Through the Eyes of Alice Cullen

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THROUGH THE EYES OF ALICE CULLEN

CHAPTER 1 – ISABELLASWAN………………………………………………………….

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CHAPTER 2 - MISSINGEDWARD……………………………………………………….

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CHAPTER 3 –HUNTING……………………………………………………………………

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CHAPTER 4 –SNOW…………………………………………………………………………

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CHAPTER 5 –IMPULSES……………………………………………………………………

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CHAPTER 6 –

DISAGREEMENT………………………………………………………….

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CHAPTER 7 –LUNCH………………………………………………………………………..

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CHAPTER 8 - LOSANGELES………………………………………………………………

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CHAPTER 9 - PORTANGELES…………………………………………………………….

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CHAPTER 10 –DECISIONS………………………………………………………………..

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CHAPTER 11 –SUPPORT………………………………………………………………….

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CHAPTER 12 - THEDATE………………………………………………………………….. 65

CHAPTER 13 - MEETINGBELLA…………………………………………………………

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CHAPTER 14 - THEGAME…………………………………………………………………

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CHAPTER 15 - THENOMADS…………………………………………………………….

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CHAPTER 16 - THEPLAN…………………………………………………………………..

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CHAPTER 17 - ROAD TRIP…………………………………………………………………

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CHAPTER 18 –VISIONS……………………………………………………………………. 107CHAPTER 19 - AN UNFAMILIARVOICE……………………………………………..

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CHAPTER 20 -ESCAPE………………………………………………………………………

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CHAPTER 21 –FASTER!........................................................................

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CHAPTER 22 -FIGHT!...........................................................................

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CHAPTER 23 - THEPAST…………………………………………………………………..

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CHAPTER 24 - NEWBEGINNINGS……………………………………………………..

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EPILOGUE – ONEOCCASION…………………………………………………………….

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CHAPTER ONE - ISABELLA SWAN

"Edward, stop that!" I shouted, he was terrible about constantlyreading my thoughts. It didn't so much annoy me when it wassomething important but I hated being rushed for

inconsequential matters such as school.

"Alice, why did you make it sound so important then?"

"I didn't!"

Edward strutted out of the door and I looked at Jasper for a littlehelp. I found a calming sense wash over me and I no longer hadthe desire to be angry, I should have known really, Jasper hatedme to be frustrated.

I followed Edward outside, he had already pulled his silverVolvo in front of the house. I walked towards the car and got inthe back, sliding into the middle so that Jasper could sit besideme, and Rosalie could have her window seat.

"Sorry Alice" Edward mumbled from the drivers seat.

'Don't worry about it,' I thought for him to hear.

Edward had a gift, he could see into peoples minds and pluckthoughts right out of them. It was very useful, especially when

it came down to our secret getting out. Most of the timehumans shied away from us, but there would always be athought in the back of their mind that something was differentwith us. This is when Edward's extrasensory gift helped themost.

Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper climbed into the car and Edward hitthe gas, we were on the highway before we could blink. WithEdward driving we could make it to school in less that fiveminutes. The excitement of the town was infectious to me, theywere all so excited about the arrival of Isabella Swan, the police

chiefs daughter arriving, that most had planned their daysaround catching a glimpse of her. Forks was so small it wasbound to be a major event, we had only been here for twoyears but I was so used to the faces I was practically bored.

We pulled into the parking spot and climbed out, I had someclasses with Edward, we were both Juniors, but Jasper, Rose andEmmett were acting seniors and had a completely different

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schedule than mine. I sighed and headed for my first class, That was the first time I saw Isabella Swan, she was a regularlooking girl, pretty, but regular. She was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and her long brown hair was left free. She was wearingher large rain coat and big boots. I felt sorry for her, people

were already staring and she looked completely uncomfortable.

Watching her made me appreciate my family a lot more than Inormally did, well except Jasper, I always appreciated myhusband, even if we had to be discreet whilst in school. It wasall so much more difficult for him, and I loved that he wasmaking more of an effort for me. That's why I loved him so verymuch, he was always so thoughtful, he hated seeing meunhappy. He as always been like a reflection of my soul, notthat I was sure I had one, but I knew, somehow, he wouldalways be the right one for me.

I didn't really mind going to school, it gave me a break in thehours that so often melted together. An eternity was a longtime, especially seeing as I didn't, or should I say couldn'tsleep. That was one of the down sides of immortality, one I waswilling to except because I couldn't remember my human life soI couldn't miss something I couldn't remember.

The morning moved by quickly and I was sat at lunch with myfamily when Isabella Swan caused another wave of excitementthrough the cafeteria. Jasper was still as a statue trying not to

react to the emotions filling the room.

"What's all the commotion about?" asked Rosalie soundingbored "She looks rather plain to me!"

I rolled my eyes, Rose was my sister and I loved her, but shecould be so vain.

"You should hear the thoughts running through this room!"Edward sighed and he played with his food. "Plain isn't exactlythe consensus when referring to Isabella Swan!"

"She's just something new to look at!" Rose said rolling hereyes.

"So what's she thinking Edward?" I asked watching Jasper, whostill wasn't moving.

Edward was silent, I was beginning to think he hadn't heard me.

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'Edward what is she thinking?' I asked again, slightly louder inmy head.

"She's wondering who we are!" he answered too quietly."Jessica Stanley is filling her in with all the details, trying to

make it scandalous."

"I've never liked that Stanley girl!" Rosalie added sighing.

"Rose, you never had to share a class with the simple mindedgirl!" I said quietly.

"Simple minded is an understatement!" Edward sighed.

I looked down at the uneaten food in front of me and sighed. Ipicked up my tray and got up. "I'll see you after school!"

I headed to the trash cans and dumped my tray into it, placingthe tray in the designated area and headed out of the cafeteria.For a monday it was unusually dull.

I was sat in Spanish for five minutes when things started to goterribly wrong, Edward was making decisions and they werechanging sporadically, he was guiding Isabella out of class, nohe was attacking the... no he was leading Isabella into theforest after class and NO!

I raised my hand and asked to be excused. I headed out of class and paced the halls, my mind was so filled with Edward'sdecisions I couldn't recall what class Jasper had. I headed to thebiology class, if he made the decision to lead Isabella out of theclass I would stop him, he would ruin everything Carlisle hasbuilt for us. If he was going to be this stupid, I had to stop him.

He changed his mind a thousand times as I stood outside of theclass, this was a good thing, it meant he hadn't completelymade up his mind what to do. By the time the bell rang I wasalmost intent on bursting into the class and dragging him out.

His thirst was unusually strong, I could almost feel it as hisdecisions changed, he was the first out of the door.

"Edward!" I hissed and he followed me around the corner.

"What Alice?"

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"What are you doing? I know what your planning, I've beenseeing every avenue your mind has gone down, are you losingyour mind?"

"Alice, you don't understand I have to go!"

"What do you mean?" I hissed, but I immediately knew, I saw it.He was leaving for Denali now, he was heading to Alaska.

"What's going on Edward?" I pressed again.

"Isabella Swan!" he growled.

"What about her?"

"The girl is the Devil, all I can think about is drinking from her,

her smell it's... I can't do this Alice!"

"Don't be stupid Edward, you can't stay away from her?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Change classes Edward, move your schedule around, justavoid her and get on with your life!"

"You make it sound easy Alice, I wish you could understand!"

"Can you just try it my way before you make a hasty decision,you know what this would do to Esme. All I'm asking you to dois think!"

Edward sighed and leaned against the wall, his hands over hiseyes, which were blacker than usual. This was worrying,Edward was good at the lifestyle we had chosen and thisoutburst was highly unusual, for him.

"Look rearrange your classes and we'll go hunting tonight. Thiswill be easy Edward, just stay away from her. If you need help,

I'm here, so is Jasper, and Rose, and Emmett!"

"Your not getting it Alice!"

"Then explain it to me!"

"I can't!"

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"Let's go sit in the car, you can calm down and you'll see I'mright!"

"Fine!"

Edward and I headed towards the parking lot and jumped in theVolvo, Edward seemed to be relaxing so I reached under thestereo and pulled out my favorite CD and put it in the player.We sat in silence and listened. I knew Edward well, he was theperson I was closest to next to Jasper, he was like my truebrother. As we sat in silence and listened to the music playing,the dull ring of the bell went off at the school. Edward sat upand sighed running his hands through his hair in frustration.

"I'm going to see if I can change classes!"

"Ok I'll be here!"

Edward disappeared towards the school office and I leant myhead back listening to the music. I felt the doors on the caropen as the rest of our family joined me. I sat silently andwaited for Edward. Jasper kissed me neck in greeting and Ismiled at him.

That's when things went badly again, Edward was Killing Ms.Cope in the office and then Bella!

"Oh no!"

"Alice?" Jasper had a worried tone to his voice, I knew he couldfeel my despair.

Edward changed his decision and he was once again headingtowards Denali. I closed my eyes and shook my head, I hadabsolutely no idea how to explain this to my family who wereall staring at me in wonder.

Edward was in the car and we were leaving before anyone

could say a thing. I looked at him. His face was hard and set inthe decision I knew he had already made.

"You need to say goodbye to Carlisle face-to-face!" I whispered.

Edward nodded and stopped the car at the end of the threemile driveway.

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"What the hell's going on?" demanded Rosalie from the backseat.

"Alice!" Edward pleaded. I nodded I knew what he wanted meto do, I knew how hard this was for him.

"I'll explain on the way to the house!" I said sighing andpushing the door open. As the others got out of the car I turnedto Edward and smiled weakly. "Call me when you get thereOkay!"

Edward nodded not looking at me. I stepped out of the car andwatched the Volvo disappear.

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CHAPTER 2 - MISSING EDWARD

"Alice!" I turned to see Rosalie glaring at me. Jasper wrappedhis arm around me, I knew he felt my despair. I sighed andstarted towards the house, I ran as fast as I could.

I got to the house in record time, and was at the front door bythe time Rosalie was able to swing me around in anger.

"What's going on Alice!"

"Inside Rose, I don't want to have to do this twice!"

I turned to walk inside, the door was opening, I knew Esme hadheard the commotion outside.

"Alice? Rosalie?" she asked softly.

I headed into the living room and sat on the couch, I looked upinto the four faces now urging me to tell them what was goingon. I took a deep breath, not that I needed it!

"Edward's... gone!" I waited for the reactions, I didn't want tohave to talk over them.

"Gone?" Esme whispered sitting next to me on the couch. Theothers stared at me in disbelief, we had always been open andhonest with one another and I knew how this was hurting them.

"Why?" demanded Rosalie.

"He couldn't control himself, I'm not sure exactly what's goingon I just saw him trying to... well trying to kill Isabella Swan!"

Esme gasped next to me and her eyes were wide with fear. I

picked up her hand and shook my head. "He didn't do it, butthe urge was overwhelming, I've never seen anything like it, Ican't explain it. So he tried to change classes to avoid her buthe ended up running into her again and his decision was made. There was nothing I could do!"

Esme nodded sadly, "He's gone?"

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"I think he went to the hospital to see Carlisle first, then heheaded to Tanya's." I added.

Esme stood and headed to the phone.

"Isabella Swan?" snorted Rosalie. "Of all the people!"

"Rose!" Emmett placed his hand on her shoulder and sheleaned into him resting her head on his shoulder. Jasper satnext to me taking Esme's place and held my hand, I felt a waveof relaxation hitting me and I was, for once, relieved. My gift forseeing what was going to happen has its uses, but at times likethese I almost wished I didn't have it. It was times like these Iappreciated Jaspers gift.

Esme headed slowly back into the room and ran her hand

through Rose's hair maternally. "He's gone, Carlisle gave himthe Mercedes, he didn't want to stop!"

"What exactly brought all this on?" Emmett asked hanging hishead. He and Edward had always been close. It was sad to seesomeone who was usually so buoyant so morose.

"This Isabella seems to have a very appetizing blood..."

"Really she didn't seem all that special to me!" Rose mused.

"Well there are certain humans out there that smell morepotent than others, I don't quite understand it but Carlisle triedto explain it to me. To Edward, this girls blood was the sweetestmost desirable thing to ever hit his senses, his thirst almostquadrupled with the first smell of it."

"I understand that!" Emmett muttered, but the comment wasleft unobserved.

"He'll be back!" I whispered. Of that I was certain, I just wasn'tsure when.

"I'll go and get him!" Emmett decided, but Esme shook herhead. She knew Edward well and his mind was made up, untilhe was ready to come back, she was going to stand by hisdecision.

The room fell silent, this unusual turn had shaken our family.We were all close and had been even since the time Jasper and

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I had joined them. We had always had an open honesty,something that was almost necessary when Edward could seeyour mind and I could see what could happen somewhere in thefuture. I concentrated for a while on what Isabella Swan had inher future, there really was, at this time, nothing complicated

or unusual.

Carlisle brought home the Volvo that night. This was anunwelcome reminder that Edward, was in fact gone. AlthoughEdward had always been alone, he had been content with whathe had. Music was his passion and the silence that rangthroughout the house was almost deafening compared to theusual sound of the piano keys tinkering or the blare from hisstereo. If there was ever a time I wished I could sleep, it wouldbe now. The pain in Esme's eyes and the disappointment onCarlisle's face was too much.

The only solace I found was on the internet, I enjoyed fashionall though Forks, Washington lacked any fashion sensewhatsoever, I enjoyed shopping for Rosalie, Esme and myself on the internet. So I spent my evening and the early hours of the morning planted in front of the screen.

It was uncomfortable heading to school with just the four of usin the car. Rosalie was annoyed, Emmett was grumpy and Jasper was suffering the tension in the small space.

"Maybe we should remove the problem!" Rose sounded and Iturned to her in disbelief. This was Rose's answer?

"Rose! She's the police chief's daughter!" Emmett laughed fromthe back of the car. He was always up for a challenge, but eventhis seemed like a stretch for him.

"Just an idea!"

"A bad one Rose, that wouldn't help a thing!" I muttered.

"Well, Alice, do you have any ideas?"

I sighed and looked out of the window, I didn't want to start anargument but killing a girl for the smell of her blood reallydidn't seem like a feasible solution. The school lot was filling bythe time we got there, and I took the opportunity to avoid aconfrontation. I jumped out and headed to class, without so

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much as a glance in my families direction. There had to be away around this.

The day flew by like any other, the cafeteria was crowded but Icould see Bella glance towards us more than once, I knew she

was looking for Edward.

"Look at them!" Rosalie said in distaste. "They swarm aroundher like she's some dog in heat!"

"Rose!" I shook my head in disbelief and smiled despite myself "You can be so tactless sometimes!"

Rosalie shrugged her shoulders and continued to play with herfood. "It's true, look at them!"

I turned my head and watched as Mike Newton and Eric Yorkieflooded her with questions, one always trying to drag theattention from the other. It was actually quite entertaining,except poor Bella looked horrified.

"Jessica Stanley doesn't seem so pleased!" Jasper mutteredhappily.

I searched the table for Jessica, she was sat next to Bella,something I hadn't noticed. Her eyes were following Mike. Ithink it was obvious to everyone but him that she liked him,

and it didn't help that her eyes rolled every time Mike wouldspeak to Bella. It was starting to look like a daytime soap, itwould have been more so if Edward had been there to see whatwas going on inside their heads. I sighed and tried to seewhether he had made another decision. There was nothing.

By the time the day was over, I had heard Bella's namementioned more than once. I was actually getting sick of hearing it. Now, more than ever I understood why Edward hadto leave, he would never have been able to just avoid her. I metup with Rose, Emmett and Jasper by the cafeteria and headed

towards the Volvo, as we opened the door a thunderous enginepassed by rattling every window close by. We looked up in timeto see Bella Swan flush and speed off. The girl was everywhere.

The rest of the week passed in much the same way, Bella wouldglance at us as she entered the cafeteria, but it would last asecond and was then over with. Her name was still a hot topicof conversation and every boy in the place was whispering. This

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was something that aggravated Rosalie to no end. She knew,beyond a doubt that she was the most beautiful creature inschool and although she didn't want the attention of theseboys, it was annoying to deal with their interest in Bella, aninterest she herself could not understand.

I was glad when Friday finally rolled around, I was gettingthirsty and we were hunting this weekend. And it was finallygoing to snow next week. As we drove home to prepare for theweekend hunt I saw Edward heading home. He had finallymade the decision I was waiting for. I was practically bouncingin my seat, Rosalie was glaring at me, I knew she was curiousand she hated not knowing what was going on.

"Are you going to share with us Alice?" she asked impatiently.

"Edward's coming home!" I almost sang. This was the bestnews I could have delivered, the atmosphere at house over thepast week had been unusually dour I don't think any of us hadbeen prepared for the void Edward's disappearance hadpresented. He had always been there, being Edward-less wassomething none of us had ever thought about and it had beendifficult under the circumstances.

"When?" asked Emmett happily, I knew that Edward's lack of presence was hard on him. They had always had a playfulrivalry and the thought of hunting without Edward had been

hard for him.

I concentrated for a while and I could see Edward meeting us inthe wilderness close to North Cascades National Park, it wouldbe on his route home. Emmett's smile was broad as I relayedthe news.

The news had brightened the atmosphere in the small car and Jasper was having a difficult time keeping himself contained. Bythe time we had pulled up to the house we were all in highspirits and could hardly contain ourselves.

Rosalie was first out of the car, she bounded into the house anddanced around Esme.

"When?" asked Esme, as the rest of us caught up.

"While we're hunting!" I answered happily.

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Esme had the phone in her hand and was dialing Carlisle as weprepared to head out. We would be picking up Carlisle on theway out and now with the good news in hand we were moreeager to leave than we had been beforehand.

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CHAPTER 3 – HUNTING

We arrived at the National Park with time to spare, Edward hadcalled from the road and had confirmed what I had seen, hewas coming home. He had already left Denali so we told him wewould meet him at North Cascades, the outskirts of Diablo to bemore precise.

We were all sat in the Jeep, we had squeezed in knowing thatthere would be extra room in the Mercedes on the drive back.

It was hard to tell who was the most excited about Edward’sreturn, I think Esme had taken it the hardest after he had left,

he was, after all, her first son, although I am certain anyoneleaving in the manner he had left would have devastated her.He had left once in the past but he had also said goodbye.Carlisle on the other hand had been smiling since we had toldhim of Edward’s homecoming, he and Edward had beentogether the longest and I knew that he would always have aweak spot for his first son.

Emmett was already pumping himself up for the competition,he constantly challenged Edward whilst they were in theelement, Emmett’s strength and Edward’s speed were a great

combination and each had to push themselves to win their title. Jasper had once attempted to join in their charades but theboys pushed their instincts to the limits and Jasper still wasn’tready for that.

We had climbed out of the Jeep and were waiting in the shadesof the trees when we saw the Mercedes coasting down NorthCascades highway. The Mercedes slid to a stop next to the Jeepand Edward jumped out. The grin on his face was infectious,Emmett threw his arms around his brother and pulled him intoa vice like grip. Edward wrestled with him playfully but stopped

as he caught Esme’s eye, he pushed Emmett away andapproached her throwing his arms around her waist.

“Edward!” Esme sighed holding him close to her. “I’m so gladyou’ve come home.”

“I’m so sorry Esme, I just needed to clear my head it caught mecompletely off guard.”

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“I understand, I just wish you would have spoken to me beforedisappearing like that.”

“I know,” he said regretfully as he stepped out of her grasp. Heheaded towards Carlisle.

I stood in the shadows and watched the joyful reunion, thecollective ambiance had changed dramatically in the few shortminutes since Edward’s arrival and I was basking in our familieshappiness. Edward moved around the group happily and evenRosalie who had planned to reprimand him for his hastydecision was smiling widely. Edward came to a stop in front of me, his eyes were apologetic and he was trying to see what Iwas thinking so he could apologize sincerely. I threw my armsaround his waist, and kissed him on the cheek. It was such arelief to have him home and having him close made me realize

this more than ever.

“Glad you finally made up your mind, I was beginning to getworried!” I laughed.

Edward wrapped his arm around me and guided me towardsthe rest of the family.

“I think I owe you all an explanation,” he started “I don’t quiteunderstand why, but Bella Swan’s blood is more tempting tome than any I have come across, I don’t like hiding things from

you but I was finding it more difficult than I ever have to controlmyself, and the last thing I ever wanted to do was let any of you down, so I left for Denali to clear my head and get herscent out of my head. While I was in Denali I did some thinking.It’s going to take more than one stupid little girl to keep mefrom where I want to be. You’re my family, and I want to bewhere you are. I may need your help but I know I can do this.”

The whole family was quiet but Edward knew what was in ourheads and in our hearts and he smiled at each of us.

Rosalie snorted loudly, “I know I’m going to regret saying thisbut... we actually like having you around Edward so could youspare us the drama next time?”

Edward laughed and shook his head and before we knew it heand Emmett shot into the forest leaving us laughing. The gamehad started, it was time to hunt.

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Jasper and I took a different direction to the rest of our family,we headed east as everyone else headed west, north andsouth. We were specifically looking for black bears andalthough there had been more sightings to the west, we alwayscircled around and met in the middle so we would cover more

ground. We knew that Edward and Emmett would beyond adoubt be the first to find them, they always were. As luck hadit, we came across a large male ourselves early into the hunt.

There was a reason Jasper and I headed out as a team. Jasperwas more military in his movements and I was softer, a littleless detectable. We were able to confuse our prey as a team. Iedged in closer to the bear, unfortunately it was too early formating season so they were generally in hibernation alone.

I knew how Edward and Emmett hunted, they would wake the

bear from hibernation and play with it a little before feeding,but we had our own tactics. I had never really been keen onbears, especially black bears, I could never really get used tothe taste. I had always preferred the white tailed deer, whichwere always plentiful here. I was just glad that Jasper was ableto drink his preference today.

I got as close to the bear as I could, and Jasper came in frombehind. I was the diversion, I kicked a twig gently trying todisrupt the bears sleep, it was out cold, I would have to belouder. I looked around for something large and heavy to throw.

I wasn’t new at this by any means but every bear was different,I found a rock close to a hemlock and threw it at the bear. Thisdid the trick, one of the bears eyes opened enough to catch mein its line of sight, I edged closer towards it acting as though Ihadn’t seen it. The bear pushed itself onto all fours and stalkedme a little way, I could hear its cumbersome paws on the forestbed as it followed. I slowed quietly and turned to face the bear.I knew this would provoke it to raise onto its back legs, thiswould make it easier for Jasper to strike. I looked past the bearfor Jasper, he was positioned and ready. I took a step closer tothe bear, and as planned he threw himself onto his hind legs to

pull up to his full height. I stepped closer again, this was atactic I used as Jasper crouched into his attack. I saw the attackin my head seconds before it happened. I took a step to the leftas the bear fell into the position I had just occupied, Jasper atits neck. The bear was immobilized and in pain so I steppedfurther away to leave Jasper to his fill.

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I wondered quietly through the forest and leaned againstanother large tree and waited, Jasper was sure to be in a bettermood now. I felt his arms around my waist and his lips on myneck, they still retained some of the warmth from the bear. Ihad always found this irresistible. I spun in his arms and

wrapped my arms around his neck. His eyes were alreadywarming. On the tips of my toes I gently placed my lips on his,his arms tightened around my waist and pulled me to him, oneof his arms slid gently up my back until it was around my neck.He pulled me closer still and I could feel the wave of passionroll over me. This was another wonderful consequence of histalent, the effect that only I felt, this was something reservedfor me.

I giggled like a school girl and relaxed completely in his arms,this was another reason for us hunting as a pair. Hunting made

Jasper more amorous than normal, and he was hard to resist.As I closed my eyes again I was brought back into reality.Carlisle was about to join us.

“Jaz,” I whispered trying to catch my breath.

“Mmm” was the only response he could muster.

“Carlisle will be here in thirty seconds, we have to pullourselves together.”

Jasper’s grip on me slackened just a little, we had never beenparticularly fond of displaying our affection, even in front of ourfamily. He kissed my neck again gently and whispered in myear.

“Later then.”

I grinned into his handsome face and stepped away as Carlisleappeared in the distance. I slowed my breathing and smoothedmy hair.

“Find anything?” he asked as he stepped closer.

“Alice bagged me a nice bear!” Jasper boasted as his hand randown my back once more.

“Have you seen any more?”

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“No but you may want to try a little further north. You knowhow close males and females hibernate. The male we foundwas large you might get lucky.”

Carlisle smiled and headed in the direction I had suggested. We

watched him track north slowly, but something caught in myperipheral vision, I saw a large deer hopping just to the east of us. Jasper released me and stood back, he enjoyed watchingme hunt. He had always told me I was as graceful as the prey Ihunted, I ran quietly after it and sped up to get next to it. Icould see the deers movements in my head, and it made thekill easy, as the deer and I zig zagged through the forest I couldhear its heartbeat speed up, its breath became ragged with therapid movement, the weaving in and out of the trees, I inchedcloser to it until we were running so close the fur on it’s backtickled my arm gently. I wrapped my arm gently around the

deers neck and dug my heels into the forest floor. I could feelthe deers legs buckle as I lifted it gently from the ground, itlegs still moving, looking for the ground beneath it. I swung itgently to its side and laid it on the ground. I brought my mouthto its neck, bit down, and drank.

1 Note:

This is the sonnet Alice Translates

O, that you were yourself! but, love, youare

No longer yours than you yourself herelive:

Against this coming end you should prepare,

And your sweet semblance to some other give.

So should that beauty which you hold inlease

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Find no determination: then you were

Yourself again after yourself's decease,

When your sweet issue your sweet formshould bear.

Who lets so fair a house fall to decay,

Which husbandry in honour might uphold

Against the stormy gusts of winter's day

And barren rage of death's eternal cold?

O, none but unthrifts! Dear my love, youknow

You had a father: let your son say so.

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CHAPTER 4 – SNOW

After first period on Monday morning, I was aware that I was,once again, more dependable than the weatherman. They hadpredicted snow for Tuesday but I had seen that there would besome on Monday, and there it was. Beautiful serene andfluttering peacefully from the sky. Snow had always brought meserenity, I had never known why but it had always been almostcomforting to me.

Of course the rest of the family also enjoyed the snow, the guysespecially. It normally meant a battle. We had almostconsidered cutting school for the epic battle because it wasn’t

so easy to retain our strength while we were so lost in themoment.

We had to wait until lunch for the commencement but as I waswalking to second period I saw Bella walking with Mike Newton,she didn’t look particularly thrilled that it was snowing. Thatwas when I saw Edward strolling slowly to class, I tried to catchhis eye to let him know that Bella was close by. Since he hadgotten home he had convinced himself that the temptationBella produced was no longer an issue. He felt his will powerwas stronger than Bella’s scent. Most of us were skeptical but

this solution was, selfishly, more acceptable than that of thealternative.

Edward had seen Bella before he had seen me, his eyesseemed to linger on her far longer than they should, but hisexpression was not that of hunger, temptation or longing. Hiseyes suggested admiration and curiosity, a preferable emotionto the aforementioned. It was defiantly unusual, I wasbeginning to wonder at his motivations for being almostarrogant about her presence.

In one fluid motion Edward had pulled together a largesnowball, thrown it directly at the back of Mike Newton’s headand disappeared before the snowball had reached it’s target. Ilaughed at the reaction of both Mike and Bella. Mike wasconfused and startled, he immediately began searching for theculprit. Bella on the other hand looked almost scared anduncomfortable, this confirmed my belief that she wasn’t at allhappy about the snow.

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Edward’s actions, however, had confused me. I couldn’tunderstand why he had taken such an unnecessary risk, he hadbeen lucky that no-one had seen and even though the reactionsreally had been worth it, it had been a dangerous move. Onethat was just as confusing as the look he had given to Bella

beforehand.

I turned my attention back to Mike and Bella, I couldn’t helplaughing, they had set their sights on Eric Yorkie who hadturned to avoid them. I guess that they had thought he hadthrown the snowball. Mike shook his head as he bent to scoopus the snow in his hands. Bella had turned and began headingto her next class.

“Once people start throwing wet stuff, I go inside.” I heard hercalling over her shoulder without looking back. I stayed for the

retaliation on an unsuspecting victim. Mike had put together agood sized ball and thrown it with a little more force than helooked capable of. It hit Eric smack in the middle of his back, Ilaughed loudly at his face, he looked completely surprised.Within seconds there was snow being hurtled through the air, Ishook my head. It took just one snow ball, it was always thesame.

It was exactly the same formula that had started the snowballfight at lunch. Emmett had purposely placed himself inEdward’s path and began the bombardment. Edward was quick

to retaliate. I had joined them as the real battle began, the airwas filled with laughter and screams. Rosalie was dancingaround the snowballs carefully but hitting the mark each timeshe returned fire. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Bellawalking with Jessica Stanley, she was holding a binder in herhands and had it poised and ready to use as a shield. JessicaStanley was laughing at her playfully. My attention was broughtback as a snowball came hurtling at me. I hopped back missingit by a fraction of an inch.

“You should know better Edward!” I laughed pulling together a

large ball of snow grinning. Without trying to think about it Ilobbed the snowball, I threw it to the left and Edward jumpedstraight into it.

We headed into the cafeteria with the crowd and picked upsome random food, as I settled in at the table I saw Bella comein with Jessica and Mike, I was waiting for her usual glance atour table, it had become almost a ritual for her.

22



Emmett had bounded to the table elated. He shook his wet hairout playfully, he knew Rosalie hated getting her hair wet. Thetwo of us laughing freely leaned away from the water rainingfrom Emmett’s head.

“Your going to pay for that Emmett Cullen!” Rosalie laughedshaking her head in disbelief.

“It’s just water Rose!” he answered grinning at her.

“Ugh,” Edward muttered laughing. He turned his head awayfrom Rosalie. “Can you please warn me when your going tothink like that!”

Emmett laughed heartily and clasped his hand on Edward’sshoulder. Edward shook his head and laughed again. I hated to

think what Emmet was subjecting him to.

“Well that’s the end of it until tonight.” I whispered, I could seethe raining coming.

Edward’s head bolted across the cafeteria, I followed his gaze.Sat there was Bella Swan, head down hair concealing most of her face. I examined Edward’s face, the others hadn’t noticedyet and I didn’t particularly want to drawn their attention to it. There written on his face as clearly as before was completecuriosity.

