Chapter 4

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer=twilight...duh!! Me= Fanfiction...hooray!!

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Jacob's POV

Greaaaat... I get to be the one to break it to the pack about a potentially evil new vamp in Forks that is a threat to our peaceful existence...Wonderful... I shook my now completely rain-drenched hair in a very canine-like gesture. I was about to prepare myself for the familiar ripples of power that went along with phasing when I realized I didn't want the pack in my head. If they were in their wolf form, that is. Even so, that chance had some very unfortunate side effects.

Although it would be an easier and more convenient way to explain the situation, it could also mean exposing my feelings towards the new bloodsucker. I could not let the whole pack know how sickly love struck and weak I was in that moment in the woods. I let go of the chase! The prey escaped!

Even thinking about it now made my blood rush with anger and I growled under my breath. If I wasn't going to phase, I'd need to tell them all individually. That thought wasn't a comforting one either. I didn't really want to go make a visit to every single pack member and bring along the bad news. That's what, about six different trips equaling six different opportunities for me to be the bearer of bad news. Wonderful. I can just imagine that conversation, "Oh hello! Just to let you know, a dangerous vampire chick is here to bring down the Cullens and any that stand against her, which would be us. So, have a nice day!"

I had to think of something. Maybe I could make just a quick phase to tell them to meet me somewhere where I could tell them all at once, but in human form. Then again if they weren't in their wolf form would they even hear me? No, they wouldn't. Why do things have to be so confusing?

Then the thought came to me. I'll just tell Sam and then he can tell the rest of the pack. Simple, painless, brilliant. I smiled to myself. Then my thoughts inadvertently flashed back to the vampire girl. I thought about her glittering white smile, enchanting red eyes and her flawless figure. As soon as the thoughts entered my head, I shook them out in rage. It was a good thing I had decided not to phase; I couldn't even control my thoughts anymore!

Thinking back on that moment in the woods, I realized that I was especially lucky that none of my pack mates had been around and phased to hear my enamored thoughts about the vampire girl. They would have been just as furious with me as I am right about now. I looked around me at the dismal landscape and then up at the depressing grey sky. Well, off to Sam's it is then. I turned in the direction I knew led to Sam's home and took off sprinting. "I just hope he's in a good mood, 'cause he sure won't be once he hears this." I thought out loud to myself.

Bella's POV

A quick check in the rain streaked rearview mirror of the jeep showed no sign of any other drivers and, more importantly, no police cars. My foot slammed on the accelerator and the jeep was sent flying down the road. I made another quick glance at the mirror. The windshield wipers were working triply fast to try and keep my window clear of rain. I pushed even more on the gas pedal. I couldn't help it. I was going to see Edward. Edward wanted to see me.

The thought put a fresh smile on my face and my heartbeat quickened to match the rapidly pulsing wipers. I shivered with excitement and anticipation and the jeep picked up speed still. I didn't even look at the speedometer as I barreled down the road. Soon, but not soon enough for me, Edward's all-to-familiar Volvo was visible through the sheets of rain. My pulse jumped so sporadically that I wouldn't be surprised if the Cullens could hear it from here.

I eased on the brakes, not wanting to look too excited. The vehicle slowed down smoothly, a lot more so than I even expected. The Volvo's slightly ominous misty form came closer and closer as I approached the borderline. I continued to slow the vehicle down and right as I crossed the borderline I slammed, as gently as I could, on the brakes. I heard the wheels of the jeep squeal with the sudden strain and the vehicle wobbled on the wet pavement. I began a mental prayer, hoping I wouldn't slide into Edward's Volvo. I didn't doubt that he would let me off easily and I knew that he could pay for it without a problem. I just was worried that I'd never live it down.

Thankfully, my prayer was answered and the jeep came to a definite, if not a little abrupt, halt. I let out breath I hadn't even known I'd been holding. Before I could even take in another breath, my door was opening. I smiled widely as I saw Edward's glorious figure on the other side of the door. His bronze hair was dark with rain and plastered to his head, somehow only adding to his perfection. Water streaked down his impossibly handsome face. His clothes clung tightly to his ideal form and I swear my heart stopped. Large drops of rain were dripping from his beautifully long eyelashes and into his liquid gold eyes. Edward blinked them away and, noticing me taking him in, beamed radiantly at me.

