Chapter 35: In Sickness

Bella POV:

I held Alice all night as she cried into my chest. Her emotions varied from painful sobs to being livid at me for leaving her. I can't say I blame her for it. I could not even imagine what she went through. So I let her pound her fists angrily at me and then go back to crying again. Eventually morning had come and it looked like we were not making it to school today.

Alice was an absolute mess. Her clothes were dirty and ripped in various places and her hair went every which way. There were even a few twigs and leaves popping out of it. She was almost completely calm now so I decided to draw a bath. I was still covered in dirt and plant life as well, it seemed the perfect idea to relax the both of us. Alice remained still as I undressed myself and then her, still sniffling every once in a while. After turning on the tap, I rinsed us down quickly in the shower and gently pulled the twigs out of her hair. Once the tub was full, I placed myself in and pulled Alice on top of my lap, where she had been most of the night. She immediately molded herself back into the crook of my neck and hummed contently. Yes this was a good idea.

We stayed in the bath a long time, until I accidentally drifted off and my head fell onto Alice's. She let out the most wonderful giggle that let me know we would be alright.

"Come on sleepy head. It's time you get some rest." She pulled me up and grabbed two towels to dry us off. I hadn't realized how tired I was until then. Dying and coming back to life really takes it out of you. I didn't dare make that joke in front of Alice, she'd skin me alive. She can be really scary sometimes. I fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.

"Bella? It's time to wake up. Esme will not go any longer without feeding you." I grumbled at Alice's singsong voice waking me up. Food did sound really good right now though. So after a small internal debate, I resigned to getting up. My hair had apparently dried into a mess while sleeping and Alice was laughing while she tried to tame it slightly. I was beyond pleased that she was almost back to her old self. It was worrisome for a while there. But she was now happily taking my hand and leading me downstairs towards the heavenly smells of Esme's cooking.

It looked to be around the late afternoon by the view outside. Emmett and Rosalie were snuggled on the couch reading, Jasper was writing in his journal, and Edward was listening to music in his room. The second my foot landed on the first floor, Rosalie had jumped up and enveloped me in a bone crushing hug. Alice, still shaken from earlier events, started growling at her in a 'get away from my mate' kind of way.

"Alice baby?" I whispered while Rosalie got off me instantly, understanding Alice's actions. Her eyes were pitch black and uncomprehending, staring at poor Rose. But my words got through to her eventually because she blinked and apologized right away.

"Sorry Rose! I didn't mea-"

"That's alright Alice. I completely understand." Rosalie said while waving her hand. She then turned to me again seriously. "It's good to have you back Bella. Don't ever do that again."

"Yes ma'am." Alice was tugging my hand towards the kitchen, obviously needing me to be at full health levels again.

"Alright dear I didn't know how hungry you would be so I made quite a lot. But we can always refrigerate any leftovers if you don't get around to them." Esme said standing next to the most glorious pile of food I had ever seen.

"Oh I don't think they'll be any leftovers Esme." My stomach growled loudly right on queue and everyone laughed as I eagerly tucked in.

"Alice can't cook huh?" Emmett had sauntered in with a grin on his face.

"Well," I didn't want to be mean, but I also really didn't want Alice to think she was a good cook and make stuff I'd have to eat. "She tries hard." My response had given Emmett a laugh and made Alice look as though she sucked on a lemon. I took her hand with my free one and rubbed it affectionately.

"Hey Bella, after you're done eating I was wondering if I could catch a quick word. Just regarding the nomads." Jasper called from the living room.

"Yeah of course. I'm almost done, just give me one second." Alice looked at me as if I had kicked a puppy. "Come on Alice. It won't take that long. And it has to be done anyways." She grumbled a bit but followed me when I went over to Jasper a few minutes later.

