Apologies: My sincere apologies for the chapter delay, FFN failed again and wouldn't allow documents to be uploaded, but it's all fine now (fingers crossed).

A/N's: My Beta is the best Beta in the world! I've been poorly sick this week and she continued to support me and wait patiently for the chapter and despite having her own pc fail this week, she still got it back to me the same day! Tanya, you're amazing and I hope your shopping trip for a new laptop was successful.

Disclaimer: I had a dream too; sadly it had nothing to do with Twilight, just hairy spiders and chocolate fudge! I won't explain!

Ch12 Infinity, eternity; forever

We made it back inside the prison without hitch. The night was eerily quiet and the only people about were the guard on duty high up atop the fort wall, and those also navigating the gate. It was an added advantage that one of our team had insider knowledge of the route and was able to time the guard's passing, almost precisely.

Once inside, we all huddled in my cell; Edward and I, Mary Alice, Carlisle and Rosalie, as Hale went to fetch some food and water. I wanted to be alone with Edward; there were things I had to say to him and things I wanted to ask too, but it needed to be said without an audience. I just wasn't sure I could wait.

Edward sat on the floor and I between his legs, my back against his chest and his arms wrapped around me. I ignored the chill penetrating my clothes from Edward's hold and glanced at Mary Alice as she shivered and pulled her coat tighter to her. She peeked over at us and I saw a glimmer of longing in her eyes. I knew it wasn't for Edward, her heart belonged to another. Mary Alice was longing for an embrace to comfort her too.

It had been a very long night, and I was exhausted from it all. My back was fully healed and I felt no more discomfort. The heat that had infused itself under my skin had also vanished, but right now, with the cold October night air still clinging to my body, I wished I was feeling so warm again.

I pondered on the exposure I'd had to Edward's venom and why I was still human. I could only suppose he had been truthful when he'd said he had kept it at a bare minimum, only administering enough to mark me, claim me, and cure me. Venom had such powerful healing properties; that much was evident in all the wounds that had been inflicted on Edward and which had now disappeared. No wonder Carlisle, a doctor, was in awe of him; fascinated by his abilities. Edward was a force against nature and he belied everything science had trained Carlisle to understand and believe in.

I held both men in high esteem for they were equally brave and caring, with knowledge that would aid us in our mission.

When faced with the choice of remaining human with Edward or becoming like him, I knew which I preferred. Humanity meant I would be the one who grew old, while he remained immortalised in the body of a young man. Edward's soul was mature because his mind hadn't ceased its growth. He had 100 years of knowledge and experience ingrained in his brain; it was his body that never aged. But could I lie warm and old in my bed, watching his agony as my life's course ended?

It would torture me to leave him behind, but once again, if living and dying as a human was the way in which I would stay with Edward, I would embrace that choice too. I called it my backup plan.

Then there was the other option, immortality.

I wanted to be with Edward, no matter what, and if I needed to release my mortal soul to do it, then I was willing to sacrifice that; I was willing to sacrifice anything. It didn't matter that we would be scorned and feared; it didn't matter that we would live forever young, whilst our friends and family grew old, and eventually passed. I was sure I could survive all of it, as long as he was by my side.

From the first day I'd arrived here, scared and alone, he had given me strength without saying a word. It was like an energy radiating off him, and I was his magnet; drawing his radiance, his essence, and his bravado, and with each surge I was invigorated by him.

For me, there was no life without Edward and I wanted him to know that.

I looked around at our group and felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. In some shape or form, each one of them had saved me. Rosalie had been with me through my first sexual encounter with James and she had released Edward when I'd needed him most. Mary Alice had given me a potion in which to combat my worst nightmares and to make it easier to cope with whatever horrors James inflicted on me. Carlisle had administered treatment when James had cut me in a bid to tempt Edward, and Hale had helped us dispose of the bodies; for their discovery would have surely meant the death sentence for me.

