I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING IN THE TWILIGHT UNIVERSE. I ONLY WISH I DID.

Helping Hand

Quil waved for Jacob to lead the way, then took a deep breath. His body was vibrating with millions of tingles, as if he got out of bed before he was completely awake. All of his nerves were screaming to take defensive action. How could Jacob be so calm and collected? They were the natural enemies of Quiliute.

As he followed Jake through the entryway, they were greeted by Edward and Esme, who was holding a tray of iced tea. " It's a long run from Port Angeles and I thought you might be thirsty." Quil froze at the door. It was mind boggling to be confronted with a bloodsucker that looked like she stepped out of a black and white rerun of Leave it to Beaver, from the pearl necklace to the apron around her waste. What did she need an apron for anyway? And what was the tea really made out of? Jake jumped in front of Quil and grabbed a glass. " Thanks Mom," he said through the large slurp he took. " Sweet, just the way I like it." Quil turned to Jacob with astonishment on his face. Was he this comfortable with these vampires that he would call her Mom? Jake had been Motherless for most of his life, but did he think she was a substitute?

Edward regarded Quil with wary amusement. " It's Lipton iced tea and we have to keep plenty on hand for Jacob. It's all he drinks. Quil still felt uncomfortable with Edward's mind reading. The pack was one thing, it being mutual, but with the vampire, it felt more like an invasion. Edward cringed and apologized. After another awkward moment, Quil took a glass and smiled. They were all trying very hard. Alice and Jasper were at the dining room table playing cards. Emmett and Rose were on the couch fighting over the remote. Bella was with Renesmee at the grand piano. All had stopped what they were doing to watch the interaction at the doorway. Esme smiled and made the hand motion to come in and set down.

His choice was to sit on the couch with Emmett and Rose, not,or the rocking chair, by the window . As he set down Esme's familiar scent assaulted his senses. This must be her chair. Quil looked up for her permission, her smile grew and she gestured to the glass. Before he could bring it to his lips, his stomach revolted at the putrid odor of the glass. With the smile on his face he held his breath and took a tentative sip. He hummed an appreciation and set the glass down on the table next to him. This seemed to please her and she took the now empty tray back to the kitchen.

Jacob had moved to the piano to be next to Nessie. Quil assumed that it was Nessie. He hadn't seen her for at least six months. Her third birth day was coming up but she looked more like twelve or thirteen. It was hard to tell exactly how old she looked, because as she moved she gave the impression that she was older. He couldn't pinpoint the precise reason. Maybe the way she held herself, her quiet calming manner. She was a miniature female Edward. Sorry Bella, but there wasn't much of a resemblance there. At the moment she was leaning against Jake, almost as if she were trying to hide from him. Was she afraid of me, Quil thought as he continued to watch the group by the piano. Nessie looked at me from under her dark bronze tresses, her chocolate brown eyes solemn. Tugging on Jake's arm to get his attention, she placed her hand on his cheek. Jake paused for a moment then answered her silent question. " He's sad because he misses Claire, you remember her, don't you?" Nessie nodded and then turned her sad gaze back to me. Once again she touched Jacob's cheek. " I think that would be nice," he replied and half turned her and pushed in my direction.

She took a few tentative steps my way and then she went down on her hands and knees. Emmett's laugh blared in the sudden stillness. Almost faster than I could blink, Bella, Jacob and Alice were at her side, but Edward was the quickest. Before her hands made complete contact, he had her in his arms. " You ok?" Edward asked, but he knew she was alright. Even though her growing had slowed down some, it still made her awkward, constantly having to adjust to the changes in her body.

Quil looked on and thought , now I see the Bella side coming out. Nessie gave her Dad a shy smile then advanced more carefully to my side. Her skin shimmered slightly in the track lighting of the living room. I waited for her speak, but she made no indication that she was going to. During the pause in conversation, I looked over Nessie's shoulder to Jacob for guidance. He gave me a nod of encouragement as Nessie raised her hand to my cheek. Instinct made me pull back. Instantly she lowered her hand and stepped back as well. Jake took a few steps toward us. " It's ok Quil, she just wants to talk to you. In her own special way. Let her touch you, it won't hurt at all."

Not wanting to offend the little girl, even though the thought of her touching him made his skin crawl, he hesitantly leaned down and let her petite hand make contact with his face. He was pleasantly surprised at how warm it felt. Quil expected it to feel more like the leeches he was used to. Edward's voice rumbled in his chest. Quickly, Quil thought words of apology and tried to let go of the tension in his body. Suddenly a perfectly clear picture of Claire playing by the river bank covered his entire vision. It was no more than a year ago. Must have been on an excursion that he was not privy to. He could imagine her bubbly laughter as she tried to make mud castles and not quite succeeding. Another image showed her dictating the building of the castle, little Nessie following the instructions, Claire pointed in the background. That's my girl he thought, she was a born leader. Then she showed him herself sitting with her toys, yet not having any fun with them. The last image was of himself. The dark circles under his eyes, added to the sadness and desperation.

Then he understood what she was trying to say. " Yes, Nessie, we all miss her. But don' t worry, we will find her and bring her back home." he looked to the group in front of him. " That's why I'm here. I need your help." Alice, who had moved back to the table, interrupted, frustration in her voice, " I've tried to look ahead, but I don't see wolf. And I just don't know Claire well enough." Jasper leaned forward and placed his hands on her tense shoulders. As he stared at her Quil could see her muscles relax and her voice went down an octave , it timbre less shrill. " I don't know what more I can do. With us on a Volturi alert, I spend all of my time with my head in the future. I just don't see anything. I'm sorry." The last was said with her head on Jasper's shoulder.

