AN: Wow! Overwhelmed with love from all my reviewers, thank you! I know they were two intense chapters where I brought some of the sub plots together, so I hope you enjoyed the intense action! The night isn't over for Bella yet though…

jul5857: glad you enjoyed! Anony: Haha, I know I've been updating so quickly! The rest of the story is pretty much finished, so keep checking in as I'll be updating every few days :) harleymaria: so glad to hear you like it 4Gracie04: not a lot of ass kicking in this chapter, but I promise that will be coming up Tigger722: Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the review Coolfun: I'll update again quickly :) xxTeamJacobxx: thank you for the reviews, glad you enjoyed, and to all my other lovely readers, please keep reviewing, it always makes me write and update quicker!


Chapter Nineteen

I sat at the small kitchen table in my apartment, blowing on a cup of hot tea watching the steaming tendrils curl into the air. Slowly I let the crackling fire and tea soothe me as I tried to push the events of the last few hours from my brain.

I could hear Jacob and Karin in my bedroom, arguing over the best way to inflate the air mattress and I nearly rose to help them, but then stopped myself. They were grownups, they'd figure it out.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. In and out. Calm Bella, be calm.

My hands curled tighter around the warm cup and I was glad to be at home, snug in my warm pyjamas, my feet finally comfortable out of those killer heels and tucked warmly into my slippers.

As much as I tried to push the thoughts from my head, the memories of the last few hours seemed to be playing on a loop in my head and I groaned, leant forwards and lay my forehead on my arms.

When I'd seen Henry standing in the middle of the crowd, I'd very nearly fainted on the spot. Instead, I'd stumbled through the rest of my speech, asked the audience to put their hands together for the talented Marcus Zusak and nearly ran off stage, tripping over the hem of my dress as I hurried down the steps.

Without thinking, I'd grabbed Henry roughly by the arm and pulled him through the crowd of people, out the front doors and into the cold night air, then spun around to face him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped.

"Well, I went to your flat and your neighbour, I can't remember her name, Mrs Ga…something, she told me that you were at the library."

"Not here at the library, Henry! What are you doing here in America?" I was seething with anger, fed up with arrogant men who wouldn't take a hint.

"I came to see you," he'd said, pushing his floppy blonde hair out of his eyes and smiling at me with his crooked smile that had once won me over, but now made me want to punch him in the face.

Once again, my pack of friends had arrived to see what was going on. They tumbled out of the doors around me and I rubbed my face in my hands cursing whatever god was punishing me with the events of tonight.

"Henry, what are you doing here?" Karin asked.

"I got on the plane after yours," Henry said by way of an explanation.

"I'm going home," I cried throwing my hands into the air. "This night is a disaster."

Alice stepped forward and took my hand in her cold one. "The guests are loving it," she said. "And even if they weren't Jasper would make sure they were enjoying themselves." She said this part so quietly that no one else could hear. "Why don't you head to your apartment and figure this out."

And now here we were, back at my apartment, apparently figuring it all out. Mel and Chris had slipped off back to their place, and Alice and Jasper had disappeared to the apartment the Cullens kept in the city.

Henry was now in my shower, washing off the 10 hour flight while Karin and Jacob set up the blow up mattress in my room for Karin to sleep on. Seth had made himself comfortable on the couch.

Karin walked out of the bedroom and spotted me sitting at the table with my cup of tea. She shook her tea. "You need something stronger," she stated simply. "Where's your Vodka?"

"Freezer," I replied, not arguing with her for once.

She got it and poured a healthy slug into cups for the both of us.

"Want one Seth?" she asked.

He turned to look at us, his eyes glowing as they rested on Karin. "No, thanks, I'm actually not allowed to drink. I'm only 18."

Karin raised her eyebrows and sighed deeply. "Ok," she muttered. "Let's make mine a double."

I'd been wondering when the five year age difference would come up and if it would bother them. Seth didn't seem to care in the slightest but he was well and truly head over heels in love with my best friend. And from the look on her face when she gazed at him, Karin didn't seem to care much either.

I raised my glass and clinked it against Karin's then threw the liquid back into my mouth in one go. It was disgusting and my chaser of tea did nothing to help.

"Better?" Karin asked.

"No," I grumbled miserably, my face in my hands. "What a disastrous night."

"Your speech was fantastic," Karin said, pouring me another shot. "And everyone else was having an amazing time, that band was great."

"What the hell is he doing here, Karin?" I moaned. "Did you know he was coming?"

She shook her head earnestly, her big brown eyes sincere as they met mine. "I promise I didn't. I wouldn't have let him get on that plane if I'd known. I'm so sorry Bella."

"Did I really lead him on that badly?"

Karin smiled sadly. "Of course not, everyone knew that you didn't love him. Everyone except Henry apparently."

We heard Jacob swear in the next room and both looked up.

Karin grinned. "I left Jacob to figure out the bedding situation," she explained.

Seth hopped off the couch, "I'll help," he said, smiling as always.

