Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I own nothing.

So, this story starts off at the end of New Mood after Bella saves Edward. In my version, Aro decides he can't possibly let Bella leave with Edward. At least, not without promising him something.

I'm pretty excited about this story and I've got a lot of plans for where I want it to go. Hopefully you all enjoy it.

I could hardly breathe as the airplane made it's decent. My lungs were tight and I knew if I didn't consciously force it to, my heart would cease beating altogether. How could I do this? It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. I willed myself closer to Edward, if these were to be my last moments with him I would make them count. I took in the shape of his perfect chest as my head rested against it, the slow and steady rhythm of his breathing counting down the seconds till it would all be over.

Though exhaustion seeped through every bone and muscle in my fragile body, there was no question that I would not sleep this night. Not this night. I wouldn't waste the last hours that I had with him. I felt the plane settle into a cruising altitude and he lightly kissed the top of my forehead, breathing his heavenly scent onto my face. How I had missed that! My heart alternately soared then crashed, burned then froze with each of his touches. Half of my soul was praying that those touches meant more than he was saying and that he loved me. The other half was begging that he cared nothing at all for me and if that were true, this whole situation would be so much easier.

"It's over, Bella. You're safe and we're taking you home," his velvet voice could reach me anywhere, even when my mind was so closed off, dwelling on the horrible scene that was coming.

"No, not yet…I can't," I stuttered uselessly. He chuckled. Of course, he had no idea the desperation of my situation. He was just satisfied that I was alive. He could now assuage his guilt, knowing I had not died as a result of his actions. It was true that I hadn't meant to try and kill myself by jumping. I mean, honestly, how could you kill something that wasn't alive anyway? Nevertheless, my false death had prompted him to end his own life in Volterra out of guilt. Or was it love? Did it matter?

I let him lead me to through security and eventually to a car waiting patiently by the exit. He helped me in and then I was immediately back in his arms again, his hand tenderly stroking my hair as if he had longed for me just as strongly as I had him. I was thankful that we had a driver and this particular ride would be at a normal, human pace. I wasn't ready for it to be over. The same scene that had so mercilessly plagued my thoughts on the plane trip reentered my mind with a renewed intensity.

…

We had been in Volterra, my trembling body held protectively in Edward's icy embrace. Jane's cruel gaze was focused upon me and I had just felt Edward tense, then relax slightly as everyone had realized that Jane's power had no effect on me. Aro's eyes had been lit with interest, obviously pondering my future as a vampire. Edward's eyes had narrowed; I still knew him well enough to know when thoughts were being blocked from him.

"Very well, you're all free to leave. This is quite obviously a misunderstanding. I trust that in the future, Edward, you won't be so quick to throw your life away," he flashed a smile towards the angel standing next to me.

Edward gritted his teeth and gazed regretfully at me as he responded, "You have no idea, Aro."

" Fine, fine. No harm done then. But, I must ask the two of you…that is, Edward and Alice, to join Marcus in the other room. We have some gifts we'd like to send back to Carlisle and there are some other matters to discuss." Edward visibly stiffened at my side, which I would have thought impossible from his previously rigid state. His eyes looked murderous and there was a deep growl coming from his chest.

"Now, Edward," Aro's smooth voice drifted over to us, "I've already said she would not be harmed. Don't test my patience, I've already given you more than you deserve after your…tantrum last night." Edward's indecisive eyes met mine, and I managed a small smile.

"Go," I said quietly, "I'll be fine." God, I wish I could take those words back because I was in no way fine at the moment. I wish he had stayed with me then, demanded that we be allowed to leave immediately. I wish he had done something, anything, other than follow Marcus into the next room, his sister following closely behind. I stared at his back as the door closed behind him, I was quite alone.

Immediately Aro sauntered up to me, grinning widely, exposing a brilliant set of sharp, white teeth.

"Don't worry, Love, he can't get in here either," he said rather jokingly as he pointed to his head, "I've been around long enough to know how to block my thoughts. Now, there are some things we need to discuss."

"Wh-What?" I stuttered. He ignored my speechlessness; it was obvious he was in a hurry.

"My dear, I've taken quite a special interest in you and I can't possibly let you leave here without some reassurance that you'll be back. However, I have quite the dilemma before me." He paused, looking me over, assuring himself that I was absorbing everything he said.

"You see, Carlisle is a very good friend of mine and I'd like to avoid hurting him and his coven if possible. If I try to keep you here now, your Edward will fight to the death against it. And believe me, Bella, he will die if he attempts such a thing. His sister will probably join him," he said all of this nonchalantly, as if he weren't breaking my heart with every word. His eyes stared coldly into mine and all I could do was tremble. What could I possibly say to that?

"What do I have to do?" I asked numbly. Nothing could be worse than the visions that were flashing across my mind; visions of Edwards face, lifeless, golden eyes staring blankly ahead. The only interruptions in the cascade of images were those of Alice, my best friend, lying motionless upon the ground.

"You will return with Edward to Washington. You will then tell him you don't want him, that you don't love him and that you never want to see him again. Do whatever it takes to convince him that you were happy before this little suicidal stint and you will be again after he leaves. It shouldn't be too difficult, given what he did to you last September. Tomorrow, Jane will come for you at your home. If Edward or any of the Cullens are there to defend you, they will be killed. Do you understand, Bella?" Tears were streaming down my face. What was not to understand? I had no choice.

