Chapter 23

Edward was wrong. It had been one of the longest nights of her life. Bella tossed and turned until she finally fell asleep only to wake back up almost immediately feeling like something was wrong. She had gotten too used to sleeping next to him, without him it felt nearly impossible.

Charlie practically burst through her door the next morning sharply telling her to get up.

By the time Bella was coming down the stairs Charlie was walking out the front door. His movements were stiff but quick. When she climbed into the car he handed her a bottle of water.

Bella's aversion for the hospital forced her to speak up before Charlie pulled away from the curb. "You know, Carlisle could do this at the house, there is no need to go to the hospital."

Charlie turned slowly to face her, then in a clipped tone said, "You want me to invite a vampire into our home… to take our blood?"

She frowned at him but decided to let his slight go. "No, I ment we could go to their house."

"Even better, I didn't realize they ordered delivery."

"That's not funny!"

"Who's joking?" Charlie deadpanned.

Carlisle met them in the parking lot ushering them quickly to his office. While Carlisle set up Charlie became jittery. "Are you sure about this? Maybe we should have another doctor do it."

Carlisle smiled tentatively. "If we ask another doctor they will want to know what the blood is for. Since we can't explain it, it's best I do it."

"Fine, but you better not be hungry."

Bella opened her mouth to protest but Carlisle beat her to it. "I assure you Chief Swan, I am well fed." Charlie wrinkled his nose in disgust.

He took a pint of blood from each of them then handed them juice and muffins.

"Are you sure that will be enough?" Bella asked.

"Are you sure you won't drink it all before you get there?" Charlie snarked.

"Dad!"

"What! It's a legitimate question."

Carlisle smiled tightly. "We are going over plans for our trip to Seattle today. Perhaps you would like to join us."

Charlie said, "That won't be necessary."

At the same time Bella said, "Yes." Smiling at the doctor, she asked, "When should I be there?"

He smiled politely at her. "Around two."

"I'll see you then." She said cheerfully.

"We… will see you then." her father corrected.

Charlie was a grump every time He was around Bella, which was often since he kept going and checking up on her. He would mumble things like "I don't see why we have to go. We're not part of the battle. We aren't going to Seattle. " And "Those plans could be made without us."

Bella would answer with "You don't have to go. You can stay here. I can go by myself." and "I want to hear the plan that's supposed to save my life."

With that last one Charlie said, "Fine."

"You don't have to go."

"If you're going I'm going."

When the time came to leave Charlie got in the cruiser and started the engine. Bella turned up the driveway and opened her truck door. Rowling down his window her father asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to the Cullens."

"Isabella Marie Swan get your butt in this car!"

"No! I can drive myself."

"It's a waste of gas. I'll drive us."

"No, I'm going to stay longer than you."

Charlie stepped on the gas blocking Bella in. "You will not be staying there any longer than I will be now get in the fucking car!"

"NO!"

"Fine, then we won't go." Charlie sat back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest.

Bella looked around the cruiser trying to figure out if there was any way of pulling her truck out without hitting it. When she saw there wasn't she stomped her foot growling, "Ugg, I hate you!"

She stomped her way to the car and slammed the door when she got in.

"Well," Charlie said, a lot calmer. "I'm not too fond of you right now either."

By the time they got to the Cullens they already started the conversation.

"Since the wolves are going to be with us it is hard for Alice to see where they are." Edward addressed the group.

Bella ran up to him and wrapped her arms around his side. Since they were outside, she became very cold very quickly. She tried to hide her shivers but Edward felt them. He pried her hands apart, and took a few steps away from her.

Feeling humiliated Bella wrapped her arms around herself much the same way as she did when he left her. She wanted to scream at him to hold her. Her shivers didn't matter. She was going to be cold anyway.

Tuning back into the conversation she heard Alice saying. "They are inside somewhere. It's dark and dank." she shook her head.

"She is trying to watch Riley's movements to figure out where they are." Edward announced.

