Chapter V

Chosen Among Many

My heart swelled for the next few days, I knew I was in love. All over again.

School was a blur. Days folded into weeks, and before I knew it, Friday the fifth was now Friday the twelfth. Tomorrow was now another Saturday and another chance to see Jeremiah. What I didn't expect, was him standing on my front porch holding a bouquet of twelve perfect roses, early Friday night.

"Jeremiah?"

He laughed showing rows of beautiful white teeth, "Is this a bad time?"

"Yes it is."

Startled we both turned to find the source of the ominous voice. Edward stood at the bottom of the porch stairs with is hands shoved deep in his pockets. His eyes enshrouded in dark and his entire body tensed in solemn intensity. Jeremiah hushed himself remaining still in anticipation.

"And so the blood bath begins." I breathed, hardly audible, but I knew both of them heard, neither reacting.

"You can't win Edward," Jeremiah hissed, "you're a demon dealing with the gods." Edward remained motionless, his head bowed slightly. Surprisingly he smiled.

"I saw her first." He reminded. "I called dibs." That made me giggle in the moment of absolute seriousness. I had never been fought over before, so I did have the right to enjoy it.

"I'm warning you politely, vampire, if you fight, you will loose."

"I'll take my chances."

"Fine, but don't forget I asked nicely."

"I'm sure you say that a lot." Edward sneered.

"What is it to you? You don't deserve even to walk among humans, you call yourselves vegetarian vampires. Yet you only chase after Bella because without her you'd take your own life. And yes I do know about your incident with the Volturi, I thought of you smarter, but perhaps I was wrong."

"You're wrong about most things."

"And if I am? You surely don't seem to be responding too quickly on your feet."

"I'm quicker then you think." And suddenly Edward was right between me and Jeremiah.

"As am I." And Jeremiah was sitting poised on the roof with his feet dangling. "Shall we begin this then? Or wait 'til your next meal, I do like at least a small challenge." Jeremiah said shrugging out of his suit jacket and tugging loose his tie.

"No, right now would be fine, since I just ate." Edward spat back, ready for anything. It bothered me the way he said ate, I knew it was just to tick Jeremiah off, but he could have used it in a softer sense.

"Good then, this won't be too easy." Jeremiah, untucking his shirt, lept from the roof above our heads, and to my amazement snapped out two huge, beautiful gray wings from two slits in the back of his dress shirt, and set down easily on the front lawn. "So bring it, bloodsucker, and stop stalling the inevitable."

Edward glanced back at me in a silent farewell, and turned to face Jeremiah. Launching through the air the two whirled in the night, bouncing from tree to house to ground. Slashing, slamming, and slicing. Ramming into trees and throwing each other to the ground only to continue the brawl. Before I knew what had happened Edward sailed through the air passing through four trees in his path. I wanted to call out to him, but knew I shouldn't interfere. Jeremiah pounced through the trees without second thought, continuing the fight into the woods, but I dared not follow, heeding Edwards past warning about the forest behind my house - especially at night. I could here them though, the distant "thuds" and "cracks" of young sapling trees. I could also here the cries of pain, echoing off the vibrant full moon and on into oblivion. When hours went by without their return, I gave in, and returned to the house, my room, and my bed, that felt very comforting after witnessing such a high tension situation. I couldn't relax though, just the knowledge of them fighting kept me awake. Who would win? And would they fight each other to the death?

* * * * *

The morning dawned cold and gray, exceptionally cold and gray. In terms of Jack London of course.

Neither Edward nor Jeremiah returned. And I sat wrapped in charlie's old blue blanket, periodically sipping hot chocolate and hardly paying attention to the show on TV, for my mind was elsewhere. With them I supposed, incognicent of my immediate surroundings, but aware of what was happening distantly.

"Sure have been quite this morning." Charlie commented from the kitchen table. I totally ignored him, however my lips seemed to form the words, "just tired, haven't slept well". Charlie just nodded returning to his newspaper.

I knew I was going to have to move along alone. Without Edward being there to defend all the misfortune that befalls me.

It hit me then. The Volturi.

With Edward and Jeremiah preoccupied, what was going to happen when the Volturi came and Edward was nowhere to be found? My only hope lied in the rest of the Cullens, but I had to know for sure. I set my mug on the sofa table, and silently decided I needed to pay an unexpected visit to the Cullen house.

"I'm going to see the Cullens, I'll be back later today." I told Charlie, dashing up the stairs to get ready.

"What? Why? So unexpected?" He called after me.

"I'm always welcome there," I yelled from my room, picking out clothes suitable for perfect people,"they won't mind."

"Well, don't stay out much after dark, we've had some vandalism in the past few days, don't want anyone getting hurt."

