DC: I don't own it

Thank you to my reviewers

Chapter 3,

"I'm Esme," a caramel haired woman said the moment Bella was taken to the servants quarters. Bella was sure that she was going to like Esme. With her soft heart shaped face and gentle features, she was almost maternal.

"Bella," Bella mumbled. She looked around. There were a few others in the room.

"This is Angela, Jessica and Rachel."

Each of the girls nodded when Esme said their name and went back to their own devices. Bella rubbed her upper arm nervously, allowing herself to feel vulnerable and scared for the first time in weeks. The door opened and Jasper brought Alice in.

"Master Jasper," the three girls said, standing quickly. Jasper didn't look at them.

"Esme, this is my new human."

Bella thought it was strange. Jasper referred to Esme by her name. She wondered why. But she was just happy to see her sister. Alice left Jasper's side and ran to Bella. They held onto each other's hands and looked at Jasper.

"It seems that you and Edward were too frightening," Esme said. "You boys are too much sometimes."

"Hm, well such is life. Show them the ropes."

Esme nodded and Jasper left. Bella looked at Esme strangely. She spoke to Jasper as if they were friends. Esme seemed to read her confused expression because she spoke calmly and gently, "they're good boys once you get to know them."

"I highly doubt that," Bella said coldly.

"You'll see it in time," Esme assured them. She took them to the empty cot that was set up for Edward's human. "I'm afraid we weren't counting on two new additions, so you'll have to share for now..."

"That's fine," Alice said quickly. "I'm not feeling well, I just want to lay down."

"You'll be sick for a few days because of the pill," Esme said, "or injection, either one."

Alice nodded and laid on the cot. Bella sat next to her and Alice rested her head on her lap. Bella stroked her sister's cropped hair and it wasn't long before Alice was in silent tears.

"Are you feeling alright?" Esme asked, taking the cot next to them.

"I'm fine," Bella said, "the vampire didn't give me a shot."

"Master Edward is strange in his own way," Esme said, "that sounds like him. He takes pride in his control."

"And everything else."

Esme laughed. It was a sweet musical sound that Bella had never really heard before. Her parents had always had heavy dry laughs, after slavery corrupted them everything about their beings was heavy and dry.

"Master Edward is very arrogant, I will give you that," Esme agreed. "He's the youngest of Lord Cullen's two sons."

"I thought the three of them were all brothers."

"No, heavens no," Esme said with another musical laugh as if she were talking about her own family. "Master Carlisle is the eldest. Emmett, the big one, is the husband of Mistress Rosalie."

"The blonde girl?"

Esme nodded, "be wary of her," she warned, "Mistress Rosalie is much like her father and she has very little patience for humans."

"Sounds like a typical vampire," Bella muttered.

"Master Jasper was adopted by Lord Cullen. He is rumored to be one of his illegitimate children but there has never been a test done. Master Jasper was orphaned at a very young age. Then there is Master Edward."

Esme sounded almost sad when she mentioned the youngest Cullen's name. As if she felt for him in some way.

"He is seventeen and is very young. Master Carlisle is nearing forty, and Mistress Rosalie is in her thirties."

"That's quite a gap," Bella said.

"Yes."

"What about his mother?"

"The Lady Cullen died a long time ago," Esme said sadly. "I was brought here when I was five. I was fifteen when she died. She was kind. I was her human as well."

"As well?"

"Primarily I belong to Master Carlisle," Esme said, "I was given to him at a young age as a companion."

"A companion?"

"In a way yes," Esme said, "you see my mother belonged to Lord Cullen. She escaped one night and learned she was pregnant with me. We lived alone together and when she was finally found she killed herself. They saw the brand on her foot and brought me to Lady Cullen. She didn't have much use for a human child so she told me to serve her son. Master Carlisle was about nine at the time."

"Will we meet him?" Bella asked.

Just that moment the door opened and a vampire came in. He was painfully handsome like the others so Bella knew he must be one of the Cullen boys. For a moment she thought it was Jasper but remembered that Jasper's hair was a little longer. This man had short golden blonde hair. His eyes were the same red as every other vampire, only a shade or two lighter. But it was his face that was completely different. He smiled when he came in.

"I'm sorry to disturb you ladies," he said, nodding towards Angela, Jessica and Rachel. Esme stood and smiled.

