I don't own Twilight or the idea of Peter knowing shit. That comes from Ms. Meyer and Idreamofeddy respectively.

Thanks to my awesome partner-in-crime WrittenWithJoy - our hours on skype make my world complete. Go read her fic Longing. It's truly amazing.

Warning - Character death.

Peter POV

Chaos, nothing but fuckin' chaos. It had been like this for an hour or so and I figured it would be going on for a while yet. Caius stood proud, his blond hair dyed pink by the blood streaming down his feral face as he stood over a defeated wolf. My beautiful Charlotte grabbed a wolf by the tail and yanked it towards her before, with a cry of victory, she lifted the animal over her head and smashed it into the ground. I swear I felt the earth tremble with the force. The rust-colored mutt turned back into a butt naked Indian boy, his legs and arms obviously broken. Seeing that he was still alive Charlotte swooped in and snapped his neck. Two wolves down, many more where they came from. I ducked as a disembodied arm flew over my head, the sticky end hitting the wall of my house as the other arm followed. One of the Cullens, I thought as I idly noticed the red-painted nails. Shrugging, I waded into the fight and didn't give another thought to the now armless person—at least it wasn't one of us. Jasper was in his element—he had Carlisle pinned down and it was obvious to me that he was playing with him.

"Get yer ass into gear, and stop fuckin' around," I yelled over at him, the humor obvious in my voice.

His reply was a sarcastic salute and a laconic, "Fuck off, Petey. Go find your own Cullen to play with," before he relieved Carlisle of his left leg.

Things had escalated quickly after Bella's mad ride to raise the alarm. It was a matter of minutes before the mangy pack made it to the ranch house. Charlotte and I immediately went on the defensive trying to keep them occupied until Caius and his motley crew arrived. We danced around each other, the wolves lunging toward us but Charlotte and I moved too quickly for them to surround us. Then an SUV raced up the dirt road from the gated entrance and things went to hell in a handbasket.

Screeching to a halt in an impressive spray of gravel, that had the wolves stepping back warily, Jasper arrived back from his errand to pick up our Italian guests from the local airfield. I swear he was a menace behind the wheel, seemingly having done his best Mario Andretti impression to get them here so quickly. Out climbed his Royal Assjesty Caius followed by Jasper, Athenadora, Jane, Alec, Felix, Demetri, Chelsea and not forgetting "don't call me a king" Marcus. I sniggered when I saw Caius' outfit, knowing I'd won the betting pool going with Bella, Char, and Jasper. Dora had obviously moved onto Scottish historical romances as he was clad in a red plaid kilt, knee-length black renaissance leather boots, a white loose shirt, a red waistcoat, a sporran and a fitted black jacket over the top. It was seriously my worst nightmare brought to life—there was no way I was ever going to let him live this down. Nodding kinda respectfully at him whilst trying to keep a poker face, I'd gestured for him to head over to Char and me.

"You got here just in time," Char said, smiling at Jasper, "the puppies have come out to play."

Glaring at the wolves, Caius cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders. Oh, bless him, he was obviously trying to intimidate them. The big black wolf snarled, before transforming back into butt naked surprisingly not well-hung Native-American.

"Give us Isabella and we will leave you in peace," he shouted. "We know she's here. The Cullens told us where to find her."

Shaking my head I stepped forward, as Jasper snarled, "Over my dead body."

"You're already dead leech but if that's the way you want it," the Alpha jackass responded. I had to admit the guy had balls—well, they were hanging loose for everyone to see. Laying my hand on Caius' arm, I shook my head and gestured for him to wait. My gift was telling me we were about to get more uninvited visitors.

The second car pulled up a little slower than the first. Imagine my faux surprise when Carlisle and his merry band of veggie vamps stepped out, their expressions when they saw their welcoming committee were unbelievable. There was a flash of light as Demetri took a photograph—that was one picture that would be absolutely priceless. The shock and horror in their expressions were worth the hassle indeed.

"C-C-Caius, so nice to see you!" The insincerity was evident as Carlisle stammered a greeting. "I didn't realize you were in Texas. Are you here because Peter and Charlotte are harboring a human?"

