~Kinda in my element with these next two chapters. I had such fun writing them. I hope you enjoy reading. Thanks so much for the support. It truly makes my day when someone says this their current fave fic!

Not sure how familiar you are with official Twilight soundtracks, but there's a scene in BD2 when Bella assumes she won't survive the Volturi because of clues left behind by Alice. The song is "Everything and Nothing" by The Boom Circuits. I also listened to "I See Fire" by Ed Sheeran. Both songs have eerie beats and great lyrics that fit.

"And if the night is burning
I will cover my eyes
For if the dark returns
Then my brothers will die
And as the sky is falling down
It crashed into this lonely town
And with that shadow upon the ground
I hear my people screaming out"

Chapter 42: Everything and Nothing

Bella quickly dressed back in Jake's shirt and a pair of sleep pants. It wasn't the easiest task considering how shaky she was. Atticus screamed behind her louder and louder which rattled her even worse. She and Jacob were so close, so connected with each other again, it felt like a dream. Then it was over, like a hellish nightmare. All she could imagine now were all the potential problems the pack was facing. This was not a drill, something was dreadfully wrong.

Bella picked up their son and cradled him against her chest. "It's okay, my baby. Mommy's here."

He cried even louder, she'd never seen him so upset even when he was ill with fever. She attempted to bring him to the breast, but he was inconsolable and refused. Bella held him up to her so he was looking directly in her eyes. She kept repeating he was fine. "I've got you, Ace. Mommy's here and Daddy will be back. He's protecting us." She murmured phrases like that repeatedly. Finally, his bawling turned into sniffling, the kind that sounded like stuttering intakes of breath with almost silent exhales. She could hear the house phone ringing despite the hour. Sage sounded like he was in absolute misery and Rachel was loudly crying out in despair. Atticus was drifting off again, but Bella didn't want to put him down, she needed him next to her so she grabbed the wrap, sat on the bed and secured him in the hold he liked best for sleeping.

Atticus briefly whimpered again when she stood up but at the sound of her voice, he drifted off to sleep again. She had to go help Rachel. Once she entered Sage's room, she saw that he appeared asleep because his eyes were shut tight, but everything else going on with him didn't resemble rest in the least. He was having the worst sort of night terror she'd ever witnessed. Nothing his mother was doing seemed to pull him out of it. Billy wheeled in. He was still strong enough to get himself up and down from the bed and no doubt he heard all the commotion.

"Is he hot?"

"No, Dad. His skin feels clammy. I don't understand. Willow had nightmares, but they were never this bad." Bella sat next to them on the bed. Willow had joined in as well out of concern for her brother.

"I don't think that's a dream that child is experiencing." Billy looked at Bella knowingly. He was frustrated about the shrill ringing coming from the kitchen, "Someone needs to answer the damn phone." Rachel said hers was going off also, but she couldn't think straight to check it. Billy grumbled and backed out, saying something about it could be important news.

Bella felt like she was an invisible observer for several seconds, but then an unfamiliar instinct overcame her and she thought carefully about what had just occurred with their son. "Rachel, move. Let me try."

Rachel looked up through red-rimmed, watery eyes with a mixture of confusion and doubt. As a mother, Bella knew Rachel thought she was the only one that could aide her young son, but Bella had to try. The technique with Atticus worked quickly and she knew now, it was for other reasons, not only because she was his mother.

Jacob's sister hesitated briefly before she nodded and moved. She also told Willow to get off the bed. The young boy was caught between two realms. He appeared to be suffering some type of mental and physical torture even though nothing was near him.

"Sage. It's Bella. Sage, wake up! You're fine. Your mother is here. Willow's here. We need you to relax. You're safe. Listen to my voice. We're all safe." The screaming stopped first. His strange movements slowed. Bella put her hand on his shoulder. She noted the complete shift in his breathing pattern as he seemed to return to a normal state of sleep. Rachel called his name again and they noticed his eyelids start to twitch. Billy came back looking fairly alarmed considering his grandson was coming around. "That's it, sweetie." Bella stroked dark strands of sweaty hair that were clinging to his forehead. "Open your eyes. Your father and your uncles are taking care of everything, there's no reason for you to be worried."

"Mom," was the first thing out of his mouth in a groggy haze.

Bella switched spots with Rachel on the bed. Her own son had slept through the entire ordeal. Bella moved out of the room with Billy.

"What is it?"

"Emily's girl, the oldest, Lizzie was on the phone. She called crying. Her father left and as she put it, Ryder is freaking out and her mother can't calm him down." Jacob told Bella to stay put and she never planned to ignore his advice but she needed to help that child.

"What did you tell Elizabeth?"

"I said someone would be there to help soon or they could always come here."

"I have to go."

Bella was going to attempt to take Atticus out of the baby wrap and either let Billy hold him or return him to the crib. A clap of thunder and a streak of lightning interrupted their conversation only making the night seem even more ominous.

Billy grabbed her by the wrist. "No, I can't let you do that."

"Billy, please. I can go to Ryder easier than Emily can get out with three children in a storm, especially when one of them is acting the way you just witnessed Sage. I'm the only one that can calm him. You saw and you know why."

