A/N: Here we go... We've got some answers coming and we finally get to hear from Bella. Or maybe it's because we get to hear from Bella... Either way... I want to take just a second to thank all of you for reading & give special thanks to those of you who take time to review. You guys totally brighten my day. Thank You.
Xtra Special thanks to my beta Twike and her magic pen.

As always, SM - she owns all things Twilight - Me - I'm just trying to put the voices in my head to good use :P
Enjoy!!!

Prey For Protection

Chapter Fifteen:

Charlie

I stepped out into the misty, early evening air and sucked in a deep breath. I'd never been so grateful to Sue Clearwater in all my life. I walked across the damp grass of the Clearwater's front yard toward the cruiser and couldn't resist smiling at the memory of the scene that had transpired moments before.

Harry had been irate to learn that his daughter was on Cullen land, let alone being cared for by Dr. Cullen. He'd insisted that I drive straight back there and bring her home. I explained Dr. Cullen's concerns as best I could, but Harry was nothing if not a stubborn ole coot. The man refused to listen to reason.

Just as my patience hit its limit, his wife, Sue sprang from her place on the old plaid couch where she'd been a quiet observer until that moment. She was downright awe-inspiring the way she stalked toward her husband, her dark eyes trained on his as she verbally let loose on him.

"Are you honestly going to sit there and allow your pride to prevent Leah from getting the best treatment she can get? All your talk of loyalty and family and you'd turn your back on your own daughter?"

"I'm not-" Harry started to defend himself, but Sue wasn't having it.

"You're not turning your back on her? I'm no more a fan of the Cullen family than you are, but there's no denying that that doctor of theirs is the best around. You have Leah removed from his care and brought here to be cared for by the elders and you are turning your back on her. You're putting your personal feelings and your pride ahead of her needs. Do you want to be the one to tell Seth why his sister didn't get the care she needed?"

She stood glaring at him for a long, silent moment. When she spoke again, her voice wasn't much above a whisper, but her words were razor sharp. "I won't allow it. I love you with every inch of my soul Harry Clearwater, but I will turn my back on you before either of my children are denied something they need."

Sue looked up at me and extended her hand. "May I see the consent form please Charlie?" She asked, glancing back at Harry to judge his reaction. I handed her the slip of paper Dr. Cullen had asked me to have them fill out, and she grabbed a pen from the side table and set to work on it. A couple minutes later, she signed her name at the bottom with a flourish and returned the form to me.

"You tell Dr. Cullen to take good care of my baby," she told me, "and if there's anything else he needs you just let me know." She continued watching her husband as she spoke, her expression daring him to argue with her. Appearing content that he wasn't going to offer any further objections, she returned her gaze to me. "If you have time, I'd like to pack a few things for you to take to Leah."

I smiled and assured her it was no problem and she hurried out of the room. I looked at my long time friend; Harry's forehead was in his palm and his posture was defeated as he sat in his favorite brown easy chair. I wanted to ask him what everyone's problem was with the Cullen family, but instinctively, I knew he wouldn't be willing to explain it. I'd been through it before with him and Billy Black more times than I cared to count.

I glanced around the room, noticing the decorations for the first time. The interior was very festive looking with blue and silver streamer hanging from the ceiling and framing the doorways. There were balloons of assorted colors and sizes hanging from the walls and the chairs in the kitchen. The festive décor was a sore contrast to the heavy tension in the room.

Sue returned a short time later zipping up a large, black, canvas duffle bag. Her eyes darted to her husband as she handed it to me with a weary smile. "There are some fresh clothes, and her iPod, and a few other things she might want. I also stuck a list in there for Dr. Cullen, it has our phone number on it as well as both my and Seth's cell phone numbers." The concern she felt for her daughter was obviously outweighing her anger with her husband as she looked up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Please tell him to keep us posted."

I nodded and shouldered the bag, looking around the room one last time as I prepared to say goodbye, anxious to get back to my own daughter. Sue excused herself and nearly ran up the stairs after saying goodbye. I started toward the door and was about to push it open when Harry's voice stopped me.

"You come to my house and demand that my daughter be left in the care of those… those monsters, even after she nearly died to save your Bella." He raised his head to look at me, his face drawn and his eyes void of their usual light. "Leave and know that you'll not walk through that door again until my Leah is back where she belongs."

