Berserker

Bella:

Ren gave us the update on the situation up to current. Aro had made a hasty retreat after Marcus severely injured him. Alec had killed Caius, and the Volturi had retreated with Marcus now officially in charge. Ren had actually been helping the Volturi that were occupying Forks build a psychic block to keep them from being manipulated by anyone else again. In essence, they were all going to be loyal to Marcus, myself, Damien, and of course, Renesmee. Just at that moment, Marcus had actually given us a call, using a cell that my mother had helped set him up with.

He had actually called Damien, who had put it on speaker, asking, "Is everyone over there in good health?"

Damien told him, "We're all fine, Marcus. What's going on over there?"

Marcus replied, "We've started operations for the new Volturi. Bella, if you are there, I would like to ask your father to be one of my main council. I already have one other member, so I have on last slot, and I would like Charlie to fill it."

Damien and I looked at each other, and nodded, "We'll ask him for you. What'd you have in mind?"

Marcus cleared his throat, and announced, "I was thinking as a sign of goodwill and gratitude, we would handle your wedding here in Voltera. As far as everyone else is concerned, we own this particular land. So, we'd be able to prepare a special cavalcade and a royal procession to the castle. We even have a ceremonial chamber, for just such occasions. We would be able to arrange an outside ceremony in the town square, and would be able to seat a thousand."

I shrugged, and told Marcus, "Well, if you have a ceremonial chamber, that would be just fine."

Alice came in just then, and asked, "Am I to understand there's a wedding in Voltera?"

I smiled, and told her, "So it would seem. It's going to be huge. Thank you, Marcus. We will let you know about the other details."

Marcus seemed to chuckle slightly, "There is one other thing I would like to add. This may be a double ceremony. As well as yours and Damien's, Bella, I will also be marrying my own mate. With this, we may be able to christen this new Volturi. If there is anyone else interested in having their own union celebrated in such ceremony, I would be more than happy to accommodate those interested."

I felt myself flush. I knew how many people here were trying to bring their union to that point. Ren was about to say something, and I shook my head quickly when Damien looked away for a moment, telling her, No way, Young Lady, Too Soon. You wait until you're done with college.

Marcus was still in good cheer, as he bade us farewell for the time being. I found myself looking at everyone, and told them, "I guess we're going to Italy."

Damien looked over at me, asking, "Well, what about reconstruction?"

I looked over at him, and said, "Well, we can leave that to the Cullen family. I would think they would have the money to help with that. At least, they can do that much while we're away. At least this way, we might be able to add shelters to the foundations with passageways leading out of town, just in case things get this bad again. We should probably also think about a PA system, for emergencies and such."

He gazed at the ceiling pensively, "I suppose we could put this army to work, and such. If anything, we might be able to reestablish order back before the spring sets in."

I nodded, adding, "It would give Esme something to do, since she's an architect, and would be able to do a lot of the city planning for New Forks City."

He looked over at me, smiling, "Wow, babe. Big dreams, huh?"

I nudged him, "I think big. Deal with it."

He chuckled at that, and looked to everyone else, saying, "Well, everyone who's up for a trip to Italy, go ahead and get yourselves ready for the trip."

I could see Victoria smile as Riley held her, Adam and Bree, Jasper and Heidi, Eric and Angela, Mike and Jessica, and of course, I felt Damien wrap his arms around me. Still, he did give our daughter and her boyfriend the eye.

I stood up, and told everyone, "We're going to go pick up my dad in Seattle. We will see you when we get back."

That was when Jacob came in, and said, "We've got a newbie here wearing an Armani suit. He claims to be looking for the head of the Coven."

Everyone looked to me, and I asked Jake, "Did they say where they were from?"

He shrugged, muttering, "He's a hybrid, but he's half-human."

I looked to Damien, and he came out with me to meet the newcomer.

He looked between the two of us, and looked to Damien, as he started to explain his situation, "I heard from Marcus that you would be able to help."

Damien motioned his head to me, "She's in charge."

I took his hand, and told the fellow, "We're both in charge here. What's your name stranger?"

