Disclaimer: So yeah, I'm still not Stephenie Meyer

Disclaimer Deuce: It's interesting how when you read much about one topic you start to take on mannerisms from it, like how they speak, or how they act... I actually struggled to keep the last half of this chapter in my own voice.

Embry's POV

"They will be here soon." Mike said quietly. It was a statement. He told us a half hour ago that he could feel vampires coming. He couldn't place who they were but in his mediation he could feel a group of four vampires on their way. No one scoffed at the idea that Mike could sense them. He had the ear of the three Volturi, and the absolute respect of everyone.

No one was sent out to receive them. In the past the Volturi would give a show of power with Alec and Jane. Not anymore. We waiting for them to come to us, and Mike kept mediating right on the other side of Felix. We had grown more conservative. We grew wiser. We didn't need to prove we were the strongest, we simply were.

The large doors at the end of the hall opened five figures stepped in, four I assume the vampires were wearing thick clothing covering their bodies completely. I saw some skin on the fifth one. She was female. The skin tone... Native American. No Embry, you're just seeing things. I closed my eyes and waited patiently for them to close the distance of the large room. I opened my eyes.

There she was. I assumed I'd never see her again. And if I saw her it would be because I came to her. My stomach turned. Please leave. I don't need you to hurt me again. Demetri turned his eyes only to me and I exhaled trying not to look at anything. I was glad my hood was up far enough to hide most of my face.

Once I got over the initial shock I watched as the covered vampires removed their hoods.

"Tanya, Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper. What brings you to us?" Aro asked.

"We came for our friends." Jasper said speaking for the group.

"It's too bad your wife couldn't join us." Aro said. Something about the way he said join us made me uncomfortable.

"She had pressing matters to attend to." Jasper said smoothly. We all knew he was lying but wouldn't say anything.

"Michael Iverson and Embry Call have stayed here well over their one year contract and we're here to bring them home." Jasper said calmly. I felt a tension in the air, and as soon as it came it left.

"I believe Iverson and call are both here of their own volition." Aro responded.

"True, but there are those who want them back." Jasper countered.

"Shouldn't that be their choice?" Aro said smiling. Something in his smile made me uncomfortable. Everything about this conversation made me uneasy, like we were a moment away from another battle. And if we were, which side would I take? I couldn't say. Jasper didn't say another word, he just looked at me. I returned his gaze even though my features above my nose were hidden by the shade of the hood.

"Embry. Come home, please." She said. I forced myself not to gulp. Her voice... I thought I'd forgotten it completely. It'd been so long since I heard it, and it flooded back to me, everything flooded back to me. I could remember the way she used to laugh. The way she cooed. The way she breathed when she slept. All of it hit me like a brick. Then what came next was less pleasant.

The way I woke up without her when she left for Minnesota. Seeing her with David. The way she picked Patrick over me. Standing by him. The promise ring he gave her. I forced myself not to physically react... then I noticed.

"Your promise ring is gone." I called to Leah.

"Yes Embry, Patrick and I have broken up." she said sadly.

"So I suppose I'm supposed to just jump back in to your arms at once?" I said as an insult but part of me wanted to. She looked away hurt.

"No... I don't expect you to. I'm not here to get you back. I'm here to save you... like you've saved me so many times before."

"Does it look like I need saving?" I asked mocking her. She shook her head.

"Look like it? No... but you need it." I scoffed at her.

"You'll need to do better than that." She shrugged.

"Like what? Get back together? Alright, I'm game. I'll do that just to save you. I don't even know if I feel it but I know I owe you at least enough to save you from this." I closed my eyes taken back. I didn't expect that at all. I wanted to tell her I'd go with her. Do I? Do I want her back? Yes! You miss her, you need someone. You need her. I caught myself short.

"Not like this. I don't want you because you're trying to save me. You don't even want me." I said as a statement. I saw something flicker across her eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it came. Leah turned to Jasper.

"We have no other choice, we need to bring them in." Jasper nodded. Jasper nodded and pulled out a cellphone.

"Yes, it's time to see daddy." Jasper said. Ayden. I thought. He's the one I'm here for. The doors opened and Ayden walked in holding the hand of a boy, who was barely as tall as Ayden's shoulder. The two of them walked in to the room slowly. The little boy saw Leah and ran to her and jumped in to her arms hiding his face.

"Momma... I'm scared." he said quietly.

"It's okay hun... it's okay." she cooed at him rocking him back and forth.

