Alright, here's the next chapter for you. I hope you find it satisfactory. I had fun writing it.

I enjoyed seeing your reactions to the last chapter. Sorry, I'm a horrible person. Hopefully this chapter makes up for it. ;)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Disclaimer #2: This chapter contains lemons.

Marcus' POV

Time stood still for a long moment.

Aro let his hand drop from Bella's chin, then glancing at Marcus, whose severe face reflected his inner turmoil, Aro gave a single nod in confirmation.

Marcus stepped closer, looking intently at his brother, his eyebrows raised somewhat. Bella swiftly looked up, her face blank with surprise.

"But he is not breathing, his heart gave out!" She said, her mind not daring to believe what Aro was telling her. If he was mistaken…

"My dear," Aro said, laying a hand on her arm to halt her flow of words.

"I have a gift no one else has. As I touch your father, I am able to read him. Were he dead, this would not be possible. Curiously, I cannot read all of his thoughts. It is like a puzzle, with a lot of pieces missing. Nonetheless, I sense his presence. Give it time. He will get through this."

Bella gave a gasping sob, sinking to her knees, clutching her father in her arms, as the implications hit her. He would not be gone. She shuddered violently with relief.

Aro smiled reassuringly, looking down at her trembling form, then he turned towards Jane, who was lurking on the edges of the room.

"Jane, will you please make Mr Swan as comfortable as you can. Get him to a room, and make sure Bella knows where to find him. It will be a few days before his change is complete," Then he walked away, leaving them to it. Jane kneeled slowly beside Bella, hesitantly placing a hand on her shoulder. Bella didn't look at her, but simply turned to hug the girl tightly. The blonde wore a shocked expression for a moment, then it softened, and she returned the hug, feeling relieved for her friend's return home.

After a moment, they released each other and Jane lifted Charlie's broken body from Bella's lap, carrying him out of the room. Bella gaped at the weird combination of the young girl lifting a fully grown male. Then she got to her feet, pushing her hair over her shoulder. Marcus came to her side, smiling softly down at her, taking her hand, and lifting it to his mouth for a gentle kiss.

"Now Bella, would you please tell us what has happened in the time you were in capture? We need to know if there's any more danger lurking out there," Aro said pleasantly.

Bella looked at him a long time.

"It would be easier to show you," she finally said. Aro chuckled at that, thinking she was joking.

"Yes that is indeed true, but that is impossible, unfortunately," he said almost a bitter tone to his voice.

Bella walked over to him, putting forth her hand, a Mona Lisa smile on her face, and Marcus noted Aro's shocked expression. Marcus stepped a little closer, his breath catching in his throat.

"It is no longer impossible. Let me show you," she said softly. Aro took her hand dumbly, unable to say anything.

She concentrated, seeing her shield shimmering just beneath the surface of her skin. She willed her memories to surface up, leaving them bare for Aro to see.

He gasped loudly, as he took in her experiences over the last few weeks. She waited in silence as he took his time sifting through it all. Then slowly, he let her hand fall.

"I must say, you have changed Isabella Swan," he said in a deep voice. "That was remarkable to behold," he added, a delighted smile spreading across his features.

Bella felt Marcus come up beside her, and Aro looked at him.

"You have quite a gift in her, my dear brother," he said softly, smiling broadly.

Marcus put an arm around Bella's waist, pulling her close.

"I know," he murmured, placing a gentle kiss in her hair.

"Well, you can go now, then. I have everything I need. Maybe some refreshments for your young mate, brother, she has certainly deserved it." Aro said, waving them off.

Marcus tugged gently at Bella, pulling her from the room.

"I can't believe it," Bella said, staring at the ground as they made their way back to Marcus' room.

"You saved your father, and yourself," Marcus said, taking her hand and placing a kiss on her knuckles.

"I am so proud of you," He added tenderly.

"The fact that you had to bite him, and you never gave into your thirst. That has never happened before," He said musingly. She shrugged. They walked on, not in any hurry, though they soon were at his door. Marcus gallantly opened it for her, stepping back to allow her entry. Bella sighed in relief as she aimed straight for the bathroom, littering her clothes as she went, not wanting anything more than a shower to clean herself off.

