Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Blood And Steel

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 20:

Volturi Castle

The three figures sat on thrones overlooking the great hall.

“These chairs aren’t really comfortable.” Peter groused.

“No they aren’t. I expected something a bit softer in the seat area and the backrest is a torture device. I really don’t see how those fuckers could sit in these thrones all the time.” Garrett agreed.

“Stop bitching. Shouldn’t we be helping everyone look for whatever is supposed to be here? Aro could still be roaming around.”

“Charlotte baby relax. We are just taking a break. Besides we searched this place top to bottom. The wolves are all over this. Chris is trying to do some sort of remote viewing shit. How often are we going to get the chance to sit on the thrones of royalty?”

“Peter our teammates are injured. Jason is in a coma, Jack barely survived surgery and Bella nearly died from blood loss. This isn’t the time to fuck around. I’m going to look some more. There must be a million secret passages and rooms in this labyrinth. There are still a lot of fucking bodies missing. You assholes stay here and pretend to be kings. I’ll try to find some fucking robes for you.”

That said Charlotte rose and stormed off.

“Your wife can be a bit of a nag.” Garrett mentioned.

“Yeah but she is right. Let’s go find Jasper. Breaks over.”

Underneath the castle Chris Jennings walked along another discovered tunnel with a flashlight. He had tried many times to meditate and send his astral form over the area looking for any secret chambers. Instead he found more tunnels that lead to nowhere or back into themselves. Jasper was searching the former king’s chambers, the wolves were frustrated because the strong smell of vampires rendered their noses useless and two of the wolves were very worried. Jake was in love with Bella, and nearly ran to her until Chris pointed out that unless he could swim he would have a difficult time reaching her. Leah was agitated but reassured from a phone call with Winter that she was fine due to Bella taking a bullet for her.. Winter refused to leave Bella’s side as she had just gotten out of surgery.

Chris was devastated. It was his idea to involve Bella and Winter in the assault at the airport. They would have insisted anyway but he had supported the decision and realized like Summer he nearly got Bella killed. Had it not been for Bella, Winter would have been killed.

His guilt may have been hampering his search efforts but there was something else here. Some force that seemed to stop him whenever he attempted to project himself through the walls.

It was pissing him off. There was something here and he needed to know what.

He needed Bella and Winter here. Unfortunately that was not happening anytime soon.

He also needed to know where Aro was. It did not surprise him that Aro would stay away from a battle he could potentially get destroyed in. It did surprise him that he was not in this castle. The wolves had picked up his scent in his chambers and tracked it out of the castle. It was as strong as the trails of the vampires who traveled to the airport.

Aro had not been there. What could he be doing without his guard?

Had Chris not been lost in his thoughts he might have noticed the chill as he passed a part of the wall that was set back from the rest. A well hidden door, not easily distinguishable. A door not even the guards who had served for centuries knew about.

Walking into a corridor he was sure he had been in before he continued, knowing this would lead back to the large parlor or throne room. He also needed to contact Father Francis. He would give himself another day to search, then he would travel to Oak Island. He needed to know where the bodies were, he needed to know where Aro was and he needed to know Aro’s endgame and what it had to do with his girls and demons and lost souls trying their damnedest to break out of hell.

Chris had many needs and unfortunately was not close to finding answers.

US Navy Ship Mercy.

Bella did not want to open her eyes. Her leg was on fire and she wasn’t sure why. Bella knew though the minute her eyes opened it would all come back to her and she also knew she did not want to remember.

Despite her conviction to stay in the darkness of denial, a warm hand covering hers caused her to open her eyes.

She saw a face that she wondered often if she would ever see again. A face red from tears streaking down her cheeks and eyes that looked much older than her years. Still she had a smile on her face, the smile Bella never could get enough of, no matter how hair brained she was.

“Mom.” she whispered.

“Hey baby.”

“I never thought I would see you again.”

“Same here.” she managed to get out. Bella felt her mother’s arms around her and for an instant forgot the pain in her leg.

Only for an instant. It was quickly remembered as her mother shifted the mattress causing Bella to hiss.

“I’m so sorry baby. I can’t believe you got shot. When Winter told me what you were involved in and what you had gone through… Bella I am so sorry.”

