Hey guys sorry about the wait, just been busy with other fics. I might've made Caius a little too mean in the last chapter but then again he is the cruel one of the three leaders. This chapter brings out more of Athenodora and Alec plus a bit of Marcus with his sight seeing the relationship between Alicia and Alec grow kind of quickly. Plus you'll see a bit of Alicia's dark side where she lashes out at Sulpicia but not too much.

Enjoy!

The storm got worse the longer Alicia stayed out; she wasn't afraid of thunder and lightning like some other vampires, in fact she was too angry and upset to realize how wet she was and how loudly the thunder clapped.

'Stupid bitch…' the very thought of her stepmother made Alicia's heart grow cold and hollow.

Inside the castle:

No one had seen Alicia since she'd gone to see Aro earlier that afternoon. Jane and Alec had been all over the castle calling her but found no trace of her. Demetri had sniffed around with them but couldn't pick up a scent. Alec and Jane ran into Athenodora in the throne room where everyone else had gathered after searching around for Alicia.

"Have you found her?" the vampire queen asked.

"No Lady Athenodora, we've searched everywhere. Even Demetri couldn't pick up a trail…" Alec was getting frantic but Jane kept him calm.

"You don't think she went outside do you?" Heidi asked looking at Demetri.

"I doubt it, no one's stupid enough to go out in a storm like this." The room shook as the thunder clapped again.

"Please, the brat probably ran off without a second thought." Sulpicia growled.

"Quiet Sulpicia!" Aro silenced his wife and soon the sound of wet, squeaky footsteps caught everyone's ears. Demetri took a deep breath and ran toward the large door in the room behind the thrones to see Alicia, soaked from head to toe, hair a wet matted mess, and eyes all blotchy from crying so much.

"Ali? What on earth were you doing out in the storm?" Athenodora cried out and ran over to Alicia putting her large hooded cape around her. Alicia stayed quiet and Athenodora quickly led her out and into the large bathroom. "You stay here and wash up; I'll get you some clean clothes and blood." Athenodora started the water and put out the soaps and towels. Alicia didn't say a word, just started slowly taking off her wet clothes and throwing them into a basket for the maids to wash.

Athenodora quickly walked out and shut the door behind her to see everyone but the rest of the guard, the unimportant ones, outside waiting. Athenodora glared at Caius and Sulpicia, but motioned for Jane to go in and see to Alicia.

"How is she?" Aro asked her.

"Hollow, as if she has no emotions." Aro sighed and shook his head.

"See that she's taken care of."

"No problem, because I'm taking her under my care." That made Caius and Sulpicia gasp.

"What do you mean Dora?" Caius asked walking up to his angry wife.

"I'm taking responsibility for her Caius…you should be ashamed of yourself. You really hurt her…"

"I didn't intend to…"

"Well you did, and you stay away from her Sulpicia! If anyone goes near and hurts her again you'll deal with me!" Sulpicia growled and went at Athenodora into her face.

"How can you stand up for her? She's a stranger here!"

"Only to you cousin, but I'm not going to stand by and watch her suffer during her stay with us! Now if you'll excuse me…" Athenodora ran off at vampire speed to Jane's room and quickly came back with a long blue dress, undergarments, stockings, and shoes into the bathroom. She locked the door behind her and saw Jane helping Alicia dry off.

"Here you are dear, some fresh clothes." Alicia gave off a small smile and took the clothes from her. Jane helped her dress and Athenodora pulled her long dark hair up into a tight bun like Jane's. "You have such beautiful hair Ali, it's like black silk."

"Thank you…"

"You're welcome. Ali I'm truly sorry for my husband and cousin's actions, I just don't know what's gotten into them lately."

"It's not your fault Lady Athenodora, they just hate me."

"Oh I'm sure that's not true, they're just extremely precautious when a new vampire joins our coven."

"Too precautious."

"I'd say so, hey Ali why don't you and Jane stay with me tonight? We could talk; have a little time with each other." Alicia looked at Jane and Jane smiled.

"Sure, why not?" Athenodora clapped and giggled hugging the two girls.

"Excellent! I'll have Gianna bring some blood up later; it's only ten o'clock too! Come with me…" Athenodora pushed the basket of clothes towards the door and the three came out and into the hallway passing all the other vampires; Alicia ran behind Jane and Athenodora giggling like a little girl though she didn't realize it. She hadn't giggled like that in a LONG time.

'You feeling ok Alicia?'

