Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Stephenie Meyer created it all.

A/N: Sorry it is so long, but please read!

Many of you know that I am a validation beta on Twilighted. One of my fellow cohorts lives in Australia. A group of contributors have developed Fandom Fights the Floods to raise money for flood relief. You can find the site at:

http:/fandomsfightthefloods ( dot) blogspot (dot) com/p/home (dot) html

I have signed up to write a one-shot for the project. Here is my proposition. I am putting this note on all three of my story updates (Full Moon Rising, Unloved Unwanted, and Unloved Unwanted Divergence) this week. Leave me a review including your one-shot desire, and after the week is over, I'll put them into a hat and draw one. I will not put any parameters on the request (other than it has to be Twilight related) – though if it is all human, I will most likely have to find another beta (smile). I will also make a donation in the person's name so that you will receive access to all the stories contributed to the cause.

Review and suggest – please. And please check out the cause when you have a moment.

I am surprised and honored to say that I was nominated for the "Walk of Fame Awards" under two categories: the Danger Diva - Most Daring/Boundary Pushing Author & the Hopelessly Devoted – Most Reliable Author.

The voting starts January 15, 2011.

You can access the site at the following:

http:/twinklingswfa (dot) blogspot (dot) com /?psinvite=-z6rG2nD9X-YIiQN2UJ31cjA3qlMu92XS2r-fWUu8UYdSjb9H_icIC7zEScwQ

If you feel so led, please go over and check it out. I must say…just to be placed on the list was an honor. I know one author has received, for just one chapter of her story, as many reviews as I've probably generated for all my stories combined (smile). There are a ton of great authors and stories nominated – so please go check out the Wall of Fame nominees. I've put the links from both the Wall of Fame and flood relief site on my profile.

Thank you to whoever felt I was worthy.

Bella POV

Marcus and I snuck away just after I hung up with Edward. He wanted to take me to the place where he'd scattered Didyme's ashes. I wasn't certain as to why this was important to him, but I wasn't going to argue. I had no desire to stay at the castle that night…to hear my father and mother, or uncle and aunt making love, which most certainly would happen. It made me wonder how Marcus handled it. Certainly, it would be like venom being thrown on open wounds.

I was shocked when he brought me to another section of Le Balze, the cliffs where Aro and I had previously run. I saw a structure just across the small gorge. He sat down on the ground, gazing at the structure, and I joined him.

"I supported the building of the monastery. It was completed in the 14th century," he said softly, pointing to the building. "There was a church and burial grounds as well, but Le Balze has swallowed them over the centuries. I find it ironic really. The Earth is our master, no matter what Aro may think."

"That was her favorite place for us to come when we wanted privacy. I wanted something positive to be built on it in her memory. She would have liked the sentiment, I think. She fed off humans, of course, but she was a very spiritual person. I do believe she and Carlisle would have gotten along…how do the Americans put it…'fabulously'."

He picked up a stick and started poking at the ground, focusing on the furrows he created there. I remained silent, knowing he needed the peace, but I did lean up against him, my arm touching his, my head against his shoulder. I saw him grin slightly, and he laid the side of his head against the top of mine.

My curiosity won out. "I noticed that in the two letters we've done so far…that she referred to God and souls. It is a subject of great contention with the Cullens."

He grunted softly in acknowledgement. "For most of our kind, it is a mute subject. Most immortals consider themselves above the realm of human spiritual beliefs, believing themselves to be gods in their own right."

"And what do you believe, Marcus?"

He gazed out across the clear moonlit sky toward the monastery that symbolized the belief system that we were discussing. He was deep in thought, so once again I did not interrupt.

Finally, he drew in a small breath before saying, "Assuming Carlisle's belief system hasn't changed since he last resided with us, we are similar. I hope that one day I'll be able to exist in another world with Didyme. So, I choose to believe that there is something out there for us. I cannot with good intentions state that I've done as much as Carlisle to get there…but I have hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, the good doctor is right. I have to lay all my hope on it."

