A/N's: My sincere apologies for the delay in updating. I know it's not a massive delay, merely hours but it involves a radiator, my foot and the ER. Unfortunately the radiator won and I have a broken toe (insert violins) and spending many wasted hours at the ER made me late to post.

Tanya, my beta, you save me time and time again. Thank you for always being there.

Debbi, Ri and Lorilei I really enjoyed talking to you guys tonight and I honestly thought my lack of update would go unnoticed for quite a few hours, so thank you for your concern and best wishes.

Ch21 Ally's

Bella's POV

I awoke slowly. The hazy blur of my dreams retreating to the far recesses of my mind, leaving behind only a vague recollection of their contents. I knew James had featured in the beginning, but thankfully my nightmare transformed into the more welcome image of Edward and the comfort his loving arms always promised.

I buried myself deeper into the blankets and felt a solid wall along my back. It felt cooler than me, so I pulled away from it, only to feel it move closer again, pressing deep into my spine and twining legs with mine.

Edward.

I smiled and snuggled back against him; his chilly embrace was tolerable for a few more moments before a shiver caused goose bumps to rise up on my arms and I felt him withdraw from our cuddle.

"No," I protested and felt him hesitate.

"You're cold," he murmured, his breath tickling my ear.

"No," I repeated. "It's bearable. Come back."

I felt Edward snake his arms around my waist and pull me as tightly as he dared, against his chest. His knees curved into the back of mine and his groin pressed decadently on my bottom. He rested his face atop mine, so his lips were close to my ear. In a tone so low, it was barely as loud as a sigh, Edward started to hum to me. The vibrations from his voice washed over me and I closed my eyes and listened to his melody.

When he finally fell silent I turned my head and captured his lips with my own. He lifted one hand to stroke my cheek with his thumb, his lips moving over me, moulding me to his will.

He owned my senses. I could smell him with every inhale. Taste him as he swept his tongue against mine. Feel him as he pressed closer to me, enveloping me in his arms. Hear him groan gently as his hand brushed my nipple.

I opened my eyes and gazed at him as he kissed me. His lashes, so long and dark, fluttered on his upper cheek, the skin there was flawless and pale, almost as perfect as a statue, just as infinite and just as cold. I felt a shudder ripple over me and I sighed, wanting our kiss to continue, feeling frustrated that our physical differences would forever interfere with our physical affection.

Edward sighed too and pulled away so quickly I didn't see the motion. I turned in the bed to look at him as he walked over to the fire and stoked the embers, causing a flurry of smoke and flames to climb higher in their ashen bed. Sparks lifted and danced in the chimney before dispersing.

"I hate this," I stated and I meant it. I wanted to hold him and love him and never cause him to back away from me because of his strength or his lack of body heat or his cravings. I wanted him to be able to be near me, no worries or concerns and damn it, I wanted him to hold me now!

"Edward," I called out to him. I wanted to see his face but he kept his back to me. "Look at me!" I demanded. He turned his head and glanced at me from over his shoulder. "I want you," I lowered my voice.

"You're cold," he whispered. "And you're healing too, I shouldn't be selfish."

"It's I who is selfish Edward. I'm the one asking for your arms to hold me. Why are you making excuses? Don't you want me?"

"It's not an excuse," he growled, moving back to my side. He sat on the edge of the mattress, lifting his hand to tuck my hair behind my ear. "I always want you. I never stop thinking about having you. I long to feel your body next to mine but your safety and comfort are always my concern."

I saw my opportunity. "Then make me like you."

"You are like me."

"No."

"Yes."

"How the hell am I like you?" I demanded.

"Watch your mouth," he smiled. "You're immortal, like me, Bella. That's enough."

"No it's not Edward. You say I'm immortal and yes, I heal, with the help of your blood, from injuries I think I should be dead from, but I mean really like you. There are so many limitations for us. I want to be the same temperature, the same physically –"

Edward shook his head and interrupted me. "I cannot bite you and turn you."

