AN: sorry it took longer this time. Real life happens.

All characters found in the Twilight Saga are sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

Tense conversations

The drive home was quick and silent. My thoughts and emotions completely wrapped around Bella and Lenai's safety allowing me to tune out the reassuring thoughts of Carlisle. Scott's thoughts were disturbingly blocked from me. His ability to block me without seemingly any effort at all was very concerning, what is he hiding? Is he really an ally as he states, or is he still linked with the Volturri? If he is what is his purpose, and why are they so interested in Bella? Can it truly be simply because of her intimate knowledge of our kind, and if so I have put Lenai in that same danger. We must find a way to stop what he has shown me from happening. Meeting with the dogs will not be difficult to arrange as we see them daily at school; convincing them that we need to set aside our ancient disagreements and work together is another matter. They do not seem overly concerned about the safety of Bella or Lenai. Why would they work with us to keep them safe?

Our family stands patiently but anxiously on the porch as we pull up. Lenai stands comfortably between Rose and Alice. Bella gasps lightly as Scott pulls up behind us stepping out of his jeep and walks toward my family. Esme takes her hand gently whispering words of encouragement trying to calm her.

Why did you bring him here? Emmett asks defensively, obviously not comfortable with this stranger.

Who is he? Jasper asks His emotions are contradicting eachother. I raise my eyebrow questioningly at Jasper urging him to explain. Anger mixed with affection, relief mixed with anxiety and fear, curiosity mixed with acceptance. Every emotion I feel has an edge of something opposite; I can't tell what any of it is about.

Hmm, that's not good. I was hoping Jasper and Alice could help clarify this situation since my ability seems to be useless unless he wishes to reveal his thoughts to me. Alice. I turn my head slightly in her direction as I take Lenai's hand into my own hoping Scott misses this little exchange of glances. I turn Lenai around and head into the living room the rest of my family following with Carlisle and Scott closing the door behind them.

There are gaps in what I've seen Edward. Since you decided to go to his office I've been getting strange choppy visions, it's as if the path is set but things are missing. Almost as if what may happen during those stretches of missing time does not matter. I'll show you later, when were alone. I'm not sure my visions are private, it almost feels like someone else is in them with me. I've never felt that before, even when sharing them with you. It's almost like someone is physically in them, in me. I'm really freaking out over this. I don't like it Edward.

"An old vampire, I never thought I'd see it" Leave it to Emmett to focus on this man's age.

"Scott may I introduce my family, Esme" Carlisle states taking her hand in his, "my wife, and our children whom you have not been introduced to yet, Alice and her husband Jasper, Emmett and his wife Rosalie, and of course you've met Edward." Carlisle pauses extending his hand toward Lenai sitting in my lap with my arms wrapped around her holding her close, and moving his arm toward Bella sitting in an arm chair by the fireplace. "These are our dear friends whom we consider family, Lenai and her grandmother Bella."

"It is very nice to meet all of you." Scott states politely.

Alice freezes her eyes becoming glassy and her posture rigid as a vision overtakes her, for only a split second before her vision became clear in my mind I could have sworn I saw Scott jerk involuntarily casting his eyes in her direction while everyone else remained unaware of Alice's current state. A circular clearing of rough brown earth holds seven cloaked figures, from a distance it seems there stands a blonde haired man in their presence they seem to be talking. The seven nod in unison and begin to retreat. The center figure remains behind stretching out a pale fragile arm toward the man. The man cringes trying to back away, obviously trying to talk the other person out of touching him, unsuccessfully. The pale hand grabs his shoulder with vicious strength. The man falls to the ground unmoving as the dark figure hovers over him momentarily before following after the others. Alice and I meet eachother's stares as her vision clears. Later Edward, we need to talk.

Scott clears his throat looking around the room as if he has lost his train of thought. "You will find out shortly that I have known of you for some time now, but it is a pleasure to meet you face to face finally. You have an incredible family, and I feel honored to be invited into your home. I only wish it were under better circumstances." Looking around the room one more time he walks over and sits on the floor directly in front of Bella as all the chairs were taken. Well, he is certainly making himself at home. My protective instinct rears its head disliking his nearness to Bella. I am not the only one who feels this way either, thoughts of discomfort and outright anger at his chosen position rage in each and every person in the room with the quiet exception of Scott and Bella themselves.