"They're scary." So Leah got pregnant with that vampire again, why the hell did she bring him here? Ayden walked up next to Jasper and scowled at Felix. A little burst of pride ripped through me. Not even intimidated by Felix... that's my boy.

"It's time hun." Leah said kissing the little boy on her hip as she rocked him back and forth. His arms viced around her.

"I don't wanna mommy." I was envious. She would have made a great mother. I wish she could have been mine. Why couldn't we share that? I bit my lip as envy ripped through me.

"EJ, it's time for you to meet daddy." she said. I blinked. Wait what?

"But mommy, he's scary!" He said not loosening his grip on her. My whole body tensed in a moment. He's my son. It was the only coherent thought that spun through my mind. They jumbled themselves until one stopped them all. Mommy. He's scary. I flung off my heavy Volturi robe and moved half away between the Volturi and Leah holding my son, EJ. I dropped to my knees and opened both my hands palm up. EJ turned his head and I began to see myself in his eyes, his hair. He had my same hair I had as a little kid. He released his grip and Leah got on her knees as EJ stood up in front of her.

"I'm scared mommy." He said looking up at her. Ayden moved next to his younger stepbrother.

"Don't worry Embry Junior... everything will be fine." she said calming my son.

"Don't worry EJ... I'll go with you." Ayden turned to me and the look in his eyes made my blood run cold. It was anger. But he held EJ's hand and walked him over to me.

"Daddy?" he asked. I smiled and nodded.

"Yes, EJ?" He jumped at me and hugged me but Ayden stepped back still scowling at me. I didn't come back to him. Of course he's mad at me. I thought to myself.

"I can see you're mad at me Ayden... I understand."

"No you don't! You didn't come home! You said one year."

"I plan on fixing it though." I turned my eyes to Leah holding her stare.

"I'm coming back."

Leah's POV

He was different. I couldn't place how but I could feel it.

"I can see you're made at me Ayden... I understand." he said closing his eyes for a moment.

"No you don't! You didn't come home! You said one year."

"I plan on fixing it though." He said as his eyes met mine. I felt it almost immediately it was this deep physical attraction, almost animal. I'd always been attracted to him for quite a while... but not like this. This felt like something I'd never felt before... it wasn't human.

"I'm coming back." I smiled but swallowed my feelings. I wouldn't submit to them. Why not? Part of you wants him... he'd be so good. It felt wrong. I had just taken a break with Patrick it wasn't right. Even with logic at my side I couldn't deny the burning feeling inside of me. Not like that. I will not be controlled by shifting, not again.

Jasper's POV

I hugged Embry as he turned back to the Volturi, his attention on the two vampires at Felix's side. One was over six feet all, black, and in perfect shape. His hood hid his facial features. The other next to him was a bit stocky, but in good shape. His facial features were also masked by a dark hook but he had a long black beard that was six inches long and long dark brown hair that came down to his shoulder. His beard covered his full visible face but something about him struck me. His hands were covered by gloves and in his left hand was a sword in hilt, a Katana. He seemed tense. I prodded him but seemed to resist it. His mood turned to neutral not to be touched even though I tried. I took a step forward after releasing Embry.

"We also came here for Michael Iverson." I announced.

"He wants nothing you can offer him." Felix answered. Aro smiled and nodded. Emmett grumbled.

"Why don't you bring him out and we'll talk to him, trying to stash him away from us?" Felix laughed.

"Emmett... always the hot headed fool." Emmett took a step forward but Rosalie put a hand on his chest. I watched the two I didn't know for a reaction but none happened. No... that's not Mike... he would have reacted to that.

"Emmett... just come out and say what you want." Felix said as if dealing with a fly.

"I want you Felix, You and me. If I win Mike comes with us. You win we'll leave and not say another word." The mystery man next to Felix made a sound. Felix regarded him for a moment.

"I assume you want to fight me because I'm the best warrior the Volturi have, correct?" I turned to face Emmett. I didn't like this one bit.

"That's right."

"Well actually it's wrong. Temper here beat me not three months ago in unarmed combat." I could feel pride beaming from 'Temper' but something seemed off... it made me uncomfortable.

"You want me to believe this one next to you? This little shit is what beat you? He's smaller than me!" Emmett laughed. Rosalie grabbed Emmett's arm trying to calm him down.

"True. I suggest you fight him instead though."

"Done." Emmett yelled. I immediately moved to Emmett next to Rosalie.

