A/N: What's this? Another post in the same month? What can I say, I want to spoil you guys for being so patient with me lately.

Now the continuation of the showdown from Bella's point of view. There's some overlap between the events of the last chapter and this one.

Warning. While not particularly graphic, this chapter has some very disturbing imagery of sexual assault and definitely evokes some tough emotions. The scenes are very brief, but readers should be aware of them. After all, this is rated mature for a reason.

I thank amymorgan for her beta work.

Chapter 35 - Journey's End

I remained huddled behind cover, simultaneously dreading and feeling relieved at each crack of the rifle. If the sniper was still firing, it meant he hadn't hit his targets yet. My heartbeat felt erratic, jumping in time with each distant gunshot.

I turned to look at Seth, watching an intense focus settle over his youthful face. No doubt he was communicating with Leah and Jake through their shared link. In this moment, the sweet, slightly awkward teenage boy I've come to know was replaced by a warrior descendant of an ancient people.

"Oh shit, there's more of them!" Seth suddenly cried out.

"What!" My heart in my throat, I grabbed onto Seth's shoulder to get his attention. "How many?"

"I don't know. Five or six? Jacob can't tell because the chemical smell is too strong. They were hiding in the plant. They only came out once everyone reached the gates."

"It's a goddamn ambush," I said with dread, trying hard not to throw up as I realized what a horrible miscalculation we made. It must have been their intention all along to get us to come closer. Just as I counted on the chemical plant to mask our scent trail, it made the perfect camouflage for this trap.

"Seth, what are they doing now?" I pressed, desperate for more information.

"It's weird. They're just standing there." The confusion was evident in Seth's voice. "Wait, one of them is talking...he knows Edward's name. He said Legate Jane sent him."

So not only had this been a trap, it was a trap designed especially to catch me. How the hell could they have known we would come through here? I glanced at Seth again, feeling enormously guilty for dragging them into my mess.

"Oh no, don't do it!" Seth's frantic plea shook me out of my thoughts.

"What is it now?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"Leah's thoughts...they're going to attack! What are they doing? That's suicide."

I was just as confused as Seth. What could they possibly hope to gain?

"Oh, I think they surprised those vampires," Seth sighed with relief. "Lee and Jake punched a hole for Edward to get through. He's going for the sniper. They are taking the fight indoors to get out of the sniper's view until he can take her out."

I frowned at Seth's update. Why the hell would they split up when they were already outnumbered? The answer suddenly dawned on me.

They were doing it for us.

They were trying to take out the shooter to give Seth and I a chance to get away.

"Oh fuck. Fuck, fuck!" Seth almost growled, his whole body seemed to be vibrating.

"What's happening?" I demanded.

"Lee and Jake got separated. She's outnumbered!"

Seth turned his eyes to me. "I've got to help her!" The anguish in his voice nearly broke my heart.

I felt torn by indecision. The cold logical part of my mind, the part of me that knew war meant sacrifices, told me to take advantage of the distraction my allies were providing so I could complete my mission. I should leave, and mourn and honor their sacrifice for the greater good.

But another part of me, a part of me that I never thought existed before I ended up in Carlisle's hospital, kept me rooted. It insisted that some costs were too high, and would only be paid with a lifetime of regret.

"Go Seth," I said simply.

Seth's eyes grew hopeful for a second before he frowned "But what about you, Bella? I can't just leave you out here."

I shook my head. "I'm not going to do much good in a fight. They need you more than me."

"Are you sure?" Seth asked, clearly conflicted.

"Go help your sister, Seth," I said with finality. I gave him a little shove just to emphasize my order. With one last look of uncertainty, Seth shifted and ran toward the plant.

Feeling vulnerable, I dug through my pack. My hand found the object I was seeking and I quickly tucked it into the waistband of my pants, against the small of my back. I had asked the pack to get it on one of their salvage runs back at the Quileute camp, so that we could have some way of signaling our position if we saw any friendly flights in the sky. It wouldn't do much, but it's the closest thing to a weapon I had to defend myself.

A loud noise whipped my attention back toward the plant, just in time to watch a large fireball erupt into the darkening sky.

Oh no. No. No. No.

I was running. My surroundings was nothing but a blur as I focused on reaching the plant, screaming everyone's name. My muscles burned from the exertion and my lungs felt like they were going to explode, but I ignored it as best as I could. By some miracle, I only managed to stumble once as I made my way forward.

As I got closer I saw and heard more explosions. The fire must have spread to other areas of the plant, igniting the flammable contents stored within. Soon I was forced to slow down as noxious smoke grew thicker and thicker around me. I waded forward, squinting at the diffused light of the raging flames through the smoke and tucking as much of my face into the high collar of my heavy winter coat.

