(Twilight theme by Stephanie Meyer)

EPOV

Around day two Bella loosened her muscles a little. She was making that face she makes while dreaming, right before she says something. I waited, but the words never made it to her lips. It was so frustrating. This is entirely my fault. I should have known that Victoria was in the room. I was so wrapped up in my jealousy and it caused me to ignore my instincts.

I have never been a jealous person. I have never been a lot of things before this girl. Carlisle thinks that vampires are stuck physically and emotionally in the state they were in as a human. Of course everyone has the ability to mature with experience, but she is my first love. Plus I am an eternally seventeen year old boy. How was I supposed to have the experience to deal with . . . all this? I have read about it, but it is not the same. Especially when you are sitting, watching and waiting for three days as the girl who holds your heart is inches away in the arms of another.

Emmett came into the room and picked me up and threw me over his shoulders. I would struggle, but I don't want to knock into their bed.

"What do you think you are doing?" I calmly asked him as he tossed me onto my couch.

"What do you think you are doing Edward?" He countered

"I am staying with her. This is my fault, she needs me."

"No, you are putting yourself through pure torture. She did this to herself, not the other way around."

"Em, you don't understand."

"I do understand Edward, you love her and you think because Victoria was able to get around ALL of us that you let her down. Ultimately we won. Yes, Bella is becoming a vampire, but it was what needed to happen. At least she got to make the choice. None of us did."

"She made the choice to be with him."

"Edward, you don't even know why she did it. For all we know it is because they are friends."

I looked at him skeptically.

"Did you give her the chance to do it for you?"

I looked down. "I would never ask that of her."

"Why are you so against her being one of us?"

"I wanted her to have the life none of us did. I wanted to keep her soul intact. Now she is damned like we are."

"Damned?"

"We are designed to kill Emmett. Yes, we choose to maintain the lifestyle we do, but no matter how much we try we will never be human. If we died where would we be sent? She is too good for that."

He put his huge hands on my shoulders and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Brother, I don't know where we will all go eventually, but I do not think this is the time to concentrate on that. She is beginning a new life, just be happy she is more or less safe."

I nodded and smiled at my brother's out of character talk.

"Okay so what do we do about the guy?" He flashed his usual mischievous smile.

"Now that he is a bit more durable my options have limited themselves." I said half jokingly.

"Well he must be an okay guy for Bella to like him so I guess we will give him a chance. Right?" He prompted.

"Right . . . now may I go and watch her? I really want to be there when she wakes up."

Emmett backed away from me and gestured to the door.

"Thanks" I said sarcastically

I walked back into the room and Alice was drying up Bella's dress.

"I always thought it was a shame she never wore this one. It just hung in the back of her closet collecting dust."

"She did look amazing in it."

"… Does look amazing in it. She is going to be quite stunning. She will probably give Rosalie some extra green in her eyes."

I heard Rosalie's angry thoughts in the next room. She was just too vain for her own good.

"How is all of this going to turn out Alice?"

"I am not sure, I am getting glimpses, but it could just be because they are in this state." She waved her hand over the two. "I think we might have been wrong about their abilities."

"Or maybe it is evolving. I am going to talk to Carlisle. Will you call me if anything changes?"

"Don't worry I will keep an eye on her."

I went to Carlisle's room and he was going over some books.

"Come in Edward, I am just trying to do some research on the blood bond theory we were discussing."

"Have you found anything new?"

"No, nothing yet."

"Eleazar told us about a similar situation with two men and the Volturi . . . Did you know them?"

"I do remember the twins that were with the Volturi, but I was not around for their change.

This case is so unique. Until now we thought the bond between child and maker was exclusive. Now we know that the venom can flow to the body of another as long as there is enough of the blood to carry it. The change itself creates an emotional bond between maker and child, now it can expand to include twins."

"What does the emotional bond entail? Why have we never heard of this?"

"Well, our family is very unique. I "created" us, for example, let's say that you were far away and I needed you. All I would have to do is call out to you and you would be compelled to come back to me. Even against your will. If I needed to find you I could. I choose not to use this bond because I did not create you to be subservient to me. I wanted to save you and offer you a place in a family."

I thought about how odd our coven was. In our world you almost never see a coven bigger than 3. The bonds between them were very thin if they existed at all. The strongest bond I had seen was between mates. In fact, the only maker / child relationships I have seen outside of the vegetarian culture were between mates.

"The Volturi have many guards who they have chosen for their abilities. Most of the loyal inner circle were changed by Aro, Caius, and Marcus themselves to keep their loyalties close. They think they protect them out of love and duty, but truly they would guard them without those qualities."

