A/N: thanks for all the reviews. You'll get answers to some questions as we go along, I'm not going to deny I've dragged Edward trying to maintain control out for a number of chapters. I wanted to show you just how determined he is to prove them all he's better than them and be the narcissistic prick he is. But don't worry, it won't be as easy as he thinks.;)

also, I know in canon Garrett changed his diet for Kate, but frankly I think if someone truly loves you, they love everything about you and wouldn't ask you to change yourself to fit them. So I feel Kate would let the diet change be Garrett's choice. If he chooses to maintain a human diet then she would support him in that.

Chapter Fourteen

Edward

This is getting difficult. It's only been two days since first meeting Bella and all I can think of is her. Her blood, the fact that I can't hear her thoughts. I've been sneaking off with Tanya to try and use her body to knock the thoughts of Bella from my mind, but it isn't working. I need to get away for a day or two before someone realizes something is wrong. It's annoying because she hasn't even been around me the last two days, she's been at work. She'll be at work all the rest of this week and apparently Jasper has plans with her this weekend too.

I found out her schedule. She wasn't supposed to be off Monday, but since everyone was closed Monday she has to work Friday instead. But then she goes back to normal, working Monday through Thursday and then Saturday. According to Carlisle this will change come the first of September as the fall season hits and the camping and hiking people start coming few and far between. Then her schedule will lighten; and the fact I took the time to find this out just proves I need to up my game to try and control myself.

It's a compulsion now to want to stay around Bella. I am proud of myself for one thing though. I haven't tried to kill her yet. That proves that I'm better than the others, Rose and Carlisle have never been tempted by a singer, Jasper and Esme both have human blood on their hands because they couldn't handle the animal diet at first- not like I could. I could care less about Alice. Emmett gave into the call of his singers blood not once but twice.

Yes, I am certainly better than them. Perhaps I'll see how far I can truly push things. Test myself further. Maybe as the time goes by I can put myself closer to her for longer periods of time. Though I think Jasper and his friends suspect what I feel about Bella, because they're constantly watching me; and Jasper hasn't been home since I came back and when I asked where he is I learn he's with Bella. Staying with her at night. Has been since the day she discovered what we are.

This bothers me. He's touching her. Probably having sex with her, I could certainly smell him all over her the other night, but just assumed that was because he had his arm around her. But now I'm thinking it was probably in her too. Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it right now and not give myself away. So for now I'll just plan to keep myself as close to Bella as often as I can. I'll have plenty of opportunities as the time goes by, after all.

Jasper

When Alice came to the house the morning after Bella's first meet with Edward, I was happy with the news she brought. I can't deny the fact that I've been living on tenterhooks the past two days. I had to control every movement I made that night to not give away that I knew something was wrong. He may have been controlled that night but I could still feel his emotions, you can't hide from them.

He was intrigued, irritated- probably because he couldn't hear her- and extremely thirsty. Add in Tanya's emotions of anger and jealousy and it was all I could do not to snarl a threat and take her off somewhere to get her away from them both. I have a feeling Tanya is going to be trouble too. How I'm not sure though. I really wish I could tell Carlisle what is happening, but I can't. We can't risk Edward hearing something in his thoughts. I hate all the subterfuge but what more can we do?

With the vision Alice finally told us about- the one she had as a human of the destruction wrought by their unknown enemy-,this possible threat against the brothers that Edward seems to be a key of, we can't risk the exposure. I'm wondering when we'll be asked to travel to Volterra. After all, I can't exactly feel out any possible spies if I'm not there. Plus I want to know what's so special about me an Bella. Is it just because Alice had a vision of us helping the brothers like she told us when she told us of the vision? Or is there more to it? I won't know until I confront them.

Right now I'm planning our date for Sunday. She's said she's never been bowling and I think it might be fun, so I need to locate the bowling alley in port Angeles or see if I need to plan a trip to Seattle. If not then that'll be our destination next Sunday, or Friday. Whichever. There's a zoo there, the Mariners, things like that. I'd love to take her dancing too. I know she's clumsy but that won't mater much when she's dancing with me.

I'm also looking for her leathers so she can ride my bike with me. She's seen it; and expressed an immense desire to ride it. But I'm not putting her on it without the proper safety equipment. I'm a vampire, unless I crash and the bike catches on fire while I'm trapped under it, I'm not going to get hurt in a crash- as if I'd do that of course but my mate's safety is everything to me- but she can. She can get severely hurt. She can die. So helmet, gloves, boots and a jacket. All preferably leather since it's harder to get damaged through to the skin.

I have my own stuff of course- jacket, gloves, helmet. I only wear them so if I'm out and happen to get caught in the sun, no one will see my skin sparkle. Otherwise I'd ride it without all that. Well maybe not the jacket because I think I have the right for a vain moment there because I look damn good in my jacket. So as I scroll through different products I find just what I'm looking for and purchase it. She's going to want to pay me back, she'll get over it.

