So, second chapter of the day and the tension within the family is gradually increasing as the reality of the situation sets in.

Chapter 20.

Jasper and Bella were the first back to the car and were sitting in the back seat waiting for the rest of them to arrive. Jasper had pulled Bella onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her as he felt the tension increase within her again. "Do you think we should tell them now about the tasks; or more specifically the third task?" Bella said.

"Let's wait until we've got the first two out of the way. The next few days are going to be difficult enough without having to add that extra worry onto their shoulders as well. It's not like they can do anything to help."

"I guess." She rested her head on his shoulder and her fingers brushed across the scar on his arm that was firm becoming her favorite; an additional benefit was this small habit seemed to have a calming effect on Jasper too. "Do you think we'll be okay?"

"I hope so, darlin'. I think we just need to be there for each other through this. Hopefully it'll be easier than we think it's going to be."

"Something tells me it's going to be more difficult but I think we'll get through it." 'I hope', she mentally added.

The door opened and Emmett and Rosalie joined them. Neither of them commented on the state of their brother and sister; obviously noticing the two of them were getting more stressed the closer they got to their destination. Carlisle continued the drive as soon as he and Esme got back to the car and the car fell to an uneasy silence. Bella's hand was tracing Jasper's scar constantly which was going some way to ease his tension and he, in return, was brushing his fingers through her hair.

As the car entered the main gates of Volterra Jasper's leg began to jostle up and down and Rosalie and Emmett looked at the two of them in concern. "Are you okay, Jazz?" Rosalie asked him quietly; although the whole car heard her.

"I'm fine." He said; staring at Bella; a lie the whole family picked up on but didn't choose to correct. Bella turned her head and nuzzled into his shoulder; her hand reaching up and wrapping around the back of his neck; pretty much hiding her face from the rest of the family. "We're fine." He whispered; another slightly whiter lie.

The stress was getting to both of them and the other four could clearly see it but as Jasper had said to Bella before they got back to the car; there was little any of them could do apart from offer their support.

It was fortunate for them that Carlisle had been a resident of Volterra before and he found the hidden underground entrance with ease; pulling the car into it and parking in the shadows. He led his family confidently towards the entrance to the Volturi home; his demeanor helping his family more than he realized. They made their way down the tunnel through the lower basements of the building; each of them finding comfort from their partner.

They reached the entrance to an elevator and all of them stood waiting for it to arrive. The tension they were feeling wasn't helping any and it was only going to get worse before it got better. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. All six of them slowly walked into the small cube; the doors shutting behind them. "I'll do the talking when we get in there," Carlisle said softly to them all.

"I'm going to have to talk to them, dad. You can't do all the talking for us." Jasper said.

Carlisle held his son's eyes and finally admitted the truth in his words. "You're right. Let me start though; re-establish the history I have with them." There wasn't any need for any of them to answer him; it was only right he led them in; he was the head of their family who had a past relationship with their hosts and his family needed him more now than they had ever done.

The elevator stopped and they turned to face the doors as they opened. In the corridor before them were three of the Volturi guard to welcome them, "Carlisle, it's been a while," the young girl stated as she looked at them; a scowl on her face as she spoke. "Aro is looking forward to seeing you again and meeting your family."

Bella looked at the three of them and noticed the blood red eyes which hers resembled in more ways than they did those of her family. She squeezed Jasper's hand; needing his comfort more than ever then and he looked at her as the six of them began to filter out of the elevator. "That's Jane." Jasper whispered to her and Bella gripped his hand a little tighter. It was her they were probably going to have to face during the first task. "The other two are Felix and Demetri." He paused slightly before continuing. "When we get in there, it's likely Aro will try and read both of our memories at some point. It's probable he won't be able to read yours; I doubt he would've been able to even when you were human but he will see things in my memories that I'm sure you'd rather he didn't see. I'm sorry darlin' but there's no way I can stop him. Just know we can get through this baby."

"Okay. I love you, Jasper." She whispered to him softly.

Silence fell between them again and Jasper turned his focus on each of his family; measuring how they were feeling as they approached the Volturi leaders. There was a certain level of calm to Carlisle that didn't completely surprise Jasper; he was, after all, the most familiar with their surroundings and had some knowledge of what they'd be facing in a matter of minutes. Esme was, as Jasper had suspected she'd be, concerned about her two children as they were taken before the Volturi leaders. She was slightly anxious and he didn't see that going away until they left this city. He just hoped he got to live long enough to enjoy that trip with them. Emmett's emotions almost made him laugh out loud as his brother walked confidently behind his parents. Nothing ever seemed to faze Emmett and he also knew that if push came to shove he would try to fight his way out of the situation. Jasper suspected it wouldn't be that easy but there'd be no telling his brother. The only thing bothering Emmett was the safety of Rosalie, which was easy to understand, Jasper shared that sentiment about each member of the family but especially Bella. Rosalie was quiet and he could see she was holding onto Emmett's hand almost as tightly as Bella was his. While his sister never shied away from a fight, she hated having to face men who abused their power over women; which certainly described the way the Volturi behaved. His sister hadn't been looking forward to this trip for a while and Jasper couldn't say he really blamed her.

