a/n I'm so sorry this chapter has taken me so long to write, and that I didn't get chance to reply to all your fab reviews. I won't bore you with excuses. Thank you so much for continuing to read and review this story, I always love reading your thoughts and theories. Huge thanks to Gemmah, for her all her support and encouragement, and especially to Tigerlilylace for beta'ing this in record time.

We are also nearing the end, only about 4 or 5 chapters left, I think.

Disclaimer: SM owns everything Twilight related.

Changing

BPOV

Pain.

Deep rooted, excruciating pain.

That's all I registered as his teeth sank into my body, over and over. It was like knives traveling through my veins, and I think I passed out several times, only to be brought round by a fresh incision from his teeth. I wanted to push him off, but my arms hung uselessly by my side as my strength ebbed away. This is so not the way I wanted to die.

I continued to slip in and out of consciousness, barely registering the sound of voices and people arguing. I felt myself fly through the air and slam into the wall but just before I slipped under again I heard the one voice I'd been praying for.

Edward.

I didn't feel or hear anything else until I became aware of being lifted slightly, hard arms wrapped gently round my body. Bits and pieces of conversation floated around me, but they made no sense.

"You're going to die, now..."

"...sees the future?"

"...tortured everything out of her."

I knew it was James and Edward, but I couldn't understand what they were talking about. But when Alice began shouting, I had a moment of startling clarity and understood her perfectly, almost immediately wishing I hadn't.

"What about her? She's been through fucking hell, and you're standing there wondering if you can still be with her because it was James that turned her?"

It took a moment for the words to register.

He didn't want me anymore?

Nooooo!

My heart clenched, and pain ripped through me, but it had nothing to do with the venom. Alice's words echoed round my head, as I struggled to hang on to consciousness. It was all in vain though and my mind slowly closed itself off again and I drifted towards the blackness. It was a welcome relief from all the pain, but I was snatched from it all to soon, as the venom coursing through my veins made its presence known again.

My body began to thrash around, without my consent, but there was little I could do to stop it. I heard moans and whimpers coming from my mouth, but I wasn't really aware I was making them. Minutes later, fire shot out from my neck and flew down my arms and legs.

"!" I screamed with everything I had, struggling against the weights pinning me down. Just when I thought I would die from the pain, I felt a cooling surge spreading up left arm. It kept on going, flowing throughout my body and putting out the raging fire inside. Without the pain to keep me awake, I finally collapsed, exhausted, into a drug induced unconsciousness. Blissfully unaware of the changes happening inside me.

-oxo-

EPOV

The car was quiet as we made our way back to Forks; Emmett and Jasper eventually fallen as silent as Alice and I. I kept my arms tightly wrapped around Bella, even thought she didn't need restraining any longer. I couldn't believe the morphine had worked but the evidence was laying peacefully in my lap. I knew her body was being altered from the inside out, but looking at her now, you'd think she was just sleeping.

Her blood was changing too, as I leaned down and took a deep breath, her scent was no longer as appealing as it used to be; the venom slowly diluting it and replacing it with something just as fragrant though it no longer made my mouth water. Well, not as mush as before anyway. As I ran my eyes along the lines of her delicate neck, they still focused on her pulsing vein and I found it increasing difficult to look away. Her heart was still going strong and pumping both blood and venom around her body. I watched in fascination, totally unaware that I was licking my lips.

"Edward?"

I heard Jasper calling my name, but I ignored him; the pull of Bella's veins keeping my eyes trained firmly on her throat still.

"Edward!" he said a little more firmly.

"What?" I snapped, but didn't look up.

"When was the last time you fed?"

What? Why the fuck would he ask-

"Fuck!" I hissed, shutting my eyes and dropping my head back on the seat to avoid looking at Bella. Had I really just been thinking about drinking her blood?

"Too long." I muttered in answer to Jasper's question. With everything that had happened, I hadn't had the time or the inclination to hunt and now I was getting beyond hungry, but I still didn't want to leave her side, not for one fucking minute.

"You need to hunt," he said, turning round in his seat to look at me. "As soon as we reach the cottage."

We'd called Carlisle and filled him in on the situation and he'd suggested we take Bella to the cottage where Jasper had taken Alice. He didn't want the Volturi to find out about her before we had a chance to explain, and that meant having no trace of her in the house. That was assuming that they arrived before she woke up. Once she was awake, there would be no hiding her from them.

I knew Jasper was right, but there was no way I was going anywhere when we got there.

"No." I replied. "I'm not leaving her side."

