Disclaimer:

Dear Stephanie Meyer,

Sorry for any confusion… or any wild claims my profile-sisters have made (aka Akari and Chana) about who owns Twilight… but I know that you own it. I just write fan-fics about crazy pyro-maniacal teens who were in the Volturi. Apologies again for any misundertsnadings,

Sincerely, Zeri

Sadly… I don't own Twilight, and neither do you unless you're SM, in which case… OMG HI! THANKS FOR READING!

Chapter 35- Good Intentions

Rebecca POV:

"Merda." I cursed, as the scarf I had bumped with my elbow fluttered out of my window. I quickly slipped out of the window sill and started towards the first floor. I paused only briefly smiling to myself as I heard Dylan joking with Emmett. I ran outside and saw with slight annoyance that the scarf had just landed, on the far end of the backyard. I went to pick it up and froze as a cold wet substance slowly melted and dripped down my hand.

Snow.

"When, when will they be here, Alice?"

"Soon, there's snow on the ground, in the trees…"

White flakes building in blankets, and a sweet smell masked by a strong evergreen scent. Masking! Ice coursed through my veins, the Volturi used strong scents to mask their own. My head spun, I'd thought about them coming for weeks, but… it still took me by surprise. It was surreal. Something moved in the dark shadows of trees not more than one-hundred yards away.

My heart skipped a beat. I turned, the scarf in hand, and bolted for the house.

Here! They were already here, I mentally cursed myself for stupidity. For years the trackers Demitri, Corin, Santiago, they'd done hundreds of missions like this. Mask their scent, move in silently and leave nothing left alive. I knew that if I wasn't already surrounded it was because the rest of the Guard were surrounding the house.

I made about three strides before I felt a stone-like arm wrap around my neck. My breath rushed out of my lungs as I was jerked to a sudden stop. With no oxygen to breath of start a fire, I did the only thing I could think to do in the split second before my mouth was covered.

I shrieked at the top of my lungs.

I heard a soft curse masked by a growl before everything went numb. My heart shattered, Alec. The brother I loved, the brother who was my rational voice, my brother was attacking me. All of the memories flashed in front of my mind, him trying to teach me how to speak Latin, the time we went to the movies and I got sick and he had to find a bag for me to puke in.

And now all I could do was wait for him to kill me. How could he do this? To me…?

Panic gripped me, seeping into my mind as wild possibilities spun through my thoughts. Everyone, every single person could be in danger. Dylan. My senses slowly returned and I felt my heart sinking. I smelled deep earth, and knew I was in a mine shaft… the one Dylan and Emmett had showed me that was many miles from the Cullen household.

My eyesight returned with my hearing as well, though the only sound was my own heartbeat. I couldn't help the small groan of pain that escaped my lips, and I reached up to rub the back of my neck.

"Sorry." A voice behind my said. Startled, I whirled around, crouched low in a defensive position.

Felix.

Felix DioVani stood behind me, his hands behind his back, a frown etched into his features, his body language stiff. I leaned away from him, fear mounting, he was my brother. How could he…? I wouldn't be able to defend myself, attack… My brother, who had been the very one who set me free, why, why?

"Bex… mi… mi spiace, mi spiace." He said with pain in his eyes, "Mi spiace cosi." There was agony in his voice, as if he was being forced to do something that tortured him. I recoiled back in fear from his outstretched hand, my back hitting the wall of the mine. If Aro ordered him to kill me, he would have to do it. Aro was so harsh, if he found out that Felix freed me it would surely be Felix who he would make to kill me.

I cowered when he stepped forward, my heart thudding loudly. "Non pichiarmi." I murmured, squeezing my eyes shut, praying he wouldn't hurt me. I heard him stepping forward and felt tears streaming down my cheeks, my own brother was going to betray me.

I'll miss you all, I thought silently, hoping they'd hear my prayers. I love you Dylan.

