Disclaimer: I own nothing, but Cassandra is all mine.

Cassandra

I pulled away from Edward. He just looked at me and I heard all the questions in his thoughts. I heard him ask what was wrong, but I also heard his skepticism.

I considered my options. I could tell him what I was thinking out loud or I could let him hear it for himself. It all depended on what he would prefer. I looked at him and knew he wanted.

"Edward, you're living on false hope. Just because I was the first one you thought of settling down with, doesn't mean that I am the one for you. Think of it Edward, you've given up so much for Bella, so much. More than you would have ever given up for me."

"That's only because there wasn't much I could give up for you."

"But, that's just the point Edward. You didn't let it go. You went against everything to have her. I felt from you what it felt like to be near her. I felt your pain and even through it all you kept going back for her. You tried to leave her and couldn't. I saw you Edward. I saw what you felt when I left you. You were sad, yes, but you kept going. You kept living the way I knew you would, because you didn't need me. You need Bella. I can see it in your eyes. I saw the way you were when you tried to leave her. I saw how you curled up and let the pain come."

I stopped and looked away from him. "I saw what you tried to do. I saw you go to Aro. You never tried to hurt yourself when I left. And it's okay. It's alright. I won't die if you stay with Bella. I didn't come back to take away your happiness. I see what she is to you and I know that you will be happier with her."

"Edward she's right." Alice said gently.

I had almost forgotten that we weren't alone in the room. Edward turned to his sister and looked at her. Alice was reminding him of the time he'd spent with Bella. I saw through her their night at the prom. I saw how Edward saved her from becoming like us. I saw how much Edward loved her. I saw how he'd changed, how much she'd changed him.

I smiled. "I'm always right Edward."

He didn't say anything for a long moment.

"Perhaps, I'm just confused then. You remind me of the old days, of how happy I was, but you're right. I love Bella. I'm just confused. I need a moment to myself. You brought back so many memories. Let me think."

I nodded.

Of course. Take all the time you want. I promised I wouldn't leave again. I thought.

I will come back soon. I just need to see her to know that I'm not making a mistake.

I watched Edward leave and then I heard the exasperation in the heads of the others. I turned to them and laughed.

"I'm not telling. You'll have to get used to it." I said skipping off to the piano again.

Emmett didn't let me get far. He wrapped both his arms around me and pulled me to the back of the house.

"You are not going anywhere until we all know what you and Edward were being so secretive about."

I slumped against him and let him drag me all the way into the woods. Alice, Rosalie and Jasper followed, but Esme and Carlisle watched from afar. They had that look parents get when their children are doing something ridiculously cute.

Emmet set me down after he'd crossed the river with me still in his arms. I said nothing, but from the look on Alice's face, she knew what I was planning to do to Emmett once he set me down. I stood up gracefully and dusted imaginary dust off my jeans and shirt.

Alice tilted her head to one side as she inspected me for the first time. When we'd been living together, I'd become a lot more fashion inclined because of her. But, when Aro came for me, he'd made sure I wore nothing, but the best fineries. It had made me sick. The day I left him, I had been wearing a more modest pair of jeans and shirt. It was something that the teenagers these days would wear.

I let Alice destroy me mentally and went to Emmett. I picked him up and walked him over to the river.

"Don't worry about it little brother. What Edward and I said is between Edward and me." I said dropping him into the river.

He fell and made a satisfactory splash. I left him there and then filled the others in on what Edward and I had discussed. I knew Emmett could hear, so I didn't bother keeping my voice down.

Emmett was thinking about going hunting now that we were all here. He didn't count Edward, because Edward had gone hunting only yesterday. He was remembering the games we used to play. The games I always won.

"Let's go hunting." Emmett said going over to hug Rosalie.

Rosalie started to protest, but decided against it. She let Emmett ruin her hair and I smiled.

"Do you want to go hunting?" Jasper asked.

I smiled at him for remembering that I didn't need to feed as often as they did.

"I could use food. I haven't fed in too long." I said.

It was true that I hadn't fed in a long time, but unlike my siblings, I could keep the hunger hidden, until I had to let it go. I could go months without feeding as long as I ate regular food. The last time I had blood was about a month ago while trying to get back to Washington. Aro had pretty much left me without a penny and I couldn't get access to my bank accounts unless I went there personally. I had everything settled now, credit cards, debit cards, cash, birth certificate and passport.

I was once again Cassandra Cullen although Carlisle and Emse had adopted me as Cassandra Dale. I loved cars and I would be buying a sports car soon enough.

"So, are we going then?" Rosalie asked.

"Yes, Rose, we are." Alice answered. "Why are you asking?"

"Because, we're going to race there." She said.

She didn't even blink. In the time it took the rest of us to process her words, she was off. I let them go a little way and then followed. I missed running. I missed the way everything flashed by and tress were never a problem.

I caught up to the others soon enough and then passed Rosalie. I heard Emmett mutter a curse and speed up. I laughed, loving the way I felt. I stopped in the clearing way up north. Alice and Jasper were the first to get to me. Rosalie beat Emmett.

