Chapter Five: The Talk of a Century

A/N: BEFORE READING THIS CHAPTER, I RECOMMEND RE-READING CHAPTERS 1-4. It has been such a long time since I posted, things will have been forgotten and re-freshing your memory of the story will really help with this chapter. Chapters five and six reveal a lot and so hints in previous chapters will be easier to understand.

It's been a few weeks since my last post and I really do apologise, I have decent reasons though. I'm 16 and live in England and right now am doing my GCSEs, I also just moved house and so have no internet right now as I write this, in fact this will probably be posted four weeks from being written. I'll stop boring you now and give you the next chapter, hope it's worth the wait, I'm trying to make it as along as possible. Read and Review please : )

Previously…

'Also, Emmett. At first glance this morning he looked defeated and almost depressed. It was incredibly surprising when I compared him to the old Emmett. The cheeky grin with dimples that were constantly out in full force. The raucous laughter he continually forced upon your ears. The bone crunching, oxygen stealing bear hugs. All of things that made Emmett, Emmett looked like they hadn't been in use in decades, and that concerned me greatly.

What on earth had happened to this family when they left? What had caused them so much pain? Then to see that twinkle return to his eye… I can't explain how something that could seem so insignificant completely turned me on my axis. I felt hope. For him and for me. I could tell Emmett's state was taking a toll on Rosalie, as was Alice's on Edward. Which was surprising seeing as Alice's husband didn't seem to be the one she was leaning on.

No matter what they had done to me, I couldn't turn my back on them, unless of course this is all just some sick joke and they don't really want me around to help.

No, come on girl you know them better than that.

Do I? They knocked us on our ass before, why get involved when there is a chance they could do that again?

Doesn't matter, we're stronger now, that shit wouldn't faze the new us.

Trust. That was the issue now.

Could I trust the Cullen's with my story? With my secrets? With my soul? My heart?

I guess there's really only one way to find out. If you're brave enough that is…

Fuck that. Those perfect vamps don't hold a threat. We're made of stronger stuff now remember. We bounce back. It's what we do.'

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IzzyPOV

With my mind made up, I flew down the stairs to the private garage, meant solely for the penthouse suite tenants. I found my crimson lover parked exactly where I left her, straddled the seat and let her rip, flying down the road towards the school.

The Cullens would only have departed from Cleveland High a little over an hour ago and so their scents would be fresh and I could simply follow the trail to their home. It was hard to imagine the Cullen family living anywhere other than that big, white mansion in that hard to find spot, secluded away from the rest of the town of Forks, Washington. Of course, it had been 85 years since they had lived there and so they must have lived in at least 40 other houses since. No matter how much me and my life-slash-existence have changed over those 85 long years, it is still difficult to not think of the Cullens now as being exactly the same as the Cullens then.

I stopped at the exit of the school, closed my eyes and slowly inhaled, picking up each and every scent in the vicinity. My brain worked to separate the human scents from the vampire. There. Five very distinctive, very unique personal smells.

It was Alice's that was the most recognisable to me. Although Edward was the one I spent most my time with, it was Alice who dared to get the closest to me. In fact, I think it's fair to say Alice and I were more intimate that me and Edward ever were, in regards to how close physically she got to me. That, is actually rather funny.

Alice's aroma was a combination of sunflowers, honey and freshly-cut grass. It was clean, refreshing and put you on a happiness high if you inhaled long enough. While the perfume of Alice took me back to Summer memories, Edward's did the opposite. It was a cool and wintry odour that would unblock a human's sinuses and send a chilly breeze down their spine.

I was going to stop there, the scents of both Alice and Edward would be more than enough to direct me to their home, but the scent of another made me take a longer, deeper breath in order to savour the delicious bouquet I had just discovered.

Earlier in the day I had recognised the scents of vampires but had not stopped to separate, identify and match up each scent with each vampire. And so my enhanced vampire smelling capability had not had the pleasure of tasting this scent properly.

As a human, each of the Cullens had smelt appealing to me but I of course could never break each odour down like I could now. Back then I'd never been allowed to get close enough to him to actually remember his scent. Now that I had, there was no possible way I would forget it. It was beautifully, Jasper.

It was strong, seductive and slightly sinful. Completely masculine in its texture and taste. It drew me in and intoxicated me in a way no other ever had. I was slightly alarmed by how sudden my new addiction grew, and completely confused as to why. I decided to put it to the back of my mind to evaluate later and sped off in the direction Alice's scent led me.

