A/N: First off, pleeeeease, please forgive me. I know you've all waiting interminably long for this chapter, and thank you so much for doing so. RL, business travel, and NASTY cases of the flu and of my mojo heading for and climbing Mount Everest were a combination of epic proportion. I've said to some of you in reviews and PMS, I WILL finish this fic. Do NOT despair. It's just going to take me longer than I thought. I hope you can stick with me, and I can't tell you how much it means that you have this far. Just know I will write and post new chapters as soon as I feel they are to my standards, and all of yours.

I do also apologize for not answering all your reviews. Some of you know I try to answer all of them, but during this time, I just felt you'd want the chapter more than you'd want a reply from me. ;) I hope I chose right. I will try to answer them in the future. Pinky swear.

So beaucoup thanks, once again, to my Pufferfishbeta, HammerHips, for reading this thing, and working her magic, even in the midst of an entire family with strep, and then her own bout of bronchitis. That, folks, is not only the bestest of betas, but the most amazing friend. I will endeavor to repay, in kind, but never nearly enough.

To Jenny Cullen, my beta on Twi'd, hugs and wet smoochies for her patience.

Finally, for all of you, who reviewed or PM'd with your concern, for loving this fic, and for your patience - thank you.

Hope you enjoy...


Chapter 28

Khachaturian, Violin Concerto: II. Andante sostenuto

BellaPOV

"Did you-" I began to ask.

"Yes. They're going to feed."

Edward's voice was strained as he walked past me and went and stood at the far end of the patio. I didn't know where to focus my worry: Charlie and Catherine, Renesmee, or Edward. I snuck a glance to catch him staring out across the yard with his back to me, over the very place where...

Alice and Jasper had left, the others scattering to parts far from the house once they did. Whether it was to leave Edward and I alone, or to overcome their own anxiety, I didn't know, but I imagined it was a little of both. Even Emmett and Rosalie, who had raced with Charlie to get Catherine away, had returned just in time to see the melee, and had been the first ones to escape its aftermath.

I looked at Edward again as he happened to lift his head and glance west, his torment taking him to Quileute land, and to where his precious daughter had been taken nearly kicking and screaming from him. From me. From all of us. To be kept safe by last person he wanted to entrust her with. It was as if this departure - her departure in duress and by force - had made him see what I had already known. Even though anyone could see the many facets of Edward that she carried in her genes, along with my brown eyes she seemed to have inherited my stubbornness, but it had never been this bad. It had never been nearly…deadly.

Although my back was to him now, I didn't need to throw my shield over Edward, nor sneak a glance at him to know what was in his head. I knew he was running over and over in his mind what he had said and what she had said. The only reason for Renesmee's behavior that I could consider was the stress of the last few days, or the last few weeks. As much as she had ever wanted to be with Jacob, she had never been away from any of us for this long. I secretly hoped that Edward could hear her, or was at least trying, if only to catch something that would change what had just happened…

~~o~~o~~o~~o~~

"Dad! You can let me go. They're gone."

"Edward, I'll take-"

"Oh, you certainly will NOT take anything, Jacob." Edward's arms loosened, as he pushed her behind him, nose to nose with the now phased-back Jacob. "Just where the hell were you?"

Jacob's head peered around Edward's, his eyes squinting slightly as they sought out Renesmee's, his expression almost as if even he was angry with her, and then back to Edward, his shoulders straightening as he met his gaze. "She was with Emily and some of the girls. I had no clue she was going to pull something like this. Why didn't you know, Mr. Mindreader?"

"Jacob." I tried to intervene.

Edward skirted the issue, his finger pointing accusingly at Jacob. "You're supposed to be protecting her right now. What happened to 'the world revolves around her' or 'she's your gravity.'" Jacob's surprised expression turned to me as Edward repeated the words I had once used to describe to him what Jake had so long ago tried to explain to me.

"Dad, l-lay off Jake-" Renesmee sputtered from behind Edward.

Edward spun around to her. "Don't…say another word, Renesmee." Renesmee's arms were crossed, her gaze directed at the ground with her father towering over her. "You are…" Edward hesitated, his eyes roaming over the ground to the side and then up and beyond her, his hand once again twisting through his hair, "You are very lucky you weren't hurt or…or killed tonight. Do you understand that? Do you even realize what-"

"Edward, please." Once again, I tried to play mediator, as I stepped up next to both of them, putting my hand on Edward's shoulder, and around Renesmee's waist, but she pulled from me so quick, I almost didn't have time to register the feel of the soft cotton of her shirt on my fingertips.

Renesmee dropped her arms to her side, balling up her fists, her anger now directed at both Edward and me. "I came because…because I'm part of this family. I need to know, to see, to understand." She glanced over to Carlisle and Esme and then to Jasper and Alice. I watched her and them, their reaction to her beckoning expression, but only Esme showed a sign of tenderness. When she reached Rosalie and Emmett, it was Emmett's glare that registered on her, her shock fleeting, giving way to something that looked like determination.

"You can't just keep me hidden away, under lock and key…or wolf." This time, she glanced at Jacob. "It's bad enough I'm a…freak to everyone else, but…"

"Ness." Jake walked over to her, but as soon as his hands were just shy of touching her, she pulled away.

