Chapter 8 - Play Ball! And Don't Die!

That morning was an interesting one for Filene. First; when she went to have a shower, she tripped over Edward whom for some reason was on the floor, second, she watched as Edward 'left' through the window and went inside his Volvo and looked to be waiting.

"He's an odd one." Filene thought, taking a sip of her cup of coffee before heading down and began making breakfast.

The day went by rather too fast for Filene's liking; it was after lunch that things began to slow down. Charlie was cleaning out his rifle and having some vitamin R, while Filene was finishing up her homework and Bella was getting Charlie another before telling the news. Filene stopped her writing to look up and watch the fun as it began.

"Hey, got you another one." Bella said, passing the beer in front of their dad.

"Thanks." Charlie muttered as he paid more attention to cleaning the rifle.

"I have a date with Edward Cullen." Bella blurted out.

Charlie and Filene looked at Bella, blinking at her.

Charlie was the one to recover first. "He's a little old for you, isn't he?"

"No," Bella replied. "He's a junior, I'm a junior."

Filene shook her head and returned to her homework, still keeping an ear to them, listening.

"I thought you liked the Cullens." Bella said.

Charlie looked back at her and retorted. "I thought you didn't like any of the boys in town."

Filene smiled as she wrote a paragraph about frog's habitats. 'Trust our dad to make a reply like that.'

"Edward doesn't live in town." Bella replied. "Technically."

Charlie looks up to Bella for a moment before looking to Filene with a 'really?' look on his face before setting his beer down.

Bella looked to the door before looking back to their dad. "He's right outside."

Charlie and Filene looked to the door then to Bella; Charlie looked at her with a childish look. "He is?"

Bella nodded. "Yeah, he wanted to meet you, and Filene, officially."

Charlie looked back to the door and back before sighing.

"Alright." He cocked the rifle he was working on. "Bring him in."

Filene couldn't help but snicker at that, Charlie grinned at his youngest with a smug look before looking to Bella; Bella gave her a look before looking back to their dad.

"Could you be nice? Both of you." she asked the two. "He's important."

And Cue; Filene and Charlie spinning their hand around their head, in unison, doing an impression of a halo around their heads. The moment Bella turned away from the two, Charlie and Filene imitated devil horns to each other before chuckling quietly. The door opened and Charlie became instant seriousness, with a hint of amusement in his eyes. As Edward and Bella walked in, Charlie stood up and walked towards the couple while Filene finished her homework and started grabbing her things so she doesn't get hungry watching the Cullens play.

Filene walked out of the kitchen with her things and was waiting for the couple by Edward's car.

When Bella and Edward walked out of the house, they tried to hold back their laughter as they see Filene practically drooling over the jeep in front of her. Bella knew that Filene wanted this kind of car when she was old enough. Filene went out of her daze and looked to the couple.

"I'll follow you." was all Filene said before turning away and heading towards her bike in which she had forgotten all about.

'Forgive me?' Filene thought to her bike as she got on and picked up the helmet.

Edward and Bella looked like they were about to object, but Filene was already ready for them to get a move on. When they got into the car, Filene was having a heart to engine chat with her bike which she had named it Wolverine. She could she was forgiven when the bike started up without a problem; she smiled happily as she followed the jeep to where ever they were going to.

Filene found herself at the clearing; she was surprised to see a waterfall so close yet so far away.

"Filene!" Bella called out, bringing Filene back from her thoughts. "Come on! Or they'll start without us!"

"Not on my watch!" Filene shouted back as she ran towards the two and going a little up more so she could go see Jasper.

Among all the Cullens, Jasper was her first friend, than there was Emmett and Alice, but Jasper would always be the top of her list of friends. Besides Bella of course.

Filene walked up to him, beside Alice and joined her in watching Jasper do awesome tricks with the baseball bat he had. Wanting to join, she took out Livy and stood in front of him; Jasper took note of this and looked her with a raised eyebrow. The next thing anyone knew, Filene flipping the baseball bat in the air and doing crazy moves around it before looking back to Jasper in challenge.

"Ooh," Emmett said, getting the other's attention. "Little Filly is looking for a challenge"

Jasper and Filene didn't listen to him as they looked at each other, Filene perched Livy on to her shoulder, using her other hand and making a 'come and get it' motion. Jasper smiled. For a couple of minutes Bella was amazed at how Jasper and Filene almost synchronize each other as they moved in a circle doing fancy tricks with their bats.

