A/N – I am very sorry for the delay in posting this chapter; life has thrown the odd curve ball my way, but I am back now and ready to continue! Enjoy, and please review.

Chapter 36 – Answers

The sun was streaming in through the open window, but my eyes were fixed on one thing and one thing only.

Alice.

She was standing, looking out towards the orange and apricot sun as it rose in the sky.

She looked… at peace.

She also looked beautiful.

Standing with her back to me, I could see the stream of sunshine caress her pale shoulders and delicate neck, glistening like dew on blades of grass. She was wearing a vest and cropped jeans, and as I continued to watch, my heart gave a flutter as I recalled what had happened the evening before.

We had made love; and as Alice turned to face me, radiant smile on her blood red lips, I realised I wanted to pull her into my arms again.

"Good morning sleeping beauty" she softly spoke, as she skipped across the room and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Good morning yourself" I replied, with a smile on my lips. Her close presence made me shiver with longing.

Alice, not missing anything, cocked her head to one side. "Are you cold?" she asked.

Slowly I lifted myself up, realising I was still naked beneath the covers, I felt my cheeks redden.

"Because your cheeks look quite the opposite, in fact, I'd say they looked a little hot…"

Alice's voice trailed off as she lent forward and claimed my lips with her own.

I could seriously get used to waking up to this, my mind decided as her tongue rubbed across the top of my lip.

"Mmmm" I responded.

Alice moved back and placed her fingers on my cheek.

"You look delectable on a morning Bella" she whispered, adding "Perhaps I had better let you get changed; otherwise we will never make it downstairs…"

I sighed, rather heavily, and Alice laughed.

"Okay Alice, if you insist" I answered, before quickly leaning forward and kissing her lips.

Alice laughed again, "You tease" she whispered.

"I could say the same thing about you Miss Cullen" I answered, as her hand wandered down my collarbone and beneath the cover.

"Alice…." I warned, as her fingers found my breast.

Now it was Alice's turn to sigh.

"We'll continue this later" she answered, winking as she left the room.

I couldn't wait for later.

As I entered the lounge, I realised I was the last to arrive.

"Sorry" I mumbled, as I sat down in between Alice and Rosalie.

Esme smiled as Carlise spoke gently, "Please don't apologise Bella, we don't need to sleep, so we are always ready".

I nodded and returned their smile.

Emmet, sat next to Edward and Jasper on the sofa opposite smiled.

"Sleep well Bella?"

I nodded, "Yes thank you" I answered, before glancing at Alice who also had a smile on her face.

I swallowed hard. If Emmet was going to ask me more questions like this one, I knew my cheeks would start to redden at any moment.

"You did manage to sleep then?" he asked, winking.

Okay, here came the blush…

"Emmet, shut up and mind your own business" was Rosalie's retort, as she glanced at me and smiled.

"Okay, was just checking on our guest, that's all" Emmet answered, with a broad smile on his face.

"Thank you" I found myself repeating, before catching Jaspers eyes that were directly on me. Slowly I started to relax; no doubt Jasper was working his magic again.

Carlise moved to the side of the chair where Esme sat.

"We didn't find the nomadic vampire last night, although we did pick up his scent".

"It's a he?" I asked, my voice faltering a little. Alice took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.

Carlisle continued, "Yes, and further exploration of this area has convinced me that he acts alone. I suspect he has ventured into the next County, although he could easily come back to Forks. I think it best that we continue to track him".

Everyone in the room nodded In agreement.

"Is he going to come after me" I asked, my voice betraying me again.

Carlisle frowned a little, "It's not likely Bella, after what happened yesterday he didn't approach you, or Jacob, or Alice – he most probably knows the company you keep – this alone should make him stay away".

I nodded. He, whoever he was, knew Alice was a vampire.

Emmet spoke next, "He wouldn't want to involve himself with another vampire Bella, and he certainly wouldn't want to get involved with Jake's kind either".

I watched as Rosalie shot a pointed look at Emmet.

Jake's kind?

Edward stood, "Don't worry Bella, you are safe with us – we won't let anything happen to you, or anybody else here in Forks. We'll continue to hunt until we find him".

I smiled at Edward.

"Thank you" I replied.

Alice stood next, "I think it's time we went to see Jake" she spoke, and as she held out her hand, I took it.

Yes, it was definitely time to see Jake.

(Later, at the Swan Residence)

Alice pulled up outside my house.

"Did he say he would come here?" she asked.

I nodded, "I rang him while you were talking to Jasper, and he said he would come as soon as possible".

Alice nodded, "Are you sure you want me to join you Bella? Perhaps he would rather talk to you alone?"

I took Alice's hand and kissed her knuckles.

"I want you with me".

Alice smiled, "Then let's go".

