Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight. All recognizable plot and characters belong to the talented Stephanie Meyer.

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"Bella, the blond and her mate are here." James called up the stairs the next evening.

I ran down the stairs, no longer afraid of tripping, my balance had improved tremendously over the last couple of years.

I flung open the door and ran out into Emmett's arms. He laughed and swung me around.

"I still can't believe we found you Tinkerbelle."

He had always called me that in secret, saying I was so small and fragile like a fairy next to him. "Brother Bear" I laughed. "Technically Rose found me. Twice."

She laughed and when he let me go, I was surprised that she hugged me as well.

"Yes well I always was the smarter one."

"Prettier too." I told her laughing as Emmett pretended to pout at us.

I led them into the cabin, "Rose, Em this is my brother James, his mate and my sister, Victoria. James' blood cousin Riley and his mate Bree."

"His aunt's child's, child's, child or something like that anyways." Riley said laughing, "Though I do not live with James and his little coven. My mate and I still reside in Seattle."

"You're human drinkers yet you remain in one location?" Rose asked and I could swear if she were human, she would be blushing after, "sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

Riley laughed, "Don't worry about it. Yes and no. My mate was turned in Seattle and I brought her deep into the Rockies for her first year and a half. We moved around for a year after that and have been settled in Seattle almost three years. Like James and Vicky, we eat those who will not immediately be missed or whose deaths are covered by age and illness. It allows us to remain settled. We do travel some so as not to decrease the population to noticeably. Living part of the year in Seattle as they do here and part of the year travelling. We go with them to Italy once a year; we visit here for several weeks throughout the year or meet them while they are vacationing in the South or in Canada. I believe they travel whenever Bella has the time from school."

"Do you work then?"

"I work in a bar and do some work for the Volturi with James. My mate is only five and has just gone back to school. She was barely eighteen when I turned her."

"And you?" Rose asked turning to James and Vicky.

"I go to school with Bella." Vicky told her. "James does some tracking work for the Volturi over here and manages property in this area. He does the security and maintenance on a number of vacation properties out here. He also does set up for the security for several places in the city, he puts in the equipment and humans run it and do patrols or let out guard dogs."

"James is very good with technology and security, he can think of a lot of things most people wouldn't since his own occasionally necessary criminal activities give him a different perspective than most people." I added as I sat and curled my feet under me in a chair in the living room, where we had slowly migrated while talking.

"What do you study Bella?"

"I did my undergrad in History and English, now I am doing my Masters degree in Journalism. After I'm turned I will still be able to do freelance work."

"You finish this summer?"

"Yes, next month actually. We usually go to Italy in the summer so James will change me after we get to Volterra."

"You really are going to live in Volterra?"

"For the first year of my change at least."

"Why?" Rose looked, surprised, genuinely curious and a little afraid.

"Have the others left?" James interrupted.

Rose looked away.

"No." Emmett was scowling, "it was not a look I liked on my normally grinning brother bear."

"Edward is convinced they have brainwashed you." Rose spat. "He is beginning to sway Carlisle to the possibility. Esme doesn't know what to think but she wants you with the family and with Edward. I tried to convince them otherwise but Edward just says I am jealous and spiteful and never liked you."

"Rose told me, what you told her." Emmett admitted mumbling, "Otherwise I might have agreed with Eddie." He looked a little ashamed, "sorry Bella."

"It's alright Em. I understand but he is wrong. I'm here because I want to be. James and Vicky are my family, they would never hurt me."

"I know Tink. I believe you. I wont let Eddie get you. Just don't be mad at Rosie, k. She only told me so I wouldn't try and do something crazy like steal you away trying to protect you and accidentally letting Eddie hurt you."

"I'm not mad at Rose, that's why I wanted to talk to her with Jasper, even though she never liked me, because I knew she'd tell you I was okay before you did that."

He beamed at me, "know me pretty well huh, Tinkerbelle?"

I grinned back at him, "better than anyone realizes that's for sure, Brother Bear."

"Ok, so the Mind Reader is not giving up. What about the coven leader and his mate? Are they a real threat to us?" Vicky took on her scary in control, badass from Maria's army, Victoria voice.

"Carlisle is non violent he will want to try to get Bella around more often to ascertain the danger to her. Esme will take no action other than talk. She'll try to guilt, cajole and mother Bella into staying with them whenever she sees her but like Carlisle will not use force. If he agrees with Edward about the Stockholm, he might allow Edward to drug her and take her away. We will not allow that."

"And the Seer?"

"She left the family two years ago. She moved to Paris and met her mate. She is still in contact with us, especially Edward, but has not returned. I'm sure the others told her we found Bella. I don't think she will come though."

