Chapter 25: Treaty to Alliance

A/N: I own nothing. The characters all come from much more brilliant minds than mine. I am just playing with them, the way others may play with dolls. I was thinking about the end of Breaking Dawn and how it reminded me of one of my favourite TV shows and so the two were combined. Some of the event that occur in this chapter area detailed in much greater detail from Bella's point of view in a little-known set of books that make up "the Twilight saga" so I will be glossing over those bits to a certain degree, focusing on key events only. Saves trying to reproduce over 2000 pages of story in Carlisle's POV ;) although I will try to include enough to keep the story coherent (NB there is going to be some dialogue from the books)

The next morning I was telling Jack the stories of meetings with the Doctor to Jack. I had just told him of the first and second time I met the Doctor, then I remembered that the actual first time the Doctor ever met my family he looked different. I laughed at the differences with Jack.

Jake had an odd expression on his face as he spoke. "So he looked different the last time you met him?"

"Yeah, well I didn't meet him that time. But I did see him and he wasn't quite as refined as all the other times. The blue eyes and dark hair were a bit odd too. Not to mention the big ears."

Jack laughed, "Ok, so what does the Doctor usually look like."

"Well I guess, a little shorter, much slimmer with brown eyes and brown hair that always looks impeccably styled, although I think it might be like ours in that respect – it just is styled, he doesn't have to exert any effort for it to be that way."

"And you say the blue eyed one was from before you first met him?"

"Yes, well his TARDIS told Alice that was the case. Why?"

"I think he might have regenerated or is going to I guess, because that hasn't happened yet. But the Doctor I knew had blue eyes. I wonder when it happened?"

I gasped, I hadn't considered that Jack had known a previous version of the Doctor. So he didn't know Martha or Donna. But he would, I was sure of that much.

"So which of the Doctor's companions do you know?" I asked him.

"What do you mean companions? There was only ever Rose. Unless you count Mickey but he never really travelled with the Doctor. Didn't even like him really from what I could tell."

I considered this for a while. I would have to be very careful what stories I told in the future. I would have to have a word with the others as well. I didn't think it would be a good idea to tell Jack anymore about the Doctor.

"Tell me more Carlisle. Where there other companions?"

"I don't think I should Jack."

"Did you meet me again. I need to know that. I need to know I will find him again." His eyes burned with intensity. I thought about what the Doctor had told me about how he lost Donna. Jack had been involved in those events.

"I probably shouldn't say anything else, but I can guarantee you will meet him again."

"Thank-you Carlisle, that's all I needed to know." A bright smile crossed his face. I think it was the first time I had seen a smile reach his eyes.

He was just filling me in on everything that was happening in the UK, about Harriet Jones who had been elected Prime Minister and launched a space initiative "Guenivere 1", when Edward phoned Emmett to guard Bella's house, telling him that another vampire had been at Bella's house and he would explain it all soon.

It was an anxious wait for Edward to arrive home. This time Jack stayed in the house, obviously concerned for our family. Everyone gathered in the living room.

"What happened?" Edward demanded as soon as they came through the door. He stared at Alice, his hands clenching into firsts.

Alice was still, only her lips moved when she answered, "I have no idea. I didn't see anything."

"How is that possible?" He fumed.

I tried to calm things down, "It's not an exact science, Edward." Of anyone he should know this the best – he had seen Alice's visions for himself.

Edward didn't even look at me, he continued to stare Alice down, "He was in her room, Alice. He could have still been there – waiting for her."

Alice finally came alive, "I would have seen that." She declared vehemently.

"Really? You sure?" Edward replied rudely.

Alice's voice was cold when she answered, "You've already got me watching the Volturis's decisions, watching for Victoria's return, watching Bella's every step. You want to add another? Do I have to watch Charlie, or Bella's room, or the house, or the whole street, too? Edward, if I try to do too much, things are going to start slipping through the cracks."

"It looks like they already are." Edward snapped in reply. I could see Jasper becoming defensive, ready to leap into Alice's defence.

"She was never in any danger. There was nothing to see."

"If you're watching Italy, why didn't you see them send –"

"I don't think it's them," Alice said insistently, "I would have seen that."

