Alice and Jesse sat in the meadow just looking at each other. Alice moved closer to her and Jesse just lied down on the ground. She motioned for Alice to lie down next to her and she did. She placed Alice's head on her chest and wrapped her arms around her.

"Are you sure that's what you want to know right now?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Good. I was hoping that you would say that."

"Why?"

"It makes things easier for me."

"Well aren't you being selfish?"

"Yes, but I need to be."

"I was just teasing."

"I know, but I'm not."

Alice sighed and just closed her eyes. She was waiting for her to start showing her their past but nothing happened.

"Are you okay, Jess?"

"Yeah, just a little nervous. I don't want to lose you, but if that's what happens after I show you this then I have to leave you again."

"Promise me that you won't leave me."

"I can't do that Alice. You might not want me to stick around after you see this. I can't promise you that and you know it. Please don't make this harder for me."

"I just don't see why you don't trust me."

"It's not that I don't trust you."

" I don't want to have another argument. I'm tired of fighting with you over this. Just show me what you need me to so we can get past this."

"That I can do. Just give me a minute."

"Okay you have one minute. Only one though. I can't wait forever."

"Because more than one minute would kill you."

"It might so let's not find out."

Alice closed her eyes once again but she didn't have to wait much longer than a few seconds.

Jesse was standing in front of a younger Aero. Her parents and brother were standing behind her. Aero was holding her hand and smiling. When he let go, his smile only grew.

"I've never seen anyone with as much power as you. Not only that but you also know of a young human who can see the future. She could be of good use as well."

"You will not have her."

"What's interesting is your love for the girl. How can you stand being around her without turning her? I see why you indulge in a taste every now and then but why not just turn her?"

"I don't want her to live like this. I don't want her to have to kill anyone just to survive."

"You've never killed anyone. Why not teach her your ways. Better yet, let her feed off of you. It wouldn't kill you. You can just regenerate more blood. It's perfect. Her own personal blood supplier. What could possibly go wrong?"

"You know what newborns are like Aero! I could slip up. Maybe she doesn't want to become a vampire."

"Oh, but she has told you that she wants to be one so that she can be with you forever."

"She's young. She doesn't know what she wants."

"She's older than you. Maybe you don't know what you want. I know what's best for you. I have the wisdom that comes with old age."

"I don't want to join you; that I know for sure. Alice wouldn't want to either. You will never have her. Never."

"We'll see. I highly doubt that you can keep her from us. We'll find her one way or another. Why not just join us so that you can be sure that she's taken care of. I would never hurt someone who could be of such good use as your Alice."

"That's right, she's MINE. You can't have her. She belongs to me."

"Oh, so the monster in you has claimed her as your own."

"I'm no monster and you know it!"

"Sure, sure. Just wait. We all are, and you are not an exception. You may be the most powerful one that there is but that does not mean that you aren't one of us. Why deny it?"

"Because I am NOT like you. The only thing that we have in common is our immortality. Well, that, and now I have your power."

"Are you sure? And really? Already?"

"Yes."

"Stubborn. That's what you are."

"We agree on something. Shocking."

"You won't always get what you want."

"Neither will you."

"We'll see about that young one. We'll see."

"You will NOT get what you want."

"All in good time my dear, all in good time."

Jesse just glared at Aero as he walked away. She hated him and wanted nothing more to do with him. She would kill him if he touched her Alice.

Jesse's father noticed the change in her and tried to calm her down. When he touched her shoulder, she growled at him. She had never growled at him or anyone for that matter. She was usually so composed and calm.

Jess, sweetie. You need to calm down. This is the vampire in you. This isn't you honey. Think of Alice. Think of how she would react if she saw you like this."

That worked. She began to calm down immediately. Thinking of Alice made her feel better.

"Sorry. He can't have her."

Jesse's mother had been quiet this whole time which was unlike her. When she spoke, Jesse didn't really want to hear it.

"Aero was right about one thing. The vampire in you has staked its claim on Alice. I don't think that it's wise of you to spend as much time with her. What if you go too far?"

"What do you mean go to far?"

"She's talking about you biting her, dumbass."

"Shut up Joseph! Do I have to rip your head off again?"

"Jesse!"

