Author's Note:

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its characters. Original characters and Fairy Bullshit are mine.

This story is also posted on AO3 and BetterInTexas.

Big thanks to everyone who's continued to follow this story. We're getting close to the end, now. Special thanks to EllieFayeT once again for talking me through some sticking points.

Sorry this took so long to get out to you all - I was out of town for a while without my computer.

BPOV

So far vampirism was treating me swell. I woke up, didn't kill my cousin, fucked and fed, and was really looking forward to fucking again before these asshole wolves showed back up to throw a wrench in things. Okay, so that wasn't fair. Our entire fucking coven was back, too. I knew they just wanted to see how I turned out and everything, and I was grateful to have them care so much. Really, I was. And I wanted to see them too. I did. I just wanted to see Jasper more.

The vampires in the room, aside from Emmett, shot me apologetic glances when we walked in, so I guessed they must have understood. I didn't really know what Em's deal was, but I hoped I wouldn't have to bitch him out again. Sam and Jacob stood up, and Billy was watching me expectantly. Gods, but they smelled ripe. So much so that Holly was barely noticeable. And Jake was looking pretty bad. Real pale for a tribesman, all thin and sick-like. Thinner than he had been even before his wolf was activated.

"Bella. It's good to see you are well."

I had to choke back the snarky response I wanted to give to that. I was really trying hard on this whole controlling the temper thing. It was harder now than it had been before. I felt stronger urges and impulses and it was much harder to ignore them - I was still a newborn vampire, after all. I wasn't able to control all of them, but this, I could. Well, I would try. Last time really hadn't ended very well for anybody.

"Thanks," I said. "Not to be rude, but can we skip the small talk? Why are you here?"

Billy ducked his head with a small smile. "Of course. We'd like to speak to you about the treaty and about what transpired at your old home last week."

I nodded and sat down, and Jasper sat next to me almost automatically. I'd have been surprised if he'd done anything else. It felt like another layer had been added to the bond with my change, and it renewed the feeling we'd had in Jacksonville. We didn't want to be apart, or share. Pretty fucking simple, but these people didn't seem to grasp the concept. I wanted to tell them all to fuck off and run upstairs with Jasper.

Instead, I bit my tongue. "Alright, then. Say what you came to say."

"After Sam brought Jacob home last week, we had a tribal meeting. It seems that, although you kept your promise to keep our histories hidden, you did allude to it. We were forced to fill them in, as acting Alpha and rightful Alpha."

Billy paused, and I sat there waiting. Why was it my problem if they had to share the histories? They belonged to the entire tribe, anyway. Secrets are like tumors - it might be ok for a while, but eventually that shit's gonna grow and you'll have full-blown cancer. Well, not me. But still.

Staying still was hard as fuck. I mean, I get it, some people like to choose their words carefully, but goddamn I did not have the patience for long and dragged out bullshit right now. Get to the fucking point, Billy. Oh, fucking. I could be…

Jasper moved a hand to my arm and I felt myself pulled back to awareness as Billy finally found the words he wanted.

"We'd like to know what you meant when you told Jacob we were abusing the abilities we were given."

I sighed audibly, entirely for his benefit. Was it really so hard to figure out? "I meant exactly what I said. She gave up her immortality, and then ended her life prematurely so her line would have the means to protect themselves. Nowhere in that story did I hear that she did that so you guys could run around hunting and harassing people, crowing about how much stronger or what better protectors you are. And yes, vampires are people. Not all vampires are destructive assholes. Not everything that isn't a wolf is a threat to your pack. Your ancestor obviously came from a race of magic that was different, or else she couldn't have created you to begin with. Did you ever think of that?

"Potential threats might trigger the gene, but that's all they are - potential. That does not mean you go accusing every vampire you run across of being a murder-hungry monster. It also does not give you the right to try and control a human based on your skewed idea of what is safe and what is not. If you remove their ability to control their own lives, you're no better than the things you claim to protect against. And since your power was given specifically so you could not be subjugated in that way, I view it as an insult to your ancestor's memory. Is that clear enough for you?"

Billy nodded thoughtfully while Sam remained stoic and Jacob looked like someone had slapped him in the face. Hmph. Good. Serves him right.

