A/N: Hi everyone! Thank you a million times That'sMzPeachesTYVM, CullenCherries, traceybuie, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night and CoppertopJ for your awesome reviews! I love them, they gave me so much energy and happiness! Thanks a lot, my lovely serial reviewers! I need that.

So, you'll have to wait a little bit more for some important things, but I do hope you'll like this very important chapter ;)

Enjoy, and please review!

Chapter 9

Edward

I knew that we wouldn't be welcomed with open arms on our old turf, especially from people like Sue, but I was startled nevertheless by the hostility and hate pouring out of Bella's stepmother. She was in a true fit of rage, eyes bulging and shooting daggers at my wife, and pointing her finger at her menacingly. Maybe I would've been more concerned if the other Quileutes were backing her up, but on the contrary they looked embarrassed to the extreme, eyegazes shifting and bodies fidgeting, even Billy Black in his wheelchair. The other vampires were watching, equally stupefied and amused by this old lady, barely reaching Emmett's chest, who was shouting and raving, probably waiting for the flow to staunch.

But Sue wasn't done yet, and I knew that with Bella's short temper these days, the answer wouldn't be pretty. However I wouldn't interfere. My mate needed this. She needed this confrontation with her stepmother; in fact it was long overdue. Sue could rant, but my Bella would give back twice as much as she was getting. I loved her for that. I loved her, period.

"You've been nothing but a nuisance to your poor father the moment you set foot in Forks all those years ago! And since you've been running with the leeches, it's been a hundred times worse! You broke your father's heart, and..."

"Now you're gonna stop right there, you old bat!" Bella finally snapped, yelling louder than I'd ever heard. I could feel the fury boiling in her like scalding lava, but I wasn't going to do anything about it yet. She needed it so much. "You have no right to judge me or say those awful things! I chose my life, and I don't regret it! Everybody here is happy about it, or at least understanding, except you and Charlie! But that's your problem, not mine! And you can shove your judgemental rambling up your ass!"

I could see jaws snapping open and wide smiles, hear gasps and chuckles, but the look on Sue's face was priceless. She was open-mouthed like a fish out of water, eyes wide as if she'd been smacked, and sort of hiccuping. But my mate wasn't done yet. "For your information, I hadn't planned on disrupting your charming secluded life with my father! And if it wasn't for my real family, we wouldn't be here altogether! So you can shut your trap and go back to your cave while we'll try to sort out this mess and see if we can bring Charlie back to you alive! Not that my hopes are too high on this matter, but I don't care!"

The last part of that sentence was a lie, I knew it, and everybody knew it, save Sue. Bella still had a sliver of hope that we could save Charlie from Caius' clutches, but she was being realistic. The chances of him unscathed at the end of all this were slim to none, and Sue had to know this. But from what I could hear in snippets from the turmoil of her mind, she was in denial, and only blaming Bella. She even blamed her over Harry's betrayal, which happened way before Bella had even had the idea of coming to live in Forks.

"You ruin everything you touch!" Sue screeched, beside herself. "You've ruined my life, and Charlie's life! You..."

I had to intervene then, because she hit a sore spot on Bella with those awful words. I knew that my mate wasn't the most self-assured person in the world, far from it. And those words could shatter her. Hell, they had begun to do so, I could feel it through her shivering frame and her sudden anguish, and that I couldn't allow. I wouldn't.

"Bella doesn't ruin anything," I growled menacingly towards Sue, who took a step back at my threatening tone and bared teeth. "She's the kindest and most loving person in the world, and you have no right to take your anger and shame out on her. It's not her fault that Caius took Charlie; it's not her fault that she wanted to live the life she deserved, being loved by me and our family; and it's certainly not her fault that your late husband cheated on you. So don't you dare say another word! The only thing that Bella shattered is Charlie's delusional dreams about what her life should be according to him, and she was so right to shatter them! But that's not your concern. You'd better take care of your own children and grandchildren, instead of acting like a bitter bitch! You have your own mistakes to answer for!"

As I fell silent, pouring all my love and comfort towards my wife who had ceased to tremble, I looked around me. All the people there had been stunned silent, and I watched them carefully, not sure about their reactions to my harsh words. But I shouldn't have worried.

