Chapter 7

Sometime during the night Jacob came by to check on Bella. Alice and Jasper had gone out hunting but Edward remained where they had left him in the chair by her door, pretending to be asleep. When he sensed Jacob approaching Edward sat up straighter, ready for a confrontation.

"What are you doing here?" Edward asked him, not happy to see him.

"I came to see Bella… how is she?"

"At two o'clock in the morning?" Edward asked suspiciously. Jacob looked over to where Charlie was fast asleep.

"I thought I might have a better chance if I came at night."

"You were wrong." Edward stood up to block Jacob's entry to Bella's room.

"Hey. No need to be like that." Jacob got defensive.

"She needs to rest Wolf. Come back in a week or two."

"Bella would want to see me."

"She's asleep."

"I just want to see her. She's my friend too." The commotion stirred Charlie, he shifted in his chair.

"Leave now Wolf, before I throw you out." Jacob shifted his weight, ready to crash through Edward. Charlie woke up just in time to see Jacob take a swing at Edward, Edward swerved out of the way and Jacob connected with the door frame, leaving a nice dint in the panel work. Charlie was not impressed?

"Jacob. What on earth is going on here?"

"I want to see Bella."

"It's two o'clock in the morning Jacob. Come back in the morning."

"No! I want to see her now."

"Go home Jacob." Charlie stood beside Edward blocking the door. Jacob started to stare Edward down. Edward was very careful not to let his anger overcome him. Charlie was seeing a different side to Jacob, one he had never contemplated existed. When he didn't back down he placed a hand on his shoulder. "This is your last warning Jacob. Bella is asleep and she needs her rest. Go home and come back in the morning or I'll have you arrested for disturbing the peace."

"I never thought I'd see the day Charlie that you would side with a Cullen."

"Leave. NOW." Charlie demanded, shifting his belt. Jacob reassessed the situation, eyed Edward off and decided that Edward would keep. He would come back tomorrow. Charlie wouldn't stop him. As Jacob walked away Charlie took a look at the damage to the door.

"Are you all right?" He asked Edward,

"I'm fine Chief Swan. I just didn't want him to wake up Bella. She needs her rest."

"Thanks for that." Charlie mumbled, unhappy that he had to thank him. "But Jacob IS Bella's friend too. When he comes back in the morning I want you to let him see her."

"Of course Chief Swan." Edward was ever the polite and respecting choir boy.

"Good. I'm glad we have an understanding." Charlie shifted his weight again displaying his prowess and having diffused the situation. Edward smiled. Charlie sat back in the chair and picked up a magazine.

"Listen Charlie. I got a few hours sleep before. Why don't you go home and get some rest. I'll call you if anything changes." Charlie wanted to stay but he hated hospitals, and the chair wasn't doing his back any good either. Reluctantly Charlie agreed to the offer.

"Ok. But I'll be back in the morning, I want to be here when she wakes up."

"Don't worry Chief Swan. I'll take care of her."

"I've heard that before." He reminded him, painfully, "and if you intend to marry my daughter then you'd better start calling me Charlie."

"Thank you … Charlie." Charlie grunted, picked up his coat and left. Edward snuck into Bella's room and leaned against the far wall. Standing there watching her sleep the horrors of the past day almost faded away, except for the sound of the heart monitor and oxygen mask working away in the background.

*****

In town Jacob walked the streets looking for a fight. He walked past the café which was now closed. Past the small town specialty shops and into the park land that lead to the forest. He hadn't been walking more than fifteen minutes before he realized that he wasn't alone. He walked deeper into the woods making sure that his shadow followed. He smelled the stink of sweat, heard it's pulse thumping in its skin. It wasn't afraid, far from it, in fact it was eager for the confrontation to begin. Jacob took two more steps into the clearing and then turned to face him. No one was there. He sniffed the air again, no he was still there, he was just hiding.

"Whose there?" Jacob called, to no avail. "Come on and face me you coward."

"Where's your little girl friend?" The mysterious voice called?

"What girlfriend?"

"Don't play games with me. I was sent to find her and I want her now."

"Find who?" Jacob tried to track where he was.

