Right, things really start to kick off here.

Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing this.

The reviews and follows always make me smile so thanks.

I also have a question. I have 2 fics sitting on my hard drive that, given my two ongoing ones, are going to sit there indefinitely until these are wrapped up here and on The Collar. One is my take on a Buffy/Faith fic and the other is the sequel to my fist fic, Bringing it Home. Only that is set more in the Gleeverse but Lil'D style ;)

The question is, would you like to see these even if it's months before I can start regular updates. I have 30k words for the Buffy one completed and about 60k for the sequel. Please let me know your thoughts x

I think you will all enjoy this ;0)

Lil'D

xxxxx

"What about Bella?" The nomad questioned, strangely concerned about the newborn, her reaction caused the sisters to exchange swift glances. "Well, she completely lost control when she saw you with Kate after she returned." Victoria frowned at the information.

"She sees you as her mate," Irina added softly. and watched utter shock cross the nomad's face. "Rose is another matter, she needed time to accept Bella but you need to talk to her, Bella too." It was all too much for the nomad who roared her rejection of the whole situation and fled, leaving three stunned vampires behind.

The sisters looked at each other in shock, they had not expected Victoria to just up and leave!

" 'rina?" Kate questioned her sister, hoping she could shed some light on her friend's reaction.

"It's a lot to take in. I mean Rose took it hard and she's spent her vampire life with a coven, Victoria has always been alone and prefers it that way. Telling her she has a connection to not one but two other vampires, and those much, much younger than herself was not going to be easy news to take," Irina reasoned with a sigh.

"What now?" Tanya asked the room but was met with silence.

"Now we wait, she may not be back for a while or she may return very soon. She is unpredictable but I can assure you she will return. She now has bonds with us all, whether she admits to it or not." Irina confirmed and her sisters nodded their agreement.

"What of the younglings?" Kate asked another important question.

"What of us?" Rose growled from the stairs, they had made no effort to hide their conversation as it affected them all. The young blonde had been in her room nursing a very upset, very confused Bella. The newborn had begun to recover from the elder's pheromones as soon as they had left the room but had been left feeling drained and, well clingy, if a bad-ass alpha vampire was capable of being clingy, obviously.

"You heard?" Rose nodded a reply to Tanya's question. "Where's Bella?" She continued, wanting to check up on the newborn.

"Still pretty out of it but she's coming round," Rose grudgingly responded. She had been upstairs keeping watch on her mate when she had overheard the conversation and Victoria's reaction. In part she could sympathise, she knew how daunting discovering such information was. But, she was also glad the nomad had left, Rose would not, could not, accept any connection between Victoria and her mate, despite Bella's reaction, nor could she envision herself having any connection to the red-head.

The blonde had apologised to the newborn and held her while she had recovered, her mating instinct going into protective overdrive due to Bella's weakened state. But, as she regained control the conversation going on between the elder vampires had drawn her down the stairs, a kiss and a promise of a speedy return reassuring the still agitated young vampire.

"She will recover, it was the only option," Tanya confirmed with an abrupt nod and Rose inclined her head in acknowledgement of the act. She knew that the sisters cared for Bella and herself and would never intentionally harm them. A dose of pheromones compared to a more forceful, physical restraint was much preferred.

"I can feel her, she can't have gone far." Bella had been listening to the conversation from the comfort of their bed but an unfamiliar bond had made itself very apparent so she had come to join her mate, slipping up behind Rose, the additional step allowing her to rest her chin on the blonde's shoulder, arms circling her waist. "She's feeding." The announcement caused Rose to pull away and regard her mate with a look stretched between anger and the most anguished rejection.

"What?" A cold but pained question.

"I can feel her," Bella repeated as she bit her lip, worrying it between her fangs which had dropped in her distress.

"Then we wait," Tanya repeated Irina's earlier words as she looked between the two younglings. It seemed things were never easy for them. A glance at Rosalie now showed resignation but she wasn't able to fully mask her fear from the sisters.

"Rose?" Kate questioned stepping forward, a frown but the young blonde nodded.

"Take care of her?" Rose beseeched Irina and Tanya as she stepped towards Kate, she needed to get away and the middle sister was her first choice. Kate had always understood her insecurities and although she had been involved with Victoria since the nomad's return, no amount of bathing could immediately eradicate the scent of sex, she was the sister Rose was closest to. It was an obvious choice, for Rose at least.

"Rose!" Bella cried as her mate elected to leave with Kate. Eyes locked across the room and it was only then when Bella felt the true impact of Rose's turbid emotions as the blonde lifted the shield she had been desperately maintaining, the onslaught made Bella physically stumble then drop to her knees.

