I've got a plan for these two. A good plan. At least, I think it's a good plan. We'll see. Thanks for sticking with me on this one. Too many plot bunnies, not enough hours in the day…I tell ya!

Chapter Nineteen

I sat in the shower, just letting the water cascade over me. I sobbed brokenly over what had happened in that alley. Guilt washed over me because due to my fear, my mate nearly lost his life. I berated myself as I cried. Rose's mind filtered up to me.

Bella, I know that you're upset, but you need to be strong for Edward. He's going to need you. I'm saying this because I love you and I love my family, but pull it together, woman! Her determination rang clear in her mental voice. She was right, too.

I sniffled, heaving my body off the ground. I scoured my body and hopped out of the shower after I felt somewhat clean. Though, being as close as I was to James, boiling my skin off sounded really good. Gross, and somewhat overkill, but necessary. Huffing a sigh, I walked out of the bathroom and dried my hair, plaiting it down my back. My hand was very stiff, marred with an angry red scar. By tomorrow, it would be healed. My leg was not as bad since it wasn't removed, but still had some fresh teeth marks, thanks to Rose's help and some scarring, but not as bad. My skin was very pale since I was still very weak. However, I was probably stronger than Edward at the moment. It looked like he lost almost all of his venom on the pavement.

More tears.

You're a coward, Bella. COWARD! I mentally admonished.

"Bella, I know you're a bit of a mess," Rose said as she hovered by the doorway.

"It's my fault, Rose," I cried, plucking at a string on the hoodie that I was wearing. "I was completely captured by James. I didn't expect him to be there, getting his hands dirty with the newborns. And then, my worst nightmare was standing in front of me, in the flesh."

"You faced your attacker, sweetie," she crooned, walking towards me and hugging me close. "That would have been a nightmare for any rape victim…let alone a victim who 'lost their life' to the attack."

"I shut down. I couldn't do anything. I was just…" I whimpered, forcing my memories into her head. She shuddered. "It's because of me that Edward was injured as badly as he was."

"No, it was because of James. This is not your fault, Bella," Rose said, looking into my eyes. "James was the monster who attacked Edward. James was the monster who stole your life and your innocence. James in the monster and always will be a monster. It was all James. Not you…" She stared at me. "You need to know that it's not your fault. It will never be your fault. It's his fault. So, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to freeze up again or are you going to send him to his death? You're more powerful than him, now."

"Right now, I don't know," I said, dropping my gaze from Rose's eyes. "I don't feel powerful. I feel like the weak human, terrified out of my mind."

"Wrong answer," she seethed. "Get angry, Bella. Make him pay for what he did from you and what he did to Edward. He almost killed your mate. That is punishable by death, according to Volturi law. Don't hide behind your fear. Don't let James win."

"I want to believe you and I want to make him pay, but I'm feeling a little out of sorts and lost," I snapped back. "I want to be with my husband, who was horrifically wounded, to make sure he's alright. I'm weak and I'm…"

"BELLA!" called Edward. Despite the volume of his call, his voice sounded incredibly weak. I wrenched myself out of Rose's arms and dashed down the stairs. Edward was being held up by Emmett and Jasper. His pale skin was ghostly white, stretched over his body. He looked like a walking skeleton, he was so emaciated. His eyes were black, but not as hollow and empty. He wore Emmett's shirt, which was entirely too big on him, hanging on his skinny frame and I just knew that he had a huge, red scar on his torso. Inhaling, he smelled off, too. I could detect the venom of all of my family circulating through and the possessiveness of being mate washed over me. I wanted to reclaim him as mine. After I got some blood in him; seeing him so weak made my heart ache.

When he saw me, he stumbled toward me and wrapped his arms around my body weakly, probably has strongly as he could. I felt his tears on my hoodie as he clutched to my body. His mind was a jumble of happiness in being reunited, pain from his injuries and hunger from losing so much venom. "My angel, my Bella. I love you so much," he chanted over and over again, clinging to me like a limpet. Carlisle's mind was admonishing Edward. He had only drunk from two deer before pitching a bitch fit to get back to me.

"Both of you need to hunt," Esme said, breaking our reverie. "Edward, more than anything, you need to get some carnivorous blood into your system."

"I needed her," Edward sobbed, looking at Esme. His mind was still repeating my angel, my Bella. He looked at me, taking my face into his hands. "I needed to see if she was okay."

"As you can see, she's fine," Alice said. "You, my dear sir, will not be. You're still not strong enough and if you don't gorge yourself soon, I see you drifting into that trance-like state. Bella, take your mate and get him to eat."

