Note: Hello again. This is the next chapter. Read and review.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Cassandra

"I have a question." Embry said.

"Yes?" I answered turning my attention from Edward's thoughts.

"Why don't you want to go back?"

I looked at him. My face gave nothing away, but he had a fair point. Why did I not want to go back? Aro was the first love of my life. He and I were happy not too long ago. What was the problem with going back? I would be happy again even if it was for a short while and my family would be safe; Jacob would be safe.

But, that was the problem. Jacob Black was the problem. I did not want to go back to Aro, because of Jacob. He loved me and I loved him. And that was reason enough for me to stay. I loved and was loved. I was a first and not a second. That was why I wanted to stay. And I missed my family. This was my home, not next to someone who wanted power, but next to people who loved me.

I looked away. "Why does Jacob want me to stay?"

There was absolute silence, but mentally it was as if a bomb had exploded.

She said what? Leah thought.

Cassandra loves Jacob????? was Embry's response.

Cassandra? Edward thought. Is this a confession?

I sighed. "Are you sure you want to stay and fight? I will not hide the truth. There will be many of them. If a war starts some of us may not make it out alive. As a matter of fact, we may not win. I am willing to fight for my liberty and for the lives of my family, but many of out kind may not wish to put their families in danger. That is why I am asking you again. Do you wish to help?"

"Of course we do." Jacob said without hesitation.

I nodded. "Very well then. Tomorrow, if I am not mistaken, tomorrow we will have everyone here. And in less than a month, we will see what Aro has decided to do."

************

The days went by to quickly for my liking. We had a fairly large amount of cousins over. The Alaskan coven had been one of the first to show up. Tanya was getting along well with Edward which seemed to irritate Bella.

Everyone knew what we were getting into. They knew that we might not make it out alive. But, they also knew that Aro was unjust. And they were all willing to fight with me and for me. I owed them my life. And if any of them died I would feel the weight of their death for the rest of my immortal life.

"Cassandra!"

I turned around. Alice was running toward me as fast as she could.

"He's coming. He'll be here tonight."

I nodded. "That gives us enough time to go over our plan."

She looked at me. I don't know what she wanted to see. But, I had been a vampire longer than any of them. If I couldn't read her face, she would never be able to read mine.

"I have to talk to Jacob. I will be there soon." I said.

She left and I went to find Jacob. He was with Leah and Embry. Seth was with the others. Sam and his wolves had finally decided that they would help. The wolf pack was a team and they would stick together to the end. Or so Sam said.

I walked quickly but stopped when I came near the wolf tribe. They did not lie it when I crept up on them.

"Jacob, can I have a word?" I said.

Jacob looked around. He smiled and stood up.

"I'll be back guys." Jacob said.

We walked together into the forest, where we always talked. Our most intimate conversations had been in the forest. Jacob had told me he loved me in the forest.

"Jacob?" I asked when we were far enough.

"Yes?"

"I have to tell you something."

"Go ahead."

"Aro is coming tonight." I said looking away.

"Does that bother you? Do you want him to come?" He asked.

I looked at him. "No."

"Why not?"

I looked at him again. How was I going to tell him what I felt when we could all be dead tomorrow? How could I tell him what I felt when I knew Aro would target him? I couldn't put hi in danger.

"You know why not." I said softly.

Jacob came over to stand in front of me. He tilted my head up to his. I looked into this eyes and I knew that he must know. He had to know. There was no way I could possibly hide what I was feeling. It was impossible. Impossible to hide this feeling hat was burning inside me and that I would never be able to hide. He knew what I was feeling. He knew that I loved him.

"I want you to tell me." He whispered.

I tried to look away. I could have looked away. He was not strong enough to keep me there if I had wanted to leave. But, I stayed and I did not look away.

"I cannot tell you, not now. If we survive, if we make it out alive, I will tell you."

He dropped his hand and looked away. I knew that I was hurting him, but he had to wait. I would make him wait if it meant he would be safe.

"I am so sorry Jacob." I whispered.

He turned around and looked at me. He gave me a smile that was half sad and half accepting.

"It's fine. I can wait a little longer. You've made me wait enough as it is."

I but my lip and watched him walk away. How did imprinting work? Was it possible to push the person who imprinted on you away?

