Disclaimer: If you don't know by now then you never will. Stephenie Meyer owns it all. I'm just having fun.

Chapter 12: COMING

Bella POV

If you take out the fact that someone is trying to kill me the last few months had been great. Alice had backed off some from her relentless urge to make me over. I guess finding out that I cared about her too had mellowed her out. Carlisle and Esme were quickly becoming the parents I never had. Esme was wonderful to talk to and she had the kindest heart I had ever seen. Jasper and Emmett wrestled constantly. Either just for fun or in preparation for any attacks. Emmett had challenged me once but decided that I fought just as unfairly as Edward because I used my powers and he couldn't touch me. Even Rosalie had been nicer to me. The Denalis had visited a couple of times all though without Tanya which was fine with me. Everyone else had been surprised to find out that none of them knew where she was. They had received a letter from her saying that she would be back soon but they were not happy about the absence. Apparently they were as close as the Cullens and one didn't go off and leave without the others. They all seemed to be worried but I was just happy that she wasn't there to shot daggers at me again.

Then there was Edward. Edward had been perfect. He hardly ever left my side and I had practically moved into the attic. I rarely used my room and Edward had gone out and bought a bed for upstairs. That had garnered a huge wrestling match between him and Emmett but I couldn't tell you what for. All I knew was that Edward came home with the bed and the next thing anyone knew they were out back rolling around. I can only assume it had something to do with Emmett's thoughts and if I knew Emmett those thoughts had either been good natured teasing or over the top sexual implication. Either way Esme was the one that eventually had to go out and break things up.

Yes life was good. We stayed pretty close to the house. Matter of fact no one really left except for Carlisle to go to work. Alice had restricted herself to mail order shopping and that one poor Avon lady that had trudged out here and gotten the sale of a lifetime. Alice had almost pounced on her the minute the car pulled up. She had tried everything and ordered multiples of the same things. I could only hope that make-up and body lotions didn't spoil because Alice had enough to last another fifty years.

So that was our days. Carlisle working, Alice shopping, Emmett and Jasper wrestling, Esme puttering, Rosalie wondering, Edward glued to me, but we were all worrying. No one mentioned Maria but it had been four months. Four months since the supposed attack in the woods and nothing. That wasn't Maria's style. If she had found me she would have sent in the troops, burned down everything, collected the spoils, and went home with tails of conquer and defeat. She never waited; was never cautious. Maybe she was alone in here and didn't have the support that she normally did but even with that she would just go into town create a new army and attack at the first chance she got. So why was she waiting?

I hated this. Hated that I had no idea what was out there. This sitting around all safe and locked up wasn't really my style. I had never been one to rush out into danger or stupidly put myself in harm's way but lately I had been thinking that if I could go out and let her find me then I could possibly spare everyone else.

I knew it would be hard for everyone to accept but just like my human family the Cullens would move on. Alice would help Jasper and everyone would help Edward. They could go back to their normal lives. They could move without looking over their shoulder. I didn't like the fact that I was holding up their plans.

Apparently they had been on the verge of moving to Washington State when we had shown up. They had thought they would stay a little longer to integrate us into the family and then we would all move together but with a crazed revenge hungry vampire after me those plans had been put on the back burner. How fair was that?

I wondered downstairs and was surprised to find no one around. They hadn't mentioned going hunting. Maybe they were in the back watching Emmett and Jasper wrestle again. I shook my head. One of those boys where going to accidently pull of an arm or something if they kept this up. I made my way to the back yard but no one was out there either. I listened but couldn't hear anyone. This did not make me feel any better.

I walked around to the front of the house but again nothing. Where could they all be? I ran back vampire speed into the house and went directly to Edward's piano room but there was nothing and nobody. I hated to do it but I pulled an Alice and yelled for anyone at the top of my lungs and still nothing. My lost heart raced as I ran through the scenarios. Could Maria have gotten in and lured them all out? Could she have sent in troops to attack and I hadn't heard anything? No that one couldn't have happened. Not only did I have vampire hearing but I was use to the sounds of attack. I had spent most of my life with one ear open to hear the tiniest of insurgence. If Maria had attacked here I would have heard it.

Which had to lead to something else. She could have tricked them into leaving? But why wouldn't someone have told me. Jasper or Edward at least should have said something. I looked around the empty living room thinking how now I was a sitting duck. My defenses were down and anyone could attack at any side. I moved over so that my back was against the wall and made my way back to the patio door. I took two steps outside and leapt lightly into the nearby tree. I made my way as high as I could go and still see the house and stopped. I perched myself on the tree next to the bark so that I was well hidden and I waited. If Maria was going to attack then I was going to be ready.

I knew I was being paranoid but I would rather be safe than sorry and dead. I wanted to drop my shield and call out to Edward to see if he would or could answer me but years of training held me still. If someone was out there waiting then that might be the one opportunity that they needed. Right now I couldn't help the others I had to take care of myself and once this was over then I could find them. They just had to hold out. I knew Jasper could do it and I had never met a stronger vampire then Emmett. They would be fine and if I survived finding them would be my top priority.

