A/N: Okay, I'm lacking in reviews here…I'm beginning to feel lost! *hugs self, and rocks back and forth*

Anyways, it has been a little while since we saw Aro, so let's drop by for a little visit…

Aro's POV

Council was agonizingly tedious today.

A great deal of it was just reports from different covens to see how each were behaving, and the rest consisted of shallow arguments and discussions on matters of insignificance. Being a powerful leader can have its disadvantages…

Every single time my eyes met with Caius', he made sure that I saw the glare resting on his brow. I smiled in spite of it, sending him into an even fouler mood. I knew exactly why he was glaring, and it had nothing to do with council.

"That's quite enough for today." Marcus concluded. "It is times like this when I wish I could sleep…"

I laughed once, "I as well brother…"

I left Marcus and Caius in the throne room, and went off in search of my dear Andrea. My senses welcomed the dimly-lit hallways as I left the chamber bathed in the afternoon light. I made my way to Andrea's bed chamber, and was unsurprised to see it vacant. I guessed that she would want to explore; it was only human nature.

I smiled to myself, and moved down the hall. I peeked into the kitchen, and saw no one. I continued down the hall, checking down every long corridor branching off to the sides. I stopped at the end of the long twisting hallway, my senses primed for any sounds or movements. A child screamed in delight outside of the walls, a piece of brick broke off from a wall to my right, falling with a profound chink to the floor...

I turned to my right, and started down a new hall, still listening intently. I switched my acute senses to my nose, lifting every scent from its resting surface, searching for her sweet, addicting scent. I smelt the roses from the rooms next to me, and the remnants of the revolting sausage that Gianna was cooking this morning.

Ah, Gianna…what a foolish mistake. I thought bitterly. Three years of torture for me and the rest of the Volturi because of her tempting scent, traded for a rash moment of lust. Since that experience, I promised myself that I would only share that part of me with someone that I truly loved. Unfortunately, that ruled out Sulpicia. But refusing myself to Sulpicia was no easy task. Besides the overwhelmingly existing guilt, she was extremely calculating, and was able to double or triple the guilt with a pout and a few choice words.

In fact, that's when she began to be vengeful and bitter; the day that I refused her.

I could see that she was hurt, but what could she possibly expect? Half of the guilt came every time I saw Sulpicia's face, the other half was every time I looked away…I knew that she truly didn't care about me…her lust turned to power far before the incident with Gianna.

Sulpicia wasn't always so outwardly angry. She used to be extremely kind, and compassionate. I've found that kindness doesn't help you rise in the ladder of command…doesn't help you gain the necessary power to rule. That was her objective the entire time; to rule at my side, and rule the Volturi through whisperings into my ear.

Marcus approached me soon after Sulpicia had gone bitter, revealing to me that her loyalty was no longer to the Volturi…or to me. I immediately wanted her thrown out, but according to the coven's laws, she has to have reasonable cause…and weakening ties doesn't qualify.

I growled frustratingly at the returning memory; icy hatred towards my past actions building up quickly in my chest. In times like these, some soothing Italian opera would calm my nerves. I loved opera, almost as much as I loved the music Andrea played on the piano.

That's what I need to do…I need to give her a piano, so that she can play for me whenever I need to hear it.

I shook my head impatiently; made a mental note to get Andrea a piano, ended my thoughts, and re-primed my senses to find her. They did not fail me this time.

My nose picked up her scent almost immediately; gathered in a small puddle on the ground.

What was she doing lying on the ground?

I smelled another scent, one that was sharp and painful. It was Sulpicia's scent.

Fear rose within me.

If she has laid one CLAW on Andrea, it will be her last day as a monster…

Relief swept through my as I picked up Athenodora's scent entering from the other side of the hallway. I sniffed around frantically, hoping that Andrea made it out of the hallway unaccompanied by Sulpicia. Fortunately, I found another trail of hers; leading in the direction that Athenodora's scent had entered from. I ran down the hall, following the scent like an excited puppy would. Athenodora's scent stopped in the middle of the hallway, but Andrea's continued.

I followed it to the door at the end of the corridor, opened the door with such force, that I almost unhinged it, and flew up the stairs. I reached the exit to the outside of the castle, and hesitated. Going outside into the sunlight was definitely out of the question, and besides, her scent faded on the other side of the door. I turned my head, inhaling both scents, and comparing the intensity of each.

She doubled back, I thought to myself. And it smells like Athenodora was here as well…

I turned on my heel and ran back down the stairs.

I was beginning to get very close, because I could hear her speaking aloud. If my heart was beating, it would have begun racing. Her voice rang sweetly from the ballroom; I stopped outside of the ballroom doors, listening to her musical voice.

"What am I supposed to do, Dora? These feelings are just too overwhelming to bear…I wish I could just see my grandparents again…if only they hadn't hit that stupid animal!" She'd begun to cry as I continued listening.

"Shh…I know…just talk to Aro…he's very understanding…" Athenodora spoke soothingly to Andrea. Athenodora paused, and I knew she could sense my presence. With no more need to hide, I stepped into the doorway.

"Dearest Andrea…" I swept into the room and took Andrea from Athenodora's arms. "Quiet now…hush now…" she sniffed loudly, and hid her face in the jacket of my suit. Athenodora stood silently, and disappeared from the room. I replaced her spot on the cushy chair, placing Andrea in my lap, and rocking her back and forth smoothly.

She took a deep inhale, and drew herself upwards and away from my chest. "Aro…I need to speak to you." She whispered.

I smiled and stroked her bare arm. "I'm listening,"

She looked down and took a few short breaths. "I'm…confused."

