This is a complete story. Ever since reading the Twilight series I have wanted to know what happened to Leah Clearwater. This is my third attempt to write that ending for her and I hope I have done her justice. All the Cullen's and many of the other Twilight characters are included but I needed a new character, Shona Maguire, to be narrator and catalyst. My story begins the summer after the stand off with the Volturi.

Dartmouth

My stall for our medical centre was set up in a corner of the sports hall ready for open day at Dartmouth College. I liked to register interest early and it was important that students knew their blood type if they were going to live away from home. There was a wide range of stalls around the sides of the sports hall, encouraged by the Dean as he believed it important to show the diverse range of interests at the college. At the center of the hall were the main faculty stalls bedecked with bunting, banners, flags and meeting points for tour guides.

"Hey Shona", called out a young student wearing a "Guide" badge, "how are you today ?"

"I'm very good thank you Michael", I replied smiling, "How are you doing ?

He grinned back, "Amazing, Did you enjoy last night ?" he asked. "That was a pretty awesome set."

"Yes", I agreed, "folk music at it's best. They were a good find Michael."

"Awesome", he repeated and I rolled my eyes, young people these days.

"I'm a guide today", he stated happily.

"I can see that" I replied indicating his badge, "how's that going for you?."

"Kids these days", he sighed, "no respect."

I laughed, "go on young man you are still a kid yourself."

He shrugged and looked round the hall, straightening as he spotted a young couple who had just entered. "Looks like new punters," he muttered, "hope they tip well."

"Good luck" I called out.

"Thanks Shona," he replied as he crossed the hall and I watched him greet the new arrivals, there was something in their manner that disturbed me so I kept a wary eye on them across the crowded hall as Michael led them to the central faculty sands.

A young man in a navy blazer and a posh east coast accent approached my stall and asked if I knew where the toilets were. I forced a smile and gave precise directions reminding him not to go in the Ladies by mistake.

Then there were visitors to my stall asking about medical services on campus. I chatted with them about our medical centre, the services we ran and the opportunities for them to earn credits by volunteering at the centre as part of their courses.

The young couple from earlier came back into view, being led round the stalls by a beaming Michael making introductions. They stopped at an arts and crafts stall, then an outdoor pursuits stall, then they stopped at my stall.

"This is Mrs Shona Maguire from our medical centre," explained Michael, "she also runs our blood service. Shona, this is Edward and Bella Cullen from Washington, they have been offered a place here and were asking about local activities. I was saying what a good music scene we have and Edward was asking about classical music, which as you know is not really my scene so could you perhaps help us out ?"

He paused waiting for me to respond, but I was still staring at their pale faces and tired eyes, eyes that needed sleep, but not red eyes. I pulled myself back to the moment and smiled as I took a step back, not offering to shake hands.

"Welcome to Dartmouth College", I responded politely. "We have an extensive classical music programme here including recitals by our students and visiting musicians. Are you studying music ?"

"I prefer science", replied Edward with a frown, "but I enjoy listening to music and I play the piano at home."

"I am studying literature," added Bella brightly, "but listen to all sorts of music. However, I am intrigued", she indicated the blood donor banner on the front of the stall, "do you have much need for blood here in Dartmouth."

"Students are always getting themselves into trouble," I observed, "and also donating blood is a good habit for them to take into adulthood. Do you know your blood types ?"

Bella glanced at Edward who replied smoothly, "O positive."

"We think it's hilarious," interrupted Michael, "that our resident blood sucker is a vegan. Whenever she comes to our events she insists that we have a vegan option, the spicier the better."

"Really ?", responded Bella with a smile. "We are vegetarians."

"Not you as well," chucked Michael, "where have all the meat eaters gone ?"

"We should continue our tour," declared Edward, sounding older than he looked and still frowning as if in concentration, "but we could maybe continue our conversation later ?"

"Sure," responded Michael, "whatever you guys want."

"I will be in the cafeteria later," I replied, "if you need any further information on living and studying at Dartmouth."