I sat in that tree for hours watching the house grateful that I don't need sleep. Finally I heard a sound. It was faint but it was a vampire to be sure.

"I told you this was a bad idea." A male voice sounded. There was something familiar about it but he was still too far away for me to place it.

"I think it would have been fun." Another male voice.

"I think it was stupid." This voice was female.

"Not at all" Another female voice. "We just should have planned better is all."

"How much more planning did you want to do?" They were getting closer but I still couldn't make out that voice.

"I don't know." The second female voice sounded. "Whatever would have gotten her there?"

"You need help." The first female voice sounded bored.

"Than…." The voice was cut off.

"Some things wrong" That first familiar voice was back. "It's too quiet."

"You don't think..." This new male voice trailed off.

Everything went quiet after that. They stopped talking and moving. I tensed, closing my eyes and preparing for what needed to be done. There were at least five of them but more could be in the woods. For once I wished we lived closer to the city. I could fight my way through and then blend into the crowds but out here there were just too many places someone could hide. Too many places where I could be running into a trap; running right into Maria.

They started to move again this time spreading out. I could hear the snow crunching lightly. They were good and if I had never fought beside Jasper and Maria I wouldn't have heard them. My conditioning kicked in and I prepared myself to strike. There was a smaller one coming straight in my direction. If I took this one out quietly then I could make my way around to the other female voice I had heard that seemed to be about twenty paces to my right. Once done there I would have to hide again until the other three came back into range. Another tree would work great. When they came to find their fallen comrades I could jump they would be surprised and disoriented. Add in the fact that my shield wouldn't let them touch me and I could move through quickly. All that would be left would be lighting the fire and finding a way out.

I opened my eyes happy with my plan of attack but as I was about to leap I heard another vampire coming up behind the small one.

"No one goes alone." He whispered. The way he said that was so military it made me think of Jazz. I wished I had him with me right now. I had never fought without knowing he had my back covered.

They moved a little further into sight and I pounced. Quickly I had the little one down and my teeth at her throat when I heard it.

"NO BELLA" I looked up to see Edward running towards me as two arms wrapped around my waist. I struggled trying to get free. Edward had come back and I needed to get to him. I let my head fly back as hard as I could and heard a crack when it connected with my captors' nose. I brought my foot up behind me and jabbed it into his crotch to finally get him to let go. As soon as his arms were gone I sprinted across the open space and lunged myself into Edward arms.

"We have to get out of here" I was pulling him toward the front door. "We have to go."

"Bella wait" He was holding me back.

"What is wrong with you?" I questioned. "They are attacking and we have to move." I knew he wasn't use to battle like I was but any idiot knew that you didn't stay where there were people trying to kill you. I saw a movement out the corner of my eye and placed myself in front of Edward letting my shield cover him. I crouched down and growled at the coming assailant.

"Whoa, Bella calm down." Emmett was standing across from me with his arms raised. I quickly expanded my shield to include him glad that I had a few reinforcements. I rose up from my defensive crouch and grabbed Edward's hand rushing us over to stand by Emmett.

"What is going on?" Rosalie appeared next. I sighed. They had found a way to escape and had come back for me. I was beyond grateful but there were still the two attackers out back. I engulfed Rosalie and turned toward the would be killers.

"They've come for us." I whispered to everyone. "I had one down on the patio but the other tried to stop me. I saw Edward and was able to get free but I don't know if we are surrounded or not. I heard five of them so they could be anywhere."

"Bella, love" Edward was speaking in my ear. "That was us."

I turned to him. "What?"

"We were coming back from the woods." He continued to explain. "You must have heard us when we were approaching."

"Then who was attacking me on the patio?"

"I wasn't attacking you I was pulling you off Alice." Jasper limped in with Alice clutched to his side. "I forgot how you can get in a battle kitten."

"Kitten?" Emmett questioned.

"I nicknamed her that years ago." Jasper told him. "Because she is so small and looks so sweet but has the deadliest claws and the worst temper." He motioned down his body to show the broken nose I had given him and the tears to his shirt. "Exhibit A."

"I'm sorry Jazzy" I ran over and hugged him but he stumbled back.

"It's okay but why did you jump on us and what were you doing in the tree?"

"I thought Maria had somehow gotten to you all and was coming after me." I looked around at them all. "I came downstairs and no one was here. Everything seemed too quiet and I know that sound."

"What sound?" Emmett looked confused. "If it was quiet wouldn't there be no sound to hear."

"In battle that is the loudest sound there is." I told him.

"It means someone is about to attack or they already have." Jasper added then looked at me. "Didn't you get the note?"

"What note?" I looked at all of them.

"The note I left telling you to met us in the woods two miles from here." Alice stated.

"I didn't see a note."

"Are you sure you left it Alice?" Rosalie asked her.

"Of course" She moved away from Jasper and walked over to the kitchen counter. Sure enough there was a piece of paper right there.

