When I got home after work Monday, Charlie had a thick envelope for me. "I think this makes three?"

I smiled and took the envelope from him. "Yes, it does. What do you think of this one?" I asked, knowing he'd seen the letter head.

"I think Seattle is a very dangerous place right now. But, as you've told me before, you've lived in bigger cities than Seattle. I'd be thrilled to keep you here, but you should go to Jacksonville. Your mother misses you."

"And the fact that Jacksonville doesn't currently have a crime spree has nothing to do with it."

"Absolutely nothing." He lied as badly as I did.

I took the laundry upstairs and went to pull out my pyjamas for the night. They weren't in the basket. I checked the hamper — nothing. I also noticed my portion of the laundry was lighter than it should have been.

"Dad? Is there another basket down there?"

I heard a rustle before Charlie called up. "No, you got it all."

I put the clothes away carefully, trying to figure out what had happened to several of my shirts. My sleep shirt was not in fabulous shape, part of the reason I'd bought new pyjamas in the first place. Annoyed, I pulled up my blinds and opened my window. Jacob padded out of the forest and Edward was already in the tree outside. "Which of you wise guys took my pyjamas?"

Jacob ducked in the trees before answering, "I didn't. Did you leave them at Leah's?"

"I didn't take them to Leah's." I looked at Edward. "You've taken my stuff before. Hide it somewhere?"

He frowned. "Of course not. May I come in?"

"Yes."

Jacob followed him. Edward's reaction already had me on edge. He'd frozen in place once he landed in my room.

"It's the same one," he murmured.

"That's not you," Jacob complained. "What bloodsucker is that? It's not the redhead either."

"No, it's a newborn. I caught his scent in Seattle."

"When was he here?" Jacob asked Edward. I was getting pissed; had they forgotten I was in the room?

"Not long ago. Must have been when she was on the reservation. Someone's been here any other time."

"Probably that night. Someone's been patrolling every other time of day."

"Hello? I'm still here. Are you saying this new vampire took my clothes?"

Edward's face fell. Jacob and I both stared at him, confused. What was he thinking? "He took your clothes ... Is anything else missing?"

"Yeah, my pillow case is gone."

"Things with your scent. Why would he take your scent?"

"I'm going to phase. Sam needs to know about this." He kissed me quickly. "I'm going to be out here all night, Bella."

"Thanks, Jacob, but you should get some sleep."

"Not likely. Not tonight, anyway. Your friend here has scared any thought of sleep right out of me." He cocked his head to Edward before launching out the window.

"I'm not going anywhere either," he told me. "Why would a newborn come here? What use could he make of your scent?"

"Um, Edward? You are going somewhere."

"Oh, right. Sorry, Bella." He kissed me almost as chastely as Jacob had. "Try to sleep."

"Yeah, that's likely," I muttered.

Alice informed me of her intention to hold a graduation party. "It's for you, but I've sort of invited the entire class," she admitted to me at lunch.

"Want to rival the Newton Halloween Party, do you?"

"Good luck with that," Mike responded. "We had girls stabbing people. I bet your party doesn't have those."

I laughed with him. "And don't forget the bull whips. It's not a party without bull whips." I made a whipping motion.

We laughed harder until people started staring. I sobered up first. "Ahem. I'm sure a Cullen party will manage to surprise us all. It'll be at your place?" I asked.

"Yes," Alice responded, not put out in the least by our admiration for the party she had missed.

Heads around the table turned. Everyone was interested in seeing where the Cullens lived.

"Really?" Jessica asked.

"Yes, really," Alice said before getting up to go to class.

That night, both Jacob and Edward found reasons to enter my bedroom, on separate occasions. Edward assured me that he only wanted to verify that my visitor hadn't returned. Jacob claimed it was just because he liked my room better than his own.

"It's cozier. Mine's just crowded. Yours is small but comfy," he claimed, snuggling with me on the bed. It was much easier to snuggle with Jacob than Edward. I didn't start shivering, for one thing. He was also softer than Edward. "Have you added any more pictures to this recently?" he asked, opening my scrapbook.

"Not really. I think I'll save the rest for graduation photos. There are only a handful of pages left."

Opening the book anyway, he flipped pages. Then, he whistled. "That one's new. Damn Bella, you look hot. When was this and why wasn't I invited?" It was the picture of me before going to the Symphony. I actually outshone Rosalie who was tucked in the corner of the photo. That was a miracle in itself. It helped that she wore coveralls at the time.

