Hello, and welcome to my story!

This is my first time doing Twilight fanfiction, but I am an old hat to the fanficition world. Please enjoy! And I happily invite both good and bad reviews - it's the way of the world, you know?

Fully Summary:

Olivia is a strange, nomadic vampire that has been wandering the world for over three hundred years. An odd twist of fate finds her in the company of the Cullen Family, and she is introduced to an entirely new lifestyle, as well as magic and myth she never thought to be real. As time progresses, she is reintroduced to concepts family and, more importantly, falling in love - something she'd never thought was possible again. Will she turn away from her old life to embrace a new existence? Are the bonds of friendship she's formed really that strong?

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any extension of it whatsoever. It's all the work of the brilliant Stephenie Meyer.

With that said: I give you... Scorpio Rising.

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I was moved by the undertones of the music, the pulse of the bass, the beat of the drums. This band was good - better than good, they were brilliant. The small crowd of adoring fans that they had crushed themselves against the stage, taking pictures and singing along. The rest of us who were hearing them for the first time, in this small concert venue, stayed at our small tables or, in my case, at the bar. I swiveled my seat around to hail the handsome bartender that had gotten my last two drink, and he came over with that smile I was becoming infatuated with.

"Yes, gorgeous?" he asked me, and I smiled at him.

"I would like another, please," I said, my gloved hand holding my empty martini glass out to him. He took it, winked at me, and started making me another.

I swiveled the chair back around and focused my attention the band again. I noted that their second guitarist was playing just a hair off-key. Not because he was unskilled, but because he hadn't tuned his guitar correctly during the sound check. The lead vocalist was destined for greatness, I could feel it in my bones. From what I had heard from the chatter of their fans before the show, he wrote all of the songs. They were good songs. Unique. Moving.

"Here you are," the bartender said from behind me, and I swiveled back around with another stunning smile on my lips.

"You're the best," I told him, and I popped open the small handbag I had kept tucked under my arm and pulled out a twenty. I laid it on the bar and pushed it toward him, "keep the change."

He winked at me and moved on, somewhat unwillingly, to the far end of the bar to attend to a man in need of libations. I picked up my martini glass and turned again to direct myself toward the band, but my eyes were else where. From behind my Coach sunglasses, my eyes darted this way and that. This was my hunting ground, and handsome young men were my prey. Sadly, this particular band had seemed to have a large female following. The few men that were here had come with dates. It seemed that my fun was going to be slighted tonight. It wasn't a complete loss, though, I believe I found a new project. This band had certainly grabbed my interest.

I took a sip of my drink, and was pleasantly surprised when man came stumbling over to me.

"Hello, beautiful," he said, his breath smelled of domestic beer, while the rest of his body had a much more appealing scent.

I turned my eyes first, to get a look at him. He wasn't much to look at, slightly overweight, ill-fitting shirt, unfashionable side-burns, and light sheen of sweat across his forehead. Overall: I'd give him a four. Why is it that the fairly unattractive men always seem to hit on the good-looking women? Women that are much too good for them - out of their league per say. I drew in a breath through my nose, and I felt my lips pull up slightly. Despite being unattractive, he'd work.

"Hello, yourself," I said, turning to look at him. "Come here often?"

"No," he said, a little laughter following, "I'm from out of town."

Perfect...

"Where are you staying tonight?" I asked, deepening my smile and tilting my head flirtatiously.

This seemed like more than he had been hoping for. The sweat increased on his forehead, and I could hear his heart rate accelerate. With the increase of blood flow, his scent hit me with a strong wave.

"I'm always open to suggestions," he said, a smirk pulling on his lips.

"I know a great place," I said, leaning in and running my finger a down his cheek and stopping to place it under his chin. "Meet me at the door." I smiled again, an alluring, expecting smile, and he nodded and headed off toward the exit. I took this moment to fish a business card from my bag as well, and hailed the bartender.

"Give this to the band, please," I said, putting it in his shirt pocket.

"Sure thing," he said, grinning at me. "Done for the night?"

"I'm afraid so, but it was lovely meeting you."

