[BamaFan121s]

And then a very different set of faces came to mind. Those of Renesmee, Charlie, Billy, and Sue. Of Renee and Phil and the pack - so many loved ones in danger. Once again, my family and friends were in the crosshairs, all because of me. There were so many times I'd been the one who needed protecting. I was sure that once I achieved this life I'd wanted so badly, that I'd no longer be venerability. And in a way, that was true - yet I'd never in my life felt so powerless.

I covered my face with my hands. Almost immediately, I felt Edward's arms around me and felt his cool breath at my ear. "I don't know what to do," I confessed into his chest. "I can't keep everyone safe." He stroked my hair gently, but didn't speak any words of encouragement. There weren't any to be spoken. I was right, and he knew it. Anyone left here in Forks would be a target. And there was no way to protect them all...or was there?

Slowly, my own plan began to formulate in my mind - if there were some way to get my family out of Forks, yet keep them protected...and allow them a way to escape should our plan fail... "Bella!" Alice gasped from across the room. My eyes shot across the room and rested on hers as they stared unfocused. After a long second, she blinked and focused her gaze on me. "It will work Bella....but you have to hurry...go!"

I didn't bother to explain to anyone, I pulled myself out of Edward's grasp and ran to the kitchen, yanking drawers open as fast as I could until at last I found what I was looking for. I grabbed the envelope with my mother's messy script and retrieved my keys from the hook by the door, then rushed back to the foyer and was met by Alice as she came back down the stairs. She shoved a duffle bag in my arms and urged me towards the door. "This is everything you'll need. Jasper's going with you," she explained hurriedly as he appeared by my side. "I'll make all the arrangements while you're gone." I nodded, not wasting times with words.

"Bella?" Edward protested, his voice full of confusion. "What's this all about? Where are you going?"

"Seattle."

"No! Not with Demetri out there somewhere."

"I'll lead him away." Chelsea said. "It's me he's after right now."

That brought me up short. "Chelsea..." I choked out.

"Chelsea, I cannot allow you to sacrifice yourself on behalf of my family," Carlisle said, striding forward.

She shrugged and as she spoke, it was clear that her resolve had been made. "Carlisle, for too long I have been a part of putting your family in jeopardy. Please allow me this chance to do my part to right the situation. I can't take back the role I have played in their senseless games in the past, but I control what I do in the future from here on." She turned to me and took my hand, squeezing it briefly. "Bella, for what it's worth, I am genuinely sorry. Good luck, to all of you." She turned and cast one last, apologetic glance to my family, then turned and disappeared into the brush beyond the driveway.

"Bella," Edward begged as he grabbed my arm. "Please don't do this. Let me go instead."

"It's the only way I know of. I have to try."

Suddenly, I felt a wave of calmness wash over me as Jasper took hold of my other arm. "Edward!" he demanded, capturing his brother's attention. "We will come back. You have my word on that."

They stared at each other for a long second before Edward reluctantly released his hold on my arm. Jasper gently pulled me in the direction of the car already parked in the driveway. I made my way towards the car backwards, letting Jasper lead me as I called urgent directions back to Edward. "Help Alice! You're going to have to be the one to convince them. Call Billy first...he'll know how to get in touch with Sam. Get them on board before you call Charlie!"

"Get them on board for what?" he called back frantically, his hands raking though his hair.

"They're going to Jacksonville for a baseball game!" I said, waving the envelope full of vouchers in the air. I knew Alice would fill him in on the details while we were gone. I turned and ran to the passenger side door, pausing for one moment to look back at his still figure silhouetted against the light from the open front door. Even in the darkness, I could read his lips as he mouthed three silent words to me. "I love you."

I smiled as I mouthed his own words from long ago back to him. "As I love you."

I had barely shut the door when Jasper hit the accelerator taking us down the winding driveway and out onto the road that would lead us to the office of J. Jenks.



* * * * *



Our mission in Seattle had taken less time than I'd expected. To say that J had been less than enthusiastic to see Jasper again would be an understatement. He'd seemed quite reluctant and immediately overwhelmed at our request for five immediate passports, but the duffle bag full of large bills shoved into his arms seemed to render him considerably more agreeable.

I was grateful for Jasper's silence on the drive home. He didn't even bother to tamper with my emotional state, but instead let me collect my thoughts in silence. I found my ability to think in detail about several things at once slightly irritating. It only enabled me to worry about that many more things all at the same time. Jasper had called Alice to tell her we'd accomplished our mission and were on the way back. I easily ignored their conversation as I stared blankly out the window at the vast greenness that rushed past us beyond the window.