The Game

I heard them before I saw them, naturally. I shouldn't have been so taken aback, and yet, seeing them there, hovering, waiting to pounce on her, I couldn't contain the oath that escaped my lips as we approached her driveway. "This is crossing the line."

Billy Black and his son, Jacob, stood on the Swan porch waiting for the Chief, but just as relieved, perhaps more so, to see his daughter's truck approach. Oh good, Billy thought, Its Bella, now I'll have a chance to warn her without… Oh no, HE's with her.

"He came to warn Charlie?" she asked, concerned for everyone involved, I guessed.

I nodded, she was partially right.

"Let me deal with this," she pleaded.

"That's probably best. Be careful though. The child has no idea."

"Jacob," her quick reply bridled with affront, "is not that much younger than I am."

I turned to her, the anger at my slight making her ever lovelier to behold, I couldn't help but smile at her innocence, "Oh, I know," she shifted to grab the door handle, "Get them inside, so I can leave. I'll be back around dusk."

"Do you want my truck?"

"I could walk home faster than this truck moves," My grin widened at the thought.

"Thanks a lot," she was even more perturbed with me.

Meanwhile, on the porch the old man watched us without blinking. It's just as I thought, he's moved in on sweet little Bella. We must do something….

"I'll be back soon," I couldn't resist the temptation to rattle the old man, so I deliberately leaned in low on her neck and lingered there to kiss her gently.

No, NO he wouldn't do that in front of us, that filthy bloodsucking son of a….

Grinning widely, I retreated before the old man gave himself a heart attack.

She whispered, "Soon."

Never soon enough; I watched as she hurried through the rain to the dogs waiting for her. I listened to the verbal conversation for a moment.

"Hey Billy, Hi, Jacob, Charlie's gone for the day – I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"Not long, I just wanted to bring this up," he said holding up a paper sack to her that smelled vaguely of human food.

"Thanks. Why don't you come in for a minute and dry off?" She waved them inside and then turned to give me a parting smile, "Here, let me take that," she said, taking the sack from him.

I sighed and retreated into the woods. Heading for home, I realized she would be fine with them, even though I hated that thought. Ephraim's protectors were long gone and no werewolves existed anymore, only their pesky descendents, who, obviously, were not so concerned with the treaty and its terms. They'd already broken it once, I wondered if they would brave another breach. How much did they believe we would tolerate? I didn't want to continue with this line of thought. I told myself they were friends of the Swan family and wished them only the best… so Bella would be quite safe with them… for now.

As usual, Alice was waiting for me. It's not a problem Edward.

"Yeah, but Carlisle said…"

Well, right now they've already planed their exit strategy. There are three of them, and they've already done their damage here, from what I could tell. I can see them in Vancouver. It will be fine, relax for once and have fun.

"Thanks, I'll try. It's just… well I think Bella has a bull's eye painted on her or something. It just seems to me that with her, everything that can go wrong…does. She's a walking magnet for danger, and nomads… well that's right up her alley. If you know what I mean." She gave me her hand and I helped her stand up.

I can't disagree with you there, bro. But, you can't constantly go around sabotaging your life because something 'might' happen.

I sighed, "You're right, of course. I suppose I sound pretty manic, huh?" she nodded at me smiling, "You sound pretty sure they've made up their mind to leave?"

Done deal. She tilted her head and shrugged at me. By the way, Emmett is pulling the baseball gear out of the trunk in the garage, She winked at me, just in case you were gonna ask him to use the jeep… you know for Bella's sake?

"Right then." I grinned at her as I tweaked her nose and headed off to the garage.

Almost as soon as I turned the jeep onto Bella's block, I could hear the conversation in her kitchen. The Chief was replying, "You must really like this guy." I was disappointed by the lack of verbal response, then he continued, "Leave the dishes, I can do them tonight. You baby me too much," I pushed the doorbell.

Chief Swan opened the door, "Come on in, Edward."

"Thanks, Chief Swan."

"Go ahead and call me Charlie. Here, I'll take your jacket."

"Thanks, sir."

"Have a seat there, Edward."

I sank into the only single chair. Bella was a bit unhappy with my choice, but I knew her father would prefer it. The point was to gain his favor; this seemed to escape her at the moment, judging by the look she was giving me from behind her father's back. I could only grin and wink at her, enjoying the age old situation for all it's worth.

"So I hear you're getting my girl to watch baseball."

"Yes, sir, that's the plan."

"Well, more power to you, I guess."