"Sorry mom, but he deserved it!"

"What could he have done to deserve you ripping his head off?"

"No one was around to see it."

"Yeah mom. She waited until Alice left before doing it."

"That's not what I meant! How could you do such a thing to your brother?"

"I was being mean to HER Alice."

"Mean? You were staring and being vulgar. She was highly embarrassed and cried after you walked out!"

"And what exactly what he staring at young lady?"

"Mom, I'm not a kid! Stop talking to me like I am one."

"I am YOUR mother. You do not tell me what to do. Now tell me what he saw."

"No."

"You do know that not telling her is just going to make matters worse for you right?"

"It's not mother that I have to worry about."

"Is that what you think?"

"I didn't mean it that way. I was just cornered by Aero, mother. He wants me AND Alice. That's more important right now."

"I beg to differ little sis. I think that our parents should know that you're sleeping with a mere human."

"You're what!"

"It's not that big of a deal. I didn't hurt her."

"Oh really. Looked like you did."

"You hurt her?"

"There were only a few bruises and I healed them afterwards. It was fine."

"You could have killed her Jesse!"

"But I didn't! I wouldn't ever let myself get that carried away."

"You don't know that!"

"Yes, I do! She's my life. Why would I do anything to hurt her?"

"Not on purpose, you wouldn't."

"We're careful, mom. I promise."

"Oh, you promise. That makes it all better then."

"When have I ever broken a promise to you?"

"She does have a point there mom."

"You stay out of this."

"Look, you can ask Alice. Since that night, she hasn't had a single bruise."

"That night? How long ago was the first time from then?"

"The time we are talking about was our second time."

"And when was your first?"

"The night before."

"How many times since then?"

"You really don't want to know."

"Yes, I believe I do."

"Okay, you asked."

"You're right I did now answer the damned question. I'm not getting any younger!"

"You're not getting much older either. Haven't aged a day since I was born."

"Just answer me already!"

"Fine! Five hundred one and a half."

"Excuse me?"

"Do I really need to repeat myself?"

"Where does the half come in sis?"

"We didn't quite finish the day you walked in on us."

"How long ago was your first time Jesse?"

"Um, yeah , you're really not going to like this."

"Just tell me."

"Alice was thirteen."

"What?"

"You mean to tell me that my daughter was having sex at the age of 8 years old?"

"technically yes, but I had the body of a teenager! What did you expect me to do, wait?"

"Yes, that is what I expected you to do."

"Well, that didn't happen."

"How and the hell have you had sex that many times?"

"Mom, Alice is now seventeen. We've been having sex for four years."

"What do you have sex every time it's possible?"

"How upset would you be if I said yes?"

"What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing. I believe if there was something wrong that Alice wouldn't…"

"Don't finish that sentence! You are in so much trouble."

"Right. Well, I am going to see Alice. Make sure Aero hasn't gotten to her."

"You're girl is locked up sis. I highly doubt that he has gotten to her."

"You never know, he is a vampire remember. I sneak in every night. What's going to keep his followers from doing the same thing?"

"That's it! You are not being let out of my sight. And you will have someone with you at all times when you are with Alice. No more of this sneaking in business."

"Mom, no one can keep me from Alice but myself and we all know that won't happen."

"Sweetie, I think we should just let Jesse have her way with this one. I would hate to see what would happen if you tried to come between her and Alice. I don't approve of her sexual relationship but if we try to stop her, she'll just push us away."

"I know that Raife but she's my little girl. She was way too young and she still is."

"If we go by age then yes she was too young but she's not your normal thirteen year old girl. She's never been like the girls her age and she never will be honey. It's safe to say that our daughter is way beyond mature for her age."

"I know. I just don't want to believe it. She's my baby, Raife."

"She's my baby too. I don't like it, but I have to accept it. Let's go see Alice as a family, and leave what happens when we're not there between the two of them."

"I guess that's the only solution. I apologize for overreacting."

"It's okay, mom. I understand. I don't like it, but I do understand."

"We'll just have to learn to live with it."

The four of them decided that they had done enough talking and walked to the institution that Alice was currently staying at. The doctors were a little skeptical about all four of them going in but Jesse was very persuasive and they were all aloud to see Alice. They were lead to a small room upon Jesse's request that they be alone.

