Chapter 13 - Confrontation

I sat alone on the top of the fur tree, thinking. I thought about what Felix said to me. "Ok, doll face, what's with you?" Kate sat next to me. I didn't look at her and she nudged me, "Bell?" I looked at her from the corner of my eye and she shrugged, "Carmen said your dad calls you that." I barely smiled. "Hmm?" Kate took my hand, "Let's go." "What?" "Come on," Kate tugged at my arm. I pulled back and she squeezed back5, "Oww, ok." Kate and I leapt from the tree and headed west. As we ran, I heard Tanya, Irina and Carmen behind us, catching up. Kate stopped when we were at the water's edge. We stared out to the Gulf of Alaska. The five of us hunted in the wilderness park and sat together. "All right, Is, are you ready to talk?" Irina asked. I sighed, "I don't know anymore. I am beyond confused." Tanya looked at me, "As far as what?" I groaned, "Everything. I mean, honestly, before the Cullens arrived I was content with my life." "Content, yes," Irina patted my knee, "but what about being happy?" My eyes widened, "I was happy. I had my sisters and brother, we have our business, which we've neglected and I had learned to let go." "Now that's not completely true," Carmen interjected. "If you had truly let go, you wouldn't have been so interested in seeing your parents, your home." I closed my eyes and my head fell into my hands.

I felt my sisters hugging me. My face leaned into Kate's shoulder. "All right. This is what you're going to do," Kate held me at arm's length; "You are going to find out everything about your past, down to when you first started crawling. And if we have to watch embarrassing videos of you, so be it." All of us laughed, "Second, you're going to tell us what is really troubling you." I blinked. Kate scowled at me, "There's something else. Carmen told us what Felix told you." I huffed, "You're right. That is definitely on my mind." Irina tangled her fingers in my hair, "Well?" "He said…." I bit down on my lip, "well, he…." Carmen groaned, "He told Is that Edward was her past and he is her future. But clearly, she's not completely convinced about that fact." I shook my head, "Thank you, Alice." Carmen shrugged, "Hey, we don't beat around the bush in this family." I rolled my eyes, "Fine," I spoke through gritted teeth. "She's right though. I'm really torn on that part. I mean, I hate to admit it, but Felix had a point. I mean Edward did leave and what is going to keep him from leaving again. Yes, I know he left because he thought he was doing the right thing, but what if he does that again."

Tanya looked at me, "Because we know Edward and we know what it was like for him being without you. You know they came here after they left Washington and Alice told you about some of things he went through, but you don't know the whole story." Tanya looked at all her faces, then back to me, "When Edward arrived here, he was a shadow. He sat in his car for more than an hour, but none of us went to get him, because needed some time to himself. When he came inside, you could see the toll it took on him. His face was sallow and drawn. He was beyond broken up. The only response anyone got out of him was when he threatened Rosalie. Seeing the look in his eyes when she spoke about you, it scared me. If no one stopped him, he was going to rip her apart. Not just because of what she said, but just so he could get out his frustration and pain. Soon he left all together, but Alice kept an eye on him. She said at one point she saw him sitting at the bottom of a lake. She said it was like he was literally trying to drown himself. Then he started to run. Nowhere in particular, just running so he could keep himself occupied. Soon he went to Brazil and he just lived there on the outskirts of the Amazon." I looked out to the water, then back to Tanya. I had no words.

"Isabella, how do you feel about Edward?" Irina asked. "I really do care about him. And when I remembered things about him, more feelings for him came." Irina smiled, "I think that as your mind remembers, your heart is beginning to remember how much you love him. I mean, think about it, you used to hum the lullaby he wrote for you before the Cullens even got here. I think you should be with Edward. He loves you and you love him too." I was going to protest, but she held up her hand, "I know you're worried that he may leave again, but if you open your heart, he will stay with you. Also, I don't believe he stopped loving you. As vampires, when a change comes for us, it's permanent. Edward couldn't stop loving you if he tried and neither can you. And, if you recall how he kissed you when they first arrived. We saw how you responded to him, before you even knew how he was. You may not have recognized him, but your heart did." Kate nodded, "Oh, I agree with that." Kate looked at me, "Stop being hard-headed, let Felix down gently and get back to your relationship with Edward." Tanya combed through my hair with her fingers and she laughed, "Edward did say you were the most pigheaded human he's ever met, but did you have to bring it to this life?"

I glowered at her and she laughed and hugged my shoulders. Irina stood up and took my hands, pulling me up, "Look, it's my fault. I pushed you to flirt with Felix and you were too good at it. But don't give into him. Heidi told us in Volterra. Like most men, when Felix gets what he wants, he'll move on. So, you and I will let them know the truth and we can get back to our lives." I leaned my head against Irina's and she hugged my waist. Carmen, Kate and Tanya stood up and hugged us. The five of us walked along the beach holding hands, talking and soon we ran home.

