A/N: Hi! Welcome Back! That was some break but honestly, I needed it. So much has changed...got a new job, didn't move but we are prepping for an even bigger change!

Re-cap: Alec and rescue co are on their way to save Bella but came across the remains of the prison of Felix and Bella which had been burned to the ground. To combat this Jacob picked up on a scent that caused them to find the second base which they are about to charge. Meanwhile, Bella and Diana are still captive with Maria delivering a phycological blow to Bella who had sex with a disguised maria who she thought was Alec, thanks to tainted blood which left Bella unconscious.

Enjoy!

When You Love Someone

Chapter 33: One Headlight

Alec

The silent countdown had me on edge but when it came too we spread out as planned and I cast my gift, spreading it over like a thin sheen but making sure they still had their sight. I wasn't letting anyone escape. Not today. Not after what they did.

Five vampires lined the wall, all wearing cloaks and masks frozen as their eyes widened in terror. Good.

I left Jacob to deal with them as we moved inward towards the house. Edward counted eleven and that was three. Seven more to go. Jasper gestured toward the nearest hallway and I didn't feel anyone nearby. All the rooms were empty but it was clear that they were here.

Rounding a corner, we came across four vampires looking as if they were running but because of my mist, they were frozen just like their comrades. Jasper smiled as he communicated, we found the rest of the seven, and I made quick work of their limbs, leaving only their torsos.

Smiling I released them only for them to sputter in rage. They yelled in Italian and I just smirked. Their idle threats were nothing but words and they would soon be screaming for something different once I was done with them anyway.

We both dragged their torsos leaving their limbs behind and tossed all of them in the grand entrance room as we came to rendezvous with the others. "Jane and Dimitri are outside; we've secured the perimeter," Edward said as Jacob walked into the room, phased back, and glared at the vampires.

"What? Once we're done I want to save my magic trick for last." He shrugged as the vampires eyed him suspiciously and I smirked.

"That's fine but for now." I hardened my voice as I growled at the guards "We have some business to attend to with our new friends" I empathized as Jasper circled them.

"We have nothing to say to the scum of the Volturi and the old major of the west!" One of them shouted as I smirked.

"That too is fine, we'll talk first and you can just listen." I sneered as I cast my mist forcing them to be quiet. "You know who I am, you know who my friends are and you know why we're here," I said quietly as I got to eye level. "You're going to tell me where she is and you're going to tell me why they took her," I said calmly as released the one with the bad temper and he spat at me.

Hiding my disgust, I wiped it away with my handkerchief as I held up my hand for the others. I could handle this, his disrespect would not faze me. I looked at the major and eyed him as he nodded his head.

I needed him to feel my pain and I wanted him to know that his death was coming whether he cooperated with me or not. Jasper got the memo and soon the foolish guard was trembling in fear as he shot a hateful look towards Jasper.

"I know what you do to me Major of the west! You will not toy with my feelings." He growled as I grabbed his collar and he sucked in a breath.

"No, you misunderstand. He is not trying to make you fear me. Trust me I won't need him for that." I chuckled darkly as he swallowed, and his brave front was quickly cracking. "I simply asked him to give you a taste of your future. That fear your feeling, that's the fear of your coming demise. The fear of the loss of your friends here." I gestured to the trembling figures behind him. "and the fear that your last act on this earth was some meaningless ploy to hurt me and the people I represent." I whispered

"Go to hell!" he spat as I chuckled once more.

"I've been there. I've experienced a year of hell…. Because of the people you work for." I said quietly as I gripped his collar tighter and moved my hand to his throat. I squeezed as he sputtered, and I gave a small smile. "Now…. I believe I asked you a question. Where is she?" I asked again as his eyes looked around the room wildly as his hands fidgeted in his lap.

"Don't know what you're talking about." He whispered through my grip and his eyes landed on the female to the left and I caught a glimpse of the desperation in her eyes. A connection was made between them and if he won't break for his own safety maybe he will break for hers.

I released him swiftly as I stood and sighed as I looked over the group. The woman glared at me but she was more fearful. That fear was organic and I shifted my eyes to Jasper and subtly pointed towards her. He nodded and soon the woman was trembling so bad that her teeth rattled.