Caius smirked. "You would be surprised how much time we spend here. Dora and I are especially fond of young Isabella."

I'd never seen someone's face go from hopeful to desperate so quickly. That certainly took the wind out of Carlisle's sails, and I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me.

"What? Did Blondie think she'd be able to use the Volturi against us if we didn't do what the mutt wanted?" I wiped my hand over my face, shaking my head. "She's as dumb as she looks, isn't she?"

With that comment, a pathetic growl came from all of the wolves and some of the Cullens. Demetri burst out laughing and the rest of the Italians followed suit. Even the twins were giggling.

Charlotte grabbed my hand, nodding towards Felix and Athenadora, who took Puss by the arm and gently led her towards the barn. We'd drummed into her that we were doing this for her benefit and no one would be able to concentrate with a breakable human too close to what was threatening to become a full-on fight. I was so proud of her for taking what we said to heart and not arguing when the time came. Felix and Athenadora knew their main focus was to keep Bella alive at all costs, even if it meant the pair of them breaking through the back wall of the barn and escaping to safety with her. Keeping her safe was the only thing that mattered. She meant too much to us all to risk even a hair on her head. The pack and veggies were too focused on the rest of us to pay much attention to what was going on in their periphery.

Marcus stepped forward, his expression, as usual, showing nothing as if this whole process was completely tedious to him. "I can assure you that there are no mating bonds emanating from the Alpha towards anyone." He scowled fiercely. "Unless you dare to dispute my gift."

The Cullens shook their heads, casting questioning glances towards Rosalie, starting to doubt what she'd told them. Sensing this, Rose nudged Edward desperately. "Surely you can read their minds and show that he's being deceitful?" Stress came through in her voice as she said, "She is the Alpha's mate. There's no way she's Jasper's."

Eddy boy shook his head, his voice panicky, "No, I'm not getting anything from anyone. My gift isn't working anymore. I can't hear anyone's thoughts anymore." He stared at Carlisle in utter disbelief. "I can't even hear yours. It's like there's a void where your thoughts used to be. It's not fair!"

"ENOUGH!" The whip crack of Caius' voice cut through the boy's infernal whinging. "I do not give a fuck about anyone other than Rosalie Cullen and," his voice dripped with disgust, "the so-called pack Alpha. You have blatantly disregarded one of our most, if not the most sacred law regarding mating.

"You all know forcibly separating a vampire from his or her mate is prohibited, yet you Rosalie Cullen, also known as Rosalie Hale, conspired with these abominations," he gestured to the wolves, "to keep Jasper Whitlock from his mate, Isabella Swan. Did you not lure her from a hotel room in Seattle with a false note, whilst leaving yet another note for Major Whitlock?" Without giving her chance to reply he continued, "On doing so you took her to the woods around La Push and," he paused before shaking his head, "you, who were abused violently before your change, conspired to have the same done to an innocent."

"S-She is the Alpha's mate" Rosalie managed to stutter. "I-I was only trying to..."

"SILENCE," Caius shouted, his voice stern and ice-cold. "Marcus has already stated that isn't the case. There is no excuse for your behavior. Your guilt has already been determined, only your punishment is yet to be decided. We will take Major Whitlock and our dear Bella's opinions under advisement."

"Thank you," Jasper said quietly.

Caius didn't answer merely dipped his head in acknowledgment before gathering his jacket as if it was his black robes and stepping forward. "Hear me! As for the rest of you, all of you are to return to where you came from immediately apart from you..." He extended a finger, pointing to both the naked wolf-man and the blonde-haired Cullen bitch. "If you do not, there will be no mercy for any of you." His steely crimson gaze covered the other wolves and the rest of the Cullens. "You have until the count of five."

"One..." In place of the naked guy stood a huge black wolf.

"Two..."

"Three..."

"Four..."

"Five..." Playtime!

