After the conversation with Jasper I headed home. I was walking up towards my room when I heard noise in Bella's room I opened the door to see Edward holding her hand.

"The intruder, the newborn army. They're all her puppets. Victoria." Bella said

"...Alice would have seen Victoria's decision to make an army." Edward

"Unless she's hiding behind them. Letting someone else decide. Maybe she found out how Alice's visions work. I mean you heard Ana." Bella said

"Trust me -- I want it to be her. I want her that close. To end her myself, with my own hands." Edward said

"Wow Eddie Boy, that was dark." I said

I could see the darkness on his face. I could tell was not certain of what to make of his dark side. I head to bed both mentally and physically drained.

I follow behind Bella who is following behind Edward.

"Wait." Bella said

"They'll be here soon, Bella." Edward said

"I know. That's why I...I wanted to ask you something. You'd give your life for me, wouldn't you?" Bella asked

"Of course." Edward said

"What else would you give?" Bella asked

"Anything." Edward said

"Good. Then I fell better about asking you this. I want you stay out of the fight." Bella said

"...I can't, Bella." Edward said

"I can't lose you." Bella said

"I won't be far, and it will be over quickly. With the wolves in it, there won't be enough for the rest of us to do." Edward said

"If there won't be enough to do, then you're not needed, are you?" Bella asked

I start laughing because you can tell by the look on Edward's face that he is caught by his own logic.

"-- And it's just pride that's making you go. Well I'm asking you to put that aside. I know that would take a lot of courage. No more tricks. No more half-truths. We'll ne together, one way or another. Either you come with me or I'll be at the battle with you." Bella said

I can tell Edward is struggling, So it's my turn to say something.

"Edward, she has already gone crazy once. If you leave her again--" I say

Yep. Those were the words that evoked his guilt. He looks down Bella and I make eye contact.

"There are only two alternatives. Both of us in or both of us out." Bella said

You can tell Edward is struggling, but know that he has lost.

"...Then I choose the alternative I can live with." Edward said

He pulls Bella to him. When they pull apart they both look at me.

"Now what about you I don't want you out there either." Bella said

"I'm going to be out there, Bella. Standing next to Jasper making sure none of those vampires gets to you." I said

"Please, Ana I can't lose you." Bella said

"Bella I can't die okay at the end of this fight. I will be right there by your side." I said

"Fine, that doesn't mean I'm okay with it." Bella said

After that the three of us head for the clearing. When we get there I find Jasper there a few paces away.

"You're not fighting? Wait, you pull a muscle or something?" Jacob asked

"He's doing it for me. Okay?" Bella said

Jacob looks at her, at Edward then at me.

"Jacob she practically had to beg him." I said

"Whatever. Just tell me the plan." Jacob said

Jasper steps forward so he is next to use.

"This field will give us an advantage in battle. We can lure the newborns with Bella's scent, but it needs to end here." Jasper said

"Edward and I are going to a campsite. But even if her carries me, they'll pick up our scents." Bella said

"Your smell on the other Jacob is revolting." Edward said

"To me you just smell like the woods." I said

"Dude, you really don't want to start comparing stinks --" Jacob said

"--He means, your scent will mask mine if you carry--" Bella said

"--Done." Jacob said

"This is a bad idea--" Edward said

"Edward, they won't want to get anywhere near his...odor." Jasper said

"Can you guys be a little nicer." I said

"Let's just test it." Bella said

Edward and Jasper both nod, Bella extends her arm to Jacob. Jacob grins and picks her up, holds her tight.

"Eau de wolf, comin' up." Jacob said

"Run." Edward said

Jacob runs through the trees carrying Bella, not super-human speed, but fast, and not breaking a sweat. When Jacob is done, he sets her down. They start to circle back slowly toward their distant starting point.

"We'll see if that works. Personally I think I smell great. You never notice anything?" Jacob said

"Nothing except the usual boy smell." Bella said

"You gonna ask me to sit out the fight, too? Or don't you care about my safety?" Jacob asked

"Of course I care, but you'd say no. Unless maybe you'd consider..." Bella said

"Yeah, right-- But that doesn't mean he loves you more. And I don't have a choice anyway. Since I let Sam be alpha, I have to love with the shots he calls." Jacob said

"Wait- you let him be alpha? What does that mean?" Bella asked

"Technically, I was supposed to be Alpha. It's a lineage thing. It also woulda meant being chief of the whole tribe. But I turned it down when Sam offered." Jacob said

"You're kidding." Bella said

"I didn't want to be in a pack, let alone be their leader." Jacob said

"Wow. Chief Jacob." Bella said

"Opted out - but every choice has consequences...Some more than others--" Jacob said

"--Don't start - you're gonna have to accept my choice." Bella said

Jacob stops, their proximity intimate.

