AN: OK GUYS, I feel so bad about missing the past few weeks that I added another Chapter this week. Don't forget to follow me on twitter if you have it. I NEED you guys to keep me focused because there will be some major moves in the next 3 chapters and if I don't write them you wont know. ... TheeLady_Apathy ... My views are shooting up but no one is commenting, so please please please comment. I love to hear the feedback. Thanks. DiNishaRob

Chapter 11- murkiness

I watched Jacob and Edward pace back and forth in Carlisle's office. The room was over crowded since every supernatural being apart from Leah and the children were in there. We would have been more comfortable downstairs, but Alice's room was next door, and we wanted to be as close as possible incase Ness had awoke again.

"No one is to leave her alone." Carlisle requested. "Were going to handle this like he has the capabilities of every other vampire. We should also try looking into some form of a half. Based on the skin alone, we might be looking into some alder more mature versions of Ciyan, Phillip, and Rosabella."

"I am pretty sure that a shape shifter and half vampire combo isn't heard of beyond us." Jake continued dismissing the idea.

"We need to look at all options." Jasper agreed. "We can't throw anything out."

Sami and Rami were off in the corner with me, completely silent, their blue eyes circumspect. Jabril walked over to us, and leaned against the wall. "So what's the plan here?" Emmett asked ready, he didn't mind fighting , all you had to do was point him in the direction and he was bound to find it himself.

The only problem was, in this case, there was no direction to point him. "Right now we can only protect her, make sure she's not alone, and find this oasis and take it from there. Maybe we can follow a trail or something. " Rosalie sighed.

"It's possible. You and I can go for that one." Emmett nodded knowing any plan that involved action he would be on board.

"We should probably go with you," Sami offered.

Rami nodded in agreement, "You could use the extra senses."

"Something tells me that is where I will need to be, I'm going too." Jacob added crossing his arms. No one would question it.

Alice looked ahead foreseeing no trouble with their journey. "You should head out tomorrow, first thing, it's going to be cloudy enough for you to go and get it done."

"Perfect." Carlisle agreed.

Seth was helping Carlisle put some volumes back on the self and he watched me carefully as he did so. The look of concern on his face made me enter his mind.

What is it Asima? He questioned his eyebrows creasing. I started to ease his worry but his thoughts stopped me. Don't say nothing. Your face is too composed, too calculating, I know when something is wrong.

I cracked a smile at this. You know me well my love.

You may not like to show emotions, but there isn't a second that goes by that I don't know they are there. So I what is on your mind baby?

I'm heading out tomorrow too.

This didn't surprise him, he didn't expect me to stay behind. Do you think that you can catch something that the five of them may miss babe?

I'm not going to the oasis. I informed listening to Carlisle plan their hunt around everything that was already happening tomorrow. Esme, Jabril, and Carlisle were going to hunt fairly close so they wouldn't be away from Jennah too long and could go back to research. A few hours tops.

This did surprise him. Not going to the oasis? Then where do you plan on-

I'm going to a street I saw in her head. It's just outside of the Cairo shopping district. I shouldn't be gone more than a few hours though.

He was confused, but he trusted me extensively. What do you expect to find there?

To be honest. I don't know Love. It just stuck out to me, she has never had a reason to go to the outer district but she did that day. I want to know why, I want to see what she saw. I don't know if this Zach guy sent her there, or if she did it to get away from him, but I still want to look.

He just nodded putting the last book on the shelf and walked over to the wall where I was leaning next to Sami and Rami. I moved out of the way for him to take the spot and then leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around me and we continued our mental conversation.

Whatever your reasons are for going, I am in.

I raised and eyebrow turning to look at him skeptically. Are you sure that you are up for that? It could just end in a waste of time.

You don't even have to ask. I will follow you anywhere no questions asked. You know that.

And I did know that, and he would go with me. I love you, we'll go first thing tomorrow.

He kissed the top of my head as I gave Carlisle the rest of our attention. "Jasper, Alice, and Leah will be more than enough to protect the city until Jabril, Esme, and I get back. Edward and Bella, are you going to the oasis as well?"

Bella nodded but Edward hesitated which caused her to hesitate as well. "Actually. I was thinking that we should tag along with Asima and Seth into Cairo."

All eyes went to us as Rosalie spoke. "Cairo? Do you know something that we don't?"

I shook my head. "No, there was just a place outside the shopping district that stuck out to me when I got a glimpse into her thoughts."

"And you think it's worth looking into?" Carlisle asked looking trying to understand.

"To be honest I'm not sure, that's why I didn't say anything." I stressed turning my head Edward slightly annoyed with his intrusion into our conversation through Seth's head. "It could possibly be a waste of time, I just don't want to leave any stones unturned Carlisle."

Carlisle nodded in agreement. "You have a point, well you four can search for answers there. We will meet back here with anything you have."