He nodded, and I smiled at him. I knew my new friend would be expecting me, so I gracefully stood from the stool and made my way to the door. My short skirt swayed with my direct steps, and I could feel all eyes watching me. When I saw my unattractive, and most unfortunate friend at the door, I tossed my long black hair over my shoulder and grinned at him as he walked with me out the door.

"I'm Jess, by the way," he said, stumbling a bit with his moderate inebriation.

"Hello, Jess," I said, turning to look at him as we walked together towards my car. "I'm Olivia. How long are you in town for?"

"Three days, it's a business trip."

"And you just got in town?"

"Yeah..." he said, and his voice trailed off as we approached my car. "Is that your car?"

"Why, yes it is," I said, flashing a proud smile as I ran my hand over the hood of my black Bentley Azure. Unbeknownst to him, I had parked it at this particular spot because there was an alley right there. It was dark, with a dumpster obstructing the view of anyone casually glancing in. If he were better looking, I might have taken him to my hotel first, but seeing as I didn't have much to work with, and it had been a week since I'd fed... "Can I ask you something?"

"Uh...yeah, anything, beautiful," he said, taking a step towards me.

"Do you ever regret anything you did in your life?" I asked removing my sunglasses, to look at him better, and placed them on the soft top of my car along with my handbag. I loved the strange looks I would get for wearing sunglasses in the dark, but I had my reasons. The street lamp was behind me, so I knew he couldn't see my eyes. If he did, he'd only see endless expanses of black.

"I don't believe in regrets," he said, obviously trying to charm me.

"Good answer," I said, and I leapt at him.

I grabbed ahold of his upper arms and dashed into the alley before he could register what was happening. My left hand gagged his mouth while my right hand kept a firm hold on his arm. Venom-covered, ultra-white teeth found purchase on his neck, and my throat relished the feeling of warm blood running down it. With no avail, he tried to push me off, but he might have well been trying to push open a locked iron door. After a few more seconds, his body twitched and jolted as the last bits of life were drained from him, and I lifted my head from his neck and licked my lips. Not bad...

I listened for the sounds of movement out on the street, but heard nothing. Holding the limp body by the neck, I crouched and then sprang up onto the roof of the apartment building to my right. It was a simple jump, only five stories, and then I dashed across roof tops until I reached an industrial area. I found a dumpster behind a warehouse that was full of collapsed cardboard boxes and stepped off the edge of the roof and landed on the edge of the dumpster. Balancing there, I dropped the body in and removed the glove from my left hand.

I crouched low and felt the warm fire building from within my body. I clenched a fist first, and then relaxed my fingers, opening my hand slowly like a flower - a flower with a flame at its center. I held my burning hand to a piece of cardboard until it properly caught fire, and then I righted my stance. With simple crouch, I sprang again into the air and landed on the roof, and headed back to my car.

"I am so finished with this town," I said as I started my car and felt the purr of the engine. An amused smile cracked my features, and I glanced at my reflection in the rearview mirror. My eyes were now a lovely shade of crimson. Without another thought, I adjusted the mirror, eased out the my spot, and accelerated down the street.

It was true, I was developing a slight distaste for Seattle, but I'd been here for over two weeks - much too long for a town with so few cultural hubs - and it was time for me to take my leave. I believe the only reason I stayed as long as I did was the ease and comfort of being able to walk around during the day. It was always so overcast in this part of the country, I felt more human here. My innards gurgled, and I knew that I only had ten more minutes or so until the two and a half vodka martinis I had to drink would be coming back to haunt me. I was so used to consuming human food and drink after my three hundred years of doing so, that I was hardly bothered by the rejection. A simple trip to the toilet, and I would be right as rain again. After that, I would spend one last night in my hotel, pack, and head south. I had always heard nice things about the San Francisco Ballet, perhaps it was a about time I saw it for myself.

I arrived back at the hotel just before midnight, and the late-night valet approached to take my car. Before I opened the door, I slipped my sunglasses on.

"Thank you," I said, with another smile for him, and then I slipped a twenty in his shirt pocket, "Put it in a remote spot, won't you?"

"Sure thing, ma'am!" the excited fellow exclaimed. College students were always eager for extra cash. He got into the car and took off, and I turned and strolled into the lobby.

