With very few minor exceptions the characters are the creation of Stephenie Meyer and belong exclusively to her. Thanks to my niece Shannon Fawr for being my beta reader and for adding all the lovely touches to the tale. Also many thanks to my research assistant, Jonathan Dobson, for all the times he answered my call for just another odd piece of information.

High Noon

Chapter 10

The first day of school was a busy one. Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice had elected not to return to school during their Alaskan stay. It was just as well because everyone was rushing about in order to get ready and it took two vehicles to transport everyone.

The group that went to college had agreed on which core classes to take together. They were then splintered off into their various interests. Bella was studying English. When Edward announced that he was taking the same major, Bella rolled her eyes at him. "Please. You'll be bored to death."

"Not at all," Edward replied. "Besides, this semester is for fun and I always enjoyed being in class with you." He leaned down to kiss her, a move she could never resist.

Leah was taking yoga and also a pre-law course. The second choice surprised Jacob. "You don't have to take anything hard, you know. This is mostly for appearances."

Her chin raised proudly as Leah replied, "Just because you boys aren't really interested in getting an education doesn't mean I won't do my best with the opportunity. Who knows? If I become a lawyer, I could be an asset to the tribe."

Jake looked into her eyes and saw the quivering hurt that almost always lingered there. Her sense of rejection from when Sam imprinted on Emily was alive and well. It made his response gentler than usual. "You already are an asset, Leah. You always have been." He smiled. "But it wouldn't hurt to have a tribal member as our lawyer."

Seth was taking art. When Leah asked him about it, he shrugged. "Edward said we could have fun with it and I always wanted to see what I could do. This metalsmithing class lets you try a little of all kinds of things."

Edward bought a new Range Rover for the pack to use. Ness, Jake, and Embry were sticking with the core classes because they didn't find anything else in the catalog that interested them enough to add it to their course loads. They would be finished early each day and head home.

When they set out each day Edward drove Bella in his Volvo and the Range Rover alternately followed them and sped ahead. There was a lot more snow than any of them had been accustomed to in Washington and the commute to Fairbanks was 120 miles each way.

Leah and Seth rode home with Bella and Edward. Leah always rode with her window down, no matter how blustery the weather.

Bella was annoyed because she knew the reason for it. She told Edward, "She's only doing it to insult us, you know. It's her way of saying we smell too badly to ride with the windows closed."

"That's okay," Edward assured her. "I feel the same way about them. Don't you?"

Bella considered. "Actually I don't mind Seth's scent; he's always reminded me of Jake and I guess I've just gotten used to them. You're right about Leah though."

"In that case," her husband advised, "don't let it bother you."

Going to school made for long days with extensive travel. The evenings were spent doing homework in the study of the main house. "Is all the travel really worth it?" asked Bella after the first two weeks. "Leah and Seth are the only ones getting anything out of it."

Jacob, Embry, and Ness eagerly agreed with her. The pack had split with the advent of school. Except for Leah's yoga class, Leah and Seth had all their classes at the opposite end of the school from the only things worth having, as far as Ness, Jacob, and Embry were concerned.

The three of them had discovered the school skating rink, climbing wall, and nature trail in the first week of school. The climbing wall was laughably easy for two wolves and a vampire/human hybrid. While the trail was used by all three, usually in between classes to let off steam, Ness found it harder than the boys to slow down to human speed while skating. It was no fun holding herself back that much. She wondered what it would take to get a rink put up in Denali.

"There are too many people in a university!" Embry exclaimed. "I don't like all the crowds."

"There's only six hours of daylight here. Did you know that? Six hours! No wonder it seems like there's never enough time to do anything during the day. There is no day! And we're wasting most days in school," Jacob argued.

"That's true. Besides, I don't like school as much as I thought I would. No one lets me talk or ask questions as much as you did when you taught me," Ness complained. "And the boys won't stick around so I can go shopping."

Edward responded briskly, "Ness, if you decide to shop, let me know and you can ride back with us."