And then there was Edward; he had saved me in so many other ways. My life was in this man's hands and he held it so gently, I aspired to return the sentiment. He'd told Carlisle he was not worthy of me but I disagreed, for it was I who did not deserve him, and if it took me a lifetime to show him how grateful I was to have him in my life and in my heart, then I was bound to him.

A lifetime, an eternity; they were words that indicated a very long time. But the words themselves didn't even begin to translate the infinite possibilities. No person, mortal or immortal had ever seen eternity for it was still progressing. With every second of every day it shifted minutely closer but was always an insurmountable time away. I would gladly spend every moment of my eternity with him; however long that may be.

"I love you," I whispered, I knew Edward could hear me.

His hold on me tightened and his breathing ceased. I lay my head back till it rested just under his chin, and smiling I covered his hands with my own. It wasn't the best time to tell him, an audience prohibited our reactions to each other but my heart was bursting and I couldn't hold it in any longer. I hadn't said it back to him when he'd professed his love to me and I'd regretted holding my tongue ever since. I hated for him to think I didn't feel the same way.

Tonight had shown me we didn't really know how much time each of us had left and because of that, I was going to grab onto it with both hands. No more hesitation; Edward deserved better.

His chest eventually started to rise and fall again. I knew Edward didn't need air, he breathed as instinct had taught him and for his sense of smell, but I liked the feel of him breathing and I tried to match it, inhaling with him and exhaling when his chest relaxed. It was a rhythm I couldn't slow down to. I needed oxygen more frequently than he did.

He moved his mouth closer to my ear and as he spoke I took into my lungs the scent of his breath. I closed my eyes and turned my cheek so it pressed closer to his.

"Say it again," he begged me and I felt my heart skip a beat.

"I love you, Edward." He didn't need to ask me twice. Not anymore. "I love you."

"Bella," he exhaled and I caught his perfume again, "you don't know how much that means to me. Those three words have my life in them."

"I'll tell you the same thing every-day; forever, if that's what you want."

"Yes, that's what I want. I want you and your poetry for that's what your words are to me; poetry. Tell me, tell me again."

"I love you."

"Don't stop," he whispered, "don't ever stop,"

I turned my face to look up at him. His eyes were closed and his lips slightly parted. He looked so beautiful, my breath hitched. I felt it in every fibre of my being, it was all consuming; it flowed through my body with the force of my blood, penetrating my heart, devouring it whole.

After Edward Cullen, I would never be the same again.

I lifted my face and kissed him, pressing my lips softly onto his and as they were slightly open, I tasted him. I was so hungry for him, and as he pressed closer to deepen the kiss, his hand threaded in the back of my hair, holding me in place. It appeared he was hungry for me too.

We pulled apart and stared at each other. Edward's eyes, so dark and infinite, held mine with such promise. I lifted my hand and caressed his cheek.

"I love you, Edward," I told him again.

"I love you," he replied and I agreed with him; those three words had my life in them.

Footsteps echoed down the hall and announced Hale's return. His arms were laden with a basket, filled to the brim with food.

Mary Alice and Carlisle assisted him and spread out the contents on the floor like a picnic. No one cared that our surroundings were bleak, hunger dictated our emotion and until we had eaten, it was all we cared about.

Edward stayed back as I hedged closer to the spread. He raised one knee and rested his arm over it, his head back against the wall. I watched him as we ate, smiling between bites and he returned each of mine with one of his own.

Mary Alice took some plated food and stepped over to Hale who had returned to the cell door, keeping watch for any unwanted visitors. It was unusual for the guards to enter the prison cells without good reason, so although he was vigilant, he wasn't tense.

"Jasper," Mary Alice said quietly, "you need to eat."

"I'm not sure I can," he admitted. "I keep thinking about – tonight."

"Oh Jasper, I'm so sorry we put you in that position. But can't you see we had no choice?"

Hale took the plate from Mary Alice and then her hand. "No, you don't understand," he started, "I'm not upset because of what we did with them, I'm upset because –" he stopped and swallowed then look away from Mary Alice; she waited for him to continue.

"What, Jasper? What are you upset about?"

