A.N. Everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

I am so sorry for the delay. There's been a lot going on. Family death, a move, a graduation, a divorce...it's all been pretty hectic but hopefully I can get back up to speed. I hope you can all forgive me. To say sorry, here's a double update.

Read, review, enjoy!

Chapter 7

I was fighting my way through darkness. It was all over me. I could feel it pressing against my eyes, wrapping around my arms and legs and snaking down into my lungs. I couldn't escape it. Darkness was everywhere. A universe of black. My heart wasn't pounding though. I was terrified. I was actually fearing for my life, but more than that, more than wanting to live, more than wanting to see sunlight, more than wanting to be free, I wanted Alice. I had to find her. I had to find a way out, to see her again. I tried to swim through the darkness. Run through it. Tear my way through it. I couldn't move. It was like those nightmares where you're running and running and running but you're not moving. I wanted to scream and cry, to rip down the walls around me but I couldn't. I was helpless.

Then there was something...it was faint...what was that? I strained against the black. What the hell was that? There was a noise...so quiet it almost didn't exist. I tried to ignore the black and focus on the sound. Where was it coming from? I closed my eyes to concentrate...at least I think I closed my eyes, it didn't make much of a difference, I still had the same, empty, black view. There it was. There was definitely a noise. I prayed to any god or powerful genie that would listen just to make the noise a little louder. It was a voice...so familiar, so sweet. It was her! It was Alice! Alice! She was there, she was here. Was she trapped in the black too? I thrashed against the nothing that was holding me. I felt something move...it was as if the darkness was slipping around me. I fought harder and faster. I was thrashing all over the place. I was screaming so loud I was sure my lungs would bleed.

"Come on Bella, come back. Fight!" She was getting clearer now. It sounded like she was everywhere. Where are you Alice?! I felt the darkness trying to grip hold of me tighter than ever. It was wrapping itself around my wrists, my ankles, my waist and throat. The darkness wanted to keep me but I wouldn't let it. I rolled my body into a ball. Contracting all of my muscles into a taught ball. I just needed to concentrate. Focus. I was getting out of here. I was going to fight. With a scream so torturous I felt my heart shatter. I thrust every inch of me in a thousand different directions. The darkness shattered. I could see the light. It was exploding all around me, washing over me. It flooded into my eyes, my mouth, between my fingers, over my face. It was everywhere.

I heard the scream. I was still screaming, my body was shaking with the force of it. I was out. I felt cold hands press against my cheeks. I realised I was crying. Hot tears were streaking down my cheeks, burning my skin and flowing towards my chin and lips. I stopped screaming and started panting. It felt like I hadn't taken a breath in years. I gulped the oxygen down, filling my lungs over and over again, feeling the oxygen seep into my blood and course it's way through my veins. What happened? Where was I? I was lying on something hard and flat, not at all comfortable. I could feel wires in my arms. I looked around and saw medical tubing and machines all around me. Oh no! The Institute! I started screaming again, short, sharp, screeches of terror. I had to escape. I tore at the wires and tubes. I ripped them out of my arms, leaving rivulets of blood running down my arms and chest. The hands that were on my cheeks were grabbing at my wrists now, trying to stop me.

"Bella! Bella honey stop!" That voice, it didn't sound like one of the Doctors from the Institute. I blinked back my tears, through my blurry vision I could make her out. Alice. Her eyes were filled with worry, her hair was pointing in every direction, her lips were pulled into a tight line and her jaw was clenched. I felt my fear and worry instantly fall away. It was like a thousand chains had fallen from my body. Everything stopped.

"Alice?" Her face instantly broke into a smile. She released my wrists and flung her arms around my neck, knocking me backwards. I fell back and Alice collapsed on top of me. I realised I was only in my bra and having Alice, or anyone, so close to me in that state made my cheeks blush a strong crimson.

