A/N: Sorry for the wait all. Life has been full of epic fails for the last few weeks. First ffn died, then I was miserably ill (and I freaked out and thought I had swine flu, luckily I didn't), then my lovely-except-right-now-I-want-to-kill-him boyfriend stepped on my laptop and cracked the screen, so I had to wait for a new one courtesy of his bank account, and then it was my birthday on the 26th of August (which was not a fail, except for the ensuing hangover), and then I got food poisoning. Basically everything was against me posting chapter 10 and my life was like a month-long version of Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day, so hopefully the chap is good and I can laugh at the universe for all of its useless fuckery.

Some of my time was also taken up writing an entry for the "For the Love of Jasper" one-shot contest. It's on my profile if you'd like to check it out. Heartfail. You've been warned.

I know you're all getting impatient for E/B time, so I promise after this chapter there will be bulk fluff for a little while.

This chapter is dedicated to my fellow rehabbers Frenchbeanz ("Juggernaut") and Emmie (aka Ivy Kelley, "For the Love of Bella") for pretty much single-handedly bringing me to 80 reviews this past week. If you're not reading their fics, you should be, what's wrong with you. Thanks for the support ladies!

Ok, this A/N is probably longer than the chapter now. Sorry.

Disclaimer: I think you know the drill by now. It's not mine.

Chapter 10: Visitors

When we last left off, Bella had crossed the treaty line, and the boys found themselves strolling into the Cullen's backyard in search of their lady friends.

BPOV

Oh shit. Oh shit oh shit oh shit.

I was across the treaty line. I'd only known about the damn thing for a week and I already screwed up. I kept completely still, hoping not to spread my scent, but I knew that was pretty much useless. I had no doubt that the wolves had a sense of smell that was nearly as good as my own. I tried to think about how badly this could turn out. I could die, naturally. The Cullen's lives would be at risk too, and Alice's.

Essentially, I was fucked.

I nearly pulled out all of my hair in frustration and, if I was being honest with myself, a little bit of fear. Which turned into a huge amount of fear when I heard approaching thoughts. I let out a long sigh of relief when I realized I recognized them.

Isa!

I turned on the spot and saw Alice and Carlisle standing about 100 yards away, just on the other side of the line.

Alice looked horrified. Carlisle looked like he was concentrating very hard.

Bella, I don't hear them coming, we might be able to retreat and have them be none the wiser. Follow the same path you took in so your scent doesn't spread any further. Come slowly.

He waved his arm, beckoning me forward. I began walking, making sure I stepped on the same broken twigs and hit the same hanging branches on the way back. Once I crossed the line again the three of us took off for the Cullen's house, Carlisle and Alice listening for any approaching sounds while I listened for any approaching thoughts.

We managed to make it back to the house in one piece, and were convinced we hadn't been followed. Rose, Emmett, and Esme had moved inside, and we found them in the living room when we arrived, waiting for us.

Esme rushed forward to me immediately. She wrapped her arms around me and held me to her. I froze with shock, and heard Rose snort in disgust at the gesture.

"Oh Bella, we were – "

Rose cleared her throat.

" – ahem, Emmett and I were so worried about you. Alice saw that you were going to cross the line and I was afraid they'd catch you – "

"Esme, just because we made it away from the line doesn't mean they won't eventually find out. We need to be prepared in case that happens. But for right now, I think we need to have a family meeting about the human boys, and what we're going to do about this," Carlisle said.

I heard Alice gulp beside me.

Isa, you don't think they'll…kill them, do you? Because they know about us? It'll be all our fault…

I made a slight shake of the head that only Alice would notice. I definitely didn't think Carlisle would allow that to happen, but I personally couldn't think of any alternative.

Carlisle continued.

"I want this to be a calm and civil discussion – " he shot a look to Rosalie, " – and I don't want any rash decisions to be made."

We all sat down on the couches. Al and I ended up being isolated on the loveseat, clearly outsiders, and the sole causes of this situation.

Emmett gently nudged Rosalie and she piped up first. I cringed and prepared myself for her tearing me a new one.

"Ok, listen girls."

Alice looked worried beside me.

Rosalie glanced over at Emmett, her face slightly pleading. Emmett simply raised his eyebrows and nodded towards Alice and me. Rose sighed, her shoulders slumping.

"I may have been too hard on you lately. I admire you both for wanting to change your feeding habits, and while I'm not happy that you can't just do that yourselves and not live with us – "

Emmett elbowed her in the side. Rose smacked him in the back of the head, then continued.

