A Voice from the Past

Time will heal everything but it can't keep the memories from the past away.

Unknown quotes

EDWARD'S POV

I arrived at the hospital ten minutes after dropping off Bella, and I sat in my car, breathing in her scent. The short drive to the base didn't help the roar of the beast, but I had kept my vampiric instincts at bay, like I had during her three days with us. Granted she had been unconscious the whole time.

After another minute, I got out and headed to Carlisle's office. It didn't matter how long I'd have to wait, I really needed to talk to him about what I was feeling.

Carlisle was my father, for all intents and purposes, and I trusted his advice like I would if he really were my father. He has seen me through some troubling times. When he first changed me, I rebelled against him and his way of life, and like a father, he let me learn from my mistakes. After some time, I calmed and returned to him needing to learn how to control my hunger and live off the blood of animals only. I would always be grateful with his patient teachings.

Carlisle walked in an hour later, stethoscope around his neck and a patient's chart in hand. "Edward, what do I owe this pleasure to?" he asked, setting the chart on his desk while taking a seat.

"I need some advice."

"About?" he prodded.

I ran my right hand through my hair. How do I phrase this? "I made the Christmas Cantata as lead vocals," I said.

"That's wonderful," Carlisle responded, folding his arms on the desktop. "I didn't know you were going to tryout."

Not going to go there. "Do you remember Bella?" I asked, changing the subject slightly.

He nodded, and I went on.

"She's back and living with her godfather," I said. "She also made lead."

"I see. And this is a problem why?" he asked.

"I feel this intense desire to kill her and drink her blood," I blurted out, standing and began pacing the room. "But at the same time, I feel as if I have to protect her."

Carlisle watched my frantic pacing. After a moment or two more, he asked, "Are you trying to tell me she's la tua cantante, your singer?"

I chuckled without humor, pausing briefly to look at my father. He had sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yes, I believe that's what I'm saying."

Carlisle appeared to be deep in thought on this, only his thoughts betrayed him. "I recall you couldn't read Bella's mind when we found her. Is that still true?"

I sat back down, placing my head in my hands. "Yes. What do I do? I have to sit next to her at every rehearsal and all the informal gatherings. How do I fight my hunger for her blood?"

"Alice and hunting often," were Carlisle's only thoughts.

Nightly hunts were my first thought, too. I didn't even think about Alice. She would be able to warn me if I would be a danger to Bella, but would Alice warn me in time? I had to trust she would like she had before we went to the Weber's.

"Thanks, Carlisle, I won't take anymore of you time. I'd best go home and face the firing squad," I said with a bemused laugh. "I left the others at the Weber's to take Bella home and then came here."

"They'll understand, Edward." Carlisle patted my shoulder before I stood. "You've always had their backs. They'll have yours now."

~~ B3W ~~

"Did Bella make it home safe?" Rosalie asked the moment I walked through the front door.

"Yes," I answered. "Sorry for leaving you guys to hike home."

Rosalie glared at me. "Edward, don't even say one more word in apology," she said. "How many times have you been there for me?"

"To many times to count," I replied.

"Exactly," she said. "I may not like that you have feelings for Bella, but I can't hinder you from getting to know her."

I went to protest, not believe what I was hearing from Rosalie.

"Save it, bro, I know you are confused about what you're feeling," Jasper said, coming down the stairs. "And none of us can forget how you wouldn't leave her side two years ago, or how you ran out of the house to search for her when she disappeared."

"Whatever you think you're feeling, sweetheart, you need to explore it," Esme said, from where she sat reading.

"Plus, Alice explained what she saw and how it would have ended with her at the hospital had you not stepped in to save her," Emmett remarked, leaning against the wall.

"If you hadn't stepped in, there is no telling what Mike would have done to her," Rosalie said.

I shuddered at the mere thought.

"You know my story, Edward, and you know Alice's story. Speaking from my experience, I would have like it if someone had rescued me before Royce raped me and left me for dead."

"I wonder what my life would have been like had I not gone mad and been institutionalized," Alice commented, coming in the room from somewhere in the back. "My human family thought my predictions were just the fanciful notions of a child."

I shook my head, chuckling silently. "Alice, had you been in this family, you would have never been ridiculed and you would have never tried to ignore your gift."

