I Fear No Pain

C1: Saving an Idiot

Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters or themes.

A/N: And we're back, with a pairing I haven't done in years, but hopefully will be a lot better. I hope you will all enjoy it. Updates will be every Sunday.

Bella's POV

It had been two months since the inevitable divide that I had seen coming a mile away. It had all started the moment I figured out what they were and Edward had pushed a relationship on me that I didn't even remotely want. I had known from a very early age that I was a lesbian, and quite happily so ever since I came out in Phoenix, but that fact didn't really seem to matter to him or he really was just as ignorant and arrogant as I gave him credit for.

His siblings and his mother loved me though, especially after everything that happened with that tracker a few months ago. The divide in the family started happening not soon after, with his siblings and mother on one side and him and Carlisle on the other. It all reached its zenith at the birthday party I never wanted in the first place but Alice had insisted upon.

I had gotten a small papercut while opening one of my presents and while I was a bit worried at that point, Edward of course had to make it worse, apparently seeing Jasper as a threat and therefor thought it was perfectly reasonable to throw me halfway through the room and through a glass table.

From there it all went quickly, because the following day he took me out to the woods and told me they were leaving, which I knew was bullshit. Alice and Rosalie had assured me that they along with Jasper and Emmett would stay with me as long as it took, while Carlisle, Esme and Edward would move away.

I'll admit that it hurt hearing that Esme would move away with them, but I understood that she had to follow her mate, despite everything he had allowed to happen. I knew she cared a lot about me and sent me a text that evening that I could always call her if I ever needed anything.

For two months this went perfectly fine, until we had a falling out with the wolves over why the family had divided and of course Jacob used that as an excuse to try and hurt me over it, figuring I would be willing to date him now that Edward was out of the picture.

When I quite plainly told him that unless he grew a pair of tits and a vagina there would be no chance this side of heaven or hell that I would ever consider going out with him, he then of course thought it was completely okay to tell Edward I had died in an accident which had triggered one of Alice's visions.

That had led us where we are now, Alice, Jasper and I on our way to Volterra to stop him from killing himself, while Rosalie and Emmett would meet up with Esme to inform her of the truth of the matter. I personally didn't care one way or another about what would happen to him, I knew it would break Esme's heart and I couldn't do that to her, and honestly that was the one and only reason I would ever try and save him, because after everything he had done to me, I would never feel anything but indifference for him.

"Are you okay Bella? You seem pensive." Jasper asked softly once we had taken off from Seattle.

"I'm okay Jazz. While I don't particularly care for Edward anymore. I know it would break Esme's heart if he killed himself and I can't in good conscience be the cause of that." I said softly.

He smiled kindly at me, as he usually did. "I understand that Bella, but I'll be honest and say that even if we manage to stop him, that it will be far from the end. We'll definitely be asked to answer a few questions."

I nodded at that. "I expected as much, given everything you've told me about the Volturi already. I just hope we will be allowed to give our side of the story."

"I've seen that we will Bella, as well as a few other positives. I can promise you that no one is going to hurt you and that includes Edward." Alice said softly.

"I know you guys will keep me safe, you have so far and I will always be grateful for that." I said honestly.

They both smiled at me. "You're our sister now Bella, nothing is going to change that, because I have seen some things that I do need to share with you, but I hope you understand that I can't at the moment."

I nodded and smiled at my Pixie best friend. "I get it. We'll have plenty of time on the way to the Castle. I also appreciate you not trying to keep anything from me."

"I could never keep things from you, because I have seen too many things about you to do that to you, even though Edward told me to keep certain things to myself. I made a promise to myself and Rose when we saw how controlling Edward was going to become of you that we would always tell you the truth and always answer your questions." Alice said with a soft smile.

I smiled and rested my head against her shoulder. "And I still can't tell you how appreciative I have been for that. I am pretty sure that I am as prepared as I am going to be for tomorrow thanks to everything you've all told me, because I am sure that if I had to go on everything Edward and Carlisle had told me I would probably come across as an ignorant child."

"That is one of the reasons we tried to inform you as good as we could in the time we had, and there will be more when we touch down in Italy, but we're sure that you'll be able to process it like you have everything else." Jasper said with a kind smile.

"I'm sure I will Jazz, for some reason everything makes so much sense when you guys explain things. Edward always was so convoluted in his explanations." I said softly as I drifted asleep.