"Okay," Bella stood up in an effort to cut short our conversation, "Enough humor at my expense. Let's go."

"Not too late, Bell."

"Don't worry, Charlie, I'll have her home early."

"You take care of my girl, all right?"

"She'll be safe with me, I promise, sir." In this, Charlie and I were on the same page and I felt this alone could be our strongest bond, our mutual love for this precious girl. Bella stalked out the door and I couldn't help sharing a laugh with her father. She was outnumbered in our presence. We followed her out the door only to find her immobilized on the porch, staring at Emmett's Jeep. Charlie let out a low whistle of appreciation.

"Wear your seat belts," he called through the driving rain.

I followed close behind Bella to the passenger's side, but when I opened the door, I felt her actually shifting her weight to prepare for a jump. As if I would allow that, knowing her balance problems, I lifted her quickly into the cab, hiding the motion from Charlie behind the opened door. I checked Charlie's expression, he hadn't noticed. I closed the door and gave Charlie a companionable smile and wave as I rounded the front of the jeep and got into the driver's side.

"What's all this?" Bella looked confused at the harness straps.

"It's an off-roading harness."

"Uh-oh."

Clearly, her confusion was an opportunity to touch her that I hadn't considered. The rain was coming down in buckets now, hiding us from Charlie's view. I took my sweet time, strapping her into the buckles. Her predictable heart skipped as I 'accidentally' brushed my hands across her bared neckline, stretched satin over glass. I breathed in deeply, torching my throat gladly with the sweetest scent in the world. She too was breathing deeply. Definitely time to go. I turned back to the business of driving.

"This is a ….um … big Jeep you have."

'The better to keep you safe, my dear' I thought to myself. "It's Emmett's. I didn't think you'd want to run the whole way." I answered aloud.

"Where do you keep this thing?"

"We remodeled one of the outbuildings into a garage."

"Aren't you going to put on your seat belt?"

Sometimes, I was sure she still didn't get it. While I watched, her expression changed.

"Run the whole way? As in, we're still going to run part of the way?"

Ah, "You're not going to run."

"I'm going to be sick."

"Keep your eyes closed, you'll be fine." She was still fighting back panic, I leaned over her to kiss her and reassure her – but as I did, I realized her scent had been intensified by the rain in her hair. The dampness brought a muskiness to the floral scent of her that was even more compelling. I must have made a sound as she gave me a puzzled look.

"You smell so good in the rain." I answered.

"In a good way, or in a bad way?"

"Both, always both."

I didn't often drive Emmett's jeep off road, so I'd forgotten what a pleasure it was to do so. The vehicle was designed for this purpose and when we went on hunting trips, I usually sat in the back, paying no attention to whatever path Emmett chose to follow or create. It seemed a waste to take a truck like this down the paved roadways. But now, with the opportunity of driving it through the woods myself, I thrilled to the easy speed with which it dispatched streams, steep inclines and hostile terrain of all sorts. Almost too soon for my taste, we were at the end of the rough path I'd followed. "Sorry, Bella, we have to go on foot from here."

"You know what? I'll just wait here."

"What happened to all your courage? You were extraordinary this morning."

"I haven't forgotten the last time yet."

She was just hedging; I knew she could do this. I hurried around to open her door and undo her harness, "Hmm, it seems I'm going to have to tamper with your memory." I lifted her easily from the jeep and set her gently on the damp ground in front of me.

"Tamper with my memory?" she sounded nervous.

"Something like that," I smiled down at her as she circled away from me, but she moved between me and the side of the jeep which was advantageous for my plan. I placed my hands on either side of her head, pinning her against the jeep. Leaning into her body with my mine, I put my face down to hers, "Now, what exactly are you worrying about?" This close proximity was making my breathing come harder already.

"Well, um, hitting a tree… and dying. And then, getting sick."

I couldn't resist bending down to the hollow of her neck, my nose trailing along the silken skin of her face and throat. Lingering there, I asked, "Are you still worried now?"

"Yes. About hitting trees and getting sick."

I moved my face slowly up to her chin, breathing in controlled breaths while the fire raked my throat with a burn that begged for more, "And now?"

"Trees, Motion sickness," she moaned.

I moved my lips across her face and lifted them to her eyelids, while exhaling evenly, washing her face in my breath, "Bella, you don't really think I would hit a tree, do you?"

"No, but I might."

Lowering my lips slowly down her cheek, I gently pecked the corner of her mouth, "Would I let a tree hurt you?" I felt her lower lip trembling against mine.