Carlisle addresses everyone repeating the information we found out from Scott earlier in the day. The basic warning of trouble coming from the Volturri and the advice to enlist the aid of the pack which he once again stresses are not actually werewolves, as if it really makes some kind of a difference. He also highly encourages us to contact our Denali friends again and if they decline to come down he urges us to give them the same warning he has offered us. We are marked. I wish he would open up again and show me exactly what he means by this. The Volturri do not operate on any humanly measurable time frame; I do not understand the urgency in his voice and actions. Why would we become such a topic of interest to them to cause them to attack within months if they have allowed us to live in peace for centuries, and why are they suddenly interested in Bella and from what he intones Lenai when decades have passed by with no concern? What is causing them to act so swiftly and harshly?

"I have one more piece of advice for tonight. I hope you will take this deeply into consideration. I can not tell you everything right now, but I will as soon as I know it is safe to. Please move Bella and Lenai in with you till this is over, do not trust them to be safe in their own house. The Volturri have added to their strength in ways I am sure you never thought possible. The human mind is no longer a safe place. They need to be watched at all times. I will be watching them closely as well, but I am afraid I need to keep a visible distance from you and your family."

"I'm sorry Mr. Darlan, but I will not run in fear from my own home. I have lived too long to be scared of things that go bump in the night." Bella states defiantly.

A sly almost approving smile graces Scott's face as he lifts his head back to be able to see Bella better. "I assumed nothing less of you. Please for your granddaughter's sake at least allow your friends to stay with you in your home then, and please, call me Scott."

"I believe we can keep both Bella and Lenai perfectly safe in their own home, I am sure there is no reason to uproot them at this time. The move would be a terrible inconvenience to them." Carlisle informs Scott very convinced he is speaking the truth. "I wish you would clarify for us though more about you statement regarding the human mind no longer being a safe place. I am unsure how we can guard against such things."

"Bella, you've been having... dreams... dreams that are similar to ones you have had in the past however much more detailed, directed, and intimate if I am not mistaken." He states looking to Bella for confirmation.

Bella's face pales as she looks directly into his eyes. "How'd you know that?"

"Part of my gift. Like I said I will be watching to ensure your safety as much as I can, however I will need to keep my distance. I can not be seen interfering in these matters. You need to know you have an ally, please trust me in this." He finishes in a silky whisper causing Bella's heart to race and skip a beat. I wish I knew what emotion was causing this reaction in her. If he is scaring her to get her to obey his wishes I will gladly teach him some manners. "Whoever is watching over Bella needs to watch her carefully as she sleeps, if she seems distressed awaken her quickly, please."

Scott pushes himself up from the floor gracefully and briefly nods to Carlisle and Esme. "I'm afraid I must cut my visit short. I know you will need to discuss this as a family, but please I beseech you to head my advice." Carlisle escorts him to his car as we sit in silence waiting for his return and Scott's departure to discuss what we have just learned.

"What the hell!" Emmett exclaims as Carlisle rejoins us in the family room. "What's with the I know everything and no I can't tell you anything, but you have to listen to me crap!" Who the hell does he think he is!

"Emmett language please." Esme corrects him quietly.

"Emmett until we know what the situation is we need to take his warnings seriously. We have no reason at this time not to trust him." Carlisle answers.

"We don't have any reason not to trust him. Are you kidding me! The guy admitted to being part of the Volturri, what is there to trust! He did not tell us anything we need to know. All he offered were nebulous warnings and commands with no concrete reason behind them." Emmett replied full of fury.

"I believe him." Bella states calmly. Every head in the room spins in her direction. She stares at each of us briefly before continuing. "He knew of my dreams. I can't really tell you why, but I trust him. It doesn't make sense but I almost feel as if I've known him, for a while."

"Bella how sure are you about that?" Alice asks. Edward, there are some other weird things I've seen I didn't think meant anything, but I'm not so sure now. Alice shares the memories of several similar visions. In each vision Bella is being threatened in some nebulous way, the attacker never visible, a voice calls out to her in aid, but she refuses to listen. Every vision ends in a similar manner, Bella lying broken but not beyond healing.

"I'm sure, I just don't know why I am." Bella answers.

"Whether or not we know everything I think putting extra precautions in place is a good idea. Taking turns staying with Bella and Lenai will not be a hardship on anyone. Edward you will move in with them. You plan on being there constantly already I'm sure. Alice and Jasper do you mind staying over there the next couple of nights?" Carlisle effectively closes the argument.

