Disclaimer – Stephanie owns all, I'm just playing with her junk.

A/N - This story is rated M for a reason, if you are not 18, please go away and come back when you are…. Thanks.

Thank you to my awesome pre-readers duskri123 and ForksPixie, FP beta'd this too – so smooches to you both!

To all of you that reviewed, alerted and favorite me or my story – THANK YOU so much

And no, this story is not abandoned. I've not forgotten it. I just have some RL shit going on and well, you gotta do what you gotta do. Love to you all…. Vic

Chapter 26

JPOV

As Peter, Charlotte and I strategized, Bella kept an ear out for anything that would be of value from the rest of the family. Once this was all done, we are going to go on a very long vacation. Carlisle had started the fusing process for both Edward and Alice and I've been sending thoughts to Edward about keeping Bella's ability quiet, but I'm not sure how effective that particular threat is to a man that is laying in pieces.

As everyone started to gather the room was silent, but I could tell from the distress Bella was sending my way that things were not as good as they seemed. The family was calm and cool so she must be distressed from their thoughts as to what this meeting entailed. Because the family has so little faith in myself and Bella, I asked Peter to inform them of his knowledge and then we can talk about what to expect. I nodded to Peter and he stood to deliver the message.

"Now I have an understandin' that not everyone is gettin' along all peachy right now, but you need to put those differences behind ya for the moment and be a family, if none other than for today. We know from talkin' to El that he has talked to the folks in Italy and I know from my gift that they are comin' and we need to be ready." There were quiet whispers coming from the groups as they spoke to their mates and Bella walked into the room where Edward and Alice were being fused laying a hand on each of them so that they could share their thoughts. Her distress lessened considerably and a smile came across her face. She flooded me with relief and came to stand next to me.

I held her hand as I spoke next. "We are three distinct covens that have familial bonds. Each of us set up as units and it is important that the Volturi knows that we have divisions in our covens. We know that the Volturi will want to meet Bella and then we should try to depart quickly after that. Bella has been trying to get as much information from Alice's visions as possible and we believe this strategy will be the best to avoid a confrontation. Once the Volturi know that we are small covens that only have affiliation and are not bonded covens, then we should not present a threat to them."

"How long until they arrive?" Eleazar asked.

"Less than 23 hours." Peter responded.

"In 20 hours." We heard Alice respond in a whisper from the other room.

"Alice!" Esme screamed as she got up to run into the adjacent room. She started talking to Alice in hushed tones and in a soothing manner. Alice responded and both of their emotions were happy and relieved. The remaining members of the family stayed in their seats waiting on the next piece of information.

"Carlisle and Eleazar, we need to know if there is anything that you have not told us concerning the conversations you have had with Aro, anything at all. It may turn out to be important."

Carlisle was deceptive with his answer of "No" but Eleazar's showed none. Bella already knew this, but I wanted to give my former father figure one last chance at redemption, he didn't take it. Peter and I laid out how we wanted to approach the Volturi and we were trying to get a feel on how Eleazar and Carlisle would be with this. Carlisle was so incredibly dismissive that I was positive that he would have Edward and Alice out of here the moment he could, Eleazar on the other hand was content with the approach.

As each of us settled into a comfortable silence Rose came up to me with a big smile on her face. She handed me a bag with the request I had made while she and Emmett were on their return trip to Alaska. I stepped away from the group to speak to Rose privately," Were they able to get everything to my exact specifications?"

"Open it and see for yourself. It's flawless. I don't know who that guy was, but I'm gonna ask him to make me something someday."

"We go way back, but I'm sure he would appreciate the business. You need to put requests in advance. He works on his own time schedule. Now, get this out of your mind. I don't want anyone to find out, ok?" Rose looked confused, but as a realization came over her face I knew that she had either figured out that Bella could read her mind or that Edward could and could potentially ruin everything. Trying to keep my mind off how the best way to propose to Bella was difficult to do, but I had already thought of where, I just didn't know when. Today was not looking promising.

As Rose and I slipped back into the room she and Emmett made eye contact. He rushed up to her and they took off outside, no doubt for a midnight romp. The Volturi would be here just as dusk arrives, during twilight.

Bella and I walked into the room where Edward and Alice were fusing back together. Alice was almost fused back together with all the parts they had. Edward hadn't fared as well. His head wasn't fusing very quickly and his torso was missing chunks that hadn't been recovered. Both of them were looking like they were jigsaw puzzles that were missing some pretty important pieces.

