A/n: Thanks guys 'We Can't' passed 30,000 hits xx traceybuie was the 100th reviewer for this story xx Alexis

The Cullens were about to have a meeting of their own and were slightly bemused by Jasper arriving dressed as a cowboy from the old west. Esme smiled and nodded totally understanding, Edward was confused and Alice was too distracted with her own troubles to notice at first.

"What in God's name are you wearing Jasper?" Edward asked with minor distaste in his tone,

"Ah, the black a little much? What about blue or brown?" Jasper said changing the colour of his outfit at will.

"How are you doing that? I didn't see you move, you've never been that fast before!" Edward exclaimed now,

He was unable to understand what he was seeing even though it was right in front of his eyes. Esme was clapping her hands, which got Alice's attention at last, along with Emmett and Rose,

"Dude! Where'd you get the duds? Does this mean what I think it means?" Emmett quizzed slapping Jasper on the back, as he once more rotated through the colours.

"I believe it does Emmett, so in light of almost everyone working out what's going on in Forks, I'm calling a family meeting," Carlisle told them and he was smiling widely at Esme.

"What do you mean Carlisle? What is there to work out about this boring and mediocre town? The only reason I like it here is the silence it affords me. There is nothing to recommend this place; it's just like all the other places we have lived in!" Edward spouted not seeing the incredulous looks on most of his family's faces,

"I agree with Edward, granted there were some amazing shops. This place must be an outlet town though it's a strange place to have one! Still, apart from Hank, there is nothing much of interest to me here" Alice piped up and Jasper snorted,

"Is he the owner of that wet onerous smell that's hanging around here, what did you do, bathe in the depths of the ocean with him?" Jasper snarked and then caught Carlisle's sight nod,

This made him pause for a second before his eyes opened in disbelieve, Alice had gotten herself entangled with what they assumed by the smell, was a merman! Jesus was every supernatural real? Although Rose and Emmett had so far seen nothing they were fully able to comprehend what everyone else was telling them. The town was supernatural and magic was used widely here.

It made sense now why the school was so strange, why the other's gifts had stopped working. But it also helped to explain the missing hour's everyone had been suffering lately; someone was freezing them on and off. It explained how the forest seemed to be so badly affected close to the house and less so, further out. How when out running they had gone right out of the blighted area and then back into it like a glitch had occurred.

This town was not used to handling vampires that's for sure, they were to fast and saw more than was intended for them, processed it all quicker than there human or supernatural counterparts and reacted without showing their true intentions. By the end of the meeting Alice was horrified to think they thought her Hank was not human, how stupid, of course, he was human! She needed to convince him to leave this weird place with her as soon as possible.

Edward believed none of it and would have thought them all drugged but for the fact, drugs didn't work on vampires. It had to be something else, another vampire with the gift of illusion maybe, but with no scent either. He was grasping at straws rather than believe the truth, his world was changing radically and he didn't like it at all. Little did he know that very soon he would be so immersed in this world he would never want to leave or doubt his eyes ever again?

TCHBTE

It was a sorry bunch of witches and wizards that stood in front of the council of elders for the whole supernatural enclave that was Forks. They had failed to keep abreast of the vampires, there were too many they complained! They couldn't be everywhere at once the moaned! They couldn't help it that two were so dense the magic didn't work at all on one and too much on the other! It was a comedy of errors all around and the only person amused by it all was Peter Whitlock.

He, when called to speak told them, the Cullens wanted to stay in Forks, well all but two and he knew that was about to change very soon. He explained when dealing with vampires less is more! They had used too many different types of magic and forgot that each came from a different time, therefore, saw different things, so the town illusion had not worked at all or rather to well and they had also forgotten about free will.

Peter explained that not only had his brother Jasper worked out it was an illusion, but he changed it to suit himself. He had brought Peter and his mate into his illusion and then kept part of it going to show his family when he left. Peter clearly made the point, that if they had been dark Fae, the town would have been destroyed days ago! In fact, he told them, having Jasper there would actually deter others from ever coming here.

"How so Captain Whitlock?" Romain enquired, he had seen just what could happen to communities when dark Fae found them.

