A\N

Thanks for the interest in my story. For those of you who have reviewed, the time you have taken is always appreciated.

Thank you to everyone at Project Team Beta. You have helped me so much. Again, I strongly suggest everyone to use their services. The link is still in my profile. My work is my own but without the beta's to help, it would be worthless. They are looking for more betas if you are interested.

Thank you to my Twilighted betas: Strider and qjmom. Thanks for the interest in my story. For those of you who have reviewed, the time you have taken is always appreciated.

Thank you to everyone at Project Team Beta. You have helped me so much. Again, I strongly suggest everyone to use their services. The link is still in my profile. My work is my own but without the beta's to help, it would be worthless. They are looking for more betas if you are interested.

Thank you to my Twilighted betas: Strider and qjmom. Strider is amazing.

I do not own any of these characters, or the original plot to the Twilight Series. Everything publicly recognizable belongs to their owners. I am doing this only for the pleasure I gain from writing and I am not associated with anyone or anything to do with the Twilight Series. There is no financial benefit, whatsoever, though I may wish there were.

My work is my own.

1 - Persuasion - RPOV

I waited as the rest of the family gathered around Esme's antique mahogany table. We were in the dining room, which usually served only for the purpose of family meetings. As I sat in my plush chair waiting for the others to take their places, I could hear the calm, rhythmic heartbeat and respiration echoing from the child upstairs – Bella, as she liked to be called.

I don't care how old she says she is; she is just a child.

Due to the steady beat and breathing, it was obvious she was asleep. As always, when I thought of her, my anger at the danger her presence imparted upon our family flared. Every second one of us was around her, we risked exposing ourselves, thus breaking the highest of laws for our kind. We also risked her life, though this was not too high on my list of priorities; humans die all the time.

If I was honest with myself, she had also interrupted my pleasant, though somewhat repetitive, life. This simple fact irked me beyond mere words. We had to move so often that it was rare to actually feel at home somewhere. Before her arrival, I had come to think of Forks as home. She had stolen that feeling from me. Her presence made everything so uncomfortable.

When I analyzed the situation from another angle, I had to confess that I was slightly jealous as well. Since her arrival, I rarely saw my husband because he was too busy playing with his new toy. I knew he harbored no romantic feelings for the girl – and who could blame him when comparing her to me; she was plain, nowhere near my league. I knew that he was just happy to have someone around who was younger than he. He'd always wanted a little sister, even when he was human, and this was finally his chance. I could understand his reasons, but I still missed being around him, and it was all because of her.

Not only was my man almost nonexistent, but one of my brothers was constantly suffering because of her scent. We had to hear him complain about it all day. Of course, he never said anything in front of his wife – she probably would have ripped his head off. I couldn't say anything to her because she had some crazed attachment to the girl, like she thought they were sisters, completely ignoring me. So, I had to endure Jasper's disagreeable nature and her peppy "Bella this" and "Bella that" in silence. It was infuriating.

Then, there was Edward. He was pushed out of our home because of her. Edward and I had always been the most alike, in nature at least. Our feelings about the life we led and our sense of humor were always in sync. It was odd not hearing him tinker next to me in the garage. I even yearned to hear a sharp retort from his lips daily. He and I connected in a way that the others did not understand, and I missed him.

Carlisle cleared his throat, an unnecessary gesture to bring our attention to him, bringing my attention back to the situation at hand. I turned my head to face him. As my eyes scanned the room, they fell upon the mirror on the opposite wall. I took in my appearance – not a hair out of place, as usual.

So attractive. Was it even possible that anyone could be as lovely as me? No.

I lingered before turning to face Carlisle. When I finally brought my eyes to him, I was not shocked by his expression. From everyone's somber manner when walking to the dining room, I didn't need to see the grave look on his face to know that this was not going to be an enjoyable conference.

Alice had called Carlisle during our lunch period at the local high school. She had spoken with him and asked him to leave work early for a discussion. She would not tell any of us what was happening, but I knew it had something to do with the girl sleeping obliviously upstairs.

How is she going to interrupt my life this time?

I looked around at my family, assessing the situation. No one present felt the way I did about her.

Carlisle and Esme saw her as another lost soul, someone to guide and parent. They had accepted her as they had accepted all of us. I couldn't fault their kindness or compassion even though they were weaknesses.

Alice and Emmett saw her as a sister. For Alice, she was the sister I could never be. In truth, they also saw her as the sister she couldn't ever be – she was human and wouldn't last long.

Jasper was just as opposed to the girl's presence as I was, but for obviously different reasons.

So I stood alone.

If Edward had been here, I was sure he would have taken my side. I could imagine myself thinking snide remarks in attempts to make him snicker. I pictured his probable reaction as he would fight for composure. But I wasn't even allowed that enjoyment – he had been driven away by that girl.

