BPOV

There was shock and complete silence around the room as everyone dealt with the implied news of a murderous vampire loose in Forks. We all wanted details, but it seemed we were afraid to ask. Edward was the one to speak up for us.

"What happened, Carlisle?"

"That was Sam Uley on the phone. There have been three murders so far, seemingly random, no one that we know. The pack has detected the scent of a few vampires they don't recognize around Forks, but they haven't been able to catch anyone. The reason they called me was to make sure that Charlie is still safe with us, as they seem to have been around his house. I assured them that Charlie was safe. But then they asked about Bella, and that's where I hesitated. I think Sam could tell."

"What did you tell him?" I asked.

"That you arrived safely to us last night and Charlie was too excited to call. I promised that he would call with the details the second he wakes up, pretending that I had something urgent and work related to deal with. I don't like lying to them, but I felt it was necessary."

"Can't we just explain what happened?" I was confused. The Cullens hadn't broken any laws or killed a human.

"The treaty states that none of us can ever bite a human." Edward said, "Not kill, bite."

"Even if the human is willing?" I asked.

"That is something we never anticipated. So, no."

"What do we do to help them?" I asked, but Edward shouted "No!" and all eyes followed his to Alice, who was having a vision. We all waited anxiously for her to snap out of it and explain.

"It's Victoria. They are after Bella."

"She must know I'm not in Forks." I said.

"I'm sure they do." Jasper started. "But they are probably hoping to pick people off until they get you or someone close enough to you for you to make an appearance."

"But why come after me?"

"Because James was her mate. And you are my mate. I should have known!" Edward said.

"We have to stop them!"

"They won't come anywhere near you. I promise." Edward said.

"Yes, but what about the people of Forks? What about the Quileutes, our friends, and the innocent people they are going to kill trying to get to me?"

"We will help the Quileutes. But you are not going anywhere near there."

"But I can help! Am I not the strongest now?"

"Yes, but you don't know how to fight, so you're at a serious disadvantage." Jasper said. "It would be harder for us to fight if we were worried about your safety."

"Then teach me how."

"No, absolutely not!" Edward shouted.

Emmett laughed. "Well, now you woke Charlie up. Good job."

"Jasper?" I asked. "Please?"

"No." Edward said.

"There's no harm in teaching her how to defend herself. Besides, no one has any plans to go anywhere or do anything just yet. What's one session of practice going to hurt while we decide?"

"Yeah, I've always wanted to fight a newborn!" Emmett added.

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, but I stood up, winking at Jasper, and walked out into the yard. Jasper and Emmett followed me. I was absolutely determined to help now that I could finally contribute.

"Alright, Bella. This is lesson one. We're going to take it easy on you this time and focus on form, so Edward doesn't kill us – "

"Ah man! Do I have to?" Emmett yelled.

"Yes. You have to this time. Let's see what you can do, Bella. Emmett is going to run at you and try to grab your throat. Stop him."

Emmett ran at me faster than I could react and had me by the throat. He laughed. "Some newborn." I was shocked. I had barely seen him move.

"Lesson one, don't take your eyes off your enemy, even when others may be talking or fighting around you. Emmett, come back beside me and try her again."

Emmett ran at me again and this time, I watched him carefully. I dodged him as he reached for my throat, but I wasn't prepared for him to dodge with me and grab me, holding me bridal style and rendering me unable to fight.

"Lesson two, don't go for the obvious move. It's too…obvious. Your enemy will expect that." Jasper grinned at me.

"Emmett, put me down!"

"No. This is fun!"

"Emmett!"

"It's like having a life-sized doll to play with! You're mine now, Swan. Let's go for a run, shall we?" Emmett started running towards the woods with me. I punched him in the face.

"Ow! There's a little bit of that newborn strength. No match for me though!"

Emmett continued to run, edging closer to the forest. He could have already been a mile away, but he was enjoying teasing me, and likely Edward through his thoughts, with his little game.

"Put me down you and let me really try to kick your ass!"