Hale closed his eyes briefly. "I don't want to tell you. It may change what you think of me."

"How could you think that?" Mary Alice cried. Carlisle glanced up at her raised voice, concern marring his brow, but he didn't interfere.

Hale opened his eyes and looked down at her. She was so small in stature, he towered over her tiny frame but somehow they were a perfect match.

"I'm upset because I didn't care, Mary Alice. I didn't care and that must make me a terrible person."

She didn't respond straight away and I grew concerned that maybe he had been right and she had changed her conviction regarding him.

"I didn't care either," she finally confessed. "Does that mean I'm terrible too?" Tears escaped her eyes and turning to put the plate down, he faced her again and wiped them away.

"Never, how could you be terrible? You're everything that's right with this world. "

"Then neither are you," she told him. They smiled at each other. Hale turned back to retrieve his plate and taking a chunk of bread, he stuffed his mouth and chewed slowly. Mary Alice grinned at him and came back to sit beside me.

"You need to tell him," I urged her.

She looked over at me quickly and shushed me as quietly as she could.

"Why wait? Who knows what tomorrow will bring?"

"I can't, I just can't," she whispered and I placed my hand over hers. Maybe it wasn't time for her yet; I just didn't want her to make the same mistake I almost had, but it was her decision so I said no more.

Rosalie ate in the corner of the cell. Her legs crossed in front of her, the mini portrait open in her lap. She finished her meal and picked up the portrait. Holding it close to her chest then closing her eyes, she began to hum. I recognised the tune as a lullaby. She started to sing, her voice soft and gentle, and the words flowing through the air had a calming effect. For just a moment, we lost ourselves in her melody; picturing a time in our lives when our loved ones where close and safe and the world existed without James.

Rosalie's lullaby came to an end but no one spoke for a moment. I wondered at the origin of that man and what evil had spawned him. I thought about why he kept disappearing and what else he was up to. It was sure to be no good.

"Hale, where did James go tonight?" I considered one of his guards might have information we could use.

He looked over at me and shrugged. "He doesn't share details freely."

I sighed. Edward opened his arms for me and I went back to him, nestling close to his chest.

"But I do know that he was looking for someone and tonight he received word that the person had been located. He went to collect him."

"Do you know who he was looking for?"

Hale shook his head. "Just another pawn in his game, no doubt, I didn't hear names."

"Do you know where he keeps everyone? Esme, Ava, Peter?"

Hale shook his head again. "It wouldn't be in James's best interests to grant me that knowledge."

I agreed; Peter was Jasper's brother, and another of James's prisoners. There were so many people his evil had touched.

"I see it sometimes," Edward spoke softly and all eyes turned to him. "He tries to keep it hidden from me, but occasionally his thoughts slip through and I can glimpse it all before he remembers to hide it from me." Edward looked over to Carlisle and Mary Alice. "But I'm afraid he doesn't show me how to get there."

"What does it look like?" Mary Alice asked.

"I can't say for sure, it's dark and cold there; possibly a cave. He's holding more than we realise in that place."

"A cave? But there's nothing like that round here."

"Edward didn't say it was here Angel." Carlisle rubbed Mary Alice's arm.

"But it has to be close by, think about it; he must go there, Edward's seen it in his memories. He has issued demands should anything happen to him, regarding the people there. That must mean word can get back to whoever's guarding them, and fast."

"That makes sense," I agreed with Mary Alice. "Is there nothing else you know, something we can use?" I turned to Edward but sadly, he shook his head.

"If we could find that – cave – maybe we could free our families," Hale offered.

"Hale, James may not have trusted you with their location, but is there anyone else he may have told?"

Hale shrugged, both he and Edward were at a loss.

"I know where it is," Rosalie said. She continued to caress the portrait, taking turn to memorise with her touch, the face of her husband and then the face of her child.

"Rosalie, how could you know this?" I asked her. I couldn't explain it but a feeling of apprehension raised its ugly head. I still didn't know if we could really trust her.

