A/N: I decided that I should add another chapter because honestly, I don't know when I'll be able to update again. Thanks a bunch for reading! You guys are awesome! :))

I do not claim the rights to any of the characters from the Southern Vampire Mysteries or True Blood. Read, review, && enjoy! ^_^

Alcide arrived hours later, surprisingly alone. After hearing about what had just happened only hours earlier, I expected his reaction to the news to be…well, a little more of an overreaction than what he was displaying.

Like at least half his pack here type of an overreaction?

Instead, he had his sister Janice help Jason with the boys while he made the trip to New Orleans solo. And for added safety reasons, he assigned his pack to guard the house as well. He wasn't sure if there was danger and he didn't want to risk it.

Of course I was dead asleep when he arrived and after he ran a check on us, quickly briefing me with what was going on back in Bon Temps, I returned to my slumber in no time.

When I woke the next morning, I was surprised that no one was up already. It was almost noon. Both Sookie and Alcide are early risers, usually up by seven, the latest.

Well last night was a long night. I reminded myself as I went to the bathroom.

After my teeth was brushed and my face was washed, I retreated to the guest bedroom and phoned home. I wanted to hear my girls voice just to make sure that they were okay.

"Oh my god Bella! What the hell happened there that Alcide rushed over as soon as he could?!" Amy exclaimed the moment she answered. "I mean there's like a couple of Weres in my yard, two in yours. I'm actually scared to walk outside without Brad. I really don't know what's going on and I'm not sure who I should ask." she rambled but stopped suddenly. "Wait, are you guys okay? Please tell me you guys are okay."

I sighed heavily as I laid back down on the daybed, resting my head on the pillow. "We're fine. It was just a scare-"

"Please tell me you're not in the hospital. How is the baby? You didn't go into early labor right?"

"No, no. I'm not. I mean, I didn't. We're fine. The baby and I are fine, I promise."

She groaned. "Oh thank god."

"We didn't know how dangerous coming here was gonna be…"

For a brief moment, she was silent. I didn't know what to say so I just waited for her.

"Dangerous how exactly? Is it the vampires? Are they after you guys or something? Was her cousin involved with the supernatural mob? If that even exists."

I smiled to myself. "No, god no. Nothing like that." I said. "Its kind of a long story."

"Trust and believe me when I say this Bella, love, I have time." she said with a snort.

Of course.

I rolled my eyes. "Well the short version, Sookie's cousin was a vampire when she died…again. And her landlord is a witch who placed a spell on her apartment to preserve everything for when Sookie came. Her cousin, however, has been dead for quite some time."

"Okay. Boring. Can you get to the dangerous parts?" she insisted impatiently.

"Well because of the spell…it also froze a freshly turned vampire. So by coming here the other night, we broke the spell and woke him up."

She gasped, "Did the newborn hurt you guys? What happened? Please tell me you staked him before he sank his fangs into either of you."

Oh my god. I'm getting there. I mentally groaned.

"Amy, really?" I said, irritation just below the surface. "Anyways, he came after us. Sookie first but then I managed to distract him-"

"Bella! What the hell were you thinking?!"

"Um I was thinking that I didn't want him biting her, thank you very much." I hissed. "So anyways, as I was saying, he ran after me. He knocked me down in the hallway. But I managed to land on him, so don't worry."

She gasped. "Oh no. The baby."

"But we're fine now. The baby is fine." I said, trying to reassure her.

"Did you go to the hospital? What happened after that?"

"Well this is where I cant explain exactly what happened because this has never happened to me before. But thankfully this was what saved my life." I said. "Well…our lives, actually."

"What are you talking about? You discovered a new power?"

"Um…I'm going to let you be the judge." I said slowly. "The newborn…well, he bit into me.-"

She gasped. "Oh no…"

"-He tore a pretty big piece of my neck out as he fed from me." Amy gasped again, louder this time but remained silent. Its about damn time. "But then my entire body, and I do mean my entire body, burst into flames. Dripping from my hair down to my toes, I was literally on fire with flames blazing wildly."

"Really?" she whispered with amazement.

