Author's Note: I own none of this. I only like to borrow Stephenie Meyer's creations and play with them. I only wish I could have the creative mind like that. Oh well…

A special thanks to 'Starbucks.' He doesn't know that I'm sending him a shoutout because he's not a part of the fandom, BUT he saved my files on my now defunct computer. You rock, dude!

Also, thank you to Illicit Writer for the awesome banner! If you want to see it, check it out on my blog! Link in my profile!

Chapter Twenty-One: Decisions and Transitions

BPOV

You stupid bitch," Marcos seethed. "You are an abomination to all supernatural creatures. A vampire AND a witch? What the fuck?!"

"Oh, okay, genius. You're a fucking demon and you're calling ME an abomination," I snapped. I pressed further into the ground and straddled his body. He wiggled against my hold. Victoria was still frozen. I smelled Edward and smiled sweetly.

With a roar, Marcos tried to move from my grip. His body morphed into something larger than James. He had alabaster skin, white hair and freaky chartreuse eyes. I was thrown from his body and hurdled against the house. When he changed, I lost my hold on Marcos and Victoria. Edward came up and snarled loudly. Rose ran into Emmett's arms. I dashed next to Edward. The power between us ignited. His hand snaked under my shirt and I blasted Marcos clear over the house. Edward froze Victoria and told Emmett to keep her hostage.

We moved to the other side of the house. Marcos glared at us. "You'll never survive," he growled.

"No, that would be you," I spat. With my mind, I tore off one his arms and flung it toward the bay. Marcos howled in pain. He moved toward us. Alice appeared out of nowhere and pressed her hand to Edward's neck. My power increased exponentially. With a shriek, I flicked my hands and Marcos' skin erupted in boils and bubbles.

"You bitch," Marcos growled angrily. "You will die!"

Another flick of my wrists and Marcos' leg fell from his body. He fell to his knee and tried to crawl towards us. Jasper came up behind Alice and pushed all of his strength toward us. That was the final boost that I needed. With a feral snarl, I flicked my hands and Marcos exploded, covering us in his acidic blood. I collapsed against Edward, darkness consuming me.

"Bella! Bella!" Edward screamed as I faded out of consciousness.

EPOV

My wife slumped against me. I couldn't hear her and I panicked. I couldn't draw on her power to do anything. Thankfully, Marcos was destroyed. Alice and Jasper were dealing with a shrieking Victoria. "Bella, baby, please wake up," I murmured, stroking her cold cheeks.

"You need to get her to feed, Edward," Alice said. "Ten miles south, mountain lions. You'll need to kill it for her and force it down her throat."

I nodded and scooped her up. I darted away, holding my reason for living against my chest. She was dead weight, not moving or breathing. She looked dead. She felt dead. I couldn't lose her.

I smelled the mountain lions. I gently placed Bella onto the ground, brushing her hair away from her face. "I'll be back love, with something for you to regain you strength." With a sigh, I lithely attacked one of the mountain lions, injuring it to draw blood from its body. I carried the squirming cat toward my wife and held it down. Bella's nose twitched. "Smell it, baby. It'll make you better."

She moaned and opened her blackened eyes. "So tired, Edward," she whispered.

"I know, baby. Drink," I said as I offered the lion to her. Wearily, she latched onto its neck and pulled deeply from the mountain lion. Immediately, her skin pinked up and she was able to sit up on her own.

"I need more, Edward," she whispered, still incredibly weak. I nodded and quickly buried the now dead lion. I found two more cats, draining for myself. I had become drained during the battle and needed to replenish. I repeated the injuring action with the second cat for Bella. She was standing shakily, leaning against a large sequoia tree. Once she saw the mountain lion, she hissed and lunged for the animal. With ferocity, she drained him quickly. Tossing the carcass onto the ground, Bella dashed off in search of her own food. I followed close behind. She managed to drink from some moose and a handful of deer before slumping onto a nearby log. "What was that?" she whimpered. "I've never felt so exhausted…"

"I don't know, Bella," I said. Her mind was still silent to me. I couldn't hear her but I desperately needed to. I sat down next to her, caressing her cheeks. "Apparently, that was a taste of what's going to happen with the Volturi."