Bella glanced at her husband, took in his frown and glanced back at me with a look of curiosity before Edward pulled her away as they followed Michael

I breathed a sigh of relief when they left the hall. Those two were definately vampires. Unusually confident around people but I could smell that they were vampires. Vegetarians huh, what was that all about and their eye colour, were those contact lenses or a special gift. Cullen, now that was a name from the past. Could there be a link ? What would be the implications of them moving to Dartmouth. How territorial were they ? Were they on their own or were there more of them ? Would they attract the attention of the Volturi ? Was I in danger ? Would I have to move ? So many questions and not enough answers.

I glanced at the clock, the sun would set by nine so if I would need to leave town by seven to have a two hour head start on my escape and I would need time to pack. If they did not come to the cafeteria before six then I would have to leave. I enjoyed living in Dartmouth and if they had been alone I might have stayed and risked a fight but two against one was poor odds.

The clock showed a few minutes before six when Michael brought Edward and Bella over to my table in the middle of the busy cafeteria. I put down the book I had been pretending to read and watched them attentively.

"Please, sit and rest your weary legs," I invited. "Can we get you anything to eat or drink ?"

"We are fine thank you," replied Bella, "but it will be nice to sit down."

"Are you sure that I can't get you something," asked Michael, "I'm dying of thirst."

Edward shook his head but I thought I saw a slight wince cross Bella's face. Is your throat burning ? I wondered.

"Michael, why don't you call it a day," I suggested, "I can look after the Cullen's from here."

"Well if that is what you would like ?" he asked Bella and Edward, who smiled, rose, thanked him and I saw Edward casually palm a generous tip to Michael, who left with a big grin and a cheerful, "Enjoy the rest of your day."

"How was your tour ?" I asked as they sat back down and turned their full attention on me.

"Very interesting," replied Bella leaning forward to talk quietly over the background chatter of the cafeteria while Edward sat back watching me intently, "Michael was an enthusiastic tour guide. Is he a good friend of yours ?"

"He is not a friend as such," I replied carefully, "I've known him since his first year and he's a decent young man. Had a few issues last year but worked through them and he's a credit to the college."

"Interesting book of yours," commented Edward reading the title of my book upside down, "Surveillance in the information society."

"A sign of our times," I replied levelly, "for example there are 4 cameras on us right now including a streaming webcam."

Edward raised an eyebrow and I smiled thinly

"Have you been here long ?" asked Bella quickly changing the subject, "Michael and everyone we met were full of praise for you."

"That's gratifying," I replied noncommittally, "I've been here a few years now, it's quiet and out of the way but that suits me. Whereas I suspect that a young couple like you would prefer the bustle of a big city. What other colleges have you been considering ?"

Bella rattled off a few names and I was startled to realise that all of them were quiet out of the way locations. "Good choices" I responded, "how long have you been married, glancing at her wedding ring ?"

"Just over a year." she said smiling at Edward, who was still studying me intently..

"Cullen is an unusual name," I followed up, "I've heard of a Lord Cullen, I wonder if there is any connection ?"

"Our father is Dr Carlisle Cullen." replied Edward cautiously.

I was startled, "Does your father practice medicine ?"

"Yes," gushed Bella, "he works at our local hospital and is very good."

"He learned his medicine in Italy," added Edward, scrutinising my reaction.

"Interesting," I commented, "I always wanted to know what happened to Lord Cullen and I wonder if your father has any family tree information he could share with me."

"What's your interest in Lord Cullen ?" asked Edward leaning forward.

I shrugged, "I heard of Lord Cullen when I lived in Italy, he had a reputation for studying medicine and supporting science. The work I do in our medical centre was inspired by his teachings."

Edward and Bella exchanged glances and smiled, relaxing for the first time.

"Would you like to speak to Dr Cullen ?" asked Bella ?

"I would like that very much," I replied, "if you can give me his contact details I could write to him or send him an email."

"He may be at work." advised Edward, as Bella pulled her phone out and speed dialed.

"Hey Carlisle," said Bella when he picked up, "we are sitting with Shona Maguire here at Dartmouth. She helps to run the local medical centre and has been asking us about a Lord Cullen. Could you spare a moment to speak with her ? That's great, thanks, here she is," and passed the phone to me.

