A/N: Sorry this took so long to get out! I kind of lost track of time and forgot to send this in to my beta earlier. ^^ Everyone makes mistakes, I guess. And NaNoWriMo has driven me insane, and trying to balance writing 50,000 words of original fiction with fanfiction is REALLY difficult, especially since I'm super busy. Anywho, enough with the lame excuses on why I'm a terrible author. Let's move on!

Disclaimer: I own some other characters, not these ones. So anything you recognize in here is not mine. I own nothing!

Chapter Eight: Baseball

Alice hurled a curveball at me and I caught it, sighing lethargically. This was too easy for us. I grinned mischievously and changed my mind at the last minute on how I would throw it to Alice. She was taken by surprise and did a cartwheel before sitting down and catching it. Alice faked a yawn and I winked at her. She hurled the ball back at me. I flipped backwards and caught it while Alice shook her head, giggling.

A bout of Edward's laughter echoed through the clearing and I gave Alice a puzzled look.

"They're coming," she explained. "He wants us to be a little more human now."

I threw the ball back at Alice and she caught it, instantly throwing it back. We continued likes this for a while before Alice decided to run up to Bella talk to her.

"It's time," she announced and thunder boomed off in the distance.

"Eerie, isn't it?" Emmett remarked before Alice grabbed his hand.

"Let's go." They ran back to the field.

"Different teams," Carlisle ordered.

"Oh, come on," Alice and Emmett whined in unison. I chuckled and stroked Alice's arm comfortingly.

"Jasper, Edward," Carlisle, said, ignoring the rather immature whining. "Pick your players."

"Alice," Edward announced before I could even glance at him.

"Emmett," I grimaced and Emmett pumped his fist. He was happy he was still playing against Alice.

"Carlisle," Edward said.

"Rosalie."

"Good. Everything's sorted," Carlisle said and we got into position. Alice winked at me as I crouched down to catch. Esme and Bella approached the field and I held my breath, taking extra precautions before Esme announced the start of the game.

"All right," she called out. "Batter up."

Alice stood straight and I tried to recognize what she did before she threw the ball, just to help Emmett out a little. I was very competitive.

"Now!" I whispered to Emmett a moment too late—the ball was already in my hand.

"Was that a strike?" Bella whispered to Esme and I chuckled under my breath.

"If they don't hit it, it's a strike," Esme explained and I hurled the ball back to Alice. She smiled before getting ready to pitch again.

"Now!" I whispered on time.

Emmett hit the ball way out into the forest. I sighed, knowing he'd get out. Emmett needed to learn that you didn't have to hit the ball as hard as possible to win—there was strategy in every game.

"Home run," Bella murmured. Ha, I wish.

"Wait," Esme said, knowing Emmett didn't stand a chance.

I heard Edward catch the ball and sighed.

"Out!" Esme called out. She turned to Bella and explained. "Emmett hits the hardest, but Edward runs the fastest."

As the inning continued, I enjoyed feeling Bella's awe and total astonishment at how we played. I never found any of our differences to humans remarkable, but Bella seemed to find it the most amazing thing.

Soon, I was up to bat. Hopefully, Emmett would watch and pay attention to how I kept the ball away from Edward, and hit it towards Carlisle as we both raced each other to first base. My legs were longer then his and I touched base before slamming into Carlisle with a loud crash.

"Ha, I'm safe, old man," I chided and Carlisle gave me a shove, laughing. Bella's concern spiked up before dying down as we both got up.

We continued playing before Edward caught the third out. He quickly dashed to Bella's side and started talking with her as I stood at the pitcher's mound, ready to throw the ball.

"I'm up," Edward called out before stepping up to bat. I tried to not think about pitching until I quickly threw Edward a screwball. He knew what I was doing, having heard my thoughts prior to the throw. He hit towards Emmett, who took a frustratingly long time to get the ball back in play.

Soon Carlisle hit the ball so hard it brought Edward and him to home, with Alice cheering the whole time.

The game was like any other one—the score kept changing, constantly we were ribbing each other. I stood completely still, trying to think of what to throw to Carlisle (I didn't want him to get another homerun) before Alice gasped. Everything that ever had any meaning to me whatsoever seemed to shatter inside my heart and the baseball slipped out of my hand, landing on the grass with a thud.

"Alice?" Esme whispered as I ran straight up to my love, nothing else fully registering in my head.

"I didn't see—I couldn't tell," Alice whimpered. Everyone else was gather around her now, worried. "They were traveling much quicker than I thought. I can see I had the wrong perspective before."

My wife's eyes met mine and I instantly knew what she was talking about.