"Ooooh, OK!" Emmett sat me back on my feet. I had finally caught his attention. I looked at him innocently, shyly, before I tackled him. The element of surprise was mine. Emmett was on the ground and I held his wrists pinned beneath my hands. He struggled, trying to raise his arms, but he couldn't. I was strong! I could help!

My mistake was not also pinning his legs, as he was able to move them, flinging me to one side and surprising me as he tossed me off of him. Edward came outside shouting. "That's enough! Bella, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." That was quite an adrenaline rush.

While Edward's entire attention was on my safety, I saw Jasper preparing to spring at him, menacingly. I knew that in his fragile emotional state this would upset him, but I wasn't prepared to step in the way and get between two angry vampires. Emmett extended a hand to help me up and I took it, standing beside him as Jasper leapt at Edward.

Jasper came within six inches of Edward and fell flat on his butt but I never saw Edward raise an arm to fight him.

"Wow!" I said. I had never seen him fight quite like this.

Edward looked shocked. He just stood there, not moving, as Emmett leapt at him too, only to join Jasper on his butt at Edward's feet.

"What the hell?!" Jasper shouted.

"I don't know." Edward answered.

"Do it again!" Emmett said, standing up and attempting to attack Edward, only to fall over again. Jasper did the same.

"How did you learn to do that?!" I asked.

"I'm not doing anything."

I walked over to them, curiously, slowly, and put an arm around Edward. It seemed that whatever invisible power seemed to be holding Jasper and Emmett at bay wasn't effective on me. "You can't read my mind. You can't block me like you do your brothers. Am I really that much of a freak?"

"It's you." Edward said, looking down into my eyes. I was confused.

"What's me?"

"Some pairs become mated so strongly, whether by circumstances, time together or special abilities, that they share each other's emotional state, thoughts or in some cases, special gifts." He quoted from the section of the book I had him read for the family last night.

"I'm not special though."

"Nonsense. Besides, I have never been able to do that before. It must be you."

"OK, let's assume that I am special. Why can't I read minds like you if you can do…. whatever this is."

"Well, have you ever tried to read someone's mind?"

"No, but you said it comes natural for you and that you can't really block it out."

"True but humor me. Jasper, pick a number, no limit, anything."

"Alright." Jasper stood in front of us now, eyes wide. Emmett hadn't gotten up yet.

"Bella?" Edward asked. I focused hard on Jasper, but nothing was happening.

"I don't know."

"You don't hear anything?"

"No." I said.

Edward let go of me and took a few steps back. I looked at him, suddenly nervous. I was barely aware of both Emmett and Jasper moving behind me. Then, there was a loud thunder and Edward started laughing.

I turned to find both Emmett and Jasper on their butts again, this time sitting at my feet. They were laughing too, as was the rest of the family now standing on the porch watching.

"You have a gift, Bella." Edward said. "You are special."

"But I didn't realize I was doing anything! I'm sorry, guys!" I said to the vampires still sitting at my feet. They looked at each other and stood up, turning to run from me. They ran twenty steps together and turned and attacked me. I put my hands up in front of my face and ducked, even though I know Jasper had said not to, scared. There was another thunder as they went flying backwards, Emmett knocking over a small tree.

Edward came over to put his arms around me. I was suddenly excited. I had an ability! Jasper stood up and walked towards us, attempting to smack Edward across the face, but just hitting an invisible barrier instead. "Ow! Son of a -!"

"There are ladies present." Edward said, laughing. "Well, it appears that you can make a bubble to keep everyone out but me. And I can keep everyone out but you."

"How?" I said.

"How do I read minds? How does Alice see the future? You're gifted."

"What is it exactly?"

"I'm going to make some calls." Carlisle said, walking back inside.

Emmett and Jasper wanted to continue to wrestle the newborn, but there were some things we had to work out to help save the humans in Forks. Everyone walked back inside, except for me and Edward. He held us back, holding me in his arms. "You are amazing."

"You can do it too."