"Problem?" I asked her as I came to stand in front of her just as the man with the bad tempter yelled "get away from her!"

"Now, no need to shout." I tsked him as I turned back to the trembling woman and her fearful eyes never left mine. "I simply asked if there was a problem," I stated as I kneeled in front of her.

"N-no" She stuttered as she looked down and I raised my eyebrow at her American accent.

"Really, there is no problem that you can see Miss…. What's your name?" I asked her as the guard yelled "Don't answer him!"

I rolled my eyes and snapped my fingers, a show as I cast my gift to make him lose his sight and sound. "Now isn't that better? It's so rude to be constantly interrupted like that. I simply asked of your name." I said softly as she sucked in a breath and she whispered "Bree"

"Ah, Bree," I repeated as I smiled at the others and Jacob raised his eyebrow. "Is that short for Briana or maybe Bridget?" I asked lightly as she shook her head.

"Just Bree" She whispered as I nodded my head.

"Okay Bree, well I'll make this simple for you. Bree, what's your friend's name over there?" I gestured to the guard who was aimlessly looking around and grunting.

"Riley" She whispered as I nodded my head once more.

"Well Miss Bree, if you're not aware my name is Alec and the people you worked for took something from me, something very important to me. My mate." I started as her breath hitched, and she stayed quiet. "Now I would consider myself a decent man, by no means a good one," I whispered as I shifted my eyes. Oh, how true that statement was. "But not a bad one either. I would also consider that you have a special connection to Riley." I asked as I patted his shoulder and he jumped.

"Please don't hurt him!" She yelled as I shifted my eyes to hers.

"I won't hurt him, Bree…. As long as you tell me what I need to know." I answered as she trembled more and shook her head.

"I don't know! I swear! I didn't know who I was working for! Please I don't know who you're even talking about!" She pleaded as she started to sob.

"You're lying," I stated as I looked at Edward and he nodded his head.

"Please! I really don't know where they took her! I was only responsible for bringing in humans to her!" She yelled as I raised my eyebrows.

"And yet you told me not mere seconds ago you had no idea who I was talking about. Forgive me Bree but I can't seem to figure out your story here." I chuckled as I moved my hand to his neck and squeezed as he grunted and she started to panic.

"No, please! I know her name was Bella and that she was special to Stefan and Vladimir! I was only brought here to serve the Romanians; I didn't have a choice! I was only in the room for a few seconds but I only saw that she shielded herself! They were going to kill us please don't kill him! Riley changed me, he's my only friend!" She begged as I frowned and looked to Edward who nodded. Okay, so she was telling the truth.

I quickly put them all under again as Bree started to scream wildly and I put her under the same trance as Riley. "Okay, so we need to get him to talk. Jane, can you hear me?" I asked into my com piece.

"Loud and clear"

"Okay Jane, can you reach this far in?" I asked as she grunted and soon all of them were withering on the floor in pain as I smiled. "Good, now reel back six feet and move to the left two feet," I said as she did so, and soon only Riley was the only one affected. "Good, now when I say focus on that one spot until all clear okay?"

"Got it"

Nodding my head I looked to Jasper and Edward. Luckily Edward knew exactly what I was going to ask.

"The rest are collateral. They don't know as much as Riley does. From his thoughts, he was the one that moved and witnessed the meeting with Bella. He was tasked with staying behind to look for any scouting missions. I can't read everything because of his shield but he's not the strongest. Those two near the back are the shield users but Bree there is the strongest. Get rid of them and the bubble bursts."

"Good then let's give these two a show," Jasper said as he shoved Riley to a corner and I carried Bree to sit across the room from him. The rest were in the middle and I looked to Jacob. "Time for your magic trick." Jasper smiled as Jacob grinned menacingly and he shook his shoulders.

I released all of them in the middle but left Riley with only his sight gone. I wanted him to hear everything but Bree, for some reason, I felt pity for that terrified woman. I kept her restricted, just to spare her of the deaths of her fellow colleagues.

They screamed and cried and their howls only intensified when they witnessed Jacob's transformation. I was impressed with the speed Jacob used and the force of his jaw. He was right in the fact he was built to kill vampires and the horror on Riley's face as he heard their screams and their bodies being ripped apart in Jacob's fangs was almost worth the hassle he brought me.