There wasn't much I could say to that…I couldn't even remember what I believed before my change, but I saw the desperate need etched into his face, so in that moment I determined to hope for him as well. We sat the rest of the night in companionable silence, looking out over the gorge. It was just nice to be out away from the noise of the castle. Even at night, when most of the inhabitants went to their rooms for privacy, the castle rang out with the noise of sex, gaming, and conversations. It made me think about what Edward must go through, with everyone's thoughts crowding in around him. I savored the breeze that came off the valley and over the top of the cliff…and the veritable silence. It was only off in the distance that I could hear the soft scurrying of night animals as they scrounged for food.

The tension I'd felt had all but dissipated throughout the night, and I saw Marcus stealing furtive glances at me. I'd pulled my knees to my chest and rested my cheek against them as I soaked in the peacefulness.

"Don't attempt to get me to speak with him. If that is why you brought me here, it won't work. Let me enjoy the serenity of the rest of the night before we have to return," I threw out, hoping to forestall him.

He didn't even attempt to deny that had been his plan. "Okay, Isabella. I won't ruin this night." His voice was infused with a degree of humor, and it was difficult to be mad at him.

"Marcus, I have a question."

He 'humphed' at me in response, and for a moment, a memory flashed through my head of Charlie. He'd done the exact thing. I saw his rugged face and dark eyes so clearly as he mumbled around the fork in his mouth. He'd grinned up at me like a little boy afterward, when I'd admonished him for talking with food in his mouth. It was disconcerting and wonderful and bittersweet.

"What did you and Edward talk about while you were gone? He came back, and he just seemed different. I was afraid I'd lost him."

He turned to me with solemn eyes. "Isabella, I am in a quandary. You know your place in my heart, but your husband swore me to secrecy. Please do not ask me to break his confidence." He obviously saw the concern in my eyes because he quickly jerked his gaze from me and growled, "Isabella, don't do that to me. You know you can well manipulate me with your eyes. Ask him when he returns…he will not keep it from you. It is just not my place to give you that information."

My face fell; I was certain. I did not like the secrecy. I thought Edward and I were past that. It was a certainty that I would discuss it with him, but then I realized we really hadn't spoken much during our honeymoon. I grinned briefly as flashes of our time together flew through my mind. The intimacy had far exceeded my expectations, and suddenly, I felt silly for doubting him. I knew without reservation that he would tell me…I just had to ask. I'd been unfair questioning Marcus.

I sat up straight almost as a symbolic representation of my desire to grow a backbone. "I'm sorry. You are right, I'll ask him."

He patted my knee affectionately. "Being married is hard. Don't let anyone convince you any differently. That is why God made sex so good…to have something fun to do while you make up."

I couldn't believe he'd just said that, and I burst out laughing. He grinned softly, and I wondered what Marcus would look like if he really smiled…if he really felt joy deep down in his soul.

I heard an owl hoot in the far distance and my eyes turned toward the sound. I could see the creature sitting on a limb a far way off. Suddenly, the bird took flight, and I was amazed with its grace. I thought at first that the bird must have been tracking prey across the grassy ground, but he continued to fly closer and closer to the cliff on which Marcus and I sat. I was astonished that the animal was coming so close to us. I lost sight of it, when the rim of the cliff we sat on blocked the view of the valley. Owls were considered to be silent hunters, and for the hearing capacity of most animals, that was probably true, but I was amazed to hear, from below us, the faint rustle of wind through its feathers. I expected to hear the shriek of some animal as its talons seized the next meal.

I felt Marcus stiffen beside me at the exact moment the animal rose in the air just in front of us. Its large wings were outstretched; my vampire mind calculated the span to be just short of Alice's height. The golden eyes glared eerily in our direction. As the owl seemed to stay suspended in the air, a booming screech filled the air, startling me. I was mesmerized by its golden eyes, which seemed to stare directly into my soul. Then with one powerful flap of its wings, it shot over my head, and I turned quickly to see where it had flown. I swear it almost felt like the tail feathers brushed over the top of my head.

"ISABELLA!" Marcus' harsh whisper captured my attention. I turned to see his face, and fear took over. His eyes were black, and he seemed to have aged…an impossibility I know, but the horror so prevalent in his features seemed to have sunk into his eyes and hollowed out his cheeks.

