A/N: So I don't want to be too confusing, but since Izzy and Anthony's true identity is out there now I will be converting back to Edward and Bella's names. I hope that it is not too confusing. It's not a true Twilight story without having to revert back to their original names.

Warning—Violence and abuse warning.

This is a longer chapter than normal, but I wanted to make sure I got everything that needed to be in this chapter. Enjoy! ;)

oOoOo

Chapter 24 Bolt from the Blue

∞Bella∞

This was my plan from the beginning. I didn't inform the FBI that I wanted to do this, but I knew that it was necessary to say the least. I was aware that Aro still hadn't been totally implicated for any crime directly. The FBI didn't have proof that he was the one who called the shots, even after they had found the woman that died at the gentlemen's club. They couldn't use Edward's testimony because he didn't actually see her body being dumped and he didn't know if Aro had gone with James. Aro was great at covering his tracks.

Now James and Victoria were a different situation. Whenever Aro gave them an order to get rid of bodies they took measures at covering their tracks. James was the muscle and Victoria was the maid.

With all that known the FBI had found little to non to implicate anyone in any crimes.

Felix, Alec and Jane had learned well from their older brother and followed the same protocol. Everything they did or had done was always covered up.

And all this resulted in me deliberately getting myself caught and having my identity found out. I started doing things subtly. I stopped coloring my roots and when I would go out I wouldn't wear my colored contact lenses. I was a little bit surprised that Edward had not noticed these things, but I just figured he had been so busy and tired after his meetings with Aro to really pay attention to details.

Edward might not have noticed, but I knew James and Victoria definitely had their eyes on us. I never deliberately went out to seek for their attention, and I never saw them, but I always had that creepy feeling that I was being watched.

It's like that saying says 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer'. I was going to get as close as possible, be the bait, and hopefully the FBI was listening in when Aro finally implicated himself.

When I had left the suite Edward thought I was meeting up with the FBI team that was going to swarm in on Aro and his family when I actually set out to find James and/or Victoria. I had placed a jacket over my vest and FBI t-shirt, but kept it unzipped, hoping that they would notice my attire and also my dark roots that were very visible as well as my eyes.

I wasn't being naïve and I knew that I was going to look stupid, but I had to get caught even if it meant that I could possible get killed. I was ready and I had had enough with people keeping me safe and dying because of me. It was my time now.

When I got in the elevator instead of going down I went up towards Aro's suite. Once the doors opened I stepped out. I let the doors close and then started my act. I pretended to push the button to the elevator, but pushed a finger above the button instead. When the elevator obviously wasn't going to open I started getting angry, yelling, cursing and raising my voice as much as possible. Out of the corner of my eye I kept glancing at the suite doors. Anxiety and a little fear started to boil up inside of me. After about five minutes the doors to the suite flew open with an angry James stalking towards me.

"What's going on?" James growled and I turned around.

"Oh, um, James. Thank goodness. I got off on the wrong floor. There is something wrong with the elevator," I said nervously. Then I hurried to push the button so that the light on it would indicate that I had actually been trying.

"Oh, it's you," he smiled. "Well, if you were having a problem why didn't you just come to the suite?" he asked when he finally reached me and stood a little too close for comfort.

"I thought you might be with Aro and I didn't want to bother you so…" I trailed off and I had noticed that he was taking in my appearance. I pulled my jacket closer to me because I wasn't quite ready for him to notice my shirt. However, it didn't escape me that he was looking at my hair.

James reached out and took some strands of hair between his fingers, but his eyes were on mine. Two down three to go: he noticed my hair and my eyes, bingo!

He reached over and pushed the button for the elevator and instantly they opened. "Going down?" he growled. I walked into the elevator, hoping he would follow and he didn't disappoint.

"What are you doing?" I asked and I thought about the last time I was in the elevator with him. The only difference was that I was prepared for him assaulting me, unlike last time.

"I have to go to the meeting." He looked at me. "You know the one that Anthony should be at."

