Here we are again … I'm embarking on a new journey of a fanfiction story. This time, we're going with a post-apocalyptic vibe. I recently watched The 100 on Netflix. I'd been intrigued to write a story based off that show/series of novels. I decided to write it for NaNoWriMo. I'd starting almost halfway through the month, but I'm determined to, at least, get something going. My goal is to finish the story for NaNoWriMo July Camp …

Up next will be some more time spent with Renee and Bella, trying to come to grips with Charlie's decision. Also, the Drop ship has been awfully quiet … what's happening with them? Leave me your thoughts!

Chapter Seventeen: On The Ground in Mount Weather

Bella

"Bella, my sweet girl, you did amazing work with Alice," Mom said as I worked on Mr. Murphy's head wound. We gave him a mild sedative, which knocked him out. He was snoring loudly as I worked on suturing the laceration closed. "You are a born healer."

"I'm a healer, but when it comes to psychological issues, I'm a mess," I said quietly, cleaning Mr. Murphy's wound of blood. "My mind keeps thinking of what could have happened … you know? I think Alice might have the same problem when she regains consciousness."

"You focused your studies on general medicine, not psychology. You took some of the basic classes, but you don't have the training I have. I do need to impart my knowledge on to someone, but from what I've heard, you might be struggling with PTSD. Hell, most of you are dealing with post-traumatic stress. I'm so sorry for that."

"It's not your fault, Mom," I said, covering Mr. Murphy's head wound.

"I didn't help the situation," she sighed. "But, we'll get you all the help you need. I promise you that."

"Thanks, Mom," I whispered. Edward walked back into medical. "Did your dad get back to the garage?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "He got turned around once, but we got him to Rover III with time to spare. How's my sister?"

"Physically, she'll make a full recovery," Mom explained. "Psychologically, I'll have to work with her once she's in a place to talk about what happened to her."

"Did you show her the tablet?" Edward asked me.

"I offered it to my mom, but she'd rather hear it from Alice," I replied. "Mom, do you want to get cleaned up and settled into your suite?"

"Suite?" Mom asked.

"We have enough room for you," Edward said, reaching into his pocket and producing a swipe card for her. "You're in suite four twelve, which is up a floor to the left when you get off the elevator. You're on the same floor as Bella and me. There's enough room for you and the Chancellor."

My mom's eyes welled with tears, squeezing Edward's hand. "The Chancellor didn't make it. He …" She pressed her hand on Edward's shoulder. "Excuse me." She disappeared in the bathroom in the medical bay, quiet sobs filling the room.

"What happened?" Edward asked with wide eyes.

"My dad was the one who pushed the button to start the Ark's descent down to the ground," Bella sniffled. "He's still up in the outer ring."

Edward cupped my cheek, enfolding me in his arms and holding me close. "Oh, Bella. I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry," he whispered against my head. I snuggled close, not allowing myself to lose it. I had to be strong for my mother who was still raw from losing her husband.

I'd lose it later when I was with Edward, by ourselves, in our suite.

Without an audience.

A few moments later, my mother walked out of the bathroom with a splotchy, puffy face. "It's been almost a week since I've had a shower. I need … a few human moments."

"Bella says that," Edward chuckled.

"I coined the term first," Mom smirked. "Edward, can you show me how to get to my suite and some fresh clothes?"

"We guessed your size and put some basics in your room," I explained.

"Come on, Renee," Edward said, offering my mom his arm. "We'll get you cleaned up and we'll have some dinner in a few hours. I hope you like deer."

"I've never had it, but sounds delicious," Mom said, leaving with Edward. "Bella, can we talk after dinner? I just need a moment …"

"I get it, Mom," I nodded. "I'm in the same boat."

Mom walked toward me, hugging me, and kissing my cheek. "I love you, baby girl. We'll get through this together."

"I love you, too, Mom," I said against her shoulder. She kissed my forehead, leaving with Edward. I checked on Mrs. Stephens, adjusting her removable cast. "How does the cast feel? Not too tight?"

"It feels good, Dr. Swan," she said, shifting on the table. "I'm so sorry about your father. He was a good man, and he sacrificed his life for us. We wouldn't have made it down here with him."

"I'm grateful that the Ark is down here, but the cost was too high," I murmured, walking to the supply closet, and pulling out a pair of crutches. "How many did we lose? Including my father? All of this started with Aro's insanity with the Exodus ship, ending with a decision to use the Ark as another Drop Ship."

