AN: We do not own Twilight.

Sorry for the ridiculously long wait. We kinda got writers block, and then life got in the way too... And yeah. Sorry.

So here's the chapter! FINALLY!

You know... If we don't get at least one review from someone other than Sam... Then we may have to stop writing... (GASP)

Chapter 12

"'Sup dawg?" Emmett asked me early the next day.

"Rose . . . " I said, confused, "What did he watch this time?"

"A 'Pimp My Ride' marathon was on last night." She replied glumly.

It was finally morning and the day of the game. I was grateful the night had turned to day so I could put yesterday where it belonged, in the past.

"So he's gonna talk like this all day?" Jasper asked.

"More than likely."

"Great." I stretched out the word.

"Come on, Edward's going to meet us at the field with Bella in 34 minutes." Alice piped up.

We Cullen kids took our baseball seriously, so we were all getting ready as fast as we could. My hair was all over the place from the little fight Jasper and I had last night so the best I could do was put it into two pigtails and pull a cap over them.

When I went downstairs, I saw that all the others, like me, had changed into our baseball clothes that Alice designed.

"You look like a three year old." Jasper said to me, coming out of the garage with Emmett carrying the bags with our equipment.

"Shut it. Thanks to you, that's all I can do with my hair. What are our teams?"

"The usual, but Esme's playing because Bella will be umpire." Alice said, her sight on the future.

The usual teams consisted of Emmett, Edward, Alice and Esme versus Carlisle, Rosalie, Jasper and myself. Blondes verses Brunettes, I thought.

"Come on m'homies, let's get dis partay started." Emmett said louder than necessary.

"Don't you dare talk like that around Bella, Emmett." Alice said sternly.

I rolled my eyes and followed him out the door. We all ran to the field and began to set up.

Esme, Rosalie, Emmett and I sat on a rock while Alice and Jasper threw a ball back and forth. Carlisle began to mark out the bases when Bella and Edward arrived. I looked up at them and covered the 100 or so yards between us in less than a second.

"Hey, Bella!" I said.

"You're so fast." She seemed stunned at the huge distance I ran over in such a short time.

I grinned "Yeah, we're pretty fast, but you haven't seen anything yet."

I continued, "Edward, took you long enough to get here. Come on, Esme wants to talk to you, Bella. She's usually our umpire, but since you're here, she can play. She'll tell you the rules." By the way, if haven't noticed yet, Emmett watched waaaayyyy too much 'Pimp My Ride' last night. Just to warn you. We told him to be normal around Bella. I thought as we walked to the place I had been just a few moments before.

Edward nodded slightly.

"Was that you we heard Edward?" Esme asked him as we came closer. Rosalie left at the same time Esme spoke, her disdain for Bella was apparent.

"It sounded like a bear choking." Emmett clarified.

"And you know that sound too well." I added.

"It was him." Bella said.

"Bella was being unintentionally funny." Edward defended.

Alice bounded over to us. "It's time."

As she spoke, the rumble of thunder shook the forest around us and then crashed towards town.

"Eerie, isn't it?" Emmett winked at Bella.

"Let's go." I said, linking my arm in Bella's. Esme walked beside her.

"You don't play with them?" Bella asked Esme timidly.

"Not usually, I prefer to referee - I like keeping them honest."

"Do they cheat, then?" Bella said.

"We don't cheat!" I defended. Esme gave me one of her motherly looks that made me tell the truth. "Well, maybe a bit."

"You should hear the arguments they get into. Actually, I hope you don't, you would think they were raised by a pack of wolves." Esme said with a slight giggle.

"You sound like my mom." Bella laughed, surprised.

"Well, I think of them as my children in most ways. I never could get over my mothering instincts - did Edward tell you I had lost a child?"

"No." Bella said, taken aback at the turn of conversation.

"Yes, my first and only baby. He died just a few days after he was born, the poor tiny thing." She sighed. "It broke my heart, that's why I jumped off the cliff, you know," she added matter-of-factly.

"Edward said you f-fell." Bella stuttered.

"Always the gentleman." I said.

Esme smiled. "Edward was the first of my new sons and Ruth, the first of my new daughters, but both are older than I, in one way."

"Yeah, but it took you 10 years to find out." I added. "I knew Esme when she 16, Bella. We were good friends then, but she never knew what we were. She fell totally in love with Carlisle when he set her leg after she fell out of a tree. She wouldn't shut up about how handsome my dad was." I laughed.

"But I thought . . ." Bella trailed off.

"We've had so many cover stories over the years. When it was just Carlisle and I, we switched from being cousins, father and daughter and brother and sister all the time. It was easier for us to hide our former life amongst the humans in the last city we were in."

