A/N: This chapter is coming out to you guys early to thank you for voting RK to be the March Readalong story at IndieFicPimp! The Readalong is this Saturday, March 31st at 9pm EST. Love you guys! Many thanks to the ladies at IndieFicPimp for doing so much for authors around the fandom.

Love to my prereaders, Keye, Sandy, and Aleea, and to my awesome betas, wmr1601 and Katmom. These ladies rock my world. Mwah!

Due to fanfail's sketchy system, you may not have received the alert for the last chapter (or this one, LOL) so please check before you dive in.

Chapter 13

~She~

She
May be the reason I survive
The why and wherefore I'm alive
The one I'll care for through the rough and ready years
Me
I'll take her laughter and her tears
And make them all my souvenirs
For where she goes I've got to be
The meaning of my life is
She

~Elvis Costello

Isabella has been asleep for the past several hours. Her fever broke about three hours ago, and her sleep has been peaceful since. When Alice and Carlisle show up by the front door of the cottage, I open the door to greet them.

"Please, come in." This is my way of making concessions and letting them know I appreciate what the family did for me earlier.

We sit in the living room—the two of them on the sofa and me perched on the arm of the chair. Carlisle seems stiff and formal, which is an indication he has something difficult or unpleasant to discuss.

"What's going on?" I look between the two of them, but their minds are silent—most likely due to a combination of my long absence and their practicing to keep me out.

"A lot, Edward, and we need to deal with it before things get ugly." Carlisle looks down and sighs, clasping his hands between his knees.

"Is it Isabella? Do you have . . . some kind of news of her condition?" I swallow hard. I don't want to hear that there is no cure for my mate, and yet I need to know if that's the case.

"No, nothing like that, Son." Carlisle seems to understand my concern and is quick to assure me. "Naturally, this all has to do with Isabella in one way or another, and I might actually be closer than ever to finding a cure. Once she's awake, I'm going to need you to bring her up to the house. There are a few tests I'd like to do to prove my theory."

"These tests—they aren't invasive?"

"Not at all. I simply need some blood."

"You've already taken blood samples."

"Living blood—straight from the vein."

Alice has been strangely silent, her natural exuberance and need to interfere absent. Her eyes glaze over for a moment then she shakes her head. A moment later, they glaze over again, and she bites her lip.

"What's going on with Demetri?" I ask, watching Alice closely. I may not be able to read her mind right now, but she's obviously running scenarios through her visions. "And what's with her?" I gesture toward Alice.

"One thing at a time, Edward. Demetri's going to be a problem."

"Then he's as good as dead." My tone is matter of fact.

Carlisle shoots me a disapproving look. "Even if I would go along with that, it's no longer that simple. The Volturi are involved, and if Demetri doesn't report back, they'll send someone else. Our best chance is to get Demetri to cooperate with us."

I hear what Carlisle is saying, but in my mind I'm calculating how I can eliminate Demetri and get word to the Volturi that it was unavoidable. A small gasp from Alice ends my little fantasy.

"Edward, no, that won't work at all. Every scenario I've looked at ends with the Volturi coming here . . . and it's not good for any of us. The only chance we have is to make an ally of Demetri."

"Yeah? And what do your visions show the probability of that is?"

"Not that good." Alice looks glum. "There is one possibility, but I can't see what Demetri will decide."

"And what's that?"

"We tell him about Isabella's blood."

"No! That's not going to happen." Standing up, I have the urge to pound the walls, destroy something, but I settle for hissing at Alice.

"Edward, calm yourself," Carlisle commands.

"If we tell Demetri about Isabella, the Volturi will want to get their hands on her. I won't allow it!"

Carlisle stands up, a gesture of dominance. "Edward, you need to hear the whole story before you go off half-cocked. Sit down."

I feel like a chastised child, but I know he's right and nod my acquiescence. "I'm sorry. This is very difficult for me."

"I understand. We'll do whatever we can to help—you know that." Carlisle sits down, and I follow suit. "Demetri is already aware that vampires are dying. Senator Hunter isn't as smart as he thinks he is, and the Volturi have gotten wind of his activities. It's only a matter of time before they put the whole picture together."

"Do they know how the vampires are dying?"

"Apparently, Senator Hunter has been taking advantage of nomads and vampires living on the fringes of society—luring them with the promise of riches. There was a mix-up, and two vampires showed up around the same time for their appointment. The lucky one heard the first arrival in the throes of agony. Hunter was cursing a blue streak, screaming about how he needed a crematorium to burn all the failed test subjects.

