Authors Note: The other night, as I was trying to fall asleep, I was hit with this little plot bunny. I immediately started writing and finished typing five chapters in one night.

I do not have a Beta, and while I looked over this chapter multiple times, I cannot promise perfect grammar, spelling, and punctuation. So please forgive my mistakes.

Disclaimer: All rights to the Twilight Saga belongs to Stephanie Meyer. If they had been mine, Edward never would have been part of the story line and Bella would belong to Aro. And vise versa. I mean, come on people, her gift was made for the man. Can you imagine having sex with someone as their life literally flashed before your eyes? What a horrible eternity that would be.

Chapter 1

Large, black eyes stared at me in disbelief before the small vampire launched herself at my body. I stiffened, not returning her fierce hug, and clenched my teeth. Why was she here? I haven't heard a word from her in sixth months and she just decides to randomly stop by? Like it's okay? Like nothing happened?

She seemed to realize I wasn't returning her embrace, and she pulled back to gaze at me in confusion and slight hurt, "Bella?"

I swallowed the snarl that was battling to rip from my throat and asked blankly, "What are you doing here, Alice?"

She didn't respond immediatly, just studied me - and understanding and resignation flashed in her eyes, "I am sorry, Bella."

My expression didn't change, "Why are you here?"

She swallowed, and I could tell she was a bit bewildered. From what, I don't know. Did she expect a happy response? That wouldn't be happening, I knew. The person she had known sixth months ago would have immediately forgiven her, them, him. But I wasn't that person anymore, and Alice was in for a rude awakening.

"I...I," she stuttered, and I felt a flash of amusement at seeing a normally smooth speaking vampire loose her composure. It vanished and my eyes narrowed when her face adopted a sad glare. She stared at me with anger and hurt and disappointment in her eyes. I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed and loosing the little patience I had at the show she was putting on.

"What is it, Alice?" I asked more harshly this time, and she flinched minutely before she resumed glaring.

"How could you do that to Charlie, Bella? I know we hurt you for not saying goodbye, but to try to kill yourself-"

Not saying goodbye? It hurt worse that she even left in the first place, nevertheless without a goodbye. My jaw clenched in fury.

"Stop," I commanded coldly, crossing my arms and she stared at me in shock, "If you had a vision of me jumping off a cliff, that was not a suicide attempt. It's called cliff diving, look it up. It's fun and I go with the Rez boys every weekend to jump. I do not need you or your family in my life to live happily, I was doing fine before you all showed up, and I was doing fine after. If that is all you came here for, you may leave."

She was frozen. There was a look of utter disbelief on her face, as well as a look of intense pain, and all I could feel at the sight was a slight twing in my heart. Because while I did love this girl - and I truly did - she had just abandoned me when I needed her, and for that, she did not deserve my sympathy.

"Bella," she whispered, her eyes beginning to look glassy, "I am sorry, and I know you have every right to be angry. I didn't wish to leave without a goodbye, it's just...you sent us away and...and I didn't know why. And it hurt."

My eyes widened, the iciness leaving my eyes at once, and my arms uncrossed to fall limply at my sides. I took a step towards the teary eyed vampire, and tilted my head in confusion, "I sent you away? How did I send you away, Alice?"

She looked at me, confused, "Edward told the family and I that you had decided you wanted a normal life, one without the danger of...bloodthirsty...vampires..." It began to don on Alice that what Edward had said wasn't true at all, and she looked at me in horror as she finished in a whisper, "That you loved us all but weren't strong enough to deal with this life."

My lips twisted into a bitter smile and I stared at her grimly. This time, when the vampire let out a strangled sob and flung her arms around me, I returned the embrace, relief and fury both battling at war inside of me. Relief, for knowing they never left with a choice. Hatred, for Edward-The-Motha-Fucking-Coward-Cullen. It had a nice ring to it.

Alice was shaking, little choked noises and sobs wracking her frame, and I buried my face in her hair and swallowed the heavy lump in my throat. My arms tightened around her small frame as a few tears slipped from my eyes and disappeared into her hair.

