So those of you wondering about my feminine issues, Alec and I came up with an obvious solution. Birth control. Then when there's no more avoiding "that time of the month", we had to resort to very careful distance. After seeing his restraint in the car that day when he'd smelled blood I didn't really worry at all, even though he did a lot. If he could stay locked up in a car with me for that long, then I didn't think I needed to worry about him. I still don't. Alec is as harmless as ever. Really he's a great protector. His bossiness is usually for the better.

There are still some nights that bother him when I can't sleep. Usually those nights end with him beside me, irritated and me, bored and tired. I won't discuss his eating habits because obviously, he can't eat with me around. Usually he's fine though. Being away makes him anxious, which would be sweet if it were actually myself he was worried about and not the stupid Game.

We caught lots of planes, trains, rented cars all over the place. We fell into pattern quite quickly. It wasn't until Alec and I were at one of our gates waiting for our plane to finish fueling that we ever came across any sort of complication.

Then she came.

Alec noticed her immediately and watched warily. He didn't grab me and run, or fall into a defensive crouch in front of me. I just felt him stiffen in the chair beside me. When I looked up there was a woman in the row of seats in front of us. She was a snow white and beautiful, a dead giveaway. But she had sunglasses on.

In the echoes of voices down the hall I could hear nothing between them. The tension was thick enough that I was beginning to wonder if she would pick a fight with Alec. Could he take her? Did she have any abilities?

The woman raised her arms as if in defense.

"I mean you no harm. I'm just curious," she said in a soft voice. I could barely hear her. Alec didn't respond. The woman leaned forward out of her perfect posture. Her head cocked to the side. Then she reached up and took off her glasses.

Red eyes.

I gave a mental gasp, though I could never trust myself to give a physical reaction. Then I looked at our surroundings. We were in a heavily populated place. It was a travel day where business men were coming home and people were leaving for weekend visits.

"Are you...?" the woman started to ask. Her lips pressed closed as she deliberated. She was quiet for a moment. It was as though she had to debate on censoring herself. "Are you Edward and Bella?" My eyes went wide. Alec's stone cold expression wavered. We looked at one another with equal shock.

"I beg your pardon?" Alec asked.

"I mean, not that those are your real names. I assume you disguised your true identities for the sake of audiences," she said. Her eyes narrowed at us both. She bit her lip thoughtfully. "I had assumed the stories weren't true. A human and a... one of us. When I saw you with your golden eyes and accompanied by the human I could think of no other conclusion." Alec almost smiled.

"No," he said. She slowly nodded.

"I did not mean to intrude on anything. This place is my home and... well, you know how dull it can get," she said laughing to herself. Alec politely added to the gentle laugh. I looked at one to the other back and forth. "Your eyes are orange now that I look at them."

Alec smiled. He looked up at the flight time. It was almost time to go.

"It's been a pleasure Miss...?"

"Bree," she said. I named her Bree after the newborn that died in Eclipse. I've always felt bad for that girl. He didn't shake hands with her, but he gave her a gentlemanly bow of his head.

He's never that polite with me.

We both rose to leave.

"May I pry...?" Bree asked looking to me. "What are you doing with her?" Alec hesitated. The vampire obviously meant no harm. There were plenty of people to witness any attack. She would cause chaos especially if she chose to strike in an airport. I can just picture that "terrorist attack."

He started to turn away, even if it was rude to just leave her there. He rested his hand on my shoulder and steered me with him. This Bree woman watched us leave curiously. I looked behind me as we faded away. I wanted to do something so bad. She seemed nice enough. Maybe I should preach to her about taking up the Cullen diet. I could save more lives that way, maybe make up for the ones I've taken.

Then she started to follow us. She presented a ticket behind us. Alec turned to watch her. Then he was suddenly much more protective. His arm wrapped around me and pulled me toward his cold body. I stiffly looked to him, still too nervous about the vampire hearing to say. I wanted to ask him what we should do about this woman though.

We sat down at our seats. I always got the window seat to block the possible sunlight and to keep me out of everyone's reach. The woman walked past us, both of us glaring at her as she made sure to keep her gaze forward. She was a safe distance away about five seats back on the opposite aisle.

