Revenge Is A Dish Served In Numbers

C1: Coming Together

Standard Disclaimer: I don't know any of the recognizable characters

A/N: So, another Twilight fic. I literally had this idea pop into my head last Monday and I just had to put it to paper. It will be mostly Bellice but other more unusual pairings will also be featured. As you might deduce from the title it is your standard revenge fic that I will try to give my spin to. Enjoy.

Bella's POV

I couldn't believe him, who the fuck did he think he was, leaving me like alone in the woods like I was a pet, and thinking back on it, I think that is all he saw me as. Not that I really cared about him in the last few months, being with Edward was becoming more of a burden by the day anyway.

He never agreed with how close I had gotten to his sisters and mother, trying everything in his power to keep me isolated from almost everyone.

My dad is not much better in that aspect and has treated me like a stranger from the first day I got to Forks.

"Hey Bella, are you okay?" A bell like voice I would know in my sleep asked.

I turned to the pixie and smiled at her. "I think I am Alice. I guess it had to happen at some point. I just wish I had the chance to get my say in."

She smiled and walked up to me, pulling me into a hug. "I'm sure you would love to get revenge for everything he did to you, am I right?"

I sighed softly at that. "I guess I would, but how could I do anything to him? He is still a vampire at the end of the day, and I am merely human, and since I know how much you guys are against me being turned, I don't see myself becoming a vampire any time soon."

I heard a dry chuckle from behind me. "We were, but circumstances have changed." Rosalie said with her ever present smirk.

"What are you talking about Rose?" I asked a bit confused. If anything she was the president of the 'Bella will not be turned' club.

She smirked and sauntered over to us before pulling me into a hug. "I think it is best to have this conversation elsewhere, we are being watched and I don't trust those puppies not to attack us."

I looked closely at them, looking for any kind of sign from my two best friends, and even I could now hear the soft growls coming from the woods behind us. "Yeah sure, there's nothing else for me to do here anyway, and I would rather not have the pack attack the only people that I still care about."

They both smiled at me and before I knew it I was on Alice's back and we were running to the Cullen home, and for the first time that I had gone running with a vampire, I didn't feel fear, but that was probably because it was I was running with Alice for the first time.

In no time at all we arrived at the Cullen's mansion, and I could just feel something was different now that we were here. The atmosphere felt more relaxed.

Alice and Rosalie seemed to notice and smiled at me. "Before we go in, I must ask you to go in with an open mind and open heart. I promise to explain everything." Alice said softly.

I smiled at her. "I always trust you Alice. I thought you knew that by now."

She smiled and led me inside, Rosalie following us at a bit of a distance, probably to make sure that we hadn't been followed.

As we stepped into the living room, my heart dropped because of the one person that had haunted my nightmares in recent months more than Edward had.

"Victoria." I said breathlessly while backing into Alice.

The redhead smiled at me, which was the last thing I suspected she would do. "Isabella, I understand my presence here is a tad confusing, but allow me to explain. I swear no harm will come to you and your friends."

I merely nodded before I was led to the couch by Alice and Rosalie. "We just need Esme to get back from her patrol and then I promise we will explain everything. She should be back in a minute." Rosalie said softly as she sat down next to me.

Again I nodded and watched as Victoria also took a seat, a bit removed from us, probably to give me some peace of mind, which I will admit helped a lot.

Less then a minute later Esme stepped into the living room, smiling brightly when she saw me. "Bella, sweetie, it's good to see you again. Are you okay?" She asked kindly.

"Given everything I am, but what happened, where is everyone?" I asked softly.

"It kind of ties in with why Victoria is here and what happened after Edward left you, so I will start there, because that kickstarted everything. When he came home he told us you didn't want anything to do with us anymore and that you thought we were dangerous. Of course the three of us together with Emmett and Jasper didn't believe him, but with Carlisle still being Coven leader, we were kind of bound, but I flat out refuse to leave my best friend behind, and Esme didn't want to lose a daughter, so there was a huge fight about that and Edward and Carlisle left us, and Jasper and Emmett merely followed them with the promise of keeping in touch and relaying back what they do. They also asked me to say to you that they are sorry for leaving like that, but that they will contact you when they have the chance. As for Victoria being here, it was mostly coincidental, she was near enough to the house when the fight happened and she overheard what Edward said and what our responses were, so after the men had left, she came to us to get both sides of the story. She still wants revenge, but not against you, as a matter of fact all four of us want revenge against the same men, Edward and Carlisle, and our question to you is, do you want to join us in that?" Alice finished with a smile.

