OK, OK, OK… Here is another chapter. The problem is, that I know how the story is going to end, which always slows me down in writing… I also can't promise regular updates from now on, but you guys have been so nice in reviews etc. that I simply could not leave you hanging any longer

23

Alice's POV

When I was alive my family put me into a madhouse, where I spent the last years of my human life, but little did I know that the Cullen House could be at least as mad and confused as my last abode!

This whole thing is becoming a bore! I know that Jasper killing James is my only chance, and I really need him to do this for me. Yes, I told him that I wanted Bella with Edward, because it would reduce the chance of a vampire/human relationship attracting James's attention, but after I saw Edward's latest harebrained scheme I knew I had to change my mind. Unfortunately I had not foreseen what an avalanche I would set off that way – there's irony for you! Only when Jasper was about to set Edward on fire did I realize that this way I would have to choose between the Cullens and Jasper and his friends. In contrast to Rosalie I like Charlotte (who has a natural beauty, which could be styled to be at least as pretty as Rosalie – this is why the Icequeen hates her), but I don't want to leave Carlisle and Esme or Emmett, who has been such a nice big brother for me. I also don't want to go back to feeding on humans, which is what they do. So I stopped them killing Edward, even before I saw the vision.

Hoping I could somehow talk everyone into calm, I helped put the silly boy back together and got him home after getting him some food. I have to admit had it not been for the vision, I might have strangled the self-righteous idiot himself for the way he started accusing all and everyone of being a danger to precious Bella and making plans about leaving Forks at once – preferable without Jasper. The discussion that was the consequence of all the chaos Edward had caused felt as if I had put my head into a washing machine, for all the noise and fussing, conflicting decisions and outcomes it provided, and they only stopped when I collapsed onto the sofa holding my head in pain. Then at last Carlisle took charge and allotted speaking time so everyone could state their opinion. In the end the vote was for remaining in Forks, for all sorts of reasons, but I don't care. I have my own reason for wanting to stay here, and I'm not moving before I graduate!

"Fine!" Edward said very quietly. "In that case I shall have to make myself scarce." He had been outvoted by everyone except Rosalie, and now turned to Carlisle, presumably for a dramatic good-bye.

I saw Carlisle look at his oldest son in a pained way, and at the same time Esme gave a choked noise, so I shook my head and cleared my throat pointedly. When he looked at me I shared my vision with him in my head.

He looked startled. "Oh – all right then. I think I'll have to reconsider, thank you Alice." With that he left all of us standing looking none the wiser. Seconds later meditative piano music flooded the house.

Emmett groaned and leaped out the nearest window. As Jasper's friends had also left and Esme and Carlisle were in desperate need of some alone time, I asked Rosalie to help make me presentable again – the whole affair had taken its toll on my outfit, hair and nails.

Bella's POV

Jasper sat up so suddenly that I jumped. "What do you mean?" he asked in an urgent voice.

I told him about the attacks that Charlie and his colleagues were dealing with, which made him get up and pace around my room at a speed that made him look blurred. After five minutes he stopped. "Bella, I'd like to take you along to the Cullens for now. We need to tell Carlisle what's going on. And Alice, too."

"It's the middle of the night, I can't just ….", I protested, but Jasper had already pulled me onto his back and jumped out the window with me. During the run he filled me in on Alice's story and the vampire who might be coming for her.

"What does that mean for us?" I was scared of him fighting, neither did I like the idea of him killing anyone, even a bad vampire.

He sighed. "I don't know right now. I don't even know if Carlisle will take me back after today, but I owe it to them to at least warn them of the danger. Alice said James would go for anyone with ties to humans, so that means that Carlisle and Esme would be in danger, and… I won't let that happen, no matter what they tell me."

When we arrived at the house, we disturbed Esme and Carlisle – I don't think I ever blushed more – but the doctor became serious at once and called everybody together. His wife disappeared upstairs at vampire speed, saying she wanted to get Alice and Rosalie, but I'm sure that she was as embarrassed as I had been about the situation. Peter and Charlotte came in seconds after us, which made me think that they must have been looking out for Jasper, something they would do, good friends that they are.

Edward joined the group, but stayed away from me as far as possible, which was a relief. I had not been ready to admit it, but I had definitely been scared by the idea of someone being that attracted to my blood. Maybe he had finally been too, and would keep a distance from me now. Fine by me. Peter noticed my determined look at Edward and grinned until Charlotte gave him a hard nudge with her elbow.

Jasper explained what I had told him, and he and Peter came up with a plan to fan out and hunt the dangerous vampires at once. I think, just the thought of that made me feel so scared that I must have lost consciousness.

"Bella?" Charlotte's voice was coming from far away, and her face was out of focus. I shook my head to clear it, and now I could see that Esme was also sitting with me. I was lying on Jasper's bed. IN the background I could see Rosalie's exasperated face. She was pacing by the window nervously and looked as if she would be chewing her nails if that wouldn't ruin them.

"Where is Jasper?" I sat up, a dark suspicion dawning on me.

"They have gone to track the…" Esme started in a soothing voice, but I did not let her finish – I was too angry for that.

Charlotte caught up with me at the front door. "No!" She said, firmly blocking my way. "I know you want to rip him to bits right now, and I would strongly advice you do that – verbally – as soon as he is back, or he will get all sorts of 19th century ideas about you, but as long as you're still mortal you can't go rushing around the forest hunting vampires!"

I huffed at her impatiently, crossed my arms and tapped my foot. As I was wearing only my socks, that did obviously not make much of an impression other that Charlotte trying not to laugh.

Rosalie had followed us out lazily (for a vampire) and had watched the exchange with interest. Now she was smiling at me for the first time. "You've got more guts than I gave you credit for", she said.

"Girls!" Esme called from the living room. "Why don't you come up here to keep me company? Bella, I have just made you some hot sweet tea, and I want you to drink every drop of that."

We shrugged at each other and went upstairs, where I was handed a perfect cup of tea and led to the sofa. "I'm sure they will solve the problem without violence. Carlisle doesn't approve of violence, you know", she said and covered my legs with a quilt. It was clear she wanted to calm me down, but as she was about as nervous as I was, I gave in to her fussing over me like a mother, which I rather enjoyed, too.

"Who made this?" I asked, pointing to the quilt.

"Oh, Rosalie and I did. It's a mathematical pattern, you know. Rosalie designed it, and I did the sewing."

We talked about all sorts of nothing for what seemed like hours until finally the others pricked up when their extra-sensitive ears picked up the sound of the men returning.

Yes, this chapter is a bit of a "Lumpensammler" (contains all sorts of bits and pieces of story), but at least it's a start to getting back into the story.

Bye for now - Stefi