CHAPTER 4: UNEXPECTED PASSANGER

Bella POV

I couldn't believe that I had grabbed Edward. What was I thinking? I had thrown myself at him without thinking. Not only that but I hadn't let go. Mostly because his sister was still sitting there staring at us both.

I pulled myself closer to him noticing just how strong he was. No, that wasn't the right word. He was hard. It was like leaning against a wall. The other thing that struck me was how cold he was. It could have been because he had been sitting with the window down for the whole ride or maybe the fact that he didn't have on a coat. Either way he was an ice cube. A cold, hard ice cube. I mentally added that to my ever growing "What are the Cullens" list.

I heard his sister draw breath and raised my head to look at her not even thinking about letting Edward go. I couldn't explain it but even with everything that was going on and everything that I didn't know about him, I still felt safe with him.

The little one, Alice I believe her name was, had a strange expression covering her face. It was similar nausea but she didn't look green. If anything she looked just as perfect as they all did.

"Alice?" Edward's voice sounded worried. What did this mean? Would my life be forfeited now only a few hours away from home? Had I hurt Charlie for no reason?

As I was pondering my fate, Alice looked up at Edward smiling bigger than she had been when I first saw her. "We have a lot to talk about."

"Are you alone?" Edward's velvety voice sounded strained.

"Of course" She shrugged taking note of the fact that I was still wrapped around her brother. Her eyes twinkled and if I didn't know any better I would think that she was happy with what she was seeing. But that was impossible. Edward had said that his family was after me and if she was here then that must mean that the others weren't that far away.

"What are you doing here?" I didn't think it was a conscious thought but Edward pulled me closer.

"Helping" She said as if that explained everything.

"Where did you come from?"

"The trunk"

"The trunk?" Edward's voice registered the same shock that had to be written all over my face. Who rode in a trunk willingly?

"Well, I couldn't just let you leave all by yourself." She looked as if this statement made sense. "You need me."

"Why didn't I hear you?"

"I concentrated on not thinking and don't think that wasn't hard" As if it was possible I thought I felt Edward get stiffer. "I tell you. The things I do for my family." She winked at me. She actually winked at me.

"Hi Bella. I'm sorry that we haven't been properly introduced what with Edward kidnapping you and all and my having to hide in the trunk; I'm Alice." She was smiling wider at me. I felt a rush of nerves hit me and she must have noticed because her smile faltered just a little. "Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. In face we are going to be great friends."

I heard Edwards teeth grind together. "Bella, why don't you get inside while I have a talk with my sister" He pulled my arms from around his waist.

"Um, okay" I looked between the two but said nothing more as I went to sit down.

"Don't worry Bella" Alice said as I moved past her. "You're perfectly safe with us and I didn't spill any of you slushy." Her face squinted up. "But a lot of your chips crumbled when the bag dropped. Sorry. I was more focused on the drink than the bag."

I just stared at her. How could she know about the chips? "That's okay."

She smiled and nodded at me moving closer to Edward but then turned quickly back to me. "And keep the door open. It will let the car air out just a little more." She looked at Edward but then turned back again. "And don't forget the blanket on the seat."

I just stared at her back. I didn't know why the car needed to air out but I shrugged learning not to question and reached for a blanket to put over the seat before I sat down. This had to be the strangest trip I had ever taken. Not that I was some kind of world traveler. Truthfully I had never been anywhere other than Forks, Phoenix, California and Albuquerque and none of those had really been in a car. I remember once Renee had thought we should drive cross country for the summer for fun but like most if not all of her ideas it never panned out.

I sat down the same as how I had seen Alice. I had my feet hanging outside of the car and my eyes on their conversation but it didn't look like they were talking at all. They were standing so that I couldn't really see their faces but if their lips were moving I couldn't tell. I couldn't hear anything even though they weren't that far away.

I swear the more I learned about this family the more questions I had. My not normal level was jumping up. In fact it was off the charts. Who travels in a trunk? What about breathing or space? And what if Edward hadn't stopped? And now that I think about it, how did she get out? I looked toward the back seat trying to see if you could let them down from inside but I couldn't tell. It wasn't like I was Ms. Jiffy Lube anyway.

As I sat there I heard Edward's voice getting louder. I figured she was telling him something that he didn't want to know about their family. That or that she had come to finish me off. Although she had told me not to worry but that could have been just a ploy. Something to lull me into a false sense of security before they pounce. That made more sense than her riding in a trunk for hours just to help. No one rode in trunks unless they are dead.

Oh God. That was what they were planning. They were going to stuff me in the trunk and just go about their merry way. I bet that she didn't even ride in the trunk. The rest of them are probably hiding around the corner. As soon as we pull out they are going to be waiting.

I was about to start hyperventilating when I looked over and saw Edward looking at me. Suddenly I was completely calm. He had told me that he would protect me and I felt safe with him. If his family was there I trusted that he won't let anything happen to me. I trusted him even if no one else.

