7. Explanations.

Edward POV

I watched my fingers glide over the black and white keys on the grand piano; I was just keeping my mind occupied whilst Renesmee was in La Push.

I did not like her going, some of the new werewolves were volatile, but I knew Jacob would keep her safe. One of the pack would keep her safe if Jacob could not bring her home himself.

I know they would.

There was this thought eating away at my concentration, she's not safe. Shake it off Edward. She is safe. She is.

I started playing Bella's lullaby, soft and sweet. I heard Bella sigh from the kitchen; she's gotten even more into cooking. Without realising the tune transformed into a scary, dark tune. I only realised when Bella was next to me on the piano bench and put her hands over mine to stop the music.

What's up Edward? I heard her soft musical voice in my head; she could easily remove her shield now.

"It's nothing." I smiled at her, but she frowned at me. She was not convinced.

"And you used to say I was the bad liar." I squeezed her hand and smiled. "Something is wrong Edward. Tell me." She smiled, her voice so gentle that it coaxed my words out, like a snake charmer hypnotising the snake.

"Just being over-protective again." I laughed a false laugh. "I know I shouldn't worry, Jacob more than capable to make sure nothing happens. He proved himself with you."

"See, I told you. Don't worry so much. You could be the first vampire to go grey." We both laughed, harmonising.

"Yeah, I suppose so. Thank you." I leaned in to kiss her, but someone interrupted.

EDWARD! She's gone! Renesmee's gone! Jacob hysterical shouting echoed in my head. I froze. Bella had noticed this.

"Edward?" She shook me. Then she noticed my expression. "Oh god. Something's happened." She was becoming hysterical herself. Then dropped her head into her hands for a second, then when she looked back up her face was terrifying. Her anger shone like a roaring fire from, just a moment ago golden, black eyes. She opened her mouth and shrieked like a tortured animal. All her fear, worry, anger communicated with me in that one scream. All the Cullen's flew from all over the house to the piano at the same time as Jacob and his pack, in human form, barged through the front door. I looked at Jacob who was staring at Bella, still screaming, with eyes that reflected mine and Bella's.

"Bella. Stop now. It isn't helping anything." Alice put her hand on her arm and Bella flinched away, as if she'd been burned. Bella jumped up from Alice and myself and ran to Jacob.

"Jake. What's happened?" Even though I could not see Bella's face, I could see it in Jacob's mind. She was like an animal being tortured, it was horrifying.

I can't do this to Bella. Jacob stared at Bella.

"You have to Jacob. She would find out anyway." I explained to him gently. Jacob's eyes flickered to mine, then back to Bella.

"Bella, she's been kidnapped. I can smell Lucas and Ness. But the trail just, ends. I can't find her. I'm sorry Bella. I failed to protect her from that...leech, and I didn't. I don't blame you if you hate me and want to beat the crap out of me." Jacob clenched his jaw waiting for Bella to hit him, but she just sighed her anger away slightly.

"I don't hate you, Jake." She reached out to his hand and held it, it was to comfort both of them. "But how did he get to her?"

"She was on her own. I had to leave her to go see Sam, but he didn't need to talk to me. Leah and Steve were picking her up; they were minutes away from her. I saw that she wasn't there when they got where I'd left her, so I ran back and helped Leah and Steve sniff round. I met Sam before coming here, that's when he told me he didn't need to talk to me; he's looking for her in La Push while we look around Forks." Bella nodded all through Jacob talking, seeming calm, until he stopped talking.

She shrieked like a banshee, she was losing it. She hit the wall and it crumbled under her fist.

"Why are we not doing anything? Lucas has my baby, and we're all still stood round talking about it! Why am I the only one bothered by all of this?" She screamed into the faces of Jacob, Alice and then finished on me. There was a growl from behind Bella, who was spun by Leah, who was shaking all over.

"Don't you dare say that none of us are bothered by this. Nessie is like a little sister to me. Do you understand that Isabella. You may be her mother, but we are her family too. I've not stopped beating myself up, from when I found out she was gone. I'd do anything to have her back, we all would. So don't you dare say only you is bothered by that stupid bloodsucking leech kidnapping Nessie." She left Bella with another growl and sprinted out the front door, Steve on her heels. It was silent until the roar had faded.

Bella turned to the door, without looking at anyone, and started walking to the door.

"I'm doing this alone, do you understand me. Any of you follow me and I will start a fight. No one follows me, especially you Edward."

I love you, Edward. I have to find her. You understand, right?

"I love you too Bella. I understand. No go, before we change our minds." She chuckled and was gone.

Are you mental Edward? Rosalie shrieked.

