Making her way down the hallways at a comfortable pace, Alice was confident enough to say that she'd made a couple of friends since she'd moved in, which was certainly helping to make her transition easier. It had been exactly one week since she had arrived in Pennsylvania to live with the Protectors, and she was beginning to feel more and more at ease with each passing hour. (Despite the looming threat of her first vision hanging over her head.)

Bella seemed to be the friend Alice had always wanted. She had a certain dry wit about her that reminded her of Josie a bit, and although she definitely was a bit more reserved than she gave off, Alice was sure she'd be able to get the girl to be a bit adventurous with her; she had the visions to prove it.

Emmett was a big goofy teddy bear who Alice was sure nobody could dislike. He teased her like she was sure siblings did with each other and always had something up his sleeve to make her laugh. Granted, every time he'd tried to pull a prank on her Alice couldn't help but spoil his fun. He had yet to realize that it was nearly impossible to win a prank war with a psychic, but he'd learn eventually.

With Esme and Carlisle, it wasn't that Alice didn't like them; she did, absolutely. It's just that they seemed to be a bit more distant—they were always busy. And of course that was just the reality of their occupation. Truthfully, Alice was wondering when she was going to be given duties and expected to start pulling her weight, but in the meantime she was more than happy to goof off with her new friends in their down time.

When she did see Carlisle or Esme around the house they always went out of their way to stop, smile, and ask her how she was doing or if she needed anything.

Edward, on the other hand, barely spoke to her. A far and disappointing cry from their first real encounter with one another. Alice had been hoping she'd have a bit more of a connection with him. After all, he was a mind reader and she was a future seer, but perhaps she shouldn't have assumed they'd form some sort of easy friendship.

It wasn't that he was hostile to any degree, he simply sat back and observed her whenever Alice was around Bella. Bella had advised her to ignore him and that he'd eventually stop, calling him an 'overprotective dork' as a way of explaining his strange behavior. And Alice had eventually relaxed with Bella's assurance that he'd "cut it out and be social" after another week or so.

Rosalie did speak to her on the other hand. She wouldn't exactly converse, seeing as the two had never really had a true conversation, but she would talk every now and then, a comment here and there. What forced Alice to keep her distance was due to the fact that every time the blonde spoke to her, she acted as if she were bored or had something better to do.

It put Alice off a bit, but Emmett was sure she'd come around, same as Bella was sure about Edward. And if the small snippets of visions she received daily were any comfort, Alice certainly was content to believe them.

As for Jasper…

Neither Bella nor Emmett even mentioned his name around her. After a week of casual avoidance of anything pertaining to the seventh Protector, Alice began to get nervous. She knew that they were simply trying to spare her feelings and that they didn't want to upset her, but her guilt was beginning to pile on more and more.

After all, this was his home she was parading around, and he'd lived here longer than she'd even known what a vampire was. She hadn't seen him around the hallways once, and with the amount of time she'd spent exploring, she knew that it wasn't simply a coincidence.

Part of her mind told her that it was a good thing he was avoiding her—it made things less awkward for the both of them considering they didn't have to pretend to be cordial. But a tiny voice in the back of her head warned her about avoiding him. If she didn't at least try to be friendly with him, why would he ever considering sparing her life if it came down to it? Sure, they'd be coworkers technically, but that was far different than being friends.

And that was a difference that could save her life.

Some small part of her feared that Jasper would never come around and he'd be avoiding her forever. After all, she had practically accused him of eventually betraying his fellow Protectors within her first hours of arrival.

If it weren't for the fact that Alice was terrified of him she had hoped they'd be friends. She blamed the nightmarish vision that had never once wavered and frowned. It didn't help that he looked every bit the monster her vision painted him out to be. The scars he wore practically screamed dangerous.

She had never once seen a vampire like that before. Not even in the overly-theatrical movies Josie preferred; and those had always been a bit dramatic. She had a dreadful sinking feeling that sometime long ago, possibly before he became a Protector, something terrible had happened to Jasper. Something unspeakable.

But as she made her way to Carlisle's study, Alice pushed those thoughts into the back of her mind.

Knocking on the door, she received a quick "come in," before opening the door.

"Hello Carlisle," she greeted happily, "you wanted to speak with me?"

"Alice, yes," he motioned toward one of the vacant chairs, "I have a few things for you."