"Vandalism? Really Dad?"

"I'm serious, you seem to attract all the trouble this town has to offer."

I smiled, grabbing the comb to smooth my unruly hair, and my toothbrush to freshen my breath. I then rushed down the stairs, getting my coat, keys to my tuck, and slipping on my shoes. "You know me so well Dad, but I gotta go, and I promise to be back before eight."

I turned and shut the door behind me and steadily walked to my truck. It started up with its familiar roar and sat idle while I thought. What if they say no? What if they are planning to go somewhere like Denali or they're to busy?

I started slowly to pull out of the driveway and onto the street, paying attention to everything but driving.

I knew Alice had my back, or throat rather, but she wasn't anything compared to the Volturi. I needed all of the Cullens, including Rosalie. I didn't know if Emmet and Rosalie were back from their excursion in Africa, so I couldn't count on them. Jasper was practically useless, since he froze in iron solid "control" every time he was around me.

All that was left was Carlisle and Esme, they were reliable if they weren't either on doctor's call or tending to a child. So I could count on three. It was enough, to make my death less lonely.

I sighed, turning into the Cullens all-to-familiar driveway.

The house was dark, no lights on inside, but with all of the windows, I doubted they needed electricity. I parked behind the Mercedes and cut the engine. The reality of nonsense hit me then.

The craziness of everything was unbearable. The situation, how my survival depended not on a doctor in a hospital, but on seven vampires.

Not possible. Yet it was happening.

I sheepishly knocked on the front door, bearily audible, but I knew it was heard.

Esme answered. "Bella! How unexpected. However this is practically your second home. Come in Come in."

She shut the door behind me. "I'm sorry but everyone is out. Is there something I could help you with?"

"I was afraid of that," I replied hoarsely, "I needed everyone to talk to. But I know you will listen right?"

"Well of course, what is it." Now concerned.

"Has Edward been by lately?"

"No, now that I think about it. Bella, has something happened between you two?"

"Not really between him and I..." My voice trailed off.

"Tell me now Bella," Esme, now stern, "danger is no stranger to us."

I blurted, "It was this thing," collapsing on the couch, "His name was Jeremiah, he said he was a Valkyrie."

Esme backed away slowly, her face not betraying the fear that her eyes told. "And Edward..." she murmured.

"Has gone to fight him, a tear ran down my cheek, "because of me."

At that moment the front door opened, Alice came in. "Esme I'm home!" she called, not aware we were in the next room. "Is Bella here because her car-" She stopped seeing Esme and me half crying. "What happened?"

"Its Edward dear, he's in more trouble...probably more trouble since the Volturi."

She turned to me, "Bella?"

"He's gone to fight a Valkyrie over me."

She pulled me into a tight hug. "Its going to be alright. He can't beat all seven of us. At least... it won't be that easy for him." she glanced at Esme.

"So what are you going to do?" I asked. "Aren't Emmet and Rosalie still in Africa? And Carlisle is working-"

"We don't need to worry about Carlisle, he doesn't even need to work. Emmet and Rosalie are on their way home. Jasper should be arriving any minute also."

"But." I tried to cut in.

"Yes?"

If Edward doesn't," It was hard to say the words, "make it out of this... Will you still be able to protect me from the Volturi?" My voice seeming to jerk out at the last word.

"Well of course." Alice said from the kitchen, "By the rare chance that Edward is not here to protect you, then we all will certainly take over for him, you are family remember?"

Esme cut in, "What would make you think we wouldn't help?"

"Well," I answered, "I didn't know if you would be too busy, or not even in the country or just mad at me for taking Edward away from you."

"Ha!," Alice now back in the living room. " Too busy? We are immortal, living forever, and you're worried that we are to busy?" She seem to think it was funny.

"Now Alice, this isn't easy, especially for Bella, It's not everyday you meet creatures that aren't even supposed to exist."

"Well it is for me." I commented

"Your an exception. Now, Alice get Carlisle on the phone and I'll see where Emmet and Rosalie are. Bella, call your dad, tell him you'll be spending the night here, we don't want your little friend paying any unexpected visits."

"Thank you Esme, Alice. You are undescribabely the best."

She nodded. "Now go make that call, and if has trouble with the concept, have him talk to me."

She left for the kitchen. Alice already on the phone with the Hospital winked at me, I smiled back, and mouthed the words "Thank you" she nodded in reply.

I now knew this had turned from something manageable to another situation where many lives were at stake. This, I knew, was going to be a

very long weekend...

Ok, so I'm back. Sorry this chapter took like half a millenia to publish but I've been busy. Hope you like it. Read and review. Thanks!