"The nomad took off, spreading word to a few vampires on his way out of town—warning them to be wary of a deal that sounded too good to be true. He never told them the source, but a few of them saw purplish smoke rising into the air deep in the woods and investigated. They found a smoldering bonfire left to burn itself out, and they were able to identify some vampire body parts. Even the bits that weren't burned crumbled to dust beneath their fingers."

"Jesus. Hunter was taking a huge risk doing these experiments at his home." I shake my head, wondering how he got away with it as long as he did. Then again, nomads tend to travel alone or in very small groups. Vampires appear to be the perfect test subject for James—he just burned the failed attempts. "I guess none of his lab rats ever got away before."

"Precisely. The Volturi are stymied, and they asked Demetri to sniff around before they make a pilgrimage out there. I think they're scared, too, Edward. We know what's happening, but they have no idea. Certainly they're not about to put their own existence on the line and would rather send out . . . expendables first." Carlisle's tone is filled with disgust, but it's no secret that the Volturi protect their elite above all other life, and Demetri is no longer part of that elite.

"Perhaps that will work to our advantage, Father."

"It very well could—if we can get Demetri on our team. I think that means telling him about Isabella."

"No way. But wait—why not tell him about Hunter? He has the same anomaly Isabella does."

"That could work." Carlisle nods thoughtfully. "I want us to meet in the lab so I can show all of you what we're dealing with here. You really have to see it firsthand. I already have Isabella's samples, and we can merely say they belong to Senator Hunter."

"Done. And Demetri already knows Isabella is here with me. He saw how protective I am over her, so we'll just have to tell him she's my mate. I'll make sure he keeps quiet."

"I think this will work!" Alice speaks up suddenly.

I nearly forgot she was even in the room, and when I glance at her, there's a sparkle in her eye. "Yes?"

"You have something on Demetri. Use it, and I think he'll cooperate." Alice smiles craftily.

"I was planning on it, dear sister."

~*RK*~

Once Carlisle and Alice leave, with my assurance that I'll bring Isabella up to the house once she's awake, I stand in the doorway of the darkened bedroom and close my eyes.

Tup-tup, tup-tup, tup-tup.

The smooth, even beats of her heart soothe my troubled soul. I listen to her blood whooshing through her veins, blood that could slay me, leaving me a dried up husk that might blow away in a strong wind. Blood that had betrayed her own body and was killing her, little by little.

Lying down next to her with my head propped on my hand, I look down upon her peaceful face. She's on her side, facing me, with her hand tucked under her cheek. Her appearance is one of childlike innocence, and her slumber the peaceful repose of one who trusts their environment and those around them to keep them safe. Gratefulness swells within me, knowing that I helped bring her that peace.

A thick lock of hair trails over her upper arm, hanging over the swell of her breast to touch the sheets. Taking it between my fingers, I smooth it gently and bring it up to my nose. I can still smell the sickness tainting her scent, but there's an underlying hint of wellness, which coaxes a rarely occurring smile to my face. I press my lips against her temple, my fingers still rolling her hair gently between them as if it's a worry stone.

Isabella sighs, one hand reaching out to rest against the side of my neck. Her foot hooks around the back of my leg, rubbing up and down slowly as she rolls toward me. My fingers play with the hem of my shirt, which she still wears, and now it smells of us. A soft growl vibrates my esophagus: one of possession, desire, need. I need her more than she'll ever know, and the desire to mate is strong within me. Not for sex; rather to cement the growing bond between us. My hand slips under the shirt, gliding slowly up her side. Her skin is silken warmth, but the ridge of each rib rises to meet the pads of my fingers—a reminder that time is ticking, ticking. A war is being waged within her as she fights to get well and the leukemia ravages her blood. Even Carlisle's cocktail won't be able to maintain this slight improvement in her health; too much damage has already been done. Only a miracle can save her now.

Isabella grabs harder at my neck as my fingers continue their path along her skin to cup one perfect handful of soft breast. It molds to my impermeable skin like potter's clay, only the sudden rigid peak of her nipple breaking up the pliable skin. Her foot pulls harder against the back of my knee, her breath quickening as she presses her chest further into my hand. I stroke the pad of my thumb over her nipple, picturing its rosy flush in my mind.

"Edward . . ." Her eyes are still closed, but her fingers seek out my face and brush my jaw as lightly as angel wings. Her lips follow as she raises her head and places them against mine so softly I barely feel them, and yet, at the same time, their heat sears my mouth.

My lips move lightly against hers, and I fight to remain still, lest I tear the clothes from her and crush her to the bed. Our lips press together, and her body shifts, bringing it in contact with mine, my hand now trapped between us.

