A/N: I told you you wouldn't have to wait long. I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for their encouraging comments and if I haven't gotten back to you yet, expect a response soon.

"Chapter Twenty-Five"

"Rebirth"

[Edward's POV]

The pain had reached a point of no return. I couldn't believe just how excruciating it was and I didn't understand how I lasted for so long. It was like Victoria had bitten me all over my body this time even though I knew she hadn't even touched me. I could feel the fire at the very tips of my fingers and all the way to the tips of my toes. I tried over and over again to coax some sort of sympathy out of Victoria. Even if she wouldn't help me, I prayed she would end the pain and my life.

I had no such luck. She ignored me but, every now and then when I tried to give up and let unconsciousness overcome me, she would become hopeful. She was just as ready for this to be over as I was. I continued to writhe in pain when I realized that lying still did not help my cause. Victoria only sat back with a grimace.

I had to believe that Bella would be survive and find love again after I was gone but I couldn't help but hope she would find me in time. Once, without really even noticing, I think I called out to her. I must have because Victoria volunteered that we were not close enough for her to hear my plea. I tried to reason with her one last time. I knew that I didn't have much longer. My mind and my questions were weak and feeble and I had to speak gasping for air. My lungs never seemed to be full enough.

I could barely control the words that were spilling from my mouth as I informed her of my failed plan, but at that moment the fire within began burning hotter and my voice failed me. I could feel my heart rate doubling, then racing in its attempt to keep me alive.

Victoria's mind told me what I was beginning to understand. The end was near. I would never see Bella again. I would never hold her in my arms ever again. I'd never kiss her again.

The fire from my limbs pulled inward, closer to the heart I knew wouldn't withstand the burns. If possible, it beat faster as the entirety of the flames melted it from the inside. My breathing began to slow and finally my heart. With the last thump of my heart came one last tear. A tear for Bella.

Along with it came a long hiss of profanities from Victoria's tongue. I didn't understand. I felt no more pain. My heart lay still within my chest and my lungs had stopped working as well. Was the curse of consciousness going to follow me through death? I was shocked as I found I could move again and I opened my eyes to find Victoria standing at the mouth of the cave seething. I was so confused and my mind worked hard to understand what was happening. Everything around me was visible in minute detail. It was as though up until a few minutes ago I had been watching television through static and now I was seeing everything clearly for the first time.

Victoria was searching the ground beneath the cave for something. I took in a deep breath. It felt different, like I didn't really need it but it made me feel more comfortable. With the fresh air came the answer to what Victoria was searching for. The air was pungent like someone had soaked a rag with bleach and tried to gag me with it. The wolves must be somewhere near by.

A loud growl echoed off the sides of the cave. I knew I had guessed right when a brown russet colored wolf appeared in front of Victoria. She was cornered. "Only one?" Victoria had brought herself into a murderous crouch and was slinking her way back into the cave. I can handle this wolf on my own. They should have known better than to send only one. "Do you really think you can beat me by yourself?"

I moved around the corner towards the back of the cave. Her plan was to lure him in, distract him with my body and pounce. Little did she know, my body wasn't where she'd left it. I searched the mind of the wolf following her inside the cave. She'd better hope Edward is still breathing. No surprise that it was Jacob. Only he would be reckless enough to come here on his own. I could hear the other wolves coming to his defense, but they wouldn't make it in time. Jacob, stop! We'll all be there soon enough. Just distract her until we get there! Sam's voice rang loud and clear in Jacob's mind.

I can handle her myself!

Don't be stupid! I said to wait for us, Jake!

Are you going to FORCE me Sam? You know that will make me vulnerable to her.

Jake's inner dialog was affecting his concentration. In Victoria's mind, there were only a few more steps before he discovered my body. I could see in her mind how she planned to kill Jacob, my brother. My vision went red as she pictured Jacob lying on the cold stone floor, his limbs ripped from him just as she knew Laurent's had been ripped from his. Revenge was what she lived for and she had just bestowed upon herself another reason for living. Too bad she hadn't counted on me living through my most recent near death experience.