"Let me help you, Bella," Emmett offered, walking toward my husband. I hissed at him and glaring at Emmett. He held up his hands defensively. "Bella, I know that we haven't had the most positive relationship, but you're in no state to carry this bag of bones."

"Shut the fuck up, Emmett," Edward growled pitifully. "I don't want you, I want her." His arms wrapped around my waist and he nuzzled my neck, purring lowly.

"At least let Emmett help you to the Canadian border. After that, we'll let you both feast and reconnect," Carlisle said, arching his brow.

"Reconnect?" Edward and I asked.

"You need to fuck like rabbits," Jasper snickered. "Your bond was frayed when you both were injured. You need to rebuild it. I can feel the hollow, emptiness from both of you, despite clinging to each other."

"Come on, Eddie," Emmett said, reaching for my mate. Reluctantly, I released him and he practically fell into Emmett's arms. Emmett, holding Edward, along with Jasper, Alice and me, ran through the darkness to the Canadian border through northern Minnesota. We had to stop once to get some more blood for Edward since he was drifting in the Boundary Waters. Once he had the blood of a wolf, he perked up and was more aware. We crossed into Canada near Thunder Bay and ran to Quetico Provincial Park.

"We'll stay nearby," Jasper said. "Alice made arrangements for you two to stay in one of the cabins in the park. She's checking you in now."

"Thank you," I said as I held up my mate. He leaned heavily against me.

"While you're hunting, we'll make sure that it's stocked with clothes and stuff. My guess is that what you're wearing will not survive," Jasper snorted. I sent him a scowl. He just snickered as he tugged on Emmett's arm, leading him the opposite direction.

I turned to Edward. He was pressing kisses on my neck. His lips felt so cold and he was so weak. "Come on, baby. We need to hunt. We've got some more varied choices up here than in Wisconsin or even Chicago. You need replenish your reserves, as do I."

"I still can't," he frowned, "can't really run. I feel…"

"I know, Edward," I said, taking his face in my hands. "Let me help you." I guided him to a fallen tree, leaning him against it. "I'll find what I can and bring it back to you."

"You need to hunt first. You're weak, too," he admonished, tugging me to sit over his legs. I straddled him, staring into his black orbs.

"Edward, I can't have you drift into a trance-like state," I frowned, brushing his disheveled hair away from his brow.

"The wolf blood is helping. I don't feel as unfocused." He leaned forward, kissing my lips softly. "I'll be fine. Gorge yourself and then find me a nice big bear. Emmett was determined to find one for me while we ran back from Chicago. Unfortunately, two deer met their demise. No bears were in sight."

I nodded and hugged him tightly before getting off his lap. "I'll be back, Edward. Rest, okay?" I was about to take off when his voice called me back.

"Bella?" he said, his voice still sounding weak.

"What, Edward?" I replied, turning to face him.

"This wasn't your fault," he murmured, giving me a crooked grin. I furrowed my brow. "Your mind is an open book. I could hear your apologies and guilt running through your head. We knew that this was a dangerous mission. Now, we know. Oh, and James will not survive his next meeting with me. That fucker will be ashes."

"I love you, Edward," I whispered, staring at his slightly broken form.

"As I love you, angel," he said. Go, love. Heal yourself and then get me a bear. An extra crotchety one, okay?

"One bear, coming right up," I giggled, feeling slightly better. Okay, not really, but I needed to be strong for Edward. I closed my mind to him as I darted away to get something to drink for myself. I found a few moose, draining them greedily. Three bulls at twelve hundred pounds each definitely made me feel much better. I was still slightly weak, but I could at least track down and stun a bear for my husband.

It didn't take long to find one. Four miles from where I left Edward, I found a male bear, rubbing himself on a tree. He was huge, easily twice my size. I approached and waited for him to notice me. He did a few moments after I arrived. He roared, swiping in my general direction before going back to his rubbing. Lazy fucker. Smirking, I launched myself at the bear, breaking his neck swiftly. His heart was beating but he was rendered unable to move. He cried in pain as I hefted him onto my back, sprinting as fast as I could to Edward. I hated for my husband to be so weak and I hated that I was causing this poor animal anguish and misery.

As soon as Edward got a whiff of the animal in my arms, he growled lowly. I tossed the bear, backing away defensively. "Dinner is served," I said. Edward stood up shakily and glared at the animal. The bear roared pitifully, knowing the threat standing in front of him. Edward, while weak as a newborn kitten, still could cause a significant amount of damage. With a guttural snarl, Edward pounced onto the bear. The bear growled but it quickly dwindled as Edward sucked down its blood, allowing it to replenish his depleted venom supply.

