Sorry it took so long to get up, I have had a rough weekend. I have a disability, the weather (among other things) play havoc on my body. It is pretty damp here at the moment with all the snow melting so my body is revolting against me, starting with my hands which makes it hard to write let alone type.

The real world belongs to Miss Meyer, this Alternate World belongs to me.

Chapter 22

"How long has she been Like this?" asked Ethan awaking me from my little nap.

"Since we came in." replied Jasper from the other side of my desk.

"We decided not to wake her." Said Felix chuckling from my couch.

"You're not doing a very good job then." I said my head still down. "This is one of those days I miss the quiet life. And before you ask I was not really asleep I just decided to zone out awhile."

"Can you maybe zone back in then?" asked Felix.

"Is everyone back" I asked

"Yupe" replied Jane

"Fine" I sighed raising my head. "It would seem we have two probie guards that are having a hard time following the rules. Not only has Tina and Stephanie snuck off grounds, but I have been informed they are going against out code of conduct in public." I shook my head. "I have sent Demetri to retrieve the girls. We are going to town to talk with the shop owner."

"I don't understand." Said Jasper.

"We are not allowed to use our stations in the guard or in the Volturi to bully the humans." Replied Jane with a soft smile. "It is not right to scare the humans, if we intimidate them too much they start to ask questions. It brings to much attention to us."

"Thank you Jane." Said Jasper.

"So what is the plan?" asked Felix.

"Ethan you are going to go in and insure our privacy. Find a way to get the customers out of the store." I looked at him, he nodded. "When the store is clear Felix, Jane and Jasper you will step out of the car and search for any threats. I know there won't be any but it goes with the cover that you are my security." They all nodded. "When your fake scan is complete Jasper," I turned to him, "You will reach in and assist me out of the car. Jane will lead us into the store, Felix will follow us. Ethan as soon as we are in lock the door. Felix will stand at the door with Ethan, Jane will introduce me, Jasper will stand behind me. Any questions?"

"No." replied Ethan, I turned to Felix.

"No." said Felix, I turned to Jane."

"None." said Jane, lastly I turned to Jasper.

"No." he said.

"Good, now on to my new headache. As I am sure you heard we had a missing guest earlier?" they nodded. "Well he has been found. Because of where he was found my brothers and I have perceived a threat to the Volturi Leaders." I sighed. "More specifically, me. Jane and Ethan have taken him to the dungeon and the rest of his coven has been placed on watch. After we are finished with Stephanie and Ina it would seem we are going to have an inquest."

"Then it looks like we are going to have a busy day." Said Jane.

"That we do." I said standing, "I suggest we get going."

"Are you wanting to change clothes?" asked Ethan. "I can walk you to your rooms."

"That won't be necessary." I smiled at him. "Let's get going." As I tried to leave my office I became surrounded. Jane walked in front of me, with Felix and Jasper on either side and Ethan bringing up the rear. I shook my head, "You guys know I can walk to the garage by myself, right?"

"It does not hurt to be careful." Replied Felix, I just couldn't help but shake my head again.

I didn't need to run to my rooms to change, but I did need to change. Thank goodness for the power to change my clothes just by thinking about it. I changed my green blouse for a dark red and my black skirt for a gray one. I switched my Volturi Leader cloak for my real world cloak. If I could not wear my guard cloak like I wanted, I could deal with wearing this one. My real world cloak was just plain black, any decoration was also black. My cloak to show my rank was more embroidered then the rest, but it was not overly flashy. As we neared the garage I started with my hair. I wanted to leave it wavy and long. I threw in some red streaks in my hair and I was set.

"That is still really freaky to see you do that Mistress" said Ethan.

"It is only freaky to you." Said Jane.

"I bet it's strange to Jasper since he is the new guy." Muttered Ethan.

"Actually of all the things about Bella that really isn't that bad." Said Jasper.

"Alright, so we are all agreed I am freaky." I chuckled as walked into the garage. "Good morning Tim"

"Mistress" he saluted as we walked to the limo, "and friends." He smiled. "The limo is ready to go. Let me introduce you to your driver for the day." He motioned for someone, "This is Aaron." He said as the guy walked toward us.

"Hello Aaron" I said shaking his hand. "Tim has told you where we are going?"

"Yes My Lady" Aaron said.

"Then lets get going" I smiled.

"Yes My Lady." He said walking to the car.

"I really wish people wouldn't call me that." I said sliding into the car.

"They could call you worse." Replied Jane after everyone got in.

"Whatever." I said.

"Be safe." Said Tim.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." I replied, he nodded shutting the door and stepping away. "Aaron" I called through the open divider, "Let's get going."

"Yes My Lady." I rolled my eyes, "Would you like the divider up?"

"Yes please." I answered.

"Very good then," he said as the divider started up. The 15 minute drive into Voltarra was blessedly quite. Just quite banter leaving me to my thoughts. Which happened to be a good thing because Demetri chose this time to contact me.

