This chapter went through a re-imagining when I figured it would be nice to see what was going on in La Push, so basically all that happens here was originally just from Alice until I decided to write from Charlie's p.o.v too.
I had fun writing from Charlie but it was also kinda difficult too, because I think he just doesn't think as much as other people. He has a "queit mind", and though thats not becuase he's ignorant to what's around him, he's just not an overly emotional or expressive individual. I figured he tends to think mostly very simply and doesn't analyse things or really focus on the small, emotive details of the world around him. That said, he also isn't very verbally expressive with what he's feeling either, so, Charlie's perspective is quite a difficult thing to put across.
Anyway, News and Shizz. New fan cover from Brittany. I freaked out … again. Oh and I'm on Twitter now. I pretty much only use it for FFnet & these two crazy gals that just won't leave me alone. So if u wanna get on there and bug me about updating, see where chaps are at or just rant with me, get over to Twitter! (They should be paying me for this, right?!)
So this all takes place no more than only a little over a week before where we're at with Ness, enjoy!
Alice
Jasper was everywhere.
In the air, the trees, even in the ground I threw my feet into I could smell him, taste him, feel him.
We were not far behind. We could not be far behind.
Carlisle's hand still grasped mine as we ran. He'd seized it when I'd jumped from the chair we both sat in in his office and ran for the door. He'd asked no questions as I pulled him away, pausing only to make polite and credible explanations for his departure as we made our way hastily through the winding corridors of his workplace.
Since we lost Renesmee I resented to the pit of my soul the inability of my gift to come through on what I needed it to.
It would allow me to see the seasons before they arrived.
It would show me what clothes would be of the fashion months and months in advance.
It had spoiled every surprise Jasper had ever attempted to spoil me with, but it could not keep him safe.
It couldn't keep Renesmee safe and it couldn't keep my family together.
I couldn't.
We were nearing the house and there was no time for me to pause and feel the sadness or the nostalgia at my return. Any moment we would smell them, Carlisle would smell them and he would get the explanation I'd had no time to give, the explanation he hadn't needed to follow me.
Even if he'd pinned me to the spot and refused to move without some communication on my part, I would not have been able to supply any. No words could have formed themselves while the image of Jasper writhing in agony at the feet of one, no larger than a child, still bellowed in my memory.
We caught her on the wind then; Jane, and her two companions Felix and Demetri. A dormant rumble rose in Carlisle's chest as the realisation hit him. Impossible though it seemed his feet seemed to carry him faster in the direction of the house, where his wife, his son, and three members of the Volturi were gathered.
His fingers gave mine a brisk squeeze as the forest spilled out into the driveway and his hand came to my elbow to provide some superfluous support as we flew up the few steps and through the open door into the entrance hall.
The three didn't move.
Their backs to us as we entered, they stood, Jane at the centre before Jasper who was planted straight, tall and defensive at Esme's front.
His eyes only broke from their unforgiving glare over them to take me in quickly as I swept to his side. Despite everything, something inside me still leapt when his eyes met mine, as it always did when any separation, however short, came to an end.
Carlisle moved to take over the defensive position Jasper had held over Esme, wrapping his arms around her waist as I brought mine to Jasper's. The image of Jane torturing him throbbed in my mind and I would do anything to keep it from coming to pass. Anything; even if it mean being civil to the little witch just to keep Jazz calm.
"What are you doing here?" There was a malice in Carlisle's tone I would never find myself adjusting to, but it was nothing that those gathered before us now didn't deserve. Jane's ruby eyes were wide and devouring as they continued to travel us individually, a twisted grin pulling at the corners of her lips.
To her left Demetri smiled, almost pleasantly.
From the fortunately limited time I had spent in the presence of the members of this coven I had perceived that of all of them, Demetri shared most in the fiendish charisma of his master Aro. He was never seen to act anything but polite, something that made the fact once he had spoken to you, you were never able to truly escape him all the more disturbing.
"Frankly Carlisle, we're as surprised as you. We were … in the area, I suppose you could say, when we were instructed to come and pay you a visit immediately."
"Instructed." Jasper hissed the word and my fingers tightened in their grip on him. I let the panic and fear seep from my being hoping he would understand it and stay calm. For me. "Like the pawns you are, you travel the world to fulfil the slightest want of your jaded Masters."
Jane's eyes narrowed and a stream of the blackest of ideas of what I would like to do to her for looking at Jasper that way flooded my mind.
