Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Based on characters created by Stephanie Meyer in her Twilight series

Done By Dawn

Chapter 14

"I really hate camping," Bella had tried not to complain, but the heat and the mosquitoes were beginning to get to her.

"I thought you enjoyed it," Edward came to sit next to her, in the slight bit of shade near the canyon's east rim.

"That was when I didn't have anything for these damnable bloodsuckers to want." She looked up into Edward's eyes and couldn't help but laugh.

"Did you just say "damnable bloodsuckers"?" he asked her, trying not to laugh himself.

"Well," she giggled, "not the type of bloodsucker I want gnawing on me. I can think of a much larger species that I would love to have nibbling on me." Bella looked up at Edward, hopefully.

"Bella, you know-"

"Forget it." Bella rose and walked away from him. It had been almost two weeks since Edward had touched her, and she was feeling the effects of his loss of affection.

"You know he loves you," Alice walked up behind Bella, and was soon at her side. "We all love you."

"Doesn't matter," Bella watched the dust and dirt as her feet shuffled along the canyon floor. The two girls walked along in silence, until Alice noticed tears beginning to fall to Bella's shoes.

"Bella please," she pleaded with her best friend and sister.

"What if I can't do it?" she stopped and looked at Alice. "What if I stay this way forever?"

Alice grabbed Bella by her upper arms. "That won't happen. Bella please, all you have to do is relax and continue the search."

"I try. I really have tried. I can't seem to concentrate deeply enough. There's just too much going on."

"Come on," and Alice pulled Bella to the stream that ran farther north on the east side of the canyon. When they reached the soft grass that surrounded the stream, Alice sat near the water and patted a spot next her. Bella joined her friend and began to slowly pull up the grass under her crossed legs.

"You said that you got to the top of your uterus and found Renesmee's there. Then you jumped. We'll start there-before the jump."

Bella closed her eyes and reached inside herself. Her mind was racing to the point where she had found Renesmee's DNA...

"Edward! Come and give me a hand with this," Cory yelled across the canyon.

Bella's deep sigh was all Alice needed to hear, to know that she had failed again.

"Give me a minute," and Alice bounded off the canyon floor and landed about five feet from where she had sat. "Now listen up, you asshats. We're vampires and werewolves here. No one needs to yell! So just keep it down! I'm working here!" All the frustration that Bella had felt over the last week, came out in Alice's voice.

"Quite the terrifying little pixie Jasper has there," Cory commented to Edward.

"You have no idea," Edward shook his head, and the two of them went silent, as they worked to make it look like the campsite had been in use for at least two weeks.

"OK Bella," Alice sat back down. "Let's try again," her voice became soft, soothing. "This time close your eyes and listen to the stream. Hear the sound of the water as it moves over the rocks."

"Are you trying to hypnotize me?" Bella asked with a smile.

"Just shut up and do it!" Alice ordered.

"OK," Bella laughed and then sighed. She straightened her back, gave her shoulders a small shake, and grew silent.

Alice watched as Bella's forehead began to wrinkle and sweat from her efforts to focus and concentrate. Her breathing became shallow, but in a matter of minutes she gasped and a huge smile crossed her face.

"Stupid," she whispered. "So stupid."

And then she was ice!

The canyon rocked with the echoes of the elated scream that bounced off it's walls. Alice grabbed Bella in a bear hug and continued to scream and bounce until Edward and Cory came running, fearing that something had attacked the two girls.

Edward stopped just inches from Bella and Alice. He couldn't see anything wrong, but Alice had such a death grip on Bella, that he wasn't able to see anything except a small patch of clothes covering her lower back.

"Alice," Edward hissed, "move." Edward's eyes were huge gold circles, as he watched Alice release Bella and slowly step back.

"Well hell," Cory commented. "Knew that was going to happen sooner or later," and he waved his hand, and walked away, but he was smiling broadly as he went.

"Bella!" Edward breathed, his icy breath felt warm and comforting along the back of her neck.

"Yes, Edward?" Bella turned her head to look up at him. Her smile dazzled him with it's beauty.