I eased slowly around the corner. When Jacob spotted me, he froze on the spot, his large wolf eyes growing wide at finding me alive and well. Edward? I nodded and put my finger over my lips to quiet him.

Victoria was gloating. This is working out better than I had pictured. He must see Edward. He's so shocked he can't remember how to move. I stealthily approached her hunched figure. My vision was growing even more red with the anger caused by her thoughts.

My instincts took over and in less than a second I had clamped myself on her back, my teeth digging into the stone flesh of her neck with a loud metallic screech. Her head rolled off her body and I began to dismember the rest of her. Victoria would soon be no more than a pile of ash.

"Don't just stand there gawking. Make yourself useful and go light a fire." I couldn't help but smirk at Jacob as he grinned his wolfish grin and launched himself out of the cave. Within a few minutes I had gathered all that was left of Victoria and carried her down the steep edge of the cliff. Jacob had changed back to his human form and was hunched down stoking a fire with a long wooden stick. If it weren't for the change in his appearance and what I carried in my arms, it would have reminded me of old times when we used to build fires on the reservation.

"It took you long enough. I thought I would have to go grab more wood." He was still grinning but there seemed to be an edge to his voice.

"I wanted to make sure I was thorough and not leave any trace of her behind." I didn't have to listen too hard to find what was bothering him. Wow, Edward has changed so much. There's almost nothing left of his scent that I recognize. Nothing left of it that is human. His eyes are so bright red. Sam was right, I should be careful. So that's what was bothering him. I hadn't gotten a chance to see myself yet, or I might also be a little freaked out.

"It's okay, Jacob. I'm still the same Edward. I mean seriously, I was so close to being a vampire already. Shouldn't you be used to it by now?"

"Yeah, but you're a lot stronger now. A lot more..."

"dangerous, right?... Do you really think I would hurt you Jacob?" I threw Victoria's head into the fire and stepped back quickly as the purple haze began to form. Jake covered his nose. The smell was repulsive to me, but to someone who was repelled by the smell of vampires when they were alive, I could only imagine.

"No, not really, but Sam's warnings had me a little worried." I could see the changes in his body language when he finally decided to let it go. "You just look so freaky..."

I just shrugged and continued to throw the pieces into the fire. I had to get this done quickly and get back to Bella. I knew she would be worried about me even after Alice saw...

The minute the realization hit I panicked and dropped what was left of Victoria into the fire all at once. It was like someone threw a bomb into the flames and I quickly stepped back. "Whoa! What'd you do that for!?"

"Jacob I have to get to Bella. Now!"

"Why, what's the rush?"

"I just don't want her to do anything foolish. Alice can't see me when you're around so she doesn't know I am a Vampire. My heart stopped beating the moment you showed up and that would have been the last thing Alice saw."

It took a moment for him to realize the seriousness of the situation. Then he remembered the conversation he'd shared with Bella when I'd disappeared the first time.

'I know this is my fault. I don't need you to keep reminding me.' Bella's voice was so lifeless. Nothing like the melodic tone I was so used to hearing.

'You don't have to be so calm about it, bloodsucker!'

'Trust me Jacob, I'm anything but calm.'

'Could have fooled me...' He began to walk away, but Bella stopped him.

'Wait.'

He sighed and turned around reluctantly. 'What do you want now?'

'Do you think you could do me a favor?'

'I don't think so. We're busy enough as it is trying to find the one person you claim to love.'

'I don't really think you'll mind this one. You might even like my request.'

'I'm listening, leech.'

'If we aren't able to find Edward. If we're too late. I want you to get rid of me. I can't live in a world where he does not exist.'

Jacob was brought back to reality with an expression that matched my own panic. He raced into the cover of the trees and I began running towards the house. I could hear the inner voice of Jacob as he ran in his wolf form. Edward slow down. You're too fast. I couldn't slow myself, not even if I wanted to. The pull Bella had on me was too strong and I wasn't going to waste another second when her life was in danger. Then the rest of the pack began to speak.

Welcome back Jake, what's going on?

Can't be anything very bad we can see the smoke from here. I saw the picture through Quill's mind as they stared at the purple smoke rising from the distance in front of them.

