We didn't fly straight to Washington. Alice assured us that we weren't being followed. They had no reason to bring us back, particularly if we surrounded ourselves by others of our kind. So our first flight was to Ireland. Carlisle had a coven of friends there he hadn't visited in decades.

We were introduced together to Siobhan, Liam and Maggie. I had heard of this group, but never met them myself. Alice had met them once when she came with a party to remove a problematic vampire that was ravaging Dublin.

Liam was a tall man with a shock of pale hair. He was closed, defensive. Siobhan was a large woman, with a manner that made her seem even larger. Her presence filled any room she occupied. Her dark hair matched her eyes when we met. I could detect the red in them, but it was doubtful Bella did. They would be hunting soon. Maggie had fed more recently. She was petite with red-orange hair that matched her blood-red eyes. She smiled at us though, particularly Bella. She wasn't thirsty at all, simply intrigued.

"You have a human in your family, Carlisle?" Maggie asked.

"Yes. This is Bella Swan. She is a dear friend of ours. Alice has seen that she will be one of us, one day." He smiled at her. "When she chooses," he added quietly for her benefit.

Bella smiled at him but still approached tentatively. "Hello."

"Hello!" Maggie was enthusiastic. "Alice saw it?" she asked Carlisle while she shook Bella's hand.

"I have visions of the future," Alice explained.

"Really?" Maggie asked, obviously impressed. "That is quite a useful gift. No wonder the Volturi..."

Carlisle shook his head and she turned to him.

"She isn't?"

"Was," Alice clarified. "I have left the castle for good."

"I didn't know that was possible," Siobhan commented.

"Eleazar did. Do you remember him?" Carlisle asked her.

"Yes. He left? Hmmm. Well, I certainly wish you luck, Alice. You will do well with a friend like Carlisle. I always have." She smiled at Carlisle and moved to embrace him.

"As have I, Siobhan. As have I."

"What brings you to us after such a long absence?" Liam asked coolly.

I moved to Alice's side, taking Bella's hand. Liam's eyes followed me. He saw me as the threat in this group. Perhaps if he understood that there was little difference between us, that I only wanted to protect those I loved, he would relax.

"Well, we aren't expected back in Washington for another two weeks, and Bella has never seen the old country. Jasper either, I believe." Carlisle turned to me, and I smiled and nodded. It was true. During my time with Maria, I had never left Monterrey, and I hadn't crossed the ocean with Carlisle yet, just the country.

Bella looked to me in surprise. I winked at her. "I'm a country boy."

"So, you are simply visiting all your old friends?" Liam asked.

"Not exactly." Maggie grinned. Carlisle was evading.

I leaned into Bella's ear. "Maggie can smell a lie." The others heard of course. Alice's eyes widened and the others chuckled.

"Come, Carlisle. Tell us your whole tale." Siobhan escorted us into a small abandoned cottage that they were using for their current home. Bella took a seat in one of the few chairs. Alice stood behind her and I stood behind Alice. Carlisle moved to stand beside Liam and Siobhan. Maggie lingered at Bella's side, obviously still fascinated by her.

"You really aren't afraid of us?" she asked Bella.

"Um... I'm a little afraid of you." Bella answered quietly.

Maggie laughed. "I see. I see. You don't trust us as you do the Cullens."

Bella nodded.

"But you aren't concerned that we'll... get thirsty?" She flashed her teeth and I cringed.

Bella laughed, though, amused. I would never understand the girl. "No. Not really. If you were, I wouldn't still be here, would I?"

Maggie nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Sorry if I interrupted you, Carlisle. Please, your tale."

"Yes, well. We came to Italy with Alice, to Volterra."

"You were summoned?" Siobhan asked, incredulous.

"Not exactly. We were implicated. An incident occurred, revolving around Bella, here. Vampires were seen, in the sun, in our hometown. We were asked to prove our innocence."

"I see. One of you was nearby," Liam presumed.

"Actually, no. There is a group of... unusual young men in the area. They are able to withstand an attack from one of our kind, but also pass unnoticed on a sunny day. They were able to protect Bella until Jasper arrived."

"You were very lucky," Maggie said, looking to Bella, who nodded.

"So, we were on your route home, then?" Siobhan asked.

"Again, no," I answered this time. "The Volturi were also interested in Bella." Alice chose that moment to stroke her shoulder and I felt her fear rise and fade. I wondered if Alice had seen her jumping. "It seems she has a gift they covet as much, or more, than Alice's." I regretted my words, feeling apprehension from both of them. I slid one hand under Alice's arm to stroke Bella's cheek. The other was on Alice's hip, pulling her nearer. "She has a shield that protects her from mental abilities." I paused a minute. "I wonder if Maggie would know if she lied."

