Strategies

Carlisle, Esme and I ran back to the house. I stayed outside while they both rushed inside. I wanted so badly to run to where Bella was to ensure her safety for myself. Instead I ran the perimeter of the house for something to do. In just a few moments Carlisle joined me.

"Everything is fine, Bella is asleep. Esme will stay and watch over her. But first she wants to talk to you again."

Esme joined us and once again put her loving arms around me, the fire in her eyes was replaced with the tender loving mother once again. "Edward, when you're through with the meeting tonight I want you to come back. I've more I need to talk to you about, and I want to do it in private, away from your brothers"

I bent down and kissed her on the forehead. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

Carlisle kissed Esme and we returned to the cabin.

Emmett was ready to jump down my throat as soon as we entered. But he was smart enough not to verbalize it in front of Carlisle and Jasper.

Edward, you gotta explain your intentions toward Bella.

I turned to him. "Can it Em, we're here to discuss strategy not for me to satisfy your curiosity."

"I think it might be important," he argued.

I raised my voice and stared him down. "It's irrelevant; the important thing is Bella's safety. I won't discuss it with you again." I turned my back on Emmett and looked at Carlisle.

"Emmett, I know that you're mad at Edward for running off and leaving you, but you need to drop it. He's right, we're here for one thing only and that's to discuss ways to keep Bella safe. So don't bring up any side issues. Understood?"

Emmett mumbled under his breath but didn't bring it up again.

"First we need to discuss what we know about James. Edward you're the only one who has had any contact with him."

"What about Rosalie and me? We lived in the house with him for almost a year. Maybe we can help?"

"Alice, we appreciate any input you may have, but I'm guessing that you had no clue that he was anything other that an evil human. But, how much interaction did you girls have with him?"

"Nothing much, he would only occasionally take us to school. Victoria was the one we had the most contact with. We really tried our best to avoid both James and Laurent as much as possible."

"They stared at us a lot. It really gave us the creeps," Rosalie added.

"Come to think of it, we use to say that they looked at us like we were something to eat. I guess that all makes sense now." Alice looked at Rosalie and the both got disgusted looks on their faces.

"On those occasions that he took you to school, would he stop anywhere? Do you know of any places he may frequent?" Carlisle asked then added. "If you girls think of anything let us know, even if you don't feel it is important, anything at this point may be useful."

"I can't think of anything, can you, Rosalie?"

"The only thing I ever heard from him about going somewhere was that night Laurent took you. Remember? We walked past the office and we heard him tell Victoria that he was taking her into town to eat."

"Yeah, I guess now we know what was on the menu. I do remember the night before; it was the day that James took Bella. They all had a screaming fight in the office. We could hear them all yelling. We couldn't understand what they were saying, though. I thought at the time that maybe James was trying to make up with Victoria over what happened the night before. I'm sorry, Carlisle, I guess this is all pretty much immaterial."

"Actually, Alice, it's a good reminder that we need to thoroughly go through that house. Search the office, do some detective work. See if we can find any clues about where James may have disappeared too. Jasper, why don't you and Alice go there tonight? Destroy any evidence and check for clues."

I wish I'd thought about that when I was looking for James, maybe this would already be over. Hopefully, they'll find something that would be helpful.

"Jasper, why don't you bring back something that has James' scent on it. Esme and the girls need to recognize him, if he comes around."

"Good idea, Emmett. Hopefully covering his scent isn't something he's in the habit of doing all the time." Carlisle turned back to me.

"Edward, what can you add about James that we may not know or remember?"

"The night I took Bella from him he was surprised and upset that he lost her to another vampire. He allowed her to reach the highway that night. Bella told me later that he even helped her. He told her that the girls never made it across the river. He actually carried her over and gave her extra time. And it was all for his little video. He hoped that some unlucky traveler would 'rescue' her, and then he would take her back and kill both her and the rescuer, while capturing it all on camera."

This was apparently the first that the Rosalie knew about the films they were producing. Growls and hisses filled the room.

Carlisle asked, "Do you think the only reason they were involved in the girls home was for the sake of their little film endeavors?"

"For James I would say yes. I think Victoria liked having a roof over her head. I can't say for Laurent, since I never had an opportunity to read his mind."