"While I'm not exactly thrilled about that, I do understand that it's really difficult and you could use all the help you can get. Until recently, you hadn't done anything to make me doubt your intensions or make me not trust that you wouldn't bring harm to my family. However, not only have you exposed yourselves, and by association the rest of us, to humans, you've crossed the treaty line and have now brought the wrath of the wolves upon us as well. And if the wolves should find out about those humans? Well, I don't really want to think about it, but it won't be pretty."

Though shocked at Rosalie's speech, Alice and I couldn't help but bow our heads in shame. She was right about all of it, of course. This family had taken us in and helped us adjust to a new life, and we'd taken it all for granted and put them all in danger. We would have to leave, that much was clear, and take our chances with the wolves by ourselves.

But Rose wasn't finished yet, and the shocks just kept coming.

"I can relate to falling for someone while they're human," she glanced to Emmett with a smile, "but our situations are entirely different and I think you're both fools to be going anywhere near those boys. Not just for the sake of our secret, but for their safety as well. And as for the wolves? Well, I've always hated them, so you can rest assured that if they want to get to you, Bella, they'll have to go through all of us first."

I stared wide-eyed at Rose, not able to put any coherent thoughts together into words. Where the hell did this change of heart come from? Alice was thinking the same thing.

Isa, I think she hit her head. Like, really hard. Or maybe she's drunk…can we get drunk? I don't even know…but something's weird.

Rose actually snickered at the looks on our faces.

"I know, this probably all sounds a bit strange, since I haven't exactly been your biggest fans."

Well that's the understatement of the century…

I glanced at Emmett, who was smirking at me.

"Just know that I mean what I say, and I also mean it when I say that if anything happens to my family because of either of you two, I will not hesitate to rip you limb from limb and throw you to the wolves – and I mean that quite literally."

Alice and I both nodded, and Emmett winked at us. I had no doubt that he had everything to do with Rosalie's little speech, since he was basically the only one who could reason with her. Even Carlisle looked confused.

"Um…yes, well. Thank you Rose, for your…input. Now, about the boys. I – "

There was a loud knock at the door. Everyone froze, then turned to me. We'd all been listening so intently to Rosalie that none of us noticed people approaching the house. I quickly listened in.

…pay for this. We've got them this time…

…hope Jacob doesn't overreact like he always does. Kid's got the worst temper…

My eyes widened in horror. This could only be bad news. Carlisle noticed my reaction and put his hand up, silently requesting that everyone stay seated. Rose ignored his gesture and stood, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the entryway. He sighed, but got up and went to answer the door. I glanced at Alice beside me, who looked confused, slightly angry, and kept shaking her head. My questions would have to wait, though, because Carlisle had opened the door.

"Sam, Jacob, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Save it leech. One of you crossed the line. Hand them over, and maybe we'll – "

"Enough, Jacob," the one called Sam snapped. I chanced a glance over to the door and got a good look at our visitors. Both were extremely tall with dark, reddish skin and long black hair. Sam, who looked older than the other, wore his hair down, while the younger man named Jacob had his pulled back into a ponytail, tied with a leather strap. Both were very muscular, and gave off a particularly pungent, woodsy odour that wasn't exactly pleasant. I remembered Carlisle explaining how the wolves smelled that first time they met them in the woods. Obviously, these were the Quileutes.

Sam seemed very unhappy with Jacob.

Stupid boy, I told him I would be handling this. If he goes against my orders once more…

Sam shook his head, halting his thoughts, and began speaking to Carlisle.

"Cullen. One of our boys caught a new scent this morning, definitely one of your kind." He wrinkled his nose, as if at the memory of the scent. I guess we didn't smell too good to them either. "Was it one of your family? I would appreciate honesty, though I can't promise it will change the outcome. You all know better."

Carlisle sighed.

Honesty would be best, I suppose. Don't worry, Bella.

"Sam, Jacob, would you like to come in and allow me to explain?"

Carlisle moved to the side to allow them to pass. Both hesitated. Eventually they moved slowly into the room, but stopped a few feet from the door and refused to move any further. Rosalie, the nearest to them, hissed quietly but otherwise stayed silent. Carlisle came back into the living room and sat down once more. The men's eyes immediately landed on Alice and me. Jacob, I noticed, began to tremble slightly. Sam put a hand on his arm and he calmed, but his face remained taut with fury.