"And the Major? Does he oppose us?"

"No. He checked your emotions at the Kaaterskill Falls and believes your love and concern for Bella are real. He had hoped the family would see and accept her choice when she did not alter her views away from your presence, they might have without Edward and his stupid Stockholm idea too. Maybe…"

James interrupted, "If he will not stand against us we can protect her from the Mind Reader, Dr. Leader and his mate." His voice took on a tone of command, "you will inform us if the Seer returns with her mate."

"Wait what mate? I thought Jasper was her mate? Don't vampires mate for life?" I finally got a word in.

"Jasper and Alice were not true mates. At first she made him believe they were but never outright said it so when he realized they weren't she convinced him they were meant to be together until they found their mates. Two years ago she went to Paris, leaving Jasper divorce papers. They chose to live together, even to marry, but were not mates. It is rare but not unheard of for a vampire to live with a partner who is not their mate for many years. Jasper and Alice are the longest I ever heard of though."

"So she just left him?" I felt a surprising amount of anger and pain, "Just took off and left him divorce papers?"

Rose nodded, and simultaneously we swore, "that bitch!"

Emmett laughed.

"Yes, Alice always was manipulative to getting her way. She held on to Jasper until she found her mate and then just dropped him. Sometimes I wonder if she ever altered the path his life would have taken if it led to his mate before she met hers. I would not put it past her."

"Rose" Emmett admonished lightly, "We don't know that."

"We know she altered the path of our lives often enough, that she had us move or do something because of a vision and more often than not we did not know what the vision was. Bella is right; she would have seen James' plan to get to Bella. She would have seen Bella make the decision to leave her and Jazz. She either knew James was going to take Bella away or thought he would kill Bella. Whatever the reason she let him get her. Who knows what else she did over the years."

"Let's not try to guess at the Seers motives. She is not the Major's mate so Jasper has no reason to oppose us and James and Vicky can protect me from Edward until my change and then there is nothing that he can do. It's over."

"Edward will do whatever it takes to keep that from happening Bella." Rose added, "He was in a rage when he learned about it. He does not want you to be changed."

"He would rather me be dead?" I asked a little shocked and angry, "that is the choice, a vampire or a corpse."

"He thinks to hide you from the Volturi."

I snorted, "Even if James refused to help because they meant me death rather than changing me, Demetri can track me easily enough. They do mean for me to be changed though and James and Vicky would call them here. Without the Major to oppose us the Cullen's would all be punished and Edward would likely be killed if they could find even the smallest reason to justify it. They might not come for me against the Major, I am not worth it, but against the others, they would come, though James and Vicky will never allow him to get me in the first place."

"No we would not and I would not need to justify his death." James growled. "If he tries to harm her or take her I will hunt him down and kill him and any who help him."

Rose bowed her head a little in his direction; "We will not allow him to either."

"Great so all the information is traded, can we play now?" Emmett grinned at me.

"Sure Bear. Let's play Mario Kart, James got me a Wii for Christmas."

"You're on Tink but I get to be Bowser."

"Hah, I like to be Mushroom anyways, he's much better." I laughed and tossed him a controller.

Rose and Vicky settled to talk fashion and cars. Riley and Bree went to their own cabin and James went to run around the cabins, ostensibly because it was his job but I knew it was to be sure no other Cullen's had followed Rose and Emmett to our home.

After playing for a couple hours, having gone from Mario Kart to Mario brothers, we turned off the Wii and put in a movie. I fell asleep halfway through the second one.

Rose and Emmett stayed over the weekend, Rose was different than what I had thought her to be. It was much more easy for me to see her with my Brother Bear now. She was smart, loyal and funny, she was a lot like Vicky actually and I was glad they had become good friends. Bree and Riley left Sunday morning, assured of my continued safety. James was happy for his mate and I but I knew he preferred the quiet of our life. He liked both Emmett and Rose well enough but did not bond with either of them much and spent most of the weekend out.

Monday, Rose and Emmett went back to the Cullen's while Vicky and I went to classes. The week went by quickly as we were both busy with school.

"Bella." I jumped, startled by the voice, not having heard footsteps.

"Edward. What are you doing here?" I looked around but I knew Vicky was still in class. I spent this hour alone, studying. I was a little afraid and grateful to be in such a public place as the quad rather than the quiet corner of the library where I usually spent this hour.

"I came to see you love. I missed you."

I frowned at him, "Please do not call me that Edward."

"Bella." He adopted that patient tone I hated. "You really must stop this. Carlisle and Esme are very upset and worried about you."