As soon as she was out of sight I tapped Alec. He was busy watching Bree, I had to tap him again.

"What?" he hissed irritated. What? What did he think I was going to ask him?

"Who is that?" I whispered.

"A vampire," he explained quietly. Apparently he hadn't thought that I'd figure this out on my own.

"Thanks for enlightening me, genius," I snapped. His eyes narrowed and I heard the beginnings of a growl. Irritated and a little intimidated I went back to my magazine. The flight wasn't a very long one, but because of her being there, I wasn't allowed to use the restroom. That was annoying.

And, being annoyed, I intended to annoy.

"Talk to her," I suggested. Alec didn't move from his position. He barely acknowledged the fact that I talked to him at all. "Al-..."

"Do not say names," he warned in a hiss. That's where my using of fake names came into play.

"Then answer me," I said. He took his glare away from me for a moment. Just enough to give me a warning glance. Then he put his finger to his lips.

"Try sleeping," he said. That was usual tactic of getting me to shut up when I was pestering him. I groaned and slumped in my seat. Figures, the first thing to actually happen in a couple of weeks and its made me take a vow of silence along with all the other rules Alec had put in place.

I watched the clouds zip by in the dark sky. I wasn't going to sleep though. Not because I didn't want to, but because there was someone unfamiliar on our tail. So I spent the whole time drumming on the armrest. It must have been driving Alec crazy, because he finally set his hand down over mine to stop it.

We arrived and it was sunny outside. That was the trouble with planes. The weather is unpredictable when you arrived. You have to rely on the weather man, its not like Alec has his own personal forecaster like the Cullens. So we were trapped in the airport today.

Great.

There is nothing worse than getting trapped in an airport until nightfall. I've read every Nora Roberts, James Patterson, and Katie MacAlister novel in every gift shop on the planet. The accordion looking terminal covered us from the plane to the building.

Bree followed.

We had no luggage. Just my backpack and whatever Alec had in his wallet. Bree didn't seem to have anything either. She kept a reasonable distance though. Still, I was not allowed to go to the bathroom. We discussed strategies for me to allow this.

"Al-"

"I said no names," he snapped.

"It's getting close to being an emergency," I warned. My shyness about using the restroom was slowly fading with time. I've gotten the 'Jay, I've heard lots of people pee. I don't care' speech plenty of times. Sometimes there was no other option than to just ignore the fact that there was a super-hearing, super-smelling person in the next room.

"No," he said.

"What if I used the men's room? You can come with me," I asked, though the thought was disgusting the alternative was even worse. His knee bounced up and down irately. I gave him a moment to think it over. Finally he agreed and there were some very confused men I had to walk by. I tried not to make a scene, but it was a very crowded bathroom.

Then of course when we stepped outside Alec had to snatch me and pull me back. Bree was waiting just outside with her large tortoise-shell sunglasses. He pushed us back in the bathroom back with the bewildered men. He stopped, staring at the entrance.

"What are you doing?"

"Stupid," he told himself. "I won't be doing that again."

"Doing what?"

"Holding my breath. I should have smelled her coming," he answered.

"What is she going to do to us here? We're in public," I asked. His glance flashed on me, then back at the door. "Let's just confront her. Ask her why she's following us and see for yourself if she's a threat or not. If she is we can tell her to get lost, or rip her to pieces, or whatever it is you want to do with her." It was an on the spot decision.

Alec sighed and decided it would probably be the most interesting course of action. We both left the bathroom to confront Bree. She was waiting for us in the same place. She smiled politely. She stepped toward us both.

"I would like to commit to your diet," Bree said before anyone could do anything. I was stunned, but Alec never showed any emotion when the Game was afoot. There was a pause. "I am tired of looking for bad people, raiding prison yards, and waiting in dark alleys."

Alec was silent, but he was considering by the way he was looking at her. This gave Bree enough time to start to second guess her decision.

"Please, Mr. Cullen..."

"I am not a Cullen," Alec corrected quietly. "I have nothing to do with the Twilight stories at all aside from the fact that I am a vampire." His rude tone aggravated me.

