I've had enough of this! Alice glared at me so menacingly I almost thought she was going to burn holes through me.

"Listen," Bella pleaded desperately. "You take me back."

"No," I cut in.

I turned to look at her and now she was glaring at me. "You take me back," she continued anyway. "I tell my dad I want to go home to Phoenix. I pack my bags. We wait till this tracker is watching, and then we run. He'll follow us and leave Charlie alone. Charlie won't call the FBI on your family. Then you can take me any damned place you want."

Wow! I like her style. She fights dirty! Emmett looked surprised.

Just let her do this, Edward. Alice continued to glare at me.

"It's not a bad idea, really." Emmett allowed.

"It might work - and we simply can't leave her father unprotected. You know that," Alice replied in a I told you so tone.

Everyone's eyes were on me. I took in a deep breath. "It's too dangerous - I don't want him within a hundred miles of her."

"Edward, he's not getting through us," Emmett said confidently.

I wish I were as confident as he was. I looked at Alice because she started flitting through the future again. Ah, yes, the future is getting clearer. I see... "I don't see him attacking. He'll try to wait for us to leave her alone."

"It won't take long for him to realize that's not going to happen," Emmett said.

"I demand that you take me home." Bella said firmly.

My brain was swelling with the onslaught of information - the past events, the present and the future. Bringing my fingers to my temples and squeezing my eyes shut while trying to dispel all thoughts was useless but I tried anyway.

"Please," Bella whispered a cry.

I knew I had to do what was best for Bella all around, not what was just best for me. I decided a compromise would be the best I could deal with.

"You're leaving tonight, whether the tracker sees or not. You tell Charlie that you can't stand another minute in Forks. Tell him whatever story works. Pack the first things your hands touch, and then get in your truck. I don't care what he says to you. You have fifteen minutes. Do you hear me? Fifteen minutes from the time you cross the doorstep." I conceded.

The engine roared to life as I turned the key. I whipped the truck around while listening to everyone's thoughts.

I knew this was going to happen, Alice thought smugly.

Yes! We get to fight! Hell yes! Emmett rejoiced.

"Emmett?" Bella said. I looked in the mirror and she was looking down at her hands.

"Oh, sorry." Emmett said while letting go of her wrists.

This is the most exciting thing since mine and Jasper's trip to Africa. I hope Edward always keeps Bella around, everything is always so interesting! Emmett continued to think happy thoughts the whole way back to Forks.

While everyone else was silent I was working plans in my head. "This is how it's going to happen," I began to explain our strategy. "When we get to the house, if the tracker is not there, I will walk her to the door. Then she has fifteen minutes." I gave Bella a dark look in the mirror to let her know I wasn't going to change my mind on this point. "Emmett, you take the outside of the house. Alice, you get the truck. I'll be inside as long as she is. After she's out, you two can take the Jeep home and tell Carlisle."

What? No fight! "No way," Emmett interrupted. "I'm with you."

I sighed. "Think it through, Emmett. I don't know how long I'll be gone." I explained.

You aren't going to ruin this for me. "Until we know how far this is going to go, I'm with you," Emmett said with authority.

A growl almost escaped my lips. "If the tracker is there," I frowned, "we keep driving."

No worries! "We're going to make it there before him," Alice said with confidence. Oh no you don't, Edward, I'm staying with her. She thought when I planned to send her home."What are we going to do with the Jeep?" Alice asked to provoke me.

I gritted my teeth as I spoke. "You're driving it home."

No way! "No, I'm not!" she said coolly.

Tonight I just couldn't help myself, a stream of profanities come through my lips, but low enough I was sure Bella couldn't hear them. Would she think of me as a gentleman after this? What a dumb thing to be thinking about in such a crucial moment, I thought to myself.

"We can all fit in my truck," Bella said quietly.

I ignored her, she wasn't helping my cause.

"I think you should let me go alone," Bella said even more quietly, purposely provoking me.

I clenched my teeth and breathed through them slowly. "Bella, please just do this my way, just this once."