From my family, I heard and saw only love and support. The Denalis, and even Alistair and Tanya, a few feet away from Garrett and Kate, were supportive and mindset on helping us. Marcus and Heidi were staring at Sue, intent on defending us if the need arose, and flabbergasted by her unjustified hatred.

I knew that the vampires were on our side, but I was wary about the Quileutes' reactions. However, they were supportive of us too, even more than Alistair and Heidi, like old friends. They even were shooting daggers at Sue, who started to feel extremely uneasy. It was obvious that she wasn't welcomed among them. Seth and and Leah in particular were very angry at her, and very ashamed of her behaviour. And to my surprise, it was Leah who spoke up to defend us. Time had passed, and she had truly changed. Love did that, of course, and she was over the moon with her husband Matt.

"Just leave, Mom," she snapped at Sue who looked on the verge of retorting some acidic comment at me. "You don't belong here. I don't understand why you suddenly decided to attend the Council and come with Billy after all these years, except for sticking your nose where you have no right to be. And you're wrong, all of this isn't Bella's fault. It's not the vampires' fault. Well, it's Caius' fault," she amended with a sneer. "And he's a vampire, so you get half-credit, I guess. But you're not helping us by being your usual harpy self. So just go."

Sue was outraged, and about to let it known, when Paul and Quil – the youngest – took her under her arms and forcefully marched her away from the field, obeying Jacob's nod and ignoring her screeches. We waited for her wails to die down before speaking again, and I took the time to take all the Quileutes in.

I focused first on Jacob, who was the undisputed tribe chief. He hadn't aged too much, save for more laughing lines around his eyes and mouth, and his hair that he had grown back to a long ponytail. His eyes were fierce, thanks to Sue's outburst, but when Vanessa wrapped her arm around his waist, his features softened, and he looked at her with such adoration that I knew he was more happy than he himself had ever dreamed to be. I saw his children in his mind, and while Daniel was his spitting image, Isaac had a lot of his mother in him. All of them were happy and at peace – until Caius struck, that was.

Next to them, Sam and Emily were in each other's arms, matching concern about the situation and their elder daughter in their minds. They were worried that Lynn would soon phase, like Daniel, and appalled by Sue's attitude. But they were very happy to see us, thanks to Bella's friendship with them, and for that I was truly grateful for my wonderful mate. She gathered love and goodness around her – she always had – and I was so glad to be a witness to this, and a part of her life.

I squeezed her against me as I took in the other Quileutes. Quil 'the fifth' looked more wary than the rest, but that was to be expected. It was the first time that he met vampires, unlike his son, but he bore no ill-will towards us, again thanks to Bella and her distant friendship with the youngest Quil through Jacob. Billy Black was as regal as ever in his wheelchair, but his hair was all grey now, and the lines on his tanned face more deeply etched. It was clear that his friendship with Charlie had taken a blow at the dreadful Thanksgiving, all those years ago, and he was very worried about his old friend's status now.

Leah was smiling at Bella, and my mate slowly smiled in response. She was radiant, joy brimming in her, and I soon read why in her delighted mind. Matt had asked her to marry him, and he wanted to start a family. And though that would have to wait, because of her turning into a wolf again, they would try as soon as she stopped phasing and her menstrual cycle kicked back into gear. I hadn't wanted to know about that last piece of information, but as a mind-reader, I sadly couldn't choose the thoughts I heard.

Embry and Jared looked older, more mature, and both of them were happily married. Jared was still worshipping the ground his Kim walked on, and they had four kids. Go them. Embry had imprinted six years ago on a charming nurse working in Port Angeles, after he cut one of his fingers, and they've been inseparable since. They were living together a month after their meeting, and married two months later. No kids, his Mary didn't want any, but they were head-over-heels in love, and it was all that mattered.

"Sorry for Sue, she shouldn't have been here," Billy finally spoke with a sigh. "She begged me, and swore that she wouldn't make a scene."

"Yeah, guess that it didn't turn out so well," Jacob said sarcastically, making everybody chuckle lightly. "Next time you'll believe me, Dad. Sue's been the nuisance for all these years. I wouldn't have let her put a toe in my car. Crazy crackpot."

I saw the image of his car fleeting in his mind, and snickered. "You still have your deathtrap, then, Jacob?"

