"Something's not right." Lorraine remarks to Simon as they were walking down the street.

"Something is definitely off."

"Really? You seem so willing to go with that Heidi chick."

"Exactly! Like I felt like I had to go with her. I didn't want to but I was happy to. Does that make sense?"

"It doesn't. And I know you, if you don't want to do something you won't do it. But that's just proof that something is off."

"But why did she come back with those two guys though?"

"I had asked her about this guy named Santiago because I know that Valentina had a crush in there named Santiago. And she went to get him for me."

"Okay, that explains Santiago's presence, but what about that other guy?"

"Demetri?"

"Yes, him. Why was he there? It's not like he said anything. He was more observing than talking."

"True."

"Look I agree with you that something is up over there but we don't know if it's linked to Valentina missing. We don't even know if she's missing for sure. But you're right something is definitely not right. I think that we should regroup."

"Regroup?"

"It's noon, I'm starving so let's find a place to sit down, eat and brainstorm."

"You and food!"

"I am a growing boy!"

"You're 26! You're no longer a boy but a grown man!"

"My mother says that I'm a growing boy, therefore a growing boy I am. Your argument is invalid and you may kiss my ass." With that, they both laughed and made their way to a cozy restaurant to focus on finding out about Valentina.

Meanwhile, Demetri makes his way down to meet Aro, Marcus and Caius.

"Has everything been resolved?" Aro asks him.

"Yes and no, Master. I can assure you that she will not come back but she will not stop inquiring either."

"I see."

"In addition, Valentina apparently had family and they have been made aware of her disappearance."

Aro was not that concerned about this news but nonetheless wanted to be on the safe side.

"Well then," Aro started, "have one of the guards follow her."

"Demetri should be the one following her." Marcus interjected knowingly, which surprised Aro.

"It's settled. Demetri, your task is to follow this girl and thwart her every move in her investigation."

"As you wish, Master."

"You are excused." So Demetri takes his leave to prepare for his mission.

As he reaches his quarters, he sees Felix waiting for him.

"How did it go? Heidi is agitated." Felix inquires. Demetri felt terrible for his dear friend. Felix has been infatuated with Heidi, while Heidi has always been infatuated with herself and her power. The woman was the opposite of monogamy and changes lovers the same way she changes her nail polish. Demetri had warned Felix but his friend was blinded.

"Heidi is agitated because her powers did not work on the girl that was here. The girl will not stop her inquisition on Valentina so Aro gave me a mission."

"To kill."

"No, to follow and stop her."

"Oh. I have to admit I do miss dear Valentina." Felix and Valentina were lovers. It was his pathetic way of making Heidi jealous. Of course, it didn't work.

"I must say that I was surprised that you didn't kill her." Demetri says.

"When you have a sole purpose, you are able to overcome your instincts." Felix calmly retorts.

"Felix, I would have never labeled you as a philosopher! After centuries of friendship you are able to chock me! Bravo!"

After rolling his eyes in the most masculine way possible, Felix responds, "So what is your strategy for the mission?"

"Nothing extravagant. I'll follow her for a week to get an idea of her routine than visit her place when she's out to have a sense of the seriousness and progress of this so-called investigation." Demetri then stops to remember Lorraine's interaction with Heidi and Santiago. He genuinely smiles at that thought.

"What is it, Demetri?"

"She's feisty."

"Who is?"

"Lorraine."

"Who?"

"My mission. The woman who upset Heidi. She has fire in her. She's strong yet elegant. She has her own beauty that's overshadowed by her confidence. Remarkable creature really."

"I'm sensing more."

"There isn't any."

"Demetri, we've been friends for centuries. We've called each other best friends and confided our darkest secrets to each other. We're as close as Jane and Alec." Unbeknown to most of Volturi, Felix is an emotional being. He is very flirtatious with all of the women but he is emotional and protective over those he formed an attachment with.

Demetri made sure that he looked away before answering his friend. He did not want to show signs of worry. Or was it worry? What exactly was he feeling? He knew that he was intrigued with her but her scent is what worried him because it was soothing. He has lived for centuries and never experienced this. So yes, maybe he was a bit worried.

"Her scent."

"What about it?"

"It's calming, reassuring, alluring. I want more of it."

"Is she your singer?"

"No. A blood singer attracts thirst, therefore is killed. I don't want to harm her, maybe turn her."

"A mate then."

"Pardon?"

"Maybe she's your mate. A vampire's mate doesn't necessarily have to be another vampire. Look at Aro and Sulpicia, Edward Cullen and his mate."