Alice sat and waited, watching as Carlisle handed her a sealed manila envelope before sitting back and watching as she opened it. The first thing she did was pull out and examine a pale blue card.

"That's your hunting license."

Alice studied the card in wonder and awe. It was simple. Her name; MARY ALICE BRANDON.

She gasped, turning her gaze toward him. "Mary?"

Carlisle smiled softly at her. "A lot of digging had to be done but we're fairly certain that's your full, legal name."

"How?" She asked, lifting a shaking finger and running it along the black, bolded text. "How did you find this?"

"I'm not too keen on the specifics of the how—I had help," he admitted sheepishly. "Read the rest."

Beneath it was a code of numbers and letters she quickly committed to memory, and her current address.

The next card was white. It was different than the first in size and shape and very different than the first. More detailed. It contained her name, current address, and the same code that was printed on her hunting license. Yet, now, there was more.

A small picture of her, taken by Esme the day after she arrived, was located on the lower right hand side of the card, along with her gender, height, and weight. But one piece of information stuck out to her.

DATE OF CHANGE: 2 November 1971

DATE OF BIRTH: 1 October 1952

"That's your ID. You're to carry that with you for identification purposes—its standard protocol for all vampires. At least until you get a driver's license."

Alice wasn't listening to him. She ran a finger over the little plastic card, reading and re-reading the information.

"Is this… is this my real birthday?" He nodded. "And that's the date I woke up?" Her gaze remained glued to the card.

"Yes, we're fairly certain. And from what we can gather from what you told us, yes. It's very likely that was the date you woke up."

"I have a birthday," an indescribable emotion suddenly took hold of her, and Alice was sure that if she were capable of producing real tears they'd be streaming messily down her face. "I have a birthday."

"Everyone does, technically. We just don't always know it. I don't know mine."

Alice looked at him in shock, suddenly feeling a bit guilty, "You don't?"

"I was born in the 1640s," he shrugged. "I'm not sure the correct day, month, or even year. They didn't track time too well back then."

"1640," Alice breathed in amazement, "You were born three hundred seventy-eight years ago."

"Give or take a year or so. Born in London, England."

"England?" He nodded in confirmation. "Why do you not have an accent?"

"I picked up the American accent after a few decades," he grinned, "I can still speak like this though," he said in a perfect English accent, "they both come naturally."

Alice laughed, "I've never heard anyone speak like that before."

"Not on television?" He asked, still maintaining his natural accent.

Alice laughed again, absolutely ecstatic at the new cadence his words had taken. "I don't watch TV very often."

"Then I suppose this will do," he said. "I can also do Italian," he spoke, an Italian lilt to his English taking a hold of the words.

"Do you speak Italian?" Alice asked, smiling brightly.

He nodded. "That and six more, excluding English."

"That's a lot," Alice commented, "I know a little Spanish, but I'm not fluent."

"It's good to start somewhere," he smiled, dropping the accents and returning to his comfortable American accent. "Now, I need to talk to you about something important." Suddenly, his expression was all business.

"You've been here a week now, so I'd like to think you've gotten used to most of everything around here. I'm glad you've been enjoying your stay, but becoming a Protector is a very important, very serious thing. A privilege, one might say." He paused and stared at her sternly, "Alice. No one—and I mean no one—is ever forced into serving. Even while serving, and after the oath is taken, one may resign. Now, I need to make sure that you are on board with this idea one hundred percent. I need to make sure that you can handle the responsibility and duties which being a Protector will bring forth.

"I need to know," he hesitated, then lowered his voice, "that you can handle working alongside Jasper. And you will be doing just that. The training will be hard and vigorous. It will make Container training look like a walk in the park. It will be emotionally draining. But if you accept your duties you will gain many skills and abilities that would've been nearly impossible to attain without being a Protector." Carlisle looked her straight in the eye. "I will ask you this again on the night you take your oath, but Alice, are you willing to serve the human and vampire populations and become a Protector?"

No. Goodness no. Her common sense screamed the word at her. Of course she wasn't ready. She wasn't in any way, shape, or form qualified to handle this type of responsibility. She wasn't ready to learn to fight, she wasn't ready to be around Jasper, and she definitely wasn't ready to protect actual lives.

But despite all of her doubts and uncertainties, something deep down inside of her told her she could do it-that she had to do it, or there was no hope for her future.

Or for changing it.

"Yes," she stated with more assurance than she thought she was capable of.

