Disclaimer: Thank you Stephenie Meyer for your Twilight world and to Guy Andrews for the concept itself. Without them, there would be no story.

A/N: Back from Melbourne and here is the chap I was working on before I left. Maybe I'll give you a little break after this because I've got some school work that is feeling DEEPLY neglected. Anyway enjoy and please don't hate me for my laziness in terms of editing.

Return to Meyer

16. Pain

Shadows fell across the floor of the wide alleyway, stones of different shapes and sizes covering its expanse. Towards the end of the street my eyes caught sight of a wide grate that somehow sent a series of uncomfortable shivers through my body. Without the sun, the breeze had turned this area of town into a cool and uninviting piece of scenery.

"Ashley," A voice said warmly from beside me. I flinched at the sound, found off guard as Carlisle, Emmett and Alice stepped into view. I had no idea how long they'd been standing there but either way, I was relieved to have the company. They did not ask about Jacob and I was glad for it. It wasn't a subject I was eager to broach on my own.

Placing a friendly hand on my arm, Carlisle drew me aside. "Now, Ashley, as much as I know you must want to question and speak with the Volturi, I ask that you let me attempt to converse with them first. The last time we met, we were on good terms as far as I am concerned and I would appreciate it if things remained civil." His expression was sympathetic and understanding. Knowing that I was out of my league and if I wanted things to go well, I should let take care of things.

"Okay," I agreed with a grimace. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach about what was to come. Whatever it was Carlisle had planned, I doubted things would remain civil once Emmett got pissed off enough.

Stepping in front of me in a flash of movement, the few Cullen family members formed a small barrier in front of me, their faces turned towards the grate I had noticed earlier. Looking through the gap between them, I found we had been joined by two other figures. Androgynous cloaks and perfectly carved features stared back at us, arrogant smiles painted on both their faces. One male was large and muscular the other shorter and less so. If I had to make a guess on their identities, using the novel as a guide, the only two names that came to mind were Felix and Demetri. I'd forgotten which description matched which name but that information was extremely low on my list of priorities.

"Carlisle," The larger one addressed him. "Aro has been waiting for you to visit."

"Felix, Demetri," he nodded to both in turn politely.

The greeting between both parties could not have been chillier if they'd tried. Neither wore a smile and body positions were stiff and territorial. Somehow I felt like I was watching through a glass window, unable to speak or alter anything around me. Merely watch and hope that things didn't turn violent as I was the weaker species.

"I expect you know why we're here." Carlisle clarified in a cross between both a question and a statement.

Both guards grinned, "Yes." Was their simple answer.

Emmett cracked his knuckles loudly by his side, revealing his agitation. Carlisle ignored this.

"I wish to speak with Aro, Marcus and Caius." He stated clearly. A demand but still extremely polite.

The smaller raised a brow, amused. "Why do you think we were sent to greet you?" he asked as though the answer were obvious.

Unable to remain silent, Emmett joined in. "Why else? To make sure we keep in line." He retorted with a trace of confrontation in his tone.

The guards' grins widened as the vocal acknowledgement of the fact, neither supporting nor denying the claim. Their actions spoke for themselves. "Now, now, no need to become…disagreeable." One commented tauntingly.

"If it becomes necessary," Emmett said, stepping forward. Carlisle reached out a hand stopping him. A cautious look reminded him of what was important. Slowly, Emmett stepped back, his face glowering menacingly.

Suddenly two other figures clothed in similar dress entered the alley, a boy and a girl, their angelic faces complimenting each other in every way possible. Two more sets of bright red eyes stared back at them, taking in the two groups quizzically.

"You were asked to simply greet and guide our guests to the throne room, yet here you still stand making irrelevant conversation." The girl with the apathetic voice commented, her pupils fixed on Carlisle. Jane.

"Aro is waiting," the boy said, equally emotionless. Clearly her brother Alec. Their very presence seemed to exude danger and tension.

"Alec, Jane," Another simple and cool greeting.

At that moment, I watched as Jane's eyes glanced past Carlisle and found them frozen on me. Wide and unblinking, she watched, examining what view she had of me. "So this is the human girl." She paused as though waiting for someone to contradict her before turning away. Together, hand in hand, both brother and sister lead the way down into the sewers below. With an uncomfortable look at Carlisle, Alice went next. Carlisle gestured for me to follow. Peering down into the black with a look of unease I turned back to him. "It's alright, Alice will catch you." He promised reassuringly. Not waiting for another chance to second guess his words, I stepped forward over the gap and fell into the darkness until I pair of arms wound themselves around me. Alice let me down, keeping a light hand on my lower arm to reassure me of her presence in an area where, unlike the rest of them, I couldn't see. I may as well be walking with my eyes shut completely. After a few moments, Alice began to lead me down the tunnel, guiding me to avoid any obstacle that could trip me up. I was grateful for her help.