"Too many, but we're down here without the fear of suffocating to death," Mrs. Stephens smiled, taking my hand. "If we had the Exodus ship and disengaged it properly, there would have been a lot less death."

"If only Aro had seen past his delusions," I frowned.

"If only Aro had been floated," Mrs. Stephens spat. "I didn't agree with your father's choice to keep him locked in his quarters. He should have been floated for his crimes, Dr. Swan. A lot of grief could have been avoided."

"I didn't know that," I sighed. "I was down here on the ground." I gave her a tight smile. "Let me get you some quarters arranged. Do you have anyone with you?"

"My daughter, Irina, is still at the Ark, as is my husband, Garrett," she replied. "We can stay here?"

"We have the room, Mrs. Stephens," I explained. "I need to check which suites are available. Just stay here and I'll get you all settled." I walked back to my office and slipped off my lab coat. I saw Austin, who was monitoring Alice and Mr. Murphy. "I'm going to get things settled for Mrs. Stephens and Mr. Murphy for now. How are things with Alice?"

"Still sedated, but Dr. Cullen said we should check on her in a day or two," Austin said. "Lighten the sedation."

"Got it," I nodded. "I'm heading to the command center. I'll be back soon." I left medical, taking the elevator down to the command center. Lauren had taken over for Eric, munching on some roasted nuts. "Hey, Lauren. How are things in the brain center of the mountain?"

"Good," she said, sipping on her water. "Edward got your mom all settled in her suite."

"I need two more. One needs to be a deluxe suite with two bedrooms," I said. "Mrs. Stephens and her family are planning on coming to the mountain. I also need a place for Mr. Murphy, but he's staying in medical until the sedation wears off."

"For Mrs. Stephens, we can put her in three oh two and Mr. Murphy can be across the hall from your mom," Lauren said, pulling out two lanyards. The radio crackled to life. "That's weird."

"What is it?" I asked.

"That's the frequency for the Drop Ship," Lauren said. "I thought it was broken. Apparently not, it would seem."

The radio crackled again, and a deep voice came over the radio. "This is the Drop Ship," he snarled. "And, I'm Jacob Black, the man who was falsely accused of killing Chancellor Swan and the leader of the people using the Drop Ship. We've made some allies."

Lauren and I looked at each other, frowning deeply. With our first trip to the mountain, we saw proof of humans roaming around the planet, but not a lot of them and we didn't know where they were in respect to the mountain.

"Is anyone there?" Jacob asked.

I picked up the radio. "This is Mount Weather and we're happy to hear that you're doing well," I said, keeping my voice sickly sweet.

"Doing well? I doubt it! We're starving and dying. We've got some more food thanks to our new friends, but we want the mountain," Jacob demanded. "You and the rest of your losers will leave the mountain for us. We don't recognize the leaders from the Ark or the leaders that were elected for the mountain. If you leave? We'll spare your lives. If you don't, surrender, what happened to that cunt, Alice will look like child's play."

Edward must have overheard what Jacob said, as he barreled into the command center with a look of absolute rage on his face. "It will be a cold day in hell before we bow down to your demands, Jacob. You brutalized my sister … your sister. You wanted to … You disgust me and you deserve to die a slow, painful death," he growled.

"Ah, Cullen. I was waiting to hear from you," Jacob laughed coldly. "Alice may have gotten away, but Isabella? She's next. I saw how much you wanted her. You won't want her when I'm done with her."

"You won't be able to get close enough to Alice or Bella, Jacob," Edward snapped. "Mount Weather out." He disconnected the call, stepping back and pushing his hands into his hair. "The two people I love more than the world are being targeted by another madman. Jacob … he will not survive a meeting with me. I will tear him limb from limb, destroying him."

I walked in front of Edward, taking his face in my hands. "Baby, please, calm down," I whispered, trailing my fingertips down his scruffy cheeks. "Look at me, Edward." His enraged gaze found mine and he crumpled. My strong man, he fell to his knees and pressed his head into my chest, listening to my frantically pounding heart. I ran my fingers through his messy bronze locks. "I'm not going anywhere, Edward."

"You can't promise that. You saw what happened when Aro got a bug up his ass," he said, standing up and dragging me to his office. He sat down at his desk and pulled me into his lap. He clung to me. "Jacob is just as delusional as Aro. He'll stop at nothing in order to get what he wants. Look what he did to Alice. I would … If I lost you? Bella, you're my everything, my love, my life, my soul. What I feel for you …"

"I feel the same way. If he hurt you in anyway, I'd burn through heaven and hell to protect you," I said, sliding my arms around his neck. "I love you. I more than love you. You're my best friend and the person who truly saw me. You saved me."

