I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING IN THE TWILIGHT UNIVERSE, I ONLY WISH I DID.

House visits

Charlie drummed his fingers nervously on the steering wheel, as he gathered his courage. He always had to brace himself, before he entered the Cullen house. He couldn't place his finger on it, and truth be told, he didn't want to, but there was something not quite right. Something in the shiver, that ran down his spine, when he passed over the threshold. Most of the time that he visited with Bella and Nessie, it was at his house. But desperate times called for desperate measures. Here goes nothing.

Charlie opened the cruiser door as Renesmee skipped out the front door and bounced down the steps, into her grandfather's arms. "Hey, there girl. You are Nessie, right? You seem to grow up everyday . Soon you'll be all grown up." He hugged her and then took her hand and lead her back to the house. " I missed you grandpa." Nessie's voice tinkled with her excitement. He squeezed her hand in reply, " I missed you too."

Bella met them at the entryway. " Hello Dad, its good to see you," She said as she leaned into his hug, not quite touching. Still he shivered from the sudden chill. Bella stepped back, to make room for them. Emmett was on the couch watching the Cubs latest game on tv. He waved over his head in greeting. Charlie was momentarily mesmerized by the action on the wide screen. Bella belatedly realized that she had lost her audience to her conversation. " Hello, Dad," she waved her hands in front of his face. He turned back to her with a sheepish look as he apologized for the blackout. Sports was the closest thing Charlie had to an addiction.

" I was saying, that it was nice of you to come see Alice. But Dad I want to warn you, she looks bad. Carlisle doesn't really does not know what she's got. He doesn't think that it is contagious. But you might want to keep your distance, just the same," Bella added, hoping that the distance might hide some of the truth. She didn't need to worry. Charlie liked his blissful ignorance. The more in the dark, the better. He merely turned a blind eye on anything remotely connected with the weird. Speaking of weird, Bella thought, as Jacob came bounding into the room from the kitchen.

" Hey Charlie!" Charlie raised his hand in greeting. He didn't get it. Three years ago Jacob and Bella were two points of a triangle. A bigger case of teenage angst he never saw. He was sure their friendship would have met an untimely death, when his daughter married Edward. But now it was stronger than ever without the least bit of unrequited love. He was glad. He was. He just didn't get it. Edward entered not able to hide the smile on his face, at the thoughts running in Charlie's mind.

" Its good to see you, Charlie." Charlie shook his head in greeting. All stood in the entryway, in an awkward silence, in which everyone looked at each other, Renesmee swinging her grandfather's arm. Esmee greeted Charlie from the top of the steps. Everyone turned to the lady of the house. " Carlisle has finished feeding her. She seems comfortable. It will be a few more minutes and then you can see her." She said as she made her way down the stairs.

" Hey, how is Quil doing? Bella said that you went over there with some news." Jacob asked Charlie. The older man's face seemed to age. The worry lines creased his forehead. The news wasn't good. They had been missing now for more than three weeks. The last whereabouts was more than a week ago. The police were able to track Ted's credit card in Chicago yesterday. But it turned out to be some third time offender, that had stole his wallet. He confessed it was somewhere in Nevada, that he stumbled on the wallet. That left them no where. He hated to tell Heather the news. That was one part of his normally contented job he hated. The looks in the victims eyes always haunted his dreams. And Heather's and the rest in that house were soul numbing.

" Quil looks bad to me, but Sam assures me that he is doing much better. He didn't talk much though," Charlie informed the group, as he thought of the last hour.

He stood in the doorway of the too small room, the copy of the police report twisted in his nervous fingers. The news lay heavy on his heart. Quil lay in the bed, his illness that took several pounds from his already lean frame,made his facial features sharper. He looked so much older than his nineteen years. And the hard look in his eyes, so unlike the always happy go lucky philosophy, bore holes into Charlie's face, waiting for the news. Heather sat in a chair beside the bed, wringing her hands, too scared to ask for news that she may not want to hear. She look up with pleading in her eyes, surrounded by dark circles. She also looked like she was battling a grave illness.