My cock swells, nestling between her legs as she shifts her hips against mine. And then her gorgeous sable eyes open, looking into mine with such love and trust. A soft sound rises from her throat, and she tilts her head back, exposing her neck. I know she's not doing it to invite me to sink my teeth in, but I have the urge nonetheless. My tongue snakes out to lave at the steady throb in her neck.

"I love you," I whisper against her pulse, feeling it against my lips: thump, thump, thump.

"I love you, too." Isabella slides her fingers into my hair, gripping tight as her pelvis rocks against mine. "Edward, I want to . . . to make love with you."

"I want that, too, but we need to talk to Carlisle first."

"Why?"

"The need in me to mate with you is becoming increasingly hard to suppress, but we need to know if there are any restrictions." I press a kiss to her ear. "I won't risk your health—as much as I want you."

"Can't you just call Carlisle? Please, Edward?"

"I love how eager you are, sweet one, but Carlisle and Alice were here while you were asleep, and we have to deal with Demetri. He could be a problem." Sitting us up with her head resting against my shoulder, I explain about the Volturi and how sloppy her soon-to-be dead husband has been about covering up all the vampires he's experimented on.

"So the Volturi don't know exactly what's happening then?"

"No. They sent Demetri to scout ahead, and we need to get him on our side—or at least strike some kind of deal. If he doesn't return to the Volturi with news somewhat soon, they will send a group here to investigate, and that . . . would be very bad indeed."

Isabella's fingers tighten on my shirt. "They would hurt you and your family?"

"Without a second thought. I'm more frightened for you, though. Your blood is a threat to them, and they'd be far more ruthless than the senator with you. These bastards have no morals and more power among them than any other species or group in the world."

"I don't want you to be hurt again because of me, Edward. There must be something we can do." She nuzzles her face in my neck, her breath hot and moist on my skin.

"Carlisle is going to give a demonstration of what your blood is capable of when we go over to the house. We're going to tell Demetri the blood belongs to James. This way, we have a chance at gaining his cooperation without giving anything away about you."

"But how will you explain having me here?"

"Demetri already saw how protective I am—it's too late to try and hide the fact that you're my mate. Anyway, I doubt he's going to be all that concerned about you once we dangle what James is up to under his nose."

"Okay. Let me just get dressed, and then we can go." Isabella sits on the edge of the bed and stretches.

Before she gets up, I kneel behind her, moving her hair aside to kiss the back of her neck. "Leave the shirt on."

"Why? It's so big on me." She giggles.

My hands caress her shoulders, and I kiss up the side of her neck, causing her to shiver. "Because it smells like us, and I want everyone to know we belong to each other." I growl softly, leaning in to capture her lips with my own when she cranes her head back toward me. I cup my hands over her breasts, her breaths quickening as I knead them gently.

Reluctantly, I halt my assault on her mouth and body, releasing her to get ready to go to the house. She heads into the bathroom on unsteady legs that remind me of a newborn fawn taking its first steps. I smile, and this time it doesn't feel unnatural.

Once she's dressed, I sit her down in the living room to tell her about Alice's vision of Hannah. This might not be the best time, but I can't keep something that important from her until it's convenient.

"Isabella, before we go, I need to tell you something." I take her petite hand in my own and grip it firmly. "When you were sleeping, Alice had a vision of Hannah."

She looks up at me with her mouth agape. "Is she . . . please say she's okay!" Her fingers grip mine tightly.

"Yes, she's fine. Whoever she's staying with cares about her a great deal, and they're taking very good care of her." I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, leaving my fingers to linger on her cheek. "Hannah's so beautiful, Isabella. She looks just like you."

A sob hiccups out of her, and she throws herself against me and cries into my shirt, her fingers clawing at me for dear life. "Tell me the vision, Edward, please."

I go through the vision twice, emphasizing how happy and cared for Hannah seemed. Unfortunately, Isabella doesn't recognize the names or description of the couple, but I'm confident we'll be able to locate them.

"How long has it been since you've seen Hannah?" I ask gently.

"Over a year. She probably d-doesn't even remember me."

I tighten my hold around her and kiss her hair. "I'm sure that's not true, Isabella. We're going to find her soon and reunite you. I won't rest until you're holding her in your arms."

"Hannah's really okay? She seems happy? Not scared?"

"She seems very comfortable with the couple that's taking care of her. She has a nice yard to play in and a dog. If she has to be away from you, I think she's in the best place she can be."

