Chapter 1 – Flying

BPOV

"It's a total rush." Jake's words echoed through my head as I stared down at the raging waters below. Suddenly I was beginning to wonder what would happen when I actually broke the surface of the water. It would be just like me to do a belly flop and seriously hurt myself. I've been on a high dive board a few times, but this was no high dive board. This was a – "fucking cliff," I said out loud, the wind carrying my voice away. Okay, so I'd have to be sure to tuck my head and not flap around like a bird. No problem, there. I had a feeling I'd be so terrified anyway; I wouldn't want to see what was coming.

Slowly, I took a step toward the edge of the cliff and peered over the side. I saw the edge of the rocks below as the water crashed against them angrily. Okay, so I'd also have to remember to jump instead of just falling off the cliff. The waves slapped against the side of the rocks, splashing water up against the cliff and I found myself mesmerized by the sight. Finally, my hands found the zipper of my jacket and I yanked it down determinedly. It was now or never, and the longer I stood up here, the more likely never was. I kicked my shoes off and they fell near where my jacket lay discarded. Hmm, would I be able to swim in jeans? I thought about my situation for a second. All my clothes would all be on top of the cliff and me at the bottom. I didn't really want to be caught running around in my underwear, soaking wet. But at the same time, I didn't want to die trying to swim in jeans.

I unzipped them and pushed them down, kicking them aside as well. Only leaving my shirt and bra on, I was thankful that I was wearing dark green instead of white. At least that was a plus. Next time I'd have to be less spontaneous in my adrenaline seeking behavior and bring a bathing suit. I stepped to the edge of the cliff and looked out at the sun in the sky. It had been weeks since I had heard his voice in my head. I needed to hear him again, to feel that presence… To know he had ever been real. Now was the time. I raised my arms above my head and closed my eyes. "I love you," I whispered and jumped, kicking off the edge and flinging my body away from the cliff until I was flying towards the icy depths below.

EPOV

"Defeat! Time limit reached" appeared across the TV screen and I grunted in frustration as I tossed my wireless controller across the room with more force than I had intended. I watched as it wedged into the wall and rolled my eyes, getting up to find one of the back up controllers. I was really starting to hate the team I was on. They were completely and utterly worthless, but still, my pride wouldn't allow me to resign from the game. I picked up the backup XBOX 360 controller and flopped back down on the couch. My headset lay discarded on the couch next to me and I briefly wondered if my teammates were done bitching and moaning. "Probably not," I muttered and decided checking was pointless.

As the intermission clock clicked down and I checked my guns, my thoughts drifted to my now scattered family. After the birthday incident, as they were calling it, the family had left their home in Forks in an attempt to protect Bella and the other humans living there. It had been Edward's decision, of course. Everyone else agreed that a repeat of the birthday incident would not happen. The only one who seemed unsure of that agreement was Jasper, who was still trying to manage his guilt over that day. Still, Bella was Edward's mate and if he said it was time to move on for her sake, the family was obliged to listen. Personally, I didn't want to leave, but only because I enjoyed the grizzlies that lived practically in our backyard. Months had passed since the day we had picked up and left Forks. Edward had disappeared, obviously wrestling with his decision and the idea of living an eternity without the mate he desired. Carlisle and Esme, Esme especially, were having a hard time dealing with the sudden loss of their son and his girlfriend. Bella had become a part of the family and suddenly the family was lacking two people instead of just one. Carlisle had taken Esme to her island and while they checked in via phone, but I hadn't seen them since they left.

So now just Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, and I lived together. Rosalie had not taken the move very well. It wasn't that she wanted to stay in Forks, it was that the decision to move was taken from her hands and placed solely in Edward's. She had all but removed herself from the family, spending more and more time hunting solo and taking long road trips. I was really beginning to miss our nights together. It seemed that the nights were the only time Rose let her guard down and gave herself entirely to me, letting only me see her softer side. Damn, I missed the softer side. It seemed now all we did was fight over petty stuff. The things she said hurt me, but more so, the things I said hurt me. I hated the way I talked to her when she began pushing my buttons. It was almost as if she wanted to hurt me and get me to say things I didn't mean just so she'd have a reason to leave. Currently, she was on another of her over night drives and I wasn't expecting her until the following morning at the earliest.

As the clock finished counting down, I tore my thoughts from that of the family and my love life, to the game at hand. Just as I was getting my first kill, I heard Alice's sudden shriek of terror from upstairs. The game suddenly forgotten, I leapt from the couch and flew up the stairs, shoving the door to her and Jasper's room open. Jasper was knelt at her side, talking her down and trying to bring her back from whatever she had seen. I took a knee beside Jasper and looked up into Alice's face. Her eyes fluttered and she opened them, staring down at Jasper. "Bella. She's—She's gone! She jumped! She jumped from a cliff and then everything went black! Jazz… I can't find her future." She began to sob, heavy dry sobs, and Jasper wrapped his arms around her, looking at me with concern written across his face. Alice's trembling began to slow and I felt the room fill with a calm that could only come from Jasper.

Finally, Alice looked up at me. "Em, we have to go back. No, we have to find Edward. No…" Her voice trailed off as she figured out what to do. "One of us needs to go back," Jasper whispered in his low southern drawl. "Clearly, it won't be me. And I'd rather it wasn't you, either. Not with Victoria still on the loose. I don't want you out of my sight." His eyes turned, looking up at me. I was already on my feet; I didn't have to be able to read Jasper's mind to know what he was thinking. I nodded slowly and left the room, only stopping by my room to find my phone charger and a change of clothes. When I made it downstairs, Alice and Jasper were standing by the door, Jasper's arm around Alice's waist as Alice held out the keys to my Jeep. They dangled from the tip of her finger in a menacing sort of way, almost daring me to leave the family. "We'll explain it to Rose. She'll understand." Alice's voice was steady again, but her eyes were filled with distress. She stepped forward and put her arms around me in a tight grip. "Please, Emmett. She's our sister even if Edward is being an idiot. Please find her and tell me she's safe."

"Don't worry, Al," I stroked her hair and glanced at Jasper, who was obviously trying to send more waves of calm to Alice. "I'll find her and call you the second I do." Alice stepped back and I stepped forward, walking past Jasper. Jasper clapped me on the back and when I looked back, Jasper had a mixed look of concern and amusement written across his face. "When you find her and she's safe again, tackle a grizzly for me." I grinned, pleased with Jasper's attempt at lightening the atmosphere. "You got it." I nodded one last time and mere seconds later I was backing my Jeep out of the driveway. As I flew down the highway towards Washington, I felt the heavy weight of worry settle onto my shoulders. What would I find when I reached Forks?