I spotted a prone figure on the ground. My eyes were watery from smoke irritation, so I couldn't tell what I was looking at until I was a mere few feet away. Once I did recognize the figure, I immediately rushed over.

"Seth!"

Seth was lying on his side, still in wolf form. I tentatively placed a hand in front of his nose, and sagged in relief to find steady breathing. He must have just been knocked out by the shockwave of the explosion.

I started to rise when something clamped down on my shoulder with a vise-like grip. Suddenly I was airborne, flying uncontrollably through the air before landing painfully on my stomach. The impact knocked the wind of me. Thank god I was wearing such a thick coat, or the damage was sure to be worse.

I rolled and sat up, trying to pinpoint my assailant. From the smoke and ash, a shadow materialized into a man. A vampire.

His clothes were singed by the fire and his skin blackened by the smoke. It was difficult to make out any distinguishable features beyond his red eyes and white teeth. They seem to glow eerily in the flickering light of the fire.

"Ah, Isabella, at last we meet. You really are much prettier in person."

"Wish I could say the same, fuck face. And here I thought all vampires were good looking. Guess you're the exception to the rule," I shot back, refusing to cower.

"Ouch, that hurts my feelings," the bloodsucker said playfully, putting a hand over his heart. "You naughty girl, I know what you are trying to do."

"Yeah? And what's that?" I said defiantly.

"You're trying to make me angry so I'll kill you quick. Sorry, but I got orders to bring you in alive. Doesn't mean we can't have some fun first."

In an instant he was inches in front of me. He grabbed me by the throat in a iron grip and lifted me off the ground easily. I held on to his outstretched hand with both of mine so that I wasn't resting all my weight on my neck. Still, I found myself choking and sputtering for air. In no time at all my vision dimmed around the edges and my limbs felt numb and heavy.

Just as I was about to black out, he loosened his hold. I gasped and greedily took in big gulps of oxygen.

"Stay awake now, Isabella. Just wanted to make you a little more docile and cooperative. It's more enjoyable if you are conscious."

He reached up with his free hand and slowly unzipped my coat. Pushing it slightly aside, he ran the same hand up my body, stopping at my chest to grope my breast through my wool sweater. I tried again to pry his hand away from my throat, but I might as well have been trying to bend iron.

"Humans are so much softer and warmer than vampires. If only you weren't so much more breakable, too." He moved his hand away from my chest and brought me closer against him, then caressed my face with his knuckles.

"But there's one thing you'll learn about me, Isabella. I can be extremely gentle and patient when I need to be." He pressed his nose against my cheek, sniffing loudly. I shuddered involuntarily with disgust. When he pulled back, his scarlet eyes grew dark and appreciative. "Your scent is lovely. I can't wait to taste all of you."

"Now, I want you to say my name, Isabella. Say, 'James, I can't wait, either.'" He said through hooded eyes.

I stayed silent, glaring at him.

"Defiant to the last, eh?" James chuckled. There was a maniacal glint in his eyes now. "Well, I'll just have to make you scream it."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. Then I was thrown clear of James. This time I landed hard on my back, and pain shot up my spinal cord. For a brief second, all I could see was the purple hue of the sky. I rose up on my elbows to witness Edward and James rolling around on the ground. James managed to get a foot in between them and kicked Edward away. They were both up in the blink of an eye and circled each other.

"Well, well. Edward! I was afraid you didn't make it. This is getting better and better," James laughed.

"Your men are dead. Victoria is dead. You've lost," Edward declared heatedly. My eyes grew wide at Edward's appearance. My shock wasn't because he was covered in grime and soot, much like James. It was due to the barely contained rage and hatred etched on his face. I had never seen him look as frightening as he did at this moment.

James' expression did not change. "Shame about Vee. We sure had some good times. But there's plenty more like her out there. Besides, she's been getting clingy recently. You may have done me a huge favor."

"I'm going to rip you apart piece by piece. I'm going to save your head attached so you can watch me burn you to ash," Edward snarled. He charged at James.

James stood his ground, made no attempt to dodge as Edward's shoulder rammed into his stomach. I could tell Edward had intended to tackle him to the ground, but James was ready for that. He leaned into Edward, shifting his weight forward and low to the ground while keeping his legs wide apart for better balance. He wrapped his hands around Edward's neck in a head lock, effectively trapping him. Then, to my complete surprise, he sunk his teeth in between Edward's shoulder blades.

From my vantage point, I could see Edward's face. His mouth opened, but no sound came. When James let go of him, he dropped straight to the ground like a stone. His back was arched unnaturally and his eyes were wide with a look of sheer agony.

James casually stepped over his body and walked toward me.

"What the fuck did you do to him!" I screamed hoarsely. When he choked me earlier, the pressure must have affected my vocal cords.

