Chapter 12: More Vampires… Oh Joy.

It didn't take long for Armand and I to reach Forks I noticed. Much less than I was hoping it would. I ran in my wolf form while he raced beside me, and in the end I won. I wasn't really surprised by the outcome of our race. After all, Armand didn't know the way, not to mention he was preoccupied thinking about what was to come.

Just before we reached the edge of Forks I switched to my human form. There was no reason to renew the rumors of 'giant man-eating wolves' roaming about.

"Do you think they'll like me?" Armand asked me suddenly, his eyes trained on the ground ahead of us.

"Who?" I said in confusion. Realizing where we were going it dawned on me. "The Cullens? I don't see why it matters… They're opinion isn't very important. The worst they can do is say they won't help…"

"Not the Cullens," He whispered, suddenly quite insecure. "Your family."

This surprised me as I considered it a moment. Before we left Evol Armand and I had agreed that if he successfully became a vegetarian he would come to meet Sue and Seth. I had been firm in the fact that it wouldn't be a good idea to go anywhere near the werewolves until then just in case. I doubted anyone would dare to try and harm him, but I wasn't sure how long I'd have to explain I'd imprinted on a vampire before they overreacted.

"Armand, I can't see any reason they wouldn't like you." I said firmly.

"I'm a vampire?" He suggested dully.

"My sister-in-law is a vampire," I said without thinking. That wasn't my ideal choice of topic. Bella being related to me, even if only by legal terms, was disturbing. "My step-father sees vampires on a regular basis, and my brother's practically the Cullens best friends. You needn't worry about them Armand."

"You said your brother was worried about you being around me," Armand said doubtfully.

I sighed a little. It was more than once that I wished I'd never mentioned that to him. "Seth is worried," I agreed, "But it's only because he's never met you. He's a very… optimistic person. He told me he's looking forward to seeing you. Don't worry, you'll win them over in no time."

"Why is he so worried though?" Armand persisted. "It's not like werewolf blood smells appealing… No offense meant of course."

"None taken," I said idly. "Armand, if you were to bite me it would be poisonous even if you stopped before you killed me. I'd die… Jacob's just goaded Seth into worrying. Don't worry, the moment he sees you is when all his fears will go away."

We were in front of the long driveway to the Cullen's home now, neither willing to go further. I swallowed hard, remembering the last time I'd seen the vampire family. I could still remember my argument with Jacob perfectly. The look on Bella's and Renesmee's faces when I'd run away… Being here now was much harder than I'd expected.

"Are you ready Leah?" Armand asked me softly, slipping his cool hand into my warm one.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I murmured.

Before we could force ourselves to move Alice Cullen appeared in front of us, her pale face strangely triumphant.

"I knew it had to be one of you," She announced proudly. Looking first over my less-than-satisfactory appearance, and then to Armand Alice's smile disappeared. Suddenly her eyes narrowed suspiciously, turning on Armand.

"What did you do to her?!" She demanded of him angrily.

"Alice!" I exclaimed in surprise.

"I can handle this Leah, stay out of it," Alice snapped. A smile made it's way onto my lips, realizing why Alice was so surprised.

"Alice, this is Armand," I tried again.

"I don't care what his name is. You wouldn't be within ten feet of one of us. He must have done something for you to be so close to him." Alice said, shaking her head impatiently.

"Armand is a friend of mine," I continued slowly. This only made Alice take a menacing step towards Armand, who now looked terrified by the pixie-like girl.

"I'm warning you… You… Armand! Get away from…" Alice was cut off as I stepped in front of her angrily.

"Alice, I imprinted on Armand. We're here because we wanted to ask you all a question. Kindly stop accusing him of things!" I snapped.

I wondered if, had it been possible, Alice would have blushed. She took a graceful step back, studying him accusingly. Finally she turned to me, even more confused.

"Were you smiling?" She asked, her head cocked curiously. That was enough for me… Just because I was in love with Armand did not mean I liked the vampires any more than I had.

"Alice, why are you acting so surprised to see us?" I demanded angrily. "Didn't Jacob tell you we were coming?"

Alice blinked, looking at the two of us curiously. "No," She said at last. "Jacob left with Renesmee to go to a book store. She's finished all of our books you see and wanted to read more-"

"I don't care why they're going to a book store," I fumed. "When did they leave?"

"This morning… Jacob was pretty set on going today. Was there someone in particular you wanted to talk to Leah?"