Ness shook her head. "That would make the Volvo too crowded."

"In that case, you can take another car and go some other time." He returned to the original subject. "We told Charlie we were going to school. Can you come up with a logical reason for us to drop out? It's only one semester. There's no reason we can't all complete it." He smiled at his wife. "And I do like being in class with you as much as always."

"We'll continue then," she said.

A completely new aura prevailed at the Volturi lair in Volterra – panic. It was subdued and never mentioned directly but it seemed incredible that a coven that made a point of avoiding human blood and blending into human society peacefully could be decimating the Volturi Guard.

Caius and Aro had believed that the Quileutes must be the determining factor and they had confidently expected Chelsea to even the playing field by dissolving their bond to the Cullens and, possibly, to one another. For the connection to, apparently, be intact was inconceivable. It was incredible that Chelsea, one of the primary weapons in the Volturi Guard, could have been destroyed.

Marcus merely sighed and said, "I told you that the bonds of genuine love were beyond her power. These people have relationships that are too deep and too intense to be easily broken. It isn't just the mated pairs who have strong bonds. Siblings and friends are just as close. I don't know what it is about their strange lifestyle that fosters those ties, but they are unbreakable. Chelsea should have recognized that before mounting an attack."

"No one could have predicted such a fiasco," Aro stated. "Next time…"

"Master," Jane eagerly suggested, "Let Alec and me go in with just one guardsman. Alec can blanket the compound, I can incapacitate anyone who takes us by surprise, and the guardsman and I can kill everyone after Alec overpowers them."

"No, my dears," Aro dissented. "You are far too valuable to risk. We shall plan another campaign and you will certainly participate in full at that time."

The twins left the room. Jane was seething. "If they don't let us go soon, there won't be any Guard left," she sulked.

"The Volturi have not survived so long by rushing in," said Alec. "Aro and Caius will plan an assault and we will prevail, sister."

Chelsea had been gone a month and, while her influence kept the twins loyal, they were no longer unquestioning when everything they knew was becoming increasingly unstable. It was annoying, too, that everyone except Heidi was under orders to remain in the tower. Jane was certain that she and her brother could turn the tide.

Discussions were ongoing about where the Cullens would relocate. As the weeks passed everyone began to wonder about the details. Esme holed up in Carmen's workroom for hours. When she came out she often carried leaves of sketches and, more than once, was humming softly, but happily.

"Is everyone staying together?" Jacob asked Carlisle. "I mean, Ness and I will stay wherever Bella and Edward do – at least until we are married – but is there any reason for them… and Emmett and Rosalie or Jasper and Alice to stay in the same place?"

"We have spent time separated," Carlisle answered. "All of them have lived apart from us at one point or another. This is not a good time for it, however, as long as the Volturi are a threat."

"Are they still a threat?" Jake inquired. "I mean, we've taken out everyone they've sent. How many of them are there?"

"They don't have a specific number," Edward said as he entered the room. "They constantly recruit. I think that they will be a threat as long as they still have Jane and Alec."

"Okay," said Jake. "Then where are we going next?"

Carlisle smiled. "Good question. Since Esme will be transforming our next home, she should get to tell everyone about her latest concept."

That evening a blizzard swirled outside and the expanded Denali household gathered in the great room around a fire. Everyone except Carmen and Eleazar, who had been part of the discussions about locale, looked expectantly at Esme who was brimming with excitement.

"I thought that we might enjoy living in Scotland," Esme said.

"We usually live in North America," said Rosalie with some consternation. "I mean, except for Carlisle, we're all Americans and he's been in the United States for a long time."

Emmett's concern was in an entirely different area. "What about hunting? Is there anything to hunt in Scotland?"

Esme's smile faded under the negative questions. Alice took her hand and squeezed it. "Let's let Esme tell us what she's found," suggested Alice.

"I think she has surpassed herself this time," smiled Carlisle. "Go ahead, my darling, and describe the island for them."

"The island?"

"What island?"