He bowed his head briefly, "I am Nahuel. I have urgent news. Aro has allied himself with my father, and one other fellow, Laurent. They may try to form their own force to deal with Marcus. Unlike the current Volturi, the new children will be insane, and it is uncertain if your songstress will have any effect on them."

Damien inclined his head, and told him, "We have to pick someone up for now. If you would just wait for us here, and discuss the situation with Jasper, Heidi, Victoria, Riley, and Leah. They would be more than happy to hear you out. Alice, why don't you call your family over, and tell them the situation has calmed down. Also, let them know how to handle the reconstruction for town. You can tell them about the wedding details as well."

Alice looked down for a moment, "So, you're not going to leave the wedding to me?"

We looked at each other, and I told her, "I'm not sure it would be a good idea at this point in time. I think it would be more fair to you if we obliged Marcus and take him up on his offer."

She turned away for a moment, "I see."

Jake came over and put his arm around her. He soothed her now, rubbing her arm, as he told her, "It might be best this way, babe."

She threw off his hand, and snapped, "I don't remember asking you anything."

He put his hands up, waving them dismissively, "OK, OK. Geez."

She hugged us both, and told us, "You two deserve a big ceremony, anyway. I think it'll be fun. I still want to be part of the planning committee, though."

I nodded, "Sure. I'll let Marcus know."

Jake called over to us, and said, "I still have to deal with my dad, you know?"

Damien nodded, "We'll deal with it. Just let's get Charlie over here. We'll handle your dad before we start the wedding plans."

I looked over at him, pissed, "Really?"

He shook his head, "This problem takes priority. We won't be able to move forward until we take care of Billy Black and whatever he's planning. Besides, we want Rachel to come to the wedding, too, right?"

I sighed heavily, but eventually agreed.

We got into the Impala, and watched as the newcomer explained the situation to our lieutenants.

Renesmee:

Victoria was actually trying to make sure I'd stay around, and would not follow my parents to town. I told her I was just glad to be home, and went over to Alec as he talked to his sister, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

Alec was telling her now, "I'm not going back to Italy, sis. If I do, I'm not staying there. I'm staying with Ren, and I go where she goes."

Jane looked to me now, and asked, "Are you two not coming to the christening ceremonies for your parents and friends?"

I smiled, "Of course, we are, Jane. I'm guessing he means we won't be staying. I also think we have a lot to do once we start high school."

I heard my grandmother speak up, "Well, I'll still have to administer the state test for that. You, Bree, and Becca, have yet to pass your high school proficiency exams. I think we might have to get Alec some documentation, too."

I smiled at Alec, and went over to hug my grandmother, Rene. I also saw my grandpa, Charlie, who took me into a tight embrace, "It's so good to see you. I'd say little one, but you're not anymore."

My mom called to him then, "Dad, you already know what we have to do, right?"

My dad looked over at us, "One thing at a time, babe. Let him get his bearings, first."

I smiled, "It's ok, dad. I'm sure grandpa's ready for any-"

I saw a flash of a nightmare. It was an older fellow that looked like Jake. I saw him over me, driving himself into me violently, calling my name, or a version of it as he continually forced himself on me. I felt myself screaming, "Noooo!"

I could see Alec rushing towards me, but my father held him fast.

I also saw another nightmare, and it was grandpa forcing himself on me. That made me scream even more. My mother came over to me now, and carried me into the room where Jake had been held. She lay me on the bed, and told everyone but Victoria, Leah, and especially the guys, to stay out of the room for now. I could hear Alec calling for me, and then I saw him forcing himself on me in another nightmare, and that made me scream miserably. I knew my Alec would never hurt me, but that's what I was seeing right now.

I then felt my mom sitting on the bed next to me, and taking my hand. For a moment, my nightmares faded. She leaned over me, smiling, "Alright. At least my shield works for you for the moment. I'm going to see what's causing this, dear. First, let me do something." She held my hand tight, closed her eyes for only a moment, and I could see her eyes blazing white when she reopened them, as she called out, "LEAVE MY DAUGHTER ALONE!"

