a/n Before reading this, I'd like to characterize Newton a little more. We've only seen him from the point of view of Bella and Edward. In reality (where we live), Mike's a good looking, much liked, sweetheart guy most women would kill for. Let's be honest—the kid's just damn lovable!

CHAPTER 10—MINOR DETAILS

The borrowed Ferrari pulled to a stop, and Mike got out, looking around in awe. He'd thought Washington was vast and green.

He was standing in front of a sizable lake in the woods, in the middle of a city.

"Wow," he said softly, glancing to his left as a family climbed out of a nearby car. "Too bad it's not a little nicer weather."

"That's July in Alaska," Tanya said, smiling as she exited the other side of the car. "Never sure when you'll get a cloudy or rainy day. It is quiet lovely when it's sunny."

"At least it's light more." Mike smiled and leaned against the front of the car. "I don't know how I'm going to handle it being dark the whole time. Isn't it disorientating?"

"You learn to appreciate the night," she said, and her voice was passionate, her accent slipping in more heavily. "The colors are so beautiful. Twilight can go on for hours, and the shades of purples and pinks and blues…" She sat down next to him and wrapped an arm through his. "Then there are the auroras. It's all so beautiful. The night is quite lovely. Day is more predictable." She laughed softly. "Still, it is quite lovely here when it's sunny, you're correct."

Mike burst out laughing. "Jesus, do you not like daytime or something?"

She shrugged. "Details," she said, smiling coyly.

Again with the details. He frowned. "Why won't you tell me anything that makes sense?"

Tanya's smile had faded with his. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I've never had to explain it before—I don't really know how."

Heaving a sigh, Mike reclined a little further. "So far, we've ironed out that you don't eat or sleep. Ever. We've got three hours until we need to go to the airport. Tell me something," he begged. He couldn't wrap his mind around anything she'd told him so far, and though he feared more explanations would only raise more questions, he still wanted to know.

Needed to know.

Her face softened, and she slid off the hood, tugging him up after him with ease. "Walk with me?" she asked.

"Strength, too," he said, smiling as he twined his fingers through hers. "Why do I get the feeling you could kick my ass if you wanted to?"

"I can outrun you, too," she laughed.

They walked for a while, talking of nothing of consequence—favorite places, childhood homes. As it turned out, Tanya didn't remember much of her childhood. The memories seemed too distant for her, and she spoke of them as if they had happened a long time ago.

He asked her about old boyfriends, if she'd had many, and she burst out laughing.

"Oh, darling," she said, still chortling, "if only you knew."

Mike groaned and tugged on her hand. "Come on," he begged, "tell me something."

She sighed heavily, and her cool, sweet breath brushed his face. She led him to a park bench on the side of the trail and sat down. He stayed standing in front of her.

"You're the only man I've ever really loved," she said softly. "I've never felt this… attachment before. It's very strange to think that I don't believe myself capable of living without you ever again."

"Well, how many guys have you been with?" He was almost afraid to ask.

Her face crumpled a little, and he thought for a moment she would cry. He'd never seen her cry. "Thousands," she said, laughing without humor. "Literally. I've been around for quite a while."

Mike blinked. "That doesn't really bother me," he said quietly. "You didn't know me then. And I don't think I can live without you, either." It was strange. Even now, he felt something pulsing between them, like a gentle tug. He wanted to hold her, but he stayed where he was. He wanted to know more.

"It's me," she said, and her voice caught. "I'm the reason you feel that way."

"Well, yeah," he said, laughing briefly. The sound stopped when her head shook back and forth. "What?"

"I pull men in," she said, and her voice was thick. There were no tears on her face as she looked up at him, but they weren't necessary. "It's what I do—what I've always done."

"Yeah, but really, do they all want you?" he asked. "I'm not trying to be an asshole," he said quickly. "I'm just curious."

She finally laughed. "Usually," she said, laughing shakily again. "I've only ever had two men be able to refuse me. One of them was just not my type, and happened to show up when I was bored. The other one liked me." She smiled up at him.

"I'm the second one, I hope."

