(Bella)

"Bella!" It was Emmett who was first to greet her as she climbed out of the pickup truck, "You made it just in time."

"My dad thinks I'm crazy," she laughed, "Coming up here in the rain and everything."

Emmett leaned in a little closer, "I'm glad you came tonight. It will be a nice...diversion."

"From what?" she asked, confused. Then, "Oh. Emmett, I know it's my fault, and honestly, I'm really sorry. I can't imagine how hard it is on you."

He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, well..."

The door opened and Esme and Carlisle came out into the rain, both smiling. Esme waved at Bella, "Hey. Are you ready to referee?"

"Me?!" Bella was shocked, "Uh, isn't that your job?"

"Not tonight," Carlisle pulled Esme toward him with one loving arm, "She gets to be on my team."

"Oh, great..." Alice popped her head out from behind the doorframe, "Don't get all google eyed on me now, guys, or we'll never beat the testosterone club!" Alice turned to Carlisle, "Not to insinuate that you're feminine in any way."

"Suuuure," Carlisle said, grinning, "You had better re-phrase that, dearie."

"Oh, you are so out, Jasper!" Alice nearly screamed when he came zipping around to tag "home base".

"Not a chance," he shook his blond hair lightly at her, "You wish."

"I am a psychic," Alice pronounced, "And I forsee that you...are out!"

"How about we let Bella decide?" Edward suggested from his place as pitcher, "She is the umpire."

Bella shot him a look.

"Who is it, love?" he prompted, "My team...or theirs?" He said the last word like it was dirty.

The whole group stood quietly while Bella attempted to replay in her head. Finally, she looked apologetically at Alice, "Jasper's safe."

"YES!" Jasper, Emmett and Edward all yelled simultaneously.

Alice glared at them, "I think you paid off the umpire."

"Not yet," Edward admitted, "But I sure will later."

Bella blushed, and felt the whole group stop breathing as the blood pooled in her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she whispered as the color began to recede.

"It's okay, hon," Esme gave her a hug, "If that son of mine ever gets over his own ideas, someday you'll join the family," she said in a stage whisper.

"Thanks, Esme," Bella gave her her best attempt at a smile, and then turned back to the game, "Let's play ball!"

(Rosalie)

Lea virtually flew through the woods behind Bilal and Sasha. They had one more test for her. After a week of constant training, she had learned more than she had expected. Apparently, Bilal and Sasha were convinced that if she joined the coven, she could learn even more, and faster.

It gets easier, the further in depth you go. Bilal had explained, But you can't learn everything on a trial period. We must have your word that you will stay here with us.

The first step, Sasha picked up where Bilal had left off, is forsaking your past identity completely. I want to help you do that. So you are no longer Rosalie Hale.

She paused for a moment to let this sink in. Lea had waited, excitedly. Her heart raced (metaphorically, of course).
I'm ready. She exclaimed, This is what I want. I fit in here, thanks to you.

We want your new name to be Lea. Is this satisfactory to you? Sasha asked, although Lea knew she didn't have much of a choice. What else could she say?

Yes.

Then follow us, Bilal's eyes penetrated all of Lea's defenses, You have to pass one more test before we can induct you.

So now, she was running. She focused, deep within herself, and felt pieces of Rosalie disappearing behind her. Her desire for Emmett was waning with time, and her need for familiarity was long gone. New goals stretched in front of Rosalie - moving up the totem pole in this new community.

They stopped in a clearing, just outside the city of Salvador. Sasha's blue eyes started to slowly shift colors. Her muscles twitched, ever so slightly, and her eyes went from blue to black. She was thirsty.

You have to go. Out there. she said, Change forms, just the way I taught you, while in public. And bring somebody back with you.

Lea stared at her, A human? For you to... I can't do it.

Why not? Bilal challenged, You wanted to join us, didn't you? This won't be that hard.

But .. I'm a vegetarian, Lea sputtered.

No. Rosalie was a vegetarian. Sasha prompted, Go. When you come back, we can begin the induction.

Lea looked between her two mentors, torn. Finally, she made her decision and sprinted from the clearing toward Salvador. Bilal and Sasha watched her leave. They stayed in place, still as stone, until after the sun went down.

Send the messengers, Bilal's voice echoed in the darkness, the final test is approaching.

Sasha nodded in reply, and the two took off, back through the trees.