Sam nodded and his face filled with emotion as he turned to the pack and gave the order for Embry and Paul to stay and keep watch on the house - to make sure Charlie did not leave.

As if he could. Even now I could hear my father's screams echoing down from the house. I turned and ran back to the front door, I wouldn't leave my father's side again now until the change was complete. Edward was beside me as we entered the house and he took my hand and pulled me to a stop before I went upstairs. Carlisle was with him and a look passed between them when Edward nodded and asked if we could talk for a minute before we went upstairs.

"I need to explain to you how this happened and what Charlie is going through so you know what to expect. This is going to be very hard for you to watch Bella. Carlisle, Alice and Esme are with him at the moment. You need to be prepared."

"Edward, what happened?" My head was spinning and I was torn between wanting to know what the hell happened and going to be with my father. I knew that everyone was looking after him at the moment so my curiosity won out in the end.

Edward guided me to the couch and as we sat he held my hand. "It all happened so fast Bella, Alice saw what was going to happen but we were too late to stop it." He looked at me earnestly before he continued. "Charlie was fishing in the river when a group of three nomads happened upon him. They were just passing through but when they caught his scent one of them just took off towards him. It was a split second decision, Alice knew they were in the area, but they had fed only yesterday outside of Seattle and she could see they were on their way up north with no intention of stopping here." He shrugged "I guess the youngest of them caught Charlie's scent - there were no other humans for miles, and she just let her senses take over. Charlie didn't have a chance. She stalked him and the other two followed her. They were enjoying the stalking, feeling the terror eminating from Charlie, so they took their time. If they hadn't we wouldn't have got there in time. I'm sorry Bella, she had already bitten him by the time I got there. I got her away from Charlie and dealt with her - Emmett and Rose dealt with the other two. Alice thought faster than me and tried to suck the venom out but the wolves arrived then and thought she was feeding. Sam attacked her but she saw it coming and was able to escape long enough to yell at Sam that she was trying to save him not kill him. To Sam's credit he had the presence of mind in an incredibly horrible situation to think before he acted further. That is what saved Alice - that and the fact that Alice wasn't trying to attack him back. Emmett and I had our hands full with Paul and Jacob. Luckily it was only the three of them on patrol, I don't know what would have happened if there had been more wolves there. The situation would have been out of control, but Sam ordered Paul and Jacob to stand down. The time that it took to calm the situation enabled the venom to spread too far through Charlie's bloodstream..." Edward's head was in his hands, he couldn't look at me.

I was numb. Slowly I could feel a calming sensation wash over me and I looked up to see Jasper staring intently at me. Edward shot him a grateful glance and then looked at me. He was pleading with me to understand, to say something, but the combination of all the emotions running through me and Jaspers calming influence just served to render me incoherent. Edward looked to Jasper for support and as he saw Jasper nod towards him he continued.

"I won't lie to you, Charlie is in pain. For me it was pain worse than I could have imagined existed. I am sorry, Jasper is helping him as much as he can but you must understand what an effort it is for him."

"I'm ok, Edward, I can handle this." Jasper spoke from the bottom of the stairs "I need you and Bella in the room though. I think Bella's presence may help calm him a little, he is not only in terrible pain, but he seems overwhelmed by his confusion - I can feel that coming off him almost as much as the pain. I'm sure he has no idea what has happened. "Maybe you can get a read on his thoughts Edward?"

I jumped up, dragging Edward with me and headed for the stairs. "Hang on Bella" he cautioned me. Tears were stinging my eyes, I just wanted to be with my father. "Please, I need to know that you are alright. Talk to me." he pleaded.

I looked at him, his beautiful face was contorted with worry. His eyes pierced mine and I was overcome with emotion. I reached out to him and held his face in my hands "Edward, I understand what has happened and of course I don't blame you or Alice for that matter. I am just so grateful you were all able to do as much as you have for Charlie so far. Don't worry about me, I will be ok, but right now I need to be with him. I know he has three days of this to endure. I want to help him. We can do this." I'm not sure if I said that last bit for Edwards benefit or for mine, but I was determined. My father would come through this and so would I.

