A/N Hey everyone, just quickly I wanted to tell you all I'm real sorry that I didn't get this up sooner my beta was away and so I didn't want The Overambitious Dreamer to have to worry too much about editing for me. I had hoped to receive an edit today but due to real life situations that wasn't possible, so I've decided to give you the next update without her masterful editing. I don't want to leave you waiting longer, because I don't know how long it'll be until she can start editing for me when I need, I will most likely continue to update with only my editing. So I apologise in advance for anything I miss, I've read it over multiple times and can only say sorry if I've missed anything. Once again thanks for continuing to follow my story, and let me know what you all think.

RED DAWN

SUMMARY: Edward had always warned Bella that the pack were dangerous. Hostile, volatile and aggressive in nature. She ignored him, testing even Edward's own vampire instinct by staying friends with his enemy, Jacob. One event will change them all, Bella never truly understood the supernatural world. Didn't understand the aggression that lay dormant even in her controlled mate until it was too late. Warning: Violence and Character death.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and all the Characters.


Chapter Three

It took all of five minutes before Charlie Swan stormed into the hospital.

Edward had been listening closely for the somewhat dimmed tenor of the chief's mind. While not completely silent like his daughter, Charlie did have a slightly softer pitch of thought pattern. It could easily be overlooked in the mass of thoughts that Edward had to constantly use his more advanced vampire mind to sift through while remaining focussed on the world around him, instead of the one in his mind. While Charlie's mind wasn't as nearly easy to read as other's the man was predictable in most cases. He wanted a simple life and he stuck to a certain routine not even the arrival of Bella in Forks had altered that life too much. Edward did come to find that with heightened emotion however that Charlie Swan was just as clear to his abilities as any other.

It seemed almost ridiculous that Edward hadn't realised that Bella had a latent power sooner than he had. Of course he'd quickly realised what she was when she'd came to prevent him from his suicide attempt in Volterra. Aro had seen it instantly. A shield and a powerful one at that, to already block so many gifts before she'd even taken to immortal life. It seemed likely to believe that Charlie held just as much promise to becoming a type of shield was he ever to be changed too. Edward had never looked into the idea of a genetic link with those among his kind that were gifted. Alec and Jane were true siblings and were gifted. Carlisle had believed Edward's mother had known what he was, which might have shown had she been changed his mother Elizabeth may have been an even more powerful mind reader then Edward.

Esme's call with Charlie had been only short, his patients had already ran out by the time he'd finally gotten a reply from all the people he'd been trying to contact. Edward had been relieved to see that Charlie hadn't received an answer from any of the members of the La Push tribe. He'd been ready to start searching himself when Esme had finally called him back. She'd used all her true fear and upset to make herself seem as human as she could while trying to calmly tell Charlie that Bella had been hurt. It was often a harder thing to show with other human's. One of the hardest facades's to pull off, even though they could be upset tears never came and sometimes it had the risk of making them look out of place or even not sincere in their emotions. Esme had made it sound perfectly acceptable to Charlie over the phone, the hitching in her breath the true pain in her tone, that she showed her genuine shared pain of what had happened. It made her come across completely genuine and believable to Charlie; he hadn't thought to question anything. Though Edward knew soon enough the Chief of police would start asking questions. They had the story in place and they were lucky that they'd be the first to say anything. Even if the members of the pack tried to expose them now it would come across to Charlie as that same old prejudice that all the people of La Push held against the Cullen family.

Esme was the first to move to greet Charlie as he came into the small waiting area where the whole family was positioned. Alice had stationed coffee cups around the table in front of them at different heights in level to make it appear like they'd been there some time. Edward even allowed the comforting of Rosalie as she moved to sit beside him and rubbed his back as he rested his face in his hands. It was part of the life Edward hated most, the constant need for covering up what they truly were. He understood it of course but the only sense of comfort for his feelings now was to be with Bella, something he couldn't have yet.

Esme moved with Charlie guiding him a little away from the other's for a sense of privacy even if all could hear what was being said. He'd seen the way Rose had been protectively comforting her younger brother and it had made him feel hollow in his stomach, like he'd just been punched in the gut. He'd always felt off about the boy, Edward. Felt like he was a little emotionless or too reserved, he'd certainly not been his biggest fan after his family leaving. Charlie had never believed Edward cared about Bella as much as his daughter cared for the boy and that had rubbed him the wrong way. Seeing him now look so upset worried Charlie deeply and made his urgency to know what had happened to his daughter only grow stronger.

"Esme what happened? Is Bells okay? She was in La Push visiting friends?" Charlie spoke one question over the other the usually more reserved and silent man had left for the concerned father. They'd seen this once before after the attack from James when Bella had needed hospital attention.