"What is this? I leave you for half a century and you get this slow on me. I haven't been running in 40 years and I'm still faster than you." I said putting my hands on my hips. "What have you been doing all these years, just sitting? This is unacceptable. Not only are we going to perfect Jasper's new fighting moves, but we're also going to start running again."

"No, please, no. Anything, but that." Alice pleaded.

She came over and took my hand. She gazed up at me and batted her eyelashes and pouted. It was a signature "feel sorry for me" look.

I laughed. "That may work on people who don't know you, and Jasper, but I've known you for a while Alice."

She shrugged. "It was worth a try."

"Well, stop trying and let's go hunt. Whoever catches the biggest animal wins." Jasper said coming to stand next to Alice.

"Alright, but Emmett doesn't count as an animal, Rosalie." Alice said letting out a tinkling laugh.

Rosalie pouted and looked away.

"Alright then, Ready. Set. GO!"

***********

We raced back home and I won again. Edward was in the living room playing the piano and the others were still far away.

"Hello Edward." I said sitting next to him. "How's Bella?"

He turned to me and offered me the piano. I let my fingers play a short tune.

"She's fine. You were right, like always."

I smiled.

"She wants to meet you." Edward continued. "I told her about you and she insists that she wants to know who you are. But, she'll start comparing herself to you. I hate it that she doesn't understand that I love her for who she is."

I laughed. "She's just human. You can't expect her to understand especially since she's so small. When she gets older or when more years go by she'll understand. You are going to change her aren't you?"

"I will. I just have to get her to marry me first. She has the ring. I gave it to her a little before you came. She just has to tell her father and then she can be mine forever."

"And you were willing to leave her after you gave her that ring?"

Edward looked away. "I was confused."

I nodded and started playing a song I'd written for Aro long ago.

"Where are the others?" Edward asked when I stopped.

I grinned. "I don't know. They might still be near the border."

I went to the door just as Alice and Emmett ran through. Rosalie followed and then Jasper. I looked at them and shook my head.

"Pitiful." I said walking around them.

I loved the woods. I wanted to go back, to be there, to think. I turned around and Edward was asking me a question.

Why the woods?

Because in the woods I found my peace. I love the woods. They remind me of my home, of my father, of when I was happy.

What was your father's name?

I stopped. Edward used to ask me the question whenever it occurred to him. It was his way of helping me remember my past. But, I hadn't seen Edward in over forty years. And no matter how hard I tried, I could not remember the name of the man who had protected me all his life.

"I can't remember." I whispered.

They all heard me and even though only Edward knew what I couldn't remember, they knew that forgetting was always sad. We tried all our lives to remember what we had before we became how we are now. I tried all my life to forget my early life, to forget my exile. But, I always remembered my father. I felt like I had lost part of who I was with my father's name.

It's alright, you will remember.

I nodded.

Come in. The wolf is coming.

I frowned. "Why can't I see him?"

"Because we do not want him to think that you are one of us, not yet. The treaty is still standing and from what you told me, you were very close to breaking the treaty. These young wolves will take any excuse to start war with us. We do not want any dead on our hands." Edwards said in a way that made me think there was more he had against these "young wolves."

"Are you sure that it's not just because Bella likes one of these wolves." I said walking back into the house.

"It's exactly because of that." Rosalie called out as I walked into the living room.

I watched my family. Emmett was sprawled across the sofa with his head on Rosalie's lap. Jasper was standing by the piano, his invitation clear to me. I went over to him and he sat next to me. Alice came to stand behind me.

"Jasper missed your lessons." She said taking my hair in her hands.

"And Alice missed having you as her little doll." Jasper said even as Alice started a complicated hairdo on my head.

"If we're going to fight then that isn't going to stay long Alice." I said.

"Fight?" Esme asked coming into the room. "Who's fighting?"

I put my hands on the piano. "That werewolf is thinking very loud. They saw vampires, a lot of them near the Alaska border. They think that Victoria is coming with reinforcements. Does any of that sound familiar?"

"Victoria? Are you sure he's thinking Victoria?" Edward asked exchanging a glance with Carlisle.

I closed my eyes. The werewolf was easy to find. His mind was different than a human's and certainly different than the minds of my family.

"Yes, he's thinking Victoria. He will be here soon. I won't look for him Edward, don't worry. Alice can do that."

Alice frowned. "I can't see him. I can't see any of the wolves."

I let it go because I knew that Alice did not like being blind. She relied on her visions all her life, not being able to see the wolves was like being blind. But, what she said made me curious. I wanted to know if I would be able to see the wolves. I already knew I could hear their thoughts.

When the wolf knocked on the door Carlisle went to open it. I saw Rosalie wrinkle her nose and murmur something about a smell.

