CHAPTER TWELVE

THE CHASE BEGINS

Storm clouds gathered in the sky as I saw Bella and Edward pulling up in the Jeep. Jasper and Rosalie fought over the first to bat as I stood with Esme. She was helping wrap me in a brown jacket. Esme, Emmett and I went to greet Bella and Edward.

"Good thing you're here, Bella," Esme smiled, "We need an umpire."

Emmett grinned crookedly, "She thinks we cheat."

"I know you cheat," Esme pushed him away. She pulled Bella over by me behind the home plate, "Call 'em as you see 'em, Bella."

Jasper came over to me, "You gonna cheer me on, darling?"

I grinned, pecking his lips, "Only if you win. If you loose, I'll deny being your personal cheerleader."

Jasper gave me a sarcastic look, "I see how it is."

Alice grinned as lighting and loud thunder cracked, "It's time."

The way they played was extraordinary. Bella and I stayed by Esme who was playing catcher. Alice pitched with a speed unmatched by any car or cheetah. Edward and Emmett would smashed into each other in the outfield and when they collided a loud crack would ensue that rivaled the thunder.

The same sound resounded when Rosalie smashed the ball with the aluminum bat.

"Now I get why you need the thunder," Bella told Esme.

The ball shot like a meteor deep into the forest. Edward disappeared into the treeline after the ball.

"That has to be a home run," Bella guessed.

Esme looked skeptical, "Edward's very fast."

Rosalie darted around the bases. She was such a blur that I couldn't keep track of her. The next second I noticed Edward come back into the field and whipping the bat back to home plate. Esme caught it easily just before Rose slid in.

Bella blushed, "Yer out?"

Rosalie faced off Bella as she stepped off the plate.

I kissed Jasper before his turn, "Hit it out of the ball park."

Jasper smashed the ball into the air. Edward and Emmett both took a dive for it 15 feet into the air. The both called for it, not paying attention to each other, and they smashed together in the air. The fell to the ground, laughing as the ball fell to the ground.

My boyfriend got a home run.

Alice suddenly gasped, "Stop!"

They all froze. Edward appeared at Bella's side, seeing into Alice's mind. Everyone gathered at the home plate. Jasper gathered me into his arms and tugged on the rubber band in my hair, "Take it out."

His tone scared me but I did as he asked.

"They heard us playing," Alice told the family, "They want to play too."

Edward looked down at Bella, "Put your hair down like Heather."

Bella scrambled to fan her hair around her neck as Rosalie sneered, "Like that'll help. I could smell her from across the field."

But she was ignored as Edward arranged Bella's hair, "I shouldn't have brought you here. I'm so sorry."

Bella's eyes widened as I looked at Jasper, "What's going on?"

He looked pained and furioius - almost lethal - but before he could answer we all saw three figures emerging from the tree line. One was a rough looking man with nothing but low riding jeans and a leather jacket with many rips and pins in them. He had a woman close to him. She had fiery red hair in tight ringlets, dressed in cargo pants, a green halter top and an enormous fur coat across her shoulders. They both had messy hair that looks like they've been sleeping on the ground. The third person was a man with dark ebony skin and dark dreadlocks wearing a smooth jacket, no shirt and dark wash jeans. They were all barefoot and had matching scarlet red eyes that looked sinister and evil compared to the Cullen's gold eyes.

The dark skinned vampire held out a baseball, "I believe this belongs to you."

He threw to ball to Carlisle who smiled politely, "Thank you."

The man smiled, "I'm Laurent. This is Victoria and James."

Carlisle smiled, "This is my wife Esme. My daughters Alice, Rosalie, Bella and Heather. And my sons Edward, Emmett and Jasper. We maintain a permanent residence here."

Laurent looked surprised, "Really? Well, our apologies. We didn't realize. But don't worry, we were just passing through."

The red head grinned, "The humans were tracking us, but we led them East."

I dug myself into Jasper's side, fearful and terrified that these human drinkers would realize that I really was human. Carlise thanked them politely.

Laurent then gave a hopeful look, "So... could you use three more players?"

Carlise smiled, "Of course. A few of us were leaving. You could take their place."

Jasper was tugging me to follow Edward and Bella to the jeep. But just as they were turning to go, the wind picked up, blowing her hair out.

James sniffed the air, freezing. He took a shuddering breath as his eyes locked on Bella, "You brought a snack."

Edward crouched in front of Bella, growling at James. Jasper pushed me behind him, standing rigidly. James crouched down, face to face with Edward, snarling back.

Carlise and the others gathered in front of us, "The girls are with us."

Laurent attempted to diffuse the situation, "We won't harm her."

"I think it best if you leave," Carlisle said heavily.

"Yes, I can see the game is over," Laurent looked disheartened, "We'll go now. James?"

But James' eyes didn't leave Edward's for a second. Laurent shoved a hand on his shoulder, pulling him away. Once they were gone, Esme started gathering the bats.

"Get Bella out of here," ordered Carlisle, "We'll follow them." Jasper snarled at his father, "I should go rip their hearts out!"

Carlisle put a hand on his shoulder, "I know you want to. But you're too emotional now, not thinking straight. Think of Heather, she needs you with her right now."

He, Emmett and Rosalie raced off after the three vampires. Edward scooped Bella up and ran her to the jeep. Jasper had to take a moment to calm down, so I kept my distance. He kissed my forehead, "Get on my back." I obeyed and suddenly we were bursting through the forest. The trees whipped by and I had to close my eyes to keep myself from getting sick.

I heard Jasper whisper when the motions stopped, "Open your eyes."