"Rebecca…" His voice was softer, I opened my eyes in time to be crushed in a desperate embrace. I could feel his chest heaving with shaking breaths, "Non permettero, non mia sorellina." He withdrew and looked me in the eyes, "Bex, I couldn't… I would never… I love you." He choked out, uttering again mia sorellina, my baby sister.

Realization. He wasn't here to hurt me, nor was the rest of the Volturi here yet. I threw my arms around him tightly, feeling as though I had just been given everything I'd lost. "Felix," I breathed, burying my face in his cloak, desperately inhaling the scent I'd missed for years, "Me sei mancato… tantissimo." I whispered as he stroked my hair. Oh god, I've missed him so much.

"You're safe," He said stepping back with a smile, "You're safe, I can't believe it, thank god. Grazie a dio per quello, thank god you're safe." He repeated over and over.

My smile faded, "I'm safe indeed, but for how long brother? I'm with the Cullen's, they are my family…" Tears welled again at the words I was about to say, they came out in the tiniest of whispers. "If you've come to warn me, to tell me to run… you're too late."

"Bex..."

"Don't make me choose Felix," I pleaded, looking away and speaking with a wavering voice, "Please Felix… don't do this to me. I… I can't handle this anymore, I've been torn to many times. So don't tell me to run, or try to make me choose. I've no strength left for that. Their my family, I've found my place and if it's to be my grave as well then I'll rest eternally knowing I've found peace."

Never had I spoken more difficult words to someone I loved.

He deflated, curling inward as if someone had attacked him physically, squeezing his eyes shut, "Then I suppose… I have come only to warn you of something I cannot change."

"We knew you were coming," I said sadly, "And… I knew what it would mean."

"Yet you stayed," He murmured, stroking my cheek. He kissed my forehead lightly, "I-I can't bear to lose you Rebecca, please, you're my sister."

"And I love you, my brother, but I cannot leave them. Especially when they have committed no crime." I said sadly, seeing how this was tearing at him. He'd always been so sure of his path, loyal only to Aro. Now, he was being pulled apart, his love for me, and his loyalty to Aro that may ultimately kill his sister (me).

"I believe you," He said sincerely, "I believe with every fiber of my being that the Cullens are innocent, but that won't stop Aro anymore. He caught you're scent on his way here and… and… there's absolutely nothing any of us could do to get him to leave peacefully anymore, Bex."

I felt my lip tremble, "What… what do you mean?"

"He's not going to give up Rebecca, laws or not, he will make sure you're his." He said fiercely, "I suspect we'll rule you broke no laws, but that won't be the end of it! You were his, a member of the Guard bound to him for life by law in his mind and he'll use any leverage he needs to get you back. Please, Bex, he'll hurt you, torture you or any others to get to you."

"Others?" I gasped, horrified, "They'd attack Carlisle?"

"No," Felix said bitterly, "I've heard them talking, with Irina… and they'd… they'd attack your mate." He spit out the word angrily.

"Dylan." I sucked in a sharp breath. His eyes snapped up to mine with a dark expression.

"Who is he? This mate of yours? Is that why you won't run, because he's forcing you to stay?" He demanded, hands tightly gripping my arms. "I see the scars! How could you call him you're mate, how?"

"Stop it!" I cut him off, trying to shake free of his grasp, "Just stop it!" I blinked back tears and glowered at him, his expression was one of shock, "I. love. Him. With my whole heart I love him! He saved me Felix, I'd be dead without him, and most likely by my own hand! The past two years were so miserable and torturous for me that when I got here I was absolutely lost and broken. If it weren't for him I would have most likely killed myself!" I spit out, for the first time saying the words that I had long since believed. "He healed me."

There was a long silence.

"I… I'm sorry, for assuming." Felix said quietly, releasing me, "I only want what's best for you, you have to understand that."

"I do," I said with a weak smile, "But… they wouldn't dare attack him, they have no legal reason according to the laws they've written."