"Okay, we get it you guys are good!" Emmett whined. "Can we please just start the game?"

With a nod Filene just smiled lifting her hand before Jasper. "Until next time Jasper?"

Jasper grasped her hand and shook it. "Absolutely."

Esme walked towards Bella and Filene, holding them to her as she greeted them. "Hey, glad you're here. We need an umpire."

As she took them away, Filene saw Bella looking back to Edward as he too looked at her. Filene rolled her eyes and looked to Emmett whom was walking past them.

"She thinks we cheat." he told them, as if that would never happen.

"I know you cheat." Esme retort with a smile.

The three came to a stop, Filene couldn't help but ask.

"So, you want us; the humans, to be the umpire to vampires… this will be entertaining." Filene mumbled and she kneeled down to the ground.

Bella looked a little out of place, agreeing to Filene's comment; Esme just smiled and gave Bella a gentle squeeze. "Call them as you see them, Bella, Filene."

Filene nodded while Bella mumbled an 'Okay'. After that, everyone got into their places, Edward was looking around, looking as if he was trying to find the right place to be for the ball, Emmett was doing some sort of exercise, Rosalie was up first looking as good looking as usual, Carlisle and Jasper were waiting at the side for their turn, and watching the game. Alice was looking up at the sky, Filene couldn't help but look up to and her eyes widen in awe. She could see the lightening, she has never seen a storm so up close, yet here she was, and she never felt this awesome before in her life. Jasper smiled at Filene's awestruck face before looking back to the game.

Another thunder crashed through the sky when Alice said. "It's time."

Of course she could see the future so Filene wasn't confused when she said that.

Alice threw the ball, Filene could barely see it until Rosalie hit it with the bat and gasped when a loud crack was heard. Now she could see the little ball go flying.

"Okay, now I see why you need the thunder." Bella said to Esme.

"That was so cool." Filene muttered.

Edward shot across the field, running after the ball as Rosalie stepped on third.

"Come on Rosalie! WHOOOO!" Filene cheered as she watched Rosalie.

"That's got to be home run, right?" Bella asked Esme.

Esme looked unsure. "Edward's very fast."

The next thing Filene knew, she saw the ball coming back towards her at the speed of a bullet.

"Shit!" she shouted as ducked behind Esme.

Esme, of course, caught it gracefully and touched Rosalie when she slides to the plate. Everyone was now looking to Bella since Filene was now huffing and puffing from the near death experience between Esme and Bella.

"You're out." Bella muttered nervously.

"Out!" Emmett cheered.

Rosalie looked to Emmett as if betrayed.

Emmett lifted his hands up in defense. "Babe, come on. It's just a game."

"You looked awesome there, if it's any consolation." Filene said to her through Esme's legs.

Bella and Rosalie got up at the same time, and Bella looked pretty nervous when Rosalie got a bit too close when she walked past her. Carlisle was there in a minute putting a hand on Rosalie's shoulder.

"Nice kitty." he joked as he walked up to the front.

Filene looked up to see Rosalie smile at her before walking behind them; she turned and saw Edward walking out of the forest with an amused look on his face.

"EDWARD MASON CULLEN! I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT I KNOW THAT I WAS IN LINE OF FIRE YOU DICKWAD!" Filene shouted, pointing at him. "YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!"

"Filene." Esme gave Filene a disapproving look.

"Trust Filly to be the one swearing at Edward." Rosalie muttered to Jasper who grinned.

Carlisle hit the ball, and of course it went flying in between Edward and Emmett as Carlisle ran by the plates.

"GO DR CULLEN!" Filene cheered.

Emmett and Edward ran a little bit before jumping into the air at the same time, reaching for the baseball, however, they misjudged the height and ended up colliding into each other with a 'thwack' letting the ball fly pass them and Carlisle winning the home run.

It was Jasper's turn now, the ball flew through the air, but Emmett -not wanting to lose- climbed up a tree and catching the ball in the air. Once he landed onto the ground, he threw it to Alice as Rosalie smiled proudly at him.

"My monkey man." she said.

Filene couldn't help but think nasty thoughts, which made Edward, trip a bit and looked to Filene in disgust.

"Well that's what you get for trying to kill me with a baseball!' Filene shouted him, crossing her arms.

