-1This chapter is the fight with Victoria from Edward's point of view. Tell me what you think!

This was it. I set Bella carefully but swiftly against the cliff face at the clearing. Then, I took a protective stance in front of her. As I'd discovered about 30 seconds ago, I didn't know half as much as I thought about her intelligence and perfect planning. Bella was only a few inches from my back; that way, no one could come between us.

I immediately began making plans, but found I had too many questions for plans. How long will it take for Victoria to come into sight? Would there be enough time to run Bella to Alice and Carlisle? And if there was enough time, what would I do when Victoria caught up to us? And if she decided not to come after Bella, when would she strike again? The stress was too much. There was no way I could answer any of these questions. Not enough time. Dammit. I had tried so hard to avoid this. I accepted that I was going to have to face her. I also reminded myself that I was fighting for the both of us. If I lost, Bella died. There wasn't even a comfort in dying. There wouldn't even be hope for Bella.

This kind of situation was sickeningly familiar: me, the deadly vampire protecting vulnerable, sweet, innocent Bella who was standing on the sidelines trying to find a miniscule way to help. I always felt so awful every time Bella saw me in my… element. She always had the same look in her eyes. I could see the fear in them, but also the defiance of trying to mask it.

I reached my mind out to hear Victoria's voice.

He will surely not be surprised when I see him. James' little future-predictor will probably have told him already… Yes, Riley! Ugh! Of course it's okay to think. His mind reading abilities don't reach this far out.

New information. Always a plus. Apparently, she wasn't alone. I began to concentrate on the second's thoughts.

Why does Victoria want to kill this girl? What has she ever done to her? This guy had some sense. I could probably convince him to go against her. But I'm not depending on it. But, I'll do whatever she wants. I love her- beautiful, mysterious… but not afraid to berak the rules. Nevermind. I don't think that I could convince him to go against her on my best day. For, after that, I saw a variety of images involving Victoria obviously trying to seduce Riley. My plans were crushed.

"Who," Bella whispered. Her voice was hoarse. Yes, she was definitely terrified.

"Victoria. She's not alone. She crossed my scent, following the newborns in to watch - she never meant to fight with them. She made a spur-of-the-moment descision to find me, guessing that you would be wherever I was. She was right. You were right. It was always Victoria." I should have listened from the beginning. I should have realized from the beginning. It just went to show how little faith I put in my family.

A strange look of relief passed across her face. Relief? But I had no time to think about it. Victoria would enter the clearing in a matter of seconds. I could see her, and she could see me. Her abnormally small lips were pressed together in a grimace. She vaguely reminded me of the nuns that worked in Catholic schools. I saw Bella turn towards Victoria. Now Victoria could see her. I could hear a werewolf howl, but I wasn't sure which one. Bella's heart was certainly not beating out its usual pitter-patter. Her heart beat furiously. I could see the blood pumping violently in the veins on her neck.

Victoria was furious. I could tell by her thoughts and expression. She was also determined. Her fury would show in her fighting. I was not sure I could carry Bella safe out of the clearing. I resorted to persuading the boy. I felt sympathy for this boy - just another victim of Victoria, the liar.

"Riley," I spoke calmly. God, I sounded like I was begging. Well, I was. In response, his eyes widened.

How does he know my name? Oh, yeah. Victoria told me about his mind games.

I then began to explain the extent of Victoria's lying. Riley's thoughts were jumbled and confused.

Can this be true? Victoria wouldn't betray me in such ways. Yes, she lied to the others in the clearing, but she did what she had to do for us to be together. I respect her for that. What is this? James? I looked at Victoria in a panic. I had suspected she was a fake.

I didn't want this boy to die for Victoria. I continued my persuasion. I wished everyone was as easy as Bella. But when he looked to Victoria for reassurance, he was hopelessly convinced of her "love" for him.

Just then, I heard the thoughts of Seth. He was running towards the clearing.

Edward, I'll take Seth. You'll take Victoria. We're friends. I'm not going to leave you to fight them alone.

