Standard Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognizable from Twilight, I just love adding my own toys to the sandbox. Any mistakes are my own. Enjoy.

Also, in case there's an issue '….' = December's thoughts 😊

Thank you to those who have favorited/followed.

Note: This is mostly a filler chapter, but it's a funny one to say the least. I guess I've been pretty good about hiding who December saw in the dream. No one has gotten it right, there were a few good guesses though. Here's a clue, the person in her dreams and her sickness in earlier chapters from the last story are related. All good things to come, it'll be revealed in the next two or three chapters. The climax is on the horizon people! As always you guys are awesome.

Chapter 13 – Don't Play to Lose

Everyone was just looking at me. It was a type of declaration after all.

"What?" I asked confused. 'You'd think they'd be grateful. I am after all going against my family.'

"Nothing," said Bella, "But you'd be going against your family Ember."

'Ah, there it was.' I smiled at her and went to take her hand. "Bella, I understand, probably more than anyone, what's at stake here. I'm caught in between, but if they make their choice, then I will make mine. If we can get something concrete to make them listen, then that's something. The whole goal is to have no one fighting."

"They're coming based off some hesitant information. They're only seeing Irina's side of it. Communication is key here." Carlisle said.

"But what about your powers?" asked Emmett. Everyone turned to look at him. "I mean, if something goes down, can't you stop them?" He asked me.

"I can only cover so much ground Emmett. They're coming with a big part of the guard and their wives. Plus protecting everyone here. I'll pass out before something happens. I'm powerful, but I'm not going to die that way."

Jasper just growled at Emmett. I pulled him back.

Emmett sighed. "Just a thought. Sorry Jas."

I looked at Jasper. "Let's get packing. The sooner we leave, the better."

He nodded in response, and we went to pack our bags. We were in our room when he started talking.

"You sure about this darlin'?"

"I see no other way right now," I sighed packing my clothes. He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"I'll protect you no matter what." He drawled.

"I know you will," I smiled, "and I you. Now," I said turning around to face him, "let's finish packing and put some miles behind us. We have a niece to save," I got up on my tiptoes and kissed him. He responded quite well, I smirked.

"Darlin' you're a heathen," he said gasping for breath when we both know he didn't need to.

"I try, I try," I chuckled and turned to continue packing. We both knew we could move faster but moving at a slow pace gave me time to process what was going to happen.

After about an hour, (Esme wanted me to eat before we left), we were getting into the car. Alice and Demetri were driving us to the airport. Alice put down the window, "Everything needs to be done before the snow is set and at it's thickest." She looked at Bella who looked sad, Alice forced a smile, "Christmas and New Years will be fine, take her to see Charlie." With that we were off.

The car ride was quiet. I wasn't there when Charlie first came. Stupid Jacob let it slip that she was back and Charlie all but flew to the Cullen house. I didn't want to be around, but I stayed nearby incase something went down. Jasper and I stayed at Bella and Edwards cottage. We don't consider ourselves part of the Cullen family, so we thought it best to stay out of view but not too far where we couldn't help Bella. Bella asked me to stay, but Charlie didn't need any more people around then necessary when he saw Bella. Maybe one day, but not now. She said he took it rather well. As best as he could. "Need to know," is what was said. He was fine with that. When they brought out Renesmee, that's when Charlie nearly teared up. Being that they told him she was their niece, he was flummoxed. I personally don't think he believed them. I mean, she has Bella's eyes. But true to his nature, he took Bella at her word, some of it anyway. The visit went well, no accidents. He even asked Bella about me, which made me feel kind of bad, not seeing him, but Bella said I was doing well. At college with Jasper and that I might be visiting soon. To which, Jasper told me, he said I needed to visit him too when I came to town. I smiled at that. Said I was one of the only few friends who was worth a damn.

"Ok, we need to be back before the snow sits," Alice said as Demetri parked the car.

I shook my head and looked out the window. I saw the sign. "Hey, why are you parking in the long-term parking?" I looked at both, who were in the front.

They looked at each other. "Well, we thought it best, that we would help you." Demetri said.

"But…." I started.

Alice turned around to look at me, "Our time is better used to help you. We've got time, and it'll be better if we helped you rather than stay with Carlisle. More ground to cover if it'll help you see it that way." She smiled.