"Listen, Charlie's not an imbecile," she continued like she hadn't heard me. "If you're not in town tomorrow, he's going to get suspicious."

Why does she continually worry about me when she should be worried about herself? Beautiful, selfless, warm, trusting human...why do you do this to me? I roared internally. "That's irrelevant. We'll make sure he's safe, and that's all that matters." I told her.

I could see her rebuttal churning in her eyes before she spoke. "Then what about this tracker? He saw the way you acted tonight. He's going to think you're with me, wherever you are."

Where on earth did this creature come from? Emmett wondered. "Edward, listen to her," he urged. "I think she's right," Emmett said, positively delighted.

Hum, she has a point. "Yes, she is," Alice agreed.

They already convinced me to come back to Forks and bring her back to the vampire who hunted her and now they expect me to stay behind! "I can't do that." I barked.

It was true, it was almost physically impossible for me to leave her now.

"Emmett should stay, too. He definitely got an eyeful of Emmett." She continued.

You have got to be kidding me! She's turning on me now! "What?" Emmett's eyes narrowed in her direction.

I'll placate him. Don't worry. "You'll get a better crack at him if you stay," Alice suggested.

The way they were planning was driving me insane. I had to put my foot down at some point. "You think I should let her go alone?" I said incredulously.

Do you think I'm an idiot? "Of course not. Jasper and I will take her." Duh.

I felt like I was being beaten down. They were making sense and I knew it, but I just couldn't stand the pain if something was to happen to her and I wasn't there to protect her. "I can't do that." I repeated.

Bella spoke up, "Hang out here for a week -" I looked at her in the mirror and she could see my I don't think so expression and amended "- a few days. Let Charlie see you haven't kidnapped me, and lead this James on a wild-goose chase. Make sure he's completely off my trail. Then come and meet me. Take a roundabout route, of course, and then Jasper and Alice can go home."

It will work. Really. Alice thought to me.

"Meet you where?" I conceded, curiosity getting the best of me.

"Phoenix." She said matter-of-factly.

"No. He'll hear that's where you're going," I said impatiently.

Oh! Great plan...Alice thought seeing what Bella would say before she spoke again.

"And you'll make it look like that's a ruse, obviously. He'll know that we'll know that he's listening. He'll never believe I'm actually going where I say I am going."

Interesting, always interesting. "She's diabolical," Emmett began to chuckle and I ignored him.

"And if that doesn't work?" I muttered.

"There are several million people in Phoenix," she informed me like that settled it.

How did our conversation end up like this - here, in Forks embracing danger? We should be a hundred miles away by now! "It's not that hard to find a phone book," I said grimly.

"I won't go home," she said happily.

This is entertaining, really. Emmett thought with another chuckle in his head.

I wanted to roll my eyes at her or shake some sense into her. Maybe she had lost her mind with the stress of the ordeal. "Oh?" I asked, utterly perplexed.

"I'm quite old enough to get my own place," she smiled at me in the mirror.

It won't come to that. Don't worry. "Edward, we'll be with her," Alice winked at me.

Everyone had lost their minds. A sadistic vampire was hunting Bella and everyone had turned it into a big joke! "What are you going to do in Phoenix?" I rebuked.

If I have time, shop. She thought but pretended that she didn't think that when she looked at me and replied, "Stay indoors."

I threw her a disgruntled look.

With Jasper gone Edward and I can track this James down and kill him! "I kind of like it." Emmett grinned stupidly.

I glared at him. "Shut up, Emmett," I commanded and I meant that for his thoughts too. It didn't stop him.

"Look, if we try to take him down while she's still around, there's a much better chance that someone will get hurt - she'll get hurt, or you will, trying to protect her. Now, if we get him alone..." we can hack him up into little pieces and burn him! Emmett finished in his thoughts with another wide grin spreading across his face at the thought.

I saw the bright orange streetlights as they grew brighter and larger as Forks loomed into view. We had finally arrived back in town and I was suddenly anxious that our plan won't work. The streets were empty and it felt like it was an ominous sign. Alice could see the grim expression on my face.