"Who else would leave Charlie alive?" Edward asked. I saw Bella shiver. I was surprised she hadn't noticed the addition in the room but she seemed very distracted.

"I don't know." Alice admitted.

"Helpful."

"Stop it, Edward." Bella whispered. Edward turned to face her, I saw again the way she could control him his jaw relaxed and eyes softened.

"You're right, Bella. I'm sorry." He turned back to Alice, "Forgive me, Alice. I shouldn't be taking this out on you. That was inexcusable."

"I understand, I'm not happy about it either."

Edward took a deep breath. "Okay, let's look at this logically. What are the possibilities?"

Everyone thawed at once, the tense atmosphere better. I saw Bella glance in Jack's direction with a confused look but Edward just shook his head and she didn't ask any further questions. Edward and Bella sat on the sofa next to Esme. I walked over to Alice, thinking about the Doctor, I wished I had his knowledge right about now, then I remembered his main enemy – the Daleks, how they kept coming back every time he thought they were gone. I wondered whether our problems were the same.

"Victoria?" I asked.

Edward shook his head, "No, I didn't know the scent. He might have been from the Volturi, someone I've never met..."

Alice shook her head, "Aro hasn't asked anyone to look for her yet. I will see that. I'm watching for it."

Edward looked at her thoughtfully, "You're watching for an official command."

"You think someone's acting on their own? Why?"

"Caius's idea," Edward suggested.

"Or Jane's..." Alice said. "They both have the resources to send an unfamiliar face..."

"It doesn't make sense though," Esme said, "It whoever it was meant to wait for Bella, Alice would have seen that. He – or she – had no intention of hurting Bella. Or Charlie, for that matter."

Bella cringed at Esme's comment, "It's going to be fine, Bella." Esme whispered to her, stroking her hair.

"But what was the point then?" I wondered.

"Checking to see if I'm still human?" Bella guessed.

"Possible."

Rosalie sighed and headed to the kitchen. Edward look discouraged, I knew he was hoping this would be put off for a while yet.

Jasper and Emmett entered the room, "Long gone, hours ago," Emmett announced, obviously disappointed about not being able to fight, "The trail went East, then South, and disappeared on a side road. Had a car waiting."

"That's bad luck," Edward muttered, "If he'd gone west...well, it would be nice for those dogs to make themselves useful."

Jasper held out a broken fern for me, "Neither of us recognized him. But here, maybe you know the scent."

I considered it for a second, comparing it to the scent of every vampire I had ever met, particularly those in Volturi. I was disappointed to not recognise it, "No. Not familiar. No one I've ever met."

"Perhaps we're looking at this the wrong way. Maybe it's a coincidence..." Esme began, everyone else was incredulous that she could even suggest it. I felt that familiar surge of love for her, she always wanted to see the best in people and situations, "I don't mean a coincidence that a stranger happened to pick Bella's house to visit at random. I meant that maybe someone was curious. Our scent is all around her. Was he wondering what draws us there?"

"Why wouldn't he just come here then? If he was curious?" Emmett demanded. He never understood subtlety.

"You would." Esme said fondly, "The rest of us aren't always so direct. But Charlie wasn't harmed. This doesn't have to be an enemy."

I really wished that Esme could be right. That this wasn't going to be a threat to our family. We had enough of those over us at the moment between Victoria and the Volturi.

Alice was the first to break the silence, "I don't think so. The timing of it was too perfect... This visitor was so careful to make no contact. Almost like he or she knew that I would see..."

"He could have other reasons for not making contact." Esme said.

Bella sighed, "Does it really matter who it was? Just the chance that someone was looking for me... isn't that reason enough? We shouldn't wait for graduation."

"No, Bella." Edward said quickly, "It's not that bad. If you're really in danger, we'll know."

I could see surprise pass across Jack's features. I hadn't really explained to him that Bella herself was the main driving force when it came to the decision to turn her.

"Think of Charlie," I reminded her, "Think of how it would hurt him if you disappeared."

"I am thinking of Charlie! He's the one I'm worried about! What if my little guest had happened to be thirsty last night? As long as I'm around Charlie, he's a target, too. If anything happened to him, it would be all my fault!"