"I'll go get Charlie." I hadn't even noticed Carlisle in the room. I just managed to catch a glimpse the back of his blonde hair ducking out of the door before Alice pulled me back into a sitting position and firmly took hold of my face in her hands.

"Don't you ever do that to me again Bella!" She was staring fiercely at me now. I was gold-fishing. Opening and closing my mouth but unable to form any kind of coherent sentence.

"I mean what the hell were you thinking?! Running straight up to them like that?! Looking for a fight! What's wrong with you?! You were shot Bella! Shot!" She was half a decibel away from shattering glass right now and her words infuriated me.

"I was protecting you Alice! I was keeping you safe. And yes, I was shot and you're yelling at me! Some bedside manner!" She blinked furiously, as if realising the situation for the first time. She snaked her arms around my neck again and pulled me close to her, resting her face against my hair, holding me tightly.

"I'm sorry, I was just so scared." I wrapped my arms around her waist and reassuringly rubbed circles in the small of her back.

"It's OK Alice, I'm fine, honestly, just a little sore." I tried to pull away but she wouldn't allow it. She tightened her grip slightly, begging me to stay, I obliged. I heard footsteps on the stairs and gently pushed Alice away from me. I was peering over her shoulder when Charlie burst through the door. His face was creased with worry. His eyes were red and framed by deeps bags. He looked like crap!

"Bella!" He ran his hand through his hair, it looked a little greyer than it had yesterday...was it yesterday, or had I been unconscious for longer? He rushed over to me. Alice stepped aside and Charlie pulled me into a strong embrace. I felt something damp against my cheek and realised that Charlie had been crying. He was squeezing me as if there was no tomorrow. I squeezed him back but had to pull away when I felt a painful twinge in my stomach.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Charlie was examining me now, his eyes were flitting from my face to my arms, to my body...my very naked body. My cheeks flushed and I pulled the sheet that was covering my legs up and wrapped it around my body.

"I'm OK Charlie, just a little tender. Nothing a hot shower won't fix." I tried to smile as convincingly as I could. I could tell Charlie didn't believe me but he didn't say anything.

"What happened Bella?" Charlie had his soldier-face on now. No emotions, just waiting for information and orders. I explained everything, the glint of the snipers scope, the fight with the ground troops, the sniper shot. When I got to the part where Eriks said he wasn't there for me, Charlie stopped me.

"What do you mean? If he wasn't here for you, what was he here for?"

"I don't know, he decided to go super-nova before I could I ask. Maybe he wants the file or the drugs you stole." I shrugged my reply and noticed the awkward look in Alice's face. What was that all about? Charlie didn't seem convinced by my theory but he didn't have a better one to share.

"Maybe. I'll ask Carlisle to look you over. Then I need to make sure our tracks are covered." Charlie was still talking as he left the room. It was just me and Alice now.

"So..." Alice was rocking back on the balls of her feet. I was still perched on the desk naked from the waist-up

"So..." I didn't know what to say. Would she bring up the fact that I'd kissed her? OK she'd kissed me first a few weeks ago but, if I'm honest, I was starting to doubt the credibility of my memory where that first kiss was concerned.

"Oh, I forgot!" Alice jumped back and walked behind the desk. She headed towards a low sofa and I noticed a pile of clothes on there. Some three quarter jean-shorts and a white vest top. She carried them over to me and held them out patiently. I gratefully took the clothes from Alice and she turned her back on me, allowing me to get dressed. I did so quickly. Flinching as I raised the vest-top over my head and slid it down my still bruised body.

"You can turn around now Alice, thank you." She turned around slowly, looking at me out of the corner of her eyes at first and then turning fully when she saw I was decent. I smiled at her in gratitude.

"You're starting to look better. I was worried about you." Her voice was low and sweet and brought a blush to my cheeks.

"I'm fine Alice, really, stop worrying. Just another scar for the collection." I tried to make light of the situation but Alice didn't seem impressed.