"Of course we will." Alice answers running upstairs to pack their bags. Within a minute she is back in the living room their bags lined up by the front door.

"Emmett and I will stay over this weekend." Rose announces. "Are we going to be calling Tanya and the others?"

"Not tonight. We still need to know more before involve more people. This could end up being nothing more than an unnecessary precaution." He answers. "I agree with the need to speak to the wolves again though. It's been a long time since we've been here and it seems there is new leadership; it is time to renegotiate the pact. Bella would you mind speaking to Mr. Cruz about when we can meet with him and the leader of the pack please. The sooner we can meet the better it will go, I believe."

"I will speak to him tomorrow. Where will you want to meet?" Bella replies

"I think the school will be best. Please let him know only myself and Edward will be present. I do not want them to feel threatened," Carlisle gives Bella an appraising look before continuing. "and Bella, would you feel comfortable being there as well?"

"I would like that." She answers simply.

BPOV

My thoughts keep being drawn back to my dream from last night. Every detail becoming more solid more understandable. I know where I was now, the street where I was threatened is just down the road from the school. The sky showing through the mist was clearly Twilight, the mist itself is still a mystery as fog is not all that uncommon but only in the early morning and I have never seen a mist like this one, seemingly almost willed there to conceal something and to paralyze prey. It seems no matter how much time goes by I am always drawing dangerous attention. I know the Cullen's are blaming themselves for this current situation, but truth is this would have happened even if they had never returned. I just feel the truth of that. This has been waiting to happen for a long time now. The shadowy figure of my dream saviour tickles at the edges of my consciousness urging me to discover it. The musical, almost majestic quality of the voice leaves me uneasy. I am drawn to that voice, last night is not the first time I have been spoken to by that voice in my dreams. The memory of the first time is as clear tonight as it was the morning I had awoken from that terrible nightmare over a year ago. The voice had been calling out to me then as well, urging me to believe, and trust in it. Once again I had been unable to move, unable to trust. Never before last night though had I seen where the voice had come from; something about that figure seems very familiar, and almost comfortable. I wish I could find out something more about it, and why it seems so important; especially in light of what I learned today from Scott.

Shaking myself out of my thoughts I return to fixing dinner for Lenai and myself. Alice, Jasper, and Edward are in the living room talking quietly. I dish out the cold pasta salad onto our plates and put the garlic bread in the oven to heat up, deciding to join the conversation in the living room for a while.

"Dinner's almost ready." I state walking in to see Lenai sitting in Edward's lap on the love seat while Alice and Jasper cuddle on the couch. Walking over I sit beside Edward taking Lenai's hand in my own. "Don't worry sweetie. Everything is going to work out just fine."

"I know Gran, but I still don't have to like it." she answers stoically. "Those guys from the pack are just kind of creepy, even though you said I should not have to be around any of them at school this one guy was still in the same hallways as me after every class, and he just kept staring at me like he was angry or something."

I look over at Alice to see if she knows anything about this. "Alice, do you know who it was?"

"I think it was the Atearra boy; I'm not completely sure though the pictures in the yearbook you brought the other day are a little old, and they have all changed a lot since then." Alice answers.

"He was angry, but there was something else there that I don't fully understand Bella. Something more than just an emotion, I've never felt anything like it before. I don't think he means Lenai any harm though." Jasper states looking slightly confused.

The stove bell chimes letting us know the bread is ready. Lenai and I walk into the kitchen to eat, leaving the others behind.

"This looks delicious Gran, thanks." She smiles up at me before taking a large bite of pasta. "Mmm."

"Glad you like it kiddo. I'm getting better at this vegetarian stuff I think." I reply. Lenai shakes her head in agreement.

"Lenai, I see you really like Edward a lot. I'm happy for you. I have to admit I am a little worried about you though. Your mom died when you were still so young, and your dad, well lets just say I know my son. If you need to talk about anything; if you have any questions I hope you know you can always come to me." Lenai's face is flushed bright red, I hate embarrassing her. The heat creeps up my own neck in response. "Okay?"

"Yah Gran." she answers quietly looking down at her plate. Soft chuckles come from the living room causing both of us to blush again.

We finish our dinner in silence and work together to clean the kitchen and prepare lunches for tomorrow. "Well, I'm going to head up to bed. I didn't sleep too well last night and tomorrow is a big day." I say placing the last plate in the dishwasher and kissing the top of Lenai's head. Don't stay up to late."

