A/N Thanks to all the people who reviewed. I'm thrilled that you liked it. Enjoy the next chapter :)

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight

Chapter 2

PPOV

I stood outside the Centre, contemplating whether I should go in or not. I know that Jasper wanted this and I'm really in no position to deny anything he asks for but could I really do this? Pick out a human girl only for her to be assaulted by rogue vampires?

My brooding thoughts were starting to annoy me. The fact that this was going to be the first human Jasper's ever brought in since the Vampires won the Revolution made it even harder. I had to make sure that she was perfect. That wasn't going to be as easy as I expected.

Holding back a growl of frustration, I made my way into the building.

I barely made it past the door before I was flanked by two vampires, surprised and nervous about why I was there.

"Mr. Whitlock! Welcome to the Centre."

I winced.

"What can we do for you?"

Down to business. That was exactly my forte. Pleasantry wasn't one of my strong suits. "I'm looking for a girl. Preferably a young one."

"Of course, Sir. We've just brought in a new round of young females, just last night." I recognized Galen as the one who spoke. He had come to the manor to speak to Jasper on occasion. Suffice to say, Jasper scared him shitless. He would do just about anything to please Jasper.

They don't call him the God of War for nothing.

They led me through the Centre. These girls wore red dresses. "Why do the girls all wear different coloured gowns?"

It seemed like a naïve question but I could care less.

"The girls in white dresses still have their innocence. The other girls wear different coloured gowns, depending on age and priority."

I wasn't paying attention any more. I was watching one of the girls. Her brown hair fell down in curls to her lower back and her chocolate brown doe eyes. I watched her interact with a tall girl with mousy brown hair.

I watched as one of the other girls provoked them. I listened to the conversation. "The chances of the two of you being picked are pretty poor. You're not pretty enough to get picked." The blond haired girl said.

"Leave us alone, Lauren. You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I know more than you think. I overheard them talking. They say that no vampire is going to want you because you're tainted."

"How am I tainted?"

"Who is the female with the waist long hair?" I asked, glancing behind me at Galen.

"Her name is Isabella."

I nodded and turned back to listen.

"…By the end of the day, I'll be gone from this place."

"And how long have you been here, exactly?" Isabella asked.

"Almost a month, according to the other girls. She says the same thing every day and it never happens." The other girl giggled.

"Hate to break it to you—okay, maybe not—but if you haven't been picked yet, something tells me that you're not going to."

"You little bitch!"

I watched with interest as Isabella moved to the side, and jumped to her feet all in on second. Lauren fell flat on her face. She swivelled around, her face red with anger.

"How dare you!"

"You better not do this. You don't know what will happen. Trust me; you really don't want to see what happens."

Instead of heeding the warning, she came went at her again. I shook my head in disbelief as I watched the idiotic girl. Isabella moved out of the way and stuck her foot out, tripping Lauren in the process. The other girls gathered around to see what the commotion was about.

I chuckled as Isabella put her foot against the other girl's lower back and crossed her arms. "I warned you."

Lauren was huffing in anger. As she started walking toward her tall friend, Lauren rammed into her back, knocking her to the floor.

"Really?" she asked in disbelief. "Haven't you learned enough?" Isabella flipped her over and pinned her to the ground. I watched as she spoke to the girl in a calm voice. "You really don't want to piss me off. I've had enough of your shit. I'm stronger and faster. And you truly don't want to see me when I get pissed off. It is not something you would want to see."

She nodded her head, fear finally settling in her eyes.

"Good." She got up and wiped off the dirt from her dress.

I walked inside, clapping. She turned around quickly, staring up at me. I watched as she shivered. She kept moving backwards as I walked closer. Her instincts were good. She knew when danger was coming.

"Do you know what I am?" I asked, knowing full well that it was a stupid question. I watched as her eyes flashed but she nodded her head.

I felt amusement as I thought about her speaking back. It was something that I was unused to when it came to humans. Usually they did what they were told.

"Do you know who I am?"

She shook her head. I found that a surprise. Everyone knew who I was. It wasn't a secret. "Really? Well that's a first. I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't know who I was."

"Pardon me, Sir, but this human lived in the underground tunnels all these years. She doesn't know much about this life."

"Is that so?" I chuckled. "Well, that's a first." I looked at her. I needed to hear her speak again. "What's your name human?"

She hesitated.

"Answer him!" Galen yelled.

"Now, now, there's no need to frighten her." I crouched down so I was looking her in the eye. I knew my eyes were red but it shouldn't have been that frightening.

