A/N: Once again I'm sorry this took so long! Uni is just crazy at the moment and weekends are filled with work and sleep. But here I am with what I believe will be the second last chapter…maybe third to last!!!

Also this is basically the last chapter from Carlisle's point of view…and I'll continue a little after that.

Saving her, saving me.

I knew something was wrong the second Jacob Black showed up at my door, for nothing but true desperation would bring him to me. He was panting heavily but managed to choke out the words "Bella" and "trouble.

That was all I needed.

Without stopping to think or even ask Jacob if he was okay I raced out the door. I was completely blinded to everything around me for my mind was so focussed on her - my Bella. I was running at a speed even I believed myself incapable of, faster and faster until suddenly I was stopped in my tracks by a beautiful young woman…wait…no heartbeat, red eyes…a beautiful young vampire.

She gazed at me quizzically, tilting her head to the side like a lost puppy, alone and confused. My compassionate streak willed me to go to her but an image of Bella floated unbidden into my mind.

As I made to move pass her she shadowed my movements. I stepped right to pass her but she blocked me, then again with the left side. It was clear something was afoot.

"I don't have time to play games!" I hissed at her, my patience failing.

"Shame," another voice whispered, a voice that had gotten far too close without my knowledge, "we do enjoy having some fun."

Twisting around another vampire stood inches from me and as I looked around, searching for a way to brush past her and go to Bella, I noticed 3 other pairs of glowing red eyes glittering in the moonlight.

An ambush.

"Who sent you?" I asked the woman closest to me, although I had a fairly good idea.

She smiled at me though her face held no warmth and simply said, "Victoria."

A jolt of fear shot through my entire body as I became all too aware of why Bella was in trouble.

A moments silence passed between us all as the little group of newborns slowly closed in to form a circle around me. Just then, something inside me snapped and I made the first move. Bella needed me and I would not let her down again… supposing it killed me trying to reach her.

Victoria had taught her creations well for they did not hesitate to react. Three of them began clawing, hitting and even biting me, acting on their newborn impulsiveness. The other two looked on, analysing the situation, ready to step in if need be.

They were strong and vicious but my many years on this earth had taught me well and I was much more shrewd and far too sharp witted for them. My blows soon became too quick, too imperceptible and one by one I hurled them across the forest floor. The two who were circling seemed to be weighing up their options, assessing the risks, as the three newborns made their way back towards me, much more cautiously but with a passionate hate burning in their eyes. I began to worry for Bella, knowing that it would take me far too long to get out of this situation I had found myself in. I would have to make a run for it and pray that I was not too late.

No.

I could not…would not allow myself to think like that.

I will save her.

I closed my eyes and allowed her face, her beautiful face to fill my mind's eye completely. Her long dark hair falling elegantly down to her shoulders, eyes smouldering, lips parted oh so invitingly…

She gave me the strength.

But just as I prepared to launch myself at the only thing keeping me back from my precious Bella something big, dark and solid pounced on the vampire closest to the trees.

It took me a while to finally focus on what the solid thing was - a wolf.

All red eyes were firmly trained on the new intruder and seemingly oblivious to the hulking canine bodies that slowly began to descend from a steep hill just east of the clearing.

They pounced, each of the pack taking on their own Cold One.

For the briefest of moments I stood there transfixed, unable to tear my eyes away from the horror of the scene before me. There was ripping and tearing as the night chill was pierced by blood curdling cries and screams of agony. It was like seeing a car crash happen - you want to turn away but you simply can't.

Then I saw what I instantly recognised as Jacob's wolf form racing towards me, rushing past and then glancing back, urging me to follow.

Together we ran side by side through the woods, desperately searching for a sign, any sign, of Bella or Victoria.

It didn't take long. There was no scent, no footprint, no trace but something drew me to her like and invisible magnet.

The sight which lay before me caused a small growl to ripple in my throat. For the first time in many years I could feel those strong vampiric urges seeping through my body. I wanted nothing more than to rip Victoria's head off for daring to lay a finger on Bella.

I heard Victoria hiss in her ear, "It was five against one Bella…it would have been quick."

