x-x-x-x-x

I couldn't help myself, I did what has always made me feel best, I paced, I know it drove Jacob nuts, but I couldn't help it. After it had gone on for a good ten minutes, Jacob finally threw one of Nessie's toys at me, of course I profiled him doing that and I saw it coming out of the corner of my eye, so I was able to duck as the teddy bear hit the window and bounced off. I turned and looked at him, grinning halfheartedly.

"You missed," I said softly

"kid you're making me nuts with the pacing thing, you've got to stop." He said, his own way of apologizing.

"Sorry," I replied shrugging

"I thought you guys have to remind yourselves to move around and stuff,"

"Most of our kind do, I'm not one for sitting still,"

"You're so weird, even for a leech, you know that right?"

"So I've been told," I replied with a sigh, Nessie came skipping in and she came straight for me jumping into my arms.

"Uncle Chris you're not weird," Nessie informed me

"Thanks Ness," I paused "hey I have to clean Chap's cage, do you want to help me?"

Nessie got the biggest grin on her face, she absolutely loves Chap and is constantly asking to take him out and play with him. Besides, I needed a break, I needed a distraction, I didn't like how long the family was gone for and it was stressing me out.

Jacob gave us a funny look

"You really like that rat thing?" he asked Nessie who nodded quickly, I grinned a little, a weak one, but still a grin

"You know what Nessie? I think Jakey is scared of rats,"

Nessie looked at him quickly as if she was surprised

"Are you really scared Jacob?"

He rolled his eyes at me and turned back to the TV flipping it on, I'm pretty sure he wasn't watching it any more than I would be, but it served as a subject stopper. I knelt down so Nessie could climb on my back. She was quiet as we headed to the stairs, but as soon as we started up to my room I heard her sigh.

"What's the matter Ness?" I asked even though I knew exactly what was on her mind. It was so hard to remember that Nessie is still a baby, she looks like she could be a small five year old or a big two year old, but she's so intellectual and so articulate you tend to forget how old she really is.

"Is Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper coming home soon?"

"I…I don't know Ness,"

There was a long pause, even as young as she was Nessie wasn't used to me being unsure of something.

"Is something bad going to happen?" I tried not to wince, but she clearly noticed my hesitation "is that why they left?" she asked

We had reached the landing by now, so I carefully swung Nessie off my back and placed her gently on the floor, before kneeling down so I was eyelevel with her.

"Nessie, I don't have all the answers, I wish I did. but I swear, nothing will happen to you, you will always be safe. You have so many people who love you, your mummy and daddy, grandpa and grandma, Jacob, grandpa Charlie, aunt Rose and uncle Emmett," I paused "and me,"

"are you going away too?" Nessie asked, her bottom lip quivering

I took a deep breath, I knew we would have to do what Alice had asked, we had to call on our friends to act as witnesses and to do that we would have to leave for a short time. Nessie would have to stay behind, same with Bella and Edward, so it would leave Esme, Carlisle, Emmett, Rose, and I to gather the witnesses. I wouldn't lie to her, even though in that moment I wished I could.

"Just for a short time Nessie girl, but mummy and daddy and Jacob will be here with you and soon you won't believe how many visitors you get. Our cousins from Alaska are coming tomorrow to meet you and all sorts of friends behind them." I kissed her forehead, "can I trust you to do something Nessie?" she looked up at me, her eyes perking up a little "I need you to look after Chaplin okay? You have your mummy and daddy and Jacob looking after you, but Chap is going to be very sad with Alice away and me away, so you're in charge of taking care of him, can you do it?" I added knowing full well she was more than capable.

"I will Uncle Chris, I promise."

x-x-x-x-x

Rose and Emmett returned home shortly after my conversation with Nessie, followed quickly by Esme and Carlisle. Confirming for Jacob and I what we feared, Alice and Jasper were in fact gone. They had actually asked Sam for permission to cross into their territory on the way to the ocean. It also confirmed our plan, we were going to get the witnesses.

"I think Chris you should go north with Emmett and Rose." Carlisle said as we looked over the globe.

Esme and Rose had changed clothes and were ready for a great deal of running, Emmett and I were already dressed for that occasion as was Carlisle, but I still ran back up to my room to grab a sweatshirt and a hat. Chaplin began squeaking loudly the moment I stepped in my room, despite coming out to visit with Nessie he clearly knew something was up and was not happy with it.

