THE MISFORTUNES OF BEING A WOMAN

Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.

This chapter has been beta'd by dowlingnana and her work is making the story flow more smoothly.

While all of this was taking place, Bella was busy relocating once again and making plans to get back to Chicago to meet with her crew. She had to make arrangements for Jasmine to keep her safe and then the Crew needed to plan how the Black family was going to be brought down once and for all time. They would no longer be a threat to anyone.

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All the calls had been made and five individuals were answering the call of their chief. A call they never thought would ever be sent out again, but, it did come and they would answer. So, each person did what they had to do to make their way to Chicago.

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The Volturi brothers were trying to keep tabs on all parties concerned, but, had no idea of what kind of shit storm was heading towards Chicago and what their part in the finishing of the Blacks might be. If they had known they might have been busy getting ready for all hell to break lose.

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Edward and the rest of the family were in shocked amazement at the revelation that had just been handed to them by Charlie Swan. The fact that his daughter was a member, no not just a member, but, the founder of the bunch known as the Crew which struck fear in the heart of the worst of the worst had them questioning what they truly knew about anyone, even family members.

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The only people that were blissfully ignorant at the moment were Jacob Black and his unruly band of misfits. Hell was about to break lose around him and he had no clue.

CHAPTER 35:

Standing in the hallway waiting for the door to be opened after knocking a couple of times, Bella had no thoughts of worry knowing that she was making the right choice to keep Jasmine safe. Brenda Westlake was very resourceful and the two women have known each other for several years. She had been the one that had helped Bella to come back from the edge of what the Crew was leading her into. While reliving the past Bella was unaware that the person she sought had opened the door and was standing in front of her waiting for Bella to speak.

Being suddenly pulled back to the present with a throat being cleared, Bella refocused to realize that she was facing her dear friend and counselor, so, with a slight smile to each other one moved aside in invitation for entrance while the other reached down to pick up something that was to the side but out of the sight of the apartment owner, then entered the apartment.

After closing the door and both women got settled Bella began telling Brenda all of the events from over the better part of the last year. The older woman just sat there listening, never moving a muscle or saying a word that would give away her thoughts as to the events being revealed to her. When Bella finished speaking Brenda just shook her head and said, "Damn, you have definitely been busy without even trying."

Bella laughed and agreed, "You could say that, I guess."

"Okay, Isabella, let me see the little one and then tell me what has brought you to me now." Bella lifted Jasmine who was sleeping out of her carryall and hands her over to her friend. And, Brenda took that moment to admire the child who was indeed a little heartbreaker at a little over two months old. Although, Bella had told her friend all that had led up to the moment of Jasmine's birth and the little that had happened since then, she still had to explain about gathering the "Crew" together again to deal with the threat that existed for both her and Jasmine. That the men after them had pushed the envelope too far with the explosion of the house with no regard to who might or might not be in the house; it was at that moment that Bella asked Brenda to take care of Jasmine. To take care of her even beyond if for some reason she didn't return. She didn't want Jasmine to be involved in any way with what either two families were involved in. She wanted her daughter to know a regular life that was free of fear or threats. Something she felt wouldn't be accomplished if in the care of the Swan or the parental family.

"I can understand where you are coming from, but, I can't say that I'm in total agreement with you, however, I will be happy to comply with your requests because of the situations that do exist with such families. I disagree with the gathering of the old bunch; however, once again, I do understand why you are doing it."

"Brenda, I have tried to stay away and out of the limelight, to keep Jasmine free of the same, but, this bunch of fanatics is determined to get to us. I have to put an end to it once and for all."

"As I said, I understood, but, can't agree that it is the best way to go. However, I will take care of this little one in the manner that you have asked until you return for her. But, if by chance you don't get back, I will raise her as you would want." Brenda told Bella in a sadly, quiet manner.

"That's all I can ask of you. Thanks so much. At least, here where no one knows where she is I know she will be safe. Now, I need to go and get things ready for when everyone arrives. We have a lot of planning to do before we set things into motion." And, finishing with that statement Bella rose to leave after placing a single kiss upon the brow of her precious daughter.

Brenda saw Bella out the door and then turned back to get the sleeping baby settled for however long she was going to be staying. And, Bella walked away feeling confident that she was doing the right thing no matter what the coming outcome might be.