Aww. We don't get to fight Lucas. Emmett moaned.

I'll keep an eye on her. I'll make sure nothing happens to both of them. Alice encouraged me.

That was very brave of you Edward. Esme and Carlisle thought.

Don't be so worried, she's grown very strong. Jasper reminded me.

You are going to go after her right? You were just doing that to please her? Right? You're not serious are you? Edward, she can't go on her own. Jake panicked

"Stop thinking all of you!" All the voices stopped. "I can't make Bella change her mind, as much as I want to at this moment in time, but I can't. You all should know that when she's made her mind up, that's that. We'll just have to respect her decision and just keep watch. Alice...

"No I don't mind." She smiled.

"Okay. Jacob, can you get one of the pack to keep an eye on Leah as well, in case she finds Ness and or bumps into Bella?"

"Yeah, sure. Embry?"

"No problem, Boss." He saluted Jacob and walked out the door.

"Hate it when he does that." Jacob turned to me. "What now?"

"We wait." I sighed and sat down at the piano again, a sign for everyone to disperse. Everyone did except from Alice, who sat beside me on the piano stool, and Jacob who sat on the floor by the piano.

Edward, be honest with me. Do you think they will both be okay? Jacob thoughts echoed everyone's in the house, including my own.

"I don't know. I want them to be. As I know you and everyone else does." I whispered. I looked at Jacob who was staring at the wall, which Bella had punched.

"Alice, do you see Bella and Ness being okay?" I looked to Alice, who was obviously looking into the future.

"I can't see her, which could be good, for she'll be okay and live her life with you..." I gasped at the vision in Alice's head. I stared at Alice; her eyes reflected my disbelief back at me. "Well...even I didn't see that one coming." I turned to Jacob, who was staring at Alice and me.

"What? What have you seen?" His voice worried.

"Just something you're going to have to explain." My stern voice had Jacob gulping. "A lot of explaining to do."

Bella POV

Where are you my child? Why would he do this? Where are you Nessie?

The constant mantra running through my head as I ran through the forest, trying to catch Renesmee's scent.

Where could you be? Where would he go?

A breeze fluttered against my face and very faintly I could smell Renesmee, sweet lilac scent. I ran against the direction of the wind, and her scent became stronger.

Where are you? Where can you be?

My mantra was cut short when my phone buzzed in my pocket, luckily I'd worn jeans with pockets today. I flipped open the tiny silver phone.

"Hello?"

"Mommy!" Her voice panicky.

"Nessie? Oh, how glad am I to hear you're voice. Where are you baby?"

"I'm in the school's gym."

"Right. I'll be there soon." I started running towards the school. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine. I can't get out though. I'm locked in."

"Don't worry about that. I'll get you out."

"Is Daddy or Jacob coming?"

"No. I'm on my own. Is Lucas around.?"

"No, I don't think so. I can't smell him."

"Okay. That's good. Just stay calm and stay where you are. I'll be there in a moment."

"Mum. Hurry. Someone's coming in." Pause. "Mum, it's Lucas. He's back."

"I'm coming into the car lot now..." The phone went dead. "Nessie?" No answer. "Nessie! Renesmee!" I screamed into the phone.

Luckily, I had infinite capacity to think things. Right, Lucas has got Nessie. I'm on my own. I don't know if or will he hurt her. I know I have to get in there to help her.

Leah POV

Damn Bella. Stupid leech. Thinking she's better than us.

Leah. Babe, come on now. She's being protective. Just like you are. Just like everyone is. Steve's perfect voice flowing round my agitated mind.

I know. I'm just so angry that everyone fell for that bloodsuckers story, his act. If I was a vampire, I...

You would have acted the same way they did. They like to believe in the good in everyone.

Stop being so rational. We need to find her scent. Steve mentally sighed. I started running back towards La Push, when my phone rang.

Damnit.

I phased back to human and pulled up my jeans from where they fell of my leg, an idea of Jacob's. I pulled the phone from my pocket and pressed it to my ear.

"Hello."

"Leah. Bella's found her. She's in Fork's school gym. Bella wants you to help her." It was Jacob.

"Oh, she wants my help now does she? How very convenient."

"We would help her, but we're not close enough to get there soon. We all went out to help her, but we split up to search faster."

"Bella didn't want our help. Or did grief make you forgetful." I looked at Steve who was looking at me with a very confused look. I shrugged my shoulders.

Jacob laughed. "Good one Leah, I think it's you going forgetful."

"What are you going on about Jacob? Have you lost it?"

"Look Leah, just go help Bella. Okay?"

"Yeah. Whatever Captain Loopy." I hung up.

"What the hell was that about?" Steve asked.

