1. Schemes

A blood-curdling scream floated down from upstairs.

I ran up the steps to see the commotion, hesitating at the closed door. Taking a deep breath, I threw it open. I looked around, horror-struck. "You can't fix it can you?" I whispered.

"I'm trying, Bri." Carlisle's eyes trailed from my face to Jacob's. "Jake, you get her out of here. I don't want either of you to have to witness this." He was scared. Scared to death that he couldn't help his patient that could usually heal. Jacob glumly made his way to my side.

Come on, he demanded. I followed slowly down the stairs. We went straight to the all white living room with the worried Cullens. Jasper went ridged as my scent hit his nostrils.

"How is it up there?" Alice asked. She was sitting on the love seat, clasping hands with Jasper.

"Not very good," I sighed. "Can you see anything?" I sat on the far end of the long couch, Jacob on the other side.

"A little bit. Just glimpses. But only of Bella. Now that the dog is out of the room." She stuck her tongue out at Jacob. The casual gesture would have made everyone laugh, but it wasn't something anyone was up to at the moment. She stared blankly for a minute, then jerked her head to her brother. "Edward, go."

A high pitched scream flowed downstairs as he disappeared from the room. He didn't need much more explanation than that.

How's it holding up? Sam asked. I jumped, not expecting them to say anything.

Just peachy, I replied sarcastically, Carlisle is nearly at breaking point and Jacob is going into hysterics. It's great! You should join.

Ha ha very funny. Two "indestructible" people you love are dying, and you're cracking jokes? You and Jacob are destined for each other, he teased. My face flushed. Jasper twitched uncomfortably at the pooling of my blood. Alice set her hand on his shoulder, "You won't do anything to hurt her."

They carried on with their private conversations, me and Jacob the only ones quiet for once. He was eying me suspiciously. Who are you talking to?

Is it your business who I talk to?

As a matter of fact, yes. It's my pack.

No, it's Sam's pack. You reclined his offer. I smiled at my sly reply.

Whatever, you don't need to tell me. It's probably not that important.

It isn't. You just always feel the need to make an unnecessary big deal out of everything. Just then, I noticed Alice watching us.

"Why is it that you guys never speak?" Her head cocked to the left.

"I'm speaking right now, aren't I?" Jacob laughed.

"No, speak to each other."

"Oh. We talk. All the time." Don't we?

"No you don't. Not once have I seen you two talk." She smirked.

She's right, I told him.

His expression lightened. He found this amusing. "So, um, Bri? What's up?" he tried awkwardly.

"Nothing," I played along, "I'm fabulous."

"There. You happy?" he demanded, sharply turning is head to the pixie.

"No. You didn't answer my question." She smiled.

Don't tell her anything, I pleaded.

Don't worry. No one can know about your ability. You are our secret telephone. He smiled at the thought of me as a possession of his.

"You guys are hiding something. I may be blind because of you, but I'm not stupid." I laughed at the idea of a stupid vampire. "If Bri wasn't human, I'd think she was telepathic."

Jacob coughed, hiding a laugh.

Shut up, stupid, I hissed.

"Telepathic? Crazy," he laughed.

"If only I could see..." She stared blankly at nothing, then closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temples. She muttered frustratingly, "Your lives are too closely intertwined for me to see anything."

I let out a breath, realizing I had been holding it. Me and Jake exchanged a glance.

"You-" Jasper started to say in a soft tone, but screams cut him off. Edward appeared in the middle of the room.

"It's nearly over. Carlisle couldn't do it with me in the room." Edward looked really worried. Rosalie fidgeted, not too happy about her father helping a werewolf.

"Bri, go. He needs you to help Bella," Alice commanded, her sweet eyes telling me to go quickly. "He needs to try and save Seth. Before it's too late..."

"Why can't Edward?" I asked. It was odd that Carlisle would need me instead of her husband.

"I don't know, he specifically asked for you. Now go!"

I jumped up, heading towards the staircase.

Don't go, Jake pleaded. He grabbed my wrist, looking pleadingly up at my face.

I'll be okay, I reassured him. And besides, you can still talk to me. I smiled.

He released me, as I hurried up the stairs, feeling Rosalie's resentful stare on the back of my head. I burst through the door. The scene was horrific. Carlisle was standing over Seth's mangled body, holding mounds of gauze and needles. Seth was still. Was he still alive? Bella stood, shocked at the scene before her.

"Take her," Carlisle commanded softly. I rushed over to Bella and grabbed her cold arm, trying not to pay any attention to my best friend.

Who gave them Twenty Q for Christmas? Jake joked as I was pulling Bella out the door.

Um, not a good time to be cracking jokes.

Oh, right. He fell silent.

I led her down the hallway to Alice and Jasper's room.

I could tell she was confused as she walked slowly towards the bed. I followed her. When she turned, I noticed something. Her eyes were black. Hungry.

Tell Alice to come up here, now! I pleaded. She was at my side in an instant.

"Bella, Bri's your friend," she persuaded, "You won't hurt her."

She ignored Alice. Bella sniffed at the sweet scent of my blood. Closing in on me, she grabbed my wrist and injected her sharp teeth into my arm. I screamed at the pain. I heard Jacob fly up the stairs. He burst into the room, assessing the scene. Alice stood, frozen, gazing into the future. Jacob sped across the room. Alice's hand jerked to his chest, shaking her head. Bella released my arm and spit out the blood. What in the world?

Glancing down at my arm, I collapsed, blacking out.