Smiling Jacob transformed back and shoved on his jeans as I moved Riley back to his spot, right in the middle of the discarded limbs of his friends. He was trembling and spitting and once I released him his eyes were filled with hatred as he glared at me.

"What did you do?!" He shouted as he looked around in abject horror at the limbs and bodies that surrounded him.

"Made well on my promise. That fear you felt moments ago is this same fear your feeling now. The fear of your friends gone and the knowledge that you will meet the same fate as they did." I snarled as he gulped and bared his teeth.

"Your monsters!" He seethed as he looked to Bree and his face softened and his eyes brightened before I heard Edward gasp and he came charging, punching him square in the face that sent spiderweb of cracking over his cheek and for him to hit the ground hard.

"Edward!" I snapped before he turned to me and whispered "He deserved that. He changed that poor girl for his own greedy desires. They were students here, from America but Riley was changed in Seattle. His sire was Victoria" he spat as Jasper snapped to attention.

"What the hell does that mean? What does any of this have to do with the task at hand!" I snarled as Riley continued to groan from his injuries and Edward kicked him in the stomach, flipping him to his back. "Edward enough!" I ordered as he breathed hard and looked at me.

"Riley has a gift of his own, control. He can control his thirst, his instincts. I've never seen anything like this except in Carlisle but in Carlisle's case, he used it for good but Riley…. Riley deserves everything that's coming to him. When Victoria didn't come back, he went searching for more. He found the Romanians and made a deal with them. His loyal service in exchange for the freedom to roam around. He was tasked to find women and more recruits and bring them here.

He found Bree, stalked her, and convinced her to come here, and when she did he used her and attacked her. He fancies himself in love with her but it's nothing but pure obsession and greed. He's planning for her to be a toy for them when he's finished with her!" Edward said with disgust as I growled.

As much as I hated to differ from the plan, this new knowledge did change exactly what kind of punishment this monster would receive. Riley dares call me a monster, yet clearly hasn't seen his own reflection. I looked back to the terrified woman behind me and sighed. We would spare only her. I would deal with her later but for now… "Edward" I said as he gave a small smile.

"I know, thank you." He said quietly as he picked her up and raced towards the outside where a waiting Jane and Dimitri were.

I growled when Riley groaned again, and I picked him up by his collar and set him upright before I punched him on the other cheek sending him spiraling and a matching set of spiderwebs cracking on his face. He howled before Jasper held him in place and I smiled once his wild eyes landed on me. "Don't take her away from me!" he snarled as I sucker-punched him and he recoiled.

"And don't tell me what to do." I chided as he snarled like a wild animal. "Riley… calm down. You can make this experience much easier on yourself if you would just answer my questions." I said calmly as he sputtered out "Fuck you!"

"Now that would be physically impossible but what's not impossible is for Bree not to be treated badly. You see while you were previously engaged, my friend took Bree outside to our waiting camp. There she's being held, and her treatment will vary on your answers. Now… tell me where Isabella Swan is!" I said harshly as he gasped and looked down but stayed quiet. I slapped him hard and whispered into my earpiece for Jane to make her move. Within moments Riley was thrashing on the ground, screaming in pain before I ordered it stopped.

He sat up, breathless as I kneeled down once again to his eye level and whispered "What you just experienced, Bree is experiencing tenfold. You want her to go through it again you answer the damn question!" I cursed as he howled again in pain as Jane unleashed her gift.

Once more he was panting on the floor and feebly shook his head no. "Fine then, Jane, unleash your full power on Bree," I ordered out loud but in my head, I communicated with Edward for Bree to stay where she was and for Jane to shriek.

Moments later Jane's screams could be heard for miles and the wild and panicked look in Riley's eyes was a small victory as he quickly nodded his head yes.

"She has moved a month ago, but I wasn't told where! It needed to know only! Don't hurt her!" He screamed out as I smiled and Jane's shrieking stopped.

"But you were around her?" I questioned as he quickly nodded yes and I asked Edward to have Dimitri come in.

Dimitri then barged through the doors and inhaled the room as he turned to me and gave me a thumbs up. Good, he caught something.