I knew Nessie would take good care of him, but what about later…what about when the Volturi arrived. I'd been trying to avoid thinking about that particular future, but now I couldn't help it as reality finally hit me. Alice and Jasper were gone, was it to protect themselves from the Volturi or did Alice have a method to her thinking, both were probable and to be honest I was praying for the latter.

We knew for certain thanks to Alice's vision and to her and Jasper's departure that the Volturi were indeed coming to Forks and they were certainly not coming for a reunion, they were coming to pass judgment on what they believed to be our sin.

Our entire existence erased all due to a misunderstanding. Thinking about death in this life has never been even a whisper, I had put death behind me when Carlisle explained what I had become and even with the threat of the Volturi the first time I met them, I don't think I truly related death in this life to something that could actually occur. Not until last summer when I faced it head on did I have a respect for it and even a fear of it.

There isn't much I have come to fear in this life, sure Bella's hold over Edward spooked me, but actual death has never been a contender for my fear threshold and it's not fear of my own demise, it's watching my family die, it's hearing their screams like the newborns last summer. My imagination began to run rampant and I did not like where it was heading…

Quickly I shook my head. Chaplin gave another squeak and looked up at me, I reached into his cage and ran a finger down his back, he stood up on his hind legs and put his front paws on my hand.

"Be good Chap, I'll be home soon okay? Nessie will take care of you," I swear if he could talk Chap would be begging me not to go, just from the look in his eyes. But I had no choice.

Bella and Edward still weren't home by the time I got downstairs and though I was certainly curious and a little concerned, I knew I couldn't dwell on it for the moment. Jacob sat on the couch, holding Ness in his lap watching the whole scene as we mapped our routes. They both looked up at me as I came into the room and I gave them what I'm sure was a pretty pathetic smile.

Esme and Carlisle were heading to Europe, then to Africa, before finally stopping in Japan and Korea where they have friends and acquaintances who might be willing to help us. Edward, Nessie, and Bella would stay here to receive anyone we sent back.

It was necessary to keep Nessie here because everyone needed to see her and learn about her, it would be the only way the witnesses if we could get any would accept that we were being falsely accused and desperately needed help, not to fight the Volturi but also be there to help us defend ourselves.

Emmett, Rose, and I were hitting North America and South America. The Denali's were on their way here and would be the first of our witnesses to arrive.

Esme did not like us splitting up like this, but our time frame was short, we could cover more ground separated, I had even gone as far as to volunteer to hit Montreal while Emmett and Rose go down south to locate one of Carlisle's oldest friends Garrett. But Esme made us promise we would stay together and none of us were ready to break that promise.

"Are we really going to try and get Julianna and Sam?" Emmett asked

Carlisle sighed as he debated that

"Chris," he finally said after a few moments "I am almost certain you will not be able to convince Samuel and Julianna to come." He paused "we all have much to lose and they are no different, but in some ways they have much more to lose, please tell them we do not fault them if they decide the risk is too great."

"Of course," I replied, Carlisle's French Canadian friends Julianna and Samuel were great friend of ours and always welcomed us when we were in that part of Canada. They had known Carlisle and Esme for many years and were one of the few who like us and the Denali clan who fed on animals and maintain home, albeit a very secluded one where they didn't interact with their human neighbors like we did.

I've met them many times and they love me because I speak fluent French. Carlisle is pretty fluent as is Esme, but none of my siblings really are, even though Edward claims to be, he's not.

Julianna is also gifted, with a gift that the Volturi would probably kill to have under their control. It's almost like the power of suggestion only there's no fighting it, she can almost hypnotize someone and they will do what she asks. Thankfully she's one of the good guys because that power is scary, if the Volturi were to get their claws on it though it would be basically the end of free will for anyone vampire, human, won't matter, the Volturi are already power hungry they do not need that added to their power.

So I was pretty sure asking Julianna and Samuel to join our cause was pretty much the biggest shot in the dark ever seen, but I also knew we had to try, we had a list of names to go by and any of them that were willing to at least come and hear us out was a step in the right direction.

By the time Edward and Bella returned everything was pretty much decided. However looking at Bella face I knew something else was up, Alice and Jasper's disappearing act aside, she looked in deep thought about something, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Whatever it was, it had something to do with Jacob and Nessie, that much I could tell, but I decided to keep it to myself, we all had enough to worry about right now and whatever Bella was hiding, I knew it would come out sooner or later.