Billy:

I heard the whore's voice ringing in my head as she looked back at me across the abyss of dreams, demanding to leave her daughter alone. I felt my own eyes burn for a long time, and I saw nothing more. I felt myself back in my room, but when I reached up to my eyes, I felt nothing more than smoldering ashen skin. My eyes were no longer there, and I only felt burnt patches of skin. I yelled out, "YOU WHORE!"

Paul came in, just then, and I could smell Sam's putrefied corpse as he dropped it at my feet, telling me, "We brought what you asked for. Why did you need him anyway, Billy? He's dead."

I placed my hands on him, and rasped, "All I need is his big black wolf. It's no longer active inside him, but it can rise again within me."

Damien:

Alec turned to me as I released him, and demanded, "I need to see what's wrong with her."

I held him by the shoulder, "Let her mother handle this. She's having a fit of nightmares right now. I'm not sure what's causing it, but our power can protect her from it."

Alec bit out, "What the hell am I supposed to do? Wait, while she's suffering in there?"

Jane reached up and took his shoulder, telling him, "They're her parents. They would never hurt her. Just trust them."

I looked to her, gratefully, and asked her, "Would you keep your brother calm?"

I then walked over to the room where Ren was being kept, and Leah stepped in my way, "I'm sorry, Damien. Bella's orders: no guys in there for now."

I almost snapped, "What are you even talking about?"

We both heard Edward just then, as he said, "I know who's doing this. Bella is just trying to make sure that Ren's dreams don't turn her against you, too."

Jake looked over, whispering, "My dad. He's doing this. He's been messing with my head for a while."

Becca spoke up, "He's right. Edward was having really bad dreams that forced him to leave. We're back now, though."

I looked over at Edward, "I need you to understand something, Edward. This is my family we're talking about here. I can't address whatever you have for Bella or that other world. I don't have time for it. If you even say one thing about it, I will throw you out right now."

Edward shook his head, "I'm not here for your wife, Damien. Right now, we're talking about your daughter. I'm trying to help, if you'll let me."

I walked up to him, "Your idea of help was sacrificing me to the Volturi, last time I checked."

He looked down, "Do you want to help your daughter, or not? Because I know what this is. I know because I was having nightmares, myself, about taking your daughter."

I took him by the shirt, then, "What the hell?"

Becca grabbed my arms, and used her ability to weaken my grip, "He's telling the truth. Something was giving my baby bad dreams."

I struggled with her grip, "I'll give him bad dreams…"

She held me fast, and as she made me release Edward, saying, "You're right. We don't have time for this. You want us to help your daughter. We're here to help."

I put my arms down, looking over at Edward, and told him, "You're here on probation, Edward. Got it?"

He held his hands up, "I come in peace, alright?"

I groaned at that, and went back over to look in on Ren, but Leah was still standing in the doorway. She crossed her arms, shaking her head, "I'm sorry. Orders stand. You'll just have to wait until she gets better."

Ren called out, "Daddy. I'm ok. Mom just helped me. Just wait there, ok?"

I took in a deep breath, and Charlie held my shoulder, "It's alright, son. Just let the girls handle this, alright?"

I looked to Edward, asking, "Who's doing this?"

He inclined his head, "Billy Black."

Charlie gave a bit of a scowl, "Isn't he in jail, or an asylum?"

Jake spoke up, "He should be. Damien, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but the reason why he wanted me to imprint on her was so I could bring her back to him. He wanted her for himself."

My eyes burned into Jake, "You know I'm just going to kill him now, right?"

Jake shook his head, "I'll deal with my dad. Just get my sister out of there."

I grabbed my sword, and walked to the door, "Well, let's go hunt him down."

Charlie walked over to, grabbing his rifle, "I'll help you take down the son of a bitch."

Sue called out to him, "Be careful out there, Charlie. He is a shaman, so he does have some of his power."

Bella called out from the room, "I just blinded him. That'll make things at least seventy percent easier."

