A/N: Thank you thank you thank you for all your amazing patience. Work is kicking my ass. The other day I caught sight of myself in the mirror at work and freaked out because I thought I had a black eye. But alas, I'm just that beat down. So I super appreciate your patience now more than ever.

I've been thinking 'bout tomorrow

Instead of drowning in the past

Oh we had good times even back when

Dreams were all we had to last

So as I wake up this bright morning

Nothing's gonna bring me down

Waves are singing, wind is warm and

Summer's here to stick around

I still, remember me before you

I will, no longer need your rescue

Chapter 27: My Debt to You

Alice POV:

"A little more to the left."

"Like this?"

"Yeah. Perfect. You ready?"

"I don't know Bells, I've never done this before."

"Come on Al, it's really easy. Just breathe in." Bella moved directly behind me, so close that I could feel the heat radiating off her body. "And squeeze."

With one small movement of a muscle, I made an earth shattering noise with the gun in my hands. The bullet it released hit the tin can target perfectly, just as Bella had predicted. I heard a few small chuckles from her and she leaned down and over to kiss my cheek.

"Told you."

"Must you always be a smart-ass?"

"Of course." I giggled and turned around, wrapping my arms around her neck.

"It is in your nature, isn't it?" She merely nodded and bent down slightly to kiss my lips this time.

"So? What do you think? Easy right?" I carefully handed the gun back and watched her secure it behind in her jeans again.

"Yeah. Not too bad. But I prefer my badass vampirism if that's alright with you." She rolled her eyes dramatically and took my hand to lead us back into the city.

"I'm sorry, who's the smart-ass again?" We both laughed, finally being able to enjoy the long missed light heartedness in our relationship.

Bella and I had temporarily moved to a city just outside of where Amun's coven lived. The Volturi guard had been aggressively searching for answers about the disappearances of two of their top guards. I shivered at the thought of Jane's wrath. Bella, knowing where my thoughts were, draped her arm around my shoulder.

"No one's going to hurt us Al. It's you and me, and no one is getting in between. Not this time."

"I know." I whispered, running my fingers along her jawline. We had stopped right outside our building. "I trust you." Bella smiled and kissed my fingers before leading us inside. "So." I said, transitioning to a lighter topic. "When do I get to meet this famous Benjamin?"

"Whenever he comes back again." She shrugged, walking to the small fridge and getting a fresh blood bag.

"Ugh." I groaned and flopped back onto the bed. "I hate waiting." Bella chuckled quietly.

"You are not a very patient person my dear."

"Says the woman who abandoned me because she couldn't wait for her revenge anymore." I meant it as mostly playful, but a hint of bitterness slipped into my tone. Bella threw her head back in annoyance.

"When are you going to let that go?"

"Hmmmm. Maybe in fifty years or so. It depends on how much your worship me."

"Oh yeah?" She quirked her eyebrow at me in a perverted way.

"Not like that you horndog." She continued to smirk and I couldn't help myself. "Well, maybe a little." Bella grinned even wider and plopped down onto the bed next to me.

"I missed this." I knew exactly what she was talking about. It was so nice to not have our relationship be this serious thing all the time.

"Yeah, me too." I traced my fingers around the semi-permanent dark circles under her eyes. She sighed and stopped my movements with her hand.

"I know. You don't like the way my eyes look now."

"No, it's not that." Bella gave me a questioning look. I had made it pretty clear that her new choice of diet was not my favorite, but I understood. "Sort of. I just miss the old color."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." I threw a blanket over the both of us and scooted my way over to her so I was flush against her chest. "And stop saying that. We're banning that word, remember?"

"I forgot. Sor-" I covered her mouth with my hand before she could say it. Her lips vibrated with silent laughter at the realization of her mistake.

"Now, are you going to lay there all day, or are you going to start your worshipping?"

"Ah yes. Please forgive me milady." She had me pinned underneath her in an instant and her eyes were rapidly darkening, leaving only a small crimson ring around her enlarged pupils. Unconsciously, I ensnared my own lip in my teeth and growled impatiently. "You'd think you'd be used to waiting by now."

"I forgot how good you taste." Bella let out a moan at my comment.

"You're going to be the death of me."

"Oh I know." I pulled her head down by her hair and nipped her jugular before kissing her sweet spot. She let out another long moan.

"Jesus fucking Christ." Both of us had automatically started to grind our hips against each other. "I want you." She said breathlessly. "I fucking want you." Oh how I loved it when she said everything that popped into her head. She might not say the most articulate sweet nothings to me, and yet they were perfect because I knew they came from real emotions.

"Baby?" Bella only grunted to let me know she was listening. She was much too preoccupied with getting rid of our clothes. "I want to be on top." Her fingers faltered for a moment and I heard a small whine escape from her, but she rolled us over and complied with my request. "I love you."

