Chapter Twenty One

Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God, he hears you
And pray to God, he hears you

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

~How To Save A Life by The Fray~

I checked in on Charlie, flicking on the coffee pot as he woke up and showered. He yawned his way downstairs and I sat on the kitchen surface, watching as he chewed on some toast, flicking through the newspaper.

"I won't be home tonight, Dad." I said cheerfully, "I'm going to hang out with the Cullens. We're going to play baseball. I know, right? Me – playing baseball. Or, at least, watching baseball."

Charlie sipped his coffee and wiped his mouth, glancing at the kitchen clock. He disappeared into the hallway and pulled on his jacket, locking the door behind him. I jumped down from the surface and started the walk to school.

The day passed without excitement. Other than Lauren asking Tyler to the dance and Tyler accepting after no one responded to his pleading looks to distract her. Emmett chuckled after that one until Rosalie rolled her eyes and flicked his ear.

"Why do you play baseball when there's a storm?" I asked as Edward crushed a hamburger into pieces, wiping his hand on a paper towel with a look of distaste.

"We're not quiet." He murmured, his head angled towards Alice and Jasper to disguise the fact that he was talking to someone invisible, "You'll see tonight."

"But why baseball?" I pressed, "Not football or something else?"

"Baseball is the American pastime," Jasper smirked, "Besides, Esme has banned us from playing football every since there was a slight incident with a supporting wall."

"It's a good thing she likes remodelling houses, put it that way, Baby Bells." Emmett said cheerfully as people began to prepare for their next classes.

Edward and I went to Biology where we sat passing notes for the duration of the class. It was a good thing that I had already taken this class, because I would have failed if I was doing it first time around.

Do you want to go and see Charlie before you come to the clearing?

Yes, is it easy to find the clearing?

I'll come and get you. If I arrive at about quarter past seven, I can take you, if you don't mind being carried?

Hmm… did I mind being carried several miles by a gorgeous boy who I'm pretty sure had feelings for me? What a hard decision.

Sure, that'd be great. I smiled and he flashed one back briefly before turning his attention back to Mr Banner's utterly thrilling lesson.

Charlie was settling in with a movie and a beer when Edward arrived. I checked in on him one last time before walking to the back door and saw Edward standing in the shadows by the trees. I waved and began walking towards him when I saw him stiffen and dart to my side, pulling me into the shelter of woods.

"What is it?"

"One of the wolves is here. I can hear his thoughts. He's… he's looking for you, he's angry that I'm here." One of Edward's hands rested on the small of my back, the other on my shoulder, a loose cage around me as though to protect me.

I looked around, a little uncertain. I knew that none of the pack would attack me, but I didn't know that they wouldn't attack Edward.

"Edward, don't overreact, OK?" I whispered but his jaw had already clenched as he looked over my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. The warmth of his chest sent a strange shiver through me and I tried to focus on the subject at hand. That two supernatural enemies were about to come face to face and there would possibly be bloodshed.

"Bella." Jacob's voice caught my attention and I looked to my left, into the trees. Jacob was standing in the shadows, glowering at us, all of his muscles tensed as though ready to attack. I stepped out of Edward's hold, but his fingers slid down my arm to caress my palm, ready to hold me if anything happened but not keeping an actual grip on me.

"Hi Jake." I said casually, almost hoping that it would diffuse to tension.

It did not.

"What is he doing here?" Jacob hissed and Edward's fingers pressed more firmly against my skin. I met Jacob's eyes and gave him a warning look.

"Edward and I are hanging out tonight, Jake. And we need to get going, so did you want something?"

"Bells, you're… you can't just…" Jacob began to tremble with anger and I pulled out of Edward's grasp and approached him slowly.

"Bella, be careful." Edward murmured but I kept my eyes on Jacob. I reached him and held out a hand to touch his arm.

"Jake, we've talked about this. Don't get worked up, OK?" I stroked his arm gently, appeasing and calm, "It's all fine."

"It is not fine." He said forcefully, his eyes fiery as they burned into mine, "He is dangerous!"

Edward made a disbelieving noise behind me and I rolled my eyes.

"Don't start, Jake. Why are you here? Did you need something?"

"I just thought that you might like to come and see Quil tonight." He said, glaring over my shoulder at Edward.

"Well, as I said, I have plans tonight, but can I come tomorrow?" I asked, forcing Jacob's stare back to me. He sighed heavily, clearly unhappy and then leaned forward to kiss my cheek, hugging me tightly.

"Tomorrow, Bells."

He stood for a moment, staring at Edward and when I looked over my shoulder, I saw Edward's eyes narrowing. I turned back to Jake and arched an eyebrow.