Finally we reached the end of the tunnel and I listened as a door swung open. Light again came into view, illuminating the new room. Artistic and old fashioned furniture decorated the room while a series of large candles hung from the walls and ceiling. Very….artsy dungeon. Very…Harry Potter.

A woman with brown hair sitting at a desk stood as we approached and said something warmly in Italian as we passed. Gianna perhaps? The twins walked – well sort of glided – forward past the desk until they reached a set of large doors. They pressed forwards on them, swinging both open in a grand entrance. I mean, who opens two doors? Only those who want to draw attention.

I followed silently, shivering slightly in my summer dress at the drop in temperature. Large stone blocks, decorative artwork and three thrones set atop a set of marble stairs. Several guards stood at various parts of the room, each wearing their cloaks and hoods which set their faces in a darker gloom. Feeling insignificant and even a little frightened I continued to walk while Jane and Alec took their place by their masters' sides.

"Your guests, Master." Jane said respectfully to the three pale and chalky looking vampires. Each watched us with different expressions ranging from complete boredom to uncontrollable excitement. The man in the middle got to his feet, his hands pressed together in glee.

"Carlisle, my old friend! It's been a while." He announced. By the tone of his voice, this could only be one person. Aro. The eccentric and at times extremely excitable vampire.

"Hello Aro, Caius, Marcus." Carlisle addressed each vampire in turn and was greeted with equal respect. Clearly Carlisle had been right when he'd said that they'd left on friendly terms.

"I had a feeling I would be expecting a visit from you soon." He admitted, a smile across his face. Slowly he held out his pale hand, waiting. Seemingly happy to oblige, Carlisle reached out to touch his fingers, allowing Aro to read his thoughts. I was happy knowing he wouldn't be able to read my own thoughts because having someone hear every one that had ever crossed my mind would have been the most embarrassing thing I could possibly think of. My thoughts were personal and not to be shared by anyone else unless I voluntarily chose to describe them verbally.

"Alice," he greeted her by name, again reaching for the direct contact that he so desperately required. "Such a wonderful gift," he muttered to himself sadly. "Such a pity,"

Emmett followed soon after. After he processed each person, his eyes finally turned to me. "Ah," he exclaimed with a sigh. "Now, you must be Ashley." I bit my lip as everyone in the room turned to look at me. The attention overwhelmed me.

"Yes," I answered quietly just hoping we could change topics quickly.

"I'm sorry but after everything I've heard, I feel as though I know you." He explained. Okay, great. You think you know me but in truth, you don't. "I would provide an explanation for my actions but as far as I'm aware, you are already quite knowledgeable about us and our gifts. In turn, I have heard about your…resistance as it is."

I nodded awkwardly. "Would you mind seeing if you are also immune to my abilities?" he asked politely. It was a valid question but I doubted a refusal would go down well with anyone. Unable to find my voice I simply held out hand to touch his. I watched his face carefully for a change in reaction. Out of nowhere he chuckled.

"Astonishing, absolutely astonishing," he said brightly, releasing my fingers. "I would ask Jane to perform a similar experiment but you and I both know what the conclusion would be." The wink he shot me felt similar to how I'd imagine a stack of mental bricks colliding with the top of my head.

Oh my god.

When Edward arrived he must have touched Aro as Alice had a few moments ago. Their every thought and desire would have flooded through over the channel with no restrictions. Every conversation, every piece of information and every memory would have been displayed for a stranger. The books, the double dimensional door, me. Everything had been transmitted to Aro.

They knew. They knew everything.

Aro turned away and walked back towards the altar, his smile still fixed in place. "As much as I would love to simply talk and catch up, certain matters must be addressed." He clapped his hands together commandingly. "Edward," he called, looking towards one of the hooded guards on the side of the room. The figure approached briskly before stopping and casually touching Aro's hand with his own. Once this had been done he threw back his hood in a flourish revealing Edward's tussled bronze hair and pale skin. A sudden burst of relief set in at the sight of him and I found myself weak at the knees as the amount of stress I hadn't known I was feeling really hit me.

"Your family has come to make sure of your wellbeing, that is, after what happened." I stared intently at Edward, noticing the slight flinch he had tried to hide at the reminder in Aro's words.

"Yes," Edward answered stiffly, avoiding our eyes.

"Have you anything to say, to reassure them?" Aro pressed.

