Hey guys, thanks for all the amazing reviews, and here is another chappie. But before that, I need to ask you guys something.

Do you want lemons in the Breaking Dawn of the series?

It's really important guys as I'm about up to the point where I'll either write it or do a vague kind of, "And then we continued" or something, please answer via review.

Okay, here's the chapter.

20. Old friends

Edward left in the morning with a sweet kiss to my sleep-dreary form. I did not push myself upon him, I learned from last night. I had a whole new incentive to make sure this plan worked, I would have my night with Edward if it killed me – but most likely it would kill others.

I ditched school – it was sunny out so Edward actually had a real reason to go hunting, and I convinced most of the other senior class to ditch too. I hope the teachers wouldn't realize I planned this; they may once again turn on me. I hoped they were still scared enough of Charlie not to do anything.

Edward didn't really approve when I called him to tell of my vagrancy. He allowed it though, mostly on the terms that I promised I would have at least on werewolf or vampire with me at all times. Edward was just being cautious, barely any newspapers had reported on the disappearances in Seattle, and the fact that he was letting me go to the city also vouched on his ignorance. Edward didn't know there were vampires there, but he wanted someone with me just in case my bad luck decided to draw one in.

I was hoping may bad luck would draw in them all.

So I drove to La Push. I didn't like to think that my possible getaway car was my truck, so we were taking Jake's Rabbit instead. Plus, it would get us there faster, if not as fast as one of the Cullen cars. I couldn't use one of those; the Cullen's scent would ruin it. The idea was to surprise Victoria without numbers, not give her hints that I had almost the full arsenal. It would be hard enough with the fewer numbers, we needed an advantage.

The car ride was long and mostly quiet as we listened to Jacob's radio. I was trying to look for the big faults in my plan, trying to think up a last minute way to fix them. Jacob was quiet too, but I couldn't tell if it was because he was thinking or he wanted to give me time to think.

"How do you do it all?" Jacob asked suddenly – it had been a long time since he spoke. I guess he must have been thinking, because his brows were furrowed in confusion as he stared out onto the road.

"Do what?" I asked.

"Everything," he sighed, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "I mean, like with my Dad, with your hand, with Harry, with that vampire with the dreadlocks."

"Laurent," I corrected. I hadn't thought of him much lately, I wondered how he was doing – was he back on his vegetarian diet or not?

"Yeah, still, how do you do it?"

I pursed my lips, thinking of how to phrase it. I always assumed Jacob knew everything about my power – but I guess I hadn't really shared as much as I thought with him. "You know how Edward reads minds," Jacob nodded stiffly – an unconscious reaction to the mention of my fiancée. "When he was human, he was very good at understanding people, could guess things about them and such. He had his gift even when he was human, just weaker. This power is my gift."

"Okay, but what is it?"

"I don't know yet, it's kind of hard to define as of yet. I guess I could say I control bodies."

"You can control someone?' he gawked.

"No, but I can control their body kind of – it's purely physical, like cell by cell, and muscle, bone physical. I can't make someone think something. I can make them feel something though; trick the brain into thinking there is something on their backs. The brain is physical too, just exponentially more confusing and delicate than a muscle – it's like trying to stop and control a bunch of little electric sparks, like wiring – it's too difficult for me to do much with."

"So you could make someone think something if you were stronger."

"No, that's mental, not physical. I could possibly trick them into thinking they were dizzy or something, block the receptors in their mind, but that is all. I can't always control their bodies either – the smarter the organism the harder it is to control them, especially if they don't want me to control them. I could control you easily when you were unconscious and almost falling off the bed – I thought you'd be more comfortable with your head on a pillow. Now though, if I tell you what I'm about to do, I probably won't be able to do it – you're brain resists too much."

Jacob had listened intently, nodding as the events were all clicking in his head now. I didn't think I had been keeping him so in the dark, but I was glad he understood now. "Okay, shoot, try me."

"I'll try and lift your arm." Then I did it, and it started to rise for a second before Jacob frowned determined, holding it back down.

"See, I'm really weak with my power, I have to catch people by surprise. Who is going to expect their body to do something they don't want it to? Well, someone who doesn't have one of those terrible diseases probably won't."

"Do you use your gift on me often?"

"Not very often – it's always there, I can feel when you're tired, or when you tense, and when you move even if I can't see you. I could probably tell your body easier than someone else's; I'm so attuned to you, like I can tell your face from a crowd. I don't use my gift move or change things about you often – mostly when you've done something or about to do something stupid – like when I zapped you that time after you kissed me, also when you got angry at me I stopped you phasing."

"You can do that?" That seemed to surprise him the most, shock him, and scare him a little.

