Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 19:

“Can you believe this shit?” Paul whispered to Jared.

“I’m seeing it and I don’t really believe it.”

The two had drawn patrol duty while Leah, Seth and Jacob watched the Cullen house. But the patrol route stopped when they saw what was happening in the clearing. What they had believed was a thunderstorm approaching was not a thunderstorm at all.

Bella Swan was in the clearing with Old Quil and the cowboy. The cowboy was drawing lightning from the sky in an attempt to fry Bella. She was struck twice but it only seemed to piss her off more. She actually avoided three lightning blasts.

Bella was barely clad in her shiny armor. Jake would not be happy to see the thoughts Paul and Jared were having about his mate at the moment. It was raining and her body was soaked. The armor fit her like a tiny bathing suit. Her thin leg muscles rippled while she ran, dodging lightning blasts to get to the cowboy.

Old Quil was standing by a small fire. The flame leapt up into his hand and a small fireball appeared hovering over his hand. He tossed it at the charging armor clad woman and the ball grew larger until it was a wall of fire moving towards her.

Bella ducked and her armor covered her body completely. Even her hair seemed to become strands of silver. She knelt as the flame passed over her and continued to charge. The cowboy summoned lightning from the sky. When it reached his out stretched hands and electricity wrapped around his body, Bella shot a burst of blue energy from her right gloved hand towards the ground at the cowboy’s feet. The ground exploded, knocking him to his back.

Both wolves had no doubt that blast would have killed Chris Jennings if it had struck him.

Old Quil appeared in front of Bella swiftly. He raised his staff and began chanting. Bella hit an invisible brick wall and fell back. She leaped off the ground and stood still. Paul could hear her chanting under her breath but could not make out what she was saying or the language she spoke.

Quil began to tremble. Bella walked slowly forward, smiling.

“Should we help?” Jared asked in his thoughts.

“Help who?” Paul thought back.

“You two should continue patrolling.” Jake’s voice intruded into their heads.

“Yes sir.” Paul thought back sarcastically. He was not going anywhere. Bella stalked towards Quil and touched his shoulder. Paul became very nervous until he heard Bella say…

“Tag. You’re it.”

“Bitch.” Old Quil whispered. Bella turned to Chris.

“You okay?”

“Yep.” Chris replied, slowly coming to his feet. “Are you?”

“Yeah, why? Your lightning? That wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. Gave me a nice buzz. Kind of like a massage.” Bella grinned.

“Well since you are already in a bikini let’s go to the beach. At least the cliffs by the beach.” Old Quil suggested.

“Go patrol!” Jakes voice intruded into Paul and Jared’s minds. This time the directive was more forceful. Not an alpha order. Just an order that dared either of the wolves to fuck with him. Neither was in the mood and took off running.

Bella rode Thunder to the top of the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Chris and Old Quil drove up and parked nearby.

Bella gazed at the beauty of the scene before her. Since being given a second lease on life in Wyoming, she had come to a new appreciation of nature. She stood on the cliffs edge watching the crashing waves below, while Chris and Old Quil walked up behind her.

“Hey Bella? Quil and I have a theory. Something we would like to try. Jake told us when he saw you in the spirit world that your armor almost formed wings on your back.” Chris said cautiously, standing beside her.

“Yes. He mentioned something about that. So what?”

“So this. Tag! You’re it!” Old Quil said from behind her. She felt his hands on her back and began to fall. The water rushed towards her quickly. Bella braced herself and closed her eyes for the impact. An impact that never came.

Opening her eyes she saw she was now gliding. Her armor… she could feel it behind her. She felt the extensions coming from her back. Her… wings. She was gliding three foot from the ocean’s surface. A wave threatened to drench her and she rose slightly on reflex, her body rising with her.

She had never felt a rush like this. At least until the wind changed direction and she toppled into the water.

Sitting on the bottom, Bella fumed. That asshole! He fucking pushed me!

Bella felt it was time to see him again. She shot to the surface and felt the extensions on her back were still there. She thought of moving them and was instantly in the air again.

