Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight…

Chapter 14 – Surprises

BPOV

Chris began to lower his lips to my neck, kissing and caressing my skin there. He looked at my face then and perhaps he saw the raw panic that threatened to consume me at any moment, because he stopped kissing and moved to my vein. "Ready?"

I nodded. "I'm ready." I felt his razor teeth at my skin and then screamed at the gush of pure, unadulterated, pain as he tore through me. "Edward, I love you," was my last conscious thought.

The next few days passed in what I can only describe as a blurry dream. Sometimes I could hear some snippets of the conversation around me and other times I could see Christopher standing over me with a concerned expression, but most of the time I was completely unaware of my surroundings or myself. Whenever I felt the flicker of fire returning in my veins it was quickly dulled with more medication than was probably safe for a human to take in an entire year.

But now, the pain and numbness had both passed. I heard someone whisper, "Bella, are you awake?" Cold hands held my face and my body instantly soothed as if reassured by the familiar feel. "Bella?" I opened my eyes unwillingly and it took me a few seconds to recognize Christopher's classic good looks.

I groaned. The normal lighting felt so much more intense to my new eyes. "Everything is so much brighter, it hurts." Suddenly, I heard huge slams against the wooden floor and I was sure that it was about to collapse. It took me a little while to realize that the sound was just Christopher's light footsteps. "And louder. Ouch."

"Don't worry, you just need a bit of time to adjust to your new body," he reassured me, but something about him was off, concerned still somehow. Right. New body. I was a vampire. I couldn't believe I was finally, actually changed. I needed to see the proof for myself. I tried to get out of bed, using one of the wooden poles of the canopy to support myself. Abruptly I heard a loud crunching and watched in astonishment as the thick pole snapped in half and crumbled to pieces, tilting the entire frame of the bed.

"I never liked the furniture in here anyway," he chuckled. He offered his hand and helped me lift myself. Weirdly, I observed that my skin tone didn't seem that much different from before. Maybe I really was part albino, I thought as I sat up. Immediately, I became aware of the dry ache in my throat. It was imperative that I drink something. Now.

"I need… I need water," I said gruffly. Christopher responded softly, an amused smile on his face. "No Bella, you need blood. You're one of us now, remember? Come, there's some game just a mile or so from here-"

"No. I need water. I'm telling you, I've felt like this before. I'm dehydrated." I maintained. He opened his mouth to protest.

"Please! Just get me something to drink. It's an emergency."

He was back in a moment with a tall glass of ice water. "Be careful, you're going to have to cough this up later, better not go too-" He paused, mid-sentence, shocked, as I guzzled down the liquid with relief.

"More, "I croaked. I drank until the sensation had all but disappeared into the faintest buzz. It wasn't until then that I registered what I had just done. I looked up at Christopher who was still too surprised to articulate anything.

"I- What? I'm… I was changed right?" I choked, panicking. I tried to gain control of my limbs but they felt like strangers. I finally managed to get up and speed across the room to find a mirror. What I saw horrified me even more. My face had been adjusted slightly. My nose was straighter and my jaw had become sharper, more angular in a way, which emphasized my new, thicker lips. My eyes were wider and slanted the tiniest bit outward. My lashes were longer and swept against my more prominent cheekbones, but my irises… My irises were not the topaz gold or blood red I had imagined myself with countless times. They were, in fact, the exact same shade of chocolate brown that they had always been.

And my skin tone had looked so familiar because it was familiar! It was the same light, peachy, shade that it had been before, not the stone white color of vampires. The shadows under my eyes were almost nonexistent as well. They were far less prominent than a vampire's even immediately after a hunting trip. My hair was smoother, a silkier material, and overall I was sure I was more beautiful than most humans, I recognized with some satisfaction, but I didn't look like a normal vampire.

"What, what's wrong with me? I'm almost the same. My eyes are brown. I- I drank water. And I'm not craving blood…" I stammered. "Am I human? I don't understand. What is this?" I pleaded, bewildered.

Christopher just shook his head. "I don't really know. I've never seen anything quite like this before. It's, perhaps… maybe it's some sort of power… Let's say… because your most dominant trait was your humanity…?" he offered tentatively.

Humanity was the key word. I recalled what I had determined to do before I was changed, to remember my past life, as a human, no matter how much time passed. Oh no, I had clung so obstinately to my humanity that I had remained human. Well, human-esque anyway.

"The strangest part is that you smell exactly as you did when I first saw you," he assessed.

