The Feature Story is posted with permission of the Author!!!
Atonement by BetterinTexas
Chapter 22
Don't own it
BPOV
"No. That's a bad idea." Damn it.
"We don't know when they are going to strike. Clive believes Kebi doesn't know. He is very good at detecting deception."
"How good was he when you were in Egypt, Garrett? Because he seemed to be off his game a bit then."
"I know Bella. Look you can handle this. You will have Carlisle…I mean Esm…look if you run into trouble or there is some supernatural creature you think you can't handle and can't throw the Cullen's at, than retreat and call me."
Oh hell no.
"You think I'm worried about doing this myself? I'm worried about us being apart. Every time we have been apart this week, bad things have happened Garrett. We need to stay together. Send Edward to the damn building by himself."
"I can't send him alone Bella. He has no idea what he is doing. He wouldn't have a clue what to do with a bomb. Especially a nuclear bomb." Garrett said calmly.
"Garrett…I have a bad feeling. Let Edward and I go to the building. When the bad guys show up I will kill them and call you."
"You're just now getting a bad feeling? He laughed. I wasn't amused. I was scared. I had a very bad feeling about him leaving me.
"Don't laugh. It's not funny."
"Bella what if quick action needs to be taken? You don't have the knowledge. We don't know when they will arrive. We know where the virus is. You take care of that, I take care of the bomb and then we go on a nice vacation. Maybe Broadway? How about a Broadway play?"
He was trying to distract me. We had planned to go to the hotel together. Take care of the virus, take care of the bomb, call it a day. Find a hotel with a large bed and spend a week in it. Piece of cake. Stone dead. Amun dead. Apparently his wife would soon be if not already dead. We were running out of bad guys. This shouldn't be a problem.
Now he wants to change plans. We were in the field office arguing about this. We should be at the damn Holiday Inn taking care of business.
"Garrett…"
Damn it! He kissed me. He was still kissing me…
"Bella, I need you to take care of this. We are running out of time. Please?"
"Okay." I gave up. We could do this. If I hurried I could get to the building in time.
"I love you Garrett."
"I love you Bella."
"Don't do anything stupid. Please?" I begged.
He kissed me on the lips quickly as a way of answering and walked out of the room, dragging me by the hand.
"Rose called. Her and Emmett want to know what you want to do with Kayhat?" Carlisle said as we walked in the room.
"They found him?" I asked surprised.
"Yes. They fought numerous werewolves who are now dead and have him in handcuffs. Emmett wants to know if he can torture him." Carlisle said quietly. He didn't seem to approve but to his credit he did pass on the information.
"No. No torture. We need professionals who speak Arabic to interrogate him. He will be the one to stand trial before the world for these crimes. Tell them to text me his coordinates and we will have Connolly's team pick him up. Sit tight until then." Garrett instructed Carlisle, who simply nodded.
Garrett pulled me in a bit too closely. At least he held on to me for longer than he normally did. Almost like he was leaving me…longer than a few hours.
I shook my head. I needed him. He knew that. He wouldn't leave me alone. Not after finding each other so soon. Not for good.
Please don't Garrett.
I watched the man who had quickly became so important to my life, drive off with my ex boyfriend. He did not want to take a chance of missing the bomb. He told me the fear of what he saw in London weighed on his mind. That left me with…
"You ready Bella?"
Carlisle and Esme.
"Yeah Carlisle. Listen, when we get there maybe it would be best for you guys to stay outside and I will call you if anything goes wrong with the virus."
"We will be fine Bella. You can count on us. Please?" Carlisle asked. I managed not to take a deep breath. I just nodded and got into the Government issued Sedan. Esme sat in the front with me.
Thirty eight minutes later we were at the hotel. A simple hotel. Looked full judging by the parking lot. I had a number for a bioterrorism team. I would call them when the virus was secured. They would take it from there.
Carlisle and Esme stayed in the hallway behind me. I listened to the voices inside but couldn't understand any of them. I really needed to start working on languages.
"I'm going to open the door and hit them before they know what happened. I doubt they will have the virus out in the open." I whispered to my partners. I heard eight heartbeats. They were all present, thank God.
I ripped the handle off and kicked the door in. Taking a look around I saw several things at once.
One, they were slobs.
Two, they were all in their underwear and t shirts. So not cool.
Three, many of them were sweating profusely. I suppose carrying death in briefcases would do that to someone.
Four, they were very surprised.
And five.
One of these damn idiots had one of the globes out of the case in its hands, looking closely at it. In his bare hand. It was a pretty blue globe, slightly smaller than a golf ball. I watched in seeming slow motion as the one holding the globe, eyes became very wide, his mouth dropped open at my appearance and his hands leaned down. The pretty blue gel like globe rolled off his hands towards the floor.
Damn it. If it hit the ground…
I dove. There was no way I had the dexterity control to catch it before it burst on the ground. I would crush it. Water bad. Air not as bad but still bad. The families in this hotel would be dead.
Instead of reaching for it I rolled on my back and slid under it.
I opened my mouth.
Catching it between my teeth, I swallowed it whole.
Oh shit.
How am I going to explain this to the bioterrorism team?
The yelling started very quickly. One man shot me. Another shot me. I suppose when they realized that this wasn't working, another one moved towards the briefcases. They were going to dump them all!
Eight shots rang out.
The yelling stopped.
I sat up slowly and saw Esme with a smoking .45 in her hand and eight dead terrorists on the floor.
"Did I do that right?"
I nodded furiously at Esme. When I sat up I felt the globe burst inside me. My eyes widened.
"Close your mouth and hold your nose closed Bella. Do not breathe!" Carlisle instructed me. I did as I was told. This really was more his territory. I had never swallowed a deadly virus before. This was definitely a new experience.
"Bella, are you okay?"
I rolled my eyes. What did he think? I was going to get sick?
"I mean I know it isn't…look I've never seen anyone swallow a…just nod if you are doing okay and don't let go of your nose or open your mouth, okay?"
I nodded. I dialed the bio team with my free hand and gave it to him.
"No. I need to figure out how to destroy that virus inside you. I can't explain to the bio terrorism team that you have a burst globe inside you. I need these globes to find out what is going on. We need to take the cases back to the field office into the lab downstairs. It is equipped to seal itself in case of a release. I can study it there."
I nodded. Guess I would be holding my breath for a bit longer. Thank God for all that time I spent underwater.
I hope things go smoother for Garrett.
Garrett POV
"So Peter Whitlock?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah. He said he was friends with a Jasp…"
"Yes. I know of them. Jasper is with Ty in Vegas. They have apparently taken care of that situation. I am surprised about this Peter but glad he showed up. So you have the coordinates?"
"Yes. Headin to the airport to get him now. Will have him in Washington by tomorrow afternoon."
"Excellent." Things were finally wrapping up.
"You need me to talk you through the nuke?" Jason asked.
"Nope. I was disarming nukes before you were born." I told him.
"No you haven't. How many nukes have you ever actually disarmed? Bombs that were set to go off? Not missiles at the bottom of the seafloor."
It was a good question. I had to think for a few seconds.
"None, but that's why this one will be so special. It will be my first."
"Uh huh. I'll have my phone. Put it on video when you get there."
"Okay Connolly. Good job."
I ended the call and saw Edward staring out the window.
"That's why you wanted Bella to go with Carlisle and Esme. You are afraid this may go off and you don't want her near it." He mumbled.
"If that upsets you I will let you out. I don't plan to die but we are dealing with a nuclear fucking bomb."
"I wouldn't miss this for the world, Garrett." Edward grinned.
I drove in silence trying to keep my thoughts off of what Bella looks like nude. He would not see that.
"I agree. It wouldn't be appropriate."
"Would you cut that out?"
"I can't help it." He shrugged his shoulders.
"You could not respond to my thoughts out loud. Pretend you don't hear them."
"I'm surprised you came without Bella to stop me from reading your thoughts. You really didn't want her here."
I sighed.
"True. This is probably the only place on Earth I wouldn't want her with me."
"What do you think she would do if you were gone?" Edward asked.
"She would carry on. Her and Ty. She has her parents. She will be…"
"Devastated without you." Edward said quietly.
"Yes, well let's hope she doesn't have to find out. There is the building. We will drive around looking for strange vehicles. If we see none we wait on the first floor and you listen for thoughts of drivers coming in."
"What am I to listen for?"
"Someone thinking oh shit please don't let this bomb blow up when I hit a bump." I told him honestly. He laughed. I wasn't kidding.
We drove around three times and saw no unusual vans or cars. That meant nothing but it was all I could do short of busting every trunk open. I would give it a couple hours. I believe they would want the virus in the water system of the outer city before they blew up inner city LA.
I finally parked in a reserved stall on the first floor. I had another call to make.
"Wassup G Man? Please tell me that you are needin me there and I can leave Hillbilly and Alice here."
"Ty, has the Kebi situation been taken care of?"
"She dead as shit if that's what you are talking about. Clive did it. Fucker has a serious grudge goin on."
"Tell him to go to Washington. Get him set up with our people there as a British MI6 agent. Adel Kayhat is in route. Connolly should have him in Washington tomorrow afternoon."
"Big guy didn't get chewed up? Ain't that a bitch. I was hoping he would get taken out and I could help blondie move on."
"Yes, well he made it."
"Where do you want me?"
"Here."
"That's what I'm talkin about. Leavin now. Sun is going down. I can run and be there in a hour and half or two."
"Great. Listen Ty. Bella is taking care of the virus. I am at the US Bank building waiting on the team to show with the nuke. I need you to go to the field office with Bella. Make sure she stays in that office. Bottom level just to be safe."
"Garrett you goin to stop this bomb or set it off?" Ty asked jokingly.
"Ty, you know these things are tricky."
"Yeah, will you better know what you doin. You know Eddie gonna be up on her ass if something happens to you."
"No worries. I have him with me." I smiled and winked at Edward who rolled his eyes.
"That's good. But seriously Gar. Be careful man."
"Ty…I need you…if something goes wrong I need you to take care of Bella."
"Uh…Garrett, I don't know if I can do that."
What the fuck?
"Excuse me?"
"Gar I love her but she is like a little sister to me. I can't be…I mean I know she needs taken care of but…you know what? Fuck it. I'm a man. She is a woman. We both got needs. Somethin happens to you that you can't service her no more I will take care of her. There any moves or any special spots I need to know about that she likes? I mean I'm gonna show her some things that are gonna blow her mind but if you got any advice that would help?"
Oh good lord.
"Is he really that stupid?" Edward whispered. I…wasn't sure how to answer that.
"Ty…I meant….never mind."
"No. I will do this for you Garrett. If you get blown up and smashed to atoms I'm gonna give that girl as many rides on the T train as she wants. I'll even try not to be so damn good so it's like you doin it to her."
"Ty…you're joking right?"
"I know what you talkin about Garrett. I love that girl with everything I got. She's my family. You ain't gotta ask me that. Now don't do anything stupid and get back to the both of us. I'm on my way down. I'll keep her low. You focus on the mission."
"Thanks Ty."
"See you in a few."
I ended the call and sat back.
"So he is very interesting." Edward commented.
"Yes. He is. Fierce fighter. Large heart. Loyal, brave, dedicated. I couldn't ask for a better partner."
"He's an idiot." Edward commented casually.
"Yes but he's mine and Bella's idiot so don't talk bad about him or I will rip your fucking head off." I smiled.
"Wouldn't dream of it. I like him."
"You do?" I asked, surprised. "I know he told me he answered your call one day and…"
"He said nothing that wasn't true. He said what needed to be said to protect her. I told you Garrett. I only want her happy. He makes her happy. I like him."
I was about to call bullshit when Edward stiffened at the same time a black van drove past us.
"Yes?"
"Yes." Edward whispered.
We stepped out of the car and followed on foot. The Van stopped in a service spot on the second level.
Two men stepped out. My phone buzzed. Carlisle?
The viruses were back at the field office. None were released. Carlisle was handling disposal. I wonder why he didn't let the team we had on standby take it?
"Okay. I hear two heartbeats. They are alone. We are going to…"
My sentence was cut short by two gunshots. The two men who just exited the van were on the ground. I looked at Edward who was holding the gun trained on their bodies.
"Wow. That was…I mean wow. It was exhilarating." Edward whispered. Then his face scrunched up when the smell of blood hit him.
"Do they usually bleed this much?" he whispered.
"Yes. When you blow off someone's head, blood is involved." I told him and gently took the gun from him before he tried to shoot the bomb.
We walked to the van and I gently broke the glass on the passenger side. The back glass could have been rigged. Edward dragged the two bodies he just made, to the nearby dumpster. The blood trail was there but looked like it could be anything in this light. I crawled in the back and saw the bomb.
This didn't look good at all.
"What doesn't look good?" Eddie asked.
"Would you stop that?!"
"Sorry. So what doesn't look good?"
"This. I don't recognize this circuitry."
"Is that a timer?" he asked.
"No. It's an alarm clock. When it hits zero it tells the terrorist to start the timer." I told him.
"Why would…sarcasm. Nice." It wasn't my best but I was sitting next to a doomsday device.
"I have to call Connolly."
The timer was at 2:28:56. Twenty eight minutes until the virus was supposed to have been delivered.
"Couldn't handle it, could ya?" Connolly asked. I could hear his smile over the phone line.
"Look Jason."
I pointed the camera of my phone over the bomb and ran it over the device twice. The second time he asked me to go back to the center and then to the lower left side of the casing.
"Well?"
"How hard would it be to evacuate Los Angeles?" he asked.
"Next option Jason."
"Okay. We have to be gentle. Unscrew the far right side bolt. Gently. Make sure there are no wires attached to the bolts. This is going to be difficult…."
Bella POV
"I'm just saying that you should think about college Bella. Have some human experiences while you are being a super agent."
This asshole. He knows I can't talk. He knows I can't leave because I need him to kill this crap in me. So he takes his sweet time and tries to tell me what to do.
I tapped him on his shoulder. When he turned around I shot the finger at him and then pointed to my mouth.
"Okay. Point taken. I'll shut up now."
He went back to his microscope.
"It was just a suggestion. You used to love literature and never really had a chance…"
"Shut up already, Carlisle." Esme said. I looked at her with as much gratitude as I could considering I was holding my nose and had my jaw clamped down.
"Fine. I can tell when my advice is not wanted." Carlisle mumbled.
I sat watching my phone. Garrett had not texted me. I knew from Ty he found the bomb an hour ago. What the hell was taking so long? Ty should be here soon.
Forty five minutes later Carlisle had an epiphany. He at least looked excited. Taking a globe to the furnace, he sat it inside, closed the door and stepped back. I heard a roar, a whoosh and then nothing. He took some sort of monitor, opened the door and stuck the monitor in.
"Okay. Bella all you have to do is step into the furnace. When I close the door open your mouth and breathe out."
Excuse me?
"Have you lost your mind Carlisle?" Esme asked for me. I nodded and jerked my thumb at her. What she said.
"As long as you don't breathe in the fire won't harm you." Carlisle smiled. I grabbed a pen and wrote a message on the desk Esme was standing near.
"She says to try again, Carlisle." Esme told him. I nodded my head.
"Fine. But you would have been safe. So long as you didn't breathe in and blew the virus out. I suppose I can find something…maybe acid…?"
I sat back down and looked at my phone. What are you doing Garrett?
Garrett POV
"Jason, how much longer?"
"I don't know, Garrett. Remove the top slowly."
"You can quit saying slowly. It's understood." I had been working on this damn thing for nearly two hours. We were running out of time.
"Damn it. Edward move the camera closer." Connolly said.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Traps. A shit load of traps. Garrett this bomb can be disarmed but it would take a week. We got 28 minutes and two options here. Option one is to reach into the damn thing, pull the three red wires and hope for the best. The other is to get it out of the city quickly and try to run it into an unpopulated area. At least as unpopulated as you can find. We got no time to be playin around here."
Damn it.
"No Garrett."
"Shut up Edward. Connolly I need a chopper on top of this building in ten minutes. Can you make it happen?"
"On it. Good luck. If I don't see you again…"
"I know. It's been a pleasure Jason. Get me that chopper and a pilot who understands he is leaving as soon as he lands."
I ended the call.
"You need to leave. Now." I told Edward.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Outside. Now."
I met him in the front of the van.
"No point in both of us doing this Edward. I appreciate your help. You saved a lot of lives today by picking this van out. Now I have to finish the job."
"Garrett…"
"Tell Bella I love her. She is the only woman I have ever given my heart to."
"I will. Good luck." Edward reached his hand out and I took it.
"It's never been determined if a vampire can survive a nuclear bomb. Maybe I will be the first." I shrugged my shoulders, knowing better. Not even a vampire could survive atoms splitting. We were still made of basic building blocks of all solid matter.
I unloaded the bomb waved at Edward once more and ran to the service elevator, taking it straight to the top of the building. Connolly did well. A black military transport copter landed twelve minutes later.
"Are you Garrett?" The pilot asked.
"Yes. Run." I told him. He was well trained. He did as he was told.
Once he was inside, I moved quickly, packing the bomb into the back of the chopper. 16 minutes. I should be able to get many miles over the water. Prevailing winds should blow any radiation away from the coast if I was judging this right. It was time to fly.
I tried not to think about her. I didn't want to lose my nerve. Still though I couldn't help it. She came to me at the end but she was the best thing that ever happened to me. Her body. Her smile. Holding her, watching her laugh. She would be so angry. But she would understand. She would be strong for her parents. Ty would get her through this. She would go on. She would have purpose.
I had rose at least sixty feet off the roof. Enough to get me going. It was time to move…
The door just ripped off. Edward's Cullen's hand was on my throat.
"I'm sorry Garrett, but I wasn't lying. I really do just want her happy." He pulled me by the throat before I could respond and I found myself falling sixty feet to the top of the parking garage on my back. I watched my chopper fly away.
Standing up I watched in shocked silence as the chopper disappeared. I wasn't aware of the passing of time until my watch beeped.
The explosion was far away but so bright it could be seen clearly. It was high. The shock waves broke some windows even here, but it was over the Pacific. The wind would keep the radiation from the city. From the Coast. I should have left but I couldn't move.
My phone buzzed and I looked at the text from Bella.
/What was that? Where are U? Ty is here. Call me. Freaking out./
I dialed her number and she answered.
"Oh thank God baby. I thought…it doesn't matter. Did you see the explosion? Carlisle made me swallow acid. I'll explain later but damn it tasted nasty. Just please get here? Please?"
"I'm fine Bella."
"Another bomb went off. Over the ocean. Was it a plane? Like New York, you think?"
"No Bella. That was my bomb. We couldn't disarm it…Bella, are the Cullen's there still?"
"Yes. I mean Jasper and Alice followed Ty and Carlisle and Esme are here. Alice is freaking out but she won't say why. Keeps mumbling Edward's name. Is he still with you?"
"I'll be there shortly Bella. I love you."
"I love you too Garrett."
Chapter 23: Chapter 23
Don't own it
Ty POV
"So how was the memorial?" Mama Renee asked me.
"It was…weird. I mean there wasn't no body to speak of. I thought maybe we should burn a really nice wig and spread it's ashes over the water. But Gar told me I should probably keep that idea to myself. So we all just kinda stood around on the beach starin out in the direction he ruined his hair for good. Nobody said anything. The Cullen's kinda sobbed a bit, even the guys. It was awkward."
"How was Bella, Ty?"