I furrowed my brows. "I don't understand,"

"I feel very lost…in a matter of days, I've lost my only remaining family, and met someone who loves me. It's just…" she trailed off.

"And it is all happening a little fast for you." I finished her sentence. She nodded slowly. "I see…"

She snapped her head upwards and looked into my eyes. "Why do you love me? Is it my power? Hmm? Is it because I was just too interesting and different that you had to keep me close for further observation? It that it? Or did you pick me from the beginning; another human to satisfy your lusts, and found the power as an extra surprise?" She closed her mouth so quickly, her teeth jarred against each other. She was breathing heavily, her eyes filled to the brim with inquisitiveness and irritation.

Her question tore through my skin, almost breaking what was left of my heart. She probably expected me to be angry, but I was the farthest thing from being upset.

"I'm sorry that you think that. And no, that is not why I was drawn to you. Yes, you were a new discovery for me, but apart from your power, I found you to be extremely beautiful, compassionate, selfless, and strong. Losing your family in that short of time must be heart-wrenching." I re-thought through her question as she blinked once, not removing her stare from my monstrous eyes. "How did you lose your parents?"

Her stare faltered, and she took a shuddering breath. "They were murdered…by vampires, I'm pretty sure." She said in a low voice. I squeezed her tighter.

"I'm so sorry, Andrea…it must've been hard for you."

"Actually…it was only hard for the first few weeks. My grandma took most of the brunt. It must've been horrible for her to answer all of the questions. 'Where's mommy? Where's daddy? Are they coming back? Have they called yet?' After a short while, I just kind of accepted that they weren't coming back. One day, I just told myself that they were dead. Then grandma showed me the newspaper article, and I learned how they'd died. The similarity between my parents and grandparents deaths are unnerving…I've just learned to take care of myself."

"You're very mature, Andrea. That's one of your outstanding qualities."

"Thanks." She muttered. "You're so patient and kind with me. Why? I must be driving you crazy with my emotional roller-coaster."

I chortled quietly. "Three thousand years of practice. And there's something about your face that makes it so that I could never be upset with you."

She looked up at me, shifting her watch between my two eyes. She bit her lip and whispered, "Really?"

I nodded.

"You might want to retract that statement." She said.

"Why ever so?" I raised my eyebrows.

She chewed on her lip nervously. "I know about Gianna."

The word 'Gianna' sent an overwhelming wave of guilt over me. I felt incredibly ashamed at the thought of Andrea knowing of my horrid past. Knowing of the terrible mistakes I'd made. I dipped my head downward in shame.

"Gianna is a mistake that I will regret for the rest of time. You must know that." I raised my head to look at her. "I was completely and wholly…how do you humans say it? Desperate? Sulpicia was making my existence miserable, and when I saw Gianna…teetering so close to death, I just couldn't let such a beautiful creature go to waste. My reason was blinded by my greed. I promised myself that I wouldn't let that happen again. Sulpicia doesn't know, nor should she ever…" I trailed off, hoping that Andrea would add something. But she didn't…she just sat completely still.

Silence; the room rang with it. I released my arms from around her, giving her the chance to flee from me. "I will understand if you don't wish to be with me. I will promise to let you live if you wish to go…"

She cut me off with her touch on my cheek. "I understand what it's like to be lonely, and I don't blame you for Gianna…just promise me one thing."

"Anything," I almost pleaded.

"Promise me that you will keep your own promise…and only be with the one you truly love. Even if it is not me."

Her request surprised me. I was expecting something along the lines of, 'tell me every little thing you've done wrong now', or, 'cut Gianna out of the picture, you're mine now'. I wasn't expecting her to be so understanding. Ah, another wondrous quality…another reason that I loved her.

I grasped her hands in mine. "I promise." She smiled, and leaned against my shoulder. "I guess I have just kept my promise." She pulled back away from me, and looked at me again. "I'm with the one that I love." She smiled her beautiful soft smile, running her hands over the shoulder of my suit jacket.

I pulled her closer to me, connecting her lips with mine.

Complete and total joy and love surrounded every particle of me. I will love you Andrea, forever, and I will never let you go. She pulled back, nuzzling her head into the hollow of my neck. I felt her mouth open into a yawn against my skin.

"Funny…its only afternoon, and yet, I'm completely exhausted." She said.

I laughed. "Emotions are not a fun thing to deal with, love. They certainly take a toll on one as fragile as you."

"I'm not usually so fragile…" she said defensively.

"No, you're not. You're strong, and I love that about you." I ran my fingers up and down her back, feeling the softness of her hair, when Jane entered the room stealthily.

"Good afternoon master, I have come to inform you that I've returned, and that the hunt is wonderful at this time of day." I caught the little undertone of hidden meaning in her voice.

"Very well Jane, thank you." She bowed her head, and left.

"You must rest, Andrea. There is no use stressing yourself if you're exhausted." I stood up, keeping her in my arms.

She nodded, and didn't reply. I began to walk across the spacious ballroom, when she looked over my shoulder and chuckled aloud.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked; the suspense and mystery tugging at my curiosity.

"It's a myth."

"What do you mean?"

"The mirror," she pointed over my shoulder at the large mirror. "I can see your reflection…traditional vampire writings say that vampires have no reflection…ha, it's just interesting…"

"Oh Andrea, you never cease to surprise me."

I enjoyed the feeling of her warm body against my deathly cold one, feeling every beat of her heart, and listening to every breath that she took. I carried her back to her room, and laid her on top of the bed.

"Aro?" she said as I turned away.

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, Andrea." I whispered back.

"I won't be resting all day; come and see me later."

"All right," I replied. I left the room quickly and quietly, and decided to take Jane's hint to go on the hunt; quenching a bit of my thirst for the time being.