A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks a million times to my faithful and wonderful serial reviewers traceybuie, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night, CoppertopJ and BridieM! I love your ideas, feelings and comments! And by the way, you have very interesting theories, some of them not far off the mark, I daresay ;)

We'll dive a little deeper into the heart of the plot, but we're not there yet ;) I hope you enjoy this trip as much as I enjoy writing this craziness XD

I'll do my best to stay on schedule of a chapter a week, but I'm overwhelmed in real life, so I can't make any promises. However, I'm dedicated to this fic, and I really can't wait to share it with you! Serious times ahead, but fun ones too!

Enjoy, and please review!

Chapter 4

Bella

Alice, obviously seeing our sudden distress, spoke up again, taking Jasper's hand. "Look, you two, there's nothing to be worried about just yet. And if everything goes as it's supposed to, then it'll all go well. Just... Trust me, please? I promise you that I have to keep silent for now, but I'll tell you everything as soon as I can. Okay?"

I nodded while Edward was still growling lowly, his muscles tense under my fingers. But soon he relaxed a little, eyeing our sister and brother warily. "I trust you, Alice. I have your word."

"I don't like it, you know?" she said with a grimace, leaning into Jasper who put his arm around her petite frame to comfort her. "Knowing more than I should."

"Just like my mind-reading," Edward shrugged, feigning nonchalance. I wasn't fooled, and neither was Jasper. "It's a pain, but it's useful."

"At least you can turn it off now," Alice stated, emphasizing on 'you'. "Lucky you."

"I don't exactly control it," Edward admitted with a wince, gripping my hand harder. He hadn't told his family about the extent of the damage since a few months ago. Now he clearly wanted to come clean about it. "Sometimes I turn it off on my own, but other times... More and more, it's turned off, and I can't do anything about it."

"And I assume it's when you're with Bella," Jasper guessed as the rest of our family poured out of the house, concerned expressions on their faces.

Edward simply nodded, and I melted into him. I could feel his tension. He was worried that our family would love him less if he couldn't be watching out for us as much as before. My silly mate. As if such a thing was even possible. He obviously didn't know Esme.

Jasper sighed. "Ed, don't beat yourself up. It doesn't matter if you can't look out for us as much as you used to. We won't blame you."

"No, we won't," Esme echoed him, a loving but determined expression on her face as she ran to my mate and hugged him after I released him. "We love you, Edward, not your talent. Even if you're not able to read minds anymore, we won't love you any less."

"Thanks, Mom," he whispered softly in her ear after a few seconds, the tension melting away from his shoulders. He had needed to hear those words, to feel this love from our family, and most of all from our motherly figure.

I was watching Carlisle, who was still looking contrite. "Carlisle, it's over. We're not mad anymore. You did what you thought was best. But Edward and I aren't children. We need to know what affects the whole family."

"I'm terribly sorry, Bella," he said immediately, hanging his head. "And it won't happen again, I promise you."

"Good, then no more on this," I said simply, giving him an encouraging smile. He smiled faintly at me in return, and Jasper mouthed 'I'm sorry too'. I nodded at him, trying to stifle my laugh as Rosalie, looking smug, raised her hands behind their heads as if waiting for an order from me to smack them.

"Well, now that those males won't act like the dumbasses they were anymore, let's be on the move, people," Alice ordered. "Time's money."

"I'll go call Seth," I announced, and Edward broke himself free from Esme.

He hugged me and kissed me briefly before letting me go. "I'll pack for us," he told me, and I nodded.

I went inside the house to retrieve my phone, then ran outside again. I stayed within hearing range of the house; I needed to be able to hear my mate wander about, and so did he. I dialed Seth's phone, and waited for him to pick up. He did after the first ring. "Bella?"

"Hi, little brother," I said softly, rejoicing at hearing his voice, even though he sounded preoccupied. "How are things?"

"Did Alice tell you?" he asked tensely.

"She did. Is Sam all right? Are you?"

"I'm fine. Sam is fine too, just a little pissed that he's phasing again. But he'd rather be him phasing than his daughter. He and Emily are very worried. Lynn has grown up half a foot already, just like Daniel, Jake's eldest. And everyone else is fine. We're sorry about the two Volturi guards. Sam and Jake and the other vampires did their best, but those red-eyed assholes burned them up right away. If I lay my hands on this Caius..."

Seth was growling loudly, and I dimly heard his wife Britney in the background, trying to soothe him. I had to ask. "Are you phasing again too?"

"Yeah," he grunted. "Scared the hell out of my kids too. But like Sam, I prefer that it's me rather than them."

"I understand," I said. "I'm sorry for that, Seth. We'll take the first plane, and be there as soon as possible."

