AN: Wowza, last chapter was my highest rated chapter! COOOOL! I think this chapter has been highly anticipated, so I'm excited to show it to you guys! My Beta has not beata-ed, this chapter, so it may be different. I wanted to get this out to you on Valentines as a gift! Thank you so much everyone! Read and Review! The reviews will give me inspiration for the next chapter, which is bringing me down slightly. I know what I'm gonna write, I just can't bring myself to write it. The reviews for the last chapter helped me to write this one in....TWO HOURS! It was amazing how the words just came out of me. Thanks again.

P.S: This quote for this chapter was supposed to be for the LOST chapter, buuuuut, alas, it wasn't written so I put it for this chapter because I loved it so much. Maybe I'll write the lost chapter some day????

Chapter 9: He Kills

Masimo said to Dave, "OK, now we sort this out, man to man."
Were they actually going to fight over me?
I should have liked it. But.
Rosie said to me, "This is just like Romeo and Juliet, isn't it? If they were wearing tights. Should we lend them some?"
- Stop in the Name of Pants by Louise Rennison (pg. 284)

What will bring me home? What will make me stay?

The streets are deserted with the exception for a homeless man leaning drunkenly against a brick wall at the edge of an alleyway on the southside of the square. His dreams are harmless, he dreams of a life of luxury. I dream of...

I can't allow myself to think about home. That's not on my mind. What's on my mind at the moment is tracking down my task, I've made this job for myself and I will accomplish it. I have to. I can't let myself become distracted and tolerate my mind to wander down a path that will only bring me pain. I have to remain focused and indomitable. I have to bring myself peace. As much of it as I can get.

If I plan this just perfectly, then I should be calling Jasper for the second time within the next half hour. I had made contact with him about four days ago, and have been waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. Then I can move on with the help of my older brother. Thankfully, he had accepted my cryptic message – though, I'm sure Alice filled him in as much as she could – and agreed to help me. I hated to admit that I needed assistance with my task. I had hoped I would have been able to complete it myself, but after planning, plotting and tracking for the past six months, it was safe to say I couldn't continue on my own.

It had taken a lot out of me to get where I am now.

The streets of Prague were being abused by a vampire who was searching for someone in incessant detail and examination. I had been waiting for this particular man for months. I needed to get him alone without making my presence known by him and the others. I'd feel much more at ease once I finished this task. I'd been so tense lately, and this would calm me down most definitely. Regretfully, I couldn't retire once it was done this evening. No, I had more to do, but wouldn't be able to do it alone. Then I'd call Jasper.

This vampire was a threat to my family. No matter where we were in the world, he could find us. He would find us the second his master gave him the orders. He couldn't live any longer. I had to destroy him or else we would never be safe again. Demetri. He was mine. Tonight. I had waited for this moment for a long time. I had planned this out perfectly and finally, he was alone and away from the Volturi.

Demetri was keeping an eye on a child in the city who had the potential to be a powerful vampire once he was changed when he was older. I would not allow another person to be condemned to this existence, most of all a child, an innocent. I knew that even when I killed Demetri, they'd send someone else out for this child. I couldn't protect him and my family. I wish I could. Maybe, I would. If everything worked out...

Demetri was bored of pacing back and forth through the alleys, keeping in close proximity of the boy's house that he shared with his family. It was Demetri's turn to watch him. His hope was that Aro would request his return back to Volterra, soon enough. He hated doing these sorts of assignments, and preferred to be putting his talent to good use. He couldn't be more pleased with himself everytime Aro would ask him to search for their next victim. It was sick the way he took pleasure in harming others. Especially, when one of his jobs was to keep a close eye on my family.

I stood very still among the shadows, careful not to be seen, heard or sensed. So far, I was doing excellent work remaining unobserved. I hid behind a tall building, the bricks pressed against my stone-hard back. When I would glance slyly around the wall, I would catch Demetri's cloak billow around the corner as he continued his restless pacing. The night was still, the stars shone bright, and the street lamps glowed down on the town square, which was empty of any human. Only vampires were present. One of which knew nothing about the other's hidden plan. I grin, pleased with my accomplishment.

This would be simple.

I'll have to be careful of the homeless man. But he's in such a deep sleep that it shouldn't be too hard to go on unheard by him. This would all be over before he could even sense any sort of disturbance in the vicinity. He was just a weak human.

I begin to sidle down the wall and am out in the open, knowing full well that as soon as Demetri turned that corner once again, he would see me in plain sight. I waited impatiently, eager to move on from this moment. I hear Demetri's ghost-like footsteps echo throughout the streets, and can almost feel them step closer and closer to my position. He comes into my sight and he notices me right away, stopping.

We stare at one another as he takes in my appearance, and internally questions what the hell I am doing here. We don't say a word; I wait for him to speak first to let him think he's in control of the situation. But, he doesn't know how prepared I am.