"Anyways . . ." Esme said. "I'm so happy that he's found you, dear. He's been the odd man out too long; it's hurt me to see him alone."

"You don't mind that I'm . . . all wrong for him?"

"No, you're what he wants. It will work out somehow. Sometime soon, maybe Ruth will find what she wants."

"Give it another century or so." I joked, but I was touched by what Esme said. Sure, she said it before, but not in front of anyone but me.

"I don't think it will be a century. Someone will come sooner or later." Bella said, patting my arm consolingly.

I smiled sadly. "I had my chance before; I doubt it will come again."

We stopped at home plate as another roll of thunder began. Rosalie was up to bat and I took my place between her and Carlisle. Esme stood several feet behind home plate with Bella beside her. Edward was in left field, Emmett stood between the first and second bases and Alice was at the pitchers mound.

"All right. Batter up." Esme said in a clear voice that even Edward could hear from where he was.

Alice pitched the ball and it flew into Esme's waiting hands.

Esme threw it back and Alice pitched it again. Rosalie made the bat come around this time and it hit the ball with the sound of thunder.

Edward disappeared into the trees and came back, holding the ball.

"Out." Esme said calmly.

Bella was staring at Edward in complete disbelief. Well, all of us really.

I picked up the bat, took a few practice swings before stepping up to the plate.

I hit it on the first try and just barely got a home run. Esme caught the ball Edward sent flying her way mille-seconds after I slid to the plate.

"Safe." Bella said. Even though I'm sure if she actually knew I was safe; it was pretty close.

I stood up and gave Jasper a high five.

Now, Carlisle was up. He hit the ball on the third pitch. Emmett and Edward both went for the ball at the same time and collided in mid-air with a loud bang, letting the ball fall feet away from them. Carlisle slid the length of a bowling alley to home.

"Show off." I muttered to him.

"Just trying to impress my wife." He joked.

"Like you have to."

Jasper and Rosalie both got out after Edward made two catches in a row.

Emmett's team batted now with me pitching. I threw the ball as fast as I could. We kept getting into small fights as the game continued. Suddenly, Alice gasped.

Edward ran over to Bella at the same time I did. I grabbed his arm to see what Alice had. Three vampires were coming our way and they were not like us, they were nomads. They drank human blood and they wanted to come join our game. Any other time would've been fine, but not with Bella. One of the vampires looked strangely familiar, but I couldn't remember where I'd seen him. Which struck me as odd, because vampires remember everything.

"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked.

"Vampires are coming here. They were going away until they heard us playing."

"How many?" Emmett asked.

"Three."

"Three." He scoffed. "Let them come."

Are they thirsty? Esme thought.

I nodded.

"Let's just continue the game." Jasper suggested, but it was too late for that. They were already on the edge of the field.

"Put your hair down." Edward told Bella.

That won't help Edward. I could smell her from across the field, Alice thought sincerely.

As they emerged for the trees, I recognized him. It was the same vampire, the one that tried to kill me. The one that took me from my son . . . I felt the anger bubble up inside me. I wanted to kill him, rip him to pieces. Make him suffer for what he did. I let go of Edward's arm and began to walk forward.

What was the last thought I heard from Edward? Carlisle gave him a questioning look and Edward answered under his breath of what I wanted to do.

"No, Ruth!" Carlisle grabbed my arm and twisted me around. All that had happened in less than half a minute.

"Why?" I hissed.

"Because then you'll be no better than him."

I growled lowly, but stopped and stood next to Edward, who immediately grabbed my arm.

What the hell are you thinking? You can't do that! Edward thought.

That bastard took me from my son! I should be able to have some sort of revenge.

The thoughts of everyone but Bella suddenly came into my head louder as I blocked out Edward.

What's with her?

Oh, God. Ruth, I had no idea . . .

What's wrong, Ruth?

Pretend like you don't know him.

Don't do anything stupid.

Keep calm.

Then the thoughts of the nomads came in clearly.

There's a lot of them . . . we'd never be able to take them on.

I wonder if they live here.

So, we meet again.

I pulled my arm away from Edward's hold.

Just take care of Bella. I thought.

My family joined me. Jasper, sensing my anger stood beside me and tried to calm me down.

"Thanks. Keep that up, if you can. We'll need it."

He just nodded and continued to send the emotion to me and everyone else.

The leader had olive-toned skin and glossy black hair. The female had fiery red, long, wild hair. The last, my almost killer, had light brown hair, so light it was nearly blond; exactly as I remembered him, the only difference was the clothes he wore. There eyes were a deep burgundy colour.

"We thought we heard a game." The leader said with an ever so slight French accent. "I'm Laurent; these two are Victoria and James."

I refrained from growling again at them mention of his name. James, I hated it. Didn't suite him at all. Something more dark and evil would've been better.

