Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters. She and the filmmakers have made a fascinating and beautiful trilogy. I wish to borrow her background and add a plot twist of my own.

First of all I wish to thank my readers and the people that were kind enough to review my work for their encouragement. Without further ado here is the next chapter.

Chapter 6 - Our visitor

Carlisle's POV

After the funeral we drove back home to find a visitor. Edward had informed me of his presence at the graveyard and now we saw him in front of our house.

Felix walked towards us as soon as we left the car saying "Everything went well and you seemed to have convinced everyone of Isabella's death. We have heard of your explanation for Isabella's trip to Italy and Aro salutes you for your ingenuity."

I politely nodded in response and asked him if he would accompany me and my family in our home. Esme took Edward by the arm and steered him through the door, afraid he would do something rash which would only make things worse.

When we were inside he continued and looking at me he said "Aro has asked me to give a message for you and your family. Considering the success of the funeral Aro is willing to see you, but only you in Italy. You will be allowed to plight your case considering Isabella and you will also be allowed to visit her."

I was so happy but was afraid to get my hopes up. Given this opportunity I would do almost everything to get her back. "When can I go?"

"You may come back with me" he said "That's the reason I came to your home. I have arrived with the Volturi's private jet and you are welcome to accompany me back to Italy. "

Edward broke Esme's grip and slowly approached us saying "May I or Alice accompany you both?"

Felix slowly turned and looked over to Edward saying "No, as I have said Aro has expressly forbidden you or anyone else to come, it is not wise to persist".

I turned and addressed Edward "Sorry son, you must understand that if you come with me we risk everything" and having said that Esme and I followed Felix to the car.

Edwards POV

When my parents left I was angry and frustrated being alone with only my thoughts. Alice and Jasper went back upstairs and I decided to take a drive in an attempt to burn away some of my frustration.

Just after leaving our garage I remembered the problem with Victoria. I was furious that she had dared to attack my Bella while she was defenseless and at that moment I decided what better way to fill my day than to find out where she was hiding.

All of a sudden someone was in front of my car and I swerved to the right to avoid them.

My car skidded to a stop and I saw Jacob Black approaching his eyes shooting daggers. "You bloody leach what did you do with Bella?" he shouted.

I stepped out of my car walking towards him, not ready for this confrontation and yet knowing I couldn't avoid it "I haven't done anything, please Jacob just stay away from me; I am in no mood to talk at the moment. I am looking for Victoria; do you have any idea where she is?"

"That's not how it works leach, first answer my question" Jacob thundered.

"She was in an accident and we just buried her, you saw it yourself" I answered my voice breaking as I spoke.

"Don't feed me that shit!" He shouted "I saw that strange leach at the graveyard so although I don't know what's going on; I do know that something's not right."

"Please Jacob" I begged "Tell me where Victoria is; I can't help Bella anymore but I will destroy Victoria for her threats to her"

I could see that he hadn't heard me as he went on to shout "Do you know that she was finally accepting the fact that you had left her. She was finally opening up to me and then your sister comes and takes her away. Now she's gone and I just feel that something isn't right".

"Do you think I would stand here if I could be with Bella?" I asked "Do you honestly think I would have even left her side?... She's my world."

This struck home and I saw his expression change from furious to perplexed. "What's going on Cullen, what have you done?"

"I haven't done anything," I replied trying to hide my irritation "I wish that I could! I am just as frustrated as you are, can't you see! That's why I decided to go after Victoria. At least it is something constructive because I can't sit around anymore."

He looked at me digesting the information I had just given him and after awhile he broke the silence by saying "Ok, I still don't trust you but I can't just sit on my ass so I'll bring you up to date on the situation"

Carlisle's POV

Esme had brought Felix and me to the airport and just before I went through customs she silently slipped something into my pocket hoping Felix had not noticed.

The trip was long and I was constantly figuring out what arguments I could use to convince Aro to allow Bella to leave. In the end my mind seemed to go in circles so I decided to save my energy until I met Aro.

We arrived in the evening and left the airport in a limo which was waiting to take us to the Volturi. I had no interest in the beautiful landscape that passed us by, instead my mind drifted to the one person that was trapped in the Volturi web. How would she be? How was Caius treating her? Had she been changed? They were all questions that passed through my mind.

As soon as I arrived I was taken to Aro's library and found him there behind his writing desk.

He automatically stood up and said "My dear Carlisle, what a pleasure to see you again" as he extended his hands to me, a huge smile plastered on his face.

"The pleasure is mine" I answered as I held out my hand in response, forcing myself to keep my thoughts empty.

"I found that your family and you have done a good job convincing every one of her demise" he said as he let go of my hand.

He then turned toward the desk and said "I realize you have come here in an attempt to claim Isabella and although I don't understand how you intend to do it I admire your tenaciousness."

When he was behind his desk he turned to face me his expression one of rapture "Oh lovely Isabella, I do understand your attraction to this human. She is quite different than the average mortal; she is not only gifted but also had the courage to come into our castle to help your son. Quite an exquisite human! As you already know your son has repeatedly refused to change her and she is therefore a liability to us. We would have destroyed her if not for the fact that she is gifted and you know my love for gifted creatures. I have now made her part of Caius's guard and she is under his authority."

I then nodded my understanding to Aro and said "My son more than regrets his indecision to change her. If you will allow him, he will come here and do the procedure with witnesses"

"I'm sorry Carlisle" Aro said with his characteristic smile "but as you know, we don't give second chances."

"I understand" I said and knew that I had to be cautious with my next words "Both you and I know that Caius has no patience with, or love for, humans. He might just be happy to be rid of her" I probed.

"But that would still make her a liability to us" Aro answered

"If you would allow me to I will change her, for I cannot deny that she has become dear to me and I would love to have her as my daughter. Would that be a suitable option?"

He sighed and attempted to look sympathetic as he said "It will be difficult however you are very close to me and after our long friendship I wish to help you. Tomorrow we will discuss this with Caius. As you know I have no voice in the management of his household"

After having said this he motioned to one of his guards and said "Would you please show our guest to his room?" and by doing so I knew I had been dismissed.