A/N: I've been trying to post this… Maybe third time's a charm?

Chapter 38

One thing was certain: There was no way I was going to sleep. My stomach was tied in knots and my brain was going a million and one miles an hour. Or kilometers an hour, since we were in Italy and all.

As I launched into my seventh improbable 'what if' scenario, there was a light tap at the door. "Come in. Please!" Edward said with unusual urgency.

Carlisle opened the door and peeked through. I motioned for him to come in, not really understanding why he was being so hesitant. He finally came over and pulled a chair up near where I sat on the bed.

"Bella, I brought you a sleep aid. Now before you tell me you don't need it, remember that I'm a physician as well as a concerned parent. You need a good night's sleep if you're going to function at all tomorrow, and I know you don't like pills, but I hope you'll…"

"Give it to me," I interrupted him. I mean, seriously, even the rats in the walls knew I needed something to knock me out tonight.

"OK, then," Carlisle smiled in surprise, handing me the pill and a glass of water. I popped it in my mouth and washed it down without a second thought.

"Since when did you become such a compliant patient?" Carlisle chuckled.

"Since I started thinking maybe Aro was actually tipping off the reporter so Caius would have to accept the Tribute plan. And about a thousand other conspiracy theories that didn't happen. And about ten-thousand possible outcomes. I'm driving myself crazy!"

"Well, that should all just be a fuzzy memory in about fifteen minutes," Carlisle cooed in his 'bedside manner' voice.

"Thanks," Edward said as he pulled back the covers and tucked me in for the night.

Soon, Carlisle got up to leave, but then turned back to me. "You know, Bella, I was extremely proud of you today. You were very brave in there, especially standing up to Caius the way you did. I've seen century-old vampires cower in his presence, and here's my little teenage human daughter going toe-to-toe with him. And winning, I think… or at least I hope…"

"I hope so, too," I whispered. "If I get Felka killed, I don't think I could ever forgive myself."

"Hey, hey…," Edward tried to soothe me. "If something like that happens, you can't blame yourself."

Even though I could feel the pill starting to take effect, I was coherent enough to argue. "Why not? I pushed the issue with Aro. She may not be happy here, but she's alive, and as long as she's still breathing, there's hope. Carlisle, you said yourself that people die without hope, and maybe that's true, but they die a lot faster with execution."

"All I can tell you is, knowing the Brothers as I do, I can't see how they would turn down this offer. They have to know how important Felka's release is to them," Carlisle answered.

"I know you care about her, love," Edward murmured as he stroked my arm up and down. "But the Volturi don't care about her in the slightest, except for what she can do for them. You gave them a reason to keep her alive and send her back home. She's suddenly the most important human in existence to them. You did that for her."

"I'm not sure if I did it for her or did it to her, but I guess we'll see in the morning…" I mumbled before drifting off.

**-…-**

I woke up feeling a little groggy, but a whole lot refreshed. Edward said I barely moved all night, to the extent that he felt it necessary to monitor my breathing and heartbeat. I was pretty sure he did that 24/7 anyway.

I used the bathroom and took a long, hot, glorious shower. The only thing that would have made it better was a cold vampire in there with me, but that wasn't going to happen … at least not yet.

Once I'd used up 97 percent of the hot water in Italy, I decided it was time to face the proverbial music. I dressed quickly and walked into our room only to face the literal music. Edward was playing the piano for Felka, who was completely engrossed in it.

Edward smiled at me and scooted over so I could sit next to him on the bench. Felka didn't open her eyes until the piece was finished.

"Oh!" she squeaked. "Bella, I didn't know you were here! I was just so…"

"It's OK. I mean, how could you not be 'just so…?'" I replied nervously as I moved to the little table where she was setting up my breakfast. She was sporting a beautiful smile and I wasn't sure if I was about to make her day or ruin her life.

"So…" I started, but didn't know where to start. "I hope you're not upset with me."

"Me? Upset with you? Why?"

