AN: This chapter is quite a bit shorter than I had expected. I want to get what I have up. My oldest daughter ran away this morning. We have found her thankfully; we know how lucky we are. She was found by a good woman playing in her backyard. The woman called the police shortly after we had discovered she was missing. So she is home safe and sound but we are all shook up pretty badly. On top of this my DH leaves for Germany tomorrow so I have no clue what next week will bring. Therefore, I may be a bit delayed in updating, but I promise I have no intention of abandoning this story. I am having too much fun writing it.

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters from the Twilight Saga belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Catalyst

CPOV

"Carlisle bring your bag, it's Bella!" Edward calls as he races through the front door leaving it dangling on one hinge. Grabbing my bag from under my desk I quickly descend the stairs wondering what Bella could have done to injure herself this time. A smile creases my face remembering the many minor injuries I bandaged so many years ago. My amused thoughts come to an abrupt halt as the sound of labored breathing and a dangerously slow heart rate become my focus.

"When did this start?" I ask feeling her weak pulse and checking the rate of her respirations. Her color is noticeably paling with a blue tint to her lips. Clear signs of pulmonary distress. I grab a small cylinder of oxygen out of my bag fitting the mask tightly to Bella's face adjusting the flow level to high.

"She was sleeping." Edward answers lowering his head to stare at the floor. Worry, regret, and blame crease his brow. "We weren't watching her. Scott called telling me to wake her. She looked like she was being attacked. She woke and lost consciousness almost immediately. It took me four minutes to get her here."

"Thank God you found her when you did son. I need to get her to the hospital; I need to see what is causing her distress." I inform him, hoping he knows he is not to blame, while inserting an iv lead in her forearm starting a saline drip.

Rose and Emmett run through the opening where the door used to stand, Lenai clings desperately to Emmett's chest her eyes wide with fright. "Emmett start my car, we're taking Bella to the hospital. I need to stay in the back with her, you drive." I instruct while carefully picking Bella up off the couch. Her slight weight barely registering in my arms, but her limp limbs weigh heavily on my heart. "Edward bring Lenai and meet us there." Please let us not be too late. "Rose call Esme and let her know what's happened." What poor timing for a hunting trip. I only hope Alice saw this and they are already on their way back.

"Edward," Emmett calls from the driver's door as I lay Bella on the back seat and slide in lifting her upper body in my arms to ease her struggling breath. "Scott called he's on his way." Emmett tosses Edward's small silver cell phone swiftly across the drive. Edward catches it deftly, tucking it in his pant's pocket.

Bella's breathing is still labored but her coloring has improved slightly with the help of the oxygen.

Emmett is pushing the Mercedes to its' breaking point but still it seems too slow. Bella is weakening with every minute that passes. Her breath now rattles in her chest, as she gasps for air through what sounds like layers of fluid. If we do not reach the hospital soon it may be too late. The minutes it takes to reach the small Forks Hospital feel like an eternity as I watch Bella loose strength each passing second. Emmett grabs a gurney as we enter the main doors, I switch her face mask over to the larger oxygen tank attached to the gurney and we run as quickly as possible without drawing unnecessary attention toward the radiology room. I quickly arrange Bella in the positions needed and take films at four different angles. Pinning the films against the light board I raise the head of Bella's gurney to ease her breathing before returning to find the cause of her distress.

Edward, Rosalie, and Scott crowd around the light board. "Where's Lenai Edward?" I ask. She needs to know what is happening. She needs to be with Bella. The damage is worse than I thought; her body is broken beyond repair.

"She's in by Bella." He answers glaring at the images before us his pain visible. "How long?" he asks his voice breaking as he chokes out the words, clearly understanding the gravity of Bella's condition.

"Hours maybe, a few days at best." Five of Bella's ribs have been completely shattered, the ragged sharp edges impaled into the side of her right lung. Multiple fragments of bone have left deep gashes across the surface of both lungs. Her right lung is completely deflated and partially filled with fluid. There is no way of telling from the screen but it is most likely blood from the multiple tears in the exterior walls caused by the numerous bone shards. Looking to Scott I ask the only question I can think of now. "How the hell did this happen?" How could she have become so grievously injured from simply sleeping. What has he kept from us, and why. Bella's life is ending because of his need for secrecy. If we had been warned in full that something like this could happen Bella would never have been left alone.

His answering voice is deep and calm but hostility and anger taint his face. "Ajani." He growls accusingly. "I warned you to watch her."

"Gran." Lenai's small voice whimpers from the other room drawing everyone's attention. Lenai grasps Bella's hand in both of hers. Tears streak freely down her face soaking Bella's arm; Lenai's body begins to heave as a hollow gasping sound fills the room. She turns her terror stricken face to us pleading silently for help. Her voice breaks with grief as she struggles to whisper through her sobs, "Save her."