"Although he is not a dark vampire, he was changed by one; she lied to us all about the world beyond her control. Turnin' him into a weapon for her use, but he was and is a rare thing in the vampire world, Jasper has a conscience where others are concerned. Most are only interested in themselves or their coven.

It was he who let me and my mate escape, he who killed her newborns quickly and humanely. Takin' their pain and fear into himself every time, that's why I returned for him when I found out that we didn't need to live that way.

But the damage was done and he had become the vampire equivalent of the bogeyman. To this day he is the most feared vampire in our world, even our leaders, the Volturi fear him! So as long as he's here you will not be plagued by vampires out to make a name for themselves. I know the wolves usually take care of them for you all" Peter explained to the enthralled crowd,

"How do we know he won't draw them here to him?" Old Quill asked, his dislike of vampires evident in his tone,

"Fear, plain and simple! He's not like other vampires, we all have two sides he has three! I'm Peter the man and the Captain who is my beast, or my instinctual vampire side. Maria tortured Jasper repeatedly, which fractured his mind. He has a third part who emerged to protect both Jasper and the Major from her and that's who no other vampire wishes to meet! They call him 'The God of War'!" Peter concluded,

Bella was not surprised as she had seen all this from the books, but she was beyond angry and disgusted by what Maria had done to Jasper. Many of the other Fae gasped, they unlike the magics here had heard of this vampire, yes he was exactly what Peter said the bogeyman. The Mer and others travelled to other communities way more often than the magics, so they heard more about the outside world.

The further south you went the more that name was spoken in hushed tones, why? Because no one knew where he was! The most feared creature on the continent had disappeared and that had just enhanced his reputation, not quell it.

"So, is it safe to say, they know what we have been failing to hide? Will they all stay, because we cannot allow any of them to put us at risk?" Philistia, the leader of the nymphs asked,

"Only Alice appears to wish to leave," Peter said quietly with a smirk, knowing what was about to happen,

"She will not be a problem. My son Har, or as you all know him Hank has claimed her and she accepted him" Mel-Ans-Roc-Karc spoke up,

"Was she aware of that Mark? I don't wish to come over as rude, but that child appears to be a little dim!" Selente, the leader of the fairies asked and quite a few sniggers went around the group including Peter.

"I have to agree, I doubt very much that Alice knows what she has gotten herself into. She would only see him as he was in her illusion. A word of caution, she is motivated by two things her visions and money!

Greed and power are all that interest that Vampiress, granted she had very little ambition as power over her family has been enough all these years but do you really want her lordin' it over you all. Once she gets her visions back she will become unbearable, changin' everythin' to suit her and not your pods!" Peter said now and Mark looked horrified,

"He's right you know, she refuses to accept he's anythin' but human. Edward doesn't believe any of you exist and the rest of us want to stay, all for different reasons of course" said the disembodied voice of Jasper Whitlock.

"Hello, my brother! It didn't take you long to work out how to overcome part of the freezin' spell, I hear" Peter said laughing,

"Yeah, I just used the illusion from earlier and said I wanted to be in the centre of town and well so far my voice is all that made it but I can feel it loosenin' around me as we speak!" Jasper replied,

The witches and wizards were appalled that he could use their spells to help himself against them. Vampires truly were dangerous and different! Bella shivered as she almost felt him breathing down her neck.

"How?" was all she said,

"You!" he replied, "I honed in on you, the pull made it easy. You can feel it too, can't you darlin'?"

"Explain!" Charlie said loudly, annoyed that this was getting away from them all so easily,

"Your daughter, it would seem is my mate. I can feel her emotions even though she is shieldin' us all. I can sense her no matter where she is by the matin' pull. Even if she doesn't want me, I will never be able to leave her, without causin' myself pain or ever death!" Jasper said sadly and suddenly he was there beside her.

"Thank you darlin'," he told her,

Bella had reacted to the thought of him dying by moving her shield from outside his body to inside, around his mind. Thus protecting him from all magic, all mental threats of any kind. Then she transported him to her side, where she could protect him magically if not physically. She had reacted as a mate would and Jasper was thrilled, it felt to him that she was accepting their bond.