Sue shook her head, warning, "He'll use anyone around him as his eyes."

I had to ask, "How was it he was able to affect Ren? I would think she'd have enough of her mother and I to keep someone like him out."

She looked me in the eyes, "It's a very powerful magic. It should be said, it's probably very dark magic that counters yours. In a very real way, he's made himself a devil. Last I checked, Devils can hurt Angels, but the opposite is also true."

Edward was joining us too, "I'll go with you. You'll need me to see what he's thinking of doing, and what he's using."

I looked over to Becca, "Keep him in line, will you? Now let's go finish this."

Jake walked over to the group, "Let's go."

Before he came out, I saw Alice walk up to him, and whisper, "You come back to me, you hear? Don't you dare give yourself up to die for that bastard. He dies alone. That should be his punishment." He nodded, and they kissed. Once he joined us, he nodded to me.

Edward was telling me, "We should really get going. The rest of Sam's old pack is on its way to guard him, and they're very vicious and insane."

Jake bit out, "Well that was because Damien forcibly removed the imprint."

Leah called over to me, "Damien, if you can, try to reset some of them to factory settings…like you did with Jacob. Jared wasn't one of the bad guys. If anything, he was like damage control for Sam. In that case, you made a bad call by removing his imprint."

I nodded, "I got it. I got it. Let's just get moving. Leah, I will need some of your pack to help us out over there. Embry, Brady, and Collin."

Edward looked over, "We don't need the wolves for this."

I snapped, "Well, you're not in command. I am. We'll be dealing with wolves to get to him. Someone needs to cover Charlie and Becca so we can get in."

Edward glared at me, "Why is Becca coming with us?"

I returned it, "She needs to keep you in line and block out Billy's nightmare vision. She is a canceller so she would be able to do some good over there. Besides, this will give your girlfriend some field experience."

He looked away, nodding.

Charlie swept his eyes at everyone, "K, we done with the soap opera? Can we go now?"

We left right then. Taking the Impala, and Edward taking Becca in his car. As we drove to Billy's, I saw Carlisle, Emmett and Rose, Jasper and Heidi, and Riley running alongside the car. Jacob was running in the woods also, alongside in full wolf form.

Emmett called over, "You should've called us in sooner, dude! We'd be only too happy to help, you know?"

Rose cut him off, "Let him be, Emmett. They've been trying to build something, and we only got in the way of that. Damien, though, we're not on the bench anymore, got it? We're your first string, k?"

I did a bit of a double take, "I'm sorry. Did you just use a sports analogy?"

She giggled, "Maybe. Get used to it, bro."

Renesmee:

I woke up after a long nap, and Victoria was sitting next to me, "Good morning, little one."

I smiled at that, telling her, "I haven't been a little one for a while, Victoria."

She chuckled, "All the same, everyone's worried about you."

She stroked her hand through my hair, as I asked, "Where's my mom?"

She smiled, "She'll be back in a few moments. She's talking with Sue for a moment. Someone's been giving you bad dreams, dear."

I sat up now, "Billy Black. It's him. He's been trying to drive Edward insane enough to do that."

I heard another familiar voice, "Well, I'm sure my children will bring down that son of a bitch once and for all."

I held out my arms for grandma Esme, "Oh my god, I haven't seen you in forever."

She came over to me, and held me, "How you've grown, Ren. You're so big now, and I see someone's out there waiting for you."

I looked over at Victoria, pleadingly, "Can't you let Alec in?"

She shook her head, "Not while Billy is alive. He's trying to give you nightmares about the men in your life, dear."

I looked at her, "Alec wouldn't hurt me."

She held my face, "We know that, Ren. The thing is, if you see him, it might bring back the nightmares, and it would hurt him to see you like that."

I let my head down, "Fine."

Esme held my back, soothing me.

Alec called back in, "I love you, Ren. Always. I'm going to help your father take this creep down. We'll see you when we get back."

I yelled back, "You come back to me, Alec! Hear me? Or I will go over there and drag your ass back here."