"I've missed you," he reached down to help her up.

"Well!" Alice was bouncing on the balls of her feet. "A thank you would be nice-but I guess you two want to be alone for a while. So..." and Alice literally skipped over to Cory, grabbed him by the arm and pulled him toward the truck near the canyon entrance. "Finish that later," she advised him, and they both ran to the truck and left the area.

"Guess we could go for more supplies," Cory offered, as he looked into the trucks rear view mirror.

"That might be a good idea," Alice agreed, as she took a final look over her shoulder. She watched as Bella pushed Edward to the ground, and wondered if she was a newborn again. But Alice's attention was soon diverted from the sight of her brother being bested by his wife. Another sight filled her mind.

"They'll come from the west. Oh my God!" Alice gasped. "There's so many of them!"

Cory floored the truck and headed for the house at top speed. When he skidded to a stop in the front of the house, Jenna and Jasper were already outside waiting for them.

"Alice had a vision," was all Cory said, as he jumped out of the truck.

Jasper rushed to meet Alice as she opened her door. "Oh Jasper," she voice was shaky, "there's so many of them. How can we..."

"We have a plan," Jasper worked to calm his wife. "We knew that they would gather strength. Did you get a count? The usual contingent is about 25."

"At least 50," Alice announced. "Probably more."

"We won't get them all in the canyon," Jenna looked at Cory.

"Good thing we planned for that," Cory said.

"Anything on a time table yet?" Jasper asked Alice.

"About 12 hours. Right around dawn tomorrow." Alice gave a small shiver and Jasper held her tight. "Oh!" Alice suddenly announced, "Bella's a vampire again."

"Well I hope she can turn it off by morning. I need her to be human when they show up." Jenna wiped her hands down the sides of her jeans, and turned toward the house. "Let's get the show rolling." As she entered the dining room, Jenna was all business. "Jasper, make the call. Connie," she yelled toward the kitchen. "Let's get that feast going. Bill, get the van packed and ready"

"The van?" Alice asked.

"The house is too close," Cory told Alice. "With that many vamps, there's sure to be a few hungry ones. Jenna wants to make sure everyone's safe."

"So Bill's taking everyone on a vacation." Jenna offered. "I was thinking that Italy would be a safe place to go, but Connie has always had a desire to see the Eiffel Tower. It'll be educational for Nita too. They'll be back next week." Jenna's eyes gained a watery sparkle as she spoke.

Alice watched the tears fill Jenna's eyes, but said nothing about it. "You've prepared for the worst, haven't you?" Alice asked her.

"I'd be a fool not to." Jenna sat at her usual place at the table as Connie brought out the dishes she had prepared for this, possibly last, meal together. "I have people depending on me for their livelihoods. I have to make sure they are taken care of, in the event of failure. That doesn't mean that I think we will fail. I believe we will win, but for the sake of my friends, I have to play it safe."

"I understand," Alice nodded. "The only human I've really been thinking about is Bella. I hadn't even considered anyone else. I'm sorry, I feel like a selfish idiot."

"Don't," Connie placed her hand on Alice's shoulder. "We were not for you to worry about. You had many other concerns. You have many responsibilities. We are not for you to dwell on." Connie smiled at Alice and returned to her usual seat at the table as well.

"We should leave you to your dinner," Jasper reached for Alice's hand, to take her from the human gathering.

"No," Bill called to them. "You're a part of this family now." Everyone at the table nodded and smiled at them. "Sit with us. Talk for a while."

Alice and Jasper joined Jenna, Cory, Bill, Tony, Connie, and Nita, for what they all feared would be their last dinner together. The conversation started out solemn but soon became more lively. Alice set aside her doubts and joked and laughed with everyone else. Jasper had worked to relax the group, but before long his manipulations were no longer needed. When the dinner was finished, everyone helped to clear and clean the table and the kitchen, then everyone left to gather the last of their travel needs.

Hugs, kisses and handshakes created a confusing mass of moving parts, as everyone said their goodbyes. Finally Bill herded everyone into the van, and they all waved and yelled as the van began it's trip down the dusty road to Wells.