"No, Jake. You…you are just as bad as them. Wanting to keep me safe." With the word safe, she made little air-quotes with her fingers, and I regretted ever letting her watch TV. The déjà vu quality of the whole scene crept up from my stomach and over me. I half expected goose bumps on my arms and took a quick glance just to be sure.

"Jacob, Seth, Paul take her back to the Rez now. Before I lose what little patience I have left." Edward said to them, without taking his eyes of Renesmee.

With that, she turned back to Edward and took a step toward him. "Dad, I'm not a child anymore." She said through pursed lips, the look in her eyes now exactly as it had been in the cottage just a week ago. "Besides, I believe you used up all of your patience on Mom, and…and Jake."

"Nessie! Renesmee!" Jake and I yelled in unison.

For a split second, Edward looked as if he had been punched, but his unnecessary deep inhale and exhale brought a calm façade. "You're right about my patience being gone, Renesmee. Jacob, I will ask you now to please escort my daughter away, but know that we're not finished with this conversation. If this is your idea of protecting her, I might need to consider other options." I gave Edward credit for holding back whatever was on his tongue, but even if I could, I would never forget the look on Edward's face as he stared back at her.

"Reconsider what, Dad? Reconsider the fact that I love him, and he loves me? That in a month, you won't be able to control my every move? That you won't be able to hear my every thought?"

"Renesmee!" Edward yelled, which caused the other wolves to suddenly come stand closer to both Jacob and Renesmee. As they did, Edward's expression changed, the pain in his face evident, if only to me.

"Edward, stop. Please!" I turned to him, running my hand against his chest.

"Ok everyone. Let's just take a step back." Jasper said from somewhere behind me, his attempts to relax everyone at full force.

But before I could throw my shield around him, Edward pulled away and started walking toward the house. I caught Carlisle's eyes as he followed him too.

"Jake, please take her back to the Rez before Charlie and Catherine come back." I said without taking my eyes off Edward.

"Mom…" Renesmee began. She stopped whatever she was going to say as I turned and took a step toward her, which caused her to move a step back and the wolves even closer. It wasn't lost on me that these same wolves had sheltered me, had offered to protect me from what I now was, and the subtle shift in their allegiance was a rude awakening.

"I promise, Sweet Pea, we will figure out a way. Just give us time. Give Grandpa and Catherine time. That's all your Dad and I ask."

I watched as her eyes went over the rest of the Cullens, then to Jacob, and then back at me. "No, Mom. I need to be here, with all of you. It's where I belong." With that, Jake scooped her up into his arms.

"Jake, no! Put me down! Mom! Dad!" she screamed, as Jacob ran with her, Seth and Paul on either side of them. "NOOOOOOOOO!" She continued, her plea echoing until it was silenced by the distance.

I glanced back at my husband, his eyes following their retreat, Carlisle now beside him.

"Edward, it's only for a little while. She will come to understand." Carlisle's hand patted Edward's shoulder, and I hoped that his words somehow broke through to him. Edward's face turned back to Carlisle's, but with a slight shake of his head, I could tell he was disagreeing with whatever Carlisle was thinking.

Edward, Edward, I said to myself, my hand going to my forehead. The sudden realization that we were losing her, losing Renesmee, in more ways than I had ever thought imaginable just a few weeks ago, gripped me in terror. She had never defied us like that before, at least not openly and blatantly. While I thought I understood her need to be with the family, something else was telling me this was more than that.

It's bad enough I'm a freak to everyone else… Her words echoed in my head once more. Was that what she really thought? We had never made her feel that way, different. We had only been trying to protect her, to keep from harm, to… Or had we?

"Edward?" I called to his back and over the expanse of maybe the twenty feet that was between us but felt like a chasm that would rival the Grand Canyon. My eyes met Esme's, and then Alice's as I looked to them for something akin to strength, or maybe an answer, but their faces held nothing but worry. I was sure Alice hadn't seen any of this, nor would she be able to tell me what was ahead.

"I'm going to go check on Charlie and Catherine." Edward suddenly spoke without looking back at me, and sped away, following the trail that Charlie had fled with Catherine in his arms. My hands went around my neck, feeling like it was stiff with the tension even though I knew it wasn't. I wanted to scream as loud as Renesmee. No, even louder. Even my vampire brain couldn't handle it all anymore, and my husband, my Edward had just left, fleeing from me, from my touch, and depriving me of his when I most needed reassuring.

It was Esme who finally dared come forward to me, her arm going around my shoulders. "Bella, I believe this is what they call the teenage years." She tried to joke.

"Yeah, teenage years on half-vamp acid." Emmett muttered, his arms crossed, and Rosalie's touch not seeming to help him either.

"Bella, if you want, I can try to go talk to her. Maybe they'll let Jasper and I…" Alice walked over to Jasper, wrapping her hand around his upper arm.

"Perhaps, Darlin', it might be best if just you did." Jasper turned into her, and tossed his arm around her. "She'll think I'm trying to control her if I'm there, even if I'm just tryin' to help. I'll wait for you, just outside of my reach." Jasper glanced back at me. "That is, if it's alright with you, Bella."

