Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Atonement

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 23:

Ty POV

“So how was the memorial?” Mama Renee asked me.

“It was… weird. I mean there wouldn’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 you 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 to 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 frome 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 stale mate. 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 their’s 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.