Previously...on Under a Killing Moon (which, wasn't all that long ago..I might add):

Bella has some weird dreams, as she is in a coma-like state from using all her energy fighting off the Volturi and creating an explosion that killed her mother as well as the three leaders of the Volturi and Demetri.

She is really panicked and Edward really doesn't know what do to about. But as always...Alice is JUST IN TIME. Go figure.

Disclaimer: I neither own Twilight or it's original characters. I do, however, own the Keepers. They're alright, I suppose. Also, as an added disclaimer, I believe this story is about to earn it's M rating. Just saying.

STUFF YOU MIGHT WANT TO LISTEN TO WHILE YOU READ (or, since I love this band so much, things you should probably just listen to in general):

www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=9bVyzU8HwxM - Sleepwalking Past Hope
www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=AnF_EfF9ank - Lose You Tonight (Thulsa Doom Extended Dub) **Especially important to said M rating**
www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=kav9xUSw4s4 - Beautiful ** This is my favorite song of ALL time, btw.**
www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=Oj2TEkOHfn8 - Dead Lover's Lane (C616 Remix)
www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=vwK_cCmRksc - For You

Chapter 17

EPOV

Bella cried into her father's chest and I gave Alice a questioning look.

"Let's give them some privacy, please." Her thought was fairly demanding and it looked like her head might fall off as she nodded toward the door.

I was apprehensive to leave Bella alone. Charlie's thoughts indicated that he was about to lay all his burdens and Swan family secrets out for her. As it were, she was already walking a tight rope between sanity and years of intense psychotherapy. Alice's visions didn't show anything to be concerned over, but I was still skeptical about our gifts and their ability to work on Bella. Particularly after Jasper was unable to calm her during an earlier panic attack.

I glanced back to see Charlie staring back at me with his mouth set in a straight line. He was hoping I would stay nearby, as was I. Alice's small, strong hand grabbed my elbow and pulled me out of the room.

"I don't like leaving her that way," I complained.

"You know it will be fine. For now, at least. We have a serious situation on our hands, Edward." Her tinkling voice betrayed the gravity of events about to transpire.

Rosalie and Emmett were back in Forks, putting on a strong family front. We had relocated Bella and myself to a safe house in Northern Wisconsin. I was still ill at ease. While Alice maintained that the bomb would hold very few consequences, it was becoming clear that she was not looking at the big picture.

"Edward!" She was standing at the front door and staring back at me impatiently. "Could you please stay out of your head today?" Her mouth formed a curt smile and she skipped outside.

"Where is Jasper?" I asked, his absence made me nervous.

"Around, doing what he does. He's tracking down some old allies before they have a chance to join the movement. They still haven't decided on a name. Maybe they won't get organized enough." Alice's shoulders shrugged.

We walked out to the swing set in the backyard. It was a relatively cold and cloudy fall day. The air was crisp and clean. There was little chance of rain or sun. Orange and yellow leaves were already starting to litter the dull grass and they crunched loudly, even under Alice's graceful steps. She leapt onto the flat swing and stood on one foot, using the other to kick up momentum. I rolled my eyes.

"Get on with it," I grumbled. My patience had already been waning after waiting for Bella to wake up. Time didn't mean much to me until her. I counted the hours she laid unconscious dreaming horrifying scenes, tallied the minutes she screamed out for the pain to stop and noted the changes in the rhythm of the heart monitor.

Nothing about the last two weeks had been easy. And Alice was only being more difficult.

"She will be fine, Edward." She sighed, knowing that my mind had abandoned her to ponder other things.

I sat in the next swing and twisted the chains until I could face her.

"What are we going to do?" I asked as she slid down to sit.

"It isn't clear. Too many decisions need to be made before we'll know enough to be able to proceed." Her legs pumped and she began to swing.

I was growing tired of the ambiguity.

"We need to reach out to the rest of the supernatural world," I suggested.

Her eyes glazed over and a vision started. The images were jumbled as the creatures we had known decided if they were with us or against us. The minor civil war that was already gaining momentum began to morph into a paranormal free for all. Entire supernatural species and subspecies began to disappear. Alice's visions flashed quickly, but there was one indisputable fact. There would be blood.