"Stop what Edward? I only asked you not to call me by an endearment. You and I dated, very briefly, five years ago. Had I wished for our relationship to continue or for any relationship with you at all I would have made contact with you. I am sorry your parents are upset but there is no reason for them to be concerned. As I said last weekend, I am both safe and well. I am also very happy. I wish for you to leave and not bother my family or myself again."

"Isabella." I could hear anger in his voice now. "You are my mate. You are confused." His voice softened again, "Don't worry though, I will take care of you. I will take you away and protect you."

I was both angry and scared now, "I am not confused. I am not your mate." I hissed at him, "You will stay away from me Edward Cullen or James will kill you. Make no mistake, you are not a match for my brother or his mate."

"I will fix what they have done to you, my mate, soon I will take you away with me, do not fear love." He whispered, running a finger down my arm.

I shuddered and stepped away, "Stay away from me. This is your only warning."

He left and I sat down shivering with fear. I didn't notice when Vicky came over to me after her class finished so when I felt a cold hand touch my shoulder I jumped a mile, my heart racing.

I burst into tears and Vicky pulled me into her arms. When I had calmed down, she called James, ushering me to our SUV. He met us half way home and I explained to them both what happened. I had not heard her make the call but Rose and Emmett were already waiting for us when we reached our cabin. I was surprised to see Jasper with them. Apparently so were Vicky and James. Vicky kept me behind her, scowling at Rose who just glared right back. James settled in front of us both crouched a little and watching Jasper warily.

"Why did you bring him here?" James demanded, not looking away from Jasper.

"He wont hurt her." Emmett said instead, "I wouldn't let anyone hurt Tinkerbelle."

"He came to help." Rose added still glaring.

"You want to help? Keep your coven away from mine. We can keep Bella safe. We have been for five years." Vicky hissed at her.

I felt a wave of calm come from Jasper.

"Your brother threatened Bella today. You convinced us she was safe. He plans to take her against her will. If he moves against my coven, I will kill him and any who help him. Now leave our territory and do not return." James demanded.

"I am not leaving my sister!" Emmett growled.

"We will not let him take her." Rose stated before turning to me, "We don't want to lose you Bella. We came to see you were ok and to help." She turned back to James and continued, "The family is divided. The Denali's decided to go back to Alaska, even Laurent has left; he does not want to oppose you. Carlisle was beginning to believe Edward's theory, Esme was not so convinced, until Alice called. She said the future had changed, that Bella belonged with James and his coven and to leave her. Edward is convinced the future changed because she has Stockholm. He is almost obsessed with the idea of her as his mate. Esme, was convinced, Bella was Edwards mate and must be removed from James' influence for her own good. With Esme on his side, Edward convinced Carlisle to give him a sedative for Bella and has made arrangements for Edward to take her to Isle Esme, until she is rehabilitated."

James and Vicky were both growling, while Rose was speaking Vicky had wrapped me in her arms as though I might disappear. James had pulled us both closer to him.

"Should we call Riley and Bree back?" Vicky asked turning to James for direction. He was her mate but also her general, the head of our coven; he would decide the course of action.

"No. Call Aro; make sure he will side with us against Carlisle. Tell him the Mind Reader is opposing her change. Tell him because of this we fear for her and are coming to Volterra for her change early." He turned to me and touched my cheek, "I'm sorry pet. I know you wanted to finish school. Classes are almost done and you would have aced your exams. I will find a way for you to write them after your change so you can still get your degree."

"It's not important. I'll have centuries to finish." I told him biting back tears of frustration.

"She can finish school." Jasper finally spoke up. "Between all of us he will never get to her."

"You are willing to stand against your coven?" Vicky asked him, honestly curious; he was not the Major she had imagined from the legends she had been brought into this life on.

"I am not a Cullen but were they my coven, half are here. The other half is wrong. I will not allow Edward to harm her. Carlisle and Esme are blinded by their affection for him."

"Not a Cullen?" I was confused.

"I'm a Whitlock, I have lived away from my coven for many years in deference to Alice's wishes. I allowed myself to be ruled by her. I will not be ruled by Edward and his selfish whims." He nodded his head at me, "I owe you this much Isabella."

"You owe me nothing Jasper."

"If my wife meant you harm or manipulated your life into a harmful position, which I agree with your coven is likely the case after hearing Rose's telling of the past, then I do. I also owe your coven for the death of my sire. I ought to have gone back and killed her long ago. My brother and his mate are also grateful for her demise and are heading this way to help. Edward will not be able to stand against us all. You will finish school and be turned in the summer as you planned. We will protect you."

"Truth. All they have spoken is truth." We heard from the woods and turned to see Riley and Bree, "Cousin," he nodded at James, "we stayed in the city for a few days to be sure all was as well as it seemed, almost left when the Denali group headed out, lucky we didn't."