Edward Cullen. What is he doing here? Is this some kind of joke that Aro is playing on me? Trying to keep me on my toes? Or, maybe Cullen is under the impression he can take me down. Hmm, no, that's ridiculous. He's alone. I can't sense any of his insufferable family anywhere near here. In fact, I can confidently say that they are all back in Forks. So why did he come here alone? He's a Cullen and they lack in the courage department, so he isn't stupid enough to take me on one on one. What a fool! Aro would be absolutely delighted if I brought back a Cullen. It would be such a surprise to my master, and I will forever be rewarded for my loyal services... His thoughts are unnerving as he smirks, believing he's got the better of me.

"Edward Cullen," he tuts. He folds his hands behind his back and walks over to me in a condescending stance. His eye brows are raised in disbelief as he takes in my ragged appearance. I haven't changed my clothes much, nor have I showered. When I caught my reflection in the hotel room a couple days ago, my eyes nearly looked blood-shot. I had dark purple-yellow-green bruises around my eyes, which were an abysmal black. His eyes are heavily lidded as he takes in my stiff stature. I'm prepared for anything he may attempt to throw at me.

He stops once he is about four meters away from my spot in the middle of the square. The home of the boy is above the small shop that fixed watches on the north east side. I was facing the north side of the square and Demetri was facing the south. It was a stare down as we both tried to figure out the others next move. I already knew his move as I read his mind and he rattled his brains trying to find my motive. Was it to exact revenge? He pondered, aimlessly.

"What do you want, Cullen? If I were you, I'd turn right back around to that sad little town and return to your loving family before it's too late for all of you. Who knows how long before we decide to invade your happy existence again, hmm? Does your little, fortune-teller sister, know?" he sneers. I stare at him, my face emotionless. I'm not allowing his words to get any form of reaction out of me. He is acutely unsatisfied with my behaviour and searches for something new to say. "How about your kid?" His eyes darken, and his tongue flicks out and licks his lips. "She must be quite the grown up by now. I could tell when I saw her she'd be a looker once she grew into her body. Care to introduce me, formally, this time?"

The mention of Renesmee, rouses something inside me that I had ordered myself to block out once I left home. I try to ignore it, but the barrier I had put up is torn down by his words. I am forced to remember my daughter. Only her. Not her mother.

Never her mother.

I remember the last moment I shared with my little girl before I had left later that night. To her, it may have been another insignificant moment with her father, but to me it was so much more. I had no idea when I would see her again, or if I ever would. She was getting ready to go out with Jacob and I had arrived at her door, which was open a sliver. I heard her thoughts - which were consumed by her upcoming afternoon with Jacob - and tried not to let them bother me. She is smiling softly as she brushes her hair and sits at the end of her bed. I peek in and push the door open wider. She turns to where I am standing and she straightens up.

"Hey, dad," she says, nervously. Oh, God. He heard me thinking about Jake...He doesn't look mad though. How can I be mad when this is the last time I'll see her for a long while? My stomach drops at the remembrance of what I must do.

"You'll be okay?" I ask her. She has no idea the true meaning behind my words but she rolls her eyes, annoyed by her overprotective father.

"Dad, it's just Jake." She finishes brushing her hair and places her comb on top of the dresser. She turns back to me and grabs her jacket which is hanging over her computer chair.

"Yeah. He's good for you," I find myself saying.

She smiles, pleased. "He is," she nods. There's a pregnant pause and she gives me an odd look. I stare back, impassive. "Well, I'm gonna go now," she leans up and kisses my cheek. "Bye, dad." She skips toward the door.

"I love you," I call out after her. She stops at the door, and looks at me as if I've gone crazy.

"Sure, sure," she says this in the exact same way Jacob does. She flashes me a genuine smile, and proceeds out of her bedroom and toward a waiting Jacob, outside.

The reality of our last encounter, crashes down on me miserably and I feel as if my resolve will collapse right here, in front of Demetri. Now, was not the time to remember my family. I had to remain focused. It was the only way I'd live through the next few moments. I had to live. I had to return home to my family someday. I had to.

I pushed, with all my might, the troublesome thoughts away and put my attention on the Volturi member gazing at me in victory. He saw how much I struggled to remain calm after his words. I couldn't allow him to see my weakness any longer. I stood to my full height and glared at him with all the anger that has been my constant drive. I could not permit him to continue on harassing my family. This ends here.

"Say, goodbye, Demetri," I say, evenly.

"Goodbye?" He laughs. "You think I'm scared of you, Cullen? Far from it! You're nothing! The only thing you have worth admitting to is that stupid talent and wife of yours!"