Slowly her tears dry up, and she seems happier. "You're right, Edward. I'm so glad she's with people like them. Thank you for this. At least now I know there's a chance to get her back."

Isabella asks me to give her a ride to the house on my back. Her eyes are bright with excitement, and who am I to deny my mate? I run fast, and she squeals with delight when I make several revolutions around the house.

I finally let her down on the front porch and brush my thumb over her flushed cheek. "You're so beautiful. I want to spend every day of my existence making you smile and bringing that light into your eyes." I swallow hard, knowing those days may be numbered.

The front door is flung wide open, and Emmett's large frame fills the doorway. "Hey! This must be Izzy-B! Sorry I didn't get to say hello earlier, but—you know, smelly dog business." He waves a hand in front of his nose, and his booming laugh rings out loudly. I'm about to tell him to tone it down when Isabella smiles and turns his way.

"You must be Emmett. It's great to meet you." She smiles and holds her hand out, which Emmett takes with the utmost gentleness, placing a kiss on it.

"The pleasure is all mine, pretty lady. So glad Eddie finally met his match." He backs away from the door, leading her inside. "Come and meet Rosie."

I want to protest, afraid that Rose will scare Isabella. Again, my family is too fast for me: Rosalie steps forward, approaching Isabella carefully. The look in her eyes is almost . . . tender, and I'm taken aback. Rose reaches her hand out tentatively, and her gesture is accepted with the same grace my mate always seems to show everyone.

"Hi, Isabella. I'm Rosalie."

"It's nice to meet you."

"Welcome." Rose nods her head almost reverently, shyly averting her eyes.

"Rosalie," I acknowledge, hiding my surprise. Then I whisper so low Isabella can't hear me. "Your reaction to her surprises me."

She's been through so much, but she's so strong. Especially for a human. Besides, she's missing her child—something no mother should have to endure. And whatever she's done to you, I think I like it. A slight smirk lifted the corner of Rose's mouth.

"Okay, not sure what's going on here bu-uut . . . Carlisle is waiting downstairs for us." Emmett claps his hands together, glancing nervously between me and Rose.

"We should get downstairs, Isabella. How about if I give you the tour later on?"

"Sounds good."

Rosalie accompanies us, but Emmett hangs back.

I place a hand the small of Isabella's back, guiding her to the door tucked away in the pantry at the back of the kitchen which leads down to Carlisle's state of the art laboratory. He has x-ray and ultrasound machines as well as equipment to store blood and run tests. Isabella gazes around with awe as we descend the stairs. A short hallway leads to the main room where I hear the murmur of voices.

Carlisle, Esme, Alice, and Demetri are clustered around a lab table that has two microscopes. Jasper is nowhere to be seen, which suits me just fine.

"Edward, Isabella." Carlisle nods at us.

Everyone appears fairly relaxed, although I can detect a tightness in Demetri's jaw. He's uncomfortable here, and he should be. If he makes the wrong decision, I'll kill him and worry about the consequences later. Our eyes meet and hold.

Damn Aro. Even if he does come after them if I don't return to Volterra, that doesn't exactly help me.

A predatory smile spreads across my face. "Keep that in the forefront of your mind, Demetri."

Carlisle becomes all business, inviting us to stand behind him as he prepares to give a demonstration.

"Here I have a blood sample from Senator James Hunter. In this Petri dish is vampire venom. I'm going to place a few drops of Senator Hunter's blood in with the venom, and I want you to watch what happens. Isabella, I've prepared a slide as well, so you can look at it under the microscope. The rest of us will be able to easily see what happens in the Petri dish." Carlisle fills a dropper with blood from the tube and puts a drop on the slide before placing it on the microscope, encouraging Isabella to look through the eyepiece. Then he let three drops into the Petri dish.

Isabella gasps at about the same time the action starts in our sample. The blood rolls slowly toward the venom, deep red to silvery-clear. The red cells quickly surround the venom, turning a deeper shade of burgundy, and I can almost hear a sizzling sound as it goes to work. Within thirty seconds the puddle of venom is reduced to a gray powder.

"Jesus Christ! What the fuck? That's impossible!" Demetri paces back and forth, pointing at the lab table. "What kind of trickery is this? That can't be real venom."

"Demetri, I assure you, it's very real. If you want, spit some venom into a new dish, and I'll show you again."

After the second demonstration, Demetri's eyes are haunted and his mind an incoherent miasma of terrified thoughts.

"How many of these . . . anomalies exist? Aro is going to shit when he sees this."