Within minutes, the bear was completely drained and Edward stood up, looking more like himself. His skin was no longer bone white and his eyes didn't have the dark, purple circles underneath. His frame filled out. He no longer looked like a walking skeleton with hair. He was still weak, but closer to full strength than before. "Do you need more?" I asked.

His eyes were black fire as he nodded. He was in full bloodlust, in desperation for more blood. Inhaling, he caught a scent to our north. He shot me a look before taking off. I followed him. The scent was diluted and I wasn't sure if it was animal or human. Ten miles away, Edward was crouched on a rock, staring at a pair of Canadian lynxes. They were staring back at us, curious as to what we are. Edward was practically vibrating with anticipation.

Go, baby. Try something new, I encouraged.

There are two, he smirked as he tensed his body to attack. You take the female. The male…he's ALL mine. He sprang at the larger of the two cats, rolling with it a few times. The male swiped a few times at Edward, shredding his shirt from his body. I could see the scar on his belly where James impaled him with his hand, but it was fading with the influx of blood in his system. Unfortunately, I couldn't spend time ogling my husband. The female was staring at Edward and her mate while they tangled before hissing at me menacingly.

"I'll win, bitch," I sneered at the rumbling lynx. "You're my dinner. You smell so much more appetizing than those damn moose." I ran at her, flipping her easily as sank my teeth into her tawny hide. The flavor of her blood was enticing and so sweet. It was much more akin to human blood than moose or deer. However, the lack of humanity and sentience made it easier to swallow, figuratively. Eagerly, I drank her blood, draining her of the sweet, hot nectar. With each draw of her blood, I felt stronger. My body reacted to the carnivorous blood.

I finished my kill, burying it under some brush before standing up. I felt rejuvenated. Not at all weak. Turning, I looked for Edward. He was perched on a tree limb, staring at me. His eyes were no longer hollow and they twinkled. He was hunting me now. "How are you?" I asked him.

"I need more," he purred lowly. His voice had a lilting quality to it, almost hypnotic. "But not blood…I need my wife. My mate."

"You probably need more blood," I chided, backing away from him. I smirked up at him and he just chuckled lowly.

"After I get some of you," he replied, launching himself from his limb, twisting gracefully before landing behind me. His arms banded around me as he placed open mouthed kisses on my neck. His body was on fire. "Seeing you drink from that lynx…fuck, baby." His hands moved along my body before he unzipped my hoodie. I moaned and arched into his hands. "Need you. I need to fuck you, Isabella."

"Yesssss," I hissed, pressing my ass against his erection. His hands moved up to my breasts, squeezing them slightly with his palms. His mouth was moving slowly along the column of my neck. I reached behind me, making quick work of his jeans and shoving my hand inside of the denim. It didn't stay in there long. I was turned quickly and pressed against a nearby tree. Edward's mouth fell to mine and he kissed me feverishly. Bending down, he picked me up, pinning me against the tree trunk while I wrapped my legs around his waist.

"Take off your hoodie," he snarled against my mouth. I ripped it from my body and Edward moved down to capture one of my nipples with his mouth. I rocked against him and tangled my fingers into his soft, silken hair. His fingers found my jeans, tugging them from my body. I was naked and bare for him, save for my sneakers. Pulling back, Edward lined himself up to my entrance, staring into my eyes as he slid inside of me slowly and forcefully.

"FUCK," I breathed, crashing my mouth against his. The power of his thrusts caused the tree to moan under the pressure. He moved us and slammed me onto a rock, continuing his relentless pounding inside of me. My shield exploded, but in a different way. It clung to our bodies, trying to make us be closer with each other. There was no space between our bodies as he made love to me. His mind was a jumble of love, devotion and pure desperation on being closer to me. My mind was the same as I tightened my legs around his hips. We were reclaiming each other after that devastating blow in the alley in Chicago.

"Bella, bite me," he chanted in my ear. "I need to feel your venom in my body. Please, angel." His eyes were swirling with emotion, begging for me to make him mine. I rolled us and we fell onto the wet ground. I rode him, staring at his beautiful face. His hands were caressing my breasts, stroking my skin to where we were joined. I wanted to wait until we were in the throes of ecstasy before I completely marked him as mine. His thumb pressed against my clit and my stomach clenched. "I can feel you hugging my cock, Bella. You're so close."

"Hmmmm," I hummed, bucking on his throbbing arousal as I lost myself to the feelings I was experiencing. My heart was slowly healing from the shock it experienced when I heard his piercing scream. Our bond was reconnecting, but would truly link when we both came and when I bit him, filling him with my venom, reclaiming my mate. I felt his cock twitch inside of me and I leaned forward, my lips a hairsbreadth away from his. One of his hands cupped my neck, closing the space between our mouths as he kissed me hungrily.

