Sunrise Sunset

Chapter 14

Last time, Victoria decided to abduct Hermione to lure her cousin Bella to her death. Laurent laments that he was ever involved, and Bella confided in Carlisle about Hermione.

~Saturday afternoon, at the Cullen's house

The group had settled after Carlisle and Bella came to see who was playing the piano. It was shortly after that that, Alice zoned out into a trance. Hermione watched worriedly at Alice. Her hand was gripping for a pencil. She watched in suspense as Rosalie darted for a pad of paper, and Edward put the pencil in Alice's grip. As her eyes fluttered, the pencil flew across the paper. This seemed to go on for ages, and scene after scene played out on the paper before her. Then as suddenly as she went into the vision, she was coming out of it, looked up and straight into Hermione's eyes, "they're coming for you," She said muttering as she shook her head, "bait," she kept resaying.

"I'm sorry what?" Hermione asked confused, "who's is coming for me, what on earth did you see?" before Hermione could stop herself she was sitting next to Alice, taking her hand into her and they went through the pictures as she drew them.

"Who is this?" Hermione asked curiously picking up a picture of one of the vampires that seemed to be lurking in the woods.

"That is Laurent, he's the one I saw coming for you," Alice said pointing to the picture in the girl's hand. "the female is Victoria and the other male is James her Mate. She is the one who wants to use you as bait."

"So, what are we going to do?" Hermione asked, looking from Alice to Edward and then finally to Carlisle.

"I didn't see what they are planning, just the Victoria is extremely worried, and I saw Laurent's choice to come for you," Alice said, stating what exactly she had seen.

"Then Bella needs to get out of town," Hermione said suddenly and without stopping for breath she continued, "they think that Bella loves me enough to be lured into a trap. Edward and Alice should take Bella away from here as fast as possible. We can spread her scent around and create a false trail and someone and I can head the other way taking Bella's scent with us." Hermione was sitting on the edge of her seat at this point.

The silence was deafening at this point, they all seemed to be still as boards, eyes not blinking, hand not moving. Which left Hermione and Bella the only two living being in the room.

"That's actually not a bad idea," Carlisle said suddenly as if he was suddenly woken back up to reality.

"No, it's a great idea," Edward said standing up, "They will have to pick a path, or they will have to split up to follow both."

"But what if they get Hermione and they hurt her because I won't come?" Bella asked fiddling with her hands.

"Bella it would be better for us to split up, either they take you and run and we spread your scent and somehow hide mine," Hermione said shaking her head, "It wouldn't matter we would still have to split up, and who's to say they won't use Charlie against one of us for the other?"

"I can't really say which is a worse idea," Rosalie said standing up and pacing, "but we would probably be sitting ducks if we just wait for them to come to us."

"We have the better odds, don't we?" Emmet said to the surprise of everyone, "Seven to three is pretty good odds isn't it?"

"We could always set a trap ourselves," Carlisle said thoughtfully, "We could put Hermione someplace that would be easy for us to overtake them. We can easily hide out in the area or the building and come swooping in once Bella walks in to save her cousin."

"That's a terrible idea," Rosalie said, "so much could go terribly wrong with that plan."

"We'll have to put our head together and make a decision," Esme said kindly, "I think it's time that those of us who need to hunt do so, and Rosalie and I will fix something for Bella and Hermione to eat."

"You are right, Esme, my love," Carlisle said standing up, he took her hand in his and kissed it gently, "I always think better on a full stomach."

"Then off you go dear," Esme said smiling at him sweetly, "enjoy yourself."

"I will dear," he said, before turning to the others to bid them to come, "we will be back shortly, Emmet, Jasper, Edward, let us go."

…

Hermione made herself a cup of tea while Rosalie and Esme made lunch for her and Bella. Bella was looking out the window lost in her own little world. They ate lunch in general silence, Alice and Rosalie filled the silence with inane chatter, that was not important but still amusing to listen to.

As Bella and Hermione were finishing their lunch, the men had returned from their hunt and were in better spirits and talking animatedly amongst themselves. "is there something you would like to share with the class gentlemen?" Esme chided gently.