Bri, can you hear me? Does this work while you're unconscious? he screamed, panicked.

I was unconscious? Nearly positive I was dreaming, I tried hard to respond to his frantic cries. No sound was made.

Bri, please, anything, just so I know your alive, he pleaded, We can't lose you.

Minutes passed. In my mind, I pictured myself reaching down to brush back his hair with my fingers, comforting him with words, I never would have dreamed of saying to him. This picture was smashed when I realized, we had never really touched each other. At least, not like that. We were simply acquaintances. Nothing else. How much I hoped for something else. Something more. I wondered to myself what he thought we were. His next words, raised that hope, higher than you could imagine.

I can't lose you, he whispered, I think I'm in love with you, Bri.

I could hear his tears rolling down his cheeks, and splattering on my face. If my body were able to form tears at the moment, it would have been. May it be, tears of joy, sympathy, love. Anything. I clung with as much force as I could possibly generate to the consciousness I had left, playing tug-of-war with my strong mind. My eyes fluttered open. To my great delight, I was staring up at Jacob's face, my head in his lap.

Bri? Are you all right? He sniffed as he inconspicuously wiped his tears away.

Yeah, what happened? I looked around the room. We were alone. Where is everyone?

They went to go take care of Bella.

What? Why? I thought Carlisle...

Bri, your blood is toxic to vampires. If Bella wasn't smart enough to spit your blood out...she would have died. He shuddered at the thought of the girl he loved dying. He stroked my hair, as my mouth fell open.

Why...?

No one knows. They are trying to figure it out. He looked distracted.

What's bothering you? Is Seth okay?

Seth is fine...I was just wondering if you heard the things I said to you. He avoided my eyes.

I made a split second decision to lie to him, Nope. What did you say? If he wanted me to know those things he would tell me now.

Oh nothing... just asking you to come back. What would you have said? He laughed to hide his relief. That was a good question. I didn't answer. You should tell the others about this.

I nodded. Sam?

Yeah? Bri, is everything okay? He responded.

Just fine...for the most part. I examined my bandaged arm, twisting it around. Carlisle must have taken care of it while I was unconscious.

What do you mean? Is Seth alright? he asked, worry coloring his tone.

Yes, he's fine. I've been...bit, I spit out reluctantly.

Sam was silent. He finally answered, Are you...? How did it...?

I'm still human. My blood is toxic to vampires. I could have killed her! I felt ashamed as those words escaped my lips. I was knocked unconscious. Jacob was speaking to me, I hesitated, then whispered, He told me he loved me.

I knew it! Embry shouted in triumph.

Blushing, my expression tightened, Don't you dare tell him. When he asked if I had heard him...I lied. I focused on locking those details into their heads, so they couldn't be read by Jacob. I tuned out the boys shouting things at me.

You and Jake should come back immediately. Sam's voice was full of authority.

I'll talk to Jacob. See you soon.

What did he say? Jacob asked.

He wants us to go back to La Push.

Okay.

I'll go get Seth.

Alright, I'll wait for you downstairs.

We got up and left the room. Seth, where are you? I asked, wandering down the hallway.

I'm in the gold room. Edward's, I think, he replied, a sudden happiness overflowing from his thoughts.

He was right. I leapt up the second flight of stairs, two at a time. The door was open. I've come to rescue you! I joked, landing a pose.

Thanks, I needed it. He grinned.

You look good, I assessed, For being nearly killed.

Ha ha! Silly Bri, always the joker. He ruffled my hair. Just like Jacob. That was the second time I'd heard that today.

He swung out of bed a little too quickly, knocking over a lamp. Oops.

'Dumbass," I whispered under my breath, hiding it with a giggle.

He hobbled over to me. Give me your hand, I commanded. He eagerly threw his arm at me, nearly knocking me over. Ow!

Sorry, he winced.

It's alright, Seth. I pulled his arm around my neck, keeping hold of his hand so he wouldn't slip. He smiled at the feeling of my small hand squeezing around his. What was with the wolf boys and liking me? We trudged out the door. I was almost squished by his massive werewolf weight.

How's it going up there? Jacob asked.

Great, I strained.

He chuckled.

"Where are you going?" I heard Edward's voice float upstairs.

"We have to leave. Sam's orders."

"Sam? When did you talk to him?" he asked suspiciously.

"Um...just now," he covered.

"You can't take Bri," Edward growled. "We need to make sure she's okay, and that Bella will survive."

We were at the top of the stairs, witnessing the argument between them. I was sure that last line would have affected Jacob's mind set. Seth's weight was growing heavier on my fragile human body. My knees collapsed and Seth went tumbling down the stairs. He jumped up startled by the fall. Sorry! I called.

I'm fine, he smiled. He looked better than he did when we were in the bedroom.

Hey! You're in perfect condition! I accused, glaring at him.

He blushed, but didn't respond to my accusation.

I hurried down the stairs. Jacob approached me and placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me towards the door.

Edward grabbed my un-bandaged arm, "Bri, you aren't going anywhere. Something might be wrong with your bite."

Jacob and Seth bounded out the door. Follow! Jacob had a plan. I focused on his mind, making sure Edward couldn't hear it.

Smiling, Edward let go, thinking he had won. I ran out to the middle of the yard, Edward close behind. Jacob phased, mid stride, looping around to swing me onto his back.

"No!" Edward yelled. He made a lunge at us, but Jake was too quick, out of reach, disappearing into the warm September air.