Near the north end of the beach, where the sun's dying rays casting their glittering gemstones of light over the waves, the water began to roil. It started as a simple ripple moving outward from a central point about a hundred yards from the shore, but as the center of the ripple moved closer to land the ripples became waves, smooth and relentless. Nearer and nearer the ripples came, until two figures emerged from the depths and strode onto the beach. Without a sound they vanished into the surrounding forest, leaving the newborn moon to futilely cast its silver light on an empty beach, devoid of anything save footprints that were soon swept away by the careless tide.

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Edward had smirked at them as they walked the door after school, his grin saying everything, and when Bella got close enough Alice dragged her into the back seat of the Volvo. Jasper claimed shotgun while Edward climbed behind the wheel, and soon they were peeling out of the school parking lot.

"Jazz, you know I wanted to be her first school fuck!" Alice whined. Her husband just laughed.

"I'm sorry, honey bunch," he drawled with a smile, letting his accent grow out of proportions and roll off his tongue like butter. "But I just saw her in the shower there in the locker room and she was just lookin' all soft an' slick and purty as a picture and I jus' had ta have her."

"Jasper, I think your South is showing," quipped Edward from the driver's seat. Bella howled with laughter. She was still chuckling a few minutes later when they pulled up in front of the house. Walking inside, Bella saw the rest of the family already gathered in the sitting room. She shot a questioning glance at Edward, but all he said was "I didn't think you'd be patient enough to wait any longer for whatever answers we can give you." Nodding, she sat down on the couch. Edward dropped down beside her, while Jasper and Alice folded themselves gracefully to the floor near Rosalie and Emmett - both of whom were uncharacteristically silent. Something was definitely bothering her family, she thought absently.

"Can I see your drawing?" asked Carlisle quietly. She nodded and pulled her notebook out, flipping to the page with ease and handing it to him. For a long moment he just stared at it before handing it to Esme. She looked at it as well before meeting her husband's gaze and nodding once.

"Will someone tell me what's wrong with my doodle?"

"Hee hee...she said 'doodle'," said Emmett in a childish voice, obviously trying to inject some humor into the somber room. It probably would have worked, too, if anyone had been paying attention.

"Bella, you said you dreamed this?" She nodded in response to Esme's question.

"May I look?" Carlisle's question was respectful, but Bella could feel the concern, and she knew what he was really asking didn't have anything to do with the drawing, but rather the dream that sparked it. Swallowing hard, she nodded.

"Sure," she replied, her voice soft. He came over to drop to his knees in front of her, holding her gaze with his own.

"Close your eyes, Bella. Remember what I've taught you. Things seem clearer sometimes with your eyes closed." She obeyed wordlessly, letting his voice wash over her. "Now, think back to the dream. I'm going to view it through your memory, so just try and recall as much as you can." Through the bond she felt his presence in her mind become stronger, and she let herself drift back to the dream.

~a beautiful woman with shining hair...a gorgeous man with a darkness about him...their hands joined, a silvery-grey light shining from them...they ran...they ran fast...mountains and streams, rivers and rocks and roads, places uknown to men...behind them, a cloud...always a cloud trailing, a darkness, a force...and they were so frightened...they felt no wrong though they knew they were...fleeing their fate...the cloud upon them...a flash of gold...and flash of fur...and then~

Bella gasped, snapping out of it. Carlisle also jumped, more from her sudden alertness than shock, though that was plainly written on his features as well.

"That was when I woke up," she said, apology plain in her voice. "I'm sorry I don't remember more." Edward's arms were around her, pulling her closer, and she missed the look he shot at his father. Carlisle missed nothing; he just chose not to respond, instead sitting back in his own seat. The questioning looks from his family bombarded him while he obviously tried to gather his thoughts. Finally the silence was broken.

"Is there something wrong with me, Carlisle?" He locked his eyes to hers, and in their golden depths she saw a myriad emotions flashing by. Worry and fear she could understand, confusion...well, that was a given. What she wasn't prepared for was the shock and the awe that also lingered there.

"No, Bella. Nothing's wrong. Quite the contrary." He looked meaningfully at Edward, who gasped aloud.

"Are you sure?" he asked. The doctor just nodded, then turned back to the very perplexed and frustrated human.

"Bella, I believe...I know...that you are a spirit dreamer. It's a very rare gift, even among our kind. It means that you have the ability to pick up on the fluxes of spiritual and extra-ordinary energies around the world, and they'll manifest in your dreams. I've only heard of it in theory...it's another thing that most thing doesn't exist."

"Like blood bonds," Bella said with a wry smile.

"Exactly." Carlisle smiled thoughtfully. "I'm wondering how many 'myths' are really anything but. At any rate, if I'm right, what you were dreaming is another of our 'myths'."

"Which is?" she asked, ridiculously curious now.

"The second war in heaven."

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Author's Note: Bet you didn't see that one coming. I sure as hell didn't, when I set out to write a new conflict. *shakes head at the EPBs, but gives them treats anyway* You guys have sure given me a huge damn task now. I don't know if I should give you treats or smack you with fish.

Anyway, shout out to my wonderful wonderful reviewers! I'd name you all, but I need to be at work at 4am, so I need to sleep sometime. Just rest assured, you all are awesome! Absolutely the coolest! And after a week like this one, it's been a huge boost to see so many positive, friendly messages and reviews. I wish upon you many yummies and much happies. And now - off to sleep. Perchance to dream..?