"Tomorrow, Jacob." I said in a warning tone and he winked down at me, looking smug before turning and striding off into the forest. A moment later I heard a low howl and Edward's hand brushed mine.

"What was he thinking at you?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Nothing savoury. Come on, let's go." He bent and slipped his arm under my knees, lifting me easily. A little awkwardly, I lifted one of my arms to wrap around his neck for support as he started running, closing my eyes as the trees blurred and made my head ache. I pressed my face against Edward's shoulder, hoping he wouldn't notice my non-too-subtle sniffing of his shirt.

What? He smelt good. Anyone would have done the same thing in my position.

God damn, I needed to sort myself out. If my heart had been in working condition, it would have been beating out of my chest. I actually flexed the fingers near the back of Edward's head just so I could brush them surreptitiously through his hair. It was warm and soft and I let out a quiet breath, wondering at how I could be so at peace and so wound up at the same time.

I could have spent hours in his arms, curled up to him, so comfortable and so at home.

"Bella, we're here." He said softly in my ear, his breath sweet and warm. I cracked my eyes open and saw his face close to mine. I waited, uncertain but almost desperate for something to happen, tightening my fingers around his neck again as his eyes dropped from mine to my mouth.

"Come on! The storm is going to start soon!" Emmett called and Edward closed his eyes, his chest expanding as he seemed to pray for patience. I smiled and released my grip as he lowered me onto my feet. Glancing over my shoulder at the others, I saw Esme beaming as she caught my eye. I turned away, embarrassed and Edward pulled a baseball cap out of his pocket, placing it on my head with a smile.

"There. All ready to go."

"And here I thought that Alice was the fashion guru of the family." I said, straightening the cap and Edward laughed.

"I'm full of surprises."

I smiled.

Here's something that most people don't know about vampires. They are competitive. Within the first bat swing, the boys were off, almost clawing at each other to reach the ball, Emmett and Edward colliding mid-air before Edward scrambled for the ball and tossed it back to Alice, who put Carlisle out. He scowled and crossed to Esme and I, running a frustrated hand through his hair. She laughed and pulled him towards her for a kiss.

"You're getting too old for this." She teased and he huffed, pretending to be offended as she twined her arms around him, watching as Rosalie stepped up to the plate, twirling the bat nonchalantly between her hands. She hit the ball with an ear-splitting crack just as there was a peal of thunder and I jumped without meaning to as she ran off around the pitch, sliding into home just as Alice caught the ball.

"Out!" Esme called and Rosalie scowled, throwing the bat at Jasper.

I caught Edward's eye as he placed himself on the field and he smiled slightly, winking at me. He was so relaxed, so… young. For once he looked like the teenager he was supposed to be and I couldn't help smiling back. I felt Esme's arm snake around my shoulders, embracing me as easily as though I'd always been here.

For the next half hour, I watched them fight, slide, run and hit, mud smearing their clothes and faces. Alice tackled Jasper to the ground in a totally illegal manoeuvre, to stop him reaching third base and grass and dirt were thrown into the air. Alice's giggles reached me and I grinned as Jasper lifted her, kissing her soundly before sauntering towards the home plate.

Edward appeared to my shoulder, running his fingers over my hand as he passed on his way to take the bat from Jasper. I smiled shyly as he glanced over his shoulder, his warm expression sending strange shivers through my stomach. I bet my lip, holding back a silly smile. Everything serious about the situation was far from my mind, worries about experiments, Jacob, Charlie were echoes in my head, not at the forefront of it.

"Gonna hit a home run, Edward?" I called and he grinned at me, swinging the bat casually and winked again.

"Every time, Bella. I can beat these guys blindfolded."

"Yeah, because you cheat." Emmett called across the field, "Talk is cheap, Ed, start playin'"

Esme and I laughed at Edward's sour expression and Alice rolled her eyes, preparing to throw. She stretched back, her smile wide.

And the ball slipped from her fingers.

She caught it again but everyone stopped and stared. Even me, because there was no way that Alice would just drop a ball.

"Alice!" Edward said sharply and she looked at him quickly before both of their gazes turned to me. I looked to Edward and he ran to my side, where the others joined us.

"What's happening, Alice?" Carlisle asked and she looked at us apprehensively.

"Three of our kind, they're coming this way. They were going to pass by but heard us playing. They want to join in."

"We should get Bella away." Edward said sharply and I looked at him quickly.

"Why…?"