"Good evening and welcome back, Miss Collins!" the lady at the desk greeted me with a large smile.

"Good evening," I said to her politely, "any messages?"

"None, miss," she said with a slight shake of the head.

"Thank you."

I turned and continued toward the elevators, subtly noting the two young men that had halted their conversation to gawk at me. I added a little extra hip-sway to my step just for their benefit, and smirked as I heard one gulp and the other stop breathing. When the doors opened, I stepped in, turned around, and twiddled my fingers at them in a playful greeting. I didn't realize it was possible to make their hearts beat faster than they already were.

When I got back to my suite, I kicked off the four-inch stilettos I had been wearing, dropped my sunglasses on my bedside table, and laid across my bed. I sighed at the feeling of the duvet on my rock-hard skin, though being off my feet didn't bring me any comfort or rest - since I was neither uncomfortable nor tired in the first place. Not many vampires appreciated the simple human things like I did. The feeling of a bed, the relaxing properties of a shower, food, drink, good company.... I counted myself unique because not only did I relish in these creature comforts, I also saw the humans as more than just food, I saw some as friends - though I was not fond enough of them to stop feeding on them. I just liked how being around them made me feel, like I was my old - human - self again.

I was born Olivia Jane Katherine Howard, in the late seventeenth century, to Robert and Jane Howard of Glastonbury, England. My father was a craftsman of fine instruments and my mother was the beauty of the town. Sadly, she died bringing me into the world. I was a head-strong child, and my stubbornness as an adult was what led to my inevitable damnation. Since then, I have gone by many names. My current identity, to the human world, was Charlotte Collins, a twenty-two year old heiress from London, who was spending her post-university (Oxford, of course) freedom touring about the United States meeting individuals that were looking for connections or patronage to make it in the fine arts industry. My eye and ear for talent and knowledge of the business made me the ideal connection to have, and I happily offered my services to anyone I deemed worthy. Every immortal had to have a hobby or two, this was mine.

The gurgle from within got louder, and sat up with a sigh. Within a fraction of a second, I was in the bathroom, bent over the toilet. It came in a wave, and I felt the heave as my body rejected the human sustenance I had so stubbornly subjected it to. In the old days, I was always invited to parties and banquets to mingle with the creme de la creme of cultural society, and not eating (or, at least, drinking) at one of those was not an option. I learned to get over the "dirt" taste of the human food and drink, and eventually, I was able to discern certain "flavors". I think it's mostly mental, my preferences for some foods over others, but in the end, it helped to keep the secret and keep me tightly rooted in the society that I loved so much.

When the purging was complete, I flushed the toilet and went back into the main room of my suite. I sat down on one of the easy chairs, grabbed a remote, and started flipping through channels. Eventually, I found something worth my interest and put the remote down to watch it. This cycle of flipping until I found something, watch until my interest was spent, and repeating the process all over again lasted until dawn. I called for room service - eggs benedict, bacon, a bagel with non-fat cream cheese (I had to watch my figure after all), and a glass of orange juice - and packed. The weather was going to be stormy today, which meant that I didn't to worry about checking out before the sun came up. I always preferred leaving after sunrise, if I could help it, felt more leisurely, and it certainly fit the persona I cast - going out partying until late, rising late in the morning. I pulverized the food and flushed it down the toilet, leaving small scraps on the plate to infer that I'd eaten, and called for a bell-hop to bring my bags down to the lobby.

I dressed in something designer, but still appropriate for long-distance driving, slipped on a pair of Dior sunglasses, and moved all of my bags to the door. I could have lifted them all together with one-hand with absolutely no effort, but one had an image to maintain, so calling for assistance was necessary. Before the bell-hop arrived, I took that moment to pull my hair up into a ponytail, with my long fringe brushed to the right and partly tucked behind my ear. I think I looked pretty good. Just then, there was a knock at the door, and I grabbed a much larger handbag, which I hung from my forearm, and answered the door.

"Good morning, Miss Collins!" the bright and awake young man - Bradley, according to his gold name tag - said.

