"Maybe I should just bite you and see what happens." I looked over to Heidi, who was sprawled out in the chair she had occupied for the last few hours, her head back and her arm thrown rather dramatically over her eyes. "After all Aro's anger has got to be easier to face than this."

I snorted in amusement, my eyes glinting with laughter as I looked at her. I had only been acquainted with the woman for the few hours since Aro had left us and already I had an enormous affection for her, though I knew that was somewhat part of her gift, her easy manner and sense of humour made it easy. "You've only been researching for…" I glanced over at the large, ornate grandfather clock "4 hours and 24 minutes. You can't have given up already? I've been doing this for 7 days!"

She lifted her arm and peaked at me from beneath it. "Ughhh, I hate books. I hate reading. This is why I flunked college!"

"Well, I'm sorry but you're not going anywhere. I don't have anyone else to translate for me now Aro isn't here." I didn't think it was possible for Heidi to sink even lower into her chair. Somehow she was managing to have a childish fit of insolence whilst remaining perfectly beautiful and appealing. I felt a stab of jealousy for a moment at what I must look like compared to her.

"What does this say?" I asked, passing it to her. She took it in her perfectly manicured hands, sighed with great effort and looked at the pages before her. She snorted, now her own crimson eyes twinkling with suppressed laughter.

"What?!" I asked again, somewhat affronted.

"It's a recipe for noodles." She sniggered as my face flared red and I stood abruptly, slamming my hands on the table.

"Well, how was I supposed to know, this is ridiculous! If only I had my computer, I wouldn't need to look through these stupid-" Suddenly the gleaming silver surface of my laptop was thrust under my nose, I turned to look sharply at Heidi who had apparently produced it from thin air.

"It was brought here along with the rest of your things when you arrived. Aro probably never thought to offer it to you, archaic as he is." She rolled her shoulders in a shrug but looked eminently pleased with herself.

"Hey, he can use a computer!" I felt affronted on his behalf but relieved to have technology once again at my fingertips.

"Oh yes, the IM-ing." Heidi said knowingly and winked at me, a wickedly suggestive grin stretching her painted pout.

"Does this place even have WIFI?" I asked, changing the subject quickly as I loaded up my computer and punched in the password.

"Darling, we have an Elevator. Of course we have WIFI. Just because some of us were created at the dawn of the century, it doesn't mean we remain stuck there." She helped me connect to the Wifi and we retreated from the library into my own rooms and reclined on the large four poster bed which occupied the bedroom.

"Nice digs." She said, impressed as she looked around the room. "I've never been in this part of the castle before. It's off limits without the Master's permission." She explained automatically.

She watched over my shoulder with slight interest as I brought up my search engine and began looking on the same pages I had searched on so many years ago. She added a comment here or there, an offended remark at the portrayal of her kind every so often, a translation when necessary, but for the most part laid and picked at her perfectly manicured nails.

And this was how it continued, for days. I had a notebook on which I wrote down even the most obscure piece of information which could somehow be connected, but we weren't getting very far. There were so many myths surrounding vampires, but the truth of it was that there were no solid facts. There was a forum dedicated to guess work and theories surrounding pure blood vampires and their offspring, but this was discussed among humans, the same kind of people who chased aliens and mermaids.

I was rapidly losing the will to live on our fifth day together and I still had no answers, I closed the lid of my computer and let my head fall forward to land against the surface with a clunk.

"I give up." I mumbled against the now warm laptop.

"Here" Heidi said conspiratorially. "This might cheer you up."

I turned my head to see a creamy envelope held within her long fingers, the red of her nail polish contrasting brightly with the paper. There upon the front was my name, written in a familiarly beautiful script. I hated myself for the way I automatically perked up and stretched my hand out to take it. Thankfully Heidi said nothing, merely chuckled and mentioned something about giving me privacy, before heading next door to the library.

I looked at the letter fondly and stroked the writing on the front, before flipping it to see the wax seal, now with the large, ornate Volturi crest stamped within it.

My Dearest Isabella,

I have tried most valiantly to not disrupt your research by writing you too soon, alas I could not wait any longer. I long to speak with you, to be in your presence once more so much so that I fear my concentration is not solely dedicated to the task which tore me from your side.

I hope your studies are producing results little one, for I am pained to be without you. It is selfish of me to admit, I know, but I ache to be near you.

My brothers fear for my sanity, they fear that I have an obsession for you which is wholly unhealthy and has occupied my every thought since the day we met. Little do they know it began so much sooner than our first meeting, I do not intend to enlighten them. Let them think as they will, the only opinion which concerns me is yours.

