CARLISLE

As directed, I wait until Edward is out of 'hearing' range. Jen left an envelope with me. Something is inside. I am very curious, but I focused on other things. Whatever is in the envelope, Jen doesn't want Edward to know about it yet. I left my door open to hear when they leave. The envelope is staring at me from my desk. They finally leave on their missions. I find a letter inside of the envelope.

Carlisle,

I must confess that I have ulterior motives with marking sections. While I did tell you the truth, training witches is dangerous work, the real reason is a little more self-serving. Perhaps the best place to start is the beginning.

As you know, Mary Beth is the oracle. Her visions are set in stone, which is why she gets so few of them. Very often, though, she gets what she calls premonitions. For premonitions, the events surrounding something can change based on peoples actions and choices. The results, however, are always the same. This is important to remember as you read.

Mary Beth paid us a visit not so long ago, as I'm sure you remember. When she first arrived, I didn't think much of it. We are old friends and drop in on each other when we can. However, when Mary Beth and I were alone, she told me the real reason that she was paying me a visit. She had had a premonition about me.

When we go after Jane and Alec tonight, her premonition will happen. I know you are wondering what it was that she saw, but bear with me for a bit. Edward is on the same team as Bella for a reason. They need to get used to working with each other. I know that putting them on the same team is dangerous idea, especially with our targets. But lessons need to be learned by both of them and if it takes someone getting hurt, or dying, then so be it. Yes, I can decide that because I will be the one put in that position. Jen's premonition, you see, is that Edward's overprotective nature will cause Bella to accidentally discharge a particularly nasty spell at me. I will be pretty badly hurt by the spell, I might even die. I don't know how it will all work out as Jen says the premonition abruptly stops after I get hit. That kind of ending means that someone, I don't know who, has a choice to make.

To be on the safe side, I asked you to study the marked passages. I'm sure you have studied them with care. Once you have finished reading this, it might be helpful if you prepared a room for me. The entire underground level of this safe house, and most others, is a miniature hospital. You are familiar, I'm sure, with all the equipment. Know that I have the utmost faith in your medical abilities.

Try not to be too hard on Edward, he can't help himself. He needs to learn that he can't decide what is best for other people. Bella is a strong, capable witch and he needs to realize that. Likewise, Bella needs to learn to let go. Everyone makes mistakes. Changing is hard, especially for immortals. They need to learn and grow together. I know that they belong together. Granted, they will feel horrible when we get back, but hopefully they will talk the whole thing out.

I could dodge the spell, but I won't. The events surrounding them change, but the results are always the same. In the end, I will get hurt and I'd rather it be sooner rather than later. I've accepted it. Everything will turn out alright regardless of my fate. If I don't die, then nothing really changes. If I die, then life will still go on for others.

Please explain all this to Edward. Let him know that I don't blame him for his actions. Also, tell Bella that I left a note for her on her dresser. Don't feel bad if you can't mend me. Sometimes it is just your time to go.

-Jen

I finish reading the note. Edward will do something foolish in arrogant attempt to 'save' Bella…again. Will he never learn? I don't know how much time I have before Jen is brought in. These books need to go to the hospital wing with me. I spy the box that they were shipped in sitting in a corner of my study. That is convenient. Once the books are packed back in the box, I carry it downstairs. The miniature hospital is well stocked. All that needs to be done is a little rearranging to make everything that I might need accessible.

ALICE

This turn of events complicates things. Edward, you idiot, what have you done? Will Bella be able to even look at you if you kill her mentor and best friend? Carlisle needs to be ready. I dart through the house, following his scent when I don't find him in the study. It takes me downstairs to what looks like a little hospital. I find Carlisle rearranging things.

"Carlisle, Dakota had a vision. In it, Jen gets seriously hurt," I start to explain the situation to him.

"I know," he pauses long enough to look at me.

"Edward tries to protect Bella, even though she is completely capable of taking care of herself. And a spell misfires and hits Jen," I continue as his words do not sink in.

"I know," he repeats.

"Carlisle, she might already be dead." I might be a little hysterical at this point.

"Alice, I know," he finally gets through to me.

"But how could you know? Dakota just had her vision," I ask him.

"Jen wrote me a note," Carlisle calmly states.

"She knew this would happen?" I can't hold back the panic in my voice.

"She knew it would happen," he answers.

"And she went anyway?" What the hell is she thinking?

"Why don't you just read her note? That way you will know everything that I do in this matter," Carlisle patiently offers me the note.

I have to read the whole thing twice before everything in it registers. She knew what was going to happen and went anyway. She's not even going to try and change things. Not many people would be willing to go this far for their friends. Edward and Bella had better get over their issues.

"Do you need me to do anything?" I ask Carlisle as he bustles around the room.

"Every little bit helps," is his only response.