"The dark haired one. Lives with the copper." Jacob had his answer and he wasn't happy.

"What do you want with Bella?"

"Ah.. so that's her name, pretty little thing isn't she?" Jacob locked onto his scent, and in the pitch black light Jacob morphed on the fly, tearing through the tree that stood between him and his prey. The shadow tried to flee but was pinned under several tones of wet werewolf. "What are you?" The shadow screamed. Jacob didn't move. "Please, man. I'm just following orders. They told me to find the girl and bring her back to them…please." The shadow begged. Jacob bared his teeth and prepared to rip the mans throat clean out but as he leaned down to seal his fate he was blindsided and thrown half way across the clearing. He got back onto his paws and looked to face his attacker.

Emmet stood there, staring the wolf down. Alice and Jasper were pinning down the shadow, keeping an eye on Jacob. Jacob approached, angry.

"Sorry." Emmett apologized insincerely but stood his ground. Jacob came straight up to him, "But we need this one alive."

"Emmett." Alice scolded him, "We don't have time for games." Jacob morphed back to being human so he could talk,

"I am so tired of you Cullen's telling me what to do…"

"Jacob please. Listen to me." Alice pleaded, Emmet stood his ground staring at Jacob, Jasper held the human shadow. Jacob stared Emmett down, they were deadlocked. "This man has been sent to find Bella."

"I know that, that's why I was going to kill him."

"But we need to know who sent him."

"What does it matter? Why would you let him live?"

"His not the first one. We've found seven so far."

"Seven?"

"They've been asking questions in town. Somebody has hired them to find Bella and bring them back to her."

"Her…?"

"We think it's Victoria."

"Victoria… then why don't you just ask him where Victoria is?"

"We've tried. But they won't talk. They probably don't even know where she is."

"So why bother?"

"Because until we know more information we need to take every opportunity we can to learn more."

"Please Jacob." Jasper swapped with Emmett, "Let us take the prisoner back to our home. We have the facilities there to question him."

"This isn't over." Jacob threatened, silently agreeing,

"Understood." Jasper acknowledged. Emmett picked up the prisoner and took him straight home, the young man looked positively sick by the time he reached the Cullen property.

*****

"Good work Emmett." Carlisle greeted them on the front step. Jasper helped Emmet take him to the back room.

"We may have a problem." Alice told Carlisle,

"Jacob?" Carlisle could smell the wet dog on her,

"He seems quite angry. I don't know how much longer we can trust him."

"I share your distaste for the boy but until we have proof to the contrary we must continue to give him the benefit of the doubt."

"If you insist, but I wouldn't take my eyes off him if I was you."

"Consider me warned." Carlisle smiled. Alice had never hidden her distaste for the werewolf. Alice made a face that said she wasn't impressed.

"I'm going to go to the hospital, give Edward my support."

"Give him my best, I'll be along as soon as I can." Carlisle smiled at her then went inside to see to his prisoner.

"Alice wait." Esme called out as she went to go get her car.

"Esme…" Alice smiled.

"It's just a little something for Bella. I thought that since her real mother couldn't be here that I would bake her a few things. Help cheer her up."

"They look delicious."

"I hope so. They were my mothers favourite long ago."

"Bella's going to love them." Esme kissed her on the cheek and gave her the biscuits.

"Give her my love." Esme shouted, as Alice got into her car and drove off.

*****

Alice noticed that no one was in the hallway as she neared Bella's door. Opening it gently she stepped inside and saw that Bella was still resting. The door closed behind her. She got a start but realized instantly that it was just Edward, "Shh" he told her, then nodded to the biscuits in her hand,

"Esme baked them." Edward was impressed by Esme. She never met a more unselfish person in his life. "How is she?"

"No change." Edward continued to whisper,

"But no worse, that's a good thing."

"Any visions?"

"Not yet. But I ran into your friend." Edward looked at her, she explained, "The werewolf."

"His no friend of mine."

"I take it he was here then? Because he seemed quite upset with you when I saw him."

"He tried to see Bella."

"Oh."

"At two o'clock in the morning.."

"I see."

"What?"

"Nothing." She smirked.

"It's not like that."

