Disclaimer: I do not own anything having to do with the Twilight series. It's all Stephanie Meyer's.

WARNING: It's rated M for a reason people!

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! Keep them coming; they inspire me.

"Victoria's back?!" Bella screeched upon hearing the news spill from Jacob's lips. He told them what Sam had said, and Edward paced up and down the sidewalk in front of the Swan residence. He raked his fingers through his unruly bronze hair and clenched his jaw. "Fuck!" he cursed. He stopped and pointed a finger at Jacob, "Are you SURE it's Victoria? Not another vampire?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Why would I want to get Bella upset, if I wasn't sure?" Jacob said in a low voice, eyes narrowing. He didn't like to be doubted or the pack. Edward continued to pace and nodded, as if he was reasoning with an unknown voice in his head.

"All we need to do is trap her," he said. "That should be simple enough."

"Man, her scent is all over these woods," Jacob replied, "Sam said she's made sure to keep us running."

Bella was listening to the exchange, but she couldn't quite comprehend what the two men were saying. Maybe that had been Victoria she had seen when she had jumped from the cliff last year. But why had the female vampire waited this long to take action? She could have finished Bella off quite easily at that point. Why wait this long? Unless it was because Edward hadn't been around, and Victoria wanted to make sure he witnessed Bella's suffering. It was Edward and the others who had killed Victoria's mate James, so in her mind – an eye for an eye. Bella shuddered involuntarily. It was like a ghost had walked across her grave. Edward noticed her discomfort and immediately was at her side and taking her in his arms. He rubbed his hands up and down her back. "Don't worry, Bella. I won't let anything happen to you," he said, kissing the top of her head.

Jacob laid a hand on Bella's neck, and it was all Edward could do not to hiss at him, but he contained himself. Stupid agreement. What had he been thinking? His mind suddenly flashed back to the previous night's lovemaking and the things he had done . . . Good God. Had he REALLY done all THAT? He closed his eyes against the images of white skin, dark skin . . . his nostrils flared, but Bella and Jacob only thought he was fuming over Victoria.

"Yeah, Bells," Jacob added, "There's no way we'll let her near you." He massaged her neck, and she turned to smile at him, reaching up to put an arm around his neck and pulling him close to her and Edward. Edward stopped breathing at that point. It was lucky vampires didn't have to breathe, or he would've passed out. Jacob's scent was overpowering. Since he and Jacob were around the same height, he avoided looking at Jacob's face.

Yeah, man. I'm as uncomfortable as you.

Edward managed to subtly pull Bella away from Jacob. He looked down at her and said, "Bella, I'm going to leave you with Jacob. He'll protect you until I get back."

"Where are you going?" Bella asked, suddenly nervous and frightful, grabbing Edward's shirt sleeve.

"I've got to tell Carlisle and the others. We have to come up with a plan to trap Victoria. You're staying with Jacob until this problem is taken care of," He told her, putting his hands on her shoulders and looking in her eyes. His amber eyes caressed hers, and she couldn't help but feel the warm sensation start in her stomach and work its way down to her toes.

"But Edward—" she started to protest, but he put a finger to her lips. "No, 'buts'. I'll be fine. You think the seven of us can't handle one rogue vampire?" Edward asked. He looked at Jacob then, "Never leave her sight."

Jacob smirked. "As if you have to tell me that."

Edward's eyes flashed, and before Bella or Jacob could blink, he was back inside the Volvo and leaning over the gearshift. "I'll be back before you know it, Bella. I love you."

"Edward!" Bella exclaimed, but before she could say anything else, he was speeding off in the direction of the Cullen mansion. She whirled around to face Jacob and threw her arms around his neck, "I'll never forgive myself if something happens to him!" Jacob wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close.

"Nothing's going to happen to Ed. Plus, he's right – it's them against her. She doesn't have chance. Not one fucking chance," he assured her. He breathed in her scent that was more vampire than Bella, but he really didn't care anymore. His heart rate quickened. Damn. She must have felt his arousal because she shyly pulled away from him and without looking him in the eyes, said, "Let's go in. There's no point in standing out here so the neighbors can gawk."

