Chapter Ten: The Rose is Dead

A/N: I feel like the past couple of chapters have been more action heavy, but this is because I just wanna finish the plot point of Bella being hunted down by the vampires so that I can continue onto the real focus of the story: the relationship between Rosalie and Alice.

Edward raced up the stairs towards Bella, fear propelling his every motion. Jasper wasn't downstairs, and Bella had screamed so there was no doubt what was happening right now. Edward had forgotten that Bella was bleeding and that while they could smell the blood only faintly from downstairs it still must have been torture for Jasper to stay here because his control was so shitty.

"Bella, I'm on my way!" He yelled, hoping he wasn't too late. Emmett and Alice exchanged looks with one another and then followed after their brother, Esme trailing after them.

When Edward reached the hallway leading to the bathroom Bella was in, he noticed that there was deep gouges in the wood of the floor and entire chunks of plaster missing from the walls. It looked like Jasper had tried to stop himself from being drawn to Bella but had failed. The bathroom door was ripped off of it's hinges and he could smell Bella's fear scent. She had stopped screaming now and was just whimpering, like an injured puppy. Edward drew close to the doorway of the bathroom, his footsteps careful to not alert the other vampire. He could sense Alice and Emmett behind him and motioned for them to approach slowly.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Bella shivering in fright, clutching the toilet seat beneath her in a white knuckled grip as Jasper towered over her, his gaze black. He was shaking all over, trying to hold back, yet his sight never left the human. Centimeter by centimeter he was drawing his face closer to Bella's neck, his fangs sliding out as he curled back his lips.

Edward couldn't stand to watch this any longer. He didn't want to hurt Jasper but the boy was losing the fight and Edward wouldn't allow him to hurt his mate. With a snarl he launched himself at the blonde and they broke through the wall, bursting to the outside of the house. They twisted their bodies in mid air and landed on their feet safely before beginning to circle each other, growling and hissing threateningly. Jasper mad that his meal had been disrupted attacked first. Jasper was the expert fighter in this battle, having fought in many vampiric wars and even in some human ones. Edward wasn't too sure if he could win against him, but he would do anything to protect his human and he did have his gift on his side.

Edward met the boy halfway, barring his feint. Jasper had acted like he would strike Edward but had really meant to go past him and back up to Bella however, Edward had read his mind in the last moments, managing to catch the boy. Emmett jumped down to join the two vampires, his landing leaving a crater on impact. Jasper's gift was out of wack due to his vamped out mode and it was seeping the air with violence and the need for bloodshed. Edward could already feel it taking affect on him, making him way angrier than he should be, making his moves sloppy. Emmett too could feel the call of Jasper's pheromones and his eyes turned black as he entered the conflict.

Alice meanwhile was still in the house, clutching a sobbing Bella in her arms. Esme had thrown up her hands in despair. "This house has been destroyed more times in this one week then over the past decade. What has gotten into all of you children?" She tsked, digging her phone out of her pocket. "I'm going to get your father. He'll have a proper talking with you all about appreciating the things you've been given." She walked away, dialing angrily.

Alice only paid half a mind to this rant, needing to get Bella somewhere she could be safe. The poor girl had been subjected to so much already. She didn't need to see this fight. Alice kneeled down in front of the brunette, holding onto her hands as the girl sobbed with her hair hanging into her face.

"Bella, look at me, look at me please." Alice waited patiently for the girl to look up, her face red and puffy from her tears. "We're gonna go back home, okay?"

"But-but what about Edward?" she blubbered.

"He'll be fine. Come on, you need to rest." She pulled the girl up, who didn't protest and picked her up in her arms. Then making sure to run at a pleasant pace for the human, she made it to their house, leaving the chaos of the Cullen mansion behind.

The place was quiet, the brown house looking unoccupied. But it was almost too quiet. Alice neared the house, her hackles rising in apprehension as Bella wearily cried in her arms. The brunette had buried her face into the pixie's shirt and even though it was an expensive Armani one and now probably covered in snot and tears, Alice didn't mind because she had more important things on her mind. She had had a vision, one that left her stomach churning.

Never dropping her gaze from the house, she set Bella down to her feet on a patch of grass across from the house. "Bella I need you to calm down for a moment. Can you stay here and do that for me?" Bella nodded her head, wiping away her tears hastily.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing," Alice lied. "I just want to do a quick check of the house."

She crossed the street to the house, every sense prickling but she made a show of acting normally for the girl. She got to the front door and waved over at Bella to reassure that everything was okay. Pushing it open, she still kept a friendly smile trained on the girl, body facing her as she walked in backwards to the house, watching as the girl watched her disappear. As soon as she closed the door she was aware of the presence of people that had not been there before, the gusts of wind caused by their appearance ruffling the back of her hair.

"Good thing you decided that we weren't playing around, or else that pesky human's father would be dead right now." James hissed into her ear sending slivers of terror down her back. Her vision had been right. She had scented James and Victoria's scent around the house but figured that it could be from earlier when Emmett and Jasper were guarding it and that they had chased the rogues away. But as she drew closer to the house she felt the sensation of being watched and then had the vision of James and Victoria slitting Charlie's throat if she didn't come into the house and face them alone.

