Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Blood And Steel

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 21:

USS Mercy

Ty led Garrett into the ICU, gave Connolly a quick glance of disapproval and walked out.

“It is good to see you up Jason.”

“Thanks for coming Garrett. Have…”

Connolly once again found himself at a loss for words, unable to speak. Garrett patiently waited.

A few deep breaths later and Connolly finished his question.

“Have you found anything of interest at the Volturi Castle?”

“No. We have not found the bodies the Volturi fed from nor any leads as to where they may be. Myself and the wolves will continue to search. Jasper is preparing to accompany Ty and Hawk along with new recruits. Ty plans to have a team ready to move in three weeks and Jasper will assist in training the men.”

“And you?”

“I will probably rotate between King and Clive. It will be the first time I have ever helped train British soldiers. I never dreamed I would see the day.” Garrett told him with a chuckle. “Did you ask me here to give a report? Not that I mind, but it seems Ty or Dan could have passed this information on to you.”

“I didn’t ask you here for a report. I need your help.”

“Of course. What can I do for you?”

“You know my situation?”

“Fubar from what I understand.”

“Yeah, thats an understatement. You know Bella and Winter have gone off on their own?”

“Yes, the Fellowship has been broken and Frodo and Samwise have gone on their journey alone. Of course they have Gandalf and Dante with them.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Jason asked annoyed.

“Lord of the Rings? You have seen it correct?”

Connolly thought for a moment.

“Maybe. I’ve kind of been busy for the past ten years. Look Garrett I won’t be able to fight at her side, probably never. I’ve never believed doctors much but I know my body. I’m not sure if I can come back from this.”

“I have heard you will make a full recovery. Sure you may walk with a slight limp and have to turn in your black belts but these things happen. I had friends in the war who had their legs sawed off on the battlefield to keep from dying only to die painful deaths from gangrene months later. Be thankful that battlefield medicine has come quite a long ways.”

“Bella was nearly killed at the airfield. I didn’t think she was near the plane. She was supposed to be by the tower. I saw her jump down before the RPG hit. Why did she charge the plane? Do you know?”

“She helped her friend from what I understand. The question is why did you order the plane to be blown when you were so close?”

Connolly said nothing.

“Why did you blow the plane Jason?”

“Two vampires entered. One stepped out with another RPG. I was afraid he would hit the base of the tower where I thought she, Ty and King were. I didn’t know her and Winter had gotten so close. I saw the rest of the team looked to be far enough away that they could fall back in time so I gave the order.”

“You did it to save her.”

“I did it because it was the right call. Anyone could have been hit by that RPG. I had no idea what the second vampire would bring out. He could have started tossing multiple grenades for all I know. I had to order the fallback considering we had a chance to end it quickly with no more risk to my people.”

“You did it to save her.”

“I did it so save them all.” Jason countered.

“You did it to save her.”

Connolly took a deep breath.

“And I almost got her killed.”

“You made a battlefield call that you knew might kill you to save her. Did you think she couldn’t fight her own battles?”

“You ever loved a woman Garrett? Loved a woman so much that the idea of anything happening to her tore you in two?”

“Yes. I was married when I was human. I went off to fight the war and never saw her again. The thought of her still haunts me. We were poor, before I left. I was a bartender and not what you would consider someone of great social standing. Records were not kept well in those days. We had a child, a son. I have no idea to this day what became of either of them.”

“Did you ever have to go into battle with her by your side? Garrett I looked at the guys I served with as brothers. Each one was important to me. More important than my own life. But I was never in love. I never met someone who made me want to be more than I was. Not until I met her. I wish to God I hadn’t met her like this. I wish I could have met her in a coffee shop or a bar or a beach or anywhere else under any different circumstances. Now she is gone, to fight God knows what, God knows where, with only Dante as back up. Dante is a good guy, a great warrior and a hell of a Seal but he isn’t me Garrett.”

