A/N – Over 1000 reviews! OMG! Thank you guys so much for all your support of this story! I never dreamed I would reach 1000 so it means sooo much!

changedbyEdward, my rockin' beta, has been working overtime to get my chaps prettied up for y'all – a round of applause for her please!

So just over 24 hours to go…everyone excited? I am bouncing off the walls…..hope this chap helps pass a bit of the time until then!

Chapter 36

(Esme's POV)

We travelled the distance between the battlefield and our home as swiftly as possible. Alice was out front in case any newborns might be waiting to ambush and I was in the rear, Angela held close to my chest.

The girl was in a tremendous amount of pain already and I hugged her as close as possible to me, hoping my body temperature would at least give her a little relief. Alice glanced back and gave me a tentative smile when we reached the home stretch. I followed her lead as we dashed in through the side door and up the stairs to a guest room, laying Angela against the burgundy coverlet.

Her screams had quieted to loud moans and I settled onto the bed beside her, trying once again to offer some comfort from the burn. Alice returned from a short run to the kitchen, carrying a large bowl of ice water with cloths and we began the task of wiping her exposed skin down with the cool liquid, hoping to take away some of the pain.

It was quite obvious that she had been kept locked up in filth as we gently wiped away the grime from her skin. The venom was working its dark magic as it coursed through her body; Angela's many cuts and abrasions mostly healed over and fading. It didn't stop the hiss from Alice's lips as she took in the many scars that covered her former classmate's delicate frame. We worked quickly in silence, cutting away the clothing that had basically become rags and dressing her in a loose fitting t-shirt and shorts.

"Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie are on their way back." Alice spoke rapidly in a hushed, sombre tone.

"What about Carlisle and Edward?" I tried not to let my worry show through in my voice.

"They're staying behind until the fire is out." Alice continued to run the cool cloth against Angela's cheeks and forehead while she spoke. "They won't be too long, Esme."

"I can't imagine what Edward is going through. We have to find her, Alice. I don't want to think of what could happen if we don't." I settled onto the bed beside Angela. I would not leave the child until she awoke. I only hoped that she sensed she was not alone and in the hands of those monsters any longer. I sat quietly while Alice spoke softly to Angela, telling her that she was among friends and that she had nothing to fear. She spoke of memories of good times Bella, Angela and she had shared before Edward made us leave; carefully avoiding any mention of the friend who had turned on her.

Rose, Jasper and Emmett appeared at the doorway a short while later to check on Angela and to see if Alice had seen anything. Knowing there was still a long while before Angela could be a possible threat; the two couples retreated downstairs, hoping Alice would be able to get a glimpse of where Mike had possibly taken Bella.

Angela's moans grew louder and I watched sadly as she clawed at her already hardened skin. I moved closer to her on the bed, wrapping my arm around her, hoping it would give her some comfort. I really didn't know if it would make a difference; recalling the horrors of my own burn when I transitioned from my previous life to this one. No matter how much time passed, it seemed that was one thing none of us could ever forget, even though we all tried. Perhaps that was the payment required for eternal life.

At first all I had felt was the agonizing pain. Everything in my mind was amplified; replaying the loss of my infant son over and over while the flames grew closer and closer until I felt as if they would consume me. The burn seemed to go on forever, every particle of my body engulfed in an ocean of scorching lava. Then when I thought I could last no longer, I heard a voice in my head that was hauntingly familiar and soothing. That voice became my entire focus, mesmerising me as it called out to me tenderly. The memories that had been so clear only a short while earlier began to dull, even though the fires around me continued to rage. I know now that it was my beloved's voice speaking to me, reading to me, singing to me, but at that moment I believed it was an angel from heaven.

With that memory in mind, I began to speak softly to Angela, hoping my voice would offer her some kind of comfort since she now travelled that same path. I spoke of things we would show her and the future before her and when that became too much, I recited poetry and sang soft lullabies while I rocked her in my arms. I had gained yet another daughter and though she had lost so much this day, she would never suffer or be tortured again. I would protect her with everything in me.

(Jasper's POV)

We sat quietly in the library, Alice deep in concentration. Her back pressed against my chest, I held her tightly to me, sending her calming thoughts as she searched wildly for any sign of Bella.

Emmett and Rosalie had disappeared shortly after Carlisle and Edward returned, grabbing some time together before we would have to leave again. The battle against the newborns had been difficult and we all knew how lucky we were to still have our partners intact. I flinched at the thought and looked back towards the bookshelves where Edward sat hunched over, his head gripped tightly in his hands. "I'm sorry, Edward."

He raised his head and barely nodded, his eyes tormented. I hadn't needed to see them to know how he was feeling. His fears for Bella were barrelling close to unbearable for me and I hoped Alice would see something sooner rather than later.

Carlisle and Esme were sitting with Angela, watching over her carefully while she suffered through the burn. I smiled as I felt the love that Esme already was projecting for this newborn and I was once again amazed at how compassionate she truly was. A devoted lioness was the perfect description as I thought of how she had fought along side of us that afternoon – protecting her family. The heart of a lion in the truest sense.