Perfect. My stupid, ridiculous scent had stayed the same. The same darn scent that had tempted both Edward and later, James, to kill me. The same scent that had loudly proclaimed my humanity to Christopher, designating me as the perfect target. Now, even after I had been changed I was some sort of vampire freak and I smelled the same way. I hate my scent!

"Bella!" Chris shouted, alarmed. "What did you just do? If I hadn't seen you before me I would have thought you disappeared. It was like your scent just cut off…"

My scent… I thought about it again, how tedious and annoying and troublesome it was to smell this way… I was furious.

"You're doing it again. Wow, Bella. I think, well, it appears that in addition to your humanistic traits, you are somehow also able to diminish your scent, even dissolve it completely at your own will… Interesting, I mean, it's quite a handy talent."

"Handy?" I asked, doubtfully. To me, it seemed as though I was an abnormal, warped, vampire with an unhelpful talent. Who cared if I could lessen the way I smelled. I doubted that it could cause me more trouble, now that I was changed.

Christopher saw the skepticism on my face. "Well, as vampires we rely almost entirely on our keen sense of smell. It's how we locate our prey, recognize one another's presence… If you could cut off your scent, you'd be almost impossible to find, not that you'd particularly need that in this environment," he backtracked, not wanting me to think I would need to hide anytime soon.

"But that brings me to my next question… Bella, how much do you remember?" he asked.

I scrambled to recall all my memories, to check if they were in some way imperfect or modified. No, thankfully, I could remember everything. In fact, I could recall the last few years in more perfect detail than I could have done before. As I thought of Edward a huge pang of agony racked through my body. I reminded myself that I needed to stay on track and execute my plan. I was a vampire now, however strange, and I had to focus on escaping and finding my angel. I thought about all the details I had learnt throughout my stay at the mansion. If I was quick and creative, I might be able to catch Christopher off guard. But how would my strange abilities affect my escape?

I realized he was still waiting for me to answer. Lie, I told myself. Lie convincingly so that he won't suspect anything.

I tried to look pensive. "I, I wanted this, to be changed. I know all about vampires… We drink animal blood, sparkle in the sunlight, we're immortal," I bit my lip in false concentration. "My mother… my mother and father were divorced. She remarried... um Bill, a basketball player. No, that's not right… Am I supposed to remember? Everything's fuzzy," I sounded sad even to my own ears. Wow, maybe vampires were naturally good liars as well.

"It's different for everyone. Some people don't have any human memories, others have some… they all fade eventually though. It's better for you this way I think, you told me that you didn't want to dwell on your past," he spoke very quietly, so as not to hurt my new powerful ear drums. I nodded, relieved he believed my deception.

"So you don't remember anything about the past few years?" he qualified.

"Well, not specifically. I mean I remembered your name, when I looked at you. And I know that I'm safe here, and that we're on an island. I don't exactly remember how I got here, or why… I used to live in Washington, I think." I tried to appear thoughtful again.

"Don't trouble yourself, darling. Like I said, it's completely expected that you would forget things. It's easier this way. Trust me. Really, we should focus more on your, um, special situation. It truly is one of the most spectacular gifts I've ever seen and I think we should explore the details…" Chris gave me a brilliant smile.

Over the next few days we did explore the fine points of my odd condition. I discovered that while I appeared differently than the others, I still had all the same magnified senses and capabilities. My thirst for blood, however, was significantly muted. I didn't feel the overriding desire to attack even the wild animals in the forests around us. I'd gone hunting once with Christopher and Cameron and the experience had been interesting. The large jaguar I'd killed had tasted pleasant and satisfied the faint buzz in the back of my throat, but it hadn't been the fulfillment of a dire need.

Chris speculated that the lack of intense bloodlust was connected to the fact that I drank water. Food was not specifically appealing to me and I hadn't been hungry since I'd awoken, but every so often I would become uncomfortably parched.

"It may be that your body somehow runs on diluted blood. You only need to take in nourishment occasionally but you need the water to augment the supply…" he had stated after thinking for a long time. I had agreed, it was the best theory I had heard so far.

No one was positive about how I would react to humans, but most believed that if my craving was so naturally insignificant, then I would be all but immune to their appeal, as well. I truly hoped they were correct. If they were, then I wouldn't need to waste all those years at perfecting self-control. I could find Edward so much sooner, immediately even.

Another thing I experimented with was my scent. It could, I realized, be a very useful talent if I used it correctly. A more specific design framed in my mind. Of course! That would be how I would sneak on the plane, I decided. If I was able to get on to the jet to California before the other vampires did, then I could cut off my scent and stay quiet and none of them would discover my presence. It would still be a fairly difficult task, but once I slipped onto the plane I would be undetectable. So I spent hours learning how to manage and force my scent to diminish at my will. I was rather good at it after a few trial sessions.

