A/N: weren't you all surprised! I bet you didn't guess whose mate is whose though. I'm warning you now though, which means you'll know soon who goes with who, but I will not accept any flak for making characters gay. Just so you know.

Also to my first guest reviewer. Firstly, welcome. Secondly, I will never stop updating until my story is complete and I have that little icon next to the reviews. I promise. I hope you'll continue on this journey with us and that you'll join us on the next one. :)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Jasper

I've been hunting for about an hour now and have enjoyed myself immensely, taking down a mountain lion and a couple small deer. I could smell a bear, but never came across it. I'm on my way back to Bella after fully satisfying my thirst, well as satisfied as I can be, when my phone rings. I get a bad feeling, something is wrong! Looking at my phone I see it's Alice.

"Alice? What is it?"

"Oh God Jasper, I'm so sorry! I didn't see it until it was too late! He timed it all so perfectly! I can't believe I didn't realize what he was up to! It's my fault! My gift is useless if people can get around it like this!"

"Alice. Alice! Calm down and start making sense! What's wrong!"

"It's Edward. He's taken Bella!"

I almost drop my phone in shock. That son of a bitch has taken my mate? How! Where were Peter and Charlotte? Rose and Emmett?

"Will I get there in time?" When I get ahold of him I'm going to rip him apart!

"He already has her. He'll be too far ahead to stop him." The growl that comes from me is almost feral and I can hear Alice's desperation, probably to calm me so I can keep a clear head, when she adds, "Jazz, he's taking her to Volterra."

That's a good thing! Marcus will put him straight and they'll have no choice but to punish him. I'm sure Carlisle will ask he not be killed and since they owe him they'll listen but at least he'll know she's not his. But then I think about Aro. If Edward heard that conversation about Shannon and Bella's gifts, he'll want Bella for the guard. And who knows how far he'll be willing to go to get her. Instantly Major Whitlock takes over and I begin to run through strategies and scenarios. I need to get moving.

"I'll call you back when I get back to the hotel and find out what happened. We'll make plans from there."

"Alright Jazz. We'll be by the phone."

Of course she must be talking about Carlisle and Esme as well. Yes, I'll need Carlisle to come with us. We will absolutely be making a trip to Volterra and no one will stand between me and my mate. No one!

Bella

Once we're standing in front of the group the big guy speaks.

"Edward, hello. The brothers are most interested in seeing you, and your human, I'm sure you didn't mention the other two though. This will displease them, so you better have a good reason. If you could all follow me."

He turns, his eyes lingering just a little longer on Angie, and starts walking away, the other three following and I can see there will be no introductions from them. Edward starts after them, pulling me along and leaving Angie and Eric to follow.

"I know you're probably wondering who everyone is so let me tell you. The big guy is Felix, head of the Guard. Next to him is Demetri, he's a tracker like James was, only much better. I've never met the other guy so I don't know him and the girl is Jane and yes she's as young as she looks, well as young in her human years that is. She, Demetri and Felix are all thousands of years old."

I had a pretty good idea who the guy Edward didn't know was, but if Edward wasn't going to mention just how similar he looked to Jasper, then neither was I. The one called Felix and the one called Demetri kept looking back and I was pretty sure it wasn't to make sure we were following, but to catch glimpses of Angie and Eric.

I didn't understand why they hadn't acknowledged that the two were their mates though. I know how hard it is to stay away from your mate once you find them, even as a human. Perhaps it was because they haven't strengthened the bond by making love yet? I looked back and watched Angie and Eric keeping their eyes on the other two. Clearly this time it was a case of knowing at first sight so maybe I was wrong and the two Guard members were ignoring the pull to keep the other two from knowing. It just didn't make sense to me. I knew not all matings were the same when it came to finding your mate.

For Rose and Emmett it was instant, for Jasper and I it was instant, but only after the influences were out of our way. With Carlisle and Esme theirs developed over time, not instant at all. I tried to picture my friends with these two men. As members of the Guard their lives were full of traveling and death. These were the elite vampires of the vampire world. They helped the brothers maintain order so they would be traveling a lot.

Felix was huge next to little petite Angie and I hoped he was like Emmett in that he may look fierce and terrifying but was really a big sweetheart. Demetri and Eric on the other hand were of similar height and build and now that Eric's skin had cleared up he was a handsome man. I could easily see why they could be mates. I also couldn't help wonder if Angie and Eric might be gifted.