'Mistress' he thought directly to me.

'Yes Demetri' I sent back.

'I am almost back with my bounty. My ETA is 5 minutes out.'

'Good come through the main hall. I will have the guard contingent waiting for escort and further instructions.' I sent.

'Yes Mistress' he finished. I closed the connection as I fished my phone out of my pocket.

"Demetri is back." I answered the questioning looks my companions had, they nodded. "Sora"

"Yes Mistress," she answered.

"Demetri is returning. You know the plan?"

"I do." She said quickly.

"I will see you when I return then." I said

"Yes Mistress." She hung up just as we were pulling up to the store.

"Alight Ethan your up." I said putting my phone away.

"Bella what about our eyes?" asked Jane stopping Ethan as he reached for the car handle.

"You know if you would just put contacts in your real world cloaks like I suggested a few years ago, this wouldn't be a problem." I said

"Why wear contacts that are uncomfortable when you can just change them ?" asked Jane.

"We will table this discussion for now." I told her turning to Ethan, "What color eyes would you like?"

"Green please." He said. I closed my eyes placing the illusion over him.

"Alight Ethan now you're up." I opened my eyes to see his now green eyes.

"Look for my sign, I won't be long." He stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind him.

"Felix what color would you like?" I asked.

"I think blue would be nice" he smiled. I again closed my eyes and placed his illusion over him, I also placed an illusion over Jane.

"There no more worries about eye color." I said.

"What about me?" asked Jane.

"I already gave you an eye color." I said.

She flipped a compact out of her pocket. "Brown!" she almost shrieked. "Why do I get brown?"

I leaned in and whispered, "Because I think it symbolizes what's between you ears." I leaned back in my seat. "As for the uncomfortable contacts, I think they are a good idea. Not only for situations like this," I gestured out the car, "but also for when you leave the grounds to be in the real world."

"Why? No one has said anything or suspects anything." Said Jane. I noticed that Felix hadn't said anything and purposely not looking at either of us.

"Felix, have you something to say on the matter?" I asked sweetly.

"As much as I agree the contacts are uncomfortable I think Bella has a point about us starting to wear them when we go into public." He said looking at Jane.

"Why are you siding with her?" snapped Jane.

"Think about it Jane," he snapped back at her, then taking a deep breath. "First, it is not like I am siding with the enemy! I am agreeing with the logic of our Leader of the Guard, the person that happens to out rank you. Second, I know for a fact that when you and the girls go out shopping there are times your eyes have been questioned. You have become very good at coming up with a story to pacify the humans, but the newer guards are not as talented. I think the humans are starting to get nervous. You have to agree that is a bad thing."

"When you put it like that." She said looking out the window.

"I am not making the decision this minute Jane so stop your moping." I said, "But I am going to really think about it. So be forewarned that it might happen."

"I guess." She muttered still looking out. "There is our sign" she said watching Ethan flip the sign closed.

"Lets go." I said, they nodded as Felix opened the doors, stepping out followed by Jane and Jasper. I slid closer to the door and waited for Jasper's hand, my signal that it was all clear for me. Eventually it came.

"Remember I am Isabella from the VC." I said once my hood was up and my arm was around Jasper's, they just nodded as Jane led the way. We just opened the door in time to hear Ethan explain why he was acting so weird.

"I am sorry madam" he said. "I am only doing my job."

"What would that be? Scaring away all the customers?" asked the clerk.

"Actually it was to insure some privacy and I think I did a pretty good job." He chuckled.

"Who would need the store emptied?" she asked still not seeing us enter.

"That would be her." Ethan pointed to me, Jane took that as her cue.

"Ester" said Jane getting her attention. "Is Maxine in?"

"Is there an issue Miss Jane? Asked Ester worried.

"Not with you," smiled Jane, "But I ask again is Maxine in?"

"Yes, she is in the stock room." She replied.

"Would you please go get her?" Jane asked politely.

"I… I will be right back" she stuttered, then practically ran out of the room. We didn't have to wait long, soon two sets of steps could be heard coming our way.

"I don't understand if it's Miss Jane what's all the fuss for?" asked one set of steps.

"I am not sure Max, but she is not alone." Said the steps belonging to Ester. "They are all in cloaks, one is completely covered." She whispered. Of course us being vampires heard her just fine.

"Jane does wear one every once in awhile." Said Maxine.

"I don't know," said Ester, "This feels different. I think the others are here for the one covered up, not Miss Jane."

"This Ester is almost as perceptive as you were." Whispered Jasper to me, I just nodded.

"Miss Jane" said Maxine coming into the room. "What an unexpected visit." She smiled scanning the room, her eyes locked on me. "Is there something wrong with you last purchase?"

"Not at all Max." said Jane with a smile trying to reassure the owner. "You were right I liked the dress better in that rose color."