"Right, sorry." I played dumb.

James looked straight forward at the elevator doors and pulled his phone out and started texting someone. I leaned back against the railing and let my jacket fall open. I saw him look at me from the corners of his eyes, but then went back to his phone. A couple of minutes went by and then he placed both hands into his front pockets.

Another minute went by and I had actually thought that maybe he wasn't going to try anything, but that thought was lost and he was on me in a flash. Much similar to last, he had his hand around my neck and his hot tobacco breath was on my face.

"So Isabella? Do you think you could fool us?" he sneered. I shook my head and I internally smiled- hook! I could have fought him off, but I wasn't quite ready to show him all my cards yet, so I played Miss Little Sweet and Innocent.

He reached over and pushed a button in the elevator and then it opened. As soon as it opened Victoria had jumped in and quickly pushed another button to close the doors. We started to descend, supposedly downward.

James whipped me around and shoved my face into the corner of the elevator. All of a sudden my jacket was pulled off, along with my bullet proof vest and my belt with my gun. My arms strained against his pull as he grabbed both of my wrists and shoved them together. Then I felt a different set of hands on me, Victoria, as she placed something cold and hard around my wrists. I heard it tighten and instantly knew that it was a zip tie. After that I heard a tearing sound, and then my head was pulled back as she placed duct tape over my mouth. I hoped that it didn't alarm them in any way that I had not put up an ounce of a fight. I was happy for the tape because it helped my mouth from turning up into a smile. They failed to pat me down and I was happy to know that I still had a weapon on me.

When the doors opened I realized that it was part of the hotel I had not seen yet and I assumed that it was the basement. Everything was made out of concrete. The ceiling had duct work hanging low enough that James had to slightly bend his head down to fit. They lead me about another hundred yards. My eyes went wide with what I saw. It looked like a small jail cell. There was about four separate cells and a desk that sat in front, facing them. My eyes went wide at both Victoria and James; they had not spoken a single word since Victoria had entered the elevator.

Victoria walked over to one of the cells, pulled some keys out of her pocket and opened it. She looked over at James her mouth in a big smile and nodded towards the cell. James opened the large desk drawer and shoved my jackets and belt inside. James grip on my hands tightened then shoved me quickly into the cell with him close behind me. I stumbled, but James caught me before I fell. He spun me around quickly and then my stomach was met with his knee. I double over in pain then fell to my knees. He walked out of the cell and closed it. I gritted my teeth and excepted the pain as I righted myself.

I stood there and listened to the conversation between Victoria and James.

"Vic, Aro wants you to stay down here and keep an eye on her. He now knows everything and then during the meeting he wants her up there so that she and the doctor will set an example."

"Don't you think it's a little strange that she thought she could take us all down with the help of a doctor? Is Aro worried at all that this might be a set up?" Victoria asked and I was impressed, she was actually smart.

"No, he said that he knows that they can't charge him with anything. Plus, he said he really doesn't think the FBI would want to put any innocent bystanders at harm in such a public place. He's also had men on the lookout within a four block radius and there is nothing out of the ordinary."

I grinned widely because I knew he couldn't see my face in the dim cell. Aro, thinks he's so smart.

"I don't know, James. Something doesn't feel right about this," Victoria whispered.

"Look, Vic, I don't have time for this right now. I need to get back to the suite and make sure the men are there keeping it secure," he yelled then looked at his watch. "I will be back in a half hour to take her to see Aro." He gestured to over to me.

"All right, I will walk you to the elevator," she told him. Then quickly she launched herself towards James and attacked his mouth with hers. I looked away, but I could still hear their heated sloppy kisses.

"Don't think about doing anything. I will only be a minute," she pointed over to me as she narrowed her eyes.

Once they were out of site I finally let my body relax even if it was for a minute. I sat down on the bench. It was awkward because of my hands were still tied behind my back. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath through my nose.