"Laurent didn't have a camera the night he took Alice," Jasper added.

"I remember though, he did mention the films to me." Alice spoke, "He said he wished he had time to show them to me and then film me. I got the impression that he was in a hurry for some reason." Jasper reached over and took Alice into his arms.

"I destroyed eighteen films and a laptop computer when I was there, I really didn't take the time to search thoroughly. I wanted to return to Rosie," Emmett added.

"Jasper, check everywhere, closets, attic, garage and bedrooms. We have to make sure they are all destroyed." Carlisle then turned back to me. "What else can you tell us about James?"

"When Emmett and I went to the house, the only thing I really got from him was that he was happy we killed Victoria for him. He sent her out to us and then used that diversion for his own escape. He was tired of her whining and complaining. Then later, before he disappeared, he said he had plans to make, but he'll be back to take what belonged to him. That's all I have, it's not much, I'm sorry to say. I should have spent more time reading his thoughts, unfortunately I was more focused on destroying him."

"If he knows about Bella being alive, we should assume that he's been here already. We should also assume that he knows about Alice and Rosalie being vampires. They may not be safe either." Jasper pulled Alice close to him and continued. "We have to protect them as well."

"I think we can protect ourselves, don't you, Alice? And I'd love to have a few minutes alone with him. I would so enjoy kicking his sick butt." Emmett grabbed Rosalie as she spoke and held her.

He growled, "No, you can't. You may be stronger than I am right now but he has years of experience and skill. I'll never leave your side until he is killed."

"Rosalie, Alice, Em is right; you can't try and take him on alone. Your strength alone will not help you. Both of you stay with Jasper and Emmett until he is gone. Emmett, tonight you and Rosalie patrol the grounds. Every night you and Jasper will take turns. We'll coordinate our hunting schedules and no one goes alone, or," Carlisle looked pointedly at me, "Without their cell phone. I'll pick up phones for the girls, Bella as well." He looked around the room at all of us. "Questions, comments, complaints?"

Yeah, I've both a question and a complaint. "Carlisle, what about me, what am I to do?"

"Edward," Carlisle started, "Unless you're hunting, I want you to stay at the house. You need to stay close and help me watch over Bella and Esme. I'm going to call the hospital and postpone my start date. We all need to stay close."

"What about James? Why do we have to wait for him to come to us?" My complaint.

"Edward, until we have a clue as to his whereabouts, we'll play the defensive role. When we have an idea where to look, we'll make careful plans and follow those plans. No one and I mean no one goes off on their own. Understood?" He stared long and hard at me and then at the others.

"That goes for everybody. And I don't want anyone leaving the property without letting everyone know where they are. Anything else? Jasper, you've been pretty quiet tonight. Do you have anything to add?"

"Yes, I think we should all work with the premise that we may never be forewarned with James' scent. He may be blocking it all the time now. We must assume that he has already been all over the property for him to know about Bella. He could be anywhere at any time."

"I agree. That's why I don't want anyone to go off alone. We shouldn't assume that Bella is his only target. Em, Jazz you both stay here at the cabin with Rosalie and Alice, Edward and I'll stay at the house."

Hey, Edward maybe you can reconnect with Bella.

I growled and crouched then prepared to launch myself at Emmett. Both Carlisle and Jasper grabbed me.

"I don't know what is up with you two, but cool it. Emmett, you obviously know what's bothering Edward. Please just leave it alone for right now. We need everyone focused. Do not fight among yourselves we have a bigger common enemy that wants to destroy us all. And we aren't playing with a normal game plan. So, whatever is going on with you two, get over it now."

Carlisle turned back to me. "Edward, when's the last time you hunted?"

"I… I can't remember…"

"I remember," Emmett muttered.

I stared at him in shock, yeah, I remember now too. The night I found Bella.

"Jasper, before you and Alice go to the Girls' Home, I want you to take Edward hunting. Make sure he gets plenty. And bring him back here. I'm serious about no one being on their own."

I looked at Carlisle and nodded. I've existed on pure adrenaline and anger. Hunger was probably why I was such a nutcase. Well, at least part of the reason.