"If we're losing someone, it's probably going to be me," she muttered darkly.

"NO! I will not lose you, Isabella," I snapped. "If you die, I die. I cannot live without you."

"I'm not strong enough to kill them, Edward," she said, her now golden eyes blazing in fire. "It took you, me, Jasper and Alice for me to defeat Marcos. Then I fucking fainted."

"He's the strongest demon you've faced besides James," I said as I cupped her heart-shaped face.

"Edward, we're vampires. I shouldn't be fainting," she snarled.

"It wasn't a faint, baby. You collapsed because your power was sapped from you because of the destruction of Marcos."

"What if that happens while we fight the Volturi? You can't whisk me away to get me mountain lions in the heat of battle?" she mumbled pathetically. "I'd be an easy target."

"We need to work on your strength, Bella," I said quietly. "If this had happened a few weeks ago, it wouldn't have been so favorable. The mental Olympics that we've been pushing you through has helped your mental strength and I'm so proud of you."

"If you're so proud, then why do I feel like a failure?" she asked, her golden eyes beseeching me.

"Because you killed, Bella," I answered. "You killed two sentient beings in Renata and Marcos. You are not a failure. You are feeling remorse and that's what makes us different from other vampires. We still have our humanity, love."

"Okay," she replied, looking up at me. I still don't like this feeling, Edward.

I know, love, I answered mentally. "I've missed your voice in my mind, baby."

I needed to get my barings back, she smiled sadly. And a few moments to myself to process what happened.

I understand, Bella, I replied as I kissed her soft mouth. She melted against my chest, straddling my waist. Her body was wracking with sobs. I held and soothed her as best I could while she fell apart in my arms.

Edward, we need you back, Emmett boomed mentally. Victoria is going bat-shit crazy and we can't control her. We need the awesomeness that is your wife.

"We need to go, love," I said. "We have to contend with Victoria."

"Right," she mumbled. She got up off my lap. I laced my fingers with hers before shooting off like a bullet. We got back to the house. Bella immediately pushed the squirming and hissing Victoria to her knees. "Listen, bitch…quit your belly aching."

"You are so dead, little girl," she growled. "Aro will char you. You are and your family are dead."

"No, we aren't," I spat. "You will be dead, Victoria. In a few moments. First you need to answer some questions."

"Like I'll talk for you," she snarled, trying to move under my wife's control. "I'd rather die."

"You will, darlin'," Jasper drawled.

"Defected to the wrong side, Whitlock?" Victoria asked. "You were always so fucking flaky."

"Nah, I just found my mate. Too bad you will never know the joys of being in love," Jasper smirked. "It's a powerful thing, Victoria."

I felt an overwhelming 'warm, fuzzy' feeling surround me. Victoria's snarls softened and she looked at Bella lovingly. I arched a brow at Jasper. What? She needs to feel what she will be missing. The joys and wonders of first, happy love. What I feel when I'm with Alice. What you feel when you're with Bella. What Emmett…never mind with that one. He's just fucking horny.

I snorted out a laugh and then turned to Victoria. "Will you cooperate now?"

She nodded and looked at me. "What do you want to know?"

"Who's coming?" I asked. "From the Volturi?"

"We were sent on a scouting mission to discover the level of power that your family had acquired," she answered, looking at me like I was side of beef. She licked her lips and stared into my golden eyes. "Apparently, it was a great deal of power. Based off our report, that's how the Volturi would determine who would be coming."

We need to release her, Edward. If she doesn't return with her report, the Volturi will send the entire guard, Jasper hissed mentally. For certain we'd be slaughtered.

Alice's eyes glazed over and she envisioned the future if we didn't release Victoria. We were all dead. I found some solace in the fact that I died in Bella's arms, but I wanted to spend eternity with her. Not a few short months. "Listen carefully, Victoria," I said as I crouched down to her level. She was still eyeing me like I was dinner. "In five minutes, my wife is going to release you. You will go back to the Volturi and explain to them what you saw and what happened to your companions."