He was never rude, and I knew his interruption was because he felt as strongly about this as I. But I still had my point to make, so I persevered. "Edward, you say my safety is your concern, but making me like you will be the best defence, can't you see that? God knows where James is, with a Vampire bite no doubt changing him. And then there are the other prisoners to rescue, the guards to fight and any other freakish danger that may be lurking out there that we haven't encountered yet."

"You're angry," he stated.

"Yes," I answered simply.

And I was angry. I was also so tired of everything. The last twenty-four hours should have shown us resolution. James should be dead. I wanted him to be dead. I had fallen asleep praying the bite wound was far too serious for him to survive and that his human remains lay decomposing in the woods somewhere, not writhing in Vampiric agony.

I knew that if he was changing then his pain wouldn't last forever. Soon it would be complete and he would be a Newborn. This fact scared me and I hated to admit it, but there was something else that bothered me more.

Why should he get what he had always desired and not me?

I wanted to be just like Edward. I longed to spend my eternity with him, and to never be scared of my weaknesses again, but he refused. Did I have to go along with it?

"You're not the only Vampire out there," I muttered and immediately regretted my words.

In a flash he was over me, pressing me down into the bed as soon as my last word was spoken. His face was only inches from mine and his breathing ragged as he narrowed his eyes and tried to control his anger. His movement and stance both aroused and frightened me, but I knew Edward didn't do it to hurt me. He was proving a point, trying to make me hear him. My words were spiteful but I knew what I wanted, and as much as I needed Edward to be the one to turn me, if he refused, I would find another way.

"Never joke about your life with me Bella," he growled.

Squaring my shoulders, I raised my chin and pretended he hadn't scared me. "Who said I was joking?" I dared to antagonise him further.

"You would go to another Vampire and ask them to bite you?" He looked pained by the very idea.

"I know what I want." I spoke my mind. "I want it to be you." Edward started to shake his head but I continued. "If you won't do it, then what choice do I have?"

"You have the choice to live as an immortal, with me, for always!" He stated. He made it sound so simple.

"But what if you're wrong?"

"How can I be wrong?"

"What if I'm not immortal Edward? You said to me you 'believed' I was. You didn't say for sure."

"You want surety?"

"I want you!"

"You have me," he whispered as he swooped down and kissed me. There was so much passion in him, I couldn't help but reciprocate. I grabbed the back of his hair, gripping fistfuls of it, pulling him closer even though not a slither of air could pass between us already.

"I want you," I sighed, as his lips left mine, telling him he was all I would ever really want again. He buried his face in my neck. "Don't you want me too? Like this? We could live forever, in each other's arms. You need never be afraid of hurting me again," I whispered, running my hands over his back and up inside his shirt. His muscles bunched under my touch and he moaned.

"You're so warm," he groaned as my hand moved lower and then over his bottom. Shifting my legs so he rested between them, I gripped his cheeks and pulled his groin against my pelvis. I burned for him. I lifted my hips trying to generate friction. We had too many clothes on.

He trailed his finger down my throat and circled the shiny scars left from his first love bite.

"Do it, Edward, please?" I begged him, raising my chin to give him more access.

"You test my control, Bella."

"You're always in control." I pouted.

"I struggle, every day I struggle," he told me.

"You never show it, not anymore. I thought it had changed. Besides, you've bitten me more than once now!"

Edward lifted his head from my neck and gazed at me. "Yes, and each time I struggle. Every day I struggle," he whispered.

"I want to be with you."

"You need never fear that you won't."

"I want to be with you, and to be just like you."

"I can't –" Edward moved off me and sat at the base of the bed.

"I don't say it to hurt you but I will find a way Edward."

"Will you offer yourself to another Vampire and expect them to be able to stop at just a bite?"

"You can!"

"Do you believe all Vampires have the same self control that I have shown you, Bella? Do you honestly think they would take a bite then show you mercy? Let me tell you what would happen, shall I?" Edward moved back above me, his mouth was over my ear. "They would take one taste of your essence and drink. You. Dry."

