[BamaFan121s]

It was just before noon the Saturday after we returned from Italy that Eleazar arrived at our house—and with an unexpected guest.
“Kate,” Edward said as we welcomed them in to the house. “What a surprise to see you here. And without Garrett?”
“Shut up, cousin.” Kate teased, playfully rolling her eyes. “I’m in no mood for I-told-you-so today….or any day for that matter. Beside, how could I pass up leaving an infinite landscape of snow for a place with such a beautiful climate?” She gestured outside towards the downpour of rain that was characteristically Forks.”
Kate was sarcastic, but I liked her. I would forever be grateful to her for her unrelenting patience and encouragement when she was helping me to discover my ability—an ability I didn’t even realize I possessed until Eleazar had haphazardly mentioned it in passing. I easily recalled images of her shocking Edward repeatedly while I tried in vain to shield him from her electric currents. The “fire touch”, as the Romanians had called it. I shuddered and hoped that there was not more of that in my future.
“Well, it’s good to see you again just the same…with or without Garrett.” Edward teased. “And how is he?”
“He’s adjusting,” she replied with a non-chelant shrug of her shoulders. “He thought it best to stay behind where there are fewer people for the time being. But I have to admit, he’s doing quite well with his new dietary restrictions.” I remembered as we stood on the field facing the Volturi in the earlier winter months, Garrett vowing to Kate that he would follow her anywhere. It seems like he’d kept his word.
“Granted, Kate here will be wanting to get back to him soon, so we’d best not waste time,” Eleazar spoke as he stepped forward, eyeing me appraisingly. “Hmm,” he mused thoughtfully. “Yes, I see what you mean Carlisle.” He peered into my eyes tensely, narrowing his own amber pair in concentration. “Try to relax dear.” He smiled at me reassuringly. Slight wrinkles creased the skin beside his wise, kind eyes. I nodded and closed my eyes, taking a deep relaxing breath and trying to keep my shield at bay.
After a few long moments, he turned to Carlisle and nodded ferverently. He took turns looking between myself, Edward and Carlisle as he spoke. “Bella dear, it most certainly seems that Carlisle is right. Your shield does seem to have changed since the last time I saw you even. But, the nature of your ability itself makes it most difficult to determine exactly how.”
Carlisle spent the next hour explaining in detail the circumstances surrounding my episode in Voltera as well as the day that I’d unknowingly shielded Jasper’s control over me emotionally. Edward recounted the instances where I’d seemed to read his thoughts. All the while, Eleazar sat listening intently, rubbing his whiskered chin in thought as he did. Occasionally, he would interrupt to ask a question, or have Carlisle clarify some specific. It was very odd to sit idlely by and hear details about myself examined as if I were some sort of science experiment—especially when I didn’t understand them all myself. Edward, sensing my unease, sat beside me on the couch, occasionally rubbing my leg reassuringly or running his fingers lightly through my hair.
Once Carlisle had finished divulging as much information to Eleazar as he could, he sat in silence for a few long moments before speaking again. “Well,” he began, eagerly rubbing his hands together. He spoke to me directly, but worded his conversation towards our whole group. “Two things seem very clear—this new…extension, of your shield seems to present itself during times when you seem to be battling for control of your very strong emotions.” I bit my lip nervously, which did not escape his notice. “Nothing to worry about dear. We are all more highly strung that humans by nature. It takes us all a while to adjust and learn how to control it. You are, after all, still a newborn, technically.”
“Yeah, but your emotions don’t cause you to turn on your own family members….or black out in the middle of museums,” I muttered under my breath.
“And yours won’t either dear, which brings me to the second point. You need to learn how to harness this new power…to control it. Once you have control of the reigns, we can better establish the specifics of your ability’s limitations. I think that trying to establish your control over it would be the best place to start.” He smiled kindly.
I nodded silently, realizing that he was right and trusting his assessment. “And how exactly, do I go about learning to control it?”
This time it was Kate who offered the answer. “The same way you did before.” She smiled mischievously and a very light, yet distinct crackle of electricity rolled from her skin as she sent a fresh current through her flesh.
I groaned audibly and dropped my hands into my hands, picturing Edward’s wincing face. “That’s what I was afraid of!”