At their silence, I really couldn't resist continuing. So much for controlling the impulses. "While I have your attention, I might as well tell you that I think it's bullshit you never shared this before. In fact, I'm pretty sure the story you choose to share instead contributes a whole lot to the nasty superior attitude your pack members have. Pinning the source of the ability on a crazed vampire's attack and some man's determination to stop it? It's not really even plausible. I don't know how the fuck you got anyone to buy that load of crap."

"You're right, Bella, but we were instructed to keep it secret nonetheless. Perhaps your recent encounter might shed some light as to why," Billy responded.

"Maybe," I conceded. That was something I had not considered. Fucking crazy ass witches. How many like Coen were out there? His family had to have gotten that spell from somewhere, and the Null dust was created for exactly that kind of situation, it seemed. Something to ponder, for sure. "But how did you even know about that?"

Billy suddenly looked very uncomfortable. "The same way Quil sensed your magic. Some of us have the ability."

That really didn't surprise me one bit. What did surprise me, and bothered me some, was how he knew a little more than just that there were magic users afoot. He shifted under the expectant stares of most of the room. How they knew could potentially affect our safety and security if we'd overlooked something.

I was so over this tribal secrecy bullshit and pulling answers out of them bit by bit. They came to me, to my home. They were intruding on my time, in my territory, without my permission, again. For what, if they weren't going to tell us shit? Suddenly, I was furious. It did not escape my enhanced senses that while I wasn't shaking, I did begin to lift from the sofa we were perched on, and the looks on their faces told me I must be glowing. I wasn't focused on my own traits, though. I was focused on determining the best way to get them the fuck out of my house as soon as possible. Bloodshed was likely.

Jasper's hand on my arm tightened, and he pulled me firmly back down. I threw off his false calm, so he blanketed me in the other usual cocktail of emotions. Love, admiration, lust, and all the rest of the complex set that made up our bond. As irritated as I was at the dirty trick, it worked as intended and calmed me down before I did anything stupid. So much for the newborn's fabulous control. I shot him as dirty a look as I could manage, but he just smirked and shook his head.

Addressing Billy, he spoke in my stead as I sat, trapped by the waffling between my anger and the love of my mate. He was so getting punished for this shit.

"You are trying Bella's patience, which I know you understand to be thin on a good day. Which this was, until your asses showed up. I suggest you quit with the cryptic bullshit and tell us whatever the fuck it is you're hidin' this time. If I have to ask again, I may just let her loose to deal with ya'll."

Billy fidgeted a little, and Sam finally barked, "Tell them, Billy. This needs to end."

Yeah, it really fucking does. And you dicks need to get out of my house. Oh, dick...

His eyes went wide and he looked back at me, then Jasper. "There are other tribes with similar origins to ours. Some of them have different gifts, and over the years we've intermixed some. Sensing magic is one of those gifts a few in our tribe possess. We have one family that shift into birds, rather than wolves. When Old Quil sensed the massive amount of magic arrive in Forks, we sent one to watch him. That is how we know."

"Stupid, dangerous, and downright rude," Garrett commented.

"I agree," Jasper said quietly. "Have you been spying on us this entire time?"

"No," Billy said quickly, licking his lips. "No. We only did so because of the sheer amount of magic Quil sensed."

He was telling the truth, and Jasper seemed to sense the same because he nodded shortly. "See that you don't start. Now, you didn't just come here to whine that Bella made you spill the beans."

"We have come to ask that Jacob's bind be removed," Sam said succinctly. Clearly he'd grown tired of Billy's beating around the bush, too.

"And why should I do that?" Holly asked. "You saw the way he acted. He lunged at her, for fuck's sake."

Billy turned to Holly, "You know of this?"

"I'm the one that placed the bind, dipshit. Clearly you weren't lying about the not spying. Witch," she pointed at herself with an expression of pure impatience. "I placed it, and only I can remove it. And I won't do so without a very good reason. He insulted my vampires and attacked my family." She crossed the room as she spoke, coming to stand before him with her arms folded across her chest, looking down at him haughtily.

I felt a kind of smug pride seep in as I watched her, and it wasn't entirely my own. Holly had spent a long time under the thumb of her coven and fear of Coen, but she was free of all that now. And she'd claimed us as hers. A flash of intuition told me this was not just the Web dust speaking; she'd formed true bonds with all of us. I was very glad I'd recently fed. Her proximity caused a slight burn, but nothing uncontrollable.