I nodded. "The clothes that I was wearing, it turned to ashes in a matter of seconds. The vampire beneath me, he burned pretty good too before pushing me off of him. I mean everything happened so fast, I didn't realize it was happening until I saw my own reflection." I said still in shock. "It was surreal. And scary. I didn't know how to turn it off. It was cool at first…but then it frightened me because I don't know where that came from. And when I try to think about it…" I stopped. "Amy, honey, I don't think it was me. The power and strength of the fire that burned…" I paused. "…Amy, I think it came from my belly."

From my baby.

For a good minute or two we were silent. I knew Amy was trying to process this.

Hell, I'm still trying to wrap my own head around it.

"When are you coming home?"

I shrugged, "Well, soon, I think. I mean Sookie still has some packing to do…"

"Okay, well I don't know. Maybe your power increased because you were scared." she said. "The baby isn't even fully formed yet…I think. So…" she trailed off trying to rationalize what I was saying.

I shook my head. "No. I've been scared before and never had I burst into flames like that. Anger is usually what causes the fire from within. But it never consumed my entire body."

"Because you never needed it until that very moment." she said.

"You're not listening." I groaned. "The strength, the core to the fire itself, I was channeling it from another place that feels foreign to me. I know this sounds crazy, but I can't help but feel like it was my unborn child who saved me." I said softly. "We share a deep connection as it is. If my baby can feel what I feel, who's to say that my unborn child can't do the same to me?"

For a moment, Amy was silent. "If it is true, Bella, we won't know until your child is grown. To see the power that he or she possess will be proof of what happened last night." she said. "But I've never heard of something like that. Believe me, I read…a lot." she paused. "And if it is true, your child will be one powerful being."

"I don't know whether or not I should be worried."

"Where's the vampire now?"

"Eric took care of that."

"Eric was there too and he had the nerve to let that vampire sink his fangs into you? What the fuck?!"

"Yes, he was but he came after everything that happened." I told her. "He didn't know that we were even here."

"Oh…" she whispered, probably mentally scolding herself for thinking horribly about our savoir. "Wait, how did he know where you were if he didn't know you guys were in town?"

"The bond."

"Of course." she said. And I could imagine her rolling her eyes. "Well thank goodness your blonde god was there to clean up the mess Sook's cousin made."

"We don't know for sure who turned him. And quite frankly, I don't want to know. I just want to get this over with and go home."

"You and I both honey."

There was a soft knock on the door. "You up?" Alcide asked, opening the door further as he peeked his head in. "I want to talk to you."

I sat up immediately with my phone to my ear. "Amy, let me call you back. Kiss the girls for me and tell them I love them."

"Okay and you stay safe. You and baby, alright."

"Yeah, okay." I said just before hanging up on her. "Yeah, what's up?" I asked Alcide.

"How are you and the baby?" he asked, leaning against the door frame with his face stony as a brick wall.

I could still see anger. Maybe with himself or probably with us. I couldn't differ.

Fudge.

I bit my lip, "We're fine. I swear."

He furrowed his brows as he glanced down to his feet. "I know that you're going to go against me on this but I will feel better knowing that the both of you are okay."

"I'm fine. The baby is fine too." I insisted.

"Bella, please. Let me take you to the hospital. Just to be sure." he said softly. "Please." he begged. I started to shake my head. He growled, "Well let me at least have a doctor here to check on the baby."

I swallowed hard. "Eric gave me his-"

"You let his blood go to the baby?" he asked in utter disgust at the thought.

I frowned, knowing the feeling. Believe me, I didn't want to do it if I didn't think it was an emergency. Hell, I was bleeding out from the side of my neck.

What other option did I have? It really was a life or death situation…

"If you saw the wound, you would understand that the choice I had to make was to save both of our lives."

He shot his head up, meeting my gaze with fire in his eyes. "If I was here neither of you would have gotten into that mess last night." he growled. "And the baby wouldn't have vampire blood in his or her system."

Double fudge.

"We didn't know." I said softly. "Please don't punish us." I pleaded. "If I see that doctor and put your mind at ease, will you…" I trailed off, unable to find the right word.

He gritted his teeth and nodded slowly. "We're leaving as soon as possible." he said. "I'll make that phone call. Until then, just rest." he said, turning around, closing the door behind him.

