Chapter 16- Uncontrollable Climax

Bella gulped nervously because she anticipated what would happen. I could see the fear behind her blank expression. I felt really, really sorry for her.

All the house lights were on. The light, in contrast to the dark night, was strange to my eyes.

Edward pulled up slowly and stayed well back from Bella's truck. I was acutely alert while I searched for something out of place. I would not mess it up again tonight. The engine cut off. My mind raced at a speed unimaginably quick, even for a vampire.

"He's not here," Edward said through clenched teeth. "Let's go." Emmett reached over to help Bella out of the harness.

"Don't worry, Bella," he said in a low, painful yet cheerful voice that he faked easily, "we'll take care of things here quickly."

I saw tears well up in Bella's eyes as she looked at Emmett. She didn't want him to be in danger, I supposed. Her concepts were terribly distorted. Emmett could take care of himself.

Suddenly, her tears brimmed over the edge and slid down her cheeks in silence. Wordlessly, I glanced at Edward. His face was expressionless.

"Alice, Emmett." I jumped a little when he spoke my name. I was so nervous and tense that I couldn't even see that Edward would say my name. I was so pathetic. I glided into the shadows and hid behind the Jeep.

Edward opened Bella's door and took her hand, then drew her into his arms. He walked her swiftly toward the house while his eyes always roved through the night.

"Fifteen minutes," I heard him warn under his breath.

"I can do this." Bella sniffled. I hoped she was a convincible liar.

I heard rustling.

"I love you," Bella said in an intense, strained voice. "I will always love you, no matter what happens now." I didn't need to hear that. As I tried to concentrate on the task at hand, I kept quiet and listened for sounds of Bella's pursuer.

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Bella," he said.

"Just follow the plan, okay? Keep Charlie safe for me. He's not going to like me very much after this and I want to have the chance to apologize later."

"Get inside, Bella. We have to hurry."

"One more thing," Bella whispered passionately. "Don't listen to another word I say tonight!" She stretched up on her toes to kiss him forcefully before turning and kicking the door open.

Go away, Edward!" Bella yelled at him, ran inside, and slammed the door shut in his still-shocked face.

My eyes burned holes in James's back. He had stopped to watch while he leaned on a tree, hidden from Edward's sight. Edward vanished into Bella's room. He didn't even hear James's thoughts; he was too focused.

"Bella?"

"Leave me alone!" Bella screamed at him through her tears. She ran noisily up the stairs to her room, threw the door, and locked it. I heard the impact on the floor as she flung herself on the floor.

Before long, Charlie was pounding on her door.

"Bella, are you okay? What's going on?" His voice was frightened.

"I'm going borne," Bella shouted, her voice breaking.

"Did he hurt you?" His tone edged toward anger.

A blob of color danced in front of my eyes before it swirled into a rock solid vision. He was going to come very, very soon. I climbed into the Jeep. The windows had shades, just in case I needed them. I was sure he wouldn't harm me—he just wanted Bella, but I was a little intimidated by him for some reason.

Shrinking in disgust, I shook that feeling off. I was here to protect Bella. I could fend for myself.

"No!" she shrieked a few octaves higher.

"Did he break up with you?" Charlie was perplexed.

"No!" Bella yelled little quieter.

"What happened, Bella?" Charlie demanded through the door, pounding again.

"I broke up with him!" She screamed back and zipped something up.

I saw, with the aid of my gift, that he was going to come, and soon. I kept very still, being careful not to breathe. God, Edward, he's coming!

"I'll be in the truck —go!" I heard him whisper. He leapt out the window.

Bella unlocked the door and stumbled down the stairs.

"What happened?" he yelled. "I thought you liked him."

"I do like him — that's the problem. I can't do this anymore! I can't put down any more roots here! I don't want to end up trapped in this stupid, boring town like Mom! I'm not going to make the same dumb mistake she did. I hate it — I can't stay here another minute!" Wow, I had no idea that Bella had it in her to say that to her father.

Bella headed for the door. I saw James's face glow in the moonlight. He was focused on Emmett, who blocked his way.

