"Secrets are made to be found out with time." - Charles Sanford

"I guess it's best to just start off at the beginning. Rose?" Emmett gave the floor to her as he sat back against the sofa with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Jasper knew of your feelings for Alice long before we left." She started. "At the time, he only shared it with Edward, mainly because he had to, since his gift and all. At first, Edward didn't believe Jasper, thinking he was just looking too deep into things. Then James attacked and you spent so much time with Alice as you recovered, that it aggravated Jasper to no end, and when Edward would come see you, you'd be distant. He started to believe Jasper, and it was apparent that he didn't want to lose his wife, and Edward didn't want to lose you to someone else...so from that, they hatched their plan for all of us to leave."

"Trying to convince us that it was for your own good, and that you were much better off without us. I knew there was something more behind it, but I never said anything to anyone else. I'm sure Edward knew of my doubts, so he avoided me as much as possible so I wouldn't question him. The rest of them, including Emmett and I, wanted to stay here in Forks, Alice being the most vocal about not wanting to leave you. That made them even more motivated to get us all to leave. And, in the end, Edward got his way, and Jasper used his gift to persuade Alice."

"When we left, everyone, save for Edward, stayed together in Alaska. He went his own way, and scarcely contacted us. About three months ago, all of a sudden Jasper decided that he and Alice needed some time alone to "reconnect" with each other...so they left too. Unlike Edward though, I talk to Alice quite often. She's been keeping tabs on you this whole time, you know. She's seen how much you've been hurting, and she's wanted to come back, but Jasper always influences her into staying with him. Even this time, when it was life or death for you..."

I clenched my fists together at the though of Jasper controlling Alice with his gift. I never thought that he could be so cruel...

"When she had the vision of you jumping off the cliff, she called me immediately, talking so fast even I could barely understand her. Jasper wouldn't let her go...and since we were separated, we weren't there to help Alice talk any sense into him. So, instead of wasting time arguing about it over the phone, Emmett and I decided to come for you. I may not show it, but I do care for you, Bella."

When I looked in her eyes, they were the softest I've ever seen, but also filled with sadness and regret.

"We only found out the truth about this not that long ago, when Emmett and I confronted Edward when he came back for a short visit. I was very angry at the real reason they both had us all leave, and it took all that was in me not to rip his fucking head off for it. The rest of us consider you family, and well, I just hope you can forgive us someday..."

My mind was spinning with this information. I had my strong suspicions that they left because of my feelings towards Alice, and now I had my conformation. But now...what to do?

"I'm sure she saw it, but I still called her after I got you back here to tell her that you were alright. You should have heard the relief in her voice...but it still had a sad ring to it. I know that she wants more than anything to see you again. The thing is, Jasper knows that Alice isn't his true life-mate, but he doesn't want to be alone." Rose finished.

"I never thought they were right for each other anyway." Emmett said. "Jazz is very old-fashioned. He thinks the wives should do everything the husband says without question, but you know little Ali. She always has gone with the beat of her own drum. Since we all left, I've never seen and heard her more depressed. She was always the bubbly, happy-go-lucky one, and now..."

I could see heartbreaking look in both their eyes as he talked about Alice. I hated to think that Jasper was holding her against her will and using his gift to make her comply with him. If I hated him then, I detest him will every fiber of my being now. How dare he.

"She was at her happiest when she was with you...and I'll do anything to get her that happy again. Both of you."

"So what are we going to do about Jasper?" I asked. "It's so wrong for him manipulate her like that."

"We know...the thing is, we have no idea where they are. Or else I would have been there long ago, beating the crap outta him."

"Me too." Rose chimed in.

"Wait...you don't know where they are?"

The shook their heads.

"Why didn't they tell you? Why didn't Alice...?"

"Jasper wants them to be alone. So if she tried to tell us, he would stop her. And if she even did manage to tell us, he would move them before we could get there. I assume that Alice will see this conversation in a vision, so she knows to keep quiet so we can find a clue as to where they are." Emmett finished.

"How do we find some clues then?"

"We?"

"Yes. If you're going to go look for her, then I'm coming as well."

"Bella-"

"No arguing with me. My mind is set. You're taking me with you." I demanded.

"What about your father?"

"I'll leave him a note saying I left, and I'm not sure when I'll be back. I'm eighteen, so I'm legally free to leave whenever."

"And what about school?"

"We're on break right now, for two weeks. But I could always go back, or get my GED if we're gone too long. Please, I need to come."

They looked at one another, talking with their eyes for a few moments, before turning back to me.

"Okay...but you need to relax for a bit, you're in no condition to be traveling heavily." She pointed out.

"After you aren't as sore, and are feeling better...then we'll start looking, okay?"

I nodded my head, having no other choice. She was right, I couldn't leave now, since I had to be carried everywhere so I wouldn't hurt myself. I knew the wait would be the worst part, but as long as I got to see Alice in the end...this will all have been worth it.

"So back to my question...how do we find some clues?"

"We already tried finding them by the GPS on their phones, but Jasper must have disabled it. So, if we go around to some covens we know, they'll know if they had been in the area, and if so, maybe they can give us a hint at where they went."