"We don't know how they'll react. Your scent… it might be too much, they may not be like us. It's dangerous." Carlisle said, looking around at us, "Edward, you take Bella and we'll hold them off, distract them and persuade them to move on."

I felt Edward's arm slip around my waist but Alice's voice stilled him.

"It's too late." She whispered as they began to turn towards the woods that lined the far edge of the clearing. Edward pulled me against him.

"Tuck your hair under the hat. Stay close to me and don't look them in the eye. Hopefully they won't notice anything amiss." He murmured, his breath warm against my cheek. I scraped my hair and tucked it under the baseball cap, turning my face away from the three approaching figures as Edward's arm snaked around me, holding me tight to his chest. I placed my hand on top of his, trying to stop myself from trembling.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched the three strange vampires. Two of them were men and the other a woman, with thick red hair. One of the men was dark-skinned, a strange chalky pallor giving away his unnaturalness and the last had dark blonde hair, tied back and narrow eyes, flickering over us. The dark guy stepped forward, smiling pleasantly.

"Please excuse the intrusion. My friends and I heard your game and wondered if you might need a few extra players," He inclined his head, "I am Laurent. This is James and Victoria." My eyes flickered towards his as he looked at Carlisle. They glinted ruby red and I lowered my gaze quickly.

"I'm Carlisle Cullen and this is my family." Carlisle offered as a greeting, "We hold a permanent residence in the area. Are you passing through?"

"Yes, we're travelling north. We won't cause any trouble." Laurent smiled, his expression pleasant but it reminded me of the 'spider to the fly'.

"A couple of us were just leaving, so we could certainly use a couple of extra players. Edward, why don't you two go and we'll carry on here?" Carlisle barely glanced at us and Edward nodded, turning me away.

Victoria and Laurent began to turn away and James reached for the bat that Carlisle offered as Edward and I began to walk away. The tension in my chest began to dissipate as we began to near the trees and I looked up at Edward but he was staring at the woods, concentrating on something. I ducked my head as the wind blew past, but it caught the brim of my hat, sending it flying. Edward caught it swiftly but I heard someone shout and the next thing I knew, I was surrounded by the Cullens and James was staring me in the face, his teeth bared, Victoria at his side and Laurent behind him, watching the events unfold.

"What is she…?" James' voice was strained as his eyes bored into mine, glinting icily. I shrank back and felt Alice wrap her hand around my wrist, Edward moving in front of me.

"That smell… her scent is… what is she?" James snarled again and Emmett growled, barely capturing James' attention.

"You should leave." Carlisle said harshly and Laurent leant forward, touching James' shoulder.

"James…"

They exchanged a look, a silent understanding between them and I sensed Edward tense, although he said nothing.

"We will go." Laurent said firmly and James hissed, Victoria seizing his arm. Carlisle stared at them stonily and James straightened, never tearing his eyes from mine. I squeezed Alice's hand, terror surging through my chest.

Finally, James turned and the three of them ran across the clearing.

My knees trembled but before I could even draw breath (not that I needed to) Edward had gathered me up, my feet grazing the floor as he embraced me.

"Have they gone, Alice?" Esme asked, as I pressed my face into Edward's shirt, letting the smell of him calm me.

"I'm not sure," She said anxiously, "They're moving away from us but they haven't decided to leave town."

"James won't leave." Edward said, his hand in my hair, stroking the nape of neck as I twisted my head to look at Alice, "He's a tracker. He was already thinking about how to get to her as he left. We need to decide what to do."

"We should return to the house." Carlisle said decisively and Edward nodded, bending to lift me again. I clung to him silently as the trees flashed past, green and brown blurring together as I tried to understand what had just happened.

There was a very good chance that James, the not-so-vegetarian-vampire, wanted to kill me. Only, I could not be killed, so what would happen to me? This was why Carlisle had been experimenting; this was why he had been trying to find out what I was, so he could stop anything bad from happening to me. And I only understood this now.

I was scared.

I was genuinely scared that I would be taken away from the Cullens. From Edward.

Before I knew it, Edward had stopped and we were outside their home. Silently, he lowered me to the ground and brushed his lips over my forehead, his hands on my waist.

"I won't let anything happen to you." He murmured, almost so quietly that I couldn't hear. I looked up at him, taking in his golden eyes, his hair falling into his eyes. I slid my arms around his neck again, feeling horribly vulnerable as I buried my face in his neck.

"I know you won't." I whispered, "I trust you."

"I need you."

His words thrilled me and terrified me. It made me think of a future that I shouldn't have and might not now that James had entered our lives. I tightened my grip on him and my feet almost lifted from the floor as he pulled me closer. We stayed in our embrace for a few minutes, almost unaware of anything else in the world until Edward sighed and looked towards the door.