"We know nothing about him, what kind of powers he has, he might kill you with his powers." I said quietly but plenty loud enough for them to hear me.

"I will not use power to kill your overgrown ape." He said in a very thick accent. I turned to Tanya. She was actually Russian but long ago dropped her accent. She spoke a phrase in Russian which he didn't reply. And nodded back to me. No... 'Temper' Isn't Russian. And we both knew it. He's using it as a disguise. For what? For whom? I tried to convince myself it was Mike but the pieces didn't add up. Mike would have blown his top when he saw Rosalie and Emmett were showing affection, or at least reacted, Temper had no reaction. Temper was leaner than Mike, Temper had a burly beard and long hair, Mike's hair was short and he was clean shaven. There was no plausible way was Mike. His hair wasn't fake. Or was it?

Emmett charged at Temper and took a swing for his face. Temper didn't move, didn't dodge, he took it and turned his head back to face him as if unfazed. Emmett seemed taken aback. Emmett threw a punch to his stomach and Temper took it stepping back with it still no response.

Why would it be Mike? Mike hates Emmett... he should hate Rosalie but he's never been able to deal with that. He could never hate her the way he should it's not in his heart. Mike isn't spoken for, he's not here... but most importantly... and most obviously Felix has ruled for hundreds of years as the most powerful vampire in hand to hand combat, and this vampire whom no one knows, and no one has ever heard of beat him. No... There is only one who could do that. Michael Iverson.

I thought about warning Emmett... but Mike wouldn't kill Emmett, would he? And if he would wouldn't telling Emmett just distract him? No... Emmett knowing wouldn't help him. Emmett wouldn't win, and even if he did he'd probably kill Temper. If he didn't did he really expect Michael to come back after beating him? No... I need to find a way to get Mike back.

Rosalie's POV

I watched in horror as Emmett landed punch after punch on Temper who seemed to be letting him take his shots. Temper's arms were crossed across his chest as he adjusted his neck after another blow to his face.

"You will have to do better than that." Temper taunted Emmett. Emmett interlocked his fingers. He slammed his hands on to Temper's back but Temper didn't go down. He stood straight back up.

"Is that truly all you have?" he said rolling his shoulders back.

"My turn." he taunted. He threw a hooking punch to the side of Emmett's face. Emmett staggered away losing his balance. He attempted to regain his balance but as he came back to Temper Temper grabbed the back of his head and punched him in the gut nearly lifting him off the ground. Another punch to his stomach, then he finished it with an uppercut lifting Emmett clear off his feet. He landed hard on his shoulders.

Emmett! Don't get up! Please... he'll kill you! I silently begged. Whoever Temper was he was all of the deadly fighter Felix claimed he was. Emmett made his way back to his knees.

Temper grabbed the back of Emmett's head and drove his knee in to his face dropping him on the ground again.

"Sohi." the one known as Temper called. Felix tossed him a samurai sword.

"This bores, perhaps this would be better game." he said extending the hilt of the blade towards Emmett. Emmett was on the other side of the room making his way to his face wiping blood off his face. With a quick motion the weapon glided through the air towards Emmett, he easily caught it.

"What weapon will you use?" he asked. Temper waved the sheath of the blade at Emmett.

"No... this still isn't a fair fight." Temper said as he walked to the side of the room and grabbed a thick piece of cloth and tied it around his face over his eyes. His head turned towards Emmett he turned sheath in his hand as if it were a weapon. No that's impossible he can't be serious.

Emmett charged with weapon in hand. He swept heavily trying to take Temper's head clean off. Temper ducked easily and slapped Emmett in the stomach with the sheath before stepping past him and sweeping at his left leg, then connecting with the sheath and his face dropping him to the ground. Temper turned his back to him walking towards us. Emmett charged, silently this time.

Temper ducked out of the way and dodged as Emmett passed by him. He reached up and grabbed Emmett by the back of his head and threw him on the ground.

Emmett came back up to his feet stabbing at Temper instead of slashing as slashing hadn't worked so far. Temper spun his sheath in his hand and sheathed the blade, perfectly aiming the small opening in the sheath at Emmett's wielded weapon. Making a quick circular motion Temper rolled the hilt over Emmett's thumb nearly breaking it. Then he did a swift side kick throwing Emmett back to the ground. While walking straight towards us, not saying a word, his head never turning back to Emmett.

Emmett leapt at Temper from the side. Temper hit him clean from jaw to temple with his sheathed weapon.