Bella crashed back in the water.

Thirty minutes later she had walked back to the top of the cliffs. Chris and Old Quil were still there. Old Quil was grinning. Chris had the sense to look worried.

“So, you have to admit, that was pretty cool huh?” Old Quil asked.

Bella said nothing.

“I mean you glided a good four hundred yards. Then you almost raised yourself out of the water. I mean that had to be something… right?” Old Quil asked, starting to become very nervous now. Chris stepped away from the old man.

Bella said nothing.

“You needed to know.” Quil defended himself, no longer grinning.

“You could have told me. Hey Bella we think you can fly. Want to give it a shot?” Bella suggested quietly.

“We thought you might do better with an unexpected scenario. We are your guides after all. We know… best?” Quil tried.

“Actually my father is my guide now. Isn’t that right Chris?”

“Uh, technically speaking but we are your… think of us as magical trainers.”

“Yeah. What he said.” Quil agreed.

“I have a theory, Quil. I think that you can fly.” Bella told him with a smile.

“No. No I definitely can’t fly.”

“See I think you can. Besides I need practice. What if I have to rescue someone? I need to know if I can carry them. Why don’t we do this next takeoff together, Quil?”

Bella stepped closer.

“Bella remember our talk about controlling your emotions?” Chris asked.

“You mean the one where you threatened to put me over your knee Chris?” Bella asked. Raising an eyebrow in his direction.

“I don’t remember using those exact words…”

“I do.” Bella responded.

“Yes. This is good. Get pissed off at him.” Quil said enthusiastically.

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten about you old man.” Bella told him.

She then jumped.

Chris and Quil watched her wings unfold, silver lades running from her shoulders. She could glide. Chris wasn’t certain if she could actually fly. Perhaps in time. But for right now it was enough to know that she had that skill if she needed it. They watched her turn and nearly fall again. This time however her grappling hook reached out from one hundred yards away and struck the rock, just below the edge. Chris and Quil peered over and saw it had broken into the rock. No longer gliding, Bella shot forward as her glove merged with the cord entrenched in the rock face. She quickly stuck to the rock and her boots developed spikes on the bottom. Using her glove and her feet she scrambled the ten yards to the top of the cliff and was soon standing in front of the two men.

“Aren’t you sorry you didn’t take me up on the offer?” She smiled.

“How do you feel Bella?” Chris asked.

The woman shrugged her shoulders.

“Okay I guess. I don’t have the strength to control these things on my back. But I can glide. Maybe one day. But for right now I think I will stick with my bike and Thunder for transportation.”

Chris nodded.

“Good idea. But it is good to know the possibility is there.”

“So what now? Can I go relax?”

“No. You and Quil are going to meditate.” Chris informed her.

“Meditate? With Quil?” Bella frowned.

“Yes. You need to center yourself. You cannot afford to lose control until…”

“Until when?” Bella asked.

“Until it is absolutely necessary. If it is necessary no one else can be around you.”

Bella nodded. She knew what she was capable of if needed. The problem was once she turned herself over to that side of herself, she was not sure if she could come back. If she could go back to being who she is.

“Where are you going to be while we are meditating?”

“Relaxing.” Chris grinned. He missed the finger Bella gestured his way as he left.

“So? Ready to meditate? This is as good a spot as any.” Quil offered.

“Chris is gone.” Bella told him.

“I’m an old man.”

“You aren’t that old.” Bella replied.

“My name is Old Quil. That tells you how old I am.”

“You hate that name.” Bella smiled, walking closer.

“Please don’t?” Quil tried once more.

Seconds later he was in Bella’s arms, screaming in fright and then joy as they glided over the water and softly landed on their feet on the beach.

“Nice landing.” He mumbled.

“Thanks. I’m a quick learner.”

“So we should probably meditate.” Quil suggested.

“You wanna go again?” Bella asked, already knowing the answer.

“Yes. Yes I do.”