I started to say something, but thought better of it. Instead I just nodded and left. As infuriating as he was, he was still one of my oldest and closest friends. It struck me as more than a little funny that the father of a girl who could turn into a giant dog would refer to Dr. Cullen and his family as monsters. I shook my head as I slid into the cruiser and started back toward Forks.

It was nearly six o'clock when I found myself turning back onto the Cullens' nearly hidden driveway. I dismissed Stan from 'guard duty' with a wave and promised to call him later. I parked in front of the large garage and stepped up onto their front porch. Before I had a chance to knock, the front door swung open and there stood tiny, little Alice Cullen.

"Hello, Chief Swan," she beamed and stepped back, beckoning me inside. She led me into the dining room; the walls were covered in light wood paneling that matched the expansive rectangular table sitting in the middle of the room. An elaborate crystal chandelier hung overhead, and the entire Cullen family was sitting around the long, maple table.

"I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner," I said, stepping awkwardly back into the doorway. I saw the largest of Dr. Cullen's kids chuckle as the good doctor rose from his seat to greet me.

"No interruption at all chief," he assured me, coming forward to shake my hand, "we were just sitting here discussing the events of the afternoon."

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, feeling strangely self-conscious under their gazes. I reached into my coat pocket withdrawing the yellow consent for treatment form he'd given me to have the Clearwaters fill out. I handed it to him and saw him exchange an amused look with little Alice, who'd returned to her place at the table.

"I take it things went well then?" he asked, smiling warmly.

"I don't know if I'd go so far as to say things went well," I told him, smiling a little again at the memory. "But we got done what needed done. The way I see it, that's really all that matters."

"Indeed," Dr. Cullen agreed.

"Oh," I started, remembering the bag I was carrying. "Leah's mother sent some things for her. She said she put a list of phone numbers in there for you in case you need anything else. She also asked that you keep her updated on Leah's condition."

"Really?" Dr. Cullen asked, taking the bag from me, "I'll be sure to do that."

"So how are they? Bells and Leah? They doin' ok?" I asked him.

"They are both doing quite well," he assured me. "Why don't we go upstairs and look in on them. I'd like to give your Bella something to ensure that she sleeps through the night. After the day she's had she'll-"

"Dr. Cullen," I interrupted, realizing I still didn't know how much anyone had seen of the attack at the school. "I don't mean to be rude. Lord knows I'm grateful for everything you've done for those girls, but what do you know about the day Bella's had?"

I turned and looked at Edward and then over to Alice, she looked more than a little nervous and appeared to almost shrink under my gaze. "What exactly did you two see out there?" I asked them.

Dr. Cullen laid his hand on my shoulder in a calming gesture, and I felt myself relax significantly. "Chief Swan, let's go check on the girls, and then we'll all sit down and discuss everything. You can ask Alice and Edward anything you want and I assure you they'll be fully cooperative. There's a few things we'd like to discuss with you as well, but I'm sure you'd rather see Bella first."

"Jasper," he called over his shoulder, "would you mind escorting us upstairs? There's no doubt the sedative I gave Bella has worn off by now, and I might require your assistance."

I glanced back as a tall boy with wavy, blond hair rose from his position next to Alice. He reached down and ruffled her hair playfully before joining us.

I chanced a curious glance at the doctor who explained, "If she wakes up distressed, I may need some help holding her down to medicate her. Jasper has a very soothing bedside manner, and I'd hate to have to ask you to restrain your own daughter."

I nodded, knowing I'd hate for him to ask me to do that as well.

We walked up the staircase in a relative silence. I worried again about how much Bella had seen and how she'd react to everything I needed to tell her. We stopped outside the door and Dr. Cullen stepped back giving me access to it. I took a deep breath, knocked, and waited.

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

Bella

I felt as though I was struggling to free myself from death's dark clutches. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't force my eyes open. I couldn't lift my arms or my legs. I couldn't even turn my head. It felt like some invisible force that bore the weight of the world was holding me down.

I heard something faint, almost musical, and vaguely familiar. I tried to focus on the sound, but it stopped before I could identify it, and a pressing silence took its place. I listened attentively, but the sound did not return. My fruitless struggles to regain control of my body had worn me out, and I soon resigned myself to the comfort and peace of the thick fog invading my head.

At some point later, I heard a soft, tinkling sound. I realized it was a voice, quietly whispering reassurances near my ear. I focused on the voice, desperately hoping it would lead me out of the darkness. It was soft and feminine and full of promises that everything would be all right. I felt my hair being pushed back off my forehead and a strand being tucked behind my ear, icy cold fingers grazing my skin and sending a faint chill down my spine.