"You left it in the kitchen?" Edward raised his eyebrows.

"Yes" Alice looked offended. "That's were normal families leave each other notes."

"But we're not normal Alice" Jasper walked over to her. "Do you remember the last time we used the kitchen."

"When that Avon lady was here." Alice said proudly.

"Yes and that was two months ago." Rosalie chimed in. "Really Alice what were you thinking? We don't eat so why would she go in there?"

"I knew we should have just taken her with us." Edward added.

"At least she wouldn't have attacked Alice" Emmett piped up.

"Serves her right for coming up with such a ridiculous plan." Rosalie spoke again.

Alice looked so sad. "I just wanted it to be a surprise." She leaned into Jasper.

"Hey everyone back off" I moved to stand by Alice. I felt sorry that they all were picking on her. I didn't know what this plan was but whatever it was she didn't deserve this. "She made a mistake. It's one mistake in a sea of millions. Lighten up."

Edward and Jasper smiled at me. "She's right" Edward said coming to stand beside me. "We're sorry Alice."

"It's okay." She smiled and hugged me but it wasn't one of the breath stealing hugs she was famous for. "Thanks Bella."

"No problem pixie" I ruffled her hair.

"Hey" She tossed her head so that I couldn't touch her and smiled.

Edward wrapped his arms around me and whispered in my ear. "I'm just glad you're safe."

"Yeah" Jasper agreed. "When we first walked up and there was no movement I got really worried. I guess the same thoughts went through my head too. I thought Maria had attacked and you had been here all alone."

"I wouldn't worry." Emmett laughed. "From the look of you I would say she's got some pretty wicked moves. You look like she firmly kicked your ass."

Everyone laughed including Jasper. "Trust me you don't want to see this one really fight or really angry." Jasper pointed at me. "It's not just her shield that kept her alive."

"But we saw her angry when she attacked Edward, right?" Emmett looked slightly alarmed.

Jasper and I exchanged glances and chuckled. "That was moderately annoyed." Jasper told him. "If she had been angry I wouldn't have been able to get her off him."

Everyone's eyes focused on me. "Sorry" I smiled. "I try to control it."

"Wow" Emmett laughed again. "Glad you're on our side."

"Definitely" Jasper laughed with him.

"Still do you really think you could have taken on five vampires and been okay?" Edwards's voice was clouded in worry.

"I think I could have handled myself" I shrugged.

"Handled herself?" Jasper laughed louder this time. "Edward, five vamps would have been nothing for Bella. I've seen her take down twenty in less time than it took us to hike to that field Alice found."

"Jazzy could you please stop scaring them." I was smiling but it was mainly so that everyone would stop looking at me like I had suddenly grown another head. I hated talking about those days. I didn't like to think about the person I had been and all Jasper was doing was drudging up memories that were best kept in the past.

Jasper looked at the faces staring at us and apologized. "Sorry Bells" He leaned toward me. "Sometimes I forget everyone hasn't had the crazy past we have."

"Let's change the subject." I suggested.

"Agreed" Edward took my hand and pulled me into the living room and onto the sofa. The rest of the family followed suit. Emmett turned on the television and flipped through channels until he found what he deemed a theme movie. I had never seen "The Immortal Sergeant" before but I had to give it to him, the title was perfect.

"I was a Major thank you very much." Jasper puffed. He always loved his command. Too bad he was changed; he probably would have made it to general.

"But you were still immortal" Emmett teased back.

"Not when I was a Major." Jasper hated when people didn't take the army seriously.

"Hey guys" I interrupted. "What about we say that we have had enough fighting for one day and watch the movie."

"Fine" Jasper mumbled.

I turned my attention to the movie but something was still nagging at me. "Alice"

"Yeah?"

"What were you guys doing out in the wood anyway?" It seemed strange that with everything going on they would go hangout where someone could come catch them. Jasper would never have gone for that but he did so it must have been important.

"Well" Alice hesitated while everyone looked at her. "We were throwing you a party."

"A party?" I had to have heard her wrong. "Why would you be throwing me a party?"

She looked at Jasper and buried her head in his shoulder. "Because I inadvertently mentioned that yesterday was the day that I changed you and Alice thought it would be a good idea to throw you a birthday party." He explained.

I looked at the back of her head and wondered what she had been thinking. Did I look like the kind of girl that would be excited by that? Even human I had hated parties.

"There was cake and everything" Her voice floated from Jaspers arm.

"Alice" I closed my eyes. "We don't even eat."

"I know but a party isn't a party without cake." She looked over at me. "Are you angry?" She asked slowly.

Everyone stopped expectantly and stared. I was so going to have to really kick Jasper's ass for this. I smiled again and leaned onto Edward. "Let's just watch the movie."

AN: I hope you enjoyed these little treats. Be sure to check the website for a sneak peak at what's to come Wednesday. Talk soon everyone and I hope you all had a great holiday.

Don't make me blue; please review :)