Demetri seemed highly intelligent and I could see he and Eric having conversations that were well versed and flowed easily. The girl looked like she needed to take the stick out of her ass but otherwise I could see nothing overtly threatening about her, but I knew the Volturi prized gifted vampires and that most of their Guard had gifts, so she had to have one. I doubt they had her on the Guard for any other reason.

The one I suspected was Jeremiah looked tired. As if his life weighed heavily upon him. I felt bad for him because, unlike Jasper, I doubt he ever knew what happened to his family. He may know Jasper's alive though if the brothers or someone else has told him. I hope at the end of all this the two can reunite and rekindle their brotherhood. At least Jasper will have someone from his human family.

Aro

When Edward Cullen called me the second time I was surprised. He called to inform us that he was really coming to Volterra with a girl, a human girl, that he claimed was his mate. He said that his brother, Major Whitlock of all people, tried to take her away from him and had brainwashed her into thinking she was his mate instead of Edward's. He asked for permission to hide out in Volterra knowing his brother would probably follow him. He was asking for our help.

What he did not know was I already knew he was lying. Thanks to the call from the Quileute I knew she wasn't his mate, but his brother's. After all, if she was his mate why hadn't he changed her? And why would Major Whitlock brainwash a human? After the call from Edward I sought out my brothers and told them the situation. Marcus told me he knew all about it because Carlisle had called and asked him about the situation.

I was angry at first, how dare he keep this from me, but as I read his thoughts on the subject I saw why he had kept it from me. I also couldn't fault him since I had kept the call from the Quileute from them as well. The girl was truly Major Whitlock's mate and he had every intention of changing her, and soon. This whole thing was almost exactly the same as that time long ago. Only this time the girl knew the man was a vampire. I also couldn't really say Edward broke the law there since he didn't tell her, he just confirmed what she had already realized. She was a very observant human.

There was the unfortunate fact he stole another's mate but it was up to them to decide punishment or to decide to let us decide the punishment so I would have to wait until Major Whitlock joined us. I told Edward I would send some of the guard to pick them up in Pisa. I felt Felix, Demitri, Jane and Jeremiah were best. They wouldn't fight them, althought Edward would have no reason to; and I wanted to see just how observant the girl was and see if she would recognize Jeremiah for who he was.

Jeremiah was a great asset, his gift helped us immensely. While Alec cut you off from everything completely and Chelsea could break bonds and create them to tie someone to me, Jeremiah could get rid of your emotions completely. I knew his brother could feel and manipulate others emotions so it was as if nature decided that because they are blood brothers that their gifts should be opposites. Using both Jeremiah and Chelsea together made Chelsea's bonds stronger. If you can't feel emotions towards the one whose bond she broke then you wouldn't care one way or the other. It was a fail safe essentially for any one who might be able to get free of Chelsea's bonds.

I'm alone in the throne room, with the exception of Renata, when I get the call around four am that they have arrived. As they walk in I look to the girl whose hand Edward is holding. I can certainly see why the two foster brothers would fight over her. She's exquisite and will make a most beautiful vampire. I can also see she's clearly not happy he's touching her, or here at all.

Dare I say, as I look at her longer I realize, she may even rival my own Sulpicia. I turn my attention to the other two humans, ones I didn't know about and will have to have a talk with my brothers about, and notice something that pleases me even more. It seems Demetri and Felix have finally found their mates, the way they are looking at them and the fact that they automatically positioned themselves behind but slightly to the side of them, a position perfect to move them behind them if there's danger. As they are still human it explains why it took till now. The pull wouldn't have worked, they'd have had to come face to face- like today- to have found them.

I always suspected Demetri was gay, but as we are so old and set in our ways, I think he may have been afraid to admit it. But even we vampires have to evolve and grow from time to time. I would have to make sure they changed their humans as soon as possible though.

The girl, Isabella, is looking around, now that she's tugged her hand free of Edward's, with out even a hint of fear. She clearly knows Edward is in the wrong here and is confident we will set him straight. I would like to change her as quickly as possible, just to see if I'm right about how beautiful she'll be as one of us, but I doubt that the Cullens and Whitlocks are far behind and there will be much anger if they were to find out what I had done. No, better to leave that to her true mate. Wouldn't want to anger them.