With a last glance at the two of us, Carlisle began his explanation.

"Sam, Jacob, this is Alice and Bella. They came to us a week ago asking for our help, to change their ways and adapt to our diet. You can see by their eyes that it has been some time since they've had human blood."

Confused, I looked at Carlisle with a questioning glance. Esme noticed and answered with a smile.

"Your eyes, girls. They were bright red when you came here, but with all the animal blood you've been drinking, they've started to develop a slight gold tinge around the edges. In a few months, they will be completely gold, barring any…slip-ups."

Jacob had started to tremble again. Carlisle attempted to put him at ease.

"I can assure you both that, had Bella and Alice officially decided to make their home with us, we would have informed you immediately. The current situation is more of a trial period, to insure they will be able to stick with our life style."

"And why were they on our property blood-sucker? Forget to mention that little detail to your new pets?" Jacob growled.

I struggled to hold in my giggle, reminded of the first day we met Emmett and his desire to 'keep us' like a couple of stray kittens.

Carlisle sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, while Sam shot another warning glare at Jacob. Jacob's reaction was one of shame, and I immediately pictured a scolded dog with its tail between its legs. Appropriate, I thought to myself.

"We did tell the girls about the treaty, the very first day they came to us. However, my mistake occurred by not showing them the treaty line myself. I merely vaguely explained the area it was located and expected them to know precisely where I was talking about. It was extremely foolish of me, as they are new to the area and really would have no idea what I was speaking of. Then earlier today, my family and I…overburdened Bella, and she went for a run to clear her head and accidentally crossed the line. I can assure you that as soon as she realized her mistake she turned right around and came back to our side. She meant no harm at all, and will definitely not be doing it again."

None of you ever 'mean no harm', leech…your very existence is harmful…

Jacob's thoughts were scathing and I glanced at him briefly, not quite understanding his malice. He noticed me looking and appraised me curiously. I quickly looked away.

Weird, it's almost like that one heard me or something…

He shook his head and returned his attention to the conversation. Sam, though appearing sceptical, seemed to relax minutely.

He's never lied to us before…damn, I hate how easy it is to trust him!

I smirked, knowing full-well what Sam meant. Jacob glanced at me inquisitively again, but averted his gaze once Sam began speaking.

"As much as I hate to say this, Cullen…you've been true to your word for a long time and we've never had a problem with you since the treaty was made. I'm willing to let this one transgression go, but be warned that we will be watching you even more closely than before. And remember, should any of you cross the line again, we will not be so lenient." His voice was strained as he spoke – it was clearly an effort for him to control his anger and relent. I also couldn't help but notice that his eyes drifted to me while he was speaking.

Carlisle breathed a sigh of relief and didn't seem shocked at all. I was surprised, to say the least, that he was going so easy on me.

The pack is still too young for any full-fledged battle…no control, no restraint, no skill. But next time…we'll be ready…

Ah. So that's it. Sam was only trying to protect his pack, knowing the vampires, now six strong, could very well overpower his undertrained wolves. Jacob didn't seem to agree. He stared at Sam, then myself, with murderous eyes and began to tremble violently. At first, I thought he was having some sort of fit – until I remembered Carlisle's memory, and how the tribesmen acted just before they…

Shit.

Rosalie was too close, and Jacob was young, with no control. He would undoubtedly lunge for whoever was nearest.

I ran forward and grabbed Rose's shoulders, pulled her back to my chest, and leapt back out of the way just as Jacob phased in a snarling explosion of fur, teeth and claws – and landed, claws tensed, teeth bared, exactly where Rosalie had been standing moments before. Sam was furious.

"OUT JACOB! NOW!" he roared and pointed towards the still-open door. Jacob, still snarling, retreated for the exit. He nearly couldn't fit, but was finally gone from the house.

Sam shook his head, and let out a long breath.

"I apologize. He's young and lacks control. I'll be sure to have a…talk with him." His eyes narrowed. I imagined it wouldn't be as much of a talk as a scolding. "Don't forget what I said Cullen. No more second chances."

And with that, he turned and stalked out of the house in search of Jacob.

Rosalie, who had been momentarily stunned, suddenly realized I still had a hold of her shoulders and quickly shrugged me off. I was worried I'd overstepped an invisible line by touching her, but couldn't bring myself to regret my actions. Though I had no doubt that she could hold her own against the wolf, a fight in the middle of Esme's pristine living room was the last thing we needed.

