All things Twilight belong to the Awesomely Awesome Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 11 - Retribution
"I heard that!" Edward exclaimed as he picked me up in the air. "I heard your thoughts, I heard you thinking about me hearing your thoughts."
Edward's lips cashed onto mine as he pulled my body flush against his. He was in a state of elation. I couldn't help but wrap my arms around his neck and litter his face with kisses after our lips parted. Was this a product of being in the confines of the bubble? Was my mind wide open when the bubble held someone with those powers within it?
"I think that's exactly it." laughed Edward, setting me slowly on my feet.
"What is exactly it?" seethed Rosalie. She hated being left out of the loop as much as the next person.
"I can hear Bella's mind, and she was wondering whether it was the product of being inside her minds protection."
"That's certainly an interesting concept, Edward, can you still hear our thoughts?" Carlisle asked stepping towards us.
Edward concentrated and grinned. "Perfectly."
I felt the gentle prodding of something on the out perimeter of the bubble, and it brought my mind back to the situation at hand. Tanya and her obsessive want of Edward. How long would it take to stop? When would they notice that it hadn't worked?
Edward's smile faded, his eyes narrowed and his face dropped. My hands immediately cradled his face.
"What is it, Edward?"
"I hurt you again, Bella. I may have been temporarily distracted, but I will never forget the look on your face. It was the strangest feeling in the world, knowing I wanted to be with you, but the pull toward Tanya was strong, it felt so wrong. It's hard to explain."
"I'm sorry about that, I tried not to react, but seeing your eyes without the warmth of love for me, I wasn't prepared for that, it crushed me under it's weight, I knew what was coming I should have been more prepared. I just wanted you to see. I wanted you to know why I have always been so nervous about this."
"Yes, this will be a problem." Carlisle sighed, "We've been friends for a long time. This puts us in a precarious situation."
"I have to admit, if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes, I would never have thought she would try something like that." Rosalie sighed.
"The question is, how could she?" Alice's voice had a slight edge to it as she tangled herself in Jasper's arms.
It was a good question, Tanya had never rally liked me, but if her emotions for Edward were what the seemed to be, how could she hurt him like this? Why would she hurt him like this? There were so many questions that needed answers, and the only person who could answer them was Tanya.
"I have an idea, if anyone's interested." Emmett said, a large beaming smile covered his features as his mind worked.
Edward chuckled lightly as he removed my hands from his cheeks, and kissed me on the forehead. "I'm certainly game." he laughed. "I don't normally condone these kinds of things, but in this case, I think it's well called for."
Rosalie's hands flew to her hips in frustration. Her eyebrows rose as she glared at her husband.
"Payback," Emmett said, his hand ran down the length of Rosalie's back. "It may turn around and bite us in the ass, but it may turn out quite useful in diffusing the situation. either way I think the situation warrants it."
"I don't know." Esme said, she was never one to instigate unpleasantness.
"Well, what were you thinking, Emmett?" Alice asked. I knew she'd already seen it but she wanted Emmett to share it with the rest of us.
"Edward plays along. Bella keeps him within the confines of her protection, but he acts as though there's no such thing. We all play along, acting shocked, Bella can continue being devastated. We turn our backs on Edward making the situation unbearably sticky. Then we wait and see what Tanya will do, will she call it all off and tell Soren to release Edward? Or will she continue on, and hope that Edward will stay with her when we leave? Once we know the answer, we can regroup and figure out how to play the game."
"This isn't a game, Emmett. Tanya, Edward and Bella could get hurt with this. It could cut the ties between our families." Esme said defensively.
"I understand that, Esme." Edward said stroking my hair gently, "And quite honestly, I don't want to put Bella through this, but if Tanya changes her mind, we can walk away, knowing she still holds some integrity. If she doesn't we can play it off as a prank. She should really know better, what with Alice's vision and my mind reading. We were just lucky that Bella has this gift, otherwise things could be severed beyond repair, because I can guarantee you that if Bella hadn't been able to protect me, and Tanya had continued this, when I was finally released, the outcome would not have been good. this is the way things worked out and I think we should use it to our advantage."
