Author's Note

Please forgive any spelling and/or grammar errors. I hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think!

Any dialogue you recognize is from New Moon. PS I'm not Stephenie Meyer, so I don't own anything :(

Ch 10

Bella gasped at the sudden loss when Jazz tore his lips from hers. She barely had time to recover before he'd drawn her down to the floor of the grassy clearing and was licking a path down her body, pausing only to suck at her nipple and swirl his tongue around her navel.

His desire and hunger was a drug, making her eyes roll up and her back arch like a pulled bow string. Her hands found the ground and her fingers sank into the dirt as though to anchor herself. But there was no reality, only feeling as Jazz's mouth worshiped her body.

Then all thought was forgotten when Jazz's tongue swept out to flick her clit. His lips fastened around the little bud, tracing figure eights over it as his fingers slowly, leisurely inched up her thigh to find her needy center. First one, then two fingers dipped inside her slick channel, pumping in and out steadily, in tandem with his teasing tongue.

They curled, pressing just the right spot inside her. One that had her seeing stars and crying, "Holy crow!"

Jazz chuckled in response, and Bella felt the sound ignite each nerve it came in contact with, as though his gift could now be transmitted through touch.

In almost no time, Bella felt the tell-tale signs of lush pressure building. A coiling spring, twisting tighter and tighter until it inevitably snapped, releasing all of its pent up energy in the form of mind-blowing pleasure.

Jazz stroked her skillfully, the hand not pumping into her center drifting up to massage her breast. Bella moaned when he caught the puckered peak of her nipple between his fingers, rolling and tugging the tip deliciously until she moaned and squirmed beneath him. Her hips canted up, desperate for more pressure, and he let her feel how much he ached for her, fueling her desire more and sending her careening towards a cliff's edge.

"Oh, yes! Yes!" Her muscles seized with little to no warning, and her climax came over her in a rush that left her whole body trembling.

Her eyes rolled back as she crested, shattering like so much glass while every muscle in her body seized and relaxed, a tumbling waterfall dousing her. Endorphins flooded her, better than a shot of heroin.

Bella was a boneless heap as Jasper trailed a path of blazing kisses up her body, pausing on her chest to suck the neglected bub into the lucious warmth of his mouth. It still surprised her to learn vampires felt warm to one another. His teeth gently worried the tightened tip, tugging lightly before releasing it with a wet pop!

"I hadn't thought anything could be better than what we'd already done, then you go and prove me wrong," she moaned, recovering enough energy to reach for him, weakly encouraging him to come to her.

Jazz seemed to glow, as though lit from within as moonlight illuminated his naked form. He was Adonis personified. Surely the Greeks were inspired to write their poetry with him in mind. Perhaps Cassandra was real, and she'd had a vision of him as Alice had.

He eagerly rose to meet her waiting mouth, kissing her deeply as he settled over her, his hands tracing every curve of her body.

"Guess it's a good thing we have eternity together. I'll need time to try and come up with something new to impress you with," he teased, lips brushing hers as he spoke.

"Yes," she agreed, breaths coming in irregular pants as his shaft sank back into her, joining them once again. "It'll never be enough. I'll never have enough of you."

"I know exactly what you mean."

Hours turned into days. Each time they were together, Bella marveled over something new that she discovered about him. Several times she got caught up in the rainbow patterns that glittered in the sunlight. Other times it was the network of scars zigzagging along his body. Once, it was how weightless their bodies were underwater and how interesting an experience it was to make love entirely submerged since they didn't require oxygen. Though she did prefer when all of her senses were involved and Jazz was able to invade every facet of her being.

"You're thirsty," Jasper eventually pointed out, his fingertips resting along the crest of her cheekbone.

Bella was tempted to insist that she could wait, but the knowledge that he likely felt her throat burning prevented her from delaying the inevitable.

Bella almost felt like one of those mice used in lab experiments where they pushed the pleasure button until they starved to death. Literally the only thing stopping her was that she didn't want Jazz to endure the burn right alongside her.

