Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything in the Twiverse. No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter 31: Confirmation Breeds Confusion
Edward's POV
The conversation with Jacob Black was a tremendous disappointment. Without revealing as much externally, my family and I had placed our hopes on Charlie being in La Push. And if the young Quileute's word was to be believed, those hopes had been completely dashed with nothing waiting in the wings to replace them.
Bella was looking to me to do something, and I planted a reassuring kiss on her forehead. Alice and Esme had drawn closer to their mates as Bella leaned on the table with her elbows.
"I think it's time we explored other possibilities," Carlisle said soberly.
"Not yet," Jasper interrupted. "I don't think we're quite done with the wolves."
"You heard Jacob." Bella raked her hands through her hair. "Charlie left La Push two days ago."
"So he says."
"You don't believe him?" Esme asked her son.
"Not exactly," Jasper said. "The Quileute boy wouldn't be privy to his father's activities unless he phased. And there has been no evidence of that."
"He couldn't have phased since the meeting?" Bella asked.
"No," Carlisle explained. "From what I understand of the initial transformation, it takes more than one week to phase back to human form. Jacob would be in no condition to interact with anyone outside the Pack."
"Let alone a human who just married a vampire," Alice added dryly.
"Jacob would never hurt Charlie," Bella maintained.
"Maybe not," Jasper conceded. "But Charlie is still absent from Alice's visions. So regardless of what Jacob says, I think that Charlie is still on the reservation."
Bella placed her palms against her forehead and exhaled loudly. "Then I guess we need to talk to the wolves again."
"We would have to be careful," Esme said. "If we raise questions about Charlie's whereabouts, however circumspectly, they would know that something has happened to him and insist on getting involved."
"Which is the last thing we want," Carlisle said.
"Why?" Bella asked. "If Charlie's not in La Push, then wouldn't it be better to have as many people looking for him as possible?"
"In theory, yes," I said softly. "But our truce with The Pack is tenuous at best. As natural enemies, cooperation between wolves and vampires would be nearly impossible, even in the name of a human we both love. And we wouldn't want the infighting and mistrust to impede our mission."
"Besides which," Alice added, "even if they are on our side, their presence would still compromise my vision. And that would negate any help they might give us."
"I guess that makes sense," Bella muttered. "But I still don't believe that Billy could be holding my father against his will."
I could tell that Jasper was preparing to refute her sentiments again, and I stopped him with a swift shake of my head. We may have been the experts on the supernatural aspects of the situation, but ultimately, Bella would have the final say on how we proceeded.
She looked up at me, her brown eyes sullied by sadness. "What do you think?"
I held her gaze for a long moment, debating as I searched her soul. "I need to read Billy's mind," I finally said. "That's the only way to know for certain if Charlie is in La Push."
"Doesn't he know of your abilities?" Bella asked.
"We have taken great care to keep our gifts a secret," Carlisle said. "The wolves do suspect that I use some sort of magic to keep my family intact, but that is all."
Bella sighed. "They don't think very highly of you, do they?"
Carlisle shook his head. "And the feeling's mutual," Alice muttered.
"We still need a legitimate reason to see Billy again," Jasper said. "Something above suspicion."
The room fell silent as my family struggled to come up with a plausible excuse and Bella struggled not to panic. As their thoughts mixed with my own, every suggestion I heard was thin or cumbersome.
Until I remembered the details of Bella's conversation with Jacob.
"Carlisle, have Billy meet us at the borderline where the road curves," I said. "Tell him that his son needs a few pointers on respecting the treaty."
—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—
Billy had not responded well to our desire to meet again so soon, and I'd feared that he would refuse and leave us with no choice but to trust his son's testimony. But when Carlisle mentioned Jacob and another possible violation of the treaty, Billy reluctantly relented.
Bella had asked if she could hide in the car, but their keen sense of smell would have noticed her in an instant and invited the very questions we didn't want to answer.
"I won't be long." I kissed her again at the front door as Carlisle and Jasper walked toward the Volvo. "And I'll call as soon as the wolves are out of sight."
She nodded and released me, and I tried to be strong as I got in the car and drove away. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been away from Bella for so long, and my chest ached with missing her. But saving her father was more important than holding her right now, and this time, we were in agreement: I was leaving her behind to protect her.
The trepidation in her eyes was still haunting me when Sam's truck came into view. Carlisle stood in front with Jasper and I on his left and right flank. Because we outnumbered them, Jasper felt that a familiar arrangement would appear less hostile.