Edward is worried about Bella. He thinks that the fortune teller may have misinterpreted her vision as Edward dying.

We'll meet you at the river Jake. Edward, I know you can hear us. What did that matter now? and I just wanted to say we're glad to have you back, in whatever form that may be. What a fine time for Sam to become sentimental.

It only took me a few minutes to find a trail that my family had recently taken. I followed their scents back towards the house. I was almost there when Jake started yelling at me.

Edward! Hey, you're going the wrong way. We've found them here! I could see Bella and Alice standing on the edge of the river and I didn't hesitate to turn and head for the wolves. They had barely left the cover of the trees as I met up with them and followed them out into the filtered light from the clouded sky.

Bella had her eyes focused on something but Alice seemed to be watching for me. As soon as she saw me she cleared her throat and caught Bella's attention. Nice to have you back, Brother. The look on Bella's face broke my heart. She was unbelievably grief-stricken and I knew it was because of me. When her empty eyes found Alice and followed her gaze to me it was like someone flipped a switch. She dropped to her knees and fell apart.

I was by her side in less than half a second trying to ease her dry sobs. "Bella, sweetheart, it's okay. I'm okay." I rubbed small circles into her back as I tried my best to console her. It was almost ten minutes before she was resting in my arms. I was rocking her back and forth as my cheek rested on the top of her head, while I sat with her on the grassy earth. To give us some privacy, the wolves had followed Alice back to the house-against her wishes. She did not want them to become involved now that she knew the Volturi would do nothing to our family.

"I can't believe it's really you." She pulled her head out from under my cheek and glanced up into my eyes. She flinched.

I closed my eyes with a grimace. "I know, the eyes are going to take some getting used to."

I felt her hand on the side of my face. "It's not that at all. I was only thinking of how close I came to losing you."

"I'm sorry about that, but she was threatening Charlie, you, and our family if I didn't go alone. I couldn't tell you and I had no time to say goodbye."

"I understand why you did it. Don't dwell on it." She focused her attention on the smoke rising behind us. "I guess I have more to thank the wolves for now. I only wish that they had saved Victoria for me."

I smiled complacently at her. "The wolves didn't kill Victoria."

"You?"

"I caught her by surprise. It wasn't that hard really. My instincts kinda took over." Bella just nodded with a small smile. There was something she wasn't telling me.

"What's wrong Bella?"

"It's nothing really." Her smile drew itself a little wider.

I held her chin and forced her eyes to meet my own. "Please, Bella?"

She hesitated for just a moment longer before she spoke. "It's just difficult to imagine you fighting another Vampire. Just the thought gives me chills. It's a little hard for me to get used to the idea that you're a strong, newborn vampire." She held me closer to her and we spent a few more minutes just holding each other.

"Do you think you're feeling up to going back?" I could hear Aro's mind from here and he wasn't planning on leaving until he'd given me a chance to join his coven. He was indeed ecstatic that I was alive and he was planning on taking full advantage of it. I'd never met someone who was so covetous.

"We have to go back so soon?"

"Unfortunately, yes. The Volturi are waiting for us to arrive and they're becoming impatient. Also, the wolves have been able to keep themselves fairly well hidden and I'd like to keep this from involving them at all costs."

"Why are the Volturi still here? They had no reason for staying when they thought you were dead."

"Aro was curious about what Alice saw. I'm sure you realized how much he wants Alice and now he can't seem to break himself away from her. He's also very curious about me."

Bella took one deep breath, exhaled and together we stood and walked back towards the Volturi. "I was hoping that they would leave before they knew you were still alive."

"No such luck. Besides, it is better this way. If Aro were to finally discover later that I am alive, he would more than likely decide to come back for a visit and I would rather prevent another meeting if possible."

"I guess..."

It didn't take us long at all to find our family. Esme was the first to launch herself at me. "Edward you have no idea how happy we all are that you are okay!"

I embraced her for a few moments and when she'd let go, I braced myself for Emmett's bear like hug. "It's good to have you back, brother!" If I were still human, I'm sure he would have squeezed me in half. I squeezed back. "Whoa, you're a lot stronger than I expected." He let go and I could see a plan forming in his mind. Indeed, we would have to have a wrestling match when this was over.