The ride to the Cullen home was quick and smooth. Their combined scents took me clearly down Beacon Hill, of which Cleveland High is atop, and along the Duwamish River to its valley. Here the Cullen house was neatly hidden away from civilization. As I rode down their lengthy driveway, I took in their most recent home.

It was nothing like their house in Forks. Where that was bright and modern, this was dark and traditional. I much preferred this choice, it seemed more like a home than a house. It was just as large as the other, perhaps larger, yet it seemed both warmer and more inviting. Perhaps I preferred this as a vampire and their old home as a human.

There were no cars in the driveway so I presumed they were all packed away in the two huge garages on each side of the house. I came to a stop a few yards from their front door, cut the engine to the bike and dismounted from my seat.

I had just put the bike's stand in place when I was hit full force in the chest by a beautiful vampire, easily identified by her sweet caramel coloured hair. Esme threw her arms around my neck - I was about 3 inches taller than her now, and pulled me into one of the most fierce hugs I have ever experienced. Esme looked up into my face and began dry sobbing and trying to pull me closer, she was beaming a genuine smile though and so I assumed they were joyful tears.

As Esme buried her face in to the crook of my neck and continued her sobs, I looked to my left and came face-to-face with a squealing and bouncing Alice, clapping her hands. Carlisle came to my rescue and pried Esme away from my body only to then yank me into his own fatherly embrace while grinning at me. I tilted my head to look over Carlisle's shoulder as I hugged him back.

While Carlisle continued his hug-of-a-lifetime and Esme joined Alice in her little squealing/bouncing/clapping dance, I could see Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper standing on the front veranda, smiling and watching the scene unfold. Edward was just visible, standing in the doorway behind his three siblings. His face had a very unsure look upon it.

Carlisle released me then and took his wife's hand, pulling her to his side and effectively calming her till she had a jubilant, serene look on her face. I turned towards the still exclaiming Alice and took her dainty shoulders in each of my hands.

"Hey, Ali, darling. Stop the squealing. Please." My voice was firm yet soft and polite. I added a friendly smile.

Alice immediately stopped all movements and sounds and simply stared up at me with glassy eyes. My healed but non beating heart broke a little at the sight. I sighed and pulled Alice in to my arms and gave her a tight squeeze. She began to dry sob and shake in my arms with her head tucked under my chin. I gently shushed her and rocked us back and forth slightly. As I kissed the top of Alice's spiky hair I looked up and noticed everyone had returned to the house, giving us our privacy - as much as was possible for vampires.

I took a slight step back from Alice, causing her to look up at me. I raised my right hand and lightly stroked her left cheek.

"What's wrong Little One? Is it because the colours of my outfit and the red of my motorbike clash terribly?"

Alice giggled and her eyes shone. The sobbing stopped. She squeezed me with the arms she still had wrapped around my waist and replied in a quiet but strong voice.

"I've missed you, Best Friend."

"Let's do this then, shall we?" I responded as I smiled at her and took her right hand in my left one.

Alice nodded and we walked up the steps to the house's huge, wooden, dark oak double entrance doors.

The Pixie opened the door and once I'd entered I was enraptured by the beauty and sophistication of their home. It was cosy yet open and traditionally decorated but in a contemporary style.

On both the East and West walls of the foyer were staircases that curved inwards to meet each other and the hallway above. The golden chandelier hanging from the incredibly high ceiling was intricately designed and captured my attention.

Alice shoved me a little and we carried on walking past the staircases, turned to our right and entered another set of double doors. This time they led to a light, open living area where six pairs of eyes turned towards us upon our entering.

Jasper and Edward both stood up and every other person in the room shifted their gazes between the three of us. I tilted my head to the side as I looked at them, confused but trying not to laugh at the oddness of their behaviour. When I couldn't help myself anymore and let a smile break through, Jasper grinned, relaxed and stuck his hands in his pockets. Edward on the other hand, looked incredibly embarrassed and dumped himself back into his seat. Jasper had remained standing but once Alice and I stepped forward he took his seat again.

To my left was the back wall which consisted of one big sliding window that allowed a beautiful view of a very loved, lush green garden. Along the adjacent wall were two large, brown leather sofas currently occupied by Esme and Carlisle and Emmett and Rosalie respectively. Opposite the couches, was a long, velvet love seat that looked very comfortable and had no one seated upon it. To the right of the love seat were three black leather, heavily stuffed recliner chairs. Edward was seated in the recliner closest to Emmett's couch, while Jasper took the one near the love seat. In the centre of the seating was a medium sized, glass coffee table placed on a cream coloured, thick and fluffy rug.