"Mama, I can't really tell. She wasn't really cryin, but I could tell she was upset. But she ain't talkin to Garrett much. Still ain't talkin to him since we came back to Washington three days ago. Just stays in her room."
"Yes, she told me. She is pretty angry at Garrett."
"Why?"
"Ty, you know…"
"That's a bunch of bull hockey mama. Garrett did what he did to save millions of lives. Bella knows this. She needs to get over it."
"Ty, she is upset that Garrett kept her away."
"So what? He was supposed to invite her over?" That would be dumb. Women. You gotta think rational Bells!
"No, but he could have called her himself. She would have had to hear the news from someone else. It was very hard for Bella to become close to anyone after what Edward did to her. Then she was alone for so long. She finds Garrett and falls in love so fast and hard and then to find out that he was prepared to leave her behind…it's a lot to take, Ty."
I took a deep breath. Bitches be crazy.
"Okay. But how long she gonna hold this against him? It's causing dissension in the ranks. I got to have my people happy, mama."
"Has Garrett talked to her?"
"He tried. She just says ain't a damn thing wrong and everybody knows that's bulls…stuff."
"She will talk to him about it eventually. It has been a stressful time for you all. Edward dying, Garrett nearly dying, vampire fights, demons, witches, plane hijackings, deadly viruses, terrorist teams shooting at her. It's a lot for a girl to process. She is supposed to be figuring out if she wants to rush for a sorority right now. Not this. God I wish I could have been at Edward Cullen's memorial."
"You were close to him, mama?"
"God no. I wanted to celebrate his death. Oh well."
Uh oh. Mama Renee getting into sad territory.
"So I heard Charlie came to see you." I mentioned casually.
"You heard huh?" she laughed.
"Yeah. I heard. What's up with that? Big Chief Swan put you in custody?"
Now she was laughin.
"No. We just visited for a few days, watched the news, kept our eye out for Bella. We talked. It was…nice."
"Just nice huh?"
"It was nice. Two old friends catching up Ty. That's all it was. Don't read anything into it. Bella being gone, changed both of us. It was nice to get to know him again."
"That's so sweet." I admitted.
"Yes. It was."
"So you didn't hit that?"
"Ty!"
"Just askin, just askin. Don't get all butt hurt mama. Just askin."
Renee said nothing.
"So no then right?"
"No Ty! I did not hit that." She giggled.
"You wanted to though, didn't ya?"
"Ty, just give Bella a bit of time. She will be fine."
"What about you? If she had run off with some bomb strapped to her back would you have been okay?"
"Ty…I promised Bella no matter what I would never try to do that again. I meant it."
"Glad to hear it."
"Just make sure I never have to worry about that, okay? What were you doing while all this was going on? Watching TV?" she challenged me. I'll be damned.
"Woman let me tell you what Ty Gavin was doing. I was shootin bad guys and throwin rockets at people and fighting evil vampires and shit. I had to babysit a redneck and an English Butler while it was goin on. I was busy saving lives woman!"
"Sorry Ty. I was just kidding. I'm very proud of you, too." She sounded serious but I could hear the smile in her tone.
"All right. Long as we understand I'm a hero, it's all good. I got to go. I love you Mama Renee."
"I love you too Ty. Give Garrett and Bella a big kiss."
"I ain't kissin Bella. Garrett though…I'll consider it. It'd be the only action he has gotten lately."
I was kiddin. I ain't kissin Garrett.
Better check on Daddy C.
"Ty! How are you doing?"
"Great Pops. Hows it hangin?"
"Great. Edward's dead right? Fish food?"
I took a deep breath. Charlie and Renee would not be establishing a memorial scholarship in his name.
"Yeah that's the word."
"You sure?" he asked.
"That he's dead? He ain't swam back."
"Yeah but…Ty, you're a smart guy. If that had been you, what would you have done?"
"Not flyin off with a nuclear bomb would have been a good start." I thought out loud.
"Yeah you would have done that, Ty. Same as Garrett. What I'm talking about is after. I mean it's not like it was only a few seconds. Seems it would have been easy to fly the chopper there, leave it hovering, jump into the water, swim a few miles away and get deep as possible. Since the radiation can't hurt you and the blast was in the air, the chances of survival seem pretty good. Don't ya think?"
Damn. I mean…
"Yeah. I suppose it's possible. When the hell did you think of this?"
"When Bella told me what happened. I went to the diner and had a really good steak. Some coconut pie as well. Then I went and saw this new comedy at the movie theater. I was in such a good mood, but it didn't feel right, you know?"
"You mean cause he was dead?" I tried.
"No, because we didn't have a body to put in the ground. Or burn at least. Yeah, burning would have been better. So my mind started nagging at me. Could this little shit have possibly survived? And the more I thought about it the more it became clear that he damn well could be alive."
Yeah but…
"He had plenty of time to swim back. He didn't. His little sister can't see him anymore. The future teller? She swears he is gone."
"Yeah. That's why I am holding onto my good mood. But keep an eye out Ty. If he shows up and you can kill him before anyone else sees him…"
"Charlie? You kiddin right? I mean he did take Garrett's spot and I guarantee the gothic Captain America was gonna ride that chariot to the great beyond."
"Yeah, I guess you are right Ty. Keep your eyes open. How's Bella?"
"Pissed at Garrett for running off without her."
"Women huh?" Charlie mumbled.
"Right? That's what I'm sayin."
"She ain't upset about that little shit turnin into fairy dust, is she?"
"Yeah. I think a little but not cause she was all in love or nuthin. I think she just got scared. She'll be fine. She love Garrett. She can't stay mad at him forever."
"Yes she can. You never saw that side of her mother." Charlie pointed out.
"Yeah, I hear you and Renee had some alone time last week while the kids were out savin the world."
He stayed quiet. That shit ain't gonna work.
"Charlie?"
"Yeah, we were both worried about Bella and you and Garrett of course, and thought we would hang out for a few days. Mutual support and all that."
"Did you hit it?" I asked.
"Hit what?"
"Hit…It." I said quietly.
"You mean…Renee…and me…?"
"I mean."
"No."
"Why not? Wasn't no spark there? No come hither glance across the room?"
"Wasn't like that Ty."
"Nothin huh?" No fucking way.
"She…looked good. She had changed. I had changed…it was nice. Nice to be with her. That's it."
"That's it?"
"Yep."
"You ever want me to keep given you reports on Bella and makin sure Gar is treatin her right, you better talk." I told him.
"Fine. It got…things were said. We were close…"
"How close? Bumpin uglies close or just like Lifetime TV, havin tea on the fucking porch and staring at each others eyes, close?"
"We didn't bump anything. But we kissed once or twice…"
"That's what I'm talking about. Talk to Ty. Ty needs to hear everything."
Sue me. What kid doesn't want to see his adopted parents back together?
Bella POV
"I can understand why you are upset Bella, but would you have done anything different? Wouldn't you have wanted to keep Garrett as far away from danger as possible ?" Father Francis asked. Why did I call him?
"Yes Father. Okay? Yes. But he could have called to say goodbye. I mean…Father all I'm saying is when I seem to fall in love I fall completely and maybe I should step back. Stop giving so much of myself. Stop becoming so…"
"Attached?"
"Yes!" He agreed. I knew I was right.
"So you plan to keep people at a distance? You can't love a person and push them away at the same time Bella."
"Then I shouldn't love him. Because I…Damn it father, my life…I'm a wreck. I fell in love in high school with one guy. One! I went nuts when he left. I turned into a dependent, sad, pathetic, idiot. A guy who just died for me so I could be with the man I love now, who was ready to die without saying a word!"
"Bella just stop. You and Garrett are the same. You would have done the exact same thing."
"I would have called him!"
"Fine! Break up the best thing in your life because he handled a stressful situation a bit differently than you. As long as you are going to keep every good thing away from you why don't you run off into the woods again for the next hundred years!"
Okay.
"Seriously, there is no reason to be an asshole, Father. I was just venting." I whispered.
Father Francis cleared his throat.
"Of course dear. I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I just don't want to see you throw away the good things that have happened for you. This boy finally did something unselfish in his life by allowing you to keep Garrett."
"I know Father." I admitted. Poor Edward. I wonder why he just didn't jump before the bomb went off? Garrett probably wouldn't have. Maybe he would have. I'll have to ask him.
"Could you try expressing your anger with Garret in a calm manner and perhaps your relationship could be stronger rather than using this to drive a wedge between the two of you?"
"Yes. I suppose I could. He just…I was scared. The idea of being without him…"
"The two of you need to come to the realization that as long as you are battling supernatural creatures there is a possibility that one of you will have to live without the other."
"I don't know if I can do that, Father." I told him honestly.
"You better learn to then." He replied bluntly.
Okay…
"Aren't you supposed to be comforting or something?"
"You want comforting call Dr. Phil. Life is tough. Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow. You love with all you have and you fight with all you have and when it's your time to go, you go at peace, knowing you did the best you could to make the world a better place. That's what you are doing Bella. You aren't going to stop. Ever. I won't let you."
"Yes Father." I whispered. There wasn't much else to say.
"Go talk to him Bella." The call ended and I sat my phone on my desk. I thought of wasting time by calling Alice, to see how she was doing. But I knew how she was doing and I really had nothing for the Cullen's. I wish they had not gotten involved but I was glad they did. If they hadn't Garrett would be dead. I was upset that Edward was dead and grateful and so thankful and relieved it wasn't Garrett.
I was so confused.
A knock on my door. I wonder if it was Ty or…I knew who it was. I knew his knock. I knew everything about him.
"Come in."
My door slid open and I smiled at him. He looked nervous.
"Can we talk?"
"Yeah Garrett."
He sat down next to me on the couch.
"I'm sorry?" He tried first. I laughed gently.
"No, you're not. You would do it again." I told him honestly.
"What would you rather me do Bella? Really. I want to know. Tell me. You want to walk away from this? I will take you tonight. We can find a place where there is no one else around and just be together. That's enough for me."
"What about me!?" Ty yelled from down the hall.
I used the remote to close the door.
"That's not who you are." I told him honestly.
"I would be that person for you."
"No. I love you for who you are. I guess I just wasn't ready for the reality of it. The reality of what it could lead to." I told him honestly.
"Bella the idea of never seeing you again nearly froze me. It kept me from doing what needed to happen. The idea that it could have been you making that decision, taking that bomb, and I would be left behind…I understand why you are angry. I…"
"Had no choice and neither would I. But Garrett I would have called you. To tell you I loved you one more time. Please, God forbid if this ever happens again and you can, please call me. Please?" I nearly begged him quietly.
"I swear Bella. I was afraid if I heard your voice one more time I wouldn't be able to do it. But…"
"I know. Garrett, were you just going to ride it to the end or jump?" I asked.
"Jump?"
Just like I thought. The idea never occurred to him.
"Never mind. Just take me to bed and hold me."
He lifted me in his arms and walked to my bed. His hands knew exactly where to go. Within moments I was his again. Of course I always had been. No matter how angry I was, I would not be apart from him. I had been with Edward and lost myself in him. I had been on my own and lost myself to my own despair. Since I had been with Garrett I had found myself and not become lost at all.
His hands slid up my thighs and I sighed. His lips brushed mine. His warm lips. The tension of the last week, the energy, the worry, the excitement and fear exploded in me. I growled and crushed my lips to his. I had thought I wanted softness. Security. Instead I just needed him. Exactly the way he was. The way I was. I would never be okay thinking of a life without him in it. But I would live every minute I could with him, while we had each other. Five seconds or five thousand years. He was mine.
Connolly POV
Stepping out of the shower I heard my phone go off. A text from Ty.
Make up sex is now commencing.
I forwarded the text to the team.
That's good. I didn't figure Bella would stay mad at Garrett too long. The chance of death is something she is learning more every day in our line of work. Not even vampires are safe from it. It's the reason neither I nor anyone on my team ever had a serious relationship. The risk is too great in bringing someone into our life and then expect them to sit at home waiting to hear if we survived another mission. Garrett is lucky. Bella can fight beside him.
Asshat was in an underground bunker with the CIA's top persuaders, being persuaded to tell us everything he knew. Maybe life could get back to normal. A couple raids in Iraq, maybe hunting an out of control Bigfoot. Garrett mentioned a possible lake monster before all this crap started. All I could do was sit back, watch a little baseball and wait for Garrett to decide what clusterfuck we are going to get into next.
I got dressed, wearing my favorite jeans for the first time in two weeks and sat back to watch the Astros lose another game. At the start of the fifth inning I died.
I assumed I was dead. I was in darkness. I couldn't feel anything, smell anything, hear anything. No sounds. I was kinda expectin a boat on the Gulf with a blue marlin on my line when I died. Sure I wasn't an angel but I wasn't that bad. I was nice to old people and kids and I liked puppies.
Maybe this was a sort of limbo or something.
I don't know how long I stayed like this. It seemed like forever. I wouldn't panic though. I had been in worse situations.
Like…
Okay this was a new experience. But still, I had this. Not like I could do anything about it. Still though.
This was boring. At least if I went to Hell, I would have some demons or something to torture me and keep my interest.
After what seemed like forever, reality crashed back into my life. Everything hit me at once. I was on the ground. Everything felt like it was working.
So I wasn't dead.
That meant one thing. That little fucker with the bad hair from Italy.
"I have to say, touching you was one of the most enlightening moments in my long life."
I sat up and recognized the creepy fucker from his intel photo.
"Aro, you saying that is wrong on so many levels. But you aren't the first person to tell me that. Granted the others were women." I pointed out.
"Jason Connolly. Welcome to Volterra."
"Yeah, I'm guessing since you touched me, I hope above the waist, that you know everything. So why don't you kill me already? Something tells me you guys don't get cable here and I hate being bored."
"Not an ounce of fear." He murmured, smiling.
"I've seen scary things. They die just like everything else. Let's do this already. I only have one request. If you insist on sucking my blood, could you get one of these women to do it? I really don't want any more of your enlightening touches."
"Kill you? No. You are far too fascinating to kill. I think I will keep you. You have broken no laws. Only Garrett and his coven will die. Of course any other humans who know of our existence will also be silenced. But you Mr. Connolly. You will become one of us."
"No thanks."
"I wasn't offering you a choice." He told me.
"Yeah? You really going to give me the tools I need to kill you? Not very smart Aro."
"Mr. Connolly you are going to make an excellent addition to my guard. When you are ready I may make you captain of my guard. For the time being though, I believe you should spend some time with Chelsea. Do you remember what you read about her? She has a very special gift. Chelsea?"
A hot brunette was in front of me in a heartbeat. She grabbed the back of my skull and bent my head back. I felt her teeth breaking the skin of my throat.
"I look forward to getting to know you much better in a few days. I understand you are good with pain. Try not to enjoy this too much." She whispered.
The pain hit me hard and fast. I wouldn't give these fuckers the pleasure of hearing me scream though.
Gritting my teeth I felt my body turn to fire.
This was going to suck.
Garrett POV
"Any progress?" Ty asked walking in. He had been searching the area around Connolly's apartment. His apartment building had been burned down. Thanks to a recent thunderstorm that occurred after the fire, we were unable to pick up scents. All we knew so far was that no residents were killed and no bodies were found. Connolly was not in the building when it was lit.
Bella was seated on my lap while I had been checking any outlet I could for information. Currently I was checking airport security logs to see if facial recognition software could pick him up over the last few days. He had not flown out of any major airport in Washington or the surrounding areas.
It appeared he had disappeared without a trace. This led me to believe he had done this purposely. He certainly had the skill to do it. But he would never leave the team behind. He would let me know at least.
"Garrett?" General Mathieu's voice came over the intercom.
"Yes General?" Maybe he had found something. Doubtful. But possible.
"The President is coming here."
That caught our attention.
"Here?"
"Yes. The two of us will be down in ten minutes."
The three of us sat in silence. The President, no president, had ever been here. Ever.
Ten minutes later Dave and the General walked out of the elevator.
"Dave." I greeted him. Dave looked quite upset.
"Garrett, Bella, Ty. We have a problem. I received a message. An email that was sent to my very secure personal account from Jason Connolly's account. The email asked me to be here at this time. It said you will be receiving a video call. The email was from Aro."
We froze.
This was not good. Jason was most likely dead.
An alert flashed on my screen. How did they get this channel?
Connolly. If Aro had him, with a touch he would know everything Connolly knew.
I accepted the call. Aro flashed onto the screen.
"Hello Garrett. President Rodriguez, nice to make your acquaintance. Thank you for coming."
I began to talk but Dave walked up to the screen.
"You have my man. I want him back. Return him at once and I may not bring the might of the US Military down onto your tiny castle in Italy."
"I doubt the Italian government will allow a military attack on their land by a foreign government."
"Who said I would ask for permission?" Dave countered.
"I think we can settle this in a less violent manner. I simply want the three criminals to stand trial for their violation of the law of our species. You turn them over and I let Connolly go." Aro smiled.
"No. I don't negotiate with terrorist. Connolly isn't afraid of death. He is a soldier. My people are not criminals. They are Americans."
"As I am not a terrorist. I am a simple man with the responsibility along with my brothers of upholding vampire law. You should be thanking me. Because of the actions of the Volturi, humans are safe from vampires."
"Again, I reiterate. I do not negotiate with terrorists. Return Connolly and I will not send my people against you. Keep him and we take you down."
"I'm afraid that is not going to happen."
"Then we are at an impasse sir. I promise you will see the United States shortly."
"Mr. President, let's be honest with each other. You are not a king, sir. Your own government will not allow you to launch a full scale attack against Italy. How are you planning on explaining to Congress that you are declaring war against vampires?"
"I'll make something up. I'm a politician. I'm good at that." Dave replied.
"I can certainly appreciate your stance, Mr. President. I however, am also not seeking a negotiation. Have the three traitors in Volterra in 72 hours, or I will declare war on you personally. I will kill every human who knows of the existence of our kind, including your daughter and your Priest friend."
I give Dave credit. He didn't flinch. His heart rate picked up though.
"Then I suppose we are at a stalemate. Consider yourself at war, sir." Dave nodded at me and I cut off the transmission.
"Dave, we will deal with him." I told him.
"We are a team and you are Americans. We will deal with him together. General, inform the Secret Service to have my daughter brought here immediately. I also want Father Francis in New York to be picked up immediately and brought to this location. Quickly. I have no idea if they are being watched."
"I'll go with the Secret Service to get Dani." Bella offered. Dave shook his head.
"No. They won't try anything with that many security officers. He will wait to see our move. Call the team in, Garrett. You have a conference room here correct?"
"Yes." I confirmed.
"Good. Get everybody here. This is headquarters until this is over. We are going to deal with this quickly and decisively. Then once the Volturi are gone, we need to have a plan in place to police the vampire world in the same manner we police the rest of the supernatural world."
I felt I should speak up.
"Dave, the Volturi guard are gifted. You have read their files. They will have at least fifty vampires in their guard."
"So we will need a good plan, Garrett. We back down to no one. They threatened my family. They die. Simple as that."
An hour later, we sat around a large conference room while Dave filled the team in on what was going on.
"So what do we need to defeat the Volturi? Anything at Area 52 that could help?" General Mathieu asked.
"I suppose we could try to duplicate Bella and Ty's brain waves into the EEG weapons. Allow us to strike multiple vampires at once with Ty's power, and negate theirs with Bella's. In the hands of the Seals, they could help…" I pondered.
"Sir?" Jack spoke up. He was in command now, with Jason most likely dead. That was still hard to swallow. Perhaps Aro kept him alive as a bargaining chip. Doubtful, but I could hold on hope. If not I would grieve later. This was not the time.