As I was about to leap forward I saw Bella's face crumble. I didn't have time to stop and think about it but that brief moment was enough.

Utter despair.

The thought of me being dead destroyed her. Her eyes close in a non-verbal surrender and, selfish though it was, I rejoiced.

Perhaps she hadn't meant what she said after all. But there was no time for musings with a more pressing issue at hand.

Saving her.

Allowing the anger to swell up inside me again I threw myself on Victoria with every ounce of strength in my being, tackling the flame haired demon into the muddy earth.

Wanting to make sure Bella was safe I turned my attention away from Victoria for a split second only to see her eyes still firmly shut as Jacob embraced her.

A pang of jealousy echoed in my heart and Victoria took advantage of it and slithered out of my grasp fleeing deeper into the forest.

She wasn't about to get away that easily. I could feel a sneer curling my lip as I ran, faster than I had ever ran before, easily catching up with her. Again I pounced and hurled her to the ground once more. I held her the same way she had just held my precious Bella, stifling her voice and causing the smirk to slide off her face.

"You don't have it in you old man." she croaked.

"This isn't a good time to play games Victoria." I hissed through gritted teeth. The burning in the back of my throat became more intense than I had felt it in years and my whole body was on edge, just waiting to use all it had to squash the last of her immortal life out of her.

She chuckled a mirthless laugh.

"Life is a game Carlisle and I play it well! Why are we here fighting when we could go somewhere else and…play?" she slowly trailed off to a whisper.

It was my turn to laugh now, but it came out cold and harsh. It felt alien to me.

"You really do bring out the worst in my Victoria. You'd do well to remember that I may not be your typical vampire but I'm no human either! Your little seduction techniques are wasted on me and trust me when I say that I wouldn't touch you if my life depended on it."

"What about Bella's?" she whispered.

"You really are pushing it now." I seethed, tightening my grip around her neck and forcing her further into the mud.

"Then what are you waiting for doctor? Finish me off!"

Silence. I felt my calm, true self creep back to the surface and my grip loosened ever so slightly.

Again she laughed and said, "I bet Edward could have done it. In fact he could do so much that you could never even dream about. He could make Bella feel like she was on fire with every touch, every word, every look…I bet she pretends its him when she's with you."

At that moment I was sure my eyes must have burned black as I slammed my hand upwards. Just a little more and her neck would snap beautifully. I held her there for a minute or so and we just stared at each other, shock in her eyes and undoubtedly loathing in mine.

I was capable. For the first time ever I relished the thought of ending her life and I wanted nothing more than to watch the light leave her eyes.

Just one small move….

Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. A soft and gentle touch which set my icy skin on fire.

I managed to draw my face away from Victoria, hand still firmly around her neck, and that was when I saw her.

She was simply radiant. After all that had happened, the turmoil and terror of the evening she still looked completely breathtaking.

My silent heart seemed to flutter into life just so it could skip a beat at the sight of her.

"Enough." she whispered, hand still resting on my shoulder.

Out of the shadows I saw the wolves begin to close in on where we stood.

"We'll take it from here." Jacob said as Bella helped draw me up to stand beside her.

She took my hand in hers and silently led me away from the scene of our ordeal.

Clawing, ripping and screaming seemed to vanish into nothingness when I was with her everything else just seemed to disappear.

We walked on through the woods and as the brilliant moonlight cast its glow through the trees I saw her sparkle for the first time.

All previous anger and aggression vanished. She had taken it all away.

It was just us, together.

At that precise moment I wasn't sure whether I had saved her or she had saved me.

Either way I did not care.

It was just us.

Alone.

Together.

A/N: Where on earth did that come from? I have written far more than I intended to and not got much further on in the story…I apologise for that!

Also (and I hate to do this because it bugs me when people say how much they hate what they've written, but I feel this is important) I kinda think this story is progressively going downhill and I was wondering how you would feel about waiting a while for the next update? I'm not talking months here-just a bit of time for me to get my thoughts in order.

Let me know how you feel-all you story subscribers who don't review (yes I mean you :P) please do let me know how you feel about this. I really am after some feedback here.

Thanks and thank you for being so patient!