Crazy shit huh? It's just getting started.

Beta'd by my Mynxi, love her to bits.

SM's characters... most of them anyway...

Bella

After Jasper called Emmett and I called Jake, we booked flights out of San Francisco to Portland, Oregon, heading directly for the airport from Garrett and Randall's place.

Before we left, I took Garrett out to their garage, climbed into his Audi, and motioned for him to join me, shutting the door. This was the best I could manage for the two of us to have a private conversation, without raising suspicion from Randall, with the amount of time I had available. I spoke quietly, "I'm gonna level with you, Garrett. I believe you're a good guy. Peter had nothing but complimentary things to say about you. It's your man I'm not so sure about. Shit ain't adding up and I don't have the time to sort it out."

I paused, waiting for a response from Garrett, who nodded and sighed in resignation, before answering in the faintest of whispers, "Whatever 'hunches' you're having about him, they're probably right."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Is that so? You're awfully quick to sell your mate down the river."

"You're an empath, you know the status of our relationship is pretty much one-sided." He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. "It started as just a hook-up, only a couple months ago, but he fell in love. Then you were chosen to lead and Rafael and Sofia came back vowing to have you removed from power, one way or another. They were hungry for that power, and I don't doubt they will stop at nothing to try and sabotage you. Now, while I believe in your capabilities and what you're doing, Randall's a little oblivious. He doesn't like to over-think things and tends to just go with the flow, with whatever the trend is. You're a new phenomenon in his eyes. He's intrigued and a little star-struck, but I don't think he's as supportive of you as he'd like you to believe, especially since his brother claims to be the second in line for your job. So, I've stuck around. I thought it'd be best to keep an eye on things, do the right thing if it came down to it."

I nodded. "I appreciate that Garrett. Can I count on you to continue doing that? Continue to keep tabs on things, give us a heads-up if something isn't looking right? I'm sorry to ask you to stay in this position, but I think it's important."

I felt a surge of humility go through Garrett. "Ma'am, I'd be honored to help," he accepted with a nod. "Besides, the fringe benefit of this job isn't all that bad," he added roguishly. More than I needed to know, I thought.

"Good," I said with a smile, as the door to the house swung open. Jasper stood there looking curiously at Garrett and me sitting in the car. "Thanks for the talk," I said to Garrett, opening the car door.

"Everything all right?" Jasper asked, looking suspiciously at Garrett.

"Yep, just a quick chat. We're good. Let's go."

We arrived in Portland at shortly after two in the afternoon, rented a Navigator, and headed north to Forks as fast as we could get there. Alice was frustrated because she couldn't get a good read on the situation. The involvement with the wolves made it too difficult for her to see what was coming. It was as we drove through Hoquiam that Jasper's phone rang. "How close are you guys?" Emmett's voice sounded tense.

"We're about an hour and a half away, what's goin' on?"

"Make it quicker, bro. The wolves have trapped a vampire they found sniffing around the boundary to LaPush. They're trying to respect your wish to detain, not destroy, but this chick's making it awful hard for them to stand by that."

"Drive faster Edward," I said. He nodded and floored the accelerator.

"What do you mean she's givin' them trouble?" Jasper asked. "Fuckin' handle it, Emmett. Since when can you not handle a girl?" Instantly, Jasper was bombarded by death stares; as irritation flamed his way from me, Rose, and Alice, he quickly retracted his statement. "Now that's not what I meant, and you know it. What's the deal, Emmett?"

"She's some kind of succubus, Jazz, but there's something different about her power. It's hard to explain. I just know she's throwing the wolves off their game. We need some chicks for back-up here, like now."

"Is Leah there?" I asked, knowing Emmett would hear me.

"No…ah, fuck. Why didn't I think of that?"

"Don't worry about it, Emmett, I'll call her."

"Emmett, Sweetie?" Rose spoke up.

Jasper held the phone up in the air as I grinned, knowing what was to come. "Yeah, Rosie?"