Jasper and Carlisle stood near each other, close to the family. Carlisle was ready to intervene if necessary. He was worried about my newborn reactions. Jasper was also questioning my actions. He doesn't seem to be acting like a new born. His greatest concern right now should be feeding, but he doesn't even seemed to be bothered by his thirst. At the mention of my thirst, my throat flared and I started to panic. I fought the parched, burning sensation and found my resolve. I knew I would have to hunt soon, but for now there were more important things to worry about. It would have to wait. Jasper felt my panic and had taken a step forward, but stopped when I calmed myself, leaving him just as confused. He shouldn't be able to control his emotions so well after only being fully changed a few hours ago.

"I'm fine Jasper, really. Trust me, I am thirsty. Very much so, in fact, but it can wait."

Carlisle didn't know what to think of that. "Edward how are you able to rein in your thirst so well?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's the early practice I had. This burning of my throat is painful, yes, but nothing compared to the aches and the fire I felt in the rest of my body while with Victoria. It's manageable."

Carlisle nodded, but was unable to say anything due to Aro's excitement. "Edward, my friend!" I was taken aback by his greeting. "Well, I feel as if we are friends." He ran through a long list of memories that I guessed to be Alice's and I understood. "You see, my ability allows me to-"

"Yes, I see."

He was very excited and curious to know just how I saw. "And how, may I ask, is it that you know the extent of my ability?"

"You can read minds, just like me, but there's more to what you do. When you touch someone, you read all of their thoughts. I can only read the thoughts which are occurring at a particular moment in a person's brain."

"So you read my thoughts?" He was becoming excited and turned to face a young woman near the outside of the guard. "That's how you understood what I can do even from a distance?"

"Yes." I wanted this to be over.

"Very interesting." Oh, the ability to read thoughts without the worrisome touch.

Carlisle was beginning to grow impatient. "Aro, I do hope you understand when I tell you that it has been a very long few days for us all and that Edward has only just been changed completely. I'm sure you can understand the strain from having not hunted as of yet?"

The thought of quenching my thirst had my throat blazing again. Jasper noticed and helped me push through it with a wave of calm. Aro noticed my grimace just as Jasper felt my emotions.

"Of course. I understand. I just have a few more questions and we will be on our way." He nodded at the girl again. Now, Chelsea. I didn't understand but when I turned to face the girl she was concentrating very hard on Alice, Bella, and myself.

I launched myself into her mind and discovered her ability. She was trying to break our ties with our family and loved ones in order to tie us to Aro. He would rather not give us any option at all. I squeezed Bella's hand and she looked up at me.

"What's wrong?"

I lightly pressed my cheek to hers and whispered as lightly as I could, "Your shield Bella. Hurry." I could see the confusion on her face as well as the determination.

As soon as I was sure that Bella's shield was protecting us all, I listened to Chelsea's thoughts more carefully. She couldn't reach us and was growing frustrated. We were safe. I turned my attention back to Aro. He was waiting for a sign that Chelsea's influence was working. He watched us carefully as he thought our most recent quiet conversation had something to do with Chelsea's ability. I looked at him confidently. "What was that question you had for us, Aro?"

He was puzzled at my smugness, but had confidence in Chelsea's gift. He looked back towards Carlisle and spoke in what he thought to be a respectful voice. "My dear friend, I hope you do not take this the wrong way, but I would like to extend an invitation to your family. We would be more than happy to have any of you join us." He waved his hand toward his group of vampires who may or may not have been held there against their wills. Marcus, one of the three leaders, was actually the one who was held most strongly. His apathetic expression wasn't due solely to boredom. He was utterly miserable. Chelsea's influence was indeed the only thing keeping him held to this world and to Aro. I wondered what could have caused such a depression.

Carlisle eyed Aro strangely, then remembered what Eleazar had told him of Chelsea. He realized what she was attempting to do. Then he looked, one by one, at each of his family. He feared the thought of any one of them leaving. Then he caught my eye and I grinned, then shifted my head ever so slightly towards Bella. He understood immediately. "Of course." His eyes were glued on Aro's now. "If anyone in my family feels like they would like to join you then I would do nothing to stop them."

