I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

CH. 17: Wakey, Wakey!

(EPOV)

2006

My eyes jolted open and for the third time in my memory I felt disorientated as to where I was. Thoughts crowed my mind from my family, who were equally bewildered with what just happened.

Why, didn't she wake up? She told me to do it. Please tell me I didn't screw up, again. Emmett's mind registered with me the most. Wait! Emmett… my eyes scanned the area to spot him standing by the now put out fire. Rose was there too, from what I could see. Emmett's concern was in the front of my mind. His worried eyes were on me… no Bella.
She was still out cold in my arms. Her steady breathing and heartbeat told me she was alive though.

"Love, wake up." I begged, shaking her lightly and kissing her forehead. Where did all the blankets come from? I pushed them to the side. "Love, open your eyes and look at me."

"Five more minutes," she pouted adorably and sleepily. I was relieved to hear her beautiful voice.

"Now, sweetheart." I chuckled.

"I don't wanna." She mumbled groggily, she tried to snuggle deeper into my arms.

"Hey, Bells, everyone staring at yah and you're talking in your sleep. I can't tell you all the juicy things that I now know." Emmett teased relieved that she was responding at last. "Wakey, Wakey."

Bella's eyes flew open in shock and she tried to sit up fast, but my arms prevented her. I helped her sit up, but I didn't let go of her. She still seemed dazed.

"Emmett," she was looking at him strangely as if he was a figment of her imagination,

"The one and the only," He smiled widely. Bella rubbed her eyes looking extremely exhausted and leaned into me for support.

"Great, what did I say? I was having one messed up dream." She looked embarrassed.

"I don't think it was quite a dream." I told her. We were vampires, we couldn't dream or sleep. Or at least we weren't supposed to.

"Wait, then it really happened." She struggled to get away from me. I didn't understand why she was so upset that she tying to get away from me.

"Bella, love, calm down. Everything is alright." I tried to sooth her.
"Edward, let go, I shouldn't be so close to you when my back is bleeding." She explained still disorientated.

"Bella, you aren't bleeding, trust me." Carlisle spoke up looking at her in concern then down at himself. He was literally soaked. "But I would like to know why I'm the only one all wet." Bella relaxed against me I was more concerned why she thought she was bleeding than why Carlisle was the only one wet.

"Yeah, sorry about that." Emmett looked sheepish. I struggled not too laugh at the image in his head. "Once we were awake, I tried to wake you. I figured you would be the least likely to get mad if I threw water on you." Bella shook with silent laughter as she hid her face in my shoulder.

"Thank you for stopping him." I thanked Rose. I realized she was the one responsible for trying to make sure Bella stayed warm. Bella looked up at me with questions in her eyes.

"You were apparently next on his list." I told her and she scowled at my smirking brother.

"We are all awake and well, that is all that matters. I'm so glad to see you both again." Esme hugged both Rose and Emmett fiercely. Rose looked tentative; I knew she was still trying to process everything. I felt bad for her that she couldn't have the life that she really wanted. I wasn't sure how she would be now that she had her chance taken from her a second time. I was also concerned how Alice and Rose were going to be after everything that happened.

"I would like to know what is going on," Jasper spoke up. "How did we get here again?"

"You all woke up when I put out the fire, like Bells told me to." Emmett answered.

"When did you figure out that we were not really back in time and that we needed to put out the fire to come back?" Carlisle seemed surprised and impressed that she figured it out. Not too mention that Emmett and Rose were still alive.

"It was unintentional. After Alice and Edward left me at Charlie's, Seth seemed so excited that he just saw the 'Cullens' from their legends. After I told how you couldn't be vampires by squashing myth ideas like coffins and such, he mentioned that he wondered if vision quests were real. I saw the way Jacob reacted funny so I started to ask questions. That is when I pretty much figured out what had happened when we burnt the wood. I realized that there was a good chance Em and Rose were awake if their journey was completed. " Bella was explaining.

"A vision quest…" Carlisle murmured looking thoughtful. Interesting.

"I ran a check of the perimeter and found a new wolf scent. I followed it and found one of the wolves, I'm not sure which one. He confirmed that it was a vision quest. He also claims that Jacob was acting alone. He admitted to crossing the line, their leader told him to come tell us about the wood when they figured out what Jacob did." Emmett spoke up. "Bells had been talking in her sleep here and there, but at some point she started to tell me to put out the fire. At first we thought she might be changing, but we figured out she meant that one." Emmett gestured to the sodden wood.