"Bells, you can't leave now. It's nighttime," Charlie whispered. Though his voice was gruff, there was a hint of a whimper in it.

"I'll sleep in the truck if I get tired."

"Just wait another week," Charlie pled. "Renee will be back by then."

"What?" Oh, no. That wasn't good.

Charlie babbled with relief as Bella hesitated. "She called while you were out. Things aren't going so well in Florida, and if Phil doesn't get signed by the end of the week, they're going back to Arizona. The assistant coach of the Sidewinders said they might have a spot for another shortstop."

"I have a key," Bella muttered and turned the knob. "Just let me go, Charlie," Bella said. Her voice was strained with the effort to keep her voice steady. "It didn't work out, okay? I really, really hate Forks!"

Her cruel words did their job—she ran into the night. She sprinted wildly for the truck while he glanced behind her. For a moment there, I thought she would trip over something. She threw the bag in and closed the door. The truck's engine roared to life.

"I'll call you tomorrow!" Bella shouted in pure desperation.

The truck disappeared and veered around a corner.

I started the Jeep. I didn't have to look back to know that James was pursuing me. I knew that Emmett would be all right.

Edward, it's me, I thought when I saw Bella's horrified face peer out the back window. James isn't far behind.

Emmett ran past the Jeep. I heard a bloodcurdling scream for the eighty-fifth of a second before it was muffled.

I let out my breath when we hit the northern highway. Through my visions, I could see James falling back. He was going to meet up with the female, Victoria. I grimaced. This wasn't over.

Before long, Edward turned into the drive with Emmett on his tail. I followed closely behind. I drove into the garage, hurtled forward, and caught up with Emmett, who carried Bella.

We burst into the large white room. Emmett growled at Laurent as he set Bella down next to Edward.

I knew that Laurent would be here, but it wasn't really important, as he wasn't here to bring trouble. I had a job to do.

"He's tracking us," Edward announced while he glared balefully at Laurent with an "I-hope-you're-happy" expression.

Laurent's face was unhappy, nonetheless. "I was afraid of that."

I danced to Jasper's side and whispered in his ear. "Let's go. I've got to get clothes and things for Bella. We're going to be in hiding with her."

We flew up the stairs together.

"What will he do?" Carlisle asked Laurent in a chilled tone.

"I'm sorry," he answered. "I was afraid, when your boy there defended her, that it would set him off."

"Can you stop him?"

"Nothing stops James when he gets started." I felt the last flutters of hope fade from my chest.

Sensing that this wasn't the time to eavesdrop, I began to pack my necessities into a leather bag.

Jasper stood there, not sure what to do. "Pack some of your clothes, Jasper. Maybe pack some human food, too—we should be prepared." He nodded before he went to grab a bag.

Jasper's items were stuffed in a black and white duffel bag. I placed the leather bag next to it and turned to Jasper.

He was already looking at me. "You shouldn't be nervous, Alice, everyone will be fine—trust me."

I trusted him all right. "I know, but what if, you know, Bella . . ."

He cupped my chin in his hands and bent down. His eyes smoldered as he sent vibes of comfort to me.

"Thanks, Jasper, I needed that," I sighed and felt a lot better.

His eyes twinkled. "You need more than that," he teased as he pulled me into a kiss. I closed my eyes, now sure that it would all turn out fine.

When we stopped kissing a while later, Jasper climbed onto the bed and sat me on his lap. I listened to what was happening downstairs.

"I'm intrigued by the life you've created here. But I won't get in the middle of this. I bear none of you any enmity, but I won't go up against James. I think I will head north—to that clan in Denali." Laurent hesitated. "Don't underestimate James. He's got a brilliant mind and unparalleled senses. He's every bit as comfortable in the human world as you seem to be, and he won't come at you head on… I'm sorry for what's been unleashed here. Truly sorry."

"Go in peace," Carlisle replied simply.

I was thrown into a whirlwind of hazy and enigmatic visions. I did, however, catch a few things.