"And I'd do it again, Bella," he stuttered, pressing his lips to mine. "I just abhor that Jacob thinks that he can call up here, make demands and throw a tantrum. If he doesn't get his way, he's going to kill you? Where the fuck does he get off?"

"He doesn't. He's got seventeen people at the very least. That doesn't make him a very viable enemy," I argued, curling up on his lap.

"He said he had an ally. People from the ground," Edward huffed. "How many people does he truly have?"

"Then, we need to call together the council, from the mountain and discuss what our next plan of action will be," I said. "We can call for that meeting tonight. With the Ark landing today, they might not be in the right frame of mind to meet."

Edward held me, his teeth grinding. "I'm going to do everything to keep you safe. To keep you and Alice safe. You're my family and I will do everything in my power to protect you."

xx MWMA xx

Edward

Bella stayed in my lap, idly playing with my hair, and humming quietly. Her soft body and quiet voice, they calmed me down in more ways than one. If she was in my lap or by my side, I knew she was okay. Jacob's chilling threat will forever be ingrained in my brain.

It would appear that Jacob was his father's son … taking what doesn't belong to him.

What was that phrase I read in a book? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree? Well, the Black family tree has all the poisonous apples, spreading that poison wherever they may go.

"Are you okay to leave your office?" Bella asked. "I'm worried about you."

"I'm terrified for you," I countered, tightening my hold around Bella's tiny body. "Jacob made an open threat toward you. He wants to …"

"He also threatened you, too," she argued. "You're a part of the leadership of the mountain."

I didn't have an answer for that. Yes, I was a part of the leadership of the mountain, but I could defend myself. I had training and could fight off Jacob. Bella? She was the strongest person I know, but her strength was mental and emotional. She was a healer, not a fighter. I just breathed her in, wanting to keep her in my arms and safe.

"Edward? Talk to me, baby," she murmured, brushing her fingers through my hair.

"It's my job to protect you, to protect everyone. And, this threat from Jacob? It makes me sick with worry," I said, staring at her. I was terrified that this would be the last time I'd see her, happy and whole. "But, I'll be okay. We'll be okay."

I hope we'll be okay.

Bella wiggled in my arms, standing up and holding out her hand. "Let's call a council meeting, including my mother. Perhaps we can come up with a solution that doesn't result with my head on a spike," she quipped.

"Don't say that," I frowned. "Please?"

"Okay, I'm sorry," she breathed. "Let me call that council meeting after dinner. I'll make an announcement after we eat." She grabbed my hand, gently pulling me to my feet. "Don't show your stress on your face. Please?"

"I don't have a good poker face," I sighed. "You're better at masking your emotions than me, Bella."

"I can mask them, but I need a place to fall apart behind closed doors," she explained. She blinked up at me with glassy eyes. "I'll need that tonight, Edward. So many things are happening, and I need you to be my rock tonight."

"I'll be whatever you need, Princess," I vowed quietly. "I love you, Bella. That will never change."

"I love you, too," she said, snuggling into my arms. "Let's get something to eat. I'm starving. I haven't eaten since yesterday morning."

"Bella," I chided. "You need to keep up your strength."

"I know, but Alice came in yesterday evening around dinner, and I left before breakfast today to get to the Ark," she said. To punctuate her hunger, her stomach gave a loud grumble. I let out a quiet chuckle. "See?"

"Let's get my Princess fed," I said, weaving my fingers with hers. We left the command center, riding up to the dining hall, picking up Renee on the way. When I sat down with my tray, I ate out of obligation, but didn't really taste it. My brain was spiraling around Jacob's threat. Bella also seemed to choke down her meal. Her face was impassive, but I saw the fear behind her chocolate eyes.

"If I can have everyone's attention," Bella said, pushing her tray back. She stood up and gave a grin that didn't meet her eyes to the crowd. "In case you haven't heard, the Ark has landed safely twenty miles north of here. I don't know who survived and who didn't, but as soon as we get that information, we'll pass it along."

"Are they going to come here?" asked Makenna. "They tossed us into the sky box and sent us down here …"

"From what I've been told, they're going to stay at the Ark, using it as an encampment," Bella answered. "However, they are going to follow our leadership structure. We'll work collaboratively with them, but for all intents and purposes, we're going to be left to our own devices. Which brings me to another announcement … I need the department heads to meet with me in the conference room in the command center after dinner. Thank you." Turning to her mother, she smiled. "Can you join us, too?"