"She's okay for now. Carlisle believes she'll make a full recovery with time" Esme explained in a hushed tone wanting to alleviate any fear that he'd lose Bella, even if it had been touch and go in the beginning

"We aren't sure what happened completely. Just that Edward got a call from Bella. She was upset and scared. The boys went out in Emmet's jeep through the forest and found her around the area near La Push. There wasn't an animal but they're positive it was an animal attack" Charlie struggled with the information not understanding why Bella would be in the forests especially after the last incident. Where he'd had the search party out looking for her, he felt grateful to Edward and his brothers even if internally he didn't want to be grateful for anything Edward did. Charlie still more than willing to hold his standing decision on the matter. That Edward wasn't good enough for Bella and would only cause her a world of hurt and trouble.

"Charlie I have to warn you... she's been badly attacked. She's going to have some very severe scarring from it" Esme added trying to warn Charlie for when he eventually would see Bella.

Edward was surprised that the first image that filled Charlie's mind at that was of Emily her savagely scarred face from an animal attack. Charlie however didn't realise that both Emily and Bella would now be carrying the scars of not animals but members of the wolf pack. Seeing the image in Charlie's mind only cemented Edward's deep and ever more growing hate for the pack. Even Emily, Sam's imprint had not been spared from such harm. They considered him a bloodsucking leech and yet he'd done all he could to never harm Bella, went against far greater obstacles to ensure her safety and had never harmed her in such a way.

"I'm going to have to call Renee. God I should have gone out looking sooner instead of sitting around waiting, I knew it. Felt that something wasn't right when I didn't hear anything" Charlie struggled not normally emotional, his eyes watered at the thought of his little girl hurt and alone in the forest again needing saving and him failing to protect her again.

Charlie looked over to the position of Edward and his siblings seeing how they were all tightly closed in around Edward, Rose still rubbing his back. Emmet and Jasper standing over the girls and Edward as if to protect them from some unknown danger and Charlie once again couldn't help but respect the closeness of the family. He'd wished he could have given Bella that same type of close family, he and Renee just hadn't worked and Bella had been left alone and become too independent and grown up too quickly. He felt himself glad she'd found them in that moment.

"How is...How is Edward handling it?" Charlie asked even if he stuttered over his words, it had been made no secret to all since Edward's return that Charlie hadn't wanted him around Bella, but now. Knowing it had been Edward who had helped find her and get her help, even seeing how upset Edward was now he couldn't help but feel he'd maybe been a little too hard on him.

He was just a kid after all, a teenager, and Charlie knew all about teenage boys making stupid mistakes he'd had more than his own fair share while growing up. It did shock Edward however hearing Charlie's thoughts on him and the slight shift in them. He'd never done any of this as a way to gain Charlie's favour back. Edward hadn't even considered Charlie in anything he'd done. He couldn't help but feel happy that perhaps Charlie was truly seeing the depths of his feelings for Bella though.

"He's very upset. Very angry, he's not known for his outbursts but he's been reacting badly to how he found Bella. Blaming himself, even if he couldn't have done anything to stop it" Edward couldn't help but think that Esme was trying to get her own message across to him as she said that to Charlie. He did blame himself for what had happened even if logically he'd known it wasn't his fault.

"He feels a little betrayed because she told him she wasn't going to La Push but that's where he found her hurt. Teenage drama" Esme tacked onto the end, as Charlie looked slightly uncomfortable his thoughts understanding that Edward had probably had no idea Bella had gone to visit Jacob.

He understood all too well that situation he'd pushed Bella to remain close to Jacob because he'd believed him better choice for her after what Edward had done. Edward felt his anger spike at that thought. He wished he could have shown Charlie just how wrong he'd been let, to Charlie know that Bella was harmed and in this hospital because of his choice for her. That Jacob had been just as dangerous. No, Edward didn't believe he was as dangerous now. Hadn't he proved just how much control he could hold even in his most instinctual, he'd defended her instead of taking claim of the blood that sang to him.

"That's something I'm confused about she was with her friends from La Push. Why was she alone in the forest around the La Push area? I can't get hold of Billy or any of the guys" Charlie said confused and honestly, a little aggravated that his friends had not had the time to answer the phone to at least tell him Bella wasn't with them or their kids. He'd trusted them to make sure she didn't get herself into any type of trouble, especially with some of the stories he'd been hearing recently about some of the youngster Jacob hanged out with.

