Last regular chapter! See my A/N at the bottom!

Chapter 26- McFearless

I got the reins, courage I was made of
And they got the fake love
So I know I must show

It's safe to say
If I don't get this out of me
I might quite easily end up dead

Mad cross my T's, try to dot my eyes
But that's blinding me
I ain't living that way

I roll my sleeves
And make me a better man of me
I might easily just give up on the show

Yes, my show, I must go
With my soul not my hand
Where I stand it's my role, it's my soul

It's my show, it's my show

-Kings of Leon

Bella POV

"Bella dear, please sit down. You're making me dizzy."

Esme put her hand out to stop me as I paced by her for what was probably the millionth time.

How could they sit around? Emmett and Rosalie were out getting the cars ready, but everyone else was calmly sitting. Alice had her head down, buried in her hands, and Jasper was rubbing her back, absentmindedly, while playing with his computer. Carlisle was furiously taping away on his phone.

I was infuriated.

I felt like the walls were closing in around me. No amount of oxygen I sucked into my lungs helped to calm me. Could vampires hyperventilate?

I abruptly stopped my pacing and grabbed my hair; the fury draining out of me was replaced by despair. How in the world could I have been so stupid? I should have listened to Edward and waited for help. I should have waited for Alice to see. I could have prevented this whole disaster.

Losing Edward was entirely my fault.

I fell to my knees. I could feel myself falling apart and heard an anguished scream echoing off the walls. My scream.

I remembered what my life was like without Edward and lost all sense of who or where I was. I felt hands trying to soothe me, but I kicked out at them not deserving to be comforted.

For a brief second, I understood Victoria's pain and screamed out my agony.

I understood what losing your love could do to a person. I couldn't go through it again. I couldn't live for eternity without him. I stopped screaming, and as quickly as the echo stopped, I felt a fire burning through me.

I wasn't going to wait to go find Edward. I would put Victoria out of her misery and bring him home. A hand brushed my hair away from my face. I stiffened at the touch and sat up, meeting Esme's worried eyes. Alice knelt next to her, the circles under her eyes more pronounced from her efforts to see.

"It's okay, Bella. Edward's alive."

I wanted to feel relief, but I couldn't. Too much was going through my head. It was impossible to organize any of it. Every tiny sound around me set me on edge, making me feel like I would shatter.

Carlisle's phone kept dinging, and I almost screamed at him until his words registered in my chaotic brain. "I just received a text message from Irina."

Esme moved away from me so she could see. "Irina? Is she with Edward?"

"Yes, she says they are at a house on Lake Champlain. Victoria has surrounded herself with about twenty newborns. Fatik is there, as well. Irina says to be careful."

"Why is she warning us now?" Jasper asked, his tone filled with disgust. I knew Irina's participation in Victoria's schemes had upset everyone.

"She asks for our forgiveness. She says she's bringing Edward, and they will meet us near the old mill outside of Dumfries." Carlisle turned to Emmett, who had just come back into the house, a grim look on his face. "Will you find where she's talking about?"

At Emmett's nod, Carlisle started texting his response, and then called Tanya to tell her about the change in plans. He put a hand on my shoulder as he walked past me, and I closed my eyes and said a prayer to a God that had ignored my pleas for so long. I begged for his continued mercy. I begged for him to keep Edward safe until I could get to him.

"Let's go," I demanded.

I didn't want to wait. Each second that ticked by made the panic in me rise further. Rosalie stomped into the house. She was furious with me.

When Emmett had carried me back to the house, she had screamed at me for what felt like hours. It hurt, but I understood her better now. Rosalie's way of dealing with a situation was always with anger. She cared deeply, and most of the time, I don't think she wanted to.

"Everything's ready. I'm going to change. I feel like wearing my ass-kicking boots."

I liked that idea and went into my room to change as well, giving myself something to do besides fret.

I peeled off my ripped shirt. It was stiff from the venom that had flowed from my injury. Carlisle had been right. It healed quickly but hurt like hell. I twisted my arm around, rolling it in its socket to test the mobility. It was perfect. It didn't hurt any longer, and there wasn't a mark to mar my skin.

I changed into clean clothes and braided my hair tightly against my head. I kept thinking of grabbing hold of Victoria's ratty mess of hair and ripping her head off. I didn't want her to be able to do the same to me.

I'll be the one to kill her, I vowed to myself as I looked into the mirror.

I continued to pace while we waited for the others to arrive. Everyone was on edge; the silence in the house was only punctuated by the ticking of the grandfather clock.