Billy:

They were coming now, and I could feel them as they approached. My daughter would have to hold them off, as she was tied to a tree outside with the rest of Sam's pack, all insane from the interloper's meddling. I had finally managed to get to his daughter through her dreams, and I would be able to turn her on him. It would have worked if her whore of a mother had not interfered. Now, I did a spell over Sam's dead body, and removed the great black wolf from him, and took it into myself. I was now the great black wolf, and my legs were mine to control again.

Damien:

We just arrived moments later, and I motioned for Emmett and Rose to go for Jake's sister while Leah's pack fought with the wolves I had inadvertently driven insane, and I ran along with Edward and Jacob on either side me. I never felt so uncomfortable yet felt fully pumped since I can't even remember. I raised my hand into the air, spreading my wings, and telling my own group, "Eyes Down!"

Everyone turned their eyes away, and I called out, "I hereby give the wolves their minds back!"

One of them seemed to pull back for a moment, and went to stand by Leah's pack, while the rest charged me anyway. Some of them bit into my shoulder while clawing into me. Jake actually came over and bit at one of them, while Emmett and Rosalie fought off the others off of me. Emmett actually crushed one of their ribs and when they slid to the ground, he broke its neck. Rosalie grabbed one by the neck, holding it and calling out to me, "We'll hold them down, now go!"

Billy:

I used the great dark magic to phase into the black wolf. Only, I felt myself growing larger, and larger, until my whole body filled the house. I was ready to strike down the interloper, and all who fought beside him. I felt him as he approached the door to my house.

Damien:

I ran on ahead, and I heard Edward call, "Damien, look out!"

I pulled myself back from the house at the last moment as a massive black wolf claw, the size of my whole body ripped the screen door outward. Soon, the house itself broke into pieces as a massive black wolf standing at forty feet tall. Everyone seemed to be looking up as the sun was overshadowed by the massive wolf head.

I turned to everyone, and called out, "GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE! I'LL HANDLE THIS!"

Edward dug into the ground next to me, "Yeah? You, and what starship?"

Jake was in full wolf-form, growling next to me.

I took in a deep breath, and pulled out my sword, yelling, "Let's take him down!"

The three of us running at it while Charlie pulled Rachel away, and the other remaining wolves charged at it as well. At least a few of Leah's pack were covering Charlie's recovery group, with Becca. I jumped up at it, cutting right through its shoulder, releasing a massive torrent of thick black blood, which promptly withdrew back into the wound, closing thereby. I turned back to watch this, thinking, Oh, what the hell?

I heard Alice's voice, "No! No! Move away from it, now!"

I pulled back swiftly, seeing a massive claw literally rip through the air moments later. I looked down, and called down, "This thing isn't going to go down easily. Get yourselves out of here. You're in over your heads!"

Mike ran in with Jessica, and yelled, "You're so goddamned Arrogant some times!" Smashing his fist into the ground, and breaking the area around to create a chasm beneath, Billy. The wolves that weren't insane and guarding Charlie, charged right for him, forcing him into the chasm, but he swiped them away, injuring them severely and forcing them back into human form. I looked down to Emmett, yelling, "Recover them, will you?"

Carlisle helped Emmett and Rosalie with the now human members of Sam's pack, and I could see from where I was that they were too severely injured to survive. Edward called up to me, "He's calling to his dark lord, Damien. We'll have to leave this to you, because there's a demon arriving!"

I waved him away, and continued to fly passes with the sword, cutting him as much as I could, my wings being splattered with black blood. I could see Rose pulling Alice away as she begged to stay, but Rose was strong enough to pull her into a hold around her waist.

"We can't leave him!" Alice cried.

Finally, Rose shoved her against the Impala, yelling in her face, "He knows what he's doing!"

Suddenly I could hear Jacob's voice in my head, "Drop me on his head, now. It's the only chance you have!"

I shook my head, shouting, "He'll see us coming a mile away!"

Edward spoke directly into in head, "He's blind right now, and you can cloak yourself from his senses!"