"Yes." She smiled, softer now. "You're the only man who has ever made me nervous," she added, laughing again. Her accent was more pronounced now than it had ever been, and he realized that she was starting to let some guard down.

"So who was the first one?" he asked, not really expecting an answer.

"A young man who, for most of his life, was riddled with angst that he placed upon himself." She smirked. "His name was Edward Cullen."

Mike stared down at her. What. The. Fuck. "I thought he was your cousin," Mike blurted, unable to keep the words in. Seriously, what the fuck?

"We call each other cousins," Tanya said, shrugging, "for lack of anything better. We're not even related—we're all just two big groups that developed into a family over time."

Mike shook his head. "Still fucked up."

"I suppose, in retrospect," she said thoughtfully. "Things would have been very different. But if things had worked out, I never would have met you. And I love you," she added. "I've never felt this before." She stared up at him with a guilty expression that tugged at his heartstrings. "I may pull you, but you pull me back."

Dropping to his knees on the dirt path, Mike stared straight into her eyes for the first time since pulling into Anchorage. "I thought I knew what love was," he said, and he laughed. "Girls have always thought I was cute, I guess. But, in retrospect?" He cupped her heart-shaped face in his hands, and kissed her softly. When he pulled away, he smiled at her. "I'm glad I never got Bella Swan to like me that way. Not that, in retrospect, I really care. Edward's got no idea what he's missing."

She burst into delighted peals of laughter, pressing her lips to his again. "Oh, darling, you are so different!" she giggled. "Charmer."

"Listen to that—the pot, calling the kettle black." He rolled his eyes. "So what else?"

"Later." Tanya smiled. "First, I want to take you to dinner."

"Sounds good." He stood, holding out his hand. When she was raised to her full height, at eye level with him, she smirked.

"Then, I'd like to take you in the parking lot before we go to the airport to pick up my family."

And with that, she dropped his hand and sauntered off, back to the car.

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"You're sure the flight isn't late?"

"I'm sure."

"You can't be too sure. We could always go back to the car for a few minutes, you know—they probably won't even be late. Maybe it was raining too much to take off."

"Mike, they're going to be here on time." Tanya smiled at her lover, squeezing his hand and pulling him a little closer. "Trust me," she said, her voice lowered, "I want you again. But you also have to trust me when I say I guarantee the flight will be on time."

"Cockblocker."

"Hey!" She raised an eyebrow. "I think I was more than gracious in the car." A smirk crossed her face. "And I believe you were more than satisfied."

Mike rolled his eyes and slowly began walking them toward the gate. They walked, taking their time, in silence for several minutes before he softly said, "Do they know?"

She didn't need to ask to what he was referring. "Yes, they know," she said. "They all know, and they don't care. It's of no consequence to any of them what happens to you, so you've no fear of being exposed."

"Huh." Mike nodded, and they continued walking.

They made their way to the little waiting area and sat down on the cheap chairs offered there, watching flights come in and go out. Then the flight from Seattle was announced, arriving in five minutes.

The five minutes waiting for the plane to arrive, then the five minutes after arrival, were entirely too slow for Tanya's liking.

Finally, after twelve minutes and thirty-seven seconds, the first passengers started to appear. First class first…

Alice was leading, towing Jasper along with one hand and clutching a copy of Italian Vogue with the other. She wore sunglasses and a floor length skirt with a long sleeved peasant top. Jasper was wearing his usual boots and hat, with the hat pulled a little lower than usual. Alice was shaking her head.

"Genius here decided to wear steal toed boots," she complained, poking her husband. "We had to stop at every security booth from here to New Hampshire." She greeted Tanya with a tight hug before turning to Mike. "Hey, Mike."

Mike blinked, his face oddly blank. "Hey, Alice." He nodded at Jasper.

Alice started chattering at Tanya about the flight. Apparently, she had extra bags after a rainy week in New York City had beckoned to Alice to stimulate the economy.

A moment later, Bella and Edward appeared, dressed, probably unintentionally, almost identically. Both wore comfortable jeans and white t-shirts with black jackets. It was unforgivable, as far as Tanya was concerned. Mike followed her stare, and she heard him exhale heavily. He crossed his arms and looked down at his shoes. Edward frowned behind his sunglasses.