"She is safe," Irina declared and with a nod Rose sped from the house, Kate right behind.

Xxx

They all knew Victoria was still around, her scent was the physical evidence but Bella could still feel her. This made Rose extremely uncomfortable as she did not share this link, she had not searched for it it but in her mind it was just one more indicator that Bella was meant to be with Victoria, not herself. A talk with Kate had allowed the young blonde to voice her feelings and fears to a more impartial ear than her mate's. It had allowed Rose to regain her control and composure and wait. Wait for Victoria's next move.

To top it all the Cullens' were due another visit. Apparently Edward was coming to apologise for his behaviour. Tanya had been reluctant to agree given the present circumstances but had discussed it with her coven who thought it was best to get it over with so a flying visit had been agreed upon and today was that day.

The Cullen's were scheduled to arrive around noon, not all of them were attending but Emmett wanted to visit with Rose and Bella, and Alice wanted to come too. Carlisle was coming to supervise Edward but the others were staying in Forks so it shouldn't be too overwhelming. Kate had suggested that Rose may benefit from Emmett's company and her sisters had agreed but they were not sure how Rose would handle having both Alice and Victoria around Bella.

It was far, far away from an ideal situation, they all knew this so Tanya was on high alert, full coven leader mode, game face, the works.

Victoria was greatly disturbed to return from a hunt and discover the Denali coven had visitors, she had scented them and was now getting a closer look but made sure to stay downwind so as not to make her presence known. She watched from the tree line as the two coven's greeted each other and heard Tanya warn the interlopers that they had a guest, she assumed Tanya meant her. Then she saw Bella's stance shift and her eyes bored into the exact spot in the forest where Victoria was hidden. This startled the nomad as her hunting and tracking skills were excellent and none of the other vampire's indicated that they had detected her presence.

"Our guest is a nomad and has free access to our territory but is unlikely to be staying in the house with us. Please do not seek her out unless she approaches you. Even then proceed with caution." The Cullen's murmured their agreement, all slightly confused by the news but accepting it. Bella returned her eyes to the vampires in front of her and Victoria could see her unease, Rosalie's too. In fact all the Denali's present seemed tense. What was going on?

"So, we were to receive an apology?" Tanya questioned and the young, small male shuffled forward. All eyes were on him as he spoke.

"Bella, I would like to apologise for my behaviour and I respect the choice you made and will not press you further to continue our marriage." Marriage? Victoria felt her fangs drop. What claim did this child have on Bella?

"Is that it Edward? You disrespected me, insulted my coven and it's leader and physically assaulted her. Then you fight with my mate and you think this simpering apology will suffice. Well, you are very, very mistaken," the newborn finished with a growl, all the vampires present stunned by the force of her words and personality. Victoria didn't know what was going on but was impressed with Bella, in fact when did Bella not impress her? She felt an unwelcome tug in the pit of her stomach but ignored it as she gave her full attention to the scenario playing out in front of her.

"Bella speaks for us all," Tanya growled and the young male stepped back. His large companion was smirking, he truly was enormous but Victoria doubted he would be a match for her.

"Mate?" Edward looked confused as did the other Cullen's, except Emmett. "Tanya is your mate?" He jumped to a twisted, if incorrect, conclusion which greatly upset Rose who stepped forward, taking her place at Bella's side as she roared out her displeasure, fangs dripping with venom as she confronted her former coven-mate. Victoria was confused by her feelings as she watched Rose claim Bella.

"No, I am." Rose spoke up and snarled at Edward. "There will be no further warnings, touch her and die." Edward had the audacity to laugh, his patronising smirk sending a bolt of anger though all the Denali's, plus Emmett who scowled. Even Alice hissed at her brother's comment.

"Sorry, but Rose you got lucky last time. You're no match for me," He cocked his head, smirking. "You're not worthy to be her mate." The Denali sisters flinched as he blindly hit on Rose's biggest insecurity.

"Edward!" Carlisle rebuked his favoured son and Emmett growled.

"Kick his ass, Rosie," Emmett encouraged his friend but Rose was too stunned to respond, instead it was Bella who stepped forward in challenge.

"It is you who are not worthy Edward," she hissed. "Rose?" She held out her hand and Rose accepted it, her feelings in such turmoil that she was partially unaware of what she was doing. Bella led her away from the other vampires and past the house and towards the forest where it was quiet and safe.