This time they both hunted, and it was like a repeat of before. Only this time she knew they were both ravenous for each other when desire took hold, his gift amplifying it. Bella pounced on him, shoving him so hard against a tree that the wood splintered and cracked.

Jazz maneuvered them up against a different tree, the prior reduced to so much kindling, and didn't stop until her back was to it as he thrust into her waiting sheath and pounded into her hard and fast.

Their actions were frenzied. But it hardly mattered. Bella was almost embarrassingly ready for him. Her walls clenched around him, marveling at the sensation of completeness that came over her once they were fully joined. Though that revelation was brief and quickly replaced with an insatiable, mutual need.

His cock moved easily within her hot channel, pistoning with vampire speed. Ragged pants tore from her lips, and Bella spiraled towards the edge.

The abyss waited, and Bella met it eagerly, falling gladly when the tension broke, melting and reforming her anew - into a heap of bones and bliss. There wasn't room for more. Except love. Because she truly was in love with Jasper.

Jazz pressed deeper, burying himself to the hilt as he spilled over as well, his hands turning the trunk at her back into so much mulch.

Slowly, achingly so, he brought his mouth to hers, kissing her with all the tenderness that he'd saved up.

His breathing was as ragged as her own. She could feel the rise and fall of his chest where they pressed together, each of them greedily gulping in unneeded air, and savoring all the scents and flavors that went with this encounter. Bella filed it away in her mind, relieved she'd never forget a single detail.

Then it started all over again.

On and on it went. A cycle. Each time they were together, Bella felt the bond between them cement more, grow stronger, become more indelible and tangible.

There were no distractions. Nothing around to interrupt them. They wouldn't have even stopped the two times they did if not for the pressing, burning thirst as the weeks passed.

Occasionally they spoke too, but it was a very long while before Bella could resist him enough for more than a few idle comments about how exquisite she found everything they tried to be.

As much as she longed to stay this way forever, it was rapidly becoming obvious they needed to return home – sooner, rather than later. She did not want the family to get worried and come looking for them, or think they'd taken off.

Halloween had come and gone. The leaves had already turned to a riot of brilliant, sun-bronzed colors then slowly begun withering to shades of brown and earth. A number had fallen to provide a bed for the couple, though even more seemed to end up scattered in Bella's hair for Jazz to untangle between bouts of intimacy.

Currently, Jazz was propped up on his elbow watching her trace random letters across his abdomen when she asked, "Does this constant need ever go away?"

"Tired of me already?" he inquired, reaching to brush her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her cheek.

"You know I'm not," Bella stated, giving him a look that spoke volumes and succeeded in making him chuckle freely. The sound danced through the air, spiraling out and synchronizing with the natural music of the forest.

"It's different for every couple, but the first few years are the most intense. In this, we really are more like animals than humans," he explained, letting his hand wander down to her chest where he cupped her breast.

Bella's eyes closed as she reveled in the feel of his caress on her sensitive flesh. "I'm not sure I can do this in the house with the others listening."

"That's fine," he agreed readily.

"You don't mind?" she asked, recognizing how inconvenient it might make things. Though, as they'd already proven, being outside wasn't actually a deterrent. It helped that the random rain shower and gradually increasing cold of the oncoming winter didn't affect them.

"I don't particularly wish to rub Edward's nose in this," Jazz admitted, letting his hand travel farther south to grip her hip, squeezing reassuringly.

"You really think he'll stick around?" Bella asked doubtfully. This was only the second time he'd been mentioned, but after so long away, she was beginning to doubt he would. He didn't handle things out of his control very well, and this was very much something he didn't have the reins of.

"Yes," Jasper said confidently. "You didn't know him before. I was a mess when I first joined the Cullens. Feral and bloodthirsty. More than once I lost control and forced us to move. But Edward…he was…a robot. He listened to minds to protect us, and he played music when Esme asked, but that's it. He had no hobbies or interests of his own. He was methodical in hunting to stave off the bloodlust, but he was cynical and aloof to a fault.

"If you hadn't come along, with your unusual mind and appetizing blood, I don't think he'd ever have changed. But he did, and we're all grateful for it."

"Will everyone be upset that I chose you instead of him?" she asked, though part of her also wondered if Edward would hate her now. That would be…unfortunate.