After I got over the shock of all my oddities, I found that I really liked my special abilities. I remembered everything, after all, and that had been the most important to me. Somehow, I doubted I would ever forget my human experiences. It was also a tremendous relief not to fear that I would want to kill my own parents or friends out of bloodlust. I knew Edward would be especially pleased that I wouldn't have to struggle with the internal battle between my desires and my conscience that had always plagued him.

Even the fact that my appearance was not very different was a comforting asset. In fact, I wondered if the Cullens would even realize that I was a vampire when I finally saw them. I smiled fleetingly as I recalled Edward's request that I challenge Emmett to an arm wrestling match after I was changed. I was going to win. I was just as powerful as any newborn, but with the control and ease of a much older vampire. The combination was deadly. I felt the familiar twinge of sorrow at the thoughts of Edward and his family and I knew that I needed to return to them as soon as possible. I couldn't handle the grief anymore. I was thoroughly prepared. I needed to make my move.

What I was not prepared for, however, was Christopher's shift in attitude. It seemed that without the constant reminder and threat of Edward, he was actually a pretty nice guy. He would genuinely inquire about the welfare of all his people and address any problems with a calm and rational approach. He didn't push me romantically and he was content simply spending time with me, talking. Once I even found him gently returning a small blue egg to the nest it had fallen from, when he thought no one was around. I could see how, in another lifetime, he was friends with Edward. They had probably hunted evil humans together, probably waited out the sunny days together in hiding…

Sometimes, I would catch Chris just staring at me intently.

"What is it?" I finally asked.

"Nothing," he shook his head.

"Come on," I persisted.

"It's just… Well, you're making all my dreams come true. But I wonder if I'm fulfilling yours…"

The question was rhetorical. I avoided his gaze, looking away, apologetically. The truth was, Chris would make someone very happy someday, but that someone was simply not me, despite what he believed. I already had my soul mate and I needed him with every fiber of my being. Even the short time since we had been separated had felt like years of torture. I was sorry about Christopher's fate, but I couldn't be happy without Edward. I just couldn't. And the jet to California left tomorrow.

"I have to go," I'd answered and then sprinted away.

The next day I was especially careful to act casual. I offhandedly mentioned that I was going on a long hunt and then crept over to the area where the jets were kept, a few hours before departure. I took one last look at my beautiful surroundings. Soon, I would be back in Forks and all of this would seem like a dream… or more like a twisted nightmare. Everything would be different though, I knew. And we would probably have to flee instantly, before Christopher could come after us. But no matter what changed, I would have Edward. That's all I needed to survive.

I stretched thoroughly, knowing that I was about to spend a lot of time crouched in a tiny space, hidden on an airplane. I found the jet I needed. It only took a flick of the wrist to get the door open. I stepped over the threshold –

"Bella, where do you think you're going?" Christopher voice came from behind me, suspicious, angry, and confused simultaneously.

Damn it! He had found me. I weighed my options. I could fight him, I supposed. I had a chance of winning, too, since I was so strong, although Chris was definitely more experienced than I was. But what was I thinking! He's the damn leader of this coven. He would have help in seconds. And even if he didn't, I could never do what it takes to kill him, even if he was my captor… This was my only chance though. If he stopped me now, I'd probably never get away.

"Chris," I whispered, vacillating between lying and telling the truth. Finally I settled on honesty. "Chris, I remember. I remember everything. Please…"

His eyes tightened in disbelief. He shook his head in denial. "I can't believe… You, you lied to me… I thought…" he stumbled over his words. "We were supposed to be together, Bella. I thought that we could –"

"No Christopher. I could never. I could never be with anyone except Edward, I just can't!" I exclaimed. "This whole time it has been hurting me, killing me. Every second of every day has been painful. I love him! can't you see that? You stole me from the man I loved… That doesn't just dissolve, not after a couple of weeks and not even after a couple of decades. Please, please Chris. Please…" I begged.

He looked at my broken expression, his mouth pressed into a tight line. "What about me? Don't I deserve any happiness?" he demanded, his voice hard. "Don't I deserve any peace, any joy? Any love? We, we were going to have everything, Bella. It would've been perfect…" he stopped suddenly, sidetracked. "Leigh… her gift is to instill childbirth. We would've been parents…" his eyes glazed over and I could tell that he was picturing the whole thing in his mind's eye. "Why, Bella? First Allison, now you… I was growing to love you, Bella. In some ways, I loved you since I first heard you speak… I don't, I don't understand why this happened to me." He stopped talking then and I could see the anguish clearly on his face. It was the same look that I had seen at the club, pure and utter sadness.

