Disclaimer: I'm not Stephenie Meyer... if I was maybe I'd be aware that today isn't Valentines Day... if only I knew that.

Disclaimer Deuce: Hey I'm back! Sooner than expected, I spoil you...

Lincoln's POV

I watched from an observation room in front of "Elzam" and Williams We were watching a weak old man, he couldn't have weighed more than a hundred pounds. He was in the room sitting in a chair behind a very heavy desk, steel, easily three hundred pounds.

"Demonstrate your strength." Elzam commanded.

"Fuck you." he responded to the voice. Elzam shrugged.

"Well it's that or I start putting holes in you." the "vampire" growled at the sound. Then with a speed that I never thought imaginable he launched the desk at the window we were viewing from. Not even a scratch. I looked bewildered.

"The glass... it's two feet thick, you can't be too careful with vampires. There is no way a man that small could lift that, much less throw it effortlessly across the room. He looked old and frail but he moved with a power and speed that I knew was faster than I could.

"Now I need to show you how your weapons come in to play." Elzam said to me. He handed me a Beretta.

"Check the bullets, make sure they aren't rubber." He told me. I checked them and double checked them cocked the gun and gave it back to him.

"Officer Williams." Elzam said.

"Sir." she said falling in to step behind him. Elzam opened the door, drew his weapon and shot three shots at the vampire. I watched his reaction as each one hit him in the face... and obviously hurt... but none broke his skin. The vampire broke his shackles and flew across the room at Elzam. Williams moved in quickly with a blade and caught the vampire through the eye with it. The vampire went limp and fell to the ground as they both preceded to cut him open.

I didn't know what to say, I just watched.

"Yes... vampires are real Lincoln Krane... and yes... you're one of the only people in the world with the skill necessary to make weapons to kill them."

Carlisle's POV

"Okay, Now I need you to give one more hard push... Edward, prepare more salve for bandages."

"Of course father." Edward left the room. I looked deep in to the girls eyes, she couldn't be any older than twenty. She looked terrified. Poor child... if only he was here for her now.

"Deep breathes, come on..." Edward and Bella reentered the room. Two large men impeded their path.

"Damn it! Let them through you stupid cats!" the pregnant woman's friend yelled and the two large shifters moved obediently.

"I'm sorry Doctor." she apologized to me.

"Not necessary, most shifters aren't as comfortable around us as..." I stopped short hoping not to offend them.

"We are with them." I said refocusing my effort. Her friend nodded re-gripping her best friends hand.

"Okay now squeeze as much as you need to." her friend comforted. She screamed in pain and squeezed with all her might.

"I wish he was here!" she screamed.

"I know." her friend comforted.

"This is all your fault!" her friend seemed amused.

"Hey, you slept with him."

"Not what I meant!" she said back digging her fingernails in to her friends hand. The pregnant woman gripped her body as tears came rolling down trying to protect herself from the attack happening from the inside out.

"One last big push." I calmly informed her. She gritted her teeth and pushed. I gently pulled the child out of her.

"It's a girl." I signaled to Edward and Bella who immediately started wrapping the woman in bandages. I turned to the Chief who stood in the opposite corner. I didn't need to ask if he was the Chief I could tell by the way people looked to him.

"She's going to need to be in bed for days, we're going to make sure all of her bones are set properly but she shouldn't leave the bed at all for a week, maybe more considering how fast she heals. He nodded

"Get these people whatever they need." the two large men at the door immediately left with Edward and Bella. I wiped off the child slightly and brought her over to her mother.

"It's a girl... a beautiful girl." she said cooing.

"What will you name her?" her friend asked. She smiled at her friend.

"Mystearica..."

"That's a beautiful name." her friend said.

"I wish her father could be here... I wish it more than anything." she said frowning. Her friend nodded.

"Yes, I wish Mike could be here too."

Mike's POV

Yet another "Single's Awareness Day" alone. Three weeks removed from the break up with Zuri. We never broke up... we just split up knowing we might never see each other again. It was my doing though. I could have left with her... or maybe it was her doing for making me decide. Whose fault it was didn't change the fact that it happened. Three weeks... it felt like yesterday... it felt like forever ago... the pain hadn't subsided. I hadn't talked to anyone about it... how could I? My closest friend hadn't spoken in three weeks, he'd just been coming and going as he pleased, not saying a word to anyone.

Each day I was practicing, hoping that doing that would somehow keep my mind off of Zuri but it was a lost cause. If I didn't think of her for one hour out of the day, it was a good day...

I didn't have many good days.

I didn't know why I was here... I was told to come to Evelyn's office for something or another. As I was just going through the motions anyway I didn't understand why it mattered where I was going. She stared down at some folders, some assessment of me or of someone else I didn't know which. But it seemed to be very interesting to her because she nearly ignored me completely. It annoyed me. I was asked to be here.

"Why am I here?" I asked finally.

"Because you need to talk about your feelings." I bit my lip gently.

"I'll take a pass on that, thanks."

"Why?"

