Chapter 10: Pain/Nothing/Questions

Disclaimer: The characters are Stephenie Meyer's characters just tweaked for my crazy mind.

~"~ ~"~ ~"~ Bella's point of view

"Kiss me!" Merana demanded and my heart stop. I couldn't believe what she had demanded but then seeing Edward actually… kissing her… everything stopped. There was no noise, no house, no approaching danger, nor anyone but the two people in front of me; the one I love with all of me and someone I thought I could trust, who could help us.

Though that moment didn't last and the real world came crushing down around me and I started moving.

"Merana please stop this?" I pleaded from behind Rosalyn, which I couldn't believe was on top of Edward. But I didn't stop I just keep pleading for her to stop… "Why?"…"Edward what are you doing?"…"Someone please…"… but they just fell on deaf eyes. I wanted to cry, punch someone… no I wanted to punch Merana, scream my lungs but I didn't do any of those. Instead I made eye contact with Merana.

That was a mistake for the instant our eyes connected I saw her hopefulness, seriousness, and apologues for what she was putting me through. With that I just had to get away and I did. I ran out of the foyer heading to the living room. I didn't know anyone had followed or even saw me leave till I felt someone touch my shoulder.

Jumping at the sudden sensation I lose my balance and fell back right into Carlisle's arms. Looking up at his apologetic and serene face I just lost it and started to cry. Him being the ever agile and caring father that he is he very simple flipped me around so he was holding me.

He just held me while I cried and mumbled my frustrations into his shirt. I truly doubt he heard everything but it didn't matter. The thing that did was that he was there and that I needed to vent.

Finally finding my voice and calming down, I once again looked up to him. "Why? What is her reason for doing that?"

Carlisle sighed then looked down to me. "The thing about Merana is that she has the best intentions, she just doesn't think of the consequences just the rewards of her actions!"

I didn't say anything, I understood what he said, I think. I just didn't know what to say but it didn't matter for right then he heard something and was on the steps leading up to the planning area. I just remained where I was, I didn't want to know but that didn't last long.

"… Look what she did to Edward!" Rosalyn yelled completely startlingly me and had me running to Carlisle to see what was happening.

But just as I made it to the planning area Merana shrieked, "Where's Edward? Edward!"

What I saw just ripped my heart from my chest, cause standing there before me was Merana in Edward's arms. But before I could turn and retreat back into the living room something happen. Merana's face paled. I saw Edward say something in her ear but I wasn't close enough to hear but whatever it was hit Merana hard and she looked like she was going to faint.

The next thing out of her mouth I didn't need to be close to hear, for I already knew. "Get Bella!" at those two words Carlisle had me and we were once again in the living room. I heard Merana bark out "Drop Me!" but I didn't know who they were directed to.

Then I heard someone growling and Carlisle very quickly but gentle placed me on the ground and turned to face… Edward. 'What in the world? Was Edward growling at Carlisle?' I thought. Leaning around Carlisle I almost screamed seeing Edward's eyes. They were black but he just feed, he didn't need to feed; nothing was making since.

No warning or second thought Edward leapt at Carlisle and they started fighting. Realizing that I was in danger I backed up until my legs hit the Victorian couch that Merana had been sitting on earlier. Looking down I got lost in my thoughts and before I knew it Edward had a hold on me and was *dragging me* to Merana, I think. But before we could go far I latched onto Carlisle, who held tight onto my arm as he tried once more to talk to his son.

"Edward stop. Looking what you are doing…" Carlisle started to say before something interrupted him.

"NO STOP EDWARD!" Merana shouted from the foyer though I couldn't see her, it seemed she could see us. Edward stopped moving the instant those words left her mouth and just stood there. Not looking at me or even breathing, it was weird. But the next thing I heard just rattled me.

"Bella please you have to kiss him. Don't fight him." Suddenly I saw her just off of the steps in the planning area on the floor holding onto Esme for dear life. "Bella you have to remind Edward of who he is or lose him forever." Hearing that I looked to Edward and realized that he wasn't Edward but before I could do anything.

"Kiss her passionately!" Merana demanded directing to Edward and he did.

I was taken aback by his actions. He was kissing me like he did when James was hunting me, on my birthday, and before he left me. I tried to fight him but I couldn't. His kiss was… suddenly something changed and I had my Edward back. He broke the kiss to finally allow me some air and looked like he just woke up. Which was very weird for someone who never sleeps.