I simply nodded, looking up at the both of them. "Hopefully she'll listen to you, Alice."

~~o~~o~~o~~o~~

No matter how much I tried to deny it, there was something different about her tonight. Defiant yes, but angry and frustrated too. Edward and I had always prided ourselves on how smart she was, but it was obvious after this row that Renesmee either didn't understand the danger fully, or pressed this issue for some other reason. Only Edward could possibly know, besides Jacob, and I wasn't sure I wanted to ask him to reveal to me anything that he saw in her head. At least not now, while he was distant and obviously not only mad at himself, but with me as well.

I let my eyes roam the backyard and through the trees, if for no other reason than to not look at him, to leave him to whatever it was he needed to work out, silently hoping he would come back to me when he did.

"Bella?" I turned in a flash before he was even finished saying my name. He slowly took a few steps, and then was in front of me, gathering me in his arms. "I'm…sorry." He whispered into my hair as his arms engulfed me. "I'm just…"

"She didn't mean it. She's angry."

"Oh, she meant it. Meant every word."

I pulled my head from his chest, to look into his eyes, my fingers splaying over his cheek. "Did you…did you see anything? From Renesmee, I mean?" His kiss on my forehead and subsequent pull to him told me he did.

"Just a few quick images which were of Jacob mostly. She just doesn't understand the danger, especially since it's her own grandfather. She's frustrated, hurt, confused, everything she said. She feels like the odd man out, even with Jacob. He's…"

I felt Edward tense. "He's what?" I was almost afraid to ask.

"He's been trying to make her feel otherwise, to show her how much…how much he cares for her. She's still stuck on the whole imprinting thing, almost as if she wants him to prove to her that he loves her and it's not just some hocus pocus…crap, as she called it."

"Do you think coming here was part of that?

"Yes and no." His hand caressed my back. "Part of it is some of the kids on the reservation just being kids. Staring, whispering comments about her. She can hear them and tries to ignore them. They're young and don't really know her whole story, at least not yet, and she hasn't told Jacob about them."

I brought my head back out from his chest. "They're teasing her? Since when? No one on the Rez has ever said anything to her."

"Yes. They have." Edward admitted. "Little things, here and there. She never told us, but I saw occasionally. She didn't mention it, and I thought it better if we waited for her to tell us."

Something inside me twisted at the thought, and old feelings, human feelings came to the surface. I remembered what it felt like to be different, if only vaguely, those old feelings of inadequacy having been wiped away by Edward and everything that had happened since him. "Renesmee's old enough not to let something like that bother her." When Edward continued to look past me, not answering, I prodded, "Isn't she?"

Edward pulled back, his hands sliding down my arms to take my hands. "It's not just that. Now, with her being away from us, she feels very much alone. Coming here was her way of not wanting to be left out. What she just said in anger, was just that, but I could feel it. She's very…determined." Edward's index finger pushed under my chin. "It reminds me of someone."

It was a playful gesture, but even as I returned his gaze his slight grin didn't reach his eyes. Looking beyond him, I stared out over the trees, toward where my daughter was now, hurting. "Edward, it's inevitable. She's a part of this family and all we've done is…"

"I know. Perhaps I was a bit harsh when I…I was just afraid. I was terrified we wouldn't make it back in time, and I was trying to break through to Catherine and the nightmare that I saw in her head. Nessie doesn't realize how close she came to..."

Edward trailed off and I turned to look out over the direction that Charlie and Catherine had gone, feeling his arms come around me. Yes, it had been close. Too close. Thinking again how we had arrived just in time, just before…Catherine being held by Carlisle, Emmett's arms around Charlie on the property line perimeter. But neither one had…

"Edward, Catherine didn't go after her. Neither did Charlie for that matter."

He rested his head on my shoulder. "No, but that's most likely because they were both being held." He suddenly lifted his head, and I turned just enough to see him looking off into the distance. "Charlie and Catherine are on their way back."

Catherine hadn't gone after her. As a matter of fact, she had warned Renesmee to run away. As much as I knew about newborns, which wasn't much, I knew this wasn't typical. Newborns shouldn't have that kind of control, that kind of clarity of thought.

I turned in the direction that Edward was looking, going over and over in my head the scene that had just played out, wracking my brain to give credence to the little spark of hope that refused to be put out.

CathPOV

The rush of the warm liquid down my throat was both calming and exhilarating, although there was still some part of me that muttered "eww" in the back of my brain. I was very aware of Charlie off to the side. He had taken his animal farther from me and I knew it had been on purpose, even if he didn't yet. It seemed similar to territorial urges, or maybe just as simple as my kill, my eats. I made sure to focus on my own, a brief image of that first time I'd seen Charlie have at it, and the strange reactions that had stirred through me when he'd taken down his first prey, until I'd run after the other one. I couldn't really fully understand it all yet, but I did know they came without thinking, or rationalizing. My body just…reacted, as instinctual as breathing had been.

I sat back on my heels, licking the last traces of blood from my lips, holding out the edges of Jasper's shirt and looking down to make sure I had been careful enough to not get any on it. Good thing it was black, because there were a few errant drops here and there. Hell, when would I get better, or at least neater, at this?