‘What’s the matter?’ I asked in my head.

All I received in return was silence, I looked around the table,everyone was animated in conversation. Jessica was whisperingto Bella, and smiling but apart from that I could see nothingdifferent than any other day. I examined Edward’s face again.

“Edward?” I whispered hoping that I wouldn’t get the attentionof the rest at our table. I knew they could hear me, with hearinglike ours it was inevitable, but they were being discreet.

“Yes Alice?” he said breaking his concentration.

‘ Are you okay to go to biology?’ I thought.

Edward nodded and smiled confidently.

23



“Give me a little more credit than that Alice!” he laughed. Irolled my eyes and continued picking at the food sat in front of me.

As the cafeteria began to empty I could hear the collective

groan from the student body, the rain had obviously made it’sappearance. I watched as Bella and Mike headed out into thedull afternoon. Rosalie, Jasper and Emmett stood up andheaded towards the door, but I took a second to talk to Edward.

“Edward if you need me for anything...”

“Alice, I thought you knew me better than that!”

“I do, but you said yourself how difficult it was for you whenyou caught her scent!”

“This is going to be easy, I’ve hunted, I’ve cleared my head, Iknow what is sat waiting for me in biology, there is no catchingme off guard.”

I rolled my eyes and stood up, “I’m going to be late for Spanish. Just be careful.”

Edward laughed and stood up, together we walked to the doors.“What does she think happened the first time you met her?” Iasked, the question just occurring to me.

“She thought I didn’t like her, but don’t worry Jessica explainedwe don’t like anybody!” he laughed.

I shook my head, “You know I sometimes wonder, how theywould feel if their instincts weren’t to stay clear of us. I thinkthey would probably like us a little.”

Edward just laughed at this, he ruffled my hair and disappearedto his biology class. I was actually glad I had perfected mySpanish it meant I could keep an eye on Edward. I felt guilty as

if I was spying on him but I knew if things made a bad turn hewould thank me for it.

I sat concentrating in Spanish. I knew that if I watched theteacher pacing the room that she would believe I was payingattention. Edward seemed to be calmer, this was always a goodsign and his decisions were pretty normal. I was actuallystarting to get a little bored, and that’s when it hit me lit a brick

24



wall I saw Bella, dead. She would be hit by a truck or van and itwas a complete accident. I couldn’t believe it, this was the firsttime I had really ventured into looking at her future, and I wasonly doing that because Edward was, whether he admitted it ornot, enamored with her. I didn’t know what to do, my mind

cleared as I tried to think of something I should do, this girl wasnone of my concern but I couldn’t let her die in a tragicaccident.

I tried to clear my mind, wishing I hadn’t seen it.

When the bell finally rang at the end of the day I headed out tothe car, I tried to keep my mind blank because if I thoughtabout it too much Edward would know, it would take just once,a tiny thought, and he would know.

Rosalie was climbing into the car as I reached it and I climbedin beside her, I kept my thoughts busy translating one of Shakespeare’s sonnets into Latin.

O , ut vos erant vestri! tamen , diligo , voses Haud diutius vestri quam vos vestri hic

ago :

“I can smell the snow in the air!” Emmett laughed as Edwardstarted the engine.

Obviam is coming terminus vos should instruo , Quod vestri dulcis semblance ut nonnullus alius tribuo. Sic should ut decor

quod vos habitum in minimus Reperiohaud terminatio :

“Alice?” Edward looked at me suspiciously in the rearview

mirror, I smiled politely.

tunc vos erant Vestri iterum secundum yourself's quondam , Ut vestri dulcis

proventus vestri dulcis vultus should gero.Quisnam lets sic mediocris a domus cado

25



ut senium , Quod maritus in veneratiovires fulcio Obviam tempestuosus gusts of

hiberna dies Quod sterilis saevio of nex

Edward watched me the entire ride home, I was coming to theend of the sonnet, unfortunately a long life and never sleepingmeant I had a lot of time to study Latin and almost perfect it.

eternus gelu? O , nullus tamenunthrifts! Carus meus diligo , vos

teneo Vos had a abbas : permissumvestri filius narro sic.

As Edward pulled into the garage the rest of the family got outand headed towards the house, they were going to prepare forthe real snowball fight that would take place at the clearingtonight. Unfortunately, Edward held back and waited for me. Jasper turned to find me.

“One minute Jaz!” Edward smiled “I need a quick word withher.”

Jasper nodded and headed out of the door after Rose andEmmett.

“What’s going on?” Edward demanded. I cringed, I knew hewould suspect something but I had to keep my mind clear, Istarted humming a tune in my head.

“Stop it Alice!” his eyes narrowed and he leaned in closer.“What’s going on?”

I sighed “I don’t want to talk about it!”

I started to move past him but he stepped in front of me, thatwas an unfortunate thing about keeping my mind occupied Icouldn’t see when he was going to do things like that. But atleast he wouldn’t find out about Bella...

“What about Bella?” he asked. I looked away, one little slip!

26





I nodded slowly in agreement, I knew he had to figure somethings out and I knew how Edwards mind worked, sometimeshe just needed to brood over something before he could decideon a plan of action.

I headed into the house hoping he was just trying to come toterms with the inevitable.

28



CHAPTER 5 – IMPULSES

Even though I was sure that Edward would do the right thing Ikept my intuition finely tuned to his decisions. While the othersthrew all of their effort into the snowball fight, I lingered on theedges and dodged the flying snow. He was making a decision,he just hadn’t reached it yet. I was beginning to feel unsureabout how he really felt about Bella, some of his decisions wereleading to he and Bella talking and that, I knew, could onlymean one thing. He was considering saving her.

I knew the others would be upset about this and even though Iknew it was wrong I couldn’t help but agree with his deepest

intuition. It was a waste for someone so young to die in such astupid error of judgment, and looking deeper into it, I knewthat’s exactly what it was. Her death would be a tragicaccident.

I decided I would give him some privacy and joined in the restof the battle, the air was cold and as we threw dodged and ranthrough the snow the sky grew lighter, the air was crisp andclean and the trees all held icy daggers that were left from therain turned ice over night. Jasper wrapped his arm around mywaist as we headed towards the house to get ready for school. I

nestled into his chest and let him guide me to the house. I feltso safe in his arms. He kissed the top of my hair as we reachedthe bottom of the porch steps and I wriggled out of his arms. Ifelt like I should tell him what was going on, I hated keepingsecrets from him, but I had promised Edward.

I looked up into his loving eyes and sighed. Standing on the tipof my toes I leaned in to kiss him. He matched my movementsas perfectly as he always did and leaned down kissing me withall the passion he could muster.

“Ugh,” Edward mumbled as he passed, “didn’t mean tointrude.”

I pulled back from Jasper and laughed, being single for almost acentury was making Edward cynical.

We left for school a little earlier than normal, I was still unsureof Edwards plans when we arrived. He leaned on the car as we

29



all climbed out. Rose, Emmett, Jasper and Myself headedtoward the school but Edward stayed moving to the back of thecar.

I followed Jasper further towards the school but in my head I

was questioning him, ‘What are you doing Edward, please don’t do anything stupid!’ I spun to make sure he had heard me, henodded infinitesimally and relaxed a little more. I spun andfollowed the rest of the family.

As we each split to head to our separate classes I froze, Edwardwas at the truck pulling Bella to the ground, and thenprotecting her from the van as it swung towards them onceagain. I gasped and spun on my heel, Jasper was still in closeenough proximity to hear my reaction and he was at my side assoon as he could, with humans surrounding us.

“Alice?” he asked pulling me to him, “What is it?”

I lay my head on his chest and whispered, “Edward!”

Jasper’s intake of breath was drowned out by the sound of metal on metal, the thud that followed made my stomach turn, Jasper and I ran hand in hand to the noise, we stopped next toRosalie and Emmett outside of the cafeteria.

Tyler Crowley’s blue van was smashed in between Bella’s red

truck and a tan sedan parked next to it, I looked over atRosalie, who was shaking her head venomously. She glared atme briefly and shook her head in disgust.

“You knew, didn’t you Alice?”

I nodded my head, “I didn’t think he would...” my voice trailedoff as we watched the majority of the student body run towardthe scene.

“What the hell was he thinking?” Emmett said a little too loudly.

I saw the three faces turn to me, I didn’t know what to say, Iwas shocked that he had gone against what he decided butwhat I saw now was even more confusing, his entire futureinvolved Bella Swan. He was in love with her, and I wasn’t evensure he was aware of it. My immediate reaction was happiness,I couldn’t explain it but in every branch his future took he was,staggeringly, happy. All except one, the one with no Bella.

30



I wasn’t sure how to put it to my family, whose faces wereflitting between me and the horrific scene. I shook my head andsighed loudly, “I don’t think it’s for me to say!”

“What?” Rosalie hissed angrily, “He could have ruined

everything and you’re telling me that it’s not for you to say, Ithink his rights went out the windows as soon as he jeopardizedall of us!”

“Rose, c’mon, nobody noticed, it was stupid but he got lucky!”Emmett purred running his hand down her back gently.

Jasper stiffened and watched as the ambulance pulled into theparking lot, I could tell all of the emotions were beginning toware on him, but he was putting up such a good fight. I steppedcloser to him and ran my hand down his arm. He looked at me

briefly and his eyes lit up.

“We’ll head home as soon as it’s over.” I promised, turning myhead once again to the commotion that encompassed Edwardand Bella. “I know this is hard.”

I could hear the shouts of the students, they were franticallyshouting Bella’s name. The paramedics and teachers movedthe van as much as they could. They couldn’t reach them untilthey did so the four of us stood watching in awe. Rosalie pulledher cell phone from her pocket and dialed a number out on its

keys.

“Who are you calling?” Emmett asked.

“Carlisle!” Rose said into the phone. “You better be preparedEdward is on his way to the hospital, there was an accident.”

She listened intently as Carlisle spoke to her.

“The idiot decided to save someone, um, our way! I don’t thinkanybody really noticed but they are going to insist he comes

with them, it looks a lot more serious than it is. It would havenothing to do with us at all if he’d butted out.”

There was a pause and I could hear Carlisle reprimanding herfor her thoughtlessness.

“I’m sorry, but it’s a little hard to be so forgiving when he’sacting so... so idiotic!”

31



Rosalie nodded and flipped the phone shut, she still lookedangry but she was, at least, in control.

“I can’t think of one motivation that would make him riskexposing us!” Rosalie said crossing her arms.

None of us replied to her statement, there was nothing to say.None of knew exactly why Edward had done what he had. I hadsome idea, although I was pretty sure he would never admit it.Edward strode from behind the wreckage on his own two legsand was watching the crowd nervously, he was talking to anEMT and as I edged forward I could hear him a little clearer.

“No I’m fine, it came nowhere near me! But like I said you maywant to watch her head she hit it pretty hard when I pulled herdown.”

‘Edward? Edward look at me... what have you done? Why?’ Iasked in my head. His eyes flitted to me and then back to theparamedic stood in front of him. His eyes turned to the cruisernow pulling into the school.

“Just wait till he gets home!” Rose spat.

Two EMT’s appeared from behind the van carrying a stretcher,Bella was laid on it flat on her back with a neck brace holdingher head in place.

“Bella!” Chief Swan called as he jumped from his car. He lookedupset, and even though I was still annoyed at Edward ,seeinghow relieved this man was that his daughter was alive, madesome of the irritation dissipate.

I looked back at the rest of my family and realized they werestaring at Edward furiously. He turned to look at us and I shothim another look. ‘ Just be warned Edward I am sure they aretelling you now but there’s going to have to be one hell of anexplanation when you get home, and Rosalie has called

Carlisle, he’s waiting for you!”

Edward nodded his head inconspicuously and jumped into thefront of the ambulance. We watched the procession as itheaded out of the school parking lot. As the ambulancedisappeared the students began filing to their cars, makingtheir way to the hospital. The four of us headed to the Volvowithout saying another word.

32



Esme was waiting for us as we pulled up. I knew she would beworried and I knew what her first question would be. She knewEdward would be okay so that was never going to be aquestion.

“Does anybody know? Did anybody see?” she askedbreathlessly as we filed into the house.

“No!” I answered, I had been watching out for this scanning ourfutures for any brief or fleeting thought. “It all happened so fastno one is really sure what happened. No one suspects anythingstrange though, they all think it was a freak accident.”

Esme nodded and her face relaxed the lines in her browsmoothing out.

“Oh don’t you go making it easy for him Alice! I have a fewchoice words for him when he gets back.” Rose grumbled.

Emmett laughed and kissed her hair lovingly.

I took Jasper’s hand and headed upstairs to our room. I didn’twant to listen to Rose complain all day. Since we were free forthe day I was going to dedicate it completely to Jasper.

As soon as we were alone I could see the questions he hadbeen waiting to ask.

“Why didn’t you tell me Alice?”

“He asked me not to Jaz!” I smiled apologetically and steppedtowards him lightly. I let him pull me down onto the couch and Inestled into his side happily.

“Okay, I can appreciate that but did you know what he wasgoing to do?”

I shook my head against his chest. “Only a second before it

happened, he had been pretty much resolved at the fact thatshe was going to die.”

“And why did he do it?” Jasper asked kissing each one of myfingertips.

“I can only tell you how I interpret it, and as far as I can tell Ithink he’s in love with her, he’s drawn to her in an unusual way,

33



it’s hard to explain unless you see how he imagines his futurewith her in it.”

“So he’s completely decided on it?” Jasper asked surprised.

“No not completely, he has gone through several decisionssince and all but one include her.”

“Hmm.”

“I know that’s what I thought!” I said turning my head to kisshis neck.

He smiled and pulled me closer to him. I wrapped my armsaround his neck and climbed onto his lap. His eyebrows raisedbriefly and he swung me down onto the couch.

34



CHAPTER 6 - DISAGREEMENT

By the time Edward arrived home with Carlisle I had alreadyforgiven him, after spending my afternoon alone with Jasper Igot to thinking how my life would be without him. I couldn’timagine it, Jasper had always been my rock, my heart, the verycore of my being and I began to realize that Edward had neverknown that. I wanted him to have what each of us had, he hadbeen alone far too long and that was when I decided I wasgoing to support him in whatever he chose to do. He was goingto have a fight on his hands but I would do anything I could tohelp him.

They came into the house and Edward was immediately jumpedon.

“What the HELL was that Edward?” Rosalie shouted before hecould even close the door.

“Rosalie Hale!” Esme exclaimed, she hated us to raise ourvoices at one another.

“No Esme, I deserve it!” Edward hung his head and moved tothe couch sitting next to Esme. Carlisle moved towards Esme

picking up her hand and kissing it gently.

“What were you thinking?” Emmett growled, he couldn’tunderstand Edward’s reasoning at all.

Edward sighed and dropped his head into his hands. “I wasthinking about not exposing us, if her blood had been spilledthere today...” His voice trailed off weakly and he shook hishead.

“But you had a choice Edward!” Rosalie snorted.

Edward looked at me with hurt eyes, but snorted back atRosalie with distaste. I hated seeing him like that, he was myclosest brother.

“I personally think he made the right one!” I said steppingforward.

35



“What?” Rosalie spat.

“Do you honestly believe that we shouldn’t save a life if we getan opportunity to? You think we should let someone innocentdie, even though we have the ability to save them?”

“Yes, we should let nature run its course, if we weren’t here itwould have happened regardless!”

Rosalie reasoned.

“But I was there Rose!” Edward said his voice louder than itneeded to be.”I couldn’t just let her die!”

“Yes and now she knows something... doesn’t she!”

“What the hell’s THAT supposed to mean?” He growled.

I looked up at them, was there something I had missed? Edwardglared at Rosalie.

“I called Carlisle!” she said defiantly.

Carlisle nodded but immediately shot an apologetic look atEdward, Edward nodded.

“She knows?” I asked now nervous.

“No!” Edward said standing up again. “She is confused aboutwhat happened, I just wish...”

“You wish what?” Rosalie narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“She said she wouldn’t talk to anyone about it! And I believeher!” he sighed.

“What is she thinking?” asked Esme softly.

Edward shot me a look and paced the room, he leaned againstthe wall and looked up at the ceiling. “I don’t know!” hewhispered.

“WHAT?” Rosalie screeched. “What do you mean you don’tknow Edward?”

Edward exhaled through his nose. “I can’t hear her thoughts!”

36



The room filled with an ominous silence. It was the calm beforethe storm. Everyone in the room was trying to process the newinformation and decipher exactly what it meant.

“Why not?” asked Jasper quietly, he always hated being in the

spotlight.

“I... I’m not sure, I’ve tried everything, the more I concentratethe quieter things get.” he pushed off the wall and paced to thecenter of the room.

“Hmm, I’ve never heard of that!” Carlisle sighed. “I’m not surewhat that means.”

“Well, she knows too much, we need to do something!” Rosaliesighed. “I think we should catch her off guard before she has a

chance to say anything!”

Edward shot a fierce look at her and his eyes narrowed.

“Why is that always your first inclination Rose?” I askedheading towards Edward. “We have no idea what she knows.”

“Rose, please try and look at this objectively.” Carlisle saidsoftly.

“I think Rose’s right though!” Jasper grimaced. “If she has even

a doubt in her mind that there is something unusual about us, itcould ruin everything. And with Edward blind we can’t evenknow what she’s thinking. It’s our only option.”

“He has a point!” Emmett pointed out.

Edward ran a hand through his hair and walked to the windowstaring out into the darkening sky, trying to keep his temperunder control.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t see why you are so eager to kill this poor

girl!” I said with disappointment.

“We have to do something, if she finds out...”

“SHE’LL KEEP HER WORD!” Edward shouted not letting Rosaliefinish. “I’m not going to harm a hair on her head, and neitherare any of you!”

37



“I have to agree with Edward!” Carlisle placing a thumb andfinger on his temples. “We also have to consider she’s thepolice chief’s daughter!”

“That means nothing! The girl is clumsier than any I’ve ever

seen before!” Rose sang angrily.

“Look, I will stay away from her, I will watch the minds of thosearound her, it’ll be obvious if she breaks her word, and I’m sureAlice could keep an eye out. Really, there is no reason to killher. If I cut off communication with her she won’t have a reasonto even think about us!”

“What’s really going on here Edward? Why are you so intent onkeeping this girl alive?” snapped Emmett. Esme and Carlisleexchanged a look, I could see that they had come to the same

conclusion as I had.

“If you want her, you will have to change her!” Jasper sighed.

Edward spun on his heel and glared at Jasper with disgust,“NO!”

“You... Want... HER?” Rosalie snorted in provocation.

Edward approached her quickly with only anger controlling him,“This isn’t the point here Rose!”

“Oh isn’t it?” she hissed back.

“We are no longer discussing this!” Edward backed away fromher. “No one will touch a hair on her head, do you understandme?” He looked around the room, his face cold and angry.

“Whatever you need to do to stay Edward, I will support yourdecision!” Esme almost whispered under her breath.

Edward stormed out of the room leaving us all stood bewildered

in his wake.

“Are you telling me he has some kind of... Ugh!” Rosalie Spatand headed out the back door pulling Emmett with her. Iwatched her go silently and then turned my attention to Esmeand Carlisle.

38





Bella had been center of attention for a while, Tyler Crowleyfollowed her around like a lost lamb, apologizing endlesslyabout what had happened.

Edward had told me one day at lunch how Bella was trying to

credit him with saving her life, it had been awkward, he’d saidat first, when each of her friends had admitted they hadn’t seenhim there but Bella had insisted he had been stood right next toher.

Edward wouldn’t even look at Bella anymore, he would keep hishead turned to the rest of us and joined in with ourconversation as normal, but he was miserable. He tried to hideit but I knew, and I tried to keep him occupied. It seemed sounfair.

He wasn’t the only one miserable. I kept my eye on Bella, shewould subtly watch us during lunch and eyes would followEdward’s every movement outside of class. What was the pullbetween them? There seemed to be some magnetism betweenthem that was pulling them to each other. It was the strangestthing I had ever seen, especially since the two of them workedso hard to avoid one another.

Things started to change when the usual over-excitement forthe upcoming dance started. Edward was growing moreagitated by the day and I was beginning to feel terrible for him.

“Edward?” I asked him for across the lunch table.

He looked up at me sharply and feigned a smile. He went backto picking at the food in front of him.

“What’s wrong?” I asked quietly.

Edward shook his head, and although his eyes moved his headdidn’t. His eyes had pointed to Bella’s table.

‘Bella?’ I asked in my thoughts. Edward shook his headcasually.

‘Is it about Bella? Someone else’s thoughts?’ I asked. Edwardshook his head again and sighed.

‘You can talk to me Edward!’ I thought. Edward nodded againbut looked away joining the conversation the rest of out family

40



was having. I looked over at their table quickly and frowned.What had him so upset and grumpy?

I reached out for Jasper’s hand under the table, he pulled it intohis quickly and smiled at me. I felt a rush of love and smiled, I

loved that he knew me so well.

The rest of the school day was filled with buzzing about thedance. It was hard to escape. I was glad to get to the car at theend of the day. Edward had already pulled the car out of theparking spot and had a line of traffic behind him. We climbed inquickly, Edward was laughing. I shot a look behind us and therewas Bella’s loud red truck. I shook my head and tried to hidemy smile. The short drive home gave me time to think, was thisthe end of misery, would he finally give in to his deepestdesires? I wasn’t sure but I hoped so, for all of us.

Edward’s moroseness had been hard on Jasper, being so finelyattuned to the moods in the room, he would accelerate intosadness whenever Edward was near. I would try to help andcounter the emotions with love. But the dolefulness thatemanated from Edward was overwhelming.

I followed Jasper upstairs when we got home and cuddled intohim on the couch, He put his headphones on and I picked upthe book I had been reading. I lay my head on Jasper’s chestand let my eyes scan over the words. Reading was such a quick

process now, trying to slow down was never an option.

The sound of the piano flowing through the house made me situp quickly. I smiled and Jasper pulled off his headphones, helooked at me and smiled knowingly. It had been months sinceEdward had played the piano and we had missed it. It beganwith the usual tinkering of the keys, he was preparingsomething new, then he hit the note he wanted. The sweetmusic drifted through the house like a summer breeze. I pulledmy knees to my chest and rested my head on them andlistened. I knew the motivation and it was evident in the

flowing, ebbing sound of his fingers drifting over the keys. Itwas beautiful, and it suited her perfectly, although I wouldnever say that out loud, not yet anyway.

41



CHAPTER 7 – LUNCH

Edward had disappeared for the night when I saw her newfuture. I was stood in our bedroom and I was going through mycloset , Rosalie and I had a shopping trip planned for theweekend whilst Emmett and Edward were going hunting. Jasperwas hunting with Esme, Carlisle had to work and didn’t wanther to have to hunt alone so Jasper offered. He knew I loved toshop.

The vision was of Bella, she was in Seattle and as somethingcaught her attention on the sidewalk she cruised through a redlight and was hit by an eighteen wheeler. She survived but she

suffered some bruising and broken bones in the impact. I hadpromised Edward that if I saw anything like this in her future Ineeded to let him know.

We had had a disagreement earlier in the night, he had pickeda vision of Bella becoming one of us out of my head. I had beenplanning to keep that little gem to myself, I wasn’t sure how hefelt about the situation yet and I didn’t want to be the one tobring it up.

I don’t know why he felt the need to confront me about it, I had

just seen it happening. I didn’t think he needed to shoot themessenger.

We had discussed it rationally after the fact, he understood itwas just something I saw in the future. But to me it looked likehe may have his hands full, she seemed to magnetize danger,as well as Edward. So I was now on a constant vigil to keep hersafe.

“What is it?” Jasper asked wrapping his arms around my waistand pulling me close to him. I rested my head on his shoulder

and pulled out a hideous shirt I’d forgotten I’d bought. I threw itinto a pile I was going to throw into a charity box whilst wewere in LA.

“Bella’s getting into trouble again.” I sighed pulling out avintage dress that was probably back in style now.

42



“I don’t think he should be interfering, if he keeps doing thisshe’ll figure something out!”

I spun around and looked into his eyes. “You need to be a littlemore supportive Jasper, we have no idea how this will play out,

but I think we should give Edward time to figure this out in hishead.”

Jasper nodded and pulled me close to him. I spun around againand continued going through my closet. I pulled out a skirt Ihad never worn before, it was from the sixties and I don’t thinkthere was any retro style that was going to allow that back instyle.

I was putting the bags full of my old clothes in the garage whenEdward got home. I knew he was coming so I decided it was a

good time to take the bags down.

“Hey!” He smiled at me happily.

“What’s with you?” I asked suspiciously.

“Nothing!”

“Mmm Hmm!” I leaned against the Volvo. “I think there’ssomething you should know. Bella’s in trouble again, it’s inSeattle so I have no idea when it’s going to happen but she’ll

be in an accident so you may want to keep an eye on her.”

“Ahh yeah she was panning on heading out that way on theSaturday of the dance.”

“Well it might be a good idea to maybe dissuade her orsomething.”

“I’ll get on it at school.”

“So where’ve you been?”

Edward raised his eyebrows and shook his head.

“Fine I saw but I wasn’t trying to honestly!”

He ruffled my head and walked past me into the house, Ipushed the bags further into a corner and followed him in.

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“Ah crap!” I said as we pulled into school. “Blood typing inbiology, be warned!”

There was a collective groan as we stepped out of the car. I hadbiology first period so I climbed back in the front and pulled out

the issue of the French fashion magazine I had mailed to me. Ihad brought it to buzz through at lunch but it now came as ahandy distraction.

The rest of the family headed toward the school. “Edward!” Icalled sticking my head out of the window. He looked aroundthe parking lot and headed back towards me.

“Yes Alice?”

“Do you really think it’s a good idea to sit with her at lunch?”

He scowled and walked away from me, Something had caughthis attention in the parking lot. I strained to see and realized itwas Bella’s old truck. I pulled out my magazine and startedflicking through the pages. Lunch was going to be a nightmare,Rosalie was not going to like this and Edward knew it. He hadfinally made the decision to talk to her and attempt to be herfriend. I had seen it but I didn't want to pry so I teased himwhen I thought it was appropriate, like now.

I had been enamored inmy magazine when the bell rang for

second period. I looked up and saw Rosalie and Emmettheading for the car. I jumped out quickly and I traded mymagazine off to Rosalie as I headed to class. I could haveavoided the whole mess by telling her now but I knew shewould hunt Edward down and tell him exactly what she thoughtof that idea, and I didn’t want to be responsible for thatconversation. I took a quick peek at Bella’s future as I was satin class. Edward had obviously done something right becauseshe was fine. Although I still saw her as one of us, but there wasno way of telling how it came about.

By the time lunch rolled around I was ready to avoid thecafeteria altogether. I picked up some food I wouldn’t eat andheaded towards our table. I sat down and looked around theroom. Edward was sat on the other side of the cafeteria fromus, Rose was glaring at him.

“What is he doing?” Rose hissed under her breath “I know youknow Alice!”

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I looked at her and shrugged my shoulders. “What do you meto do Rose?”

“I don’t want you to do anything, I want you to tell me whathe’s doing over there!” she nodded in the direction of Edward.

“Waiting for Bella I’d assume!”

“What?”

Emmett chuckled under his breath and rubbed Rose’s backsoothingly. “Take it easy Rose!”

Rose sucking in air through her nose and slumped hershoulders, she picked up a bagel and began pulling it apartviolently. Her jaw was set tightly and she continued to glare.

I looked over at Jasper and he nodded, there was immediateease surrounding us.

“Stop it Jasper!” Rose muttered under her breath. Jasper triedto hide the smile he was wearing unsuccessfully. I grinned athim and winked.

“So I’m guessing the avoiding her plan is out the window?”Emmett asked quietly.

“Guys lets just let him try this, he seems happy about it!”

“Oh great at least he’s happy!” Rose Spat.

I turned my head, Rose was good at projecting her anger on toothers and this whole situation with Bella and Edward had herin a worse mood than I had seen in years. I looked over atBella’s usual table and it was evident that Mike Newton was nothappy about the current situation. He was scowlingshamelessly at Edward. I looked over at Edward, his face wasrelaxed and comfortable. Bella was sat across from him with

her back to us. The grin on his face told me everything and Iturned back to the table. Rose was watching Edward too, herfrown had eased a little. The rest of lunch passed withoutincident Emmett was talking about the hunting trip thisweekend, they were heading out to hunt his favorite. Grizzlies.

As I let my mind wander I saw Bella, she was at a beach stoodleaning over into a tidal pool, she lost her balance and fell in.

45



She knocked her head a little but it was nothing too bad, but Icould see her embarrassment. I immediately felt terrible forher. I would have to warn Edward.

The cafeteria was beginning to empty slowly so I stood up and

picked up my tray, I dumped it and headed to the door. I knew Iwas going to have to shout for him to hear me whilst he was sodistracted.

‘Edward if she’s going to the beach tell her to be careful, she’sgoing to end up falling into one of the tide pools, she won’t hurt herself badly but I know she’ll be embarrassed, do you hear me?’

Edward’s head nodded once and that was all I needed, I headedout to my next class, “Don’t forget to skip Biology Edward!’ I

called out again. I turned to make sure he heard me. He movedagain in a way that only I would see.

The rain was a little bit heavier at the end of the day and Istood under the cafeteria shelter waiting for the rest of myfamily, Edward hadn’t come back yet. He had taken Bella homeafter she had gotten dizzy from the blood typing. I hadn’trealized this until she had made her decision to go to class, andit was too late to alert Edward. He did find her though and tookher home. Now I had to drive the slow, loud, red truck and takeit to the Swan house for Bella.

"Where's Edward?" asked Jasper, stopping next to me.

"He took Bella home."

Edward pulled up in the Volvo and we headed towards the car.Instead of getting in, I walked to the drivers window and heldout my hand. Edward surprised me by getting out of the carand then I saw it. I nodded and got into the Volvo, he hadchanged his mind, he wanted to take the truck to her.

“What’s he doing now?” Rose asked rolling her eyes as sheclimbed into the back seat with Emmett, she seemed almostcalm.

“She faints at the sight of blood so Edward took her home, andnow he’s taking her truck to her.”

