AUTHORS NOTE:

I apologise for this not being the latest chapter of Jealousy. But I had received a few questions regarding the setting of the story which I need to explain before moving on to the next chapter of Jealousy.

This story is based in the AU created in two stories written by Pace is the Trick and Sandfish who, for reasons of their own, have removed them from Fan Fiction.

As many of my readers will not have had a chance to read the above stories before they were pulled I wanted to clarify my thoughts on the character of Aro from this AU.

He may, or may not, be very different to your understanding, but either way please read, enjoy and hey go crazy and review *grin*

He sat in the moving vehicle, paying no notice to the night moving past the window, seeming to study his pale hands resting gently on his lap.

His companion made no movement, a silent presence waiting for the moment his Master needed him. Two others seated at the front of the vehicle spoke in whispers and short phrases, a mixture of planning and observation. The conversation contained serious matters and banter, interaction between two individuals who had known, and worked with, each other for centuries.

Aro half listened to their conversation, he found such interactions between his guard amusing and supported such comradery, as long as it did not interfere with the work. The relaxed atmosphere helped him contain his aggravation over the current situation, not least the five days trapped on-board the ship between Bremerhaven and New York.

Choosing his companions for this voyage had been particularly challenging, he needed members of the guard who had the ability to protect him and handle the individuals concerned with discretion, but who also had the patience and control to be around large numbers of humans for extended periods of time. So Jane and Alec were replaced by Felix and Renata joining Demetri and Chelsea. In hindsight Aro was quite satisfied with the decision not to bring the twins, he had found the journey less dramatic than those where they were present; Aro found that he did so enjoy the calm.

Caius was usually delegated to perform the task of find and recover, Aro trusted his brother to perform such duties as required, and despite his role as warrior he had not lived as long as he had without being skilled in diplomacy and subtly. Despite this Caius needed regular distractions; he was easily bored and became imaginative and vicious as a result. To combat this Aro had created various entertainments, over the centuries, to amuse Caius.

In one such setup, Aro had created a unique species of animal for this brother to hunt, however Caius had immersed himself so thoroughly that when he was attacked by one of the werewolf's his need for revenge was absolute as he drove the animals to extinction. While the result was disappointing for Aro he had found his brothers reaction fascinating and felt that what he learned about Caius and his potential was truly breathtaking.

After that Aro's ambition, and imagination, amplified as he created ways that he could both entertain Caius and tighten his leash on the vampire race. His resourcefulness and clandestine ways meant that Caius and Marcus were unaware of Aro's influence over the Southern Vampire Wars or that he was the creator of the first immortal child; encouraging the spawning of the little monsters, initially by individuals and then by covens.

Both scenarios gave Caius a cause to channel his aggression whilst also giving him a reason to avoid the stifling nature of the citadel. But more so they provided Aro with the opportunity to tighten his control over the vampire nation; he was saddened that many vampire lives had been lost, but the resulting increase in their authority and power was definitely worth it. Well, worth it for the brothers.

Marcus, well Marcus was a different beast. More bear than lion, Marcus buried himself in the administration of the vampire empire. Aro knew that maintaining such a huge empire while maintaining discretion and anonymity took coordination and management, and that wasn't taking into consideration Marcus' extensive intelligence network and research and development teams.

Marcus managed the books, which kept the vampire nation safe. He worked relentlessly in a futile attempt to divert himself from the death of his mate hundreds of years ago. However he was in no way impotent; Aro had learnt the hard way that underneath the moderate exterior Marcus possessed a will of iron whose desire to protect the vampire nation was stronger that his own. Marcus would sacrifice a brother to protect their people and as such he was both dangerous and invaluable to Aro.

Aro had no delusions as to his own motivation and desires. He wanted power and adulation and was willing to do anything to get it. He was an immortal and if he had his way he would see out the end of mankind and the death of the stars.

He was a visionary; his mind was full of not only his thoughts, but the thoughts of the millions he had encountered over time. He had shaped history, instigated and terminated wars, triggered recessions and ended revolutions. He did it all for one reason; the protection and expansion of the Vampire nation and its natural food source. An aura of smugness oozed from every pore and he contemplated that was it not for his influence the human race would not have survived this long to continue in their role as prey.

When he had first heard about the child, this wonderful being that Carlisle had stumbled upon, he had felt threatened. Here was a child whose talent could rival Aro's own and was possibly a threat to those who needed to keep the secrets of the Volturi. However upon meeting Edward, when he visited Volterra with Carlisle to resolve an unfortunate matter that had occurred between the couple and Aro's guard, Aro found a very different individual with a world of potential.

It was during the months that Edward was in Italy that Aro's perception of the child changed. Edward was not a threat; he had amazing potential, not just in his talents as a mind reader, but as Aro's counterpart and potential heir. Aro could see the three once again become four, with Carlisle's progeny occupying the position that Carlisle abandoned.

During his interactions with the child Aro had had an epiphany. He always believed there was a hierarchy amongst the vampire people and that those who were talented were ranked higher, and as such they had the responsibility to take care of those who were not.

But now he saw that the rarity and value of their talent meant mind readers were superior to all. Aro was convinced that their shared talent meant that they were the predestined leaders of the vampire race and the protectors of the mysteries of man and vampire.

Those with such talent must be forever protected. Even though Aro was angered when Carlisle removed Edwards from Volterra, he knew Carlisle's attachment to the child made him a trustworthy protector of Aro's heir.

So what had happened now to make Carlisle a threat?

Aro was desperate to get to the child, who must be frightened and confused, and anxious to be rescued from his torment. He was also concerned that Edward had not simply left Carlisle. Was the situation so bad that the child would not, or could not, leave his sire? Edward had left Carlisle once before over the matter of diet and restraint. When here heard about the falling out Aro had expected the child to make his way to Volterra and was troubled that he did not and was angered that in the end Edward gave in to the false morality forced upon him by his sire and returned to Carlisle's side.

One thing that was highlighted during Edwards early visit to Volterra and then confirmed when the chid went native was that he was susceptible to pain and distress when feeding from human prey. Initially Aro thought that this was a simple intolerance that the child could be trained to ignore. However he came to understand that the child's reaction to the overwhelming stimulus was not something that could be reduced by way of acclimation, but had the potential to create substantial mental damage and put both vampires and humans at peril.

Aro knew that wherever Edward was relocated the child would not be able to live in Volterra. He could not be sedated the entire time as that would render the child useless. Also Aro was not irresponsible, he could not leave one such as Edward in a vulnerable state to be the target of jealousy or political intrigue. Aro would have to find an alternative. He had friends all over the world in every country, but there were few he trusted with something a precious as Edward.

He sighed, before he could think about where Edward would stay, Aro first had to learn of the child's fate and, if necessary, save him from his sire's inevitable insanity.

Carlisle was no longer the protector, but the threat. Even if Edward was to never join Aro at his rightful place at Aro's right hand. Aro could not support the injury or death of the child. No mind reader should be at risk of any harm, they were too valuable, too unique.

Aro looked down at his hands to find them clenched tight in the lap, risking damage to the threats of his robe.

"We must hurry," he murmured.

The guard in front of him looked up.

"Master?"

"We must go faster, we must save him."

Hearing the engine accelerate in response he settled again in his seat, willing that they would get to the child and his shortly to be deceased sire, soon.