"Goodnight Gran." She replies.

Alice meets me on the stairs. "Mind a roommate tonight?" she asks.

"Sure Alice," I answer. "I don't know that it's really necessary but I don't mind at all."

"Good!" she happy replies, "And while you are getting ready for bed I will choose your clothes for tomorrow."

I let out a small groan of protest knowing fighting her is useless.

The hot water falling over my shoulders feels lovely, releasing all the trapped frustration of the day from my muscles. The smell of my strawberry shampoo fills the room bringing a smile to my face. After all these years I still love that smell. I towel off and slip into my soft cotton pajamas and head to bed. Alice is out of the room as I slide under the sheets and drift to sleep almost instantly.

The blaring of my alarm clock wakes me early. No light shines through the thin curtains. I climb out of bed and open the curtains to look outside. Heavy black clouds fill the sky, rain so heavy it looks like a wall of water pours forth. Another beautiful Forks day, I sigh.

"You slept well." Alice says as she dances into the room carrying a steaming cup of coffee. "I didn't even get to hear you talking." she teases handing me to cup.

"Oh thank you, I shall love you forever." I sigh hugging her.

"I have to get into the office early today, I have a meeting with a students parents at seven. I'd better get ready. I will see you all at school later." I tell her." She smiles and prances back out the door and downstairs.

Fifteen minutes later I am fully ready and driving down the highway toward school. A couple of cars sit in the faculty parking lot when I pull in five minutes after seven. I quickly open my umbrella in the crack of my door and step out into the deluge. The rain is so heavy I can not see who waits in the cars. I rush over to the office door unlocking it and entering. Shaking the excess water off my umbrella into the waste bin I set it by the door and watch a small puddle form beneath it. The door opens and a couple in their late thirties step inside. I escort them to my office shutting the door behind them.

The meeting takes longer than I expected. Their son has been having problems with his math teacher and they wish to move him to another class which upsets his entire schedule. This did not make them happy creating more problems. Helicopter parents drive me insane, their son could have come in and spoken to me about this on his own and we would have worked through the problem quickly. Grabbing my umbrella and following them out the door I walk around campus unlocking all the other exterior doors before the students arrive. One lone car sits in the parking lot a few spaces away from my own. I wonder who it could be, no one else is at the school yet. I do not recognize the sleek dark sports car, it clearly is not the type of car most residents of Forks could afford. I will just go see if they need anything. The engine roars to life while I am still about ten feet away. Tires squeal on the wet pavement as it whips toward the exit spraying water behind it, leaving me completely soaked. UHH Today is going to be a great day.

As if to further prove this assumption a ratty old pickup truck pulls into the drive stopping a mear foot in front of me. "Good morning, Mr. Cruz." I say as he pulls himself out of the tiny cab.

"Good morning, Ms. Swan." he greets in return. "Enjoying the weather I see." he adds sarcastically eyeing my soaking outfit and dripping hair clinging to my forehead.

As much as I would like to smack the man I can't stop the laughter from breaking forth. "I must look like a drowned rat."

"Yes, you do." He laughs in reply. "Tell you what, you run home and get changed, I'll sail the ship till you get back." He offers kindly taking me by surprise. Not a kind word has been shared between us since the announcement that he would be my vice principal this year. What could have caused this change?

"Thank you, but I keep a spare set of clothes in the office in case of any mishaps." I reply. "Do you have a minute to spare once I get changed?"

"Of course." He answers looking intrigued.

I drop my umbrella in the corner once again not bothering to dust off the excess water. I will have to

come back and clean up the puddles I am leaving behind once I am dry anyway, what's one more. I change my clothing quickly in my office and grab an old towel to dry the entry way floor before someone trips.

Mr. Cruz comes out of the smaller office and stands against the wall smiling sarcastically while watching me clean the floor.

"You know a gentleman would offer to help." I say bitingly.

"I never professed to being one." he answers simply, continuing to watch me in amusement.

I finish drying the wetness convinced no one would fall on the slick floor and toss the towel behind my umbrella to take it home and launder it. "We can speak in my office." I direct Mr. Cruz. He follows me quietly into my office shutting the door behind him.

"The Cullens have asked me to set up a meeting between them and the pack. They would like to speak about the treaty, and a new threat they have just learned about." I say quickly, not wanting to waste time with small talk. I do not want someone to walk into the office and overhear this conversation.