The nomadic vampires I saw a while ago . . . they seem to have changed their course.

Alice had casually mentioned here and there that some new vampires would be passing through Forks, but none of us were too worried about it. Unwarranted vampires came through town occasionally, and they never truly did any harm.

"What changed?" I asked, leaning over Alice. No one would get within touching distance of her as long as I was here.

"They heard us playing, and it changed their path," she said, holding herself responsible.

It's not your fault.

Jasper, don't be an idiot. If only I had seen the obvious—

No, you did nothing wrong. Don't think like that. None of us hold you responsible for this.

"How soon?" Carlisle interrupted our silent conversation.

"Less than five minutes," Edward announced. "They're running—they want to play."

My hands balled into fists and I fought back a snarl. They would never get a glimpse of Alice if I could help it.

"Can you make it?" Carlisle asked.

"No, not carrying—" Edward cut short. "Besides, the last thing we need is for them to catch the scent and start hunting."

"How many?" Emmett asked.

"Three," Alice said concisely.

"Three!" Emmett scoffed and I rolled my eyes. Now was not the time to get cocky. "Let them come."

We all ignored Emmett and focused on Carlisle, who was deliberating what to do.

"Let's just continue the game," he said, his voice collected. "Alice said they were simply curious."

"Are they thirsty?" Esme asked, so quickly there was no way Bella could detect what she was saying. I wasn't even sure if she could understand us at all—we were so confused no one really thought about keeping a human persona. Edward shook his head and relief flowed from everyone.

"You catch, Esme," Edward said gravely. "I'll call it now."

He planted himself in front of Bella and we all went back to the field. My eyes scanned the dark forest around us, seeing nothing, but knowing something was out there, just waiting to find us.

I absentmindedly picked the ball up and twirled it around a few times before getting ready to throw an easy ball to Carlisle. Alice took a few steps closer to Bella, her eyes worried and pained. I stared at her one more second before hearing something. The nomads were close.

"Take your hair down," Edward murmured to Bella, keeping his voice calm so to not frighten her.

Bella did as she was told before saying, "The others are coming now."

She knew about these vampires? I looked quickly at Alice who was practically shrinking in shame. I sighed. She blamed herself for all of this. I made eye contact with her, hoping she knew that no one blamed her for it. She smiled halfheartedly and looked down at the ground.

"Yes, stay very still, keep quiet, and don't move from my side, please," Edward ordered to Bella before pulling her long hair forward and around her neck and face.

"That won't help," Alice muttered. "I could smell her from across the field."

Really? She could smell her? I hadn't even thought about Bella's blood the whole time we were playing. Although I had great news to smile about, this wasn't the time.

We continued playing, though none of us really enjoyed it whatsoever. I kept eyeing the forest around me, inching closer to the outfield, just to be the one they go to attack first. I could take them. Alice's soft, quick intake of breath happened right before I could hear the vampires clearer. They were talking freely and running fast.

We all turned, ready for anything. I met Alice's eyes and she nodded, reassuring me that they wouldn't (possibly) attack. My eyes narrowed in the direction of the footsteps that were increasing in volume.

One by one, they entered the clearing. There were two men and one woman. It was easy to tell who the leader was. I kept a close eye on him specifically.

"Jasper, Emmett, if you would," Carlisle whispered quietly. He and I made eye contact and I knew I'd be a key piece in keeping this just a casual conversation. No one wanted a full-on fight in front of a human. I might not even be able to control myself then.

I took a deep breath in, feeling Bella's scent hit the back of my throat. Ignoring the burn as much as possible, I thought about the most peaceful memories of my life, all of them containing Alice. I remembered our first dance at prom, how we had to sit out of most of it. The fast heartbeats were too much for me, but I had to steal a slow dance with my wife. It was the least I could do. She had made the thirst disappear for the first time that night.

The new serenity that washed over me nearly made me smile. Instead, I let it roll off me and to the nomads, even some of my family.

The beta stepped toward Carlisle, smiling.

"We thought we heard a game," he said and I detected a French accent in his voice. "I'm Laurent, these are Victoria and James." He gestured to his companions.

"I'm Carlisle," Carlisle answered, matching Laurent's friendly tone. "This is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie, Esme, and Alice, Edward and Bella." He pointed each of us out, paired up with a partner and making sure no one was singled out.

"Do you have room for a few more players?" Laurent asked and I had to force the anger to stay inside me, picturing Alice and I dancing.

"Actually, we were just finishing up. But we'd certainly be interested another time. Are you planning to stay in the area for long?"

