Sorry for the wait. It's hard to update when I have like no reviewers.

I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 2

The Key

BPOV

Aro invited us to stay as "guests". I was trying to find a way out. Alice and I had become masters of escape, but I couldn't find any escape route. It wasn't as if we could take on all of the Volturi and their guards. Well, maybe we could, but I wasn't willing to risk the casualties.

Alice was politely trying to refuse Aro's offer when our salvation strolled through the doors.

"Carlisle?" Aro asked, standing to greet his old friend. I saw something flash between Edward and Marcus.

"Hello, Aro." Carlisle greeted him warmly, but there was ice beneath the surface.

I could feel the climate of the room changing. Before, they had been afraid of me, but sure of their superiority. Now, we were more even.

Carlisle's eyes drifted over to us.

"Why are Bella, Alice, and Jasper here?" He asked Aro, as if he didn't know.

"You were not aware that they were paying Volterra a visit?"

"No, I knew that they were here. They are my traveling companions. I was under the impression that they intended to stay inside while I paid you a visit." Carlisle lied smoothly.

"Of course. Well, now that you're all here, perhaps you'd like to extend your visit. We were just offering your companions a stay as guests."

"I'm afraid we have rather pressing business elsewhere."

"That's too bad because, you see, your companions here made a very grave mistake."

"What was that?"

"They tried to stop Heidi's hunting excursion."

"Oh really? I wasn't aware that free will was a crime now as well."

"Don't be silly, Carlisle. The crime is not in the act, it's in the fact that they got caught."

"You will not let us go? I'm sure we can work this out."

"I'm afraid that that would not be a good example to others who share your radical ideas."

"Then you leave me no choice." I waited for Carlisle to give us a signal to act. He did not. Demetri and Felix were tensed in preparation as well. "I will have to accept your invitation." Carlisle said. I relaxed cautiously. This was a bad idea.

"Wonderful. I'll have someone show your companions to their rooms while we catch up."

"That sounds fine." Carlisle seated himself comfortably without being asked.

"Edward, if you wouldn't mind?" Edward stood. He was incredibly graceful. I didn't like his robes though. I tried to picture him in normal clothes. It was astounding how easily I could see him in my world. He seemed to fit right in amongst the trees of my favorite of our residences, Forks.

"After you." He said, holding the door open for me.

"Thank you." We filed down the hall. I hoped Alice was paying attention because I was too distracted by Edward to notice the correct path through the maze-like halls.

EPOV

I was very conscious of Bella's light tread behind me. I wanted to believe that I was just being observant of the potential threat, but my observations were not very militaristic. Rather, I noticed her grace, her silence. I found myself waiting desperately for the sound of her voice, wishing that I could see her. If I had less dignity I might have turned around and walked backward just to watch her.

Unfortunately, we came to their rooms all too soon.

"Will you two want one room or two?" I asked Jasper and Alice. Jasper didn't respond, just pulled Alice close beside him. I took that as a "one".

"One, thanks." Alice finally responded, glaring at her mate. I nodded and unlocked the room next to me.

"Here is your key." I said. Not that it would help them get out. If Aro wanted them as "guests" he would keep them.

Alice and Jasper entered their room and gave me appropriate thanks and compliments to carry to the others.

Then, it was just Bella and I.

"This one is yours." I held open the door for her. She smiled at me, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Thank you." I turned to leave. "Edward?" I loved the sound of my name on her tongue. I wanted to hear it again.

"Yes?"

"Where will Carlisle be staying?" I tried to remember. She was confusing me with her very presence.

"Down the hall." I finally managed.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." this time I didn't leave. I had the feeling that there was something else on her mind.

"Edward? How long do most…guests stay?"

"That depends." I said and, because I couldn't stand to lie to her, I left.

"Edward!" She called. I didn't want to stop. There was something about her that made me want to be a better man, or vampire as it were.

"Yes." She walked down the hall to me.

"You forgot to give me my key." She smiled.

"Sorry." I smiled back. I handed her the ornate gold key, hating all of the symbolism and irony involved in that gesture.

Terribly short, sorry. I want more reviews and then you'll get better chapters. The rest will be more interesting too. This was just filler. If you didn't get the key symbolism/irony, message me or ask me in a review. vote on my poll.