Apologies for the delay – flu struck but now on the mend. Hope you all enjoy! And a big thanks for all your reviews.

Chapter 15 - Salvation

Alice's POV

Let's spend Saturday together.

And she had agreed.

I admit, I wanted to spend as much time as I could with her, but I did have another reason for asking Bella to spend the day with me.

Jake.

Edward told me that Jake had asked her out earlier that morning. One of the benefits of being a vampire; we could hear a pin drop in a crowded room if we put our mind to it. And Edward seemed intent on listening to Bella's conversation with Jake – mainly because he couldn't read her thoughts… and his opinion of Jake wasn't exactly a high one.

I walked out of class towards the car park and spotted Eric, who was standing close to Angela. He lent in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before opening the car door to let her in the passenger seat. They both looked so happy. Another couple at Forks High School then…

Angela spotted me, and waved. I smiled and returned her gesture.

"Humouring yet another human Alice?"

It was Rosalie.

"You should try it some time Rose" I replied, "it won't kill you".

Rose snorted and walked with me towards my car.

"Not taking your pet home today then" she asked, as Emmet came up behind her.

"Play nice Rosalie" he whispered as he lent in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

I looked at them both, and then across at Eric as he pulled out of the car park with Angela.

No Bella.

Edward and Jasper suddenly appeared by my side.

Edward spoke as Jasper pointed towards a tuck that was now pulling out of the car park.

"She's in the truck"

Jasper continued, "With Jake".

I watched as the truck disappeared from view.

Rosalie shook her blonde head, "she likes to dice with danger doesn't she".

Danger.

Jasper sensed my discomfort immediately, as waves of calmness caressed my senses… but it wasn't enough.

"I have to follow her" I whispered.

Rosalie snorted.

Edward stepped towards her, his eyes dark. "Rosalie, Alice had a vision earlier – Bella is in danger".

Rosalie glanced at me.

Emmet placed a large hand on my shoulder. "I'm right with you Alice – I'll kick his butt…"

"No" I interrupted. "I appreciate your help, Emmett – but this is something I need to do alone".

Emmett squeezed my arm, "Understood" and he smiled, adding "but if you ever need me…."

Rosalie shook her head, "Look, I think this is getting a little out of hand – we can't just intrude on Bella's life like this… she'll start to wonder… about us…"

I stepped towards Rosalie, "I'm not asking you to intrude Rose, but understand this – she is part of my life now, and I won't walk away and leave her when she needs me – and she does need me, I've seen it…. And I need her".

Three words. Three simple words that had escaped my lips.

I need her.

And I did.

Vampires didn't really need anything to survive, but love…

I saw the look of love displayed daily in Carlisle and Esme's eyes, and Rosalie's and Emmet's…

I wanted that. I craved that. And now I had found it, in the most unlikely person. A human female. Life had a way of throwing curve balls in my direction, and this was no exception. Bella was my soul mate; I knew that now – but how she felt was still a mystery to me… I hoped she felt the same connection as I did… sometimes; I felt that she did….

For the first time since Bella arrived in Forks, Rosalie smiled. Her smile really was a beautiful thing, when she chose to use it.

"Okay… I understand" She looked up at Emmet who was now resting both his hands on her shoulders. She continued, "I remember that feeling Alice… a long time ago".

I knew she was referring to the time she saved Emmett.

"Go – just be careful Alice, I couldn't bare it if anything happened to you…."

I nodded, and she embraced me.

I wasn't privy to the conversation that took place as I jumped into my car….

"I'm still worried about this" Rosalie spoke, as she watched me vanish.

"We all are" Jasper replied, "but we have to be there for her Rosalie… we always have to be there for her".

Rosalie nodded, her long blonde locks tumbling around her shoulders.

"She's going to tell her, isn't she"… Rosalie's voice trailed off. "Is she Edward" she asked, glancing at Edward who was still looking towards the exit of the car park.

"I try not to pry into her thoughts" was his only response, as Rosalie shook her head again.

"Come on Rose, relax – Alice can take care of herself, and if she tells Bella… well, we'll handle it, okay". Emmet's voice seemed to calm Rosalie, as she got into Emmet's jeep.

"Just take me home Emmett" she asked.