"Severe words from a soldier." She grinned and beside her the pillar that was Felix let out a deep, demeaning chuckle. The anger inside me that would pounce on them both twisted, bound by the thought of Jane's evil burning away at Jasper's mind.
"Though I'm sure it gives you nothing but pleasure," Carlisle's words fell quickly and sharply, the attention of all commanded by him immediately. "We have neither the time nor the inclination to stand here and exchange offences with any of you. You are not welcome here."
Demetri smiled gently and nodded, his courtesy unable to penetrate through the fog that was the memory of the last time we stood before him, when he and his kind tried to destroy us all.
"Of course, we have a purpose and should make it known. Your old friends have a favour to ask of you Carlisle."
"I have no friends where you come from." Carlisle spat, and I could see Esme's fingers tighten where they rested at his chest just as mine had around Jasper who now stood admiring him, but with a surprise at his eyes that never failed me on the rare occasions there was anything in the world able to budge our Father's compassion.
Esme whispered his name, stroking his chest lightly and after looking down at her Carlisle took a deep breath. I wanted to take a look at what was to come from this exchange, but peering into the future would mean that for a time my concentration would be lost; something I was not willing to risk.
"Your house seems so cold and empty." Jane's fierce eyes wandered the room slowly, her childlike face hardened. "Unusual for a coven as large as yours. Tell me Mrs Cullen, where are all your children?" Esme shrunk and I was surprised to realise the loud hiss that broke Jane's wicked smirk was my own. Beside her Felix grinned and looked sideways at Demetri who would surely know where nearly all of Esme's children were.
"Leave. Now." Jasper leaned slowly forward, his dark glare burning into Felix's who was closest to us. My hand stayed on his chest, but I could see the fight in him. This was Jasper staying calm. This was the best he could manage before those he harboured so much hate for.
Felix hissed, leaning closer to meet Jasper's glare.
"Felix. Remember why we are here." At Demetri's words Felix scowled, grunting once before pulling away to stand slightly behind Jane. "Carlisle we've been having some problems. There is a vampire out there who does not share in the respect we all have for our Masters." Jasper scoffed, Demetri's eyes sliding to him before they returned to Carlisle and he continued. "He has now, for the second time attempted to bribe us, this time, in doing so, tainted the Volturi name."
"You are a fool to think there are any of our kind left who believe you are anything but a group of the darkest fiends and dictators." As Jasper spoke Carlisle and Esme moved slightly closer. From the contortion in his face I could see he was losing, Jasper could not tolerate them being here anymore, no matter what the price, his anger and abhorrence wouldn't allow it.
"You are the fool, Cullen." Felix spat our surname like it was poison on his tongue, causing even Esme's eyes to darken. The vast comparison as the shadow of his enormous frame eclipsed mine completely was not lost on me. "The Volturi have reigned for millennia, surviving challenges from those a hundred times greater than your bizarre coven."
The threat hung in the air. We'd always known that when the Volturi walked away from us in the clearing seven years ago, it was not the end. If anything it was just the beginning. Someday something would have to happen to end the quiet struggle between us. In our coven lay those Aro wanted; jems he wished to add to his collection. He would not forget that.
"So how is it you come here looking for help from us?" Jasper's head twisted quickly as mine did. For the slightest moment I thought Rose may have shown up. I could have never believed such a bitter tone could fall from the gentle lips of my adoring Mother.
Carlisle seemed shocked too as he upon his wife. But as his face relaxed there was pride and love; unfathomable love.
I looked back when our visitors did not answer Esme's question. Each of them wore looks of disdain. It was clear, particularly with Jane and Felix that this visit was not one they made happily. Asking for our help was not something either of them felt comfortable with.
"Because our Masters wish to find this individual and stop him once and for all. They trust that any past disagreements you may have had with them will not stand in the way of your collective want to do what is best for our kind." Demetri was a diplomat, that was sure. He was sent as the tactician of this message. But he had not been sent alone, and the brute force of those stood beside him sent a no doubt formulated message. The Volturi were not asking for our help. They were not willing to give us any choice. Despite all that had happened Aro and his group considered themselves our leaders, and were attempting to push us into servitude.
Carlisle, the only one Felix seemed to be addressing directly looked over the three of us slowly. His face was pained; I could see the damage these past months had done to him and how much he hurt. His eyes lingered on Esme as the hand that wore his wedding ring stroked her arm.
