"Charlie?" The word scratched up my throat, forcing its way through the burning sensation.

My mind raced, trying to focus on control, all the while wanting to give in. I could feel Edward's hands on me, holding me back. It would have been so easy to slip through his grasp, to break free. I was weak, but he was weaker. Fighting as hard as I could I worked on resisting, picturing Charlie's face in my head, thinking back on the things I'd put him through, the things he'd done for me.

"I can't." Dropping my head in shame, I realized I wasn't strong enough. With one final pull I broke free from Edward and took off down the hall.

"Bella, don't!" He had caught up with me, being much faster than I was, but he couldn't stop me. "Bella, please." He was begging now, but he was too late.

Each step I took brought me closer and closer to the smell and caused my throat to burn even more fiercely. My mind knew this was wrong, this was Charlie for God's sake, but it didn't keep me from opening the door to the main chamber and bursting inside.

"Bella?" Charlie's voice was hoarse, low, and flooded with a mixture of concern and relief. "Baby, where have you been? What happened to you? How did you get here?" His eyes searched me, noticing the difference in my appearance, landing and holding onto my eyes, now black with thirst. With all his strength he tried to break free of Demetri's grasp but it was no use.

"My dear Bella, you are early. I requested your presence at seven sharp, it is barely six." Quickly he licked his lips, and his gaze turned from me to my father.

"No!" My body was tensed to spring--not in hunger, but in defense. Aro's eyes spoke volumes, telling of his longing to drain my father's blood, and in turn bring about his own death by my hands.

Edward was next to me, pulling me back, begging with his eyes. Remembering what Alice had said, I forced myself to stand, knowing that any small act could seal my fate of staying here forever. Every pair of eyes in the room was on me and I started shifting my weight anxiously from one foot to the other, working at fighting every urge that threatened to overpower me.

"Bells, please, you gotta tell me what's going on." Charlie's face was ashen, sickly, and I could see the drops of sweat forming on his brow.

"Ah, but if she tells you," Aro crossed the room slowly, positioning himself right in front of me, "then she would have to kill you."

"I don't understand." He was in officer mode now, his voice stern and demanding.

"Dad, please." I was trying so hard not to breathe, not to move, to think, to do anything that would cause me to kill; kill Charlie or one of them.

"Damn it, Bella, someone just tell me why we are here, and what the hell happened to you."

"We are the ones who ask the questions around here," Jane stepped forward, eyes intent on my father.

"Don't even think about it," I spat low through my teeth. She would hear me, Charlie wouldn't. He was on the other side of the room but I could feel him pulse under my shield, stretching it to its very limits to encompass all three of us.

"Jane, my sweet, why don't you go find Alice. I'm sure wherever she is, it is far enough out of Bella's reach."

"No!" I started to move forward, but Edward stopped me, pulling me back.

"Bella, remember what Alice said," his voice was low, but I worried the others would still be able to hear.

I hoped Alice would see Jane coming and be able to avoid her for however long it took the others to arrive. For the first time, I looked around the room. Their numbers were so low that I felt a surge of optimism. Aro and Caius remained, along with their wives, Demetri, Felix, Jane, and three others I didn't know. They had ten while we had eight, and though it seemed as if we would be outnumbered, we would win. Maybe the other three could fight--they were all male and large, but not nearly the size of Demetri; he was closer to Edward's size. Even if that was the case, they had five fighters, and though I couldn't bear to think of Alice or Esme fighting, I knew they would. Whatever it took to defend their family, save one of theirs, they would do, and they would do it whole-heartedly.

In that moment my mind was full of thoughts and clear all at the same time. I was fighting back the burning desire to attack Charlie, preparing myself for the fighting, figuring out ways to get Charlie out safely and make sure no one else got hurt, but mostly I was imagining what life would be like once we were gone. Images of Edward and I together flashed through my vision, his arms around me, his lips on mine, his body pressing firmly into me. A tingle passed up my legs, causing me to falter slightly.

"Something on your mind, my dear?" Aro's red eyes glared at me, searching desperately for something on my face that would give me away.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Tsk, tsk. You are still a guest here, and if I remember correctly, due for punishment. After all, I feel there is still a lesson to be taught."

"Well I don't see that happening as my shield is in place and not going anywhere."

"We have other, methods, here besides Jane. You of all people should know that, my dear."

"Fine. Come on Felix, Demetri, I'll take you both on." Crouching low I let a smile slip across my face.

"Wrong again. What good would it be to pit them against you? We all know what you are capable of. No, I have another contender in mind." At his words, Edward stiffened beside me. His body rocked forward and back slightly and I knew he was fighting with himself, wanting to attack, but knowing it would only hinder us.

"Touch him," my body was still crouched, my eyes intent on both Aro and Charlie, "and I'll kill you."

"Enough!" Charlie's face was burning red as he fought hard to break free. "No one's killing anyone else. What has gotten into you, Bella?"

"Dad, please, just stay still and quite. I've got this all under control."

"You certainly do not, young lady," his head turned around slightly. "Now let me go, we're going home, and this is all being reported to the authorities."

