Chapter 18
(I don't own anything please read and review) Please go to my profile page for a kick ass Castiel (fake) movie trailer. I found it on youtube and love it!
"Be careful Bells. Give us a call and we'll meet up. Still a ways to Ellen's."
"Ok."
"Don't be too long mom's eager to see you." Jo says as Bella hugs her.
"Oh and Bells…"
Bella peers into the car.
"When he shows up again just watch your back."
"Gotcha."
"I'm serious."
Bella smiles.
"I know D."
He grumbles and hits the radio peeling out to Poison By Alice Cooper.
Bella grips her keys but looks to the house once more. She reaches for the handle to her truck and sighs. Dropping her hand she turns yet again to the house. Her Converse seem to drag across the ground as she forces her closer. Bella opens the door the heaviness already hitting before she even steps inside. She eyed the kitchen as she made her way through the house. There was as set of stairs she hadn't been up yet. Her hands grip the railing as she takes her first step along the creaky staircase. Once she gets to the top she closes her eyes for a moment. Bella takes in a breath and enters the first room closest to her.
It still had a toddler day bed, dresser everything was left as was. Everything was purple except for the walls, they were white. Bella picked up a picture of her as a baby.
Shh… I just got her to sleep Charlie don't wake her.
Guess that means were finally alone
Charlie (Renee giggling)
Bella reached her hand out upon her mother's shoulder but it goes right through. She gasps and takes a few steps exiting the room as they fade. Once she was in the hallway she leaned against the wall.
She stared upon the other bedroom. Slowly she steps towards it.
Their bedroom just as was as well. It had been done in earthly brown tones and vanilla colored walls. Bella stepped inside she focused on the wedding picture of her parents on the dresser. She looked in the mirror seeing her father with his back turned fixing his collar.
"We're going to be late Renee."
"When are we not late?"
He turns with a smile.
"True but still."
"So you promise?"
"Yes Renee I'm done. My last case was yesterday."
Her mother enters the room smiling and putting on an earring. She kisses Charlie's cheek.
"Wonderful."
"What about you Renee? "
He tilts his head but places a hand along her back. He sighs as he removes the gun from her pants.
"Old habits Charlie."
"We're starting over Renee. Just you me and well whoever this little guys gonna be."
He places his hand to Renee's stomach.
"How do you think Bella will feel about having a baby brother?"
"Charlie I haven't even told anyone yet."
"I just want to see her face."
"I don't she even knows what that truly means"
"Nonsense"
The room spins as Bella steps back.
"Well there she is!"
Bella's eyes widen as Charlie turns directly towards her. She swallows back and she noticessomething walking right through her.
"Daddy!"
"Hey Bells" Charlie says and bends down to pick her up.
Bella shakes her head and continues to back away. She rushes down the stairs. The shots begin to fire and Bella takes out her gun.
Kill the bitch too
What about the baby?
"NO!" Bella yells as they aim at her mother.
Bella fires her gun it goes right through them. Another man aims at the playpen and fires. The child begins to cry and Bella rushes to the playpen. She pulls it back witnessing the bullet hole that barely missed her.
The room becomes heavier and Bella leans back against the way. She rubs her face gun still in hand.
"It's an echo…"
She jumps and aims. Castiel's crouched before her and he lowers her gun. Bella shuts her eyes and comes to her feet.
"Sorry Cas."
He nods and looks around.
"What do you mean by echo?"
"The energy here. It's more like a recording. It constantly replays itself."
"She was pregnant…"
Castiel narrows his eyes.
"I would have had a little brother…" Bella says softly.
Bella puts her gun up and a filing cabinet catches her attention. She heads towards the area under the staircase. Her hand runs along the drawers as she pulls on one but it doesn't budge. She starts to look around for a key. However she hears the drawer open and turns to see Cas is holding it in his hands.
"You needed this?"
"That's like really cool Cas."
She says making her way outside with the drawer. Castiel however looks towards the wall with the bullet hole by the playpen. He then looks to Bella as she's kneeled down looking through the files. He runs his finger along the hole and looks to her once more.
"Say Cas how do you feel about going on your first case?"
"I do not believe there are any artifacts here."
"No this one's a little more personal."
"Personal?"
"Yes Cas. I understand if you don't want to. But this is something I gotta do."
"Do you want support in this?"
"That's entirely up to you."
"I will join you."
"Just keep in mind… human Cas…"
"Human…" He says as Bella takes the box of files and drops them in the back of her truck.
"That's right. Like Dean."
"Dean?"
"Sure why not."
"So you want me to cover your ass."
Bella's eyes close for a moment as she pinches the bridge of her nose.
