AN... Just a quick note here! I am headed back home today~!
Home to a husband who loves me enough to go to counseling,
and work on our many issues. God is good! Thank everyone
once again for your thoughts, prayers and support!

Prettyflour... Hon, words aren't enough! ILY, bb.

Chapter 38

No More Passivity

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Leah POV

The fervor was tactile as we entered the clearing. The pack was agitated in their excitement, barely able to stay still for more than a second or two. Jasper, Carlisle, Edward, Sam and Jacob stood off to the side, talking strategy. Emmett joined the rest of the pack, and started roughhousing around while all of us females giggled over their antics. Seth and Colin kept trying to wrestle Emmett to the ground, but were entirely unsuccessful until Brady and Embry joined in. Emmett's laughter at their ridiculousness was contagious.

"What the hell, guys?!" his big voice boomed across the expanse. "If it takes four of you against one of us, we're in big trouble!"

"It would take only one of us if we were in wolf form!" Seth defended with a grin. "But I think you'd like to keep your limbs intact!"

"Whatever! I'd still take you down, pup!" Emmett smirked, shoving at Seth's ribs with his elbow in a playful gesture.

"Sure, sure… you say that now oh, Ancient One!" Seth laughed and jumped away as Emmett growled.

"Infant!" Emmett shot back.

"Boys, boys!" Esme cut in. "Let's all play nice! Remember, you're a team now!" She reminded them all in a playful tone, however needlessly. It was amazing how easily the pack had gotten over their hatred of the Cullens. They could now truly separate the golden eyed vampires from the red eyed. One week ago, we were all so guarded as we approached the field. We had all come to this very spot to pull resources with the Cullen's for the safety of Bella, as well as the community, but not one of us liked the Cullens. We grudgingly put aside our aversion to them for the safe keeping of the general populace, but the mere thought of being genuine allies with any vampire was both foreign and unwelcome. Looking around at the playful banter, hearing the laughter and discussions taking place so easily; it seemed impossible that this was the same crowd.

A week ago, I had been ready to curse God, thinking him unjust. The unthinkable imprint seemed untenable at the time. It went against every instinct; every natural law as we knew it. I accused God of having a sick sense of humor. Now, as I looked at those assembled for the battle tomorrow, I could see with eyes unclouded how perfectly right this was. This was no longer a "truce", or even a treaty. This was now a family… a cohesive unit. Each one here was willing to fight- even die- for anyone else standing in this place; which was a very good thing, seeing how tomorrow we would all be doing that very thing against a formidable army.

My musings were cut short when a loud whistle suddenly pierced the night air. I snapped my head to the left to ascertain the source of the sound. Jasper still had his thumb and middle finger against the corners of his mouth. (I never had figured out how to do that.) Everyone became serious in the span of a couple seconds, and all attention focused on the chief strategist.

"Okay. We have discussed our course of action! Everyone is going to be pared up. When I call your name, stand by your partner. If you are mated, you already know who that is." He reached for Alice's hand as he spoke, and pulled her close to his side. "Embry, Quil – pair up. Sam and Jared, you're together. Seth, you're in charge of Colin and Brady."

"In charge of?" Seth looked skeptically at Jasper. "Like, as in babysitting?" All three of them looked resentful.

"Not babysitting." Carlisle piped in. "You three will stay on the Res, and keep watch over Charlie, Sue, and Billy as well as the rest of the families. We need a presence there just in case Victoria decides to send a few of the newborns there in search of Bella." The boys still looked skeptical, but didn't argue. "This is a big responsibility, boys. Seth is older, and has been phasing longer. He has better control. He is being left in charge."

"You three will train first tonight. Then you will go home, and get sleep. Your responsibility tomorrow is a large one. We are entrusting the safety of all of our human loved ones into your care!" Jacob stared intently at the three young wolves, willing them to understand that this was not just a way to keep them from the heat of battle. (Although that was one of the side benefits to the plan – it was difficult for everyone to imagine the two thirteen year olds and Seth at fourteen battling against the foe they knew to expect.) They seemed to accept this coming from their Alpha, and didn't say another word of complaint.

"Okay, it's time for all of our furry brethren to phase. Practice starts now." Jasper instructed. After a couple of minutes, we wolves had all gotten… wolfy, and were watching as Jasper, Emmett and Edward sparred with the youngest members of the pack. They worked with them for an hour or so until they felt that the boys were prepared to defend the humans we were leaving behind at the Res, and then sent them home to get a decent night of sleep.

"Bella!" Jasper called, gaining her swift attention. "Up on the boulder; remember you are playing the part of the helpless human!" he beamed slyly, gaining a rumble of laughter from everyone in attendance. Bella bounded, still in her human form to the top of the boulder, and sat "Indian style", leaning her forearms against her knees, and intently listening to the rest of the instructions as they were handed out.

Edward was positioned at the base of the boulder on the eastern side, facing the direction from which the army would be arriving. Jasper and Alice were positioned some ten yards apart, and approximately ten yards ahead of Edward. Carlisle and Esme flanked Jasper, positioned the same distance apart, and from the boulder on the North side- Rose and Emmett mirrored Carlisle and Esme to the South. The wolves were instructed to stay hidden in the forest on the Western edge of the clearing, just out of view of the approaching army. They would pick off any newborns that had been sent to encircle the clearing, hoping to find an area of vulnerability. As soon as the first member of the encroaching army made it close to the base of the boulder, Leah and Jacob were to join Edward in defending Bella from attack.