Marcus gave a low chuckle, watching as her naked form disappeared through the bathroom door. He sat down in an armchair by the fire, waiting for her to finish, his mind wandering far and wide in the silent room.

It was a while later when he came to, realising that she had not come out from the bathroom. Frowning somewhat he got to his feet, slowly opening the door to peer in. Clearing his throat softly, he stepped into the tiled room, finding her on the edge of the tub, feet in the water, scrubbing furiously at her hands, lathering the skin into a foamy mess, rinsing and then repeating.

"My love," he said quietly. "What are you doing?" He walked up behind her, watching as she rinsed again, feverishly getting more showergel to wash her hands again. He gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her hands to her chest, embracing her from behind, as he kneeled down behind her.

"That's enough, Isabella," he admonished softly, hoping to snap her out of it.

She was sobbing and trembling, fighting his grip on her to get more soap.

"No, my dear, it will not help," he said. "Trust me."

"I need it," she said on the brink of hysterics, trying to wrench her hands free.

Marcus held her hands in place, and without further ado, he got fully dressed into the tub, pulling her tight against his chest, hugging her fiercely, trapping her hands between them, sliding his hand down her head, stroking her hair, as he tried to calm her down. After some time she stilled, stopping her struggles.

"I k-killed them," she murmured in anguish against his chest, her words muffled.

"I know," He said gently, holding her close.

"I didn't have to kill them, and I did it anyway," she said, trembling again. "I'm a monster," the guilt in her voice was gut wrenching.

He didn't know what to say to that.

"They were dangerous," he finally said.

"You were only trying to protect your loved ones. They would have killed you without question. You did the only thing you could do, my love," Marcus said soothingly into her hair.

She didn't answer. Killing another being was never quite what one believed it to be. It took something from you everytime. Bella was young and innocent, her heart was crushed because she had had to kill two other living beings, despite them nearly costing her her father and mate. Her compassion was something to behold, and he felt his chest swell with love for her. Her pain was his afterall.

"Come," he said, pulling her down from the edge of the tub, into the water. He had her kneeling on the floor of the bathtub, as he gently washed her, both of them taking solace in the familiarity of each other. When she was clean, he had her step out of the water, handing her a towel, before he hastily divested himself of his drenched clothes, finding a towel for himself too.

He directed her to the sofa, guiding her to lean back against his chest. They sat in silence, his fingers skimming her neck tenderly. The hours trickled by as he watched her slowly master her feelings, her eyes glazed as she came to terms with what had happened. Dawn approached, the room getting a purple hue, turning slowly red, then a golden orange, as the morning dragged on.

"Are you thirsty?" Marcus asked her finally. She shook her head sharply.

"Could we go see him?" She asked quietly.

"Certainly." He got up, pulling her with him. They got dressed hastily, leaving to find her father.

Bella's POV

As they entered the room, led by Jane, Bella's gaze immediately found his still frame. Jane bowed shortly and left, not wanting to intrude. Bella struggled to keep in a sob. It hadn't been that long since they had parted in the airport, but his body seemed to have aged 20 years since she last layed eyes on him. She stepped up to the bed, Marcus keeping back to allow her space. Her gaze lingered on his face, his mustache, his sunken cheeks. How he must have suffered. She felt her anger pulse again at the thought. She gently took his hand, lifting it off the bed to hold it in her cold ones.

He was still not breathing, and his heart was completely silent.

He's so quiet," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

"What if Aro is wrong?" she whispered, almost not daring to give voice to her worst fear.

Marcus placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He is not wrong, my dear. Things like these are hard to understand, but they never fail. Your father is still with us. You will soon notice the change in his body. The healing process should begin in a few hours. His heart will most likely start then," his voice was low, yet encouraging. She nodded, not having the words to speak at the moment.

Marcus sensed that she would not be leaving her father's side until he was through his change, so he sat down silently in the corner, allowing her the space she needed to be with him. Bella crawled into the bed, settling beside Charlie, getting ready for the long wait. Hours trickled by, the room growing lighter and lighter, until the peak at midday, then the shadows slowly conquered the room back.

