Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Atonement

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 04:

BPOV

“Fuck! That hurt you dick!”

I had thought vampires couldn’t feel pain. Physical pain at least. Ty was proving that vampires could indeed feel pain. The pain that comes when you find yourself thrown on your ass over and over and over and ov…

“Get off your ass Swan! Let’s try that again.”

Ty. That motherfucker. A glance at the clock showed me we had been at this for 48 hours and 16 minutes. So far I had hit him once. It was hard though. It counted. Not for much but I made him say ow.

I stood up prepared to take another ass whipping. I came here for death. Not humiliation.

“What are ya doin Shortie?” Ty smiled.

“Bout to kick your ass, big guy.”

“No. You about to get served again. Every time with that dumbass stance. How many times I got to show you?”

He walked over and proceeded to bend me forcefully into the position he wanted me in.

“This doesn’t feel right.” I whined.

“Make it feel right. Your way gets your ass kicked. You want to beat Garrett when he gets back? Learn my way.”

“Can you beat Garrett?” I asked surprised.

“I hold my own.” Ty shrugged.

“Can you beat Garrett?” I asked again slowly.

“No. Alright? Freaky fucker is fast. Vicious. Don’t let the Mr. Nice Guy act fool ya. Guy is a stone cold bastard when it comes to fighting. Fucker took out three newborn vampires by himself in the time it took me to take out one.”

Interesting. I figured he would be a great fighter based on what he did. But still. He seemed so nice. Looks can be deceiving I suppose.

“Now, let’s get back to fighting. You need to keep your guard up and stop telegraphing blocking with your legs. I’m gonna break those things if you don’t watch it.

Whoa.

“What did you say?” I whispered.

“I said that if you use your legs to block strikes and your opponent, vampire opponent anyway, sees it coming he or she can change the angle of the strike and break your legs. I mean they heal and all but it is a bitch to be in a fight where you can’t stand.”

Breaking legs. Memories flashed towards me like they sometimes do out of the blue.

A memory that was running in my head right now. A red headed whore throwing me on the ground. I felt the blood in my mouth. Dirt. I was rolled over on my back. She placed her hands on my shins and pushed. I screamed when I heard the cracks before the pain ever reached me. I thought she would have killed me. Instead she tortured me. Got the last bit of human pain she could take before she took my life. My legs were bent. I remember looking down and seeing them in odd angles. Then she took my hand gently and caressed it before breaking my fingers. She snapped my ribs. One by one. The final image was of Victoria placing her lips on James bite mark and biting down herself.

“So like I said, if you don’t want me to break your legs wait until the last second to…”

I am not sure why I took it out on him. He wasn’t her. He was trying to help me. Something about the mention of broken bones set me off and my monster would not stay contained.

I remember hitting him in the jaw. The wide eyed look of surprise on his face when I struck. I remember kneeing him in the crotch. He yelped. I hit him in his nose and felt a crack. I’m not sure if it was my fist or his face.

I was growling. I kept seeing her sneering face snapping my fingers. My legs. I was scared. That bitch fucking scared me! I hate being scared!

“Bella! Bella calm the fuck down girl!”

I came out of the red haze and realized I was face first in the floor. Ty was on top of me and had my arms pinned behind me. He was whispering calmly in my ear.

“Calm down little crazy white girl. Ty got ya. Calm down. Shhh.”

“Ty?”

“Yeah?”

“Could you get off of me? Please?” I asked a little shakily I admit.

“You gonna be cool little Bella or psycho girl? Cuz I can’t let psycho girl have another shot at big Ty. You get my drift?”

“I’m good. I promise. No more nut shots.”

Ty slowly moved off of me. When he let me ago he shot to the other side of the room. Great. My only friend is frightened of me.

“I’m sorry Ty. Are you okay?”

“Am I okay? Shit girl you can’t hurt me. But uh you did catch me by surprise and all. That’s it. I thought we was funnin then we were kinda goin Carlito’s Way on each other. It’s all good though. Long as you are… you know what? Why don’t we grab a drink? A little O Neg always chills me right the fuck out.”

“Yeah. A break probably would be good.”

I walked into my room and was hit instantly with the smell of blood. Damn Garrett. Still I give him credit. It didn’t bother me as much as before. I walked to the fridge and realized I had only drank one bag since I came here with Garrett the first night. Since then I have pretty much stayed busy. Ty followed me in a few seconds later. He had a thermos I assumed was filled with blood.

I got a message on my laptop from the surface. Three boxes of books upstairs. I’ll get them in a bit.”

“No hurry.” I whispered, a bit embarrassed.

“Nah. You need a break. I should have listened to Gar. You can’t be fighting constantly. Especially since you are only a bit over a year turned. Liable to snap. Happens to all of us.”

“Yeah…” I didn’t want to think about it any longer.