Everyone smile.

"And we won't let you ignore you feelings, Edward," Alice said. "I want to show you something."

She held out her hand to me. The physical connection wasn't needed for me to see what she did, but I stepped forward and took hold of it.

The front gate of the Star Command base was in front of me. A uniformed guard, asked me for my id and the reason for my visit.

The scene fast-forwarded.

I was walking down an unfamiliar hall. Pictures of various star-class vessels were hanging on the wall to my right and windows to my left. Someone ran into me, knocking me off balance. Whoever it was scream, and they were up in my arms in a blink of an eye. Looking down, I found it was Bella. Tears marred her porcelain skin and her breathing was labored.

I dropped Alice's hand and turned away, running a weary hand down my face. "What the hell was that?"

"Edward, language," Esme reprimanded.

"Sorry," I mumbled. I saw Esme's offended look through Rosalie's eyes.

Esme and Carlisle had taught me there was no circumstance in which cursing was called for, but even they slipped from time to time. I knew she understood, and I was grateful she reminded me in her motherly way it was unacceptable.

When I turned back, Alice shook her head. "I'm not sure exactly. What happens next is undecided, like you have to make some decision."

"I don't follow," I said.

Alice sighed looking over her shoulder at Jasper. He shrugged.

"Something is going to happen later today. What I don't know, but whatever it is Bella is going to need help," Alice said, turning back to face me.

"From me?" I whispered, not believing what Alice was saying.

"Yes," Jasper said. "The moment Bella saw you, last night, her panic lessened. We were outside by the time you and her came out of the Weber's, and her panic was gone."

My eyes widened as I replayed the brief time Bella and I had talked as I drove her home. She was relaxed. I hadn't thought anything of it. The few panic attacks I have witness, left the individual shaking and out of breath. Bella exhibited nothing like that. She was calm and study, and more of a mystery.

"Guess I'm going to the base later," I said.

BELLA'S POV

It was six in the morning when I returned to Forks. The lights were still out and the curtains on the front window were still closed, so I knew that Charlie wasn't up yet and most likely wouldn't be up for another hour or so. Going into my bedroom, I opened my laptop and logged into my email. I had a message from Sammie. Her messages were getting fewer and far between as were mine. Opening it, I read:

Hey Bella,

It's been a while, but my homework has to take a priority over messaging you. ;) Just kidding. My schedule has been hectic though. I made the volleyball team. No surprise.

Everyone says hi, by the way.

Okay, question time.

Have you made any new friends? Do you have a boyfriend?

I really miss you and wish our fall breaks were at the same time.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sammie

Typing out a brief message, I congratulated her on making the team and filled her in on my pathetic life, leaving out that I made the Christmas cantata. She would message back and say I was crazy for trying out. Maybe I was, but I didn't want to be told so. She did know I loved music and that I could belt out a tune, though.

As I was about to log out, another message came through. I didn't bother looking to see who it was from, thinking it was Sammie replying back, and opened it. The message was only an image. It filled my screen and was of Matthew. There was a sizable gash above his left eye, and from the picture, I saw he was lying in a pool of purple blood. I let out an ear-piercing scream, tearing my eyes away, but the image remained, burned into my mind.

Charlie came rushing into my room moments later. A towel wrapped around his waist and shaving cream covering the lower portion of his face.

"Isabella, what's wrong?" he asked as he looked around the room.

All I could do was point at where I thought the screen was and the message.

Charlie glanced at my laptop, cursed as he slammed the lid closed, and turned back to me.

"Who sent you that message?" he demanded, placing his hands on my shoulders.

I stared at Charlie, tears clouding my vision, not knowing what to say. Unlike Charlie, I wasn't trained to take in the every little detail, and he knew that. Over the years, he told me that I needed to be more observant; he was always joking, though. I was perceptive, just not in the same way he was.

Charlie sighed as he sat on the edge of my bed. "It's going to be okay, Isabella," he said in a gentle and calm voice, pulling me into his warm embrace and getting shaving cream in my hair. "I'm going to take your laptop and have one of the security officers trace the message to the originator. We'll get to the bottom of this, I promise."