With that Edward picked me up and before I could blink we were in the bedroom where Charlie lay writhing in pain. He had stopped screaming for the moment. Esme was kneeling beside him whispering soothingly to him while she mopped his forehead with a damp towel. She looked over at us as we entered and a sad smile crossed her features. Esme held out her other hand towards me and I went over and took it. She didn't need to say anything, the anguish she felt was written all over her lovely face. I looked from her to Charlie as I took his hand. It seemed like he noticed my presence, his body angled towards me as he writhed on the bed. "Belllllaaaa" his tortured scream ripped through the room and tore a hole in my heart. Edward was beside me in a flash.

"Talk to him, he senses you but he doesn't know if he is dead or alive. Talk to him and give him a lifeline to hold onto. Explain where he is, what is happening to him. He needs something to help distract him from the fire burning through him."

So I talked. I told him about Edward and his family, what they were and how they had become that way. I told him what had happened to him and how we were here to help him through it, that we were here for him when it was over. I don't know how long it was I had been talking, my neck was stiff and I was cold. Charlie was wimpering in pain, he hadn't been screaming for a while but I sensed his exhaustion and I remembered Rose telling me she gave up screaming when she knew it wasn't helping and the pain was too much. I told him of my love for Edward and his family and how we were all going to be a family together now. Our future was entwined. I wasn't even aware of who was in the room with us until I felt Edwards' cool arms around me as he whispered in my ear.

"Bella love, it's been five hours, you need a break. Come and have a hot drink and something to eat. Charlie can hear you and is trying his best to understand but the burning is a lot to deal with. He can't make much sense of what is happening through his pain. I know he is concerned with upsetting you though. Maybe you should give both of you a break for a little while." I started to shake my head and refuse to move when Carlisle took my hand.

"Bella, he needs you, but for you to be here for the entirety of this is impossible. You will need to rest and eat something at some point otherwise you will be of no use to him when he will need you the most. Jasper and Esme will take over for a little while. We need to talk to you in any case and I don't think this room is the right place to do it."

I nodded and looked at my father again. His face was a mask of agony, but as I ran my fingers down his face and touched his forehead I was surprised to find his skin cool. I expected him to be burning up as if with a fever he looked that sick, but it suddenly brought me back down to reality with a thump. He would never feel hot again. My god, everything was different now, both of our lives had changed so totally in such a short time. The reality of our situation weighed down on my shoulders like a physical weight. What was going to happen now? Carlisle was right, I needed to look after myself in order to look after my father and we did have a lot to discuss.

"Ok, let's go." As I got up and stretched my legs felt wobbly, but Edward was there as always, picking me up and carrying me down the stairs where I was met by Alice with tray of food and a steaming hot mug of tea for me. She placed it on the dining table and Carlisle motioned for the others to join us there.

"Eat Bella, while we talk. We have some decisions to make. I am so sorry this has happened to Charlie, he is a good man and we are all determined to make this work. We will find a way." He smiled at me in a way that I assumed was meant to inspire confidence. It didn't, my chest felt like lead weight was pressing down on it and panic was beginning to overcome me.

I looked around the table and the faces of the ones I loved. Emmett was holding Rose's hand and looking out the huge window with a scowl on his face. Rose slapped his shoulder when he growled in response to something he saw outside and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I had forgotten that we would have guards outside to make sure we didn't bolt with Charlie.

"They're out there aren't they? It's Embry and Paul isn't it?" I demanded.

Edward looked out the window as he spoke. "Yes Bella, Seth is here too, although his heart isn't in it, he's hoping some kind of a truce will be possible. Charlie has been like a father to him since his own father died – his heart is breaking too."

I had to get a grip on myself I realised. I wasn't the only one affected by this. A lot of people who loved Charlie were affected also. I had to hope the wolf pack would see the wisdom of Carlilse's words and see that my father would be in a position to live an immortal life that didn't have to end now.

Oh God! There is a chance isn't there?" I begged as I looked between Carlisle and Edward. They exchanged a glance and Edward squeezed my hand as he spoke.

"Yes Bella, there is a chance I think. Billy was swayed by Carlisles words and yours and he is confident that the wolves would have no problem stopping Charlie even once he is a newborn, but he's wary of our motives. He wonders whether we would fight to stop them harming Charlie, but is overall confident that the wolves would win if it came to war. He doesn't want that to happen though – he thinks that even though the wolves may win in the end, the cost would be undoubtedly enormous. Even though Billy loves Charlie, he cannot bear the thought of seeing him as a vampire and thinks death is preferable, but he also realises that we have not broken the treaty and have nothing but the best intentions where Charlie is concerned. He's torn, but I think he will agree to our terms simply because he doesn't want the Quiluetes to be the instigators in a war."

