Keep me safe inside
Your arms like towers, tower over me, yeah
'Cause we are broken,
What must we do to restore our innocence
And, oh, the promise we adored?
Give us life again
'Cause we just wanna be whole

Paramore – "We are Broken"

I awoke slowly and painfully to Jake's warm touch on my cheek. Sleepily, my eyes blinked open and I stared around, confused. I wasn't in bed, I realized, but still on the couch and reclining against Jake.

"I'm sorry," I said thickly. "This must not have been very comfortable for you."

He tilted his head down to brush his lips against mine. "I'm fine. I slept, too, but it's time to meet up with everyone."

He slid out from under me, carefully lifting me up and handing me my crutches. My body ached fiercely from the exertion, and I paused, gritting my teeth. Jake's dark eyes were worried as he watched helplessly.

"I'm okay," I gasped slightly. "It's… just… getting up after sitting for awhile is difficult."

Thankfully, it was time for my next pill. After I swallowed it, I hobbled to the bathroom again, sent a text to Charlie to let him know I was perfectly safe but was wrapping up a loose end, and then let Jake carry me outside. Charlie wouldn't have known I was headed into the forest, but after what I had put him through, I wanted him to know.

I knew there was no way I would be able to hobble through the brush on my crutches, so Jake carried me into the forest. Memories of the night before washed over me as we passed by the clearing. I closed my eyes, leaning my head against Jake's chest.

The woods opened into another small clearing, one filled with the pack, the Cullen's, and the Denali's. Jake carefully set me down, handing me my crutches. I stood there awkwardly, aware of just how fragile I was compared to everyone else. Edward came over to me; concern and confusion warred on his face before smoothing out.

"Bella," he whispered. I reached an arm out to him and he hugged me gently.

I pressed my forehead to his shoulder, took a deep breath, and leaned back. "Are you okay?" I asked quietly. "Is the confusion still there?"

He looked alternately irritated and upset. "Yes," he admitted. "It's not as bad. I'm starting to remember things even when I get lost in the confusion. I'm fine, though, as is everyone else."

I could see Rose standing by Emmett. She looked okay for which I was glad.

"I'm truly sorry about your loss, and I hope Leah recovers," Edward said, turning to Jacob and the rest of the pack.

Sam and Jake inclined their heads as everyone else echoed the sentiment.

"I'm sorry about your sister," Jake said to Kate and Tanya. I could see the pain on their faces and on the Cullen's as well. No one had been spared a loss.

Everyone stood silently, two very separate strengths and supposed mortal enemies, not knowing what to say but sharing grief. I saw everyone's head turn at an invisible sound, and I knew Aro was here. He glided across the forest, a whisper of darkness. With his white, papery skin and the way he glided, he looked ghost-like. Except for his eyes, which were a bright red. He paused several feet away, eyes flitting back and forth from the vampires to the wolves.

"I see it's a party," he said in a silky voice. "I get not only vampire covens, but a pack of shape shifters as well. Let me congratulate you on a job well-done with the sneak attack of the wolves. It caught a number of us off-guard."

Sam bristled. "Yes, and we lost one while another was seriously wounded."

Aro inclined his head slightly. "Ah, yes. That is war, though, is it not?"

His eyes fastened on Kate and Tanya. "And you lost your dear sister, Irina. She was promising, but family ties were stronger. I was sorry to see her destroyed by Caius regardless."

Kate bristled, energy sparking off her, but kept her mouth shut.

"There are a few things we need to clear up," Jake spoke up coldly.

Aro's eye flashed to Jake. "Black, correct? You're the true Alpha of this pack. I did some research; your father is the Chief of your tribe and you are in line for that role."

"Leave my father out of this." Jake's voice turned icy.

Aro raised a placating hand. "I mean him no harm, Alpha."