This whole time, I had been lied to. The Cullen's did care for me after all, loved me even. The joy I felt at this information was indescribable, and I could almost physically feel the hold in my heart begin to knit back together.

I had been led to believe by Edward that I had been a pet, simply a plaything to help pass the time. He had told me the family had only tolerated me for his happiness, and they had all known from the beginning it would never last.

My fingers clenched around Alice's designer shirt before I pulled back with a shaky sigh. I studied her beautiful face, remembering every detail I had forced myself to forget. The organized mess of inky black spikes, always perfectly styled, bouncing as she danced from place to place. A pixie like face and body; full, yet thin lips the color of rubies, a small, petite nose, large golden eyes framed by thick, black eyelashes, a pointed yet delicate chin, a small forehead with neatly trimmed, black arches, and a frame just barley reaching four foot eleven.

Alice was still my sister, I realized happily, and I felt an enormous amount of weight on my shoulders release. The people who I thought of as family did not betray me; on the contrary, most of the vampires still believed I had abandoned them.

"How is everyone?" I asked in a hoarse whisper, and she smiled sadly.

"They're...they haven't been the same since we left. Carlise has been throwing himself in his work, and is hardly ever seen. When I have see him, he always looks exhausted, as impossible as that is. Esme, she well...I won't lie to you. She cried for weeks after we left, and hasn't spoken much since. She looks as if she has lost a daughter." I grimaced, my heart tightening as I listened to her talk about the people who I have always thought of as second parents. But as I felt pain for their pain, my heart also swelled with love and joy. To think, I had thought they hadn't cared, that they had lied about their feelings of parental love - but yet, all this time, they had actually been mourning my absence.

I gestured for Alice to continue and listened intently.

"Emmett hasn't been...Emmett. He hasn't cracked any jokes since we have left, and I've seen him...I've seen his expression when he see's another human blush, see's someone trip. I don't think I've ever seen that look in his eyes before, as he's always been laid back and just all around optimistic. But now he's lost his little sister - he, he always saw you a bit like one would a twin. He misses his partner in crime."

My expression was twisted in pain as I thought of my big brother, and I had sat down heavily on the couch, rubbing my face roughly.

"Look what you did to your family, Edward." I whisper to myself, and waved for Alice to continue without look at her.

The couch dipped, and I looked sideways to meet Alice's sad gaze. She reached for my hand and squeezed it, "Believe it or not, but Rosalie hasn't been the same either," I let out a humorless snort but she just shrugged, "It is the truth. Part of it is seeing Emmett so heart broken, but I think she has realized how important you are to this family. That you are family."

I have Alice a small smile in appreciation, "And yourself and Jasper?"

At the mention of her mates name, her face fell, and she squeezed her eyes shut, "Jasper...he's dealing with everyone else's emotions as well as his own. He feels incredibly guilty about your birthday-"

"He shouldn't," I snapped, and Alice's eyes widened. I continued more softly, "He should not be feeling guilty. I was bleeding in a room with a coven of vampires, and he is an empath. He felt every bit of thirst everyone was experiencing, including Edward's. There was no way for him to control something of that magnitude. Yet he allowed himself to be dragged out of the house when he could have easily knocked everyone on their backs. He was amazing that night, and I'm so very proud of him. Didn't Edward tell him I said it wasn't his fault?"

Her jaw was dropped and she slowly shook her head, "No, he didn't. How could I have never realized?! What kind of mate am I?! I should have..." She shook her head and stared at me with astonished affection, "Would you mind telling Jasper that the next time you see him? He would feel..."

She shook her head again, angry at herself, as she trailed off, and I smiled at her, "Of course I will. I had been planning on talking with him after the accident, but as you know, that had been impossible."

She beamed and hugged me briefly yet tightly, "Oh thank you, Bella! And thank you so much for forgiving us so quickly!"

I shook my head and my lips quirked, "Alice, there's nothing to forgive. Edward lied to you all, it was in no way any of your fault's."

"Maybe," she said, "But we should have at least talked to you first."

