Sorry, I didn't update sooner, but classes have been demanding and I haven't exactly been in the right frame of mind lately. Anywhoz, thank you all for the reviews and alerts.

Oh yeah, let's pretend that Alec and Jane are nineteen in the books, makes my life a lot easier.

As always Twilight is not mine.


Seek Not My Heart -- Acquaintances

It was a blurry memory. Almost like a dream that you have a hard time remembering. It seemed to me that coming to this place and looking down the same alleyway was like déjà vu, except this time I would be to staying for a visit by myself instead of trying to leave with my old love and best friend. How did my world turn topsy-turvy so fast? Oh yeah, when I found out my 'love' was actually in love with my humanity and now wanted nothing to do with me. At that exact moment I felt like that since the time I turned into a vampire my life had entered The Twilight Zone, where enemies actually want you to stay for a pleasant visit and gentlemanly golden guys were actually all-about-me-and-what-I-want little boys; the monsters in a nightmare becoming angels in a dream, and vice-a-versa. Truly, The Twilight Zone.

I decided to just follow the scent of the vampires that went through this alleyway knowing where they were headed. The journey was much shorter than it was when I was human, but then again we did go at my old pace. I found the pretty woman, I remember as Gianna, still working behind the desk, surprisingly still human; speaking on the phone in what I would guess would be Italian. I didn't know what to do so I just waited for her to get off the phone. Which probably wasn't the greatest thing, because it took her about twenty-five minutes to finally hang up and realize I was there.

"Hello, I would like to request an audience with Aro." I said trying to sound possibly distinguished, though I wasn't sure why. It wouldn't matter, they would know that I was the love-struck girl that was here only months ago.

"What is your name?" She asked in a heavy Italian accent. Her green eyes piercing my red ones, it was slightly unnerving.

"Isabella Swan. Or you could use Cullen if that doesn't work." I said.

"Oh yes, Master Aro has been waiting for you." She said while dialing a number on the phone.

"Yes, Gianna." Some man with a deep voice answered.

"A Miss Isabella Swan has requested for Master Aro."

"I will tell him immediately." He said before hanging up.

"Wait for a moment please." She said while picking up a fashion magazine.

I decided to sit in one of the waiting chairs, trying to calm my nerves down. Though I knew there was no reason to be scared of them now, the past was just behind my eyelids. I didn't know if I was going to join the guard or not. The only thing I could come up with to do about that decision was to wait and see how my stay here turned out.

"Bella." The voice from the phone said. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't even realize someone else had joined us in the waiting room.

"Felix?" I asked more than said.

"You remember me." He said excitedly. "Wow, immortality suits you."

"Thank you. So, are you the one that is leading the way?" I asked though it is obvious what the answer will be.

"Sure am. Follow me." He sure is like Emmett.

We walked down the familiar corridor to the great doors in silence. The silence didn't feel uncomfortable but I was a bit tense because of the situation. I already knew that a lot of the people were not going to be as friendly as Felix. Like Jane for instance who just wanted to kill me and I really didn't feel like dealing with having enemies. Felix opened the door to reveal all three of the brothers sitting in the exact chairs as last time. The only difference this time was that there are less people in the room. Must not be feeding time. Of course one of the people in the room has to be the person that I didn't want to face at the moment.

Jane's glare had me shivering slightly while I made my way closer to the brothers. Next to her was a boy, or maybe man is the right word, that I don't really remember seeing as a human. He was perfect. His dark brown tresses swept all around his head and face, his glowing burgundy eyes boring into mine, and his perfect slightly full lips. Everything, glorious. I had to look away quickly before anyone caught my staring and could assume something that might be true.

"Ah dearest Bella, I see you have decided to stay with us for awhile." Aro said pleasantly.

"Yes, Alice told me of what you had requested of me and I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity." I spoke sincerely. I mean it was half true, no need to tell him that I needed to get away.

"And how is the dear Cullen coven?" He asked

"They are all fine." Which is true.

"Where is your Edward?"

"I would rather not discuss that, yet." I said, though I didn't know I was going to explain to him what happened until the 'yet' left the tip of my tongue. He simply nodded.

"May I?" He asked raising his hand up in front of himself. I nodded and strolled up to him faking a calm that was impossible to obtain. I placed my hand on to his and heard a gasp slip through his lips. I looked up to see him with blank unseeing eyes. I began to worry that he was looking through every thought that I had ever had, but when he came around he looked slightly shocked and pleased, I wasn't too sure what to think.