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Rosalie bit her lips and kept her mouth shut, I knew she wastrying to be a little more understanding so I let the matter drop.

“Are we going to follow him?” asked Jasper. I knew he wantedto get home. He was eager to get away from the lingering smell

of blood that had been shrouding the school all day.

“No he’s going to run I think!”

I put the purring Volvo into drive and hit the gas.

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CHAPTER 8 - LOS ANGELES

Friday started to drag, Edward and Emmett had already left ontheir hunting trip and Rose and I had decided to leave afterschool and get down to LA and hit some nightclubs tonight andshop when we could the next day. So the anticipation of nightlife had us restless. Rose was in a good mood today and Iwanted to get out of here before that changed.

We were already sat at our table when Bella came in, shepeered hopefully at our table, I think she honestly wantedEdward to be here. It was actually cute.

“What does she want?” Rose asked under her breath.

“I think she’s looking for Edward!”

“She didn’t know he wasn’t going to be here?” Jasper asked.

“She knew but I think she kinda hoped that he would be hereanyway!”

“I’m so bored.” Rose sighed poking the food around her tray.

“Sorry I’ll shut up then!” I laughed.

“Not with you!” Rose threw a french fry at me. “With thisplace!”

“Let’s just get out of here now!” Jasper grinned picking up histray.

Rose and I looked at one another and picked up our trays. WeDumped them and heading out.

Edward and Emmett had taken the Jeep to Goat Rock and Iknew that Jasper wanted to use the Volvo so Rose and I had achoice, we could use her BMW or we could borrow theMercedes from Carlisle.

“Mercedes!” we said at the same time. Rose pulled out her cellphone and dialed Carlisle’s number.

48





practically purring, she loved this style much more than ourreclusive tendencies.

“Lets check in so we can go out!” Rose sang as she walkedthrough the doors. Every eye in lobby was on us. This was the

usual reaction when you were with Rosalie, and it was quiteamusing, she could make a mans jaw drop just by walking pasthim. Rose flicked her hair over her shoulder and approachedthe counter.

“Reservation for Hale!”

The poor man behind the counter stuttered for a good minutebefore he gave up and scanned the keys.

“Thank you!” Rosalie sang as she pulled the card keys out of

his hand with the tips of her thumb and index finger. Sheheaded very regally toward the elevators and pressed thebutton. We climbed in and the door slid shut behind us. Weimmediately started laughing.

“Your good!” I laughed.

“He never gets around to asking for the credit card, you wouldthink someone would notice!”

Rose rubbed her hands together happily, she was in her

element. She loved girl weekends. As the doors rolled open westepped out into the penthouse suite.

We were dressed and ready to go in record time Rosalie wasready to let her hair down, she had wanted to go out dancingfor the longest time and she was growing impatient.

“C’mon Alice!”

“I need to make one call before we go!”

She held out her silver phone.

“Long distance!” I picked up the hotel phone and dialed thenumber.

“Bon Phillipe de Matin, c'Est Alice Réformé, je suis dans LosAngeles et j'aimerais un rendez-vous dans vos Los Angeles à

50





nothing away from Rosalie, and although I’m sure every man inthe club wanted to approach her they never would. Whetherout of fear or intimidation, they always kept their distance.

We got back to the room before sunrise, we freshened up and

headed out to the mall so we could avoid the sun. We hit everystore in there and made several trips to the car. It was 3 o’clockwhen the storm finally moved in. With the trunk of theMercedes packed to the point of over flowing we headed toRodeo Drive.

Our first stop was Phillipe’s. As soon as the door opened Rosefluttered inside and danced around she loved flowing dresses,there weren’t many occasions to wear them but she had acloset full, ready for any occasion. I headed straight to thebooks, I knew that Phillipe had emailed something for me to his

assistant, he always did. Rebecca handed me the book she hadput together for me and I took a seat. I flicked through the bookand immediately found the dress I was looking for. I pulled outthe page and continued flicking through the pages. Rosalie hadpulled a beautiful creation from the wall display and wasexamining it.

I pulled out a second picture and closed the book, I had foundwhat I wanted. I handed the pages to the assistant and waitedas she did her thing.

“Miss Cullen do you want both of these the same as usual?”

“No I need this one in a size 2 and I need it blue.” I picked upone of the pencils and headed around the desk next to the girl.I could tell she was uncomfortable being so close to me. Isketched on the design adding to it’s perfection. “Do you thinkyou could arrange that for me?”

Rebecca nodded and started making notes on the paper.

“Alice?” Rose called quietly.

“Mmm?”

“Can you come here a second?”

I headed over towards her and pulled the bottom of the dressinto my hands. “It’s gorgeous Rose!”

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Rosalie raised her eyebrows and leaned closer towards me.

“Since when do you wear a size 2?” she whispered softly.

“It’s not for me!” I sighed.

“Then who is it for?”

“Don’t freak out, I’m serious!”

Rose nodded and waited.

“It’s for Bella! Edward’s taking her to the prom!”

Rose’s eyes narrowed and she hissed under her breath. I shookmy head and headed back to Rebecca, Rose carried the dress

to Rebecca and placed it on the table.

“Can I get this in scarlet red!”

I laughed, in my head I could see that Rosalie had just madethe decision to go to prom.

For the majority of the drive home, Rosalie had given me thesilent treatment, I could tell she was upset that I had gone tothe trouble of getting a Phillipe dress for Bella, but I knew shewould get over it.

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CHAPTER 9 - PORT ANGELES

By the time we arrived back at the house Rosalie had forgivenme. She never could stay mad at me, and she should haveknown better than to give me the silent treatment, that was myforte, I could keep silent for days if I needed to.

Esme was ecstatic at the clothes we had bought for her, shehad never really been as interested in shopping as Rose and Iwere and she trusted our taste enough to let us do hershopping for her. The living room was almost brimming with thebags from our trip. We had shopped for everyone in the family.

I sat down on Jasper’s lap and laid my head against hisshoulder. He was watching Dracula. I laughed at Bela Lugosi ashis eyes intensified and he pulled his cape over his nose andmouth.

“Can we please change this?” Rose asked rolling her eyes.

Jasper laughed and picked up the remote, the news was justcoming back from commercial, the weatherman stood onscreen in front of the green screen, the State of Washingtonsprawled out behind him. There were little sun images popping

up over Seattle to the coast.

“Edward won’t be happy!” Jasper whispered into my ear.

I closed my eyes to see if the weather man had it accurate.“Especially seeing as this guys got it right, twice in the space of a week, I’m impressed!”

“Getting the weather right for a week out of fifty two isn’texactly a fine art Alice!” Rose snorted.

“You’d think it would be an easy enough job considering it rainshere ninety percent of the time!” Esme laughed.

“But alas...” Rose trailed off into a giggle.

“Should we call Edward and Emmett and let them know theyhave two more days?” Jasper asked.

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Rose nodded and picked up her phone pressing a button.“Emmett, it’s me, Monday and Tuesday forecast sun so if youwant to stay longer you can, I miss you! Okay, Love ya, call mewhen you get this!”

Rose flipped her phone shut and pushed it into the pocket of her jeans. She picked up a couple of bags and headed up thestairs.

Emmett and Edward didn’t stay longer, they were back onSunday evening. I saw this happening on Saturday, Edward hadalready made up his mind to come home, his missed Bella.Every time I turned around I would see Bella. Reading a book,driving to school, it was getting boring. But I was glad he wasn’tthere when I saw my strongest vision yet of her becoming oneof us, I was becoming attuned to her because I could see her

future clearer ever time I looked at it, this particular time I wasupset. She knew, she knew we were vampires! I didn’t knowhow I was going to explain it so I had to talk to Edward first. Ididn’t want to hide it from Jasper, but I knew what his resolutionwould be. I went for a run to clear my head, if Jasper cameanywhere near me he would know something was wrong.

By the time I got back Edward and Emmett were rolling up inthe Jeep. The two of them were in high spirits but Edwards headsnapped to me as I got closer.

‘I need to talk to you!’

Edward jumped out of the Jeep and headed towards me.“What’s wrong Alice?”

I headed back towards the woods and looked over my shoulderto make sure no one was in ear shot. I decided it would be saferin my head. ‘Bella knows!’

“About us?”

I nodded, Edward ran his hands through his hair and lookedback at the house. He took my arm and pulled me deeper intothe woods.

“How did she find out?”

“I really don’t know, it hit me like a brick wall this morning. Itcame out of nowhere.”

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Edward covered his eyes with his hand and sighed. I knew hehad no idea what to do, his future became a bizarre blur of images, it gave me the sense of being on a roller coaster.

“Did you see anything else?”

“Yes, but this is a good thing! As soon as she knew about usbeing vampires, she made the decision to keep it to herself. The way it looks is that she will never tell anyone. I think that’ssomething to be happy about!

“Oh and she may have some problems in the woods behind herhouse, I think it would be best if she stayed away from them!”

Edward laughed but it quickly turned into a sigh. “She’s alwaysin trouble!”

I cocked my head to the side and shrugged my shoulders. “Youdefinitely know how to pick them!”

Edward ruffled my hair and we made our way back to thehouse, I knew he was going over to Bella’s as soon as hecleaned up. I could see that without looking into the future. Itwas the reason they were back today even though there weretwo days on sunshine looming over our heads.

As much as I loved the way the sun felt on my skin, the sunny

days often blended together. Jasper and I would lay down bythe river together and listen to the flowing water as the suntouched our cool skin. I loved to watch Jasper sparkle, he wasalways so mesmerizing in the sunlight. It was so unusual tothink he spent so much of his youth in the south. I closed myeyes again and relaxed, letting random images flutter throughmy head, but seeing Bella being attacked on a dark streetmade me sit bolt upright and I hopped to my feet.

“Alice?” Jasper was on his feet in an instant and held my face inhis hands. “What’s the matter?”

“I have to find Edward, it’s Bella!”

Jasper nodded and took my hand, we both knew where he’d beso we ran in the direction of Bella’s house.

We caught up with Edward hidden in the tree line aroundBella’s house. She was asleep on a blanket in the yard. Edward

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was casually leaning against a tree. As we approached he spanaround quickly.

“When Alice?”

I shrugged my shoulders, I had only seen what would happen,not when.

“Where, did you see where?” He asked hurriedly.

“It was dark and I didn’t recognize where it was, she must havemade a new decision. Any ideas?”

Edward shook his head “No, I got here as she was comingoutside,”

I closed my eyes again trying to look a little closer at thesurroundings in the scene that played out in my head, therewas nothing but walls and concrete, there were moving lights inthe distance but no distinguishing landmarks. The men were inthe shadows but I could see how intimidating they could be tosomeone, especially a defenseless girl like Bella.

As I opened my eyes I saw Edwards almost crouched in anger,his fists were clenched and a low growl was emitting from hischest. He looked terrifying. Jasper stepped forward but Edwardput up his hand to stop him.

“I’m fine!” he said through his clenched teeth.

Jasper stepped back he knew better than to be too persistentwhen Edward was in a mood like this.

Edward paced as he thought, he was moving so quickly he wascreating a slight breeze. I stepped in front of him. He stoppedand looked at me curiously.

“I have an idea!”

“Which is?”

“I know you can’t hear her but can you hear her father?”

Edward relaxed a little and rested against a tree, watchingBella and thinking. The sun was slowly disappearing behind thetrees and her sleeping form was being cast into darkness.

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“Chief Swan’s almost here!” Edward said staying where he was.

I listened to the air, the sound of the tires on the asphalt gaveaway the cars location, there was a slightly different sound inthe engine, I was sure that this is what gave the police cruiser

away, there was a little more power behind the engine thanmost of the other cars here in Forks.

I looked over at Bella again, she was beginning to stir. Her eyesflipped open as the cruiser pulled into the driveway, she sat uplooking alarmed.

“Charlie?” she called out, almost as if she knew we were there.She jumped up quickly from the blanket and pulled togetherher possessions. She headed into the house.

“I know you’ll follow her tomorrow Edward, just stay away fromthe sun!”

Edward nodded and I took Jasper’s hand and headed back intothe thick cover of the trees.

I was on edge for the entire day knowing that Edward was outfollowing Bella. I needed a distraction. Jasper and I were goingstir crazy. I kept an eye on Bella all day and nothing changed. Icouldn’t understand it. Edward putting himself in her pathnormally changed things. Edward had come home in the early

hours of the morning to let us know what was going on. We hadalready filled in the rest of the family by this point, except forthe fact that Bella knew our secret.

He had explained that she would be heading to Port Angeleswith Angela and Jessica after school, and he was sure this iswhere the attack was going to take place. I had to agree withhim. It was the only place that made sense.

I was unsurprised that Rose was as supportive of this as shewas. We knew her history and she would never let anyone

suffer the same fate she had. She kept her temper and listenedas we helped Edward do what he needed to.

“No change?” Jasper’s voice pulled me out of my own head.

“Not yet. I wonder what’s going on?”

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Jasper kissed the top of my head and rested his cheek there. Itwas times like this when I looked into my own future, and therewas only ever one thing that was consistent, and that was Jasper. He was all I ever wanted.

We wandered back to the house, if Edward lost Bella he wouldcall me and I had left my cell phone there. We sat watching thenews with Esme and Carlisle. Rose and Emmett were in theirroom. The news was the same droning as always, there wasnever much going on here, even though it did have it’smoments. I continually closed my eyes to see if there had beenany change but I could see nothing different, I had to wait forher to make a different decision. It was starting to grow darkoutside and I was worried I had missed something. Jasper feltevery bit of my desperation, but he didn’t try to calm me, hedidn’t want to interfere with what I was seeing.

When it finally came to me I felt Jasper tense up next to me, Isaw the point in which Bella’s decision got her into trouble. Shehad gone to a bookstore on her own, but she never went in, shekept walking and got lost. I could see her passing the guys thatwould attack her. I picked up the phone and dialed Edwardsnumber. I relayed every new piece of information I had. After Ihung up I closed my eyes, I didn’t want to get anything wrong.

I relaxed as soon as I saw Bella with Edward. I stopped checkingnow knowing this would be a private moment that needed no

audience.

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CHAPTER 10 – DECISIONS

Edward didn’t come home until later that evening, he haddropped Bella off relatively early but he had been drivingaround trying to clear his head and find a way to tell the familywhat Bella knew and how she’d found out.

I knew the moment he decided to come home and Jasper and Iheaded downstairs to wait for him. The others wouldn’t beexcited about this and I knew that Rose would more than likelyhave a fit over it. Jasper would hold his comments, he didn’tagree with what Edward was doing but he didn’t want to makeit any harder for him. I had tried to explain to Jasper what I

thought was happening and he couldn’t understand until I hadcompared it to our relationship.

I knew beyond a reasonable doubt that Edward was in love withBella, every action he now took had her safety and happinessentwined with it. She was his motivation to truly live, it was thefirst time since I had known him he had ever been this happy. Itwas also the first time I had ever seen him this tormented, hisfirst instinct was to protect her yet he felt he was the biggestdanger to her. One thing was certain he still lusted after herblood and that scared him.

Edward came into the house like a cool breeze, he lookedcomposed but there was irrational finality in his eyes, hescanned the room.

“Where is everyone?”

“I guess upstairs,” I answered.

“Rose, Emmett, Carlisle, Esme, can you come down hereplease?” he asked as he headed into the living room.

Rosalie and Emmett were in the room a split second beforeCarlisle and Esme. They could tell by the sound of his voice thatsomething was going on. Edward waited until he hadeveryone’s full attention.

“I just wanted to tell you all together that Bella knows thatwe’re vampires.” he fell silent and let the reactions and

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accusations fly around the room. Jasper and I sat in silence,there was no need to add to the confusion.

“Why would you tell her Edward, have you lost your mind?”Rosalie shouted. She was shaking Emmett off of her, and

stalking towards Edward. “You know what this means, youknow the rules Edward!”

“She’s right Edward, how could you be so thoughtless, I knowhow you feel about her, but you should have at least spoken tous before you told her!” Carlisle added quietly.

Edward raised his hands to quiet everyone so he couldcontinue.

“I didn’t tell her, she figured it out, with a little help from our

Quileute friends down at the reservation. It seems they have alonger memory than we thought.”

The atmosphere in the room immediately changed, from peopletalking over one another to complete silence. Jasper was sittingas still as he possibly could, the look on his face told meeverything I needed to know. The conflicting emotions in theroom were torturing to him and he was having a hard timefocusing enough to calm the room down.

“They broke the treaty?” Carlisle asked stunned.

“No it was one of the kids, they told her the legend as a scarystory, she admittedly pulled the entire thing from him and putthe pieces together. The kid, Jacob Black I think his name was,thought it was a legend told by their elders to scare them, Idon’t think he has any belief in this legend.”

“Did you say Black?” Carlisle asked.

Edward raised his eyebrows and nodded, he knew what Carlislewas asking. Rosalie drifted into a chair and crossed her hands

in her lap, a stunned look creasing her brow.

“So what do we do?” asked Esme in almost a whisper.

“She won’t tell anyone, I know that much, She has alreadymade that decision!” I said quietly hoping everyone wouldassume I had just found this out, I didn’t want them to realize

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I’d been hiding something from them. Jasper picked up myhand in support. Edward shot me a grateful nod.

“Do you love her?” Carlisle asked looking at his son for anhonest answer.

“More than I thought was possible!”

Carlisle nodded in understanding, I knew the question he hadon his lips but he would never ask it, I think he instinctivelyknew the answer. Edward heard what was on his mind.

“No I will never do that, and it’s because I love her. It would bemy most selfish act if I changed her.”

“Isn’t that your only choice though?” Emmett asked honestly.

“No, if she never has any intentions of revealing our secret, Idon’t see why I would have to.”

“Do you even comprehend how difficult that would be?” Carlisleasked as sympathetically as he could. “You know howbreakable she is Edward, you also know that she will die oneday. Could you live an eternity knowing that you’ve lost yourtrue soul mate? I have never been an advocate to change sucha young and healthy child such as Bella, but as far as I can seewe’re out of options.”

“I have the option to let her live.”

“It’ll destroy you to lose her Edward, I wish you could see this!”Esme begged.

“It’s out of the question, I will not condemn her to this!”

“Couldn’t you give her the choice?” Emmett asked.

“NO!” Edwards voice bellowed through the house. Jasper was

almost rocking trying to suppress the emotions.

Edward marched out of the door and headed out into the night,leaving the rest of us once again stunned into silence.

I immediately turned my attention to Jasper, I knew he washaving trouble, so I did what I always did when it got to muchfor him. I concentrated with every bit of effort I had to how I felt

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“Yeah I would have to agree with Rose on this one!” I laughed, Ididn’t have to look to confirm her suspicions Emmett wasn’tdifficult to read.

“Is he picking up Bella?” Rose asked quietly.

I nodded, Rose shook her head and headed towards the garage.I followed quietly, she still didn’t agree with what Edward wasdoing but she wasn’t being as outspoken about it. It had tomean something. I climbed into the back seat and scooted overso that Jasper could climb in beside me.

The trip to school was silent, knowing there was a human outthere who knew what we were took us all off guard and weweren’t sure how to act. Especially around Bella.

The day passed by the same as any other, I had seen Edward acouple of times during the first couple of periods, he waswalking Bella to her classes. The strangest thing about it washer demeanor never changed around him. I was sure afterlearning what we were she would be a little more guarded, butshe never was. Jasper voiced the same observation as we sat atlunch together.

“She doesn’t seem to be bothered by what she’s discovered, infact she seems more enamored by him.” he murmured.

Rose shot at quick look over to the table that Edward and Bellaoccupied. All I saw was Bella and Edward in a meadow alonetogether, it came and went so quickly I was guessing it was asplit decision. I turned in my seat to look at Bella, I wanted tosee what her reaction would be. I had been watching her forless than a minute when she turned around and met my stare.She looked away quickly but in embarrassment rather thanfear. I think this was when I realized that, if given the choice,we could be very good friends. I liked that idea.

I looked back at the rest of my family, each were still staring at

Edward.

“Stop it guys, leave them alone!” I asked under my breath.

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CHAPTER 11 – SUPPORT

The new pattern of Edward being gone before we got outside,and him spending the entire day with Bella continued throughthe next day, I was beginning to think Edward wouldn’t talk tous again and I was feeling terrible. I wished Jasper and I haddone more to support him in his revelation. I was spending a lotof alone time with Jasper, I needed to feel his love.

I completely missed seeing Edward coming home that nightafter he dropped Bella off because Jasper and I werepreoccupied.

He called us all as soon as we got in the door. Jasper and Iheaded downstairs quickly. I was trying to concentrate to findout what was going on with Bella, hoping I hadn’t missedsomething, I was having trouble seeing her at all.

“Take a seat please.” Edward asked as we all convened in theliving room. I sat next to Jasper holding his hand. The roomwent quiet.

“I first want to apologize for losing my temper, it was uncalledfor I know you were just trying to help. I would also like to say

that I want to keep Bella human, I know a time may come whenI have to make a decision, but this isn’t the time.”

I nodded and gave him an encouraging smile. He smiled at meappreciatively.

“I also wanted to add that this may be more difficult than I hadanticipated, Billy Black showed up at Bella’s house while I wasdropping her off. He does not think this is a legend, I can tellyou that now, it was hard to concentrate with the amount of hatred spewing from his mind.”

“Hmm I was afraid of that!” Carlisle said sitting forward “Heand chief Swan are good friends, I remember Charlie telling meabout the disagreement they had gotten into because of Billy’ssilly superstitions.”

“So this is worse than we thought!” Rose chipped in, “Not onlyis Edward dating the police chiefs daughter, but the guys also

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happens to be good friends with one of the Quileute counselmembers. Do you really think this is a good idea Edward?”

“No I don’t Rosalie, but I can’t stay away from her.”

“You can’t or you won’t!” Rosalie Spat out.

“Both!” Edward kept his calm, but I could see his hands tensedup into balls. “Alice can you see anything?”

I closed my eyes and concentrated with all my efforts on Bella, Isaw her and Edward together.

“Nothing different than before, I think we’re safe!”

Edwards eyes intensified, “Are we?”

I knew he was asking if Bella was going to be safe with him, so Ismiled and nodded. As far as I could see he would be fine, aswould she when she got home.

He nodded his head once more at me and smiled and took adeep breath, the more I told him nothing changed the morerelaxed he became.

“Well I’ll see what I can do Edward but I think you just need tokeep an eye out for him for now. I’m sure Alice will something if

the situation changes.”

I nodded in agreement. “I will keep an eye on everything!”

Rosalie and Emmett disappeared to their room again. I knewRose was unhappy, I think she was convinced that Edward wasgoing to give into temptation on his date Saturday and it wouldchange everything for us. I knew she didn't understand and Iwas thinking about this when Edward approached me.

“Alice I was wondering if you could go hunting with me

tomorrow, I want to take every precaution I can before I’malone with her.”

“Of course I will Edward!”

“Jasper?” Edward asked.

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I looked at Jasper hopefully. I was hoping he would say yes sothat Edward would know that he had his support, but I knewwith the Quileutes being so persistent his views were changinga little. His shook his head apologetically and walked away.

“He’ll get over it. They all will, they’re just worried.”

“I know, I’m worried Alice. I can’t be without her though.” Onceagain in that instant his humanity was shining through. Thelonger he seemed to spend with Bella the more his humanemotions took hold of him. I was sure that he didn't see thisand it was why he was worrying so much about the date.

I nodded, “I know and your not going to hurt her Edward, I cansee that, I’ve been seeing that since you made the decision tobe with her.”

“Good to know!”

I nodded and headed after Jasper I knew Edward would beheading back to Bella’s before long. "I'll talk to you laterEdward, stop dwelling on it and focus on being with her. I'mgoing to find Jasper. Edward nodded and headed towards thefront door.

I got to our room just behind Jasper.

“What was that about?” I asked. He was laid down on the couchand pulled me down to him wrapping his arms around me.

“He was asking to be polite, I think he wants to talk to you inconfidence. Don’t worry I told him in my head I understood.” helaughed and kissed my neck.

“Why didn’t he just ask?”

“I was feeling his emotions he is tense, I think he needs yourreassurance.”

I rolled in Jasper’s arms until I was facing him. And I kissed histhroat. “You are a good Man Jasper Hale!”

He laughed and kissed the top of my head. "Only because of you Alice Cullen!"

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I lay for a while listening to his breathing, it was veryhypnotizing, my mind wandered away and I closed my eyes. Isaw Edward and Bella in a meadow very close to one another.Edward was telling Bella about his thirst for her blood and shesat patiently with nothing but interest on her features. For a

human Bella was surprisingly relaxed around him, there was noshying away, no hesitance, jut pure emotion, she loves him!

My eyes popped open as Jasper kissed my forehead.

“That was nice!” he whispered. I knew he was referring to myrush of loving emotion.

“That wasn’t me!” I whispered back laughing.

“You saw something?”

“Bella and Edward!” I giggled.

Jasper went quiet as he thought about what this meant, heknew as well as I did what that rush of love meant, I think hewas having a hard time believing it.

“Bella’s or Edward’s?”

I smiled. “Bella’s!”

“Really?”

I nodded, I knew he had never felt a human emotion thatclosely in a few years, but the very humanity of the feeling leftus both feeling euphoric.

“Are you going to tell Edward?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “If it comes up!” I grinned, “Or if hesee’s it in my head!”

Jasper laughed and pulled me closer to him, I kissed him gentlyon the lips. "I love you Alice!" Jasper whispered.

The rest of the family was waiting for us the next morning. Jasper and I had spent the remainder of the evening andmorning in our room, I was leaving school early with Edward tohunt and I knew Jasper would hate to be on his own. The

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clock on the cafeteria wall and decided to make a move. Theroom was slowly emptying of students. I got up and dumpedmy tray heading for Edward and Bella’s table. I stopped behindEdward.

“Alice.”

“Edward,”

‘Introduce me Edward!’ I yelled in my head. She was watchingme curiously, I was still amazed at her lack of fear.

“Alice, Bella - Bella, Alice,” Edward gestured between the two of us.

“Hello, Bella.” I smiled but kept my teeth hidden I really didn’t

want to scare her after they were getting along so well. “It’snice to finally meet you.”

Edward shot me look, he didn’t want me to say to much.

“Hi, Alice,” Bella’s voice was soft and calm, but oozing withshyness. It was kind of adorable.

“Are you ready?” I asked, I wanted to head out before we werestopped by a curious teacher.

“Nearly. I’ll meet you at the car.”

I turned and headed towards the door, I didn’t want to makethe goodbye any more awkward than it had to be, I knew thatBella had been almost challenging him to find her truck key.Unfortunately she hadn’t factored in me, she had made thedecision to check and see whether her key was in her pants inthe laundry room. Now I knew I would give Edward the headsup. I stopped at the Volvo and leaned against it. Edwardshowed up smiling broadly not long after and unlocked thedoor.

“Thanks for hunting with me Alice!”

“No problem Edward, oh I should let you know Bella’s key are inher pants in the laundry room.”

Edward grinned, “Thank you!” I knew he had been thinkingabout how he was going to find them. He probably would have

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relied on his sense of smell, but even then there was noguarantee, especially when she lived in the house. Her scentwould be everywhere. I smiled, I knew how he loved to be rightand I was glad to help, Bella actually seemed like she was goodfor him. I knew he was confused, but I had never, since the day

I met him, seen him this happy. It was almost overwhelming; Ididn't know how to deal with happy Edward.

We arrived at the Swan house within five minutes. Edwardloved to drive fast that's why I loved riding with him, out of everyone in the family Edward could take any one of us in aside by side race. Edward hopped out and headed towards thefront door, I jumped behind the wheel of the Volvo and waited,like the last time he was planning on driving the rust bucket tothe school.

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CHAPTER 12 - THE DATE

Hunting with Edward was a little more fun when he was in thisgood of a mood. He had been questioning me the entire timewe were in the car and now he was focused. I thought aboutthe future a little bit as I ran alongside Edward. I knew howemotionally connected he already was with Bella but I wasn’tsure of the extent. He had asked me about what I saw in thefuture for the two of them. I had explained to him that all Icould see was him and Bella happy and together. I still sawBella becoming a vampire but it wasn’t soon. I knew he couldsee that in my head so I didn’t need to even mention it.

I pointed to the right, the prey we were chasing was about tomove in that direction. Edward swung around to the other sideof it until it was between the two of us. I nodded once, this washis I would get the next.

I slowed my run to a walk and let Edward drink. I waited for himquietly. I knew what he was thinking so I closed my eyes andlooked for Bella. She was washing clothes at her house, shewas planning on going to bed early. I turned to look at Edwardto make sure he had seen this, he nodded thankfully.

“Alice, can I ask you a question?”

I nodded as I scanned the tree’s for more prey.

“How did you know Jasper was what you wanted?”

I giggled. “Well, I was lucky enough to know he was looking forme, you know that, but what I saw in my head was someonewho wanted to be loved. I saw myself with him the moment Ithought about it. Every inch of me yearned for him. When wefinally met I just knew I could never be without him, he amazes

me more every day. He’s like another part of me, almost myopposite. It’s hard to put into words, the only way I candescribe it is... serenity in it’s deepest form, he is who I am,without him I couldn’t exist!”

Edward nodded and looked around the trees, I watched himclosely as he processed my words.

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“I... I think that’s how I feel about Bella, when I’m not with her,not close to her I feel incomplete. I feel anxious. But when I’mwith her everything is right, it makes sense.”

“You know what they call that?” I asked smiling.

Edward shook his head, he eyes were beginning to warm withthe gold from his fill.

“She’s your soul mate!”

Edward laughed so loudly he startled the animals from thetrees around us. I narrowed my eyes sarcastically and grinned. Iknew exactly what he was thinking and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing with him.

“Alice!”

“I know what you think Edward, I know what I think but it’s theonly way to describe it.”

Edward ruffled my hair playfully. “I know what you mean, it justsounded odd!”

I laughed again and took off into the woods, there was a deernearby I could smell it.

The next morning the entire family were hanging around withpins and needles, I knew they would want to be near me incase anything happened. What I didn’t tell them or Edward wasthat no-one apart from us knew that Bella would be withEdward today, she was trying to protect us. I had seen her call Jessica Stanley last night, I had seen this at the exact time thatshe had decided it. I appreciated what she was doing and itmade me admire her so much more. I liked Bella Swan.

