A/N: I am sorry for the long absence. With the holidays and the pregnancy, there did not seem to be a whole lot of time. But the good news is, that around Christmas, I got motivated to have this whole story posted by the one year mark, which is in just a little over a month. This story is almost fully written, with the exception of a couple of chapters. I was trying to get it completely written before posting this one, but I decided it's best to begin posting the chapters right away and give you quick updates.

I was really surprised by the reaction of the last chapter with them making such a rash decision. To me, I could not see them making any other decision. They love their family. They realize that they are meant to be, but it doesn't mean that that wipes out every other important person in your life and it is what they were working towards all along. I think that any other response would not have been in character with the story.

Again, thank you all for your support of this story. I am really excited to have you all read what I have been working on for this story in the upcoming weeks!

Chapter 23

Bella stared at Jasper numbly as they left the hall in complete silence, their mouths saying nothing, but their eyes passing a million things between them when they finally connected. Bella was pleased to note that Felix and Dimitri did not follow them this time, instead just simply closing the doors to the great hall behind them.

Still, despite the appearance of privacy, Bella knew that it was best if they remained quiet till they were well out of the realm of possible prying ears. She could tell that Jasper's mind was as troubled as hers with what just passed in the great hall.

So many unknowns. So many concerns. At the same time, there were so many hopes. Were they stupid to put any faith in what the Volturi promised? For surely, there was no real way to ensure that they kept them.

She did not doubt that they would return the families memories, at least for Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, and Rosalie. The Volturi needed to assure that Jasper and she would go on these missions, whatever their reasons were. But what thereafter? What was to assure them that their memories would not be altered back, or would not distorted to even a different set of memories?

Furthermore, Bella could not guarantee that Edward and Alice's memories would be changed. Would the Volturi just try to alienate them further from their families, all in an attempt to make them part of the guard?

But the item that was currently distressing Bella the most was, why were both of them being sent on these missions, and why did they need to be separated? Surely, the missions would be most successful if both of them were there. It did not sit well with Bella at all.

Their only possible motive would be to separate them as mates. Bella was certain that she could defend herself from any memory change, but if they were divided, how could she protect Jasper with her shield? How would she survive if he… no. She tried not to think about that last thought, looking at the walls and tapestries surrounding her. But it was of no use; the thought stubbornly crept back into her mind. What if, he did not love her anymore?

She felt Jasper's fingers curl around hers, giving them a gentle squeeze, almost as if knowing what she was thinking. Bella lowered her shield, granting him access to her again. The young vampire's eyes wandered back up to her mates. His eyes were beautiful as always, but haunted with thoughts that she was positive were similar to her own.

Jasper pulled her aside, speaking low. "Are you okay with all of this? One word, one single word, and I will tell them we refuse."

She tried to stop her hand from shaking in his. "I'm scared. There are so many questions that are left unanswered. I don't want to be separated from you. What if they…"

His eyes dawned with understanding. "They won't."

"How do you know? Jasper, I just finally found you. I don't want to go an eternity without my mate. Losing Edward was bad enough, losing you… I think it would destroy me."

Jasper tilted her chin, pressing his lips to hers. "Darlin', I could never forget you. Not in a million lifetimes. Nor is anything else going to happen to me… to us. But we will tell them no, and it will just be myself and you… okay? You are my main priority now. You are my world, nothing else matters."

Part of Bella wanted to desperately say yes. Protect Jasper at all costs. Instead, she shook her head no. "We can't. We need to do this. For them. It's not right what was done. If I was them, I would want the truth, wouldn't you?"

"I would. But if any hesitation creeps into your head, we are not going through with it. Understand?"

"I do."

Jasper claimed her mouth once more, briefly, before continuing down the hall. It was of no surprise that there were met by Peter and Charlotte, both looking anxious.

"What happened?" greeted Peter, with a serious expression that could rival Edward's on his moodiest of days.

"They admitted to it all."

Charlotte's mouth gaped open, her eyes unbelieving. "To all of it? They flat out admitted involvement and told you everything?"

Bella leaned into Jasper's hard muscular frame for comfort. Even as a vampire, she sometimes felt as weak as her human self especially when it came to her emotions. Perhaps that is what made her and Jasper so well suited for each other. Both felt ruled by emotion. "Well, not everything. They admitted changing the memories and we were introduced-" the words felt sour on her mouth. "to Delilah, the vampire responsible for all of this. But we still do not have a motive or even a reason why."

Jasper wrapped his arms protectively around his mate. "The Volturi are trying to feed us a story that they were merely following orders to do so."

Peter laughed bitterly. "In all of my existence, I have never known the Volturi to take orders. Fuck. That is rich."

Jasper's muscle tensed underneath her body. "Neither have I. But Peter, I do not believe they were making that up. Aro sounded, and felt, as if he was telling the truth. Nothing makes sense out of this whole mess."

"So, now what happens?"