"Yes Jack?" Dave answered.
"Our commanding officer has been taken. We need the tools to get him back. There is only one tool that will allow us to have a chance at this."
I looked around and saw the entire team nodding. What…
"We need to be vampires."
"Absolutely not!" Bella nearly screamed. I placed an arm on her leg to keep her down in case she lost her cool.
"Jack, I appreciate the sentiment but newborn vampires are…it's a lot to take in. Your blood lust would be out of control."
"We can think rationally. You can keep us from humans. We can gorge on bagged blood at all times. We can do this. Once it is over we can go to our training camp in the mountains. We can be kept isolated from humans for a year and learn to act human. Become accustomed to blood. You could help."
"You don't know what it is like." Bella told him truthfully.
"No ma'am. I understand what happened to you and Ty. But with help, help you didn't have, we could control it. Keep humans completely away. Our base is on protected, off limits, land. You are going to need help if you are going to be going after fifty vampires. You will need help afterward as well."
"Your lives would be over." Bella argued.
"We have dedicated our lives to keeping this Country safe. We have no family, no friends outside of the team. We are family. One of our family has been taken. We will do what we must to get him back. You three are threatened. You are family. We will protect you. At least fight by your side. We are ready."
I looked over the ten men. Eleven, I noticed. Toby was on crutches, but he came.
I looked at Dave.
He nodded.
"Garrett?" Bella asked me.
"Bella, it is there choice I suppose."
She looked sad but finally nodded her head.
"Bella if it was your family that was taken, your mother or father, what would you do?"
"Anything." Bella whispered.
"So we are going to need a lot of blood Dave. Better send an executive order to the Red Cross." I mentioned.
"Yes. The sooner we do this the better. Take the team to the base in Pennsylvania. General, take my daughter, Father Francis and pick up Bella's parents and take them all to Area 52. We attack in a week."
My phone buzzed. A text from Carlisle Cullen.
Please tell these soldiers, you know us.
I called him.
"Carlisle?"
"Yes. Could you please tell these people we need to see you?"
"What is wrong?"
"You tell me. Alice can't see Bella as usual but a friend of Jasper's named Peter Whitlock, says he has a feeling you are going to need our help. We are here. All of us. What is going on?"
"Fuck no! Tell them to go home! Go back to school! Fuck no! We got this. No help needed. Garrett?" Ty said speaking for the first time.
"Whatever it is, we can help Garrett." Carlisle said over the phone.
"This is our problem Carlisle. I appreciate it but…"
"Edward died to keep Bella happy. We plan to make sure she stays that way. We are going to help. It's the Volturi, isn't it? You will need Jasper. Peter says so. Something about controlling newborns? Peter is always right, Garrett. Let us in."
"Okay Carlisle. I'll be up shortly to get you."
"Man this some bullshit. I was beginning to think this was gonna be fun and now cornbread gotta show up." Ty grumbled.
Fun? Maybe not. But it would be war. A war we would win. Aro would get much more than he bargained before. The Cullen's and a team of newborn Navy Seal vampires.
As Ty is fond of saying, it's time to blow some fuckers down.
Chapter 24: Chapter 24
Bella POV
It was too beautiful here for the nightmare that was happening. The nightmare I stood by and let happen.
Garrett was right though. It was their decision. I would be here to support them. To help them. Eleven men who had become friends and then my family. Eleven men who woke up this morning as vampires. Garrett wanted no one else around other than he and Jasper. The newborns would be calmer with less vampires around. None of us knew what they would remember, how they would go through the change. Nothing. We were clueless. Ty turned five of them and Garrett turned six. Ty had venom pooling in his eyes for hours after he bit them and wouldn't speak for even longer. That was saying something for Ty.
We had been at a hangar at the edge of the property. This property was gorgeous. One hundred thousand acres of territory in the Appalachian Mountains. My parents were with the President of the United States at an undisclosed location with the nickname of Area 52. According to Garrett this is where the U.S. keeps strange objects that have come into the Country's possession. Scientist there attempt to reverse engineer the technology. Area 51 is a PR blind apparently. Nothing really going on there but aerodynamic research and testing. Area 52 was underground in Idaho. Still trying to wrap my head around that.
The President was using the recent terrorist attacks as the official reason he was not making public appearances. The populace thought he was at Camp David. Instead he was in Idaho. With my parents. At a base with alien technology. Directing a vampire war against Italy.
What a fucking life.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
I smiled. I knew he was near. He had told me to be in the valley in thirty minutes. I came early hoping to see him sooner. He had been busy.
"My thoughts aren't worth a penny right now. I missed you." I told Garrett honestly, grabbing his hand. He pulled me into his arms.
"They are doing fine." He murmured in my ear.
"All of them?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes. Jasper is keeping them calm but I'm not really sure his help is needed. You have to understand Bella, these men have been highly trained to be prepared for any type of situation. They are extremely disciplined and knew what they were getting into. They will learn quickly."
"So they have all woken up? Nobody still turning?"
"No. They all woke up at the same time. It was freaky. Each sat up, looked around, and then stood still. Jack took a few minutes to come to himself. Then he simply told them to feed. All ten and Jack walked over to the bagged blood we had hanging in front of their beds and drank. It was messy as hell for a few moments. Bags ripped and such. Jasper and I replaced them quickly. They fed. I talked to each of them. They all know exactly what happened. They have all their memories. They remember the mission. They are ready." Garrett told me confidently.
"How bad were the screams?" I asked quietly.
"They didn't scream." Garrett replied, shocking the hell out of me.
"How…?"
"Bella these men are trained to withstand pain and keep their heads. They have had years of training. But these men Bella, they do not scream."
"Wow." I honestly couldn't think of anything else to say. They were certainly handling things better than I did.
"You didn't have their advantages Bella. Don't compare yourself." Garrett told me.
"I didn't say I was."
"I know you." He told me. He was right. He did know me. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my head in his chest.
"Garrett when this is over can we find a new base? A new home? I don't want to be underground anymore. I want to see the sun out my window."
"Of course. Actually with a team of vampires now, I am thinking this area will be our new home. Plenty of room to train, plenty of room to build residences. Maybe we could have our own place."
"Without…"
"What about me?!" Ty's voice came from out of nowhere. How does he do that?
"You can be our neighbor Ty." Garrett told him. As he ran up.
"That's cool. Those little mewling sounds Bella makes when she bout to blast freak me out anyway. I could just imagine the face that goes with that sound. Can't be pretty. You a pretty girl Bella. Wouldn't want to see your O face though. That shit gotta be out there. You close your eyes, Garrett? Or you got a fucked up O face too? I can just see ya'll with little scrunched up faces staring at each other…"
"Ty would you shut the fuck up?!" I nearly screamed.
I have a cute O face. Garrett said so.
"Don't get your thong twisted Bell. Just makin conversation. Let's go see our Clone troopers."
"Clone troopers?" I asked Garrett, watching Ty's ass run away.
"Star Wars. We will work on watching that when this mess is over." He told me. I wonder if Star Wars characters are smart enough to save time and fly eagles instead of walking to the enemy.
"You think Jason is okay?"
"He may be dead Bella. That may be a fact that we have to come to terms with. We can mourn him later. He would want us to kill the Volturi, not cry over him."
I nodded in agreement. I knew he was right. But I couldn't help missing him. The guy who raided a 747 with a young vampire. The guy who stayed behind with three vampires to fight a super werewolf. The guy who sat with me while I fed and didn't make me feel self-conscious about it. The guy who trusted me to hold a clip on a bleeding artery of one of his friends. If he is dead I swear I will be the one to rip Aro's head off. Garrett and Ty won't get to him before I do.
"We better go. Jasper is there. I think Peter Whitlock is as well." Garrett said.
Yeah. Ty probably shouldn't be left alone with those two for long.
Garrett POV
Bella and I ran hand in hand into one of the many valleys in this area. The terrain was ideal for hiding young vampires. So long as no hikers figured out a way to get past the electric fences and motion detectors humans should be safe. I wasn't sure how this would work. Much would depend on Connolly's team and how quickly they could adjust. So far everything was going well; but they were only hours old as vampires. I saw Ty speaking rather loudly to Jasper. Peter was standing back at a distance hiding a smile.
"What's wrong Ty?" Before he answered I noticed we were missing a large part of the vampire contingent who were supposed to be here.
"Where is the team?" I whispered.
"That's what I asked! Duke here, lost them. How the fuck do you lose a team of newborn vampires dumbass?!"
I noticed Jasper was smiling. He wasn't worried so I wouldn't be either. I would be calm.
"Jasper where the fuck are my Seals?"
"You don't see them Garrett?" Jasper asked.
"Where are the guys Jasper?" Bella asked impatiently.
"Take a whiff. Can't you smell them?" Jasper grinned.
"No I can't Jasper. Tell me before I hurt you." I growled.
"They are all around you." Jasper said quietly.
That even shut Ty up. We listened. We sniffed. We looked.
"Light em up boys." Jasper said.
Suddenly we were surrounded by eleven grinning vampires. Toby grabbed Bella, threw her over his shoulder and took off. I followed for a few steps…until she disappeared.
I looked at the other Seals. They were laughing.
"Where did he take Bella?"
I felt a push and suddenly Bella was in my arms, giggling.
Toby appeared in front of me.
"What the fuck is this?" I whispered.
"Toby can blend in the environment at will. He can't be seen, heard or smelt. He can turn into a ghost and can turn anyone he wants into the same."
"Amazing. He already figured this out? How?"
"We are fast learners Garrett. You know that." Toby replied.
"Any other gifts?" Ty asked quietly. I think he was a bit freaked out. Ty has a thing about ghosts.
"Not that we have figured out yet. But it's early." Jasper answered.
"Well it's a hell of a gift, Toby. Keep your hands off my woman." I winked at him.
"Are you kidding? I've been trying to figure out a way to run off with her since I first saw her in the Pentagon. Now that I have the ability, you better keep a close eye on her."
"How did your power work on her?" I asked more to myself. Jasper answered me though
"I don't think Toby's power works on anyone. Not in a physical sense. He didn't do anything to change Bella. He changes the environment around her. Blocks sound, sight and smell from emitting from her area. Had he tried to change her physiologically it would not have worked. Now if Bella tried to emit her gift towards Toby directly, she could interfere with his ability, I believe. We will need to work more to find out."
"We don't have time for experiments. I will stay clear of Toby to make sure I don't interfere accidentally."
"We have time Bella."
"We really don't Garrett." She argued. She gave me the look. The look that said she dared me to disagree with her in front of others.
"Bella, the Volturi can't find us here. Not with you here. I doubt Demetri could find us…" Ty started.
"Toby's powers can work around me. Why not his? We aren't always right next to each other. He could easily be…"
"Aro would not be stupid enough to attack us on our own ground. He will try to find us on ground that gives him an advantage." I explained.
"They have Jason." Bella said quietly.
"Uh…hey…Garrett?"
I turned towards Peter's voice. The two of us didn't know each other well but he had always seemed a decent fellow. I would be taking advantage of his gift. I had always wondered how it worked. This should be fascinating.
"Yes Peter?"
"I think you are about to get a call. Just a feelin I got."
I pulled my phone out of my coat pocket. Before I raised it to waist level it buzzed.
Yes. I would definitely find out more about this gift of his.
"I don't recognize the number." I mumbled.
"Try answering it and saying hi." Bella told me and grabbed my phone.
"Hello?"
"Bella? Is Garrett there? I really need a ride out of Italy. ASAP."
"Jason?" Bella whispered. I took the phone.
"What is your situation?"
"The norm."
"That bad?"
"Could be better. I've been in worse."
"What do you need?" I asked.
"Directions to an air force base and a jet that I am checked out on waiting there. I really, really do not need to be around humans right now buddy."
Connolly POV
I woke up three days ago surrounded by these grinning bastards. I have been stuck in this room with Chelsea the entire time. Except for feeding. Feeding time happened in front of the fucking brothers thrones. I have killed two people since I have been here. I felt bad about that but they weren't offering bagged blood. I figure these poor people were going to die anyway. Sucks that I had to be the one to do it, but that shit smelled too good. I can't believe Bella was able to do the things I saw her do. I held out for 48 hours in a room with a very scared man named Barry. But I lost that fight. I promised myself I would get that motherfucker Aro for this. All these fuckers.
"Come sit by me lover." Chelsea said, beckoning me to the bed. She is supposed to have the power to bend people's loyalties. Their bonds to others. Aro thought she would make me loyal to his ass.
"I'm fine here."
"I'm lonely. I need to feel you. I want you. Come to me. Please?" she begged quietly.
Okay. I fucked her. She's hot. But that has nothing to do with loyalty.
I was bored though. It wasn't time. Not yet. I would give it a few hours. I heard enough from listening around feeding time and to hallway chatter that a couple of coven heads were coming to Volterra to visit the assholes tonight. That would be my time to attack. With more vampires in the castle it would be more difficult. That is why they would never expect it.
Having nothing better to do I walked over to Chelsea and began undressing her. Gotta pass the time somehow.
Three hours later I was summoned to the throne room. Aro was waiting on my progress report. His guests were there as well. Japanese coven. I had read about them. They won't become involved. He wanted to show off his new pet. I would definitely put on a show.
"Mr. Connolly, what a pleasure it is to see you becoming so acclimated to your surroundings. I understand you and Chelsea have been getting to know one another? It is good to see you have such a strong bond with your sire."
"Yeah. I bonded the hell out of her." I told him honestly. I haven't just been bonding her though. I've been getting my touch right. My movement's right. It was hard to tell without any humans around except that secretary they keep hidden, but I think I could do a passable job at pretending to be a regular guy.
"I am glad to hear it. So I take it you are beginning to see that we not the monsters you may have once thought we were."
"Oh I definitely see things differently now." I agreed. These guys were bigger pussies than even I believed.
"And yet you have absolutely no bond to us." Marcus said quietly, looking off in the distance.
Aro narrowed his eyes.
"Chelsea?"
"Master Marcus?" she asked him doubtfully.
"Would you mind Jason?" Aro reached his hand out towards me.
"Actually I don't think that will be necessary." I pulled Chelsea close to me. Tilting her head up, I looked deeply into her eyes.
"Chelsea, you are honestly the healthiest relationship I have ever had."
She smiled as I moved to kiss her. Too bad I wasn't kissing her.
The bitch's throat tore out easily. I threw her head at Aro and kicked her body into Alec. Felix jumped in front of me. I chopped his throat and kicked his knee joint. It snapped in two. Continuing to run I hit three more people on the way down stairs. Caius was screaming. Ha. Keep cryin bitch. I heard them up ahead. I knew what they were doing. Blocking the underground exit that led to an alley behind the plaza. Unfortunately for them I had no plans to go that way. I had not seen much of this castle but I remember the satellite photos I had studied with Garrett. Some of my early childhood memories were gone but they were never great to begin with. The rest of my memories of my human life? Spot on. Taking a left I busted through a stone wall and found pay dirt.
Boiler room. The Castle had to keep heat for water to clean robes and shit. Gasoline lines ran to the pumps kept in the underground garage. Two massive boilers, that were long past their inspection dates sat at the bottom of this castle. I turned the steam valves open on the boilers way past a safe level and ran back to my hole in the wall. It was time to buy some time. They came around the corner quietly. Cautiously.
"Jason? There is no reason to be afraid. We understand newborn emotions here. Chelsea will be fine. Her head can be returned to her body." Aro said softly.
"Stay back!" I yelled.
"Jason you cannot stay there forever. You have to come out eventually. There is no escape. You know you really don't want to escape. Come out and talk to me. You won't be punished. Chelsea will forgive you."
"You think so? She won't be mad?" I asked seriously, silently laughing. First time I ever got head from a woman like that.
"Yes. I promise." Then he whispered Alec's name. So he was gonna send the little shit in. I could feel the pressure. I turned and checked the gauges. Holy shit. That's a lot of damn pressure. The cylinders were radiating heat. These shells were weak. This would be great. I backed against the far wall and ripped open a cold water pipe. Water flowed on the floor but I stifled most of the flow with my hand.
Alec walked to my hole in the wall.
"Hey Alec."
"Jason." He grinned. "What are you doing?"
"Having fun with physics." I answered him. I let the water out of the pipe and pointed the flow at the boilers. Taking a chunk of rock from the wall I tossed it straight into the first boiler.
The explosion was the loudest damn thing I would ever hear. Point blank range at ground zero of two giant, overheated boilers exploding.
All I saw was red flames, everywhere. The blast took out everything. I couldn't tell where the walls or roof were. But through the fire, I saw Alec on his ass. He wanted to kill Bella. Yeah.
He must have seen me at the last moment coming through the flames, because his eyes got very large.
I wrapped my arms around his bad hair covered head and twisted completely around. The flames consumed him quickly. His head was ash before I made a full turn.
Think Connolly. Came in that way, exit that way. This way goes to what used to be the kitchen probably. Fuck it. This whole place was wrecked. I ran towards the exit and saw vampires rolling around in the flames. Aro was on the ground, Chelsea's hair, all that remained of her head, in his hands. He was screaming. Caius was screaming. All our clothes were on fire or gone. I kicked Aro in the head as I ran through the flames. Dropping my head, I barreled through smoke and flame out the exit to the plaza.
I saw the citizens in St. Marcus’s Square were in a panic. Damn they smelled good. Looking behind me I was glad to see that a MOAB could not have done a better job at leveling this place. I expected a castle to hold up better but apparently this was not the case.
Fire sirens in the distance. I was standing naked in front of what used to be a castle. Time to move.
I grabbed the first fleeing citizen I could find that looked roughly my size. I bumped him lightly on the head and dragged him to a corner alley. The sun was shining and I would be sparkling like a fucking fairy. I quickly dressed in the guy's jeans and t shirt. I left him his boxers. Stepping out of the alley, I saw a group of naked dudes coming from the carnage. Shit. They were sparkling. They must be really pissed if they are breaking their own laws. Of course all the people had taken off, but fire trucks were arriving. A few vampires ran into the shadows. Then a very pale and very naked Aro stepped out of the fire. He pointed at me.
I shot the finger at him and took off.
I had ran a few blocks, trying to stay in the shadows. Fuck it if I was seen. I could blame it on aliens. The fuckers can take the blame for everything.
I came to a throng of tourists and nearly growled when the scent hit me.
Hold your breath and keep moving.
A phone. A guy was texting on his phone. I ran by gently grabbing it. I pressed a number and my finger went through the phone.
Three more run by phone thefts and I finally was able to dial a phone number while running. I knew they were behind me. I thought I saw Felix in a sheet along with three more behind me. I was going to have to get away from people and fight these assholes or lose them.
What would Garrett do?
Let's ask him.
"Hello?"
There is that sweet voice.
"Bella? Is Garrett there? I really need a ride out of Italy. ASAP."
"Jason?" Bella whispered. He took the phone.
"What is your situation?"
"The norm."
"That bad?"
"Could be better. I've been in worse."
"What do you need?" I asked.
"Directions to an air force base and a jet that I am checked out on waiting there. I really, really do not need to be around humans right now buddy."
"You're not human?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"Nope. I am running though and have a few of these fuckers behind me. So if you had any ideas…" I hoped.
"Hold on. I am placing your phone to a tracker. It will give us your location. Bella would you get Jason on satellite?"
I heard nothing for a few moments while I continued to run. I looked backward and saw Felix indeed was chasing me in what looked like a toga along with two other guys. They were a half mile or so back. I was on the outskirts of the city and don't believe I had been seen so far.