I sat with Jasper watching the Seattle news, we were laid out onthe small love seat in the livingroom. He was stroking my hair

gently. Rose and Emmett were in the garage, Rose waschanging the Jeep’s oil and giving it a tune up. Carlisle andEsme were fluttering around the house nervously.

“Please stop!” Jasper asked when Esme fluttered by with a ragand dusted every surface in the livingroom. I could feel thewave of calm emanating from him as her tried to calm herdown. Esme sat in the chair and shook her head.

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“It’s a strange feeling, I’ve wanted him to find someone for solong and I’m so happy he has, but I am so nervous becauseshe’s human and so breakable to him.”

I sat up. “He won’t hurt her Esme, he loves her too deeply. I’ve

seen it!” I said reassuringly.

“And since when have we doubted Alice?” Jasper chimed inpatting my leg gently.

Esme laughed and stood again. She headed back towards thekitchen. I leaned back against Jasper’s hard stomach andsmiled at him.

“Bored?” he asked grinning.

I nodded in response. I hated being unproductive when theweather was so beautiful outside, but I didn’t want to make theanticipation worse for everyone else. I jumped up off the couchagain and headed towards the office. I wanted to get on theinternet, I had a feeling it was time to redecorate our room.

“Where are you going?” Jasper called after me.

“Internet I’m redesigning our room, if you want any say in whatgoes on you may want to come too.”

“I trust your taste babe.”

The afternoon was wearing on and I would get flashes of decisions Bella and Edward made, the cat was all the way outof the bag now and there was no denying the love betweenthem. In an afternoon in a meadow they had declared their lovefor one another and succumbed to an eternity of love. Althoughthe second part Edward had no idea of. I think Bella wasunaware of the decision her subconscious had made. I knew forcertain because it was the strongest vision yet of Bella as oneof us. It was also becoming more frequent. Carlisle and Esme

had checked in with me a couple of times throughout the dayand now that the sun was beginning to fade behind the treesand mountains I was more than confident about Edward’sdecisions, so I stopped watching, I was feeling like a voyeur andI knew that he would never hurt her.

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I headed back downstairs, I wanted to celebrate the end of watch and get out of the house. Jasper was still vegetating onthe couch.

“I’m going for a run, you wanna come?” He jumped up and

followed me out into the cool night air. I headed into the woodsas fast as I could, Jasper was by my side. I just listened as thenight flew by me in a veritable assortment of sight and sound, Ifelt so free.

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CHAPTER 13 - MEETING BELLA

We ran for most of the night, we had decided to check out themountains, but as soon as I was aware of Edward headinghome we turned around. I hadn’t checked in on him all nightand I wanted to see how the rest of the date had gone.

We arrived home just before he did, Jasper’s grip on my waisttightened, it was a romantic gesture I knew came fromEdward’s heightened emotions. It was sensual, but knowingwhat had caused it made it a little more uncomfortable than itshould have been.

“So?” I asked as the rest of the family joined us.

Edward just smiled and I knew there was no need for ananswer. I grinned happily, I could definitely handle Edward insuch a good mood. Emmett laughed and pulled a hundreddollar bill from his pocket and slapped it into Jasper’s hand. Mymouth fell open in shock.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist!” he looked at me sheepishly.

“Oh no you don’t Jasper Hale, the puppy dog eyes won’t work

this time!” I stepped out of his hold and glared at him. I wasn’tas angry as I was making out to be, but I liked to watch himsquirm. Edward let out a laugh behind me, I spun on the spot tolook at him.

“It’s okay Alice, I’m glad Jasper has enough sense to listen toyou!”

“What?” Emmett shouted, this was followed by a couple of hisfavorite profanities. Rosalie slapped his shoulder and nodded atEsme. “Sorry!” Emmett mumbled.

Esme nodded and turned her attention back to Edward.

“So, what happened?” Esme asked quietly. “Was is difficultbeing alone with her?”

“No it got easier the longer I spent with her, she has very littlefear of me it was easy to be myself.”

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“Yourself?” Rosalie chipped in, “What’s that supposed tomean?”

“It means he didn’t have to hide anything from her!” Icommented.

Rosalie laughed spitefully, “You were showing off weren’t you?”

Emmett massaged Rose’s shoulders and whispered into herear, I missed what he was saying because Edward had justmade a new decision. I squealed and jumped at himenthusiastically. I saw him bring Bella to the house to meeteveryone, I knew it was to show everyone how genuine Bellawas, but I was excited at the aspect of a new friend.

“Really?”

The entire family glared at me, they hated when I referred towhat I saw without explaining what it had been first. Edward just smiled again and nodded.

“I want you all to meet Bella, so I wanted to know if it would beokay to bring her here later.”

“Yes, absolutely yes!” I was now hopping on the spot, I knew Imust look ridiculous.

“I would love to meet her Edward!” Esme offered kindly.

Edward turned to Jasper, he knew that Jasper had the hardesttime around humans. Jasper nodded and smiled.

“You know I have to ask you to keep your distance a littlethough!” Edward said apologetically.

Jasper nodded and smiled reassuringly to let him know thatthere was no miscommunication. Edward turned to Emmett andRosalie. Rose had her hands on her hips and her beautiful face

was contorted into a scowl. Emmett was smiling apologeticallyfrom behind her, I knew he was telling Edward it was fine in hishead, I just hated to think what Rose was shouting in hers.

“Do what you want Edward, but don’t expect me to stickaround and act like everything is normal,” She dropped herarms from her waist and her face smoothed slightly when she

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looked at Edwards face again, she sighed deeply. “Look, youcan bring her here, but don’t be upset if I’m not!”

Edward nodded and smiled in understanding, he knew it wouldbe a push for Rosalie to be here and deal with it. He looked at

Carlisle, he always asked Carlisle last because he respected hisopinion.

“I think it’ll be nice to meet her again, these are a lot bettercircumstances!” he grinned happily. I knew he was reveling inEdwards happiness, like the rest of us Carlisle had never seemhim so happy and he’d been with him the longest.

“Well I’m going to go change, them I’m going to head backthere and ask her!” He dashed off up the stairs before he hadfinished his sentence. I shot a look at Jasper again and shook

my head, I also let a slight grin sneak in there.

“So you had spoken to Alice!” Emmett raised his eyebrows.

Jasper shrugged and pulled the money out of his pocket, “Youwant it back?”

Emmett’s roar of a laugh filled the room, “No, I should haveknown better!”

Jasper smiled and pushed the money back into his pocket. He

stepped towards me sheepishly and wrapped his arms aroundme, except I was gone before he had closed the circle of hisarms. He laughed and stepped closer again, except this timewithout the gesture of a hug. He leaned in close, “I know yournot really angry!” He grinned raising his eyebrows.

I shook my head and laughed, I couldn’t believe him. Edwardcame down the stairs quickly and stopped at the door.

“Alice can you keep an eye out for when we head back, I don’twant to surprise anybody!” he added looking at Jasper quickly

and back.

I nodded, “I will, but Edward...” I stopped and carried on in myhead ‘You need to have a little more faith in Jasper, he’s beendoing so well!’

Edward nodded and smiled. He headed out the door withoutanother word.

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The news of a guest put Esme into a cleaning frenzy, she waswhipping around the house like a tornado, Carlisle watched herhis face frozen with a bemused expression. Rosalie and Emmettwere in their room, Emmett was trying to convince her to stayhere and meet Bella. I was amazed how persistent he was, but

there was no surprise at Rosalie’s resistence. I couldn’t beangry at her because I knew that it was hard for her having ahuman know almost everything. I think Jasper was morerelaxed than I was, he laughed at me as I dug in my closettrying to find something decent to wear.

“What?” I asked impatiently.

“You would think the Queen of England was coming for a visitthe way your emotions are peaking!” he laughed.

I stopped and tried to calm myself. I knew he didn’t need a rushof excitement when a human would be so close. I closed myeyes and tried to concentrate on something else, I triedtranslating my favorite song into Greek, translating alwayscalmed me and it fogged my brain a little. It was also a handylittle tool to keep Edward out of my head.

“It’s not working!” Jasper laughed. I was surprised by how calmhe was considering the way I felt.

“How are you so calm then?” I asked.

“I’m putting all my concentration into finding Carlisle’semotions, he’s in his study.”

“I’m impressed!” I headed towards him and hopped into his lap,I kissed him passionately and my lips made their way down tohis throat.

“That’s definitely not helping!” he added laughing.

I raised my eyebrows and jumped out of his lap, dodging his

arms as he tried to catch me.

“I didn’t say stop!”

I grinned spun on my heels and headed back into my closet. “Iknow, but Edward and Bella are about to head in this direction,I figured you’d need a minute!”

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Jasper shook his head in amazement. I grinned and continuedto dig through my closet... There was a sudden sway in ystance, it was then that I saw the nomads, there was a smallcoven headed through the area, I could see the path they weretaking, it was close, but until they picked up our smell I wasn’t

sure whether or not they would detour to visit. I was alsounsure of when this would be. I was sure they had mapped outtheir route beforehand so getting the time frame right would bedifficult.

“Aw Crap!”

“What?” Jasper was at the closest door in a second.

“Visitors!” I sighed, “They’ll pass through sometime this week,I’m not sure when!”

Jasper nodded, “I’ll go tell Carlisle, you find something towear!”

I laughed and danced towards him kissing him on the cheek. Ineeded to find something that complemented my complexion,or lack of! I also wanted it to scream friendly. I hated thethought of Bella being afraid of me. I was already resolved thatwe were going to become close friends.

When I saw Edward and Bella pull into the driveway in my head

I had to laugh, Bella was nervous. “They’re almost here!” I waspractically singing.

“Well I think we should stay up here and wait for her to getacquainted with Carlisle and Esme,” I looked at Jasper myeyebrows felt like they were hitting my hairline, I tried tosmooth my face out but he had noticed, “I don’t want tooverwhelm her!”

I nodded and sat down on the couch. I was waiting, theanticipation was entirely too much, I felt like I was about to

explode.

“Alice, please relax, just a little!” Jasper was almost begging. Inodded and waited. I heard the door open and the smell hit meseconds later. There was a human in the house. I looked at Jasper, he looked very relaxed.

“How are you doing?”

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“I’m fine,” he smiled, “Honestly Alice!”

I nodded and listened, I knew Edward would be asking whereeveryone was soon enough and I was waiting for it.

I heard his voice as clear as a bell, “Where are Alice and Jasper?”

I was out of my room like a rocket, I slowed only when I got tothe top of the stairs, I didn’t want to scare Bella.

“Hey, Edward!” I tried to sound as casual as I could but Icouldn’t contain myself, I headed down the stairs quickly andstopped in front of Bella. I could feel Carlisle and Esme tenseup, I was laughing at them in my head and I knew Edward couldhear me.

“Hi, Bella!” I leant forward and kissed her gently on the cheek, Iwanted her to feel welcome and it was the first thing thatcrossed my mind. Edward, Carlise and Esme froze on the spot. Iwas only concerned about one of them. ‘Please Edward I would hope you knew me better than that!’

“You do smell nice,” I directed my comment at Bella, “I nevernoticed before,”

I think I went a little bit too far with that comment, you could

cut the tension in the room with a knife. Jasper was there in aninstant, I could feel him behind me, I could also feel the wave of calm settling down on the room like a blanket. Edward lifted hiseyebrow.

“Hello, Bella!” Jasper said calmly staying close to the stairs.

“Hello, Jasper!” Bella added shyly, a small smile spreading onher lips, “It’s nice to meet you all - you have a very beautifulhome,”

“Thank you,” Esme said, there was an unusual tone to hervoice, it was one I hadn’t heard before, the look on her facehowever suggested that she admired Bella. “We’re so glad thatyou came.”

I knew that this was a new situation to Esme, out of all of usshe had the least interaction with humans. She spent more of her time here than venturing out into Forks.

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I caught Carlisle’s look he was telling Edward about the coven,that would soon be passing through our little town. Edwardnodded almost invisibly, but the look on Bella’s face suggestedshe’d caught the gesture. I watched as she politely tried toignore the situation, she gazed wide eyed at Edward’s piano.

Esme was watching her with the same curiosity I felt.

“Do you play?” Esme asked nodding towards the piano.

Bella shook her head, “Not at all. But it’s beautiful. Is it yours?”

Esme let out a gentle laugh and the confusion on Bella’s facewas evident, Edward hadn’t told her he played. What a sillything to leave out.

“No,” Esme answered Bella’s quizzical look. “Edward didn’t tell

you he was musical?”

Bella turned an intent glare to Edward’s seemingly innocent butbemused expression, “No, I should have known, I guess.”

I laughed under my breath and turned my head, I knew Edwardhad been showing off a little, I had seen that yesterday! Esmeraised her eyebrows, I hadn’t told her that .

“Edward can do everything, right?” Bella explained, the look onher face was priceless, if I hadn’t of known better I would have

thought she was being sarcastic. I really had to keep my laughfrom escaping at that! Jasper, didn’t hide his. Esme looked atEdward, her maternal nature was taking over.

“I hope you haven’t been showing off - it’s rude.” This time Ihad to turn my back and stop my breathing altogether, Esmewas practically cracking up herself trying to be so parental wasso easy though she suppressed it well.

“Just a bit,” Edward laughed with the rest of us, he could hearus inside our heads as well as out loud. Esme’s humor turned

into a look of surprise and then understanding, she finallysettled on satisfaction. I knew exactly what she was thinkingbecause I saw Edward’s response, it was quick as lightning but Isaw it. She had just realized how much Edward really did loveBella, and how excepting Bella actually was about us beingvampires. I think it shocked her a little and caught her off guard.

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“He’s been too modest, actually,” Bella added, the look sheshot at Edward answered every question Carlisle and Esme hadbeen asking. She loved him without any inhibitions.

“Well play for her,” Esme nodded at the piano and widened her

eyes, I knew Bella hadn’t noticed this and once again I wassubliminally picking up what Esme was telling Edward in herhead, I knew it would be something along the lines of ‘Play her song for her!’

“You just said showing off was rude,” Edward answeredplayfully.

“There’s an exception to every rule,”

“I’d like to hear you play,” Bella added sweetly, I was definitely

going to get along with her, I knew what Edward meant whenhe said he could be himself around her. Knowing that she wastruly aware of what we were was liberating and the lack of fearmade it easy to be around her.

“It’s settled then.” Esme pushed Edward toward the piano, hein turn pulled Bella with him. He sat her on the piano benchnext to him. The look he gave her was incredulous, Jasper and Itook that as a sign to vacate the room. We headed towards thekitchen and waited for Esme and Carlisle.

Esme arrived first, her favorite song was dancing through thehouse, she was almost dancing with it. I could tell by the lookon her face that she was excited, maybe even more so than I.Carlisle followed close behind her.

“Well?” I whispered.

“She’s wonderful, I’ve never seen a human so at ease withbeing so close to us, I can’t believe how happy he is either. It’samazing, they are perfect together.”

The music from the other room changed, he was playing Bella’slullaby. I danced a little and smiled. “She is perfect for him, andshe’s so nice, do you feel that strange relaxation around hertoo?” I asked without thinking.

“Yes, I know what you mean, I felt very at ease with her, shedidn’t flinch once, not even when Edward grabbed her hand.”Carlisle added.

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“I wish Rose would’ve stayed!” I added.

“She’ll come around, just give her some time!” Esme reasoned.

“Well we’re going to go stay out of the way!” I took Jasper’s

hand we headed up the stairs quietly, successfully not drawingattention to ourselves.

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I could hear the challenge in Jasper’s voice. Each of us hadbecome very competitive when it came to sports, we had atwenty year tally going, we had kept the same teamsthroughout the years and we always seemed to keep within aninning of one another, so it would carry on, this was now all

part of the game. Jasper’s favorite thing to do was psych outthe other players before the game, he knew it would have us allplaying our best.

Edward’s attention was, for a brief second ours, then hehesitated. I knew why.

“Of course you should bring Bella,” I said happily, I was lookingforward to getting to know her a little bit better. I could feel Jasper’s eyes on me, I concentrated on feeling relaxed, and hedid the same.

“Do you want to go?” Edward asked Bella, he was definitelygame now, another chance to show off, and a chance to one uphis team.

“Sure... Um, where are we going?” Bella didn’t like sports andyou didn’t have to be a genius to figure that one out. There wasa girl in my English class that I overheard complaining aboutalmost being knocked out by a ball Bella had sent her way, andthe kicker was she was on the same team. I also knew that shewanted to make Edward happy, and the look on his face made

it obvious that he wanted to include her in our family activity. Iwas getting used to the idea of having Bella around.

My thoughts drifted momentarily to Rosalie, I wondered howshe would react to having Bella there. I knew she wouldn’t missthe game, but I was hoping she would ruin the evening bybeing horribly rude to Bella. I guess we would cross that bridgewhen we came to it

“We have to wait for thunder to play ball - you’ll see why,”Edward was reeling in excitement now.

“Will I need an umbrella?” Bella asked innocently. Jasper,Edward and I laughed, it was such a human response wecouldn’t help ourselves. We had never needed umbrella’sbecause we didn’t get cold so being wet didn’t particularlybother us, except Rosalie, she hated her hair being wet but shewas always able to work with it until it looked perfect.

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“Will she?” Jasper asked me winking, I smiled.

“No. The storm will hit over town. It should be dry enough inthe clearing.” I had already seen this, I always tried to lookbecause as much as I loved playing ball, I hated the mud that

became caked in my hair, it was impossible.

“Good then.” Jasper sang out enthused, unfortunately hecouldn’t capture that feeling quickly enough and I found my self getting almost over excited, I could tell by the look on Bella’swarm face that it had reached her too.

I hopped up off the floor, “Let’s go and see if Carlisle willcome.” I danced towards the door, Jasper’s enthusiasm was stillintoxicating me.

“Like you don’t know,” Jasper grinned and followed me out of the door, pulling the door closed behind him, I carried on downthe hall to the stairs. Jasper was close behind me, I could stillfeel the excitement.

“Will you stop!” I giggled as I skipped down the stairs.

“What am I doing?” He asked keeping pace with me.

“Your making me positively giddy with excitement. It’s ratherdisconcerting.”

Jasper laughed and pulled me up into his arms, I loved himcarrying me, it was so unnecessary but I loved being so close tohim.

“I know what we could do with that excitement!” he whisperedin my ear.

“Don’t you two have a room you can do that in?” Rosalie askedas she hit the top stair, she was holding a baseball in her handsthrowing it back and forth quickly. Jasper set me down on the

ground and reached out grabbing the ball.

“And what are you doing with this Rose, think you can rig thegame?”

“No, Emmett and I were throwing it outside, there’s no lawagainst that is there?”

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“We could make one!” Jasper grinned.

Rose snatched the ball from Jasper’s hand and continued to herroom, “Don’t be so paranoid!” she called over her shoulder.“Remember we’re on the same team!”

Edward took Bella home but returned soon after, he lookedannoyed and angry and I wasn’t sure why. His new mood hadtaken me off guard, he had ben so happy when he had headedout.

“What’s wrong Edward?” I asked as he pushed the front doorclosed behind him.

“The Black’s. At Bella’s”

“Really I didn’t see anything!” I added, it wasn’t as if I’d beenwatching out for them, but if they were destined to cross pathswith Bella I was sure I should have seen them.

“Billy and his son were there. You know what adds insult toinjury?” he asked plopping down on the piano bench.

“What’s that?” I asked perching on the arm of the sofa.

“His son has quite a crush on Bella, and it’s a littleuncomfortable. Newton only stopped thinking like that since

I’ve been sitting at lunch with Bella and Tyler and Eric gave uptoo. Alice, if you could hear some of the thoughts...” He cuthimself off and started playing Bella’s lullaby, he was playingfaster than normal and I knew that this was a sure sign of frustration.

“Edward, listen this is something you have to deal with, it’s partof sharing your life with someone. I guarantee that if I couldhear thoughts some of the girls had about Jasper I wouldprobably be under house arrest from Esme.”

Edward stopped playing and laughed,”I could tell you if youwanted to know!”

I shook my head and laughed, “No not really, I think I’m betteroff not knowing. You have the thoughts in peoples heads todeal with, I know it’s a little bit harder dealing with that but youhave something they don’t”

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“Which is?”

“Bella, and you also know she loves you and only you! In turn itshouldn’t matter what other people think. She chose you!”

Edward smiled thoughtfully and stood up, “Do you see Charlieangry?”

“No, he’s on his way home still, but I see Bella again, shegetting ready for the game and to tell Charlie about you!”

Edward grinned, “Well I guess I’d better get ready and head onover there!”

I smiled and nodded, I knew that this was a weight off of hisshoulders, but I had to figure out why I couldn’t see Bella at

times. I guess that was part of her humanity. I headed backupstairs, I was going to practice with Jasper we were onopposing teams but we were married! Even so, I wanted to winthis game and get up another game over the others.

Edward had taken the Jeep to get Bella, the rest of us wererunning. I was trying to keep Jasper focused, I knew it would bea distraction having Bella there, but he had assured me he wasfine and that his head was in the game.

We arrived at the clearing and I could see the thunder clouds

rolling around in the sky, I was hoping that Edward and Bellawould get here before it started making noise. I sprinted to themound and waved at Esme, she had the ball. She threw it tome and I threw it at Jasper, we were going to warm up.

The noise in the woods caught my immediate attention, it wasthe sound of laughter. Edward was laughing harder than I hadever heard him. I turned my attention to the direction it wascoming from, but Jasper threw a fast ball at me which Iimmediately saw coming.

“Nice try Jasper!” I laughed throwing the ball back at him. Thethrowing began to get faster. It turned into a little competition, just another one of the many qualities I loved about Jasper.

The smell of Bella hit me before she and Edward finallyemerged from the trees, I threw the ball back at Jasper and rantowards them, the thunder was about to start. I stoppeddirectly in front of them. “It’s time,”

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The sound of thunder rolled across the sky like a stampede, Igrinned I liked having the chance to be dramatic. No one elsereally appreciated it anymore.

“Eerie, isn’t it?” Emmett’s casual tone chimed in, he winked at

Bella friendly. It was time to play.

“Let’s go.” I reached for Emmett’s hand and we headed acrossthe clearing toward the field. We had to get as much of thegame in as possible before the storm disappeared.

Edward was more interested in what Bella was doing, ‘Edward get your head in the game, we’re a game up I want to see if Ican make it two.’

Edward looked at me and grinned, he headed out further to left

field and waited as Emmett headed to the plate, I grinned as heswung the bat, Jasper was stood behind him. I threw the ball, itlanded where I wanted it to, Jasper’s hand. Jasper threw the ballback to me and I grinned. I refused to be over confident so Idropped the grin and focused again, I threw the ball butEmmett already had the bat in it’s line the loud thud of the batconnecting with the ball imitated the roll of thunder and flewtowards the forest. Edward was gone in a shot, I saw him catchit and relaxed. He emerged from the trees victorious, he heldthe ball up for everyone to see, a big grin spread across hisface he threw the ball at me and the inning continued. Every

now and again I would look towards Bella and laugh, no matterhow far we got into the game the look of utter disbelief neverwent away. The funniest moment was when Carlisle and Jaspercollided, the complete look of fear and shock made me laugh. This was the best game we had played in a while.

When we changed out Edward and Carlisle played smart,Edward kept his ball away from Rose, she could be very quickwhen she needed to, but Carlisle hit a home run, he andEdward both made it home, I stood on the sideline and gavethem high fives as they came in.

Carlisle came up to bat and Edward was catching when I sawwhat I had missed. They were coming, now. The look everyonegave me made me realize I had made a noise.

The nomads were passing through and they had heard usplaying, they were heading in this direction, they wanted to

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play. I looked directly at Edward and shared what I had seen itwas important for him to know what was coming.

“Alice?” I heard Esme call her voice was strained.

“I didn’t see - I couldn’t tell,” was all I could say, I hadn’t knownit was today, if I’ve known I would never have suggested thegame, I would never have invited Bella, Bella!

The others were gathering around me. Each face held a level of concern.

“What is it, Alice?” Carlisle’s voice was calm and controlled.

“They were traveling much quicker than I thought. I can see Ihad the perspective wrong before,” and I did, I had no idea how

I had missed the thunderstorm as they passed through, I hadno idea that they would be so close.

“What changed?” Jasper asked crouched over me protectively.

“They heard us playing, and it changed their path.” This was allmy fault, if Bella wasn’t here we could have just sent them ontheir way but she was here and we had to find a solution fast. They were getting closer. We all looked at Bella, we knew whatthis meant.

“How soon?” Carlisle asked, he was looking at Edward, I knewhow concerned he was.

“Less than five minutes. They’re running - they want to play.”Edward answered, I couldn’t see his face, Jasper was stillcrouched over me. I nudged him out of the way lovingly, I triedto show my appreciation for his concern, but I didn’t have timefor that.

“Can you make it?” Carlisle asked he looked at Bella for a brief second.

“No not carrying...” he stopped his talking cutting himself off “Besides, the last thing we need is for them to catch the scentand start hunting.”

“How many?” Emmett asked turning to me.

“Three,”

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“Three!” Emmett’s voice boomed “Let them come.” I saw himflex his muscles, I shook my head in disbelief, Emmett wasalways up for a fight and it didn’t matter with who. We allturned to Carlisle, he was the only one who would have an ideato get us out of this situation.

“Let’s just continue the game,” Carlisle said after a littledeliberation, there was no emotion whatsoever in his voice andit scared me, we had no idea what was going to happen, notuntil they got here and made a decision. “Alice said they weresimply curious.”

I heard Esme’s whisper to Edward and it sent me into a panic“Are they hungry?” If I could, I probably would have thrown upabout now. Edward shook his head, I felt myself breathe again.I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath.

“You catch Esme,” Edward said planting himself protectively infront of Bella. “I’ll call it now.”

Esme and I stood close to where Bella and Edward were, I feltthis was all my fault and I was prepared to protect her, if itcame down to it. I scanned the trees slowly looking for any signof movement in the tree line.

“Take your hair down,” I heard Edward say quietly to Bella. Ilooked across and watched her obey pulling the band from her

hair.

“The others are coming now.” Bella said, it wasn’t a question.She knew. It surprised me that Edward had told her we wereexpecting them. Even though it shouldn’t have, considering.

“Yes stay very still, keep quiet, and don’t move from my side,please.” Edward was worried, I could see it on his face, he spunand pulled Bella’s hair around her face gently.

“That won’t help,” I said quietly, the guilt was horrible. “I could

smell her across the field.”

“I know.” Edward snapped at me.

I turned to watch the game that was proceeding with noexcitement or meaning. We were waiting for them. We were onalert and listened to every movement in the trees. Anxious forthe arrival of our guests. My head automatically zeroed in on

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the right field, from the corner of my eye I saw Edward positionhimself between Bella and the direction they were comingfrom. I was hoping that the wind would stay away, just until wegot rid of them.

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CHAPTER 15 - THE NOMADS

They appeared from the tree line one by one, they were stoodapart from one another to give them the illusion of a largergroup. We knew this tactic well. The first male that appeared inthe clearing gave way to the male behind him, he held backshowing the dominant male in the group.

The girl had a head full of flame red hair, which was wild andheld leaves twigs from running through the forest. Their clothesleft a lot to be desired, they each looked like a well traveledhiker, their clothes scruffy and torn, they were wearing noshoes.

They grouped together a little more before approaching therest of the family, it was evident they were blood drinkers, thefeline movements and red eyes made it easy to distinguish.Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper stepped slowly towards them, theykept their guard up but they straightened themselves, theydidn’t want to look ready for battle, for now, they wanted tokeep it casual.

The lead male smiled genuinely. The female seemed nervous,her eyes darted through the group in front of her, the second

male was the one that scared me, he was too calm like he waswatching too closely.

The leader stepped casually towards Carlisle. “We thought weheard a game, I’m Laurent, these are Victoria and James.” hemotioned to the two stood beside him.

“I’m Carlisle. This is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie,Esme and Alice, Edward and Bella.” He kept us grouped so itwouldn’t draw attention to just one of us in particular. I heardthe slight difference in Bella’s breathing as he mentioned her

name.

“Do you have room for a few more players?” Laurent asked stillcasual. My eyes kept flashing to the second male, somethingabout him made me so nervous, I was waiting for a decision.

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Emmett jumped into the back beside Bella and I jumped in thefront next to Edward.

“Strap her in,” Edward ordered Emmett. His anger wasterrifying, and the language coming from him would have made

a sailor blush. I kept my mouth shut and let him get it out of hissystem, I focused on what would happen now. I knew that James still planned on hunting Bella and I knew that hewouldn’t stop until he succeeded. Edward hit the main road andheaded out of town, we needed time to think to get our headsaround what we would do. I had a feeling James would be trickyto catch, we wouldn’t be able to leave Bella unguarded for asecond.

“Where are we going?” Bella asked from the back seat. Icouldn’t face her, I felt so guilty.

“Dammit, Edward! Where are you taking me?”

“We have to get you away from here - far away - now.” Edwardkept his eyes on the road, I knew what he was feeling, we wereall feeling it.

“Turn around! You have to take me home!” Bella shoutedagain, her voice straining as she tugged on the straps that heldher in place.

“Emmett,” Edward said blankly. I saw Emmett holding her armsrestrained in front of her.

“No! Edward! No, you can’t do this.”

“I have to, Bella, now please be quiet.”

“I won’t!” she shouted defiantly, “You have to take me back -Charlie will call the FBI! They’ll be all over your family - Carlisleand Esme! They’ll have to leave, to hide forever!”

I was stunned, I couldn’t believe it, Bella was still moreconcerned about our family than she was about her own safety. The more time I spent in her company, the more I liked her, thisdid nothing to ease the guilt that was wearing on me.

“Calm down Bella,” Edward sounded stony, “We’ve been therebefore.”

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“Not over me, you don’t! You’re not ruining everything overme!” Bella struggled some more, I was amazed how selflessthis girl was, and I could really understand why Edward hadtrusted her when she’d told him she would never tell anyone.She was working so hard for us, I knew we had to sit back and

think about what we should do.

“Edward, pull over.” I said, he looked at me angrily anddefiantly and stomped the gas further to the floor.

