A/N: Exams are done. Shiny! One step closer to total world domination. *evil laugh* I do hope to get the next part up faster now that I'm on break. Sadly previous disclaimers still apply.
~enjoy


Rebekah Mikealson


It had been months of normal, wonderful normal. It was refreshing, not having to worry about anything important. I could almost pretend that there wasn't a sinister plot unfolding on the other side of the continent.

"Rebekah, would you stay after for a minute."

Ugh. This wasn't going to be good. "Sure Dr. Walt." Why couldn't I just get along with my history teachers? Why were they all intent on making me a sheep?

"I'll just wait for you in the hall, Bekah." Bell grabbed her books and exited the room. She had been smart. She had written her final paper citing conventional sources and coming to boring conclusions because she knew it would get her the grade she wanted. Why couldn't I be content with that?

"What can I do for you Dr. Walt?" He was lounging back in his chair behind his desk while I stood holding my books in front of me.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to fail your paper Rebekah."

I raised my eyebrows. "Really? Why would you have to do that?"

"I can see you weren't paying attention in class. Terrorism was not a military tactic used in the Civil War, Rebekah. You can not write a paper based on that thesis and expect a passing grade."

"I would respectful disagree with you Dr. Walt. Terrorism was most definitely a tactic used by both sides during the Civil War as my paper outlines and my sources support. I followed your rubric and do expect an excellent grade on the paper."

"Your sources are not reliable nor do I think they even exist. Vampires, Rebekah, really? There were vampires fighting for the South." He crossed his arms and shook his head in disgust.

That was it. The last straw. I was used to taking harsh criticisms from teachers, but none had ever accused me of fabricating sources. I dropped my books down on the nearest desk and they crashed, causing Dr. Walt to jump in his seat.

"I see you barely read my paper Dr. Walt. It was Union soldier who began comparing the Confederate soldiers to vampires because of their odd fighting tactics. Confederate soldiers merely propagated it when they could. All of this was well documented in the numerous diaries and personal letters I referenced. I don't appreciate having my academic integrity questioned, Dr. Walt, but if you require, I can provide you with copies of my sources. I can't get you the originals as my family donated them to the Jeffersonian before we moved, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind faxing the authentication documents should you need those as well. It was an impeccable paper Dr. Walt and I will stand by it." I gathered my things together. "I'll see you next week for the final Dr. Walt." I stormed out the door.

Bella stood across the hall leaning against the lockers. "That went well." She pushed off to join me as I continued down the hall. "I told you he wouldn't like it no matter how intriguing it was."

"I really hate sheep."

Bella just chuckled. "From what I just heard that would make you a wolf right? So what does that make me?"

"A wolf in a sheepskin coat." Sometimes I really do think she is smarter than me.
I shook my head to get rid of my irritation. "Have you heard from Jacob lately?" She shook her head as we climbed into my car. "He still sick?"

"Yeah, I talked to Billy last night and he said Jacob was still running a fever. Its probably the flu or something." That sucks for him then.

"Want to go for a short hike this afternoon? I know Charlie doesn't want us to, but what if we don't stray to far?" Bella shook her head.

"What about First Beach?" she suggested, "We should be able to get some good shots there and I don't think Dad would object."

"First Beach it is then."


The late afternoon sun was perfect on the beach. Bella was using my old Nikon with a large zoom lens, while I had decided to be a little more adventurous with my wide angle and microscopic lenses. It was incredibly relaxing to be able to focus on photography for a few hours. I was completely zoned. Bella was busy photographing some seagulls while I was trying to photograph the lines on a seashell.

I was so relaxed I almost missed it. Almost. A shift in the wind let me know we weren't alone anymore. I dropped my camera; it clanged into the other lens hanging from my neck as I stood up. Bella was backing up to me slowly and I soon saw why.
A vampire was standing down the beach from us. His dark dreads giving little contrast to the dark color of his skin. I reached out and grabbed Bella's wrist, pulling her behind me.

"Who are you? What do you want?" I snarled at him.

"The usual." He looked past me to Bella.

I let go of Bella's wrist and reached up slowly to remove my camera and lens, handing them to her.