"Wonderful," Carlisle beamed. "Tomorrow we'll verify it and you'll take the oath."

"Alright," Alice was still on edge, her insecurities still screaming at her, telling her that this was a mistake.

"You'll just repeat after me. We'll have a little ceremony and celebration here with everyone else. Nothing to worry about."

"Okay," she finally let out a sigh of relief at his assurances.

"But on Friday we'll need to announce it more publicly." Alice raised an eyebrow. "On Television. Live."

"What?" she squeaked, her voice rising two octaves. She immediately began shaking her head from side to side. "I—I just—I can't!"

"Why not?" He frowned at her, suddenly concerned again.

"I can't… talk in front of people!" The thought of speaking publicly on TV, broadcasted for the world to see, sent waves of anxiety coursing through her. Old fears igniting like new at the prospect.

"It's okay, Alice," he chuckled, "you don't need to talk. I'll do all that."

Alice sighed in relief but her nerves only calmed slightly. "I won't need to say anything, but I still need to be there, right?"

"That's correct."

"I… I guess I can do that."

"It'll all be fine."

Alice nodded once, looking back down at her new IDs. "Thank you," she said earnestly, "for everything. Especially for being so understanding. You… you've given me more than I could have ever asked for already, and you hardly know me."

"It truly is no problem at all. And I hope you can continue to feel more and more comfortable here." He held out his hand as he stood.

Alice stood as well. Although instead of shaking his hand, she walked around his desk and gave him a tight hug. Quick to get over any surprise, Carlisle wrapped his arms around her tiny frame, returning the gesture. Alice couldn't help but bask in the comfort his embrace brought her. He was more right than he knew: she was certainly starting to feel at home.


"What am I supposed to wear," Alice groaned, shuffling through all the clothes in her closet. "I need to make myself new clothes. I've never had to make fancy clothes for myself because I've never needed to wear fancy clothes! Not to mention good fabric gets expensive. Stupid ceremony," she grumbled.

"Relax," Bella spoke, laughing, "You don't need to wear anything too fancy. Save that for the 30th."

Alice merely groaned again. That was when the 'public announcement' of her becoming a Protector was. She dreaded it more each time it was mentioned. Couldn't they do it without her and just bring a photo to show the country?

"It's not as bad as you think, and I absolutely loathe press conferences. Calm down." Bella searched through some of Alice's clothes. "This is cute, I think," she mumbled the second part under her breath, holding up an intricate white button-down blouse.

"It should be," Alice commented, taking the top from Bella, "I worked forever on it."

"You made this?" Bella's jaw dropped. "So that's what you're talking about when you keep talking about 'making clothes'. You mean actually making them." Alice nodded.

"I made everything except those two pairs of jeans. Oh, and my shoes."

"I'm no expert or anything, but Alice. This is fantastic." Alice merely shrugged. "Where did you learn to do this?"

"I picked it up after a couple of years. Josie owns a shop and I was always around fabrics and thread."

"It's fantastic," she repeated, taking the blouse back into her hands and walking out of Alice's closet. "And I actually own one skirt that will go great with this." The girl hesitated in Alice's doorway, seemingly lost in thought for a quick moment. "Let me go ask Rose first."

Alice almost groaned at her friend's cluelessness, but instead found herself smiling.

###

All the Protectors, plus Alice, stood around the large main room. Alice glanced at the clock on the far wall; 7:28. The sun was just beginning to set outside.

They stood in a loose circle, all facing Carlisle. Alice stood before him, dressed in her white blouse and Bella's black skirt; it was a little big on her, but with a couple of pins it looked just fine. She wore her only pair of heels which were fortunately all black.

Bella and Edward stood to her left and behind her a few feet off. Bella wore a deep blue, spaghetti-strap dress. Edward, in dress pants and a dark grey shirt.

Behind Alice and to her right was where Emmett and Rosalie were located. Emmett was dressed much like Edward, though his shirt was all black, the cuffs of his sleeves rolled up to expose his bulking triceps. Rosalie was simply stunning in her skin-tight red dress.

Jasper stood beside Rosalie, his own shirt a dark blue, and Alice noted the pattern of the men. They all wore the same dress pants and button up ensembles. The fashion critic in her clicked her tongue but at least they were wearing different colors. The idea of them dressing in uniform was strange and almost brought a peal of laughter out of her. She bit it down of course, blaming the odd reaction on nerves.