Charlie's police cruiser was gone, so that meant he was still on the job. Bella looked at her watch and saw that it was almost noon. She took Jake's hand and led him inside the house. She noticed he had changed clothes, but still had sweats on. She knew this was incase he had to "change" in a different way. Sweats made it easier. He had on a white tank and the contrast with his dark skin was stunning. She still marveled at the way his body had matured over the last year and a half. She suddenly felt guilty of denying him the freedom of finding someone who could be solely his. He deserved that much. She truly was a selfish bitch.

They were standing in the kitchen, and Bella was staring blankly out the window. Jacob touched her shoulder, and she blinked and looked at him. "Are you in there?" he asked, smiling slightly.

"Oh, Jacob. I'm surprised you don't hate me!" she cried. He frowned, his brow furrowing. "Why would I hate you? You know how much I love you," he replied.

"But I don't deserve it. I was selfish to ask you to share me with Edward. I was selfish to ask Edward! I'm a bitch!" she said angrily, grabbing the first thing her hand came in contact with. A chef's knife. Jacob's eyes grew wide.

"Bella! What the fuck are you doing?"

"Maybe I should save Victoria the trouble and end things right now," she said in a half-dazed voice, her eyes going all soft. She was looking at something in the distance, and she was freaking him out. Quickly, he snatched the knife from her hand and put it out of arm's reach. She blinked and suddenly looked at him – dazed and confused. "Jacob?"

"Good God, Bella! What were you thinking?" he shouted. He suddenly realized he was shaking all over. He had never seen her act in such a way. It had been terrifying. What if she had stabbed herself? What if he hadn't grabbed the knife when he did? He grabbed her and shook her slightly. He knew his strength.

"I-I don't know what happened. I just had the sudden urge to hurt myself," she muttered, looking down at the floor. And she didn't know what happened. All she knew was she had suddenly felt a self-loathing that was indescribable. Even when Edward was gone last year, she had never felt such a thing. "I think I need to lie down," she said, feeling extremely lethargic. She took a step towards the stairway and suddenly the floor shifted and her knees buckled. Jacob caught her before she hit the floor, and he grabbed her up in his arms. OK. Now he was scared shitless. What in fuck's name was going on?

"Bella!" he shouted, but her body lay limp and lifeless in his arms.

Neither one of them had seen the shadow at the window. If they had, they both would have known right away what was going on. But of course, the shadow didn't want them to know. Not just yet.

______

"Bring it on!" shouted Emmett, thrusting a fist in the air. Rosalie rolled her eyes, but didn't feel contempt for her husband. No, she felt contempt for the ninny they had to keep protecting. How this girl ever survived to be 18, she couldn't fathom. If she wasn't tripping and falling down stairs, over curbs or sidewalks, she had evil vampires after her. And Rosalie swore if that stupid Bella Swan did anything to jeopardize their cover here in Forks, well, she would be answering to Rosalie.

"How long did Sam say Victoria's been in the area?" Carlisle asked Edward, ignoring Emmett's enthusiasm for the impending fight. It would be easy. They all knew that. Finding Victoria and catching her was the problem.

"I think she's only been here a day, maybe – two at the most. She's been using her time putting her scent all over the forest to confuse us," Edward replied.

Just then the front door banged open and Alice and Jasper came running in. Alice was fairly flying, her pixie face contorted in fear and her short, brown hair sticking out everywhere and covered in leaves. Jasper followed close behind. "I saw her! I saw Bella!" Alice gasped.

"Yes, Victoria's back," Edward growled, but he suddenly saw what Alice meant. His face grew even whiter and he roared, "That fucking wolf!" He was headed for the door when Alice shouted at him to stop.

"You can't go Edward!"

He whirled around. "What do you mean? I can't go? She's in danger!"

"Jacob will take care of Bella," Alice said.

"And how do you know that? You can't even see the mangy mutt!" Edward fumed. Suddenly he felt a calming sensation and knew Jasper was working his magic. Edward slowly breathed in and breathed out and looked at his sister, "I'm sorry Alice. I didn't mean to yell."

Alice nodded. Everyone was silent, waiting for someone to speak. Even Emmett didn't have anything witty to say. Alice stared at nothing. Jasper came to stand beside her and he whispered, "What do you see?"

"Them," she whispered.

"Who?" Edward asked.

"The Volturi."

_______

Stay tuned for Chapter 5!