Sorry for not posting last week, but it was the last week of school for my kids and was a little crazy. Plus I was reading the Vampire Academy Series. I read 5 books in 4 days. I absolutely love them and I highly recommend you read them.

Warning: Light cursing in this chapter with angst.

Enjoy and I hope to be back on my schedule now.

Thanks again for all of the reviews. Please keep reviewing.

Chapter 18 Going Down in Flames

Bella/Izzy

How come I feel as if everything is going downhill and fast? I feel so smothered that I can hardly breathe. My life before Bree was never stressful, it was laid back and I was always able to handle any obstacle that was thrown my way.

Life after meeting Bree has been quite a challenge and that is an understatement. My walls are closing down and no matter how hard I try to push them further away from me the weaker I am getting. I no longer feel that this mission is going to be successful. The only way out would be death even if it meant bringing down the one that I loved most of all in this life, Edward. We would go to a better place then this. Then there would be the Newton's that would follow and probably Alice and her unborn child after that. Just forget everything that we have been fighting for there is no way out of it because I am too weak and I am too stupid to make it through alive. Call it fate, I was suppose to die the first time that Aro and his men captured me.

Especially after seeing how Aro was with Alice. The heartless man has no limits and I hoped, but knew she was going to understand completely what I had gone through. What could I do? I knew that Edward and I had gone through extensive training and knew how to defend ourselves with a gun as well as with our hands and feet. Was all that training and knowledge enough to take down these sadistic people that thrived off of seeing people in pain? By now it was becoming clearer to me that it wouldn't be enough and that there would be more deaths than people being saved.

It's time to check out of this hotel. It's time to check out of life.

"Love, are you all right?" Anthony asked me. I sat up in bed and turned to face him. He was still lying down with one hand behind his head and the other wrapped up hand, from hitting James, laying on his chest. We had just gotten back from visiting Aro and we were trying to get some rest before meeting his brother, Jasper and Rosalie. I couldn't sleep, of course, and just laid there thinking of the dead end that we found ourselves in.

"No, actually I am not! Why are we here? We are just going to die anyway!"

"Izzy, shh! This isn't the place for that!" he whispered harshly.

"Why not? This is it! James could have just easily snapped my neck and then probably covered up any evidence by throwing my body into a dumpster. Who do these people think they are?" I was suddenly stopped by Anthony's hand over my mouth and being quickly hauled off to the bathroom where he turned the shower on and turned the faucet to the bathtub on as well, all while he still held my mouth shut with his left arm snaked around my neck as his hand firmly silenced me.

Once there was the noise of running water in the bathroom he spun around, slipping his hand away from my mouth and off my shoulder, then he grabbed my hips with both of his hands and placed me on top of the counter. His face was close to mine and his eyes spoke volumes. He was mad.

"What is the matter with you? Are you seriously giving up? Are you truly wanting us to get killed? Because the way I see it that kind of talk in there is definitely what's going to get us killed! I am so worried about you. I have seen how you have been acting. And from a doctor's point of view you are definitely suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, which now I can tell you are also having some depression with as well."

I was stunned. Is that what was wrong with me? No way I am good, I am strong. Still in shock he continued.

"I don't blame you, Love. You have been through so much these last few months, hell, the last nine months I should say. No one has given you a break or even time to let everything catch up to you. You keep going and going like the damn energizer bunny." I giggled at that. "We haven't been fair to you. We all know you are strong. I know you are strong, but everyone has there limits. You have your limits. Seeing James is your limit. PTSD is serious and certain things that happen after you have had your accidents and abduction trigger you to lose control. That's all to be expected, but you cannot give up. I will not give up on you, Bella." The sound of him using my real name made me realize that he was serious and that I needed to get my head back in to the game, well it's not really a game, but I just needed to snap out of it. " I am going to go call my dad and see if he can prescribe some medication for you. Hey don't look at me like that. I will tell him not to ask questions and give him your cover up name, all right? He trusts me so I have no doubt he will prescribe it for me." He took my face into his hands and kissed me hard with all the love and passion pouring out through that kiss. I kissed him back letting him know that I do trust him and that I will not give up.