"I'm dying," Jacob said quietly.

Holly nodded. "I knew that was a risk, depending on how much magic you had in you. But what's worse? I remove the bind and let you continue your bullying and jackassery, or I don't and you die and everyone is left in peace?"

Well, that was news to me. Still, I couldn't fault her logic. The wolves were too strong to allow one with Jacob's particular set of issues to run amok.

He looked up at her, then to me. "I owe you an apology, Bella. I was wrong. Will you let me explain?"

He owed me far more than just an apology, I thought, but out of sheer curiosity I nodded my assent. I still didn't trust myself to speak. Jasper's hand slid down my arm to my hand, and I wove my fingers with his as we waited for Jacob to find the words.

"You have to believe me, Bella, I just didn't get it. When I imprinted and it wasn't you, it killed me. I really wanted it to be you...that's why Sam ordered me to cut contact. Because of what he'd gone through with Leah and Emily. I was just so angry about all of it. About us, and about your parents. I was blinded by it. And then you showed back up here with another coven in tow, and I lost it. I want to believe on some level I just wanted to see you were okay, but that'd be a lie. I was pissed, and wrong about a lot of things.

"I didn't realize how intrinsic your magic was, is, to you. I had no idea how much a part of me mine is. I thought your magic was from the venom leftover when you got bitten. I thought they had tainted you, made it so my own magic would reject you. I had no idea you would have had it anyway. I'm sorry."

I regarded him for a moment, mulling things over. I knew he wasn't lying, but his being sorry over my treatment meant nothing to me now. He couldn't change or atone for it. None of them could. I glanced to Jasper, not knowing what to do or say. His reassurance and pride warmed me, and I knew what to do.

"And how do you feel now?" I asked him.

He looked away from the spot he'd been staring at, finding my face. "I recognize what a gift it is. My imprint, she really is the right one for me. And my wolf...I miss it. I realize now I took it for granted. You were right. About all of it."

"Would you feel this way if you weren't dying?"

"That's not really a fair question, Bella. Dying makes you rethink things. I'd like to say I'd have come to the same conclusion eventually, but who knows?"

I guessed that was a fair answer. I looked at Holly. "It's up to you."

I meant it. It was her magic that bound him, and she clearly had her own reasons for doing so. I gave her the decision in part for her own sense of power, and in part simply because I was now bored. Jacob Black would not be a problem for us any longer either way, and that was good enough for me. We still had enough on our plate to deal with, and the wolves were really not a concern for us. If it somehow came to a fight, I had confidence we'd win. In my mind, the situation was now resolved, and I was quickly losing what little patience I'd had. I had much better things to be doing than chatting with a bunch of foul-smelling busybodies. As much as I knew we could spend hours hashing out all our issues, the fact was I just didn't give a shit anymore.

Holly nodded at me and then looked at Jacob intently. "I'll remove the bind. If he promises to behave." He nodded solemnly.

Jasper cleared his throat to get their attention, looking around before he spoke. When he finally did so, he used a tone and quiet volume that would allow no argument. "Unless you have something else of consequence to say, you will leave when she is finished, and you will stay away. I have let Bella handle things thus far as she saw fit, because it was she who was wronged. In my opinion, she's been lenient. Don't mistake it for forgiveness, and don't make the mistake of disregarding her request again. Mind your own fuckin' business from here on out. If I so much as catch a whiff of wolf around here again, the consequences will make Holly's bindin' seem like the best goddamn Christmas gift you ever got."

Billy swallowed thickly, "No, that was all. Thank you."

Jasper stood, gently tugging me along with him. "Don't thank me, and don't make me regret leavin' you alive." He turned to Peter and Garrett. "See that they're gone as soon as Holly is finished. Bella's about at her limit, I'm takin' her out of here."

Fuck. Yes. I'd had more than enough.

He led me through the back door and out to the woods. "You wanna run or float, darlin'?"

"Run," I decided. He nodded approvingly and we took off through the tree line. He lead slightly, since he knew where we were going and I didn't. I didn't mind it so much. I had plenty to keep me occupied. My improved senses were still so new that I noticed and catalogued every little thing - plants, animal tracks, even what bugs liked what trees best. It was a foreign and strange feeling to take it all in and know I would never forget it, even if the information was completely useless for any practical application.