He punctuated his last words as if to clarify their meaning. It wasn't necessary; I understood. I was so ignorant and he was so right. I had been under the influence of one Vampire for a while now and had witnessed his amazing abilities and self control first hand. I had been spoilt in thinking his kind were all the same. I only had to think of Laurent to know this wasn't true. He had been a selfish, disgusting creature.

"You taste like nothing on this earth, Bella," he murmured; his words morbid but his voice hypnotic. "I have tasted you. I know how good you are."

"How good?" I asked, closing my eyes and falling under his spell.

"You're like the autumn rain on a dessert rose, Bella, refreshing and so clean and terribly important. With every drop you would kindly bestow upon that dried out bloom, it would take from you your purity and return to its petals the very life the sun had stolen."

"Your words are merely poetry to try to distract me," I accused him. "If I taste so good, then why did you stop?"

"When I bit you, I had two choices. I could drain you and replenish my empty body, but that would kill you, and I didn't want to spend my eternity feeling empty at your loss. Or I could take what I needed, barely an ounce, and spend that eternity repaying you. Another Vampire wouldn't care, for them there would be just one option."

"Why should you be the only one with the ability to stop?" I muttered.

"Because you mean something to me, I love you."

"Prove it."

"I'm not going to end your life for you Bella."

"You said yourself that I am immortal. So how can you be ending my life? Surely it's merely a transition?"

Edward moved his forehead so it rested against mine. His eyes were lowered as he moved his finger over the scars again and then across my collarbone. He flattened his palm in the centre of my chest and held it there, feeling the rhythm of my heart as if his mere presence called to it and the sounds of its beats were like my very own song for him.

"I love the sound of your heartbeat," he whispered and I remembered our first days together in the cells, when he had told me how I called to him, describing to me the tempting sounds of my heart. He had told me it was like music to his ears. "I couldn't imagine a time in my life when I could no longer hear it."

I pushed his hand away and closed my eyes, afraid I would cry.

"Why are you so angry?" He asked me softly.

"Because he's won." My own voice was also soft, the moment between us intimate because it held confessions.

"How has he won?"

"He got what he wanted. He was bitten."

"I know this," Edward nodded slightly, "and Hale and I are preparing to go and search for him."

"What will you do if you find him?"

Edward's hesitation lasted so long I opened my eyes and looked up at him. His head still rested on mine, his eyes were looking back at me, stealing my breath with their intensity.

"I will kill him," he told me.

"And what if you don't find him?" I didn't really want to contemplate the possibly.

"We will continue searching for him until either he is found or his body is."

I swallowed. "Edward, I'm scared," I finally admitted.

He watched as a single tear escaped my eye and then he kissed it away, his tongue flicking out to taste it, and then he smiled gently. "I will never let anything take you away from me. You belong to me, as much as I belong to you."

"So my idea is the better option?"

"Bella –"

"Admit it!" I demanded. "If you turn me, and James has survived Laurent's attack, then I'll be better equipped to protect myself and my father."

"I will not allow you to fight him." Edward squeezed his eyes shut as if the mere thought of me confronting James pained him.

"I have no weapons against him."

"You have me."

"And what if you're not here when he comes?"

"I will never leave you unarmed, Bella."

"You would place me with guards?"

Edward nodded.

"Then I will become your prisoner rather than his."

Edward's face fell. He broke eye contact and moved off me. I felt the warm air from the room envelope me again. I hadn't even noticed his body was chilling mine until he was gone.

I sat up and watched him walk to the window. He leant against the frame and looked out into the night. I wanted to apologise. I was acting so cruelly. How could I even compare him to James when all Edward had shown me was love and protection?

I was no better than James right now. But I couldn't ignore how angry I felt too. Today should have been a day to rejoice; the tyrant was gone and we were able to free the other prisoners and finally start living our lives in freedom.

But there was no liberation, only fear of the battle about to begin. Until James' body lay burning in ashes, we would never know peace.

I was behaving like a child, but in all honesty, I couldn't see that my request was so unreasonable. I wanted to be with Edward, but without limitations. I didn't understand his reluctance to change me. All I felt was rejection.