“It’s okay Mom. I got myself into the mess.”

“I should have…”

“Yeah I should have done a lot of things too. Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Fine? Baby you nearly died in surgery. You lost so much blood.”

The memories of what took place rushed at Bella. She looked to the other side of the room and saw Winter sitting in a chair, staring at her with glistening eyes.

“You okay?”

“Yeah Bella.” she said quietly.

“What about everybody else?”

Winter said nothing.

“Who?” Bella asked.

“Jack was a near thing but he made it through surgery. He is in recovery right now. Mina had an ear nearly blown off but a plastic surgeon looked at it and with a few stitches it will be fine. Not fine but still hanging on. Another inch to the left and it would have been her eye.”

Winter was holding back.

“Who else? Where is Jason?”

It was Renee that answered.

“Your… boyfriend? He is in a coma. He…” Renee couldn’t continue.

“Bella he was shot a couple times, shrapnel tore into his left thigh, his right ankle was shattered, his collarbone broke by a bullet and… a piece of the plane struck him in the head during the explosion. He was standing to close and his skull was cracked pretty bad. The doctors stopped the swelling but they had to put him in a medically induced coma. He was fighting them while he was awake. Bella as far as the mission goes he is done, but they are sure he is going to make it.”

“When will they take him out of the coma?”

“They did yesterday. He just hasn’t woken up yet. They may have to do more surgery, for possible internal bleeding but the doctor wants to pinpoint the exact area. He also could have… brain damage, difficulty walking, coordination, that sort of thing. They don’t know for sure but…”

“Oh my God.”

Bella broke down, the pain in her leg a distant memory.

“Where are we?” she asked after her breathing was under control.

“A US Navy Hospital ship.” Winter answered.

“How did you get here Mom?”

“Your friend Ty had your father and I flown out here in one of those… plane disk things? Your Dad went to get coffee. We landed here a few hours ago. I puked up everything I ate yesterday. I can’t believe you fly in those things. Winter what did you mean Jason couldn’t help with the mission? Isn’t the mission done? You killed the vampires after Bella right?”

Bella looked at Winter and saw her face fall.

“One wasn’t there. The one we wanted. Other things are going on that he may be involved in. If so we have to stop him. If he isn’t we still have to find and kill him but we will have more pressing issues to deal with.”

“This is bullshit! How much more does she have to take?! She has gone through hell! When does she get a break?” Renee practically screamed.

“We have to…”

“She isn’t going anywhere! It will be months if not years before she can walk again normally. Her leg was ripped into pieces Winter!”

“She will be fine by tomorrow or the next day.” Winter told her calmly.

“Because of that damn sword?”

“Mom that damn sword is probably what saved my life.” Bella told her immediately. The sword was a part of her and she did not like it being spoken of in a negative manner.

“I know Bella. I just want this to end. Come home with me. Stop flying all over the world and dating Navy Seals and fighting vampires and being shot. Just come home with me.”

“I can’t Mom. I started this and I plan to finish it. Wherever it takes me I will finish this.”

“Even if it kills you?”

“Yeah, even if it kills me. I’m sorry but I hope you can understand. I’ve been a victim for the last few years until Chris and Winter brought me into this. Someone or something thought I was worthy to carry that sword and fight by my friend’s side. I’m going to do everything I can to live up to that privilege.”

Renee stood up and smiled weakly. Wiping a tear from her eyes she told Bella she would go find her father.

As soon as the room was empty Bella turned to Winter.

“Please tell me he isn’t going to die.” Bella begged her.

Winter let her eyes fall to the floor.

“Winter? Answer me.”

“He is strong Bella. He will wake up.”

“There is a chance he won’t right?”

Winter’s silence was all the answer she needed.

“Take me to him.”

“No. You can’t walk right now. Give it a day or so.”

“Where is my katana?”

“Under your mattress.”

“I need it in my hands. I need to heal faster.” Bella stressed.

“Bella if it wasn’t for the sword you would have lost your leg. We can only take so much. You are healing at an amazing rate. So amazing that the President has all the nurses and doctors who worked on you sign confidentiality agreements that would send them to prison for life if they talked about you. But this injury would take a normal person a year to recover from and try to walk and move reasonably well. It is going to take you a few days. Does your leg hurt?”