"Because... I don't want to... no offense, but your gender has kinda been beating the crap out of me for the last couple years." Her face turned to concern.

"My gender?"

"Yes... I was seduced by a vampire, passed off to another one, turned by a different one, rejected by the first two, and then rejected by lioness... all the while a certain other vampire decided to screw with my head just for good sport." Evelyn winced.

"I'm sorry about Heidi... I had no control over that."

"Oh but isn't that the problem... not having control? That's the key to all relationships... opening yourself up so you can be stabbed in the back by the ones you love... only to feel lost and alone when their gone. But you can't just stop doing, you have to keep going because the world won't stop spinning for you will it?" I argued.

"You're not trying Mike, we can all tell." I shrugged.

"Trying enough to beat up just about anyone here."

"You still haven't fought Adrian or Felix." She pointed out.

"I don't like losing."

"Do you think you'll lose to both of them?"

"Probably." I said causally.

"No... you simply just stopped caring. Felix brought it to my attention two weeks ago but I thought you might come out of it."

"So what if I don't come out of it?"

"You're not living up to your potential, Felix knows you could beat him if you put your heart in to it." The words stirred my competitive nature in me but I pushed them down.

"I don't feel like fighting anymore." I said honestly.

"Why?"

"Because I don't feel like doing anything... I'm nothing without her. I'm just a corpse. A corpse that happens to be useful."

"Wow... that's what I get for thinking you're an adult." she muttered shaking her head.

"What was that?" I said standing up.

"You know exactly what I said. You're just a boy. You want to be powerful, you want to be an adult but you have to take that first step."

"And that means closing off my emotions completely?"

"No! Of course not, but it means not letting them consume you."

"She was the one who made me more than a monster." I nearly yelled. Evelyn turned to a white board behind her and drew a large circle.

"Do you see this?" she asked.

"Yes, of course."

"This was you when you were with Zuri." she then took a piece of it no bigger than 1/8th and erased it putting it together like a pizza with one piece missing. I nodded at her watching her carefully.

"But there is still this much of you. You're still a valuable person even when she's gone." I nodded at first but gave it real thought. It was like something clicked. It was weird that I had never thought about it that way... in that moment I realized my value wasn't determined by those around me... it was determined by me... lyrics cascaded through my mind.

"You don't define me
Who are you to tell me that I'm less than what I should be

Who are you? Who are you?" Evelyn smiled looking at it.

"You see it now don't you?" I nodded.

"I think so... but that doesn't mean it doesn't still hurt."

"Oh I know it still hurts... but maybe now you can move on and become a better person starting today." I stood up and made my way to the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Today my life restarts." I walked out of the door coming face to face with Embry.

"So how is your day today?" he looked annoyed with my question. Of course he didn't respond.

"Embry, I need to see you in here." Evelyn called. Embry shrugged. It was his answer to most everything right now.

"Now." She said angrily. Embry rolled his eyes but walked in to the room. I walked away. It was time for me to start living my life again. I made my way to find Adrian.

Embry's POV

The truth was I wasn't trying to make a statement or something... I just didn't give a shit, I didn't care about anything and I didn't want to talk to anyone... I just wanted to be left alone... but that sometimes isn't a choice.

Another part of me relished the attention... enjoyed that people cared enough to ask... as sick as it was I never let it control me. I didn't want pity, I wanted respect. I walked in to her office and closed the door behind me. Her eyes didn't leave me for a second as I lazily sat down on a chair.

"So... I'm going to need you to cut the bullshit." I gave her an amused look.

"I know you're handling the breakup better than Mike but you won't talk to anyone and that needs to end now." I shrugged.

"Yeah stop pouting like a little bitch and talk." I wasn't going to get goaded in to speaking like that.

"What do you want." A viper, a chocolate bacon fountain, a brand new Pearl Drum set? A glow stick? Yeah a glow stick would be fun. I thought snickering to myself.

"Whatever, I know what you want." I turned my head to look her in the eye.

"Our forward team has an open spot on it. It's our team to eliminate Vampire threats, after losing Alec and Jane we need at least one more permanent member because we're not going to keep hiring Abhash on." I bit my lip. I did want that. I wanted to be one of the top Volturi killing rogue vampires around the world. Being the enforcer for those who stepped out of line, the clean up crew before too many innocents were hurt.

"No... you probably don't want that, I'll give it to Adrian." She said offhandedly.

"I want it." I said finally breaking my three week silence.

"Oh, he speaks."

"I want the position Doctor."

"You think breaking your silence is enough to earn you a spot on that team. I'll need your cooperation and a full psych review before you can even be considered."

"I will." I said.

"Good, Felix requested you by name anyway... The team is Felix and Demetri."

"Only two?" I asked. She smirked.

"They're plenty most of the time."

"But if I hear you start pulling your silent bullshit you're off the team, do we understand each other?"

"Yes." I answered.

"Good, now lets get down to this psych test before the fight starts."

"What fight?"

"Adrian and Mike."

"Why do you think that will happen now?"

"Because I know that's exactly where Mike is going."

