CARLISLE
I hurry after Jen and take the box from her. She smiles and shakes her head a little. We walk down a hallway and end up in what can only be a study. There's a large, beautifully carved oak desk. There are bookshelves lining the walls. A few of those shelves are empty.
"I cleaned off some shelves for these books. I didn't know how you liked to keep your desk while you research," Jen interrupts my mental tour.
"This is fine," I comment, still in awe of my workspace.
"You have a laptop on the desk, in case you like a digital display. That typewriter has been here awhile, so some minor maintenance might need to be done if you prefer typing on paper. Notebooks, loose leaf paper, and binders are in the drawers on the right side. Sticky notes, tabs, and folders are on the left side. Pencils, either mechanical or wood, and pens, in a multitude of colors, and highlighters, also in a variety in colors, populate the lap drawer," Jen informs me.
"This is amazing," I reply. They have thought of every research need.
"This study is yours while we are at this house. When we move to another house, a stud will be set aside for your work there," Jen keeps eye contact throughout our dialogue.
"Thank you," is all that I can say.
"Now, on to the books. Our medical books on witches are extensive as you can see, but our collection is by no means complete. Like in every medical field, there is constant advancement. I have marked some areas that you will want to start with," she tells me. I pick up a book and flip to a spot that she marked.
"Injuries sustained from spells?" That does not bode well.
"Yes. Bethany is training and does not have complete control over her magic, as you witnessed in the clearing. I'm sure you can appreciate the hazards of training a witch. Even a fully trained witch that has had their magic for centuries can have the occasional accident. Being prepared for such a thing, especially with a witch-in-training on the team, just makes sense. Any injury resulting from magic requires…particular care," Jen answers, still looking at me.
"You have a point," I concede.
"I want to start training your family later tonight, but I think that your time would be better served here," Jen states.
"Okay, they will enjoy that and I have more than enough to keep me busy," I respond.
BELLA
Jen, Dakota, and I go for a walk. We have things to talk about and don't want to be disturbed. As much as we love and tolerate our guests, they can be distracting. At least everyone is going to Sarah's concert tomorrow night. That should shake some of the cabin fever Jake and Emmett have.
"When we get back, I want to start training with the vampires," Jen informs us once we are out of hearing range of the safe house grounds.
"Sounds good to me," Dakota responds as she perches on an outcropping of rocks.
"We might have a problem with Rosalie," I tell them.
"Because of Sarah?" Jen asks as she sits on a tall stone near Dakota's spot.
"I don't foresee then getting into a fight while we are Hunting the Volturi," authority rings in Dakota's voice.
"I'm sure she will behave. And besides, Sarah has her career. It's not like she works with us very often," Jen is clearly not concerned.
"Just the same, they might need some ground rules added should they stop acting like adults and start acting like toddlers," I'm not really concerned after Dakota checked.
"After we train with the Cullen family for about a week, they should be ready and we can go after Renata," Dakota break the silence that had settled, comfortably, around us.
"We are going to split into two teams and go after two targets, so we need to decide on a second target," Jen adds.
"What if we went after Jane and Alec, while the second team goes after Renata?" I suggest.
"I like it," Jen responds quickly.
"Me too," Dakota assure me.
"Uh, can Edward be on the other team?" I can't hold the question back.
"Why?" suspicion colors Dakota's voice as she and Jen narrow their eyes at me.
"I'm not sure he'll be able to help himself should I get attacked," I voice my concern. Jen and Dakota look at each and then back at me.
"I see him on the same team as you," Dakota says. Jen doesn't look surprised at all to hear that.
"Bella, just because someone makes a mistake, or several mistakes, doe not mean that they aren't trying to change," Jen tells me gently.
"I know that, really. I just don't want anyone to get hurt because of a mistake in the field," I sigh.
"You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs," Jen can't hold back her grin.
"How did I ever function without you telling me these little gems?" I grin too.
"You know, sometimes I wonder," Jen gets through her giggles.
We all head back in good humor. Maybe Jen's right and Edward is trying to change. I hope he understands that we need to be equals. I hope I really let him show me that things will be different. With Jen and Dakota giving him advice and me reality checks, I'm sure that sometime soon a real relationship will be possible.
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I saw a healer meeting up with us after our next mission," Dakota says as we enter the grounds that the safe house sits on.
"Then Bethany will have to make a choice soon," I reply.
"Maybe she'll be like me, getting her specialized training and then coming back," Dakota comments.