"I'm sorry," I said, truly remorseful. I was surprised to see that my tear ducts still functioned, as well. His pain struck a chord with me. "I'm sorry that she broke your heart, but this is not my fault. I didn't mean to lead you on, I just – I need to get back to him. My whole being aches for him; I can't be there for you. I wish –"

"Stop, Bella," he waited for a while, thinking.

"I, I guess I brought this upon myself, I see that now. Damn it! I knew that you loved him and I took you anyway… And look, I've hurt you infinitely and yet you're apologizing to me. I changed you," he spoke with fierce self-loathing. "I changed you, I stole your humanity, and it still didn't matter. You love him and only him."

I opened my mouth to say something, anything to make it better, because beneath his arrogant façade was a pain that I was newly familiar with.

"Go Bella!" He spoke harshly, then paused and softened his voice, "Go. You can go, Bella. You can go, I- I messed up." He chuckled humorlessly and turned away in defeat.

"Chris," I called after him. "Chris… you're going to find her someday. I just know it. I'm sure she's out there, somewhere. She's going to be everything you always dreamed about. And thank you, Chris. Thank you for letting me go…" he gave me a weak smile and then sped away. I felt remorseful but I was predominantly relieved. I was safe. We were safe. We wouldn't have to flee when I found Edward. Everything was going to be fine. No, everything was going to be perfect...

Since I was no longer in jeopardy of being caught by Christopher I spent the flight seated in one of the luxurious couches instead of concealed in a secret hideaway. None of the other vampires spoke to me, so it was a quiet trip. I regretted not having said goodbye to Cam, Leigh, and some of the other friends I had made at the mansion. But even though I had been freed, I thought it best to leave as soon as possible and not linger until another complication arose.

The entire trip I delighted in fantasizing about being reunited with Edward. He would be so surprised to see me. He would still be in Forks, I hoped. If not I would track him, follow him to the ends of the earth if necessary. I wondered how everyone would react to the fact that I was a vampire. Edward had been adamant that I remain human, but surely under these circumstances he would understand. It seemed like a different lifetime when we had last spoken about it in his bedroom, before Alice's party. After a while, I fell into my approximation of slumber. I didn't require sleep, like humans, but I wasn't immune to it, like other vampires, either. Instead I was like a super-sensitive sleeper. I could wake up at a moments notice if I chose. It was peaceful, if not completely refreshing.

Before I knew it we had reached the airport in California. I was immediately terrified that I would attack an unsuspecting human, but luckily, the predictions had been right and I felt no uncontrollable desire for their blood. Now I just had to get back home. I had no idea how to steal a car and though I was sure I could convince anyone of the men staring at me to drive me to Washington, I decided to run there instead.

Running, long-distance, through the forests, was every bit as exhilarating as Edward had described it. The speed was invigorating. I knew that when the time came I would probably enjoy driving faster as well. Edward was going to love that; he would definitely try to buy me a new fancy car… Well, maybe I wouldn't object this time. Maybe. Soon enough I was crossing the boundary into Forks. I passed by the town heading directly towards the comforting and beautiful Cullen home, which I had thought I would never see again. The turn off towards their driveway was much easier to spot now, impossible to miss. I smirked as I realized all the benefits of being a vampire.

As I ran I wanted to shout Edward's name at the top of my lungs. No, better to surprise him, I thought, thinking of all the times he had appeared out of thin air behind me or in my bedroom. I concentrated on fading my scent, until it was gone completely. I could hear from the noises in the house that they were home. I heard Edward's velvet voice in the living room. "It's alright. Really, I'm alright. Let's continue," he was telling someone. G-d how I had missed that voice...

I slowed my pace and slinked around to the eastern side of the house, to the huge glass windows and peered in. And there was Edward, my angel, on the couch, his eyes closed. The time away from him had made me even more susceptible to his beauty and I noted that he truly was the epitome of perfection. Sitting next to him was the pretty Neilan girl, Sara. But what really stunned me, what it took me a second or so to realize, is that they were both leaning towards each other, slowly, their lips about to touch in a sweet embrace.

"Oh My G-d," I gasped, staggering backwards. "Oh my G-d! He moved on."

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Author's note and question: Did you guys like this chapter? If you did please REVIEW! Also, would you guys like the next chapter to be in Bella or Edward's POV?

Questions, constructive criticism, and anonymous reviews are all welcome. Tell me what you think, I'm begging you! And thanks so much for reading, guys.

p.s. As much as I hate setting review limits, I probably won't update until I get 20 reviews...