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Thanks to my wonderful beta, GrammarBitch.

One of my readers, Ro Nordmann, made a very beautiful banner for my story, and I truly love it. I want to share it with you, so here it is, h t t p:/tinyurl . com/7duxq4c (take out the spaces). Thank you.

So, unfortunately, there is only one chapter left. I feel a little sad that this story is coming to an end.
I loved writing it, and I want to thank you for reading it. :)
I am sorry for taking so long to update, but school has been ... well, quite stressful lately.

Confrontation

Isabella ignored the sharp sword as she lounged at James, tears blurring her vision. Beside herself with fury and pain, she kicked James' shin hard, making him yelp in pain. Trying to hurt him as much as she could with her hands tied, she gasped when James slapped her hard across one cheek. Her head jerked to one side, and her skin started throbbing painfully.

Grabbing a handful of her hair, James pressed the blade of the sword against her throat. "Try that one more time, and you are dead," he threatened, his breath close to her ear, sending ripples of fear and disgust through her.

"You are going to do it anyway," she hissed. The weapon felt cold and hard against her skin, reminding her of what truly mattered. She had to protect Ian, no matter what. "If killing me now means that my baby will be safe, then do it. Why wait for it, James? Isn't that what you wanted when you brought me here? Just do it and be done with it, but do not even dare hurt my baby, because I swear to God, I will kill you with my bare hands."

As James released her abruptly, Isabella stumbled backwards until her back hit the wall, a sharp stone scratching her side. Smothering a groan, she glared at James, while each one of her baby's cries tormented her.

"Do you not know anything about patience, dear?"

"I know something about hatred."

As the cries became louder, they both assumed that Peter or Charlotte was coming toward them with the baby. Isabella's stomach lurched in anxiety, her muscles stretched taut. Taking a deep breath to avoid being sick, she looked toward the entrance and saw a shimmer of light as a figure approached. James exhaled loudly, throwing Isabella a smile.

"Isn't this touching? Mother and son finally reunited. Peter, does it not make you want to cry?"

The other man looked at James, and then his gaze flew to Isabella's stricken expression as her eyes descended upon her screaming baby.

She wanted to take her son out of Peter's grasp. She could not help feeling helpless, despair enveloping her as James walked closer and surveyed the infant.

"There is a very obvious resemblance between them," James snarled under his breath, referring to Edward and his son. "Give him to me, Peter."

Isabella shook her head, her eyes widening in terror. She thought James capable of anything, and her heart was already ripping apart at the sight of her baby in Peter's arms.

"No. Please, James –"

James ignored her as he took the baby from Peter and watched Ian closely, his eyebrows pulled into a vicious scowl. Ian's cries became louder and more heart-wrenching, feeling the tension surrounding him, yearning for his mother.

"How did you manage to bring him here if he cried like this all the time?" James asked, looking up at Peter.

"He did not start crying until we were already far away from the castle. Nobody heard him," Peter grumbled, obviously annoyed by the loud noise.

Isabella wanted to ask him about Rosalie, but she bit her tongue. Where was her sister when this happened? She would not have fallen asleep, and even if she had, she would have heard Peter walk inside the chamber. She would not have left Ian alone, either.

Did he hurt Rosalie? What about the other soldiers who were supposed to guard the castle? Had they been hurt, too? If not, why had they not been able to keep Ian from being kidnapped?

"Well, I must say I am surprised by your efficiency, Peter," James said with a grin.

"I do not need your approval, James. I did as you asked," Peter answered grudgingly. "Now, do something and make him quiet down. My ears are already bleeding from all that crying." He threw the baby a dirty look.

Isabella quickly stepped forward and looked at both of them, her eyes filling with moisture.

"Just ... just unbind my hands," she said. "I swear I will not try to escape, but please, let me hold him." Looking into James' cold eyes, she begged, "Please." She would do anything for Ian, even kneel in front of her enemies to spare his life.

Raising one eyebrow, James replied, "Even if you tried, you would not be able to take one single step outside this cave."

