Impasse

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A/N-While we let Bella enjoy her birthday celebrations, I thought it was time for you all to have a sneak peek at what has been transpiring at the Cullens.

Meeting

There was chaos in the Cullen household.

"I can't believe you let her go, Carlisle." Edward accused. His jaw muscles tensed at his mentor's revelation that Victoria had slipped through their fingers so easily. He had been psyched by the possibility of taking her down himself when Alice revealed that she had a vision of her sneaking around the area.

Carlisle sighed heavily. This debate had been going on for the last hour and he was tired of defending himself. "I have made my feelings clear several times, Edward. I truly believe that most beings are not beyond redemption, and I happen to think that Victoria is one of them. You didn't see her reaction or hear the surprise in her tone when she questioned my reasons for saving the wolf boy. I really think my actions made an impact."

Edward concentrated hard for a moment, doing his best to contain his anger. He considered Carlisle not just his creator, but also his father figure. Carlisle had changed Edward into a vampire in 1918 during the second wave of the Spanish influenza, after the passing of both of his parents. Edward was initially resentful of Carlisle for turning him into a monster, and used his compassion against him. After Esme joined their family, he left on his own and fed on humans, but a few years later, he developed guilt over his murders and returned to Carlisle and Esme, seeking their forgiveness.

Edward knew that Carlisle would forgive him for his horrible acts because he loved him. Because he thought Edward was better than he was. And he would continue to love him, even when Edward continued to prove him wrong. His natural compassion wouldn't let him feel any other way

Over time Edward had learned to praise Carlisle for his discipline and compassion for human and vampire beings, which allowed him to sustain on animal blood rather than human. Since then, he had always tried his best to live up to Carlisle's expectations, even though he knew that he wouldn't be blamed for making a mistake. He considered Carlisle the best father anyone could ever have because of his kindness and generosity. He had also given Edward the love that he never received from his real father, who was physically and emotionally distant compared to Carlisle.

However, right now, Edward was questioning Carlisle's judgement, believing that his beloved father figure had let the compassion and generosity he had come to admire so much blind him to Victoria's true nature.

"There are some beings that are born wicked. She is one of them." Edward argued.

"I agree." Emmet piped up. He had remained silent thus far, allowing Edward to argue his case. But upon learning that Carlisle wasn't willing to change his stance on the matter, he decided to finally voice his opinion. "She hung around with that James dude, aiding and abetting his evil crimes. That makes her complicit. She stayed with him because she clearly approved of his sick and twisted actions. You can't make me believe that someone like that would suddenly have a crisis of conscience just because she saw you save some random wolf boy she had already tried to kill."

Alice, standing the furthest from them, nodded her head at this statement. "I see no change in her, Carlisle. Her choices remain the same. She is still hyper focused on getting to Bella."

A hardened gleam came into Edward's eyes, as though Alice's words had just increased his determination. "We know that Victoria broke into Bella's house – "

"And we know that she did not harm Bella during that encounter." Carlisle cut in wearily. "What does that tell you, Edward? Something made her pause, made her hesitate and consider the consequences of her actions."

"Oh, come on!" Emmet cried in exasperation.

"Hush." Rosalie cautioned him. Privately she agreed with both her mate and Edward – a rare event in itself – for she and Edward were usually at loggerheads with one another. But this time she thought Carlisle had made a major error of judgement by letting Victoria go.

"What are you thinking, Rose?" Carlisle asked, hoping to have at least one member of his family in his corner.

Rosalie's perfect features twisted into a frown, her eyes roaming the room, finally landing on Edward. She watched as his lips pulled back over his teeth and the way his eyes shone with an odd light – a wild, fierce light. She could tell he was about to defy the father figure he loved so much and probably go after Victoria himself in a reckless attempt to take her down. She also knew that this Victoria was a much wilier creature than all of them gave her credit for, she wouldn't have survived for as long as she had if she wasn't. No, a part of her could understand Carlisle's caution, but the bigger part knew that at some point Victoria would show her true colors to the detriment of them all.