“Lead the way old man. If you are good, I’ll talk Jake into giving you a ride later.”

Jake POV

God I loved this car. It was a freaking wet dream. The only sexier thing I had ever had my hands on was Bella. Speaking of, I heard footsteps outside, walking towards the shed. Thank God. I was beginning to wonder if those old men would ever be done with her. The door opened while my head was under the hood.

“Hey baby.” I greeted her.

“Hey yourself sweetie.”

My head hit the top of the hood at the sound of the voice. I turned and saw it was… Charlie.

Okay.

“Charlie. Good to see you. I uh… I don’t think you have ever been here… in my garage I mean.”

Charlie looked around but did not seem impressed.

“No but Bella certainly spends a lot of time here. I wanted to see the place my little angel spends so much time.”

“Oh… uh, this is it. We mostly… I mean I mostly work on… stuff and she hands me tools and… things.”

What the fuck was he doing here?

“Want a beer, Jake?” Charlie asked, pulling a can out of the brown paper sack I just now noticed he was carrying.

“Yeah… uh, I’m underage and…”

“Cut the bullshit Jake. You want a beer or not?”

“Yeah sure.” Charlie tossed me one. He popped one open himself and walked over to the car.

“So this is the car Chris bought? Beauty.”

“Yeah, she is something else.” I agreed. Charlie circled the car and then sat down on the couch in the corner.

“Jake, let’s have a talk.”

“About what?”

“Leash laws. What the hell do you think I want to talk about?”

Okay then. I pulled a bucket out and sat down in front of Charlie.

“Jake when Bella first moved to Forks and I saw her at the airport I was kind of speechless. It’s something to have kids. Looking at a person and knowing that you had a part in creating that. The love you feel for the child hits you to the core. It changes who you are at a fundamental level. Your life becomes about what is best for them. I decided a long time ago that Bella living with Renee was for the best. I don’t know if that is right or wrong but I made the decision and had to stick to it. So when Bella moves back I’m shocked. I hadn’t seen her in a year. In just a year she seemed like a different person but still the same. I mentioned something about her hair, like an idiot, desperate for something to say. She said something in return. For the life of me I can’t remember what it was. All I knew was that she was mine and mine alone, once again. I did take in her appearance though. She was so beautiful… well you saw her the day she returned. Bright, full of life, energy.

She stayed that way until the Cullen’s left. I began noticing changes in her then as well. You have seen those changes in person as well. Then she goes off and comes back 6 months later. Six months sooner than I thought I would see her. This time she has changed as well.

Her hair is such a dark brown it’s nearly black. Her eyes are a darker brown. Her hair is straight and thinner. Not nearly as full as it was before. It shines. She has a light to her I have never seen in my child. She is only 18 but has the aura of a woman sometimes. The same as you have the aura of a man sometimes.”

I was getting nervous.

“Where are you going with this Charlie?”

“Jake, Bella is not 19 yet and has gone through many changes. Many, many changes. One thing that hasn’t changed is the health of her hair.”

“What do you mean?”

“Bella does not now, nor has never, had dandruff. You see, her darker hair and my promise to myself to be much more observant than I have in the past, has led me to notice a few things. That has led me here to have a talk with you. My daughter does not have dandruff. I’m getting damn tired of her looking like she does.”

Not having anything to say, I took a drink of beer. And kept drinking. Soon it was gone but I continued to pretend like I was drinking.

“Need another one?” Charlie asked.

“Uh… yeah. Another one would be damn good right now.” I admitted, taking the can from Charlie’s hand. I wonder how much it will hurt to be shot?

“Now despite her changes she will always be the little four year old girl who I played with on the beach. The skinny, brown haired, pale girl who would jump in my arms and giggle every time a wave rolled towards her tiny feet. She is my baby, Jacob.

Today I am moving back to my home with my daughter. I would like to say I am going to enjoy some peace in my home but I know what is coming. Despite that I am going to do my best to ignore it and focus on the time I have with my baby. I understand the two of you have had to grow up fast. But she is not going to jump into marrying you and playing house just because Old Quil says it is meant to be. So here is where I need your help Jake.”