"They're waiting for us." He murmured and I closed my eyes.

"We should go to them."

"Laurent has gone. I'm not sure where, but he's not interested in getting involved with us. He told James that he can't take on all of us." Alice said, pacing in front of the sofa, where I was sitting between Edward and Esme, "But James and Victoria are still nearby."

"How can they even try to get to Bella? They've got to realise how idiotic it is, there are seven of us and two of them." Emmett said sharply, "They can't win!"

"James isn't like us, Emmett." Edward said, leaning forward and resting his forearms on his knees, "He is a tracker. He's vicious and persistent, he won't stop until he has what he wants."

"Unless we stop him." Emmett insisted and Edward closed his eyes, shaking his head.

"It's not that simple-"

"Then make it that simple! You say you care about Bella, this bastard is out there plotting to destroy her and you're just sat on your ass-" Emmett yelled and I gasped as there was a crack of stone on stone and Emmett and Edward stood face to face, glaring as Rosalie shouted.

"Boys, stop!" Esme gasped, a hand on each of their arms, "Don't start fighting now!"

"You have no right to say that! You think you care more than I do? That anyone cares more than I do?" Edward raged.

I stood beside Esme and touched Edward's hand. He almost flinched at the contact and I met Emmett's eye.

"Step away, Emmett." I said softly, "Don't start fights. It's no use being angry at each other. Besides, you said that James is a tracker, so wouldn't he just track me straight to you? As long as we stay together…"

My voice faded away and my dead heart clenched. I let out a cry and dropped Edward's hand, half-turning towards the door but instantly his hands were on my shoulders, his face in front of mine.

"Bella? Bella, love, what is it?" He asked desperately, one hand cupping my cheek as I forced my eyes to his. I clutched at his shirt, willing him to understand, unable to explain as fear rendered me speechless.

"…Charlie."

The stammered word created a deafening silence. Edward stared at me and then twisted his head to stare at Alice who shook her head.

I caught Edward's hand and tugged it.

"Edward, we have to go. Please!" I cried and Edward looked at Alice again, who was frowning, her hands at her temples.

"I can't see Charlie or James." She muttered in frustration and I felt the whimper escape me again.

"Please, we have to go. We have to get to Charlie." I half-sobbed but Edward stood fast, still waiting for Alice's prediction.

Giving up, I turned to the door but before I'd taken more than a few steps, Alice had my hand.

"Bella-"

"He'll go after my dad!" I shouted, fear and rage filling me as their inactivity snapped something inside me, "Don't you get it? Why are you just standing here?"

"Bella, you can't go – James is after you, if you go to Charlie, he will just-"

I tore my hand from Alice's and ran to the door but Edward had moved more quickly than I could and I practically fell into him, but I shook him off.

"Emmett, Jasper and I will take you. Alice, keep searching for them and call me if you see anything."

"Rosalie, Esme and I will scout the area and see if we can pick up their scent." Carlisle said and they were on their feet in a millisecond. Emmett moved towards me.

"Edward and Jasper are faster, they should go ahead and check it out, and I'll take you."

Edward didn't look particularly happy but he and Jasper began to run, Emmett tucking me against his chest as he sprinted behind them. His arms were like a granite cage around me and I felt protected, but it wasn't myself that I was worrying about.

Charlie.

Oh god, Charlie.

I watched the blurs of Edward and Jasper darting in front of us, coloured blurs against the green and brown of the woods when a different colour caught my eye, a brown-red that moved alongside us. It didn't even register with me until I heard a howl and Emmett stopped abruptly. Edward was by us and Jasper was crouched a few feet in front of an enormous russet coloured wolf.

"Jasper, no!" I cried, fighting in Emmett's arms, but he didn't relent his grip and I wriggled as Jasper snarled at the wolf. Edward seized Jasper's shoulder.

"Hold on, Jasper." He said and glanced back at us, "Emmett, put her down."

I slid to the floor and moved closer to Edward, staring at the wolf, who tilted his head, dark eyes staring into mine.

"It's Jacob."

"I know." I whispered and stepped forward, but Edward's hand wrapped around mine.

"Be careful."

"It's Jake." I said without taking my eyes from the wolfs. He blinked at me and then turned, leaping into the bushes surrounding us only for Jacob's half-naked form to appear a moment later. I let out a cry at the sight of a ferocious red scratch, deep across his chest.

"Jake, what happened?"

"Bella, you need to come with me." He said, grabbing my arm and tugging me to him. Instantly the vampires were around us, all looking murderous but I ignored them, gently touching the skin beside the wound.