"I guess this is the one time I'm grateful that I talk in my sleep." Bella mumbled under her breath. But I had to disagree, she first told me she loved me and asked me to stay when I almost left while in her sleep.

"Awww, you wouldn't want anyone to know about Adonis?" Emmett smiled evilly at her. I hid my smirk. I knew about that too, but I hadn't told her. Bella's face flamed as she sank further into me.

"Adonis," Jasper snickered in amusement. She calls you Adonis? I figured if you were to be a Greek god it would be Hermes, due to your speed.

"I hate you," Bella hissed glaring at my giant brother. He looked more amused then upset by it. Which I had to agree, it was amusing to watch small human Bella glare daggers at the biggest one of us.

"No you don't. You missed me. You know you did." He gave her a cheeky smile.

"Like I would miss a pimple." She scoffed, but I could see her eyes twinkling.

"Like the one at the end of your nose?" Emmett retorted snickering as Bella's hand went immediately to her nose. There was nothing there for her to find.

"Alright, enough," Esme interrupted them. She was fighting a smile; she was amused by their banter like the rest of us were.

"None of that explains why you thought you were bleeding." I stated as she started to nervously bite her lip. "What happened? Did Jacob hurt you?" I demanded. She fidgeted nervously and I felt my anger grow. The dog was going to die this time.

"He didn't mean to. He got upset when Seth was telling me everything and started shaking really bad. Seth was too close to him so I went to push him out of the way just as Jake phased and he got my back. I thought he was going to kill Seth and it would've been my fault." She spoke in a whisper. She looked away from me tensing slightly. "I tried to reach Emmett, because I knew Alice wouldn't have seen anything after Jacob changed. And well…" she trailed off looking uncomfortable. I got where she was going, she could've easily died. I knew I should've ran back and watched from the shadows, but I was worried my presence would have made things worse than better. I wrapped my arms around her tighter.

I opened my mouth to lecture her that she shouldn't have risked her life like that. As bad as it sounds she had to stop putting others before her. I could have lost her. Edward, leave her alone, her heart was in the right place. She's fine, no real harm was done. Carlisle gave me a quick glance. I sighed and buried my nose into her hair, breathing in her sweet scent to calm me.

"Well, I'm pleased to see everyone is safe and sound." Carlisle spoke up. "I'm sorry, Rosalie, that you didn't get a chance at a human life."

I glanced at Rose who was staying quiet in the background.

"I guess it was never meant to be. I'm still having trouble accepting it, but I had to try." She glanced at me. Is Alice still mad at me? I tilted my head side to side, since it was more hurt that Alice was feeling, not anger.

"Alice, I'm sorry I was bitch with you about it, I didn't mean to hurt you. I know you meant well." Rose turned to the abnormally quiet Alice.

"You mean you don't blame me for it not working out or not going back for you?" Alice asked skeptically. She wasn't really looking at Rose but the ground.

"No, I made my own decisions. I have only myself to blame. You did try to warn us. I just didn't want to hear it because I didn't want to find out that I would come so close to having a human life for it to be taken from me again. Turns out it would have been a tease anyways, because none of it really happened." She said bitterly. What if I did end up having a baby in that quest only for it to be taken away? I hate that mutt.

"I'm sorry too, Rose, that you didn't get your chance. My human family has made me bitter about having my visions ignored. I'm sorry I took it as a personal rejection and flew off the handle on you. I couldn't fathom losing the family I love and was unreasonable myself. You're not mad that we didn't go back a second time?" Alice questioned. The rest of us tensed. We have all felt guilty one time or another for not going back that night.

"You did what she asked. It worked out for the best anyways. We needed to put that fire out so this whole thing would end. Hell, thanks to that dog, Victoria could've sneaked up on us." Emmett answered for her. Alice looked relieved, but I knew things weren't quite the same between her and Rose anymore. Hopefully one day they will be.

"The wolf did say something interesting though. Apparently Jacob never expected us or him to go on the journey. It was just meant for Bella. Plus, I guess you need souls to go on them." Emmett looked at me then at Bella.