"Hey, I know you." I jumped and my eyes popped open. I looked to the cell next to me and my stomach clenched as I took at the fragile form in the next cell. Riley. His hair was longer than I remember and the long strands that fell in front of his face were stuck to his forehead. He was thin and looked malnourished. He was wearing jeans that looked to small and they were covered in filth. His shirt was a dingy brown with several holes scattered all over it. His skin was a splotchy brown which showed that he hadn't bathed for quite some time. He was sitting on the floor with his back against the bench with his bare feet drawn up towards his body. I stared at his piercing blue eyes and he realized I couldn't answer him.

"Your Bree's teacher, Ms. Swan, right?" I nodded. "I thought you were dead. I mean I know that you survived the basement of our store, but I had heard them talking about how you had died in a car accident. We actually lost hope after that." My heart sank at his declaration. "That's why I am actually down here. You see, I tried to escape and they beat me until I was close to death, but my dad stopped them. He told them he would take the blame, so they ended up beating him. After that they didn't trust me so they stuck me in here and told my dad if anyone of us tried to escape again he would have me killed. My mom and sister probably already think I am dead." He whispered when he said those last words then looked down at his lap.

"Awe, I see that you have met Riley." My head snapped towards Victoria. "Oh, wait, you've already met," she stated as she walked closer to my cell. Then she turned her attention to Riley. "Shut up, boy or you won't get dinner," she sneered and walked back to the desk sitting in the chair behind it.

For the next thirty minutes there was an uncomfortable silence as I thought of a way to get him out of here with all of us without being harmed.

James came in, opened my cell and took me to the club where Aro's meeting was being held.

As we walked in I noticed it was brighter than in a normal club and it was eerily quiet.

As I was being pulled towards Aro and his family I winced at the pressure as the plastic dug into my wrists. I began to search the club for Edward. I found him close to the bar his eyes never leaving my form. His expression was mixed from concern, anger and fear. I held my ground. I was doing this for us.

"This woman who stands before us has betrayed us all. She actually has quite a long story, but I will spare you the drawn out boring story so that you all can still enjoy a relaxing evening." He paused. "Anthony get up here, I will need you close by."

I watched as Edward bolted up the stairs and stood to the right of Aro.

My eyes went to Aro as he pulled out a large serrated knife then handed it to James. I swallowed hard and then felt the cold metal against my neck. I closed my eyes then felt the blade being removed; my hair tugged back and then felt it being sliced across and away from my scalp. I watched my hair fall to the floor.

"This woman here is Isabella Swan," Aro yelled.

I heard people gasp and nothing more as James leaned into my ear. His hot breath on my ear made my insides churn.

"Hmm, you are lovely. And I want you to know that before I kill you I will have my way with you in any possible way imaginable. It will be slow and I will enjoy every moment of it." He licked my earlobe and bile rose into my throat. All of a sudden I was being jerked back towards the door we came in. I looked towards Edward and saw that Alec and Felix had their hands on him.

We entered back into the elevator. James shoved me to the furthest wall and pressed his body up against mine. I groaned in pain as he ripped the tape from my mouth then he pressed his disgusting, dry lips to mine. I froze. His hands were all over me, I let him, knowing that I had to get back to the basement to help Riley.

He grabbed whatever hair I had left and yanked my head back as he assaulted my neck. He nipped my neck with his teeth. I was trying to block it out and prayed as hard as I could that the elevator would open soon.

"James, what about Victoria?" I gasped out realizing that I was holding my breath. His stench was worse than anything I had ever smelled.

"Shutup!" He spat, pulled away from me and back handed me across my face, I fell to the floor. I tasted blood and felt my bottom lip swell and split.

The doors opened up. My adrenaline started pumping. This was my chance. I pulled my knees towards my chest, slipped my bounded hands passed my bum and over my feet bringing my hands out in front of me. I pushed my feet into the floor and jumped up. This happened in a matter of seconds. James was approaching the entrance, facing away from me. I fisted my hands, spun around and knocked James in the ear. He flew across the elevator, but quickly turned to me with an animalistic glare on his face. He swung his fist; I ducked, grabbed my glock from under my pant leg, kneeled on the floor and pumped bullets from my gun into James' chest. He flew back and landed against the wall of the elevator.

