A/N: Readers, forgive me for such a gap between updates but I do have a good reason this time. In his infinite wisdom my partner decided to wipe our laptop without telling me. Just like that there goes all my work on my fan fiction. Poof. Gone. This chapter was TOTALLY different but because he wiped it all and I can't remember much of what happened except the ball ended there was an argument and Aro overheard Edward saying something about Bella, etc… You see once i've written a chapter I discard it from my mind whilst my boyfriend discarded it from existence. *sob* So lets pretend the phantom chapter never happened and this is what I came up with instead. Please, blame him. Not me. *Hides*

-o-

Since the ball I had done my best to avoid being alone with Aro and luckily fate, or Sulpicia had worked in my favour. Suddenly she went everywhere with him, always one step behind him with her eyes sweeping across the room until she found me. She ensured we were never alone, the only time I was within range of my master was when he called me to sit at his feet. I felt perverse pleasure as I knelt there, my head in his lap as Sulpicia glared at me hatefully from across the room. Even she was not allowed near the thrones that stood proudly in the middle of the room.

Today was the day that the Cullen's returned to America, my emotions warred within me and I couldn't decide if I was happy that they were leaving or saddened by the thought. Over time I had become accustomed to their presence within the castle and seeing Edward hurt less each day. I didn't want them to leave without at least speaking to them, I couldn't say I had forgiven them but perhaps one day I would be able to. With my mind set I made my way down to the grounds, I knew the clan had gone hunting today, the deer here were particularly pleasing to them apparently. I wrinkled my nose in disgust at the thought of only satisfying my thirst with animal blood. As I approached the family stopped and looked at me warily. I held my hands up in what I hoped was a placating gesture, I didn't want to argue.

"Bella, how are you?" It was Esme who approached me first and I smiled at her, my fondness for her coming over me in waves. "I am well Esme, I just came to say goodbye I guess."

"You're sure you want to stay?" Her eyes and tone were kind and a little worried, I couldn't be angry at her anymore, after all how could I be? She cared about me and I wasn't about to throw that back in her face by being rude. So I nodded at her and smiled reassuringly. "Well, you know we're always here if you need us." Esme concluded, looking toward the rest of her family expectantly. They all nodded, some more enthusiastically than others. I looked toward Edward and felt the familiar tightening in my stomach at his beauty.

"I was wondering if I could talk to Edward…" My voice trailed off as a look of surprise shot across his features that I would have missed it if i'd blinked. He walked toward me and gestured for me to walk with him.

"I'm surprised you want to talk to me at all." He glanced down at me and I rolled my shoulders in a shrug. "I think it's time we talked." I admitted, even through the sharp pain that originated somewhere between my ribs.

I

He nodded and I watched his beautiful jaw flex as he steeled himself, prepared for whatever words I could throw at him. "I think its time we both moved on Edward. You can't have loved me, not really. No, listen." I interrupted as he opened his mouth to defend himself, his brow furrowed. "You can't have. You were able to leave, i've since learned that doing such a thing would be impossible for you were we truly meant to be together."

Edward sighed and looked at me as though he was seeing me for the first time. "You're wrong Bella, it killed me to leave you, I was dead inside. I thought I was doing what was best for you. Look, neither of us are going anywhere for a while. You've just been turned, your emotions are all over the place. I just need you to know that i'll be waiting for you, when you're ready." He held my hands in his, his thumb stroking over the perfect skin on the back of my hand. I couldn't help but marvel at how his touch was now all warmth and love when before it had chilled me. I smiled up at him, his golden eyes reflecting his thoughts and I squeezed his hands gently before preparing to let go. He didn't know that I held no love for him now and I couldn't bring myself to tell him, not when there was a possibility of things being amiable between us. After all he had been such a big part of my life that losing him completely and for eternity would hurt more than I cared to admit.

"Isn't this wonderful, Edward and Bella have reconciled." As I went to whip my hands away from his, Edward tightened his grip with such fierceness I was sure my hands would have broken were they still human. I didn't need to look up, if I hadn't already felt the power rolling off my master in waves his voice alone was striking enough.

"I was just saying goodbye to the Cullen's, Master." I intoned quietly, still trying to pry my fingers from Edwards without making it obvious. I glanced up and saw my Masters eyes fixed on our hands, apparently I hadn't been as subtle as i'd hoped.