The name Alice floated to the forefront of my mind and I realized the voice I was hearing belonged to Alice Cullen. Her frigid touch caused something within me to ignite, and a memory I'd forever wish to forget, came rushing back.

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

I'd not much more than started around the track for the first time when I heard Embry calling out to me. I stopped and turned to find him and Jessica jogging my way. Jess was grinning from ear to ear, but Embry seemed a little tense as they made their way toward me.

I started walking toward them, until from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of movement just beyond the cover of the trees. I stopped and looked off in that direction, partially expecting to see Edward, partially expecting to see James and more than a little relieved when I only saw trees. I returned my attention to the approaching couple and forced a smile onto my face as I resumed my walking. I felt eyes on me, and my skin crawled under the scrutiny. I forced the feelings down as I joined them, chastising myself for being so paranoid.

"Hey Bella," Jessica said warmly as she moved to slip her arm around Embry's waist and nuzzle under his arm.

"Hey guys," I replied, maintaining the tight smile on my face.

"What are you doing way over here Bells?" Embry asked, glancing around before adding, "and all by yourself? Everything ok?"

I took a deep breath, preparing to tell them about my run-in with Lauren, when another movement in another part of the trees caught my eye. I closed my mouth and stared into the trees for a moment, watching for any other signs of movement. Just before I decided that I was hallucinating, it happened again. This time, however, there was no sudden blur. This time, someone peeked out of the trees, someone hauntingly familiar, someone I'd hoped never to see again. Felix.

He was gone as quickly as he came into sight, causing me to hesitate in telling Embry about it. It was as if he'd simply disappeared, which wasn't possible.

"Bells?" Embry pressed when I failed to respond.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the trees. I knew what I saw. Felix was out there, and if Felix was in Forks… James had to be nearby. My eyes raked across the tree line searchingly, desperate for confirmation, yet absolutely terrified of it. I saw nothing but the branches of the trees dancing in the light September breeze.

I closed my eyes for a second and swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. Nothing could have prepared me for what greeted me when I opened my eyes and turned to meet Embry's gaze.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, although in reality, I was acutely aware of the fact that it all happened impossibly fast. Over his shoulder, I saw a blur. He took a deep breath, his shoulders stiffening and eyes widening as his nostrils flared. He started trembling almost violently, and a split second before he could turn around to see what had caught my attention, two pale hands grabbed him; one grasped his chin, the other pressed into the side of his head. With a sudden twist, a sharp yet muffled, series of cracks pierced the air. I watched the briefest moment of shock cross his face before the light in his eyes faded. The pale hands disappeared and Embry's body fell lifelessly to the ground.

Jessica's slender frame buckled under the full force of Embry's weight, and she cried out in frightened surprise as she collapsed underneath of him.

A scream caught in my throat as I found myself staring into the familiar crimson eyes of Bree. She smiled, but it wasn't a warm or welcoming smile; it was cold, almost wicked. Her eyes darkened as I stared dumbly at her. She wasn't any bigger than me, yet she'd obviously snapped Embry's neck as if it were a twig.

Her lips twisted into a sneer, and she knelt down into a crouch, hissing at me like some kind of crazed animal. My heart was hammering inside my chest, and no matter how quickly or how deeply I breathed, I couldn't seem to get enough air. My eyes darted from Bree to Jessica and back again. I wanted more than anything to run, but I couldn't fathom leaving Jessica there. She was crying hysterically by then as she struggled beneath Embry's dead weight. He was bigger than the two of us combined, I wasn't sure we could move him without the threat of Bree snarling and hissing at us.

Bree leaned toward Embry, grabbing his lifeless body by his face and yanking him off Jessica. She tossed him aside, as though he weighed nothing. My stomach churned when I saw her examining what appeared to be a piece of his flesh. I assumed she'd ripped it off as she'd thrown him and fought back the bile I felt rising in my throat. I felt the world sway for a moment as the sickening scent of copper, rust and salt overpowered my senses. She threw the chunk of flesh over her shoulder with a shrug and then brought one of her bloody fingers to her nose to smell it. She grimaced and then I saw the pink of her tongue dart out to taste one of her bloody fingers. Her face became even more disgusted and she spat several times, muttering something that sounded a lot like 'filthy dog,' as she wiped her bloody hands off on her jeans.