"What are you looking at me for? I already knew you had souls," Bella shrugged but I saw a hint of a smug smile. I tugged slightly on her hair.

"I already had fairly good idea from reading his mind to what he was up to," I nodded my head too.

"Please tell me that mutt is not going to get away with this?' Rose demanded.

"I will contact the elders or Sam about this situation. I don't want it to lead to war, but I agree, something needs to be done to make sure Jacob leaves Bella alone." Carlisle spoke up. "Alice, have you seen anything?" His worry was similar to Emmett's that we had been left as sitting ducks.

Alice closed her eyes to check on things. She had been keeping her eyes on a lot recently. Bella slumped into me looking half asleep. This vision quest obviously took a lot out of her. I was going to tell Alice no about shopping. Alice frowned and scowled at me.

Stop making decisions, I need to see. I agree though, I won't make her go today.

She had found nothing so far, but decided to check on Charlie to reassure Bella, because she did see her asking about him. She froze and her eyes opened wide locking with mine. Jasper sat up more alert instantly with our shift in moods.

"When?" I hissed.

"Now," Alice whispered. I will explain and take care of her, go! I stood up immediately and Alice was at my side to hold the slumping Bella. Bella looked more alert as she started to look around. I took off towards Bella's house hoping to make it in time.

"Edward?!" Bella called from behind me. I knew she would be upset that I left like I did, but I'm sure she would be more upset if something happened to Charlie.

"What is going on? Is it Victoria?" Jasper was behind me as was Carlisle and Emmett.

"No, it's a new vampire. Alice saw him sneaking into the Swan's house." I answered.

"A new one, damn it, that is all we need." Emmett gruffed.

"I'm assuming Charlie is there," Carlisle asked.

"Yes," I answered picking up speed.

BS&EC

I paused in the edge of the woods as I started to pick up the boy's thoughts.

My brothers and father paused beside me and waited for my instruction.

"He has no plans to harm Charlie." I whispered softly with a sneer on my face. He was in Bella's room touching her things. I didn't like it at all. Why was he collecting an arm load of her clothes? Rage started to build in me. What's going on? Jasper was concerned about my anger.

"What is he doing then, did he pick up your scent and decide to investigate?" Carlisle asked. I shook my head.

"He is collecting some of Bella's things. He wants her scent for others." It came out in a hiss. It seemed like for a bunch of newborns. Jasper seemed to be right about Seattle.

"Well he's not getting far." Emmett snarled from next to me.

"Wait for him to come out. We will corner him." Jasper spread some calming influence.

It didn't take long before he appeared jumping out of her window like I normally did with her stuff in a pillow case. I admitted a low growl and his head snapped in our direction before he took off running. Apparently he was over confident about himself, thinking he could get away.

However, still newborn strength or not, he was no match for my speed. I caught up with him easily. I grasped him by the shoulder and threw him backwards into Emmett's waiting embrace. He wrapped the newcomer in a bone crushing backwards hold, although it was far from welcoming.

"These doesn't belong to you." Jasper grabbed the pillow case and tossed it to me. Stay calm, we need information from him before you destroy him.

"Who are you?" I snarled.

"I'm not telling you anything?" he spat angrily; he tried unsuccessfully to get out of Emmett's arms.

"Try all you want, but our brother here is one of the strongest vampires. You will only hurt yourself." Jasper and Emmett chuckled darkly.

I saw a flash of Victoria in his mind. I tensed. She was behind a newborn army apparently being built in Seattle.

"What do you know about Victoria?" I hissed taking a step closer to him.

"I don't know who you're taking about," he spoke narrowing his eyes.

"Yeah, I think you do," I insisted. Shit, he must be the mind reader.

"Yes, I'm the mind reader. Might as well talk, we have our ways to get the information out." I glanced quickly at Jasper to play with the boy's emotions a bit.

"Edward, let's not be hasty. There's no need for violence." Carlisle spoke up. He was hoping to defuse this without violence.

"Carlisle, he and Victoria have been starting a newborn army in Seattle with the soul purpose to destroy us." I didn't take my eyes off the boy for a minute. Are you sure, son?

I nodded and Carlisle looked grim and angry. I knew it. Jasper was shaking his head.

"How many are there?" Jasper spoke up.

