Chapter 5

Alice and Bella were on board Condor flight to Frankfurt; where they were to have a short layover before heading towards Pisa. It was all Alice could swing with such short notice. The little Vampire chastised herself for not seeing it sooner. After they hit the ground in Pisa it was a forty mile drive to Volterra. Alice hoped she could get another nice italian sports car to make that journey a lot shorter.

Bella was unable to sleep on the plane. She did make an attempt but her mind was racing. Alice was curled up beside her, her feet tucked up underneath her on the small but adequate airplane seat. She studied Bella carefully, trying to read her best friend. She wasn't able to rest her mind because Bella's future was changing constantly. She'd never seen Bella so conflicted.

Alice wasn't one to be fearful, but she was very concerned.

Although the outcome remained the same, Bella would become a vampire not long after they touched down, how this would happen was varying. Bella was undecided.

"Bella?" there was no reply. The brunettes eyes remained closed. "I know you're not sleeping. Your heart is beating far too fast and you're breathing hasn't slowed down."

Bella sighed, resigned, and opened her eyes.

"Please, just let me do it. If we get there and you haven't transformed, then they will do it - and they won't be nice. Aro would take the greatest pleasure in being your Sire...but I can't see it ending well in the long run. You would have no way out. If you let ME do it you will always have an escape."

Bella chewed on her lip and Alice continued. "I know you want to sample what our life is traditionally like. And I understand. Not all of are powerful enough like Carlisle to resist blood. I don't think I've ever met another vampire who has never drank from a human. It IS the most amazing feeling you'd ever experience as a Vampire. I know you have discussed with Edward what it's like. You want it Bella - but if you let them do it, you're in it with them forever. You don't honestly think that they would let you leave?"

Alice had a very valid point. It had crossed Bella's mind that if she was graced with a particular gift in her immoral life, that she would be of great use to the Volturi.

"When can you do it?" Bella questioned. "It's not going to be long before they come looking for us. By they, Bella meant Edward and the rest of the family. Not to mention Charlie. Edward would know by now that both she and Alice were missing. She didn't know if he would figure out where they were going - but she knew that it was possible that he could only be a couple of hours behind them.

"As soon as we reach Volterra. I can change you just outside of the city. It's the only way we will be able to do it in time...before Edward finds us."

"And you're ok betraying your brother for me."

Alice shrugged, "I have to be. It's the only way I can see it happening without us losing you completely."

"Will he ever forgive me? Will Edward be ok?" Bella asked. Alice looked into her eyes sadly.

"I can't...I mean.. He's going to disappear for a while. I can't see him gone forever. It's too soon to tell."

If it was possible, Bella paled further. "I'm going to break his heart. His and my dads."

"You know, it's not too late to change your mind. We can turn around and head on back and I'll change you at home." Alice encouraged.

"No...I want...I need...you can do it. But when we land. I don't want to go back to Forks. I cannot risk the lives of people I know if I can't control my...thirst."

"Then it's done." Alice said, grabbing Bella's hand. "Volterra city limits, I'll change you. I always knew you would end up being my sister one way or another. But now it'll be for real."

The next chapter is a little longer.