Alice's POV

Bella slept for most of the flight, which while a bit surprising, it was also something we expected to happen, since we knew that she hadn't been sleeping well as of late and that she was probably catching up on some sleep now that she had the chance.

I had seen a lot of things concerning Bella and our arrival in Volterra, and with that what our future might hold for us. Not only was Bella going to be turned way sooner than any of us would have thought, I had also seen that she would find her mate, as well as her mother in Volterra but also that soon after the Cullen Coven would be no more and that most of us would stay in Volterra with Bella.

While that was a bit surprising, I also knew it was the only option for us. All of us had come to care for Bella a lot in the last months and we had all made each other the promise to never leave her again, which is why we had made the decision on breaking ties with Carlisle in favor of staying by Bella's side.

The only one whose future still remained in flux at this point was Esme's and if I was very honest it worried me a little. Some days I saw her with us in Volterra, being happy to be by Bella's side without ever seeing Carlisle there, but there were also times I saw that she chose to stay by Carlisle and Edward's side.

I had also yet to tell Bella of this, but I worried about her reaction, knowing how much she cared about Esme, but I really hoped that a lot of things were going to become clear when we had our inevitable audience with the Queens. I knew very well that Sulpicia wouldn't be able to read me because of all of the visions I've had since I was turned, and that she would see everything in Jasper's memories, and hopefully Bella's too, since Edward refused to read her mind after trying one time for some reason.

"It won't be long now darlin'. We'll get justice for our baby sister." Jasper said softly so that only I could hear him.

I smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "That and so much more my love. I have a feeling that a lot of wrongs are going to righted when we get to meet the Queens."

He smiled and gave my hand a loving squeeze. "I certainly hope so, because we've been walking on eggshells for far too long around Edward. It is high time he got knocked off of that pedestal Carlisle has put him on."

I nodded at that. "And he will, both of them will be thoroughly cowed by the time they get there, and Edward will actually fall twice, once when we get there and once more when he brings the others here. I've seen it and it will be hilarious."

Jasper smiled at that. "I have no doubt that it will Alice. You know I have always trusted your visions."

I smiled and leaned against his shoulder as we continued to talk too quietly to hear for the other humans to hear, although this also served to not disturb Bella's sleep.

By the time we landed in Italy we were both glad that Bella had slept through most of it, because we knew that the last couple of months had taken a toll on her and that she had lost a lot of sleep because of everything Edward had put her through.

She had begrudgingly woken up once we had landed, mostly because she was still tired and usually was a bit grumpy when she woke up.

Thankfully I had long ago learned that there was a perfect way to get her to wake up, and thankfully Italy was for better at that then America was, so the moment we were out of the plane and at the airfield properly, I left her with Jazz at the baggage claim so I could get my baby sister a cup of real Italian coffee.

I could almost see her perk up at the mere mention of coffee and we both had to smile at that. "I'll go get your coffee Bella. I won't be a minute."

She nodded and took a seat at the baggage claim, while Jasper would get our luggage, since we didn't have much with us, being mostly clothes for Bella.

I was indeed back in a minute, and as I handed the styrofoam cup to Bella I could barely suppress a giggle at her reaction. She moaned contently as she sipped it and I could just see her wake up in front of me. "Gods that hit the spot. Thank you Ali."

"You're very welcome Bella. It's in all of our best interest to have you be awake when we get there. It's only an hour drive into Volterra after all." I said with a soft smile as Jasper came to us with our suitcases.

"Are we ready to go ladies?" He asked with his usual kind smile.

We nodded and followed him out of the terminal and to the car rental, where a car was waiting for us and since Jasper would drive us there, I would be able to catch Bella up on the visions I had not had the opportunity to tell her about yet.

Jasper knew what I was planning and we had already agreed that for once he would adhere to the speed limit so I would have the time to tell Bella everything I had seen concerning our visit.

Thankfully Jazz had opted for a dark sedan, which would blend in a bit better than my usual preference for flashy sports cars.

As Bella and I shuffled into the backseat, I pulled her close, since I would keep her safer then a seatbelt could, and as Jasper took off I couldn't help but give her side a comforting squeeze.

Bella's POV

I'll admit that I always felt a strange sense of calm whenever I was close to Alice, but for some reason it felt different today. "So Ali? What did you see about today?"

She smiled at me. "I saw a lot of things, and not all of them are going to make sense immediately. Do you remember the talk we had about bonds and mates a few weeks ago?" She asked softly.

