AUTHOR'S NOTE Sorry for the delay! This chapter's a little shorter, mostly because of the alternating POVs, but the next one will be longer, promise.

DISCLAIMER I own nothing canon from Twilight or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Bella glanced at Edward, then back at the others poised at the top of the stairs. None of them had any trouble hearing the exchange going on in their living room.

It was clear in their expressions that they were worried by the fact that this intruder knew they were vampires. When a second strange voice spoke up, Bella growled softly. She flew down the steps and into the living room, sensing that the rest of her family had followed.

Carlisle was standing against the windows, his body more relaxed than she thought he should be but wary. A petite blonde girl brandishing a stake stood in the doorway, while a tall vampire in a long black coat stood between them.

Esme went to Carlisle's side and bared her teeth at the intruders. "Who are you?" she asked.

The girl looked at each one of them in turn, then back at the other vampire. "Angel, what's going on?"

Angel turned around to look apologetically at Carlisle. "I'm sorry we disturbed you."

Carlisle seemed confused by the gesture, but Bella was more focused on how dark Angel's eyes were. He was thirsty. No matter that he wasn't a Cullen – if he killed the blonde girl or anyone else in Forks, the Quileute treaty would be broken. And if Billy Black's recent actions were any indication, he would have no sympathy for them.

Beside her, Edward and Jasper were frowning. The family had formed a semi-circle around the room, with Angel and the girl in the middle. Bella was still learning her new senses, but there was something strange about this girl.

"Buffy," Angel said softly. "Let's go."

Buffy? There was definitely something strange about her.

She was eyeing Angel suspiciously. Finally she nodded quickly and said, "Fine." Then she glanced at the rest of them and said, "Don't think I won't be back."

"We're so scared," Rosalie muttered.

Buffy started to take a step toward her, her stake raised. They tensed, ready to strike, and Emmett growled loudly, but Angel caught Buffy's arm and shook his head.

Again he turned to Carlisle. "We won't bother you again," he said. "I'm so sorry."

Then they were gone. Each of the Cullens looked at Carlisle questioningly. He took a deep breath and sighed, then sat in a nearby armchair.

The rest of them were not quick to follow. "Who was that?" Edward asked, a hard edge in his voice.

"What the hell is going on?" Emmett added. He turned to Alice. "I thought you said the werewolf was coming?"

Bella looked at her sister, who shrugged. "He was. Or, he did. He's here in Forks. That girl is one of the people who came with him."

"You saw her?" Carlisle asked.

Alice shook her head. "I can't really see her. She's one of those two others."

"I knew there was something screwed up about her," Emmett said, keeping one arm firmly around Rosalie's waist. His voice was still bitter.

Esme folded herself into the small chair with Carlisle, her amber eyes worried. "She came here after us," she said.

Carlisle nodded. "With a wooden stake, like in the old fairy tales."

"And she made that crack about the windows," Bella added.

"Whoever she is, she clearly has no idea what she's dealing with," Jasper said. He frowned. "But she's immune to me. I kept trying to calm her down, but nothing."

"I can't read her either," Edward admitted.

Bella frowned. "You think she's a shield like me?"

"She's not like you," Carlisle said. "You aren't immune to Jasper and Alice." He looked concerned. "I'm afraid that this girl might be something else all together."

"Should we be worried?" Rosalie asked, although they all knew the answer.

Panic flared up in Bella's chest and she suddenly gripped Edward's hand. "What if she comes after Renesmee?" Venom was flowing in her mouth. "I swear I'll kill her!"

A warm calm blanket fell over her and she looked irritably at Jasper. He offered her a small smile in return.

"Nessie will be safe with Jacob at the cottage," Carlisle assured her. "He can protect her. Besides, if this girl is travelling with a werewolf, I think we can guess on which side her allegiances lie." He looked apologetic. "But you two should probably stay here. No reason to lead our visitor anywhere near them."

Any plan that kept her away from her child was not a plan that she was a fan of. However, any plan that led the whacked-out blonde girl to her daughter was worse. Reluctantly, she nodded. "Fine."

Edward wrapped his arms around her. "You know Jake would die for her if he had to."

She glared at him. "That doesn't really make me feel better."

His perfect face was pained. "For now, this is the best way to keep her safe."

The rapidly-fading part of her that remembered how to be human wanted to cry, but she couldn't. Instead she leaned her head sadly against Edward's chest. "I know."

"I'll call Jacob at the Cottage," Carlisle said softly. "He needs to know what's going on."

Esme came to Bella's side. "Don't worry," she said softly. "This will all blow over soon. You'll see."

Bella attempted a smile. She looked at the faces of her brothers and sisters and then back at her husband. Every one of them knew that Esme was lying.