She looked back up at me, her face suddenly brightening. She flashed me an absolutely dazzling smile and faster than I could register the movement, she had her hand wrapped in Jessica's frizzy brown tresses and was using the handful of hair to force the panic-stricken girl to her feet. I watched the light fade from Embry's eyes again in my mind and knew that there was nothing I could do for Jessica.

I took a faltering step backward, only to feel cold, vise-like arms wrap around my torso from behind. I felt a cool breath against my ear as Felix softly whispered, "Hello again, Izzy. You've been a naughty girl haven't you? Running away from us like that," he chastised, "James has been awfully worried about you."

He ran his cold nose along my jaw and down my neck, inhaling deeply and making a sound somewhere between a hum and a growl. "I have to admit," he continued once he'd retraced his path back to my ear, "you are one of the most delicious smelling humans I've ever encountered. I don't know how James resisted you at all. I suppose we'll just have to hope that I'm as strong-willed as he is hmmm?"

He grabbed a handful of my hair, wrapping it tightly against his fist. He used it to force me to look at Bree. She was watching us, her face alight with sadistic glee. She used her hold on Jessica's hair to yank her closer, allowing Bree to wrap her free arm around Jessica's waist. She pulled Jessica closer still and pulled her hair forcing Jessica's head backward.

"James only wants that one," she said huskily while pointing to me. "Now that that disgusting mutt's dead, what should we do with the extra human?" She leaned down and ran her tongue along the length of Jessica's neck, sending the poor girl into a fresh fit of hysteria.

I felt Felix's rock hard chest tremble before I heard the sound of his dark chuckle. "What would please you my pet?" He asked her.

She smiled up at him, looking much like a child asking for a new toy, or an ice cream from the truck. "I'd very much like to have her," she replied, so softly I barely heard her.

I was consumed by the darkest, most ominous feeling I'd ever had as I felt his chest rumble behind me again. What the hell was wrong with these two? What did she mean she'd like to have her?

Unfortunately, my curiosity was quickly allayed.

"I still can't bring myself to deny you anything," he said with what sounded like forced reluctance.

Bree stared in Jessica's eyes and whispered a soft, soothing "Sshhh…"

Immediately Jess' tears subsided, and her pathetic cries quieted. Bree smiled and much to my surprise, Jessica smiled back. Bree dipped her face to Jessica's, appearing to brush a soft kiss across her lips. Jessica sighed and hummed softly in response. When Bree dipped her head down a second time, Jessica wrapped her arms around the crazy girl's neck and willingly returned the kiss.

I felt Felix's grip on my hair tighten as Bree pulled away from a very flushed and panting Jessica. She glanced up at us, smiling wickedly, and then dipped her head to Jessica's one more time. Instead of going in for another kiss, she went for her throat.

Jessica let out a brief, strangled gurgling sound. She struggled against Bree for all of a minute before her body fell limply into her arms. A moment later, Bree dropped Jessica's lifeless body to the ground, mere feet from where Embry's corpse lay.

I gasped, and then felt all the air in my body leave as I noticed Jessica's bloody, mangled throat and the blood dripping from Bree's maniacally upturned mouth. I desperately tried to suck in air, but I just couldn't get enough.

I had no control of my body, or of anything around me. I felt myself being yanked along roughly by my hair and found myself unable to offer any resistance. The two of them spoke, but it was so quick and so quiet that I couldn't understand what they were saying.

I stumbled along between shoves and yanks on my hair, realizing after a moment that we were heading toward the woods. It occurred to me that once we stepped into the cover of the trees, no one would find us. I gathered every ounce of effort I could, and resisted.

I locked my legs and desperately tried to cement my feet to the earth below me. I opened my mouth to scream, but it was silenced before it started as a stinging slap brought a frigid hand to cover my mouth. I felt myself being lifted into the air and was shocked to find Bree holding me up as though I weighed nothing. She had one hand clamped over my mouth and the other holding me up beneath my arm. I had no idea when Felix had released my hair, but my scalp tingled in gratitude.

Bree looked up at me and with a single mind-jarring shake she brought my face less than an inch from her own. Her cool, sweet breath blew out across my face, as she leered. "James wants you alive sweet Izzy, but if you don't behave, there might be an accident before we get you back home. We wouldn't want that would we?"

