AN: Firstly I am so, so, so , so very sorry about the very long wait for this long overdue update. But it's here finally, so thank you to all those who still read this, your loyalty is amazing. Enjoy!

Bella POV

A few days turned into no days- we were out of time. The fight was nearly upon us and there was only a few precious hours left. I'd spend most waking hours with Paul as well as the nights, he would always be there, my personal heater- warm, snugly and safe. Though I'd never tell him that I thought he was 'snugly', he probably wouldn't appreciate that much.

"It's going to be ok" Paul said for the millionth time, but again it did nothing to ease my fears.

They were leaving for the fight. They wanted to be far away from La Push and any other populated area so they had scouted and found a suitable place to lead Victoria and her Vampire army to.

"You can keep saying it but I won't believe it until this is over and you're all back safely." I whispered back, leaning against his chest as we sat on the cliff on First Beach.

"I know, but please try not to worry too much." He said into my neck before placing light, open mouthed kisses, down my neck and along my collarbone.

"I'll try but I'm not making any promises."

"Thank you. I'll come back. I promise Bella."

I didn't reply. It was a promise he could break and I think he knew it to; however good a fighter he was there was always a chance that he could meet his match in this fight, or any fight.

I realised I would always have this knot in my gut every time he went out to fight, or even just patrol. The small part of me that feared that he would meet his match and that he wouldn't be able to fight his way out, back to me.

"I'm scared; I have this knot in my gut that won't go away. What if he doesn't come back?"

"We all get it Bella, I'm constantly scared that one day Sam won't come back to me and that his brothers will walk in with sadness in their eyes while they break the news to me..." Emily was welling up just explaining her fears. "I've had countless nightmares about it, but then I realised my worrying won't change anything. I have to remember that Sam is a good fighter, they all are and that they'll be ok."

"Does it get easier?" I whispered with the cup of coco, courtesy of Kim, warming my hands.

"A little, you just have to learn to trust their judgement." Emily said with a small smile.

"I've found that men don't have very good judgement" Tessa quipped as she waltzed into the kitchen and sitting opposite Bella. "Maybe half men half wolf people do though." She said with a shrug before sipping her coffee courtesy of Kim also.

I rolled my eyes and went back to worrying but a soft whine from outside caught my attention. I practically sprinted to the door and throw it open to find Seth, in wolf form. He whined again and that's when I knew- it had started.

I could hear the girls stepping out onto the porch behind me and we all watched Seth his whines, whimpers and snarls telling us more than any amount of words could have.

Brady and Rosalie were keeping a tight net around the house while Seth stood before us. I felt safe and all my worry was for those out fighting the army Victoria created.

The army she created to destroy me. I thought. If any gets hurt or worse dies it's because of me.

I stopped the thought, I couldn't think like that. They would all come back, safe and unharmed, they had to.

Seth was still snarling and growling but then something changed. His head whipped to the side and looked into the trees. That's when I saw it... a flash of red.

Paul POV

The fight was underway; I was a soldier, killing anything in my path. I was a man on a mission. Yet I couldn't find her, every leech I ripped apart wasn't the one I most wanted to sink my teeth into. Victoria was nowhere.

I haven't seen her either- Sam said while ripping apart another leech.

I pushed it to the back of my mind, ripping apart another two leeches. I was unstoppable, I was protecting my mate. Like I always would.

The fight was going well, minor injuries on our side and a lot of casualties on the opposing side. Jasper's training had been good for us and we thinned out the number of leeches quickly.

As far as I could tell the Cullen's were all fine as well, Emmett seemed to be having fun and Jasper was tearing the leeches apart nearly as quickly as I was. Dr Leech seemed to be getting through his fair share as well, along with Edward and Alice who had the upper hand as they were both gifted! While Rosalie and Esme lit the fires and started to collect the body parts scattered across the clearing.

I could feel Seth in the back of my mind and looked through his eyes quickly. The girls were all huddled together on Sam's porch, watching Seth. Bella looked pale and sick with worry and I almost turned from the battle and ran to her. I knew she was worried that some of us wouldn't return and I knew if any of us got hurt she would blame herself.

Stay focused- Sam commanded.

With difficulty I pushed Seth to the back of my mind as well; I couldn't look through his eyes and concentrate on what I was doing at the same time. Focus I told myself. She's safe.

No, shit- it hit me, the panic and anger all at once. It was coming from both Seth and Brady.

Then we saw it, through Brady's eyes and Seth's. Victoria. She wasn't here, she was near the house. Near the imprints. Near Bella...