"Hey, it's a vintage Volkswagen Rabbit!" he defended with mild conviction, earning snickers and knowing smirks from the Quileutes around him. "She's great!"

"And she breaks down every fortnight," Vanessa added with a smirk of her own, making her husband scowl and everybody else laugh. "I'm tired to tell him that we can afford another car, more modern and running better, but no. And it's not as if he wasn't the owner of a garage, after all."

"I have so many memories with this car," he said pleadingly, thinking of Bella when he was building it almost from scratch, but also of Vanessa and all the times the two of them had defiled the upholstery. Ew. I could use a mute switch on my talent right about now.

"Well, the two of you will think about your car problems later," Sam said with a small smile. "We have a battle to prepare."

The atmosphere turned heavy at once, and everybody focused back on the problem at hand. Bella tensed, and she locked eyes with Jacob. "Any news about Caius, and Charlie?" she inquired.

Jacob shook his head dejectedly. "Nothing since they attacked us and kidnapped Charlie. They simply vanished."

"They'll be back," Alice piped up, eyebrows furrowed. She couldn't see anything because of the wolves, but she was certain of it. "I don't know when or where, and I don't know who will be with Caius. But they'll be back."

"And we'll be there," Jacob assured us, fierceness back on his face. "This fucking Caius leech won't go back to Italy after we're done with him. We'll protect our tribe, and our friends. And the Volturi lost two vampires to those barbarians."

"They won't forget either," Carlisle said, looking sad but determined. He hated conflicts, but now it was our family's safety that was at stake, so he would fight as hard as anybody, maybe even more. "They're intent on stopping Caius and his wingmen before they can destroy us or other innocent humans."

"Why aren't they here?" Jared asked grimly. "We need to thank them."

"They're not comfortable around you," Jasper said with a grimace. "They protect you, but from afar. They don't exactly trust you, contrary to us. So they'll stay on the sidelines."

And they don't want to come face to face with Edward or Bella, he added in his head, thinking that with all that was going on, I couldn't hear him. But unfortunately for him, I could, right now, and I had to fight the urge to demand some serious explanations from my brother. The Volturi weren't very forthcoming, and if they didn't want to meet me, then they must fear what I could hear in their minds.

I focused on Emmett, as his thoughts were less guarded than Jasper's, and heard what I wanted to know. Don't understand why the Volturi won't fight with the wolves. But if they came across Edward... God, why does it have to be so complicated? Why does Caius want to kill Bella and Edward specifically? Why now? Is it because of what Jane asked Carlisle a month ago? I wish I knew...

I tuned him out as around me speculations were voiced about Caius' whereabouts and accomplices, and thought hard. It seemed that our family had hidden a lot more than what they told us, and it made me furious. Bella and I needed to know, as part of the family and as primary targets of Caius, but it seemed that our parents and siblings had taken advantage of my weakening mind-reading to hide all this from us, while I was dreading that they would love me less because of that. I was beyond furious. I was mad.

"Edward, my love, what's the matter?" Bella's voice jerked me out of my tinted-red musings. She was dragging me away from the circle of stunned people, her hands like a vise on my biceps. "Come, and take deep breaths."

I followed her to the edge of the field, back to the silence of my own mind now that my mind-reading had been switched off again somehow, and obeyed her commands. My breathing was harsh, my vision still tinted red and a loud growl was rumbling from my chest, but she stopped and gripped me hard, colliding with my body. "Deep breaths, my love," she ordered me again. "Relax, there's no danger here. Everything's all right."

"No, it's not," I whispered, the words escaping me before I could control it.

"Why?" she asked, shooting careful glances around us. "Can you hear other people near us?"

"No," I shook my head as Paul and Quil came back to the field, joining their comrades. I could see every pair of eyes on us, and exhaled heavily. I would confront our family later. There was no need to do that in public, especially in front of our allies. "But we'll have to talk about some things when we go back."

"About us?" she inquired, concerned eyes riveting in mine. She was more worried than she was letting on, I could see it. So I shook my head, wanting to convey through my eyes that it wasn't about us. It's not us, love. It's the family, and what they didn't tell us about the Volturi. I'll tell you all about it as soon as we're back at the house.