"Yes, but I believe I can do it because of you. It's certainly not something I've ever been able to do on my own before."

"So, you can use my power, but I can't use yours?" I was jealous.

"I suppose so, but maybe it will come to you in time. Perhaps you just aren't used to using any gift yet and have to get used to yours first before you can use mine."

"Do I get to help stop Victoria?"

"Out of the question."

"But if I can keep myself and you safe, maybe I can protect the family as well!" Why was he being so stubborn? I was immortal now!

"Perhaps. But you're so young. You've done great around Charlie, but do you think you're ready to be around and protect humans already?"

"Absolutely. Charlie just smells like he always has. I don't find him at all appetizing."

"I won't put you in harm's way." he said.

"Well, you're not going without me." I could be stubborn too.

"Agreed. We're not going."

"We can't just abandon the family. They might need us too!"

"They know how to take care of themselves."

"Let's see what they think!"

"Alright." He took my hand and we walked inside to join the rest of the family. I was upset, but I still wanted to be close to Edward. I held his hand back and squeezed it a little, showing him that even in my anger, I still wanted him around.

"There you two are." Carlisle said.

Emmett wiggled his eyebrows at us suggestively as we sat down. "No, Emmett. It wasn't like that." I said.

"Way to kick some ass, Bella!" Charlie said. I giggled despite the circumstance.

"Good morning, dad." I looked down at my lap, embarrassed. My eyes caught my engagement ring and Edward held me a little closer. He must have seen my slight smile at it.

Carlisle unnecessarily cleared his throat. "We were waiting for everyone to start. Charlie, Sam Uley called this morning while you were still sleeping. He wants you to call him right away, but there's something we have to discuss first."

"Alright, have at it." Charlie said.

"There's a serial killer loose in Forks. Three victims so far. Except the Quileutes are positive it's a vampire, or a few of them. We are reasonably certain, thanks to Alice, that they are led by Victoria, the mate of the vampire we had to kill to protect Bella in Phoenix."

"How do we stop her?" Charlie asked.

"The Quileutes are doing what they can. We intend to join them as well to help stop her, but there's a complication. We are no longer bound by treaty with the Quileutes, although they don't know it yet."

"Why not?" Charlie asked.

"Me." I said.

"The treaty says that none of us can bite a human." Carlisle added.

"But she is his mate! She would have already been dead if he weren't there!" Hearing Charlie take Edward's side was a surprising change.

"Our treaty never anticipated such a possibility, I'm afraid."

"And they don't know?" Charlie asked.

"No. We told Sam that she is alive and safe. We wanted to talk to you before we gave too many details."

"Alright, let's call them. Come talk to him on speakerphone with me." Charlie said. "Alice, can you come too and maybe let us know if we are about to say something they won't take well?"

"OK, I'll try." she said as she followed Carlisle and Charlie into the kitchen to call Sam. I was grateful that my dad trusted Alice and Carlisle now like members of his own family.

I looked over at Edward. "This is all my fault."

"How in the world would this possibly be your fault?" he asked.

"I'm the reason you had to kill James."

"No, Bella." Esme said, coming to sit beside me. "James is the reason we had to kill James. You did nothing wrong. You can't feel bad for simply existing."

"But I caused all of this drama. You all keep having to fight for me."

"And we will gladly fight for you as often as it takes to keep you safe. Wouldn't you do the same for me or Emmett or Alice or any other member of the family?"

"Yes." I said, not hesitating a bit.

"Exactly." Esme said. She squeezed my hand. "Besides, you complete us. You aren't an outsider. You're one of us. I've never seen Edward so happy and relaxed as he is when you're around. And none of us would want him to be without his mate. We tried that, it didn't work out, remember?" She smiled at me. I smiled back, weakly. She was right, but I was terrified.

"No one will touch you." Edward whispered in my ear.

"Yeah, no way in hell with that weird bubble of yours!" Jasper exclaimed. I laughed a little despite the fear and the growing sense of dread about the situation in Forks.