My hands ran through my hair, pulling roughly at the end.

"How much time do we have?" I hunched over and kicked the grass under the swing.

"It depends on who jumps up on the soap box. So far, war is only a possibility. But, the vampire world is currently without out any definable order. Sooner or later, a hierarchy is going to be rebuilt. I haven't been able to see who it will be, only that the outcomes differ." She scrunched her face as she swung back down. Once she made her way up, she jumped from the swing, sticking the landing like a gymnast.

"Do we have options?" My frustration was slowly folding into irritation.

"Several." Alice turned and faced me, a smiling taking over her face. "You make Bella a vampire and take over Volterra." I shook my head violently, she frowned slightly and continued. "The best way to avoid a vampire civil war, which will come very close to destroying humanity, is to assert some power. Whether you'd like to rule all that is stone and sparkly or not, they will take us more seriously if we prove that we aren't to be messed with."

I huffed, because she had a point. It was dangerously stupid, but valid. I had no desire to take over Volterra. Truthfully, I cared very little about my kind. Most creatures of the night were predictable and power hungry, the reliance on base instinct reducing many of them to solitary nomadic lifestyles. No doubt, mine and Alice's gifts would give us the edge we needed to gain respect and instill fear.

Her visions were teetering back and forth, waiting for my decision. The only clear images were of battles and excessive violence.

"I can't decide, because it's not my decision to make."

"If it's her choice, will you do it?" Her voice strained as she tried to keep a hold on the future. She gave up suddenly and looked at me. "You might as well just say yes. It was in their prophecy, you know it has to happen." She stared at me pointedly.

"A prophecy that was written by geneticist that was probably huffing ether. Besides, if it had to be, wouldn't you see it?"

"I can't see much when it comes to her, so that's not a good example. But, I did always see the two of you together. I think that is a testament of fate. Futures change, fates can't."

"Fate? Alice, be serious."

My mind swirled out of control then. I grappled to hold on to the stray thoughts, one in particular. Was it possible that all of this had been carefully orchestrated? Carlisle and Alice had been able to keep a secret from me for great deal of time. What else had I missed while I folded further into myself? Perhaps Renee's mind was not as it seemed. Briefly, I considered fate, destiny and other optimistic words that are indicative of a lack of free will. Prophecy? I scoffed aloud. It was absurd.

But yet, as the events unfolded and Bella's life started to unravel, even I was having a difficult time ignoring the connections.

The house rustled. A cool breeze picked up and the foliage danced around our feet. My swing billowed in the breeze as I joined Alice. The country air was heavy, threatening to swallow the two of us. I listened to the thoughts inside, only hearing Charlie. His were relatively quiet, but remorse lingered. Bella had left the room and I tried to tune into her unique pulse. She was moving too swiftly, her heart beating erratically. She would, undoubtedly, be upset. Charlie's story would have been harder to swallow than Renee's.

Alice stiffened beside me. Her mind filled with possibilities intertwined with the same death and destruction that had been plaguing the future for weeks. Her body shook slightly and she slipped out of trance. Shooting me a worried look, she focused on the screen door in the back of the house. Before I had a chance to inquire, the door swung open.

Bella's hair was dirty and wild, falling around her face in knots and tangles. There was a slight scowl taking over her pretty features. She was still wearing sleep shorts and a tank top, the shorts riding up slowly as she stomped out into the yard. The laces on her shoes dragged on the ground and the tongues hung out, revealing her bare feet. Her heart beat quickly, stuttering slightly when she noticed me staring at her.

To my surprise, she carried a large weapon in each hand.

"What the hell are you doing?"

She pointed one of the guns at the ground and pulled the trigger. A flame came out and she jumped back as it singed the ground around her. A bright smile took over her face and she laughed.

"Have you gone completely insane?" I yelled. Alice grabbed my arm to keep me from stalking over to Bella and ripping the guns right out of her hands.

"I think the answer to that question is fairly obvious." She replied, while firing the other weapon. Her finger pressed the trigger longer and she gave a nod of satisfaction. "I'm going to Italy and I'm going to burn Volterra down to the ground, bitches."

A vision of Volterra burning flashed in my mind. Alice was checking the possibility. She shrugged when I elbowed her in the ribs.