"Ummmmm….. I'm sort of nervous all of a sudden." I looked at Edward for support. He was at my side in a flash.

"This is a good thing," he whispered. "Just tell her."

"Now I'm getting nervous," Felka tittered.

"Well, I don't know if there is a good way to tell you this, so here goes nothing. You've been summoned to the Great Hall with us this morning because the Brothers are going to decide if they're going to let you go back to Poland or not," I rattled off at top speed.

"What?" she almost shrieked. She started looking a little wobbly, so Edward shot over to help her sit and then fetched her a glass of cold water. "I'm sorry… I don't think I understood what you said. Could you repeat that?"

"You heard her correctly," Edward intercepted my response, for which I was grateful. I didn't think I could say it again.

"What do you mean, decide if I can go back to Poland? That was decided quite a while ago."

"Well, I… sort of…" I trailed off, unable to explain myself now that it was time to spill the beans. It had seemed like such a great idea at the time, but I found myself wishing I'd just asked her rather than doing all of this on her behalf.

"What Bella's trying not to say," Edward jumped in again, "is that she had an idea for how to get you freed and we proposed it to Aro. I don't know what his answer will be, because he didn't even know, but he was leaning toward 'yes' and I would say it looks pretty hopeful."

"How…? When…?" Felka asked from her internal fog. "And why…?"

Edward took over, realizing I was still at a loss for words. I watched Felka's reaction very carefully as he explained Alice's role, her brother's connection with the Romanians who, unbeknownst to him, were responsible for killing her family, and what her own role would be if or when she was freed.

"You need to understand… you'll never really be free," Edward explained with a chagrined expression.
"The Volturi will have to watch you, first because you're a human who knows the secret, second because the Romanians will probably be looking for an opportunity to kidnap or even kill you, and third, because you're going to be their only human lawyer, so they'll need to interact with you quite a bit."

"Wait… I'm going to be their lawyer?" Felka asked.

"Yes. I hope that's OK. We sort of had to offer that, since you won't be donating to the blood bank," Edward attempted a bit of humor. I didn't go over well.

"So, I can finish school? What about Idzi? And Bohdan? Can I have a normal life?" she asked, becoming more frantic with each question.

"I guess that's what we'll find out this morning," Edward answered.

Felka appeared deep in thought. "Bella, I don't know what to say to you."

"I'm so sorry… I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to get your hopes up, but then things just kept getting more and more complicated and I wish I'd just been up-front about it from the very beginning," I rambled.

"No, Bella, you misunderstand. This is the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for me!" She started to cry. I immediately went to sit by her. "Do you think they're really let me go? Caius was so completely opposed… I just never thought…"

"So, you're not mad at me?" I asked through my own tears.

"Of course not! I understand it may not go as planned, but at least there's a chance. I gave up on that a long time ago. So, when are they expecting us?"

"I wouldn't be too anxious," Edward cautioned. "There are still several ways this could turn out, but I do have a strong feeling they'll find some way to make it happen. They need you for this interview. A lot is riding on it, so I can't imagine them doing anything but letting you go. You may end up with a vampire next-door neighbor for life, but you can have a life at least."

"I wish I could call Bohdan, but I know it's too soon for that. I'm trying not to get my hopes up… it's just… the chance to go back to my country… it's almost unbelievable!"

There was a knock at the door, but before any of us could acknowledge it, Alice was inside and pacing.

"What is it?" I asked her.

She ignored me and concentrated on Edward.

"I don't know. They're blocking me, too," he answered.

"Neither of you can get a read on them?" I asked. They both shook their heads.

Edward was obviously frustrated. "I can only hear bits and pieces when they convene, and from what I can gather, that's all they've done since we left last night."

"They're trying not to make decisions, and yet I know they've made some. I get glimpses, but just when I think I've got something, it changes. I hate that they can get around our gifts," Alice whined.

I got a cold chill, and it wasn't from the draftiness of the old castle, either. "Yesterday, Aro reminded me that I had a mind-reader and… what did he call you, Alice?"