I couldn't do anything but shake my head in response. I felt the tears start down my cheeks and closed my eyes to stifle them. I watched another mental replay of the light disappearing from Embry's eyes and saw the image of Jessica's mutilated throat. Had I really thought I could fight them? I'd already seen Bree kill two people with seemingly no effort.

James wanted me back bad enough that people would die if they interfered. That realization rocked me to my very core. If I had just gone with him in the first place, Embry and Jessica would still be alive. If I'd never come to Forks, none of this would've happened. Felix and Bree came to Forks looking for me. Their deaths were ultimately my fault.

I felt Bree lift me and sling me across her shoulder. I thought of Leah and Jake and was instantly grateful that they'd been wherever they'd been instead of anywhere near me. I resigned myself to whatever fate had in store for me, certain it would be no worse than I deserved for endangering the ones I cared about, whether it was intentional or not. I wouldn't be responsible for the spilling of any more blood.

I retreated as deeply into myself as I could, Embry and Jessica's deaths playing on a continuous loop in my mind. The only thought I could focus on was that it was entirely my fault. I barely noticed Bree dropping me rather ungraciously onto the forest floor.

I heard voices, four distinctively different, and yet similar and very familiar voices. I forced my eyes open, and a silent 'No!' reverberated throughout my head. Standing in front of us, engaging my captors in what appeared to be polite conversation, were Edward and Alice Cullen. There was no way they could know how dangerous these two were.

I couldn't make out their words, but I could see their mouths moving. Their faces were friendly, and unassuming, neither of them giving any indication of having seen me. My mind was a steady stream of 'Dear god not them' and 'Please not them too.' Other than that, all I could hear was the booming sound of my heart as it pounded erratically in my chest, the noise resounding and echoing in my head.

I covered my ears with my hands, fruitlessly trying to silence the hammering in my head so that I could think. I couldn't let them fall victim to the madness my life had become. I knew that if I tried to warn them, Felix and Bree would kill all of us. I wracked my mind for a way to alert them without attracting any other attention. I silently prayed and swore that if Edward and Alice could escape unharmed, I would gracefully accept whatever James had in store for me without so much as a whimper of complaint. I glanced around for something I could use, but there was nothing except trees and grass.

Suddenly, a thunderous rumbling shook the forest floor as a monstrous, furry creature sprang from the trees behind us. It landed on Bree and with what seemed like an incredibly gentle push I found myself in the waiting arms of Alice. I only got a glimpse of silver fur on a creature resembling a wolf the size of a horse before tiny little Alice Cullen swooped me up bridal style as she took off deeper into the woods at an impossible rate of speed. We moved so fast the trees blurred as we sped past them.

My head was pounding and my ears were ringing as my mind screamed out its protests against the myriad of impossibilities that I'd witnessed in the past half hour. I covered my ears again as the pounding of my heart and the screaming of my mental voice became too much. I felt the pressure inside of me building to a near painful pinnacle and I truly believed that it was going to cause me to explode. The last thing I remember is hearing an ear-piercing scream as I plummeted into an abyss.

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

My eyes flew open and I jolted upright as the memory faded. Panic stirred within me as I frantically looked around the unfamiliar room. Where had she taken me? The only light provided was that of the moon shining in through the windows that took up the entire wall to my right. I also saw a sliver of light beneath the door that I assumed led out of the room, but I was too frightened by who or what I might find on the other side of the door to approach it.

I gasped and pulled my knees up under myself, preparing to leap off the bed as a distinct, yet soft knocking on the door pierced the silence. I sat there, heart pounding furiously and frozen in fear as I watched the door slowly swing inwardly, illuminating the darkness with a soft white light from the hallway beyond.

"Dad!" I cried out, relief filling my voice as Charlie's frame came into view. I sprung from the bed and made to quickly cross the room. One of the heels of my boots was broken however and so instead of throwing myself into his arms, I fell into him, nearly sending both of us to the floor. I couldn't remember having ever been so glad to see him.

"Bells," he whispered into my hair as he caught me, immediately wrapping me in his warm embrace.

Visions of Embry and Jessica's murders flashed through my mind again, and I hugged him as tightly as I could. Something inside of me burst. Without warning, hot tears streamed down my cheeks and I was overcome with sobs. Their deaths filling me with a sudden and ever-changing myriad of emotions; loss, hopelessness, absolute terror, and worst of all, guilt. I couldn't silence the nagging reminder in the back of my head that it was entirely my fault.