"Bella, they've been expecting this for some time," Jasper said softly, giving her the half smile that always made her breath catch suddenly in her throat. It was beautiful. Endearing. Sincere. And most of all, just for her.

"What?" she gasped.

"You were the only one who didn't see it coming," Jasper informed her, clearly amused by her ignorance.

They'd grown together naturally, and over a long enough period of time that no one doubted the seriousness or rightness of Bella and Jasper together.

But no, they were always talking to her about Edward…or they had? Up until the last time he called in the spring, yes. She was positive. But had anyone mentioned him at all after that? Quickly, she checked her perfect recall memory and realized they hadn't. Not even Carlisle or Esme. Why?

"Did Alice warn everyone?" Bella asked, internally resigning herself to an eternity of Alice's meddling.

"She didn't need to," Jasper answered, softly laughing even more openly than before. The sound was joyful and deep, reminding her of a summer evening in the park.

Then the significance of the statement hit her.

"But Carlisle…." He'd not been very happy when she and Jasper first started spending so much time together. In fact, those first weeks, Bella had been worried she was upsetting her adoptive father.

"He was worried I'd get my heart broken and leave the family," Jasper admitted. Sensing her curiosity, he elaborated, saying, "He came to me and asked how I felt about you. He wasn't upset that I'd grown attached, only concerned that when Edward returned, you'd go back to him and I'd be left alone.

"Carlisle has always known I'm the least integrated in the family, and he was worried there wouldn't be enough to keep me around if that happened. He loves me like a son, and doesn't want to lose me."

"Of course he does," Bella reaffirmed, wondering if Jazz had ever doubted it himself. He looked and sounded a bit surprised even as he said the words, but honestly, Carlisle had the biggest, most compassionate heart of anyone she'd ever met. Of course he loved Jazz. There was so much to love.

"After I was changed, I didn't think I'd ever have a family again. Now I do, and a mate," he said, leaning close to kiss her neck.

"How long? How long have you loved me?" Bella wondered, fighting the distracting sensations to ask what had occurred to her when Jasper admitted Carlisle had confronted him sometime ago.

Had he had feelings as far back as their trip to Phoenix? Surely not. It wouldn't have made sense. Back then, they'd been together for days and barely spoke. Why? Because she was Edward's or because she was human.

It had to be the human thing. He never willingly went near them. It was simply too tempting, even if he never wanted to cause one pain.

So how long then?

"A few weeks after your change. You laughed, and I felt it wash through me. It was like living again. I just wanted to be near you. I was irresistibly drawn to you – your positive emotions. They were like crack to me, and I won't deny being hooked on you.

"Then I got to know you. You made me really laugh – my genuine amusement, not something artificial or siphoned off of someone else. And there was the fact that you weren't scared of me, which let me tell you, never happens. Honestly, it was a bit of everything, and it's been a good long while now."

"I can't believe I didn't know," Bella stated, uncomprehendingly.

"I thought for sure it'd be obvious when we danced last summer," he said, nudging her nose with his.

"It should have been," she acknowledged begrudgingly. The way he'd looked at her should have been a dead giveaway.

"What is it? I know you're still apprehensive about something," Jasper pushed, reading her emotions and teasing out the one less than positive notes woven through the rest.

"Will he hate me now?"

"No."

"I'd love you even if he would."

"I know. But he's been in my head. He knows the suffering I've endured…things I've not even shared with Alice – though I'd tell you if you ever asked," Jazz promised, baring every facet of himself to her without holding back. She didn't blame him for the things he'd done, that life was all he'd known. He'd survived it, and Bella was so proud of who'd become in spite of it all. He could have very easily let himself become a monster, especially with his gift, but he hadn't. "He will be happy for both of us…it just might take a little time to get there."

"I want to go home," Bella admitted. Talking about everyone made her miss them with a fierce, painful longing.

"Tomorrow?" he suggested, easing a hand between her legs to boldly cup her. The act left no room for doubt about what he intended to spend these last few hours getting up to.

"Yes," she moaned, fully on board with his plans.