"Aro… Rebecca, he'll do anything." Felix stressed.

I rubbed my temples and shook my head miserably, "Would… would Dylan survive? If it came to a fight, and Aro had them take me, would Dylan live?"

Felix sighed and patted my head, "I don't know. I would want him to live, especially now hearing how he's helped you, so if it were a fight, I would not attack him even if her attacked me. Perhaps I'd even help him, but I am not certain. But I promise that I won't personally attack the boy who's helped you."

"You have no idea." I murmured, "Thank you, for that assurance."

"It may be all I can do." He said bitterly, "I thought the guard maintained peace not destroyed it, and now I'm starting to see why so many of covens cower away from us instead of embracing us as their protectors."

I smiled sadly at him, "We are all fooled at some point, Felix. But it takes a much greater man to realize he was fooled and seek balance than it does to fool others."

"Then perhaps I've realized all this too late, and God is now writing my life's script like a dark comical tragedy." He muttered uneasily.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because," He looked at me with tortured pain in his eyes, "Either way the vote goes tomorrow, I'll be ordered with the rest of the Guard to attack you, and no matter how many times I play it over in my head I can't think of a way to stop it from happening." He fell to his knees in the dirt, desperately, "Please promise me you'll… leave a plan or a note for them just in case. If they come before Aro changes you I'll do everything, anything to help them get past the Guard."

I hugged him tightly, "I'll leave a note, Dylan will find it if the worst happens."

"Heidi, Alec and I… we plan to mostly be defensive if it comes to a fight. But, what does this boy look like? I'd hate to be the one to spar with the boy you love." He said weakly.

My lips twitched into a small smile. "He'll be the one standing next to me, completely overprotective with black hair and a scowl towards anyone who so much as looks at me."

Felix laughed breathlessly once, "Sounds like I might've actually gotten along with him."

I nodded slowly, then paused, "Wait… Heidi and Alec… what about Jane?" I asked.

Felix refused to meet my eyes, "Your… departure devastated her… she's never handled emotions well Bex, and she just couldn't handle it. She… she's not the same, she's hateful. She blames you." He glanced up at me, "She's turned into the demon other believed her to be."

"Hey, I take offence to that!"

None other than Alec Giovarro dropped down into the mine shaft with a broad smile.

"Alec!" I ran over and hugged him fiercely, hearing him chuckle as he patted my head like I was only four years old again. He picked me up and spun me around several times before setting me down.

"You've grown quite a bit my dear." He commented.

"Ha!" Felix snorted, "Don't even get me started, I was nearly out to kill an innocent already today."

"So it's true then, you have a mate." Alec beamed at me, "Niccccce, didn't think ya' had it in you." He winked.

"Oh, you thought I was kidding?" I rolled my eyes at him, Alec had always found it fun to mock other's relationships.

He grabbed my hand and looked at it, "Well… I don't see a ring Ms. Medachi."

I blushed furiously, "We haven't know each other that long."

"Not long enough for him to propose?" Alec smirked.

"Hush!"

"So that's a no, no proposal?" He snickered and I smacked him.

"He better not have done anything stupid then." Felix growled, and I saw Alec's eyes visibly darken in anger, "If that boy is pushing you… I swear if he tries to sleep with you for his own benefit… I. kill. him." He growled.

"Felix!" I gasped out, "No, it's not like that! We're taking it slow. He does… I mean, he does sleep with me," I heard furious snarls break from both of them and held up my hands, "Fully clothed! By my request, he just… lays there and keeps my company, he keep the nightmares away." I said the last part softly.

Alec rubbed his temples, "I wish we could have gone with you. This is the biggest mess in all of fucking vampire history."

"Alec, zitto!" Felix snapped harshly, giving him a hard look. I knew I was missing something.

"I wish you could have to Alec, but that would have been impossible." I said sadly.