He's worse than my father. I cant imagine what its like to be married to him. I thought. Poor Sookie.

I almost felt like a prisoner in that room. I was literally afraid of even going to the bathroom. I didn't want Alcide to snap knowing his temper was on edge thanks to the events that took place the night before.

It wasn't until Dr. Ludwig (a small, old woman) arrived that I found the strength to leave the room and get my business done before she performed her check up.

"The babies fine. Nothing to worry about." she said in an irritated tone. "They are all healthy wolf." she added, turning to him as she closed her black leather bag. "Now that I confirmed it will you sit down and relax?" she groaned.

"What about the vampire blood? What will that do to the baby?"

I was curious about that too. At the time, I never thought about it but now that Alcide mentioned it, I was starting to worry too.

She raised a brow to him. "The blood that she ingested has healed the wounds as expected. Nothing more." she said. "What exactly are you worried about wolf?"

"The baby will be normal right?" I asked for him.

She grinned at me, "And by normal you mean the child wont be born half vampire?" she chuckled. "Impossible. Believe me, tests has been done so neither of you has anything to worry about."

Why didn't I think of that? I asked myself as I felt my face go white. That's all I need is a vampire hybrid. I mentally groaned. An effin Blade.

"Let me see you out." Alcide insisted.

She put up her free hand, "Fuck off. I don't need anyone's help." she hissed as she walked over to the door. "Take care of yourself and try not to get into anymore shit." she told me. "I don't like to travel far no matter how much anyone pays me." she said just before walking out.

I glanced over at Sookie as I sat up. "Well she was nice."

Sookie nodded, "You don't want to see her when she's pissed." she shivered. "I'm glad that both you and the baby are fine." she said, standing to her feet. "Now lets finish packing so we can get out of here."

You don't have to tell me twice.

Even though there were three of us and we were working twice as hard and twice as fast to get this packing and loading over with, it took us literally the rest of the day, into the evening. And by then we were all exhausted.

"I'm going to take a nap." I told them softly as I made my way onto the daybed.

As hungry as I was, sleep came quickly. In no time flat, I was out cold.

My slumber, however was plagued by a nightmare. Thankfully, it wasn't the same one that I continually had. But it was still a nightmare.

I'm standing in the middle of a single dirt road with a crow perched on an old farm fence directly across of me. Jake is on the left side of me. He is holding a stake with a silver tip in one hand over a small woman's chest. But something about her seems familiar as I take in her soft, delicate porcelain skin and her beautiful rich, brown hair with a red tint.

Do I know her? Why do I feel like I know her? Surely I've seen her somewhere?

As I tried to sift through my memories, slowly coming up with nothing, I couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity towards her. Deep down, I knew her, either from reality, a dream, or vision. The question was…

Where?

In Jake's other hand, there's a grenade with numbers and hands like how you would find on the face of a clock.

How strange.

I know he wants to cause harm, I can tell by the look on his face.

He's furious. But why? What have this woman ever done to him?

She doesn't appear to be dangerous. She's quite petite, almost fragile looking.

Maybe a love affair gone wrong?

Behind him, there's Eric with an unreadable expression as he's grasping someone wrapped in a white sheet. I only know that he's holding a woman by the looks of her gorgeous cream pumps.

And she has expensive taste too. I mentally noted. I just hope that isn't me…

I glance over to my right. There's a man that I've never seen before. He is roughly under six feet, definitely taller than me. His hair is dark brown, its short and curly. He has these big brown eyes. I swear, if he didn't have a wooden stake over Eric's heart and a smug, malicious sneer, I might've think he was quite an attractive man.

I looked from my left to my right. Deep down, I knew that I had to make a choice, I just didn't know why. But it was obvious to me which choice I would make.

Eric.

He held a special place in my heart, not a big place, but enough to make an impact. A life without him wouldn't be the same. Just the thought alone scared me.

Never will I be at the mercy of this stranger…no matter how good looking he is.

I knew right then and there that I would sacrifice that small woman to save Eric.

"Bella!" Sookie shook me awake as she gently gripped my shoulders. "Hey, you're having a nightmare." she whispered.