“What kind of stupid question is that? Of course it hurts!”

“You have been given the strongest pain killer dosage you can handle. Your body is burning through it quickly and you are feeling your bones and veins reattaching and healing. What should take months is taking days. You are going to hurt. The more you move the longer it will take and the longer you will be in pain.”

“Wheel my bed into his room.”

“He is in ICU Bella.”

“Damn it Winter!”

“I checked on him Bella. There is no change. He is hanging in there.” a voice told her from the doorway. She saw her father.

“Dad?”

“Hey baby.” Charlie reached down and hugged her careful not to move the mattress her leg was elevated on.

“I asked him once if he would protect you. He told me he couldn’t but he would die fighting by your side if it came to it. He may be full of shit about a lot of things but that doesn’t appear to be the case when it comes to you. How are you feeling?”

“Like hell. Is he dying?”

“No, I don’t think so. The doctors still expect him to wake up any minute for at least a bit but he is under heavy sedation. They are debating putting a steel plate in his skull because some bone was… his gunshot wounds caused him to lose a lot of blood and he will have to have surgery if he ever hopes to walk without a limp one day. Bella he won’t be able to keep doing what he has been doing.”

“I don’t care. I don’t want him to. I just want him okay.”

Bella tried to stay strong but felt her heart shattering. She had ran from one relationship for her sanity and humanity. She felt another one being torn from her. Bella couldn’t imagine a night not falling asleep next to Connolly. Her nerves were racked, her body ached, her leg burned and she felt her heart was ripping out of her chest.

She knew if he couldn’t do what he did for a living it would be like killing him. It would be up to her to get him through this. For so long he was the strong one who pushed her to get better, be stronger, not be weak. Now she would have to be what he needed.

If he lived. The simple knowledge that he should have woken up already and hadn’t, scared her.

“How is Jack?” Bella asked.

“He is doing well. He just woke up and is being moved to a room. He won’t be fighting for a while either.” Charlie told her. “Maybe its time you two girls put those swords down and come home. Winter you can live with me and Bella. Go to school. Or go to Florida with Renee if Forks has too many bad memories. I’ll help you both go to any college you want. You can be roommates. No more vampires, no more gun battles at foreign airports. The two of you can have a life.”

“My sister didn’t die so we could go to college and forget about everything else.” Winter told him.

“Then you do it and leave my daughter out of it!” Charlie snapped.

“Bella and I have a job to do or there may not be a world to go to college in!” Winter replied standing up.

“You say! But what proof do you have? Any? You don’t even know what it is you are looking for! Are you two just going to keep hunting vampires all over the world? A small team just destroyed the largest coven in the world. Why do they need my daughter’s help? Why do they need you? I got here on a damn UFO! From Fork’s Washington to damn near London England in three hours and twenty two minutes. These guys are doing okay for themselves. They don’t need you two. What are you going to fight Winter? Bella? What the hell are you two looking for?”

“Charlie stop yelling.” Renee said from the doorway.

“Bella…”

“I’m not stopping Dad. Not until it’s over. We don’t know what these swords are for but they are here for some damn reason and you are right, they weren’t needed to kill the Volturi. That means they are needed for something else. When I find out what that is and do whatever needs to be done I will stop then. But I won’t stop until the job is done. You wouldn’t either.”

Charlie turned away so Bella would not see the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Renee wrapped her arms around Charlie, the two of them very different but bonded by the one person they each loved the most.

“I’m kind of getting hungry. Can I eat something or do I have to drink or what?”

“I’ll ask the nurse. Wait here… I guess you aren’t really going anywhere.” Charlie said with a sad chuckle.

“I’ll come with you Charlie. Maybe we can go out on the deck and get some air and let Bella catch up with Winter. Is that okay Bella?”

“Yeah just don’t take long. I haven’t seen you in a couple years. I would like to see you more.”

“I’ll be right here the entire time baby, right by your bed. So will your Dad.”

“Okay.”

As the room cleared Bella looked at Winter.

“I think its time we went on our own.” Bella told her.

“I agree. Ty is in charge. He sent Clive to London to begin recruiting his team. Ice and Maverick are evaluating pilots for the fighters to support the teams. King, Brody, Youngblood, they are getting teams together. Ty wants squads formed. He is forming his own squad with Hawk and is picking a unit for Connolly and Webb.”

