I just want to say a HUGE Thank You to those of you who have been so patient while I continued to struggle with this story and get it finished. Y'all are why I continue to write!

Ok, enough with the sappy stuff.

On with the story!

I still own nothing.

BPOV

I didn't like the moral ambiguity that came with this plan that the Kings had decided on, but as Aro explained, "This is The Volturi!" and apparently, that was supposed to be the end of the discussion on the morals and ethics of warfare.

In the end though, it really wasn't my decision to make. It was my duty to follow the orders that my Father gave me, quickly and to the best of my ability.

I was allowed to voice my opinions on the parts of the plan that were a bit rough, though. For that I was extremely thankful because there were quite a few ideas that I had to nix. "No, Char. We aren't going to nuke them." "Father, please talk some sense into Aro. There's no way we can make that work with the airplane we've got." "This isn't D-day, Peter. There will be no jumping out of our prefectly good plane and parachuting in." "Where are we going to get that much water, Char? They're in the mountains!" "No Jasper, we are not starting a landslide, even if it is a really good idea." "We're trying to keep this inconspicuous, guys. Remember, humans cannot know what is happening. We want to keep it out of the news."

After several hours, and much discussion, the final plan that we came up with seemed simple enough to remember. Basically a "How to Defeat Your Enemies in 5 Easy Steps" Guide.

Step 1: Send a contingent of soldiers to assist with the Romanians as soon as possible? Check.

Our recruits that we had been working with for a while now were chomping at the bit to get out there in the thick of the battle and be of use somehow. So, we had planned to send most of them to Romania first thing in the morning to assist Felix and Demetri until we arrived, plus the new wave of recruits would give our battle-worn soldiers a bit of a reprieve. The refreshed soldiers would relieve the battle-worn and allow them to come back here and rest before the final stages of the plan. Any remaining Guard members would stay here and protect the castle and the Queens while we were gone.

Step 2: Send someone new into the Romanian Stronghold. This part of the plan was a bit more of a gray area.

Basically, we had to send someone into the Romanian ranks to be seen as a possible ally to them, but obviously in reality, they would be working for us to tear down the Romanians from the inside. This would be the only part of the plan that would actively need time.

We couldn't just send someone in there, immediately turn on the Romanian's and expect to not only win, but also leave with all of our people alive. If that were the case, this whole war would have been won during the first week.

This mission would take skill and an impressive amount of patience. The vamp chosen for this particular mission had to be someone that they didn't expect, someone that they could see as being willing to help them, and someone that could throw a wrench into any plans that they had without drawing suspicion.

This person also needed to be able to gain access to various parts of the stronghold and provide us with intel that we can use to be able to get behind the Romanian's defenses and take them out before they see it coming. Plus, they would need the skills to be able to take the Sorcerer out before we could even begin our assault.

The problem with this plan was that we obviously couldn't use anyone within our ranks because they'd be killed on sight. Even with the possibility of someone 'switching sides' as it were, the likelihood that the Romanian's would believe that would be next to nil. So, we'd either have to recruit a well-known vamp outside of the Volturi that would be willing to work with us and hope that they don't switch sides, or we would have to use one of our new recruits to the Guard which would be a really bad idea because they wouldn't be able to get all of the information that we'd need.

It's not that our newbies weren't good. They were. We wouldn't have chosen them to be a part of the Guard otherwise. They were just inexperienced in dealing with this level of opponent and their skills hadn't been honed enough to not get themselves killed.

Personally, I would have preferred Jasper or Peter to volunteer for this portion of the plan. They both fit the bill for what we needed, but they were either really adamant about staying out of this fight as much as possible, or they knew what we wanted and just refused to volunteer.

Either way, convincing them to assist us with this step would clearly need more thought.

Step 3: Send someone to parley with the Romanians and take them a message of surrender from the Volturi. Can't quite check that box off yet considering we were still in Italy and our full plan hadn't been finalized yet.

Caius and Aro would need to be in Romania for this part of the plan to happen and they would need all the fanfare that they could get to make the 'surrender' look legitimate. The extra time that the previous part of this plan would give us would also allow Marcus to give the documents that we would be handing over to the Romanians - as part of our falsified surrender - the proper attention and preparation they would need.

