Note: I am very sorry for the prolonged update! I've had literally no time to myself let alone writing, life has been pretty busy. P.s the setting and Bella's character in this chapter may make some readers a little uncomfortable but its rated M so I can dabble into such realms. This fanfic was written with older readers in mind.

Chapter 26

Should she stay and wait for her new visitors, or should she make a run for it, Bella questioned. Quickly acknowledging that if they were indeed here for her, then it would be far from a quiet affair, Bella opted to take the potential meeting somewhere less public. She didn't need the Volturi after her as well.

The drop from the hotel balcony would have frightened her human self but now she found it exhilarating. How long had it been since she'd experience a chase? Landing gracefully, she could sense that she had their attention. Glancing briefly over her shoulder Bella's gaze momentarily made contact with the taller figure's eyes. There was something familiar about his signature.

A smile threatened to spill across her face as she picked up her pace, nimbly manoeuvring around the buildings and cars. If it was who she thought it was, then she was definitely in for a busy night.

With the wind brushing against her pale face, Bella stilled. That scent.

With renewed vigour, she swiftly changed her destination, whoever was after was now alone and it seemed that he was rather keen to meet her. It was times like this that made her almost miss her time spent as a Volturi guard. Almost.

Locating an abandoned building, she made her way up to the upper level. What used to be an abattoir was now mostly derelict bar the meat hooks that dangled from the ceiling. Bella could appreciate her choice in setting and Caius's love of theatrics. Although the building hadn't been used for quite some time, the smell of rotting meat permeated the air. The windows caked in layers of grime and dust restricting any means of fresh airflow.

With only the dim glow of the moon spilling through the gaps between the loose roof tiles, Bella found herself very pleased with her choice. Balancing atop a railing that overlooked the ground floor, she waited for her guest to arrive.

The ascent of the roller shutter door caught her attention. She watched as a figure became swamped in moonlight. He was of a strong build and his scent was just as she remembered. A smile crept across her face as she crouched down on the railing, balancing carefully she watched on as he entered. He let the shutter fall close behind him, the sudden impact with the ground disturbed the meat hooks, causing them to swing somewhat.

"Do you intend on killing me Bella?"

She laughed in response.

"Is that why you've drawn me out to a slaughterhouse?" he questioned, smugness starting to seep into his voice.

"You know I don't like to just kill my prey."

He chuckled. "Oh I've missed you my dear Bella."

"Is that so?" she countered, finally joining him on the ground floor with a graceful jump.

She stood at the opposite end of the hall from him, many metres apart. Cocking her head to the side, she smiled as their gazes locked. Neither spoke for the first few minutes as they took their time assessing each other.

With his attention on her rather than her actions, Bella took the opportunity to launch herself at him, throwing all her bodyweight into the move. She narrowly missed as he caught on seconds before she was to collide with his body.

Hauling himself off the ground, he dusted his jacket sleeves.

"You know it's rude to attack others without introductions" he chided playfully.

"I didn't think we needed introductions" she said through clenched teeth. For Bella the time for such games was over.

Holding his hands up in mock surrender, he began to take small steps back.

"Here I was thinking you didn't intend on killing me tonight."

She stalked a few steps forward. "Oh I don't intend on killing tonight, but I never said anything about maiming" she threatened.

"What? And ruin this perfect face?" he managed before dodging another of her attacks.

"Bella, Bella, Bella is someone getting a little rusty?"

In retaliation she threw a weakened form of Jane's power at him. Although it would be enough to cause an average creature significant pain, the man in front of her showed no traces of her attack bar flinching upon its impact and his clenched fists.

"I hope you're holding back and that's not all that you have got" he taunted as he recovered.

"Are you asking for a death wish?"

Pulling himself together, it was his turn to smile as he considered the angry vampire before him. Raking a hand through his dishevelled hair, he replied, "and what if I am?"

Frustrated with the man, Bella summed up all her strength and launched herself at him once more, this time making contact with his side.

A loud thud resonated through the abattoir, the force of the fall once again disrupting the dangling hooks, causing them to clang.

Tumbling around on the floor Bella finally managed to pin the man down, taking both of his arms hostage by locking onto them firmly with her hands. Breathing heavily she looked down at the man below her. She smiled smugly.

"Still think I'm rusty?" she challenged.

"If I say yes will you stay on top of me?" he replied, mimicking her smug smile.

A loud noise resonated through the air as Bella's hand made contact with his cheek.

"After all this time apart and that's what you have to say me?!"

Hauling herself off him, she began to dust herself off.

He laughs once the initial surprise of being slapped wears off. Standing up, he approaches her with open arms.

"Bella you know I am not the type to whisper sweet nothings of grovel for forgiveness."

She stops fussing with her clothes and considers his words. He'd been gone for so long, she muses. Atleast he returned, her brain counters. As if tired of her internal monologue, she surprises both of them and steps into his arms, nestling her face into his chest. If only for a moment does she drop her cold, hard exterior and embraces what he has to offer. For now she's no killer, there's no revenge to be had. For now it's just her and him.

Drawing away slightly he glances down as something catches on his shirt button. Moving to remove the object, he stills as he recognises what it is that has caught on his shirt.

"You kept it?" he questions, gesturing at ring she now wears around her neck.

Her only reply is to nod and turn away in embarrassment for holding on to such emotional ties.

Tilting her head up with his finger under her chin, he smiles down at her before kissing her forehead.

"I hope that means I'm forgiven?" he asks.

"There is nothing to forgive Demitri."

Note: so I felt like Bella could do with a break for once, after all she's a strong, independent badass 95% of the time. A few hugs here and there keep her from going completely stir crazy like Jane. Besides she had her reunion in a abattoir of all places (that wasn't planned btw, it just sort of happened :S), even Demitri found that a bit amusing. P.s don't worry, Bella isn't about to revert back to her damsel in distress ways. Please review! No flames though. Thanks!