"You can't be serious," I started. Bella raised an eyebrow at me in a challenge. My hands went up in surrender, as I took a step back.

"Partners, remember." She looked around her person, I assumed to find a place to hide her flame throwers.

"Perhaps you should take care of yourself first? You've been in a near coma for almost two weeks." I was trying to be polite. A slight red tint made a journey up her chest and rested on her cheeks. She looked at me sheepishly.

"Now that you mention it, I really have to pee." She dropped her shoulders in a defeat and I stifled a laugh.

"The murder and mayhem can wait," I replied as Alice dragged her toward the house.

The weeks following the confrontation in the woods had been difficult. Alice hadn't bothered to tell me about the explosion they were planning, knowing full well I'd never agree to put Bella through it. The way the underworld was beginning to spiral out of control, Alice had started to admit maybe she'd been wrong. She withdrew, preferring to keep to herself. Jasper said very little to me, or anyone else for that matter. He spent his time rustling up old friends in case we should need a united front.

I stayed with Bella in the stuffy recreation room almost constantly. Esme would relieve me so that I could hunt every few days. When Charlie and Carlisle held a funeral service for Bella and me, I lingered nearby in order to hear what everyone was thinking. Rosalie and Emmett returned and stayed to help look after things in Forks while everyone else divided their time between Wisconsin and Washington.

Charlie and Alice flew in early this morning so he could talk to Bella. I, as usual, didn't think it was a good idea. The stress of responsibility had already been getting to Bella since the accident. Once she remembered her mother's death, I was sure it would break her. Charlie's as yet untold history would only serve to be a greater catalyst. But, as surely as I opposed it, Alice ignored me.

Judging by Bella's gun wielding reimagining of Rambo, I could only assume I was correct. Her father's words were the final push she needed into insanity. I ran my hands through my hair. Nothing was going as planned. Charlie assured us that Bella would get stronger now that Renee had died. That they had both bound their powers to Bella to protect her. My head pounded with the thoughts from inside the house and my own.

"Edward?" Charlie approached hesitantly, as though he didn't want to startle me.

"What's going to happen with the other Keepers?" I didn't look at him. The question had been plaguing me for days and I had just received the opportunity to ask it.

"They'll assume she's dead. It won't be a far stretch for them to believe that Renee has run off with her grief. Alice didn't see any complications. But, in any event, Keepers like to keep to the fringe of society. Like most vampires," Charlie sighed. "Renee sent her to me on purpose. She was meant to meet you. After everything we've done to prevent the events that have been set in motion, it seems that Renee had other plans."

"I should have caught it. Perhaps she used my emotional attachment to Bella to keep me away from her thoughts." The disturbing memories came back into my mind and I pushed them away quickly.

"I don't have any special gifts. Renee was born to do this kind of thing, she was a real natural. When she spoke, people listened. I was happy to stand behind her and give support. Before Bella was born, we knew something was different. Renee had these vivid dreams about the prophecies. She was practically invincible. And then, Bella was born."

It was late at night, the moon was bright and high. Light spilled in through a large window. The hard wood floors stretched across the living room and kitchen. Untreated cabinets were left open. Charlie, no older than 22, was shuffling through the bottom shelves. Renee lay on pile of blankets in front of a patterned couch.

"She's coming, Charlie! She's not waiting!" Renee screamed, clutching her round stomach.

"Breathe, Reen. I'll be right there. Don't push yet." Charlie snatched a few items from the kitchen counter and ran to his wife. He put down two candles on either side of her and lit the wicks.

They both muttered something while she pushed. He stopped to swab the sweat from her forehead or hold her hand. After several minutes, he took position between her knees and continued to repeat the mantra. When the child finally came out, the atmosphere changed.

Charlie held his newborn daughter in his arms while she cried out. Renee leaned back against the couch and let out a large sigh. He placed baby Bella in her arms and they spoke in tandem. Momentarily the crying stopped and a peaceful smile drifted across Charlie's face.

The memory went dark and a new one started.

"Damn it, Charlie! She's got her whole future ahead of her and you just want to leave?" Renee crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway.