Edward POV

I didn't know what to say to Bella. How was I going to explain not just Alice but her presence here? I wasn't sure that I understood it.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as fast as I could while keeping my voice low so that hopefully Bella wouldn't hear. The last thing I needed to do was give her any more reason to think whatever she thought of me.

Helping, Alice was smart enough to not speak out loud I assumed for the same reason.

"By hiding in my trunk and scaring Bella have to death?" I was having a hard enough time not killing her myself. The last thing I needed was Alice's help.

Of course not, she scoffed. Bella and I are best friends. Why would I want to scare her?

I just stared at her. She hadn't said all of twenty words to the girl and she thought they were best friends. Only in my sister's mind would that make sense.

"You don't know her Alice, how is she your best friend?"

Because she will be, she answered. I saw it and I also saw you succumbing to your bloodlust for her and that's why I came.

My eyes widened at that. I had thought I was doing so well and that I had a good enough plan mapped out so that I wouldn't be too thirsty around her and here Alice was telling me that all my ideas were for naught. In the end it would be me after all that took her life.

I don't see that anymore Edward, thank God, but I do see that you are going to need me on this trip. She was nodding quickly.

"But if it became too much for me once Alice then what's to stop her scent from getting to me again?" I should find the nearest airport and put Bella on a plane to Arizona.

That won't work Edward, Alice was explaining.

"Why not?"

Because her mother isn't in Arizona and she won't be for quite a while. I saw a vision of Bella sitting alone in an abstractly decorated kitchen. She looked so sad and alone. We're going to have to take her to Florida.

"WHAT?" My voice rose so loud that I had to look behind me to see if Bella had heard. Her eyes were on us but she didn't look scared anymore. Mostly she looked curious.

Calm down, Alice had her hand on mine. You'll be okay and even if you aren't then I'll be here to stop you.

She had to have lost her mind. "Alice there is no way that you and I can go to Florida." There had to be three or four extremely sunny states between here and there for us to just ride around trying to find Bella's mom. The plane idea was looking better and better. "If you know that her mom is in Florida then wouldn't it make more sense to put her on a plane there instead of risking her life and ours?" I didn't want to think about what the Volturi would do to us if it got out that two shiny, glittering people were driving across country with the window down.

Because that would ruin our fun, she looked offended. Besides her mother isn't in Florida yet. We still have a week maybe two before she gets there.

"I don't understand?" I was pinching the bridge of my nose trying to keep up with Alice.

They are in a car, Bella's mom and her husband, and I can't see why it's going to take that long but I can see that if you send Bella off to Arizona she will be alone for almost two weeks before she flies out to Florida.

"Alice even if I drove the speed limit I would still make it to Florida before that. Which leads back to the fact that we can't go to Florida." Was she not thinking of the sun at all? "What would we do in Florida?"

See Disney World, she smiled at me.

"Get destroyed by the Volturi." I pointed out.

Nonsense Edward, she was laughing. You act like the park closes at one in the afternoon. I'm almost positive that they stay open way past when the sun goes down.

I shook my head. "So we are supposed to what? Spend a week going to Disney World after dusk?"

Really Edward, this time she let her hand smack against my shoulder in her amusement. You act like there aren't other parks that we could see, but that won't be completely necessary.

"And why not?" I hoped she could hear the sarcasm in my voice.

Because there are like ten states in between here and there, she looked down at the map that I had left open on the hood of my car. Look we could see Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and the Arch in Missouri. I think they also have a baseball museum too, her smile was back.

Hey in Memphis we could hear some really good blues, she nudged me. You know how you like the blues. You think that is a metaphor? She was laughing to herself while I scold down at her. The Stone Mountains are in Georgia we could find some great food there, the puzzled look was back. Although that would be more fun for us than Bella. Plus I've never been to Tennessee and you haven't been back since Emmett joined the family. Her eyes brightened. Maybe we could call Emmett and he could meet us there. I'm sure he would love to see his old home.

"Alice?" From the sounds of her plans it would take us forever to get to Florida. Wasn't she concerned about Bella at all?

Oh I didn't even notice Illinois, she paid no attention to me. It would be a bit of a detour but I would love to see your old home too. That squint was back to her face and I knew that she was blocking me. By then Bella would like to see it too.

"What are you seeing?" I asked

Nothing worth mentioning now, she smiled again and then her face changed a little. Oh almost missed that. She looked up at me. You need to look back at Bella right now.

I turned and saw the fear lacing Bella's face. My foot started to move toward her. Not yet Edward. She isn't ready and neither are you but everything is fine now and we are going to have plenty to do and see before Florida.

"And what about the family?" I turned back toward her. Maybe if she wasn't going to worry about us she would worry about them. "You know Esme hates when we are separated. And Jasper? What is he going to do without you there for all the time that it would take us to make this grand trip?"

She sighed. Jazz is going to have a difficult time but I'm not sure I want to see him yet. She huffed and crossed her arms. I mean really. Planning on hurting my best friend just isn't right.