“I thought… you said…”

“Ty refuses to believe that Jason is done and doesn’t believe it will take a year for Webb to come back. He is probably right about Webb. Jason is just wishful thinking. Mina has gone back to Israel and is setting up her intelligence network. Peter and Charlotte are supposed to meet with her and begin providing everything they know about every coven, including gifts, and whether they kill humans or not. Apparently all kill humans according to Jasper but… I would be dead if you hadn’t jumped in front of those bullets. Damn it Bella you can be a stupid bitch!”

Bella sat shocked for a moment.

“You’re fucking welcome bitch. I didn’t realize you had a death wish!” Bella snapped back and cringed realizing she moved her leg slightly.

“I don’t but Summer died and… you know what I would have felt like if you died because of me?”

“You would have done the same thing I did. Besides I blocked four of those bullets. I remember that. I suppose he aimed low on the last one.”

“Bella…”

“Shut up Winter. I knew what I was getting into when I signed up.”

“You really didn’t.”

“No but I figured it out quickly and I am still here. I’ve killed everybody after me except Aro and I doubt he is coming out of hiding anytime soon. I have no reason to still be here other than finishing the job with you. I told you that I would fight with you and that is what I will do, till the end.”

“Till the end. How do you know Aro wasn’t there?”

“I was up on the tower with a scope remember? Who do you think I would be looking for? I’ve wanted to kill that fucker since I walked out of that damn castle. If he wasn’t with his guard he sure as hell wasn’t going to be at the castle. He loves himself to much to not be completely protected. He wasn’t there was he?”

“No. Only a guy named Marcus and two female vamps that were supposed to be queens. Chris and the others have been up and down that castle and still haven’t found where they hid the bodies or any clue that might connect Aro to the seven gates Chris sees. Father Francis and this vampire Emmett are still trying to figure out where the Vatican Archives are on Oak Island. They have been investigating every night and feel they are getting close but with other treasure hunters who have legal rights to be there it is tricky.”

“I don’t trust Emmett.” Bella said quickly.

“He’s been helping. Do you trust Jasper? He says we can trust him.”

“Trust Jasper? Not really. Jasper aligned himself with us because he knows we were the most powerful force and didn’t want to be a target. He won’t betray us unless he can find someone he thinks can take us. But its too big now. With the teams growing it’s a matter of time until someone blows the lid on the vampires and open war breaks out. There are many more humans than there are vampires. We evolve, our technology only becomes better. Vampires still fight using hand to hand combat. The Voltaire used weapons and we took down an armed coven that had us outnumbered three to one. In a hundred years the only vampires alive will be the ones that the government deems useful. Jason knows that and so does Garrett. That is the only reason they are still alive.”

“I think it is time we stopped playing around with the military Bella. No more missions except discovering the one we were meant for and completing that one.”

“I agree.”

“You will leave Jason behind?”

“He would want me too.” Bella said without hesitation. He would do the same. He would hate it but Bella knew he would do what needed to be done.

“What about you? Can you leave Leah behind? This has to be us. Whatever it is that is coming we have to be ready. We can’t be distracted.”

“I know. I’ve thought about this. I am going to the castle tonight and meeting with Chris. As soon as you are able the three of us are going to Oak Island. A wolf is whatever an imprint needs. I need Leah to help the guys on the team. It will take a while for the new recruits to be trained and briefed. Ty and Hawk are going to need help now. The four wolves and our vamp squad can handle that.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let ya’ll go alone.” Ty said walking in. The usual sunny smile was gone from his face. He looked tired.

“Ty we have too.”

“You can’t travel around the world by yourself without getting a lot of frequent flyer miles. Dante is being assigned to be your pilot. You guys can take Beyonce. He will get you two and Chris wherever you need to go. He flies you and he stays with you.”

“Ty…” Bella started.

“You need that damn jet and I need at least one of my guys keeping an eye on you watching your back. I would send Hawk too but I need him. We are going to start raiding covens looking for information on where Aro might be hiding. I don’t know if we are going to get anywhere but its the only clue we got right now. I know some crazy shit is going down and I imagine you are both going to be needed to fight it. That means you can’t be taking bullets for each other. That will be Dante’s job. Understand? He won’t get in your way but he will be with you.”