We came to a stop in a densely wooded area, and Jasper looked at me. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I told him. "It's just a little much. I thought I lacked patience before."

He smiled at me. "Good to see you're a little bit normal. The fact that you held back as much as you did is pretty astounding."

"Speaking of, using our bond as a weapon against me was a pretty low blow," I accused.

He just shrugged. "I didn't have the time or heart to employ the usual tactics. I couldn't let you fly off the handle, so I did what I could."

I wanted to stay pissed, but I couldn't. Stupid gorgeous lickable man.

"Where are we?"

"Somewhere you could blow off some steam and no one would notice. Thought you might like to do some lumberjackin'," he said with a lazy grin.

"I can think of a better way to blow off steam," I told him. And then I pounced.

Four days later, we made our way back to the house. Turns out, we did do some inadvertent lumberjacking. We also completely destroyed our clothes and were ridiculously dirty. Jasper's hair didn't even look blonde anymore, and I shuddered to think what mine probably looked like. We'd probably have stayed gone if it wasn't for that. I figured without all the bodily fluids, nothing would stick and I wouldn't feel dirty and gross anymore. I was wrong.

The place was blessedly empty when we arrived. I guessed Peter might have gotten a tip-off from his radar and cleared everyone out. That was good. I knew vampires were less modest overall, but I really wasn't keen on the idea of everyone seeing my bits. I realized I hadn't even taken the time to give myself a once-over since my change. Too many other things going on.

I sighed as we walked in, and Jasper squeezed my hand. "It'll get easier."

"I hope so. My mind is all over the place, and there's too much going on not to be able to focus," I told him as we climbed the stairs.

"Well, you're calmer now than you were a few days ago," he said smugly.

"True," I allowed, "But that's because it was just us. I doubt that'll last long."

"Probably not. Better make the most of the time we have," he stated. He climbed into the shower and held a hand out unnecessarily to help me in.

Showering took several hours, between the level of grime we were covered in and the number of available distractions. We managed to make our way to the bedroom eventually, and that's where we stayed until late the next day when we heard cars pull in the drive.

"Time's up," Jasper said with a hint of regret.

I definitely felt that too, but at least we'd finally had some time 'off'. It allowed things to settle a little for us. Not much, but it would make what was coming next and having people around all the time much more bearable. Still not preferable, but bearable.

"Oh, shit," I groaned.

"Hmm?"

"You still haven't shown me how to dress myself."

"Are you sure you need to learn?"

"You seriously want to spend eternity dressing me?"

"Nope," he grinned, tugging his jeans on.

"So your brilliant plan is to, what? Keep me naked in a room like some kind of immortal concubine? Some southern gentleman you are," I teased.

"I'd make it worth your while," he promised.

"No go. Show me the pants. Quickly, before I rip yours off again."

It took me a little while to get the hang of the proper pressure to use with the fabric, but I managed to get it on the sixth try. J helped me with the bra because we hadn't had time to order any new clothes for me, and I only had two. Ripping them really wasn't an option. Not that gravity could do me any harm now, but I wasn't ready to let the high beams loose just yet. Human modesty and all that.

All in all it took about a half an hour to get me dressed. Peter met us at the bottom of the stairs with blood bags.

"No traveling for food tonight, you two. It's Whitlock bonding time!" he announced.

"Whitlock bonding time?" I said skeptically.

"Yeah. You two've been at each other for long enough. The radar says you're safe to be around Witchy-poo. Time for some group bonding activities."

"Please don't tell me you booked one of those weird resorts with the giant logs," I begged.

"You drink that, and then I'll show you."

I looked at Jasper, but he just shrugged. He was completely relaxed and at ease, and I realized it might be first time since we'd met that he'd ever been so content. Yes, there was still the Volturi to think of, but they were still a little ways out. For now, we could just be, without imminent or uncertain doom hanging over our heads.

Not wanting to argue it with Peter, I took the bag he offered and drank while we followed him to the living room.

"Ladies and Gents, our venerable leader and his not-so-blushing mate!" He announced frivolously.

"Nice," I commented.

"He's got a point, darlin', you don't blush anymore," Jasper said before turning to Peter. "Cut the shit with the pomp and circumstance, will ya?"