"Jason, up ahead of you about a quarter mile away take a left. Run two miles. There is a public park there. Many, many people. Hundreds. Steal a car." Garrett told me.
Seems like a good idea.
Within a minute I saw it. A festival. Perfect. Car, car, car…
"Felix is catching up, Jason." Bella said through the phone.
I turned and saw he had indeed come within a quarter mile of me.
"Holy shit Gar. Look at the satellite feed of Volturi castle." Ty said in the background.
"Uh Jason?"
"Decided to do some remodeling Gar. Place was out of code as well. I did them a favor."
I found a sporty little Fiat. Should do the job. I ripped the door off. Jumping inside I realized I would not be able to start this car before Felix reached me.
I had to fight this fucker and his friends.
I stepped out and waited. He grinned and rushed me. I picked up the car and swung, hitting him in the chest, sending him back to his friends. I recognized one as Demetri. I didn't know the other.
I figured he would expect me to be defensive. So I attacked all three. I heard voices, louder, than yelling. Humans were running towards us, drawn by the sound of me hitting this fucker with a sports car. Hitting the other two, I back kicked Felix when he tried to grab me from behind. He recovered and charged. I slid down and ripped his nuts off when he ran by. Garrett was right. Newborn's are a lot stronger than older vampires. Those tiny fuckers came off easy. He was screaming on the ground. I remembered Bella's pain when her arm was placed back on. I bet those things were really going to hurt. His two friends checked on him.
I turned and saw hundreds running toward the parking lot. I ran to a Mercedes and ripped the door open. Popping the steering column I started the bitch and hauled ass out of there.
I took the phone out of my pocket after a safe distance.
"So, impressed?"
"Your form is horrible." Bella replied. I could hear the laughter in her voice though.
"Least I didn't lose an arm girl."
"Garrett is texting you the location of an air base where you will have a F 22 waiting for you, fueled and ready to go. You can refuel in mid air. We are at the training base in the desert. You know the one?"
"Yep." Appalachian mountains. "Bella, you have to keep the team away. My thirst is out of control."
"It won't be a problem Jason. We have plenty of bagged blood here."
"You do?"
"Yeah…your team? They volunteered…" Bella said sadly. Volunteered for what?
Oh.
"All of them?"
"Yep."
"They up?"
"Woke up this morning. Just come home Jason. We need the family together."
"On my way beautiful."
Home sounded pretty damn good right now.
Chapter 25: Chapter 25
Don't own it
Garrett POV
"If you don't like it maybe we should just have our own spaces. I mean it's not like we sleep. Is living together that big of a deal?" Bella asked.
"Yes!" Why didn't she get this?
"Why Garrett? I mean of course we are going to live together but we don't need a space that has both of our things in it, decorated in a manner we both liked."
"Yeah. We do Bella." I said quietly. If she didn't get it maybe it wasn't time.
"Garrett don't shut down. I'm sorry if I'm being difficult. This is kind of new to me. I…"
She stopped speaking but I understood. I forgot her age occasionally. As Renee told Ty, she was supposed to be figuring out college activities right now. She had done so well with everything and now I was pushing for more.
She was right. It didn't matter. I knew she was mine. I was hers. It was enough. But for some reason the idea of her hairbrush lying casually on my bathroom counter appealed to me. Our clothes mixed together in the same laundry basket. Lying in the dark under the same sheets for hours holding each other. Fighting over what TV show to watch. All the staples of a normal romantic relationship.
"I'm sorry Bella. Look we can build a residence and we can each have a room with our things in it and let it go." I told her smiling. We were planning on the permanent move to the base. With the supplies shipped in, it wouldn't be a great task to build the residences ourselves, keeping humans away.
"No. I get it. It's an intimacy thing right?" she asked.
I nodded my head.
"I get it. I want it."
"You do?" I asked surprised.
"Yes. I love you. I always want to be with you. Let's keep looking. Maybe we can find a paint we both like. We are going to need a bed too. A very strong bed." That said, the princess walked off. I admit when Bella makes a decision she runs with it.
We searched the housing décor mega store for another three hours, finally agreeing on paint, furniture and a bed.
An hour later we drove into our base. Our new home. I would miss the Pentagon. It was where I met Bella. But with a team of Newborn vampires, it simply didn't have the space. This base had an underground area that could be expanded. We walked into the control room. Ty was sitting where he had been for the past 24 hours, trying to bring all satellites online. The construction supplies were outside the gate, where I instructed them to be left.
"We running big brother?" Bella asked, hugging Ty from behind while he sat.
"85%. Hopefully by 1900 we will be fully operational." Ty responded. He had been obsessing over this. He knew without our system we were blind.
"Have the Volturi popped up?" I asked. Jason landed yesterday.
Jason crash landed yesterday.
The plane crashed and he ejected over our base. General Mathieu was not happy.
The Volturi were still missing. After the explosion they scattered. With Jason killing Chelsea, Aro's hold on many of them could be gone. Without Jane and Alec to reinforce his power, Aro would have had to stand by while they left. It was quite possible that Aro no longer had a Volturi.
"No sign of him?" I asked, not needing to clarify.
"Nope. Aro done scurried under some rock and is staying there." Ty responded.
"We have to find him." Bella murmured.
"We will dear. Your parents won't have to stay at alien central forever." I assured her. From my phone call with her parents last night, I had a feeling neither of them minded very much. Charlie and Renee seemed to be having fun almost.
"Garrett?" General Mathieu's voice came over the intercom while Bella was snuggling into my lap.
"Yes General?"
"We found them."
That caught my attention. "Where?"
"In the air. They are flying a private charter, trying to gain entrance to the States under a falsified flight plan."
"Destination?"
"Washington."
"The White House?" I asked. Perhaps the Pentagon.
"Wrong Washington."
Bella stiffened in my lap. I brushed her hair with my hand to calm her.
"Your parents aren't there Bella. They can't hurt them."
"No but we can certainly hurt the Volturi." Jason commented walking in.
"That's what the fuck I'm talking about." Ty agreed.
"General are they still over the Pacific?" I asked.
"Yes."
"We have eyes on that plane?"
An overhead view of a very nice private jet appeared on screen. The Volturi had to hear the fighters over their plane. Perhaps it is time I said hello.
"Ty cut me into their radio."
I sat in front of the microphone and waited. Ty hailed the plane. The pilot answered. He sounded very much like a vampire. His voice was very clear.
"Yes this is the US Navy. Please identify." Ty instructed the pilot.
"Private Charter I 446 coming from Rome." The vampire smoothly replied.
"Purpose of visit?"
"Could you repeat?" The pilot sounded confused.
"Why the fuck you goin to Washington bitch?" Ty repeated in his own way.
Silence. Finally after five minutes a voice came back on.
"If there is a problem with our flight plan we would be glad to turn around sir."
Ty looked at me. I reached for the microphone.
"This is Garrett. Could I speak to Aro please?"
A few more minutes went by and then…
"I presume I am talking to Garrett?"
"Hello Aro."
"What can I do for you?"
"Why are you going to Washington?" I asked immediately.
"There is a human there who has knowledge of our kind. Plus Caius is interested in a Pack of large werewolves."
"Aro, Jane is dead. Alec is dead. I understand Chelsea is dead. Why are you pushing this? Go away. Hide. Your time is over and this little war you are so keen on starting hasn't even really started yet. You know you can't win."
"I am an upholder of the law, Garrett. I look out for the interest of my kind. I will do whatever is necessary to uphold the law."
"You are really going to make me kill you, aren't you?" I sighed.
"I am an…"
"Aro, how long have you been in the air?"
"What does that matter?"
"How long?" I repeated.
"Four hours."
"Have a nice swim back." I told him and ended the call.
"Make em fish food, Ty."
Ty forwarded the information on and we watched as the trailing fighter dropped back, locked on, and turned Aro's plane into a fireball.
"Ty would you please keep an eye on their trajectory. I want to know what direction they are swimming and whether they are heading towards the States or back to Europe. We need to know where to attack. I want these fuckers ash before they have a chance to recruit. The fewer people who know they won't be around any longer the better."
I walked out to check on the team. They were hanging out with the Cullen's and Peter and Charlotte. A small hand stopped me.
"Yes dear?"
"That was hot. Time to break in our room." She grinned.
"Whatever you want Bella."
I heard Ty mumbling to Connolly as she led me out.
"I blew up the damn plane. How come I ain't getting laid?"
Bella POV
"So when do we kill the Volturi?" I asked Garrett, rolling on top of him, enjoying the feel of his naked body under mine.
"I suppose if they are coming to Washington we can meet them there. If they go back overseas it will be a bit more of a pain in the ass. Why the hurry?" Garrett asked without opening his eyes.
"Why the hurry Bella?"
"My parents need to get back to their lives. I've disrupted their lives enough. Dani wants to go back to some semblance of a life. The President will have to be seen at the White House eventually. Plus I am sure Father Francis wants to get back to New York, He does have quite a large church there."
Plus I was ready to fight. I wanted this behind us. I didn't like being gunned for. Stone was after us. Now Aro. I prefer to be the hunter, not the hunted.
"True but until we determine where they are going, we really can't do anything. So since we have time…"
He placed his hand over my ass again. Don't squeeze…damn it he squeezed. I kissed his neck and his other hand found the back of my neck…
Two hours later, Ty's voice blasted over the intercom.
"Gar. Stubborn motherfuckers heading towards Washington. From the bodies in the water looks like he got 30 vampires with him."
"Why would he still do that? He has to know Charlie isn't still there." I mumbled.
"He's going after the wolves. Plus he probably figures with Demetri he can tell where we are. Where we will be. He has no ground to fight at home. So he is choosing his ground here. Perhaps figure how to use the wolves to his advantage."
"The Wolves would never fight for him." I argued quickly.
"Bella they have families too." Garrett told me softly.
Oh my God.
"We have to warn them." I whispered.
"Ty called Jacob already. He is aware of what is going on." Garrett told me.
"You think of everything, don't you?" I grinned.
"Yes. Now I suppose we should begin to prepare to welcome Aro to the United States. Unless you…
I laughed and slipped out of bed before he could tempt me more. I had a war to prepare for. It would be short but it would be a victory.
Ty POV
"So let's hit these fuckers at the shore." I suggested.
"No. We need to be patient. Let him set up. Let him get comfortable. We will still be slightly outnumbered." Jethro argued.
"Fuck that. My team is equal to two hundred vampires. The two heavy hitters those fuckers had are gone. They ain't got shit. This shit is gonna be a walk in the park." I counter argued.
"You rush into this, you will make a mistake Garrett."
"I agree Jasper…"
"Garrett!"
"But, I don't want him to get too much of a foothold either." Garrett said, agreeing with me, like he's supposed to. I bet if Bella disagreed with Whitlock, he would be all up in Jazzy's grill tellin him how he's wrong.
"I can't see anything. The Wolves must become involved somehow." Short stuff commented.
"I told Jake to keep his guys out." I said.
"Jake isn't going to miss this fight, Ty." Bella told me quietly.
"All the more reason we hit now. We hit hard and fast."
"Perhaps we can all calm down. Allow me to speak to Aro…" Carlisle started.
"Hell no Dr. Love. We goin to stomp his ass. The President of the United States declared war on these fuckers. We are taking them down. If you ain't on board,doc, you need to get the Scooby Gang back on the Mystery Wagon and haul ass outta here."
Best make sure we are all on the same page before we leave.
"We are going." Esme said convincingly. Damn she is kinda hot. Never really noticed before.
No one else had anything to say I guess. It got quiet.
"Okay…so we headin to Washington or what?" I asked.
"Hell yeah we are. I'm not done with that fucker." Connolly said. "Team, gear up. We fly in two hours."
Bella POV
So this was ending where it started. For me at least. Forks.
Of all the places Aro could have picked. Did he really figure we would not help the wolves? Of course he only knew about the three of us and Jason. He had no idea about the eleven other vampires we had. Or the Cullen's.
Despite losing Jane and Alec, he thought he was in a superior position.
The plan was simple enough. Ty, Garrett, Jasper, the Cullen's and I attacked from the front. Jason's team came from the water, they would slip in as soon as the Volturi passed.
We attack and kill them all. The Wolves would be around. Jake agreed to give us La Push Beach if the Volturi came that way. We had 6 satellites tracking them at all times. Except for a stretch of deep water they walked through we had them down to the foot.
"We are over airspace in five minutes. Jake give us clearance Ty?" Connolly asked.
"Yeah. He knows we are comin. I just texted him. His guys are stayin back to protect the reservation. The beach is ours. He said to make sure your special driftwood isn't damaged Bella."
I started to laugh until I noticed Garrett wasn't. Instead I looked out the doorway. Still not used to jumping into open space. At least this time I wouldn't have to bother with a parachute.
Garrett grabbed my hand.
"Bella could you point out the driftwood? I would like to try to land on it if possible." Garrett said quietly. I elbowed him and he grinned.
"Satellite shows them fuckers four hundred yards off shore and closing. Jump time in ten seconds" Connolly said.
Time to take care of this problem. Killing these vampires would open up a whole new world of problems for us but Garrett is correct. They have become far too stupid to allow to live.
"Four, three…"
I jumped on the front of Garrett and wrapped my legs around his waist. Kissing him deeply, I relaxed while he took the step that led to the ground.
We hit the ground, mouths still locked, as the Volturi surfaced. Ty landed next to us.
Our sudden arrival seemed to stop the thirty vampires. Half of them were still in the water.
My feet hit the ground and I turned and saw the Volturi in person for the first time.
No one said a word. Not even the cry of seagulls could be heard.
"So we gonna do this or what?" Ty asked, breaking the silence.
"Do what?" The blonde I recognized as Caius asked.
"Fight? To the death? Hello?" What the hell did they think I jumped out of a plane for?
"If you mean you wish to surrender we accept, dear Bella." Aro smiled.
"Surrender?" Garrett asked.
"You seem to be hopelessly outnumbered." Aro fairly pointed out.
"Don't forget to count us." Emmett said. I turned and saw he and Rose walking up the beach from the right of us."
"Yeah we thought we would say hi as well." Jasper said from the other side of the beach.
"Aro, I have seen how this is going to turn out for you. Want to see?" Alice asked happily.
"Cullen's? This violation of the law is none of your business. We are here to deal with these lawbreakers and then a wolf pack on American soil. After that we will…"
"What? Go home? I hear you don't have much of a home to go back to." Peter Whitlock laughed, walking out of the tree line.
The look on Caius and Aro's faces were comical.
"By order of the Volturi, you are all to leave this area now. This is a Volturi matter." Aro hissed.
"Remember me?"
The Volturi turned very quickly towards the ocean. Jason Connolly and his newborn vampire military unit stood behind them. None of them were smiling.
"Aro? You, Caius and Marcus are under arrest, for threatening the President of the United States. This is punishable by death. The rest of your guard may leave. Anyone remaining will be treated as an enemy combatant." Garrett informed the group.
I looked over them carefully. They did not seem confident. A few were shuffling in the water. The wives did not look happy.
"Your arrogance is your undoing, Garrett."
Aro attacked Garrett.
Jason yelled. The Newborn team attacked. The Cullens, even Carlisle, attacked. Carlisle went for Caius.
A vampire flew towards me. A very big vampire. He hit the ground at my feet, clutching his stomach. Ty. Ty winked at me and I kicked the vampire's very large head. Wolf howls in the background. I hoped Jake kept his guys out of this. I would hate for there to be any friendly fire casualties.
I jumped towards the wives. Alice was already there. It was time to move.
Garrett POV
My original plan to keep an eye on Bella throughout the fight fell apart when Aro hit me. The fucker was strong. He was fast. He was two thousand years old.
But there was no way he would win. I had too much to live for.
I absorbed his best shots. He absorbed mine. We found ourselves locked in each other's grip while fighting was going on around us. Ty stopped in.
"You want me to twist this fucker G Man?"
"No Ty. I'm fine." I gritted out while trying to break Aro's neck with my hands.
"Ahh right. Holla at ya boy if ya need a hand."
"You are a traitor, Garrett." Aro spit out, as my hands squeezed his throat.
"No. I am definitely not a traitor. We just have very different allegiances."
I kneed him in the gut and he dipped allowing me to wrap my arms around his head and twist. His body hit the ground and his head stayed in my arms.
"Bella!" I called. She had just torn the leg off a female vampire. I tossed Aro's head towards her. She caught it and lit it up. I turned at a scream. Caius's jaws were being ripped open by Esme and Carlisle. Emmett and Rose were knocking multiple vampires down while Peter and Charlotte were taking heads of those vampires. I saw Marcus getting torn to pieces by Jasper and Ty who were…working together?
Strange times indeed.
The fighting ended. I looked around and saw body parts everywhere. Luckily all our people seemed to be fine. My eyesight went directly to Bella. She was laughing with Alice and Rose. She was fine.
The team just became very alert. I knew why.
The sound of their paws was thunderous. It sounded like all of them. I met them at the forest edge. Jacob Black walked out in human form. The others hung back, just behind the trees.
"Nice job."
"All in a day's work." I shrugged.
"She's okay?"
"I promised you she would be."
He nodded.
"She doesn't make it easy, does she?" he laughed.
"No. But she is worth it."
Bella walked up and placed her arm around me.
"Hey Jake."
"Hey Bells."
The two grinned at each other. I didn't like it. I wasn't supposed to. One of the detriments of loving a beautiful woman. Constant jealousy.
BPOV
The wedding was beautiful. Father Francis insisted having it in his church in New York. Dad had never been here before so this would double as a honeymoon for him and mom. They have been living together for the past 6 months. Dad never went back to Forks except a weekend to pack up his things. He was working as a deputy in Orange County where Mom taught. They were living life, together. They were happy. I was the maid of honor and Garrett was Charlie's best man. There were probably more vampires than humans in this church but neither of my parents seemed to care.
Garrett would be asking me to marry him tonight. Ty told me. He really can't keep his mouth shut. I would make Garrett sweat it out a bit and then tell him yes.
The Cullen's didn't show up for the wedding. Charlie and Renee still hated them. Jake showed up. He brought a date. She was sweet. He said he has not phased in months. He was going the human route. I hoped it worked out for him.
"Hey love birds, I got some news." Ty said excitedly.
"What's that Ty?" Garrett asked.
"You know that Coven in Costa Rica? We got a call that they were getting encroached on by some werepanthers."
"So?" Crap like that happens all the time. Since the Volturi are no longer around we try to keep an eye out for trouble spots, but still mainly focus on issues of national security.
"You know that hot little Costa Rican chick with the attitude?"
"The shield?" Garrett asked.
"Yeah. Marsel."
"What about her?" I asked, ready to dance with Garrett and then go somewhere alone where he could ask me to marry him.
"I did some checkin with the birds to see what kinda problem they got goin on. Guess what? Marsel added a member to her coven. New boyfriend by the looks of it."
"Again Ty, why do we care? She is a tough bitch. She can handle werepanthers on her own." Garrett pointed out.
"Yeah. But her new boyfriend? He got real nice hair." Ty grinned.
"Again, what do we…."
Wait.
"You mean?" I asked.
"I mean."
"Bullshit! Alice would have…" Garrett started.
"She is a shield. Only one besides Bella that is known." Ty pointed out.
Neither Garrett nor I said anything.
"So we are goin right?" Ty asked.
"Hell yes we are going." Garrett grinned.