I walked back home. Everyone was gathered in our living room. They looked at me when I walked in but no one said anything. I walked to stand next to Edward and the rest of my family.

"They come tonight." Carlisle said. "We have our plan set up. But, if I am correct and if my old friend helps, we may be able to end this peacefully. Aro will not fight if he sees there is a chance he will not win."

There were nods of approval around the room. And I would be the one to ruin the mood.

"Then there is the other option." I said speaking to them all. "We could start a war. And we may lose. I am saying this because I want you to understand that there is a possibility that we may not make it out alive. I want you to understand and if you want to leave you can. I would not expect anyone to fight for me and die. Please, if you stay do so because you want to and not because you think you owe me or my family a favor."

Nobody moved.

"We're here because we want to help. We will not leave." Tanya called out.

There were yells of approval and I nodded. We would have a war and we would win. I would make sure we won. But, Carlisle would make sure there was no war and that's why Carlisle, was and always would be, better than the rest of us.

*******

The night came to quick for anyone's liking. I was the first to hear the footsteps.

We went outside as a group and out to the forest. We would head them off before they came to Forks. Hopefully, we would be able to reason with Aro. And if worst came to worst, I would leave. I knew that Edward would never let me do it, so I had been keeping my thoughts to myself. But, right now, he was too worried about Bella.

Aro intended to visit her too. He had send word saying that he couldn't wait to meet the new Bella Cullen. I knew it was an excuse, but Edward didn't and he was worried. I did not need to add to his worry, so he would not know what I was planning.

I had to protect my family. I had to protect the man I loved and that was what I would do. I would give Aro whatever he wanted if it came to that. But, I was hoping he would let me go. And I would fight. Yes. That was already settled. I would fight the man I once loved if it meant keeping my family safe.

We were far away when I looked around for the first time. Aro and his court were still far away enough that I could look.

The floor was covered in snow deep enough to sink my feet up to my ankle. The trees were covered in snow. They looked beautiful, but what was more beautiful than that was the moon. It was large and shinning. It was a full moon. The same way it had been when I first met Jacob.

I looked over at him and saw him looking at the moon too. I wondered if he was thinking the same thing. I had promised him I wouldn't read his mind anymore, but when he looked at me I couldn't help myself. I had to know what he was thinking.

I love you.

I smiled at him and looked away. His thoughts were enough to make me want to cry and tonight I needed to be in control. Aro. I hadn't seen Aro in maybe 10 years. I did not know either why it had taken him so long to come and look for me. The thought just reinforced my idea that I was never the first thing on his mind, not the way he had been first in my mind so many years ago.

Alice saw them first. She came to my side and pulled my between Edward and Emmett. Carlisle was in front. He would greet Aro and if all went well Aro would never even see me. He would come to Bella first, we all knew that. Edward was going to stand with her and Carlisle soon and I would be with Jasper and Emmett.

The plan was to have Bella place a shield around us. I was going to be her backup, but hopefully she would be able to do it on her own. I needed to be able to stop Jane and her brother, Alec. They were our weak points. I couldn't let them get to us. And I knew that once Aro saw all of us he would get them to come after us.

I waited patiently.

The vampires that came over the hill in the distance were dressed in black. There were many of them. They outnumbered us maybe four to one. But, I was ready for anything. I waited still while Edward went to join Bella and Carlisle. He looked into my eyes.

Everything will be fine. I promise.

Be careful. Do not do anything you may regret later and let Carlisle handle the situation. I thought.

He smiled and hugged me.

I watched the Volturi come. If they had been here on any other mission I would have thought that they looked beautiful. Their clothes made them seem paler than they really were and their lips shone bright red. Their eyes were red and calm. I knew why they would be feared, but I did not fear them. How could I fear a court I once controlled?

"Welcome, my friend." Carlisle said stepping forward.

"Thank you Carlisle. It has been a while."

The voice that said it was so familiar to me that I could have picked it out in a crowd anywhere. That was the voice of Aro, the Aro I loved, the Aro that was now my enemy.

"It has been." Carlisle answered.

"But what is this?" Aro asked and I knew he must be referring to all of the vampires here. "And even wolves? What is this Carlisle? If I didn't know any better, I would say that you had a small army here. Do you intend to fight me?"

"I do not. These people are our friends and they came to stay with us. They are here just as your court is here, to keep us company."

