disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries or Twilight.

Forks, Washington

:::

A Month Ago

:::

The drive to the art exhibit had been rather quiet. Edward drove at a safe speed, glancing at the nervous blonde in his passenger seat. His thoughts were like static, though every now and then, something would pass through the air between them. Mike had stared humming along to the radio, trying to pick up on the soulful vocals of some singer he didn't know. On occasion, he'd singalong to the chorus. The vampire couldn't help but find it endearing. He looked nice for the occasion. He had slicked his hair back, worn a simple grey Henley shirt and black jeans, accompanied by his nicest pair of converse shoes. Edward felt a bit overdressed in his emerald dress-shirt and black pants. Alice had even given him a new pair of dress shoes to go with it.

"You'll have him swooning in now time," she teased, skipping out of the room. To his chagrin, Mike had been tongue-tied when he opened the door. Edward had arrived fifteen minutes early, and only paused to ring the doorbell when he heard Mike muttering something about a 'damn ghost girl'. When he had rang the doorbell, he waited three minutes before Mike opened the door in just his pants and socks, his shirt clutched in his hand.

Heat surged through the vampire, but he chalked it up to hungry. He had fed before coming to pick up Mike. Letting him in, Mike had excused himself and headed upstairs to finish getting ready. Edward's eyes never left him until he had disappeared up the flight of stairs.

"So, what kind of art exhibit is it?" Mike asked, bringing the vampire out of his thoughts.

"I..." he paused. Alice hadn't even given him any tickets. Just an address and told him to look presentable. She was the one who said he was an art exhibit. "Alice never told me."

"Your sister? Alice is the one who set this up?"

"Apparently." Edward grumbled.

Mike sighed, muttering something against the window. They kept silent as Edward drove towards the location.

:::

Present

:::

The Cullens all piled into their living room, closely followed by their guests. Mike was placed on couch rather gently by Emmett. The bulky vampire ruffled his hair before heading into the kitchen to fetch the blonde some water. Alice and Rosalie nestled on either side of him, while Esme and Carlisle stood close by. Edward and Bella occupied the loveseat not too far from the couch. Sam and Jacob stood furthest to the door while Tessa was outside on a phone call.

Bella jumped at the chance to speak first. "You said this happened while you in Italy?"

Mike nodded. His voice was still a raw, so he wasn't going to speak too much until it healed. The day Bella had left for Italy, Tessa had shown up at the shop. She hasn't been looking for anything, but he had made small talk with her. They had conversed and she had blatantly told him that she was looking for someone who could help.

He didn't know that for the next month, he would be showing her just how much he would be a good candidate for her immortality spell.

"How did that happen?" Bella asked. "Was it a spell? Did she basically do what she did in the clearing? Was it painful?"

"Love, maybe we should let him get something to drink first." Edward cut in. His eyes were still homed in on scar that was healing. It had sealed up but left a scar.

Emmett reemerged with a hot up on tea and a cup of water as well. He set the water down and handed Mike the cup of tea. The blonde nodded and accepted it. It warmed his hands and he took a cautious sip.

Tessa stepped into the house, hanging up her phone. She addressed Carlisle and Esme respectively. "I have some associates coming within the hour. I'd rather you be informed that they're vampires. A different breed of your own, but vampires none the less. Plus, they're bringing my descendant with them. Well, her corpse anyway."

"Her corpse?" Jake spoke, astonished at how brazen the women sounded. "The hell kind of cult shit is this?"

"Occult, you whelp." Tessa snapped, before continuing to speak to the Cullen leaders. "She died recently, this past summer actually, doing the most idiotic thing possible."

"Which was?" Rosalie prompted.

"Being a selfless martyr." Tessa sighed. "My family has a history with that breed of vampire. I invented the spell that would create them. Granted, I wasn't expecting it to ever be used again."

"You created vampires?" Jasper was intrigued. Even if it was a different kind, he was curious about that backstory. Sam and Jake growled, interrupting the major for asking another question.

"So, you're a threat." Sam held Jake back as the younger boy tried to advance. "You're just as bad as the leech trying to get Bella."

Tessa snorted. "Ah yes, the vengeful vampire after, well that." She dismissed Bella as if she was nothing but a fly. The human girl frowned, insulted by the accusation. "Nothing really special about you, is there? You're rather clumsy, can't do a damn thing without attracting danger and you care so little for your family if you're willing to throw it all away for a boy."