Emmett landed in a heap between us and Temper. He got back to his feet quickly but when he moved to attack with a quick sharp sound Temper's blade was unsheathed and at his throat. He guided Emmett a full arms length away from him maneuvering the tip of his blade under Emmett's Adam's Apple.

Temper methodically stalked towards us, Emmett backing up slowly as to not have his head parted from his body. Temper stopped when he was five feet from Tanya and myself. Jasper, Leah and Embry stood apart from us. Temper said no words, just lowered his hood to face us. His face was hardened by battle wounds, scratches, and scars, still not fully healed. With his weapon still at Emmett's throat in his right he reached back with his left untying his blindfold. But even as it fell his eyes remained closed. A thick unkempt beard dominated his face. Then he opened his eyes.

No... Those eyes... it can't be. I realized my mouth was open as a gasp escaped both mine and Tanya's throat.

"Your eyes... It can't be." I said.

"It can't be... but it is... I would never forget those eyes. Those brown eyes..." Tanya said next to me.

"Who is this?" Emmett asked. It defied logic. He lost his brown eyes when he became a Vampire, his hair stopped growing when he became a vampire but here he stood with his same brown eye, and a mane full of hair, no one else could he be.

"Michael Iverson." I said no louder than a whisper. His gaze met Tanya's eyes for a moment and stared in to them before turning to mine and doing the same. He closed his eyes and removed his blade from Emmett's throat and sheathed it.

"Go. You have nothing to offer me." Mike said turning his back and walking away.

Jasper's POV

"Nothing to offer? Mike, please come back to me. Come back with me." Tanya pleaded. Mike turned to face Tanya and I felt it. Betrayal, shame, regret. All rolled in to one.

"No." He said simply. He didn't leave room for arguing, even though we knew they would try.

"Come home with me Mike, we can make a home together." Pain rippled through Mike. But it wasn't her words that hurt him, but something else I couldn't quite place. Emotional pain, I focused on it trying to place it. He is ashamed... but why? I tried to press further but I couldn't find it. Mike's eyes turned to mine and every emotion disappeared with a snarl.

"Home? In St. Cloud? I am known there... I can never go back." Tanya shook her head.

"No... The Cullens and the Denali have both moved to Maine... we can move there." she pleaded. Mike shook his head gravely.

"So I can be near Emmett and Rosalie? No... that's no fate for me. I have no home there anymore, there is no place for me with you, nor with my family in St. Cloud."

"So... I ask again, that you all leave." His eyes turned to Embry.

"And live out a full life." What does he mean, live out a full life? Something wrong? I ignored it turning my attention back to Mike. There was one other argument I had planned. I didn't want to use it because it would force me to walk a very dangerous line, and Mike as well.

"You're right... we have nothing you want... but there is something you want that I can offer you." I said stepping forward.

"Speak clearly Jasper, I don't want riddles from you."

"There is one thing that you want enough to leave here... that is to see your family again." Whispering spread out through the Volturi ranks.

"As was stated I can't move back to St. Cloud, too many people know me." Mike replied annoyed.

"True... but your siblings don't live in St. Cloud... your oldest brother James lives in Minneapolis, your sister, in St. Paul, your older brother in Eau Claire, and your younger brother, Fargo. All cities you would not be known it." I felt him wavering.

"You're right... but I don't know if I hold the strength to abstain from their blood."

"You abstain from anger at the sight of Emmett and Rosalie, I would say your self control is very evident." I said.

"I will go with you the first time, I will be with you." I offered.

"And the second and third time, who will protect them?" Mike said.

"I will." said the man next to him. The other of the Volturi I didn't recognize. He was large, six two, athletically built. He looked like he was sculpted out of marble.

"Adrian, you would come back to the U.S. With me?" He looked around at the people around him.

"I have no reason to be here, those who I call friend leave... I will too." He nodded. Mike began to remove his robe then his ring. He turned to Aro offering both to him. Aro put his hand out to stop him and shook his head.

"No... You are Volturi. Wear it with honor, and we might have some work for you in the U.S. If you would be so inclined. Mike smiled and nodded.

"Always." Mike turned to us with Adrian he smiled at Embry.

"You head out, we will pack our things and leave tonight."

So ends the story. Epilogue to follow. I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading, remember to review. Thanks for all the support throughout my writing. Book VII: "Live and Learn" should be posted by the time this one is posted so you can like/favorite it. Remember to give high fives, knucks, rolls of twenties and comments. Catch you on the flipside, Fireproof