Firstly, I should warn you-- from now on, the updates won't be coming nearly as fast, because frankly, this is as much as I've written. The only reason that I have been posting so often is because I am ADDICTED to reviews.

Yes, addicted. It's a crippling condition, I'll have you know.

Also, this is the longest chapter that I've written (so far) for this story, and I'm pretty proud of it, tbh. You wouldn't want me to have to be hospitalised, so the best idea is for you to review, review and... review again! Thanks.

In the words of Tigger, TTFN!! (Ah, the joys of disney... d'you love it? I love it... )

Onwards!

Angelic—A Devyne Dilemma

She stared at the tiny phone in the palm of her hand, hardly able to believe the words that her oldest friend had just spoken. She had truly thought it impossible for an angel to be destroyed, or killed… But apparently, she had been proved wrong. She trusted Payn with her life, and so knew that there was no way he could have been lying, or exaggerating.

But… it was so hard to grasp.

She thought for a minute about talking to her sisters about it—but what good would that do? Both of them hated Payn, for reasons that Devyne had never discovered. They would write off this revelation as melodrama on her best friend's part.

But she had become so involved. Could she really just give it all up, just abandon this whole idea?

She wasn't so sure.

She bit her lip and sighed, staring unseeingly at the image in front of her, leaning back in her chair. Her silver eyes closed, going through scenarios in her head. Whatever Payn said, these Cullens were different. They had golden eyes, so different from the usual crimson ones.

She would stay away, for a while. She'd have to. Payn had made her promise. But she would keep an eye on Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, because she had no choice. This had become an obsession.

But she would make one last visit. To push things in the right direction. Payn would never know. And then she would leave them alone.

She opened her eyes, and she was in Alice Cullen's body, where she had willed herself. In front of her, Edward and Jasper stood almost nose to nose. Hmm. How to get their attention…?

"Jazz."

Jasper kept his eyes firmly fixed on Edward. "Don't bother telling me you can protect yourself, Alice. I already know that. I've still got to—"

Devyne interrupted him again, "That's not what I'm going to say. I was going to ask you for a favour."

She sent thoughts at Edward, and his mouth fell open in shock, with a sharp intake of breath that he did not need.

No. No way… Alice and Bella… friends?

The angel continued, ignoring the vampires' thoughts. "I know you love me. Thanks. But I would really appreciate it if you didn't try to kill Bella. First of all, Edward's serious and I don't want you two fighting. Secondly, she's my friend. At least, she's going to be."

She sent Edward an image of Alice and Bella, arms around one another. It wasn't fictional—it was an image she had picked from Alice's own mind.

Jasper was shocked, confused. His thoughts were barely coherent."But… Alice…"

Edward was entirely focussed on the image; he found it shocking, unnatural… but there was a strange hope, tied in with the negative reactions. If she can stand being that close to Alice, maybe…

"I'm going to love her someday, Jazz. I'll be very put out with you if you don't let her be."

Had she overdone it? But Edward seemed to be buying it, as did Jasper.

"Ah." Devyne smiled, pulling another image, another thought, from the future that Destinee had provided them with. "See? Bella's not going to say anything. There's nothing to worry about."

Edward decided then to drag himself away from the images she sent at him. "Alice… What… does this…?"

"I told you there was a change coming. I don't know, Edward." She pretended to lock her jaw, projecting thoughts about Jasper, trying to distract Edward.

"What, Alice? What are you hiding?"

Emmett mumbled something incoherent, and his thoughts almost made me laugh aloud. Not fair. The freaks are conversing, again.

She shook her head.

"Is it about the girl? Is it about Bella?"

Devyne almost grinned in satisfaction. The way his thoughts leapt immediately to her was very gratifying. Her teeth were clenched, trying to keep myself from laughing aloud. She allowed a tiny portion of her thoughts concerning Edward and Bella to slip through, waiting for his reaction.

She was not adequately prepared for his sudden anger.

"NO!"

"Edward!" That was the leader, the father figure. Carlisle.

Devyne spoke again, in a desperate attempt to calm him. "It's solidifying. Every minute, you're more decided. There's only two ways left for her. It's one or the other, Edward."

She sent him images. Pictures of he and Bella, in their meadow. A kiss, a ring, a marriage… They would be happy. Bella was already well on her way to falling for him, and Edward wasn't so far off, either...

"No," It was not a shout, any more, a whisper.

The burly, huge vampire complained, but he was ignored.

Edward was anguished as he whispered words to me, words that I didn't want to hear. "I have to leave."

Emmett spoke again. At least, this time, his words were of some use. "Edward, we've already been over that. That's the best way to start the girl talking. Besides, if you take off, we won't know for sure if she's talking or not. You have to stay and deal with this."

"I don't see you going anywhere, Edward," she informed him. "I don't know if you can leave, any more."

Think about it. Think about leaving.

His thoughts were pained, and the angel suppressed another self-satisfactory smile.

I'm not entirely sure of Jasper, Edward. If you leave, if he thinks she's a danger to us… A small lie. For the greater good, she consoled herself.

He tried to deny it, "I don't hear that."

Not right at this moment. Will you risk her life, leave her undefended?

"Why are you doing this to me?" It was a groan, but he was coming around. His head fell into his hands.

I'm not her protector… I'd kill her…

She tried again, trying to make him understand. I love her, too. She hoped he'd pick up the extra word. Or I will. It's not the same, but I want her around for that.

It had the opposite effect.

"Love her too?"

You are so blind, Edward. Can't you see where you're headed? Of course not. He was no Alice. Can't you see where you're headed? Can't you see what you already are? It's more inevitable than the sun rising in the east. Maybe a bit over the top… See what I see.

"No…"

He tried to shut her out, but she persevered with her visions. Edward spoke again, "I'll leave. I will change the future."

"You can try." He would not manage it.

The big one yelled something, and the blond responded in a hiss. "… Falling for a human! How classically Edward!"

Emmett laughed. As if this was funny!

Esme's thoughts were barely coherent, but rejoicing. She didn't care, as long as Edward was happy.

She smiled, leaving Alice's body as instantaneously as she had become a part of it, changing her memory to include the previous conversation instantaneously.

And now, she promised herself, she would stay away. Now that he knew.