"If you so much as touch that bitch in anything but a violent manner, I will shred your dick as soon as I'm finished shredding her."

"Yes, Rose."

As Jasper ended the call with Emmett, I pulled out my phone to call Leah. "Well if it isn't the big shit herself! I'm surprised you still know my number."

I rolled my eyes. "I know, I know, worst friend ever. Look, where are you?"

"Having an early dinner with Daniel at the hospital, why?"

"Catch up with your pack, sweetie, they need your help. They've got a succubus trapped."

"A succu-what?"

"A succubus. This vamp can use sex and lust as a tool against her adversaries. If you don't find her attractive, and fuck I hope you don't, it won't work."

"Bella!"

"What? I've dipped my finger in that pot before, it ain't bad. So, as long as you don't find her the least bit desirable, you should be able to help keep her cornered 'til we get there."

"I'm surprised no one called me yet. I'm leaving now."

"Because it's one female vamp and all those dumb horny boys thought they could handle her."

Leah sighed. "Dumbasses. So you're on your way too?"

"Yeah we'll be there in …" I looked at Alice who mouthed 'forty-five minutes'. "Forty-five minutes, ok? Oh, and Leah?"

"Yeah?"

"I need her for interrogation, hon. No vampire-slaying until I arrive."

"Ugh, fine."

I hung up with Leah and looked over at Jasper. "I don't think this girl is working alone. When we get to Forks, I think me, Alice, and Rose should attend to the succubus. I'll send Emmett and the guards back to the house and I'd like for you guys to scope the woods thoroughly." It was normally Jasper's area to make tactical decisions, but I had a hunch, and I'm pretty sure it was my conviction in that hunch that made Jasper not question my words, as I'd half-expected him to.

"Sounds good, darlin'. Just be careful, alright?"

Edward's eyes grew wide at Jasper's simple agreement with my plan. "Just be careful? That's it?"

"What else should he add to that, Edward?" I asked him pointedly, as Jasper added, "Yes, you read my thoughts, Eddie. Does anything there doubt my gal's ability to take care of business?"

Edward shook his head once, slowly. "No, I suppose there's not."

"Then that conversation is closed, Eduardo," I said. "You and I have made two steps forward; don't take three back with your foolishness."

"Of course, don't mind me Bells. Old habits die hard, you know."

Bells? Jasper mouthed at me. I stifled a giggle.

Indignation flared within Edward. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm working on…" his eyes flickered to meet mine in the rearview mirror, "removing the log pole from my ass." The very Victorian tone in which he made this statement elicited giggle-snorts throughout the cab of the Navigator. "Fuck you guys," he muttered.

I reached forward and patted his shoulder. "That's the spirit."

We parked at the Cullen house and the girls and I immediately set off for the woods near the LaPush border. Jasper, Edward, and the three guards that were staying with Emmett in Forks, set out in search of whoever was working with the succubus.

We followed our noses until we came across a very concentrated wolf scent. We reached an area where a battle of sorts had very obviously taken place, broken trees scattered about. As we arrived to where the wolves and Emmett had the female vampire trapped, I relieved Emmett and asked him to catch up with the other guys on their search. Rose took note of Emmett's excited physical state with a hiss, before stepping up and embracing him for a lengthy kiss.

"Tick tock, Rose," I reminded.

She pulled away with a scowl. "We've been apart for weeks, Bella, gimme a goddamn break."

"You will get your break after we get done grillin' some succubus. Now let's do this."

Situated throughout the downed trees were seven wolves, in various stages of the largest 'red rockets' I'd ever seen. "My, my, my," I murmured, as I took in the sight of a phased and growling Leah who held a beautiful, scantily clad brunette vampire pinned by the throat, writhing on the ground. Leah's massive jaws were at the ready to snap the succubus's throat at the slightest provocation.

"At ease, boys, Leah. But especially you boys. Damn, put those things away, nobody needs to see that." I heard a few growls of protest, which I'm sure amounted to something along the lines of a 'fuck you', but I was ready to deal with this bitch on the ground.