"Oh, just give her the baby, James," Peter protested, withdrawing a dagger from the sheath at his hip. Isabella cringed when he approached her, walking behind her to cut the rope. Isabella grabbed her bruised wrists, wincing at their soreness.

"If she knows how to make that devil shut his mouth, then let her have him. She knows very well that she cannot escape. If she tries, she forfeits her own life and her son's. Give her the baby."

James' eyes narrowed as he looked at Peter and Isabella. "Very well, then."

Isabella reached for Ian, trying not to touch James. She quickly brought the child to her bosom and pressed her cheek to his warm forehead, her heart thumping in temporary relief.

James rolled his eyes at her, and then he turned to Peter. "I need to talk to you."

Isabella heard them walking away from her, but not as far away as she would wish. Blocking out their words and voices, she looked down at the small boy and bit her lip in concern. Her eyes looked for injuries, wanting to make sure that he had not been harmed. A sigh passed through her lips as she realized the baby was fine.

"Everything will be alright, sweetheart," she whispered to him, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "I promise, Ian. You will be fine. I do not know how we will manage to escape, but nothing will ever happen to you. As long as I am alive, you are safe."

The baby did not stop whimpering, though. Wrapping the blanket more tightly around him, she gently rocked him on her shoulder. "Shhh. 'Tis fine, Ian. Please, do not cry anymore."

She swallowed hard. Where was Edward? Was he coming to their rescue? Isabella was torn between hoping he was and wishing he was not. James was mad, and he wanted to kill Edward. If something happened to her husband, Isabella could not bear it.

Ian's cries softened a little until he merely sniffed. His small face was flushed, his lips pink and his eyes wide open. He must be hungry, Isabella thought. Looking up at James and Peter, she saw them watching her from the corners of their eyes, making sure that she was not doing something reckless. Suppressing a wave of fury, she cuddled the boy closer to her bosom.

xXx

Edward felt his muscles tighten in apprehension as he approached the cave. Knowing that the horse's hooves might draw someone's attention, he quietly dismounted. His hand searched for the handle of his sword, and he slowly walked forward, using the trees as a shield.

His blood was boiling inside his veins. Thoughts of Isabella and Ian being hurt swirled through his head. If these fiends had injured his wife and son, Edward did not know what he would be capable of.

Hiding behind a tree, he could see the entrance of the cave. A growl rumbled in his chest as he saw Charlotte sitting there, on a rock. He walked slowly toward the side of the cave, making sure that she would not see him. Withdrawing the sword from its sheath, he pressed his back to the stone.

"I thought I told you to go." A masculine voice stopped Edward from walking forward.

He recognized Peter's voice. His hand tightened on the handle of his sword, his teeth grinding together in anger.

"And where am I supposed to go?" Charlotte asked in a mocking voice. "Back to the castle? Last time I checked, I was not suicidal. They have already realized I am behind this."

"It was bound to happen sooner or later," Peter pointed out. "But still, you should not be here. We do not know what may happen, and I do not want something to happen to you."

Charlotte chuckled dryly. "Isn't it a little too late to think of that?"

Edward took a peek at them, watching Peter wrap his arms around Charlotte's waist.

"Besides, I am curious to find out how this ends," she continued, encircling his neck.

"I am positive you are," Peter answered sourly. "I am serious, Charlotte. Go and wait for me. I do not want you here right now. Please, listen to me and do as I say."

Edward realized it was better if Charlotte obeyed Peter. If she left, he could work easier, without a screaming woman driving him daft. He preferred to leave her to the other soldiers, who were surely only a few minutes away. But Edward could not wait for them. A few minutes or not, he needed to rescue his family as soon as possible.

"Well, then," Charlotte started with a sigh, "I cannot ignore a direct order, now can I? Fine, I suppose I shall go."

Peter leaned down and kissed her, his hand buried in her hair. Charlotte returned the kiss enthusiastically as Edward grimaced in disgust. Just go already, he thought.