"Jacob's lost it. Well, they've found Nessie. Forks High School." I sighed. "Let's go." I put my phone back into my pocket and wrapped my jeans around my leg and phased back to a wolf and ran to Forks High school.

Within seconds we had broke though the trees surrounding the school and in the breeze could smell Bella, she was on the car lot.

Should we phase?

Yeah, we can talk to her then.

We phased and changed into out clothes. We ran to where Bella was stood.

"Bella!" I shouted out. She span around on the spot and confusing and pain shone clear from her face, before being smothered in anger.

"What are you doing here?" She spat at us.

"Jacob told us you wanted help."

"I told them all to let me do this alone."

"I know, I told Jacob that. But he insisted that everyone's split up to make looking for Nessie quicker."

"What?" Her face was includious. "Are you sure it was Jacob?"

"Yes I'm positive." She was lost for words.

"Well, you might as well help me get her out. I was on the phone to her minutes ago, when Lucas came back for. Her phone went dead on me."

"What are we standing around for then? Let's go!" Bella smiled sweetly at me. She was glad I was here.

We ran around to the gym, Bella in the lead, and got to the doors. Bella pulled them off the hinges in seconds. I stood and stared in astonishment at Bella, who looked slightly embarrassed.

"Nessie said it was locked." She said with a slight laugh. But her laugh was silenced when a scream echoed towards us.

"MOMMY!" Without a seconds hesitation Bella was sprinting into the gym. A second late we were running after her.

"Welcome my friends." A soft cool voice echoed towards us.

Bella POV

I froze where I was, his voice chilling me to my bones, I could feel Leah and Steve stop as well behind me. I knew his eyes were flicking from each of us, but all our eyes were on Renesmee. Well I thought they were.

"Lee?" Steve's voice thick with disbelief and confusing, that I could not help but look at Steve. I turned to look at him and his eyes were swelling up with tears, his pain unmasked for all too see. "How...how can this be?" Lucas just smiled sickly at him, when he spoke his London accent was gone and he was speaking American.

"Stephen. I'm shocked you didn't recognise me earlier." His face vacant of expressions. My mouth flopped open, all I could do was stare at Lucas. I managed to shut my mouth and ask the questions on everyone's lips.

"You're accent, you're name? Who are you?" I demanded. A smile slowly crept across his face.

"My name is Lee Tanner. I was born in Seattle. Steve is my old brother. I also had a little sister Bree, do you remember five years ago the battle with the newborns Bella?" He stared in to my eyes.

"Victoria did change you. Just five years ago, not last century. You where sent to kill me." I stated, glaring back at him.

"Yes, you do remember Bree. The newborn Carlisle didn't kill. She was our little sister. The Volturi killed her instead. I watched as they killed her, I almost threw away my mission when you came into the clearing, Bella. You're scent was mouth watering." He turned away from us. "I was the second newborn Victoria made; she made me because she could feel I had immense powers. She kept me from the rest of the group, who she was sending to death, she gave me a special mission. A mission, that if she failed, I was to start. Victoria failed to kill you Bella, so I had to start collecting information about you and the rest of the Cullen's. But, I couldn't help but look after my sister, so I came and tried to make sure she didn't get hurt. But when the Volturi turned up, I knew I couldn't help her. My anger made me run after them and tried to hurt just one of them. Then I felt a stabbing pain in my mind, I found out later that's Jane's power, her power is amazing. But, that's when I found out about my power. My power is stronger, so much stronger. Victoria was right." He gave a slight laugh, and turned to face us again, a sickly smile slid across his face.

"The look on Felix and Demetri's faces when Jane fell to the floor screaming in agony, begging me to stop, I hadn't felt power like this before. They asked me to join them to Italy, in exchange for information about the Cullen's, which they gave me enough of. Aro is a character isn't he? He had so many stories of you. They helped strengthen my power; over the year or so I stayed with them."

"How does the Volturi come into all of this?" I asked.

"Caius sent him for me." Renesmee stated. My eyes flickered to her, her face was saddened, and she would not look at me. "I asked him when I woke up. He's explained everything to me."

"Yeah, I felt I ought to tell her. While we're on memory lane Bella, I'll remind you of five years when the first snow landed in Forks." My eyes snapped to take his glare in. He laughed gently. "You remember. I was there as well, watching and waiting. Thinking that my mission was going to be completed for me. But they wimped out. So I went back with them to Italy and stayed there another few months, when Caius called for me. He told me I was to kill Renesmee." All three of us gasped. "Yes, he's despicable. He felt Renesmee wasn't safe for the world; he went against Aro's word by sending me here. Aro likes Renesmee; he feels she isn't a menace on the world. I also think that too. I've grown to like her, she trusted me when no one else did, and she also tried to be my friend, foolishly." Renesmee stood up and took his hand. She was comforting him. I felt my eyes popping out of my head at the scene in front of me. He had just said he had planned on killing her and she was comforting him. All this information was spinning around my mind quite fast, it was not making sense.