"Jane." He said and I knew what he wanted to try.

Jane took a step forward before she smirked at me and a look of violent intention glinted in her eyes. I tensed a little waiting for what might or might not happen. All of a sudden Jane was on her knees with a piercing scream filling the air and her hands pulling at her hair. She collapsed in a heap after a second, no longer in what seemed to be pain. Everyone was too shocked to move an inch, just staring dumbfounded at her. Some even looked at me in fear, though I wasn't sure why.

Aro's other hand clapped on the top of my hand that was still in his possession causing my shocked gaze to look up at him. He was smiling from ear to ear, his eyes twinkling with happiness. Confusion filled my mind as I continued to stare at his excited face.

"Bella, you are truly gifted." He finally said.

"That….that was me?" I asked looking at Jane again, who was currently trying to get up with terror filled eyes.

"Yes. When I touched you, I didn't read you I was reading every thought I ever had all again. It seems you deflect whoever is trying to use a gift on you. Just as Jane had to feel the pain of her own gift the same would happen to any other."

"Whoa, that is awesome. Finally, Jane can see how it feels." Felix boomed high fiving someone I recall being Demetri.

I didn't really know what to say about anything that had just occurred. I hadn't even thought about being gifted at all, I still thought that my mind was just way different then everybody else's. All I really wanted to do was maybe find a room to pretend to sleep in, not be a part of hurting someone that already hated me enough as it is. As if reading my mind, the one that as a human I remembered him full of boredom, Marcus spoke.

"You would probably like a suite after your long flight, would you not Bella?" He asked, for some reason I felt like he spoke to me as a father would a daughter. It was odd how he seemed to know what I really wanted and I had never even spoke to him before. Aro stared at Marcus with a contemplative look before giving me the same look.

"That would be great, Marcus. Thank you." I said gratefully.

"Alec." Marcus called. The man I was staring at earlier stepped forward slightly. Alec, what a strange yet mesmerizing name, how fitting. "Could you show Bella to her room?"

"Yes, Master." Alec said glancing my way. My hand was still placed securely in Aro's as he kept looking between Marcus and me. I patted his hand to get his attention.

"Yes, dear?" He asked.

"I need my hand back." I mumbled.

"Of course, excuse me." He said letting me go. I walked up to Alec never actually looking at him. I noticed from my peripheral that Aro went straight up to Marcus and took his hand. There was a smile playing at Aro's lips as he looked at me.

What was going on? It seemed that Marcus knew something that had something to do with me, but what? I remember Edward telling me that Marcus could see bonds, but did that really have anything to do about what was going on. I would just have to wait to talk to him about it since he would be the only person to know. But would he tell me?

"Are you ready?" Alec asked breaking me from my thoughts.

"Yes."

He led the way in silence, I wasn't overly uncomfortable but I did want to talk to him. I didn't understand why but since I gazed into his eyes there was something in me that wanted to find out everything that was Alec. It was a strange feeling that I didn't know how I should respond to it. It was obvious he didn't feel it since he never really spoke to me. Or if he did feel it, he sure was great at hiding it. So if he either didn't feel it or is ignoring it, I would just follow his lead in playing nonchalance.

He stopped abruptly and turned to face a door before opening it. I stepped in and couldn't believe how perfect it was for me. The room's walls were a soft purple that easily took all my stress away. The bed was a queen size; the blankets were white with the same color purple trimming it. There was a whole wall of books; it seemed to be mixed with different genres. A window with a seat overlooked the city and nearby countryside. Everything was perfect, it was me.

"Do you like it?" Alec asked coming through the door.

"Absolutely, everything about this room is perfect. It was like it was created just for me." I said sitting on the bed.

"Well, Master Aro did make it just for you." He said standing by the window.

"Why? And how would he know what I would like?"

"As you know he would very much like for you to join the guard." Turning around to look at me he continued. "He saw through Edward's thoughts of some of your interests."

"So he has been planning for me to come since then?" I asked.

"Yes." He answered simply.

"Does he still believe I will join?"

"Will you not?" He asked tilting his head to the side.

"I don't know." I mumbled placing my hands over my face.