Emmett stood up and walked in front of me. He bent down to my eye level and looked at me, his eyes shining with whatever trouble he was planning. He reached out to punch Edward in the arm but was stopped by our bubble. Then, intrigued, he started to grab Esme by the shoulder, but was stopped too by the invisible barrier around us.

"Woah! It's not just you and Eddie! I can't touch Esme either." Emmett kept trying to punch a hand through in front of Edward, Esme, or me, but he was failing.

"Is it you doing that?" I asked Edward.

"I'm not doing anything intentionally." he said. "It has to be you."

"But I'm not either!"

"Well clearly one of us is protecting Esme. Mom, can you stand up inside the bubble?"

Esme stood.

"Can you step out of it?" Edward asked and Esme stepped cautiously across the room. Emmett was able to grab her by the arm a few feet away from us.

"Maybe we protect a certain area around us?" I asked, curious.

"Maybe." Edward said. He leapt at Esme, intending to tackle her and terrifying me.

"No!" I shouted, and Edward was in the floor with a crash. Esme was unbothered.

"You're protective of Esme. I wouldn't have hurt her." Edward said. Esme smiled at me. "It must not be distance. You are controlling it somehow, Bella."

"What if it's you controlling it?" I wasn't confident that it was me.

"Why would I knock myself in the floor?"

"Oh…right."

Edward, Esme, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, and I stepped back outside to experiment some more. Edward and I could successfully stop anyone from touching us, or from touching anyone else it seemed, if we wanted to and if they were close enough to us. We could also keep anyone outside of our bubble, except for each other.

Charlie stepped outside, watching. "Superpowers. Nice." I was relieved to see him approving of my new life so quickly.

We all gathered around Charlie asking for updates on the situation in Forks. "Carlisle and Alice are still working out the details. I made them promise not to hurt you all if they want your help."

"It's a good start. Thank you." Edward said. "Carlisle's coming."

Carlisle stepped outside, face calm, with Alice on his heels. "The Quileutes aren't happy with us, but they also don't want more innocent people harmed in Forks. They refuse to re-instate the treaty, but we do have their word that they won't attack us and will discuss this calmly once the other matter is resolved. If a treaty can't be reached, we will never be allowed in Forks again."

"When do we leave?" I asked.

"We aren't going." Edward said firmly.

"We have to help!"

"The family is perfectly capable of resolving the threat without us. I just got you back. I can't risk your safety like that!"

"Alice?" I asked. "Can you see the outcome if I go?"

"No, everything went blurry as soon as the wolves got involved. They seem to block my visions."

"Even more reason for you to stay safely here." Edward said.

"What if it's a trick? What if she's trying to lure you all to Forks so she can get me alone like James did?"

"I won't let you out of my sight. It's not like you would need to sneak away into a bathroom again." He did have a point there at least.

"And if she shows up here? Her and how many of her army? What if I'm worried about your safety too? We should stick together."

"Bella has a point, Edward." Jasper said. "Those kills in Forks were sloppy, too soon and too close together. She's trying to get someone's attention and draw them to Forks. But the question is, who? Just Bella? I doubt that since she must believe she's still human. It seems like she is after at least you, if not all of us."

"What are you proposing, Jasper?" Carlisle asked.

"That we all go together to assess the threat and that this time, we don't split up into groups smaller than four for any reason."

Edward reluctantly agreed. "But I mean it, you aren't leaving my sight until she's dealt with."

"I don't want to."

"Then it's settled." Carlisle said. "I'll go make travel arrangements."

"Carlisle," Edward asked, "About those calls from earlier?"

"Eleazar believes she is some type of shield. The Denalis are going to meet us in Forks tomorrow night."

"A shield. Wow!" I said, amazed.

Edward held me close to him as we walked inside to strategize how to best help the people of Forks. I was scared, sad for the innocent lives taken, but hopeful that I might, somehow, be able to stop more bloodshed.

Author's Note: We've got at least a few chapters left! Should this story have lemons or do we want to keep it PG? Thanks for reading!