"Why would I lie?" Bella asked.

"Curiosity, Bella. Let's not kill any cats, shall we?" Alice murmured. I wondered if she already knew the answer.

"At any rate," Carlisle picked up the story again, "they decided that she could not leave in her current state. We... chose not to obey them."

Siobhan laughed now. "You chose? Ah Carlisle, you always were one of kind."

"So you are here looking for protection?" Liam asked.

"If he is he has it," Siobhan snapped, her humor gone and temper hot. "He is my old and dear friend, Liam. He is safe with us."

"I do not plan to stand in the way of the guard, Siobhan. I am not a fool."

"No," Alice said, shaking her spiky head, "no, we came here because they will not follow us here. They won't make a scene in front of you. Their claim to us in tenuous; they will not want to appear to be rising above their place, making themselves rulers rather than judges. They will not follow us home either." I smiled at how easily she referred to our home as her own. "That would draw attention as well, from our friends in Denali if no one else. And they have already offended Eleazar."

"I see. So you really are just here to visit. It just happens to serve another purpose," Maggie concluded.

"Yes," Carlisle agreed. "We only wished to renew our acquaintance, introduce you to our new family members, and maybe ask you show us around?" Carlisle smiled at Siobhan.

"Certainly you will find no better guide to the Emerald Isle than Liam. Is that not right?" she asked her hulking shadow.

He nodded silently.

After a week of touring Ireland, Alice suggested a quick stop in London to replenish Bella's wardrobe before connecting to Egypt at Heathrow. She was much more conservative without whatever unlimited funds she had with the Volturi, but I noticed she didn't use mine or Carlisle's cards.

I asked her about it one day in Egypt while Bella slept. Bella hadn't had trouble sleeping during the day while we were cooped up, the jet lag having messed up her sleep schedule. She did go out for the afternoon though, soaking up the sun we avoided. She came back with a big smile and a pink nose. That was followed with the introduction of Carlisle's friends as one of them arrived at our door. It wasn't Amun, whom Carlisle knew, but his newly changed son, Benjamin. Not so new that Bella was in danger, thankfully, but new enough that Carlisle hadn't met him. Benjamin was friendly and eager to meet us, as was his mate Tia, but Amun was anxious the entire time we visited. Alice excused us at Bella's first yawn, even though she was hardly tired. None of us argued. The icy reception was clear enough to more than me.

We chatted with Carlisle after parting company.

"He was always somewhat closed, Amun, part of the culture, part of him personally, but never so much as that."

"He wants to keep something hidden," I told them.

"Benjamin," Bella said.

We all looked to her and she blushed.

"Well, he was always putting himself between you and Benjamin. You in particular, Jasper. And he tried to put Kebi and Tia in the foreground. If he was hiding something, it was him."

I was again struck by how observant Bella was. "That would make sense. It's definitely something that has changed since you saw him last. But why? It's not as though we are going to attack him."

"He isn't worried for his safety," Alice mused. "It's like you said, he's trying to hide him." She inhaled sharply. "What if it's for the same reason we are here. What if he isn't trying to hide him from us, but those we're hiding from?"

I nodded and looked to Carlisle, seeking his opinion. He shrugged. "Certainly Amun didn't tell me anything about Benjamin having any special qualities, but he wouldn't, would he?"

Bella yawned again. "Okay, this time I really am tired." She hugged Carlisle "Good night." She hugged each of Alice and I, like we weren't going to be following her.

"What did they think of Bella?" Carlisle asked.

I shrugged. "Benjamin was excited about everything. Tia seemed amused, maybe due to Bella. Kebi was irritated, but I couldn't tell to whom that was directed, and I already told you about Amun. I wouldn't doubt he was so preoccupied he didn't notice Bella was human.

Alice rolled her eyes at that exaggeration.

"Hmmm, well, the more people who accept her into our family, the more word if something takes her from it."

Alice clapped her hands. "Yes. That would be good. Keep them from trying anything. I don't see any plans yet, but I don't doubt they'll try to think of something." She almost growled. Then I felt remorse from her.

I put an arm around her shoulders and rubbed her arm.

She shook her head. "Just, I can't believe how little I knew them. I mean, I knew Aro collected gifted vampires, but I didn't realize how far he was willing to go. I helped him." She frowned and wrapped her arms around herself.

I kissed the top of her head. Carlisle answered first though. "You thought it was right at the time. You thought you were giving them a better life."

Alice nodded.

"And you helped Eleazar leave," I reminded her.