"Of course, Bella," Renee nodded. "Is everything okay?"

"We'll explain once the department heads, our council, is convened," Bella replied. "I'm going to head down to the command center and get ready for this meeting." I opened my mouth to say I'd go with her, but she was gone in a flash.

"Edward, what's happening?" Renee asked me quietly. "Bella has that haunted look in her eyes. To be honest, so do you."

"I can't … not now. I'm barely holding onto my control," I sighed. "I've been trained to keep a level head, but when the people you love are threatened, it's hard to maintain that level head. You know?"

"You love Bella," Renee said.

"With my whole being, Renee," I murmured. "She's my world."

"Don't let her go. You're her world, too," Renee smiled, kissing my cheek. "I'd be honored to have you as a son." She stood up, brushing her hands on her black pants. "Can you guide me to the command center?"

"I'll have to. You don't have access," I said, nodding to Rose, Emmett, and Jasper, who'd come back with Rover II along with Commander Marcus Blake. I looked at my old boss and arched a brow. He finished his meal, walking with us to the elevator.

"It's bad, isn't it?" Rose asked in the elevator.

"Yeah, it's bad," I muttered. We exited the elevator, and I keyed in the code for the command center, leading them to the conference room, which we rarely used. Bella, however, was sitting at the head of the table, typing on a tablet. Now that she was away from a crowd, I saw the extent of her fear.

Haunted barely described the look in her eyes.

Blinking up, she built up a wall and she sent something to the screen. "Earlier today, we heard from the Drop Ship," she said, sounding pulled together. But, her hands were shaking. "Jacob Black, who assumed leadership …"

"We've been looking for Jacob Black for the attempted murder of your father," Marcus said. "There's proof of Jacob's involvement …"

"Another reason to float him," I snarled. "He attempted to kill Chancellor Swan, he beat the hell out of my sister in attempts to rape her and now?"

"Now, he wants the mountain," Bella said. "He threatened the leadership of the mountain and of the Ark. He claims he's made 'allies', but we don't know what that means. Or how many allies he has. You know?"

"What are you saying?" Rose asked.

"We need to find out more about these allies," Bella answered. "Maybe, we can meet with them and offer them a diplomatic solution."

"No!" I interjected. "I'm not sending you anywhere near those animals. You saw what they did to Alice. You heard what they will do to you!"

"What did they say, Edward?" Marcus asked.

"That what they did to Alice would be child's play," I shouted, shooting a scowl at Bella. "Jacob … he'll …"

Bella got up, putting her hand on my arm before sliding her palm down to mine. "It was just a suggestion, Edward. Obviously, you don't want me anywhere near the Drop Ship. To be honest, I don't want to be anywhere near the Drop Ship, either. I won't go, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't assess the situation."

"That, I do agree with," Marcus nodded. "Send a small group to scout out these 'allies.' That way you can see what you're dealing with. Did Jacob say anything about a timeline?"

"No, but my guess is that his people are starving, cold and eager to have someplace warm to sleep in at night," Bella suggested, sitting down, and continuing to hold my hand. "Sooner rather than later." She gave Marcus a smile. "How many should we send to scout out the allies?"

"Three at most. People who trained to be stealthy," Marcus suggested.

"So, not Emmett," Rose deadpanned.

"I can be all sorts of stealthy, Rosie. You can attest to that last night," Emmett smirked, waggling his brows. Rose's cheeks flamed and she smacked his shoulder. Emmett pressed a sweet kiss to her cheek, turning to say, "We can use one of the Rovers, drive close to the Drop Ship and approach in the dark of night. We found some night-vision goggles in the garage."

"I wouldn't use the Rover," Marcus said. "It would be too valuable of an asset to lose."

"Good point. Now that we know the way from the Drop Ship, we can get there in a day or two," I said. "What took us so long before was not knowing how to get here." I looked to Emmett. "You'll lead the party, Emmett. I would take Tyler with you. He's a strong shot …"

"You're giving them weapons?" Renee asked.

"If they're walking into a hostile situation, they need to be prepared," I said. "I trust Tyler and Emmett. I'd go myself …"

"If I'm not going, neither are you," Bella snapped, glowering at me.

"I'm not since I'm one of the leaders that they want to kill," I retorted, moving closer to Bella.

"I'll go with you," Marcus said. "But, Emmett, you're in charge."

"We'll leave at first light," Emmett nodded. "We'll get the gear from the garage and then we'll go. Okay?"