"I know you're trying to take responsibility for the children and the mates because the men are all gone, but that's the problem, they are all gone. You know as well as I do that never happens. Someone always stays behind for protection."

She already knew it was bad, but Bella had no choice. Emily needed help. She carefully unwound her son. He whimpered slightly. Bella kissed his forehead. "It's okay, baby. Stay with Grandpa. Mommy will be right back."

Atticus drifted back to sleep in the crook of Billy's arm. He begged her again. "Let me call Charlie instead."

"There's no time. I'm not going to let Ryder suffer endlessly. Something awoke the spirit of the wolf in these boys. They felt the distress signal, just like their fathers but are too young to sort it out in their minds and bodies. I'm the alpha's mate, I have the ability to order them to stop. I won't let any member of this pack down."

Bella grabbed her keys off a hook by the door. She wasn't bothering with a jacket or anything to protect her from the elements. The weather took a turn for the worse. The thunderous warnings had turned into a full-fledged downpour.

Billy was still begging for her to change her mind when she shut the door. Lightning lit up the sky and she jumped at the thunder, picturing that each booming noise masqueraded as some sort of monster, ready to jump out and claim her. This wasn't an act of bravery by any means, she'd never been more terrified.

Bella took a deep breath and whispered in her thoughts, forgive me, Jake, for not listening.

Her bare feet slipped as soon as they hit the mud, but Bella miraculously stayed upright. She hit the button to unlock her car door. She was inside the Jetta in a heartbeat, already drenched from the short run from the house. She pretended the car offered some type of protection, but in the back of her mind, knew it was only a false sense of security.

She vigorously shook her hands at her sides to stop them from trembling. Bella took one more cleansing breath, Ryder was her sole focus. She was worried if he spent too long in that state, it very well could awaken the wolf fully and none of those boys were ready to deal with such things at such a young age.

The engine was running even though she couldn't remember turning the key. Just as her hand went to the gear shift, the car door swung open and water pelted her from all directions. Bella instinctively screamed, "NOOOOO!"

The would-be captor grasped her firmly on the arm and she was ready to fight her damnedest even if it was sure to be in vain.

"Bella, STOP! It's me, Rachel."

Her heart was beating so fast, she thought it was near exploding. It was only Rachel, she must be carrying her father's sense of forewarning a step further.

"I have to go, Rachel, I'll help him just like I did with Sage."

Rachel wouldn't let go and it wasn't like Bella was going to run her over.

"Please, step away from the car!"

Jacob's sister jerked her harder and Bella relented. She stepped out of the car in the pouring rain with Rachel. She practically shrieked every word in her face. "Jared came back to Kim! He's bringing everyone here and he said Jake gave explicit instructions that all of us were to remain together until it was over!"

Bella repeated it so she was sure she heard right, "Jared's bringing them?"

Rachel grabbed her and held her tight against her. They were both sobbing because neither of them knew exactly what was happening, only that it was extremely dangerous. Lightning hit so close to home, a large limb sparked in flames and fell across the driveway behind them. That was all they needed to see to make them realize they were sitting ducks with regards to the storm or worse. They turned and ran their asses back inside. Both women came back in soaked to the skin. Willow rushed with towels to help dry them off and prevent water from dripping everywhere. Billy's head drooped forward with heavy relief. Atticus was still sound asleep in his arms.

"Thank the spirits you stayed."

They filled her in. Jared went back for Kim and Lorelei, then he was heading to Emily's. Sue and Amy were meeting them and following. Bella immediately thought of Barry who was on the reservation. He and Collin were staying at Collin's grandmother's old cabin. She needed to call Charlie too for a head's up, but she was going to tell him to stay put. No one should be out in this treacherous weather.

Bella pulled out her phone but couldn't get any messages to send. She went to Billy's house phone next and the line was dead even though only minutes before it was working fine.

"I'm worried, Barry doesn't know what these emergencies are like."

"Honey, none of us do. We've never had one this huge. Hopefully, he'll stay put. I'm sure he'll be fine. We should both change before everyone gets here."

Bella came back to the living in fresh clothes. Rachel was bringing out sheets, blankets, pillows and quilts. She thought Sue could take Embry's room. Bella didn't let her mind dwell how less than an hour ago, that was where she and Jacob were finding themselves again. It was their moment and now everything seemed blown to bits.

Rachel was going to put all the girls in Willow's room and the two boys would be fine on Sage's bunk bed. She was going to make pallets for the rest of them out on the living room floor, not that any of them could probably find sleep until they knew something but they should attempt to rest. Sue and Seth's fiancée ran through the door about that time under the same umbrella. Bella was anxious to see what state Ryder was in. Emily was next, huddled around her two girls, followed by Kim, Lorelei and Claire. Jared was the last inside carrying a barely conscious Ryder. Bella felt his skin, wet from the storm but scorching hot. Dammit. He was the oldest of all the pack children but still not old enough and she was right, the longer wait had done him more harm.

