A/N: to avoid any confusion the start of this chapter is a flashback, Bella's section below brings us back to the present...

He bent down, his mouth firmly on her neck, the blood he'd so long desired pulsing in to him, he had finally tasted her.

"Edward you need to stop, you need to stop now," Carlisle had crouched on his haunches next to his son, the son who he knew shouldn't be strong enough for this task, the son who still had human blood in his system, who so strongly desired the woman whose life was rapidly draining away beneath him.

"You can stop Edward, I know you can" Alice spoke to him with her mind, knowing he was attuned to her, even now when his attention couldn't be more focused elsewhere.

With a grunt he pulled back, reluctantly allowed his teeth to rip from her skin. As soon as he did so Carlisle applied pressure to the wound although now it barely bled, sealed as it was by the venom.

"It may speed the process if we insert venom elsewhere, pulse points, the places where it will be easily distributed around her body."

Edward nodded, his eyes wide, already turning scarlet with Bella's blood. He was unable to hide the fear behind them.

"I'll do it Edward, I can stop," Carlisle reassured him.

"No," he snapped, his eyes refocusing, his jaw set, "it needs to be me. I have to…"

"I don't know son, you want her too much."

"He can do it Carlisle, I've seen him do it," Alice spoke over her shoulder, her concentration though lay elsewhere. She, with the rest of the family, were facing down encroaching vampires, not only the Volturi but friends, those who would stand by them, who would protect Bella. Until the scent of her freshly spilt blood filled their senses.

As soon as Edward had bitten in to her flesh the bloodthirsty throngs around her had snapped to attention. And while the Volturi guard hadn't hesitated in moving forward, eager to taste the blood that had caused this very confrontation the Cullen's friends had hesitated, tried to resist, tried to stay faithful to Carlisle, to their vow to keep Bella Swan safe.

But a vampire's self control was limited. Even the Cullens themselves struggled, even after so much exposure to Bella's scent. But self preservation ensured their control.

Emmett recovered quickly, released from Jane's attentions as soon as they were alerted to the flow of fresh human blood. He was on his feet and shoulder to shoulder with Jasper, Rosalie pushed behind his large frame, as though in protection.

"Move it giant ass," she complained, shoving him aside and forcing her tall willowy figure in to the united front that stood before the danger, defending the new member of their family, their brother's destiny.

Encircling Edward and Carlisle as they tended to Bella, Edward now efficiently biting in to the thin, pale flesh at her ankles and wrists under his father's instruction, the family faced off first the Volturi guard, Alice knocking back Felix easily, her abilities allowing her to foresee his every move, to ably defend herself from him, to make space for Jasper to hold him back, the Cullens each using their own self control, trying not to kill, despite knowing that they easily could, despite wanting to.

While Alice and Jasper dealt with Felix, Emmett faced Demetri, wrestling him to the ground and holding him there, screeching and struggling but unable to match Emmett's sheer strength. He watched, almost amused as his wife darted from side to side, keeping Jane and Alec at bay, their abilities forgotten in their frenzy, all smug control long lost as they frantically attempted to get around Rosalie's graceful dancing steps.

Behind them, her back to the threat of the Volturi, Esme stood, her hands raised in supplication.

"Please," she begged their friends, "please remember your promises, please remember that we are here to stop the bloodshed, please leave her be."

At her words several of their guests fled, forcing themselves to leave at speed, dashing away from the scent of Bella's blood, sensitive to keeping Carlisle and his family on side. The Egyptians, Amun and Kebi were the first to leave, Siobhan leading her Irish brothers and sisters away soon after. Benjamin remained, at first watching before following the lead of the three beautiful Denali sisters, joining the circle that surrounded Bella.

"Stop," a voice boomed, a surprise – it was a voice more usually heard soothing, negotiating, keeping the peace, speaking in low tones. Carlisle stood, reassured that Bella was now in safe hands with his son, though in excruciating pain, her veins burning beneath her skin as she writhed soundlessly under Edward who used his entire body to cover her, to hold her still and protect her from harm.