At home, Jane and Alec were in the living room, talking as I entered. Alec smiled, but Jane just looked at me. I rolled my eyes and went to get my fabric samples out of the china cabinet. The twins were so quiet that sometimes I forgot they were even here. "She only takes advantage of him. I have no idea what Demetri and Felix sees in them." I smiled, "What they see in us are two fun-looking and free-spirited women. Something you clearly know nothing about." I looked back at her and she was glaring at me. I scoffed, "Janey, honey, don't bother. You know your power doesn't work on me. But then again, if it did, you wouldn't be such a bitch towards me." Her eyes widened, "What did you just say to me?" Jane stood up, her eyes still wide and fixed on me. Alec stood as well, putting his hand on her shoulder. I stepped forward, "I called you a 'bitch.' Got a problem with that?" Jane bared her teeth at me, "You insolent child." I scoffed, "Hold it. I don't know what child you think you're looking at, but then again, that's just because you're over 200 years old. But in this house, you don't have to like me, but you will respect me." "I don't have to. You are nothing."

Right then, Edward and Jasper entered the room, followed by Felix and Demetri. "Oh please, just because you're Aro's little pet, you think that makes you something. Please. We all know when he finds someone with an even more exceptional power; you'd be kicked off the pedestal really quick." I smirked, "Come to think of it, if I took his offer to join his Guard, you would be forgotten." Jane's entire frame began to vibrate, "My Master would never want you." My smile widened, "Wanna bet?! I could go to Volterra right now and we could find out!" Jane screamed and tried to lunge at me, but Alec had his arms around her. I motioned to lunge at her, but Edward and Jasper were holding my arms. Demetri went to restrain Jane, who was fighting to get out of her brother's hold and Felix stood between us, cutting off my sights of Jane. "Let me go, Edward. She has this coming." "Alec, release me!" Edward got his arms around my waist and Jasper tried to calm me, as they pulled me outside the French doors.

I still fought against them, until Emmett threw me over his shoulder and the three of them carried me off into the night. I could fight against Edward and Jasper, but Emmett was a bit more difficult. Emmett finally stopped, "Are you calm yet?" "Yes," I answered in a stern voice. Jasper looked at me, "No she's not. She's still wants to fight Jane." I mouthed Shut up at Jasper. Emmett flung me off his shoulder and pinned my shoulders to the ground. "Get off me, Em." I was looking up at his upside down face and he just laughed, "Is this all the strength you have? Not very impressive?" My eyes narrowed and I threw my legs in the air and caught his head in a vice. He tugged at me until I released him, flipped into the air and landed on my feet, not before I kicked him in the chest. He snarled at me and Jasper stopped him before he got mad. I rolled my eyes and started to walk away. Edward stood in front of me, "Bella, what happened?" I sighed, "Jane just needed to hear the truth and she couldn't take it." He stared into my eyes, "Then why'd you call her a 'bitch'?" Emmett and Jasper stared at me with shocked expressions. "Because that's what she is." He laughed, "She's never been called that." "Maybe not verbally." Emmett's arm came around my neck, "So you got on Jane's bad side?" I elbowed him in the ribs, "Yes, that's it. She was wondering what Felix and Demetri saw in Irina and me? I told her they saw something in us that she clearly knew nothing about." I spun out of his hold and stood by Edward. Edward's eyes widened, "I cannot believe you said that. No one has ever spoken to Jane that way." I smirked, "Because of they feared her ability, but with me, I refuse to hold back."

Emmett punched me in the back of my shoulder, "I have to admit, you put up on hell of a fight. You always had a temper, but now, you can really back it up." I looked back at him and smiled, "Thanks." I swiftly grabbed his arm, twisted it and he was thrown onto the ground. Jasper laughed out loud, "That never gets old." Edward held my waist and I rested my head on his chest. "I really wonder how Jane would fare in a fight?" Jasper speculated, "Her ability has always made her untouchable, but with Bella….." Emmett smiled, "Jane wouldn't stand a chance." "Not necessarily," all of us turned around, "Jane has some formable fighting abilities." I rolled my eyes, "Fine, but Felix, when was the last time she used them?" Edward refused to take his arm off me and Felix noticed. I could feel the tension rising between them. "Jane has been with us for centuries, but Aro still had her trained in hand to hand combat, in the chance she may need it. Aro is many things, but he is not a fool." Edward's arm suddenly stiffened, "Jane contacted Aro?" Felix's eyebrow furrowed, "Yes." I looked up at Edward, then to Felix, "Well?" Felix looked back at me, "We have to return to Volterra by the end of the week. Jane and Alec are preparing to leave tonight."

This news brightened my entire outlook; Felix was leaving and I could have more time with Edward. Felix looked behind us, then back to me. "I'm sorry, but I need to go hunting." He nodded to Edward, Emmett and Jasper and began to walk away. "By the way, Isabella, I have no intention on returning to Volterra." He dashed off and my eyes widened. DAMMIT! My life was officially a three-ring circle, in the seventh level of hell.