Edward was shaking slightly next to me; worried, I turned to him, to see his eyes slightly unfocused. He was remembering his time with the Volturi, and whether or not Aro was directly involved in his torture, it was enough to trigger a relapse. I took his icy hand in mine; squeezing, trying to let him know it was okay. He could hang on me, something tangible and real. Something that tied him to his home.

He began to relax.

"Why?" Alice finally asked simply. It was the burning question in everyone's mind.

Aro smiled, and I shivered at the sight of it. It didn't matter if he helped us; he was still creepy. "Ah, yes, the thousand dollar question."

He paused, glancing at everyone's tense faces. "Marcus, Caius, and I were in the midst of a battle with unruly newborns in Volterra. They were not careful enough in their feeding and were being punished. With the newborns was Julian, and we were too late in realizing he was not one."

He stood stock-still, the wind rustling through the leaves, lifting his hair slightly. I shivered a little from the cool air, and my ribs and leg throbbed in response. Jake's warm hand wrap around mine and squeezed.

"Newborns are typically uncontrollable, but Julian brought them to show us just what he could do. There minds were gone, and he was controlling them. We had never heard of a vampire with a power like that; one to control other vampire's. We were understandably worried and went along with his scheme to get everyone to fall in line and become even more powerful.

He wanted control over the human government as well. He was a greedy bastard and wanted everything… including a perfect race of vampires to fall in line behind him. Having that kind of power over humans and vampires alike was strong. I have no interest in involving myself with humans other than to feed, so I was not interested. However, Caius and Marcus were more easily corrupted."

We all stared at him in shock, surprised at the lengths this one vampire was willing to go. "He couldn't affect that many at one time with his power, though, could he?" Jasper finally asked.

"Well, no," Aro replied. "He was able to increase the number of how many he could affect, but it wasn't that many. After enough time, though, it didn't matter. Their minds were too affected and they still listened to him, so he could find new targets. My brothers' were greedy, letting themselves be corrupted, though I don't believe he used his powers against them. His offer was just tempting enough. Julian was looking for vampires' with power, and he was tipped off about Edward and Alice."

Edward was rigid as he listened to Aro speak. "He wanted your whole family, but Edward and Alice were the main targets; he was just unable to get to Alice at the time."

"I have made no secret of wanting Edward and Alice as part of my guard," he continued, "but I would not have gone to these lengths. It was Julian, Caius, Marcus, and the army they had begun that kept recruiting. I was unable to stop them on my own. I helped out of respect for Carlisle and his time with us."

Carlisle inclined his head.

"He had ended up wanting Isabella to control as well, but she was not with Edward which is what had been counted on."

I froze in shock, the increasing pain from my injuries forgotten, as I stared at Aro. He finally looked at me, red eyes glittering in the moonlight.

"Me?" I whispered faintly.

Jake growled deep in his chest. "Bella?" he snapped. "Why Bella? She's human."

"She is… was… whatever the case may be, attached to Edward and it was unheard of for a human to be immune to our powers. We believed that Isabella was destined to be a vampire. So, when this fight came about, Julian thought to come back here to get her as well. He wanted to turn her himself."

I didn't know what to say, but voices erupted furiously for me.

"She is not a fucking leech." Paul's voice was furious, even if he was still swaying a little on his feet.

"No one is destined to become a vampire…" Rosalie's voice.

"Fuck that!" Quil.

"Ridiculous," Kate muttered.

"Enough," Jake's voice said. Edward was staring at Aro, his eyes nearly bugging out of his head.

"Bella never was destined nor will she become a vampire if I have anything to say about it. It will have to be over my dead body. And the pack's dead bodies."

Aro laughed softly. "I thought that would cause a stir."

Alice waved her hand impatiently. "So you didn't want to do this to us because of Carlisle, you say. So that's why you sent me visions… but how did you manage that? I don't understand why I wasn't getting any…"

I piped up. "Julian had told me that the minds he damaged meant that anyone with other powers couldn't access anything about them."

Alice's eyebrows raised in surprise. Aro nodded, again looking at me. I felt a shiver slide up my spine. Jake's growl was soft, a warning.