Incredibly she nodded, and I heard her inner voice, clear as a bell, answer me. I heard you, Edward. I don't know how or why, but I heard what you just thought. And we'll sort this out at the house. Will you be all right?

I nodded, completely baffled. How could she hear my thoughts? She shrugged, baffling me even more, and I had to grip her hips tighter to stay anchored to reality. My head was spinning with theories and questions, and she hastily cupped my cheeks. She could still hear me. Calm down, my love, she urged me silently while rubbing her thumbs across my cheekbones, soothing me. It's all right. I don't understand either, but we'll figure it out soon.

After a few seconds I nodded again, and she gave me a faint smile. I took another deep breath to keep my anxiety at bay, and heard her voice. I can't hear you anymore, Edward. Can you? I nodded once more, and her eyebrows puckered. Weird. Maybe I can only hear you when you're purposefully trying to talk to me? Or maybe it's because you need me?

I shrugged, not wanting to voice out my thoughts, since I could feel the stares on us. We would talk about it later. Another item on our ever-growing to-do list. I sighed, and the corners of her mouth lifted a little more. What I wouldn't give for a vacation on an isolated mountain right now, she thought wistfully. You, me, a cabin with only a bed, half a century ahead of us and nobody within a hundred miles radius.

"Sounds great," I said in a whisper, burying my face in the crook of her shoulder and inhaling her unique scent, grounding me and keeping me upright. I needed her so much!

Just as much as I need you, she replied silently, and I realized that once again she could hear me. It was when I was vulnerable, when I wanted her to hear me, even if she shouldn't be able to. Maybe not, she answered me. But now that I can, I won't stop, Edward. I think...

She thought hard, and I tried to follow her line of thoughts. Maybe we are tapping in each other's powers without knowing it. It would make sense. You not being able to hear the thoughts around you at all times anymore, as if you were using a mental shield. And me hearing your thoughts...

Maybe, I thought, shaking my head. Now wasn't the time for such an epiphany. We were in the middle of a crucial meeting, and our family and friends, although having started discussing strategies and plans, were obviously waiting for us.

You're right, Bella said in her head. Let's go back. Will you be okay?

Yes, I said, steeling myself, but I saw that she hadn't heard me. So I said it out loud. "Yes."

We hugged briefly a last time, me taking a lungful of her magnificent scent, then made our way back to the waiting group. We caught up to the patrol schedules, the scoutings that Alistair and Jared would do with us, if we were okay with it, and the plans to the fight itself, here in the field.

"We'll lure them here," Jasper was explaining, eyeing us warily. "Edward and Bella will be bait, since it's them Caius wants. We'll try to put our hands on as much human blood as possible, thanks to Carlisle, and splatter the trees around here, making an irresistible trail for them. Hopefully, with their poor self-control, it will drive them mad."

"And we'll end them right then and there," Emmett said gleefully, rubbing his hands in anticipation. "I can't wait."

"What about the Volturi?" I inquired, trying to turn my mind-reading on, but to no avail this time. "Will they fight with us?"

I clearly saw the brief look Carlisle and Jasper exchanged, and I fought my rising anger. I would soon have my answers. "We'll call them at the last moment if we need them," Jasper said at last, looking like he was carefully assessing my emotions and knew that he was treading on a very thin line. "We'd prefer if we could manage without them."

"Can't imagine why," I sneered, shooting daggers at him and Carlisle, who recoiled slightly. They knew now that I knew something was fishy.

"Edward..." Jasper started uneasily, but I cut him.

"Later, Jazz. So, Bella and I will go scout with Alistair and Jared, is that it?"

"Yeah," he nodded, eyes pleading, but this time I couldn't hear him, so I focused on Alistair instead, who looked extremely ill-at-ease and apprehensive. "Alistair is a tracker, and Jared too. They are the best for some reconnaissance missions. With your mind-reading and Bella's shields, you four are the best for tracking Caius down."

I simply nodded, agreeing with the logic. And I would be with Bella at all times, so that was fine by me.

Esme's soft voice rose after a few seconds. "What about Charlie?"

Jasper and Jacob winced, and Bella tried to suppress a shudder. "We can't focus on him," Jasper said regretfully. "He'll probably be with Lindsey, who will probably be with Caius. So hopefully he'll be nearby when we track Caius down. But he's not our priority. We must stop Caius at all costs. Sorry, Bella," he added apologetically.