Above ground, a long shrill whistle broke the otherwise quiet forest. Felix and Alec both stiffened immediately. Felix darted into a side tunnel and returned in the blink of a human eye, shoving a book into my hands.

"A complete transcription of Volturi law, you'll need it so read quickly. You have five hours." He said sternly.

I gaped, "Five hours before they assemble?"

He nodded gravely, "I'm afraid so."

"But… but Aro will see your thoughts! You'll be punished!" I cried out, horrified with the ill fate I'd just brought to my brothers.

Alec narrowed his eyes, "We'll be fine, Aro may be angry but the Guard won't attack both of us knowing we acted together. We're too valuable to him for him to destroy." He glowered off into space.

"I'm sorry Alec." I whispered hugging him gently. For the time I had known Alec, I always knew he dreamed of a life away from Volterra. Chelsea had stopped 'dosing' him with loyalty years ago, thinking that he was completely devoted. But inside he yearned, as did Felix, for his own life.

"It was our choice." He said stiffly, looking at his brother, "Under ridiculous circumstances, many years ago, but none the less all of us at some point accepted Aro's proposition. This is our punishment."

"I won't let it be yours too, if I can do anything about it." Felix growled, "Now, go! Before they sniff us out and try to catch you. Warn the Cullens, brush up on law. If you can make it clear to our witnesses that this whole thing is a display of corruption and greed, you stand a fair chance." He said, a cold hard look in his eyes.

We stood at the base of the mine-shaft, and I turned back to face them one more time, "I love you, my brothers."

They nodded stiffly, with tiny flickers of smiles breaking through their masks of nervous tension. With that I quickly scaled the rock walls of the mine to open air.

I looked around once, for a few seconds absolutely lost in my memories, letting them fill me. And for one… I embraced them, I let them make me stronger. Then, I turned and followed then slowly fading scent of my brothers back to the Cullen household, the book my secret tucked against my chest. The snow was heavier now, several inches deep as I ran, only five hours… five hours until my world will be decided by a vote.

I'd come full circle it seemed, and now I was facing the past for what seemed like the last time. But not like before, this wasn't just one face. Everything would be gathered, the nomads I'd met along the way and the Volturi all in one place, all that was missing was William, I thought with a shudder.

A loud snap caught my attention and I skittered to a quick stop, book in hand.

"Bex!" I heard his voice call and let out a long sigh of relief as he swiftly wrapped me in his arms. His lips crashed against mine roughly, desperately, "I was so worried." He whispered fiercely, his forehead pressed against mine.

"I'm sorry." I muttered quietly, resting my head in the crook of his shoulder.

"It's alright," He sighed in relief, "so long as you're okay."

I pulled back, knowing this would be hard on everyone. He looked at me with questioning eyes, "I have bad news." I said quietly as the rest of the Cullen search-party and the witnesses caught up to us.

A slight breeze came from behind me, and Dylan stiffened.

"What the…?" He growled lowly, and his eyes raked the surrounding area, "Who?" He demanded.

"Felix and Alec." I said quietly, "They broke every rule Aro ever made for them to warn me."

Silence, Dylan was shocked and the rest of the Cullens bore similar floored expressions.

"We have less than five hours now until the Volturi assemble… I-I need some time to brush up on their laws." My throat began to clench, would I be able to tell him that I would most likely be taken from him forever? That Aro would destroy him to get to me…?

I worried he would do something irrational.

"Everyone back home." Carlisle said calmly, evenly. "Now." His voice was a little more strained as everyone turned.

"What happened?" Dylan whispered.

"They just wanted to warn me… they told me to run." I muttered, "I told them I couldn't, that my family was here."

"That's very brave of you." Carlisle said softly, a small glint of pride seemed to glow in his eyes.

"They told me that Aro wasn't exactly intending to stick to the laws. Despite what most of you think, there's actually hundreds of laws surrounding the way the Voltrui operate. But most of them restrict the way that the Voltrui act, to keep them from being cruel. My brothers have risked their lives to give me one of three full copies of Volturi Law." I said quietly.