"We need to speak to them as well." He answers seriously, his eyes simmering with some secret knowledge. "Where do they wish to meet?"

"I thought you could meet here, since this is familiar territory for the boys, and it is neutral." I say quietly trying to figure out what I am missing.

"Who will be at the meeting?" Mr. Cruz asks.

"Carlisle, Edward, and myself. What was learned yesterday involves myself and my granddaughter."

"Indeed." he answers cryptically "Tommy, Samuel, and myself will be attending then. We can meet after football practice ends. The school should be empty by then. 6:00."

"Thank you I will let them know." I reply. Mr. Cruz abruptly rises from his chair leaving the room.

The school day goes by quickly. I send a note to Edward's sixth hour class letting him know the meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. here at the school. The note sounds to the casual observer as if he is having a parent/principal meeting but he will understand what I mean.

I remain in my office till time for the meeting catching up on work that was left undone the other day when I had to rush to the Cullen's house to see Lenai. So much has happened in such a short time.

I grab my umbrella from beside the door and walk out into the parking lot. The rain has slowed to a soft drizzle and an odd orange light creates an odd effect on the falling rain. Edward and Carlisle sit waiting parked next to my car in the mercedes. I walk over to the car; Edward hops out and offers the passenger seat to me, shutting the door behind me and climbing into the backseat.

"Thought you might want to stay dry while we wait." Edward says as he settles himself.

"Thank you." I smile back at him.

"Did Mr. Cruz seem upset this morning when you requested this meeting?" Carlisle asks.

"Oddly, no. He said he needed to speak with you as well. He seemed relieved to know only you two were going to be here though. He also seemed pleased that I would be here." I answer still not understanding the change in behaviour Mr. Cruz has been exhibiting.

"Hmm." Carlisle answers. "I guess we will know more in a minute. I hear them coming now." Carlisle says opening his door and stepping out into the fine drizzle before opening his umbrella.

Edward and I follow suit, walking around the car to stand beside him.

Mr. Cruz, Samuel, and Tommy step out of an old beat up Buick and take a few steps toward us stopping ten feet away and scrunching up their noses in distaste.

"Hello. My name is Carlisle, and this is my son Edward."

"We know who you are." Mr. Cruz answers. "We know why we are having this meeting so lets get on with it. My name is David, and these young men are Samuel and Tommy."

A small growl rips from Edward's throat at the introduction of Samuel only to be returned by both Samuel and Tommy.

"Silence." Mr. Cruz barks at the boys sending a hard look in Edward's direction as well. The way the boys instantly obey leads me to believe as I suspected previously that Mr. Cruz, David, is the new pack's alpha.

"We will uphold the treaty you made with our ancestors. The boundaries of the reservation have changed since your last time here; I suggest you learn the new lines. I'd hate for there to be any misunderstandings." David informs Carlisle. "And the treaty with your family will only protect your family. We will attack any others without question."

"That is what we are hoping for." Carlisle answers. "There is a new member of our family who has agreed to the treaty as well. His name is Scott. We expect the treaty to include him."

"Mistakes can happen." Mr. Cruz warns.

Carlisle takes a picture from his wallet and hands it over to me. "Please give this to David for me please Bella, I don't think he would appreciate me coming any closer."

I hand carry the picture of Scott over to David. He takes it, briefly glances at it before handing it off to Tommy who glances at it and hands it to Samuel.

"This man," Carlisle says pointing to the picture. "Has told us some disturbing things. I am afraid there may be several vampires coming to the area in the near future. They would be coming whether we were here or not. They are after Bella and her granddaughter, but they will harm many in the process. My family will protect the towns people as well as Bella and Lenai as much as possible, but we were hoping for your help."

"We don't work with bloodsuckers." Samuel snarls

"Our responsibility lies with the reservation." David answers.

"The ones who are coming wish for your demise as well. They will not only be attacking the town. The woman who killed Samuel's father has told them of you and they wish to see your kind destroyed.

I understand your reluctance but it is time for us to stop the silent feud between my family and yours. It's time to work together or we may both loose everything we hold dear. Surely you can see the truth in what I say." Carlisle his mind rejecting the possibility of being refused.

"What do you suggest?" David asks over Samuel's growls.

AN: Once again review for a sneak peak. Please let me know what you think be it good or bad. Thanks.