Seattle Grace. One week later…

~*~

Edward performed the human motion of breathing slowly, whilst clenching the rails of the hospital bed so tightly that the bars groaned in protest. He growled low in frustration, every minute glancing up at the machines that beeped in sync with his love's heartbeat. One for her vitals, one for her oxygen, another to manage the multiple IV's that were dripping life saving medication through her body, speeding its healing process.

Its all my fault. I wasn't there. I'm so, so sorry—

"Edward? Ed…. You've got to stop beating yourself up like this."

Edward felt Meredith's presence as she instantly appeared by his side. The younger, teenage vampire gave the older one a look of hurt and confusion.

"I- I don't… understand…. How did this happen? I wasn't there…" Edward croaked. Meredith placed her icy cold hand on his shoulder, squeezing it.

"Well, you know Bella… she's…."

"Slightly awkward, really lovable, yet accident prone." Edward mused darkly. "This is worse… fifty times worse than that bastard James…."

He squeezed the rails of her bed tighter.

"I thought… she had died….I read.. Carlisle's mind…"

"Edward…Bella died… she was.. clinically dead. But something brought her back… we got a heartbeat… faint, but there.." Meredith set Bella's chart down in the holding case on the front of the bed. "There's no real medical explanation for it."

"Does there have to be? You know.. an explanation for it?" Edward smirked wearily. "How about a miracle?"

"Do you think vampires are permitted miracles?" Meredith questioned.

"Maybe… God intercedes on Bella's behalf for us." Edward smiled crookedly. "I'm gonna stay here for just a while longer… ok?"

"Uh-uh. Either Izzy or Carlisle will be here to check rounds. I'll be back when I can. Just try… and act human.. take a break, and don't forget to breath ok? Oh- and hunt once in a while, ok?"

"Yes mom." Edward said, flopping into a chair. "Sounding like Esme."

"Hey, you heard what Carlisle said- he'll make you go hunting if you don't go yourself."

~*~

Callie sat down in the cafeteria with her lunch tray, while George slide into a vacant seat beside her. Picking up an apple, Callie bit into it, chewing for a moment before observing the amber eyed young woman sitting across from her.

"So…. You're the one who can see things right?"

"Yup… well… my visions are… subjective." Alice said, toying with a wrapper for a candy bar. Jasper lounged uneasily in the chair beside his wife.

"They change when people change their minds." He said stiffly. Alice patted him on the hand tenderly.

"He's still nervous about being near humans. Especially in a place like this." Alice partially apologized. "He's new to the whole vegetarian concept."

" I'm surprised that you're not running screaming." Emmett said, opening a soda, pouring it into an empty cup. "I mean… humans nowadays are taking the vampire thing so cool these days."

Rosaline flicked a strand of her hair out of her eyes. She waved to Alex and Izzie, walking hand in hand towards the table. The vampire couple joined the growing group of interns and Cullen's, all worried about Bella's condition.

"Ed's taking this awfully hard." George mused, stabbing his baked potato. "I'm worried."

"Look at what they've been through though." Izzie pointed out. "Plus, its Bella people!"

"Which is why I'm worried, but also optimistic." George said, smearing butter all over the potato that he wouldn't it- he passed it onto Callie, who proceeded to dump a large mound of salt, pepper, and sprinkle of chives before digging it.

"Hope you all don't mind…' she said through a mouthful before swallowing quickly.

"I must admit, that's one thing I missed from my human life." Izzie said, glancing around at the food on the lunch table. "totally stuffing my face with anything and everything."

"With what food? You were a freakin' model in your human life. You barely ate anything but a few carrot sticks anyways." Alex mumbled, putting a straw in a soda.

" Izzie was a model? Wow."

Christina hovered over the group with a half full lunch tray. Another prop. Sitting down on the far end of the table, she leaned forward, interested in the conversation.

"Sooo… miss anything juicy?" she inquired.

"Well, I've got something-" George was immediately cutoff by Alex.

"Talking loosely about food, human lives, and our favorite human." He interjected. George shot him an extremely dark look.

"Ah-hem, what I was trying to say is-" but he was cut off again.

"Food and Izzie's past life? Uh, no thanks. How's Bella? I heard she… ya know…." Christina put it quietly. Emmett scratched his head.

"Well, you know our girl. Totally flatlined, but Derek and Meredith were able to bring her back. Good thing to- do you know how hard it was trying to stop Ed from going crazy."

"I can only imagine…" George said, remembering the torn look on Edward's face.

"Speaking of which… where is Ed…?" Rosaline asked softly.

"Last time I checked, still with Bella. She's in a coma… but Carlisle is pretty sure she'll pull through. C'mon, we've got to positive here!" Izzie said, giving everyone a determined look. "She's pretty tough for a human after all. I mean- she outwitted James after all."

"Can I pleaaase say something!!!" George said, growling low.

"A coma? I didn't think it'd be that serious….damn… poor Charlie…" Emmett said in a low voice.

"Wait a sec…. whose this James I keep hearing about?" Christina piqued.

"A screw lose, but we managed to nab him." Emmett crowed gleefully. "It was totally a kickass fight!"

"See! I knew I should have went to Forks! God, I hate it when I missed the good stuff!" Alex grouched, sagging in his chair.

"As easy as it was to take him down, it wasn't no picnic for Bella though." Jasper pointed out on a somber note.

"Why?" Callie inquired, taking a sip of milk.

"Because…. That also landed Bella in the hospital for some time." Jasper said, looking directly at her. "Edward did all he could but…."

"But you guys stopped him from killing her. So all's well that ends well." Alex said, hands behind his head.

"Unfortunately…. His mate…. A real bitch of a redhead is still running around…." Emmett said with a spark of happiness at the prospect of a fight. "Sooo… if you guys could…."

"Keep a watch over Bella while you track her down?" Callie suggested.

"Yeah…if its not too much of a problem while we're looking."

"Well, I think I can speak for all of us- plus humans included that we'd be totally cool with that." Alex said with a smirk.

"How in the heck can I really help though? You're freakin' vampires." Callie muttered.

"Well, Bella and Derek are also human, and they're still here." Alice said knowledgeably. "Plus, I haven't foreseen any major disaster."

"Maybe Bella's accident through that nut off her trail? Hey- it could happen." Izzie said with a smile.

"Hmmmm…. That could be… " George admitted. "Now, can I finally…. Talk?"

"Course, O'Malley. Table's yours." Alex said with a generous sneer. George scowled.

"Callie and I….. we got married."

The entire table went silent for a minute.

"YOU…. DID…. WHAT?!"

George sat back smug, as the other vampires looked at him with wide, golden eyes. Alex's mouth opened and closed, and Izzie slapped him on the back. George looked unsure.

"What….? Got a problem with that?" he asked, insulted.

"Nope." Alex smirked. "Guys…. She's Callie O'Malley now…"

George looked miffed when the entire table burst into laughter.