I needed to relieve myself and pushed the blankets off to swing my legs round to the floor. I felt dizzy and waited a moment before standing. I had been in bed for a number of hours and was hungry and a little weak.

I glanced at Edward's back and felt irritated that I needed to use the bathroom and find food and that my body relied on all these basic functions. Edward had been here hours too, and yet he had no need for these things. This fact did nothing to help my terrible mood.

My apology remained unspoken. I wanted to wallow a little longer. I stood and walked to the door, but before I could open it, Edward was behind me, his hands at my waist, his lips at the nape of my neck.

"I'm so sorry I deny you," he whispered and I closed my eyes and let the sensation of his lips own my body. "It breaks my stone cold heart to see you saddened by this Bella. I would never deny you anything in my power, ever. Please understand I have no choice."

"Why don't you have a choice?" I asked.

A knock at the door interrupted us and Mary Alice poked her head round. "Hi." She smiled. "Edward, Jasper is here and he needs to speak with you."

Edward nodded and kissed the top of my head before leaving the bedroom. I followed him with Mary Alice, linking her arm into mine. We sat at the kitchen table watching Carlisle on the floor playing with Ava and her toys.

"Good Afternoon Isabella," he bid me and I nodded in his direction and cut myself some bread. Mary Alice stood and tended to the fire before ladling some broth into bowls for us.

I tore apart my slice of bread and stuffed it in my mouth, chewing quickly. It tasted dry and unappetising and I gulped down some water to help me swallow. I dropped the remaining bread back on my plate and finished my mouthful.

Pouring another cup of water, I drained that too and proceeded to drink four more glasses before Carlisle sat beside me, leaving Ava to her toys on the kitchen floor.

"Are you feeling ok, Isabella?"

I licked my dry lips and nodded. I had felt a little woozy but assumed it was due to many hours of sleep and lack of nutrition. Carlisle placed his hand on my forehead and frowned again.

"You feel a little cool."

"Do I?" I asked surprised. I felt fine, I just needed to eat.

"Eat your broth." He smiled. It smelt amazing. The thick soup was laden with potatoes and carrots and seasoned with sage and thyme, their aromatic fragrance adding to the other flavours. I took a spoonful and almost gagged. It was nothing but dirt in my mouth.

Mary Alice and Carlisle glanced at me, frowning. I swallowed and coughed.

"Wrong way," I muttered, pretending I hadn't swallowed properly. It was not in my nature to insult the cook or waste food. I played around with the soup for a while longer, tearing at the bread and leaving chunks of it to float around in the bowl. I prayed neither of them had noticed my sudden lack of appetite.

Edward and Hale were deep in conversation on the other side of the room. I watched them as they spoke quickly in hushed tones, their arms moving as rapidly as their mouths. Plans were being made.

"Are you discussing the rescue of the other prisoners?" I asked them.

They turned in their chairs and nodded.

"Rosalie is gone, but Mary Alice thinks she can remember the way to the caves." Mary Alice nodded in agreement. Hale continued. "We have some of the guards who have volunteered to help."

"Some?" Carlisle asked.

Hale nodded again. "A few have disbanded, we believe they are the ones who found and aided James in his escape."

"I don't envy them," Carlisle muttered.

"If they stick around till after his change they will become his first meal, I have no doubt about that," Edward told us. "A newborn's thirst is the strongest after the change. It is uncontrollable and all consuming. They will not stand a chance."

"I have no pity for them," Hale spat.

"Is there a chance he would turn them?" I asked quietly. James has wanted his own Newborn army; he had thirsted for it since he'd first taken Edward prisoner. To realise that his dreams would soon become our nightmare was too terrifying to imagine.

"Not on purpose," Edward replied. "By accident is a possibility."

"What is the plan regarding the prisoners?" Carlisle asked eager to get to Esme.

"We have a band of men together, all willing to leave as soon as we are able," Hale told him.

Carlisle pushed his chair back and stood. "Consider me included in that band."

Edward and Hale looked at him, then standing, they both took his hand and shook it, in turn; a silent agreement between gentlemen, binding them together in their mutual quest.