“No he can actually walk at the moment so I suppose it is better he is with them rather than you.” Garrett commented causing Connolly to instantly become so angry he could literally feel his blood boil.

“Don’t become angry Jason. I am just speaking the truth. From what I heard and seen Bella has become an exceptional warrior who stepped in front of five bullets and blocked four of them with a sword. Even after the fifth hit her she killed her assailant. You should be proud of her. She is who she is in no small part to you.”

“Garrett I have to be by her side.”

“Why? Winter left Leah behind and she literally has some sort of mystical connection to her. Leah clutches at her chest throughout the day.”

“And I’m sure Winter is in the same shape. She isn’t in any condition to help Bella.”

“Winter is strong and will do what is necessary. You aren’t exactly in any shape to help either.” Garrett argued.

“Thats why I need you.”

“I’m not a doctor. I don’t have any great healing ability that your physicians don’t have.”

“Cut the bullshit Garrett. You know what I want and why I asked you here.”

“She will hate you for this.”

“I know. But she will have a better chance of living if I am by her side. Afterward she can leave me. She can kill me if she wants to. I have to make sure she lives. I can’t do that here.”

“Why have you refused surgery? You need a metal plate in your skull and rods in your leg.”

“You know why. I don’t want a metal plate or metal rods in me when I become…”

“Like me?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you bringing me into this? She may not kill you but she will leave you and she will kill me.”

“You are the only vampire I trust. The only one who will release me from whatever hold a maker has over a vampire. Plus I’ve trained against you in the daylight. If we are on equal footing even at night I’m pretty sure I can kick your ass if I need to.”

“As much as the challenge fascinates me you would not need to. I believe freedom is every man’s right. Now you understand you will be a blood thirsty out of control demon for the first twelve months or so until you can get a handle on this.”

“Bullshit. You take me somewhere and get me used to being a vampire. I have never taken long to get my bearings. I am disciplined and I can focus. I will be ready for battle.”

“If she gets cut or shot you may rip her throat out or try, forcing her or Winter to kill you.”

“It won’t happen. I would die before I hurt her. You will be with me. I need you with me on this Garrett. I can’t let her go off to die. In Forks she mentioned to Charlie… that… that she might like to get married one day. She may want to have kids or something one day.”

“Being a vampire would definitely put a stop to those plans for the two of you.”

“It doesn’t have to be me. It’s about her. It’s been about her from the moment I first laid eyes on her.”

“You really believe she will die if her and Winter try to do this alone?”

“I can’t take the chance that she will.” Jason told him. He had made his decision.

“Very well. I won’t turn you away. If this is truly what you want, I will give you what you need.”

“Thank you. So how do we do this?”

“Become a vampire? I will drain you to the point of death and then you will drink from me. As soon as enough of my blood has entered your system you will begin to feel a burn. A burn unlike any you have ever felt. Whatever you have imagined the fires of hell to feel like will be nothing compared to this. The change will take place for three to four days.”

“Okay. But… look can we do this some medical way?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean can’t you like stick an IV in me and draw the blood out that way, like a straw? Then you could put your blood in me through another IV like a blood transfusion?”

“Why on Earth would I do that?” Garrett asked.

“I don’t know. It just seems kind of… weird? I mean I don’t really want your lips on me, and the idea of sucking on any part of you is just…”

“Weird?”

“Yeah.”

“Sorry. This is the way it goes. Vampire tradition and all.” Garrett said with a smirk.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”

“I’m trying not to.”

“Fine. Let’s do it.”

“Now? Here?”

“Yeah. I want to get this started. I need to control it as soon as possible.”

“Would you like to call Bella first? I know Ty said she wanted to hear from you as soon as you woke.”

“No. It’s better if I do this now before she… I need to do this now.”

“Very well. Close your eyes.”

Connolly took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying his best to control his breathing. He could feel Garrett close to him.

“I should probably tell you I lied to you a moment ago. I know exactly what happened to my wife and child. I have followed my bloodline for generations. I wish I had stepped in when you were younger but I was afraid any interference in your life would lead you to wanting to be like me. Ironic I suppose. Fate is a funny bitch.”