"I told you it went better with you complexion." Max nodded, "I just got a new shipment of dresses from the same designer if you want to see them." I cleared my throat, Jane looked quickly at me I shook my head very slightly telling her no.

"I wish I could Max." sighed Jane sadly, "but this is not a social call."

"Is that so?" she said.

"I am sure you know who I work for correct?" Jane asked, Max looked at her then me. "As you know I work for the VC." Maxine nodded. "Then let me introduce my boss Isabella." As Jane said my name, I removed my arm from Jasper and slid off my hood and stepped forward.

"It is nice to meet you Miss Maxine." I said extending my hand

"It is an honor to meet you Isabella, I have heard great things about you." she said shaking my hand.

"My employees really love your store. It would seem that some," I nudged Jane, "try to spend their entire paychecks here."

"That is not a bad thing." Laughed Maxine, "At least not for me."

"Speaking of some of my employees," I said. "It has come to my attention recently that I may have had two young ladies that caused a scene a month or so ago? Their names were Stephanie and Tina."

"Oh I remember them." Said Ester stepping toward Maxine. "Remember Max I told you. It was a good thing Miss Jane came in when she did. They were really starting to frighten me, especially with those bright red contacts in." I turned to Jane briefly, she lowered her head. There was no need for me to say anything, my point was made for me.

"Now I remember them." Said Maxine.

"I want to first apologize for their behavior. We have a code of conduct for our employees at the VC and what I was told, it was highly unacceptable. Believe me if I was informed sooner I would have come sooner." I glared at Jane for a moment. "The second reason for my visit… I noticed the cameras by the front door and the two here above the register. Is there…"

"How did you know they were there?" interrupted Maxine. "Very few people ever see them."

"You could say that security is a side job for me." I smiled at her, then turned to glare at Felix and Ethan as they snorted. "I wouldn't worry they are well hidden to the normal eye." I said turning back to Maxine.

"What about my camera's?"

"I was wondering if I could see the footage of when Stephanie and Tina came in?" I asked.

"Which time?" asked Maxine.

"They have been in here more then once?" I asked

"Yes," replied Ester, "The first time was when they made that big scene. But they have been back a few times since then. Come to think of it they were here yesterday."

"Is that so?" I said looking to Jane.

"Please tell me they haven't made more scenes like the first one?" said Jane cringing at my stare.

"Nothing as big as the first." Said Ester. "But each time they come in they start something." Jane just groaned.

"Is there any way that I might see these scenes?" I asked calmly, "Then maybe get a copy of the footage for my records?"

"Of course I keep them on Discs so I could just make you a copy." Maxine turned to leave, "Why don't you follow me to my office?"

"We are right behind you." I said as I motioned for Jane to follow then Jasper followed me.

I sat in the limo quietly for a few minutes. The footage was exactly as I had expected. I was pretty sure I knew what I was going to do.

"The tape was that bad?" asked Ethan breaking the silence.

"You heard it," I said. "Trust me the video just makes it worse for them."

"What are you going to do?" asked Ethan.

"Felix what is your opinion of them combat wise?" I asked ignoring Ethan for the moment.

"As I wrote in their evaluation" he started "both started very poor, they have improved but not at the same rate as the others. They still need a lot of work. I suggested on my form to hold them back from the group."

"What about you Jane?" I asked

"I have observed their work ethic and their willingness to learn new things. Both girls have no work ethic. None of the other probies want to work with them. I have also seen that some of the older guards have issues working with them. On my form I suggest removing them from the guard entirely."

"Thank you for your honest opinions both of you." I said. "It has helped me feel justified in my decision." I said as we came to a stop back at the garage.

"And that would be?" Ethan prompted as he exited the car.

"I am going to dismiss them." I said sliding out. "I am going to my rooms to eat something. Jasper, go see if George is done with your other cloak please." I turned to the others, "Go change, I am going to need you at the throne room in awhile, you too Jasper."

"Will you be alright alone?" asked Jasper.

"I will be fine." I said. "I am going to port in change cloths and eat. When I am about ready to port out I will let you know to meet me. This way I can still be guarded but be alone for awhile."

"Please be safe." Said Jasper reaching out to touch my arm, rubbing small circles.

"I will be." I smiled up at him, "Alright you three get going." I said shoving them a little. "I am out of here." I said watching them salute and start walking I nodded back, then ported to my rooms.

Once I was in my rooms I flopped on the couch. This was one of those times I really hated being in charge. These guards were supposed to be more in control, better behaved then the normal world. If that was true then why was I having this issue now! I always gave the guard respect and now to have these two girls disrespect me and the guard like this hurt. It just made me doubt myself. Was I losing my touch after all these years? My brothers still had faith in me I think, as did the rest of the guard.

"I think I need a vacation." I said to myself getting up to grab me something small to eat.

I think this might have been my longest chapter yet... Hopefully it makes up for my slow posting for this coming week. Hope everyone had a good weekend!