My eyes fluttered open as they tried to adjust to the light.

"I was?" I asked, slowly waking up.

She sat back and nodded. "We heard-or more like Alcide heard you crying." she said softly. "Was it Jake? Were you having a nightmare about that night?"

I squinted up at her as I frowned. "No."

She sighed softly with relief. "Well lucky you. I'm still trying to recover from that awful night."

I sat up slowly, "What time is it?"

"You were asleep for less than an hour." she said. "How about some warm milk?" she offered in a motherly tone.

I couldn't help but smile as I nodded, "Sure."

It was just pass nine when there was a knock on the door. I didn't have to sneak a peek to know that it was Eric behind that door.

Hopefully he's not here with bad news.

Alcide got up to open the door. "Northman." he partially growled.

I could hear slight antipathy in his voice.

He should actually be thanking Eric. He was the one who saved both our asses.

"You feel it too?" Sookie asked.

I just nodded as my eyes darted to Eric's.

"May I come in?" he asked in a smooth tone, never tearing his eyes off of me.

I wanted so badly to squirm in my seat. But I refused to let him know how uncomfortable he was making me feel. Of course it took a moment for me to remember that he had my blood and that I had his so he already knew how I felt.

Fudge.

"Alcide." Sookie said to her husband who, after a moment, stepped aside. "Please, Eric. Do come in." she said rather politely.

He grinned at me before turning his gaze upon her. "Thank you Sookie." he said as he strolled in like a supermodel. "I have news about that newborn problem."

Alcide closed the door before taking his seat beside Sookie. "Is that so?"

I swallowed hard, "Jake?" I said softly as my nightmare sat in the back of my mind. "How is he?"

"Did he get into trouble for what happened?" Sookie asked sympathetically. "Does he remember who turned him?"

Alcide released a low growl, clearly peeved that Sookie had any sympathy for a vampire that could've easily killed us both.

I frowned at Alcide and shook my head at him. "This thing with vampires and Weres are quite prejudice Alcide." I said, disappointed. "He was a Werewolf first, most likely turned without choice." I said, finding my ground and standing strong as I sat up straight. "You of all people should have some sympathy for the man regardless if you didn't know him."

His eyes narrowed as he stared at me. "He almost killed you and the baby, Bella. If he had succeeded, he would've turned on Sookie next." he said through gritted teeth. "How do you think that makes me feel? Both my sons would be left without a mother. Your girls too." he reminded me.

Sookie immediately grew small as she sunk into the couch.

Fudge.

"Double fudge."

I didn't know what to say because he was right.

But still…

He should at least understand that Jake was not in his right state of mind. Hunger took over and if he truly did succeed, I'm sure our deaths would be on his conscious.

"Fine. But that is not Eric's fault." I said after a long pause. "What's your excuse then?" I pressed. His icy glare slowly fading as his eyes softened. I could see pain and anger fighting each other in his eyes. I sighed, placing a hand on his arm. "Let it go." I whispered, feeding him a calm, soothing feeling.

He closed his eyes and nodded. "I know what you're doing." he said. "I'll confront you about it later."

I turned to Eric who watched me with raised brows. I may not know what he was thinking but I knew at this moment he had mixed feelings. He was angry and yet somewhat envious and curious about what was going on between Alcide and I.

Oh sugar.

"The newborn?" I asked him as I placed both my hands in my own lap. "You were saying?"

He nodded slowly, breaking out of thought. "Yes. Jake." he said, turning to Sookie. "The queen is taking care of him at the moment. Unfortunately, he still hasn't regained his memories. But its not uncommon for some newbie's. Its quite obvious his turning was somewhat tragic and knowing that he was born a wolf, it was also against his will…"

"So what's going to happen to him?" I asked, curious. "Can he still change-?"

"He's a vampire Bella." Alcide hissed. "He's lost to us now." he said, rather mournfully.

I bit my bottom lip, "Oh."

"The queen has taken him under her wing. She has a feeling that he's Hadley's child and well…" Eric paused, taking that time to occupy the nearest arm chair before continuing. "…she's become quite fond of him." then he turned to me. "The queen has requested your presence as guests to her annual spring ball."