Suddenly Bella's ears picked up on the sound of Charlie's heart starting to beat again. She bolted upright, staring down at him. Marcus was there in a split second.

"Bella, be prepared for this to be painful, the process, as you know, hurts quite a bit. If he wakes, he may scream," Marcus said wearily.

She merely nodded, fighting to keep in her relieved sobs, as she finally dared to believe in this miraculous recovery.

Charlie's lungs expanded dramatically, drawing in a deep breath of air, his eyes remaining closed. He didn't seem to register their presence. Bella sat watching him, never taking her eyes off his face, her brain almost unable to accept the impossible.

As they waited, the day moving by at a snail's pace, Bella saw Charlie's muscles slowly starting to fill out, his cheeks no longer hollow, and the dark rings under his eyes disappeared. His skin lost its rosy color, turning a stark white. The process was quite fascinating to behold. His heart started to beat faster, and a single groan escaped him, his eyebrows tugging together in distress.

Bella took his hand, kneeling on the bed beside him.

"This is the final stage," Marcus said softly. "His heart will give out again before long. I will take my leave. You will have a lot to discuss when he wakes. If you need anything, just call my name, I will hear you." With that he nodded at her, leaving the room quietly.

Bella looked after him over her shoulder, then turning back towards her father, she waited with bated breath. Another hour went by, and his heart beat faster and faster, struggling as it felt it's final beats approaching. Then, silence. Charlie took a deep breath, a frown creasing his features.

"Dad?" Bella said softly. Nothing.

"Can you hear me?" She asked gently, leaning forward.

His eyes suddenly opened. Their crimson colour nearly made her gasp. It was quite disturbing to see him like this. He sat up instantly, taking in his surroundings.

"Dad, it's me," she said softly. His head snapped around to look at her.

"Bells?" He said, his voice filled with wonder.

"What happened? Where are we?" He got out of the bed in a flash, his movements elegant, his head turning to both sides as he gazed around the room.

Bella was at his side in an instant.

"It's okay, calm down, we're safe," she intoned the word, trying to calm him. He looked at her then, flinging his arms around her shoulders, crushing her in a tight hug.

"I thought you were dead," he murmured into her hair. Bella said nothing. She had no words that could express her relief at having him here. She had missed him terribly, and then coming to terms with never seeing him again, and then thinking he was dead, the emotional turmoil was almost too painful.

She merely hugged him in return, and so they stood for a long time. Finally he pulled back, his hands holding her shoulders.

"Where are we?" He asked puzzled, looking around at the large room.

Bella knew what he meant, but she answered vaguely.

"We're in Italy," His eyes were incredulous.

"Wha-what happened?" He asked urgently.

She took his hand, and pulled him to the couch, sitting him down.

"What do you remember?" She asked, sitting down beside him. He frowned at that, his eyes looking into hers.

"I remember darkness…" His frown deepened. "A terrible smell and coldness. I got news of your death, and… I can barely remember anything from that time… It's all so hazy," He finished lamely.

"How are you feeling?" She prodded, trying to gauge his mental state.

He began to answer, then paused.

"I- I feel fine, I'm just..." he said, gulping slightly.

"Thirsty." It wasn't a question.

"Y-yeah," he finished lamely.

"Okay, dad, I need to tell you something. It will most likely shock you," She said, taking his hand in hers.

"Something has happened to you," She started, trying to break it to him gently.

"You… And I, for that matter, have changed," She braced for his reaction.

Silence.

Then;

"What do you mean?" He asked bewildered. She sighed resignedly.

"Dad, you have become a vampire," She said flatly, holding his hand tightly. He looked at her, eyes getting wider every second. Then he burst out laughing.

"Wh-hat? Bells, don't be ridiculous. Vampires don't exist!"

She kept quiet as he laughed heartily for a few more moments, then he slowly deflated, as he looked into her face.

"You can't be serious!" He uttered.

"Unfortunately I am, come let me show you," she said, getting to her feet and pulling him along. She went to the bathroom, hitting the light switch, and hauled him in front of the mirror. His eyes gleamed a stark red in the bright light. His eyes widened at the sight of himself. Then he slowly took in the filthy clothes he was wearing, his pale skin.