“Okay. Ty I’m going to write a letter for Jason if he still hasn’t woken up by the time we leave. Could you make sure he gets it?”

“Yeah. You are right too. He would want you to go. I got to go check on my team, you need me use the coms. Takes your with you at all times. You may be doin your own thing but you are my team and you never know when you might need help. You call we are there. Vivian will keep you in contact with us and provide any tech support you need, same as us. Got it?”

“Yeah Ty. And uh… thanks.” Winter said with a smile.

Ty winked at her. “Good luck telling your hot she wolf she has to stay behind.” That said Ty walked out.

“Okay then. I guess I better lay still and try to heal faster.”

Winter placed the katana in Bella’s hand.

“Remember the first night you were at the ranch and we were eating that burnt chili Chris made outside in that kettle pot?”

“God yes. I thought if this is what I would have to eat I should have stayed in the desert.” Bella told her with a quiet laugh.

“Do you remember the story he told us, Bella?”

“Yeah. Three men were sitting around a campfire when an angel appeared and told them the world would end tomorrow.”

“The first man stood up and said he would run home to spend his last day with his family.” Winter said.

“The second man said he would find a bottle of whiskey and a couple of whores and use both till the end.” Bella remembered.

“And the third stood up and said gentleman, I shall finish the game.”

Bella nodded and lifted the blade of her sword to touch Winter’s blade.

“Here’s to finishing the game.”

“To finishing the game.” Winter agreed.

Two days later after having a tearful goodbye with her parents, Bella was indeed walking normally again. She slowly made her way to ICU. No nurses stopped her, but one was kind enough to point out the area Jason was in. The ICU did not have rooms but sheets separating one patient from another to allow doctors and nurses to respond quickly if needed. Ty was sitting by Jason’s bed his long legs stretched out in front of him while he read a book. Bella saw it was the Art of War.

“Reading him bedtime stories Ty?” Bella asked, attempting to joke so she didn’t break down at the site of her love. His face was bruised and he had both legs wrapped, one in a lower cast and one in an air cast. Through the clear cast she could see the stitches zig zagging across his leg. Another set of scars for him. She hoped they would be his last. After this was over she would take care of him, whether he liked it or not. She would make him happy.

Bella handed a folded letter to Ty.

“No idea when he will wake?”

“Doc says he is holding steady. Vital signs have improved. I’m thinking now would be a good time but I’ll wait till he is ready.”

“Don’t you have work to do? I thought you were putting together a new unit?”

“I trust King to do that for me. Clive is making some progress in the UK. Dante is ready to take you two where you need to go. Chris is being flown here right now to pick you two up. I guess you guys are heading to that Oak Island place to meet up with the priest and the vampire?”

“Yep.” Bella confirmed.

“You gonna kill him? The vampire, not the priest. I know you have some history with him.”

“If I let Jasper live I’m going to let him live.”

“Good. I hope he is a good guy. We need all the help we can get. Without…”

Ty looked near tears. Bella reached down and hugged him.

“Me and him been through some shit Bella. I…”

“He would want you to do your job Ty. He will wake up and probably yell at you for still being here and not getting a team together.”

“I know. Bella just keep your com on okay? I’m worried about you. If you get a bead on Aro you let me know. We owe him too, ya know?”

“Yeah I know. I will keep you updated Ty as soon as we find out anything.”

Ty walked out of the curtained off area to give the two time alone.

Bella leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips hoping it might wake him up. But this was no fairytale. Looking at his bruised and battered face, noticing the fresh gunshot wound in his shoulder and the swollen face from the cracked skull made that fact very clear to her. His other arm was wrapped tightly to his body due the broken collar bone. He would be in so much pain when he woke up.

“I love you. I want you to know, no matter what happens to me, loving you was the best decision I have ever made in my life.”

Bella walked out before she broke completely down. Once at the helipad she noted that the deck was clear of the usual seaman working and a tarp was pulled off of Beyonce. Dante waited with Winter and Chris.

“You gonna be okay Bella?” Chris asked.

“Yeah. How did Leah take it Winter?”

“About how I expected. She understands though I think. I hope.”

