Title: Twilight Soldier
Author: Azure the Dragonlady
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Don't own Dark Angel or Twilight.
Summary: Dark Angel/ Twilight Crossover. X5 Bella/Edward. No Pulse. After escaping the harsh treatment at the hands of a secret government organisation known as Manticore, X5-472 has tried to settle into life as an Ordinary with varying degrees of success. Going by the name Bella, which was given to her by the CO of her unit, Zack, she comes across the Swan family and is soon adopted by them.
Years later, after an Eyes Only broadcast revealing the possibility of her location being compromised, she decides to go to a small town called Forks. There, she meets Edward Cullen. They both have their seeming impossible secrets, but that doesn't stop them from being drawn to each other. However, when Bella's past finally begins to catch up with her after ten years on the run, she finds that her life just got even more complicated.
Author's Note: NaNoWriMo 2009/2013/2014 Entry. It is set during season one of Dark Angel.

Chapter 22: Billy's Warning

Bella was happy. It was genuine happiness, which she hadn't truly felt since she was with her siblings. Her relationship with Edward was as strong as ever which had only strengthened her ties to the Cullen family and even Rosalie was beginning to warm up to her. She was overcoming the horrors she had witnessed growing up at the hands of Manticore. It had taken her several years, but she was moving on with her life.

Bella packed her overnight bag, as Alice, who got along with Charlie, managed to convince him to let Bella come over for a sleepover. Alice told Charlie that the boys had gone camping, so it would be just the girl's night out.

It didn't take long to get Charlie to agree. It seemed that Alice had him wrapped around her every word. Alice seemed to have that effect on people, as Bella was beginning to find out. No one could resist Alice's charm. Not even her at times, and she had been trained to resist all kinds of torture.

Bella placed the last of her clothes in the overnight bag and zipped it closed. She made her way down the stairs and found Charlie sitting in front of the television, watching a game of baseball. Charlie looked up as Bella came into the lounge.

"Well, Charlie." Bella smiled at him. "I'm off."

"I thought Alice was picking you up?" He asked confused.

Bella shook her head in the negative. "No, I decided to take the truck. Save her a trip, although I don't think she minded either way."

Charlie smiled, as he no doubt recalled Alice's personality. "No, I don't think she would have."

His face turned serious. "Now are you sure that it would just be the girls there? Just you Alice and the other Cullen girl? What's her name?"

"Rosalie," Bella supplied helpfully.

"Ah, yes, Rosalie," Charlie replied. "Now are you sure it's just you three? There will be no boys there. While I trust you Bella, I don't trust these boys."

Bella laughed. "I wouldn't worry Charlie," she told him. "Mrs. Cullen will be there and Mr. Cullen will be out with the boys. I doubt I will even see them. They've probably left already. I know they wanted to get an early start."

Charlie's face lightened as he believed the lie.

"Bye Charlie."

"Goodbye. Have fun," Charlie called out to her as she made her way outside.

When she closed the door behind her and stepped out on the front steps she found herself surrounded.

Bella dropped her bag and slipped immediately into a fighting stance in one fluid movement.

She quickly assessed the situation. At least twenty to one, possibly even more hidden in the bushes. Their leader stepped forward.

"X5-472," the leader called out with authority.

"Lydecker," Bella acknowledged. She tightened her fists and she readied herself for a fight. "All these soldier just for me?" She asked coyly.

"You can come home willingly," Lydecker told her. "Or we can take you home by force."

Bella calculated the best route to the forest behind her house. She needed to take out at least eight without getting hit by bullets or tasers before she could make it to the forest. Bella took a deep breath to steady herself.

"Well?" Lydecker asked but before he could say anything further, Bella leapt to the side. She took down the first TAC soldier in one smooth motion. She took down the second and the third before they could react.

"Taser her!" Lydecker ordered.

The soldiers sprang into action but not before Bella took out the fourth. She dodged three incoming tasers with relative ease, but a fourth hit her just as she took out a fifth soldier. The electric shock coming through the wire jolted her but she was able to overcome it. She snapped off the point connecting the taser to her clothes. She kicked the sixth soldier in the head, knocking him down instantly before she was hit by another taser.

"472," Lydecker was shouting out her. "Bella."

Bella turned to Lydecker sharply. She didn't realise that he knew her name, the name that her siblings had given her all those years ago at Manticore. Next to Lydecker, another soldier was dragging Charlie out of the house.

