Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Previously

I was speechless tears in my eyes threatening to spill over. When a few escaped, I swiftly wiped my face. I don't cry. I looked at them all, too stunned to speak. I just nodded at them thanking them with my eyes. Alice came over and hugged me. I whispered my thank you to her.

For the first time since my parents died I feel wanted. Accepted. Loved...

Complete

NickPOV

I stood near the door to canteen. I watched through the small window as the Cullen's rose from their seats and joined Melissa at her table. I noticed that slutty Lauren girl staring wide-eyed at them in disbelief. Why was it so shocking that to her that the Cullen's liked Melissa? She sould be begging for her friendship. I always wanted to do something about the way they treated her, but knew if she got wind of it, she wouldn't be happy. I sighed. I listened as Alice gave a Melissa a talk about how they are her friends, no matter what.

Melissa's eyes filled with tears which then spilled over. I struggled to keep in place. I wanted nothing more than to go to her and make the tears disappear. Alice then rose and hugged Melissa and I was instantly jealous of her, I long to hold her in my arms and have her react like she did to Alice.

Once Melissa had composed herself they all started chatting about nothing in particular and I just watched. Melissa smiled more times than ever in the ten minutes I watched them.

I wish I was the one to make her smile. Why can't I just talk to her? What is so wrong with that? I thought.

I saw Edwards head snap in my direction and he caught my eye for a split second before I moved away from the door.

"Excuse me for a moment" I heard him say. He was heading towards me. I couldn't just run from him, so I waited, I was kind of curious as to what he wanted.

He appeared out in the hall then and looked at me.

"Why don't you just speak to her?" He asked. "She wishes you would, you know."

I swear my dead heart restarted at that sentence. "She does?" I asked quietly.

"Yes." He replied.

I sighed. "I wish I could, but I really can't." I said in a low voice. We were in the hall, her office is close, she'll hear.

"Why not?" He asked stepping closer to me.

Okay, I'll have to explain like this. I can't have her hearing me. I thought to him.

I then jumped back, to when my new life started. I showed myself waking up to Victoria, smiling at me. I showed him how she took me out, made me hunt humans. I showed my reluctance to do it. I eventually turned to animal blood which she didn't approve of. I ran through a conversation of her telling me that I was hers and I have to do what she says.

I just steal donated blood now to keep my eyes red. I thought.

I then showed him first day that I started working at Spears Egineering around a year after my change. I was down in factory, a little nervous about working around humans, where blood being split was easy. Victoria was watching me a few feet away to make sure I was doing okay. I looked up at her and did I quick scan of the room. I showed him the first time I saw Melissa, she didn't have a small stud in her lip at the time, or the flowers and vines tattoo around her wrist. In my eyes she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen and I couldn't help the smile that formed on my face. She must have sensed my staring because she had looked up and smiled the most breathtaking smile I had ever seen. She then looked behind me and her face instantly fell and she looked down and walked off. I was confused until I realised Victoria was behind me glaring at Melissa's retreating form. She then turned her glare on me. "You will stay away from her, understand?" She had hissed at me. "Wh-what? Why?" I had stuttered. "Just stay away, okay? Always remember, I saved you, I gave you a new life, I can take it away just as quick."

I cringed remembering the day my heart broke in two. I looked at Edward, who looked pretty shocked.

"Do you understand now?" I asked.

Edward nodded, but looked confused. "Why are you so afraid of her? You could fight her off easily."

I chuckled without humour. "Her, yes. Her mate, no."

Edward went to say something else, but the siren cut him off.

"Well, I'm getting down there. Don't tell Melissa anything. Please. I can't believe I just spilled it all to you." I chucked.

Edward just sighed and said "Sure."

I turned away and made my way down to the factory.

MPOV

The siren just went and Edward still hadn't come back. We all rose from our seats looking to the door as Edward came through it.

Where did you disappear to? I thought.

He looked at me and everyone else and just shook his head. Obviously everyone else asked the same question.

He said a quick goodbye to Bella and Jasper and followed us out. I walked with them now, instead of ahead of them. I looked to where Nick was working and noticed he didn't look up and glare at me like he usually does when he knows I'm looking at him. He just kept his head down. I frowned, something was different, I just didn't know what. I wonder if it had anything to do with Edward disappearing at break...

I turned to Edward who was clearly avoiding looking at me.

What happened, Edward? I asked in my thoughts.

He still wouldn't look at me and just slightly shook his head.