I laughed. "You weren't invited because I was on a date with Edward."

He laughed, too. "Aw. He didn't want me to tag along? Where did he take you anyway? A royal ball?"

"That would have been fun, but no. We went to the Symphony in Seattle."

"You still got those gloves?" he asked.

"You too?" I quirked an eyebrow. He just looked back at me questioning. "Edward liked the gloves."

"Well, if we're on the same page, it's not the gloves, it's taking them off," he whispered in my ear.

I blushed and flipped pages, looking to see how many were left.

"Are you sad?"

"About what?"

"Graduating? Moving on?"

I shrugged. "A little. I'm still not sure where I'm moving to. I really only applied to Alaska to tick Edward off. I wonder if he's outside listening right now." My blinds were closed, so I had no way of knowing.

"Why would that tick him off?"

"Because there is another group of vampires like the Cullens in Denali. He left to protect me from his world. I applied to prove that I could walk back into it."

"But you won't go there now." Jacob frowned slightly.

"No, I don't imagine I will."

He pulled me closer. "Good. I'd much rather you went to Jacksonville if you have to go away. I want to protect you from his world, too."

"Not you, too," I muttered. "Next you'll be taking Charlie's side and wanting me to stay out of Seattle."

"You aren't going to Seattle, are you?" he asked with concern.

"No, why? Because Edward smelled the newborn from my room in Seattle?"

Jacob met my eyes, sharing the worry he felt in a glance. "No, Paul and Jared were there and they said it reeks of vampire. Not one — a whole mess of them."

"Oh." I nestled into him. That was a frightening thought. Not one new vampire with a driving, insatiable thirst, but many? Edward must already know about this. Why hadn't he told me? Or Alice? "Thank you for telling me."

"Of course I'm telling you. Why wouldn't I?"

I shrugged. "No one else has."

"They try to shield you too much. I want you to know what's out there, especially when it's me." I felt his smile against my temple. His warm nose and lips traced my face for a few minutes. "So how long until Charlie comes up here to kick me out?"

I snorted. "Charlie is so biased that I bet he'd let you stay the night."

There was a knock on my window then. I rolled my eyes. "He isn't staying the night, Edward. I just said Charlie would let him."

"Wow, he really is out there?" Jacob asked. "I'm glad I don't listen when the two of you are in here. That's creepy."

"Well, he does have to go further than you to not hear anything."

"I'll change the question then. How long 'til you kick me out?"

"A little longer." I nestled into his chest.

I cornered Alice and Edward at lunch the next day, pulling away from my human friends. "There is a group of new vampires in Seattle?"

Neither was surprised, of course. "Yes," Edward answered. "We've been trying to do something about that."

"Do something about it?" I asked, a little shocked. "As in ... going there? All of you?"

"Well, Bella, there are more of them than us. We would all need to go," Alice informed me.

My jaw dropped. "And none of you thought I might like to know about that?" My whisper was loud enough that a few heads turned our way. I tried to calm myself. "At least you might have told me there was more than one."

"We thought you knew," Alice said. "The killings have increased."

I shook my head in disbelief. "I haven't been following the news that closely."

"We don't want the threat to spread, but it isn't our place to deal with it, either. That's what the Volturi do," she continued.

I tried to remember what Edward had told me of the Volturi before he left, what I'd learned in Carlisle's study. They were a powerful group of vampires. If they were provoked they could rid threats to themselves. "Why would they care about a bunch of newborns?"

Alice looked to Edward and he looked down in defeat. She spoke softly. "They protect our kind, Bella — from exposure. They protect the secret of our existence. That was how Edward thought to provoke them — by exposing himself for what he is. These newborns are perilously close to doing just that. We're surprised they haven't come yet. Edward wants us to move against the newborns to keep the Volturi from finding out about you. You aren't supposed to know about us. They could ... they could eliminate you."

Edward's teeth ground and I gulped. "Well, that's a good reason to avoid their notice, but if the threat is in Seattle, why ... Carlisle," I concluded. He had been friends with the Volturi for many years, after all.

"They could stop by for a visit," Alice finished. "If I see that, we will make sure you are well hidden, but they might not decide until they're here. They haven't even decided to come yet. I don't know what they're waiting for."

