Disclaimer- All recognizable characters belong to Mrs. Stephenie Meyer, whereas all new characters belong to me.

Chapter 11-Work On It

I nodded my head, perusing through the crowds or lycans, watching them practice their moves. They were good, quick and agile in their actions. I still hadn't talked to Edward. I was avoiding it. So sue me. With my hands on my hips, I walked to Jose and Phillip. "They should be fine. You've trained them well."

Phillip grinned. "Thanks, Noleen."

I gave him a quick pat on the shoulder and left, heading up the stairs quickly. Kirasha was outside, meditating with her people. I glanced out the window, amazing by the beauty of each and every one of them.

"They're powerful creatures. Good allies." A voice suddenly said.

I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest. "What do you want, Edward?"

He looked down at me, his eyes dark. "How many times do I have to apologize, Bella?"

I so did not have the time or the energy for this. "Until I believe it."

He growled, clenching his fists. "I do mean it, Bella. How can you think I don't?"

"Because, you haven't been that sympathetic, have you? It's like you just expect me to roll over and forgive you! I can't do that, Edward. I won't."

"I didn't know it wasn't you!"

"How could you not! I'm your wife, Edward. You should've known it wasn't me! You should've been able to tell! Hope could tell, and she's fuckin' four!" I hissed, not wanting to cause a scene. Before Edward could reply, I cut him off. "I'm not dealing with this right now. I've got too much on my fucking hands to try and explain to you why I'm so pissed off. If you can't tell...maybe we shouldn't be together after all."

Then I walked off, my heart breaking with every step I took.

...

Annebelle wasn't stupid. She wasn't going to come to Volterra without a full-fledged army on her hands. While I had good fighters on my side, our number wasn't as big as hers would surely be. I couldn't help but feel we were signing up for our deaths...that this was an un-winnable war.

You can't think like that. I told myself. You have people to protect, people to watch over. You can't sit here and mope, wondering if you should just throw the towel and give up.

I sighed, rubbing my temple as I tried to think of what I was gonna do. We could barricade the doors, place guards at each entrance...but she'd just blast right through.

"Come on, Bella. Think, think!" I muttered to myself.

I was sitting alone in the conference room, waiting for a light bulb to pop up above my head. So far, I had nothing. A big ol' pile of fail. As I sat, my head on the table, the door opened. I didn't look up to see who'd come in. Frankly, I didn't care. If it was someone coming to kill me...well...they'd be doing me a favor.

"Why are you laying on the table?" Aro asked.

I turned my head so I could see him, groaning as I said, "Because I have no clue what we're going to do."

"We're going to fight."

I rolled my eyes, watching as he took a seat beside me. "Yeah, I knew that part. But, how? Where will we stay, who will go where? Where's the best place to try and get her before she comes within Volterra walls? Can we even stop her from getting in?"

"So many questions."

"Yeah, and no fucking answers. I'm just...I just don't know what to do."

He nodded his head, leaning back in his chair, a smile on his face. "Yes, well, I've been doing this a lot longer than you. So, here's what I'm thinking. We post a mixture of lycanthropes and Kirasha's people outside, attack Annebelle as soon as she comes. In the main halls, we'll have our soldiers, waiting in the wings. In the front hall, we'll have the rest of the weres and faeries. And in here-"

"I'll be in here." I cut in, my voice blunt.

He frowned. "Not by yourself."

I nodded my head. "Yes, by myself. She wants me, Aro. So...let her come. Ash, Mike, Flora, Manny, Yuzria...they'll all be outside the door, in that hallway. Edward too, if he wishes."

"And the rest of us? Caius, Marcus, myself, and Jane? Her brother?"

"Split yourselves up. You know all the 'secret' corridors. Use them to our advantage. Strike invisibly, like you love to do."

He sighed, looking at me with his deep red eyes. "There's big risk in your plan."

"I know. But...I have to finish this, Aro. On my own."

He put a hand on mine, squeezing it gently. "But you forget, my dear girl, you're not on your own. You have us. You have your friends, your family."

"I know. And I would die if anything happened to any of you."

"So, you're just going to sacrifice yourself for us?"

I paused, looking at his shoulder. "Uh...yeah. I guess."

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "I can't stop you, can I?"

I gave it a moments thought before saying, "No. Probably not."

He nodded his head, pulling me close to him in a tight embrace. "She comes...you fight. You understand me? Use everything you have. Don't let her win. Don't back down."