He released me after another minute and stood.

"Charlie, would it be possible for Jaurdena to set me up a secure email account?" I said as I stood up. "I know Daniela mention the possibility when I first arrived."

"I'll check, but I think with what you received, they will allow it," he said, ruffling my hair as we left my room. "When did you get back?" He went into his room, disappearing into his closet.

I waited until he came back out, clad in a pair of sweats, before answering. "About an hour ago, I found what I was looking for pretty fast. I don't agree with all that I found," I said before explaining what was added to the prophecy and what I had dreamed about.

Charlie listened patiently and agreed that waiting would be for the best. "Your grandfather gave you some good advice. You don't have the proof you need to go against the council's wishes."

I was on the verge of tears again. I never thought he wouldn't support me.

Again, he sighed, wrapping his arm back around my shoulders, giving me a little squeeze. "I will support you in getting the clan council to terminate the promise of marriage… when you have proof Garret isn't right for you or you find your soulmate," he said.

"Fine, I'll wait," I responded, crossing my arms over my chest. "Hopefully, I'll get the proof soon."

"Why the sudden change of heart? I thought you had consented to the council's wishes." We were in the bathroom. I was wetting my hair with a spray bottle while he finished shaving.

"I did and, at the time, it felt right. I even consulted the prophecy one last time. Now, I'm not so sure the council is right."

I wasn't about to go into what I experienced by shaking Edward's hand. Grabbing a towel, I dried my hair a little.

Charlie didn't press me for more. I was a lot like him in that respect. We both knew when it was time to back off and give each other space.

"So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?" he asked, setting down his razor and picking up a small hand towel to wipe the excess gunk off his face.

"I thought I'd swing by to talk with Daniela about yesterday, if she room in her schedule. Then I plan on going to the simulation deck and creating somewhere I can get my voice back up to speed. It has been a long time since I have really sung, and I'm afraid I'll strain my voice if I don't take it slow," I answered.

"Try program Swan One," Charlie said. "I think it would be exactly what you want."

I thanked him for the suggestion and went back to my room to change.

~~ B3W ~~

My unscheduled appointment with Daniela went pretty quick. She had asked me how I felt about being named lead and if I had fun spending time with people my age. I hadn't given much thought about I how felt about being one of the leads, and I told her so. As for if I had fun, I wasn't sure; it felt great being around other teenagers but a little awkward because I didn't know anyone.

After that, I spent next two hours in one of the simulation decks. Charlie was right I did like the program he'd recommended. It was what I would have created myself—an old-time recording studio, almost like the studio where Aerosmith recorded. I knew from previous experiences in a simulation suite, I could tell the computer exactly what I wanted and it would generate the items. All I asked for was microphone and stand, a stool, and background music. I started out slow.

"Kiss From a Rose" started playing and I sang, "Ba ya ba da ba da da da…"

I went through several songs, vocalizing the sounds of the instruments. The vocal exercises exhausted me, and though I had a long road ahead I me, I was happy with my voice. Deciding I had enough for the morning, I closed the program and left the room. After stopping by the mess hall to grab a bottle of water, I made my way back to the quarters I shared with Charlie. My plan was to go back to the simulation room in a few hours.

My eyes strayed to the phone cradle when I entered. The message button was flashing, and going over to where it sat on the table next to the couch, I pressed play.

"Isabella, run, hide. Don't stop running until you know no one is following you," Danielle shouted from the speaker.

"Run if you can, Isabella, I will find you. You will never get away from me."

A scream froze in my throat, but I managed to find the strength to run from the apartment. Tears were streaming down my face, and I didn't know where I was going. The only thing I knew was I had to hide, to find somewhere safe.

There were officers and enlisted peeps in hall. If they called out to me, I didn't hear them. Rounding a corner, I collided with someone and their arms wound around me, holding me to them. The scream erupted out of me before I passed out. I woke sometime later in… I looked around. There were silent monitors to my right and two chair pushed up against the wall to the left. Why was I in the hospital? And, on that note, how I had gotten here?

I could hear footstep on the other side of the curtain. "Captain Swan, Isabella is through this curtain," a female voice said. "Oh, Dr. Cullen, I didn't know you were following."