Edward shifted his weight uncomfortably, his darkened eyes hard. "Nothing except to say that I am fine and that I suggest they leave."

This hurt more than anything. He wouldn't look at me. He wouldn't even speak to me. You know what, as much as I respect Carlisle, screw the non-speaking thing.

"No," I said loudly and firmly.

Several heads looked up at me, taken by surprise. "You will speak when spoken to." Caius said, using his voice for the first time since we had entered the room.

I resumed biting my lip. "No, no, Caius. She has the right to speak as she wishes," Aro said, holding up a hand.

Finding my voice again, I looked directly at Edward, ignoring everyone else in the room. It was him and me. "I need to talk to you," I said, a trace of pleading in my voice. I was scared, shivering and hurt. If he wouldn't talk to me directly, I'd just have to make him. There was no way I came all this way to have a glance at him and leave.

"I'm not leaving until I do," I paused, trying to control the unease growing inside me. "But not here," I looked around the throne room. As much as I might like to imagine they weren't there, I couldn't say the things I needed to in front of these people.

The room fell into silence as everyone waited for Edward's reply. Unable to take anymore of his inability to even look at me, I snapped. "Edward, after everything we've been through, the least you could do is look at me," I snapped angrily.

He looked up, his hurt and steel like stare hitting me. "No," he answered firmly. "I need you to leave." Hurt and rejection swept through me like wildfire as I struggled to resist the urge to break down and cry. Why did he have this power over me? How was it fair?

I knew the reason why he wouldn't speak with me. He was afraid of being alone in a room with me. The trust in himself being around me had been broken and he wasn't willing to take any chances.

He turned around and begun heading up the side of the marble stairs. Before I knew what I was doing, I was blurting out words before anyone could stop me. "I'll take you home with me," I called loudly. I was sick of this fictional crap. I wasn't going to allow myself to let him simply exit my life again. Not again. This was the only true resolution to all of our problems. If he came with me, there would be no vampires with grudges out to kill us, no war with a werewolf pack, no reason for his apprehension and we could be normal. He could be normal.

Edward froze, his back turned. "I'll take them all with me. Rose, Emmett, Alice, Jasper, Carlisle and Esme. Everyone. I want you to come with me." I ignored the confused stares fixed on me by Carlisle, Emmett, Marcus and Caius.

"Explain this," Marcus said, his bored tone in place yet his words rang with a sort of authority I usually associated with Carlisle. I ignored him. His understanding was of no consequence to me. All I cared about was Edward.

"Edward, please," I said, using the word that had he'd never been able to resist. Slowly he turned around to face me. "I want you to come with me." Edward glanced from me to Alice and intent look on his face as if asking an inaudible question. Alice shook her head ever so slightly beside me in answer, a hopeful look on her face. Edward remained strained but a sense of acceptance appeared to wash over him.

He looked at Aro, "May I have a minute?"

Aro nodded, "Of course," Then again, why should he care? He'd simply touch Edward when he returned and hear his every thought as though he were there during the conversation anyway.

"Ashley," he said my name softly as he made his way to the doors. I followed in silence. We walked past Gianna and down the halls until we reached an empty room, again decorated in similar antique style. I clutched my sides, trying to retain some warmth but the shivers kept on coming. When I had looked up, Edward was facing me from the opposite side of the room, trying to put as much distance between us as possible.

I rolled my eyes, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "Nice, Edward. Thanks. If you were attempting to make me feel more like a disease, then job well done. If you wanted to talk at such a long distance we may as we have stayed in there." Anger was exuded within every word, I was tired of this.

"This is for your safety. Not mine." He clarified coolly.

Another laugh, "Thanks because I feel so much better,"

After everything about this conversation that I had planned and envisioned, this hadn't been it. Insults and resentment were not what I had imagined but somehow it was all that was coming to mind.

"Tell me, honestly." I began again. "Looking at me, here and now, do you want to kill me?" It was a simple question and all it required was an equally simple answer. He remained silent. "Edward, do you want to kill me?" I repeated more forcefully.

"Yes," he answered resentfully. The shock of the answer was hard to take but I buried it quickly.

"But no more than usual, right?"

A long pause. "Yes,"

I sighed in relief. "Then why is this any different? In the books you did so many things with Bella and she smelt a hundred times better to you than I did. Hell, you even slept together so why is it different with me?"

"It's different because I never purposely hunted her!" he yelled, his temper finally breaking through.

"That first day, when you were starving and imagined all the different ways you could break her neck as well as the time it would take before anyone in the classroom realised what was going on?" I yelled back, exasperatingly.

"That isn't the same," he shot back, taking a few steps to his left, a hand running backwards through his hair.