James nodded, "Thank you cousin."

"Even if we did you should have called us. We plan on coming with you to Volterra."

"We would not ask it. You have always preferred to live as human as possible." Victoria told him.

"You would not ask and we do prefer the way we live but you are family and we want to be there for her change to help with the transition."

"Thank you Riley." I smiled at him, "I am grateful to have you and Bree watching out for me. Looking in on my father is more than I could have ever hoped for. I would not ask you to change your lives any more for me."

"You helped me Bella, I will help you." Bree smiled at me and I smiled back nodding. Neither of us elaborated for our guests about just how I had ended up helping a vampire adjust, they would not take it well.

" Alright can we get back to the truth bit?" Emmitt asked impatiently, "What did he mean all we spoke is truth, of course it was the truth."

"Its his gift Bear." I grinned, "Riley can tell if you are lying, he says lies smell funny."

"White lies are just a light sort of burned peat smell. Bigger lies have stronger scents and are much more bitter." He told them shrugging.

"I know, weird right." I laughed, at Emmett who frowned in thought.

"So you can tell if your mate even tells you a little white lie?"

"Yes." He nodded. "I use it to help the Volturi out sometimes. They send James and I out to find a vampire and get some information."

"I think Edward is a closet homosexual."

"There is a part lie. You might think it but do not believe it." He said easily.

"I think Jasper needs to get laid." Rose spoke up.

"True." He answered laughing a little.

Emmett let out a loud belly laugh, "I don't think the Pixie put out much."

"True." Riley confirmed, "you do think that but it does not mean it is true. Only coming from her or her partner would it become fact."

Emmett was still laughing, "didn't mean for you to confirm that mate, I was just commenting to Rosie that it was nothing new that Jazz needed to get some, but hey he's here, tell us the truth Jazz did the Pixie put out?"

I felt an odd wave in my stomach; I really did not want to hear about this. "Leave him alone Emmett. I'm cold and hungry so if we are not in a state of emergency anymore I'd like to go inside."

"Yes, you need to eat." Vicky automatically went into mothering mode. She was convinced I never ate enough and would starve if I missed one meal. "James go and get her a sweater, its still to cool out this time of year to be standing around like this. Riley why don't you get a fire started."

We all went into the house and Vicky sat me at the counter and immediately began cooking. Riley and Bree stood at one end of the kitchen, Emmitt and Rose the other. James and Jasper were eyeing each other warily.

"So Jazz, heard you killed a lot of people before. Planning on attacking my brother?" I asked annoyed with them both.

The others stared at me in shock. Vicky was nervous, she had tried to drill fear of the Major in me and while in theory I did fear him I could not fear Jasper, the preppy, quiet man married to Alice.

"Or maybe you'd like to sample the human? A neg you know. Bree already went for a taste but James got her first. Maybe you'll be quicker."

Even Bree who did not know who he was looked shocked. Emmett was eying her angrily, checking how close to me she was or the color of her eyes I was sure.

Suddenly Rose started laughing, which made me lose my serious façade and start laughing as well, and soon Riley was laughing with us which started Bree laughing. Vicky looked from one shocked face to another between James and Jasper and started to laugh as well.

James and Jasper exchanged a look and looked at each of us like we were nuts and most of the tension was gone from the room as we all tried to stop laughing. Emmett was still watching Bree warily while the other two of them still looked at us like we'd lost our marbles.

"Sorry Jazz." I forced out, trying to catch my breath and stop my giggles. Once I had myself under control I noticed Bree standing a little closer to Riley and turned to see Emmett still glaring at her. "Oh back off Emmett. I went and bled on her when she was only around two years as a vamp. Even you might not resist a nibble if I bled on you. Besides, I'm fine. It was over three years ago and it was a year before James let her within a hundred yards of me. I think she's only been allowed in a room alone with me this last year and her control is excellent. She worked very hard to have enough control that if I were to cut off my finger she'd be able to hold the towel while we drove to the hospital, so stop glaring at her like that."

Rose smiled at Bree, "How did you manage that?"

"Attacking her or the control?" Bree attempted a joke. All of us but Emmett, and Jasper and James who were still shocked from earlier, laughed.

"Both," Rose said grinning.

"Well she cut her finger and everyone froze but me. I smelt blood and leapt. I was just twenty-one months to this life and had not been faced with many humans but those while hunting, learning where and when it was safe to feed and when I needed control. James reacted first. He had me by the throat before I got within two feet of her. Vicky had her in her arms a moment after that and instead of killing me James tossed me to Riley who forced me outside and we ran, putting as much distance between us and here as possible as quickly as possible. We called to apologize the next day and I began trying in earnest to control every ounce of bloodlust. Riley and I moved into the city to be around people all the time. I held off feeding as long as possible, I even watched as Riley fed letting the smell of the blood draw out my bloodlust. I got a part time job at a blood clinic and went to nursing school. After being able to work in a clinic as a nurse for six months, James agreed I was safe to be left in the house alone with Bella again. She's right, because of that day if she lost a finger I would be able to hold the towel to the wound until we got her to a doctor without my blood lust taking over."