I looked at the phone, Bella, then Edward, who sighed and took the phone.

"Carlisle, this is Edward, are you able to do a video call ? OK. Please call us back on Skype."

Edwards phone buzzed almost immediately and he handed Bella's phone back to her with a nod. Accepting the Skype call he passed it to me asking, "Does Dr Cullen look like the Lord Cullen you remember."

I stared at the face on the screen, the face I had seen many times hanging in the portrait gallery in Volterra. A very different setting, relaxed, informal, curious, in what looked to be a personal library.

"Lord Cullen," I said rather formally, "Buon pomeriggio. It's a pleasure to speak with you."

"Buon pomeriggio. It's a pleasure to speak to you too," he replied in an easy going tone, "but it's been a long time since anyone called me Lord Cullen, I prefer Dr Cullen these days."

"Of course Dr Cullen," I replied, apologetically

"What is your specialisation at the medical centre ?"

"I run the local blood bank and provide out of hours cover for emergencies. First aid, Triage, paramedic support, that sort of thing. For anything serious I arrange transfer to Boston."

"That's impressive." he replied smiling, "sounds like you are doing good work there."

"Thank you Dr Cullen," I stuttered. "I do what I can to follow your example."

"That's wonderful. Please provide whatever assistance you can to Bella and Edward while they are with you."

"Yes, of course." I agreed

"Good, well I hope we speak again soon, until then Arrivederci"

"Arrivederci" I replied and the call ended.

"Wow," I exclaimed handing the phone back to Edward and rubbing my face in disbelief. I had just talked to Lord Cullen, an immortal ancient before my time, spoken of only in legends of Volterra. It could all be an elaborate hoax but who would go to such lengths for me ?

"I told you so," said Bella to Edward.

Turning to me she explained, "I told Edward that running a blood bank was a genius idea."

Edward held up his hands accepting her point. "We had to be sure." he defended himself.

"Why are your eyes that colour ?" I asked.

"Our diet," whispered Edward, "we only hunt animals."

I nodded, another piece of ancient lore dropped into place.

"Lord Cullen," I began

"Dr Cullen", interrupted Edward

"Dr Cullen," I restarted "asked for me to provide you with assistance, how may I be of service to you."

"Relax," smiled Bella, "we mean you no harm. Can we have a proper chat, somewhere quieter perhaps ?"

I nodded, looking round the crowded cafeteria, "How long are you staying in Dartmouth?"

"We fly back to the west coast tomorrow evening," replied Edward, "Our visit is just so that Bella can decide whether we should move here. We are staying at the lodge by the lake, it's a bit far from town but private."

"I know where that is." I confirmed "I can show you good places to hunt tonight and we can chat more afterwards or do you have other plans ?"

"That would be most helpful, thank you," accepted Bella

"At moonrise I will be outside your lodge," I proposed standing up, "until then. Arrivederci."

"Arrivederci," they smiled as I made a half bow and left.

During the three years that I had lived in Dartmouth I had slowly decorated and furnished the small cheap apartment into a home. My first home since I had escaped the Volturi and gone on the run. The furnishings were second hand or thrift store but comfortable. I could relax here and had occasionally even invited human friends over for music nights. Looking around there was nothing in that small apartment that I needed to take with me if I left right now. A stash of money and fake IDs were hidden at a lock up on the other side of town. I could still leave before sunset and be gone before the Cullens came looking for me. I could find a new town to settle down in and rebuild a new life there.

Or I could meet them and find out more about Lord Cullen. They must be part of his coven if they used his name. There were two of them which meant that I was outnumbered and it was a long time since I had done any fighting, but I was good at hiding and running so as long as I kept my distance I should be safe. The key question was whether there were other vampires here with them ? There were a couple of hours before our meeting I could use to sweep the town checking for vampire trails.

So that was it, my curiosity had got me into trouble before and would probably do so again. It would be interesting to chat with them if they really were friendly and find out what was happening in the vampire world. It was a trade off, risk of fighting and death against information and learning more about Lord Cullen.