Assessing Emmett Cullen as one of the biggest threats, I sprang at him, punching him in the throat and grabbing him by the arm. I twisted it behind his back and yanked hard. The arm came away from his body with ease and I tossed it onto the growing pile of unattached limbs with a wide grin. Tipping my hat at Jasper, I moved onto the next fight—the little self-proclaimed omniscient Cullen bitch was trying to get away from the chaos and to the barn. With a loud snarl, I tackled her from behind, taking her down before she realized what was happening. Her head was soon removed from her shoulders and I threw it out of the field of battle so it joined the other unattached body parts. An anguished cry from behind me had me pirouetting round rapidly as my arm connected with the messy-haired brat. "Pathetic," I growled as I made short work of him, adding his head to the growing pile near the house.

After what felt like both seconds and hours had passed the battle slowed. Pockets of fighting continued but Team Bella was definitely coming out on top. Crouching down, I took my hat off and brushed detritus and body parts from my jeans before placing it firmly back on my head.

My wife was finishing off Esme, her laughter ringing out over the fight as she pulled off both the Cullen matriarch's arms in a graceful move. God, I loved my woman so much! Jasper and Caius were knelt in the dirt, bending over an unmoving Marcus. None of the pack remained standing, scattered around in various states of both human and wolf. I guessed it depended on how hurt they'd been before death as to whether they'd managed to transform back or not. Not that I cared—they'd caused this albeit with a little help and deserved everything they got.

Felix and Dora emerged from the barn, Bella trudging slowly behind them and blinking in the bright sunlight. "Oh my god," she stammered, her head darting from side to side as she took in the chaos that surrounded her.

Slowly, we gathered ourselves together and surveyed the aftermath. Of all the Cullen's Rosalie appeared to be the least injured. She was missing both arms but other than that seemed fairly intact. That explained the low flying arms from earlier.

Caius and Jasper shook their heads—all this because a complete bitch decided that she had the right to decide who was mated to whom.

"Gather up the parts, place them with the bodies and fix them. Use your venom on the Cullens. They deserve the pain." Caius was obviously still in control-freak mode. I made a mental note to try and sneak some hair dye into his shampoo so his hair went pink permanently the next time we were in Volterra.

Snapping off mock salutes, Jasper and Char did his bidding without question. For about a millisecond I thought about feeling pity for those they were putting back together—using someone else's venom meant it would hurt like a motherfucker, but it went away quickly. I really didn't give a rats ass about them. The people I loved were safe and that was all that mattered. Fuck's sake I'm sounding like a girl again!

I took a moment to walk over to Puss and check she was okay while Demetri handed out bags of blood for all of us to drink from. I tore open the bag in front of her, regretting it instantly as she went a funny shade of green and vomited all over her boots.

"That stinks," she said, glowering at me. "Do you have to do it in front of me?"

Chuckling, I used my bandana to wipe her boots clean as Jane passed her a bottle of water that Dora had brought out of the barn with her.

"Thanks, munchkin." I grinned at Jane, earning myself a scowl in return.

"I reckon you ought to sit down Puss." I guided her to the porch steps, making sure she settled down on them. "You sit there a while and we'll sort this mess out." Standing so I was blocking her view, I watched as Felix checked on the mutts while Chelsea got a bonfire going next to the old-fashioned water pump in the yard.

"One's alive," Felix shouted, picking it up and carrying it close to the fire. He dropped the wolf before nonchalantly wrenching it's neck— the snapping sound clearly audible. "Ooops! I was wrong, all the wolves are dead," he said cheerfully before adding the rest of the pack to the pile.

Gradually, the Cullens' bodies were put back together and they weren't offered any blood as no-one felt the need to actually help them more than the bare minimum. I figured Caius wanted them mentally strong enough to answer for their crimes but not physically able to flee the scene.

Reverently, Caius and Jasper lifted Marcus between them—my feeling that he wasn't with us any more was confirmed by Caius' words. "Those fuckin' wolves poisoned him!"

He bowed his head in respect before gently placing his dead brother's body on the pyre. Jasper stood next to him silently. He'd not even glanced Bella's way but I knew from past experience he needed some time to come down after a fight.

Hearing sniffling from behind me, I turned to see Puss with tears running down her pale face.

