AN: I just posted my new fic after some persuasion. The banner is now on my profile page, but will be updated some time this week. Here is the fic's link: http: / www. fanfiction. net /s/ 6969607 /1/ (just remove the spaces).

Bella

I make it to the outskirts of the city undetected. I switched my phone off once I had made it past Port Angeles. The incessant ringing was too much. I knew who it would have been and what they were going to say anyway. I don't need to be a mind reader to work that one out.

My journey here was made easier under the cover of twilight through the Olympic National forest. Running past Port Angeles was tricky, however. I didn't want to be seen, much less catch the scent of a human.

I knew it would be inevitable though. I mean, heading towards a city, my restraint is going to be tested to the max. But I can do it. I will do it… for my dad.

Earlier in the forest in Forks, the scent of the human didn't bother me when I was so worried about Charlie. It's just a case of mind over matter. My father's safety is the most important thing to me. I'm not going to compromise that. I will stay in control.

I stop running in favour of walking after swimming across the Puget Sound, just in case there's anyone around. So far, I haven't seen or smelt anybody.

I stop in my tracks when I see what looks like a poster in the distance attached to the pole of a street light. I make my way over to it. As I get closer, I can detect the familiar scent of my father. I would know that odour anywhere. He's been here, looking for me. He probably put this poster up himself. When I reach it, I detach the flyer from the pole and take a look at it properly. He chose to use the picture of me with my mom that we kept on the mantel piece at my home in Phoenix. I find it a little difficult to remember much about this memory. I decide that if I make it back to Forks alive then I will write down all of my human memories while I still have the chance. I can't lose them. They're all I have left of my mom.

As I gaze at the flyer, I hear the approach of another person. They don't smell human. In fact, it smells like…

"Carlisle," I say as I turn to face him.

"I wish you had come to me instead of running away," he replies as we come face to face.

"Are you here to help me?"

"I wouldn't let you do this alone."

"Thank you."

Carlisle's phone rings. He quickly answers it. I can hear Edward down the line, practically shouting.

"Is she alright?" Edward asks Carlisle.

"I'm with her now. She's safe."

"Can you pass her the phone, please?"

Carlisle hands me his cell and waits with me while I talk.

"Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?" Edward asks.

I try to get his attention by saying his name. He doesn't stop though.

"I told you we were going to handle this, didn't I?"

"Edward." I try again.

"It's not safe for you, or anyone else. Did you not think about the consequences of the decision you made?"

Carlisle must see me becoming visibly upset as he takes his phone back.

"That's enough now, son. I'm not going to let anything happen to her. She's shown amazing restraint. I've never seen anything like it."

"What do you mean?" I ask after I've calmed down.

"Bella, can't you smell them? There must be at least ten humans in the area." He looks at me with a confused expression on his face.

"No, I, uh… I hadn't noticed."

"Amazing…"

"How is that possible?" Edward asks.

"I have a theory," Carlisle replies. "I spoke with Eleazar a few days ago to inform the Denali clan of our new member." Carlisle smiles at me. "I told him all about you, Bella. He was very interested in getting to meet you one day soon. Anyway, he hypothesised that you have a gift."

"What?" I question. "No I don't. I'm just me."

"Indeed you are," Carlisle continues. "You're very special, Bella. Eleazar believes that you are some sort of shield, that your mind protects you from threats. It would explain why Edward can't hear your thoughts. It may even explain why you haven't noticed that there are humans around."

"I don't understand," I reply.

"Your mind has probably sensed that you don't want to harm a human. I expect your shield is helping you to achieve that. It's protecting you from the emotional pain that you would experience if you were to harm a human by not allowing you to do so in the first place."

"I told you that you were stubborn," Edward says, still on the phone with Carlisle.

I choose to ignore Edward's remark.

"But earlier today, in the forest, I caught the scent of a human and chased after it," I explain.

"That was your first encounter with a human as a vampire. Now your mind knows what to expect," Carlisle concludes.

"So… I'm a shield?"

"I believe so." He then turns his attention back to his son. "How far away are you?" he asks him.

"We're running as fast as we can while trying to stay undetected. I would estimate another thirty minutes."

I feel some relief at getting to see Edward so soon. I don't care if he's angry or disappointed with me. I just need him.

"Very well," Carlisle replied. "We'll see you shortly."

"Wait!" he calls out. "Can I please talk to Bella again?"

Carlisle gives me a pointed look as if to ask what I want to do. I nod my head and take his phone from him.

"Bella?"

"Yes," I reply quietly.

He sighs.

"I'm sorry for what I said and how I said it. You just got me so worried."

"It's okay."

"No it's not. I shouldn't have lost my temper."

"And I probably should have told you what I was doing."

"Probably."

We're both quiet for a moment.

"I love you," he tells me. "Be safe."

"I love you too."

I end the call and hand Carlisle his phone.

"You've dealt with so much in such a short space of time. I'm amazed you haven't snapped yet," he tells me.

"Maybe it's my shield," I joke. "Who's Eleazar?"