"We came here to show you that Isabella Swan is no threat to our secret," he addressed Aro directly, "you cannot now claim that she poses any whatsoever."

"Dear ones," Aro's voice was quiet yet effective, calling his coven to an immediate halt, despite the protestations of Caius, who complained loudly about the waste of blood.

"Carlisle is, of course, right," Aro announced, although he was very obviously reluctant to agree, "our work here is done. Unless…"

He looked again towards Edward, still lying across Bella in the trampled grass and then Alice, thoughtfully, "with the change in circumstances I wonder if Alice and Edward wish to reconsider my offer."

"No," Edward growled, his face betraying his desire to rip Aro in to a million tiny pieces.

"I would of course be willing to invite Isabella in to our coven too, I believe in the right environment she may blossom in to something quite stunning," Aro negotiated, ignoring the throaty growls ripping from Edward.

"I think that is probably Bella's decision to make," Alice replied softly, "I'll be sure that your offer reaches her when she's, uh, less indisposed."

"Ensure that you do," Aro warned, looking from Alice to Carlisle and to the members of the Cullen family holding his coven hostage, "I'm very glad of course that we've been able to solve this problem amicably."

Edward snorted, "you call this amicable? You think taking away a young woman's life something to be glad of?"

"Isn't this just what most human beings dream of Edward? I feel quite sure that the prospect of eternal life will far outweigh the prospect of a dismal last few years in your young lady's eyes."

"Eternal damnation," Edward scoffed, "all so you could prove a point."

"Carlisle," Aro reached out a hand to stop Caius who was striding towards the assembled vampires, his teeth bared, "I suggest you remind your son that it's important to respect one's elders."

"Emotion Aro, I'm sure Edward will regret his words as soon as Bella is back with us."

"Not likely," Edward muttered, stopping short under Esme's warning glare.

"If there's nothing else I really would like to take Bella back home, where we can make her a little more comfortable," Carlisle was all business, ignoring the fact that behind him, away from his conversation with the Volturi's leader, other vampires - the Romanians and a handful of nomads – still waited, crouching, bloodthirsty and eager.

"We will be keeping a very close eye on you," Caius warned, ignoring the desire to save face that kept Aro from showing his own anger, "you're aware that we frown upon large covens."

"We are aware of that, yes," Carlisle sighed, "painfully so. It was wonderful to see you all again, but now I must…" he indicated to the spot where Bella lay, now almost entirely still, only her head moving from side to side.

And then, with no further comment the Volturi were gone, gathered up from their various keepers and swept back in to the forest, becoming one with the shadows as they disappeared in that same V formation that they had arrived in.

Edward stood, his body still forming a barrier between Bella and the rest of the world.

"Please Carlisle," he whispered, "we need to move her, she shouldn't be here."

Carlisle nodded, "take her. Now."

Without hesitation Edward lifted Bella from the ground, her limp form as light as a feather to him, easily cradled in his arms. Vladimir darted for him, seeing an opportunity to grab Bella away from the Cullens, vultures preying on the lion's leftovers.

But no sooner did Vladimir move, his long legs stretching towards Edward effortlessly, as if he could cover the distance in one step, than an almighty roar sounded, followed by a ripping and cracking. The earth opened up before him, his feet slipping against the now dusty ground which surrounded the cavern.

"Ce-i asta?" he screamed angrily, desperately trying to find purchase as his feet lost grip on the parted land, "ceea ce ai făcut?"

Edward was now gone, flitting through the forest with his precious cargo, far away from the spot where now only the vegetarian vampires and Benjamin remained with Vladimir and Stefan.

"Hold on brother," Stefan shouted, running to assist Vladimir, his speed belying his ancient appearance. He threw himself on the ground and reached out a hand grasping on to Vladimir who had almost disappeared in to the bottomless cavern, holding on only with the very tips of his fingers.

"Won't you help him?" Stefan screamed, even his vampiric strength not enough to fight gravity.