I did so and noticed that we were in front of my house. I looked at Jasper confused, "What's going on?"

Jasper sighed painfully, "James will come after Bella. There's a chance he'll come after you too. And I can't risk that by letting you stay here with Bianca and your father. He'll track you here. And you won't be protected."

"I can't let anything happen to them!" I shouted.

Jasper sighed, "I know. That's why you have to tell your dad that you're staying over at our house. Do anything you can to convince him. Pack a bag. Meet me by your car in five minutes."

I nodded and rushed into the house. I saw dad and Bianca on the couch watching one of her shows. Dad looked at me with a confused expression, "Heather? You're back early."

Bianca rushed over to me, "Heta!" I scooped her up in my arms and addressed my dad, "Yes, well Alice and Rose invited me to stay the night. Girls night. That kind of stuff, you know. Is that alright?"

Dad nodded, still perturbed, "Sure... are you alright, Heather? You seem... shaken."

I nodded, "I'm fine. Just eager to get back. I'll call to check in later."

I quickly packed at bag as Bianca followed me around my room and asked, "Where are you going, Heta?"

I spared her a side glance as I shoved random clothes into my duffel bag I kept out, "Just out, sweetie. Don't worry, okay? Why don't you go back to watching TV with Dad?"

Bianca didn't look happy but she trudged out of my room. I ran down the stairs and threw the door open, calling out, "I'm going now. Bye dad!"

I faintly heard Dad and Bianca saying bye but I just jumped into my car. Jasper appeared beside me, "Scoot over. I'm driving."

I did so and he whipped my car out of the drive way, speeding down the road.

When we got back to the house, Edward and Bella were face with Laurent, Carlisle in between them.

"What is he doing here?" I asked as we walked in through the front door.

"He came to warn us about James," Carlisle told me.

Laurent addressed Carlisle, "I've grown tired of his games. But he's got unparalleled senses, absolutely lethal. I've never seen anything like him in 300 years. And Victoria, will back. Don't underestimate her."

Carlisle nodded thankfully to him. Laurent gave Edward an apologetic look, "I'm truly sorry for what's been unleashed here." He moved off then, disappearing into the woods.

Jasper led me after them into the garage them. It held the Volvo, the red BMW, a black Mercedes sedan and an SUV. Everyone but Rosalie sprung into action, preparing for whatever was about to go down. They loaded the vehicles with supplies and Jasper told his family, "I've had to fight our kind before. We're hard to kill."

I gave him an incredulous look. I didn't know that. I heard Edward saying, "But not impossible. We'll tear him up-"

"And burn the pieces," Emmett finished.

"I don't relish killing another creature," Carlisle said, "Even a sadistic one like James."

"If he doesn't get to one of us first," Rosalie muttered.

I was still staring at Jasper. He must have felt my look because he looked back down at me on instinct. The question in his eyes met the blankness in mine.

"This is insane," Bella shouted, "You can't put yourselves in danger like this – for me."

"Too late," Rosalie growled.

Edward shot her a look – that I noticed because I finally tore my eyes away from Jasper – but he grabbed two sets of keys off a hook. He threw one set to Carlisle, "I'll run Bella south, while you lead the tracker away-"

"No, Edward – the tracker thinks you won't leave Bella. He'll follow you," Carlisle told him.

"I'll go with Bella," Alice volunteered, "Jasper and I will drive her south. I'll keep her safe, Edward."

Edward looked agonized, frustrated. He studied her, "Can you keep your thoughts to yourself?"

She nodded and tore the keys out of his hands. Edward opened Bella's suitcase and threw some clothes to Esme and Rosalie, "Esme, Rosalie, put these on so the tracker will pick up Bella's scent."

Rosalie dropped the clothes to the ground, "Why should I? What is she to me? Just a danger you've inflicted on us-"

Carlisle interrupted her sternly, "Rosalie. Bella is with Edward. She's a part of this family now. And we protect our family. If it were Heather, what would you do?"

Rosalie glowered, picking up the clothes. Carlisle hit the door opener and the noisily rolled open.

"What about Heather?" Rosalie asked, still glaring at Edward and Bella.

Esme nodded, "Yes, where will she go?"

"She'll go with us," Jasper swore, wrapping an arm around me protectively.

"It'd be making it too easy for him to put both the humans together," Rosalie scoffed.

"Well I don't see any other options!" I finally spoke up, "It's either I go with them or I stay here in Forks where he could easily get me. And I for one like option one a lot better." I ripped myself away from Jasper and shoved my bag into the trunk of the car Edward was seating Bella into.

The Cullens were quiet at my outburst but the hurried to finish loading the cars.

I got into the front passengers seat as Jasper got into the driver's seat. Edward said a goodbye to Bella while Alice slid in beside her in the back. I sat rigid and stiff in my seat as we sped off.

Jasper's eyes shot to me every other second before he finally asked, "What's wrong, Heather?"

I looked out the window, "I'm scared."

I felt Jasper's ice cold hand take my over heated one as he said to the back of my head, "I won't let anything happen to you. I swear. I'd rather die than lose you."

I sighed, looking over at me. I slid closer to him and laid my head on his shoulder, "I know. That's what I'm scared of."

I fell asleep on the long car ride. Everything caught up to me and I was so exhausted. Jasper softly woke me up when we pulled up to a hotel. After we checked into a room with two beds, he laid me in one. When he turned to go I grabbed his hand. He looked down at me silently, knowing I wanted him to stay. He slowly laid his body on top of the covers beside me. I laid my head on his chest and closed my eyes.

And here's the action! What do you think will happen to Heather? Will James kill her? Will James turn her? Hmm...

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