"Good evening Master Carlisle," she said, "what can we do for you?"

Bella didn't like how Esme was so willing to serve them.

"You have new arrivals?" Carlisle asked, noticing Bella and Alice.

"Yes," Esme said looking back at them, "it seemed your brother wanted one too."

"It would seem," Carlisle said with a laugh.

"This is Bella, and that is Alice."

"Hello," Carlisle said with a smile. Bella held Alice tighter. Alice seemed too tired to notice. "Oh," he said, noticing the withdraw. "I must be scarier than I thought."

"They just aren't comfortable around you yet," Esme said. Carlisle smiled at her.

"Well I hope that's it," he said, "I'd hate to think I'm becoming a horrifying monster."

Esme laughed.

"What's wrong with the little one?" He asked. "Are you Bella or Alice?"

"Alice, is the small one," Esme said, "and she just had her injection today."

"She must be Jasper's," Carlisle said. He came to the cot and Bella leapt up, guarding her sister. "I won't hurt her," Carlisle promised, "I just want to see."

"It's alright Bella," Esme said gently. Bella glared at Carlisle.

"No," Bella said, "leave her alone!"

"I heard you were a fighter," Carlisle sighed.

"So you knew about them all along," Esme accused with a small smile. Carlisle grinned sheepishly.

"I like hearing you give introductions," he said with a shrug. Esme laughed and looked back at Bella.

"Really, Bella, he won't hurt her."

"No, no, if she isn't comfortable then that's fine," Carlisle said. "How long have you two known each other? Such protectiveness isn't very common."

"She's my sister," Bella answered warily.

"Ah, that explains it," Carlisle said.

"Master Jasper also," Esme agreed.

"Yes, certainly," Carlisle said. Bella looked confused. "My brother has the ability to handle emotions and feel them. He must have felt the panic coming from her when Edward chose you."

"That sounds like him," Esme sighed softly. "Such a softy."

Bella wondered how anyone as cold as Jasper could be described as a softy. He seemed to be anything but.

"I brought this," Carlisle said, handing Esme a little bottle. "It'll help with her fever and help her sleep."

"Did you ask Jasper permission? Carlisle you know how he gets."

"Big brother knows best," Carlisle said, "now," he turned to Bella, "I understand that you'll have trust issues, but I promise that the next few days will not be pleasant for her."

"What did they give her?" Bella asked angrily. "Poison?"

"Technically," Carlisle said, "it's a serum of sorts, that comes in either pill or injection form, that was developed to keep the vampires from draining humans. It bonds to the blood cells and multiplies them rapidly when a wound is inflicted. Back in the early days, humans would be drained easily. It took a lot of control to keep them alive. Now with the serum the blood replenishes much quicker."

Bella looked horrified. She was looking at Carlisle as if he was some sort of deranged creature. Carlisle looked innocently back at her.

"My sister is being turned into a blood bank?!" Bella cried.

"Would you rather she be dead?" Carlisle asked. "I see Edward has already tasted your blood. The serum does make the blood taste bitter for a while." Carlisle took the pills from Esme and slapped them in Bella's hand with a smile. "I don't like to but if it'll get you to give them to her, I order you to make sure she takes these pills once a day for the next five days."

"I don't belong to you or anyone and neither does my sister!" Bella snarled.

"Oh dear Edward is going to have fun with you," Carlisle sighed, "he enjoys challenges."

"Did you come just to harass the new girls?" Esme asked playfully.

"No, I came to bring the medication and see what kind of trouble my brother has gotten himself into. And judging by the fire in her eyes I'd say this'll be interesting."

Carlisle left shortly after and Bella relaxed. She looked at the small bottle in her hand. "Why does he want to help her? How do I know it isn't poison?"

"Master Carlisle is very kind," Esme said, "he's a doctor at the hospital. Did you notice the lighter shade of his eyes?"

Bella nodded.

"He drinks synthetic blood. One of the reasons why his father isn't as fond of him. Synthetic blood is much cheaper than genuine human blood. You can find animal blood in the poor houses. It's given to the homeless usually. From what I hear it's revolting and provides the nutrition needed, but doesn't satisfy the thirst. Synthetic blood is a little better. It's basically human blood with chemicals added to stretch it out. The serum he was talking about is actually used in the process."