He moved so quickly that I did not even know what had happened. But suddenly, I was in his arms, and we were running for the castle.

"WHAT'S WRONG!" I screamed in terror.

"I don't know," was his sober response. "We have to get back to the castle."

"Put me down! We can get there faster…" I forced out. My fear magnified within me, seeing the look of dread on his face. "Marcus! You are hiding something!" I accused as he put me on the ground.

"I don't know, truly. I…we just need to get back." He took off again, and I quickly caught up to him.

We were met by the guard not too far from the cliffs. The members turned to surround us, and we moved across the ground at great speed. Panic began to overwhelm me…there could only be one reason…NO…I would not even consider it…harbor it…let it take root within me.

When we entered the castle and I heard weeping, I stumbled. It was Esme and Alice and Rosalie…I knew beyond a doubt…and they were sobbing. A fog seemed to settle in my brain, as if my body was preparing for something unspeakable. I tore the door off the hinges getting into the throne room and came to a halt half way across the room. A strange vampire stood in front of the throne chairs where Aro and Caius sat. In his hands, he had Edward's backpack. I smelt the sickly sweet odor that clung to the piece…it was the smell of death.

I fell to floor as the darkness overtook me.

Aro POV

"I found this when I arrived at the site," the vampire stated, holding up the bag that Edward had carried with him. "There was nothing else left except ashes."

I heard the women of Carlisle's coven begin to weep harder. They'd been sobbing for hours…it had started as soon as Edward had disappeared from Alice's vision. They'd come in mass to my and Sulpicia's room. Bella and Marcus had left the castle to go on a run, so I'd attempted to get them to calm down, to think rationally. There could be a multitude of explanation, I'd proposed. But, I'd seen the pain in Carlisle's eyes. There was only one he believed. I'd sent the guard after Marcus and Bella, and then, I'd been informed that one of Agoston's men had arrived to speak with me. I'd led them all to the throne room and had the others rouse the entire castle.

"I arrived late to the meeting." He continued. "I came directly here."

I rose to touch him and saw the scene as he'd described and his panicked flight across the ground. He'd not wasted time with an automobile, knowing he'd be quicker on foot under the cover of darkness.

Panic settled into my chest, but I turned from him to resume my seat in an effort to cover it. Caius caught my eyes, and I saw his fear. My thoughts went to my daughter…and Edward. I would never be forgiven this…I would never forgive myself. All of the accusations Isabella had thrown at me in her fury…suddenly, they gathered strength, twisting around me to form my prison.

I heard the commotion, and my mind, the one I'd used for millennia to control an empire, froze. I hadn't been able to form a rational argument…anything to give me time to further investigate before I conceded defeat. An unusual feeling of dread filled me, and as the door to the throne room was torn from its hinges by my newborn daughter, I felt something I hadn't felt since Didyme…grief.

ARO THINK! I screamed at myself. But, the Fates did not smile on me…not now. Isabella's eyes zeroed in on the one thing that I could not deny – her husband's bag.

I saw her eyes go black, and a strange stillness came over her. She sank to her knees in slow motion and froze. Her hands hung limply at her side.

I felt dead inside, unable to move, frozen as Isabella was before me.

Marcus stepped slowly into the room behind her and went to comfort her. The moment he stepped within a few feet of her, she shrieked loudly. It was not a human sound…it was the sound of a wounded animal, and I cringed. A loud rumbling sound came from deep within her, although to the eye you would have assumed she was a statue. Marcus continued slowly forward, but Jasper, tackled him just before my brother touched her, rolling them across the floor away from her. Isabella snarled toward them, lashing out, gnashing her teeth. She would have ripped into Marcus had he touched her.

My brother rose to his knees, holding his hand out to her in petition, but she'd resumed the strange statue like stance. Jasper, the empath, lay on the floor panting, and his mate ran to him.

"Jazz?"

"She's buried herself underneath the pain. I've…never felt anything…" he shuddered, twisting in agony "like it…she's lost…not in control…" A groan of immense pain tore from him.