"Exactly, if Bella never possessed this gift, could you imagine the suffering we would be going through, Alice would have seen it coming, but could we have prepared for it? Would it have stopped her from being so cruel, taking away Edward's free will?" Rosalie said levelly. "I understand that they are our extended family, Esme, I really do, but have you considered the outcome of this if it hadn't have been caught? Bella is as much a part of this family as the rest of us, if Edward had been disillusioned and followed through, he would have been ripped apart by every one of us, including you."
Esme nodded, her eyes were wide as she envisioned the picture Rosalie painted. It was true, even knowing what was happening, Jasper had lost his temper with his brother because of the pain it inflicted upon me. It would be the same with any couple, male or female. It's just how we operated as a family. I was over come by the protectiveness Rosalie had been showing me recently, but this was the icing on the cake, she had been close with Tanya, but she was siding with me. It was a little overwhelming to say the least.
"Alice," Edward said, pulling me into his side securely. His hands ran down the side of my body as he pulled me to him, my body flamed up and my need for Edward flared, my mind painted a vivid picture as I ran through the images of us on the mountain and where it had been going with perfect recall. My mind continued the thought to where it would have gone. Why did his touch send my sex drive spiraling into oblivion? I needed to get a grip on myself, my control was getting better but Edward sent my thoughts into another dimension, making very difficult to focus.
Edward's chuckle pulled me back to reality, and with that reality came the realization that he'd heard every thought that just ran through my head. I looked up at him and grinned, his eyes were wide as his tongue fidgeted on his lips. He had seen everything!
"Sorry," I mouthed.
His reply was a kiss on the neck.
"Yes?" Alice asked biting back a smile.
It took a second for Edward to collect his thoughts after being distracted by mine. "Eh, how long till they get back?"
"Ten minutes, they've slowed time to make sure you have enough time to miss her!" Alice's distaste was evident.
"Okay, well, we need to break up, go back to what we were doing. Just make sure that if you see me with Tanya you act surprised and angry. I'm sure Jasper can help with that if necessary." Edward was looking down at me now, his golden eyes trying to read my mind and my expression, but my mind was empty. I didn't know how to deal with this, how I would react seeing Tanya laying her hands on my husband. Especially after the visual I had just created for myself.
"Bella, I need you to keep this bubble around me, do you think you can do that?"
I nodded, the bright side of that was occurring to me.
"You, need to not think like that." Edward laughed burying his head into my should as he inhaled my scent. "This time you're planning on having fun aren't you?"
I nodded and shrugged my shoulders. This would be a test of the bubble, my small protective shield, but I was sure if I envisioned Edward in my mind it would follow him wherever he went. I just hoped it wasn't limited by distance.
"Alice, can you be comforting Bella when they arrive? Jasper and I can be arguing. We'll start things off with a bang."
Crap, Edward had always said my acting ability left a lot to be desired. I knew I would over think this and ruin what we were trying to do.
"Just keep your head down, Bella." Edward chuckled. "You'll be fine."
Emmett and Rosalie left hesitantly, I knew they wanted to be a part of this, but I had a feeling they would get their chance soon enough. Carlisle and Esme couldn't leave the room fast enough, they were both worried, but our reasoning had won them over. Their surprise was still evident, I was sure they had never considered Tanya doing something so vindictive.
So the stage was set, all of the players in their places. Jasper shot a large amount of agony towards me, it didn't feel good at all. Edward punched him gently on the arm.
"Remember I can feel that too!" he whispered.
"Sorry, just trying to help." Jasper whispered back.
The agony had already begun to works it's magic, I couldn't smile for the life of me. Edward's eyes flashed at the pain I wore.
'I'm fine, just try not to look at me like that, try to avoid caring about my emotions, remember how you felt before I took you in the bubble. You were staring at me with a cold blank expression.' I thought all of this as I forced back the dry sobs that threatened to take over me.
Edward nodded and took a deep breath.
