Chapter 52 - You Never Know When You're Gonna Meet Someone And Your Whole Wide World In A Moment Comes Undone

Mike's POV

What can I say about Japan? The food, the culture, the adventure! Oh man, I have been having a blast!
The only thing that could make this better was if Amber was here to share all of this with.

Realistically we both knew that the chances of our next assignment would have us stationed together were very slim. I guess I had held up hope until that last second when Amber opened her packet.

I'll just have to make sure that I keep an eye open for any TDYs or deployments that could have us meeting up.

Plus, there is always vacation days which sadly will take awhile to be able to use, at least for me.
When I arrived at Yokota, Air Force Base the training was so far behind. It will take weeks maybe even months just to be able to break even to where it should be.

Thankfully my chain of command informed me that there will be another SERE Specialist being assigned here in about 2 weeks, so the work load will definitely become a lot easier.

According to my Squadron Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Radar, the SERE Specialist's name is Bob Billings. Of course, the SERE community being so small I've heard and know of him, but we've never worked together.

I most assuredly could use the help. I've never been one for paperwork and right now that's all over been doing making sure that everything is as it should.

My mind wonders to Peter and Charlotte. I know that they must be having a great time in Mexico on their millionth honeymoon getaway. Peter promised to bring me some authentic memorabilia which will of course include some authentic high quality Tequila.

I release a laugh at the thought of tequila and sombreros. I'm immediately brought back to few trips to Mexico that Amber and I had taken. Why only a few trips you ask? Well that's because the last two times could have become an international incident if we didn't use our SERE evasion skills.

Let's just say that as unrealistic as 'The Hangover' movies seem that I know first hand that some of those things can happen and I 1000% can attest to how much fun can be had.
What can I say, Amber and I love our shenanigans.

Damn I miss my sister. I wonder how her adventure is going.

Peter's POV

"Damn it." I say with irritation as my phone call goes to voicemail again.

"Peter" Charlotte my ever lovely wife and anchor softly calls to me as she tries to soothe me.

When all I can do is hang my head in response Charlotte's feet take up my field of vision.
I'm immediately soothed by my mate's scent and through her soft touches.

Charlotte's soft touches turn to smoothing out the wrinkles around my shirts collar as she says, "You and I both know that Amber will call you back as soon as she can. Aren't you the one that told me that Amber needed some time to herself. To experience the world and embrace her adventurous nature."

I pout as I realize how irrational that I'm being. I just can't shake off the fact that something is telling me that there's something going on with Amber. Not danger exactly, just something. Something that I can't put my finger on, but something.

I take a shaking breath as I try to gather my storm of thoughts. "I know, but...ok fine. I'm being irrational. I just can't shake this feeling about Amber."

Immediately Charlotte straightens up with worry in her eyes as she almost hysterically starts fire rapidly asking questions. "Is she okay?! Do we need to go find her?! We need to go right now!"
Charlotte almost bolts out of my arms, but I'm able to grab her and reassure her before she can fleeing off to Europe.

Damn I love this world wind of a woman. The fire and passion inside this woman. The fierceness of this woman and how hard and throughly she loves will always amaze me.

I tenderly caress her face as I know that my face is reflecting all of the love that I hold for this woman.
"No my powers aren't telling me Amber is in danger. It's just something is going on and I just can't place it. You know how protective I am and its obviously a quality that we share, especially when it comes to Amber." I give a chuckle.

Charlotte slaps my chest as she exasperatedly says, "Don't scare me like that."

I give a smile as I wrap my arms around my wife as I say, "I'm sorry love, I didn't mean to worry you. I just...I just need to talk to her, to know that she's alright. So that my inner beast can settle. You're right though, Amber will check in. She wholeheartedly deserves and needs this time to regroup and settle. I don't know how, but I know that this trip will be a turning point in not just her life, but for all of us."

Emmett's POV

It has been a long and torturous few months.
I like everyone else had thought and hoped that all of this was all just a huge misunderstanding, but time has proven that to be nothing but a pipe dream.

I constantly have a yo-yo of emotions.
I feel ashamed for throwing my support behind Amber, since she turned out to be such a disappointment. I can't believe that I was so blinded and gullible to believe the facade that Amber put up.

I also just miss my best friend. Whatever Amber's faults I truly felt like I had found a best friend. Someone who actually got me and my immaturity and then added to it.

I mean don't get me wrong I love my brothers, but a lot of times it feels like they just tolerate me in my shenanigans. That's a lot different than someone actually getting it and wanting to join in.

Then I feel guilty for even missing Amber.
Rosalie will always be my family and my priority, but that doesn't change the fact that I feel so torn.

Watching Rosalie struggle has been hard, hell watching the whole family mourn has been one of the hardest things I've ever been through. And I'm also comparing this to my turning.