Are you well? I am sure Heidi is proving an entertaining companion, though I am aware of how she hates any task which requires quiet retrospection and study, for that I apologise to you dear one. I know it must frustrate you, I can only assure you that she is the most human of my clan and adores you, her best friends daughter. Therefore her heart is most assuredly in the right place.

I hope I have not frightened you with the ardent admiration I have confessed to, It just occurred to me now that whilst in my fantasies we have spoken at length of our emotion for one another, we haven't yet done so in reality.

I apologise and hope you can forgive me, your humble servant.

I am now and will forever remain,

Yours Eternally,

Aro

I begun writing my reply almost immediately, taking a piece of plain paper from my bedside table and laying upon my stomach, using my computer as a support upon which to write. I didn't want to wait, to think about what I should say, I wanted it to be genuine, to encompass the feeling of giddiness his letter had wrought within me.

Dear Aro,

How I have missed you, how I miss you still. You say you have tried to wait to write to me, but couldn't wait any longer… For me it feels like months have passed since I last saw you, felt your touch on my skin.

I tried not to cringe at my own words, I would not be embarrassed by how I felt and he deserved to know. I continued writing, determined that this time, for once, I would not hold back out of fear.

Research is slow and I worry that I will never be able to stand with you against any who might threaten you. I just wish I wasn't so vulnerable, If I was a Vampire then I could help. We could stand against Archos together. Which reminds me, I don't even know what 'work' it is you are doing? It is nothing which puts you at risk, is it?

Heidi is doing a fine job, though you are right in your understanding of her opinion on anything bordering academic. I do adore her regardless, she is becoming an invaluable companion, so thank you.

You haven't frightened me, you don't need to worry. Though you have made me blush terribly. I wish you were here.

You've had… Fantasies? About us?

You so don't need to, so please don't apologise, I am happy you are being so open and honest with me.

Your Isabella

There. Whilst I couldn't be as brash as he was about admitting the way I felt just yet. Even I didn't understand it. It had taken every ounce of my bravery to sign the letter the way I had. I jumped up from my bed and sealed the letter in an envelope from the stationary set he was so fond of.

I was grateful for Heidi's intuition when she appeared again, took my letter in hand and disappeared just as quickly. She must have had implicit instructions from her Master on the speed at which they must be brought to him.

In her absence I laid back on my bed, reading through the letter again. In my moment of privacy I took the opportunity to clutch it to my chest like a school girl and close my eyes tightly. Thankfully no one else was around to hear me whisper his name softly.

I stayed up late that night researching, his words having spurned me on, I clicked every single link on every website I could find. My eyes itched with fatigue and I often caught myself nodding off before startling myself awake again as my head fell forward. I had been reading the same sentence over and over again on a blog titled History Meets Myth - The VampireHuman Hybrid and What It Means for The Human Race.

I must have fallen asleep, this time without waking myself, for when I woke the sun shone brightly through my windows and propped up against my screen was a new, sealed letter.

I opened it immediately.

My Dearest One,

I cannot pretend it does not make me swell with pride to see you confess you miss me, it helps ease the ache I feel a little at being parted with you for so long. Though perhaps not enough. I feel that I may go mad with the longing to be with you. Each moment I have alone I find myself cursing that it is a wasted moment which could have been spent with you.

I would of course be honoured to have you at my side, my darling. The place is yours when the time is right for you to accept it, you need not fear. I can understand your frustration Isabella, but we must be patient and ensure that no harm can possibly come to you no matter which action we pursue.

I could not bear it.

I had thought Heidi would amuse and exasperate you. I am however somewhat at a loss to discover an intense feeling of jealousy overtook me when I read your feelings for her. Adoration Isabella?

Need I feel threatened?

I wonder if you remember me telling you that you had no idea of the power you could wield over men, and that I feared what I would be unable to deny you should you ask it of me?

Perhaps this reminder will serve useful, in light of you wishing I was there. You know I would do anything you asked of me Isabella, or die trying to deliver it to you.

Yes, I have. I will discuss them in detail with you, should you wish it. But only in person, so I can witness the flush of your skin and your breaths as they come in pants between your parted lips.

Yours Eternally,

Aro

Did he mean?…

I looked around the room and chewed on my lip nervously. Could I just ask him to come back, and he would? Just like that?

The pen and paper found their way into my hands almost without thought as I blinked down at the words I had written.

Aro,

Please come back to me.

Your Isabella

AN: Only four reviews for the last chapter, is there still an audience for this story? Or am I on a sunken ship?