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Death on Two Legs	By : Fourshotchild Category: Twilight Series > Het Views: 2927 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Author's Note: Alright, here's a new chapter! Surprise: There's going to be a new vampire thrown into the mix. Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read this story. Also, thank you for those who reviewed. I love hearing others' opinions. Please feel free to voice them! Oh, and enjoy this chapter! May I remind you that there will be no incest in this story. I browsed through the 'M' rated Charlie/Bella stories and discovered most are of that nature. Not mine. Just ew.

Death on Two Legs

"Good Company"

Chapter Two
Sleepless nights proved productive in taming primal tendencies. Having a hands on objective brought focus to the newborn family. Their first task, building shelter, proved inhuman strength gave them a disadvantage. The easy part lay with tearing down evergreens. A solid push toppled the living entities to the ground. No, the problem resided with carving the wood into fitting pieces. Charlie used a hunting knife at first. The blade snapped under a smidge of pressure. Bella tried using her fingernails to create grooves. Much like the utensil, the bark cracked into pieces. The twenty-four hour time limit she'd set, turned into a three weeks. It wasn't a terrible experience. The duo learned from each other's mistakes. They gradually understood their forceful limits.
When a finished log cabin stood on the ledge, they celebrated. Bella insisted on hunting endangered game. Of course, Charlie tried to dissuade his daughter but it only fueled the fire. She took off like a jackrabbit into the mountains. He trailed after her shaking his head. Her speed remained significantly faster than his. However, Charlie realized he had a talent for discovering her whereabouts. Bells could disappear without a trace and he knew her location. She had mixed theories over the development. His intelligent daughter believed him to be a tracker. It made sense. He was a police officer for twenty years. On the other hand, Bella considered the talent may rely on his venom. Since he created her, Charlie could probably sense her. They had no way of truly knowing. He was merely thankful that he could keep tabs on her. Isabella loved frolicking across the country.
On the shores of Indian Arm, Bella claimed a Eastern Cougar. She toyed with the predator first. At the time, he hadn't know the feline to be nearly extinct. Charlie watched the wrestling match from a three story perch. The overgrown cat ripped her tank top clawing at her chest. She glowered at the incisions and growled. Bells broke the cougar's neck and bit into its jugular. Crimson nectar dribbled down her chin. Full, she dropped the carcass on the icy ground. Her orangey spheres eyed the animal with curiosity. Charlie traveled to her side in silent question. She grinned wiping the blood from her mouth. "Wouldn't he make a good rug?" Chief Swan laughed for the first time since his change. He grabbed the creature's legs and threw its body over his shoulders. Bella beamed in delight. Women and decorating, he thought.
They returned home mid-twilight. Charlie skinned the tan animal leaving its innards for other meat eaters. He substituted dirt for salt. Bella hung the hide high in the trees so it'd collect heat. A brilliant smile beautified her already stunning features. "Ready to go inside? I need to put our stuff away." Chief Swan nodded and stepped through the threshold. It was a single room dwelling with dirt packed floors. There were no windows or doors. Only a single six foot hole allowed entrance. The width of the space extended twenty feet. However, the length was close to ten. Charlie built rafters to extend the room's height. His six foot frame needed some space. Of course, his skill was limited. He could touch the ceiling standing on his tiptoes. Bella found the action amusing.
"It has potential. I can't wait to build furniture! I'm thinking a chest first? We need to put our clothes somewhere. Or, I could build a shelves? That'd probably be easier. I still need to figure out carving."
"Slow down, Kid. We've got all the time in the world. I have some nails in my backpack. Practice stripping small pieces of wood first. If you can manage that, we'll build a bookcase. Poking holes in the wall isn't the best idea. We might demolish the entire cabin," he smirked. "Plus, you're right. The place needs a little something."
"Thanks, Dad," Bella chirped as she pressed a chaste kiss to cheek. If he could blushed, Charlie would've been several shades darker. The girl brought out the best in him. She reminded him so much of Renee. Underneath her passive exterior resided a free spirit. He hadn't realized until the change. Edward did a number on her. The moment that mind reader set eyes on his daughter, she hid herself. Bells admitted once that she felt unworthy of his affection. "I just wanted to be perfect for him," she'd said. Edward Cullen would regret ever stepping a foot into his life.
Shuffling noises snuck into the cabin. Charlie peeked outside to see Bella carrying a stack of novels. The pile towered above her five-six frame. One on top of the other, the paperbacks trembled beneath her grasp. The morning breeze flipped open the cover of particularly worn book. He crossed the threshold and took half of the treasures. Bella sighed in relief. "Thanks." She shuffled into the cabin and set them against the wall. It became her designated area. Chief Swan followed suit. He placed the others beside them. Bells smiled at the library. As long as she had literature, the teenager was happy as a clam.