"So I see, I believe Isabella would like you to release her now, Edward." There was a steely edge to his tone and for a moment I felt Edward loosen his grip in fear, before it tightened tenfold as he pulled me toward him.

"Come home with us Bella, we all miss you. Charlie misses you." His golden eyes pleaded with me and I felt a sob build within my chest as I pictured my father, alone in the kitchen waiting for me. "You can come home Bella, we can help you live a normal life." His tone was so inviting and the picture he painted so welcoming that for a moment I was lost in the fantasy.

"What a lovely little idea, i'm afraid you're forgetting one thing dear Edward." The warmth fled from me as I heard my master speak, his tone was that of pure ice. "She belongs to me."

There was a snarl and suddenly my hands were free as Edward was thrown from me, his body a blur through the trees as Aro stood tall before me. Power and anger radiating from him in waves, even I felt the urge to cower as he snarled and whipped his head around to look at me. His shining black hair moved with him and his eyes blazed an even deeper red with fury. "Is that what you want dearest Bella, to run back home with Edward? To defy your master?" He towered over me and I couldn't help but fall to my knees, his dominance frightening me even as his power thrilled me. "Remember what you swore Isabella." His voice mocked the beautiful way that he usually spoke my name and I felt a stab of pain pierce my heart. "Even if you fail to keep that oath I will still have you. You are MINE, by will or by force I will have you."

Before I could speak, before I could even let Aro know that i'd had no intention of leaving with the Cullen's; Edward was back, his magnificence paling in comparison to my master's as he lunged, arms outstretched. Time seemed to move in slow motion as I met my masters eyes and saw the pain and lust within them just before he span gracefully on his heel and intercepted Edward. He span him and slammed him to the ground, his body making a sickening crunch as it hit the dirt. As I watched I had the vague notion of wondering why on earth Aro Volturi needed a guard, he was the most powerful Vampire I had ever seen.

I watched half in horror and half in wonder as my master held Edwards head in his hands, one of which was clenched in the beautiful bronze hair I used to adore. Ready to tear him apart. I knew then in that moment that only I could stop this, the Cullen's were being held back by the guard and even if they could reach Aro in time there would only be a greater bloodbath, only be more lives lost. All because of me.

"Master… Aro." I spoke softly and raised my eyes to his, waiting for him to look at me. I could tell he heard me by the single breath he released just before he raised his eyes. "Please, don't do this."

Disgust twisted my master's features and I knew that had been the wrong thing to say, his grip tightened as he regarded me. "Begging for his life again, little one? How touching."

I shook my head once and met his eyes unfailingly. "No, i'm begging you not to give me cause to hate you." This made him pause, he looked up from Edward who was paralysed at his feet, able to do nothing when faced with the power of the Vampire holding him.

"So you do love him." There was a desolate tone of loss to my master's voice and I couldn't help but stand and rush to him, I placed my hand atop his and I knew what I had to do. I knew the only way to save Edward was to prove I didn't love him anymore.

"No Aro, not him." I prepared myself for just a moment, in the split second it took for recognition to dawn on Aro's face and despair on Edwards I allowed myself to accept my fate. To accept the future that was laid out before me. One of sacrifice and of loneliness, after all how could I be happy loving a man who was forever tied to another? But I knew I had to do it, for the second time I had to sacrifice myself to save Edward Cullen, and so I let the shield around my thoughts snap and let everything through.

I was vaguely aware of Aro releasing Edward to grab me instead, his hands held mine and we both leant on each other for support as I filtered everything through to him. I watched as he saw our first meeting and my perception of him, felt embarrassed as he witnessed my dreams and numb as he saw my realisation of my love for him. I let it all go and I felt momentarily free of the burden until suddenly it all stopped and I fell to my knees once again, completely drained.

I was only distantly aware of voices and strong arms picking me up and carrying me away, I glimpsed Edward surrounded by his family and I felt relief, he was safe. I had risked my deepest, darkest secret to save him, I didn't know why but apparently some part of me would always care for him. With that thought I let the darkness swallow me, it was a relief to finally be able to rest.

A/N: Let me know what you thought dear ones.