Hi. I am so sorry this took so long and that it is also too short. I know that it is completely cliche but you would not believe how crazy my life has been for the last few months. Anyway, thanks to those who have reviewed and are still reading. Enjoy.

Chapter Eleven Part 2

Normally I would have heard their minds long before they broke the clearing but I had been too intent on the drama happening before my own eyes. Three nomadic vampires entered the ball field from left field only a few feet from where Bella was standing. Their original intent had been to ask if they could play ball with us....they had heard Rosalie's booming hit. The leader smelt Bella instantly. Some part of his mind recognized that their must be a mistake and that it was humans who were playing here, not vampires, but mostly he didn't care what the story was. His only true concern was that he was smelling the most delectable human blood he had encountered in his entire existence. Before my horrified eyes he lunged for Bella. Simultaneously, I roared in outrage, and ran with everything that was in me to intercept him. I knew that I would never make it in time.

I don't think that I would have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. Mid-lunge it was as though the nomad hit a brick wall. He fell to the ground with a crash. Lightning storms had been circling our meadow all afternoon but at that instant they all converged blackening the sky. One unnatural bolt, the width of my arms around, erupted from the epicenter of the storm clouds and tore through the nomad instantly incinerating him. The strike lit up the area brighter than day for as far as I could see. The force of it knocked everyone in the clearing except Bella off their feet, and sent me flying, as I was now closest to the impact. When the lighting was gone a deep darkness was left on the field. The only light I could see emanated from Bella herself who was pulsing with it.

"James," the female vampire screamed. Incomprehension lashed through her mind as she stared dumbly at the the ash pile that used to be her mate. In her mind I saw the shock quickly turn to a raging desire to attack Bella, but the desire was overruled by an instinct so strong she was almost physically compelled to abide by it. The woman turned and fled. Her flame red hair was the last thing I could see as she virtually disappeared inside the trees. Her mind was focused only on escape for the short amount of time that she stayed within the range of my talent. It was uncanny to watch as the same instinct that had forced her to leave unerringly mapped out the quickest and safest route....a route that only those who knew the forest as well as my family and I would be expected to choose.

Watching the woman leave seemed to snap the third vampire out of his shock. I could see in his mind that he placed a high reliance on the female vampires instinct to leave. I need to follow Victoria he was thinking. His thoughts showed a flavor of trust in the female vampire's flight similar to the faith we placed in Alice's vision. The compelling instinct I had witnessed in the female had to be a talent of sorts. A talent for escape.

I cut off the third vampire as he turned to follow the female. He crouched, prepared to fight through me but then backed down as I was immediately flanked by my entire family. Everyone was still a bit bewildered about what was happening, but not enough to allow another vampire to attack their brother. "Please, I mean you know harm," the third vampire begged for his life. I could see in his mind that he was sincere, albeit a bit panicky, and honestly just as confused as we were. Alice searched our future, and as best she could see with Bella's presence blocking her visions, she confirmed that he posed no immediate threat. I slowly stood erect and most of my family followed suit. They were actually more alarmed by the small human standing a hundred feet off, then by the vampire cowering before them. Jasper and Emmet were the last to stand. Emmet's extreme disappointment in missing a fight would have been comical at any other time.

The deep black clouds began to disperse and milky sunlight again lit the clearing. The pulsing light emanating from Bella diffused with the clouds and then snuffed out like a candle. Bella shakily sank to the ground placing her head between her knees. Distracted I left my family to deal with the remaining vampire and sank to my knees at her side. "Are you okay?" I asked gently.

Bella's laugh sounded weak. "This is nothing," she quipped, "You should see the other guy."

My laugh was a bit forced. Bella had begun convulsively shivering and medical terms like "shock" and "post traumatic stress syndrome" were starting to run through my head. "We should get you home," I stated a little grimly.

"No!" Bella was vehement. "I can't go home right now. Charlie will know that something happened. He will never let me out of his sight again."

I wasn't sure that was such a bad idea, but I was helpless to resist the pleading in her eyes. "What do you want to do then?" I asked uncertain.

"Just take me somewhere warm, where I can rest," she replied.

My Father had been quietly talking to the vampire, Laurent as he had identified himself. Laurent's mind was at war with itself. Partly he was intrigued and wanted to know more, but the need to flee was also strong. I could see the retreat need was winning. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I knew that my father would let him go.

I picked up the girl ready to run. She felt limp in my arms but smiled at me anyway. I was still racking my brains trying to think of a safe "resting" place but I had decided that I could figure that out once I had Bella warm inside the jeep.

"Where are you going?" Jasper stood solidly in front of me blocking my path. I could see grim determination in his mind.

"I need to get Bella warm," I answered shortly, annoyed with Jasper's interference.

"No," Jasper stated firmly. "This ends here," he continued. "She is going talk. She is going to tell us who she is and what the hell that was."

"She's going into shock. I don't have time for this. Move," I replied.

Jasper growled low and feral. A challenge.

I wasn't sure what to do. Holding Bella would make it impossible to fight Jasper. And I didn't even want to think of the consequences to Jasper should he threaten Bella. "Jasper...," I started frustrated.

"It's okay," Bella broke in looking worriedly between us. "I will explain. But not here. Please can we go inside first?"

Carlisle interrupted at this point. Like myself he was becoming worried about Bella's condition. "Take her to the house Edward," he told me. "We will meet you there."

I nodded relieved. "We can talk at home," I told Jasper and took off running for the jeep.

I contemplated the coming discussion as I drove Bella to our home. I watched her carefully while I was driving, prepared to react quickly if I sensed a need (even though I wasn't sure what I would do anyway). Bella sat hunched next to me with her arms wrapped tightly around herself. I wasn't sure if she were trying to stay warm, or if her posture was defensive. Her head lolled against the rest and her eyes stayed firmly shut. I was frustrated again that I couldn't read her mind. I had no idea if she was still reacting to the events in the field, or simply avoiding talking to me. Either way, I was relieved when we left the dirt trail and came back to the main road where I could finally put on some speed. I calculated that we would be home in less than ten minutes. As angry as I was with Jasper for forcing the issue, I couldn't deny the excitement I felt knowing that I might finally be going to get some answers from the girl.

I carried Bella into a surprisingly warm house and onto the couch. Carlisle had blankets ready that he had warmed by the fire that he had started in our mostly for show grate. Our seldom used heater was running as well. I smiled gratefully at my father. Trust Carlisle to remember the "human" details.

My family were waiting all about the room. They were keeping quite for the moment while Bella settled into the warmth of the blankets, but I could feel their intensity, hear the questions humming in their minds. They mirrored the questions in mine.

Bella seemed more aware now. She glanced about the room taking in my family and I. A slight smirk crossed her face. She could sense our impatience.

"So what do you want to know?" Bella asked Jasper directly.

Jasper opened his mouth to ask his first question but I beat him to it. "Who is your mother?" I asked. I decided that we might as well get to the heart of the matter.