AN: So, I was supposed to have a doctors appointment today at 11:30 but when I got there it turns out they didn't have me booked in and there weren't any free spaces, so I have to go again tomorrow. On the bright side my Mum let me have the rest of the day off school. Here is the product of my free time, I hope you like it ^_^

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters that I have used in this chapter (as of yet :D)

CHAPTER 7 (Protecting)

SETH POV

Seth's mind was completely blank yet again, almost as if his brain had been switched off. He was aware of things around him, such as Jacobs's fur rubbing against his arm and Nessie's small hand in his own, but he simply didn't have the energy to care about any of it.

His mind remained blank for a long while, until he was brought back to reality by his imprint's name, "I just need to take out Jane and Alec, then you're safe. Well, safer than you would be anyway."

Seth's whole body tensed at Bella's words and he growled under his breath. Several of the surrounding vampires turned to look at him before looking away again; probably assuming that he was excited about the impending fight. The only ones who didn't look away were Bella and Edward. Bella was looking at him with concern while Edward was looking at him with understanding, as if he knew exactly what Seth was feeling.

'And he probably does,' thought Seth, realising that this must have been what Edward felt when Bella was human and everyone wanted to kill her.

"Bella honey, you just focus on keeping us safe from their powers," said Edward gently. "I think it would be best if we left Jane and Alec alone for the moment, at least until we know Aro's intentions. Besides, if you put yourself in danger like that and one of them manages to incapacitate you," here Edward shivered at the thought, "we would be completely at the mercy of their powers."

Bella's brow creased in confusion but one gentle look from Edward and her face cleared. She shrugged, "Okay my love, if that's what you think is best."

Edward nodded at her and Seth relaxed, sighing in relief and silently thanked Edward, to which the vampire gave a small nod of acknowledgement before turning back to Bella and Carlisle, who were talking once again.

After assuring himself that the threat to his imprint was gone for the moment, Seth returned to his comatose state, looking at the cloaked figure across the clearing and remembering the beautiful red eyes that had completely changed his life less than ten minutes ago.

He didn't notice as Jane tried to attack Carlisle and Bella and he continued to stare at Alec as the Cullen's and their witnesses divvied up Volturi members to fight (because Vladimir didn't use Alec's name). Then something happened to pull him from his stupor completely, Alec pulled back the hood on his cloak and revealed his entire face, shining red eyes and all.

Seth let out a small gasp that went mostly unnoticed by the vampires and wolves around him. 'He's beautiful,' and to Seth he was. Not in the regular way that vampires were considered beautiful by human's, but in the heart-stopping, blush inducing, more-gorgeous-than-the-stars way that you thought of the person that you loved when you haven't seen their face in a while-or in Seth's case, at all.

Alec's eyes were just as Seth remembered them, shining bright red in the sunlight that was also making his skin sparkle like a diamond-although it was somewhat muted because of the clouds that were beginning to form. His hair was the same colour as his sisters-although slightly darker, more of a dark chestnut colour in comparison to Jane's lighter, mousy colour-and was long enough that it covered his eyebrows and framed his face, complimenting his pale complexion and making it look more natural, more human than on most other vampires, especially the ones with lighter hair.

While Seth was busy committing his imprints face to memory, Alec looked at across the clearing and made eye contact with him. He seemed startled when Seth didn't break the contact or glare at him and he almost looked confused until his scrutiny was broken by Jane as she glared at him and nudged him in the ribs. Seth watched as he shook his head-as if to clear it-and looked across the clearing again, this time avoiding Seth's eye.

So busy was Seth staring at him that he failed to see the mist that was beginning to travel towards his side of the clearing. In fact, he didn't notice it at all until after Benjamin ripped a great hole in the earth trying to stop it getting any closer.

Seth realised that this was Alec's power at work, and it upset him to realise that his imprint was attempting to attack them while they were unprepared and supposed to be negotiating. Looking up, he caught Alec's eye again and it was almost as if the vampire could read what he was thinking, for he flinched slightly and the fog began actually move backwards a little before Alec furrowed his brows and it began to move again.

Nobody else seemed to have noticed the fogs hesitation. They did however notice when it hit an invisible wall just in front of Carlisle's nose and stopped moving forward completely, beginning to move upwards instead, searching for a hole in Bella's defence. Alec's confused frown was more prominent now, he was obviously not used to having his power thwarted, and his mist continued to search for weaknesses but failed to find any.

He continued to try for several minutes but when Alice and Jasper turned up in the clearing with two vampires and another half-blood the mist disappeared. After speaking for another several minutes and taking a vote, the Volturi agreed to leave.

As they moved away Alec looked back once more and scanned the Cullen's line of vampires, his eyes stopping once more on Seth. Seth kept the contact and gave Alec a small smile, trying not to show how much it was hurting to watch him go or how hard he had to concentrate to prevent his legs from moving on their own and chasing Alec across the clearing.

Seth almost thought he saw Alec's lips twitch in return to his smile but before he could be sure, all traces of a smile were gone and Alec nodded slightly to Seth before turning and walking briskly away, not once looking back.

When Edward reported that the Volturi were really gone, everyone cheered except Seth. When Alec disappeared into the trees the pain in Seth's chest became almost unbearable and with Edward's confirmation that the Volturi weren't coming back he couldn't hold the pain in any longer, letting the tears run down his face as he stared at the place where he had last looked upon the love of his life.

I know, I know, seriously depressing ending but I promise it gets happier!
Well.. at least it will...In about five chapters...maybe...

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