If we don't figure it out before we leave we are going to search where most of the crimes have been occurring and follow our noses." Carlisle said.

"Like the Fruit Loops bird?" Everyone's head snapped to Quil. "I think I'm hungry." He grumbled.

"You're always hungry." Leah rolled her eyes.

"So are you." Quil snarked back at her.

A cold breeze brought Bellas shivers back with a vengeance. Suddenly she felt heat radiating from next to and behind her. Looking to her side Seth gave her a wide smile. She smiled back at him then turned her head further to see Jake. He wasn't looking at her though, he was looking in Edwards direction. She looked that way too. Edward gave Jake a thankful nod. She wrinkled her brow wondering what their silent conversation was about.

Another breeze hit them and Bella looked down ashamed from enjoying the heat from the oversized boys around her.

Bella Blinked at the sudden presence of Esme in front of her. She had a tray of sandwiches and surgical gloves on. She served the food to Bella Charlie and all the wolves, who were in attendance except for Leah who looked like she was going to bite the woman's head off.

"Once we find them the wolves will use the blood to distract them making it easy to dismember and destroy them." Jasper was saying.

"About that." Charlie said. "Won't the blood distract you too?"

"We are older. We will be more aware of our surroundings, and we will be prepared." Carlisle answered.

"What about this Victoria? She is older, like you. What if she doesn't fall for your trap?"

"That's what I'm for." Edward announced. "I will search for Victoria's mind."

"No!" Bella protested. She was hoping to convince Edward to stay with her. "No, you can't go. I need you here."

"Bella," Charlie said warningly. "He needs to go with them. His…gift… is needed."

"But!" She fidgeted around grabbing at her clothes and hair, trying desperately to find a way to make him stay.

"Your fathers right. They need me to make sure our mission is successful."

"But, what if she gets away from you. We will be here unprotected."

Edward stepped closer to her shaking his head. "Seth and Leah will be staying with you. Alice is considering staying too."

"But," She swallowed thickly trying to stop the tears. "I need you here."

He gave her a pained look and cupped her face. "I am begging you, don't ask me to stay."

"Please,'' she whimpered.

"Bella Get in the car right now!" Charlie roared.

She started shaking her head. "I'm not leaving."

"The meeting isn't over." Edward told him not yet ready to let her go.

"I need to have a private conversation with my daughter. Now get in the car!" no one bothered to tell him even in the car they would have no privacy.

With the doors closed and the windows rolled up Charlie turned to his daughter. "What the hell is wrong with you? You need to grow up and stop being so selfish. Look out there. They are going to fight for you without asking for anything." Bella shook trying to hold her sobs in. Charlie sighed. Look I get it you're worried about your Boyfriend, with good reason. But those boys and his family need him. They have a better chance of surviving if he goes. Do you want to be the reason one of them gets hurt or worse, dies?"

She was curled in on herself now but she shook her head.

"Look, if you agree you won't ask him to stay, I'll let him come in the house until he has to leave."

Bella looked up at him in surprise. "You'll let him come in and stay with me?"

Charlie blanched. "You have to stay downstairs. No going into your room or being alone with him."

She scoffed. "Figures."

"Look it's that or nothing."

"You can't stop me from being with him. When this is over I'm going to move in with him and there's nothing you can do about it."

"Wow." Charlie said, shaking his head. "Boy was I wrong. I used to think I was blessed. I had a teenage daughter that never rebelled, never had an attitude, never even talked back. Then I find out that she lives on the edge. Her life is constantly in danger. It scares the shit out of me anytime they are in the vicinity of you. Knowing what they are, one would think you would be scared too."

"I'm not."

Charlie shook his head again. "Begging the question, are you that much of an adrenaline junkie, or just suicidal?"

Her mouth fell open at his words. Not expecting an answer, Charlie turned and got out of the car.

A/N Dear readers, the next chapter is the search for the newborn army. Do you prefer to know what's going on with the Cullen's and the wolves, with Charlie and Bella, or bounce between them.