"I pay attention," she answered absently, still not looking at us. I glanced at Edward and noticed his head cocked to the side, his eyes slanted as he listened to her; her thoughts told us more than her words could.

He eventually looked away, and closed his eyes as if a particular image had been too much for him to bear. He opened his eyes and looked directly at me. Silently, I questioned him and he replied with a small nod.

She was telling the truth.

Rosalie clipped the mini portrait shut and looked at each one of us in turn. "I spend a lot of my time under the influence. Judge me if you will, but I find it helps me and I need that help – it's so hard to cope without him – without her."

She looked up at the small window high above our heads. The inky black sky was visible through the small opening, scattered with millions of stars. Tiny pinpricks of light decorated the ceiling; it was infinity as an image. There was no end to the darkness stretched over us, always there, consistently blanketing our nights until the morning sun spread warmth and light and the promise of a new day.

"My life with Emmett had only just begun. There's still so much to say, conversations that need to be spoken. They go round and round in my head, everyday. I lose myself in the idea of finding him, of growing old with him. I need him so much, Ava too. We just don't exist anymore. But people see this about me and assume I'm too far gone to care. I hear things, so many things. Everyone has a plan, they plot and scheme, doing nothing to hide it from me. That's my advantage."

She stopped talking and laid her head back against the wall. "No one ever considered I may have my own plan."

She was right. Rosalie was often drunk and disorientated, so blinded by grief that people ignored her. I could only imagine the types of things she'd seen and heard.

"What's your plan?" I dared to ask.

She lifted her head away from the wall and smiled at me. "Haven't I already said?"

I shook my head.

"To find my husband and live happily ever after,"

She closed her eyes again and I looked at Edward, incredulous to her words.

"Can you show us where he's taken them, Rosalie?" Carlisle asked, a glimmer of hope for his wife igniting his eyes.

"Yes, I can show you," she said. Carlisle stood and held out his hand to Rosalie. She looked up at him and hesitated before placing her hand in his and allowing him to pull her to her feet. We all walked towards the cell door but Edward held up his hand, halting us.

"Someone's coming," he hissed.

In the blink of an eye Edward was out of my cell and inside his own, the door that had been left open and unlocked after his departure to the basement days prior was now closed gently behind him. Hale pushed everyone else into the foyer, and apologising to me with only his eyes, he closed and locked my door.

I stood in the centre of the cell, watching our hope vanish with the appearance of this uninvited visitor. When would we get another opportunity to follow Rosalie to the cave?

Another guard finally entered and Hale relaxed somewhat.

"What's going on here?" He demanded from Hale.

Hale poked Mary Alice forward and then Carlisle. "The witch was unwell, I have instructions to keep her alive and so the good Doctor came here at my request."

"What about her?" The guard pointed to Mary Alice.

"She is my nurse maid," Carlisle interrupted; his voice, as always, was gentle and unhurried. I didn't know how he remained so calm in such circumstances.

"And the whore?" Rosalie ignored his comment but I knew she'd heard him.

"She's free to come and go wherever she pleases, you know that. I suspect she just wanted a look at her husband's murderer."

I glanced at Edward. He was leaning against the back wall of his cell. He too ignored the exchange between Hale and the guard, understanding these comments to be a guise.

The guard looked around at us once more then stepped aside for Hale, Carlisle, Mary Alice, and Rosalie to leave. Before she went through the door, Rosalie turned back and walked over to Edward's cell, halting the other's departure as they waited for her.

"I will come for you, Monster, another day. I will show you what you need to see and I pray that it brings you everything you deserve." Rosalie cleared her throat then spat through the bars at Edward's feet.

He didn't move or react.

Turning on her heel, she marched past the others and left. They followed behind, chuckling to himself, the guard smirked then went to sit his watch outside.

Edward smiled and made his way to the bars, pushing his hand through to my side. I clutched his in mine and pressed my lips to his palm.

"She didn't mean it," I urged.

"Bella," Edward whispered, "Rosalie's words were loaded with meaning; did you not hear them?"

I realised she had said only what needed to be said. We had lost tonight's chance to go to the other prisoners but she had promised there would be another.