"She's not your best friend" I hissed through my teeth. "And the last thing she needs is for you to get all attached to her."

You listen to me Edward Cullen; she put her tiny hands on her even tinier hips. That girl sitting in that car is going to be the best, best friend I have ever had. She is going to be a sister to me and I will not stand for Jasper or you coming between that. Do you understand me?

I closed my eyes and shook my head. There was no way that Alice and Bella would be best friends, let alone sisters. I didn't know what Alice had seen, mostly because she was still blocking me, but I couldn't believe that Bella would be alright with a vampire for a best friend. The only thing more dangerous would be a werewolf. As it was I had almost killed her myself, slammed her head on the concrete in an attempt to save her from being crushed by a car, stolen her from her warm home and loving father and that was all in the two weeks she had been in Forks. I couldn't imagine what might happen to her if she and Alice were best friends.

I tried to reason with her. "Alice I am willing to drive to Florida although it is completely out of the way but there will be no big road trip." I could see her pouting and I heard her getting ready to object. "I mean it Alice. We need to get back and Bella has to start a whole new school again."

First of all, the longer we are away the more time Carlisle has to calm Rose and Jasper down and the easier it will be to prove that she isn't a threat. She was mounting her defense. Secondly, as far as school is concerned I have all of Bella's books and I can call and pretend to be her nurse or something to get her assignment so she won't miss a thing. I also have all of my books and yours so that we will be okay too. Where had she found the time to do all this?

"But she won't be going back to Forks High School."

Alice just smiled at me and started folding the map. I'm not going to argue with you Edward. She turned to me handing me the map. You are just going to have to trust me. Now let's go back. Bella is getting really suspicious and I see her coming over in one minute and three seconds. With that she walked around me and to the passenger side of the car still smiling.

"Is everything alright?" Bella asked when we both were almost right in front of her.

"Everything is fine Bella" Alice's voice rang out. "We were just mapping out the trip."

"Shouldn't it be pretty straight forward?" Bella gave Alice a troubled look.

"Where would the fun be in that?" Alice was laughing at her. "We have time before your mother will be back so I say might as well enjoy it."

"But what about school?" Bella asked.

"I have all your books and we can call and get the assignments and then fax them back." Alice would not be deterred.

"How do you have all my books?' Bella was looking at her wide eyed.

I saw Alice's smile waiver and I laughed to myself. She wasn't expecting that. Some psychic. "Well, Bella I have all of my books and Edwards and since we are in the same grade then I just assumed that they would be the same as yours."

"Oh" I couldn't tell if Bella was buying that or not. "What about my mom and Charlie? I can't be gone to long without calling. They'll worry." I heard the catch in her voice then. I felt awful that she was running away from her family because of mine.

"We can call them from the road." Alice pulled a phone out of her pocket. "You keep this and whenever you want give them a call."

My mouth dropped open. Did she just give Bella her cell phone? Alice's cell phone was like a third arm to her. There was no way that she gave it up. I looked at the phone closely and realized that it wasn't hers but it was familiar.

"Is that one of the extra phones?"

"No one else was using them" She shrugged.

She had raided our emergency kit. We always kept three extra phones in case we had to leave any one place in a hurry. The idea was that Rose and Em would take one, Jazz and Alice another, and Carlisle and Esme the last. I didn't have one mostly because I didn't have a mate. I had always just gone with one of the other pairs and never needed one. There was a part of me that hated that it was just a given that I didn't need one because I was alone but what could I do about it? The truth was that I was alone and I didn't see that changing so there wasn't a need.

We need to get going if we are going to make it to Idaho by tomorrow, Alice warned me.

"Can I get past you Bella?" Alice was pointing to the back seat.

"You don't have to ride in the back Alice" Bella was telling her as she stood. "Especially after being in the trunk." I almost laughed at the lunacy of that sentence. "I can ride in the back."

See I told you she was my best friend. Alice was screaming at me. Giving up her seat like that. I love her.

"Nonsense Bella" was all she said out loud. "You're taller than me and it's so small back there."

"But…." Bella was going to protest but Alice cut her off.

"I'll be fine" She told her. "Besides it might be small but it's definitely bigger than the trunk." She was laughing and to my surprise Bella was laughing too.

I stood there watching my sister and her would be best friend get into my tiny sports car in shock. There was no way that I could have ever expected this. How had I gone from wanting to kill her to trying to save her to watching my sister bond with her? And why did it bother me so much? Was it just that it seemed like a wasted effort or was there something more?

"Edward" Bella leaned out the door pulling me from my thoughts. "Are you coming?"

"Yeah" I walked around the car and got in.

"Alright, Idaho here we come" Alice beamed from the back. "Don't you just love road trips?"

I rolled my eyes at her and took off away from the gas station heading back to the highway.

AN: I can't tell you how much fun I had writing this chapter. Alice is one of my favorite characters to write which I know that I have said before but each time it just rings true. Anyho, I hope you have enjoyed this weeks chapters and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Don't forget to review :).