Leah released the vampire and took a step back. The girl immediately tried to get up, flipping up into a crouch on her feet. However, throwing my hands out in front of me in a shoving-down motion, I had her back down on her back almost immediately without laying a finger on her. "You should be pretty comfortable in that position, how about you just stay put for now?" I said to her, as she snarled at me. "Rose, Alice? A hand please?"

Rose stepped over and placed a stiletto-clad heel on the captured vampire's throat Alice sat straddled on the succubus.

"Well, now, this is more like it," the woman purred, writhing her body between Alice's legs. I could feel the lust she was pumping out in droves, affecting the male wolves even more. Some actually began to whine.

I sighed. "Oh for God's sake! Go home, boys, we girls got this under control."

I saw the other wolves look to Sam, who indicated with his large, black furry head for them to leave. All but Sam, Jake, and Leah sped off toward LaPush. Jake and Sam moved behind some shrubbery to phase back, emerging from the leaves in some stretchy shorts and adjusting themselves in a failed effort to hide their aroused condition.

"What the fuck is she?" Jake growled. He was sickened and ashamed by his body's reaction to her.

"Succu…" I began to explain, and then shook my head. There was no time. "Fuck it, never mind. Her power fucks with men, or women that are attracted to other women. Apparently you wolves aren't immune to it either. We girls will handle Ms…?" I looked over at her, but she narrowed her eyes at me, continuing to fidget under Rose and Alice.

"She said her name was Madeline," Sam supplied disgustedly.

I nodded. "We're gonna have a little chat with Madeline. Jasper, Edward, and Emmett are out looking for her friends. We can catch up with you guys later after you, uh, regroup."

"Funny, Bells," Jake muttered.

I shrugged as Sam inclined his head toward Leah. "She's to stay here until you've finished with… that."

They turned to run back toward LaPush as I turned my focus back to Madeline.

"Oh dearie, you've really got yourself in deep shit right now, you do understand that, don't you?"

She laughed brazenly, even though she had to know her end was near. "You're a fraud, Bells," she sneered. "The fact you're on such buddy-buddy terms with these hygiene-challenged canines, our mortal enemies, is just the tip of the iceberg of reasons why you shouldn't be trusted!"

"What the fuck do you know about why I should or shouldn't be trusted?"

"I heard all about you," she scoffed.

I cocked my head at her. "How about you fill me in on what you heard and I can tell you whether or not your informant's full of shit."

"I don't have to tell you anything. You may as well finish me off." Madeline looked me up and down, and with an appreciative glance at Rose and Alice, she asked, "Do I get a last request? I'd be happy to finish the three of you off before I go." Her lust flared again, and Rose and Alice both looked at me in angry disbelief, as Leah began to growl.

"Is she for fucking real?" Rose asked me, looking down at the girl whose neck was still trapped under her shoe. "What the fuck?"

"You're a sexy bitch, don't tell me you wouldn't want one last lay before making your final exit," Madeline smirked at her.

"With my husband you slutty twat. As if!" Rose sniffed.

"Call Edward," Alice suddenly said.

"You sure?" I double-checked; even though Leah was still present, it appeared a premonition finally slipped through.

Alice nodded. "But only Edward."

After a bit of convincing Jasper between the difference in needing assistance and needing back-up, he begrudgingly agreed to send Edward, alone, to help us. They'd found a couple of stale trails, nothing useful yet, but were going to keep searching in the meantime.

Edward arrived about seven minutes later. I had by then replaced Alice and Rose holding Madeline down with only my mental force, because, frankly I didn't want to touch her, and Rose and Alice were ready to tear her apart. He crooked an eyebrow at the scene before him. When Madeline got a good look at him, her lust level skyrocketed once again.

Edward's eyes shot open wide as I cleared my throat to get his attention, shaking my head at him pointedly before turning my focus back to Madeline. "Ok, I'm going to ask you again. Who's here with you?"

"Like I'd fucking tell you!" she hissed.

"This is the part where you come in, Edward," I said without looking at him.