"First off I can't believe you just said that. There is so much wrong with that but I'll take it for now."
"Ok….when do we eat?"
"That's not funny Cas."
"Who wants some pie?"
"Cas…"
Bella takes in a deep breath. She knew she had a long way to go when it came to Cas. Once she gets in the truck she opens the glove compartment. Bella hands Castiel a badge.
"You're officer Brown and I'm officer Ford. We're going in undercover."
"Brown?"
"Yeah just let me take the lead ok."
"Ok."
Bella drives up to the school and parks.
He nods as Bella opens her trunk and chances out of her Converse. She places her boots on and grabs her gun and knife and conceals them. She then puts her hair up in a ponytail. She shuts the trunk.
She gives Cas one last hopeful glance.
"You ready?"
He nods. Bella takes the lead and he follows her to the building. They enter the office where Bella introduces herself to the principal
"Hello I'm Officer Ford and this is Officer Brown."
Bella quickly adjust Cas's badge as it's upside down. She smiles upon the principal.
"It's been a long day." Bella explains.
The tall red headed principal smiles.
"How can I help you two today?"
"Actually we've been sent here to do some questioning about a certain drug dealer. Apparently Ms…"
"Ms. Daniels."
"Ms. Daniels word is they've been selling to a few of the students. We wish to do a little homework ourselves and get this jerk off the streets and make our children safer."
"Oh wow and right here in Forks?"
"Precisely all the more reason to get it stopped and quick."
"Well by all means you two take all the time you need."
"Thank you Ms. Daniels."
Bella makes her way out of the office. But not before she hears Cas say.
"That's not how the actual Rafael presents himself." She winces and turns as he's pointing to a picture in the principal's office.
"Officer Brown?"
Cas continues to stare at the picture tilting his head.
"This could not be further from the truth."
Bella comes back and tugs at his jacket.
"Sorry Officer Brown was up all night with another case. He's clearly exhausted."
She motions him towards the door.
"Oh I think he's cute." The principal says once Cas steps out.
Bella pauses for a moment.
"Cute huh?"
She nods and looks back to some notes on her desk. Bella clears her throat and exits the office.
"That picture was inaccurate."
Bella softly chuckles.
"Oh Cas what am I going to do with you?"
"What are you going to do with me?" He looks to her in question.
"I've not a clue. Cas not a clue." She says and starts walking the halls.
She remembered one of the names in her father's files. Cullen. She wasn't sure if this person lived in town or not. There were some others but that seemed to be his latest case it was around the time they were murdered. She wondered if that was his very last case. All she knew was a small town like this if this person had children they were bound to be here. If not someone here had to know who they were. If not she'd have to do more digging. The bell rings and she and Cas step aside as the students make their way to their lockers.
Castiel notices a certain one paying extra attention to Bella. But there was something else. He wasn't human. The boy looked upon them both but mainly Bella. Another one also not human came up and smacked him in the back of the head.
"What's with you Eddie boy?" The more brawn one questions.
He whispers something in the other one's ear and he turns also facing them. Castiel steps in front of Bella protectively.
"Cas… What are you doing?" She whispers.
She side steps and walks around him. Bella stops a brunette in the hallway. She flashes her badge.
"Just a quick question and you may head to class. Do you know of anyone by the last name Cullen?"
The girl points directly to the rustic haired boy that had been scoping Bella out.
"Thank you."
The boy turns away and starts to walk away from her. Bella picks up pace.
"Hey you…"
He keeps walking.
"Cullen!"
He stops in his tracks and turns.
"Just need to speak with you." She flashes him her badge.
He sighs and rolls his eyes.
"You're a cop?"
Bella smiles.
"Yes."
"You don't look like a cop."
"And he doesn't act like one." He points to Cas.
"He's my partner Officer Brown and I'm Officer Ford."
She holds out her hand for him to shake.
"Cold?" She questions.
"Low thyroid."
She nods.
"Edward Cullen." However she can't help but to notice the menacing glances exchanged by Edward and Castiel.
"I'd like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind."
"Actually I do mind."
Edward reaches to his head like he's got a headache. He looks to Cas oddly. Edward leans into Bella.
"I think you're both pushing a very thin line. For your own safety you should both go back to wherever you came from."
"Heaven?" Cas questions.
Bella nudges Cas rolling her eyes. Edward tilts his head and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"What are you? Both of you!"
A pixie looking girl comes by. She smiles and takes Edward by the arm.
"Hello I'm Alice."
"We were just leaving Alice."
"Just wait!" Bella calls as Edward heads for the doors.
Bella follows him out the door.
"What are you hiding?" She questions them.