After listening to the conversation that 'Edward' had with his dad he told me that Carlisle was going to call in the prescription to the closest Walgreens. He told me that his dad questioned him on why he was in Las Vegas and not in Canada. He simply told him that he had been in contact with Emmett and he had insisted the Edward come down and join the gang to try and get his mind off me. He also said that he was worried about this Izzy Dwyer girl and that maybe he should try and find a local doctor to take care of her. He insisted that he had befriended this woman and wanted to take care of her since he felt that he had failed me in so many ways. To me it was just awkward and strange because in reality we were the same person.

He placed a soft kiss against my forehead and told me that he would be back in a half an hour after picking up the prescription and then we would go see some of the sights of Vegas before meeting up with Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper.

Once he left I knew I couldn't sit around in the suite, plus I had too many things going on in my head, so I had to get out and take a walk. Since I didn't have too much time before he would return I opted to stay within the Bellagio and meander around the Lobby Shops.

Looking around the shops I became increasingly out of my element. Everything was completely out of my price range. I came across tailored clothes by Giorgio Armani and Chanel. Also there were custom handbags by Gucci and Dior. Everything was very tasteful, but I found nothing to be my style or maybe it was because when I gazed at the price tags I automatically pushed myself in feeling I was not worthy of owning anything remotely as beautiful as these pieces of art.

However I did find a shop that sparked my curiosity and interest, Tiffany & Co. I knew that I had never expressed that I would love to get married to the man that I loved, but I also never had looked at rings before or even felt the need to until now. I was extremely excited and giddy when I entered the store. I was greeted by a tall russet skin colored woman with black shoulder length hair.

"Hello Miss. My name is Emily. Is there something I could help you with today?"

"Sure, but I am actually just looking. I wouldn't be making a purchase, but if it's not a waste of your time I would like to see what diamond rings you have. Along the lines of engagement rings," I stated, hoping to not seem to eager.

"Of course, it wouldn't be a waste of my time. Right this way," she gestured over to a long window cased cabinet. She took her keys out of her pocket and opened the back of the cabinet. She started to pull a flat out that had extremely large cut diamonds and I quickly stopped her.

"Actually, Emily, those are a bit too much for me. I am more of a simple kind of woman." She nodded and then reached over and pulled another flat out that looked a little more promising. One of the rings jumped out at me, so I pointed to it and Emily lifted it up and handed it to me. She explained in detail about the ring. There were small round diamonds going around the band and the main diamond was round and set in a six prong casing. It was stunning and knew that if I was ever to get engaged then it would have to be this ring, but I had my definite doubts that my life would ever reach that point.

As I sighed and placed the ring back in Emily's hand I felt two strong hands on my shoulders. The man leaned down and spoke into my ear.

"Planning on getting married?"

After my run in with James I was still on edge and my defensive walls were up and I saw red. I turned sharply, balled my fist up and punched the strange man right square in the nose. He stumbled back as his hands went to his face and he looked down at the ground. He took a few steps toward me and my second instinct came into action. I swiftly kneed him in the groin sending him to hunch down and then he landed to his knees. He was groaning in pain and then I heard Anthony's voice.

"What the hell is going on Izzy?" He looked down at the man on his knees. "What made you want to hit Black?"

What? I thought to myself. I looked down and realized that I had just assaulted Agent Black. Not only was I shocked that it was Agent Black, but I was also shocked and merely impressed with myself that I had brought down a behemoth of a man. The man that had punched me while being interrogated and the same man that flirted non-stop with me during training.

The entire situation brought a genuine smile to my face and Anthony looked at me, saw my expression, and smiled back. Then all of it seemed to catch up to me as I felt flaming hot pain rushing over my hand. I brought it up to my chest and cradled it in my other hand. I gazed down at my fist and was surprised to see that I had actually cut my knuckles, but luckily it didn't feel broken. Izzy and Anthony what a pair, we both had managed to hurt our hands in the same day. The pain I was feeling blended in with the pain I obtained from when James bit me earlier, but I sucked it up because I knew I had to seem strong. Too many people looked at me and from what I saw they thought I was fragile. That irritated me so much.

Agent Black finally stood up, with the help from Anthony, and glared at me. His eyebrows were furrowed and his eyes were tight.

"What was that all about? Did you have to go and hit me then knee me in the balls?" My gaze was snapped from Anthony to Agent Black. He had blood dripping down his face and his hands were covered in blood. Emily quickly excused herself to get ice , some towels and a first aid kit.

"Excuse me. You were the one that snuck up on me. And with the day that I have had you are lucky I didn't kill you!" I was so mad. How could he put the blame on me?