Bella looked at the globe as if she was contemplating where her and Edward would be going, before Edward read Carlisle's mind and a flash of anger washed over my brother's face.

"We're to stay here?" Edward asked, looking at Carlisle.

"Alice said that we would have to show people Renesmee, and we would have to be careful about it," Carlisle said. "We'll send whomever we can find back here to you – Edward, you'll be the best at fielding that particular minefield."

"There's a lot of ground to cover." Edward pointed out nodding at the globe. We exchanged a look, before Emmett spoke up

"We're splitting up," he explained "Rose, Chris, and I are hunting for nomads and hitting Montreal to talk to Samuel and Julianna, we're hoping Rosetta stone over here can convince them." He added nodding at me playfully,

"You'll have your hands full here," Carlisle told Bella and Edward. "Tanya's family will be here in the morning, and they have no idea why. First, you have to persuade them not to react the way Irina did. Second, you've got to find out what Alice meant about Eleazar. Then, after all that, will they stay to witness for us? It will start again as the others come – if we can persuade anyone to come in the first place." Carlisle sighed. "Your job may well be the hardest. We'll be back to help as soon as we can."

He walked over to Bella and Edward, kissed Bella's forehead and hugged Edward's shoulders. So this was it, this was happening so fast, but it was time to give our goodbyes.

As we said our goodbyes to Bella, Edward, and Nessie, it really felt like we were never going to see them again. It wasn't my hunch or anything, this was just concern for my family, normal, human like emotion and worry.

Bella hugged me tight and Nessie wrapped her tiny arms around me as I lifted her up rocking her.

"Don't get it much taller on me Nessie girl," I whispered to her "at least not while we're gone. Stay little okay kid?"

She nodded and pawed at her eyes, our conversation earlier playing through my mind and I know it played through hers, the questions she had asked and the answers I was unable to give.

"I won't get any bigger Uncle Chris," Nessie said sniffing "I promise."

"And I'm trusting you to take care of Chaplin while I'm gone okay, remember you promised."

She nodded

"I will!"

I kissed the top of her head

"Tha gaol agam ort Nessie." I whispered (I love you), she leaned up to kiss my cheek and nodded.

"Tha gaol agam ort uncle Chris!" She exclaimed as I handed her off to Emmett who gently threw her into the air much to Esme and Rose's horror.

When I turned back Edward was standing In front of me looking somewhat solemn, and I winced not liking that look.

"Ed, please don't look at me like your standing over my casket," I whispered, trying to be lighthearted about the whole thing, even though we both know I was full of it, my humour and grin said I was fine, but my body and my mind betrayed how absolutely terrified I was about what was to come and in all honesty his look of a funeral director didn't help.

"Sorry Chris," he replied "look," he started to say, pausing for a moment as he sorted out his words, this just made it even worse because I felt like I was getting sent off to the front lines to die. He winced as that thought entered my mind and he gave me an apologetic smile. "I know we've had our fights and disagreements," he continued and I held up my hand

"Doesn't matter anymore Edward," I interrupted "you're my brother, brothers fight and disagree,"

"What I'm trying to say is no matter how stupid I've been or even-"

"Moody?" I guessed and he rolled his eyes. "Well you have been,"

"Anyways," he could continued "you've always stuck by me and gave me a second chance when I probably didn't deserve any of them."

"Again it's what brothers do." I reminded him, shifting uncomfortably.

He didn't answer that, instead for I'm pretty sure the first time ever, Edward reached forward and hugged me tight

"Be careful kid," he whispered even though everyone not only saw the scene unfold (which was good, I needed witnesses for future proof) but everyone heard our conversation. "I'm not saying this because I have no faith in this whole thing, but because...you're my little brother and I want to make sure you know that I do care about you even if I don't always show it."

I rolled my eyes and the urge to make a joke out of this was overwhelming, I don't like these kind of situations, they make me extremely uncomfortable and I'm never sure how to respond.

"I...I know Edward," I replied "and trust me as annoying as you can be sometimes, I wouldn't trade having you as a brother for anything in the world." I paused "so when this whole things is over with and things go back to normal, just remember you're going to owe me big time" I added with a smirk as he let me go.

