A/N: I'm SO sorry for the delayed updates and for this being quite short. I've got the whole story planned in my head now it's just finding time to write it. I'm hoping I'll be able to write more this week, and update sooner than before. I hope this doesn't disappoint.

Chapter Song – Falls Apart – Hurt

I messed up again when I tried
You spend all your money and died.
And, oh! By the way,
With all you did nothing has changed
So lie like a waste by the side


As everything just falls apart
'Cause everything just fell apart for me

Italy

Blake was asleep in my arms as the plane started to descend. We had spent the majority of the plane trip talking about everything; what adventures we had been on over the past hundred years, the things we'd seen, and the people we met. I felt like I was actually getting to know my son. I looked over to Edward and saw him smiling down at me. I lifted my shield, I love you, I thought. His crooked smiled clearly said 'I love you too'. I searched for other members of my family. Jacob was fast asleep against the window, snoring lightly and drooling slightly. Alice was lying peacefully on Jasper's shoulder, appearing asleep, but of course, she wasn't. Jasper was watching Alice, and they radiated love and trust. Emmett, Rosalie and Esme were all in deep, but quiet, conversation. They were discussing the best way to approach to Volturi, but hadn't come up with a way they were all happy with. Carlisle was walking towards us, a strained look on his face. He sat in a spare sit next to us and breathed in deeply, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, it was clear that what he had to say wasn't going to be good.

"I've been thinking about the conversation I had with Tanya and her family before we boarded. Eleazar was in the Volturi for some years before he found Carmen and left. He doesn't understand why they would have taken Charlie, but he said it can't be good. He doesn't think we'll make it out alive, even with my presence. He asked we didn't go, especially not with the werewolves along side us..." He shot a pained glance toward my son, and turned to face me. "Bella, you are my family, and as such, Blake and Jacob are too. I would do anything for you, include trying to get this resolved, but you have to understand, the chances are not in our favour." Guilt washed through me as I realised what Carlisle was trying to say. He was asking me, without out right saying it, to reconsider; we would not all get out alive. My composure was close to breaking, and Jasper turned to face me with a knowing look in his eyes. As a result, Edward's arms tightened around me.

"Bella, no matter what, I'll here. I promise you I will go wherever you go." I sensed the double meaning behind Edward's words.

"You mean, even if I died, you'd follow me there," I said, rather than asked. He nodded once, and I couldn't face him anymore. "I'm sorry to be asking this of you. All of you."

"They don't blame you, Bella. They also want to know what happened to Charlie, and that is why they follow us, despite the risks. Don't blame yourself for anything that may, or may not, happen. Do you understand?" I nodded and lapsed into silence as the plane landed.

***

The sun was setting as we walked through the dark car parks under the airport. No one was talking, our thoughts dwelling on what was about to happen. I heard Esme gasp in the silence, and quickly turned to face her. Her eyes were locked ahead, and I followed the gaze. In front of us stood Tanya's family, smiling broadly. We approached them quickly, and after initial embraces, we started to question their presence.

"What are you doing here?" Carlisle asked Tanya. She nodded in mine, and my Quileute family, direction.

"Curiosity as to why the Volturi would do this. And we didn't think it would end well with such a small gathering. We'll be more prepared this way. Have you spoken to the wolves about not going in?"

"What?" Jacob and Blake both shouted in unison.

"I take that as a 'no'," chuckled Kate. I turned to look at them, and tried to find the right words.

"I know how much you want to be in there with us, but it's not safe for us, let alone for you. As soon as the Volturi realise what you are, they will kill you. I can't lose you so quickly after just finding you again."

"But it's alright for them to kill you, is it?" Blake sneered. "I overheard the conversation you had with Carlisle before landing. Why does your death mean less than mine? The chances of any of us coming out are slim, apparently. Why do you ask different of me than yourself? Why should I live while I know my mother could die?" I had no response, and so accepting defeat, I turned back to Tanya.

"They're coming too." They exchanged looks between each other, but said nothing more on the matter. "It's getting dark, so if we're quick enough, we may be able to get this done tonight. Let's go."

Night had fallen and picked cars to drive to Volterra, the faster the better. Quickly, the outer walls could be seen, and I was struck by the sheer beauty of it. I could understand why these monsters would want to live here. We parked up and worked our way through the streets, finding the entrance to where the Volturi stay. I expected something dark, and dank, and was surprise when Eleazar led us to an office entrance.