"You shouldn't be collecting scars Bella! You're a beautiful young girl! You should be living life, doing homework, going shopping, watching movies...you should not be getting shot!" I stepped towards her and took her hands in mine, trying to soothe her anger.

"Alice, there are many things in this world that shouldn't be. There are many wrongs that will never be righted and many evils that should never happen. That's life...it's a bitch!" She giggled beautifully at my small joke and a smile spread across her face, the kind of smile that puts glorious sunshine to shame. My heart began to pound in my chest. I knew she could hear my increasing heart rate but she didn't mention it. I smiled back at her and released her petite hands.

"Bella...?" Alice had a quizzical look on her face, I was intrigued.

"Yes Alice?"

"You know earlier...after you'd been...shot...?" I ducked my head, signalling her to continue.

"Well after, when we'd brought you in here, you did something...do you remember?" The switch was flicked and I knew instantly what she was referring to. The blood-loss-near-death kiss.

"I remember." She looked relieved.

"Well I just wanted you to know that I understand. Shock like you experienced can make one do crazy things. So we'll just...put it behind us, OK...it was just the shock." She was rocking back on forth on the heels of her feet. I was starting to shake with anger now.

"Oh for Gods sake Alice!" I'd raised my voice and Alice looked shocked.

"Bella...?"

"It wasn't fucking shock! I knew what I was doing! I will not allow you to 'disappear' that kiss the way you did the last one."

"Excuse me?" She looked thoroughly perplexed now

"You don't get it do you?!" I'd begun pacing in front of her now

"Bella, what...?" I closed the distance between us until our noses were almost touching.

"Alice," My voice was a whisper, I could swear my heartbeat was louder than my words.

"I didn't kiss you because I was in shock." I couldn't keep my eyes off her lips as they started to move and form a sentence.

"Why...why did you then?" I slowly lifted my hand to her face, letting my finger tips brush gently against her perfect skin. I traced her jawline and gently cupped her cheek. My eyes locked onto hers and I noticed they were slightly darker than they had been a moment ago. I was leaning in towards her. Our lips were so close to touching that I could almost taste her.

"I didn't want to die without kissing you again." Our lips brushed as I spoke and electricity shot through my veins.

"Bella..." I closed the distance and pressed my lips firmly against hers. Her body instantly moulded itself against mine. I felt her arms snake around my neck and her fingers wrap themselves in my hair. I placed my free hand on Alice's and pressed our bodies together. Alice's lips moved softly against mine and then more passionately. She ran her tongue over my bottom lip and I involuntarily moaned against her lips and Alice seemed to enjoy this. She pressed her lips harder against mine and I felt her tongue slid seductively over my own. Alice began to push me back towards Carlisle's desk. Until I'd fallen back into his chair. In less than a second Alice was straddling me, her legs on either side of me, her fingers entangled in my hair and her lips moving harder and faster against my own. My heart was pounding in my ears. My hands were holding Alice's hips firmly. Her top had ridden up slightly and my thumbs were touching the bare skin of her stomach. It was a small slip of flesh but it drove me crazy. I began to trace patterns into her exposed flesh and I felt Alice shudder against my touch. After a few minutes more I had to stop for breath. Alice allowed me to breathe, she moved her lips from mine, along my jaw and down my throat. I had never felt anything like it. Her lips against my throat made my mind explode. I could swear I was seeing stars. By now I was panting heavily, tilting my head back so Alice could have better access to my neck. My world was spinning and I was drowning in pleasure. Over my thundering heart beat I heard a creak just outside the room. It was enough to drag me back to reality. I quickly jumped away from Alice and straightened myself out, leaving Alice looking somewhat confused before she too made herself slightly more presentable. We were shortly joined by Carlisle. His face was set in a look of concentration.

"Bella, I'm glad to see you're recovering well." I nodded and patted my stomach to prove I was OK.

"I had a great doctor." I smiled warmly at him and he smiled back.