"What in the world?" He whispered.

"What happened to my eyes?" He stepped closer to the mirror, peering intently at the crimson gaze staring back at him.

"A newborn vampire has crimson eyes," Bella explained.

He prodded his own face, his hands soon following his gaze as he looked at his pale hands, then he prodded his biceps, feeling the muscles beneath. He felt his chest and Bella started to feel like she was intruding on a private moment, and she cleared her throat somewhat, reminding him that she was still there.

"This can't be happening," he said quietly, eyes wide with astonishment.

A soft knock at the door, and they both turned. Marcus was entering the room, a large golden goblet in his hands.

"Right, dad, this is Marcus…" Bella began, but Charlie didn't seem to hear. His eyes fixed on the goblet, a low growl coming from him as he caught the whiff of its content.

Without a word, Marcus handed him the goblet, and he drank it down in a few greedy gulps, something spilling from the corners of his mouth. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve, finally taking in the appearance of the austere man before him.

"Mr Swan," Marcus began softly. "Welcome to the Volturi. My name is Marcus," He held out a hand. Bella watched on tenterhooks as they shook hands, Charlie looking at Marcus' red eyes.

"Your eyes are red too," he commented drily. Bella was feeling apprehensive at her father's cool reaction to everything. Maybe it was his career as a policeman, but he did not seem fazed by the turn of events so far.

"So they are," Marcus agreed pleasantly.

"Do you require more blood?" Marcus inquired.

"Blood?" Charlie asked, uncomprehending.

"Yes, what you just drank down was blood. Do you need more?" Marcus pressed politely.

Silence rang through the room, as Charlie absorbed his words. Marcus nodded somewhat, understanding.

"It is a lot to take in, and we will explain everything to you, eventually," he said gently, a soft smile on his lips.

"What you need to know for now, is that you were dying, and your daughter," here Marcus glanced with a tender gaze at the young woman beside them, "saved you from certain death."

The look in Marcus' eyes didn't go unnoticed by Charlie, though he didn't comment on it.

"Saved me? How did she manage that?" Charlie asked, he was feeling quite shocked at this news. Blood, death. What was happening to his quiet life?

"You were captured, and most likely tortured to within an inch of your life. Isabella saved you by biting you, bestowing upon you, immortal life. She did amazingly well, seeing as she is herself a newborn vampire. You can be very proud of her indeed," He said, smiling again.

Charlie frowned, looking at his daughter, again noting that soft gaze reflected in her eyes as she looked at the tall stranger.

"Did he say immortal life?" Charlie asked quietly.

Bella nodded, smiling softly.

"Right," Charlie said dispassionately, looking into space for a minute. He clearly had trouble believing what they were saying.

"Please, take your time to absorb this new life of yours. We will leave you to it. If you need anything, feel free to call upon one of our guards, or me and Isabella. You will find a list of names on the coffee table. Make yourself comfortable and feel right at home. You should perhaps start by cleaning yourself off. Your body has been through quite the ordeal," Marcus said, bowing slightly.

Glancing at Bella, he turned around, leaving the bathroom. Bella smiled at her father, hugged him swiftly around the middle and then followed Marcus out, leaving Charlie to yet again marvel at his new body.

Marcus' POV

They walked out into the corridors, walking briskly, then suddenly Marcus halted, grabbing her wrist, lifting it to his mouth, gently placing a kiss in the palm of her hand. A soft breath escaped her, as she looked intently into his eyes.

Their gaze locked, he walked her backwards without a word, pushing her against the wall, his mouth descending on her lips. He kissed her deeply, groaning softly, his hands coming up to her throat. Their lips met again and again as minutes passed by. Then he released her, his brow resting against hers.

"I missed you," he said in a husky whisper against her lips.

"I missed you too," she said softly, capturing his lips again, her hands sliding around his middle, beneath his suit jacket, her fingers clutching at his muscular back, sliding down to grab his buttocks, pulling his pelvis flush with her lower stomach.