"Victoria is going to be so upset with me for killing you, Bella. She wanted to do it herself, but I find that I enjoy the thought of drinking your blood to much to just hand you over to her." Like I was ever going to let that happen. Just as I was about to charge him, I caught their scent. Shifters. My heart clenched in my chest.

A black wolf, as large as a horse landed between the vampire and us barring it's teeth; It's hackles raised. I glanced around and several more wolves were spilling out onto the beach. I grabbed Bella and pulled her back to the car away from whatever was going to happen on the beach. She didn't speak until I had the car speeding back to her house.

"What the hell just happened Bekah?" She was staring straight ahead. But at least she wasn't hyperventilating or anything.

"Some shifters showed up and are probably ripping that sorry creature limb from limb." A short and concise explanation always works better in a crisis.

"Shifters? What...like Werewolves?"

"No. Werewolves are much smaller. I meant shifters. These just apparently shift into very large wolves. I bet that's why everyone keeps saying they've seen bears at all of those attacks."

"They killed all those people!" I put a reassuring hand on hers.

"No. They hunt vampires. I meant that the vampires were killing people, but the shifters kept showing up to late and were seen." I pulled my eyes back to the road quickly.

"O.k. So not the bad guys?" She let out a breath and the tension released from her shoulders.

"No, Bella. Not the bad guys." She really did take this supernatural stuff well.


"Ready yet?" I stepped through the door into Bella's house. We had taken to ridding together in the morning. This morning I was earlier than usual. "Still no word from Jacob?" It had been weeks since the incident at First Beach. He didn't have the flu. I walked into Bella's house and followed her up to her room.

"None. I did get a hold of Billy last night, and he told me that Jacob has just been busy with some stuff on the Res."

I rolled my eyes. Apparently, thats what they were calling it these days. I stopped as I reached the landing at the top of the stairs. The hair on the back of my neck raised as I caught an unfamiliar scent.

"Bella have you had anyone new in your room recently?" I slowly dropped my bag outside of her room.

"No...Why, Bekah?"

I nudged the door open, but I couldn't sense anyone else in the room and the scent hadn't moved passed the door.

"Bella, is there anything missing?" I motioned her into the room. "Someone has been in here and I don't recognize them." It wasn't a werewolf or a shifter. It definitely wasn't one of my kind. It was one of them.

"Should we call Charlie?" Bella began to slowly look around the room.

"I don't think Charlie needs to get involved in this." Bella looked at me with wide eyes. She and I had agreed to keep Charlie out of this world which might prove a little more difficult now.

"What would they want from my room?" She entered cautiously, taking stock of the things in her room. I walked over to the window, trying to decipher which direction they had come from. I had no luck from up here. I turned back around to find Bella standing over her clothes hamper. "My red sweater; the one I wore yesterday. I put it on the back of my chair last night, but I can't find it now." She was starting to panic. I rushed over and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Look at me, Bell. They're gone and they can't hurt you now." I watched as tears started welling up in her eyes.

"But they were here, in my room." She raised a hand up to cover her mouth. "They were here while I was sleeping, while Charlie was sleeping." She dropped her eyes down to the floor and I promptly pulled her into a hug. "What am I gunna do, Bek?"

"I'll handle it, Bell. Don't worry, I handle it. You and your Dad are going to be safe. I promise." I was going to need some help. There was only one reason they would take her sweater.


Ugh...I really HATE animal blood. It was absolutely disgusting. How any vampire could live on it was a complete and utter mystery to me. I had skipped first period after convincing Bella that school was a good idea. I had to hunt and being in a crowded place was safe for now. I tossed the rabbit haphazardly over my shoulder and began to make my way back to my car.

Before I made it two steps, my ears picked up movement downwind, a lot of movement, and it was coming my way. I quickly scaled the nearest tree, hoping for a glimpse of what to expect. What I saw was a flash of red hair as a vampire ran underneath my perch followed closely by several of the wolves, some I recognized from First Beach. I had to pursue. I had to know if they caught her. Oh well, there went second period. I quickly jumped, shifting into my favorite form, a golden eagle, and soared after them.

