A/N: A couple of minor changes, because I want to and I can lol xx Alexis


"How the hell did you do that? Did you know it would work on him?" I ask Klaus,

"Nope, but they are wolves and I just guessed he would respond to a much more dominant wolf. So I Alpha ordered him and added some compulsion to enforce it!" my brother told us shrugging,

"Damn, that was a good call. Now, what happens?" Damon enquires still holding on to Leah,

"They won't let me leave, the council won't let any of us leave!" Leah whimpers at the thought of being apart from Damon,

"Sam, fire up a bonfire, please. We have a lot of wrongs to right and the parents need to think we're just chilling out being friends" Isabella says now and everyone rushes to build a fire,

Isabella shielded just us and Leah, explaining they would find out what everyone wanted within reason and get Sam to call a council meeting where we could hear and be able to compel the elders to come to the results they wanted. She wasn't advocating they leave their lands unprotected, but that they could all get a chance to be both protectors and also get an education, jobs and other ways to benefit the tribe or even just leave if they wanted to. The elders had no real right to make them suffer because of vampires of any kind. I nodded and told her I could make it so that this part of Washington was a no-go zone for Cold Ones because our kind never really ventures to these kinds of remote places.

Anyway, they would be few and far between just passing through on their way to and from Canada or Alaska. We joined the pack by the fire but sent Jacob away to rest and he was forbidden to tell his father anything until it was all sorted. Isabella worried they would lose their birthright to be able to phase with no Cold Ones allowed here and Klaus laughed saying they had the answer all the time.

"I can smell the ashes of several Cold Ones, here and nearby!" he admits,

Paul smirks and pulls a small pouch from out of his pocket. We all sniff deeply and Isabella gasps,

"Laurent! Is that part of his ashes?" she asks in awe and Paul winks at her and nods,

"Thank you all for that, by the way. Without you, I would never have found my mate and I can't begin to tell you how thankful to you I am. You did what the Carlisle and Edward refused to do!" I say with heartfelt meaning,

"We have the rest of them in an urn" Sam speaks up now,

"That's good; they're your way to force the phase when needed. Anyone with the right lineage, locked in a sealed space with the open urn will phase after a couple of days. Like a rite of passage for your future generations. Otherwise kept them sealed up to prevent it happening" Klaus explains and they all look stunned,

"Why did we never think of that? No wonder they all kept phasing, we blamed the Cullens, even after they left, but it was our own doing!" Seth says shaking his head sadly,

"We have to stop the elders wearing them, they come into contact with too many members of the tribe" Embry spoke quietly, but he seemed one of the more thoughtful ones,

Ava pulled out a notebook and wrote that down and we got down to the business of change, not for the sake of it but for necessity. By the time she'd filled a couple of pages, we were done. I pulled out my cell and called Volterra.

"Aro, Elijah Mikaelson here. My thanks for ridding me of Edward Cullen! I really didn't want to come to Italy myself. Now I have a request, Niklaus has taken an interest in a tribe of shapeshifters and wishes you to make the Pacific Northwest of America a Cold One free zone as of now!" I say with my cell on speaker,

"What?" Caius yells,

"Elijah, that would take time, it's not that easy to change our rules" Aro whines but shuts up as he hears a low menacing growl,

"Oh dear, my brother doesn't like the sound of that at all I'm afraid! I think you might have offended him, not a good move on your part" I say trying not to smirk,

"Consider it done Niklaus! I will personally spread the word, that it's a death sentence for any of our species to enter that area" Marcus told him, while also telling Aro to shut up,

"Yes, that will suit me just fine, thank you, Marcus. It's nice to know at least one of the brother's Volturi is reasonable" Klaus answered and we could hear Caius growling in the background,

The pack was all sitting with their mouths hanging open in awe.

IOOH

I think Elijah and Klaus were showing off just slightly, hell okay they were showing off a lot! But we had made so much progress, with no name-calling, no snide remarks and belittling needed. I couldn't help but compare them to Edward and his condescending, entitled behaviour. Jasper just sat back and let the Mikaelson's sort everything out; I think he was enjoying the good emotions. In fact, Damon and Jasper were so alike; they could take charge but didn't see the need and left it to Elijah and Klaus. I was actually enjoying their brotherly bond too. This was a side I'd never seen before and though it was easy for them, I don't think it happened often enough.

The pack had a plan, they knew what they wanted, not so much to leave as to be free to go and return. The elders had to be made to back off and mind their own business. They should have nothing to do with the pack's day-to-day running. All the micromanaging was what drove Sam insane. Leah was ready to leave and we would make sure it happened. Now that Jake was no longer a wolf he would not be permitted to be involved in the packs business either. We were still around the bonfire when Dad appeared saying he had to go to the station for a couple of hours, the Christmas party for the Forks PD was today and then he'd see us at home. He had taken the time off this year for the first time ever since Renee left him.