"What about Sam – he is the Alpha, doesn't he make the deciding vote? " Edward shook his head.

"It is an interesting dynamic. He is in charge, but the respect he has for the tribal elders and their opinions will factor into his decision. In a battle situation, I have no doubt he would go for the kill, but now that they have an option, I think a more democratic decision will be made."

Emmett had disappeared from the room, but as he returned he announced his presence in the room by wrapping my shoulders in a bear hug "Don't worry, Bella, they're gonna have to get through me if they want to get to Charlie." A big grin spread over his face "Wow – think of the possibilities – finally someone in this family that is an even bigger sports fan than me! This is gonna be great!" He pumped his fist in excitement as Rosalie slapped him on the shoulder.

Alice rolled her eyes at her brother as she sat at the table. We all looked to her as her eyes glazed over and she looked like she was in pain. Edward stiffened beside me and it was all I could do to not scream and ask them what they were seeing. All at once Edward seemed to realise what I was going through and looked at me with concern in his eyes.

"I don't think a decision has been made yet love, Alice is getting flashes, but nothing of consequence has been decided yet. The fact that she can't see what is going on with the wolves is making it very hard for her."

"I'm, right here you know Edward!" She looked at me "Actually, I'm trying to see Billy. I've never looked for him before, but since he is not technically a wolf, I think, I can see snippets, but not much..." her voice trailed off as she grimaced. "Urgghhh! It's so frustrating!" Alice stood up and started to pace. "Ok that's it, Carlilse, WE have to make a decision. What are our options.?"

Carlisle looked at the table and then at Edward as a silent conversation obviously passed between them. Edward sucked in a deep breath and nodded then looked at me.

"Ok, really we only have two options, option one, without hashing out the details, it's basically that we take Charlie and run. Emmett and Jasper can distract Seth, Paul and Embry, while we make our getaway with Charlie. It would be our only chance to go, when there are only the three wolves on patrol. The problem is, we don't know if Sam has stationed wolves in other areas of the forest. If I was the pack leader, that is what I would do. They have enough numbers to have someone stationed to the east, south and north. We obviously couldn't go the west, through their territory. The lone wolves would not be able to stop us, but with their instantaneous communication, they would know which direction we went and would be on our tail in a matter of minutes."

Alice stopped her pacing and looked to Carlisle, she shook her head sadly, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Shit!" Edward startled me with his outburst, it was the first time I had heard him utter a profanity and it shocked me. Now he was the one pacing. "No, that is NOT going to happen! " He looked at me and then at Carlilse who seemed almost as much in the dark as me. Once again a silent conversation was taking place as Edward, Carlilse and Alice were talking with such a speed and a low tone that I couldn't hear. Even Emmett was joining in and Rosalie was just standing there shaking her head. I couldn't stand it any longer.

"Stop it! Please, stop trying to protect my feelings and tell me what the hell is going on!" My body trembled and I was doing the best I could to stop the tears from falling, but I could feel them threatening to spill. I knew they were just doing their best to form a plan of escape, but I felt so helpless and out of the loop, it was killing me. Edward was back at my side in an instant, taking my face in his cold hands, I could feel his cool breath on me as he looked into my eyes. His scent and his presence worked their magic and I calmed a little, but I was not going to let him dazzle me into submission. "No Edward, I need to know what is going on!"

"You're right Bella" Carlisle said apologetically, "We're sorry. It's just that at the moment we don't know what the right course to take is. As we consider options, Alice sees the possible consequences." He let that sentence hang in the air as Alice took my hand.

"Honestly Bella, at the moment, no choice seems to have a good outcome. We all just need to calm down and think about this with cooler heads." She shot a look at Edward at this and he flinched. "Ok, you've had something to eat now. First things first. We need to talk to you about Charlie. You obviously know what is happening to Charlie as we speak, but you haven't had a chance to think clearly about what is going to happen once he wakes." I started to interrupt her, but she shushed me with a finger to my lips "We WILL sort this out, and he will wake as a Vampire. He will be a newborn Bella, with all the instincts and urges that go with it."

"Alice..." Edward warned.

"No Edward, Bella can handle this. But she needs to know the situation in its entirety." She looked back at me with an apologetic smile "You will not be able to be around him." She paused as she let this information sink in to my overwhelmed brain. "The best option will be to take him to Denali where he will be away from humans and allow him to come to terms with what has happened."

