A/N - As always,warm thanks to Mer/frol my beta and ficwife who is amazing and helped make the kiss a little juicier. Frol is an amazing writer! Please check out her stories Our House and Point of Light. Her profile id here on FF is 1855652!

Frol, goldenmeadow, Rosa Bella, and AmeryMarie are but a few amazing writers who have offered their talents up for auction on The Fandom Gives Back in support of childhood cancer. It's a great cause! Please check it out and bid on your favorite piece of Twilight Fandom!

BPOV

Jacob picked up Taha Aki's flute and put it to his lips. The haunting ethereal melody of A White Woman's Tears called for everyone's attention in the room. Jacob's eyes bore into mine and I saw the boy that I loved so long ago. He hated taking the flute lessons, but his father berated him on the importance of culture and tradition within the tribe, and he begrudgingly continued. The long breathy notes sang of loss and leaving and I was moved deeply by his farewell serenade.

The clapping of those around me in the circle broke my reverie when his song was finished. Leah and Sue both had tears in their eyes. Jacob's face was twisted with emotion as he reached down to help me stand up before him. I felt Edward stand along with me. Flanked by fire and ice I took a deep breath and centered myself for what I knew was coming. I could feel the electricity in the space around us and colors began to emerge and brighten, swirling and dancing around Jacob's form. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the most beautiful necklace I had ever seen. Golden glints winked at me within the amber, looking like sand trapped within the honeyed beads. Jacob turned to Edward who had a polite expectant look on his face as he knew what Jacob was about to say; never did I think I would hear the words coming from him. I was swelled with pride;

"She is and always was yours. I kept her as safe as I could, but her heart was never mine."

I hugged him tightly, pressing my cheek to the hard cast furnace of his chest. He smelled of cedar, smoke and loam.

Leda's voice sounded in my mind;

"It is time child."

Stepping back from Jacob I felt a heated sensation spreading across my body, like someone had poured warm water over me. It began in the center of my chest and flowed to my extremities. I hadn't felt the pull of my power this keenly since that terrible day on the beach when I lost control. As if hardwired to my conscience, Leda's voice washed over me again;

"We are here with you child. The words you need to speak are woven into your heart, the power you need to wield flows through your blood."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, clearing my mind of all expectations and fears, to simply let the power surge through me.

Jacob Black!!

You have given back what is mine.

I release your heart and it is thine.

Your imprinted mate walks beside thee.

The blood of Uriah's blood

was meant to be your love,

and now the blind will see.

I bless you

as you have blessed me

As I will so mote it be.

I felt like I was being emptied...all of the inanities of my human existence were washed away and I became a vessel, a conduit for power. Channeling a force that was stronger than I could ever have imagined, it streamed from the ground like water from a broken pipe into my body. Full to bursting, I threw back my head, projecting a multicolored field of light from my open mouth, which slammed itself into Jacob's broad chest. The blast lit up his entire body in a riot of prismatic colors. A silver cord of energy shot out of his heart and struck Leah in the chest and forehead, lighting them both up with an orange rose pulsing glow. Leah's eyes widened in surprise and I saw her face soften, she had never looked more beautiful. Her eyes held Jacob's and their auras entwined as they moved towards each other.

My surroundings changed and the darkness of night furled around me. We were all standing in a clearing and the wind was making the red cloaks of the Volturi Guard billow and snap around them like wayward sails in a tempest. The wolves growled fiercely with raised hackles, Jacob, Leah and Sam at the forefront with myself, Carlisle and Edward.

Aro, Caius and Marcus stood in front of their guard, two piles of burnt ash in front of them, the sickeningly sweet smell billowing up from the cinders.

"Join us and hand over the Children of the Moon to be destroyed or you shall suffer the same fate as your friends here." Caius kicked the embers before him, sending sparks skittering across the ground, like brittle burnt glass.

"No. We fight." Carlisle replied firmly.

Aro's brow arched and an evil bemused smile stretched across his lips.

"You disappoint me Carlisle. I had such high hopes for you and your coven. You are nothing but fools on a suicide mission."