Made sense. I just wondered how long it would take before we would get a solid lead.

"Now that that's settled...would you like me to fix you something else to eat? And something for Charlie when he gets home?"

"He's not coming home tonight, that's why I picked today to...you know. But nothing for now...I'm just super tired." I croaked out.

I'm sure I had purple bags under my eyes to prove it. Since they left, I hadn't been sleeping more than a few hours a night...so I had some catching up to do. My throat was beginning to hurt again from the lack of lubricant, and I felt more exhausted than ever. My eyes drooping as I thought about it, and yawning, as if on cue.

"Let's get the human to bed." Rose announced. "You're bedspread in in the wash, so would you rather sleep in your father's room, or here on the couch?"

I didn't even think about it before I answered. "Couch." Charlie wasn't the most clean person in the world, not to mention it would just feel weird sleeping in there.

He would be worse off if I wasn't...here. Sure, I was pissed earlier at Rose for saving me...but now, I was thankful. I wouldn't have known the whole truth, of them leaving, and of Jasper forcing Alice to do what he wants. I wouldn't have had a chance to save her, or to see her again. While I was lost in my thoughts, Rose had gone to fetch me a blanket from the closet, and a pillow from my bed. And was in front of me waiting to move. Emmett got up and walked behind the couch, giving me room to lay down. My body hurt like hell, but I pushed through it for a few seconds before I got into a comfortable enough position for her to lay the blanket over me.

I've never seen Rose so...maternal. Not to say that I didn't like it...I did. But it was just such a contrast from her normal hard self. I wished she'd let others see this side of her more, but I doubt that will happen. I think she likes to keep up her bitchy/bad girl image...but at least I know the truth. She can be softy, and that alone, makes me smile.

She pushed a stray hair from my face, her cold fingers lingering on my skin, in an affectionate gesture before she pulled away nervously...as if just realizing what she was doing. She busied herself by going into the kitchen and getting me a cold glass of water, which I was much appreciative of. It soothes my throat again to where it didn't hurt, and my head collapsed on the pillow behind me.

"We're going back to the house to change our clothes. Are you going to be okay? You're not going to try something while we're gone, right?" She asked with concern.

I furrowed my brow before I spoke. "Why would I try anything, now that I have something to live for?"

I wasn't going to let Alice down. I wasn't ever going to stop looking until I found her.

"You'll be back though...right? Tonight, I mean."

All she did was give me a nod and a slight smile, then followed Emmett out the front door. Never had I thought my day would have gone the way it did. I was supposed to be dead, but now...I was recovering before we made the trip to save my little vampire from her controlling husband. This was going to be an adventure, to say the least. Whether it will turn out good or bad, I couldn't say yet.

/-/

It was dark. Cold and dark. I didn't know where I was, but I had a really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"This is all because of you..." A man's voice pierced the darkness.

My heart started pounding as I started backing up, away from where the voice came from.

"You just had to ruin it, didn't you?"

This time, I recognized the voice. Even though I still couldn't see him, I definitely knew now, that this wasn't going to end well.

"Don't touch her, or I swear to God, that I will kill you myself." A higher voice said from behind me.

I turned around to find Alice approaching rather fast, then once in front of me, bending her knees in a defensive position and hissing at him.

"Oh, Alice..." He started. "You could have prevented this, you know."

Finally, he got close enough this time to where I could see his outline, and his vibrant ruby eyes. He was started to remind me of James, and how he talked to me in that ballet studio. Playing with his prey...

"It's not her fault." I spoke up.

I saw those ruby eyes look at me now, surprised that I actually said something.

"That's right. It's yours. And you should be punished for it..."

"Shut up, Jasper. I will tear you limb from limb if you even look at her the wrong way!" Alice growled.

He laughed at her as he took a step to the side, as did she. I backed up more until I hit a hard surface, which felt like a wall.

"I wouldn't try to escape, Bella. You'd be dead before you even took to steps...such a fragile little human."

Alice growled once more, this time I could see she was really holding herself back from attacking him.

"Same goes for you, Alice. I have all the right cards in my hand...while you have none."

"Don't you touch her!" I yelled at him.

"And what are you going to do about it, Bella? You're a human. A weak, little, human that thinks she can take on a vampire? Pfft. Although it would be quite an entertaining game."

Alice growled again, this time so loud it echoed a few times before there was silence again.

"What happened to you?" I choked out.

He stopped his movements and his eyes bore into mine. His lips quivering in anger for a second.

"You happened."

Just then he took his eyes off me and lunged at Alice. It must have been a split decision, because she wasn't prepared for it. She dodged a few of his swipes, but he was a much more experienced fighter than her, and got her in a headlock quickly.

"Don't, please! Just stop!" I cried out.

Alice's scared eyes met mine for a second before he smiled, and jerked his hands in opposite directions, taking her head off clean.

"No!"

A/N: Whoa, dream sequence. But is it just a nightmare, or a hint at what is to come? Hm...I'll leave you to ponder. See you next chapter!