A/N okay, im so sorry i haven't updated...

THANKS TOO ALL THOSE WHO REVIEWED AND THOSE WHO ARE READING!!

disclaimer: nothing recognisable is owned by me...how sad.

Venom POV

I watched as Phoenix strode out and her sired ones surround Mike. It wasn't something I approved of entirely but it had to be done. I nodded at Sandra to dismiss the others, it was enough excitement for one day.

I could hear the scuffles from elsewhere as I turned away and headed back to my office. The afternoon was fading into evening, had it really been that long? The lights automatically came on at seven. I was expecting the animal drinkers then. A smile crept onto my face as I thought of the boy. His topaz eyes always immediately came to mind.

I felt my blush rising to my cheeks. It had been a long time since I'd blushed. Even then, it took weeks and weeks of compliments…but Edward, his name tasted luxurious in my mouth, came in and blew me off my feet.

"Venom, two animal drinkers are here to see you." A knock sounded on the door and Sandra strolled in. She gave me a smile, her hands gesturing behind her where I could see the two vampires, "Of course, bring them in…thank you, Sandra." Sandra simply smiled widely and left.

"So…any questions?" I scanned my eyes over them. Edward really did look amazing in the uniform. I licked my lips before looking up again at their faces.

"We were wondering…what exactly was our job?" The black haired girl asked, her eyes looking me straight in the eyes. I marvelled at her courage while replying, "To keep an eye on the future…not on staff for you will get confused but on our…guests." Alice nodded before smirking at Edward who growled.

"I'll get started." Alice flounced out the door like an angel, her teeth gleaming. I was left sitting in front of the Greek god. He stared at me and I stared back curiously. He seemed to be deciding about something and every now and again, his hand would move slightly towards his pocket. He finally sighed and asked softly, "Would you like to go out some time as…a date?"

"Date?" I was almost perplexed. Why would he ask me out for a date? He seemed almost afraid of rejection and I felt several words, spoken by Phoenix when I first took her, echo through my mind.

'Even though we're different, he still took the first step…a step that could have risked his everything.'

"I will. Time?" I asked, coming to a decision. Pure joy flickered across his face and I felt insanely happy for bringing it to him, vowing to do so more often, "At seven, tomorrow. I'll pick you up?" I nodded dumbly, unable to speak a word as a gorgeous crooked smile spread across his face. He finally place his hand in his pocket and drew out a rose. I didn't smell the rose's scent but his heavenly scent coated it, "Thank you." He offered me a shy smile before leaving.

My eyes slid towards the rose as I stared at it. It had been a long time since anything like this had happened and in some ways it scared me and in other ways, I loved it. I stroked the petal softly before I stood up and collected a vase. I placed the rose carefully in the vase.

"It's beautiful." A voice murmured. Shana stood in the doorway, her eyes scanning curiously the rose. She wore a stunning red dress with her hair tied back elaborately. At my questioning glance she elaborated, "Leo's taking me out tonight." She smiled, "He's such a sweetie."

She turned to leave but then stopped and face me again, "I…I just wanted to thank you for changing us. We've always had each other but now, we have each other forever…so thank you." She left me stunned.

No-one had ever thanked me before for this life.

Edward POV

I couldn't help worrying as I left that she would suddenly change her mind. It was a sudden step but Alice and the whole family had been making NOT so subtle hints and it was getting on my nerves. I did like her but…she was scary and the enemy.

A black blur flew towards me, "I'm so proud of you!" I grimaced and pushed Alice off, "Okay, Alice, whatever…" Alice pouted, "Well, that's not very nice." I sighed, "Fine, Alice, thank you very much for…"

"Accepted, now let's go…" Alice pulled me towards the front and we stood there in the dark, watching the customers pass by. It was slightly late when I felt Alice stiffen beside me. I turned to face her and found her rigid, her eyes wide and unseeing. She snapped out of the moment I looked at her and gasped. She raced down the corridor, diving straight into Venom's office.

"Venom! Someone's going to try and betray you!" Alice screamed. Venom glanced up sharply and her eyes became close to slits, "Who…" Alice frowned, "A vampire with blond hair, gelled up. He's going to attempt to leave tonight." Venom hissed sharply, "Mike. Could you track Phoenix for me? I need her back here."

"I'll go." Alice volunteered and sped out of the room. I stood there warily as Venom dialled a number and called someone, speaking too rapidly for even me to understand. She slid her phone shut and turned to me, "Don't follow me. Stay here. I need to speak to someone."

"But…"

"I said for you to stay here." She growled, her eyes feral. I flinched and saw a flicker of apology in her eyes before she disappeared. She had changed in an instant and I understood now that they were enemies of the Voluturi for certain. Her attitude now was purely for protection for their group or coven. I could understand how she and Phoenix kept control.

They were using fear.

Alice POV

I found the scent quite easily despite the many tracks and followed it. Phoenix was far. Very far away. It took me about an hour to travel there, avoiding the roads. The landscape grew more rocky and as I reached the mountain, it was already cold and ice lay on the ground. I was hardly dressed for the weather and received strange looks when I slowed down for humans. The route Phoenix took was difficult and it was after several scrambles that I reached her.

"Phoenix…" Phoenix snapped her head towards me, "Venom needs you…Mike planning to betray her…in about two hours…to the Volturi…he won't get there for a while but…"

"I understand. Thank you." Phoenix cut in, her eyes fiery as she muttered, "I knew Mike was a bad loser but this…" She stood and turned to me, "Do you like sky diving?" I stared at her, "What?" She grabbed my hand, hers still icy cold to me, "Jump."

Venom POV

I raced down the corridors, my eyes flickering around. Pushing my way into Sandra's bedroom I found her sitting there listening to music, "Sandra…we need to prepare for possible betrayal…I don't think it'll get that far but…"

"Consider me warned." Sandra answered, standing up. She grabbed some clothes and changed before turning to me, her eyes dark, "Who is it?"