***Thanks again for all of the responses and alerts. I'm flattered that so many of you are still with me.

***Thanks to my fantastic beta girls! They are the reason you got this chapter a day early!

JPOV

"Peter," I said, still not believing that he was standing in front of me. "How did you know to come?"

"Papa Cullen called me," he said. "Char and I were already abroad, so it didn't take us long to get here."

I was thankful for that. "Is Charlotte with Bella?"

"Yes," he said. "She's trying to be so brave."

"She's doing the best she can," I sighed. "We both are."

"Jasper," he said. "She's a lot stronger than you think."

"I know that she's strong, but she shouldn't have to be. Her son is missing and vampire or not, she's a mother first."

"And, we will let her grieve as a mother, but we'll need her when we go up against Maria. I told you once before that her power would be very effective in battle."

I shook my head. I didn't want to think of my Bella going head to head with Maria. I didn't care that Bella had the active power. Maria was far too cunning and much more dangerous than anything we had ever encountered before. She was older and far more ruthless.

"Maria's not just going to give him back," he said. "She's got her sights set on him, and you know what she is like when she wants something. Cullen is her mini you."

"Alice had a vision of Cullen leading Maria's army." I told him.

"I know," he said. "Tinker Bell filled me in, but she hasn't had the vision in over a day, so that could mean that Cullen is back under Bella's shield."

"I hope you are right." We heard Edward and Claudia coming from the woods.

"Jasper," Edward said. "You made it back."

"Yes, I went for a run to clear my head."

"You spoke to Cullen," he said.

"How did you get into my head so fast?" I asked.

"He's trying to distract himself from getting into mine," Claudia said, and I could feel her anxiety building. She was hiding something, but I didn't have time to analyze her at the moment. She stared at Peter, and I realized that they had never met before. Peter was locked in on her gaze, and I could feel his amusement. I could only imagine what he saw.

"Peter," Edward said. "It's nice to see you again."

"Edward," he said, as he shook his hand. "I see that you found that destiny we spoke about a few years ago."

"I did," Edward responded. "Claudia, this is an old friend of Jasper's. Peter, this is Claudia."

"Hello, Claudia," Peter said, as he continued to stare at her. He turned to me, and I felt his confusion. "How the fuck didn't you see that she was Maria's daughter?"

"I'm an empath, not a seer," I reminded him. "When we first met, there was no reason for me to make that connection."

He turned back to Claudia and looked her over. "She's just like her."

"She's nothing like her," Edward said, but Claudia intervened.

"What makes you say that, Peter?" Claudia asked, and I felt her curiosity building.

"I'm sorry, sugar," Peter said in his most charming southern drawl. "I didn't mean that you were exactly like her, because she was all Team Jasper," he looked at Edward. "But, you do resemble her, and some of your mannerisms remind me of her. I haven't seen her in decades, but observing you brings it all back."

Carlisle came back with Rosalie and Emmett, but once they approached, I could feel Carlisle's apprehension and it seemed to be directed at Claudia. His emotions went from a flicker of joy to worry, and it made me think that he knew what Claudia was hiding. Again, I didn't have time for whatever was going on between the three of them. I needed to get my son back.

"Peter," Carlisle moved toward us. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

"Where else would I be?" He said, as he looked at me. "So, Papa C, what do the freaks at the castle have to say?"

"I just spoke with Aro," he said. "And, he would like to meet with us. I think he's found the leak."

"Who is it?" Edward asked.

"He wouldn't say, but he asked us to meet him in his chambers as soon as possible."

"I can't leave Bella alone," I said. We had already been apart too long today, as it was. "Maria threatened to take her next, and I won't make that mistake twice."

"I'll stay with her," Emmett said. "I won't let that southern belle bitch anywhere near our girl."

"Jasper," Peter said. "Char and I will stay with Bella, too."

I looked to Carlisle for his opinion. "Aro has requested that the three of us join him." He gestured to me and Edward. "Let Peter, Emmett and Charlotte stay here."

"I'll go back out with the Guard and search," Rose said. "I can't just sit here." I felt her aggravation and grief over missing Cullen. Alice appeared in the doorway.

"Rose, Esme, and I are joining Felix," she said. "I just saw it in a vision. Unfortunately, we don't find him tonight." She frowned, and I felt her frustration.