For all the good it would do.
Billy and Sam kept their brown faces blank, but their thoughts were shouting at me.
Well, if it isn't the blushing groom, Sam sneered. I swear, if I smell one drop of human blood on him, I will rip him apart!
Whatever Jacob did, it wasn't as bad as that one ruining Bella's life by marrying her! I hope my son encouraged her to get a divorce. Tribal law frowns upon taking a divorced woman as a wife, but in Bella's case, I'm sure Jake would make an exception.
Despite my boiling anger, I betrayed nothing as Sam helped Billy get out of the truck. They took turns glaring at each of us as they approached, elaborately turning up their noses at our smell. As their earthy stench assaulted my senses, I remembered Alice's words to Bella and almost smiled.
The feeling was definitely mutual.
"What do you want?" Billy barked with a hard glare at me. "I am a busy man."
"This won't take long," Carlisle said politely.
Billy grunted in response, and I swallowed my attitude as I addressed the weathered tribal elder. "Jacob just had a conversation with Bella during which he invited her to La Push," I said.
Billy and Sam looked at me expectantly and then at each other. "So?" Sam asked.
"As Jacob well knows that I am not allowed on the reservation, I take that invitation as a blatant attempt to get her alone and undermine our marriage."
Sam actually smiled. "The treaty doesn't forbid that."
"No," Carlisle said, "but it is very clear about instigating war-inducing activities."
"War-inducing?" Billy cried, his indignant thoughts coming fast and furious. "That one marries a human, and you accuse my clueless son of inducing a war?"
"My son has never done anything to compromise your identity," Carlisle said, and Billy's thoughts mellowed at the memory of Jacob's breach on the beach. "Yours, on the other hand…"
"That was a mistake," Sam interjected. "The boy didn't know what he was saying."
"And," Billy added, "based on Bella's current marital status, I am sure that she knows more about you than my Jacob may have innocently revealed."
"Innocently being the operative word," Carlisle said. "Jacob's first slip could be excused as unintentional. But inviting Bella to La Push knowing how much you hate her mate seems like a ploy to sway her."
Sam snorted as Billy's dark eyes narrowed. "If Bella can be compromised by a simple visit with my son," the latter said to me, "then perhaps she isn't really yours."
My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and Sam chuckled. "Better control that temper, newlywed. We wouldn't want Bella to be widowed so soon after her nuptials."
"Neither Bella's feelings nor her loyalty is in question," Carlisle said firmly with a glance in my direction. "Your son's ability to abide by the treaty, however, very much is."
"Jacob is harmless," Sam said. "And since Bella is no longer in the dark about your true nature, I see no problem with allowing her to visit La Push as often as she likes. With her husband's express permission, of course."
I ignored his sarcasm. "What about Charlie?"
"Charlie?" Billy asked, instantly alarmed. "What about him?"
"I assume that Charlie is ignorant of both our secrets," Carlisle said. "And we would like to keep it that way."
"Then he should not have married his only daughter," Sam spat.
Carlisle continued. "We are concerned that your aversion to Bella and Edward's marriage might put Charlie in danger of learning our secret."
Billy's eyes turned to black ice. "You think that I would subject my oldest friend to the monstrous bloodsuckers that govern your world to prove a point?"
"Stranger things have happened," Jasper observed.
"What sort of man do you think I am?" Billy growled, his thoughts resentful yet tender as he thought of his best friend. "Charlie's life means more to me than my own. And unlike you, I protect him from the supernatural forces in his life. So we will continue to keep your secret for Charlie's sake and to honor the treaty. You should take care to do the same."
Billy's thoughts became irate, and Jasper sensed the change. But Billy spared him the necessity of inquiring about his meaning. "The treaty may be silent about some things," he said. "But on others, its voice is certain and strong."
I caught his inference and promptly released it, focusing on Bella's face and refusing to be goaded into an overreaction.
"We are well aware of all points of the treaty," Carlisle said calmly. "Particularly in regards to where your jurisdiction begins and ends."
"Was that the plan?" Sam demanded, stalking toward us with flared nostrils. "To marry Bella so you could take her somewhere unprotected and turn her into a demon without our interference?"
Instantly on defense, Jasper lowered himself into a snarling crouch in front of Carlisle before Sam had taken three steps, and I prepared to spring from Jasper's left side as Sam eyed us with ancient hatred.
"Boys!" Carlisle exclaimed. "Stand down."