"That was so touching I think I'm going to cry," Emmett called as he passed Nessie to Rose. "I've got to admit though, I feel left out, would you trade me in Dr. Doolittle?" He asked coming over to us

"Not in a million years," I exclaimed, I looked at Edward "we'll be fine, this whole thing will be fine," I said, hoping that I could convince him enough. I backed away, as Edward moved towards Emmett and spoke to him in a hushed voice.

Even though I could hear it, I ignored it, Edward's words had hit me and Esme must have sensed that because she came up behind me and pulled me close. I could profile her own uneasiness and even pain that was emitting off my mother. With Alice and Jasper leaving us, for whatever reasons they had, regardless it hurt my mother and the last thing she wanted with two of our family MIA was to have the rest of us separated.

After good byes were shared and final rounds of hugs with Edward, Bella, and Nessie and even a handshake with Jacob, we headed towards the woods, we would split up as soon as we crossed the wolf line, which had been temporarily dissolved as both sides prepared for what was coming, Carlisle and Esme would be heading towards Alaska to cross into Russia, while we would be heading the opposite way towards Montreal.

We dashed into the woods and as soon as we were out of sight of the house we slowed down and made our way to the line. Esme was walking with Rose now, taking time with each of us as much as she could while Emmett and I walked with Carlisle,

Esme hugged each of us in turn, whispering something to Rose, then hugging Emmett and whispering something to him, then it was my turn, she pulled me close, rocking me a little, more times than not her overprotectiveness and constant babying of me gets a little embarrassing, but this was one of those times I welcomed it.

"Be safe my little one," she whispered

"You too mum" I replied hugging her back. "It'll be okay," I added "I know it will,"

Esme nodded, but was clearly unsure and unwilling to let us go.

"I love you," she said softly,

"I love you too mum,"

Slowly she let me go as Carlisle hugged Rose tight and kissed the top of her head and then hugged Emmett, Esme taking time to hug Rose then Emmett with more 'I love you's' being exchanged.

Carlisle turned to me, the pain on his face was like a punch to the gut, he saw the concern on my face and smiled gently, trying to wash his own concern and pain from his face.

"What your mother said goes for me too, be safe Chris, look after your brother and sister," he said

"Why you think Emmett is going to get into trouble in Canada?" I asked seriously

"I don't expect any trouble anywhere, just for my sake and your mother's please be careful, just do what you can and come home safe. Find and convince who you can. Your ability will help, you'll be able to read people and determine how best to approach them. But if you cannot convince someone it is all right."

I nodded

"We will dad," I promised, Carlisle put both his hands on my shoulder leaning down a little so we were exactly eye level

"And stay together understand? Most important please stay together." There was such a desperation in Carlisle's voice I couldn't argue with him, not that I would; I saw his point, there was definitely safety in numbers here. The Volturi could use Demetri to track each one of us down and I wouldn't put it past the Volturi to use that method.

"I swear, we'll stay together."

Carlisle took a deep breath

"I'm proud of you Christian," he whispered

"I know," I replied giving him a weak smile, I glanced at Emmett, but he was preoccupied with Esme hugging him and Rose as tight as she could, "Love you dad," I whispered and Carlisle looked at me in surprise and who could blame him I don't think I've ever said those words to him.

I've said them to Esme many times, but in my time it wasn't done. Fathers and sons simply understood that they loved one another but the words weren't typically exchanged especially from the kid's perspective.

There might be a 'I'm proud of you son' or a 'let's go toss 'round the cricket ball da' but I can't remember the last time I said 'I love you' to my human father, I know he said it to me when he left for the front and I know I said something along the lines of 'aye you too da' but that was it.

Again, it just wasn't done, especially in front of one's mates. I know it's something I've regretted for many decades and it is just something I will have to live with.

Carlisle smiled, his surprise waning a bit as he reached forward and hugged me tight

"I love you too Chris." He replied "we will see you three home soon." He added, letting me go to rejoin Esme.

Both our parents seemed really reluctant, but none of us had a choice here. So with a wave, Carlisle and Esme went one way, Emmett, Rose, and I headed east.

We had been running for a while, long enough that at least a day if not two passed, me in the lead, with my brother and sister close behind when Emmett sped up a little to slow me down for a moment. I slowed to a stop and we took the opportunity to get our bearings, we of course had no need to rest or catch our breath, but it still felt good to take a break.

"We're nearly there right?" I asked Emmett as he pulled out a map, he nodded

"Another hour, maybe two." He explained "your French all ready to go?"