"Were the twins that lived with the Volturi made by the same vampire?"

"No Aro made Janus and Caius made Tiber. They wanted to have equal numbers guarding them."

"What were their abilities?"

"Well, Janus could determine the outcome of situations. He could see the past and future from any action. When he was human he was very intuitive. It seemed like mere coincidence to everyone, but Eleazar sensed it. Then his friend. Another soldier caught Eleazar's eye also. Tiber could control the elements mainly water. He was very stealthy as a warrior. When he became a vampire he could use the weather to cloak himself and practically be invisible to the enemy."

"Those are some very powerful abilities."

"Yes, we believed it was because they shared a blood bond as many warriors did during battle. When they were together they complimented each other's abilities well. Tiber could send a haze through the battlefield and Janus could get himself and a few guards to the enemy and kill the most important soldiers before they were seen. It was very effective. Then it grew out of control. Aro in particular was wary about their powers being so great and after seeing what they could do, he ordered them to be kept apart. This angered them and Tiber attempted to assassinate Aro. Aro in turn had Janus burnt and broken. Tiber could not stand being alone and he allowed the guard to kill him as well."

"So self sacrifice is linked to the blood bond?" I asked hoping this is why Bella made this decision.

"No, self sacrificed is linked to Bella's personality." He answered my silent hopes versus my question. "Bella is just wired to be that way; she did the same for Renee in Phoenix."

"You are right. I guess I was hoping she was compelled to do this rather than she wanted to choose this life."

Carlisle was silent and he was thinking about a way to stop my depression. He only concluded that he was making it worse. I hated knowing what he thought; it made me feel constantly sorry for things I could not help.

"What do you think Aro would do if he found out about Bella and Tristan?" I asked softly.

"Aro is fascinated by the anomaly, but frightened by their power. It would be best all around if he did not find out about them."

I nodded and walked out of the room. Alice was just leaving when I got back to Bella. Her muscles tightened again ever so slightly. That was the only change I could sense. I slunk into the chair beside her and just sat there waiting, wishing she would wake up. That thought reminded me of a song she used to play before sleeping.

Now I was sitting waiting wishing
That you believed in superstitions
Then maybe you'd see the signs
But Lord knows that this world is cruel
And I ain't the Lord, no I'm just a fool
Learning loving somebody don't make them love you

I picked through a bag we packed for her when we went back for Tristan's car and pulled out her iPod. I went through the playlists looking for the song.

** Driving Music **

** Can't Sleep Alone **

** Edward **

** In Progress **

** Sold! **

** Tristan **

** Chain Me Free **

** Aargh **

** 3 **

I laughed a little as I read her titles and then I went through the songs in her "Can't Sleep Alone" playlist. I found it and listened to it twice. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing – Jack Johnson.

Afterwards I checked what was in my playlist. She uploaded all the songs I recorded for her birthday. I scrolled to her "Sold!" playlist and found a song labeled Little Miss Obsessive (Geffen).

everything is such a blur, it didn't come out right
all of a sudden it's cold and we're falling apart
no this can't be please don't leave me alone in the dark

and I guess we're really over, so come over, I'm not over it.
And I guess we're really over, so come over, I'm not over it.
Late night you make me feel like I'm desperate, I'm not desperate
a little bit possessive, little miss obsessive, can't get over it.

. . .

Bella's sweet voice spilled into my head from the ear buds.

I never been a fan of long goodbye's
I'm at the finishing line and you're just way too far behind
in the morning, I got in the fight with myself
I got the bruises to prove it
then I swallowed your words and I spit them right back out

. . .

Now it's like a fairy tale without a happy ending
but then again maybe we are just pretending
why does it have to be so unfair?

Tell me that you care.

Bearing her soul for radio play . . . that is how she saw it. That song was definitely about me. I listened to the next track and it was as if I wrote it myself. I listened to her voice for hours and then Alice finally came in.

"How much longer Alice?" I asked expectantly

"Not much longer" She said happily.

I put away the music and sat on the edge of my seat waiting. Their heart beat began to race and I knew this was it. It slowed dramatically it beat once, twice, thrice. Then it was silent. Bella's eyes squeezed and then after a moment she relaxed and slowly opened them. I was sitting behind her and I just saw her eyelashes sweep open and stare at Tristan. He was looking at her wonderingly. This lasted for a few seconds before they raised their hands and let go. They examined their palms, they had matching silver scars. Bella suddenly popped up and looked confused. She touched Tristan and her expressions kept changing.

"Bella" I whispered so I wouldn't scare her.