"Charlie," She whispered, defeated, even as three more tasers hit her without hesitation.

"Come quietly, or we shoot him," Lydecker said, giving her the ultimatum. After all Charlie had done for her, she couldn't let them kill him, not because of her and her secret.

Bella sighed in defeated. She dropped her fighting stance.

Lydecker nodded to the soldier nearest her. She was tasered once again and Bella felt the darkness creeping up on her. Before she succumbed, her last thought was of Edward and their relationship and how much she would miss him and his family.

Edward…

"Edward," Bella said. "Edward… Edward…"

"Edward," she said sharply. Her eyes snapped open and she sat up abruptly. Edward had his arm wrapped around her and Bella could feel his hand in her hair, as he combed his fingers through her hair in a comfortingly gesture.

"Bella?" Edward's voice was soft and smooth. Her name was said in quiet undertones. It was then that Bella realised that she was in her bedroom like nothing had happened.

"Edward."

"You were dreaming," Edward told her softly.

"Dreaming," Bella echoed his statement, confused. "It felt so real."

"It wasn't," Edward assured. "You're safe. We're in your bedroom."

"Lydecker?"

"Not anywhere around here. I'll take care of you," Edward said sincerely. "I won't let anything happen to you, Bella."

"Okay," Bella replied has she sunk back into her boyfriend's chest, trying to wrap her head around the dream. Edward stroked her hair softly and whispered to her comfortingly.

"It's alright," he was saying. "I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."

Bella sighed, closing her eyes gently.

She didn't know how long they stayed that way but she calmed down considerably. That nightmare really shook her, more so than they normally did. Perhaps because she had finally found her peace and knew that she could finally move on from Manticore and live happily with Edward and his family, or deep down she felt that all this was too good to be true.

"Bella?" Edward spoke her name softly so as not to disturb the peace they had found after her nightmare.

"Yes?" Bella replied, opening her eyes. She turned her head up to look at Edward behind her.

"Did you want to talk about it?" Edward asked her gently.

Talk about it? Bella echoed in her thoughts. She hadn't even considered talking about it.

When she didn't reply he continued, "Was it Manticore?"

"Yes," Bella answered truthfully.

Bella could see the concern in his face and Bella knew that she should tell him. A part of her, for some reason, didn't want to. Perhaps it was fear that Edward would realise she was a burden and came with too much baggage and would leave her. She knew it was silly to think that but she couldn't help it. She felt that it was too good to be true, to be accepted by not only Edward but his family as well, and her dream only confirmed this.

"Did you want to talk about it?" Edward asked her again.

Bella shook her head. "Not yet."

Edward searched for something in her eyes and he said, "If you don't want to talk about it to me, then perhaps Carlisle or even Jasper?"

This time it was Bella's turn to look sharply and search for Edward's thinking in his eyes. "Sorry?" She asked. She didn't know where this was going.

"Carlisle and Jasper might be able to help with your nightmares." Edward explained softly. "Jasper, especially has been trained in the military and knows what it is like. He may be able to help you sort it out."

Bella took almost a minute to answer. "I'll think about it," she promised. "But I'm not sure if I'm ready."

"There is no hurry," Edward assured her quickly. "I'm just leaving it open to you."

"Thank you," Bella said honestly. "I appreciate it."

"There is nothing that I wouldn't do for you," Edward admitted honestly. "I care for you greatly."

Bella couldn't help the big grin that appeared on her face at that admission.

"I care for you too."

Edward flashed her one of his trademark smirks that Bella liked so much.

Edward face turned into a frown a moment later and Bella could see from his expression that he was able to hear something in someone's thoughts that he didn't like.

"Charlie?" Bella asked, concerned. "Does he know you're here?"

Edward shook his head. "No, he doesn't suspect I've been visiting you at night. No, that's not it."

"So what is it then?" Bella prompted. "It must be important if it has you so concerned."

"You are about to receive some visitors," Edward told her.

"Who?" Bella asked. "Charlie never mentioned anything about visitors to me last night."

"The Blacks and from what I can gather, it was a last minute decision," Edward told her. "He is currently debating whether or not to wake you up so that you can get ready or to let you sleep in."

"Well," Bella said. She manoeuvred her legs off the bed in a bid to stand up. "I better get ready then," Bella continued, standing up and stretching.

She turned to Edward who was smirking at her.

