A/N: I have decided to skip a lot of Bella's growing up. There will just be this chapter and one more before we reconnect with the Cullens. I will probably do some outtakes of Bella/Peter/Edward during her younger years because I have a few scenes written and everyone seems to love this grouping. I'll publish those separately.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story line, SM owns the characters I'm just having fun with them.

Peter POV
Colorado, 1999

Sitting in an alley in Denver waiting for my next meal to walk up, I was worrying about Bella back at home with Edward. It had been too long since I had fed, so they kicked me out of the house and told me not to come back until my eyes were red again. I wasn't used to being this far away from her, but we recently bought a ranch in the mountains and I had to travel farther to hunt. Bella wanted to get away from the city; she wasn't a huge fan of humans, despite being one herself. She was irritated by the women who stared at me and Edward, and she didn't like fielding questions about who her parents were.

After keeping her at home with us for the first five years, we had made an attempt to enroll her in kindergarten. It didn't work out so well. I sat in a tree across the street from the school and listened to her cry for me for an hour before I went back to get her. She wouldn't let go of me the rest of the day. The school counselors tried to tell us she needed to socialize more, but she told us the other children were smelly and too soft. When she complained of her chest hurting I was caught somewhere between proud and terrified- she was feeling the mating pull. After that we kept her home and Edward taught her at a much faster rate than the public schools. She was only 12 now and already finishing up high school.

Of course, she was much more interested in vampire history than human history. Edward constantly had to come up with new strategies for keeping her attention on the material. The only subject she would willingly study was the Civil War. She pored over countless books in the libraries we visited searching for a mention of Jasper's name. Every time she found one she would make a copy and put it in a folder. She would also sit and listen for hours while I told her about mine and Jasper's history in the Southern Wars, and I often caught her holding his uniform and gazing off into space. I had a feeling she was forming an opinion about Jasper and I wasn't sure it was entirely positive.

We had argued several times about going to look for our mate; she wanted to find him and ask him what his problem was. She didn't quite understand the danger of our unique situation. I only had four more years until we could change her without the Volturi declaring her too young. I wouldn't mind waiting longer, while she was counting down the days until her 16th birthday like a deadline. We had reached a tentative agreement to begin looking for Jasper when she turned sixteen, and then change her when we found him. We would use the remaining time laying low and letting her do basically whatever she wanted. Not like that was any different than the past twelve years- she was spoiled rotten and whatever Bella wanted, Bella got.

Right now she wanted me to start training her to fight. She had learned everything I knew about being a vampire and she wanted more. I only just started training Edward, which was something I should have done years ago. He loved fighting and picked everything up easily through his ability to hear my thoughts. I could show him in my mind exactly what to do and he could replicate it flawlessly.

I pulled myself from my thoughts when a sluggish heartbeat reached my ears. A homeless man was stumbling toward his nest at the end of my alley. I made quick work of him and as I was tossing him into the nearby dumpster I felt a crushing pain in my chest. I knew immediately it was Bella. Why did I leave her, I never should have left her! I flew across the rooftops to the edge of the city where I broke into a dead run heading straight home. I covered the miles in a matter of minutes, just a blur in the passing landscape. The pain in my chest was getting worse instead of better and I was terrified of what I would find. Skidding into the yard I couldn't comprehend what I was seeing. My eyes zeroed in on my little mate and I finally found out what Jasper felt like when his demon was released. It seems I had a demon of my own.

Edward POV
"So what do you want to do with the prison warden gone for the night?" I was trying to cheer Bella up; she was missing Peter and was curled up in his chair pouting.

"I don't care, whatever. How soon do you think he'll be back?" Oh, the whiney voice is already out, this could be a long night.

"Bella, you know how long it takes. It depends on how far into the city he has to go and how quickly he can find a victim. It's not like he can just run through McDonald's and ask for an O-positive to go. It's called hunting for a reason, Princess."

"I know, I just miss him when he's not here. It makes my chest hurt too. Will you play my lullaby? That might help some."

"Sure thing. Come sit with me?" We made our way over to the piano bench and I tucked her into my side. "Will you play the counter-melody?" She nodded and put her hands on the keys before giving me a small smile. As we played she laid her head on my shoulder and started to relax. After her lullaby I played several of her other favorites before I noticed her breathing even out and she slumped against me as she fell asleep. I finished the song and then picked her up to take her to bed when I felt vampires approaching on the edge of my gift. There were two of them approaching from the south and they seemed to be heading straight for the house.