I momentarily rejoiced at the freedom of flying, feeling the wind ruffling my feathers as I pounded them to catch up. Elijah thought this form was impractical, that I should have chosen a more common bird. I had disagreed. It was absolutely magnificent.
I watched from the air as they made grab after grab for her, always missing. It was almost like she knew what was going to happen. I really hoped she couldn't do anything really irritating like read minds or see the future. I flew ahead of them as they neared a cliff and watched as she evaded them yet again, by jumping into the water. I circled back around, heading for my car. This was going to be a little more difficult that I first imagined. I was definitely going to need help. Maybe I should contact the shifters, maybe they would be different.


I pushed open the cafeteria doors and found Bella sitting with our other friends at our usual table poking at her food.

"How was Bugs?" She looked up at me and stopped messing with her food.

"Absolutely awful! Perfectly vile!" I flopped down in the chair. Jessica quickly leaned over to join the conversation.

"OMG! You have a boyfriend? Thats where you were this morning, right? You two have a fight last night then makeup? Kinda sucks that he's that bad in bed though. Maybe you should dump him and find someone else. What kind of name is Bugs anyway?"

I just stared in shock. She hadn't taken a breath the whole time she was speaking. Unable to hide her amusement any longer, Bella burst out laughing and my phone began to ring.

"No, Jessica I don't have a boyfriend. I was bunny-sitting for my neighbors. They named him Bugs." I grabbed my bag from the floor for my phone.

"Oh. Honest mistake."

I finally found it, buried in the vary bottom. I glanced at the caller I.D. It was Elijah.

"Aren't you going to answer that?" Jessica looked a little irritates with me, not that I really cared. I turned to Bella.

"Be right back." I answered the phone as I made my way outside.

"What can I do for you, brother?"

"I find myself in need of your assistance, sister. Do you think you can find some time in your busy schedule for a trip?"

"I'm a little busy right now. Why would I want to go on a trip anyway?" I turned around making sure no one was in hearing distance.

"I think you should clear your schedule darling sister. I do not think we will get another chance to kill our brother."

Carefully I weighed my options. Elijah and I had been trying I find a way to kill Nik for centuries. He was right. It may very well be our only chance to do it. I had to go. I needed to go. I would make contact with the shifters to protect Bella.

"When and Where?" Lunch was over and the students were making their way back to class. Bella was making her way over to me, concern clouding her eyes.

"A couple of days in Mystic Falls." I hung up and dropped my phone back into my bag.

"You ok, Bekah? You look a little flustered. Who was that?"

I let out a sigh and sat on the nearest bench. Bella joined me. "My brother, Elijah. He needs my help for a couple of days, maybe a week." I looked over at her. To my surprise, she didn't look afraid. There was a look of resolve I couldn't place.

"Is he the one, the one who found you?" She was gazing into the fountain in the middle of the courtyard twiddling her fingers.

"Yes, he is." I turned to face her and grabbed one of her hands in my own. "I won't leave without making sure you and Charlie are safe, Bell. I promise."

"I know you will. Hey, maybe those wolves could help. How do we talk to them." I stifled a laugh. She was trying. I knew she was scared, but she was learning not to let it controls her actions.

"I've got an idea, but I need to skip the rest of school. Mind covering?"

"I'll do it, just don't forget to pick me up. I really don't want to have to ride in the cruiser." I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder.

"Is he your only brother?" She grabbed her books off the bench beside her.

"I had 5."

"Is he the only one like you?"

I looked over her face trying to decide what she meant. Did any of the others share the same morals or ethics? Did they share my enthusiasm for learning, my quest for answers? Did they feel guilt or remorse, joy or peace? I honestly wasn't sure anymore. I hadn't seen most of them in over 500 years. A lot can change in 500 years, or a lot can stay the same.

"You know, still alive?" Ah, she meant it in a literal sense.

"Four of them. I'll wait for you in the parking lot." I turned and walked to the car.


I shifted the car into park and climbed out of the car. I was at the Black's house in the reservation. It was a bold move coming into their territory without knowing who they were. I had a lead with Jacob. I knew the signs. I'd put two and two together when they saved us on First Beach. I'd been around them both often enough to know they didn't feel threatened by me. Billy seemed a little uneasy, but that was all. Anyone part of the bloodline would have felt an intense need to avoid me, like they do the Cold Ones of their legends. At least that was what history said, so I felt relatively safe.