In other words, miles of red-tape and legalese that would take days to sift through, which I think was the whole point. Plus, we didn't trust anyone else with the ability to write documents that ran you round and round in circles and made you feel like agreeing to anything; all while making you believe it was your idea the entire time. Marcus could make that happen with just slightly more thought than determining what shoes he would wear on any given day.

It also didn't help that we hadn't determined which one of us was going to deliver the 'terms of our surrender' as it were. The person that was chosen had to meet two separate sets of qualifications and they were non-negotiable for everyone's safety.

The first was that the vampire chosen needed to have a decently high ranking within the Volturi. This was a two-fold qualification in of itself; one, so the Romanians would have heard of their reputation and loyalty to the Volturi before this war started, so no one newer than 25 years would be eligible; and two the Romanians would be more willing to take them - and the documentation and message they were delivering - seriously.

The second qualification was that the vampire chosen also needed some sort of defensive gift in their arsenal in case anything went wrong and the Romanians - or one of their lackys - decided that they would rather have one of our heads on a pike than listen to what we had to say. This way they could defend themselves as needed.

There were several possibilities of vampires within the Guard that would be more than happy to handle this, but it really came down to Jane, Felix, or myself. Jane and I were the most obvious choices because we had defensive weapons that we could use quickly and as necessary. Felix was just a weapon all on his own, the big, broad bastard.

Not that we needed to figure any of this out right now, but it seemed everyone was more focused on this part of the plan than the previous one, which personally I felt was the most important step so far, but it just meant that everyone was more worried over it than they were letting on.

The discussion over who was going to be given this responsibility got a bit heated at one point and I was surprised that Jasper was the culprit.

"I would feel much better if you didn't volunteer for this." Jasper stated to the room at large. His eyes however, were focused on me. If I didn't know any better, I would think he looked a bit worried for my safety. Although that was a sweet thought, (and something I would surely be thinking about later) we didn't have time for that right now.

"Your options are limited, Father." I stated to Caius in earnest and for the moment, ignoring Jasper's concern. "For the most part, you know you only have three good candidates for this. Anyone else wouldn't make the impression that you need to make in order for this operation to go smoothly."

"Bella's right." Char agrees. "You have three options and I don't see any reason why it can't be the one vampire in our ranks that can actually shield themselves from most physical attack."

Caius looks at both me and Char with a patience only a Father has for his Daughters. "I understand your concern. I really do. However Bella can't shield herself from all forms of physical attack and that right there is our problem. Besides, what if we get to Romania and realize that her skills are of better use elsewhere?"

"Caius makes a good point, Bella." Aro says thoughtfully.

"Normally, I'd hate to agree with the Volturi on anythin' just on principle, but I agree with the Kings on this one." Jasper expresses thoughtfully. "You could be useful elsewhere and if you're busy being civilized with the Romanians, you won't be able to be where you're needed most."

"Where else could I possibly be needed?" I was getting annoyed that no one else seemed to take this as seriously as I did. Granted, Jane would be just as professional and just as capable, but I really wanted the opportunity that this presented. "I don't see why it can't be me." I managed almost defensively as I directed my next comments to Jasper. "It isn't like I haven't put myself out in similar situations since I started as a Guard member. Furthermore, I can't ask someone else to do something that I would be unwilling to do myself. It isn't exactly the mark of a good leader, Major."

"As noble as that is," Jasper responds, "I still don't think it's a good idea if you volunteer for this."

"You've made your point perfectly clear, Major. However, it is not up to you or me to determine who goes. My Father will determine that after deliberating with my Uncles and they will have the final say." I state angrily. Who did he think he was coming in here and telling me that he didn't think I would be a good fit for this part of the plan?

I think someone was letting this whole Major title go to his head a bit, but he'd learn soon enough who gave the real orders around here. I almost hated to break it to him that it wasn't Major Jasper Whitlock. Almost.

As the conversation continued, the next step of the plan was laid out. Sort of.

Step 4: Keep the Romanians busy with 'peace talks' while we found a way into the Romanian stronghold.