Just when he thought Charlotte was never going to leave, she pulled away from the embrace and slowly departed, without looking back. Edward waited until she disappeared between the trees, and then he silently jumped behind Peter.

Knowing that he could not make noise to alert James of his presence, Edward quickly hit Peter on the back of his head, rendering the man unconscious. He did not want him to die just yet, but he could not afford to let him conscious either.

"You idiot," Edward mumbled under his breath He would have expected Peter and James to be a little more vigilant, especially if their plan was to lure Edward to the cave.

Taking one step at a time, Edward entered the cave, his ears straining for voices. As he walked forward, he plunged into the darkness, becoming more aware of the tension surrounding him. Anticipation, concern and fury all enveloped him, making his heart beat faster, increasing his will to proceed and find James.

"If you won't leave, you can at least turn around and give me some privacy. The baby is hungry." An aggravated, feminine voice stopped Edward in his tracks.

Isabella's voice sent his pulse rocketing, and his hold on the sword tightened almost painfully. They were alright. That knowledge eased the strain on his muscles a little, but he would not relax until he knew Isabella and Ian were back at the castle, safe and sound.

"Turn around and miss everything? I doubt it. I would very much watch everything, if you do not mind," James answered snidely.

James' remark and the baby's small whimper made Edward grit his teeth together.

"You are a sick man, James."

Rounding an corner, Edward could finally see James' back facing him, the candle illuminating the small portion of the cave. Trailing his eyes across the space, his gaze settled upon Isabella, their eyes meeting. She gave a small start, her eyes widening slightly, but she quickly composed her features, her hands starting to tremble as she fumbled with the baby's blanket.

Edward pressed his finger to his lips. She dragged her eyes from Edward's face to James, who was watching her intently.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked.

Isabella suppressed a relieved sigh. He must not have seen her reaction to Edward's presence. Her breath was shaky, her hands trembling uneasily. The baby must have sensed her anxiety, because he started crying again.

"Hush, Ian," she whispered to the baby, her eyes swiftly straying to Edward. He was walking toward James.

James must have seen something in Isabella's expression or felt the danger, because he suddenly moved aside just as Edward prepared to drive his sword through his body. A gasp slipped through Isabella's dry lips.

With a growl, James turned around and glared at Edward. His blue eyes seemed as cold as the winter sky, hatred gleaming in them as they focused on Edward's furious expression.

"I should have known you would try to sneak up on me," James hissed, walking slowly around Edward. "Too bad it did not work?"

"I cannot believe I actually trusted you before," Edward snarled through his teeth, his voice filled with venom.

A scornful smile curved James' lips, sending chills down Isabella's spine. She watched them helplessly, her hands covering Ian's head as she positioned him on her shoulder.

"Well, it seems that you are not as smart as you claim to be. I wonder, though. How did you manage get into the cave? Did you have to kill Peter or did he run to save his life?

Edward clenched his hands. "You should choose wiser friends, James. The ones you have are rather stupid."

James narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "One of us will have time to think about choosing friends afterward," he murmured mysteriously, but the meaning of his words was not lost on Edward and Isabella.

One of us will survive this...

Isabella shook her head, looking at her husband's determined face. He seemed ready to fight and die for her, but she could not let it happen. Her heart picked up its pace, threatening to burst as she searched for something to hit James. The candle flame had dimmed out, and the interior of the cave was getting darker and darker.

Her eyes finally settled on a sharp stone, and careless of the noises she was making, she reached down and grabbed it between her slippery fingers. Before she could do anything, James turned around, his eyes narrowing dangerously at her.

Taking advantage of his brief distraction, Edward pounced on him, the sudden movement earning a startled gasp from Isabella who backed away against the wall. He tried to strike James with his sword, but he was not fast enough.

James jumped to the side, growling under his breath.

"Why are you doing this?" Edward asked, referring to everything James had done until this moment.

"Do not expect me to tell you my misfortunes and cry on your shoulder," James said derisively.