Everyone but Jasper and Edward looked confused.

"Let Filene try out." Esme told Rosalie.

Filene looked at Esme as if she was crazy, Emmett laughed.

"Yeah, let us let little Filly try." he taunted smiling at Filene.

Esme gave Emmett a look before pushing Filene gently to the front. "Go on Filene, I know you can do this."

Filene looked to Esme than to the others in the field who were walking a little closer, smiling at her. She took a huge breath and stood up to the plate. She saw Alice nod and smile before getting ready.

"If I die before I wake" Filene began, gripping Livy readying for the ball. "Pray the lord my soul to take."

And with that, Alice threw the ball, as before, it came fast yet, Filene was ready and with a roar of her own she hit the ball with all her might. The ball hits her bat and she could feel the vibration all the way down to her toes as she watched the ball go soaring past everything and into the forest.

"Run Filene! Run!" Bella shouted.

Getting out of her stupor, she dropped Livy and shot through the plate as fast as her human legs would let her, her adrenaline kicked in finally. She was half way through when Edward shot towards the forest, getting after the ball along with Emmett.

Everyone, even Rosalie were cheering and shouting at Filene as she came closer.

"COME ON FILENE!" Rosalie shouted.

As if Rosalie's encouragement were an energy source, Filene went even faster.

It became slow motion then, everything was; the cheering, her breath, her heart beat and everyone's movements. She could see from the corner of her eye, the ball coming back from the wood and coming towards Esme. She fell to the ground, sliding towards the plate; her foot barely grazed the plate before the ball touched her legs.

Everything went back to speed, Filene looked up to the others, panting as if she were a dog. Her lungs and legs hurt when her adrenaline left her body. Everyone turned to Bella, and then to Esme, who had a huge smile on her face.

"Safe."

With that, Jasper and Carlisle lifted her off the ground and on to their shoulders, cheering.

It was Rosalie's turn once again, but as the ball went flying into the forest, Filene saw Alice making a far out look, straight at her. She looked behind her and saw only Carlisle but he doesn't look any different.

She turned back to Alice whose was now looking into the forest. "Stop!"

And like that, everything stopped; Emmett swerved his head to where she was looking, including Edward who looked horrified. The next thing Filene and Bella knew, the Cullens were running towards them and circling them in a protective way so Filene didn't go into a panic, but did grip on to Livy that was still in her hand.

Alice went to Edward whom was now with Bella. "They were leaving. Then they heard us."

Edward grabbed Bella by the arm and was heading to the car. "Let's go."

"It's too late." Carlisle said, standing next to Filene.

Edward turned to Bella. "Get your hair down."

Bella did as she was told when Rosalie scoffed.

"Like that'll help." She said. "I can smell her across the field."

She walked towards Filene. "You better get behind us."

"It's too late." Filene told her.

Emmett looked to where Filene was looking and swore the three had already seen her and was looking straight at her.

"Just act like us and don't talk." Jasper whisper harshly to Filene.

She gave a short nod as everyone grouped together in a line; she stood beside Edward and looked at the comers whom entered the clearing.

There was a blond on the right, a red head girl (Filene: UGH! Another one!) On the left, and the leader in the middle, who was holding their ball? Of course the only thing Filene noticed was three things. 1) They were not wearing any shoes, 2) the three reminded Filene of the Black eye peas for some reason, and 3) Filene recognized the jacket on the blond, it belonged to Charlie's friend. Filene caught her gasp before it could come out and gave them the face she always saw on Jasper's face at school.

The 'leader' lifted it up to show Carlisle. "I believe this belongs to you."

He passed it to Carlisle whom of course caught it without fail and thanked him in his polite voice that he used when the Swan sisters first met him.

"I am Laurent." he introduced before tilting his head to the red head. "And this is Victoria and James."

Victoria nodded her head in greeting while the blond still looked at Edward and Bella.

"I'm Carlisle." Carlisle returned as politely. "This is my family."

"Hello." Laurent greeted.

Seeing as everyone was being a little rude, Filene couldn't help it. "Yo."

That got the three's eyes to go from where they were to her, she kept Jasper's face on very tightly, not wanting to lose her cool. Edward nudged her side rather hurtfully.

"I'm afraid your hunting activities have caused something of a mess for us." Carlisle said, getting their attention away from Filene.