The Guard crouched simultaneously and Leah shot out ahead of the boys, wrapping her jaws around the midsection of the largest vampire there. He grabbed her by the throat and crushed it, her yelps cut off abruptly by the snapping of bones in her neck. He threw her limp lifeless body down on the ground and Jacob howled in frightening rage.

"No!!" I screamed.

There was no battle raging around me. I was back in the Long House again, but all eyes were on me. Leah and Jacob were flushed, wrapped in a lovers embrace and staring at me like I had just ruined their wedding.

Oh God. Jacob. You are going to have to watch her die. I can't let him feel that pain!!!

"I... I..."

...saw Leah die?

I can't tell them that now!

I'd look like a total cracker.

They just imprinted and I've got to bring in the doom and gloom?

The hot fire of embarrassment blazed up my body and my only thought was to run, to get away from all of these people who were about to lose their loved ones...their lives...if this vision of the battle was any portent at all of what was to come.

The cool night air blasted my body as I tripped down the steps, only to be righted by Edward.

"Let's go for a walk." he said quietly, worry whirl pooling in his eyes.

"Oh Edward, it's not what you think. I had a vision."

"A waking vision? What happened?"

"After Jake an Leah imprinted, the power surge from lifting the curse coursed through my body, I was thrust into what I think was the future...the standoff with the Volturi. Leah was the first to die...Jacob saw it."

"Oh Bella, love, I'm so sorry..."

"Don't feel sorry for me! Feel sorry for him! I know what it's like to lose the love your life...but you came back Edward. You came back! Leah won't get to come back. None of us may get to come back."

I dropped to my knees, wrapping my arms around my body as Edward wrapped himself around me. He leaned his forehead on the back of my head and spoke cool soothing tones down the back of my neck.

"Bella, I think you are given these snatches of what's to come to help us change our course. Knowledge is power. We can change it. That's why the Volturi can not be allowed to get to you and Alice."

I felt the black pit of guilt in my gut for not telling him about Alec having the scripture.

"No Bella, it is not time!" came a cacophony of voices. I recognized Leda's and Grandmama Marie's, but there were at least two others I didn't recognize. A frisson of fear slid over my skin and I swallowed my guilt whole, feeling the burn all the way down.

I squeezed his arms and made to get up, helping me he pulled me into a strong embrace.

"We will find a way to come out ahead in this. I won't lose you again. I just got you back." His words were laden with emotion and determination.

"You won't lose me. Jacob won't lose Leah. I won't let it happen."

The wind picked up and I felt a chill course through my body, Edward noticed the shiver and took off his jacket and placed it over my shoulders.

"Let's get back", I said as smiling at him weakly. "People will be concerned and I need to tell the Romanians that they need to bring in their contact that can help train me as soon as possible. We have a battle to prepare for."

The papery rustling of leaves crunched beneath our feet buffeting the silence as we walked back to the Long House. Alice met us outside.

"Bella? Is everything OK?"

"Yes Alice, I'm sorry for making such a dramatic exit. I'm sure everyone in there thinks I'm a selfish cow for screaming and running out like that after Jacob and Leah's imprint."

"Harry and Billy were concerned you had a vision, and actually...so was I." She hopped lightly down the stairs and locked her arm through mine, steering me towards the beach.

"Edward, go in and let everyone know Bella is OK. She and I are going to be in in a bit."

Knowing his sister had an agenda, he nodded, pecking me on the forehead before bounding up the steps and ducking inside.

The gentle lapping of the waves on the shore grew in volume as we reached the soft dense sand of the beach. The fires that were set for our welcome were burning low, the wood snapping and sizzling as it broke, settling into the glowing red heart of it.