"Welcome, everyone, to Volterra. I am Aro. We are just waiting for my brothers before we get started but if I may shake your hands?" Renata comes down off the dais and follows close behind.

"Certainly Aro, I have nothing to hide." And Edward offers me his hand. No surprises there. He truly thinks she's his mate and is confident I can make her see it. Although it seems he overheard an interesting conversation about the girl being a powerful shield. I now have something to think about, I could certainly use her for the Guard.

I take the hand of the girl standing with Felix next. She is actually thinking at this moment about what we are and why she's so attracted to Felix. It seems that Isabella didn't tell her what we are to keep her safe. The same happens with the boy next to Demetri when I take his hand. Finally, I take Isabella's hand. What happens surprises me. I see absolutely nothing! Remarkable! She definitely has to be gifted! I begin to plan almost immediately, Edward won't say anything if he values his life.

Edward

So Aro has been told Jasper is Bella's mate. Well he was lied to then and if he thinks he's getting her for the Guard he's mistaken. I will not be willing to stay here and she won't be staying here without me. I don't like where his thoughts are heading and I hope her shield will work on Chelsea's gift as well. He won't make any friends if he tries to force any of us to stay. I can hear him thinking I'll keep my mouth shut if I value my life, but he can't kill me without hurting Carlisle and taking me from my mate will cause her to be hurt. No, he can't risk another Marcus situation.

I can see the glee in Aro's thoughts as well as written all over his body and can feel Bella stiffen beside me. She must have seen it too. Well, he's not getting her, or me. Just then the chamber doors open and Marcus, Caius, and Alec walk in.

Marcus looks over at me and shakes his head with a look of disappointment on his face. Well he can just keep that to himself. They take their seats on either side of Aro, who has seated himself now as well, and Alec joins Jane at the side of the Dias, Aro turns to speak to his brothers.

"Before we go any further I want to say that I am for the other two humans remaining alive. Marcus, I'm sure you can see why." Caius is scowling, but that's nothing unusual, as Marcus nods his head.

"Yes brother I can. It is clear even if I couldn't see the relationship, that they are Demetri and Felix's mates. It would be against out own laws to kill them. We will however need to keep an eye on certain situations, as well as erase any evidence of Bella and Edward's involvement." Well I didn't see that one coming, I mean I heard the thoughts of attraction and such but I was paying more attention to Aro.

Well at least their deaths won't be on my conscience because they won't die. They'll just become vampires. I can hear how relieved Demetri and Felix are, seems they weren't sure how the brothers would react and were afraid to get too close to their mates just in case. Angie and Eric are still a little confused but I can hear that they're happy they won't be taken from the other two, seems the bond was swift between them.

I decide to listen to the others more closely this time. The one I don't know is closed off to me, as if he's deliberately blocking me. Jane and Alec are hoping to use their gifts as they're bored, those two creep me out with how much they like hurting people. Caius just wants this over with, Marcus is confusing. He's thinking about how I'm not Bella's mate but he is also trying to keep me out of other thoughts he's having. And Aro is still thinking of ways to get Bella. Fat chance Aro. They're still talking about Angie and Eric though.

"I agree, Caius?"

"I also agree Aro. Now to the real business at hand. Marcus, tell Edward what an idiot he is please. Then we must decide his fate." What on earth does he mean? My fate? My fate is with Bella! I'm not an idiot and how dare he call me that!

"I can see the anger on your face Edward. Perhaps I should enlighten you. As you know I see relationships, and unfortunately for you, instead of listening to your sire, you chose to ignore him and now we are here. In this predicament. Bella is NOT your mate Edward. She IS Major Whitlock's and we will be hard pressed to keep him from killing you. However, brothers, before we are able to make a decision, I need to speak with you privately." They both nod and head off to the chamber that sits off the throne room.

When they go I look at Bella, she has a look of smugness mixed with a little pity, on her face. I have to apologize but I don't know how. I was so sure she was my mate and to have it contradicted, and by someone I can't refute, hurts. Immensely. But what hurts the most is I've hurt her. As well as my family. I was so determined to be right, that I never considered I could be wrong.

When I saw her with my brother, jealousy over came me. It's sad too, because I admire Jasper. He's such a strong man and I've been rude and mean and said terrible things about him. I don't think there's a thing that I can do to gain their forgiveness. I'll just have to resign myself to my fate.