"Hardly, Bella." Esme comforted her, "And nothing will happen to Charlie. We're just going to have to be more careful."

"More careful?" Bella repeated in disbelief.

"It's all going to be fine, Bella." Alice promised.

Bella looked around in defeat. She obviously realised that nothing was going to sway us right now.

After Bella and Edward left I filled Jack in on everything that had happened to our family, who the Volturi and Victoria were. He swore to do what he could to help out. As I was talking to Jack I noticed the paper that Emmett had open. The headline read, "Murder Epidemic Continues – Police Have No New Leads".

Emmett saw my eyes on the paper, "It's getting worse Carlisle. I don't think it is just one."

"You might be right." I said back.

"I want to check it out. I don't want to Volturi coming here just yet. I don't want to see Bella or Edward hurt."

Occasionally Emmett showed genuine emotions, rather than the bulletproof front he usually put on. In those times it was vital to pay attention to him, it was when he was most dangerous.

"Alice what do you think?" I asked her, "Should we go investigate?"

"I can't see what will happen."

"Do you think that's to do with Jack?"

"I don't know. Jack I need you to decide that you are not going to help us."

"I don't know if I can." He said.

"Please? I need to know if my family will be safe if they go by themselves."

"Ok."

Alice's eyes went vague, "It's not to do with Jack, I still can't see the outcome. It is almost like the decision hasn't been made yet."

"I'll call Edward. See what he thinks. After all the decision involves him."

I pulled out my phone. "Edward," I said when he answered

"Carlisle, I –"

I interrupted him, "Have you seen the paper today? The situation in Seattle is getting worse. Emmett wants to go check out what is happening. To deal with it if necessary. Alice can't see anything, I guess because we haven't really decided whether or not we are going to go."

"I'll check it out. Listen Bella is missing some items from her room. I think her visitor may have taken them for evidence."

"Like what?" I asked.

"Her pillow, some dirty clothes. She didn't say anything because she thought Alice may have tidied up a bit when she grabbed Bella's things – she didn't realise Alice bought her everything new."

"I don't know what we can do about that right now Edward. I think the more pressing concern is the situation in Seattle. The Volturi will have to have heard rumours of it by now. The situation is getting out of hand."

Edward sighed, "Maybe I'll go... Maybe not. Don't let Emmett go alone, you know how he gets. At least ask Alice to keep an eye on things. We'll figure this out later." The line cut off.

After I got off the phone to Edward, Alice told me that she was still going to go ahead with the graduation party she had been organising for Bella and was going to tell Bella about it the next day. I thought about it for a while. I knew that Edward wanted Bella to have as many human experiences as possible. In the end I agreed that the other concerns we had shouldn't stop Bella from enjoying her last few weeks as a human as much as possible.

The next night when Edward came home after being at Bella's he smiled at me. "I think I might be starting to get through to her about the marriage thing."

I nodded, "Just don't push her too hard on it."

"If I am reading her correctly it seems she might be getting anxious about the graduation deadline. Not that she has said anything about it of course."

"As I have told you before Son, so long as she wants me to do it I will, but I am not going to force her into any deadline."

He nodded. "Thanks."

We were watching CNN the next morning, the Seattle situation was now national news. Jack had called in some favours with the government and had all the information from Torchwood. Surprisingly they genuinely thought it was a human serial killer, because despite there being record of alien activity in the area, there was a history of that anyway due to us and the wolves and there was no alien technology in use. At least it meant that the only division of the government which might be able to do us harm wasn't going to be involved in the situation.

Jack, Jasper, Esme and I were watching CNN when Alice called out from her position on the stairs, "Edward is bringing Bella around soon. At least I finally saw something."

Emmett came ambling out from the kitchen when he heard the front door open. "Hey, Edward. Ditching, Bella?"

"We both are." Edward reminded him.

Emmett laughed, "Yes, but it's her first time through high school. She might miss something."

Edward rolled his eyes and threw the paper at me. "Did you see they're considering a serial killer now?"

"They've had two specialists debating the possibility of CNN all morning."