I wanted to laugh and hug Carlisle when he said that. It was the best diplomatic answer.

"Then this will be fast. I came to see Bella Swan or should I say Bella Cullen? How and where is she?"

"She's here." Edward answered.

"Come to me then. You and Bella or better yet let us meet halfway."

Edward and Bella stepped forward and I had my first look at Aro.

He was beautiful just like I remembered. But, what vampire was not beautiful. We were perfect. He had his dark hair pulled away form his face. His hair was long just like he always wore it. And his dark eyes were watching Bella now. Aro.

I watched as Aro surveyed Bella. He laughed when he saw her.

"Immortality suits you Bella." He said.

"Thank you." Bella answered.

"Well, I see that you kept up your end of the bargain, Edward. Let Bella go and let me see what you felt when you turned her."

I flinched. I opened my mind and searched for Aro's.

I do not care about what you felt Edward. I know you can hear me. All I want to know is where she is.

Edward pushed me away from his thoughts and stepped forward. But, we all knew it was no use. Aro would read each and every one of his thoughts. He would know that I was here.

Edward closed his eyes as Aro's hand wrapped around his.

She's here. Where?

I waited until he looked up. His eyes searched the crowd until he found Jasper and Emmett. He looked between them and saw me. Our eyes met.

Cassandra.

I frowned and looked away.

Come to me.

I looked back and laughed.

Why do you laugh?

"Why do you ask?" I said.

There was absolute silence. No one said anything. They watched me and Aro. Edward felt his way into Aro's head and looked back at me.

Do not do anything stupid Edward. I will handle this. I have had enough.

I know you can handle this. But, promise me that you won't do anything stupid either.

I promise. I said.

Come to me Cassandra or I will have to come and get you. Aro said to me.

"If you do come for me, you are going to have to leave your little shield with Jane. I do not think three is appropriate in this case, don't you think?"

I will send someone for you then.

"Talk to me Aro. I have not heard your voice in ten years." I said.

"Come to me."

I cast a quick look at Carlisle then stepped forward. I met Aro halfway and stood before him.

His dark red eyes watched me. He looked at me as if I was the sun and he was seeing me for the first time. But, it didn't hurt and I knew that he only saw indifference in my eyes.

"Haven't you missed me?" He asked.

"I have missed my family Aro."

"So, you have not missed me?" he asked.

"Let's speak to each other the way we should have always spoken to each other. We know you did not miss me. You would miss your power more."

"I love you." He said.

I smiled. "You love power and nothing more Aro. That is why you have Jane and Alec and all those others who surround you in court. Do you remember how it tired me? Do you remember how I left court because I could not take it? I am not like you. When I said I loved you I meant it. When I told you I would do anything for you, I mean it. I turned you because I wanted to be with you. But, you ruined everything Aro."

"But, I love you too. I have always loved you. I will love no other, but you."

I looked away. "Aro, do no lie to me. I can hear your every thought. You may think you love me, but tell me, would you give it all away for me? If I told you I would go with you and stay with you forever, would you agree to do what I ask? Would you give up the court for me? Would you give up the power you hold, for me?"

"I would." He said, but he did not look at me when he said it.

"You would not. And I will not ask you. I do not want to tarnish the way I see you now. I want to believe that there is still a shred of the Aro I married in there. I wish you well, but I will not go with you. My choice is made. I stay."

He looked at me. His mind was already resigned to letting me go. I could hear his thoughts. He knew I would not change my mind. And he was sad. His sadness hurt me in a way I hadn't thought possible. But, I understood that Aro had been my first love. He would always be my first love and because of that, whenever he hurt, I would feel a ghost of his pain.

"Can you let me see who it was that made you change so much?" he asked.

I looked at him and knew that he would not harm Jacob. Aro had decided and he was true to his word. That was one trait I would always love about him.

I stepped forward and placed my hand on top of his. He closed his own over mine and I removed the shield I had placed over my mind.

I let him see what had happened to me since I had arrived at my home. I let him see how much I loved Jacob. And he understood. When he let go of my hand he turned to Jacob.

"You are a lucky man." He said.

Then he turned to me and kissed my hand. "I will always love you. Be safe and do not forget, if you ever tire of your wolf, I will be waiting."

And then he left.

Author's note: Did you like it?