"I love you too." I gave her a swift kiss and then sat up on my knees and moved down her body. Knowing me all too well, Bella popped her own knee up to help my cause. I carefully lowered myself onto her body making sure our sexes were perfectly rubbing. "Shit Alice." She dug her nails into my hip with her left hand and I did the same to hers.

The bed squeaked haphazardly from our movements, but I don't think either of us cared or worried one bit about it. Bella was addictive. Once I got one hit, nothing else mattered except getting more. I could never quit her. She should really be illegal.

I grabbed her hand that was firmly attached on my waist and squeezed it desperately. She was getting that matted sex hair I liked so much that told me I was doing a good job. We were both slowly losing our control. Bella kept trying to get a better grip on my hip to pull me down harder into her. I did so cautiously so we wouldn't both come automatically at the pleasurable pressure. I was incredibly horny and I just wanted it to last forever.

"Alice." The way she said my name was absolutely heavenly. The two syllables sounded so smooth and perfect when laced together by her lips. Somehow she could convey all the love in the world that she had for me with just my name. I looked down into her eyes and lost all control of my muscles instantly.

"Fuck! Bella!" I threw my head back and listened to the sound of Bella orgasm right underneath me. Eventually I couldn't hold myself up anymore and I collapsed down onto her heaving chest.

Her body still jerked randomly for a good minute from the aftershocks. Yes, I did indeed do a good job.

After she seemed to come back to reality, I popped my chin up on her chest and giggled at the mess I made of her.

"Hey beautiful." She gently brushed a few stray hairs back from my forehead.

"That was some pretty good worshipping Bells. I think I'll take a few years off your sentence."

"Don't." She whispered, continuing to caress my face. "I want to worship you forever."

"Alright Bells, you'll stay close right?"

"For the millionth time Al, yes I will."

"I know I know. I'm just worried. We haven't done this in a while." We were going over the logistics of my hunt before we got down to business. I was apprehensive about the entire thing. But Bella was just as laid back as usual, she seemed to be much calmer now with my presence constantly near her.

"And last time you broke my shoulder."

"Thanks for reminding me." I grumbled at the memory, it was not a good one. The before part was however.

"Don't worry love. It's like you said, we've been through a lot since then. No more careless mistakes." She was so level-headed while she spoke that I had no choice but to be relaxed by her words. It was like she knew how to harness Jasper's power on me.

"You're right. I'm being silly. Thank you."

"No problem. I'm pretty used to it by now."

"Shut up!" I laughed and playfully pushed her away.

"Come on Al, we're wasting day light here." Bella patiently waited until I was able to get into my predator mindset. "You ready?" She asked hesitantly once she noticed my posture change.

"I was born ready baby." I threw her a wink and then took off running, not worrying one bit about her falling behind.

She kept a reasonable distance from me so I could focus on the hunt. My ears were perked for the sounds of wildlife, which was slightly difficult to do with Bella's thundering heart nearby. Not that I was complaining, her presence was soothing.

Eventually we stumbled upon a small pond that a pack of gazelles were drinking from. I kept my scent downwind and immediately hid behind a nearby boulder, Bella following close behind. We watched the herd quietly, noting any weak or injured ones.

"Make your pick yet?" I narrowed my eyes, still seeking out which one I wanted the most.

"Yes." I answered once my mind was made up. She flashed me a crooked grin and leaned back to watch the show I was about to put on.

I honed in my senses on my pick, listening to its breathing. Once I felt the timing was right, and I whispered a small apology to my soon to be meal, I pounced.

It was no mountain lion or bear, but after so long without, it tasted amazing. I moaned erotically at the sweet liquid pouring into my mouth. All the others scattered at my disturbance as expected.

"Nine out of ten." Bella called, slowly sauntering over towards me as I finished up my meal.

"Excuse me? That was a perfect ten lady."

"Eh." She shrugged, pretending to be unimpressed. "Your form was good, but your execution was a little sloppy." I growled disapprovingly and grabbed her by the front of the shirt, pulling her neck down with my other hand so I could kiss her ferociously.

"What's my score now?" I cockily asked after pulling my tongue out of her mouth.

"Uhhh." I had actually left her speechless. Happy with my results, I smirked and walked away slowly, swaying my hips as I did so. Yes I'm a tease. And she loves me for it. "W-wait! Wait for me!"

Needless to say, by the time we made it back home, Bella was nearly in a puddle. She pulled me through the door roughly, practically carrying me. But a new scent suddenly filled my nostrils and I shoved her off me in a panic.

"BELLA RUN!" I tried to throw her behind me and protect her from the red eyed intruder standing in our apartment. But she simply put a gentle arm around my waist and hushed calming words into my ear.

"Relax Al. That's Benjamin."