This story is for my cat who had to be put to sleep last year.

Tell me what you think!

Quick update because I'm a bored insomniac with too many ideas! :)

EPOV

This kid has to be a joke.

I can see Isabella and Lahote in her, but she doesn't look like either of them at the same time. She looks… like herself, I guess.

Standing hearing others thoughts, while trying to concentrate on hers alone is difficult. Usually thoughts flow easily like a river. When I first met Isabella, I described it as a huge boulder blocking that river flowing. I thought, with time, that whatever blocked her thoughts would eventually break. But thoughts aren't rivers, water finds its way through cracks in rock, or find a different root. That's how I would describe Vanessa's thoughts - some get around the boulder and become voices in my head, albeit they're quiet. Sometimes I'm not sure if I miss them, or if they're simply not there.

The little whispers from her brain almost make me smile. It's clear she's more mature mentally for her age than average. She thinks things through quickly too, for the most part she seems to keep up with us. And when she doesn't, she manages to accurately guess what it was she missed. She's almost intriguing.

However, she isn't as much as Isabella. Isabella was a challenge, like climbing a mountain, whereas Vanessa is just a gentle hill.

Her mind is the only clear link I see between her and Isabella.

Maybe it's just denial.

I nearly snort. I examine her again, just out of curiosity, mostly.

Nope, no connection.

This girl in front of me is just a mutt.

Suddenly her thoughts flow to me, and if it were possible I'd say they knocked me over. The burst soon ended, but it was enough. She was seeing though Carlisle's slip up which then had to be followed up with a lie.

"Pin her!" I shout, now knowing there was no way of her cooperating with us willingly.

The girl is out for two minutes and seventeen seconds less than Alice predicted, which isn't much of a surprise since the girl is part werewolf. Alice struggles to see around the wolves, never mind actually see one, even if they haven't phased yet.

Speaking of which, that has to happen pretty soon. The Union of the Black and Uley pack is more vital than ever, thanks to a certain Clearwater b-

My thoughts are cut of by whispering thoughts, coming from beside me. She's weak, and thirsty. I actually have to remind myself that she needs water, not blood.

I'm hesitant to leave her side, I'm her guard while the others hunt with some of the new vampires. It's been hectic around her, trying to keep them all under our laws without completely taking away their free will. There would be a bloodbath, literally.

Even if she does stink of dog, she still has a beating, semi-human heart and a body full of blood. I'm also aware of the fact that one bite and she, and all our hopes, are dead.

A red-head vampire called Victoria appears out of nowhere and hands me a glass of water. I hide from danger. She thinks, and disappears.

I place the drink beside Isabella's daughter and fold my arms across my chest. There's a soft thank you, but I don't know if it's her talking or thinking.

"Now you're awake, are you willing to cooperate?" I watch her expression as she slowly remembers, or realises, where she is and who I am.

Mind reader.

"One and only." I give her my signature half smile. "I almost like you, you keep up."

She shrugs, "I'm the daughter of a werewolf. What did you expect? Me to be completely thick?"

I shrug back, relaxed.

Her nostrils flare and she snorts - something I'd seen some other wolves do, but only in wolf form - as if that would help with the smell.

...burns.

I chuckle. "You smell like a dog, I'm just thankful it wasn't raining today. It takes forever to get the stench out the house."

"At least I don't smell like strong, horrible bleach." She uses her t-shirt sleeve to breathe through. "What am I doing here? And who exactly are you?"

"We want to help you, although on our terms." I raise an eyebrow at her growl.

"Can't people just say things straight? You know, as it is? It's like I have to decide what everyone says! Is that what's it's like being an adult? Talking in riddles?" Well that's an odd turn of conversation.

"Depends. Sometimes yes, sometimes no."

"I think like would be better if everyone said it straight and simple."

"Ah, yes, but then where would we be?" She raises a brow, but I shake my head. "Think about it."

Vanessa slides of the bed after sitting up and toes the floor with her shoe, thinking. But I can't hear her thoughts, other than the odd incoherent whisper. "So, what are your terms?" She looks up at me, without a glare for once.

"I think I'll wait for the others to get back first." I lean back in my chair, fully prepared to wait however long they'll be.

AN:

Just wanted to say that this is now maybe 50% done, but I'm doing a sequel and thinking about a prequel. Should I?

(Also, this was originally less than three hundred words and I tried to make it longer, which is why it's all being prolonged at the end!)

To guest reviewer:

Just wanted to say that, yes Paul is definitely Nessie's father. ;)