"The volturi are involved in this as well," Edward was looking intently on Quil, while he was speaking. A sharp breath escaped his mouth and he turned toward the kitchen.

Esme was at the kitchen counter, assembling a huge platter of sandwiches. The plastic gloves she wore, were making it hard to handle the bread, but she didn't mind. If it made her guests more comfortable, then she would gladly do it.

Silently arms snaked around her torso. Carlisle leaned in and nuzzled her neck. The sandwiches momentarily forgotten, she turned in his embrace. "What would you say, if I asked you to take a little hunting trip with me." Esme giggled at their code word for a little alone time, and said, "We went hunting yesterday." Carlisle lips burned a trail from her eyes to cheek then down her throat. " Well, I'm in the mood for hunting." Esme's giggles turned to deep throated sighs. " Let's you and me sneak out for a few minutes. The kids will be fine." Esme pushed away from him, " Carlisle, we have company." Carlisle pouted, "We always have company. The kids don't need us, listen." Alice was whining in the background. "See," Carlisle finished as he enfolded her into his arms again. Then Edward called his name. Esme stepped back, she would have blushed if she could and whispered, "See." Carlisle chuckled deep in his throat, and with his arms around her shoulders, made his way into the living room.

" Edward," Carlisle answered as he and Esme entered . The look on his son's face changed his stature. "What's wrong, Edward?" Esme grabbed Carlisle's hand for support. " The Volturi have started their hunt for the guard. The Vampires that went after Claire weren't looking for a meal. They wanted her for her abilities. The female was someone named Adell. The male's name is Micah."

Quil realized that Edward was reading his mind again. This time he did not seem to bother him. This was much faster and he didn't have to find the right words to say. Quil was never one for speeches. Quickly, he tried to remember everything he had seen and all of the conversations he had with the dream Claire. Edward smiled when he figured out that Quil was not upset that he was reading his mind, but was trying to help as well.

" Start from the beginning," Carlisle said as he walked closer to his son. Ed ward paused as he gave an appreciative glance Quil's way. " Well it seems that Claire has picked up some extraordinary psychic abilities in the last few months, maybe even days. She was located by a Volturi guard member named Adell, who was accompanied by another vampire named Micah." Again, Edward paused while he got his bearings.

"Micah?" Carlisle repeated, fear creeping into his voice. Edward's head snapped up, obviously picking up something from his mind. "You know him? Edward asked but he already knew the answer. Carlisle answered anyway, "I know of him. He used to be very close to Aro, Marcus, and Caius. But they had a falling out many years before I befriended them. It was only in a moment of depression that Aro disclosed any information. Micah is very old and very powerful." There was more, but Carlisle stopped not wanting to dwell on that long ago conversation that had changed his purpose in life. Micah has the ability to mock other people's talents."

"Whoa, wait a minute there Doc.," Jake interrupted, jumping into the conversation. " Do you mean that he can read minds like Edward, play with your feelings like Jasper, and see the future like Alice. That's whacked!"

Carlisle replied to Jake's enthusiasm, " He can collect two or three at a time. The abilities are only temporary. They fade with time. Micah is a foe to be reckoned with.

"How come we haven't heard of this guy before?" Emmett asked as he perked up at the mention of a confrontation.

Carlisle was hesitant to respond, "Micah is not stable. Extremely paranoid, and devoid of any conscience. He virtually disappeared off the face of the earth."

"Why haven't I seen him? Alice questioned doubting her own abilities. Jasper rubbing her back easing her guilt.

"He is also an excellent shield. He could walk by you and you would have no knowledge of it. At least that is what Aro told me. He could have been exaggerating."

"And he wants my Claire? Quil swallowed the acid that raced up his throat. Fear taking hold of his senses. He stood up and started pacing.

"That still doesn't help me," Alice chimed. " Adell is a dead end. No pun intended. And I have no connection to this Micah. Without a connection there is no thread to follow." Alice slumped down in defeat.

Quil followed the conversation from person to another, sinking into a soul searing depression. There had to be a way. There just had to be.

"Alice?" Jasper asked as he felt her presence slip, as it had so many times. Her facial muscles relaxed and her eyes grew out of focus. Everyone held their breath while her silent struggle continued. It was so quiet that the sound of the three heartbeats took on the sound range of jungle drums. After what seemed like an eternity, Alice's eyes focused and her body straightened up. She looked to Edward, who had grasped the situation from her mind.

"Jacob and Quil you'll want to phase. We've got company.

"Who?" Jacob demanded. "Where?" Quil asked at the same time.

Edward raced toward the door, but stopped when Bella and Renesmee followed. " You're not going anywhere. Just stay here!" He pleaded at Bella's look. There was no way that she was going to stand by and watch her family fight for their lives. " For Renesmee's sake. If they are looking for recruits, we don't want her anywhere near their path.

Torn between his duty and his imprint, Jacob hovered by her not able to move. Quil ran for the porch pulling off his shirt and throwing it aside. He made it to the woods edge and phased. Edward called close behind him, " It's on Quileute land. Sam's house. Emily is in danger."

THE VOLTURI ARE COMING THE VOLTURI ARE COMING. ARE YOU STILL CONFUSED OR DID THIS CHAPTER EXPAIN ENOUGH, MAYBE TOO MUCH? LET ME KNOW.