To the tune of: I Got Mine by the Black Keys.

Edward's POV

"Either you're the idiot or I am," I burst through the Black's garage door, walking in on Jacob as he just finished refilling the engine oil of his Honda motorcycle. He looked up at me with a wily grin as I entered, taking account of my stress almost immediately and finding an unremitting hilarity in it. "The latter seems the most believable."

"I'll agree with that assessment," He laughed, leaning against the tool bench. "Breech of conduct? Should I be concerned?"

"To be determined," I shook my head in silent disbelief. "We said the same thing."

"What are you talking about?" He threw the towel across the room and it landed on a duct taped armchair in the corner.

"'I almost forgot,'" I sighed. "And then we both hurried out, within minutes of each other. She is going to put two and two together."

He thought about what I said for a long time before smiling, "You're the idiot."

"What?" I looked over at him.

"I said it first," He chuckled. "So that makes you the idiot."

I stood still there for a long time, before sighing, "Our cover is soon to be blown. We haven't any time to lose."

He pushed off the bench in excitement and hurried out the door. I followed, more lethargically, of course, but I couldn't help but admire his enthusiasm.

It was pitch black outside, which could be beneficial if we played our cards right. We were alone as far as I could tell – with the exception of the slumbering thoughts of Mr. Black. I couldn't help feel the remorse of a tradition's death as we sped across the gravel drive to the Jeep; with the battle close at hand and the mystery nearly gone, there was no telling that everything would be ending soon. And, I had to admit, Jacob's friendship was something I would be the least willing to let go of.

"What are you planning?" Jacob asked, thankfully interrupting fateful thoughts. "Is it D-Day?"

"I'm afraid so," I stuffed my hands into my pockets. "We've no choice but to act now. With Aro so nearby, there's no guarantee that Carter hasn't left his hosts to meet up with the rest of the coven already." I looked around guardedly. "Let's just get out of here before …"

I opened the driver's door to find Alice sitting on pins and needles in the backseat.

"Someone should show up." I finished with a sigh.

Alice was out of her seatbelt in a flash and leaning over the center console to directly meet my hard gaze. I stood impatiently with my door wide open, staring at her eyes in the dark as the dying tradition finally kicked the can.

"Oh, don't even, Edward," She pouted. "You need me and you know it."

Jacob had opened the passenger door across from me, threw me a hesitant glance, and then climbed in shotgun. "Hi, Alice."

"See!" Alice beamed, her bright teeth shining in the overhead light. "Jacob's happy to see me!"

"Alice," I hissed, reluctantly buckling in and starting the car. "Please."

"At least be glad I didn't bring Emmett along," She settled back into her seat, as well. I had already started up the road, so she must've assumed that she was free to relax now that she'd gotten her way. "He truly wanted to come, but Rose needed some consoling. What was it that you said to her …?"

"I hardly said anything," I growled. "Please …"

"Oh, and you should have seen Bella's wheels turning," She prattled. "Boy, was she inquisitive! She was seconds away from calling you, Jacob, but I stopped her. Because I knew that you two would be off investigating. It's so exciting to be in on it now! I was so curious …"

"Alice!" I snarled again. "Please!"

"Please what?" She complained childishly. "Seriously, Edward, you need to learn to express yourself better."

I glanced at Jacob for some reinforcement, but he was busy nodding in agreement. I groaned exasperatedly, "Alice, I appreciate your concern, but we don't need your help."

"The hell you do!" She seemed deeply offended.

And I knew better than to offend Alice. "It's nothing against you." The words seemed to come out wrong after I said them.

But she understood completely. Oh, dearest Alice. "You are trying to assert your masculinity. I know it. Emmett concurs. This is just like game day – you want separation from more feminine acquaintances so that you can be more of a guy."

"I don't need your diagnosis." My grip on the wheel tightened.

"And I think Bella is more than an acquaintance," Jacob laughed.

"Nonetheless," Alice said matter-of-factly. "I can't have you being reckless. There are risks in running around the city by yourself."

"I'm not by myself …"

"By yourselves, I meant," I saw her white arms fold across her chest in the rearview mirror. "And, if you knew what's good for you, you would have implored for my help a long time ago."

"Implored," Jake repeated after her with a snicker.

"We don't need your help," I repeated.

"Then I won't offer it to you," She decided. "I'll be filler, a wallflower, a pretty face, whatever you want to call me. There's three of them and only two of you. Face it."

"How did you know that?" I wondered.