Then I find out there is indeed a bowling alley in Port Angeles and I make a mental note on how late they're open Sunday. Then I find myself just browsing. Suddenly I'm on the Tiffany's webpage and scrolling through rings. I know it hasn't been that long, but I realize I do want a ring to put on her finger. I may not propose right away, but it won't hurt to buy it now. After all, it won't be long before I'm living with her. The people of Forks will expect nothing less after that, though I don't care about what they think at all.

As I gaze at ring after ring I find myself getting disappointed, until I get to the very last page; and there it is. It's perfect! Well, they're, perfect. It's a wedding band and engagement ring set. The wedding band is platinum with round diamonds encasing the circumference of it. The engagement ring is also platinum with those same round diamonds, but it had a princess cut diamond set in the center. I know she'll love it because it's understated, just like her. She doesn't need anything flashy, she won't want anything flashy. So I put in my order, gauging her ring size from memory of her hand in mine- I can get it resized if I'm wrong but I doubt I am. While I'm doing this, she's at work and Peter is keeping an eye on her.

I know she's in good hands but it's still hard to not be with her, near her, to keep her safe myself. I wish I could just kill Edward. He better reveal the true enemy soon or I'm going to go mad. As I delete my search history and shut down Bella's laptop my cell rings and it's Alice. Her next words have me running out the door as fast as I can go, barely making the time to shut the front door properly behind me, my finger dialing Peter's number as fast as I can.

Bella

So far so good. Two days and I haven't been eaten yet. That's a good thing right? I can practically feel Peter watching me. But it's a good feeling. Though I do miss my cowboy. He's planning our date for Sunday which is so sweet. I know he's knew at this dating thing, I am too, so he wants to get things just right. I do hope that he'll be spontaneous at least once, though.

As it's Thursday, I'm at the grocery store. I love working here. As there aren't many people that come in, though it's busy today with all the tourists that came for our Fourth of July celebrations yesterday and have stayed for the week, I'm usually stocking shelves or doing what they call 'front facing', moving things to the front. As I'm working on the canned goods aisle I hear the ding of the bell at my register letting me know I have a customer.

Heading up front I'm surprised by the sight of Tanya. What is she doing here? I glance around and notice that Peter is now in the store, how did I not hear or see him come in, and watching us from behind her where she can't see him. Walking up to her I put a smile on my face, one she wipes off with her words.

"Listen bitch. I don't know what you did to him, but you stay away from Edward. He's mine. I don't know what kind of game you're playing but he's been thinking about nothing but you since meeting you Monday. All I hear is Bella this and Bella that. You stay away from him, you hear me!" For a moment I stare at her dumbfounded. Is she delusional? Stupid? Or just plain crazy. It does scare me that he's been talking about me to her though. Why would he do that?

But then, as she stands there looking at me expectantly- waiting for my answer I guess-, I start laughing. When her face changes from serious and angry to the same dumbfounded look I had to have had a moment ago, I really lose it. I'm bent over double, arms wrapped around my waist, laughing until tears stream down my face. As I laugh I watch her face turn back to angry, but I could care less. The idea of me wanting Edward is ludicrous. Not just because he's going to try and kill me eventually but because I have Jasper. The man who is ten times the man Edward could ever hope to be. She really is crazy. I finally calm down, just enough to gasp out my reply.

"Where... Where in the hell did... Did you get an idea like that? Do you see the man... Man I have? Edward is nothing... Nothing compared to Jasper you delusional twat. Oh... Oh dear Jesus! I don't know... Know why Edward is talking about me, but I assure you it's nothing... Nothing I did. So you should ask... Ask him!" And then I burst back into laughter and she huffs and stomps away.

As soon as she's gone Peter is in front of me, looking like he wants to laugh but be serious at the same time and his expression makes me lose it further. By the time Jasper- who couldn't exactly vampire speed himself down main street-, comes through the door seconds later, I'm leaning on the counter laughing so hard I'm choking. I don't know if it's been the pressure since discovering what was coming or what, but I feel all the tension leaving me as I have my moment of crazy.

I feel strong arms wrap around me and turn me around so I'm looking into beautiful golden eyes and a wide grin. "Care to tell me what's so funny darlin'? Here I am thinking I've come to save you and I see Tanya huffing and stomping her way down the street muttering about crazy humans and you laughing your cute little ass off."

By now the laughing is dying down, but now I've got a slight case of the hiccups from the lack of oxygen. "She (hic)... She thinks I want (hic)... Want Edward!" And then it starts all back over again.