The moment that Alice saw them her face lit up. She ran to Jesse and jumped on her like she normally did every time she saw her.

"I've missed you."

"You just saw her last night shorty."

"Shut up Joseph."

"Yes, let's not bring that up, son."

"Wait, they know. All of them know?"

"Well, I couldn't lie to them."

"Yes you could have! It's not that hard. You lie to everyone else why not them?"

"Well, they're my parents and mom always knows when I'm lying."

"Just refuse to tell her then!"

"It's too late now Ali. I can't change it. Don't worry, that can't stop me from seeing you at night."

"Promise?"

"Don't I always?"

"Yeah, you do. So why are all of you here?"

"We kind of have some bad news."

"But, why do all of you have to be here?"

"Because, Ali, something bad has happened. The Volturi, they know about you; about us. They don't like that you're human. They want you to become a vampire."

"Then change me!"

"I can't Ali."

"I know you can't but one of them can."

"No, Ali, I don't think that we can. We haven't had human blood in years. I don't think that any of us could refrain from killing you."

"But, Jess would stop you. You wouldn't let anyone kill me would you?"

"No, Ali. Never. As long as I'm around, no one will kill you. And, yes, that's a promise."

"Good. You never break your promises."

"Never have, never will."

"who are the Volturi again?"

"The group of vampires that…"

"Oh, them. I remember now. Why do they want me?"

"You can see the future. It's blurry now but when, I mean if, you were to become a vampire, they would most likely become more clear. They want you and I to join them."

"You said no, and they still want us don't they?"

"Yeah, they do. But they won't ever get you. I'll do everything that I possibly can just to keep them from you."

"I trust you."

"I know Ali. I'll have to keep tabs on you to make sure that you are safe. It won't always be me that's here to see if you're okay. I hate to say this, but I won't be able to sneak in every night."

"But, I need you here with me."

"I'm sure ya do Alice. Just can't live without…"

"It's not about the sex Joseph! Jesse keeps me sane. Yes, the sex is great and I love it but she also keeps me calm at night. Do you know what goes on here at night? How crazy some of these people really are? It's scary at night. She protects me from that."

"Oh. I guess I never thought of it that way."

"You never do Joseph."

"Sorry, Alice."

"It's okay. I still don't get why all of you are here though."

"We all wanted to see you. This might be the last time that all of us get to see you as a family, Ali. The Volturi really want us to join them."

"It's because of how powerful you are isn't it?"

"It's about how powerful WE are, Ali. They want US, not just me. I have to protect you."

"You won't let anyone hurt me I know."

"That's right. It's another promise."

Alice smiled at Jesse and they both wished that they were alone. They spent the next few minutes just talking and laughing as a family before they all left Alice for the day. Jesse was upset that she might not get to see Alice later that night. She knew that the Volturi wouldn't give up so easily. She had to keep her promises to Alice. She just had to.

That night Jesse was sure that none of the Volturi would be going to the institution for Alice so she was making her way back there to see her. She never made it though. She was about half way there when she ran into another vampire; James.

"Well, aren't you beautiful? Sure would love to get a taste of you."

"Not gonna happen."

"Are you sure about that? I don't think you have much of a choice."

"I think I do."

After she said that she ran. She really didn't want to fight him. She just didn't want him to get anywhere near Alice. She ran in the opposite direction of the institution so that there was no chance that he would even know about her. For some reason, she knew that if he knew about her, he would definitely go after her. She was faster than him so getting away was easy. She told her father about him and to keep an eye out for him. From then on, they were all a bit cautious. They now had to worry about the Volturi and a vampire that none of them knew. Joseph suggested getting to know him but Raife didn't trust him around Jesse. He may not be able to kill her but her blood would make him stronger. He seemed like someone who could be dangerous and he didn't want him to be stronger than he already was.

Jesse wasn't able to see Alice for about a week and her eighteenth birthday was coming up. She told herself that she would definitely get to see her then.

It was the day before Alice birthday, and exactly one week since Jesse had seen her. Jesse was excited because she would be seeing Alice that night. She wasn't prepared for what she found.