Edward glared at him as he avoided a blow to his midsection. He bumped into the wall, but he quickly regained his balance, advancing toward James. Their swords clashed together, making a loud noise that echoed through the cave. Their eyes met, and James' lips curved into a malicious grin.

"I am merely taking back what was meant to be mine," he continued cryptically. "I just have to get rid of you."

With a growl, Edward knocked James' sword to the ground, and the blade of his weapon created a deep gash in his side. James yelped, but he did not waste time complaining about the wound, quickly grabbing his sword.

Edward threw Isabella a meaningful glance, telling her to get out of the cave.

She stared at him despairingly and saw the concern in his eyes. Her gaze descended on her baby, and she knew it would be best to take him out of here. James suddenly blocked her way, and she used the rock in her hand to hit him, but her aim was off. As soon as James started toward her, Edward placed himself in front of her.

With a deft move, James scratched Edward's shoulder, blood quickly starting to drip down his arm. Her husband seemed oblivious to it as her heart suddenly started feeling heavy.

"No," she whispered to herself, shaking her head in terror.

"You really believe you can outdo me?" James asked with a snarl. "Do not be a fool, Edward."

"I was the one who taught you everything," Edward replied sardonically, referring to the regular training that the soldiers received.

Suddenly, Edward threw James on the ground, taking him and Isabella by surprise. Driven by hate and vengeance, Edward clasped his hands around James' neck and squeezed. His concentration vanished for a few seconds, though, as he heard footsteps coming toward them. James used that short moment of distraction to rip Edward's hands off his neck and strike him on the jaw with his fist.

"Stop it," Isabella screamed, her troubled gaze moving frequently to the abandoned swords. "Stop it. Please."

Edward fell to the ground, suppressing a grunt as his hand blindly searched for his hidden dagger. Rolling to his left, he barely missed a blow from James that grazed his injured shoulder. A hiss slipped through Edward's lips.

"You bloody idiot," James snarled.

Hearing Edward's groan, Isabella reached for one of the swords, her hand trembling violently. Holding Ian with one hand, she turned to the two men, her breath raspy and uneven.

James was on top of Edward, preparing his fists to hit him. Before she could do anything, the men both stilled, their bodies becoming suddenly rigid. Isabella stopped breathing, her chest tightening painfully.

"Please, no, no..." she whispered to herself, shaking her head repeatedly as the sword slipped from her frozen hand.

The air seemed to freeze as both James and Edward stared at each other for a few seconds. Then, Edward shoved James off him. The man fell to the ground, his body limp and unconscious. With a frown, Edward stood up and walked toward Isabella.

She was staring at the dagger lodged in James' chest. His face was turning white, his head dropped to one side, his eyes wide open and unfocused.

James was dead.

With a start, she gasped when Edward placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Shh, 'tis over. 'Tis over, sweetheart," he whispered softly, pulling her closer and blocking her view. "Do not look at him."

She buried her face in the crook of his shoulder, squeezing her eyes close. Wrapping one arm around his neck, she cuddled the baby between them. His hand gripped the back of her neck, holding Isabella tight, while he leaned down and kissed Ian's forehead.

"Did he hurt you?"

"N-no. I ... we are fine," she murmured. She might have a few bruises, but she considered them insignificant, compared to what could have happened.

"Lord, I was so worried about you two," he continued, pressing his lips to Isabella's temple. Trailing soft kisses from her cheek to the corner of her mouth, he murmured, "I would have died if something had happened to you."

"H-he hurt you." She remembered and tried to pull away to look at his wound, but he embraced her again, not wanting to let her go just yet. Pressing his cheek to her hair, he shook his head.

"Do not worry about it."

She looked over Edward's shoulder and saw Emmett rounding the corner. A smile broke across his face as soon as he saw Isabella and Ian safe, and then his gaze settled on James' inert body. Running his fingers through his black, unruly hair, Emmett's smile turned into a grimace.

Isabella nodded against Edward's throat, acknowledging Emmett's presence.

She whispered, "Take us home."