"Is he always so…happy?" Karin asked, watching as he left the room.

"Pretty much," I said with a laugh. Seth had always reminded me of a younger Jacob, always sunny and smiling. The past few months, I'd thought I'd seen that side of Jacob coming back and I loved it. I felt warm and happy around him. And the last thing I wanted was Henry here to mess it all up again.

"So," Karin said slowly, sipping her drink. "Tell me about Seth."

I grinned at her. "He's great Karin. He's a really good kid."

"Man, not kid," she corrected me quickly. "Have you seen the size of him? I can't believe he's only eighteen."

Now was not the time to explain that werewolves reached full maturity when they first phased and that he was basically 25. That conversation could wait until later.

"I know this is crazy," Karin said, "but I really like him. I've never felt such a strong connection with anyone before. And my god, he is hot. Seriously, what is in the water here? Do all the Washington men look like Seth and Jacob?"

"Just wait until you head down to the reservation," I said with a grin, imagining Karin's face when she met the entire pack towering over her. "They're a pretty impressive bunch."

"I heard that," Jacob said, walking out of the bedroom with Seth. "Does this mean I have competition?"

Shaking my head, I stood to get another glass for Jacob. "You know there's no competition Jake."

He was at my side within an instant, his warm hand sliding around the back of my neck, tilting my head back. His other hand pressed into the small of my back, pulling me into his hot strong body. Standing on tiptoes, I kissed him hard but briefly, aware of the other two watching us. Breaking apart, Jacob's lips brushed my ear and he whispered, "I know Bels, you're all mine. I know that."

I couldn't help but smile as I poured Jacob a slug of vodka and topped up Seth's tea. I heard the shower stop and glanced around at the three faces of my friends.

"What do I do about Henry?"

"Go," Karin said. "Seth and I can look after him tonight. You go back to Jacob's and forget about it until tomorrow. I'll try and convince him to go back to the UK."

I grabbed her shoulder warmly, trying to show her how grateful I was through a meaningful look.

"Seth and I will take your bed and Henry can have the blow up," Karin said, with a sidelong glance at Seth who grinned stupidly.

I rolled my eyes. "Wash the sheets."

As Jacob and I left the apartment, I pulled Seth aside, out of Karin's earshot. "Seth, only a few days ago you said to me that you didn't want to imprint, that you wanted to fall in love with a girl that you chose."

He started shaking his head before I could finish speaking. "I was wrong Bella," he said. "Karin is perfect, she's…everything."

ooo

Jacob and I had just sat down on his couch when there was a knock on the front door. I checked my watch. It had just past 11 o'clock and I raised my eyebrows at Jacob.

He sighed. "I'm not sure how much more I can take tonight, to be honest."

I laughed humourlessly and got to my feet. "Let's hope it's a Jehovah's Witness."

Walking down the chilly hallway, I couldn't make out the faces behind the frosted glass of Jacob's front door. I opened the door and felt instant dread as I was met by Alice, Jasper and Edward.

I looked from pale face to pale face. "What happened?" I asked.

Edward spoke first, "Can we come in, Bella?"

"I thought vampires didn't need to ask permission."

He frowned at me and I could tell that he wasn't in the mood to joke. "It's called manners Bella."

I stepped back and held the door open, waving for them to come in. Jacob was standing in the hallway, his arms crossed over his strong chest, a deep frown line between his eyebrows. We caught each other's eyes and I could see the worry behind them. I was sure he could see the same in mine.

Once we had all sat in the living room, I spoke first. "Don't keep us waiting, what happened?"

"It's not urgent," Alice began, holding Jasper's hand tightly. "But the Volturi have made a decision."

I breathed in sharply. Don't panic, Bella, I told myself. I stood, quickly pacing to the hearth and standing in front of the crackling fire, letting it warm the back of my legs. Crossing my arms across my chest to hold myself together, I tried to push back the overwhelming terror that threatened to consume me.

"Go on," I said.

"They'll be here in December," Edward said, his eyes never leaving mine. "We have just under two months."

I nodded, my mouth too dry to speak.

"This is all my fault," Edward said, finally breaking his gaze away from me to stare down at his clenched hands. "If I hadn't gone to them, they never would have known of your existence."

"Don't Edward," I began, not wanting to comfort him as well. I barely had enough energy to keep myself together, I couldn't look after him too.

Jacob cleared his throat. "We'll defeat them. Once we've activated the Greater Council and you've called on your bloodsucking friends then we can overcome them. Get rid of those murderous leeches."

"You don't understand," Edward said with a snarl. "The Volturi are bad, but without them, vampires would be out of control."

"Then your family needs to step in," Jacob said. "You're strong enough aren't you?"

Edward rolled his eyes. "It's not that easy mutt, we can't enforce our way of life on others."

"Why not?" asked Jacob. "If it means that hundreds of innocent people aren't killed each year?"

Edward stood, clenching his hands in angry fists. "We would have a rebellion on our hands if we so much as tried!"

