We skirted into the drive-way, and even before the truck had been turned off, I was up and leapt from the seat, running towards the door. We were at Elijah's, and Edward was inside, with Bella and the rest of the Cullens. I swung the door aside, Elijah following suit, and found them in the living-room.

"Edward," I hissed, staring at him. He was by Bella, holding her hand, his expression cold.

"What's going on?" Elijah demanded.

I quickly took in the group; Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, and Carlisle were missing. "Where are the others?"

Edward took a step towards me, dragging Bella with him. She looked terrified.

"Bella was playing baseball with my family, when three strangers approached us. James, Victoria, and Laurent, three vampires that have their own coven. They aren't like us. They drink human blood. And the one, James, realized Bella is a human... and now he's on a hunt."

"No," I whispered, feeling myself pale. I knew this story. I'd been told it so many times, I could recite it myself. On her first date with Edward, my mom went to play baseball with the family, as it was a favorite old pastime of theirs... but it ended terribly. The hunter... the fight... Victoria...!

"What, he wants to eat Bella now?" Elijah asked scathingly.

"Yes," Alice said quickly, moving to stand in front of Elijah. Jasper followed her, standing taut, his eyes flashing. "I've seen... he's so thirsty..."

"Why would you come to us?" Elijah growled. "We're not part of your family."

"But Abigail is our friend, and she can help," Jasper said quietly.

"What can I do?" I breathed. And then it hit me.

I could change history.

Bella got bit that night, by James. She had been seriously injured. Her relationship with Charlie and Edward had been threatened. Maybe... maybe I could change all that, for the better. If I was careful, this could work out. I was so stupid; how could I have forgotten about James? Just because I was in the past didn't mean I changed his coming.

"Edward, listen to me," I growled. His golden eyes flashed at me. "Bella needs to be left here. I can protect her, and you need to create a fake trail. After we divert James, we can drive her far away from here. But for now, it would be dangerous to move her."

"She's right," Alice murmured.

"We can't get involved! It's- it's not our fight! You could get hurt, Ne- Abigail," Elijah snarled. I flinched, startled by the strength in his voice. I hated this side of Elijah, the anger and darkness.

"Abigail, that can't work. She needs more protection," Edward murmured.

Bella, who'd been locked in place this whole time, saying nothing, suddenly stuttered. "Ed- Edward. No. Listen. I refuse to get anyone in trouble."

"I don't care," I told her strongly. "I will protect you."

Elijah swore in defeat, and Jasper and Alice nodded. Edward looked away, then took a step towards me. We were quiet for a moment, our eyes locked, and I resisted shivering under his smoldering gold eyes. "It's my fault this is happening," he said quietly. "Bella is in danger because of me. I admire your willingness to help, Abigail Bird, but it's selfish of me. I shouldn't drag you into this. Elijah's right. It's our fight," he growled.

I shook my head. "Edward, listen to me. Bella is important, and you can't do this alone." I paused, and took a shaky breath. "I'll help you."

He stared at me for a moment longer, then nodded. "Thank you," he sighed, and then swung around to face his siblings. "The others have already gone to find Laurent and find if there's any way to stop James from hunting, but that's pointless now. He's out there right now. We'll make a scent trail with her clothes."

"Lead James away for the moment," I agreed quietly.

"And when he's far enough away..." Jasper went on.

"You take Bella and get her far from here, where she'll be safe until we put James to an end," Alice finished.

There was a silence, and then Edward nodded, looking a little distraught. "It's done. Abigail, you're strong. You can protect her if he comes here, which hopefully he won't, because our trail will lead him off."

"Exactly," I murmured.

Bella trembled, and shook her head. "I don't believe this. It's my fault you are in danger now. I can't live with this."

I went over to her, and touched her arm, meeting her gaze firmly. I wanted her to draw strength from my gaze, so she could know everything would be fine. I'd make sure of that. "You were right to come to me. I can make sure you're safe, and, frankly, I don't give a damn if I'm in danger. Danger's my middle name," I grinned.

"Hell, yeah," Jasper agreed, looking excited at the prospect of a fight.

"Fine. Edward, we must leave now, and begin the trail," Alice urged her brother, taking Jasper's hand as they began moving from the room.

Edward closed his eyes for a moment, and nodded. "I'll be right there, sister."