I smiled at her. "I do, but I have some questions first."

"Ask us anything you want Bella, we will answer all of them if we can." Esme said with a smile.

I took a deep breath before I started. "Right, my first question is for Victoria. Why did you stalk me all those months if you just want Edward?"

Victoria sighed softly at that. "It was a moment of weakness on my part. While James was not my mate, he was still a brother to me for over 500 years and losing him hurt me tremendously. I wanted him to feel the same hurt by killing his supposed mate. It was never personal against you, I hope you can believe that. But now looking back on everything and now that I've had time to reflect on my time with James, I see that he acted similarly to Edward and controlled every part of my actions. I just didn't want to be alone anymore. And the sole purpose of stalking you comes from my gift. I always assess every part of a plan before I take action and map out each and every possible exit."

I nodded understandingly at that. "Okay, that makes sense in a way, and as long as you promise not to hurt me, then I think I can see us being friends eventually."

She smiled at me. "I promise to never hurt you, and devote myself to protecting you from now on."

I smiled and nodded before turning to Rose. "Why were you always so against me being turned, Rose?" I asked softly.

She smiled wistfully at that. "There are several reasons, most of them selfish, but a few were out of general concern, first and foremost being the fact that I hated how you acted around him, I have seen you be a confident woman and he took that away in the blink of an eye. I refused to let you turn into a doormat to a controlling bastard for eternity, so as long as I was against it, you wouldn't be turned, because Carlisle and more importantly Edward knew my story. I have no such qualms now though. Alice has seen you as a vampire with the four of us and I think you could eventually give me a run for my money as the Ice Queen."

I smiled at her. "Thank you Rose, it means a lot to me that you are being honest to me."

"I have always been honest to you Bella, brutally so even, and I don't intend to change that now. Sisters should be able to be honest with each other, don't you think?" She asked with a smile.

I only nodded at her. "That's true, and I just have one more question. I always thought you were mated to Emmett, that Alice was mated to Jasper and that Esme was mated to Carlisle, so why would you voluntarily leave your mates for me?"

The three shared a look and then smiled at me. "We were not mated to them, we just pretended to be together, since their mates are in Denali for most of the time. I know Rose would rather jump into a bonfire then to ever touch another man, and personally I am more inclined to the fairer sex as well. Esme and Carlisle chose to pretend to be married and portray an idyllic life, but were also never mated." Alice said with a smile.

"That makes sense then, so all that matters is, what do we do now?" I asked with a smile.

Esme smiled and took a seat next to me. "We will leave Forks tonight, take you to our cousins in Denali where we can turn you. After that we can begin planning our revenge."

I smiled and hugged her. "So it's the five of us against the world then. I can live with that as long as I have all of you around me."

"And we will continue to be around for as long as you will need us, Bella. You are my daughter and will support whatever you choose to pursue in life." Esme said with a smile.

I smiled brightly and hugged her again. "Thank you Esme, you really are my mother."

She smiled and kissed the top of my head. "I understand that you do not have the best relationship with your mother, and I will do everything to show you a mother's love."

"It's not like I have a bad relationship with Renee, I do love her, but she is more like a best friend than a mother, because she knows that is what I needed in my life. Rose was right, I have always been independent and confident, even as a child, and it bothered me that Edward controlled me so easily. I was always angry with myself for how I acted, but no more. No man will ever control me again." I said with clear determination.

Esme smiled at that. "We're all proud of you Bella, and we will all make sure what happened to all of us at some point in time will never happen to anyone again."

I only smiled at her. "That is good to hear, and I really want to be a part of that. No one deserves to live under a controlling thumb, whether by a man or a woman, but if it's okay with you all, I want some time to talk to Alice alone."

Again they shared a look with each other. "Of course sweetie, take all the time you need. I can imagine it has been quite some time since you two had the opportunity to talk alone without Edward butting in." Esme said with a soft smile.

I hugged her again and watched as Rosalie, Esme and Victoria made their way out of the backdoor, and I didn't need Alice's psychic powers to know she was still right next to me.