"I can't say Charlie, I honestly wouldn't know. I only know what I've been told by Edward from his phone call, and then the boys when they found her" Charlie nodded accepting this at face value. Eventually he'd learn about the deaths, and Edward in that thought hoped the pack were at least not stupid enough to place Charlie in danger by revealing the truth to him. They'd use the cover of an animal attack for the explanation of the deaths and injury to the other boy, Edward did know however that there would be a struggle to keep the coming fights a secret amongst the community. All those deaths of the wolves when they eventually came together wouldn't be ignored, he'd need to speak with Jasper about that. Edward could only assume they'd need to somehow tie the murders of Seattle in with the coming deaths that would happen to the pack members. They had already agreed the best solution was to wait for the approach of Victoria and her army, here outside of the major city and fight her in the wilderness. They'd create a path of death and destruction on their way. It may work making at least the media believe there was some type of movement of the killer or killers, they still weren't close to figuring it out but he was positive the Volturi would know what was happening. Their time in Forks though after this was over that was not up for discussion. They'd remained here too long now, drawn completely too much attention to themselves.

Carlisle then moved into the seated area, in his white doctor's coat forcing a smile towards his family. Edward watched him intently and listened as Carlisle reassured him nothing had changed and Bella was still fine with his thoughts. Charlie moved away from Esme then as he noticed Carlisle and took his hand shaking it firmly, barely registering the cold as he looked at Carlisle. His brown eyes so much like Bella's but now full of worry and concern. Edward ignored the greeting they shared between each other as Esme explained to Carlisle what she'd already told Charlie. Edward mainly focussed on the image in Carlisle's mind of Bella in the hospital bed. They'd chosen to keep from covering the stitched wounds for now to allow it to receive some air to the wound. The nurses and Carlisle had gone over every claw mark on her body. The long slashes that covered her chest and stomach. The thicker ones that had carved around her neck, and the deep jagged slash that cut along her cheek and delved just into the side of her hairline. They had done their best to once again clean around the wound and applied a soothing balm to what appeared the most irritated areas of skin. While Carlisle didn't believe it was bad it appeared that some areas were showing signs of becoming inflamed only time would tell of any infection.

"Can I see her?" Charlie asked finally and Edward took notice then finally looking up from his hunched over position to Carlisle. As Carlisle then forced a smile and nodded. Edward wasn't usually one to force himself onto people but the need, the yearning to be closer to her made him feel the undeniable desire to speak out. Normally more than accepting of Charlie being the main focus, now Edward didn't care if it at all seemed selfish by interjecting himself.

"Can I come too?" Edward said his tone a little more gravelled then even Charlie was used to as both men turned to look down at Edward as he remained seated.

"It's typically only family who can go in son" Carlisle tried to say with caution not wanting to anger Edward and cause for there to be any type of outburst. He more than wanted to be able to say yes but he knew he couldn't play favourites, even when it came to his own family. There was a protocol in place when it came to his job and he didn't want to be seen breaking that, not only by his colleagues but Charlie too. Especially if Charlie didn't want Edward in Bella's room.

"It's okay Carlisle" Charlie placed a hand on Carlisle shoulder to stop him from saying anything further nodding towards Edward.

"I'm okay with your boy coming with us. Bells would want him there" Charlie said with a calm face, even though Edward could hear the internal struggle of his thoughts. Charlie appreciated what the Cullen's had done for Bella but Edward was still a touchy subject with him. In the end, Charlie had to accept that it wasn't about him right now. For all his doubts and concerns about Edward, Bella would want Edward there when she eventually woke up and by continuing to put himself between them he knew he risk pushing her away completely.

"Thank you Charlie" Edward said moving to stand up and then followed his father beside Charlie down the hallway, leaving the remaining family in the waiting room so he could finally be with his mate. Charlie completely remained silent as they walked to Bella's room, even though his mind tried to readily prepare him for what he may come to see. Still though that image of Emily in his mind lingered and Edward hated it, hated that both women had something so similar. While Edward knew the scars on Emily's face were greater than Bella's, he already knew Bella's body had been more savagely marked. The irrational need to once again rip into those who had risked harm to her over came him.

"Bella is still unconscious at the moment and I believe for now that's best. She needs her rest, what happened to her is traumatic and will affect her not only physically but emotionally. She's on pain medication for now and hopefully with everything staying in the clear during the night and morning we'll slowly wean her from the pain meds so she can wake on her own" Carlisle explained as he pushed open the door to the private hospital room.

Edward thought to allow Charlie into the room first instead of rushing ahead. He had listened closely to Charlie's mind, seeing Bella in the bed in her hospital gown. She looked even younger to Charlie in his thoughts then she was, still somewhat seeing his daughter as that pigtailed little girl with her front teeth missing. Charlie wasn't able to hold the tears that spilled over his cheeks at the sight of her there with the thick stitching and dried blood over her sewn shut wounds.