She turned to face me and her eyes were full of love. My heart melted in that moment. She was still the most beautiful person I had ever seen. Although her face was almost completely different, I searched to find the features I fell in love with. Her bottom lip was the same and her hair was the same chocolate brown. Then she became distracted by her new sight. I remembered that feeling. It was like waking up and learning the world is in Technicolor. Then I heard her voice, "Did we do something wrong? Why are you looking so terrified?" Her voice flowed into the room like tiny chimes. It shocked her and she put her hand over her mouth.

"What other side effects are there?" Tristan asked more as an experiment than a question.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong. We just don't want to startle you . . ." Alice said cheerily gaining their attention.

"How are you feeling?" Carlisle asked.

"1,000 times better" They said

They gave each other an odd look and it reminded me of the conversations that Alice and I have when we are trying to be discreet.

"You heard him Bella?" I asked

She looked worried and after a moment she blurted out an explanation," Yeah, we figured it out a while ago. It is weird . . . and only works when we touch and I cannot hear his thoughts it is more like another layer of speech. Can you hear us?" I have never heard her speak so fast. I took a nanosecond to listen and I said, "No, not a word". I looked at Tristan and was immediately frustrated as he was clearly "talking" to Bella.

Bella stood up by the bed and Jasper immediately went into a defensive crouch in front of Alice. Tristan jumped into a crouch mirroring Jasper perfectly.

Bella was so frightened, "What are you doing?"

"I don't know, he started it" He definitively had a temper, but a human temper. A normal new born would not have waited. He would have been on Jasper by now.

After Alice explained their reaction I stepped in between the two and showed Jasper it was safe. "Newborns have a reputation for lack of self control. Aren't you thirsty?"

I studied their faces and then Tristan said, "Yeah, um we talked it over and we would like to pursue a more socially acceptable diet."

Carlisle was please by that and immediately offered to take them for a hunt.

"Please" They said in unison again

"Twins are so creepy" Emmett said trying to sound like a child. Bella smiled at him and then broke into introductions. Carlisle took over and tried to examine Tristan without being obvious. Bella stepped closer to me and asked, "What happened to her?" Her eyes were full of worry and I tried to calm her.

"Don't worry love. She is gone. Let's feed you and then I will tell you all about it." She didn't flinch at my use of a term of endearment so I gave her a hug and she returned the embrace. She felt so nice. It felt like forever since I held her in my arms. It was nice to hold her without my throat burning. I squeezed her tighter and she did the same but I didn't realize how strong she had become."Um, ouch . . . Bella you are a little strong." She dropped her arms and slowly stepped back, "Sorry." She looked like she was embarrassed, but there was no blush. It was gone forever, this fact made me sad.

"Okay okay we have a long time to finish this conversation. I would like to take the newbies out to eat." Emmett bellowed from the back of the room and he pulled them under his massive arms and guided them to the outside.

"Emmett, do want me to come with you? I don't think you can handle these two alone." I said

"I have Jasper. If you are thirsty though knock yourself out. I am curious to see little Bella hunt."

That was going to be interesting. It was not too long ago where it was Bella who wanted to see me hunt.

Edward, do you want in on the bet? I bet Jasper that I can teach Bella to hunt faster than Tristan can learn from Jasper. Terms $50 to the teacher with the cleanest fastest pupil.

I nodded and looked over at Tristan; He was worried about Bella hunting. I could hear him.

"I call Bella!"

"Um, is that a good thing?" Bella asked me looking amused

"Well I am not sure, but I guess that leaves me with Tristan." I said a little smug.

Edward what are you up to? Emmett thought / screamed at me.

"Great, we haven't actually had much alone time." Tristan said with a loaded smile.

"Okay well we will meet back here in half an hour." Emmett said as he dragged Bella away.

She broke free and embraced Tristan.

"Edward, be nice." She whispered as she passed me.

You can hear me now, huh?

I turned to him and nodded so slightly he was not sure if I had or not.

"Well let's get going."

Jasper came up from behind us and said, "So are you going to teach him?"

"Yeah, I think I can manage to feed him."

Don't fuck up my chances of winning this bet Edward. Jasper thought as he went to make sure the area was clear of any temptation.

"Follow me!" I ran full speed into the woods and Tristan kept pace then raced forward.

This is freakin' amazing! He was really enjoying himself. It was actually entertaining.

He was thinking about his human life. Mainly pictures.

He thought about a water park.

He and Bella snuck under the ropes to a free slide with a steep 100 ft drop. The attendant was chasing them. "We got so much air! I thought Bella was going to have a heart attack." When they reached the bottom Bella looked so scared then yelled again!

"You can hear me."

"What are you talking about?"

