Note: There are a few things I want to clear up:

- I will not be making up a new power for vampire Bella. Bella's being a shield is a perfect explanation for why Edward can't read her mind, and I see no reason to mess with that. Since the events of Breaking Dawn didn't happen here, I had to find a new way for her power to emerge. I just put my own spin on it, and expanded a little on what she can do with it.

- There will be no big battle, at least not "on-screen".

Bella:

The drive home from the airport was completely silent. Edward was at the wheel, darting frequent looks at me through the rear-view mirror to where I sat in the back seat, making sure I was alright. Alice was in the front seat, absorbed in her own thoughts.

I wondered if they could sense the depth of my terror. I was making a superhuman effort to keep my face expressionless, and I think that in and of itself was making Edward suspicious, if the slight crease between his eyebrows when he looked at me was any indication. Over time, my face had become an open book to him, and I think he was not used to seeing it so blank. He knew I was frightened, I just didn't know if he had any idea how much. He would find out from Jasper as soon as we got within range of him, but until then, I didn't want him to know. Ruthlessly suppressing my fear was the only way for me to control it. I was convinced that if I voiced it out loud, if I told Edward and Alice I was absolutely terrified, I would lose it completely.

I thought I was prepared. I made the absolute most out of my time with my mother, and had accepted the fact that I might not see her again for a while, maybe ever. Same with Charlie; I had spoken to him daily, even if at times it was just for a short while. I had made peace with my old life and said my goodbyes. I was ready. But when suddenly faced with the inescapable fact that my hours as a mortal were numbered, that it really was going to happen, and soon, I found myself overcome with fear. Fear of the change itself, fear of how I would adapt to being of a different species, fear of how I would fit in as the youngest member of a large family…It was a huge, irreversible step into the unknown that I would be taking in a matter of hours, and I would have to live with my choice until…well, likely for a very, very long time. When death did eventually come, as I had no doubt it would some day, though likely in a future so distant it was unimaginable, it would probably be extraordinarily unpleasant. Despite my immutable certainty that I was making the right choice, these were all still sobering thoughts.

I had thrown myself wholeheartedly into my time with Renee, spending almost every waking moment in her company, agreeing to all her plans for our time together. Even when we were only reading, we did it in each others company. Phil took us out to dinner almost every evening, but the rest of the time belonged to my mother and me only. We talked endlessly. It was the best time I had ever spent with her. I guess it was made sweeter for me because I knew that this could be it for us. We had even managed to include Alice quite a bit; Renee absolutely adored her. It was a wonderful week, and I was so glad that Carlisle had insisted on it. I called Edward every night after I had gone to bed, but those calls were short as he insisted that I get some sleep so as to be able to spend as much time as possible with my mother, and fully enjoy it.

That wonderful week and the feelings of well-being I derived from it had suddenly come to an end shortly after we had been seated in first class. I had accepted a glass of orange juice, and Alice had taken a glass of champagne, some of which she tipped into my glass once I had finished half of it. I was enjoying my first Mimosa, when I found out it would also be my last.

Alice turned to me, took a deep breath, and told me what had transpired while I was enjoying my last evening with Phil and Renee. When she finished, we sat in silence for a while as I digested the news. Finally, I spoke, my voice shaking slightly.

"What does this mean for me?" I asked warily. I was afraid this would delay my conversion yet again, and I didn't want to run. I didn't want to be hidden away again. I just wanted to get it over with and start my new life.

Be careful what you wish for.

"Carlisle and Edward want to start your transformation as soon as you get back. They feel it's the only way to make completely sure you are safe from Victoria."

The cold fingers of dread wrapped themselves around my heart and squeezed. I mechanically took a sip of my drink, and concentrated on its flavor, helping me focus and not give in to the terror building up inside me. My body was going to die, and although my conscious mind approved of this, some instinctual part of my brain was screaming at me to run and save myself.

"I'm sorry, Bella, I didn't want your week to end like this. It would have been nice if we could have given you a little more time to mentally prepare."

"This is probably for the best, Alice," I murmured. "From what I hear this isn't exactly something you can truly prepare for, anyway. Maybe this way, I won't have time to become truly afraid."

Alice gave me a sympathetic look, and I could tell she knew I already was truly afraid. It was stupid of me to think I could really hide it, but for my own sake I had to put on a good show. Putting in my ear buds, I upped the volume on my music and reclined the seat, hoping to compose myself before I had to face Edward. Despite the fact that he had come to terms with my turning into a vampire, I didn't want to give him any reason to change his mind. If that meant keeping the extent of my fear hidden from him, so be it.

"Bella?"

I dragged my thoughts back to the present, and looked up at the rear-view mirror, straight into Edward's concerned eyes.

"Are you ok?"