"I overheard you talking to Carlisle about Fred," She muttered. "And, I'm smart, Edward. You should've known that, sooner or later, I would've figured out that Carter is using Fred for protection."

I took a deep breath.

"Carter knows we're after him for revenge," she stared out the window.

"No, he doesn't," I stared forward vacantly. "He hasn't a clue."

"What do you mean he doesn't know!" Her eyes glared at me so fervently and suddenly that I could've sworn they were headlights when I caught them from my peripheral vision in the mirror.

"My apologies," I said as I turned onto route one-oh-one. "Would you rather I have called him in advance?"

"I just thought you would've smoked him out of his hiding place," Alice critiqued. "A wiser decision, in my opinion. And aren't you more partial to head games, Edward?"

I sat in heated silence, keeping my mouth shut for the benefit of younger ears.

"And now you're not even speaking to me," Alice chided me. "Immaturity is unbefitting on you, Edward. I thought I knew better of you than that. Am I annoying you? Embarrassing you?"

My eyes drifted over to Jake. "I am so sorry."

He smirked. "I don't mind entertainment. There's nothing good on the radio this hour, anyhow."

"I take that as personally disrespectful," Alice scoffed. "I'm a lady."

"Hmm," I bit my fingernail.

She huffed and puffed for a couple – luckily silent – minutes, but then sighed, "So, have you got a plan or do I have to do all the work?"

"I thought you were just the pretty face," I sighed. "Am I wrong, Jake?"

Jacob looked over his shoulder at her. "Have some faith in us, would you, Alice?"

"Oh, I do have faith," She said. "I'm just trying to keep our heads."

Traffic was light so early in the morning, not even drinkers or night owls risking the sunrise. Despite the slow ferry, I broke a few laws and we got to Seattle in record time, around five A.M. Alice was able to check dawn on her Smartphone – one of the few things I predicted she'd be useful for that night – and we'd have till 6:14 to beat daylight.

We wasted no time in getting to Pier 23, parking at a meter a block or two up the road and then crossing the street to the warehouse. Carter seemed as unsuspecting as ever, his thoughts at their simplest. It made me doubt that he even knew the Volturi were so close – let alone, the magnitude of what they were planning.

He was with Fred.

After some digging, I found Fred's mysterious mate, Ellie, back on Forks' side of the ferryboat, in the costal town, Kingston. I had never taken much consideration of her before, but it was clear how their relationship stood. Miscommunication tainted what sounded like a sturdy love; I had heard Fred's protective thoughts for her before, mirrored in my own mind for Bella.

Alice led us down the side of the building, toward an opposite entrance, most likely advertising how thoroughly she had done her homework.

"I've been in the mood for a surprise party," she beamed.

"And I've been in the mood to kill something," I rolled my eyes.

"Well, it seems you've RSVP-ed first, then."

There was a dark corner on the far end of the warehouse, just as Alice knew there would be, where I could stand, unnoticed, in the interior. Just twenty feet away, Carter ambled around the kitchen, nervously looking for something to wipe dinner off his sleeve. The smell of human blood was practically emanating from the two of them, wafting towards me with every one of their subtle movements.

I'd be lying if I said the smell wasn't delicious.

But I had to keep my head. I decided to wait for the right moment – a hiatus in the conversation, a heightening of anxious emotions, an opportunity of vulnerable thoughts, etc. I had to be careful not rush things; otherwise, I could lose hand of the situation very quickly.

For now, neither of them suspected a thing.

"It was a frightening time for all of us," Fred leaned back at the table. "It was hectic. I had some pretty crazy roommates."

Carter nodded understandingly, but he seemed uptight. I've got to move soon. Aro hasn't called …

"You're lucky you have the easy road," Fred continued. The easy road, indeed, I thought jokingly. Riley was a joke compared to the Volturi's strict code of conduct. "I mean, no one's on your back, no restrictions; all you have to do is avoid making enemies and this life is yours. It's almost too easy."

"Yeah, Fred, about that …" He turned to timidly look Fred in the eyes.

Sweet Lord, timing was a glorious gift.

I stepped forward out of the shadows – quite ominously, which wasn't my forte, but I was a skilled actor. Carter, whom had been facing me, caught sight of me first. And, as his eyes widened, Fred glanced over his shoulder out of curiosity. By their expressions and thoughts, I knew I'd caught them off guard, reassuring my superior position.

"Yes, Fred," I growled, my fingers curling. "He's already got enemies."