"They are disgusting creatures, all of them," Bella decided angrily. She didn't want to see Alice suffer. Esme seemed to trust Carlisle completely. But Bella couldn't risk it. She couldn't trust the vampire no matter how much Esme seemed to admire him. She handed the pills to her. "I don't trust him."

"She will be very sick," Esme said sadly, "please Bella, it'll ease her pain."

Bella sat back on the cot and Alice looked at her weakly. She laid down and Alice cuddled against her.

"He gave them to each of us," Angela said in her shy voice, "he really just wants to help."

"I trust him," Alice said weakly. Bella knew she was defeated. If Alice wanted to take the pill then that was fine. Esme handed one to her and Alice took it. Esme brought her a cup of water and she swallowed it. About a half hour later her body didn't burn nearly as badly.

"How do you feel?" Bella asked.

"A little better," Alice admitted, "maybe one of them is actually good."

Bella didn't want to go that far. She continued to stroke Alice's hair soothingly until her sister fell asleep. Esme pulled a blanket over the two of them and Bella gave her a weak thankful smile. The medication must have helped Alice sleep because she was completely out. Bella was thankful and a little jealous. It had been weeks (though it felt like years) since their separation from Renee. Each night the girls fell asleep huddled together. Even though Emily and the others were kind to them, Alice and Bella had a bond that seemed to intimidate them. This place wasn't much better than the Center, but at least it was warmer. They had a bed. But most importantly they had each other. Bella didn't have the fear that night that she had that the next morning she could wake up and be taken away from her sister.

"Try to get some sleep," Esme said gently.

"I barely remember when mom and dad found her," Bella said, "she was all alone. Her parents had been captured by hunters and they had buried her to keep her safe. She scared me to death by popping up. She was so scared. She's always been skittish. I was always the brave one. The one that wasn't afraid of the vampires. I was just afraid of them coming. Our parents were slaves before, they both escaped and tried to shelter us. They killed my father because they had no use for him. They all raped my mother and made Alice...they humiliated her and I couldn't do anything of use. I watched them cut her hair strip her and laugh at her and it didn't matter when they did it to me, I didn't care about me. She tried to stand up for me but the blonde scared her," Bella smiled sadly at her sister as she combed her fingers very lightly through her short hair, "she knows what's best for me. I know she just wants to look out for me. But I can't just bend over and take it, Esme, I can't just...can't."

"Get some sleep," Esme said gently, smoothing Bella's hair. Bella turned her head slightly to look towards Esme. Her soft hands stroked her hair, tucking it behind her ear and soothing her like Renee used to. "As far as masters go, the Cullen boys aren't so bad. They aren't as foul as others. I know things must look bad now, but I promise you they are better than what could be."

"What can be worse than being enslaved and ripped away from your mother just so you can play a pampered brat's pet."

"Edward won't make you his whore. He and his brothers don't believe in that. Master Jasper seems to know how strongly you two feel for each other. That's why he took her too. He know the pain of being separated from family."

Bella didn't say anything. She turned her head back to Alice and sighed. "Goodnight, Esme," she said quietly.

"Sleep well Bella," Esme said in her gentle sweet voice. Bella doubted it but closed her eyes anyway.

---

Bella's chores were simple. At least her core chores were. Cleaning and bringing Edward his nightly blood. Those were the chores that were set for all the human servants. Extra chores were added at their master's request. That was when Bella decided that Edward was indeed the devil himself.

After Alice tidied up and brought blood to Jasper, she was to entertain him. That afternoon he sat in his room with a book open on his lap and a glass of blood beside him. Alice sat on a simple wooden chair and sang to him. Her sweet musical voice calmed him greatly and distracted him from the painfully high emotions coming from both Edward and Bella.

"One of these days he is going to lose his patience for good," Jasper sighed, sipping his blood, wincing as he felt a spike of fear from Alice. She looked towards the door and Jasper snapped his fingers. She turned her head back and went back to singing for him.

---

"Bella," Alice moaned as she came in. "Please stop going against Master Edward!"

"Oh not you too!" Bella cried throwing the wash cloth back into the sink.

"Please! I don't want him to finally snap and rip your head off or send you away!"