Is he freaking out? she asked him silently.

His lips tugged in a noncommittal expression and he half shrugged subtly. The couple stopped, and more hugs were exchanged. Gingerly, Tanya noticed, Bella wrapped her arms around Mike's rigid form. She whispered something in his ear, and he burst out laughing before hugging her back.

"Thanks," he whispered.

"Any time," she said, grinning.

"You look good," he noted. He sounded so calm, but the racing of his heart gave away his nerves. "Sorry I didn't actually get to see you guys when you were down."

Bella shrugged. "Shit happens," she said. She turned to Tanya. "Did you wash my Ducati?"

Tanya laughed. "I just took your car across borders with a… person of interest, and you're worried about your motorcycle." She laughed again.

Mike frowned at this. "Bella, what are you even doing with one of those?" he asked. "You're lucky you haven't killed yourself yet." Jasper snorted, trying to stifle a laugh. Mike grinned. "Seriously, you fall over your own feet!"

Bella tossed her hair. "I do just fine," she said, and over dramatically walked off toward the baggage claim.

Edward rolled his eyes at Tanya. "You'll have to forgive my wife," he said quietly to Mike. "She's a little worked up today."

Twenty feet away, far from what should have been hearing range, Bella froze and her head snapped back. Her butterscotch eyes narrowed and she hissed softly, too softly for Mike to hear.

Her words, on the other hand, were just loud enough.

"I can hear you."

Edward raised his eyebrows slightly. "I know," he said, but the defensive edge to his voice made Tanya suspicious that he had, in fact forgot.

She rolled her eyes. "Walk with me, Mike," she said, taking a few steps back. "I haven't seen you in forever." She looped her arm through his and he jumped a little.

"Jesus, Bella you're…" He trailed off, and she frowned.

"I'm what?"

"Really enthusiasm for someone who's got me cornered for the next, what,

Then she was off, arm in arm with her old friend, leaving Tanya several yards behind with Edward. She glanced at the back of Bella's head and said softly, "How is he doing?"

"He's confused," Edward murmured back. "He's handling it very well, and he's anxious for an explanation, but he's keeping all of it in. He doesn't want you to think he's weak, that he can't handle it."

"What is he confused about?"

"Several things." He nodded toward his blonde brother, slightly ahead of Bella and Mike. "Jasper's keeping him calm, and Mike's mentally a little unsettled by how calm he's being. Starting to wonder if he's just taking it too calm, but he can't get worried."

Tanya giggled. "What else?"

"Our appearances," he said. "He's noticing more that none of us have aged. He didn't notice it as much with you, because he's human—memories fade. But he was around us for years, and I look the same to him now as I did when I was a sophomore in high school. Same for Jasper and Alice. He feels it's either really good plastic surgery, or something else. He's not sure what we are, but he's starting to lean toward the spectrum of unknown. Did you see him jump a second ago, when he felt Bella's arm?" She nodded, and he continued, his lips barely moving. "He felt the cold. Being on those planes doesn't make us any warmer, and he registered how weird it was, that she matches you now when she never did before. He's confused, and wondering exactly how much he doesn't know about us."

"I see." She felt her heart drop a little. "Is he suspicious?"

"He's not leaving, Tanya," Edward said softly. "Alice can see that. It gets more solid every day. You just have to decide how to tell him."

"How should I do it?" She was desperate. "How did you tell Bella?"

Edward smiled wryly. "I didn't—she told me. She already knew."

"Right." Unfair. Not all of us have the advantage of the supreme squealer, Jacob Black.

Edward chuckled. "True."

Tanya set her jaw as they turned to walk into the baggage claim.

It was going to be an interesting couple of days.

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The interior of Tanya's Lexus was silent. The muted light of the perpetual twilight of the Alaskan summer poured into the car, making the setting almost ethereal.

Bella's golden eyes were fixed on the road ahead of her. The light made her face look soft, and he was reminded of how she'd been as a human. The corners of her lips turned up as she felt his gaze.

It's rude to stare.