"Our apologies." Laurent said in sincerity. "We didn't realize the territory had been claimed."

If Filene wasn't paying attention to the blond before, she would have not seen James take in a breath and slowly opened his eyes, he looked like a he just smelled something awesome, and that was Bella. Filene, being protective of her big sis, snorted through her nose at James in warning, James was now looking her in curiosity now. Filene ignored everything around her as she glared at the blond, trying to make a threatening presence as much as she could.

"So, could you use three more players?" Laurent asked bringing Filene from her glaring contest with James.

Which she did not want, since he was looking to Bella and Edward again.

"Oh come on," Laurent pleaded. "Just one game."

"Sure." Carlisle said smiling. "Why not, a few of us were leaving, you could take their place."

Filene felt Esme grab her arm gently, now that Filene was thinking about it, Esme and she looked as they could be passed as sisters or mother and daughter with their looks. That was pretty weird for Filene.

Everyone were taking their places once again slowly, Filene was about to follow Rosalie when she saw that James look still watching Edward and Bella.

"Rosalie." Filene whispered.

She looked to Filene than to James before shrugging and continued on walking. Filene did the same, which is until she heard the wind blowing.

Filene swerved her head and was running back to Bella as James breathed in once again and sighed. "You brought a snack."

Feline was in front of Bella and beside Edward as she pointed with Livy at him and snarled. "Put your hand on her body and you'll see it go flying fucker."

He snarled right back at Filene before looking back to Edward, Carlisle moved Filene to Emmett who put his arms around Filene as he stood beside Rosalie. Rosalie had her eyes on Victoria, whom was glaring at Filene now.

Emmett held Filene closer as he and Rosalie growled at Victoria, Everyone looked ready to tear each other apart, and Filene looked ready to knock some heads off.

"The girl is with us." Carlisle said, sound polite, yet threatening. "I think it best if you leave."

Laurent nodded. "I can see the game is over. We'll go now."

"What about her." Victoria nodded to Filene.

"She's mine." Rosalie hissed.

If this wasn't a serious moment, Filene could have sworn she felt the words 'Property of Rosalie Hale Cullen' was stamped onto her head.

With that, everyone backed away but Victoria and James. Laurent looked to James.

"James." Laurent warned as he backed away.

James went up from his crouch and looked from Edward to Filene for a second before following Laurent, Victoria gave one more glare to Filene before walking along side James. Whom Filene now guessed was her mate… and she had just threatened her mate.

'Well no wonder I was getting the glare.' Filene thought.

"Get Bella and Filene out of here." Carlisle ordered. "Now."

Edward already had Bella with him and was about to take Filene when Emmett took a step back and said. "I think its best that they split up."

Edward didn't argue and took Bella into the jeep; Emmett was dragging Filene towards her bike.

"Do you have any idea what you have done?" Rosalie hissed as she followed them

"Threaten a mate?" Filene took a guess.

"Yes, now you are more in danger than your sister." she snapped as she got onto the bike.

Emmett set Filene on the ground for a second before looking to Rosalie. "Rose, I think it would be best if she came with me."

They had a staring contest before Rosalie nodded and took off on Filene's bike.

"Where is she going?" Filene asked.

"To our house, she not really in a good mood to be driving a motorcycle with a human." Emmett explained as he put Filene on to his back.

He turned to the rest. "I'll follow Edward."

With a nod from Carlisle, he ran through the forest; climbing up trees, jumping over rocks, and dodging branches that could scratch Filene. Filene had her eyes closed through everything, but she felt as if she was on a roller coaster ride. She opened her eyes and widened when she saw red hair.

"Emmett!" Filene cried out as Victoria leap toward her.

Emmett turned and swore once again before dodging Victoria's attacks, Filene gripped on tight to Emmett's neck as he practically flew through the forest along with always being a step ahead of Victoria. Filene could practically feel Victoria's hands grazing her hair, head, shoulders, and her legs. However, Emmett smacked Victoria before she had the chance to grab Filene's arms.

Like a fly that would not die, Victoria was back going at them and was now grabbing for Filene's hair that was short, but long enough for someone to grab hold of it.

Suddenly, Filene saw a blur of black slamming against Victoria, bringing her down.

'Doyle?' Filene thought as she tried to look back but decided not to from the dizziness and blacked out.