Edward took Claudia's hand and led her away from the rest of us, but we could still hear them.

"I'll go back to the castle with you," Claudia said. "And wait until you are finished with Aro."

"Are you sure?" he whispered, as he stroked her cheek. "I can tell them that I need to be with you instead." I felt how worried he was.

"No," she insisted. "Finding Cullen is more important. What I have to tell you can wait. Just promise me that you will stay out of Carlisle's head."

"Claudia," he said, and I felt his concern spike. "Wait for me in our room."

"I will," she smiled, and I could feel happiness coming from her.

"I need to go in and check on Bella," I said. "I'll meet you at the castle."

"Take your time Jasper," Carlisle said. "Make sure Bella is okay. She needs you."

Everyone took off in different directions, and I made my way to the bedroom. I found my gorgeous girl curled up in a ball on the bed, clinging to Cullen's blanket. He slept with that tattered thing every night, and wouldn't let us replace it. I crawled in next to her and wrapped my arms around her.

"It still smells like him," she said about the blanket.

"I know, sweetheart," I whispered into her hair. "I can smell it." I put the blanket on the top shelf of the closet so that she wouldn't have to do this, but I should have known that she would find it. "I'm sorry I left."

"It's okay," she said. "I understand." She tightened her grip on the blanket, and I felt her despair.

"Darlin'," I said. "I spoke to Cullen and he sounds just fine."

She rolled over to face me. Her eyes widened with shock. "What did he say, Jasper? Is he okay?"

"I didn't get to talk to him very long," I said. ""But, he sounds fine. He wanted to know when we were coming to get him."

"My poor baby," she said. "He must be so scared." I calmed her down.

"No," I said. "I didn't feel any fear coming from him. He's confused and worried, but she's not scaring him. She's actually letting him use his power as often as he likes."

"That must make him feel comfortable," she said. "Did you tell him that you loved him?"

"Of course," I smiled. "I love you too." I pressed my lips to hers.

"I love you too, Jasper," she inched closer to me and settled into my embrace. "I'm glad Peter is here. You need him."

"I need you," I told her. "But, yes, it's good that he is here. Char, Em and Peter are going to stay with you now."

"Where are you going?"

"I need to meet with Aro now. It's about the leak. He's asked for Edward, too."

"Maybe whoever it is will be able to lead us to Cullen."

"I hope so," I sighed.

"Go, Jasper," she said. "Don't worry about me. I'll stay here so that you can focus on getting Cullen back."

"Bella, if you want to come with me, you can." I'd actually prefer having her with me, but I wasn't sure that she could handle coming face to face with the person who was helping Maria. I wasn't even sure I could. Plus, physically she was just getting weaker. Soon, she wasn't going to be able to even get out of that bed.

"No," she said, as she ran her fingers down my cheek. I caught them in my hand and brought them to my lips. "I think it's all getting to me now. I just want to stay here."

She was so drained and she hadn't fed in days. I didn't know how much longer she could last without completely breaking down. I was going to have to speak to Carlisle about this. I sent her a lethargic vibe as I stroked her hair.

"I'll be back soon," I said, as I kissed her lips. "I'll send Char in to sit with you."

She closed her eyes and nodded her head. I could feel how distraught she was. I walked out of the bedroom, and found Charlotte waiting in the hall. She hugged me and I gently kissed her cheek.

"Thanks for coming," I said.

"You couldn't keep us away." She smiled, but I could feel how worried she was.

"Can you stay with Bella?" I asked.

"Yes," she said. "And, I'll try to talk her into feeding, too."

"I don't want her to go without me, but yes, see if you can convince her to go."

"The poor thing," she said. "Her eyes are so black, but I know what she's doing."

I closed my eyes and nodded in response. "She thinks if she feeds, she is somehow betraying Cullen. She doesn't want to do anything in her normal routine until he gets back, but she has to drink, or she won't be able to help us when we need her most."

"I'll try to convince her," she said. "You go find out what we need to do to get that baby back."

Before heading out, I sent Bella another relaxing vibe. I wanted to keep her as calm as possible while I was gone.

When I walked into Aro's quarters, he and Caius were seated next to one another, while Edward and Carlisle sat across from them.

"Come join us," Aro said. "I'm afraid we have some rather disturbing news."