Looks like I may get to meet the new missus Cullen.
The end.
Don't own it
BPOV
"No. That's a bad idea." Damn it.
"We don't know when they are going to strike. Clive believes Kebi doesn't know. He is very good at detecting deception."
"How good was he when you were in Egypt, Garrett? Because he seemed to be off his game a bit then."
"I know Bella. Look you can handle this. You will have Carlisle…I mean Esm…look if you run into trouble or there is some supernatural creature you think you can't handle and can't throw the Cullen's at, than retreat and call me."
Oh hell no.
"You think I'm worried about doing this myself? I'm worried about us being apart. Every time we have been apart this week, bad things have happened Garrett. We need to stay together. Send Edward to the damn building by himself."
"I can't send him alone Bella. He has no idea what he is doing. He wouldn't have a clue what to do with a bomb. Especially a nuclear bomb." Garrett said calmly.
"Garrett…I have a bad feeling. Let Edward and I go to the building. When the bad guys show up I will kill them and call you."
"You're just now getting a bad feeling? He laughed. I wasn't amused. I was scared. I had a very bad feeling about him leaving me.
"Don't laugh. It's not funny."
"Bella what if quick action needs to be taken? You don't have the knowledge. We don't know when they will arrive. We know where the virus is. You take care of that, I take care of the bomb and then we go on a nice vacation. Maybe Broadway? How about a Broadway play?"
He was trying to distract me. We had planned to go to the hotel together. Take care of the virus, take care of the bomb, call it a day. Find a hotel with a large bed and spend a week in it. Piece of cake. Stone dead. Amun dead. Apparently his wife would soon be if not already dead. We were running out of bad guys. This shouldn't be a problem.
Now he wants to change plans. We were in the field office arguing about this. We should be at the damn Holiday Inn taking care of business.
"Garrett…"
Damn it! He kissed me. He was still kissing me…
"Bella, I need you to take care of this. We are running out of time. Please?"
"Okay." I gave up. We could do this. If I hurried I could get to the building in time.
"I love you Garrett."
"I love you Bella."
"Don't do anything stupid. Please?" I begged.
He kissed me on the lips quickly as a way of answering and walked out of the room, dragging me by the hand.
"Rose called. Her and Emmett want to know what you want to do with Kayhat?" Carlisle said as we walked in the room.
"They found him?" I asked surprised.
"Yes. They fought numerous werewolves who are now dead and have him in handcuffs. Emmett wants to know if he can torture him." Carlisle said quietly. He didn't seem to approve but to his credit he did pass on the information.
"No. No torture. We need professionals who speak Arabic to interrogate him. He will be the one to stand trial before the world for these crimes. Tell them to text me his coordinates and we will have Connolly's team pick him up. Sit tight until then." Garrett instructed Carlisle, who simply nodded.
Garrett pulled me in a bit too closely. At least he held on to me for longer than he normally did. Almost like he was leaving me…longer than a few hours.
I shook my head. I needed him. He knew that. He wouldn't leave me alone. Not after finding each other so soon. Not for good.
Please don't Garrett.
I watched the man who had quickly became so important to my life, drive off with my ex boyfriend. He did not want to take a chance of missing the bomb. He told me the fear of what he saw in London weighed on his mind. That left me with…
"You ready Bella?"
Carlisle and Esme.
"Yeah Carlisle. Listen, when we get there maybe it would be best for you guys to stay outside and I will call you if anything goes wrong with the virus."
"We will be fine Bella. You can count on us. Please?" Carlisle asked. I managed not to take a deep breath. I just nodded and got into the Government issued Sedan. Esme sat in the front with me.
Thirty eight minutes later we were at the hotel. A simple hotel. Looked full judging by the parking lot. I had a number for a bioterrorism team. I would call them when the virus was secured. They would take it from there.
Carlisle and Esme stayed in the hallway behind me. I listened to the voices inside but couldn't understand any of them. I really needed to start working on languages.
"I'm going to open the door and hit them before they know what happened. I doubt they will have the virus out in the open." I whispered to my partners. I heard eight heartbeats. They were all present, thank God.
I ripped the handle off and kicked the door in. Taking a look around I saw several things at once.
One, they were slobs.
Two, they were all in their underwear and t shirts. So not cool.
Three, many of them were sweating profusely. I suppose carrying death in briefcases would do that to someone.
Four, they were very surprised.
And five.
One of these damn idiots had one of the globes out of the case in its hands, looking closely at it. In his bare hand. It was a pretty blue globe, slightly smaller than a golf ball. I watched in seeming slow motion as the one holding the globe, eyes became very wide, his mouth dropped open at my appearance and his hands leaned down. The pretty blue gel like globe rolled off his hands towards the floor.
Damn it. If it hit the ground…
I dove. There was no way I had the dexterity control to catch it before it burst on the ground. I would crush it. Water bad. Air not as bad but still bad. The families in this hotel would be dead.
Instead of reaching for it I rolled on my back and slid under it.
I opened my mouth.
Catching it between my teeth, I swallowed it whole.
Oh shit.
How am I going to explain this to the bioterrorism team?
The yelling started very quickly. One man shot me. Another shot me. I suppose when they realized that this wasn't working, another one moved towards the briefcases. They were going to dump them all!
Eight shots rang out.
The yelling stopped.
I sat up slowly and saw Esme with a smoking .45 in her hand and eight dead terrorists on the floor.
"Did I do that right?"
I nodded furiously at Esme. When I sat up I felt the globe burst inside me. My eyes widened.
"Close your mouth and hold your nose closed Bella. Do not breathe!" Carlisle instructed me. I did as I was told. This really was more his territory. I had never swallowed a deadly virus before. This was definitely a new experience.
"Bella, are you okay?"
I rolled my eyes. What did he think? I was going to get sick?
"I mean I know it isn't…look I've never seen anyone swallow a…just nod if you are doing okay and don't let go of your nose or open your mouth, okay?"
I nodded. I dialed the bio team with my free hand and gave it to him.
"No. I need to figure out how to destroy that virus inside you. I can't explain to the bio terrorism team that you have a burst globe inside you. I need these globes to find out what is going on. We need to take the cases back to the field office into the lab downstairs. It is equipped to seal itself in case of a release. I can study it there."
I nodded. Guess I would be holding my breath for a bit longer. Thank God for all that time I spent underwater.
I hope things go smoother for Garrett.
Garrett POV
"So Peter Whitlock?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah. He said he was friends with a Jasp…"
"Yes. I know of them. Jasper is with Ty in Vegas. They have apparently taken care of that situation. I am surprised about this Peter but glad he showed up. So you have the coordinates?"
"Yes. Headin to the airport to get him now. Will have him in Washington by tomorrow afternoon."
"Excellent." Things were finally wrapping up.
"You need me to talk you through the nuke?" Jason asked.
"Nope. I was disarming nukes before you were born." I told him.
"No you haven't. How many nukes have you ever actually disarmed? Bombs that were set to go off? Not missiles at the bottom of the seafloor."
It was a good question. I had to think for a few seconds.
"None, but that's why this one will be so special. It will be my first."
"Uh huh. I'll have my phone. Put it on video when you get there."
"Okay Connolly. Good job."
I ended the call and saw Edward staring out the window.
"That's why you wanted Bella to go with Carlisle and Esme. You are afraid this may go off and you don't want her near it." He mumbled.
"If that upsets you I will let you out. I don't plan to die but we are dealing with a nuclear fucking bomb."
"I wouldn't miss this for the world, Garrett." Edward grinned.
I drove in silence trying to keep my thoughts off of what Bella looks like nude. He would not see that.
"I agree. It wouldn't be appropriate."
"Would you cut that out?"
"I can't help it." He shrugged his shoulders.
"You could not respond to my thoughts out loud. Pretend you don't hear them."
"I'm surprised you came without Bella to stop me from reading your thoughts. You really didn't want her here."
I sighed.
"True. This is probably the only place on Earth I wouldn't want her with me."
"What do you think she would do if you were gone?" Edward asked.
"She would carry on. Her and Ty. She has her parents. She will be…"
"Devastated without you." Edward said quietly.
"Yes, well let's hope she doesn't have to find out. There is the building. We will drive around looking for strange vehicles. If we see none we wait on the first floor and you listen for thoughts of drivers coming in."
"What am I to listen for?"
"Someone thinking oh shit please don't let this bomb blow up when I hit a bump." I told him honestly. He laughed. I wasn't kidding.
We drove around three times and saw no unusual vans or cars. That meant nothing but it was all I could do short of busting every trunk open. I would give it a couple hours. I believe they would want the virus in the water system of the outer city before they blew up inner city LA.
I finally parked in a reserved stall on the first floor. I had another call to make.
"Wassup G Man? Please tell me that you are needin me there and I can leave Hillbilly and Alice here."
"Ty, has the Kebi situation been taken care of?"
"She dead as shit if that's what you are talking about. Clive did it. Fucker has a serious grudge goin on."
"Tell him to go to Washington. Get him set up with our people there as a British MI6 agent. Adel Kayhat is in route. Connolly should have him in Washington tomorrow afternoon."
"Big guy didn't get chewed up? Ain't that a bitch. I was hoping he would get taken out and I could help blondie move on."
"Yes, well he made it."
"Where do you want me?"
"Here."
"That's what I'm talkin about. Leavin now. Sun is going down. I can run and be there in a hour and half or two."
"Great. Listen Ty. Bella is taking care of the virus. I am at the US Bank building waiting on the team to show with the nuke. I need you to go to the field office with Bella. Make sure she stays in that office. Bottom level just to be safe."
"Garrett you goin to stop this bomb or set it off?" Ty asked jokingly.
"Ty, you know these things are tricky."
"Yeah, will you better know what you doin. You know Eddie gonna be up on her ass if something happens to you."
"No worries. I have him with me." I smiled and winked at Edward who rolled his eyes.
"That's good. But seriously Gar. Be careful man."
"Ty…I need you…if something goes wrong I need you to take care of Bella."
"Uh…Garrett, I don't know if I can do that."
What the fuck?
"Excuse me?"
"Gar I love her but she is like a little sister to me. I can't be…I mean I know she needs taken care of but…you know what? Fuck it. I'm a man. She is a woman. We both got needs. Somethin happens to you that you can't service her no more I will take care of her. There any moves or any special spots I need to know about that she likes? I mean I'm gonna show her some things that are gonna blow her mind but if you got any advice that would help?"
Oh good lord.
"Is he really that stupid?" Edward whispered. I…wasn't sure how to answer that.
"Ty…I meant….never mind."
"No. I will do this for you Garrett. If you get blown up and smashed to atoms I'm gonna give that girl as many rides on the T train as she wants. I'll even try not to be so damn good so it's like you doin it to her."
"Ty…you're joking right?"
"I know what you talkin about Garrett. I love that girl with everything I got. She's my family. You ain't gotta ask me that. Now don't do anything stupid and get back to the both of us. I'm on my way down. I'll keep her low. You focus on the mission."
"Thanks Ty."
"See you in a few."
I ended the call and sat back.
"So he is very interesting." Edward commented.
"Yes. He is. Fierce fighter. Large heart. Loyal, brave, dedicated. I couldn't ask for a better partner."
"He's an idiot." Edward commented casually.
"Yes but he's mine and Bella's idiot so don't talk bad about him or I will rip your fucking head off." I smiled.
"Wouldn't dream of it. I like him."
"You do?" I asked, surprised. "I know he told me he answered your call one day and…"
"He said nothing that wasn't true. He said what needed to be said to protect her. I told you Garrett. I only want her happy. He makes her happy. I like him."
I was about to call bullshit when Edward stiffened at the same time a black van drove past us.
"Yes?"
"Yes." Edward whispered.
We stepped out of the car and followed on foot. The Van stopped in a service spot on the second level.
Two men stepped out. My phone buzzed. Carlisle?
The viruses were back at the field office. None were released. Carlisle was handling disposal. I wonder why he didn't let the team we had on standby take it?
"Okay. I hear two heartbeats. They are alone. We are going to…"
My sentence was cut short by two gunshots. The two men who just exited the van were on the ground. I looked at Edward who was holding the gun trained on their bodies.
"Wow. That was…I mean wow. It was exhilarating." Edward whispered. Then his face scrunched up when the smell of blood hit him.
"Do they usually bleed this much?" he whispered.
"Yes. When you blow off someone's head, blood is involved." I told him and gently took the gun from him before he tried to shoot the bomb.
We walked to the van and I gently broke the glass on the passenger side. The back glass could have been rigged. Edward dragged the two bodies he just made, to the nearby dumpster. The blood trail was there but looked like it could be anything in this light. I crawled in the back and saw the bomb.
This didn't look good at all.
"What doesn't look good?" Eddie asked.
"Would you stop that?!"
"Sorry. So what doesn't look good?"
"This. I don't recognize this circuitry."
"Is that a timer?" he asked.
"No. It's an alarm clock. When it hits zero it tells the terrorist to start the timer." I told him.
"Why would…sarcasm. Nice." It wasn't my best but I was sitting next to a doomsday device.
"I have to call Connolly."
The timer was at 2:28:56. Twenty eight minutes until the virus was supposed to have been delivered.
"Couldn't handle it, could ya?" Connolly asked. I could hear his smile over the phone line.
"Look Jason."
I pointed the camera of my phone over the bomb and ran it over the device twice. The second time he asked me to go back to the center and then to the lower left side of the casing.
"Well?"
"How hard would it be to evacuate Los Angeles?" he asked.
"Next option Jason."
"Okay. We have to be gentle. Unscrew the far right side bolt. Gently. Make sure there are no wires attached to the bolts. This is going to be difficult…."
Bella POV
"I'm just saying that you should think about college Bella. Have some human experiences while you are being a super agent."
This asshole. He knows I can't talk. He knows I can't leave because I need him to kill this crap in me. So he takes his sweet time and tries to tell me what to do.
I tapped him on his shoulder. When he turned around I shot the finger at him and then pointed to my mouth.
"Okay. Point taken. I'll shut up now."
He went back to his microscope.
"It was just a suggestion. You used to love literature and never really had a chance…"
"Shut up already, Carlisle." Esme said. I looked at her with as much gratitude as I could considering I was holding my nose and had my jaw clamped down.
"Fine. I can tell when my advice is not wanted." Carlisle mumbled.
I sat watching my phone. Garrett had not texted me. I knew from Ty he found the bomb an hour ago. What the hell was taking so long? Ty should be here soon.
Forty five minutes later Carlisle had an epiphany. He at least looked excited. Taking a globe to the furnace, he sat it inside, closed the door and stepped back. I heard a roar, a whoosh and then nothing. He took some sort of monitor, opened the door and stuck the monitor in.
"Okay. Bella all you have to do is step into the furnace. When I close the door open your mouth and breathe out."
Excuse me?
"Have you lost your mind Carlisle?" Esme asked for me. I nodded and jerked my thumb at her. What she said.
"As long as you don't breathe in the fire won't harm you." Carlisle smiled. I grabbed a pen and wrote a message on the desk Esme was standing near.
"She says to try again, Carlisle." Esme told him. I nodded my head.
"Fine. But you would have been safe. So long as you didn't breathe in and blew the virus out. I suppose I can find something…maybe acid…?"
I sat back down and looked at my phone. What are you doing Garrett?
Garrett POV
"Jason, how much longer?"
"I don't know, Garrett. Remove the top slowly."
"You can quit saying slowly. It's understood." I had been working on this damn thing for nearly two hours. We were running out of time.
"Damn it. Edward move the camera closer." Connolly said.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Traps. A shit load of traps. Garrett this bomb can be disarmed but it would take a week. We got 28 minutes and two options here. Option one is to reach into the damn thing, pull the three red wires and hope for the best. The other is to get it out of the city quickly and try to run it into an unpopulated area. At least as unpopulated as you can find. We got no time to be playin around here."
Damn it.
"No Garrett."
"Shut up Edward. Connolly I need a chopper on top of this building in ten minutes. Can you make it happen?"
"On it. Good luck. If I don't see you again…"
"I know. It's been a pleasure Jason. Get me that chopper and a pilot who understands he is leaving as soon as he lands."
I ended the call.
"You need to leave. Now." I told Edward.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Outside. Now."
I met him in the front of the van.
"No point in both of us doing this Edward. I appreciate your help. You saved a lot of lives today by picking this van out. Now I have to finish the job."
"Garrett…"
"Tell Bella I love her. She is the only woman I have ever given my heart to."
"I will. Good luck." Edward reached his hand out and I took it.
"It's never been determined if a vampire can survive a nuclear bomb. Maybe I will be the first." I shrugged my shoulders, knowing better. Not even a vampire could survive atoms splitting. We were still made of basic building blocks of all solid matter.
I unloaded the bomb waved at Edward once more and ran to the service elevator, taking it straight to the top of the building. Connolly did well. A black military transport copter landed twelve minutes later.
"Are you Garrett?" The pilot asked.
"Yes. Run." I told him. He was well trained. He did as he was told.
Once he was inside, I moved quickly, packing the bomb into the back of the chopper. 16 minutes. I should be able to get many miles over the water. Prevailing winds should blow any radiation away from the coast if I was judging this right. It was time to fly.
I tried not to think about her. I didn't want to lose my nerve. Still though I couldn't help it. She came to me at the end but she was the best thing that ever happened to me. Her body. Her smile. Holding her, watching her laugh. She would be so angry. But she would understand. She would be strong for her parents. Ty would get her through this. She would go on. She would have purpose.
I had rose at least sixty feet off the roof. Enough to get me going. It was time to move…
The door just ripped off. Edward's Cullen's hand was on my throat.
"I'm sorry Garrett, but I wasn't lying. I really do just want her happy." He pulled me by the throat before I could respond and I found myself falling sixty feet to the top of the parking garage on my back. I watched my chopper fly away.
Standing up I watched in shocked silence as the chopper disappeared. I wasn't aware of the passing of time until my watch beeped.
The explosion was far away but so bright it could be seen clearly. It was high. The shock waves broke some windows even here, but it was over the Pacific. The wind would keep the radiation from the city. From the Coast. I should have left but I couldn't move.
My phone buzzed and I looked at the text from Bella.
/What was that? Where are U? Ty is here. Call me. Freaking out./
I dialed her number and she answered.
"Oh thank God baby. I thought…it doesn't matter. Did you see the explosion? Carlisle made me swallow acid. I'll explain later but damn it tasted nasty. Just please get here? Please?"
"I'm fine Bella."
"Another bomb went off. Over the ocean. Was it a plane? Like New York, you think?"
"No Bella. That was my bomb. We couldn't disarm it…Bella, are the Cullen's there still?"
"Yes. I mean Jasper and Alice followed Ty and Carlisle and Esme are here. Alice is freaking out but she won't say why. Keeps mumbling Edward's name. Is he still with you?"
"I'll be there shortly Bella. I love you."
"I love you too Garrett."
Chapter 23: Chapter 23
Don't own it
Ty POV
"So how was the memorial?" Mama Renee asked me.
"It was…weird. I mean there wasn't no body to speak of. I thought maybe we should burn a really nice wig and spread it's ashes over the water. But Gar told me I should probably keep that idea to myself. So we all just kinda stood around on the beach starin out in the direction he ruined his hair for good. Nobody said anything. The Cullen's kinda sobbed a bit, even the guys. It was awkward."
"How was Bella, Ty?"
"Mama, I can't really tell. She wasn't really cryin, but I could tell she was upset. But she ain't talkin to Garrett much. Still ain't talkin to him since we came back to Washington three days ago. Just stays in her room."
