Hello everyone!

So, you all loved Bella using that "smart brain" of hers to help the Cullens with their plan. I loved one reviewer for their comment: So Rosalie finally learns that Bella is smart! LOL.

This chapter was a little mean, but nowhere near as bad as the last one. I am thankful for that (you have no idea how much).

However, I am sorry this is both late and unbeta'd. I have been quite screwed for time lately as RL keeps piling up the shit I have to do. I will try to update more efficiently on time from now on, but that may come with other sacrifices—such as NF.

But that's enough from me, methinks. There's more from me at the end of the chapter, as always, but I don't want to keep you too long. ;)

Enjoy!

Misguided Imprint

Chapter 11

Rosalie left not long after that, but considering she said goodbye to no one but Emmett, I didn't know when exactly. I didn't really care, either; all the things she'd said, and the way she'd acted, since I had come here were stopping me from doing so.

More than anything, I was simply relieved that she wouldn't be accompanying us. It made for a much more peaceful flight, something I definitely needed after today's stress. I just wanted to rest in Edward's arms, chill and fall asleep. That was all.

When Alice walked back into the room, we all turned to look at her. She was smiling, thankfully, and nodded as her eyes settled on first Carlisle before staying on Jasper. "Flights are booked—if we leave in half an hour, we should be fine."

"Flight time?" Emmett asked, quieter now that Rosalie was gone. I sneaked a peek, and frowned when I saw him rubbing his chest over his heart. The grimace on his face told me clear as day that he was in pain, and I felt a pang as I realized that but I pulled myself back to focus on what was going on around me, everyone turning around to face Alice now.

"Fast," she said with a bounce in her step as she made her way to Jasper. In a practiced move, she twirled around in a flash when she had just passed him and gracefully sat down on his lap, his hands moving automatically to grip her waist. Her smile grew. "Four hours and twenty minutes."

"Seats?" Esme asked, and I turned to see her frowning in Emmett's direction, concern written all over her face. I smiled and felt my love for the female vampire grow; she was just so damn caring, it was hard not to love and respect her.

Alice grimaced. "I managed to get five business class and two first class—Edward and Bella's seats are the latter. I felt they deserved it and that none of you would mind."

I blinked, shocked before my being flooded with gratefulness. "Thank you, Alice. That was very considerate of you," I murmured and she turned to smile at me.

"You two have had a very trying day, and let's not forget that your relationship is extremely new. Given Edward's… troubles… today in the meadow, I thought it wise we restrict the amount of exposure you two have with humans, in particular males." Her eyes wandered over Edward's form as she finished the sentence.

Edward let out a slow, deep breath. "Thank you, Alice," he said evenly, his voice only a little louder than mine had been. His arms, wrapped around me, squeezed me just a little tighter and I sighed, relaxing into mine, my eyes fluttering closed.

"Well, if everyone is ready, what are we waiting for?" I mumbled, knowing they'd hear and hopefully respond.

"You want to leave now?" Carlisle asked.

I made myself peel my eyelids back so I could look at him. "Well, I don't really see the point in staying here; the longer we do, the longer we're in immediate danger. I'm surprised the wolves haven't already started making their way over here."

"Hmm, true," Jasper said vaguely. "It is peculiar; especially with how red hot they were on your heels during pursuit today… and how incensed Jacob was."

Edward's lips, now pressed against my temple, curled up over his teeth in disdain at the mongrel's name. "I still think there is something fishy going on there," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I know he is hiding something from me—and I know that whatever it is, it concerns my mate."

I shuffled a little in his lap and curled the fingers of my left hand around his right wrist. I turned a little, craning my neck to look up at him. "Don't worry about me, Edward, please" I whispered, "try for me. Remember that I am safe and I am with you, and soon, we'll be out of the country—far away from the wolves, my dad, and anyone else who could possibly want to take me away from you."

He looked down at me, his face grim, teeth bared, eyes black. After searching my eyes for a few moments, he sighed harshly and looked away, screwing his eyes shut, his face skewed up as he tried to control himself and his emotions. "It is not easy, my love, but I will try."

I smiled softly, pressing my lips to his neck, making him purr. I lifted his wrist in my hand and pressed my lips against the spot where his blood once pulsed. My tongue seeped out of my mouth, and the second it pressed against his cold skin, he shivered and growled, turning me in his lap and leaning down to press his lips against mine. His kiss was demanding and powerful, and I submitted to him without thought, whimpering. Seconds later, he drew back and we panted, our foreheads pressed against the other's, our arms around each other, fronts pressed together, eyes closed.

"Get a room," Emmett said from across the table and I giggled.

"Make us," I challenged with a raised eyebrow.

His eyes widened for a moment, shock registering before he threw his head back and laughed. "Damn, kid's got some balls! You picked good, Eddie."

Edward snorted, muttering "boisterous ass" under his breath as he looked away and toward the shield-covered window. He shifted me on his lap and pulled me with him as he stood up. "Let's go, Carlisle, please. Bella needs to sleep and I'd rather it not be interrupted in the course of our travels."

