hat wanted to be good and brave, and one that told the good one to keep her mouth shut.

Whos the third wife? he asked me suddenly.

Huh? I said, stalling. I didnt remember having had that dream again.

You were mumbling something about the third wife last night. The rest made a little sense, but you lost me there.

Oh. Um, yeah. That was just one of the stories that I heard at the bonfire the other night. I shrugged. I guess it stuck with me.

Edward leaned away from me and cocked his head to the side, probably confused by the uncomfortable edge to my voice.

Before he could ask, Alice appeared in the kitchen doorway with a sour expression.

Youre going to miss all the fun, she grumbled.

Hello, Alice, he greeted her. He put one finger under my chin and tilted my face up to kiss me goodbye.

Ill be back later tonight, he promised me. Ill go work this out with the others, rearrange things.

Okay.

Theres not much to arrange, Alice said. I already told them. Emmett is pleased.

Edward sighed. Of course he is.

He walked out the door, leaving me to face Alice.

She glared at me.

Im sorry, I apologized again. Do you think this will make it more dangerous for you?

She snorted. You worry too much, Bella. Youre going to go prematurely gray.

Why are you upset, then?

Edward is such a grouch when he doesnt get his way. Im just anticipating living with him for the next few months. She made a face. I suppose, if it keeps you sane, its worth it. But I wish you could control the pessimism, Bella. Its so unnecessary.

Would you let Jasper go without you? I demanded.

Alice grimaced. Thats different.

Sure it is.

Go clean yourself up, she ordered me. Charlie will be home in fifteen minutes, and if you look this ragged hes not going to want to let you out again.

Wow, Id really lost the whole day. It felt like such a waste. I was glad I wouldnt always have to squander my time with sleeping.

I was entirely presentable when Charlie got home  fully dressed, hair decent, and in the kitchen putting his dinner on the table. Alice sat in Edwards usual place, and this seemed to make Charlies day.

Howdy, Alice! How are you, hon?

Im fine, Charlie, thanks.

I see you finally made it out of bed, sleepyhead, he said to me as I sat beside him, before turning back to Alice. Everyones talking about that party your parents threw last night. Ill bet youve got one heck of a clean-up job ahead of you.

Alice shrugged. Knowing her, it was already done.

It was worth it, she said. It was a great party.

Wheres Edward? Charlie asked, a little grudgingly. Is he helping clean up?

Alice sighed and her face turned tragic. It was probably an act, but it was too perfect for me to be positive. No. Hes off planning the weekend with Emmett and Carlisle.

Hiking again?

Alice nodded, her face suddenly forlorn. Yes. Theyreall going, except me. We always go backpacking at the end of the school year, sort of a celebration, but this year I decided Id rather shop than hike, and not one of them will stay behind with me. Im abandoned.

Her face puckered, the expression so devastated that Charlie leaned toward her automatically, one hand reaching out, looking for some way to help. I glared at her suspiciously. What was she doing?

Alice, honey, why dont you come stay with us, Charlie offered. I hate to think of you all alone in that big house.

She sighed. Something squashed my foot under the table.

Ow! I protested.

Charlie turned to me. What?

Alice shot me a frustrated look. I could tell she thought that I was very slow tonight.

Stubbed my toe, I muttered.

Oh. He looked back at Alice. So, how bout it?

She stepped on my foot again, not quite so hard this time.

Er, Dad, you know, we dont really have the best accommodations here. I bet Alice doesnt want to sleep on my floor. . . .

Charlie pursed his lips. Alice pulled out the devastated expression again.

Maybe Bella should stay up there with you, he suggested. Just until your folks get back.

Oh, would you, Bella? Alice smiled at me radiantly. You dont mind shopping with me, right?

Sure, I agreed. Shopping. Okay.

When are they leaving? Charlie asked.

Alice made another face. Tomorrow.

When do you want me? I asked.

After dinner, I guess, she said, and then put one finger to her chin, thoughtful. You dont have anything going on Saturday, do you? I want to get out of town to shop, and it will be an all-day thing.

Not Seattle, Charlie interjected, his eyebrows pulling together.

Of course not, Alice agreed at once, though we both knew Seattle would be plenty safe on Saturday. I was thinking Olympia, maybe. . . .

Youll like that, Bella. Charlie was cheerful with relief. Go get your fill of the city.

Yeah, Dad. Itll be great.

With one easy conversation, Alice had cleared my schedule for the battle.

Edward returned not much later. He accepted Charlies wishes for a nice trip without surprise. He claimed they were leaving early in the morning, and said goodnight before the usual time. Alice left with him.

I excused myself soon after they left.

You cant be tired, Charlie protested.

A little, I lied.

No wonder you like to skip the parties, he muttered. It takes you so long to recover.

Upstairs, Edward was lying across my bed.

What time are we meeting with the wolves? I murmured as I went to join him.

In an hour.

Thats good. Jake and his friends need to get some sleep.

They dont need as much as you do, he pointed out.

I moved to another topic, assuming he was about to try to talk me into staying home. Did Alice tell you that shes kidnapping me again?

He grinned. Actually, shes not.

I stared at him, confused, and he laughed quietly at my expression.

Im the only one who has permission to hold you hostage, remember? he said. Alice is going hunting with the rest of them. He sighed. I guess I dont need to do that now.

Yourekidnapping me?

He nodded.

I thought about that briefly. No Charlie listening downstairs, checking on me every so often. And no houseful of wide-awake vampires with their intrusively sensitive hearing. . . . Just him and me  really alone.

Is that all right? he asked, concerned by my silence.

Well . . . sure, except for one thing.

What thing? His eyes were anxious. It was mind-boggling, but, somehow, he still seemed unsure of his hold on me. Maybe I needed to make myself more clear.

Why didnt Alice tell Charlie you were leavingtonight ? I asked.

He laughed, relieved.

I enjoyed the trip to the clearing more than I had last night. I still felt guilty, still afraid, but I wasnt terrified anymore. I could function. I could see past what was coming, and almost believe that maybe itwould be okay. Edward was apparently fine with the idea of missing the fight . . . and that made it very hard not to believe him when he said this would be easy. He wouldnt leave his family if he didnt believe it himself. Maybe Alice was right, and I did worry too much.

We got to the clearing last.

Jasper and Emmett were already wrestling  just warming up from the sounds of their laughter. Alice and Rosalie lounged on the hard ground, watching. Esme and Carlisle were talking a few yards away, heads close together, fingers linked, not paying attention.

It was much brighter tonight, the moon shining through the thin clouds, and I could easily see the three wolves that sat around the edge of the practice ring, spaced far apart to watch from different angles.

It was also easy to recognize Jacob; I would have known him at once, even if he hadnt looked up and stared at the sound of our approach.

Where are the rest of the wolves? I wondered.

They dont all need to be here. One would do the job, but Sam didnt trust us enough to just send Jacob, though Jacob was willing. Quil and Embry are his usual . . . I guess you could call them his wingmen.