The small group reached the end of the corridor and Jane opened the doors into a cavernous, circular room. The Cullen family followed behind the three vampire guard and formed a small line in the center of the room. "Carlisle Cullen, what a pleasure to see you… and you've brought your lovely family with you." Was said in greeting by one of the vampires waiting for them.

"That's Aro." Jasper murmured to Bella, "Marcus is the one to the left and Caius, on the right."

Aro walked forward and stood in front of Carlisle; all of the room watching in interest. "It's good to see you again, Aro. Thank you for welcoming us and offering us your hospitality during this time."

"It's no problem; I was intrigued when your son contacted me all those months ago. I have to admit we had all but forgotten about the existence of that long unused law until he brought it to our attention. His mind was very determined and his loss has no doubt hit you all hard. Our condolences will do little to assuage this sorrow but they are heartfelt nonetheless." Aro held his hand out towards his old friend and Carlisle placed his hand in it; the room freezing as the elderly vampire zoned out; drifting through the memories of his friend's mind. Several minutes later, he opened his eyes again and looked at the head of the Cullen coven, "Both your children were a credit to you and your lovely wife and I can see how you're all struggling to adjust to their loss." He turned to look at Esme and smiled at her benevolently, "It is a great honor to finally get to meet you. Your husband has been most lax in not visiting us before now." Aro walked away from them and sat back in what could only be described as a throne. His brother's showed little interest in the gathering and for a few minutes there was silence. "Felix, please show our dear friends to the quarters we've set aside for them during their stay with us."

"We would like to stick to our own diet while we're here, if that is alright, good friend." Carlisle said, not wanting to antagonize him but determined to not break their lifestyle choice either.

"Of course, of course," he agreed, "Talking of dinner, I do believe ours is about to arrive. You and your family may want to take your leave. We'll save something for you, Felix."

The family quickly left the room; not wanting to witness the massacre that was about to occur. Bella shivered slightly as she caught the faint scent of the approaching humans and Jasper wrapped his arm around her shoulders; kissing her temple as they kept walking. Each couple was shown to a room, Bella and Jasper being the last ones to be given theirs. Before he left them Felix turned to them, a frown on his face; "Aro would like to meet the two of you this evening. You should both feed before you arrive. Someone will be down to collect you both in a few hours." He nodded his head at them both and then turned and left the room shutting the door behind him.

*B-o-B*

Jasper turned to look at Bella as soon as Felix closed the door and he lifted his hand and put a finger over her lips to stop her from talking; shaking his head slowly. Several minutes passed where Bella stared at him wide-eyed and waited for him to let her speak. Finally he removed his hand from her mouth, "He's gone now."

"Was he listening to hear what we said?"

"I think so. He definitely hung around outside the room before going to get his meal." Bella grimaced at the thought. "Talking of food, we should go and get some too. Then we have some time to clean up before we have to go and see Aro."

"Should we tell mum and dad about our meeting?"

"Let's tell them after we've seen him. I kind of get the impression it's just the two of us invited so they won't be able to be there. Let's give them a few more hours without the worry, okay?"

Bella nodded and turned to look around the room. "It's a nice room."

"Nothing but the best for the Volturi." He said softly; walking up behind her and putting his arms around her waist. "Let's go get something to eat." He said, "We can explore the room more when we get back."

"I'm gonna hold you to that, Jasper Whitlock." She said; a smirk on her face.

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

*B-o-B*

Bella walked back into the room and immediately began to look around it some more. It was a large room and it was very decadent; much more so than anything she'd been used to before. Even having known the Cullen's for quite a while now; the Cullen's who didn't hold back on spending money. In comparison to them it was showy; so showy it looked fake; but there was no getting away from the fact their current abode was pretty amazing. She even noticed there was a balcony which was something they would be able to make very little use of and therefore seemed fairly pointless. Her eyes scanned the room; picking out the ornate decoration she knew Esme would be falling in love with. There were pictures on the wall that looked very old and she was sure she'd seen a few that were by some of the master's; probably originals given the fact it was the Volturi that owned them.

She lifted their bags and began to empty them; placing their clothes away tidily. She could feel Jasper standing and watching her and she wondered how long he was going to do that; if it'd been anyone else she would've been unnerved by it but given it was him, not so much. She smiled as she remembered how when she was still human Edward would sneak into her room and watch her at night as she'd slept; he'd done so for months before she even really knew him and she was glad she hadn't been aware of it at the time because looking back at it now she realized it was a little creepy.