Just me or everyone?

"I don't want to go. I think I've gotten into enough trouble as it is."

"Would it be rude of us to turn her down?" I asked him immediately. "I mean after our nightmare with the newborn…" I paused, glancing over at Alcide and Sookie. "…I think its safe to say that we've had our share of vampire run ins for the week."

Alcide huffed but remained tight lipped.

Thank god.

Sookie smiled at me as she nodded. "I'm really anxious to see my kids." she said. "I hope you understand."

Eric shrugged. "She feels the need to apologize. Surely this isn't what she was expecting for the remaining relatives of Hadley." he said. "Jake as well. He feels terrible for what he's done." Eric said, almost spitting out those last words.

I could tell Jake wasn't his favorite person at the moment.

"I prefer if we headed out first thing in the morning." Alcide said. "Its quite a drive, especially with a pregnant woman."

Eric glanced over to him and then back at me. "I thought we discussed this? You were leaving with me."

Ugh.

"I don't recall agreeing to anything Eric." I said, rather coyly. "If I remember correctly, it was you who insisted accompanying us on our way back to Bon Temps." I said. "But I assumed that since Alcide is here, well…there isn't nothing for you to worry about."

His eyes narrowed.

"Uh oh. I know that look."

I turned to see Sookie standing to her feet.

Wait, what?

"As awkward as this is, its getting awfully late and I'm spent." she said, yawning as she walked towards the hallway, turning around. "Please, send our gratitude to the queen and with sincere apology that we wont be able to make it to her spring ball." she said to Eric. "I'm sure it's a lovely party."

Um, what are you doing? I scowled inwardly. Damn it Sookie.

Eric, never tearing his piercing stare off of me simply nodded. "I'll let the queen know." then he stood up slowly as he ran his hands down the front of his body. "Isabelle, may I have a word with you?" he asked softly. "Alone?" he added, glancing over to Alcide.

No?

Before Alcide could object, I stood up and followed Eric outside to avoid anymore drama for the evening.

"Yes?" I said, innocently.

"Don't leave without me." he said with his back towards me. "You don't have to go to the ball tomorrow, just…" he trailed off.

I looked down at my feet.

Soon I wont be able to see my feet at all.

I sighed heavily. "Fine. I'll wait." I groaned. He didn't have to say it, I already knew that with him being at my side, it will put his mind at ease. "When do you want to leave?"

He turned his head to the side as he glanced back at me. "I can book us a flight for tomorrow evening."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't sound so happy about it Eric." I said. "You do realize you're just chaperoning me, right?"

He turned then, grinning widely. "You think that just because you're pregnant, becoming a mother again, that we cant have a relationship?"

Um, yeah.

"You're a vampire."

"You think that I would harm your children?"

Maybe. I thought about it. No.

I shrugged. "I cant marry you Eric. And you know why." I said. "We can be friends…"

His grin faded. "I know that we will never have what they have, for I am vampire." he said. "That's not why I asked you to marry me."

I rolled my eyes, "For protection. I get it."

He shook his head as he furrowed his brows, stepping closer. "Do you, really?" he asked. "Do you know what my world is like? Do you have any idea?" he asked softly. "Because I don't think that you do."

"You have enemies, I have enemies. What's new?"

"A kept woman is a safe woman." he stated. "If you don't choose me…" he paused. "…choose one of the brothers."

"What?" I scoffed as I stepped back. "Are you high? Did you not hear anything that I had said to you last night?"

He has got to be kidding me!

"Believe it or not, Gabe isn't as bad as you think he is."

Ha! I'll be the judge of that.

"Eric…"

"Join me tomorrow evening. I will give you a glimpse to what the night world is like. Maybe then you might reconsider."

I cocked a brow to him. "You wouldn't be putting me in direct danger right?"

He flexed his jaw as he bent his head low. "I would never intentionally place you in harms way."

In his night world? Ha! Anything is possible.

A/N: So what did you think of this chapter? I know it didn't get very far. But I must build the anticipation ; LOL! Thanks for reading && please, if you have the time, review :)) I would love to hear your opinion about which direction I should take this story.