"The Volturi live here?" Blake scoffed, vocalising my surprise. Eleazar nodded, but didn't say anything as he led us inside. It was neutrally decorated, and to my surprise, there was a human sitting behind the desk. She looked us over, and clearly knew what we were. I glanced at Edward, and he just shrugged. Whatever she was thinking wasn't enough to warrant an explanation to the bizarre explanation. I heard her take in a deep breath before she smiled and addressed us.

"Hello, how many I help you this evening?"

"We request an audience with Aro, please," Eleazar said. The girl's eyes flickered at the size of the group, and smiled as a confirmation. She picked the phone up and dialled a number, and sat and watched us while it rang.

"Hello, Mr Aro. There is a group of people here who are requesting to see you."

"Who are they?" Needless to say, everyone in the room could hear the other side of the conversation, and so Carlisle piped up.

"Just tell him it's the Cullen's." Fear flashed across the girl's face as she realised we could hear the conversation she was having. Edward grinned at some inner thought she was probably having.

"The Cullen's, sir."

"The Cullen's? As in, Carlisle?" Carlisle nodded at this.

"Yes, sir."

"I'll send Alec to come meet them. Keep them comfortable."

"Yes, sir." The phone was put down, and the girl took in a deep breath. She smiled again, and beckoned us to sit while we wait. Only Jake and Blake decided to do. We were only waiting about five minutes before a small boy in a black robe came to greet us. He looked no older than ten, but his deep red eyes sent shivers down my spine. He said nothing, but gestured for us to follow. Jacob was resistant, and I shot him a puzzled looked.

"He was there the day Charlie was taken," he muttered, anger shaking his voice. I took his hand as a way of reassurance, and pulled him to follow my family, as they were already leaving.

He led us along a hallway and into a large room. During the walk to the main chamber, I had caught up with Edward and Blake, and was currently holding their hands as tightly as I could. I gasped when I saw the main room. The room was made of stone, and in the middle sat three old vampires. I recognised them from pictures at the Cullen's house, and could easily identify Aro, Marcus and Caius. Around them stood more vampires, all in a protective stance. We were definitely out numbered, and I prayed that it wouldn't end in a fight. Aro stood and came to meet us, his hand extended.

"Carlisle, my old friend! It's been far too long, what have you been doing with yourself? And Eleazar! Fancy you being here as well. Have your two covens joined together? I was told it was only the Cullen's here today. My, how your family has grown, Carlisle." Carlisle smiled warmed at Aro, but refused to take his hand.

"Good evening, Aro. It has indeed been far too long. Sorry about the unannounced journey here. We mean you no harm, but we have come with a... question, as such."

"Oh, and what might that be, friend?" Aro had noticed the refusal to shake hands, and was slowly retreated back into the dense protection of his guard. Carlisle seemed unsure how to go forward from this point, and as such, I decided to take charge. I let go to Edward's and Blake's hand, and stepped forward. I heard Edward call out for me not to go, but I ignored him.

"One hundred years ago, I was human. My name is Isabella Swan, and you came, and you took my father. I wish to know why, and what you did to him." My voice was strong and full of conviction, but inside I was terrified. Aro continued to look at me, but there was a form of comprehension on his face.

"Isabella Swan... Yes, I remember your case well."

"My case?" I asked, shocked. He smiled at me, showing his teeth slightly.

"Oh, yes. 'The girl who knew too much,' I think was what you were referred to for a while. You see, we were visited by a nomad vampire named Victoria." Horror washed through me, quickly followed by guilt. I retreated back to Edward's arms, where he held me closely, and protectively. "I see you remember her," Aro chuckled. "She came to us, and said that the Cullen's were breaking the main vampire law; they'd told you everything about them, but had no intention of turning you. Well, we couldn't exactly allow that, and we gave Victoria time to kill you herself, before we intervened. However, time went by, and there was no trace of Victoria. We went to Forks, just a small group of us, to find you. But to our surprise, you were dead, the Cullen's were gone, and your father had been left alone, unprotected. Sadly, we didn't know what he knew, if he knew anything at all. So we had to take him, and we had to make sure he didn't know anything."

I stared in horror at what I was hearing. I wasn't the only one appalled by it. Jacob and Blake were shaking, and I wanted to touch them, to tell them to calm down, but I couldn't move. Aro looked at us with mischief in his eyes, and I knew the story wasn't over yet.

"It turns out he didn't know anything about what the Cullen's really were, but then, he did know about us. So what did we do? Well, maybe this will explain it better than any words I could possibly use." He snapped his fingers, and the backdoors opened, revealing more vampire guards. They marched out like soldiers, and I gasped loudly when I recognised the dark red eyes from one of the vampires; the eyes of my father.