"You need to feed! For fuck's sake Ed-"

"I'm not leaving her." I cut in, causing him to glare at me and I could tell he really wanted to reach over the seat and hit me. I couldn't blame him, I was being incredibly careless. A hungry vampire was dangerous and unstable, but I just couldn't bring myself to leave her side for even a second.

"Fuck! Fine," he cursed, turning round and facing the front again. "We'll work something out."

Thankfully, no-one spoke for the remainder of the journey and it wasn't long before we were in familiar surroundings and pulling up outside the cottage.

Jasper was out first and opened my door, obviously wanting to take Bella from me so that I could get out of the car. As he put his hand on her shoulder, I couldn't prevent the snarl that bubbled up out of my chest and pulled her protectively towards me. He whipped his hand away and stepped back away from the car.

"Calm the fuck down, Edward! I was just going to help you get her out."

I took a few deep breaths trying to will my irrational surge of anger away. I knew I was acting like this because I was hungry and it was only going to get worse if I didn't feed soon. I shook my head a couple of times and turned to face Jasper.

"Fuck, I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean it. I just..."

"Need to feed," he finished for me.

"Yeah." I looked back down at Bella and didn't know how I was going to tear myself away to go hunt. I didn't want to let her out of my sight ever again.

"Look, man," he said, smiling slightly. "I know exactly how you're feeling."

I gave him a sad smile in return because I knew he was right. Less than a week ago he'd been in the same situation with Alice.

"How about Emmett, Alice and I go hunt and bring you a little something back?" he asked, resigned to the fact that I wasn't going to leave the cottage anytime soon.

"Thanks, Jazz. That-"

"I'm not leaving her if he isn't," Alice cut in as she hopped out of the car and went to stand beside Jasper. He took one look at her stubborn face and threw his hands into the air.

"Fine!" he sighed, no doubt pissed off with the pair of us. "Emmett and I will bring you both something back." With that he motioned to Emmett and they both disappeared into the surrounding forest.

-oxo-

I carried Bella inside and took her straight through to the back bedroom. Her clothes had pretty much been ruined by James and I took no time in removing everything but her bra and panties. I handed them off to Alice with a look that screamed 'just burn the fuckers'.

She disappeared with them held between her fingers, her face a picture of distaste. When she returned five minutes later, empty handed, I didn't ask and she didn't seem to want to tell. We sat watching Bella in companionable silence, the morphine still appeared to be working because the only sound she made was the odd whimper now and again.

"Edward?" Alice asked, breaking the silence. It was the first time she'd really spoken to me since the cabin incident and I could tell from the tone of her voice that this wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation.

"What?" I sighed resignedly.

"Were you serious, when you were thinking that about Bella?" She turned slightly in her chair so she could see my face. "Back in the cabin I mean."

"I know when you mean, Alice." I replied, thinking of how best to answer. As much as I didn't want to, I decided to go with the truth.

"Yes, I'm fucking ashamed to say, for that one split second, I was deadly serious."

"And now? Do you still feel like that at all?"

"Fuck no!" I whispered harshly. "I just saw what he'd done to her and I lost it for a second. His smell was all over her, inside her, it was just a fleeting thought and I fucking wish I could take it back, but I can't."

She regarded me closely for a second before turning her gaze back towards Bella.

"His scent is still all over her though and his venom is still inside her. Are you sure you're ok with it now?"

"Yes, of course I'm sure. " I answered, my voice soft but firm as I continued to watch the steady rise and fall of Bella's chest. "All I care about is Bella. I love her, Alice, and when she wakes up I'm going to show just how fucking much."

I saw a small smile appear on Alice's face, but she didn't say anything else.

We lapsed back into silence, listening to the constant beat of Bella's heart. Her skin was getting paler, almost the same color as mine and Alice's now. Her long thick hair, splayed out across the pillow, looked darker. I leaned forward and took her hand, stroking it gently. She was still warm to the touch, considerably cooler than normal, but still warm to me. I made the most of these last human moments; I would miss all these things about her, yes, but things between us would be so much better. She'd be stronger, faster and most importantly far less breakable.

Dinner is served people.

I couldn't help but grin as I heard Emmett's thoughts. I guess he and Jasper were back already. I informed Alice that food was here and we walked outside to see what they'd brought.

"Here you go." Emmett said as he and Jasper stood holding a couple of large looking deer. I could detect their very faint heart beats, they were still alive, barely.

"Thanks." I managed, before snatching the deer out of Emmett's hands as my hunger took over. I vaguely heard him grumbling about my 'lack of manners' but I was too busy drinking to give a shit.. Since I didn't hear a thing from Jasper, I could only assume Alice had been a bit more dignified in getting her meal from him.