I ran off with Jasper and Alice; it wasn't long before we came across a herd of elk, not my favorite but it would do. I quickly drained three and we started back.

Alice stopped me before we reached the house. She put her hand on my arm. "Edward, everything is going to be alright. You'll be happy again one day. Everyone is going to be okay."

I looked up at Jasper, I don't know, Edward, sometimes she says some weird stuff. She believes it and she means well.

Even with his words I couldn't resist answering her with sarcasm, "What are you, Alice, a psychic or something?"

"Enough of one to know that you wouldn't believe me, right now. But you will." She smiled up at me and patted my hand. "You will." All of a sudden her eyes kind of went vacant and she swayed.

Jasper grabbed her. "Alice, are you okay? What's the matter?"

I gasped, "No… no." Through Alice's mind I saw a vision of me with Bella as a vampire. I was holding her and she was smiling. We were both very happy. "No. I won't touch her."

"Edward, what's the matter, with Alice? With you?" He was panicked.

I backed away from them. "Jasper, keep your little pixie away from me. She's crazier than I am." I turned and ran back to the house and into the sanctuary of my bedroom.

But not before I heard Alice tell Jasper, "Don't be upset with him, Jasper. He needs us right now. Everything will turn out okay. But he can't see that."

I needed a few minutes to clear my head before I talked with Esme. Alice's thoughts or vision or whatever it was freaked me out. As much as I would love to reconcile with Bella it could never happen. I had to stay away from her. The only visions I could conjure up in my head, was of her cold, limp body draped over my arms in death. Our Denali cousins took years before they could co-exist closely with humans, with a long line of victims behind them. Bella was far too precious for me to take any chances with.

After a few minutes I heard Esme's soft rap on the door. I wasn't ready for this conversation, but doubted that I ever would be. I might as well get it over with. I walked over and opened the door, when she walked in I closed it behind her.

"Edward, how are you doing?"

I laughed sarcastically. "That's a loaded question, what do you want to know?"

"I'm worried about you. Terribly worried. We have this threat hanging over us, and that's troubling. But I'm more concerned with your well being than anything else right now. Your brothers have found their mates and are settled and very happy."

"Esme, if you're going to suggest…"

"I'm not suggesting anything. I know there is something going on between you and Bella and as your mother I'd like to know if there is anything I can do."

"There is nothing you can do except help me keep her safe."

"I asked you once and I'll ask you again. Has she captured your heart?"

I turned from her and walked to the window. I looked out into the night. "I've already answered that question, I told you she was human and it didn't matter if she captured my heart."

She walked up behind me and caught my eyes in the reflection of the glass. "And I told you we would talk more when I got home. Are you afraid you are going to hurt her?"

I turned around and said, "I've already hurt her. I nearly killed her that night."

"I know, Edward, Carlisle told me everything you discussed with him. You stopped, you didn't kill her."

My mother had much more faith in me than I deserve. "Esme, I'm a monster. She needs protection from me as much as she needs protection from James." I had to make her understand, so I proceeded further. "I can still remember the taste of her blood, it's like no other I have ever tasted, a part of me still craves it."

"Edward, you are not a monster. You would die for her if it would save her."

"What? Are you the mind-reader now?" I said rudely.

"I think after nearly 90 years I know you well enough to make these judgments."

I sighed and looked away from her. "Okay, I'll admit it. I love her and I would die for her, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm not good for her. She needs a chance to live her life free from a creature that craves her blood above any other."

"Edward, you're so stubborn."

"Stubborn? How can you say I'm stubborn? I only want the best for her."

"You refuse to believe anything but the worst about yourself. You're not a monster. You're good, kind and loving."

"It's doesn't matter what wonderful qualities you believe I possess. Any love that Bella had for me is dead. I've made sure of that already. I'll stay in the house and keep watch over you and Bella, but I won't meet her face to face again. It would be too painful for both of us. Don't you see? It won't work. We'll take care of James somehow and then find Bella a nice safe place where she can live out her human life. In time she will make new friends and forget about me, about all of us. Now please can we not talk about this again?"

"I'm sorry, son. I'll not make you that promise, because I believe that you are making a mistake. But I'll honor your wishes for now."