The dazzling effect, needless to say, had me fumbling to undo my seatbelt. As soon as I managed the seemingly easy yet truthfully very difficult task, I launched myself out of the driver's seat and into Edward's waiting arms. He tensed but only for a fraction of a second before, like me, melting into the embrace. Edward moved back, taking me with him so I was clear out of the jeep. I was immediately drenched in a downpour of rain for the second time. I was sure I didn't look nearly as good wet as Edward did but for the moment I didn't care. We were together again and although we hadn't actually been apart that long, it felt like an eternity given the current circumstances. I pulled myself closer to Edward and buried my face in the side of his neck.

Edward's overwhelmingly incredible scent drowned out all feelings of worry and aloneness that I had been feeling a little up to this point. "I love you, Bella." Edward whispered silkily, just loud enough for me to hear. I smiled with delight.

"I love you too, Edward" I responded and brought my face so I could see his. Edward leaned in and I closed my eyes in expectation. My heart flipped and I waited for his delicious kiss to meet my waiting lips. Instead, I heard a shrill squeal.

"Victorious!" It was Alice. I groaned and opened my eyes to see Alice twirling around, dancing in the rain. Jasper was off to the side, smiling adoringly at her as she flitted about. "Pay up you two. I so owned!" Alice smirked in the direction of the Volvo. She waited maybe a millisecond before pouting. "Don't tell me you don't believe me." She whined loudly. The two doors in the front of the silver car opened simultaneously. Emmett and Rosalie appeared, wearing identical expressions of annoyance.

"Was I the only one who saw Bella drive across first?" Rosalie snapped. She shot a warning look it Emmett's direction and even elbowed him in the ribs.

"Hey, Rose. Sorry to disagree but I happened to see Edward stepping out of the trees way before a single wheel of my jeep crossed the borderline and they definitely didn't arrive at the same time. That's impossible!" Emmett said, his voice tinged with a challenge. I could practically feel the anger, annoyance and disbelief rolling off Alice in waves.

"How dare you! I won fair and square! Didn't I, Jazz?" Alice looked pleadingly at Jasper. He raised an eyebrow as if only vaguely interested in what was going on.

"Oh yes," Jasper said calmly, "you won, Alice. I saw them crossing at the same time." He smiled at her and was rewarded with a glowing smile that cut through the blurring rain. Alice then whipped her head and stared menacingly back at Rosalie and Emmett. While I was slightly annoyed at the fact that they were betting on me, not for the first time, I was more interested in how this was going to end. It wasn't like there was any visual proof and so it was down to a verbal battle of wits.

"You saw as well as I did how fast Bella was speeding down the road!" Rosalie said sharply. I blushed involuntarily. "Edward couldn't have topped that if he tried!" She smiled smugly.

"I could too." Edward muttered under his breath, but he was smiling so I knew he was just as amused by this exchange as I was. I held on to him tightly, all the while craning my neck to watch the soaked, feuding, vampire siblings.

"Edward can beat that in his sleep—um—if he slept. He could run faster with out trying!" Emmett retorted. Rosalie's glare was icy and she narrowed her dark eyes.

"Thank you." Edward said with a satisfied smile.

"I'm still convinced they are tied. Edward wasn't there until Bella crossed the border and Bella hadn't squealed in until Edward materialized out of the trees. End of story." Alice said assuredly. The look she gave Emmett and Rosalie said she meant it too. Rosalie and Emmett shared a glance then turned back to Alice.

"But—" Emmett started.

"Alice—" Rosalie began.

"I'll not hear any of it." Alice said with conviction. She raised her head haughtily and looked to Edward and me. "What do you think?" From the looks of her pixie-like features hardened with aggression I knew I had only one answer to this.

"I didn't see Edward until I pulled in." I answered with a small smile in Alice's direction. Alice smirked then turned her commanding gaze on Edward. Edward rolled his eyes but answered,

"And I didn't come out until I was sure Bella was here, which she is." Edward responded obediently. Alice beamed at the two of us and then at Jasper and finally, and self-righteously, at Rosalie and Emmett.

