A/N: I'm sorry I didn't update this Thursday. I've decided not to have a set update schedule anymore except that it WILL be once a week. Just not a specific day. Things come up sometimes and prevent me from updating some days. Thursday was pain. Let me just say that kidney stones suck and for anyone dealing with them, according to a friend drink lemonade to help break up the stone and Arnold Palmers (half tea half lemonade and equally delicious) to prevent them. That is all. Lol.

Plus I had to write this chapter and it just wasn't flowing. I don't like forcing things because they come out crappy. But thanks to someone (Chanur) who reviewed recently it helped me get my mojo back. So here comes Peter and the gang.

Chapter Nine

Peter

I hadn't wanted to believe it. The Major with a human mate? But the kiss and embrace we just walked in on certainly told me otherwise. I could smell her blood, but on top of it I could smell him. He has already claimed her. Interesting. He's usually much more controlled. Claiming her while she's human- especially as she's just a little slip of a thing- could have killed her and he wouldn't risk that, so why did he? I wonder if there's more to it than we know. I sense danger, he has a human mate. It could bring all kinds of trouble. Least of all from the Volturi if that new coven mate of his is lying. Or Felix is. I'm brought from my thoughts when that same little slip walks straight up to me and puts her hand out.

"Hello, you must be Peter and Charlotte. I'm Bella. It's a pleasure to meet you both." She looks behind us at Garrett and gives him a bright smile.

"And I'm assuming you're Garrett. We didn't know you were coming too but welcome all the same." Well damn! This little girl has absolutely no fear of us! I look to The Major and he's just fucking smirking at me. Taking her hand I give it a quick shake. No trembling, just a nice firm grip- well as firm as a human's grip can be to a vamp. She really isn't afraid of us. I have to say I'm impressed already.

"It's nice to meet you too Bella. It's about damn time that fucker over there met his mate." The fucker in question gives me a full on smile this time, but it's quickly replaced by irritation. We did interrupt his fun time after all.

"I thought you guys were supposed to call when you got here and I'd meet you at the house to bring you over?"

"We wanted to surprise you, so sue us. We came straight here instead. Figured if the doc asked we'd just tell him we were too excited to meet Miss Bella here."

"Well it's nice of you to do so. Jasper has told me a bit about each of you, at least where you come in concerning himself, but I'd like to learn more. How about we go into the living room and have a nice chat." She turns her back on us and walks away. She turned her back on three human eating vamps! Well I'm liking this girl more and more.

Following her into the room I go to sit next to her on the couch, just to piss The Major off, but Charlotte growls and I quickly rethink my little prank. An angry mate is a bad thing. My balls are just perfect where they are thank you. So I move and sit next to my lovely mate while Garrett takes the arm chair and Jasper sits next to his mate on the couch. She turns to me and Char first.

"So Peter, Charlotte, I know you two were with him in Mexico as part of Maria's coven. I also know you're mates and that because of that when Maria put Charlotte on the cull list Jasper let you run and that if it wasn't for you he would probably be dead but that doesn't tell me about you personally, just what you are to him. So tell me about yourselves."

"Well little lady. I was 21 when Jasper and a group of newborns came through my town in Texas and stole me. I hated them at first, but as Jasper and I got to know one another I learned he was just as much a prisoner as I was. We became best friends. We spent almost thirty years together before Char came along.

"I don't know if he told you but Maria only lets the newborns live a year. It was 1933 when he let us escape. I swore I'd come back for him and I did. Time and time again for the next five years," I turn to my friend. I never told him who had contacted me that last year when I finally got him to leave.

"I never told you Major, but it was Benito that contacted me." The look that passes between The Major and his mate gives me a weird vibe. Does he already know that? No. I never told him and Maria probably doesn't know because Benito would never announce it to the world. That would be a sure death sentence even if she doesn't have her best fighter.

"That's interesting. Wonder why he did it. And I'm surprised you listened Peter."

"Well Jasper, he gave me a good enough reason. One that I could readily believe. He wanted you gone and he knew you were good enough that if you and Maria tried to fight it out you'd probably win and he didn't want that. Then he'd never have the chance to gain back the territories stolen from him when Maria had you at her side, which- if rumors are true- he has."

"Yeah, I can see that being a good reason. He knew he wouldn't be able to kill me himself either. I'm just glad you came to get me."

"Me too, Brother. Me too."

"What about you Charlotte?" My mate is about to answer Bella when I get a whiff of another vamp. Turning towards the door from the kitchen I see this tiny little pixie, she's even smaller than my mate if that's at all possible. She's raven haired with dull red eyes- probably from the animal blood already running through her body. But there's something about her. Something I can't quite put my finger on, like underestimating her due to size would be a real big mistake.

Char can hold her own now in a one on one fight but she's still more of a bookworm than a fighter. She's too sweet and gentle for all that. But this one here. This one gives off this aura. She'd not only hold her own, she'd kick ass I think. Interesting.