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Checking into a hotel that was near the airport, but, far enough out as to not be traceable anytime soon by the people she was getting ready to bring down, Bella began to formulate her plans. All that was needed was for everyone else to arrive and they could finalize everything and get down to business. She didn't want this to take too long, so, everyone could return to their families without any delay, if at all possible. She did text the location of their stay and meeting to each one and then all she had to do was to wait until their arrivals.

All throughout the day one person at a time arrives at the designated location and would get settled for however long this was going to take. Bella refused to give any details until everyone was together and the story along with the plans would only be repeated once and once only.

By six that evening the last person was settled and it was time for the meeting to take place. The whole Crew was there and each ready to begin fulfilling their position in the group. Bella Swan, known as the Server who delivers the sentence as would the foreman of a jury, June Summers, known as the Collector since she was expert in gathering everything they would need to carry out the sentence, Allison Davis, known as the Judge who listened to the charges then allowing the defendant to plead their case before pronouncing sentencing, Helen Freeman, known as the Balance since she was able to empathize with all sides to be the voice of reason when necessary, Mary James, known as the Researcher since she was able to dig up the least known facts concerning anyone and last member was Lacy Stephens, known as the Jailer who never lost a prisoner, all got comfortable to listen to what needed to be said and decided. Bella was the leader, but, each person in the group had the right to express their thoughts, suggestions and any concerns about a mission. This time wasn't any different. But, all of these women were trained to do damage and worked together to carry out the sentence. They knew how to do the greatest damage with the littlest effort.

So, with the calming of her nerves by breathing in and then out a few times, Bella begins the meeting. She explains to them just as she did with Brenda all that had been happening over the last several months. Then finished with the events of the last few weeks and the games that had been played with the safety of her and her baby being in the balance and it was at that point that she finished by saying, "So, the time has come that it needs to end. Jasmine has the right to be safe the same as all other children. These people should have guessed by now that I had no intention of going to the law about what I saw. All of this has gone on way too long and too far.

"It has come down that even innocent people are being drawn into the chase and being harmed as well. Enough is enough and I have drawn the line in the sand. And, the way I see this is that we follow the steps we took in the past. First the warning to all of the outside connections for them to be able to withdraw from the line of fire, and, then the warning for the individuals which in this case is Jacob Black and his brother, Sam, to put their affairs in order since they won't be returning.

"We do need to decide on the sentence, gather all information as to who we need to warn, decide upon how the warnings will be delivered and then deliver them, pull together all materials we will need including the place we will be using to carry out the sentence and waiting until the appropriate time to make our move.

"Any questions or comments at this point?" Bella asked while looking each woman in the eye waiting to see what would be said or asked.

No one said a word as they took the time to consider all they had been told and without saying a word each one nodded once, but, knew that if it had been their family, especially one of their children, the same thing would be done to protect them. Then the silence was broken by Helen saying, "Okay, I think we are all in agreement that this needs to be done. We know the why, we know the plan, and so, now we need the necessary information and materials leaving only deciding upon the sentencing. The question we need to ask and then answer is 'are we going to take any lives, or, just leave it for the cops?'"

"We haven't taken any lives in the past, just delivered what was necessary to break a fair justice and then let the common law enforcement agencies deal with the rest. That is what we will do this time. Nothing more and nothing less.

"There isn't any information known as to why they killed a year ago and that isn't any of our business, but, the actions they have conducted over the last several weeks are beyond their normal business and the involvement of innocent people isn't to be allowed. That is when it does become our business.

"So, I would suggest that we all get completely settled, get down to our perspective jobs because the way I see it this should be finished by this time next week since today is Wednesday and we will be heading home by next Tuesday." Allison tells all of them. Everyone nodded in agreement with those facts then separated to get some rest.

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Carlisle and Edward met the Swans at the private airfield and then conveyed them back to Chicago and the main family home. Not one word was spoken during the whole time. Emmett was in awe of his sister, Charlie and Jasper were worried about how Bella was going to be influenced with getting back together with the Crew, Renee was totally upset with her men folk while worrying about her daughter and the Cullen family was confused, worried and curious about what was about to happen.

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Mario was doing the same as the Black family heads; waiting for someone to make the next move that would lead them to the next step that would need to be made.

A/N: The different groups are gathered with their decisions and plans made. Now it came down to the waiting the game once more.

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I thank all of you for your patience and understand in regards to the length of time it is taking between updates for each of my stories.