"Bella, don't cry, everything will work out." Alice's voice was high pitched and reedy, this was our cue, just as a director would have called action.
I let the sobs pull me apart as the agony worked it's way through my body. Jasper had stopped feeding me with it, but I grasped onto it, held it close so I would have something to work with. I conjured up memories of Edward leaving on my eighteenth birthday. I hit my payload.
Edward winced as I replayed the memories in my mind.
'DO NOT WATCH THIS, Edward!' It was a command I knew he could follow, I knew he gave his siblings peace when they needed it, so I hoped he would focus on something else, something that would divert his attention from the torture I was placing on myself. I knew it was unfair to use this especially with him reading my mind, it was even a little too clear for me.
This was the only thing that could take me to the place I needed to go, the heartache I needed to display. I could hear the light footsteps approaching the house, and I threw myself into Alice's arms.
"What the hell, Edward. What's gotten into you?" Jasper's stern voice filled the room.
"Please, Edward . . ." I sobbed dropping to my knees, "Tell me what I've done wrong, I'll change it, I promise. Just don't do this." My voice was borderline hysterical as I collapsed into myself, the sobs coming freely.
Alice wrapped her arms around my shaking form and rocked me gently, making soothing noises. I knew she was glaring at Edward.
'I love you, Edward. Remember, no matter what you see me thinking or doing, I am not angry at you, and I will love you eternally, We don't have to do this, if you change your mind, let me know.' I was screaming at him from my mind, trying to hold onto the sadness and pain. I was getting more concerned about this, no matter what Tanya had done. My guilt ate at me, chipping away the corners of my resolve, I hated being so weak.
I looked up at Edward and he winked at me before retaliating to Jasper.
"Me, Jasper? what's gotten into me? You don't know me well enough to know where my heart lies?"
"I thought I did, Edward. I was obviously sorely mistaken. How could you do this to her, she gave up everything for you and you're walking away like it means nothing to you."
I tried to bury my head again but the scene looked so real, I could see both of their expressions as their voices snapped out at one another. It looked so real, Jasper looked as though he was ready to pounce. Looking up at Alice I could almost see real anger. Compared to these three, my acting ability was non existent.
"I'll agree, Jasper. It's . . . unfortunate, but I can't change the way I feel." Edward's voice was leveled but full of disgust. I had to make sure the bubble was still in place, it was.
"That's obviously a lie, you did about twenty minutes ago, Edward." Alice Screeched, she was huddled over me in a protective stance. "We were sat here having a wonderful time, reminiscing, then you go and ruin it by jumping up and asking where Tanya is. What is that anyway?"
I heard the footsteps approaching the door and a quiet mumbling. Tanya was whispering to Soren, but the noise we were making drowned out the words completely. I buried my head into my knees and concentrated on sobbing.
"Why is it so damn hard for you to understand that I love Tanya, Alice?"
"Because twenty minutes ago you were in love with Bella. She was your entire universe, can you see where I would be a little confused?" she spat. She was definitely getting into her role now.
"Edward, please, I love you." I sobbed, my voice breaking perfectly with my forced sobs.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out, Bella. I thought you were the one, but being here, with Tanya, well, it made me realize what I was giving up, she loves me, I'm sure of that, I think she always has. It just took me a while to realize that I loved her too."
"ROSALIE!" Alice screamed at the top of her lungs, and then apologized under her breath to me.
"What? And What is all the yelling about? Have you lost your damn minds down here?" Rosalie shouted from the third floor balcony.
"I think Edward has." Alice hissed.
"Why does Bella look like death warmed up?"
I stifled a giggle at that and Alice pinched my arm.
"Edward decided he loves Tanya!" Alice said hysterically, "Just like that, out of the blue."
"Tanya?" I heard Rosalie float down the stairs, I moved my head until I could see her, she came through the room like a bullet, her blond hair was a blur behind her. She was in front of Edward when she stopped keeping her back to the door. She grinned at Edward before leaning in until her nose was almost touching his.