"I got your message loud and clear," Alice said through gritted teeth. "Now what do you want?" She turned around to face him. James looked wild, his hair messily falling around his face.

"Not what we want, but what we need," he said, tsking and waving a finger in her face. His own face was too close for comfort against hers, his breath smelling richly of copper and she felt hunger gnaw at her. When was the last time she had fed? She pressed her back against the cool wood door to get as much space between them. He just took a step forward to fix the gap.

"Charlie here doesn't know that he's in danger of dying," at this James moved aside, giving Alice a clear view into the living room where Charlie was snoring heavily in his couch, the light of the TV washing over his features. Victoria was standing over him, her fangs glinting in the glow and she made a slashing motion across her neck, sending a clear message to Alice. James moved back, blocking Alice's view again. "But I think that he can still be saved. All we want is that boy, the one who killed our Laurent."

Alice gulped deeply, trying to control the horror rising in her throat. So this was what it was all about. They wanted to kill Edward for killing one of their own.

"And if I don't bring him?"

James shrugged as if the answer was obvious. "Then Charlie dies. And so do you and that fucking human outside. But agree to the deal with us now, and you get a chance to save a pathetic human family and can go back to living your eternally depressing existence as a vegan vampire." He bared his fangs at the end of this statement, finding Alice's diet funny. Alice was not as amused.

She was stuck in a tough situation. Could she be willing to give up her brothers life for her own and for a mere humans? She knew without a doubt that Edward would sacrifice himself for Bella, but Alice knew that it wouldn't solve any problems, only create more.

"How do I bring Edward to you?" Alice asked at last, cracking James' face into a smile.

"I knew you would see reason. Here's what your going to do." He reached into his pocket and handed her a phone. "Your going to use this phone to contact us. We want you to bring him out to this house during the night, saying that Bella wants him to tuck her in or what ever disgusting thing humans do. Your going to make sure no one else is with him. If you try to tell him or any of the Cullen's about what's going to happen we will snap Charlie's neck faster than you can say no. Is this all clear?" James asked.

Alice nodded her head. "Good, now bring the human into the house. We're going to leave, but I'll be in the vicinity of the woods and Victoria will follow you to the house, so don't get any bright ideas." James backed away, jerking his head to Victoria to indicate they were leaving. "By tonight, you hear that?"

Alice nodded her head again, not trusting herself to speak. Victoria was going to follow her to the house to eavesdrop and make sure that Alice kept her end of the bargain. Just fucking great.

As soon as they left, Alice stepped out of the house, the light from the setting sun hurting her eyes. She couldn't believe that so much had happened over a single weekend. She felt so tired out by all these events. She regretted not being able to use her gift to predict all this. She made her way across the lawn where Bella was still standing where she had been left.

"Is it safe? You were gone for a long time. I was worried for you." Bella whispered, clutching her hands together in worry. Alice wondered if Bella would be so concerned if she knew that the pixie was going to sell out her boyfriend.

"I'm fine. I was just doing a thorough search of the house." Alice placed a soothing hand on Bella's cheek, dread at leaving Bella alone with a killer vampire just outside her house settling heavily in her chest. But she swore this was going to be for the best. She had already formulated a way to get around this, although it certainly was going to be risky.

"Why don't you go in? Charlie's already there and I'm sure he'll be glad to see you. I'll have Edward bring over your stuff in a couple of hours."

"I hope he's okay," Bella said, kicking a rock and not looking at Alice.

"He will be. My brother is as strong as he is hard headed." Alice smiled wryly and ran a hand comfortingly on the girl's back.

"Thanks, Alice, for everything." Bella looked up, a genuine smile on her face and the dread in Alice's chest only grew.

"Oh no, sweetie, I'm the one who should be thanking you. After the way I acted this evening; I could have hurt you seriously and I would never forgive myself for it."

"It's alright Alice, I forgive you. I know you never would have really hurt me." Bella said this so innocently that Alice felt her heart break. This girl was truly too sweet for this world. Alice couldn't resist from hugging the fragile human. "Bella I'm sorry so strongly for all the trouble we've put you in. We never wanted any harm to come to you."

They stayed embraced like that for a while before Alice let her go reluctantly. She prayed that James would not attack her. The brown haired girl gave a small wave of her hand and then turned to her house. Alice had to withstand the urge to run after her, but if she did then Charlie was as good as dead and she couldn't stand the concept of being responsible for the girl's father's death.

The door to the house shut closed and Alice waited, ears perked for the smallest sound of struggle or pain coming from the girl but all she could hear was Bella conversing with her father. Forcing herself to move away, each leg feeling like lead, she turned her back on the house and set forward to her mansion, the phone in her pocket weighing heavily on her conscious.