"I'm not telling you anything." He refused. "You brought this on to yourselves." I scoffed at his thoughts. Victoria has been manipulating this poor boy. She must have figured out that Alice could see her decisions so she was using him.

"He wasn't her friend. James was her mate. She has been playing you from the start." I smirked at him.

I watched the boy frown and shook it off, he didn't believe me.

"It's the truth and we didn't kill him over territory. He tried to kill my mate and almost succeed. We killed him for that. As vampires we have only one mate. She has been using you to get what she wants. She doesn't love you." I told him.

"Lies," he hissed struggling against Emmett. Emmett squeezed harder, you could hear him crushing Riley's body. He let out a yelp.

"We hunt animals to start, not humans. We try to hide our existence from the humans. What you have been doing is leading to exposure, which is dangerous for our kind." Carlisle tried to reason with him.

Lies all of it. The older one is suppose to be a softy, maybe I can convince him I changed my ways. I will get back to Victoria and we will kill them all. His thoughts spoke loud and clear. He was no good at all blocking me.

I lunged forward and ripped his head from his body tossing it on the ground. Carlisle sighed in disappointment. Was that necessary?

We needed more info. Jasper was disgruntled.

"Yes, Carlisle. He couldn't hide his true thoughts from me. He thought if he lied about changing his ways to you, you would let him go and he would just go back to Victoria. He wasn't going to offer up any more information just lies." I was unapologetic as I pulled a lighter from my pocket and lit the head on fire. Emmett shrugged and started to pull the remained of the body apart and add it.

"Did you get any idea of how large the army is or when?" Jasper sighed worriedly. He wanted the statistics to help plan the next strategic move.

"He was thinking about twenty or so. The numbers keep changing. They had no plans on when though. They wanted to see how this would go. The purpose of this trip was to see if they could sneak around Alice's visions. Because of that dog, we might have missed this. He would have been in and out and we wouldn't have known why an unknown vampire was at her house. He was collecting her things to send all those newborn vampires after her vying to see who got dibs to kill her. She hoped to destroy the rest of us as well." I snarled. I grabbed the remaining leg and broke it in half before throwing it on the fire causing sparks to fly up in the air. I wish I could do more than just rip him apart and burn him. He was trying to kill my Bella and deserved to suffer.

"Edward, we will protect her and not let anything happen to her." Carlisle placed a hand on my shoulder.

"How? The odds are against us, even with Jasper on our side." I shook my head. Other thoughts came to my head and I turned towards the dark woods.

"The wolves are here." I informed the others. Unfortunately there was no Jacob. He was another that deserved a slow torture. Apparently he ran off to Canada licking his wounds.

Sam approached us with two wolves at his flank. I knew there was another four wolves deeper in the woods not too far away.

Carlisle came to stand beside me and my brothers flanked us. The wolves looked warily at us.

"They aren't here to cause problems. They heard the commotion and came to see what it was about." I told my family. We were currently in neutral territory. I had no quarrels with the pack they had no hand in what Jacob had done. He had acted alone.

Edward, I assume you can hear me without me changing to human form. Sam asked, I nodded my head.

Please extend our apologies to your family and to Bella, as well. We had no idea what Jacob was doing until the Spirits had already sent you on your journeys. Our tribe doesn't wish to be at odds with you at this time. We hope that you accept that apology and our treaty is still intact. I could see their earlier conversation with Jacob. Things hadn't gone how he expected at all. He had left mad, running all the way to Canada when the tribe wouldn't stand with him.

"I understand that the tribe isn't behind what Jacob did. But that doesn't mean that Jacob is off the hook. Not only did he try to manipulate her with this journey, he has tried to force himself on her. She's mine and he needs to leave her alone." There were some grumbling growls from the wolves when I called Bella mine.

We don't want this to lead to war. Jacob has been reprimanded for his actions. He won't bother you or Bella again. You have my word.

"I don't fault the tribe, but I can't forgive Jacob so easily." I shook my head. We will support your decision, son. Just keep in mind what Bella would want, you will have to go back and tell her at some point. Carlisle advised me silently.

I am not willing to offer our brother up to you. However, if you can look away from his actions as immature and unrehensible as they were, we will do the same when you change Bella, as long as she wants it willingly.

I paused in thought as I thought over his offer. As much as I wanted to end the dog's life, Bella would be forgiven. So I decided to take a leaf out her book.