Before Connolly could respond he felt the pain in his neck.

Oak Island.

Father Francis and Emmett waited on the shore of Smith’s Cove as soon as darkness fell. Every night Emmett and the Priest would swim out to the island, Francis usually on the large vampire’s back. Tonight they were to meet three other people in an inflatable dingy rolling over Smith’s Cove. In the cover of darkness the lax guards who handled night security never stood a chance at seeing the black inflatable craft being washed ashore, by two black clad young ladies. As soon as the boat landed, the ladies dragged it onshore quickly into the cover of trees.

Emmett was nervous. The girls finished hiding the boat as Chris Jennings rose from the bottom and stepped out. Walking up to Francis he hugged the priest and then took Emmett in.

“Mr. Jennings.” Emmett said in greeting.

“Emmett Cullen?”

“Just Emmett if you please.”

Winter walked up to the large vampire.

“So it is you. You told Renee Bella was okay and then distracted me while what? Your teammates bugged my apartment and phone? Then you really did disappear into the ocean. Amazing.”

“Whatever.” Winter said dismissively and shook the Priest’s hand.

“You and I need to talk. Father can you fill Chris and Winter in on what’s going on?”

“Of course Bella. We will give you some time but we must hurry. Emmett and I believe we are on the verge of something but need someone to check it out more in depth.”

“Dante is hovering about two hundred feet above us. He has ground penetrating sonar that should help if we need it.” Winter informed the group while pulling her katana from her back. She placed the tip under Emmett’s chin.

“I’ll be close by.”

Emmett said nothing, taking in the sight of a girl he never thought and for a long time hoped he never saw again.

“Bella.”

“Emmett. Before we start this conversation you should know that your family is dead and I am the one who killed your wife. I cut off her head and made her watch her body burn before her head joined it.”

“I know. Jasper told me.”

“If you want some sort of reckoning or revenge lets get it over with. I have more important things to kill and vampires are becoming a nuisance.”

“Nope, I’m good. I know what Rose was. I know… I… Bella I never wanted to do the things we did. I never wanted to find you.”

“Then why were you staking out my mother’s home?”

“Carlisle. I didn’t have a choice.”

“Garrett broke his hold.”

“I’m not Garrett. I wish I was.”

Bella took a deep breath.

“I loved you Bella. You were my sister and that wasn’t a lie. I didn’t want this…”

Emmett found himself on the ground with a cracked jaw.

“You don’t get to do that. Never call me your sister or anything else. That woman who just left is my sister. The men I just left and my mother and father are my family. Never try to claim me again.”

Emmett stood up slowly and rubbed his jaw, feeling it healing quickly in the darkness.

“You are right, I have no right to. I won’t do it again. I just want to help.”

“Have you? Been any help besides getting Francis here at night?”

“I think so.”

“Then I suppose we should see what you two have been doing.”

Bella began to walk off before Emmett stopped her with a word.

“Bella?”

“What?”

“You look amazing.”

Bella cracked a grin.

“Hitting on me Emmett?”

“No, I just remember how you looked under Edward’s thrall. You have turned into… you are a different person. It looks good on you.”

“I’m the same person Emmett. I just don’t put up with bullshit any longer. Let’s go.”

Emmett and Bella walked to a clearing between the trees where Francis, Winter and Chris stood.

“We killing him?” Winter asked.

“No.”

“You are really no fun anymore Bella.”

“I promise he is the last vampire we won’t kill. Everyone we meet after this is fair game.” Bella told her with a wink. Emmett didn’t shiver but he wanted to.

“So what have you found Francis?” Chris asked.

“Found? Nothing. But we have an idea of where the vault is. I first thought it had nothing to do with the money pit, that the hole was a red herring. But it did uncover one thing of value. A stone with markings on it at 90 feet deep.”

“The stone that disappeared?” Chris asked.