"I assume we now need to speak to the rest of the Cullens and see where we go from here!" Romain said, feeling all of his many years.

Charlie was much less interested in the Cullens than he was Major Jasper Whitlock. He was well aware of what it could mean for Bella. Somehow he didn't think Jasper would settle for his mate staying semi-immortal and ageing albeit slowly. Her being a witch was the biggest problem; he knew not all turned dark. Was that to do with their magic or the witch themselves? Were they all prepared to find out, but they had time, Bella only looked seventeen, at twenty-one she would be more his equal and that gave them forty years to find an answer!

Jasper could now feel Charlie's emotions and had a good idea where his mind was going, so he said,

"Sir, I know it's a dangerous dilemma, but we have time. There has to be something, somewhere that would help us? I'm happy to follow your lead for now, but if anything life-threatening happens then I will change her no matter the consequences!" he told Charlie and the Chief sighed,

"Thank you, that's a load off my mind. We start tomorrow, searching every clue. Bella, you asked the archives, ask it several times, change the wording so we miss nothing! I will locate others who were turned but didn't go dark. Jasper, you might have to speak to a couple who did, can you do that?" Charlie said getting the bit between his teeth.

Both the mates nodding looking at each other. If this was to work long term they needed to talk, and talk alone. They knew Charlie only had their best interests at heart, but they weren't a science project, but a newly mated young couple and they had yet to declare themselves.

"We will dad, but first we need a couple of days! I barely know Jasper or him me" Bella said now, her eyes never leaving Jasper.

Peter stepped forward and led Charlie away saying,

"Any dark witches needing talking too will be my job!"

"Why?" asked a confused Charlie,

"You may be her father Chief, but he's mine!" was all Peter said,

Bella felt a small rush of love and pride wash over her as it reached Peter and she squeezed Jasper's hand. They truly were close.

As the Cullens were once more released to go about their business, they knew what had happened and set off for the town. Rose and Emmett were looking at it all with new eyes. The people before them were like none they had seen before. It wasn't long before the fun-loving Emmett was testing out his speed and strength against the wolves. The young Mer males wanted to test his speed under the water and see how far he could dive. They were amazed to see him stand on the bottom of the pond without help and laughed at him just walking around as if on land.

Rose was enthralled by all the children, who were equally enthralled by her beauty. She played happily with them under their mother's watchful eyes or in the Mer children's case their fathers. Esme was chatting about architecture with some witches and Edward stood by Carlisle his eyes glued to Selente, twice he could have sworn he saw wings fluttering behind her, but that couldn't be right.

She was smiling to herself as they all talked seriously about the future now that the Cullens wanted to stay. Carlisle explained how they had always coped with supposedly ageing in the past, how they forged their own documents that always fooled the humans. That he really was a doctor and would be happy to help in any way he could that was non-magical, of course. Alice was to say the least displeased, the Merman she thought was human earlier was wearing, to her eyes rags.

TCHBTE

"Where is your lovely suit, Hank? You're hardly dressed for company! I expect a better standard than this from you" she raved and everyone around her just stared or rolled their eyes,

"What are you trying to say Mar-Alic? What's wrong with our dress sense, my family and friends wear this type of covering all the time!" demanded Har-Niv,

Hank didn't care about the fashion of land-people or fashion in general and is insistent Alice would be wearing mermaid fashion in future! She doesn't seem to grasp that the Mer are not money orientated like she was. When she asks where they were to live, where her house would be and how big was it and when he'll be giving her a credit card or a monthly monetary allowance to use keeping it up to the standards she expected.

"What is a credit card? Why would we need money?" he asked in a confused voice.

"To buy things, luxuries silly!" said Alice,

"We don't want the humans rubbish Mar-Alic; the sea is full of it already! We trade with the magics occasionally, with the bounty we gather from the sea. But only for what we need, which isn't much" said Sar-Rix (Sar-Ans-Rix-Olni) Har-Niv's mother, trying to explain things to her new daughter-in-law to be.