After going through this I'm just glad that when it was brought up to leave Bella while she was still human after her tragic disaster of a birthday party that we in the end had all decided that we needed to embrace the inevitable dangers and face them head on together as a family.

I know Eddie is thankful that we all talked him out of doing the 'self righteous' thing and that we all stayed.

I hear the branch creek under my shifting weight.
I've been hanging out in the treetops a lot lately.
Just needing to be away from all of the turmoil going on at home. The overwhelming emotions have been suffocating.

I don't blame Jaz for having to take up a permanent residence as far away as he can get on the other side of the property.

In our own way we've all been trying to deal with our disappointment.

Carlisle has taken an indefinite sabbatical. Something I have never seen him do, ever.
I think the reminder of his work at the SERE Clinic was too much to be able to get back into a new hospital.

Esme was just as lost. I have never seen her not become a whirlwind when it comes to us moving into a new house. She usually redecorates and adds new wallpaper and paint to every room, as well as new flowers and plants everywhere.
This time she didn't do any of that. She did the basic cleaning and maintenance and that's about it.

Poor Jasper. He just bolted as soon as we got to our property in Canada. Of course, Alice followed soon after. We hardly see either of them.

Edward and Bella aren't any better. They stay holed up in their room. Whenever I pass by their open door, I'm always a little unnerved.
Not because they are having 'special couple time' but because of the lack of their normal activity. Bella who usually can never be found without a book within arm's reach hasn't even looked at the cover of a book. And Edward? Well, no one has heard Edward play a single musical note of any kind since arriving.

Things got better when Lexi arrived.
His natural ability to bring warmth and love to any situation no matter how dire the situation never seizes to amaze me.

I know we all breathed a lot easier when he worked his miracle magic on Rosalie.
With Rose finally coming out of her downward spiral has helped guide us all out of our darkened tunnels as well.

I just wish this nightmare was over. That we were over this grief and mourning period. I just want my family to be happy and whole again.

Amber's POV

Vampires...why did I do to have this kind of luck?
Mike always said that we had the best luck, because we not only know how to make things fun, but we also attract things that keep life interesting. I never minded that luck until today.

Today I was just over it. Is it asking too much to just of had a few weeks to myself? To be able to get away from the supernatural bullshit and try and move on with my life?

Don't get me wrong, I will never regret Peter and Charlotte coming into my life. I mean he's my brother, my best friend and Charlotte is...Charlotte. She's my charcoal...my fire. To me they aren't vampires or supernatural creatures, they're my family.

But these 6 random vampires? I could do without the extra drama.

I should have taken Charlotte up on her offer for them to come with me, but I just needed the space.
I mean Peter is the one that pointed out that I needed to take this opportunity and use it to find my balance again. He was 100 percent right, but right now I wish that I had the back up.

I was so over this, which was evident in my current position.
I had been essentially kidnapped. At this point I really could care less which was mirrored in the fact that I was in the back of this van speeding down the road with my arms crossed over my chest as I am trying to wake up after my nap.

Now you might be asking yourself how in the world could I fall asleep at a time like this?
Well that's simple. First there isn't anything I could possibly do. 6 vamps vs me? Even I know that I don't stand a chance. Second? I'm tired as hell and oddly I feel really safe and comfortable with these vampires nearby. That line of thought is too complicated and filled with questions. Questions which I know at the moment I won't be getting answers to, so again that's a future me problem.

Even though I know that with their enhanced abilities they know that I'm finally awake after my few hours nap I keep my eyes closed as I soak in the calmness that I feel blanketed around me.
Maybe one of these vamps have a power.

I break the silence by calmly asking, "So, are going to feed me at some point during this kidnapping? I know that you vamps may not realize it, but we humans need food and water. Oh, and don't forget bathroom breaks." It was silent for a few second, well silence to my ears, because even though I can't hear anything I know without hesitation that these vamps are talking amongst themselves.

The small blonde vamp says will clear respect in her voice, "I like this human."
Which caused one of the older women to hiss and speak in rapid Italian that I had no hope of understanding. The only word I understood was 'respect'. Causing the blonde to mutter an apology.

The one who looked like a she was in change says with authority, "Of course. You will be taken care of. We will find a restaurant soon."

I readjust myself to sit up properly before nonchalantly saying, "Something quick like a fast food place or something from a grocery store is fine."

The authority one seemed put off by me and firmly said, "No. You will not be eating some fly by night slopshop. You deserve the best and the best is what you will be given." She said with finality.

The level headed looking one decided to break the weird tension that had taken over the van.
"So, you know about vampires?"

I didn't say anything except to give a no shit look.
With a sigh the calm vampire asked, "What do you know of the Volturi?"