When Carlisle's phone rang it startled me out of my dark thoughts.

"Hello Irina—Edward!" The relief in Carlisle's voice was clear. I ran over and reached for the phone, but Carlisle wouldn't let me have it. He listened to Edward carefully, nodding his head. I was so angry I forgot that if I had just listened I could have heard everything Edward said.

"That's too bad." Carlisle shook his head. "Tanya's going to be heartbroken." He listened and nodded. "Offer them anything; if they're young, money may work. We'll leave now." Carlisle told him.

I felt instant relief at his words. Carlisle handed me the phone and I broke again.

"I'm so sorry, Edward. I love you so much." My voice cracked from the emotion.

"I love you, too. I'm okay. Bella, please listen to Carlisle. I want you to be safe. Victoria is scared, but she's determined to finish this today. The only thing keeping me alive is that she wants you there to watch me die. Fatik left, but I don't trust him."

"I'll be careful, I promise."

"Bella." His voice broke. "I need you to be safe. I know you think I'm being overprotective, but I would rather die than be without you."

I put my hand on my chest and closed my eyes against the sharp pains there. "You're not going to die, and neither am I. We're going to finish this and live our lives together."

"I love you, baby, so much. I'll see you soon. I need to go before Victoria comes back and realizes I have Irina's phone."

I didn't want to hang up, but I told him I loved him and set the phone down when he ended the call.

Carlisle was waiting for me by the door. "Let's go get him."

I nodded and felt a sense of peace. I knew we would prevail.

Carlisle told us Victoria killed Irina. I couldn't feel bad for her. She made her bed when she chose to trust Victoria. I listened as Carlisle outlined his plan. We stood around the hood of his SUV with his phone on speaker; Tanya, Kate, Carmen, and Eleazar were driving toward New York instead of coming to us to save time. He told them about Irina. They took it as hard as he expected. Their vows of vengeance against Victoria angered me. She was mine, and I selfishly didn't want to share my revenge. I felt the fire flare up in me again; a red film blurred my vision for a moment.

"Edward is trying to turn his guards to our side. They are young and strong. If they won't work with us I am hoping they will at least remove themselves from the equation. Let's plan to meet at the mill Irina mentioned. It's abandoned, and we can draw Victoria to us. The area where she is located is too populated for my taste." Carlisle explained to us.

"Did you advise the Volturi?" Emmett asked with his fists and teeth clenched tightly. He looked like he wanted to be gone as badly as I did.

"I sent Aro a message, but I'm unsure of their response. When Bella told me Fatik was involved I felt I had to, but the Volturi could make things worse. I don't know what they'll do, if anything."

The sound of a vehicle turning up the road pulled us out of our planning.

"It's Peter." Jasper walked to greet his friend. He must have called him to join us. Their reunion annoyed me. I wanted to go. I sat in the back seat of the Mercedes trying to mentally prepare. I tried to push down the overwhelming pressure in my head and chest. Alice slid in next to me and squeezed my hand. I closed my eyes and held on to her. She anchored me.

I was relieved when Carlisle and Esme got in the car and started our convoy of three cars. Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper rode in Emmett's jeep. Peter, Charlotte, Bree, and Diego followed in their car. The presence of the two young vampires made me slightly uncomfortable. They may have left Victoria months ago, but did they owe their loyalty to anyone left with her?

I stayed in my head the entire drive. I had hoped we would hear from Edward again but we didn't. The uncertainty broke down my anger and replaced it with fear I didn't want to feel. The myriad emotions exhausted me. I clenched Alice's hand hoping for encouragement. Her head was down, her entire body stiff. She was searching and gave me nothing. I couldn't help the litany in my head. "Please God keep him safe. Keep him safe. Keep him safe."

I lost track of time and was surprised when we pulled off the main road onto a rutted track. The forest was overgrown around us, but the tall grass covering the path had been pushed down with recent tire tracks. Someone was already here.

Carlisle pulled the car up next to a non-descript rental car and got out to greet a tall, beautiful woman. Her face fell and grief showed clearly as he took her in his comforting embrace. Esme was also there comforting the others. Alice sat motionless beside me, still holding my hand. I gently tried to pull her from her trance.

"Alice, we're here."

She shivered like a chill had gone up her spine, but when she finally looked at me, she gave me a slight smile. "It's gonna be okay." She took a deep breath, nodding. I wondered if she was just saying that because she wanted so much to believe it would all work out. She leaned back against the headrest. "It's gonna be okay, but we need to split up."