"Demetri, perhaps it's best not to involve the Volturi just yet. Isabella is accused of attempted murder, as you already know, and we need to get our hands on Hunter and find out how he discovered the existence of vampires in the first place. You and I both know that Aro isn't always into the . . . subtle solution."

"You have a point, Carlisle. What do you propose?"

Isabella's head lifts from the microscope, her eyes filling with tears. She rushes into my arms and sobs against my shirt, her body shaking. "I'm so sorry," she whispers.

"Shh . . . Isabella. You have nothing to be sorry for." I stroke her hair gently.

I'm worried Demetri will notice her grief and wonder about its source, but he's too distraught over the idea that he might sink his teeth into a human to feed and be struck down.

Alice steps up. "Demetri, we need to fake Isabella's death so the authorities will stop looking for her. I'm sure you've already noticed how close Edward and Isabella are. She's his mate, and we intend to protect her at all costs. We really could use someone to track Senator Hunter so he can be dealt with."

"Why not Edward?" Demetri snaps, his mind filling with thoughts of self-preservation.

"Isabella has leukemia. Edward doesn't want to be away from her."

"So you want me to seek out the senator and do what?"

"Report back to me." I catch Demetri's eye. "The illustrious senator has abused my mate and taken her child from her. His ass is mine." A feral snarl escapes me, but my arms remain gentle around Isabella.

"I'll go along with this—for now. I can't hold off on speaking to Aro forever, though. As you can imagine, he's quite perturbed over this."

"Yes, I imagine he is. He'll be much happier with your results if you can tell him you saved the day."

"What do you mean?"

"You can take all the credit for bringing down the senator. We want to stay off the Volturi's radar."

Demetri's greedy nature kicks in as he realizes how grateful Aro will be and how much he'll owe him. "You have a deal. I'll start looking for the senator right away."

I hand Isabella off to Esme's motherly arms so I can escort Demetri outside. "Stay here with my mother, okay? I'll be right back."

She slips willingly into Esme's embrace, and I follow behind Demetri, not speaking until we're outside. Once I'm sure we're out of earshot of Isabella, I grab him and slam him up against the side of the house with my hand around his neck. I growl deeply, leaning in close.

"Demetri, just in case you ever have the thought to betray me or inform Aro about my mate—I advise strongly against it. I'm well aware that you allowed a young woman to live after she watched you feed on her attacker."

"She didn't deserve what that man was doing to her! I thought she was unconscious . . . it was only after feeding that I saw she was awake. Edward, I just couldn't do it. Her eyes . . ."

"I understand completely, and if you ever have the urge to fuck me over, think of that girl. Remember the mercy you spared her and why. Aro would burn you to ash if he found out."

Demetri closes his eyes and relives the night he showed a human girl mercy. He knew as well as I did that Aro would show him no mercy. The rules were the rules, and he'd broken the most important one: never let a human know what we are. "Do you love her, Edward? I've never heard of a vampire mating with a human before." His voice is soft and curious, not mocking.

"Yes, I love her. I've never given a shit about a human before—or their many needs. My entire existence was turned upside down when I found her, and I would do absolutely anything for her."

"Will she be okay? Carlisle said she has leukemia. Are you going to turn her?"

"Carlisle is working on some better drugs to slow the progress of the leukemia. Right now, she's not strong enough to make it through the change, but as soon as she is, I plan to change her."

"Best of luck, Edward. I sincerely hope it all works out for you both. She seems like a lovely girl."

Cocking my head to the side, I probe his thoughts without mercy. I need to know if he plans to double-cross me. All I find within his mind are good wishes for me and Isabella. A part of him is hoping if a playboy like me can find true happiness, then he has a chance as well. Deep down, I think all sentient beings desire to find their one true love.

"Thank you. Let's take a walk in the woods and go over the plan."

Demetri and I streak through the trees and leap the river, ending up back where we first encountered one another yesterday. We discuss our plans, and I tell him what he needs to know. I dig around in his mind some more, but he's actually rooting for me and Isabella; and if that isn't enough, he's scared to death that I'll spill his secret to Aro. Done deal.

When I return to the house, the stench of dog pollutes the area. Falling into a crouch, I search out the source only to find the trail leading in through the front door. "No! Isabella!"

All thought of safety forgotten, I follow the God awful smell right down the stairs and into the lab. What I find leaves me shocked and outraged, my growls filling the large room.

~*RK*~

A/N: Um... uh oh? Talk to me, peeps! Do you think Demetri will double-cross Edward? Thoughts about Rose's reaction to Isabella? Theories about what Edward found at the house?

Thank you all for reading. Next chapter will post on Tuesday April 10th.

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