"Poor Marcus, he's with Didyme now. I'll never forget him." She trembled with grief as she tried to wipe the tears off her face. Athenadora came and stood next to her, patting her shoulder gently as she spoke quietly, "He's at rest now, and don't forget he will always be with you in your heart Bella." She nodded and seemed to relax slightly.

Caius frowned before stepping towards the Cullens. "My brother is dead because of your family members' actions and the Alpha's obsession with Isabella. This will never be forgiven or forgotten."

"The Alpha and Rose aren't to blame. This is all on Isabella. I know I'm right! I heard it in Rosalie's thoughts!" Edward started to argue but a quelling glare from Felix had him falling silent. That's right, shut the fuck up you whining copper-haired bastard and prepare for the consequences, I thought as my gift told me the Cullen's hadn't quite finished digging their own graves just yet. And here it comes...

Rosalie stepped forward, looking nervously towards Puss. She looked to Caius, asking for permission to speak. He seemed to think for a few seconds before reluctantly nodding. "Yes, you may speak before you are judged."

She squared her shoulders before tossing her hair off her face and staring Puss in the eye. "I know I have no right to ask this, but I would like to say sorry in person for all the trouble I've caused. I was trying to protect my family, but I realize now that I've gone about it totally the wrong way. If you could see it in your heart to forgive me, I would be grateful."

"Rosalie, is it?" Bella's voice was cold yet controlled.

"Family calls me Rose, Bella."

"It's Isabella, Rosalie. You're nothing to me. You're not sorry about what you did, you're just sorry you got caught. I don't have the inclination or the time to forgive you. How could someone I barely knew do that to me? What had I ever done to you? Jasper was your family, what the hell did you think this would do to him?"

"But Bella...I...w-we would be your family too if you and Jasper..." I had to give it to the bitch, she was trying hard. Shame she was trying it on the wrong person.

Bella finally lost control and started yelling, "No, Rosalie, you would not be my family! I have a family, I have a father, and a brother and sister in Peter and Charlotte. I have another family in the Volturi—Caius has always looked out for me, Dem and Felix are like my brothers too. Everyone helped me when no-one else could. They've kept me safe and fought for me. M-M-Marcus even died for me. What has your family ever done for me apart from lie, interfere and set a rabid werewolf on me?"

I could see Puss was struggling, but she took a deep breath and seemed to center herself before continuing calmly.

"Jasper is a grown man. He can decide for himself what if any part he decides to play in your punishment. I will play no part in that decision. I just want to be left in peace. That's all I ever wanted. I know you said you did it with the best intentions, but didn't you wonder why I was 'dead'? Why Sam didn't know I was still alive? He didn't just violate me in the woods that day, he sentenced me to death. I've carried the scars of that day both physically and mentally ever since. I've been dying every day since, and thanks to you, I lost five years with the man I loved. Peter was right. You really are as dumb as you look." I gave Bella a look that showed just how proud I was of her right now, even though I had no idea she'd remembered me saying that to the bitch.

"I'm done now. I'm going to sit down in the house. Don't ever talk to me again. I will never speak to any member of your family for the rest of my life." She turned her back on Rosalie and walked into the house, slamming the door.

Jasper looked torn between chasing after Puss or attacking Rosalie. With a snarl he sprang forward saying, "Fuck this! I've had enough of this bitch!" and he ripped her blonde airhead right off her shoulders before stepping back to stand alongside Caius. It was like a covert signal had been given—suddenly Rosalie's body was in the center of a swirling whirlwind of movement. When it slowed I caught a glimpse of body parts and her long blonde hair flying towards the pyre. Well, that was unexpected! I chuckled knowing that the wrath of Caius wouldn't be aimed in my direction for once.

As violet smoke and the scent of burning venom filled the air, Emmetted screamed in rage and lunged towards Jasper but was halted by Jane's gift. As he writhed in agony on the floor, the little cutie's smile widened. Her voice saccharine sweet as she continued to pump pain into the biggest of the veggie vamps. "I've wanted to do that to those sorry excuse for vampires for a long-long time."

