AN ~ Ok I just had this idea and thought it would be good to write. I had been wondering 'what if' for a while...wondering just how big a difference it might make if James really did have Renee prisoner. This is what I think might have happened. This is a short chapter, but hopefully a good one. Please review if you can spare a few seconds :)

Disclaimer: characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, opening dialogue (in italics) belongs to Melissa Rosenburg (or whoever owns the Twilight movie script), the rest of it mostly me.

Chapter One

I tried not to look too anxious on the cab ride to Mimi's Ballet Studio, where a trap was set and baited, and my death quite possibly waiting. I clung to my cell, fingernails - or what was left of them - marring the smooth black service.

"Mom came home after she received a very worried call from your Dad. It all worked out quite well..." James' sly voice explained.

"Bella? Bella? Bella, where are you?" Mom's panicked voice demanded. I could just imagine her, strapped to a chair in a dark room, James holding the phone over to her with that dark, predatorial grin on his face. Instantly, I searched for Alice and Jasper. They'd help me, they'd stop the hunting party, they'd get Edward, and we'd go save my Mom together.

As if he'd read my mind, James added:

"I'll know if you bring anyone along. Poor mommy would pay the price for that mistake..."

My heart thudded loudly as I slipped into the deserted studio. There were mirrors everywhere. There was such a painfully real feeling of being watched. It sent a shiver down my spine, but I swallowed my fear. Mom was in here...somewhere...

I scanned the room, searching for a storeroom somewhere. I spotted it soon, and almost ran over. No, I couldn't do that. James was here somewhere; hiding, waiting. I didn't want to startle him. Fingering the pepper spray in my bag, I tried to comfort myself, but I couldn't help worrying - what would it do to a vampire?

Shoving my fears aside, I opened the store room. I jumped back instantly, only just stifling a scream, as the body of the janitor fell to the floor at my feet. Blood stained his blue uniform, and his eyes were wide in fear. My head spun, and I felt like I was about to collapse beside the poor man, when suddenly I heard a familiar voice.

"What did you do?" Mom shrieked. "Where's Bella? What have you done to her?"

James laughed darkly.

"I haven't hurt Isabella...yet."

The doors flung open, and I screamed; higher and louder than I ever had. I closed my eyes and screamed and screamed - I wasn't ready for this! This wasn't as easy as I'd hoped! Would I get to see Mom again?

I felt a smooth finger brush my cheek. I opened my eyes and James smiled slyly.

"Ah, Bella, so nice of you to come," he crooned.

"Let Mom go." I demanded, trying to look threatening. And failing miserably.

"I'm afraid I can't do that." James raised his eyebrows and pouted. He knew something I didn't. My mind raced even faster than my heart as I tried to figure out what I had done wrong.

Oh no. The note.

I had specifically asked them not to come after me. I bet they had. They'd probably called Edward too...oh, God, no!

I heard a window smash, and my nightmares sprung to life.

"Bella, what the HELL were y-" Alice's rage was cut off halfway as James sent her flying across the room. Carlisle ducked discreetly around the outside as Emmett and Jasper dropped through the window. He touched my arm.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly.

"I- I-" I tried to articulate a response and failed. Everything was going hazy. Edward followed the others, his face the only thing in focus as he rushed over to me.

"Bella?" he wondered, beautifully breathless.

"Edward," I mumbled. I staggered, and Carlisle calmly wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pinning one of them to his chest so I would stay standing. I wished the arms wrapped around me were Edward's, but since my brain seemed to be shutting itself down, I picked the more important of the two messages. It took all my concentration just to get the words out.

"Mom's...here...You...find Mom." I attempted to press a finger to his chest, but I felt his cool hand push it back to my side.

"Okay, Bella," Carlisle said, his voice gentle and calm as always. It came into focus and then blurred again, but I managed to make out most of the words. My legs trembled dangerously underneath me. "Stay calm. I'm going to take you to the car...Jasper will come...Edward will...find your mother."

I nodded - I think.

"Everyone's going to be okay," Edward assured me, touching my hand again.

Everything disappeared into blackness.