He couldn't see them all but the one on her face and neck bothered him more than enough. Edward couldn't listen to Charlie's thoughts any longer and remain so far from her, even if he only stood in the doorway. He moved right up to the side of her bed, gripping the seat and dragging it closer to her as he placed himself at her bedside where he planned to remain till she woke. Edward tenderly reached for her hand, so warm and soft to the touch against his cold and hard hand. He brought her hand up to his face cupping his own cheek with her hand kissing at her wrist tenderly.

Both Charlie and Carlisle stood silently at the end of Bella's body asleep on the hospital bed, while they watched the tender moment. As Edward kissed her wrist, and holding her hand so gently to his face. Normally a moment like this would have made Charlie uncomfortable, even angry because of Edward being part of it. He watched it now though, without his angry blinders that he'd been forcing himself to wear. Seeing this handsome young man, caring for his daughter so deeply, it made Charlie feel like an intruder. The second her hand had come into contact with his face it had been like Charlie had seen Edward's entire world become lighter somehow. He looked so content and peaceful with his eyes closed leaning his face into Bella's hand, for the first time Charlie looked and truly realised what he'd been too blind to see before because of all that had happened and the age of both Bella and Edward.

"God he loves her...Loves her more than I ever loved Renee. I can't remember a single moment when Renee and I looked like that together. So completely devoted and in love"

It shocked Charlie, he'd always known the two felt serious he'd even known Bella had loved him. She'd had too with the way she'd reacted when he'd left with his family. She'd acted more like someone had died then just a teenage break up, for a moment Charlie even wondered how Edward had been in those months apart. He'd never considered that maybe Edward had suffered too, hadn't wanted too. Hadn't Bella said in her note, the reason she'd rushed off was because Edward had believed she'd died, said he'd misunderstood and that they'd had to stop him. He'd not understood completely then, too angry that she'd run to the boy who had hurt her so much. Now Charlie believed he might know what had happened more clearly, had Edward tried to do something to himself. Had the boy he'd outwardly been hostile towards since he returned completely fallen apart and tried to harm himself at believing Bella was gone. It didn't seem out of the question to Charlie in this moment.

It scared him more than anything that his daughter was in love as young as she was and so deeply already. He couldn't help but be thankful for it though, because as his daughter lay there hurt with injuries that promised future scarring that he wasn't sure the world would simply ignore. Edward had not reacted at all. He'd looked at her how he always had, with complete love and care. In the end wasn't that what all parents wanted for their children, to be loved and love in return didn't all parents hope for them to find happiness.

"I'll leave you two with Bella. Take as much time as you need I understand you won't want to be away from her" Carlisle said, Charlie silently thanking him and then exiting the room. Leaving Edward and Charlie alone with Bella, as she lay still resting. They'd been here once before multiple times, it had never been this serious and even though Charlie had no idea of the true danger that loomed Edward could see that Charlie still felt that same unease as if he did know.

"She's going to be okay. Bells, she's a fighter" Charlie said for some reason the need to comfort Edward filling him. While he'd never been considered overly paternal, missing out on so much of Bella's life he didn't like the idea of Edward worrying too much. Especially after he felt he'd gained a little clarity on the kid.

"I just wish she didn't have to fight these types of battles. I wish I'd been able to stop this from ever happening" Edward said honestly, parting his eyes too look across at Charlie who had sat in the other chair across Bella's bed.

"You can't go blaming yourself for things like this. It's horrible; it makes you question your faith in things. I've worked on the force long enough to know that. Bella is tough as nails though and she isn't going to let this keep her down" Charlie said confidently even if his mind wasn't so sure. He worried his very independent quiet daughter may retreat into her shell and he hoped that wasn't the case, he was worried about her suffering nightmares again too which he truly hated the idea of.

"I deserve a lot of blame for some of the things that have happened to Bella though" Edward said wanting to admit, even though he could see Charlie letting go of some of his anger towards him. He didn't feel he warranted forgiveness from him, but he couldn't outright explain to Charlie why he deserved it without revealing too much.

"I know you've been angry with me. I know you don't approve of me. I can't say I blame you for it after how badly I hurt her. I've apologised to Bella but I never apologised to you. I am sorry Charlie... so very sorry for the way I handled things when my family left Forks" Edward said with deep regret as Charlie swallowed hard wanting to wave it off but struggling too either way. Hadn't he wanted this, an apology so he could yell and tell him it never mattered how sorry he was, that he'd never be forgiven. All things that had happened now he didn't think he could give the reaction he'd originally thought he would.

"I can't say I understand the relationship you two share. I think I'm still only just learning what you two mean to each other. I just don't understand how you could have left her like that" Charlie said the thoughts of her lifeless and practically like a walking empty shell. The months after Edward and his family had left, the nights of waking to hear Bella screaming in terror crying out for Edward. Edward tried to not react to Charlie's thoughts even if it felt like he'd been gutted physically by the memories of what he'd done to her.

