I don't wn Twilight

Chapter Five: The Waiting Game

While I waited for Alice and Jasper to arrive, I spent my time getting to know the Denali coven. Tanya and I got along surprisingly well, considering her history with Edward. I learned all about that on the second day of my visit. Tanya wanted to get to know me better, so we decided to have a girls' night.

We were in the living room watching a chick flick and painting each other's nails when Tanya turned to me, a curious look on her face.

"How did you and Edward meet?" she asked.

"We met at school. We were lab partners in biology." I answered.

"Oh" Tanya replied.

"Didn't he tell you this when he came here to get away from me, after my first day at Forks High?" I asked, slightly confused.

"He didn't go into details. He just said that he met his singer, and he had to get away from her." Tanya explained.

"Oh, okay." I said, because I didn't' really know what else to say.

"Did you know that I have tried many times over the years to start a relationship with Edward?" Tanya asked with a grin in my direction.

"No." I said, feeling very uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had taken.

"Yes, but he was never interested. So I just assumed he was meant to be alone for the rest of eternity." Tanya said.

"Really?" I asked, not knowing if I wanted to hear what she was going to say next.

"Yes, but then he met you, and he was happy for the first time in a very long time. So I got over my crush on him, because I knew he had met the girl of his dreams." Tanya said as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

"Do you hate me?" I asked quietly.

"No, you and Edward are in love, so I am happy for you." Tanya said, and gave my shoulder a squeeze.

"Thanks." I said sincerely.

"Of course, I would be happier for you if Edward was actually here." Tanya said with a laugh.

"So would I." I agreed, and couldn't help but laugh with her.

"Don't worry Bella. You will find him and live happily ever after." Tanya said reassuringly.

"I hope so." I replied.

After that, Tanya and I spent the rest of the night talking like old friends. I told her how Edward and I fell in love, and she had me laughing pretty hard with funny stories about the Cullens' past visits.

As much as I loved being with the Denali family, I needed some time to myself to think. So the next day I went for a walk in the woods behind their house, to figure out what I was going to say to Alice and Jasper when they arrived. I was also thinking about my night with Tanya, and how pleased I felt that we were becoming friends.

Edward had once told me not to go into the woods alone, but he was referring to the woods around Forks, and I felt comfortable that I was out here alone. It was hard for me to remember a time when I hated the green and the trees of the woods, because right now they were most peacefully things in the world to me.

I walked in silence until I came to a big tree stump that looked like a good place to stop and rest. I sat down and let the cool breeze hit my face as I listed to the sounds around me. I could hear the rushing water, birds chirping, animals scampering, and the wind rustling. It was all very peaceful, until I heard something I most definitely shouldn't have heard in the middle of the woods.

I heard voices, two of them, one was male and one was female.

I recognized the male voice right away, and even thought I didn't recognize the female voice, I had a sinking feeling I knew who hit belonged to. I tried my best to stay perfectly still as I listened to what they were saying, because I knew it would be a very bad idea to draw attention to myself.

"You're sure no one knows you here?" the female asked.

"I told them I had to hunt." Laurent replied.

"Good." the female said, sounding pleased.

"What do you want, Victoria?" Laurent asked sounding impatient.

I had to hold in my scream as he said the name Victoria, confirming my worst fears.

"I'm looking for that human brat that was hanging out with the Cullens." Victoria said.

"I see." Laurent said.

"Well, I have checked the entire town of Forks, and it seems she has vanished." Victoria continued.

"What does this have to do with me?" Laurent asked.

"Well, I was hoping you might know where she is." Victoria said angrily.

"I heard that the Cullens have also left Forks, so maybe she is with them." Laurent said.

"She's not. I found a note she left for her father, saying she had gone to look for her precious Edward." Victoria said, spitting out Edward's name like it was dirty.

"Why do you think I know where she is?" Laurent asked.

"I just had a feeling that you might know. Call it woman's intuition." Victoria snapped.

"It's possible that she may be staying here with me and the Denali clan." Laurent said.

"Excellent!" Victoria exclaimed, and I could tell that she was pleased. "You can help me get to her, then."

"Why would I do that?" Laurent asked, but I could tell he wasn't displeased by the idea.

"I will share her with you." Victoria said, and I didn't have to see her to know she was smiling.

There was a small pause and I could tell Laurent was thinking it over.

"Fine." Laurent said "We have a deal."

I didn't wait to hear the end of their conversation; I jumped off the log and started running as fast as I could back to the house.

I knew from the moment I saw Laurent that I couldn't trust him, even though he assured me he wouldn't hurt me. I knew if I told the Denali coven what I had heard, they would try to protect me. Even thought I didn't like the thought of them getting hurt because of me, I knew that I didn't have choice.

After tripping a few times, I finally made it to the house. I threw open the door, slammed it shut, and slid down to the floor.

"Bella?" a very familiar voice said in surprise.

AN: Thanks to my Beta fnmom68! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW PLEASE :)