"Six weeks," Emmett laughed, grinning and holding out a fist as though Jasper were actually going to give him a bump, "not too bad."

"Emmett," Bella warned threateningly, "shut up."

Entirely unrepentant, Emmett clapped Jasper on the back anyways. Jazz just ducked his head to hide his smile and squeezed Bella's hand.

Edward didn't say a word, but did offer a weak smile in greeting. So he was still around.

"Wonderful! Bella, come and have a look, dear," Esme exclaimed, seizing Bella by the shoulders and guiding her towards the stairs.

Bella felt an almost physical ache when she moved out of reach of Jasper after so long with them being in near constant contact. Unwilling to be rude to Esme, Bella followed her up the stairs until they were in front of Jasper's room. Grandly, Esme opened the door to reveal a newly remodeled space.

All of the furniture was rough, natural wood from the desk to the dresser to the bookshelves to the bed. Even the floors in this room were exposed hardwood. An off-white quilt that appeared hand-stitched covered the bed and a plush forest green rug dominated the floor. The rustic feel of the room reminded her a bit of Texas, but also growing up in Phoenix. There was even a row of succulents on the window ledge.

In a daze, she surveyed the room, walking along the perimeter as she took in the little hints of both her and Jazz. Many of the shelves contained her favorite novels, but his guitar was propped up against the side of the bookcase. A drawing Jazz had been working on was on the desk, but so was the iPod speaker Emmett had given her for her birthday.

The space was clearly meant to appeal to both her and Jazz. It was the perfect blend of both of them. Their room. Their sanctuary.

"Esme," Bella began wonderingly, "I can't believe you did all of this for us."

"Of course I did. This is your home," she said simply.

"Thank you," Bella whispered, feeling a sting pierce the back of her eyes. It was a peculiar sensation, and definitely not a pleasant one.

"This bedroom was larger, so we set it up for the pair of you then redid your room for Edward," she explained, beaming at her, obviously glad to have surprised her children.

"I love it," Bella promised, trying not to think about how awkward it was to have Edward of all people using her old room while she shacked up with Jazz.

She also refrained from commenting on the bed. Though considering how often they had the house to themselves while the rest of the family was either at work or school, perhaps it would get some use after all.

Bella was almost reluctant to leave the privacy of her new space, but eventually the allure of seeing Jazz again drew her downstairs. He'd probably expected the room, so had let Bella and Esme have that moment just for them. She sat beside her adoptive mom on the sofa with Jazz perched on the arm beside her. Everyone was talking about the hurricane currently hitting the Caribbean and debating on if it would reach far south enough to impact Isle Esme. Bella appreciated that the family was behaving normally, and not making a big deal out of her and Jazz vanishing for nearly two months.

Throughout the conversation, Rose looked beyond smug, smiling and staring pointedly at Bella. Edward kept sighing dramatically and rolling his eyes periodically.

"Just say it, Rosalie," Edward finally ordered, resigned to having his sister have her say for all to hear.

Rose smirked, relishing this opportunity, though Bella braced herself, knowing what her sister could be like at times. Her tenacity was legendary. Bella had actually been quite grateful that Rosalie hadn't said a word when Edward first arrived. Instead, her and Alice had left almost immediately and not returned until after Bella had left with Jazz. Probably because neither could keep their thoughts to themselves.

"You made the right choice," she said snottily.

"Umm, thanks," Bella said, uncomfortable.

"Oh, don't look at me like that. Everyone knows I'm right. She was only with Edward because he kept saving her and she was swept up in the drama of a forbidden romance," Rose continued, uncaring of how her words were received.

"It wasn't forbidden," Edward denied weakly.

"It was the way you were handling it. All the rules and restrictions," Rose went on, clearly having bottled this up for some time and was ready to get it off her chest. "Face it, Edward. You just liked challenging yourself to resist her blood and keep her safe after a century of boredom. You didn't care how much danger it put the rest of us in because you finally had something to focus on. But if you'd really cared about her, you'd have stayed out of her life so that she could have had a happy, human life. But you didn't, and she was changed, so now there's nothing left to draw you in like there is between her and Jasper."