Billy answered my knock. "Hello Rebekah. What are you doing all the way out here?" I could sense his unease.

"Is Jacob around?" He eyed me cautiously. I could tell I was beginning to set off alarm bells.

"No, he's not." I glanced over at Jacob's parked VW bug in the driveway. "He's off with some of the other boys. I'll tell him you stopped by." He began to back his chair from the door so he could close it.

"Maybe you could help me then." He glanced up at me again. "I hear you're having a bit of a vampire problem." He just gave me a blank stared. I guess finding out the cat was out of the bag was a little surprising.

"Vampires? I don't know what you're talking about. Vampires don't exist." Lie number two, so far. I really hate it when people lie I me. I rolled my eyes.

"Right. Vampires don't exist just like the sun rises in the west. I want to talk to your Alpha about the red head they were chasing this morning. I'll just wait out back." I turned on my heel and headed behind the house.

My instincts said they would come from the woods and the only woods were around the back of the house. I grabbed a lawn chair from the deck and sat it in the middle of the yard so it wouldn't seem like I was threatening Billy. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and started killing pigs while I waited.

Almost ten minutes later, I sensed them approaching. I kept my head down and continued my game. They were already on the defensive. I had to keep them from seeing me as a threat. They certainly wouldn't help me of we ended up in a tussle. One of them stopped about a yard from me.

"What are you?" I hit the home button on my phone closing out my game to put a face with the rich baritone voice.

"I'm Rebekah." I held my hand out for him to shake and their was an awkward moment as he decided to shake it.

"Sam."

"Nice to meet you, Sam." The others stayed a little further back, but I made sure to keep my eyes on Sam. He was the Alpha. If anybody was going to attack, he would do it first.

"What I am is unimportant. You have a problem with a certain red-head and I am in a position to give you some information." He nodded. "She's after Bella Swan."

There was quite a commotion from the Jacob, whom I could see in my peripheral vision standing between the pack and Sam. Sam crossed his arms over his chest.

"And how would you know that?"

I shrugged, "You just need to analyze the Vamp drama. Edward killed her mate and now she wants to kill his for revenge. The joke's on her though. Bella isn't his mate and threatening her is just pissing me off. However I'm going out of town for a few days and I don't have time to track and kill her before I leave, so I thought I could leave this matter in your very capable hands." He scoffed. He actually had the audacity to scoff.

"You were going to kill her?" He clearly needed convincing.

"Is that all you got out of what I just said?" I stood and took a step toward him. "No. No. I'm going out of town and won't be here to protect Bella." I paused to let that sink in while taking another step closer. "You guys need to handle it, but if you don't and she dies, I will kill every last one of you and the people you love most. Did you get that?"
O.K. maybe I took it a bit to far. Sam was shaking. I guess threatening the lives of his pack and all of their families was a bad move.

"Protect her above all else." I practically radiated danger. The rest of the shifters took a step back, all but Sam. He was going to shift at any minute, but I couldn't go until I got an answer.

"We'll do it." I smirked. That answer came from the only other shifter present who would dare to speak for the alpha, the Beta. It was nice to know Jacob had risen so fast. I never looked away from Sam as I jumped and shifted into a golden eagle. I circled them once before I flew off. That would give them something else to think about.


Bella and I were sitting on her couch. It had been two days since my talk with the shifters and they had kept to their word. There were patrols running constantly around Bella just out of her sight.

"I'm not sure how long I'll be gone."

"But you're coming back?" She was retreating, but I wasn't going to let her.

"Don't worry. Look, I got you a new phone."

"You know I hate presents."

"I know, but it'll make it easier to keep in touch." I never understood her aversion to presents. Personally, I loved them.

"Look, I loaded it with all sorts of stuff. All my info is in there. You can tweet, facebook, text, or even facetime me anytime you want. I will be back Bell. We're Best Friends.

"Best Friends Forever." She smiled and hugged me.

I couldn't help it. I smiled to. I liked the sound of that.

"Forever, Bell." I would make sure of it.


A/N: So what did you think? I've finally finished revising the first chapter and it's nearly twice as long. All you guys need to do is hit that little review button to make my day!