"Jazzy? It's going to be ok," Alice whispered. I looked over to Bella who was concentrating in the direction of Edward, but it was hard to determine if it was Carlisle or Edward she was reading.

"Alice?" I responded, not really wanting to converse with her. I just wanted to know the progress.

"Things are going to be ok. Don't panic and don't let Aro touch you," She whispered even lower.

"Ok, we'll keep this as short as possible."

As the duo fused more and more together, we took them out to the lake to see if they felt the pull to any more of their parts, and surprisingly they found the last of the pieces. Edward still had not healed enough to speak openly, but he could whisper. Alice on the other hand had all of her vocal capacity back and I was annoyed by her 'fingernails on a chalkboard' voice already. I think her dismemberment made it worse.

She froze and was caught in a vision, she gasped for a breath and then rushed outside to the front porch where most of the family had been sitting and talking.

"The Volturi will be here in 10 minutes." She was excited and was rolling in anticipation. Bella looked at her and grinned then walked over to me.

"This is going to be better than we thought." Bella mumbled under her breath.

As we all sat in complete and utter silence waiting for the Volturi to arrive the emotions that swirled around all of us was complicated. Many were anxious, a little fear, some hesitation, but Carlisle was the oddest. He was sitting looking like his normal self, but was rolling in waves of panic. He would take a deep breath and calm himself, but then would panic all over again.

Finally we could hear the footsteps of three vampires in the distance. Each member of the family took a stance in a single line in front of the mansion, something Peter and I had discussed at length. First impressions of solidarity would be important, because if they realized exactly how divided we were, that would be to our detriment should a large group show up to dispose of us.

As the three approached they were wearing full-length grey cloaks with hoods, they were meant for running long distances and floating across the snow, never leaving a trace that they had traveled visibly, but their scents were unmistakable. All three were old, older than me. Two of them more than a thousand years old, the smallest one at least three hundred. The smallest was in front and removed her hood first, she was of small stature and blonde, the second came to stand beside her and was a feminine looking man, standing of larger stature, but feeling slightly threatened as they took in the sight of the fifteen of us standing as a united front. Both took on positions of being prepared to attack as the vampire in the back pushed back the hood to his cloak. He was pale even for a vampire and his skin was paper-thin. His long black hair was combed back straight and it hung just to his shoulders. He was the leader and was not a fighter. As he pulled the strings to his cloak to remove it, he wore a gothic looking black suit with a black shirt and black tie. This guy was where all of the Dracula stories came from, all he needed was a set of fangs. As his red eyes scanned our group a smile formed across his face and he was full of glee, if he was any happier he would have broken out into a song and dance.

"Oh it's so nice to see you. Some old faces, but some new faces indeed. Carlisle, Eleazar you have been holding out on me, haven't' you?" He said theatrically. His excitement was palatable.

"Aro old friend, we wouldn't dream of holding out on you? Whatever do you mean?" Eleazar walked forward to him with his hand extended. The two guards moved to stand in front of Aro as Eleazar moved in his direction. "Demetri, Jane? Surely you remember me?" They eyed him suspiciously before Aro spoke up.

"Jane and Demetri, please these are old friends. There is no need to show such hostility." Aro put his hands on each of their shoulders and just like parting the red sea moved them aside. He grabbed Eleazar's hand as happiness and surprise fluttered through him. Eleazar was satisfied and was showing more happiness than he was really feeling. Carmen came up beside Eleazar and smiled at Aro as well, feeling content.

"Eleazar, it has been awhile since we have seen one another. You have been busy haven't you? And Carmen, a picture of loveliness as always. How are you dear?"

Carmen leaned in and kissed Aro on the cheek while giving him her hand as she responded. "We're doing well Aro, you look well."

Aro's eyes scanned the entire length of our line and took in each face carefully. For the first time Bella's emotions spiked and her anticipation levels were sky high. She smiled widely at Aro throwing off enough charm to make me want to take her back behind the house again.

"You must be Bella. The newest addition to this bunch. I would like to introduce myself, I am Aro one of the leaders of the Volturi."

Bella looked at Aro with a large smile. "Yes Aro, I am the newest addition to the Whitlock coven. The Denali coven was nice enough to take me in during my change. I am mated to this man standing beside me. This is Jasper Whitlock. It is very nice to meet you."

Bella walked forward to stand near Eleazar and as she walked by she looked at Demetri and stuck her hand out to shake his. "Hello I'm Bella; I don't believe we've been properly introduced."