"So you want me to just bend over and take his torments?" Bella cried. "Alice!"

"Yes!" Alice said almost hysterical. She took Bella's hands. "Please, please at least try. Bella I can't lose you too."

Bella scowled at her sister but she was defeated and she knew it. "Fine," she sighed.

Alice hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. "Thank you Bella."

"No problem," Bella sighed. Alice left to her chores and Bella went back to washing dishes. Blood was very hard to get out when it had been sitting. That was the last time she was going to let Edward keep bowls away from her.

"He's doing this on purpose," Bella growled as she scrubbed at dried blood. "Stupid vampire."

"Hey there kitten," Edward said. He jumped up on the counter and watched her. Bella felt her eye twitch. "Having some trouble."

"No," Bella said, trying as hard as she could to be civil.

"Okay," Edward said cheerfully. Bella glanced over at him. He was sitting casually, with his legs swinging, banging the cabinet with his heel, making an annoying sound. He was wearing a blue t-shirt with golden letters that Bella didn't bother to pay attention to. He was barefoot but his hard skin still sounded like shoes hitting the cabinets.

Thunk, thunk. Bella kept scrubbing the dish. Thunk, thunk. Thunk, thunk.

Bella put the dish to the side to dry and, thinking she was done, she went to get a towel to dry them.

"Oh right, I forgot to bring these down last night," Edward said handing her three bowls.

"I didn't even bring you this much!" Bella cried.

Edward shrugged. "Clean them."

Bella took the bowls angrily and put them in the soapy water. She glared at Edward and noticed that he was sitting right above the drawer with the towels. She looked up at him and he was grinning.

"Well?"

Bella reached between his knees and tried to open the drawer but Edward kept it closed with one leg.

"You aren't done yet," he said, "you still have three bowls."

"That are soaking while I dry the others," Bella growled.

"I say wash them now," Edward said.

"I know what I'm doing and I need to get a towel."

Edward reached over and grabbed the hose from the sink and sprayed her face. Bella glared at him.

"Please let me get a towel," she growled.

He sprayed her again. "Wash the bowls."

"Give me a towel."

"Wash the bowls."

"After I dry the dishes I just washed!"

Edward grinned and sprayed her in the face again. Bella glowered at him and went to the sink. She grabbed the bowl and Edward looked up at the ceiling. He began whistling and thumping his feet against the cabinet. She felt anger surge through her. She pulled the bowl out of the soapy water and looked into it. The caked on blood was visible through the soap.

"Yeah that might be kinda hard to get off," Edward sighed, still staring at the ceiling.

Bella clenched her hands around the bowl and felt the surge of anger towards him. Her arms jerked and the next thing she knew the water was leaving the bowl and splashed on Edward. His head snapped to look at her.

"Did you just splash me?" he asked in a cool calm voice.

"I slipped," Bella said.

Edward pushed off of the counter and grabbed her arm. "You got soap in my hair."

"Clumsy me."

Edward grabbed her by the back of the head and dunked her head in the water. He pulled her out and she coughed. She glared at him with her hair dripping around her. She looked like an angry wet cat. Edward started laughing.

"Aw little pussy cat is all wet," he cooed, "oh poor baby."

"Edward stop tormenting the humans."

Edward looked up and saw Carlisle.

"I slipped," Edward said with a shrug.

"I'll bet you did," Carlisle said dryly. "Play nice."

Carlisle ruffled Edward's hair and left. Edward turned to Bella. "Finish the dishes."

Bella turned angrily and snatched up the bowl. She washed it and Edward leaned against the counter and sighed.

"I'm thirsty."

Bella sighed and grabbed a glass from the cabinet. "What type?" She asked through clenched teeth. Edward grabbed her hand and sliced her arm open.

"OW! SON OF A....DAMN IT!" Bella screamed. Edward held her arm over the glass and waited. After the glass was filled to his liking he returned her hand. Bella went to the other side of the kitchen to get a bandage. She wrapped the cut, still seething, and turned angrily.

"You dripped."

"You sliced my arm open!"

"You're my human, I can do whatever I want," Edward said with a casual shrug of his shoulders as he took a sip. "Mmm man you should taste you. You're delicious!"

"Master Edward, may I borrow Bella for a moment?" Esme asked sweetly.

