Okay, guys, bear with me. I'm trying :P This chapter might be choppy. My friend at school and I have been working on this for quite some time, trying to make sure everything's alright. Thank you again for being so patient and I hope this chapter lives up to the rest of the fic. Thanks again.

Negotiating

BPOV

The field was silent and I kept waiting for someone to beak it and ease the tension. Edward was staring at Aro, his gaze never faltering, and Jacob watched the entire group of vampires, constantly looking for movement, for some unexpected attack. Damon had come to stand beside me, and I was absolutely furious with all of them. How could they do this? I had told them I would just face the Volturi alone and let them end this game of cat and mouse.

Damon was looking at me, a stern expression on his perfect features, and I glared right back. I'd hoped the Volturi would get here and find me alone…unprotected and vulnerable and finally end it.

"Damon, I thought I told you to let me do what I thought was best," I whispered, almost to tears thinking of what was about to happen.

He paused and looked down at the ground, his expression unreadable, then his eyes drifted back up to me. "Bella, I couldn't just…let them kill you. You're…you're my best friend."

I smiled as tears formed and whispered, "I know. I know you care about me, and you mean a lot to me, but…who's going to care for Zach if we both die?"

Damon shook his head. "You're not going to die, Bella. You know I wouldn't let that happen-"

"So, it seems the legends are true…," Aro finally voiced. I could see Caius and Marcus now, standing on either side of Aro, their hoods still up while Aro's was down. They both looked…well, scary.

Jacob growled deep in his throat, but Edward gave him a look that basically said, 'Stay calm.'

Edward himself remained quiet, letting Aro speak.

"Edward, how can you be in such close proximity to these…creatures?" Aro asked, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

Jacob growled again, as did others of the pack, but this time Edward spoke.

"…because…we're the same," Edward voiced firmly and with conviction, his stern words causing the entire field to become very silent as everyone listened. "We are…what we are, and they are what they are. We're both kept secret in this world and we both…well…we both shouldn't exist. We're both supposedly mystical beings,…the things of movies and stories to humans. Why can't we try to work together…for the greater good?"

Aro just stared. I felt pride for Edward's words, but I was also nervous…because I knew Aro's thoughts would differ, of that I was sure.

Aro's expression remained thoughtful as he turned to Caius…and then Marcus. When he again looked at us, his expression changed…and he laughed. It was a hysterical high-pitched laugh and I jumped because of the sudden sound.

"You really believe that, don't you, that these creatures can work together with vampires? Edward, these creatures were bred to exterminate us, and we need to do something about this…today," Aro's last word was pronounced firmly, and I knew what it meant. Aro meant to kill the werewolves today.

At this, the wolves grew restless and they growled as one. Jacob snarled and looked at Edward.

"You know I can't allow you to do that, and I don't think you want to do that. The wolves are strong, and they were made, as you said, to kill us. You have no reason to be here today-"

"Yes, I do," Aro interrupted, and his smile was back and stronger than ever. My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach. "I'm here to see Isabella. After all, it's been terribly too long since we last crossed paths," he spoke as he looked past Edward and caught my terrified eyes.

Edward was frozen in place as Aro's words echoed across the field. I could feel the tension radiating through everyone and I knew that it wouldn't be much longer until we fought.

Edward stayed silent for what felt like an eternity, but at length he spoke again.

"You've already settled your score with her. You bit her, you…changed her. What more could you want-"

"She's special, Edward,…just like you. The Volturi needs more 'special' vampires," Aro interrupted, again. "She should join us."

I didn't want to become part of the Volturi, but I didn't really want to die, either, but if I had to…

Edward's shoulders seemed to tense. "You can't force her to join you, Aro."

He contemplated this for a moment. "Yes…I know. But, Edward, I am finished talking with you. We will never reach an agreement. I want to talk to the leader of these…creatures." He turned an inquisitive eye toward the wolves.

Edward tilted his head toward Jacob, who seemed to be chomping at the bit to talk to the elder vampire and Edward immediately began translating Jacob's thoughts.

"He says that the wolves will protect Bella at all costs and that you're severely underestimating their power."

Aro just smiled and answered, "Well, then you're underestimating us, as well."

This didn't intimidate Jacob one bit.

"He says that the wolves only defend, not murder innocent…vampires. Any time they're killed a vampire, it's been in defense when their territory has been breached, and obviously their territory has been breached again, but they will let you go if you leave peacefully and do not return."

Aro seemed almost to contemplate this, but he kept the smile as he cocked his head to the right just a little. " We have unfinished business to attend to that concerns none of you but Bella. Bella, dear, let's discuss some…things."

I was numb as I stepped forward, Damon close by my side. I stood close to Edward, my hands shaking.

"Ah, Bella…you look well. I have been wanting to see you for quite some time. It's been too long," He began.

I just stood there, not really knowing what to say.

"I thought I'd settled this when I 'turned' you, but something happened, didn't it, Bella? Something didn't quite go right, and I intend to correct it," Aro spoke again, his blood red eyes trained on me.

"Aro, I will not join you. I don't want to be a part of the Volturi. I'm…sorry," I quietly answered.

"Well, then you leave us no choice…because we will have you…dead…or as one of us," He spoke, and then he closed his eyes.

Suddenly, the red cloaks were a blur moving toward us, avenging angels coming to seek justice, and then our combined vampire and werewolf forces ran to meet them…

It's short, I know, a little, but I hope it satisfied. Climax time, and I have NO IDEA when the next chapter will be posted, but bear with me, please.