"Are we agreed then?" Alice asked, placing her hand on her hip. Rosalie and Emmett nodded in submission although they both looked like they could continue the argument way longer than necessary. "Good, now where are Carlisle and Esme?" Alice looked around wide-eyed.

"They went for a walk." Rosalie replied matter-of-factly. I raised my eyebrows and, as if she could read my thoughts, Rosalie added, "Yes, in the rain. It's really calming." I couldn't argue with that so I, instead, turned back to Edward. He was gazing at me intently and I matched his gaze. "Oh, come on, get a room. Will you?" Rosalie complained in a whisper.

Edward smiled easily and said, "We have some unfinished business to attend to." I felt the familiar heat of a blush rise to my cheeks but before I could even think twice about it, the kiss I had been waiting for met me and everything melted into the blissful passion and love that accompanied every kiss I shared with Edward.

Carlisle's POV

With the protectively thick canopy of leaves above our heads, very little rain seeped fell on Esme and me. Nonetheless, we were still relatively wet as we walked leisurely through the trees. I held Esme's pale hand in mine and we walked in a comfortable silence, each enveloped in our own thoughts.

"How long do you suppose Bella will take?" Esme said after a while, breaking the silence, but not in a disruptive way. I knew it wouldn't be very long but I didn't want to end the calming excursion we were taking. To go back would be to delve myself back into the chaotic problems involving the new vampire, protecting the citizens of Forks and keeping our secret a secret.

"I don't know. Not long, I suppose." I answered truthfully. I heard Esme sigh and wondered if she felt the same way I did. I tightened my grip on her hand comfortingly.

"Is it wrong that I want to just leave Forks and not deal with this?" Esme stopped walking and asked. Her beautiful face had a pained expression and her eyes, the color of dark honey, looked sad and hopeless.

"Esme, darling, it's not wrong but it wouldn't be the right thing to do. We have a duty here and I am determined to straighten things out" I said softly with assurance. "But if we had the option, I wouldn't want to face this either." I added honestly. Esme nodded but looked away. I ran my free hand along her cheek and brushed back strands of her damp, caramel hair. She turned to meet my gaze again. I offered a small smile. Her free hand closed over mine, pressing my hand to her face. She closed her eyes and for a moment, a look of sheer tranquility and contentedness crossed her perfect features. A small smile played upon her lips and she sighed blissfully.

I gently took my hand out of hers and brought it up to the other side of her face. Esme's eyes opened sleepily but the smile stayed. I smiled back at her and brought her face to mine in a long-awaited kiss. The kiss didn't last too long but it didn't have to. In that kiss, I felt the problems of the world fade away. It was as if a great weight had been lifted from our shoulders. It had melted away all the evils on the planet and wrapped me and my love in a peaceful embrace. It had even given me a glimpse back to our first real kiss such a long time ago. That kiss was filled with such an unmatchable happiness and innocent love that the flashback was warmly welcomed.

When the kiss ended both Esme and I were in such a euphoric state that we couldn't do much more than smile at each other. I could almost physically feel reality setting back in and tried my hardest not to let it crush me. The smiles didn't fade from either of our faces as we began walking hand-in-hand through the forest again.

"I suppose we should get back now." Esme said. I could hear the grin in her tone and, when she turned to me, her eyes were lit and sparkling. She slowed as if to turn around.

"Or we could stay out here a little longer." I smiled wryly and pulled Esme's hand, bringing her closer to me. Esme laughed and removed her hand from mine so she could wrap it around my waist. My arm twined around the small of her back.

"Staying out here sounds like a good idea." Esme said with a smirk and she leaned in to kiss my cheek.

"I knew you'd agree."

Emmett's POV

Waiting around for Carlisle and Esme seemed to take forever. I was currently living under the impression that this was an intense situation and needed to be taken care of immediately. I mean, hello? A new vampire threatening our existence who can expose us at any time isn't exactly something that can be put off until next week. And believe me; I think almost anything can be put off until next week.

I was back in the driver's seat of my jeep, my fingers drumming impatiently on the steering wheel. This time, unlike the ride to the borderline, Rose was in the passenger's seat. Normally, I would have been more than happy with this arrangement. Instead, because I wouldn't insist she was right about the whole Bella-Edward bet thing, she was fuming mad at me. Hey, I think I deserve to be right once in a while! But no, disagreeing with her means I'm deserving of the Wrath of Rosalie.

