Chapter 11

Secret Plans

Jacob's POV

As majority of the Cullen's complete their departure preparations I noticed Nessie beside me, her face creased in thought-but no sign of worry or fear. That perplexed me, because the Volturi are coming either to destroy or 'acquire' her and that should scare anyone, but it seems that, if Renesmee Carlie Cullen received one trait from her mother, it was irrational bravery.

Then, her face rapidly contorted to a look of horror at some unknown revolution that she'd just considered. I know that her mind is extremely unique, so I'm guessing whatever

I step forward, eager to ask her what she's discovered that has suddenly made her so terrified when, simultaneously Nessie's small figure shudders with fear, and Emmet steps forward to give Nessie a hug, before taking off with Blondie on a hunt for the Charlotte and Benjamin and Tia.

Emmet scoops up Nessie and says, "See you later tiny girl,"

"Hey!" Nessie is quick to protest the nickname. "I am not that much shorter than you."

That's a lie; Nessie is at least six inches shorter than Emmet, and he just laughs.

Then Rosalie steps forward and gives Nessie in a huge hug. "See you later Nessie."

"You too aunt Rose."

Emmet and Rosalie also say their goodbyes to the rest of their family members-Emmet says goodbye to me too, but Rosalie just glares at me. I don't even get a "bye dog," from her. However, her sometimes-husband is easy to get along with, so I'm able to return his goodbye easily. As soon as they've said goodbye they depart quickly in a hurry to make their flight.

Then Carlisle and Esme prepare to leave, most likely because their plane leaves last, and Alice is still packing-because she was the one who had to book plane tickets for everyone else.

They hug Nessie as well, and both of them say goodbye to me as well. It's hard to dislike Esme and Carlisle has been nothing but kind to us wolves from the beginning so it's not hard to smile and tell them goodbye either.

The house is mostly empty at this point except for Bella, Edward, Alice and Jasper-and of course Nessie and I, but for the Cullen house it's empty enough.

Alice comes bouncing down the stairs with a determined expression, and she's staring straight at Bella. "I know what you're planning."

"Go figure Pixie." I interrupt. "Care to tell those of us who don't?" I look toward Edward and Bella for answers.

Alice acts as though I haven't spoken. "It will work, but keep your distance." Then she pauses, her eyes going glassy as she looks for their future. "And stay for a while. It would appear that the Irish coven will be found quite quickly."

"Alice," Bella begins in a pleading tone, only to be cut off by Alice who, surprise, surprise knows what Bella was planning to say.

"I won't. It's easier if they don't know." And with that, the tiny pixie-like vampire bounces over, throwing me a "Bye Jacob" and giving Nessie a hug before darting out the door with Jasper following behind after he hugs Nessie. And surprisingly enough he tells me goodbye too-it would appear that I've been accepted by the family of vampires. I can't decide if that's good or bad.

As soon as they're out the door I turn to Bella, know she'll be easier to guilt trip.

"You seriously think you can keep that away from us now?" I ask incredulously, because Nessie and I have both witnessed Alice's conversation with them.

"No. We never did." Bella corrects me. "There's more than one reason we're going to Europe."

"After the Irish coven?" Nessie asks, clarifying the situation. "I knew that was intentional but I couldn't figure out what business you'd have in Euro-Oh!" She says a smile breaking out on her face.

"What'd I miss?" I ask feeling, not for the first time, like the dumbest person in the room. I probably am. Then I see Edward's mouth turn up into the smallest of smiles and I know I'm right. Not my fault I'm surrounded by immortals with brains too big for their heads. I direct my thoughts at Edward and he smiles a little more.

Nessie takes pity on me, "They're going to Europe." My expression must say it all. "Italy is in Europe Jacob."

"They're going to spy on the Volturi." It's not a statement or a question. The words that come out of my mouth have no intonation or feeling-they are emotionless. Then, as my mind recovers I look at Edward and Bella. "You honestly think this is a good idea?"

"This is the best idea!" It's not Bella or Edward who answers my question.

I look at Edward, not bothering to voice my question aloud. Why do I think you're hiding something bloodsucker? I'm not so sure I want the answer.

"Alice knows it will work." That's your argument? You have to see the flaws in that thinking. Her visions are dependent on the decisions of other people! I see Edward look up, and then look back at Renesmee-a nod. He's agreeing with me, and that's not good.

Bella and Nessie can't hear our silent conversation and I don't feel like saying it all again. Nessie pipes in, "It has to work. They won't even see them there! Mom's shield will protect them from the tracker too-so even if they're found they won't be hunted down. They can do this Jake."

