AN: Big thank you to lannaislusciousredd for asking how I picture James. I see him like the guy from the movie, but what inspired the James from my story is Malcolm Freburg from the current and last season of Survivor. I watched the first few episodes of his first season trying to figure out who he reminded me of (James from the movie) and when it hit me I had an even bigger crush on him. Anyway, I added a link to my bio or you can google him if you don't know him and picture him with lighter hair and there ya go. The face, body, smile, personality, everything. That's my James. Except my James is a little bit shorter, like 5'8"- 5'9" at most. I also added a link for Peter (in all my stories)- he's Casey James. Yum :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story line. SM owns the characters, I'm just having fun with them

Chapter 11- First Sight

James POV
Our new home in Colorado was overwhelming to say the least. Situated in the center of almost 1000 acres of untouched mountainside, it was completely inaccessible by anything other than vampires. The buildings themselves were spread out among small clearings, but hidden beneath ancient trees so that they weren't visible from the air. Even with modern technology, we would be completely hidden from the humans.

I was relieved when we arrived to find that there were separate houses for each mated couple, along with a larger mansion that housed a formal "throne room" (we had all scoffed that one- we wouldn't be using thrones here), as well as multiple guest rooms for traveling vampires. Bella was horrified to find the dungeon in the basement, complete with Caius's handcrafted torture devices. She had to go throw up again when the Captain felt the need to explain to her how each one was made of vampire ash, titanium, and werewolf teeth and claws. I swear his "knowin' shit" sure is selectively useful. He never seems to know when it would be best to NOT say something.

Shaking off the memory, I looked down at my mate sleeping peacefully in my arms. Last night was completely amazing. On the plane ride back to the States, I had told Bella about my doubts as to my ability to change her. I had never changed anyone before and I was scared to death to start with her. She agreed with me that the Major would be her next choice, and he had venom tears in his eyes when he agreed. We wanted him to bite her as soon as we reached our new home, but she had one request she was adamant about- she wanted to lose her virginity while she was still human.

That was one request I was more than happy to oblige, and one I knew I was able to do safely. I had been with humans before; there are only so many vampires around and most of the ones I run across are already mated. She didn't question my ability to control my strength or refrain from biting her, but I saw the questions in her eyes. I don't think it would bother her too much, she has to know I haven't been sitting around celibate for the past two centuries. What kind of man would I be if I had?

I guess I wore her out because she fell asleep on my chest as soon as we finished. I heard the Major approaching the house and knew our time was over. She didn't want to worry about when he would bite her, so he agreed to wait until she was asleep and then use his power to keep her under until her change was started. I made sure she was covered and called softly for him to enter.

The door opened and closed silently and he was suddenly in the room. "You sure you're ready, Tracker?" I nodded before I could lose my nerve, but he smiled and shook his head- he knew what I was feeling. "You don't wanna try to bite her?"

This I was sure of. "No, Major. My venom won't make her more special, but yours could. I want her to have the best start to this life and every advantage possible. You're her uncle, her brother, now become her sire." He held my eye for a long moment before approaching the bed slowly.

"I'm not sure how long my power will keep her under, but I'll do my best." I nodded and tamped down on my instincts as he leaned over her to bite. He was quick and efficient, hitting her neck, wrists, and ankles all before she started moving in pain. He finished with a gentle kiss on her forehead and whispered, "I'm sorry, sweet girl. It will all be worth it in a few days, though. I love ya, darlin'." With a soft breeze, he was gone and we were once again alone in the room.

I left Bella on the bed long enough to run a cool bath, before I carried her to the tub and sat down with her in my arms. I carefully washed her from head to toe, taking care not to hurt her more than I had to. She wasn't making a sound, but her face was twisted in pain and she couldn't hold her body still as she tried to escape the invisible flames engulfing her.

When we returned to the room, the sheets were changed and there was a soft gown laid out for Bella to wear, courtesy of Alice. I dressed us both carefully before laying down and taking her in my arms, where we would stay for the next three days. "Bella, sweetheart, I'm here. I'm not going to leave you and if you need to scream out, please don't feel like you have to hold it all in. I love you. I know I didn't tell you that before, but I do. I love you more than my own life and I wish I could take this pain from you, but the only thing I can do it walk you through it. I will be here when you wake up and I will love you every day of forever.