We walked into the house. Charlie had left me a message on the kitchen table; he was at work and would be home around lunchtime.

I was about to make myself a drink when Jake's voice boomed from behind me.

"I didn't think she'd be here…." Jake gestured towards Alice with his thumb.

I could feel the anger bubble in the pit of my stomach.

"Jake, just sit" I replied, which resulted in a "Hump" from Jake and a dazzling smile from Alice.

"I think there's something you need to tell me" I continued, as Jake sat down heavily on the kitchen chair.

"I have no idea what you mean" he replied.

I pulled up a chair and sat down, facing him.

Alice remained stood behind me.

"Yesterday, in the woods… you said you could smell them…."

Jake glanced at Alice, before averting his gaze to me.

"Yeah, well they do smell".

Behind me, Alice growled.

"Oh, I'm sorry – did I offend you?" he rasped, as he lent back on the chair, folding his arms across his chest.

Alice moved closer behind me, and placed her hands on my shoulders.

"I think I'll leave you alone…" she softy spoke, squeezing my shoulders gently.

"Finally" retorted Jake, with a smug look on his face.

"I'll be outside" Alice continued, ignoring Jake's comment.

"You don't have to" I answered truthfully. I wanted Alice beside me.

Alice looked at Jake and then back at me.

"It's for the best, besides…. I'm not sure I can cope with his smell…."

Her voice trailed off as she walked past Jake and winked at him.

Jake gave another "humph" as Alice left the room.

"Okay – does someone want to tell me what is going on here?" I asked, subconsciously sniffing the air.

I couldn't smell anything.

"Jake?" I asked again, as he averted his gaze to the kitchen table.

"Look, this is ridiculous; I know you're not telling me everything Jake – please, if you really care about our friendship, you'd tell me…."

Jake rubbed a hand across his face.

"It's not that simple" he answered, with a sigh.

I watched as he drummed his fingers across the table.

"You don't want to tell me, or you're unable to?" I asked.

Jake stopped the drumming and glanced at me.

"I'm not supposed to say… look Bella, I shouldn't even be having this conversation with you…."

I nodded, "Okay, but I know there is something you're not telling me Jake. How did you know there was another vampire hiding in the woods? Does your tribe have an extra sense when it comes to vampires? And why did you walk into the woods after we left you? That was crazy Jake; have you any idea what a vampire could do to you?"

Jake suddenly jumped from his seat, "You have no idea what I can do to them Bella…."

I watched as he started to pace around the room.

"So why don't you enlighten me?" I almost whispered.

Jake turned, and grimaced. "Bella, I can't…. I…"

"I think you should go" I answered. I'd had enough of Jake and his secrets for one day.

"Bella, please believe me… I want to tell you, but I've given my word to them"

"Them?" I asked again.

Jake shook his head.

"Look, I can't do this right now okay Bella"

I shrugged my shoulder.

Jake started to walk away, but then suddenly turned, "Alice knows…." His voice trailed off.

I nodded.

"And she hasn't told you…."

I nodded again, "Alice hoped you would tell me yourself…."

Jake walked up to me and took my hand in his.

"I think you need to read that myths and legends book again Bella…. Perhaps Alice could help you with your homework instead of me?"

I must have looked puzzled, as Jake squeezed my hand gently. "Ask her to… help you…understand… tell her I suggested it…."

Immediately I knew what Jake's words meant.

For some reason, he was unable to tell me his secret.

But Alice could tell me…

And he wanted her to.

"Okay…. If you are sure…" I answered, before adding "Look Jake, I'm sorry for giving you a hard time about this… I'm just… worried about you…"

Jake smiled, "Bella, you're dating a vampire – I should be the one who's worried here".

I laughed, then. Laughed because it felt like I had the old Jake back.

Slowly he turned my hand over in his, "About yesterday…."

I squeezed his hand before releasing it. "You shouldn't have kissed me Jake" I answered softly.

Jake sighed again, "Why not Bella?"

"Alice" I answered simply.

Jake snorted, "You really do like do play with fire don't you"

Before I could answer, Alice was by my side.

"I think you're the one who likes to play with Fire" she answered for me, as she linked her arm through mine.

Jake remained rooted to the spot.

"If you care about Bella, you wouldn't be placing her in danger" he answered.

Alice tilted her head to one side, as if the action helped her digest what Jake had just said.

"The same could be said about you" she replied her voice still calm and collected.

Again, I was puzzled, but I continued to listen and watched as Alice and Jake seemed to engage in a staring competition.

Finally Jake broke his gaze, "Whatever Alice" he answered as he turned to leave.

Stopping at the door, he turned on his heels, "Remember, Alice can help you with that homework" and with that he was gone.

I turned to look at Alice, whose arm was still linked through mine.

"We need to talk Alice".

Alice nodded, "Yes".