His last three words caused the monster inside me to howl in expressive misery and rage. I pounced on his relaxed and taunting stance. I pushed him to the ground. I had a leg on either side of his body as I pounded into his face, chest and neck. He growled in frustration and attempted to fight me off, but I would not allow it. I scratched his throat and three large gashes appeared, blood leaking out slowly. He had just fed. Beyond the red liquid, was the translucent look of venom. I cried in victory as I knew that I had him beat. He was powerless to stop me in this state I was in. I punched him in the face and a sickening crunch could be heard for miles. He clawed at my body but I would not ease up, not for the life of me. He tried to gauge out my eye, but I grabbed his arm before he could even get close and ripped it clean out of its socket. I tossed it carelessly over my shoulder and clamped my hand over his mouth to muffle his screams of agony. Once his right arm is no longer an issue, I fasten my hand around his neck and squeeze with all my might. He blinks furiously at me and his eyes are glassy as he looks at me in shock. He now knows this is his end, and he is flabbergasted that I will be the one to conclude it. My grip tightens and his neck becomes smaller under my hand. Eventually I tear it clean off his shoulders and his head is in my open palm. His eyes blink a few more times, still unaware of its unconnected state. I look down at his twitching body and drag it out of the middle of the square.

That was stupid of me. I should have hidden in the shadows. With all that noise, someone may have seen us. I glance around and severely doubt it. The homeless man had fallen and was now laying on the ground, snoring loudly. But it could have been a close call. I finish my work as I dismember his body cleanly before fishing in my pocket for a lighter. His remains are in a blaze in an alley as I make sure not a single body part is not among the flames.

I watch the fire burn out and his body is no more. He will never be, and now my family can hide. A sigh of relief escapes my lips and I glance down at the time on my watch. It's early in the morning around four-thirty. That means it's about seven-thirty at night in Forks.

Before my mind can register what my feet are doing, I'm walking out of the alley and down the street toward a pay phone. As I get closer, my dead heart whines in protest. It's an odd sensation. It's the same one I get when I can't help but think about home. I know I can't actually talk to my wife or daughter, but it's nice to imagine. I had hurt them, so I'm not expecting a warm hello. No, all I need is any form of hello. Even if I just heard their angry, silent, breathing on the other end, I could die a happy man. All I needed was to hear either of their voices. Renesmee.

Bella.

I stop in my tracks; I'm six feet away from the phone. The hole in my stomach tears me up inside and throbs hollowly. The sensation is identical to the one I experienced when I left my wife the first time. I had sworn never to do this again. And yet, here I am! Idiot. I'm mental. Who am I helping?

I know the answer. But in my miserable state, I'm convincing myself that I'm doing no one good. I should just hop onto the next plane out of the Czech Republic and head back home. Home. That's where I want to be. With my wife and daughter. And brothers and sisters. And parents.

No, that would only be selfish. I have to stay here in Europe and complete my task that I've set for myself. Otherwise, who knows what could happen...I couldn't go back home and pretend everything was alright. As I remember tearing Demetri apart, I begin to believe that maybe returning home wouldn't be so bad. We could hide if the Volturi ever decided to corner us again. I knew for sure that they weren't done with us, especially after what Demetri had just said. And probably never would be. Unless they all died.

I sigh and reach the phone with only a couple steps. I pick it up and hear the dull ring of the dial tone. I need to dial. I produce some money to put in the slot and wait to think of which number to dial. I pluck up the courage and tap in the phone number that belongs to my wife's cell phone. It rings once. It rings twice. I close my eyes and feel venom pooling in my mouth. What I'm doing is wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Bella doesn't need to hear my voice right now.

Ugh, I can't imagine the kind of pain I've left her in. I'm a horrible husband and father. Absolutely wretched. How could Bella ever love me? Who could love me? I'm nothing, just like Demetri said. The phone rings a third time and I lose my nerve, hanging up abruptly. I let out a breath of relief. That could have been disastrous. But my insides also twist in pain at being so close to hearing her voice again; her beautiful melodic tone that could send my mind into a daze of anticipation and love.

Bella.

I pick up the phone again and dial a different number. The phone rings only once half-way before Jaspers' voice is clear and distinct on the other line.

"Yes?"

I swallow the venom and try to gain control of my voice. "Jasper. It's time. I need you to get on the next flight to Paris. Immediately."

"Right," he hangs up before I can. I'm irritated by his aloofness, but figure it's better than his questions. I turn and force myself to walk away from the pay phone. Never again will I allow such weakness. I will once again push away all thoughts of my family from my mind. I'm no longer going to think of them. That's it.

Against my better judgement, I think about them once more. But only for a second. Just a flash of their faces as I say goodbye to them.

I close my eyes and breathe in deep, taking in all the smells of the street. The air is crisp as the seasons are changing. The sun will be up soon. I shove my hands in my pockets and lope down the street, on my way to France.

R/R!!