We also did the pack the favour of explaining the supernatural world to them. Who we were, what we were and how low on the Totem pole the Cullens really were. That the Mikaelson's were in fact the top of the pile and not the Volturi as they tried to tell their own species. They learned about witches and how magic like they carried, was out there in other forms. But they seemed way more impressed by the fact Klaus was half werewolf-half vampire. He was in their eyes the ultimate predator, but they didn't hate him for that or us for being vampires. Once they understood we didn't need to kill to survive, although many did, it was usually evil humans who lost their lives to traditionals.

We told them almost everything, but not about Ava and me. That was a can of worms best left closed we felt. So now they knew Leah would be moving to a town with vampires, werewolves, witches and vampire hunters. They were kind of impressed, that she would be representing shapeshifters there now too. Damon did one thing only and that was to compel them all to forget they had ever seen Leah naked. He felt it was wrong that a pack of teenage boys should have those kinds of memories of her. He really is a big softie, deep down and she seemed really pleased about him doing that for her. A council meeting was called by Sam and the elders seemed disgruntled about that.

But by the end of it, they had been firmly put back in their place. They dealt with the tribe and the pack dealt with the supernatural. They also asked us to remove any memory of ever having been a wolf from Jacob Black. He could no longer be pack or Alpha so he didn't need to know anything about them. Not until he himself if ever, became Chief. All documents about the pack were handed over to Embry, who would now be the liaison between tribe and pack and a small fact came to light. The oldest child of the Chief was the next in line no matter the sex. Therefore Rachel and not Jacob would be the Chief as she was the older of the twins by mere minutes.

I was happy to see the wrongs being righted at last; she would root out the misogyny and ignorance when her time to lead came. From what I remembered of her she pulled no punches! Klaus also suggested to Sam he use an Alpha order on them to keep their private lives just that, private. The youngest ones didn't need to see Paul's overindulgence or the imprints in that way. Sam and Jared heaved a sigh of relief at that and he did it without hesitation. It was not given as a form of control, but as a protection for the women. Those who were imprints now and those to come. I was proud of my family, in a couple of days; they'd helped the Quileutes more than the Cullens had. They never tried in all the decades they knew about them.

IOOH

I was quite happy to sit back and let the Mikaelson's run this show. Niklaus was an eye-opener; his wolf side was much more understandin' and willin' to compromise than his vampire side. He handled the pack with diplomacy and true regard for what they wanted. He really put Carlisle's paltry actions into the shade, showin' his compassion to be more condescendin' than helpful. Whereas Niklaus had listened to them, given them some ideas and suggestions, without forcin' them to do his biddin'. The thing about protectin' the imprints was what sealed their respect for him and they were now allies of the Originals. Elijah orderin' the Volturi to stay off their land was a masterstroke too; yes they truly were the top of the heap!

Politics wasn't my forte; I'm a fighter and am happy to let other's lead. I can when needed, but would rather not, given the option. I could see in the future my battles will be different, once Ava gets a handle on her magic that is. Everythin' has changed so much; my life has become so different now. I would never have believed how everythin' could change after we met Bella. She was the catalyst for so much, but it wasn't her fault. Her arrival just should us the glarin' faults we had pretended weren't there. We had all just settled for what we had, but not what we really needed! Hindsight and all that crap I suppose, we really don't cope with change as well as humans or traditionals obviously.

Once we return to Mystic Falls, cause I ain't missin' Leah's introduction into that world! I can imagine she'll put a couple of noses out of joint. She'll also put a couple of women in their place too. I saw and felt how Damon's brother's girl watched him, she wanted her cake and to eat it too. This could get quite interestin' and I want front row seats to that. Well, then I think it'll be time for us to make a move and maybe take Rose and Emmett with us. Mystic Falls is a very high octane type of place and that would eventually drive me insane. Plus Ava needs peace and quiet to learn her craft. Yeah, I think I'll ask her and them later, see what they think about it and we'll find a place that's best for all of us.

IOOH

I have never in my life felt the need to thank a vampire, but that day has arrived. In just a few hours they have made our lives so much better, unlike the Cullens they don't see us as lesser, just different. Leah will be happy and well cared for and get the career she always wanted. The imprints will now have privacy, thank the spirits. Also, it turns out Jake will be neither Alpha nor Chief and I'm really happy about that, Billy's snide comments about me only being a stand-in for his son were galling. We are as we always should have been in charge of ourselves, the elders had no concept of what we needed or wanted. Paul is ready to apply for trade school.