"We can't let this go on."

"Let's go now," Emmett said, clenching his hands excitedly, "I'm dead bored."

"Don't you dare, you stay here until we know it is safe." Rosalie hissed at him down the stairs.

"She's such a pessimist," Emmett muttered to himself.

"We'll have to go sometime." Edward agreed.

"I'm concerned," I confessed, "We've never involved ourselves in this kind of thing before. It's not our business. We aren't the Volturi."

"I don't want the Volturi to have to come here," Edward said, echoing the rest of my concern. "It gives us so much less reaction time."

"And all those innocent humans in Seattle," Esme murmured. "It's not right to let them die this way."

"I know." I sighed, it seemed whichever way we decided would be a sacrifice.

"Oh," Edward said suddenly, he turned his head slightly towards Jasper, reacting to a thought. "I didn't think of that. I see. You're right, that had to be it. Well, that changes everything."

Everyone looked at Edward with an annoyed expression, except Bella and Jack. Bella because she couldn't be annoyed at Edward and Jack because he was more amused, he had never experienced Edward's one-sided conversations.

"I think you'd better explain to the others," Edward said to Jasper, "What could be the purpose of this. He started pacing, staring at the floor.

Alice was at Jasper's side in an instant. "What is he rambling about? What are you thinking?""

Jasper looked at each of us before settling on Bella, "You're confused."

"We're all confused," muttered Emmett.

"You can afford to be patient." Jasper told him, "Bella should understand this, too. She's one of us now. How much do you know about me, Bella?"

"Not much." She admitted.

Jasper stared at Edward, Edward met his gaze, "No." Edward answered his thought, "I'm sure you can understand why I haven't told her that story. But I suppose she needs to hear it now."

Jasper nodded thoughtfully then proceeded to fill both Bella and Jack in on his own history. A history the rest of us knew as intimately as our own. There were no secrets in our past. He explained about his past as a general of sorts in Maria's army. About the newborn battles in the South. He finished up with an explanation of how he met Alice and how they had found us.

"An army," Alice whispered after he had finished, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought I must have be interpreting the signs incorrectly. Because where is the motive? Why would someone create an army in Seattle? There is no history there, no vendetta. It makes no sense from a conquest standpoint, either; no one claims it. Nomads pass through, but there's no one to fight for it. No one to defend it from.

"But I've seen this before, and there's no other explanation. There is an army of newborn vampires in Seattle. Fewer than twenty, I'd guess. The difficult part is that they are totally untrained. Whoever made them just set them loose. It will only get worse, and it won't be much longer until the Volturi step in. Actually, I'm surprised they've let this go on so long."

"What can we do?" I asked.

"If we want to avoid the Volturi's involvement, we will have to destroy the newborns, and we will have to do it very soon." I could see the concern on Jasper's face. "I can teach you how. It won't be easy in the city. The young ones aren't concerned about secrecy, but we will have to be. It will limit us in way that they are not. Maybe we can lure them out."

"Maybe we won't have to." Edward said, his voice bleak. "Does it occur to anyone else that the only possible threat in the area that would call for the creation of an army is...us?"

I was shocked, I hadn't thought of that possibility. Jasper's eyes narrowed, obviously the thought had crossed his mind at some point.

"Tanya's family is also near," Esme said slowly. I could tell she didn't want to believe what Edward was saying.

"The newborns aren't ravaging Anchorage, Esme. I think we have to consider the idea that we are the targets."

"They're not coming after us," Alice insisted, "Or...they don't know that they are. Not yet."

"What is that?" Edward asked, curious and tense, "What are you remembering?"

"Flickers," Alice said, "I can't see a clear picture when I try to see what's going on, nothing concrete. But I've been getting these strange flashes. Not enough to make sense of. It's as if someone's changing their mind, moving from one course of action to another so quickly that I can't get a good view..."

"Indecision?" Jasper asked, his voice full of disbelief.

"I don't know..."

"Not indecision," Edward growled. "Knowledge. Someone who knows you can't see anything until the decision is made. Someone who is hiding from us. Playing with the holes in your vision."

"Who would know that?" Alice whispered.