"Shit," he swore lowly. "I'm sorry for you, Bella. I know you've never wanted to come back here. We need you and the Cullens, but still... I wish there was another way."

"It's okay," I lied, my dead heart tightening in my chest. "It wouldn't sit right with me if I let you deal with Caius on your own."

"Thanks, sis," he exhaled, sounding relieved.

"What can you tell me about Charlie?" I inquired after a few seconds, dreading the answer.

"Mom told us that while Caius and his goons attacked Sam and Jake and their family, some red-eyed female rang their doorbell. Charlie opened the door, then he fell into some kind of trance. The woman ordered him to follow her, and he did. Just like that. He never went for his gun, which was hanging by his side. He never acknowledged Mom crying and calling out for him behind him. He followed her meekly to a gray sedan, and just like that they took off. We haven't heard anything about him since. Mom is heartbroken and worried out of her mind."

"This vampire female has a persuasive talent," I said calmly, trying to sound detached, but failing miserably. "Charlie couldn't resist."

"Is he still alive?" Seth asked as around me luggage was being stacked out of the house. We were almost ready to depart, as far as I could see.

"According to Alice, he is," I winced, not wanting to dwell on my father's conditions of captivity. I had to believe that Caius would treat him reasonably well, but the red-eyed vampires fed on humans; they didn't take care of them. I shivered a little, and decided that I would not ask Alice about it.

"Well, that's something, at least," Seth said after an awkward silence. "What are you planning to do?"

"I... I don't know yet," I confessed bitterly. "We'll see when we come to Forks."

"I assume you'll go to the big house?"

"Yes. I think our presence in La Push won't be welcomed."

"You're quite right about that. Tensions are running high around here. But the Volturi keep to themselves in the forest, so we seldom see them. We know they're out there, guarding us, but that's about it."

"We'll speak with them," I told him, knowing that that was one of the next steps. "Then I'll call you, and we'll meet on neutral grounds and organize. Is Caius still around?"

"No," Seth answered grimly. "He's a coward. Ran away like the wind as soon as Sam and Jake phased back and tore apart three of his goons with the Volturi's help. He's not in the vicinity anymore. We followed their scents to the Pacific, where they visibly took a dive. We don't know where they are now."

"He'll be back," I sighed deeply, knowing that a fight to the death was inevitable, and fearing its consequences, especially for my father, but most of all for my friends and family. I didn't want anyone to die or even hurt. I'd tear Caius apart before he could harm them.

"And we'll fight when he comes," Seth vowed solemnly and harshly. "He won't run away this time."

"I hope so. I have to go, Seth."

"Safe trip, Bella," he said with emotion. "Call me when you're in Forks."

"Will do."

I hung up, and the next second Edward was standing right in front of me, looking calm but focused. "Don't worry, love," he said, running his knuckles over my cheek, love and fierceness vibrating in his voice. "Caius won't live for another millennia."

"No, he won't," I concurred, leaning into my mate's soothing touch. I still didn't feel an overwhelming desire for him, but that was all right with me. We had to hit the road, or rather the sea right now.

"Hell yes!" Emmett rejoiced, the only one of our family looking eager for the looming fight. "Time to go kick some vampire asses!"

The trip was like the blink of an eye, nobody talking much and me a little out of it, and before I knew it we were on the front porch of the Cullen house in the outskirts of Forks. I followed everyone in a daze, Edward steering me, and found myself in my old blue bedroom sometimes later, sitting on the plush bed. My mate, looking distressed, was kneeling right at my feet, his hands cupping my cheeks. "Bella, love, please come back to me!"

I tried to shake myself out of my stupor, and reached for his arms. He took my hands in his, his touch jolting me back to the present. I could feel his worry pulsing through our intertwined fingers, and I took a shaky breath. I realized then that it was the first time in who knew how long that I took an actual breath. I had spaced out completely, it seemed.

"Bella!" Edward exclaimed, leaning towards me and kissing me softly. "Love, are you all right?"

"I... dunno," I muttered, still dazed. Everything was blurry around me, even my mate, whose golden eyes were overflowing with anguish.

"We'll go hunt, love," he told me, jumping to his feet then gathering me gently in his arms. I didn't protest. I didn't know why this dazed state was affecting me again, since nothing had triggered it, to my knowledge. Edward had stayed by my side at every moment, I knew it. We couldn't bear to be away from each other anymore since Volterra. And I could still feel his venom running in my veins from our last lovemaking. I didn't know anymore.

"Bella!" Edward cried out as he rushed into the forest, his voice like a slap on my face. I had drifted off again; I couldn't remember exiting my bedroom, even less the house. "Bella, stay awake! We're not far, love."