I growled quietly. You better tell me whats going on. I said in my thoughts.

I looked at him and he finally looked at me, giving me a slight nod.

Later? I asked. He nodded again. Thank you.

We got back to our machines and all I could think about is what may have happened with Nick and Edward.

EPOV

Why does that woman want so much control over people? I thought.

She not only controls Melissa, well tries anyway, but she controls Nick as well. She's on some serious power trip.

We were working on our machines when a vision popped into Alice head, Melissa was going to slice her finger open. Nothing too bad, but blood was going to be shed and there were quite a few vampires around.

"Everyone hold your breath! Nick, I know you can hear me, hold your breath." I hissed quietly.

Just as I finished my sentence, I heard Melissa quietly mutter "Shit."

I turned around, not breathing and saw her walking to the a small room which I noticed was the medical room.

Thanks man! I heard Nick say in my head. I haven't hunted for a while, that wouldn't have been good if you didn't warn me.

"Don't worry about it." I muttered. Melissa walked out of the room then, smoothing a plaster over her finger.

She looked at me and smiled sheepishly, mouthing "Sorry."

I smiled and shook my head. It was hardly her fault. She got back to work then, not at all fazed about the fact she just bled with five vampires around her.

We were all working quietly. So quietly that I was getting suspicious about Emmett. He's never quiet. I looked over only to notice he had disappeared from his machine. Where the hell is he?

I growled and scanned the room trying to pick up on his thoughts to find out where he was.

"When you see my face, hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell!" Stupid idiot! Seriously, he needs to listen to better music! And he needs to stop blocking me!

I turned back to my machine and left him to his childish antics. About ten minutes later, he appeared from behind a skip filled with scrap metal. He had in his hands some... Roses? No, wait. Metal roses.

He had got long thick pieces of metal to use as stems, and then used other pieces of metal to make the rose shape. He had obviously meshed the rose and the stem parts together by using his strength. Obvious much, Emmett? I thought rolling my eyes.

He skipped over to where Angela, Jessica and Lauren were working.

He passed straight by Jess and Lauren, and grinned at Angela's back. He tapped her shoulder and handed her a rose, giving her a peck on the cheek. She blushed, took the rose, smiled and thanked Emmett. He bowed like a gentleman and tipped an invisable hat at her. She giggled and got back to work. Jess and Lauren looked extremely pissed when he just walked straight past them and headed to Melissa.

I love humans, anything makes them blush. Ooo! Lauren and Jess don't look happy! Oh well, they don't deserve a rose. Now, I need to go make Melissa blush.

He skipped up to Melissa, who was smirking at him and holding in her laughter.

He walked over to her and handed her two roses and gave her a kiss on both cheeks. She didn't blush. "Thank you, Sir Emmett." She curtsied at him, smiling widely. He just frowned.

"Why aren't you blushing?" He asked, feeling disgruntled.

"I don't blush, Em. I don't get embarrassed." She said proudly.

"Hmph! Well, Good day, Ma'am." And he tipped his 'hat' again.

He skipped over to us then, causing Melissa to let a giggle slip out.

That skip is so funny! Does he not realise it makes him a little bit gay? Melissa asked me.

I just shook my head and chuckled quietly.

He skipped over to Alice handing her two roses and kissing both her cheeks like he did to Melissa. She just giggled slightly. He then went to Rosalie and handed her the rest of the roses. I think there was a dozen there. She didn't look happy with his antics but took the roses her handed her.

She was about to give him a mouthful when he said "I will love you until these roses die."

Her face softened and she said, "Emmett, that is the sweetest thing you've ever said to me!" She then threw her arms around his neck and then kissed him passionatley.

Alice and I kept clearing our throats to get there attention, but they weren't listening.

We left them to it.

"No fornicating in the work place!" I heard Andrew yell, stomping up to Rose and Emmett.

They pulled away from each other to glare at him.

"Oh yeah! 'Cause you've never been caught making out with Pinky in the medical room before!" Melissa exclaimed.

Andrew turned to glare at her, his face turning beet red.

"Ha, ha, ha! He's blushing!" Emmett exclaimed and then fell on the floor laughing. Melissa joined in.

I swear that girl is trying my patience. I can't go to her Aunt again. She does nothing to influence her behaviour even though she scares the shit out of me. I swear she better stop laughing! His thoughts exclaimed.