Gracefully lowering herself down on the soft sand, Alice kept her arm wrapped tightly through mine, pulling me down with her. Plunking down beside her awkwardly I lost my balance and fell against her. We burst into giggles then sighed heavily as we stared out at the dark, navy blue reflection of the night sky on the ocean. The moonlight shone down across the expanse of water, making a luminous celestial path to the other side. Strains of music could be heard coming down from the house and I smiled at the thought of my two families bonding and celebrating. My happy thoughts took a darker turn as the image of Leah's neck being snapped brutally flickered through my mind. I suppressed a shudder and tried to keep from drowning in hopelessness.

"Does it ever get any easier?" I asked wistfully.

"Does what get any easier Bella?" Alice kept her sights on the dark ocean a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Knowing the future...seeing with your own eyes, playing God with the information given."

Alice sighed and gave me a sidelong glance.

"No. It's hard to watch your loved ones make decisions that could lead them to failure...or even death."

"How do you know when to interfere...and when not to?"

"There are so many factors to consider Bella. Will they listen? What is the butterfly effect of their actions if they go through with them or not? When Edward decided to break things off with you, I begged him not to, told him how heartbroken you both would be. How it wasn't worth the pain that both of you would go through. But he honestly believed he was doing the right thing. I couldn't sway him. It damaged our relationship for a long time. Then I just couldn't see you anymore. In a way I was relieved, as the frustration of seeing you become a shadow of yourself was gone, but...the feeling of being powerless to help you was a struggle."

Alice took off her moccasins and pushed her naked toes into the sand.

"Had I interfered...would we be here now? Would you have discovered your destiny? Discovering your book and all of the other things that resulted from your breakdown brought us to this place where we have an alliance with the Quileute's, and we are finally making a stand against the Volturi."

"I guess you have a point." I hugged my knees to my chest. "Aren't you scared of what's coming for us? Not being able to see?"

Alice's answer weighed on her face and she chose her words carefully.

"I've seen some things...but they are hazy and quite honestly, make my head ache. I've stopped looking. I do know that Aro intends to wipe us all out. I've seen fire. Sometimes I even feel the heat of it against my skin." She rubbed her arms absently. "I know you've seen something Bella. I know you are struggling with not telling Edward about it."

I sucked in a breath and blew it out slowly.

"It's really hard to keep what I've seen from him, but everything inside of me tells me not to...Leda and Grandmama have even told me not to."

"Then don't tell him Bella. We have been given a gift in receiving these visions. They are shown to us for a reason. Especially in your case. If you feel, if you are warned, especially by the spirits that guide you in these glimpses, not to divulge everything then you must do whatever is necessary to insure you keep these things to yourself. I trust you Bella. With my life and family, I trust you."

I chewed on her words thoughtfully, listening to the hypnotic lull, the splash and pull, splash and pull of the waves breaching on the shore. An owl hooted in the woods behind us. Seeing I needed more convincing, Alice got up and knelt in front of me...folding my warm hands into her diminutive cold ones.

"All it takes is a touch. One touch and Aro knows all of our thoughts and actions. He's a very powerful, manipulative creature. You are the only one I've known of that has the ability to keep him out. What happens if you tell Edward this thing you've been warned to keep to yourself, and Aro touches him, swinging things back to their favor instead of ours? Knowledge is power. It's what you do with it that decides everything."

"Thank you Alice. I've been..."

"Conflicted. I know. I can't just stand idly by when my best friend has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Ease up on yourself Bella. You are stronger and wiser than you give yourself credit for."

"She certainly is."

We both turned towards Edward's voice. Alice sprung up and brushed the sand off of her beaded dress. Her and Edward both extended a hand to help me up. Tugging me towards her into a tight hug, Alice ran a hand lightly down my hair.

"Don't worry Bella. I've always known you were unique."

"Unique is one way to put it." I scoffed self deprecatingly and she pulled back to look at me reproachfully.

"What I mean to say is, your newfound powers are not a surprise to me. I would dare say, even in human form, you are much more powerful than all of the Volturi brothers combined."

I gave her hard frame a squeeze hearing a soft giggle erupt from her.

"What's so funny? I asked as I pulled away from her and wrapped my arm around Edward's waist, cuddling into his side. I was bordering on mental and physical exhaustion.