He stroked my hair and made soothing, shushing sounds and whispered reassurances. He held me and tried to comfort me until my sobs subsided and I pulled back to dry my eyes on the filthy, tattered sleeve of my blouse. That was when I noticed our audience.

Standing behind Charlie were two gorgeous men. One I recognized from school as Jasper Hale, one of the adopted 'Cullen kids.' The other I didn't recognize at all. He was tall, lean, blonde and had familiar honey-colored eyes. He appeared older than Jasper, but not by very much, and he carried what appeared to be a black, leather doctor's bag. Jasper offered me a tight smile, and I suddenly felt considerably more relaxed.

The older of the two gently cleared his throat, and Charlie let me go, turning toward the men. "Bells," he said softly, "this here's Dr. Cullen. Alice brought you here this afternoon and he checked you over and took care of ya. He'd like to check you over one more time to make sure you're alright." He gestured toward Jasper and said, "That's Jasper, one of Dr. Cullen's sons. He and his siblings go to your school."

I nodded my acknowledgement at Jasper before returning my attention to Dr. Cullen. His smile seemed genuinely friendly, and I sighed as I felt myself relax further.

"Hello Bella," Dr. Cullen's voice was gentle and soothing as he spoke. "Why don't you have a seat?" He suggested, motioning toward the bed as he stepped into the room. "I'd just like to check over your vitals again," he assured me as he followed me to the bed. He set his bag on the nightstand and turned, smiling down at me. He had a stethoscope hanging around his neck, which he used to listen to my heart rate. He shined a light into my eyes and then took hold of my wrist.

I sucked in a breath and snatched my hand away from his cold one. My heart rate picked up and my chest burned as breathing became difficult. I was instantly assaulted by memories of Felix's cold, vise-like hold on me, Bree's frigid touch, and Alice Cullen's strong, cold arms carrying me as she ran. My eyes darted from Dr. Cullen's hand to his concerned face and back again.

He smiled, and a look, of what appeared to be understanding, crossed his face before he turned to address Charlie.

"She's going to be fine," he assured my father. "I would like to give her something to help her sleep. The rest will undoubtedly do her good, and after the ordeal she's been through it will ensure her undisturbed slumber, no threat of so much as a nightmare. You have my word."

He spoke with a conviction that somehow seemed to exceed his words, and it struck me as odd. I looked to Charlie and found him staring at the doctor with a grim look on his face. His forehead was creased in his 'thoughtful face,' as though he were deliberating over something, I watched his expression become resolute before he finally gave a curt nod to Dr. Cullen.

The doctor returned his nod with a soft smile and reached into his bag withdrawing a small white plastic bottle. He twisted off the cap and shook two tiny white pills out into the lid. He set the uncapped bottle next to his bag and picked up a glass of water I hadn't noticed sitting there, wordlessly offering them to me.

I glanced uncertainly back at Charlie, who smiled reassuringly, and nodded for me to take the offered medication. I felt a brief pang of trepidation but it was gone as quickly as I noticed it, and I felt almost lethargic. The room swooned around me and I was grateful that I was already sitting or I might've collapsed under the intensity of it. I couldn't deny that I was exhausted, and I prayed that a peaceful night of rest would cause the days events to make more sense. Too many impossibilities to consider, I swallowed the pills and the water, replacing the empty glass in the doctor's waiting hand.

Dr. Cullen's smile never wavered as he returned the glass to the nightstand. His eyes were kind and full of compassion and his voice was peaceful and soothing as he spoke. "Why don't you lie back and relax Bella. I need to speak with your father for a few minutes." I felt a faint smile cross my lips and I found myself unable to look away from his golden eyes. He was undoubtedly the best looking doctor I'd ever seen, even cuter than the ones on the soap opera Renee used to watch. I felt the pillow, soft as clouds behind my head, though I couldn't remember lying back.

When my eyes fell closed, I felt as if I was swimming in a golden pool of peace and tranquility, floating far away from fear and grief. Something tugged at the corner of my mind, something I knew I desperately needed to remember, but I dove deeper into the golden pool and succumbed to the peace it provided.

A/N2: Again & as always, Thanks for reading! Now hit the little button & tell me what'cha think.
Reviews = Teasers
Oh and ch 16 is going out to the beta tomorrow. I just gotta go over the last paragraph one more time. (After I get some sleep)

XOXO,
Sonia