Carlisle stepped forward, easily leaping the cavern, a cavern they all knew had been created by Benjamin and his awesome power.

He crouched alongside Stefan and extended his own hands to Vladimir, grasping the brittle, bony wrist of the Romanian. Together they heaved Vladimir back to the surface.

He quickly righted himself, dusting off the expensive suit that he wore, now covered in wet mud and dusty earth. Both he and Stefan simply offered Carlisle and Esme curt nods before turning on their heels and leaving, seeing no further reason to stay. There had been neither a fight against the Volturi nor blood to be taken.

With that last departure the assembled vampires finally breathed, their bodies once again relaxed, their expressions less tense.

"We did it," Esme breathed. Emmett answered her with a whoop and an air punch.

"It might be a tad soon to be celebrating bro," Jasper pointed out, "what about Bella?"

"She'll be fine. I know she will," Alice reassured, nodding eagerly.

"If short stuff here says it's gonna be fine, I'll buy it," Emmett grinned, leaning down to ruffle his sister's short black hair.

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

"The Denalis and Benjamin left soon afterwards, Benjamin was concerned about Tia, she'd left with Amun. We came home and, well here we are," Alice finished her story with an anticlimactic shrug.

"God," I sighed, "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"It isn't you who should be sorry," Edward sighed, "this was all down to me, I was so stupid."

"Nobody's arguing with you there dude," Emmett chuckled, as usual completely breaking any semblance of seriousness.

"I'm not going to listen to you blame yourself again," I scolded, "once more and I'll take you down, old school."

Edward held his hands up in mock surrender, "ok, ok! I'll quit it!"

"Good," I leant against him, pulling his arm around me, "and I'm happy this happened. You're stuck with me now you know?"

"Do you see me arguing?" he smiled, "I don't like how we got here, but I'm glad we made it."

"Oh gross guys," Rosalie mimed sticking her fingers down her throat, "I really hope you get over this phase pretty damn quick."

"Oh leave them alone, it's lovely," Esme was beaming, wrapped in Carlisle's arms.

I looked around me at the Cullen family – my family and knew that I could never regret the choices that had brought me here. I knew it would take a long time for me to have control over my desire for blood, although Carlisle was shocked at how 'civilized', his choice of word, I already appeared. I knew it would take even longer for Edward to forgive himself for everything that had passed but I vowed that one day he would be able to look at me without feeling guilt or remorse.

"Can we go run again?" I asked, throwing him a grin, desperate to be alone with him, desperate to feel the wind in my hair, my limbs moving.

"Sure," he shrugged, leaping up beside me.

"Want some company?" Emmett asked, beginning to rise from his spot between his sisters.

"I don't think they do actually Em," Alice rolled her eyes and pulled him back down to the grass, "enjoy yourselves," she shot at us with the most unsubtle of winks.

"What?" Emmett asked moodily, glaring at Alice who returned a pointed look, "oh…oh. Have fun guys!"

His voice was already a distant sound as Edward and I once again tore through the forest, me testing out the new limitations – or lack thereof – of my body while he followed a well trodden route, one he clearly knew by heart.

He slowed suddenly, grabbing my wrist as I tripped my way across a gurgling stream, "this way, there's something I want to show you."

At a more leisurely pace we threaded our bodies through the trees, our fingers laced together, until eventually Edward stopped.

Before us, laid out like a beautiful carpet, like something straight from a fairytale was the most perfect clearing. Surrounded by dense trees the space was entirely clear, only lush green grass dotted with pretty wild flowers.

I gasped, "it's so beautiful, how did you find it?"

"I've had a lot of time on my hands."

He led me forward until we reached the centre of the clearing, "I just wanted you to see it, I don't know why."

"I'm glad you did," I stood on my tiptoes and leaned up to kiss him, "I'm glad I'm here with you."

"I love you Bella Swan," he murmured, returning my kisses, "I'm glad too, I'm glad I get to keep you."