Ty turned the TV on and sat on what I guess was my couch now. I heated up the bag of blood. It was nice to be able to feed without hearing screams, no matter how short they were.

I didn’t realize I was standing until Ty looked at me and then the couch.

“I’m good.” It’s not like I got tired.

“Bella. Act human. Humans sit. Sit.” He patted the cushion next to him. I rolled my eyes and sat down. Quickly.

“Get up and do it again.”

I got up slowly and very slowly moved back down.

“Good. Now every few seconds cross your legs or something. Pretend you’re in a skirt and flash some thigh or something.”

“I will later.”

“Blink.”

“I will later.”

“Run your tongue over your lips very slowly.” Ty further instructed.

“Why? What the hell does that have to do with seeming human?”

“Nothing. You got nice lips. Just wanted to see you do it. Want to see me do it?”

“No!”

“Just askin shortie. No need to get butt hurt over it.”

I continued to sip the blood using all my will power not to just suck it down and attack another one.

“So was it something I said?” Ty asked, breaking the momentary silence.

“Was what?”

“Whatever had you go from fighting one second like Hannah Montana and the next like Lindsey Lohan on bad crack?”

May as well be truthful. Looks like we were going to be together a while.

“Yeah. The broken legs thing.”

“What about it? I wasn’t threatening you. Just trying to help you out so it doesn’t happen. Gotta look out for you kid. You’re my crew now. Gotta take care of my little soldiers.”

“I know. It just brought back a memory. The vampire that turned me, she tortured me first. She broke my fingers, my ribs and… my legs. It was the second time I had a broken leg from a vampire.”

“I see. Well you gonna get to go Betty White on meth when we find her. I’ll hold her ass down and you can break everything on that bitch’s body. We will go medieval on her ass.”

“I can’t.” I told him quietly.

“Why not?”

“My ex boyfriend killed her.”

That shut Ty up. For a moment.

“Maybe we should start at the beginning Bella. I’ll tell you my story. I was a very successful high school athlete. I matriculated in College on an athletic scholarship. A Spring Break in Vegas and a very bad choice to have sex with a very beautiful woman left me waking up in the desert three days later glistening in the sun with a powerful taste for blood.”

“Glistening? You mean sparkling?”

“I do not sparkle. White boys like Garrett sparkle. I glisten in the sun. On with my story. I wake up and go on a killing spree. I run into the night, finally finding some woods to hide in. I get sick of life. I must have killed damn near 80 people. I didn’t even know what the fuck I was. But I decide to turn myself over to the man. I couldn’t help myself. I tried damn it, but I was sucking motherfucker…” I guess he saw the look on my face…” I mean draining, feeding, you know what the fuck I’m talkin bout. Anyway I make my way across country and realize I am near DC. I walk up to the Pentagon at night expectin if anybody could kill me it would be those fuckers. The Government always got something goin on. Anyway I jump the fence, an alarm goes off and Garrett has his hands around my head. I’m expectin to die but the fucker is laughing. He invites me in, shows me around and talks to me. Really talks to me. Anyway five years later and I’m a superhero and he is my sidekick.”

“Side kick?”

“Yep.” Ty seemed satisfied with his answer. I didn’t push.

“So that’s me Bella. Tell me about you and your ex boyfriend who can kill vampires.”

I took a deep breath inhaling the scent of blood. I think it had gotten stronger.

“When I was 17 I moved to Forks Washington to live with my father…”

Garrett POV

I could smell them. I knew they were around. I wasn’t in their territory. They must be ranging out farther. Or… of course. Charlie would be special to them. Best friends with young Jacob’s father. Bella taken by a vampire. I would imagine that they would be protective over him. Unfortunately Charlie’s dangers were more of the self inflicted variety than the undead type. I had parked a few blocks over to give them a chance should they be watching to approach me. I really didn’t want Charlie Swan to see a giant wolf crash through his wall.

Yes. Three more of the big furballs were in the side of the road pacing me. I smiled at the tree line and began whistling. More noise. The closer I got to Charlie’s door the more agitated they became.

“Fine. Let’s talk.”

I took off across the street. Within three steps I was in the dense forest and moving at a high rate of speed to my designated rendezvous point. The pitter patter of little paws following me. I came to a stop and as expected I was surrounded. Good. I like being in the center when I am addressing a group. I find it allows me to make everyone feel they are a part of the conversation.

They were growling.

“I would like to speak to one of you. If you all attack me I will have to hurt you. I would like to avoid that. I could have simply driven up to his front step. I could have gotten him at First Beach. You shifters aren’t great chasing a vampire into water are you?”

That caused the circling to stop.

A few seconds later and a young man in cut off shorts walked out behind a tree. Following him were his furry brothers and according to Bella a sister in there somewhere.

“Who are you? What are you doing here? How do you know about us?”

I took a deep breath and instantly regretted it. Damn did they stink.