“Yes but we know what the symbols were. Emmett here came up with the key to the secret. He has conducted much research during the daytime on various theories involving the stone. Take into account the triangle stone found near the beach in the thirties and the large stones spaced evenly apart forming a giant cross and it is obvious Templars were here.”

“So the archives are here?” Chris asked a bit frustrated.

“No, this island is a map. A map for future Templars to find the archives. Emmett and I believe the triangles on the stone in the pit were a map of sorts. A keystone. There are various underground caverns in this area and perhaps tunnels. The pit was not man made. It was a natural sinkhole that the knights took advantage of. They simply lowered themselves as deep as possible, and layered the hole using wooden planks made from the surrounding trees and coconut fiber and anything else they could find. The stone was planted at 90 feet and buried. The sink hole was filled. While excavating the pit workers inadvertently opened up a tunnel leading to the ocean that flooded the pit from the five finger drains. These are probably natural formations that led to the sink hole in the first place.”

“A map to where?” Winter asked, trying to wrap her head around this information.

“To a nearby island in the shape of a triangle. Birch Island.”

“So we go to Birch Island and dig?” Chris asked.

“Actually we were thinking about your aircraft. You said it had ground penetrating sonar?” Emmett asked.

“Yeah, it helps us locate underground covens of vampires.” Bella confirmed.

“Excellent. See if the ship can find caverns or natural tunnels that are under the island and perhaps attach to Birch Island deep under the ocean. If this is the case we simply have to find the buried entryway into the tunnel and traverse it under the ocean to Birch Island.”

“I’m sorry, did you say simply? Why can’t we just go to Birch Island and dig on top of whatever cavern we find?”

“Because it could be a trap Bella. If we dig on top the archival room could collapse. If we follow the tunnel we would be able to walk into the correct entryway without disturbing the vault.”

The three newcomers took a deep breath until Bella took control and turned on her com.

“Dante?”

“Yes ma’am?”

“Can you give us a layout of any caverns or tunnels deep under the island?”

“We looking for vampire pits?”

“Something like that. More of an underground tunnel or network of tunnels leading under the ocean to a nearby island, Birch island.”

“Is this a joke?”

“Can you do it Dante?”

“Standbye.” he told them sighing.

The four had a seat on the ground and waited.

Thirty minutes later Dante’s voice entered Chris, Winter and Bella’s com devices.

“Go deeper into the woods to your North. There is a clearing in the middle of the oaks about thirty yards in. It’s the only area there that does not have trees on it.”

“Dante what is the shape of the clearing?”

“Looks sort of like a triangle Chris. It isn’t perfect but close enough.”

The group moved quickly and stared at the ground.

“Well we can’t dig up the entire area without someone noticing in the morning. I know this isn’t a heavily searched part of the island but…”

“You’re right Winter. We have to be spot on. Once we can break into the cavern you, me and Chris can take off into the tunnels. So do your thing Summer.” Bella suggested / ordered.

“What?”

“You can do it Winter.”

“I can as well. Let me have a moment and I can see if I can use astral projection to find out where…”

“No time Chris. I’m faster.” Winter told him and closed her eyes. Bella wrapped her arms around her to keep her from falling.

Winter’s vision returned, only it wasn’t her vision. She was seeing layers and layers of dirt and rock. Bella gently sat her on the ground and her hands touched the ground.

Then darkness.

No light was underground. Nothing for Summer to show her the pit but she knew it was there. She could feel the emptiness but nothing to give her a clue of where to dig.

Not until the ground burst upwards in a cloud of dirt and rock.

Once the dirt had settled a three foot in diameter circular hole was in the ground.

“Anybody have a flashlight?”

“Take mine Bella.” Francis offered. Bella took the light and shined it in the hole. The hole appeared to drop thirty feet into the ground.

“Chris I think Bella and I should take this.”

“You can’t identify the scrolls we need or even translate them.” Chris argued quietly.

“You can?”

“I speak twelve languages including two dead ones Bella.”