"I'll grab the rest. Why don't you start on that bookshelf?"
"Sure, sure."
They exited the cabin together. Bella playfully waved a goodbye as she returned to their tarp covered workshop. Piles of pine littered the ground. Charlie watched her for a moment. His daughter's nimble fingers split a hefty log and traced the intricate grain. Her bright eyes determined. He shook his head and headed south. The rustic Chevy still housed a majority of their clothes. Chief Swan cantered down the mountainside with a light step. His senses subconsciously stretched across the terrain. Several heartbeats thumped fifty yards away near the river. Moose, he thought. A soft patter sifted from the east. Its sound foreign and lax. Charlie paused to analyze it. No gust of breath or pumping heart meant no immediate threat. Curious, he shifted course heading towards the noise.
The delicate sound ceased after his change in direction. It was almost like the creature vanished. He'd known only one evasive being, the redhead. Charlie closed his eyes to focus. His mind searched for Victoria. Nothing popped up. He'd hoped his gift with Bella would somehow transfer. Disappointed, he searched for a scent instead. His nostrils flared and caught a subtle hint of honey. "Strange," he breathed. The sweetener was rare in British Columbia. Charlie opened his eyes but remained alert. Most likely, a bear had crossed their territory. Its scent probably clung to forest. Charlie huffed and redirected his path. He took four steps before being tackled onto a thick patch of ice.
Chief Swan reacted instantly. With newborn strength, he threw the attacker into an ancient evergreen. It toppled over creating a domino effect. Six plants fell. The crash alerted Bella. Her essence torpedoed towards location. Charlie gazed upon the sly vampire. He had risen but hadn't continue with his assault. His vibrant irises held unmistakable amusement. "Sorry, that was rude of me. I'm Garrett." Chief Swan responded with a fierce glare. The blonde haired male laughed heartily. Its rich sound cracked his original abhorrence. It reminded him too much of Billy Black.
Snow exploded into the battle ground announcing Bella's arrival. Their intruder snarled at the sudden evasion. Of course, Bells growled right back. She protectively crouched in front of Charlie. His daughter looked undeniably lethal. "Isabella, I'm okay. He just surprised me." Not a complete lie. "Why don't you calm down? This is Garrett." Bella straightened herself but kept a distrustful eye on the newcomer. His warmth had all but dissipated.
"Do you work for Victoria?"
"Bella," Charlie frowned.
"What, Dad? We need to know. There isn't a doubt in my mind that she'll be hunting us soon. I've already dealt with Laurent. I don't want us to get tangled further in her vendetta." Her orbs flickered between the two men. "Well, are you one of her pawns? If you are, let's just finish this."
"Nope. I tend to stick to myself. Drama isn't my thing," Garrett smirked.
"Okay. Good."
"Well Son, is there something I can do for you? You're a long ways away from a populated city. We've been here a month and I haven't sensed you." The young man nodded bobbing his ponytail. He brushed a few crumbs of dirt off his t-shirt. Like the handful of immortals Charlie had seen, he was handsome. Even with the pine needles in his hair and mud on his jeans, the kid looked sharp.
"I was just passing through. It's been a while since I've ran through Canada. It's the perfect time of year to explore northern America. I didn't mean to attack you like that. You just give off this dangerous aura. I don't know. It kind felt like a do or die situation. I'm truly sorry."
"You get that impression from him," Bella asked perplexed.
"Yeah, it's hard to explain. You know when you meet a vamp that screams steer clear? That's him," he said pointing to the chief. "It's kind of like I get a kitten vibe from you." A growl permeated the conversation. Garrett held up his hands in mock defense. "Obviously, that's not true. You came flying through the trees like a bat out of hell. This is entirely speculation. I haven't survived three centuries ignoring my instincts. You're probably just a sweet kid."
"Kid? I'll show you kid."
"Isabella Marie, settle down. You are a kid, my kid. We have no idea what he's capable of. Rein in that anger right now Missy."
"Wait a second. Are you telling me that you're actually father and daughter?"
"She didn't call me Dad without reason. The name's Charlie Swan. This is my biological daughter. We came into this life a little over a month ago." Pure shock bloomed on Garrett's face. "It's been a difficult transition. We came to Canada to work out the kinks."
"Kinks? Are you kidding? Some vampire changed you and left you to survive on your own? Damn. I take it you know nothing of our laws?"