Mine. You're mine, Bella. You're my angel. I love you so much, my Bella, he sobbed mentally as he claimed my mouth as his. Come for me, angel.

"Oh, God," I whimpered as I pulled back, kissing down his jaw to where I bit him where he was changed. I licked, suckled and nipped at his neck as my pussy pulsated around his length. Just as the waves of pleasure crashed over me, I bit down on his neck, pushing my venom into his body as he released inside of me. He screamed, crushing me to his body as he arched off the ground. My shield zinged around us and our combined orgasms ignited all over our skin. It lasted forever before we collapsed against each other, panting like we'd just run a marathon.

"What was that?" Edward asked, running his hands along my bare back.

"I think that was our bodies reconnecting," I said, kissing his chest before cuddling against his body.

"It felt fucking awesome," he snorted, kissing my head. "I want more. A whole body orgasm is…"

"Yeah," I smiled before kissing his soft mouth. And we had more. A lot more. We 'reconnected' for an entire day in the forest. Then, we raced back to the cabin, naked as the day we were born and 'reconnected' some more inside. Four days later, we hunted again and sampled some more Canadian wildlife. We were still not at full-strength. That was proof because of the red scars that littered our skin from the attack. One more hunt to the point where we're sloshy should do the trick.

After we hunted to the point of gluttony, I received a text from Jasper. They had returned to Wisconsin and needed us back at the house in Whitefish Bay as soon as possible. Our time for reconnection was officially over. Edward hoisted me on his back and with a low boom, took off back to Wisconsin. The trip up to Canada took roughly eight hours. The run back, thanks to Edward's supersonic speed, only took a little over three hours. When we arrived in the house, there was a feeling of anger and loss. We followed the voices, which were loud, out onto the back porch.

"We need to hold off making any sort of decisions…" Eleazar barked. "This affects us all. Not just you, Jasper."

"What's going on?" Edward asked, wrapping his arms around my waist. He had been very clingy since our reconnection. Hell, so have I. Feeling him next to me, inside of me, calmed me in a way that I couldn't even describe.

"This," Jasper snapped, thrusting a letter at Edward. It was from James. I could smell him from the paper. I stiffened immediately. We read the letter. I could feel Edward's ire grow.

Fools,

You think you can beat me? Doubtful. You and your little coven will be ashes if you keep coming to destroy my creations. Chicago and the entire country will be mine by the end of the year. You can't stop me. Nor can the Volturi. Archaic bastards…

Times need to change.

So, I'm enacting that change. Humans have run this world for long enough. Our existence has been a secret for far too long and we will rule the planet, humans as our food source and not our fucking equals.

In order for this to work, you have my two greatest creations in your possession. Alice and Isabella are invaluable to my endeavor. Alice with her visions and Isabella with her numerous powers at her disposal. Not to mention, they're both hot and will be cared for by me personally. If you send me Alice and Bella, I will not destroy the city. It will be my headquarters and I'll spare as many humans as necessary. Though, I need my food supply…

If you do not send them, Chicago will be reduced to rubble and all of the humans in the city and outlying suburbs will be changed or dead.

It's your choice, fools. Lesser of two evils…send me those two bitches. The sooner. The better.

I'll wait a week for your delivery. They are to meet my minions at this address in the Gold Coast. After that, kiss Chicago as you know it, goodbye…

James

Below there was the address and I knew the location. It was a brownstone that was for sale for years. The asking price was too much and never sold. Well, now it was owned by James and his crew of crazy vampires.

"No, they're not going. We'll fight them indefinitely," Edward snarled, crumpling the piece of paper and tossing it into the fire pit. He wrapped me in his arms and sat down a chaise lounge, holding me to his body almost to point of pain. My shield recognized his anguish, adding to his hold.

"We'll lose," Alice muttered brokenly. "My visions have changed since the fight in the alley. The jammer is no longer in the picture and things are scarily clear. If we don't go, all of us…go black. That only means one thing. We die."

"Not happening," Jasper snarled, glaring at the fire and the rapidly disintegrating letter. "I'm not sending you into enemy territory like a pig to slaughter. Who the fuck knows what that sadistic fuck wants with the two of you? It's. Not. Happening!"

"I agree," Edward said, crushing me to his chest. I just got you back. The way I felt when I was injured, when we were separated? No! NO! I'm never letting you go! You're mine! Not his. NO! NO! NO!

"Edward, you need calm down," I said as I turned in his arms. His panic was feeding Jasper's.