'Better, I can't explain it though.'

'I know, you're acting as if you're a kid again.'

'I know, it's strange.' The girls kept running and running until they finally found Athenodora's room and Alicia instantly jumped on the large silky soft bed. She landed on her back and started laughing again and flailing her arms like humans did in the snow to make snow angels. Jane laughed at Alicia's child-like behavior, and Athenodora jumped on the bed next to her laughing as well.

"This is fun!" Alicia shouted and started jumping up and down on the bed. Athenodora and Jane joined her and soon all three girls were laughing and somehow jumped off the bed or on the bed on their backs and still laughing.

"Ali what's gotten into you?" Athenodora asked smiling.

"I don't know, I guess it's been a while since I've had any fun."

"Now that's what I call a quick recovery." Jane spoke up and fixed her now messy hair.

"It's all cuz of you and Lady Athenodora! You guys know how to have a good time!"

"Oh yeah!"

All three girls spent the night in Athenodora's quarters telling stories, jokes, talking about the rest of the Volturi, even goofing off like little kids which were rare for all of them. Alicia actually felt at home with Jane and Athenodora, but sadly she still felt an empty spot somewhere in her heart, almost like, something else was missing, but what?

As the three continued with their fun, neither of them realized that a few nosy vampires were nearby just curious about their time together.

The Next Day:

Somewhere inside the castle Aro was pondering his thoughts as he heard the echoing laughter fill out his study. He could recognize Jane and Athenodora's giggling, but Ali's was something else. It felt like he'd heard that giggling before, but he couldn't tell when or where. He'd been sitting at his desk all night until the next morning; he had a small box on his desk and it was covered in dust and cobwebs.

My little girl…' his thoughts broke away when he heard a knock at the door. "Who is it?"

"It's Marcus…"

"Come in." Marcus came in and closed the door behind him.

"Are you alright brother?"

"I'm fine, what is it you need?"

"Is there any other reason I'd come to see you in private?"

"I guess not. You've seen the bonds with Ali and the guard?"

"Yes, they seem to be growing quite quickly. She's an exceptional child…"

"I agree, which bond is stronger?" Marcus thought for a minute before answering.

"It seems she has a stronger bond with Alec and Jane than anyone else at this moment. Jane is like a sister to her, but Alec…his relationship for love is growing fast."

"He's in love with her?"

"It appears to be so…" Marcus caught sight of the box on Aro's desk. "Looking at them again?" Aro sighed and nodded placing a hand on his forehead. "You miss her so much, I do too."

"It's not fair Marcus, the one chance I have of being a father, a true father and it all blows up in my face. My stupid mistakes cost me my daughter's life…"

"Aro it's not your fault, Evelyn wouldn't want you to blame yourself for what happened to her and Alicia."

"I can't help it Marcus, I miss them both…over a hundred years of worrying, not knowing if my daughter is alive or dead, I'm just so unhappy I can't see her smile or hear her laugh anymore. I barely remember what she looked like even with these pictures."

"But you've never given up hope have you? It's possible she's still around but worried and scared…don't give up hope yet brother."

"You've said that to me for many years Marcus, and part of me has always doubted those words, yet I can't help but feel she's somehow closer to me." Marcus gave a small smile and turned towards the door.

"Don't worry Aro; I'm sure your patience will pay off someday soon." With that Marcus left the room and Aro placed his face in his hands and started dry sobbing as he thought about the last time he'd seen his daughter.

'My baby…I miss you so much.'

That afternoon:

Alicia had been wondering outside on the cloudiest day in Italy smiling like she'd never smiled before. Her teeth flashed as she went around gazing at the beautiful flowers everywhere, especially the lilies and sunflowers. She was so happy about being in a garden she didn't realize she'd been spinning around in her dress until she swirled into a hard chest. She got a little dizzy but some strong arms caught her; looking up she saw Alec smiling big at her.

"I'm glad you're feeling better." She laughed and pulled herself up.

"I owe it all to you guys, I feel at home here."

"That's good, you've recovered quicker than we thought. It's like you're an entirely different person."

"I know…we'd better head in quick the sun's coming out of the clouds." Alec looked up seeing sunlight peak through the clouds, and he grabbed Alicia's hand pulling her inside. They laughed the whole way and then out of nowhere Alec pulled Alicia into his arms and kissed her lips. Alicia was shocked at first, but as his kiss stayed gentle and sweet, her whole body felt like it was melting. The kiss lasted for a few seconds before Alec pulled away.