He walked over to Melissa who was bent over laughing. He walked up to her, grabbing her shirt and started shaking her.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He exclaimed, shaking her even more. She looked up at him laughing harder.

"Let go, Brain!" She said through her laughter.

He kept hold of her with one hand and I could seeing his other hand twitching. As if he was going to hit her. I went to make my way over to stop him if needed but someone beat me to it. Nick.

He grabbed Andrew's hand which was raising slightly, "I would back off if I were you." He said darkly, staring him down. For the first time since I met him, he truly looked like a vampire. The only thing contradicting it were the green contact lenses.

Melissa had stopped laughing the minute she heard Nick's voice and was just staring between the two men in front of her.

Andrew let go and looked at Nick. "Wh-why? What are you going to do about?" He stuttered. He then pushed Nick's shoulder, trying to shove him. I heard him swallow thickly when Nick didn't even stumble.

"Try something like that again and I'll show you what I will do about it." Nick said menacingly, shoving him back, causing him to stumble slightly. I knew he was trying not use all his strength. Otherwise, Andrew would be in a heap at the other end of the factory by now.

Andrew just squeaked, yes squeaked and ran off.

"You okay?" Nick asked turning to Melissa.

She just looked at him, shock all over her face.

She shook her head slightly answering, "Um, yeah. Yeah, fine. Uh, thank you." She smiled slightly at him. He just kept his face straight, nodded stiffly, turned around and went back to his machine.

Well that was pretty crazy, huh? Melissa thought looking at me.

I just rolled my eyes and went back to working.

That stupid bastard. I swear if he had hit her, I would have killed him! Who the hell does he think he is? Alice's thoughts were livid, she was also on standby if Andrew got a bit handy.

"Calm down, Alice. Nick has scared him enough. He's not going to try anything again." I said, hoping to calm her.

She just nodded slightly, but her eyes still had some anger burning in them.

Dinner came around quickly after the incident and we all made our way to the canteen. I saw Nick from the corner of my eye and decided to have a chat with him. I told our group I would meet them up there to which Melissa narrowed her eyes.

I ignored it and walked over to Nick.

"Nick! Wait up, where do you go for dinner?" I asked.

He turned round and smiled, "I just usually stay down here." He said.

"Why don't you come and sit with us upstairs with us?" I said to him, hoping we could sort the situation with him and Melissa out. It was clear they were made for each other.

"I don't think she would be to happy with that." He said, looking down. I didn't even need to ask who she was.

"She can't rule you, Nick. Plus, you'll be with us as well. She won't say a thing, she knows were not afraid of her." I said, hoping he would say yes.

Something seemed to change then. He lifted his head, squared his shoulders and said "Okay." And smiled at me. I smiled back and led the way to the canteen.

When we got there, everyone was already seated and Bella and Melissa were eating their food. I noticed Bella had also had a rose on the table in front of her. I rolled my eyes.

Alice was sat on Melissa's right with Jasper next to her. Bella, Rose and Emmett were sat on the opposite side facing them. There was a seat next to Bella and a seat on Melissa's left. I went and took the one next to Bella, which left Nick sitting next to Melissa. I smiled to myself.

MPOV

When Edward walked in I noticed Nick was behind him. I sucked in a shocked breath and put my head down. Why was he here? I thought.

I realized Edward would sit next to Bella and the only free seat would be next to me. Shit.

I took a deep breath and looked up at Edward, who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. I glared for a second at him. I then looked at Nick who smiled sheepishly at me. I smiled slightly at him and then looked back down at my food, fucking blushing.

I heard someone get up from their chair. I looked up and saw Emmett walking to Nick with a serious look on his face.

He grabbed Nick's hand and shook it. We all looked at him with confused expressions. Except Edward. He obviously knew why he was shaking hand. Emmett then sat back down and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Erm, what was that for?" Nick asked. I sighed dreamily at the sound of his voice.

"Oh. I was just congratualting you on making Miss 'I don't get embarressed' over there, blush." He said, grinning at me. I glared at him and then looked at Nick who was grinning at me.

"Emmett! Stop embarrassing her!" Bella said to him. "I know how you feel." She said sympathetically to me then. I giggled awkwardly.

I could see Nick looking at Edward now, and Edward was trying to communicate back with his eyes. Stupid, silent communication.

"Something wrong?" I asked, looking between the two of them.

"Uh. No, um, how are you after the little incident with Brain?" Nick asked me.