Emmett shook his head, confused. "How could there be much to hunt on an island?"

"There couldn't," Carlisle agreed. "We would be near the Artic Circle, though, and could hunt all over it. There are huge areas where there are no people, but wildlife – and hunting – is plentiful."

"Okay," said Emmett, reassured where it mattered most. "In that case, where would we be living?"

"It is an island," Esme said. "It's actually north of Scotland but was originally settled by Norsemen, who were followed by Scots after they left. It has always been strategic in the north and there is quite a large castle on it."

"A castle?" Bella breathed excitedly.

"It needs a lot of work," Esme admitted. "The original section is Norse but the Scots expanded it and I plan to expand it more. We couldn't possibly move before summer, but I think that would be the best time to move anyway."

"If it's an island," Bella asked, "where would we go to school?"

Esme's eyes met Carlisle's in an excited smile. "I think you'll like the answer to that. You won't… unless you want to attend a university or college somewhere in Europe. No more high school. It is an unnecessary part of the human charade as I've planned it."

"That is wonderful!" Rosalie breathed. "I never look forward to starting high school yet again."

Only Ness was dismayed. "That's all very well for you, but I never got to go to high school… just the boring University here…"

"Trust me, Ness, you are not missin' a thing!" Jasper walked by and ruffled her curls.

He paced the room, always planning tactics, then turned and said, "We could ship the vehicles one at a time over the next few months."

"We will probably want to garage the vehicles on the mainland in Scotland or elsewhere in Europe," Carlisle explained. "We'll be acquiring a helicopter as well as boats for hunting. There really isn't room – or use – for other vehicles on the island itself. Perhaps your motor bikes would work, but nothing bigger. Before making decisions about that I'd like to have you look it over."

Emmett snorted, "Why do we need boats for hunting? We can go faster than the boats!"

"True," said Carlisle. "As always, though, we need to maintain a human façade. Humans don't just walk into freezing water and emerge hours later as though they'd just gone for a brief swim. So… we'll have boats and be seen using them often."

Jasper and Edward nodded. The mention of a helicopter was exciting.

"Enough about the vehicles!" Alice exclaimed. "What are you planning, Esme? I can tell that you're brimming with excitement… and I wish I could see it, but you're still deciding!"

Esme ducked her head shyly. "Well," she began, "there is a great hall, of course. Outside there is a bailey and exterior wall, even portcullis at both entrances – by land and by sea. The views are spectacular. There is a boathouse where we can keep quite a few boats. But I thought that most of the castle could be transformed into suites – bedroom, bath, sitting room – for each couple. There would still be space for additional guest rooms and bathrooms too. Since we have humans among us, I thought a small kitchen should also be included. How does that sound?"

"Exciting," admitted Rosalie. "I'm sorry I doubted you, Esme."

"And I am providing the tapestries for the décor," said Carmen. "You will all have to let me know the colors and themes you want." She looked across the room and met Leah's eyes. "All of you," she repeated.

"When can we see it?" Edward asked.

"We've already bought it," Carlisle admitted, "because I thought it would be a good investment in any case. So we can go see it any time."

"I'm not sure anyone would be impressed with its current condition," Esme demurred. "It needs a lot of work."

"I think some of us might like to go see it anyway," Edward assured her.

"Esme," said Alice, "What have you planned? You always have color palettes."

"I can show those to you and we can change anything you want," Esme beamed.

The women clustered together to discuss decorating and configurations. Everyone was excited about the move.

Meanwhile the talk among the males in the group revolved around an expedition to the castle and the best way to travel there. Finally it was agreed that they would take a flight from Anchorage to Glasgow and then travel north by car before taking a helicopter out of Inverness. Jasper and Edward arranged the helicopter purchase. They were both licensed to fly helicopters as well as small planes. There was no helipad on the island but there was enough clear space to land.

Carlisle left with Edward, Emmett, Jasper, and Jacob two days later. The atmosphere was electric with excitement. They had to wait almost a week for the weather to clear enough for a helicopter to make it out to the island. They stood silently in front of the huge pile of gray stone that was obviously of archaic vintage.