"I'm in too," Mary Alice stepped forward, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Of course you are," Hale smiled. "We need you to take us to the caves."

"I don't just want to be your guide," she said. "I want to help in any way I can."

Hale moved past Carlisle, and taking hold of her shoulders, he pulled her against his chest. "Alice, you can help me by staying safe. I need you to take us there, but after that, I need you to be here, safe and waiting for me to come home too."

"I don't want to just wait." She snaked her arms around his waist. "I want to fight."

"Alice, I can't do what I need to do and look after you."

Mary Alice looked up at him. He was so much taller than her tiny frame. "Are you saying I'm a burden?"

Hale held her face in his hands and kissed her gently. Carlisle cleared his throat and looked away, blushing slightly. I smiled at his fatherly devotion but knew he didn't intervene because Hale was a good guy, and it was obvious he adored her.

Hale broke the kiss, and kneeling in front of her, he took hold of her hand and pressed it to his heart. "If loving you and wishing you were my wife is a burden, its one I cherish wholeheartedly. I adore you, and just know that I couldn't be the warrior I need to be, if all I could think about was you, Alice. I will spend the rest of my days making it up to you if you just promise me you'll stay here and be safe."

Mary Alice smiled at him and touching his cheek gently she nodded. "I'm happy to be your burden," she laughed as he stood and scooped her in his arms, swinging her around the room.

Ava looked up, and laughing, she clapped her hands and ran at them, wanting to join in the game. Hale put Mary Alice down and lifted Ava, turning her about the room too till we all laughed at her childish delight.

I watched the playful exchange for a few minutes before automatically glancing over to seek out Edward. He was watching me, his face serious despite the laughter filling the room.

He looked hurt and I knew it was because of my threats to find another Vampire to change me. I had been cruel and unfeeling. If Edward said he couldn't do it, I had to believe him. There were no excuses with him, he never lied to me or hurt me deliberately. I hated myself for being so thoughtless. I had only considered my own wants and needs and not any other factor that featured in this equation. He had promised me forever, I had to believe that he meant it.

I mouthed the words "I'm sorry" to him, slowly shaking my head, letting him see how much I meant it. In a flash he was across the room and holding me tightly. I gasped and he relented slightly, giving me room to breathe.

His hands were in my hair and mine where around his waist. I lifted my face to meet his kiss as he bent towards me, our lips open, our tongues eager to find each other. The taste of him satisfied me and I leant into him, allowing the kiss to consume me.

He pulled away from me, my breathing was ragged but I had to say it again. "I'm sorry," I repeated over and over.

He kissed me once more.

Carlisle cleared his throat again, obviously embarrassed for the second time in a matter of minutes.

Everybody looked over at him and we laughed as he pretended not to notice the loving atmosphere in the room. It suddenly sobered me, remembering that Carlisle was yet to be re-united with his wife.

As I stepped out of the circle of Edward's arms, a wolf's howl echoed through the night. It sounded close, almost right outside the door. I glanced at it, grateful to see the bolt fastened tight.

Edward cocked his head and listened to the animal outside, then stepped forward. "Hale, open the door,"

"What?" I cried and grabbed his hand.

"It's perfectly safe, Bella. Remember what I said? No harm will ever befall you when I am near."

"But it's a wolf!"

Hale squinted at Edward who nodded, indicating his approval to unlock the door. Hale lifted the bar and slid the latch across. The door moved inwards, and as it opened slowly, we found ourselves moving back with the motion of it, as if the meagre wooden frame could protect us from the beast outside.

Carlisle still holding Ava, Mary Alice, Hale, and I eventually stood in the back of the kitchen, the shadow of the door concealing us from view. Only Edward was visible to the outsiders.

He nodded at whatever was outside. "Jacob, it's good to see you again."

"You too, Edward."

I glanced at Mary Alice, confused by the human voice and feeling slightly braver, I stepped over to Edward's side. He grasped my hand and squeezed to reassure me we were safe.