"I wished I'd never left. I was foolish. I thought a clean break would... I thought it make her move on faster. I didn't want her to suffer I thought by giving her a clean break she could be happy. Of course I knew I would always love her but if by doing so gave her the chance to be happy I would have suffered it alone" Edward said trying his best to explain the events of past to Charlie in a human way, he couldn't tell Charlie about his desire to keep her safe from his own family and his true nature. Couldn't tell Charlie that by leaving he'd hoped to save Bella's soul from becoming tainted by being with him and wanting to join him in immortality.

"Sounds to me, all you did was make the both of you suffer. You doubted she felt the same for you, otherwise you'd have known it wouldn't have mattered she'd have wanted to be with you" Edward nodded in agreement with Charlie it had become all too clear that they had both doubted each other's love. It had been insecurities that hadn't helped them. He'd felt a monster, she had believed herself not good enough. It had created a disaster in the end.

"I'm sure you don't want to talk about it. Bella sure doesn't ever seem open to talking to me about it, but when she rushed off to go to you. I was mad as hell, didn't want her near you after what you'd done. Alice showing up I was okay with, which I know is unfair too because you all left, not just you. Why did she have to rush off to go to you Edward?" Charlie asked directly, it was a surprise to Edward how open Charlie was to having a conversation with him. Edward had always viewed Charlie as the silent type. It seemed with the silence and unknown of Bella and Charlie's belief he'd been holding a grudge that could risk his relationship with his daughter in the future was ready to try and understand. Like Edward had come to accept he needed to change Bella or risk losing her, Charlie was seeing it very much the same to keep Bella he needed to accept Edward.

"It was a miscommunication. I'd ran away from home, I couldn't be around my family anymore and yet I was scared if I came back to Forks alone she'd turn me away. I called your home and then was informed you were at a funeral" Edward struggled thinking on that moment now he'd been held up in an attic in Brazil, starving himself and hiding from the world. Edward moved his free hand, moving to caress Bella's hair moving a lock of her silky locks he loved behind her ear his other hand still holding Bella's warm hand to his face.

"I just assumed... I thought something had happened to Bella. It was irrational but I wasn't in a good place by then. Weeks living homeless, starving myself, missing Bella and then this stranger telling me you were at a funeral. I thought she was gone" Edward looked from Bella into Charlie's eyes wanting to make it perfectly clear to Charlie his feelings for Bella.

"I refused to live in a world where Bella wasn't. It was selfish and irrational but I couldn't bare it, I'm sure Alice realised when I left her the message telling her I was sorry that I was going to do something drastic" Edward finished he wasn't ashamed of admitting that he'd wanted to die when he'd believed Bella was gone and he wasn't afraid to let Charlie know this. Bella was everything too him.

Charlie was shocked by what Edward said. While he'd never thought to know how the separation had affected Edward, he'd never truly believed it had affected him that much. He didn't enjoy the images of seeing Edward alone on the street living rough, he was too young for that harsher living and even more Charlie was concerned if perhaps Edward was in need of some type of therapy. God knew he'd tried to convince Bella to talk to someone but she'd refused, hearing that Edward had been so ready to end his life while not surprising after he'd thought about it didn't sit right with him. He understood all too well about feeling like giving up, he'd been that way after Renee had left him and taken Bella. There had been days after she'd gone Charlie had just wanted it all to go away.

Charlie had been lucky enough to have friends who had reached out to him in those lonely dark times and tried to get him back in the real world. Both men allowed the silence to surround them after that not usually known for speaking too much with each other they let the deep conversation they'd had go. Edward and Charlie were both happy to simply listen to the sound of Bella's steady breathing as she slept. While the animosity wasn't completely buried it was clear that even in these tragic events and darker times that loomed ahead, perhaps there was still a chance for Edward to gain Bella's father's respect.

Charlie and Edward had remained silent watchers over Bella, they had come to some type of silent agreement amongst themselves that when one would need to leave the other would remain. Both had taken to never wanting to be far from Bella during the night. Charlie had of course had to leave for a time to finally contact Bella's mother Renee and her husband Phil about what had happened. It was evidently clear after the conversation when Charlie returned he was exhausted, he'd refused anyone who'd offered to take him home to rest. Charlie had been grateful that the Cullen's as a whole though had refused to leave, with Carlisle's position and a little Jasper influence they'd managed to acquire the small waiting room they'd been placed as a somewhat permanent placement for now. The nurses had been slightly irritated of course, but Jasper and Emmet had worked to charm them. Edward was only glad a job usually left to him was handled by his siblings. He'd not left Bella's side once since he'd been brought to her room, had refused every time anyone had offered to keep watch to give him a moment away. They understood his need to be with his mate; even Charlie didn't seem concerned by the intensity of Edward.