Oh, Edward, Alice smiled from outside.

Too much?

When I saw Carter's eyes wide with fright, I was tempted to jump out and grab him now, without any pretense. But I knew I had to keep my cool – losing control was a risk that I could not take.

"Hello, Carter," I tightened my hands into fists. "I've come to kill you."

"No, no!" He yelped. And I hadn't even touched him yet. This would be painless.

"Hey," Fred jumped to his feet, standing in front of the whimpering newborn and putting a defensive hand out towards me. "He's part of my coven. You answer to me."

"I've nothing to say to you," I hissed, glaring at him. With a smirk, I added, "Well, except perhaps an expression of my gratitude. Leaving Riley was possibly the best decision you could've ever made."

"Oh, God," Fred stumbled backwards, knocking over a chair. "Y-you … you're one of them. The Y—"

"The Yellow Eyes," I exhaled. "What a nickname. It certainly isn't polite of you to say it to my face, however. Our preferred name is the Cullens."

Fred regained some composure. "Well, Mr. Cullen, Carter hasn't hurt anyone."

"Really?" I almost laughed. "Before or after he kidnapped my daughter?"

"I didn't mean it!" Carter's voice rose to hysterics. "Aro said …!"

"Aro says a lot of things," I snarled, taking a few steady steps forward. "It surprises me, really, Carter. You watched them torture me, you watched them rip apart my family, and still all you feel for him is the utmost respect …"

"He has his reasons …" Carter evaded my eyes.

"He cares about you," I smirked. "That's your excuse? He's a fatherly figure. He's a man of assertion and passion and the arts. Oh, give it a rest. Your mistake was joining him in the first place."

"What was I supposed to do!" He shouted. "He would've killed me!"

"So, instead, he took you under his wing," I grimaced. "Tell me, Carter. If Aro cared for you so much, why did he not tell you that he is here? Right now. In Forks. Awaiting the perfect hour to kill every last member of my family. The battle is today. And Aro planned to leave you."

He let it settle, let the words sink in, before he refused them. "No!"

"Leave you," I shrugged. "Or kill you. But, hey, that's not my job. I don't owe Aro any favors, but I might as well finish you so he doesn't have to go through the trouble."

"No!" He tried to run, but Fred grabbed him by the arm.

"Cullen," Fred growled. "There's two of us and one of you. You'll lose, experience aside."

"You've quite the gift, don't you, Fred?" I laughed. "I've known about it for a while. You can sicken people – and it's rather difficult to fight someone that you can't even stand to look at, right? Hmm, well, you see, your weakness is in your gift. You don't like the idea of a big clan. Too much resistance, too much confrontation."

He eyed me carefully.

I knew that I had to be just as cautious. The last thing I needed was him turning on me.

"I know better, though," I kept a calm poker face. "I travel in packs."

Carter cringed back onto the countertop when he saw Alice appear behind me.

"Now we're even," Fred sighed.

"Not quite," Alice giggled.

I was used to it, but the conflicting smells that followed Jacob as he entered the room hit our opponents full force. I'd wished he hadn't been in wolf form just yet – simply because I'd wanted to play with them a little while longer – but this worked just as well. Carter had seen the wolves before, in the Volturi's court, so his expression was not one of shock, but one of panic. On the other hand, Fred stood in stifled amazement, uncertain of how to react at the eight foot werewolf in his kitchen.

"F-Fred," Carter stammered. "Don't try to fight them …"

"I stand by what I said before," Fred said sternly, watching Jake out of the corner of his eye. "He's part of my coven. You answer to me."

"I'm not part of your coven, Fred," Carter tried to explain. "I'm with the Volturi …"

"But you're under my roof," Fred snapped to the quivering teenager behind him. "So, you're my responsibility. I'll die for you if I have to …." He hesitantly looked back at us. "I guess that's my fault for having terrible judgment. Last time I take in a stranger, for sure."

"You'd die for him?" I was pleasantly surprised.

There was absolute indecision in his voice as he replied shakily, "Yes."

"Well, that doesn't sound very convincing," I rolled my eyes. "But, still, I guess I'll believe you. You'd be willing to die for him. But would you be willing to let your precious mate die for him?"

His eyes widened, but then softened. "I haven't got a mate."

"Is Ellie just a friend?" I raised an eyebrow. "That's not what she told me."

"God, don't hurt her!" He stepped back, pushing Carter forward. "Take him. He's yours. Just let her go unscathed."