"Oh god please do," Bella moaned.

"Aw Esme I was just getting started."

"Well then perhaps you can help me then, I'm afraid the washing machine jammed."

"Hm. Well Emmett is up in his study. He can help. He's much more mechanical than I am."

"Yes, sir," Esme said with a nod, "oh and if you keep drinking like that you'll put on weight and you know how Tanya hates that."

"I'll keep that in mind," Edward said mildly.

Bella was in shock. Esme was having a civil conversation with the most stubborn and disgusting vampire she had ever met! How did she manage to make Edward actually respond normally?!

Edward, stop tormenting the girl! Your were raised better than that!

Edward winced at the mental scolding. "What's the problem again?"

"The washing machine is jammed. I think some of the sheets got tangled somehow."

"Alright," Edward sighed, "I'll have the darn thing thrown out."

"Thank you, sir," Esme said with a smile.

"I expect those dishes to be done by the time I return," Edward said. Bella didn't make a noise but turned and went back to the sink. Edward made to leave with Esme and almost bumped into Alice.

"Sorry, sir," Alice said. "Sorry Esme."

Edward didn't say anything, he kept walking and Esme put a gentle hand on Alice's cheek before leaving with him. Alice came in with the glass that Jasper had been using. She caught Bella's wet hair and sighed.

"What happened to you?" she asked.

"Nothing," Bella said angrily. She went back to angrily scrubbing the caked on blood. "He does this on purpose! He hides the bowls and glasses so that I can't clean them until the blood is dried and caked on!"

"Did you try soaking?" Alice asked, washing Jasper's glass.

"Yes," Bella sighed, "it makes it a little easier but it leaves rings. See."

Alice took the bowl and examined it. "So it does. Try scraping with a spoon."

"Oh no that scratches the glass," Bella grumbled, "or so his royal pain in my ass says."

"Bella!" Alice hissed, "they do have excellent hearing you know!"

"I don't care," Bella seethed, scrubbing the dish in her hand, "let them know that I hate all of them!"

"Master Carlisle seems nice," Alice said, "Esme says he is very patient."

"I don't know what to make of Esme," Bella confessed, "she is very nice and I appreciate her kindness, but I don't know how anyone can be so friendly to them."

"She's been around them for years," Alice said, "since she was five. I'm sure they've formed a friendship. At least I think she and Master Carlisle are friends. What happened to your arm."

"He was thirsty," Bella grumbled.

"Master Carlisle?"

"No! The pompous one."

"But you're doing your best to stay calm right?" Alice asked hopefully. Bella didn't answer. "Bella."

"Give me time," Bella sighed finally, "Alice it's only been a month since we've been enslaved and I need time to adjust! I can't be as good at is as you!"

"I haven't adjusted," Alice said, "I am still very uncomfortable here, but I understand that I need to obey their commands no matter how frivolous. Bella this isn't a game!"

"I realize that!"

"No you don't! Bella I saw vampire kill my parents, my real parents."

"I thought you couldn't remember them," Bella said.

Alice looked at one of Edward's bowls and picked it up to help scrub. "I've been dreaming about them. Remember that nightmare I used to have when I was little?"

"When you were running through the woods?"

Alice nodded. "My birth parents were slaves. They were killed by their masters for fun. I ran away and they didn't care to stop me. They figured I'd die anyway. Our dad was killed by them and our mother...she could be dead for all we know..."

"You remind me why I hate them."

"Bella you're all I have left," Alice said angrily, her eyes were glittering with tears, "if I lose you too...I can't take it! I can't handle that! I love you so much and if you were taken away because they grew tired of you that wouldn't be nearly as painful as losing you because you provoked them!"

"Alice..."

"No, just, promise me that you will try to make the best out of this miserable situation. Just do as he says and stop fighting!"

"What he wants me to do is humiliating! Like I'm some sort of pet!"

"Don't you get it?" Alice asked, "you amuse him! Your temper is funny to him!"

Bella didn't answer. Alice had a smug smile on her face. Little twerp knew she hadn't thought of that. Alice loved being right. Bella stuck her tongue out at her and Alice splashed her lightly with the water. They both giggled as Bella splashed her back. It was nice, if only for a moment, to finally share a carefree laugh.

TBC

Yay update! Boo end of the weekend :(