Emily and Sam stood in the only corner, not filled with some piece of furniture. Both holding on to each other for support, Sam positioning his body to partially shield her, as if that would protect her from the news. The other Quileutes, not on patrol stood in the living room behind Charlie, for once quite as a tomb.

Charlie looked down at the official report, hating the lack of hope in the technical jargon that swam before his eyes. He cleared his throat and repeated what they already knew, " The last known whereabouts, was in St Charles, Missouri on Wednesday. They left approximately at three pm. Five days ago we picked up a trail of credit card receipts from two of Ted's cards that lead us to Chicago." Everyone perked up at the escalation in the officer's voice. Heather balanced herself on the edge of her seat. Quil turned his head, to see Charlie better, still no sound came out of his mouth.

" Unfortunately, it was some two bit hood, who had no knowledge of Ted or Claire. It was a dead end. The only thing we could get out of him was that he placed the wallet somewhere in Nevada on the California border. We can place them on the west coast about ten days ago." Charlie paused as the hope drained from everyone's faces. Except for Quil. The young man's face remained hard and unmoved, those dark eyes drilling through Charlie's head until he had to turn away. Heather stood,unsteadily to her feet. She swayed to Charlie to thank him for his efforts. As she reached the entryway, her face went unfocused and her eyes rolled into the back of her head. The police report fluttered to the ground, as Charlie caught Heather, before she hit the floor.

The little house exploded in confusion as everyone talked at once, trying to help. Charlie lifted the slight form in his arms, Emily hovering over the two of them in concern. Sam suggested that he put her on the couch. Seth said that he would go get Carlisle. Charlie didn't understand why he just didn't call him on the phone. Heather came to and insisted she didn't need to see a doctor. But her pulse was very weak and uneven. Charlie tried to convince her to go to the hospital, but no persuasion worked. Emily got her a glass of water and she took her time taking small sips. Again she thanked Charlie for his efforts. With nothing else he could do, Charlie excused himself, and existed the sad little house, taking in a deep cleansing breath as he made his way down the steps. In the distance he could hear the lonely howl of a wolf, as if in pain.

That was this morning. Now he stood with the Cullens, retelling the tale with sadness at the uselessness of it all. Jacob reached out and touched the man's shoulder in sympathy. Carlisle stood at the head of the stairs and with weary eyes said that it was ok to see Alice. Charlie paused on the step and asked Carlisle if the town should be worried about some kind of flu epidemic, with so many people getting sick. If Quil was any indication of the kind of symptoms, the people of Forks and LaPush were in for tough times. Carlisle assured him that the two illnesses were not related. He told Charlie that Alice may have suffered some kind of stroke. That she was in a catatonic state. Warily, Charlie followed after the Cullens, Jacob at the back of the line.

As he entered the much bigger of the two sick rooms, he was caught by the differences. This room radiated light. Everything was white. Jasper was on the bed holding Alice's lifeless hand. She was still as death. Charlie swore that he couldn't see her breathing. As he entered the room he moved to the foot of the bed. Alice's hair hung lifeless around her pale face. She seemed at peace, staring at some unknown spot beside him. But it was her eyes that made him cry out in terror for her. They were the deepest brightest red, as if her body was bleeding into them. He expected to see twin rivers of blood pour from those wide open unseeing crimson eyes. Bella's hand on his shoulder caused him to jump away in fear. She assured him that it was part of her illness and that it was not causing her any pain. She also said that it was not permanent and that when she healed that it would eventually go away. " Can she hear us?" Charlie asked, pain in his voice for the little girl in the bed.

" I like to think that she can," Carlisle replied as he looked down at his daughter. " It doesn't hurt to try."

" How long has she been like this?" Charlie hesitantly moved to the side of the bed and touched her other hand, that Jasper was not holding. Jasper's tired looking eyes stared at the officer, no other emotion on his face. After a minute Charlie broke the contact and turned back to the pixie, that always brightened his day.

Carlisle answered, "About a week." Charlie looked up at him with concern. " That's about the same time as Quil took ill. Are you sure that it is not the same illness? I mean there are so many similarities." Charlie's worry taking on new heights as the possibilities ran through his mind. First Quil, then Alice and this morning Heather. " Maybe, you could stop by Sam's and see Claire's mom, Heather. She fainted this morning, and she doesn't look so good." Charlie suggested as he turned back to Alice's still face. It reminded him of the marble statues of angels, that decorated the graves in the local cemetery, just as beautiful and just as cold and silent.