"We were just discussing what strategy that we thought would work best for the situation we have coming our way. Once we came up with something plausible, we were going to introduce the idea to you ladies to pick apart," Carlisle said with a gently smile.

"You always have good plans, my dear, but if you would share with us we would be pleased to pick it apart for you," Esme said smiling back at her mate, how she loved him. She looked at their family and could help but feel elated for them to all be together.

"Would you prefer to hunt first?" He asked her.

"I myself am well, I went hunting yesterday afternoon," she said, "but I am not sure about Alice and Rosalie."

"Rosalie and I went hunting yesterday as well," Alice said in reply, "I am well, how are you doing Rosie?"

"I am not hungry at the moment," Rosalie said with a shrug.

"Well, then let's take a seat and we will tell you out plan," Carlisle said. Bella and Hermione remained seated at the table. "we were talking about it and we think that it would be a good idea to try to spread Bella's scent to give them a trail to follow. Rosalie and Emmet will remain her with Hermione, who will remain out of sight and hopefully safe. Edward and Alice will take Bella south, and the rest of us will spread a trail going east through the forest."

"And then what?" Alice asked when Carlisle finished speaking

"Hopefully when they catch wind that it's a wild goose chase, they will give up," Carlisle said in response and then suddenly another thought came to him. "they may also try to come back and get a hold of Hermione, which is why we need to keep her hidden and cover her scent outside of the house."

"If they come back for me, there will still be five of you here, so I would still be safe," Hermione said with determination, "The odds would be in our favor."*

"Then what do we do if they catch up with us, or they find another way to corner us?" Bella asked concerned, "they could just as easily use Charlie against us."

"We have a plan for that as well," Carlisle said, "it is my belief that they have been snooping around offices and houses trying to get information on you. No matter what you cannot be lured to them."

"I… OK," Bella said coming to the terms that this was going to happen and soon. "What do we tell Charlie?"

"I think that Charlie is going fishing with Billy this weekend," Hermione said thoughtfully trying to confirm her thoughts, "yes, I am pretty sure that he is going to Billy's to go fishing and watch the game. Maybe we could tell Charlie that we planned a shopping spree and if it is ok with him if we stay in Seattle over the weekend to have a girl's weekend with Alice and Rosalie and Esme for effect."

"Wait, why Esme for effect?" Bella asked confused.

"Because if the mother figure is involved parents will almost always say yes," Hermione said matter of fatly, "at least this is my experience."

"That sounds like a fine idea," Esme said standing up, "I will just call him now to get his permission. Would that we could actually go though."

"While she is doing that, Bella I want you to go upstairs and grab a couple of your shirts and find the ones that haven't been washed yet, we will need those to spread your scent around the area and start a false trail," Carlisle said to Bella before turning to Hermione, "Why don't you grab a couple of books and a few snacks and make yourself comfortable. We can close the blinds so that you do not have to lurk around in one of the offices. But it might be better to hang out downstairs in the big common room."

"Of course," Hermione said with a tentative smile, "I have some reading for school that I need to do as well, though I don't know if I will be able to concentrate."

"We still have some time, I am sure that Emmet and Rosalie can help distract you," Carlisle said in hopes to help her feel better.

"I'm sure that they will try," Hermione said before returning her cup to the kitchen to await on a fresh cup of tea.

Bella did not want to admit it but now would have been a wonderful time for her cousin's magic and memory to return, she would be able to take these vamps out with a swish of her wand. Before the thought could leave her mind, there were yells from the front room from Edward.

Bella rushed down the stairs with four of her shirts in her hand, how she made it down the steps at the speed she was going and did not trip herself up was a miracle. When she made it down the stairs she was ushered outside and into the running car in the driveway. Her shirts were divided between four others.

"Be safe," Carlisle said with a calm a voice as he could muster, "Edward, Alice," he nodded to them before turning to Bella, "and Bella, we will see you soon. Remember the plan." And then he patted the roof of the car and then they zoomed out of sight.

Hermione and Emmet stood in the kitchen and watched from the window as his family raced to create a trail to lead them anywhere but here. Between everyone he was the best to stay, his 'power' as it was, happened to be brute strength. A strong enraged vampire was a dangerous weapon, and he care about what his wife, his lovely Rosie cared about; and what she cared about was Hermione's health. He could not very well let his wife second favorite person get hurt. Besides, he enjoyed Hermione's company, if he had a sister in a previous life, she would be like Hermione.