This was not what Aro expected, "I'm glad you feel that way and of course we would be more than happy to have you join us once again."

"Thank you for the offer, but I will have to, regrettably, decline."

"Very well." He watched Chelsea as she fought against Bella's shield and decided it was time to ask the rest of us. "Will any of you join our family today? You can hardly imagine the life you would have with us and of course we would find a way for you to keep up with your rather strange eating habits."

It was a unanimous, "No thank you" from all.

It looked as if this was the first time he had ever been turned down by an entire coven before and he was rattled. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts. "If that is what you wish. If any of you should ever change your minds, you know where we can be found. I'm sorry for the inconvenience we have caused and as soon as we find Victoria, we will be on our way."

"That won't be necessary."

"And why is that, my dear Edward?"

"I've already taken care of her."

He was silent for a few moments, but I saw where his thoughts were going. I didn't want to touch Aro; I knew he wanted me to. I decided to interject intercept his thoughts and try to explain verbally.

"She believed I was dying and when my heart finally stopped she lost interest in me. As soon as I realized what had happened, I surprised her from behind. My instincts took over and that was that." He knew that he wouldn't be gaining any of the Cullens today and was growing indifferent.

"I see. Well I can tell that there is no need for us to be here any longer. Thank you for your time and patience." As soon as Aro turned, his three brothers moved with him into the cover of the forest. The guard reformed their double lines and followed swiftly behind them. I breathed a sigh of relief but Carlisle had one last worry.

"Aro?"

He appeared excitedly from the dark forest. Has he changed his mind? "Yes old friend?"

"I just wanted to ask you not to hunt in this area. As you know this is a permanent residence for us."

"Of course." With an unsatisfied frown, he turned, and was gone.

As they left us I searched each mind around me. I could only find true love and victory and Emmett even let out a loud, "Whoop!" We were all going to be fine. We were safe. I turned and gazed upon my beautiful Bella. We communicated so much through through silence. I didn't need to be able to read minds in order to see the warmth in her eyes.

The last person I had expected to greet me next touched my arm. "Edward, may I have a moment alone with you please?" Bella glared daggers towards Rosalie. "I need to speak to him, Bella." It was then when I saw the flash of a memory from only a short while ago.

"It's okay, Bella. Just a few minutes and I'll never leave your side again." She hesitated but eventually let me go. We walked over to the the great cedar trees on the outskirts of the lawn and I leaned up against the paper thin bark. "What's on your mind, Rosalie? You've never seemed to hold much regard for me."

"And I'm sorry for that, Edward. I know I've been quite rude to you, but that's what I wanted to speak to you about." She was quiet for a few moments while she sorted out her thoughts. I could tell that she was remorseful about what she'd said to everyone earlier and that gained my full attention. "I've never really met anyone like you before, Edward. I'm so used to getting everyone's full attention and whenever I see you I am reminded of your blindness towards me since we first met. Bella was the first and only one of us you really saw. How could a mere human not notice me?" I started to interrupt her. How could she be so arrogant and spiteful. Could she not look past her own vanity to see how much I cared for her sister? She spoke quickly and tried to explain. "I know that must sound very selfish of me and I'm sorry. I know now how wrong it is for me to feel the way I do, but I can't help but to hold on to that feeling."

"But why should you have felt that way at all? You have Emmett and he loves you so much. Anyone around could see that! Do you not share that love for him?"

"Of course I do!" Anger flashed across her face before she quickly hid it from view. "Let me explain before you start making accusations and assumptions." I held my tongue and waited with narrow eyes. Emmett was my brother now. I would hate to see him hurt because of this jealous creature. "Before everything...started to change you had the things I wanted more than anything else in the world. You had life, options, and more importantly, you had humanity. What I wouldn't give to be human with my Em." A slight smile lit up her features and in that moment I saw the picture of her and Emmett, human and growing old together, having children, and watching them age and giving birth to their grandchildren. "I will never be able to experience such things, but you could have."

"I don't want those things."

"Not yet you don't and I know it's not your fault. You weren't given enough time to even ponder the possibilities."