"Now, what's your name?"

"Bella Swan."

"Hmm." I stood up and looked around, studying the other girls. They were all watching with anger. "Stand up for a minute, Miss. Swan."

She stood up slowly.

"Come now, there's no need to be afraid." I took her arm and drew her away from the wall gently. "Hold out your arms."

She did as I asked and I studied her intently. "A little thin, I suppose, but it must have been from all those years in the tunnels." I murmured. "Beautiful eyes. I've never seen such deep eyes before." I moved behind her and lifted her hair. It was coarse and her hair was more tangles than curls. "Hair needs a trim." I looked at Galen. "What's the highest bid?"

Galen told me. 120K. I was surprised by the number. She was just brought here, after all. It was strange that such a girl could bring such a large sum of money. I told him I'd pay 200K to take the girl. They were afraid to argue so the deal was sold.

I looked at the tiny girl. "I'm sure Master Jasper would be pleased." I nodded my head. "Yes, he would. I want her hair trimmed, at least to the middle of her back. Put her in a clean dress and I will fetch her when I am done here."

I turned my back and started walking away when I heard her call out. "Wait!"

I stopped and turned to look at her. "Is something wrong?"

"I-I had a little boy with me. I want to know how he is." She whispered. "Please, let me see him and I'll do whatever you ask."

I thought about it, studying her closely. Was it really such a big deal if I let her see the boy? No, I didn't think so. "I suppose."

She sighed in relief. "Thank you."

I nodded my head and headed out.

~*~

I sent a message to Jasper before I went to check on the girl.

The vampires put her into a navy dress that fell to her knees. It was actually quite a lovely colour on her. Her hair was trimmed to where I wanted and overall, she was quite beautiful. She was nothing compared to Charlotte but she was beautiful for a human.

I followed behind them as Galen led Bella to another holding room. Bella ran to the baby as soon as she saw him and picked him up, holding him close to her. The baby cooed and tugged on Bella's hair.

"I'm so sorry." She whispered, so low I wouldn't have been able to hear her if I wasn't a vampire. "I love you."

It was interesting to watch the way the human girl interacted with the baby. Especially a baby that wasn't even hers to begin with. "What's going to happen to that baby?" I asked fast enough that the girl wouldn't hear it.

"He'll be put to death within the next couple of days. The Volutri refuse to let human boys live because there is a chance that they will grow up and fight back against the vampires."

I studied the two. "What if the baby was raised with vampires?"

Galen looked at me. "Pardon?"

"What if the baby was raised around vampires?" I repeated slowly.

"Uh… I don't know. That's never happened before." he stuttered.

Wheels rolled. Would Jasper object if I brought the child with me? If I explained my reasoning than maybe he wouldn't mind.

"What's the price for the child?" I asked.

Galen stared at me dumbfounded. Then his face cleared and a poker face appeared. "There is no price. The child will be put to death."

Bella whimpered. Clearly our conversation was getting loud enough that even she could hear it. I glanced over at her. She was holding the child exceptionally tight, but the baby didn't complain.

"Have you forgotten who I am?" I hissed, lowering my voice. He cringed back, his eyes wide in fear. "You don't want to fuck with me. You fuck with me, you fuck with Jasper and when he gets angry, you know exactly what will happen."

Fear flashed through his eyes and judging from his stiff posture, I knew he knew exactly what I was talking about.

"I suggest you get the child's things together. I will be back soon to fetch him."

Galen didn't argue with me. He went over to Bella and took the baby out of her arms. She cried out in protest.

"You have nothing to worry about, Isabella." I assured her. "He'll be back."

"Where is he going?" she whimpered.

"To get his things together."

Her head snapped up and she looked at me, her wide eyes rimmed red from tears. "Is he going somewhere?"

I nodded my head once. "He's coming with us."

Bella's eyes lit up and I watched as she contemplated whether or not to come hug me. She didn't but her eyes spoke volumes.

"Thank you."

I waved it off and turned my back.

BPOV

Adrian was coming with us!

I was elated. When I heard that he was going to be put to death, I couldn't help the whimper that escaped. "It's going to be okay, Adrian. I won't let them hurt you."

Before I could stop anything, Adrian was taken from my arms. I cried out in protest.

"You have nothing to worry about, Isabella. He'll be back." the vampire that bought me said.

"Where is he going?" I whimpered, watching as they fled out of sight.

"To get his things."

My head snapped up. "Is he going somewhere?"

"He is coming with us."

"Thank you." I whispered my heart filling with absolute love. Not for the vampire but for the baby I've come to love more than anything.