“Fair enough. Still we don’t know if there are any booby traps down there. We will be able to break free if…”

“If the ocean crashes on top of you?” Emmett clarified.

“Yes.”

“Thats crap Bella. I need to be there. I don’t need to breathe. Last I checked judging by the rise and fall of your chest I’m guessing you two still need oxygen.”

“Bella and I have this. Chris stay here. Emmett give us a thirty minute head start and bring Chris and the good father. We will let you know of something is wrong and you can turn around and take them back up.” Winter instructed.

“How will I know if you find something is wrong?”

“If you see us running towards you screaming try to keep up.” Bella explained.

“Bella? Winter? I am supposed to watch your backs.”

“Dante hover between the island. If our GPS chips in our coms pop up in the water come pick us up so we don’t have to swim in freezing water through very bad currents. Sound good?”

“Yes Winter. You realize if something happens to you two I’m going to have to hide from a crazy killer and a female werewolf for the rest of my short life.”

“Relax Dante. We got this. You ready Winter?”

“Lead the way sister.”

Bella jumped into the hole, Winter behind her. They both landed in darkness. Bella shined her light around and saw a tunnel. It was very narrow.

“Thank God we spent all that time in underwater and underground bases. I might have been a bit claustrophobic if not for those experiences.”

“I’m claustrophobic.” Winter informed her.

“How?”

“I hid it well?”

“Follow me.”

Bella grabbed Winter’s hand and the two began descending into the tunnel. After twenty minutes of walking, through narrower and wider points in the tunnel they could no longer hear the sounds of waves rolling overhead. They had descended deep enough the sounds of the ocean and any other sound was gone.

“If we don’t start ascending soon I’m going to think we are walking straight to Hell.”

“We may be.”

“Gee thanks Bella. I appreciate you not being cryptic or anything.”

“Relax girl, I’ll get you through this. Hey look the tunnel is starting to climb on the other side of this… water filled hole.”

“Fucking great.”

Bella and Winter gently eased into the dark water and were relieved it was only waist level.

“You know how many unknown bacteria are probably in this water?” Winter whined.

“When did you become such a girl?”

“Fuck you.”

Crawling out, cold from the depths of the cave and the freezing water they began a slow trudge upward over the slippery surface.

An hour later the cavern had leveled out but they still could no longer hear the ocean.

“I think we are under the island.”

“Chris will never make it here. The big leech can’t carry him through those narrow tunnels.”

“Leech Winter? Your girlfriend is starting to rub off on you in more ways than one I suppose.” Bella chuckled.

“God I wish. We still haven’t gone…”

“You serious? What the hell are you waiting for?”

“I’m wanting to take it slow. I mean we have slept in the same bed and kissed but thats it.”

“I can understand that.”

“Says the girl who was on the commanding officers dick the moment training was over.”

“You fucking bitch. I waited till after Mexico!”

Both girls laughed but their hearts weren’t in it. The cold and confining place they found themselves in was beginning to wear on both their nerves the light banter not doing much to alleviate the stress.

They walked in silence for five more minutes until the small tunnel opened up into a larger cavern. Bella’s flashlight shown around and to her surprise she found an unlit torch on the wall.

“Got a lighter? Mine was in my pocket when we waded through the water.”

Bella patted her black vest and pulled a Zippo out.

“When you kill vampires for a living you have to protect your lighter Winter dear.”

Walking to the torch she lit it, very doubtful it would still be flammable. To her surprise it was. She tossed the lighter to Winter who lit up a torch on the other side.

“Holy shit.”

“Yep.” Winter concurred.

Before them was a large solid stone door. It appeared to open in the middle but required a type of disk.

“Any idea where we might find the key to this big ass door?”

“Maybe hanging on that guys neck?” Bella suggested.

The two saw two statues that appeared to be knights sitting in chairs on either side of the door. One had a disk on a chain around his neck.

“Seems easy enough. It must be a trap.”

Suddenly the statues moved.