Sam's thoughts were itching for the confrontation as he vibrated with destructive intent. I wanted nothing more than to silence him forever, and Jasper's feelings were perfectly aligned with mine.
But Carlisle had spoken, and neither of us would lift a finger against his wishes. So Jasper exhaled a loud breath and slowly rose to a standing position. As the tension began to recede from my limbs, I fell back into formation. Our attempts at goodwill had finally run out, and everyone knew it.
"Sam, we're done here," Billy proclaimed in a low voice.
With pained deference, Sam groaned and turned around, his anger lingering as he retreated. As Billy gripped the wheels of his chair, he looked at me again.
"Charlie Swan is not a stupid man," he said. "If you take his daughter away, he will not rest until he finds her again. And what will you do when he does?"
His parting shot hit its mark, and I could only stare at him blankly. Carlisle thanked him for coming as he rolled by, a courtesy which Billy neither acknowledged nor deserved.
No sooner than Sam's tattered truck turned the corner did Jasper's phone ring. The tinkling sound of Alice's ringtone alerted me to my accidental negligence, and I was thoroughly chagrined when a familiar song soon rang out from my phone. I had hoped for a moment to decide how to share the news with Bella, but that was no longer possible, so I answered on the first ring.
"You said you would call."
I hung my head in shame. "I'm sorry, Love."
"What happened?"
I took a deep, needless breath. "I heard Billy's mind. And Sam's."
"And?"
"And Charlie's not in La Push," I said softly.
Her breathing hitched, and the sound tore me apart. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sorry, Love."
"But…" I could almost see her biting her lip as she tried to make sense of my words. "But Alice still can't see Charlie. What does that mean?"
Carlisle and Jasper heard her question and looked at me, the anguish plain in their golden eyes. "It means I'm coming home. Right now."
—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—
When we pulled up to the Swan front door, Bella was on the porch, her moist eyes pulling me to her side before the car fully stopped. I cradled her in my arms as my father and brother proceeded into the house.
"Where is he, Edward?" she muttered into my chest. "And why can't Alice see him? Why is this even happening?"
"Hey." I exhaled softly, knowing my scent tended to relax her. "Our search has barely begun, so don't worry. We will find your father."
"But Alice still can't see him," she repeated miserably.
"And I still can't hear you."
She looked up, her damp lashes batting slowly. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"You Swans tend to be the exception to our gifts," I remarked as I led her toward the house. "Maybe Alice can't see Charlie for some genetic reason akin to my inability to hear your mind."
Her brow furrowed. "Yeah, she said that last night…." Then her eyes cleared. "Just promise that you won't 'baby' me. That if the worst has happened, you will let me know as soon as you do. I can handle the truth, and I need to, whatever it may be."
My heart swelled with awe for my brave, strong girl. She saw right through my attempt to distract her, yet she seemed not to hold it against me. I stroked her cool cheek with the pad of my thumb. "I promise."
As we walked into the kitchen, Esme was wiping the spotless counter. The dishes had been washed and put away, and the leftover French toast was idling in the microwave in case Bella found her appetite. She went to the cupboard and took down a mug, and before she could turn around, Alice had already put on the tea kettle.
"Thanks," Bella half-smiled. Her eyes floated around the room, landing on random items. But when she looked at the refrigerator, she paused.
"What is it?" I asked.
"This magnet," she said. "I sent it to him from Phoenix a few years ago. 'Hail to the Chief.' I thought it was cute."
"I'm sure he did, too," Esme smiled.
"Why hasn't anyone from the station called?" she asked. "If he didn't show up for his shift, shouldn't someone have called me by now?"
"That's a great qobservation, Bella," Carlisle said with no small measure of wonder. We should have thought of that hours ago, he thought, and I nodded my agreement.
"Wait," Jasper said as Bella pulled out her cell phone.
"Why?" Bella exclaimed. "If he's there, then we're worried for nothing."
"But if his daughter calls looking for him and he's not there, she'll alert them that something is wrong," Jasper said gently. "The fewer humans involved, the better."
Bella and Jasper watched each other, and I didn't bother to intervene. She could hold her own against any of us, and Jasper needed to know that he could treat her as an equal.
As she stared at my brother, something in her mind must have changed because her shoulders began to sag. "You need to use all of the tools at your disposal," Bella acknowledged. "Something you can't freely do with a bunch of bumbling humans around."
Jasper's expression softened. "I did not mean to imply that…"
"It's okay," she shrugged. "I know you're only thinking about what's best for Charlie."
"The future doesn't change if you contact the station," Alice observed. "But I still think it would be wise to call."