…

It was strange to be in this position though. I have no idea why I'm so upset. Edward had made it perfectly clear when he left that he didn't want me…didn't love…

And anyway, this shouldn't be difficult for him. With any luck, he'd just drop me off at my house and take off again. It's not like I needed another speech like the last one. That's what my head said, but my heart, the traitorous thing that it is, begged for him to take me in his arms and kiss me as I had envisioned every day for the last 8 months.

I opened my eyes again, dragged from my horrible trance. The car had stopped and we were stopped in front of my house, Charlie's house. He helped me out of the car and I relished his skin on mine as he gripped my hand tightly, the coolness breaking through my feverish haze. He paid the driver and we were left alone in the driveway, staring at the intimidating walk to the front door.

"Will you take a walk with me?" He asked quietly, entwining his fingers in mine. If only they could stay that way! I nodded and shuffled next to him. This whole situation seemed so tragically familiar. Hadn't he walked me along this route the last time I'd seen him? Hadn't he irreversibly devastated my entire life the last time I'd held his hand this way? Was I about to do the same to him?

We slowly made our way to the trees and he turned his glorious body to face me, taking both my hands in his.

"Bella," he whispered softly, his honey eyes swimming with emotion. I couldn't speak. I should end it now, before he says anything, before it's too late to walk away. I should tell him I hate him, tell him to leave me forever. Yes, that's what I should do, but my heart had taken over and it had to hear what he felt. It had to know if I had been suffering alone the past 8 months.

"Bella," he repeated, shaking his head and refocusing his topaz eyes on mine, "I'm so sorry for what I've put you through, for everything that I've put you through. Everything I've done since the day I met you, I've done in hopes that you would be safe. Safe from me, safe from what I am. Yet, everything I do seems to just hurt you more."

"Edward, don't-" I breathed. Stop him! My head screamed. Before it's too late!

"Bella, I have to say this. Please, listen to me before you run into that house. I know I have no right to even speak to you right now, but I have to try." His right hand dropped mine and cradled my face, softly stroking it the way he used to.

"Please don't…I can't, Edward…" he looked pained at my obvious distress. My body was shaking with fear at what I had to do.

"The last time we were here, Bella, " he looked around, remembering that hated memory, "I lied to you. I told you I didn't want you and nothing," he gripped my hand tighter and his face hardened, "nothing could be further from the truth. I've done nothing but want you since the day I've met you and the last 8 months have been an unimaginable hell without you."

"Edward, I-" I stuttered, trembling violently.

"Bella," his lips were inches from mine, "I love you. I've always loved you and I will always love you. Nothing will every change that."

I attempted an answer but his lips were already on mine. But this was not his usual reserved and chaste kiss, but passionate and filled with an energy I'd never felt before. My lips responded automatically and my hands reached to tangle themselves in his silky chestnut hair. It was everything and nothing like I'd imagined or remembered. It was so much better than anything I'd ever experienced before. His arms were wrapped around me tightly, pulling me as close as possible without breaking my fragile human form. I felt his love in every movement, in the very air around us. I could never again doubt the way he felt for me and the last 8 months were instantly forgiven. Nothing was more important than this moment, except…

Gasping, I pulled away, trying painfully to erase the emotions that were surely running ramped across it. I knew he loved me and that had to be enough to get me through what was to come. Struggling, I looked up at him, meeting his anxious gaze. I had no idea what expression was on my face. I hoped it was blank. The hole in my heart was pouring acid on itself at my next words.

"Edward," I started, "You left me and I…I moved on." Each word came out stiff and unnatural and I almost gasped at the pain as each one stabbed deeply into my heart. He won't accept that, Bella. You have to do better. Is this what he had been feeling last time? The time that he'd done this to me? His icy arms were still encircling me and it was all too tempting to lean back in them and let him kiss me again. I leaned forward, raising my chin. If you do this, that body that you find so much comfort in will be dead tomorrow. Shocking myself back into reality with more images of a world without Edward, I leaned away.

"I'm with Jacob now, and we're," my voice hesitated, "we're happy." Lies. All Lies.

"Bella," his hand was on my face again, forcing me to look into his perfect but fearful eyes, "You know what I need to hear. Say it and I will be out of your life forever." I swear my heart stopped, breathing was simply not an option. It will be as if I never existed. My world was at a stand still, and my voiced was barely above a whisper as I stared intently into his beautiful eyes.

"I don't want you, Edward. I need you to leave." The hardest part was out though I continued it over and over inside, repeatedly plunging the sharp dagger into my heart. I needed to finish this.

"Tell Alice not to look for me," I added quickly as he turned to leave, finally releasing the euphoric grip I had so willingly allowed a moment ago.

"And Edward," I said a little loudly, "You will do nothing to hurt yourself. Do you understand?" He turned to look at me painfully, I gasped as I realized I'd guessed his thoughts correctly. I ran to him, clutching at his shirt with both my hands.

"Edward Anthony Cullen. Promise me now that you will not do anything to harm yourself. Promise me that you will survive this. I couldn't bare this world without you." Too far. Get a grip, Bella. You have to choose one route; don't play with him like this. I quickly released his shirt and took a step back.

"I mean," I stuttered, taking in his confused expression, "you owe me that, Edward, after everything you've done. Don't you dare die because of me." He stared deeply into my eyes, probably with a million thoughts rushing through his head like always.

"I promise, Bella. I will stay in this life for you and I will love you every miserable day of it." And with that, he was gone, blurring into the darkening forest, out of my life forever.

R&R please! Next Chapter up soon.