"Hmmm. I'm glad Rosalie didn't come," said Emmett. "I don't think it's anywhere near ready for her to see it."

Edward nodded, thinking of Bella's excitement and the disappointment she would feel if she could see it in its present state. At least it had a roof… and battlements.

"This has always been a great place to secure the area," Carlisle explained. "That's why there's a castle. It was a permanent fortification."

"Does it have a name?" Jacob asked Carlisle.

"Over the years it's had a lot of names. Since we own it now, we can name it."

"You said it was in Scotland," Jasper reminded him. "Does it come under the government of the United Kingdom?"

"It has, at times," Carlisle answered. "At this point it's independent because of its private ownership."

"So we'll name it," said Edward. "What did you want to call it?"

"I have an idea," Carlisle admitted, "but I wanted to run it past everyone first."

"What's that?" Emmett asked.

"I wanted it to represent all of us who will be living here… so I thought QuilCullen had a good sound… almost Celtic," Carlisle offered with a smile.

Jacob's eyes were lit with his wide smile. "That sounds like a really cool name, Carlisle." He turned to the others. "What do you think?"

Edward nodded at him. "I like it. And I'm sure Bella and Ness will too."

"Sounds like an eminently suitable name to me," advised Jasper.

Emmett shrugged. "Works for me. Have to call it something and everyone should be able to remember that one."

UAF Spring Break came even though the snow continued unabated. Bella, Ness, and the Quileutes were excited because Charlie and Sue Swan were coming to visit. They would be staying in Seth's room in the dome guest house.

Jacob, Ness, and Leah used the Range Rover to pick them up at the airport in Anchorage. Charlie was relieved to see them and each received a huge hug.

"Lots of snow here," Charlie said. "You commute through this every day? Bella commutes through this every day? She hates the cold!"

"We do," Jake affirmed. "That's why we have the Range Rover."

"How are you doing in school, Nessie?" Charlie asked.

"Okay, Grandpa. It's really dull taking core classes though."

"Keep at it, Ness. Those will set you up to take anything else you want. It's just to make sure you have a basic education." Charlie advised.

Sue turned to Leah, who was sitting next to her. "Will our room be near you and Seth?"

"Yes," Leah nodded. "You'll be staying in the dome with us. Seth is bunking with Jake so you and Charlie can have his room."

Sue sighed with relief. She had developed a positive attitude toward the Cullens and was ready to extend it to their relatives, but she had been dreading a weeklong stay in a house full of vampires. It was wonderful that the pack had been given their own space! It made her feel even more positive about and grateful to the Cullens.

Jake parked in front of the dome and Seth rushed out. Jake and Seth insisted on carrying all the luggage. They entered to find a fire lit, a huge dinner prepared, and all occupants excitedly awaiting the visitors. Edward and Bella arrived in the middle of dinner to join the welcome.

The visit was good. Sue was delighted that her children were enjoying their time at the university. Seth showed her his current art project for metalsmithing class. Charlie enjoyed his time with his girls, Edward, and Jake. He was puzzled at their school choice, though, and kept saying, "You were accepted to Dartmouth and who knows where else… I can't believe you chose to go to school up in this icebox!"

When Charlie and Sue went back to Forks, Ness sighed with relief. "I love seeing Grandpa, but I'm glad I can go back to eating normally! I hate human food!"

Bella laughed. "You're probably healthier for it. Jake and the other boys eat way too much junk food!"

Ness made a face. "Chips are nasty!" she declared.

April came and still there was deep snow everywhere. Bella had completely agreed with Charlie about all the snow and was thinking about a trip elsewhere. She wanted to go somewhere the sun shone.

Alice was right when she had said that they should keep in touch with their allies. Bella and Edward had bonded especially well with Benjamin and Tia, members of the Egyptian coven. It was almost certain to be warmer in Egypt even if they did have to pay attention to the sun.