"We will take good care of him Bella" Carlisle interrupted "But you and Edward will have to stay here for the duration." He looked to Edward who nodded curtly "There will also be the fallout of Charlie's "death" to consider."

Oh. My. God! "Renee" I whispered. "What am I going to tell Renee?"

"First of all, we need to decide how we are going to handle Charlie's disappearance. Since he is the Police Chief, there will be a lot interest and we need to be absolutely meticulous with the details. It will be dark soon and the cover story will have to be put into motion as soon as possible. Emmett, what did you find?"

We all looked to Emmett and my confusion must have shown on my face so Carlisle explained. "Emmett and Rose went back to the scene to check on the state of the area the attack happened.

We need to know if we can put your fathers disappearance down to an animal attack."

I grimaced and tried to push the graphic thoughts of the attack on my father from my mind and turned towards Emmett and Rose. Emmett seemed to hesitate as he looked at me. "It's ok Emmett, go ahead. I need to know too."

"Well, there was a little blood on the riverbank, and it definitely looked like a ruckus had taken place there. Charlies fishing gear is still there as well as his cooler with an opened beer can knocked to the ground. I rummaged through the food and cooler to make it look like an animal had been through it..." He hesitated again as he looked at me so Rose finished the sentence for him.

"We don't think there has been enough blood spilt. If an animal truly had attacked him and dragged him off, I think there should be more blood." She shrugged as she looked to Carlisle for his opinion.

Carlisle was quiet as he considered this and we all waited for his opinion. Suddenly Edward reacted to what was obviously a thought in Carlisle's mind "That would work, nobody would notice I'm sure."

Alice's eyes glassed over and a smile came over her face "Yes. Yes perfect Carlisle, I can see that that will work absolutely! A search will be instigated and they will find the attack site and after all the wolf stories going around town laely they will totally believe that a pack of wolves were responsible" Edward looked optimistic for the first time in hours as my exasperation grew. "Helllooo! Can someone please explain!"

"Bella" Edward said "Charlie regularly gives blood, he only just gave a donation this week. Carlisle can get to the blood bank and use his donation to make it look like an animal attack took place. Carlisle, you are going to have to get going now though, we haven't much time."

Carlisle nodded and said to me "Bella, you are going to have to go home for your part in this plan to be enacted. You will have to raise the alarm that Charlie is missing. I know that you don't want to leave Charlie, but it is unavoidable. I'm sorry the realities of our lifestyle are being thrust on you this way, but being a Cullen means we all have to do our part to keep up the charade. Jasper will do his best to help Charlie while you are gone and if we start this now, the sooner we can come up with an excuse to get you back here to see Charlie before we leave. Alice is right though, you cannot be around Charlie when he wakes, it won't be safe. No matter what the wolves decide we will take him away to Alaska. It is the only way. You and Edward will have to stay here until it is safe to be around him."

My head was spinning, I realised that Carlisle was right, but the thought of my father going through this without me there to help him was killing me. He was was going to emerge from three days of hell to an eternity of a life he couldn't possibly conceive of. He knew the Cullens but as much as they were family to me, to Charlie they were the people that he hadn't spent a lot of time with, with the exception of Alice of course. Alice. Of course. As soon as the thought entered my head she was there beside me, holding me and assuring me that of course she would be there for Charlie. I knew that Charlie adored her and Alice's presence would surely at least ease the pain and fear of the unknown for him.

The speed with which things happened now was staggering. Carlisle was gone on his mission to set the scene. Emmett returned inside after being at Carlisle's side while he spoke to Paul and Embry, assuring them that he would be back. There was a tense moment when it looked like Paul was going to prevent Carlisle from leaving and Emmett took exception to their attitude. Ever the calm voice of reason, Carlisle diffused the situation and Emmett was now mumbling about how he'd like to put the dogs out permanently.

Alice, Edward and Rose were deep in conversation, strategising the best way to get Charlie out of here and I was at the point of telling Edward that I didn't care how they did it as long as it worked when Edward commented that he would really like Jasper's input. I was eager to get back to Charlie anyway and as we were about to move the conversation up to Charlie's room, Rose stopped us and said "Hang on, why can't we go through their territory? Taking Charlie without the dogs permission is going to pretty much screw up the treaty anyway. They would never expect that we would come onto their lands, they will be patrolling the areas outside of their territory, and if we could just make it to the water, they wouldn't have a hope of catching us then. We could swim until we find a safe place to make land and then continue on to Alaska from there. Alice and Edward both looked dumbstruck for a split second and then both their faces broke out into a smile. Alice bounced up and down and clapped and Edward was nodding and agreeing with Rose that that was an excellent strategy.