He looked me over and his eyes fell upon my bandage on my neck then he glanced over at Anthony and noticed that his hand was bandaged up as well.

"What the hell is going on here?" he asked, seeming really curious.

Emily made it back and gave Black and I some ice and towels. We rejected the first aid kit and told her we would take care of ourselves once we reached our suite.

"Well, I don't think we should discuss all of this here," Anthony stated as if that was obvious. "And if you don't mind me asking? Why are you here?"

"I think it would be best if we went somewhere to talk. There is a coffee shop just down the road let's walk down there," agent Black suggested.

As we walked down to the coffee shop Anthony and I explained what had happened this morning with James and Aro. He seemed to grow extremely angry when I told him that I was assaulted by James. It's as if he was he was harboring feelings for me as a girlfriend than a co-worker. It made me feel really uncomfortable. We also informed him that Aro had taken Alice and that Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie knew about our cover-up. He was really agitated and worried that they would be the ones to blow it for us. We both assured him that since they were looking for Alice they would keep their mouths shut until it seemed it was getting out of hand, but in the back of my mind I felt as if Jasper and Emmett would blow up once they found out that Aro had Alice.

Agent Black put his trust in us and was going to let us do what we felt best since we seemed to still be on Aro's good side.

We reached the coffee shop and we sat down in the far back in a booth. Anthony and I sat on one side and Black sat across from us. Agent Black's entire demeanor appeared to change. He reached across the table and took my hands in his. I didn't pull away, but I glanced over at Anthony and he seemed to be as confused as I was.

"Bella?" Agent Black used my real name for the first time since having given my cover-up name. It made me nervous because I knew that there was something wrong. I nodded hesitantly.

"I have some terrible news. I need you to here me out before you say anything. All right?" he asked as he gripped my hands tighter. I swallowed hard and felt Anthony's arm around my shoulders pulling me into him.

"Okay," I choked out.

"We got a call from some of our contacts in Forks this morning. They reported a house fire. Um…the house fire was at your parents address." I gasped, tore my hands from Blacks and brought them up to my mouth. Tears were spilling out. A million questions were flowing through my head.

"My parents. They are still alive, right?" Black was silent. "Right?" I yelled as a few heads snapped in our direction. I ignored them.

"Sorry, but no. They found two bodies in the second upstairs bedroom. They appeared to had been sleeping when the fire engulfed them and the house. It looks as if the fire was started in their bedroom. The fire department is calling it an electrical fire."

"Is that what they are calling it? Well, what are you calling it?" The old me probably would be hyperventilating by now, but with the day I was having I was enraged because I knew damn well who caused that fire. My breathing was speeding up and I am sure if you looked at my eyes they would be red. Anthony sensing my mood cupped my chin and turned my head to face him. I looked everywhere else, but his eyes.

"Look at me!" he demanded. I denied him and pulled my chin away from his grasp. I jerked my body away from his arm, stood up and ran out of the restaurant. I dodged all the tourists on Vegas Boulevard, shoving my way through, but I kept running. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I couldn't stay an look at Black and Anthony. I would not, could not let them see me this way.

How could I not feel responsible for all of this? Everything was my fault. As if the guilt that I had built up in me from having to lie to my parents wasn't enough, but now I have to the guilt that I was the one responsible for their deaths. They thought I was dead and they died believing that they would see me again in heaven. Of course, I wasn't one hundred percent sure that's what happens when someone dies, but it did give me some comfort. And know, even if I survived this personal hell that Anthony and I were in I would never be able to see my parents again. I needed to end this. Either I needed to die now or I was going to die saving the people that I had gotten into this nightmare.

Edward/Anthony

I have never before seen a person jump and run as fast as I saw Izzy go. To tell you the truth I couldn't blame her, she had every right to be as upset as she was. The only thing is that she was already suffering from PTSD and I knew that she was going to fall apart after just hearing the news about her parents supposedly being murdered by Aro. Yes, of course the fire department said it was an electrical fire, but we all knew that everyone that was linked to knowing the Newton's or Bella Swan was going to have to pay. The sad thing was that 'Bella' thought she had ended and prevented that cycle from occurring by faking her own death. She thought everyone was safe now.

"Damn it, Black! Do you think that was such a great thing to spring this upon her right now?" I asked as we were walking back to the Bellagio, hoping that Izzy was eventually going to end back up there.