Bella studied Rose, wondering if, when Rose had watched Edward and Bella before, she'd seen a bit of her own relationship with Royce. From what Bella knew, it hadn't been a healthy one and had ended horribly. Royce had been controlling, domineering, and an addict. Instinctively, Bella knew Edward would never have physically hurt her the way Rose had been hurt, he'd mastered his base desires too much to ever give in to them, but it was undeniable that Edward hadn't viewed Bella as an equal. It must have chafed at Rose constantly to witness it and not intercede.

"Thank you for that…succinct summation, Rose," Carlisle said, but from the way Edward winced, Bella thought he might have added his own thoughts on the matter for only his son to hear.

"Well now that it's out in the open, can we all just agree that Bella and Jasper make sense and move on?" Rose asked, seeming a bit let down that she'd not gotten more of an argument from Edward.

"We already had, dear," Esme pointed out softly, patting Bella's leg as though silently reassuring her that the unwelcome discussion was at an end.

She really hated when people talked about her as though she weren't there. But she also just wanted the scene to end already.

"I call black!" Alice announced, leaping up and darting to the hall closet.

"She saw us playing three person chess," Jazz explained, sliding his fingertips lightly down the length of her spine before getting up and following Alice to the kitchen table on the other side of the room. "I was about to suggest it as a distraction."

"I'm out," Emmett grumbled petulantly.

"He doesn't stand a chance when either Alice or Edward are his opponents," Esme mock whispered to Bella, thoroughly amused by her children's antics.

Bella leaned against Esme's side, contented by the maternal arm the woman wrapped around Bella's shoulders as they watched Edward, Alice and Jazz begin their chess game.

"I'll play Mario cart with you instead," Rose offered, but Bella could see her admiring her reflection in the glass window and wondered if she'd bother concentrating enough to even be a challenge for Emmett. Not that he'd mind. He just liked being with the family and keeping busy.

The sight of Jazz's strong, capable fingers gripping the white knight had Bella wishing they were back in the woods. She yearned for him. He looked up then, his eyes darkening as the pupils dilated. It was probably her imagination, but she thought she felt his gift reaching for her, lust stroking her senses erotically.

Soon – five more hours until everyone would leave the house. Then they could try out their new bed.

Alice groaned, and Edward's eyes closed, a pained look twisting his features.

Suddenly, Bella understood why none of the others really cared about being overheard while having sex. Why would they with Edward and Alice around? One would see everything in a vision, and the other would see it secondhand.

Oh geez. Had they been seeing everything for the last few weeks?

"Almost non-stop since you left," Edward said, answering Jazz's unspoken question. He must have been wondering the same thing she'd been thinking.

Soothing rays of an apology filled the room, projecting from Jasper like sunbeams on a clear spring afternoon.

As much as Bella wanted to be sorry as well, she just couldn't be. Because honestly, maybe seeing her and Jazz clearly together, in a way she'd never been with Edward, for weeks made things easier for Edward. The evidence allowed him to grow used to it and desensitized sooner.

Her thoughts scattered when Alice knocked over several remaining black chess pieces. Edward chuckled but tipped his red queen as well, leaving only Jazz's white queen upright on the hexagonal board.

"I concede," Edward declared, offering a real smile at Jazz.

"Four moves?" Jazz asked.

"Three," Edward admitted, chuckling easily.

Esme pulled her a little closer, and Bella knew they were thinking the same thing. This, right here, was a glimpse of the future. Everything really was going to be all right with the family.

A feline smile spread across Jazz's face a second before he met her eye. An almost magnetic pull beckoned her towards him, and Bella didn't resist, joining the others at the table and automatically gripping Jazz's hand when he reached for her.

Bella couldn't imagine ever being happier. Things were finally perfect. Her life had surpassed her wildest dreams, and nothing could ruin it. This was more than she ever dared hope for.

"What in the world…?" Alice gasped, pausing mid step as she crossed the room, one leg still extended gracefully behind her, the tip of her toe pointed at the ceiling.