"And why did they take her!" I asked again as Riley breathed hard and trembled. I shook my head just as he started to spasm. After minutes of Jane's gift, he was ready to talk.

"She made it! She made something that could bring the dead back! Stefan wanted something that could bring the dead back and she knew what it was!" He garbled back as I smiled and stood straight.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Riley. Enjoy death." I mumbled before he spasmed once more and I tore his torso in half as he screamed and finally tore off his head. His scream cutting short and the room silent. Jasper started a small burn pile in the corner and I tossed the rest of Riley in it.

"Dimitri I assume you know where to go?" I asked calmly as he nodded.

"It's not Bella's scent but Vladimir's. I would know it anywhere; we can follow it up the mountain." He instructed as I grinned.

"Lead the way," I said before we ran out the door, the remains of what was The Romanians base going up in flames.

Bella

"Bella! Bella, wake up!"

I groaned as I felt the ground beneath me as I felt Diana shake me awake. I opened and eyes and wasn't surprised when I couldn't see anything. I felt around until Diana's cool hands grasped mine and she helped me to a sitting position as I tried to get my bearings.

"Bella, are you alright? Did she do anything?" She asked quietly as I shook my head, blurry images, and colors taking shape in my mind as I groaned.

"What happened? Diana…where did they take you? What do you remember?" I asked groggily as I tried to remember what had happened.

"Do you…not remember?" Diana asked quietly as I shook my head and the sense of foreboding intensified as Diana took in a sharp breath.

"Everything is kind of blurry, all morphing together. I remember they took you, soldiers separated us and then…. Maria came." I slurred as I groaned again, nausea coming in waves as Diana gently led me to sit against a wall.

"Yes, that's correct. They didn't want me around. Maria wanted to question you personally. All I heard was you screaming and then I have pulled away." Diana said as I slowly nodded my head. Yes, I remembered that part. We were separated.

"I learned much when they pulled me away. Vladimir has gone to the outpost's camps. It seems a party was spotted. From the Volturi…Maria wanted to question you about it." Diana explained as I tried to remember, all my memories were just blurring but slowly pieces started to fall as blurry images started to take shape and I gasped as I remembered the blood.

"Blood" I uttered as Diana grasped my hand.

"What?"

"She gave me blood," I answered hollowly as I remembered the passion, I didn't know but….I thought it was Alec….what did she do? What did I do!?

"I didn't mean it" I whispered as I felt tears forming and Diana quickly hugged me as more and more images started to crystalize in my mind and the stab of betrayal hit hard.

I had sex with Maria.

I betrayed Alec.

"What had I done?"

"Bella, what are you talking about?" Diana whispered urgently as she gently shook me and I bit my lip as my body numbed and I felt my hands shaking. It was as if my body wasn't my own. I had wanted it; I knew I did but I thought it was Alec. I thought it was home. Did that make it any less good to worse?

"There was blood." I repeated shakily "Maria…. she promised me blood if…. she promised that I could have it if I answered her questions." I admitted as I curled into myself, my body heating, and I bowed my head.

"Bella…. Bella that's okay. You did what you had to survive. There is no shame in that." Diana said forcefully as I continue to shake my head. "No Bella!" She shouted as I crossed my arms and hugged myself, trying to keep myself together. "Bella whatever happened. Whatever you think you did…. whatever they made you do. It is not your fault. Remember that." Diana said forcefully as a sob shuddered through me.

"That's it though." I said hollowly "She didn't make me do anything. It was my choice. I betrayed him. I thought it was him." I whispered as Diana hugged me harder.

"Who are you speaking about? Who is this 'him" Bella?" Diana asked softly as a shudder went through my body.

"Alec. I thought it was him. I gave myself to him…. but it wasn't him." I admitted biting my lip as Diana let out a breath and grasped my shoulders tightly.

"What do you mean? Alec isn't here?" Diana said confused as I just shook my head. "Do you mean you thought he was here…when he wasn't?" Diana led on quietly as I subtly nodded my head and I heard her sigh.

"Bella….oh my dear Bella, I am so sorry. I know what happened." She said quietly as I tried to calm my breathing as she gripped me tighter.