"That was an apology?" Tanya growled as Edward gazed at her insolently. "You are banished boy. Leave and do not return, you are lucky neither of my young ones challenged you as you would leave in pieces," she snarled. "Carlisle, you have been greatly shamed, again. Emmett, Alice, you may both stay but I must ask you, Carlisle, to take Edward and leave." Carlisle looked mortified but nodded, he had no right to argue his son's case.

"Come, Edward," he placed a hand on his son's shoulder but it was shaken off as the bronze haired vampire stared after Bella and Rose as they walked hand in hand towards the forest. Before the other vampires could react he raced off, his natural speed giving him a head start over the sisters and reaching the young couple before they noticed his approach.

Edward targeted Rose and grabbed her around the throat, bringing her to the ground to pin her down, Rose too stunned to fight, a sharp pull and he succeeded in tearing off her right arm causing a scream of pain. Bella had not been quick enough to stop him, she was too shocked, too slow but when she recovered the newborn rushed to pull him off her mate.

As Victoria saw him run towards the young ones something snapped and the second he laid hands on Rosalie she was running towards him, reaching him a second too late to protect the young blonde but not too late to knock him off her and hold him up by the throat as she growled and hissed in his face, her venom splashing onto his skin and burning him.

How dare he? How dare this insolent little bug put his hands on Rosalie? Her beast was fully in control of her mind and body and she wanted to make him suffer. And she did, tearing his arms off, the sound a dull ripping noise that made her beast purr, then throwing them away from her, not caring where they landed as she pinned him to the ground and positioned herself in a defensive crouch between the young ones and the approaching vampires, the child's squirming body beneath her.

In a split second the remaining Denali's and Cullen's surrounded the four vampires.

"Halt!" Tanya held up a hand to prevent anyone proceeding as she eyed the red-head.

"Victoria, they are yours to protect." The nomad registered Tanya's words and in her bestial haze they felt so right. They were hers and she would keep them safe. With a roar she twisted Edward's neck and detached his head in one skilful movement, his mouth opened in a silent scream as she held his severed head, hand fisted in the hair, face pressed into the soft dirt.

"Victoria," Tanya acknowledged her cordially, despite the headless body on the ground beneath her.

"What have you done?" Carlisle roared at Victoria as he saw his son's decapitated body lying on the ground. Alice had her hand over her mouth in shock but Emmett had his arms crossed across his chest, his face sombre as he silently observed events unfolding.

"He was unprovoked and look what he did to Rosalie, his sister!" Tanya snarled, stepping right up to the male coven leader as she pointed to Bella who was panicking and helping Rose reattach her arm, the blonde looked to be in a lot of pain. "He is not only no longer welcome on our territory, he is a danger to my coven."

"Release him!" Carlisle demanded and the other vampires present, including Emmett and Alice, looked at him incredulously.

"Not this time, Carlisle," Tanya growled.

Victoria was still enraged and she ignored the male's words, instead turning towards Bella and Rose, sniffing them both to ascertain the damage done. Rose was in pain but would heal, blood would help. Rose froze as the nomad nuzzled against her cheek before repeating the action with Bella, the action shocking her but it was also profoundly reassuring and the blonde felt herself relax, she was safe, Bella was safe, Victoria would protect them. Rose reached out with her good hand and cupped the nomad's cheek. Victoria briefly leaned into the contact, her eyes black and unreadable but she issued a brief purr before Carlisle interrupted the moment and she turned to face him, fangs bared.

"I am speaking to you, unhand my son. Now!" Nobody stepped forward to stop Carlisle as he reached out to grab Victoria's shoulder, they were not that foolish, the red-head turned her rage on the blonde man and threw him away from herself, he went skidding over the grass, it was only then that he realised he was dealing with a vampire much older than himself. He climbed to his feet and regarded the now hissing red-head warily.

"He is yours to deal with Victoria, he attacked your bond-mates," Tanya spoke. At this the nomad roared, acknowledging the connection, her beast welcomed it. The Denali sisters exchanged relieved looks as even Rose in her injured state now seemed accepting of the bond, it was just unfortunate that it had come to this, Tanya mused. Victoria rose to her feet, keeping her foot on Edward's twitching body, fingers still tightly wound in the hair of his head.

"We hold a friendship with his coven but he has wronged us before. His fate is in your hands." Tanya gave the nomad her blessing. Carlisle looked shocked but then took in the carnage surrounding him and could not argue with the verdict, his son was foolish and arrogant and had brought this on himself.

"Rose?" Victoria asked in a voice so bestial it made Carlisle shiver.

"It would hurt others if you killed him but it is your choice. I will kill him myself if he touches us again," Rose replied. It was unclear who the collective term included but her meaning was undeniable.