"We'll need to watch what we say around Ness until we figure out what is going on. We don't know how much of a hold this Zach character has on her." Jabril reminded. "We should probably add a third person to patrolling at night just in case."

"I'll run tonight too then." Sami volunteered.

Emmett cut in. "No. I should be one of us that doesn't need sleep. You just got off less than ten hours ago. I'll do it."

"Thanks man." He stretched covering his mouth and yawning.

"I should probably go sit with Ness incase she wakes up." I suggested after checking with Carlisle to see if we were finished for the time being. It was a little after sunset so everything needed to wind down anyway.

Esme agreed. "Yes we should. We'll meet back here at sunrise and coordinate from there."

"You're staying with Nessie." Seth said as if stating a fact as we walked out of Carlisle's study.

I nodded. "At least for a little while."

"I'll make sure that the kiddies are taken care of." He responded in support, completely understanding.

He kissed my head, and I closed my eyes exhaling deeply before inhaling his scent. The smell of sandalwood and dark chocolate was a scent that was so deep in my senses that I could pick it up from anywhere. Yet it still had the same effect after all of these years. I leaned up to kiss the love of my existence and he met me halfway. " Thank you Seth."

"Of course." He winked, his brown eyes enamored with only me. "I'll see you when you come home."

Jacob was behind him, I put a hand on his shoulder halting his walk down the stairs. I knew that if it weren't for Rosabella he would have stayed with me too. Take her to our house. Come spell me when they're all asleep.

Jacob nodded. What am I suppose to tell her?

I sighed, just like our children, Rosabella missed nothing and was bound to expect answers about her mothers behavior. Just tell her not to worry, and that her all of her family will take care of her. He nodded unsure himself. Jacob. She will be fine.

I just really want my hands on this Zach guy. There was complete darkness in his thoughts.

Don't we all. I agreed taking my hand off his shoulder. "Hurry back." I dismissed aloud, setting him free to walk down the stairs.

I watched Ness stir with frustration, not being able to hear her thoughts was uncomfortable. I hated it. The one time where reading her mind would actually be a necessity and it wasn't available. I moved Alice's green and white ball chair from the corner and positioned in front of their bed. I curled myself into it comfortably bringing my knees to my chin.

She wasn't sleeping peaceful that was for sure. Her reddish brown curls stuck to the side of her face as she jerked. She mumbled softly about "normal" but that was the only audible thing that came from her mouth. I listened to another hour or so of soft whimpers, her normal quick heartbeat irregular in a state of distress. I could hear the rest of the Cullen household planning things downstairs, going and coming, and making preparations to leave tomorrow.

I noticed Ness's breathing became a more relaxed inhale and exhale and she had my attention again. "You're awake."

She groaned rolling her neck but sitting up. "You're here." Was her response.

"How did you sleep?" I questioned. She ran her fingers through her hair and I could tell she could use a few more hours.

"Define sleep." She requested monotonously. "A suspension of consciousness? The physical state of being dormant? If it's the latter than I slept just fine."

She whipped the covers back and folded her legs on the bed. Visibly annoyed, but it was still my Ness, I knew that.

"You're upset."

"You and Jasper can't do that. You can't just put someone to sleep whenever you want. If I say I don't want to do something you should listen." Her lecturing voice was no longer angry, but rueful, and it confused me more.

"You needed to rest. I don't understand, you never cared about-"

Her eyes were glossy as she spoke and it seemed like she was trying to keep the anger, but I couldn't understand in what direction it was going. "I person's body and mind are private you know?" She was shaking her head. "You guys can't just meddle and maraud whenever you-"

"Maraud?" I choked in shock. My eyes pricked in the corners and I didn't continue. I hated crying or feeling vulnerable in any way and if I didn't shut up immediately to control my self I wouldn't have been be able to hide it. Thankfully I didn't have to struggle through checking my emotions for more than a few seconds.

Mollifying ripples went through me as a southern voice came from the doorway. "Our abilities have always been who we are Nessie. You've never had a problem accepting that before."

She didn't notice him come in, and her head shot to him. "That was before-"

"What's going on?" Edward asked walking in with Bella and Carlisle behind him, their stroll casual, yet with thoughts of urgency.

"Daddy, I need you all to go away." Ness requested with watery eyes speaking with her hands covering her face. "You guys can't be around me. I can't handle it."

"You need us gone?" Carlisle repeated with a questioning tone.

Edward shook his head hearing the same thoughts that I did. "No, just Asima, Jasper, and myself it seems."

"See Daddy, that's what I mean." Nessie pointed out with a sigh.

Jasper continued with where he left off. "She seems to feel like we are intrusions to her privacy. Yet she's always embraced our uniqueness which leads me to believe that something happened. What happened Nessie? Before what?" He pressed sitting on the bottom of the bed adding influence despite her distaste.

"You guys keep putting me to sleep, and going in my head." She explained.