She turned, eyeing me curiously, then gave me a little smirk.

"Thank you, Bella."

I hope she doesn't think I owe her something now…

I returned her smirk and shook my head. She nodded, then walked to Emmett's side.

"Well, that went better than I expected…Alice? Are you alright?" The concern in Carlisle's voice caused me to turn quickly to look at Alice, who was visibly upset. She was shaking her head, much as she had when the Quileutes first arrived, and was clearly frustrated.

What's wrong with me?! I can't see! I didn't see them coming, and nothing is coming – oh!

Alice's frantic thoughts were replaced by a strong vision. Even without Alice's gift, I knew this was going to happen very, very soon just by how vivid and clear it was.

…Edward and Jasper arguing inside of their apartment…Jasper storms off with Edward on his heels…the boys walking through the forest, following the river…coming to a clearing and seeing a large, white mansion…

"Isa!"

Oh no. They were coming here.

"What is it Alice? What did you see?" Esme stepped forward and the look in her eyes shocked me. They oozed a fierce, powerful protectiveness that I'd never seen in her before.

If those wolves think I'll allow them within an inch of my family again…

I was nearly overcome with emotion when I saw, in Esme's mind, flashes of the faces of her family – Alice and I were among them.

"The boys! The human boys! They're coming here, I don't know why, or how they found us. They're – "

"Here."

Alice looked at me, horrified. I could only nod, confirming what I had said. Jasper's thoughts were ringing clear from the backyard.

Look at the size of this place! And the whole back wall is glass! Man, if the girls live here, I want in too…our entire apartment building could fit inside there…

The Cullens all looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Humans here, and so soon after the wolves have left…

Carlisle shared my exact concern. Would they be able to smell the boys, and come back?

Only Emmett seemed to not see any problems.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Don't just leave them out there! Invite them in…for dinner!" He broke out in an evil scientist-style laugh and put the tips of his fingers together into a pyramid. Rosalie elbowed him hard in the side, while the rest of us chuckled, glad for the break in tension. I turned to Carlisle for some advice.

"Go. We'll be here, listening for the wolves and if…anything else should happen."

I knew he was speaking of my control around Edward. I hoped being outside, and not in the confined space of his bedroom, would help with that. Esme nodded her approval with a large smile, while Rosalie, surprisingly, stayed silent on the matter.

So, with the Cullen's support, Al and I made for the back door.

EPOV

"We're where, Jazz?" I looked at the enormous house to my left, my mouth hanging open in awe at the sheer size of the thing. Didn't vampires sleep in crypts? In like, cemeteries? With bats and cobwebs and coffins? This place had huge windows everywhere and…is that a garden I see?

"The pull's gone man, can't you tell? We must be where they are. They must be in there. Should…do you think we should knock? Isn't there that thing with vampires that you can't enter the house unless they invite you…oh wait, we'd have to be the vampires for that to –"

Suddenly the back door opened and we froze. Bella, and who could only be Alice, stepped out of the house and into the yard, walking slowly toward us. I knew first-hand they were capable of much faster speeds. This slow, cautious movement was completely for our benefit. Though I appreciated the gesture, I just really wanted Bella to get her ass over here.

We waited for them to speak first, since neither of us could think of a good explanation for why we were here.

They stopped walking a good 10 yards away from us, clearly not wanting to get too close in case we freaked out again.

Don't be thick, Masen. It's in case YOU freak out again.

I grimaced at the memory of yelling at Bella, wishing I could take it back now that I could see her gorgeous face again, and feel the electricity in the air from her presence.

"Hello Edward…Jasper." The little one, Alice, called in her bell-like voice. Her eyes lingered on Jazz, and her smile grew as their eyes met. Bella was looking at the ground. Jasper was staring at Alice, making no move to speak. I sighed.

"You could be no one but Alice. Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you." I smiled at her tentatively. She nodded, flicking her eyes in my direction, but quickly looking back to Jazz.

"What are you doing here? How did you find us?" she asked.

He smiled, then shrugged. "We wanted to see you…both of you."

Bella looked up briefly, surprise etched on her face, but she wouldn't meet me eyes and looked down just as quickly.

Jasper continued.

"There's always this weird feeling when we're away from you…it's like it pulls us to you. We followed it, and now we're here."

Alice's smile grew even larger, but Bella remained silent. I couldn't take it anymore. I was surprised that any fear I held a few days ago had completely dissipated, leaving only the need to see Bella's face and listen to her voice in its wake.