"I want you to think about your life now, your mother, Renee, and your father, Charlie. You need to focus on their faces and the best memories you have with them. Think of your childhood, remember seeing your vampire uncle and calling him an angel. He's a funny one to call an angel but I'm so glad he saved you. Think of Alice and the Major watching out for you and loving you while you were still human.

"Remember how we met. I found you there in that crazy little town full of vampires and werewolves. My beautiful human mate was the best and brightest of them all. You changed my life the first time I saw you and I am so grateful to have you as my mate. The kings of the vampire world were willing to fight for you- that's how special you are, so don't forget it.

"You are surrounded by a family that loves you so much, and I am so grateful that we don't have to face this new challenge alone." I stopped to listen and make sure we were alone before I continued. "Sweetheart, I need to tell you something. I am so scared about this job. I've never been one to rule over others. I'm a tracker- a bounty hunter- just like Demetri said. It's all I've ever known and honestly, it's all I'm good at. I'm so scared I'm going to let Caius and Marcus down, but I'm more scared that I'm going to be a disappointment to you. You are so strong and so beautiful, and I can tell you are tough, just like the Whitlocks. I want to be tough like you, and I really hope you can show me how."

I hope she can hear me, I think this is the most I have told her since we met. We've always had people around us and we were a little busy earlier when we were finally alone to get much talking done. Once she gets her bloodlust under control I am going to take her away somewhere, just the two of us. I know we have to get the word out to the vampires around that we are now the ruling coven, so maybe we can take a trip to search out nomads to spread the word.

I need to call my uncle Garrett, I'm not sure how he'll react to the news. He hates the Volturi and wasn't happy that I was doing contract work for them, but maybe now that they aren't ruling us from Italy, he will be more open to working with us here. He would be a great asset in bringing the covens and nomads together peacefully. I don't expect much opposition, simply because there aren't many vampires stupid enough to go up against the Major and the Captain. Add in the vampires I'm on good terms with and the continent is pretty well covered.

Shifting Bella so she was laying beside me, still curled around my body, I reached for my phone. Garrett answered on the second ring, sarcastic as usual.

Well, if it isn't my little bounty hunting nephew? To what do I owe this honor?

"Hey Garrett. I need to talk to you. There have been some big changes in the past few days and it kind of affects all the vampires in the world."

Did someone finally take out the Volturi? Is there a revolution? Where do I sign up?

Seriously? The man needs to give it up already. The redcoats aren't coming anymore. Now the black cloaks aren't either. "No, Garrett. No revolution. More like a transfer of power. You're talking to the new leader of the North American ruling coven."

What?! You've gotta be shittin' me, James! Who the hell decided that? I sure didn't vote for you!

"Yeah, thanks for the confidence, Gar. Believe me, I didn't vote for me either. I was pretty much forced into it. Aro took a liking to my mate and-"

WHAT?! You mate?! When did this happen? Damn, you don't tell me anything, do you boy?

"Uh, well, it kind of just happened. I found my mate, and she was still human, and she kind of has some powerful connections in the vampire world-"

More powerful than your connections? Is she part of the Volturi or something?

"Would you stop interrupting me, please? Anyway, no she was not part of the Volturi. She is actually the last blood relative of Major and Captain Whitlock, from the Southern Wars."

WHAT?! James-

"Damn it, Garrett! I said don't interrupt me! They were watching out for her until I found her and she really didn't want to leave the Major or his mate. So I took everyone to Italy and it turns out my mate is a shield, already a powerful one even as a human, and therefore someone Aro wants, badly. Get this, she blocked Aro's power, and she even blocked Jane when she was using her power on the Major. I'm sure you can guess how Aro reacted."

Yeah, I bet he was shocked- I've never heard of anyone resisting Jane.

"Well, the Major turned right back around and turned his power loose on her so once word gets around, he'll be even more feared. Anyway, so Marcus and Caius said they have been working to loosen Aro's power and spread the governing responsibilities to covens around the world. They had rulers picked for every continent except ours. Said there wasn't a coven strong enough to rule America, aside from the animal drinkers, and you know how everyone feels about them."

