Disclaimer: I don't own twilight - Stephanie Meyer does…

Beta'd by Liyorah: Still loving the story ^^.

Killing Is What We Do

"Who are you?" The woman asked, worry in her tone and in her green eyes. Her voice… It brought back memories I'd once forgotten. It made me feel some need to protect her, to defend her from James. Brief flashes of her made themselves present. Kaitlynne… Kaitlynne Grayson! The man was Isaac, and the baby she held must have been little Emely; my god-child. The girl I never thought I'd ever meet and the child that would have been my job to protect and love. I loved her, yes, but how could I protect her and be present in her life with what I had become? My new nature would make it impossible. I couldn't let James anywhere near this family; I couldn't let him anywhere near Kaitlynne and tiny Emely! But I would never be able to change his mind from killing them- I already knew that, despite the short time I'd been with him. I knew that once his mind was set, nothing or no one could sway him from his decision. I would have to fight for them if I wanted to keep them alive. I would have to do something soon; every second that passed put them in more and more danger. A cool voice disrupted my thoughts.

"My name is James, and this is Victoria. We were hoping you could give us a little something to eat?" His tone was deadly, dangerously calm. I knew it was now or never to save the people I love.

"James, let's not hassle these poor people. They have a baby to feed. We can always ask somebody else for food." My tone practically seemed like I was his wife. That's how the charade worked. I mean, what type of man has a woman on his arm who isn't his wife?

"Why, Vicky?" His tone mirrored mine, and he turned to face me, "I'm sure these good people wouldn't mind helping us out."

"But, they have a baby, James! And the poor little mite only looks a week old!"

"Victoria…" He warned.

"No, I'll feel too guilty," I turned to the two bemused people and a gurgling baby. "Please forgive my husband: he has a tendency to forget what having a child to feed is like. I apologize for interrupting your evening. Let's go, James," I tugged on his arm, trying to pull him out the house.

"No, wait!" I heard Kaitlynne call. No! That wasn't supposed to happen! We were supposed to leave and find someone else!

"We can give you food, we do have some spare!"

"No, we can find somewhere else, really,"

"No, please. It would be our pleasure." God damn it! Damn her kind nature!

"Kaitlynne, really… If you knew what was best for you and your family, you'd let us leave,"

"We're not going anywhere, Vicky."

"James. Please, no. Find us someone else. I know these people!"

"Too late, Victoria," He murmured, his eyes pitch black, "much too late."

Letting go of me, he took a step towards Kaitlynne. Grinning wickedly, he slid into a crouch. A look of pure terror and shock became evident on my old friend's face. She'd given Isaac her baby to hold while James and I had bickered. Both her husband and daughter, who seemed to sense her mother's fear, had their eyes transfixed on her. Just as James was about to pounce, I leapt in front of him, effectively blocking his way. He crashed into me, and we fought. I clawed at his face, refusing to cry out. I probably never even hurt him. He pushed me off him, stood up, and picked me up by my collar. He threw me into the wall, effectively demolishing it. When he turned back to Kaitlynne, I jumped on him again and bit into his neck. I bounded back a few paces and turned to the three humans.

"Run!" I screamed at them, "For god's sake, run!" They did, and all scrambled out the door, Isaac holding Emely protectively while they ran. They had barely gotten out of sight when he ever so slowly turned to me.

James said nothing, only growling at me, but leapt at me. The sound was like thunder when we collided. I whimpered in pain as he kicked me.

"Get up." He snarled, but I stayed on the ground, "I said get up!" He bellowed, pulling me up by my hair. He was livid- his face told me that.

"Thanks to you, we'll have to find something less appetizing now. Thanks to you, you let a perfectly good meal get away."

"I told you I didn't want…"

"You don't tell me. I tell you. Remember that next time. Tonight you can starve." He growled.

"James, please! Let me find us a safe place for the night; let me get us a good meal. Please, let me prove myself to you. I just didn't want to see them die…"

"You're a vampire, Victoria. Killing is what we do. Get used to it."

"I can get used to killing… just not murdering my friends."

"You're humans are no longer friends, Victoria, they're food."

I let out a cry of rage and kicked him sharply. He grabbed me round the neck. It would've killed me if I didn't need to breathe.

"You'll pay for that, Victoria." He growled, his voice as black as his eyes.

"Bite me." I muttered angrily.