"Why not? So, you're saying you purposely stick me in the middle of an area you knew you were hunting in?" I paused for a minute in mock thought, "No, wait. That was Victoria." I gave him a hard look. "Oh, it must have been you who caused my leg to start bleeding." Another pause. "No, that was me." I placed my hand under my chin. "Okay, help me out here Edward because I'm really trying to see how you were responsible for the situation. You're a vampire! That must be it." I exclaimed. "Now who was responsible for that? Carlisle. So are going to blame this entire fiasco on Carlisle?"

"Don't be ridiculous." He commented in a low tone.

"Then you stop suggesting that this is your fault. Running off to Italy and joining the Volturi, worrying your family and punishing yourself, now that is your fault. You have never, never purposely hunted me." I reasoned rapidly, my voice climbing in pitch and volume with every sentence while the prickling sensation of tears returned to my eyes. If this argument continued, I wouldn't be able to stop them falling. Already I could feel my throat clogging up.

"I could have killed you," Five words. That was it. Yet, within those words there was so much guilt, sadness and self loathing that I couldn't understand how someone could contain it all. Finally we had reached the underlying problem with Edward's logic.

The emotion in his face and voice provoked the unwanted response in me I had been trying to avoid. Unable to restrain them anymore, tears began to fall slowly down my cheeks. At the sight of my crying, a new flash of pain whipped across his face. How pathetic am I? I thought to myself. I'm standing in the middle of a stone room, freezing my butt off and having a cry because my boyfriend doesn't want to kill me.

"But you didn't. I'm here, aren't I?" He opened his mouth to speak, to throw some twisted fact of life back in face as an argument but I stopped him, holding up a hand. "We have the same problem every single day. Every time you touch me, every time I enter the room. It's never stopped us before. I've read the novels, I've spent time with you and I'm not naïve. I've always known what you're physically capable of."

Edward lowered his gaze, a deeper sadness filling his face. "But," I continued. "It's what you're mentally and emotionally capable of that's important." Ignoring the space he'd set out between us, I walked across the room towards him. His body seemed to go stiff again, as though someone had suddenly flicked a switch.

Reaching up I put a hand on his cheek. "And personally, despite what you think you will or will not do, I believe that you would never hurt me. I know that you could but you won't."

He leaned into my hand, reaching up his own to take mine between his fingers. The added cold from his skin sent a new wave of shivers down my body.

"You're cold." He observed simply, my fingers twitching entwined with his. Moving back, I watched as he slipped off his cloak and placed it around me. The velvet covered me like a thick blanket, warming my body and sheltering me from the cold and unhomely surroundings. Beneath the cloak, Edward was fully clothed in black. The fabric, like the tux he'd worn on the night I'd left, made him look even more otherworldly than ever.

Something important entered my mind, something I knew needed to be brought up but looking at Edward, I found them exit the thought process as quickly as they had entered. His dark eyes filled my senses and I began to wonder just how hard being this close to me was when he was hungry and after what had happened. "You haven't….?" I trailed off, still looking at his eyes. He knew what I was referring to.

He shrugged, "If Carlisle could manage to live with the Volturi yet still retain his ideals about eating humans over many years, then couldn't I?"

"Well, I don't want to make this harder for you so I'll just…" I began moving away to put myself at a more comfortable distance when I was tugged lightly back.

His arms wrapped around my waist, his forehead touching mine. I breathed in his smell, feeling safe immersed in it. It was familiar and comforting. Then finding my voice again, I spoke at a low volume. "Edward, once we get back to Forks, I'm leaving again. For good this time," I told him seriously. His stood frozen in the same position. "But, I meant what I said before. I want you to come with me this time. I'll take them all with me."

As hard as it had been to get started, now I could feel the ramble really start to take off. "Rose and Emmett could finally have kids, Jasper wouldn't have to worry about trying to resist human blood so hard all the time, Carlisle and Esme could stay in one place at one hospital and none of you would ever have to go through high school again." Short rapid breaths followed the words as they followed out continuously without stopping.

"And you," Now I stopped. "You could get a university medical degree you could actually use, become a doctor. You could be…. happy." I finished simply as the main purpose of my rant came into play. That was it. The main reason I wanted him to come through. Even as much as I wanted it for myself, I wanted him to be happy. I wanted him to not have to worry about killing people anymore, to be able to stop moving every couple of years, to finally be able to settle down and be happy.

I had no idea what he was thinking, no clue as to what he was feeling and the silence felt as though it lasted hours. Paranoia flooded my mind, what if he no longer wanted to come back with me? What if he wanted to stay a vampire? I mean, I couldn't possibly fault him for that. It was his choice. His life. Maybe he couldn't see the possibilities of life like I could. He'd been a vampire for so long.