She'll be fine, Edward, I've seen it. Alice thought calmy.

"Bella," I began while Alice and Emmett became alert immediately, gazing raptly out the windows. "If you let anything happen to yourself - anything at all - I'm holding you personally responsible. Do you understand that?" I said softly.

I heard her loud gulp. "Yes," she whispered.

I looked at Alice who turned back to me. "Can Jasper handle this?"

He cares for Bella, too. "Give him some credit, Edward. He's been doing very, very well, all things considered."

I raised an eyebrow. "Can you handle this?" I asked.

I have fewer problems handling it then you do. I'd never hurt Bella. How dare you. Alice thought while a growl ripped up her throat and she pulled back her lips to show her gleaming teeth.

Coming from Alice, the very tiny Alice, made me smile despite the events of this evening. "But keep your opinions to yourself," I said harshly, knowing that the knowledge of her visions would be too much for Bella to handle.

You mean the one where I think you should change her into a vampire so she can live with us forever? She thought with great smugness.

I grimaced while pulling into Bella's driveway, looking out at the dark grounds surrounding her house. A lump formed in my throat at the thought of what had to happen next.

21. Goodbye

There is no scent of a vampire anywhere near us, Emmett thought while looking around the darkened grounds.

All clear here, Alice looked through the future. He'll show up, but he won't bother us...he wants her to himself.

Looking out through the window of the Jeep I could see no sign of the tracker. I was secretly hoping that he wouldn't show up. Putting Bella in the line of danger was burning holes through me.

"He's not here," my voice was tense. "Let's go," I firmly commanded.

I gave Emmett a tight nod and he started unbuckling Bella's harness. I could hear her pulse start to race as her breathing became harsh and ragged. Her breath filled my lungs, reminding me forcibly of the precious creature I would be protecting this evening.

She's worried...so human. "Don't worry, Bella," Emmett said in an amused voice, "we'll take care of things here quickly."

Moisture was beginning to build up in Bella's eyes and in that most fleeting of seconds I wanted to take her and run - run thousands of miles - just me and her, together.

That's not an option, Alice's vision swirled in her head before it went up in a wisp of smoke as I realized she was right. We should hurry, her thoughts were strained as the many smoky and shadowy figures shifted and disappeared with each decision that was being made.

"Alice, Emmett," I called.

I hope he's here! This is going to be so much fun! Emmett ran away gleefully.

Don't worry, Edward. We'll keep her safe. Alice slid silently into the trees.

Bella was showing extraordinary strength for someone so human. I swept out of the Jeep and opened the back door to see Bella's face which was still full of sadness and my protective side took a different turn as I took her hand and brought her to my side to comfort and protect her.

As the terror rose in my chest I was beginning to drag my feet reluctantly towards her door, where she would leave me to go inside. I knew the only safe place for her was in my arms. Our footsteps echoed in the silence but I was not oblivious to my surroundings as we walked; my eyes continually darting from every corner of the open space like we were in the middle of a war.

I hear someone approaching, Emmett resisted the temptation to attack but his thoughts were always wildly enthusiastic about the prospect.

"Fifteen minutes," I reminded Bella while stealing a glance to look at her face, an icy surge of terror rising in the pit of my stomach.

Tiny tears began seeping from beneath her eye lids as she looked up into my eyes. "I can do this," she sniffed like she was trying to convince herself more than me.

The lights on the porch were on, making her tears reflect the light as soon as we ascended the last step. She turned around to face me, bringing her warm hands to my face, sending a quivering feeling through my body in the most hostile of times.

"I love you," Bella said intensely. "I will always love you, no matter what happens now."

What did she think was going to happen to her? An odd chill ran up my spine. "Nothing is going to happen to you, Bella," I replied fiercely.

"Just follow the plan, okay? Keep Charlie safe for me. He's not going to like me very much after this, and I want to have the chance to apologize later," she looked up at me with her tear stained face.

I could feel my heart sinking as I took in her pitiful expression. Before I could show this emotion on my face I heard the thoughts of my family from the woods, distracting me again.