We drank the animals dry and tossed them into the trees to deal with later. I wanted to get back to Bella. Before any of us could move, however, I heard the thoughts of the last person I wanted to see today. The others groaned in unison when our visitors emerged from the forest.

"Cullen." Jake and three of his pack had phased into human form just in front of us.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I hissed, looking over our unwelcome visitors with a grimace. I knew perfectly well why they were here though.

Bella.

Obviously news had traveled fast, I had no idea how they found out, I imagine they'd been watching my family's house somehow, but we hadn't yet been home. I guessed they were more resourceful than we gave them credit for.

"You know exactly why we're here, so don't even fucking try to deny it." Jacob replied, his fists clenching at his side. His mind was filed with images of how he was going to destroy me for biting Bella. He was eager, looking forward to telling me I'd broken the treaty, and therefore that me and my family were now fair game. I allowed myself to smile a little because he was going to be so sorely fucking disappointed.

"I assume it's about Bella?"

"Of course it's about Bella, and what you did to her!" He took a deep breath as he began to shake. I glanced at my family who were now gathered either side of me, poised and ready for action. "There's no way to talk yourself out t it this time, Cullen. The treaty is broken, I just need to see her to prove it. Are you going to deny me? Because that will do just as well."

He was grinning darkly now, along with the rest of the pack. The anticipation of an all out fight to the death was pumping through all of them.

"I'll let you see her, but you're wrong."

His eyes narrowed as his gaze snapped back to mine.

"The fuck I am!" he roared and took a step towards me. Everyone else tensed, ready to attack at any second. "I can hear her heart from here. It's not beating as it's supposed to, she's changing into what you fucking made her!"

"Yes, she's changing, but I didn't bite her."

"It doesn't fucking matter which one of you Cullens did it, you're still going to die."

I saw the attack in his head and before he had chance to act, I flew out of the way holding my hands up.

"Stop!" I yelled out, causing him to halt after he'd recovered from falling when I'd moved out of the way. "We didn't bite her, it was James. And he is no fucking member of my family. We tried to stop him but it was too fucking late."

"I don't believe you." His thoughts betrayed him however and I could already hear the doubts beginning to surface. "You want nothing more than to have her like you."

"I don't deny that the idea had crossed my mind, but I would never have done it without her permission. He'd already done it when we reached the cabin. There was nothing we could do. We haven't broken the fucking Treaty."

Jacob and I continued to stare at one another, while his mind struggled to accept that there might not be cause for a fight anymore. The rest of the pack were equally pissed off, but they wouldn't back down until ordered to by their Alpha.

"I don't trust you. I want to see for myself."

"Fine. Follow me."

I didn't want him anywhere near her, but I didn't want an all out fight with the wolves either.

"The rest of your pack stays here."

He nodded his agreement and followed me inside, leaving my family and the remaining wolves to silently face off against each other as they waited for us to come back out.

I led Jake through the relatively small cottage towards the bedroom where we'd put Bella. I paused before opening the door hating the fact that I had no choice but to let him in there. As I walked in, I heard his sharp intake of breath as Bella's pale form came into view.

"Fuck," he whispered, as though he was afraid to wake her. "She's already starting to look like one of you."

I knew he meant it as an insult, but I couldn't help the surge of emotion that bubbled up inside of me. Bella was going to be one us soon. While I was more than a little anxious about how she would react to the way this was forced on her, I was also beyond excited to finally show her my world. I decided it was best not to let Jacob see my reaction to his words and kept my emotions hidden.

He walked over to the side of the bed and carefully sat down, taking her hand in his. I managed to stifle the growl that threatened to burst out of my chest as he touched her.

Just.

He took a deep breath in and I watched his features darkened.

"Jesus Christ. I can smell him all over her. He's the one who she met in the woods isn't he? I recognize the scent." I nodded in confirmation. "What the hell did he do to her?"

I knew this meant that we were off the hook, because Jacob now knew we hadn't broken the Treaty, but his question brought back all sorts of horrific images from the cabin and this time I did growl.

Loudly.

Jake's head whipped round at the sound and his expression changed from concerned to smug in a second.

"Oh, this must fucking kill you." He laughed as he let go of Bella's hand and stood up. "Knowing that another vampire has been and done what you couldn't. Taken something that you can never get back." He walked forward until he was right in front of me. Taunting me. "I bet it must eat you up inside to know that another's venom is flowing through her veins instead of yours."

"I don't care about any of that." I spat out through gritted teeth.