Remembering his honesty with me, I decided maybe I could let go just a little. "I'm scared," I confessed. I expected his features to twist in guilt and anguish as usual, but he just gave me a compassionate look.

"I know," he said quietly.

"You are going to be fine, Bella," Alice suddenly piped up. "You'll come through this unscathed."

Edward looked at her quickly. "Did you see this?" There was hope in his voice.

"Yes," Alice said confidently, turning to look at me. "I still see you as one of us. You're laughing, happy."

I found Alice's words more reassuring than I thought I would. I was about to ask her for more details when Edward brought the car to a stop. We had only just turned on the road that led up to his place, so I looked out of the windows, wondering why we had stopped. A second later, Carlisle and Jasper emerged from the trees and out onto the road.

As Alice got out of the car, slamming the door and bounding into Jasper's arms with a cry of pleasure, Edward turned to face me. "Stay in the car, Bella," he instructed me. "And don't open the windows. We need to do everything we can to mask your scent, for as long as we can." He reached for me and pulled me to him, kissing me gently, and then released me. "I'll be right back," he said, getting out of the car himself.

Alone in the air conditioned interior of the car, with only the quiet hum of the engine to distract me, I felt a renewed surge of apprehension. Jasper's head turned quickly in my direction, and I felt a warm, soothing calm wash over me. I gave him a small smile, and waved in thanks, even though I wasn't sure he could see me through the tinted windows. He smile gently back at me before turning back to the others. They spoke a few minutes longer, their lips vibrating like hummingbird wings, and then Edward turned and loped back to the car, getting in quickly. He put the car in gear, and started up the mountain again. Carlisle, Alice, and Jasper disappeared into the trees without a backward glance.

I climbed into the front seat, buckled myself in, and turned to Edward.

"So…is there anything I need to know?" I asked quietly.

He looked at me briefly, and seemed to be struggling with something. He inhaled. "They have caught the scent of several vampires, but none of them are Victoria, so far." He looked at me, as he spoke, concern for me in his topaz eyes.

"Where did the others go?"

"Alice is going back to tracking with the Esme, Rosalie and Emmett. Carlisle and Jasper have gone on ahead to get everything ready." Again, he gave me that quick look of concern, and reached for my hand.

"I'm ok, Edward," I told him honestly, giving his fingers a squeeze. "Scared, but ok. It is time. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"Jasper is going to stick around to help you," he said. "For as long as he can, anyway."

I imagined that at some point my emotions would be too much for Jasper to deal with, and he would have to leave. Until that time, I would appreciate all the help he could give me. We drove on in silence, and I looked out at the scenery, knowing that the next time I would see it, it would probably look very different to me.

We got to the house without having spoken again, both of us lost in our separate thoughts and battling our own personal demons. As soon as we got through the door, Edward sent me up to our room with instructions to change into something comfortable. "Not your nightgown," he added. "Something you don't mind…damaging."

My heart skipped a beat, and I nodded wordlessly, heading upstairs on shaking legs. Rummaging through my piles of new clothes, I located a white tank top and a pair of sweat shorts and changed quickly, settling myself on the bed when I was done. I sat at the foot of the bed, facing that wonderful bay window and the breath-taking view, drinking it in as if I would never see it again. I waited for what seemed like hours, finally wondering if I should go down and look for the others.

"Bella?"

I let out a short cry and spun around, my hand over my heart. "Jasper!" I gasped. "You scared me!"

He just looked at me, a faint frown marring his forehead.

"Jasper? What's wrong?" He was starting to make me nervous, and I wondered why he wasn't doing anything to calm me. Surely he must sense my growing unease.

"I can't feel you," he stated, his frown deepening. "I can't help you if you shut me out, Bella."

"But I'm not doing anything!" I cried.

He approached me slowly, and reached out to graze my arm with his fingertips. He gasped when he made contact, and pulled his hand away quickly, looking at me with startled eyes.

"What?" I said with an edge to my voice.

He reached for my arm again, this time wrapping his cold fingers around my wrist, tightening his grip when I tried to pull away. I felt myself go calm suddenly. He released my wrist slowly, looking at me intently all the while. I started to get annoyed, and he smiled, obviously sensing it.

"Interesting…" he murmured.

"Jasper," I snapped, "I swear if you don't tell me what the hell you are talking about…" I stopped, realizing how ridiculous I sounded. Like there was anything I could do to coerce him. Obviously I amused him, because he broke into an absolutely charming grin.

"I'm sorry, Bella, it's just that this is a new experience for me. I couldn't read you when I came into the room just now. When I touched you, I suddenly could. When I let go, I was blind again. I had to maintain contact in order to influence you." He chuckled. "I understand Edward's frustration a little better now. It's a strange sensation, not to be able to read a person's emotions."