"What are you thinking about?" Jasper asked.

"Some things from the past." She said as she zipped their now empty bags back up and stowed them in the bottom of the closet. "Why?"

"Your thoughts were happy ones but tinged with some sadness and I wondered what they were."

"I was just thinking about how Edward used to sneak into my room before we were together and watch me sleep. When he first told me about it, it seemed really romantic but I guess from an outside perspective it probably seems weird; especially looking back at it now." Although she wasn't looking at him she felt his tension increase at the mention of Edward. It was still a subject that was a little sore between them both and rarely discussed by either of them but she couldn't help but sometimes compare her relationships with them; even if it was just in her mind.

"What made you think of that?" he asked gently as he walked and sat on the bed in front of her.

"I could feel you standing watching me and it didn't bother me; I knew if it was anyone else it would annoy me but just you being here, makes me feel better."

"I'm glad about that." He whispers; reaching for her hand and pulling her over to him. "You're not worrying about the meeting with Aro, are you?"

"A little. Just because I don't really know what to expect more than anything." It was just this side of being a lie; in truth she was petrified of facing the ancient vampire, even with Jasper.

"I don't either, really. I've never met the Volturi before; even given the length of time I've been around; I saw Felix, Demetri and Jane when I was in the South with Maria; during the wars but none of the leaders and I didn't really speak to any of them. I've heard stories about them and Carlisle has mentioned them a few times but none of the family apart from him has ever met them."

"You seem to know so much about them."

"Only from what Carlisle has said and I don't know that much really. You should relax, baby. It won't be that bad. I'll be there with you."

She wished to all that was holy that she'd find that reassuring; it didn't work. "When do you think we'll have to face the first task?"

"I don't know."

"Do you think it will be today?" She was beginning to panic again and Jasper's hand cupped her cheek; sending a wave of calm through her that helped greatly. "Thanks." She whispered.

"I don't think it'll be today; it said in the information Aro sent that the family has to be present for each task so I think it's unlikely he'd do it today because it's just going to be you and me there."

"Will they tell us which one of the guard we're going to face?"

"I doubt it." He stared into her eyes and then lifted her onto his lap and scooted them both back up the bed. "This is really worrying you, isn't it?"

She nodded reluctantly. "I'm just worried we'll fail somehow and you'll end up getting hurt. I don't want to lose you."

"It won't happen, darlin'. We'll get through this together and be there for each other." He kissed her forehead softly; brushing his fingers through her hair, knowing that calmed her without him having to use his gift. His lips caressed her cheeks and the tip of her nose in soft kisses before moving to its main target; her mouth. The kiss was gentle and held the promise of much more without being blatant about it. After the passionate encounter between them earlier this was much slower and gentler but even more loving than it'd been then. Slowly he removed her clothes; stripping the layers away and kissing each inch of skin he revealed. His desire for her had deepened over the last few weeks and there was nothing he wouldn't do for this woman; he knew it and he was fairly sure she did too. After all he was ridiculously bad at hiding it; as soon as he was within a meter or so of her he radiated his feelings for her; broadcasting them to anyone who'd pay attention. It was almost embarrassing; like being a teenager again and being unable to control his emotions; and yet it didn't bother him in the slightest. He didn't care who knew. If it wasn't for the fact it would blow the secret of their kind wide open he'd stand in the middle of this city and shout it for everyone to hear. There was no denying he was in love with Bella Swan or Bella Cullen as she was now known and he wanted the whole world to know about it; even if it was just the vampire part of it.

She was naked in his arms now and he could feel she'd relaxed; her tension easing as he'd removed each piece of clothing. He pulled away from her and hurriedly removed his own clothes; more than aware she was watching him. He moved so he was lying beside her once more and he found her smiling at him softly. "You're too good to me, Jazz." She whispered. "What did I do to deserve someone like you?"

"You were just yourself, angel and I've fallen for you hook, line and sinker. There's no hope for me now."

"Me either." She stared at his face, "That's why I can't bear the thought of losing you. Not now I've found you." Her hand brushed his cheek softly

"We will get through this. You won't lose me." She nodded; although he wasn't sure she really believed him. She was getting better at shielding her emotions from him now; just the one's she knew would add to his worry and so she masked them from him; he wasn't even sure she did it consciously. There were times when she let down all her barriers and he wished she would do that now. Jasper leant forward and kissed her again; needing to feel the closeness to her; wanting to feel her desire for him. He was just as worried about their situation as she was and he tried to hide it from everyone but he wasn't able to quite as effectively as she did; not when it came to hiding it from her anyway. He felt her shift against him and then her hand was circling his shaft and she was sliding down on him; his worry evaporating as he felt the connection between them escalate the emotions they were experiencing.