"Yes, she told me. She is pretty angry at Garrett."
"Why?"
"Ty, you know…"
"That's a bunch of bull hockey mama. Garrett did what he did to save millions of lives. Bella knows this. She needs to get over it."
"Ty, she is upset that Garrett kept her away."
"So what? He was supposed to invite her over?" That would be dumb. Women. You gotta think rational Bells!
"No, but he could have called her himself. She would have had to hear the news from someone else. It was very hard for Bella to become close to anyone after what Edward did to her. Then she was alone for so long. She finds Garrett and falls in love so fast and hard and then to find out that he was prepared to leave her behind…it's a lot to take, Ty."
I took a deep breath. Bitches be crazy.
"Okay. But how long she gonna hold this against him? It's causing dissension in the ranks. I got to have my people happy, mama."
"Has Garrett talked to her?"
"He tried. She just says ain't a damn thing wrong and everybody knows that's bulls…stuff."
"She will talk to him about it eventually. It has been a stressful time for you all. Edward dying, Garrett nearly dying, vampire fights, demons, witches, plane hijackings, deadly viruses, terrorist teams shooting at her. It's a lot for a girl to process. She is supposed to be figuring out if she wants to rush for a sorority right now. Not this. God I wish I could have been at Edward Cullen's memorial."
"You were close to him, mama?"
"God no. I wanted to celebrate his death. Oh well."
Uh oh. Mama Renee getting into sad territory.
"So I heard Charlie came to see you." I mentioned casually.
"You heard huh?" she laughed.
"Yeah. I heard. What's up with that? Big Chief Swan put you in custody?"
Now she was laughin.
"No. We just visited for a few days, watched the news, kept our eye out for Bella. We talked. It was…nice."
"Just nice huh?"
"It was nice. Two old friends catching up Ty. That's all it was. Don't read anything into it. Bella being gone, changed both of us. It was nice to get to know him again."
"That's so sweet." I admitted.
"Yes. It was."
"So you didn't hit that?"
"Ty!"
"Just askin, just askin. Don't get all butt hurt mama. Just askin."
Renee said nothing.
"So no then right?"
"No Ty! I did not hit that." She giggled.
"You wanted to though, didn't ya?"
"Ty, just give Bella a bit of time. She will be fine."
"What about you? If she had run off with some bomb strapped to her back would you have been okay?"
"Ty…I promised Bella no matter what I would never try to do that again. I meant it."
"Glad to hear it."
"Just make sure I never have to worry about that, okay? What were you doing while all this was going on? Watching TV?" she challenged me. I'll be damned.
"Woman let me tell you what Ty Gavin was doing. I was shootin bad guys and throwin rockets at people and fighting evil vampires and shit. I had to babysit a redneck and an English Butler while it was goin on. I was busy saving lives woman!"
"Sorry Ty. I was just kidding. I'm very proud of you, too." She sounded serious but I could hear the smile in her tone.
"All right. Long as we understand I'm a hero, it's all good. I got to go. I love you Mama Renee."
"I love you too Ty. Give Garrett and Bella a big kiss."
"I ain't kissin Bella. Garrett though…I'll consider it. It'd be the only action he has gotten lately."
I was kiddin. I ain't kissin Garrett.
Better check on Daddy C.
"Ty! How are you doing?"
"Great Pops. Hows it hangin?"
"Great. Edward's dead right? Fish food?"
I took a deep breath. Charlie and Renee would not be establishing a memorial scholarship in his name.
"Yeah that's the word."
"You sure?" he asked.
"That he's dead? He ain't swam back."
"Yeah but…Ty, you're a smart guy. If that had been you, what would you have done?"
"Not flyin off with a nuclear bomb would have been a good start." I thought out loud.
"Yeah you would have done that, Ty. Same as Garrett. What I'm talking about is after. I mean it's not like it was only a few seconds. Seems it would have been easy to fly the chopper there, leave it hovering, jump into the water, swim a few miles away and get deep as possible. Since the radiation can't hurt you and the blast was in the air, the chances of survival seem pretty good. Don't ya think?"
Damn. I mean…
"Yeah. I suppose it's possible. When the hell did you think of this?"
"When Bella told me what happened. I went to the diner and had a really good steak. Some coconut pie as well. Then I went and saw this new comedy at the movie theater. I was in such a good mood, but it didn't feel right, you know?"
"You mean cause he was dead?" I tried.
"No, because we didn't have a body to put in the ground. Or burn at least. Yeah, burning would have been better. So my mind started nagging at me. Could this little shit have possibly survived? And the more I thought about it the more it became clear that he damn well could be alive."
Yeah but…
"He had plenty of time to swim back. He didn't. His little sister can't see him anymore. The future teller? She swears he is gone."
"Yeah. That's why I am holding onto my good mood. But keep an eye out Ty. If he shows up and you can kill him before anyone else sees him…"
"Charlie? You kiddin right? I mean he did take Garrett's spot and I guarantee the gothic Captain America was gonna ride that chariot to the great beyond."
"Yeah, I guess you are right Ty. Keep your eyes open. How's Bella?"
"Pissed at Garrett for running off without her."
"Women huh?" Charlie mumbled.
"Right? That's what I'm sayin."
"She ain't upset about that little shit turnin into fairy dust, is she?"
"Yeah. I think a little but not cause she was all in love or nuthin. I think she just got scared. She'll be fine. She love Garrett. She can't stay mad at him forever."
"Yes she can. You never saw that side of her mother." Charlie pointed out.
"Yeah, I hear you and Renee had some alone time last week while the kids were out savin the world."
He stayed quiet. That shit ain't gonna work.
"Charlie?"
"Yeah, we were both worried about Bella and you and Garrett of course, and thought we would hang out for a few days. Mutual support and all that."
"Did you hit it?" I asked.
"Hit what?"
"Hit…It." I said quietly.
"You mean…Renee…and me…?"
"I mean."
"No."
"Why not? Wasn't no spark there? No come hither glance across the room?"
"Wasn't like that Ty."
"Nothin huh?" No fucking way.
"She…looked good. She had changed. I had changed…it was nice. Nice to be with her. That's it."
"That's it?"
"Yep."
"You ever want me to keep given you reports on Bella and makin sure Gar is treatin her right, you better talk." I told him.
"Fine. It got…things were said. We were close…"
"How close? Bumpin uglies close or just like Lifetime TV, havin tea on the fucking porch and staring at each others eyes, close?"
"We didn't bump anything. But we kissed once or twice…"
"That's what I'm talking about. Talk to Ty. Ty needs to hear everything."
Sue me. What kid doesn't want to see his adopted parents back together?
Bella POV
"I can understand why you are upset Bella, but would you have done anything different? Wouldn't you have wanted to keep Garrett as far away from danger as possible ?" Father Francis asked. Why did I call him?
"Yes Father. Okay? Yes. But he could have called to say goodbye. I mean…Father all I'm saying is when I seem to fall in love I fall completely and maybe I should step back. Stop giving so much of myself. Stop becoming so…"
"Attached?"
"Yes!" He agreed. I knew I was right.
"So you plan to keep people at a distance? You can't love a person and push them away at the same time Bella."
"Then I shouldn't love him. Because I…Damn it father, my life…I'm a wreck. I fell in love in high school with one guy. One! I went nuts when he left. I turned into a dependent, sad, pathetic, idiot. A guy who just died for me so I could be with the man I love now, who was ready to die without saying a word!"
"Bella just stop. You and Garrett are the same. You would have done the exact same thing."
"I would have called him!"
"Fine! Break up the best thing in your life because he handled a stressful situation a bit differently than you. As long as you are going to keep every good thing away from you why don't you run off into the woods again for the next hundred years!"
Okay.
"Seriously, there is no reason to be an asshole, Father. I was just venting." I whispered.
Father Francis cleared his throat.
"Of course dear. I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I just don't want to see you throw away the good things that have happened for you. This boy finally did something unselfish in his life by allowing you to keep Garrett."
"I know Father." I admitted. Poor Edward. I wonder why he just didn't jump before the bomb went off? Garrett probably wouldn't have. Maybe he would have. I'll have to ask him.
"Could you try expressing your anger with Garret in a calm manner and perhaps your relationship could be stronger rather than using this to drive a wedge between the two of you?"
"Yes. I suppose I could. He just…I was scared. The idea of being without him…"
"The two of you need to come to the realization that as long as you are battling supernatural creatures there is a possibility that one of you will have to live without the other."
"I don't know if I can do that, Father." I told him honestly.
"You better learn to then." He replied bluntly.
Okay…
"Aren't you supposed to be comforting or something?"
"You want comforting call Dr. Phil. Life is tough. Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow. You love with all you have and you fight with all you have and when it's your time to go, you go at peace, knowing you did the best you could to make the world a better place. That's what you are doing Bella. You aren't going to stop. Ever. I won't let you."
"Yes Father." I whispered. There wasn't much else to say.
"Go talk to him Bella." The call ended and I sat my phone on my desk. I thought of wasting time by calling Alice, to see how she was doing. But I knew how she was doing and I really had nothing for the Cullen's. I wish they had not gotten involved but I was glad they did. If they hadn't Garrett would be dead. I was upset that Edward was dead and grateful and so thankful and relieved it wasn't Garrett.
I was so confused.
A knock on my door. I wonder if it was Ty or…I knew who it was. I knew his knock. I knew everything about him.
"Come in."
My door slid open and I smiled at him. He looked nervous.
"Can we talk?"
"Yeah Garrett."
He sat down next to me on the couch.
"I'm sorry?" He tried first. I laughed gently.
"No, you're not. You would do it again." I told him honestly.
"What would you rather me do Bella? Really. I want to know. Tell me. You want to walk away from this? I will take you tonight. We can find a place where there is no one else around and just be together. That's enough for me."
"What about me!?" Ty yelled from down the hall.
I used the remote to close the door.
"That's not who you are." I told him honestly.
"I would be that person for you."
"No. I love you for who you are. I guess I just wasn't ready for the reality of it. The reality of what it could lead to." I told him honestly.
"Bella the idea of never seeing you again nearly froze me. It kept me from doing what needed to happen. The idea that it could have been you making that decision, taking that bomb, and I would be left behind…I understand why you are angry. I…"
"Had no choice and neither would I. But Garrett I would have called you. To tell you I loved you one more time. Please, God forbid if this ever happens again and you can, please call me. Please?" I nearly begged him quietly.
"I swear Bella. I was afraid if I heard your voice one more time I wouldn't be able to do it. But…"
"I know. Garrett, were you just going to ride it to the end or jump?" I asked.
"Jump?"
Just like I thought. The idea never occurred to him.
"Never mind. Just take me to bed and hold me."
He lifted me in his arms and walked to my bed. His hands knew exactly where to go. Within moments I was his again. Of course I always had been. No matter how angry I was, I would not be apart from him. I had been with Edward and lost myself in him. I had been on my own and lost myself to my own despair. Since I had been with Garrett I had found myself and not become lost at all.
His hands slid up my thighs and I sighed. His lips brushed mine. His warm lips. The tension of the last week, the energy, the worry, the excitement and fear exploded in me. I growled and crushed my lips to his. I had thought I wanted softness. Security. Instead I just needed him. Exactly the way he was. The way I was. I would never be okay thinking of a life without him in it. But I would live every minute I could with him, while we had each other. Five seconds or five thousand years. He was mine.
Connolly POV
Stepping out of the shower I heard my phone go off. A text from Ty.
Make up sex is now commencing.
I forwarded the text to the team.
That's good. I didn't figure Bella would stay mad at Garrett too long. The chance of death is something she is learning more every day in our line of work. Not even vampires are safe from it. It's the reason neither I nor anyone on my team ever had a serious relationship. The risk is too great in bringing someone into our life and then expect them to sit at home waiting to hear if we survived another mission. Garrett is lucky. Bella can fight beside him.
Asshat was in an underground bunker with the CIA's top persuaders, being persuaded to tell us everything he knew. Maybe life could get back to normal. A couple raids in Iraq, maybe hunting an out of control Bigfoot. Garrett mentioned a possible lake monster before all this crap started. All I could do was sit back, watch a little baseball and wait for Garrett to decide what clusterfuck we are going to get into next.
I got dressed, wearing my favorite jeans for the first time in two weeks and sat back to watch the Astros lose another game. At the start of the fifth inning I died.
I assumed I was dead. I was in darkness. I couldn't feel anything, smell anything, hear anything. No sounds. I was kinda expectin a boat on the Gulf with a blue marlin on my line when I died. Sure I wasn't an angel but I wasn't that bad. I was nice to old people and kids and I liked puppies.
Maybe this was a sort of limbo or something.
I don't know how long I stayed like this. It seemed like forever. I wouldn't panic though. I had been in worse situations.
Like…
Okay this was a new experience. But still, I had this. Not like I could do anything about it. Still though.
This was boring. At least if I went to Hell, I would have some demons or something to torture me and keep my interest.
After what seemed like forever, reality crashed back into my life. Everything hit me at once. I was on the ground. Everything felt like it was working.
So I wasn't dead.
That meant one thing. That little fucker with the bad hair from Italy.
"I have to say, touching you was one of the most enlightening moments in my long life."
I sat up and recognized the creepy fucker from his intel photo.
"Aro, you saying that is wrong on so many levels. But you aren't the first person to tell me that. Granted the others were women." I pointed out.
"Jason Connolly. Welcome to Volterra."
"Yeah, I'm guessing since you touched me, I hope above the waist, that you know everything. So why don't you kill me already? Something tells me you guys don't get cable here and I hate being bored."
"Not an ounce of fear." He murmured, smiling.
"I've seen scary things. They die just like everything else. Let's do this already. I only have one request. If you insist on sucking my blood, could you get one of these women to do it? I really don't want any more of your enlightening touches."
"Kill you? No. You are far too fascinating to kill. I think I will keep you. You have broken no laws. Only Garrett and his coven will die. Of course any other humans who know of our existence will also be silenced. But you Mr. Connolly. You will become one of us."
"No thanks."
"I wasn't offering you a choice." He told me.
"Yeah? You really going to give me the tools I need to kill you? Not very smart Aro."
"Mr. Connolly you are going to make an excellent addition to my guard. When you are ready I may make you captain of my guard. For the time being though, I believe you should spend some time with Chelsea. Do you remember what you read about her? She has a very special gift. Chelsea?"
A hot brunette was in front of me in a heartbeat. She grabbed the back of my skull and bent my head back. I felt her teeth breaking the skin of my throat.
"I look forward to getting to know you much better in a few days. I understand you are good with pain. Try not to enjoy this too much." She whispered.
The pain hit me hard and fast. I wouldn't give these fuckers the pleasure of hearing me scream though.
Gritting my teeth I felt my body turn to fire.
This was going to suck.
Garrett POV
"Any progress?" Ty asked walking in. He had been searching the area around Connolly's apartment. His apartment building had been burned down. Thanks to a recent thunderstorm that occurred after the fire, we were unable to pick up scents. All we knew so far was that no residents were killed and no bodies were found. Connolly was not in the building when it was lit.
Bella was seated on my lap while I had been checking any outlet I could for information. Currently I was checking airport security logs to see if facial recognition software could pick him up over the last few days. He had not flown out of any major airport in Washington or the surrounding areas.
It appeared he had disappeared without a trace. This led me to believe he had done this purposely. He certainly had the skill to do it. But he would never leave the team behind. He would let me know at least.
"Garrett?" General Mathieu's voice came over the intercom.
"Yes General?" Maybe he had found something. Doubtful. But possible.
"The President is coming here."
That caught our attention.
"Here?"
"Yes. The two of us will be down in ten minutes."
The three of us sat in silence. The President, no president, had ever been here. Ever.
Ten minutes later Dave and the General walked out of the elevator.
"Dave." I greeted him. Dave looked quite upset.
"Garrett, Bella, Ty. We have a problem. I received a message. An email that was sent to my very secure personal account from Jason Connolly's account. The email asked me to be here at this time. It said you will be receiving a video call. The email was from Aro."
We froze.
This was not good. Jason was most likely dead.
An alert flashed on my screen. How did they get this channel?
Connolly. If Aro had him, with a touch he would know everything Connolly knew.
I accepted the call. Aro flashed onto the screen.
"Hello Garrett. President Rodriguez, nice to make your acquaintance. Thank you for coming."
I began to talk but Dave walked up to the screen.
"You have my man. I want him back. Return him at once and I may not bring the might of the US Military down onto your tiny castle in Italy."
"I doubt the Italian government will allow a military attack on their land by a foreign government."
"Who said I would ask for permission?" Dave countered.
"I think we can settle this in a less violent manner. I simply want the three criminals to stand trial for their violation of the law of our species. You turn them over and I let Connolly go." Aro smiled.
"No. I don't negotiate with terrorist. Connolly isn't afraid of death. He is a soldier. My people are not criminals. They are Americans."
"As I am not a terrorist. I am a simple man with the responsibility along with my brothers of upholding vampire law. You should be thanking me. Because of the actions of the Volturi, humans are safe from vampires."
"Again, I reiterate. I do not negotiate with terrorists. Return Connolly and I will not send my people against you. Keep him and we take you down."
"I'm afraid that is not going to happen."
"Then we are at an impasse sir. I promise you will see the United States shortly."
"Mr. President, let's be honest with each other. You are not a king, sir. Your own government will not allow you to launch a full scale attack against Italy. How are you planning on explaining to Congress that you are declaring war against vampires?"
"I'll make something up. I'm a politician. I'm good at that." Dave replied.
"I can certainly appreciate your stance, Mr. President. I however, am also not seeking a negotiation. Have the three traitors in Volterra in 72 hours, or I will declare war on you personally. I will kill every human who knows of the existence of our kind, including your daughter and your Priest friend."
I give Dave credit. He didn't flinch. His heart rate picked up though.
"Then I suppose we are at a stalemate. Consider yourself at war, sir." Dave nodded at me and I cut off the transmission.
"Dave, we will deal with him." I told him.
"We are a team and you are Americans. We will deal with him together. General, inform the Secret Service to have my daughter brought here immediately. I also want Father Francis in New York to be picked up immediately and brought to this location. Quickly. I have no idea if they are being watched."
"I'll go with the Secret Service to get Dani." Bella offered. Dave shook his head.
"No. They won't try anything with that many security officers. He will wait to see our move. Call the team in, Garrett. You have a conference room here correct?"
"Yes." I confirmed.
"Good. Get everybody here. This is headquarters until this is over. We are going to deal with this quickly and decisively. Then once the Volturi are gone, we need to have a plan in place to police the vampire world in the same manner we police the rest of the supernatural world."
I felt I should speak up.
"Dave, the Volturi guard are gifted. You have read their files. They will have at least fifty vampires in their guard."
"So we will need a good plan, Garrett. We back down to no one. They threatened my family. They die. Simple as that."
An hour later, we sat around a large conference room while Dave filled the team in on what was going on.
"So what do we need to defeat the Volturi? Anything at Area 52 that could help?" General Mathieu asked.
"I suppose we could try to duplicate Bella and Ty's brain waves into the EEG weapons. Allow us to strike multiple vampires at once with Ty's power, and negate theirs with Bella's. In the hands of the Seals, they could help…" I pondered.
"Sir?" Jack spoke up. He was in command now, with Jason most likely dead. That was still hard to swallow. Perhaps Aro kept him alive as a bargaining chip. Doubtful, but I could hold on hope. If not I would grieve later. This was not the time.
