The Great Stand
A/N: If you are offended by extreme foul-language, you may not want to read this chapter.
"Well? What the fuck do you want?" I asked, approaching the Cullens. We were standing by a field and the road was abandoned.
"We need to talk," Edward Cullen said, and I arched an eyebrow.
"About what, exactly? Why you can't seem to leave me alone? Am I really all that interesting, or is this just a past-time for your family?"
"Don't flatter yourself," Rosalie hissed.
"I'm not an agent of self-flattery, in fact I don't care for it at all," I snapped back.
"Then what do you want?" The little one, Alice, asked me.
"Nothing that fucking concerns you. I think that you all need to gather 'round your fire with all your little lovers, and fuck buddies and deal with your own shit, instead of mine. Got it?" I said sharply. I didn't understand why they would think that my dealings concerned them at all, but somehow they wanted involvement. This wouldn't fly, of course, because I prefer to be alone.
"This is our home, there for your dealings concern us," Rosalie said.
I forced a laugh, and said, "It doesn't fucking concern you. I'm not going to tell you why the fuck I'm here and I will not reveal to you anything at all."
Edward Cullen's brow furrowed, like he was trying to concentrate. He was trying to do something, and he was failing. I was sure of that part as I picked up on some of his passing thoughts. Then I realized he was trying to do the same for me, but he couldn't. My spine stiffened, and something told me that they were very much prepared to fight me. I didn't want to fight, no matter how frustrating they were, but I was very sure I would have to.
"I think it's best that you don't try that, Edward," I said icily, "Quite frankly, I would prefer not having to kill you but I will if I have to-" I had a sense of something, this time Bella was doing something. It involved shielding, that much I was sure. I faced her, and smiled.
"Do I honestly look that dangerous?" I asked. I grinned at her, knowing that if I fight was to come she would have to be the first to die. The rest would have been all too simple for me to deal with.
Bella's teeth were bared as she responded, "I'd rather not take chances with lives."
"I'm sure you feel I am not able of comprehending that type of care, but I do realize it."
"Somehow I doubt it."
"Maybe you should relax, Bella, we wouldn't want to be hasty with the terms of battle. It's pretty nasty business, in case you are unaware, and I'm not really one to go down without a fight."
"I think we can take it," Emmett growled.
"If you think so... but did anyone ever tell you what happens when you assume?"
Jasper slipped into a crouch, and I figured that was the sign of battle.
"If you do insist-"
"Stop!" Alice commanded her family stopped, and looked at her with curiosity and annoyance.
"Why? The fun was just about to start..." I said.
"Yeah, Alice," Emmett protested.
"She can break through it," Alice continued, as if I had disappeared.
Bella's brow furrowed.
"She can work her way into Bella's mind, rendering her shield useless for us." Alice turned to me, her face emotionless, "then we'll all be too easy to pick off."
"Don't doubt yourselves so quickly," I scolded with a smile.
"This wouldn't be a smart fight when we can still call a truce," Alice responded simply.
"What makes you think I don't want to fight?" I challenged.
"Because you'll tell me later on that you were very relieved that you didn't have to fight us."
"Will I?"
"Yes, you will, and this wouldn't be smart on your part either because you still have your plans to take care of."
"I do, but I will fight if the situation calls for it."
"I know you will. Yet we don't really want to be forced to fight either. Our father would be very disappointed in us."
"Well, if the situation called for it, I'm sure he'd understand, Alice," Emmett protested.
"This isn't up for debate. We're not fighting," Alice hissed at her brother, who flinched back in shock.
"Kind of a pity, really, I had been working myself up for this shit." I spoke with a sigh.
"Better to be safe then sorry," Alice reasoned.
I nodded in agreement. She seemed nice enough. "Very true,"
"So... where does this leave us?..." Edward asked, fazed.
"We should go home," Alice said simply.
"Well, if you do say so, I'd very much enjoy going home and watching Ellen, if you don't mind," I said, preparing to walk away.
"Wait, Alice-" Jasper said, uncertain.
"We're leaving," Alice said with finality.
I continued to walk forth. Then, without glancing back, I raced home. Once I was in my sanctuary, I tried to soothe my mind. All of this was very dramatic. I wasn't prepared to take on an alliance. I wasn't prepared to fight. As I sat, waiting for my show to come on, I tried to sift through my options. I took a deep breath, and leaned back against the couch. Right about now, leaving seemed like the very best option for me. Sure, this would set my plans back a little bit, but I'd reach my goal eventually. I had never encountered other vampires before, but I still couldn't wrap my head around there way of life. That couldn't be common, could it? The way they acted as a family, how they were attending high school when they really didn't need to be here. The Cullens and Hales were intriguing for me, but too much of a risk for me to take. I put my head in my hands, my thoughts racing. Should I leave, or should I go? Such clear choices had never been so blurry, and this worried me. Yet it didn't shake me too much. I was, after all, a vampire. A creature that prowled through the night... was this me being wise or was it fear? I stood up and decided that I would stay, for now. They out numbered me, sure, but I wasn't about to back down so easily.