"Just a little something to make sure he doesn't interrupt us again," James answered. He looked over his shoulder back at Edward. "I want you watching, Edward. I want to show you that you can't protect your women."

Edward raised his head slowly off the ground. However, instead of looking at James, he looked straight at me. Our eyes locked, and I could see the incredible torment and pain etched on his face. He inched one hand forward, as if stretching to reach me.

James turned his head a little more toward Edward. "I am impressed, Edward. Not many could move after my bite, especially the amount I injected into you. By the way, it's okay to scream. I know it must hurt."

Edward said nothing. His eyebrows were furrowed and his lips were drawn into a tight line. He was now trying to pull his body towards us using his outstretched hand.

James shook his head amusingly. "You are a stubborn man, Edward Cullen." He turned back to me. "You two really are made for each other."

James reached down and hoisted me up. He had one hand fisted around my collar, and slid the other under the hem of my sweater to caress my stomach and ribs. He brought me in closer and ran his tongue along my jawline. He pulled back a little and turned his head toward Edward. "Should I describe her taste to you, Edward?" James taunted.

I saw my chance.

Reaching behind me, I pulled out the object still safely tucked in the back of my pants. In one fluid move, I shoved the flare gun against James' face, right in the space between his nose and upper lip. I tilted the barrel at a slightly upward angle. A look of disbelief flashed across his eyes as he turned his attention back to me.

"Taste this, asshole!" I spat out before squeezing closed my eyes and pulling the trigger.

The bright light pierced behind my eyelids like a miniature sun and the intense heat burned my hand. I heard a loud shriek and felt his hold on me loosen. I dropped the empty flare gun and scrambled backwards, tripping and falling down in my haste to get away. I blinked rapidly and rubbed my eyes to try to clear my vision.

"You bitch! Arrgh! You'll pay for this," James screamed inhumanly in the background. My sight got a little better and I could see a blurry outline of his form staggering around, his hands held tight against his face.

"Where are you? You bitch," he called out again. Even a vampire's eyes couldn't survive a point blank hit from a flare gun. I remembered from our intelligence briefings that vampiric healing was hindered by wounds inflicted by fire.

I tried to stand, only to fall back down and yelp in pain. I clutched my ribs. When the flare went off, James's hand underneath my clothes had tightened reflexively before letting me go. He must have hurt me more than I thought.

James' head snapped toward my direction. He ambled toward me.

I struggled to back away on my hands and heels while facing him, trying to put some more distance between us. He was coming faster and faster now, more confident of where I was.

"I got you now," he sneered. He removed his hands from his face and extended them outward, sweeping them back and forth blindly. I got a first look at his smoldering, disfigured face. The skin was shriveled and charred, with red flesh poking through in places. Part of his nose was gone, leaving a skeletal hole. His eyes were a pulpy, wet mess that stuck to his eye sockets.

I felt a vibration through the ground from where my palms rested. It got stronger and stronger, until a giant sandy colored blur leaped over my head from behind to pounce on top of James.

Without hesitation, Seth tore into James. Giving him no chance to defend himself. I had to turn away as I felt the bile rise up into my throat. To distract myself, I searched out for Edward, finding him lying a few feet away, face down. I carefully rose to my feet and made my way over, hissing at the fresh stabs of pain around my midsection.

I knelt down by Edward and rolled him on his back so he was facing me. His eyes were unfocused and his face was slack. I smoothed his hair away from his face, hoping to get his attention, but got no response. I pulled his head into my lap and rested my forehead against his. He was shivering under my touch.

"It's over, Edward. We're safe," I whispered. The adrenaline of the last few minutes was evaporating, being replaced by fatigue and pain. I sagged against Edward as the lethargy seeped deeper into my bones. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew we needed to distance ourselves further from the chemical plant, which was now a soaring inferno, but my body would not cooperate. It just felt so comfortable to hold Edward like this, feeling his cool marble skin against my heated face.

I jolted awake when someone shook me gently. I looked up to find Seth crouched beside me in human form, looking at me with concern.

"You okay, Bella?"

I nodded weakly. Though judging from his expression, it must have been pretty unconvincing. I looked back to the chemical plant and watched one of the buildings collapse in a cloud of dust and flames. We were way too close for comfort.

"We need to get to a safe distance, Seth. Fast." I had trouble speaking in a normal volume, still suffering from the after effects of James' choke-hold. "Can you change back? I need you to carry us out of here."

Seth shifted back into his wolf form and crouched down on all fours. I pushed Edward onto Seth's back, gritting my teeth as my ribs protested. I climbed up behind Edward, pinning him between Seth and me. I patted Seth twice to let him know we were secured. He took off at a steady stride.

I leaned against Edward's broad back, exhaustion overtaking me now that the immediate danger was over. I was vaguely aware of the ground moving beneath me as I lost consciousness once again.