Carlisle sighed, stood and agreed, nodding as he looked at me. "All right. Everyone, get your bags. I think it would be best if we ran to Seattle and get taxis from there to the airport."

~O~

I sighed and smiled as I settled back into the lovely first class airplane seat. Edward was holding me, cradling me in his arms. The rest of the cabin was relatively full, but our seats were remote, away from the rest of the first class passengers. I'd been a little shocked when I'd first noticed that; when Alice had said she'd only managed to get two seats in first class, I hadn't realized she'd meant two seats that would be safely tucked away from the rest of the passengers flying premium. I'd thought she meant the seats were all booked already.

I was suddenly incredibly more grateful.

The "ride" here had been smooth. It had taken not ten minutes to run to Seattle—I thought, anyway, I wasn't really paying all that much attention. Each couple was running side by side with their own luggage, except for Edward who was only carrying me. Carlisle had offered to take our suitcase, and Edward had readily agreed after one look at me. I was barely able to stand I was so damn tired.

Just as we'd packed up the rest of the house, watching as the rest of the silver shutters had closed the house in, Alice had gasped and then sworn under her breath. She was quick to explain that Rose would unfortunately not be able to get in contact with us, but that she could see her decision to send firm visions her way through the solid decisions she would make. She would make sure to include everything we needed. Since I didn't completely understand how her gift worked and perhaps never would know as intrinsically as Alice and Edward would, I wasn't fussed; as long as we knew where to go, everything would be peachy.

We'd taken taxis in our respective mated pairs, and once everyone had arrived at the airport, we entered at the same time. Everything went seamlessly, and only twenty minutes later, we were on the plane.

I curled up into Edward's side, yawning. I couldn't wait for them to turn the damn lights off and for everyone to go to sleep. I wanted to stay awake for lift-off, and with the lights on, I was pretty sure that would be easy.

"Wake me up ten minutes before we start to land, please, baby," I whispered against Edward's cotton-covered chest and I shivered, humming lightly as his fingers drifted up and down my arm.

"Of course, love," he replied just as quietly, pressing a kiss to my forehead, nuzzling his nose against the flushed skin of my left cheek. My right one was pressed against his chest as was more of the right side of my body.

"Excuse me," a perky female voice piped up from our right. I peeked up at the woman in question and groaned inaudibly before closing my eyes against and resting my head against my mate's chest once more; another ditzy fucking blonde. "You're not allowed to share seats."

"Well, I am not moving," Edward said, his velvet voice a lull of peace and calm. "But thank you for the warning."

She huffed and walked away, not saying anything else.

"I don't want you in trouble," I mumbled sleepily, a cheeky grin dancing on my lips as I gripped him tighter, "but I am not letting you go for anything—or anyone."

Edward chuckled. "Well, you won't have to, love."

"Can they hear us, Edward?"

He nods.

"Good. Guys, when we get to the airport, make sure that whenever you speak, you're not talking about getting to the jet—you're talking about the house we're gonna be living in in New York, okay? That way, if they wanna be ridiculously thorough and try to figure out what we're saying, we're still safe."

Edward chuckles.

"What?"

"Emmett muttered that you are 'diabolical'." He looks at me, dark aroused eyes. "I must say, I thoroughly agree," he purred. He rubbed his nose against the skin of my reddened cheek and I blushed, my breath catching in my throat as shivers tingled up my spine at his words, the look in his eyes—how they smoldered—and the purr of his alluring, velvety voice.

"Well then," I breathed against his lips, turning in his arms to lay my front against his. I slid my hands up his torso and his arms to clasp his shoulders, pausing for only a moment before I moved them again to encircle his neck. I pulled myself up, closer to him. "Perhaps you should thank me for my wonderful ideas."

"Mmm," he hummed against my lips, pushing his against mine in a barest whisper of a kiss. His breath fanned across my features and I inhaled through a slightly-open mouth, whimpering only just as I took in his sweet, sweet scent. "Maybe I should," he whispered before he leaned forward just another centimeter, slamming his lips to mine.

I inhaled sharply, my fingers weaving into the hair at the nape of his neck, his own wandering to thread through the hair at the back of my head. In complete sync, we tilted our heads in opposite directions—just right—and when our lips met again, my mate growled. The vibrations were enough to make my face crumple in pleasure and whimper.

Suddenly, the kiss was cut off and Edward turned me in the seat so my back was once again against his front. I gasped as I felt him, hard against my ass, but Edward's hands found my hips, a low moan and hiss slipping through his teeth.

"Be still, darling," he whimpered and I took a deep breath.

"Sorry," I whispered back, turning my head to press a kiss to his bicep. "Why did we stop so urgently?"

"The flight attendant was going to come over again. We're about to proceed with take-off; apparently there was some collision earlier on the runway which was why it was taking so long—I only heard now because they received word not sixty seconds ago," he explained, sounding a little breathless. I smirked to myself, pleased beyond belief that I had caused that reaction. He chuckled. "Try not to look so pleased with yourself, my dear. She'll be at our side in a moment."

My expression soured, my lip curled up over my teeth as the mating instincts within me tensed at the thought of that vapid woman near what was ours again. The intensity of my anger and possessiveness shocked me silent for a moment.

