Chapter 6- The Rescue

(Alice's Point Of View)

"We can't leave her here, Alice." Rosalie hissed, too low for Bella to here. "You saw what happened with the knife. She may not have been trying to kill herself, but she's unstable. It's dangerous to leave her here."

"I understand. I don't give a shit about what Edward will say, but Carlisle probably won't approve if we... kidnap Bella- though I don't think that's the correct term."

"Let's call it 'rescuing'."

I shook my head. "You know I want to. Rose, I just don't think we can get away with it." I looked down at Bella. Her crying jag had started again as she blinked away the tears to keep staring at me. I wouldn't doubt that there were many contradicting thoughts flooding her head right now. I wish I could explain everything myself, but then there are some things even I don't understand.

"Do you smell that?" Rosalie inquired, her nose scrunched against the foul perfume of the air. I did smell it. It smelled like burnt toast, dirt floor, and wet dog, all rolled into one- like a used tube sock being lit over a campfire. Disgusting.

Was Bella getting slack in her cleaning? No possible way. She always had the impulse to clean in her spare time, and with us gone there would be a lot of time on her hands. I know. I saw. If she wasn't scrubbing some surface, Bella would sit down and read or listen to her music. Scratch that. A month or so ago I saw her cracking CD's in half over a garbage can. And for the most part my visions only depicted her breaking down, falling with no one to catch her, or lying in bed and staring at the ceiling- the most heartbreaking times when the tears filled her eyes so much she couldn't even depend on the ceiling to be there.

With no conclusions in mind, I replied, "Yes. What is that?"

"Werewolves," she growled quietly. "from the Quilette Tribe down at La Push. I remember the same stench from the first time Carlisle brought us here. One of those mongrels has been in the house."

I knew about werewolves from what the others had told me. Their anger made them phase making them dangerous creatures to be around. One simple conversation could go from a chat to a heated debate and then a lethal wolf in just a matter of moments.

Rosalie is right: Bella can't stay here.

"Alight," I breathed. "Can you pack her bags? I'll tell Bella. We leave as soon as possible for the airport."

Rosalie nodded and spirited away, up the stairs to ransack our little human's closet.

I smiled. Our little human. She was our Bella again. We would heal her, teach her to trust and forgive. Of course, we'll all need to learn to forgive. Edward is the walking dead, no pun intended. He never imagined what the affects of us leaving would be and never dared to ask me. It is called a love life; and when it's gone we'll call it love dead.

(Bella's Point of View)

Alice was smiling down on me and hugging me closer to her. She fingered through the knots of my hair and cooed like a mother over her child, telling me to remain calm and how much she missed me. She told me we would never be apart again. She mentioned shopping trips we would take in the future, a new hairstyle she wanted to try on me. I listened as she talked about Jasper and how he wanted to see me again, just like all the other Cullens. Except for one. She wouldn't mention him. And I was glad for it.

But I couldn't place everything. Everyone was going to see me soon- that much I know. However, were all the vampire's making a rendezvous down to Forks just for me? Nothing fit with what she was telling me, though I wanted so much all of these things.

"When are they coming?"

Alice looked taken aback at my question. Then she seemed to mentally hit herself in the head, her wide grin returning even fuller than before.

"You're leaving with us today, Bella. You're coming to live with us up in Alaska. Isn't that great?" She exclaimed all this in one excited breath, although breathing was an option for her.

And when she announced that it was like heaven was shining down on me one last time. The entire life… the family I had once lost was mine again if I would take it, and according to Alice I was. Carlisle and Esme's coven were more family than my biological family, and their 'children' like the siblings I never had. There were some issues in the way that needed taking care of first.

"But what about Charlie?" I asked her. "And Jacob?" I added next.

"You're a legal adult now. Leave a note for Charlie, we'll include our phone number so he can call, and tell him you just needed to get away for awhile, and you moved to Alaska."

I supposed Charlie would wonder why I chose Alaska- he wouldn't know about the Cullen family living there. Everyone thought they moved to Los Angeles. Alaska was far away, and I'll be writing I want to get away. I hope he makes the connection. No uncertainties about him being worried though. I know he will be. I would be too if I was my father and had a daughter like me.

"What about Jacob?" I persisted.

One of her eyebrows quirked. "Jacob?"

"Jacob Black, from the Reservation?"

Her golden eyes darkened to a ferocious ebony, framed by eyelids that narrowed to slits. "The werewolf," she snarled.