Ulrich's POV

Alexis spun in front of me dancing with such grace and balance I was hypnotized by her movement. She said she hadn't danced in years and I asked her to. Why haven't I asked her to marry me yet? I made excuses. It was too soon, with the world in turmoil... blah blah blah... but how long could I hide behind those excuses?

She was the reason I stopped drinking human blood, without her it would have been impossible. I feel better, I feel more... human... She makes me worth being. She giggled as she spun and grabbed my hand pulling me in to a dance with her.

This... This I could do for the rest of my life. I thematically made a show of trying to stay off the dance floor. Dance floor? We were in my room and no music was playing. I smiled... I found her... I found the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Mike's POV

"This has been put off for too long." I said walking to to the training room. Adrian turned and smiled.

"Are you sure you're ready for me?" he said putting down his leaf swords.

"More than ready... I'm going to beat you up." He laughed.

"Mike... you're out of practice so I'll go easy on you."

"You better not." I charged at him He dodged my punch and I ducked under his counter. I followed it up with a uppercut to his ribs which he caught with the palm of his hand pulling me closer and throwing me off balance. I felt his elbow connect with my jaw turning me off course then his foot rammed in to my chest sending me flying across the room. I barely managed to catch myself using my powers before I flew in to the wall.

"Wow Adrian you've gotten better." I said smiling.

"Damn Mike... you've really let yourself go." He said grinning victoriously. I came in with a straight punch to his jaw expecting him to duck it. I followed with a kick to his stomach. He blocked the punch then spun away from the kick narrowly missing me with a back fist. I closed the gap between us and launched an elbow which he blocked away leaving my torso open. I tried to get a hold of him to pull him closer nullifying his strike but he dropped his weight to his knee before I could. I gasped both my hands together and dropped them as hard as I could against Adrian. He took the force and braced against it. I wasn't expecting that. I was caught surprised as he rose up with an uppercut to my jaw lifting me at least two feet in to the air before dropping me on my back. I was unfocused getting back to my feet.

"Ready to give up yet?" Adrian asked grinning still.

"Heck no... I'm just getting loose."
"So that's what they call getting your ass kicked in Minnesota huh?" I charged at him he blocked away strike after strike. He dropped his weight ducking under an elbow and then swept my inside leg. I lost my balance only for a moment then regained it only to feel Adrian's fingers wrapped around my throat. I felt air under my feet then my body trying to get right before landing on my back again. I kicked out his legs still in his grip and followed his falling body. He brought his legs up around my body. I recognized what he was doing. Triangle choke I thought. I tried to escape but he kept pulling closer and closer. I did the only thing I could think of. I lifted his body before he locked it and stood up before bombing him in to the ground. His body released grip on me. He rolled back to his feet and smiled.

"You loose yet?"

"Yeah... let's finish this." I answered. I let him make his attack as he charged I stood my ground but before he let his kick loose but after he committed to it I stepped back just out of range. He withdrew his kick and stepped backwards also avoiding creating an opening. I jumped at him with a kick with either leg in air, he blocked both and both my arms coming down. I slid backwards as he threw an elbow and threw a punch to his gut connecting on my first hit of the day. I slid back in closer as he threw a punch sliding just inches past it's target so it missed me. I threw my elbow up catching him under his chin then I connected with a short punch to his gut. He took a wild swing at me and I maneuvered around him. I slid my hands in to a vice griped sleeper hold.

"I win." I said. Adrian laughed and headbutted me. I lost my grip immediately and felt my nose as I backed away.

"Right... your power..." I said reminding myself how much force he could hit with. Adrian turned around with a smile. I put my hand out to stop him. I felt my nose and snapped it back in to place painfully.

"You done with your nose job?"

"Very funny Miles." I charged at him he blocked away strike after strike. Finally frustrated I jumped and launched both my feet in a drop kick. He tried to block it but even while blocking it the impact took threw him back and he lost his balance. He chased after me on the ground. I rolled away from a stomping kick. I slid on my back away from his relentless assault but he had no desire to let me back up to my feet. I hit the back of my head on the wall. He pressed his attack but I pushed off the wall with my hands sliding towards him. I came upon him faster than he expected and stopped short now worried about my on ground attack. He stopped hard on his forward knee taking all his force and weight there. I kicked it as he tried to regain good footing then swept it with both my legs He rolled to his stomach but I was already behind him I placed both hands on his head, one hand on his chin one where his skull met his spine giving me a good grip.

"I win." I called.

"Yes... You win."

I know Single's Awareness day isn't for another week but merry Awareness day. This isn't even my first chapter posted as this... funny how that works out. I guess I'm a sucker for people who are alone on this day. Whether I am or not. So to those of you who are, I raise my glass to you. I don't really know what I think of this holiday... personally I've always been of the mindset that waiting for a day to show love is so backwards and wrong that I don't like Valentine's day. I feel the same way about New Years resolutions, don't put off making yourself a better person because it's easy. Wow that's quite and Author's note, sorry. Remember High fives, knucks, ideas, comments, and catch you on the flipside.