Chapter 7- Tears- Alice
Alice disengaged gently from Jasper though his lips lingered on her throat. He met her gaze and registered the change.
"What?" he murmured. It was hard to break away from him. His body and his gentleness, his soft golden eyes enveloped her and transferred her to a place of deep calm. Bliss. But now it was interrupted. She blinked and saw the image still as plain as day. Edward and herself racing across the snow toward a blurred figure. A vampire, blonde with red eyes; a woman. And in the middle of the field a boy, also blonde with glasses...and she snapped his neck. He was human. She blinked and it faded.
"A vision, something terrible. A vampire murdering someone," she whispered. Jasper looked concerned.
"Anyone we know?" he asked stroking her face. This prolonged her desire for him. Her breath caught and he realized. Suddenly the feeling cooled. She arched an eyebrow. "I know, I cheated," he admitted. Jasper was an empath that could alter emotions.
"We might, we were there, trying to save him," she said getting up and pulling on her clothes.
"Where?" he said, doing the same.
"NH, I think. I'm going to find Edward," she said. He knew he was not to come automatically.
"I'll gather the others," he said. She leaned forward and kissed him passionately, not liking to be interrupted. He held her tightly then disengaged again. "I love you," he whispered. Alice froze, suddenly assaulted with a second vision. Edward in the woods looking like he was crying, dry sobs. Vampires couldn't make tears. She froze on this image. The two visions were minutes apart. They had to be connected.
"Edward," she said voice catching. So she was right, something was up over there tonight. Jasper felt her despair.
"Is he alright?" he said sharply.
"Yes and no, he's upset right now, I'm going. I'll call when I know more," she flitted to the door and glanced back. "I love you Jaz," she said then moved to the open window in the corridor and jumped out into the night.
…
"Edward?" she called quietly. He should be close to here. She heard gasps ahead and moved closer slowly. She had another short vision of her comforting him. She entered the clearing and saw him clutching a tree for support. She was stunned by how vulnerable he looked.
"Alice," he breathed not looking up, knowing her thoughts. What happened? She thought. He shook his head, looking anguished. She came forward and moved close to him. He was shaking. She then gently reached forward to pull him into a hug. He let her and hugged her back.
"It's okay," she whispered. "Whatever it is we'll deal with it. Is it Bella?" she asked, mouth suddenly dry.
"No," he moaned. She only knew of him crying one other time, when he left Bella the year before marrying her. She comforted him that time too.
"Honey?" came a new voice in the clearing. It was Bella. She flitted next to them, looking anguished seeing her husband cry, even though there were no tears. Alice thought about Jasper. When he did, her heart broke into a million pieces. "Oh honey, come here," she said gently reaching for him. Alice passed him to her and she hugged him. "It's okay," She crooned. "I know honey, I know," she said quietly. Edward made another sob. "Shhh," she said quietly. So she knew then. Alice exchanged a look with her over his shoulder. She nodded confirming she would tell her. He continued to cry tearless cries quietly and she kissed his hair. "Let's go inside baby," she said gently.
She let go and led him by his hand. They went inside and Alice followed. They sat on the couch and Bella held him close to her. He wasn't crying anymore, but he still looked upset. What could hurt him so badly? She knew then.
"Ness?" she said. Bella nodded gravely. "Where is she?" she breathed. Bella looked pained.
"She left with Jacob. They didn't explain." She said, eyes not quite honest. Alice directed her thoughts away, understanding.
"And they didn't say goodbye to you?" she asked Edward gently. He shook his head, eyes shut. "Edward, I'm so sorry. They will be back, they won't stay away forever," she said consolingly.
"What if the Volturi track them? You can't see them. We may never know," he moaned, covering his face. She shuddered at the thought.
"I'm sure they will check in," said Bella, and Alice relaxed, knowing it must be true. She moved her thoughts away again immediately.
"I came to discuss something with you,"she said feeling bad that it was so inopportune. Edward looked up questioningly. Alice let the vision flood her mind, remembering the details. Edward froze. Bella felt this and looked alarmed.
"A vision?" she asked. Alice nodded. "The Volturi?" she whispered.
"No...well, I don't think. But it's at the college I think. A human you know is in grave danger from one of us." Bella froze too.
"A vampire? Who's in trouble?" she whispered.
"Simon.." Edward breathed, seeing him in Alice's thoughts. "But why now?" He asked as Bella looked sick.
"Something triggered this…" Alice murmured. "What's changed?"
Bella gasped. "One thing. Jake...Ness. They are blind spots, maybe by leaving, you are learning something that would have happened anyway," she breathed.
"Or maybe," Edward mused, "them leaving is why it's happening. And the decision to leave triggered this future."
"We can't know either way," said Bella anxiously. "What can we do now?" she asked.
"Well..".Alice said quietly. "If we go, we won't be successful. I saw it," she frowned.
"No.." Bella said. "No it can't be…"
"Maybe getting Jake back...is our best chance left of saving him," Edward said looking at Bella. She looked torn. She obviously wanted her daughter to be safe. But the death of a friend…
"I don't know what headstart they got, but we better start with La Push. Why don't you and Alice follow the trail and I'll wait behind in case they come back or a phone call." Bella said.
They were on their feet in a flash.
"On it," Edward said and flew out the door, Alice at his heels. They flew through the dark forests like wraiths, animals stilling in fear at their approach. They made more noise than usual, crashing through the brush without delay, following the blissfully fresh scent.
"It's headed toward the line," Edward said. Alice could hear him clearly. They angled themselves and crossed it. The treaty allowed safe passage now that the families were merged. The scent lead to Billy's. They must have stopped Alice thought. As they came up on it she registered heartbeats. Maybe Edward did, but didn't interpret it as fast as she did.