"We know the basics. Bella knew a coven in our hometown. She pulled me out of the hospital and taught me the essentials. Without her guidance, I'd probably be bleeding Washington dry. Victoria changed me on accident and I turned Bells when I awoke. She's taken to immortality like a duck on water. We'd hoped to come across an older vampire to teach us the missing points. Wouldn't happen to be interested? It'd do us a great service."
A wide smile spread across the man's face exposing a set of dimples. Garrett extended a hand and Charlie shook it. "It'd be an honor." The red eyed vampire offered another hand to Bella. She accepted reluctantly. It was obviously clear she had little trust for the nomad. Chief Swan gave her a heated gaze. She rolled her eyes and vacated the area. Garrett whistled at her speed. "Girl's has some natural talent. Hopefully it'll last after the newborn stage." The former cop nodded not really understanding his meaning. Did certain abilities whither over time? Bells hadn't mentioned it.
The men followed her trail to the cabin's perch. She'd already returned to crafting a bookcase. A pile of wooden shavings lay beside her. Bella ignored their presence trying to concentrate. Charlie invited him into their home offering a detailed explanation on its completion. His companion commented that new vampires usually ran wild. He, himself, refused to settle. "It's a vampire thing. We can't stay still for very long. You'll get tired of the scenery. The Volturi are the only vamps I know that stick to one place." Chief Swan asked about them. He was curious how their laws were managed. "Well, they're like royalty. You make a mistake like outing yourself or creating an immortal child, they'll roast you. That's the extent of their involvement. They have a hoard of talented vampires whose sole purpose is killing. We call them guardians. If you ever come across one, run."
"Bells mentioned Aro's obsession with collecting gifted bloodsuckers." Garrett laughed and strolled outside. His focus shifted to the chief's daughter. She felt his eyes burning at her back. Bella threw a glare over her shoulder. The piece of pine she'd been working on cracked. Red circled her vision. Charlie interceded before things got out of hand. "Isabella." One word ended the conflict. She tossed the wasted material aside and started anew.
"Yeah, the Volturi love powerful beings. Aro has the ability to touch any living thing and gain its memories. He definitely uses it to his advantage. I'm surprised you know about them. He has at least twenty vamps in his army. No one can stand against them. It's physically impossible."
"Smart man," Charlie noted. "Bella thinks I'm sort of tracker. I know where she is at all times. It only works with her though. I've tried searching for Victoria but it doesn't work. Do you think it's just a bond between maker and child?"
"I highly doubt it. There isn't a huge pull with sharing venom. Honestly, the woman who bit you fueled both of your transformations. You haven't been around long enough to create your own poison. After the newborn stage, you can birth personal children. I think you might be able to track people you've met before. Isabella's the only person you've been around after the change. I bet you could find me now. Why don't we try?" Garrett wasted no time. He darted north into the dense forest. The wind blew his scent in an opposing direction. The man knew how to hide. Charlie stared into the frozen pit. A warm hand broke him from his thoughts.
"It'll be nice to know," Bella smiled.
"Sure, it would. I like the idea of knowing where our enemies are." He closed his eyes and felt the connection. Garrett had veered right towards water. Charlie sensed him closing in on Mount Seymour. "I'll be damned. I know exactly where he's heading." It was like a GPS system. He couldn't actually see his test subjects' surroundings, he just knew their location. It was as simple as breathing. "I wonder if this will disappear over time. He mentioned some things fade."
"Not gifts, Dad. He means abilities like speed and strength. Since we have enormous amounts of human blood in our systems, we are at our maximum potential. Even if we feed on a hundred humans, our bodies can't hold fluids the same. Animal blood is even worse. We'll be slightly weaker than a human drinker. It's the price we pay though. I don't think I could take someone's life."
"Well, that's good to know. Is that why our eyes are changing color?"
"Yeah, animal drinkers have golden eyes. Don't ask me why. I'm kind of surprised Garrett hasn't asked us about our diet. He probably figured it out earlier," she mused. "I guess I'm going to return to building. The jerk messed me up. I was so close to having two straight boards! I should demand he make a chest. That'll teach him." Charlie chuckled ruffling his daughter's hair. She swatted his hand away. "Stop that! I already have She-Woman dreadlocks."
"Whatever, Bells. You look beautiful."
"I'd have to agree," piped a voice from behind the cabin. Bella jumped completely unaware. Charlie sniggered and teased her for not paying attention. "So, it worked huh? That's quite the gift. I'd keep quiet about it. Aro's tracker is very similar. He catches the tenor of one's mind and can find their location anywhere in the world. You'll have to test your limits someday." Garrett sauntered to their sides with a delighted grin. "What about you, Isabella? Do you have any unusual gifts?"
