AN: Hey guys, I'm soooo sorry for the late update. I'm sure I could come up with some kind of elaborate but believable excuse for why it's so late but the truth is, I'm just really lazy...
Hopefully the fact that everything's starting to get more interesting and that I'm already half way through writing the next chapter will make up for my laziness a little.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight Saga or the characters, even in part...
Enjoy!
CHAPTER 10 (fighting chance)
SETH POV
Seth was sitting in the corner of the Cullen's living room desperately trying to keep his eyes open.
After drifting off for the umpteenth time only to realise what had happened and shake himself awake once more, prying his drooping eyelids open through sheer force of will as they threatened to close yet again Seth grew tired of fighting a losing battle and jumped to his feet, shaking his head violently in the process-as if that would somehow help him to stay awake.
Seth stopped the violent action as he realised that the heads of everyone in the room-with the exception of Jacob and Renesmee who were asleep together on the sofa-were facing him with either amused or confused expressions.
Emmett was the first to break the silence with his loud guffaw that seemed to shake the very room, "Tired Seth?" He managed to ask between his laughter.
Seth blushed and looked embarrassedly at his dirty, bare feet on the Cullen's white carpet and muttered, "Just a little."
Taking pity on the embarrassed shape shifter, Esme stood up and gently placed a small, comforting hand on his shoulder. "We have plenty of beds here that you are welcome to use Seth- if you don't feel up to going home?"
Seth shook his head (gently this time) and looked into the kind golden eyes of the 'mother' vampire. "I'm okay Esme but thank you for the offer all the same. It's not that I don't want to go home yet, I'm just putting it off until the last possible moment."
The kind-hearted woman nodded in understanding, "Would you at least like something to eat?"
"No but thank you again for your kindness-all of you." Here Seth looked past Esme and addressed the other occupants of the room as well, "But I really should be getting home now."
Everyone nodded and said their goodbyes and Edward offered to drive him to the border of Quileute territory, an offer that Seth in his thoroughly worn out state accepted gladly.
After saying his goodbyes, Seth left the Cullen's house with Edward. The first couple of minutes of their drive were spent in a comfortable, slightly sleepy (on Seth's part) silence, however when they reached the highway Edward pulled his Volvo to the side of the road and turned to Seth with his serious 'we need to talk' face.
Edward didn't waste time asking Seth how he was doing because he could read it perfectly well through his thoughts and in return Seth just stared him straight in the eyes, hiding nothing from his friend, 'I'm fine Edward. You need to stop worrying about everything so much, you couldn't have stopped what happened and it's really not up to you to fix it. This is my problem and the only thing you can possibly accomplish by trying to solve it for me is to stress yourself out.' He thought.
Edward sighed gently, "I know. It's just that you always help everyone else deal with their problems and it's not fair that when something actually happens to you, you have to face it alone."
"I'm not alone," replied Seth with a gentle smile. "All of my friends are helping me in their own, indirect way, even if most of them don't realise they're doing it."
Rolling his eyes in exasperation at Seth's constant optimism Edward pulled his car back onto the highway as he replied, "I suppose that is true. However I do know what is going on and there may be some small way in which I can consciously help you to deal with this."
Smiling slightly at the puzzled look Seth sent him Edward continued, "The youngest-looking leader of the Volturi, Marcus-you know, the one who looked bored throughout pretty much all of the proceedings earlier today- has the ability to see the strength of the relationship between two people, vampire or otherwise."
Doing his best to ignore the panicked looks and thoughts that Seth was sending his way at the news Edward kept speaking, "You can imagine the shock that someone with that particular power felt when he saw the sudden appearance of such a strong feeling develop between you and Alec. At first he didn't know what had happened, he even wondered if we had a vampire on our side with the ability to interfere with his powers, because in the centuries since he has been changed, Marcus has never before witnessed such a strong bond-the strongest he's ever seen- appear within mere seconds of the two people making eye contact."
Here Seth had to interrupt, "The strongest he's ever seen?" He asked, an almost childish hope shining in his eyes for the first time that day.
"The strongest he's ever seen," confirmed Edward, his eyes twinkling in amusement and happiness that he had at least partially accomplished his goal to bring happy-Seth back.