Marcus

I already know that Aro plans on trying to talk the girl and Major Whitlock into staying. I can see it in his body language and on his face. Nothing we can say will change his mind. So I'll have to put a plan into action. There's no way I can let him gain a gift as powerful as Bella's. He doesn't know what I know, I found a way to keep him from seeing thoughts I don't want him to a long time ago. Carlisle has kept me in the loop. I called him after Aro spoke to us about Edward coming here and I now know what the Quileute Guardian's imprint told them. I can't blame them for keeping it from me at first.

Add to that the fact that Major Whitlock is unbeatable and Aro could pretty much declare war on everyone. He could wipe out all the Guardians, and all of our rivals. We need the balance to remain safe amongst the humans so I can't allow him to jeapordize that. Besides, I've followed Major Whitlock's actions since we found out about Maria having changed him. If anyone deserves peace and happiness it's him.

"Alright Marcus what was so important." Caius is irritated today. Athena and Sulpicia went to Athens for the week to do some shopping and relax on one of our many private islands. Chelsea and Corin of course went with them.

"I know we need to pass judgement on Edward, but I think you should be aware that I saw another relationship, one that involves him."

"So we find her and kill her too. Big deal. He broke the law, not once but twice and I understand he's the 'son' of our friend, but not even he can break the law."

"I understand that Caius, the thing is. Unless you're willing to kill Chelsea, we'll have to come up with another punishment." They both look at me, startled at my words. I merely nod.

"Well this certainly complicates matters. What will we do Aro?"

"Let me think on it. We'll announce that we'll wait until Carlisle and the others get here. They have a right to say they're piece. It'll give us time to think of a punishment that will satisfy all involved."

Leave it to Aro to be diplomatic when he feels it's necessary. I'm sure what he decides will benefit him in the long run though. It always does. We agree and head back out into the judgement room, we know others call it our throne room, but we only use it when we have visitors that are coming that we know we'll need to possibly pass some kind of judgement on. Otherwise our visitors just come to our rooms.

Edward

They all come back into the room and I can't help but feel a sense of relief. They've decided to wait for the others. Although they're blocking part of their thoughts from me intentionally so I'm afraid too. Why would they do that unless they already know their decision and just want to wait for the others before making it official.

However Marcus looks at me and intentionally talks to me in his mind. He wishes to speak to me, I wonder why, but he looks to Aro and I can tell he doesn't wish to say anything in front of him or Caius. I nod my head slightly that I understand. Then Aro speaks.

"We've decided to wait for the others to get here before making any decisions about your fate Edward. We feel it's only right for everyone to say their piece. Felix, Demetri, please escort your mates to your rooms and explain to them what's happening here. You have a month before you must change them."

They both say "yes Aro" before turning around and leading Angie and Eric out of the room.

"Jane, Alec, please take Bella and Edward to their rooms while we await the others. Then go to the kitchens and make sure that something is prepared for all three humans."

Again there's a chorus of "yes Aro's" before they lead us out. I'm almost afraid to let Bella out of my sight, I don't trust Aro at all, but Marcus- who must have seen it on my face- thinks in his mind that Aro won't do anything until he has a plan firmly in place and that Bella is safe for now. So I let her go with Jane, Alec leading me to my room.

It's not long before Marcus is knocking on my door. I'm surprised, however, to see Renata with him. I know that she isn't always with Aro, only when he's in the big chamber or outside Volterra, but it's still a shock to hear in her thoughts that she's not loyal to Aro, I couldn't read her in the throne room either. However, once she looks at me and deliberately speaks to me in her mind, I understand exactly why she's not. And I know once Marcus finds out, he'll be the one to personally kill his brother.

They join me in the sitting area of my room, one of the guest rooms thankfully as opposed to the dungeons, and Marcus gets right to it.

"Edward, I know you heard Aro's thoughts. We can't allow him to get Bella and Major Whitlock for the Guard. I spoke to Eleazar and he is coming with Carlisle, he had been visiting when you made your little kidnap. He'll be coming along because Aro will have made sure of it. He doesn't know that I already know just how powerful Bella may be. He'll expect Eleazar to read her and tell him what he already knows. I don't know if you know this, but a man called a few weeks ago and told Aro everything. He knew all of it before you even showed up here, some kind of revenge plot for the Quileutes kicking him off the Council and out of the tribe, I suspect there's more to it than that, but Aro wouldn't have cared.