"Not even that, Rosalie. Even if I'd had the time to think about my options, I would have picked Bella. I could not... can not picture a life at all with out her. Would you pick humanity, even if you knew you could not take Emmett with you? Would you pick the life you dream of even if, to do so, you would have to find another to share it with?" She shook her head as if to dispel the horrible future of a life without Emmett. I waited for her to look at me once more before I spoke. "I love Bella. I will always love her, Rosalie. I may not be able to give her the children she may want, but I will do my damnedest to give her everything else she can possibly desire. I just hope that one day you can see that Emmett is trying to do the same for you."

I hadn't meant to shame or humiliate her so I started backtracking. I had no intention to make her feel this badly. "No, it's okay. I deserved that. You're right. And I really am happy that Bella found you. That you found each other." She glanced back over to her and I could see Bella staring our way. "I've never seen her this happy you know." Her thoughts shifted. First to Bella before we'd met. She looked so lonely and...dissatisfied. As if she were only partially there.

Then Rose began to think of Bella right after we'd met. She was so happy. Always smiling. Something Rosalie had never seen in Bella before. It was a rare sight to find something that made Bella smile.

But then she remembered what Bella was like after I was taken for the first time. Bella looked as if someone had taken her life away, but left her to live within a shell. It was a hard thing to watch. I can recall the feeling myself. I felt the same way when I was being held captive by Victoria.

"But I've never seen her as sad as when she thought she'd lost you. If you ever hurt her, Edward..."

"No worries there, Rosalie. I remember what life was like with out Bella and I would never do anything to keep her away from me or hurt her."

She smiled. "Good. As long as that is common knowledge we should be fine. Why don't we head back? I've had enough of these glum conversations for a while, haven't you?"

"Definitely." My friendship with Rose may not be strong, but at least we had an understanding.

We were just starting back when a noise behind us in the forest made us stop and turn around. I tensed for only a moment before I heard Jake's familiar thoughts. "It's okay, Rose. It's just Jacob."

I heard Rose grumble as she walked away, "Stupid dogs..." I couldn't help but smile.

"Just Jacob? Is that all I am now?" He walked into the meadow with a big grin plastered on his face. "I thought we were like brothers?" His grin shifted a little and he shivered as he got closer. I don't think I'll ever get used to those eyes...

"You'll always be a brother to me, Jake, but are you sure you'll be able to hang around me? Apparently I'm a bit revolting, huh?"

"Well, I can't argue with you there. There's no denying what a freak you turned yourself into."

"Shouldn't change the way you see me too much. I always figured you had me pinned as a freak anyway, right?"

"Being weird is one thing, but you've passed that line a long time ago." We both laughed.

"I don't know, Jake. I think the tables might a have turned in my favor a bit here. I may have changed a lot over these last few months but at least I don't turn into a mutant wolf."

"Aww, come on! You know that's cool!"

"You wish."

"Yeah, well at least I don't have to drink blood." I knew he only said it to continue our play, but the mention of blood had my throat blazing again and the sound of his heartbeat only spurred it on.

Jasper was by my side within moments. "Jacob, I think it would be best if you left for a while."

"Why, what'd I say?"

"Just go for a few hours. Edward hasn't fed since he's been turned and it would be safer for everyone if we got that out of the way now."

Jake couldn't hide his grimace. "Oh...okay. Well I've got some news for him so I'll be back in a while."

"Just go Jacob." Jasper was on the verge of having to hold me back. It felt like someone had a fire poker shoved down my throat and I was losing my control. Calmness eased over me and with it I was able to gain some sway over myself. "Let's go back."

I nodded and walked towards the house where everyone was gathered. Bella met me at the steps. "Come on, Edward. You'll feel better as soon as you feed." She grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction of the river. I didn't hesitate to follow. I would do anything to quench this thirst.

A/N: Hmmm... I wonder what news Jake wanted to deliver? So what did you think? Don't forget to let me know. Chapter twenty-six is on the way. I'm about a quarter of the way through it, but I keep going back and changing things. I want it to be perfect for you peeps, but fret not. It'll be up soon enough.