"If we get back now, you can get that in the wash." Charlie's voice floated over to me and I turned to see him hoisting the animal on his shoulder and walking toward me. "Emmett said they like to bury them when they're through." He came over and grabbed mine as I stood up. There was something immensely hot about seeing Charlie's shirt torn, his chest and abs in full view, with two animals slung over his shoulders. I tried very hard to stay where I was. Very, very hard.

It was the same feeling I got when Charlie was carrying me away from the house, away from Renesmee, and I had smelled the blood on him.

Something about blood made me want him. I had literally thrown him down, and myself on top of him, attacking him and the traces of blood that were still on him. Charlie had said it was cougar, but the feeling flowing through me now was the same, even though the animal wasn't.

Charlie finished burying both underneath a tree, cleaning the dirt and brush from his hands with some leaves and what was left of his shirt, until he turned to me, stopping suddenly in his tracks as his eyes met mine. I could feel it from him, and I knew damn well he was probably feeling it from me. This intensity, this adrenaline, this…lust.

"Baby…" It was partly a question, his voice low, extremely sexy and…inviting.

I imagined myself on top of him again, ripping his shirt, licking and kissing his skin, until…it started to blur and morph, and then…then…that face. Damian's face above my own. Closing my eyes, my hands covered my face, my head shaking back and forth. I needed Charlie's face there, only Charlie. I focused on his hair, his warm brown eyes from memory, that mustache that made my body sing, and just as Damian's face was fading, Charlie's arm were around me, my head in his chest.

"What is it? Talk to me." With his lips in my hair, his voice in my ear, the safety that his arms gave me, the image of Damian dissolved, but the feeling of wanting Charlie didn't.

"I feel it." He said into my ear. "It's the same thing you were giving off before, along with…you're afraid." He let me go, taking my hands away, and I slowly brought my eyes to his, eyes that were no longer brown, but nearing the golden hue of everyone else. They were still Charlie's eyes, full of concern, as his hand softly cupped the side of my face.

"Y-yes." I nodded up to him. "It was the same as before, but then…his face. It's always his face first, like it just appears out of nowhere." I tugged him back to me, my cheek once again against him. "I hate it, Charlie. I hate when I feel…what I feel for you, he just…appears."

His hand on the small of my back clenched and unclenched my shirt, until his fingers ran slowly up my spine. "That's why they're called flashbacks."

I pulled back enough to slide both of my hands to his chest. "I want them to go away. I want…" I glanced at his lips "you. I do. I just don't know how."

Charlie smiled down, and softly kissed my lips with his, "I know" and then slid his arm down, bending me into him. "We'll work on it when we get away. But for now, we need to get back," he said, kissing me once more. "I need to know what they found."

I suddenly remembered mine and Edward's thought-convo before Charlie and I had left to hunt.

"Nessie's gone, and it's ok for you and Charlie to come back."

"Is she ok? Is everyone…what the hell was that? What happened?"

"It's fine. For now."

"Did you find…?"

"Yes."

"Ok, we're just going to hunt and then we'll be back."

"Alright. Take your time. The others went out, too."

"We'll be back asap."

Edward had let slip two scenes: a laptop screen too quick for me to see what was on it, and a glance at Nessie, her arms crossed looking pissed.

Charlie began walking, guiding me forward with him his hand still on my back. "Edward said they found something, but I think there might be more to it than just that."

"Like what?" Charlie began to run, taking my hand.

"He was different. I mean, in his head he was different. I can't really describe it, but it's almost like bland, like there wasn't anything around his words. He let slip two things, a laptop screen and Nessie."

Charlie kept running, glancing over at me and then back ahead. "Well I'm sure you were seeing Nessie due to whatever they did to get her out of there, but the laptop must be something they found."

We were almost half way back, when I heard him, felt him, and I stopped dead in my tracks. Charlie slid to a stop on the dewy ground. "What?" he asked, his hand reaching for my upper arm.

Edward's head swam with the images and guilt as I saw and heard nearly everything that had happened since Charlie and I had been gone.

"They fought. Edward, Nessie, Jake, all of them. Jake took Nessie away screaming."

"He did? How bad was it?"

"Bad. Edward is torn up about it, but Bella is with him."

"Where is everyone else?"

"They've gone. It's just Edward and Bella."

"C'mon, we need to…"

"Wait. He's…ok. It's ok. I think."

"C'mon." Charlie said, once again taking my hand, the both of us running. I let Edward know we were coming.

CharliePOV

Catherine and I were just out of line of sight to the back of the house, when she tugged my arm.

"Maybe we should just walk up..." The slight twitch of her chin and I knew she heard something. "Nevermind. Edward is saying it's ok."

Well I sure as hell didn't want to intrude on whatever Bella and Edward were fighting about, but the cop in me really wanted to know what they had found. Glancing at Catherine, I had a gut feeling this wasn't going to be easy for her, so I let her set the pace, and it was a fast walk at least.

We came through the trees and Bella and Edward were still on the patio waiting.

"Dad, Catherine. Are you alright?" Bella came running up to us, looking at me, then at Catherine.