I had no clue what I was going to do anymore. I thought becoming a vampire would mean spending eternity with the Cullen's, with Edward. But he made that boat leave me in the port flailing my arms like a lunatic. Where else is there to go? There's always becoming a nomad, but I don't think I could live like that forever. Being alone, just hunting, occasionally pretending to be human. No, being a lone nomad is depressing to even think about. But could I join the guard? I would need time to think about that one. It probably wouldn't be that bad, some of the people I already feel a strange connection to. The only downside is when I might have to kill someone for not following the rules. The whole situation has my mind rolling in circles that would have had me pushing out chunks had I still been a human.

I looked up from my hands to find Alec staring curiously at me. I wonder what he is thinking about. I wanted to ask him, but remembered that we were only acquaintances for the moment. It would be rude to just up and ask him what was on his mind. Maybe in time we could become friends, though I would highly doubt that since if I remember correctly Jane is his twin sister and hates me. Plus, I did hurt her and though it was unintentional it will only make her have another reason to hate me. Great. She seriously needs to get over herself though; I mean what in the world did I do to her. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Yet, she feels the need to want to tear me to pieces and make me into charcoal.

"How long do you intend on staying?" He finally asked breaking me from my thoughts.

"Once again I don't know." I replied shrugging.

"Hmm, well if there is anything you would like you know how to reach me." He said before disappearing out the door. Now what? I wish he would have stayed.

The only downside about the room was that it was lacking on electronics. I needed music to live, and a computer to stay in touch with the world. At least it would give me a chance to explore the city, I thought. I lifted myself off the bed to walk over to the giant wall of books. They had some of my favorites, and various assortments that I would love to browse. Before I could even choose what I would love to read there was a tap at the door. I turned around to find Marcus looking at me with his hand still held up towards the door.

"Hello, Marcus." I said

"Would you mind if I came in?" I nodded. "I hope I am not intruding. I just needed to discuss some thing with you."

"That's fine; I was just looking at what books there were." I said.

"I hope everything is to your liking. I know Aro read through the Cullen boys' thoughts about you, but it is not the same as actually knowing someone." He said sitting on the edge of my bed.

"No, this place is perfect."

"But?" He asked clearly hearing that there was more.

"It's actually nothing; I'll just need to buy myself some music and maybe a computer." I said hesitantly.

"I could always have someone bring you to a store." He said.

"That would be great. Was there something else that you wanted to talk about though?" I asked knowing he didn't just come to check on me.

"Yes well as you may already know I can view a bond between people." At my nod he continued. "It appears that gifts like mine, the ones that are not harmful, can be used on you. So I know what your bonds are with some of the people, though with some at the moment it may not be strong but they will strengthen in time."

"So did you come to tell me my formed bonds?" I asked confused as to where he was going with this.

"No, not all. Those are for you to discover, maybe in time I will tell. I came to tell you about the one's you may be worried about like let's say Jane, you may believe that she may loath you but that is not the case in fact if you befriended her you two would be quite the inseparable pair."

"Really?" I asked shocked. Me and Jane, friends? I was right I did step into The Twilight Zone.

"Yes. Did you want to know our bond? I am sure you were confused earlier." Once again I just nodded, but this time it was because I was still in shock.

"It would seem that we will have a bond that of a father and daughter."

"I knew it; the first time you spoke to me I felt it. Is that why Aro was acting strangely?"

"Yes, it has been a long time since I even really looked at someone so when I noticed that you felt the need to be alone, Aro was curious as to what changed that." He answered.

"What changed?"

"You stepped into the room and I glanced at what your ties would be. That's when I seen ours."

"So am I going to have to call you dad now?" I asked jokingly.

"Not unless you want to." He replied with a small smile. Was that the first smile I seen from him? Did he never smile? Well, as long as I'm staying that won't be his last one.

"Wait, how about that Alec guy? What will our bond be?" I asked as he was making his way towards the hall.

"That is one you shall have to discover on your own." He said leaving.

I don't understand why he can't just tell me. I mean I practically get what my relationships with the others might become. Alec is the only person I'm not sure in that aspect. At least now I know his sister won't be my enemy as long as I try to become her friend, so that means he won't hate me. Though that doesn't mean he has to like me either. I shouldn't be thinking about Alec like this, I mean what is he to me? Just an acquaintance really, so why is it he keeps drifting back in my mind?


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