When she had snuck in, Alice was sitting in bed crying. She was curled in a ball rocking back and forth. She nearly screamed when Jesse touched her but Jesse quickly covered her mouth.

"Ali, it's me sweetie. It's Jess."

Alice immediately rolled over and grabbed Jesse but she didn't stop crying for at least five minutes.

"It's so much worse without you Jess. I've missed you so much."

"I know baby, but I couldn't come see you. They were following me. I had to leave the country just to get them away from you. I made Aero believe that I would be moving you. That was my plan at the time but then I realized that you would be better off here. If he thought that I would move you, then he wouldn't think to look here."

"I don't want to stay here. I don't feel safe anymore. I've been having nightmares. There's always this man in them."

"Don't cry Ali, everything will be fine. I promise."

"Are you staying the night?"

"Yes. I wouldn't have come at night if I wasn't going to stay with you."

"Good. I don't want to have any nightmares. I don't think I could handle anymore."

That night, Alice cried herself to sleep in Jesse's arms. Jesse only slept for about an hour. She too had a feeling that Alice wasn't safe there but she couldn't figure out why. She had learned how to make herself appear to be almost invisible if she didn't want to be found. The Volturi couldn't know where Alice was. She worried all night.

When Alice woke, she was happy to see that Jesse really did stay.

"You stayed!"

"Of course I did. I told you I would."

"I love you."

"I love you too. And do you know what else?"

"No, what?"

"Happy Birthday, Baby."

"You're here for my birthday! I forgot that was today."

"I wouldn't miss it Ali. You're eighteen now. How does it feel?"

"The same as every year. But I'm so glad that you're here with me today. I love you so much Jess."

"What would I do without you?"

"You'd go crazy and miss me every single day. You definitely wouldn't be happy."

"That's for sure. Let's hope that I never have to find out though."

"I like the sound of that. Guess you'll just have to keep me forever."

"Lucky me."

"You're amazing."

"Thanks! And I haven't even given you your present yet."

"You got me something?"

"Well of course. What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't get you anything for your birthday?"

"You'd still be a pretty damn good one for me."

"You're too good to me Ali. Sometimes I think that I'm not good enough for you."

"Don't you ever say that again. I need you and you ARE good enough for me. You're better than good enough. You're perfect for me."

"I sure hope so Ali."

"Can I have my present now?"

"Sure, Ali."

Jesse reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring. It was heart-shaped and the diamond was pink.

"Now everyone will know that you're taken and that they can't have you."

"Only you, Jess. Only you."

"I love you so very, very much Ali. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't. Not ever."

"I have to go now. If I stay in one place for too long they'll know where you are. We can't have that."

"But, you just got here and I don't get to see you that much anymore."

"I know, Ali, but it's for us. I can't be with you if they get to you and possibly kill you."

"If they turned me, would you come find me to be with me?"

"That would be the only way I would ever join them. If they got you then I would have no other choice but to join them. I have to be with you Ali, it's really my only option."

"But, what if it's someone else? Would you find me then?"

"Of course but why would you say that?"

"Oh, just one of the "what ifs" that have popped into my mind lately."

"Are you sure that's it?"

"Yeah. I'm really going to miss you Jess."

"I'll miss you too Ali. I already do."

"You're being romantic again. I like it when you're romantic."

"Yeah, you're the only one that get's to see it."

"I know. I'd be offended if anyone else did."

"Lucky for you no one else will."

"I love you Jess."

"I love you too Alice."

They kissed each other and held on as tight as they possibly could. Well, Jesse held her as tight as possible without hurting her. Alice felt as if she might not get to kiss Jesse again so she made sure that it would be a kiss that Jesse would never forget.

"Wow, Ali. That was just…I don't even know how to describe it. I really don't want to leave now."

"Then don't."

"You know that I have to. I have to keep you safe. Just remember that I love you. I'm always thinking of you. You're my girl Ali, and you always will be."

"I'll never forget. I promise."

Jesse smiled at Alice before she left but she couldn't help think that something was wrong. She shrugged it off as nothing and went home to see if her family was there. They weren't. She had some time to kill so she decided to take a little nap before she had to leave again.

She had only been asleep for about fifteen minutes when she had a vision that would haunt her every night from then on. James had Alice in an alley, and he was draining the life from her.