"Good morning," I greeted him in kind, taking a second to purposely stare at his name tag, "Bradley." He perked up at me using his name. "They're all right here waiting for you. Can you take them to my car while I check out?"

"Of course, Miss Collins," he said, stepping into the room and grabbing the first bag.

"Thank you," I said, with a grin as I pulled out my pocket book and plucked a fifty from it. "Here you go, just in case I don't see you again before I go."

He placed my first bag down on the trolley he'd brought and straightened up to see what I was holding out. His eyes bugged slightly, and then he blinked to try and compose himself. Though the standard was five dollars per bag, I though he deserved a bit more for being so kind and totting around my four large pieces of luggage.

"Thank you, MIss Collins," he said, taking the bill and placing it in his pocket. "I'll make sure we get your car packed for you, no problem."

"The black Bentley, yes?"

"Oh, we all know which one it is," he said with a grin.

I nodded. I was usually the talk of any place I stayed, even in New York (though I never drive while I'm there). If you hand out enough twenties and fifties, you're bound to be remembered.

"Have a good day, then," I said, waving slightly, and heading down the hall to the elevators. One came in no time, and I stepped in and pressed on the first floor button. Thankfully, it was Saturday and my ride was uninterrupted this early in the morning - though, "early" was a relative term.

"Have a pleasant journey," the man at the front desk told me, after I signed the credit card slip and pushed it back to him.

"Thank you," I said, placing my card back into my pocket book and dropping it into my bag. He printed off my receipt and handed it to me, and I took it with a smile. His breath caught slightly, and I could hear his heart race. I really could be too cruel sometimes. "Thank you, again, for a wonderful stay."

"Ou-our pleasure," he stuttered.

I nodded and was out the door. My trusty bell-hop, Bradley, was there with an umbrella handy. The moment I stepped out from under the awning, he was right at my side and ready to protect me from the rain. I acknowledged him with a smile and a head nod, as we walked the ten feet to my car. I had to keep my teeth together, his scent mixed with the rain was just too enticing. My throat was burning to strongly, one would have forgotten that I'd only just hunted and fed the night before. The valet opened my car door for me and I nodded to him too.

"Have a safe trip," he told me as slipped into my car, Bradley still holding the umbrella aloft to protect both the interior of my car and myself from the rain. He'd done his job well, only my shoes were wet.

The sent of the valet was still rather strong in my car, and the close proximity of the two was still very dangerous. I had a little air in my lungs, so I figured I'd save it for one last expression of gratitude. I pulled out the pocket book one last time and withdrew two twenty dollar bills. "Thank you, boys," I said and I flashed a smile.

They took the bills and nodded, huge smiles on their faces. Part of me liked to think that they were sad to see me go because they liked me, I was a nice person, and they only did the extra things they did for that reason. However, I had to concede that most - if not all - of their motivation came from my pocket book. Humans were creatures driven by greed, it was no secret. With that sad thought, I watched as the valet closed my door and I started the car. It was time to put another city behind me.

I pulled from the parking lot and took to the slowly crowding Seattle streets. Recollection from a map I'd memorized told me where I need to go to get on the high way, though I was planning on taking back roads once outside of the greater metropolis. At my point of turn off, I sat back in my seat and pressed down on the accelerator. My speedometer shot up from sixty to one hundred and fifty in no time, and the world began to rush past me. I kept my eyes ahead looking out for any sign of a police officer or a speed trap, knowing full well that I would see them long before they would catch my approach.

Fourty minutes later, my throat was still burning with the smell of my the valet still fresh in my car. It was uncomfortable to say the least. Had it not been raining, I don't think I would be this afflicted, it made those two mouth-watering. Just thinking about it intensified the burning in my throat. Venom was flowing over my teeth, and quick glance at the rear-view mirror showed that my eyes were mostly black now. It was like I hadn't fed at all last night. I needed to pull over, this was getting ridiculous.

I spotted a small gravel pull-of and eased off the accelerator for my approach. It was the weekend in the summer and the weather was a little nicer down here, so I was going to assume that there were hikers somewhere nearby. I pulled my car over into the gravel lot, turned off the engine, slipped on the sunglasses, and got out of the car. I glanced around me casually as I strolled toward the tree line, and, once within the confines of the dense, green forest, I took off running east.