"I'm afraid there are things we need to discuss Bella. Charlie is waiting downstairs in the Kitchen." Carlisle stretched out his arm and motioned for me to take the lead. I made my way downstairs, closely followed by Carlisle and Alice and meandered towards the Kitchen. Charlie was nursing a cup of coffee and Esme was wiping the counters down with a damp cloth. Carlisle gently pushed the door to. The room smelt slightly burnt...probably from the grenade. There broke glass had been cleared up and other than the smell you couldn't tell that anything untoward had happened here...at least not from the inside.

"What's this about Carlisle?"I walked over to Charlie and he smiled, taking my hand in his and giving it a gentle squeeze. I could see the damp on his moustache left by his coffee and I reached up to wipe it away.

"I've been examining the drug samples you procured from the Institute." My interest was piqued. I lifted myself onto the counter and crossed my ankles behind one-another, letting my hands rest in my lap. Alice was stood just behind Carlisle and I had to force myself not to look at her...if I did, well, I might not be entirely lady-like.

"Well, it appears that the drugs given to Bella and the others at the Institute is a form of Vampire Venom..." Carlisle left his words in the air, allowing us to absorb their full meaning. It took a while for what he said to make sense to me. Charlie and I just remained silent, our faces were the mirrors of each other. Blank stares, mouths slightly open. Carlisle shuffled his feet slightly and Esme flitted over to Charlie's side, placing a hand just below his elbow.

"Am I a Vampire?" My mouth was moving but I didn't mean for the words to escape my lips.

"No Bella. You're human, you have a pulse, circulation, you breathe, you can die." Well that was a very morbid way to look at it but for some reason it put me at ease. Right at that moment the kitchen door opened and Rosalie and Emmett appeared. Emmett beamed at me and Rosalie dashed over to my side, placing her hands on my face so firmly that she squashed my cheeks and puckered my lips into a comical 'O'.

"Bella! How are you? Are you healing? Do you need anything? Emmett stop standing around and get a blanket!"

"Rothalie I'm fine" It was really hard to talk whilst she had my face squished in her hands. She looked my deep in the eyes trying to glean any hint of a lie before tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. Emmett had moved to her side and had placed a hand on her hip.

"Rose?" She nodded her head and looked back towards him in a silent apology. Though they acted like a sex-crazed, stereotypical Jock-Cheerleader couple they had a profound connection. You could tell that they were perfect for each other.

"I'm glad you're OK Bella. But I am a little sad that, that ass-hole blew himself up. I'd love to be ripping his bones from his body right now." Her voice was sweet but her words were vicious. I wasn't sure if it was a joke. I just glanced around at the other Cullens, trying to get a read on the situation but they were giving nothing away.

"Yeah...me too..." I went for the safe option, an ambiguous reply that could either be agreement or sarcasm. Emmett sniggered loudly.

"Rose would do it you know Bella, nobody messes with her family." With that she flipped her golden hair over her shoulder and led Emmett out of the kitchen.

"In many was Rose is the big-brother that all teenage girls hate." Esme was smiling after her daughter and son whilst removing the empty coffee mug from beside Charlie.

"Anyway...so I'm not a vampire...but they pumped venom into me. I thought venom changes people into vampires?"

"It appears this batch of venom has been altered on the molecular level to render it inert to some extent."

"I'm sorry, what?" Charlie wasn't good with sciencey-stuff.

"Think it like a immunisation jab. You get the symptoms of the disease you're being immunised against but not the disease itself. That's, in a way, what's happened here. Bella has the symptoms of vampirism...the strength, speed, agility, heightened sense and healing abilities, but she's still alive and human. The best of both worlds." Carlisle was looking at me appreciatively. It made me a little uncomfortable and I dropped down from the counter.

"I wouldn't put it like that Carlisle."

"No, of course not Bella. I just mean that from a vampire-perspective, many of our kind delight in the prospect of having all of the benefits and none of the negatives of vampirism. Evidently the government thinks along the same lines."