"But we could try." That was Alice's quiet voice. She was gazing at Jacob as if she hadn't seen him before. "Edward, we could try."

Edward stared at her and then shook his head. "We can't risk it."

"We must," she replied.

Jasper cleared his throat. "Perhaps now is not the time to discuss it. Let's wait and see what kind of support we get from our friends first."

"Where will the Volturi meet us?" Jacob asked as the visitors got to their feet.

"Just outside of Forks," Alice replied. "In the clearing at the base of Mount Deception."

"Ok," Jacob replied, "We'll head to Forks next weekend and get started."

After the Cullens left, I went into the kitchen and switched on the kettle. I could hear Jacob's quiet voice coming from the living room. He was on the phone with Sam, and I had no wish to eavesdrop on this conversation. I couldn't believe that Edward felt responsible for the arrival of the Volturi – that responsibility lay completely on me. They wouldn't be coming to Washington at all if it hadn't been for me.

But was Jacob right? That in a strange way this arrival of the Volturi was what needed to happen? That this was the only way to truly destroy them forever. I remembered the group of tourists being led into the main room of the castle in Volterra and their echoing screams as we ran from the building. That memory still haunted my dreams.

The Volturi committed mass murder frequently, maybe even daily. And yet no one was doing anything about it! Was this finally the chance to free the world of them? But Edward was right, without the Volturi in power, who was to stop out of control newborns, or ensure no one created newborn armies like they had back in Jasper's time?

Maybe the answer was right in front of us. The Cullens were strong, and as far as I could tell, they were well-respected. Maybe it should be them living in the castle in Volterra ensuring peace and order and keeping the vampire community secret from humans? But I could never imagine Carlisle or Edward destroying vampires who no longer wanted to exist, that equated to murder. I wasn't sure if the Cullens really had what it took to rule the vampire community.

I poured out two cups of steaming tea and barely noticed that Jacob had come up behind me.

"Something on your mind?" he asked.

"What a night," I replied, handing him a mug and blowing gently on my own.

"You can say that. Sam's getting in touch with the Greater Council but he'll need me down there as soon as possible."

"You're going to transform again, aren't you?" I asked him quietly, not able to meet his eyes.

"Bella," he began, his voice barely more than a whisper. "This is going to be the most important fight of my life. Maybe ever. I have to be a part of it."

I nodded sadly. "And what about these last 2 years? Everything you've worked for?"

He shook his head. "I have to protect you."

"Please don't say that," I demanded. "I already feel responsible enough that the Volturi are coming, I don't want to feel responsible for your relapse as well."

"You make it sound like a have a drug problem," he said, laughing without humour.

"Don't joke, please," I begged him. "Why did you stop phasing after I left, Jacob?"

He shrugged, "You know why. Because I didn't want to imprint. I didn't want to lose you."

"But now you're willing to risk that?" I asked, hating myself for doing this to him.

"Bells -" he began, but I cut him off.

"No! How am I supposed to live with this Jacob? You're going to phase again to protect me which means I'm going to lose you forever."

"You don't know that!" he yelled, running his hands through his hair desperately.

"How many tribes are going to be uniting with the Quileutes Jacob? How many potential mates are going to be in La Push in the next few months?"

"It's not my fault!" Jacob roared. "I don't want this! I never asked for this!"

"I know that! You think I don't know that? But we've been kidding ourselves Jacob. You're going to break my heart, and you will feel so much guilt, because of me." We were standing feet away from each other, glaring desperately into each other's eyes. "Is Sam happy? Or does he hate himself every day because of what he did to Leah? I can't do that to you! I can't make you feel that kind of guilt."

Jacob was shaking his head, begging me now. "Bella, please, I promised I wouldn't hurt you."

"And I told you – that's a promise you can't keep." I wanted to stop talking. I didn't want to go any further down this path, but we'd passed the point of no return.

He took me by the hands and forced me to look at him. "I wish none of this had ever happened to us." A tear fell down his face. "We were meant to be together Bella. If life had gone the way it was supposed to…you and I were made for each other. We fit together perfectly. As easy as breathing."

"And yet I feel like I'm gasping for breath." I took my hands from his and pressed shaking fingers to my lips, unable to hold back the tears any longer. "We have to stop kidding ourselves Jacob."

"Please don't leave me Bella," Jacob pleaded, tears flowing freely down his face. He reached for me and I stepped back. "Please."

"You saw Seth and Karin tonight, Jake. Less than a week ago, Seth was telling me how badly he didn't want to imprint. How he wanted to choose, but now look at him."

"Bella, please," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

I hated myself. I wanted to curl up in a ball somewhere and just disappear. I wanted Jacob, more than anything I had ever wanted before.

"So what do we do now?" he asked, brushing the tears angrily from his face.

I shrugged and shook my head. "I don't know Jacob. Maybe we just hit pause, until this is figured out."

"Pause?"

I shrugged again.

He shook his head. "This is all my fault."

I went to him then, unable to see his pain anymore and took his hands in mine. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me Jacob Black."


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