"Well, they have agreed to let the Cullens and Denali's have their memories properly restored."

"Good." Charlotte looked satisfied.

"On one condition." Bella interjected.

Peter and Charlotte both looked at him as if he were mad. Charlotte's eyes practically bugged out of her head. "What condition?"

"That Bella and I complete two missions. I need to go to France to dispose of some newborns, and Bella, needs to help take care of a possible werewolf problem. We are leaving at the same time but we must go separately."

Peter banged his fist on a nearby table. "You have got to be kidding me! I can understand you, Jasper, with your experience in Maria's army, but Bella? No offense, Bella, but how does she create an advantage for the Volturi with werewolves? I don't like it, Jasper. Something is rotten in Denmark."

Bella's eyes fell to the floor. "I know. But it is the only way to get their memories changed back. We agreed to go ahead with their plan."

"When are they changing the memories?" Charlotte asked fury in her eyes.

"Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, and Rosalie will be changed prior to our departure. Edward and Alice they are waiting until we comply with their request for assistance."

Peter strode over to the both of them. "Jasper, you cannot be really agreeing to this. There are surely a million loopholes that the Volturi plan to exploit. To agree without a second thought, why that is practically suicide."

Bella knew that Peter was right of course. "We will just have to try to ensure that they keep their side of the bargain."

Peter shook his head. "How?"

Jasper looked at Bella and she was relieved to see they were both on the same page. "Peter," he began, his eyes flickering between his two friends, "I need you and Charlotte to stay here, act as eyes and ears. As it is, I suspect that they would not allow for us to bring anyone that is not on the Volturi approved list and I am sure that the both of you are not on it, even with your extensive experience in newborns. Where most of our family is being changed prior to our leaving, I am asking that you remain close to the Cullen's, ensure that their memories have not been compromised again. You will contact me twice a day, via text message. The message will simply read, All is well."

Peter nodded. "And what if our memories get compromised while you are gone?"

"Then I won't get a message from you and I know that something is wrong and I will abandon the mission."

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

"It's not what I want to do, but what I think needs to be done to restore their memories."

Time over the next few days seemed to move excruciatingly slow for Bella. The truth was, she was simply going stir crazy, as was Jasper, not really able to accomplish very much and awaiting the announcement that they had been so desperate to hear.

The Volturi were not truly willing to divulge more information on the mission or the Cullen's. They simply responded time and time again that they would make them aware when the Volturi fulfilled their part of the bargain. They also reiterated that when Bella and Jasper left, each would be given instructions on their respective missions and not a moment further. It was frustrating.

Peter spent the time trying to figure out what the Volturi were secretly up to. He snuck around the building, even going so far as befriending a few of the guard, yet all kept a very tight lip, not revealing anything but what constituted as useless Volturi gossip. Charlotte fluttered here and there, spending part of her days trying to assure Bella and Jasper that it would be alright, that everything was going to work out in the end. Bella hoped she was right, but did not feel as confident as her friend did.

It was with a quick rap on the door well over a week later, that news came in the form of a fine white envelope that was closed with the wax Volturi insignia. Jasper had taken the envelope cautiously from the vampire and closed the door, with a soft thud.

Bella walked across the room, curiosity getting the best of her. "I wonder what it is?"

Jasper glanced at her briefly, his eyes fluttering back down to the envelope. "It's their official insignia."

Jasper's finger easily reached underneath the seal, opening the document. His eyes scanned the document quickly. "We are expected to attend the Volturi's Annual Spring Gala this evening".

Bella couldn't help the surprise and disappointment that dripped from her voice. "They invited us to a Gala."

Jasper crumpled the invitation, throwing it in a garbage can across the room. The look he wore was clearly bitter. "No, not invite, that would imply we had a choice. No, it was very clear that attendance was mandatory."

"Well, that is peculiar considering we cannot leave the building. I am guessing that this is a formal event, and I don't know how they expect us to exactly go looking like this." Bella gestured to her jeans and turtleneck.

Jasper smiled gently at her. "No, I am sure they will take care of that."

Bella nodded. "Yes, I am sure they would. It seems odd that the Volturi would hold a party. Aro, Caius, and Marcus do not exactly seem the partying type."

"This Gala is something that Volturi hold every year. Carlisle talked about it once, many years ago. Their Gala goes back to almost the inception of Volturi. Carlisle made it sound as if they don't believe that they particularly care for them, but it is their opportunity to leave no doubts that they are the ones in charge."

"It sounds…. Fun." Bella responded, deadpan. "I wonder if Charlotte and Peter got an invite?"

"I would be surprised if they did not. The Volturi would probably believe it prudent to know where all their guests are during this function."

About a half an hour later, Bella got her confirmation that Charlotte and Peter indeed were invited as well, with the same promise that their every need concerning the ball should be met. Within a few hours, Bella and Charlotte were whisked off by an unknown female vampire to get their hair done and make sure that their dresses that were picked for them fit properly.