"You never let me have any fun," he whined.

"Your idea of fun makes you look like a jackass, sugar," Charlotte told him in a soothing tone.

"Well fine. Anyway, while you two were off doing...each other, some stuff happened."

Immediately I tensed, and I felt Jasper do the same. Fucking really? We couldn't catch a break?

"Oh, for fuck's sake, Peter! Look at them, you asshole! Don't say shit like that. Char?" Holly scolded, and Char obediently rapped Peter on the back of the head.

"Anybody wanna tell us what the fuck is goin' on here?" Jasper growled out.

"Nothing," Holly said. "I promise. Some of us just made some personal decisions we'd like to share, that's all."

I felt some of the worry leave us both, and we sat together. It was odd how in sync we were, but I'd think about that later, I decided.

"Alright then," Jasper said when we were settled.

"For starters, I decided I'd like to be changed. If I'm gonna run with vampires, I want to be able to actually run with vampires," Holly began.

Jasper nodded with a small smile. "I assume you'll be performing the change, Garrett?"

Huh. Guess I'd missed something, there.

Garrett responded, "Yep."

"Timeframe?"

"Whenever she wants."

"Tomorrow," Holly said firmly. "I want to be through the change by the time the Volturi come. Being a witch doesn't stop me being human, and I don't want to cause more trouble. Besides, the decision is made. There's no good reason to wait."

"Okay," J agreed. "What else?"

Garrett spoke up this time, "I'd like to take you up on your invitation. Holly wants to do some traveling soon, but otherwise I think she'll be happiest with you lot."

"And you?" Jasper asked.

"Could use a change of pace," he shrugged easily. "Wandering around gets boring anyway. A home base wouldn't be the worst thing."

"Em and I would like that too," Rose said. "I know it was already talked about, but we wanted to confirm it. We like having a family around."

"It won't be like the Cullens," Jasper warned. "Your diet is your own business, but we're not gonna be repeating high school or pretending to be human, here."

"Right on!" Emmett enthused. "I was tired of that shit, anyway." Apparently the stick he'd had up his ass before was gone.

Rose smiled and nodded her agreement. "I'm looking forward to actually living."

Peter handed Jasper a box and said, "I guess we had just enough after all."

"I guess that would make it all official. You guys want these? You don't need to take them," Jasper said as he opened the box and offered the four remaining rings to the newest coven members.

I felt his surprise when it was Garrett who leaned forward first to pick his ring. He made no apologies to Emmett about it, but he seemed to be happy with the remaining ring anyway. Rose and Holly just looked at each other and pointed, each grinning when they realized there would be no argument. The two couples exchanged rings the same way we'd done before, and I noticed that we'd all done it that way instinctively. I didn't know anything about coven dynamics, really, but I was pretty sure this was something a little outside the norm. When the impromptu ritual was complete, everyone inhaled at the same time, and it felt like something had clicked into place.

We all looked at each other for a few minutes afterward.

"That everything?" Jasper asked.

When nobody spoke up, Peter grinned. "Yep, now it's party time!"

Everyone moved then. Rose and Char to grab drinks, Emmett showed Garrett how to work the stereo, and Peter was fussing with a card game. Holly came to sit by me.

"You look good," she said. "I hope I turn out half so well."

I scoffed. "It'd be hard to improve. You're sure about this?"

"Yes," she said. "Absolutely. I have a home here, and I want to keep it."

"I know exactly what you mean." Something else occurred to me, though. "Won't it mean giving up your magic?"

"I don't think so," she shook her head. "Char thinks I'll either keep my ability to work spells or manifest another gift. I do have Swan blood, after all."

"That's true. But what if you don't?"

"Then I'd just be normal. Imagine!" She laughed.

"I can't even," I grinned.

"Alright bitches, get your asses out of the huddle. Time to dance!" Rose called.

We passed the rest of the night in a haze of drinks and dancing, until Holly finally passed out sprawled over Garrett. It felt wrong to continue without her, so we all ended up on couches, coupled off much like the night before Coen showed up around the TV. Without the proverbial axe over our heads, though, it was much different. There was a movie on that Peter and Emmett were quoting over in ridiculous voices, and soft laughter all around.

I let out a small sigh of contentment, and Jasper turned his head to kiss my temple.