Bella needed to be stronger, firmer with her command. Jared took him to the bedroom but he only let Bella and Emily inside. She thought about what Jacob might say to this boy and said those words. She was forceful with her command that he needed to calm down, "Don't you dare phase, Ryder! You don't have to do this. Your father, Uncle Jake and the pack are all taking care of us. Do you hear me? Your mother and sisters are here too and we're all safe from harm." A few minutes ticked by, Bella had to repeat her speech a few times.

Jared took a step back. "It's working."

"Are you sure?" Emily stroked her son's cheek. "I think you might be right, he's cooler and he's not shaking near as bad."

Jared said he had to go back out. "I'm staying nearby unless they need me. No one, I mean no one steps outside that door. Jacob said I needed to drive that point across." He kissed his daughter and his wife. When he opened the door, Barry was standing there with his hand up like he was about to knock. Jared stepped past him and Bella pulled her friend inside. She yelled for more towels. "Bar, you crazy man. I can't believe you made it out in this weather alone when you barely know your way around the reservation."

"I had to make sure you were okay." He looked around the room and said he was relieved they were all together. "So this is pack life?"

His question lightened the very somber mood of the bunch. Rachel thrust a coffee mug in between his fingers. "Not exactly the norm, but yeah, the pack sticks together no matter what."

Bella wasn't satisfied, Jared didn't tell them a damn thing. She only thought she was slipping out unnoticed while they were all distracted. Barry caught her, "Stop right there, Little Bit. Just where in the hell do you think you're going?"

"I'm only going as far as the porch. I need to speak to Jared."

None of them looked pleased with her decision but she had to make contact. Barry said three minutes, no more or he was coming out to physically drag her back inside.

Bella screamed into the night for Jared to come back. At first, she thought he was gone again, but when she got more direct, she suspected he had no choice but to obey her command. He appeared at the steps, bare chested, and drenched in only a pair of cut-offs.

"Bella, I said to stay inside."

"I need some answers. Why are these boys in so much distress? Where is the pack? Is it Aro?"

"I can't answer any of those questions because I don't know for certain."

He tried to turn around, but told her to get back inside and lock the doors.

"You know as well as I that won't keep them out, if they're here for me."

"No one's here for you, Bella. We're making sure of that. Please, I need to be back in wolf form. Your order isn't stronger than Jake's."

"Fine, I'll let you do your duty, but please tell me something. What are you up against?"

Jared said he wasn't sure, but even though she stopped the boys, other kids weren't so lucky. "Remember we were watching two more at the school?"

"Yes."

"Okay, they phased as well as one we weren't expecting."

"Who?"

"Zane, right in front of me. He was spending the night after the bonfire. Jeez, he's Kim's nephew. I didn't know he was in the bloodline. Somehow, I guess no young male on the res is excluded." He advised Bella how difficult it was with a new wolf and they had that times three currently, so with the leeches launching a surprise attack, it was a huge clusterfuck."

"How many?"

"That's one of those questions I don't know for sure."

"Ballpark figure."

"More than ten but less than twenty when I left, but they keep appearing out of nowhere. Now, that's all I've got, go inside and let me do my job."

Bella went back inside. The kids had all settled down but Emily was staying next to Ryder a little while longer as he continued to improve. Sage was already back to his normal self and climbed on the top bunk to go back to sleep. Bella peeked in on the girls as well. Rachel made a place for Atticus to sleep on the floor next to Bella's pillow. Billy and Sue had gone to their rooms and all the mates and imprints were settling down in various spots on the floor. Barry was on the couch. Kim held Claire close as she silently cried. She must be worried sick over Quil and Zane and she was just a child herself, so much turmoil to experience in one night.

Bella knew she wouldn't be able to sleep but pacing around wouldn't do the rest of them any good. She was going to lie down with all of them but first she had to try the phone one more time. She pretended to use the bathroom. She restarted her cell and was ecstatic to see one bar. She attempted the call. She wasn't sure if it rang or anyone answered.

She blurted out, "I need your help."

"What is it? You sound upset."

"I'm extremely upset. The pack's been ambushed!"

"Hold on," Bella heard other voices and some sort of crash in the background.

"Edward, are you there? Do you hear me? Please, can you all go to them! Don't worry about the treaty, go any place you need to." She wasn't sure she had that authority, but she was exercising full power tonight.

"Alice saw something. I think we know where they are. Don't worry, we're heading out the door."

"Wait, Edward. Is it Aro?"

"Not personally, but Alice says he's ready to see what he's up against. This is a test. Be safe and stay put. We won't let you or your pack down."

The phone went silent. It was the first time in many years that knowing Edward gave her some type of comfort. Bella rested her face in her hands and wept. Aro always liked playing games, but he played to win and even if it was just a test, she knew full well, everyone's lives were at stake. Jacob would be leading the ranks, he was the one that stood up to Aro, and posed the biggest threat. That made him enemy number one to these vampires.

Bella needed to get back to the living room with the group. She switched off the bathroom light with a prayer on her lips, Jacob, please come back to me.

~Thanks for reading.

Drama, drama, drama, who wants more drama?

What are your thoughts on Bella's full ascension into power? Was she kicking ass or acting carelessly?