"She's correct," Aro replied. "We have a similarity in our powers, Alice, and when Julian wasn't nearby to detect, I found with practice that I was able to give you visions to help you find Edward. I couldn't do anything myself or I would have been targeted and my own self-preservation was more important."

"What about Bella?" Carlisle asked. "She had dreams that were similar to what could have happened."

"Isabella must have seen the outcome if this wasn't stopped. She's human, her power is nothing like mine or Alice, but I didn't technically send her dreams. She has a bit of the Sight it seems and with all the psychic connection she must have been picking up on it."

Everyone was silent, mulling over everything Aro had said.

"Mmm," Aro finally said abruptly. "You do smell good, my dear…"

He grinned at me, teeth flashing in the dark. I nearly stumbled in panic and Jake's body began wavering before me as growls erupted around me.

He laughed softly. "Sorry, sorry… I won't harm Isabella. She just smells delightful. My intentions have never been fully pure throughout all this, I'm afraid to say."

"I've also come with a request," he said to Carlisle, who stood stony-faced. "Now that more than half the Volturi has been destroyed, I would like for you to join me as ruler."

I gasped and it echoed among many. "You… want me to join the Volturi?" Carlisle said, caught completely off-guard.

When Aro nodded, he started incredulously. "I… would have to talk to my family. Regardless if it happens or not, things will be very different. I will not live in Italy, my family is more important to me. You will not send humans to be slaughtered by your minions or yourself. I sat by and let this happen, for which I'm eternally disgusted, but that will come to an end."

Aro made to protest, but Carlisle stepped forward. It wasn't often that Carlisle looked frightening. "You are outnumbered. I appreciate that you helped, I really do, but we can figure something else out."

Aro's lips pressed together. "Yes, well… we can discuss that if you choose to do so." I knew that would be an uphill battle.

"As for now, you will leave and go back to Italy, and I will be in touch with you. You will not harm or feed on one single person on your way, understood?"

Aro raised an eyebrow slightly, and he and Carlisle locked eyes. Neither of them backed down at first. Finally, Aro said, "I will go. I am done here anyway. However we may disagree, I do hold some respect for you, so I won't feed. For now."

"Thank you," Alice said, stepping forward, holding onto Edward's arm. "However it came about, I have to thank you for helping us find Edward."

Edward's eyes still held anger and confusion, but he understood why Aro couldn't do anything for him at the time by himself, so he thanked him as well.

"What about his memory?" I asked quietly before Aro left.

Aro turned back to us once more. "I'm sorry, but I have no idea how that will turn out."

And in a heartbeat, his misty figure disappeared into the dark.

As Jake carried me home, I knew his mind was occupied by the disturbing thought that I was born to be a vampire. That was impossible, but the thought was still there. I was half-asleep, my head tucked under his chin, when he placed me gently into bed.

I stirred, reaching for him. When Jake slid in next to me, I shifted as close as I could, wincing from standing so long. Jake knew I was hurting and I heard him berating himself as if it was his fault. His fingers traced up the delicate bumps of my spine, tangling his hand in my hair.

"I was not destined to be a vampire, Jacob Black, so just get that thought right out of your head," I murmured against his neck.

I could see his little smile; we knew each other too well.

"Okay," he whispered back. "Get some sleep. We only have a few hours. I love you."

"I love you, too."

We woke around six in the morning, and I struggled to get out of bed, feeling and probably looking exhausted and rumpled more than usual. Jake helped me dress, got himself dressed, and he helped Billy into the car. He drove to First Beach and we all headed toward the gathering.

The beach was already full of people, a drum circle set up in the middle. There were large, expertly crafted cedar canoes resting by the water's edge as we made our way toward everyone. It looked like Charlie and I were the only outsiders allowed to witness the funeral. All the wolves lined up, talking to Brady's family members. I stood with Charlie, his arm supporting one side of me, the crutch the other. Jake stood toward the front, doing most of the speaking. I saw him falter a little, and struggle with his emotions, when he came face-to-face with Brady's mother.