Bella jerked the bow across the cello strings roughly, releasing a jarring wail, and set the instrument aside now that Alice was no longer attempting to choreograph a ballet routine to go with the song Bella was playing.

"Alice?" Jazz asked, glancing first at Bella then making his way to the soothseer. Jazz guided her to the sofa, then sat beside her, waiting to hear about what had caused her such alarm.

"Tomorrow is gone. It's entirely blank," she answered shakily, eyes still glazed as she frantically searched the future. "For all of us."

As Bella watched, Alice's shoulders slumped and she seemed to curl into herself looking smaller and younger than ever before. Never had Bella seen her sister look so uncertain and vulnerable. It was terrifying, considering Alice was always so bouncy and bubbly and chipper.

"Why?" Carlisle asked, coming into the room with Edward on his heels. The two had been conversing in Carlisle's office all morning while Esme ran errands and Emmett and Rose occupied themselves in their bedroom.

"Has this ever happened before?" Bella asked, fearing the answer. She'd been worried about Alice since Jasper mentioned she didn't see herself with a future mate. Could this be the reason? Was something awful about to happen?

"Only once," Jazz said darkly.

"You think it has to do with the wolves?" Edward asked, frowning at Jazz.

"Wolves? What wolves?" Bella asked, but Edward ignored her.

"Why would they be around now, and here?" Edward ventured, too focused on the present concern.

Alice's face pinched so closed it must have been uncomfortable. Her lips parted, but no sound escaped her. Jazz rubbed a soothing hand along Alice's back but she didn't relax in the least. If anything, she shrank more into herself as she struggled to control her gift.

"It must be, but I have no idea," Jazz murmured for Alice, unwilling to consider a different possibility for all that he was the best strategist amongst them. Then he addressed Bella directly, explaining, "The La Push wolves. Your friend, Jacob Black, was the one to let us take you when you were bitten by Laurent. Alice's visions went blank then too, and we weren't sure you'd make it."

Bella felt the pain that sliced through Jazz at that final thought. It cut clean through her like an executioner's broadsword. It was gone in a flash though as he soaked up the sight of her before him and the love flowing directly from her to reassure him she was there with him now.

It was nearly impossible to imagine a different alternative. One where Alice hadn't seen enough to send Irina after Laurent. One where Laurent had killed her instead. Killed her because….

Victoria.

Pieces were starting to come together in Bella's mind. A bleak picture forming.

The wolves prevented Alice from having visions. But why would they be anywhere around? Unless….

Victoria.

It all came back to the redheaded vamp.

She knew Bella wasn't dead. She knew Bella had been turned. Bella was from Forks. Perhaps Victoria had done something there, and that's why the wolves were coming here.

Laurent had warned them she was still after Bella. Carlisle had been dreading her trying something for several months now, but Bella had brushed it off. Even now, she wasn't worried about herself, Jazz had trained her well, but she was afraid for the others – particularly Alice.

Alice without a future for herself.

"Victoria," Bella whispered, unable to articulate her theory further.

Turns out she didn't need to, Jazz connected the dots the same as her once he had that final clue, and Edward, having read Jazz's mind, was suddenly asking Carlisle, "Has Laurent contacted you again?"

"No, but I'll call Tanya to be sure," Carlisle said at once, already retrieving his phone and dialing the number as he answered his son.

Their father spoke quickly, the words a blur though Bella could still make them out as they all waited impatiently. Not once did Bella look away from Jazz.

Part of her could tell he was running through various scenarios in his mind. She was equally sure he'd considered trying to talk her into leaving with him, but knew he'd discard the idea as soon as it occurred to him because he was well aware Bella would never want to abandon the family. Though she wondered if he understood that she would if it was the only way to guarantee his safety and happiness. Hopefully, things would never come to that.

Carlisle shook his head when he hung up, checking the time, probably to figure out how much longer before Esme would return. Less than an hour, so there wasn't much point in calling and rushing her. Besides, Alice would have at least seen the need for that. It was only midday now, and her visions hadn't vanished until the next day.

"I think everyone should be here tomorrow," Carlisle said decisively, though he exchanged a look with Jasper, and waited for his son to nod agreement before he continued, "just in case. There's safety in numbers, and we may need to react quickly."