I just nodded as Catherine spoke. "I think I am. For now." I knew she was telling the truth. "I'm sorry about earlier."

"You don't need to apologize, Catherine. Nessie should never have come here." My son-in-law was still partly a mystery to me, but even I could sense he was ticked.

"Yes, but we'll deal with Renesmee tomorrow, Edward." Bella looked at Edward and then at both Catherine and me. Catherine had said something happened, but something told me it was more than just Nessie disobeying and coming here.

"Where is everyone?" I asked if only to try and to change the subject.

"They're not far. They should be back soon." Edward nodded to the West, which told me enough.

But I wasn't going to wait for them. "Catherine said you found something about him."

Edward glanced at Bella and then back at me. "We found a laptop. Damian's laptop."

Something about Bella made me turn and eye her over, and even though she tried to hide it and almost did it well, I knew my daughter.

"Alright, why don't you start fillin' me in then." She didn't look up from wherever she was staring at on the ground, Edward standing as still as a statue.

"Let's go back to the house and wait for the others." Edward finally said.

Yep, that's a sure sign.

"Alright." I simply said, but as Edward and Bella turned to walk back up to the house, Catherine squeezed my hand tighter. I pulled her closer, feeling her nervousness start to creep up by just the feeling coming from her hand in mine. "You saw," I said as I kissed her forehead and looked out beyond. I could see Carlisle and Esme already, running side-by-side. Catherine merely nodded, and what was left of my cop instinct told me this wasn't going to be good.

We had walked through the door, and were just settling into the living room, when Carlisle, Esme, Emmett and Rose came in. I'd pulled Catherine over to one of the chairs and onto my lap, wanting her as close as possible, if only to shield her from any thoughts that might scare her, although at a time like this, I would have liked some of that mindreading shit for myself.

Carlisle walked over to us both, kneeling on one knee in front of Catherine, carefully taking her hand. She flinched just a bit, but let him. The small victory wasn't lost on me.

"You seem to be doing better." Carlisle smiled at her.

"A little, yes. I'm sorry…"

Carlisle waved her off with his free hand. "No need to apologize. It happens, happened, to us all. I'm just glad we were here for you. I'm sorry I had to hold you like that. I know it was upsetting for you."

"No, I'm glad you did. I'm glad you were all there." Catherine looked up, finding Rosalie and then Esme. "I'm sorry to you both too, for kicking you."

Esme came up just off behind Carlisle. "Don't even think upon it again. There was no harm done. Rose and I are just fine, and I for one am glad to see you are too." I decided at that moment that Esme had to be the kindest person I'd ever known, even if she was a vamp, and for some reason, I was really glad she was on our side.

Still holding Catherine's hand, Carlisle turned back to Catherine. "I'm sure Nessie didn't want to start anything by coming here. But I am curious, when you told her to run, do you remember that?"

Catherine shifted, as if considering looking back at me, but stopped midway and slowly turned back to Carlisle. I felt the churning inside her spike. "Yes, yes I do."

I put my hand on Catherine's shoulder, moving it just a little, trying to relax both her and me. "I remember bits and pieces of most of it, the inability to focus on anything but…but there was a point where Edward's voice, and another, kept telling me that she was his daughter, and Charlie's granddaughter. It was something about…knowing that, or recognizing that, which made me able to feel Jasper and Charlie. At least I think that's what it was."

Carlisle stood up, and walked over to the other chair across from us, his elbows resting on his knees as Esme came up beside him. Rose and Bella took spots on the couch, with Emmett and Edward standing on either side. I wrapped my arm around Catherine, feeling once again that vibe like she would've been panting if we were still breathing. I knew I needed to tell Carlisle my theory about Nessie, and there was no time like the present.

"Carlisle, I don't know much about…about what we now are, but I think I should tell you something. When I was running back with Emmett, my goal was to get to Catherine, because, well, because I knew I could help her. When I reached the back of the house where I could smell Nessie's the most, yeah I…I had thoughts. I don't know how, or why, except to say that I knew she was my granddaughter, and that I couldn't possibly…take a bite out of her."

Catherine turned halfway to look at me, putting her hand over mine that was at her waist. I couldn't help to push away her hair from her shoulder so I could see her face better.

"Catherine and I talked about it, and realized that we're both related to Nessie, and I think that might have something to do with it." As I said it, Catherine looked at me and I tried to smile back at her.

"Well, ain't that something." Emmett said from next to Rose.

"It's an interesting theory, Charlie." Carlisle sat back in his chair, as Esme took his hand in hers.

"It is." Edward said, as Bella looked up at him. "Bella, do you remember feeling anything similar when Nessie was born, that first time you saw her?"

Bella looked back at both Catherine and me with a small smile coming to her face. Other than Catherine's, there was no smile I was happier to see at the moment.

"I just remember wanting to hold her. She was my daughter and I hadn't seen her for days, not since you held her to me that…" Bella lowered her head, and Edward put his hand on her shoulder. I knew I had missed something, or something had happened, but I wasn't quite sure I wanted to know about the birth of my half human, half-vampire granddaughter. Something told me it wasn't pretty, not that childbirth ever was.

