Planning

The run over to the Cullen's place was excruciatingly quiet. As we arrived, Edward dropped me to the ground a bit rougher than usual and turned to face me.

"Why do you insist upon putting yourself in danger?" he asked, unable to contain his fury any longer.

"I'm not putting myself in danger!" I retorted, stepping around him. "Your family is waiting on us, let's go!"

I attempted to stalk off, but Edward grabbed my arm, causing me to spin towards him. Breathless, I looked up into his dark topaz eyes. He was looked thirsty, I noted, and aggravated. Sighing, I reached a hand up to his face. He leaned into it and his expression relaxed.

"Please, Bella, I know I've been unceasingly overprotective lately, but please understand that I just don't want anything to happen to you and werewolves are definitely under the 'anything' category."

"Jacob's my friend, Edward," I said, stroking his cheek. "I know that's hard for you to understand, but I mean it. He would not let anything happen to me. And besides you said yourself you owe him."

Edward's face grew unbearably hurt as I reminded him of our previous conversation. When Edward had left, Jacob had kept me sane, which kept me from doing anything stupid. Overcome with guilt, Edward had admitted to me that he felt in debt to Jacob for keeping me alive… although that didn't constitute Jacob being trustworthy.

"Please Edward, let me do this…" I said softly, "I owe your family so much alrea---"

"Don't." he said, taking my face into his hands, "I feel guilty enough… I just don't want anything to happen to you. I can't afford to lose you again…"

"You won't," I said, confidentially. "I survived before I met you didn't I?"

Edward grinned unwillingly at me and shook his head. "How you did, I will never know."

"Neither will I," I retorted.

I rose to my tiptoes to lightly kiss him on the cheek. It was getting easier all the time to keep my heart from going crazy, but I'm sure he heard it skip a beat as he grabbed my hand and pressed it to his mouth.

"Shall we go in?" he asked, a half-hearted smile on his face.

"Yes," I said, flashing him a full grin, hoping to cheer him up.

I seemed to succeed as he chuckled and lead me into the house.

"We're here," he said, not bothering to raise his voice.

Carlisle and Esme were the first to greet us. While Carlisle and Edward shared a few quiet words, Esme strolled over and wrapped me in one of her warm hugs.

"It's always wonderful to see you, my dear," Esme said. She seemed excited.

"Likewise," I said, happily.

Esme was like a second mother to me. Whenever I would come over, she would always have the kindest things to say and was always comforting whenever I was frustrated with Edward, rare though that was. Carlisle was more like an uncle to me than father. He was often working, so I did not see him as often as Esme, but I still enjoyed his company thoroughly.

"Hello Bella," he said cheerfully, smiling in my direction.

At that moment, two huge arms came out from behind me to grab me in a bear hug. I gasped as the arms pulled me off the ground, before setting me back down. A booming laugh came from behind me as I whipped around.

"Emmett!" I exclaimed in surprise. "You're home!"

Emmett, Edward's bear-like brother, and his sometimes wife Rosalie had been vacationing somewhere in Canada. They hadn't expected to be home for at least another month.

"We heard the news so we came home early." He explained.

"Where is Rosalie?" I asked.

My words were cut short as Rosalie entered. Heartbreakingly beautiful as always, she flashed me a tentative smile. I smiled back wholeheartedly. After the whole Italy fiasco, Rosalie and I had been on good terms, at least for the most part. There was still an awkward sort of feeling between us, but at least we were somewhat on the same page.

"Well, Jasper and Alice are waiting in the dining room," Edward said, grabbing my hand again. "Let's get this over with…"

I rolled my eyes and walked with Edward into the dining room. Upon entering, Alice winked at me mischievously, causing me to go into another blushing spell. Jasper merely looked between Alice and me and grinned. This only caused my blush to deepen; I figured that Alice would tell him. The rest of the Cullens filed in and took seats around the table.

"Before we begin, I'd just like to say that we've put Bella through enough," Edward stated, despite my shushing gestures. "I don't think we need to be all that hasty to throw her to the dogs."

As Edward retook his seat, I flashed him as nasty a glare as I could manage.

"Isn't that up to me to decide?" I hissed at him, not bothering to care who might be listening in.

"Alright, that's enough," Carlisle said, his voice commanding, yet calm. "We don't intend on throwing Bella to anyone or anything. However, she is our connection to the werewolves---"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Emmett cut in, "Why should we have to tell them anything? It's none of their business."

"Unfortunately it is," Carlisle said. "Back when I made the treaty with Ephraim Black there was an agreement. If we were to have expected visitors that the visitors would be responsible for following the treaty guidelines. But in order to keep them from attacking the Denali's they must know that they are with us."

I saw Edward tense up next to me, knowing that I was going to be brought up next.

"As of right now, our only nonviolent connection to the wolves is Bella…," he said.

I fidgeted uneasily as six pairs of eyes became focused on me.

"As we all know, she befriended the young werewolf, Jacob Black…" Carlisle continued. "He is the son of the current leader, William Black."

Emmett leaned back in his seat and whistled. "Geez, Bella, you sure know how to pick 'em."

I flushed again and refused to meet anyone's eyes.

"This means that Bella may be able to arrange a meeting."

"That of which I will be present during," Edward said, a low rumble in his throat.

Carlisle looked Edward in the eyes and shook his head.

"No."

"Then she's not going!" Edward said standing up, outraged.

"I will be going." Carlisle said, turning to face Edward fully. "Edward, you have wonderful control, but you are too quick to jump to conclusions about these wolves. You being there would only create tension. No, I will go with Bella to protect her. You will stay here with the rest of the family."

"Edward," I whispered. "He has a point... but Carlisle, there's probably going to be two werewolves present."

Everyone turned to face me and I met all of their eyes defiantly.

"Think about it, Jacob is not going to let his father meet with a vampire alone, I know him better than that. If there's going to be two werewolves there should be to vampires…"

Edward sat back smugly, assuming that I was going to suggest that he go as well.

"And… I think that Jasper should go too."