"So who's going to do it?" Bella asked.
"I'll do it," Eleazar said as he walked into the kitchen with Carmen, Kate, Rosalie, and Emmett.
Bella seemed relieved to see them all. "How much did you hear?" she asked.
"Everything," Kate said. "Whatever you need, we're here."
Carlisle gave Eleazar the phone number to the station, and Bella tensed in my arms. The call quickly connected, and I realized that Bella was the only one present who couldn't hear both sides of the conversation.
"Forks Police Department, Oscar speaking."
"Yes," Eleazar said. "May I speak with Chief Swan?"
"Chief Swan?" Oscar laughed. "That ship already sailed."
"I'm sorry?"
"Chief Charlie Swan has finally done what some people swore he would never do—he's taken a vacation!"
"A vacation?" Eleazar repeated, causing Bella to start.
"Yessir!" Oscar said proudly. "Now that his little girl has gotten married, ol' Charlie decided to broaden his horizons a bit. And I couldn't be happier for him."
"I see," Eleazar said. "Do you know where he went?"
"Ummm…" Oscar thought loudly. "Somewhere in Oregon to do some fishing, I think. I really don't remember. I was so shocked when he called that I forgot to remember where he was going!"
"That's okay," Eleazar said. "Well, Oscar, I'll just try the Chief when he….Did he say when he was coming back?"
"Now that you mention it," Oscar said, "he didn't. But even Charlie's enthusiasm for fishing would be satisfied after a few weeks. I'd call back around the end of the month."
"Will do, Oscar," Eleazar said. "Take care."
"You too!" Oscar exclaimed. "And Happy New Year!"
Bella was already shaking her head when Eleazar closed his phone. "A vacation? No way."
"Bella…" Esme began.
"Charlie would never just up and go on vacation. And he certainly wouldn't do that without telling me."
"Bella," Esme touched her hand, "you just got married at eighteen years old without first discussing it with Charlie. Is there any chance that he might have decided to be unconventional as well?"
Bella turned to her. "Do you think I made him leave?"
"Of course not, honey. I'm just saying that maybe seeing you take charge of your life may have encouraged Charlie to do the same."
Bella's features relaxed. "Okay…so he's on vacation." She turned back to me, and abruptly her face fell again. "But Alice still can't see him! And since we know he's not in La Push, what does that mean?"
When nine pale faces looked away, Bella's eyes pleaded with mine. "You promised."
I lightly ran my hand down her arm, wishing we could return to the senseless bliss of our honeymoon. "In the worst-case scenario, it means that Charlie is dead."
She winced, clamping her trembling lips shut. "Anything else?" she asked at length.
"The only other possibility is that Charlie's fate is pending somehow," I offered.
"But if his future is uncertain, why wouldn't he just be faint or blurry or something?"
I almost smiled at her innocent logic. "My visions don't work that way," Alice said gently. "I can only see decisions or events and their results. So if Charlie's fate is at all undecided, he would vanish from my sight."
Bella nodded, but her forehead was creased with confusion. "Why would his future be uncertain anyway?"
I looked away. "The most likely reasons aren't good."
"Edward…"
I sighed. "If he were gravely ill, seriously wounded, or in some other life-threatening trouble."
"What?" She gaped at all of us as she jumped out of my lap. "Then what are we just sitting here for? We need to put out a vampiric APB on my dad!"
"Alice," Jasper said. "Get your…"
"I'm on it!" She flew in and out of the room in a flash, laying her laptop on the table. "Rose, yours is in the living room." Alice rolled her eyes as her fingers flew over the keys. "Don't know why I didn't think of this sooner," she groused.
"She's tracking the GPS in Charlie's phone," I explained. "And Rose is searching the passenger dockets of nearby airports and surveillance footage from the train stations in case Charlie didn't drive."
"Emmett," Carlisle said, "you and Eleazar see if you can pick up Charlie's scent. Start with the police station and work your way from there."
"You got it," Emmett said. "Don't worry, Mrs. Edward." He touched Bella's hand with a smile. "We'll find your dad in no time."
Bella patted his cheek, and he winked at Rosalie before leaving the kitchen.
"What can we do?" Esme asked as Carmen and Kate looked on.
"Go secure the house," Carlisle said. "I don't think Charlie's situation has anything to do with us, but we can't take any chances."
"Right away." Esme kissed him quickly and then turned to Bella. "We'll be right back, dear. Is there anything you need?"
Bella shook her head. "No, but thank you. Thank you all."