Laughter erupted from them all, stinging my ears and filling me with malice. I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold on, how long I could keep myself from losing control. Deep in my bones I could feel something was about to happen. One of my desires was about to take control, and someone was about to die, but whom? Under all their laughter I heard something else. Footsteps.

They were all too intent in their joy, Charlie was turning redder by the minute, continuing to scold each and every one of them. To my surprise none of them noticed, none of them heard the group of people making their way silently down the hall. Edward and I were the only one's not oblivious to what was coming and the fire could be seen in both our eyes. Using their distraction to my advantage, I slipped out of my shield for a moment, desperate to know what the plan was.

Does Alice have a plan? Quickly he raised his chin and then let it fall. Is someone going to get Charlie out of here first thing? Another yes. Esme? His eyes widened with joy, and I knew he too was happy that she wouldn't be around for the coming fight. Do they know how many are here? Has everyone already picked someone? He looked down at me, smiling but holding an air of disapproval at me. What? I am not sitting out for this, I want Felix. He shook his head no, and I wasn't sure if that meant someone had already called him, or he just wasn't going to allow it. Fine, but I'm not taking one of the weak ones. His features hardened and I could tell he was very unhappy with my wishes. Need I remind you that I had no problem taking Chelsea out on my own? Piece of Cake. Demetri. He's mine--no ifs, ands, or buts. He pulled me close to him, making sure I knew this was far from what he wanted.

A split second later the door flew open and the Cullen's ran in. My eyes rushed to take them in, trying to compare them to the memories I had. Esme smiled warmly at me then ran across the room, grabbing Charlie in her arms and rushing out. Demetri made a B-line to chase her but I got to him first, slamming him down on the ground and holding him there. Even though I hadn't fed in a long time, my mind couldn't process just how long it had been since I had seen the Cullens awakened strength from within me.

Everyone was crouched, everyone but Aro. He stood just in front of his chair, looking around at his newest guests. Carlisle met his gaze, but didn't speak or move; Alice was just behind him, almost hidden behind his strong frame. Emmett's face held the largest smile I had ever seen, while Rosalie looked as though she were fighting between being excitement and annoyance. Lastly my eyes landed on Jasper, his teeth bared and his body low, looking more frightening than anything I had ever seen. In that moment I was scared--not for us, or our safety, but for anyone who went up against him or tried to harm Alice.

"Well, well, this is a most interesting surprise. It seems as though you've been keeping some things from me, dear Alice."

"Maybe just a few things." Even though she was tense, ready, her voice was still soft and sweet.

"It has been far too long, dear Carlisle."

"Yes. It is a shame we have to meet under such circumstances."

"It is indeed. I am sure we can work all this out somehow."

"I don't see how," Edward spoke harshly through is pulled back lips. "You won't let us leave any other way."

"Bella made a promise to us."

"I made a promise to stay with you a short time, no amount was even negotiated. I've stayed plenty long enough, so now I'm leaving."

"That may be, but you have killed one of your own."

"Nice job by the way." Emmett's face lit up as he smiled at me, truly proud of what I had done.

"As I was saying. We are the law, and it is our job to uphold it."

"Even against yourself?" I was still holding Demetri down but I could feel myself growing weaker. "You've killed hundreds over the years, what makes this any different? Haven't you ever heard of self-defense?"

"I grow tired of all this talking. That is all you ever want to do anymore, Aro. Let us kill them all and be done with it." Caius was ready, his eyes fixed on Carlisle.

Part of me wanted to protect them all, to make sure no harm came to any of them, but I knew that wasn't possible. Everyone seemed to be paired off. Felix and Emmett were across from each other, both trying to look larger than the other, each failing. Rosalie and Alice had their eyes locked on the wives, smiling slightly at their weak appearances. Edward was fixed on Aro and the larger of the other three. It seemed as though he expected to make quick work of the first and move on to the second. Jasper was ready to take on the last two and I knew as soon as he was done with them he would rush to Alice's side, though he and I both knew she wouldn't need it. Jane was still gone, but if she came back, I'd be ready.

"If that is how it must be then, that so it shall." As the words came out of his mouth a frown fell upon his face. Aro knew how this would end, he had to know, they were old, they were weak, and they were over confident.

Looking down the line, I could read the feelings in each and every face in the room. When I landed on Alice my heart raced; she held a glimmer in her eyes, a smile was hidden in the corner of her mouth, and I knew what it meant. Edward's was not as hopeful. It held fear and worry as he searched my eyes, and in response I smiled.

"I love you," I called to him.

"And I love you," he whispered back.

"It was wonderful to have met you all," Aro called out as his knees bent slightly. "It truly is a shame to waste such talent."

With that Jasper took off, flying across the room with a loud crash.

And in a matter of seconds, it was on.

*****

A/N: Well that chapter was a LONG time coming. Sorry to leave you hanging for so long, but life caught up with me.

But now finals are over, and I have a 2-week break. Hopefully the next chapter will be up in a timelier manner, but if not, it is only because I am almost to the end of this little story, and the thought of that really has me upset. Maybe that is why it is taking me so long to finish.

As always I send my love to my beta, my [t20s] and all my readers.

I hope everyone had a very safe and Happy Holiday and a VERY happy New year to each and every one of you.