Lenai's eyes burn into mine singling me out to do as she has demanded.

"I don't know if I can." I answer dejectedly, my heart breaking as I look upon the woman whom I have considered both a daughter and a friend who now lies so completely broken that I fear even our venom would do no good. "The damage is too severe. Her heart is too weak." I can barely force enough breath from my chest to make my voice audible for her.

"NO!" A chorus of angry grief stricken cries erupt from my children. Their faces a portrait of loss, agony, defeat, and guilt.

"I will do it then." Scott challenges, anger rising in his voice, his eyes a dangerous black glaring at me, daring me to stop him. I pull in a painful breath to argue with him but before I can rebuke his proposed action he continues. "She dies if we don't try."

I am left speechless. The truth of his words rebounds within each of us urging us to act. I take a step toward Bella, his words ringing in my mind. "She dies if we don't try." A plan forms, I pray it will work, or we will loose any chance we have of succeeding.

"Edward, page Dr. Leonard to the front desk. Emmett take the front of the gurney, we need to get to the morgue and get Bella out before Dr Leonard can make his way back." I drape a sheet over Bella hoping no one will notice her loud rasping. I am thankful for the late hour; it works in our favour as small hospitals, like Forks, run a skeleton crew overnight. Edward's voice calls calmly over the intercom system for Dr. Leonard to report to the front desk. I silently count to thirty, waiting just long enough for Dr. Leonard to clear the hallway heading in the opposite direction. "Now." I command. Emmett and I effortlessly guide the gurney down the hallways at inhuman speed disregarding any possible witnesses. Edward waits with the engine running and Lenai in the front seat as we exit the morgue doors, with Bella carefully wrapped against the night air, draped in my arms.

Once again I slide Bella into the back seat climbing in and lifting her upper body toward me.

Scott speaks loudly just before I shut the door behind me. "Get her to the ranch. We have to get her as far away from here as possible." Edward nods once in agreement before I shut the door.

The possible repercussions of my actions weigh heavily in my mind as I lean in toward Bella. There is no choice, Scott's words strengthen my resolve fortifying my will. I glance toward Edward quickly trying to judge his thirst. Bella's chest rattles barely raising as she fights to inhale; I can wait no longer.

"I'm so sorry Bella." I whisper placing my lips against her cool skin, yes there is no choice, I must try she doesn't have long. I open my mouth steeling myself against the flow of blood soon to be coating my lips, my teeth, my tongue. Gently I press my teeth through the soft delicate skin of her neck, letting my venom pour over the slick surface of my teeth passing easily through he space between enamel and flesh. Bella's weak pulse pushes her blood into my mouth. I moan loudly fighting every raging, commanding, angry impulse to give into my nature and drink of her fully. Pulling back away from the wound I look forward fighting the angry monster within urging me to return to the pleasure so easily attainable. Lenai has turned around in the front seat and is watching me carefully. Her face showing a mix of fear and amazement. I know my eyes are blackened with my thirst, what must she be thinking as she watches me end her grandmother's life. Breaking her gaze I return my attention to Bella having quieted the beast inside slightly. I lick Bella's wound letting my venom seal it to prevent any blood loss. Bella has lost to much already, I need to be as careful as possible. I lift Bella's wrist to my mouth once again searching for complete control of my nature before slowly pressing my teeth into her flesh, letting the pooled venom flow over my teeth into her blood stream. I seal the wound quickly and grab her other wrist before my control wavers. One more bite. I pause for a second letting a large amount of venom pool before biting her one final time. I linger on her wrist longer than the other bites trying to let as much venom as possible flood her system, careful to not pull anymore of her blood out of her body than absolutely necessary. I lick the final wound replacing her hand in her lap. All there is to do now is wait.

LPOV

He is a vampire Lenai, you knew that. God! What did I think they were going to do. OH GOD! I stare at Carlisle the screaming in my head never stopping as Gran's blood covers his lips. The open gash left bleeding on her neck where he just bit her. His cold inhuman black eyes stare at me. OH GOD! My breath heaves increasing in pace, my heart pounds against my ribs trying to escape. I fight my body holding back my screams. Closing my eyes I try to rid my mind of the vision permanently burned into my memory. Gran's body tensing as his teeth cut through her, the moan of pleasure as Carlisle tastes her blood. OH GOD! I force my eyes to open. Carlisle has his teeth to Gran's wrist, a small trickle of her blood drips down his chin landing on Gran's shirt. I inhale sharply and quickly again and again my lungs burn as if I have no air to breathe. My body is shaking and points of light distort my vision. I turn to my right looking for help. Edward's hands grasp the now bent steering wheel dangerously tight, his lips curl back exposing his teeth. His eyes are completely black and he growls quietly. OH GOD, Edward! I close my eyes rocking back and forth trying to calm my breathing, trying to breathe at all, my hands and arms feel numb, like they weigh a thousand pounds but I can still feel my body shaking, I can't stop, no, no, no, no,no. oh god, granny, no.