"It's going to be alright," Hermione said, breaking the silence.

"It will be," he confirmed, the only thing they could do now was wait.

…

…

…

Laurent ran, but he did not like to think that he was running away from something, more along the lines of running towards it. It was all fun and games until they decided that they were serious about poaching a human right out from under the local coven's hold. As he searched for any sign of the girl's scent, he wondered if Bella was Edwards mate.

He stopped for a second, and while he could smell Bella's scent everywhere; but Hermione's was nowhere to be found. He knew she had to be close by where he saw her with the Cullen's last. Yet, he could not find her scent. He walked towards the Cullen coven lived, and still he could not find her scent. The only scent he could follow was Bella's and that of the other vampires.

He stood and stared at the house, it was pitch black, it seemed there was nobody home. He could just as easily break a window and let himself in, and with any luck the girl would be there. He considered it for a moment before taking off in the direction he came.

"So, they want to play ball, do they?" Victoria asked after he caught up to them and relayed his findings.

"The question is then my love, do you want to give chase for the girl on the run or the one we can't find a trace of?" James said leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, he was amused by this whole game. Frankly, he did not care, he would follow his mate to his death if that were what she would have liked him to do.

"Hmm," she said tapping her lip playfully, "what would you like to do my love?"

James did not quite know what to say, was she really asking him what he wanted to do, "You really want me to pick?" he asked in surprise. When she nodded excitedly, he knew exactly what to say, "Lets go follow the trail they have set for us and see how we can lure the little toy away from her mate then."

"OH!" Victoria said excitedly, practically purring with excitement, "I knew which way you would choose!" she turned to Laurent, "I think that it is time that we parted ways."

"No hard feelings then?" Laurent said blandly, "then I will see you when I see you, I suppose."

"No hard feeling," James said with a mock solute, "we enjoyed your company and your help. Happy hunting."

"Yes, happy hunting," Laurent said, watching Victoria and her mate descend into the darkness. Laurent decided that he too should leave the area for the time being. While he desperately wanted to find Hermione, he knew that if he stayed, James and Victoria would follow him. So, he decided to go towards a major city and to wait a couple months to return.

…

James lingered in the area, while Victoria figured out which direction that Bella had been spirited away in. after a few moments, James returned to his mate, "He left the area," James said, "he's half way to Seattle by now."

"Good," Victoria said pleased, "I found her direction, they are headed south," she paused for a moment, "They probably have some sort of trap set up, shall we play their game?"

"Suppose that one of us were to die," James said seriously for a moment.

"James, while I love you, I will be chasing after the girl," Victoria said looking at him in a plain manner, "and neither of us are going to die, and if one of us does we will avenge the other."

"Well, as long as your sure," James said looking at his mate, she had been bored for a while, so he would let her have her way. "then my love," he said in an eloquent manner, "let the chase begin."

She tilted her head to the sky and laughed, when she looked at James again, he saw that she was indeed ready, and would not be swayed against the folly they were surely walking into.

…

As Edward drove, Bella said in the back seat, looking out the window as the trees zoomed by. She desperately hoped that somehow this would all end well. She turned to look at Edward who was driving, he tried to reassure her that everything was going to be fine.

And it did, until Alice had another vision.

"They're following us," Alice said, "and Laurent left the area when he couldn't find Hermione. It's just James and Victoria now."

"What's the plan?" Bella asked, more scared than she already was, "do we know anything else?"

"No," Alice said calmer than she felt at that very moment, "for now we just drive."

Bella could not help but think that she was doomed, and she prayed silently that she would see her father and Hermione again.

…

…

…

Hermione sat at the piano and tried to play, but everything she tried to play she kept missing notes and was about to give up. 'Play from your heart,' her mother would constantly say to her when she was stuck on a piece. So, she put the sheet music away, grabbed a black piece and decided that she would try and compose something.