I wanted to smile, but I couldn't give anything away. Seth bolted into the clearing and immediately tackled Riley. I saw a finger separate… then a hand…

I stole a fleeting glance at Bella. It was so fast that I don't even think she noticed. She was fine - so far.

"No!" Victoria wailed. She did not incorporate Seth into her plan. Finally! Something working towards me! I watched her with extreme care. I started to block the path between her and Bella.

"No." She said it with clenched teeth this time.

I could hear Seth faking wounds in the background.

Victoria made a move towards Bella. I shadowed it instantaneously with quick footwork. She drew back. She would not be touched by me. She would escape if necessary. I could see her every move inside her head. Seth moved toward me.

I wonder if I could persuade like he did to Riley.

"No, he won't turn on me."

But, he's a werewolf!

"You provided us with a common enemy. You allied us. Look more closely, Victoria. Is he really so much like the monster James tracked across Siberia?"

"Not the same? Impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible," I quickly edited my statement, "except what you want. You'll never touch her." I hoped to God she wouldn't.

Soon, we were closed in on each other. Every time she made a move, I was already a step ahead of her. After a few minutes, we were both going faster.

Then, Seth was thrown into the rock. It shattered. I turned to see if Bella was okay. A piece of rock slid down her arm and she grabbed it.

Oh my God.

The story. The third wife. I could see a dazed look on her face. She tried to follow my movements with Victoria (which were now triple the speed of when we started.), but I could see her eyes blurring. They were too fast for her.

She was either going to pass out or kill herself. I saw her pull back her sweater and set the pointed end of the rock on her skin. What was she doing?! She took a deep breath…

Victoria's head flashed up towards Bella. I sighed in exasperation. I took the moment to throw Victoria against a tree. I then moved to Riley and tore off his arms. He roared in pain.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Victoria smile. She crouched and pounced towards Bella. I took Riley's right arm and hurled it as hard as I possibly could towards Victoria.

It threw her into a tree. I could see that she was crouched again, but I was prepared this time. I could hear Riley in the background. He was finished. Victoria realized she was alone and ran like a scared rabbit towards the trees.

"No. Stay just a little longer."

She ran in a last desperate attempt to the woods. I caught up to her quickly and easily. I rested my jaw on he neck and bit down hard. Her head detached.

It was over.

Seth and I started gathering the body parts. I did not even look at Bella. I couldn't. I didn't want to see the hate and disgust written on her face. She did not come to me and I did not go to her. After Seth and I finished gathering and burning the pieces, I finally looked up. I was cautious: What would she think of me. Would she take me back?

She had a look that shot pain through my chest. She was bewildered and frozen in shock. She was like a deer in the headlights. I approached her very slowly. I didn't want to frighten her.

This was it. Ever since I met her, I knew she would run away one day, screaming all the while.

I saw that she was holding that damned rock.

"Bella, love? Bella, can you drop the rock, please? Carefully. Don't hurt yourself." The rock fell to the ground. I relaxed.

"You don't have to be afraid, Bella. You're safe. I won't hurt you." I began singing it like a montra. The whole time, she stared at me like I was speaking a different language.

Waves of hurt rippled throughout my body. She was disgusted. She saw me as nothing more than a viscious vampire.

Finally, she said something. "Why do you keep saying that? What's wrong? What do you mean?" When she took a step towards me, I leaned back in the slightest bit. When she took another step forward. She tripped and fell into my waiting arms.

Then, suddenly, she was sobbing. She was sobbing violently. It absolutely broke my heart.

"Bella, Bella, I'm so sorry. It's over. It's over."

"I'm fine. I'm okay. Just. Freaking out. Give me. A minute."

I clutched her tighter in my arms. I had done all this. I always wanted to make her smile and here she was sobbing uncontrollably. When she stopped crying, she started kissing me - everywhere. She asked me if I was okay. Ha!

"I'm absolutely fine," I said truthfully. Now that I knew she wasn't disgusted, I was perfect!

Victoria was finally defeated, and Bella was here, safe, in my arms. I was more than perfect!