Title: Justification

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Volturi visit - Bella breaks down.

Disclaimer: All characters mentioned belong to Stephenie Meyers

A large black Escalade was parked nonchalantly in the driveway of the three story mansion when we pulled up.

"They just arrived." Edward informed us.

As we stepped out of our vehicles, Aro and Caius mirrored our actions and faced us gravely.

The seriousness in their eyes frightened me. I thought Alice said that they weren't angry, I winced.

We approached them cautiously.

"Greetings, Carlisle." Aro nodded.

"Hello, Aro, Caius." He acknowledged warmly. I could see that the majority of this conversation would be directed at Carlisle and not us.

"I suppose that you know our reasoning for coming." Aro started.

"Yes, I have a basic idea, but I think that I may have as many questions for you as you have for me, if that's alright." Carlisle added.

"Fair enough." Aro agreed.

"Would you like to go inside and sit?" Carlisle offered.

"No, that's fine, thanks. We really can't stay and visit.."

"I understand. I'm assuming you're here to question about Jane." Carlisle offered.

"Yes, that is the main motivation behind our visit." Aro nodded. Caius remained silent, just as he had when he had accompanied Jane. "We need to know what happened that propelled you to kill Jane….. And, also, how you managed it without loosing a single life from your side would be a welcomed detail."

"Well, " Carlisle began "I think first we deserve an explanation as to why exactly she was in Forks trying to kill Bella's father."

"Bella's father? Well I guess that answers our question…" Aro looked confused. "We did not order her after Bella's father, we sent her after Jacob Black. It was he, after all, who felt it necessary to tell a secret that was not his to tell, correct?"

"Yes, but it was not she who went after Jacob Black." Carlisle reminded him, "but rather a large group of zombie-like vampires."

"Yes, this has been also brought to our attention." Aro scowled angrily. "I can assure you that that was not in our intentions."

"I have to ask, if you will.." Carlisle hesitated, "Were you sending Jane on that mission in the hopes that she would not return."

"I can not admit to that for reasons of legality and morality, but I can however indulge you with the fact that Jane had a mind of her own in her last few years. She was out of control and acting on impulse rather than on order. She was a danger to the Volturi, we have a reputation to uphold. Granted, it may not be the best reputation, but it is at least a respectable and consistent one. Jane began turning on us, using her talents against us. I'll admit that a suicide mission would be a convenient way to dispose of her, but I will not admit to taking advantage of such an opportunity. I'm sure you understand."

"Yes, of course." Carlisle nodded in recognition. "Inopportunely for Jane, though, Jacob Black is a very good friend of Bella's."

I scowled soundlessly behind him.

"We saved Jacob from his untimely demise and then were immediately met by Jane at the Swan residence. Edward's insight into the depths of her mind showed that she entertained no notion of letting us leave the house alive."

Aro's brow furrowed in thought.

"Furthermore," Carlisle continued., "Jane exercised her talents on all of us, crippling us all. All but Bella, that is. If it weren't for Bella's fast acting, we would all be dead. Jane's death was a product of self defense."

"I see." Aro frowned.

Caius moved suddenly to place his hand on Aro's shoulders. It took me a moment to figure out that he was letting Aro read his thoughts briefly. "Yes, Caius, I agree entirely. We can not prosecute or punish them for Jane's wrong doings. Especially since her presence in Forks and her knowledge of the situation was our fault also. My sincere apologies to you, Carlisle, for the problems that Jane caused you."

"No harm done." Carlisle assured him.

I resisted the impulse to scoff at his remark. No harm my ass.

"But, if you don't mind me asking, how did you know that Jacob had told Charlie?"

"We have our sources." Aro replied slyly. "I will say no more than that."

"I understand." Carlisle surrendered. "Is there anything else that needed clearing up or was that the only purpose of your visit?" His tone and question were clear and polite dismissals.

"Ah, no. That was it. Our thanks to you, Carlisle. Your family has done us a bigger favor than you may believe. And Bella," He turned to me, "I never got to officially congratulate you and Edward on your marriage and welcome you as an equal into the world of eternal prosperity."

"Thank you." I nodded vacantly.

"Take care, Carlisle, everyone." Aro gestured a generic farewell and disappeared into the large black escalade and crept slowly out of the driveway.

We all stood in silence, long after they left with our hands in our pockets awkwardly.

"That was easy." Emmett finally broke the silence.

We murmured our agreements and turned to head back into the house.

Once inside, I immediately ascended the stairs to the bedroom. I didn't say a word, I just walked, deliberately stepping on each step on the way up. Once inside the room I went directly to the bathroom and to the shower. Showering was not nearly as necessary as it was before due to the fact that I was no longer capable of producing any sweat. Even so, I thought a shower sounded good at that moment.

I undressed quickly and stepped into the shower. The cold water didn't bother me anymore, so I didn't even bother turning the knob to a warmer temperature. I reached out my hands and braced myself against the walls as a sob ripped through me.

Why was I crying? It was all ok…. The danger had past.

But that was just it, wasn't it? How many more times was I going to put this family through the danger and life threatening ordeals that seemed to be attracted to me by some unholy force of nature. All I had been to this family was a problem, a nuisance that only brought drama and issues. Not only that, I had inconveniently chosen now to let the events of the last two days sink in. I had savagely fought two vile vampires and outwitted 6 others. I should have been proud of myself, but I felt unnatural and freakish. I slid to the ground and squeezed my knees to my chest as the cold water beat down on my back.

Then, he was there. Edward opened the glass door and looked down at me with concern etching every inch of his face. Still fully dressed, he let himself in the shower with me and slid down behind me and wrapped his arms around me. He didn't ask questions, he simply pulled me against him and embraced me securely and safely in his strong arms.

Even though I was stronger than he, I suddenly felt so weak and fragile again as I let my emotions go and sobbed violently. His body trembled with mine and it took a moment before I realized that he was crying too. Edward was crying with me. And that's how we remained until an hour later. Edward fully dressed, holding my naked body to him as we both cried beneath the cold water.

Husband and wife, condoling each other and supporting one another endlessly. Committed entirely to each other, just as we would be for forever…. Eternally devoted.