The woman with the dark hair twisted into a braided knot at the back of her head, dressed in a suede and beaded dress, was sobbing. The sight of her face, etched with such loss and grief, had me covering my mouth to hold in a sob. Charlie wrapped his arm around me fully, and I leaned my head on his shoulder.

Jake wrapped his arms around her, speaking softly, and she clung to him. Her husband finally - and gently - pulled her away. I could see the tears on Jake's face as he continued speaking, and Sam spoke as well. They finally nodded and the couple, holding on to each other, moved away.

The Elders sat around the drums. The very first pink rays of the sunrise began to creep across the sky as the drumming began. It started out soft and rhythmic, turning into a haunting and beautiful melody. When the drumming slowed, Jake stood up with Sam by his side, and finally spoke out loud.

"Brady will be missed by all of us. He should have lived out a normal life and not have phased so young just like so many of us. He was always willing to step in and help, to protect our people and land, and he was always in a good mood. He looked up to the older wolves, but what he didn't know was that we respected him as well. He will go to the Great Spirit as a hero and will truly be at peace." And he cleared his throat and continued:

"Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die."

Nearly everyone was in tears, and I couldn't hold back my own as I stood encircled in Charlie's arms. Brady's parents were sobbing, heartbroken, and I saw the pack was crying openly as well. We all stood there, watching as Jake and Sam got into the large canoe with Brady's body covered in a sheet and his parents. Every single person laid a rose in the canoe and we watched them row out to James Island. They had made the concession of laying him to rest there even if he wasn't a Chief. He was a protector and everyone felt he deserved that honor.

We made our way to the tribal hall where they would hold the memorial gathering. As soon as we made it there, I caught sight of Dana and the rest of my friends. Within moments, I was surrounded by them. Dana had tears in her eyes as she hugged me. "Oh, thank God you and the rest of your friends are okay. We were so worried."

I hugged her in return, not sure of what she was told. "I'll be okay," I said quietly.

"I could scarcely believe how bad that car accident must have been. So many of you got hurt. And I'm so sorry about Brady."

Clarissa hugged me next. "Is Jacob okay? How is Leah doing?"

I figured it was best to stick to simple answers. "Last I heard Leah still isn't doing that great. In this case, it's probably no news is good news. And Jacob is handling it as best he can, but it's been hard for him."

Jake came into the center shortly after, and he came right over to me. I wrapped my arms around him. "Are you okay?" I asked, sliding my fingers through his silky ponytail.

He nodded wearily. "Yeah, I think so. Carlisle just got a hold of me to let me know that Leah has finally begun improving. The venom had nearly frozen the ability for her to heal, but he thinks he extracted all of it. He had no idea if the venom would eventually kill her because she didn't die right away from the poison. He decided to try this and it seems to be helping."

"Oh, Jake, that's great," I said. "I'm so glad."

We made our rounds, ate, and Jake thanked my friends for coming. I saw a bouquet of yellow and purple roses that were from the Cullen's, and I remembered what I had to do. It was a sweet gesture, especially all things considered, and I knew it was time for me to do this. Things were beginning to wrap up, so I asked Dana if she would drive me to the Cullen's.

I told Jake there was something I had to do and that I wouldn't be too long. He held my hand a moment longer, his eyes troubled, but then he let go. I knew that he knew, and I wanted to just sit down and cry, but it needed to be done.

Dana drove me to the Cullen's and squeezed my hand. I think she had an idea of what I was about to do and squeezed my hand in reassurance. "Just follow your heart, Bella," she said with a small smile.

"Thank you. I'll see you later today?"

She nodded. I took a deep breath and headed up the walk.

Edward was standing at the massive window in his bedroom, looking out at the forest, seemingly lost in thought. "Edward?" I said tentatively.

"Bella," he replied without turning around.

"Is… is it you?" I asked.