They all looked impressed. "Only Carlisle has that kind of control." Emmett finally admitted.

"Carlisle and Bree." I corrected him, smiling proudly at her.

Vicky went back to cooking my dinner and the atmosphere relaxed. Bree and Rose were talking quietly about travelling. Emmett and Riley had begun a conversation about hunting different kinds of prey. Riley had told Emmett about hunting alligator in the Bayou. Apparently, the blood was terrible but the fight was great fun. Emmett said it must be a reptile thing because anacondas were fun to hunt but awful tasting to, Emmett finally convincing Riley he should try bear.

I listened to my family talking around me; only Vicky and I seemed to notice the still silent James and Jasper standing in the living room area behind us.

Vicky sat my plate in front of me, "alright you lot, lets leave Bella to eat in peace. James, you and I need to hunt. Emmett you and Rose can find something in the woods near here." She pushed them all out of the cabin and I sighed in relief.

I picked at my plate and jumped when I heard a voice.

"Not hungry after all?" Jasper came to sit near me.

"Shit Jasper, I thought you left. You scared the life out of me."

"Can't leave you all on your own, Victoria convinced James to hunt since his eyes are almost black, Emmett and Rose went to hunt but are near, and Bree and Riley said they were going home for the night."

"They have the cabin closest to ours for when they visit. They can be here in under two minutes and no one will get past them to get to me from that direction." I looked over at him but he was not looking at me, he looked upset.

"Are you alright Jasper?"

He nodded and looked up, his face a cold mask, "you should eat."

"Yeah, yeah." I nodded eating another bite. "When are your brother and his mate arriving? I didn't know you had a brother."

"And you know all about my past." He hissed looking away again.

I stared at him stunned. "Jasper, I, well, yes, some of it. James and Vicky told me what they knew, though I have a hard time connecting him and you in my head." I admitted before realizing I really did not want to clarify why that was.

He sighed, "Peter is not my brother anymore than James or Emmett are yours. I turned Peter and his mate Charlotte when I was with Maria."

"The Captain." I said connecting the dots. "The mates you helped escape her before defecting her army yourself."

"He came back for me a year later, I did not leave on my own."

I shrugged, "the legend is often different than truth."

"What is the legend?"

"The stories Vicky told me, that others had told her. You were Maria's favorite. The Major. Next to you was the Captain, who fell in love with a newborn. You helped them escape and once you were sure they were safe, you defected as well, leaving Maria to her fate. The newborns were out of control after you left. Many sought to over throw her without you there to protect her. Maria was a force in her own right though. She promoted the right people and killed off the others, began her army new. Stories of the glory days with the Major were told to each newborn. Those who excelled would be promoted, those who were loyal rewarded. They were taught to strive to match you, the Major who none could stand against. You were the ultimate warrior. The legends told were not told by Maria but by those who had lived under you. She would punish any who spoke of you but she could not stop the stories spreading. The Major was the strongest, most badass vamp to cross the earth, merciful and intelligent. He led his troops to victory where others would have only met their death. He instilled loyalty. Many who seemed loyal to Maria were only loyal to him. Those that were obvious about it when he left were killed; those who were subtler, continued to tell his legend to those like Victoria who rose in the ranks. She suffered under Maria but knew if not for the ideals of the Major she would have suffered worse." I had started talking about the Major of the stories, the man I could not seem to entwine with the image I had of Jasper. "The stories told about the Major were of loyalty and honor, a true soldier, he fought under Maria yes but was not led by her evil. He was a warrior and a god. Dangerous, deadly even among vampires and yet he was known for his mercy and his honor."

I blushed as I looked over at Jasper, "Vicky told me many things about that man Jasper. She drilled into me just how dangerous he is. How many people he killed, vampires, men, women and children. I still have trouble remembering he is you."

He looked at me surprised "Why?"

Great, that was the one I didn't want him to ask, I blushed deeper. "You are just not how I would imagine the man from her stories."

He frowned, "he was a monster. I would not want anyone to look at me and see all that."

"He was a warrior and a god." I defended him, the Major, once again disassociating him with the man sitting before me. "You are a weak man who let a Pixie Witch control you. You have nothing to fear, I would never mistake you for him. He is obviously dead."