"That's not nice," I interrupted.

"Quiet," he snapped.

"No," I snapped right back. I ignored his deadly glare and looked at Bree. "We're not part of the Cullen coven at all. My friend here borrowed their diet when he learned about it. I encourage you to do it as well. I think you would be much happier if you did." Bree gave the faintest of smiles. I looked at Alec.

"There. That's all I wanted to say," I said.

"If you aren't the Cullens then what are you?" Bree asked curiously. I waited for Alec on this one. He put his hand on my back and started to lead me away. I gave Bree an apologetic smile. As we moved away, her brow twitched just over the rim of her glasses in annoyance and snarl was beginning to form in her throat.

I understand completely. Alec made me feel like that a lot.

Then faster than I could comprehend she was in front of us again. Alec let out a low growl.

"I have a car outside. Tinted windows. You need me," she said. Alec glowered at her.

"I do not."

"Maybe you don't, but she does," Bree said nodding at me. I perked up as suddenly I had been invited into conversation. "Apparently you don't know about the trackers that have been getting closer to you both. There's at least three separate predators in the Game."

"How do you know?" Alec asked suspiciously.

"Because I am the replacement mediator," she said cocking an brow over the rim of her glasses. "You're the one who breaks the rules and tells people about us who have no right in knowing. Like Edward. Of course I didn't want to participate in aiding you until I saw your eyes. I thought you both were Edward and Bella, that's when I decided to help you. I couldn't let those two die in spite of all they've been through." I was instantly fond of Bree.

I felt like a little kid all of the sudden. I just wanted to tug on Alec's arm, jump up and down, and say, "Can we keep her?"

"You, the mediator, want to break the rules and help me keep the human alive?" he asked suspiciously.

"I am not a mediator anymore, and you should thank your lucky stars about that. The mediator has permission to kill you at any time for your blatant rule breaking," Bree said.

"They'll kill you too for aiding us. And if you try to hurt my victim I will be forced to kill you," he said.

"I understand that. I've been a mediator for several years now," she said annoyed as though she'd just been patronized. "There is something very intriguing about those books though. The option of being a 'good guy' despite our centuries of sins. I'd like to redeem myself. If I die, then no one can say I didn't repent." Alec narrowed his eyes at her.

"I will not endanger the human. You'll be very dangerous if you start dieting now," he said. I couldn't see her desperation behind her dark lens, but I imagined it was there. She wanted to be a part of our little ragtag group.

"And when you need to hunt, who's going to watch her?" she asked. Alec's jaw tightened. This hit a nerve because he used to have to leave me alone when he hunted. I couldn't exactly come with him so he'd drop me off in some obscure place in the middle of the day while he ran out, grabbed a bite to eat and then came back as fast as he could.

"I won't leave you alone with her," he said.

"Naturally. Once this has started I can't be too close to her. However, I can watch her from afar," Bree said. It was weird because she had absolutely no chance of him saying yes until she brought up hunting. It was a good move on her part. "Two trackers are arriving at this airport after following a lead. Another one fell for that false lead to Washington."

"It's too late to buy new tickets," Alec said. Bree gave the smallest of grins, restraining to give a full blown smile. That is, until Alec stepped into her so that their noses were about an inch apart. I have to give Bree some credit because even I feared for her life that instant and she firmly stood her ground. "Take us to your car and may I remind you that if you come within three feet of my human I will confiscate your head from your shoulders."

With that he fell back into place beside me, grabbed my arm, and motioned for her to lead the way. Bree whisked us away that evening and she hasn't left us ever since. That was the first of our addition as we started the first ever, real life, "vegetarian" coven. At least the first that any of us know of for sure.

Funny how it started with Alec and me, and I'm not even a vampire. Bree is a very sweet person, but she has a bit of a temper. She made things interesting with an easily provoked Alec. That day when we left the airport Bree was given driving duty while Alec and I stayed in the back. Alec wouldn't take his eyes off of her for a second. So I used that time to get to know her a little bit more.