SPOV

I pull my Jeep directly behind the parked Mercedes. That little car has gone as far as it can go. Headlights flood my vehicle as another car stops behind me. I throw open my door and jump out of the cab landing in soft mud. I race to the Mercedes and open the back door. The scent of Bella's blood floods my senses causing my throat to instantly set fire. Carlisle hands Bella to me as he climbs out.

Oh Bella, I am so sorry. Her face has paled since leaving the hospital, the bites on her wrists and neck give her a macabre appearance. I hold her close to my chest supporting her carefully. Her breathing is shallow, but not as loud as it had been before. Maybe her body is mending already, I hope that is what has caused the change. I can't let her body fail her before the change completes. I can't loose her. Her heart beats softly and slowly but regularly. There are no changes in tempo; this has to be a good sign. My fear rescinds slightly allowing hope the smallest of space in my heart.

"It's going to be okay, Bella." I whisper in her ear as I walk toward the jeep. It's going to be okay, I repeat to myself. It has to be okay. "Carlisle," I call over my shoulder.

"Yes." he answers.

"You drive," I state. He looks at me curiously, appraising my motives. "Please." I whisper. I don't want to set her down. I don't want to loose contact with her for even a moment; I have to feel her soft skin against my own, feel her weak pulse against my chest so I know her heart still pumps. I need to feel her faint breath upon my cheek as I cradle her close to me so I know she's still with me.

"Sure." He answers. "Edward, are you okay with Lenai?" Carlisle asks.

Edward nods his head in the affirmative, but his eyes look pained. His gaze moving between Bella's still form in my arms and the rocking shadow of Lenai in the passenger seat of the car. "We need to get her to the ranch." I instruct Carlisle who is still standing by Edward. My frustration building as each second passes. I want Bella inside as quickly as possible. I want to make her as comfortable as I can. I need to know she is healing, and I can't know that standing around in a muddy field while others debate what we are to do.

I climb in the passenger seat supporting Bella in one arm while I shut the door behind us. She groans in pain quietly as I readjust her position. "It will all be okay, I promise." I whisper, stroking her silky brown hair trying to sooth her. She moans again slightly louder, "Soon Bella, it will be over soon."

All the months I have watched her from afar, wishing for the chance to touch her. What I wouldn't have done to hold her in my arms as I do now. What I wouldn't trade now to be holding her under different circumstances, to have her gaze lovingly into my eyes and know she is safe. But that may never be. My overly pessimistic side reminds me, that even now, even though she is becoming one of my kind that dream may never come to pass. I've viewed her dreams; I know who still holds the staring role. Yes as of late they have changed significantly, her granddaughter replacing her even in her dreams, but I know she is not ready to move on. I will wait till no star remains shining in the heavens for her. I will be her friend and her confidant for every remaining day of eternity, I will always hold out hope that some day she will learn to love me as I love her.

Bella's moans of discomfort continue as we complete the drive to the ranch, each sound tearing at my heart and my sanity. "Her moans are a good sign." Carlisle tells me as we park in front of my cabin. I turn my head to see him as he speaks to me. I don't want to take my eyes off of Bella, but I need to know he is being truthful. "Her rasping while breathing has quit. She was unable to breathe deeply enough to make verbal noises before." He states matter of factly, although a look of shame crosses his face briefly. "Thank you, I would not have tried to change her if you had not been there. We would have lost her." He finishes quietly a sad smile forming as he looks upon Bella in my arms. I would have never allowed her to slip away. If I had to fight every Cullen at the same time, if I had to fight all of the Volturri I would never let her slip away. I will never let her slip away.

Carlisle holds open the front door shutting it behind me as I carry Bella to the guest room. I pull back the duvet and sheet lying her gently on the bed. Her breathing has definitely improved even during the short drive from the field to here. Her quiet breaths inhaling and exhaling in slow contrast to the steady beating of her heart is a peaceful symphony to my ears. Bella will make it through. I pull a chair up beside the bed taking Bella's hand in my own, whispering to her as I brush her hair out of her face.

"It will be okay. I'm at your side. Come to me."

AN: Hey ya'll I need cheering up, leave me a note please they make me smile.

Oh just an interesting side note: Ajani (Ah-jah-nee) is Nigerian meaning "He who fights for possession"