"Er, yeah. Yes, got it. Sorry, there are an awful lot of naughty images going on in there… Jesus, is that even possible?"

Madeline giggled. "I'm not sure which one you're talking about, but I'd be happy to show you."

"Edward!"

"Sorry, Bella. There are four others; three males and a female."

"Wha- How do you know that?" Madeline gasped.

"What are their names, Madeline?" I asked.

"Fuck you! What are you two doing?" she cried.

"John, Malcolm, Henry, and Julia," Edward supplied in a strained voice. I could tell by his tone he was pinching the bridge of his nose.

"What are you, some kind of mind reader?" she screeched at Edward.

"Smart girl, you win a cookie. Now the $25,000 question: where are your accomplices?"

She ignored me and focused on Edward. "Mind reader, huh? I'll give you something to read."

Her lust level then increased so much; even I was becoming a little aroused. Behind me, Edward cracked, and I began to feel his desire in return. "Edward!" I snapped.

He groaned. I briefly glanced over at him to find he was palming himself over his pants, his brow creased in need and frustration. It threw me enough that my mental hold on her broke and she was able to flip onto her feet once again.

"Oh no you don't!" Rose leaped in front of her, throwing her arm out in a clothesline, landing Madeline back on her ass long enough for me to sweep in and straddle her myself.

"Trying to make a fantasy become reality for your friend here?" Madeline hissed at me.

My closed fist landed solidly in her eye. "Knock your shit off and answer the fucking question! WHERE ARE THEY?"

She snarled at me defiantly and I hit her again. "Where are they?"

She squeezed her eyes shut in her effort to think of anything but where her accomplices were.

Edward groaned again and I could feel him battling his lust in his concentration before he finally exclaimed, "Got it!"

"GO!" I ordered and he was off without another word. We'd catch up with him once we were done dealing with Madeline. "Leah, you can go now. We're just going to finish this up here." Leah snuffed at me, emotions telling me exactly where I could put that notion. "Fine, you can stay. But this one's mine. Nobody fucks with my family." I fixed my glare on Madeline. It was time for justice to be served.

Madeline began to babble in her fear. "You've gotten what you need from me, let me go! Please!"

I stoked her face gently. "In most cases, Madeline, I believe in second chances. But not in this case. Not for you. Your sole intent of being here was to bring harm to my family. I can't trust you not to seek to follow through with what you were sent here to do, especially since you've already received payment for it, haven't you? Your purpose was to provide a distraction and you certainly succeeded in that. As far as I'm concerned you're an accessory to attempted murder and in this case I am your judge, jury, and executioner."

"But nothing happened yet! The boy is fine!" Madeline cried.

"Your intent was to cause him harm!" Venom landed on her face as I snarled, my fury quickly rising.

"I thought you weren't going to be like the Volturi!" she cried accusingly.

"I'm making a special exception for you. No one fucks with my family. Madeline, your existence ends now." Her cry for mercy was short-lived. I firmly grasped her head between my hands and wrenched it from her body, the metallic shriek echoing throughout the woods.

"Fire, Alice," I commanded. Rose assisted me in the dismantling of Madeline. Alice got a fire going with the help of Leah, who'd phased and quickly dressed. We unceremoniously dumped the dismembered succubus into the fire, who the flames greedily consumed.

While Rose called Emmett to touch base and see where they were, Leah gave me a quick hug, all that we could handle due to each other's offending odors. "It's good to see you Bella," she said, with an approving nod. "Royalty looks good on you."

I snorted. "Thanks. And thanks for the assist with the slutty vamp here."

"My pleasure. But, ugh, the thoughts going through the pack's minds while she was working her voodoo on 'em?" She shuddered. "So where are the others?"

"Port Angeles, at the Super 8," Rose said, tucking her phone in her pocket. "The guys are waiting for us at the house."

"Then we should be on our way. Leah, could you please make sure Tyler remains under constant supervision?"