"You're family now, cara," Carmen said. "And this is what we do for family."
As the three women left the room, Alice cursed aloud. "I can't get a good read on his GPS."
"Nothing?" Bella asked.
"The last location I have is the station, and we already know he's not there."
"I'm coming up empty, too," Rosalie said sadly. "I'll check the bus stations."
"Maybe he left his phone in his office or something," Alice said. "I'm going see if I can track the cruiser."
The room fell silent, save the sound of Alice and Rosalie's fervent typing. Carlisle and Jasper had slipped out to the porch, combing their experiences for possible leads. Neither of them had much to go on, but for Bella's sake, they would keep thinking.
Bella was now leaned against me at the kitchen counter, chewing her bottom lip and picking at her nails. She looked up again at the plain-face clock on the wall. "Jake said Charlie left the reservation late Monday night. So there's no telling how long he's actually been in trouble."
"Perhaps not." I pulled her close and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "But if Charlie were dead, I think you would know. Humans seem to have a sixth sense about such things."
Her face brightened a little. "Maybe that explains it. I mean, I've lived here for less than a year, and Charlie and I were never that close. But from the moment I started thinking about graduation yesterday, I've been so worried about him."
"See?" I cupped her face. "You and Charlie are innately connected. And as long as you still feel that connection, there's still hope."
Bella tilted her head and kissed me. "I love you." And her eyes smiled for the first time all day. "Thank you for being honest with me."
"Always."
"You know," she said, "I might have room for some of that French toast, after all."
She had heated her plate and eaten one full slice when Rosalie's phone rang. "It's Emmett!" she cried, laying the phone next to her laptop.
"Emmett?" Rosalie said into the speakerphone.
"Where's Bella?" he asked cautiously.
"Right here!" She had dropped her fork and moved toward the phone in an instant. "Did you find my father?"
"We found the cruiser," he said plainly. "We'll be waiting for you."
We sped to the porch to find Carlisle and Jasper already at the cars. Having seen Emmett's location in her mind, Alice drove Jasper, Bella, and me in the Volvo, while Rosalie and Carlisle followed in his Mercedes. Kate had driven Emmett's Range Rover back to the house, and the ladies were en route to Emmett's location.
Even with the benefit of vampiric speed, it still took us fifteen minutes to reach the cruiser. It was located on a dark, abandoned stretch of road on the outskirts of Forks, and I was immediately dismayed. There was no good reason for Charlie to have come here alone, but there was something more troubling in the air.
Bella bolted from the car as soon as it stopped and ran toward her father's vehicle. I could smell the salt as tears of relief slid down her face, but I couldn't share in her sentiments. Esme and the Denali women were arriving behind me, and as Bella explored the cabin of the empty car, their puzzled thoughts flooded my mind.
I approached Bella as she climbed out of the driver's side door, her face shining with fresh optimism. "Nothing's broken or missing, so that's a good sign, right?"
I forced a smile. "You're right. This could very well be a good sign."
"Edward." She saw the truth in my eyes. "You promised."
"Charlie was definitely here," I said slowly, "but he wasn't alone."
"Oh?" Bella looked around at my family, noticing the range of emotions on their faces. "Did you recognize the scent?"
"Yes," I replied.
"Well," Bella frowned at my expression. "If you know who it was, why do you look so confused?"
"Because it doesn't make any sense."
Bella sighed in exasperation. "Well, who the hell was it?"
I glanced toward the heavens and then returned my eyes to Bella. "It was Tanya."
A/N: Dun-dun-duuuuuunnnnnnnn
Thanks to soton for my 800th REVIEW! With all the reviews, alerts, and other goodies, you guys make me feel like a Queen :)
Many, many thanks to TwiLoverSue, who is not only an amazing writer but also a good buddy who recommended "Serenity's Prayer" to her readers after reading the entire story in two days. Welcome to all of her readers!
I shall now return the favor by wholeheartedly recommending her AWESOME AU Twilight fic, "Once Bitten." It answers the question, "What if Edward had lost control that first day in Biology?" The answer will delight and intrigue you!
I would also like to rec a fic by may of rose entitled "Solar Lives." It's a fast-paced crossover between Sailor Moon and the Twiverse which I am proud to co-Beta. She's not only a creative writer, but a sweetie pie to boot, so please check out her work!
I'm off to kick-off my Mother's Day weekend by taking a well-earned nap, LOL! Happy Mother's Day, Mommies! You're doing a GREAT JOB!