I nodded at her. "How could I forget. It was the talk that confirmed everything Edward told me was nothing but a lie. Why do you ask?"

"One of my most prominent visions has been about you forming certain bonds with members of the Volturi. Most prominently among them your mate. I'll be honest and say that I am not really familiar with the members of the Volturi, but I know that she is called Jane and is one of the so called Witch Twins, and from what I know of her she has a gift that can cause unimaginable pain, although I think that you will be quite safe. It is impossible for mates to hurt each other after all, even on accident. The other bond I saw for you is coincidentally the only one I haven't told you about, since it is extremely rare in our world." Alice said softly.

I smiled at that. "And what bond might that be, Alice?"

"It is called the maternal bond. As I said it is extremely rare and is only formed between an ancient female vampire and a human, and the reason it is so rare is because there are only a few ancients left and humans don't usually get to meet them. What I know of the bond is that is similar to a mating bond, but instead of romantic feelings for one another, it is more that unique love between a mother and daughter, but I honestly wouldn't be able to tell you what exactly it means, since it is so rare in our world." Alice said with a soft smile.

I smiled at her. "I'm sure the moment that becomes known it'll be explained Alice. It is honestly something long overdue, since you know how uninterested my own mother was in anything going on in my life."

Alice nodded and gave my side a squeeze. "I know Bella, but I promise that it will never happen again, a maternal bond means unconditional love and support, as well as something more emotional and instinctual. She will instinctually know what is wrong with you and how to help you through it. The one downside is that you will not be able to lie to her."

"Have you also seen who my mother to be is, Alice?" I asked softly.

"I have, it is Queen Didyme, youngest of the three Queens and the one with the gift of seeing bonds in people. You're going to be a princess, Bella." She said with an excited smile.

I smiled at that. "I could do a lot worse I suppose, but honestly I can't begin to imagine what that even might look like. I've never had the best parental influences as you well know, so to know that all of a sudden I'm going to get a doting mother and an eternal love. I don't know if I'm ready for that."

"Trust me when I say that your heart will always lead you in the right direction. Both the mating bond and the maternal bond are primal things, equally strong in humans and vampires alike. You'll feel it the moment you will meet them and it will hurt to deny it. Your very soul will call out to both Jane and Didyme in equal parts, albeit for different reasons. I can't properly explain it, because it is really something that can only be experienced." Alice said softly.

I nodded and smiled. "We'll see what happens, because there is no real way I could prepare for this. Did you happen to see what will happen to Edward?"

Alice nodded at that. "Yes, but unfortunately he will not be punished immediately. He and Jasper will be ordered to collect the rest of the family while we are to stay behind in Volterra. Once they are all here Sulpicia will read everyone's memories and punish accordingly. I have already seen the outcome, but I have a feeling that is going to change at least a little. What I can say is that both Jasper and I will stay in Volterra as part of the Guard once everything is over, and likely Rose and Emmett as well."

I smiled at that. "I'm glad that we'll able to remain friends through all of this Ali. I don't know what I would've done with you and Jasper in the last couple of months.

"We both knew that you needed people who stood by you through everything, darlin'. Neither of us had the best experiences with Edward over the last few decadces and it is high time he gets what is coming to him. I also know that we are not the only ones that are intending to stay. I think that Rose and Emmett will want to stay here too. Rosalie has been done with Edward and Carlisle's idiocy for a long time now and only stayed because of Esme. She has wanted to keep the family together for decades." Jasper said with a smile to the rearview mirror.

I smiled at him. "I figured as much, but I think this was inevitable for a while. I know perfectly well that Edward has been toxic for your family for far longer than you all have known me. I got him figured out the moment he told me that he was afraid to read my mind. He couldn't control me like he wanted to so I became a threat, and the only thing he could do in his mind was to isolate me."

Jasper and Alice both smiled at that. "Yes, and I've had numerous visions of him wanting to take you away and kill you, but in the end he didn't do that because he knew that even he couldn't get that past Carlisle. It will probably one of the things he will be judged for." Alice said with a kind smile as we drove into town and he expertly maneuvered the car through the narrow streets.

"I saw he is planning to step into the sun at noon when the plaza is full of people. You need to stop him before he does, since we can't be seen in the open either." Alice said softly.

I nodded at her as the car rolled to a stop in the shadow of the Cathedral, which gave me a straight path to the entrance where Edward would appear.