"Sounds like an excellent plan," Marcus smiled. "Now, I'm going to enjoy a shower and sleeping in a real bed for the first time in almost two weeks."

"We can get you a suite," Bella said.

"Nah, I'm just crashing for a few hours. I'm hanging with the young ones," Marcus chuckled. "And, President Swan, we'll ensure your safety tomorrow."

"They told you?" she asked.

"The people I was sitting with shared how much they loved your leadership skills, giving everyone a voice," he stood up, pressing his fist to his chest, right above his heart. "You have my support, Madam President, and Mr. Vice President Cullen …"

"Thank you, Commander Blake," Bella whispered, returning his salute. "Please be safe … all of you, be safe." She sagged in the chair, clearly exhausted. "We'll reconvene after we get a report from the scouting team." She looked at me, begging me to the end our meeting.

"Do we have any other questions?" I asked. "Okay, dismissed."

"I'm taking a shift in medical," Renee said. "I took a cat nap. I feel energized. Besides, if I stay in that suite I'll perseverate over Charlie."

"I can take you there," Rose offered. "Besides, I want to catch up with you." Rose gave Bella and me a sad smile, leaving the conference room with everyone.

"Please give my mom medical access to database," Bella called to Rose's form. "Lauren can unlock it."

"Done, Bells!" Rose replied in return.

"Come on, Princess. Let's both decompress in our suite, taking a step away from all the crazy," I whispered, standing and guiding Bella out of the conference room. We both woodenly walked to the elevator, taking the lift to our floor, and blindly walking to our quarters. I swiped my card, granting us access.

"I'm going to take a shower … I just …" she sniffled, drooping against me. "I need to wash away the pain. Finding out my dad is still on the Ark, losing all those people during the descent and now this threat from Jacob? I …" She covered her face and sobbed. "I just need to …" She turned on her heel, disappearing into the bathroom.

What do I do now?

xx MWMA xx

Bella

I stripped out of my clothes, turning on the water as hot as it would go. I stumbled into the tiny shower stall, curling in on myself. The water almost burned my skin, but I didn't feel it. My sobs filled the space, and I completely lost it. I was so lost in my own emotions that I didn't even register that Edward slipped into the shower with me.

"I've got you, my sweet girl," he whispered, cradling me on his lap. I clung to his soaking wet shirt as I grieved … grieved for my father … grieved for the people who lost their lives on the Ark … grieved for my lost innocence. "I won't let you go."

I don't know how long we sat on the floor of the shower, but the water cooled, and I started chattering. Edward turned off the water, swiping a towel and wrapping it around my body. I sniffed, looking up at him. "This is not how I wanted you to see me naked for the first time."

"I didn't really pay attention to that, Bella," he said, brushing my soaking hair back. "I heard your gut-wrenching sobs and I had to get in here. When I saw you? I wanted nothing more than to give you support and love. Are you okay?"

"If I'm honest, no," I answered. "I just want to forget everything. I want the world to stop throwing curve balls at us. I want to live down here, on the ground, without the constant fear of someone or something fucking it all up!"

"I agree, Princess," he said, "But, can we continue this conversation in the bedroom? I'd like to get out of these wet clothes. You were naked. I was not."

"Hmmm, right," I said, scrambling to get off his lap and adjusting the towel around my body. "I'll give you … uh, a few moments." I picked up my brush and padded into our bedroom, sitting down on the bed. I began brushing my hair as Edward took off his clothes in the bathroom. He came into the bedroom, wearing a pair of black boxer briefs and his hair was haphazardly pushed off his forehead. "I'm sorry for losing it."

"Bella, I'd be worried if you didn't lose it. I had my turn in the command center, and you supported me. Now, it's my turn to do the same for you," he said, sitting down next to me. He took my brush. "Turn around, I want to take care of you."

"By brushing my hair?" I asked.

"It's oddly soothing. I would do it for my mom when I was a little boy. I liked to make her hair shine," he chuckled, starting with the ends, and slowly moving up. The movements were hypnotic and methodical, calming me down. "I can see you relaxing. The muscles in your back are just letting go." He gently moved my hair over my shoulders. His warm palms came in contact with my back. I loosened the towel, letting it drop to my waist. With slow sweeping movements, he glided his hands along my spine. "Does this feel good?"

I was afraid my voice would sound shaky, so I nodded. With his fingertips, he traced each of my ribs, making me giggle. He inched closer, kissing my shoulder. My giggles dissipated, turning into a low moan. His hands moved back up my spine before massaging the muscles in my shoulders. His kisses moved up to my neck as his arms slid around my waist. "I love you, Princess."