Edward! Are you fucking mad?! Bella shrieked in my head.

No, Bella. Watch, I answered. I showed her the vision that Alice had. Bella whimpered but nodded her assent. "Do you understand, Victoria?"

"I do," she purred. "Can I have some fun with you, first?"

"No. Happily married," I spat. "Besides, demons and vampires don't mesh well."

"I'd love to mesh with you anytime," she cooed.

"Back off, bitch," Bella snapped. "He's mine and will only ever be mine. Go fuck with James or something. He's probably feeling horny. Missing all of the regular pussy he used to get with me…"

"What?!" Victoria screeched. "You and James? But you're a vampire!"

"Not while we were dating," Bella said smugly. "This is only just recent."

Victoria's eyes widened at the fact that she was speaking and being controlled by a newborn vampire. Her mind reeled at the control my Bella was demonstrating. Victoria's black heart was stammering in fear and awe.

"Bella, can you release Victoria?" I asked as I cupped her cheek.

"Do I have to?" Bella whined petulantly. "Can't remove a limb or something?"

"Sorry, love," I smirked. With a huff, Bella released her hold of Victoria. She stood up and stared at us. "Give Aro this message, Victoria. 'We're ready.'"

She roared. With a huff, she blinked and was gone. "Where did she go?" Emmett asked, scratching his head.

"Her power is to vanish and transport herself instantly to another location within approximately twenty miles," Jasper answered. "However, she cannot be touched by another creature. That's why she was squirming so much while we held her. The power of evasion is one of her specialties but also the touching aspect is her Achilles heel."

"Alice, what's the timeline, now?" Bella asked.

"Can I get some help?" Alice asked as she held out her hands. Bella bit her lip but placed her hands into Alice's. Both of them closed their eyes and Alice focused on the Volturi. At first the vision was disjointed and didn't make sense. Victoria's jumping, Alice explained. Eventually, the vision shifted to Volterra. Victoria was standing in the throne room and explained to Aro, Caius and Marcus about what happened to Marcos and Renata. Aro flew into a rage and the throne room was a flurry of activity. The vision morphed and changed to the meadow near Forks. Our family was facing the Volturi: Aro, Marcus, Caius, Demetri, Felix, Jane, Alec, Victoria, James and Tanya. We'd also amassed some other vampires to assist us, plus the wolves. I didn't recognize the faces of all of the vampires, but I could tell that they didn't share our diet. Their eyes were ruby red.

The images of the battle ensue and I could feel Bella try to pull away from Alice. I need her, Edward. This is the clearest I've seen the battle. Please? I blew out a breath and wrapped my arms around Bella's waist. She whimpered quietly but stayed connected with Alice. The battle is vicious but we are definitely at an advantage. However, things become harried and Bella rips her hands from Alice's.

"No!" Alice yelled. "Bella, please?"

"I can't. Someone was coming toward Edward in your vision," she whimpered. "I can't bear to see him hurt. I feel like my heart is going to implode when I see it. I don't want to even imagine it. Please, Alice…don't make me."

Alice gave a curt nod and tried to regain the vision. She did, but it wasn't as clear. The details were fuzzy and I could tell that Alice was getting frustrated. "That's all I can get," she snapped. "Why are you so against working with me, Bella?"

Bella's eyes snapped to Alice. With a snarl, Alice was pushed against the wall of the house. "Because, I don't want to feel the pain of seeing the death of my husband, Alice," she sneered. "I saw it once, Alice. I refuse to fucking see it again. I can't…I just…no, I can't…" With a groan, Bella ran off, heading north. Her mind filled with anguish and pain.

"Imagine how you would feel if you saw Jasper get killed in a vision, Alice," I muttered quietly. "How would you feel?"

"Like her," Alice murmured as she fell from the house. She curled up and gave me a sympathetic grin. "Go…I'll try to peg down some details. But, we have about a week. At most."

"Got it, Tink," I said. I ran off in the same direction as Bella. I followed her lavender and freesia scent to the same location overlooking the bay. She was curled up on the boulder, rocking slightly. Bella?