"Temporarily, and once again if you knew I was stopping you phasing, you could probably do it with a little effort."

Jacob was silent for a moment, thoughtful, one finger tapping at the finger wheel. "Do you think you could use it against the vampires?"

"I hope it isn't necessary, but if I needed to I'm sure I could. It may not be a great help though, especially not against Victoria. I think she knows what I can do, I used it against her once."

Jacob cringed at the memory; I had been bait for Victoria then as well. Things hadn't worked out with that one; I had survived but battered and bruised.

"This will work this time," I told him, half for his benefit, and half for myself. It would work, it had to.

888

I spent the day walking around Seattle – the idea was to spread my scent far and wide, so Victoria or one of her minions would recognise the scent. Jacob stayed at my side the whole time, in case one of the newborns attacked me. I knew Victoria was not stupid enough to attack me in public, and wouldn't in the out of sight areas without her army. She wouldn't underestimate me, much like I wouldn't underestimate her.

I didn't make it look like I was looking for her. I pretended I was just spending the day in Seattle, the only difference was that if I was spending the day in Seattle normally I would be making Jake look into the face of every female I passed.

Jake's eyes were only for me that day; he could barely disguise the protective aspect about him. Girls glared at me in jealousy when they saw him watching me, with me. He did not even try to disguise the love in his eyes. He even kissed me on the cheek, or the shoulder, or the arms. I noticed a lot of men quickly look away when they did that. I was a little grossed out, and found myself subconsciously groping for the knife that used to so often live at my belt.

I wanted that knife, even my gun, that day often. I knew Jacob was probably better protection; in fact my gift probably was, but still.

I did not just browse the malls, parks, shops, or general public areas. I did browse though; I even bought a few things, mostly for tonight. I bought a shirt to go out in tonight, shoes, and a coat. It was very cold that day, the sky overhead was blackening and the air was scarily still and warm. Jacob told me a storm was on the way – I wished Alice had warned me, I didn't have the money to buy anything more to ready myself for bad weather.

I even charmed a guy to give me an umbrella – Jacob may have helped by the way he stood just off behind me, flexing his muscles while feigning nonchalance. I couldn't see him, only feel him, but I guessed his eyes were burning black by the way the guys eyes flickered from me to over my shoulder, his smile a little wavering. Maybe Jacob convinced him more than me now that I think about it.

I travelled all around the city, making sure not to show I was going out of the way when I made my special visits – this was when I wanted my dagger.

I met a lot of people in my dark days, the wrong people to know, but helpful in this situation. They were the kind of people Charlie would die to hear I know. Most of them I met in the clubs, whether I was giving them a service or gambling with them. The only one who knew me strictly from business was the one who gave me the fake ID in my wallet.

I talked to him first. Jacob looked old enough to not need a fake ID, but I wanted to give him one, just in case. I didn't know what could happen tonight, he needed the papers.

The man was good at what he did, weasel-like and charged a lot. I didn't bother to remember his name, only his contact details by which I knew where he was. He moved so often in this city so as to make sure he was never found by the authorities.

He gawked when he saw me walk into the dingy apartment, recognition and fear just visible in his grey eyes. He left the door open for custom, but the gun on his desk was security enough, especially because I knew he had good hearing, and had another gun aimed at me under the table. I could not see the gun; I could feel it in his hand. I didn't realize what danger I had been in the first time I had seen him. The gun on the table was for show, a rifle – no police would arrest him for that weapon, he could be a hunter.

Jacob didn't know about the gun under the table, he just stiffened and tensed from the atmosphere, the poorly lit room, the lamp illuminating the man's empty work desk. Weed smoke fogged the room, and it stank.

The man had long hair, greasy, and crooked yellow teeth. He gambled, another contact told me this, which is why his coat was dirty and ripped, why he looked so bad. He must have gambled a heap for the amount I had to pay for Jake.

Jacob himself didn't know why I had walked in until I snapped at the man. "I want an ID for him; it will be ready by this afternoon."

Jacob's eyes widened at my change of personality. For those minutes I was who I had been when Edward was away, an imposing, angry and slightly dangerous woman it was foolish to mess with. The fact I had a buffed out guy who had to duck to get through most doorways only emphasized this image.

The man gulped, fetching the papers Jake needed to fill. I gestured for him to follow the small man; I had to repeat the motion as Jacob's eyes had zeroed in on the hand gun previously hidden from his sight.

We left after Jacob filled the papers, I repeated that it needed to be done in a few hours, it was only nine, and he could get it done.