He growled softly, desire flaring within him, and his hands came down to cup her ass, lifting her slightly, so her legs came around his hips, his pelvis pushing against her core. A throaty moan escaped her, as she jackknifed slightly against him.

"We shouldn't be doing this here," he whispered, his lips trailing down her throat.

"You started it," she pointed out, tilting her head to allow him access. His teeth sank into her neck, biting somewhat.

"Cheeky," he admonished, chuckling darkly, his frame vibrating against her, as he pressed her against the wall, kissing her again, greedily taking her lips again and again. Being so close to losing her, had taken a toll on him, and he felt his need for her rise within him.

"Will you please come with me to my rooms?" He asked her tenderly, searching her face. She nodded once, and he pulled her along the corridors, barely able to wait for them to reach their sanctuary.

Marcus' POV

Closing the door behind him with a soft snap, his gaze fell upon her immediately, as she had stepped into the middle of the room. She watched him as he walked closer, removing his suit jacket, casually laying it across the back of the sofa.

Then he stepped up close to her, breathing her in, as he slowly began to undress her. Neither of them spoke as his hands worked, sensually removing her garments. Finally she was completely naked before him, and he took her in his arms, his hands roaming her figure hotly.

He could scarcely believe she was here. He longed to make love to her, but also did not want to rush things. He nibbled her lower lip, then moved to her jaw, his tongue swiping out lazily, suckling her skin gently. She moaned softly, her hands coming up to grab his shoulders, squeezing him urgently. He moved lower, kissing her neck and shoulder, his hands sliding up her back, as his ministrations made her lean back, her head tilting back all the way. He captured a nipple in his mouth, making her gasp and groan. He growled into her skin, enjoying the feel of her flesh puckering beneath his lips, his tongue teasing it into a stiff peak. Then he traveled to the other breast, giving it the same treatment.

"Marcus," she whispered hotly.

"Hmmm," he hummed against her skin.

"We shouldn't take too long. Charlie might call any moment," she reminded him.

Marcus realised she had a point.

"Well then," he said in a deep voice, sliding his hand in between her legs, cupping her soft folds.

"No need in postponing, is there?" He said, smiling down at her.

She eagerly spread her thighs for him, and without further ado, he penetrated her with two fingers, sinking them in all the way, the heel of his palm coming into sharp contact with her clit. She gave a harsh cry, throwing back her head, her voice deep and husky. She was so wet already, and he growled as he held her up while fingering her slowly, feeling her rippling walls, her body giving a shudder, her pelvis rolling in tandem with his movements. She was leaning sharply back, and he kissed the hollow of her throat, leaving a wet trail to her jaw, nibbling her skin as he went.

"I need you to come for me, my love," he growled against her skin, his voice deep with desire. He pushed his fingers in deeply, mashing her sensitive clit over and over, feeling her walls tighten around his digits as she hastily approached her climax. She whimpered softly as she began to shudder violently in his grasp, her legs nearly giving way, as he expertly coaxed her to a strong orgasm. He held her up while she rode it out, never ceasing the thrusting of his fingers, despite her cunt clamping down hard on them.

She was panting harshly, as she finally came back, lifting her head to look up at him. He kissed her passionately, pulling her torso close. She began to unbutton his shirt, needing to feel his skin urgently. He slowly withdrew his fingers from her quivering body.

"I need you so much, my dear, I ache for you," He said in a throaty voice, pushing his hard manhood against her core sharply, making her grunt deeply.

"Bells?" It was Charlie. He was calling for her, his voice curious.

They both froze in their frantic movements, and looked at each other. Marcus would have chuckled, if his need wasn't so painful. Nonetheless, he slowly righted their position, allowing her to step back. She huffed softly, and hastily got dressed, giving him a pained look, her gaze lingering hotly at the exposed part of his chest by his shirt collar, then she opened the door and went out into the dark corridor, leaving him to go see her father.

Sooo, Charlie made it. I couldn't bare to kill him off, he's just too sweet a character. Let me know what you think of him as a vampire? I have never seen it done before, but then again, I have not read every single FF out there. ;) It should be fun though. We will see where it goes.

-Pancakes