Edward noticed and pulled me closer to him, up his body just slightly so he could rest his chin on my shoulder comfortably. "Yours, my sweet girl," he whispered into my ear, pressing a wet kiss to it before rubbing his cheek against my own. The sensations of his purr uncoiled my muscles and I relaxed against him, satisfied with his acceptance of my claim.

But I was also curious.

"Why am I only now reacting to our mating bond in such a way?" I whispered under my breath.

"One moment, darling," he whispered before moving slightly. I opened my eyes to find the bitch again. It was only Edward's hands gripping my hips, his thumbs drawing slow, lazy circles that kept me calm enough to not react to her proximity violently. As it were, I automatically snapped my jaw; thankfully, she wasn't paying attention to me, however—unfortunately, she was concentrating on my Edward.

"Can we help you?" I asked in a flat, bored tone, barely masking my irritation. Edward emitted a small, soothing purr and I took a deep breath.

She flipped her hair over her shoulder and glanced down at me briefly. She then turned her attention to Edward. "I thought I told you—you can't be in the same seat, sir."

"And I believe I told you that whilst I thanked you for the warning, I would not be moving," Edward said, never missing a beat. "My girlfriend is very distressed at the moment, and she has trouble sleeping when I am not with her."

The hostess grumbled. "You'll be right across the aisle from her," she said, irritation flaring again.

"I am not moving," Edward reaffirmed, "not that it is any of your business, but she received some very troubling news today and I would rather be closer—she needs her sleep, you see. My father is a doctor, and is in the next section down—Doctor Carlisle Cullen. You can ask him if needs be, but one way or another, I shall be staying right here."

She huffed again, looking away for a second. She opened her mouth to say something when the plane began to move, and she squeaked a little as she jolted forward, almost stumbling only to catch herself on the back of the seats on either side of the row behind us. The captain's voice came over the intercom and I sighed and settled into Edward, closing my eyes as he hummed under his breath, holding me as I fell asleep.

~O~

I woke up right as we began to descend in New York. Once I'd gotten past the initial few seconds of groggy incoherence—broken by Edward's notification that we were in fact about to land and so it was almost "show time" (Emmett's words, apparently)—I was a ball of nervous, jittery, twitching energy.

It wasn't so much about where we were headed, or the fact that I was with the Cullens leaving everything I knew—after all, I evidently had nothing to lose; no, it was more the fact that the half an hour or so that it took for us to leave this plane and make it outside to a safe area away from the prying eyes of the wolves meant everything. Everything had to be perfect; there was no margin, no room, for error.

Those minutes would mean the difference between survival, a future with Edward, and having nothing at all and going back to being a pet, a toy.

"Where is the car we're taking?" I asked Edward, leaning my head on his shoulder.

He kissed my forehead. "We're taking a taxi to the house we're going to be living in," he said, a smirk on his face as he winked. "There are two cars in the garage that we'll take the rest of the way."

I nodded. "Have we received word from Rose yet?"

He shook his head. "No," he said, looking at me for a moment. "Alice had a vision, remember."

It took me a moment, but then I did remember. I sighed and nodded, yawning. "Yeah, sorry. I forgot," I said with a sigh, still a little tired as I let my eyes flutter closed, my head still against his shoulder.

"It's okay, baby," Edward said sweetly, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I smiled up at him before straightening a little and addressing the rest of our family. "Guys, remember what I said: only speak about the house; how great it is, the location, the view, the advantages, how lovely the rooms are. Make no acknowledgment of the fact that we're leaving the country, or going anywhere else but that house."

"Message received, my love," Edward said with a proud smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry; I'm just nervous. I tend to forget things when I feel like that so I forgot that you guys don't need reminders."

"Don't apologize, sweet girl," Edward said sweetly, kissing my forehead again. He pulled back to look meaningfully into my eyes. "I love you."

I smiled and nuzzled my nose against his, pecking him on the lips. "I love you."

My knees bounced as the plane began to really descend. I kept glancing out the window, and with each glance, the closer we got, and the closer we got, the more nervous I became. I let out a big, whooshing breath when we finally landed, everyone apart from Edward—and presumably the rest of the Cullens—jolting in their seats.

It took what seemed like forever, once we'd landed, for the plane to actually stop. When it did, everyone took their time, which annoyed me to no end. Edward wrapped an arm around me as we past the hoard of flight attendants on our way out.

As we neared the first area where we knew there would be cameras, I took a deep breath and subconsciously moved a little closer to Edward. He took my hand in his, squeezing it, before letting go and wrapping his arm around my shoulders instead. I smiled up at him and leaned up quickly to peck him on the lips.

"Show time," he murmured against my lips.

I blinked and swallowed.

Show time, indeed.

Okay. So they've arrived in NY. That's something, at least. This Friday's chapter will be the last of the travelling ones; by chapter 13, they shall be in London. I, for one, am SUPER excited for that.

I actually don't have much to say, strangely enough. LOL. Just please review and thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.

Oh, and I shall see you in four days. YAY!

Please review,

bexie25