"I'm Carlisle. This is my family, Emmett, Rosalie and Alice, Esme, Jasper and Ruth, Edward and Bella." He pointed us out, not singling anyone out.

"Do you have room for a few more players?" Laurent asked sociably.

Jasper must still be relieving the tension in the air.

"Actually, we were just finishing. Perhaps another time, if you plan to stay in the area for a while."

"We're heading north, in fact, but we were curious to see who was in the neighbourhood. We haven't run into anyone in a long time."

"No, this region is usually empty besides us and the occasional visitor such as yourselves." Carlisle said.

"What's your hunting range?" Laurent questioned curiously.

"The Olympic Range here, up and down the Coast Ranges on occasion. We have a permanent residence nearby. There's another coven like us in Denali." I spoke up. All eyes shifted to me.

"Permanent? How do you manage that?" There was curiosity in Laurent's voice.

"It's a rather long story. Why don't you come to our home with us and we can tell you." Carlisle said.

What? Bring James to our house? Why?

"That sounds interesting and welcome. We've been on the hunt all the way from Ontario and we haven't cleaned up in a while."

"Don't take offence, please, but we'd rather you refrain from hunting in the immediate area, we must remain inconspicuous and all."

"Of course. We ate just outside of Seattle anyways." He laughed coldly.

All at one moment, the wind ruffled Bella's hair, Edward glared and then growled at James and suddenly both were crouching in an attacking stance.

"What's this?" Laurent asked, surprised.

"She's with us." I said, strongly, stepping forward next to Carlisle.

"You brought a snack?"

"She's with us." Carlisle enforced more to James than the other two.

"But she's human." Laurent was clearly amazed at how we could be near a human and resist their blood for so long.

"Yes." Emmett said, standing next to Carlisle.

James backed off, but Edward stayed in attack form.

"I assume the invitation has been revoked?" Laurent said.

"I assume so." Carlisle concluded.

"We'll be going now." Laurent said and they walked away back into the forest.

I went back to Edward and he took my arm. I heard James' thoughts as he walked away.

I will get her; all I need is a plan . . .

"No." I growled.

I pulled my arm out of Edward's hold and started forward again. At the same moment, he and Jasper grabbed both of my arms.

I froze on the spot. I couldn't think clearly. Everyone's thoughts were jumbled with their emotions. All I could feel was ludicrous amounts of anger and frustration. The thoughts were too loud for me to even comprehend what they were saying. I still couldn't move.

"Let go of her! Let go of her! You're over-loading her mind!" I heard Alice cry faintly.

As suddenly as it started, it ended. I put a hand to my head, trying to steady myself.

"Are you alright?" Esme said, putting an arm around my waist to keep me up.

"I-I'll be all right," I said quietly.

Alice and Emmett started running to the jeep. Edward threw Bella over his back and followed them. I followed him.

"Strap her in," Edward ordered Emmett forcefully.

Alice was in the front seat; Emmett and Bella were in the back. I forced myself between them just as Edward fired up the engine. He was murmuring the worst curses that I have ever heard coming out of his gentlemanly mouth.

I could not believe James found us. I thought that he probably would have died by now. I mean, you'd think someone that evil would have gotten into a fatal fight by now. All I want to do is rip that bastard's head off his neck and throw it into a fire. I did my best to control the growl that almost escaped.

When we finally hit the main road, we turned south.

"Where are we going?" Bella asked timidly. No one acknowledged her talking. I was still trying to figure out what happened and the conclusion I came to was that two abilities at once was a big no, at least, until I could teach myself to cope.

"Dammit Edward, where are you taking me?"

"We have to get you away – far away – now." Edward replied, not looking back.

"Turn around, you have to take me home!"

"Emmett." Edward said glumly.

And Emmett slid over and switched places with me so he could grab Bella's hands to stop her from tearing at the straps. I stared out the window absently, trying to forget who was following us.

"No! No, Edward! You can't do this."

"I have to, Bella, now be quiet."

Bella stopped struggling, but refused to be quiet. "I won't! You have to take me back – Charlie will call the FBI! They'll be all over your family – Carlisle and Esme! They'll have to leave, to hide forever!"

I couldn't stand her yelling anymore; it was as if I had a headache from the pain.

"Not like we haven't been there before." I muttered loud enough for her to hear.

"Not over me you don't! You're not ruining everything over me!" Bella said and resumed her struggling.

"Edward, pull over." Alice said suddenly.

When he gave her a harsh look, she continued. "Edward, let's just talk this through."

"You don't understand!" Edward roared in frustration. "He's a tracker, Alice, did you see that?

This wasn't anything new to me; I known for a long time, but I felt Emmett tense.