"The only thing he did not know was she had a gift, but only because the man did not know either, or did not tell him. I know about Bella's gift because Carlisle has been keeping me in the loop on this situation as often as was safe, so when Aro told me you had called about coming here with Bella I called Carlisle to tell him and he told me then. He felt I should know since Aro would probably soon find out. He knew if you'd listen to anyone it would be me. Jasper has been in contact with him off and on since this thing between you has started. Would you like me to shed more light on all of this for you?"

"Could you Marcus? I'm so upset with myself, and so confused. If she wasn't my mate, why would I think she was?"

"It was the pull of her blood Edward and the fact that you felt you should love her because she did you. What pulled you to her at first was why you couldn't read her, it made you curious but that was overridden when you smelled her blood. It wasn't as strong in the cafeteria because it was diluted by all the other humans, yes I know everything because Carlisle told me.

"After you spent that week in Denali working on controlling yourself, the desire to find out why she was a blank to you overcame everything else. As you got to know her I'm sure you came to care for her and you felt it was love, I'm not saying it wasn't a form of love, just not the form you thought. Once she fell in love with you, you felt you had to make a go of a relationship, plus I'm sure you liked rubbing it into the others noses how well you could control yourself, and a beauty like that on your arm was a bonus. Then there was the fact you were lonely. All the others had mates and you wanted what they had.

"The thing with James opened your eyes but because you were able to drink her blood without killing her you felt that you could keep her safe and so you let it slide that time. It was Jasper's attack that made you realize just how unsafe she was. You tried to blame it on his attack but in the back of your mind you know it wasn't his fault at all. She wasn't safe because as long as you were there, there would always be a chance that you could do something that would hurt her, whether it was you yourself or one of the others because of you. So you decided to leave but you felt if the others stayed you'd be drawn back and so they had to go too.

"I believe your intentions were good, the methods were lacking. The problem was that you had been around her so long, you became almost immune to her blood. The longer you stayed away the more the thought of her blood came to the forefront of your mind the more desire you had to come back and get her. But it was always her blood you wanted. When you saw her with Jasper you became jealous and that anger at him having caused you to have to leave to begin with, at least that's what I'm sure you thought, made you turn on him and determined to get her back. Does all this make sense?"

"Yes, but why wouldn't I listen to her when she told me I was wrong?"

"Easy, because you didn't believe her. You were so determined in your own mind that you were in the right that anything anyone else said became the lie. You only believe me because my gift can't be refuted."

"Ok Marcus, I get it. I don't think I can ever fix anything with my family though. They all must hate me, Bella and Jazz especially."

"Oh I think if you help with our little problem they may be willing to see reason. I doubt it'll be right away forgiveness, but possibly over some time they might be willing to forgive you."

"I doubt I have that time Marcus. I'm sure you've already made your decisions about what to do with me."

"Aro may have Edward, but I have a feeling it won't be death. You see, we have a little dilemma that you're unaware of but will probably come to understand soon." No matter how I tried he wouldn't tell me what he meant and he continued to block some of his thoughts, so I could only hope he was right. I needed to fix things with my family, all of them, and so I was willing to agree with anything Marcus suggested.

"To be honest Marcus. Bella is who you should be speaking with. I only overheard a conversation about her gift so it could be taken as hearsay and Aro is acting upon what he saw in my thoughts. Besides. I obviously need to do something to apologize to them for what I put them through. How about when the others get here we go talk to them together. Do you think we can do that?"

"Of course my boy. After all, Major Whitlock will wish a few moments with his mate after their separation." He grins slyly and walks towards the door.

"If you read the others thoughts you'll know that Felix, Demetri and Jeremiah aren't as loyal as Aro thinks. They'll join our meeting and I'll send Felix for you when the others arrive."

"Certainly. I also read another's thoughts Marcus. I think you'll find the thoughts of Renata most, intriguing." She looks at me as they head towards the door and smiles. When she first came in she told me she's Didyme, reincarnated. Aro doesn't know it, because he can't read her because she uses her shield on him everytime he tries without him really realizing what she's doing; and neither does Marcus because Chelsea's gift keeps him unaware. I'll have to meet this Chelsea soon and have some words with her. Marcus deserves his own happiness as well since Aro has his.