"What. The. Hell. Is going on, Edward?" Rosalie threw her hands to her hips and raised her eyebrows. "I spent almost three years trying to convince you to leave the girl alone so she could have a normal human life. Are you seriously trying to tell me all of this crap has been for nothing, all the fights, all the heartaches? If that's so Edward, I disown you, I have accepted Bella into this family and Bella will always be my sister, and you . . . you . . . worthless . . . piece of . . ."
"Rosalie, watch your mouth." Esme was stood on the third floor balcony, I could tell by the echo, but I couldn't look at her. "Does somebody want to explain what this is all about?"
"Your son, is a pig!" Rosalie said, her tone viciously calm.
I could hear some growls as they rolled around the room but I tried to ignore them. I was hoping they were still acting, the strain in their voices were so convincing, I could have picked them up in their voice from half a mile away. I heard the small movements outside the door and I moved my head again. This time I made sure I could still see, I just hoped that it wasn't obvious.
The front door of the house blew open and Tanya stepped in, her wild eyes scanned the room. I couldn't see her expression, Alice had covered me with her body again. her footsteps were quick as she moved around the room, her acting was on about the same level as mine, nonexistent.
"What is going on in here? I could here you carrying on from a mile away." Her voice was full of excitement, and I could tell she was attempting to cover it.
"There she is." sighed Edward, the sound was of strangled contentment, but I doubt Tanya noticed.
"Here I am," her voice softened. It made me cringe to think about what was running through her mind. Hearing the excitement in her voice had brought my anger to the surface, where it boiled and simmered. I could feel ever muscle in my body tense as waves of it ran through me. I wanted to scream at her, I wanted to hurt her.
I let out a wail and curled further into Alice. I was trying to calm myself down, all I wanted to do was spring at her, but Carlisle and Esme would never condone the violence. I tried to push my anger into the sobs, the result was my body shaking violently and small moans escaping from my lips. the noise was agonizing and quite pathetic, but I hoped it sounded genuine.
"What' the matter with Bella?" Tanya's voice was layered with false concern, and it was becoming increasingly more difficult to keep calm.
'Bella's about to rip your head off your pretty neck that's what the matter with Bella is!' I though sarcastically.
I heard Edward's breath released in a large gust of air, he was trying to fight the laughter.
"She's upset with me," Muttered Edward, I could hear his foot falls as he stepped towards Tanya. His breathing evened out again.
"What did you do?"
"I realized my mistake of course, Tanya, it's always been you, I don't know how I could have been so naive. I've hurt Bella with my blindness, but I need to follow what I want, and that's you."
I kept my head in the nook of Alice's neck and let out a retching sob, it was funny how Edward's words helped me regain my composure, he never said anything about love, he only implied it. I hadn't realized it was the one thing plaguing me. I could get through this as long as he didn't say he loved her. Love, although not coming close to how I felt about Edward, still held too much emotion, too much purity. I hadn't loved much in my life, but those who I did love were more special to me than my own life. That's how the word defined it's self to me, that why the relief was washing through me.
"But, Edward." The smile was evident in Tanya's voice now, her words were sugarcoated with lust. I stifled a building growl.
"Yes, we know, Tanya, he's a pig, a dog. As far as I'm concerned he's not my brother!" Rosalie said, turning on her heel and approaching me. I could see her feet from the corner of my eye. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head. "It's okay, Bella. We'll take care of you."
"Edward?" Esme's voice was laced with concern now, she'd inadvertently become a pawn in this charade. I was worried that she'd been dragged into this, she was too pure to do something like this, but she was still here, I hoped that it was her way of supporting us. "This is so unlike you,"
"Esme, I can't help how I feel." Edward's voice was becoming rough, my thoughts were distracting him, and his words were chipping away at me. I had to get out of here.
"Of course you can't, Edward." Tanya added in a sighing tone. I visualized the punch I threw at Jacob in my mind. Edward chuckled.