Jasper

"Hello everyone. Jasper, Bella. I didn't know we were expecting guests. My name is Alice Brandon I moved in with the Cullens recently because I wanted a new way of life. I'm sorry I seem to have interrupted, I'll let you all get back to your conversation. Jazz, perhaps you'll bring them by later?" Well played Alice. I was wondering what she would say or do when she walked in. Attuned as I am to my surroundings at all times I heard her long before she came through the back door. Of course she probably saw these three show up. I wonder why she didn't warn me. I catch her eye and she just smiles and winks.

"You don't have to go Alice. These are Jasper's friends- Peter, Charlotte and Garrett. Of course, you've already met Garrett." Alice moves and takes a seat on the floor beside Bella. Putting her between herself and me so no one could come at her from anywhere but in front or behind, a clever tactic I myself might have used if there were any true danger at the moment. I can see from Peter's expression that he caught it too and the gears are turning. I just hope he doesn't figure things out too soon.

"Yes I remember Alice from that brief encounter in Colorado. I'm glad to see you found the Cullens. And that you seem to be adapting to their lifestyle ok," he says pointing to his own blood red eyes- indicating the more muddy red of Alice's now that they're changing due to her diet.

"I have to thank you Garrett. Had it not been for your suggestion I don't know what I'd have done, but I'm content now."

"Yes you seem so." Their conversation drifts into silence and Bella asks Charlotte once again to tell us about herself.

"I'm sorry Bella but I don't remember much about my human life. That's the way it is with some vampires. I can tell you though that Peter and I travel a lot. We've been just about everywhere. Once you're a vampire you should get Jasper to take you on a grand tour or something. The places in this world... There are so many amazing ones. He's not a nomad like we are but that doesn't mean you can't visit places from time to time."

"I'll take that into consideration Charlotte thank you. I'd love to see places like London and all of Greece, but with the sun I would think that would be impossible."

"Actually it's not Bella. The Volturi are settled in Italy. In a town called Volterra. It's very sunny there but they get by. They come out on cloudy days and such."

"Maybe Carlisle can tell her more about them Jasper. After all he's the one that lived with them for a time. What about you Alice? What's your story?" Garrett is just as astute as Peter and I'm going to have to watch them both. I'm sure they can both see there's more to her than meets the eye. She does give off this warrior vibe. Which wouldn't be weird if her story, the lies she told my family to maintain her cover, lived up to that image.

"How about you tell us more about yourself Garrett? After all you know my story just as much as Bella and Jazz, so the only people who don't know are Peter and Charlotte here and I'm sure they'll be ok with waiting when we're alone. Besides, I'm sure Bella would find your story the most fascinating. Don't you agree?" She deflected him like a pro. I think Alice and I could become great friends.

Bella

I listen in rapture as Garrett tells me stories of fighting the 'Red Coats'. To be alive during the war of our independence as a country sounds like a dream come true- except for the fighting and potentially dying part anyway. It's strange hearing about how vampires would walk among the wounded and feed. Morbid really. But it's interesting how Garrett's sire chose to save him rather than kill him.

"What about you do you think made him decide you were worthy to become like him?" He shifts in his seat, pushing his long sandy colored hair out of his face. When I first saw him and the others I noticed how tall all the males are. Not one of them is under 6'2" and both are blond- with Peter being a more white blond than a honey lie Jazz. Charlotte is tiny and blonde, but not as tiny as Alice. She and Peter make a striking couple. Garret's words pull my attention back to him from my perusal of the other two.

"An interesting choice of word Bella. Worthy. I guess he saw something in me. Something he liked. He changed me, taught me all I needed to know for the year of my newborn phase and then left me alone. I've fought in every war of this country since. I was in the trenches at Iwo Jima, the battle at the Alamo, I even went off for a while and fought in Desert Strom and this recent war brought on by the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York. If there's a conflict you'll usually find me. I don't know why but I enjoy fighting for this country, despite how far removed it's come from our founding fathers dreams and ideals. I am and always will remain an American patriot."

He's so passionate about the things he's seen. The things he's done. He eloquent, obviously well read and adventurous. He seems very personable as well.

"That's great Garrett. Perhaps you can tell me more someday? For now it's getting late and I haven't even eaten yet." As if to emphasize my words my stomach growls loudly causing us all to laugh. Jasper stands and when I move to follow he puts his hand on my shoulder.

"You stay here, I'm just going to put your dinner in the oven. I made you a lasagna."

"Mmmm that sounds heavenly Jazz. Thank you."

"You're most welcome darlin'." God I love that accent!

"Well who would have thought it? The Major a regular Joe Schmo. It's actually nice to see. I'm so used to the fighter it's hard picturing him as anything else. Even after he joined the Cullens he was always slightly on edge. Terrified of slipping up. Seems perhaps he's finally going to calm down and just live his life now you're in it Bella."

"I haven't known him long; and I didn't know him before, but he does seem more at ease I guess. Happier? I mean, you would probably know better than I would."

"Did he tell you why I called yesterday?"

"No, but hearing his side of the conversation and knowing what your gift is- yes he told me- I would have to say that you called him to warn him. That something dangerous is coming."