I nodded and started to get out of the car, but she stopped me by grabbing the back of my jacket.

"Bella, don't go off on your own. Stay with everyone." I nodded again but didn't look her in the eye. My nod held no promise. She stopped me again, her eyes wide with concern. "Bella, you have to listen to me. If you go alone…" She pulled me close into an embrace and spoke into my shoulder. "you will die. Promise me. Please," She pleaded with me.

I pulled her tighter to me. "Okay Alice. I understand."

She nodded and set me back away from her. "Let's go finish this."

I smiled and slid out of the car. Alice went over to greet her cousins. I stayed back, unsure of their reception of me. Tanya came over to me and grabbed my hand, cradling it between her two hands.

"Bella, I've heard so much about you. I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. Welcome to our family."

I smiled at her breathtaking face. "Thank you." I wanted to share my condolences for her sister's death, but couldn't find the right words.

I looked over to see Alice speaking with Carlisle who nodded and gestured us over.

"We're going to split up. Bella, you will go with me, Eleazar, Emmett, and Kate. We're going to find Edward. The rest of you will go and draw Victoria here. Everyone who is not with us should be considered the enemy. We must not hesitate."

Everyone nodded. Jasper added to the conversation. "Remember, the newborns are strong. Keep moving—don't let them get a hold of you or you will be crushed."

I took a deep breath and followed after Carlisle passing Eleazar as he looked at me strangely. I brushed it off and tried to gather my anger again. It took only the memory of how loving my father was to find my hate. He never deserved what Victoria did to him. The redness clouded my vision again as I ran through the forest. I was so intent on my revenge I didn't hear anyone approaching until he was upon us.

Edward came out of the woods and pulled me into his tight embrace before I realized it was him. I melted into his arms, my relief so great. I couldn't hear a thing. I just clung to him, my nose buried in his shirt pulling his scent deep into my lungs. He pulled my lips to his and kissed me deeply.

And for a moment the world stood still.

There was no time to enjoy our reunion further. Carlisle stood close to us, sounding as relieved as I was. "Where's Victoria?"

Edward started to walk in the same direction as we had been traveling. He held my hand as he walked. "She was locked in a room with Riley, who seems to be directing the newborns she is controlling. It was difficult, but I convinced the men she left guarding me to let me leave. I think I convinced them to leave, as well. I waited long enough for her to realize I was gone and then drew her this way. She's furious and not that far behind me."

He continued as we ran toward danger. "She thought she was going to rule the world with Fatik's help."

I smelled the unfamiliar vampires in the air and so did the others. We quieted our footsteps. Carlisle pulled his phone out and sent a quick message to someone, probably Jasper, who was leading the other group.

I could hear the footsteps coming toward us and brushed away a momentary loss of courage. I wanted to end this. I wanted the elusive closure I so desperately hoped would make everything right again. I wanted to put my father to rest and learn what my new life truly could become.

I saw a flash of blonde hair in the distance and realized that I could make out the signatures of my family—Alice, Jasper, Esme, Rosalie—intermingling with the unfamiliar scents of the other vampires.

They were coming around on the other side of Victoria's army. Alice's vision must have been correct for Carlisle's plan to surround the enemy to work so smoothly.

I heard the noise of engagement: the shrill screech of what sounded like metal being torn apart, the screams of pain and fear. I ran toward it, still holding tightly to Edward, unwilling to let go of him again.

He stopped abruptly and changed direction after gaining the attention of the others. I spotted the flash of red hair moving away from the fight ahead of us and felt the burning fill my chest. I almost let go of Edward to speed away from him, but remembered my promise to Alice.

We ran so hard we miraculously caught up to Victoria, who was being forced to slow her retreat by the advancing fight. Everything converged at once, and there was no way for her to escape. She glanced behind her to see Emmett tackle the man with her, Riley I assumed, and tear him apart with no difficulty. Victoria stumbled, and I saw the change in her eyes. It was quick, but I saw the fear and panic, and I felt triumphant.

All around me the fight slowed. There were body parts scattered around me, but all I could feel was the hot red haze, I felt like I was in a bubble. I no longer heard the noises around me. I focused all my energy on Victoria and prowled toward her. She saw me coming and realized she was totally surrounded. She grabbed a vampire who ran by her, away from Jasper and tried to shield herself, but threw him away and tried to run.

I found my voice. "This is it, Victoria. This is your chance. Don't run like a coward. Turn around and face me!"