"It's not safe for her here. You want her out there fighting vampires and vampire threats and who knows what else? What happens when they figure it out, Reen? You think they'll just let you go about your business? No way." He pulled the door shut and glanced at her. He started down the hall way, hoping to move away from the sleeping child's room.

"Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous! No one's going to figure it out and somebody has to train her. And you can't. So go ahead and leave. There's a nomadic camp in South America that would love to have us." She flung her hands up and retreated to the couch.

"We're supposed to protect her, not send her out to the wolves! And if you don't think there's gonna be any of those, well I don't know what planet you're living on." His voice was getting louder and Renee's eyes widened.

"You think she's safe if she doesn't know how to protect herself? She's going to change everything, Charlie. You can't except to hide her away from this world. She'll be safe, you made sure of that. If you don't want to stick around, go back to that shitty town you love so much. But don't expect us to follow you." She pushed up from the couch and went into the kitchen.

Charlie wandered back down the hallway and into Bella's room. She was awake, her knees pulled up to her chest. Her wide, mahogany eyes met her father's in child-like fear. Baby Bella couldn't be more than five years old. The pink quilt wrapped around her body as she curled into herself in the middle of a small child's bed.

"What's wrong, Princess?" He stroked her messy hair as he took purchase to the piece of bed on the left of her.

"Bad dreams, Daddy," she whispered, crying into her father's flannel shirt. "You and Mommy were yelling and it scared me more." She pulled back and sprung up to wrap her arms around Charlie's neck.

He rubbed her back, adorned with an image of the Little Mermaid. "It's okay, kiddo." He kissed the top of her head and stared at the door, waiting for his wife to bust in and rip the little girl from his arms. When they remained uninterrupted, he continued.

"Mommy wants to take you on a vacation. You guys can go to the beach. You can practice your Spanish on those unsuspecting little boys." He ruffled her hair and she looked up at him.

"Yuck! Those boys all have cooties, Dad." She sat back on her heels and eyed her father suspiciously.

"Don't you forget it, either!" He gathered her up into another hug, then tucked her tightly back into her bed. The light extinguished behind him as he shut the door.

"She had awful dreams," Charlie continued. "Still does."

The days ticked by slowly. Carlisle and Esme spent more time back in Forks. Volterra was still trying to reorganize and Alice assured us that it would be better if we all split up, lest they see the Cullen clan as a threat. Jasper had long since disappeared, searching for allies. Alice divided her time between Bella and her own mate. Rose had also taken a liking to Bella, which was unlikely but not surprising. They shared the same strong-willed feminine attitude, and a violent aversion to being a piece of property. The girls were helping Bella master her shielding ability and aiding her with her fighting style. Charlie returned to patrolling the streets of Forks, checking in with his daughter twice a day.

Since Bella and I were supposed to be dead, we stayed inside the country home. September slipped away and October brought bright leaves and sharp Wisconsin winds. The smell was sometimes unbearable, being so close to dairy farms. I hardly saw Bella at all, keeping my distance as I worried about her mental health. Alice was there that day. She was worried Jasper was travelling too close to Volterra. Bella had given us some insight into the remaining Elite Guard members.

Alice was able to tune into Jane. At first, the remainder of the Volturi had been concerned. Even Aro's mate was unsure of where the triumvirate and Demetri had gone. Jane was left in the dark, also. She was far less concerned and more angry that she had been left out. Sulpicia and Athenodora had taken to searching for their mates. Alice found nothing to worry about, yet. But, Bella had been adamant that Jane would jump at the opportunity to take Aro's spot.

With October looming, the most spiritual month, time was running out. If this dispute was not settled by Saints Day, a great deal of harm would come to more than just Bella and the Cullen family. The Vampire world would likely rise up in complete chaos.

Charlie and Alice both urged me to speak to Bella about changing her. While Charlie was less excited about the prospect of it, knowing it was the best way to protect her. Alice was typically beside herself at the mere thought of it. I had yet to approach Bella with the topic, myself.

Alice shut the door to the garage and glided through the living room. I had taken refuge on the couch, losing myself in my own thoughts. She tucked her legs underneath her body and draped her arm across the back the couch.

