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And on with the story:
Bella's Point of View
Something was coming, again. Here we go again. I took Jasper on a hunt that I didn't really need. I needed to blow off the steam. We took off into the woods and I found a cougar. Jasper found one too. We both enjoyed our breakfasts.
While we were out, I called Aro.
"This is Aro."
"Aro this is Bella."
"Ah, Bella, we have a problem."
"What is the problem, Aro?"
"We'll be coming to visit you soon."
"Aro, We can work out any issues. You know I respect the Volturi."
"This is best worked out in person Bella. See you soon."
"So it's the Volturi," Jasper said.
"Yes, Jasper, it's the Volturi."
We ran back home to share the information. It was a scary truth to share. It was the Volturi coming for us and Aro wouldn't fill me in on the problem. We could have worked it out on the phone. We could have solved whatever problems there were.
This must be some problems that Aro thought I wouldn't agree to. That scared me. I would agree to a lot to keep peace with the Volturi. We haven't done anything wrong. There was no reason to punish us. I couldn't think of a reason for their visit. I couldn't think of anything we had done. It wasn't a visit to catch up. The Volturi didn't do that.
Jasper's Point of View
So, it was the Volturi coming to see us. I had to protect Bella and the others. How would I save them from the Volturi? Aro didn't even tell us why they were coming. I had to get things ready. How long did I have to prepare? How long did we have to prepare?
Jasper's phone rang. "Yes, Alice. When? Where, Don't tell anyone else where we are, OK? Thanks, Alice, bye.
"Alice says the Volturi will be here in three days at the house. They'll come at dawn. And Alice promises not to give away our location again. I don't know if I believe her but I believe her about the Volturi."
"At least we have the information," Bella said. That's the important thing. We can give others the chance to leave quickly.
We were in sight of the house. Running in quickly we told everyone what we had learned.
"This is the last chance to go. You can get far away if you leave now."
Peter rolled his eyes and sat down at the table. Char sat on his lap. Emmett sat down too. Rose stood. "Can we beat them?" she asked.
"No, but they can't touch us either," Bella said.
Rose sat on Emmett's lap. "We're staying," she said.
Peter's Point of View
We'd always trusted Jasper. I was his right-hand man. I would never abandon him and now Bella. They were family.
Together we could take out some of the Volturi. We couldn't take them all out. This may be our very last stand but I would be there. Bella has her shield. She can protect herself and us as well.
Three days. We have three days to prepare. I didn't know how you prepared for the Volturi. Jasper would have a plan. He'd never lost a battle yet. I'd trust him not to loose this one.
We were all battle ready and well practiced. Jasper had his gift and Bella had hers. She knew all the ways she could use it and boy could she use it.
She could crush trees, rocks, and vampires. She could move things and people. She'd dragged Victoria out of the house. She'd crushed Carlisle. She could stop an attacker from reaching them, gifts as well.
Whatever the Volturi brought, we would be there.
Three days later at dawn, we were all waiting outside.
Jasper's Point of View
The plan was simple. Trust Bella. She had the connection with the Volturi.
They appeared suddenly, walking in formation. They angled out into a straight line about twenty feet from us.
"Aro" Bella greeted. "I never got a chance to thank you for giving Jasper time to get to know me before I changed so thank you. Can I ask why the visit?"
"First of all, you killed Carlisle," Aro said.
"We defended ourselves. Carlisle set our home on fire while we were in it. We defended ourselves. What would you have done in our place?"
"Very well. There is also the issue of your gift. We need your skills with the Volturi."
Damn it, I thought. Edward had seen Bella's gift. That's why they are here. Edward screwed us over again.
"So Edward is trying to separate a mated couple again by having me taken by the Volturi?" Bella asked.
"Jasper's talents would be very welcome as well. We aren't trying to divide you."
"I'm sorry Aro, but I must decline your offer."
"Jane dear" Aro called her.
None of us fell in pain. Bella had shielded us.
"Alec."
We stayed in our line and waited. A mist came towards us and went over the balloon-like shape of Bella's shield.
"Don't make us take us with force Bella." Aro coaxed.
"You can't take us by force Aro. I can stop all of the gifts you have." Bella said.
Aro looked surprised at her confidence. "Chelsea,"
"Chelsea can separate bonds between people," Jasper whispered in my ear.
Chelsea shook her head at Aro.
"I have a deal for you Aro."
"I love to negotiate Bella. What is your deal?"
"I will show you all aspects of my gift. I will show you exactly what I'm capable of. I will also agree to help you Four times when you need help. I have a great respect for the Volturi and I think one time for each day you gave me to get to know Jasper is a more than fair compromise."
"A fair deal," Aro said. "I will negotiate for Seven times, the number of days we gave you to live initially."
"Five Aro, final offer"
Very well Bella, Show us your shield.
Bella looked around for some rocks. She moved them back and forth, up and down, she even threw one of them at Felix to smash on his chest. Felix laughed.
"Imagine that last one was fire, Aro."
"Now watch carefully, then duck."
Bella focused on a tree shielded it and squeezed until It exploded.
"Imagine that was a vampire. I did all that while continuing to shield my friends. Pick one of your people for me to shield."
Aro indicated Felix.
"OK, Aro, now try all your tricks on Felix. No need to try them one at a time."
Felix relaxed. He knew I wouldn't let anyone hurt him.
When all of his gifts shook their head, Aro clapped enthusiastically.
"One last thing Aro. Will, you come to take my hand"
"Bella removed the shield first from herself and then from her mind. She placed her hand confidently in Aro's"
"Fascinating Bella, truly fascinating." He said as he read her mind.
"I do have one more condition, Aro. I won't help in a takeover attempt from the other brothers. All the brothers need to be in agreement to call in my help."
"Very wise, young Bella."
"I will accept your deal Bella, in return, all of your friends here are protected by the Volturi. You are all recognized as friends of the Volturi."
I do respect you all. You gave me a chance when you could have just killed me. I respect the Volturi I just enjoy a quiet life, as do my friends.
"Thank you and farewell Bella."