"So we tracked their scents and there were only the three of them in the coven. It appears as though they came from the east before coming here." I nodded while Jasper continued his spiel, I sometimes forget he was in the army. "I checked their identities and they seemed to be nobodies. Pretty old, but no major connections. They didn't have any powers that we know of, so the Volturi would have no use in knowing them. But to be on the safe side we will be keeping a wary eye for the next few weeks."

"Thank you Jasper. You've been a great help. Making my life a lot easier."

"Well you're family Bella." He smiled sweetly at me, always such a kind soul.

"Ok are we good? Can we go now?" Alice said eagerly, trying to drop the subject forever from her mind.

"Yeah almost. Alice would you mind if I spoke to Jasper privately real quick?" Now she really didn't look happy with me. I kissed her forehead softly without waiting for a response. "It'll only be a moment." And then I led Jasper outside, out of earshot from my nosy girlfriend.

"Something wrong Bella?" He asked concerned at why I had brought him out here.

"Well no. Not really. It's just, she needs to hunt, doesn't she?" This was a huge concern for me after seeing Alice growl at Rosalie earlier. I'm sure her rage killing of the nomads had taken a lot out of her, and being upset over my death took the rest. But I was afraid to bring it up in front of her now, she was very sensitive at the moment. Jasper ran a hand though his hair and grimaced at me.

"Yes. In a bad way. But I'm afraid she won't be leaving your side anytime soon."

"I figured. Which is obviously going to be a problem. You know I can't be that close to fresh blood ready to be fed on. And near my mate. There's just no way."

"I know." He ran the hand roughly through his hair again, concentrating hard on a resolution. "I just can't see another way right now Bella. I wish I could, trust me. But you have to think about what Alice just went through. I know the extent of what she felt, I wouldn't even wish it upon my worst enemies. Well, maybe a few of yours." His eyes darkened at thoughts of the Volturi. I sighed at the problem at hand however.

"Well, thank you Jasper. For everything. And I'm sorry that you had to feel all of that. I'm sure it wasn't easy." He shook his head no.

"No it wasn't. But you should know how much you mean to this family Bella. I don't think we could be one if we actually lost you." I hugged him awkwardly and went back into the house for my impatient girlfriend. She gave me an inquisitive look but I shook her off. There were much bigger things on my mind, including figuring out how to get Alice to hunt.

The drive home was relatively quiet. Alice rested her head on my shoulder so she could only breathe in my scent. But she could tell something was up when we were settled back in my house.

"Alright say whatever is tormenting your mind up please? Before I lose it."

"Alice. You need to hunt." I said quietly, avoiding her eyes.

"No I don't. I'm fine."

"Alice."

"I am not leaving you Bella. What do you not get about that?" She snapped at me heatedly. I still pressed on calmly though.

"Alice I'm not going to feel alright unless you're healthy and fed. Just like you need me to be." It was a low blow, but I needed all the weapons I could use.

"And I can't be ok if I don't know that you're safe!" Should have seen that one coming.

"I can't go with you and you know that. What if I promise to stay in one spot? You can go while I'm sleeping."

"I'm not asking you to go! And do you really think I could leave you while you sleep? That's when you're most vulnerable! What if you have a nightmare? I'm not there to comfort you! I am not leaving you Bella and that's final." She was quite agitated now and was taking my resolve. I let out a weak sigh.

"Fine then. You leave me no choice."

"What?"

"If you won't go hunting without me then I'm going with you."

"But you can't!"

"Yes, but I also can't sit here and let you starve."

"No! You can't do that. It'll kill you."

"Well it's killing me now already!" She had finally cracked me. "What do you want me to do Alice? Please tell me! You're a vampire! It's what you're supposed to do to live! I get it! Trust me I get it." I started pacing angrily. This wasn't supposed to turn into a fight.

"Just let me handle it on my own!" Alice appeared to be on the verge of crying again. Fuck I'm such a horrible girlfriend.

"No! I can't do that!"

"Why? It's my life!"

"Because I fucking love you!"