities for the government. But he stopped working to our knowledge in the 50s. He was, we found out, still providing the Dr's. Cullen his skin graphs and venom for a cure, or counter-agent to the experimental venom that strengthened the vampires. So far, there has been no luck in making vampires no longer vampires."

"Come," he said and I stood from the chair and followed him out of the room. He continued speaking as we walked down another corridor. "What we're trying to do now is find a way to make the shape shifters stronger to help combat the vampire army."

"Wait," I laughed, "there's really a vampire army?"

"Yes. It is being formed as we speak. Your group merely met James, who leads the southwestern brigade. There are others."

I couldn't believe that crazy Edward was right.

I watched my father walking, his strident steps from years of military service. I hoped he really was one of the good guys. He seemed forthright with me regarding information.

I asked, "Why are you telling me this, which I'm sure is classified and top secret information?"

"Because you and your friends are going to sign a piece of paper and will not be allowed to share this with anyone else. You're here and not in prison because you're my daughter, and your early medical training, and from what we've seen, courage, places you in a position to be used on our team."

I stopped walking. "And here I thought you might be a good guy. Basically, we sign the paper and give the government our souls and you don't arrest us for life and send us away to an island near Cuba."

The General turned to me. He was no longer my father. Now I saw the General of this FPI or PII group, and the one who worked for our government above all else. "Yes. I told you, you were a very smart young lady."

"Leah. Are you using her to experiment on for enhancing the shape shifters?"

"We have volunteers."

"Volunteers?" I began to ponder Leah's reaction to everything. "Oh man, you're using Leah's brother?"

His eyes fell back slightly. "How did you know that?"

"She's been bothered since the moment they tasered her and she's looked so distraught. And then Agent Jane spoke to her the moment we got here. What are they doing to her brother?"

"It's none of your business."

Our eyes met, neither wavering, until he turned on his heel. "Follow me and you'll see Leah and your other friends… and meet Dr. Esme and Dr. Carlisle Cullen."

I couldn't imagine how Leah felt at knowing they were using her brother for experiments. I wondered if she attacked Agent Jane when she told her that bit of information, and that's why she was tasered.

Now, I wasn't so sure I could trust my dad. It's not like I really knew him. And I wasn't so sure I wanted to get to know him after what he shared.

A/N Thanks for reading and remember… REVIEWS save lives. : )