Whatever. I'm still silently conversing with Edward. For the record I think this is a bad idea.

Edward smiles. "That's been noted Jacob."

I won't hesitate to say I told you so, but you better keep Bella safe. I still need an ally around here. Then I think of Nessie and amend the statement. Well, an ally with influence. Because really, no one listens to Nessie; she's just a child compared to them, even if she is as mature as the rest of us.

Edward looks at me, with a serious look that says everything he's trying to convey. Yeah, yeah, I get it. You'd 'never put Bella in harms way,' message received.

"Jacob," Bella looks at me, silently willing me to believe that this will work out fine. "We just have to stay long enough to know what they're planning, then we'll go. It's fine Jacob. If it wasn't I'd be leaving Edward here. You know that."

I know Bella, and I know, for sure, that she's not joking. If this weren't completely safe, by Bella standards, she wouldn't tell Edward where she was going. She'd use her mind shield to keep it from him and she'd run off to confront the Volturi on her own.

From the sound of Edward's low growl I know I'm right. In this way Bella is predictable.

Nessie speaks, breaking the silence, "You guys should go. You don't want to miss your plane. It leaves at four."

They agree with her and they each give Nessie hugs and tell me bye, and I get strict instructions from Bella, "Keep her safe." As if I'd do anything less.

"Bye guys!" Nessie calls from the front porch as they speed off in Bella's car, knowing that they can still hear her over the noise in the car.

As soon as the car is out of sight Nessie visibly relaxes, and she leans back, against my chest. I look down at her, wondering why she looks so tired all of the sudden. "What?"

"What?" She's not really talking to me, but suddenly she comes back to reality. "What? Oh, sorry Jacob I was just… and yeah, I'm fine." She spins around and heads back into the house with me following her, but I catch her wrist and turn her to face me.

"Nessie, seriously, what's wrong?"

"You should… don't you have to go talk to the packs, isn't this important?"

"Yes. And yes. But you're more important." She smiles a little at that, and wraps her arms around me. "Really, Ness, what are you so worried about? Just a second ago you seemed fine.

"No, I know and I am. Really I'm fine. It's just that I trust my parents and everything but I don't want them to take on too much in Italy, you know?" I know she's not telling me something. "Mom gets very irrational when it comes to family. I mean, she was going to die for me. It's illogical, so I don't want them doing anything stupid."

"You're not telling me the whole truth. But I'm going to overlook that for the time being, because you probably have a good reason to not tell me about whatever it is. Just… don't worry ok? I know your dad, and your mom really well, and I've known them longer than you. And if I know one thing for sure it's that they love you too much to leave you without parents, ok? They'll be fine."

She takes a deep breath and smiles. "I know." Then she goes into the kitchen and pulls out some food heating it up in the microwave, and judging by the fact that she doesn't look like she's about to eat anything, it's for me.

"You didn't even ask," I comment with a smile.

"I don't have to. You're always hungry," She's sitting beside me at the counter with her head on my shoulder watching the food spin around in the microwave.

"You need to talk to the pack, but wait until after you eat ok?"

"Packs, plural. But fine, I guess it can wait."

"Of course it can, what difference will ten minutes make?"

I don't say what I'm thinking, that it only takes a second for an irrevocable change to occur. Not with her in this good mood.

"None." I say instead. "We have to tighten the perimeter too, and up the patrols." I sigh, thinking of the reprieve I had just issued. It was too brief for my liking.

Nessie picks up on my disappointment as quickly as I noticed her mood change just a few moments before. "Jacob? What's bothering you?" Her voice is so caring that I can't help but tell her the truth.

"Nothing big. I just told Leah and the rest of them that they could start slowing down the patrols. Not so much anymore. I just feel bad because they're working all the time and I can't help but feel like I'm not doing enou-" I don't get to finish my sentence because Nessie has effectively cut off my ability to speak. With her lips.

Suddenly, I can't manage coherent thought either. Go figure. When she pulls away from our kiss we're both breathless and her fingers are knotted in my hair. "Jacob Black," She says, slowing down her breathing to get the words out. "You are a great leader. Don't doubt yourself."

I smile at her, "Thanks Ness."

"It's what I'm here for." She says, moving away from me, much to my displeasure, only to return with a plate of food.

She sets it down in front of me and says, "Eat. You have things to do." She sounds like a mother, and I almost laugh, but I listen to her anyways.

Hey! I am sooo excited to keep this story going for you guys and I hope you keep reading. Let me know what you think of the chapter, and please, please review. I will be updating as soon as possible, but it is exam time so cut me some slack :). Thanks for reading and reviewing.

R&R