"We all need to calm down," Carlisle retorted, his voice full of resonance and authority. "Alice, what do you see if we send you and Bella?" Jasper and Edward both rumbled lowly. "I'm not saying we're sending them, just what would happen?"

"It's the only way for us to stand a chance of winning this battle. Do I see casualties? Yes, but for the most part, we all survive," she said.

"What do you mean casualties, Tink?" Emmett asked as he gripped onto Rose. "Deaths or injuries like what Bella and Edward had to contend with?"

"Injuries and I'm seeing some death, but who it is…it's unclear," Alice said as her eyes narrowed. I could see her vision and it wasn't clear at all. There was a lot of smoke and the smell of burning vamps filled our noses. "However, the only way this happens is if Bella and I go into their custody."

"Do you see what they're going to do to you?" Esme asked, her voice wavering. "I will rip that monster to shreds if he hurts either one of my daughters."

"That's unclear, too. I don't think James wants to hurt us. He just wants our powers," Alice said, arching a brow.

"This is a monster who took my angel's innocence. This is a monster who is creating vampires to take over the city of Chicago. I'm not…no. You two are not going," Edward said adamantly. "Why aren't the Volturi coming and doing their fucking jobs? This is their domain in dealing with this shit."

"I don't know, Edward," Eleazar said as he held his mate's hand. "Normally, this sort of behavior would be handled with a swift and harsh hand. It's almost like they're turning a blind eye to this because they want James to succeed?"

"Really?" Carlisle scoffed. "I doubt that."

"Well, they need to do something. James is delusional if he thinks that this plan is going to work. The way he's thinking, humans will be driven to the point of extinction. Someone needs to bring them up to speed about the brevity of this situation," Kate said. She turned to Garrett. "Want to fly to Italy, baby?"

He wrinkled his nose before nodding. "I'll go make arrangements, love."

"That still doesn't fix what's going on," Jasper snapped. "Alice and Bella are not going to Chicago. It's just not in the realm of possibilities. I need my mate, my wife. Edward will crumble if he doesn't have his mate." At that, Edward held me closer, kissing my neck and whimpering quietly.

"Jasper, we don't have a choice. If we don't go, we all die. If we do go, we stand a good chance of winning this," Alice whispered, taking Jasper's face into her hands.

"NO. I forbid this, Alice. You can't go," he sobbed, clawing at her body. "I can't be without you…"

"If we don't, we'll have a month left with each other before we all die," Alice whispered. "It's our only chance of survival." He choked out a sob before he scooped her up, darting away with her.

"When will we have to go?" I asked, my voice sounding hollow.

"You're not going," Edward growled. "No!"

"Edward, it's the only way that we'll have a chance to be together. To live our lives, happily. I have to do this. For us. For our family. For our way of living," I muttered, turning in his arms. "I hate being away from you, but if it means we have a chance of survival, then I'm going to do it."

"Everywhere we turn, something is ripping us apart. First, it's Emmett with his hatred of you due to the person who changed him. Then, it's the monster who tried to abduct me on our wedding night. Then, it's this situation in Chicago. Our injuries and now, James is forcing you to join his band of evil for his own enjoyment? I DON'T FUCKING THINK SO!" Edward screamed. "I will take you and run away, hiding you from that sadistic mother fucking prick if it's the last thing I do on this miserable little planet. You are not going to him."

"You don't have a choice," I said, narrowing my eyes at my mate. "Edward, I love you with my whole heart and soul, but all of this is because of me and my meddling in Victoria's hunt. In some strange way, I feel responsible. It's the only way I can rectify this situation, Edward."

He roared and stared at me angrily before hopping up out of the chaise lounge. He gave me a parting sneer before taking off into the night. A low boom indicated he went supersonic, running away from me. My heart lurched and I collapsed onto the ground, sobbing brokenly.

He was gone.

He was gone and I had pushed him away.

Despite being surrounded by my family, I felt alone.

Alone.

Again, I was alone and this time it was all my fault.

Edward was gone.

A/N: Ducks behind Emmett. Protect me, Em. This was planned from the beginning, kids. Don't hate me too much. Edward is feeling just as confused as you are. Why would she voluntarily want to go into James' clutches? Why not run away and start a new life? Anyhow, all will be revealed in the next chapter and I promise to not keep the angst hovering over us like a black cloud. Some pictures with this bad boy…some are related to their hunt and others are related to their reconnection. Hunting pictures are on my blog (link in my profile) and reconnection pictures are on my tumblr (again, link in my profile). You can also find me on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation or on twitter: tufano79.

Next chapter, we're going to switch to Edward. Hear his thoughts and understand why he ran. Leave me some! ;-)