Carlisle agreed that such a visit was a good idea. He and Esme would go also and visit with his old friend Amun and his mate Kebi, while Bella and Edward renewed their friendship with the younger couple.

The trip was without incident until they reached their friends' home. Amun almost slammed the door in their faces. At the last minute he relented, grudgingly, "You might as well come in. You came a long way."

He led them toward a sitting area where Kebi waited silently. "I don't care what you want this time, Carlisle. The answer is 'no'."

Carlisle looked at Edward, who shook his head slightly. Bella noted their exchange and said, "We were looking forward to visiting with Benjamin and Tia. When will they be home?"

Amun and Kebi both glared at her. A look of concern flitted across Edward's face.

Since neither of the Egyptians was explaining, Edward did. "Benjamin was concerned that the Volturi would absorb him into their Guard after seeing his gift when they were in the meadow with us. In order to avoid that, he and Tia left their coven and are nomads somewhere."

"This is your fault, Carlisle! If we had not gone to America the Volturi would know nothing about my Benjamin! He and Tia would be here with us," Amun accused bitterly. "Aro summoned us to Volterra a couple of months after our return. That was when Benjamin and Tia left without so much as a word! Kebi and I still had to make an appearance, of course, and it was clear that Benjamin was the one they were interested in seeing. We were lucky to escape with our lives! For all I know, he is part of the Guard by now. They would naturally have sent Demetri after him." He paused and sighed. "I tell you, Carlisle, I am tired of discovering talent and having it taken away from me… Demetri was mine first, you'll remember."

"I remember," Carlisle said. "I grieve to tell you, Amun, that Demetri no longer walks the earth."

"Why?" Amun asked. "How do you know this?"

"We didn't see him again after that day in the meadow," responded Carlisle, "but our wolf allies discovered him as he was about to enter Edward and Bella's home. They destroyed him."

Amun let out a wail as he sank down next to Kebi, and covered his head. "Why have you come here? You put us in greater danger by your arrival and then you admit to destroying a prominent member of the Volturi Guard? Go! I hope that you are able to leave unseen!"

"But, Amun," Bella said, "That means that Benjamin and Tia don't have to stay in hiding. The Volturi can't send Demetri after him!"

"Perhaps Benjamin will find out and return to us some day!" Amun replied. "Aro still wants him and the Volturi keep an eye on us in case that happens. It is to be hoped that they are unaware of your visit here. Your coven has brought us enough bad luck. We have been friends a long time, Carlisle, but I do not want to see any of you again."

Carlisle answered gravely, "I regret that you feel that way, my friend. For my part I will continue to consider you a friend and hope that circumstances change in your favor. Farewell."

The Cullens left somberly. Edward put his arm across Carlisle's shoulder. "It was not your fault."

Esme hesitated a moment, then said, "Darling, I'm sorry that Amun was so bitter."

Carlisle shook his head. "Obviously he felt that he had good reason. I had no idea that this would happen! If I hadn't asked them to come…"

"True. But the Volturi have always scented out exceptional talent. Aro basically called Amun on hiding something that day. Benjamin was bright enough to anticipate a summons from the Volturi and arrange his plans accordingly." Edward thought briefly. "I wonder if Alice and I can find him…" He sighed. "I'll have to talk to her about it when we get back to Denali."

Esme and Bella were as silent as their husbands, but suddenly Edward looked at Bella and chuckled. Startled, they all glanced at him. "Sorry, my love. Your venture into warm weather is turning out to be briefer than expected." He pulled Bella into a hug.

"Yeah, that's true," Bella nodded. "So you owe me a rain check… which I'd like to cash in sometime soon."

Esme linked her arm more closely through Carlisle's and suggested, "I think we should pay Siobhan's coven a visit soon. After all, they'll be fairly close neighbors of ours when we move."

Carlisle considered her suggestion and nodded. "They'll be much closer than any other coven." He put his arm around her as they walked to the parking structure where they'd left their car. Within a couple of hours they were headed back to Alaska.