"EMMETT!" Alice begged her bigger brother, and I saw the largest Cullen approach his sibling.

It was clear; he was torn between wanting to go to the girl statue that stared sightlessly across the room and helping his brother. Carlisle had taken Rosalie into his arms, holding both his wife and his daughter, but they walked over to Isabella and knelt. They received the same warning from her, and Jasper swore out at them, falling back into a mass of twitching parts.

"Get him out of here, Emmett!" Alice cried out. "Jazz, honey, let him get you away from here. I need to see if Bella will let us in."

Having gone to find Felix, Sulpicia and Athenodora tore into the room, as Emmett left carrying his grief stricken brother. He stepped in behind them and quickly assessed the situation, seeing the vampire of Agoston's group holding Edward's bag and Isabella kneeling on the floor. His face twisted, and his hand formed fists…but he had nothing to fight now.

"No…no," my wife chanted, having deduced for herself what had occurred.

She ran toward Bella, but I finally found my voice. "Sulpicia, stop immediately. Do not approach her."

She slid to a stop, giving me the trust and respect I did not deserve. I rose unsteadily to my feet. If anyone needed to feel the brunt of her rage, her grief…it was me. I moved to speak with her, hoping that at least her hate of me would break the spell…for certainly hate me, she must.

"Isabella, come let us take you to your room. Sulpicia and Athenodora will help you take a long bath, and then you can spend some time with …"

Rage, the likes like I'd seen only one other time, with Marcus, washed across her face at the sound of my voice. It twisted her beautiful face harshly, and deep pain seared through me. I'd lost her…I knew in that moment. NO! I refused to accept it. I would have Chelsea bond her to me. I could not, would not, lose her.

I stepped close to her, and she moved to crouch on her feet in an aggressive stance.

"ISABELLA VELATHRI!" I barked out, attempting to remind her that she was my daughter.

A loud roar issued from her body, and Felix did the unthinkable, tackling me to the ground. I'd never been touched without permission. I started to admonish him when he stunned me with his next words.

"Are you out of your mind?" he hissed. "Isabella is not in control at this moment. The newborn vampire is…we must give her space…to grieve…to fight against the animal that now controls her…think with your heart for once, not your head, Master. She has just lost everything…everything."

He sobbed, shaking his head at me in an attempt to handle his own pain. He loved her…and she was hurting.

Caius held Athenodora. I lay propped on the floor, Felix's body protecting me from the raging child that still crouched, her hands curved into claws. Sulpicia looked at me from across the way, her eyes shining with venom. The Cullens, all except Emmett and Jasper, had congregated in a small group, just at the edge of her comfort zone.

The vampire who had brought the bag stood uncomfortably in our midst.

Demetri stepped into the throne room next with Jane and Alec. It took them only a second to understand what had happened. He motioned to the vampire to come with him, and the man quickly complied. He stopped just as he would have skirted Isabella, placing the bag on the floor and then using his toe to kick it towards her. Faster than my eyes could follow, she snatched the bag to her. She then brought it to her nose, inhaling deeply. Even over the smell of burning vampires, Edward's scent was clear. She returned to the statue like stance and began a deep keening noise. It was the most sorrowful sound I'd ever heard.

I thought I might go crazy before her lament stopped. It went on for a week as Isabella remained on the throne room floor, clinging to the bag. No one could approach her. We'd all tried.

Jasper attempted to break her grief or at least provide her relief, but every effort ended in him being carried from the room, a mess. Carlisle had spoken to her through his own overwhelming anguish as Esme murmured words of love while she rocked back and forth. Her new sisters each sat sharing her misery in an attempt to comfort her, and various guard members including Jane and Alec added their own attempts. Felix was the only one who'd gotten close sitting directly beside her, but when he went to touch her, he ended up against the wall. Marcus slowly worked himself closer and closer, and as long as he sat a few feet away from her…she allowed his presence.

The moment the sound stopped should have been one of rejoicing, but prophetically, I missed the noise immediately. My reaction was correct because then she became a black eyed silent wraith. A week more into her stance, Demetri whispered his concern to me. "She needs to eat, Aro. She is still a newborn, and it has been too long. She will become uncontrollable."

