Please re-read the previous chapter if you've read it before this new one was posted. Trust me. I posted it before I a)included the ending and b) double checked it for errors. The new posting's A-ok. Do it for me? Puh-leeze?

Renesmee

"Jasper, I know you can feel what we're feeling," I said cautiously. "You have to know this isn't easy for me, but you also have to take his feelings into account. He's not dangerous. He's not about to run off or hurt you. This whole situation is ridiculous." I walked to Nahuel and sighed. "It's ok. He's letting you go for now. Let's go hunt or something."

Jasper's eyes widened, and he flared his nostrils.

"Not for people," I said, annoyed by his lack of faith. "He agreed to eat like we do when I'm around."

"I need to talk to you, Renesmee," Jasper said, never turning his back toward Nahuel. "It's important."

I sighed again and began to walk toward the trees. Jasper followed a few feet behind.

"What is it?" I asked impatiently.

"You said he's trustworthy," Jasper began.

"Sure," I said slowly.

"That's just it. I don't feel that from him. I feel extreme tension, very little confidence, and a strong need to fight. That's a very dangerous combination. I don't trust him at all. If he were to get too close to Alice at this point – " he broke off his sentence and growled. "I can't guarantee he would live."

"What are you saying?" I asked, growing defiant. "He didn't plan for the volturi to kidnap his aunt. He did what he had to do in order to save her live. He doesn't want to turn me over to them." I glared at Jasper. "Nahuel is a good guy."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a syringe. "What about these? Did he have to use drugs on you the whole time?"

I shrugged. "I wasn't going to go quietly."

Jasper's piercing caramel eyes stared into my soul. "Renesmee, you need to listen to me. Nahuel's not like a Cullen or any of the people –" he smiled – "or creatures you know. But seriously." His expression sobered. "I'm sensing something from him that I can't figure out. He might be conflicted, but he should see us as allies."

"Maybe you forgot about the last few minutes," I said bitterly. "Hands around neck? Whose were those? Oh, yeah, those were yours. Who threatened to kill him numerous ways? That was you, too. "

Jasper looked intently into my eyes. "I did that for your safety. He's dangerous, Nessie. Don't forget that. I'm letting him live so you can see what kind of man he is."

Alice skipped into view, a shrewd look on her face. "Some girls go for motorcycle riders, some girls go for kidnappers." She reached over to touch Jasper's arm, her expression sympathetic. "You tried. You said she wasn't going to change her mind. I hoped you would still have luck talking her out of keeping him." Alice glanced at Nahuel like he was a mangy dog. "I just wish I could clearly see you half-breeds so I'd know what's going to happen. Right now I can't see anyone, so I guess the dogs caught up with Bella and Edward."

"I'm confused and now you have me curious," I said. "What's going on with everyone else?"

"Carlisle and Esme were going to look for backup. The dogs were all coming down here to protect Jake and, by extension, you," She curled her lip in disgust. "Don't get me wrong. I'm glad they're helping. I just can't stand the smell." She thought for a moment. "They were looking for other vampires to support their cause. I don't know who's coming, but I can guess based on who miraculously disappears."

"What about my mom and dad?" I asked, more urgent now.

Alice looked at Jasper. "They were going out on their own after they flew down here. Last time I heard from them, they were all over the place, deciding who went where. All I heard was 'blah, blah, blah.' They'll show up when they're going to show up. Certain events are really clear, but anything regarding wolves is up for grabs."

"So you can't see hardly anything right now?" I asked, surprised.

"No," she answered. "Frankly, I'm tired of it. I started to see around you as you grew up, and I can even have visions about you when you aren't next to me, but it's gotten worse with him here," she gestured at Nahuel. " If he'd only –"

"Nahuel's not going anywhere," I said between my teeth.

"Whatever." Alice gritted her teeth and spun away from me. "Jasper, keep an eye on him. I heard what you said about killing him if he goes near me, so I'm tempted to walk by him-" I growled under my breath, and she stopped her sentence abruptly. "Fine. If he goes near me though, I hope you'll protect me."

It was Jasper's turn to growl.

"Nahuel and I are going hunting," I said briskly. "You can trust him with me. If I were going to be dead, it would have happened already. "

"I'll see it if they go too far," Alice said soothingly to Jasper. "I could use some time away from them anyway."

I walked to Nahuel and extended my hand. His answering smile could have eclipsed the sun.

Bella

I paced. Immature, futile, and a waste of time, but it made me feel better in some odd way.

Seth loped over to me, a grin on his face. "You seem unhappy. Relax. Everything's going to be fine. We've had some tough times, but we'll get through."

I glared at him. "Seriously, Seth, you have got to ditch this whole 'chipper' persona. It's been cute in the past, but it's not helping right now."

He laughed. "You're always so worried whenever a fight comes around. It'll be fine. We've got tons of shapeshifters now, and Carlisle and Esme found friends in different places. It was cool when they got that 'phone tree'-like communication system in place. That was so cool."

"Glad we could please you," I grumbled. I wanted to move, so I began tapping my toe against the ground.

"Impatient as ever," Seth chuckled. "Don't worry. Everything's going well. Jake's been watching Alice and the rest of them for about twenty minutes. He says Alice and Jasper were talking to Renesmee and that she's not hurt. She's not tied up anymore, either. I guess he saw Nahuel looking guilty and sitting by himself under a tree. When anything important comes up, we'll have news right away."

I hugged Seth. I grinned. I wanted to cry. My non-beating heart nearly burst from my chest. I can't honestly say I felt anything from my heart, but I knew the sentiment was there.

"I have to tell Edward," I sang, skipping toward the last direction he'd been walking.

"Let him go for now," Seth said, the smile slipping from his face. "Last I saw, he seemed really upset."

"Where did you see him go?" I asked, my mind racing. Maybe I could see his reaction to the news before he edited what came to mind.

"We ran right past him on the last patrol," Seth said, frowning. "It was maybe ten miles northwest of here. He barely smiled when he heard the news about Renesmee."

"Ten miles away?" I asked, stunned.

"Yeah, we have enough people we can expand our patrols to pretty immense proportions," Seth said proudly.

He had no idea that my shock came from the fact that Edward was so far away in such a short amount of time.

"I'm going to find him," I said, feeling choked.

"No." Seth said, his eyes wide. "Something's going on. Everyone can feel it. It's better to stay in the group where we can protect you."