"It's fine," my mate said with a dismissive tone, hiding her turmoil inside. I culd hear her silent scream, and Jasper felt it, but we stayed silent. We couldn't do anything about Charlie right now. If by chance our scouting team could rescue him we would, but if we didn't find him...

"Stinking situation," Paul spat, scowling angrily at the treetops behind us and breaking the heavy silence. "Had he lived closer to us, we could've protected him!"

"It's nobody's fault but Caius'," Marcus said, gazing at Bella and me with an eerily concerned look. "And we'll try our very best to rescue Charlie."

"Yes, we will," Carlisle confirmed, eyes on my mate. "We won't let Caius win."

"I think we'll have to draw sticks to know who'll have the privilege to dismember him," Garrett snickered and bumped fists with Emmett. "I really hope I'll be the lucky one."

"So do I!" several voices arose, dissipating some of the tension in the air.

The meeting kind of fizzled out after that, and I ceased to pay attention. I was only focusing on my mate, fighting the numbness slowly engulfing me. Bella must have sensed it, because she excused us, asking Alistair to meet us back at the Cullen house in an hour, then steered me into the deep woods. She hunted for me again, finding two elks, and I greedily drained them. Bella helped me drink then dispose of them, and after that took two down for her. I watched her gulp down their blood, desire stirring in me, but knowing that she would fight the urge to make love again. She wasn't ready. Soon, I told myself.

We took our time to run back to the house, hand in hand, and sharing thoughts back and forth. What had been a huge surprise at first – she hearing my thoughts – was now as natural as breathing, and I didn't want to go back to how things were before. And the more I thought about it, the more her theory made sense. She was tapping in my talent, and I was tapping in hers. That must be why I couldn't hear all the thoughts around me anymore. And it must be because of our new connection. The still incomplete one. I tried not to be bitter about Bella's reluctance at reciprocating from what I did to her.

Just a little more time, Edward, she pleaded in her mind. Please, my love. We'll go straight to Alistair and demand answers. Then, as soon as we have them, we'll do what has to be done.

I'd have to be satisfied with that answer, even though it wasn't a full promise. But Bella knew that we couldn't let things the way they were right now. I just hoped that she would bite me and give me her venom really soon. I couldn't wait to be back on my feet again, with no numbness and no feral state.

When we reached the back lawn of the house, we saw Alistair, wide-eyed and ready to bolt at any second, Tanya securely wrapped around his body, watching Emmett and Garrett brawling and howling taunts and jests at each other. Esme was going to kill them, but I couldn't care less. Kate, Jasper and Alice were watching them. Esme, Carlisle, Carmen, Eleazar, Marcus and Heidi were nowhere to be seen or heard. I found it odd, but didn't dwell on it. We had more pressing matters to think about.

"Here you are," Tanya exhaled in relief when she spotted us, Alistair's head jerking towards us. "Let's go somewhere more private."

"No foursomes!" Emmett guffawed, making Alistair gag, Tanya scowl, and Bella snarl. I led them to our meadow, where we wouldn't be disturbed, and sat among the wildflowers. Tanya commented on the beauty of the place, and I quickly explained about its significance for Bella and me. Then silence fell.

Alistair was watching my mate and me, and I silently cursed my fleeting talent. I wanted to hear what he was thinking. I needed it! Then I heard Bella. Yes, we need to hear what's in his mind. Focus!

We did, pushing together, and finally I heard Alistair's mental voice. … slow, but they'll be spooked anyway. All right, let's do this. He took a deep breath, squeezed Tanya's hand tightly in his, and spoke.

"So, Edward and Bella. Have you ever heard about a mated couple of French vampires named Eugène and Suzanne, that Aro killed during the French Revolution?"

"No," I said as Bella shook her head.

Alistair sighed. "Well, I'll tell you their story, and hope that you won't share their tragic end."

"Why should we?" I asked in spite of myself.

Alistair rubbed his goatee, eyes more sympathetic than I'd ever seen. I really hope they'll not end like them. They're good people. "Because they reached the highest level of mating, like you're about to do. And the Volturi destroyed them because of that."

Next chapter is the big revelation. Curious? ;)

Please review!