Alice's POV

I kind of had a feeling on what Bella wanted to talk to me about, I had seen most of the conversation in a vision while she talked to Esme.

"So Bella, you wanted to talk?" I asked with a soft smile.

She nodded and smiled at me. "I do, I have to admit something before we go to Denali, and you are the only person I can talk to about this. I really need some advice from my best friend."

I smiled and hugged her. "You can tell me anything Bella, you know that."

She then took a deep breath and let it out slowly before she began. "Before I am turned, I want you to know something that I have wanted to say for a very long time. I have always felt more for you than just friendship, and I just wanted you to know that."

I smiled brightly and hugged her. "Oh Bella, how long I have waited for this vision to come true. I feel so much more for you than friendship too, and I have seen us together since the first time you set foot in Forks High. It was the only vision I have ever been able to hide from Edward, and while it hurt so much to see you withering away at his side, I knew that one day we would be together and that we would be unstoppable together. I think Edward felt it and tried to keep us apart."

Bella smiled and fell into my arms. "What did you see about us Alice?"

"I saw us running through the woods just after you were turned, and I can honestly say that I have never seen a more beautiful woman." I said honestly.

Bella smiled and cuddled into me, like she had done countless times before, but for the first time it held so much more meaning for the both of us. "Do you think I am your mate, Ali?"

I smiled at her. "I think you are, but we will be certain when you are turned and wake up in your new life. Even for me there is a future shrouded in shadows when it comes to us. I really hope you are though, it would make me so happy to call you mine forever, and of course Esme would be over the moon as well. She was equally happy for Jasper and Emmett when they found their mates in Kate and Irina."

"Could you tell me about your cousins? I would like to know some things before I meet them." Bella asked softly.

"Of course I can. There are the three sisters, Tanya, Kate and Irina, who are basically three more Rosalie's in their looks, and Irina could easily be Rose's sister in her behavior, which I guess made it easier for Emmett to pretend being together with Rose. He has been mated to Irina ever since they first found each other. Kate is a bit of a wildcard at times, but that makes her such a good match for Jasper. They balance each other in so many ways. I also have my suspicions that Tanya and Esme are mated, because every time they talk on the phone, the adoration and love in Esme's voice is almost palpable. Finally there are Carmen and Eleazar, basically the mother and father figure of the Coven. Eleazar's gift lets him read other people's gifts, even when they are still human. Carmen is very much like Esme, so you can expect to have a second mother as soon as we arrive. Out of all the men that have wronged us in life, and that includes then men that wronged us before we were turned, I have never met a more selfless man than Eleazar, and I am sure he will turn Carlisle and Edward away after hearing Jasper and Emmett's side of the story. We will be safe there, even if they go to the Volturi."

Bella smiled at that. "We'll make them pay eventually, soon enough we will have nothing but time, although I am curious who is going to turn me."

I smiled at her. "That is entirely up to you Bella, although I will admit that it would be an honor if I could be the one. If we really are mated, it would make us even closer if my venom ran through your veins."

"You're really not sure if we're mated, are you?" She asked softly.

I shook my head and pulled her close. "No I'm not, being mated is different for everyone. Some experience it as love at first sight while for others it takes a while to understand the pull they feel towards each other, and some fight against it until it explodes in passion and lust, like Rose and Victoria are doing now."

She giggled at that. "You think they are mated?"

"I do, they already bicker like a married couple at some points, even though Victoria has only been with us for a couple of days. But it will take them both a while to get to grips with their attraction to each other." I said with a soft smile.

Bella cuddled into me and smiled. "And for us Alice, how do you think it will manifest for us if we are mated?"

I smiled at that. "I think little will change apart from increased affection, since we both admitted our attraction for each other already, so I think we won't notice much of a difference except that we want to be close to each other."

She smiled and cuddled into me. "Then I'm glad I can finally do this without a certain asshole trying to force us apart."

"He did a lot of that, as well as lie to you on a daily basis, and I intend to clear up every falsehood about our kind before you are turned." I said with a soft smile.

Bella smiled and rested her head against my shoulder and wrapped her arms around my waist. "I knew he lied to me a lot, so I'm ready to know the truth."

I smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Then I shall tell you the truth. First of all, we can also survive on human food, and even drink alcohol if we so choose. It just gets broken down the same way as the blood we drink. So one of the first things we are going to do once we're sure you have your thirst under control is go on a nice date, because I know he never did that for you. Secondly, we are not as driven by instincts as he made it out to be. A newborn vampire acts before thinking most of the times, but that adjustment period does not really last long, at least not the year Edward told you, it's a few months at most, but I think you will be fine in a couple of weeks. Thirdly, the Volturi aren't as power hungry as Edward and Carlisle made it seem. Esme, Rose and I have many friends among the Volturi and the Queens are always very indulgent with us, although we still have to abide by the rules. They are for our own survival after all. And lastly, and probably most importantly, not all vampires sparkle like Edward does. It only happens when someone is turned by a vampire that is not yet a thousand years old. Which is why Rose and I were turned by Esme. She is well over 1500 years old."

She smiled at that. "I would never have guessed she was that old, but does that mean they know the truth about me and that Esme has to turn me, since I am pretty sure you are not yet a thousand years old?"

I giggled at that."Esme informed the Queens of her suspicions the first time you slept over, and they gave us their consent to develop our friendship if you would eventually be turned, and they are positively dying to meet you, and as for turning you, because Esme turned me, her venom runs through my veins and when I bite you, the same venom will make sure you won't sparkle." I said with a soft smile.

"I'm glad for that, and I can't wait to meet them too." She murmured as she fell asleep.

I smiled and slowly ran my fingers through her hair, figuring it would be good for her to get some sleep before we left. We still had a few hours after all.

Esme's POV

I kept listening for a while and was over the moon when Bella confessed her feelings for Alice. They both deserved to be happy. I had sent Rosalie and Victoria ahead to Bella's house to collect some essentials for the coming trip, like some of her clothes and bathroom essentials.

I knew it was for just a couple of days, but with what probably was waiting for us in Denali, I wanted to make sure she was feeling as comfortable as possible.

I quickly pulled myself from my musings and followed Rosalie and Victoria to Bella's former home. I knew everything about how appalling had treated his daughter and everything inside of me told me to end him, but I knew I shouldn't, it would raise too many questions before we left and Bella would disappear.

Just before I wanted to jump up to the tree opposite Bella's bedroom window, my phone rang, with the familiar ringtone of Sulpicia. "Hello Sulpicia, to what do I owe this honor."

"Good day my dear Esme. I hope you are well?" Sulpicia asked with a smile in her voice.

"I am Sulpicia, thank you for asking, but you didn't answer my question."

Sulpicia giggled at that. "I'm sorry dear, you know how I get sometimes. I was merely wondering how the progress is with Isabella?"

I smiled at that. "Well, we were planning on moving to Denali tonight, and turning her there, but some things have come to light that might aid your plans further."

"Oh, and what might those things be Esme, and more importantly, why didn't you let me know?" She asked with an almost audible pout.

"They kind of tie in with each other. I believe that Bella and Alice have found each other as mates tonight, and while it is not definitively confirmed, I think they are mated, and I did tell you my suspicions about them having feelings for each other."

I heard Sulpicia sigh happily. "Well, we should know how it feels, shouldn't we? We're all missing you terribly and wish that you were back with us."

I smiled at that, thinking of my Drama Queen mate back in Italy, which was still my best kept secret. "May I remind you that it was your idea to send me here, love. You wanted to keep a discreet eye on Carlisle and check his movements. We'll come to Volterra as soon as we are able, and I will try to bring the Denali sisters with me, I think it is time to reunite Tanya and Heidi."

"You don't have to remind me of that, love, I know what I said. I just wish it would have gone a bit quicker, but I can't fault you for finding another daughter. I also received word from Eleazar that Carlisle and Edward have been in Denali, but that there weren't any others with them, so I do not know what happened to Emmett and Jasper at this moment."

"I've asked them to check on them, but to not let any harm come to themselves or their own mates. So they probably stayed with the Denali's after Carlisle and Edward left. I'll give them a call after our talk." I said with a soft smile.

I could almost see her smile. "Then I will leave you to it, my love. Please call when Isabella wakes up."

"I will love, I will speak to you soon." I said before disconnecting the call.

I heard Rosalie and Victoria running back and felt a bit guilty about not helping them as much as I should have, even though it was not really necessary.