Sensing he wanted a second alone with Bella, I turned to Elijah, who'd remained silent for the past two minutes, and dragged him into the hallway, where everyone had some privacy.

"You idiot," Elijah grumbled.

"I'm a vampire. Nothing can hurt me," I snarled. "If James comes here, I'll show him never to mess with my family again."

"You're just a half-vampire! You're not indestructible, Nessie! What if you get hurt? Then you die here, and never go home! How's that for screwing up time?" Elijah spat.

I stared at him coldly. "I don't care. Bella and Edward are my parents, and I won't let either of them get hurt."

Elijah shook his head, eyes glittering. "Fine."

I turned, and heard quiet voices coming from the living-room; I quickly realized it was Edward and Bella.

"I love you so much," he was murmuring. "I'm so sorry this has happened. I feel terrible."

"I feel even worse," Bella whispered, voice shaky. "I wish... I wish things are different. But I trust Abigail. She'll take care of me. I'm just terrified for you."

Edward chuckled bitterly. "I'm a vampire, love. Why on earth are you scared for me?" There was a brief silence, and I heard a kiss. I smiled sadly to myself, feeling torn between joy at their love (finally!) and the terrible situation we were in.

I cleared my throat, and stepped into the room; Edward gazed up at me, and so did Bella, her brown eyes wide. Elijah stayed in the shadows. Edward gave Bella one last long look before moving to me, and touching my shoulder.

"I'm giving you what is most precious to me in the entire world. I know you can protect her," he said quietly.

I searched his gaze, feeling quaky inside. I wished this wasn't happening; suddenly, my parents, the ones supposed to always protect and comfort me, were the ones in danger. And I had to help them. It was hard, and I wished more than anything that I could have my real parents back.

"I'll do my best. Good luck," I murmured.

"Thank you," he said, two simple words, yet pronounced with such burning intensity, I felt like someone had kicked the breath out of me. He disappeared then, and I heard a car outside; the Cullens were gone, zooming away in their car, to find James and distract him from the prey: my mother.

"Abigail. I'm so scared," Bella whispered.

I went over to her, and hugged her, pressing my face into her long hair, drinking in her familiar scent. "It's okay. They'll be fine."

"You don't know that," she said, voice jagged.

I heard foot-steps, and knew it was Elijah moving away, probably going upstairs, to be alone. I felt a brief flash of spite towards him for being so... wrong, in this time.

I moved away from Bella. "Come on. Stay by me."

Time passed quickly. I was sitting with Bella on the couch, her trembling, mortal body wrapped in my grasp, and I focused on everything. Every scent, every little noise, every sight. I had to be aware of everything if I were to protect Bella.

Suddenly, there was a shout and thud, like a body hitting the floor, from upstairs. Bella and I both jumped, and we looked up. My heart began racing, and I swallowed hard.

"What was that?" Bella breathed.

"I don't know," I growled, slowly getting up. "Stay here!"

I was at the stairs, and ran up them quickly. In no time, I was upstairs, and I went directly to the room I'd heard the noises from. My heart was thudding in my ears, and I felt dizzy and detached, like I was watching a movie, instead of my life.

I stared in horror at the last door in the hallway. It was open, and there were marks on it, like nails had dragged across it. Growling low in my throat, I stepped into the dark room, eyes flashing. "Elijah!"

"Hello, princess."

There was a laugh, low and mocking, and suddenly, a body swept past me, fast and strong, and I gasped, stumbling.

"Re- Renesmee-"

I gasped, clawing into the room and flipping the light on. There, on the floor, was Elijah. He was gasping and writhing, his body twisting and moving in ways that shouldn't be possible.

"Elijah!" I cried, falling down to crouch over him. His eyes were wide and flickering madly, and he groaned, wailing, clutching at his arm.

"It burns. It- it burns!" he snarled.

Shakily, I gasped, and looked at his wrist.

There was a crescent-moon shape there, small and perfect, gleaming with scarlet drops of his blood.

"No!" I screamed. "James!"

"He- he's in the- house!" Elijah gasped.

One of my most favorite chapters to write. I hope this cliffhanger doesn't kill you! Anyways, in one of the earliest drafts of this story, I had a much shorter, much more angsty ending I felt wasn't right for the story. I kept writing, until I realized I should include the James fight, to make it more finished. But, naturally, add a little twist of my own(: Will Elijah become a vampire now? Keep an eye our for an update, and you''ll find out.