An Unresolved Past

This story starts off five years after its prelude: 'Life is never what you expect it to be'. Bella is now Caius's mate and they are both very happily bonded. WARNING: This is an adult version of twilight and will have sexual submission and violence (after all; the story revolves around vampires). This is not for the faint of heart; it is very dark and has sexual content. 18+

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters but has nothing to do with this story.

Chapter 39 – Desperate times breed desperate measures *

Between Marcus and Athenodora the process of helping Caius retrieve his memory was a long and tedious affair. It had taken months and yet they had only scratched the surface.

Marcus wanted his revenge but he also needed Caius to regain as much memory and knowledge of his past as possible otherwise he would never be reinstated as king. Without that he also had no chance to reclaim Isabella.

Caius never had patience in the best of times and as his frustration began to mount he became more and more aggravated; his tong lashing out at even the most innocent remarks.

Some days however he regained tatters of his memories and on those days his humour would improve.

Their small group had been staying in the most sparsely populated areas of Europe. All had received several calls from Aro a couple of weeks after they had left the Volturi coven but as time went by they not only ignored them but also dispensed of their cell phones; opting for disposable cell phones. Although they had no fear of being tracked by Demetri they were very cautious; knowing that Aro would now realize their deception and retaliate if he found out where they were. In order to procure and ensure their safety they often moved from one place to another.

Edward was able to remain in contact with Jake every couple of weeks so that both parties could stay informed about how the other was doing. Both made sure that their calls were short and therefore untraceable.

Jacob and Charlie had the most difficulty adjusting to the European customs but tried their best to blend in.

Esme was more than thankful that Marcus had brought her offspring with him and helped them to remember the emotional bonds they had possessed in the past. They remembered nothing but seeing home movies and pictures of the family together they realized that Esme and the others were right. Knowing this and getting encouragement from Marcus and Demetri they did their best to try and recreate a bond with their family, much to everyone's happiness.

Speaking to Bella all those years ago in Venice, Alexia had realized the pressure Aro's had put his mate under. Now, having seen Aro's ruthlessness she worried even more about his treatment of Bella. Alexia had seen how possessive he was and knew that the longer Bella was under his thumb the greater that pressure would be. It was only time until all resistance would abandon her as her friends had, had to do.

Knowing that Aro could no longer blackmail her with friends and family; Alexia feared what his new course of action would be to keep her in check. She discussed this with Edward and later, Esme. All three then brought it up when the family was alone for they realized that voicing their fears in front of Caius would certainly cause him to take action without thought of the consequences.

It seemed that all had thought of the significance this new development would have on Bella's position but none had dared to voice those fears. At the table Alexia was most insistent that the situation that Bella was living in was intolerable and was adamant that they needed to do something as soon as possible.

Rose still feeling the guilt of having exposed Bella to the royals in the first place quickly formed an alliance with both Alexia and Esme on the situation. The men, especially Edward sympathized with their partner's point of view.

Carlisle however was the voice of wisdom saying "I know how hard it is to wait but we have no choice. We all agreed that the only way to help Bella is to reinstate Caius as king but he will need his memories or at least knowledge of the past. If we try to do anything without Caius's recovery, it would be a disaster".

Alice turned to her foster father saying "Carlisle you used a drug on us trying to retrieve the memories of our emotional ties with the Cullen family".

Confused by her statement he muttered "Yes, it is an experimental drug that is used on Alzheimer patients; but as we all know, it didn't work".

Alice then replied "No it didn't, but Jasper and I lost specific memories; the ones related our emotional bonds. It was a precise extraction and that must have cost a lot of time. What I mean is, they didn't have that much time with Caius; they had to blot things out much more radically".

Still perplexed Carlisle uttered "I don't understand"

Alice then explained "Caius lost his memories and it was done in a short time; after all he wasn't alone with his enemies for very long; it was a rush job. Maybe that's why, unlike Jazz and I, his emotional bonds seem to fight its way back to his conscious thoughts. Caius is driven by extreme emotions; that's his nature".

Seeing where this was leading up to Carlisle's eyes lit up.

Noting the inquisitive expressions of his other family members Carlisle explained "what Alice means is that the medicine may work for Caius. Caius is an extremely volatile person and it seems that his memories are often driven to the surface when he gets emotional. Maybe because whoever did this didn't have enough time to wipe out his emotions or maybe because his body was caught in the frozen water for so long; who knows".

Looking at the perplexed expressions on the familiar faces of his family he tried his best to clarify his theory saying "Don't you see? It seems that whenever Caius is confronted with situations associated to Isabella; memories relating to that situation seem to surface. Some memories surface swiftly while others need time and refection before the results show themselves. If he is indeed driven by his emotions, it may work"

Then Edward listening in on Carlisle's mind softly added "So you think that those extreme emotions, in combination with the medicine may be a means of pulling him out of this?"