"You have a deal. But if he does anything else to her again, all deals are off." I spoke firmly.
That would be understandable.

You killed one of your own?

The wolf, Paul, seemed confused. He kept his eyes on Emmett not trusting him. He glanced at the ashes and back on my giant brother, who was eyeing him as well.

"Yes, he snuck into the Swan's house and was stealing Bella's things. He was working with Victoria." I told him.

We heard part of the conversation. What is a newborn army exactly? Sam was seemingly concerned.

"A group of freshly turned vampires, turned with the sole purpose to fight over territory. During a vampires first year they are at there strongest and have almost no control.

Victoria plans to send them here to destroy us and anything else in their path." I told Sam.

"Sam, I think it may be beneficial for us to work together. We will need help to defeat them, or else once they destroy us, Forks and La Push would be in danger. We have the same goals, we both came close, separately, of destroying Victoria. Together we can end this threat once and for all." Carlisle implored to the Alpha of the wolves.

It was his turn to seem thoughtful as the others verbalized their own opinions. Some were willing to fight while others didn't care if we got destroyed.

Silence! Tell your leader we will be willing to help. We don't need to take risks of any innocents getting hurt. I agree to put our animosity aside for what is good. You may trust in us.

"They will help us." I told Carlisle. He smiled, looking relieved.

"Thank you," Carlisle said graciously.

"Wait, we are going to be fighting with the wolves?" Emmett looked at me in surprise, taking his eyes off of Paul.

"Yes, they will help us fight Victoria's army." I replied.

They will have no idea what they are doing? Jasper warned me. I wasn't too worried about that right now.

"My hope now that we know what we are looking for, that Alice will be able to pinpoint a time. We will be in touch shortly." Carlisle spoke to Sam. Working together may be the answer.

I nodded to Carlisle and picked up Bella's things where we had left them. The wolves started to run off towards their land.
With the exception of a small sandy colored wolf. He came up to the fire and sniffed it and then looked at me expectantly.

You can hear me, right?

"Yes, Seth." I replied curious to what he wanted. His sister remained hidden but stayed behind with him. Seth, you idiot get away from them.

"We won't hurt him, Leah." I glanced at her through the woods then back at Seth.

Thank Bella for me. I know it didn't really happen, but all the same, she did try to save me, so I guess I owe her. I saw the replay of what happened from his mind. Apparently Jacob unconsciously showed them his leg of the vision quest. I cringed at the sight of Jacob catching Bella in the back with his claws. There was extensive blood and if it had been real she may have lost her life.

"I will Seth." I nodded at the kind wolf…boy. Unlike the others, he seemed fairly opened minded about us and didn't have preconceived opinion from his legends. He hurried off to join the others.

"Let's get back. The girls will probably be going crazy with worry by now." Jasper spoke up.

We took off running back to our house with me bringing Bella's things.

"Jasper, I hope you will be willing to train us all, sounds like we are going to need it." Carlisle asked him with a sigh.

"Of course." Jasper agreed.

"Alright, FIGHT…FIGHT… FIGHT…FIGHT!" Emmett chanted like a juvenile boy on a playground. I rolled my eyes and chuckled, he was one in a million, that's for sure.

"Good Grief," Jasper muttered, thought I knew he was looking forward to the fight too.

A/N: Bella didn't wake up immediately because she was asleep, but back from the journey. The vampires woke up immediately since they can't sleep. Both Alice and Rose are on their ways to repairing things.

Riley didn't succeed this time because Alice checked on the house and Charlie at the right moment.

Thank You For All Reviews!

BS&EC
BS&EC
BS&EC

Preview Alert

BS&EC
BS&EC
BS&EC

Preview:

"What nightmares?"

"I don't suppose you can forget I said that?" I whispered.

"Love, don't hide things from me, please. I want to know these things." He rubbed my arms gently.

"It doesn't happen all the time. But some times when you don't spend the night I get nightmares."

"About?" he prompted his voice stayed gentle.

"They are similar to the ones when you were gone." I admitted and I heard him take a sharp breath. "But I know they aren't true." I added quickly.

"Bella, I will never leave you again." Edward said firmly turning me to see him. His eyes were earnest and he was frowning sadly.

"I know, I believe you. It just dreams, I know it'sn't real." I insisted.