"But I just knew I wouldn't hurt her." Bella glanced up and from my vantage point, I could tell she was looking at Catherine.

From what I could tell, Catherine seemed comforted by what Bella had said, and looked back at her. "Bella, I'm not so sure, even now, but something told me that she needed to get away from me."

"If you were that cognizant of danger to her, Catherine, that's a good sign. Most newborns wouldn't recognize anything except for the need to feed." Carlisle explained.

"Yes." Edward chimed in. "Newborns usually can't distinguish, let alone choose."

Well, ain't that somethin'.

Carlisle didn't give me the chance to think more about what Edward had said, his eyes meeting mine and then Catherine's. "Sooner or later you both will have to meet Nessie. I didn't anticipate this way, initially, but I think even in this…mistake, we've all learned something that's quite possibly helpful. We can discuss it more later, alone, but right now," he paused, looking around the room, "I think we should discuss what the others found."

The change of subject was in response to all of us hearing Alice and Jasper approaching, and I turned just enough to see both of them walk through the patio doors.

"Sounds like we're just in time." Jasper walked over and stood behind the couch, letting Alice take the seat between Bella and Rose.

"How was Renesmee?" Bella asked as Alice sat down.

"She didn't want to see me. I tried, Bella. I did." Alice wrapped her arm around Bella. "It's probably too soon. Don't worry. We can talk to her tomorrow."

I could tell it wasn't the news my daughter wanted. "It's ok. I know you tried." Bella said softly, as Edward sat on the armrest of the couch and reached down to take her hand.

Whatever had gone down while Catherine and were away must have been bad, but I needed to know what they found, and I didn't want to wait any longer. When no one said anything else about Nessie, I just got right to it. "So Edward tells me you all found a laptop. Were you able to see what was on it?"

It was Jasper who answered me. "Emails and a couple of chats between Damian and Aro. He was sent by Aro to…" His glance to Catherine said everything, and I pulled her even closer.

"It's ok, Jasper. I've seen it. Just…just say it." Catherine's voice was calm, but her hand squeezed mine like a vice.

Jasper hands went to Alice's shoulders, as she leaned back, her one hand reached up to his. "He was sent to kill you. Why, we're still not sure, but between Alice's vision earlier, and what we read, you seem to have some affect on Aro's future, or at least that's what I'm thinkin'."

Catherine leaned back into me even more. "But how could I? I didn't even…I wasn't…I was just a human when he…when I first saw him. I didn't even know any of you."

"You saw him?" I was pretty sure Emmett's shock was just a tad more than what was on the faces of everybody else.

"Yeah. In the woods near my cabin. I was walking on one of the trails." I couldn't see Catherine's face, but I didn't need to, whatever she was thinking, remembering, started to flow into me like the blackness I'd felt before, just not as heavy.

I pulled her closer, with my hand around her waist. "I got this, Cath." I said softly near her ear, and then look over at Jasper. "He stopped her in the woods, but she got away from him. Ran straight out and back to her cabin, where I happened to be waiting for her." It was enough information. I didn't want to her going there, seeing him, thinking of him, anymore.

"He let you escape?" Rose's surprise seem to upset Catherine even more, with Catherine just nodding an answer. So I glanced over at Jasper, and I could feel whatever he was doing flow through her and into me. Damn if he didn't calm her down a bit. Calm us both, actually.

"Interesting." Carlisle said.

Jasper continued. "Actually, I think your meeting Charlie changed things. Damian sent an email to Aro telling him of Charlie, and Aro instructed him not to harm Charlie, that Bella was his daughter. Whatever Damian's purpose, he was supposed to stay clear of all of us. Charlie, I think you saved Catherine not just once… but twice."

"Or three times," Alice said. "By meeting her, by being there when she ran out of the woods, and ultimately by…choosing for her."

I sat for a minute, thinking about what Alice had said. I would do it a thousand more times, if it meant having Catherine with me. Her sudden gentle rub over my hand made me think she heard me, and I could feel her humming nerves die back a bit.

"I had another vision while at the motel." From the looks on Edward's, Jasper's, and Bella faces, I could tell they already knew.

"What did you see, Alice?" Carlisle asked.

"Jasper and I…we were there. With Charlie and Catherine." Esme gasped.

"There? Where?" I hoped it was Vegas, or maybe a beach somewhere.

"Alice had a vision before, of you and Catherine in Volterra." Carlisle explained. "The unique part about it was that Aro, Marcus, and Caius weren't."

"And that's a bad thing?" Catherine literally took the words right out of my mouth.

"It's very…unusual." Edward answered, and I looked from him back at Carlisle.

Ok, so Catherine and I, along with Jasper and Alice might someday be in Volterra. I wasn't quite sure of the significance, but I knew that was their base, or at least that's what I gathered. It's also the place where Edward had gone when Bella...fuck.

Remain calm, Swan, if only for Catherine.

I needed more. "But this Aro guy, what's the story with him? Why would he even come after Catherine if she didn't even know any of you, me even, when Damian started…?" I happened to glance over at Alice, and then it hit me. If she could see the future, maybe…

"Wait, can he see the future too?"