"Edward is not a fan of Lady Gaga lyrics!" she winked at me and flitted away to go back and join Jasper at the celebration. She was keeping our conversation private and off limits to Edward's mental probing.

"Thank you Alice, for everything." I called out after her.

"Anytime!" her voice chimed out as she flew up the path to Long House.

Edward turned me gently to face him, tilting my chin up so he could kiss me. His full, icy lips moved against mine hungrily as I melted into his passionate kiss. He nibbled and sucked my bottom lip, ever careful about his teeth. His lips sucked mine and drew me closer. His hands tangled in my hair and I gasped, groping his neck and chest. My body burned, my brain swirled and dipped in his sweet breath as it poured over my face and neck. Moaning tantalizingly, his lips broke from mine, I literally swooned from dizziness. A low seductive laugh rumbled from his chest.

"What do you say to getting off this island?"

"Please! Shouldn't I go back to the Long House and..."

"There's no need. Everyone knows you need to rest and Jacob and Leah left to...well..."

"Accck! That's alright. I get the picture." Drifting in the afterglow of Edward's kiss and Jacob's bliss at finally imprinting, I touched the beads at my throat and smiled.

"I'm happy for them."

"I know my love. I am too. Let's go home. Billy said I could use his boat to get us across. "

Edward helped me into the little motorboat. He sat by the motor, steering the boat towards shore, driving down the middle of Moon River. His face above me shone like mother of pearl in the moonlight and I closed my eyes, snuggling into the space between his knees, wrapping his coat snugly around me.

I barely recall Edward putting me into our bed. The smell of sawdust and new paint still permeated the room from the work that had to be done on the window. The last thing I heard before I closed my eyes for sleep was the sound of my beautiful vampire playing me Bach lullabies on his Bergendorf.

*******

My eyes opened to darkness, Edward was still playing downstairs, but the melody was more tense. Discordant descants of Wagner stomped across the ivory keys. Someone was in the room with me but I couldn't move. I was paralyzed! Eddying swirls of panic asphyxiated my ability to remain calm, like I was under water. I could not surface no matter how hard I kicked my legs to reach the light.

"Isabella."

I had never heard this voice before. It was male but very young...I could feel icy cool breath against my ear. Whomever it was was kneeling by my bed, their elbows resting upon the mattress by my head.

"I've immobilized you, you can't move or scream. It's imperative they don't know I'm here Isabella."

I struggled against invisible chains, my mouth felt dry as cotton. Leaning over me, a sliver of moonlight sliced across pale skin, illuminating half of his face. His beauty impaled me with the cold dagger of fear as his crimson eyes held mine. Long frigid fingers reached out to touch my cheek.

Alec.

"You look just like them. Just like the Twins. I have their Scripture. But this, you know."

I was drowning in panic, yet he had so much control over my body, even my heart betrayed me, keeping a steady, calm rhythm. There was nothing I could do to alert The Cullens that Alec was in my room...his hold on me was disorienting and claustrophobic.

"Listen very carefully Isabella. If you tell them I have it, ...they are all dead."

NO!!

Rage constricted and sprung within me, feral fury ripped through my lungs and rushed out of my mouth in a soundless scream. Alec's stomach was pummeled with the bright blue bolt of energy. He folded in on himself as he was blasted backwards.

I stood up quickly as his hold had loosened when I lambasted him, pointing my shaky finger at him, volts of energy crackled and snapped, the warning clear for him to stay back. I felt his power tighten again, like a numbing impenetrable wall all around me, as I attempted to break free. He smiled at me, sending shivers down to my toes as he straightened his posture to his full height.

"The Phoenix rises. You ARE The One. Power like that proves it. Good. You will need it." With that, he disappeared, as did the cloying blanket that had immobilized me. Edward opened the door and was at my side in an instant.

"Bella? What happened? Why are you up? Was someone in here? I thought I heard a noise..." he looked around and walked over to his window looking out.

E/N - Please review! I love to hear your thoughts, theories and opinions on the story as we go!

What about that kiss?