This part of the plan would be more time-consuming. The main reason Aro and Caius were going to Romania with documentation from Marcus was for "peace talks". This would be the distraction for Stefan and Vladimir and we had little doubt that it would work. The only wrench was Maria. From what information we were able to gather from Jasper, she wouldn't be so easily distracted.

That's why we needed to find a way to get into the castle and dismantle the army from the inside. This entire plan would go to shit if we didn't focus on Step 2 and I seemed to be the only one worried about it.

Peter brought up the fact that we did have the aerial images from the most recent fly-overs as well as updates from Felix and Demetri (who were still in Romania) from as early as 5 hours previous, but that wasn't really helping us gain the access we needed. Instead, their updates were just reminding us how little we were advancing.

Step 5: Destroy Romanian stronghold. Capture Stefan, Valdimir, and Maria for proper judgement of their crimes. Anyone else is to either be burned or captured depending on the severity of their crimes and their sanity.

This portion of the plan was fairly self-explanatory.

After everything that we had gone through after nearly a year of dealing with the infuriating Romanian's, this last part of the plan was what it was all about. We not only wanted to capture the leaders of this little rebellion and put them on trial for their crimes, but we also wanted to observe the mental state of all of the newborns that were forced into this life. There was no better place to place the Romanian's and Maria on trial, and observe the vampires that did survive our attack, than right here in Volterra.

I didn't want to burn anyone unnecessarily, but I did want to take out any threats to us or any humans within Volterra's walls. The whole point of the Volturi was to make sure that the Vampire race stayed a secret. Anyone that threatened that Law had to be disposed of, no matter the circumstances.

I wasn't sure how many would survive our initial attack, though. The general consensus was that once we were inside, the Kings wanted the entire stronghold destroyed. If I remember correctly, "reduced to rubble" were Aro's exact words and I think we had plenty of explosives for this portion of the plan, but I left those details to Peter who, it turns out, was a demolitions expert of sorts.

"Self taught." He let me know as he was going over what we had with Caius and myself. "I got really bored one summer at the Whitlock Ranch and had to find something to do. It was a good thing Jasper didn't come back that year. Gave me a chance to fill all those holes in." I managed a concerned glance at Peter, who seemed to be actively avoiding looking in Jasper's general direction after that confession.

Now, that we had most of the plan firmly set in place, it seemed that the only thing I had left to do was convince either Peter or Jasper to be our plant within the Romanian's. I would feel better about the whole situation if they both went together, but I'd take either one at this point.

However, that did give me an idea. What would happen if both of them went? There was nothing in the plans that we had made so far to suggest that they couldn't both go. In fact, it might be to our benefit if they did. Now I just had to convince them that this was the right move.

"I have a thought" I stated aloud to the room "what if the plant that we send into the stronghold wasn't one person, but two?"

The others looked at me openly waiting for me to continue my thought. "Think about it. Two people would be more inconspicuous than a single person alone, plus the people we send would have backup in each other. It's the same general concept of having a partner to go on missions with, this would just be at an elevated level."

"So that means that instead of hiring one vamp, now we have to hire two?" Caius asks.

"Who said we have to hire anyone?" I reply.

"No one is going to be willing to do this for us without some sort of compensation." Caius responds. "I know that you think someone would be willing to do this out of the goodness of their heart, but you should know by now that is not the case. In order to see this done, we have steps that we have to take in order to make sure it will be foolproof."

"I understand that." I respond a bit put out that my Father would think I was that stupid. "That's not what I'm saying at all. I understand that in order to make sure that we aren't stabbed in the back, there are steps that have to be taken and sometimes those steps involve monetary gain. What I'm saying is I'm not sure that it needs to be taken that far."

"Then what are you suggesting, child?" Aro clearly is confused about what my intentions are, and I don't think explaining it any further with the objects of my point literally sitting in the same room would be to anyone's benefit. In fact, it would only exacerbate the problem further considering they hadn't exactly volunteered for any of this.

"She's talkin' 'bout us." Jasper states from the corner seemingly reading my mind.

"What?" Charlotte asks bewildered.