"You can love more than one person at a time. I've seen it, with Sam, Emily and Leah..." Jacob said

"Bella, Jacob. Where are you." I yelled

"I'm not a wolf, I can't imprint--" Bella said

"It's not about imprinting. It's about feeling something for someone. And I know you feel something for me. I can sense how I make you feel. Physically. I make you nervous." Jacob said

Jacob pulls her closer, indeed, making her a little nervous.

"...Jake, come on..." Bella said

"Don't worry, I promised I wouldn't kiss you again till you asked." Jacob said

"You'll be keeping that promise a long time, Chief Jacob." Bella said

"Bella Jacob where are you guys." I yelled

I stayed in clearing as Edward and Jasper ran off into the woods. And after a while I started yelling fro Bella and Jacob who after two yells, finally shows themselves. Soon after that Jasper and Edward.

"All I picked up was wolf stench. No Bella. This will work." Jasper said

"Great." Edward said

After spending some time with the Cullen's Bella and I headed home. When we climb out of the truck we see Alice and Charlie leavening the house.

"Don't be a stranger, Alice. Hi ya, Bells, Ana." Dad said

Bella, surprised, waves back as Charlie heads back into the house.

"Your alibi for the battle is all arranged." Alice said

"Lucky us." I said

"Really." Bell said

"I told your father that my whole family's going camping this weekend. So you and I are having a sleep-over at my house. Me, he likes. Actually, you and Edward will have the house to yourselves tonight." Alice said

"...Alone?" Bella asked

"We're all going hunting, powering up for the fight. You're welcome." Alice said

Alice then leaves and Bella and I head inside. We walk into the house and see Dad in the kitchen making a sandwich. He looks over at use.

"The sister, I like. " Charlie said

"Yeah, Alice is great." Bella said

Bella moves to the sink, starts washing dishes, overly casual--

"So, dad, I was wondering... why you never got remarried after Mom." Bella said

"God Bella. Way to easy into that topic." I said

"I don't know. Guess I never met the right person. Why?" Dad asked

"I thought maybe it was 'cause you, I don't know - gave up on the hole institution. Of marriage. But...you still think it has value?" Bella asked

"Come one Bella, careful." I said

"Sure, marriage has value. When you're older. Much older. Like your mom - it worked out great for her the second time. Later in life." Dad said

"...I guess." Bella said

"You definitely don't want to have to get married, because you weren't...careful--" Dad said

I had been drinking some water when I heard Charlie say that and started choking on it.

"...What?" Bella asked

"Really Bella are you that dense." I said

"I mean, there are things you need to know, when you're -- physically intimate --" Dad said

"Oh no -- tell me this isn't "The Talk" --" Bella said

"I'm just as embarrassed as you are --" Charlie said

"I seriously doubt that. And mom beat you to it ten years ago." Bella said

"You didn't have a boyfriend ten years ago." Charlie said

"I think things still work the same way." Bella said

"So both of you girls are taking precautions?" Dad asked

"Yes." I said

"Please - I mean; really, please don't worry about it. Edward is...old-school." Bella said

"In more ways then one." I said

"I - don't know what that - is that like, a technique or --?" Charlie asked

"Oh my God. I'm a virgin. Okay? Can't say the same for Ana." Bella said

"Really? Huh. Liking Edward a little more. Jasper not so much." Charlie said

Not long passed before Bella and I headed back to the Cullen House. Both of us carrying our over night bags. We were running a little late so when we got to the door. It was flung open with a worried Jasper and Edward in the other side.

"Why are waiting out here?" Edward asked

"What's wrong?" Jasper asked

"Nothing." Bella and I said

Jasper and Edward looked us over making sure we were telling the truth. They take our bags and lead us inside. Jasper and I head to his room and Bella heads to Edward's. there's a bed in here, I heard Bella say in my head. Ask Edward about it I said. Jasper was about to say something but I shushed him.

"There's a bed." Bella said

"I thought you might need one. To sleep in?" Edward said

"Bella get your head out of the gutter." I yelled

"What was that about?" Jasper asked

"Dad and Bella had a conversation earlier today." I said

Jasper stepped forward. He looked at me a concerned.

"Jasper what is wrong?" I asked

"I thought that after hearing my story you would be mad at me." Jasper said

"No never. You never have to explain yourself to me Jasper." I said

He nodded his head.

"So is there a way I could talk you out of be in the fight?" Jasper asked

"No. I am going to be right next to you." I said

"Just promise me you will be careful." Jasper said

I promise. Jasper and I laid down. I fell asleep. But I didn't like what I saw when I dreamed.