Damn you Jacob, I thought angrily. I gave him one job… Just one task he was in charge of doing and look what had happened. Now Armand and I looked not only rude for showing up without warning, but I had to explain the whole stupid thing to one of my least favorite groups of people. I supposed I should have told Seth after all, though it had seemed a better idea to keep him away until I was sure Armand was under control completely. He was around humans on a regular basis, around me every day, but I didn't want to risk my brother's life in any way. To avoid this I had convinced Jacob to tell Sue to keep Seth busy all day. I hoped he had at least done that much…

Armand apparently was much more intent on being liked by the Cullens than I was, for he extended his hand politely to Alice.

"I'm Armand Stoker," he said quietly, "I asked Leah to bring me here because I would like to request your family's help. I only recently heard about your unusual diet, and would like to make an attempt to convert to it."

"Alice Cullen," Alice said, shaking his hand once. "I'm not really the best teacher, so it's not up to me. I'm sure Carlisle won't have a problem with it though."

There was a mischievous look in Alice's eye that I didn't exactly like as she turned to me. "So you imprinted on a vampire?" She said conversationally, moving in-between Armand and I as she led us toward the house.

"Yes," I sighed, not sure where this was going.

"No offense Leah, but you're a mess," Alice continued, the same suspicious air in her tone.

"Yes, I probably am." I agreed. I waited for the catch; the punch line that I was sure was coming. What was Alice trying to justify with my answers? Whatever it was, she didn't continue, just smiled as we finished our walk towards the house. All the while I was throwing every curse word I knew at Jacob, saving an entire list for when I finally saw him.

Alice opened the door, leading us inside quickly. Even with the excessive amounts of time I'd spent with Armand recently, I wasn't prepared for the concentrated scent of vampire that hit me when I entered through the door. The only pleasant thing about it was the familiar scent of werewolf also mixed in with the less appealing stenches.

"Look who's here!" Alice exclaimed, releasing our hands so that she could move to stand behind her family. I blushed, only now realizing that every one of the Cullens was in the room watching us. There was Jasper, standing protectively behind Alice with his eyes narrowed. Carlisle and Esme who looked surprised, though not unfriendly. Bella and Edward were sitting on the love seat, both looking beautiful and graceful these days. Emmett meanwhile grinned widely at us both as he sat on the couch beside Rosalie while Rosalie folded her arms in distaste. I glared back at her with just as much hate. I was glad to know one of the vampires liked me just as much as I liked her.

"Nice to see you Leah," Esme spoke at last, standing up to greet us. It was clear she couldn't decide whether or not to approach me. Considering how I'd treated her in the past, I didn't blame her for the hesitance.

"Hello Esme," I said, glad I still remembered all of the vampire's names. It made it easier to appear like I liked them now.

"Jacob and Seth aren't here," Carlisle said uncertainly, standing beside Esme once more. "Is there a way we can be of service to you?"

I could see Bella studying Armand, looking specifically at his unwelcome eye color. It seemed by instinct Bella pulled closer to Edward, though I found it silly considering Bella was just as strong as her husband these days.

"Actually, yes," I said, trying to speak calmly. It was hard when all of my senses were on edge. I felt just as welcome here as I had when I'd first come into this house. "This is my boy friend Armand Stoker," I wished I had a more appropriate word than 'boy friend' though none came to mind. The Cullens watched me silently, waiting for me to go on. Armand put a cool hand on my shoulder, meeting my eyes. I could only guess he wanted to explain himself.

"I only recently found out of your unusual diet," Armand explained, looking hesitantly at the Cullens. "I realize that taking human life is wrong on any level, and discovering there was another way to feed intrigued me. I don't think I can manage the switch on my own… I need help. I was hoping that your family could assist me in trying to learn how to be a 'vegetarian'." He explained quietly. Silence followed his words, finally broken as Carlisle stepped forward and extended his hand to Armand.

"We'd be happy to," he said warmly. "I must warn you though… it isn't easy. It requires discipline and determination. You have to be willing to put all your efforts into the conversion or it can lead to unwanted accidents."

"I'm up to the challenge." Armand said firmly, glancing back at me.

"Then welcome Armand," Carlisle said with a nod. "We will help you in any way we can."

((This came SO close to not getting up today. I had to go to the doctor and was promised I was current on all shots. Guess what... I got two really painful shots. TT All the same, my arms don't hurt right now so I typed up the chapter. Nothing very exciting in this one, but it's necessary to the plot. He had to get to the Cullens. Not to mention Alice had to be there. ;) Nice guesses on what's going to happen. I would like to point out to some of you that just because he came to the Cullens doesn't mean Armand is able to switch. Not everyone can do it, remember? I wonder if he has what it takes... shifty eyes ))