“Edward, lets just talk this through.” I said again thoughtfully. Iwas trying to keep calm, there was so much going on.

“You don’t understand,” his voice was deafening, my earsrattled a little at the intensity. “He’s a tracker, Alice, did yousee that? He’s a tracker!”

I felt every inch of my body tense at the word, this was worsethan I thought, I knew he was intent on catching Bella but I hadno idea he was a Tracker, this was bad! A tracker meant hewouldn’t give up until he had her, he would never stop, until westopped him. My mind whirred, I was trying to process toomuch, I wished Jasper was here, he would calm me down,extricate my mind and I would be free to think. There had to bea better way, we had good minds, we were strong, we could getaround this.

“Pull over, Edward.” I tried to put as much authority into myvoice as possible, I knew that he could see what was in mymind if he looked but he was distracted and overreacting. I hadto get him to stop and think. The car sped up a little more.

“Do it, Edward.”

“Listen to me, Alice. I saw his mind. Tracking is his passion, hisobsession - and he wants her, Alice - her , specifically. He beginsthe hunt tonight.”

“He doesn’t know where -“ I began, but was cut off midsentence.

“How long do you think it will take him to cross her scent intown? His plan was already set before the words were out of Laurent’s mouth.”

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‘I know, I saw that too, but there has to be a better way Edward, let’s just think about this, and you’re scaring Bella, youneed to explain what all this means to her!’ I was shouting inmy head trying to make him listen, I was talking over Bella’sgasp, and I knew where her thoughts were.

“Charlie! You can’t leave him there! You can’t leave him!” Bellashouted struggling with the harness and Emmett again. Thefrantic panic carried in her voice, she would fight us until shebroke free, Edward couldn’t expect her to just give up, Charliewas her family.

“She’s right,” I tried to sound stern, I needed him to listen. Helet his foot hover over the gas and the car slowed slightly.

“Let’s just look at our options for a minute,” I almost felt like I

was begging, he was being more stubborn than ever, the carslowed and Edward pulled to the shoulder. The Jeep slid to astop.

“There are no options,” Edward hissed through his teeth. Thiswas when I was sure he had tried to cover every option in hishead.

“I’m not leaving Charlie!” Bella bellowed from the back seat,she was angry and scared. Not the greatest mix of emotions, ithad a tendency to make people irrational.

Edward stayed silent, I could see his decisions flicker around inmy head like a story book, they were a little distracting so Itried to block them out, I only succeeded in dulling themslightly, I was too attuned to him to block him completely.

“We have to take her back,” Emmett finally voiced his opinion, Iknew he had been weighing the pros and cons as Edward and Ihad.

“No.” Edward was absolute.

“He’s no match for us, Edward. He won’t be able to touch her.”he continued, I knew he had been considering a battle, hewouldn’t be Emmett if he didn’t.

“He’ll wait.”

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“I can wait, too.” I didn’t need to turn around and look to knowthe smirk that was covering Emmett’s face, in fact, I was surehe was already going over battle moves in his head. Now I wasglad Jasper wasn’t with us, the soldier in him would have sidedwith Emmett in a second.

“You didn’t see - You don’t understand. Once he commits to ahunt, he’s unshakeable. We’d have to kill him.”

“That’s an option.” I could hear the level of anticipation rising inEmmett’s voice. I starting think of alternatives in my mind,alternatives that could work out for all of us.

“And the female. She’s with him. If it turns into a fight...” thatwas all I heard of Edward’s comment, because my mindbecame suddenly full of a vision I had been having more and

more frequently. I saw it for a second and pushed it away.

“There’s another option,” I said quietly and replayed thestrongest vision of Bella becoming one of us I had in my mindfor Edward to see. I knew I had gone to far when his furiouseyes burned into me and his words rolled out like a snarl.

“There - is - no - other - option!”

I felt the silence behind me and I knew that neither Bella orEmmett knew what I had been saying, and Edward’s reaction

had taken them off guard. I continued to stare at Edward.

‘ As much as you hate the idea, it’s going to happen eventually Edward, It gets more and more frequent, you know I’m seeingit for a reason, and I know you will resist it, but at what cost?’

“Does anyone want to hear my plan?’ Bella chimed in frombehind us, I wasn’t sure if she had a plan or she was trying todivert our attention.

“No,” Edward growled, I could feel my eyes narrow, he was

being absurdly stubborn and now plain rude. After all, she hadher own mind, and she could make her own decisions. Sheshould have some say in her fate and her future. I threwprofanities, no lady should say, at Edward in my head.

“Listen,” Bella’s voice had a pleading to it that pulled myattention from Edward. “You take me back.”

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“No.” Edward didn’t even let her finish a sentence, let alone gether plan out for us to hear.

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CHAPTER 16 - THE PLAN

Bella continued regardless of Edward’s interruption.

“You take me back. I tell my dad I want to go home to Phoenix.I pack my bags . We wait till this tracker is watching, and thenwe run. He’ll follow us and leave Charlie alone. Charlie won’tcall the FBI on your family. Then you take me any damnedplace you want.”

I could feel the surprise on my face and tried to replace it withconsideration. I liked the idea, it could work. Emmett’sexpression mirrored my initial feelings.

“It’s not a bad idea, really.” Surprise laced Emmett’s voice andit hadn’t gone unnoticed by Bella, she looked a little affrontedat his tone.

“It might work - and we simply can’t leave her fatherunprotected. You know that.” I was hoping my confident tone,made up for Emmett’s lack of tact.

The occupants of the car turned their attention to Edward.

“It’s too dangerous - I don’t want him within a hundred miles of her.”

“Edward, he’s not getting through us.” Emmett was confidentand I knew that he was itching to start the offensive.

I sat in silence as I looked to see James’ next move. All I coulddetermine was that he would prefer her to be alone, he wouldwait for us to leave her vulnerable, I think he was hoping wewould use her as bait, in fact it looked like he was counting onit.

“It don’t see him attacking. He’ll try to wait for us to leave heralone.”

“It won’t take him long to realize that’s not going to happen.”

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“I demand that you take me home.” Bella tried to strengthenher demand. Edward shut his eyes and pressed his fingers tohis temples, he was thinking, he knew we had to do something.

“Please,” Bella was practically whispering, I knew she had hit

her mark. Edward looked defeated his resolve was weakened.

“You’re leaving tonight, whether the tracker sees or not. Youtell Charlie that you can’t stand another minute in Forks. Tellhim whatever story works. Pack the first things your handstouch, and then get in your truck. I don’t care what he says toyou. You have fifteen minutes. Do you hear me? Fifteenminutes from the time you cross the doorstep.”

Edward pulled the Jeep into gear and hit the gas spinning it toface the opposite direction. He punched it and we sped off

towards Forks.

“Emmett?” Bella’s voice was under control again.

“Oh, sorry,” I turned in time to see Emmett dropping Bella’swrists. I turned back to the road, we would have to be vigilant,he was already hunting and I wanted to keep an eye on everydecision he made so I would know when to expect him.

“This is how it’s going to happen. When we get to the house, if the tracker is not there, I will walk her to the door. Then she has

fifteen minutes,” Edward looked into the rearview mirror forBella’s reaction, she was quiet. “Emmett, you take the outsideof the house. Alice, you get the truck. I’ll be inside as long asshe is. After she’s out, you two can take the Jeep home and tellCarlisle.”

“No way, I’m with you.” Emmett chimed in.

“Think it through, Emmett. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”

“Until we know how far this is going to go, I’m with you.”

Emmett answered, I knew he was being kind and that hewanted to go where the danger would be.

Edward sighed, “If the tracker is there, we keep driving.”

I thought for a second to see where the tracker was and if hispath was taking him anywhere near the Swan residence. He

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would be there but he was following her scent to the schoolfirst, we had time.

“We’re going to make it there before him,” I answered thequestion and thought it through again for Edward’s sake.

“What are we going to do with the Jeep?” I asked, I wasn’tgoing to let them go alone, I knew I could help, I could seewhen he would come close.

“You’re driving it home.” I heard the edge in his voice but heshould know me better than that.

“No I’m not,” I said out loud, but I finished in my head, ‘Edward, you need me, I’ll be able to see when he’s coming, and you’llneed more than just you and Emmett if the three of them hunt

you down. Think about this, we’re doing what’s best for youand Bella!’

Another string of profanities came tumbling from Edward’smouth, he knew I was right, if the three of them trackedEdward, Emmett, and Bella, it would leave Bella unprotectedwhen it turned into a fight.

“We can’t all fit in my truck,” I heard Bella whisper. I ignored it,that would be irrelevant.

“I think you should let me go alone,” Bella was practicallyspeaking under her breath, but we all heard it.

“Bella, please just do this my way, just this once,” Edwardsvoice sounded unusual as he tensed his jaw shut, I knew whyhe was so upset and I could understand that he was holding histemper, but I was hoping he understood how confusing thiswould be to Bella. I didn’t think he was taking that intoconsideration, I could tell by the frustration he wore so clearlyon his face.

“Listen, Charlie’s not an imbecile, if you’re not in towntomorrow, he’s going to get suspicious.”

Again with the perceptiveness, I hadn’t given her enoughcredit. She was thinking well in the chaotic moment.

“That’s irrelevant. We’ll make sure he’s safe, and that’s all thatmatters.”

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‘You’re being unreasonable Edward!’ I warned him in my head.

“Then what about this tracker? He saw the way you actedtonight. He’s going to think you’re with me, wherever you are.”

BINGO! I saw Edward’s plans change immediately in my head,the tactics went from defensive to offensive, he knew she wasright and his decisions were showing it. He was going to let goof her and trust her with us while he hunted the tracker.

I caught the look of incredulousness on Emmett’s face, hercomment had obviously made sense to him as well. “Edward,listen to her, I think she’s right.”

“Yes, she is.” I said coaxing him on, he had changed his mindbet there were flickers of changes as he challenged himself.

“I can’t do that.” I heard the iciness in Edward’s tone, and Iknew why it was there. Leaving Bella would be hard for him,especially whilst there was such an imminent threat on her life.

“Emmett should stay, too,” she continued, “He definitely got aneyeful of Emmett.”

“What?” Emmett turned to Bella in shock, he hadn’t beenexpecting that .

“You’ll get a better crack at him if you stay,” I said, I knew shewas right, I was beginning to think along the same lines as her,he would follow the strongest members of our family becausehe knew they would be the one’s to protect her.

Edward’s eyes burned at me like laser beams, “You think Ishould let her go alone?”

“Of course not,” I was insulted, did he really think I was thatidiotic. “Jasper and I will take her.”

“I can’t do that,” I could hear the walls crashing down aroundhis decision, he knew we were right, but he didn’t want to letgo.

“Hang out here for a week-” Bella started, but Edward cringedslightly and I knew Bella had seen this because she correctedherself immediately, “- a few days. Let Charlie see you haven’tkidnapped me, and lead this James on a wild goose-chase.

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Make sure he’s completely off my trail. Then come and meetme. Take a roundabout route, of course, and then Jasper andAlice can go home.

That was it, Bella had just sealed the deal, I saw Edward

hunting James and Bella, Jasper and I heading down a freeway.

“Meet you where?” he asked.

“Phoenix.” Hmm, sun!

“No. He’ll hear that’s where you’re going.” Edward didn’t likethat idea.

“And you’ll make it look like that’s a ruse, obviously. He’ll knowthat we’ll know that he’s listening. He’ll never believe I’m

actually going where I say I’m going.”

“She’s diabolical,” Emmett was chuckling, I could see that likeme, he knew he would become good friends with Bella.

“And if that doesn’t work?” Edward was working through everycontingency plan he had, I knew he had made his decision, buthe had to look at every possible outcome.

“There are several million people in Phoenix.” I could now tellBella had also made up her mind.

“It’s not that hard to find a phone book.” Edward said.

“I won’t go home,”

“Oh?”

“I’m quite old enough to get my own place.”

It was time I interceded, “Edward, We’ll be with her,”

“What are you going to do in Phoenix ?” I didn’t like his tone.

“Stay indoors.” I answered, he knew that was inevitable, hewas just pouting.

“I kind of like it.” Emmett knew this would be a goodopportunity to get to James and he would have his brother byhis side. Of course he liked it!

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“Shut up Emmett.”

“Look, if we try to take him down while she’s still around,there’s a much better chance that someone will get hurt - she’llget hurt, or you will trying to protect her. Now, if we get him

alone...” Emmett wasn’t difficult to read.

The Jeep slowed as we hit Forks city limits, Bella’s heart ratewent through the roof as we drove closer to her house. Herhuman tendencies couldn’t hide her fear, they gave her away.She was scared.

“Bella,” Edward’s voice was soothing, it had lost the icy coldpanic, I looked out of the window, I figured that this would be aprivate moment despite our presence.”If you let anythinghappen to yourself - anything at all - I’m holding you personally

responsible. Do you understand that?”

“Yes,” I could hear the fear creeping into her voice.

Edward turned to me, “Can Jasper handle this?”

“Give him some credit, Edward. He’s been doing very, verywell, all things considered.” And he had, one slip up and theentire family question him, I thought it was a little unfair, it wasalmost eight months ago, you would think they would give hima little more slack considering he had been on the wagon since.

“Can you handle this? He asked. I could feel my anger rising, Icouldn’t believe he was questioning me, I bared my teeth andlet the anger form in the sound of a growl.

‘Screw you Edward, you know me better than that and I resent you for asking... May I remind YOU, I have a cleaner record than you, you paranoid little...’

He smiled at me.

‘Oh you can smile Edward Cullen, just remember I see what youdecide! I’ll take care of her, because I like her, I’ll keep her safe...’

“But keep your opinions to yourself,” he muttered.

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‘Fine! But if you keep insulting me, I may have to hurt you!’ Ilaughed at him in my head, I was still angry, but I had forgivenhim.

As we pulled up to the Swan house all the lights glared out on

to the lawn in front of it. Charlie had waited for Bella to gethome. We were all alert, so much so that I could hear theanxiousness in Bella’s breathing. I scanned the forest aroundher house, I was listening for anything. Edward cut off theengine which made it a little easier to hear.

“He’s not here,” Edward's icy tone was back, “Let’s go.”

Emmet popped the harnesses from around Bella and grinned,“Don’t worry, Bella, we’ll take care of things here quickly.”

How he could think that was helpful was beyond me, but I knewthat Bella appreciated the sentiment, her eyes were gatheringwater and a nostalgic look fogged her eyes. I had a feeling Bellahad grown attached to us, the little time we had spent togetherin the Jeep had left no time to be constrained with one another.

“Alice, Emmett.” Edward was giving us the word to go. Isprinted into the darkness beside the house, I would stay closeto the truck and keep my eyes on the forest either side of thehouse. Edward was talking to Bella at the door, they werewhispering among each other and I didn’t intend to listen.

“Go away, Edward!” Bella yelled out the door and slammed it inEdward’s face, that was loud enough for me to hear. I sawEdward dart up the side of the house and I continued my watchof the trees. I closed my eyes and I was shocked to see that James was heading in this direction. I moved around the houseand leaned close to Emmett.

“He’s on his way,” I whispered, “He’ll be here in about twominutes, keep an eye on the forest!”

Emmett nodded and eased closer to the trees, there was asnarl emitting from his chest, he was focused.

I ran around to the truck again and watched closely, I couldalmost feel his excitement, the air felt like it had an electriccharge. I saw him emerge from the trees about half a miledown the street. I stepped forward into the light so he could seeI was there. I knew he was taunting me and I knew he was

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testing the boundaries. He laughed playfully and stepped backinto the trees. I saw Edward emerge from the window, helanded beneath it and looked directly at me.

‘Half a mile down the street, he could be closer now.”

Edward headed towards the truck, as I headed towards the Jeep. He climbed in, the front door of the house opened andBella stepped out.

“It didn’t work out, okay? I really, really hate Forks!” Bellafinished her sentence and ran to the truck. Her fathers face wasfrozen between pain, shock, and horror. I could have huggedhim right there and then. The pain he was feeling was veryobvious.

Bella was frantically running for the truck, she threw her backin the back and climbed in, she was crying, I could hear hersniveling.

“I’ll call you tomorrow!” she yelled as she pulled the truck doorclosed behind her, she started the truck and gunned it out of the parking spot. I jumped into the Jeep and waited for Charlieto go back inside. I knew that James was following Edward andBella, I’d just seen him make the decision. Charlie walked inand closed the door. I saw him turn off the porch light. I wasfeeling so bad for them both.

I stomped on the gas and spun around in the street, I waiteduntil I passed Charlie’s house before I turned on the lights. Ipulled in behind Bella’s truck and followed them, we werecrawling along, Bella’s old truck looked like it was about tosputter and die.

Emmett came from the forest and leaped into the bed of truck.Even over all the commotion I could hear Bella’s scream.Emmett's quick movement had scared her and I had a sneakingsuspicion she knew James wasn't far behind. We hit the

highway and headed out into the darkness.

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CHAPTER 17 - ROAD TRIP

We turned off into the driveway in complete darkness, I keptmy eyes on the trees that lined the driveway. I didn’t think hewould be stupid enough to attack us so close to the house but Iwasn’t sure. He hadn’t made a decision yet, other than tofollow us and keep an eye on us. The thought that he wasactually enjoying this sickened me. We were what we were, butI knew that no one in the family had really enjoyed chasing ourprey, even Emmett who loved hunting, hadn’t enjoyed thehuman aspect of it, there was nothing fun in attackingsomething weaker than yourself.

I followed the slow truck through the meadow to the house.

Emmett had jumped from the truck bed and opened Bella’sdoor before the truck had come to a full stop outside of thehouse. He pulled her into his arms and ran to the house,Edward and I were at his side before we burst through the frontdoor into the light of the house.

Everyone was there on their feet waiting for us, they had heardBella’s truck, Laurent stood in their midst. Emmett growled ashe set Bella on her feet next to Edward.

“He’s tracking us,” Edward announced, he was glaring atLaurent.

“I was afraid of that.” Laurent looked unhappy anduncomfortable.

I headed towards Jasper and lent in close to him. I explained, asfast as I could, our plan. Before I had even finished he took myhand and we headed to our room. I pushed the door closedbehind us and pulled out my overnight bag.

“What happened while we were gone?” I asked him pullingsome of my lighter clothes from deep in my closet.

“We started back to the house and James and Victoria excusedthemselves, we weren’t sure what his plans were. We knew itcouldn’t be good.” he said moving around the closet quickly,“The other one, Laurent, said that he would be hunting now. No

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one had their phone so we couldn’t get in touch with you to letyou know.”

“Why wouldn’t Laurent stop him?”

“It appears that James was the lead male in the coven, Laurentstepped up to keep us off the scent.”

I nodded and realized that it would have been their normalcourse of action when interacting with another coven, that’swhy I’d missed it.

“What about the female?”

“She left with James, I’m not sure what she’s doing, I don’tthink she’s a tracker.”

“Figures. I see her with him now.”

“We were sure James was going to follow you. I was worried.”

“We saw him, he followed us here. He’s circling but giving uswide berth. I haven’t really been keeping an eye on the femaleso I have no idea where she is. I just hope we can get out of here, Edward is sending Bella upstairs with Esme to changeclothes, he wants to try to confuse the scent.”

I pulled more clothes out and threw them into my bag. Jasperwas doing the same.

“What about Bella?” he asked as he zipped his bag.

“Bella, did what she had to, it wasn’t easy, I think we coulddefinitely use you to ease that. She’s the one that came up withthe plan.”

“Ah calm in times of chaos. Humans are so much more complexnowadays.” Jasper picked up his bag and headed to the door. “

I’ll meet you downstairs.”

I nodded and headed to the landing to wait for Bella and Esme. They emerged from Carlisle and Esme’s room Bella was inpants, rolled up at the bottom and a shirt that fit slightly tootight. Esme and I each took and elbow and lifted Bella down thestairs.

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Edward and Emmett were ready to leave. Emmett was carryinga heavy backpack. Carlisle was handing out our phones. Wewere ready to execute the plan.

Esme and Rosalie will be taking your truck, Bella,” Carlisle

directed at Bella, she nodded and shot a quick look at Rose,who in turn did not look happy.

“Alice, Jasper - take the Mercedes. You’ll need the dark tint inthe south.” I nodded and caught Jasper doing the same in myperipheral vision.

“We’re taking the Jeep.”

“Alice,” Carlisle turned to me again, “will they take the bait?”

I closed my eyes and watched, I saw James following the Jeep,we were right he was assuming Bella would be with Edward. The female would follow the truck, they both assume theywould stay close to the main family members, and Esmesmelled like Bella. We would be safe.

“He’ll track you. The woman will follow the truck. We should beable to leave after that.”

“Let’s go.” Carlisle walked towards the kitchen, Edward movedtowards Bella, I averted my eyes to give them some privacy. He

kissed her, and held her close to him. After that one moment heplaced her down and disappeared, I looked back at Bella, therewas a look a shock on her face and tears rolled down hercheeks reflecting her sadness. I looked away again, I felt like Iwas intruding.

We stood in silence waiting for our next move. Esme’s phonevibrated wildly in her hand, she pulled it quickly to her ear.

“Now,” Esme spoke, Rosalie streaked past us to the front door,she looked at nobody. Esme touched Bella’s cheek gently as

she passed.

“Be safe,” Esme’s sentiment was warm, and genuine. Rosalieand her were gone, we heard Bella’s truck start and pull away.

The three of us stood in silence, we were waiting for my phoneto vibrate. I knew before it rang that Edward was calling, Ipulled it to my ear.

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“The woman’s on Esme’s trail, go.” said Edward down thephone, he voice was lifeless. He was on the hunt, and it wasn'tfor fun. “And remember, Bella’s human she needs to eat.”

I hung up the phone. “Edward says the woman is on Esme’s

trail. I’ll get the car.” I headed out to the garage and started theMercedes. I pulled it as close to the house as I could. I jumpedout leaving the engine running and entered the house again. Iheld my arms out for Bella.

“May I?” I asked because I didn’t want to scare her.

“You’re the first one to ask permission.” she smiled awkwardlyas I pulled her into my arms and ran to the car.

As we headed down the driveway Bella's eyes darted to the

tree line. She was scared, but hiding it well.

"They're following the others." I reassured her. She nodded asher walls crumbled under the pressure.

Bella cried the entire night, I had sat in the back of the car andtried to comfort her but she was inconsolable, I couldn’tconceive how difficult this was for her. She fought sleepthrough the entire night. Jasper and I rode in silence, thesobbing Bella was trying to keep silent, her occasional sniff wasthe only sound that broke the repetitive beat of the tires on the

road.

As we hit California, the sun began to break over themountains, I was instantly glad of the Mercedes' dark tint.Bella’s eyes blinked in the breaking light, they were bloodshotand heavy. The expression on her face made it evident that shewas thinking of the events that had passed in Forks.

As we rode further into the day the sun rose higher, and finallybegan settling behind us. Bella still fought sleep. We werepassing through mountain passes, Bella barely blinked as we

drove further into Phoenix. I closed my eyes to check onceagain on the situation. It was still the same, Edward, Emmettand Carlisle were heading north to Vancouver, Esme andRosalie were heading West. The female was getting skittish, Ihad a feeling it wouldn’t be long until she turned around. Things were still going according to plan. I would know as soonas something changed.

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“Which way to the airport, Bella?” Jasper said breaking the longsilence. I felt Bella flinch briefly.

“Stay on the I-ten,” he voice was emotionless, her fatigue andemotional stress were showing themselves. “We’ll pass right by

it.”

She looked at me, “Are we flying somewhere?”

“No, but it’s better to be close, just in case.” I answered. Iturned my attention back to the wide expanse of the city aheadof us. We continued on in silence, neither jasper or I could thinkof anything to say that could calm her. As we edged closertowards the airport Bella’s body relaxed and her breathingbecame rhythmic, she had finally fallen asleep.

Jasper blew air out of his lungs sharply. “She’s finally asleep?”he asked looking at me through the rear view mirror. I noddedand smiled at him, I couldn’t bare to think what he’d beenthrough all this time. Bella had been so sad and emotional thatI was feeling her pain. With Jasper’s gift, I knew he had beensuffering with her.

“How are you holding up?” I asked, moving Bella’s head a little,her head was lolling about as the car moved across the roads. Iwas strong but that was tempting fate.

“I’m fine, I was tempted to help her sleep for a while, but I thinkit would have made it worse when she woke up. She’s nothandling this well.”

“I know, I’m sorry Jasper. I should of thought about that beforevolunteering you.”

“Alice, wherever you go, I’ll be there. I’m fine, I’m just worriedabout Bella and how much more of this she can take before shebreaks.”

I nodded and looked down at Bella’s limp body. She had no ideahow special she was, to Edward or us. I hoped I would be ableto explain it to her one day. Jasper pulled into a hotel near theairport and we sat waiting for the sun to disappear.

“Have you seen anything?” Jasper asked, now turned in his seatto face me.

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“Every thing’s still going according to plan.”

He nodded and watched an older couple pass by the car andgot into a Cadillac parked two cars down. I laughed a little ashis face screwed up.

“What?”

“You really don’t want to know!”

I knew what he was referring to and I stifled a laugh. The skywas darkening, it would be safe to get out.

“Are you okay to check us in?” I asked motioning at Bella withmy head.

“I’ll be right back.” he opened the door.

“Do you have your credit card?” I asked, we’d left in such ahurry I wasn’t sure if he’d picked it up.

He nodded and closed the door behind him. Every face turnedin his direction, with his big sunglasses still on he looked like afilm star. I smiled and turned my attention to Bella. I triedshaking her but she was in a deep sleep, she nuzzled into myshoulder again and she whispered.

“Edward,”

I smiled and opened the car door, laying her slowly on the backseat as I edged out of the car. I opened the front door andleaned over to pick our bags up from the front passenger seat. Jasper was behind me as I straightened up.

“I’ll get Bella,”

“Are you sure?” I asked, I knew it would be difficult for him,even though he was doing better than he had in a while.

“Yes, Alice, anyway I think it would look odd, someone as smallas you carrying her inside.”

I laughed at the looks we would get, but I hadn’t planned oncarrying her.

“You get the bags, I’ll guide her in.”

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Jasper pulled the bags from me and held open the back door. Ishook Bella lightly again.

“Edward,” she mumbled again. I looked back at Jasper andraised my eyebrows.

“Bella, come on, lets get you to bed.” I pulled her to the edge of the seat and sat her upright. “Bella, wake up.”

“Hmm?” was the only response she managed, but her eyeswere opening and fluttering closed. I pulled her up to astanding position and wrapped my arm tightly around herwaist. Jasper pushed the door closed and pointed towards thepool. I was guessing our room would be on the other side of it.

I stuck to the edge of the building and walked her around,

Jasper stepped around me and headed up the stairs. I followedwalking slowly at Bella’s pace but it was becoming difficult shewas falling asleep again. I looked around to make sure no onewas looking and I swept her into my arms and headed quicklyup the stairs and into the door Jasper was now holding open. The room was more of a suite layout. It had a living room and abedroom. I headed towards the bedroom with Bella and lay herdown on the bed. I stepped out and closed the door leaving herto sleep.

I walked into Jasper’s waiting arms and kissed him. This had

been a hard journey for us both, neither of us enjoyed beingseparated from our family in these conditions.

“She’ll be asleep for a while, she’s exhausted.” I said perchingon the edge of the couch.

“She extraordinary, isn’t she.” Jasper stated, as he sat besideme and pulled me into his embrace.

“Yes, I would definitely say she is.”

“Edward’s not taking this too well, either, is he?”

“No,” I curled into him and rested my head on his shoulder.“He’s putting this all on himself, he hasn't made any hastydecisions yet. I still see Bella becoming a member of thefamily.”

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“That’s going to make life easier.” Jasper started twistingstrands of my hair, “It would have solved this problem.”

I nodded, “I know but don’t say that in front of him, he’s reallyvery stubborn about it.”

A/N: The hotel they’re staying at is the Hilton Phoenix Airport, I did a little bit of research and I was looking for somewhere close to the airport and somewhere that Bella could fall down the stairs and into a plate glass window!

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CHAPTER 18 – VISIONS

Bella was moving around in the small room, I had a suspicionthat the door opening had woken her. Jasper had just come inwith the food we had ordered from room service. I headed tothe bedroom door and tapped lightly.

“Can I come in?” I asked, I waited for an answer. I didn’t wantto intrude.

“Sure.” Bella answered.

I walked and looked at her, she still looked so tired, I couldn’t

even remember sleeping so I couldn’t relate with her, but Iemphasized.

“You look like you could sleep longer,”

Bella shook her head, I knew that sleep was difficult due to thesituation, I noticed the curtains behind her were open, I knewthat they were following the rest of our family members but Ididn’t want to take any chances. I pulled them tightly closedand looked at Bella again.

“We’ll need to stay inside,” I knew that she would have figuredit out but, I just wanted to reiterate, it had been a long night.

“Okay.” Her voice cracked. I realized she hadn’t eaten or dranksince we had left. I felt terrible.

“Thirsty?”

Bella shrugged, “I’m okay. How about you?”

Typical Bella, still thinking of others, even in a moment like this.

“Nothing unmanageable.” I smiled at her in appreciation. “Iordered some food for you, it’s in the front room. Edwardreminded me that you have to eat a lot more frequently thanwe do.”

“He called?” Her eyes regained some of their former brightnessat the mention of Edward’s name, I would have to be careful at

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what I said, I didn’t want her to ride the emotion roller coasterany more than she had to.

“No,” Bella’s face dropped instantly, I felt guilty. “It was beforewe left.”

I picked up her hand and guided her through the room to theliving room of the suite. The TV was chattering away and Jasperwas sat in the corner at the desk watching the news. Phoenixwas proving to be a little more entertaining in the newsdepartment.

She sat on the floor in front of the food and picked at it, I couldunderstand, she had lost her appetite, I don’t even think sherealized what she was eating.

I sat on the edge of the sofa arm and turned my attention backto the TV. I had noticed that Jasper had tensed a little at thestory that had just played, as the commercials ran, I playedback what the anchor had said. A photographic memory camein useful sometimes. It had been a story about an unusualdisappearance; I believe the anchor had said that, theapartment had been found in the state of someone still there. Iknew what was going on, there was a chance that some of thesouthern vampires were in the area. I concentrated a little on it,it wasn’t important but I wanted to be sure there were noneclose by. That’s when I saw James break away from Edward,

Emmett and Carlisle. He knew for certain Bella wasn’t withthem now he was doubting himself and his actions.