When I could hear their thoughts my body froze. They were full of violence, and scenes like I had seen in Peter's and Jasper's minds. These were soldiers and they were looking for a fight. I clenched Bella in my arms trying to think of somewhere to hide her. There was no chance of masking her scent, it was all over the house and Peter wasn't here to shield her. Not to mention her heartbeat could be heard a mile away. I finally decided to pull the cushions off the couch and break out the bottom. I woke Bella up, told her stay down and not make a sound, and piled the cushions back on top of her. Then I turned the stereo on with heavy bass to try to mask her heartbeat. I dropped down beside the couch and said, "Bella, I love you. No matter what you hear you need to stay here until Peter or I come to get you, do you understand?" I heard her faint "yes" before I turned and ran out the door to intercept the incoming vampires.

I didn't make it far from the house before the two came at me from opposite sides. I was hard pressed to block them but Peter's training and my mind reading were keeping me from being ripped apart. The two vampires were huge, at least 6'5" or more. Heavily muscled like Emmett and covered in almost as many scars as Peter. I managed to remove an arm from one of them before I was distracted by two more vampires approaching. Peter was flying in from the east but Garrett was closer, he must have followed these vampires up from the south. Just as I heard Garrett's approach, my right arm was pulled off and each of my legs were grabbed and pulled. I screamed for Garrett to guard the house but the vampire holding my left leg let go and tossed Garrett away before running straight in the front door.

For a long moment time seemed to stand still. Then the vampire appeared holding Bella up like a rag doll. She was crying and she screamed when she saw me laying there. Garrett ran up and took the head off the vampire still holding me before turning toward the house. I heard him think, Is this Peter and Jasper's third? I could only nod and he cautiously approached the beast who was holding the most important girl in the whole world.

"You don't know who you're holding right there, you really need to put her down before her mate gets here." Garrett was using his persuasive voice but the fear in his tone wasn't making it as effective.

"Mate? This is just a snack. I think I'll have a bite." I watched in horror as he brought her tiny arm up to his mouth and gave me a toothy smile before biting down. Just as he broke skin Garrett knocked his head off and pulled Bella into his arms. Edward, she's been bitten. She's too young to change so I'm going to try to suck the venom out. I've seen it done before but I'm not sure if it will work or not. Do you want me to do it?

I stared at Bella screaming and thrashing around and said the only thing I could. "Do it."

As Garrett pulled her arm to his mouth I heard Peter running in at full speed. He stopped right beside me and I watched his eyes go pitch black, everything, including the white part. I had a flashback to his memory of Jasper and tried to warn Garrett but Peter let out an earth-shaking roar of "MINE!" as he ran up to Bella. He threw Garrett past me like he weighed nothing and then pieces of vampire began to rain down around us. Garrett jumped on top of me and thought, Don't move. Don't make a sound and whatever you do, don't look at him or the girl. We have to pray she can bring him back down. I raised my eyebrows at him trying to ask if he got the venom out, and he said Yes, I think I got it all. There wasn't much in there and I don't think she lost much blood. I didn't get the wound sealed but I'm sure Peter will do that. I think her arm may be broken though.

We laid there silently while Peter ripped and roared until I heard Bella pleading for him to stop. She finally screamed "PETER!" at the top of her lungs and he whipped his head around, reaching for her and cradled her to his chest. He carried her off behind the house and out of our view but we still didn't move. I was terrified for my brother, and of my brother, but my heart was breaking for Bella. I didn't know what this trauma will do to her at this age.

Bella POV
The last thing I remember was sitting with Edward at the piano but he was suddenly shaking me awake and dropping me down inside the couch. He covered me up and turned the music up loud and told me to stay there no matter what. I had no idea what was going on but it had to be bad for Edward to be so scared. I wish Peter was here. When he gets home he is never leaving me again. If I have to sit on a roof while he hunts I'll be there. I'm only safe with my Peter.

I don't know how long I sat there but I was suddenly ripped out through the back of the couch by the biggest, ugliest vampire I had ever seen. He laughed in my face and carried me out on the front porch. I tried to find Edward and I thought I was going to throw up when I saw him. He was missing an arm and a leg and his clothes were all ripped up with venom dripping everywhere. It looked like one of those horror movies Peter doesn't like for me to watch. I couldn't stop my scream at seeing my beautiful, strong brother laying there so broken and helpless.