Every vampire, except Edward who was staring intently at his fiddling hands, beamed at me. It was a strange expression to see on Rosalie's face - being directed at me anyway. I got fed up quickly of standing there being stared at and so walked to the empty love seat, placing my self at the left end of the chair. I crossed my legs, brushed my hair from my face - habits - and turned to look over my shoulder at Alice questioningly.

Meeting my eyes and realising what I was asking, Alice came at vampire speed to sit on my right. Everyone then began to look between Carlisle and myself, wondering who was going to be running this show. I was all too happy to give Carlisle the reins.

Carlisle understood.

"Well, I think you can understand our surprise at running in to you, Izzy."

Is how he chose to start our little chit chat. I guess his kids told him about the new identity of mine too.

"Yeah, it was a bit of a shock to me too," I replied with a slight smile.

Carlisle looked at each member of his family before continuing, "I believe we are all wondering the same thing right now. How you came to be of this existence." He spoke in a gentle voice, no doubt trying not to offend me with their curiosity.

I nodded and considered where would be the best place to start my delightful story.

"It's quite a lengthy and not very pleasant tale. I don't mind giving you the facts, I suppose you need to know some of it just in case a situation may arise, but it is painful to remember and I'd appreciate you letting me get it all out there before you ask questions. Please." My tone was firm and confident and I could feel my mask for self preservation taking its place.

The Cullens looked quite taken aback by what I said. Edward had finally raised his head and was looking at me with a pained expression. Emmett and Rosalie looked slightly angry, I think it may have been because I mentioned the painful memories. Carlisle and Esme were leaning forward in their seats and had concern written across their faces, while Alice looked up at me with reassurance as she squeezed my right hand that was entwined with her own.

"We don't want you to have to go through any pain, Isobel. Our wish is to know what became of the young, beautiful girl named Bella we all so deeply loved and have missed dearly."

As Carlisle spoke to me in an amazingly fatherly manner that I couldn't understand, his voice broke and his eyes misted. Esme turned her head and hid it in her husband's shoulder, while every other Cullen averted their eyes to different points of the room. I was confused, they all seemed very upset and I hadn't spoke a word of my history yet.

"I'm sorry I don't have a happier past to tell you of but I'll do my best." I stopped for a second to collect myself and prepare to dredge up my heavily buried past memories.

Every vampire eye was trained on me, scrutinizing every detail in a way only a vampire can. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, released it and finally took back my sight.

"After you left, I had a few problems. I couldn't handle the loss and so I shut down. I became like a zombie. I did the same thing day in, day out and functioned via basic needs only. School, work, cook for Charlie, sleep. That was it. I spoke only when directly asked a question. I didn't read, listen to music or watch television. I wasn't living. My friends gave up trying to get me out my funk and stopped all contact with me. I don't blame them really.

This went on until the end of November that year. I woke up around 1am one night and went downstairs to get a drink. As I passed the living room I heard Charlie talking to someone, there was no voice responding that I could hear so I assumed he was on the phone.

Then he cried. Charlie the Chief of Police. Charlie, my father, who had trouble showing affection of any kind even to his own daughter. Charlie actually cried and it wasn't just sniffles, it was full on broken hearted sobbing. I wanted to comfort him but I didn't think I could really be of much help in my condition.

Then I heard who he was talking to when he spoke her name. It was Renee, my mom. And they were talking about me. Charlie was explaining how he had failed and didn't know what could be done to 'save' me. He was falling apart, telling Renee how it was like I had actually died.

That was it. I woke up. I slapped myself out of my selfish behaviour and focused on who was important in my life. I walked in to that room and hugged my father. He was so shocked it was almost funny. We stayed curled up together all night. When he heard my voice, returned to normal and not monotonous anymore, I honestly thought he'd died. He went so still and his eyes bugged out. But then he laughed and tears sprung from his eyes once more. I took them as joyful tears.

After that night I had two priorities - working towards college and Charlie. I socialized again and spent a lot of time, ironically enough, with the 'pack' of guys at the La Push reservation. When they started shape shifting in to werewolves, a lot of stuff got revealed. We worked through it all and they became my family. Jacob helped me fully heal and gain some self confidence.

I got accepted to Dartmouth college with early admission. I left Forks, Washington behind and started a new life, I moved on, I was happy."

I stopped there, to let them digest the easiest part of the story to hear. I had been watching their expressions as I spoke. Listening to me describe my behaviour after they left seemed to pain them all, Jasper especially appeared upset. He was most likely blaming himself for being the reason they had to leave. Not true.

None of them seemed too pleased about my friendship with the werewolves, not that I expected them too. Edward looked angry though, and that really pissed me off. He has no right to accuse me of putting myself in danger, which I just know is what his self righteous mind was thinking.

