[BamaFan121s]

We managed to arrive back at the white house even faster than I would have thought possible. After I was met outside by a very relieved Edward, I returned inside where I found Jasper already en task again helping to nail down some final details. Carlisle and Alice had managed to catch Sam at Billy's house. With some convincing from Billy and Sue, Charlie had agreed to the idea of traveling to visit Renee and take in a baseball game, not understanding the apparent urgency behind the sudden trip, but not questioning it either. Leah and Set would be traveling with them.

Edward and Rosalie had been in touch with Tanya. Sam, Quil and Embry would be running to meet them with Renesmee. Together, they and the Denali coven would be protecting her. Paul, Jared, Colin and Brady would be staying back to guard the reservation in La Push and to protect Forks.

As expected, Esme had been able to get a rough set of plans from Amun mapping a very complex set of tunnels that lie under the city. As Jasper had suspected, there were several connecting points outside of the city walls that would lead us into the heart of the Volturi's underground establishment. He pondered which route would be the most inconspicuous and finally decided upon two options. Jasper poured over the plans for a long time, his frown steadily increasing. Finally, he shook his head. "I don't like it," he stated simply. "It seems too obvious."

Carlisle stood at the dining room table. He reached out and traced one of the passages with his finger. "In all the years I spent with the Volturi, I never knew these passages existed. I can't imagine they would ever suspect that we would have discovered this."

"Maybe," Jasper mused. "But still, I would feel more confident with our chances if there were some way to distract them...draw their attention to the city...but I don't see how that would be possible without dividing ourselves..." All the while, Alice stood silently by his side, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

I left Jasper as he pondered our options and went to the kitchen. Rosalie was gathering a few pans in the kitchen. I walked forward and silently began assisting her. She judged my actions, gave me an understanding nod and left me to prepare Renesmee's dinner on my own. I worked in silence, preparing her what I knew were her favorites - Grandma Swan's stroganoff and chocolate pudding. I sat with her while she ate, determined to spend every possible second with her between now and the time when she would be taken to meet Sam.

After her dinner, I sat with her in the living room and looked back through a collection of some family photos. Too soon, it was time to leave for the clearing where we would be meeting the pack. Once again, Alice's small, purse was strapped to Renesmee's back - enclosed in it everything that Seth and Leah would need to safely depart with Charlie, Billy and Sue.

"So," Edward said, looking around at the rest of the family, "I guess it's time for us to meet up with Sam and the others."

I'd dreaded this moment, knowing the words would be hurtful when spoken, but I really saw no alternative. "No, not us...me. Just me." I knew before I'd spoken the words that he would object, but my mind was set.

"No, absolutely not."

"It has to be me, Edward. I'm the only one that Demetri can't track. You've said that yourself from the beginning."

He stared back at me with despair in his eyes. "No. Demetri won't stand a chance against all of us."

"If Demetri is here alone. Did it ever occur to you that maybe Demetri didn't travel here by himself?"

"Then that's all the more reason that you shouldn't go by yourself!"

I stepped forward and took his face in my hands, forcing him to meet my gaze. "Even if Demetri isn't here working alone, he'd still have to be the one to find me."

I saw the pain in his eyes as he tried to ignore the logic behind my argument. "Bella, please. It doesn't have to be this way."

I put my finger to his lips. "Yes, it does. Edward, you know I trust you with my life and so much more than that. All I ask is that you trust me on this."

His argument was waning and the desperate, pleading look in his eyes told me that he was well aware of it. "You cannot keep sacrificing yourself like this..."

I forced a smile and shook my head slightly and reached up to smooth the worried lines on his forehead. "I don't intend to." I stretched up onto my tiptoes and allowed my lips to crush into his for a long second and then pulled back, taking a slow, measured step towards the door.

"No, Bella...."

"This is the way it has to be, Edward. You have to trust me." I stole a quick glance at Jasper, and then peered back at Edward. His posture seemed to relax, but only marginally. The pained look on his face tore at my chest. I forced my eyes from his and turned to Rosalie who stood waiting by the door with Renesmee in her arms. She helped her onto my back. I felt her arms grasp tightly around my neck. I paused and took a deep breathe and fought the urge to turn around for fear that my own resolve would crumble.

Determined, I forced my feet to move under me. Within seconds, I was flying though the thick trees towards the clearing with Renesmee clinging to my back. As I ran, my ears heard every cricket, every creature that stirred around me. My eyes constantly scanned the surrounding woods. After several long minutes, the trees began to thin. I slowed my pace to a brisk walk as I cautiously approached the clearing. I reached the edge of the trees and carefully helped Renesmee off my back. Taking her hand in mine, I cautiously stepped forward into the opening.

I scanned the outlying circle of trees, looking for any signs of danger as I awaited the arrival of the pack. Realizing that we were alone, I squeezed Renesmee's hand and lowered myself to kneel on one knee, bringing my face level with hers. She reached up and placed her hand on my cheek, showing me again the last image of Jacob she had - one that would haunt me forever. His lifeless body looked so broken. "Yes, sweetheart. We are all going to try very hard to bring Jacob back."

Tears welled in her eyes, matching the uncomfortable prickling that I felt in my own. "You have to promise me that you will do whatever Sam tells you. Can you be brave for me?"

She nodded her head solemnly and leaned forward hugging me tightly around my neck. I brought my hand up and stroked her hair as I held her comfortingly for a long moment. I inhaled deeply, breathing in her scent as much as possible.