"No." I tried to restrain my deep exhale but I was relieved, though I could never really have imagined Carlisle to answer differently.
"Excuse me?" Felix's face dropped, his words less of genuine surprise more of a forceful invitation for Carlisle to change his mind.
"I said no. You can tell Aro that I stood against his tyranny before and I'll do it again. I will never allow his evil or yours to touch my family and we will not act just to please you. Now get out of my house." Jasper beamed and I felt his frame relax beneath my hands. I felt my insides rest a little. Felix went to speak but Jane put a hand to his chest to stop him, her full lips stretched into a grin that exposed her teeth.
"You heard him, Felix. We are not welcome here." She continued to grin as she turned, pulling her bewildered companions with her and moving slowly to the door. Her glowing eyes travelled over her shoulder, peering back at us, "They do not want to find the one who took there little half-breed away."
Jasper was gone, and so was my stomach.
It disappeared to the foot of my body as Jane's words reverberated through our home.
There was one feral cry of aggression and I was pulled from my split-second daze. Jasper had leapt through the air, aiming to crash down on Jane. The anger that had built up since our Renesmee left had exploded inside him. Felix turned and snarled, Demetri keeping composed as he stood behind Jane, who just grinned still as Jasper's body dropped to the floor at her feet.
"No!" I screamed, falling at Jasper's side just as Carlisle and Esme did. He wriggled and grimaced, his beautiful face tensed into agony. Esme screeched his name and Carlisle pleaded with Jane to stop. I couldn't do anything. The pain was crippling. Seeing the one I loved above no other, there was nothing I wouldn't destroy, nobody I wouldn't crush to stop it. My insides burned and my lungs squeezed. Jaspers teeth clenched together, his chest still so no sound of his suffering could carry on his breath. His neck was thick and his body shook and twisted as Jane continued to grin down at him, her evil expression of play setting against her burning eyes.
"Stop it!" Esme was at her feet, flying in Jane's direction with her arms outstretched. Carlisle caught her and held her back just as Jane rose her head, and Jasper fell still. I buried my face into his neck and sucked in the scent of home, crawling onto his chest just as it returned to its familiar motion.
I felt his soothing waves lapping over me as his arms came around and he rose to his feet. Never would I escape that image. I knew that Jasper had known great suffering in his life, but seeing it with my own eyes was a fate worse than any I could personally suffer. And seeing it served with such enjoyment … I knew that there would one day come a time where I would make Jane pay for what she had just done.
I let my feet drop to the floor and held fast to Jasper as we once again stood opposite Jane, Felix and Demtri. We stood closer together now, Esme's hand coming to rest against my shoulder and I felt comforted to feel her body so close beside mine.
"Now, you will listen." Jane still smiled as she spoke and the numb hatred thundered behind the soothing shield Jasper had wrapped me in. She nodded to Demetri, who straightened, returning to his calm politeness.
"The one we seek is named Victor. He was created in the Romanian army and deserted them, something of course we do not feel gives him great hope in his want of joining our coven. This, however has not stopped him in trying numerous tactics. His latest being the promise that he will turn Renesmee over to us for a place amongst us." At her name Jasper's fingers dug tighter into my waist and Esme released a breathy whimper. This was the first news, the first mention of her from anyone outside us that we had had since she left. "He has the gift of seeing any individual's past, and though he is known to have impressive fighting skills it is not felt he belongs with us, or would be of much gain. He is also known to hold a powerful and unyielding grudge to those he feels wronged by. All this taken into account, it has been decided it would be best if her were removed from the picture completely." Demetri spoke the last line so lightly and with a casual grin he could have been discussing the weather. Though I could never see myself fully sharing the Volturi's opinion on anything; this Victor had taken something so unbelievably precious to me that I would probably speak of his death flippantly too.
"So where is he? Where is Renesmee?" Carlisle was in a state that made him most similar to Edward. His features were still and calm, but behind them I could see swirling thoughts and exploding emotions. He was just pushing them back now, like Edward, he was thinking and he was preparing to do what was logical and what would fix everything.
A deep growl rose in Felix's chest, not in anyone particular and Demetri and Jane's eyes shot in his direction briefly.