He was right. We had a problem. Nothing was getting through, and I had little support from those around me. I'd become something of a pariah within my own home…and I didn't blame them.

I went to her room one evening to get away from the devastated faces of my wife, brother-in-law, and friend. I'd broken Isabella's spirit, and in doing so, I'd failed them. I paced, attempting to determine what I could do…but my frantic thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a phone buzzing. It was Isabella's, and I picked it up out of curiosity.

JACOB BLACK the screen read.

I was going to Hell, so if I was, I might as well have help doing it. I touched the talk button. He began yelling into the phone before I could speak.

"BELLA SWAN, I mean CULLEN, why the hell haven't you been taking my calls!"

"Jacob Black, I need your help," I said in defeat.

Jacob POV

"Damn bloodsuckers." I snarled out.

The stink was overwhelming. The blond witch kept glaring at me from the rear view mirror, and I narrowed my eyes at her, in return. Their own damn leader had requested me here, only telling me that Bella needed me. How dare she glare at me! I'd asked her and the other one, I believe they called him Demetri, to tell me what had happened, but they'd gone all secretive on me.

"Master Aro needs your help. He will explain it all once you arrive." Whatever the hell that meant.

Sam had pitched a fit about me coming, until I'd agreed to take another wolf with me. Of all the ones he could have sent with me…why the hell did it have to be Leah? I would have much preferred Seth, but of course, he'd taken care of that himself. He'd stolen his mom's car and followed us to the airport. He'd dashed onto the damn private jet just as the vamp was closing the door.

"Sorry, dude," he'd chuckled to them. "I forgot something and was a little delayed."

Leah had screamed bloody murder, but the vamp flying the damn thing just kept going. It had been bad enough that Emmett, Esme, Jasper, and Rosalie's presence in Forks, during their wait for us to return for our search for Bella, had triggered Seth's change…but now he'd joined us in going to Italy. Sue was going to kill me when we got back. She'd said as much during our phone conversation.

Seth whistled sharply when we pulled into the underground garage, and he saw Caius standing there to greet us surrounded by guard members. I heard Leah's sharp intake of breath.

"No brave stuff, Seth! Sam has given me the ability to give your orders…just remember that. And, since it is the Alpha's orders that you obey me…you have to. Same for you Leah…"

"Sure, sure," Seth answered glibly, slinging my own words back at me. It pissed me off.

Leah just flipped me off, making my attitude worse.

I opened the door and moved out of the back seat, stretching slightly before walking over to where the perpetually pissed off white haired vampire stood.

"Jacob Black," he said acknowledging me.

"Caius." I attempted to be nice. The sneer on his face indicated I hadn't been so successful.

"Come this way," he said, turning on his heel and gliding toward the entrance.

"Wait…where's Bella?" The twitch I saw run over their bodies had me worried. I did not know why I was here, only that Aro said that Bella and Edward needed me. But, I was suddenly not getting a very good feeling about this.

"Please follow us," Blondie said, stepping to my side.

I skittered a few feet away from her smell, but I refused to back down from her, even knowing the pain she could bring. I would never forget how she'd brought Edward to his knees.

I recognized the doors to their main room, although it looked like one had been repaired since I'd been there. I chuckled, wondering if possibly Emmett had decked somebody through it…earning the stares of both Seth and Leah. They were barely maintaining human form, the vibrations of their bodies apparent as they barely held off the instinctual need to morph with so many vampires around them.

Demetri stepped quickly in front of us and opened the door.

I was immediately confused by what I saw.

Bella knelt on the floor, her back to me. Just to her side, knelt the one I knew as Marcus, and then Felix…the man who'd vied against Edward for her hand. Aro sat slightly further away, and barely raised his head off his knees to acknowledge me. Carlisle rose from Bella's other side when he saw me.

But, this was not the Carlisle I knew. His eyes were dull and lifeless, and he looked dishelved and unkempt. It would be easy to believe that he'd been on the floor for a week without moving. Suddenly, it dawned on me that he had…and there could be only one reason in my mind he would look so grief stricken. Fear took hold around my heart.