"Think nothing of it, Aubrey," Dr. Cullen said. He spoke in a whisper with a deep timbre voice. "I'm Doctor Cullen. Are you Isabella's father?"

"Godfather and legal guardian," Charlie replied. "How's she doing? The nurse who called the based didn't give me much information."

Charlie sounded worried, and if I had to guess, he probably thought I had relapsed back into my mute, depressed self.

"It's hard to say. She was out cold when my son, Edward, arrived with her," Dr. Cullen answered. "Edward told me she ran into him, screamed, and then fainted. He was concerned and brought her to me, knowing I would be able to help."

There was a long silence.

"Any idea what she was running from?" Dr. Cullen asked.

"I'm not sure. The base is on lockdown until we find out." Charlie blew out a long, noisy breath. "I have a feeling she won't feel safe there until we get to the bottom of whoever or whatever scared her. I don't know where she will stay." It almost sounded like he said that last part to himself, but Dr. Cullen responded.

"I'm about to get off. I'm sure my wife and children wouldn't mind if Isabella stays with us for a few days."

I could imagine the look on Charlie's face. I bet it resembled mine—jaw dropped in total disbelief.

"I'm not sure that would a good idea. I could always send her to stay with Captain Carlton until tomorrow," Charlie said.

No don't send me to the space station, I wanted to say but didn't want to let them know I was awake. Captain Carlton was really nice and loved me as if I was his own daughter, but I didn't want to be in space while Charlie stayed on Earth, searching for my tormentor.

"Let's see what Isabella has to say about this."

Thank you, Dr. Cullen, I thought.

"She should be coming around soon, if she hasn't already."

Footsteps could be heard. Oh no, here they come. I pretended to be asleep. The curtain rungs scraped as they were moved to the side. More footsteps as Charlie and Dr. Cullen came closer to the bed. When they fell silent, I slowly blinked me eyes as if I was getting my bearings.

"Where am?" I asked

Charlie told me and asked what I remember before fainting.

Everything but the face of the caller… the killer, I wanted to say, but instead I said, "Digital voicemail. Same as the email message." I was intentionally being cryptic, not wanting Dr. Cullen to know what really had me terrified and running.

"We'll get to the bottom of this," Charlie whispered.

I noticed that Dr. Cullen had busied himself with my chart, giving Charlie and me some time.

"Well, Isabella," Dr. Cullen said, turning his attention to me.

"Bella," I interrupted, sitting up.

"Okay, Bella," he said with a smile. "Let's see if we can get you out of here. If you would follow my finger with your eyes, try not to move your head."

I did as instructed, knowing he was just checking to make sure I didn't have a concussion.

"There is no sign of concussion but that doesn't mean you don't have one. If you experience any dizziness or nausea, I want you to tell someone."

I nodded and he continued.

"Now, it has come to my attention that you might not want to go back to the base. I'd like to offer to you the option of staying with me and my family."

Was this doctor for real? I bowed my head and noticed that the pendant I was still wearing was glowing a faint green. It has never done that before. I wonder what it means.

"Isabella," my grandmother's voice said. "It means that you can trust the person. They are not trying to deceive you. They truly want to help."

Grandmother had never steered me wrong when she was alive, so I decided to trust what she was telling me. This must be what the prophecy meant by new abilities.

"One of many, my dear child. The pendant and books will help you. You will not always need the pendant to guide you. One day see that you can not only discern who is lying to you but much more like who you can trust. Now, you best not keep them waiting any longer."

I smiled at that. How did my grandmother know?

"I would like that, Dr. Cullen."

Oops! The look on Charlie's face said it all. I shouldn't know his name since he hadn't introduced himself.

Dr. Cullen chuckled. "I'll finish the paperwork and get you checked out. Charlie, if you would follow me."

Half an hour later, I was released and was on my way Dr. Cullen's house.

"Dr. Cullen, does your family know you're bringing me home with you?"

"Call me Carlisle, please, and yes, they know. The guestroom should be ready when we arrive."

I wasn't so sure about this, but it has to be better than being in space.

Carlisle's POV

I was glad Bella agreed to stay with us. It would give me a chance to observe for myself what Edward told me last night. And it might help Edward tame the monster in him, too.