"Bella…that blood was tainted. It's dark magic….a type of alchemy that was forbidden to do, unless you were willing to darken yourself with it. It's a type of potion that can inflict reality to be distorted. I – I was the one who created it." She admitted as I looked up but of course, I couldn't see anything.

"I am truly sorry Bella. It was made in the time of weakness, I was forced to. If I refused….I had already endured so much by then, I was afraid – I didn't know what else to do and I didn't want to face the consequences if I didn't." She hastily explained as I found her hands and held them gently.

"It's okay. I understand. You were scared…it's not your fault. You did what you could to survive." I whispered as I heard her quiet sob.

"I am still so, so sorry. It's a terrible potion, meant to loosen the tongue by creating your deepest desires and wants real. The effects are quite…. impressive. It works almost too well. It can cause some memory loss, exactly what they wanted." She said bitterly as I quieted my sobs and took a deep breath.

"The questions weren't so bad…. just what it stirred. It felt so real…. I thought it was. I was being stupid. I should have known better." I spat as Diana shushed me and started rubbing calm circles on my back.

"It is not your fault. The fault lies with the ones who would torment us with the wishes of the heart. It turns something that is good into something that is evil. That's the true root of evil if you ask me. Corruption of something that is supposed to be joyous into a travesty. Please, whatever you wish that your heart wants…don't let it tamper. You are strong Bella, a strong woman with a stronger heart. Don't them beat you!" She whispered as I smiled sadly and slowly nodded my head.

"I'll try, no guarantees though." I half-joked as I heard her chuckle.

"I know, believe me, I know. However, Bella, there really was a party spotted. I heard murmurs of the guards that it was a group of two, that they were searching around an old base. There is hope Bella." She said as I closed my eyes.

"There is hope. Maria said that there was a party spotted…. before I drank the blood. I remember that, I just didn't believe her." I mumbled before I gritted my teeth and opened my eyes again, emboldened.

That bitch was not going to win over me. There was a search party spotted….it had to be someone I knew. Maybe Alec, or even Felix. Someone was coming. There is hope. I would not, could not let anyone out there down. I couldn't let myself down. Yes, it happened. Yes…it hurt me, and yes…if – no…. when I get out of here. I'll process it. But not now. Not when there is someone waiting for me.

"Diana" I started, my voice hardens, all traces of tears slowly vanishing "That potion…could have any effect on the blood itself? Could have damaged any of the properties meant to heal and…maybe strengthen?" I slowly asked as I heard her soft

"No…no, all it can do is hide. Its ability is to hide in the blood that is a human. Human blood has more biological healing properties for us. That's why human blood can heal faster than animal blood." She explained as I nodded my head.

"So, despite what it may have done with my brain…with my heart. It helped with my strength. I feel stronger so the answer must be yes." I asked as Diana agreed.

"Diana….do me a favor. Is there an object, any object that you can place in front of me?" I took two steps forward and drew an 'X in the dirt. "Right here," I instructed as she went to pick up something and I heard the soft rusting of the dirt.

"This is my shawl…. it's right on the 'X." She whispered as I bite my lip and stepped back 10 paces and tried to concentrate on where I drew to the 'X'. It was different since I couldn't see but it should work. Imagining the shawl, I stretched my shield and felt it straining and I gasped at the familiar sensation of power and I grinned as I heard Diana yelp and I threw the shawl from the direction of her sound and she gasped out "Bella! Your stronger!"

My shield snapped back to me and I turned to her and smiled widely as I felt her walk to me and she grabbed my hands. "Bella….this is faster progress than with the cups of blood!" She announced as I grinned and felt the desire in my heartburn more than it had in weeks.

"And that means we can escape." I smiled as I turned my head upwards…remembered the brief time of sight, the dimensions of the hole, and how high it was. "It means that we don't have to wait for someone to rescue us, Diana. We can escape…and soon. We will be free!"

Though this maze of ugliness and greed

And I've seen the sign up ahead at the country line bridge

Say'in all is good and nothingness is dead

We run until she's out of breath

She ran until there's nothing left

But me and Cinderella, We put it all together

We can drive it home: With one headlight

One headlight – The Wallflowers

A/N: Personally, this is a really special chapter for me, this song has gotten me through so much and I was saving it for when the tables will eventually turn! The light is coming, and the reunion will be sweet! See you all next Monday!