Carlisle gave a vast sigh of relief at hearing Edward's explanatory words and exclaimed "Yes, that's exactly what I'm hoping".

After their family conference Carlisle and Edward went to Marcus and Caius with their theory.

Caius of course was automatically keen over any plan to speed up his recovery as he said "I am tired of waiting; I must have my position and my mate back".

Seeing his brothers haste to plunge into the unknown Marcus sighed. "No one can stop you but, all of this is theory. We don't know what the kind of effect this medicine will have on your body."

This was automatically disputed by Caius saying "We have to try; I have been awake for over a year and I still haven't come much closer to remembering my past. We waste our time away while my Isabella is forced to live with my brother. We have seen his methods and both you and I know what he is capable of; I can no longer stay idle while she is in his hands."

Marcus pushed on saying "Please do not expect miracles Caius; this is not necessarily a solution but a possibility". Then turning to Carlisle he warily inquired "I understand that it did not work for your siblings; why do you think it will work for Caius?"

"Their problem is more specific". Carlisle replied, then seeing the confusion on the faces of both Caius and Marcus he explained "They have not lost a large block of memory only a small piece; the pieces pertaining to their emotional bonds with us and that was done over a long period of time."

Then looking directly at Caius he continued "Caius however still seems to have those emotional bonds; as he often remembers flashes of being with Isabella. Looking at that, I would say Caius's emotional bonds seem to be fighting their way to his conscious thoughts".

"And… why would that mean that Caius would react differently to the medicine?" Marcus asked still not convinced.

Carlisle then added "As I said Caius is emotionally volatile; that has been his strength when the Volturi was formed. it can be his strength now! He is a very old vampire so I can try a larger dose of the drug on him. It may just spark the past memories that he has lost; however I don't know if it will have a lasting effect or if it has any negative effects".

Marcus looked doubtful saying "It is a difficult decision"

Caius looked from Marcus to Carlisle and blustered "We have no choice; the longer I wait the more chance that Isabella or her bond with me is irreparably damaged. You Marcus, of all vampires should know what that means".

Marcus cringed by these words and with a solemn nod of his head he reluctantly agreed.

A few hours later Carlisle prepared Caius for the injection as Edward hovered in the area. While Carlisle was working Caius looked up at Edward and realizing what was going on in his mind Edward looked back at him saying "No Caius, if she had stayed with me she would have eventually come to Volterra and encountered you. You were her destiny; she would have ended up as your mate no matter what. According to Alexia, Aro is captivated by Bella; unhappily for her she seems to have that effect on powerful Vampires. "

That moment Athenodora came in and looking at all the instruments in Carlisle's office she said "it all looks very ominous. Are you sure that little bit of liquid will do the trick?"

Carlisle still concentrating on what he was doing almost automatically answered "To tell you the truth I don't know. I will give Caius 5 x the dosage I used on Jasper and Alice, I only hope that it will take effect".

"No! I want more" Caius spontaneously retorted.

Looking down at his patient Carlisle shook his head saying "I don't know the effect of this amount let alone more. If it doesn't have any effect we can always continue this debate but not now.

The room was silent as Carlisle injected Caius with the drug.

After fifty minutes Caius became impatient and looking up at Carlisle he said "it is time to give me the second shot".

Both Marcus and Athenodora were dubious and held Carlisle back until Caius roared "you said you would; now do it!"

Carlisle looked down and said "I said we could continue our debate". Taking his pen light out of his pocket, Carlisle checked Caius's his eyes for any signs of a delayed reaction. Seeing nothing, he shrugged his shoulders saying "you must have patience".

Caius roared "I have had more than enough patience and now I demand that you give me an extra dose".

Marcus knew that it was impossible for them to change Caius's mind so when Carlisle looked up him for guidance he nodded his permission. With no small amount of hesitation Carlisle filled another needle and injected Caius with the same amount of serum for a second time.

After another hour Caius was furious saying "One more shot! I need more medicine"

Carlisle shook his head resolutely saying "No, I can't do that; this was risky enough. I may want you cured but I won't help turn you into a mindless vampire".

"Than the stuff is worthless" Caius roared. The chair he was sitting in fell with the resounding crash as he abruptly stood. Athenodora swiftly came to his side but he brushed her off saying "Do not mother me woman" as he strode out of the room frustrated and furious.

Once Caius came to the small room he had claimed as his own, he fell on the bed and moved his arm over the pillow next to him and pulling it closer as he whispered "I'm sorry my love but I will not give up, I promise you that" Exhausted by emotions he took some down-time to relieve the tension that had always been present these past few months.

As soon as Caius had left the room Marcus signed "It was a possibility but never anything more".

Carlisle turned saying "It was a good possibility and I had hoped it would work. Maybe the next time I can give him a triple dose but first I want to make sure he has no setbacks. It is always precarious to give drugs; even to a vampire".

* William Shakespeare