"No, nothing special."
"Isabella, he's here to help," the chief chided.
"Fine. It's probably nothing. When I was human, I met a vampire that could read minds. Fortunately, I was exempt from his gift. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break through. I thought something was wrong with me. His creator considered that my brain might naturally block potential threats. I became somewhat of a science project."
"Sounds like a shield to me. Obviously, it's weak in some areas. Your father can track you down. You might be immune to mental attack. I can't really help you there. I just have basic abilities. I'd suggest finding a gifted vampire. However, if you're a mental blocker, your father must have a physical tracking ability." Garrett glanced at the mustached male. "You're using typical senses to find your prey. Maybe just seeing a person entitles you to their makeup."
"Thank you, Garrett. I appreciate the insight."
"No problem! If you want, I can help you train. The newborn stage can be frustrating. Both of you need to learn how to protect yourselves against seasoned vampires. Many attack without notice. It's engrained in our psyches. We're predators first and foremost. Don't ever forget that."
"When should be start," Charlie asked. An eager tone juiced his words. Bella nudged her father slightly. He eyed her with a 'what' expression. It earned the family more amused laughter. Garrett suggested now. Bells shrugged her shoulders. Both Swans awaited instructions promptly. The nomad led them away from the cabin into a clearing he'd discovered on his earlier excursion. Simple tasks ensued. They began becoming familiar with their hearing and surrounding scents. Charlie proved to be naturally atoned due to his ability. Bella struggled. She was easily distracted with simple intrusions. Garrett explained most new vampires had the same problem. He worked patiently with her. The time spent loosened her animosity towards him.
By nightfall, the trio formed a friendly bond. Charlie enjoyed the man's company. They filled the visitation with jokes and past experiences. Bella grew comfortable enough to ask personal questions surrounding his life. He was more than happy to divulge the information. "It's only fair. You've told me so much about yourself," he'd smiled. It broke her remaining discomfort. Bells began treating the man like a Cullen. She multitasked building her senses while picking his brain. One could see the man rarely interacted with people. He's typical joyful nature expanded into overzealous beatitude. It became contagious. As they returned home, everyone had a pep to their step. Garrett even aided Bella's furniture project. It took him less than an hour to put together the fancied bookcase. She smiled ear-to-ear when the finished piece sat against the wall. Both men chortled as they watched her alphabetize the spines.
"She's going to put you to work," Charlie teased. "That girl is stubborn as a mule. Just wait. She'll have you building the chest next."
"Char-Dad, I'm sitting right here."
"Oh really? I hadn't noticed." Bella charged at him before he could blink. Her velocity knocked him off his feet. Dirt particles puffed into the closed space. Charlie blinked in surprise. A slow, predatory-like grin pulled at his lips. His daughter noticed the shift immediately. Giggling like a mad woman, she dashed outside and up a tree. Chief Swan was right on her tail. Their growls echoed within the canopies. Both had an advantage, speed verses tracking. Of course, Charlie claimed victory. Her youth was unparalleled to his years of police training. "Gotcha!" They toppled from an evergreen in fits of laughter. It felt wonderful. He missed hearing his daughter's lovely mirth. Today had been a good day.
"Hey guys? Did you know there's a dead animal hanging up there," Garrett shouted pointing towards the cougar. "Is it covered in dirt?" Confusion pulled at his brow, while his neck tilted back at an odd angle. It turned Bella's giggles into full blown cackles. Her arms grip her sides in a comical manner. The nomad fixated on her hunched form and pouted. "What? It's true!"
"It's my hide! Don't hate the rug."
"Rug? You mean your flea invested dirt mat? Gross." The insult didn't fly. Bella sprang. Neither male caught her pounce. Instead, the teenager leapt into the pine's branches retrieving the moist skin. She stretched it open like a map. Garrett's eyes bugged realizing the situation. He took off in a gallop. True to Bella's grace, she caught up to the blonde solider wrapping the endangered fur around him. "Ugh!"
Charlie sat back and eyed the spectacle. The chief finally realized how much they needed the vampire, emotionally and knowledge based. He was the first friend they'd made in this life, and Garrett wouldn't be the last. It brought a sprinkle of hope to eternity. Maybe Bella wouldn't be alone with her old man forever. Life's experiences were still within her reach. Chief Swan made another silent promise to ensure these moments. Just the sight of her playing like an adolescent brought venomous tears to his eyes. With a little time, they could even expand their family. He understood Carlisle's logic. What man would want to live forever in solitude? The handsome ancient wriggling before him stood testament to loneliness. Charlie never wanted that for his daughter.
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Death on Two Legs