"What makes you think I've something to hide?"
"Why do you keep trying to run off?"
"Why are you looking for me?"
Bella looks around and then grabs him by the collar of his jacket.
"You're pissing me off."
He laughs and shrugs her off him
"It's a good thing you're pretty cause you haven't a lick of sense."
"So you think I'm pretty?" She says flirtatiously trying to win him over.
Castiel turns to Bella noticing how she said this. He didn't like it but wasn't sure why . Edward grins shaking his head.
"Perhaps you've some sense after all."
"Well I don't necessarily make a living off of how pretty I am Mr. Cullen. Therefore I need answers and that means I have to ask you some questions."
"Maybe you should switch your career Officer Ford. Make more money that way." She makes it a point to show Edward she's packing heat. He sighs.
"Look you see that yellow jeep over there?"
She nods.
"Follow it."
He says and walks away.
Bella and Cas follow the jeep to this extravagant house out in the country. Once Bella steps out she notices Edward is like right there beside her.
"Um that was fast." She comments as she'd never seem him get out of the jeep.
He nods but Bella starts heading towards the house. Edward lingers behind her and takes a whiff of her hair closing his eyes. Castiel appears behind him and places a hand on his shoulder. He says nothing just gives him an intimidating look. Bella of course takes no notice.
Edward rolls his eyes and shrugs Castiel off him.
Edward opens the door for Bella.
"Wow… This is a beautiful place you got here. Very bright."
"Thank you."
"Ah we have guests." A tall blond haired man says as he descends from the stairs.
"Officer Ford and Brown." She motions towards Cas.
"Carlisle Cullen."
Carlisle does a double take towards Castiel.
"And what sends you out to Forks."
Edward leans into Bella's ear and whispers.
"You're not a real cop are you?"
She turns towards him.
"Want me to show you just how real I am?"
Edward smiles.
"Actually I just had a few questions is all."
"Please have a seat."
Carlisle motions towards the living room. Bella couldn't believe how open and white everything was. She wondered how they kept it so clean. Castiel and Bella turn to see the rest of Edward's family entering the living room.
"Esme…" A another woman says offering her hand to Bella.
"Yes this is my wife and these are my children Edward, Jasper, Alice, Emmett and Rosalie."
She couldn't help but to notice how extremely attractive this entire family was. Especially Edward even if he was slightly younger than she. Castiel happened to notice how she looked upon Edward as well. What Castiel didn't see was how Bella looked upon him however. At least not to the sense of understanding, then again neither quite understood what this was exactly.
"It's nice to meet you all."
"Could we just cut to the chase? Why are you really here?" Edward says snippy like.
"Let's not be rude son." Carlisle utters.
Bella notices how the blonde they called Rosalie keeps cutting her death glances. The blonde boy Jasper kept a hand over his mouth and stood further back. Emmett the burly one looked bored and Alice was all smiles the entire time. Bella wondered if they were all adopted but that was the thing they all looked alike even their eyes were the same golden brown color.
Bella clears her throat.
"Did either of you ever know a Charlie or Renee Swan?"
Carlisle comes to a stand and narrows his eyes.
"Why do you ask?"
"So you do?"
Carlisle sighs and glances upon his family.
"Yes I knew Charlie."
Bella felt a lump in her throat at his words. She wanted to ask him so many questions now it was unreal. What was he like? What was his favorite food? Did you know my mom too? Etc… But she knew she had to get to the point.
"How did you know him Mr. Cullen?"
"He was rather an acquaintance I suppose you could say."
Now what is he hiding? Bella found herself wondering.
"So you worked with him?"
"In a way I suppose you could say that."
"How so?"
"Would you all excuse us please?" Carlisle says looking to his family.
However Edward looks upon his father and shakes his head.
"I had to son it was the only way."
"What's going on?" His wife questions.
"That's what I'd like to know." Bella says looking upon Edward and Carlisle.
"You can't honestly trust these people!" Edward snaps.
Carlisle turns towards Bella but smiles warmly.
"You're Isabella aren't you?"
Bella's eyes widen a bit.
"How'd you…"
"I'm sorry about your parents. They were good people. Such a shame."
Bella tries to keep her emotions intact. Edward turns to her.
"I'm sorry I had no idea." He says softly and she nods.
"How'd you know who I was."
"He'd shown me a picture of you and Renee once. You were quite little but I'd recognize those brown eyes anywhere. You were a beautiful child, even more so as an adult."
She sighs and lifts her head.
"Do you happen to know anything about what happened?"
"Not really Isabella I'm sorry I can't be of more help. I can however tell you a bit more about Charlie and I's history. See if maybe that helps enlighten this any."