My smiled faded and I nodded, "Yes, you should have. But I do not blame you for not doing so. You had just been told that your best friend, sister, and daughter did not wish for you to be in her life any longer. I understand that from your point of view, it would have hurt much worse to say goodbye."

Alice had an indescribable look on her face as she looked at me, as if she didn't know whether she wanted to smile or frown. She stated quietly, "You really have changed, you know."

I nodded, my face going blank for a moment before I gave her a small smile, "I have," I said quietly, "I needed to."

She nodded slowly with a sad look in her eye, "I guess you did."

As soon as she had finished her sentence, Alice froze and her eyes glazed over. I remember this expression clearly; she was having a vision. I kept silent and watched as her face twisted with anger and horror.

She was a blur as she jumped from the couch and began to pace, her phone in her hand as she dialed a number with blurred fingers. She began to talk rapidly into the phone before snapping it shut and appearing before me with a desperate expression.

"Bella, I don't want to ask this of you, but please," she begged grabbing my hand as I stood up.

"What's wrong, Alice? What did you see?" I questioned as calmly as I could as my mind started to race with worries. Was the family okay? Is someone hurt? Will someone be hurt?

"Edward...he's gone to the Volturi. Rosalie had told him you were dead and he plans to..expose himself so the Volturi are forced to destroy him."

My hands clenched as the fury raced through my veins, my knuckles white, and I narrowed my eyes, "He's trying to fucking kill himself? What about Esme? And Carlisle? That would break their hearts!"

Alice stared at me strangely before a faint smile made its way on her face and she giggled. I raised an eyebrow and her face was drawn in a serious expression once more, "Bella, I know how much he has hurt you, and I will understand if you decide not to help, but the only way to save Edward is for him to see you for himself. He's still my brother and I-"

She broke off, a sob leaving her mouth, an I gathered her into my arms, "Okay, Alice. I'll...come with you. But this doesn't mean Edward and I are getting back together. That will never happen."

She nodded, her eyes reflecting both sadness and gratitude, "I know, Bella. And honestly, after what he has done, I know he doesn't deserve you, and I completely agree with your decision on this."

I gave her a faint smile of appreciation before turning to fetch my passport and to write out a note for Charlie. I felt a tight vice grip my heart, and I blinked back tears of sadness, knowing Charlie was going to be devestated. I had a feeling that I wasn't going to be returning from this trip, whether because I am dead or was changed into vampire, it did not matter, the end result did not change for Charlie; I wasn't returning.

I dug around in one of kitchen drawers - ripped out a piece a paper from a spiral, grabbed a pen, and tucked my passport in my pocket.

Dad,

I'm sorry I won't be here when you arrive home from work. An old friend showed up at the house today with plane tickets for Italy. It's...a five to ten year trip, dad, but I hope you understand why I have decided to go. You know I always wished to travel, and I learned Italian because I've always wanted to live in Italy. This was a once in a life time opportunity, and I couldn't turn it down. I know I would regret the decision if I did. Please understand. I love you, and take care of yourself, old man.
Bella

He would want me to do the right thing, I thought to myself, and I felt in my heart of hearts that I was currently walking on the right path. I let out a long sigh and set the note gently on the table.

I jogged up the stairs carefully, so as not to trip, and started gathering my most prized possessions in a bag. Pictures, my locket from my grandmother, an anklet Alice gave me, my Pack necklace, the ring my father gave me for my sixteenth birthday, my baby blanket, and a quilt my mother had sewn.

With the bag thrown over my shoulder, I stared around my room, taking in every detail- once, twice, thrice. I then nodded to myself, held my head up high, and walked out without a backwards glance. I had known since I first met the Cullen family that fateful day in their home that I would have to say goodbye to my human life sometime in the future. I had even told Edward, warned the foolish boy that I was in too deep. I hadn't been speaking of my feelings for him like I know he assumed; a human with knowledge of the supernatural world can never go back to the life they had led before. It just wasn't possible. I had tried to tell him, but he was stubborn.

He was a fool, and I had been right all along.

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