"What?" She said indigently.

"Nothing," Edward quickly replied, though the smirk was still evident.

"It must be something. You have a smirk on your face," Bella told him.

"Well, I've noticed that you like to stretch out a lot," Edward revealed.

"Huh?" Bella said, confused.

"You stretch out after you've sat down for a while or after you've woken up," Edward explained simply. "You look like a cat when you do that. It's amusing."

Bella frowned as she went over what she'd done in her head.

"Must be a feline thing," Bella told him, shrugging. She never really thought it was a big deal. Then what Edward said last suddenly occurred to her. "Wait, what do you mean it amuses you?"

"It just amuses me, that's all," Edward said. "It's…" Edward hesitated a moment as he considered Bella's mood and reaction.

"It's…?" Bella urged.

"I find it endearing," Edward admitted shyly.

"You find me stretching out like a feline endearing?" Bella asked incredulously.

"Yes," Edward confirmed. "I do."

"Well, ok," Bella said. Edward blinked at her lack of reaction and Bella had to laugh at that. "I don't mind," she told him honestly.

"I better get dressed," Bella sighed and she moved over to her closet. "If we are having visitors soon than I better be presentable."

Bella rummaged through her closet half-heartedly. The truth was that she didn't want Edward to leave and while she liked Jacob well enough as a potential friend, she would rather spend her free days with Edward and the Cullen's.

Bella pulled out a top and some jeans.

"I like you in that," Edward murmured as he drew Bella in his arms. "I don't want to go."

"And I don't want you to go either," Bella admitted as equally soft. "But I hate to think about Charlie's reaction if he catches you in here with me, in my pyjamas and especially in the morning. He might draw the wrong conclusion."

"You are right of course, but it doesn't make it any easier to go."

Edward's cold arms certainly didn't bother her at all, like it may do with some people. Bella kissed him. The kiss soon deepened and after a few moments, Edward pulled away. Bella couldn't help but pout a little at that.

"I'll see you very soon," Edward promised and with that he used his vampire gracefulness to jump out the window.

While she got dressed, she thought that while it wasn't the best start to the morning with the nightmare, Edward soon made it better. Much better, she thought with a grin. She was about to make her way to the bathroom when she heard a tentative knock on the door.

Bella opened the door. Charlie's hand was raised, about to knock on the door again.

"Good morning."

"Morning," Charlie replied, his eyes widening.

"Did you want something?" Bella asked.

"We'll be having visitors soon," Charlie supplied.

"Who?"

"Billy and Jacob."

Bella smiled. "I haven't caught up with Jacob in a while."

"Well, then, that's good," Charlie said, a little awkwardly. "I'll leave you to finish getting ready."

"What time did they say they were coming?" she asked.

"At 10."

Bella heard the Black's car before she saw it pull up in front of the house.

"They're here, Charlie," Bella called out.

By the time they reached the car, Jacob had his father's wheelchair assembled.

"Hey Jacob," Bella greeted.

Jacob looked up from his task. When his eyes met Bella's a smile grew wide on his face. "Hey Bella!" he returned grinning widely. "How are you?"

Bella smiled. "Good. Really good."

"Jacob," Charlie nodded.

"Charlie," Jacob returned.

"I'll help you," Charlie mentioned as he opened the passenger door, where Billy was patiently waiting.

"Hey, Billy."

"Charlie. Great to see you."

Jacob brought the wheelchair around.

"Here, dad," Jacob said as Charlie and Jacob manoeuvred themselves with practised ease to move Billy onto his wheelchair. Just as Billy moved himself so that he was comfortable on his wheelchair, it started to drizzle.

"I thought it was supposed to be sunny," Bella said, glancing up at the darkened sky.

"Maybe later," Jacob laughed. "That's Forks for you."

Bella went ahead of the boys and opened the front door, keeping it open. Charlie, Billy and Jacob, who was pushing Billy's wheelchair, trailed behind.

"Just in time," Bella commented.

"I think it is supposed to clear up," Charlie replied. "Are you able to stay for the game?" He asked Billy and Jacob.

Jacob grinned. "I think that's the plan. Our TV broke last week."

Billy made a face at his son. "And of course Jacob wanted to see Bella again." Jacob scowled and ducked his head. Bella laughed.

"Jacob mentioned that you have a boyfriend now," Billy said lightly, it contrasted his darkened face.

"Yes, I do."