Bella POV

The flash of red was gone as soon as I saw it and then I saw Brady chasing after her as Seth turned and started to chase her as well, helping his Pack brother.

Rosalie came into view, her blonde hair perfect and her clothes pristine. She stood before us, she obviously was taking over the watch of the house.

"Get back inside, all of you quickly." She said her voice different, panicked.

We all hurried inside, clutching onto one another. It was all too real, she was here, closer than any of us thought she would be. She was supposed to be at the battle but the more I thought about it the more it made sense. The battle was a distraction, they'd all be too focused on the fight to realise that she wasn't there or if they did realise they wouldn't have time to act on it they'd be to busy fighting the mass of newborn leeaches.

Victoria knew that the protection wouldn't be as high as it had been the past couple of weeks; they'd be at the battle only leaving a few to protect me and the imprints.

Oh God, Kim, Emily, Leah even Tessa.

I looked at the door and then at the girls all huddled together eyes wide filled with fear and panic. I can't let them get hurt. If I stay in here and she looks for me they won't be safe, she doesn't care who gets hurt as long as I suffer.

I made my choice. I started to walk towards the door, back outside and to Rosalie.

"Bella, where are you going?"

I wasn't sure who had asked, I was too focused on what I was about to do.

"I'm going to end this."

Paul POV

Jared, Embry, Quil stay here help the Cullen's finish up here- Sam commanded.

There weren't many left in the clearing now, all my attention was focused on the image's we were getting from Seth and Brady who were chasing Victoria. I had started running the moment I saw Victoria through the young wolf's minds. I turned from the battle and started heading towards the leech that had started the fight. Who had dared to threaten my mate!

Jacob your with me- I heard Sam say and then saw that they too were leaving the battle and heading towards Victoria.

She's getting away- Seth said, through the mind link we could feel his frustration.

Not this time- I snarled and pushed harder and faster she wasn't getting away this time!

The red headed leech was dodging and weaving, making both Brady and Seth work over time to keep her in their sights.

We're getting closer- Jacob reassured them.

Then as quick as lighting Victoria jumped up into the trees and Seth and Brady lost her from their sight.

NO- I roared, not at Seth and Brady but at the whole damn situation.

Keeping going, use your ears not your eyes- Sam commanded the two younger wolves's who had each snarled in fury at losing her.

We all kept running, Seth and Brady using their ears as Jacob, Sam and I ran as fast as we could to catch up to them. To help. They were too young, to new.

I'm sorry Paul- Seth said the helplessness in his voice making it harder for me to be mad at him.

Not your fault kid- I replied back and it wasn't.

Got it- Brady yelped excitedly. She's heading east, she turning round back to-

He didn't need to finish the sentence. We knew where she was going.

Back to the house.

Back to Bella.

Bella POV

I opened the door only to be confronted by Rosalie. "What the hell are you doing out here Bella?"

I walked past her, it was surprisingly easy but it didn't last long because as soon as I got to the bottom of the porch steps Rosalie was there, blocking my path.

"What are you doing?" I'd never heard her sound so angry and I paused, how can I explain?

"I'm ending this." I said plainly before taking another move to try and step around her.

She blocked me.

"How, by getting yourself killed? By walking out into the woods alone and screaming 'come get me'?" She snarled angrily at me.

"If that's what it takes yes" I shouted back. "If she comes here then she could hurt more people that I love, Kim, Emily, Leah and Tessa? They aren't wolves or vampires; they can't protect themselves like the others can."

"You're not helping by getting yourself killed." Her tone softened, at least she understood a little though I knew she wouldn't let me go through with it.

You have to try

"It's not going to help getting Emily, Kim, Leah or Tessa killed either. I'm the one she wants, I can draw her out then you can attack her." I said feebly knowing full well I would be dead before Rosalie could do anything about it.

She raised an eyebrow, "we both know you'd be dead if she got her hands on you. I wouldn't be able to save you in time."

"We have to try."

She shook her head, "no we don't. Get back inside Bella, now."

I stood arms crossed, "No, I have to try." I knew I was sounding like a toddler but I wouldn't... no I couldn't give up.

She stiffened, her whole body going rigid. "Get inside Bella. NOW!"

That's when I knew, she was here...

AN: So what do you think? Still liking the story? ... I also have a new story The Tipping Point it's a Seth story and I hope you'll all check it out. I would also like to recommend The Touch of Fear which is a Paul imprint story, you can find in my favourites or on my page as a link.