A/N: This is probably going to be the hardest and saddest chapter I've ever written. I would advise having a box of tissues at the ready if you are a cryer. They'll probably come in handy. I ask that you please not be angry with me after this part. Just remember as your reading, it's not over yet. Far from it, in fact. I promise everyone will get their happy endings. Unforunately, they all have to go through some of the worst possible shit first. But it'll work out in the end. I promise. So here we go.

BELLA

I woke up, "fully clothed", in my room unsure of what happened. It wasn't until I became aware of the throbbing pain and inability to move the lower half of my body that I remembered. As the memories of what happened came flooding back, my stomach churned and I found myself leaning over my toilet. I realized after a minute that I was only dry heaving. Having had nothing to eat in around forty eight hours meant that there was nothing in my stomach to force out. Eventually, my heaves turned into sobs as I lowered myself back to my mattress. I slowly and painfully dragged my knees to my chest and sobbed into them.

I found myself thinking about my life as I cried. I breifly wondered if, after knowing what life with Edward would give me, I would change any of the decisions I made involving him. I didn't have to ponder it for long because the answer was no. I loved Edward and all of the Cullens with my whole heart and soul. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like if I had just walked away when Edward ask me to. He told me over and over that it was dangerous to be his friend but I didn't listen. And I didn't regret that decision for a minute.

Sure if I had never gotten close Edward or the Cullens, I'd probably be safe at home in my own bed right now. I wouldn't be wondering what was going to happen to me next. Or be fearing for my life. Or, worse yet, wondering if one of them was really going to give up everything just to save me. I hoped that wasn't the case. Even through all of that, I didn't regret choosing to be with Edward. I loved him so much. He made my world a brighter and happier place. He helped me see the real me. He's the reason that I kept on fighting every sadistic vampire that came after. He was the reason that I wasn't going to let Aro bring me down that easily. He helped me to keep going with my life, even after Charlie's death. I needed him in my life to do those things for me. He loved me and I loved him and that's all that mattered.

The sound of the door opening pulled me out of my thoughts and caused me to look up. Jane was standing in the doorway with another of her sadistic smiles plastered across her face. My heart rate sped up a little as she approached me.

"Don't worry, human." she said with a laugh as she stroked my check. "Aro just wants me to get you cleaned up and ready for your family. They'll be here in a couple hours."

She then moved undo my leash from its hook. My mind was spinning. I wasn't sure how I felt about my family coming back. I was mostly upset by the fact that they were coming back. I wished they would've just got back on a plane to Forks and forgot about me. I hoped they were just coming to tell Aro that they couldn't make a decision and that he could keep me. I didn't want any of them to have to sacrifice everything for me. I knew in my heart, though, that this wasn't the case.

I knew by the time this night was over, I'd be on a plane back to Forks and either my brother, one of my sisters, or the love of my life would remain here in my place. They'd have to spend enternity doing God only knew what to inoccent humans and vampires alike, just to keep me safe. A selfish part of me was elated by the thought of this. That same part of me prayed it wasn't going to be Edward. Did that make me a bad person?

I tried to push those thoughts away. I knew it wasn't right to ask them to give up everything for me. I didn't want them to anyway. They deserve so much better than having to live a life that would make them hate themselves. Jasper was already having a hard time getting over whatever it was that happened to him. He didn't the kinds of thing that Aro would make him do to make things worse.

I sighed deeply as Jane started tugging on the leash. As slowly as I could manage with Jane leading me, I began to crawl. She lead me down the hallway to the same bathroom as before. She undressed me and placed me, unceremoniously, into the bath tub. She then put the plug in the drain and turned on just the hot water. I cringed as the searing water toched the cuts and scraps on my body. She laughed as I tried to avoid it for as long as possible. I let out a few smal cries as it hit the whip marks on my back.

Once the tub was completely filled with the water, she allowed herself sometime to play. She shoved my whole head into the water and held it there for a few minutes. I struggled against her as I fought to keep the water from filling my lungs. The heat wasn't quite that bad when you were struggling for your life. She finally let me up and laughed as I gasped to get my air back.

"Stupid human." she muttered.

She then began to scrub my body just as hard as she had the first time. It hurt a lot worse than the first time because I had more cuts and bruises. She didn't seem to care about bothering any of them. In fact, I had a feeling she was hitting some of the more painful ones on person. When she reached down to clean in between my legs, she forced my legs as far apart as the tub would allow. Granted, the tub wasn't very big, but after what I had shoved inside me only a few short hours ago, it was rather painful.