"Talk to her." She touched my arm and I looked into her sad, golden eyes. "She won't survive otherwise. And, you know how the story ends, Edward. It is meant to be." Her thoughts irritated me further.

"Alice, I am not going to ask her to give up her human life! And, I am still not entirely convinced by some crazy prophet's ramblings. There has been unrest within the paranormal for centuries, long before you or I, even before Carlisle. Long before this supposed manifest destiny was ever a thought in the head of some misguided, insane leader of secret keepers that I did not even know existed until about two weeks ago." If I had a working heart, it would have been beating out of my chest. My body would be flushed red with anger. Alice sighed next to me.

"Partners." She snorted at the thought. Then, with a glimpse of Jasper's future, she lifted herself from the couch and made to return to his side.

I heard the quick pulse of Bella's heart from the garage. Her small feet where hitting the uppercut bag in a series of mixed kicks. Her heart would flutter slightly when she engaged her shield. Grunts poured into the living room as she hit harder, and longer, than usual. I suspected it was something Alice had said. Her thrumming pulse pulled me to her, and I couldn't deny its magnetism anymore that moment. I quietly headed to her current sanctuary.

Her long, dark hair was pulled up in mess on top of her head. A deep red tank top showed off her porcelain arms, their muscles contracting as she engaged her shield. The ear buds of her iPod floated from her ears and the cord hung loosely across her chest. The machine itself was tucked into the waist band of her low slung black shorts. The volume was turned high, I could hear the bass line across the room.

She never turned to look at me as she doled out hook kick after crescent kick, occasionally throwing in bolo punches and side kicks. Her slender arms broke out in gooseflesh and her heart stuttered quietly. She tried to ignore me, but her body couldn't. Bella pretended to I wasn't there, her body moving to a different position with her back to me.

I couldn't complain, as the view was not bad. Her shoulder blades moved in time with the music blaring in her ears, her back arching with kicks. I tried not to notice her curves as she leaned back on the balls of her feet to jab. Her hips swayed slightly while she worked the bag over. I could smell an undertone of excitement coursing through her, yet I couldn't tear my roving eyes away from her.

She landed a round house kick while engaging her shield, sending the bag off the chain for the third time in as many days. Her brown eyes met mine, then. Small, sweet trickles of sweat dripped down her neck and disappeared into her cleavage.

Her appetite had waned, and although Carlisle and Charlie both assured me it was part of the mutation, I worried she may be getting too thin or too weak. As she stalked toward me, I could see the muscles in her abdomen tighten when her tank top rode up. There was nothing too weak or too thin about this woman.

She unknotted the hair on top of her head. It fell down in cascading, tangled waves around her neck and shoulders. I reached out to unsnarl a curl, but was stopped short. I was surprised to see she had engaged her shield, and was using it to pin me to the door frame I was hovering near.

"Jesus Bella," I whispered. She was sexy and frightening. Aware of it too, I guessed.

"You've been a ghost for days," she stated. Her body brushed against mine as she let the shield drop. Her hair tickled my arm when she looked up at me. There was worry and apprehension in her eyes.

I cupped her face and bent down to place a chaste kiss on her lips. A trap I didn't realize I fell for until it was too late.

Her arms flew around my neck, anchoring me down to her. A sweet, determined tongue slid past my lips and met my own. Slender, feminine legs hooked around my hips. It was like the meadow. Only, with more urgency and desperation. Time didn't seem to stand still for us now. It only moved more quickly, dwindling away like human life. I cupped her backside, pulling her into me. She hummed into my mouth.

My senses were on overload. Her heart pounded. The music pumped loudly out the ear buds that were resting against her peaked nipples. The scent of fear and arousal filled the room. My gentlemanly demeanor began to fade as my instincts took over. My hand brushed up Bella's waist, stroking the side of her breast.

A small "thank god" escaped her lips, before she placed them at the base of my throat. My cock jumped as she sunk her teeth into my marble flesh. The hands that had been tangled in my hair were tugging at the hem of my shirt. I acquiesced, arching away from her so she could gain access. Black cotton hit the floor behind me and Bella trailed kisses down my chest. The muscles in my stomach tightened. The pressure in my pants was building.