I flew down, and reached around to grab him, flew him up around Billy's head, dropping him on top. I saw Adam arrive, his own wings spread, as he used a sword of his own to cut a symbol into the ground.

A great seal blazed beneath Billy, as his patron devil came up to collect him, and taking him into the fiery pit that awaited him. He did a quick movement with his hands, and sealed the area within the circle as a great vacuum pulled everything downward. The last members of the Sam's pack now fell into that great pit, and Jake clawed and bit at the head of the beast that used to be his father. I flew down, and tried to grab him, but he swiped his claw at me, telling me, "It's better this way. I'm the last of the line. Let it end with me."

I flew right back towards him, "What about Alice? Are you going to leave her behind?"

He laughed a little, "She loves you, you know? Deeply."

I shook my head, "I can't return those feelings. You're one of the few people she's reached out to in a long time. Whatever she has with me, she can't have, because I'm with Bella."

He seemed to snarl, "Damn, you're such a selfish bastard. You should take care of her, too!"

I saw him turn human now, as he stood atop Billy's head. I grabbed his arm, "I think that's your job. Now, I need you to stop being such a stubborn ass, and grab my hand!"

Billy reached up for him, but I flew through, cutting off his forearm, making it fall into the fire below. I made another flying pass, cutting off his other arm, and finally came up and cut off his muzzle. Not caring about the booming roar that erupted from its gaping maw of what used to be its mouth. Finally, I grabbed Jacob's hand, and pulled him up as Billy was pulled into the fiery pit below.

When the seal swallowed up the great black wolf, it blazed purple, fading and leaving a black outline of the seal. I flew down, and let Jake down onto the ground. Alice ran right at him, holding him tightly. She was yelling as she held him, "Don't do something stupid like that again! Got it?"

He pulled back, and asked, "Does this mean, I can imprint on you?"

She kissed him deeply, and pulled back, "Does that answer your question, dummy?"

He looked into her eyes, and I saw through his eyes as he imprinted on Alice. I could see he also seemed to be looking through all of her memories, as well as some of those she had of me. Then he saw a vision of the two of them together through time and space. When he pulled back into himself, she looked at him worriedly, asking him, "So, did you do it?"

He nodded, taking her into his arms, "Yeah, I did. No one's going to mess with you while I'm around."

I landed, as everyone gathered at what used to be Billy Black's house. Everyone came over to me, and Rosalie hugged me as Emmett put an arm around me.

"Sorry we took so long to get to you, bro, but you didn't leave a forwarding address."

Alec arrived just then, looking around, "Alright. Where is that bastard?"

Emmett looked over at him, "Is that Ren's new boyfriend?"

I nodded, "That would be him. He's a good kid."

Edward came over to him, and placed a hand on his shoulder, "My hero."

Alec turned to him sourly, "Shut the hell up."

Rose turned to me, giggling, "He's perfect. He's like a little you."

I gave Rose a playful scowl, "Shaddup. Let's all get home. Shall we?"

Jake came over to me, "What about the last of Sam's pack?"

Adam came over, "I healed them up, and they'll follow Leah."

Bella:

Damien returned with everyone in tow, and I went out to take hold of him. I took him into my arms so roughly I almost knocked him off his feet.

He almost croaked, "Easy, Bella. Oxygen becoming an issue."

I pulled back to touch his face, "I saw everything through your eyes. Do you know how dumb that was?"

He made an embarrassed face, "Yeah, I know. You've known me to try and solve problems, though. Don't you think?"

I nodded, wrapping my arms around his neck, "Nothing that big, baby. Especially not without me."

Just then, Charlie came in, and looked at the two of us, "So, you two are finally tying the knot, huh?"

Damien and I regarded each other, and turned to him, together we said, "Yes!"

My dad cleared his throat, "Marcus is also asking me to come over to ask me something. Where's this other guy?"

Nahuel walked over, "Thank you. While you people were off fighting giant werewolves, and planning union ceremonies, Aro is probably getting his forces together for a final strike."

I turned to him then, "Hey, we get it. We're going to Italy to start dealing with him, and anyone else that's trying to bring us down. We'll deal, alright?"