The call came during the early hours of the morning to Charlie; Sue Clearwater had finally contacted him after all of his ignored calls.

"Sue please calm down" Charlie had whispered into his phone as Edward had listened to the crying woman's voice through the phone as Charlie tried to console her, even if he'd felt he had enough problems of his own.

"I just wanted to let you know Charlie" Sue had sobbed her voice rougher then Edward knew it too be and he listened to Charlie's mind go completely blank for a moment.

"We found some of the boys. They'd been attacked by a savage animal" Sue had lied but her grief and Charlie's own from knowing Bella had been attacked by an animal in La Push made him understand, he didn't question it. The pack had been smart not to dispute the clear cover, none of them wanted exposure even if it appeared that risk was inevitable at least for Edward and his family to the Volturi.

"Are they okay Sue. Bella she must have been with them I'm at the hospital now she's been... it's bad" Charlie rubbed his hand over his face shaking his head.

"Thank god she was found by the Cullen's" Charlie said and both men heard the hitch in Sue's breathing at the mention of his family, the silence lingered for a moment then. Of course Charlie was the only blind one to the reality of what happened, Sue a council member since the death of her husband would know that Jacob had shifted and harmed Bella. She'd know that then Edward Cullen had crossed the treaty line into La Push and proceeded to kill two of the pack and injured a third to take her to safety.

"... Jacob died Charlie. Both Paul and Jacob died from the attack. Embry is in a bad condition and our healers are doing all they can for him" Charlie paled at that looking then from Bella too Edward. Charlie did his best to mask his expression while Edward remained staring at Bella holding her hand. Even then as he listened to memories of Jacob as a small child in Charlie's mind and the pain that filled him at the news of his death, Edward felt nothing.

It shocked him, while he'd made it clear to his family he'd feel no remorse it had been his anger and his need to justify what he'd done. He'd always expected to at least feel some type of shame at his acts especially when confronted with those who carried feelings and memories of the boy he'd ended. Edward however realised he'd wanted Jacob dead, wanted him dead long before what he'd done to Bella. Edward was coming to see that Carlisle may have been right in his deeper thought that Edward had simply been waiting for that moment, that moment where Jacob crossed some invisible line drawn in his own mind to take out not just a threat to his mate physically, but a threat to his relationship. Hadn't immortals done this for centuries, mated pairs were widely known to be the only way vampires could travel simply because of the jealousy. Edward had been jealous, he'd been enraged at Bella for what he'd believed a betrayal, and he'd hated the child's belief that he could take Bella from him.

"It doesn't matter. He's dead, he harmed her and he paid the price of his lack of control and arrogance." Edward thought coldly of what had happened and calmed himself enough to not show Charlie any visible signs of awareness beyond that of a normal human.

"Jake... what? I'm I... is Billy okay?" Charlie stood then his emotions finally getting the better of him, he'd been so scared about what had happened to Bella and then with the lack of sleep hearing his best friend had lost his son in what may have been the same attack was too much. Edward silently watched Charlie exit from Bella's room rather quickly, Charlie's mind conjuring one image though before Edward tuned him out of Bella laying bloody on the forest floor and a large beastly animal tearing into Jacob's throat.

Rosalie and Emmet entered into the room after Charlie's quick exit. They too had heard enough and Jasper had been the one to decide to keep watch over the chief and what the pack were allowing to be said about the incident. Edward smiled at his siblings as they moved into the room Emmet standing at the foot of Bella's bed touching the metal barriers stroking his fingers along it as he tried not to look directly at Bella. He was struggling to see his little sister in such a state, while he'd playfully teased about her clumsiness seeing her so vulnerable bothered him. Rosalie took the seat that Charlie had once had claim of looking at Bella's face briefly then reaching over the joined hands of Edward and Bella and giving Edward a reassuring pat on his hand as Edward nodded at Rosalie thankful for her concern.

"Alice has told us that Charlie will want to go home after his phone call. He won't want to be seen crying in front of us all, Jasper has said that we should go watch over him just for a short time should any of the pack approach him at the house" Edward nodded understanding. Jasper wasn't their mastermind of strategy for no reason and it wasn't too far out of the question for members of the pack, to go there to Charlie and try and make things difficult. Though Edward wasn't sure how they'd do that without making themselves appear as liars now, they'd have a hard time blaming the Cullen's for the deaths when they'd just admitted it was an animal too.