"Sure thing, Bella. Now get the rest of those leeches." She paused as she took in Alice and Rose's raised eyebrows. "Right, sorry. Habit. You bitches need to lighten up."

I laughed and kissed Leah on the cheek. "I miss you, Leah."

"Miss you too, Bells. Now go get those fuckers."

Jasper

After Edward left, Emmett and I, along with the three guards were combing the woods and the outskirts of Forks for the other vampires, but their scents were so stale we were coming up with nothing useful, so we decided to head back to the house and wait for word from Bella.

I couldn't settle down, however, once we got back to our old home. I began to pace, turning my phone over and over in my hand.

"Dude, calm down! You're making me all anxious," Emmett said crossly.

"Sorry," I sighed, plopping down in a chair.

"You know, as long as Eddie can keep it in his pants, it's probably good Bella had him come out to help."

I glared at him. "What do you mean 'keep it in his pants'?"

Emmett looked at me with a strange expression. "The succubus, bro. She's got quite a pull, it was all could do to not drop 'em and hit that, but… Wait, did you think I meant Edward and Bells?" My stare dropped to the ground, because yeah, I knew it was dumb, with which Emmett proceeded to agree.

"Wow, their becoming friends has really fucked with your head, hasn't it?" He waited for my response, but I didn't really know what to say, too ashamed to admit he was right. "Insecurity doesn't suit you at all, man. Just saying. Bella's your girl, she loves you. Besides, I think it's good they're getting along. He seems to have pulled his head out of his ass a little."

"He still loves her Emmett. I mean, I know he loves Tanya too, but he still loves Bella. It's like a current running constantly in the background. He tries to suppress it and Bella simply ignores it, but it's still there. I can't help but feel a little twitchy about the situation." I leaned forward, elbows on knees, covering my face with my hands, and then raised my head abruptly to look Emmett in the eye as something occurred to me. "Imagine if Royce, God forbid, was back, and Rose decided to be friends and hang out with him? How would you feel?"

Emmett's expression immediately went as dark as his mood. "That motherfucker gang-raped her and left her for dead! That's hardly a comparison, bro!" he growled.

I held up a hand. "Ok, bad example, you're right. It's not the same thing."

Emmett relaxed and smoothed a hand over his head with a sigh. "Look, I get what you're trying to say, and I get that it's tough to watch, but get a grip. Aren't you supposed to be some hot shit Major or something? 'Cause you're sure not acting like it right now."

I shot him a hard look. "Fuck you, dick. What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

Emmett looked at me, his expression smug. "I mean quit acting like a bitch, Major."

Before he could blink, I was out of my chair and had him pinned on the floor. "Do I look like a bitch now, motherfucker?" I leaned down, staring him in the eyes.

Emmett stared back at me blankly. "Well, Rosie sure likes to be in that position, so…"

I growled and the wrestling match was on. It felt good to work out some of this aggression, this frustration. We managed to take it outside before too much of Esme's furniture got destroyed.

I had just unpinned myself from under Emmett when I heard Edward clearing his throat. He looked a little wild-eyed and frazzled, but I sensed no alarm about him. "What's going on?" I asked, plucking the grass and pine needles out of my hair.

"After some, ah, persuasion, Bella got the girl to reveal the location of the other vampires. They've set up shop at the Port Angeles Super 8 motel and were making plans as recently as yesterday, to invite several more unsavory nomads to come aid in the effort."

"So we're going to Port Angeles?" Emmett asked, brushing off his jeans.

"I assume that's the plan. Bella and the girls will be back here once they finish Madeline off."

"Madeline?"

"The succubus. Nasty, nasty woman," he shuddered. "If you could've seen the things in her mind…" he cringed in disgust.

Emmett clapped him on the shoulder. "I can only imagine. And have probably done some of them. Thanks for taking one for the team," he finished and then headed for the house. "I'm gonna clean up."

"Good idea," I said and started to follow, but Edward touched my arm gently as I began to pass. I stopped, looked down at his hand, and back up at him. He got the hint and removed his hand.

"I just wanted a quick word, if you don't mind," Edward said humbly.