He turned, his eyes pale gold, and simply nodded. He seemed troubled as well. I reached out a hand to him and felt his fingers close around mine. He smiled wanly and just gazed silently at me. It wasn't making this any easier.

We sat on the edge of the big bed, and I sighed. "Bella, I am aware that you have been dating Jacob. I know it never came up before, especially under the circumstance, but if that makes it easier…"

I felt the burn of tears behind my eyelids. "Edward, I could never regret making that choice because I'm in love with Jake, but I'm still sorry…"

He held up a hand. "There's no need to apologize. My family was right in telling you to move on. It is what I would have wanted."

My lips trembled as I pressed them together. "It was so difficult – I can't even describe – after what happened. I had a breakdown, more than one, and was an emotional wreck after everything. It took me awhile to begin to try, but I had to, for my own sake first of all and for Jake, my dad and mom, my friends…"

He smoothed a hand over my hair. "You did what was necessary, I know that."

"I didn't jump into a relationship with Jake. I screwed up a lot, I hurt him more, and when we did try there was a degree of difficulty because of the nature of my relationship with you and of the way you and I had… ended up being apart," I finished lamely, picking at the gold bedspread.

He nodded, gazing down at our entwined hands.

"You want to remain with him," Edward said quietly. "You're in love with him."

I felt a few tears escape and brushed them away. "I do," I said tremulously, tasting the salt of my tears. "I need and want to live, Edward. I want that to be with Jake, to make up to my father that I wanted to end my life and become a vampire, and to be friends with the people who have been there for me through all of this."

There was a beat of silence, and I turned to him, saying shakily, "You do know that I love you, though, right? I was wrong to think we could have lasted long-term, but I was new to love and didn't understand so many things. You meant so much to me. You still do."

He nodded, looking as if he could cry himself. "I do know. I'm also glad that you want to live; that's what I wanted for you, but I was too weak. I want you to marry someone – flesh and blood – and have babies, go to college, travel, and be a grandmother one day."

"I never did want you to be a vampire," he said quietly. "And after how I reacted during the fight, I really don't want you to…"

I frowned, still sniffling. "What do you mean?"

"I was out of control… he… Jul…" he struggled, and I could see he was losing it again, and I gripped his hands to turn him toward me. I framed his face, meeting his eyes.

"Edward, relax," I whispered softly. "Just focus, concentrate on me, okay?"

He looked so confused as he slipped away, but then moments later he came back, breathing harder.

I hugged him tightly as he struggled to remain calm.

"Thank you," he murmured, still a little out of sorts, but back again.

"When I killed him, I never felt such a thirst for vengeance except for when I convinced myself it was okay to kill murderers and rapists. I saw Jacob and the other wolves, even my own family, but I was under the delusion that I wasn't that into it. Apparently that's not true, and it scared me the kind of ferocity I had. Maybe every one else is just used to it, and I'm too used to keeping myself under control, but it made me want you to be human. I don't want you to ever be like that."

I patted his hand, tucking a leg under me. "Edward, you aren't a monster, just like none of them are. I don't care that you reacted violently - everyone did. The situation called for it. It's who you want to be that's important."

"Regardless, I could never ask you to be like me. Not again. I still can't remember everything all the time... to foist that onto you would have never been fair. I think I knew that for awhile now."

I glanced down, picking at my jeans. "I've been telling Jake that I wasn't destined to be a vampire... and I believe that, but why..."

"Carlisle looked into it. He found through some of his contacts that there was one other person over a century ago that was human and helped take down some powerful vampires. It's widely believed that this person was gifted and meant to create some good in the world. It's all about balance. It seems you were meant to bring the shape shifters and the vampires together and to bring us all a measure of peace."

I was dumbfounded at the idea. "Even Charlie," he added. "I don't know if I ever told you, but his mind was a little muddled sometimes to me. He might have been able to have the power, but it went to you. This is why he was meant to be there, to see what really was."

Again, I was even more dumbfounded. Charlie had the same power as me just in lesser form?

