A/N: Thanks all 'Is It Black Or Is It Noir' reach 50,000 hits xx Thanks to Razeus1 for the crazy Renee scenario xx Only one more chapter I think and then on to my new one 'Rejected & Redundant' Alexis

Renee

I've won an exclusive two week, all expenses paid holiday, to Los Angeles. Woo-hoo! Phil must have entered it in my name, what a sweetie. The couple who came to tell me about it were a little weird and I don't think anyone's weird normally. Well, except for the man a 326, he's a bit of a dodgy pervert and that jogger every morning, I'm sure he's casing the houses that he passes. Oh, that woman at the beauty parlour, with the bad nose job, she's definitely not normal like me, either. But anyhoo, the woman who came was so sexy and downright gorgeous, put that man to shame she did.

They kinda reminded me of that family Bella was involved with, the Cullens. It's just their general persona's or maybe their auras, hmmm! Yeah they need some spiritual cleansing I think, I'll maybe suggest it to them while we're away, L.A. is just the place or getting help. I did try to do it for them but they looked almost scared. I wasn't touching them or anything just plucking the bad energy out of the air and throwing it away! Some people are very strange about their wellbeing; they just don't seem to care. I did slip a healing crystal into the guy's pocket he looked like he needed the most help. They have an itin..., iten..., whatever they called it. Yeah, a plan of things for us to do, it sounds so good, a little staid but good.

But we'll see when we get there. It'll take my mind off losing Bella; I always say do everything now, because you never know what the future holds. She missed out on so much, being serious like her father and now she's gone. Well, I'll have this holiday for her, live my life and enjoy it all for both of us. What to pack? Or pack nothing and thrift when we get there. Think of all the amazing things the Californians might have tossed aside, maybe even famous people! I need to get online and find out where all the stores are; yes this is going to be the best.

Phil's got the time off cause he's injured again, maybe he needs his aura cleansing too. So much to do and so little time, I better start dinner. Damnation this cooker has it in for me, it hates me, I know it does! That's it the house is getting cleansed too, Marjory can do it when we get back from L.A.

Felix

Caro Signore! That woman is, what was it Mary said? Ah yes, bat-shit crazy! What in fuck's name is this chunk of crystal for? How did Isabella stand living in such madness? She thinks we're weird, that's rich!

Bella

I should maybe have warned Heidi and Felix who were going to look out for my mother, that she's a little unusual! Okay, she's flaky and out there, but she's the only mother I have and even though she thinks I'm gone, I want her to live on and not be murdered because of me. I wonder if Renee has offered to cleanse their auras yet! I hope they don't argue or she'll have them getting their Chakras unblocked in L.A. Aro's in for a shock when his own guard is who stops his hired henchman.

This will be the second personal attack on me through others, third if you count him setting Jane on Demetri. It's almost time to seek justice for his vendetta against me; the man just doesn't know when to stop. How he thought this would make me bend to his will, that's stupid. I'm a shield and as soon as Aro showed me a loved one I'd shield them and the point would be moot or I'd use it to attack him until they were released, but there is no way he can win against me.

But first I haven't been around the whole guard yet, I've slowly been releasing the tied ones and Marcus and Caius find out if they want to stay or go. So far it's a fifty-fifty split; some feel it's because better the devil you know and all that jazz. Others can't wait to be free; we've even found a couple of mated ones Aro separated with his lies. Marcus and Caius aren't totally innocent in all this, but they never knew about the breaking up of mates. That is a serious no-no to them both and the first law they ever insisted was passed.

I've been training with my shield, Renata and Jasper appeared a couple of hours ago and she's giving me some pointers. No two shields are alike, but all can be used to enhance another's, its so cool and she's making it a bit more fun than the guys have been. They're so damned serious all the time, I'm not sitting here miserable until that crackpot makes his move. I will have to hunt soon and everyone else has things to do and places to be, so it looks like it's just Demetri and me.

We still haven't spoken yet, although at least he's not like Edward and apologising after the fact, to butter me up. Not that that ever really worked, anywhere but in Edward's head. He was the only person I know who planned the conversation from just his point of view. Never once did he consider the other party might not agree with him on all or any of it. No Demetri is not apologising for being himself, he's just waiting on me understanding that fact.

Is he sorry, Jasper says yes and I believe him? He's sorry not for what he said and did, but for whom he said and did it too. It's taking me time to throw away my perceptions of what I thought vampires were like. Peter told me if my mating had worked properly he would probably have taken me there and then in the chamber and the audience be-damned. What I saw as uncivilised, was just, not how humans act, but as everyone reminds me hourly we're not human and never will be again.

I need to make some decisions on my future and whether it includes Demetri or not. Jasper says mates can survive without each other, but it's painful and they tend not to put too much distance between themselves.