"Guys, can I talk to Bella for a minute…alone?"

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Bella stiffen, take a slow, deep breath, then nod slightly, as if to herself. Jasper and Alice, happy to be alone themselves, gladly obliged and frolicked off to a far corner of the yard. No, I'm not kidding. They frolicked.

Bella didn't move, so I cautiously walked towards her, closing the way-too-large distance between us. As soon as I was within about two feet of her I stopped, resisting the urge to touch her skin.

"Bella, look at me. Please?"

She didn't. I didn't blame her, really. I'd treated her unfairly, and had to make it better.

"Ok, if you won't look, at least listen. I'm so, so sorry. I…I definitely wasn't expecting you to be…what you are, and it took me by surprise. And yeah, it freaked me the fuck out. I didn't know what else to do, so I lost my temper and…shit Bella, it was so wrong of me. I should have let you explain. I should have trusted you. I should have realized that something was different, that I never felt afraid of you for a reason, that I feel a pull, a connection to you for a reason. That it hurts when I'm not around you for a reason…"

I hesitantly lifted my hand and took her frigid hand in mine. The electricity was back, in full force, and it was amazing.

"That I feel this strange electricity when I touch you for a reason."

Finally, finally, Bella lifted her chin and met my eyes. Christ, she was beautiful.

"You feel it too?"

She speaks! And…wait. She feels it? It's not just me?

I nodded quickly.

"Yes Bella, it's even in the air when I'm around you. Though I'd much rather feel it from your skin." I smiled at her, and she returned it, and I thought my heart might stop.

"Shit, you're beautiful."

She shyly looked away, and I knew she'd be blushing if she could. She didn't need to though – I was blushing enough for the both of us. Freakin' brain filter! Where'd you fuck off to?

"Please forgive me Bella. I don't want you to stay away from me. I don't want you to never come back. Please say you forgive me." I was practically begging but I didn't care

She met my eyes again with a searing gaze, like she was trying to look into my soul. Then she smiled, big and bright, and nodded.

"Yes, Edward. I forgive you. I was never mad at you. I understand why you did and said those things. I expected them. I wanted them."

I was going to ask what she meant by all that because it confused the hell out of me, but was interrupted by the return of Alice and Jasper.

"Jazz has been asking me some questions that I think would be better to answer with Isa, so Edward can hear too. Let's sit!"

She promptly plopped down onto the grass, and we all followed suit.

"Who's Isa?" I asked.

Alice giggled.

"She's Isa! I just call her that, her name is Isabella. But you can't call her that. Just me. I've copyrighted it."

Bella laughed, and we all joined in. Alice invited us to ask any questions we wanted.

Jesus, where should I begin?

"Ok, um…I feel like you guys are not like the…v-vampires we read about in books. So…"

"No, nothing like that at all actually," Bella answered. "Let's see…we can go out in the sun without bursting into flames, we just…" She glanced over at Alice, who smiled.

"It looks like we've been bedazzled. We'll show you sometime."

Jasper laughed, then we started firing off myths, just about all of which the girls squashed.

"Garlic?"

"No affect, except it smells gross."

"Holy water?"

"Just gets us wet when you throw it."

"Turn into bats?"

"Nope."

"Pointy teeth?"

"Sharp, but not pointy."

"Sleep in coffins?"

"Don't sleep at all."

"Wow," Jasper said, "Never?"

They both shook their heads. Jesus, what do they do with all their free time?

Bella spoke quietly, sadness in her voice.

"You forgot one."

I looked at Jazz, but couldn't think of anything we missed. Until it hit me…

"Do you…drink blood?"

Bella nodded sadly.

"Isa!" Alice yelled at her. "Don't leave out the important information!" She turned to us. "Look, I'm just going to be completely honest with you because that's how I am, and you have a right to know if you're…going to be around us from now on."

She took a deep breath, but was interrupted by the back door opening again. A tall blond man stepped out. He looked very familiar, but I couldn't place him right away.

"Girls, it's getting dark. Why don't you bring the boys inside to talk?"

A/N: Yes, the next chapter will be Bella and Alice's tale. Hope this was ok, I deleted and re-wrote and got angry and almost scrapped the whole thing and wrote:

"And then the wolves came and killed everyone.

Fin."

I'd appreciate feedback, this chapter has me sort of second-guessing myself…boo.