Rosalie and Esme decided that it would be best if they stayed home with Hermione, after all, Charlie thought they were all in Seattle for the weekend and would not be home until the day after tomorrow. It was nearly sunrise and they had only had a text or two from Edward and Alice. So far, they were being chased, they had no other word and until the plans became clear there were none.

They had gotten a call about an hour before that they had neared Arizona and were holing up for the day so that Bella could sleep and the Cullen's that followed could catch up and find a place in the general area without alerting James and Victoria to their presence.

Hermione continued to contemplate everything, and she let her emotions run over her and she decided to empty those emotions through music. It started tentatively enough, slow, and sweet. The sound was heard by those still in residence, they left her to her own devices, but the sounds coming from the living room were very peaceful. "Is she composing? I don't think I have heard Edward play anything like this before?" Rosalie asked sincerely.

"Just let her play dear," Esme said with a smile.

"Why do you smile?" Rosalie asked mildly annoyed, but this was how she normally felt.

"Well, Carlisle and I think that she has been through so much that any emotions she is feeling right now might be over powering," Esme said in a mild tone, she watched all her 'children' closely and that now seemed to include Bella and Hermione by extension.

"I guess you are right," Rosalie said, listening to Hermione's playing, "oh listen her tempo has changed I think she gave up trying for something new and decided to play Bach."

"Oh, I think your right," Esme said surprised, "I think I will put a pot of tea on, it will be morning shortly and she really should rest."

…

"Oh well," Hermione sighed to herself, she was not making any progress, she just ended up playing little bits of other composers that she liked. The end of her playing could be heard as a loud banging of keys. "Hermione dear," Esme said kindly, "come I think that the piano has taken enough abuse for one morning. Come have some tea."

"Yes ma'am," Hermione repeated automatically, "I'm sure your ears are hating me right now."

Rosalie gave them a rare laugh, "Feeling better?" she asked.

"Not really," Hermione said with a shrug of her shoulders, "I would feel so much better if this was all over already. I hate waiting around for something to happen."

Both Rosalie and Esme nodded in understanding, they too knew how it felt. They did not ever go out of their way to start trouble and thanks to Alice's power they were never sitting ducks long.

Just as Hermione was sitting down at the table to take part of the delicious tea that Esme was fixing, the telephone rang. Before it could ring a second time, Rosalie had raced to the phone to see what the caller id said.

"What's up?" Rosalie asked impatiently, "yes she is taking tea now." Hermione could not hear who was on the line, but she was sure that it was one of the Cullen's who were calling.

"Alice says to have some toast even if you're not hungry, it will make you feel better." Rosalie said after hanging up the phone, "she also says that everything is fine for now and to go take a rest. Oh, and that if you want to learn how to compose your own music to talk to Eddie when he gets home, he said he would be delighted to help you."

Hermione smiled for the first time in what felt like ages, "Thank you, I think I will have some toast," Hermione said heading for the kitchen.

"Oh, do let me get it dear," Esme said placing her hand gently on the girl's shoulder, "I do so enjoy cooking."

After Hermione had some tea in her system and something in her stomach, she agreed to take a rest. They had surprised her and Bella with a room of their own for when they slept over. The room contained twin beds one on each side of the room, a large walk-in closet and a large dresser. Hermione doubted that they would have need of it, but both were stocked full of clothing that both girls could wear. Neither girl needed to ever pack a bag when departing to the Cullen residence.

Hermione sunk down into the mattress and surprising to herself but not to anyone else she promptly fell asleep.

A/N: So, you may have noticed that I forgot about the spring formal and I have not, I just decided not to put it in. I should be able to finish the first art part of the story off next chapter. I went through this chapter several times to make sure my wording was understandable, please if I missed anything please let me know and I will fix it.

*is a reference from Hunger Games but at this point in the story it isn't written yet and I didn't mean to make it, it just popped itself in there. I wanted to say," the odds may ever be in our favor" as reference from the movies but it is not really. Do not hurt me!

For Laurent and Hermione fans, we will see more Laurent in later chapters, but they will not be paired together. However, if you are interested, I have a side chapter/ story idea that I may write when I am finished with this. If this is something you are interested in, please let me know. I am thinking a first-person narrative chapter, and if that is not enough for you, I will write an alternate ending for this story where she picks Laurent.