"Has anything changed?" Emmet asked nodding his head towards Bella as Edward turned to smile even if it looked forced at her sleeping face his hand moving from hers to caress her cheek

"She should be able to wake on her own during the day. She's resting now, probably only thing keeping her asleep is the pain medication. Carlisle was concerned about inflamed areas of the wounds but it seems to have not progressed further then bruising and swelling" Edward told them as he moved his hand from her cheek sighing audibly and shifting his body closer. Watching her sleep had been something he'd done since the very beginning, he had very fond memories of the times he'd spent watching her sleep.

"Good that's good" Emmet said somewhat awkwardly usually the reliever of awkward tension he wasn't sure what to say in this moment, he moved from the edge of the bed and moved to Rosalie's side placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Have you thought how you'll explain this all to her?" Rosalie wasn't one to shy away from the harder subjects. She was certainly worried about fighting the mutts. She also feared that her husband Emmet was too eager and seeing it more as a game and even though his size and strength would help him she'd known he'd never been in a true fight that could result in his death, neither had she. Right now she was relying on Jasper and Edward the two with the most experience in fighting to protect and guide Emmet through this all.

"I'll be honest. The pack will want her to believe I attacked for no reason. I know she'll struggle, she's had this idea of me that I'm not dangerous, the same idea she had of the pack. She's going to have her eyes opened that she wasn't as safe as she believed. While that dog hurt her physically I'm more then aware I'm about to hurt her emotionally. He was her friend, all of the pack were and I've killed two and plan to kill more" Edward said honestly moving his eyes to Emmet and Rose as they were there silently and concerned in their minds for how this would affect Bella and Edward.

"She isn't going to be easy to make understand this" Emmet said as Rosalie placed her own hand over her husband's on her shoulder.

"No I don't believe she will be. She's human and she's selfless. A good person. The pack was there for her and she's said many times she owes them for that, keeping her sane..." Edward's expression twisted in aggravation as he turned away from looking at his siblings pinching the bridge of his nose sighing.

"She loves me. She's my mate that bond can't be broken. She may not like what I've done, may hate me for it. We can't change what happened now, I've acted I took lives and we have to end this. We don't have the luxury of leaving because we have to deal with Victoria here. We all know she'd have those newborns follow us wreaking havoc and death wherever they went. We have to keep the deaths contained to this area as not to give the Volturi any more reason to come for our family. The pack will kill me if they can hopefully Bella is more in tune with the mating bond then we thought and she feels just as protective of me. She'd be more accepting of ridding a threat that way" Edward explained knowing it too be true if Bella was a vampire her first instinct would be to keep Edward safe and she'd naturally despise the wolves, she'd not hesitate to stand with Edward. She was human though and had bonds with the pack; he hoped he was strong enough to handle what was coming. Hoped that he hadn't ruined his chance at forever with Bella.

"We'll figure this out as a family. Like we always have, Bella too" Rosalie said and Edward agreed as he nodded to his sister seeing her acceptance of Bella as a member of the family. She'd struggled to see past her own views in the past but knew that Edward needed her now to be supportive in this, it was about more than just Bella remaining human now.

"Has Alice seen anything of Carlisle?" Emmet shook his head at Edward's question "He's still unsure. I understand this isn't what he believes in, life is precious to him" Edward accepted this, hadn't he spent the longest of time out of all of them with Carlisle being the first Carlisle ever created.

"Rose we should get going" Emmet said seeing Charlie come into the room then, both Edward's siblings moved Rosalie kissing his cheek Emmet tapping him on the back as they left. He knew that the two would be leaving soon to watch over Charlie for now. He didn't like the idea of them being alone out there especially with the treaty broken, there was so much that could threaten them now.

Charlie didn't wait around long after he entered back into the room, he was silent for a time thinking over what Sue had told him. He was worried about Billy but he felt guilty for wanting to leave and get away for a little, like he was abandoning Bella. Charlie had told Edward that other's had been attacked, he'd pieced together his own story then believing that Bella had been with the boys from La Push messing around near the forest of Jacob's home. Charlie had assumed that the group of them had been attacked by some type of animal he'd heard stories about large wolves spotted. He then told Edward that Jacob had been found dead and Edward pretended to be shocked and apologetic to Charlie. It had become too much then and Charlie had decided to go home. Edward had understood. Promised that he or his family would remain with Bella and would contact him with any news should anything change at all. Charlie simply needed time to grieve away from people, seeing as he was usually not an emotional man and used to being very much a loner to himself he didn't want anyone seeing him break down. Edward hadn't been left alone with Bella for very long before Jasper had appeared at his side.

"Alice's visions have gone black" Jasper said seriously knowing both would know what that meant "Carlisle has seen figures just on the outskirts of the parking lot near the tree line" Edward nodded standing up then from his seat finally looking down at Bella.

