Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Trophy

Charlie sat on the ground with his head in his hands, his face a grimace of pain. The woman tugged on his arm, screaming to him that they had to move as the child cried nearby.

"Dad!" I cried, running full-tilt for him. Edward shouted a warning and made a grab for me, but I was in control. This was my father. Edward took off after the woman who tried to run for it with the child.

Carlisle and Rosalie jumped out of the way as I grabbed my father. As soon as my arms went around him my throat lit on fire. His blood pounded through his veins, warm and lush. Locking down all my muscles I held him firmly but gently, as if he were a bubble that might break from too much pressure.

A hand touched my shoulder. I spun and growled, protecting what was mine. "Bella," Carlisle said, his voice one you would use with a wild animal, "Let me treat him. I promise not to hurt him." I growled, cradling my father.

A warmer hand patted my other arm. "I love you too, Bells, but you need to let the doc take care of me." My father's face was grey and lined, his eyes were dark with huge, black circles underneath and his jaw was clenched. "Come on, he can give me something for the pain."

"You want that now?" Carlisle asked, kneeling down beside us and ignoring my growl.

"Yeah, doc, I think it's more than I can handle anymore." My chest tightened and I gulped air despite the fire it set to my throat. "Don't cry," Charlie said, patting my arm again. "We all knew this would happen one day." His eyes filled with pride as he looked at me. "You make a beautiful vampire, Bella. I'm so glad you're going to be happy and well forever."

He gave me a little shove, it was like being bumped by a bee. "Now, let go of me and let the doctor take care of me." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "You probably shouldn't go next to the others, those red eyes of yours are creepy."

A laugh bubbled out of me at his inappropriate comment. How like my father to worry about someone else as he sat there, possibly dying. I laid my head on his shoulder for a moment, gave a sigh, and let Carlisle take him from me.

In an instant Carlisle was running, having shouted only one word, "Hospital." Edward nodded and stopped trying to placate the woman. Odd that I hadn't heard her while I was so focused on my father. Rosalie made a grab for the child and took off after Carlisle.

"Follow behind us," Edward said. Faster than even my eyes could register he had the woman over his shoulder and was off. Just before he was lost in the trees he stopped and looked in the direction of the battle. "Caius is dead. Emmett…" His frantic eyes found mine.

"I'll go check the others," I said, though Carlisle carried my heart in the other direction.

When I returned to the field it appeared the nomads ruled. Anyone in a cloak was down on their knees. A pillar of purple smoke came from the center of the field. Emmett was directing everyone, in spite of missing an arm.

"Hey Bells," he called across the field. "Do me a favor and find my arm? I think it's off that way." He waved in a vague direction across the field, something metal glinting in his remaining hand. The flame-thrower. "Now, is there anyone else who thinks they should be in charge?" I noted that no one answered him as I took off searching, desperate to find it so I could get back to my father. Emmett's voice continued to boom across the field, holding court, waving the flame-thrower like a trophy.

While I searched, Emmett, Alice, Jasper and Esme set up a new vampire government with the input of all there. Each coven would take turns being in charge, their rule would last for a decade and couldn't be repeated until at least a century passed. The next coven would be chosen by popular vote. When asked what would happen if a war broke out, Emmett shrugged. "Whoever wins gets to lead. I suggest you get along." He made it very clear the Cullens would not be going first.

I found his arm when they were discussing how voting would take place. It was gross to watch Jasper reattach it, seeing the bones, nerves, blood vessels and all join together. Emmett winced a few times. Did it hurt or itch the way mending bones and cuts did on humans?

Alice watched me fidget for a minute as they discussed laws. With a shake of her head she pointed in the direction of town. "Go, you'll be fine."

It was all the encouragement I needed. My feet flew over the ground. I caught Edward's scent and followed it. He would lead me where I needed to be. When the sounds of the hospital reached me I began to call. "Edward, I'm at the hospital. Edward, can you hear me?"

I was met by Jacob. "You don't want to go in there, Bells. There's blood."

"Yeah, I can smell it," I said, swallowing down venom. "I want to see Charlie, though."

Feet moving swiftly from the hospital drew my attention. I smiled, Edward was coming. It only took a minute. "He's in surgery," he said as he came to where we stood. "It was the only way to relieve the pressure on his brain."

"He said he didn't want…"

"Carlisle convinced him to give it a try."

"But it might…"

He gathered me in his arms. "I called Alice. She said he would make it." My entire body sagged against him. It felt as if someone pulled the plug and all the energy drained out at once. Not surprising since we hadn't stopped moving from the time I woke up to this life. He cocked his head in the direction of the hospital. "You better get in there Jacob. Marta's contractions are getting closer together."

Happy Monday! We're getting close to the end.