A new thought occurred to me. "I thought it was difficult to make vampires. I thought Carlisle was an exception to be able to do it reliably. If someone has made that many-"

"She needs to talk with Jasper," Alice said.

"No. She doesn't need to know about that," Edward argued.

I closed my eyes and tried not to sigh. "I want to know, Edward. I wasn't happy to learn of these newborns from Jacob instead of you, and I am not happy to learn there is more information you want to keep from me. I believe I've earned the right to know — by my silence, if nothing else."

His eyes were cold on mine. He really didn't want me to know. I met him glare for glare. Alice silently tipped the balance and he looked to her. "Fine." He looked back at me. "Fine. Come to the house tonight."

I arrived in the evening to find Jasper sitting with Alice on the couch. Edward was nowhere in sight. "Hello, Jasper, Alice." I came and sat in a chair near them. "Can you tell me how someone has made a group of new vampires in Seattle?" I asked Jasper.

"Well, you know how.. loosely, at least. The information you really want is why."

My heart sank. I hadn't thought as far as why. Of course, if it was difficult, as it apparently was, someone needed a purpose for such an endeavour. I loosened my grip on the arms of the chair. "Yes. What I really want to know is why."

He looked to Alice before continuing. "I will have to start at my beginnings..." And Jasper wove his own tale. I wasn't drawn in quite as completely as I had been around the fire with the Quileutes, but my reactions were easily as visceral.

He told me of the armies that fought for the feeding grounds in the populated southern states. The Volturi came to eradicate the forces that had grown too obvious, too wild. Jasper's own creator sought to regain control of her territory. He fought other newborns to survive, fought them to teach them, and fought with them in battle. He showed me his crescent scars that matched my own.

He told me of the culling — the destruction of their creations when the blood fever faded after a year. I was sickened at the thought. Of course, he had been, too. That was why he had started looking for a way out. That was why he had taken it when Peter offered it to him.

And still there was no real relief for him. While he no longer had the emotions of the newborns to tear at him, he did have those of his prey. It wasn't until he met Alice that he found any peace.

"When she told me of the family she'd seen, I couldn't believe it was possible. But Alice knew. She loved them all already. She'd just been waiting for me before going to find them. She brought me a new life." He turned to kiss her now.

"I'm glad she did," I agreed. A moment later I asked. "Why would someone make an army in Seattle? For you? Does someone want to remove you?" I shivered at the idea. Why would anyone want to remove the only decent vampires? What threat were they? Carlisle... who could possible want to harm him? He was the most peaceful person I'd ever met.

"There are several theories," Alice went on. "I don't agree with Edward's, though. He thinks they've become jealous of our gifts, the size of our family. I think if that were the case, they would bring their guard and come for us directly."

"That would tarnish their name. They wouldn't do that," Jasper argued. "That's the crux of Edward's argument. Someone less careful is working under their auspices. That would explain the lack of response."

"I still think it's something else," Alice argued. "Maybe someone has learned of the wolves and means to remove them as a threat. That could be any of us; they are a threat to all of our kind."

Not the Quileutes. Not my friends. I put my face in my hands and felt a calming wave pass through the room. "You're safe, Bella," Jasper reminded me.

"It's not me I'm worrying about," I explained to Jasper. "I'm worried about you and the Quileutes. I don't want any of you hurt." I cringed and felt the tears brimming over even as Jasper tried to calm me further. He put a hand on my shoulder and the contact made his effect stronger. I looked up at him. "Even calm, I can't help but wish I could take this threat from all of you." My brain flailed for some way to do just that. I was nothing, no one; what could I do?

"Maybe you should go home," Alice suggested.

"No ... I think ... I think I'd like to lie down actually. Jasper has made me sleepy," I said with a little smile. He smiled back, taking his hand away.

"Well, Edward told you you're always welcome to use his bed."

Suddenly Edward was beside me. Of course he'd heard us. "You are, and it isn't my bed; it's your bed." He took my arm and I leaned on him as he walked with me up the stairs. "I'm sorry I wasn't with you when you found out. I thought it might be easier without me there." He grimaced. "You seemed a little put out with me."

I chuckled. "I was. I'm not anymore. You always have my best interests in mind. I just wish you'd accept that I can decide what is best for me. You can't always do it for me."

"I'm starting to. Now, since this is my room, although it's your bed, I am going to watch you sleep."