"Oui," I replied and he rolled his eyes

"Carlisle really doesn't think they'll come?" he asked, sitting down next to Rose on a fallen tree, I leaned against a nearby tree and took a deep breath, before shaking my head.

"They're two of Carlisle and Esme's oldest friends," Rose reminded me "why are you and Carlisle so sure they're not going to come?"

"Julianna's gift," I said pointedly "somehow her and Samuel have remained off the Volturi's radar for centuries, the last thing they want to do is expose themselves to Aro and Caius, do you think Aro would let a gift like Julianna's just walk away?"

"I didn't think of that,"

"It's okay Rose, I'd be worried if you did start thinking like that, me thinking like that is my ability talking." I paused and pushed my bangs back under the brim of my hat "but we have to at least try, give them the option to say no."

"What about Garrett, do you think he'll agree to come?" Emmett asked and I thought that over, Garrett's a tough call, for one thing he might be more apt to agree if I wasn't part of the trio asking him, we don't get along and I blame him. He never shuts up about the tyranny of England and the whole revolution thing. He acts like I was alive back then and part of England's "enslavement" and Esme'ree and took a deep breath, before shaking my head.

t still felt good to take a break gently, tryingof America, just because of my accent.

When he found out I'm actually Scottish and that I just grew up in London, he made it seem like that was even worse, like I was somehow a traitor to rebellious causes everywhere, something about Scotland giving up too quickly in our own attempt at independence.

Trust me I've tried talking to the nutter, my family may have been mostly famers, but we came from a long line of Scottish pride, my ancestors fought along William Wallace and Robert the Bruce for Scottish independence, but apparently because they didn't succeed it didn't count.

"Probably, in fact he'll most likely be the easiest of everyone to enlist, provided I'm out of sight" I grumbled, Emmett looked at me and chuckled

"Come on kid he's not that bad,"

"Emmett he called me a red coat last time and started chanting 'all hail King George,' in a really bad British accent."

"Good point." Emmett said thoughtfully "but then again, that was a few years ago and we weren't facing total annihilation. Don't worry, it'll be fine."

I shrugged

"If you say so, but I'll be the first to say I told you so when he starts his longwinded 'tyrants' speech and he's looking right at me."

"Come on you two, let's keep going," Rose called running ahead of us.

x-x-x-x

Julianna and Samuel had made some changes to their house from the last time we were here just two years ago. It had gone from being a simple log cabin with one room to a massive two story structure.

Samuel had taught himself computers early on when they first became available to the public and he's prided himself on being somewhat of a IT guy. It's his way of staying busy, he works over the phone or through someone's internet to fix their computer issues or a company network. He's good at it, very good at it.

"Business must be bombing," Emmett breathed when we crossed the property line and stared up at the mansion like cabin in front of us.

"Bloody hell just a wee bit," I replied

"It's beautiful," Rose added

We started walking towards the house when the front door swung open and Julianna came out looking concerned at first, before her face broke into a smile and she waved us forward.

"Sam," she called back into the house "Sam you'll never guess who is coming for a visit,"

I chuckled and looked over at my brother, Rose knows some French since she has taken it a few times in high school and spends so much time in Paris with Alice during fashion week, she can speak it somewhat but doesn't really understand it, but Emmett on the other hand he literally knows one or two words and it has always amused me.

As we moved towards the house, Julianna's face went back to concern as she realized it was just the three of us. I could read her body language, she knew there was nothing social about our visit, mainly because this was the first time so much of the family was absent from the visit.

Samuel joined her on the porch and immediately came to the same conclusion his mate had, they exchanged a look and he put his arm around her shoulders protectively.

Sam is a big guy, towering a few inches over Emmett and well built, he's told us he was a French fur trader and a lumberjack before he was turned and it's very believable, in the years I have come to know him, Samuel has always commanded a presence, somewhat unintentionally. The ironic thing is he's very soft spoken, which is not what one would expect. Julianna is the opposite of her husband, she's not as tall and not as soft spoken, it's amazing, but they really complete one another. They are also two of Carlisle's oldest friends having met when Carlisle first arrived in the Americas after he left Italy and the Volturi.

Their story is pretty neat too, Julianna's father was French colonist turned fur trapper just outside of what's now Quebec, her mother was Algonquin acting as a translator for French trappers and Indian allies, they met, fell in love, married, and had Julianna.

