AN- Apparently I see these chapter slightly different than you. I thought the last chapter was less of a cliffy, not worse! But then again, I know what happens next... Want to find out?
Not according to plan
"That didn't go quite as planned," Aro said flatly.
"Didn't go quite as planned?" Carlisle said incredulously, "Didn't go QUITE AS PLANNED?"
"I must admit, Jane got a bit carried away," Aro said in a tone of voice that made her cringe.
Carlisle stood up in front of Edward's body. "You come to us under the guise of peace, kill two of my children, and all you can say is 'that didn't go quite as planned?" The quiet intensity of his voice was beyond intimidating.
We need to let them know I'm alright before Carlisle starts a war, Edward said.
You need to get back into your body. I will talk to Carlisle, I replied.
What? he asked.
Edward, I need to know you can get back in your body before I can do anything else. Please, Jane thinks you're dead, it's safe.
I'm not afraid of the pain, Bella. I don't want to leave you alone.
Silly vampire, I'm never alone. I always have you. But right now, I need to have you in your body. Please. Edward, knowing you're alive and waiting is the only thing that brings me home.
How do I do it? he asked hesitantly.
Just lie down in your body and it should take you back, I responded hopefully.
You'll have to let go first, he said.
I hadn't thought of that.
No way, we'll both go back. Then I'll let you go. I drifted back into Edward's body, taking him along for the ride. Do you feel reconnected?
I don't know. What does it feel like?
I struggled to find words. It feels like, you're grounded… secure… yourself.
I'm not sure I feel anything.
Outside, Aro was speaking again, "I assure you I intended to bring you back unharmed, Edward and Bella included. The loss of a vampire with Edward's ability is indeed tragic."
"What do you mean, 'bring us back'?" Carlisle asked warily. I had the same question, but in the same instant I had also remembered something important.
Edward, you have to want it.
What?
You have to want to go back. Edward, I know you want to stay with me, but you have to want to be back with your own body more.
How can I feel that way, when I know you're in danger? He asked incredulously. Of course I want to stay with you. If the worst should happen….it's the only way I can be sure we're together.
"I came to retrieve your talented young ones," Aro was saying, "and of course you would be welcome also."
Now it was my turn to be frustrated. Edward! This isn't just about you and me! This is about our family! They need us. Are you listening? Carlisle is getting closer to that war you were talking about.
"We're not going anywhere, Aro. Our home is here, not in Italy," Carlisle said clearly in a tone that made my point for me.
Bella, I can't…
I cut him off, Edward, if you don't, we die and our family is doomed to service for the Volturi. You can't let that happen to them. You can't let that happen to Alice. Not after all she's done for us!
Suddenly a memory came to Edward and we both saw it flash in front of us. It was Aro's thoughts of how he would use Alice and her special powers. Edward flinched at the vivid recollection and I seized the opportunity to let go and step back. I immediately reached out and touched his brow gently.
Edward?
Yes, Bella, I'm back. You're right. Our family needs our protection, but what can we do, if we're 'dead'?
You being dead is a lot more limiting than me being dead, I reminded him.
Bella, what do you mean? He asked in a worried tone.
I might have a plan, but I have to act quickly. You stay here and keep playing possum. I'll make a quick run around the family and be right back. I pulled away and went straight to Carlisle. The tension in the clearing was thick enough to cut with a butter knife.
Carlisle, it's me, Bella! I cried. Carlisle blinked, but thankfully made no other acknowledgment of my presence. Edward and I are fine and we have a plan.
"It's time you return to us, Carlisle. You've had enough time for this frivolous experiment of yours," Aro responded to Carlisle's declaration.
Bella! Thank goodness you are both alright! What do you need me to do? Carlisle thought while keeping his face taught.
Stall. Keep Aro talking, give me some time, I said.
Of course, he replied. "How do you know it's frivolous when you never tried it yourself?" Carlisle said aloud to Aro. He then weighed the pros and cons of our lifestyle and diet, drawing Aro into the thing he loved best, a debate.
While that was going on, I spoke to the rest of the family, cluing them in loosely to my plan. Esme nearly fainted at the sound of my voice. Alice nearly jumped out of her skin. Thankfully Aro was too entrenched in his conversation with Carlisle to notice and the others were too bored to care. Only Jane looked suspicious, but she was also afraid to overstep her bounds again.
Jasper had a warning for me, Bella, Aro would never have come here outnumbered, expecting us to go peacefully. There must be more of them waiting for us somewhere. I don't know how he's hidden them from Edward and Alice, but he must have.
You're right, I agreed. Thanks, Jasper, I'll check it out before we make our move.
Before returning to Edward, I checked the surrounding area. At first I saw nothing. Then I remembered Aro knew Edward's range. I drifted three miles away, made another circuit, and found thirteen more Volturi guard. Each of them wondering why they had been given such an odd task of seeking out a certain global position on a certain day, at a certain time, just to wait for further instruction. I cursed Aro and his devious planning. Then I cursed Marcus and Caius for good measure.
I flew back to Edward with the news. I could tell Carlisle was running out of steam in his argument with Aro. We would have to act fast, but I had finally solidified my plan.
Edward, brace yourself. I have some disturbing news, and you can't so much as flinch or the jig is up.
What is it, Bella? He asked tensely.
Jasper suggested I do some recon, I said using a term I had learned from Jasper, and I found thirteen more Volturi surrounding us.
Then there's no sense in pretending. We'll have to fight our way out.
Will Edward be able to control himself, or is he about to act first, think later, again. (He does have a tendency to do that when Bella's safety is at stake.) Hopefully you aren't all going to quit reading because I can't quit with the cliffies... 8P At least I don't leave you hanging for long... comparatively speaking. 24 hour is REALLY that long to wait...