I smirked in to his mouth, pulling back to say "no escape sweetheart."

With that he lifted me off of my feet, pulling me up to his height, his arms encircling me with a strength I knew he'd been unable to show me before.

We kissed then, really kissed. Our tongues found each other, our teeth clashed and lips ground in to lips. I plunged my hands in to that mass of hair, pulling and grabbing at it, yanking Edward's head backwards to give me better access to his mouth, wrapping my legs against his waist.

He groaned loudly, reacting to the new friction I was creating between us, my centre rubbing against him eagerly. With that sound I couldn't take it any longer, after so many years of waiting, of wanting him and only him, I needed to feel him inside me, I needed us to love each other in the most primal, instinctive way.

I pushed him away and he arched one perfect eyebrow, challenging me.

"Like this? Here?"

"There's plenty of time for perfection Edward," I grumbled knowing that this time, now, it was need, pure and simple.

He rolled his eyes at me, "always so impatient Bella."

"Oh. Well, if you'd rather not," I made as if to walk away.

"Don't even think about it," he growled, snatching me back towards him, pulling me down in to the grass.

He covered his body with mine, raised on all fours, not touching. My breath came quickly, the mere proximity of him sending me in to raptures, just as it had in my human life. I was grateful nothing had changed there.

He reached up to push a strand of hair out of my face, leaning down to kiss me at the same time.

And as soon as our lips touched tenderness was forgotten. I pushed down on his backside, forcing his hardness right in to me, shamelessly writhing against him as I whimpered, begging him with my body.

He palmed at a breast, feeling my nipples harden beneath the flimsy material of my top before pushing it up, over my head and casting it aside, his own shirt not far behind it.

We traced the contours of each others chests with exploratory fingers, flicking fingertips over nipples, adding tongues and lips, each gasping and sighing in response to the sensations we created in each other.

I reached down, fumbling with the fly of his jeans, eventually pushing them down, along with his underwear. He followed my lead, lifting my hips beneath him to remove my remaining clothes until we were completely naked, outside in a beautiful woodland clearing, knowing that, just for now, we were the only two people in the world.

Without ceremony I pulled Edward down on to me, letting him push inside with a moan.

"Oh god," he muttered, looking up at me questioningly. I knew he was concerned, worried about hurting me.

I smiled and nudged at his buttocks with my heels, spurring him on.

With that he began moving inside me, his hard length fitting me perfectly, smoothly moving against my wetness, sending confused, lust filled messages to my brain, to every nerve ending.

I moved with him, slowly, letting myself feel every stroke, every inch, hear every gasp.

Eventually we both sped up, bucking frantically against each other. He reached down to find the sensitive bundle of nerves that he knew would tip me over the edge, pressing and stroking until I came completely undone there in his arms, calling his name over and over again, throwing my head back and arching in to him.

As I did so he followed me over the precipice, repeating my own name like a mantra, worshipping me with his body, holding me to him, his flesh, once so cold, now warm against mine, soft at the same time as being granite hard. He shuddered a last time, before collapsing in to the grass, pulling me on to him.

I don't know how long we lay there, tangled in one another, feeling no cold on our impervious bodies, unashamed by our complete nakedness, knowing that nobody could see us, that we were alone. We talked about our future, the places we would see, the things we would do. We wondered where our new life would take us, who we might meet and what we might learn.

For the first time the past couldn't touch us, the past didn't matter. We knew that there were things to do, that I couldn't just disappear from my old life without explanation but all that was for another day.

Now we lay in the grass of a perfect forest clearing, watching as the sun dropped slowly behind the trees, waiting for our future to find us.

A/N: So there you have it. I'd love to hear what you think, whether this ending was a satisfactory one for you or whether you wanted more from it! Either way it's been so lovely reading all of your reviews. I started this story way back in February I think and it's been with me through some pretty mad months.

Please have a look at my other story, Being Good. It's totally different to this, an AH/AU number with swears and limone.

Thank you so much for sticking with me, EQ x