By the time I've died down a second time Peter is shaking his head at me, Jasper is grinning like a loon and I now have a couple tourists looking at me like I'm completely off my rocker. I finally sober up; and after a couple sips of the bottled water I have under my station, my hiccups are gone and I can finally tell Jasper what Tanya said. Peter could have of course, but I think he's still too shocked at what happened to think about it.

"She came in to tell me to stay away from Edward. He's apparently been talking about me to her, I don't know what he's said- she didn't tell me that. But she wanted to tell me he's her's and I need to stay away. She doesn't know what game I'm playing. So when I got done laughing at her the first time, enough that I could speak, I told her she's crazy. Why would I want him when I have you. She got mad at my reaction to her attempt to intimidate me and huffed off."

"Well that explains her muttering about crazy humans. I shouldn't be surprised by this point, but you continue to amaze me Bella. I'm just glad she didn't hurt you. Alice called me and warned me just before Tanya got here, I guess she had been waffling in her decisions up until she got closer to the store. I called Peter and told him to get in here and step in if he was needed. Clearly he wasn't."

"Nope, I handled her just fine. But how is it she didn't smell him?" Suddenly Peter comes out of his shock and joins the conversation.

"Boy did she ever! Fuck me Bella. If I had a heart that beat you might have given me a heart attack! The look on the Succubi's face, I thought she was going to claw your eyes out for a minute there. But then you started laughing at her and I almost lost my shit! She wasn't supposed to know I was here but I nearly revealed myself by almost bursting out into laughter with you! Damn girl, you're crazy! You definitely make sure you keep this one safe Major. I want her around for a long damn time!"

"I'll keep that in mind," Jasper drawled at his friend. "As for why she didn't smell him, she probably was too focused on you."

Now that I'm calm and the potential danger is gone, Jasper relieves Peter of his post and heads into the aisles of the store. I ring up the two tourists and my relief comes in and gets set up and Jasper is still trolling the aisles. When I got to put my vest in my locker and get my purse, I see a text from him telling me to head out front where Charlotte is waiting to take me home and he'll be along shortly. Now what is he up to?

I go outside and sure enough, there's Charlotte. We start to walk back to my place, I only drive if it's raining, and I ask her if she knows what he's doing.

"Sorry Bella, I don't have a clue. He just texted me to come and take you home and sit with you until he got there. Maybe he's wanting to surprise you?"

"Yeah, maybe. Have you seen or heard anything from Edward?"

"Not about you. Alice said she saw him deciding to stay and try to control himself, like you're some sort of test- which is sickening to me. Oh! And apparently he's been sneaking off with Tanya, but only Garrett has seen them doing it. He's been preoccupied with Kate, but he's still very observant. It's the soldier. It's really ingrained in his psyche. He probably couldn't turn it off if he wanted to. He told me just before I got the text from the Major.

"They're going off in the woods alone, so Peter's vowed to follow them next time if he's around. I told him what Garrett told me when I came to take you home. That's where he is now, watching Edward. I'm sure Garrett will do it if Peter can't, but with Kate glued to his side I don't think he'll be able to. She's not bound to let him go off alone at the moment, except to hunt of course since they have different diets. I wonder how that's going to go. I honestly don't see him changing his. He tried it once and loathed it. And I don't see her changing her's either. So maybe they'll just agree to disagree and continue with their own. Going off to hunt on their own, then getting back together again. It's not unheard of, or so I've been told."

"Who told you?"

"Oh, Alice. She said that Felix told her a while back that there are animal hunters in the Volturi Guard now. And that there are a couple of mated couples, Chelsea and Afton for example, that one hunts animals while the other maintains the human blood diet. Granted they bring the humans to Volterra, as well as animals apparently now, but it's still the same in a way since they now feed separately where once they fed together."

Charlotte

I can't say it isn't weird, talking to a human about drinking blood- and human blood at that- like it's nothing. Bella is special. The fact that she readily accepted what we are, no qualms, no questions asked, shows that readily. She's perfect for the Major in that regard because he judges himself too much already. She compliments him. She's stalwart and loyal. And she certainly doesn't stand down for anyone if what we were told about how she behaved at the bonfire on the Res, to Rose and just a few moments ago with Tanya is any indication.

She's strong too. She would have to be in order to survive the single most devastating moment of her human existence, the loss of her parents whom she loved, and go on to not only branch out on her own but move to an entirely different state by herself. She could have stayed in that group home where they would have taken care of her until she turned eighteen, but instead she opted to get her GED, emancipated, and sell off everything she's ever known and move to the unknown. Like I said, strong.

Now here she is, facing the possibility of dying at the hands of a vampire who wants her blood more than anything and she's not some hysterical ball of crying, sniveling human. She's standing up and going about her life and entrusting us to keep her safe. That's huge. That she's put her trust in us. She barely knows us. I definitely like this girl and I'm so glad it was her that turned out to be the Major's mate. So glad.