"His idea that he can bribe us aside, Victor is no fool. In his attempts to make this deal with us he never once made direct contact, he never even came close. Instead he let the word spread, leaving information in vastly various places with those whose allegiances are to none but themselves until it reached Volterra. I … have never been close enough to him that I could track him." Demetri's mouth clenched, a chink in his polite façade. Clearly I was not the only one who faced intense irritation when my powers left me wanting. "He has made no contact with anyone for months now, and from what little we have been able to gather from various Nomads, Victor no longer posses that which he would use for leverage. "
"But Renesmee!" Esme gasped, shaking her head as worry and fear creased her features. Where could she be now? And what horrible mess had she gotten herself into?
"I find her impossible to find also." At this all three scowled. If Demetri could have just found Renesmee after learning she no longer had us around her, it would have removed the middle man completely.
My thoughts raced. If Bella took away Nessie's shield then Demetri could find her. We would know where she was, but then so would he, and I knew Bella, just as we all would, would never want Renesmee in the hands of the Volturi, even if it meant she was never in ours again. "Two nomads; a Mary and a Randall we believe were some of the last we had contact with."
"Yes, yes, we know them." Carlsile nodded, all traces of his anger seemed forgotten, he only had one thing on his mind now. We'd all known we wanted to find Renesmee at any cost, we just never imagined it would mean listening ardently to the Volturi.
"And we believe they will help you." I watched the three of them carefully. Surely neither would have much problem forcefully extracting information from Nomads? Or could it be they were more aware of their own reputation than they appeared? Killing a dangerous threat was one thing, but submitting peaceful Nomads to torture when there were other options was another.
Aro and his brothers were ruthless, but they were not stupid.
Carlisle nodded and Jane's eyes scoured us again. "My Masters sends their thanks for your co-operation." Her lips twisted into a smile. They had sent thanks, knowing we would not refuse to destroy one who had done this to us. We did the deed, their hands we clean … for now. "And I will deliver you gratitude in return for our aiding in the reuniting of your coven. Aro was so despaired to find you had separated. " She grinned wider and I felt my top lip rise into a snarl.
This was a submission on our part. One we would take willingly, but one Aro would feel great pride in. "Until we meet again Cullens."
Jane twisted slowly, leaving her ominous goodbye on the air as her ruby eyes disappeared from sight. Demetri nodded a goodbye, scowling as he left. Felix just released a slow, quiet chuckle before exiting behind the other two.
We were silent for a moment and Jasper's head dropped to rest against mine. I exhaled deeply and moved even further into his embrace as I closed my eyes. I saw the three of them leave, they would return to Volterra feeling triumphant.
"I can't believe this is happening." I turned to see Esme, staring in the distance, her gentle voice returned. She did not seem overly sad, or joyful, just unsure of how to be.
Jasper's hands came to my cheeks and he manoeuvred my face so that our eyes could meet.
For a moment I was lost in them. I saw only him, only us and it was all that existed in the world.
But it wasn't. All I really needed to survive was Jasper, but what gave me life was his happiness and the happiness we both shared with our family.
"Carlisle, what should we do?" Jasper's eyes stayed with mine until his lips left a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose and he pulled away to face Carlisle.
"I'm not sure. We don't even know if this Victor knows where Renesmee is anymore. But I don't think that matters. What matters is that he is dangerous and he could hurt her, we must not let that remain a possibility." Jasper straightened, his posture returning to that perfect verticality of his.
"So we find him?"
"We … Jasper, I think you'll agree this is something we must do as a family." Jasper nodded and Esme's face fell into her hands. As I moved to embrace her she whimpered, the prospect of her family reassembling overwhelming her. "Alice, do you think you could find out where the others will be?" I nodded quickly. Over the past few months checking the future locations of Edward, Rose, Emmett and Bella had been something I'd done on a regular basis. "Then let's go."
Carlisle and Esme raced out of the front door and Jasper followed behind them. I skipped down the steps quickly after them, but came to an abrupt stop when a vision came.
"Alice? Alice, come on?" Jasper stood at the edge of the trees, beckoning me. I turned away, staring trough the window into the hall where a phone lay one a glass table.
In my vision it rang, and it was most important I answered it. "Come on, Alice. What's wrong?"
I couldn't leave yet, I was expecting a phone call.
Charlie
"Charlie?"
"Hmmm?" My head pulled back when a hand waved slowly in front of it,
"Did I forget anything?" She lifted a skinny piece of paper, turning it in my direction so I could see the little words she'd just scribbled on it. "The groceries. Anything I forgot to put on the list?"