"I'm sorry Ali, I-I didn't mean to…" Alicia put a finger to his lips and smiled shyly.

"Don't be…I-I…I liked it." Alec's eyes widened.

"You did?"

"Yes, Alec…I don't know how to say this…but…since I first saw you, I-I…I liked you." She fiddled with her fingers but Alec took her hands into his and looked deep into her eyes.

"Ali, when we first met you were scared of me. But I could tell there was something different about you…you're not like other vampire women."

"I know…it's because of, you know…"

"No no no it's much more than that. I mean, you're different yes but you're unique. I've never met a girl like you…"

"And I've never met a guy like you…you've actually wanted to be around despite all I've been through. I-I…I think I…I think I love you." Alec held Alicia close and kissed her forehead and down to her neck and lips.

"I love you too Ali…" they held each other like that until a happy shriek caught their ears. They turned to see Jane and Heidi heading their way and were suddenly embraced all around.

"Oh I'm so happy for both of you!" Heidi screeched.

"Alec it's about time!" Alec's eyes widened and he pulled away and Alicia with him.

"Wait a minute…you two knew?"

"Oh come on brother you don't think I'm that blind do you?"

"Well no, I just didn't think you'd catch on so quickly…"

"Anyway…I'm glad you too like and love each other, just wait until the ball!" Alicia looked confused.

"What ball? Didn't we already have one?"

"Oh that's right I forgot…it's the anniversary ball of the day when the Volturi coven first came to Italy. We celebrate it every year." Heidi exclaimed holding Alicia's hand. "It's tomorrow night at eight, we'd better get you a new dress and shoes and jewelry and…"

"Alright Heidi we get it!" Jane raised her voice and turned around to see Athenodora coming their way with Sulpicia. This didn't look good.

"We overheard your conversation, Alec; Ali I'm glad you both met and fell in love but you'll need to be careful around Caius and Aro. Marcus has told them of your growing relationship…" Jane and Alec gasped looking at Alicia; they'd completely forgotten about Marcus. Caius already didn't approve of Alicia, how would he take one of the guard falling in love with her and her with him?

"Alec and Ali, follow me real quick we have to talk." Jane motioned them to follow and they took off at vampire speed. Athenodora thought for a minute and as she pondered there she soon realized a slight resemblance between Aro and Ali.

"Excuse me for a minute you two, I have to speak with Marcus." She took off at vampire speed as well until she reached the library and spotted Marcus in the balcony of his own private section. "Marcus there you are…" Marcus looked around and spotted her.

"Yes Athenodora, what can I do for you?"

"I need to speak with you about Ali." Marcus put down his book and jumped to Athenodora's level.

"About her relationship with Alec?"

"No I already know about that, I mean about her relationship with Aro. Surely you too can see the resemblance between them? Is there something you're not telling Aro or the others?" Marcus sighed.

"Athenodora you're asking too many questions, which one do you want me to answer?" Athenodora looked directly into Marcus's eyes and took a deep breath.

"Is Ali related to Aro?"

"That's not one of them."

"Oh come now Marcus your power is to see relationships between other vampires, now tell me is Ali really a relative of Aro's?" Marcus couldn't lie to Athenodora, Sulpicia maybe but not Athenodora.

"Yes…..she's his daughter." Athenodora's eyes widened and she looked as if she could faint right there.

"H-His daughter…."

"Yes, but Aro doesn't know. She's going to tell him herself but you can't let anyone else know and don't let Aro touch you."

"I understand, but why keep it secret from me? Do Alec and Jane…?"

"Yes, they and Demetri were the ones who found her. She was abducted and abused for over a hundred years and somehow she managed to contact them from wherever she came from. Don't say a word to anyone else understand? The girl's been through enough and she's finally recovering from the trauma."

"You have my word Marcus, I won't say anything."

"Great now head back before someone gets suspicious." Athenodora nodded and went out the same way she came; what she and Marcus didn't know was that someone was listening at the door and had been there throughout their conversation.

"Aro's daughter? How dare they!" Caius growled and raced off in the direction Athenodora went.

A bit short yeah but this is all I can get right now. Next chapter has a little more Alec/Alicia and a little memory recovery from Alicia's past about her mother. If you have any ideas for the next one please let me know & I'll be sure to put it in. Oh and feel free to check out my other Twilight stories cuz one of them has where ALL of the Volturi leaders have children.

Enjoy and see you next time!