When I mentioned my acceptance to Dartmouth, Carlisle broke out in a proud smile and I wished I didn't have more to say that would wash that smile away. I took once last glance at them all and prepared for the next section.

"When I was 20 years old, my history class and I went on an educational visit to Volterra, Italy. That was 83 years ago I believe.

While my class was observing the buildings in the town plaza, I saw a woman talking to this group of tourists. She was beautiful, pale and had those tourists under her spell. I knew what she was immediately, even before I saw her red eyes.

Unluckily for me, the vampire chose that moment to look in my direction. Her gaze locked on me, and being the open book that I was, she knew I was aware of her kind. I remembered hearing of the Volturi but my knowledge of them was limited, still I was aware of the danger I'd gotten myself in once again.

The vampire approached me. I didn't want her near my class mates so I moved away from them. That didn't help though, when the vampire - she introduced herself as Heidi - realised I was immune to her powers of persuasion she was further angered. She threatened the death of my friends if I did not go willingly with her to the castle.

I may have been immune to her but my class mates wouldn't have been so lucky. They would have hopped, skipped and jumped in through those castle doors and towards their inevitable deaths. I couldn't allow that to happen. They should not have been drained just because I couldn't control my facial expressions and hide my knowledge of a secret as huge as vampirism."

I paused and shook my head as I remembered my idiocy for allowing my shock to override the use of my brain. It was then that I realised what the low rumbling I had heard while I was immersed in telling my story was. Every Cullen sibling was quietly growling in anger, their teeth were bared and their fists clenched. They all had an idea where this story was heading. The Volturi were involved in my transformation, and the Cullen's did not seem too happy about that. Carlisle looked distraught.

I waited for them to regain control. When they had slightly relaxed I took a breath and carried on with the demise of Bella Swan.

"Heidi presented me to Aro, Caius and Marcus once the three had gathered in the throne room. Aro was intrigued as to what was so special about me but he apparently knew there was something incredible brewing. Caius on the other hand was very angry with Heidi for returning with lil' old me instead of the herd she was luring in earlier. Marcus, meanwhile, was simply bored and thought Aro was just looking for more drama.

Heidi told them of my awareness and Caius immediately ordered my death. Aro wanted to know how I came to know of vampire existence though. I was reluctant to tell them of you, I wasn't sure what they'd do to you. They got me talking after many threats and acts of violence. I told them as little as possible where you're involvement was concerned. I explained how it was me who figured it out and none of you exposed the secret. Aro knew of your vegetarian lifestyle and so understood why I had not been 'disposed' of.

Aro was fascinated by my resistance to some vampire talents, he called it my 'mental shield' and once he got Jane and friends to come give it their best shots and they failed, Caius and Marcus began to get interested too. Marcus strangely took a liking to me, commenting on how he always wanted a daughter like me - Jane was not happy. Caius liked my spirit and strength of character. Aro was extremely interested in finding out how powerful I would be as a vampire. When all three of them agreed that they wanted me as an immortal and not buried underground, they decided that if each of them contributed to my transformation then I was even more likely to be an impressively talented vampire.

They gave me one final day as a human. They sent me the finest food and drink and a lavish bed for my last ever hours of sleep. When I awoke, the three were waiting for me. Aro took position on my neck, Marcus had my wrists and Caius was given my ankles. Simultaneously they bit down and then everything went white and all that existed was searing hot pain."

I had to stop myself there. The memories were consuming me and it was suffocating. The female vampires in the room with me all had their mouths hanging open and a haunted look occupying their faces. The males had snapped their jaws together and were clenching their teeth. Edward looked suicidal. Emmett enraged. Jasper murderous.

Even though, to those who knew of my potential, I was considered the most powerful vampire in existence, I was slightly afraid of the Cullen's right now. I could not tell who their anger was directed at and almost wished I hadn't asked them to remain silent till the end.

"My change lasted 7 days and I was apparently both completely still and silent throughout it. When I awoke I was very much in control of myself and the stressed out members of the Volturi were even more baffled by that than the extra long length of my transformation.

I was informed that Dartmouth had announced me missing and once the duplicate body fabricated to appear as me by the Volturi was found, Bella Swan was pronounced dead.

My power developed quickly and the Volturi had no choice but to admit that their plan had backfired. They wanted me powerful but still able to be controlled by them. Instead I was the one with the control and was too powerful to be threatened by them in to staying and running the guard. I have the power to eliminate them all and that meant there was no question as to them allowing my freedom.