"I felt you jump into my thoughts. Plus you laughed at the same time I did. There is nothing funny out here."

"I already told you I cannot hear you." I said trying to be obnoxious and arrogant.

"Fine, you can't hear me."

He was thinking about Bella's room in Phoenix. He snuck in the window and slipped into bed with her and she held him.

I think he saw me flinch a little because he got a lot more personal after that.

He thought about their first kiss. She was wearing that pink outfit. He pulled her into his arms then pulled her closer. He put one hand on the small of her back and the other on her cheek. Her hands were on his back returning his embrace. Her breath caught just before he leaned in. She closed her eyes. He thought about her lips and their kiss deepened. His hand moved to her hair, but his touch was so gentle. It was passion not necessity. When we pulled away we were both short of breath. She smiled and he relaxed. He stared at her for a while then said, "I think that was the most amazing kiss I have ever had."

"Me too."She said and it looked like she meant it.

I quickly changed our course and made it difficult for him to follow. He looked like he was getting lost.

Damn this guy is fast! What the hell? SLOW DOWN!

I slowed a bit and led him towards some tame deer. They probably tasted the worst of all the stuff out here.

He thought about Bella taking shots in a club and telling some random drunk who was hitting on her that Tristan was her boyfriend.

I didn't react, but I was still trying to get his last memory out of my head.

"I still think you are listening in . . ."

"What is it that you think I will find so interesting?"

"Nothing much, just some things you might not know about Izzy."

"You mean Bella?"

"Yeah, Bella."

I was done playing with his attitude so I knocked him a little when I passed him and he slammed into a tree. He just stared up at me then thought about his date with Bella.

Towards the end of Casablanca, Bella was staring at Tristan then she kissed him. He thought about how she smelled and how warm her bare arms felt around his neck. Feeling her pressed against him.

"Stop it!" I yelled.

"Then don't try to mess with me, kid." He turned to me with that cocky attitude of his and brushed off his slacks.

"I am quite positive that I have not been a kid in a very long time." I snarled at him

Okay I should be nice or Izz is going to be angry. He thought grudgingly

"Fine, I am sorry that was rude, but so is eavesdropping. Truce?" He stuck out his hand.

"Just till you eat." I shook it and then took a breath to find him something to chase.

"You can feel when I am in your head?"

"Yeah, you know that feeling when you know someone is staring at your back? It is exactly like that but in my head."

"Did you feel that when we met the last time?"

"No, but I knew you were different. Too damn fast."

"Let's feed you and get back to the group." I said quickly

I explained the basics and we ran towards a couple elk south of where we were. Suddenly he pulled away and jumped over some trees and past some bushes. It was difficult to follow him.

When I got closer I smelled it, a human in the woods. Where was Jasper?

Where is Tristan? There is a hiker over there!

We pushed towards the smell and saw Tristan and Bella running and laughing from where the hiker was. Jasper went to check on him and I tried to follow them. I found Emmett and we searched. I smelled Bella and saw her playing with a mountain lion, like it was a kitten. It was terrifying, but amusing as well. Tristan came back and fell into watching her with me and Em. She finally went in for the kill and it looked like she kissed his neck. The lion fell to the ground and Bella gracefully landed on her tip toes next to the tree. Her lips were red with blood and she looked like a beautiful porcelain doll. Emmett raised his hand and she high fived him.

Oh yeah Edward, Best teacher ever right over here. Emmett was grinning like an idiot.

"Does this mean I win?" She asked brightly

She peered over at Tristan whose shirt hand been used as a napkin.

Jasper ran up to us just then and said, "technically, but he wasn't supposed to tell you about the bet. Did I just see you two stop and observe a human?"

"Yeah, he is about 2 miles that way." She pointed in the direction we came from like it was no big deal. As if Jasper asked about a red sports car.

"He smelled much better than that stuff I just had in my mouth." Tristan said making a face.

"Just think about it this way, it's like eating your vegetables. You will get used to it." Emmett said as he patted Tristan's back.

"Mine tasted ok." she said wiping the blood from her perfect lips. She did a quick check of her outfit and smiled.

"I think that is the first time I have ever lost to a girl." Tristan said stunned.

She walked over to him and got on her toes to kiss his forehead like a mother.

"What now?" She asked.

"Let's go back to the house." Jasper said

"Race you" Tristan said as he ran past us.

"Not Fair!" She yelled breaking into a run.

"Nice Job Edward" Emmett said."He is in one piece."

I smiled at him and said, "I can hear him"

Emmett returned my smile and laughed, "Things are going to get interesting around here."

(A/N: Sorry I know this chapter was a little repetitive, but Edward needed his POV.)