“We are ready Chris.” Bella assured him.

“Then I guess we should get started treasure hunting.” Chris told her with his crooked grin and pulled Bella into his arms.

The next day Jason Connolly decided to open his eyes. He damn near screamed when he saw the faces of Ty Gavin and Dan Hawk leaning over him.

“Bout fucking time.” Hawk said gruffly.

“Damn boy we was beginning to wonder if you was ever gonna get your ass in gear.”

“Ty how is Bella? She was away from the plane right?” Jason asked, trying to ignore the massive amount of pain he felt all over his body.

“Yeah man. She got shot in the leg and it was touch and go for a bit with her but she pulled through. She is already walking.”

“What do you mean touch and go?” Connolly asked, noticing for the first time his voice was very hoarse.

“The bullet shattered her femur and the artery. She lost a lot of blood. Her and Winter were near the plane but Hawk carried them away before it blew.”

“Where is she?”

Ty and Hawk exchanged a quick look but Connolly noticed.

“Where is she?”

“Her and Winter went off with Chris to Oak Island. They are trying to figure some things out about those ghost gates and shit.”

“Jesus how fast did she heal?”

“Fast? Man you been out for five days. They had to put your ass in a coma when you came here because you kept fighting every time you woke up. Listen bro you gonna need some surgery. You ankle is shattered and they are gonna have to put rods in so you can walk. Your skull is cracked and hanging on by a thread so you are probably getting a metal skull cap and there is some rehab you are gonna have to do. The doctors think you may have some coordination problems and such from your brain swelling. Plus your other leg is covered in stitches from shrapnel.”

“I can’t do that Ty. I have to get to her. Why aren’t you with her?”

“Aro wasn’t there and he wasn’t at the castle. I’m gonna be taken the vamp and wolf squad and we are gonna get some new guys and start busting heads till we get a lead on his whereabouts. The rest of the guys are recruiting teams as well and Maverick and Ice are trainin pilots on how to handle the fighters. We got two new transports fresh off the assembly line as well. We are expanding man. Don’t worry about your girl. Her and Winter got Dante with them. They are meeting up with that vampire and the priest on Oak Island and see what they can found shit in that castle. No bodies no nuthin. Oak Island is the only lead we got.”

“You just sent Dante? What the…” Connolly was getting more upset by the second and to his horror he realized he was having trouble forming words.

“Relax man. I told you that you might have some problems with coordination, maybe talking and such. I got faith you can get better though man.”

Jason calmed himself and them asked the question he already knew the answer to.

“When will I be combat ready Ty?”

“You’re not.”

Connolly closed his eyes and thought of Bella. He had no idea what she would be facing but the idea of her facing it alone bothered him. She needed him. His men needed him.

And he was stuck in a broken body.

“Look man its gonna be a rough road but…”

“Ty shit the fuck… up.”

“Yes sir. Look I gotta call Bella and let her know you woke up. Get some rest, calm down and you can talk to her when your voice sounds a little better. You don’t sound so good right now and I don’t want her freakin out. Here, she left you this.”

Ty handed him a folded letter. He recognized her perfume she wore sometimes on it and it almost felt like she was near.

As Connolly opened the letter Ty and Hawk walked out.

Jason,

I want you to know it kills me to leave you like this but I know you would want me too.

“No I wouldn’t.” Connolly mumbled.

I have to go. Winter and I have to stop whatever is coming. I know you will worry but I need you to have faith in me. I can’t promise I won’t be hurt anymore than you ever could when you went on a mission. This is our life and I have accepted that. I am going to do everything in my power to return to you. When I am back I am putting up this sword and you are putting up your guns and we are going to have a life away from this. I love you and I will help you just as you have helped me. If for some reason I don’t make it back to you, I want you to know that loving you was the best thing I have ever done. Please be strong for me and I will be strong for you. I love you.

Bella

Connolly knew what she was saying. She didn’t expect to survive.

Connolly wouldn’t let her fight without him.

He tried to sit up and was paralyzed with pain.

Lying back he knew what he had to do. He was too damaged. It would take him a year to heal and rehabilitate.

He didn’t have a year.

He hoped she forgave him.

“Ty?”

“Yeah Lt?”

“I need to speak to Garrett.”