"Thank you," I exhaled.

And in an instant, Carter's throat was heaving under my locked fingers and I could hear him yelling as Fred murmured a silent apology.

I didn't expect him to squirm so much, which would make it difficult to kill him quietly, so I hurried over to alleyway by the Jeep where we could be unseen from the street. He kicked violently as I pinned him to the brick side of a building, and I had to cup my hand over his mouth to shut him up.

He mumbled against my palm, terrified.

"Shut up," I growled. "So help me God, if you so much as make a sound, I will gnaw your head off."

"All this theatricality is pointless, Edward," Alice turned the corner, folding her arms and leaning against the wall opposite us.

Jacob was pulling up his pants as he entered through the mouth of the alley behind my sister. He seemed to be on the verge of laughter more than anything else.

I pulled my hand away from Carter's mouth, but kept my grip tight around his neck.

"Please! Please!" He screamed.

I shoved my fist into his mouth, accidentally breaking one of his teeth. "Damn you, I told you to be quiet!"

He whimpered.

"You can't just kill him here and now," Alice said.

"And why can't I?" I shot. "He's ready. Here and now. Just …"

"No, you can't," Alice shook her head, pushing off the wall. "There are too many complications to it and you know it. And, first and foremost, you should be thinking of Carlisle. You can't do this to him, to yourself."

"He took Renesmee from us," I pinned him harder, staring into his startled eyes.

"He was only the deliverer," She put her hand on my shoulder.

And I was suddenly reminded of months ago, when Jane was in my very grasp, crying for mercy, and Bella was the single most thing that stopped me from ripping her to shreds. Now here was Alice begging me to make the same mistake.

"I'm not letting him go!" I barked. "And that's final!"

Jake looked down at his feet uncomfortably.

"I'm not asking you to set him free," she scowled as I shrugged her hand off me. "I'm asking you to think."

"I've thought enough! I've thought and I've thought and now I want to act."

I threw Carter down to the ground, so hard I could've cracked the concrete beneath his hard head. There was a moment where Bella was the prevalent image in my brain, and I couldn't help but remember that moment when I let Jane go. I didn't want to blame Bella, I didn't want to blame anyone but myself …

"Gah!" I groaned, kicking Carter in the stomach and then bringing my hands to my face. "I'm not letting her go …." This was a universal statement, I supposed; so many faces came to mind: Jane, Renesmee, Bella …. I could hardly take it anymore.

I looked up to see Alice staring at Carter as he writhed on the ground and Jake staring at me expectantly.

"I'm gonna kill him," I decided, nodding to Jacob.

"And, believe me, I'd love to watch that, bro," Jake grinned.

"Is this when you say, 'But …'?"

"This is when I say," He took a step towards me. "'But take it from me.'"

"Are you trained in this matter?" I laughed humorlessly.

"Having watched CSI for the past day and a half, I'd have to say I'm a professional," He answered logically. "The horror fan in me is saying that we cut off the guy's head and hang it in somebody's window, but the mastermind is saying we use him as a trade. Like a ransom note. Him for Nessie."

"Renesmee is far more valuable than Carter to them," I disagreed, pinching the bridge of my nose. I recalled the night Bella and I were first reunited after I left the Volturi's clutches, when we were on our way to Charlie's to pick up Renesmee – the way she had dryly sobbed into my shoulder, her way of crying without tears …. I was tempted to try it myself at this point. "He's already played his part. He's practically worthless at this point."

"Let me be the brains until you calm down from the role of the emotionally comprised," He tried to convince me. "Trust me."

I was hesitant to reply, but the answer was clear. "Alright."

Carter had struggled to a standing position by now, using the wall as a support. He panted and grunted, as if he were about to speak, but there was nothing for him to say.

"Could you get him in the trunk, Alice?" I asked.

"I don't know, Edward," She brought her hand to her mouth. "I feel like too much of the villain in this equation."

"And what does that make me?" I smirked.

"No, I mean, we're becoming the bad guys when we're not," She looked away.

"It's your turn to trust me," I looked between the two of them. "I'm going to finish this."

"And I look forward to that," She smiled, reaching forward and sticking her finger just under Carter's shoulder blade. He slumped to the ground and fell into unconsciousness.

Jacob's eyes widened – and, at first, I mistook the look for terror. But then he exhaled with a smile, "You have … got to show me how to do that!"

I twisted Alice's hair around my finger. "No rush, but the sun is on its way."