"I didn't say anything." Alice knew her brother well, that some part of him no matter how small was jealous of Jacob. Bella began to stir. Edward moved straight to her side.

"Huh." She said still a little groggy.

"You're in hospital Bella. Do you remember?"

"There was a tree on the road."

"You crashed into it." Bella went to sit up, she felt the pull of her stitches and the ache of her arm.

"Call the nurse." He told Alice, "And ring Charlie." Edward kissed her on the forehead. "Try not to move. You've broken your left arm and wrist and they had to remove your spleen."

"How long have I been here?"

"You've been asleep for almost thirty hours."

"Wow. I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't know, for being so clumsy." Edward made one of his annoying smirks,

"You have nothing to apologize for Bella. It is I that should be apologizing to you. I'm sorry I yelled at you. You're right I do order you around too much."

"Did I say that?"

"Uh huh and I promise I will treat you like an adult from now on." Bella could hardly remember the argument, but she did recall feeling like he treated her like a child so she was happy to hear the words. Edward kissed her on the lips, grateful for her warm touch, Bella kissed him back.

"Good morning Bella" The nurse interrupted, Edward backed off a bit. Alice shot him a guilty look. The nurse checked her obs and confirmed that everything looked good.

"I called Charlie." Alice told him, "His on his way."

"What did you tell him?" Bella asked, worried by Edwards guilty expression.

"I told him we had a fight, about getting married."

"Oh.." Bella was upset, embarrassed, "What did you tell him?"

"That I wanted to wait till after college, but you didn't. You thought I was leading you on."

"How did he take it?"

"Remarkably well. He asked me to call him Charlie."

"Oh my god." Bella went to hide under the sheets.

"We'll it's better than telling him that a deranged vampire wants you dead because you murdered her boyfriend."

"I guess so."

"Oh. I nearly forgot." Alice remembered, "Esme baked you these." Handing her the biscuits.

"Esme baked." Bella took the biscuits and smelled them, "Wow they smell great."

"She'll be pleased." Then Alice took a step closer and took her hand, "Don't do that again ok. You had us all worried. Charlie was beside himself."

"Alice.." Edward warned her, but she ignored him. "Besides you know how much I'm looking forward to planning the wedding, and you wouldn't want me to be upset would you."

"No. Of course not."

"Good then. It's settled." Bella giggled, Alice always made her laugh. "Would you like me to brush your hair?"

"Why. Is there something wrong?" Bella looked for a mirror but couldn't see one. Edward laughed.

"No Bella don't be silly. I just though it might make you feel better."

"I suppose it couldn't hurt."

"Great." Alice jumped up and down on the spot before pulling a beautiful antique mirror from her handbag, jumping behind Bella and brushing her hair in long gentle strokes.

"Can I get you anything?" Edward asked.

"I'm not that hungry."

"Bella. You haven't eaten in over thirty six hours."

"Well when you put it that way... surprise me." Edward left to find her something to eat while Alice continued to brush her hair.

*****

"Bella, sweetheart." Charlie greeted her as he walked in the door, it was apparent that he had dressed very quickly from his unkempt style.

"Dad, hey."

"How are you?"

"Good. I think. I don't remember much."

"Hi Chief Swan." Alice kept brushing her hair as she spoke.

"Alice. Good to see you."

"Would you like me to leave?" Charlie was grateful for Alice's help last time. She had helped with all those girly things that he was too embarrassed to talk about.

"No Alice please, continue. Besides you're like family"

"That's ok. I'm almost finished here." Alice popped off the bed and placed the brush on the bedside table.

"They smell nice." Charlie noticed the biscuits.

"Yeah. Esme baked them. Would you like one?"

"No. Thank you. That was nice of her"

"Yeah"

"I'll just go see how Edwards going with your breakfast." Alice left the room, leaving them to talk.

"So."

"So."

"You scared the hell out of me Bella. I thought I'd lost you this time."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Whatever possessed you to drive a fast car like that, in those conditions."

"I don't know dad, I wasn't thinking clearly."

"Because of that boy."

"Dad. Don't call him that."

"Sorry, I know. He told me all about your fight Bella. Marriage really? You're too young."