Edward's eyes were hard, "Aro knows you as well as you know yourself."

"But I would see if they'd decided to come..."

"Unless they didn't want to get their hands dirty."

Rosalie joined the conversation for the first time, "A favor," she suggested, "Someone in the south...someone who already had troubled with the rules. Someone who should have been destroyed is offered a second chance – if they take care of this one small problem...That would explain the Volturi's sluggish response."

"Why?" I asked, still shocked. I knew a fair bit about the Volturi after living with them and although I couldn't live with their diet choice I never had a problem with them persay. "There's no reason for the Volturi –"

"It was there," Edward disagreed quietly. "I'm surprised it's come to this so soon, because the other thoughts were stronger. In Aro's head he saw me at his one side and Alice at his other. The present and the future, virtual omniscience. The power of the idea intoxicated him. I would have thought it would take him much longer to give up on that plan – he wanted it too much. But there was also the thought of you, Carlisle, of our family, growing stronger and larger. The jealousy and the fear; you having... not more than he had, but still, things he wanted. He tried not to think about it, but he couldn't hide it completely. The idea of rooting out the competition was there; besides their own, ours is the largest coven they've ever found..."

Although I could see the logic in what Edward was saying, it just didn't sit with what I knew of the Volturi, not completely anyone, "They're too committed to their mission. They would never break the rules themselves. It goes against everything they've worked for."

"They'll clean up afterward. A double betrayal," Edward said. "No harm done."

Jasper leaned forward, shaking his head, "No, Carlisle is right. The Volturi do not break the rules. Besides, it's much too sloppy. This...person, this threat – they have no idea what they're doing. A first-timer, I'd swear to it. I cannot believe the Volturi are involved. But they will be."

Emmett stood, "Then let's go, what are we waiting for?"

I looked at Edward. Do you think this is the only way? He nodded.

"We'll need you to teach us, Jasper. How to destroy them." I said. I hated this course of action, but what else could we do, especially if my family was a target.

"We're going to need help," Jasper said, "Do you think Tanya's family would be willing? Another five mature vampires would made an enormous difference. And then Kate and Eleazar would be especially advantageous on our side. It would be almost easy, with their aid."

"We'll ask." I answered.

Jasper held out a phone, "We need to hurry."

I couldn't believe how quickly things had shifted into action. I wondered whether Jack would be willing to help, whether I should let him if he was – especially with so many newborns, he may be immortal but who knows what our venom would do to him. I dialled the number and waited.

"Hello, Tanya."

"Carlisle." There was something in her tone that I couldn't quite understand.

"You know about the situation in Seattle I assume?"

"Yes."

"Well, Jasper seems to think that it might be a newborn army. We are not sure but we think we might be the target. It seems to be the only logical assumption. We have no idea how many newborns there are, we guess there are less than twenty but another five mature vampires couldn't hurt the situation."

"I'm sorry Carlisle. I don't think that will be possible?"

"Why not?"

"Well, you see Irina was involved with Laurent. She is heartbroken by his death. From what I understand his death was caused by a group of werewolves in your area. And that you have a treaty with the monsters."

I couldn't deny any of that, I knew that was the case – Bella had told Edward everything that happened while he was away and he had told us. "Tanya, please. From how I understand he was attacking Bella at the time."

"So the loves in your lives are more important than the loves in ours? Is that it Carlisle?"

I was trying very hard to remain calm and persuasive, "Not at all Tanya. I understand why she is upset by it, but I don't understand what you would like us to do?"

"We'll trade you our services, for your permission to break the treaty. It is only our past friendship that is stopping us from destroying that pack. You want our help, give us your permission."

"There's no question of that," I said sternly. "We have a truce. They haven't broken it, and neither will we."

"Well if that's how you feel, I'm afraid we have no choice."

"I'm sorry to hear that..."

"I have no choice, Carlisle, she is family."

"Of course. We'll just have to do our best alone."

"I am sorry Carlisle."

I hung up the phone. I continued to stare out the window. Oblivious of the conversation around me. Jasper brought me out of my thoughts, "It's too even a fight. We'd win, but at what price?"

That was what I was afraid of.