"Stop!" she called in vain. He made it a bit farther then froze. Jacob's thoughts must have been extremely vivid. Edward choked. "Go, I'll bring them back," Alice told him wide eyed. He blinked, face blank, then turned and hurried away. Alice knew what the quickened heartbeats meant. They were being intimate. She didn't think much of it. They were of age and chose to be safely away. Probably on their way to Mexico in the morning. No crime in this. She moved back so she could barely hear them and settled in to wait. She heard the heartbeats slow and waited ten more minutes. Then she approached. She heard Jake say I love you. Her dead heart warmed. She always liked Jacob, and approved of him for Ness. Despite Edward's thoughts. He probably wouldn't like anyone for his daughter. She moved up to the garage and called his name. A moment later he appeared looking surprised.
"Alice, what's going on?" he said blankly, cheeks still flaming from his passion.
"Something bad has happened. I know you were leaving but you need to come back. It's urgent," Her face was pinched in fear. Jacob read it then nodded, recognizing it meant a vision and a serious situation. She was sure. Because her night disappeared. They were coming back. He went back and he whispered to Ness, then reappeared carrying her.
"Back to Edward's?" he asked.
"Yes," She said and they left at werewolf speed. In between human and vampire when he was in human form. He must have been curious but bit his tongue. Maybe he didn't want to accidentally wake Ness, who still seemed a bit out of it. When they got back to the house was lit, and Alice could tell everyone was there. They went through the front door and stopped. Edward and Bella were on the couch and stood up immediately. Edward still seemed a bit out of it, upset by what he saw.
Edward, you knew this would be someday. She's careful and he loves her. Plus they tried to be alone. It's not wrong of them. She said to him mentally. Edward looked at her but said nothing. I know you waited until marriage but they are from this century, they make their own choices. Jake's already married in his mind. His mouth twisted and she stopped communicating with him about it. Then he looked at the door as Jake came in holding Ness. She stirred and looked around. Her surprised expression so reminded her of Bella. The same chocolate eyes.
"Oh!" she said.
Jake whispered, "I know, they are about to explain," and set her down. Edward stepped forward his face pained. Ness looked at her father and her eyes filled with tears. Then she ran into his arms. He hugged her tightly. His voice caught once more.
"I can't believe you were almost gone," he murmured.
"I'm sorry daddy," she replied. "I didn't want to," she said, voice thick.
"I know," he said and gently pulled away. Jake came up looking guilty. Edward stared at him, face a mask.
"Sorry, I felt like I had to do something to keep her safe, what with all the uncertainty lately." he said. Edward patted his shoulder, obviously putting aside his other resentment for the time being.
"I'm sorry too, I know the sacrifice was big," he said.
"Why are we back?" asked Ness of the room. Everyone exchanged a look. They didn't want her to know about the death.
" A vampire is going to attack Dartmouth, I had a vision," she said. Ness looked alarmed. "We want to go back to protect your friends," she continued.
"Simon and Bram?" she asked "Are they in danger?" Alice nodded. "When do we leave?" she asked her parents.
"We don't have an exact time frame," Edward said. Bella moved to Ness's side and held out one of her jackets and tossed Jake a sweatshirt. He still had his backpack.
"See you at the big house," Alice said, and raced back into the night, probing mentally for more details. At the house she sat with Jasper and talked about how the visions had stopped.
"Now that Jake and Ness are back, maybe a blind spot is too. Search for the woman if you can," he encouraged. She tried but got nothing. A supportive warmth filled her. Jasper was trying to comfort her.
"Thanks," she mouthed. Rosalie and Emmett were then back. Carlisle and Esme on their heels.
"What's up Edward?" Emmett said when Edward also came through the door, hair shiny with an evening drizzle.
" A vampire will likely attack our human friends in New Hampshire. We want to stop her before she can attack the school. Especially because she likely will have tracked our scent in."
"Do you think she is Volturi?" Esme asked.
"Not sure," Alice said heavily.
"One vamp? No problem," Emmett said bored.
"It's a public place. It will require discretion," Carlisle reminded him.
"Are we going to go tonight?" He asked Edward.
"I suppose we need to check flights," he replied.
"What's the plan?" Rosalie asked.
"They don't know you, so it's better if you protect the perimeter and we go in," Edward said. "We have reason to be more concerned about Simon," he added glancing anxiously at Ness. She looked horrified, not knowing this before. "Together we can contain this. We just need to watch for more, especially the Volturi," he continued. Alice noticed that Bella had gone to her phone when Edward mentioned flights.
"The soonest flight is at ten AM and I just got the tickets; one for each of us," she said suddenly.
"Then you guys should get some rest," Carlisle said to Jake and Ness.
"I don't think I could sleep," Ness said in a burdened voice.
"You guys could stay in our room," Alice offered. Edward went rigid. Jacob blinked. As a general rule, they never slept together. Ness exchanged a look with her aunt, confused but also a warning look not to reveal anything. Alice nodded, instantly redirecting her thoughts.
"Alright, thanks. Goodnight everyone," Ness said, taking Jake's hand and pulling him to the stairs. Jake went along but looked surprised, staring at Alice. Alice chastised Edward mentally for looking sour.
"I didn't want them far," she said. He nodded, conceding to that. Bella was perceptive. Her eyes flicked to Alice. Alice tilted her head and Bella noticed Edward's grouchy expression. Alice nodded. Yes they are intimate now. She thought even though Bella couldn't hear her. Bella didn't look unhappy. Just concerned for Edward. She was taking it well. Maybe because she was closer to her daughter, and remembered how she felt at her age. Edward should leave tonight just in case, she thought. Alice raised an eyebrow at him and he sighed.
"Let's go home tonight," he said to Bella. She smiled, took his hand and went with him into the night.