"Oh, uh, I dunno, Sue." She smiled, shrugged and folded the list quickly before sliding it in the back pocket of her jeans.
"It's awful short. Suppose, with just the two of us to feed now, we won't need as much." I waited as she zoned out for a second, staring at nothing before blinking and shaking her head. "But fuelling Leah is Ness' problem now, huh?"
"Sue!"
"Oh, lighten up Charlie." When I groaned she just jumped to her feet and moved the fridge, pulling it open and taking out and handful of beers she took in the living room to stack by my chair for the game. They were all of the "light" variety since my stupid accident and I hated them.
"I still say that not calling and telling anyone was a terrible idea!" I yelled into the other room after her, her footsteps were quick as she came back.
"No, Charlie. It's what she wanted. If Nessie wants to talk to her parents she will, it's her own decision."
"Sue, she's a child." She looked down at the phone that lay inches away from my hand on the table and pulled it away, throwing it down on the counter beside her and sitting down.
"Well she has Leah now, she'll be fine."
"You mean the Leah she threw up against this wall not three weeks ago?" I tapped my fist against the plaster Seth had come over and put in, fixing the Leah shaped hole in our kitchen.
"Charlie, I know- "
"Mom!" There was a bang as the front door flew open, followed by a series of squeaks and scuffles as a pair of boots, wet from the rain stomped through to the kitchen. "Hey Charlie. Mom you ready?"
Sue slapped the table with both hands and rose to her feet, reaching up to stroke Seth's cheek as she passed.
"Give me a second, baby."
She walked out and disappeared up the creaking wooden stairs.
"Anything?" Seth pulled out the chair where his mother had sat and lowered himself into it, leaning across the table. I shook my head and he sighed, "It's over two weeks. I can't believe Leah would do something like this!"
"Yeah … well." It seemed daughters really just did like running away. "What about your … your uh, boys, you know. Any of them heard from her?" I didn't like thinking about it, but I'd heard these kids could keep in contact without the use of anything but their own damn minds.
"Yeah, Quil's keeping his ears open for her. Her and Jake." I waited for a second, not sure if silence was best now Seth looked sorta sad.
"You still not talkin' to him?" Billy had been pretty cut up about some huge fight the pair of them had gotten into when Ness went missing. He'd told me it was best not for me to know the details, so I guess it wasn't exactly fists like mine or his that were being thrown around.
"No. Nobody's talked to him. I do worry about him though ….he's my best friend." Seth stared down at his fingers and I cleared my throat, listening out for Sue to hurry up and come back down.
After a minute the stairs creaked again and she was in the Kitchen pulling on her coat,
"Come on Seth, lets go get some groceries." Seth jumped up and waved,
"Cya, Charlie." I nodded a goodbye and Sue leaned over the table.
"You need help gettin' into the living room?" I rolled my eyes,
"Goddamnit, Sue. I'm not a cripple." She rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue,
"If you say so … Oh and Charlie …" When I looked up she was by the counter, waving the phone in my direction, "I mean it, leave it alone."
{--}
By halftime the beers were gone and Sue still wasn't back. She usually headed round to Seth's to cook dinner for him and that little fiancée of his. I figured she'd be doing that even more now Leah was gone.
In the kitchen I rooted through the fridge, finding only goddamn "light" beers and junk from the health kick Sue was trying to drag me into.
I opened a fresh one and stared at the phone. Dr Cullen's wife called sometimes so her number was in there. Someone really had to be told about what Ness was up to.
The beer in my bottle splashed when I jumped a little from the ringing sound. I cursed and reached for it,
"Hello."
"Charlie!" I recognised the little pixie right away. Little Alice Cullen. "Charlie, you were going to call here?"
I slammed the bottle down, how the heck would she know something like that? "Hello? Charlie? Is there something you need to tell me?"
I thought about what Sue said. But then I remembered my Nessie and how different she looked, how unfamiliar those eyes, her Mother's eyes were.
"Yeah … Nessie was here."
So now the Cullens know where Ness was when she saw Renee, she has Leah, and where Victor was last time he said he had her.
Theyre closing in.
But ... they dont know exactly where she is ... unlike a russet hunka wolf boy heading straight for her.
Next chap should be up ... gah, Im not sure. Gotta lot of stuff to put in place and resolve so Jake can arrive and ruin it all! ;)
Love ya!
