A/N - Hello! This will (probably) be the last Chapter I post for a few days, as I am jetting off to Paris on Friday for a few days. I promise I shall be back early next week! Enjoy!

Chapter 57 – Rendezvous

Together we stood, outside the Cullen House, waiting patiently for Jake to arrive.

I looked up into the night sky, the moon seemed to be smiling, it's sights upon the star-lit maze that was sweeping across the midnight sky.

Alice was beside me, her eyes also on the pin pricks of light.

"So beautiful" I head her whisper, as I glanced at her. Amber eyes were now fully focused on me.

"I've always thought the moon was" I replied, as she lent forward.

"The moon is delightful, but I was actually referring to you" she whispered in my ear, as she kissed my lips.

One kiss.

One distinct kiss and I was in dreamland. Harmony spread through my body as her tongue swept across my bottom lip and entered my mouth.

Alice was my eternal home, when I was with her I was skating across my own Utopia.

Arcadia... she was my arcadia...

"Mmm" I heard myself moan as she quickly nibbled my bottom lip before breaking the kiss.

I couldn't wait for the meeting with Jake and Sam to be over.

When Jake finally arrived I expected to see him walk up to the Cullen house with an uncertain step.

Forming an alliance with the Cullen's was new territory for him, for Sam… so I expected him to be a little hesitant when he appeared.

I also expected a possible frown on his face; he was rather good at knitting his brows together…

What I didn't expect was for him to show, holding a rose in his hand…

I watched as he stopped near Alice's car, Sam by his side.

Before I could ask him about the rose, Carlisle appeared beside me and Alice, followed by Edward.

Emmet, Rosalie, Jasper and Esme were still indoors; Carlisle thought it was of paramount importance that we didn't all show for the initial meeting. I recalled his words earlier that evening;

"I think it best for a small number of us to meet Jake and Sam; we don't want to seem confrontational…"

"In your face you mean" Emmet had responded.

"Quite" Carlisle had replied, a smile on his lips.

"Hello Jake, Sam"

Carlisle's voice was low, yet firm, as his gaze rested on the rose that Jake was holding.

"This is my father, Carlisle" Alice continued, her eyes also on the rose.

"Carlisle"

Sam was the first to speak, his voice also low yet thick.

I looked at Jake, who held up the flower in his hand.

"Where did you get that" I asked, my voice ragged with emotion.

I wasn't sure I could face another rhyme from Reuben…

"May I?" Edward enquired, as he held out his hand.

Jake stepped forward and handed the rose to Edward.

"It was on my truck" he answered, "I came across it before we set out to see you…"

Before he could continue, Sam also stepped forward.

To say he was huge would be putting it mildly. Tall, and broad, I immediately felt myself take a small step back.

"Bella" he spoke, as he smiled at me and held out his hand, "I know your father, he's a good man"

Slowly I took his hand, expecting the shake to crush my fingers. I was surprised when it was the complete opposite.

"Yes, he is" I replied, as Sam now moved to Carlisle.

Alice was still by my side, her arm still linked through mine. It felt comforting, having her so near.

I watched as Carlisle held out his hand, "We appreciate you coming here Sam, we have a lot to discuss… including that rose…"

Sam nodded, and took Carlisle's hand in his.

"This is an unfamiliar situation for us, Carlisle. Many of my people believe that boundaries are set for a reason, and should never be overstepped… but I believe as time passes, so too should our beliefs, providing they are for the greater good"

Carlisle nodded as Sam removed his hand.

"Jake has told me what has happened so far, and now I hope you will continue?"

Carlisle nodded again, "I think its wise to retire inside, I am unable to detect Reuben's presence… we are all unable…."

Jake shook his head, "I can't sense Reuben… he isn't here"

Sam nodded, "I too cannot feel his presence, and he is not in the immediate vicinity"

I immediately felt relieved, as Sam looked at Carlisle.

"I shall follow you inside Carlisle, but I wish to speak to only you. I need to know everything"

Carlisle held out his hand, "In that case, please come with me to my study, and I shall gladly tell you everything"

I watched as Sam entered the Cullen house behind Carlisle.

"Did you read this card" Edward asked, as Jake stepped closer to me.

"Yes, and it didn't make a great deal of sense to me. I assume it's from Reuben? He signed it with an 'R' on the outside, and I didn't expect it was from your sister Rosalie"

Jake smiled as Edward raised a perfect eyebrow.