I pushed away from the table and left the cabin, leaving Jasper sitting there stunned.

I had forgotten the threat of Edward as I walked into the woods and sat on a log near the stream that ran down to the ocean near our house. I should have been more careful.

"You shouldn't be so hard on him sugar."

I screamed and jumped up, spinning around to quickly and falling backwards into the stream.

In seconds, the area was full of vampires all growling and crouched ready to fight.

"Char honey, I told you not to frighten her." A good-looking blond stood with Jasper. "Or were you just surprised the water was so cold?" He asked laughing at me in the stream.

I stood up, shivering, "You must be the Captain then?"

"Peter Whitlock," he nodded, "That there beauty is my wife and mate Char," he grinned over at the beautiful blond who had startled me into screaming "and we are here to help protect you from the uptight virgin prickward."

I laughed at him, he reminded me of Emmett, "I'm Bella, obviously, since I am the only one with a pulse, that is Riley and Bree and I don't know if you met my brother Emmett and his mate Rose."

"We have been previously introduced, though it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Little Bit." He winked at me.

"Yeah, you to." I laughed, "next time maybe we could not meet like this though and it'd be better if we didn't tell James you came across me alone in the woods with enough time to kill me before anyone realized you were even here."

"Yes and it would be even better if we got you home, warm and dry before he and Victoria return." Bree added, smiling at us all. "It was nice to meet you both. Riley and I will see you in the morning. Rose and Emmett are going to stay with us tonight. No offence Major but you kind of scare me so I'll leave you and yours with James. You'll be alright?" She addressed the last to me.

He nodded at her, "We will be fine. We will take Bella back to the cabin and keep her safe."

"Bella?" she asked again before leaving.

"I'm fine Bree. James will be back soon. I just want to dry off and sleep."

She nodded and then disappeared into the woods. Emmett coming over to give me one of his bear hugs first, "scream if you need me little sister."

"I will, thanks Brother Bear."

When he set me down, I began walking back towards the house.

"Sorry I scared you sugar." The blond came to walk next to me.

"Its alright, you'd think I'd be used to silent vampires jumping out at me after five years with them but," I shrugged, "maybe after the change I'll hear you. You're name is Char?"

"Charlotte, Char for short."

"You were listening to Jasper and I?"

"Yup, sorry sugar, Peter went in to talk to him and I came to make sure you were safe, didn't mean to scare you. Should have known I would when Pete said not to. Fucker always knows shit."

"Is he a Seer like the Pixie?"

"No," she shook her head, "he just knows shit, like why we are here for example."

"Because Jasper asked you to come?"

"Yes and no. Peter knew Jasper would ask us to come so we were already on our way, that's how we are here so quick. We are here because his mate is in trouble."

"I thought Alice wasn't his mate and is all snuggled up with one in Paris?"

"She isn't his mate and she is in Paris. The Pixie Bitch, was, as you so aptly put it to the Major, controlling him and you are right that he let her. Pathetic I know." We heard a growl behind us.

"Fuck off Jasper, you don't like the facts, to bad, you should not have let it happen." I snapped.

Char stared at me a second before continuing, "Victoria did mention he was deadly right? Because I don't know a vampire alive who would speak to the Major like that. Not even the Pixie had those balls and she had him walking, talking, dressing and shitting on command."

I couldn't help the giggle that escaped, "Vampire's don't shit Char. Though I am sure she would have trained him if they did. And yes Vicky made sure to instill a healthy amount of respect for the Major as well as the Captain and yourself. You'll forgive me if I don't seem able to interpose Jasper and the Major in my head enough to fear him. The images are diametrically opposed. I respect the Major and yes, fear him, but I do not respect or fear any man who sits down, shuts up and kisses the toes of a five foot two, manipulative bitch, not his mate who controls how he speaks and dresses, who he talks to and what he eats. He might be a vampire and thus able to kill me with his little finger but if he wants the respect due the Major then he should act like he deserves it." I told her as we reached the cabin. She was laughing as I flounced inside and up the stairs to the shower.

When I came out Char was lounging on my bed. "Peter took Jasper for a hunt and to lick his wounds. I gotta hand it to you sugar you really tore into him good."

I blushed, "I'll apologize when he gets back, I don't know what got into me."

"I do," she grinned.

I cocked my head in confusion, "you do?"

"Peter told me. That's actually why we are here."

"Ok, I'll give, why are you here?"

"First can I ask you something?"

"Sure." I shrugged and sat cross-legged on the bed with her.

"What do you think about the Major?"

"Didn't we already have this conversation?"

"No, not the Alice dress up fuck-able blow up doll, the Major, as Victoria told you about him."