"Why…?" Dylan asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Because. We have to take away Aro's white hat, beat him at his own game." I muttered.

Carlisle placed his hand on my shoulder gently, "If you want to, you can still leave. I'll take no personal offence." He offered.

I took a deep breath, "No. Believe me when I say a person can get too used to running, and I'm not going back to that. I want to stay, Carlisle, I want to help you." I said steadily.

He pursed his lips before finally saying, "Let's get back, we don't have much time."

Dylan ran by my side, his expression reserved but nervous. I could see it in his eyes, he was scared. I could make out the small obsidian necklace around his neck, as he wore only a tee-shirt despite the cold. I held onto the book even tighter, it may be my only hope. Renesmee's case would be much easier than mine, I realized. I was the danger to them, the Volturi would press them harder because of me.

I made up my mind then and there, if I had to… I would give up everything to protect them.

I would trade my life for their safety, because my presence could put them in jeopardy. If that was the case, I saw the only option was to appease the Volturi myself.

I glanced at Dylan quickly, and felt my eyes prick with small tears, it would destroy him. But he would be alive.

When we arrived home, everyone seemed in a panic. Everyone was preparing for what they thought was the worst, saying goodbyes and weeping tearlessly.

We could never face them this way.

"Stop!" I cried out, "Everybody just stop it!"

I was met with silent stares of emptiness (though on a side-note I did see Kate curled into Garrett's lap), and I paused to gather my thoughts, "We have four and a half hours." I said steadily, murmurs circulated through the witnesses, "You have to pull yourselves together." I said fiercely, "If we face the Volturi like this, the outcome you're grieving for right now is the one that will happen. Trust me, I was one of them." The last part came out softer.

Edward stood up slowly, Bella by his side looking torn apart, "What is that?" He asked carefully, gesturing to the book.

"A full transcription of Volturi law, from when it was written… 2015 BC." I said shakily, "This," I held the book out, "is my witness."

"No!" Dylan shouted suddenly, leaping to his feet. "No, no, no, no, NO!" He ran over to me and all but ripped the book from my hands. I snatched it back quickly, surprised and shocked at his sudden action. "You are not going to give a witness to them." He hissed, his eyes were black as pitch. I shifted uncomfortably under his angry gaze.

"I have to." I said stiffly.

"You're not the only one here who understands the laws of the Volturi!" He snarled lowly, "You'll get yourself killed!"

Eleazar spoke up quietly, "Dylan… Rebecca is right, even I have not read the full transcription, very few have."

"Then… someone else can read it!" He continued desperately.

I sighed and flipped the book open, showing him the pages. His eyes were so pained, so shattered that it actually hurt me when I saw the realization dawn on him.

"It's… it's written in…?"

"Latinium Italia. An ancient variation of Latin specific to Sicily, used only in scripture. So few were those who could read or write it, that it was only circulated for a handful of decades… which made it perfect for writing the Voltrui law. After 1080 B.C., any works in the language were destroyed, and teaching of it banned. It only survived through the Guard itself." I said softly, "I'm the only one here who can read it, Dylan."

"N-no, you can't." He stammered in utter disbelief, "You said it yourself that Aro would never give up, you'd be practically giving up!"

I said nothing.

"You planned it that way." He whispered.

"Not originally." I said quietly, "But… if that's what it takes to get them to walk away-"

"We won't let that happen." Emmett growled lowly, out of nowhere almost making me jump. He was practically trembling, his lips pulled back slightly over his teeth. He looked menacing. "You can say whatever you want to them, fine. But if they try to lay one finger on you and you don't protect yourself, I'll kill all of them and then kick your ass too!" He hissed.

I smiled at him weakly, "I never said I wouldn't protect myself."