Yanked out of my thoughts, I growled at Edward when he grabbed Alice's hands roughly. "Are you sure, Alice?" His voice was begging for confirmation.

She squeezed his hands back, letting go as she leaned back against me again. My hands immediately went to her shoulders, rubbing them gently while she spoke. "She's alright Edward, that much I can see. I just can't seem to get enough detail to tell you exactly where they are."

"I know where they are." His shoulders shook with anger. "He has taken her to our meadow."

"Are you sure, Edward?" I asked quietly, watching for any sudden movement from him. There was no way he was heading off on this rescue mission alone.

"Yes! I have to go!" He moved quickly, but Alice had hold of him.

"Wait!"

"Alice, let go of me. I have to get to Bella!" He fought to free himself, but I threw as much calm at him as I could, momentarily subduing him.

"Listen to what Alice has to say!" Carlisle begged as he came through the doorway.

"I can't even tell you when this is happening, Edward! They could be there moments from now or days! You have to give me the chance to see more. Bella keeps changing her mind on what to do and the images are obscure at best."

"I can't stay here and do nothing!" Edward screamed as he dropped to the couch behind him, his head in his hands again, pulling through his hair at a furious pace.

"Listen to me, Edward," Alice squeezed my hand lovingly as I continued, "Newton has feelings for Bella. He's obsessed with her. He is not going to hurt her when he feels that way. If you rush into this too soon or from the wrong angle, he may do anything to keep her from you, and that is not what you want. As long as Bella keeps him believing that she wants to be with him, she will remain safe and that will give us time enough to develop a plan to rescue her."

"Jasper is right, Edward. We can't go into this without a fool-proof plan." Carlisle turned to Alice. "Do you see anyone else with them, Alice? Is there a chance that some of the newborns didn't fight us and followed them?"

"No, all I see is Bella. I can't even see Mike." Alice's frustration was obvious. "What the hell is he, Carlisle? It doesn't make any sense. Edward could read his mind when he was a human and I saw him in Bella's future then."

Edward hissed and I sent another wave of calm his way.

"I didn't mean it that way, Edward."

He looked up at her then. "Did you ever see him as a vampire?"

"No. But that really doesn't explain anything – it may simply have been because Victoria hadn't made the decision to change him," Alice paused, "Carlisle, Mike's gift seems similar to the way the wolves block my visions. Is there a possibility that he carries the Quileute gene? Perhaps a distant relative of the tribe?"

I felt the pride from Carlisle as he stared at Alice and I smiled, even though it wasn't really the time for it. Alice spent so much of her time wrapped up in fashion and design that Carlisle sometimes 'forgot' how perceptive she truly was.

"That's a definite possibility, Alice, although I wouldn't be sure unless I was able to get a sample of his DNA."

"I would be quite happy to supply you with one," Edward growled.

It hit me then. Edward's head snapped up as he listened to my thoughts; I could see in his eyes how part of him wanted to give it a try, yet another part of him feared for the worst.

"It might work, Edward," I whispered.

Carlisle and Alice both stared at us, waiting to be clued in.

"I think we should call Jacob. We tell him that Bella was taken from us and turned. That we have been searching for her and finally tracked her and that if they can help us rescue her, we can still save her."

Carlisle looked from me to Edward, then Alice. "What if they don't believe us? We could lose her if they are unwilling to allow us the opportunity to teach her the lifestyle."

"I can't see anything. I see us making the decision, but I can't see anything past it. I can't see Jacob and the tribe's decision. If we do this, we are going in completely blind." Alice spoke softly, torn on how to continue.

Edward stood, moving to the window. He stared out into the garden and I felt the wave of emotions travel through him - anger, anxiety, frustration, and finally a glimmer of hope.

Turning to face us, I knew his decision was made. "Carlisle, I think you should be the one to call Jacob. You are the only one he is likely to believe. You can tell him that we will go to Forks and meet him in the meadow, but that he has the lead on this. I have to believe that his affection for Bella will stop him from taking her life."

Carlisle nodded hesitantly. "I tend to agree, Edward, but we all need to be of the same mind on this. If they somehow find out that we're lying, it will mean the end of the treaty. They will destroy us all."

"If I'm willing to take that chance for Bella, then everyone should be." Rose's words echoed around the room as she and Emmett entered. "But what about Angela?"

"Esme will remain here with her. If this works, we will get Bella and go with our initial plan to head to Europe until things quiet down. If no one says anything, they will most likely assume that she was killed and her body disposed of. Are we in agreement?"

I watched as the rest of the family gave their approval. The emotions in the room were overwhelming and I grabbed Alice's hand pulling her towards the door. Understanding my movement she put her arm through mine and we headed out into the night air, escaping the claustrophobic ambience of the room. I glanced back at Edward and nodded as I shut the door, his silent appreciation filtering through to me as Carlisle picked up the phone. I only hoped that my plan held up to deserve his gratitude and that I wasn't handing Bella over to an even worse fate.

End of chapter – reviews? I am not above begging…LOL