"What's your power?" Leah demanded, obviously her curiosity could not wait any longer. Lee faced Leah and smiled politely.

"My power is nothing like anyone has ever seen. I've asked countless vampires on my travels and they haven't seen anything like it. You could call me a copy-cat." He stated.

"A copy-cat? What do you mean?" Leah asked her question thick with curiosity.

"I can use someone else's power." My mouth flopped open. Lee laughed at my expression. "Nessie had the same expression. I can use someone's power when they are around me. If Edward was here, I could read all your minds well except yours Bella. Occasionally I can use your shield too; I guess that's when you push your shield out. The difference is, when I use someone else's power it's weaker than the original."

"So Victoria was right then." I stated. Lee just nodded. "You've given up Caius' mission, but have you given up Victoria's?" I worried now; he had only mentioned Victoria briefly. He just looked at the floor, silence making my chest tight. After a moment or two he looked up. Sorrow shone from his eyes.

"I can't Bella; it's what I was made to do."

"She's dead Lee!" Steve pointed at Nessie. "She's your friend!" He was shouting.

"Steve, you don't understand."

"I don't understand. I thought all my family was dead! You disappeared, and then Mum and Dad died. Then Bree disappeared, I watched as one of your newborn friends suck the life out of John, my best friend! I exploded with madness and turned into a bear!" He marched up to Lee and looked him straight in the eyes. "Don't you dare tell me I don't understand!" He lowered his voice. "Now here you are, a vampire, telling Bella you're going to kill her. If Nessie is your friend, don't kill her Mum." He turned and walked away from his brother.

"Steve, I killed Mum and Dad, I turned Bree and she killed John. I'm sorry." I looked at Steve who froze then suddenly started shaking all over. I took a cautious step away from him; I quickly looked at Renesmee who was still handing Lee's hand.

"Renesmee come here." I held my hand out to her, but she didn't hear me over Steve shouting.

"You killed everyone I loved! Including yourself! I hate you Lee! If you weren't my brother, you'd be dead by now!" The Lee said the words; I never thought I'd hear.

"Then do it brother. Kill me. I've wanted to die for years. The only thing keeping me alive was my mission. Now I can't finish it, so what else have I got?" Everyone was so shocked by his calm words, which made us all freeze, Steve stopped shaking. Lee fell to the floor in front of Steve. Renesmee knelt down by his side and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't you see Lee? Don't you see why you've given up on these missions? You are a good person. You where a newborn back then, you weren't controlled properly and you didn't have control of your thirst. But now, you're a changed person. I don't care what your past was; it's the future that counts. Right? Can't you feel that here is where you're supposed to stay? That this is your home? You're brother has made this his home too. Lee, please stay with us?" Lee sighed and lifted his head to look at Renesmee, his smiled gently.

"I have seen and I have realised. All because of your kindness, Nessie. I would like to stay, but I think I've worn out my welcome."

"Lee, if you want to stay, you are welcome. I'm sure they'll understand and forgive you." Renesmee stood up and held out her hand to help him up, he took him willingly.

"I'll run you back Nessie, so you can explain." Leah held her hand out to help Lee up as well. They both pulled him up and Leah picked up Renesmee and ran out of the school. I watched them go and turned to face Lee, his face looking weary.

"I'm sorry Bella. I couldn't harm her. I couldn't make myself do it. Caius said he would kill me, if I failed. She sat there waiting for me to kill her. She wouldn't have stopped me either."

"Excuse me? Nessie rang me to tell me to come for her." He laughed.

"I forgot to mention that, I rang you and Leah. Another part of my power, I can sound like anyone else." What Lee did next shocked me, I saw him talk but Edward's smooth, silky, soft voice was all I heard. "It comes in handy." He smiled at me. Steve laughed; it reminded me of Emmett's booming laugh.

"He's always been able to do that, copy people's voices. He used to pull me and Bree out of school all the time." It was such a brotherly comment, I couldn't help laughing along. Once the laughing had died, Lee sighed.

"I guess we best get back to the house. Hopefully Nessie would have explained everything to them all." He looked at me worriedly. "Hopefully."

"Oh, she's got more than enough explaining to do." Edward's stern real voice floated towards us. I saw his face looked strained, as if he was stopping himself from doing something he would regret. "Some serious explaining to do."