I gave him a quick nod. "Shoot."

"I know what you and Emmett discussed this evening. It was running through his mind once he saw me here. I'd like to explain, if I may?"

"I'm listening."

"I'm not trying to win Bella back from you," he began.

"Well that's a damn good thing 'cause there ain't no fuckin' way you'll…"

He held up a hand to pause my tirade. "I know, Jasper. You don't have to tell me. I may not be able to read her mind, but I can see how you two are together, the way she looks at you. I'd like to say that's how she used to look at me, but that doesn't even come close. No, winning her affection back, in purely the platonic sense, is all I can hope for at this point, because she is yours, Jasper, mind, body, and s-" He stopped short, his ingrained beliefs warring with his words.

"Soul, Edward. It's ok if you say it, especially since she believes we have one."

"Do you believe we do?"

I placed a hand on my chest where my heart once beat. "She is my heart and soul, as far as I'm concerned. I don't care beyond that."

Edward nodded. "And that is all that matters," he acquiesced, with a smile. "I do love Tanya, you know. Is it enough?" He shrugged, his smile turning sad. "It is for now. But having Bella back in my life, even as just my friend, makes this existence that much more bearable. So please, Jasper; I know it's more than I deserve, but can you allow me that? I vow to you, I will press for no more than her friendship."

I felt the sincerity of his words, and knew he spoke the truth. I nodded. "Ok." I stuck out a hand to shake his in understanding. "I can agree to that."

"Thank you, Jasper. It means a lot."

"I will shred and burn you if you make one wrong move on her," I said with a smile that did not detract from the sincerity of my words.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Edward quickly stammered out.

Our hands released just as Bella stepped out on the back porch. "Well wasn't that precious?" she remarked as she came up to me and wrapped her arms around my waist.

"Hey darlin'." I lowered my head and kissed her lips, smelling the remnant odor of the incense-like smell of brunt vampire. "Everything go ok?"

She nodded. "One down and four to go. I guess we have a little road trip we need to make now." She looked at Edward, who then filled her in on the details of the other four vampires to be dealt with.

"I suggest we get going," she said. "We need to get the jump on them, before they discover the fate of their skanky little associate. Oh, and Edward?"

He cocked his head at her. "Yes?"

"Thanks for your help back there; I know it wasn't easy. I don't suppose you'd tell me what she was trying to distract you with?"

I felt embarrassment flood him. "I'd really rather not."

"I'd like to know," Emmett called from inside, followed by a sound slap. "Ow!" A moment later we heard the door to their old bedroom slam shut.

Edward and I looked at Bella and she held up her hands. "President or not, I am not getting in the middle of that. Let's hit the road, they can catch up with us when they're finished."

We headed back through the house, where the three hired guards sat uncomfortably listening to the commotion Rose and Emmett were making. I refrained from chuckling at their shell-shocked expressions. "Sorry guys, hopefully they keep it quick. Now, I understand from Emmett that y'all have acclimated yourselves pretty well to this area. Your eyes are the right shade; can I trust you to adhere to the vegetarian diet? Your control is sufficient?"

"Yes, sir," they agreed in unison.

"Good, because I'm about to leave you three as our eyes and ears here, for the unforeseeable duration." Alice went to open her mouth, but I shot her a look. "Not important right now. Depending on the outcome of this particular situation in Port Angeles, we may add another guard or two to your detail here, but from this moment on, until you are told otherwise, this is your jurisdiction. Guard this town and as much of the area surrounding to the LaPush treaty line, as though you were guarding Madame President herself. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir," they agreed, wincing as a loud crash and moan sounded from upstairs.

I glanced toward the stairs. "Tell 'em to head to the Port Angeles Super 8 when they come out of there." They nodded.

I walked outside and met Bella, Alice, and Edward. "Drive or run?"

"Drive," Bella answered. "But quickly."

"Then that's where I come in," Edward said, snatching the keys from my hand. "No offense, Jasper, but you drive like a 160-year-old man."