As soon as we were satisfying enough, we were led outside and toward a car. I stared at it. It was the first car I've ever seen. "Come along, Bella."

I turned my head, my eyes widening. The vampire… sparkled? I blinked once. Twice. Three times. He still sparkled. He rolled his eyes.

"Yes, yes, I sparkle. Did you think I would burst into flames if the sun hit me?"

"No." I answered honestly as I stepped into the car. "But I didn't expect you to sparkle either."

"Masculinity goes down the drain, this way."

I couldn't stop myself. I giggled. Upon hearing me, Adrian started giggling too. I stopped and looked down at him in surprise. It was the first time I've ever heard him laugh.

"Thank you for allowing me to bring him with me." I said softly. "It means a lot."

He nodded his head once.

"Since you know my name, don't you think I should know yours?"

"You're a curious little human, aren't you?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Comes with the territory."

He chuckled. "I can see that." He studied me quickly with his red eyes. I was growing used to his eyes. It wasn't so frightening anymore. "Peter." He said. "My name is Peter."

"Am I to become a slave?"

All humour left his face. "Depends."

"On what?" I asked, my voice going hard.

"On what Jasper wants."

"Jasper?"

"He's the master of the manor. He will be the one to commission what happens to you." Peter explained.

I shivered. "Then why did you come to the Centre? Wouldn't it have been better if he came?"

"Generally, yes." He agreed. "But Jasper trusts me completely. We have a bond that cannot be broken."

"How so?"

"He sired me."

"Sired?"

"Changed me into a vampire." His voice lowered. "It was long ago. Before the Revolution."

"You were around before the Revolution even started?" That surprised me.

"Over a hundred and fifty years before the Revolution." Peter answered.

I shivered. "God, you're old."

He chuckled darkly. "I've seen things you could never imagine, little girl. Trust me; you don't want to hear about the things that I've seen."

I glared at him indignantly at the term little girl but I didn't argue. "I may not have seen all the horrors that you have but I've certainly seen my fair share. More than I wish I had."

Peter nodded his head in acknowledgement. "That's right. You've lived in the tunnels all your life."

Neither one of us spoke again. I stared out the window, watching the scenery pass by. It was strange how dark it got.

"What time is it?" I asked, glancing over at Peter.

"Just after three."

I stared out in surprise. I wasn't expecting it to be this dark, especially at this time. "Why is it so dark?"

"It's always like this." Peter didn't elaborate and I didn't bother asking. I knew I was better off not knowing.

I held Adrian close to me, stroking his soft hair. I watched as Adrian grabbed a piece of my hair and tugged on it. This always brought him some relief when he was scared of something or just bored.

"How much longer until we get there?" I asked.

"Two hours."

I swallowed back my nerves and stared out the window again.

~*~

I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up again, the car had stopped and I was alone. Then I realized Adrian was gone.

I lifted my head from where they rested on my arms and looked around. The car door was open and the little light outside was shining through the door.

"Adrian?"

"He's okay." I heard Peter say from outside.

Shifting on the seat, I got out and blinked furiously as my eyes adjusted to the light. I looked around for Adrian. He was in the arms of another vampire. White blond hair fell past her shoulders as she looked at Peter with disapproval.

I was afraid to take Adrian away from her. Something about her stance made me nervous. But Adrian was crying for me so I moved with conviction and took him out of her arms. The vampire gave him over freely and I started humming a lullaby. This was something that always calmed him down when he was fussy.

"Jasper isn't going to be happy with you, Peter."

"I couldn't very well leave him there, Charlotte." Peter argued. "Besides, I'll explain to Jasper why."

I listened carefully. Were they going to take us back to the Centre? To be subjected to those vile vampires? I shivered in terror.

"Where is Jasper?" Peter asked.

"He's gone to see Carlisle. He had business to attend to."

Peter nodded. "Good. Please take Isabella here and give her some food. Let her rest and when Jasper returns, we will get her and introduce her."

"Of course, Peter."

I watched as Peter drew Charlotte to him and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I missed you."

She giggled. "You haven't been gone that long."

I turned away, not wanting to watch. To have that kind of love. Would I ever get to have it for myself?

Looking up at the dark and dreary manor, I doubted it. I sighed, staring down at the baby in my arms, my only companion, as sad as that sounds.

Hope you liked the next chapter. For those who are wondering when Jasper comes, never fear! He'll be in the next chapter.

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By the way, I'm looking for a beta so if anyone's interested please let me know. Thanks.