One spoke.

“It isn’t a trap. If you are worthy you may enter the archives. If you are not you die here.”

“Fucking vampires.” Winter whispered.

“Worthy? I have been enthralled, had my blood drained, seen friends die, been separated from my family, lived in hiding in a dump, camped out in Death Valley, had my leg blasted in half, fought and killed numerous vampires and my boyfriend is a physical wreck right now! Her sister and my friend is dead you fucking undead assholes! Worthy? Who the fuck are you?”

“We are those left behind. Those who accepted the dark gifts and have been here for centuries protecting the treasure of the Knights. None may pass unless they are worthy.”

“As far as I am concerned you are just vampires in my way. I promised my sister that we would kill the next vampires we saw. Guess what? Your it.”

Bella drew her sword as did Winter. The vampires to their surprise drew swords as well. Broad swords of the type that would have been used in the middle ages.

The vampires charged swinging for both girls heads. Bella and Winter both ducked and swung for the legs but found nothing but air. As the guardians landed both girls were kicked back into the tunnel.

Both girls stood up and growled.

“Calm down Bella.” Winter told her, trying to contain her breathing.

“You’re right. I’ve been a bit sexually frustrated and I need to get it under control. Think those blades can hurt us?”

“Yes.”

“Think they are as strong as ours?”

“Doubtful.”

“You got the one on the right.” Bella said before charing back into the room. She stopped before the guardian and swung at his head. He blocked with his sword as she expected. His sword did not break as she expected.

A parry that she barely avoided caught the edge of her vest and sliced through. Winter rolled back into the wall.

“Hey Bella?”

“Yeah?”

“Guess what?”

“Their swords are as strong as ours?”

“Yep.”

“I guess we are really going to have to fight them then. Good thing we have so much experience fighting against each other.”

“Something tells me these guys have more experience.”

“You carry the swords of the twins, but you are not worthy.” one of the guardians said in a monotone voice.

“Fuck you bitch!”

Bella moved in, Winter behind her. As she approached Bella dropped to one knee and Winter stepped on her back, flipping over the guardian and stabbing him in the back while facing the guardian behind him. Bella sliced the guardians head off and he dropped. The guardian on front of Winter swung at her head. Winter dropped and Bella swung over her head, cutting deeply into the vampires chest. Winter shoved her blade between his legs and he screamed. Bella blocked the vampires arm and struck her sword through his throat. Winter rose behind him and sliced the top of his skull off.

Bella ripped her katana to the left and then right of the guardians neck. His body hit the ground next to his fellow vampire.

Bella lit her lighter but before she dropped it the head turned over and spoke, surprising her since this was the first severed head that had ever spoken to her.

“Those who came before you would be proud. You are worthy. End this please. We have waited a very long time for death. Deliver us.”

Not wanting to argue or waste time Bella dropped the lighter on one body and tossed the head on top. Winter dragged the other guardian to the small fire and watched as purple smoke rose in the room.

“God that stinks.” Winter whispered.

“I know right? You got the key?”

“Yeah, how many vampires you think are inside?”

“Does it matter? I’m about to die from vampire smoke inhalation. Maybe we should have burned them later. Let’s get inside and close the door.”

Winter placed the disk into the door and turned.

“I think you are supposed to turn it the other way.” Bella suggested.

“What are you talking about?”

“Turn it counterclockwise.”

“I did.”

“No you turned it clockwise. You always did confuse those two.”

“Fine.” Winter huffed.

“You turned it the same way. It doesn’t work like that.”

“You do it then!”

Bella grabbed the disk and turned it counterclockwise. With a groan the door cracked open. Bella grabbed one side and Winter grabbed the other and both pulled. Walking inside, Bella spied a torch and moved to light it.

“Don’t!”

“Uh I need to see and we aren’t leaving that door open.”

“The fire is almost out. Hold your breath or we can go into the tunnel. If you light that torch who knows what could happen? I didn’t walk under the ocean to burn up these archives. The torches outside and flashlight will give us enough light.”