"Yeah, sure you don't" he laughed as I practically vibrated with rage.

"I love her, you fucker..." I hissed and lunged for his throat. I was immediately pulled backwards by an iron grasp and bombarded with Emmett's thoughts. He must have run in from outside, which was fucking lucky for Jacob because he just saved his life.

Don't. It's what the little prick wants. He's not what's important here.

He shifted me slightly until I was facing the bed, where Bella had started to thrash about and moan.

She is.

"You, out. Now." he said to Jacob, in a tone that suggested any arguing would end in serious pain.

"With pleasure." he replied and stepped around us towards the door. "I got what I came for." I felt myself calm considerably as soon as he left the cottage.

"How did you know?" I asked, referring to him arriving in time to stop me from killing Jacob. I hurried over to the bed as I waited for his reply, taking Bella's hand in mine and smoothing her hair away from her forehead.

"Because he's a dick."

He didn't need to say anymore and left me alone while I tried to calm Bella down. I continued to stroke her hair, all the time whispering that I loved her and that it didn't matter that it was James who had turned her. I wanted her with me forever. Eventually she stopped moving and returned to the soft whimpering from before. I stayed where I was though, content to sit watch her as she slowly became just like me.

-oxo-

Night had fallen on our little hideaway, when my phone's incessant ring-tone roused me from my thoughts. I'd been imagining what it would be like to hunt with Bella by my side, teaching her how to stalk our prey and take them down with the least amount of effort. The image of her feeding had me so instantly hard, I had to stop that line of thinking quickly. I took a quick look at the phone's caller ID and flipped it open.

"Carlisle?" We'd only spoken a few hours earlier, so I was a little wary about why he would be calling now.

"You, Alice and Jasper need to come back to the house, now. The Volturi are coming."

"What? Why didn't Alice see anything?"

"I have no idea, but I just received a courtesy call fromAro, saying a contingent of his would be with us shortly and that he expects the whole family to be there to greet them."

"Fuck! I can't leave Bella all alone, it's not safe. What if she wakes up?"

"She should have another day at least, and Alice can keep an eye on her future, to see when she'll wake up."

I snorted loudly, as I said my goodbyes and hung up. After missing something as big as the Volturi coming I didn't really trust Alice's abilities at the minute. I heard footsteps running down the hall outside and frantic thoughts all over the place.

Talk of the devil...

"Edward! We have to call Carlisle immediately. The Volturi are coming, they'll-"

Alice stopped mid sentence as I waved my phone at her.

"Carlisle beat you to it."

"What?"

"Aro called him, his people will be here soon." I raised a questioning eyebrow at her.

"But...how? I've been watching for Aro to make a decision and I didn't see anything until now, I swear."

She looked panicked and I suddenly felt guilty for blaming her. It was no fun when you couldn't rely on your abilities any more. We sat in silence for a few minutes, when a thought suddenly occurred to me.

"Maybe it wasn't Aro's decision."

"What do you mean?"

"You said you were watching Aro, well maybe it wasn't his decision this time and that's why you didn't see it."

"It's possible," she said, looking a bit brighter. "Either way, we need to get back to the house. Emmett is already there, so it's just me you and Jasper."

"We can't leave her on her own." I said, looking back down at Bella.

"She's not going anywhere Edward. And with James out of the way and Jacob in charge of the wolf pack, there's no danger to her around here. We can lock her in and I'll keep an eye on her. I'll be able to see the exact time she's going to wake up and we can get back here in time. Trust me."

I couldn't help but scoff a little at that, because I still had my doubts about her seeing the future, despite what I'd said a minute ago.

"I care about her too. Do you think it's easy for me to leave her?"

"No." I replied, feeling guilt washing back over me. "I suppose not."

I gave Bella one last kiss and reluctantly followed after Alice.

-oxo-

Jasper , Alice and I arrived back at the house, just as Carlisle and Esme were coming out.

"Going somewhere?" I asked Carlisle, a hint of confusion in my voice. "I thought we were all waiting on the Volturi?"

"We are." He nodded his head, gesturing behind me and I heard the unmistakable sound of tires crunching on gravel.

They were here.

a/n so... the Volturi will be up next. Any ideas as to how that will go? Go on, review and let me know. I'm on holiday for 2 weeks from Jul 30th, so the next chapter may take longer than I would like. I'll be camping, so there's absolutely no chance of me updating while i'm away, lol.

Rec:

If you like a bit of Slash, you must read this...

http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/7001938/1/Roads by prassacut

When Edward & Jasper met one drunken night, neither of them could have known how much that chance encounter would change their lives. AH/Slash