Mike snorted. "Nice going, kettle."

"I was betrayed by my fiancé." Tessa backfired.

"You literally murdered his lover and to make things even more petty, you created a supernatural afterlife and turned said lover into the gateway." Mike said without blinking.

"I didn't throw everything away for a boy," Tessa said before offering a teasing glance at him. "Although, we can't all be so confident in our feelings, Mikhail."

Mike sputtered as he almost choked on his tea. "Excuse me?"

"I can admit I loved Silas. Perhaps for his power, but I loved him." Tessa said. "What about you? What possible reason can you have for defending the Cullens or even Bella?"

Emmett whistled. "Damn."

Edward blinked, rather confused. "I don't see what any of that has to do with what went down in the meadow."

Tessa rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. "Well, you're right, it doesn't. After all, we're talking about how a woman was scorned and lost what she viewed as her entire world."

Mike snapped at the witch before she continued. "Qetsiyah, focus!"

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Mikhail and I will assist you in dealing with Victoria," she addressed the entire room. "And before you all collectively shout; we will be answering your questions on his immortality."

Edward was about to protest when Mike addressed him. "I'll be fine, Cullen."

"You literally bled out on the ground."

"And I am still here, aren't I?" the blonde snapped back at him. "Your concern shouldn't be with me. Your fiancée's the one whose life is at stake."

The Cullen siblings watched with interest. Alice was particularly interested in how Edward's shoulders seemed to slump. Bella glanced between the two, wondering just what was going on between them. The mind reader said nothing else, dismissing their argument. Mike, in turn, went back to drinking his tea, though Jasper could feel the anger between them bubbling.

"Shall we continue?" Tessa asked. Carlisle nodded and started asking question.

An hour later, Mike was still nestled between two vampires; only Alice had taken Jasper out. So, he had Emmett and Rosalie between them when the doorbell rang. Tessa walked towards the door with Esme behind her. When they returned, they were accompanied by a man in a suit, a blonde girl and two young men, one holding a sleeping young woman.

"The guest room is upstairs," Esme said to them. "I'll show you to it."

The boy holding the girl turned his eyes on Esme with a smile. His blue eyes were watery as he spoke, "Thank you."

"Do you want me to come with you?" the blonde girl asked, her accent soft. He shook his head.

"Thank Bekah, but I don't think she'll want that. I'll just stay here with her until the spell is complete." he said before Esme took him upstairs.

Mike watched them go and turned to the invisible occupant in the room. The sad green eyes stayed on the boy as they disappeared. Tessa was talking, introducing their new guests. The three who stayed downstairs were the Mikaelsons; Elijah, Rebekah and Kol. The two who had gone upstairs were Matt Donovan and the 'sleeping' girl was the corpse of her descendant, Bonnie.

The conversations started up again, but Mike was tuning them out. He could feel eyes on him and knew they were Edward's. Bella was engrossed in the conversation; she couldn't see the pained look on the vampire's face. He was probably where Mike was right now.

:::

A Month Ago

:::

A date.

Mike Newton had unknowingly accepted a date from Edward Cullen. Edward had unknowingly listening to Alice and how he was on a date with the flustered blonde before him. His sister had decided to be a little demon and arranged for a private, candlelit dinner at one of Mike's favorite small place eateries. It was small Japanese restaurant that Mike frequented when in Port Angeles. Alice had even gotten a small band to play music for them. The food had been ordered ahead of time, so all they had was time to themselves.

Edward was currently wishing he looked old enough for sake. It wouldn't do anything for him, but it would be something to numb the embarrassment and irritating that his sister had put him through.

He was already in a relationship with Bella-he was engaged to her for goodness sake. So why was he on what was clearly a date with someone else? Someone else who happened to be of the same gender.

It would only hurt Mike's feelings, and he wasn't about to hurt him.

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

"You didn't know." Mike assured him, though his ears were red, and his heart was pounding. "Right?"

Edward shook his head. "I didn't," he reached over and placed his head over Mike's. "I promise."

Another silence formed between them. The waitress who had taken care of their drinks walked over and was about to say something when she noticed how their appeared to be holding hands. She turned right back around and excused herself. Mike was pretty sure he was going to die of embarrassment.