He suddenly sounded hesitant, making me very suspicious. Uh, they aren't that bad. You know I've always respected Carlisle, and the Denalis are pretty nice actually.

"When did you meet the Denalis? I thought you hated Alaska?" I tried several times to get him to visit the succubi with me, but he would never get further than southern Canada before he turned back for the States.

Well, I was in Vegas with Mary and Randall and we ran into the Denali sisters at a casino. I, um, might have foundmymateinKateDenali.

"What was that? I have vampire hearing but you were mumbling quite quickly there, Gar."

He sighed and repeated himself, more slowly this time. I said, I might have found my mate- Kate Denali.

I couldn't stop the laugh from bubbling up. "Let me get this straight. Your mate is a succubus? A succubus I have been trying to get you to meet for at least a hundred years now? Oh, that's rich!"

Yeah, yeah. I knew you were gonna rub it in. So, when do I get to meet your mate? Are you changing her soon?

"Um, actually, she's changing right now. I-"

WHAT? You left your mate alone while she's changing? What's the matter with you, boy? She's vulnerable right now! Your protective instincts should be-"

"GARRETT! Stop! I didn't leave her alone! I'm holding her right now! And if you interrupt me again I'm gonna come find you and kick your ass! I've got access to a pretty nifty dungeon that needs to be tested. Or I'll just get Kate to shock you, I know she'll do it for me."

Ok, ok. Sorry, kid. But why haven't I heard anything? Is she ok? Shouldn't she be screaming now?

"Yeah, she's good. She's a tough little girl, she's definitely a Whitlock. Hasn't made a sound yet." I leaned over to kiss her forehead and smooth her hair back. My touch seemed to ease her tension slightly and she stopped moving around as much. "Anyway, look, Garrett. I just called to tell you about the changes in the government and find out if I'm gonna have any trouble out of you. Oh, and you might want to steer clear of the Cullens for a while- Aro sent his guards to pick them up for questioning on the mistreatment of my mate.

Holy shit! Are you telling me your mate is the human that Edward was pining over? He ran up to Denali for a week after he met her, said she was his singer and he wasn't going to let a human have that much control over him.

I couldn't stop the growl that came out when I heard that bastard's name. "He knew she was my mate and he still glamoured her and drank from her. I destroyed him. End of story. So, are we good, or not?" I had never spoken to my uncle this harshly, but I wasn't sure of his allegiances now that he has mated with an animal drinker. Kate was pretty level-headed though, and had a good offensive gift that would be helpful in an ally if we had need of her. I wondered briefly if Bella would be able to block her gift as well.

Garrett sounded serious when he answered. I'm with you, James. I'll make sure my mate's coven supports you as well. Let me know if you need me to do anything and I'll spread the word around too. I'd like to meet your mate when you think she's up for it. I know how newborns can be though, so I'll be patient.

We finished talking and I turned my attention back to my mate. It had only been a few hours but I could already see the subtle changes in her body. She was beautiful before, but she was going to be completely stunning after her change. She would outshine me by a mile. "I love you, sweet Bella. I can't wait to introduce you to this life and watch you flourish."

The next few days passed mostly in peaceful silence, at least on my part. I know Bella wasn't at peace, but she seemed comforted by my presence and the sound of my voice. I heard the rest of our coven approaching as her heart sped up on the the third day, but only the Major came into the room with us. Whether she remembered him or not, she would recognize her sire, and she would recognize her mate. We had the best chances of calming her if she woke in a rage, or so they told me anyway. Alice said we had nothing to worry about, that she would surprise us all with her control, but it was really hard not to be nervous in a situation like this.

My breathing, which had sped up to match Bella's, stopped suddenly as her heart gave one last beat. She didn't move at first and I had a brief moment of panic, that passed quickly as her eyelids fluttered open. She looked at the ceiling for a moment before she took a deep breath and instantly landed on the bed in a crouch.

Her bright ruby eyes scanned the room, looking for threats, before locking with mine. Her face lit up in a blinding smile and I found myself sinking to my knees as I fell in love with her all over again.

"James," she breathed softly, just before she launched herself into my waiting arms.

AN: Credit to Crimson Starlight by wonderwoundedhearers for Caius's weapons, at least that's where I read about them. Best Bella/Caius story I have ever read, btw.