Standing just outside the open door were two men. They were both incredibly tall and their hair was worn long and fell freely about their shoulders. I scanned their massive frames, and it soon became apparent to me that both men wore not a single scrap of clothing. They stood unashamed of their nudity, and greeted me with a smile and a small nod.

I gasped and averted my gaze from their forms. These were vibrant young men, but as curious as I felt, I couldn't continue to look. I had never gazed upon a naked man so freely before. It was true I had lain with James, but that was without free will. And when I had looked at him I had been under the influence of Mary Alice's potion. Edward was the only other man I had seen in all his glory. The contrast between him and these creatures was evident, but they were all equally magnificent.

Edward was beautiful and pale, his skin flawless and perfect, his muscles toned but not obvious, not like these men. Their skin was darkened by years in the sun and flawed with scars and noticeable marks. I knew they were labourers from their calloused hands and each sinew of muscle was clearly defined in their arms and chests, tapering down to slim waists. Their thighs were immense, like they had spent many years running, their quadriceps chiselled.

"Forgive us, my Lady, but we travel light." The leader smiled and a young woman, dressed in deerskins, stepped forward bearing a small bundle. Jacob un-wrapped it, and then handed an item over to his other naked male companion. They both dressed in front of us in a simple skirt also made of deerskin.

The female walked away, and as she faded into the shadows of the trees, I noticed two wolves watching the house. One was black and a lot bigger than the other wolf. The smaller one was sandy coloured and I recognised it as the one from Carlisle's back garden, when it had terrified me by circling me, and despite having protection so close to me, I was still unnerved by their presence.

I pointed to them.

"They're with Jacob," Edward told me, and standing aside, he invited the two men in. The wolves remained at the edge of the woods.

They sat crossed legged on the floor by the fire and Edward indicated we should join them. Carlisle also sat on the floor still holding Ava, Mary Alice and Hale each took a seat at the kitchen table. Edward and I sat on the sofa.

"Once again, I apologise for our entrance." Jacob smiled.

"Is it necessary?" I asked him.

They both laughed and Jacob nodded. "I will explain my Lady, but first I believe introductions are required." Standing, he took my hand in his, and bending, he kissed the back of it. "I am Jacob Black, Alpha male to the Quilete tribe. We are shape shifters and our chosen form is the wolf."

"Excuse me?" Mary Alice and I spoke in unison.

"Shape shifters," Jacob replied. "We are able to take on the form of any being, and then change back to our own form as often as we please."

"Excellent!" Hale exclaimed before composing himself again. Mary Alice and I smiled at his awe.

Jacob laughed then began to tell the tale of his tribe and their affiliation in the war of the Lycans and Vampires; how their people were tricked then trapped into changing into werewolves, losing their identities in the macabre bodies and minds of creatures who only ever desired death.

I shuddered as he recalled their battle and wanted to cheer when they finally realised they could defeat the bad Vampires in the form of wolves, and not werewolves. I clutched at Edward's hand, caught up in the emotion of their tale and absolutely fascinated by the history of these miraculous people. I tried to remind myself that not all Vampires were as evil as the ones in Jacob's tale.

"Can you change into any other form, if you choose?" Mary Alice asked, her eyes as wide as mine as she, too, clutched at Hale as we listened to the story.

"No, our form was chosen by our fore fathers, eight hundred years ago. There are other shape shifters across the globe whose fates have also been decided by their ancestors."

"This is unbelievable," Carlisle murmured. "I am a man of science, yet I have met and joined allegiance with a Vampire, witnessed a miracle when Isabella saved the life of Ava, and now I sit listening to tale of shape shifting and super natural wars. It's unbelievable."

"Would you like proof?" Jacob asked, and before Carlisle could reply, his companion had stood and walked outside. We followed and watched in complete awe as he phased into the form of a wolf before our eyes. The skirt he wore shredded into tiny pieces and as his front paws hit the earth with a thud. He shook his head just like to a dog would, to fluff out his fur.