I'm sorry, Edward. I feel horribly for pushing Alice and being such a bitch, she said mentally. It hurt unbearably when I saw you…

"Bella, I'm not going anywhere," I whispered. "We're a team. You and me against the world."

"I wish we could just disappear and make love on Isle Esme forever," she laughed, giving me a seductive grin. "Stupid James. Stupid Volturi."

"But, once we're done, we'll travel the world, Bella. Italy, Brazil, England, Australia…anywhere you want," I said.

"None of those places mean anything without you by my side," she smiled. "I love you, Edward." With my heart and soul.

"I love, adore and cherish you, my Bella. For all eternity. I know that this sucks, but we will overcome it," I said ardently. You are my life…my reason for breathing, for living and I will not give you up without a fucking fight, Isabella Cullen. She looked at me and pounced. Our clothes were shredded in seconds and we were making love against the boulder. It was animalistic and needy. It was also loving and gentle. We make love several times, pulverizing the boulder. As I helped my wife up from the ground, I noticed a small bag filled new clothes for us. I handed the bag to Bella who began dressing in the jeans and sweater my sister had brought for her. I saw a note at the bottom of the bag.

Family meeting at dawn. I love you, both. – Alice

We head back to the house and go directly to our room. Bella and I just lay, staring at each other. No mental conversations, no sex, just looking at the person who is the single most important person in the world. We gently caress each other as we lay there, relishing in the quiet.

At dawn, we head down to the living room of the house. Everyone is there. Alice and Jasper are sitting in the oversized chair in the corner. Carlisle and Esme were chatting with Eleazar and Carmen. Garrett, Laurent and Emmett were talking strategy while Rose was regaling the story about the defeat of Marcos and Renata with Kate and Irina.

"Okay, we can begin," Eleazar said. "We're waiting for a few other close friends but they won't be here until the day after tomorrow."

"I also spoke with Jacob and his pack. They'll be here later today," Carlisle said. "We finally have our timeframe, thanks to Alice."

"When?" Esme asked.

"Three days," Alice chirped. "Victoria arrived at Volterra in record time and explained what had happened. Aro is on a mission to take us all down. After he gets what he wants…"

"What does he want?" Garrett asked.

"Bella, Edward and me," Alice answered. "He's also tempted to take Jasper back but he betrayed the Volturi by defecting and that's punishable by death."

"Well, he's not getting us," Bella snapped.

"He possibly could, Bella," Eleazar said with a frown. "Chelsea is known to sway allegiances."

"How does Chelsea's power work?" Bella asked, arching a brow.

"She fucks with your brain until you WANT to be a Volturi," Emmett explained. "Right?"

"Well, my brain is impenetrable," Bella answered. "And if I shield you, so is everyone else. Remember with Marcos? He was a blocker but he was unable to block my shield."

"This is true, Eleazar," I said. "If Bella's mind is closed to me, I cannot hear her. But I also cannot channel her powers if her mind is silent to me."

"Can you disconnect from Edward, Bella?" Carmen asked. Right now, you are so connected. It's hard to see where one ends and the other begins, Edward. Bella's mind shut off and she smiled tightly. "That's amazing…"

"What's amazing?" Kate asked.

"When Bella's mind is disconnected from Edward's, their bonds are still tight but not as interwoven," Carmen mused. She pondered some more information mentally in her native Spanish before speaking again. "Open your mind, por favor?"

Bella let out a quiet breath and her mind was an open book to me, again. I sighed a breath of relief and held her tightly.

"Bella and Edward are inseparable," Carmen muttered. "Even stronger than the connection Marcus had with Didyme."

"We know this," Bella answered. "Jasper called it some strange Italian term. Pretty much, if one of us dies, the other one will soon follow."

"Can you be separated, physically? For extended amount of time?" Eleazar asked.

"We've never tried," I answered.

"Nor do I care to," Bella finished for me. She buried her nose in the crook of my neck. I cannot be without you, Edward. It's scary how attached I am to you, but…

I know, baby. I feel the same way. You're mine, I whispered mentally, kissing her temple.

Damn right, Edward.