"It's Bella."
Carlisle nods.
"I'd turned to your father as a client at first. That was how we first met. I'd heard he was one of the best. However considering my family's situation I was a bit leery to be honest. I didn't want to put any of them at risk. Yet ironically it was because of them I had sought your father out."
"Carlisle please…"
"I know what I'm doing son."
"I truly hope so." Edward says looking displeased as he leaves the room with the others.
"You've to forgive my son. He's very protective."
"I've noticed." She says looking upon Castiel in irony.
Castiel leans over and whispers.
"They are not human Bella. It would be wise to take precautions."
She turns back to Carlisle. Carlisle's looking upon Castiel he leans back and crosses his arms about his chest.
"No we are not."
Bella starts to cautiously reach for her gun. Carlisle appears before her and disarms her.
"There will be no need for these I assure you."
Castiel comes to a stand.
"You may want to step away." He stares Carlisle down.
Carlisle nods and takes a few steps back.
"I see you've got your own as well."
Bella smiles getting his drift.
"He's not one to push around."
Carlisle places Bella's gun and knife down on the coffee table.
"Well as he was saying and he's right. We are not human. We are vampires."
She grows tense at his words and eyes her weapons. The hunter within her fought to be kept at bay. She swallowed and eyed the vampire.
"I'm sorry to say I've killed a few of you leeches."
Carlisle nods.
"I figured this much. However we are not like other vampires. We do not feed from humans. We feed only from animals. We choose to live a peaceful existence. All the more reason I turned to your father for help."
Carlisle takes a seat placing his elbows upon his knees. He then braces his head upon his hands.
"We did not live here at the time. We lived in Canada as a matter of fact. We actually moved here not too long ago and that's when I heard the horrible news about your family. I had chosen Forks in hopes to having someone I could trust and knew around. Someone that knew all of our secrets just as much as I knew his. I was sad to find out he'd died so many years ago. We'd no way of knowing. I was deeply saddened and disappointed by this. I also knew that you'd be about my children's age and hoped you'd all become friends. But you were also gone. I'd heard you were adopted and was pleased to hear that at least."
He presses his lips together.
"I see you've taken to your father's footsteps?"
Bella nods.
"I only hope you've grown up to be somewhat like him. I owed that man my life. If I had only known he was in danger as well I'd have done whatever I could to help."
"My parents were murdered the day after he gave up the life of a hunter."
He grimaces.
"I turned to your father when a slew of newborns had been created."
"Newborns?"
"Yes Bella they are what we refer to as first year vampires. They were becoming more and wider spread in Canada particularly in the town we were living. Like I said we are peaceful vampires that feed from animals. However our existence was becoming more and more life threatening. More and more newborns were about and more people were dying. They weren't even bothering to clean up after themselves. Not that it was all their faults they were simply being created and left to fend for themselves. I'd heard of a hunter that dealt with such things. Though I wasn't sure how to turn to him once he found out what I was exactly. So I approached him alone one day just to get the feel of what could take place. By no means was I putting my family at risk. They were already in danger enough. It took some coaxing on both our parts once I explained who I was and my situation, to make a long story short. Your father helped take care of the newborns by going to find their creator. He destroyed them first then helped us kill off the newborns. Once we were done and did a body count there had been over 103 newborns created. It was as if someone wanted to out us vampires. Thankfully your father found a way to cover the story. He burned the bodies and offered that we were welcome to Forks if ever needed. I probably could have handled some of the situation myself. But I was trying to keep guard of my family as well. I needed your father's intelligence however to hunt down the creator. Come to find out they were building some sort of newborn army they were casting away the ones they didn't deem fit. They'd leave them discarded on the streets to survive on their own. Needless to say it became chaotic and bloody pretty fast. Many lives were destroyed. However thanks to your father many were also saved along with my family."
"I'm glad to hear that. I never really knew my parents."
"That's a true shame. I didn't know Renee as well but she too seemed very nice."
"So you've not a clue who could have possibly murdered my parents?"
"No Bella I'm sorry I can't be of more help. However if I do ever find out anything I'd be the first to let you know."
Bella nods.
"There's something else you should probably know."
Edward enters the room at this point.
"My mother was pregnant. No one ever knew that. So I lost a brother as well that day. That and well…"
Bella shakes her head.
"They tried to kill me as well but the bullet somehow missed."
"It seems you've done quite a lot of work investigating this."
"More or less I suppose." She didn't want to go into detail about the echo Cas told her about.
"I really wish I could be of more help Bella."
"It's ok. I'm just glad to know at least a little about them."
Bella looks over at Edward.