"Speaking of the government," Charlie cleared his throat, he looked concerned, "how do they know about this? I thought vampires were a global-secret? You said there were rules about exposure." Alice, Esme and Carlisle both looked perplexed.

"That is a very good question." Charlie scratched his chin in thought, and Alice glanced in my direction. Our eyes met and my heart stopped for half a second.

"Isn't it obvious?" We all turned to the new voice. Edward was standing in the door way that Rosalie and Emmett had exited out of. He was leaning casually against the frame, surveying the scene before him.

"What's obvious Edward?" This was the first time I'd spoken directly to him in...I couldn't even remember how long.

"Who in our world could possibly have the influence to gear a government and military towards genetic manipulation of the vampire-strain? Who has the power to flounce the exposure law without fear of reprisal? Who could gain the most from this sort of genetic experimentation?"

"Crap." Alice whispered the curse and if it was possible she looked paler than she had done a moment ago.

"What? What is it?" I was getting a little excited now. Part of me like mysteries.

"The Volturi." Carlisle spoke to Edward who nodded in response.

"It does make sense in a way." Esme was now standing by Carlisle's side. Alice had moved close to me, her hand brushed against mine and wrapped her little finger around my own. I glanced down at it before looking into her eyes. She smiled weakly at me but I couldn't bring myself to return it. Whoever the Volturi were, they were clearly a worry for the Cullens.

"Excuse me, but who are the Volturi?" Charlie was getting impatient now. I felt bad for him, it had been a stressful past couple of days.

"The Volturi are the closest thing we have to a government. Actually they're closer to a royal family than a government." As he said royal family, Carlisle's accent changed slightly, he almost sounded English.

"Ha! Do they have their faces on postage stamps?" I always resorted to humour when the situation was too tense to be comfortable. Nobody was laughing, Alice looked slightly annoyed.

"No, they're not." Alice's words were short and crisp, "they're an army. Narrow minded, determined, power-hungry and ruthless. They destroy anyone and anything that threatens their way of life. They protect secrecy and they relentlessly endeavour to increase their hold over our world." Both Esme and Carlisle were nodding their agreement now, Edward merely scowled a little harder.

"Well if they're so powerful what are they doing experimenting on babies?" Charlie did not look or sound impressed at all!

"Maybe they wanted new 'recruits' who wouldn't be hindered by our certain...limitations." Edward was smirking to himself. A little part of me was very uncomfortable in his presence. He always seemed to be studying me and angry with what he was seeing.

"Edward, we don't know that it is them. There's no proof." Carlisle scolded his son gently.

"Come on Carlisle, who else could it be?" Alice took hold of my hand and motioned with her head that I should follow her. We ducked out of the kitchen were Edward and Carlisle were starting to get into a debate. Esme and Charlie just stood there looking uncomfortable. I followed Alice up the stairs, we walked past Rosalie and Emmett who smiled at us sheepishly as they came out of a room to my left. I glanced past the closing door and noticed a shredded pair of jeans that I was sure Emmett had been wearing earlier. I looked at the couple, the realisation hitting me. My blood rushed to my face and I urged Alice onwards. Emmett burst into raucous laughter with Alice and Rosalie scowling at them. Alice tugged my arm gently and I followed her. We finally reached Alice's room and my mind went back to the first time I'd been here. How scared I'd been, how confused...it felt like a thousand life times ago. Alice showed me into her room and I perched myself on the edge of her bed. I felt drained and if I breathed too deeply I still had a shooting pain rushing from my abdomen to my chest. Alice closed against the door and leant against it, appraising me.

"Can I get you anything Bella?" The poor vampire looked worried.