"I need to hunt now, thank you, Renata. You have made this more enjoyable and interesting and I'm glad" I say rising to my feet,

"It's the way Uncle Luca taught us all. He says life is boring enough don't go looking for it!" she replies smiling and disappears off with Jasper again,

Well, I'm going out, so everyone better brace themselves. His projections could start an orgy, maybe he the origin of make love, not war! There's a thought, I think wryly. Demetri is on his feet and opens the door for me,

"Where would you like to go, I adynamía mou?" he said speaking for the first time,

I think that was Greek, but I'm not sure. But if it was I need to learn, because I can't see him telling me anytime soon. I nod my thanks and leave before him saying over my shoulder,

"How far to Rome?"

MDWBMR

Duke

What's so fucking special about this crazy woman? I see her bodyguard hanging back, well I think he's her guard or he's looking to eat her, damned nomad! Fuck me but she's got a babe with her! Damn that woman's fine. Who is this Renee Dwyer, that she has two vampires with her? Has that bastard set me up again? I just follow and see if an opportunity present's itself. The man's of no importance Aro said, just the woman. But first I'll check out their room, Aha! Perfect an itinerary, now I know where she'll be and when.

I set off and catch their scent easily, they aren't hiding or anything. Granted its evening and we're not as noticeable, but they aren't making things hard for anyone, don't they know she's Aro's target? Well good. That makes my life easier. After an hour of following them, I revise my decision, twice I've gotten ahead and hoped to catch her unguarded. But that fucking woman doesn't go anywhere she's meant too! First, she was supposed to do the 'Walk of Fame', just it and not the waxworks before dinner.

But she dragged them all into some new-age shop and bought a load of shit! Before they doubled back and I damn near lost them once. The next time I almost got caught by the nomad, but I just pretended I was feeding up an alley and he bought it. They were heading for a fancy restaurant when she decided they would have more fun eating at an open-air buffet affair. Jesus, can't she follow an itinerary and the people with her just smile and agree. This is not going to be quite as easy as I envisioned, I think tonight when they are asleep might be my best bet. Well, at least I hope the bitch is where she's supposed to be!

Garrett

I don't know who's funnier, Renee or Duke. He really thinks I don't know he's following us and Renee hasn't stuck to the plan once since we left the hotel. The new-age place was a riot, giving Heidi stuff to unblock Felix's chakra, nearly had me bursting out laughing. She floored me at the buffet place saying,

"Heidi, tell the man shadowing us to join us for dinner, he must be hungry?"

I put on my sunglasses, tie back my hair and go over to explain I was working and would eat when my shift ended. She patted my arm and said,

"That's good, you seem like a well balanced young man and so handsome" I pretended to be coy and ducked my head and winked at Heidi.

This was the most fun I've had in years. How on earth has this woman survived to adulthood, is beyond me? They tell me Isabella has no fear and I see where she gets it from. Renee is the type to go into the jaws of hell for a friend and survive unscathed and be ready to go again. I don't hide anymore, following at a discreet distance and watching Duke fall over himself and me due to Renee's changing the plans all the time. I should do this for a living, humans are quite funny. Duke is now just tailing us and I'm guessing he'll make his move tonight. He's in for a shock when he finds Felix guarding them.

I give a salute type wave goodnight to Renee and Phil as they enter their hotel, I won't be seeing them again. It's time for me to head back to my own life, but I'll be there if the Whitlocks call in the future, they sure know how to stave off the boredom of eternity. I think I need to find a woman to wile away a couple of decades with, so Denali it is then!

Felix

I kind of envy Garrett his nomadic lifestyle, but then I have the one thing he doesn't, my Heidi. She keeps me sane in the chaos that is Volterra, maybe Renee is right and I need to relax more. What do they call it, Chill! Yes, I need to chill more; maybe the Masters will introduce downtime for us after Master Aro is gone, because I know he's not long for this world. Well, back to business here they come and hell she's even gotten Garrett on her side, that woman has talent.

I'm high enough up here on the top of the hotel for my scent to be undetectable, plus Heidi and I smell almost the same after all these years together. The constant exchanging of venom in mating bites tends to do that. That's one dead giveaway that Master Aro and Mistress Sulpicia are not mates and he thinks we don't know. As his reality changed over the centuries, he didn't see ours had too; none of us are as blindly trusting and naive as we once were.

Damn this will be a long night; Renee is getting loaded at the bar with her husband. I dread to think about what alcohol does to someone as upbeat as her. Time for me to move a little closer so I'm in place when they retire for the night. Poor Heidi, she's had to put up with Renee's antics all day, I'll make it up to her when Duke's gone. Plus the human's we've hired to finish out the holiday with the Dwyer's will be here tomorrow. Oh, she's a maudlin drunk then, but she really did love Isabella and misses her terribly.

They have been in bed now for an hour and are truly dead to the world. Heidi has joined me in our suite next door and Garrett is long gone. Duke is taking his time but doesn't seem to be aware I'm here and I assume he's underestimated my lover as just a mere woman. She's a highly trained killer; I should know I trained her. Even the brothers have no idea of how lethal she is. Well, at last show-time, how banal of him to use the window.