“What’s wrong Alice?” Bella asked breaking my concentration.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“What do we do now?”

“We wait for Carlisle to call.” I knew that she was worried thatwe hadn’t heard anything yet, but I knew everything was fine. I

knew she didn’t understand that our major concern was her, wecould look after ourselves.

“And should he have called by now?” I looked Bella in the eyesbriefly, I wasn’t sure how much to tell her. I really didn’t wanther panicking about Charlie. I knew that the female washeading back towards Forks. I looked at the phone on my bag,now that James was keeping his distance I was sure they would

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have called. Even though, I knew that they knew, that I couldsee what was going on. It would have been nice to get anupdate.

“What does that mean?” Bella’s voice was working back into

the shakiness it had developed last night.. “That he hasn’tcalled yet?”

“It just means that they don’t have anything to tell us.” I wastrying to be as honest with her as I could, I considered Bella afriend, she was the first human friend I could remember. I justdidn’t want her to panic unnecessarily.

Jasper felt Bella’s despair and approached us. He was closer toBella than he had ever been, but I knew there was nothing toworry about he was just concerned about her getting too

worked up.

“Bella,” I could hear him sliding into the relaxing voice he usedwhen I was angry with him, I knew he was testing the water.“You have nothing to worry about. You are completely safehere.”

“I know that.”

“Then why are you frightened?” he asked and I realized that hefelt her fear, but he didn’t know where it was directed.

“You heard what Laurent said.” Bella whispered, “He said Jameswas lethal. What if something goes wrong, and they getseparated? If something happens to any of them, Carlisle,Emmett... Edward...” she struggled getting Edwards name fromher lips, the thought was to much for her to bare, that wasbecoming more and more apparent. “If that wild female hurtsEsme... How could I live with myself when it’s my fault? None of you should be risking yourselves for me-”

Her voice was becoming hysterical, Jasper cut her off.

“Bella, Bella, stop,” Jasper was speaking quickly “Your worryingabout all the wrong things, Bella. Trust me on this - none of usare in jeopardy. You are under too much strain as it is; don’tadd to it with wholly unnecessary worries. Listen to me!” heraised his voice to get back her attention, Bella had lookedaway defiantly. “Our family is strong. Our only fear is losingyou.”

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“But why should you-”

I touched her cheek gently, I had to make her understand. Sheseemed to spend so much of her energy worrying about us.“It’s been almost a century that Edward’s been alone. Now he’s

found you. You can’t see the changes that we see, we whohave been with him for so long. Do you think any of us want tolook into his eyes for the next hundred years if he loses you?”

The relaxation swept across me before it reached Bella, but Iwas sure that I had gotten through to her. I was sure I had seena flicker of understanding behind her eyes before Jasper's waveof calm had hit her. The relaxation had calmed her enough torevive her appetite a little, and she began picking at the foodslowly.

Bella was agitated for the majority of the day, I couldn’t for thelife of me figure where she had all her energy stored. Westayed in the room but she paced and checked clocks andfidgeted more than I could ever remember her doingpreviously. She had slept so little I couldn't imagine where theenergy came from. I called down to ask them to ignore ourmaid service, if we were here longer than I anticipated, Ifigured I could arrange it when we needed it.

I ordered food at regular intervals, I had no idea what she ate. Iordered the first thing my eyes rested on. I couldn’t remember

human food, I was clueless. I didn't even know what soundedgood, because I never tried it. Bella was no help with orderingfood, she spent a lot of the time watching my phone, it wasalmost as if she was willing it to go off.

Jasper and I watched Bella moving around the room restlessly,she would spend a while staring at the pictures, her eyesmoving around the different colors like she was searching forsomething. I had come to the conclusion she was a lot morecomplex than I had anticipated. Jasper was continually emittingwaves of calm sporadically throughout the day. It was the

strangest day I had spent in a while, and coming from avampire I guessed that meant something.

Bella finally grew tired of the room and paced into thebedroom, I wasn’t sure if she wanted company, but I wanted tolet her know she could talk to me. She lay across the bed, I satnext to her with my legs folded beneath me. The only girl talk Ihad ever been good at was with Rose and Esme, Tanya had

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never really been one for chit chatting, she’d spent most of hertime trying to accost Edward. We sat in silence for a while, Iwas beginning to give up on the idea that she would speak tome. She finally curled into a small ball with her arms wrappedaround her legs. She had something on her mind.

“Alice?”

“Yes?”

“What do you think they’re doing?” I knew she was trying tokeep her emotions in check, the intense look of concentrationon her face gave her away.

“Carlisle wanted to lead the tracker as far north as possible,wait for him to get close, and then turn and ambush him. Esme

and Rosalie were supposed to head west as long as they couldkeep the female behind them. If she turned around, they wereto head back to Forks and keep an eye on your dad. So Iimagine things are going well if they can’t call. It means thetracker is close enough that they don’t want him to overhear.”

“And Esme?”

“I think she must be back in Forks. She won’t call if there’s achance the female will overhear. I expect they’re just beingcareful.”

“Do you think they’re safe, really?’

“Bella, how many times do we have to tell you that there’s nodanger to us?” I still couldn’t believe she was so focused on not just Edward but all of us.

“Would you tell me the truth, though?”

“Yes, I will always tell you the truth.” I said as honestly as Ipossibly could, and I meant it. I always wanted to be honest

with her, but I knew there would be things I would hold backfrom her, it was because of what we were.

I could see Bella trying to determine the authenticity of mywords.

“Tell me then... how do you become a vampire?”

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Dammit, I should have seen that one coming, it was so obvious.If I didn’t tell her, she wouldn’t trust me, if I did, Edward wouldbe furious. He had on many an occasion told me to hold mytongue about this around Bella.

“Edward doesn’t want me to tell you that.” I personally thoughtshe had a right to know, seeing as I continued to see her joiningthe family.

“That’s not fair. I think I have a right to know.”

“I know.” I knew I was tempting fate, but I knew that she had aright to know, I also knew Edward would get over it, eventually.Bella watched me deliberate.

“He’ll be extremely angry.”

“It’s none of his business. This is between you and me. Alice, asa friend, I’m begging you.” I always knew we would be friendsso the words didn’t surprise me, they were nice to hear though.Oh well, there was no turning back now.

“I’ll tell you the mechanics of it,” I decided “but I don’tremember it myself, and I’ve never done it or seen it done, sokeep in mind that I can only tell you the theory.”

Bella watched me expectantly.

“As predators, we have a glut of weapons in our physicalarsenal - much, much more than really necessary. Thestrength, the speed, the acute senses, not to mention those of us like Edward, Jasper, and I, who have extra senses as well.And then, like a carnivorous flower, we are physically attractiveto our prey.”

Bella processed the word in her head, I knew she wasenvisioning the date in the meadow, that had been the showingoff Edward had been doing. I smiled banefully.

“We have another fairly superfluous weapon. We’re alsovenomous.” I smiled and flashed my teeth to prove my point.“The venom doesn’t kill - it’s merely incapacitating. It worksslowly, spreading through the bloodstream, so that, oncebitten, our prey is in too much physical pain to escape it. Mostlysuperfluous, as I said. If we’re that close, the prey doesn't

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escape. Of course, there are always exceptions. Carlisle, forexample.”

“So... if the venom is left to spread...” I knew she would pick itup quickly.

“It takes a few days for the transformation to be complete,depending on how much venom is in the bloodstream, howclose the venom enters to the heart. As long as the heart keepsbeating, the poison spreads, healing, changing the body as itmoves through it. Eventually the heart stops, and theconversion is finished. But all that time, every minute of it, avictim would be wishing for death.”

Bella shivered.

“It’s not pleasant, you see.”

“Edward said that it was hard to do... I don’t quite understand,”

“We’re also like sharks in a way. Once we taste the blood, oreven smell it for that matter, it becomes very hard to keep fromfeeding. Sometimes impossible. So you see, to actually bitesomeone, to taste the blood, it would begin a frenzy. It’sdifficult on both sides - the blood lust on the one hand, theawful pain on the other.”

“Why do you think you don’t remember?”

I thought for a second. “I don’t know. For everyone else, thepain of transformation is the sharpest memory they have of their human life. I remember nothing of being human.”

We both lay on the bed, silent in our thoughts, I wasconcentrating on nothing in particular, just the air around meand Bella’s steady breaths. It hit me like a ton of bricks, Jameswas in a dark room, I could see a TV. Then like a flickering light,I saw a long room with a wooden floor, Mirrors surrounded the

room, a gold line flowed throughout. I was trying to put thepieces together but something was missing.

I jumped from the bed, landing neatly on me feet. Bella’s headsnapped up.

“Somethings changed.” I could hear the urgency in my voice, Iknew it would alert Jasper. I reached the door at the same time

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as Jasper. He placed his hands firmly on my shoulders andguided me back to the bed, he pushed me down.

“What did you see?” He leaned in closed I could feel his eyes. Iran through it again trying to pick up what I had missed. I felt

Bella lean in closer.

“I see a room. It’s long, and there are mirror everywhere. Thefloor is wooden. He’s in the room, and he’s waiting. There’sgold... a gold stripe across the mirrors.”

“Where is this room?”

“I don’t know. Something is missing - another decision hasn’tbeen made yet.”

“How much time?”

“It’s soon. He’ll be in the mirror room today, or maybetomorrow. It all depends. He’s waiting for something. And he’sin the dark now.”

“What’s he doing?”

“He’s watching TV... no, he’s running a VCR, in the dark, inanother place.”

“Can you see where he is?”

“No, it’s too dark.”

“And the mirror room, what else is there?”

“Just the mirrors, and the gold. It’s a band, around the room.And there’s a black table with a big stereo, and a TV. He’stouching the VCR there, but he doesn’t watch the way he doesin the dark room. This is the room where he waits.”

I focused on Jasper’s face in front of me.

“There’s nothing else?”

I shook my head, I had gone through everything, he had madethe decision to go there, but that was the only decision he hadmade. He had only decided on the places, it was positivelyinfuriating.

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“What does it mean?” Bella asked quietly.

Jasper and I continued to look at one another, he was decidingif he should tell her. Jasper looked at her.

“It means the tracker’s plans have changed. He’s made adecision that will lead him to the mirror room, and the darkroom.”

“But we don’t know where these rooms are?”

“No.”

“But we do know that he won’t be in the mountains north of Washington, being hunted. He’ll elude them.” I managed tosay. It was imperative we protect her now. He would get away

from them, that was certain.

“Should we call?” I looked at Jasper and he at me. I heard thephone ring a second before it did, I jumped past Jasper and ranto the phone, I accepted the call and held it to my ear.

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CHAPTER 19 - AN UNFAMILIAR VOICE

“Alice, is everything okay?” Carlisle’s voice instantly soothedme.

“Carlisle,”

“Is Bella okay, is she with you?”

“Yes,” I glanced over at Bella, there was a slight relief in hereyes.

“He got away, I think he got on a plane in Vancouver, I’m not

sure where he’s headed. He was smart enough to stay enoughout of range, that Edward couldn’t hear him.”

“I just saw him,” I described my vision again with every detail Isaw, I knew it was important. “Whatever made him get on thatplane... it was leading him to those rooms.”

“Is Bella close to the Phone?” Carlisle asked, "Edward wants tospeak to her.”

“Yes,” I turned to face Bella. “Bella?” I held the phone out to

her. She sprinted across the room and pulled the phone gentlyout of my hand. I headed towards Jasper and pulled him withme to the coffee table, I ignored the conversation Bella washaving and I pulled out the hotel stationary.

“He got on a plane Jasper, I think he could be heading this way.We need to figure out where this room is.”

“Okay, what do you want me to do?”

“Ask me questions, it helps me remember a little better.”

He nodded and handed me the pen.

“You ready?”

I nodded and held the pen to the paper.

“What do you see?”

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I concentrated with every thing I could on the mirror room, Ibegan running the pen over the paper. I sketched out themirrors that lined the room, making sure to lightly sketch thegold bar around it. I nodded to indicate I needed anotherquestion.

“What’s in the room? Other than the mirrors?”

I lined the floor to indicate the wooden planks. I nodded again.

“Is the anything unusual in the room, apart from the mirrors?”

I concentrated on the vision a little harder and took a betterlook around, there was a section of the wall jutting out a little, Isketched it in, angling the bar across the mirror to emphasizethe correct perspective.

I felt Bella on the back of the couch, she was peering over myshoulder. I assumed her conversation with Edward had ended.

“It’s a ballet studio,” Bella said in recognition.

Jasper and I looked up at her, I was surprised how quickly shehad figured it out.

“Do you know this room?” Jasper’s voice was level but I couldhear the urgency behind it, I was hoping that was something

Bella had missed. I lent over to finish the picture, maybecompleted she could differentiate this from any other familiarroom she may have seen. I sketched the emergency exit.Adding the table with the stereo and TV that sat in the rightcorner.

“It looks like a place I used to go for dance lessons - when I waseight or nine. It was shaped the same.” She reached out andsmoothed her finger over the spot where the room jutted out.

“That’s where the bathrooms were - the doors were through the

other dance floor. But the stereo was here” she pointed to theleft corner of the room “it was older, and there wasn’t a TV. There was a window in the waiting room - you would see theroom from this perspective if you looked right through it.”

I couldn’t stop myself from staring, I hadn’t been in many balletstudios recently, but what were the odds of this one matching

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so closely. Bella’s explanation had just pointed out the majordifferences, I was sure of that.

“Are you sure it’s the same room?” Jasper asked, the edginessstill lacing his voice.

“No, not at all - I suppose most dance studios would look thesame - the mirrors, the bar.” Bella once again ran her fingerover the picture, this time she traced the ballet bars. “It’s justthe shape that looked familiar.” She touched the door.

“Would you have any reason to go there now?” I asked, Icouldn’t get the connection, why would she go to a ballet studioshe hadn’t been to for nine years. More importantly where washe getting the connection?

“No, I haven’t been there in almost ten years. I was a terribledancer - they always put me in the back for recitals."

“So there’s no way it could be connected with you?” I asked, Icouldn’t figure this out, this must be the missing decision.

“No, I don’t even think the same person owns it. I’m sure it’s just another dance studio, somewhere.”

“Where is the studio you went to?” Jasper asked casually.

“It’s just around the corner form my moms house. I used towalk there after school...” she trailed off, she had noticed thelook Jasper and I had given one another, it wasn’t anotherstudio, it was the same one.

“Here in Phoenix then?” Jasper asked, still trying to keep itcasual.

“Yes,” Bella was whispering now. “Fifty-eighth street andCactus.”

We all sat silently staring at the drawing. I analyzed to makesure I hadn’t missed anything. It wasn’t the greatest drawing Ihad ever done but considering the tools I had to work with itwould suffice.

“Alice, is that phone safe?” Bella’s voice broke into myconcentration.

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“Yes, the number would just trace back to Washington.”

“Then I can use it to call my mom.”

“I thought she was in Florida.”

“She is - but she’s coming home soon, and she can’t come backto the house while...” Bella’s voice trembled and she wasunable to finish the sentence. I was wondering what was on hermind, and if her mom was, in fact, in Florida I wasn’t sure at allhow she was going to call her.

“How will you reach her?” I asked voicing my thoughts.

“They don’t have a permanent number except at the house -she’s supposed to check her messages regularly.”

“Jasper?” I asked, I really didn’t want to make the decisionstraight off the top of my head. There were a number of scenarios that could happen. I wanted to voice that before weagreed. Jasper thought about it, I knew he was weighing thepros and cons in his head. He was going through the samedoubts as I was.

“I don’t think there’s any way it could hurt - be sure you don’tsay where you are, of course.”

I gave him a look as Bella reached for the phone, I still wasn’tsure it was the best decision, but I knew his logic behind it. Itwould calm Bella a little thinking that she had at least someinteraction with her mom.

“Mom,” Bella’s voice was vague, “it’s me. Listen, I need you todo something. It’s important. As soon as you get this message,call me at this number.”

I jumped up with the hotel stationary in hand and jotted thenumber down in the bottom and held it out for Bella to read.

She read it twice.

“Please don’t go anywhere until you talk to me. Don’t worry,I’m okay, but I have to talk to you right away, no matter howlate you get this call, all right? I love you, mom. Bye.”

Bella closed her eyes and snapped the phone shut. The stresswas beginning to wear on her a little, that was evident. Bella

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fell into the sofa and picked up a piece of fruit that was leftoverfrom her last meal. She stared blankly at the TV, the news wasstill playing. I looked over at Jasper trying to talk silently withhim.

As the evening wore on we all sat in silence, Bella was stillplanted in front of the TV, Jasper was sat silently, his eyes wereon the TV too, but he wasn’t watching. I was trying to sketchwhat I could remember of the room James had been watchingthe VCR in, but I may as have shaded the page in black fromthe little I could see from the glow of the TV. I resolved tostaring at the wall, willing myself to remember something,anything.

The sound of Bella’s breathing once again became rhythmic. Iturned to look at her, she had fallen asleep curled in a ball. I

stood and made my way over to her, as I picked her up and shestirred looking at me briefly before her eyes closed again. Shewas asleep before I laid her in the bed. I returned to the livingroom, I sat on the couch next to Jasper and nuzzled into him,my sweet loving husband wrapped his arm around my shoulderand pulled me closer to him. We tried not to be to intimatearound Bella, it had been hard enough on her being separatedfrom Edward, we didn’t feel we needed to antagonize thesituation anymore. I stared through the television trying to lookfor something I had missed in the glow of the darker vision. There had to be something there that distinguished it.

“I can feel you getting frustrated, Alice.” Jasper said under hisbreath.

“ I can’t help it, I feel like I’m missing something. There has tobe something I’m missing in that room.”

“Just relax for a while, I know this is important but maybe youneed a break.”

I nodded and looked at him, I tipped my head back on my

shoulders and waited for him to kiss me. I didn’t have to waitlong. His lips brushed against mine gently, his arm around myshoulder moved until his hand was in my hair. He pulled mecloser, I rolled into his lap not breaking the contact our lips had.My conscience butted in and I pulled away from him gently. Myeyes met his and I knew I didn’t have to say anything else, Ismiled I had the most wonderful man I could have ever hopedfor.

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It was one thirty in the morning and Bella had been asleep for awhile. I was glad she was getting the rest she needed. Sheworried so much about every one of us it was no wonder shedidn’t worry about her own fate. Jasper was watching me as Ipaced the room, I was trying to see anything and I was

wondering if I was pushing myself too hard. I stopped and sat inthe sofa next to Jasper, I let out a long sigh and looked over athim. I knew he could feel my frustration but I couldn’t helpmyself.

“You want me to send a little something your way?” he askedhopefully.

I smiled, it could help. “Don’t go crazy, Jaz.”

Jasper smiled and I felt a rush of calm wave over me. It wasn’t

strong, but it was enough to have my body relaxing, I let outanother sigh and closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment. Isaw the darkened room again, but it was light. I could tell it wasthe same room because what I was seeing matched the smallamount of visuals I had picked up from the darkened room. Itwas a square room with dark beams lining the ceiling. The wallswere paneled in wood, it was a darker wood than you wouldnormally see in a house, The floor was carpeted, the carpet wasdark and there was a faint trace of a pattern visible. There wasa large window visible against the south wall, and a largeopening to the west. One side of the entrance was stone - a

large stone fireplace that was open to another room. In themiddle was a small wooden stand holding a TV and VCR. Asectional sofa curved in front of the TV, and a round coffeetable in front of it. On the wall beside the window there was aphone.

I flashed my eyes open and looked a Jasper, he knew exactlywhat had transpired. I flew forward and picked up the pad andpaper and began sketching the room that had now come to mein detail.

Bella’s feet dragging alerted me that she was joining us in theliving room. I heard her approaching the sofa, she was lookingover my shoulder.

“Did she see something more?” she asked Jasper, I think shecould see my concentration. I knew my hand was gliding acrossthe paper, I was trying to sketch everything I saw.

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“Yes. Somethings brought him back to the room with the VCR,but it’s light now.”

I could feel Bella’s eyes scrutinizing the picture that wasdeveloping from my hand, I had gotten a detailed look so I was

able to draw a little more accurately.

Bella’s hand pointed to the wall beside the window. “The phonegoes there.” she was whispering.

Jasper and I looked at her, this was a room she knew, she knewit well.

“That’s my mothers house.”

I sprang for the phone, we had to change our plans

immediately. There was no way in hell Bella could stay herewith him in such close proximity. We had to get her out of hereto a safe place.

“Edward,” I said as he answered.

“Alice, what’s wrong?” he asked his tone immediately serious.

“He’s here, I had another vision, he was in the room with theVCR again but it was light, I was able to get a detailed visual of the room. I sketched it down and when Bella saw it she

immediately recognized it as her mothers home. He’s hereEdward, he’s in Phoenix and I think he knows we’re here.”

The phone was silent for a second, the a stream of profanitieswere screamed directly into my ear. I heard the phone shuffleand Carlisle’s voice was on the receiving end of the call.

“Alice, stay where you are. We’re coming there, Edward,Emmett and I will be there soon, we’re going to get her out of there and hide her until we take care of this animal, I just don’twant to risk anything until we know it’s safe for her.”

“Got it, see you soon.” I flipped the phone shut and looked upat Bella, who between the shock and Emotional wall that had just hit her looked drained.

“Bella,” her head turned to look at me, she looked almostlethargic.

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“Bella, Edward is coming to get you. He and Emmett andCarlisle are going to take you somewhere, to hide you for awhile.”

“Edward is coming?” I could see her struggling to become a

little more alert.

“Yes, he’s catching the first flight out of Seattle. We’ll meet himat the airport and you’ll leave with him.”

“But, my mother... he came here for my mother, Alice!” Hervoice was becoming hysterical now.

“Jasper and I will stay till she’s safe.”

“I can’t win, Alice. You can’t guard everyone I know forever.

Don’t you see what he’s doing? He’s not tracking me at all.He’ll find someone, he’ll hurt someone I love... Alice, I can’t-”

“We’ll catch him, Bella.”

“And what if you get hurt, Alice? Do you think that’s okay withme? Do you think it’s only my human family he can hurt mewith?”

Bella’s words touched me deeply, she considered us family, Ishot a look at Jasper, he had to hit her with a large wave of

emotion, just to calm her down she was freaking out, Jasperconcentrated as he sent the emotions flying. Bella’s eyes werebecoming heavy and I knew that she was fighting it. Her eyesflickered wildly under the heavy lids. She stood up steppingaway from Jasper.

“I don’t want to go back to sleep,” She yelled.

I had never seen Bella use so much force in anything, shesounded angry. She strode into the bedroom and slammed thedoor. I pressed my lips together, that was the first real temper

tantrum I had ever seen. I shot Jasper a look, we had seenRose’s tantrums before but they were like dynamite comparedto this. Jasper tried to suppress a laugh, I gave him a look of reprieve. His face straightened out. I knew that under any othercircumstances it would have indeed been funny.

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Bella stayed in the room for a while, I sent Jasper to check out.After we met Edward, Emmett and Carlisle at the airport wewould be relocating closer to Bella’s moms house.

The phone rang again and I picked it up, I looked to the

bedroom door, I knew Bella would be appearing shortly. It wasnow five thirty, she’d had plenty of time to cool off, she lookedsheepish as she stepped out of the room.

“Carlisle,”

“Alice, we’re boarding the plane now. If everything goes ascheduled, we should be there by nine forty-five.”

“We’ll meet you at the airport.”

I snapped the phone shut again.

“They’re just boarding their plane. They’ll land at nine forty-five.”

“Where’s Jasper?”

“He went to check out.”

“You aren’t staying here?”

“No, we’re relocating closer to your mother’s house.”

Bella’s arm shot around her stomach, her despair once againworn on her sleeve for all to see. The phone ringing againcaught me off guard, I hadn’t expected it. I pulled it to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Bella? Bella?” I heard the voice on the other end of the line, itmust have been Bella’s mother, she sounded concerned.

“No, she’s right here.” I held the phone out to Bella andmouthed ‘Your Mother.’

“Hello?” Bella said into the phone. I could she that she wasrelieved to her mothers voice, she sighed. “Calm down, mom.”she started again in a soothing tone. She walked away slowly, Iknew she would want some privacy.

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“Everything is fine, okay? Just give me a minute and I’ll explaineverything, I promise.”

Bella stopped walking. “Mom?”

I looked up, her tone had been unusual, Bella’s eyes darted tome and away as she listened. She was quiet for a while, hereyes still darting around nervously. I stepped closer and shebegan to speak again.

“No, mom, stay where you are.” she whispered this and I waswondering about the other end of the conversation. Bellaheaded slowly into the bedroom.

“Mom, please listen to me.” she said as she closed the doorbehind her. Something wasn’t right but I couldn’t put my finger

on it. The conversation was sounding awkward and disjointed. Ilistened a little harder, I could still hear Bella’s voice.

“Yes.”

Silence.

“Yes.”

Silence.

“Mom, trust me.”

I stopped intentionally listening now, I still didn’t feel rightabout the whole thing but I wanted to give her the privacy sheobviously wanted. I sat on the couch and waited.

My mind started working over time, Bella’s mom had soundedworried, that was normal, Bella had answered the phonenormally enough, but there had been a change in tone. Icouldn’t understand it.

I hopped up from the sofa and began pacing, what had me sosuspicious?

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CHAPTER 20 - ESCAPE

Bella finally emerged from the room, she looked thoroughlymorose. I was taken aback by that. I was hoping talking to hermom would ease her anxiety a little.

“My mom was worried, she wanted to come home. But it’sokay, I convinced her to stay away.” Bella’s voice was lifeless. Iwas surprised at the turn her mood had taken.

“We’ll make sure she’s fine, Bella, don’t worry.” I said trying tocomfort her.

She turned away, and strode over to the desk slowly. Heractions reminded me of that of a zombie, she was making menervous. I couldn’t understand what had changed her mood sodramatically. She hadn’t been in the best of moods to beginwith, but this was positively lamentable.

“Alice,” Bella said without emotion. “If I write a letter for mymother, would you give it to her? Leave it at the house, Imean?”

“Sure Bella.” I was beginning to think she was having a nervous

breakdown. The sooner Edward got here the better. I knew sheenjoyed our company and it was just the circumstances, but Ifelt terrible, I had no idea how to console her.

She headed back into the bedroom with a pen, paper and anenvelope. I was hoping Jasper would hurry, I think Bella neededsomething. I paced the room slowly, I wish I could helpsomehow, I hated seeing her so melancholy.

I walked over to the desk, Bella had placed the phone there. Itwas then that the room became fuzzy. A decision had been

made and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had never been hit sohard by a vision before, it was the mirror room, Bella was stoodin the middle of the room alone, she looked scared, I wobbledand held on to the desk as I saw James leaping at Bella, he wasplaying with her, throwing her about the room like a rag-doll. Itried to pull out of the vision. It was making me feel odd andstrange and anxious. I could feel my hand boring into the edgesof the desk.

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“Alice!” I heard my love and I felt him before I saw him, hishands gently pried mine from the edge of the desk, his armsremained around me.

“What is it?” he demanded.

I spun in his arms and buried in my chest.

“Bella,” was all I could say, I knew he would understandimmediately.

“I’m right here.” she replied.

I looked around at Bella, I hadn’t realized that she was in theroom, there was an immediate recognition that crossed herface, she understood I had seen something, she understood it

was something to do with her.

Jasper was still holding me, I knew that he could feel myanxiety.

“What did you see?” Bella asked, she had a strange look in hereye, I wasn’t sure how to explain it, it was almost fear, but notthat I had seen something dangerous. The look was like shehad been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. I could feel Jasper tense, he was looking between Bella and I, I wasguessing the emotions were conflicting. I felt a wave of

tranquility wash over me like blanket. I could feel the panicleaving me, and Bella’s eyes glazed as the wave enveloped her.I couldn’t tell her what I’d seen, I couldn’t bare to finish itmyself.

“Nothing really,” I was able to keep my voice level, “Just thesame room as before.”

I looked Bella in the eyes and decided to delve a little deeper,but her expression held nothing to divulge her emotions.

“Did you want breakfast?” I asked remembering her need toeat.

“No, I’ll eat at the airport.” her answer was controlled and shelooked calm; too calm. I watched her stride away to thebathroom and I felt a little relief that I had some time alonewith Jasper. I had to figure out where we went wrong, how James would get to Bella.

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As soon as the latch on the door clicked I spun to face Jasperonce again. “We’re going to fail, I don’t know how, I just knowBella will end up in that room and James will destroy her.”

Jasper’s jaw dropped before he could compose himself. “What

happens, do we at least get there, I mean now we know thathe’ll get to her, do we get there in time to stop it?”

“I couldn’t finish it Jasper, I felt so strange. He was throwing herabout the room, her body was limp. I could see her fightingback she was so weak, it was futile... I...” I leaned my headagainst his strong shoulder and wept tearless sobs.

“We have to keep her close, Alice.” Jasper wrapped his armsaround me tightly and protectively. “We have to keep vigilant.We can’t take any risks, okay?”

I nodded and stepped back from him, I wanted to call Carlisle. Iknew he was on the plane but I was hoping that he would havethe phone on. I wasn’t sure how it would help matters, but I hadto make them aware of the situation.

I flipped the phone that was on the desk open and dialed. Itrang consistently, but there was no answer just the beep fromthe voice mail.

“I’ve seen something, James... Well James... You need to hurry,

James...”

Jasper pulled the phone from my hand and placed it at his ear.

“Alice, has seen James with Bella and it isn’t good, we’ll doeverything in our power to stop this. But we need you to getthrough the barriers quickly. I think we can get to him today.I’m not trying to scare you but you needed to know.” Jasperflipped the phone shut and put it in his pocket.

I placed my face in my hands, I couldn’t think. I just kept seeing

Bella’s limp form hitting the ground again and again. Jasperplaced his hand on my shoulder and sent a huge wave of relaxation over me. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bella had felt it. Itook a deep breath and smiled weakly at him.