I had to choose a new identity. My mother loved my first name so I stayed close to it, going simply from Isabella to Isobel and Bella to Izzy. I chose Charles as my last name in memory of my father."

I didn't believe there to be any other information that the Cullens needed to know right then and so I stopped there and nodded to let them know I was done and they were free to talk.

They seemed unresponsive and unaware of their surroundings. I had seen vampires sitting perfectly still and in their own world before but never had it scared me like this. My anxiety rose as the minutes past and not one of them spoke, moved or even blinked.

Just as I was about to break the silence, Carlisle recovered himself. He stood abruptly and every other Cullen family member awoke from their trances and watched with wide eyes as their father approached me. Carlisle swooped down and scooped me up in to a ridiculously tight embrace. He hugged me hard and continuously whispered rapid apologies in my ear.

"Carlisle, what are you saying sorry for?" I asked, both confused and slightly frustrated.

"You should never of had to go through all of that alone. It's wrong what they did, so very wrong…" He was angry and upset at the same time and his voice trailed off as he tightened his hold on me.

I sighed and removed myself from Carlisle's arms, taking hold of his hands.

"It happened. It was a long time ago. I've accepted the path my life took me on."

I turned around to look at Alice, who had remained remarkably quiet for her. She looked distraught. I knelt down in front of her and tilted her head so she would look at me.

"Alice? Sweetie are you okay?"

"We - We left you. We left you and this happened. We left for your protection and instead you went through utter hell. We left." Her voice was child like and barely audible.

"No. This isn't going to go down like this. We are not going to go over every mistake that was made. No blame is going to be placed. I have spent 83 years learning to live with the hand I was dealt. Of course I wish my life had turned out differently. But don't you dare Alice Brandon Cullen. Don't you dare put my pain on your shoulders."

The atmosphere was tense and uncomfortable. I didn't want this.

"A world with an Emo Pixie within it is a world where I am completely danger free. You understand me? It'd just be weird." I joked, trying to lighten the mood in the only way I could think of.

Remembering what had gone on and recounting it to the family I had loved but had abandoned me was hard enough without having to deal with the Cullen's self-blame. That could be addressed at a later date. It truly was a good thing I had kept my mind closed throughout this discussion, I really did not want to be hearing their thoughts or feeling their emotions right now. My own were troubling enough.

"Yeah you're right, gothic style is so not the right look for me." Alice smiled slightly at me.

I stood from my position, leaned down to kiss Alice's forehead and took my previous seat next to her. A glance at the rest of the Cullens told me they had listened to my hidden plead. The guilt was gone from every face except for Mr Broody who had his head in his hands. Rosalie had a look of understanding, while her husband looked ready to cry. As did Esme. Jasper was staring intently at me with a penetrating gaze that cut right through me. He could see the façade even with my emotions blocked from him. Our eyes met and my insides trembled. The sound of Esme's shaky voice broke our stare.

"We saw on the news of your disappearance, followed by the announcement of your apparent death. Considering you were in Volterra, we were naturally suspicious. Carlisle flew alone to Italy, broke in to the morgue and inspected the body they claimed to be yours.

It was a perfect match. There was evidence of previous injuries that corresponded with your medical history and your dental records proved that body to be you. I'm so sorry Izzy, we believed you had died. We believed it. I'm so, so sorry." Esme spoke quickly and her voice got higher as she continued. She looked pleadingly at me, looking for me to understand. I did.

"It's okay, Esme. The Volturi go that extra mile. It should be their slogan. They are good at what they do. There is a reason they hold their positions of power." I soothed her as best I could. It would hurt even the most evil of hearts to see Esme so broken.

"And so currently I am Isobel Charles, an 18 year old high school senior who is emancipated from her parents. I don't really need to attend high school, being 20 years old when I changed allows quite a lot of freedom when it comes to living among the humans. I tend to alternate between high school and college lately just for something to do with my days. I don't stick around in a town for long anyway." I told them this mainly just to alter the serious tone of our conversation. I wanted to talk about something less depressing.

Jasper spoke up then. He seemed both curious and concerned as he asked, "you said you are too powerful for the Volturi to have kept hold of you, that you could eliminate them all. Just what power do you have?"

I sighed and figured I'd have to let them know just how dangerous it was for them to be around me sooner rather than later.

"Control, Jasper. My gift is the power to control. To control everything and everyone."

A/N: Well there you go. My longest chapter yet. If you haven't read the author's note at the top, it explains why this took so long to get to you. I'm going to start on the next chapter tomorrow. I hope this one was good enough. Let me know your thoughts. Kerrie xx