"Prognosticator," Alice and Edward said together.

"That's right, a mind-reader and prognosticator, and if I couldn't trust their word, I could trust your abilities. But if they're able to block both of you…"

"We may have a problem on our hands…" Edward finished my sentence.

"I don't understand. What are you saying?" Felka asked in desperation.

"He's saying this may not be a done-deal after all," Alice answered.

**-…-**

When the four of us returned to the Great Hall with Felka in tow, the same six Volturi were there to greet us. That was, until Jane stepped out from behind Felix. I wanted to ask what she was doing here, but I already knew – she was here to make sure the Cullens followed the rules of the Volturi's games. I was getting more suspicious by the second, and I could tell by Edward, Alice, and Carlisle's expressions, I wasn't alone.

"Welcome, all," Aro said with a smile that seemed just a little more phony than usual. "Thank you, young Felka, for attending as well. I trust the Cullens have filled you in our little discussions regarding your future?"

"Yes, they have," she answered quietly.

"And how do you feel about the proceedings thus far?" Aro questioned.

"Unsure, but hopeful," she whispered and dropped her gaze to the floor.

"Ah, yes, just yesterday Carlisle was schooling us in the importance of hope when it comes to the human psyche. Why, there is even a human proverb that says 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick.' And the last thing we would want to do is make you heartsick, my lovely girl."

The way Aro looked at her made me want to projectile vomit.

"Thank you," Felka whispered with no emotion.

"So, you understand that we would like to make arrangements that will allow you to return to Poland, yes?" he announced like a game show host revealing what was behind door number one.

Felka's head popped up to take in a smiling Aro, a devious Caius, and a sullen Marcus. "That would be so wonderful! What kind of arrangements would need to be made?"

"Well, there are certain rules that must be followed," Aro nodded contemplatively. "Of course, the first and foremost is that you can never tell anyone of our existence."

"Yes, I understand," Felka answered. "I would never tell a soul."

"I'm glad to hear that," Aro praised her. "And there is a matter of the interview with the Brit. We'll give you all the information you'll need to conclude that nasty bit of business."

"Consider it done!"

"And I'm sure the Cullens told you that the Romanians will try to silence you. As much as I wish we could send you back with nothing more than our warm wishes for your happiness, at least one of the guard will have to accompany you at all times."

Felka scrunched up her face just a little.

"Do you have an objection?" Caius was quick to ask.

"No… no objections per se…," she hedged. "I was just hoping to have some… you know… private time with my fiancé, since we've been apart for so long." She blushed like crazy and I know I was sympathy blushing for her.

"I suppose something can be arranged," Aro waved it off dismissively.

"Thank you," she murmured.

"And you'll need to explain to your brother that his new friends, the Romanians, were actually responsible for what happened to your family," Aro continued.

"Yes, I'll be more than happy to do that! Once he finds out, they won't be his friends anymore, believe me."

"I'm glad to hear that, too. We wouldn't want your brother to be our enemy," Aro affirmed. "We realize he was misled, so we won't hold that against poor Idzi."

"Again, thank you."

"And Felka, I want to be very certain you understand that you are expected to study diligently. I know you were at the top of your class before all the… unpleasantness. We will pay for your schooling and living expenses," Aro smiled, "but we anticipate that our investment in you will not go to waste."

"Oh, no, sir. I've always been an exceptional student, if I may say so myself. I love my studies," Felka enthused.

"And you'll also have to study to pass your examinations. It would do no good to have a well-trained lawyer who isn't allowed to practice law, now would it?"

Felka chuckled a little. "No, I don't suppose that would be of much value."

"And once that is done, you'll remain working on behalf of the Volturi. Was that explained to you as well?"

"Yes, Edward explained it all to me this morning," Felka informed him. "It's not what I was planning for a career, but it's a small price to pay considering the circumstances."

"Yes, a small price indeed," Aro said a little oddly. "I think I've covered everything. Do you have any questions?"

"Just one. When can I leave?" she asked breathlessly.