He never stopped before tackling a huge elk down, protecting me from the protuding antlers of the bucking animal. He snapped its neck in a swift gesture, then brought me to the jugular of his prey. "Drink, love," he coaxed me softly.

My teeth sank into the warm flesh and latched onto the artery, and I sucked the delicious wooden-flavoured blood out greedily. Every gulp was sharpening my senses, making me focus back onto the present and my surroundings. Fortunately for me, my wonderful husband had found a very large elk, so with only its blood I came back to myself, sighing in relief and satiety.

"Feeling better, love?" he asked me, probably sensing the answer through our still linked hands.

"Much better, Edward. Thank you," I said, wiping my mouth on my sleeve and not caring a bit about it. "I just..."

Frustration and concern laced through me, and he gave me a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Yes, I wonder why you're still dazed like that too. I never let your hand go during the trip, Bella, yet you spaced out a little after an hour into the first flight. Alice and Jasper told me that you were okay and that I shouldn't do anything until we arrived, but..."

"I'm so tired of this," I huffed wearily, not an ounce of strength behind my statement. I was still the weakest link, the one who couldn't stay upright, and it was aggravating and tiring at the same time. "I just... I just want to be normal, Edward. Why can't I be a normal vampire?"

Edward chuckled without humour. "You've never been a normal human, love. I think you carried this particular trait in your immortal life."

"Just great," I groaned. Another reminder of me being an everlasting anomaly. I tried to focus on something more interesting. "When will Marcus arrive?"

"He and Heidi were in Quebec, but they're on their way," my mate answered, settling me on his lap and hugging me gently. "They should be here in five hours."

I nodded faintly, then a thought suddenly hit me. "Edward, you talk!"

"Yes," he smiled sarcastically, not following me. "I happen to do that from time to time."

"No, my love," I shook my head. "What I mean is that usually, when I start to be dazed, you turn into..."

"… protective mode?" he offered, and I nodded again. He sighed deeply, running a hand through his wild hair. "I felt it coming, this time. This... feral me. I felt it, and fought it down. I... I was too afraid of... what could happen," he finished in a murmur, his eyes tight with remorse.

"I don't mind that side of you, Edward," I assured him, cupping his gorgeous but tormented face in my hands. "You're a vampire, and have vampire instincts. I'm completely okay with that. And bear in mind that we don't know why you acted like that. Please, just remember that if I hadn't wanted it, I would've stopped you. I'm still stronger than you, my love," I added with a wink. "I could've tossed you away from me and bury you under the nearest boulder if I had been upset."

"I know, but..."

"Edward, let it go," I told him firmly, some of my anger returning. "No wallowing."

"I feel so guilty," he confessed shamefully, hanging his head. "I shouldn't have acted that way. It wasn't right."

And I snapped at those words. Literally. I shot to my feet, ran towards the closest clump of trees and uprooted five of them in half a second, sending them crashing to the ground, all the while roaring at the top of my voice. I was feral too, at that moment, and the still small sane part of my brain tried to make my body stop, but I had no control over my instincts. None. It was terrifying.

"Goddammit!" I screamed, still destroying the flora around me in my berserk state. "Why won't you ever listen to me?! Why do you have to be such a pessimist, Edward?! I'm happy and furious and worried and so damn angry at you right now for not believing me! In what language do I have to tell you that I enjoyed what you did to me?!"

My mate's jaw was on the ground, his eyes bulging at my fierce outburst. But after a few seconds of him being flabbergasted and me trying to calm down, slowing my hits on the trees around us, he gathered himself and took cautious steps towards me, looking chastised.

"I assume you're tired to hear this, Bella, but I'm truly sorry," he said, quickly continuing before I could lash out at him again. "Not for what I did, but for how I've acted since. You're right, I tend to fall back in my old ways when I feel I'm... not good enough for you."

My anger subsided, but it was still simmering just below the surface, so I forced myself to breathe deeply a few times before I could gain enough control over my voice and words. "No more on this either, Edward," I spat. "I know enough of my own mind to tell you when I'm uncomfortable or upset or angry. I told you that I enjoyed what you did. So just believe me, dammit! And don't waste time feeling guilty upon something you had zero control over, and no knowledge of the whys. And I just love you, you idiot! You're much more than good enough for me! Just... I don't... Please, my love," I concluded my rant in a sigh, my arms falling at my sides.

I felt utterly drained, and had I been still human, I would've collapsed on the spot and slept for twelve hours straight. As it was, I was a vampire, so I stayed on my feet, just swaying a little. Edward ran to me and steadied me gently. "Bella?"

"Bring me home, Edward, please," I asked in a tired sigh. "I need..."

"What, love?" he asked in utter distress. "What is it you need? Just tell me, please!"