"Yes Jack?" Dave answered.
"Our commanding officer has been taken. We need the tools to get him back. There is only one tool that will allow us to have a chance at this."
I looked around and saw the entire team nodding. What…
"We need to be vampires."
"Absolutely not!" Bella nearly screamed. I placed an arm on her leg to keep her down in case she lost her cool.
"Jack, I appreciate the sentiment but newborn vampires are…it's a lot to take in. Your blood lust would be out of control."
"We can think rationally. You can keep us from humans. We can gorge on bagged blood at all times. We can do this. Once it is over we can go to our training camp in the mountains. We can be kept isolated from humans for a year and learn to act human. Become accustomed to blood. You could help."
"You don't know what it is like." Bella told him truthfully.
"No ma'am. I understand what happened to you and Ty. But with help, help you didn't have, we could control it. Keep humans completely away. Our base is on protected, off limits, land. You are going to need help if you are going to be going after fifty vampires. You will need help afterward as well."
"Your lives would be over." Bella argued.
"We have dedicated our lives to keeping this Country safe. We have no family, no friends outside of the team. We are family. One of our family has been taken. We will do what we must to get him back. You three are threatened. You are family. We will protect you. At least fight by your side. We are ready."
I looked over the ten men. Eleven, I noticed. Toby was on crutches, but he came.
I looked at Dave.
He nodded.
"Garrett?" Bella asked me.
"Bella, it is there choice I suppose."
She looked sad but finally nodded her head.
"Bella if it was your family that was taken, your mother or father, what would you do?"
"Anything." Bella whispered.
"So we are going to need a lot of blood Dave. Better send an executive order to the Red Cross." I mentioned.
"Yes. The sooner we do this the better. Take the team to the base in Pennsylvania. General, take my daughter, Father Francis and pick up Bella's parents and take them all to Area 52. We attack in a week."
My phone buzzed. A text from Carlisle Cullen.
Please tell these soldiers, you know us.
I called him.
"Carlisle?"
"Yes. Could you please tell these people we need to see you?"
"What is wrong?"
"You tell me. Alice can't see Bella as usual but a friend of Jasper's named Peter Whitlock, says he has a feeling you are going to need our help. We are here. All of us. What is going on?"
"Fuck no! Tell them to go home! Go back to school! Fuck no! We got this. No help needed. Garrett?" Ty said speaking for the first time.
"Whatever it is, we can help Garrett." Carlisle said over the phone.
"This is our problem Carlisle. I appreciate it but…"
"Edward died to keep Bella happy. We plan to make sure she stays that way. We are going to help. It's the Volturi, isn't it? You will need Jasper. Peter says so. Something about controlling newborns? Peter is always right, Garrett. Let us in."
"Okay Carlisle. I'll be up shortly to get you."
"Man this some bullshit. I was beginning to think this was gonna be fun and now cornbread gotta show up." Ty grumbled.
Fun? Maybe not. But it would be war. A war we would win. Aro would get much more than he bargained before. The Cullen's and a team of newborn Navy Seal vampires.
As Ty is fond of saying, it's time to blow some fuckers down.
Chapter 24: Chapter 24
Bella POV
It was too beautiful here for the nightmare that was happening. The nightmare I stood by and let happen.
Garrett was right though. It was their decision. I would be here to support them. To help them. Eleven men who had become friends and then my family. Eleven men who woke up this morning as vampires. Garrett wanted no one else around other than he and Jasper. The newborns would be calmer with less vampires around. None of us knew what they would remember, how they would go through the change. Nothing. We were clueless. Ty turned five of them and Garrett turned six. Ty had venom pooling in his eyes for hours after he bit them and wouldn't speak for even longer. That was saying something for Ty.
We had been at a hangar at the edge of the property. This property was gorgeous. One hundred thousand acres of territory in the Appalachian Mountains. My parents were with the President of the United States at an undisclosed location with the nickname of Area 52. According to Garrett this is where the U.S. keeps strange objects that have come into the Country's possession. Scientist there attempt to reverse engineer the technology. Area 51 is a PR blind apparently. Nothing really going on there but aerodynamic research and testing. Area 52 was underground in Idaho. Still trying to wrap my head around that.
The President was using the recent terrorist attacks as the official reason he was not making public appearances. The populace thought he was at Camp David. Instead he was in Idaho. With my parents. At a base with alien technology. Directing a vampire war against Italy.
What a fucking life.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
I smiled. I knew he was near. He had told me to be in the valley in thirty minutes. I came early hoping to see him sooner. He had been busy.
"My thoughts aren't worth a penny right now. I missed you." I told Garrett honestly, grabbing his hand. He pulled me into his arms.
"They are doing fine." He murmured in my ear.
"All of them?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes. Jasper is keeping them calm but I'm not really sure his help is needed. You have to understand Bella, these men have been highly trained to be prepared for any type of situation. They are extremely disciplined and knew what they were getting into. They will learn quickly."
"So they have all woken up? Nobody still turning?"
"No. They all woke up at the same time. It was freaky. Each sat up, looked around, and then stood still. Jack took a few minutes to come to himself. Then he simply told them to feed. All ten and Jack walked over to the bagged blood we had hanging in front of their beds and drank. It was messy as hell for a few moments. Bags ripped and such. Jasper and I replaced them quickly. They fed. I talked to each of them. They all know exactly what happened. They have all their memories. They remember the mission. They are ready." Garrett told me confidently.
"How bad were the screams?" I asked quietly.
"They didn't scream." Garrett replied, shocking the hell out of me.
"How…?"
"Bella these men are trained to withstand pain and keep their heads. They have had years of training. But these men Bella, they do not scream."
"Wow." I honestly couldn't think of anything else to say. They were certainly handling things better than I did.
"You didn't have their advantages Bella. Don't compare yourself." Garrett told me.
"I didn't say I was."
"I know you." He told me. He was right. He did know me. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my head in his chest.
"Garrett when this is over can we find a new base? A new home? I don't want to be underground anymore. I want to see the sun out my window."
"Of course. Actually with a team of vampires now, I am thinking this area will be our new home. Plenty of room to train, plenty of room to build residences. Maybe we could have our own place."
"Without…"
"What about me?!" Ty's voice came from out of nowhere. How does he do that?
"You can be our neighbor Ty." Garrett told him. As he ran up.
"That's cool. Those little mewling sounds Bella makes when she bout to blast freak me out anyway. I could just imagine the face that goes with that sound. Can't be pretty. You a pretty girl Bella. Wouldn't want to see your O face though. That shit gotta be out there. You close your eyes, Garrett? Or you got a fucked up O face too? I can just see ya'll with little scrunched up faces staring at each other…"
"Ty would you shut the fuck up?!" I nearly screamed.
I have a cute O face. Garrett said so.
"Don't get your thong twisted Bell. Just makin conversation. Let's go see our Clone troopers."
"Clone troopers?" I asked Garrett, watching Ty's ass run away.
"Star Wars. We will work on watching that when this mess is over." He told me. I wonder if Star Wars characters are smart enough to save time and fly eagles instead of walking to the enemy.
"You think Jason is okay?"
"He may be dead Bella. That may be a fact that we have to come to terms with. We can mourn him later. He would want us to kill the Volturi, not cry over him."
I nodded in agreement. I knew he was right. But I couldn't help missing him. The guy who raided a 747 with a young vampire. The guy who stayed behind with three vampires to fight a super werewolf. The guy who sat with me while I fed and didn't make me feel self-conscious about it. The guy who trusted me to hold a clip on a bleeding artery of one of his friends. If he is dead I swear I will be the one to rip Aro's head off. Garrett and Ty won't get to him before I do.
"We better go. Jasper is there. I think Peter Whitlock is as well." Garrett said.
Yeah. Ty probably shouldn't be left alone with those two for long.
Garrett POV
Bella and I ran hand in hand into one of the many valleys in this area. The terrain was ideal for hiding young vampires. So long as no hikers figured out a way to get past the electric fences and motion detectors humans should be safe. I wasn't sure how this would work. Much would depend on Connolly's team and how quickly they could adjust. So far everything was going well; but they were only hours old as vampires. I saw Ty speaking rather loudly to Jasper. Peter was standing back at a distance hiding a smile.
"What's wrong Ty?" Before he answered I noticed we were missing a large part of the vampire contingent who were supposed to be here.
"Where is the team?" I whispered.
"That's what I asked! Duke here, lost them. How the fuck do you lose a team of newborn vampires dumbass?!"
I noticed Jasper was smiling. He wasn't worried so I wouldn't be either. I would be calm.
"Jasper where the fuck are my Seals?"
"You don't see them Garrett?" Jasper asked.
"Where are the guys Jasper?" Bella asked impatiently.
"Take a whiff. Can't you smell them?" Jasper grinned.
"No I can't Jasper. Tell me before I hurt you." I growled.
"They are all around you." Jasper said quietly.
That even shut Ty up. We listened. We sniffed. We looked.
"Light em up boys." Jasper said.
Suddenly we were surrounded by eleven grinning vampires. Toby grabbed Bella, threw her over his shoulder and took off. I followed for a few steps…until she disappeared.
I looked at the other Seals. They were laughing.
"Where did he take Bella?"
I felt a push and suddenly Bella was in my arms, giggling.
Toby appeared in front of me.
"What the fuck is this?" I whispered.
"Toby can blend in the environment at will. He can't be seen, heard or smelt. He can turn into a ghost and can turn anyone he wants into the same."
"Amazing. He already figured this out? How?"
"We are fast learners Garrett. You know that." Toby replied.
"Any other gifts?" Ty asked quietly. I think he was a bit freaked out. Ty has a thing about ghosts.
"Not that we have figured out yet. But it's early." Jasper answered.
"Well it's a hell of a gift, Toby. Keep your hands off my woman." I winked at him.
"Are you kidding? I've been trying to figure out a way to run off with her since I first saw her in the Pentagon. Now that I have the ability, you better keep a close eye on her."
"How did your power work on her?" I asked more to myself. Jasper answered me though
"I don't think Toby's power works on anyone. Not in a physical sense. He didn't do anything to change Bella. He changes the environment around her. Blocks sound, sight and smell from emitting from her area. Had he tried to change her physiologically it would not have worked. Now if Bella tried to emit her gift towards Toby directly, she could interfere with his ability, I believe. We will need to work more to find out."
"We don't have time for experiments. I will stay clear of Toby to make sure I don't interfere accidentally."
"We have time Bella."
"We really don't Garrett." She argued. She gave me the look. The look that said she dared me to disagree with her in front of others.
"Bella, the Volturi can't find us here. Not with you here. I doubt Demetri could find us…" Ty started.
"Toby's powers can work around me. Why not his? We aren't always right next to each other. He could easily be…"
"Aro would not be stupid enough to attack us on our own ground. He will try to find us on ground that gives him an advantage." I explained.
"They have Jason." Bella said quietly.
"Uh…hey…Garrett?"
I turned towards Peter's voice. The two of us didn't know each other well but he had always seemed a decent fellow. I would be taking advantage of his gift. I had always wondered how it worked. This should be fascinating.
"Yes Peter?"
"I think you are about to get a call. Just a feelin I got."
I pulled my phone out of my coat pocket. Before I raised it to waist level it buzzed.
Yes. I would definitely find out more about this gift of his.
"I don't recognize the number." I mumbled.
"Try answering it and saying hi." Bella told me and grabbed my phone.
"Hello?"
"Bella? Is Garrett there? I really need a ride out of Italy. ASAP."
"Jason?" Bella whispered. I took the phone.
"What is your situation?"
"The norm."
"That bad?"
"Could be better. I've been in worse."
"What do you need?" I asked.
"Directions to an air force base and a jet that I am checked out on waiting there. I really, really do not need to be around humans right now buddy."
Connolly POV
I woke up three days ago surrounded by these grinning bastards. I have been stuck in this room with Chelsea the entire time. Except for feeding. Feeding time happened in front of the fucking brothers thrones. I have killed two people since I have been here. I felt bad about that but they weren't offering bagged blood. I figure these poor people were going to die anyway. Sucks that I had to be the one to do it, but that shit smelled too good. I can't believe Bella was able to do the things I saw her do. I held out for 48 hours in a room with a very scared man named Barry. But I lost that fight. I promised myself I would get that motherfucker Aro for this. All these fuckers.
"Come sit by me lover." Chelsea said, beckoning me to the bed. She is supposed to have the power to bend people's loyalties. Their bonds to others. Aro thought she would make me loyal to his ass.
"I'm fine here."
"I'm lonely. I need to feel you. I want you. Come to me. Please?" she begged quietly.
Okay. I fucked her. She's hot. But that has nothing to do with loyalty.
I was bored though. It wasn't time. Not yet. I would give it a few hours. I heard enough from listening around feeding time and to hallway chatter that a couple of coven heads were coming to Volterra to visit the assholes tonight. That would be my time to attack. With more vampires in the castle it would be more difficult. That is why they would never expect it.
Having nothing better to do I walked over to Chelsea and began undressing her. Gotta pass the time somehow.
Three hours later I was summoned to the throne room. Aro was waiting on my progress report. His guests were there as well. Japanese coven. I had read about them. They won't become involved. He wanted to show off his new pet. I would definitely put on a show.
"Mr. Connolly, what a pleasure it is to see you becoming so acclimated to your surroundings. I understand you and Chelsea have been getting to know one another? It is good to see you have such a strong bond with your sire."
"Yeah. I bonded the hell out of her." I told him honestly. I haven't just been bonding her though. I've been getting my touch right. My movement's right. It was hard to tell without any humans around except that secretary they keep hidden, but I think I could do a passable job at pretending to be a regular guy.
"I am glad to hear it. So I take it you are beginning to see that we not the monsters you may have once thought we were."
"Oh I definitely see things differently now." I agreed. These guys were bigger pussies than even I believed.
"And yet you have absolutely no bond to us." Marcus said quietly, looking off in the distance.
Aro narrowed his eyes.
"Chelsea?"
"Master Marcus?" she asked him doubtfully.
"Would you mind Jason?" Aro reached his hand out towards me.
"Actually I don't think that will be necessary." I pulled Chelsea close to me. Tilting her head up, I looked deeply into her eyes.
"Chelsea, you are honestly the healthiest relationship I have ever had."
She smiled as I moved to kiss her. Too bad I wasn't kissing her.
The bitch's throat tore out easily. I threw her head at Aro and kicked her body into Alec. Felix jumped in front of me. I chopped his throat and kicked his knee joint. It snapped in two. Continuing to run I hit three more people on the way down stairs. Caius was screaming. Ha. Keep cryin bitch. I heard them up ahead. I knew what they were doing. Blocking the underground exit that led to an alley behind the plaza. Unfortunately for them I had no plans to go that way. I had not seen much of this castle but I remember the satellite photos I had studied with Garrett. Some of my early childhood memories were gone but they were never great to begin with. The rest of my memories of my human life? Spot on. Taking a left I busted through a stone wall and found pay dirt.
Boiler room. The Castle had to keep heat for water to clean robes and shit. Gasoline lines ran to the pumps kept in the underground garage. Two massive boilers, that were long past their inspection dates sat at the bottom of this castle. I turned the steam valves open on the boilers way past a safe level and ran back to my hole in the wall. It was time to buy some time. They came around the corner quietly. Cautiously.
"Jason? There is no reason to be afraid. We understand newborn emotions here. Chelsea will be fine. Her head can be returned to her body." Aro said softly.
"Stay back!" I yelled.
"Jason you cannot stay there forever. You have to come out eventually. There is no escape. You know you really don't want to escape. Come out and talk to me. You won't be punished. Chelsea will forgive you."
"You think so? She won't be mad?" I asked seriously, silently laughing. First time I ever got head from a woman like that.
"Yes. I promise." Then he whispered Alec's name. So he was gonna send the little shit in. I could feel the pressure. I turned and checked the gauges. Holy shit. That's a lot of damn pressure. The cylinders were radiating heat. These shells were weak. This would be great. I backed against the far wall and ripped open a cold water pipe. Water flowed on the floor but I stifled most of the flow with my hand.
Alec walked to my hole in the wall.
"Hey Alec."
"Jason." He grinned. "What are you doing?"
"Having fun with physics." I answered him. I let the water out of the pipe and pointed the flow at the boilers. Taking a chunk of rock from the wall I tossed it straight into the first boiler.
The explosion was the loudest damn thing I would ever hear. Point blank range at ground zero of two giant, overheated boilers exploding.
All I saw was red flames, everywhere. The blast took out everything. I couldn't tell where the walls or roof were. But through the fire, I saw Alec on his ass. He wanted to kill Bella. Yeah.
He must have seen me at the last moment coming through the flames, because his eyes got very large.
I wrapped my arms around his bad hair covered head and twisted completely around. The flames consumed him quickly. His head was ash before I made a full turn.
Think Connolly. Came in that way, exit that way. This way goes to what used to be the kitchen probably. Fuck it. This whole place was wrecked. I ran towards the exit and saw vampires rolling around in the flames. Aro was on the ground, Chelsea's hair, all that remained of her head, in his hands. He was screaming. Caius was screaming. All our clothes were on fire or gone. I kicked Aro in the head as I ran through the flames. Dropping my head, I barreled through smoke and flame out the exit to the plaza.
I saw the citizens in St. Marcus’s Square were in a panic. Damn they smelled good. Looking behind me I was glad to see that a MOAB could not have done a better job at leveling this place. I expected a castle to hold up better but apparently this was not the case.
Fire sirens in the distance. I was standing naked in front of what used to be a castle. Time to move.
I grabbed the first fleeing citizen I could find that looked roughly my size. I bumped him lightly on the head and dragged him to a corner alley. The sun was shining and I would be sparkling like a fucking fairy. I quickly dressed in the guy's jeans and t shirt. I left him his boxers. Stepping out of the alley, I saw a group of naked dudes coming from the carnage. Shit. They were sparkling. They must be really pissed if they are breaking their own laws. Of course all the people had taken off, but fire trucks were arriving. A few vampires ran into the shadows. Then a very pale and very naked Aro stepped out of the fire. He pointed at me.
I shot the finger at him and took off.
I had ran a few blocks, trying to stay in the shadows. Fuck it if I was seen. I could blame it on aliens. The fuckers can take the blame for everything.
I came to a throng of tourists and nearly growled when the scent hit me.
Hold your breath and keep moving.
A phone. A guy was texting on his phone. I ran by gently grabbing it. I pressed a number and my finger went through the phone.
Three more run by phone thefts and I finally was able to dial a phone number while running. I knew they were behind me. I thought I saw Felix in a sheet along with three more behind me. I was going to have to get away from people and fight these assholes or lose them.
What would Garrett do?
Let's ask him.
"Hello?"
There is that sweet voice.
"Bella? Is Garrett there? I really need a ride out of Italy. ASAP."
"Jason?" Bella whispered. He took the phone.
"What is your situation?"
"The norm."
"That bad?"
"Could be better. I've been in worse."
"What do you need?" I asked.
"Directions to an air force base and a jet that I am checked out on waiting there. I really, really do not need to be around humans right now buddy."
"You're not human?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"Nope. I am running though and have a few of these fuckers behind me. So if you had any ideas…" I hoped.
"Hold on. I am placing your phone to a tracker. It will give us your location. Bella would you get Jason on satellite?"
I heard nothing for a few moments while I continued to run. I looked backward and saw Felix indeed was chasing me in what looked like a toga along with two other guys. They were a half mile or so back. I was on the outskirts of the city and don't believe I had been seen so far.