"No," she whispered.

"You see, there is nothing to be afraid of, is there?" I foolishly allowed my breath to enter her mouth as I spoke.

"No," she sighed.

Her breath in my face had the reciprocal effect, unable to resist, I took her face into my hands and pressed our mouths together. I felt her body press even more firmly into mine with incomparable pleasure. The stirrings of long silent yearnings began to move me in unfamiliar ways. When she opened her mouth, I felt my own lips parting…. NO, NO, NO! I staggered back, her arms were still locked around me, keeping her body close despite my effort to retreat. I barely managed to avoid breaking her arms when I was finally able to pull them apart, "Damn it, Bella!" I gasped for fresh air, trying to clear my head, "You'll be the death of me, I swear you will," I backed further away from her.

"You're indestructible," she mumbled as she bent over her own knees, panting.

"I might have believed that before I met you. Now let's get out of here before I do something really stupid." I adjusted myself in my jeans before grabbing her to pull her onto my back. I chanted 'silk over glass' to myself as I hitched her legs up around my waist, "Don't forget to close your eyes," I chided.

I felt her warm face nuzzle against my neck, coupled with the pleasure of running; I couldn't help feeling euphoric, as I raced toward the clearing. If not for the opportunity of playing the game with my family, I would have been happy to continue on like this for a much longer period of time, but we were at our destination in very short order. "It's over, Bella," I'd been standing still for a half a minute before I felt her grip loosen.

"Oh!"

She'd landed on her backside, and looked up at me with the most puzzling expression, I couldn't help but laugh. She stood up and, brushing herself off, began to stalk away, in the wrong direction. Of course, I wasn't going to allow that. Grabbing her waist I asked, "Where are you going, Bella?"

"To watch a baseball game; you don't seem to be interested in playing anymore, but I'm sure the others will have fun without you."

"You're going the wrong way."

She began stomping angrily in the opposite direction, could she be any more adorable? "Don't be mad, I couldn't help myself. You should have seen your face."

"Oh, you're the only one who's allowed to get mad?"

"I wasn't mad at you."

"Bella, you'll be the death of me?"

"That was a simple statement of fact," She tried again to turn away from me.

"You were mad."

"Yes."

"But you just said…"

"That I wasn't mad at you. Can't you see that, Bella?" No, she couldn't see that, she couldn't see the monster in me, "Don't you understand?" Of course not.

"See what?"

"I'm never angry with you… how could I be? Brave, trusting… warm as you are."

"Then why?"

She needed to understand this about me, "I infuriate myself." I put my hands on either side of her face to ensure her attention, "The way I can't seem to keep from putting you in danger. My very existence puts you at risk. Sometimes I truly hate myself, I should be stronger. I should be able to…" her hand slid over my mouth.

"Don't."

I moved her hand to my cheek, "I love you. It's a poor excuse for what I'm doing, but it's still true." Her eyes flashed at me. "Now, please, try to behave yourself." I kissed her lightly.

"You promised Chief Swan you would have me home early, remember? We'd better get going."

"Yes, ma'am," I stepped away from her then, holding only her one hand and pulled her into the nearby clearing. The others were all there, waiting on us.

Finally made it, huh? Bro! You're all ours this time, Emmett's team is batting first tonight. Alice was pitching.

"Was that you we heard, Edward?" Esme asked aloud.

"It sounded like a bear choking," Emmett, ever the jokester.

"Bella was being unintentionally funny."

"It's time," Alice announced as a deep peal of thunder broke from the direction of the pitcher's mound.

"Eerie, isn't it?" Emmett winked at Bella.

"Let's go," Alice reached for Emmett and pulled him toward the field. "C'mon Bro!"

I turned to Bella, "Are you ready for some ball?"

"Go team!" she gleamed back at me. I suspected her enthusiasm was mostly for my benefit, so I played with her by tussling her hair. I left her with Esme and turned toward the field myself. I couldn't help listening to their conversation, even though I hated myself for not being able to give her even this much privacy. It was different with mom, I knew Esme would probably expect it of me, but Bella would not, and therefore I was ashamed about it. But… I listened in all the same.

"Shall we go down?" Esme asked.

"You don't play with them?" Bella walked arm in arm with her.

"No, I prefer to referee… I like keeping them honest."

"Do they like to cheat, then?" Bella's tone took on a hint of suspicion.

"Oh yes, you should hear the arguments they get into! Actually, I hope you don't, you would think they were raised by a pack of wolves."

"You sound like my mom."