Blood was everywhere. I heard the doors ding. I shot my foot out to stop the doors from closing. I heard Victoria screaming as she ran down the hall towards me. I grabbed James' arm and with all my strength and adrenaline in my body I pulled him out from the elevator. The doors closed. I dropped James' bleeding body.

With my gun still in hand I turned towards the direction of the jail cells. As soon as I turned I felt Victoria knock the gun from my hands. It flew and hit the wall. Victoria spun around and all I saw was her red hair as it whipped around her body and then she landed a kick right into my stomach, knocking the wind out of me as I landed to the floor. I spotted my glock and scrambled towards it. I failed to reach it as I felt a blow to my face by Victoria's foot. The blow didn't impair me as I reached out a grabbed her foot with my hands. I felt pride surge through me because my hands were still bound together.

I yanked her foot towards me which made her body land to the floor with a thud. Everything was surreal and in slow motion. I climbed on top of her body and straddled her at her waist. I swung my fists back and forth landing hard blows to her face. Blood splattered across my clothes and face. My rage started taking over so I knew I had to stop before it completely consumed me. By now she was knocked out cold.

Climbing off of her I reached for my glock and stood up. I knew she would wake up and come for me again. I didn't want to risk that so I aimed my gun to the middle of her chest, at her sternum and pumped a few rounds into her. The deafening noise of gun shots bounced off the concrete walls.

I placed my gun back into the strap at my ankle and went over to James' body then searched him. I found the knife that he had used to cut my hair off with in the back of his pants. Holding the knife towards my chest I moved it back and forth sawing off the zip tie. The knife was extremely sharp and cut the tie quickly. I used my shirt to wipe the blood from my face.

I rubbed my red, raw wrists and turned towards Victoria's lifeless body. I reached inside her front pockets and found the keys to the jail cells.

I made my way down the hall and saw Riley standing at the door to his cell. He looked to me with fear; uncertain of whom I was at first. Then recognition dawned on him.

"Ms. Swan, are you okay?"

"Yes, Riley, I am more than okay. Don't worry about me; let's just get you out of here." I reached out with the keys and unlocked the cell.

"Bella?" I knew that voice anywhere. I turned around and saw Edward looking at me, but my attention on him was short lived as I took in the two men behind him. Felix and Alec. Felix had his gun pointed to Edward's head and Alec had his gun pointed at me.

This is going to be interesting. I smiled.

oOOoOOo

∞Emmett and Jasper∞

Emmett and Jasper we standing in the hallway that lead to Aro's suite; their backs were flush against the wall. They both were wearing the standard FBI uniform that Bella was wearing plus a pair of safety glasses.

There was silence in the hallway as ten agents waited for Agent Clearwater to get the all clear to bust in.

Both men were concerned for the men that were down stairs getting ready to take Aro and his family down, but they both were anxious and had adrenaline pumping thoroughly through their veins.

Agent Clearwater had an ear piece placed in her ear so that she could hear when Agent Black and the others went in. It all had to be timed right, that way Aro's men in the suite wouldn't alert him to the busts and vice versa.

Jasper leaned over and whispered to Emmett. "Hey, man, I am going straight for Alice."

Emmett turned to look his friend in the eyes and reassured him with a nod. "Ok, then I got your back man."

Just as they turned their attention back to Clearwater she raised her fist and counted off with her fingers.

1…2…3

And on three the two men ahead of the group busted through the door easily.

Inside five men rushed towards them with their guns raised.

"Put down your guns," Clearwater yelled. "Put. Down. Your. Guns. NOW!" They all conceded and with five thuds their guns dropped to the floor.

"Put your hands up," she demanded. They didn't have to be told twice. She looked back over to her team. "Cuff 'em boys." Her team made it over to Aro's men and pulled their hands together and cuffed them effectively.