I pulled Jack aside after everyone else had gone. "Jack, I think it would be best if you avoided this fight."

"But you need extra help, I heard you on the phone."

"Jack, those newborns will be blood crazed. I couldn't bear if you were hurt and never got the opportunity to see the Doctor again."

"Ok, Carlisle. A. I am immortal and B. I am not going to live my life in fear."

"Ok Jack, and what will the Vampryne Virus do to your system?"

"I don't know but I feel part of your family here. You have all welcomed me in with open arms. I am not going to turn my back on you when you need help the most. That's final."

I couldn't argue with the authority in his voice. I couldn't help thinking he needed to command his own team, rather than just being a lackey for other people. "Thank-you, Jack."

I spent the next few days creating a list of possibilities who might be able to help, but I didn't want to risk anyone who fed in the normal way – not with Jack and Bella in the house. Usually that would have left the Denali family but they'd made their position clear and there was no way I was going to change my stance on that. Jasper was going to try to get Peter and Charlotte to help us out, but he wasn't having any luck. It was hard to track nomads with so little time.

On Friday, we had arranged to go hunting again, none of us specifically needed to but it would keep our strength up and ready for anything. Edward was nervous the whole time, he had realised after Bella left the car that she had left the mobile in the car so he had no way of contacting her, and because she was with Jacob, Alice couldn't see what would happen. As soon as we arrived back at the house he took up a watch in the car with his mobile in one hand and his fingers pinched on his nose. When I saw him I thought it would have been comical if he wasn't so concerned. He shot me a glance as he heard my thoughts. "Sorry," I mouthed.

I heard his phone ring as I walked towards the house. He answered it and pulled out of the garage in the same motion. When they arrived back at the house, less than a half hour later Edward bought Bella straight to my office. It seemed she had broken her hand punching Jacob Black. She didn't want me to put it in a cast. The break wasn't too serious, just a minor fracture so I agreed I would just brace so long as she would take it easy with it. She had much more serious injuries in the time we had known her.

Monday was graduation for Alice and Edward, so Esme and I needed to put on a show. We sat in the audience and smiled and clapped in all the right places, we had been to many of these things and they never changed much.

We arrived home after the ceremony, surprised when Edward came into the house. "What is it Edward?" I asked him.

Alice beat him to answer, "Bella has worked it out. The newborns and the visitor in her room, their connected."

Edward replied in a flat voice, "That's why the newborns have been created, to get to her."

"Where is Bella now Edward?" I asked.

"At the Lodge with Charlie. Emmett is guarding it for me until I get back. I just wanted to make sure you knew what Bella told me." He shot Alice a violent glare.

"I'm sorry, Edward, but I saw how you would react if I told you before graduation and there were too many people there, too much risk of exposure."

He nodded. "I'm going back to Bella now. I'll be back shortly for the party." He said the last word with barely concealed disgust.

The house quickly filled as Bella's classmates started to appear. The party was the last thing any of us wanted now, knowing that the newborn vampires were after Bella, but at least it was something to distract Edward and we were nothing if not used to the pretences involved with playing human. Alice and Edward came up part way through the party.

"They're coming Carlisle. They are carrying Bella's clothes."

"Coming?" I asked, "Coming here, to Forks?"

"Yes." Alice said panicking, threaten our family and she doesn't flinch, threaten Bella and she falls to pieces.

"How long?" I asked her.

"They'll be here on Friday."

"Well, there is no time to waste then. As soon as the party is finished we will start training."

"Alice!" Bella called when she caught sight of her.

I watched as Alice walked over to Bella and the wolves. I ran upstairs to warn Esme and Jack what was happening. Jasper came up shortly after.

"You're looking very...cheerful." I said to him.

"Well, we've found some more help."

"What Peter and Charlotte? I thought you couldn't reach them."

He smiled oddly at me, "No. It's a much more...unlikely... alliance."

I laughed, thinking of the most unlikely pairing, "What someone like the wolves."

Jasper grinned widely, "Exactly like the wolves. We are meeting them at three in the morning."

I thought about it for a while, "That could work."

"So long as we can all put our prejudices aside."

"Yeah. Exactly."