"I'm OK Alice, thank you." I smiled appreciatively at her and let myself flop back onto her bed. The mattress was firm enough for me to bounce around slightly. I pressed my fingers against my stomach and tried to massage the pain away. After a few seconds I felt Alice's cold fingers above my own. She carefully pushed my hand away and pressed her palm against my skin. The coolness of her skin was refreshing. I sighed contentedly whilst she slowly rubbed the pain away. I could stay like this forever. After a moment Alice lay beside me. I curled up into her body and she wrapped her arms around me. My head rested on her chest, there was complete silence. No heartbeat, no breathing, nothing. I was fighting so hard to stay awake. I had to do something, get moving, re-energise myself. I squirmed in Alice's arms so I was looking up at her. Her eyes were a dim-gold, darker than they usually are. She smiled sweetly at me.

"Hi there." For some reason I blushed which caused giggles to cascade from Alice's perfectly formed lips...and I blushed even deeper. Change the subject.

"Alice, what do you know about the Volturi?" Good change Bella, well played. Alice's brow knitted and she pushed us both into a sitting position.

"I know about as much as anyone else in my family does. Why?" I shrugged nonchalantly.

"I was just wondering. Carlisle and Edward seemed to...I don't know, they just seemed weird about the subject."

"Carlisle and Edward have differing opinions on the Volturi. Carlisle's seen the good they can do, Edward sees the greed and power-hunger."

"Well who's right?" Alice cocked her head to the side slightly, and chewed on her lip, contemplating her answer.

"Well...both of them really. The Volturi are the closest thing to a police-force that our world has. If a vampire gets breaks one of our laws, then the Volturi step in. However, they've consolidated their power by ensuring they have the strongest, most gifted vampires in their ranks. If anyone displays any type of a useful talent then, in the words of Don Corleone, the Volturi 'make them an offer they can't refuse'." Alice put on a rather impressive Marlon Brando accent and I was in stitches. I had to grab hold of my stomach and hiss in pain as I laughed too hard.

"Bella be careful!" Alice pulled me back into a sitting position and ran her eyes over me, examining me from head to toe.

"I'm fine Alice...for the millionth time." She rolled her eyes at me and stood. I tried to follow suit but she pushed me back down onto the bed.

"You wait here." She flashed out of the room and was back before I could even ask her where she was going. She'd returned a large leather book, well a volume really. It was as about as thick as a mattress and the leather was worn and cracked. The book looked old!

"This is Carlisle's. He stayed with the Volturi a couple of centuries ago and made this to chronicle his time there." Alice gently placed the book on the bed next to me. I scooted over to make room for her to join me. When we were both seated cross-legged on the bed she pulled the book towards us and opened it to the front page. There was an exquisite charcoal drawing of a castle surrounded by a sprawling town. The detail was incredible. You could see the cracks in the castles stonework, the individual droplets of water from a fountain in the foreground, the branches of trees in the background...it was stunningly beautiful.

"That's Volterra, a city in Italy where the Volturi are based." Alice turned the page and we came to a drawing of a fragile looking man, he had incredibly long, hair and delicate features. He looked almost child-like but his eyes were cold.

"That's Caius, one of the leaders." She turned the page again and another man inhabited the page. This man was some-what broader than the first but a little shorter. His hair was shorter and wavy, he looked bored and tired and his chin was jutting out as in with an air of arrogance.

"That's Marcus, the quietest of the three."

"Three?" Alice nodded and turned the page again. My heart stopped. His crooked smile, his knowing eyes, his flowing hair. I started to shake. I grabbed a fistful of Alice's bed and felt the mattress springs shatter under my fingers.

"This is Aro, the most prominent of the three." Alice hadn't noticed my discomfort. She hadn't looked away from the book. When she did she almost threw the book to the floor. I could feel that the blood had drained from my face.

"Bella, what is it?" Alice had taken hold of my hand, my fingers were still shaking.

"I know him!" I nodded towards the book. Alice looked back at it and then back into my eyes.

"How? How do you know him Bella?"

"He was at the Institute. He was one of the Doctors."