Chapter 5: Nightmare

Bella

Jacob's fist drew back, a coiled spring of malice. With a vicious arc, it connected with my chin, sending me reeling backward. My balance lost, I crumpled against the brick wall, my head striking it with a sickening crack.

He advanced, his posture and steps exuding predatory deliberation.

I shrank back, terror rooting me to the spot. Just as his hand raised for another strike, a figure stepped between us—Edward. His presence was an anachronism, his face a mask of fury and protection. The surreal intervention left me bewildered, blurring the lines between nightmare and reality.

A cry tore from my throat as I jolted awake, sitting bolt upright. Disoriented, I was assaulted by the relentless beeping and the sterile chill of oxygen. The medical center? How?

"Ah, Admiral Swan, you're awake," Doctor Candela's voice was a soothing balm. Her smile was kind. "How are you feeling?"

A deep breath filled my lungs, no longer constricted. "How did I end up here?" I managed to ask.

"Esme Cullen called. Dr. Cullen briefed me on your episode and your request for a lung examination."

Candela knew my secrets, my magical heritage, and the dark history that had driven Dad and me from Forks. "I thought I saw Jacob in town. My chest tightened as I panicked."

Her eyebrow arched. "Intense emotions can exacerbate your asthma. Were you symptomatic before the incident?"

I shook my head. "Is that why I fainted?"

Her nod came with a reassuring smile. "The x-ray showed nothing alarming. Still, take it easy today."

"No fieldwork if Black Cat is called into action, then."

"Correct. You're off field duty for now," she affirmed.

A sigh escaped me. "When can I leave? My car's still in town."

Her laughter was light. "You'll be discharged shortly. Captain Uley can drive you."

A nurse I didn't recognize handed me a tablet, and I signed off with a swipe of my finger. "All set."

I swung my legs off the bed and made my way out. Captain Uley was sprawled on a couch, eyes on the weather report, dressed down like me.

"Captain," I called, though the informality of our attire meant ranks were unnecessary.

He looked up, standing. "Why am I your emergency contact?" he asked, a playful note in his voice.

"My dad is on a mission. Command recommended I list you until he's back. Is that alright?"

"Nah, I was one of Olden's after his wife passed away. His children live in Maine." He held the door open for me. "I'm glad to help where I can. Do you have anyone else listed?"

"It's just me and Dad, well my step-mom, but she's on the mission too. And they are stationed out of Seattle. I don't know many people here yet."

He hummed, gesturing to his jeep. "So, where to?"

"The diner. My car is there."

~~ Black Cat ~~

The tension at the back of my head was a clear sign—I needed to eat. My stomach's rumble was a second, more insistent reminder. I glanced at the diner where Sam had dropped me off moments ago, not waiting to see if I got into my car due to a call from his wife.

The rich aroma of coffee and fried bacon from the diner was making my mouth water, a stark reminder of how long it had been since I last ate. I should have gone inside, allowed myself the comfort of a hot meal amidst the morning bustle. But the thought of facing a crowd, of idle chatter and curious glances, was suddenly overwhelming. No, I decided, I'd make something when I got home—a quiet space where the echoes of my thoughts wouldn't be so loud. With that resolve, I headed to my car, only to find Edward's note waiting for me.

Bella,

Your phone slipped out at my parents' place. I've left it at the base's front gate. Please call or text. Edward

A smile crept across my face. Edward's concern was touching, if not a little worrying. Besides my dad and step-mom, no one's really been worried about me. It was strange, but nice.

The memory of the nightmare flashed in my mind—Edward's unexpected appearance, his intervention. It was disconcerting how real it felt, how he had seamlessly woven himself into the fabric of my fears. Shaking off the confusion, I focused on the present.

I drove back to the base, intending only a brief stop. "Admiral Swan," the guard saluted. "Mr. Cullen dropped off your phone. Also, Black Cat has been put on alert."

My heart sank. So much for a quiet start on Monday and eating any time soon. Maybe there was something in the Black Cat kitchen. If not I would have something sent over from the canteen. Leah, surprisingly, was walking in with grocery bags in tow. I wondered what she was bring in and if she would share. I wasn't about to ask, though.

"Bella," she greeted in the squad room. "How are you feeling?"

I must've looked puzzled because she quickly added, "Sam sent a message to the team. We wanted to come, but he told us to stand down."

I was taken aback. "I've never been on a team that cared like this."

"We're a family here," Leah said with a smile. "We celebrate and cry together."

I hadn't considered how I felt since leaving the medical center. "Honestly, I'm still shaky and hungry," I confessed as we changed out of our civvies. She into all black and me into black and gray fatigues. By the time we were back in the squad room, the guys started showing up.

The squad room filled up quickly. "Your wife must be upset, Sam," one of the men joked.

"She understands," Sam replied, then turned to me. "You're not planning on joining us in the field, are you?"

"And have Candela all over me. No thank you," I said with a chuckle. "As much as I would like to be out there with you, I'm staying behind and will assist from here."

I settled into my office, logging into my computer. As I waited, I reached in my pocket and pulled out my cell. There was a missed call, the one Edward wrote about. I smiled as I returned his call.

"Congratulations! You've reached the right person! It's Edward. Unfortunately, you've called at the wrong time. Please leave a message and I'll call you back."

His message made me laugh. "Edward, it's Bella. I didn't even know I lost my phone. Thanks for dropping it off at the base and leaving a note on my car. You have my number. I'm on alert with my unit, so don't worry if I don't pick up. Talk soon."