“Garrett, visiting Charlie and Bella told me.”

“What?” he asked. I thought I was pretty clear.

“What? I answered your questions.” I informed him shrugging my shoulders.

“You are not allowed here Leech.” The angry young man growled.

“Actually I’m not in La Push. According to the treaty you aren’t supposed to be here. Do I need to declare war on you? Because I can.”

“You seem to be short an army Leech.” The man I surmised was Jacob smiled.

“You may want to rethink that. You really should be aware of your surroundings. Not only on the ground but… above.”

My eyes looked at the laser dot on his bare chest and followed the trajectory to the tree top. Laser sites rained down from the trees. Within seconds my team had rappelled down. I give them credit. Being surrounded by horse sized wolves and they didn’t flinch. Of course Connolly was smiling.

“Jason.” I nodded as he walked up, rifle still trained on Jacob. I looked at Jacob and saw his eyes had gotten very large.

“Garrett. So you weren’t shittin me. Big fucking wolves.” He grinned.

I turned my attention back to the young man in front of me.

“You must be Jacob. Jacob I am hoping all your friends, especially, I believe her name is Leah? Have clothing like you do. It would be in everyone’s best interest for your pack to phase as you have done so an open dialogue can be established.”

“If they don’t?” Jacob growled.

“Then I see how many bullets you can take before you stop healing and just give up. Maybe there isn’t a limit. But it’s gonna hurt like hell to find out.” Connolly answered.

Jacob nodded at his friends. A minute later and all were present and fully dressed. As dressed as they do anyway.

“Excellent. As I said my name is Garrett. These gentleman with the large rifles dressed in camouflage are members of Navy Seal Team D. This is their commanding officer Jason Connolly. No rank. No one could find it in themselves to give him one.” I laughed. Until I realized no one else was laughing.

“You done?” Connolly asked.

“Yeah. Done.” I mumbled. Nobody gets my sense of humor. Bella gets it. I can tell this about her already. I turned back to the class.

“Anyway they are here as a favor to me. Namely to help me stop you from attacking me. Normally I would just fight you but I don’t think Bella would be very happy with me if I hurt any of you. So forgive the guns being pointed at you. A necessary precaution.”

“You know Bella?”

“Yes Jacob. I do. I am here to tell Charlie about her. To tell Charlie everything. I am working with Bella to help her be around humans. He can talk to her over the phone. This needs to happen.”

“So she can say goodbye?” He whispered.

“No. So she can say hello. Would you be willing to listen? I can tell you what she has gone through. What she did to end it. What she will be doing now. Then I must speak to Charlie. He needs to know she isn’t gone Jacob.”

“How do you know my name?”

“Bella told me.”

“Does she know you are here?”

“No.” he nodded. Poor kid. Heartbreak. Devastating heartbreak.

He said nothing but stepped back. The rest were looking to him for leadership. With a look and a nod the tension released. An unspoken command to stand down.

“Now unless anyone has any immediate questions for me I can begin telling you about myself and why I am here.”

“I have a question.” One of the young men raised his hand.

“Quil, shut up!” The female yelled.

“No! It’s quite alright. What is your question young man?”

“Why are they called Seal Team D?”

“Because Seal Teams A through C were all killed doing favors for me in regards to werewolves. This is the fourth one I have been given.”

That at least broke the tension. Some of the wolves actually laughed.

“You know one of these days I am going to figure out how to kill you and I’m going to remind you of all the shit you talked about me.” Connolly whispered.

“Yes. Maybe you could get an extraterrestrial suit of armor and a laser rifle and shoot me to pieces cowboy. I know. You could shove a grenade in my mouth.” I smirked.

“Don’t be stupid. Where do you come up with this shit? Hurry up and talk to your new girlfriends ex and daddy so we can get home. I got tickets to the game tomorrow night.”

“You are a romantic Jason. Now. Okay group, listen up. My name is Garrett. I was turned into a vampire during the Revolutionary War…

Three hours later and I felt like I made new friends. Jacob spent a lot of time asking about Bella and what she had gone through, what she would be doing, asking if I could try to talk her into calling him. I told him I would do my best but he needed to understand she was very ashamed of herself right now. Once she began to get past this she would need friends. In short, don’t expect much right away but it would get better. Whether they ever would have truly been happy cannot be determined. But they could still be each other’s friends.

I knocked on the door to Charlie’s house, Jacob at my side. I hadn’t planned to tell Charlie about the pack. I figured that was their business. But Jacob decided that since he was going to know about vampires that it may help to know about wolves. I asked why he never told him after Bella was taken.

“I wasn’t sure if it was better to tell him his daughter had been killed by a sadistic vampire. With everything going on it seemed like an unnecessary problem to put on him.”

The door opened and I damn near lost my breath I had been holding. The pictures did him no justice. He looked horrible.