Ahead of her, Carlisle, and behind him a few feet stood his lovely wife. Esme's purple dress flowed around her wonderfully. Carlisle's attire matched the basics of the other men in the room. His shirt, white.

"Alice Brandon," he finally began, the tone of his voice carrying the clear implication that this was an important happening. His years of wisdom shown through his peaceful golden eyes. "Do you swear to fulfill your duties to the best of your abilities, to fight for what you must, to obey all law—both human and vampire alike—to uphold the good of all vampires, and to be the best you can be as a Protector of our jurisdiction?"

"I swear." She declared, her voice surprisingly confident, despite the nerves she was battling.

Carlisle smiled triumphantly. "Good, now repeat after me. I, Alice Brandon, swear to protect and serve."

"I, Alice Brandon, swear to protect and serve." Her voice continued steady as she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.

"To choose good when faced with evil."

"To choose good when faced with evil…"

"And to be the best I can be, when placed in the line of duty."

"…and to be the best I can be, when placed in the line of duty."

Carlisle smiled, nodding, as he pulled forth an old yellowed piece of paper. "Now, Alice. Sign this and you're all done."

Alice stared in wonder at the old parchment. It looked hundreds of years old, and it likely was. Averting her gaze to the bottom, she noted seven signatures.

Esme Ann Platt.

Alice looked at Esme and her soft smile and loving eyes.

Carlisle Cullen.

Carlisle's wise eyes and calm smile were patient as she took her time.

Edward Anthony Masen.

The bronze haired boy's gaze seemed to go right through her. Alice smiled at him and for once, knowing that he was likely reading her every thought didn't seem to bother her. A quick flash of a vision passed through her mind—her and Edward grinning at one another during the end of some sort of late-night conversation—and she was content in knowing he'd seen it, too. They'd be friends eventually.

Rosalie Lillian Hale

Surprisingly, Alice noted, Rosalie didn't look bored as she waited anxiously for Alice to put her signature on the paper. Another flash of the future showed her and Rosalie in stitches laughing at something, a disgruntled Bella standing off to the side.

Emmett Dale McCarty

Emmett's smile was as grand as ever, giving her a sense of comfort she wasn't aware she needed in that moment.

Isabella Marie Swan

Bella sent Alice an encouraging smile, her eyes filled with joy.

Jasper Whitlock

Breath held, Alice searched his quiet face—staring at him for the first time in over a week—as if looking for any objections to her joining them. The silent question hung between the two for a few long seconds. And as if they had been conversing quietly with one another, Jasper nodded his head—almost undetectably—and Alice's chest felt like it lightened considerably.

Facing Carlisle again, Alice finally smiled and held a hand out for a pen.

With determination and assurance, Alice wrote with a steady hand, her name below Jasper's.

Mary Alice Brandon.

"Alice," Carlisle said, receiving the pen back from her. "Welcome to the Protectors."

Suddenly the room burst into applause.

Esme's arms enveloped her first. "Welcome to the family," she rejoiced, releasing Alice from the embrace. Carlisle maneuvered around Esme and, quietly and quickly, shook her hand. The look on his face said more than any words needed to.

Bella made her way over and hugged Alice as well. "I told you it'd be fine."

"We still have Friday." Alice grinned, feeling cheeky.

"You'll do fine then, too." Bella smiled.

Alice turned to face Edward.

"Alice," he greeted, a peculiar look on his face. She knew he'd seen her vision, and seen their impending friendship, but still he kept his distance.

"Edward," she responded, irked by his hesitance. But her good mood and confidence got the best of her and she decided to try something.

Are you going to start talking to me now? Or am I going to have to start harassing you until you pay me some proper attention. She thought purposefully.

Surprisingly her, and everyone else in the room, Edward let out a genuine laugh. "No thanks," he chuckled, holding out his hand.

Alice shook his hand, letting out a giggle of her own.

"What I miss?" Bella asked him.

"Nothing important."

Bella laughed and hugged Alice again.

"Come here you little monster." Emmett's voice carried over them all as he made his way before Alice. "I'm still set on taking you on a real hunting trip," he spoke, hugging her and straightening up, letting her legs dangle comically as he squeezed.

"As opposed to what?" A voice interjected, "an imaginary hunting trip?" Rosalie was beside him and, much to Alice's shock and relief, she was smiling. It wasn't an Emmett smile, but it was definitely something. "Welcome Alice." Her words were earnest as she leaned forward and gave her a small hug.