Jacob rounded on me when we were alone in an alley a few streets from the unit. He slammed his hands into the wall either side of me, face so close to mine I could feel the hot breath snorting out of his nostrils. "What the heck was that?" he demanded, moving a hand to point at the way we had come.

I straightened up, raising my chin and flexing my jaw. I glared into his eyes. "That is a man who is going to give you documents proclaiming you are twenty-three."

"How the heck do you know about a guy like that?"

"I think half the teenager's in this country have fake IDs," the words were meant to be reassuring, but my voice still had that edge, that tone of the girl I had been.

"That wasn't some normal guy, he had a gun. He made my hackles rise, and I swear I smelt weed! There was gunpowder in there; he had shot that gun recently. Didn't you see the bullet holes?"

"No, I didn't. If you inspect his place to too closely he will probably shoot that gun again."

Jacob was still glaring down at me, and bent even closer. He was tense all over, not about to phase, but angry at me surely. "You are avoiding the question. Damn it, I don't ask much, tell me how the fuck you know that guy!"

I took a slow breath, rolling my shoulders and looking up at him fiercely. "Do not ask questions you don't want to know the answer to. Just know I met people last year, and we'll be meeting more tonight. Try not to bite one, bullets may not kill you but they might me."

Jacob just gawked, and I took the opportunity to duck out from under his arm. I waited at the end of the alley, hands on my hips. "C'mon," I said, completely changing into the normal me, smiling widely. "I need some get some underwear, I'll let you see them if you come."

I had been joking, but Jacob was still sombre when he joined me. "I know you don't need any, please don't bribe me."

I gasped, feigning shock before smiling. "Have you been going through my purse Jacob Black?"

"No, but you're red panties were sticking out when you took you're purse out," he grinned a little, and my Jacob was back.

Jacob was more prepared when we visited the next people, partly because I told him we were seeing some more of my 'old friends' and partly because he already knew a little of what to expect.

Mr Baker and Mr Turner were very surprised to see me, but seemed equally happy. No, not happy, their grins did not equate to happiness, the lust in their eyes did not.

I found the two at their hotel room, the two were kind of business partners of sorts, but despite that their room was one of the largest possible in Seattle, plenty of bedrooms, richly furnished, inside pools, the lot. The two were smoking, Mr Baker had a scotch in the other hand, and Mr Turner had a whisky on the table.

"You are not the two we were expecting. When I told Nancy to let a woman with brown hair and a large man up I thought there would be no similar visitors to us. I may have to be more specific," Mr Baker always talked too much.

Mr Turner glared at him for revealing the information he did. Then he turned back to me and Jacob, quickly assessing Jake before smiling at me. "Why may I ask do we have to pleasure of your company today? I trust all the money has been paid back to you; it has been a fair while since I've seen you at the tables."

Jacob frowned at me questioningly; I shook my head at him. I knew I would rarely deal with these two ever again, but they needn't think me weak, or know too much about my situation. "No, the money has been paid, I just need a favour."

They both smiled as they raised their eyebrows. Mr Turner tilted his head. "What exactly is it that you ask?"

"If there are any police calls over at Allan's Chipping for a fire, do you think you could delay the response – you know, just by about half an hour or so?" I smiled to the side.

"Oh, little Lexi getting into trouble now? How do you intend to pay for this service? Neither of us has seen one of your so often talked of dances, but where is your dagger?"Mr Baker jeered.

I could feel how tense Jake was beside me. I was mildly disgusted myself; I had no idea what he felt.

"I do not dance without my knife. Is money okay?"

"Ah Lexi, for the pleasure of your company this fine morning, we shall perform this for free. We are though expecting a very important visitor, so as much as I would love to have a drink with you and you're large friend, regrettably I will have to ask your leave."

I nodded, smiling, "Until another time gentlemen."

Jacob did not speak until we were far from the skyscraper. This time he did not yell at me, just spoke calmly and quietly as we passed through a quiet street. "What did they mean by dance? How do you know those men?"

"I gambled with them often, large quantities in fact. I won the last time I saw them, though I had handed them my money before enough that they still gained money from me rather than being out of pocket themselves." I chose not to answer the dancing part.

Jacob frowned at me but did not ask further. He seemed to be brooding while I chose the warmest jacket I could find that was cheap enough to throw away. I shivered even inside the heated store, it was becoming freezing outside.

The last meeting shocked Jacob the most, and that was likely because of the item or items I bought.

Travis Bawdy's 'office' was the hardest of the three to get to, especially because I had never been there before, only heard about it and gotten directions. I guessed his business was the most illegitimate. Jacob followed quietly as I led him to the subway, and even quieter as I slipped down into the tunnel. His eyes were flickering in the dark, and I was sure he was listening for the train he was sure would run us over.