I didn't know what to think when another vampire came running up and took the head off the vampire that was holding Edward. He turned to me and looked absolutely terrified. I saw Edward nod so he must have been talking to him silently. He tried to talk the monster into putting me down but then I felt my arm squeezed like it was in a vice and I felt the bone snap. I had never felt pain like that before and I thought it was the worst anything could feel until I felt hot lava running up my arm from my wrist. The bastard bit me! I couldn't think through the pain it was so bad, and then I was being held in different arms and the other vampire was sucking on my arm where the first one had bitten me. I felt the heat leave me little by little until it went away completely. I started to thank him when my Peter showed up screaming and threw him off the porch.

I fell straight down and was a little surprised Peter didn't catch me until I looked at him closer. His eyes were solid black and his face was so twisted it didn't even look like him. For the first time in my life I was actually scared of my vampire mate. He was biting and tearing the other vampire into tiny pieces and for the second time tonight I thought I was going to be sick. I really thought I was ready for this; I'd heard stories from Peter all of my life and he didn't spare me any details (except I'm pretty sure he hasn't told me all about him and Jasper; he thinks I'm too young). But nothing could have prepared me for seeing this stuff firsthand.

I looked down and saw the other vampire on top of Edward; I really hoped he was protecting him and not hurting him. Neither of them were moving so they must be scared of Peter too. I had a feeling I needed to do something but I wasn't sure what, and then my arm was hurting again so I just started yelling at my Peter to stop and help me. It took a few tries but he finally looked at me and his whole face changed. He looked like he was about to cry when he saw me sitting there, and then he picked me up and carried me to the back of the house.

Away from all the destruction I finally broke down and started crying. Peter tucked my head into his chest and started purring. I breathed in his familiar cinnamon and honey scent, while he ran his hands all over me checking for injuries. When he pulled my arm up to look at it I couldn't stop my cry of pain. He sniffed at the bite mark and then ran his tongue over it and I was shocked to see the bleeding stop and a scar form immediately. He pulled his shirt off and I wasn't sure what he was doing until he grabbed my arm and moved his fingers along the break. He moved the bones back where they were supposed to be and before I finished screaming he had his shirt wrapped around it and my arm tied next to my body. Instantly I felt better; it was just sore now.

I curled up in my Peter's lap as he sat down and started rocking me. He was talking too fast and low for me to understand but I felt him start to cry as I drifted off to sleep.

Peter POV
It took some effort to beat the monster back and come back to myself. I realized I was holding Bella in my arms and she was asleep. I can't believe I almost lost her. "Oh, baby girl, I'm so sorry! I let you down, I didn't do the one thing I was supposed to do. I didn't protect you. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, little one. Please don't hate me, please don't. I love you so much. So, so much. I-"

"Pete? You ok man?" Edward stopped my downward spiral and I looked up to Garrett carrying him around the house. He looked-

"Oh my God, Eddie! Did I do that? Please tell me I didn't hurt you too!"

"No, Pete, you shredded the guy who did this. Scared the hell out of me, but you didn't hurt me. I think you knocked Garrett around a little though."

"Garrett, thank you so much. I don't know how you found us but I'm so glad you did. You saved my mate. I can never repay that."

"I was glad to do it. She looks like a sweet little thing. Feel kinda sorry for her being stuck with you and the Major for eternity, but what can you do? Anyway, I ran across Eddie's trail coming from town and then I picked up those two jerks and I was worried he was gonna get it. I wish I could have gotten here before she was bitten but I hope I got the venom out so she will be ok. When did you find her anyway?"

"Just over 12 years ago. She was four days old and living with the worst excuse for parents I have ever seen. Edward said we should bring her home with us and we've been together ever since. Anyway, we can catch up later. Eddie- how are you doing?"

"I've been better, Pete. Dismemberment hurts like hell. I think Garrett got me put back together but I need some blood. I'm just scared to leave you and Bella here alone."

"No, Bella needs to go to the hospital anyway. I think I set her arm right but I'd like a human doctor to check it. Let's all run in together and Garrett can help you hunt near the hospital, ok?"

"Yeah, but you need to clean up if you're going in public. Don't forget to grab some contacts too. And get her Colorado birth certificate- they won't ask as many questions that way. You know she's not going to like this? She's gonna give you hell for taking her there," Eddie laughed.

"Well, she'll just have to deal with it. I have to put my foot down sometime, right? Let her know who's in charge around here. At least she's asleep now and can't argue with me yet." Honestly, I didn't care. She could argue with me all she wants to, it just means she's still alive and here to argue with. "Let's just get out of here before she wakes up and tries to talk me out of it."