Fire and Ice

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight universe. All recognisable characters, content or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: Non-graphic lemon.

Chapter Seven: Apollo

When Alice Cullen reappears in Bella's life, she doesn't know what to think. Instead of trying to make sense of the muddle that her thoughts have become, Bella makes for the kitchen. She needs a drink, preferably something stronger than Charlie's fancy schmancy beer. Unfortunately, she has to settle for a can of soda, wishing that Charlie's disapproval of most alcohols didn't extend to vodka. Or rum. Or scotch. Or… you know… something that can make her numb to the pixie that has followed Bella into her kitchen.

"What are you doing here?" Bella asks. Her voice comes out harsher than she expects it to, but Bella doesn't feel guilty. She's not Alice's barbie anymore and she refuses to be played like one. She's not something to be controlled – not any longer, at least.

Bella's unwelcome words seem to effect Alice badly, because the normally composed vampire flinches, looking pained. "I need your help."

Cynically, Bella muses over the fact that this is probably the first time Alice has ever needed to ask help for anything.

"My help?" She repeats. She doesn't bother hiding the incredulity in her tone. She's pretty sure she'd fail – if she'd bothered trying.

Alice nods and wrings her hands. It's a bizarrely human gesture and Bella wonders why the bloodsucker is even bothering. That thought makes her wonder when Paul has begun influencing her vocabulary. Thinking of Paul reminds her that she has a date with him that night; a sort-of-but-not-really attempt to get to know each other. That's what people do, right? Date?

"With what?" Bella asks. Again, she doesn't bother hiding her incredulity. Surely, whatever assistance is required of Bella couldn't have been fulfilled by Rosalie or Esme?

"It's a long story," Alice says on an exhale. "Suffice to say, Edward's gone to the Volturi to kill himself. He thinks you're dead."

There are so many things wrong with that statement, the primary thing being that Edward's gone to the Volturi to kill himself. If he wanted to do that, than he could just light himself on fire.

"And what do you want me to do about it?" She asks, dispassionate. She can't forget those seemingly endless hours spent lost in the woods, courtesy of Edward.

"I need you to come with me to Volterra, to stop him. He won't be convinced unless it's you."

"Um… no," Bella protests, drains the last of her soda and begins to make her way upstairs. Alice follows.

"Please," Alice begs. Her soprano voice is grating. Bizarrely, Bella wonders why she had ever thought it was pretty sounding.

"Alice, you forget that I know Edward. I know how much of a manipulative bastard he is." She begins to flip through her wardrobe, to try and work out what she will wear for her date with Paul. "Edward is testing my loyalties." Her words are so certain. The guilty expression that crosses Alice's face proves it. "To be perfectly honest," Bella continues, no longer looking at Alice, "I have no loyalties to you and yours. Not since September 16th, at the very least." She turns, a bundle of clothes in hand. She lays them across her bed, a pair of dark wash blue jeans with frayed edges and holes in the knees. A shredded tank top is over a tie-dyed t-shirt. Turquoise coloured converse sneakers and a synthetic leather jacket finish off the ensemble. It's not at all fashionable, but she likes it and Paul doesn't give a damn about what she wears. In fact, she's pretty sure Paul would prefer it if she wore nothing at all, but that was neither here nor there.

"So that's it?" Alice asks. Bella doesn't reply because it's blatantly obvious the question is rhetorical. "After all we've done for you, you're just going to let Edward kill himself?"

Bella rolls her eyes as she putters about her room, tidying odd ends as she waits for Alice to depart. She's in no rush to get ready and even if the delay makes her late for Paul, she knows her wolf won't mind. "What have you done, Alice? You sucked me into a world that nearly killed me twice – and that was just the obvious threats on my life. You manipulated and controlled my every action endlessly. Your stupid brother left me in the woods, alone and perfect for some good prey. Prey tell, what, exactly, has your family done for me?" She's surprised by the venom in her own voice. Nevertheless, she's on a roll. "Yes, so you might have saved my life on both accounts. If you hadn't bothered playing me like the little human toy, than I wouldn't have been at risk in the first place. So don't act all high and mighty like that. I don't owe you shit and I'd appreciate it if you left." Her tone is icy and she hasn't raised her voice, but Alice looks scolded like a small child who's been caught stealing from the cookie jar.

"Alright," Alice whispers. "I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't… I didn't know you thought that way. I… I'm sorry."

Bella shrugs nonchalantly. She flicks her gaze towards the window and wonders if her message is clear. She wants Alice to leave and, quite frankly, not come back. At least not for a long time.

Alice leaves and Bella makes for the shower. She has a date to get ready for.

An hour later and Paul is sniffing Bella all over. He smells Alice on her skin and he wants to make sure Bella's okay. She lets him, used to his strange wolfish mannerisms. He nuzzles his face into her neck when he's done and she wraps her arms around him, appreciating the heat he radiates.

They leave her home and he lifts her into the passenger seat of his truck. It's massive and the tyres reach her hip, so it's almost impossible for her to get in on her own. She's in though and she buckles herself while Paul gets in himself. They're headed for Port Angeles, but Bella kind of wonders what the restaurant staff – whichever restaurant they're going to – will think of Paul's gargantuan appetite.

They've been sort of seeing each other for about a month now. Aside from the toe curling kisses they've shared, Bella's come to really appreciate Paul's company. He's more than just her boyfriend. He makes her whole in a way she's never known. She's complete and she loves it.

"So why was the leech in your house?" Paul asks. He sounds casual, but she knows he's anything but. The glint in his eyes speaks of murderous rage, directed at Alice.

Bella rolls her eyes. The visit from Alice annoys her as much as it will annoy Paul. She tells the story of their meeting and Paul looks like he's ready to hunt down the pixie and turn her into pixie dust. It's a flash of the angry flame that, according to Emily, has dimmed in the time Bella has been spending with Paul.

"I basically told her to piss off. She left and then I started getting ready for tonight and… yeah, that's about it."

Paul nods jerkily as he attempts to level his breathing. Bella reaches for his hand and entwines their fingers. She traces circles on his hand with the pad of her thumb and he slowly calms. They are silent the rest of the way to Port Angeles, the music on the radio their only company.

After their date, she goes to Paul's house with him. She's eighteen so, despite Charlie's reluctance, he allows her to spend her weekends with her wolf.

Paul kisses her when she crawls into his bed. Once more, she's engulfed in his heat. It coarses through her veins, an inferno of warmth and Paul and want. Her nerves buzz with her desire and she finds herself pressing into him, hips to hips, chest to chest and lips to lips. She wants him. She's pretty sure she's never wanted something so much in her life.

She doesn't know how it's happened, but she's suddenly naked, as is he. She's soaking and wanting and needing, he's rock hard and massive. She doesn't think he'll fit inside her but Christ, she wants him to.

When he's at her entrance, he thrusts inside her with one smooth motion. She cries out because, holy shit, it hurts, but the overwhelming heat of Paul soothes the ache. Soon, he's moving inside her and she's seeing stars because she's pretty sure this is the most amazing feeling…

She doesn't come. Despite the pleasure, it's still tender and she still feels abrated some how. She doesn't know how the pleasure/pain thing works, but there it is. She's nevertheless satisfied and curls into Paul, a content smile on her face and Paul wrapped all around her.

-!- -#-

Author's Note: Short, I know. Sorry about that. Also, sorry for the wait. Life's been busy. On the bright side, after this week, there's only ten more school weeks until graduation, plus two weeks for spring break. I'm excited.