Nahuel looked to Damien, complaining, "Can't you make her do something? She is your woman."

Damien stared back at him, hard, as Rosalie and Emmett stepped up on either side of him. Emmett told him, "Easy there, buddy."

Rose scowled at him, "Oh, yeah, that's the wrong tone to take with my sister. If it weren't for her, none of us would be here tonight to help your chauvinistic ass!"

I put my hand on her shoulder, and directed my gaze at him, "We'll help you. We have to talk to the Volturi to see how they can help."

Nahuel threw his hands up in exasperation, "Marcus sent me to you. So, it just seems like I'm running in circles here."

Damien spoke up, "You have to trust that we have reasons for how we handle things. We need to gather our forces, and get a plan together. In the mean time, we have a defense force, which wouldn't have existed if Bella hadn't decided to fight back. So, when you talk to her, you show her respect. Got it?"

Charlie cleared his throat, asking, "Do either of you know why Marcus wants me to go over there for your meeting?"

I looked to Damien, and he nodded. I finally told my father, "He wants you to be part of his Volturi, dad. Not just as a liaison for human affairs, but an actual official with the Volturi's main council."

Charlie held his hands up, and looked at me, "There's no way I can actually be on his council. I'm human. I'll be like gone in another forty years."

I shook my head, "Not if I change you, and Sue."

He gave me a sarcastic grin, "Gee, that sounds wonderful."

Damien spoke up, "You don't have to decide right away. The thing is, Marcus trusts you, and your judgment. That's why he asked."

Charlie thought about it, "I can be his officer, and then I'll retire after a while. I think maybe Alec can take over for me. Or even you could fill my spot, Bella."

I did feel a little uneasy then, "I can't. I have a bias against the Volturi, so I'd probably be…"

Jane spoke up then, "A perfect candidate. We would need someone to play devil's advocate in case we get an item on our table that could cause much debate."

Charlie spoke up then, "I'll talk to him, Bells. I'm sorry for putting you in a tough spot."

Jane looked to me a moment, "I think Marcus would do well with either of you, or even Damien could fill in as…"

I stopped her right there, "Out of the question. He's got enough to worry about without me trying to put something on him this big."

He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, "I think we should just see what he wants first, Bella, before jumping to conclusions."

I reached up to touch his hands, whispering, "I guess you're right."

Charlie came over and hugged us, "Let's get your wedding going underway, shall we?"

Nahuel walked over to Edward, and asked, "Do you think you can call this party to order?"

Becca spoke up, "It's Bella's party, dude. Trust her, and it's really douchey to go over her head."

I called over to Nahuel, "Hey, Nahuel, the defense force is ready to go on my word. So, be patient. Sit tight, and stop being a pain. For the moment, Victoria, send a few of the newcomer Volturi defectors to get information. Have them meet us over in Italy so we convene a meeting over there. Nahuel, you come back to Italy with us so we can start making a plan."

He barked, "So, you say, woman!"

I tapped on my fiancé's hands so he would let me go for a moment, and stepped right up to him, barking right back, "Aro will be handled. You try to go over my head, feel free to build your own army. See how far that gets you. If you come to the battlefield, and find yourself outgunned, and outmanned, just remember that you turned away from your possible allies. Do you get me?"

This time, he did relent, looking down, "Of course, I understand. My apologies."

I crossed my arms, "And?"

He looked around, seeing everyone gathered behind me, "I'll trust your judgment on these matters."

I looked back to Damien, "See? Situation, handled."

I saw Victoria smirking a bit as Nahuel sat down, and seemed resigned to listening to me. He seemed to understand now. My dad also seemed ready to take the plunge as we prepared for a trip.

I looked over at him, and told him, "I guess we'll talk to Marcus about your position in all this too."

He shook his head, "No need. I'm going to take him up on his offer."

Continued…

Well, there's the chapter folks. I will Address what Aro is doing, and such. For right now, I did need to tie up some loose ends. I would like feedback on char dev, as well as character growth. Relationships, and friendships building.