I have a feeling no matter what happens next, Aro has signed his own death warrant.

Jasper

I couldn't believe it! After all we did to keep her safe and that bastard still got to her! I swore he wouldn't. I let my mate down. I couldn't blame the others, they couldn't have even fathomed Edward would be that bold. And he waited just long enough to keep Alice in the dark until it was too late. By the time she saw his plans he had already snatched Bella. It was a matter of minutes but minutes in this case were precious.

There was a party going on in the room next to Rose and Emmett's when I returned. They wouldn't have been able to hear Edward. He set this up perfectly. Now he's taken her to Volterra and Aro will do anything he can to keep her I'm sure. We are all preparing for a battle, even Carlisle knows the likelihood of getting back out without a fight is almost nil. Even sweet natured Esme said she'll fight tooth and nail to keep Bella out of Aro's clutches.

I want to kill him, Edward doesn't deserve life for this treachery. I have to gain control of my anger though before I project it to all the humans around us on this plane. Angry humans lead to disasters. We got extremely lucky and it almost makes me wonder if he wanted us to follow him. The first flight from Denver International to Pisa was an hour after we got to the airport so we're only about two hours behind them. Alice and the others were only about an hour.

When we finally make it to Pisa, Carlisle, Esme and Alice are waiting. Along with four unexpected guests, Carmen and Eleazar and Garrett and Kate. Alice told me a few weeks ago that Garrett had showed up in Denali to see Eleazar and he and Kate had had a bond since the moment she shocked the shit out of him.

According to her, his exact words to Kate were "woman, I'd follow you anywhere", which struck me as funny since Garrett is well know on for his fighting spirit. He's been in every war the United States has ever had, starting with the Revolution. Those two should be the perfect match for one another and I'm glad he's finally found his mate. He hasn't had the chance to meet the Denali coven until now. He usually meets Eleazar wherever Carlisle and us happen to be at the time. I'm actually glad to see him here because he's almost as good a fighter as me and Peter. We can certainly use him.

"Hello everyone. Shall we get going? Jazz, I think you'll find the situation has resolved itself for the most part, Marcus and Edward will wish to speak to all of us. When we get into the citadel demand to see Bella. Felix will be waiting for us. He will take us to Bella's room where Edward and Marcus will meet us, along with a few others. Keep an open mind, I know you're angry, but you and Bella's future is dependent upon what happens next. Keep your head. Also, Aro is the enemy, I'm unsure about Caius, and Marcus is the ally. Oh and Jazz, there's someone there I think you'll be happy to see besides Bella. And her friends Angie and Eric got mixed up in this but they'll be fine because they're Demetri and Felix's mates. Does everyone understand me?"

"This is the vision you had on the plane Alice?"

"Yes Carlisle it is. As I said, Jasper and Bella's future is now dependent on everyone keeping their calm and an open mind. I know we're all mad at Edward, but I think you'll find no one is as mad at him as he is at himself and he's looking to make amends."

"Oh yeah, and just why the fuck should we believe that suddenly he's all about Jasper and Bella?"

"Because Peter, Edward has just found out he was wrong, thanks to Marcus and from what I saw he has another mate. He doesn't know it yet so I won't tell you who. I'll keep him from my mind until it's time for him to know. I also now know where I will be meeting my mate, so there's all kinds of happenings going on today!" She's always so damn bubbly. It eases the tension a bit from all of us.

"Well halle-fuckin-lujah. So glad he's realized the obvious. I still say we kick his ass at least Major, let him know it's not ok to covet and steal someone else's mate."

"Let's wait and see what he has to say Peter. If anyone has the right to kick his ass it's Bella. I'll follow her lead."

I could see he wasn't happy about this but he wouldn't go against my wishes either. Besides, as angry as I may be at Edward. As high as my desire was to kill him, or at least rip him apart, I had to know what Alice meant about Bella and my future. If she meant what I think she did, then frankly we were all in danger now.

When we pulled into the underground parking lot specifically designed for visiting vampires and walked into the lobby to the reception desk, Felix was waiting. Just as Alice had said. I've only ever met him once but the change between then and now is remarkable. Finding your mate can do that to someone. He's smiling now as opposed to the closed off look from the last time and he's standing more lossely as opposed to stiff and intimidating.

"Welcome Major Whitlock."