"You know, Anthony, I had to tell her because I am pretty sure she was going to find out sooner or later by either watching the news or seeing it in some newspaper somewhere," he said flatly. I knew he was right, but I just couldn't bare it anymore seeing her so hurt and broken.

"You're right, but don't you see she hasn't even been able to let everything else that has happened to her sink in. You can tell she is all backed up from all this mess. You know since I am a doctor I know she is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder."

"Are you serious? I guess I haven't seen it. She just seems so strong to me all the time that I never would have thought she was going through all of that. So wait a second here. Do you think she is able to handle getting to Aro and getting the Newton's out of there?' he asked sympathetically.

"I don't know, but I do know that I need to get this medication into her system or else we might have her going ape shit on us soon," I said seriously while patting my pocket of my pants where her prescription was. He nodded understanding me and I parted ways with him in front of the Bellagio, so I could go meet Emmett. Black informed me that he would be in contact with me via cell phone with details from 'Bella's' parents murder and also for us to update him on our progress.

While I made my way over to the Bellagio Fountains my mind was on Izzy. I was so mad because when I tried going after her, but she totally ignored me and kept running and I lost her in the crowd. I wasn't worried about her physically because I had witnessed her successfully assaulting Black earlier. She looked so proud and happy for herself. Her smile alone made me happy because I hadn't seen her genuine smile for a while and I missed it. That was all short lived and now I was more worried about what kind of mental state she was in.

I was brought out of my reverie when someone tapped me on the shoulder and then I saw Emmett step out in front of me followed by Jasper and Rosalie. Their faces looked tired and worn probably from searching for Alice. Jasper actually looked to be upset and distraught. I was used to seeing him so strong, but he seemed defeated.

"Hey how's it going, little bro?"

I shook my head. "Not good. I swear this day is like living in hell."

"What's going on? Where's Be..Izzy? Where's Alice?" he asked then continued. "Ya, and I have some crappy news man. I got a call this morning telling me I had to get back soon because Chief Sw…"

I quickly cut him off. "I know, I know Chief Swan and his wife died in their house in a fire."

"Oh so you heard then?"

"Yep, that's why Izzy isn't here. Before she found out about her parents she was already suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and then when she found out she ran. She's been gone for about twenty minutes now. I lost her in the stupid crowd on the Strip." I was lost and for the first time in my career I didn't know what to do for her.

"That sucks. I was hoping to see her."

"Me, too," Rosalie added.

"Well, what about Alice? You said you knew where Alice was," Jasper spoke up wanting us to cut to the chase.

"Yes I do know. She is with Aro."

"What is she doing with him? I swear if anything happens to her and the…baby," Jasper started freaking out, pacing back in forth in front of us. His hands were clenching and unclenching.

"Jasper, settle down. I actually was thinking about this earlier and didn't get a chance to discuss it with Izzy, but I think he may have taken her because he wanted a familiar face for Bree. I remember being told that she was Bree's kindergarten teacher. So maybe he knew that and wanted her to be there with Bree. Plus, she is a teacher and the last thing Aro wants to do is put Bree into school here because it would draw unwanted attention to his, so basically him taking Alice gives Bree a chance at being taught from home." It totally made perfect sense and I was really confident in that assumption.

"You know you probably are right, but what are we going to do?" Jasper agreed.

"WE are not going to do anything? You are all going to go back home like normal. Make up a story about how Alice needed more time away from Forks to recover from losing her friend and you all should probably attend Chief Swan and Renee's funeral since Bella can't be there. Then Izzy and I will figure out a way to extract Alice and the Newton's from Aro."

"I don't know man. I can't stand back and just wait to see if Alice is going to come out of all this unscathed. I need to help. She is my wife and she is carrying my child," Jasper trailed off.

"Jasper if you don't let me handle this you may blow our cover and then Alice surely would have no chance in surviving," I dejected which made Jasper jump.

"All right we will do it your way," he gave in.

We confirmed our plans and then said our goodbye's. They were going to get on a plane in the morning and head back to Forks.

After getting off the elevator I was hoping that Izzy was back in our suite, in bed, safe and sound.

I placed my key card into the door, watching the light turn to green I stepped into the suite. It was pitch black. I flicked on the lights.

Click, click.

I looked up and saw Izzy with a blank expression on her face as she held her gun up, a couple of inches away from my face and pointed it in between my eyes.

I held up my hands and froze.

Bella's ring on my profile