When she got back to the house she was glad to see that there was no longer any fighting going on, although the house was still ruined, chunks of wall missing and the front lawn a mess. Alice paused outside the house trying to gather some courage. She could sense Victoria hidden in the forest outside the house. Rolling back her shoulders Alice stepped into the house. Edward, Jasper, Emmett were sitting at the kitchen table while Esme and Carlisle were standing over them. They had been in the middle of a discussion but paused when Alice entered.

"Alice, how is Bella?" Edward sprung up to his feet immediately and Alice instantly took this chance to flood Edward with all that had happened when she had left. The deal that she was forced to make, what the vampires wanted her to do and how Edward would have to keep this knowledge quiet. James had said not to say anything but he didn't know about Edward's gifts and so Alice didn't have to talk aloud for him to know.

Edward blinked, but this was the only indication that he had received the information.

"She's fine, Edward. But you have to bring back her stuff because I know your going to check up on her anyways, so just bring it in the meanwhile."

"I'll go now," he made to rush past her but she grabbed him by the arm.

"Let's wait a bit. Her dad is at home so you'll only get in trouble if you come now."

Edward scowled at her and she knew he wanted to rush off now but she tried to send him soothing mental vibes.

If you go in by yourself you'll get your head ripped off. I have an idea about what we can do, but you have to trust me. Just give me an hour.

Edward looked ready to burst. "An hour?" he hissed out.

"Yea, I think he'll be asleep in an hour," Alice stated firmly and he stared her down for what seemed like eternity, his jaw working until finally he jerked his arm free of her grip.

"Okay, an hour, but not more," he breathed out not at all pleased with his own decision, and thudded up to his bedroom crankily.

"Were you guys doing that weird mind talk-"

"Emmett!" Alice hissed, feeling lightheaded. If he gave her away now then Charlie and Bella were both dead for good. She let her nails bit into her palm, wondering if Victoria had heard the comment as the pixie knew the redhead was listening on this conversation. But a quick glimpse of the future showed that she hadn't, or at least wouldn't take any action towards it.

"What? What are you so mad about?" he asked, raising his hands in surrender, confusion crossing his face.

"Is everything okay now?" Alice ignored him and turned to Esme and Carlisle who nodded their heads.

"Jasper was subdued before he could damage the house further." Esme answered and Jasper flinched at this. He looked sad and guilty.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get so out of control," he said, running a hand through his hair. "It's just-it's just-"

"It's alright," Esme soothed, rubbing his back.

"And what about Rosalie?" Alice asked. She needed to know if the blonde had come back. If she was okay. "I want to apologize to her for..." Alice couldn't continue as she saw her parents exchange a look.

"Yes, we need to talk about what happened with you and Rosalie, Alice. Its not unnatural for coven members to develop feelings for each other," Carlisle cleared his throat as Alice's eyes opened in shock. She did not want to talk about this now!

"Can we save this conversation for later?" Alice pleaded. Oh dear god they knew about the two of them. This was exactly what she had been trying to avoid. She wanted to bury herself into a deep pit and not come out until a century later.

"We have no other option, as Rosalie still hasn't come back," was Esme's response.

"She hasn't?" Alice felt panic edge into her voice. Where could the blonde have gone? "Why didn't anyone go after her?" she knew her question was ridiculous as the incident with Jasper had happened right afterwards but she still couldn't keep her emotions from controlling her reasoning.

"Yes, we were actually going to go now since everything got settled. She could have run into James and Victoria for all we know. Alice can you check with your visions?"

Alice knew if the blonde had run into the two vampires they would be long dead. But what if she had and had been too distracted to fight properly? What if she was hurt? Alice focused on the blonde, trying to reach out to her. She knew that she rarely had visions of the blonde, but she had to try. She couldn't bare it if because of her she had gotten into trouble.

Alice sent out all her senses, reaching into her inner third eye for a sight of the future. It was black and quiet for a while before she finally got a vision. It was of one of Rosalie and she was sitting in a hotel room, peering out through the blinds covering it. She didn't have any of her personal belongings with her meaning this trip had been last second. But she didn't need any luggage anyways because her reason for arriving in this city ran through her head constantly.

The view she had was of a city so iconic that Alice recognized it immediately although it was of a more decrepit part. Alice had spent many summers vacationing here. It was the city of Rome.

Alice let out a gasp as she pulled herself out of the vision, urgency overpowering every one of her cells. She couldn't believe the blonde had been stupid enough to do this.

"Alice, what did you see?" Esme asked in worry as she watched Alice pull at her short hair and twist her face in a grimace.

"What stupid thing did Rosalie do now?" Jasper asked, radiating some of his calming waves to his sister to calm her down. The pheromones helped relax her a bit, enough for her to be able to describe what she had seen without wanting to punch a wall.

"Rosalie's gone to the Volturi!"

A/N: Stupid Rosalie, why'd she go do that? On a side note, I have another Twilight fanfic. It's called Toxic Rose and focuses on a relationship between Bella and Rosalie. Its basically about an unhealthy 'toxic' relationship and how it progresses. It's a bit darker than this story (still rated T) but I would love it if you guys could check it out and let me know what you think about it.