They're here - only James and Victoria. Alice thought flatly. Laurent went to see Carlisle - or - to warn him.

They are keeping their distance. They caught our scent. Emmett was still hoping for a fight.

Well, well, well... I heard James' thoughts. This is going to be a lot more fun than I realized, a laugh escaped his lips at the prospect of his new hunt.

"Get inside, Bella. We have to hurry," I said urgently while leaning over her protectively.

"One more thing," she whispered hastily. "Don't listen to another word I say tonight!"

Instantly her lips were on mine, sending warmth and pleasant electric shocks through my body. I forgot where I was for a fraction of a second before she pulled away, tears still streaming down her face. Her expression changed to searing anger, she turned on her heal and kicked the front door open.

"Go away, Edward!" her voice was a scream before she slammed the door in my face.

I stood there looking at the door in stunned disbelief; my breath being temporarily robbed. The feelings pulsing through me were oddly disembodying. Shrugging off the sensation as best I could, I continued to look around the cool misty grounds, stealing glances through my siblings' minds along with Charlie's. James continued to keep his distance even though his thoughts were smug and optimistic to the point of foolishness.

What is she doing? Emmett wondered. I underestimated her... hilarious, this should be entertaining!

"Bella?" Charlie called out anxiously at his daughter's angry words.

"Move closer and see if you can get a better look at what's going on," I heard James order Victoria. Better her neck than mine, James thought coldly.

"Leave me alone!" Bella shouted back at Charlie.

Charlie's thoughts were incoherent with panic at his daughter's obvious pain. He began pounding on her door while startling flashes of insight and thought filled my mind.

"The human is fighting with her father," Victoria told James after returning to him.

This I have to see, James thought menacingly.

He's on the move, Alice warned me.

If he gets too close I'll take care of him, Emmett thought pleasantly.

My eyes searched the forest for any sign of the tracker but came up empty. I continued to stand protectively below Bella's window. James moved in to hear the conversations going on inside the house but stayed clear of my vision. My concentration flew up fifteen feet to where Bella was.

"Bella, are you okay? What's going on?" Charlie called out, frightened.

"I'm going home," she shouted angrily.

It's almost believable - chuckle - this is getting good, Emmett's amusement was heightened at her acting.

"Did he hurt you?" Charlie asked, disjointed anger rising in his thoughts.

No...he protects her, James thought with great disgust.

At their thoughts I snapped. I flew through the air swiftly entering her bedroom through the window, starting to grab anything and everything from her dresser in a fierce attempt to speed the process.

"No!" Bella shouted back at her dad while she ran around her room, packing her belongings. She hadn't noticed my presence until she turned to her dresser. Her eyes found mine and they were full of sadness and guilt. Before I could pull her into my embrace we were interrupted.

"Did he break up with you?" Charlie asked, perplexed by her sudden angst.

"No!" Bella shrieked at Charlie again while shoving handfuls of clothes into her bag.

Victoria is heading to our house because she knows that we plan to bring Bella there. Alice informed me.

Charlie began beating on Bella's door, panic rushing his mind.

"What happened, Bella?" Charlie shouted through the door.

"I broke up with him!" she shouted back.

She was jerking her hand on the zipper of the bag so I caught her hand gently with mine and zipped it for her. I picked up the bag and gently placed it on her shoulder. "I'll be in the truck - go!" I whispered and lightly pushed her towards her door, trying to press the fact that we needed to get far away from James. I jumped out of the window.

"What happened?" Charlie asked when she opened her door, following her downstairs. "I thought you liked him?"

"I do like him - that's the problem. I can't do this anymore! I can't put down anymore roots here! I don't want to end up trapped in this stupid, boring town like Mom! I'm not going to make the same dumb mistake she did. I hate it - I can't stay here another minute!" Bella yelled in a desperate attempt to convince Charlie to let her go.

She's good, Emmett thought.

She is setting up an escape...clever, but not clever enough. James thought. Things are about to get real interesting, James sneered in his head.