"Can I help you with anything?" I say coming up behind the fool, my robe and insignia clear for him to see,

"I work for Aro, he sent me to capture that woman. What's a Volturi guard doing here?" Duke splutters as he realises what I am,

"I work for Master's Marcus and Caius, they want her left alone and unharmed. I'm not just a Volturi guard, I'm Felix Volturi, the head of the guard" I say and he's starting to panic, time to get him out of here.

It takes only a couple of seconds to remove him from the room and once out of hearing range dismember him entirely. I take a quick picture on my phone and send it to Demetri, so he can assure his mate her mother is safe. Now a couple of relaxing days for Heidi and I and then back to Volterra to see what Isabella will do next. Aro will not be pleased with the text and photo I sent him and the other two Masters from Duke's phone. It doesn't show me, but my insignia was clear in the picture as I bent over Duke's body to set it alight.

Caius

Marcus' and my phone's buzz with an incoming text at the same time and as we open them we hear the roar. Aro, it appears now knows his pet mercenary is dead and by the Volturi's hand. Finally, he has no one on his side and it's time to deal with his insanity at last. The few spies he had have been redeployed to other area's and are no longer in Italy. The whole guard has picked their side and it's not with him, the man who enslaved them for his own greed.

Marcus

I smile up at Caius, it's almost time. I feel it in my bones, Sulpicia is aware and has moved into Caius' quarters with Anthenodora. We just need to make this as public as possible, everyone has to know that even those at the top are accountable. I thank God for the day Isabella Swan-Volturi arrived in Volterra. She has been not only the catalyst for all the changes around here but in many cases our saviour. It is her shield that has set us free from the torture of knowing your trapped but unable to free yourself. Caius has no idea what that felt like, but as he saved himself and Felix, Aro outwitted him and tied Dora to himself.

To be mated to one who loved you but was blindly loyal to another must have been tormenting for him. But now everyone in the castle is almost free and Chelsea too scared to leave her quarters. Lest someone says to hell with the laws and seeks revenge. She is not blameless in this, because she alone was never tied to Aro and never did anything under the influence of another's will. She did it for the same reasons as Aro. Her greed, her need for power and the heady feeling of having all the control.

Demetri

So it's done and Isabella's mother is safe. I will wait until she has hunted to tell her, no point in distracting her now. She hunts well and efficiently, no toying with her food as some do. At least now she doesn't mind my presence and hopefully gains some comfort from it. If that's all she wants then so be it, I have no intention of leaving or pressuring her, this has to be her choice and for her reasons. But I hope she wants to talk soon, there is so much I want to know about her and not from others but from her point of view.

"I'm done, do you need to fed?" she asks politely as she returns to my position on the rooftops above.

"Thank you, yes and then I've had news from Felix to tell you about," I say before darting away and quickly finding myself a meal.

When I return Isabella is sitting on the edge of the building, people watching I think you call it and she has a wistful look in her eyes. I assume she regrets ever having met the Cullen's they have caused her nothing but trouble in her short life. Maybe she wanted this life once upon a time, but it was a dream and not her reality. What she doesn't realise is that the end result would have been the same once the blinkers were off and she saw them as they really were.

"So Felix text and sent some photo's for you. Duke is dead and he was Aro's last man outside the Volturi, so your family is now safe" I say and she heaves a sigh of relieve.

"He also said to say thanks for telling him your mother was, eh different!" I explain and then hand over my phone so she can see the pictures for herself as she laughed at that comment,

"I'll print off some copies for you when we return, okay," I said as she flipped through them,

Felix had explained all three of them snapped candid shots for Isabella and they showed her mother having a whale of a time. But the last one in the bar was sad, she was telling Heidi about her daughter and had two tears running down her half-smiling face. Isabella's small exclamation of sadness tugged at my heart and when she finally broke down into sobs, I reused to do nothing and gathered her into my arms. She didn't struggle or push me away but clung to me as if I were her lifeline and I was content to be that for her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to break down," she said straightening up and looking embarrassed with herself,

"You, need to let it out more, bottling up your emotions is bad for you, so the Major told me!" I replied and she sniggered,

Much as Jasper was an empath he was not one to talk about emotions that way, well not with a stranger anyway and maybe only every with a woman. We had come to some sort of accord, Isabella and I and I didn't want to name it or push it, just in case it disappeared on me.

Aro

I have failed! How is it possible for me to be outwitted by those two buffoons and a chit of a girl? I blame that bitch Chelsea, she should have had more control over them all not less. Where is everyone, why is nobody attending to me? This whole place has gone to rack and ruin, it's unacceptable. I need to rip it all down and start again. Only those sired by me, loyal to me, should wear my crest. I am the Volturi, I am the only man fit enough to run the vampire world, why do they defy me?

Unknown Vampire

"FIRE! THE CITADEL IS ON FIRE!"

Caro Signore (Italian) - Dear Lord

I adynamía mou (Η αδυναμία μου) (Greek) - My weakness