Samuel who is about the same age came over from France and tried to get into the trapping trade, he met Julianna when they were both still human and like Julianna's parents, they fell in love. When the French and Indian war came, Samuel enlisted along with several members of Julianna's tribe, he was separated from them at one point and almost became a meal, but he was so imposing I guess, that the vampire didn't finish him off, he just let Samuel turn and went off searching for an actual meal, meanwhile, about a week later Julianna's village was attacked.

No one is exactly sure who attacked them and the story is that it was the vampire who turned Samuel and left him, but there's never been any solid proof. Anyways whoever it was, they massacred the entire tribe and leaving Julianna near death herself. Samuel who had just finished in transformation somehow managed to get home to discover the destruction and somehow he was able to fight through the newborn thirst when he found Julianna near death, he turned her and walla, they've been together ever since.

Sure some of the details are kind of vague and the truth's probably been stretched just a little, but in all honesty Samuel and Julianna are like family to us so the how they came into this life isn't as important.

"hello," Sam called waving to us, bringing me back out of my thoughts.

"Good to see you Sam, Julianna," Emmett replied, "been a long time,"

"Ah, oui, and it would appear your French has not improved Emmett," Julianna said gently as she hugged Rosalie, then Emmett, before turning to me. "hello Christian, where are the rest of the Cullens?" she asked and I looked at my brother and sister

"I take it this is not a simple social call my young friends?" Samuel said

"Believe me I wish it was," Emmett started "it's kind of a long story,"

"Well, come inside and make yourselves at home," Julianna replied, she held Rosalie's shoulders and guided her into the house. Emmett and I started to follow, but Sam stopped us before we could,

"Before we go inside, is the family well?" he asked "Carlisle and Esme?"

"They're fine," I explained slowly "but we may not be soon, it is why we have come." I paused and exchanged a look with Emmett "we're in grave danger."

Sam took a deep breath and put an arm around both Emmett and I's shoulders, guiding us inside.

Carlisle had told us not to spend a lot of time trying to convince anyone, there wasn't time, he did not want the family to be separated for a long period of time. Alice had given us a vague time frame of when the Volturi were most likely to arrive, but that wasn't set in stone and with her and Jasper gone, that meant the Volturi could come tomorrow for all we knew.

Even with this warning in the back of my mind, we spent a longer time than we should've trying to convince Samuel and Julianna to help us even though in the end, we all knew it wasn't going to happen. Julianna tried to push Samuel to go back to Forks with us, so we'd at least have that security, but he looked so reluctant to leave her I was the one who put a stop to it.

After hugs and good byes, Em, Rose, and I headed back towards the woods to find Garret down south, but as we were leaving Julianna stopped us, speaking only in French.

"Christian, I am so sorry, she said putting both hands on my shoulders so we were eyelevel with one another. "Please forgive us,"

"There's nothing to forgive Julianna, this is a lot we are asking of our friends and the risk is great," I replied, she took a deep breath and looked back at Samuel, thoughts seemed to pass between the pair of them and he nodded.

"Carlisle and Esme have always been there to support us when we called upon them," she said softly "where are you heading now?"

"South," I explained "to find Garrett and some of the other nomads," I could read Julianna's body language, her loyalty and friendship with Carlisle and Esme was overpower and I could tell Sam felt it too, I had been convinced that our Canadian friends would not be joining us, but I relieved to be proven wrong as Julianna nodded

"We will leave after you and join you in Washington, we cannot promise that we will stand when the Italians come, but we will do what we can," she finally said and I couldn't believe my ears

"Julianna I know this is asking a lot of you and Samuel, and there is nothing in the world that will be able to repay this,"

"Nothing to be repaid Christian, Carlisle and Esme are dear friends, whatever reason the Volturi have for their accusations will not be upheld." and with that she gave my shoulders a squeeze, before returning to Samuel, so they could prepare to make the trip across the country to Forks.

I slowly returned to my brother and sister who had been watching with looks of confusion.

"What was that all about?" Emmett asked "way to much French all in one sitting." he added

"They…they're coming," I said softly, still a bit stunned by it all, so much that I didn't even give a smart ass reply to his French comment like I would usually do.

Emmett looked back at Julianna who was now on the porch with Samuel waving at us. I could see it even with the distance their friendship and love for Carlisle and Esme was the push to leave their Volturi free sanctuary and risk exposure to help us.