I swallowed more beer.

“Anything Charlie.”

“I understand Bella and you are having… yeah. Anyway, I’m not stupid enough to ask you to stop. You would agree and then do it anyway. However you will make a better effort to hide it. She is a lady. Treat her like one.”

“I have always…”

“Shut up Jake. I’m not done. You are going to take her out. Of course we have strange circumstances but I expect to see the two of you out together. Walking around the Rez. Hanging out here watching TV or at Billy’s. I expect to see the two of you together more than just walking into and out of this shed or your bedroom.”

“Are you going to have this talk with Bella?” I asked quietly. She would shoot herself.

“No. I’m having it with you.”

I nodded. This was the weirdest conversation I had…

“Now when the time is right, I am assuming you plan on marrying my daughter?”

“Yeah. Yes I do plan on marrying your daughter.”

Charlie nodded.

“Good. Do we have an understanding here Jake? She is your girlfriend, your future wife. Let her up for air every now and then. She needs to get to know the other Pack members. Especially the women. She has no friends really. None. Think about it. Her closest friends are an old cowboy and an older Indian. Emily is nice. Kim is nice. Leah… Emily is nice. You think maybe you might encourage her to be around others? Just a bit?”

Damn. I guess I never realized how isolated Bella really was. How much of a loner she was.

“Yeah. I can do that Charlie.”

I heard her footsteps coming towards the shed. At least I hoped it was her footsteps. Maybe it was Renee’s.

“She is coming.” I told Charlie before I could cringe at the choice of words.

“I think we are done with this conversation. I love you Jake. You’re like a son to me. No one else I want to see her with. Nobody. Just think about what we talked about.”

“I will Charlie. Thanks.”

“And Jake?”

“Yeah?” I asked, not wanting to know.

“She doesn’t have dandruff. Make sure she never looks like she does again. Understand?”

I nodded my head furiously. Anything if you will just leave. Bella walked in.

“Uh… what’s up guys?” she asked, obviously confused at her Dad being here.

“Jake and I were throwing a few back and he was going to show me Chris’s car. Right Jake?”

“Right Charlie.”

“Okay. I think Jake and I were going to hang out here today anyway…”

“Actually Bella I was thinking we could help Charlie move back home and then maybe I could talk Sam into grilling. You haven’t really gotten a chance to spend time with the Pack. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to get to know them, maybe Kim and Emily?”

Bella actually smiled.

“That would be fun. Why don’t I go to Sam’s and see if Emily wants to go grocery shopping. I would love to spend some time with her. Would that be okay Jake? I know we were going to spend the day together…”

“That sounds perfect Bells. Go have fun. I’ll get your Dad moved.”

Bella kissed me and left with a spring in her step.

Charlie was grinning.

“I knew you were perfect for her. Now show me this car, kid.”

Chris POV

In the excitement of cutting off Edward Cullen’s head and raiding the Cullen Mansion, Bella had not seen the news. I said nothing. I didn’t want her worrying about something she had no control over. But they were close. Very damn close. Two days ago the town of Plymouth Washington 72 miles away from Forks was destroyed. Bodies left in the streets and in their houses. Authorities were all over the town. The government was in a panic. No one knew what was causing these mass killings. She wasn’t in Plymouth any longer. But she was near. I wondered if she would make another feeding stop before she came to the Cullen’s. I wondered how many vampires she had with her. I wondered what their gifts were. I wondered a lot.

So I decided to do a little investigating.

15 miles outside of Plymouth, the National Guard had a road block set up. The town was quarantined. A giant crime scene.

I pulled off to the side of the road and turned off my lights. It was time to check things out. Quil could walk in the spirit world. I couldn’t. But I could remote view. My wife taught me after our second anniversary. I was pretty good at it.