His size was vast and both Mary Alice and I reacted in shock, stepping behind our men for protection. Hale let go of Mary Alice's hand and walked over to him, running his hand over the wolf's fur and tugging on one ear. The wolf panted, and then stepping back from Hale, it morphed back into his manly form. Turning away from us, he walked off naked, in the direction of the forest.

"Embry requires more clothes," Jacob explained. "You can see why we travel light." I grinned at his explanation and wished for their sake I was more comfortable sitting with them in their preferred state of undress. I blushed at the memory and followed Edward back inside.

Carlisle stared at Jacob as he tried to absorb the visual information he had just witnessed.

"So you are Isabella?" Jacob asked me as we sat down again. I nodded.

"You have been gone a year, my friend," Jacob addressed Edward.

Edward nodded. "Yes."

"We missed you."

Edward glanced up at Jacob. "I am sorry for breaking our treaty Jacob. Please know I felt there was no choice."

"I understand." Jacob said. "Emmett is your family."

Edward nodded. "You took care of him?"

"Emmett has been residing with us. I wanted to show him there are ways of surviving without the massacre of innocents. You were able to live for a very long time without human blood, Edward. I believed it was possible for him too."

Edward agreed. "Has Emmett succeeded?"

Jacob broke out into a huge grin. "It's not been without its struggles," he admitted. "But Emmett is strong and he has proven himself worthy of the Cullen name."

Edward stood and faced Jacob. His words held massive meaning to him. Jacob stood too, and for a moment, they just faced each other, before embracing. It was not the move I was expecting.

"We have missed you," Jacob told him and patted Edward's back. "It's good to see you are safe."

Edward stepped back. "Does my breach of your trust hinder our friendship?"

"I would forsake all others for my family too, Edward. I have wanted to find you and to understand the events of that day. I realise life is not always so black and white. It's a pity Paul does not agree with me."

"He thinks I should be punished?" Edward acknowledged Jacob's brothers stubborn streak.

Jacob nodded in agreement. "It is lucky Emmett's memory came back to him. It has been hard on him, being away from his family." He nodded towards Ava who was lying in Carlisle's lap, sucking her thumb and tugging on her ear. She was sleepy but enthralled by the mysterious stranger.

"Rosalie?" I asked. I couldn't think of anything else to add to the question.

"She is where she belongs," he replied. He cast his eyes downward, away from the angelic child falling asleep in Carlisle's lap.

I wondered at his change of tone. He had shown confidence and compassion towards Edward and the situation with Emmett, but at the mention of Rosalie and her notable absence, he seemed saddened and I wondered if it was in empathy for her separation from her child.

"Jacob, I have a request," Edward said.

Jacob looked at him and raised his brow.

"There are other prisoners. We need to free them, and soon."

"James," Jacob muttered.

"Yes," Edward agreed. "Will you help us?"

"What do you want me to do?"

"Find him," Edward stated. "He was bitten but was able to flee. We need to find him but we need to get to the others, too. Our priorities are both."

Jacob stood. "Consider it done," he said.

"Jacob." Edward stopped him from leaving. "James was a despicable tyrant when alive. His mind knows such darkness it even makes my kind nervous. Be careful, my friend."

Jacob opened the door and ran out, phasing in mid flight as he launched down the pathway, towards to the forest. His clan were waiting and they followed their Alpha as he led them off into the night.

"What now?" I asked Edward.

"Now we find the caves and free the others," he answered.

I nodded and looked back at him. I trusted him with my life, as did Hale, Carlisle, and Mary Alice, who also trusted him with the lives of their loved ones, their kin.

"Mary Alice, are you ready to take us to the caves?" Edward asked.

She nodded, looking nervous yet excited. Hale wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest, resting his chin on top of her head.

Edward turned to Carlisle. "Are you ready, Doc?"

Carlisle replied, eager and no longer willing to wait. "Let's go get my wife!"

End A/N's: I need to mention that there won't be an update next Saturday. After 21 weeks of continuous posting, with not one missed, I have to take a break. I need to find my muse, he's gone on strike (and for those of you who are interested, he looks a lot like Rpattz). Thank you for your support and reviews and please don't disappear, I'll be back the week after. Cross my heart x