Twilight is not mine. However, it is my favorite place for mental vacation.

When we arrived at the house we were surprised to find a half naked wolf waiting on the lawn, arms folded against his chest, flanked on either side by two similar looking Quileute men. The center male, whom I recognized as Jacob, wanted to speak to me. The one on his right was confident with their odds after winning against the 3 newborns. The one on the left didn't want trouble. He wanted to get back and celebrate a victory with his brothers. My brothers followed me silently as I walked towards the trio, an unspoken understanding between us. The rest of the family waited near the house.

"What can I do for you, Jacob?" I asked. He flinched at my familiarity.

His face crumpled in anger and confusion, "How did you know my name, leech?" Hostile was how he wanted to play it apparently, so casually is how I would play it. Standing in front of him, hands in my pockets and curiosity marking my tone. He hadn't a clue I knew exactly why he was here. I've already heard what he has to say, but that was before I took my self loathing out on Victoria. I knew I was the best man for Bella because she told me so, over and over, and I believed her now. His tactics wouldn't work.

"Bella told me all about you. The heir of Ephraim Black. Your Great Grandfather was a good man." This way of speaking was making him uncomfortable. He was taken aback by my full eye contact, and deference to his kin, and that angered him.

"You stay the hell away from Bella." He commanded, fists clenched and shaking, staring at me in hatred. His threat was clear, but I wasn't backing down.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible." I said as I shook my head. "You see, we've been in contact, and I'm on my way to her now." A half truth, but true nonetheless. I did contact her, technically, and she contacted Alice, esoterically speaking.

"You left her! You have no right-"

I stepped forward, anger lacing my tone now, "The same way you left her, for her safety. To keep her from becoming hurt." He didn't know it was he, not Bella who told me that, and I wasn't giving up that advantage. He hated that I was right. I took another step forward and tilted my head in a threatening manner. "What you don't know about today, is that it was orchestrated to kill the scum who threatened her life. Bella left the area to stay safe while we took care of the problem. The red-haired one was after her! Didn't you know? The one you couldn't catch." I pointed my finger in his face. "But now she's dead, because I destroyed her. I turned her into ash, and I won't hesitate to use the same force with anyone who comes between us again." As I looked him in the eye, I witnessed him waver. I had him, and he knew it. "Now if you'll excuse me gentlemen," I lifted my chin in his peaceful companion's direction, "well done today." I took a few steps back and walked into the house with my brothers.

"We have 30 minutes before we need to leave for the airport, everyone! Chop-chop!" Alice clapped. She said it loud enough for the wolves to hear as we all walked into the house. Esme and I looked at each other and snickered.

We quickly cleaned up, gathered our things, and loaded into the rental cars. Our flight will bring us to Bella's vicinity via emergency landing, but whether or not we could get to her before a meteorite causes a complication was the tricky part. I wasn't keen on being pelted by a space rock, but I wasn't about to allow my Bella to drive through a minefield of them, either. And I would most likely survive. Phase two of Alice's plan would be nonetheless problematic.

When we arrived the SeaTac airport was mobbed. Full of individuals and families attempting to make it back to their loved ones before the sky fell. There were many people attempting to secure seats all over the country. Having purchased our business class seats before the news hit, we didn't have a problem boarding.

While on the plane we had to pretend we were any normal family, trying to make it home. Alice was deep in concentration across the aisle as we began our ascent. She was mapping out the best routes and every contingency I would need to know as I made my way to Bella. The sooner I got to her the better. If I was too late she may be forced to jump from her vehicle to avoid a meteorite large enough to crush the bed of her truck, and create a crater ten feet across. I couldn't allow it to reach her.

"If it comes down to it, I'll orchestrate an emergency rescue by calling her and having her jump at the moment you'll reach her. Don't worry. We'll do our best to get her out unscathed." Alice directed at me from across the aisle.

In front of her and Jasper, were Carlisle and Esme, and behind them were Emmet and Rosalie. From what Alice could see, after we made the landing, getting off the plane would take longer than necessary due to a flight attendant hoping to take off again immediately. He believed the danger would pass and planned to keep everyone on the plane as long as possible. Too quiet for the humans to hear, we worked out a plan that Rosalie and Emmet would create an uncomfortable scene. Jasper would create feelings of urgency to get away starting a trickle of passengers toward the door. I of course would already be there, making my escape.

"I've rented a Range Rover and a Mercedes business passenger van, both with full tint. You are to take the Range rover from the airport and head west on Route 30. Bella will be driving on the 20 headed east from Sioux City. Once you pass Jefferson and the casino, continue on foot northwest by following the river. It's under the cover of trees, in the midst of farmland, mainly cornfields. You're faster than the car anyway, and you won't be seen. Bella will be somewhere on route 20. You'll hear a signal when you're 20 seconds out. Be careful as you run, the meteorites won't burn you, but they may knock you off your feet if they hit you, or even take a chunk out of you. You could get by without a piece of your shoulder or torso, but you'd have to stop to reattach a limb. When you get to her, you'll find a small cover of trees along the river where the 20 heads south, back towards Sac City. Stay there and we'll pick you up as soon as we can."

I nodded as she showed me the satellite map in her mind and the tall green corn, 5 to 6 feet high. I could get to Bella running through trees and cornfields. What would I do once I got there? How could I begin to apologize? Staying away from her for so long seems ill-conceived now. After all I've learned, particularly what Carlisle told me about her reaction to our separation. I considered what he'd asked me, about making her a permanent member of our family. It sickened me to consider stealing her delicate human life, but compared with the alternative, of losing her completely, that was terrifying. If I changed her, I would have her for eternity. I wouldn't have to worry about causing her pain, or one of my kind intending her harm. Were we in a life and death situation and she asked, I would save her, but she's healthy. I stopped my internal dialog when I realized she wasn't healthy. Not at the moment. She was ill, and I had to care for her mental well-being. I have to speak to her openly and try to figure out the best course.

"Get ready, they're going to tell us to buckle up soon." She whispered to us all.

The 7 of us heard the discussion in the cockpit between the pilots and the control tower. The landing was precautionary, as the track of meteorites began to fall in the Northwest Territories, detected by the FAA satellites. We fastened our safety belts with the other passengers as we were told. As we were landing we overheard the flight attendant convincing his co workers that they should keep everyone seated. Emmet's theatrics would convince them otherwise. He pretended to have a late season flu, leaning on his wife for support, begging to be let off the plane. Jasper was sending out a gentle touch of nausea that was beginning to seep between the passengers that overheard Emmet talk to the flight attendant. It slowly spread to make everyone feel mild to moderate nausea. As the humans began to rush to the bathrooms and chaos ensued, I ran off the plane and to the rental Alice showed me, Carlisle not far behind me. We secured the rentals as calmly as possible, and then I was off. Soon I was headed northwest through the right angled roads of Iowa to the 30 outside of DesMoines. I was both elated and terrified.

First and foremost, the wolves piss me off. Particularly Jacob. No means No! So allowing Edward to put Jacob in his arrogant ill-informed place, brings me a small measure of joy. I hope that interaction will tide you over until I finish editing the next chapter. Its a long one, I'm thinking I'm going to be writing more than I expected. Unfortunately, daily updates will be ending soon because my Real Life job is getting in the way, and editing takes time. I'd rather be here with y'all.

Music for the chapter is Someone to Save You, OneRepublic.