Alice, Rose, Emmett, and Bella all turned to look at Carlisle. I got that feeling again, the feeling I had last night, that there was more to this than I knew, and I was about to find out.

"Charlie, Catherine, I think it's time you know what happened here. With Aro and the Volturi." With that, Bella got up from the couch and walked over to the back windows.

"I figured there was more." I didn't bother to hide what was in my head, as Catherine's head turned to watch Bella walk away.

"Dad, just…listen." Bella said from off behind me.

With that, Carlisle sat forward again, taking Esme's hand and bringing it into his other one.

Up until that moment, I would've said nothing shocked me anymore. Until Carlisle started in, explaining how the Volturi had come here, to Forks, because of Nessie.

How because some chick named Irina had seen Nessie as a child and had told Aro about her. Reported her as something that was against the law.

How Alice and Jasper had left to go find the others, how they all had called in reinforcements, friends, from around the world to band with them and to prove Nessie was not a turned child.

How there had been twenty vampires in and around this house, how some of them had been at the wedding and I hadn't even noticed. I missed what he said after that because I was too busy thinking about how Forks' finest never even had a clue.

How they had discovered Bella's shield, and how someone named Zafrina had helped her learn to use it.

Finally, the part where they'd all met in a field, right here in Forks. How all of the wolves had been there, and how Bella sent Nessie away clinging to Jake's back. How Bella's shield had protected them all from powers of some Jane and Alec and others Aro had brought with him, and that Irina had been the only casualty.

Even without Carlisle saying it, it was obvious to me this Aro guy had come looking for a fight. But there was something Carlisle wasn't saying, and I could feel it in my gut.

"But he wasn't just trying to get his hands on Nessie, was he?" I glanced over at Edward, and then Jasper and Alice. I would've looked straight at Bella if she weren't standing off somewhere. A mindreader, a future-seer, a mojo manipulator, and a shield. I didn't have to know much about vamps to know that if Aro got his hands on them, he would be invincible.

"No, Charlie."

I clutched at Catherine's shirt beneath my hand, grabbing her other hand in mine, weaving my fingers between hers, and I could feel it in her. I could feel her mind putting it all together just as mine was.

If Aro came back, him and his goons, it wouldn't be a friendly visit. No, he'd be out for blood, so to speak, and the elimination of at least some of the people in this room and the capture of others, including my daughter.

Even with his calm delivery, and Jasper's help, I could feel Catherine's anxiety reaching maximum overdrive, and I knew I was doing nothing to help her.

Because even if she didn't understand, I did.

The more Carlisle talked, the more I knew. The Volturi and these vampires sitting here with me were walking the thinnest fence rails in the history of fences. From what I could tell about what they said earlier when Alice had the vision here in this room, this Aro guy wasn't happy.

Carlisle took a deep breath before saying the last piece of information.

"What they found today at the motel, it's obvious that Damian was sent to kill you, Catherine. The only possible reason for that is you pose a threat to him."

Carlisle's gaze went from Catherine to me. "Charlie you asked if he could see he future. He has what we call an Oracle, and he's had it for a very long time, although as of late it hasn't been giving him all of the information, all of the correct information, so I can gather. I think he received information that Catherine, somehow, someway, would have something to do with his…downfall, and sent Damian to get rid of her before that could happen."

Catherine suddenly sat up a bit, but still holding my hand. "Do you think he knows?" Catherine looked down and tugged my hand a bit. "About Charlie and me?"

If I could just get the damn woman to stop thinking.

"I don't know if he knows that you've been turned, but I suspect he knows something has gone wrong." Carlisle answered her.

"So what you're saying, I think, is that this Aro guy will be sending others…here." I didn't say for Catherine out loud, but tilted my head in her general direction to let Carlisle know what I was thinking.

Carlisle thought long and hard before answering, looking down at Esme's hand in his.

But it was Jasper who laid it all on the line. "Our guess is it won't be others. I suspect it will be all of them. Again. And more. And not just for Catherine."

You could hear a pin drop, even if we weren't all vamps with supersonic hearing now. Catherine sat up even straighter than she was, her fingers weaving in between my own at her waist, and bringing my other hand around her, squeezing them both. At first I could tell she was panicked, as the zings of energy from her came into me, but then all of a sudden it died back. She almost seemed calm, but it wasn't that. I couldn't put my finger on it.

"I should go. I should leave you all. Maybe they'll-"

"What?" I sat up, clutching her to me, for some reason afraid she would bolt right there. It was then that I knew what it was that I was feeling from her.

Resignation.

"You aren't going anywhere. I didn't let Carlisle here…uh…chow on my neck for nothing." It was all I could think of to say. By no means what I wanted, but I wasn't going to get all mushy in a room full of Cullens that included my daughter.

"But Charlie, if I left then maybe…" Catherine looked around the room and then over to Carlisle, "maybe all of you would be safe."

"They would find you, Catherine. And us. It's not just you-"

Emmett spoke over Jasper. "If they're giving us a second chance-"

"Emmett." Rose cut him off, just has Emmett knelt down and looked straight her.