"UM…" Carlisle one word reminded us that there was more to do but Merana interrupted him. "Sorry Carlisle, I have the best intentions just didn't think of the consequences just the rewards!"

At that I just gasped, for that was what he had said to me.

"Uh. What in world does that mean?" Rosalyn bellowed.

"My dear daughter it means that what she did was for the benefit of us. She just didn't foresee the consequences of her actions." Carlisle explained stepping in front of Emmett and Rosalyn.

"SO whatever it was she did to Edward was a benefit to us. HOW?" Emmett demanded looking to his father.

"Issac!" Merana stated calmly while Esme assisted her to the closest chair by the stairs.

"I never truly dealt with Issac myself but I have seen his handiwork, many times. And when they say mindless fool, they mean minions. What he does actually is erase the person, the make-up that makes us, us. He turns people, immortals, all living creatures into living dolls that he gets to play with in any way he wishes." Carlisle chimed in like he was remembering something from his earlier years.

"Blank Canvases!" Merana said. Then gestured to Edward to say something or join I wasn't sure. But nonetheless I was not going to let him go or get near her again.

"There was only one thing that mattered to me and that was doing what Merana told me to do." Being careful not to come too close to her, Edward moved us closer to everyone so they could see him clearly. So that we were more part of the conversation and I could better hear everything. "I wasn't even aware of anyone else in the room. I didn't even have thoughts of mine own or hear any other thoughts."

Looking to me Merana apologized. "Isabella sometimes I forget that not everyone knows what I know. And I should have told you to stay and if not explain myself before I did. But I promise it well help." I couldn't speak or I would say something I would later regret so I only nodded, which she accepted with a smile. Jesus she is something, always understanding as well as helpful and looking how to fix things. I was having a hard time staying mad at her. I just wasn't going to say anything not yet but I did send a glare at Jasper when he looked at me confused.

"So you can't read minds anymore?" Emmett demanded looking between Edward and Merana.

"No he still had his gift. I just never told him to use it. You have to understand Emmett a minion has no thought what so ever. He lives, breaths, and eats by his master's command. He couldn't even die without his ok." She said.

"So why did you do that to Edward?" Rosalyn demanded.

"So that Issac can't do it. That's why!" she exclaimed. Which had all of us staring at her, well all but Carlisle.

"So you figured it out. How to protect others from Issac?" He was pacing back and forth before the stage thinking, she just nodded her head. "I just can not believe it. That the answer was within the family. Yes your father was immune but then it was his own brother but… wait manipulation is not your power!" Carlisle said stopping right before Merana.

"No but I learned. My father learned that Issac could not control others of the same or similar ability. Like true Democulas, certain witches, and dragons. Though we never really learned the extent… but if he could not control them then their minions would also be protected." Carlisle just stared at Merana with his mouth hanging open. "But yes manipulation is not one of my true powers. That is why it takes so much out of me. Even causing me great harm."

"Oh my poor dear child! Here let me get you something!" Esme said and before anyone could stop her she was gone and I mean she left the house to go get some food. Merana just plopped her head into her hands and groaned very loudly.

This very simple yet dramatic act of annoyance had everyone, even Carlisle doubled over laughing.

"Wow for once it isn't me that is being fretted over!" I said without thinking and that had everyone including Merana on the floor laughing.

Which just happen to be what Esme walked in on, about thirty minutes later with three to four bags of groceries on her arms. Lets just say there were many more comments said before any thinking was done on the speaker's behalf.

It was some time later, after we calmed down and the food was set before Merana and I, did things start to get back to the topic at hand, Merana. Though everyone waited while she and I eat, which I do admit was weird. After being the only one who actually ate food in the house, I just wasn't sure if I liked sharing what was supposed to be mine and mine only.

'Then again it was food and she was helping us. Right?' I thought.

Emmett and Rosalyn were on the stairs talking or something but I wasn't paying them attention. Alice and Jasper were in the same seats at the table as earlier with Merana in between them and so was I. Except that I was sitting in Edwards lap this time around. Esme was in the kitchen talking with Carlisle, as she was finished cleaning.

I had several questions but how do I go about asking them. So I just waited till someone else asked theirs and that person just happen to be Alice.

"My turn!" that's all Alice said as Merana placed her silverware on her now empty plate.

I was still eating do to the fact that Edward kept interrupting me, to remind me how much he loved me. But at Alice's simple declaration everything in the house came to a dead stop and everyone was focused on Alice, who was smiling at Merana.

Please Review. I need them to function. Please send them. ~~Mary Mab