"Alice, keep trying to see something. It'd be nice to know if this is going to be an ambush or not," Edward ordered.

"She can't see what she can't see," Rosalie snapped, coming down the stairs with Emmett. She looked annoyed at having their personal time disrupted. "And if she looks for too much, something will slip through the cracks."

"You had the most contact with Jacob before. Do you think he'd bother bringing the wolves here to attack us?" Carlisle asked Edward.

"I'm not sure. The wolves we knew in the past had quick tempers. They may have agreed to a treaty with us, but it was begrudgingly," Edward said, frowning. "These wolves don't even know us. They might try anything to be rid of vampires altogether."

"We haven't done anything to provoke them," Jazz argued, pointing out, "and if Jacob did intend to attack us, I don't think he would have waited nearly a year to do it."

"Maybe they caught Victoria and want to give her to us to destroy," Emmett suggested with far too much enthusiasm. He was practically bouncing in anticipation of a fight.

"Do you remember Jacob at all, darlin'?" Jazz asked her quietly.

"I…I think he…," Bella trailed off, embarrassed about what she'd almost confessed. A murky, dim memory of holding a tanned hand had drifted through her head, but it'd been like a life raft at sea, floating away on the waves before she could truly comprehend it.

"He had a crush on you," Edward informed her, the words bluntly sharpening her memory. It was suddenly crystal clear, as though he'd given her an eyeglass to spy the raft with. The little dingy was overflowing with mechanic tools and hiking supplies. Each item had a significance and a little movie that played out when she looked at it for too long like an old fashioned nickelodeon.

Jake had been field dressing, holding her guts inside after Edward's abandonment had threatened to rip them out and leave them trailing on the floor.

"Yes, but we stopped hanging out after he turned," she said stiffly, not relaxing until Jazz was beside her with an arm draped loosely around her waist.

"He probably only let Irina take her because he still had feelings for her. Perhaps we can use that against him if he is here for a fight," Edward said, ignoring the implications of her words and tone. "He should know he has no claim on her."

It annoyed her that Edward still felt protective and slightly possessive of her. At least most of the last week he'd been able to mute it and not make anyone uncomfortable.

Instantly, she felt guilty. Change was extremely difficult for their kind, and not something any one of them adjusted well to. Edward was actually handling things far better than she'd anticipated. Perhaps she could give him a little leverage for now. But if it didn't let up soon, she'd definitely call him on it.

For now, however, a little reminder seemed to be necessary. Pointedly, Bella remarked, "He was the one that gave permission for me to be turned so I wouldn't die instead."

"Yes," Edward allowed. Bella expected him to leave it at that, but he didn't, adding, "I'm glad he did."

It was impossible to stay angry with him when he was obviously trying to respect her in a way he hadn't before. Finally, Edward was keeping a promise he'd made to her.

Jazz chuckled beside her and kissed her cheek. Because he wanted to lay a claim on her or because of what he felt coming off of Edward, she didn't know. Regardless, the feel of his lips relaxed her instantly.

"I'm sorry," Alice said forlorn, "I just can't tell what's going to happen. It might be something else entirely – I just can't see!"

"It's all right, sugar. None of us blame you," Jasper said reassuringly.

The tension grew for the next fourteen hours as everyone traded theories over why the wolves would seek them out and how many would come. None seemed willing to consider or discuss the possibility that there might be something else out there with the ability to blind Alice this thoroughly.

Though perhaps that should have been the focus.

Several times Edward had to be reminded to share with all of the Cullens when he'd read thoughts and vaguely respond as though trying to keep the rest in the dark or not alarm anyone. Luckily, Emmett was the one mostly calling his brother out. Emmett was also the one eagerly hoping things turned into a fight while Jasper instructed everyone on where to be and the best course of action if things did escalate into a physical altercation.

Bella tried to recall as many specifics about the Quileutes as possible as the minutes ticked by. Part of her was excited for a possible reunion with her former friend, but she also knew they were natural enemies now, so she tried not to get her hopes up too high.

"Now," Alice murmured at eight past two.