"I'm sure everyone but Alice is wondering why I have called this meeting," Carlisle began, once again breaking me from my musings. "This morning, Alice had a vision that affects the entire family. It seems Bella has been noticing certain oddities about us since she has come here. Today she finally acted upon her suspicions, using the internet to research. Her doubts that we are different were apparently confirmed."

Esme gasped and began to speak, "Does she – "

"Alice saw her searching for certain terms," Carlisle interrupted her, holding his hand up to halt her speech. That was an unusual reaction for Carlisle, and Esme sat wide-eyed, staring at her husband's rudeness. "So, yes, we believe she does know. Alice didn't see her reaction, however. So here is where we need to tread lightly."

Stupid child. She is going to ruin everything for us. And I like it here. We almost get to be normal.

I could sense Jasper's tension from across the table. He knew what introducing the girl to our world meant, and I was sure he did not wish to provoke any of our kind into any type of action – he knew what horrors that entailed. And he would never risk it, especially over something as insignificant as the child sleeping peacefully upstairs.

My jealousy erupted again as I wished I had that ability, that escape. But no, I could not sleep. Doomed to be perfect for all of eternity, I was never going to be allowed the pleasure of sleep ever again. I had to sit there, surrounded by my family, worrying about the dangers the girl had presented us while she lay upstairs dreaming away.

"Alice and I have discussed the options already, and we've decided that it's best to confirm her findings," Carlisle continued. "She must be terrified, and she should be told the circumstances so that she can make an educated decision. It's time to give her the choice to leave if she desires."

I snorted, noticing how the normally coarse sound was like music leaving my lips.

This girl should never have been here to make this decision.

Glancing over at Alice, I saw her smug expression. This was all her fault. If she had just ignored the vision of the girl, the human would have never been here, would have never interrupted my perfectly acceptable life. My anger toward Alice filled every cell in my body. I was a powder keg, waiting for the sparks ignited by this situation to start the explosion.

"Rosalie," Jasper said. "That's quite enough." He attempted to push a feeling of calm toward me, but I was too angry for it to have any result.

I thought he wouldn't be against me, even if he wasn't on my side, but I guess that my anger toward his wife ended that possibility.

"Enough?" I screamed, irate at the current circumstances. "Enough? How is anything enough? She made the decision to bring the human here; she brought this danger on us. I say we take care of it right now. No one needs to know. No one even knows she's here. It would be quick and clean. And our family could be whole again."

I realized my anger toward Alice was unwarranted. It was really the child who had caused all these problems. I crossed my arms and looked away, allowing my insinuation to plant its seeds. Emmett put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into him, trying in vain to calm me. He knew I had no qualms ridding myself of the petite child. I looked back to the family.

"Humans die all the time," I said, trying to look at the situation from a calculated point of view. "She would just disappear and we could all go back to the way it was before."

Everyone remained silent. Carlisle looked down at the table, pensively. He took a deep breath, and nodded his head in what must have been affirmation. Then he spoke.

"Rosalie," Carlisle said. I could tell he was trying to placate me from the tone in his voice. "Every life is precious. We cannot hurt the girl. Performing that sort of act goes against everything we strive for. Besides, she's a part of this family now and you will treat her as such."

I huffed, and Emmett wrapped one of his arms around me. I would not go against Carlisle's decision but I would never accept her as part of the family. Looking at Carlisle's expression, I could see that he was too emotionally attached to her to think clearly.

Were the others all so attached? Was wishing her gone a lost cause?

I looked around the table and I could see the others agreed with him, even Jasper. At that moment, I realized that I was completely alone in my beliefs.

Carlisle spoke again, "Since Bella is the closest with Alice, Alice is going to go up to her room and coax her down to join in this family discussion." I glanced over to Alice's chair and saw she had already left.

I heard the soft sigh of metal as the girl's bedroom door opened, and then the low groan of the mattress springs as Alice sat. The girl's breathing and heart rate picked up speed; she had obviously woken.

I looked around the table as the conversation began upstairs.

"Bella, I know you're awake." Alice said softly, her high-pitched voice exuding patience. "I also know you've got something you want to ask."

The girl drew in a breath and loudly moved in the bed. I heard the material and pillows from her bed being whipped around.

"I guess you saw my search on the computer earlier today," the girl boldly stated. "Is it true, Alice?"

I can't believe she's so calm about all of this.

"Bella, I think I know what you're asking, but you need to actually ask out loud," Alice kindly replied. I would have ripped the girl's head off if she had spoken to me like that – she was far too arrogant for her own good. "I can't assume anything."

There was more movement, and the child finally spat out, "Alice. . . are you and your family not . . . human?" She paused and eventually spoke again when Alice didn't respond. "Okay. I guess you are not going to answer that. Are you a vampire?" Her voice was almost inaudible.

At least she was frightened of something.

I pondered the many ways in which I could frighten her, make her see reason.

It took a while for Alice to answer but when she did, I could almost hear a smile in her voice. I guess she had seen something in her strange snippets of the future that had pleased her. "I think we should take this downstairs with the rest of the family."