"You're a vampire, you don't need clothes. Do you feel the cold? No, then why would you need a warm house or a coat made from a land animal's skin, make sense Mar-Cln-Alic!" sneered Rav-Ans-Liv (Rav-Ans-Liv-Olni)

"Who are you exactly? What gives you the right to tell me what to do?" Alice asks the woman angrily; stunned when she said she was Hanks partner,

"You would insult me by having your jealous bitch of a mistress, teach me your customs!" Alice said nastily, getting ready to leave,

She, it turns out was Hanks first wife, if Alice could have given him young, she, Rar-Liv would have been demoted to the second wife. But will be holding her position due to her ability to help produce young.

"Stay where you are 'Olni' (female). Be grateful Rav-Liv has stepped aside temporarily to give you your place as my future second wife! She unlike you will bear my name because she will provide me with young to carry, which you cannot!" informed Har-Liv, not understanding her problem.

Alice is now the one horrified, she has expected to live in the water of the coast of Forks, with no money, no shopping trips, also she will have to share Hank and be the second wife, but not in name, so technically she would be the mistress or concubine. Furthermore, if he marries again and they can supply him with young then Alice will be the one demoted each time.

Well, she thought that will never do! I will have to inform them all that I have seen the need for changes to be made. Firstly I will not be living in the water, secondly, I will be his only wife and thirdly they will have to listen to me in all things, just as the Cullens once did!

"I must speak to my father, excuse me," she said rushing over to Carlisle as both Peter and Jasper watched smirking.

"Carlisle you must demand my power is restored! I will not be degraded with the position of the second wife, I will be their Queen or nothing!" she demanded, uncaring who heard her,

"Alice, show some respect please," Carlisle said trying to shush her,

Romain signalled Eric and he froze Alice mid tirade! Everyone was looking at her like she was a crazy person and Carlisle heaved a sigh.

"Can you do anything; Alice will never fit in here. Hank pleased be honest do you really want her that much? She will insult your family, your way of life and given an inch will exploit you all. You need to be strong and every watchful around her, we barely managed and we're vampires!" he said sadly, knowing the should have stopped her behaviour long ago,

For the good of the town and for the sanity of the Mer, Hank withdrew his scent from her and learned a lesson to stick to what he understood. New experiences were good, but trying to fit a square peg in a round hole never worked. Alice would be the only one leaving Forks. She would have her memory of all this erased, Charlie would take her back to the day they arrived and give her memories of disliking the town, the house and saying she would rather go out on her own.

Then an embedded thought of slowly letting the Cullens go, seeing them as holding her back would start to work on her. It would build little by little until she barely remembered to send them cards at Christmas. Nobody would see anything wrong as vampires often moved on to new covens or new places. Also if she was ever read, there would be nothing to see, her visions of the Cullens would stop that day.

TCHBTE

Selente, unlike Hank, knew she could sway Edward easily to her side. Therefore she asked Edward if he would like a tour of the town, now he could see it as it really was. Edward was embarrassed to admit this was what he saw the last time too, minus the people, of course. She didn't seem astonished or upset,

"That's okay Edward, you're a realist. You just need proof to see what's really there" she said and her wings beat a little faster making a quiet sound, it was music unlike anything Edward had ever heard,

"That sound, it's beautiful. What kind of music is it?" He asked her now and she this time was surprised,

"You can hear that? Edward that's fairy music and very few have ever heard it but us. It's usually beyond all mortals range, but then you're an immortal, so maybe that's the reason. You must come to the meadow with me and you will hear a concert unlike any other" she said leading him away,

This was what sealed Edward's future; he was able to hear what was not meant for others ears. It would be many days before they saw Edward again. He would be a changed man, yes man. The boy would be left behind in the annals of human history and the new Edward would emerge to see the world through the eyes of the fairy folk.

He had crossed the barrier between supernatural and fairy and was now one of them. He had drunk their wine, eaten their food and made love to their Queen. She had taken his human soul and transformed it into something bigger, something better and open to all things different. He was now the Edward he could always have been, but with wings!

Mel-Ans-Roc-Karc Hanks father the leader of the Merpeople.

Rav-Ans-Liv-Olni Hanks wife

Sar-Ans-Rix-Olni Hanks mother