"Esme, can you stay with Bella?" Edward asked even though he knew his adoptive mother wasn't in the room he doubted the family wouldn't be listening, and then when Esme appeared in the doorway he received his answer "Thank you. If they are here they clearly want to talk. I can't leave her alone and I'm sure it would make Carlisle feel a lot better if you weren't present for whatever this is" Esme moved toward Edward squeezing his forearm gently.

"Don't worry, I'll watch over her. Please just watch over your father" Esme asked of Edward but revealed more in her mind, she knew her husband's struggle with what was happening and knew this made him vulnerable to harm. Too trusting and willing to make peace with the pack, she feared them taking advantage of his compassionate nature. Edward leant forward kissing the top of Esme's hair, once more turning to Bella his fingers tenderly tracing over the back of her hand.

"Be back soon love" he whispered to her silent form curious on if she could hear him, without reaction Edward exited the room moving to Alice and Carlisle with Jasper.

"It appears Billy Black is with some of the members of the pack they are in human form. Though I can't be sure if any of the pack are hidden within the trees in wolf form" Carlisle said, Edward shook his head his mind reading picking up on the members that were there they hadn't thought to keep any wolves in the cover of the trees. Though he didn't know if they had any wolves around the Forks area, they certainly hadn't thought of it so Edward couldn't be sure. It appeared though that only Sam and Billy planned on remaining to talk as the other pack members were being dismissed.

"Have you already warned Rose and Emmet?" Edward asked, concerned where the remaining pack members would go.

"Yeah, I called them. I've told them to stay where they are for now. Took some convincing on Rose's part to keep Emmet where he was he's annoyed he isn't here with you" Alice replied, her mind hating how the wolves affected her sight. Though had they had the gift of Alice's visions at use then there wouldn't have been a concern for them at all. Not that there wasn't ways around his sister's gift, Victoria had shown that, though naturally evasive as a talent seemed to work far more than any of them had believed originally.

"Let's go see what our guests want" Jasper said taking Alice's hand and Edward moved ahead, flanked by Carlisle on his left and Jasper and Alice on his right.

"Edward wait, take out the contacts" Alice said with a mischievous look in her eyes, Edward couldn't help but feel and see the pride that what Alice said created in Jasper as he saw the little devil in his mate.

"It'll certainly have some type of an impact. Our eyes have always been a somewhat link to the treaty, yellow eyes means the treaty stands. Them seeing you red eyed and not bothered will make them confused fearful even" Jasper said leaning down to peck his mate's lips smirking at Alice "Brilliant idea, darling" Jasper crooned to Alice.

"It will make them see we stand together in spite of you having different colour eyes" Carlisle even added as Edward then reached up placing a finger on the irritating lenses and removing them one at a time crushing it in his hand and then wiping the offending objects away looking between each his family members as they moved then together.

"Are you sure this is what you want Carlisle?" Edward asked once more of his father never wishing to place Carlisle in a position where he had to go against his own beliefs. He knew they all stood on their own fine lines of going against everything Carlisle had taught them, Edward had often believed Carlisle and Esme were the heart of the family he couldn't bare breaking his father's heart, but much more than his father's beliefs were at risk now.

"I've loved you since the day I created you Edward. I saw you as my son long before I changed you and I'll see you as my son long after this world ends" Carlisle said openly accepting this path, he would struggle he still hadn't made his choice on what he would do when the fighting began but he wasn't going to abandon Edward not now. His father would have never accepted him had he learnt what Carlisle had become even knowing he'd never drank human blood. Carlisle couldn't become a man who judged and then turned away from his son, or any of his children. He'd weather the storm with them, help them and guide them, he couldn't expect them to all follow his belief that all life should be allowed to live.

"Thank you" Edward said gratefully as they exited the hospital into the early morning, the sky above them a midnight blue in colour with just a hint of the morning light peaking through the darkness. Edward was ready to lead his family, face the enemies they had be it the pack, Victoria or even the Volturi.

They would disagree and argue over different beliefs and ideas of how best to protect the family but when it came down to the very line, they would stand together. So when Billy Black and Sam stood waiting for the Cullen's they saw them approaching with Edward slightly ahead of his family with them ready to stand by him. Even in the darkness of the early morning sun Billy and Sam both could see the ruby glare of Edward's eyes and they saw the young man for what he'd always been to them, a blood drinking monster. A killer, there was no false pretence that they were hiding what they were now too long had the pack accused the Cullen's of hiding their true motives and now Edward stood confidently and surrounded by a dark air of power that both Quileute men had always refused to see.

"Gentleman, I believe you wished to gain my attention" Edward smirked coming to a stop and the vicious insults both had planned to snarl at them had fallen limp at their tongues. Both speechless and fearful to finally see the embodiment of the tales of the cold ones they'd always feared, the Cullen family no longer seeming a weak imitation of their enemy, they were the real thing. This was a cold one.