"You don't seem that surprised about your disturbing news," I said. "And since your brother isn't here, I guess I know who your traitor is."

"Yes," Caius said. "I'm afraid Marcus let Maria take advantage of him."

Aro shook his head. "You know how manipulative she can be, and she is the mother of his child."

"But, he's willing to help us now," Edward said. "I can hear it in their thoughts."

"Yes, Edward," Aro said. "Marcus would like to speak to the three of you."

"I don't give a fuck what Marcus has to say," I hissed. "He is just as responsible as Maria."

"Jasper," Carlisle said. "We will hear Marcus out."

"Carlisle," I said. "We can't trust him."

"I don't believe that Marcus will be able to lie with Aro and Edward in the room, listening to his every thought. Plus, you will be able to feel if he isn't being honest."

"Jasper," Caius said. "We don't agree with what Marcus has done, but even you must understand that we have to forgive our brother's mistake." I knew he was referring to my tolerance of Edward's mistake with Bella.

"I think we'll want to hear Marcus out," Edward said.

"Fine," I said. "Like I really have a choice, but you better hear in his head where Cullen is."

"I will," he assured me.

"Marcus," Aro called. "They'll see you now."

I could hear Marcus' footsteps as he approached us. As he got closer, my rage got stronger. He came down the corridor and made his way to us. I couldn't contain my anger, and Edward knew it.

A growl erupted from my chest as he walked through the door, and I sunk into a crouch. I would have lunged, if Edward and Carlisle hadn't grabbed my arms.

"Son," Carlisle said. "Control yourself."

"He helped kidnap my son." I reminded him.

"No," Marcus said. "I didn't know that she took Cullen until it was too late."

"But, you've been helping her. She's been taunting me, and you have allowed her to continue it. Not to mention how confused my son must be."

"She told me she wanted to make you suffer for leaving her all of those years ago. She was very upset that you refused her the other day. She made a last minute decision to take Cullen. She saw an opportunity and she took it."

"And you helped her. He's a baby, and he misses his mother," I hissed, and tried to break free from Edward and Carlisle.

"Jasper," Edward said. "Let him finish." He tightened his grip on my arm.

"I've been helping her elude all of you, because I felt that I owed her for not doing right by her all of those years ago. She told me that she would give Cullen back before she left for Italy, but now she has changed her mind."

"Where is she?" I asked. "I want to go to her now."

"No," Aro said. "If she even senses you coming, she will run and you may never see your son again. Let us figure this out."

"We will hear you out," Carlisle said.

"Carlisle, please," I said. "We can't trust them." I violently pulled against Edward and Carlisle again. I couldn't control the growls coming from me now, and I knew if I really focused, I could hurl them both across the room and go for Marcus' throat. Edward stiffened as he read my thoughts. He knew that they would destroy me if I succeeded.

"Jasper," Aro said. "You don't want to do what you are thinking. I have been doing everything I can to get your son back. I'm even giving up my brother so that you will see that I'm on your side."

"Aro," Carlisle said, as he tried to diffuse the situation. "Please excuse Jasper, he is understandably distraught, but I know he will listen to what you have to say now." I felt Carlisle pleading with me to behave.

I relaxed my body to show them that I was settling down. I nodded at Aro.

"I will allow you that outburst," Aro warned. "But, now you must listen, or I will restrain you and throw you in the lower levels of this building, effectively excluding you from retrieving your son."

"That won't be necessary," I said, because I knew he would make good on that threat. "Please continue."

"When I realized that Maria was planning on keeping Cullen," Marcus said. "I came straight to my brothers."

"She wants a private plane to get her and her coven out of Italy," Caius said. "We will provide it for her the day after tomorrow, as she has requested."

"What?" I yelled. "No!"

"Jasper," Edward said. "It will be a set up. Marcus will arrange it with Maria, and once she is waiting for the plane, we will go in and get Cullen."

"How can we trust that he won't betray us?" I glared at Marcus. "What if he is setting us up?"

"Because Edward and I would be able to hear that in his thoughts," Aro said. "And, as your surrogate father pointed out, you would be able to feel it."

I stared at Marcus, waiting for him to convince me.

"Jasper," he said. "I've made a huge mistake. I allowed Maria to play on my feelings for her, and use the past we once shared. I betrayed my brothers, the Volturi and the Cullen's, and I apologize for that. I truly had no idea that she would kidnap your son, and once she did, I thought I could convince her to give him back. He really is a special child, and Maria sees that potential."