There strange mixes of scents all around me, it seemed that this was a well traveled forest, but I didn't recognize any of the smells - not personally, at least, I thought I did catch a faint whiff of vampire. Finally, I caught on to a smell that I would know anywhere. I crouched low and took in a long breath through my nose, two delicious humans weren't too far off. I could hear their hearts beating, they were just a little further east of where I was rooted. Without another thought on the matter, I took off sprinting in their direction, my eyes and ears focused on my quarry. Just a little further off, I spotted them - two men in full hiking gear chatting away as they trudged through the undergrowth.

This proved problematic, though I was pretty sure I could finish off both of them, I didn't want to be that bloated while I drove. Then again, I wouldn't have to worry about going hunting my first few days in San Francisco, which would give me the luxury of being choosey. A small breeze shook the leaves and ferns around me and sent their delicious scent in my direction. My throat erupted again in flames, and I resolved that I would have both of them. Crouching low, my fingertips dug into the tree I was hiding behind, and I prepared to pounce. That's when I heard the howling.

My head twisted to the right instantly, and I saw the approach of a very large, very hostile wolf not fifty yards from where I stood. My consciousness was divided in two; one half controlling my body and pulling me up into the tree, and the other half panicking at the sight of the bared teeth heading my way. The two hikers were spooked by the howling and started running back down the path the way they'd come. I heard one of them cock a rifle I had overlooked - though the presence of one would not have inhibited my attack in the slightest. Once I was at the near top of the tree (the highest I could go without breaking any branches), I looked down at my pursuer - or rather, pursuers. There were two now, a chocolate colored one and a slightly smaller sand colored one, and their eyes were trained on me as growls emitted from their throats.

"Well... now I've seen everything," I said to myself, greatly disheartened, "giant wolves that don't like vampires, I feel like I've tripped and fallen into a nursery rhyme." Their growls got louder. "Correction: giant wolves that don't like vampires and can understand English. Lovely."

There was howling in the distance, and I took my eyes off the two wolves to look off in the direction it was coming from. It was back behind me, toward my car. If they'd done anything to my car or any property within, I was going to burn every last one of them.

"Right," I said with a nod, sounds like a good idea.

I moved down the tree a little ways, and broke off a large limb. Clenching my hand, powered the fire within me and channeled it to my now opening hand. It burned bright and yellow and the needles of the pine caught fire instantly. One the wolves stopped growling and took a tentative step back. I held the burning branch out and caught the rest of the tree below me on fire as well. The smoke was thick and billowing - the perfect shield I needed to make my escape. Then, I hurled the burning limb toward the two dogs below. One whimpered and I took that as my cue to run. I wasn't going to bother with my car now, I needed to get away. So I hopped from tree to tree heading south east, until I came across a road where I could steal a car and get away, but It seemed like forest was all I was going to encounter. Then I smelled them.

Not wolf, but vampire - three strong, distinct scents. I dropped to the forest floor and turned around fully to make sure I wasn't being followed, and then I took off following the scent trail at my top speed. I heard the river before I got to it, but I was frozen on the bank when I saw the house. It was a large white house and the entire side that was facing me was all glass. It was like looking into a doll house, I could see the rooms and whoever might be inside them, though I saw no one. A quick inhale brought upon the strong scent of vampire and... wolf?

What is this place? I wondered, slightly panicked, and edged my foot to turn and run a different direction. Maybe follow the river? Yes, that had to lead to a road of some sort. My muscles were coiled and ready to spring, but I was stopped when someone called to me.

"Wait a moment!" the voice said, I froze and turned my head to look at the figure standing on the back porch of the house.

It was a blond vampire, tall and... dare I say, gentle looking? His face was riddled with concern. It was that face that held me in place, but I didn't speak. Suddenly, he was joined by three more vampires; a female with short carmel-colored hair, a tall muscle-bound male with short curly black hair, and a tall blond male covered in scars - the two males looked like they meant business. I was on the edge of deciding to relax when I heard the howling again, it was very close behind me.