Seeing the wisdom in Winter’s words, Bella put the lighter back in her vest.

“Why do you think Knights were here to protect these archives? How did they survive without blood?”

“Looks like they hadn’t moved in centuries. Maybe they took turns going out. As far as why they were here? I suppose the Knights Templar figured out a way to turn people and left these two to protect the treasure. All they would have had to do is drain a vampire.”

“You make it seem so simple.” Bella said thoughtfully.

“Does it really fucking matter? Let’s start looking around. Holy shit this place is bigger than I thought. Looks airtight. Make sure the doors stay opened. I have a feeling they will lock behind us and we won’t be able to get out.”

Bella agreed with her logic and placed her sword in front of the open door driving it into the rock, ensuring it didn’t close behind her.

Shining her flashlight she immediately saw the problem.

“There are hell of a lot of scrolls here Winter.”

“Yeah. I suppose we should start looking.”

“Looking for what?”

“Let’s start with something written in Japanese.” Chris said walking in.

“You were suppose to wait thirty minutes.” Winter told him annoyed, seeing Emmett and Father Francis walking behind them.

“We did, give or take twenty minutes. Dante was having a panic attack in the air. He is going to land on one of the uninhabited islands and boat over here before sunrise. I told him to stay above the surface and stay hidden till night. Emmett covered out tunnel opening. I am betting we can dig our way up from here. We will probably be here all day, so it will be fine. Now listen up, some of these documents are thousands of years old and have now been exposed to fresh air. I need to tell you how to handle the documents with care or else they could be lost forever.”

“Yeah, care ins’t exactly my specialty. I’ll go stand guard outside. Make sure no more ancient vampire knights try to sneak up on us.”

“Thank you for being helpful Emmett.” Bella said sarcastically and took a breath, looking at Winter. “You ready to find out what these swords were made for?”

“Yeah. Why do I have a feeling I won’t like the answer?”

Underwater base, 5 miles off the shore, Galveston, Texas

Connolly finally woke but did not want to open his eyes. He remembered what happened after a few moments, the fog clearing from his head.

His head that hurt very badly.

He was confused. He expected to feel no pain when he awoke as a vampire. Instead his body felt as if it had been hit by a truck, much worse than before he was turned. His ankle felt on fire and his head… where was his hair? Would he have to go through eternity without hair? Why had Garrett shaved his head?

Opening his eyes he recognized his location. The sick bay of his home base.

“What the fuck?”

“Hello you fucking idiot.”

Connolly turned his head and immediately regretted it. His skull was held in some sort of traction.

“Max?”

“Yes son. It’s dear old Dad. You are a fucking idiot.”

“Good to see you Max. Uh… what’s going on? Have you seen a friend of mine with long kinda dark hair and a goatee?”

“You mean the vampire Garrett? Yes, he and Ty dropped you off yesterday. You have been kept unconscious for a few days to get you over the worst of the pain.”

“Vampire?”

“Yes. When the President learned you had unexplainably slipped into an unconscious state and were no longer able to make your own medical decisions he called me as your next of kin. I allowed the surgeons to perform surgery on you. You are now the proud owner of a titanium skull cap and a couple rods in our ankle and shin bone holding your leg together while it heals. The doctor says it will probably take time maybe a year. Your other leg will heal sooner since no skeletal damage was done but it will have to be immobilized as well due to the muscle damage. The problems with coordination I can help you with. As far as any brain damage I am beginning to wonder if there was much activity to lose in the first place.”

“This wasn’t supposed to happen. I need to find Garrett. Bella…”

“The President told me all about your recent activities. I have to say I have always been proud of you son until this Garrett vampire told me what you asked of him. Are you fucking stupid?”

“You don’t understand…”

“I understand you have fallen in love with a very weak women who has no business playing soldier with men.”

“Don’t say that! You know nothing about her! She is the strongest person I have ever met.”