"You sound like Edward."

"Well for once he's right."

"Dad." Bella warned him, "It's my life. I love Edward and he loves me."

"Yeah, well there's more to marriage than love."

"I know." The topic was a sore point of them for both of them. Charlie backed away.

"How's the truck?" Bella asked trying to change the topic, "Is there much damage?"

"You don't remember?"

"No."

"Bella you weren't driving the truck. You were driving Edwards car." Fractured images flashed through Bella's mind. The rain, the road, the tree, the oncoming truck, Edward pulling her out of the car. "It's a write off. You were lucky to get out of it alive." Bella was speechless. "Bella?"

"Yeah dad I'm okay." Edward walked in with a tray of cereal and toast with orange juice.

"I hope your hungry." He mocked her.

"It looks great. Thank you."

"Well I need to get to work. I'm glad to see you're all right Bells."

"Yeah thanks dad. I'm fine I promise."

"You look after her all right." He warned Edward.

"You have my word." He promised. Charlie kissed her on the forehead then left, "Edward, a moment."

"Yes sir." They stepped outside. Alice helped Bella sit up and reach the tray.

"Look I'm not happy about this situation, but I guess if Bells is set on marrying you then I'll just have to get use to it but I warn you, if anything else happens to her it will be you that I'll be coming after."

"Understood."

"And one more thing. Jacob Black is Bella's friend. If he comes by I want you to let him see her."

"I promise you sir. There will be no more grievances from me. If Bella wants to see Jacob then I don't have a problem with it."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it." Charlie walked off then turned back, "You know where I am if she needs me." Edward nodded then watched Charlie leave before returning to Bella.

*****

As Bella ate her breakfast, Edward sat in the chair watching her while Alice resumed brushing her hair. Bella was oblivious as Alice showed Edward what had happened last night. Edward kept a cool face but inside he was furious. How many more people would they send to hunt Bella before they got the message? He also saw Jacob's furry at being ram raided by Emmett and forced to give up his prey. That made Edward smile. "What?" Bella asked, noticing his grin,

"It's nothing. Bella. Stop worrying."

"Don't worry about him Bella. Charlie gave him the hard word before he left. It's really quite sweet how protective he is of you."

"Oh." Bella took a bite of her toast and smiled to herself. She could only imagine how difficult that moment would have been for Edward. They kept talking, it was good to see Bella smile.

*****

Jacob didn't waist any time. It was barely sun up when he set off from the reservation to see Bella. He made it to the hospital just as Charlie was leaving. He stole a bunch of flowers from the flower stand near the entrance and made his way upstairs. He could sense Alice and Edward in the room before he got there, tensing up to appear more intimidating he opened the door and walked through. He was quite surprised when he didn't meet the hostile reception he'd been expecting.

"Jacob." Edward announced, standing up ready to act if needed. Jacob ignored them both.

"Hey Bella, how you feeling?"

"Oh you know, I've been better."

"Yeah."

"Are those for me?"

"Oh yeah… here." Jacob handed Bella the flowers.

"Thanks." Bella looked at them carefully, "They're beautiful." Edward shifted uneasily.

"I'll go get you a vase." Alice offered. Glad for an excuse to get some 'fresh' air. Edward smirked upon hearing her thoughts.

"Edward can you give us a moment?"

"Bella, I don't feel comfortable leaving you unprotected."

"You can wait just outside the door. Jacob isn't a threat." Edward didn't move.

"Edward please." Edward wasn't happy but he obliged.

"Jacob. I'm real glad that you came to see me, but I thought I made myself clear."

"You did."

"You and I are only friends, we will only ever be friends. I love Edward."

"But you said you loved me too."

"As a friend Jacob. Please you have to stop thinking of me like that if we have any chance of staying friends."

"He's no good for you Bella."

"I'll be the judge of that. I'm not a child.."

"I know." Jacob moved forward to grab her hand. Bella flinched away. "Is that how it's going to be now?"

"Jacob please."

"No. no. I wont let you. I can't. He's my blood enemy Bella. How could you."