“Did you get it?” I asked.

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Jasper pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it tome. It was a map from the airport to the Ballet studio. Jasperhad decided it would be a good idea to find out where it was sowe could keep surveillance once Bella was safely on a plane. Itwas more important than ever now, if he did manage to get to

Bella, we would have a way to find him.

“What time is it?” I asked, but looked past him to the clock onthe TV. It was six forty-five, I knew we had to leave for theairport. I could hear Bella dressing in the other room and Ibegan packing my things into my bag.

We were in the car heading towards the airport by seven. Bellaseemed eager to get there, I had to admit I was feeling just asrestless. Jasper was having a hard time because I couldn’t keepmy emotions in check. I felt terrible, but there was nothing I

could do, he had calmed me more in the last hour than he hadin the last three years. It didn’t hold, my fear and anxietycouldn’t be kept at bay, and I feared it wouldn’t stop until Iknew for a fact Bella was safely delivered to Edward. Even thenI was sure my trepidation wouldn’t subside completely. Jasper,was trying so hard to keep himself contained and support meall at the same time. Guilt was beginning to gnaw at the edgesof the emotions already holding me hostage.

I was sat in the car with my back to the door wearing mysunglasses, I kept shooting looks at Bella, like she would vanish

right before my eyes. Her eyes watched me curiously, but therest of her demeanor was flat and emotionless. I felt like shewas giving up.

“Alice?” she asked with a tone of indifference.

“Yes?”

“How does it work? The things that you see?” The question wascold, there was no emotion or interest involved. “Edward said itwasn’t definite... That things change?”

Jasper sent another wave of calm throughout the car. I wasguessing Bella was feeling emotions she wasn’t showing.

“Yes, things change...” I could see her point, maybe she wasmore optimistic than I gave her credit for. “Some things aremore certain than others... like the weather. People are harder.I only see the course they’re on while they’re on it. Once they

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change their minds - make a new decision, no matter how small- the whole future shifts.”

“So you couldn’t see James in Phoenix until he decided to comeher.”

“Yes.” I couldn’t understand where this was going, I was tryingto follow her train of thought. I was guessing that she hadfigured I had seen more than just the room. I watched heragain, she looked deep in thought. I stayed quiet and watcheduntil we arrived at the airport.

We parked on level four in the parking garage and followedBella into the terminal. We took the elevator to level three. Jasper was struggling a little bit, it was a confined space andthere was another human in the elevator. I picked up his hand

and squeezed it, trying to reassure him.

We stepped out and headed to the monitors showing us whatflights were departing, we needed to find a safe place to keepBella, the further away the better.

“They could go to Maine, it’s the opposite end of the country.” Isaid watching the times change and flicker around on screen.

“I’m just wondering if it’s too obvious.”

“I don’t know, how about London? They could maybe drive upto Scotland and hide out in the country.”

“Always the romantic, Alice. No passports.” Jasper said lovingly.I looked at Bella. She looked uncomfortable.

“Okay, Chicago?”

“Again, it’s perfect weather for us, do you think Edward wouldfeel strange going back there again?”

“Hmm good point... New York? That leaves just after their planelands, they could catch it I’m sure.”

I touched Jasper’s arm and nodded towards Bella, she was satin one of the chairs, her arms wrapped around her knees, herchin resting on them. She was deep in thought. I was gettingmore concerned, but with this may humans around I was

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hoping we would be safe, at least until we could get her out of here.

I headed towards her and sat down next to her placing my bagbetween us. I watched her nervously. Jasper perched on the

chair next to me, never relaxing. I had never felt more anxiousbefore. Bella pulled a blank envelope out of her pocket andplaced it on my bag. I stared at it curiously.

“My letter.”

I nodded and tucked it into the flap. I concentrated briefly tosee if anything had changed. All I saw was Bella being attacked,I was hoping I could back up to see the decision that broughther to this but it was pointless, the outcome was the only thingI could see.

Bella sat quietly, as we sat there waiting, I had offered to gether breakfast several times, each time she would tell me ‘later’.I couldn’t possibly imagine how she was feeling right now. So Ilet it go.

At nine fifteen, the board changed again, the flight from Seattlewould be arriving ten minute early. This was perfect they coulddefinitely make the New York flight now, with time to spare.Bella became restless beside me, I watched her out of thecorner of my eye. Jasper sensing my distraction, reached out

for my hand.

“I think I’ll eat now,” Bella said quickly, I guessed that she couldsee time was running out and we had limited time before shewould be on a plane. I stood up.

“I’ll come with you.”

“Do you mind if Jasper comes instead?” her eyes were wide, Iwasn’t sure why this surprised me so much. “I’m feeling alittle...”

Jasper stood up, I was so confused. I started questioning everyaction I had taken, hoping I hadn’t scared her, or upset her. Iwatched them walk away towards some of the food outlets, Jasper had his hand on the small of her back guiding herprotectively. I watched them as they moved further into thecrowd. They disappeared around a corner and I stopped craningmy neck to watch them. I threw myself back in the seat and

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rested my head on the back of it. I closed my eyes and sighed. This was so confusing and stressful, I hadn’t been throughsomething like this in so long.

My head snapped up the instant she made the decision, I

grabbed Jaspers and my bags and ran as I could with thehuman constraint towards where Jasper and Bella haddisappeared. As I rounded the corner I saw him, he immediatelysensed me and pushed off the wall.

“Alice?”

“Jasper, she’s gone to him!” I said throwing his bag to him andheading towards the elevators. There was a window open to thefront of the building next to them, as Jasper pressed the button,I headed to the plate glass wall. I dropped my bag as I reached

it. That’s when I saw Bella climbing aboard an airport shuttle. Iknew where she was going, and the look of fear on her face asshe checked the airport doors froze me to the spot. Jasper wasbehind me in a second.

“What do we do Alice?”

“What time is it?” I asked him.

“Nine thirty! Why?”

I closed my eyes and concentrated with every piece of me. Iwas hoping I had missed the time and it would be there. I washoping that I had just been to concerned with the sight of Bellaand missed it. The vision came stronger this time. Bella hadalready sent her plan in motion so it had become inevitable. Iignored James’ brutality and looked around the room. Therehad to be a clock in the room somewhere... The VCR! It said tenfifteen, we could have time.

“Jasper, go get Edward, Emmett, and Carlisle. I’ll go get us acar, we may have time, we could stop this.”

Jasper stood awestruck for a second and took off towards thebaggage claim. I threw myself into the elevator that was justarriving. I picked up the bags that were on the ground as I ran.

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CHAPTER 21 - FASTER!

I pulled up in front of the airport, I had hot-wired a BMW, thatwas parked closer than the Mercedes. As quickly as I could, Istomped on the break and slid to a halt directly outside of thedoor, I could see Jasper and the others heading towards me.Emmett and Carlisle were trying to inconspicuously restrainEdward as they headed towards me. Edward’s face wascontorted in agony, I threw open the door. There was a copapproaching the car slowly. I didn’t have time for him.

Carlisle let go of Edward and headed towards the other side of the car, Emmett threw Edward in and climbed in beside him.

Jasper climbed in the front beside me.

“Go, Alice.” Emmett roared.

I stomped on the gas as hard as I could, the car rocked andgroaned as it flew from the curb. I cut off four different cars inthe process, but I wasn’t relenting, I would know when a copcar was close, and I had no time to be hesitant. I had to beatthe clock, Bella was in danger. I heard Edward moan gentlyfrom the back seat, I spun my head to look at him. His headwas in his hands, he was pulling at handfuls of his hair. I could

feel my eyes widen. I had never seen my brother so distraught.

I looked over at Jasper, he nodded. I kept my foot on the gas ashe arranged himself. His foot shot onto the gas, our movementswere quick as we maneuvered around one another, I slidcarefully into the passenger seat as he sat in the drivers seat,we had done this before, but never at such excessive speeds.

“What are you doing, Alice?” Carlisle asked.

I turned in my seat until I was facing the back seat. “I have to

keep an eye on the situation to make sure nothing changes,she’ll get to the studio at ten fifteen, we have to make it thereby that time, but I want to make sure she doesn’t make anotherdecision and change that, I can’t do that and drive.”

“What happened, Alice?” Emmett asked. Still holding Edward inplace.

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“Bella was acting strange, I can’t pinpoint what triggered it butI thought she was anxious. When we got to airport she wasquiet, but calm, then she asked Jasper to go with her to getfood. She hit the bathroom but there was another door therethat lead out to the elevators, I saw it as soon as she made the

decision. We tried to stop her but she was gone...”

Edward looked up at me, his face was paler that I had everseen it before, his face was frozen in mixed state of agony andpure rage. I was taken aback, I looked at Carlisle and Emmett.

“Did anything unusual happen?”

“No, she called her mom, and her mom called back but thatwas it...” I froze, I knew that second that it was from that pointthat Bella had been acting strange, I looked up at Edward. Our

eyes met briefly.

Edward’s hands reached out for the headrest on my seat andhe pulled it out twisting it in his hands, pure rage was emittingfrom every ounce of his being. The cushion and metal whinedas he twisted it into a balled mess that was beyond recognitionof it’s former self. Jasper wriggled in the seat next to me.

“I’m going to kill the sonofabitch!” he bellowed, I covered myears and shrank back in my seat. He looked truly frightening. Ihad never seen anything like it before, even Emmett looked

terrified.

“Do we know where this place is?” Carlisle asked calmlyholding Edward still. I had no idea how Carlisle kept himself socomposed at times like these, the rest of us were practicallyfalling to pieces. Even Emmett was uncharacteristically quiet.

Jasper produced the piece of paper and waved it in the air. Iknew he was already following it. Carlisle nodded thankful andturned his attention to Edward, who was doubled over hishands pulling at his hair.

I looked at the clock on the dash.

9.45am

“Jasper, how close are we?” I asked leaning over to look at themap. He pointed where we were. I nodded, we might just makeit, but I was worried about the residential streets, I was sure the

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local law enforcement wouldn’t appreciate the speed wereabout to encroach upon them.

“What did you see, Alice?” I hardly recognized his voice as hespoke, his voice was venomous.

“No, Edward, I... I don’t think you need to hear that right now.” Isaid looking around the car for a little help.

“Alice!”

“It’s not good, he... he...”

“Spit. It. Out. Alice.” Edward was speaking through his teeth.

I couldn’t say the words out loud so I closed my eyes and

replayed what I could for him, again I couldn’t get to the end, itmade me feel odd, I couldn’t quite explain it.

Edward’s body started vibrating in anger. I sat back from him, Iknew that he was getting more, and more enraged. I wasn’thelping this at all, but no one else was stepping in to stop it.

I looked at Carlisle, he was restraining Edward. He nodded tocalm me, he hated seeing his children so distraught.

9.55am

I closed my eyes and concentrated, I ignored the brutal attackas best I could and looked at the clock again, it was still tenfifteen. I heard Edward howl.

“Edward, I’m sorry, I was just...”

Edward waved his hand to stop me from apologizing, the guiltsuddenly enveloped me. I tried to hold the dry, tearless sobs aslong as I could. I reached out to Edward, he was rocking as hardas he could, trying to channel his anger. He was saving it for

James. I laid my hand gently on his arm. He rested his hand ontop of mine and squeezed.

Something suddenly occurred to me. “Emmett, my bag, it’s byyour feet. There’s an envelope inside can you reach it?”

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Emmett leaned forward and pulled out the envelope andhanded it to me. I tore it open and it was addressed to Edward.I pushed the paper towards him “It’s for you, Edward.”

Edward picked up the letter and read it slowly, his eyes

scanning the paper, getting darker every second. He let out anagonizing roar, he dropped the paper and mashed the palms of his hands to his temples in torment. I picked up the paper andread...

Edward,

I love you. I am so sorry. He has my mom, and I have to try. Iknow it may not work. I am so very, very sorry.

Don’t be angry with Alice and Jasper. If I get away from them it

will be a miracle. Tell them thank you from me. Alice especially, please.

And please, please don’t come after him. That’s what he wants,I think. I can’t bear it if anyone has to be hurt because of me,especially you. Please, this is the only thing I can ask you now.For me.

I love you. Forgive me.

Bella

Oh Bella, no, you silly, silly girl, why did you have to do this,why didn’t you tell me. I began sobbing once again. Bella, soinnocent, so sweet, was giving herself up as a sacrificial lamb,and all she could think about was us, and causing us pain. Wehad to get to her in time, we had to.

10.05am

“Dammit, Alice!”

I spun in my seat, there were traffic cones scattered across thestreet blocking our route. Jasper threw the map at me. Edwardwas screaming profanities in the back.

“Alice,” Jasper said as calm as he could muster, “Find analternative, navigate.”

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I nodded and held the map in front of me. I guided him througha short detour, it added four minutes to our journey, fourminutes we couldn’t afford.

10.09am

We hit the main route again, the speed limit was twenty, but Jasper took the corner at fifty, the tail end of the car swungbehind us as we straightened out.

“Alice, how much further?” Jasper asked.

“We’re on Cactus, fifty-eighth is a couple of blocks up.

“Dammit, we’re running out of time.”

10.15am

The BMW slid quietly to a halt outside of the studio. Emmettand Edward were out of the door before the car had stopped. Ablood curdling scream stopped everyone one of us in our paths.It was Bella, it was Bella’s scream. No, no, no, no, no.

Edward took off he was through the door, and I was rightbehind him. I saw the window Bella had referred to, and sureenough there lay the studio. James was crouched ready tospring, he bolted towards Bella. Her hand shot up weakly, it

was purely instinctual. Edward had pounced through thewindow and headed for a straight collision with James. Aguttural roar emitted from Edward as he struck him.

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CHAPTER 22 - FIGHT!

Edward hit James with immense force, the two of them flewacross the room and into a wall of mirrors. I jumped throughthe window and headed towards Bella. There was so muchblood, I felt so ashamed my animalistic instincts were pulling onme.

“Carlisle,” I screamed as loudly as I could, there was anothercrashing as Emmett came through the door with all of hismight. Carlisle closely behind him.

“Please, Carlisle, help her.” I begged. Jasper came through the

door and glanced once at Bella, rage contorted his features andhe sprinted to join in the fight. I turned on my heel, the ragewas boiling inside of me. Every inch of me tingled, I could feelmy lips pull back over my teeth. I dived into the flurry of moving bodies. I was going to enjoy pulling him limb from limb,and I knew my siblings felt the same way. The movementswere all quicker than I could have possible imagined and theloud crashing of our collective collisions were bouncing aroundthe room thunderously. James was quick, his defensiveness wasastounding. Edward was quicker, he got a grip on James andpulled him close. Edward's balled fists made first contact, the

sound reverberated around with such magnitude the floorshook and I was convinced Edward had just punched a holethrough him. The shock on James' face told the story of whatwas about to happen.

I neatly maneuvered in, I was going for the throat but Jasperhad gently stopped me and I knew he wanted James to feel thepain and nothing gave me a greater pleasure than to agree. Istepped back outside of the circle waiting for my chance, Iwatched as my husband and brother moved around him. Theytaunted him, Edward wanted a fight, he wanted to provoke him.

They danced around each other in anger, Jasper couldn't holdhimself any longer and lunged. His military precision wasastounding. The loud thunderous blows began again, and thefour of them disappeared in the quick movements before me.

Jasper was the first to dismember him, he pulled his left armfrom the socket, James howled. Jasper’s face developed acontorted smile, it was taking him back to his days with Maria. I

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“Carlisle!” Edward begged. His hands moving pointlessly overher body, he was trying to find something to help, his handshovered helplessly. He lifted his palms begging our father forhelp.

Carlisle shook off his shock and went to work, his bag laybeside him open, ready for the battle. The battle to save sweetBella.

“Bella, Bella, no, oh please, no, no!” Edward’s voice was filledwith the broken sobs that shook him, my mind couldn’t takeanymore. I let the rage take control.

I had to rejoin the fight, I was so angry, I couldn’t stay away. Iran towards James, Emmett and Jasper were making quick workof him, but I wasn’t going to let them have all the revenge.

Emmett and Jasper smiled viciously and held him up in front of me.

“I hope the bitch is dead...” James laughed evilly and his eyesnarrowed, “You don’t remember me, do you?”

I looked at him and snarled, I wasn’t going to play his stupidlittle game, I stepped forward and placed my hands on eitherside of his head. “Go to hell!” I said smirking, I lent forward andsliced his cold marble skin with my teeth and then I pulled, Ipulled with every little bit of effort I had. I pushed my leg

against his chest, the metallic whining became louder as hishead became detached from his body. I threw the head on thepile, my instincts took control and I pulled and ripped, I knew hecould no longer feel this pain, but I had to settle my angerbefore I returned to Bella.

“Bella!” Edward cried, the change in his tone gave me hope, Ispun to look at them.

“She’s lost some blood, but the head wound isn’t deep,”Carlisle explained to Edward calmly. “Watch out for her leg, it’s

broken.”

I headed slowly towards them, and I noticed that Bella’s leg layin an unusual angle. It was unnaturally eerie and it twisted mystomach. Edward’s throaty growl filled the room, his anger andpain had rolled into one twisted painful sound. Carlisle pushedon her ribs gently, Bella’s face reacted with pain, I could feel

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“She’s here, she knew where to find you.” Edward told herlovingly. My affection for the two of them soared. This had towork out, Bella had to be okay. Edward would never be thesame. none of us would.

“My hand hurts,” Bella said, her voice laced with pain.

“I know Bella. Carlisle will give you something, it will stop.”

“My hand is burning!” Bella screamed, her eyes flew open inthe agony, pain contorting every feature of her face. The lookon her face was shocking, I had never seen that level of pain inone persons eyes. I was taken aback.

"Bella?" Panic was burning Edward, his voice was strangled.

“The fire! Someone stop the fire!” Bella’s voice rang around theroom shrilly, her pain was evident. Edward pulled her hand intohis.

“Carlisle! Her hand!”

Carlisle’s eyes flickered over to the hand that Edward washolding gently.

“He bit her.” Carlisle’s voice was brimming with venomousdisgust, his eyes flitted to the growing pile of the former

vampire. I knew that he now wished he'd had the opportunity topay him back for the pain he had inflicted. his eyes flickeredquickly to Edward.

Edward’s breath caught, his worst fear had been inflicted onthe woman he loved, he was distraught and the shaking rageonce again replaced the calm panic. She had been bitten.Although I had known that this fate was inevitable, I knew thatnone of us had ever imagined it would come about this way, orthis soon. I knew that he had always intended for Bella to stayhuman, no matter what I saw. I felt useless and the guilt was

chomping at the my already heightened emotions. I knew therewas only one thing that could be done.

I moved to Bella’s other side and lent in to clear her face, Ibrushed the bloody hair from her eyes, “Edward, you have todo it.” He could save her, he just had to speed the process up,let his venom infiltrate her heart, the one bite wouldn’t be

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enough, it would exasperate the pain, draw it out that muchlonger.

“No.” his voice filled the room, catching the attention of Emmett and Jasper. They left silently, I knew the blood was too

much for Jasper, and I’m sure it was difficult for Emmett. I letthem go in silence.

“Alice.” Bella moaned my name through the pain. We had to dosomething she was in so much pain. I looked at Carlislehopefully. If anyone could do it, it would be him. The look on hisface confused me, he was thinking but there was doubt in hiseyes, like he wasn't sure of something. But there was also alook of hope, I couldn't understand it and I didn't have time toanalyze it. I didn't know what to do, Bella was in pain.

“There may be a chance.” Carlisle said hopefully.

“What?” Edward was begging, he loved Bella with every ounceof his being but he refused to condemn her to what we wereand how we lived. He wanted to keep her pure, he wanted tokeep her human. Even if it would destroy him. I knew that hehad to believe that it would happen one day.

“See if you can suck the venom back out. The wound is fairlyclean.” Carlisle said logically. I smoothed Bella’s hair from herforehead as Carlisle leaned in to clean the wound and stop the

bleeding there.

“Will that work?” I asked, I was worried. I’d never heard of something like that.

“I don’t know, but we have to hurry.” Carlisle looked at Edwardexpectantly.

“Carlisle I...” Edward was doubting himself. I wondered how hecould be so hesitant when he was sat in a pool of her blood. “Idon’t know if I can do that.” His agony was apparent.

“It’s your decision, Edward, either way. I can’t help you. I haveto get this bleeding stopped here if you’re going to be takingblood from her hand.”

Edward was completely still, shock frozen on his face as hetried to make a decision. Bella writhed from pain between us. Iwatched him expectantly. For a moment I could see him think

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about the alternative, about how much easier it would be if helet her change. But I knew he would hate himself under thecircumstances.

“Edward!” Bella screamed, the torture grated her voice like

nails on a chalkboard. Her eyes flickered open looking for him.

“Alice, get me something to brace her leg!” I stood up quicklyand hurried away, “Edward, you must do it now, or it will be toolate.”

I came back with a long piece of floorboard that I had rippedup. I handed it to Carlisle and looked at Edward expectantly. Hiseyes blazed, I knew what he was going to do. He picked up herhand gently. His grasp tightened as he lowered his head. Hislips pressed around the wound. His eyes glazed over in ecstasy.

The determination was waning, his lust was taking over, hisinstinctual barrier was taking a hit. Bella writhed and screamedin pain, I leaned in close to her ear trying to soothe her. “Bella,it’ll be okay. He loves you, this will take the pain away, bestrong, just a little while longer, Bella.” I chanted the words, myeyes still on Edward.

The trashing pulled Edward back into the moment, his eyeslocked on Bella, they didn’t move again, she was his resolve,she was his strength. He pulled his mouth away, it took all of his effort to stop.

“Edward.” Bella whispered, she was losing consciousness again,the morphine was taking effect.

“He’s right here Bella.”

“Stay, Edward, stay with me...”

“I will.” Edward looked exhausted, there was a triumphantsmile on his face, he had done the impossible. I wasn't sure of the look I had on my face, but I knew that my shock was

showing.

“Is it all out?” Carlisle asked.

“Her blood tastes clean, I can taste the morphine.”

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I was proud of my brother, he had just done something I wouldnever have the strength to do. I was lucky, my love, my heart,my soul, was immortal. We were equals.

“Bella?” Carlisle called, he was attending to her leg.

“Mmmmm?”

“Is the fire gone?”

“Yes,” she sighed, “Thank you, Edward.” Bella was intoxicated,the morphine was making her giddy. Under any othercircumstances she would have been quite entertaining.

“I love you.” he told her, a gush of warmth crossed over hisfeatures, and he meant it, more than she would probably ever

know. I felt like I was intruding on a private scene.

“I know,” She breathed lightly, her voice fading into the sleepthat had washed over her. Edward laughed lightly, it was asound that thirty minutes ago I was wondering whether I wouldever hear again, it was music to my ears.

“Bella?” Carlisle asked.

Bella frowned, her drunken features exaggerating the simpleact. “What?”

“Where is your mother?”

“In Florida,” she sighed, “He tricked me, Edward. He watchedour videos.” I could hear that she was attempting to soundangry but I smiled as her failed attempt. She needed to sleep.

“Alice.” Hearing my name shocked me, but I leaned in closer,the volume of her voice was fading with her consciousness. Hereyes tried to flicker open. “Alice, the video - he knew you, Alice,he knew where you came from.”

I looked at Carlisle and Edward, mystified. He knew me? I didn’tknow him from my vampire years. Was she saying he knew mewhen I was human?

“I smell gasoline.” I looked around the room, Jasper andEmmett were covering James' body from a gas can. I looked atEdward who smiled down at Bella. Of course she would be the

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one to smell gasoline, Bella never ceased to amaze him. Shefell into a morphine induced sleep.

“It’s time to move her,” Carlisle said eyeing the pile that wassoaking in the flammable liquid.

“No, I want to sleep,” Bella mumbled, he resolve finallyseeming to give in.

“You can sleep, sweetheart, I’ll carry you.” Edward placed hishands gently under Bella and lifted her, she nestled into hischest and fell asleep.

“Sleep now Bella,” he said carrying her gently from the room. Icrossed the room slowly and picked up the video camera. Ilooked at it in disgust. Of course he filmed it, he was trying to

provoke us. It would be just like a sick twisted animal like himto think of something that would hurt us all more, even after hehad completed his task. Jasper was watching me closely, he leftEmmett stood by the body and calmly headed towards me.

“What’s that?” he pulled the camera from my hands slowly. Hepressed the button to stop recording and his face, realizingwhat the camera was for, turned into a snarl.

“He told Bella he knew me, I think she was saying it was on thevideo.”

Jasper nodded and tucked the camera under his arm. I knewthat he was as curious as I was to see what was on the video,and as painful as it would be, we would need to watch it. Thethought repulsed me.

Edward and Carlisle reentered the room again slowly. I knewwe had to discuss how to execute this as something completelydifferent to what happened. To protect ourselves and to protectBella. First things first. We had to get Bella to a hospital.

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CHAPTER 23 - THE PAST

Jasper and I drove Carlisle, Edward and Bella to the hospital inthe BMW, we had to get the Mercedes from the airport, butleaving the BMW would raise unnecessary questions so we haddecided that Jasper would drive it back to the studio and leaveit there. Maybe, it would just be interpreted as a the arsonisthad stolen the car.

I knew I had to call Bella’s parents and I hadn’t been lookingforward to it. Edward had given me Charlie’s number before hehad gotten out of the car.

I sighed and looked at Jasper, I was lucky, he was as durable asI was and it would take something drastic to take him from me. That very thought, had me immediately sympathize withEdward. The thought of living this life without Jasper at my sidewas too much to bare, my love for him was why I existed, and Iknew that was how Edward though of Bella.

“You okay?” Jasper asked me, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“I feel so sad, seeing Bella so broken, seeing Edward sodistraught.”

He smiled at me, understanding dancing behind his eyes.

“It was difficult, seeing her like that.”

Jasper pulled the cell phone out of his pocket and handed it tome, I had forgotten that he had pocketed it at the airport. Ismiled weakly, I knew it had to be done, but I hated being thebearer of such bad news.

I flipped the phone open and pulled up the outgoing call menu.

There was one number with no assigned name or codeattached and I knew that it had to be Bella’s moms number. Ipressed the send button and waited. It rang for a while and Iknew I would be getting the voice mail. I hated to leave such amessage and I had to find a way to make it less dramatic.

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“You have reached Renee and Phil Dwyer, we aren’t around totake your call, so if you leave a message we’ll get right back toyou, wait for the beep.”

I waited for the beep before I spoke.

“Hello Mrs. Dwyer, My name is Alice Cullen, I’m a friend of Bella’s. If you could call me as soon as you get this, I need tospeak with you immediately. My number is . . . ” I read out thenumber and hung up the phone. I wasn’t sure if the messagehad been urgent enough for Bella’s mom to return my call, but Ididn’t have the heart to leave such a fear inducing message onthe answering machine.

“One down, one to go.” I sighed, picking up the phone and thepiece of paper with Charlie Swan’s number on it. I dialed the

number and waited.

“This is Charlie.”

“Mr., um Chief Swan, this is Alice Cullen.”

“Hello, Alice. If your looking for Bella I’m afraid she left . . . ”

I cut him off. “Actually, I needed to speak with you. It’s aboutBella.”

“Uh . . . ” Charlie’s voice was skeptical.

“Sir, she was in an accident, she’s in a hospital here inPhoenix.”

“How bad?” his voice cracked before he could get anythingmore out.

“As far as we can tell, there’s a couple of broken bones, somecuts and bruises, and I think a concussion. She fell down twoflights of stairs and through a window.”

Silence.

“I’m terribly sorry Mr. Swan,”

“How did it happen?”

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“I’m not sure, we were in our hotel room, Edward, my fatherand I had come to try and convince Bella to come back toForks, she insisted on coming to the hotel to talk with us. Shefell before she got to us. We found her in the aftermath, Carlisletook care of her, and we took her to the hospital once we were

sure we could move her.”

“I’m going to see if I can get down there. Thank you, Alice.”

“I’ll call you if anything changes.”

“Thank you.” The concern in Charlie’s voice was overwhelming.I hung up the phone and dropped it into my lap. The whole dayhad been too much. I had one more call to make before we gotto the airport. I picked up the phone and dialed Esme’s number.

“Alice?”

“Yes, Esme, It’s me.”

“Oh thank goodness, is everyone okay? The last we heard, James had flown to Phoenix.”

“He got to her, Esme.” I could feel my voice breaking in mythroat. It was hard to get the truth out to someone. Carlisle andEdward are with her in the hospital.”

Esme’s gasp was heartbreaking. I hated having to relive this.“How bad?” she asked.

“She has a broken leg, broken ribs, a deep cut in her head, I’msure she has a concussion... and... and he bit her.”

“WHAT?”

“He bit her.”

“But...”

“Edward, was able to suck it out before it spread,”

“How is he?”

“I can’t explain it Esme, it was heartbreaking.”

“My poor boy, I should come down there.”

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“No Esme, Carlisle asked me to tell you to stay there. We got to James but the female is still around.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything more.”

“Ok sweetheart, be careful, and give my love to the boys.”

“I will.”

I flipped the phone shut and hung my head. Esme’s voice hadsuddenly made me homesick. It didn’t matter that the largermajority of my family was here with me. I wanted to be athome, in my bed, in Jasper’s arms. I felt overwhelmed, but Iwould never abandon Bella.

Jasper rubbed my arm gently as he pulled to a stop behind theMercedes.

“We have to get going baby.”

I looked up at him and gave him a weak smile. I felt selfishagain. I had let my emotions flow freely and I knew I wastormenting him. “I love you, Jasper.” They were the only words Icould manage as I reached for the handle on the car door.

“I love you too, Alice. Keep your chin up, she’ll be fine.”

I nodded and stepped out of the car.

Emmett, Jasper and I took a second to watch the smokebillowing from the ballet studio. Emmett had gladly lit thematch to start the fire. He had been cleaning up the last minutedetails whilst we were picking up the Mercedes. His dour moodhad set the aura of us all. This normally jovial and buoyant manwas more morose than I had ever seen him. He was upsetabout Bella and he missed Rose. I knew that he would leave

sooner rather than later and I couldn’t hold it against him. If Jasper hadn’t been here, I would already be on my way home. The whole situation had taken a larger toll on us than wewanted to admit. I was starting to think than none of us wereaware, until now, how much of an impact Bella had made onour lives. This human girl, with no fashion sense whatsoever,had captured each and every one of our hearts. I knew Rosewasn’t happy, and I knew that she would fight against the

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situation all she could. I couldn’t believe she hated her though,I knew Rosalie too well.

