A/N: I just have one thing to say before we get started on this one. I had a reviewer who was shocked by Carlisle's reaction to the Volturi coming after Bella. So I just want to remind everyone that the Volturi are going to be much worse in this story.
BELLA
I woke up in Edward's bed. He was laying beside me, stroking my hair. I turned so I was facing him. The look in his eyes made me wish that I hadn't. He looked so sad and scared that it broke my heart. I couldn't think of anything to say so I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his neck. He wrapped his arms around me tigher than he normally would.
"It'll be okay." I told him after a minute. "It always is."
"It's different this time, Bella." he stated. I could hear the crack in his voice as he pulled away. "If Aro wants something, Aro gets it. It doesn't matter what the guard has to do. They'd willingly rip apart anyone who stood in their way. We may not even be able to stop them when they come. It's possible it could all be for nothing."
"Then don't get in their way." I stated looking down.
I had agreed to let them fight last night because I was face to face with their sadness and fear. I couldn't let them go through with it though. Not now that Edward was acting like he was going to lose me either way. I couldn't let them do it if they were going to die and I'd end up in Aro's hands anyone. There just wasn't a point in that much lost life. Especially since the lives of the ones I loved.
"You know we can't do that." he replied sadly.
"Yes, you can." I argued. "I've caused you guys nothing but trouble from day one. I almost destroyed the family by just moving here. I cause you pain just by being in the same room with you. The family risked their lives to save me from James. You felt you had to move away to keep me safe. I hurt you by making friend with the wolves while you were gone. And when you come back, I lose my father and have to live off of you. Not mention getting myself kidnapped by another sadistic vampire. To top it all off, the minute we think it's over, I've got another one coming after me. You guys have spent most of the last year and half risking your lives to protect me. Let me return the favor. Let me save you. This one is completely my fault anyway. I should've just let it all go like you tried telling me too."
Tears blurred my vision as I finished my speech. Everything bad thing that happened to them in the past year and a half was an indirect result of my coming to Forks. I blamed myself for all of it. Edward placed the blame on himself for not being strong enough to say no but I knew it was all my fault. Things would've perfect if I would've just stayed away from them like Jess had told me to. At least then, their lives wouldn't be burdened by me.
"Bella stop it." Edward stated so firmly that it scared me. "None of that is your fault and you know it. If it's anyone's fault it's mine. I should've known better than to get in this deep with a human. I knew it would only cause trouble but I did it anyway. And if I remember everything correctly, it was my decision that put you in immediate danger in everyone of those situations. I took you to the baseball game knowing those three were in town. I convinced the family to leave because it wasn't safe for us to be around you. And that drove you into the arms of the wolves. As far as the money goes, that's something that we want to do. Then with Kyle, I shouldn't have been stupid enough to leave you alone with Jacob. Especially knowing everything we knew about Kyle. You don't owe us anything Bella. Besides, tis one is completely our fault. We knew the rule about humans knowing the secret but we let you find out everything anyway. I made the mistake of revealing my abnormalities to you and allowed you to ask questions. And then I didn't even try to deny it when you figured everything out. This one is all my fault. Not yours. That's why we have to fight this fight because you wouldn't be here if it wasn't for us."
"No." I shook my head. "You would've never been put in that position if I hadn't have come to Forks. So it's my fault."
I pushed myself away from him and into a sitting position. There'd be no way he could argue with that one. My moving to Forks is what spun the Cullens life out of the wonderful control they had on it. If I hadn't have showed up, they wouldn't be contemplating ending their lives tomorrow.
"Look, Bella," he replied. "I don't care what you say, the family and I are taking full responsibility for this one. You made your decision to move here but we made our decision to pull you into our world. We could've walked away but we chose not to. Now, we have to deal with the consequences and protect you. Even if that means ending our own existences."
"But you just said that it's possible you all could die and they'd get me anyway." I stated. "I don't want to lose any of you. Especially if I'll just get taken anyway."