I turned to Jasper, "did you know they'd plan this?"

He didn't answer and I scrutinized him, "Jasper Whitlock!"

"Oh sugar, don't get mad. They're right. More ground to cover, let's go before we miss our flight," he responded getting out of the car.

I huffed and got out with the others. "Vampires."

It was a long flight, I passed out at some point. When I woke up the vampires were speaking so fast and low I had a hard time keeping up.

I knew we were with other people, so I didn't say anything. I just looked at Jasper who nodded at me. He'd tell me when we got away from the humans. I nodded back to him and put on my headphones to listen to some music. I had THAT dream again. With whomever was telling me about monsters. The scene was still unclear. But it felt more real. I felt that it was a vision, of something coming. I felt the huntress hum in agreement.

I didn't realize I was lost in thought for a while. Jasper nudged me and mouthed that we were about to land. I put my stuff away.

I hadn't been to Brazil in years. It was actually one of the first places I went to train. I can say it's changed. Was busier.

"Ok, let's get our bags and head out." Alice said.

We got our bags and got in a cab. Alice gave the cab driver directions in Portuguese.

"That's one language I haven't learned. Need to." I mumbled. The others just grinned.

The drive was relatively short. We got our things and got into a boat.

"When did you make arrangements for this?" I asked Alice as we got in. No driver that I saw, but Jasper took the wheel, figures.

"Before we left. We'll have a small island to ourselves while we travel as home base so to speak," Alice said as we sat down.

I nodded and got my backpack and took out a map.

"So little red, where are we starting first?" asked Demetri as he sat and looked at it next to me.

"Well, I figured we could start here," I pointed to an area on the map, "there's an isolated village and if not then there's another one 20 miles east of it. I trained in between them 5 years ago. Never actually went to either one, but I know they like to tell stories and one floated around about hybrids. Didn't really pay any attention at the time. I was too focused on my training. So, it's a shot."

He nodded.

A few moments of silence went by, "Have you been able to contact them?" I asked. I was starting to worry.

"I have. No connection at all." Demetri responded. His stoic face was perfect, but I knew better. He was worried to.

"I wonder why. We've had connection to them before this whole ordeal. But I would think they'd answer, even if it wasn't very well received." I started drumming my fingers.

"I've thought the same. Even if we were in trouble, they'd at the very least have Jane or Felix answer. Even Heidi." He sighed.

"Jane would've tried calling in the least. It's odd not to hear from her," I commented. "Well, even so, that doesn't deter us from our mission. Let's get to the house so we can gather our stuff."

"Ha, the human is hungry." Demetri stated side glancing me.

"I am not, I just need to walk. Hate staying in one place for long." I huffed. Then my stomach growled. Everyone smirked. "Tattle tale," I murmured rubbing my stomach.

Once we reached the island, Alice and I walked up to the house. With the guys behind us. I looked out over the house and turned to the view. It was beautiful. I opened the door and walked in. It was spacious, but not grand. Quaint. On the darker color scheme, which I appreciated. Darker blue hues and off-white colors, with a little green mixed in.

"Now this would be romantic if it was under different circumstances," I said turning to Jasper.

"Agreed," he said giving me a kiss. I melted. I knew what he was doing and I immediately shoved him off and shoved my finger in his shoulder. "Now now, Major, we have a mission, none of that." I walked off to the kitchen to wash my hands and see what was in the fridge.

"Mission to eat," Demetri whispered.

"I heard that," I called from the kitchen. "Dems is a brat," I mumbled rummaging through the fridge. I found sandwich items. "Perfect," I said and grabbed the items. I made one to eat now and a couple to eat while out.

Jasper walked in. "You sure you don't want to rest sugar? You didn't sleep much on the way here." He perched himself on one of the stools looking at me.

"No, we need to make headway to that village. I'll catch up on some sleep in the early morning." I slid the map from my bag and pointed, "if we take the boat from here to the island a few miles out, we can trail and make it by around," I look at my watch which I adjusted to the time here in Brazil earlier, "five in the morning if we don't come across any hazards."

"By human speed or vampire?" he asked looking at the map.