I leaned my head on his shoulder, processing that.

After a moment, Edward sighed. I could see him struggling again, and he slipped away for a few moments. He stared around the bedroom and then looked at me in concern. "Is everything okay?" he asked, smoothing my hair.

I closed my eyes, feeling the tears start up again. I met his eyes and laid his palm over my heart, so he could feel it beating. It was a struggle for a few minutes, but he came back again. "I hate that this happened to you," I mumbled into his rock-hard shoulder.

He leaned back to look at me. "You have changed so much in the time since this all happened. It's still you and all the changes are good ones. You aren't clumsy anymore. You're strong. You're brave in a really smart way; you know when to back off and hide now. You have really good friends and seem comfortable with yourself. I held you back too much, Bella. I should have encouraged you to be your own person, to flourish, and to help you become stronger instead of always trying to do what I thought was best. I like the new you and I know Jacob helped with that. He's good for you, Bella, and I can see how much he's grown, too, and how much he loves you."

My chin shook with the effort not to cry.

"My family is leaving for Alaska tomorrow. We're going to spend some time with the Denali's partly to help with the loss of Irina and because they think it will do me some good to be somewhere else for awhile. As far as I know, we're coming back, but I'm going to miss you. I want you to be happy, and I know you will be, but I also want you to know that I've grown as well. I know I can be happy again, but I will always love you in some way."

I was crying now. He was leaving. Even though I knew for right now it was best, it still hurt.

"I have something for you," I said blinking away tears. "You're starting to read minds again, right?"

When he nodded, I closed my eyes and focused on pushing my shield away. When I did so, my eyes met his and they began to widen. I showed him so many of my memories of him before... things he had always wanted to see. The meadow, the dinner in Port Angeles, nights where he hummed my lullaby to me, and time spent in school and with his family. It was a painful gift to give, but it was worth it to see the look on his face.

"I wanted you to see how I felt about you. I'd like to think I would have changed my mind about dying, Edward, but I did love you. I still do, just differently now."

He hugged me tightly, and I pressed my lips to the corner of his mouth. "Thank you for that and for saving me; for saving my family," he whispered.

I could barely see him through my tears, but I breathed in his scent. "Keep in touch and over time we'll see what happens," I said. I needed to give Jake that decision, to see if he was okay with it.

I hurried down the stairs, crying. All of them were there. They didn't say anything; they just hugged me and kissed me. When I threw myself into Alice's arms, she whispered, "I knew this was going to happen and so did they. We're all okay with it. I suspect we'll be in touch." She gave me a sweet, secretive smile.

She ran me to La Push and then disappeared. I sagged against a tree, letting the full force of my sobs release. Jake knew, but he didn't need to see this. I had made my choice and even though it was painful for me to end it with Edward, I knew – and had known for a long time – that it would hurt so much more to lose Jacob.

He was my sun, my natural path, and I was so in love with him. I hoped he had waited for me, that he could forgive me. It gave me a pang of fear, but I wouldn't stop until he knew that I wanted him. Only him.

It was time he knew that. My choice was him and as the tears finally stopped, a huge weight lifted. No matter the outcome, I was overjoyed at seeing him. At finally telling and showing him just how much he means to me.

AN: Wow, the degree of difficulty in writing this was high. Yeesh. I hope I did it justice… I wanted to show it was difficult for Bella to separate from Edward, but that Jake was more important. I hope that came across! Oh, and the poem… gotta give credit where credit is due… it was written by Mary Elizabeth Frye in '32. It often comes up as Native American, though I know the author is not, but I decided to use it because I think it's a beautiful way to think of someone after they're gone.

And wanted to clarify about Leah… she was bitten and the venom had frozen the ability for her to heal from injuries (crushed bones, punctured vital organs, etc). I think that makes sense… don't think death has to be instantaneous with venom especially since wolves heal. I figure Carlisle extracting the venom would give her the ability to start the healing process!