Edward watched as the jeep pulled out of the car park.

"Are you worried, Edward" Jasper asked.

"Yes, but not in the same way as Rosalie" Edward replied, as he got into his Volvo. Jasper joined him and frowned, "I'm not sure I follow Edward".

Edward started the engine, and looked across at Jasper. "Rosalie doesn't want Alice to tell Bella about us, she's worried our secret will escape Bella's lips if she knows. I've been watching her Jasper, and I know she can keep a secret. What worries me is the relationship she will have with Alice… human and vampire… I know how Alice feels about Bella, determined, potent, flavoured, and consuming – I fear she won't be able to resist her Jasper".

Jasper nodded. "She is in love with her Edward". It wasn't a question.

Edward put his foot on the gas peddle, "Yes" he answered.

Jasper looked at his reflection in the glass "Alice will endure this" he whispered, more to himself than Edward.

I accelerated out of the car park - a thousand and one thoughts rushing through my head. Try as I might, I couldn't visualise Bella, or Jake… I was destitute of vision, my mind groping for something, anything that would give me a clue as to what would happen, or what was happening…

If he hurt her…

A burning sensation, unfamiliar to me, tingled throughout my body… I ached, with fear and worry... I couldn't imagine never seeing Bella again.

Her nervous smile that often changed into a gracious beam whenever she was near me.

Her long, chestnut hair that had a habit of falling into ringlets whenever the air was damp.

Her chocolate eyes, that seemed to look deep into my very essence.

Her voice, so soft and gentle.

Her scent… so rich, luscious…

Bella – my Bella, the only person I had ever fallen in love with. I always knew there would be someone– my raison d'être…

My Bella.

I spotted the truck as my thoughts continued to vibrate around my mind. And then I saw him, towering above… Bella.

Bella who was sat on the floor, looking up at him with agitation and distress…

I don't recall pulling up across the road, or jumping out of the car, but I do remember placing myself in between them both as my rage engulfed me. I could taste the acidity as the venom started to moisten in my mouth. And then he stepped forward, towards Bella, and my anger erupted. I don't often lose control; I leave that personality trait to Rosalie, but even she couldn't have exceeded the pure hatred that ran through my body at that very moment as I thrust him backwards towards his truck.

And then she made a slight cry with pain, and I was immediately by her side – her guardian, protecting and vigilant.

I forgot, then. Forgot that I was supposed to hide who I was. Concealment was not an option anymore, as I picked her up and turned to face him.

And I remember what he said; "Bite me…."

Oh, I could have bitten him, I could have ripped at his throat right there and then but I somehow managed to control myself when I looked down at Bella, shaking in my arms. Bella, so pale and distraught.

I placed her in my car, uttering words I hoped would sooth, calm and comfort.

And I drove, away from Jake and his dented truck. Away from danger. I told her I was taking her home. And she nodded, and finally spoke.

"We need to talk Alice".

So many mistakes, Alice. I had made so many, was it a surprise she wanted to talk about what had just happened. I answered in the affirmative. I did owe her some kind of explanation… but I had to idea what I would tell her. I needed to break my thoughts, so rested my hand on hers, so natural…

But not if you're a vampire and the hand you've just placed yours on is bleeding.

Bella's blood. So close…

I had to withdraw. I had to explain my behaviour… "I'll take you to see Carlisle…."

Carlisle. He would know what to do, what to say…

I was lost in my own thoughts, as Bella seemed lost in hers. She was so quiet,

And I watched her face. So expressionless and masklike. Oh, how I wished I could trade my gift for Edwards right at that very moment, so I could read her thoughts, see what she was thinking. But then I remembered he couldn't. That somehow, Bella was immune to him.

Imune…

And then she turned, and her face altered so quickly it was almost animated as she raised one perfect eyebrow, almost as if she was contemplating the unfathomable.

And she looked at me, her face now clear and lucid.

"I know what you are" she whispered.

She knew.

It almost seemed like poetic justice that I heard those words as I pulled up outside my home, my haven. My family.

She knew.

Reaching out, she took my hand. So warm.

She knew.

Her words seemed to ricochet around my body.

I needed to hear her say it.

And say it she did.

"You're a vampire"

She knew.