In a heavy Italian accent, he responded, "It is a pleasure to meet you lovely Bella. I am Demetri." He took her hand and bowed, kissing the back. I involuntarily let out a small growl and I could feel the jealousy emitting from Alice. I looked over to her and her eyes were fixated on Bella. Bella on the other hand was elated. As I'm sure that Aro would only travel with gifted vampires, she was enthralled with picking up a new one.

She turned to look at Aro and then snuck a peek at Jane. Jane extended her hand and shook Bella's quickly "Hello, my name is Jane. Nice to meet you Bella."

Bella smiled tightly and responded, "Likewise."

Tension mounted as she extended her hand to Aro as most of the family held their breath. Aro grabbed Bella's hand and Aro oozed disappointment. "Nothing, your mind is completely silent to me." Bella stood stock still, frozen in shock. Aro looked to Bella and quickly became confused. Aro released her hand and Bella stood in the same pose as if he had frozen her in that particular position. I ran to her side worried that she had finally reached her limit of abilities. Her emotions were detached, but I could sense her contemplation and deep thought, and as I touched her I felt rather than saw Bella thaw and then a wide smile came across her face.

"Aro, my apologies. My gift sometimes leaves me temporarily incapacitated at times. This has happened when I met new people with abilities, especially ones as powerful as yours." Bella said with happiness radiating from her in waves.

"Well my child, what is your ability?" Aro asked giddy as a child himself. His hands came together and his eyebrows raised in anticipation of learning something new.

Bella looked to me and smiled. "Well mainly I am an... absorber is what I think you would call it. If I am around or in contact with someone with ability I can mimic theirs. Not as well as they use their own ability, but use nonetheless. I seem to be able to block or shield as well, but that is a little harder to control and define."

Aro's eyes were wide as saucers as he smiled, looking a little crazy. "Fascinating!" He looked over to Demetri and to Jane, quickly realizing that Bella came in contact with both of them. "So you have our abilities right now?"

"Well, it's not as easy as that." Bella laughed. "I'm not even sure what it is that Demetri does although it seems like a location ability of some kind." And she turned to look at Jane. "And Jane's ability is something similar to Jasper's, but more focused and has a different kind of intensity."

Jane looked to me and smiled, I could feel the challenge well inside of her. Bella spoke up quickly looking directly into Jane's eyes. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." She smiled and nodded, still feeling a little cocky, but focused back onto Aro.

Aro looked around to the other members standing around us observing the display. He raised his hands as if to motivate people into moving. "Come now old and new friends, introductions are in order."

Aro moved to the end of the line quickly and introduced himself first to Emmett and Rose. Jane and Demetri followed and continued down the line. Carlisle's dread rose to levels that actually were starting to affect me when he leaned back and screamed in pain. He dropped to the ground and his back arched as he screamed, arms twitching to the side. Aro's head quickly turned to look at Jane who had a surprised and blank expression. Bella flooded me with guilt as Carlisle was released from the grips of pain he was being subjected to.

She ran over to Carlisle and helped him up. "Carlisle, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just… I mean I… oh wow, I'm sorry." She held him up to standing and led him over to the couch. He looked over to her and I could tell that they were having a private conversation. I assumed he must have realized that she could read his mind.

I could feel waves of shock rolling from the opposite side of the room. I looked over in the direction of the intense emotions being emitted by two vampires. Alice had her small hand tucked into Demetri's, both of them gazing into each other's eyes, not saying a word. The only ones in the room to notice were Bella, Edward and myself. Edward was the last person in line and was currently shaking hands with Jane who was throwing off a little lust and him embarrassment, I'm sure at her thoughts. As Alice and Demetri continued to stare at one another I realized what was happening. Bella nodded her head yes, but put her fingers up to her mouth to give me the message to be quiet. They needed to figure this out on their own. Demetri continued down the line, but held Alice's hand as he completed his introductions. After he introduced himself to Edward at the end, he and Alice walked out the front door.

As Aro made his rounds he was much more conversational than the other two of the Volturi had been. I noticed that he had not made contact with everyone yet. I was assuming that he had an ulterior motive in the introductions, reading everyone's minds and histories. He still had Edward, Alice, Carlisle and me to go. He made a mad dash over to where Edward was standing and held his hand out for an introduction. As he pulled out Edward's memories he conversed quietly, but I did not like how the conversation was being manipulated. Edward was still whispering, but Aro was gleeful and a little envious of Edward.

Aro turned and started to approach me. Bella intervened and spoke quietly to him. "I'm not sure why, but Alice didn't seem to want this to happen. Do you have any idea why that would be Aro?"

AN: Hey folks, ok – so I'll try to post when I can. Thanks for the love and reviews…. Vic