"I... I don't know," I frowned, relaxing in his strong arms. I knew, somehow, that I needed something, but I just didn't know what, or even how I knew. It was like an empty space inside my brain, tugging at the main part as if it knew what should be there to fill it. But it didn't. I didn't know what was missing. I felt a headache coming. "I just... Something's missing," I just exhaled in weary frustration, clueless as to how I could explain this.

"Yes, definitely," he nodded, still stressed out. "I know something's missing, but not what. And I don't know how I know it. It's driving me insane!" he let out, gripping his hair while still holding me.

"Ever since you bit me on Isle Esme, I've known that, somehow," I mused pensively, trying to fight my heavy eyelids. I really was thinking that I was going to fall asleep, vampire or not. "Edward, I'm so tired..."

"Bella, love, are you falling asleep?" he asked worriedly, gathering me in his arms again and running back towards the house.

"Yes," I murmured, my eyelids closing against my will. "Sleep..."

I couldn't utter another word as I sank into a strange but peaceful state, like sleep but not so deep. I could barely make out sounds coming from around me and understand spoken words. It wasn't like my usual unconscious state. I was somehow aware of my surroundings and the people around me, but I was resting. Truly resting.

"Edward?" I heard Esme's stressed-out voice next to me. "Is she all right? What happened?"

"She said she needed to sleep," Edward replied, sounding a little appeased. I must've responded to him at some point somehow to assuage his anxiety. "I don't know what it means or how it's possible, but she's relaxed in my arms. She's not limp either, so I assume she can hear us. She just needs rest."

"But why?" Carlisle's voice reached me, and I felt his hands gently prodding me. "What is happening, Edward?"

"Something changed on Isle Esme," Edward said, some of his tension returning. "Something between us. But we don't know why or its effects. We're waiting for Marcus and hope he'll be able to explain it."

"Is it why Bella is so dazed all the time, and you so...?" Rosalie asked, hesitating to voice her thoughts.

"… fiercely protective?" Edward offered. "I guess so. But we don't know anything yet. Where are Jasper and Emmett?"

"They went to find the Volturi guards patrolling around La Push," Carlisle answered, sounding tense. "We need to know exactly what happened, and what they will do now that we've come back. Felix assured me that they would defend us and fight Caius with us, but we need to know of their plans."

"Definitely," Edward agreed immediately, still holding me against his chest. I was feeling great, cradled in his embrace. "But that will have to wait a little bit until Bella awakens."

"Of course," Esme said at once, and I felt her hand on my upper arm pat me lightly. "Go to her room. We won't disturb you."

"But, Edward," Carlisle interjected cautiously, as gently as possible. "At some point we'll need to know what happened to Bella and you on Isle Esme."

"Soon, Carlisle," my mate promised, his voice instantly more tense. "When Bella wakes up, and when we have more than five minutes to spare. We need time to tell you."

"And you'd better talk to Marcus before you tell the family, Edward," Alice chimed up unexpectedly, her voice more appeased but still a little cautious. "He'll be able to provide well-needed imput for your current situation."

"I wish you could just tell us, Alice," my mate huffed, a little aggravated. "And please stop singing K-Pop in your head to block me, by the way."

"I wondered when you would crack and tell me about it," she giggled lightly, reassuring me. The situation wasn't desperate since she was amused by my husband's reactions. "But seriously, Edward, you and Bella need to work your way towards the answer to your problem. Any piece of information off-time and it's a potential catastrophe brewing. I'm treading a very thin line here, brother dear. Believe me, you don't want to know yet."

She stressed out her point quite firmly, and I decided there and then not to push the issue. We would learn what we had to know in due time. And fortunately, my smart husband relented. "Fine. I trust you, Alice. I won't ask again."

"Good," she chirped happily. "Now, I can tell you that Bella hears everything in this state, and that she's resting. She needed it badly."

"I can understand that," he muttered to himself, sounding tired too.

"Edward, bring Bella upstairs and go rest with her," Esme ordered him softly. "You look beat too, dear."

"All right," he agreed again. "See you later."

Two seconds later I was being laid on our soft and plush bed, and I felt my shoes, sweater and pants pulled off of me. My thoughtful, wonderful mate. Then I heard him shed some of his clothes, felt him lie down beside me and put the comforter over us. He came to snuggle next to me, and I buried my face into the crook of his neck, my arm draped over his chest.

"Sweet dreams, my beautiful Bella," he slurred, sounding exhausted. He wouldn't truly sleep, like me, but the weirdness was going on. Why were we like this now?

As I was somehow drifting again, not sleeping but not truly awake, I dimly heard Jasper and Emmett run back into the house. "Guess what?" Emmett's loud voice boomed. "We might know where Charlie is!"

Hope you're intrigued by the plot! Leave me your thoughts, pretty please? ;)