"I won't," I whispered, feeling tears I couldn't cry prickle beneath my eyelids. "Thank you, Aro. For everything."

He pulled apart, a smirk on his face. "Don't thank me yet. It seems far too much like a goodbye. And, you're not going anywhere. I have the utmost faith in you. Always have."

I smiled, kissing his cheek softly. "Thanks."

He winked, stood up, and left me-the door clicking closed behind him.

...

The library was warm, a fire crackling in the hearth. I sat on my couch, my legs draped over one arm. Pressing my head against the back, I closed my eyes. Memories rushed through me. From when I first met Edward, to when I met Lanina, and Yuzria. When I picked Hope up the day of the battle with Mitchell, her crying form in my hands. The day I joined the Volturi...the moment I learned I was a guardian...so many things. I had gone through a lot, both good and bad. I killed, I lied, I cheated...I loved.

I couldn't help but wonder where I'd be if Annebelle hadn't attacked me that day driving home. Would I have a good working husband, a white picket fence, and the standard two point five kids? Or would I be alone, pining over a man I'd loved when I was eighteen and young?

Where did I truly want to be? Here, or there? What would my life have been like without Lanina, Travis, Ash, Mike, Manny, and Flora...Yuzria...Hope. My beautiful daughter Hope. If I hadn't saved her, would she have died that day, with her mother?

I didn't know. There was no way I could. The past was the past, I couldn't change it. I didn't think I wanted to.

A knock came from the door, interrupting my thoughts. I opened my eyes, not surprised to see Edward walk in. "Why are you here?" I asked him wearily.

"I don't want us to go into this fight angry at each other."

"You should've thought of that before you macked on Rosalie."

He threw the door shut and strode towards me, his eyes black. "I did not know it wasn't you. How many times do I have to tell you?"

I cocked my head to the side, standing slowly. "Are you really going to sit here and yell at me, Edward?"

He sighed, his eyes fading back to their regular topaz. "No...no. I just...how I can I get you to realize it was all a mistake? One I wish I hadn't made."

"You and me both," I muttered, tossing a stray piece of hair behind my ear. Then, I put a hand on his chest, applying pressure. "I feel you, Edward. Even when you're not around. I can sense you. That's how much I love you." I removed my hands. "I just wish you could say the same. That you love me enough to tell who I am, and who I'm not."

He looked down at the floor. "Bella..." He looked back up, his eyes glazed over-as if he were going to cry. "I don't know what happened," he whispered.

I sank back into the couch. "With Rosemary, or...with us?"

He exhaled, sitting beside me. "Both. I guess...you're always gone, Bella. I never see you. How can I love a person who's never here?"

I bit back a sob threatening to escape from past my lips. "So...what...this is all my fault?"

"No, of course not. I'm just...I wish...We're not the same."

I stood, anger beginning to flow through my veins. "No. You're not gonna do this. You're not gonna let me go after four years because you're fucking tired. We have been through too much."

"You can't make a person love you-"

"You told me you wouldn't hurt me again! You promised!" I yelled, holding up my wedding band. "You looked into my eyes and you told me you would take me as I am, forever. That included my job, my duties. Now, I'm sorry you're not getting the attention you want. But, have you ever stopped to think about how hard this is on me?"

He was silent.

I laughed bitterly. "No...of course you haven't." I grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up so he was standing, and then pressed a passionate kiss to his lips. He responded, holding me warmly, running his hands through my hair. I pulled back, inhaling and exhaling. "You tell me you feel nothing."

"Bella-"

"Tell me you feel nothing between us! Tell me!"

He paused, looking down at me, stroking my cheek with his thumb. "I can't."

I nodded my head. "Then you work on whatever funk you're in. Because I still love you, Edward. And I know you still love me." I began to walk away, stopping with my hand on the doorknob. "I just wish you'd stop hurting me so damn much." I whispered, leaving before he could respond.


A/N: Sigh. I know. It's been a while. Been busy. Sorry about the wait. Thanks to everyone for sticking with me. Especially: 1ntricate, kimberly128, FireInHeaRt29, Elven at Heart, dorkiegrl2, junayd, twilighterfan26, animallover0109, sexyangelbunny, mjsnotebook, kikyo88, beachlvr14, and Miss Wannabe for reviewing. I appreciate it, y'all rock! Hope you guys liked this chapter. Thanks for reading!
Faith