We drove towards the hotel as quickly as we could, we still hada lot to do before we could go back to the hospital and check

on Bella. We had decided Emmett would check into the hotelfor us and then head to the hospital to check on Bella. I believehe was planning on leaving after that to the airport, he hadconstantly been on the phone with Rosalie and I knew that shewas pining as much for him as he was for her. We had beenlucky so far, there had been no exposure to the sun as we tookto the shadows as much as we could. It seemed that once againluck was with us as we pulled up to the hotel. The frontentrance was cast in a deep shadow from a large awning thatspilled out over the drive. As much as the sun was out herepeople found a need to protect themselves, which helped our

cause immensely. A Valet approached the car and Jasperwaved him off to let him know we weren’t stopping.

“Be careful you two, don’t get caught,”

“Please, Emmett, I have an advantage here. I’ll get this done asquickly as possible. We’ll meet you at the hospital.” I saidflashing his a quick smile. He had the role of protective, bigbrother perfected. He climbed carefully out of the car, stillclinging onto the video camera James had used and headedinto the hotel.

“You ready?” Jasper asked picking up my free hand.

“As I’ll ever be.”

Jasper nodded and pulled out into the Phoenix sun once again.

We found ourselves fortunate as we pulled into the parking lotof the Hilton Airport Hotel, the palm trees created a heavilyshaded walkway to the rooms, from there we could keep to theside of the building in the shadows. We headed to where our

room had been, I knew time was limited because thehousekeeping staff were about to finish their rounds andreadying themselves for the next round of travelers to passthrough, we had a window of opportunity and we had to take it.I pointed up the staircase to a step that was close to the topand nodded at Jasper. We had to create a reason for thestumble. Even as clumsy as Bella was on her own, I couldn’timagine her making that big of a mistake. Jasper was going to

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“Okay, we shouldn’t be long. What room?” I heard my ownvoice soar into a high pitched squeak.

“825.”

I closed the phone and looked at Jasper.

“What’s going on?”

“The video.” they were they only two words I could manage toutter.

Jasper’s foot stomped on the gas and the car lurched forward,he picked up my hand and kissed it gently. I wasn’t sure whatwas on that video, but from what Bella had said and Emmett’sreaction I knew it wasn’t good.

Jasper slid the car to a halt in front of the hotel, and threw thekeys at the valet. Taking my hand he jogged inside at humanpace and pulled me towards the elevator. He was concernedabout the tape, he wasn’t sure what we would find.

We stepped out onto the eighth floor and headed towards ourroom, I knew Carlisle was already there, and I didn’t expectEdward, although I knew I would talk to him later, I didn't wanthim to have to leave Bella's side.

Jasper tapped on the door quietly, and waited. I was starting toget concerned again. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know thecontents of that video. Jasper felt my conflict and pulled mecloser. The door opened slowly and we stepped inside.

Carlisle sat on the sofa in front of the television with his head inhis hands and Emmett stood in front of us.

“What’s going on?” I asked, “What has gotten you two soupset?”

“The video, Alice. Bella was right, he knew you.” Emmett saidstepping out of the way to let us by. I looked from Jasper toEmmett to Carlisle.

“Is anyone going to show me?” I asked looking at Emmettagain. I had to get this over with, their piteous looks werebeginning to ware on me.

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Carlisle patted the sofa nest to him and I took a seat. Jasperwas behind me with his hand on my shoulder, I could feel theconfidence rush through his hand and into my body. I knew itwas a little spark to keep me from completely losing my mind.

Emmett approached the video camera that was perched on topof the televison and fiddled with the buttons. I was gettingimpatient, I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear or see anythingon this tape.

The pictures flickered onto the screen. James was pacing backand forth in front of the camera, he was waiting for Bella toarrive. His head snapped to the door, Bella had arrived. Hemoved to the back of the room and waited. The sound of a TVsparking to life was next to the camera.

“Bella? Bella?” it was the voice I’d heard on the answeringmachine earlier. Bella’s footsteps could be heard getting closerto the door.

“Bella, you scared me! Don’t you ever do that to me again!”Bella came crashing through the door and stopped. She staredaround looking for her mom and I could feel the anger buildinside me again, I knew what was happening next. I waswishing I could jump in to the TV and stop it from happening atall.

The voice laughed and Bella spun around looking for the sourceof the sound, looking for what she thought was her mother. Hereyes tuned into something off the screen and a complete lookof confusion filled her features. She was looking for her mom. Then James lifted a remote and hit a button and all went quiet.Bella turned slowly away from the camera and stopped, Jameswas behind her. They stared at each other for a long momentand then James smiled and began walking towards her, in allreality it was more of a strut than a walk. He passed by herclosely and headed towards the camera. Bella spun slowly, nottaking her eyes from him. He placed something down on the

table, there was a small clunk as the plastic hit its mark.

“Sorry about that, Bella, but isn’t it better that your motherdidn’t really have to be involved in all this?” James purredquietly reveling in his victory.

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Recognition took a hold of Bella and relief flooded her featuresas she realized her mother was safe. James had never had herto begin with.

“Yes.” Bella’s voice reflected her emotions and I was about

ready to jump running from the room. I wanted protect her, Iwanted to stop this from ever happening, but the past was justthat, the past. There was no way of stopping something thathappened hours ago.

“You don’t sound angry that I tricked you.”

“I’m not,” Bella’s face looked stoic.

“How odd, you really mean it. I will give your strange coven thismuch, you humans can be quite interesting. I guess I can see

the draw of observing you. It’s amazing — some of you seem tohave no sense of your own self-interest at all.”

Bella’s blank face stared at James showing no emotion, itlooked like she was resolved in what was going to happen.

“I suppose you’re going to tell me that your boyfriend willavenge you?” he purred again. His plan finally revealed, hewanted Edward to fight, he wanted to kill Bella for the gamethat would ensue between Edward and himself, it wassickening.

“No. I don’t think so. At least, I asked him not to.”

“And what was his reply to that?”

“I don’t know. I left him a letter.”

“How romantic, a last letter. And do you think he will honor it?” James was being spiteful and cruel. I couldn’t take anymore.

“I don’t think I can watch anymore of this.” I said resting my

hand on Carlisle’s arm and attempting to get up. Carlisle placedhis hand on mine to keep me in place.

“Just one minute, Alice.” He nodded at Emmett, who rose fromhis chair, watching the video was obviously hard for him aswell. His brows were burrowed and his arms were folded tightlyacross his chest. Emmett began fast forwarding through the

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video, watching it in double speed didn’t help the reprobatingscene playing. I dropped my head in my hands.

Emmett let the video play again and sat folding his arms again,his expression was thunderous. I turned my attention back to

the TV.

“. . . wrong place, at the wrong time, and indisputably runningwith the wrong crowd, I might add.”

I sat forward and began paying attention. His shadow steppedforward into the screen.

“Before we begin . . .”

Bella’s face turned into a light shade of green, and her face

dropped. She was hoping he had stopped playing with her.

“I would just like to rub it in, just a little bit. The answer wasthere all along, and I was so afraid Edward would see that andruin my fun. It happened once, oh, ages ago. The one and onlytime my prey escaped me.

“You see, the vampire who was so stupidly fond of this littlevictim made the choice that your Edward was too weak tomake. When the old one knew I was after his little friend, hestole her from the asylum where he worked — I never

understand the obsession some vampires seem to form withyou humans — and as soon as he freed her he made her safe.She didn’t even seem to notice the pain, poor little creature.She’d been stuck in that black hole of a cell for so long. Ahundred years earlier and she would have been burned at thestake for her visions. In the nineteen-twenties it was the asylumand the shock treatments. When she opened her eyes, strongwith her fresh youth, it was like she’d never seen the sunbefore. The old vampire made her a strong new vampire, andthere was no reason for me to touch her then. I destroyed theold one in vengeance.”

I felt Jasper’s hand tighten around my shoulder as my breathstuck in my throat.

“Alice,” Bella breathed, she knew.

“Yes, your little friend. I was surprised to see her in theclearing. So I guess her coven ought to be able to derive some

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comfort from this experience. I get you, but they get her. Theone victim who escaped me, quite an honor, actually.” I felt myhand grasp at my throat in shock, I wanted to kill him all overagain.

“And she did smell so delicious. I still regret that I never got totaste . . .”

I heard Jasper growling over my shoulder, I placed my handover his to comfort him.

“She smelled even better than you do. Sorry, — I don’t mean tobe offensive. You have a very nice smell, Floral, somehow . . .”

He took another step forward, he was inches from Bella now.

“Stop it, please” I begged, I couldn’t watch anymore. I wassurprised at what had just transpired but I couldn’t process theinformation. I wasn’t sure my mind could handle it. I felt Jasper’s arms wrap around me and pull me to him. Emmett wasat the camera stopping it, and once again Carlisle’s head was inhis hands. I wrapped my arms around Jasper’s waist and buriedmy head into his chest, and I let myself go empty. I didn’t wantto think anymore.

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CHAPTER 24 - NEW BEGINNINGS

“Alice, I’m so sorry.” Emmett’s voice was behind me, his caringtone washed over me like a warm blanket.

“There’s really nothing to be sorry about Emmett, I’m glad Iknow what happened, I am, but it seems to me that I have agood life now. I was put in an asylum to rot by my family forwhat I saw. Yes I was threatened, and I didn’t have a choice inwhat I became, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Do youhonestly believe I was better off catatonic in a darkened roomwith them administering me shock treatments? I can’t regretwhat happened to me. Too much good has come out of it.

Whoever changed me did it out of love, I can’t hold it againstanyone but the person that we burned today.”

Carlisle looked at me sadly, I knew that what had just beenrevealed was a shock to everyone, especially me but I couldn’tbe angry. I couldn’t regret my life and what had happened to itbecause although I couldn’t remember my life before mytransformation, I could remember everything since then. Iregretted nothing, I found my heart and soul and I had alwaysbeen happy in our family. There was no point in looking backand being upset about something out of my control, something

that was done to protect me. Carlisle was trying to read myexpression, but he wore the face of pity again.

“Please don’t look at me like that Carlisle, I love my life withyou, and I would never have found the other piece of me if Ihadn’t been changed, I will never regret anything. So no morepiteous looks you’re all driving me nuts.”

Jasper chuckled into my hair, I knew that he could feel myemotions and he knew that the words I was saying were true.As much as he hated what had happened to me, it seemed like

fate, or destiny, and neither of us could argue with that.

“I do have one thought though,” I said turning in Jasper’s arms,his hands were now on my stomach and I placed mine on top of his. “I wonder who is was that was so concerned about mysafety, I’m guessing he worked at the asylum, the way that James described it.”

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“We could do some research on the internet when we gethome. I can see if I can find any old records.” Jasper whisperedinto my ear. I nodded and smiled at Emmett. His head washung and his eyes were sad. To us Emmett was a big teddybear, sometimes with more emphasis on the bear than the

teddy. This was very hard for him, and I knew what he wantedto ask because I saw him doing it.

“Emmett, we’ll all understand if you go home, I know yourstruggling a little bit. You don’t need to be here for me, and Iknow Bella and Edward will understand.” Emmett looked up atme shocked, I don’t think he was aware that I had been payingattention to him.

“I know that you won’t, I feel I at least need to see Bella andsee how she’s doing. I know Rose isn’t enthralled about Bella,

but I feel like she’s part of us now, like she’s family. But I missRosalie and she keeps calling me to ask when I’m cominghome, I think she misses me too.”

“Of course she does Emmett.” I said smiling at him. “Why don’tyou book a flight and we can go see Bella before you leave, I’msure that Edward will be fine with that.”

“Bella’s going to be fine, Emmett. She was in recovery when Ileft, they have her on some heavy painkillers so she won’t becoherent for a while. But I’m sure Edward will appreciate you

dropping by.” Carlisle added.

“I’m going to head into the shower and get some of this glassout of my hair, maybe it’ll be a little darker by then and we canhead over there.” I said stepping out of the enclosure of Jasper’s arms. I spun and kissed him tenderly, I felt the need toassure him that I was happy.

“Don’t you dare dwell on this Jasper Hale.” I whispered into hisear. I spun around and headed towards the bathroom.

The hospital was quiet by the time we got there, we weregetting close to the end of visitation hours but we knew thatwith Carlisle there we would have a little leeway. We followedCarlisle into the ward and he stepped into a room, Edward wassat next to the bed holding Bella’s hand. Bella looked so fragile,her broken body was laying completely relaxed in the bed,tubes and wires were coming out of her in every direction. Itwas quite shocking.

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“Edward,” I whispered and headed around the bed towardshim. He stood and caught me in a vice like hug.

“Alice, are you ok? Carlisle told me about the video.”

“I’m fine, Edward. Don’t you dare waste a second on thinkingabout me.”

“Show me.” He said plainly and I knew what he was thinking,but I didn’t want him to see anything on that video, I wanted toprotect him from that.

“Edward, I really don’t . . .”

“Alice, please.”

“I couldn’t watch it all,” I confessed. Edward’s eyes softenedand he hugged me tight again. “How is she?”

“Asleep, she’s been that way since we got here. Carlisle’stelling me that they’re keeping her that way so she has sometime to heal.”

“She smells weird.” I said sniffing the air around the room.

“That’s the blood transfusion, Alice.” Said Carlisle stepping in.“She’ll be back to normal in no time.”

I nodded and headed towards the bed. I pulled Bella’s fragilehand into mine and watched her as she slept. I had never seenher look so broken. I listened to the rest of the conversation as Ihummed gently to Bella. I was hoping she would remember Ihad been here. I knew Carlisle would send us home soon and Iwas pretty certain Bella would still be asleep when we left.

“Emmett, did you watch it all?” Edward asked as he releasedhim from the bear hug they had just shared. Emmett noddedsolemnly, and concentrated on the video. It was as hard for him

as it was for Edward. I felt Edward was being slightlyMasochistic, but I also felt I knew his need to watch it. I was justworried he was talking himself into something stupid.Something he would regret.

Edward’s face crumpled in pain, his eyes darkened. He raisedhis hand to stop Emmett. He, like me before him, couldn’t standto watch any more of it.

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“This is all my fault, if I’d have just stayed away from her, shewouldn’t be in this bed broken and in pain.” he said hanging hishead and tugging at his hair.

“Edward, you can’t think like that, you are drawn to her, it was

always out of your hands. You’re meant to be together. If youhad of stayed away she would have died, and you know that. Think of all the times you have saved her.”

“I never placed her in that danger Alice, this . . .” he pointed toBella’s sleeping form and flailed his arms. “This is all me, she’shuman, we’re not. She will be in danger every second thatshe’s with me.”

“No, Edward, you saved her, she loves you, you love her. Itreally couldn’t be more simple than that. Your love stopped you

today, stopped you from continuing to feed. I was watching youand you can’t deny it Edward. There is something bigger thanyou, you can’t pretend it’s not there, and I won’t let you.” Icould hear the stubbornness in my voice. If I had learntanything from the days revelations it was that I would nevertake anything for granted. I was lucky enough to have beensaved when I was changed.

“Alice, you’re not really looking at this. This is impossible, Ican’t change her.”

“Edward . . .” I started but he put up his hand to stop me.

“I won’t be moved on this, Alice. I love her too much to take herlife away from her. To damn her to this.”

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Bella. Ihummed another song.

“You’re not the only one who loves her Edward!” I saidstubbornly.

This time it was Edward who rolled his eyes. Jasper approachedthe side of the bed I was sat on and rested his hand on thehand I was holding of Bella’s. His kissed me forehead andcrouched beside me.

“Hey, I’m going to go home with Emmett, I know you need tostay here and make sure she’s okay, but I want to make sure

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everything’s okay at the house. I want to stay with you but,hospitals are difficult for me.”

With my spare hand I rubbed his broad should gently. “Iunderstand, just call me everyday. I’ll miss you like crazy.”

Jasper nodded and kissed me tenderly on the lips. I knew thathe would be miserable at the house alone, I also knew thathospitals and everything that came with them were anunnecessary temptation for him. It would be better for him tobe at the house, where he could go outside, he could hunt andwait for me to come home without being stuck in the confinesof a hotel room.

“I’ll call you later.”

I nodded and smiled at him. Now I knew that Carlisle couldn’tsend me home early. I watched as Emmett and Jasper headedout of the room. I was glad to be staying, I wanted to make sureBella was well but I would miss Jasper more than he would everknow. Especially now. I continued humming the tune andwatched Bella sleep.

Bella ended up being in the hospital for two weeks and I tried tostay as long as I possibly could but I ended up leaving threedays before Bella was scheduled to go home. Rosalie had calledme in despair. The dresses we had ordered from Phillipe had

ended up at his LA store and his assistant hardly ever answeredthe phone. I called Phillipe and cleared the mess up but I hadagreed to pick the dresses up on my way home, and this wasthe only opportunity I would get. I wasn’t complaining, I wouldprobably enjoy the drive home alone. Everyone alwayscomplained I listened to my music too loud.

The dresses were perfect and I was reveling in the fact of beingright . . . again. Edward had revealed his prom plans to me aswe sat by Bella’s bed vigilantly. I didn’t tell him I had alreadygot the dress because I wanted him to feel like it was his

surprise. Asking me to plan it was his way of apologizing. Hehad ripped into me about explaining the mechanics of changingto Bella. I could understand his point, but I had also had himseeing mine. I winged it and told him I thought the three daysof pain part would scare her off, I also added that she was myfriend and I wanted to be honest with her. He couldn’t find faultin that either so I was swiftly forgiven.

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LA was overcast as I rolled through it, the dresses lookedperfect and Bella’s dress looked like it would fit her like a glove.Now I was excited. I rolled out of LA, my excitement wasbuilding, I was going to see Jasper for the first time in twoweeks, and I was going to have some fun I pushed down on the

gas and flew out of the city limits.

A/N: Alice was humming Ave Maria to Bella. It just happened to be playing as I wrotethis... (Confession: Murial’s Wedding was on in the background and I could hear it.;p)

The second song was Mouth by Bush, it was a suggestive song and it reflected her mood.

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EPILOGUE - AN OCCASION

After returning to Forks things quickly got back to normal, theonly real difference was Bella was even slower than normal. There were no real boundaries between any of us anymore,since the debacle in Phoenix. Rosalie had even held her tongueabout Bella sitting with us at lunch. I was sure it was becauseshe was getting ready to graduate for the umpteenth time.

It was hard for Bella to leave her mother again but Renee wasable to let go easier this time knowing Bella had friends inForks. Renee was a better mother than I had given her creditfor, she flitter around Bella like a hummingbird glad for the

opportunity to look after her for once.

Renee had approached me before I left for home, and asked meabout Bella and Edward’s relationship. I had expected it aftershe had made the decision to pull me aside and I had givenBella the chance to answer the question through me. Bella hadsimply asked me to make it sound like any other teenageromance, not that I was even sure what that meant.

I had told Renee that Edward, my brother, was in love withBella, but they were taking it slowly and not rushing into

anything. Renee seemed satisfied and showed her gratitudewith a huge hug. Bella had also shown her gratitude in thesame manner, although as always, she was more concernedabout me and my discovery than herself.

Bella and I had discussed at length what I had discovered onthat tape and she was surprised at how blase I was about thewhole thing. I knew that I must of had a family at some pointbut this was just confirmation that I was in no rush to find outwho they were. Although, we had pondered for many hoursover who my savior could have been.

Jasper had done some research on the internet but had comeup with very little. I knew that I would have more time to reallythrow some time and effort into it after I graduated next year.Another college career really held no interest for me.

Edward was still planning on taking Bella to the prom and hadreiterated that it was a surprise on several occasions. I was still

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trying to convince Rosalie to help me get Bella ready, I washoping it would bridge some of the gap that was between them.

“Well, Rose, what do you say?” I asked smiling at my sisterwickedly.

“Fine, whatever, Alice.” She sighed and got up. I knew she wasfighting it, but I also knew she wanted to do it. Make up wasRose’s form of art. And although she hadn’t made muchprogress with Bella, I knew she wouldn’t be able to resist amake over.

“But I’m doing it for Edward’s enjoyment, lets set that straightright now.” she called over her shoulder at me.

“Of course.” I rolled my eyes and grinned at Edward who was

sat awestruck. He’d tried to talk me out of asking Rose for help.He knew she still wasn’t comfortable with the situation, so heinsisted on trying pacify the two of them.

“It’s a girl thing, Edward.” I said pulling him off the couch. I washelping him plan the perfect night with Bella. She had no ideashe was even going to the prom, so we had our work cut out forus.

“What time are you bringing her over?” I asked as I mentallymade a checklist of everything I had to get organized before

she arrived.

“Well, it starts at seven, I think, so probably three.”

“ I don’t think so Edward, that’s not enough time. I know youtold Charlie what’s going on, can’t you kidnap her a littleearlier? I need time to work my magic.”

Edward shook his head and laughed. “How much earlier?”

“Twelve?”

“Alice, that’s almost the entire day, why would you need her forseven hours?”

“Edward, I’m a girl, she’s a girl, we’re going to do girlie things.Like manicures, pedicures, facials. . .”

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Edward put up his hand to stop me from talking, he waswearing a mock look of disgust, so I decided to turn on my poutso I could get my own way. It didn’t take long.

“Fine,” he sighed shaking his head in disbelief.

“Good, you better get going, ,she’ll be waking up in about fortyfive minutes and I know you like to be there when she wakesup.”

Edward kissed me on the top of the head and bounded out of the house. He normally didn’t leave Bella during the night butplanning the prom surprise had been his exception. He neededto talk to us alone and I knew that he hated being apart fromBella during her waking hours, so it was our only option.

Jasper’s arms wrapped around my waist and he kissed my neckgently, “I saw that dress of yours Alice Cullen, it’s criminal.”

“It’s a good job I have an amazing, handsome, strong, sexy andprotective dance partner, need I go on?”

“Oh stop, please if I could blush I would be.” he laughed intomy hair and spun me around to kiss me. I kissed him deeplyindulging myself with his passionate embrace, before Ireluctantly broke away.

“I’m sorry, I really have so much to do.” I laughed at hismischievous grin.

He leaned in close to me, I could feel his soft breath at my ear.“Tonight then.”

I grinned unbearably wide, I couldn’t help myself, I loved thisman.

The hours passed as I sped around doing all of the major prepfor prom that night and I had arranged everything in my

bathroom perfectly so I could pamper Bella in every way. Shewas still in a cast so I also wanted her to be comfortable. I hadbeen helping her shower and dress whilst she had been aninvalid. It was saving Charlie and Bella a lot of embarrassment.

Edward, true to his word brought Bella to the house at twelve,much to Bella’s dismay I sent Edward away and got started, Ipampered her in every way I knew and then some. I had done

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some research on the internet, I was wondering what thenormal prom day rituals were I knew there was no need for alimo, Edward was taking the Vanquish, and that out did anyLimo on the face of the planet.

Bella scowled at me through the sticky face mask I had appliedto her pale skin.

“What are you doing exactly, Alice?”

“We’re being girls Bella, relax, enjoy yourself. Believe meEdward will appreciate it.”

“Hmph,” was all I got in reply. Bella didn’t like to be separatedfor Edward too much. I think she was afraid he woulddisappear.

“Will you just enjoy yourself, Bella. Your acting like I’m torturingyou.”

“You are!”

I frowned and shook my head as I bent to continue painting hertoenails. Rosalie walked in the bathroom almost gliding.

“You ready for me yet?” she sang.

“Almost I just need to get that face mask off.” I said finishingthe last toe on Bella’s foot. I looked up to catch the fearfulglance Bella shot at Rosalie. If Rose could only cooperate, shewould probably get along well with Bella, everyone saw itexcept Rose. Poor Bella had become nervous around Rose, notknowing what she had done to induce Rose’s wrath.

I helped Bella to her feet and took her to the sink and carefullywashed the mask from her face, the over large curlers kept herhair out of the way. Rose stood in the other corner of the roomtapping her foot impatiently. “I haven’t got all day, Alice, I have

things to do.”

“Rose, we’re ready, stop nagging.”

I sat Bella in the chair at my vanity and let Rosalie get to work.She worked quickly but efficiently, and the outcome was alwaysworth it. She spun Bella in the chair a little harder than sheshould have, Bella lurched to the side and back.

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“Voila.”

“Rose, you’re a genius.”

“You just noticed.” she laughed as she strode out of the room.

“Thanks Rose.” Bella called timidly.

“Uh huh.” Rose disappeared out of the door and it clickedclosed behind it leaving the two of us alone again.

“Alice, what were you thinking? You know Rose doesn’t likeme.”

“Rose likes you she just doesn’t want to admit it.” I laughed as Ispun Bella a little more gently in the chair so she could see

herself. “Anyway, she is the only person I know who could dothis. . .”

I pointed to the mirror and let Bella examine herself in themirror.

Bella’s eyes grew large at her reflection. “Oh my!”

“I told you.”

“I look, I look. . .”

“You can say it you know.” I laughed happily.

“I look pretty.”

“You always look pretty Bella, the make up just enhances yournatural beauty. That’s where Rose comes in, she’s a geniuswhen it comes to enhancing your best qualities. She’s flawless.She did my make up at my wedding.”

Bella was still staring at her reflection in disbelief.

“What time is it?” I asked flitting away to answer my ownquestion. It was six o’clock, time to finish her hair and dressher. She had no idea about the dress and I was so excited ather reaction.

“Why, what’s going on, Alice, please tell me.”

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“Nope.”

“Why?”

“Two reasons, Edward would literally kill me and this is fun.”

“For you maybe, I feel like a large dress up doll.”

I laughed and started pulling the curlers from Bella’s hair. Thecurls were large and full, I teased them gently to get the effect Iwanted.

“What do you think?” I asked as I arranged the last curl.

“Alice, it’s lovely, I just wish I knew. . .”

“Give it a break Bella, I’m not going to tell you.” I said cuttingher off.

Bella crossed her arms and scowled again. She could be sostubborn. I left the room and let her wallow in her own self pity.I pulled the dress from my closet and headed back towards thebathroom.

“What do you think?” I asked holding the dress up at full lengthand pulling it out of it’s protective bag.

“It’s beautiful, Alice, but where would you wear something likethat?”

“It’s not for me silly, it’s for you.”

“Huh?”

I pulled Bella from her seat and pulled the bathrobe from hergently. I pulled the dress over her figure and zipped up theback. Perfect fit, I was good. I spun Bella around the mirror forthe last time tonight and showed her the exquisite creature

that stood in front of her.

“Wow, Bella, you look fantastic.”

Bella’s mouth had dropped open and she was staring at herreflection with disbelief. I heard a gentle knock on my door andran to open it. Edward stood in a tux grinning from ear to ear.

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“She ready?”

“Just gotta put on her shoe and she’s all yours.” I smiled at him.“You may want to sit down for this.”

Edward grinned and stepped further into the room. I picked upthe box with the shoes inside and headed for the bathroomagain. Bella was exactly where I left her.

“I need you to sit down for a second.”

Bella looked at me again and smiled. I think she was havingfun, I held up a shoe and the smile disappeared.

“Are you trying to kill me?”

“No,” I laughed, and picked up some material from the dress.“It matches, see.”

Bella rolled her eyes and flopped into the chair hesitantly. Iplaced the heeled shoe on her foot and fixed the satin ribbon.

“Okay, time to go, Edward’s in my room waiting for you.”

I pulled her out of the chair before she could protest andwalked her into the bedroom, she was wobbling in the heel Ihad put her in but I knew Edward would never let her fall.

Edward’s face was a picture. The dress was in the shade of bluehe had always adored Bella to wear. His eyes drank in everyinch of her and the large grin of complete approval covered hisadoring face. He approved.

“Edward, you look very nice.” Bella said almost swooning. Irolled my eyes and steadied her. Edward stepped forward andgrinned some more.

“Bella, you’re a vision, you look gorgeous.”

Bella’s cheeks flared a flattering pink but her smile showed herhappiness. I looked at the clock we were running out of time. Jasper and I still had to get ready.

“Okay well off you go, have a great time and I’ll see you bothsoon.” I grinned hearing them out of my room. I gave Edward aquick wink and headed towards my closet to get dressed.

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We pulled up at the school and the Vanquish was nowhere insight we had beaten them here, which had been the plan,Edward had been sure this would be more comforting to Bellathan us not being here. I was excited, we didn’t normally doproms, one of the main reason being it would always leave

Edward out if the equation because he would be in a stickysituation with unwanted attention from the hormonal teenagegirls.

Jasper and I hadn’t danced in a while so I was excited. I loved todance with Jasper, always the southern gentleman he wouldguide me along the dance floor like a dream, I always felt soelegant dancing with him.

“You look beautiful, Alice.”

I smiled and took his hand as he lead me to the dance floor, That was it we were dancing for the night, when Bella andEdward finally arrived Bella still looked radiant, but herexpression told me she was terrified.

Edward pulled her onto the dance floor and pulled her to him,the joined us and looked just as graceful. I gave Bella a smile of support and turned my attention back to Jasper.

“What do you think?” I asked, still pleased with how theevening was going and how Bella looked.

“You did well, my love, now give me all your attention.”

I smiled and gave in as he took the lead. We stayed dancinghappily until I heard Jasper’s murmur.

“Uh oh.”

“What is it?” I whispered trying to follow his gaze.

“Whoever that is approaching them, Edward’s not very happy.”

“Let’s dance a little closer to see if we can find out who it is.” Isuggested.

We heard the name Jacob in our brief reconnaissance missionand that’s all we had to go on. Edward had shot us a look as wedanced closer, warning us to stay away. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob. . . Iknew that name.

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“Jacob Black.” I whispered.

I looked at Edward briefly but his eyes were on Jacob.

“It’s none of our business, Alice.” Jasper whispered into my ear

and kissed my neck inconspicuously. I nodded in agreement. Iwould wait and hear it from Edward it if was important. TonightI was dedicated to Jasper, the rest of the night and forever Iwas his.

Through the Eyes of Alice Cullen

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