"You're one smart cookie girl! Anyway, believe me when I tell you that the way he's acting right now, even when there's a potential threat, that's big. You're already changing him Bella and that's a good thing. I know better to think that the warrior is ever going to go completely dormant. That's just not his nature, but he is happier. And the fact that he was comfortable enough to claim you? That's huge."

Garrett

Bella's cheeks flush red and it's an endearing quality. It's nice to be around a human I don't want to eat. Sometimes as we go through this life we tend to forget that humans are people with the same thoughts and wishes and feelings as ours. They're just much more fragile. That's why I chose a long time ago to feed only off the dregs of humanity. It would not have been fair of me to feed indiscriminately. To remove a person's choice of life from them. There are good people still on this planet after all, despite the numerous times it seems I am to be proven wrong.

I just wish I could find my own mate. I thought perhaps Alice and I could have become companions when I met her in Colorado but alas, it was not to be. Perhaps when the time comes for me to leave Carlisle's family I will go and see Eleazar. Carlisle had told me many interesting things about his friend. I would love to learn more about the Volturi. Know thy enemy and all that. Although I have never done anything to warrant them as an enemy and even I know we all need rules to live by, still. The tactics in which I had been told they used when first coming into their own... I can't say I trust them.

Jasper comes back into the room and it is clear to see how in love the two are. Her eyes immediately search him out and he gives her a smile I wish I could see coming from my own mate. Looking away I glance at Alice and she gives me a knowing smile. There is more to this one than meets the eye, but I will let her keep her secrets. I am pretty sure she has not been completely forthcoming. I am sure though that all will be revealed in time. Call it a hunch.

"So Jasper, any idea what might have triggered Peter's gift?"

"Actually Char, we do have an idea. I think it's Bella. Now why I wouldn't know. Unless it's because she's human. Now whether the threat is from our own kind or something else I haven't a clue. But why would I be in danger?"

"You don't think Maria might have decided she wants you back do you?"

"Why would she? We saw each other all those years ago in Calgary. If she wanted me now she would have back then too, but she just told me she was happy for me and left."

"What about the Volturi? How do we know what Felix, or even Alice here is saying is true?"

"Why would they lie?"

"The brothers haven't exactly hidden it that they want Carlisle to rejoin them. Or that they want Edward in the Guard."

"True, but they've also held true to their word and have merely left the invitation open. They could have easily used any number of things to force Carlisle's hand a long time ago, so why would they use Bella and now?"

"Ok Major. So let's say it is Bella? What would you have us do?"

"Stick around awhile, Peter. Help me keep an eye on her some. Follow her discreetly. She's already agreed to it if it would make me feel better."

"I guess that'll work. I'm assuming she's not going to be doing much more than going to work and hanging out with you, so it won't be much of a job."

"This is true. But at least I know when the danger you're feeling gets here, I'll have you all by my side and won't have to call you and wait for you to get here."

"That is also true. So where are we staying? Here? Or at the Cullens?"

"I think you already know the answer to that Peter."

"I thought I'd ask. You never know right," he said with a chuckle. I moved to get up to leave and Alice and Char followed suit, Peter a little more reluctantly.

"Well Jasper, this has been fun but I am sure you and your mate would much rather be alone so I bid you good day. We shall see each other tomorrow I am sure."

"Of course Garrett. Have fun popping in on Carlisle. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to accommodate you all. And as I've been here every night one of you guys can take my room if you wish. Just know I'll be popping in from time to time."

"I think I will do just that. You have some rather interesting books I have yet to read. That is if you do not mind."

"Of course not Garrett, be my guest." As we head out the back the timer goes off and Bella disappears into the kitchen while Jasper sees us out.

"Keep in mind that Carlisle doesn't need to know of any potential danger yet. I don't want to worry them if it turns out to be something we can handle alone."

"Certainly Jasper. We shall keep our mouths shut."

"Thanks Garrett."

Jasper

I watch as they fade into the darkness of the trees and relax. I didn't know how things would go with being unable to actually tell them I know exactly what the danger is and why. Thankfully I have such great friends that they didn't even question things, though I doubt Peter will let it stand too long. Two months of no action will make him to begin to doubt a lot of things and it'll be hard to keep him at bay. I just wish I could tell him. But then he'd tell Char and as much as I love her she's not as adept at keeping Edward out of her mind as the rest of us.

In fact, he's quite fond of looking into her thoughts because she's so sweet and good- like Esme. It would make him suspicious of she were trying to intentionally block him because she doesn't mind his invasions since she had nothing in her thoughts that are private really except her sexual times with her mate. So no. I can't tell Peter. Which I hate because lying to him is something I've never done. Oh well. This is to keep Bella safe and if keeping Alice's secret keeps Bella safe then so be it.

I stand here a few more minutes watching the moon rise and the stars begin to come out before I'm pulled back inside by the sweet sound of my mate calling me to keep her company while she eats. That is most definitely something I have no objection to. If only I could remain by her side twenty four hours of the day.