Bella giggled and took my hand. "Let's go. Call shotgun, Alice."

"Shotgun?" she asked, and then understood. "Oh, right." She climbed in the front passenger seat as Bella and I settled in the backseat.

For the thirty-three minutes it took Edward to drive us to Port Angeles, she sat nestled closely against me, my arms around her, holding her quietly throughout the ride. It was as though we were charging our batteries.

Just as we found and pulled into the parking lot of the motel, Alice sat up rod straight and cried, "Oh!"

"What's 'oh', Alice?" Bella asked warily as she received a text. "Ah."

"They're here!" Alice hissed.

"Well that's what we were hoping for, wasn't it?" I asked.

"We seem to have company," Edward announced casually as headlights flashed in our rear window.

Alice turned to look at Bella and me. "Rafael and Sofia! They're meeting them here tonight too!"

Bella confirmed this showing me the text she'd just received from Garrett: R said they're in your neighborhood. Port Angeles ring a bell?

"Is that who…?" I began, sharply whipping my head around at the lights behind us, ready for a confrontation.

Bella chuckled wryly. "Nope, that would be our reinforcements."

The car parked beside us and out of it emerged Peter and Char, as well as a rather disheveled Rose and Emmett. Bella rolled down her window. "Petey, long time no see. Your spidey sense seems to be working a little better than mine today."

"No worries, Stella, you've been a little distracted today. I thought we'd get to the Cullen house before y'all took off, but we got a little delayed," he said, looking a little chagrined.

"He got a speeding ticket," Char said.

"How the fuck did you get pulled over?" I asked, in shock.

"Road head," Peter answered, shaking his head with a sigh. "Hey, I've been away from my woman too long, and she was doing a damn fine job on me. I wasn't payin' attention, and well, there ya go."

"Dumbass," I snorted.

Peter gave me the finger before continuing. "So we get to the house and realized we missed you, and I knew y'all were gonna need a little back up, so I had to, uh…" He looked over at Emmett, who seemed to be suffering a wicked case of blue balls, and Rose, who just plain looked irritated.

"Oh God, you had to interrupt?" Bella cringed.

He leaned into the window and gestured back with his thumb, speaking in a lower tone of voice as though they couldn't hear him. "Stella, they had some Wild Kingdom kind of shit going on, you wouldn't believe it. I mean, holy shit."

Edward snorted and Peter glanced his way. "Yeah, I guess you'd believe it. Being a mind reader must really suck. So anyway, we drug 'em out of bed and told 'em we had to go now. I take it you know that Rafael and Sofia are en route?" We nodded.

"So, we wait," Bella said. She pointed across the street at the Holiday Inn Express. "Let's get some rooms there and wait for the whole gang to show. We're gonna take care of this shit in one go-round"

"How long before they're here?" Emmett asked Alice.

"She concentrated for a moment. "Two hours and nineteen minutes."

He grabbed Rose's hand. "See you in an hour and nineteen minutes." The two hurried across the street.

Peter looked at us. "Sounds like a plan to me." He grabbed Char's head and followed suit. We sat in the car in silence for a moment. I ached to follow the others across the street for just a little more quality time with my lady; recoup and regroup before the next wave of bullshit arrived.

"Go," Edward said wearily. "Alice and I can play stake out. We'll catch up with you all in an hour and…"

"Fourteen minutes," Alice finished excitedly. "I've always wanted to do a stake out! We should get coffee and donuts!" We all stared at her. "Or not…"

Bella leaned forward and planted a chaste, yet noisy kiss on his cheek. "You're the best, Eduardo."

He wrinkled his nose. "You know I hate that name, Bella."

"Of course I do," she replied flippantly, throwing open her door. "C'mon Major. Tick tock, time's a-wastin'." She gave me a rakish smile and sent a generous push of lust my way.

"Yes ma'am." Without further hesitation, I followed her out into the night. We had an hour to ourselves, to enjoy each other before the shit hit the fan yet again, and I was gonna make sure to make every minute count.