"Jason, up ahead of you about a quarter mile away take a left. Run two miles. There is a public park there. Many, many people. Hundreds. Steal a car." Garrett told me.
Seems like a good idea.
Within a minute I saw it. A festival. Perfect. Car, car, car…
"Felix is catching up, Jason." Bella said through the phone.
I turned and saw he had indeed come within a quarter mile of me.
"Holy shit Gar. Look at the satellite feed of Volturi castle." Ty said in the background.
"Uh Jason?"
"Decided to do some remodeling Gar. Place was out of code as well. I did them a favor."
I found a sporty little Fiat. Should do the job. I ripped the door off. Jumping inside I realized I would not be able to start this car before Felix reached me.
I had to fight this fucker and his friends.
I stepped out and waited. He grinned and rushed me. I picked up the car and swung, hitting him in the chest, sending him back to his friends. I recognized one as Demetri. I didn't know the other.
I figured he would expect me to be defensive. So I attacked all three. I heard voices, louder, than yelling. Humans were running towards us, drawn by the sound of me hitting this fucker with a sports car. Hitting the other two, I back kicked Felix when he tried to grab me from behind. He recovered and charged. I slid down and ripped his nuts off when he ran by. Garrett was right. Newborn's are a lot stronger than older vampires. Those tiny fuckers came off easy. He was screaming on the ground. I remembered Bella's pain when her arm was placed back on. I bet those things were really going to hurt. His two friends checked on him.
I turned and saw hundreds running toward the parking lot. I ran to a Mercedes and ripped the door open. Popping the steering column I started the bitch and hauled ass out of there.
I took the phone out of my pocket after a safe distance.
"So, impressed?"
"Your form is horrible." Bella replied. I could hear the laughter in her voice though.
"Least I didn't lose an arm girl."
"Garrett is texting you the location of an air base where you will have a F 22 waiting for you, fueled and ready to go. You can refuel in mid air. We are at the training base in the desert. You know the one?"
"Yep." Appalachian mountains. "Bella, you have to keep the team away. My thirst is out of control."
"It won't be a problem Jason. We have plenty of bagged blood here."
"You do?"
"Yeah…your team? They volunteered…" Bella said sadly. Volunteered for what?
Oh.
"All of them?"
"Yep."
"They up?"
"Woke up this morning. Just come home Jason. We need the family together."
"On my way beautiful."
Home sounded pretty damn good right now.
Chapter 25: Chapter 25
Don't own it
Garrett POV
"If you don't like it maybe we should just have our own spaces. I mean it's not like we sleep. Is living together that big of a deal?" Bella asked.
"Yes!" Why didn't she get this?
"Why Garrett? I mean of course we are going to live together but we don't need a space that has both of our things in it, decorated in a manner we both liked."
"Yeah. We do Bella." I said quietly. If she didn't get it maybe it wasn't time.
"Garrett don't shut down. I'm sorry if I'm being difficult. This is kind of new to me. I…"
She stopped speaking but I understood. I forgot her age occasionally. As Renee told Ty, she was supposed to be figuring out college activities right now. She had done so well with everything and now I was pushing for more.
She was right. It didn't matter. I knew she was mine. I was hers. It was enough. But for some reason the idea of her hairbrush lying casually on my bathroom counter appealed to me. Our clothes mixed together in the same laundry basket. Lying in the dark under the same sheets for hours holding each other. Fighting over what TV show to watch. All the staples of a normal romantic relationship.
"I'm sorry Bella. Look we can build a residence and we can each have a room with our things in it and let it go." I told her smiling. We were planning on the permanent move to the base. With the supplies shipped in, it wouldn't be a great task to build the residences ourselves, keeping humans away.
"No. I get it. It's an intimacy thing right?" she asked.
I nodded my head.
"I get it. I want it."
"You do?" I asked surprised.
"Yes. I love you. I always want to be with you. Let's keep looking. Maybe we can find a paint we both like. We are going to need a bed too. A very strong bed." That said, the princess walked off. I admit when Bella makes a decision she runs with it.
We searched the housing décor mega store for another three hours, finally agreeing on paint, furniture and a bed.
An hour later we drove into our base. Our new home. I would miss the Pentagon. It was where I met Bella. But with a team of Newborn vampires, it simply didn't have the space. This base had an underground area that could be expanded. We walked into the control room. Ty was sitting where he had been for the past 24 hours, trying to bring all satellites online. The construction supplies were outside the gate, where I instructed them to be left.
"We running big brother?" Bella asked, hugging Ty from behind while he sat.
"85%. Hopefully by 1900 we will be fully operational." Ty responded. He had been obsessing over this. He knew without our system we were blind.
"Have the Volturi popped up?" I asked. Jason landed yesterday.
Jason crash landed yesterday.
The plane crashed and he ejected over our base. General Mathieu was not happy.
The Volturi were still missing. After the explosion they scattered. With Jason killing Chelsea, Aro's hold on many of them could be gone. Without Jane and Alec to reinforce his power, Aro would have had to stand by while they left. It was quite possible that Aro no longer had a Volturi.
"No sign of him?" I asked, not needing to clarify.
"Nope. Aro done scurried under some rock and is staying there." Ty responded.
"We have to find him." Bella murmured.
"We will dear. Your parents won't have to stay at alien central forever." I assured her. From my phone call with her parents last night, I had a feeling neither of them minded very much. Charlie and Renee seemed to be having fun almost.
"Garrett?" General Mathieu's voice came over the intercom while Bella was snuggling into my lap.
"Yes General?"
"We found them."
That caught my attention. "Where?"
"In the air. They are flying a private charter, trying to gain entrance to the States under a falsified flight plan."
"Destination?"
"Washington."
"The White House?" I asked. Perhaps the Pentagon.
"Wrong Washington."
Bella stiffened in my lap. I brushed her hair with my hand to calm her.
"Your parents aren't there Bella. They can't hurt them."
"No but we can certainly hurt the Volturi." Jason commented walking in.
"That's what the fuck I'm talking about." Ty agreed.
"General are they still over the Pacific?" I asked.
"Yes."
"We have eyes on that plane?"
An overhead view of a very nice private jet appeared on screen. The Volturi had to hear the fighters over their plane. Perhaps it is time I said hello.
"Ty cut me into their radio."
I sat in front of the microphone and waited. Ty hailed the plane. The pilot answered. He sounded very much like a vampire. His voice was very clear.
"Yes this is the US Navy. Please identify." Ty instructed the pilot.
"Private Charter I 446 coming from Rome." The vampire smoothly replied.
"Purpose of visit?"
"Could you repeat?" The pilot sounded confused.
"Why the fuck you goin to Washington bitch?" Ty repeated in his own way.
Silence. Finally after five minutes a voice came back on.
"If there is a problem with our flight plan we would be glad to turn around sir."
Ty looked at me. I reached for the microphone.
"This is Garrett. Could I speak to Aro please?"
A few more minutes went by and then…
"I presume I am talking to Garrett?"
"Hello Aro."
"What can I do for you?"
"Why are you going to Washington?" I asked immediately.
"There is a human there who has knowledge of our kind. Plus Caius is interested in a Pack of large werewolves."
"Aro, Jane is dead. Alec is dead. I understand Chelsea is dead. Why are you pushing this? Go away. Hide. Your time is over and this little war you are so keen on starting hasn't even really started yet. You know you can't win."
"I am an upholder of the law, Garrett. I look out for the interest of my kind. I will do whatever is necessary to uphold the law."
"You are really going to make me kill you, aren't you?" I sighed.
"I am an…"
"Aro, how long have you been in the air?"
"What does that matter?"
"How long?" I repeated.
"Four hours."
"Have a nice swim back." I told him and ended the call.
"Make em fish food, Ty."
Ty forwarded the information on and we watched as the trailing fighter dropped back, locked on, and turned Aro's plane into a fireball.
"Ty would you please keep an eye on their trajectory. I want to know what direction they are swimming and whether they are heading towards the States or back to Europe. We need to know where to attack. I want these fuckers ash before they have a chance to recruit. The fewer people who know they won't be around any longer the better."
I walked out to check on the team. They were hanging out with the Cullen's and Peter and Charlotte. A small hand stopped me.
"Yes dear?"
"That was hot. Time to break in our room." She grinned.
"Whatever you want Bella."
I heard Ty mumbling to Connolly as she led me out.
"I blew up the damn plane. How come I ain't getting laid?"
Bella POV
"So when do we kill the Volturi?" I asked Garrett, rolling on top of him, enjoying the feel of his naked body under mine.
"I suppose if they are coming to Washington we can meet them there. If they go back overseas it will be a bit more of a pain in the ass. Why the hurry?" Garrett asked without opening his eyes.
"Why the hurry Bella?"
"My parents need to get back to their lives. I've disrupted their lives enough. Dani wants to go back to some semblance of a life. The President will have to be seen at the White House eventually. Plus I am sure Father Francis wants to get back to New York, He does have quite a large church there."
Plus I was ready to fight. I wanted this behind us. I didn't like being gunned for. Stone was after us. Now Aro. I prefer to be the hunter, not the hunted.
"True but until we determine where they are going, we really can't do anything. So since we have time…"
He placed his hand over my ass again. Don't squeeze…damn it he squeezed. I kissed his neck and his other hand found the back of my neck…
Two hours later, Ty's voice blasted over the intercom.
"Gar. Stubborn motherfuckers heading towards Washington. From the bodies in the water looks like he got 30 vampires with him."
"Why would he still do that? He has to know Charlie isn't still there." I mumbled.
"He's going after the wolves. Plus he probably figures with Demetri he can tell where we are. Where we will be. He has no ground to fight at home. So he is choosing his ground here. Perhaps figure how to use the wolves to his advantage."
"The Wolves would never fight for him." I argued quickly.
"Bella they have families too." Garrett told me softly.
Oh my God.
"We have to warn them." I whispered.
"Ty called Jacob already. He is aware of what is going on." Garrett told me.
"You think of everything, don't you?" I grinned.
"Yes. Now I suppose we should begin to prepare to welcome Aro to the United States. Unless you…
I laughed and slipped out of bed before he could tempt me more. I had a war to prepare for. It would be short but it would be a victory.
Ty POV
"So let's hit these fuckers at the shore." I suggested.
"No. We need to be patient. Let him set up. Let him get comfortable. We will still be slightly outnumbered." Jethro argued.
"Fuck that. My team is equal to two hundred vampires. The two heavy hitters those fuckers had are gone. They ain't got shit. This shit is gonna be a walk in the park." I counter argued.
"You rush into this, you will make a mistake Garrett."
"I agree Jasper…"
"Garrett!"
"But, I don't want him to get too much of a foothold either." Garrett said, agreeing with me, like he's supposed to. I bet if Bella disagreed with Whitlock, he would be all up in Jazzy's grill tellin him how he's wrong.
"I can't see anything. The Wolves must become involved somehow." Short stuff commented.
"I told Jake to keep his guys out." I said.
"Jake isn't going to miss this fight, Ty." Bella told me quietly.
"All the more reason we hit now. We hit hard and fast."
"Perhaps we can all calm down. Allow me to speak to Aro…" Carlisle started.
"Hell no Dr. Love. We goin to stomp his ass. The President of the United States declared war on these fuckers. We are taking them down. If you ain't on board,doc, you need to get the Scooby Gang back on the Mystery Wagon and haul ass outta here."
Best make sure we are all on the same page before we leave.
"We are going." Esme said convincingly. Damn she is kinda hot. Never really noticed before.
No one else had anything to say I guess. It got quiet.
"Okay…so we headin to Washington or what?" I asked.
"Hell yeah we are. I'm not done with that fucker." Connolly said. "Team, gear up. We fly in two hours."
Bella POV
So this was ending where it started. For me at least. Forks.
Of all the places Aro could have picked. Did he really figure we would not help the wolves? Of course he only knew about the three of us and Jason. He had no idea about the eleven other vampires we had. Or the Cullen's.
Despite losing Jane and Alec, he thought he was in a superior position.
The plan was simple enough. Ty, Garrett, Jasper, the Cullen's and I attacked from the front. Jason's team came from the water, they would slip in as soon as the Volturi passed.
We attack and kill them all. The Wolves would be around. Jake agreed to give us La Push Beach if the Volturi came that way. We had 6 satellites tracking them at all times. Except for a stretch of deep water they walked through we had them down to the foot.
"We are over airspace in five minutes. Jake give us clearance Ty?" Connolly asked.
"Yeah. He knows we are comin. I just texted him. His guys are stayin back to protect the reservation. The beach is ours. He said to make sure your special driftwood isn't damaged Bella."
I started to laugh until I noticed Garrett wasn't. Instead I looked out the doorway. Still not used to jumping into open space. At least this time I wouldn't have to bother with a parachute.
Garrett grabbed my hand.
"Bella could you point out the driftwood? I would like to try to land on it if possible." Garrett said quietly. I elbowed him and he grinned.
"Satellite shows them fuckers four hundred yards off shore and closing. Jump time in ten seconds" Connolly said.
Time to take care of this problem. Killing these vampires would open up a whole new world of problems for us but Garrett is correct. They have become far too stupid to allow to live.
"Four, three…"
I jumped on the front of Garrett and wrapped my legs around his waist. Kissing him deeply, I relaxed while he took the step that led to the ground.
We hit the ground, mouths still locked, as the Volturi surfaced. Ty landed next to us.
Our sudden arrival seemed to stop the thirty vampires. Half of them were still in the water.
My feet hit the ground and I turned and saw the Volturi in person for the first time.
No one said a word. Not even the cry of seagulls could be heard.
"So we gonna do this or what?" Ty asked, breaking the silence.
"Do what?" The blonde I recognized as Caius asked.
"Fight? To the death? Hello?" What the hell did they think I jumped out of a plane for?
"If you mean you wish to surrender we accept, dear Bella." Aro smiled.
"Surrender?" Garrett asked.
"You seem to be hopelessly outnumbered." Aro fairly pointed out.
"Don't forget to count us." Emmett said. I turned and saw he and Rose walking up the beach from the right of us."
"Yeah we thought we would say hi as well." Jasper said from the other side of the beach.
"Aro, I have seen how this is going to turn out for you. Want to see?" Alice asked happily.
"Cullen's? This violation of the law is none of your business. We are here to deal with these lawbreakers and then a wolf pack on American soil. After that we will…"
"What? Go home? I hear you don't have much of a home to go back to." Peter Whitlock laughed, walking out of the tree line.
The look on Caius and Aro's faces were comical.
"By order of the Volturi, you are all to leave this area now. This is a Volturi matter." Aro hissed.
"Remember me?"
The Volturi turned very quickly towards the ocean. Jason Connolly and his newborn vampire military unit stood behind them. None of them were smiling.
"Aro? You, Caius and Marcus are under arrest, for threatening the President of the United States. This is punishable by death. The rest of your guard may leave. Anyone remaining will be treated as an enemy combatant." Garrett informed the group.
I looked over them carefully. They did not seem confident. A few were shuffling in the water. The wives did not look happy.
"Your arrogance is your undoing, Garrett."
Aro attacked Garrett.
Jason yelled. The Newborn team attacked. The Cullens, even Carlisle, attacked. Carlisle went for Caius.
A vampire flew towards me. A very big vampire. He hit the ground at my feet, clutching his stomach. Ty. Ty winked at me and I kicked the vampire's very large head. Wolf howls in the background. I hoped Jake kept his guys out of this. I would hate for there to be any friendly fire casualties.
I jumped towards the wives. Alice was already there. It was time to move.
Garrett POV
My original plan to keep an eye on Bella throughout the fight fell apart when Aro hit me. The fucker was strong. He was fast. He was two thousand years old.
But there was no way he would win. I had too much to live for.
I absorbed his best shots. He absorbed mine. We found ourselves locked in each other's grip while fighting was going on around us. Ty stopped in.
"You want me to twist this fucker G Man?"
"No Ty. I'm fine." I gritted out while trying to break Aro's neck with my hands.
"Ahh right. Holla at ya boy if ya need a hand."
"You are a traitor, Garrett." Aro spit out, as my hands squeezed his throat.
"No. I am definitely not a traitor. We just have very different allegiances."
I kneed him in the gut and he dipped allowing me to wrap my arms around his head and twist. His body hit the ground and his head stayed in my arms.
"Bella!" I called. She had just torn the leg off a female vampire. I tossed Aro's head towards her. She caught it and lit it up. I turned at a scream. Caius's jaws were being ripped open by Esme and Carlisle. Emmett and Rose were knocking multiple vampires down while Peter and Charlotte were taking heads of those vampires. I saw Marcus getting torn to pieces by Jasper and Ty who were…working together?
Strange times indeed.
The fighting ended. I looked around and saw body parts everywhere. Luckily all our people seemed to be fine. My eyesight went directly to Bella. She was laughing with Alice and Rose. She was fine.
The team just became very alert. I knew why.
The sound of their paws was thunderous. It sounded like all of them. I met them at the forest edge. Jacob Black walked out in human form. The others hung back, just behind the trees.
"Nice job."
"All in a day's work." I shrugged.
"She's okay?"
"I promised you she would be."
He nodded.
"She doesn't make it easy, does she?" he laughed.
"No. But she is worth it."
Bella walked up and placed her arm around me.
"Hey Jake."
"Hey Bells."
The two grinned at each other. I didn't like it. I wasn't supposed to. One of the detriments of loving a beautiful woman. Constant jealousy.
BPOV
The wedding was beautiful. Father Francis insisted having it in his church in New York. Dad had never been here before so this would double as a honeymoon for him and mom. They have been living together for the past 6 months. Dad never went back to Forks except a weekend to pack up his things. He was working as a deputy in Orange County where Mom taught. They were living life, together. They were happy. I was the maid of honor and Garrett was Charlie's best man. There were probably more vampires than humans in this church but neither of my parents seemed to care.
Garrett would be asking me to marry him tonight. Ty told me. He really can't keep his mouth shut. I would make Garrett sweat it out a bit and then tell him yes.
The Cullen's didn't show up for the wedding. Charlie and Renee still hated them. Jake showed up. He brought a date. She was sweet. He said he has not phased in months. He was going the human route. I hoped it worked out for him.
"Hey love birds, I got some news." Ty said excitedly.
"What's that Ty?" Garrett asked.
"You know that Coven in Costa Rica? We got a call that they were getting encroached on by some werepanthers."
"So?" Crap like that happens all the time. Since the Volturi are no longer around we try to keep an eye out for trouble spots, but still mainly focus on issues of national security.
"You know that hot little Costa Rican chick with the attitude?"
"The shield?" Garrett asked.
"Yeah. Marsel."
"What about her?" I asked, ready to dance with Garrett and then go somewhere alone where he could ask me to marry him.
"I did some checkin with the birds to see what kinda problem they got goin on. Guess what? Marsel added a member to her coven. New boyfriend by the looks of it."
"Again Ty, why do we care? She is a tough bitch. She can handle werepanthers on her own." Garrett pointed out.
"Yeah. But her new boyfriend? He got real nice hair." Ty grinned.
"Again, what do we…."
Wait.
"You mean?" I asked.
"I mean."
"Bullshit! Alice would have…" Garrett started.
"She is a shield. Only one besides Bella that is known." Ty pointed out.
Neither Garrett nor I said anything.
"So we are goin right?" Ty asked.
"Hell yes we are going." Garrett grinned.
Looks like I may get to meet the new missus Cullen.
The end.