Bella was to remain atop the boulder, appearing helpless. She was instructed that under no circumstances was she to phase, and that she was only to come to her own defense in the case of actual contact with one of the enemy. She was vocal in her distaste for the arrangement, but was quickly overruled by… everyone! Embry and Quil were to remain the forest no matter what, while Sam and Jared would join the fight if it appeared that any of the Cullens were about to be overwhelmed.

Once everyone understood their roles, it was time for the practice to commence. Sparring was taking place all over the field. Jasper was hopping from one spot to the next offering advice, or jumping into the fray to challenge us to take on more than one foe. We battled and practiced, and talked through many different scenarios over the next few hours.

Bella suddenly jumped into the middle of a session between Edward and Jasper, demanding their immediate attention.

"Bella, get back on your perch." Edward instructed. She pursed her lips and shoved at him in frustration.

"You are not the boss of me, Edward Cullen!" She hissed.

"Bella, what are you doing?" Jasper wondered. "I can feel your frustration. It is rolling off of you in waves!"

"Jasper, I need to have some moves down. I need to know how to destroy Victoria when the chance arises." She stated with resolve.

"The whole point of you being atop the boulder is to keep you out of the fight!" Jacob interjected from a nearby skirmish. By now, most of the mock fighting had ceased as everyone became curious about the small storm that was brewing in the center of the field.

"Jacob, I am a wolf now too! The point of me being on the rock is to keep them from knowing that I am a wolf, and to lure them here. It is no longer because I cannot defend myself!"

"But.." Jacob began, only to be cut off my Bella's hand clamping itself over his mouth.

"No!" Bella said firmly. "No buts. I am capable of defending myself, and I will not sit around like a helpless victim! When this fight gets close to me..." she looked around at everyone in the clearing, making sure that everyone was hearing what she was saying. "and it will; I fully intend to scare the every loving shit out of them as I phase and join the fight."

"Mark my words, all of you!" Bella said very loudly, spinning in a very slow circle, addressing everyone. "Victoria is mine. This is not negotiable. She has been stalking me and interfering in my life for nearly a year. I get to exact justice."

"Babe." Jacob began quietly. "I love you, and I do not doubt your strength or determination, but this chick has…" he shook his head expressing bewilderment, "Lord only knows how many years of experience in fighting. One training session just hours before the fight is not enough!"

"So, you would rather the fight gets close to me, and I have had no training whatsoever?" She asked incredulously.

"No! I want you to be able to defend yourself effectively, baby!" Jake's voice was emphatic. "I just don't want you going one on one against the red headed bitch!"

"Okay, I hear your concern." Bella nodded. "But hear me out. Let me go up against her. Give me the chance! If it looks like I cannot hold my own against her, then I will accept help, but you have to give me the chance to do this." Bella was firm in her resolve. I understood her need to try. She was no longer willing to be the helpless victim of a madwoman. I walked over and put my arm across her shoulders.

"I agree with Bella." I declared openly. "Give her the chance. She has already proven that she can kill. She needs the opportunity to do this." I faced her, and looked firmly into her eyes. "And if it looks for a moment like she won't succeed, I will be the first one jumping in for the assist." Bella understood my resolve, and thanked me for my support quietly.

"Okay." Jasper nodded, feeling the resolve, and knowing that it would be pointless to argue further. "Sam, Jake?" He gained their attention with a firm glance. "Edward, Emmett? I need all of your help. We make up the strongest and fastest on the field." Jasper continued to explain that Jacob and Sam were to show Bella the moves, and assist as she fought against Edward, Emmett and himself. They worked with her for two solid hours, and found her to be formidable in her determination. She could hold her own against Emmett and Edward as they attacked her in tandem, moving quickly to evade Emmett, and being shrewd enough to turn Edward's own momentum against him. She was amazing to watch. Those on the sidelines were absorbed in the scene that unfolded, watching with rapt awe as Bella's natural talent and potential were realized. She was showing herself to be as capable in her wolf form as she had been clumsy in her weak human state. Add the vampiric grace she had acquired to that, and she was blessed with the best of both species.

"You are quite the force to be reckoned with, darlin'!" Jasper chuckled as he wrapped her in a brotherly hug. Everyone shook their heads in awe as nervous laughter spread out among us.

As we drew near to sunrise, the excitement of the night began to wane, and a sense of trepidation began to creep in. We knew that no matter how well prepared we might be, there was still the possibility that one or more of us might not make it out of this unscathed. It was a daunting reality.

Just as the eastern sky began to lighten, the remaining pack members were sent to their western position to rest. Jacob and I declined, opting instead to stay with Bella and Edward for as long as possible. Bella and I didn't need any sleep just yet, and chose to remain with the Cullens. We all sat around at the base of the boulder, soaking in one another's company and just being together for the little while we had before the battle began.

We discussed the craziness and intensity of the week we just endured… the changes it wrought in all of our lives. Everyone agreed with me that things worked out better than any of us anticipated when I fell at Edward's feet that night. What appeared to have been a disastrous event had turned out to be so much more of a blessing than had been conjectured at first. The fact is, what took place between Edward and I was a world changing event; even if fewer than twenty people knew about it.

It was time to face the reality that after the smoke cleared and the dust settled in just a few hours, the whole of the vampire world may well know the truth. We had come to place of supreme confidence about this battle, but as I watched Alice's face glaze over, and I tapped into my connection with Edward; I realized how true that could be. The word passed through her mind as the vision of three strange vampires became clear… Volturi.

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