Carlisle came in taking responsibility. "I asked Jasper to do that, you just seemed so tired. I thought that it was best."

Ness's tone was kinder, no one could be angry with Carlisle. "I know you meant well, but you don't know what happens to me. What happened. I don't want to sleep Carlisle."

"What happens?" Bella asked biting my lip.

Ness hesitated for only a second but she continued. "I don't sleep." When everyone looked a her oddly she continued. "I mean, yes, physically I am dormant, but mentally I am far from unconsciousness. Zach and I are connected, that's where we meet."

She said the last word with a grimace on her face. Bella and Edward exchanged a worried look when he took her hand. "You mean every time you sleep you dream about him?"

"It's not a dream." She corrected. "We talk and stuff. He plans, he shares things with me. I'm never dreaming, it's all real."

No one knew what to say, we had never heard of anything like it, but it was Carlisle that took the new information and ran with it. "Where do you meet?"

"The oasis. The first place we met." She continued.

I belittled under my breath rolling my eyes., "How poetic?"

Bella flicked my knee as she spoke, I held in my grunt. "Can't you go somewhere else?"

Ness shook her head. "No, I tried walking away the first few times. He keeps brining me back there. Always the exact same way, the only thing that changes is the conversation."

It was Jasper that went straight to the tactical questions, the ones that I had. Hoping to find an advantage to the unknown enemy. "He plans? What sorts of things does he plan?"

"I-I'm not sure. He doesn't think my thoughts are safe, so he doesn't share things like that. I just know that he is coming for me. He's on some time limit and I should have came to him by now, and he can't wait anymore."

"What do you mean?" Edward questioned.

She ran her fingers through her hair again, clearly uncomfortable, but she didn't turn to Edward to answer she focused on Carlisle. "I think that this has happened before, he said that he should have been fully links to me by now. I'm not sure if it's my will power or the fact that I'm not fully human, and neither is he, but I can't resist him. I can't, and I don't want to go back to sleep. Don't make me."

"We won't." Carlisle vowed. "We will figure this out. We have some things-"

Ness reminded me of a child when she put her hands to her ears and quickly said "Shut up!" The room froze, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She apologized quickly. "Everyone needs to stay away from me. I can't know anything. He knows about everything."

"We know he's familiar with us Nessie, so you shouldn't worry-" Jasper started.

Ness shook her head again. "No, the last time you put me to sleep he went in my mind, and did a mental run through of everything. I couldn't help it, I am so sorry, but he knows it all. You're talents, the growth, all of it."

"We'll take care of it." Bella swore sitting on the bed next to her, rubbing her head. She stroked her cheeks, "You look so tired sweetheart."

"I can't sleep. I can't." She repeated shaking her head bringing her knees to her chin. "I don't want to be there."

Bella looked at us frantically, but there was nothing that we could do. "Carlisle…Edward…" She pleaded holding Ness closer to her, I was hundred percent sure that if Bella were capable of producing tears she would have been.

"I know Bella, we'll figure it out." Carlisle reassured.

Jasper moved from the bed and Edward took his place embracing both of them as best he could. "I don't know what to do Daddy." She admitted in the crook of his neck as he rubbed her hair.

"I'll protect you sweetness. I swear to you."

"Let go of me…" She instructed in a shaky whisper.

Jasper felt the same mood shift that I did and he cautioned, "Bella, Edward let her go."

Bella was confused, "What do you mean-"

"I said don't touch me!" She growled in one flash of a movement she was no longer between them on the bed, and against the wall .

Once again she was mentally blocked. The rattle in her chest lasted only long enough for her to take several deeps breaths. Her thoughts returning, "I'm sorry. I can't help it."

"We know." Carlisle dismissed locking eyes with Edward and sharing mental words. I didn't listen in, I was too busy trying to find anymore missing links in my best friends mind.

"I'm going to go." She said to herself walking towards the door.

Edward blocked her path. "You can't -"

"I understand, but I need to isolate myself. Being around you all upsets him and I can't let him keep affecting me." She said going into the adjoined bathroom and shutting the door behind her.

I could hear Jacob coming into the house downstairs, and I needed to get away. "I need to check on Ciyan and Phillip." I informed walking towards the door myself. "I'll see you all tomorrow.

"Everything ok?" Jacob asked walking past me in the stairs.

I shook my head. "They'll explain." I promised continuing my exit.

"How is Nessie?" Seth asked rubbing my temples when I dropped on the couch. How he always knew when I had a headache was beyond me.

"Not good." I groaned and proceeded in telling him what was happening after he left.

"Wow…" Was all he could say when I was finished.

I sighed. "I know, tomorrow can't get here fast enough."

He kissed my forehead and planted a few more kisses on the nape of my neck. "Relax, we'll catch this guy."

I snuggled into him and he gripped me tighter. "I know, and may the Gods help him when we do"