“What the hell do you want? Jake? Who the hell is this Jake?”

“My name is Garrett. I work for the US Government. I would like to speak to you.”

“Government huh? I got nothing to say. It’s my day off. Call the station for an appointment.”

He began to close the door in my face.

“I have information on your daughter, Isabella Swan. Your very alive daughter. I know where she is, and I can arrange it so you can speak to her by phone and see her eventually. But if this is a bad time I can certainly call your station and…”

“Stop. What did you say about my daughter?” I expected to see hope in his eyes. All I saw was ten shades of pissed off as Connolly would say. He was reaching for something… oh for God’s sake. A gun?

“You heard exactly what I said Charlie. Do you want to continue reaching for that gun and shoot a federal officer or do you want to find out about your baby girl?”

His hand stopped at least.

“Come inside.”

“Actually Charlie I think it would be better if you came outside. To the back. I have some things to show you. Garrett does as well. It will all be easier to believe if you see.”

Ten minutes later we were back inside. Charlie walked to the kitchen to grab a beer. I beat him there.

“I think we have had enough of those to last us for the next century don’t you?”

He said nothing. I think he was a little freaked out by the whole Jacob turning into a wolf and me moving at the speed of light and knocking over trees.

“Yeah.”

“Good. Have a Coke and come to the living room. We have much to discuss.”

“Your kind killed my daughter? Or did Jacob’s friends…”

“Your daughter is like me now but she is very much alive. I have a lot to explain and I really want to get back to her. So if you would?”

He nodded and walked to the living room. Jacob glanced at me in thanks. The alcohol had to stop.

Four hours later we were done. I was done anyway. I had explained this shit three times.

“So I can maybe see her one day?”

“Yes. Quite often I hope.”

“And I can talk to her?”

“Yes. I am hoping to arrange conversations with you and Renee in a few days.”

“Why? Why are you doing this?”

“I have been alive well over two hundred years. I have found two vampires worthy of joining me in protecting this country and the human race. Two. She is the second. She is an extremely good person. She needs direction. To know that her life isn’t over. I plan to give her that direction.”

“If she wants to leave?”

“I will help her move. She owes me nothing. She is under no obligation. But understand something Charlie. Jacob told her what happened to Renee. He told her about you. She feels enough guilt for things she had no control over. When she sees you and talks to you I expect to be a strong pillar of support for her. No feeling sorry for yourself. She needs to know that you are okay. Understand?”

“Yeah. I understand. I will…” he took a deep ragged breath… “No more drinking. I’m going to get cleaned up. I promise. I will be there for her.”

“Good. Jake will be keeping an eye on you.”

“For what?” Charlie asked angrily. I can play that game.

“To make sure you haven’t fallen off the damn wagon. I don’t give a damn if you go to AA or Church. But you are Dad. Your daughter needs you strong. If you can’t be strong then you will do her more harm than good. Get it together Swan. I’m calling Jake in five days. Five days. You want to talk to your daughter you better get back to being the man you are supposed to be and she deserves. Understand?”

“Yes. I understand.” Damn it. Now he was crying. I wanted to be tough because I figured he would respond to this. Now he was crying.

“Come here big guy.” I pulled him into a hug and he started sobbing. Shit. Glad I had my overcoat on. Awkward.

“There ya go. Let it out.”

“You just don’t know what its like to think your baby was…”

“I know. I know. But she’s not. It’s going to be okay.” I kept patting him on the back. Maybe if I stepped away… nope, he just clutched me more tightly. I stood there awkwardly while Charlie Swan released his demons. Jake stood in the kitchen doorway and smiled. It wasn’t a sarcastic smile. He wasn’t growling because I was near a human. Maybe we had made some headway. It was good. Bella would need all the friends she could get.

I really wanted to leave. I had not known her for very long at all and already I missed her. I worried about her. I wondered what she was doing. She hadn’t called so I guess Ty was keeping her busy but still, I had kind of hoped she would call.

An hour later I was in the air with Seal Team D. Actually they didn’t have a designation letter. But when they were first assembled they asked me so many dumb ass questions I named them Seal Team D. I figured the D could stand for Duh or dumbass. Whichever worked for me.

8 hours later we were on the ground in DC. An hour later and I walked into my home. Sublevel 7. I heard the sounds of battle coming from the training room. I stopped by and saw Bella’s door was opened. The TV was on and the boxes of books were on her floor. At least they hadn’t been spending the whole time fighting.

I walked in the training room and saw Bella tossing Ty into a reinforced wall. She turned to me and smile. I tried to ignore the feelings of joy that look did for me. She looked glad to see me. Very glad. I was very glad to see her. I was afraid when I was away from her that she was a dream I would wake from when I returned and found her gone.

“Have you two been having fun?”

She smiled.

“I know Kung Fu.” She grinned.