"I'm sorry, Carlisle." She said apologetically. "I would like to believe, as you do, that we all possess something inside of us that gives us the ability to change for the better. But I must agree with the others – I don't see Victoria giving up her vendetta anytime soon. While she exists then neither Bella or any one of us will be safe."

Carlisle nodded brusquely, the last of his hope dying along with her answer. There was no point even asking for Jasper's opinion. He would go along with whatever Alice thought. Eventually he turned to look at Esme. His wife placed a gentle hand on his face, her palm cupping his cheek. She didn't need to say the words for him to know that she was also in complete agreement with the others. So, in this decision he was most definitely alone.

As Esme's hand dropped from his face Carlisle turned and let his gaze sweep the whole room. "I have listened to your concerns and I understand them. However, I will not be changing my mind on this issue. I still believe that I did the right thing. Victoria will prove you all wrong, I am sure."

"I don't believe this!" Edward exploded in disbelief. "Bella's life is at stake here! You can't really be that naïve!"

"Edward!" Alice cautioned as she flew to his side. "Jas, some help, please?" She pleaded.

It was silent for a few heartbeats, and then Jasper took a step forward. He threw a wary glance toward Edward, who glared back at him seething. And then to everyone's surprise, none more so than Alice, Jasper stepped back again and shrugged.

"Its not my place to interfere. Bella is his chosen mate. He has every right to protect her safety." He said carefully.

"Jas!" Alice exclaimed in shock as Rosalie and Esme exchanged a wide-eyed glance of surprise in the background. They had not expected this response from Jasper. It was rare for him to go against the collective and even rarer for him to express his support for Edward.

Edward looked quite smug now. "You see. Jasper understands where I'm coming from. Bella's safety is the priority here. She is everything to me and when her memories return – "

"Oh, enough!" Carlisle snapped, losing his composure for a moment. He strode forward, stopping in front of Edward, he deliberately put a hand on his shoulder, cementing him in place. "Has anything I've said to you about your relationship with Bella sunk in at all?" He demanded.

Edward frowned, a mulish expression taking over his face. The others discreetly left the room, not wanting to witness what was obviously a private discussion. Only Alice lingered, until Jasper grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the room after him and firmly closing the door behind them.

"I am imploring you to really listen to me, son." Carlisle begged, lowering his voice a little. His fingers bit into Edward's shoulder, the strain on his face showing how much this reprimand was costing him. "We've spoken about this several times now. I truly thought you were beginning to accept the way things are, but your words and behavior today show otherwise."

"Carlisle – "Edward began.

"No!" Carlisle cut him off again. "I hate to be brutal but you leave me little choice. Whatever was between you and Bella is over. Whether she regains her memories or not, it is clear to those who have eyes that see that she has moved on with Jacob Black. She is allied with the wolves now and is under their protection. She is never going to come back to you. She has made her feelings very plain. Now you need to let go and accept it."

After this pronouncement Edward's eyes were as immobile as the rest of his face, as if news like that was impossible to absorb any faster. He was frozen for maybe three whole seconds before the corners of his mouth turned down, and his eyes finally shifted to meet Carlisle's.

"Once she remembers what we were to each other she will come back to me."

The hand resting on Edward's shoulder tightened its grip at his stubborn refusal to accept the truth. "You seem to forget that even if Bella does regain her past memories, she has since made new ones, none of which involve you, Edward. In her mind you represent the past and Jacob the future. Let it go. We will of course stay around and monitor the situation regarding Victoria and her intentions, but I firmly believe that I am right and that she will forego any idea of revenge and will eventually leave altogether."

Edward frowned into space for a long moment, and then suddenly smiled bitterly at Carlisle, coming back from his reverie. "Your faith in that redheaded demon is misplaced. As is your opinion regarding Bella's feelings for me. I know the real Bella. The one who fought so hard for us to be together. I'm not giving up because I know that, deep down, she wouldn't want me to."

"Oh, Edward." Carlisle groaned. "What will it take to convince you? I don't want you to be hurt."

"I won't be." Edward remarked firmly as he pushed Carlisle's hand off his shoulder and walked out of the room, leaving Carlisle staring after him in dismay.

A/N-thanks for reading!