"Awww, don't worry, babe, I won't let anything happen to you. Besides, we've added more to the ranks." He grinned as he took her hand. I nearly laughed at the big guy down on one knee.

"Pfft." Rose said as she stood up, "I can take care of my own ass." I watched them both as Rose walked out of view. "Sorry Esme," Rose said from somewhere behind me, but I knew she was with Bella.

"I wouldn't be so enthused, Emmett. Chances are, they've been using what they've learned about us from their last visit. I suspect it may be why Alice is unable to get much more than what she's seen. Also, it's given them more time to prepare."

"Prepare for what?" I threw out.

"Prepare ways to block me." Edward said rather flatly.

"It's not just you, Edward." Jasper glanced from Edward back to me. "Charlie, there's things we can do, Edward, Bella, Alice, and me, that Aro wasn't aware of last time. We don't have that element of surprise anymore. They know about the wolves. The only surprise we'll most likely have…is the two of you."

From that moment, I knew. After our time away, after I was hopefully able to help Catherine, Jasper and I were going to have some serious strategy talks.

"We're a family, Catherine, and Jasper's right. Even if you did go away, you and Charlie, he would find you, and I won't allow it." That last part sounded much like the Doc I'd come to know.

"Neither will I." No one was going to fuck with Catherine anymore, nor my daughter or Nessie. Not anyone in this room.

"Right now, being that Alice hasn't seen any sign that they're coming, we hopefully have some time." Jasper leaned down and kissed the top of Alice's head.

Catherine suddenly got up, and walked over to Bella still looking out the glass. I let her go, but I wasn't happy. I couldn't help her when she was out of reach, not to mention the fact that she'd be hearing everything they were thinking now.

"Bella…" but she didn't finish as Bella wrapped her in a giant hug.

"Don't, Catherine. I know what you're thinking. If you wouldn't have come here…" and suddenly they were silent, Catherine nodding, looking as if she would cry if she still could, her arms going tightly around Bella.

"Yes. Yes, I do." Catherine said out loud.

Bella pulled away just a bit to look at Catherine. "Well, then why don't you and my Dad go stay at our cottage for awhile, just the two of you. Edward and I can take you there now. Stay for a few days, or however long you need. We'll stay up here with the family."

Catherine's eyes whipped to mine, and I couldn't help but look at Bella and then back at Edward. "You two have a house? Somewhere around here?" I always wondered how all of them fit in this one, but never bothered to ask.

"Yes. It's a ways off the beaten path, mostly to hide Nessie. You're more than welcome to use it. The both of you." Edward then looked across the room at Catherine, and nodded as if he was answering a question.

"Charlie and I actually did want to…get away. We were thinking of going…camping." Emmett busted out laughing first, followed by Jasper, Rose, and Alice. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was so funny.

"We have all of the gear you'll need, Charlie." Carlisle said, smiling at me. Bella was suddenly at my side, with Catherine taking a seat back on my lap.

"Dad, remind me to tell you why the Cullens have so much camping gear." Even Catherine was smiling. Well, obviously I was the only one in the room who didn't get the joke.

"I can show you a spot where you'll be safe from humans, and…" Emmett smirked, "all of us."

"Oh!" Alice suddenly squealed from the couch, turning and grabbing Rose's arm, while I felt Catherine flinch in my lap.

"What?" Catherine had sat across my lap this time, and at least now I could see her face. She was staring at Alice, her lips slightly parted.

"Alice?" Jasper said, coming around the couch to sit behind her, his hands on her arm.

"It's nothing. Nothing at all." She shook her head as she said it, her eyes squeezed shut. It was then I caught Edward looking at me, and from where I sat, it looked like he might be grinning just a bit.

Dammit, I wanted that mind reading shit right now.

"Charlie, Catherine, why don't you both come with Carlisle and me and we'll get you the gear." Esme stood up, holding out her hand to us.

"Is somebody gonna tell me what just happened?" I asked, even though I was pretty sure no one was going to tell me.

"C'mon Chief," Carlisle stood up. "We'll all find out soon enough."

Catherine slowly got up from my lap, still looking at Alice, and then at Edward. He just shook his head and walked behind the couch, toward the back doors.

"Bella, let's go back to the house for a bit. I think I want to call Jacob in the morning and have him bring Nessie home for a bit."

Catherine stopped walking and turned to look at Edward. "We'll go…far enough away."

"I know you will." Edward glanced back at Catherine as Bella came up to take his hand, but this time it was Catherine nodding.

As I got up from the chair still wondering what the hell Alice had seen, I waved at Bella and Edward as they left saying their goodbyes to everyone as they went through the door. Whatever it was, Alice's latest vision must not have been about us or the Volturi, or anything life threatening or she would have said something.

Wouldn't she?

As I took Catherine's hand and followed behind Carlisle as Esme led us through the house, I pushed aside thoughts of Alice, and focused on the two biggest questions still left unanswered. The two most important things to me, and Catherine, right now, and for the next few days.

How in the hell was I going help Catherine, and how much time did I have?


A/N: A lot of info in this chapter, and a lot of dialogue. I hope it was worth the wait. The next one will be up in about 10 minutes. :D

Thanks so much for reading, and if you choose, reviewing.