"And now?" I asked, interested. "Am I still blocked to you?"

"No. Now that you have calmed a little, I can sense you again." He turned to the door moments before I heard it myself: two sets of footsteps coming up the stairs.

Showtime.

A tidal wave of fear crashed through me. Jasper tensed, wincing, and then relaxed again, looking at me with that same frown. "You're doing it again, Bella," he muttered.

"What is she doing?" Edward asked, walking through the door followed by Carlisle.

"She's blocking me. I have to touch her to have any effect on her."

"I am not!" I protested. "Not on purpose, anyway."

"We don't have time for this," Carlisle interjected firmly, stopping us all in our tracks. "We can talk about it once the change is complete. But for now...Edward, would you like a moment with Bella?"

Edward and I locked eyes, and he nodded. Carlisle and Jasper disappeared, probably only as far as the library. We continued to stare at each other. I shuddered, and Edward was at my side instantly, pulling me into his frigid embrace. "Shhh, Bella…shhh. Remember, it won't last forever. Carlisle and I will not leave you, and Jasper will stay as long as he can."

"Will Jasper feel any of my pain?" I asked in a small voice, not wanting to be the cause of anyone's distress.

"No," Edward murmured, stroking my hair. "He will feel the emotions engendered by your pain, but not the pain itself."

He pulled away from me and cupped my face with his hands, his eyes roving all over my face, throat and chest, as if he were trying to memorize me. In fact, he probably was memorizing me. I blushed right on cue, and his nostrils flared slightly as his eyelids fluttered closed. He was evidently inhaling me, committing my human scent to memory. His eyes opened again, burning into mine intently. One minute we were just looking soulfully at each other, and the next, we were desperately kissing, hands grabbing, touching and feeling frantically. It was Edward – naturally – who broke our embrace, pushing me away and staring at me searchingly.

"I have to ask you this one last time, Bella…Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

I replied without hesitation. "Yes, I'm sure."

"Very well, then. Let's do it."

I tore my eyes from his, noticing for the first time that Jasper and Carlisle were back in the room, standing behind him. Edward stood, and was immediately replaced by Carlisle, who sat on the edge of the bed, holding a syringe filled with a clear liquid. My eyes flew to his.

"What…?"

He smiled reassuringly. "It occurred to me, rather belatedly, that all that is needed for conversion to take place is for the venom to enter the bloodstream. One does not actually have to be bitten for that to occur. I am embarrassed that it took me, a physician, so long to make the connection. It is not going to change anything about your ordeal, but I figured you could do without the added stress of being bitten."

My relief was so overwhelming, I was almost giddy. I had been more worried about that aspect of the change than any other. I knew a vampire's teeth where sharp, but still. The idea of being bitten by them had absolutely terrified me. An injection, by comparison, was nothing. Jasper, sensing my relief, chuckled under his breath.

"Whose…" I hesitated, but Carlisle knew exactly what I was asking.

"All three of us," he replied immediately. "Since the idea of using a syringe only occurred to me at the last minute, I had to get venom from Edward and Jasper as well, in order to have enough. I am hoping that using a larger dose will speed up your transformation time."

I smiled. So Edward would be a part of me after all. That made me very happy. I heard an impatient snort, and turned to see Edward perched on the other side of the bed, looking at me with affectionate aggravation. I raised an eyebrow in query.

"With everything you are going to go through," he growled, "I can't believe you are so happy that a part of me is going to be responsible for killing you."

"Oh, relax," I said, swatting at his arm. I couldn't believe how calm I was feeling, and knew I owed it to Jasper. I also knew it wouldn't last.

Carlisle tossed a length of rubber tubing to Edward, and they both proceeded to tie them tightly around my upper arms, working quickly, slightly faster than human speed. Carlisle used two fingers to feel for a vein in the crook of my elbow.

"Make a fist, Bella," he instructed me. I complied, and using his thumb to anchor the vein, Carlisle uncapped the syringe with his teeth and quickly injected me with about half its contents. He then handed off the syringe to Edward, who quickly repeated the procedure, skillfully injecting the rest of the venom into my other arm and removing the tourniquet. I looked at him in surprise, a question in my eyes.

"Later," he muttered.

"Lie down, sweetheart," Carlisle instructed me, applying a gentle pressure to my shoulder to guide me down. I settled myself back against the pillows, feeling almost drowsy, I was so calm.

My sense of relaxation was short-lived.