Embry wants to take business classes and Quil wants to be the shaman once his grandfather passes. Seth will take over from me in a few years, but until then he too wants to finish high school and go to college. We need to learn trades to help out tribe a way of us to be productive in peacetime. I'm sure not all Cold Ones will heed the warning, but we are more than capable of taking them out. I think we will expand our area to cover Forks too and all our old tribal lands, not just hiding here in La Push. We have been led by weak men who fear the unknown and had no right to push their values and insecurities on us. I want us to be strong and proud before Seth takes over. He has the right attitude for the job, even I see that now.

I won't stop phasing for a while, but I'm ready to start a family with Emily and be an advisor to Seth as long as he needs me.

IOOH

I was so happy the girls came home for a visit. They both look so happy with their significant others and I have no idea how Jacob got the idea Elijah was old! The boy's only in his mid-twenties, a perfect age for Bells, she's an old soul and would never be happy with an immature boy. I see that so much clearer now, neither Edwin nor Jake are right for her. I'm sitting here at work, everyone seems to be having fun and for the first time in forever I'm realising how lonely my life is. Oh here's Deputy Andy with, well I don't know? I've never met this woman before.

"Chief, this is my Aunt Valarie; she's moved here to help my mum out with dad now he's bedridden. So I asked her to join us" Andy says and wow, she's real pretty,

"Please call me Val and do I have to call you Chief or do you have another name?" she asks and I smile as I shake her hand,

"It's Charlie, Charlie Swan. Would you care for some punch Val or a piece of pie?" I say guiding her over to the spread from the lodge,

"Oh, I'm a sucker for pie, Charlie" she whispers and I feel better than I have in years, how strange,

Before an hour has passed we know all about each other and I can't believe how comfortable I am in her company. I even screwed up the courage to ask her out for coffee after the tree lighting tonight. I blush all shades of red when she kisses my cheek as she was leaving and points to the mistletoe above the door. Andy slaps me on the back and winks too, which didn't help. I walked home for a change leaving the cruiser at work and spoke to anyone who was out and about. This was nice; I should do it more often. Shooting the breeze with friends and neighbours was a good feeling. I spend way too much time on the Rez and I've lost touch with the wonderful community around me.

The girls are back before me and have sorted out a meal, they were too good to me and I really should appreciate them more. I remind them about the tree lighting, that they'll have time to see it, before returning to their hotel. We're all going to the Lodge for lunch tomorrow, my treat. I also mention my coffee date and they seem really happy for me, I haven't felt this pleased with myself in years.

IOOH

Being here in Forks as a separate entity was strange, but I still had our shared memories, so I knew everyone. Hugging our father by myself for the first time was emotional, but felt good too. Jasper kept me from being overwhelmed and I was so grateful to him. He really was there for me and I couldn't be happier. I wasn't happy when we arrived at the Rez and Jake was standing there all cocky and arrogant. Jokes on him, he couldn't have Bella and even me the twin trapped inside wouldn't take him. Heck, if I won him in a raffle I'd return him! I was sickened by his entitled attitude, but he wasn't getting things his own way at all.

Then Leah imprinted on Damon, who was here on Peter's say so. We all owe him so much, without his help we might still be one entity and trapped in Forks. The pack, minus Jake were really cool guys, some were younger, but the wolf in them seem to mature them. I wonder what happened to Jake, that it didn't work for him? But then that's life isn't it, just like Bella and I originally not splitting into two people. Nobody knows why, just that these things happen. But thankfully when the magic kicked for us it aided me to become my own person. But for Jake, the wolf was too strong or not stable enough for the boy! Now they have all the things they wanted and were denied by the elders.

The strangest thing that happened while we were in Forks wasn't anything to do with the supernatural at all. It was dad meeting a woman after all these years and actually doing something about it. We would be meeting her at the tree lighting ceremony which even Bella hadn't ever been to before. Tomorrow we'd have lunch at the lodge before we left for Mystic Falls, it was all a little surreal for me, I had a life now and I was going to enjoy it as much as possible. Starting with my first tree lighting event, not huge but you have to start somewhere don't you? But I was happy to be doing with my family and Jasper because he was my future, a future I never thought I'd have.

IOOH

I won't lie and say I'm not scared, because I am! But I'm also very excited and looking forward to my new life in Damon's hometown of Mystic Falls. I have dreamt of getting away from La Push for years and now finally it's within my grasp. While the other went to Chief Swan's place, Damon insisted on staying with me and meeting mum. She isn't aware of what he is and I'm not telling her, but she was shocked to find I was leaving. I explain that Damon has a younger brother at home and a life in Virginia that he cannot abandon to stay here. So of course I would be going with him to live in Mystic Falls. She was going to argue with me when I just announce,

"He's my imprint! Would you rather I stay here and die? Are you that selfish mum?"

and well, that was the end of the conversation. Damon was by my side the whole time and won her over without compelling her at all, he's just that smooth with the ladies. I have a feeling I might run into a couple of ladies needing putting in their places a time or two, but I'm more than capable of handling that situation when it arises!