Did he like Edward? He could admit he had a small crush on him. He didn't know where it came from. Maybe it was because he was just so damn beautiful. Or he was just still accepting that he wasn't straight. He still liked girls, still found them very attractive.

But Edward?

The guy was like a fucking star compared to all them. He just shined whenever Mike saw him. He was pale of course, like the vampires in Underworld pale, but it only added to his allure. Right now, he was trying to find something to say.

Mike gave a soft smile. "You know, it doesn't have to be date."

Edward looked at him. "How so?"

"We could just talk?" Mike offered. Edward thought it over. Talk about what? The blonde seemed to sense his inner struggle and answered for him. "We can talk about anything, okay?"

Edward stared, somehow finding himself lost in those blue eyes. He offered a small smile. "I'd like that."

It had started slow, but they did end up talking about almost everything. Edward kept his vampirism a secret and Mike said nothing about his immortality and feelings.

By the time they made their way back to Mike's house, the blonde was practically stuffed with food and a few pastries. He snickered at a pun that Edward had made. "Dude, that was terrible!"

Edward laughed, "Yes, it was pretty terrible. But in my defense, Emmett told it to me."

Mike shook his head. "Tell your brother he suck-ah!" he cut off, tripping over something. He braced himself for the ground when he felt an arm keep him up right. He peered up into amber colored eyes, shivering at the color. "T-thanks."

"You're welcome." Edward smiled. His eyes drifted down towards Mike's lips. They were parted and he watched as Mike's tongue slipped out to wet them. He never noticed how his eyes bled over black, or that they were just a breath away from a kiss when his cellphone sounded.

Mike seemed to jump away from him, flushed. "Um, sorry. I should head inside."

"Mike-"

"Dude, answer your phone." He said, getting annoyed by the constant ringing. Edward sighed and answered, addressing Bella. He reached for his keys, ready to unlock the door.

"...no, it's fine. You weren't interrupting anything." Edward assured her, missing how Mike gripped the doorknob. "No, I promise, it wasn't anything important. Just something stupid, really."

The blonde turned; his blue eyes now full on green. Edward frowned as the call suddenly dropped. "Bella?"

"Am I stupid?"

He turned to look at Mike. The air around them felt thick and he shivered at the blonde asked him again. "Well, Cullen, am I stupid? Because obviously, I'm not important."

He winched. "Mike that didn't mean anything."

"Bullshit." The blonde hissed. "It didn't mean anything when you spent that last two hours talking to me, but sure, it all goes out the window when your fiancée is concerned, right?"

Edward frowned. "Bella has..."

"Everything to do with this. Everything to do with you." Mike snapped and shoved him back. "Just...just get off my porch, Edward. Go back to your girlfriend and your life."

Edward sighed. "I'm sorry," he tried.

"Sure, you are." Mike said, opening his door. "See you around school."

Edward watched as he shut the door.

:::

Present

:::

Edward pulled up to Bella's house, his mind still on that night. If he was being honest with himself, he had never stopped thinking about it. Mike had become someone dear to him that night and he had blew it by proclaiming that it meant nothing. His friendship with the blonde meant so much more. It was why he couldn't imagine him fighting against an army of newborn vampires.

To see him bloodied and bitten would crush Edward's heart.

"Edward," Bella called. He turned to look at her and smiled warmly.

"Yes love?"

She bit her lip, concentrated on what she was going to say, and then asked. "Would you be angry if I asked Tessa to make me immortal? I wouldn't have to be a vampire to be with you, and I could never die."

"No." He answered. "No Bella I wouldn't wish that on you. I hardly would have expected Mikhail to end up like this. Immortality isn't for everyone."

Bella blinked. "Mikhail?"

Edward answered without hesitation. "It's Mike's full name. He isn't a fan of it, so he prefers Mike."

"If he hates it, why do you call him that?" she asked, searching his face. Edward seemed far off, like he was remembering a different time. She had wondered just when Mike went from being jealous of Edward to being flustered around him. Jessica had told her about how he would draw pictures of the Cullens, but mostly Edward. And Edward had reacted so strongly to Mike's death, she had seen how he threw himself after Mike's body when Tessa called it towards her.