The child's mattress creaked again and I heard their footsteps patter across the hard wood of her bedroom floor. I heard a sound that must have been the girl stumbling.

She is far too clumsy. Is nothing redeemable about her?

I heard the door close.

Here comes the human.

It took them a very long time to descend and enter the dining room; humans moved so slowly. No one spoke as they entered, and Carlisle pointed out a place for the girl to sit. She sat in the chair and stared at the table, refusing to look at anyone. She was obviously more nervous than her words had revealed. Carlisle once again grabbed everyone's attention by clearing his throat.

He spoke first, "Bella, from your conversation with Alice, we know you have some concerns. Before we get into specifics, I am sure you have many questions. First, let me tell you that your assumptions about my family and I are correct. We are . . ." he paused again, looking at each of us – I hoped my icy glare displayed my distaste, but he continued anyway, "vampires, as you've concluded." She tried to interrupt, but Carlisle calmly placed his hand in the air to stop her.

Here it comes, the entire explanation that puts us all in jeopardy. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I found it difficult not to roll my eyes or stomp my feet. I wanted to do something to exhibit how angry I was at this situation. Since I could not show my revulsion, I decided to distract myself.

Maybe if I hissed at the child or bared my teeth, it would frighten her sufficiently to have her make the correct decision. Then again, she doesn't seem bright enough for an outward sign like that to actually scare her.

Carlisle droned on and I stared at the child, infusing every thought with the anger and hatred I felt for her. I wasn't paying attention to the conversation because I knew the gist of what was being said; the details didn't matter so much.

I did notice when the room became silent. I looked around and everyone was staring at the girl. She looked lost in thought.

Good riddance. Maybe she'll never come back.

Her face twisted into a hint of a smile and she nodded her head.

She cannot be thinking of staying. Maybe she really is an idiot.

"Carlisle, as you know, this is quite a . . . shock," she calmly muttered. "But since none of you have done anything to hurt me, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt."

How is it possible that she can take this so coolly? Does she have no sense of self-preservation? My prior thoughts on her lack of intellect seemed true.

As expected, Carlisle acquiesced and once again accepted her into our family. I silently vowed that I would never accept her. She had been too much of a problem, too much of a pest.

The conversation once again turned to the details that this child should never know. I decided it wasn't important to pay attention. She had made her idiotic decision to involve herself in our lives, knowing what we were. I tuned the discussion out, examining my nails – they needed another coat of polish. I would have asked Alice to do it – a little bonding time – but I knew she'd want to spend more time with her shiny little toy.

The tidbits I heard of the conversation helped solidify how stupid the girl really was.

She hadn't expected that we were human at one point? That was one thing about most myths that was actually true. How could she not believe that?

When she asked about escaping, I wanted to laugh out loud.

No, honey. There's no chance of getting away from one of us when we finally decide to give into our true nature and hunt you. Hopefully it will be Jasper, as anyone else would feel guilty, and I wouldn't want to ruin my record.

I briefly felt guilt for wishing death on the girl. My previous thoughts were only of protecting my family, not of vengeance toward her. I wasn't a compassionate – weak – person; I knew that. But thinking like that was beyond even my usual cruelty. I swept my shame under the rug. I wouldn't allow myself to hope for her demise, since that seemed impossible, and I would not allow myself to feel guilt if I did. In all honesty, I really didn't want her hurt. I just wanted her away from me and my family.

I returned to the examination of my hands, and was interrupted when I heard Emmett utter my name. I didn't like him talking about me with her but when he called me his angel, my negative feelings lessened quite a bit.

I love this man so much.

My attention was now drawn back to the conversation.

"How were you . . .saved?" she asked, more than a little interested.

No, no, no. She was not joining this family that way. First of all, I wouldn't want her around forever. Secondly, how could she give up everything her humanity allowed her?

My temper rose to the surface again as Carlisle explained the science behind creating new vampires. She watched, enraptured by his explanation; she was far too interested. After he detailed the process to her, Carlisle dismissed us and we all went to our respective rooms.

On the trip up to my room, I pondered the new information I had garnered about the child from her questions. I was worried by her reaction to everything. She was too engrossed, too fascinated. Should she have any plans that became solid, I would need to dissuade this girl. It would be for everyone's sake.

End notes:

As always, thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I love all reviews.

I know Rosalie comes off as an awful person here. Just remember, she is VERY angry. These are not her "everyday" thoughts. I mean, she is still resentful to Bella's presence, but the thoughts displayed above are extreme and raw - she's only just found out the news. She will come around and I think that will be seen in the future.

The next posting probably won't be until after I return to the country (a couple of weeks). But it should be a main story chapter. I had some major difficulties with Chapter 6 of Lost Cause so that's why two alternate POV postings came instead. I think I've got it mostly worked out. i just need to have it betad.