Edward, I can see James and Victoria meeting somewhere. You're going to lead the tracker off. I'm not sure about Victoria, though.

Edward grumbled in reply.

"How close?" Carlisle asked.

Someone touched the keypad and the shutters sealed up the wall.

"About three miles out past the river; he's circling around to meet up with the female." Yes, Edward would know the details.

"What's the plan?" Someone asked. I couldn't be sure—I was still sifting through my cloudy information.

"We'll lead him off and then Jasper and Alice will run her south." I felt a twinge of something undefined in my stomach.

"And then?"

Edward's tone was deadly. "As soon as Bella is clear, we hunt him."

"I guess there's no other choice," Carlisle agreed.

Edward turned to Rosalie.

"Get her upstairs and trade clothes," Edward commanded in a loud voice.

"Why should I?" she hissed. "What is she to me? Except a menace—a danger you've chosen to inflict on all of us."

I flinched.

"Jasper," I said and turned around to snatch his bag. "Bella's going to come up soon. Can you get your bag in the . . ." I plunged deeper into my sight. Yes, that was it. "Can you get it in the Mercedes?"

I went to grab the small leather bag and waited for Esme and Bella to finish trading clothes. When they appeared, I grabbed one of Bella's elbows and flew down the stairs. I promptly had a few visions when we skidded to a stop.

Edward and Emmett were ready to leave, Emmett carrying his backpack over his shoulder. Carlisle was handed something small to Esme. I reached out my hand for the tiny silver cell phone I had foreseen him give me.

"Esme and Rosalie will be taking your truck, Bella," Carlisle whispered to Bella as he passed her. She nodded and glanced fearfully at someone.

"Alice, Jasper—take the Mercedes. You'll need the dark tint in the south." I was nodding before he finished. I know already, Edward.

He shot me a murderous glare.

"We're taking the Jeep," he added as an afterthought.

"Alice," Carlisle asked, "will they take the bait?"

I closed my eyes and clenched my fists. Hopefully, I could see that. Surprisingly, the visions were rock-solid. They passed by quickly, but I had gotten what I wanted. James, his eyes glinting dangerously in the moonlight, was running and sniffing at the same time, tracking the Jeep. The red-head was chasing Bella's truck. There was a determined expression on Esme's face.

I opened my eyes and looked at Edward. "He'll track you. The woman will follow the truck. We should be able to leave after that." My voice was certain.

"Let's go." Carlisle started to walk towards the kitchen.

Edward rushed to Bella's side. I could see him clench his fist in agony while he kissed her. He didn't even notice that he lifted Bella's feet off the floor. Then he set her down while he held her face. Edward turned away and disappeared with Carlisle and Emmett.

Rosalie practically radiated waves of anger. I looked away as Bella started to shed silent tears.

Esme's phone vibrated in her hand. It flashed to her ear.

"Now," she said. Rosalie stalked out the front door

"Be safe," Esme whispered and touched Bella's cheek.

The truck's engine started loudly. I could barely hear it—another vision flickered before my eyes. Edward was going to call.

Jasper and Bella waited. My phone was at my ear before it rang.

"The woman's on Esme's trail, I know already!" I chattered into the phone before he could say a word.

"Good, remember that Bella needs to eat a lot more frequently than we do," was all he said before he hung up.

"Edward says the woman is on Esme's trail. I'll get the car." I ran to get the Mercedes, my fingers nearly fumbled with the keys in my fear for Bella, and for Jasper. I started the engine and drove out of the garage and left it on as I ran into the house.

"I'm not," Bella mumbled to Jasper. "If anything happens to them, it will be for nothing." I was glad that they were starting a conversation.

"You're wrong," he repeated and smiled kindly at Bella.

I stepped through the front door and walked towards Bella. "May I?" I asked her. Even if she said no, I wouldn't have listened anyway.

"You're the first one to ask permission." She smiled crookedly. Now that was ironic.

I lifted her in my arms, shielding her protectively, and then we ran out the door, and didn't bother to turn the house lights off.