Aro threw his head back and laughed. "My, oh my, we are eager, aren't we? There are a few details to take care of, but as soon as all the arrangements have been made, Felix, Alice, and Jasper will accompany you. You'll give the interview and have your reunions, etcetera. When Alice and Jasper are ready to return to America, Heidi will take over as your guardian so you can finish law school and your exams. Once we determine you are no longer in danger, Felix will return to Volterra and Heidi will remain with you for the rest of the year."

It was too good to be true. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Felka was alight with excitement, and now that I felt fairly sure the other shoe wasn't going to drop, I allowed myself to join her. She hugged me tightly. "Thank you, Bella, thank you," she repeated over and over as we jumped and cheered. I almost knocked her over more than once. Apparently she didn't realize how clumsy I was, but we managed to stay upright. Carlisle joined us, spinning us around gently and giving us big, fatherly bear hugs.

I turned to hug Edward, but found him in a stare-down with Aro.

I froze. "What." It wasn't a question. I knew what this was. It was the other shoe.

"Aro… don't," Edward warned through a low, rumbling growl. All celebrating had ceased and the room became deathly quiet.

"It's part of the arrangement." The words slithered out of Aro's snake-like mouth.

I stood stock still, not understanding what he said or what he might mean by it. "Excuse me? What's part of the arrangement?" I asked, even though I was sure I didn't want the answer.

"Felka may live in Poland for one year, while Alice is watching her and with Heidi as her guardian. You see, as she gets more involved in our business affairs, she'll have too much critical information to entrust to a human. And with the Romanians after her, we can't afford the risk of her being compromised, so we've decided to bestow upon her the greatest honor anyone could give - eternal life. We will make her one of us," Aro declared with a gleam in his eyes.

"You can't be serious!" Carlisle shouted. "We had a deal! Alice's information for Felka's freedom."

"We are giving the girl her freedom, my dear Carlisle. She will have a year to wrap-up her human life, and then once she's one of us, she won't be in danger anymore. You said yourselves that the Romanians wouldn't risk attacking a member of our guard. Would you leave her vulnerable? I thought you cared for the girl," Aro said with mock concern.

"Don't you use my words against me, Aro. We've known each other too long for that kind of nonsense. This was not our agreement, and you know it," Carlisle fumed with righteous indignation.

"My dear friend, in what way does this not meet our agreement? The girl will only truly be free when she is a member of the guard. Otherwise, she will need a glorified babysitter with her at all times. That is hardly freedom. This is the only way that makes sense. And really, it's the least we can do for all the valuable information Alice shared with us."

"I don't want to be a vampire!" Felka cried out. "If I wanted to be one of you, I would just stay here."

"Oh, but we need you to be human for your interview, my dear," Aro explained. "And after that, you will be in the public eye at least until you finish school and pass your exams. Your story will be so very touching, you see. People will want to keep track of you… to know how you fared after your illness."

"You can't turn her against her will," Carlisle said firmly. "She's said she doesn't want it."

"That is true. We hope she will change her mind as the end of the year approaches, but if not, she'll simply have a relapse and have to return to Volterra for more treatment. She'll be free to bring her fiancé, or husband if they're married by then."

"I don't want him to live like this! That's why I never brought him here!" Felka yelped.

"Oh, we understand that. You've made that abundantly clear," Caius snapped.

"I would never be so callous as to part the two of you, sweet Felka, which is why, if you wish to remain in Poland, we'll offer to turn him as well," Aro added.

"This is wrong! You can't do this," Carlisle seethed.

"Can't I?" Aro shot back. "Certainly you see that I am meeting our agreement. Alice's information for Felka's freedom. It's hardly my fault if you assumed she would remain human."

"That was everyone's assumption all along," Carlisle asserted.

"That was not my assumption," Aro lied. "If you have a problem understanding my decision, I'm sure Jane would be happy to explain it to you in more detail, wouldn't you, Jane."

