Bella's POV
Everyone gasped in shock, and Edward unconsciously moved in front of me, as if to protect me from the impending danger. Jacob was the only one who looked confused. "Who's the Volturi, and why should I be scared of them?" he sneered at Edward, whilst also moving closer to me. Edward glared at him. "Only the most powerful vampire coven in the world, you idiot," he threw back at Jacob. I moved in between them, and directed my next question to Carlisle, asking what the plan of action would be.
At this stage, Edward jumped in and demanded that they take me to a safe place, because I was obviously not experienced enough to fight the Volturi, and would only end up getting hurt. My retort was cut short by the rest of the Cullen family, who unexpectedly backed me up, saying that they would need everyone's support.
The house rumbled into chaos, with nine voices starting at once, until Alice's voice rose above the rest, quieting the bunch. "It's obvious we are going to have to hone our skills, so I think Jasper and I shall take Jacob and try to work with him on techniques. Edward, you help Bella to refine her talent, and teach her blocking skills," Alice said, with an almost sly glance at Edward.
Edwards POV
Jacob protested, but in the end I won and we broke up into groups, me taking Bella into an unused room to try to help her learn the skills necessary to defeat the Volturi. An awkward silence fell as we both assessed each other, me wondering exactly what she felt for me, and whether she was…with Jacob. "Right", I began, "Maybe we should start with blocking. I'm going to try to attack and you have to stop me. If I get close enough to get our neck, I win." Bella glanced at me, and then signalled that she was ready.
We began, and I was startled at how fast she was, I guess unused to her vampiric state. Although she was fast, and a hundred fold stronger than she was as a human, however, she was still slower and weaker than me, and it didn't take long for me to win. Bella smiled in defeat, resigned to losing. It was only then that I realised how close the exercise had brought us, seemingly the same time Bella did.
She went to take a step back, but I grabbed her shoulder. "Bella, we need to talk. I'm sorry that I left you earlier this year, and I know that, however good my intentions were, the repercussions of my actions were unforgivable. I need to know though, is there any hope for us? To be…like we were before I left? Is it too late? Are you with Jacob now?" All these questions flew, unbidden from my lips, and I watched Bella, holding my unnecessary breath as she looked, shocked, into my eyes.
She opened her mouth to answer, just as the door flew open. I looked up, ready to strangle whoever walked through and interrupted us, and this intention grew as I saw it was Jacob. He walked to Bella and ignored me completely, and as he grabbed her and I felt a growl rise from my throat. "Bells I need to talk to you, the pack have called and I need to go and explain what has happened, and they need to know about the Volturi so that maybe we can join forces to get them out. After all, they threaten Forks as well. If they let us, we can stay with them for a while. Are you coming?"
"No she isn't!", I interrupted, furious. "The most dangerous threat is looming over her head and you want to put her in harms way? You are ridiculous!" Bella looked between us, obviously torn as she considered what she would do. I was still holding on to that stupid breath.
Bella took a deep breath and then addressed her next words to Jacob. "Jake, I'm sorry, but I can't come with you to La Push. I'm not entirely sure that I would be welcome anyway. After all, I am a full vampire now, their sworn enemy." She looked into his face, begging him to understand. Her wish was unfulfilled, however, as he looked at her with disgust and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
I approached Bella and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, but she pushed it away. "Stop it Edward, I don't deserve your pity. Jake was my light after you left and now I'm treating him like dirt. I've lead him on and I'm a terrible person. He looked after me and was the reason that I managed some semblance of a life, and now I'm pushing him away when he needs my help." I turned away from Bella, not wanting her to see the hurt on my face, inevitable guilt as I pondered the enormity and far reaching effects my abandonment had on Bella.
She must have known though, because she once again came into my line of vision and said "I'm sorry; I know this must hurt you. But think about Jacob, he knows that I love you and its tearing him apart." I stared at her with incredulity. "You love me?" I tried to get my head around that fact, as she pulled me closer and kissed me.
Needless to say, I returned it whole- heartedly. Neither of us heard the door open, but when we stopped and turned around, we saw my whole family, watching us. Esme was crying, Emmett chuckling, Alice was grinning like a Cheshire cat, Carlisle looking at Edward, and Jasper and Rosalie smiling from the doorway. I returned the smile, and Bella looked sheepishly at the floor. I grabbed her, and not caring that my family was watching, kissed her again.