"Jacob your being unreasonable." Jacob was infuriated. Bella was glad when the nurse came in to check her obs again.

*****

Out in the hall Edward could hear what was going on. He wanted to go in there and throw Jacob out of the room, out of her life but he also knew that Bella would never accept that. He obeyed Bella's wished and kept out of it, for now. Alice came back with the vase full of flowers. "There" she said, "Pity the flowers aren't as pretty as the vase.' She joked, Edward agreed.

"Give them a minute." He told her, "Jacob and Bella are fighting. She's trying to get him to leave her alone."

"And he's still alive. Wow Edward I take it back, you are in control of your emotions."

"Hardly." He scoffed, "If it wasn't for the nurse in there I'd have kicked him out minutes ago."

"Nurse, why what's wrong?"

"Nothing." Edward didn't understand her concern, "Just routine she said."

"But she's on hourly obs and he nurse only came half an hour ago." Edward mimicked her concern. Edward tried to read the room, he could hear Jacob and Bella she seemed okay, but there was something odd. "What is it?" Alice asked when Edwards expression became one of fear,

"The nurse. I can't hear her thoughts." Edward was through the door in under a second.

"Edward you promised." Bella scolded him, Edward focused on the nurse. She had a needle in her hand and was putting it into Bella's drip.

"Sorry, I though I heard you say my name."

"She did nothing of the sort." Jacob protested madly, but then he realized Edwards fixation on the nurse. Alice moved to protect Bella.

"Sorry, my mistake." He continued, maneuvering closer to the nurse. Alice shut the door. Jacob moved to block the nurse going through.

"What, what is it?" Bella asked. The nurse got startled. She quickly pushed the contents into the IV drip and went to race to the door. Edward quickly pulled the drip from her arm then grabbed her from behind and pushed her to the floor. Jacob moved over to help pin her down not that she needed it.

"What did you give her?" Edward demanded

"Tell him." Jacob backed him up. He nurse said nothing. She knew her fate was sealed, she just lay there grinning.

"Alice." Edward pleaded, "Is Bella all right?"

"I'm fine Edward. What's going on?"

"I'll give you one last chance." Edward said, staring her down with his frightening eyes, "What did you give her?"

"Alice?"

"I can't see anything… the dog clouds my sight."

"What do you want to do?" Jacob asked,

"Get her to Carlisle." Edward lifted the nurse up and tied her to the radiator in the corner. "Go call Emmett and Jasper, they can come and get her."

"They're already on there way." Alice told him when she got back, "They'll be here soon."

"Edward." Bella was scared. Edward handed the nurse to Jacob, who pinned her against the wall, and went to Bella. He picked up the needle and sniffed it, but he couldn't recognise the smell. He checked the iv but most whatever it was, was almost completely gone. Edward ripped some of the bed sheet off to tie off her arm to stop the bleeding.

"Should I be worried?" Bella asked trying to remain calm. Alice sat on the other side of her, she put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.

"Shh Bella. There's nothing to fear. They wouldn't harm you. Victoria obviously wants you alive."

"Great." She said. Terrified.

"Alice I need you to try and see." Edward pleaded, '…to see what she's done' he left unsaid.

"I'll try." Alice concentrated really hard, but still nothing.

"I'm so sorry Bella…"

"Shh… it's not your fault…"

"I love you." He cried.

"I know."

"Tell me what you've done." Jacob demanded again, hitting him across the head.

"Hey. Remember we need her alive." Alice reminded him.

"Yeah, yeah. Listen blood sucker you've tried it your way, now let's try it mine."

"How do you feel?" Edward asked Bella.

"I feel fine really."

"It doesn't make any sense." Jacob was getting annoyed. "Maybe I should get the doctor." He suggested.

"And tell them what. That someone tried to kill Bella for no good reason." Alice responded.

"And what would we tell Charlie?" Edward added.

"No. No doctor." Bella insisted, "I can't risk them finding out about you all…"

"Where talking about your life Bella."

"So let me decide what we do and I say no Doctor. Carlisle will be here soon."