"He is a warrior, a legend. He is strong, terrifying," I shivered, "He's the God of War, the most deadly thing in existence. He is respected and feared. He is known for his honor and loyalty. He has killed many but never succumbed to evil. He killed because he had to but he killed with mercy. He never touched a woman who would not offer herself willingly. He helped you and Peter get free of Maria's control, staying with her to be sure of your safety, he suffered for his insubordination, for not killing you, and for letting him and you free, refusing to find and kill you, her trackers following him instead of her. He is honorable and good." I told her honestly. "I think the Major, the man who was changed in the 1800s and rose in the Southern Wars was a warrior. A man I would have liked to meet." I grinned, "After my change and far from Maria."

She grinned back. "Well, Jasper unlocks the cage to the part of him that is the God of War and again becomes Major Jasper Whitlock, you will meet him."

I rolled my eyes, "yeah, sure."

She turned serous again, repeating the first words she had spoken to me. "Don't be to hard on him sugar."

"Why not? Have I said anything untrue?"

"No, no you haven't. But knowing the stories is not the same as living it. Peter and I live with the memories of our time under Maria, my own much shorter than Peter's and Jasper's much longer still. It was horrible. To survive, the Major locked away all that made him Jasper Whitlock, he became the God of War. After he left, he locked away all the parts that made him the God of War and became just Jasper, only he didn't really know how to live, it had been to long. We tried to help him but the Major was lost. Alice got her claws in him and he believed he'd found his mate, he became what she wanted him to become in the hopes of becoming a good man and erasing what he had been, what the God of War had been. What Peter and I have always known is that Jasper is both and neither. He is not Maria's God of War or Alice's Jasper Hale, he is our Major, Major Jasper Whitlock. That is who was friends with Peter, who let us free, who we came back to rescue and he is the reason we are here now."

"So you are here to what? Take him away from the Cullen's?"

"We would like him to return with us yes but what he does and where he goes is up to him and his mate."

"Right and who is his mate?"

"You are?"

I stared at her dumbly.

"Bella?" She asked after a while. "Bella, are you alright?" I just sat there, numb. "Bella, Peter just knew Jasper was going to call us to come here. As soon as he did Peter knew the girl, you, were Jasper's true mate. Like he also knows, Alice knew this and that is why she manipulated things in Forks. Peter told me and he is never wrong Bella. You are the Majors mate." She touched my shoulder, "Bella?" I felt her shake me lightly, her voice becoming more concerned, "Bella?" I sat there numb, her words repeating themselves in my mind. "PETER! JASPER!" she finally shrieked.

"CHAR!" I heard yelled from outside. A second later I felt calm spread out in the room as two more people came into view. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"I don't know, I think I broke her." Char said motioning to me. I wanted to tell her I was fine and to let me think a minute but I couldn't, I felt frozen.

I heard a low growl and things began to move in slow motion, I was pulled into Vicky's arms and James was instantly crouched in front of me. Peter pulled Char behind him, crouching to protect her and Jasper was sending out waves of calm to all of us.

"Charlotte," he asked, his voice low and calm but unmistakably commanding, "What happened here?"

"Nothing, I don't think, I mean, I don't really know." She told him, looking worriedly at me. "We were talking and I think maybe I broke her, or something, when I said, well, um," she looked from me to Peter, "We were just talking. She sort of went really still and wouldn't answer me and I got scared."

"Bella." Vicky ran her hand over my hair, "Honey, what happened? Talk to me, honey, tell me and James what happened and we'll make it better."

I tried to answer her but couldn't make my throat work; I looked to Jasper and met his eyes, "Is it true?" I whispered to him.

He stared right back at me with intense black eyes, "Peter has never been wrong."

"But, I, you, I mean, we, no, him maybe, you, no, its just not, I mean, how, why, no, no its just not, no." I shook my head.

"He is him Bella, and you are his." Charlotte told me stepping forward cautiously.

"Truth." We heard from the doorway.

I turned to see Riley and Emmett, no doubt they and Bree and Rose had come at Charlotte's panicked cry for Peter as well.

"What is true? What the hell is going on here?" Vicky demanded, still holding me to her.

"I believe my mate just informed Bella as to our purpose here."

"To protect her from Edward." Bree said stepping around her mate and into the room but remaining close to his side.

Peter nodded, "We are here because the Major needs us."

"Oh enough with the cryptic shit." Charlotte spat, "We came because she is in danger, not that we would care about any random human, even if she was a Cullen pet, but because she is the Major's mate."

"What?" James and Emmett growled.