Yet, being as selfish as I was, I couldn't help thinking how that choice would hurt me so much I could hardly stand to imagine it. Why couldn't he just answer me and put me out of all this misery? He knew how wild my imagination could be if I let it go.

"I won't speak for my family but as for myself," he paused agonisingly, giving me the impulse to scream at him to hurry up. "You know there is no life for me here without you," he told me as his eyes softened, looking at me in the way that I loved. The way that made me feel like I was the most amazing thing in his world.

"The day you walked into that Biology classroom with your…childish excitement," he grinned at the memory, "and your inexplicable comments about places and people you'd never seen before, there was nothing I could do to resist you." I could feel the heat begin to sweep over my face as the embarrassment as I tried to look away. He reached up, forcing my eyes back to him. "I didn't know just how long I'd been sleepwalking through life until I met you. Ashley, you changed me and the day you left, those differences were so irreversible, I could never go back to the way life was before knowing what I knew. There was something missing. Something irreplaceable. And I refused to want to feel or see anything without it." He sighed, again running his hand back through his hair.

The feeling to run and hide under something until he finished speaking was extremely strong. These speeches were always my favourite part of the novels I read, the moment you realised just how important one character was to another and now here I was, with it all happening to me and I just wanted to hide from the attention.

"Then you came back into my life, even after you had rejected me and it was the most wonderful feeling I could ever have imagined. Yet, to see you there on my couch, bruised and battered. It was excruciating. "Knowing that I could have stopped it if you had just let me come with you as I'd asked, was harder. It was why I was so distant with you. I was angry with your decision.

"Just as you told me what happened in the forest was not by any fault of mine, the same goes for how you returned to Forks. I won't forget my part in what could have happened but I can't take credit for the events that led up to the situation itself. Everything leads back to Victoria. Ever since James, it has always been Victoria." Anger had begun to build slowly within his voice as he worked up to an important realisation, what I'd been trying to explain to him since we'd entered the room.

"I will come with you Ashley," The words I most wanted to hear flowed through his lips and I could feel my heart leap at the sound but it soon plummeted as they were followed by several others. "But only once we've dealt with Victoria."

I nodded, the small moment of happiness returning as ignored the final sentiment. "You'll come? You're coming back with me?" I repeated.

He smile my favourite crooked smile as he nodded, finally the same emotion filled his eyes. "Didn't you hear me? You are my life. Without you, nothing in this world makes sense to me." Slowly and tenderly he leant in a kissed me. My heart raced beneath my chest at the sensation and I could barely contain the excitement bursting to get out of me.

As we separated I laughed, "What?" He asked curiously.

"No similes about a meteor, stars and space?" I teased.

He chuckled before shrugging casually. "I prefer to write my own lines,"

** **** **

We returned to the throne room, faced with silence. Not waiting for an invitation, Edward grudgingly held out his hand to Aro who took it gratefully. Part of me was hurt that our private conversation had to become public display but seeing where we were, was there really much of a choice?

Aro clapped his hands together, mirroring my earlier excitement. "Ah! Edward and Ashley together again! It is good to see that all is well." He exclaimed, sending my eyebrows sky high. Alice looked relieved, Carlisle content while Emmett simply continued to eye two of the larger Volturi guards, dying for a fight.

Alice looked at Edward's cloak around me and sighed. Clearly it was not an appealing fashion piece to someone of her stylish nature.

"Now, Edward, I will assume that you will be returning with your family?" Aro asked.

Edward stepped forward, his tone respectful. "Yes,"

From behind him Caius spoke, "If that is so, you do know that as you are not holding up your end of our bargain, we will cease to hold up ours." He warned Edward. I looked at Edward, confused. What in the world had he asked of the Volturi?

"I understand," he replied.

"Then we have much to discuss," Aro said, an eager gleam in his eyes. The worry that had been forgotten from before suddenly returned to me. "Ashley," he said softly.

I looked up expectantly, hoping against hope that he wasn't about to bring up the subject I thought he was. Just when I'd thought we were close to leaving, something else was to be discussed.

"Please tell us everything there is to know about this double dimensional door."

A/N: You knew it was coming but as for everything else, I haven't done a long chapter in a while so I thought it was about time. Hopefully it didn't drag on too much for you. Remember to review and let me know how you think the story is going. I can't change things or improve them unless I know about them.

Next Time on Return to Meyer: It's time for all of Ashley's little secrets to come into the light but with the holders of this information being the Volturi, the biggest question is, what will they choose to do with it?
Next Time.