a/n- Alright all this chapter took a turn I wasn't expecting. hope you all enjoy it.

Chapter 24

Bella hardly heard the rest of the discussion. She was in her own head fighting against her father's opinion, still trying to figure out how to keep Edward with her.

At the end of the meeting, Jacob asked to speak to her for a minute. "I know this might piss you off and believe me I do not want to admit this, but Charlie's right. We need Edward. He will give us the best chance of survival. If it helps, I'll watch his back. I'll make sure he comes home to you."

"You're going then? There's no chance of me convincing you to stay?"

"Bells, I have to go. I'm leading the pack. I can't just send them into battle and hope for the best."

"I wish you wouldn't go. None of you."

Before Jake could respond there was a loud bellow of his name. Sam came storming up to him. "You can't take them all. I told you if a wolf misses their shift there will be consequences."

Jake took a shaky breath but responded calmly. "I know, but I need every wolf. I will take their punishment."

Bella cried, "Jake!"

At the same time Sam said "I won't allow that!"

Jake sighed loudly. "It's that, or I take the pack right now. Neither of us wants that battle, but if you force me, I will fight, and I will win."

Sam looked like he wanted to argue. Instead he said. "Fine! But you better say your goodbyes to your little friend because you won't be seeing her for a very long time."

"You can't do that!" Bella protested but Jake just clenched his jaw and walked away.

"Jake, you can't let him do that."

"Bells, don't. I can't handle arguing with you right now too."

Jake already sounded tired and defeated, and he still had a search for the newborns and battle ahead of him. Bella took a step toward her retreating friend before faltering not knowing what to say.

A chill hit her back before a cold hand caressed her arm. "I'll watch his back too." Edward whispered softly into her ear.

Wrapping her arms around herself she closed her eyes tight. "I don't want you to go."

"I know love, but I will come back to you." He promised.

Charlie wouldn't allow Edward to ride in the car. He was at their house before they were. "I should give you a ticket for speeding." Charlie grumbled.

Edward smirked, "I didn't drive."

Charlie grunted unhappily at him. Bella folded herself into Edwards arms and prayed she could convince him to stay.

Bella and Edward tried to spend the rest of the day cuddling up on the couch together but it felt like every five minutes Charlie asked her to go get him a beer or a cup of coffee.

"I need another beer Bells."

Bella snapped. "Then go get it yourself."

Before Charlie could respond Edward said "I'll get it."

He flashed out of the room and was back in the blink of an eye. Smiling, he handed Charlie the can of beer. Charlie grunted and opened the can, only to have the cold liquid erupted into his face.

Bella and Edwards mouths and eyes opened wide. "Chief Swan, I am so sorry."

Charlie pursed his lips, blinked his eyes open and grumbled "towel!"

Again Edward flashed through the house and retrieved what the Chief requested.

Accepting the towel Charlie said. "At least this won't blow up in my face."

He stood and made his way to the kitchen leaving Edward and Bella alone for the first time since they arrived home.

Bella wasn't able to convince him to stay. Her fathers commentary was not helping. Every time she would mention a reason for him to stay Charlie would say something like. "I could picture the battle now. Pieces of vampires and wolves scattered around the battleground. If only they had a mind reader with them. Could have prevented that ambush." and then he would take a sip of his drink like he didn't just crush her heart even more.

Around twilight Alice and Jacob showed up at the house. Bella looked between them in confusion. Jake smiled at her. "We weren't together, just showed up at the same time." He answered her unasked question.

Jake's eyes shot up to meet Edward's, who smiled and said. "I will give you two a minute." Then grabbed his sister's arm and practically dragged her out of the house.

Charlie reluctantly said, "I need to use the bathroom. Don't wolf out or anything like that."

Bella watched him walk up the stairs and laughed, "I'm surprised it's taken this long, I'm sure he's about to burst." When she turned back to Jake her laughter died. "What is it?"

"Come here," he said, cupping the back of her head he pulled her into an embrace. He kissed the top of her head before continuing to talk. "Listen, I have all the confidence in the world that we are going to win this thing. But I'm not stupid, wolves can't piece themselves back together like vamps can. That mood leach." Bella flinched. "Sorry," He mumbled. "The mood reading guy taught us how the newborns fight."

"What," Bella looked up at him. "When? Why wasn't I there?"

He smiled down at her. "Last night, and probably because you won't be fighting any vampires anytime soon."

"I still should have been there."

"That's something to take up with your Boyfriend. Oh, maybe you will be fighting a vampire." She pouted. He smirked, then blew out a loud breath. "Look as I said, I'm not stupid. I know there's a real chance some of us wolves won't be coming home."

"No!" Bella cried. "You have to. Please."

Jake pressed his forehead against hers. "I'll do my best. And with your boyfriend. there it boosts our chance of survival." Guilt flooded her for trying to stop Edward from going. "But if something does happen to me, and I don't come home." Bella started to shake her head, he cupped her face to stop her. "I need you to look after Billy for me." she tried to shake her head again. "Please Bells."

She sniffled and nodded. "I'll look in on him. But you better come home."

"I'll do my best." he promised again.

The sound of someone clearing their throat grabbed their attention and they turned to see a somber looking Charlie. He walked over to them and gripped Jacobs shoulder. "We will look after your father, son. I don't want you to be worried about him when you need to be concentrating on keeping yourself and your friends…" Charlie awkwardly pulled his hand away. "um… pack, safe." he clenched his hand like he was just caught touching something he shouldn't have and looked around not knowing what to say next. He seemed to focus on something "Oh, Alice and… they're back and look like they have news."

They all looked at Alice. She announced. "We know where they are."

a/n- Thank you for reading