NO! My mind raced. My eyes jerked around the room to find Edward. I was met with the blank stares of the other Cullens as they rose from their positions of similar rest. Jasper looked to be in pain…worn and defeated.

I ran around to look in Bella's face and staggered. It was true…my worst fear.

Let me talk to him…to give him my congratulations."

"He…he…isn't here."

"HUH? Bells, what's wrong?

"Aro sent him on a mission…We don't know when he is going to return."

I didn't even stop to think, and I barely registered the screams as I grabbed Bella into my arms. He hadn't returned…and he wasn't going to.

I tore through the castle, heading for the entrance to the garden where we'd sat and said goodbye. I could hear the loud voices and pandemonium behind me, but I couldn't have cared less. I heard Leah and Seth speaking softly, so I knew they were not amongst the chaotic noise.

I flew to the bench and sat down, pulling her back and side against me, rocking her rigid body back and forth.

It took only a second for the smell of the backpack she was holding to register, and I traded in my man card. Huge tears began rolling down my face as I realized what it signified. They splashed across the ice cold skin of her arms, and the shirt she wore. As her body was freezing mine, I knew my tears had to be burning her. I couldn't stop them though. Her soft growls rumbled against me, but I kissed the top of her head and whispered, "I'm here Bells…I'm here."

"Jacob, I will always be in your debt, for what you did for Bella while I was not there. I know this did not turn out the way either of us had planned, and I sincerely regret that. I would be honored to still continue to call you friend."

He'd looked at me so sincerely.

Please take it; it will mean a lot to me. I may never see you again, Jacob. You know that, right?"

I'd had to tear into Paul for teasing me about the damn Volvo. At first, I'd not wanted to drive the old man car, but now, I could truly appreciate it for the fine piece of machinery it was.

"I may never see you again…"

"You are a good man, Jacob Black. Don't ever forget that," he said, a solemn look on his face.

Battered by the memories, I swore, Okay, Edward. I'll prove it to you…if you can see us from wherever you are…I won't leave here until I know she is going to be okay…no matter how long it takes.

Carlisle and Aro stepped through the doorway, standing just inside. Amazement…and gratitude?...plastered across their faces, but I had little patience to figure out why. I just continued to rock Bella, smoothing my hand down her hair. I jumped a little when a soft mewling noise came from her, but I quickly understood. It was the way her vampire body could cry.

"Bells, let it all out, honey." Placing the side of my face to the top of her head, I began to hum a soft lullaby I remembered from my childhood as the tears continued to roll down my cheeks onto her.

Marcus stepped around Carlisle and Aro and quietly made his way toward us. He actually sat on the ground at my feet within reaching distance of Bella. His voice joined in my attempt to soothe her…picking up the melody I butchered. Huh? Who would have thought?

Bella POV

Darkness…engulfing …numbing…all encompassing…serene.

Sunshine baked my side and back, warming me even though I wanted to stay numb. I tried to fight the little droplets of sunlight that pricked at the rest of my skin, dropping on my cheeks as if to awake me. They were irritating, and I growled at them to go away, but they just continued…annoying me…trying to pull me from my void.

Others had tried to pull me away from my haven, but they had scattered when I put up the fight. But the warmth…it was intoxicating…

No! It was peaceful here…and did not want to leave. I wanted to slowly disappear into the abyss…to cross over to the world that promised peace.

But, the stinking damn sun…it wouldn't go away, needling at me…

A/N: Most of you who have read my stories know I am a research nerd. I found something interesting in researching the Etruscans (Aro, Marcus, & Caius' civilization). To the Etruscans of Ancient Italy, the owl was an attribute of the god of darkness, sent to harbor souls over to the other world. I felt it too prophetic not to utilize.

As always, I want to thank my Beta – please check out her stories here, on FF, and Twiwrite – they are incredible:

hopeforastalemate – A better name for this woman would be Volturi Girl. She challenges me constantly to stretch my limits. Please go over and visit her stories.