"Yes, Master. I'd be VERY happy to explain," she said in a tone almost as sinister as his.

"I have a problem with that!" I shouted. I knew Jane couldn't hurt me with her gift, so I saw no reason to stay silent.

That was until I heard Edward scream out in pain. "That's right, Bella. You think I can't hurt you? Watch me!" Jane screeched, her eyes never leaving Edward's writhing form.

"Stop it! Aro, make her stop!" I shrieked at the top of my lungs as I tried to extend my protective covering over him. It was completely useless. I tried to go to him, to hold him, anything to comfort him in any way possible. Alice held me back.

"He'll hurt you. He's not in control of his body," she yelled as I struggled against her.

"He needs me!" I cried. "You have to let me go!"

Carlisle rushed toward Jane, but she simply shifted her gaze and soon he was writhing and keening under Jane's glare.

Edward recovered enough to try to intercept Jane again, but she turned on him, alternating between Carlisle and Edward. Neither of them was making progress.

In the utter mayhem, I didn't hear one more scream.

As suddenly as it started, everything stopped. Jane ceased her assault. The room went silent. Edward shouted, "Stop him!" causing both Carlisle and Alice to tackle and restrain a charging Felix. I couldn't figure out what was going on until Edward knelt down by Felka, who was lying in a pool of blood, her hand still on the kitchen knife in her abdomen.

"Nooooooo!" I wailed as I ran to her side. "Oh my God, Felka! NO!"

She was already struggling to breathe. "Sorry, Bellla. You tried… they'll never let… me go. Please… find Bohdan… tell him I…"

She lost consciousness.

Edward pulled me aside as Carlisle almost flew back into the room his medical bag. I didn't even notice he'd left, but Esme and Jasper had followed him back in. He dug through his bag, finding and ripping open packages of gauze and tape so quickly, I couldn't even see it happening.

Carlisle was concentrating, but his face looked grim. I could tell Felka had already lost a lot of blood. Then it hit me. "Get Amanda!" I called out as loudly as I could. "Esme, where is she?"

"I don't know," Esme cried. "She and Fred went with Emmett and Rosalie to hunt."

Aro nodded to Felix, who had regained some control after his apparent bout with bloodlust. As he dashed out of the room, I heard him yell for Demetri, who would be able to quickly track down Amanda no matter where she was.

I wheeled around to face the Brothers. "This is your fault! You couldn't just let her go. Nooooo…. You had to get a better deal for yourselves. And now what? If she dies, your whole empire is going to crumble, and all you can do is watch it happen. You know what? You deserve all that and more, you self-righteous, arrogant, pig-headed sons of bitches! And furthermore, you look like massive tools sitting up there on those idiotic thrones!"

It seemed like forever before Amanda rushed into the room, followed closely by Fred, Rose, and Em.

"Carlisle, pull out the knife," Amanda ordered. The second the knife was free, she grabbed onto Felka's hand, causing both their bodies to jolt. A second later, Amanda was on her knees and was soon lying on the floor behind Felka.

"… too much… can't…" was all Amanda could eke out before going perfectly still. Fred pulled Amanda's limp hand away from Felka's, but now both women were incapacitated.

Carlisle checked Felka's vitals again. "Her wound is healed, but her pulse is still very weak. Amanda bought her some time, but I don't know if it will be enough."

My mind was racing as I tried to find any kind of solution. "Carlisle," I called urgently. "Can you do a blood transfusion?"

"Yes, but you can't give Felka your blood. If your types don't match, it will kill her even faster!"

"No, not for Felka," I insisted, rolling up my sleeve.

Carlisle looked puzzled, but then nodded. "It's worth a try," he answered as he pulled out some IV tubing and a needle.

**-…-**

A/N: YIPES! What will happen next? (In theory, I should be able to answer that, but I didn't even know THIS was going to happen until about halfway into the chapter!)

I've been a writing fiend these past couple of weeks. I'm going to guess you don't mind. I'm already well into the next chapter!

Please review. I do love hearing from you guys.