Edward tried to stop me, but I shook my head. "You promised me."

The circle around Victoria tightened as the others finished with her army.

Victoria bared her teeth and turned toward me. "You are going to die!" Her high-pitched voice inflamed me even more.

I was amazed by the sight around me. I drew strength from my family surrounding me, and as I started toward her, Edward, again, put a hand out to stop me. I felt my anger flare at his interference, but then I heard a loud booming voice come from the trees to the right of where we were facing Victoria.

"Stop!"

Everyone around me was frozen in place—paralyzed, including Victoria and Edward.

Fatik stepped out of the trees and walked toward me, strutting with the confidence of safety his powers gave him.

"Beautiful Bella." He looked me up and down and smiled appreciatively, sending a shiver of fear up my spine. "Your fire amazes me. You look magnificent. Go ahead. Kill her." He pointed to Victoria who stood there looking like a ferocious, powerless statue.

I didn't need his help. I wanted the satisfaction of engaging in a fight with her. "I don't need your help." I told him through my clenched teeth, looking around at the eerie sight of everyone paralyzed around me.

Fatik started to move over to Edward, but I blocked his advance. He cocked his head to the side. "I give you a gift and you refuse it so callously? I could kill him in a fraction of an instant."

"I will kill you." My voice was deadly calm.

He laughed and as it rang through the silent trees I saw red and felt an explosion. The red haze pushed out around me, and I reached for Edward, determined to protect him.

As my hand wrapped around his arm, Edward was released from Fatik's hold. He swung me around, and as if we had choreographed the move, in a wide circle. I used the momentum to kick an unprepared and shocked Fatik in the head, severing it from his body. His head hit the ground, a morbid sight.

Everyone was released from his hold and without a thought I chased down a retreating Victoria. Edward grabbed her first and swung her around.

He held her tightly in a sleeper hold. His arms pushing her chest out in an uncomfortable position she couldn't escape. I wanted to reach into her chest and pull her black heart out with my fist.

Time slowed and everything was blurred except for the terrified look in Victoria's eyes. She struggled against Edward's hold.

I reached out and without breaking eye contact I grabbed her by her hair, tilting her chin back and bit her, severing her head from her body. I looked down at her head in my hand and threw it away with disgust.

Edward dropped her body and stepped over her to catch me as my legs collapsed under me.

It was done. It was over.

I should have felt peace, but as I looked at her headless body, I only felt revulsion. I had killed with no hesitation. I gagged and jerked away from Edward. I knelt next to him, my stomach racked with dry heaves.

I felt his hands comforting me. I heard his soothing words and leaned into him.

"Bella, you were magnificent."

I closed my eyes. I heard the moans of someone in pain and looked up to see Shireen keening over the severed head of Fatik. She rocked back and forth, and I heaved again.

Emmett stood over her, poised to destroy her if necessary. Would the need for revenge rise up in her now? Would another woman destroyed by the loss of her mate be seeking revenge against me?

I looked up to see the others piling up the pieces of Victoria's army. When Jasper picked up Victoria's head, I stopped him.

"No!" I pulled out of Edward's arms. I wanted to do it, for my father, for Edward, for everyone she had hurt. I needed to finish it. "I'll do it."

I reached for her hair and tossed her remains onto the top of the pile.

It was done.

Jasper struck a match, and the fire flared up in front of me as the burning inside me was cooled.

Edward pulled me close and whispered in my ear. "Let's go home." I nodded and felt my mouth turn up slightly.

Home.

I didn't look at Shireen again. I didn't want to think of her pain. I didn't want to feel any more regret. I only wanted to be close to Edward, to feel his touch, to take in his scent. I needed him close.

We slid into the back seat of Carlisle's car, and he tilted my chin up to his face. I closed my eyes as he whispered into my mouth.

"And now forever."

Le sigh.

Wow! I can't believe this was it! It took a long time to get here, and I thank all who stuck with me these last ten months. I thank you for every review and every recommendation, for every follow and favorite. It was you who spurred me on to write.

I will say more a bit later, but I have to thank Jessypt so much for her help and encouragement. She gave me the courage to post this story when I was content to let it sit in my computer. She taught me to cut out the "thats and justs", and even though I still pretty much have no clue, I think I'm better at figuring out where those pesky little commas belong.

My husband deserves thanks all well for all the blank stares I give him when my head is dreaming up the plot.

I am working on an epilogue now and will be putting that Complete in my summary!

I'd love to end this story with 500 reviews (hint hint hint)

XOXOXO-