"A combination, in case we run into any locals or tourists hiking. There shouldn't be anyone, but you never know with the adventure seekers. Always looking for a thrill of danger. Morons." I grumbled while taking a bite of my sandwich. "Whose place is this anyway?"

"Peter and Charlette's." Jasper replied.

"Really?" I looked around again, it doesn't quite suit them.

"I gave it to them as a gift. Somewhere to get a way from it all. Change of scenery." Jasper said also looking around.

"I miss our place in the woods." I said to no one in particular.

Next thing I knew an arm wrapped around my waist and he turned me around. Leaving me to lean back against the counter. Sandwich half eaten.

"Me too. We'll get back there. I promise." He kissed my forehead.

"Hey smoochers, let's get the lead out," Demetri called from the living room.

I sighed, "always the party pooper."

"You love me," he said.

I finished my sandwich and grabbed my bag as I threw my trash. "You're making me regret that. I think Peter has replaced you on my non-shit list." I walked into the living room.

"That piece of shit doesn't have anything on me," Demetri murmured.

"Demetri, manners," Alice scolded.

"Alright you two, let's go," Jasper sighed as we headed back to the boat.

It only took about ten minutes, and we made it to the first island I marked on the map. The tribe is located deep in, so it'll take a few hours to navigate. I was able to run with them at vampire speed for a while until we came up a cliff face that was incredibly steep.

"This goes on for miles. It'll make us back track if we were to go around. I hate that." I murmured looking at the map as I held a flashlight.

"There's no helping it darling, hop on," Jasper said turning around.

"If you were to turn, you wouldn't even have to stop and think about that," Demetri said.

I shot him a look, "never."

"Pity," he said running up the face of the cliff with Alice right beside him.

"Bloody show off," I mumbled sticking the map and flashlight back in my bag before jumping on Jasper's back.

"Ember," he began.

"I know I know, just go Jasper," I sighed. He secured me with a tie as I held and he started climbing.

It was tough. I used my powers to make it easier to hold onto him. That way he wouldn't struggle. Within a minute we were on top overlooking a vast amount of forest. Demetri and Alice scanning the area.

"This isn't fun, I can't see anything," Alice murmured.

"Even with your vampire vision," I asked pulling out the map and flashlight again.

"Not that, I can't see the future for any of us. Your impenetrable shield blocks EVERYTHING!" she said as her hands went to her hips.

I smirked as I read the map and just then a phone went off. It was Alice's. We looked as she read her message and waited until she replied.

"Looks like Carlisle has another plan in motion. Him and the family are going to look for witnesses." She said putting her phone away.

"Witnesses?" I asked. Curious.

"Other vampires they know to witness Nessie change with time, like a human. Like us, they're going to try to make Aro and the others listen before any fighting. They're going to get as many as they can."

"Dems, do you think it'll work?" I asked.

He waited before speaking. "It should. Even if he feels threatened with numbers, Aro will listen if there's that many vampires involved. Especially if any are gifted."

I looked at Jasper, "Call Peter and Char."

He regarded me for a moment then nodded. He took out his phone and made the call. I could hear Peter on the other end.

"…..i should've seen this coming…" he began.

"Peter the Cullen family needs our help," Jasper told him.

"Major what do we owe the Cullen family? Bunch of messed up animal eatin fucks."

Demetri and I snickered at that. Peter and his manners or lack thereof.

"Just so you know, you're being ordered," Jasper said in his Major tone. 'whoo, sexy'

"The hell I am," Peter responded back. At that I took the phone, "Peter Whitlock, your ass better be in Forks to help or so help me when I get back I'm going to split you limb from limb and you'd better hope the pieces find their way back together before I knife them from here to kingdom come." I growled. "Slowly."

"Well shit toots, don't need to yell," he murmured as I gave Jasper back his phone.

"I'll tell Edward to expect you." Jasper hung up the phone then texted. Which i assumed was Edward.

"Damn vampires," I murmured marking a trail on the map.

"Damn woman, you don't play to lose," Demetri said.

I packed up my stuff and walked past him down the trail on the other side of the cliff towards the woods. "No, I don't."

I didn't see Jasper smirk at Demetri as he followed me.

And that's it folks, until next time, love to everyone!