"No! You can't take Charlie in the water in his condition" I was stating what I thought was the obvious, but Edward just shook his head and said "He'll be fine Bella, he will have to be towed through the water as a lifeguard would a victim of drowning. Of course I would rather not drag Charlie through that in his condition, but honestly, his seems to be a lot calmer than any change I have ever witnessed. I'm hoping it is because of the morphine. It doesn't matter where you are during a change, you are not really conscious of what is going on around you. Of course he can't move for himself, but Carlisle and the others would look after him and make sure he doesn't drown. It won't be easy, but it is the best option we have at the moment. " Alice and Rose were nodding their agreement so I decided to suspend my disbelief and trust their judgement.

"Ok, whatever you think I guess. I really need to get back to Charlie".

They all agreed and we made the short journey upstairs and found Jasper and Esme by Charlies side. Esme's features were clouded with worry as she looked between Jasper and Edward as he entered the room.

"Jas – are you ok" Edward asked of his brother. Jasper's eyes were pitch black and he was bent over and rocking himself on the floor. My heart broke for him and the gratitude that filled me was like a soothing balm to my nerves. He was going through this awful pain, to help ease Charlie's. I could never thank him enough. Alice was beside him in a flash and it took all of her and Rose's efforts to help him stand.

"Thats enough Jasper, you have to take a break." I said to him. Alice was already leading him to the door but he was fighting her.

"NO! I'm ok, I can do this!"

Edward moved to look him in the eyes "Jasper, I need your help in working out an effective strategy, Rose has come up with a brilliant idea, but we still need to iron out the details. Go and hunt. Be quick and return as soon as you are able. I need your help"

With an apologetic glance at me he nodded and allowed Alice to lead him out. They were gone in a blur then and I returned my attention to Charlie.

Esme stood and I took her place beside Charlie and Edward sat beside me. We both talked to Charlie and told him of our plans to take him away for a while. I explained that I couldn't be with him for a while but that we would be reunited before long. He was very quiet and almost seemed to be asleep but I could see the changes happening to his body. His skin was very cool and was noticeably paler, and his hair looked somehow thicker.

At first I didn't notice that everyone else had left the room but then Edward realised I was looking for Esme. He smiled and said "They are making the preparations for the move. We are always ready to leave on short notice at any given time, so everyone knows what has to be done. Carlisle will be back soon, I suspect there will be a family emergency that requires his and Esme's presence in another state somewhere. People will not question that the "kids" have gone with them. We will have to come up with a reason why I am staying though. I suspect that what you are going through with the loss of Charlie will be sufficient reason for me to stay."

I just nodded – I was at a loss for words. There was a nagging thought at the back of my brain, but I couldn't make out what it was. The magnitude of what the entire Cullen family were going through on behalf of Charlie and myself was staggering. They were willing to give up their home here in Forks, risk war with the Quilutes and do everything they could to save Charlie. I was beyond grateful for their love and sacrifice. The stress of the entire day was taking it's toll on me and I could feel the tears starting to well again even though I was fighting to keep them at bay. Edward wrapped me in his cold arms, and whispered soothing words into my ear. He rocked me like you would a baby and I couldn't help but feel calmed by his loving words. It had to be ok. It just had to.

Carlisle had just returned as had Alice and Jasper when I suddenly realised what it was that was worrying me. "Oh no! Edward! If we are risking war with the Quilutes by taking Charlie away, you can't stay with me – they'll kill you! You have to go too!"

I jumped up out of his arms and looked at him as he stared back at me. He shook his head "No Bella, I will not leave you! It will be fine, we'll find a way."

I stared at my father lying prone on the bed, and then glared at Edward. "Downstairs NOW," I didn't want to have this conversation at Charlie's bedside. Edward called for Esme to come in and take our place and Jasper came in as well.

"It's ok Bella" Esme said "Jasper and I have got this. Go."

I nodded my thanks and took Edwards hand and led him towards the stairs. We had only got half way down when Edward stopped and stiffened on the staircase. I looked at him and my stomach fell through the floor as he said: "The pack is back. A decision has been made."