She smiled. "That's right. Thank you. Both of you." We heard Bella's heart slow, her breathing even out. "Well, we have another hour till sunrise, want to go sightseeing?"

We did just that, making love on the dunes before coming back in the rose glow of dawn. After a shower we laid next to Bella, talking quietly. That was when I asked her about her finances.

"You have a personal account?" I asked her while we watched Bella sleep.

"Of course, Swiss. You can't imagine there is a better finger on the stock markets than mine." She smiled broadly.

I laughed loud enough to stir Bella.

"Now look what you've done," Alice chided without feeling. She proceeded to lay gentle kisses on Bella's neck, waking her slowly. I moved behind Alice, giving her as much attention as she gave Bella.

"Mmmm, Alice? Morning already?" she murmured sleepily.

"Not even close. Do you want to go back to sleep?" she asked teasingly, her hand sliding over Bella exposed belly and into the hair of her sex.

"No," Bella replied with a chuckle. She turned in Alice's hold, their mouths meeting.

I was low enough that my erection slid between Alice's thighs, and as Bella's hand reached for her, she touched me as well. I groaned and bit into Alice's shoulder very slightly, breaking the skin.

"Ah, Jasper, that stings," she said with a laugh.

"Glad it's you," Bella teased.

I reached around Alice to slap her bottom lightly. She giggled in reply.

"Stop teasing," Alice complained, licking Bella's throat. "You're distracting him."

"I'll give you distracted..." I changed my angle, pushing up into her. She spread open for me, tight and wet.

"God, you feel so good. Come here, Bella." She pulled Bella closer, her tongue running over Bella's.

Bella moaned as Alice's hand was moving faster than even mine could. Bella threw her head back, and Alice closed her lips on her flushed breast, pulling her nipple into her mouth.

"God, Alice... too much."

"Really?" she asked. She was asking me, and that was hardly fair. Rather than answer, I cupped my hand over Bella's and began moving it on Alice's clit at speeds nearly matching her own.

"Oh my God," she panted. "It is too much. So hot, so hot..." I felt her closing on me and I thrust in and out of her confines, fighting against her constrictions. "Yes, yes, yes." Her hand left Bella's folds and held her hip now instead, unable to focus as clearly.

Bella blinked a few times and lifted Alice's hand. She knew the bruises that would be left if she didn't. She slid Alice's hand up to the bar of the headboard and Alice clamped on, riding the wave of euphoria.

"More?" Bella asked me.

I shook my head. Alice was just about at her limit.

"Just a little," Bella teased, ignoring Alice's mumblings to put her hot lips to Alice's throat. I tipped my head to kiss Bella's temple, loving the feel of her hot skin on my lips. I pumped harder into Alice, pushing her farther.

The bar on the head board snapped and I stilled. Alice continued to pant, but her hand was flat on Bella's back. Their mouths met again and Alice moved, sliding her other hand up to Bella's breast, fondling very gently. I pulled from Alice, earning a groan and moved behind Bella now. She practically purred and pulled a hand behind her to wrap around me.

"Now, I can hardly rub against you when you do that," I whispered in her ear before licking it. I watched the wave of goosebumps spread down her side as she shivered. She pulled her hand away, putting it in Alice's hair. The two continued to kiss. Alice's venom had an intoxicating effect on Bella, and she was soon slurring her speech and relaxing even further in our hold. While Alice's tongue was in Bella's mouth, mine explored her neck, her shoulder, the top of her back. She was salty and sweet, the blood making her tangier yet. Still so hard to resist, and at the same time so easy. I would destroy myself before harming her.

I felt Alice's hand brush against my sac as she moved her fingers into Bella. I was nestled between the beautiful round cheeks of her ass and Alice's slickness let me slide gently there. Bella clenched, wrapping herself around me. Alice gripped my hair and pulled, taking my lips and teeth from Bella's shoulder. She wasn't even looking at me, still kissing Bella. She released me and returned her hand to Bella's breast, never breaking their kiss.

How many times would she stop me? Would there ever some a time she didn't? She'd been protecting Bella from me since the day I met her. I continued to slide against Bella, feeling my own climax forming. Bella's wasn't far off.

Alice must have known the timing because she moved her mouth to Bella's breast just before I was ready to burst. I groaned feeling my release. I reflected it, sharing it with Bella.

She came on Alice's fingers, and Alice's head whipped up, off Bella's skin. "You have to decide these things in advance, Jasper. I almost bit her that time," she whispered a moment later, too quickly and too quietly for Bella to hear.

Kind of an abrupt end, sorry about that. Thanks to my beta, Sharebear.