I turned around, moving so I was facing him. I was bare from the waist up, and he kept his gaze on mine. I reached up, taking his face into my hands. "I love you, so much … so, so much," I whispered, caressing his cheeks with my thumbs. "Thank you for being here with me, loving me …"

"There's nowhere else I'd want to be, Bella," he murmured, moving so I was sitting astride his lap. The towel covered my lower half, but I could feel his excitement at holding a naked girl in his arms. "I know that I'm not ready to make love to you even though my body has other ideas."

I blushed and nodded. "I can feel that," I giggled, moving my hands from his face and to drape over his shoulders. "I'm not ready either, but I want to feel you. Skin-to-skin. I'll put on some panties, but I want to feel your chest against mine. Proof that we're both still here."

"I like that idea," he said, giving me his signature crooked smile. He pressed his lips to mine, enfolding me into his strong embrace.

I stayed in his arms until I felt him twitch underneath the towel. I readjusted my towel, wrapping it around my body. I grabbed a pair of panties and ducked back into the bathroom, sliding them onto my body. I turned off the light, scampering back into the bedroom and sliding between the sheets. He held open his arms, which I fell into. I immediately felt the safety of his embrace.

xx MWMA xx

Edward

I got the best night's sleep in my entire existence. Holding a nearly naked Bella … it wasn't sexual … it was about comfort and protection … ensured that she was alive and well in my arms. However, when I rolled over to cuddle with Bella, I found her side of the bed to be cold.

And empty.

What the hell?

I sat up, scrubbing my face and yawning widely. That's when I saw a note scribbled on a piece of paper.

Edward ~

I went to relieve my mother from medical and to check on your sister. I'm sorry I won't be here when you wake up, but I'm in charge of medical. It's my job to … yeah …

I'm rambling. I'm sorry. I'm also sorry for using you as a pillow, though I felt so safe and protected. I don't know what I would have done without you last night, Edward. You are truly my everything and I'm grateful that I get to keep you. Forever.

At least, that's my hope.

Meet me for breakfast?

All my love,

Princess

I got up, stretched, and put on a pair of black pants and a white t-shirt. I slipped on my security jacket after I brushed my teeth. Tying my boots, I left our suite and walked to the dining hall. I saw almost everyone there but the one person I wanted to see.

I found Renee, sitting next to Rose. I walked to them, settling down at their table after I got a cup of coffee. "Did Emmett leave already?" I asked.

"They were out the door by four in the morning," Rose answered. "Loud as sin as he got ready, too. But, they're on their way to the Drop Ship, and will be back in a couple of days with more information."

"How about you, Renee? How did you like working in medical?" I questioned.

"It's state of the art and …" Renee trailed off, holding her hand to her chest. "Bella organized it so well. I couldn't be more proud of her. She's a brilliant doctor, a strong leader and has great taste in men."

"Uh, thanks, Renee," I blushed. "Speaking of Bella, have you seen her?"

"She was called up to the garage for a medical emergency," Renee answered. "I offered to go, but she said she'd handle it. My guess is that she's either still at the garage or at medical."

"I'll check medical first," I said. "Thanks." Standing up, I finished my coffee and rode down to the medical bay. Austin was there, but no Bella. I did check on my sister, who was still sedated, but the bruises and abrasions were fading from her tanned skin.

After speaking to Austin about Alice, I went up to the garage and saw a hubbub near the doorway. Jasper was laying on the ground, with Peter and Charlotte hovering around him. Charlotte was holding a towel to Jasper's forehead. I took off at a sprint. "Are you okay?" I asked Jasper, kneeling next to him.

"Some asshat clocked me in the head," Jasper groaned. "I was getting one of the Rovers ready to go to the Ark. Bella came up here, saying that there was a medical emergency, but there wasn't."

"Wait, Bella was here?" I breathed. I looked around, not seeing her or evidence that she'd ever been in the garage.

"Yeah … it was one of the guys from the Drop Ship who hit me, and I think he took Bella," Jasper groaned, pulling the cloth away from his wound.

"How long ago?" My heart was stammering and twisting in my chest. Jasper didn't respond right away. "Tell me!"

"He might not remember, Commander Cullen," Charlotte argued. "He could have a concussion."

"A half hour ago?" Jasper said, waving his hand at Charlotte. "Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck!"

Exactly … oh, fuck …

A/N: Don't hate me … I'm already working on the next chapter. Leave me your thoughts.