She broke away from kissing to pull her own shirt off. My hands trembled against her hips as her tank top came over her head. She was still wearing a sports bra, but the skin to skin contact of our stomachs alone made me kiss. With one hand on her ass to support her, my other hand made quick work of the clasp.

Her body pressed tightly against me, suddenly embarrassed to reveal herself to me. I kissed her, roughly. I trailed my mouth to her earlobes and felt her nipples tighten against me. My lips continued further, to her throat, her clavicle, her shoulders as I pushed the straps of her bra down. She arched her back, allowing the fabric to fall away. I kissed her cleavage and her skin was salty from her work out. She sighed as her head rolled back. Taking a nipple into my mouth, I wondered why we hadn't done this earlier.

She was beautiful. Flushed with arousal. Whispering my name between her sultry moans. She was mine.

I carried her into the living room, her head phones trailing on the floor behind us. It was my intention to do away with her shorts as quickly as possible. I laid her down on the couch, covering her stomach with wet kisses. Her body arched into mine as I dipped my fingers in the waist of her shorts. I slid them down her thighs, her iPod clattering to the floor. The shorts snagged on her shoes, which mildly irritated me, but I diffused both situations with vampire speed. I pressed a small kiss to her panty covered pubic bone before I returned to her mouth.

Her hands roamed across my back and down to my ass, pulling me into her. Her hips bucked as she felt my hardness against her. Small, thin fingers unbuttoned my jeans, a smooth hand brushed against my penis. Her teeth sunk into my shoulder and I growled, removing my jeans. She took the opportunity to bring herself up on her knees, straddling me as I returned to her side.

I brushed my cold fingers along her breasts and trailed them down her sides until she shivered. Her mouth covered mine in needy, wanting kisses. I could taste her excitement in the air, and feel it on my still covered cock.

"Edward," she breathed into my ear, grinding onto my lap.

"Yes, Bella," I managed, through gritted teeth.

"Please. I am yours." Her mouth was on mine again, my hands were removing the only thing that came between my flesh and hers.

I gently laid her back on down. My fingers lingered on the folds of her sex, stroking the smooth skin. She shuddered, whispering another plea. I couldn't deny her and I did as she begged. I nestled myself between her legs, gripped the back of her knees, and buried myself inside of her.

She arched deeply, moaning my name. Venom began to pool in my mouth as her hair fell from her neck. I swooped down and began to kiss her wildly, slowly thrusting in an out. Her name fell from my lips as the blood lust subsided. She pulled against the back of my head and allowed me deeper access.

I shuddered, pulling her tightly. She moaned "Edward" loudly into my ear. I could feel her body tighten around me. Sharp, jagged fingernails scraped against the back of my neck. Her legs wrapped around me and her breaths came in short spurts. I kissed her forehead, her cheeks and her sternum before surrounding her mouth with mine. I hitched her leg up higher and swallowed her moans.

Time stopped then.

Her body, invaded by mine, shuddered violently. Her pelvic muscles clenched around my dick. I could feel her slick, wet sex clamp and release me. I released then, too.

I rested my forehead on hers, refusing to look her in the eye at first. Slightly abashed that I had not been able to control myself. Her hand rested on my cheek, beckoning me to meet her gaze. Our lips met, first.

"I love you," she whispered, closing her eyes. When she opened them, I stared back.

"I love you, too." No truer words had ever been spoken.

With our bodies entwined, I knew it was where I belonged. With Bella.

A/N: I would like to mention that, while I have worked with several betas on revisions of earlier chapters, I don't have one that works with me on this. Not that I have gotten any grammar hate mail or anything...but as I get more and more anxious to get it out, I don't know...I caught so many ridiculous typos on my read through this time.

BTW: Thanks to the usual suspects. The reviewing has gone down tremendously, but alerts and faves are still mind blowing. So, why don't you review? Now would be a good chapter to start, as I have not yet decided if lemon writing is for me. *blush*

On another note, does anyone read the Blue Bloods series? An employee let me borrow them, and I am not sure if I like them. (I'm almost done with book 3.)

FINALLY! I have to rec this fic, because it is so amazing. I'm sure most of you are already reading it. You know I am slow.

Dead Confederates by goldenmeadow. That woman will show you some Southern hospitality.