"You've nothing to worry about."
He nods.
"It was a pleasure to meet you all. I'm sorry I caused a bit of a disturbance with your son today."
Carlisle nods and shakes hers and Castiel's hands. Bella grabs her weapons and puts them away.
"We'll get out of your hair now."
"Please feel free to visit anytime." Carlisle offers.
Edward looks to Bella a certain way but places his hand along the small of her back as he opens the door for her. Castiel watches from behind as he follows them out. Edward continues to walk Bella to her truck.
"So you're leaving already huh?"
Bella smiles.
"Yep got other affairs to tend to."
"Something about you… It's different. I must say even refreshing." Edward says looking her in the eyes.
"Um ok…" Bella says not quite sure what he meant.
"So what is that guy to you anyhow?" Edward questions looking to Cas.
She looks upon Castiel. She bites her lower lip blushing a bit. Edward sighs.
"Goes to figure." Edward takes her hand and kisses it before he walks back towards the house.
If only Castiel had been around human girls enough to even realize… But he was still clueless. All he knew was he didn't care for Edward Cullen. He didn't like him touching on Bella like that. He didn't understand why he felt slightly angry now. Castiel simply just wasn't used to these feelings.
"You ok there?" Bella ask turning to Castiel.
Castiel turns to her.
"I will suffice."
"Suffice huh?"
She looks to him oddly.
"I believe you do more than suffice Cas."
Castiel grumbles a bit Bella cocks a brow at this.
Bella calls Dean and lets them know they'll be running late.
"They already got us a hotel." She tells Castiel once she hangs up.
He nods.
"I'm remorseful about your parents and the unborn child."
Bella sighs and adjust her rearview mirror.
"Me too Cas."
Bella cuts on the radio.
"You did good for your first go."
"I didn't do much."
She smiles thinking that was probably best but didn't voice it. They travel for a few more hours before getting to the hotel. Bella notices the sock on the hotel next door and laughs to herself.
"Gee D might as well announce it." She mutters and grabs her things.
Castiel opens the door for her and locks it once he pulls it shut.
"Ah.. you're learning." Bella says noticing this.
"Yes." He says and takes a seat.
She smiles at this.
"Look Cas I'm gonna shower." She hands him the remote.
"Here just erase that whole idea about acting like Dean. Why don't you scroll through the channels and watch how the men act. It could prove to be somewhat beneficial to you maybe even educational." She shows him how to work the remote before she heads to the shower. Castiel plants himself down on the bed across from the TV. Castiel hears the door unlock but doesn't turn from the TV.
Jo and Dean walk in and Jo's eyes widen as she covers her mouth.
"Um Cas?" Dean begins to question with a grin.
"CAS! Watcha doing?"
"Bella thought it would be educational for me to watch this."
"Wait wait… Bella my sister… wants you to watch porn?"
"She thinks I should no longer emulate you."
"What are you talking about?"
"She wants me to emulate the men on TV instead."
Jo's mouth drops
"Then you most certainly can't watch this!"
Castiel tilts his head still trying to look around Jo.
"If he loves her why does he spank her? Did she do something wrong? And I don't truly think that pizza man loves the baby sitter he keeps calling her names."
Jo quickly changes the channel.
"No way are you going to learn anything good from that!"
"Yeah it might be best you do not tell Bella about this."
Cas nods and zeros in again. Dean laughs.
"You do realize that's the three stooges."
"What it's better than what it was."
"Is this incorrect?" Cas questions.
"Actually no knock yourself out Cas!" Dean says with a chuckle.
Dean quickly cuts the TV off once he hears his sister coming out of the bathroom. Jo bites her lip waiting for it.
"Hey you two." Bella says brushing her hair.
She turns to see the TV is off now. She sits beside Cas and says.
"So what did you learn?"
Castiel makes a fist and holds it out. She narrows her eyes looking to him confused.
"Um what do you want a fist bump?"
Dean's dying as he continues to watch.
Bella shrugs and makes her hand into a fist and bumps it. Castiel then brings his fist up and knocks her lightly on the head. She pinches the bridge of her nose and stands back up. Dean's jumping up and down in laughter.
"Certainly…" Cas says looking to Bella.
She doesn't say a word. She goes to Dean's hotel room next door and grabs a beer out of his fridge. She sits on the curb and opens it. Bella takes a swig and almost chokes.
"OH COME ON!" She yells and comes back in.
"What?" Dean questions chuckling still.
"Drink this and you tell me!"
He takes a swig and shrugs.
"Is that water?"
All three turn to Cas. He's turned the TV back on and is zeroed in once again.
"You're welcome." He says without looking to her.