"We think of him and his clan as our extended family. They're all animal drinkers too. Eleazar has the ability of being able to detect another vampire's gift after just one meeting. I wasn't kidding when I said he wanted to meet you. Perhaps we should all take a trip to their place when this is all over?"

"Maybe."

Carlisle's phone rings again. When he looks at the caller ID his facial features wrinkle up with concern.

"Excuse me," he mumbles to me as he answers the call. "Esme? Are you alright? Has something happened?"

"I'm so sorry," I hear her say. "One minute he was here, and the next he wasn't."

"Who?" I ask, but I think I already know the answer to that. "My dad?"

"I'm sorry, Bella. It's a vampire's scent but I don't recognise it. I haven't come in to contact with this nomad before."

"Where are you?" Carlisle asks.

Esme rattles off an address and some directions.

"We'll be there. Stay safe," Carlisle tells his wife before hanging up. He looks at me as he says, "The moment this becomes too much for you, you must let me know, okay? The city centre will be full of humans. Now isn't the time to test out your shield's capabilities."

I nod, eager to leave and meet Esme. I'm the only one out of us three who has caught the nomad's scent before. It's up to me now.

I will find her.

As we wonder through the streets, I can sense that Carlisle is keeping a close eye on me. Maybe he doesn't completely believe his shield theory. It is just a theory after all.

Every time Carlisle catches the scent of a human, he steps even closer to me. It feels like he's invading my personal space, but I can understand why. He's just trying to help.

It's odd… since Carlisle explained his idea to me about my possible shield, I've noticed that I am able to smell the humans that walk around us, but they smell… different… not as appetising maybe. I can still hear their blood gushing through veins, but only the tiniest part of me wants to pursue them. When that feeling becomes too much to handle, I just think of my dad.

How did the nomad get around Esme? What must Charlie be thinking? I wonder how much he knows. He must be terrified. I hope he's still alive.

"I've informed the others of where we're headed, of course Alice already knew. They'll be able to pick up and follow our scents after that, unless Alice has a vision of where we are," Carlisle tells me as he puts his phone away after sending some text messages from it.

I nod in reply.

"I think now would be a good time to find a taxi," he continues.

We walk down a couple more streets until we find a taxi willing to take our fare. We get in the vehicle and Carlisle tells the driver where we need to go.

"Don't let the driver look directly at you," Carlisle tells me too quietly and quickly for the human to notice. "I don't want him to recognise you in case he's seen your father's flyers."

I nod and turn to look out of the window.

"Don't forget to act human," he continues. "Fidget every now and then, and make it appear as if you're breathing. I know that's a lot to ask. I would usually advise you to hold your breath so you don't become tempted. You're doing brilliantly."

I don't turn to face him just in case the driver catches a glimpse of me. Instead, I move around a little in my seat, and cross my legs to let Carlisle know that I heard and understood him.

I find it easy to act human. It wasn't all that long ago that I was one. Plus, it gives me something to do while waiting to get closer to Charlie.

Ten minutes into the journey, being in such close proximity to a human starts to become too much.

"Stop the car," I tell the driver.

I can see Carlisle looking at me out of the corner of my eye. He digs around in his pocket for his wallet, and pays the driver after he pulls up to the curb. I exit the taxi quickly. I hope I did that at a human speed. I don't dare turn around to look though.

The city air helps to clear my senses a little, but now we're just in a more densely populated area. I'm surrounded by people going about their lives. It would take less than a second for me to end it.

I can't start thinking like that. I'm not so sure I'd be able to stop.

I focus my mind on images of Edward and my father, on happy times that we've shared together. Now that I'm not so close to a human, I also allow myself to stop breathing in their scents. It's uncomfortable at first, but by the time Carlisle and I start walking towards the direction of Esme, I find it easier to do. Carlisle must notice that I'm no longer breathing. He doesn't try to make conversation with me, knowing full well that my replies would use up the precious air in my lungs.

"You're doing great, Bella," he reminds me.

I'm not so sure that I am though. Between the kidnap of my father and being surrounded by what my nature craves the most, surely it won't be long before I cave. I feel weak, almost sick with a lack of strength.

"I need Edward," I utter, not caring about the air I used up. The bond that he and I share will help me. He's the only one who can soothe me.

"You need to hold on for another ten minutes or so, Bella. I'm sorry, I wish there was something more I could do for you."

I nod. It's not his fault. I was stupid enough to think that I could do this. I decide to start breathing again. Maybe it'll help if I did something that was natural to me.

We continue to walk at a much slower pace than before. We pass by some alleyways, and it's then that I smell it.

I stop moving, frozen on the spot.

A growl erupts from my chest and my eyes narrow.

It's her… it's her scent.

The nomad.

AN: Thanks to timidvampire, april666king, team jazper, sujari6, DreamOfTheEndless , Angel N Darkness, traceybuie, IcarusToSun, khartgrove513, loveyoumore18, and Adrienne L. Mendal for reviewing.

Thanks to babylopez2008 for pre-reading.

Until next time...