"Who put Rosalie Cullen on the pyre?" Caius asked with a half-hearted growl. You could tell the sneaky bastard didn't really care who the culprit was. Felix, Demetri, Chelsea, Alec, and Jane looked down at the ground and shuffled their feet. "No-one?" Caius' voice cracked as he desperately attempted to keep a straight face. "Well don't let it happen again, we sentence then burn, remember?" That was the final straw for his control. He laughed hard before stopping abruptly and casting his eyes over the rest of the Cullens.

He glanced across at Alec. "Keep them quiet while we decide what we're going to do with them."

By the time Caius finished speaking a black mist encroached towards the Cullens, cutting off all their senses.

"Well, well, well… How are we going to deal with you all?" Caius asked, rubbing his hands together with glee.

Bella POV (48 hours later)

The battle's done and we kind of won, so we sound our victory cheer. I couldn't get the words out of my head. Truth be told, I couldn't even remember where I'd heard them. It was probably from some old TV show, like Buffy, that Pete was addicted to at some point, but I was too tired to bother asking him about it. I was savoring the peace and quiet.

Jasper had promised to meet me here when he got back from picking up my medication. Peter had aided me in having a couple of hours alone by giving him a list of things he needed from town, including a new set of tires on the Prius. It had taken a couple of days since the battle for things to calm down enough for them to let me out of their sight to chill by myself.

I loved my vampire family, but between them and my Italian second family, they were driving me insane with their smothering. Anyone would think I was dying or something, I chuckled to myself, knowing that once the next few days were over they would never have to worry about me again. Today was Thursday and Caius and Dora were sending the jet for us on Saturday so that we could go to Italy for me to be changed. Jasper had acceded to my wishes so I was going to have his, Caius, and Peter's venom running through my veins. Jasper as the man I loved. Peter as the big brother I wish I'd always had, and Caius as my beloved uncle—my favorite three vampires in the world, aside from Charlotte and Dora. Neither of my female friends were confident that they could overcome any bloodlust to make my change safe.

Caius had poo-pooed the notion that there was a sexual component to the act of siring a vampire. Being mates had nothing to do with who's venom was the one that changed a person, so being changed by Jasper wouldn't deepen our connection.

As usual, Felix was coming to keep an eye on the ranch while we were in Italy. Surprisingly, he had lots of experience with horses and was the only one Peter trusted. He'd make the journey over in the jet that was coming for us and return when Peter and Charlotte came back in six weeks or so. Hopefully, I would adjust to being a vampire quickly and be able to come home without too much of a delay. I wasn't sure I wanted to be anywhere else because, while I loved Volterra, Texas was home.

Charlie and Paul were going to go back to Forks to carry on with their normal lives until I was controlled enough to see them. I was ambivalent about seeing my dad and wanted to keep it to just phone contact for now. I'd spoken to him before I came to the watering hole and he was happy with whatever I wanted to do—I think he'd come to the realisation that Peter and Char were more my family than he was now.

Jasper... Oh boy! Where did I start with him? I still loved him, that was clear, and I knew that he loved me. We'd talked the night before and decided to put off any thoughts of a relationship until after my change. But that hadn't stopped him offering me a promise ring and me accepting it. The sun caught the ruby heart ring Jasper had placed on my finger the night before. I was looking forward to us courting once I had been changed and the loving relationship we would be able to build that had been denied to us so many years ago.

I still had trouble believing that it was all over, that I didn't have to hide any more, and especially that the Cullens were imprisoned in Volterra awaiting punishment.

Reaching down, I pulled my dusty boots off. My socks were next, and rolling them up, I placed them neatly on top of my boots. With the heat I was happy I'd worn shorts today and I wiggled my toes happily as the grass tickled them. I settled back, getting myself comfortable against the tree I considered my personal property. Confederate was grazing nearby, his tail swishing to keep the flies away from him. Pulling a book and a bottle of water out of my backpack, I settled down with my favorite story, Dracula.

Reading quietly for about half an hour, I felt myself drifting off, a smile on my lips, the sun on my face. My eyes closed and the book dropped from my hand.