Connolly attempted to sit up before the gliding pain in his skull prevented him from doing so, along with his wrists strapped to the bed.

Max grabbed Jason’s nose and squeezed.

“Ow! Damn it Max.”

“Your brother Nao married a trauma surgeon. He recently graduated medical school. Not that you would know that since you never call anymore.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Yes. Your youngest brother Macca has finished his masters degree in chemical engineering. He is engaged to a wonderful women. She is a university professor at Temple. She has published two books so far on Partical physics. She is brilliant. You however? You fall in love with a vampire snack who is given a sword and thinks she is Samurai now.”

“Max I swear to God if you don’t stop talking about her like that I will pull these fucking rods out of my head and kill you with my bare hands.”

“Why? What have I said that is untrue?”

“She is stronger and has a bigger heart than anyone you or I will ever know.” Connolly gritted out.

“She is that special? That strong?”

“Yes!”

“And yet you decided she was too weak to fight a battle she was obviously chosen for on her own? So weak that you felt you had to give up your life and any chance of happiness with this incredible woman to become a vampire, an undead creature that survives off of blood, so you could protect her? How strong can she be son? Tell me.”

Connolly said nothing.

“Tell me.”

“She is strong.”

“Stronger than you?”

“Yes.”

“I am glad you can admit it. Everything I have been told about her, leads me to believe she is the one woman in earth who has a chance of putting up with you. This is what is going to happen. I am staying with you. I will help you with your mind. There is a doctor here, a woman you saved before this mission started? Perhaps you remember her in that small brain of yours. She will monitor your physical health and I will help you with everything else. You will never have the body you had before. You will never become involved in knife fights with terrorists and feel absolutely confident that you cannot lose. What you will do is use that mind of yours that is so brilliant in the art of war and you will coordinate the teams that are fighting. You will be there to help this woman you love with advice. You are in command of many men and women involved in dangerous missions to save the world and you will lead them. You will sit in that control room next to the very strange girl with blue hair and piercings in places where metal was never meant to enter and your friend Jack and you will give the orders your teams need to follow. When you are receiving treatment he will take over. In return for doing this I give you my word and Garrett and Ty’s word that we will never tell this Bella of the idiotic decision you made that nearly cost you your life and future with her. Do we understand each other?”

“Yes.”

“Yes what?”

“Yes Dad.”

“Good, I’m glad we understand each other. I would very much like to see you marry this woman and have children one day. You understand what children are correct?”

“Yes.” Connolly sighed. “And then what? If she survives how am I supposed to… I mean what am I supposed to do? How am I going to take care of her?”

“She may take care of you. Or you can take care of each other. I am sure the President will give you full retirement, perhaps you can use that GI bill to get a degree that actually means a damn. Philosophy Jason? Really? You will be fine. I had nothing when I met my wife, you will have more than I did. Life isn’t just about fighting. Sometimes it is about ending fights and moving on. Do we understand each other?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good. I will let Dr. Carlos know she can come in and explain the pain you will be experiencing that you greatly deserve because you did not trust the love of your life on the battlefield and blew up a fucking plane when you were to close. Did you know if it hadn’t been for the very large man she would have been caught in that explosion?”

“Yeah I heard.”

“Time to start using your head and end this fight son.”

Max turned to walk out.

“Hey Dad?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. Tell Garrett…”

“I already thanked him son. I will be back soon. The rods holding your skull in place come out in three days if you can behave. We will work on meditation in the mean time. In two weeks you will be able to sit in a wheelchair. You will be kept informed of situations until then by me, should they arise. Your love and her friend have found the archives they are looking for according to Youngblood. She is doing good. She was born for this.”

Connolly lay still and thought deeply about what an idiot he was.

“Jason? It is good to see you again. I never got to properly thank you for saving me.”

“You look better than the last time I saw you Dr. Carlos.”

“You look worse. Let’s see what we can do about that so we can get you back into the driver’s seat. Are you ready?”

“Yes ma’am. I am definitely ready.” Top of Form