"I don't know what that Edward sees in his mate. The girl is so dull and submissive."

"Submissive is very good. I know of submissive chores I can have her do."

"We can never say that you lack imagination, Felix. Now if only you can find a good woman to help you put that imagination into use."

"Don't start with me, Demetri. Heidi is my mate."

"No she isn't, old friend. Even though I support you in whatever you do, I will not have you suicidal over this woman. Our friendship means to much to me to let that happen."

"When will you head out?"

"When the sun sets. If you don't have plans, you're free to join me."

"I think that I will. I most definitely need to meet your future mate."

Back in the restaurant, Simon finishes eating his second plate of fettuccini alfredo while Lorraine looks on with disgust.

"Now that hits the spot!" Simon exclaims triumphal.

"That hits the spot? I thought the soup, bread stick and shrimp alfredo would have done it."

"No, those were just appetizers."

"How can you eat all that and not gain one pound and I'm on a diet and I've gained twenty? How is that humanly possible?"

"A) We just came back from Miami and you ate a bunch of Haitian food."

"My Lord I can't say no to akra, griyo and bannan peze! Oh and the pikliz! Oh and the cola courone!"

"You just gained ten pounds from thinking about all of that. B) Even though I ate the same amount, I still exercised. You didn't."

"Oh and the cremas!"

"And here we go! Another five pounds. And with you bringing two bottles back with you, I'm sure you're drinking five glasses per night!"

"Sadly, I don't. I'm saving them for when I feel romantic or if it's cold."

"You always feel romantic."

"No, I don't. I always feel horny. There's a difference, my good man!"

"I don't want to think about you in that mood. I'm subjected to it all the time. No! Stop! Please!"

"Such a dam divo! Anyhow let's get back to topic. What do we have so far?"

"We have Valentina missing, her workplace, her supposed resignation, Santiago and her belongings. I think that we should check her belongings."

"I agree but honestly Simon I feel completely uncomfortable not only in going back there but also going into the elevators. I feel like something bad will happen the moment we step into those damn elevators."

"So how will we get them then?"

"I don't know. We'll think of something."

"Since her work is a dead-end, I say we go visit her different lovers, which will probably take us a month."

"True and I only know the address of five of them."

"And ninety percent of them are either married or have significant others." Simon reminded her. "Lorraine, honestly I don't know how you're friends with this girl. You're her total opposite."

"You're her friend too."

"Because of you!"

"Listen, people have different personalities. She marched to the beat of her own drums."

"Listen, there's such a thing has standing out and having personality. I'm not against that. But when over half of your lovers, that you have at the same time may I add, are attached men then something is wrong. Lorraine, you're forgetting that this girl who you're willing to look for as far as the end of the world screwed you over."

"I know but Simon, remember her childhood…"

"Lorraine, she fucked two of your boyfriends and was about to fuck the third one until you caught them! Fuck her childhood, Valentina is a complete bitch! She is a bad friend and a backstabbing bitch! I know this, and you know this but won't admit it. I have a question for you."

"What?"

"Why are we the only ones looking for her?"

"What?"

"Why are we the only ones looking for her?"

"Because I'm her roommate and closest friend. So I quickly noticed that she was gone."

"Fine, I'll grant you that one. But you've called other people right? You've asked around and told them of your worry, right?"

"Yes."

"Why aren't they here helping us? Have one of them called to ask if she's returned?" Simon's questions were met with silent answers. "Exactly. No one. Why? Because the girl didn't know what friendship was. She used all of her friends to get ahead and now no one cares about what happened to her. I'm willing to help you. You know that I am, but we need to keep in mind the type of life that she led. What if she did leave without telling you because she's that selfish? Wouldn't be the first time she was selfish with you."

"And what if something happened to her?"

"True. What if one of her lovers' wife caught them and did something? That is a possibility. And she would have deserved it."

"No one deserves to be hurt or killed, Simon."

"I agree but remember to every action there's a reaction. If I come home and see my wife with another man, best believe that I will react and I won't react nicely."

"I agree, she didn't live a life of sainthood but nonetheless she's a friend, she's human and she might need help."

"Once more, I agree but what I'm trying to say is let's not make a saint out of a sinner. We need to remember the kind of girl that she is. She might be in Ibiza with one of her lovers for all we know."

"I think that our next logical step is to go to the police."

"The police we shall go!"

* Please review and let me know what you think. Thank you! *