" I still don't think that they are related, but I could check on Heather, if it will make you feel better." Carlisle said, trying to assure the man.

" Thanks I would appreciate that." Carlisle assured him it was no trouble. Once he had seen Alice, Charlie was eager to leave this place. He hated the feeling of helplessness that filled the room. He made his condolences and made for the exist. Bella and Jacob followed him out, Renesmee on his heels.

" She seems to be free from pain, now that she has fed," Esmee commented as the room emptied except for Carlisle and Jasper. Her forehead was free of creases. Jasper brushed her bangs from her eyes, his fingers lingering on her face, tracing the curves of her cheeks. A flash of guilt hit his conscious as he sought some form of recognition in her crimson eyes. She would not want to be fed human blood. Her track record was so clean. If he had fallen off the wagon, she would have been more understanding than she would about herself. God he missed her. She was more than his best friend, his confident, she was his heart, his soul. And without her he was a shell. Hollow.

The need to flee this place, this nightmare, coursed through his icy veins. His body tensed as the impulse flexed the muscles in his legs. Suddenly, Edward was in the doorway, fear radiating from his body. He looked at Jasper comparing his actions with the thoughts he was reading downstairs. He wasn't certain if he would just leave or take Alice with him. Jasper was so impulsive, he wouldn't put anything past him.

Carlisle looked questioning at Edward but his eyes were on Jasper, who sighed. Sometimes it was a real pain in the ass to live with a mind reader. A mind reader who failed to mind his own business. This family meant well, but honestly, sometimes he felt like he would suffocate. He needed a break. As gently as he could he placed his hands and arms underneath Alice. Then he lifted her up and cuddled her next to his body. Edward blocked the door, afraid of letting him go.

" I'm just going to get her in some fresh air. She hates being locked up in a room. She needs sunshine and the outdoors." Jasper waited for Edward to let him pass, but he held his ground, still sifting through the other's mind. Esmee came up behind Jasper, lightly placing her hand on his arm. He forced his body to relax and turned toward the closest thing he had ever had to a Mother. At the plea in her eyes, he assured her, " I'll only take her out for a little while. We won't go far. I assure you." He kept his face blank, but he was forcing a sense of calm and trustworthiness on to the habitants in the room. Everyone in the room relaxed. Slowly, assessing the atmosphere, he stepped back. Jasper kissed the top of Alice's head, as he cradled her on the way down the steps.

Carlisle looked at Edward as he turned to follow. " Don't worry, I'll keep my distance, but I won't let him out of my sight."

The power surged through her mind. She hadn't felt this strong in a long time. And it couldn't have come sooner. Claire was growing weaker by the minute. If she hadn't lent her, her own strength, Alice was afraid she would have been dead already. And where would that leave her. The darkness closed around her and the old claustrophobic panic threatened to overwhelm her. If she could she would have taken a deep breath. Mentally, she counted to one hundred, trying to ease those long dead feelings. Claire cried out and Alice tried to soothe her. " It hurts," she whimpered. Alice sent her all the strength she could and said, " I know that baby, try to relax. They will come for us.

There was a pause, then the little girl asked, " Do you think Quil is looking for me? I can't feel him anymore, just the pain."

Alice sent her assurance, " I know he is baby. I can feel Jasper and he won't stop until they find us. Just rest baby." The quite surrounded her. Once again she concentrated on getting back to her body. She had no experience with astroprojection. And out of body experiences were never part of her talent. But she definitely was not in Kansas anymore. Every once in a while, Jasper's love would flow over her like a warm summer breeze. She would reach and grab for it, but it would slip through her invisible fingers. She tried to force her feelings through the tiny window, but she was uncertain of the results. All she could do was try to hang on and hope that Claire's injuries were not fatal. Both of their lives hung in the balance.

THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE THE BONFIRE. MEET THE NEW WOLVES AND THEIR IMPRINTS.