"Good." He grumbled, seeming to calm down, but the worry in Dylan's eyes had yet to clear. As soon as everything had settled and I retreated up to my room to read the manuscript, I heard a knock and turned to see him leaning against the door frame.

"You'd really do it." He asked hoarsely, "You'd give yourself up for us?"

I stared at my hands, "Dylan… I'd give up everything I have to keep you safe." My voice was a whisper.

His eyes burned as he squeezed them shut before blinking them open again, "I'll be perfectly fine, stop worrying about everyone else." He said softly, sitting down on the bed next to me and rubbing my back.

"I can't…" I whispered,

"Why?"

"I-I…" I turned to face him with tears threatening to spill over,

"I love you. I love all of you, I love them…" I muttered. "That's… I've never felt that way before. I mean, Felix and Alec… Heidi, but they were just three people and the rest of t-them, w-well we had to just pretend we were n-normal Guard for eveyt-thing else. I-I don't have to pretend around you guys." My words came out half-halting, in choking little sobs.

He sighed and cradled me against his chest, kissing my cheek. For a while I just cried, and he held me.

"Nothing bad is going to happen." He breathed into my ear after a while, "You know why?"

I shook my head slightly.

"Because…" He picked up the little leather-bound book, "You're going to rub their law in their faces, and they won't be able to touch you without breaking their own laws when you're through. And I'll rip them apart if they try… I'm sure Emmett would be more than willing to help as well."

I managed a weak laugh, taking the book in my hands. "This will take a while to read, by your standards of course." I warned him.

"I'm staying as long as you want me here." He said, smiling.

"I'd like that." I said softly, "Thank you."

He shrugged with a lazy grin, nuzzling his face against my neck, "S' the least I can do, angel." I was in awe at his ability to be so relaxed, but thankful none the less.

I felt my breathing speed up as I felt his lips graze my neck, I tensed slightly. He seemed not to notice, and continued to slowly massage my shoulders. Oh my god… I thought after a minute or so, staring blankly at the first page, he has magic fingers… I could feel almost every muscle in my back relaxing, but the rest of me was on edge. He lips were just under my jaw now.

"Dylan?" My voice came out in a tiny squeak.

"Mmm?" He murmured, kissing my throat, I felt my eyes roll back in my head slightly at the feeling of it.

"T-that's just a little distracting." My thoughts were semi-coherent, I heard him chuckle as he pulled back resettling so that his head merely rested on my shoulder while I read.

"Better?" He whispered, like we were passing notes in a library and someone would catch him talking.

"Much." I smiled and kissed his temple, then turned back to the book.

This would take a while.

But it would be worth it, I thought to myself, glancing at Dylan who was so relaxed I would have thought him sleeping, it would be very worth it. Even if it meant I had to face Aro again.

Page Break_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Sorry for the long gap, I was busy with the holidays :)

I hope everyone enjoyed their break, unfortunately mine's already over. :l

So, this chapter… hmmm, chock full of stuff. I felt it necessary to re-build Rebecca's relationship with Alec and Felix, two of her closest brothers, before she met the rest of the Volturi. Also, due to my own personal feelings towards Jane, there will not be any… rebuilding.

That bit about Latinium Italia is not completely made-up, because during ancient Roman/Greco times, many cultures on the fringe of the central empire developed their own languages that were based on the language of the empire itself (ie Latin or Greek), so the concept is factual, the name of the language is not.

I found it difficult to write the last portion of this chapter… mostly because the way I imagined Dylan's character in it was variable, and I wasn't very consistent with what I wanted him to say or do. Therefore, if he seems off, I apologize, I had a headache.

Thank you very much to the people who reviewed the last chapter, I know it wasn't many of you, but it means a lot, especially when I know most of you are busy during the holidays.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, despite its hectic-ness! The Volturi themselves are up next (in the flesh! Lol, joke…), hang on to your hats people this could get a little crazy! :D

Please review!

-Zeri