"I've been thinking about what you said earlier." She said suddenly.

He couldn't seem to focus on her words; he was so caught up in the feel of her on him; his attention was elsewhere. "Wh…what b…bit?" he stuttered.

"About Aro reading your thoughts." Her smile turned into a smirk. "I was thinking we could give him a real show."

"Bella, you have a naughty mind." He said, stunned she would suggest something like that and turned on by it just as much.

"I guess you're going to have to punish me then." She said; her eyes filling with desire and lust at the very thought of what she'd just suggested.

"Maybe after the meeting; I want this time to be about loving you."

"I think I can live with that."

Jasper rolled onto his back; pulling her with him so she sat on his lap. She instantly began to move on him and he could feel the emotions between them mingling with one another. She set a slow pace and it just ignited the feelings, making them build and build. He could feel every time her body tightened on him; could sense the spikes of lust from her each time he edged a little bit deeper. His hands climbed her body and curved around her breasts; thumbs brushing over the peaks and a sigh falling from her lips as her head fell back. She picked up speed a little and he moaned as she pushed her body forward into his hands; changing the angle he had in her; intensifying it up a notch. "Bella…" he groaned; feeling his peak approaching much sooner than he'd have liked. Her eyes met his and a small smile slipped onto her lips. "Kiss me." He all but begged her and she eagerly gave him his wish. Her movements became smaller as she leaned forward to kiss him; tongues and lips pressing against each other as they fought to get closer. His hands moved to her back and he held her against him; the feel of her skin still surprisingly soft beneath his hands. Her breasts were pressed against his chest and he could feel her nipples harden as her desire increased further. It was without any hesitation he rolled them back over so she was now under him; his hips pressing into hers as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Her eyes were sparkling as she stared up at him and he could feel wave after wave of love hit him so hard it almost took his breath away. He returned the sentiment to her and she closed her eyes; the smile growing on her face as she soaked up every drop of what he was sending her. He lowered his mouth to her neck and kissed it softly; feeling her body shiver beneath him as he started to thrust gently into her. He hadn't lied earlier; he wanted this time to be about showing her how much he loved her; how much he needed her and how important she was to him. He nipped at her neck; feeling and then hearing the effect he had on her; he never would've guessed she would be so vocal but she never held back from him; not when they were doing this anyway. "I love you, Isabella." He whispered; feeling her clench around him as he used her full name. She seemed to love when he called her that but he saved it for times when it was really special; times like now.

Bella came apart as he softly murmured her name; the love in his voice easy to hear, even if he hadn't been solidifying the sentiment with the words he spoke. His name rang around the room as it slipped past her lips; the sound almost echoing off the walls and she was sure there'd be quite a few people who'd be keyed into what they were doing now. In fact she was sure they were probably having an even bigger impact on the nearby occupants of the building as she seemed to have that affect on Jasper's gift; causing him to radiate his feelings for her to the local populace on a frequent basis. Her orgasm faded and she could see the tension in his jaw as he looked down at her face, "Come for me, baby." She whispered; smiling at him tenderly as she felt his body quiver slightly. She watched his face as he came apart and wondered again how she hadn't seen it when she was human; this happened almost every time they'd done this in the last month. Why hadn't she seen it then? Why hadn't she noticed how beautiful he was? The simple answer she'd managed to work out was because she hadn't been looking for it. She was so besotted with Edward, everyone else paled into insignificance and then there'd been Alice; her best friend. In reality even if she'd been looking she never would've done that to her; Jasper had been her husband so therefore he was off limits. There were times though when she wished those two limitations hadn't been there; part of her wished she'd been able to experience this love with him when she was still human. Would it have been different?

"What are you thinking?" he said softly as he watched her face; her contemplation washing through him.

She looked at him a little startled as she realized where she was and then felt embarrassed. His hand brushed her cheek and he kissed her tenderly. "I was just thinking about the past. I was just asking myself if it would've been different if we'd done this when I was still human; why I didn't even see you as an option. I know the answer; it's obvious – I never would've done that to Edward or Alice but the thought didn't even occur to me… it's like I didn't even see you and that makes me feel a little sad."

"Even if you had, it probably would've been a bad thing, darlin'. I'm not sure I would've been able to control myself; to control my thirst. You were just too much of a temptation when you were human; although things aren't that different now really; it's just another kind of temptation I'm feeling." She nodded and hugged him tightly. Far too soon he caught a glimpse of the time, "We should be getting ready; they'll be back to collect us soon."

TBC

A/N: I know, I know... still nothing new about the bond and I teased you about the third task... but it is coming. Information will be revealed in the next chapter. Let me know what you think. Please review.