I sniffed the air. I didn't smell anything except maybe the smell of the woods. I didn't find that unpleasant. We all waited inside while Edward followed Carlisle. We heard them talking about fighting and keeping Bella safe. I closed my head to the young wolf's thoughts. I did not want to intrude. I pretty much kept myself out of my sibling's thoughts except Edward, because we mostly talked through thoughts.

Cassandra, I need you to stay inside with Alice. Everyone else is going with Carlisle, but I need you to come and help me. I want you to watch Bella.

I was saved the task of answering when Edward walked in. The others went outside with Carlisle, but he stopped Alice.

"I need you to come with me. Cassandra will watch Bella and I need you to check that she'll be fine."

Alice rolled her eyes, but listened. She closed her eyes and I watched her concentrate.

"Bella will be fine, but Cassandra isn't going to be the one watching her."

We both saw Edward in Alice's thoughts.

"She's going to ask you to stay and you're going to listen to her, like always." Alice said taking my hand.

"We should probably go catch up with the others. You won't be needing us Edward, but the others will." Alice said.

"You have to come with me. We have to convince her that she'll be safer with Cassandra."

It was almost enough to make me laugh. The three of us knew that one of us wouldn't be able to join the fight, we were resigned to that. What we didn't want was to be the one that wasn't going to fight.

"I think we should go see Bella and let her decide." I said interrupting the stare down between Alice and Edward.

They barely glanced at me, but when I started running they weren't far behind. I was startled by how fast Edward was, but he still wasn't fast enough to pose a threat to me. I let him think he was fast for a good second and then I left him and Alice behind. I was the first at Bella's house. The lights were on in the house. I heard a man downstairs yelling mentally at the T.V. Apparently, the football game wasn't going as planned and if his team lost, he'd owe Billy Black half a pay check.

Upstairs, I heard who I assumed was Bella. She was thinking of Edward. She was scared, but more for Edward than for herself. She knew that Victoria wanted her dead, but she'd rather be dead than have Edward hurt. I could hear her plan already formed in her head. She was going to do anything to get Edward to stay with her.

I was laughing quietly when Edward caught up to me. Alice came a little after.

"What's so funny?" She asked.

"Bella is an interesting girl." I said looking at Edward. "She seems to think that she has chance of persuading you to stay with her."

"What? You can hear what she's thinking?" He asked.

"Yes. Why? Can't you?"

It was apparent from the look of surprise on Alice's face and Edward's thoughts, that he couldn't hear what Bella was thinking.

"I'll let you know what she's thinking later, no go in so we can follow. I don't think she'll take too nicely if I come in first." I said.

Edward gave me one last look before jumping up to the window on the side of the house. Alice followed. I gave them a minute then followed.

Isabella Swan or Bella as everyone seemed to call her was exactly what I was expecting. She was pale almost vampire pale. She had nice hair and warm chocolate brown eyes. I knew right away why she had appealed to Edward. There was something about her that said she needed to be taken care of.

I watched her look at me and I heard her thoughts go from excited to despairing. She was wondering how in the world she would be able to compete with me.

I laughed and I heard her thoughts get darker. She felt so insignificant next to me. She thought I was beautiful, even more beautiful than Edward.

I like her. She thinks I'm prettier than you. I thought to Edward.

She thinks half the world is lovelier than her and I don't mean to imply that you are not beautiful, because you are, but she is who I chose.

I laughed and I saw the puzzlement in Bella's face.

"My name is Cassandra. And in no way do I intend to take Edward from you. I am no competition. He has chosen you."

"Yes, I can hear your thoughts." I said. "But, no that is not my only gift. I will explain later. I am just here to meet you Bella and to tell you that when the time comes, I will be most glad to welcome you to the family."

Bella blushed. "Thank you."

"Anyway, Bella, we're here only long enough for you to convince Edward that you want him to stay and then we have to go. The others are going to need our help." Alice said.

I heard Bella struggle mentally. She finally gave in and asked us to go ahead. She had to talk to Edward. Alice gave Edward an "I told you so" look and we climbed out the window.

She wants me to stay. Edward called out after a while.

Then stay. You love her. Let her believe she is keeping you safe.

I nodded to Alice and we went into the woods.

We found the others in the middle of hell on earth. There were newborns everywhere. I saw one of the werewolves stuck under six newborns. I left Alice and leapt at the closest newborn.

It didn't take me long to get the newborns off. I saw the wolf and recognized him as the wolf who I had spoken to the night before.

"Your welcome." I couldn't help but saying.

I heard him think my name and I was surprised that he could still remember. I left him too and went to help the others. We won and Carlisle offered to get rid of the newborns. We would burn them later.

The leader of the pack talked to Carlisle and I heard him disregard me. He considered me little less than a flower. So, it was I who stepped up and shook his hand. I shook his hand and I knew that if he weren't the leader he would have flinched.

I watched the wolves leave, but not before I heard what the russet wolf was thinking. He scoffed at the thought that he could like me.

I laughed and when the others looked at me funny, I laughed again.

That's the end of that chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. Reviews, pretty please.