[BamaFan121s]

"Thank...you..." I replied, caught a bit off guard. I tilted my head questioningly as I appraised her casual posture. Understanding washed over me as I held her meaningful gaze. "You're welcome," I returned, so quietly that only she would hear. One brief nod of her head was the only indication I had that we had reached a mutual understanding with our brief exchange.

We were both rescued from the uncomfortable silence as Sam, still in wolf form strode forward to join us. He looked up meaningfully at Leah, then to me as she spoke for him. "He wanted to make sure that everything is in order."

"Yes," I said, taking the bag from Renesmee and handing it to Leah. "You'll find the game vouchers and plane tickets in here. And some false documents and cash...just in case something goes wrong." She nodded and placed the small bag around her own shoulders. "You'll keep them safe?" I asked painfully picturing Charlie in my mind. Leah nodded, and I knew that she would keep her word if it killed her.

Next, I turned my attention to Sam. "The Denali clan is expecting your arrival." I gave Renesmee one last hug before she climbed easily onto Sam's back. "I know that you will do whatever it takes to keep her safe." He replied with a steady growl that resonated from deep within his chest.

Leah answered for Sam. "And we know that you will do the same for Jacob." And they were right. I was willing to risk my life to try to bring Jacob back, as was my entire family. And I didn't plan on failing.

We didn't linger any longer, wasting time on bittersweet farewells. Over the past few months, we'd all seen more than our fair share of those. After a while, they take their toll on you and you don't have the strength left for them anymore. I stood stoically in the field as Seth and Leah set off in the direction of the reservation and as the other four wolves set off in the direction that would lead them to Denali. At that moment, I swore to myself that this would be the last time I would ever have to watch my daughter ride off on the back of a wolf, praying that no matter what happened to me, she would somehow be safe. I vowed to myself that no matter what, this would be the last time.

I stood in the clearing until I could no longer hear the footfalls of the Quiluetes. Their lingering scent began to float off with the light breeze. Then, I turned and ran back towards the Cullen house. The events that had transpired in the field triggered a renewed sense of determination in me. As my feet flew over the mossy forest ground, I ran feeling as if a weight had already been lifted. Our plan - or at least this part of our plan - would not fail. I was not foolish enough to forget the treacherous journey that still lay ahead, but regardless of the outcome, my human family and my daughter would be safe.

As my feet flew over the mossy forest ground, I thought of the lives that had been disrupted by the quest for dominance by the Volturi. Heidi, Chelsea and Renata had sacrificed themselves in order to protect my family. Jacob was now being held captive deep within the cavernous tunnels of Italy. I did not know what my ultimate fate would be, but I well aware of my mission - this would be the last time the Volturi posed a threat.

I could barely see the light from the house through the trees when I heard the frantic voices of my family, causing me to push my feet even faster. Their conversation floated to me through the trees, disjointed and confusing at first,

"... knew this was a bad idea..."

"...wouldn't have seen it if she hadn't gotten away..."

"...going to look for her..."

"...hold him, Emmett..."

And somewhere, in the midst of the confusion...The Wizard of Oz from somewhere deep inside the house? The closer I got, the less disjointed the conversations became.

"...I'm going for her..."

"...if we stay here, I see her coming back...if we go, I'm not sure...

Finally, as I neared the house, Alice's relieved exclamation, "She's back!"

I had barely stepped foot on the gravel driveway when Edward descended upon me, pulling me to him with crushing force. "Bella!" He gasped in relief as he sunk to his knees, pulling me with him. His whole frame seemed to be shaking. I allowed him to hold me until the vibrations subsided. My quick mind had already processed what had triggered the turmoil while somewhere inside the house, Dorothy had reached the Emerald City.

At last, Edward's grip on me slackened. I leaned around him, searching for Alice. Jasper stood by her side, rubbing calming circles on her back as she held her fingertip to her temples, her eyes locked on me.

Whether because of Jasper's efforts, or because of my return, her rigid posture began to relax. "You didn't see," I surmised, "because of the wolves."

She shook her head, confirming my theory. "Bella, all I saw was Demetri facing you in the field, poised to strike, and then your entire future disappeared..." Her voice cracked as she spoke.

"You thought I was dead." I concluded.

"Until a few moments ago when I saw you returning."

I noticed the pained grimace that crossed Edward's face at my words. Alice leaned into Jasper's chest, her beautiful features twisted in horror and she covered her face in with her hands in a feeble attempt to drive out the remnants of her vision. Behind them on the porch, a visibly shaken Rosalie tried in vain to soothe Esme, as her entire body was wracked by silent sobs.

Watching the reactions of my family only strengthened my resolve - the Volturi must be destroyed.

At last, it was Carlisle who spoke. "Bella...Demetri? Is he...?"

I realized then that they were still in the dark regarding what had taken place. I recounted the events as they had transpired as the flying monkeys descended on the meek Kansas native from inside the house. I didn't bother to censor or downplay anything that had happened and watched as horror crossed their faces. Perhaps the full force of the terror in the field had not yet registered with me...or perhaps I was too determined to achieve my goal to care at this point.

My family remained silent and relieved as I concluded my story. It was Emmett that finally broke the silence. "So, you didn't save even a piece of Demetri for us? Bummer." This earned a growl from Edward, but also set my family in motion again. We still had a mission to accomplish after all, and dwelling on what was already in the past was getting us nowhere.

Together, we returned into the house, where I was briefed on the final plan of action. I tried in earnest to focus on Jasper's explanation, but something was nagging me in the back of my mind. I tried to block out the sound of Dorothy and her friends as they were chased through the witch's castle on the big screen in the living room. Something Jasper had said earlier in the day...about needing a distraction...

The Volturi knew we would come. That was what they were hoping for wasn't it? They expected us to come directly into the city - Chelsea had told us that. Just as Demetri knew he would find me in the field. And he and Gavrill showing up alone was proof that they were overconfident in their plans - that they saw no need for a Plan B. And it had worked before, hadn't it? With the third wife...and that day in the field with Victoria and Riley?

I walked away from Jasper, ignoring his explanation altogether. I heard him trail off, sensing my distraction, but I ignored him. My attention had been captured by the TV in the living room. I cocked my head to the side as I watched Dorothy defeat the Wicked Witch with a simple pail of water. So simple, yet effective...

Suddenly, Alice appeared at my side and gasped. "Of course, Bella! Well, it makes sense now."

"Alice?" Jasper asked wearily, but Alice was nowhere to be seen. He turned to me. "Bella? What's going on?"

I walked back to join him at the table and looked down at the rough set of plans spread out before him. "You were right, Jasper. They will be expecting this," I said, waving my hand at the set of plans. "So why not give them what they are expecting...draw their attention away from the tunnel entrances. We can't just stroll into Volterra - they will definitely be watching for us. So we split up...we enter the city, let them know we're there, but make it difficult to be found."

He and Edward exchanged confused looks. He turned his attention back to me. "Bella, it sounds good, but I don't see how..."

"Easy Jazz. I've already seen how...I just didn't understand it at the time." All eyes turned to Alice, who had reappeared at the bottom of the stairs. In her arms, she held three identical packages, wrapped in black paper and finished off with a bright red bow. Three packages that contained the dark gray robes of the Volturi.