"Pull over, Edward." I said, reasonably, but with an authoritative tone I used whenever I had to lead. I glanced at Bella and saw her eyes grow slightly at me bossing Edward around.

He slowed down, but only by a few miles.

"Do it, Edward." I said, a bit more forcibly.

"Listen to me, Ruth. I saw his mind. Tracking is his obsession – and he wants her, Ruth – herspecifically. He begins the hunt tonight."

"I know what he's capable of, thank you very much. I havefaced him before." I said coldly. "But, we do have to consider Charlie."

"Charlie! You can't leave him there!" Bella said, realization coming to her.

"They're right." Alice added.

The car slowed down again.

"Let's look at our options." I said.

Edward slowed the car again and finally stopped abruptly.

"There are no options." He hissed.

"There are always more options." I said calmly.

"We have to take her back." Emmett said, quiet for his usual self.

"No." Edward was letting his heart rule his head, something I had done before and had lead to me being alone.

"He's no match for us. We will win." Emmett said.

"Once he begins a hunt, he's unshakable. We'd have to kill him."

"All the better as long as I get to do the honours." I added.

"Let's look at our other options." Alice said.

"There – are – no – other – options!" Edward muttered through clenched teeth.

We all fell silent for what seemed like forever before Bella spoke.

"Does anyone want to hear my plan?"

"No." Edward growled. Both Alice and I glared at him.

"Listen, you take me back. I tell my dad I want to go back to Phoenix. I pack my bags. We wait for this tracker to watch and we run. He'll follow us, leave Charlie alone. Charlie won't call the FBI and you can take me any damned place you want."

I involuntarily raised my eyebrows, but I did have to admit, I had no plan and Bella was a smart girl.

"That's not a bad idea, really." Emmett said, surprise in his voice meaning to be an insult.

"It's too dangerous." Edward was always pessimistic.

I visualized the plan and how it would work. Every time, it did. "Edward, this may work. Do youhave anything better than Plan A?"

Edward was silent. "That's what I thought, now take Bella home." I commanded.

He listened for once and began to drive back to town.

Bella looked at me from behind Emmett.

"Thank you." She mouthed.

"No problem." I mouthed back.

"Emmett?" Bella said out loud.

"Oh, right." And he let go of her hands.

We stopped just behind a small cover of trees before Bella's house. "Ok, here's the plan. Alice, you go to the truck, Ruth and Emmett outside the house and I walk Bella to the door." Edward turned so he could face us all.

"No way." Emmett said. "I'm with you."

"I don't know ho long I'll be gone."

"Until we know how far this is going to go, I'm with you."

"What about the jeep?" Alice asked.

"You and Ruth are driving it home."

"No we're not." Alice said calmly.

Edward started swearing again.

"We all can't fit in my truck." Bella whispered. Then she spoke louder. "I think you should let me go alone."

"Bella, please do this my way, just once." Edward pleaded.

"Charlie's not stupid. If you're not in town tomorrow, he's going to get suspicious." Bella retorted.

"We'll make sure he's safe."

"Then what about the tracker? He saw the way you acted tonight. He's going to think you're with me, wherever you are."

Emmett looked at her in surprise again. "Edward, I think she's right."

"Yes, she is." Alice agreed.

Edward just shook his head.

"Emmett should stay too. He definitely got an eyeful of Emmett."

"What?" He turned on her.

"You'll get a better crack at him if you stay." I pointed out.

"You think we should let her go alone?" Edward asked in disbelief.

"No, Alice, Jasper and I will take her." I said and Alice nodded, backing me up.

"I thought you wanted to kill him." Edward said.

"I'd be no better than he was to me."

Bella also backed me up. "Hang out here for a few days so Charlie doesn't think you've kidnapped me. We send the tracker on a wild goose chase, then come meet me in Phoenix, take a roundabout route of course, and then the others can go home."

"She's diabolical." Emmett laughed.

"And if that doesn't work?"

"There's 7 million people in Phoenix." Bella said matter of factly.

"We'll be with her." Alice pointed out.

"What will you do?" Edward said with sarcasm.

"Stay indoors."

"I kind of like it." Emmett mused. No doubt he was imaging the fight.

"Me too." I added. "If James does end up following us, then you know I'll tear him to bits."

"Shut up, Ruth." Edward took a deep breath. "Bella, if you let anything happen to yourself – anything at all – I'm holding you responsible, understood?"

She nodded and he turned to Alice. "Can Jasper handle this?"

"Give him some credit, Edward. He's been doing very, very well, considering everything."

"Can you two handle this?"

I smiled menacingly and Alice growled suddenly.

Think were not tough enough? I thought just to bug him.

Edward smiled at us, then added. "But keep your opinions to yourselves."

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And "Gangsta Day" will have mild (and funny) significance. Later.