"He's not destined for Maria," Aro said.

"What does that mean?" I said, as I looked at Edward. What does he see?

Edward's jaw tightened, and I felt his disbelief. "Why aren't you blocking me?" he asked Aro.

Aro smiled in response. "Because, Edward, it's time for you to see what I've always seen."

"But," Edward was confused. "Where are Marcus and Caius in that vision?"

"Edward," Caius said. "That vision is in the future, but eventually Marcus and I will step back. We've been at this a long time."

"This is what your seer saw," Edward said, and I could feel his shock. "Jasper and I seated on either side of you."

"What?" I said. "Alice has never seen that. It can't be."

"I'm afraid so, Jasper," Aro said. "But we have many years to work out those details. Alice isn't as powerful a seer as she will be, but right now she can't see everything. I let Edward into my head, so that you would trust us. We need you all intact if what Edward saw in my head is ever going to come to fruition."

"Cullen was in that vision with another man," Edward said. "Who was he?" Again, Edward was emitting so much shock.

"Edward," I said, because his worry was crashing into me. "What's wrong? Is it Cullen?"

"No, he appears to be fine, but there is something very familiar about the other man he is standing with, but I know that I've never seen him before."

I felt Carlisle's realization over Edward's statement. "Edward," he said. "You need to go and speak to Claudia right now."

"You are very perceptive, my old friend," Aro said. "But you are doing a very good job of blocking your son from your current thoughts."

"Carlisle?" Edward inquired. "What is it?"

"Go to Claudia right now," Carlisle said. "We will work things out here, and fill you in later."

"Edward," I said. "Obviously it's important. Please go and we'll meet later."

"Fine," he walked out of the room, and took off running down the hall. I could feel his concern for Claudia increasing.

"What was that about?" I asked.

"Your brother will tell you later," Carlisle said. "Now we need to figure out how to get Cullen back."

"You're right," I said. "But, I have one question concerning your intuitive vampire's vision, Aro."

"All of your questions will be answered in due time, but you are wondering why you and Cullen would appear in the future with me."

"Where is Bella?" I asked, almost not wanting to hear the answer.

"My future-seeing vampire is extremely old and very powerful. Bella's shield doesn't affect him in the least. So, please don't be concerned about your beautiful Bella. She is fine and well in his visions. She will also join you here in the future, as will the rest of your coven." He looked at Carlisle.

Caius cleared his throat. "Jasper, you must understand that his visions are as subjective as Alice's."

"Meaning we have to get Cullen back first, before any of that comes true," Carlisle reminded us.

"Exactly," Aro said. "So, let's get to work."

EPOV

I ran down the corridor to Claudia. I should have found a way to make her tell me what was wrong. Now it seemed as if everyone knew, but me. She needed me and I wasn't there. I knew she understood, but I wanted her to know that she was just as important to me. What was it that had happened in that room to make Carlisle request that I leave so quickly? What was the connection?

Aro's thoughts were so clear that I felt like I was there. Alice's visions were always so sharp, but this felt like it was happening in real time. The only reason I knew that it wasn't, was because Cullen was grown. He looked the same way he did in Alice's earlier vision, except this time his eyes were golden and not crimson, and he was with us and not Maria. As I continued to run, I replayed what I had seen in Aro's head.

Aro sat in a jeweled throne and Jasper was seated to his right, while I was to his left. We were exactly where Marcus and Caius usually sat, and we were cloaked in the most elaborate black robes. There was some kind of inauguration taking place down the hall. Cullen and the other man who appeared to be no older than Cullen, were standing before us. They seemed to be giving us some progress report on the ongoing festivities. Felix stood in the doorway, and he was visibly pleased by what they were saying. Just as that man was about to speak to me, Aro cut his thoughts off from me and ended the vision.

I suddenly realized that I was so caught up in where Marcus and Caius were, that it never occurred to me who he was. I began to recall his face with such clarity; everything was familiar now, right down to his bronze hair and crooked smile. That stopped me dead in my tracks.

***Looks like Claudia has some explaining to do!

***What's up with Aro's version of the future? You didn't think I was going to make this story just about a kidnapping, did you? lol