When she finally finished my body, she moved to my hair. She dug her nails into my scalp as she rubbed in the shampoo and conditioner. I could feel the blood seeping out as she did this. She simply laughed everytime I made any indication that it hurt.

When she was finally finished, the tub had cooled down to a bearable temperature. I silently laughed at the irony. She made me get out and dried me off with the same amount of force that she washed me with. My skin was still red from the water and the scrubbing. The was a new pile of clothes sitting on the floor beside me.

"Put those on." Jane ordered once she finshed drying me off.

I did as I was told. The outfit surprised me. It was a black hoodie with a few holes but not enough to notice and a pair of gray sweatpants in roughly the same condition. I shot Jane a questioningly look knowing i get in trouble if I asked her outright.

"Aro wants you to be prepared in case your family meets his demand." she explained. "He wants them to be able to take you out of here without peaking the other humans' curiousity. If they are able to see your injuries then questioned would be asked and investigations would be done. And as much fun as that kind of damage control would be, it just isn't worth all the trouble."

Well, it was nice to know that I wouldn't have to make anything up. I was, however, still praying that I wouldn't be leaving. The Cullens shouldn't have to give up this much for me. I hoped they felt the same way.

Once I was dressed, Jane lead me back to my room and made me sit in front of her. She combed out my hair, not too gently, and put it into an uncomfortably tight french braid. I cringed everytime she pulled more hair into the braid.

She made me stand up when she finished. Then she inspected my body to make sure that that there weren't any cuts and bruises showing.

"You have a bruise on your right cheek." she stated. "If anyone asks, you got into a fist fight. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Miss Jane." I answered with my eyes on the floor.

"Good, now I have to go to meet your family." she informed me. "Aro will send someone in when they're ready for you."

She wrapped my leash back around the hook and left slamming the door.

TWENTY MINUTES LATER.......

The door opened and in stepped a member of the guard that I hadn't yet had the pleasure of meeting. He looked about my age but I knew that didn't mean anything in vampire years. He could've been over three thousand years old for all I knew. He had short bleach blonde hair and bright red eyes. Somehow, I knew I didn't have to be afraid of him. I wasn't sure where the feeling came from but I trusted him.

"Aro is ready for you." he said. I noticed that he said Aro's name with nothing but hatred. He pulled my leash of the hook then walked back to me. "You're in no condition to have to crawl all the way down the hall. Stand up."

He held his hand out to me and I took it. He helped me to get off the floor slowly and less painfully. Then he pulled my arm around his shoulder and supported me out of the room. I was surprised by this but wasn't sure if I'd be permitted to speak.

"My name's Damon, by the way." he said. "You don't have to be afraid of me. Your name's Bella, right?"

"Yes." I responded as we made our way down the hall. "Can I ask you something?" I added a minute later unsure if he'd allow me to speak me mind.

"Of course." he replied.

"Why aren't you treating me like the others do?"

"Because, you don't deserve to be treated that way." he stated. "You haven't done anything wrong."

I nodded.

"There's some things you should know before you go in there." he stated after a minute of silence. "I have a very special gift. I can see things. Not like your friend Alice but it's difficult to explain. I suppose one could say, I have imaginary friends who keep me informed of important things. And they've told me that you aren't going to like what's about to happen. But you need to understand that it's for the best. Besides, from what I've been told, it'll all work out in the end. You just have to hold on."

"I don't understand." I stated. I really had no idea what he was talking about.

"There isn't time for details. Just remember to keep holding on and everything will work out." he answered. We were now about one hundred and fifty or so feet from the door. "Unfortunately, I have to make you get on your hands and knees now. We'll both get in trouble if we walk in like this."

I nodded and he helped lower me to the ground. We walked the rest of the hall in silence. I spent the time trying to make sense of what he just said to me. I kept coming up blank. The only thing I knew was that one of the family had decided to do what Aro wanted. I knew because that's the only thing that could've happened that I wouldn't like. I just prayed that it wasn't Edward.

Damon pushed the door opened and I looked around as we walked through. The walls were once again lined with the guard and my family stood in the middle of the room. They looked as sad and angry as they did before. I noticed that, though Jasper and Emmett were beside Edward, they were not holding him back. I didn't know if I should think of this as a good sign or a bad one.