"She's very convincing," Edward acknowledged with a smile.

"You sound proud of her."

"I am, Emmett chose his match well."

Pushing his other hand through Edward cupped my cheek and I closed my eyes to savour in his touch.

"Tell me," he begged, his voice hushed and soothing.

"I love you," I told him, knowing what he needed.

"Open your eyes."

I did.

"Say it again."

"I love you."

Without a word he pulled me to him and kissed me, the cell bars pushing against our faces, but we were undeterred in our need for each other. I had thought these damn bars a thing of our past.

As Edward's hands skimmed down my body his lips toyed with mine. My breathing became laboured and sounded so loud in my ears. Pulling away from me he gripped my shoulders and turned me so my back was to the bars. His hand shifted up and under my chin, raising my head. His fingers found the two small scars.

"Mine," he murmured as he breathed against the nape of my neck. His breath was cool and I shivered, my nipples puckering at his words and his touch. "I need to taste you again," he said and I nodded, unwillingly to fight, ready to give.

With one hand still on my neck he lowered the other to my belly, and clutching at my dress he pulled it up till it was bunched in his hand. "Open your legs," he instructed and I complied. His hand dipped down and immediately delved inside my slick folds. I was so ready for him.

Edward started to kneel and gently tugged me down to my knees too, his stomach pressed against the bars and the bars pressed against my back. His hand continued to caress me and without thought I followed the movement of his finger by rocking my hips, increasing the friction. I gasped as he consistently flicked at the exact spot I needed him to, but the longing increased and soon his fingers weren't enough, I needed him inside me.

"Edward," I begged and with one hand still holding my head up, leaving my neck exposed, he reached down to his trousers and released himself. Nudging my legs wider apart, I felt his erection rubbing against me and I moaned. Lifting my hand behind my head, I gripped his hair.

Edward moaned too and with one thrust, entered me. He felt so big and I was so tight and wet, and as he moved his hips, I sighed his name over and over, the sensation of my climax building with every breath he exhaled.

"Do you trust me?" He asked. I nodded. "Say it," he moaned.

"I trust you," my voice was breathless, my orgasm closer.

"I can hear your blood roar," he whispered in my ear, "can I taste you again, Bella?"

"Yes, Edward," I moaned, "Taste me. I want you to taste me."

He didn't need telling again. His hand moved from my chin and brushed aside my hair, then his lips were at the curve of my shoulder and throat, and I shuddered with the sensitive feeling of his lips on my skin. Opening his mouth wider, Edward bit me and I felt him suck, drawing me into his mouth, swallowing my blood.

He didn't linger, he sucked only twice, and then tore his face away and gasped. At the same time, his hips pressed closer and with his finger still touching me, I tugged on his hair tighter and felt myself explode around him, my inner muscles gripping him. But he kept moving, helping me ride out my orgasm; the heat from my bite wound increasing with his tempo.

Edward's hand dropped from my throat to grab my hips and he started pounding into me faster, the entry harder and deeper than moments before. I knew he was close, and with each groan he made my body react to him all over again.

"Bella," he growled as his own climax stilled his hips and he buried his cock deep inside me and his face in my shoulder. I felt myself contract around him again and as he had stopped moving, I rocked myself to stop the sensation from disappearing.

He was still inside me and so hard and he knew what I needed. He let go of my hip and flicked at my nipple instead, and it worked. I shuddered and came again and I breathlessly clung onto him as he knelt behind me.

Without hesitation, he dropped his head to my shoulder and licked at the blood pooling there; cleaning and sealing the wound again. I was used to the heat now and knew that it would make me feel momentarily weakened but it would also pass.

"Will I change now?" I asked him quietly as he thumbed my collarbone, still not letting me go.

He shook his head. "It's not enough. It's never enough."

"But I want you to."

He didn't answer, and after a few minutes of kneeling on the hard stone floor, I decided to move and cover myself. Pulling away from him, Edward let his hands drop and I smoothed my dress back down over my legs. I turned and sat on the floor, remaining close to the bars.