"Second turn to the right, third door to the left, right then," I whispered, the words were repeating like a mantra in my head. I didn't worry about the trains; with Jacob's ears he would hear it five minutes before it was even visible.

I hurried quickly, squinting in the dark just barely illuminated by the small lights in the tunnels. My shadows stretched strangely on the slightly curved walls. My sneakers splashed in the puddles at my feet. It reminded me of the time in Volterra, I cringed at the memory.

"What is it, Bella?" Jacob asked, concerned when he saw the expression on my face. His voice was extremely loud in the tunnel, even though he whispered.

I put my finger to my lips, smiling encouragingly, and turning back to the tunnel, walking it, taking the turns carefully.

Soon enough we were at the door in the side of the tunnel that led to Travis's place. It was labelled, "Staff only," but the sticker was curling at the edges, like it was rarely used.

I pushed against the door, and was sickened by the smell inside – it smelt like diesel. Jacob's noise crinkled even more than mine. I could taste the fuel in my mouth as I breathed in, my nose seemed to have clogged itself and refused to be used for respiration.

I tuned right, and was met by another door. I knocked.

Travis opened the door a small amount, peeking around the edge of the door. At the sight of me he smiled, opening the door widely.

He looked the same as the last time I saw him. He was a large man, taller than Edward though not as tall as Jacob. He was African-American, muscular – still not as much as Jacob – with a broad nose and wide mouth. His head was shaved like usual, and he wore a grease-stained white tank top that strained around his bulk as well as loose track pants over his sneakers. He was in his late twenties, and very arrogant about his body.

He grinned down at me, openly looking down my shirt, dark eyes burning with lust. "Hi there Lexi, finally realized you want some more?"

I felt like zipping up my jacket. I could feel Jacob about to run at Travis, feel his burning gaze from behind me. I turned around, mouthing, "Just go with it."

Only then did Travis notice my company. He sized up Jacob, confident and cocky in himself – Jake was bigger, but Travis had been in the army. "I don't do threesomes," Travis said when he was done.

A low growling emanated from Jacob. I poked him in the ribs with my gift, turning back to Travis and smiling, leaning to give him a better view at my exposed breasts. "I didn't come for that. Are you going to let us in? I'm freezing my ass off out here."

"I wouldn't want such a pretty thing to go to waste," Travis grinned, raising his arm so I could duck through.

There was a tense moment as Jacob stepped towards Travis. Jacob was now very noticeably bigger in the doorway, about four inches taller and probably the same in width of his shoulders. Travis dropped his arm, sneering up at Jacob and blocking his path. "And who are you?"

Jacob smiled down at him, exposing bright sharp teeth. His smile was threatening, like a wolf bearing its teeth. "You don't need to know," he said huskily, voice deep.

Travis turned to me, outwardly confident; though I could feel the hairs rise on his arms, feel his muscles tense. I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms, impatient. I could almost smell the fear from him; Jacob probably could too, as he was grinning down at him. Jacob pushed past him to come inside, having to duck under the doorframe.

"What is it you did want then?" Travis asked, gulping as he stepped inside.

"Explosives, I hear you're the best in the city. I want something inconspicuous that I can light." I brought out my lighter for emphasis, playing with the flame. Jacob's face was emotionless, he wasn't aware of this part of the plan.

Travis grinned, ignoring the threat of Jacob now. He liked this work, not just for the money. War had messed him up a little, I was glad Jake was here, those lusting eyes hinted at a danger I didn't want to contemplate. My virginity was for Edward, not to be taken away by some overly muscled man in the underworld.

I didn't get too much; I just needed enough for the building. Allan's Chipping had been bankrupt for months, it would not affect anyone more than a bad smell in surrounding areas which were rarely used anyway.

I left happily, having persuaded Travis to give me the items for a lower price (that pleasure spot with a stroke of his arm).

It literally was freezing when we got outside in the open. It was snowing, the wind was howling through the city, and any people we could see were holding broken umbrellas and running for cover.

Jacob wrapped his arms around me, and we too hurried to where we were to meet the Forks High students. His warmth was more than welcome, and I pressed myself tightly to him. He didn't question me this time.

See, what Alexis did in New Moon was neccessary fro other reasons, not just to gross you guys out.

Once again, I'll remind you of the importance of you telling me whether or not you want lemons in Breaking Dawn. Tell me in a review, because then I can count if people definitely want citrus or do not.

REVIEW YOUR ANSWER PLEASE!

*Edit* Oh yeah, sorry guys I forgot to say there is an Edward POV for the chapter, so review your answer and I'll send you the treat.