Emmett and Rose put their hands down and without even looking and without hesitation grasped each other's hand, Emmett giving Rose's a gentle squeeze, then Rose reached over and put her free hand on my shoulder. We silently headed back into the woods, all three of us painfully aware of the huge sacrifice our friends were making for us, the reality of the situation finally setting in.

We headed south next to find Garrett. The last most of us had seen him had been decades ago just outside of Jamestown, Virginia, don't ask me why he was hanging out there. But last year while Edward was tracking Victoria, he actually ran into Garrett just outside of New Orleans so apparently he's moved down the east coast and has settled in Mardi Gras Central. It's probably a good place for him, but it certainly wouldn't make finding him easier.

I started tracking him the moment we crossed into Louisiana and it took me some time to get the scent of one of our kind. The smells and sounds of the Big Easy are overwhelming even for a vampire so I really had to concentrate on everything I remember about Garrett; his habits, his movement, his tastes, and especially his scent.

We found him just a little past midnight, down a back street in New Orleans, away from party atmosphere that is the typical makeup of the city. He was stalking this guy carrying a guitar and singing. The guy was clearly smashed because he couldn't walk in a straight line and kept stumbling on the sidewalk, Emmett was heading the other way and I nudged him calling his attention, he grinned and chuckled.

The guy, who had been singing an unrecognizable tune, changed tracks apparently because he started singing the Walrus song from the Beatles. I am not a fan of the Beatles, to me it was just more annoying music that my sisters were obsessed with and more music guys for them to gush over, the early Elvis years in our house was a nightmare and the Beatle years was no better.

Rose winced a little as the drunk butchered one of her favorite Beatle songs and we all watched as Garrett made a annoyed face at the drunk. In a split second he rushed the guy, pushing him into the alleyway and had him in the air pinned to the wall by his neck. The guy was so bloody smashed I don't think he even realized he was in danger as he kept singing the song:

"I am (hiccup) the um walrus, I am the goo go (hiccup) I'm crying, crying Lucy flying in the sky," he sang.

"I'm pretty sure those aren't the words," I muttered to Emmett who chuckled a little

"Yeah judging by the look of horror on Rose's face I'm guessing they're not." Emmett whispered back as we moved closer to the alley.

"Oh shut up!" Garrett hissed at the drunk "I hated the first British invasion, I hated the second one even more," he growled and I sighed looking up at my brother,

"What?" he said

"I rest my case," I replied "he's a prat."

"Maybe, but he's a friend so play nice," Rose spoke up hugging my shoulders tight.

"I will if he does,"

"British invasion?" the drunk asked Garrett grinning stupidly "g'day mate!" I slapped my forehead and waited patiently for Garrett to just finally eat the guy.

"Really Garrett," Emmett called, "you hate the Beatles? How can you hate the Beatles?"

Garrett looked away from the drunk, finally realizing that we were standing there, he grinned at Emmett and Rose then spotted me and rolled his eyes.

"Something about that blasted accent really gets on my last nerve," he replied "and old habits die hard."

"Yeah," I muttered "and some are just bloody stuck in those old habits that it makes them look daft."

"I heard that you little Red Coat," Garrett called with a grin, honestly even though I can profile him and know for a fact he is still stuck in the whole revolution thing, I really don't think he hates me as much as pretends.

"We need your help Garrett," Rose interrupted gently "please, we're in danger."

Garrett's expression instantly softened

"Of course anything you need, let me finish my meal and I'll hear your story."

I winced as he slammed the drunk to the ground. I'll admit to it, I looked away, trying to block out the sound of the drunks muffled cries and the slurping noise from Garrett as he drained the man.

When he was finished, he picked up the body and gestured for us to follow him as he headed for the docks.

"How long have you been here Garrett?" Emmett asked walking with him, "Edward said he ran into you last year."

"Not long, the hunting is always decent, especially around Mardi Gras and there's enough crime in this city that goes unsolved that a body once in a great while doesn't arose suspicion."

"Sounds lovely," I muttered walking behind Garrett, Rose, and Em

"Oh it is," Garrett replied with a grin "so young friend from across the pond," he added, his grin getting bigger "isn't a pretty special holiday coming up for you?"

I exchanged a look with my siblings as Garrett heaved the body into the river with no effort and little splashing.