Alice's POV

We watched as Bella ran up the stairs, getting to the top just as the doors opened and Edward attempted to step out, and with some difficulty she managed to push him into the shadows just before he could actually expose himself, and once we were sure they were inside, we made our way to one of the side entrances, because while our skin didn't sparkle like Edward's did, the shimmer our venom gave off would still be noticeable by humans.

We made our way to the main entrance where we could hear Edward arguing with Bella and one of the Guard members, to which we both rolled our eyes. "I guess that is our cue." Jasper said with a soft smile.

I nodded and smiled at him as we hurried to the main entrance, coming out of a passage behind Bella, which startled her a little. "We're here Bella, don't worry."

"What are you two doing here? Weren't you supposed to be in Denali as I told you?" Edward asked in his usual demanding tone.

Jasper glared at him. "Don't presume you can give us orders Edward. We are here to stop you from being an idiot and breaking our family beyond repair."

I smiled at him as I pulled Bella close and a little behind me so that she wouldn't be in the way if Edward got it into his head that he wanted to attack Jasper.

Thankfully Edward only glared at him before turning to the Emmett sized vampire. "As you can see no laws were broken Felix, so we'll be taking our leave now."

"You know very well that is not possible, and besides the Queens want to talk to you again now that you've proven that you're willing to break the law to get your wish." Felix said with a grin, almost challenging Edward to try something.

Edward glared at him but nodded as we followed the burly vampire through the Castle, and I purposely hung back with Bella a little so she wouldn't be as intimidated. "It'll be okay Bella, just remember the things we talked about on the way here. You'll be perfectly safe."

She nodded and smiled at me. "I know, I was just worried Edward might do something even more stupid."

I smiled at that as we stepped into an elevator, which seemed to surprise her a little. "Don't worry my love. I will keep you safe." Edward said as he tried to pull her against him and away from me.

Bella merely glared at him as she wrapped an arm around my waist. "I thought I was very clear when I said that I will never be your love or anything else to you Edward. The only reason I came is to spare Esme the heartbreak of losing a son."

He frowned at that, but said nothing as the elevator pinged to let us out on the lowest level, and I couldn't help but smile at her, being very proud of my baby sister in that moment.

Edward glared at me, but I couldn't care less what he had to say. Bella would always be my priority. "Don't look at me like that Edward. I warned you what would happen if you didn't back off. You made your bed, now lie in it."

He growled at me as we came to the gigantic double doors that led to the Throne Room, to which Jasper of course growled right back at him. "Don't you dare Edward. You know you can't beat me in a fight." Jasper said darkly.

"Now children, do play nice. You're about to meet royalty after all." Felix said with a grin.

Jasper, Bella and I nodded while Edward merely huffed and crossed his arms as the doors opened, after which we were led in.

"My Queens, the Cullens as you requested." Felix said as he bowed for the three women who sat on the thrones.

Sulpicia stood and smiled at us. "Indeed they are, but I was under the impression that it was just young Edward. This is indeed a surprise. Step forward young ones."

We did as we were asked as she strode forward. "Ah young Alice Cullen, the Seer if I am not mistaken. Tell me young one, what brings you here today."

I smiled kindly at her. "We came to save Edward from his own stupidity, my Queen. There are people in our Coven who still care for him, and I would hate to see one of them hurt, and we also want to explain why we there is a human with us and possibly clear up some things at the same time."

Sulpicia smiled and nodded. "Yes, perhaps you can clear up some things that Edward said. He led us to believe his human mate had died."

Jasper and I smiled kindly at her. "To be very honest, my Queen, one of my visions has confirmed that Bella is not Edward's mate, but I have a feeling he already knew that and was merely trying to stall things because she is in fact his singer."

That made Sulpicia glare at Edward. "Has Carlisle taught you nothing, boy? Has he failed to teach you the difference between a singer and a mate? I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but it seems your entire Coven has things to answer for. You will collect them and bring them back here as soon as is possible, and to ensure you will, you singer will remain here with Alice. I have questions for both of them."

Edward glared at her but nodded none the less. "I will accompany him to ensure he doesn't take any unnecessary detours, my Queen." Jasper said respectfully.

Sulpicia nodded at him. "That is fine, I expect you all back in no less than a week. Until then you have our assurance Bella and Alice will not be harmed.

Edward again glared at her as Jasper bowed before dragging Edward out of the Throne Room, and despite Edward's protests he was no match for Jasper's strength.