"I know, love. I know." He ran his fingers through my hair. "But this is something that you're just going to have to let us do. We're all one hundred percent in and there's nothing you or anyone can say or do that will stop it. Do you understand?"
I nodded. I knew there was no winning the arguement at that point. I'd just have to come up with my own way to save them. I knew enough about Alice's powers to avoid her finding out about my plan. I'd just make it up when she was too busy to pay attention.
"And don't you go getting any ideas." Edward stated ruining my plans. "Because we'll lock you in my bathroom if we have to."
I blushed slightly and looked down. He knew me too well.
"Just remember, whatever happens, I love you and always will." he said as he lifted my chin to his eye level.
"I love you too." I said as he brought his lips crashing onto mine.
It was even harder to keep myself in control this time. I had no idea how much more time we'd have to do this. He seemed to have the same idea because it was he who deepened the kiss. I wasn't sure how but I ended up laying back on the bed with him straddling me. The kiss never broke. Not being sure if I should push my luck or not, I just laid there and let him continue to kiss me. I kissed back, of course, with just as much passion. I didn't chance trying to take it further though.
He, however, had a different idea. I felt his hands slide down my sides to my shirt. He had it half off before he stopped.
"Perfect timing, Alice." he muttered into my lips finally breaking the kiss.
Sure enough, a second later, Alice waltzed into the room without even knocking.
"Sorry, guys, but we need to get going to meet the wolves." she stated. She didn't even pretend to be embarrassed about walking on her brother and sister in this position. "Besides," she added giving us both a meaningful look. "It wouldn't have ended well."
We both nodded as Edward climbed off of me and I got out of bed. Alice dragged me off to my room. I loved my sister to death but I hated that she had to dress me everyday. I wasn't five any more. I was a grown woman who was quite capable of picking out my own outfit.I tried telling her this on several occassions but she didn't seem to hear me.
Today, she pulled out a pair of tight black jeans with a white tank top and blue jacket. I rolled my eyes at her as I got dressed. I didn't know why I had to look fashionable to see the wolves. Honestly, all of them have seen me in my pj's at one point in the past couple months. Especially in the first month after Charlie died. I didn't even have the will to get dressed in the morning. Still, I found that life was much easier if I didn't try to argue with Alice about clothes. She'd always win anyway.
Once I had my clothes on, Alice ushered me downstairs for a quick breakfast. Even with everything that was going on, Esme still managed to make me eggs and bacon. I learned awhile ago to stop complaining about this. She liked doing it and wasn't going to stop. I had to live with that.
Fifteen minutes after I finished breakfast, I was on Edward's back and we were heading toward the clearing where we usually met the pack. I, of course, had my head buried in Edward's shoulder blade. We were there within minutes and I was being placed gently on my feet.
When I opened my eyes, I saw the pack in there usual formation. Sam was standing in the front with Jacob on his right while the other four were lined up behind them. They all looked quite nervous. Carlisle no doubt stressed the importance of today's meeting and told them to be on guard. I gulped as I wondered what they'd do when they found out about all of this.
"Sam," Carlisle greeted reaching out his hand. "It's nice to see that you and your brothers are well."
Sam simply nodded as he shook Carlisle's hand.
"Let's get right to business." Carlisle began after the formalities had been taken care of. "We will be having some visitors, of our kind, coming within the next forty eight hours."
"Friend of yours?" Sam questioned.
"Not exactly." Carlisle replied. "However, we must ask that you ignore them. Regardless of what they do or who the hunt."
Sam face turned an odd shade of red as his face twisted in anger. I bit my lip knowing this wasn't going to end well.
"And why the hell do you want us to do that?" he growled.
He was starting to tremble. I immediately looked to Jasper. He smiled and nodded knowing what was needed.
"Because they are the worst our kind has to offer." Carlisle stated as I watched Jasper work his magic on Sam. "If you try to stop them, they won't hesitate to kill you. Then they'd probably turn around and kill every member of your tribe just to spite you."
"Our job is to protect all humans, not just the tribe." Sam stated.
"I understand that." Carlisle responded. "But where would you and the tribe be if the entire pack was slaughtered."