Edward fixed his clothing too but didn't meet my gaze.

"Why don't you reply?"

"Because I don't have the answer you want."

"And what do I want to hear?"

"You want me to say yes."

"And what do you want to say?"

"I want to say yes." I couldn't hide my smile. He wanted me with him forever too. "But I can't," he continued and my smile faltered.

"Why?" I whispered, barely able to get the word out.

"Because I don't think I can?"

I frowned at him. I didn't know what he meant. He had bitten me and drank from me twice now. How could he tell me he wasn't capable of changing me when he had proven over and over that he was in control?

"Why do you lie to me?"

Edward looked up quickly. "I don't lie to you." He said, "You misunderstand me, Bella."

"What did I misunderstand? You said you don't think you can change me!"

"Yes, that's what I said."

"Then I mistook nothing." I was getting angry with him, I felt so frustrated I just wanted to hit something. I could feel myself burning and clenching my fists, and standing I looked down at him, my legs were shaking.

Edward stood too. "Bella, calm down, you misunderstand."

"Stop saying that! Why won't you change me?"

"Because I can't."

"Liar!"

"No, I can't. I can't change you because I don't think you can be changed!"

I stopped. "What do you mean?"

"I don't think –" Edward stopped talking and his eyes widened as he stared at me. "No," he breathed, and rushing forward to the bars he pushed his hands through. "Bella, I'm so sorry. We don't have much time, James is coming and he has someone with him. You need to do whatever he asks, don't think of me, don't hesitate. I promise you I will find a way."

His hold on me tightened and I winced until he released my hand. He stepped back into the shadows of his cell just as the guard entered followed by James and four other sentry's; in the midst of them all was a man.

He was shirtless and his feet were bare, his chest was dirty, sweaty, and smeared with blood. His wrists were locked inside a neck brace, the weight of the wood bowing his head, his long dark hair falling forward and obscuring his face.

"Hello Isabella," James smiled. I was disappointed he had no evidence of a stab wound and resigned myself to the fact that I was either powerless in my curses or had not done it right.

James glanced briefly at Edward's cell but paid him no more attention. "I see you've recovered from your punishment."

I nodded, unsure of what to say to him. He might ask to see my wounds and I had nothing to show him, so I lied. "The whip snapped, James. They punished me with hunger and thirst instead, as you were unavailable for consultation."

"Idiots," James hissed, removing his gloves, one finger at a time. He stepped forward and signalled for the guard to unlock my cell. Moving inside he circled me and reaching out took a lock of hair in his hand and rubbed it with his fingers. "I have a proposal for you Isabella, but I shan't conduct such talk with you whilst you are dirty and in this place. You will go to my rooms and you will prepare for me."

I made as if to walk forward, Edward's advice for me to comply echoing in my mind.

"I will be asking you a very important question," James continued, "and I think I can already guess at your answer, so here's a little incentive for you."

James motioned to the four guards and they hauled the man inside my cell. He fell to his knees and my heart stopped beating. I couldn't catch my breath.

James walked over, and gripping the prisoner's hair, he tugged, exposing his face to me, only I no longer needed to see him to know who he was. I had recognised him from the small scar visible on his stomach. I would know that scar anywhere; I had bathed it and cleaned it and dressed it after he'd fallen from his horse onto a straw bale. Unfortunately for him, the bale still contained a scythe and he had cut himself rather deeply.

I had feared for his life as the dressing had not been sufficient and he had contracted an infection. It had taken days to regulate his temperature and I'd struggled to get water in him, he needed his strength.

Yes, I knew that scar and I knew the man and to see his face was only verification.

I looked from James's evil smirk and into the eyes of my father.

A/N's: Don't forget to visit the Spellbound thread over at Twilighted (dot) net, under AU. I'm also admin for a group over at Facebook called FanFicAholics Anon, come and join and chat about all genres of fanfiction.

Erm.....where do you think you're going? Don't run off just yet, you need to review! It's the law! :o)