Suddenly Seth slumped back in his chair feeling depressed and close to tears yet again, "But Marcus is one of the leaders of the Volturi. Now they're all going to know that I imprinted on Alec and they're going to use that against us. I'm so, so sorry about this Edward."
"Hey, don't apologise Seth, it's not as if you asked for this to happen," said Edward, placing a hand on Seth's shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. "Besides, I haven't finished telling you about Marcus yet."
Seth nodded at Edward, "Okay, you're right." He quickly wiped his eyes- which Edward pretended not to notice- and turned his attention back to the vampire.
"Okay Seth, I'm going to give you the short version," Edward began. "When Marcus first met Aro he was introduced to Aro's sister Didyme. They fell in love but after a couple of centuries together Didyme was killed. Nobody knows who the murderer was but the pain of losing his mate destroyed Marcus and for many years he was close to suicide."
Here both Seth and Edward paused and shivered at the thought of ever having to go through that pain though Edward soon brought himself back to reality and continued his recount, "Aro used the powers of Chelsea- one of the Volturi guard- to bind Marcus to him and Caius so he would not follow through with his plans but he has never been the same, nor has he been particularly involved or enthusiastic in the plots of his fellow leaders. Anyway, before he left with his coven Marcus communicated with me telepathically that he does not want you to have to go through what he went through." Here Edward paused with a thoughtful look. It seemed that he came to some sort of decision because he once again pulled his car to the side of the road and looked at Seth.
"I don't want to get your hopes up by telling you this Seth but you deserve to know," said Edward slowly.
Although feeling incredibly confused at the vampire's words Seth nodded in agreement and Edward continued, "Marcus told me that he believes you to be a genuinely kind and honest person and as such deserve to be as happy as possible. He has therefore sworn to share nothing of what he witnessed occurring between you and Alec and even went so far as to promise to his utmost best to ensure that you and Alec meet again soon. He also wanted me to pass on to you that Alec is one of the most accepting of the Volturi and will therefore more than likely be open to the idea of entering into a relationship with a werewolf, or shape shifter."
Obviously noticing the excitement building in Seth's expression, Edward was quick to make sure that he wasn't relying on what may very well be false hope, "But you can't rely completely on this Seth, Marcus may not be able to make everything happen and if- by some kind of miracle- he can, then Alec's reaction is not set in stone. Nobody can predict what he could do."
Seth's felt his face being overcome by a brilliant grin, "But there's hope Edward! That is far more that I had a few minutes ago. Even if Marcus can't arrange for me to meet Alec alone at least I know there is one member of the Volturi- a leader no less- that's on my side. My future is looking decidedly less bleak right now."
He paused in his rant breathing heavily, grin still in place, before his excitement overcame his self-restraint and Seth almost leapt across the car (still with his seatbelt on) and wrapped his vampire friend in a bone-crushing bear hug.
Despite the cramped space of the car Edward managed to get one arm around Seth's shoulders and hug him back, smiling at the ecstatic chant of "Thank you, thank you, thank you..." in his ear.
Seth finally pulled back- grin still firmly in place- and Edward once again pulled onto the highway with a small smile of his own, infected by the enormity of Seth's complete happiness.
Just as the friends were nearing the Quileute border another car drove past them, this one older and much shabbier than Edward's silver Volvo.
After passing them the car braked and turned, now driving in the same direction. Edward slowly pulled over for the third time and turned to Seth, "It's Embry." He said, "He was driving to our house to pick you and Jacob up. A council meeting has been called by the elders and your presence is required."
His smile slightly smaller now, Seth nodded, "Okay, thanks Edward. See you soon." He leaned across the car to hug his friend once again-although this time with slightly less enthusiasm- before opening the door and getting out.
Seth felt Edward's eyes on him as he walked to Embry's car, which had pulled over just behind them. He didn't feel the gaze waver until he had gotten into the car with his fellow shape-shifter, waved off the need for an explanation for the unplanned pick-up and they drove off.
As Embry's car crossed the borderline to the Quileute lands, he caught sight of Edward's tail lights disappearing in the rear-view mirror and he was overcome with a strange feeling of grief. Feeling that this was the last time he would see his friend in a long while.
Sooo, was it good. Did you like the little hint at the end there? Next chapter is the much awaited wolf-pack meeting which Seth's mother will be attending as council elder! Yay :D
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