"You know?" I gasped. I immediately regretted that as my sore throat caused me to sputter and cough from the harsh intake of breath.

Alice rubbed my back soothingly, answering, "We're vampires. You didn't expect us not to know, did you?"

"I…" cough. "I guess not."

"What about him, Bells?" She pushed further. "Why does he matter? You do know its vampires or werewolves, don't you? We are natural born enemies."

"I know that. But the werewolves have been watching me since you left… and Jacob… he was kind of like my caretaker. If I leave the pack will worry and probably hunt down whoever took me."

"So you want to stay with the dogs instead?" Her face fell into a sad expression. I felt the need to comfort Alice, but comfort from me lacks since I have none myself.

I thought of last night with Jacob and this morning and the days I spend down at La Push with the wolf-men. Embry, Jared, Paul, Sam. And then the time I shared with Emily. It was familiar there but I never felt quite welcome. I would always be the vampire girl. And after last night's reveling kiss I realized that the werewolves- Jacob- and how I am now is not the life for me. In fact, staying here is hardly a life at all.

"Of course not. I think I need to go with you, Alice."

My friend's eyes regained some of their happy luster and creamy butterscotch color. She nodded in agreement. Then placing a hand on my arm, said, "I think you do too."

Just then Rosalie appeared at the bottom of the stairs, several bags containing most of my belongings in hand. "Did you tell her yet, Alice? We need to get going soon. I want to catch the earliest plane we can. I don't like the smell of this place."

I sniffed the air quickly. The couch we were sitting on smelled like campfire smoke and fresh leaves. Even the air was tinged with the scent that could only be Jacob- the werewolf. I connected this instantly. Just the smell of their rivals must make them uneasy. It was logical.

"Let me just write the notes," I said, picking myself up from my seat and heading into the kitchen. The two vampires followed right behind me.

I passed by the knife still sitting hauntingly on its perch on the counter like it was jeering at me. But it no longer represented Edward's voice. I represented all the mistakes I had made. What if my cliff diving experience had been fatal? Or the motorcycles- the strangers at the bar? If I had died, all for the sake of a lost cause, where would I be now? Certainly not leaving the nightmares of my past behind with Alice and Rosalie. Anywhere else would be hell.

Charlie, I'm leaving. I know this is such short notice, but I need to just get away for awhile. Far away. This has nothing to do with you. It's all me. I've been such a burden to you these past months, and to myself. I'm leaving for Alaska- that looked like a far enough place to go. I already have a place to stay and here's a number you can call me at if you need me or worry or something…

I paused for Alice to give further instruction. She took the pen and neatly scrawled down the numbers to look exactly like my own handwriting, yet amazingly better.

I have all my things I need. I love you, Dad, and I'll miss you. Bella.

And then the next letter: Jacob's letter, that would probably be more of a challenge than any essay I had to write for an assignment, ever.

Jacob, I hope this letter gets to you safely. Don't worry about me, and don't try to find me. I'm leaving. Charlie has my number if you need to contact me- which you shouldn't. Tell Sam and the others I'm grateful for their protection… and if you find Victoria… call me. I want to know. Don't do anything risky, and don't hurt yourself. Tell the pack to be safe. I don't want any vengeful vampire hurting any of you. Got that? I'll be safe. I'm with friends.

Love. Scratch.

Yours. Scratch.

Sincerely. Scratch.

I sighed. Nothing fits. We never did.

Bella. I simply wrote my name and folded the paper in half, placing it beside the note for my father. These would satisfy neither of them; at least I know I tried.

"Come on," Rosalie said. To my surprise she was looking at me with a genuine warm smile playing across her lips.

"Rosalie?" I couldn't believe it.

With one hand occupied with one of my suitcases she used her free hand to grab my shoulder and pull me into a hug.

"Welcome back, Bella," She said.

AN: I forgot how much fun writing this story is… not that there's anything fun in it… yet. I got a review urging me to keep writing this the other day. So I went back and reread the story I had going so far. Then I was ready to write the next chapter. I figure Bella needs to escape the oppressive town of Forks, Washington already. Moving in with Renee would be back, she would just see how pointless her life was before she met Edward. So, ta-da! Rosalie- who is undergoing some serious rethinking and emotional change… you'll see. I always thought Rosalie could be a little bit more than the shallow character she was pegged to be. To the airport we go! To hell and back :)