"Jacob-"

"It was one of them. Some freaking vampire chick attacked me outside your house, Bells, and I barely got away. The rest of the pack are on their way to hunt her down now. I thought she must be after you, so I came to find you."

Victoria. James and Victoria had been outside my house. I turned to Edward.

"Edward-!"

"We're going." Edward spoke quickly, lifting me again and I looked over to Jacob, who was glaring at us.

"Jake, they're after Charlie."

Before I could heard Jacob's reply, we were running again but now I could see the russet blur chasing after us but as it took us less than two minutes to reach Charlie's house, I didn't have time to think about any showdowns between the Cullens and Jake. As soon as we stopped, I slipped from Edward's grip and ran towards the house, bursting into the living room. Charlie's chair was empty. The television was on, blaring some sports programme and a bottle of beer was spilled over at my feet, soaking the carpet.

Edward, Emmett and Jasper were stood behind the house, Jacob a few feet away, eyes narrowed as I came out of the house. I half fell down the steps and ran to him, catching his arm.

"Jake, where did she go? Where did Victoria go?"

"I don't know, I need to talk with the others." He murmured and I tried to shake his arm, needing him to understand the urgency of the situation.

"He's gone, Jacob! Charlie is gone and Victoria was here!"

"Their scent is everywhere." Jasper confirmed and Jacob seized my hand.

"Come on, Bella. We need to find the pack, they'll be able to hunt them down."

"Bella's not going anywhere." Emmett snarled and Jacob sneered at him.

"We're made for killing leeches! No one's going to fight them better than us!"

I wavered, looking from Jacob to Edward, who had instinctively held out his hand to me.

"Bella, we should find Carlisle and the others. Alice may have news." He said gently and I knew that he was being completely rational, but I didn't want to hear rational words.

My dad was gone. Vampires had taken him.

Jacob tugged my hand lightly again but I pulled back, curling my hands into my hair and closing my eyes as I tried to get my head around the situation. I could hear Emmett talking angrily, Jacob's accusing shouts. I heard rushing in my ears and even though I didn't need to, I tried to take a deep breath.

Charlie…!

"Edward, Jasper, go and talk to Carlisle and see what he found out." I burst out loudly, "Give Jake your cell number, so he can call and let you know what the pack has found out and vice versa. Emmett, take me to Alice, I want to know if she can find Charlie."

"I'll come with you, Emmett can-" Edward began but I shook my head.

"You're quicker, you can get to Carlisle faster." This was partly the reason, but more it was because I didn't want Edward and Jacob kicking off at each other.

"Bella, just come and-" Jacob began but I'd already tugged Emmett's sleeve. Obediently, he scooped me up and we started running, but not before I saw Edward's face, an expression of fury and hurt.

"Don't fret, Bella, we'll get it right." Emmett murmured, cradling me like a baby and for a moment I believed him, as the trees flew past and the colours blurred again.

We hadn't gone far when I saw the flash of red. For a brief, insane moment, I thought it was Jacob again but this wasn't the brown-rust colour of his wolf fur, but something brighter, like fire or blood. I tried to focus my eyes on it, but I heard Emmett's grunt and I cried out as I flew from his arms. I curled myself into a ball, letting myself phase through the trees until I rolled to a stop, leaves and mud sticking to my jeans and hoodie.

I sat up and looked around frantically for Emmett, staggering to my feet as I saw him brawling, his snarls echoing around me as he lunged for the dark skinned vampire.

Laurent!

"Bella!" Emmett shouted and I half run towards him but my teeth rattled in my skull as something knocked me sideways. I saw Laurent jump onto Emmett, his teeth at Emmett's throat, but I was slightly more preoccupied with the hand around my neck.

"Make a sound and I will end you." Victoria's soft, sweet voice murmured in my ear as she slid her hand over my mouth, "And if you try to get away, your father is dead."

A/N: Update... win? Check me out, with the updating! Basically La Beta and I have decided that she should go on vacation. Therefore the chapters are going to go up as they're written, so they're not as refined as previous chapters. That's what comes of trying to lead grown-up lives, complete with job hunting and degree finishing! Anyway, the action is kicking off, my sweets!

How To Save A Life - Kind of a reflection on Bella's messed up relationships with Edward, Jake and now Charlie. Also it's a hell-awesome song.

Reviewers will get (as a one time special offer thanks to sillyvamp's request) their chosen Cullen AND Werewolf! Yeah, I'm just spoiling you guys now. Better leave me some REAL nice reviews!

Lots of love

Katie