I looked at him stunned. Is he actually speaking to me? Or am I dreaming?

I looked at Edward but he was whispering something to Bella. Probably telling her what happened earlier on.

I remembered Nick was waiting for an answer. "Um, everythings fine. He doesn't bother me and I just love winding him up." I smiled at him.

"He was going to hit you, so I had step in." Nick said, smiling slightly.

Ahh, my hero I thought dreamily. I saw Edward roll his eyes.

"I would have loved to see him try. I may be small, but I would have kicked his ass." I grinned at him.

I stood up then, "I'm going out for a cigarette, anyone coming?" I asked.

I saw Nick and Edward exchange a look and then Edward said "Yeah, we all are."

I nodded. You finally going to fill me in? I thought. Edward nodded and we all made our was outside.

I sat down on the bench and sparked my fag up.

Bella and Alice came and joined me on the bench, while everyone else just stood there looking between me and Nick. I sighed.

"Edward, you probably know the most, so I think you should start talking." I said.

He looked at Nick, who just nodded and focused his gaze on me.

"Okay, well, first of all, Nick is in the same situation as you, Mel." Edward began.

I gasped. "He's a pet?" I said quietly, looking down.

"Yes." Nick whispered.

"Who's?" I whispered back.

"Victoria's." Edward said.

My head snapped up. "What?" I screeched. I stood up, shaking with anger.

"You're a vampire. Tell her to fuck off!" I screamed.

Alice then grabbed my arm and sat me back down, rubbing my back soothingly. "You need to keep your voice down, sweetie." She said quietly to me.

"Sorry." I mumbled.

I looked up at Nick and noticed he wouldn't make eye contact with me.

"Well, anyway, that is why he avoids you, Victoria had told him he is to stay away from you. I'm guessing now you knew nothing about her control over him and that's why you thought he hated you." Edward continued.

I saw Nick look up at me then, slowly shaking his head. He was telling me he doesn't hate me. I had to smile. My heart was beating rapidy at this new information. I was happy that Nick didn't hate me but angry at Victoria. My happiness was bittersweet.

"Anyway, I think I have convinced Nick that he can do what he wants. If he wants to talk to you, us, anyone, he can. She can't stop him." Edward finished.

Nick stepped forward then, his gaze burning into mine.

"Melissa, I have never hated you. I couldn't stand it when Victoria told me I had to stay away from you. I was scared, that's why I listened to her. It was stupid, I know that now. From now on she can tell me to do anything, except to stay away from you. I won't, no, can't do it. So, I would love the chance to get to know you, if you can excuse my behaviour over the last two years." He said, smiling slightly at me.

He sounded so vunerable, probably thinking I would tell him to do one. Yeah right!

"Of course." I said. Tears streamed down my face and I quickly wiped them. Jeeze! Why do I keep crying? I thought.

He smiled at me and I notcied that everyone had moved away from us, giving us a moment. Nick then grabbed my hands and pulled me to his chest. I crushed myself to him, inhaling his scent and committing it to my memory. It now became my favourite smell.

"You don't know how long I've wanted to do this." He mumbled into my hair. I just laughed, tears of happiness falling from my eyes. I didn't wipe them away, they were tears that would let fall freely. I pulled back and said, "I think I have an idea." I have had to wait just as long.

He chuckled and took hold of my hand, leading us back to the group. I didn't say anything about him holiding my hand, it seemed natural. Like his hand was made to fit in mine.

We walked back to everyone and they smiled at us.

"So, what do we do about Victoria?" Emmett asked.

"I'm going to have a word. I'm going to tell her that I will speak to who I want when I want." He said, giving my hand a small squeeze.

"Will you be safe?" Edward asked.

"Probably. She will do anything to keep me in her clutches. To still lable me as hers. I'll let her think she is ruling me on everything else, apart from my friends. She'll accept anything at the moment. Especially with this one going all teen-rebel on her." He said grinning at me, I grinned and winked back.

I was so happy, in this moment, with my friends close to me, Nick's hand in mine. Though we would have alot to work through, I felt untouchable, I know longer wish death would find me. My life felt complete.

A/N: Yay! Nick and Mel are finally sorting it out! Who's happy 'cause I am. I know I said the good stuff will come soon but I realized that will cut the story really short and I just don't want to let it go. I may jump a few weeks, in a couple of chapters, but I want Carlisle and Esme to meet Melissa and Nick first! :)

You know the drill R&R!

Cherry x