Leah was leaning against the door when I turned around and dropped my cell on my desk. "Who's Edward?"

The events of this morning replayed in my mind. I could still feel the slight pressure of his lips on mine. His kiss had been sweet and a surprise, one I found I hadn't minded. "Just someone I met recently," I said nonchalantly.

Her raised eyebrow told me she wasn't buying it. "You're blushing. Did something happen?"

Before I could respond, my email pinged—a high-priority message from Admiral Frakes.

Admiral Swan,

Delta team needs immediate backup. The situation has escalated to a firefight. Activate your team and make the necessary calls.

Oh! Welcome to Forks. Not the way we wanted you to start, but I know you will handle this curveball like a pro.

I pressed the alert button on my desk, the siren blaring and lights flashing red. The wrrreeeeeEEEEE wrrreeeeeEEEEE wrrreeeeeEEEEE made me jump as the strobing yellow light change to red with the sound.

Leah spun on her heel and raced to the front of the squad room, grabbing her gear bag from her desk. She and the rest of the team were out the door before I reached my office door.

I was impressed by their efficiency.

Alone in my office, I read the situation report. It was dire, and I worried for my team. I made the necessary calls, coordinating with medical facilities and shuttle services, ensuring we were prepared for any outcome.

My stomach growled, but I ignored it. Picking up my handset, I dialed the med bay. "Prepare for minor injuries," I said when a nurse picked up.

"Certainly, Admiral Swan. Do you want me to call the local hospital and have them prepare?"

"Thanks for offering, but I will make the," I replied, hanging up. Putting the handset to my ear again, I pushed the button for ED at Forks hospital.

"Forks ER," a cheerful female voice said.

"This is Admiral Swan from Star Command. I need to speak with the head of the Emergency Department."

"One moment and I will connect you to Dr. Carlisle Cullen."

I winced. Edward had told me his father was a doctor, but to find out he was the head of the ED was a shock.

"This is Dr. Cullen," he answered two minutes later.

I blew out a breath. "Dr. Cullen, this is Admiral Isabella Swan," I said formally. "We have security officers taking heavy fire and they might require medical assistance. How many can you handle?"

"Two critical and eight minor," he answered without hesitation. "Seattle is the nearest major trauma center."

"Which hospital?" I asked, looking at the labels on my phone. There were four hospitals labeled. Forks, Port Angeles, and two in Seattle.

"Harborview," he replied.

It wasn't one of the hospitals programmed. "Do you have their number?"

"Not handy. I'll call them on your behalf. What's your number and I will call you back with what they can handle."

I gave him my desk number.

"Give me five minutes."

My next call was to shuttle services. "We received the alert. Our pilots are in the air or already landing. Medical is aboard each."

"We'll be going to Forks hospital with ten – two critical and eight minor. And Harborview in Seattle. I don't know how many," I said as I sent an email to medical with the same information. "Get the necessary flight plans ready."

My stomach again growled as I hit send. I couldn't think about eating. My cell rang at the same time as my desk phone rang. I ignored it but glanced at the display, Edward, as I reached for my handset. "Admiral Swan."

"Harborview can take fifteen critical," Carlisle said without preamble. "What will you do if there are more than can be attended to?"

I breathed a sigh of relief. That covered both teams but no bystanders. My email pinged with a message from Medical. Opening it, I read it. "Three starships are on standby for critical cases. They can take six each. Another four are en route."

"Three starships are on standby with four more en route," I answered. "I'll direct the medical teams to send civilians to you and Harborview."

"We're ready," Dr. Cullen said, then his tone softened. "Bella, how are you holding up?"

His concern caught me off guard. "In terms of health or the situation?" I asked, unsure how to respond to his paternal warmth.

"Both," he replied.

The tension at the back of my head not only told me I was hungry, but was also a telltale sign of stress, a precursor to the fainting I recalled all too well. My gaze drifted upwards, the ceiling coming into focus as I contemplated my response. "This situation is the first real test I've faced outside of training. Earlier, the cause of my fainting and breathing troubles eluded both me and Candela. She suggested rest before all this unfolded," I said, a nervous chuckle escaping me.

The ping of my email drew my attention—Sam's update. "We're code 4. No casualties. Medical's on-site. Minor injuries only. Hospitals can stand down." His message was succinct, just how I preferred.

I blinked, realizing I'd missed Carlisle's question. "Sorry, what did you ask?"

"Do you have any theories about why you fainted?"

A theory lingered at the edge of my mind, one intertwined with secrets I couldn't share. "Irregular meals, perhaps. I've been subsisting on snacks and water amidst the chaos of unpacking."

"Unpacking?"

"I'm new to Forks, just four days in," I explained.

"Ah. Well, assuming the incident wraps up, why don't you join us for dinner tonight?"

"Why don't you come over for dinner tonight, if the incident is resolved by then."

"Resolved. Minor injuries only. Medical is sending a few your way," I said, looking at my email. Another message came in from Candela.

I hesitated at his invitation, probing. "And how would Edward feel about that?"

Carlisle's laughter was warm. "It was his idea. I'll send Harborview a stand-down notice."

I inquired about the time and address.

"Six. Edward can text you the address, or pick you up if you prefer."

Hidden driveways weren't my forte. "I'll consider it."

"See you at six."

Edward's text arrived promptly. What's your address? :)