Edward jumped a little in his seat, and then grinned. "Sorry," he said softly. He didn't avert his eyes.

Seriously. I'm trying to concentrate on not jumping you again, and you're not helping.

Her seat shifted forward, then immediately back when Jasper kicked it slightly. He'd spent time already on the flight kicking her seat to try to distract her from whatever lustful thoughts that were frazzling him.

Edward glanced in the rear view mirror, satisfied that Mike was still slumped in his seat at the rear of the SUV, asleep. Tanya had mentioned silently that he'd spent a good chunk of the past three days sleeping. She wasn't sure why. At the moment, she was gazing at his face, thinking how young he looked when he slept, of how much she loved him…

Not wanting to worry her, Edward didn't let on how disturbed Mike had been over his behavior that night. He'd seen in Mike's mind other fights, shouting matches that had resulted in household items being thrown at him. While Edward didn't agree with abuse toward women by any means, he could see how Mike had been driven to strike her.

He could also see how much remorse he felt for the result, and it was enough that Edward could understand.

Alice was listening to her iPod, gazing out the window. She stared passively out at the Chuitna River as they passed over, and the glistening water sparked a vision.

It was pitch dark, as only Alaska could be. The light from the auroras filled the night sky, not that it was needed by the vampires gathered at the glacier.

At the very edge, at the top of the glacier, Tanya perched carefully, gazing down below her to where Emmett and Mike were paddling on surf boards.

"Sucks we can't show this to Guinness," Mike called, grinning, the light making his amber eyes change tone. "This would blow their minds!" His face was boyish, the idea of surfing again clearly exciting to the Californian.

Tanya laughed, the sound carefree, like tinkling bells. "Are you boys ready?"

"Hell yeah!" Emmett pumped his fist in the air.

"Dude." Mike burst out laughing. "I can't believe we're seriously about to do this. This is fucking awesome!"

"This is still pretty stupid," Emmett said, making his face grave. "We could have some resurfacing issues if we get pinned by those bastards."

Mike nodded. "Could require some real skill to get out." He held out his fist to Emmett. "Let's do this."

They pounded fists, the sound, like boulders colliding, echoing off the glacier. There was the revving of an engine, and Mike and Emmett picked up the ropes that connected them to Rosalie's jet boat. She threw her head back, laughed, and shouted, "Let it rip, bitch!"

Tanya shifted so that she could move more quickly when the destruction began. Her grin turned wicked and she raised her fists, slamming them back down and causing house-sized chunks of glacier to tumble into the water below.

Rosalie shot forward, and Mike and Emmett were tugged into position. The waves reached the pair, and they let go of the ropes, whooping and shouting as they surfed the waves from Tanya's glacial destruction…

A dripping Mike raced at superhuman speed toward Tanya, laughing as she squealed in protest at his arms wrapping around her. The freezing air was causing the water to freeze in Mike's hair, making it spikier than usual. He kissed her, and they stood under the lights for a minute before Rosalie's shouts of protest interrupted. Mike pulled away, lifting Tanya into his arms and holding her firmly.

"Sorry, baby," he said as Emmett raced into view, laughing maniacally. Then, as one, both men threw their companions over the edge of the glacier. Their shrieks echoed all the way down until they slammed into the water.

It was silent while the women were submerged until Emmett said, very quietly, "We better haul ass. They're gonna kill us."

"Right on." Mike laughed. "Bet I get there first." Then, before Emmett could respond, he was off, racing into the Alaskan wilderness.

Edward felt his mouth fighting to contain his laughter at the image of Rosalie's face, a mix of enraged and terrified as Emmett tossed her over the edge of a glacier. Alice's face mirrored his. Their laughter would certainly wake Mike, if it started…

Then Jasper giggled, and all hope was lost.

a/n Leave me some lovin'! Can't get enough! Review and let me know what you think.

Hope you enjoyed some alternate POV. I know I did. I saw something on TV about guys surfing glaciers in Alaska, and it's really dangerous. Naturally, these freaks would totally be into it. I thought of this story, and of how I could pull that off. I then decided Emmett had to be involved. I love him. He makes the world more fun.

REVIEW!