"Well, I do think of them as my children in most ways. I never could get over my mothering instincts – did Edward tell you I had lost a child?"

"No."

"Yes, my first and only baby. He died just a few days after he was born, the poor tiny thing. It broke my heart – that's why I jumped off the cliff, you know."

"Edward just said you f-fell," Bella stared at her feet, embarrassed, I thought.

"Always the gentleman," Esme sighed, "Edward was the first of my new sons. I've always thought of him that way, even though he's older than I, in one way at least. That's why I'm so happy he's found you, dear. He's been the odd man out for far too long; it's hurt me to see him alone."

"You don't mind, then… that I'm all wrong for him?" Bella sounded hopeful now.

"No. You're what he wants. It will work out somehow, dear," Esme, always the optimist, "All right, batter up!"

Alice got the first one past Emmett and Jasper caught it with a smug expression. But Emmett was prepared now, and smacked her second fast ball with a solid crack. I felt Bella flinch from the loudness, but I was listening intently for the whistle of the ball's path. I sped toward its destination to put myself in its path, catching it mid-flight. I held the ball up for Esme to see.

"Out!" I heard her exclaim. I had to chuckle at Bella's wide eyed amazement.

The game continued in an enjoyable manner, but I was happiest watching Bella through the eyes of my family. I realized this was the real reason for my excitement. Their acceptance and pleased thoughts when they observed her innocent expressions were truly satisfying. Only Rosalie kept her eyes away from her. But I wasn't worried about this anymore.

I easily caught the third fly ball and sped toward Bella, happily watching her assess my approach. "What do you think?" the only person in the world I had to ask this question… did she get the irony?

She grinned up at me, "One thing's for sure, I'll never be able to sit through dull old Major League Baseball again."

I laughed, "And it sounds like you did so much of that before!"

"I am a little disappointed," she added.

"Why?"

"Well, it would be nice if I could find just one thing you didn't do better than everyone else on the planet," she grinned at me, but I could see she was actually being honest.

That sounded almost like a challenge, so I would have to concentrate on the game to do my best… maybe I wouldn't disappoint her. "I'm up."

I was enjoying myself, actually allowing myself to have fun for the first time in so very long. I was just beginning to let down my guard and feeling safe when I sensed Alice tense. Then, I saw it… we locked eyes as the vision showed us the visitors, they'd found an errant baseball, it confirmed the sounds they'd heard. They'd decided to seek us out. They were coming, fast, two males and one female, headed toward the clearing through the forest behind us. They are so close!

Edward, I'm so sorry, I couldn't see this, they just changed paths, they should have left… she was mortified.

I was too focused to be charitable. Bella was in immediate peril. Suddenly, she looked so vulnerable and frail among us.

"What is it Alice?" Carlisle tensed immediately.

"They heard us playing, it changed their path," Alice still sounded mortified.

How soon?

Carlisle was asking me, but I didn't turn to face him, my eyes were only for Bella. "Less than five minutes. They're running - fast - they want to play."

Take Bella to the Jeep and get her out of here before they can hear your escape. "Can you make it?"

"No, not carrying," her… safely. I choked with remorse at my own stupidity, "Besides, the last thing we need is for them to catch the scent and start hunting."

"How many?" Emmett asked.

"Three," Alice answered him.

"Three!" Emmett roared. We're worried about three weakling strays who may or may not even be interested in her? C'mon! This is so NOT a problem! "Let them come."

"Let's just continue the game." Carlisle's voice was calm. "Alice said they were simply curious."

Esme caught my arm, Edward, are they hungry?

I gave her a negative head shake. "You catch, Esme. I'll call it now." I planted myself inches in front of Bella, no one would argue with me now. I tried to look confident as I spoke to her, "Take your hair down."

As she obeyed, she said, "The others are coming now," Her tone made it as much a statement as a question.

"Yes, stay very still, keep quiet, and don't move from my side, please." I gently patted her tresses around the silken skin of her neck and padded her pulse.

"That won't help; I could smell her across the field," Alice said softly behind me.

"I know."

"What did Esme ask you?" Bella's chocolate colored eyes were wide with fear.

She never missed anything, did she? "Whether they were thirsty," How could I be so careless with her? "I'm so sorry, Bella. It was stupid, irresponsible, to expose you like this. I'm so sorry." Then, we heard them coming.

AN: This novel was begun by the Twilight Saga's Creator Ms. Stephenie Meyer and can be read online at her website: www . stepheniemeyer . com

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