Thanks so much for all the reviews, and the support and the love, it means so much to me. Seriously, things have been so busy for me lately and I'm about to start my internship so hearing from you all just makes my day, thanks :) This chapter is going to be, basically, A LOT of arguing/drama/goodness! type of stuff…the ending is what I'm looking forward to hehe, however, I don't know how long it will be, so if it's too long I may have to cut it into two chapters. Don't worry though, they will both be out by today. Please, read, review, and enjoy!

I do not own any of Stephanie Meyer's work, solely the plot and some new characters in this story.

**************************Bella*******************************

Aro's too innocent expression gazed at me wondrously; mildly amused, waiting with the air of silent impatience. Despite the intensity I couldn't take my eyes off of my husband, no longer prone to any kind of attack besides physical but very much in danger of the unbelievable proposition. I could feel Nessie's eyes boring into my stone expression, unsure of how to understand any of this…Edward stared at me with his golden eyes, wide and telling…I knew without even thinking what Edward wanted me to do…I couldn't repeat what Aro'd just said, couldn't fathom the ridiculous choice, the cruel injustice of it all. I attempted to retort angrily but found that no words would come, and instead only managed to fix my cold stare back into Aro's inquisitive expression.

I glared at him.

"Now, my dear, I do realize such a decision can never be an easy one but—"

"An easy one?" I interrupted acidly, blinking as if to recall this was all really happening. Without even considering the consequences I extended my shield over Nessie and Oliver as well, feeling the unfortunate presence of their captives but not caring. "How DARE you even THINK that I'm just going to choose one over the other!"

I struggled against Jeanine's arms, managing to pull her slightly forward as I shifted closer to Aro's smiling face. He didn't budge or blink.

"These are the loves of my life! I couldn't possibl—"

"I know!" he suddenly exclaimed. "How about we throw the boy in too, hmm? I do think that's more than fair I—"

I growled, louder than I had ever imagined myself capable of, cutting Aro off midsentence. "Fair! You hypocritical bastard! And what the hell has this whole trial been…" I stopped, an idea coming to mind, to save all of them, my daughter and husband…another negotiation…

It could work, after all, my shield IS much stronger than many others…

I smiled back at him, and for a second his faltered, uncertain with my abrupt confidence. "Aro, I have a counter proposition for you, what if I told you—"

"BELLA, NO!"

I squeezed my eyes shut for an instant. Drat, I forgot Edward can read my mind now…

"Bella! Listen to me, we'll figure something out, trust me, but don't you dare do that, don't you dare take yourself away from me—"

Aro's eyes were suddenly gleaming. "Ah, so am I correct to say you're willing to offer yourself, Isabella? In place of your husband and daughter's safety?"

"Bella! We need you, Nessie needs a mother, I need you—"

"And Oliver too," I added, ignoring Edward's frantic pleas. I could feel a lump forming in my throat with the immense guilt, but I ignored that too. I would do anything to save them…

"Mom! Mommy, no!" Nessie suddenly exclaimed, joining in with her father. "Let them have me! I'll be fine, I swear. You and daddy need each other, you can't exist any other way—"

"Bella, I—Renesmee Cullen don't you even THINK about offering yourself, young lady!—just refuse altogether, Bella, just—"

Their cries, Nessie's blotched, wet face and Edward's panicked, tortured one…I couldn't face them right now. I knew this was the only way. I was stronger than both of them, in my own way, and I had to protect them, even when my shield could not—

"ARO!" Edward suddenly bellowed, louder than his cries. "STOP THIS RIGHT NOW! YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY SEE THE JUSTICE IN ALL THIS! TEARING A FAMILY APART OVER SOME BULLSHIT VERDICT! CAIUS IS BEHIND ALL THIS! IT'S BECAUSE OF THE WOLVES! AND HIS JEALOUSY OF YOU! I CAN SEE IT IN HIS THOUGHTS! YOU HAVE TO ST—"

As quick as anything I'd ever seen, and without any warning, Caius was by Edward's half-crouched form, a blur amidst the room, an outstretched hand and—

SLAP!

"That is quite enough, Mr. Cullen," he hissed, his red eyes gone wide with anger. "How dare you imply such nonsense, such blasphemy! I can—"

But Edward had already recovered from his shock, as had I. We both made to dive at him. Jeanine managed to pin me back down, though we were on the floor at this point, Felix however—

"Ow! You son of a bi—oof!" Edward had, miraculously, scrambled out of Felix's grip and aimed a perfect punch into the stronger vampire's abdomen, a sharp and practiced assault. Felix went sailing ten feet backwards, eyes blazing in fury. Edward was too ready for it all; he had already sent Caius crashing into a very surprised Jane and was now easily dodging Felix's tackle.