*****

Every second was like agony, waiting for something that might never come. It took Emmett only ten minutes to get to the hospital. They'd obviously run at full speed. There was a knock at the door,

"Who is it?" Alice asked,

"It's Carlisle." He said, opening the door. Carlisle entered flanked by Emmett and Jasper.

"How are you feeling Bella?"

"I feel fine."

"She stabbed her with this." Edward said handing her the vial. Emmett went to mind the prisoner as Jasper went to Alice's side. Carlisle sniffed the vile.

"I can't sense anything."

"Let me try something." Alice insisted, she took off her glove and approached the nurse, Jasper was right behind her.

"No." Edward insisted, "It's too dangerous."

"I don't see any other option."

"What?" Jacob asked, making way as Alice kneeled down beside the prisoner. Carlisle continued to assess Bella, Emmett and Edward looked on Alice cautiously. Alice placed a hand on each side of the prisoners head and concentrated intently. Jasper looked on, fear in his eyes.

"I see an old factory, it's dark. There's someone else there, I can't see who." Jacob stepped closer, "It's gone." Alice looked up at him,

"Sorry." Jacob moved back.

"There's someone in the corner, I can't make them out. They looked annoyed." Edward squeezed Bella's hand. Carlisle was taking her blood to run some tests.

"I'll get these to the lab straight away. I'll be back in a minute."

"Wait… there's a sign… 'Barry's Auto Manufacturing'…" She continued. "NO!" Alice screamed. An image filled her head of the young nurse, her head being ripped off by a fair skinned read headed young woman. "It's Victoria, she just beheaded someone." Alice looked at the nurse, "You." The nurse lashed out but was still restrained.

"Get her out of here." Edward ordered. Emmett started to untie the ties to escort her outside but was interrupted by the sound of Edward squealing,

"Bella!" Her hand was clutching her chest. She couldn't breath and her eyes were rolling back in her head. Edward tried to hold her but she was thrashing around too much. Then Edward froze as her heart stopped. "No. No Bella." Alice turned to see what had happened, Emmet also distracted watched as Bella died. Taking advantage of the situation the nurse broke her hands free and threw Alice halfway across the room. Emmett and Jacob went to jump on her straight away but she managed to evade them. She picked up a piece of the vase which now lay broken on the floor and went to stab Alice with it. She knew that Alice had seen too much and her master would expect no less. As she plunged the shard downwards to where Alice lay on the floor Jasper stood in the way. The glass went straight through his thigh. Jasper grabbed the nurse in one hand and twisted her neck, dead. Emmett and Jacob grabbed her and pulled the body away. Alice rushed to Jasper. He pulled out the glass shard and Alice placed pressure on the wound.

"Carlisle!" Edward screamed, the situation under control the room turned to where Edward held the un-beating body of Bella Swan.

"CPR … you have to keep her blood pumping." Jacob told him. Edward laid her down on the bed and started chest compressions while Jacob tried to breath for her. Carlisle walked in to what must have looked like World War III.

"That's good Edward." He said, "Keep going."

"It's not working. Do something." Carlisle gave her a shot of adrenalin,

"Just give it a minute. How long has she been down."

"Only a few seconds before I called you."

"Is she going to be all right?" Emmett asked, afraid for his friend. Carlisle didn't answer. Edward couldn't believe he was going through this, not again. The adrenalin worked almost immediately. Bella gasped for air and then closed her eyes. She tried to talk, but couldn't find the words.

"Bella look at me." She didn't respond, "Bella please." He placed his head in front of hers. Nothing.

"Bella. It's Carlisle, can you hear me?" Nothing. "Squeeze my hand if you can hear me." Nothing.

"Damn it girl." Emmett barked, "You can't leave us, not now. Not like this." Alice came to stand by Edward, she placed a hand around his arm. They watched her for what felt like ages,

"Damn it. If I could read her mind then I would know if something is wrong."

"She's been through a lot Edward. Give her time."

"Bella!" Edward shook her.

"Edward. That's enough." Carlisle had to grab him to make him let go. He pulled Edward away from the bed, Emmett stepped forward and helped to restrain him. Edward tensed up, turned to face the window, and died. Not literally but inside there was nothing left, he couldn't do this, not again. Emmett stood behind him to keep him company.