I chuckled again, my eyes drooping as he pulled the cover over me. "Absolutely. And if you happened to be lying beside me, I wouldn't argue with that, either." I yawned and rolled onto my side — into his chest. I put an arm around his waist and curled onto him. "Make sure," I yawned again, "that I get home by ten. Don't want Charlie to ..." I didn't finish my sentence.

I woke in Edward's arms. "I think I'm starting to understand why I asked you not to do this after you came back," I muttered.

"Why is that?" he asked kissing my hair, my ear.

"Because it feels too good. I wouldn't want you to stop."

"I can agree to that."

I chuckled. "What time is it?" I asked, stretching.

"It's only nine. You don't have to run away yet." He pulled me closer again and kissed my lips. "So... do you like the bed?"

I laughed. "Yes. Very comfy. Did Esme pick it out?" I called his bluff.

His mouth twitched into my favorite lop-sided smile. "Yes. Of course. She's been eager for me to need one," he whispered in my ear, his tongue on the curve of it.

My heart skipped a beat and then raced ahead. "You are very good at distracting a girl from her fears." I put my hands in his hair as his mouth traced my throat and found the neckline of my shirt. My hands quickly divested him of his. He continued kissing and nuzzling around my neck and shoulders, slowly moving his hands up under my shirt at the same time. I lifted my arms as he pulled it off. I traced the planes of his chest, his abdomen, thrilled to be touching him, at his touch.

It didn't seem long at all until Alice was knocking Edward's door. "Bella, do you want me to call Charlie and tell him you're staying the night with me?"

I giggled and blushed. "That's a tempting offer, but I should probably sleep in my own bed."

"You are in your bed," Edward reminded me, his lips still moving on my skin, tracing the cups of my bra.

But now that the spell had been broken, I felt my heart tearing. There was a divide in me now. I'd wanted to find out what Jacob and I could be, and now I knew. It was as strong as what I felt for Edward. Jacob had filled the holes Edward left and carved out an entire space of his own. I couldn't dislodge that without doing as much damage as Edward had in the first place, as much damage as he would have if he'd succeeded in breaking my heart months ago.

I wanted to stay here. I wanted to be with Edward forever, but I would miss Jacob, bitterly. Staying here would hurt Jacob. Was I ready to do that? I didn't think so, not yet.

"I love you, Edward. Now, where did you put my shirt?"

He smiled sheepishly and pointed to where it hung on one of the flowers in the wrought-iron frame of the bed. "If you must go, know this place is always here for you. Always." He kissed my lips again and my heart fluttered as I wrapped myself around him. When I stopped to breathe, I saw his eyes smouldering on mine and my resolve started to waver. Just as there was no Edward in La Push, there was no Jacob here. It was so easy to forget, so easy to get lost in Edward.

He must have sensed my faltering. "Go," he said suddenly, fiercely.

I shivered and grabbed my shirt, pulling it on quickly. I practically ran to the door. When I looked back, his shoulders were shaking. I wanted so desperately to go comfort and reassure him. He must know how badly I wanted to stay, but he also knew what staying would cost me. He loved me enough to push me away when I needed it. How could I hurt him like this? How could I hurt Jacob by staying? I held my breath and stepped into the hall, closing the door behind me. I leaned against the door and sank to the floor.

Esme came and sat beside me. She put an arm around my shoulders and pulled my head to her breast. She was a natural mother. "We all wish you would stay, but it has to be your choice. He knows that."

"How can I hurt them?" I asked through tears. "Why do I keep hurting them?"

"You aren't hurting them, Bella. Not yet."

...Esme brought her ability to love, passionately...

Edward's words came back to me. I thought she might just understand.

"Neither can do wrong in your eyes." She proved her understanding with her words. "Just keep loving them, Bella. When the time comes, you'll know what to do."

I nodded and stood up, wiping my face. "I should go home."

"And I'm going to comfort my son. I think he regrets his actions and he shouldn't."

"No," I agreed. "He shouldn't. Thank him for me."

"He heard you." She stroked my cheek, and I descended the stairs.

At home, Emmett waved to me from the tree he was leaning on in the yard. He was chatting with Seth. I blinked and looked again. No, he was really chatting with Seth. Seth didn't look too put out, either. I rubbed my eyes. I must need more sleep. I was seeing things.

So, Bella's got herself stuck between a rock and a hard place, no? She's not picking sides any time soon, unless it's her side.