Sorry, for the delay. FF was giving me and my Beta a hard time XP

Last Chapter :( but, the story continues in the sequel- New Moon Uprising

Author's Note: A Special Thanks to my Beta gab000, who worked tirelessly in helping me get this story back out there for you all. A Great Big Thank You, to all of you that left reviews and/or added me to your favorite's list. Your support means a lot.

Chapter 21: Awakening.

The fog surrounding my conscious thoughts was thick. While my subconscious was screaming for action but, for what?…

My body was strapped down on a hard surface, it was dark and quiet, and I had no memory of where I was or how I got here…

Slowly reality came crashing down on me. Edward signally he loved me, before his hand dropping onto the ground. The hovercraft took him away. Then I was announced winner and another hovercraft came for me…

I felt a considerable pain coming from my chest. Had I been injured without realizing it? No this pain seemed to start from within me and radiate outward. Then it dawned on me. This is how I felt when I lost my father. It felt like someone had ripped my heart out and left gaping hole where it once beat. I went to wrap my arms around myself, to hold what was left of me together, when I met with resistance. I was in restraints. My wrists and ankles were held down connected to the cot I was laying on.

I started to panic. Had the Kings taken me to a torture room or testing facility to punish me for my noncompliance? Am I being held until they can kill me? Was all lost because of my actions? I started hyperventilating and even though it felt like my heart was gone it proved me wrong by beating so hard I thought it would jump out of my chest. I was getting dizzy and lightheaded.

A door opens, Esme and a man wearing a lab coat rush in. The man pulls a syringe and plunges it into my thigh and I hear Esme whispering words of affection. Everything fades into darkness yet again…

When I wake this time I'm in a comfortable bed with someone holding my hand. I open my eyes and I can't believe my eyes. I close them and try again. I see the same beautiful face.

"Nessie?" I say in a coarse voice.

Her head, that was resting on the bed, shoots up.

"Oh, Bella! Your awake." she says with relief, "Thank Goodness, your up! You gave us all a fright!"

I was confused and didn't know what was going on so I said the first thing that popped into my head,

"Sorry?" I said it more like a question then a statement.

"No need to be sorry. I'm just thankful your alright. I would have no family left without you." a single tear rolled down her cheek.

I lifted my now unrestrained hand and wiped away the tear, and patted her cheek.

"SSShhh, It's O.K. I'm here now. By the way where is here anyway? And, How did I get here?"

"Your friends are amazing! They hijacked a hovercraft and kidnapped a couple of Capitol scientist. It's all anyone is talking about! They made it look like they were coming to take you to the Capitol. Instead they took over the hovercraft, that happened to have two of the lead scientist that did those awful experiments on Jake. Oh, and you are about twenty feet under the crumpled remains of District 13." she said proudly.

"Alright, back up a minute. Which friends and under as in underground?"

She rolled her eyes at me, then in a tone, as if to say, Du!

"You know Rose, Alice, Emmett, Jasper, the mayor and his wife. They were all on the hovercraft. Jasper convinced the royals to send the scientists to help monitor you, after you were drugged. Once they were in the air Emmett knocked out the pilots and Jasper's brother and sister-in-law took over flying the thing. Rose drugged the scientists, ironic no?

You see, once Jake and I were safe, he was able to send a message through our district, back to the Capitol. It found it's way to the mayor. It told him about, how 13 was still alive and we were residing here. So, naturally once they breached Capitol air space, they contacted District 13 and asked for asylum. Which is how you got here. Amazing Right?"

She never looked or sounded more like a twelve year old, then at this moment. We rarely spoke so openly and with such a carefree attitudes. It was a sight to behold.

"Wow!" was all I could say.

She nodded and reached over to a button on the side table. What is with all the buttons in these foreign places? She must have seen something on the look on my face,

"I'm calling the medic to come take a look at you. Then, they will let the rest come and visit. The Presidents wish to see you as well. That is a huge honor. They are quite busy and rarely make personal appearances for security reasons. But, they wished to meet the girl who ignited a fire in the hearts of so many people in Panem."

A girl maybe 4 or 5 years older than me entered the room, wearing all white and a strange silver necklace. It looked more like a fancy dog collar to me but, maybe that was in style here. Goodness know the Capitol had strange fashion trends, may be all districts did. While I was lost in thought, she took a light shined it into my eyes, then checked a bandage I hadn't noticed on the back of my neck, my pulse and blood pressure were also taken. She went over to the wall typing on a small keyboard that must hold my information. Once she was done she left without a word. I looked over to Nessie and raised an eyebrow.

"They're all like that. The people that wear all white and those shiny collars never talk. They just go about doing their jobs. It's creepy but, you get used to it." she says with a shrug.