"Stop conversing mentally," Rose snickered. "It's so annoying to see your little love chats but not being able to hear them. Plus, it's super nauseating. If I could throw up, I would."

"I think it's cute," Kate defended. "I would love to mentally whisper dirty nothings in Garrett's mind."

"I'd be in a constant state of arousal, my love," Garrett laughed.

"And this is bad because…" Kate smirked

"We're losing focus, people," Carlisle said. "If Bella can shield us all, then Chelsea will not stand a chance at swaying our allegiance. But, can you maintain your shield and do the other stuff as well?"

"I was able to do it against Marcos and Renata," Bella answered. "I shielded Rose and he didn't even get a read on us."

"Excellent," Eleazar smiled. "When the rest of our friends come, we'll have to work on maintaining your focus and control while under attack. Esme, you'll have to be near Bella and Edward at all times."

"Why?" Bella asked.

"I'm a shield, too, Bella. But, I can protect from physical attacks," she smiled. "We need to keep you and Edward protected."

We nodded and began strategizing for the battle. Who would do what and discussing what Alice saw. Our powwow lasts until midday when Jacob and his pack of ten wolves arrive. Eleazar suggests we continue our meeting outside. I'm thankful for that since we don't want our home smelling like wet dog.

"Are we really that foul?" Jacob asked, arching a bushy brow. "Hey, Bells. Looking good."

"Hi, Jake," she smiled. "You need a haircut. How's Mike?"

"Nervous as fuck," Jacob chuckled. "He can't be without me. It's killing him to stay in Forks while I'm up here talking to you and your vamp friends."

"We appreciate you coming, Jacob," Carlisle said. "I know I was vague on the phone, but there's been some recent developments. The timeframe of the battle has moved up. Significantly."

"How soon, Doc?" Jacob asked.

"Three days, in Forks," Alice answered.

Jacob and Sam shared a look of mutual shock. "Why Forks?" Sam asked.

"We were originally from there," Esme answered. "We tend to think of it as home base. Our favorite home is located there and it's where the Volturi know to find us."

"Wait a minute," Jacob said. "You were the Cold Ones in our tribe's history?"

"Yes, Jacob. We made the treaty with your great grandfather. Not our ancestors, us," Carlisle answered.

"What's this treaty?" Bella asked.

"We would be able to hunt on their land for animals as long as we didn't cross the boundary line into LaPush," I answered. "We also couldn't hunt humans or cause any harm to humans while the treaty was in place."

"It should be null and void," Jacob sighed. "You killed Bella, in theory."

"No, I didn't," I snapped. "James did. I fucking saved her."

Edward, relax, Bella soothed. You did save me. I love you, baby.

"I know, Edward. Relax," Jacob said, shooting daggers at me. "Bella would have been toast if weren't for you and I thank you for giving her a second chance at life. Sucks that she has to be a bloodsucking leech, but at least she's alive. Sort of."

"Jake, don't make me junk punch you," Bella growled. "I can cause some serious damage, now. I'm pretty certain that Mike would NOT be happy if you came home with your dick in a plastic baggie."

Jacob gulped and cupped his junk. Sam and the other guys snickered quietly. "I'm sorry, Bella," he squeaked.

"You better be," she snorted. "What do we do now?"

"We probably should head down to Forks," Carlisle suggested. "And prepare for the inevitable."

With a brusque nod, we all dart into a million different directions. After fifteen minutes, cars are loaded up and we're all planning our route to Forks. Jacob and his pack have already phased and were heading down to Forks on foot. Bella and I got into the Volvo that we had stored here and we took off into the twilight, heading toward our destiny.

What would be the outcome?

Would we lose anyone?

I prayed for positives and that no one would be lost, especially my Bella.

I would die without her.

I made a vow to myself that no matter what, Bella and I would survive this fight. We were going to spend the rest of eternity together. Nothing was going to stop us or deny us our happiness. Not the Volturi. Not James. Nobody.

A/N: We're getting close to the end, folks. I'm thinking possibly two more chapters plus an epilogue? Anyhow, up next will be Bella's goodbye to Charlie and the 'eve' of the battle. Leave me some ;-)