"I think we can handle a couple of leeches." Jared stated.
"Not these ones." Edward growled out. "This isn't a joke. They will destroy you all in the worst possible way. Think about Emily and Alyssa and all the others you love. They are very sadistic. They won't just kill someone. They'll break them into tiny pieces and make them beg for death."
"Wait a minute." Jacob said. "Are these the ones that you said would potentially come for Bella?"
"Yes." Edward answered.
"So you're going to change her then" Jake tried to clarify. "Before they get here?"
"No." Carlisle answered because Edward couldn't find his voice. "We don't think that it is a wise move at this point."
"But didn't you say they'd kill her if you didn't?" Sam questioned becoming angry again.
"Yes but we think they want her for something else." Carlisle explained. "They've sent four of their guard to come and collect her. We don't know why."
"So you're just going to let them take her?" Jacob yelled as he started the phasing process.
"We wouldn't dream of it!" Emmett yelled offended.
"We plan on fighting them ourselves." Carlisle explained.
"Then you'll need all the help you can get." Sam stated.
"NO!" I yelled stepping out of Edward's embrace. "It's bad enough that they'll be fighting. I won't let you guys do it too. You have people here who need you. And I'm not gonna risk any of your lives."
"But Bella, if you life and safety is in danger you can't expect us to sit back and do nothing." Jacob fought.
"I can and you have to." I replied. "Sam, please, don't let them do this."
"Bella, I won't sit by and let something bad happen to you. I can't. You mean way too much to me." he stated.
"And you mean way too much to me to put your lives in danger for me." I pleaded. "You guys have families that you need to be around to take care of. Like Edward said, you have to think about people like Emily and Alyssa and your parents. They're the ones that need you now. Not me. So please, Sam, give the order. Tell them not to attack these vampires, no matter what. And tell them to stay away from the fight. I'm begging you."
The tears started halfway through my speech and continued coming. Edward wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to him. He made shushing noises as he stroked my hair. The clearing was silent for a few minutes as I assumed Sam pondered the situation.
Then I heard it ringing through the clearing.
"I do not want any of you to interfere with any vampire fight the Cullens have within the next forty eight hours. In addition to that, you are not allowed to attack any unknown vampire for the next forty eight hours."
He was in alpha mode. There was no way any of them could not follow the order. I breathed a sigh of relief. I turned to thank him but couldn't find the words.
"Thank you." Edward stated for me. "You have no idea how much you've just done for her."
"Just do everything you can to keep her safe." Sam replied. "And if you do find that you need us, just call. And I'll reverse the order in a heartbeat."
"Thank you." Carlisle stated. "I hate to cut this short but we have some planning to do."
"Of course." Sam said. "Like I said we'll be in contact."
Sam turned to leave and motioned for the others to follow.
"Bella," Jacob called and I turned to him. He opened his mouth to say something then closed it again. He tried again but still nothing. Finally, he just followed the rest of the pack shaking his head.
I turned back to Edward and completely broke down again. I was so relieved about Sam's decision to not let them get involved. At the same time though, I realized that I just left my family with a huge handicap. They could've benefitted from the extra help. I knew, though, that they'd rather have the wolves safe than the extra help. Edward held me as I continued to cry.
I wasn't sure how long the family stood there as I cried. I could feel their need to say or do something but nobody knew what. Knowing they were there helped a lot. When I thought I was calm enough to leave, I looked up at Edward and he looked like he was in pain. I looked to the others to find out what was going on.
Alice had the glazed over look that could only mean she was having a vision. I tried to pull away from Edward to allow him some space but he pulled me right back into his chest. A second later, Alice and Edward exchanged a significant look.
"No." Edward growled. "I won't let him."
A/N: I hope you liked this one. It was another of my letting my fingers fly across the keys chapters. I hope it wasn't too boring or mushy. Free cookies to anyone who can guys what Alice just saw. Also, I'm putting up a poll on my profile. I want your guys input on whether or not the Volturi powers should work on Bella. Let me know what you think. Please review.