This was my cue to leave. I gently unraveled myself from the tangle of Rosalie and Alice's arms and rocketed towards the stairs, I passed Esme and I was in my room within seconds, but I left the door cracked. I threw myself on the bed and listened carefully.
"What have you done?" Alice's voice was shrill with feigned concern, but it was closing in on me, she was following me. I concentrated on the bubble, I could still feel Edward within it's confines.
This was so wrong, there was no excuse for what we were doing, but I knew that most of my siblings wanted to test Tanya's limits, they wanted to know how far she would take this, and I couldn't deny I was curious. I tried putting myself in her place, but I couldn't see where she was coming from, I couldn't find it in myself to identify with her.
Alice slipped into my room grinning. She fell down beside me on the bed, her dainty body barely made a movement through the mattress.
"She's trying to make a decision." Alice whispered, her voice was so low I was barely able to hear it. this wasn't going to work, I had things to say, questions to ask. I looked around the room for something, anything to help me have an easier conversation, I pulled open drawers until I found what I needed, a pen and paper.
This feels wrong, Alice.
I handed the paper to her and raised my eyebrows, she took the pen from me and scrawled out a note for me.
I understand Bella, I do. Tanya is essentially family. I think this is definitely a low point for her, you just have to look at it as an opportunity for her to redeem herself. Seriously, I think she's questioning her motives, she sees how this is effecting our family.
I thought about that, maybe this was her only redemption, maybe, if she changed her mind, Edward could play this off to me as a horrid joke, no that wouldn't work, Edward would never deceive me with such cruelty, maybe Tanya would come clean.
I took the pen from Alice and scrawled down my answer.
What if she doesn't, what if she keeps this up? At what point do we realize that she's gone past the point of redemption?
I passed the paper to Alice and she rolled her eyes. Looking at me she tapped her temple, and raised her eyebrows. I nodded, I understood, Tanya would have to make a decision, and Alice was looking for it.
I laid on the bed in silence and listened to the conversation that was going on downstairs.
"Tanya, you see the difference, don't you?" Rosalie asked.
"Rose, I don't know what's going on here, but you know how I have always felt about your brother, would you really deny me this happiness?" Tanya's voice was strained.
"If he wasn't married, no I wouldn't have a problem with this, but he is Tanya, he is married. To a girl he couldn't live without until, what, twenty minutes ago?"
"Rosalie," Edward's voice was stern.
"No, Edward. I don't want to hear it, especially not from you."
"Jasper?"
"No, Edward. I have already told you how I feel, and I won't be moved. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check on your wife."
"Wait for me, Jazz. This is making me sick." Rosalie's voice sang, her disgust rang clearly through her tone.
Then there was silence. It was almost deafening. My breathing hitched as I waited for someone to say something, but the words never came.
I heard the gentle footfalls of Rosalie and Jasper before I heard a word uttered downstairs. What was going on?
"Anything?" I mouthed silently at Alice.
She shook her head. I frowned. The silence was disconcerting and not knowing what was happening was beginning to worry me. I began drumming my fingers on the bed. The wait for anything was excruciating, my mind flew through several different scenarios, each one making me feel more angry, or guiltier than I already was.
Rosalie slid in the door and sat next to me patting my leg, her face was bright. Jasper embraced Alice in his arms as he stood in front of her. None of us could speak out loud because we would be heard. If we were going to say anything, it had to be about the situation.
Rosalie eyed the pen and paper and in one lithe movement had it in her hands. She wrote something quickly and handed it to me.
Carlisle is on the balcony, he's just staring at them. Tanya looks nervous, she hates upsetting Carlisle.
I motioned for the pen, but the silence was broken by Carlisle's even voice.
"Tanya, what's going on here?"
"I . . . Carlisle, I . . ."
Alice gasped and motioned for us to head to the balcony.
A/N: Okay, so I wrote this chapter out three times, I'm still not completely happy with it, but I would love to know your thoughts. However, the next chapter . . . All I can say is I had a blast writing it. I have a blast writing most of it really, LOL . . . confused, s'okay I confuse myself too sometimes. ;0)
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