My mind wandered, a vision of Rosalie handing Jake a rose... now that would be amusing...

I watched him read the card.

"Thank you for coming" Alice continued, looking up at Jake.

"That's okay Short Stuff" he answered, before looking back at me.

Short Stuff?

I turned to look at Alice.

"Don't ask" she responded, as a smile played at my lips.

"I'll find out… later" I replied, as she raised en eyebrow, a smile now on her lips.

Edward looked back up, "You need to hear this Alice, and it's another rhyme…"

Before he could continue, Jake interrupted.

"Another?" he questioned with raised eyebrows.

"He left one on Alice's car" Edward replied, before adding "and one in Bella's room"

Bella's room…

I watched as Alice visibly flinched, and Jake lent forward.

"Bella's room? He was inside Bella's room?" Jake hissed, as he stepped forward again and placed both his hands on my shoulders.

"Are you okay? I can't believe…."

"Jake, please… relax. I am fine, really" I replied, although I guess I sounded far from it.

Jake squeezed my shoulders and stepped back.

"This guy is dead" he muttered, as I reached out and found Alice's hand.

"Stand in line" she whispered as she turned to look at me.

"I think it's a safe assumption that Reuben is public enemy number one" Edward continued, as I looked deep into Alice's amber orbs that were now an inky black.

I had never seen her look so distracted and deeply agitated before.

"Alice" I heard myself whisper, as she blinked a few times.

I hated seeing her this way.

"We'll find the leech, and we'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget" Jake continued, as Alice growled softly.

Whatever she was thinking had clearly reached out to Edward, who now placed a hand on her shoulder. Turning to face Jake his words were clear and precise.

"Now is not the time, Jake" he warned, as I placed my hand on Alice's cheek. She looked… crazed, almost tormented…

"Well when the hell is the time Edward" Jake continued, now clearly rattled, "He needs to be found, and he needs to be…."

"Killed" Alice finished, as she shuddered slightly, her eyes were now wild.

Killed…he needed to be killed… we all knew that, but I hated the thought of Alice, or Jake, or any of them, hunting him down… he was powerful… and he was a threat…

Edward shot a pointed look at Jake.

"And we will deal with him, but we need a plan. To underestimate Reuben would be foolhardy"

Jake gave his usual "Humph" as Edward looked at me and Alice.

My fingers were now stroking her cheek as her eyes seemed to slowly transform in front of me into warm, comforting amber….

"I'm sorry Bella" she whispered, as I pulled her into me.

"You have nothing to be sorry about" Jake answered, as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We love you, Bella, and we're here for you" he continued, as Alice and Edward both nodded.

All three in agreement? I never thought I would see the day…

Alice buried her head into my chest as I cupped the back of her neck.

Home.

I felt at home when I was holding Alice, or when she was holding me. And there was nothing Reuben could do to change that, ever.

Alice sighed into me, such a sweet sigh, as she lent back and placed a quick kiss on my lips. As soon as she pulled away, I missed the contact.

I missed her.

Turning she smiled at Jake, before turning her watchful eyes to Edward.

"What does it say" she asked, as I took a deep breath.

You can do this Bella, my mind echoed.

Edward glanced back at the card that Jake had handed him, and slowly started to read.

Beseech? I never will,

A simple message though.

Carry yourself away until,

Knowledge will pass and go.

Always waiting, almost sad,

Win? You never will.

Alice won, what a cad!

Yet you linger still.

Open up your watchful eyes,

Run while you have time.

Permit me to win my prize,

Allow my perfect crime.

Your choice, your fate – leave us now, before it's too late…

"The guy is cracked" Jake responded, as Edward handed Alice the card.

Together we both looked at the writing, and together we both spelt out the overall meaning…

"B A C K"

"A W A Y"

"O R"

"P A Y"

"Seriously cracked if he thinks I'm going to back away from anything" he continued, folding his arms across his chest.

The arms that seemed to have bulked up even more since I last saw him…

"He's left three messages now" Edward replied, as he glanced at me and Alice.

"I have a feeling the first one may have been for you Alice" he continued, as my eyes darted to Alice.

Alice slipped her hand into mine, "We'll talk later" she continued as I merely nodded.

The first message may have been for Alice? Remember Me?

"And running into the woods right now to find him is not the way forward" Edward continued, as Jake placed a hand on his hip.

"What? Did you just… I can't believe you just… did that... quit probing my mind" he almost spat, as Edward smiled.