I turned to the back seat where Alice and Jasper were cuddling. Even just a glimpse was enough to make me sick. She was already through gloating, at least for the time being. We haven't paid her yet which means were due for another "I won" speech when we decide to come forward with the money. Or die trying to convince her otherwise.

Instead of gloating though, she was celebrating her victory with Jasper. I swear; those two never fight. It could have something to do with Jasper always knowing how Alice is feeling and, therefore, knowing when not to push it. Given the current circumstances though, it probably is just that they are compatible. I looked at Rosalie who was shooting daggers out the window with just a look. Were we compatible? What even makes a couple compatible?

Let's see, first there has to be chemistry. I'd like to say Rose and I have chemistry. I mean, there's always a spark when we kiss and whatnot. I grinned at my thoughts. Spark equals chemistry. Check.

Okay, what else makes a couple compatible? I thought about this for a while and, sadly, came up with nothing. That's when I knew who I was going to ask. The internet! I whipped out my Blackberry Storm and opened the browser. I turned in my seat so nobody but me could see the screen. I opened up Google and typed in, "couple's compatibility". That search brought up 957,000 results. I skipped the first entry as it had to do with marriage. Rose and I were already married. I scrolled down a lot more, clicking on entries here or there only to discover long boring articles on the subject.

Then I clicked on a link that said "Revealing the 5 secrets of compatible couples" (A/N This is an actual website... so the 5 secrets aren't mine and I give all the credit to whoever wrote the list =]) That seemed straightforward enough. I had to do some scrolling on my phone and then voila a succinct list of compatibility secrets. I read through the 5 listed: Commitment, Consideration, Staying Young (ha! if only they knew), A sense of Humor, and Daily intimacy. Well, I thought happily, it seems Rose and I have all of those, making us very compatible. I smiled to myself. But, just to make sure I went back to Google and clicked on a link to a Compatibility Quiz I had seen above. The link took me to a site covered with pink hearts and rather sappy questions.

I was in the process of answering "Do you think you were made for each other?" when there was a tap at my window. I freaked out and, to my horror, my Blackberry flew out of my hands and landed near the shift. I turned to whoever had tapped my window and saw Edward laughing hysterically. I stuck my tongue out at him and went to retrieve my phone. Then, I saw that it wasn't there. I winced and knew what was coming next.

Sure enough, Rosalie had grabbed my phone and was looking at it skeptically. "Compatibility Quiz? Really Em?" She said, looking in my direction. Then she smiled a perfect smile. "Do you think we are made for each other?"

I thought about it and asked jokingly, "What are my options?"

Rose pouted and then glanced back at the phone. "Surely or Maybe." I pretended to think about it. I even ran my hand through my hair for effect.

"Most definitely." I answered finally. Rose grinned and responded,

"That's not a choice." I could tell that the small fight was over and that I was forgiven. At least for now. I moved over to her and wrapped her in a hug. I brought my lips to hers in a fiery kiss. I wouldn't have ended it any time soon but I heard Edward tapping, annoyingly at the window. I growled under my breath and Rose laughed.

"Whatever you have to say, it better be good." I told Edward as I opened the door. Edward looked annoyed but then said,

"Oh, I was just going to say that Rose left her sweater in my car." Edward tossed a sopping wet piece of clothing at me and hurried back to his car. I peeled the sweater off of where it had landed and stuck to me and tossed it in the backseat, momentarily forgetting that it was occupied. Alice let out a shrill scream and the sweater was thrown back to the front, hitting the inside of the windshield with a squelch and a thud. It slid down and landed above the dashboard. I decided to leave it there and I shut my door. Rose was still laughing when I turned back to her.

"See? Sense of humor! We are compatible!" I said with a grin.

"I knew that without the quiz." Rose answered.

"So did I."

Okay!! REVIEW!!! Or else... This chapter is ANOTHER long one and it didn't take me two months+ to finish it! That's a new record!!! I want to have a total of at least 21 reviews on this story people. That's only 7 for this chapter. Please, I beg you. If I get more, I'll work doubly hard to get another chappie. REVIEW!!!! Oh, and still taking title suggestions and much thanks to those who have suggested them already. All are in consideration.