"We got everything of note, Esme. I think we're ready to go." Victoria said with a smile.

I nodded and smiled at them. "Sorry that I didn't help out, there was a phone call I needed to make.

"We heard, and we'll keep quiet for now. But I want to know what the plan is after Bella is turned, because I refuse to just go to Volterra and let that be it." Rosalie said with her usual tone of indifference.

I only smiled at them. "After Bella is turned, Sulpicia has asked us to come to Volterra to present her, and after that everyone is free to do what they want. We will still make them pay for what they did, and after that we shall see what the future holds for us."

The two shared a look. "As long as you are honest to Bella and Alice as well, we are okay with this."

I nodded and smiled at them. "As soon as we get back I will tell them everything, as I intended to do anyway. I just wanted everything to settle first."

Rosalie and Victoria nodded at that before we took off back to the house.

When we arrived back at the house, we could see Alice loading her bags into her car. "Hey sweetie, where's Bella?"

"Still asleep, but I'll wake her up once we are ready to go." Alice said with a smile.

I smiled at her. "I have to tell you all something before we go to Denali."

"I'll go get Bella." Alice said before making her way into the house before I had the chance to stop her.

"It's best to do this indoors, we wouldn't want the puppies to hear this." Victoria said softly.

I nodded and followed them inside, but not before checking the surroundings again, I had the feeling we were being watched.

Hearing or seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I stepped into the living room through the back door, seeing everyone sitting there, and it was clear that Bella had just woken up with the way she was leaning against Alice.

"Did you have a good nap, Bella?" I asked with a smile.

She nodded at me. "I did, thank you. But why did you want to talk to us, is something wrong?"

I smiled at her. "Not really Bella, I just felt I should be honest about everything before we left. I am sure Edward or Carlisle at some point told you about the Volturi, but I just want you to know that any stories about them being power hungry and cruel are lies. They are a big family and try to be fair to everyone, but for people breaking the law, there is no mercy. Those laws were put in place for our survival after all. My mate Sulpicia is one of the Volturi Queens and has asked me to present you in Volterra, like we do with every new family member once it is safe for you to travel. That of course doesn't mean we will be forced to stay there or that our plans for revenge are on hold. Sulpicia has been looking for a valid reason to end Carlisle for years, and she hoped by placing me in this Coven to catch him, but he was too careful. Everything I have ever said to you and have done for you has been genuine and I will continue to do that for as long as you need me to. Sulpicia really wants to meet you and embrace you as a daughter like I have."

Bella smiled at that. "And here we thought you belonged with Tanya. Alice told me a little bit about the Volturi when you left, so I knew that there was more to that story, and I am glad you told me the truth. It means a lot to me."

I smiled at her. "I will always be truthful to you, and as for Tanya, she is actually mated to someone else in Volterra. The history between the Volturi and Denali has been resolved for centuries, and the only reason Carlisle still thinks it isn't is because we let him believe that it wasn't."

She nodded at me. "I understand why. Carlisle and Edward are untrustworthy in everything they do. I noticed that more and more recently."

I smiled and nodded. "Carlisle has always been untrustworthy. He used to stay at the Volturi Castle in Volterra, until he was exiled for openly defying the Queens. He wanted to change our most important law, do not reveal yourself to humans. He thought it would benefit everyone if we would work together with the humans."

"Even I know that is a bad idea. Humans are corrupted creatures by nature and would try to use the vampires in their wars, even unknowingly." Bella said softly.

"Probably, and that is why Carlisle has been on the run for so long, but his time for running is almost over. Soon we will all have our revenge on him, and maybe Sulpicia will join us at some point, it is getting too painful for us both to stay away from each other for so long." I said with a soft smile.

Bella smiled and hugged me. "No matter what happens, we will always be a family, right?"

I only nodded and hugged her tightly. "Of course we will, but I think we should go. I've had the feeling that we are being watched all day. I think the wolves figured out what is happening and want to stop us."

"Then let's go before they figure out they can't stop us. Jacob's obsession with me has gone on for long enough." Bella said softly.

I nodded and kissed her cheek before we made her way to our cars, Alice of course taking Bella in her Porsche, while Rosalie, Victoria and I got into our Mercedes SUV that held our clothes and other useful items.