Both injection sites started to heat up immediately, and the slow burn spread as my blood started carrying the venom through my body. It felt like I had been injected with acid, and this acid had started corroding the walls of my veins, and was eating away at the inside of my arms. The burn turned into fire, and my breathing started to accelerate. I grunted, bringing my right hand to my left arm, and rubbed the inside of my arm vigorously, hoping for relief even as I knew it wouldn't help at all. The fire amplified tenfold, and I started crying out wordlessly, clawing at my arms, trying to inflict a different kind of pain on myself to detract from the raging inferno that was chewing its way down to my fingertips and up into my shoulders. Cold hands immobilized my wrists and I started thrashing, angry at being restrained. What did it matter if I tore into my own arms? At the end of my transformation, the damage would be healed anyway. I snarled, trying to yank my arms free, but it was as if they had been welded to the mattress on either side of me.

Impossibly, the pain ratcheted up another notch, and my snarls turned to strangled cries. I bent my knees, digging my heels into the bed, trying to get my feet under me to lift myself off the mattress, and felt more cold hands, pressing my legs into the sheets by the ankles. I screamed, pulling so hard on my imprisoned wrists and ankles that I thought my muscles would snap free of my bones. I was overcome by the irresistible urge to try and outrun the pain, even though I knew it would be absolutely pointless.

The pain spiked again, reaching levels that I could not have imagined in my wildest nightmares. I screamed even louder, pausing only long enough to draw breath to scream again, my entire body arching off the bed as I tried to break free of the hands restraining me. I didn't know who was holding on to what, and I didn't care. I could not seem to focus on anything. I always came back to the pain, as my body tore itself apart and rebuilt itself at a cellular level. I heard distant voices, one frantic, and two soothing, but I could not place them, and they soon faded into a scarlet haze of agony. I had forgotten where I was, and who I was with. I had even forgotten who I was. I was incorporeal, and now existed only as excruciating, agonizing torture.

Time ceased to have any meaning. I could have been suffering only for five minutes, or for five years. I had very few lucid moments, and even when I did, very little of the outside world seemed to penetrate. I heard Edward screaming during one of those lucid moments, but I was unable to break out of my torpor, no matter how I struggled. The pain was so constant that at times, it too ceased to have any meaning, and I could almost live with it.

I drifted endlessly.

The end of my ordeal, when it finally came, snuck up on me so gradually, that I didn't notice at first that the pain has significantly lessened. My awareness of myself increased as the pain began to dissipate, fading faster and faster, until at last it was no more, and never would be again.

Everything swung sharply into focus. My hearing, my sense of smell, my eyesight…all my stunted human senses had suddenly achieved their full potential.

I did not realize it was dark at first. I could see better at night, now, than I could during the day when I was human. I lay on my back, unaware of my body for the time being, simply relishing the new levels at which I could see. I don't know how long I stared at the imperfections in the plaster of the ceiling and the wood of the beams, marveling at how much more imperfect, tenuous and fragile the world really was. I turned my head sideways and looked out of one of the windows, awed at the colors I never knew existed. Remembering that I now had vastly increased strength and speed, I moved very slowly, sitting up carefully and searching the room with newborn eyes.

I was alone. Edward had promised me he and Carlisle would stay with me all the way through, but they we nowhere to be seen. I focused on my hearing, and immediately became entranced by the sounds coming in through the open windows. The infinitesimal breeze sounded like a soft exhalation, and carried with it layer upon layer of sound; the sloshing and sucking of the water gurgling out of the ground into the hot spring, the musical tinkle as it flowed over the stones; the sound of the trees, creaking and groaning as they shifted in distant winds, the rustling and snuffling of the nocturnal denizens of the mountains, the loud, rhythmic jingling of the cicadas…the sensory input was suddenly too much, and with a soft cry, I clapped my hand over my ears, wishing Edward was with me to talk me through these confusing new sensations.I tried again, peeling my hands away from my ears slowly, tuning out those sounds that I had already identified, and searching for any familiar voices.

Fortunately, that proved to be relatively easy. As a human, I was already able to tune out certain sounds in favor of others; the only difference was that now, as a vampire, I had more audial input to deal with. I quickly honed in on the only two voices I could locate, one of which I recognized as Carlisle's. As for the second one…it was a woman's voice, and it sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. I shifted my attention to the words she was speaking.

"…started with her. It is only fitting that she spend the rest of eternity living with the agony of having lost her mate, and knowing that I killed him."

In an instant, I knew who it was, and who she was talking about. The woman was Victoria, and she was talking about Edward. My mate. Mine.

Pure, unadulterated rage boiled up inside of me, and the red haze was suddenly back in front of my eyes. No other emotions had time to develop. I moved, and the next thing I knew, I was standing in the front room, looking down into the glassy eyes of Victoria's severed head. She was strewn around the room in six different pieces, and from the look I saw on Carlisle's face, I guessed I was the one who had put the pieces there.

"Did I…?" I stammered, pointing to the carnage.

"Yes, but…"

I didn't hear the rest of Carlisle's reply.

I opened my mouth and started screaming.

To be continued…