Caius looked strange in disarray, eyes wide in shock. He immediately sprang onto his feet and made towards Edward, his teeth bared in anger. I struggled more against Jeanine's iron hands, barely hearing a low but audible 'trust me' whispered into my ear. I meant to do no such thing, however.

"Let go of me, you—"

"DO IT AND I'LL TELL HIM EVERYTHING, CAIUS!" Edward's last words seemed to linger in the air, menacing to the baring vampire before him. I looked at my husband searchingly, but his fierce gaze was focused on no one else.

Caius glared at him, a frozen moment of hatred. It was all another vampire needed, though.

Edward fell to the floor, his back arching unnaturally as Felix hit him full force in the spine.

"EDWARD!"

"DADDY!"

But Edward looked neither at me nor our daughter. For a long moment he simply laid there, the broken bones undoubtedly already mending into place, his eyes shut in pained agony. When he looked up however, his eyes fixed once again on Caius, a strange light emitting triumphantly. He spoke softly, too softly for anyone save Caius, myself, and Jeanine to hear.

"So he doesn't know, does he? That you know?" he said, chuckling darkly. I inwardly cringed at the horrible expression on Edward's beautiful face, a dark angel, wicked, much too wicked for someone so wholesome.

Caius' face was a mixed one, horror with…something else. I turned towards Aro, unusually quiet and more observant with the spectacle. I didn't understand, one touch and he could know everything, could see what it was Caius was so upset about that Edward obviously knew.

It happened quickly. In another instant, Caius was by Oliver's terrified form, his hands placed threateningly around the boy's neck. The expression on Caius' face…an indescribable monster.

"One more word," he sneered, "out of any of you Cullens, and the boy gets it."

"NO!" Nessie exclaimed, struggling against her captive's arms, her breathing erratic with worry and fear.

Oliver was trembling, from fear or from anger I couldn't tell, but I did know that either emotion could result in his transformation, and if he did so that close…

I glanced back into Edward's face, searching again for the familiar source of comfort that he knew something, something that might be our ticket out of all this…but he was gone, a trick of the human mind, speeding as fast as he could towards—

"NESSIE! NO!" I screamed. Another instant occurrence; Nessie had somehow managed to escape her captive's arms and was now running head on towards Caius and Oliver, her lithe form and steel expression angry and determined. Caius looked up a second early before the impact, his grin widening triumphantly with her approach. My slightly enhanced senses took in everything as if in slow motion, my own struggling pointless. Caius turned, his teeth bared and ready for the smaller assailant headed his way; Oliver trembling faster and harder than ever, his wide, dark eyes pleading with Nessie to save herself, an undying love and concern…and Nessie, her long legs leaving the ground, teeth bared in mid air, hair flying wildly behind her as she lunged in attempt to save her best friend's life once again—

But it was short-lived. As hasty as she'd made her decision, Edward had made his.

They fell hard onto the floor, father and daughter, skidding harshly across the tile towards a decorative pillar. Edward's already injured back hit with a resounding 'thud' but he determinedly held his own, never once releasing the smaller half-girl half-vampire held protectively to his chest. Nessie's eyes were wide with surprise as she looked worriedly into the tightly bound, 'too stubborn to show pain' eyes of her father.

"Daddy, are you ok? I could've had him I—" she began, a voice unbalanced with frustration and worry and irritation.

Edward opened his eyes. "Don't you EVER do that to me again, do you understand?" he spit out, eyeing her sternly. Nessie's eyes had began to fill again, and she nodded dumbly before he pulled her into his broken frame once more, this time with so much worry of a father it was heartbreaking.

Caius, meanwhile, simply pulled Oliver closer to his own chest. "Well, isn't that sweet?" he bit out acidly. "But enough is enough, there's no need for this boy anyway," he said, arm raised meaningfully. He brought it down swiftly.

Edward had to restrain Nessie as she cried out again. "OLIVER, NO!"

I made my own useless efforts as well, even begging the dark-haired woman to release me, but then—

Caius fell to the floor, his eyes wide with disbelief as the other form hovered above him dangerously.

"Caius," he spoke authoritatively, "that is enough."

Alright, yes it is going to be too long…sorry :( but I will have the next one out tonight for sure, perhaps sooner (I'm typing all day today so give me some credit lol). Please review this one too, it would mean a lot to me. Plus, I'm working overtime here! A little thought from each of you is a grand present, trust me lol. Ok, well, that's it for here, gotta go finish typing the next part (and believe me, the next part is ooooooh!). Review! Thanks.