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?" I asked

"You forgot?" Garrett asked with astonishment "your forefather's must be so ashamed, how on earth could you possibly not remember the greatest tea party in history?"

I groaned

"Oh shut up," I grumbled

"Wait am I missing something?" Emmett asked,

"He's talking about the Boston Tea Party," Rose reminded Emmett who burst out laughing as loud as he dared

"Of course Rosalie, it's soon isn't it, the anniversary?" Garrett asked "day after tomorrow if I'm not mistaken, planning on celebrating your nation's eventual defeat?"

I started to reply but thought better of it, I wasn't going to sink down to his level, mainly because I know he enjoys this way too much, instead I looked at Emmett

"And you thought I was overreacting?"

"Anyways, even though it's always a pleasure to bug the Brit,"

"I'm Scottish," I growled "and need I remind you Carlisle is English,"

"Yeah but he's just not as much fun to make fun of, the reactions just aren't the same." Garrett reminded me "so what has you coming to me?"

I was all set to just go on our way and leave him out of this entirely, but unfortunately I know he's an asset to this whole thing, even if he's more of an ass than an asset.

"It's the Volturi Garrett," Emmett explained

"They've sentenced us to death, Alice had a vision of it and they're coming to issue judgment." I added "we've been running all over the continent trying to pull in friends who can act as witnesses for us. To stand with us when the Volturi come and give their own testimony to them that we did not break any law."

Garrett looked confused

"What reason could those dictators have to pass judgment on the Cullens?" he asked and I couldn't help my half smile as Garrett called the Volturi what I always call them, it was amusing and scary at the same time that we were on the same page like that. "what law do they believe you broke?"

"It's a long story," Rose explained "and it's something you need to see for yourself and make your own judgment."

Garrett rubbed his scruffy beard thoughtfully

"You've got it," he finally said "are you still in Washington?"

"Yeah," Emmett said "Forks, near the Olympic mountain range,"

"Excellent, I'll head up that way." Garrett paused "who else have you found?"

"Samuel and Julianna," Rose replied "we're sure they're coming, we were heading to South America to try and find some more nomads."

Garrett chuckled

"Don't bother with the Amazons," I looked at him suspiciously "they're already on their way to your place. Least that's the rumor through the grapevine, a few others are heading that way as well."

"Other nomads?!" I exclaimed

"Isn't that what I just said Scottie?" Garrett said

"We should get home." I said softly, I felt a sense of relief washing over me, Emmett and Rose exchanged a look for a second, then Rose leaned down near me

"What's the matter?" she asked, worry in her voice

"It's Alice and Jasper," I smiled a little "they're sending other nomads to us, they're gathering witnesses for us," I paused "they didn't leave us out of fear, they're carrying out their own mission." I looked at my siblings "we have to trust them, we have to trust that Alice has a plan." Rose nodded and hugged my shoulders "they're going to need us at home to help welcome the nomads."

"Well if that's the case," Garrett said with a smile "how about a race to Washington, see which side of the pond is faster," he added looking directly at me. I rolled my eyes at Emmett who chuckled and took off heading north, I gave Garrett a ten second head start and then enjoyed the pure astonishment on his face when I passed him.

x-x-x-x-x-x

A/N: Yes folks, I promise, the next chapter is where the moment most of you have been waiting for will occur and I promise it won't be such a delay in updating like this one was. These last few weeks seriously got away from me with school and with the year wrapping up writing time has been difficult. But we're entering the final week of said school so it leaves me the entire summer to write. So the next chapter should be up ASAP.

Which leads me to a favor to ask of my readers, I'm having a difficult time with a chapter that's going to come eventually, IE the Volturi arrival and the fight that never was. I want to do something special for that and even though I have some details worked out the big issue is Alice's vision and how to work around that like it was done in the film, I reread the book and those chapters in particular and I'm really stuck on it, so if any of you have any thoughts, opinions, or ideas it would be greatly appreciated. You can either leave a review or PM me either one works and believe me I will be in your debt, with a PM I can explain in better detail what I already have planned and then hopefully you guys can add to my thinking, but since it will contain spoilers I don't want to broadcast it here in this author note. Anyways, thank you everyone. Oh and BTW, as far as sequels go, I can assure all of you that yes, there will be sequels to this series, I'm not planning on stopping once Breaking Dawn is done, I have plans for the future, plans that I think you will all enjoy.

Till next update! Thanks again!