When Damon reached Aro, he handed the chain over and proceeded to his place in line. I noticed that he shared a significant glance with Edward who nodded. I wasn't exactly sure what it meant but Edward seemed grateful for something.

"Sit pet." Aro stated. I pushed myself onto my knees without any fuss this time. I didn't want to make the situation any harder than it had to be. "Good girl." he patted my head and I cringed. "Carlisle, has your family made a decision?"

Carlisle took a deep unecessary breath and closed his eyes. I didn't think he could quite form the words so he simply nodded. My heart began to race as I stared intently at my family.

"And?" Aro pressed.

"It's going to be me." Edward's voice rang out through the hall.

"No, Edward! You can't!" I yelled not caring what Aro would do.

He simply laughed.

"I have to, Bella." he stated staring at me. "I do, however, have a few requests, Aro."

"I'm listening." Aro replied.

I was too shocked to say anything else at that moment.

"I wish to remain on the animal diet." he said.

"I'm sure Heidi will be able to arrange that. Of course, it may be difficult to find you something as often as we feed." Aro stated.

"I'm perfectly capable of finding my own food." he stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Of course. Is there anything else?"

"Yes, I want your word that you will not go after Bella again after this. I don't care if she tells the whole world we exist. Because if you or your brothers or your guard lay a hand on her again, after this moment, I will leave and take out as many of you as I possibly can."

"Very well." Aro replied but I could hear the uncertainly in his voice. "I swear that Isabella Swan will never again be harmed by myself, my brothers, or my guard."

"Good." Edward stated. "Finally, I want a some time to say goodbye."

"Of course," Aro replied. "I'm not totally heartless. I'll give you ten minutes."

Ten minutes. That was not long enough to say goodbye to the love of my life. Especially when I didn't want to let him go. Aro stepped in front of me and reached around my neck. I was relieved when he pulled the clamp off.

"It was fun while it lasted pet." he whispered before stepping away. "Now go."

I stood up cringing through the pain and started to run toward Edward. He met me halfway and through his arms around me.

"Please don't do this." I begged as the tears began to pour.

"I have to, love." he said. "I love you too much to let you suffer like that."

"But I'm going to suffer worse without you." I pleaded.

"You will at first but then you'll move on." he whispered. "You're human it's what you do."

"But-But-But..." I started unable to grasp my thoughts. He pulled my away from him.

"Listen to me baby. I love you so much and what you to be happy. That's why I have to do this. Do you understand?" I nodded. "I know it's going to be hard but you have to keep going for me. I won't let them hurt you anymore, I swear but you can't let yourself be consumed by this lose. That's not why I'm doing this. I want you to be able to live a full human life. I want you to find a human who will make you happy. Someone to give you children and grnadchildren. So who can make you as happy as I did."

"But there's no one like that out there for me." I pleaded. "You're the only one I want those things with."

"There is that person out there for you. I can guaruntee you that." he countered. "There's someone out there who would've been yours if my kind didn't exist. He's still out there looking for you. I want you to try to forget me and find him."

"No!" I yelled. "I DON'T WANT ANYONE BUT YOU!"

The tears were now coming in uncontrollable quantities. He pulled me close to him as I broke down.

"I know, love, I know." He said his voice cracking as he gently rubbed my back. "Everything will be alright I promise."

"No, it won't." I cried.

"Eventually it will." he said then pulled away slightly. "Emmett, will you come take her please?"

"No!" I yelled and wrapped my arms tighter around Edward.

I felt Emmett cold arms wrap around me as I clung to Edward. Edward reached up his arms and pried my hands from his neck.

"I love you, my angel." he stated as Emmett pulled me away. "I'll never forget you."

"No, Edward, please!" I yelled struggling against Emmett. "I love you! Don't do this!"

"Jasper, a little help please?" Emmett said after a minute of my struggling.

I felt waves of calm intruding on my sadness and rage. I tried to fight both the waves as well as Emmett but I wasn't getting anywhere with either.

"Carlisle, please check her out the minute you guys get out of here?"

That was the last thing I heard my Greek God say before I finally gave into the wonderful peace of sleep that Jasper was offering me.

A/N: Well, what did you guys think of this one? I hope it was just emotional enough. I'm debating about whether or not to do it from Edward's P.O.V. I wanna here what you guys think about that idea. Remember my flying monkeys and click the pretty box. I can't wait to hear what you guys think.