Remote viewing was a bit different than astral projection. I didn’t see myself flying over the city or walking through walls. I simply thought of a location and I was there. At least my eyesight was. I pulled out a map and began scanning the areas I thought might make a natural camp ground for a large group of bloodsuckers. Four sites seemed good. I concentrated on the first. Laying my seat back I placed my hat over my eyes and counted backwards, focusing on my breath. In and out. In and out.

God grant me the strength to gaze upon the devil’s work.

My site rushed towards me. I saw… trees. A lot of trees.

I focused on the second site. Five minutes later I finally saw… more trees.

Refocusing, I adjusted my position and became more relaxed. Many psychics use barbiturates for this to help them. I was doing it cold sober, into places I had never been before.

The third site I hit pay dirt.

I had a difficult time staying focused when I saw her. My rage grew immensely. I told Bella to control her emotions. I needed to take my own advice.

I had never seen her before but I knew it was her. The bitch who ordered my wife’s death. The actual vampires who killed her were nowhere around. But many others were.

Irkalla and Nergal sat in chairs in the middle of a clearing. Approximately twenty vampires stood around her in a circle while four humans lay on the ground screaming at her feet.

They were turning. She was getting off on their pain.

Irkalla laughed and nudged the young girl lying on the ground with her foot. The child screamed louder.

“When can the plan be set in motion?” Nergal asked the bitch.

“We will go to Forks sometime next week. I am considering having the Alaskans come there. Caius can make it happen. It would save a trip to Alaska. Then we give the word to our vampire brethren across the world. Attack. Attack and feed at will, during the day. In the open. Once the world was been shocked I will address the humans. Amazing things, these satellites. Soon darling. Very soon. Next week perhaps. I too am growing tired of the outdoors. I was thinking perhaps we could move into the Whitehouse?”

“Whatever makes you happy, dear.”

I looked over the assembled vampires. She was traveling light. She had many more vampires than this. But these must be the Volturi. The gifted ones.

None looked happy to be there. Interesting. Two young vampires had looks of despair, disgust and fear on their faces. I wish I knew their story. I could tell though that these Volturi were not willing.

Alaskan vampires coming to Forks? He would have to find out what their story was as well.

He had seen enough. Her army was not large. She was leaving cells all over the country. She would attack at once when her cross country tour was over.

I closed my eyes and felt my body and soul become one again.

A knock on my window scared the hell out of me. I suppose I was expecting a vampire.

Rolling down my window I did my best to look innocent.

“Yes officer?”

“Good evening sir. Is there a reason you are on the side of the road asleep?”

“Oh, uh yeah. Long drive and I saw your roadblock. This seemed like a good time to take a nap.”

“Where are you coming from sir?”

“Forks, officer.” I answered immediately.

“Since when is Forks a long drive?”

Uh… damn it.

“Have you been drinking tonight sir?”

“No. Haven’t had a drop officer.” I told him truthfully.

“Uh huh. Could you step out of the truck sir and take a few tests for us?”

Great. I looked directly into his eyes and smiled softly.

“You don’t want to do that officer. I’m fine and I mean no harm. You can let me go on my way.”

“I can?” He asked confused.

“Yes. Thank you for doing your job so well.” I told him. Staring into his eyes.

“You’re welcome sir. Have a nice night.”

“Thank you. Oh and officer? Be careful out there. Don’t investigate the woods. Leave it alone.”

“Yes sir. Have a good night.”

I chuckled and pulled my truck out onto the road. God forbid Quil’s grandson every find out that I can pull a Jedi mind trick.

An hour later I pulled back into Old Quil’s driveway. It was late. I figured she would be with Jake or at home with Charlie. I should have known better.

I stepped out of the truck ready to face the music.

“Want to tell me where you were?”

“Hi Mom.”

“Don’t lie to me Chris.”

“So you wouldn’t buy that I was on a date?” I tried.

“Did you find them?”

I took a deep breath.

“Yep.”

“Quil is waiting inside. I want to know everything.”

That said Bella stomped inside.

I guess she wasn’t that happy with me at the moment.