"So, Bree," I started. Alec was annoyed. I could tell he didn't want me to establish a relationship with the first person we decided on trusting in a month and a half. But think of it this way, I have not had female contact in all of this time. Not since Will, and he wasn't even technically a female. "Do you believe Twilight's real?"

"No," she said matter of factly, her red eyes glancing backward in the mirror every couple of seconds. I frowned. "I believe that some vampires wrote it for the sole purpose of aggravating the Volturi. Perhaps they're suicidal. Or maybe they are just challenging their authority."

The mention of Volturi made my heart jump, and everyone in the car probably heard it.

"The Volturi is real?" I asked.

"Of course. It's one of the few true bits in the Twilight books. I was surprised when it was mentioned. I have never gone to see them personally. I do not have a death wish. But every vampire over a decade old has heard their stories. They're very powerful," she said with a shudder. That made me nervous. I could see their black cloaks and red eyes too vividly from my own imagination.

"Are the names the same?"

"I don't know. No one really knows specifics without being a part of them. Usually when they visit someone they don't get the chance to tell anyone about it," she said.

"Do you have any abilities?"

"Why, yes. I have had the good fortune of being blessed with supernatural charm," she responded immediately.

I giggled then made the mistake of turning to Alec and saying, "I like her."

"Don't get too attached," he grumbled. I rolled my eyes and looked out the window. Bree looked back at us from the driver's seat again. Naturally, her eyes drifted from the road too often. It was unnerving. Alec drove more human than he did. Her arm wrapped around her headrest and she turned to face me. Her eyes were always deciphering, not necessarily judging but she loves to figure people out.

"So... Would either of you like to explain to me what happened at the beginning of the Game? Why is Alba dead?" she asked. I looked to Alec. As I was anxious for a reaction. I still think he may have had something to do with that murder.

"We don't know. It wasn't me though," he said.

I wanted to think it was Nicholas. He was a murdering son of a bitch, so why shouldn't he be guilty?

"Wasn't me either," I chimed to accentuate Alec's innocence. Bree made a face that I thought must be disappointment. Maybe Bree wasn't very fond of Alba.

"I have to say, I was disappointed to discover you weren't Edward and Bella. You both look nothing like they're described, at least how I pictured them in my mind, but call me a hopeless romantic, I hoped there really was a love like that. One that can cross natural boundaries," she said her voice low.

"There is," I said. She glanced in the mirror.

"Oh?"

"Yes. Carlisle fell in love with Esme as she was dying. Rosalie loved Emmett the same way, enough that she would impose the same damnation on him, that she resented herself. Why shouldn't Edward love Bella? Just because they didn't meet as they were dying shouldn't make a difference," I stated ever at the ready to defend the family. Alec rolled his eyes. Bree patronized me with a shrug.

"Maybe," she said. Obviously she didn't believe me. Alec didn't either, but I'll show them both once I catch up with the Cullens.

It grew quiet. Too quiet. Quiet enough for me to say something stupid.

"Take Alec for instance. I would risk my life to save him from the Volturi," I said. Alec immediately grew wary. Bree once again had her attention on us. As soon as I realized what my words implied I immediately regretted them. Bad enough Alec was uncontrollably sexy as hell, but now I go and say something this to add to the awkwardness.

"He's my family," I explained to Bree. It was quiet again.

"Not to mention you owe me. I saved your life plenty of times, the least you could do is return the favor," Alec inputted. I smiled to myself.

"I'll give you that," I told him. Bree smiled to herself as though neither of us could see her in the mirror. As I remembered a past conversation I was struck with a brilliant idea. "Can we go to the bookstore whenever we stop? I want to look at something."

"No," Alec responded before I could even finish my sentence. "We have the books."

"I don't want to look at those books. I want to look at something that might help you and Bree with your diet issues," I said. Bree turned around again.

"That sounds like a good idea," she said eagerly. It was good to see I wasn't the only idealist in the car anymore. We didn't end up going that day. Alec was especially anxious for weeks after we found Bree, our mediator gone bad. Her diet was hard to control. It didn't really hit her until her first time hunting for animals that she was realized she was depriving herself.

She was careful to keep her distance and I was careful not to do anything stupid.