The door opens again and I'm swarmed with familiar faces I wasn't sure I'd ever see again. Jake picked me up and swung me around in circles. At first I didn't notice the changes but, after he stopped spinning me, I was able to get a good look at him. He had grown a few inches, his once lean frame seemed to have been bulked up, he's more solid now and he felt warm to the touch, but, the thing I that shocked me the most was his hair was cut short, I already missed his long locks. I wonder what other changes had occurred in my absence. Emmett not wanting to be out done pulled me onto a fierce bear hug.

"Em, Can't Breath!" I wheezed.

"Sorry, Bella. I'm just really happy your alright. And I am so sorry I didn't protect your family better. If I had then…" he trailed off.

"It's alright Emmett. It's not your fault. The kings have ways around every obstacle." I assure him.

Thanks, Bells." for such a big guy he's quite the softy on the inside.

Rose gave me a small smile and hugged me in a gentile manner I didn't know she possessed,

"Glad to see you can follow directions. You didn't get yourself killed, I'm impressed."

I smiled a small sad smile, "I wish all of us could say the same."

Before anyone could comment on my words Alice pounced. Her hug could rival Emmett. How can someone so small have that much energy was beyond me.

"I missed you soon much! I'm so happy you made it out alive!"

"Thanks, Alice. I missed you, too."

I noticed Jasper standing close by and once Alice released me from her death grip, she automatically went to his side. I felt the pain in my chest ache. I was able to wrap my arms around myself this time, when the two people I dreaded and longed to see stepped forward. I felt the tears build and spill over.

"I am so sorry! I tried, I really did! I'm sorry I failed you and him! It's all my fault. I should have been stronger, faster, smarter…" I began to sob so hard my words were just jumbled sounds mixed with tears and pain.

"It's not your fault! Do you hear me? You are not to blame! Those evil Kings are the ones that took Edward away from us. Not You, Never You!" Esme hugged and sobbed with me for the loss of Edward.

"She is right Bella. You did your best to help try and bring Edward back to us. He will be missed but, we are happy to have our daughter back." Carlisle says in a soothing voice and joins us engulfing both Esme and I in his embrace.

We stayed like that for several long heartfelt minutes. Everyone was now wearing solemn faces. Jasper stepped forward.

"Miss. Isabella ma'am. I would like to apologies for any and all actions I took against you in the arena. I was being closely watched and tried to give you as many hints as possible. The kings were more active in these games then they ever were in the past. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" he had a pleasant drawl to his words. I could also hear the pleading in his tone.

"Mr. Whitlock you have nothing to apologies for. You had a job to do and exposing yourself as a rebel to the royals wouldn't have help anyone. To answer your request YES you are forgiven! It sounds like you were instrumental in our escape and I should offer an my own apology for shooting that arrow at you. I assure you I knew I wouldn't miss and I was aiming at the apple."

"Please, ma'am call me Jasper and I was more impressed then scared to be truthful. And, your more gracious than I deserve." he bowed.

"Call me Bella, all my friends do."

Alice squeals, "I knew we would be a family some day."

We all smiled at her. Then two sharp knocks came from the door. This got every one's attention. In walked a women who could give Rose a run for her money. She was tall, I'd say close to six foot. Her body was toned but, not grossly muscular. She has long strawberry blond hair, that hung in waves down her back. But, it is her piercing hazel eyes didn't seem to miss any goings on in the room that drew my attention. They were hard and held no visible emotion. It was unnerving and put my guard up in an instant.

"I am Tanya Denali personal assistant and guard for our Presidents." She says with an air of authority.

"Presidents Stefan and Vladimir Strigoi will be here shortly. Everyone will need to vacate this level until given permission to reenter. Except you, Isabella. I will be briefing you as to the protocol for this meeting. Now, if you would all say your good byes and be on your way."

No please or if you don't minds, no thank you or sorry to interrupt . My bad vibe just got worse. My friends and family gave me quick hugs and scurried away like obedient children. Once the door closed behind the last of them, Tanya turned to me.

"Isabella Cullen you are here by drafted into District 13 rebel force. If you choose to not join you will be treated as an enemy of the state and the council will decide on a suitable punishment. What say you? Will you serve or surrender to us?"

So, I just escaped the hell of one cruel world and stepped into another. Great, out of the frying pan and into the fire. Why can't my life be easy for once.

End Note: And there you have it. I am pretty sure I tied up most of the loose ends. If you have any questions just send it via Review or P.M. I hope everyone enjoyed my story. Thanks, for reading it. Please, join us as Bella's journey continues in, 'New Moon Uprising'. To those of you who are upset with me for killing off Edward and therefore not planning on reading the sequel please, leave a review. I respond to every one. One last thing, should I lable this story as a crossover fiction? One of my reviewers suggested it, what's your opinion?

Signing off for now, 'May the odds be ever in your favor' ;)

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