"Clearwater, sir, I am going to find Alice," Jasper blurted and Agent Clearwater nodded.

As Jasper bolted to the rooms, Emmett was right on his heels. Jasper swung the first door open. It was empty, but he went to the bathroom to check. Still nothing.

When they reached the fourth and final door they did the same. Both men held their guns out in front, not knowing what to expect as they reached the last bathroom. They pushed the door open and saw three figures huddle behind the footed cast iron tub.

"Alice, baby."

With the sound of Jasper's voice Alice jumped to her feet and looked into the eyes of the one she had been longing for.

oOOoOOo

∞Edward∞

I was standing there completely in shock. Yes I did have a gun pointed to my head and yes there was a gun pointed to Bella's head, but my shock was because I had just seen James and Victoria's corpses lying outside the elevator. Bella had done that and all while she was probably tied up. Evidence was written in blood all over her body.

I knew she was the strongest woman emotionally, but now I somehow couldn't get it out of my mind that she was the strongest woman physically as well.

When she looked at us standing before her, her expression was flat, emotionless.

She turned her head slightly to a little boy, whom I assumed was Riley and whispered something to him. He retreated back into the cell until I couldn't see him within the darkness.

When she turned back around I noticed that her right hand lingered behind her. The look in her eyes was fierce.

Alec broke the silence that lingered in the air. "Isabella, it would be wise of you to step into that cell and dispose of all your weapons."

"Well, Alec, I believe we have a difference in opinion on what would be wise in this situation," she smiled. She actually had a genuine smile. This was an entire different side that I had not yet seen from her. It was strong, scary and a huge turn on all at the same time, but I feared for her life at the time.

"Bella, maybe we should listen to them," I suggested.

Her eyes shifted to mine. Then ever so slowly she removed her hand from behind her back and revealed the same knife that James had used on her.

"Put it down," Felix yelled from behind me.

She didn't, but then she brought it up to her head. As one hand held the rest of her hair the other, with the knife sliced through her hair just as close as James had done. She lifted her hand and let the rest of her hair fall from her fingers. Her eyes never left mine. I watched her hair fall and I believed that Felix and Alec were distracted as well.

As soon as the hair reached the floor I heard something whoosh past my ear and saw Bella bend over at the waist with such elegant grace. I heard a thud behind me and turned to see what it was.

There lay Felix, dead, with the knife in his right eye. I reached in my jacket for my glock and whipped back around pointing my gun at Alec. Shots fired out. I had hit Alec in the temple and crumpled to the floor.

I turned and looked at Bella and smiled. She smiled back, but then her face twisted into shear agony. She dropped her gun, clenched her stomach with both hands and fell to the floor.

I rushed to her side as well as Riley. I pulled off my jacket, removed her hands from her stomach and placed my wadded up jacket on her stomach.

I looked at Riley. "Can you put as much pressure on this as you can?" He was in shock, but still nodded.

I went to stand up to get my phone out of my pocket, but Bella grabbed my wrist pulling my body back to hers.

She smiled at me. "I saved you."

I smiled back. "Yes you did and that was quite impressive, Love."

She narrowed her eyes and sucked in a breath. When her eyes opened they were sad.

"I love you Edward." There was so much blood seeping out of her and onto the cold basement floor.

"I love you too, Bella." I had tears rolling down my face. "Stay with me. You'll be fine." I tightened my hand around hers.

"Edward, I don't think I am going to make it this time." Her face was ashen and her lips were blue. "I'm cold." I reached down and cupped her cheek with my hand. She was indeed, cold as ice.

"Hang in there." I got my phone out and quickly explained to Agent Black where we were and that we needed an ambulance.

"It's getting dark," she whispered.

"No, Bella, you need to hang on. I need you. I want you in my life. You can't leave me. I will be lost without you. Please, please stay with me," I pleaded.

"I will always be with you Edward," she stated as she placed her hand over my heart.

oOOoOOo

One more chapter!