DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the Twilight characters. I'm just borrowing them for a while.

The Clearing

EdwardPOV

It was dark and still in the clearing. We were all prepared and in our places; Victoria would soon arrive. We heard a rustle in the woods surrounding us, and looked to Alice; she'd been pulled into a vision. I concentrated on her thoughts and saw the most horrible thing in the world.

My Bella, lying on the forest floor in pieces with me kneeling over her, crying. "No Bella, you shouldn't have done that!"

"Edward!" Alice screamed in her mind to me. "We need to get her out of here!" Only it was too late. Victoria had stepped into the clearing, Bella directly following. I cursed myself internally. How could I let her do this?

"... going to enjoy hearing you scream. How well do you think your precious Edward will take the news that his pet was killed?"

I walked out, coming close to stand aside my love. "You won't lay a finger on her." The rest of my family came out, forming a barrier around her.

"Oh, how touching, they all came. Too bad it's not enough. I'll get you even if I have to go through everyone you care about. That father of yours will do for a good snack, don't you ..." Victoria never got to finish her sentence because the next thing we all saw was Jasper attack Victoria. We all stood there in shock for a fraction of a second before Emmett and I sprang in to help Jasper. Bella made as if she was going to join but Alice held her back.

"No Bella, you can't. You'll get hurt! Rose! Help me, she's too strong." I heard my love struggle against my sisters as I fought Victoria while Emmett tried to get Jasper away and in control. The hate that radiated off everyone was too much; he'd lost control, but not before, thankfully, deciding to attack Victoria.

"Carlisle," I shouted, not releasing my hold on Victoria, "help Emmett get Jasper out. Get him under control." Carlisle stepped in and grabbed hold of Jasper who was struggling violently, with his help, he and Emmett managed to get him into the woods. Jasper wasn't leaving without a fight though, he threw a final attack, aiming for Victoria but getting me instead. I saw Jasper being yanked back and pushed into the woods by Carlisle and Emmett. I must have cried out, surprised by Jaspers attack and feeling the unforgettable burn in me because I saw Esme start forward, looking to help me when Victoria grabbed me by my neck, holding it at a painful angle.

"Another step and he's confetti,"

Esme stopped dead, fear for me evident in her eyes. Immediately after, Bella started fighting furiously against my sisters, screaming my name. Her screaming reminded me of that day in the studio with James. How she screamed, thrashing violently, then nothing. Not a sound. Only a single whimper escaped her beautiful lips. Her small whimper brought me back. She was on her knees, head down with her arms in Alice's and Rosalie's.

"He," Victoria spat my name, "is the one who took James away from me, all for his little pet. It would be so easy to just kill her and get out, but now, I think I'll kill them both."

No one moved and inch. Not even an unnecessary breath was taken.

"But, if I kill them both, they won't feel what I'm feeling. Won't go through the centuries, wanting to curl up in a ball and die. Won't wish every second that you could have one last kiss, that you could join them. I want you to feel what I've felt, what I am feeling, I want you to feel it for the rest of your existence. No one will be able to save you..." I was suddenly jerked backwards, finally being released from my prison. Jasper was there once again, only this time, he didn't have the disconnected look in his eyes. Victoria lay on her back, her red mane spread out in wild curls. Jasper grabbed an arm and leg, bracing himself against her middle, he pulled. Victoria's high pitched scream filled the air. Flinging the dismembered parts in separate directions, he was pushed aside by Emmett. His face had a stoic look that was very unlike him; he clamped on to a tangle of red hair and pulled. The air was pierced by a loud noise, then everything was silent. Dropping the red mess, Emmett looked at the rest of us. Rosalie rushed over to him and embraced him as if she were about to fall. Bella attacked me, hugging me so hard she'd have cracked all my ribs were I still human. Once she released me, I pulled her up and kissed her. It was soft, but full of emotion. When I looked back up, the rest of our family was with their partner.

"Let's clean up and go home." Jasper wasn't having any this time, we all helped pick up the severed parts and put them in a pile with dry leaves, taking out a lighter, we dropped it into the mess and walked away, silent but happy that it was over.