"It just fits him better," Edward answered. He turned to her, leaning in to kiss her softly on the lips. "You'd better go inside. Charlie is watching us and he's about a minute away from going for his shotgun."

Bella nodded and reached for the door. "Good night Edward."

"Good night, love." He answered and watched as she exited the car, made her way up to the door and turned wave goodbye to him. He peeled out the driveway and headed towards home.

His mind was a mess. He was still thinking of Mike and everything that had happened. He wasn't sure what was going on with him. Maybe Jasper could help?

"You know, pining seems to really fit you two," Came a voice from his backseat. Edward slammed on the break hard, stopping dead in the road before turning towards the source. Bonnie was sitting in his backseat, though she looked almost transparent. She wasn't wearing the clothes Rosalie had changed her into so that meant he was talking to her spirit. Tessa had mentioned that her soul still walked on the mortal plane.

"Hello Bonnie," he addressed. She smiled softly to him. So, he could see her too. Almost all the Cullens could at this point. She couldn't speak for Jasper or Alice. The pixie had taken them a town over before Bonnie's body had been brought over. "Why are you in my car?"

"Dude, I've been in here since you left. Matt's been watching over my body and while I'm grateful, I can't exactly tell him he can take a break. Also needed to get away from Mike since he's just as moody as you. But you're easy to talk to, almost like Stefan."

He had no idea who that was, but he let her continue. She shifted to sit in the front seat and once there, he started up the car again and drove. They talked about small things and Edward knew once he pulled up to the Cullens house, he wasn't the only one.

Bonnie had basically become family and getting her back was going to be as big as priority as protecting Bella and keeping Mike as safe as possible. He opened the door and was greeted by Alice and Jasper, who were walking back. The moment Jasper looked up to greet his brother, he noticed the small girl and he froze.

"Jazz?" Alice asked, looking at him in confusion. Before she could say more, she was hit by a vision and Edward winced as it played out before him.

Bonnie was stunning. She stood among the torn and bloody limps of newborns, some of the venom had burned away bits of her fabric. She was still stunning in her pattered jeans and what Edward recognized as one of Jasper's old shirts. Alice zoomed past her, tearing into a newborn who had tried to go for Rosalie. Bonnie threw spell after spell at each vampire that came her way that wasn't a friend. As she and Alice made their way close towards the action, Alice rushed off to help the wolves while Bonnie found herself back to back with Jasper.

Black veins crawled along her skin as she unleashed Expression, sending several newborns to their knees. Jasper was quick to take each out and as he rounded, he noticed one spring themselves at Bonnie, aiming right for her neck. It was just a hair away from it when he grabbed hold of it by the neck. Frightened crimson met enraged black and with a roar, the major torn him right down the middle.

Bonnie's small hands covered his bigger ones and he turned towards her. "I'm okay," she assured him. He nodded and pulled her into his chest, breathing in her scent and the venom that stained her clothes. She was safe, she was alive.

His mate was safe.

Gold eyes stared into the curious emerald ones, seeing how her face scrunched up in confusion. Bonnie looked between the three vampires and was about to say something when she vanished. Jasper snapped back into action with a roar neither Alice nor Edward had ever heard before. Before he could pounce on either of them, Emmett had come rushing out of the house and tackled him to the ground.

Edward was hit with the same thought process repeatedly: Mate gone. Must find. Must protect. It got to a point where he was screaming it at Emmett. The bulkier vampire held him down tight. "Jazz, calm down. Alice is right here, she's fine!"

Alice hitched her breath as he snarled at her. "Not her!"

"Emmett, let's get him away from here." Edward advised and turned to his shell-shocked sister. "Alice,"

"Calm him down, please. He needs…he needs to know she's alright." Her voice was small, but she held her head high. "I'll be fine, Edward. Jazz and I will talk about it once he's calmed down."

He nodded and went to help Emmett take the vampire away. Alice stood there as Carlisle and Esme came out. Rosalie stayed in the house, up in the guest room with a now alert Matt. Saying nothing to her family, the pixie headed inside to go up to her room.

She wanted to be levelheaded and ready for this talk. She had waited almost a century to have it with her husband and he deserved to be happy. Even if it wasn't with her. Sitting on her bed with her laptop, she started picking put clothes she was sure Bonnie would like.

She was halfway through her payment when she looked up with a teary smile. "Hello Bonnie."