"Thank you, so much," Alice smiled, the feelings inside her swimming wonderfully. Alice then realized there was one person she had yet to talk to.

Jasper remained still, watching all the conversing and congratulations happen before him. His hands stuffed into his pockets, he tried to remain undetected amongst the group, yet he had the strangest look in his eyes as he kept his gaze trained on her.

If it were any other day, Alice would ignore him. But as her mood was a bit more than positive, Alice was going to take any and all chances presented before her. And if she had a chance to get someone to hate her just a little less then she'd take it.

Trying to ignore the fact that everyone was watching, she walked up to Jasper with a spring in her step, determined to make at least one more friend today—or acquaintance at least, she reasoned.

Alice stood directly before him, looking up curiously at his face. She finally realized just how tall he was; her head didn't pass his chest.

"Jasper," she greeted, still so happy with her night that she was confident that everything between them would be fixed with this conversation.

"Alice," he nodded in cool acknowledgement.

She cocked her head to the side and studied his posture for a moment. He was tense. Very tense. Her guilt pulsed lightly and quickly through her, appearing and then disappearing just as she acknowledged it.

Alice held out her hand. "Sorry about being so weird." It was, for some reason, all she could think of to say in that moment. Something blunt, honest, and straight to the point. "And I'm sorry for being so rude. I know my vision makes no sense but," she thought to herself for a quick second, "I think I'm going to do my best to change it. So, friends?"

Alice could feel the eyes of the other Protectors on her back, but for the first time, she didn't care. She'd decided that she was going to take her fate into her own hands for once, and if that meant making sure she and Jasper were the best of friends, then he'd better brace himself.

"Sure," he said, his voice filled with confusion, "friends." He took her hand in his and shook it.

In that moment, another vision flooded through her, one that she'd never expected before in a million years.

But the quick vision that came to her of her and Jasper was almost… intimate.

No words were exchanged, but Jasper picked her hand up, entwining their fingers before he pulled the back of her hand to his lips, kissing it. In reply she smiled, snuggling close before lifting her head up to meet his lips with her own.

The second she refocused on his face, she couldn't help it when she let out an involuntary gasp, squeezing his hand tightly out of shock. When he winced at the sudden motion, she quickly released his hand so fast she nearly jumped as she did so. "I'm so, so sorry. Are you alright? I hope I didn't hurt you." Alice was about to start stumbling over her words as she attempted to gain back the confidence that was now slipping through her fingers like sand, "I—I didn't mean—I'm sorry. It—I just… are you okay?"

"Alice," he slowly put a hand on her shoulder as if hesitant to touch her, but he kept his feet planted and his talent to himself, allowing her to feel her own shock and embarrassment fully. "I'm fine."

"But I-"

"You didn't hurt me. It's alright." He repeated, imploring her to look at him and believe his words.

"I'm sorry I'm so weird," she mumbled, filled to the brim with embarrassment and praying that he was as blind to her vision as most of the other Protectors were—Edward, she'd deal with later. Brushing his hand off her shoulder, she knew she had to make her escape. "I hope we can still be friends," she called over her shoulder, nearly skipping as she fled the scene and skittered up to her room, ignoring as Bella called out to her.

Just before she closed her bedroom door, she could swear she heard what sounded like Edward laughing.

Just great.


A/N:

Time for things to get a bit more... complicated.

I'll be busy in NYC for a few days later this week so I'll try to get you all one more update before then, but no promises.

Thanks again to my sweet guest reviewers-I luv U all my anonymous angels.

To deltagirl74: oh, Alice will be getting surprise after surprise from here on out, trust me. When you spend decades lying low and keeping to yourself (to the extremes) and suddenly you're a public figure, a lot of crazy shit ends up happening. Emmett will always hold a special place in my heart so you'll see a bit more of him. And Alice will get to spend some quality time with everyone at some point, so don't you worry ;)

To clarinetgoddess62: glad you're enjoying it, I'd love to hear your theories if you're keen on sharing. Right now both my SS stories are on an indefinite hiatus. Meaning they aren't the priority and I'm not actively looking to update them, but I can't say whether or not I will in 6 months or 6 years. For all I know they might end up being like this story: neglected for years until the inspiration bug bites again. Sorry.