"Sorry, old habits die hard" Edward murmured, as Jake rested his other hand on his hip.

"Or they seemingly don't die at all" he answered, as I found myself smiling.

Jake, standing with his hands on his hips was quite a comical sight.

"So this creep has a thing for Alice, Bella and me?" Jake continued, sceptically.

"So it would seem Jacob"

It was Sam.

I turned as Carlisle and Sam appeared behind us.

Sam looked at me and Alice, noticing my hand entwined with hers. A slight frown appeared across his face before he looked back up and nodded.

"Carlisle has told me everything" he continued.

And clearly everything also includes my relationship with Alice…

"And I, in turn, told him about the rose that was left for you Jacob, although I believe Carlisle should read the message himself"

Edward handed the flower and note to Carlisle.

"Thank you again for coming tonight Sam" Carlisle continued his tone genuinely gracious.

"Thank you for inviting me into your home" Sam replied, as he smiled slightly, adding "A definite first for me".

Jake looked back at me, concern in his eyes.

"Do you want a lift home, Bella? I can drive you, and I can stay with you…."

Before I could answer, Alice responded, her tone sweet as candy.

"That won't be necessary Jake; Bella is staying with us tonight"

Jake nodded, and then smiled. "Of course she is…."

"Say it and she'll kick your ass" Edward interrupted, as Alice and I both glanced at Edward.

Jake turned to follow Sam, before stopping with a smile on his face "Short Stuff" he finished…

Edward tried to suppress a smile, as I placed a hand across my mouth.

Alice raised an eyebrow.

"Say that again Jacob Black and I'll bruise your other eye…."

As we walked back into the living room, I realised Emmet was practically bouncing off the walls.

"Emmet, will you please stop vaulting around the room, you're giving me a headache" Rosalie hissed.

"Sorry, I'm just….. Hey, you're back" Emmet practically yelled, as Rosalie gave a sigh of relief.

"I thought we were going to have to restrain him" Esme continued, as Carlisle walked across the room and kissed her.

Alice smiled, and I was immediately bewitched by her all over again, as if it were the very first time she had smiled at me.

I wanted to be alone with her. I needed to talk to her, and I simply wanted… her.

"I tried to calm him…" Jasper spoke, as Rosalie almost 'huffed'

"A fat lot of luck that did" she answered, as Jasper shrugged.

"Let's all sit, so I can tell you what Sam and I discussed" Carlisle suggested, as Emmet stuck his thumbs up in the air.

"Finally" he replied, "I hate being left out of anything" he continued, as Rosalie linked her arm through his.

I sat down, Alice beside me, as Carlisle remained the only one standing.

"Jake was also sent a reminder of Reuben's presence" he started, as he handed the rose to Esme.

"Clearly, Reuben is aware of Jake's presence in Bella's life, and he has used the rose and attached message to threaten Jake, although I suspect the threat will be ignored"

Alice, Edward and I all nodded.

Carlisle continued;

"Sam and I are both weary of Reuben, and what his intentions are. We are both in agreement that he needs to be found and… disposed… of. With Sam's help, I know this can be achieved. Each night, we shall join together to search the area, although I have assured Sam we will not venture into their land unless it is absolutely necessary"

Everyone nodded.

"Bella, tonight you will stay here, but as the week progresses I suspect your father will want you home. Please be assured, there will always be someone from this family outside your home, and I suspect Jake will also be nearby"

Alice turned to face me, "and I shall not leave you" she whispered, as I smiled.

I would never be alone at night, for that I was thankful.

"We start tonight" he finished, as I found myself gripping at Alice's hand.

Please don't go, please don't leave me…

Esme smiled, "Alice and I will stay with you Bella"

I nodded, "Thank you Esme"

Esme stood, "it's been a long evening for you Bella, if you wish to retire you are more than welcome to"

I smiled again. Esme was so caring and thoughtful.

Rosalie also stood and handed me a bag.

"I stopped by your house while you were talking outside. I've packed a few belongings for you"

I took the bag from Rosalie, who also handed me back my key. I had completely forgotten that I had left the door open before… but then, I'd had so much on my mind… I'd had Reuben on my mind…

"I locked up when we left Bella" Jasper continued, as I turned and smiled at him.

"Thank you, both"

Rosalie and Jasper smiled again, as Alice stood and held out her hand.

"Let's retire" she whispered.

I nodded.

I wanted nothing more.