Bella was never one for primping and Charlotte chastised her as she grimaced as they piled her hair into neat curls upon her head.

Bella wanted to wipe off the smirk on Charlotte's face. "I swear, you are worse than Alice!"

The laugh that came from Charlotte was genuine. "Come now, sugar. You act as if this is torture. You might as well make the best of situation. There are worse things than getting pampered."

"I have played enough dress up in my life, thank you."

"But just think- when was the last time that Jasper has ever seen you all dolled up?"

Bella pressed her lips together and a felt a heavy weight in her stomach. "My wedding to Edward."

Everything was so intense between her and Jasper, yet, it was still so new. It was easy to get caught up in the fact that he was really her mate, the person that completed her, made her happier than anything in the world.

In her mind, she held the fading human memory in her head. She remembered Alice being insufferable, and fussing over her like a doll. She remembered not feeling like herself as she walked down the aisle to greet her soon to be husband.

But her mind now recalled seeing Jasper there, in a fine suit, looking at her walking down the aisle to greet his brother, their eyes meeting for the shortest of moments, both unaware of where their destinies truly lie, both unaware that it was They that were actually meant to be together for all of time.

Charlotte cleared her throat. "Well, we cannot have that being his only memory of you like that. I think we should clearly give him a new memory, don't you?"

Bella nodded gently and proceeded to get ready without another word of complaint. The dress that the Volturi picked out for her was truly beautiful, a couture fashion. The dress was more than a simple black cocktail dress. The Versace beading that was strategically placed down the side of the dress was exquisite; and the plunging neckline and very low cut back would have made a formerly human Bella blush profusely. She fingered the halter top that tied around the front and back of the neck, unsure how she felt about the fabric covering the mark Jasper gave her.

With a small content sigh, Bella stepped out after getting dressed.

Charlotte let out a long whistle. "Sugar, Jasper is not going to know what to do with himself when he sees you."

At Charlotte's prompt, she twirled her body around, giving her a full view of the dress. "You think?"

She nodded. "Jasper has always had a thing for bare backs and plunging necklines. I guarantee that will hold especially true on his mate."

Charlotte changed into her own gorgeous gown, full of rich, jade tones before the Volturi brought them back to their respective rooms with a promise that a chaperone would be there shortly to properly escort them to the ballroom.

Bella rolled her eyes slightly at this, as she quietly entered the room. She could hear Jasper in the bedroom.

"Bella? You are back already-" Jasper was walking out the room, fiddling with the cufflinks on his pristine white tuxedo shirt, when he stopped mid sentence, his eyes squarely on Bella. "Wow."

Bella smiled, "Do you like it?"

Jasper moved forward with authority, his eyes never leaving Bella. "Darlin'." His voice was husky and Bella was again entrenched in the lust that he felt for her. His body moved behind hers, his chest pressing firmly against her bare back. His hands gripped her waist firmly. "I have never, in all my time as a vampire, seen anyone look as beautiful as you do this evening."

The fingers from his left hand brushed over the inside swell of her breast, and even though it wasn't possible, she would have sworn she felt goose bumps at his caress. She bit back a moan as his lips pressed against her shoulder blade, his teeth grazing along the flesh, kissing an area she never knew until then as an erogenous zone.

His voice was entrancing as he spoke to her. "I am going to have my way with you tonight, my mate. I expect you to comply with my every wish and desire. Are you open to that?"

Bella could hardly concentrate on anything except his touch. She wanted Jasper in that moment more than anything else she had ever wanted in her life. "Anything you want, anything you need. I give you all of me. Please."

Jasper growled, turning her towards him, his eyes black as night. "Please, what?"

She needed her mate, the pull insanely strong in that moment. "I need you now. Please take me."

Jasper's lips crashed down upon hers, and Bella instantly gave in to the blond vampire in front of her. She needed his hands everywhere and anywhere at the moment. She did not care if he destroyed the Couture gown in the process, just as long as she was with him.

The kiss intensified, and Bella promptly began unbuttoning the white starched fabric that stood between her and Jaspers finely chiseled chest. She almost stumbled backwards into the bedroom, her knees hitting the destination she desired most, the bed.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Mr. Hale and Ms. Cullen, we are here to escort you to the Gala." The vampire's voice sounded strained and had Bella been able to think, she would have realized that their desire was impacting those directly around them. "Immediately."

Jasper stiffened, finally pulling away from her, a murderous glance given towards the accosted door. "Fuck." He muttered, his eyes still not resuming to their normal hue. He gave Bella one more lingering kiss. "Mark my words, before this evening is over, I will have my way with you."

Bella stood dazed for a second, as Jasper composed himself, walking angrily towards the door at interrupting a much needed interlude between the two vampires.

Bella almost felt bad for the wrath that the vampire on the other side of that door was about to incur. She then thought about the half unbuttoned shirt that he wore and growled in frustration.

Almost.