"We're headed north, but we were curious to see who was in the area. We haven't ran into any company in a long time."

"No, this region is usually empty except for us and the occasional visitor, like yourselves."

I spread the calm farther out, reaching Bella and Edward, whose tension was building inside of me.

"What's your hunting range?" Laurent asked. Carlisle ignored what he was implying.

"The Olympic Range here, up and down the Coast Ranges on occasion. We keep a permanent residence nearby. There's another permanent settlement like ours up near Denali."

"Permanent?" he asked incredulously, rocking back on his heels. "How do you manage that?"

"Why don't you come back to our home with us and we can talk comfortably? It's a rather long story."

James and Victoria exchanged a look when Carlisle said "home," but Laurent kept his face calm.

"That's sounds very interesting, and welcome," he said, smiling. "We're been on the hunt all the way down from Ontario, and we haven't had the chance to clean up in a while."

"Please don't take offense, but we'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from hunting in this immediate area. We have to stay inconspicuous, you understand," Carlisle gently cautioned.

"Of course," Laurent nodded. "We certainly won't encroach on your territory. We just ate outside of Seattle, anyway."

He laughed and my upper lip twitched, wanting to bare my teeth at him. Another part of me, deep inside my mind, ached with jealousy. How I missed being able to eat whatever I wanted. No, wait. I did not miss the pain and agony it put me through. Though the taste was wonderful . . . Alice was more important and amazing than that, though.

"We'll show you the way if you'd like to run with us—Emmett and Alice, you can go with Edward and Bella to get the Jeep," he swiftly added.

Alice and I made eye contact.

Be safe.

You know I will.

These vampires pose a threat.

Not anything I can't handle.

A breeze blew over us just then, and Bella's scent burned my nostrils. I refused to breathe before noticing the alpha crouching toward Bella. Edward's snarl echoed off the forest trees.

"What's this?" Laurent gasped. James slipped to the side and Edward moved with him, both still crouching. My muscles tensed instinctively, picking up on their vibe.

"She's with us," Carlisle firmly stated.

Laurent finally caught scent of Bella and realization dawned on his face.

"You brought a snack?" he asked and Edward snarled once more. Laurent took a step back.

"I said she's with us," Carlisle said, each word stronger than the last.

"But she's human," Laurent exclaimed in astonishment.

"Yes," Emmett said, his eyes never leaving James.

"It appears we have a lot to learn about each other," Laurent kept his voice level, wanting to bring the atmosphere back to the peace it had once been. I tried to do my part in it, but I was too tense to send off calming vibes.

"Indeed," Carlisle said evenly.

"But we'd like to accept your invitation. And, of course, we will not harm the human girl. We won't hint in your range, as I promised."

"We'll show you the way. Jasper, Rosalie, Esme?" I glanced at Alice who waved halfheartedly, smiling faintly.

Goodbye . . .

We lined up next to each other, concealing Bella from view. Alice, Emmett, Edward, and Bella quickly walked away from us. The air kept its tension, with Carlisle and Laurent being the only ones talking.

"We live not far from here, but deep enough in the forest so no human could really stumble across our house," Carlisle explained as James and Victoria ran out of the clearing. Laurent glanced nervously at the duo before listening to Carlisle.

Rosalie and I exchanged glances before nodding and running out of the clearing just as Carlisle and Esme started to lead Laurent to our house.

"Which way did they go?" I questioned as we ran, searching to find the two suspicious vampires.

"Um . . ." Rosalie sniffed the air. "This way."

I kept pace with her as we followed their trail, hoping to catch them and find out what they were up to.

"Ugh," I groaned as their trail suddenly disappeared.

"Well, now what?" Rosalie questioned and I looked around.

"The trees," I said and we started climbing up the tall redwoods.

Their scent reappeared and I grinned triumphantly. We hopped from treetop to treetop before coming to a halt when their scent vanished once more.

"Now why would they try so hard to conceal their scent if their simple task was innocent?" Rosalie mused as we hopped down onto the ground. We groaned in unison when their scent never came to our noses.

"We've lost them," I sighed. Rosalie scowled, folding her arms across her chest. "Shall we head back home?"

"Sure, but if you tell anyone that I helped in this situation, you can kiss Alice goodbye," she sneered. I smiled slightly, knowing that she was joking . . . I think.

"Of course," I said and we ran back to our house, just in time to see Emmett, Edward, Alice, and Bella pull up.

A/N: Hope it's not bad! I don't really know how baseball works and I had to go solely off Stephenie's descriptions. Can you please review? I'd really like to know if my story's good enough.

~Eclipse-Vamp :)