"I could have been more subtle" I state simply, "but honestly I don't think subtlety would do us any good. You and Peter would be the perfect two to send in there and I'm not going to apologize for thinking it."

"No need to apologize, but keep in mind I had wanted to stay out of this fight. I was that bitch's right-hand for far longer than I'd like to admit and although the last time we met, we left on good terms, I don't believe that she'll take kindly to us walkin' up to the front door and askin' to be let in, without questionin' our motives."

"And that right there is the reason this can't be an in-and-out mission. This is going to take time. Which means that you both will have to get in there, earn at least Stefan and Vladimir's trust - if not Maria's - and slowly rip their defenses down from the inside." At this point I don't care who agrees with my plan, as long as we can get two of our number in there.

"I don't think I like that plan now that I've had time to really think it through." Char says with concern lacing every word. "There's far too many variables and I don't think Maria would fall for it. Knowing as much about her as we do, she would be the one that we would need to convince. The Romanian duo seem like pushovers compared to her. However, I do have another plan that would yield the same results."

"Oh?" Aro asks giving Char his undivided attention "What did you have in mind?"

"Peter knows just as much about Maria as Jasper does. That being said, why don't Peter and I go as your plants and Jasper and Bells can stay outside and coordinate the best possible plans from the information that we provide?"

"Why would you want to do this?" I can't help but wonder what her endgame is here.

"Well, I don't see any other options. If we send in the Whitlock's alone, the Romanian's would be thrilled, but Maria would be on guard the entire time. That won't do to be able to gain access to the places within the stronghold that we need access to. However, Maria will be less likely to question Peter acting alone. As far as Maria knows, Jasper is still with the Cullen's and therefore retired."

"But Peter won't be alone. You'll be with him, right?" I ask confused.

"Yes" she responds quickly "and I can see where you're going with this. The inevitable 'But you've been with the Volturi for years, how could she not know you?' right? Well, I've thought of that, too. Mostly when you and I are sent on missions together, Bells, you are the more formidable opponent and people have a habit of paying far more attention to you. Your shield gives you a status with other vamps that leave me mostly overlooked and underestimated."

I look at her slightly offended and begin to say something to the opposite effect, but she cuts me off before I can get a sound out "It doesn't bother me not to have the spotlight when we're facing down other vamps. In fact, in this case it may be beneficial because I'm not really all that well known outside of being your shadow. I'm not offended by it and you shouldn't be either, even on my behalf." Char says looking at me before I can get angry at her expense.

"That's actually not a bad plan." Jasper responds off-handedly "I know Peter is perfectly capable of doing anything that is required of him and I'm assumin' that Charlotte is just as capable, if not more so."

"If anyone was curious," Peter remarks seemingly more relaxed now that we had a definitive plan, "I'd be thrilled to do this. Keeps me outta trouble and gives y'all the advantage. It's a win-win."

"However?" Jasper asks his best friend and confidant.

"However, there is one stipulation."

"Of course there is." I respond tired of this whole discussion already. "What is it?"

Peter looks at me in a meaningful way before responding, "If I choose to do this with Charlotte's help, you cannot be the one to enter with the 'terms of surrender'. I just have a feelin' that if you're the one to bring it, the whole thing will fall apart. It has to be Jane."

"Done." Aro nearly shouts. "We'll take those terms."

"Now wait just a minute!" I protest, "What does me staying out of the Romanian's grasp have to do with it? I am perfectly capable of handling that assignment!"

"No one's doubting your capabilities, Bells" Char responds calmly seeing my distress "we're just saying to let Jane take that mission. Please, in order for this plan to work, you have to stay outside the Romanian's grasp."

"Well, in that case, if Peter goes, I go." Jasper says without conviction. "I wanted to stay out of this, but dammit if I'm gonna be able to now."

I growl lowly, but finally concede. "Fine." I say throwing my hands up in surrender, "You win. I will stay behind and let Char and Peter go."

"Thank you, Daughter." Caius says as he walks around his desk, wraps his arms around me in a fatherly embrace, and holds me close. "I know this will be difficult for you, but" he says moving me to arms' length and staring straight into my eyes, "we will all get through this and be a better Guard for it."

I seriously doubted it, but I hoped he was right.