"I see," Billy said, his tone now guarded and apprehensive. Bella eyes narrowed slightly before returning to her care free expression. "Would I know who he is?"

Bella didn't answer for a long moment.

"Bella," Charlie said, confused. "Are you going to answer Billy?"

Bella blinked, clearing her thoughts and schooling her expression. "Of course, sorry Billy, don't know where I was there."

"That's okay."

"Edward," Bella finally answered.

"Edward?" Billy said, deliberately searching for a last name. "That sounds familiar. What did you say his last name was?"

"I didn't," Bella said. "But, it's Edward Cullen. Do you know the Cullen's?"

Billy expression turned dark and he answered, "I am aware of who the Cullen's are."

There was a moment of awkward silence before Charlie cleared his throat at the tension that surrounded the conversation. "Now Billy," Charlie said. "Bella's happy and as long as Edward doesn't try anything untoward, I think I can live with them dating."

Billy frowned, but otherwise he was silent.

"Now," Charlie said. "I think you mentioned something about a game. I suggest we get settled before it starts."

"You're right," Billy said. "I think I left the snacks in the car though. Jacob?" Billy turned to

Jacob. "Would you please go grab them for me?"

Jacob huffed. "Of course dad." Jacob disappeared out of the door, hunching forward in the rain.

Billy turned to Bella. "Would you be able to help me grab a can of beer?"

Bella knew the request wasn't as innocent as it first appeared. Billy seemed desperate to get her alone and away from Charlie to talk to her.

"Sure can, Billy." Bella kept a pleasant tone. Charlie moved as if to stand.

"Don't worry about it Charlie," Bella told him. "I'm already up, I can get it."

"Thanks Bells," Charlie said to her.

"You just set up the game. Did you want anything?"

"Beer, please."

Bella walked over to the kitchen and Billy followed her, manoeuvring his wheelchair around obstacles.

Bella opened the fridge door and grabbed out two beers. "You wanted a beer, right?" She turned around to face the man in a wheelchair. He looked pensive.

"Beer?" she asked again.

"Bella," Billy started to say instead.

"Yes, a beer right?" Bella said deliberately.

"Bella," Billy said again. "We need to talk."

"What about?" Bella asked, feigning innocence. She wondered how exactly he was going to broach the topic of the Cullen's. She was waiting for it and she had already decided on what she was going to say.

"I don't think you should be hanging around the Cullen's," Billy frowned. He gripped the sides of his wheelchair so tightly that Bella could see his knuckles whitening in protest.

"Why?"

"I don't think they are as good as they make themselves out to be."

"What makes you say that?"

"I just…" Billy hesitated.

Bella frowned visibly. "I don't think you have the right to tell me this," she said bluntly.

"I'm just looking out for you," Billy said. "As Charlie's daughter."

"And while I commend you for doing so," Bella answered. "My original point is still valid. You don't seem to know the Cullen's; I certainly haven't heard that you've spent a great deal of time with them, so how well can you say that you really know them?" Bella wondered out loud.

"Better than you'd think," Billy countered. His face softened. "Charlie is like family to me and so are you. I would hate to see you hurt because of the Cullen's."

"Look," Bella said, a little too harshly, so she softened her tone before she continued, "Billy, we don't know each other all that well. And while you are Charlie's friend and confidant it still doesn't give you the right to tell me what I can or can't do and especially who I fall in love with."

Billy breathed in harshly at Bella admittance.

"So please," Bella told him. "I implore you kindly - please stay out of my business.

Because it is just that - my business and my alone. Thank you for the warning, I shall keep that in mind but ultimately it is my decision to make."

Silence reigned and Bella could see Billy trying to take all her words in.

"Besides," Bella added with a knowing smile. "I know you don't know me that well, but you can believe me when I say that I can take care of myself."

Billy looked doubtful but there was no changing Bella's mind, especially when it was made up like it was.

"Is everything alright in there?" Charlie called out.

"Yes," Billy and Bella said in unison. They turned to each other.

"Truce," Bella offered.

Billy slowly nodded his head. "Of course, Bella. I was only concerned."

"I get that," Bella said. "I really do, but these things I have to work out myself. And if it does end with it being a mistake than it was mine to make and mine to learn from."

Billy nodded and Bella grabbed the beer, satisfied with how the conversation went. As she stepped out of the kitchen, she heard Billy murmur, "I just hope that you will be alive to learn from them."