"She is his true mate." Peter confirmed before he hissed at Jasper, "She is your mate, I might not have known before but I know now and whatever feeds this Yoda shit knowledge into my brain is never wrong Major. She is your mate. You both know it on some instinctual level. The Pixie Bitch used her gift as a Seer to manipulate you, her and Edward. Now he believes she's his mate and she ain't. You are all shades of fucked as Bella already pointed out and she's, well we don't know what kind of fucked her life is from that pint-sized master manipulator yet."

"Point is," Char added, "Bella here is the Major's mate, thus she is a Whitlock and we take care of our own."

"She is our sister, we will keep her safe." Vicky hissed back at her.

"Emmett and I spent years looking for her, we wont let anyone hurt her now." Rose growled.

"Enough," Riley snapped. "All that has been spoken is truth. Peter and Charlotte are here to protect Bella, under the belief she is Jasper's mate. She is a member of this coven; James and Vicky both would do anything to protect her. Rose and Emmitt love her as family as well and will protect her. We are all here for the same reason so stop fighting and focus on Bella."

"She is overwhelmed mate, perhaps if we all leave her to sleep she will be better in the morning." Bree added calmly.

"Yes, it is a lot of information for us, it's to much for her. She needs time to process." Rose agreed with Bree and together they cleared out my room, leaving me alone with Vicky.

"Bell, baby, lay down and rest." She encouraged. I curled over onto the bed without responding.

She lay down next to me; I felt her hand run through my hair, "I'm so sorry Bell. James and I, we should have kept you safe, we should have changed you long ago, we just love you so much and we wanted you to be happy and ready. We wanted to make the transition as easy as possible for you, mostly though we were selfish; we wanted more time with you." She gently ran her hand over my forehead and through my hair. "If the Captain and his mate are right, if the Major is your mate, I'm relieved." I held my breath waiting for her to continue, finally surprised out of my dazed response to Charlotte's abrupt revelation. "The Major will be able to protect you, he will love and honor you. No one will harm you, ever. Only you my sister would be worthy. You, with such a big and pure heart will love him, as he deserves. A man like him will hold your heart safely. You will never suffer the horrors of women once it is known you belong to him. Not even the Volturi would risk his wrath with your suffering." She hugged me to her.

"When I was turned, Maria meant me as a gift for one of her generals, a man she planned to replace the Major. He was loyal to the Major though and instead of assaulting me he told me of the better days, the days when the Major ruled and Maria was only the figure head, greedily directing him to take what she wanted but leaving the work and the troops to his leadership. I lived through those years with my general, holding strong to the idea of freedom, that the Major would return to free us from Maria, the general learned I and others held this hope and he said it was the wrong lesson, the Major had helped the mates escape but he would not come back for us. He had shown us the patience and strength we would have to have to free ourselves. My general was right. He had the courage to take his mate though they kept me with them as well to keep me as safe as possible. When she was killed in battle, he followed in the next. They were not so lucky as the Captain and his mate but to find love in all that hatred gave us hope. When James came, we were ready to assist him. We fought the newborns and the few older who were loyal to Maria and shared her madness, while James took out Maria. It was the memory of the three of them that got us through the bad days."

"The man you were told of does not exist." I told her quietly.

"He does Bella, I believe that under what the Pixie Seer has made him, the heart of the Major still exists and he will love, honor and protect his mate."

"Then he is a weak man controlled by a manipulative bitch with visions of the future and I will not become the same. I will not let Peter control me as Alice controlled him. I have my family. My coven. I will be turned and I will decide my fate. I will choose my mate."

"Mates choose us Bella. Jasper chose Alice though she was not his mate. Edward has chosen you though you are not his. Things go badly when we fight fate."

"You knew James was your mate. Peter knew Charlotte. If he were my mate, would I not have known it? Wouldn't he?"

"I don't know Bell." She whispered stroking my hair. "He is not himself and you are not yet turned. Perhaps when he is strong again and you are changed you will recognize each other."

"I wont give my life over to him because some blond cowboy Yoda says its destiny."

"As well you shouldn't but neither should you fight the possibility that he speaks the truth. Leave your heart open and let fate run its course."

I sighed, "I'd rather pretend none of this happened and go back to our lives. I love that I have Emmett back and I like Rose but I wish they never came to New York so we could just have our lives back the way they were. Just you and James and me and sometimes Riley and Bree."

She sighed, "James and I have been happier these last years than the decades before. We love you Bell. That will never change but life cannot stay unchanging. I have long imagined a mate who would love you. We might have planned for a little more time but this day was always going to come."

"I'm not ready for it."

"You are, you just don't realize it yet because you don't feel the bond. Give it time. Get to know him. Love will grow and with it, the bond will strengthen. Sleep now." She began to hum softly in my ear and I drifted to sleep, dreaming of the Warrior Vicky had told me about.