"Take him away, if I see him again I will burn him." Victoria growled and kicked the boy's head into the blonde male's hands, he caught it reflexively before the horror of the action registered, the black but strangely vacant eyes of his son staring up at him, mouth frozen in a silent scream. A macabre sight.

"He is banished, we will kill him if he enters our territory or approaches the young ones again. I am surprised Victoria was so merciful, I would not have been." Tanya growled and Carlisle bowed his head in submission.

"We will leave." He gestured to Alice and Emmett to collect the pieces of their brother.

"No," Alice's voice was low but unwavering, "I came to see my friends and I'm not leaving, if they will still extend me their hospitality?"

"Me too," Emmett added quickly. Tanya nodded, neither Alice nor Emmett had interfered or shown anything but respect for her coven.

"You may stay as agreed," the Denali's leader acquiesced. This left Carlisle to carry the pieces of Edward to his car and drive away under the scrutiny of the entire coven. Bella cradling Rose and Victoria hovering protectively by their side, all vampire's eyes still black and fangs down as they stayed on full alert.

Let's take this inside," Tanya urged her coven mates and they followed her into the house, forming a protective phalanx around Rose and her companions.

"Rosalie requires blood," Victoria stated bluntly as they entered the living room and Bella sat down on their couch with Rose on her lap as the blonde rested against her, face buried in her mate's hair

"I'll get it," Emmett volunteered and rushed down to the basement where he knew the Denali's kept a stock of blood. When he returned with several packets he went to kneel by the couch so he could feed it to Rose but was knocked back by Victoria and his large mass went flying into the wall, plaster cracking and dust flying, the red-head growling as she crouched between the burly man and Rosalie. She didn't know him, she didn't trust him. She did allow Irina to retrieve the blood and pass it Bella who opened it for her mate. The cracks on Rose's body where her arm had been reattached were slowly beginning to heal.

"Victoria, it's OK. He's my friend," Rose spoke to reassure the red-head but this only earned her a frown. Victoria knew he had been more than a friend and damned if she was letting him near Rose when she was so weak. She also stared down the small female, snarling at her, she somehow knew who this was, she was bonded to Bella and that did not sit well with her either. Alice made herself as small as possible, terrified of attracting the stranger's anger after seeing how easily she had dispatched Edward, and Carlisle.

"Alice, Emmett. You are welcome but the situation appears a little delicate. Maybe it would be a good idea to take this opportunity to hunt while Rose recovers. I think both Bella and Victoria will be less on edge when she is feeling better." Kate suggested and was taken aback when Bella snarled at her.

The newborn was running on instinct and she was protecting her mates, both of them, and Kate's presence was unsettling her, as was Emmett's even though her rational mind knew he was a friend. Kate, she wasn't so sure about, the sight of her naked body entwined with Victoria's still very fresh in her mind.

Victoria herself growled at Bella, re-buffing the newborn's sign of aggression towards the middle sister which resulted in a stare-off, brunette and red-headed vampire glaring at each other, the other occupants of the room watching intently. It wasn't until Rose moaned in discomfort that they broke eye contact, neither the winner but more concerned about the young blonde than a pissing contest. The dynamics of the new group yet to be decided but all more concerned about Rose's health, for now.

"Behave !" Rose scolded and they both had the decency to look sheepish. Both Bella and Victoria's full attention was on the young blonde as she slid off her mate's lap and stood, brushing off her clothes with her good hand as she did so.

"Thank you. For helping." Rose placed her good hand on Victoria's arm, the red-head allowing the contact before it was removed, moving to cradle her injured arm as Rose brought it up against her chest for support.

"Do you need more blood?" Victoria queried softly, her eyes swirling between black and red as she began to calm down, the immediate threats gone, Emmett and Alice having sidled out of the room at Kate's suggestion.

"I'll be fine after I hunt," Rose replied, touched by the nomad's concern.

"You will heal faster and be stronger with human blood," Victoria suggested as she eyed the injury

"I have never and will never willingly drink human blood," Rose responded evenly but with force to fully convey her distaste at the thought. Victoria blinked and scrunched up her face in confusion, the thought incomprehensible to her, especially as she knew the Denali's kept human blood bags in their store so no human would have to die to provide the blood. Her discussions with Irina on diet choice had informed her of the ethical reasons behind the 'vegetarian' diet. But, in times of emergency one should heal as fast and fully as possible for ones own safety.

Victoria sighed and after a quick assessment of the room, where she saw no threats to her young ones, she left.

"Ooook?" Tanya looked as confused as the rest of them as the nomad left. Rose took Victoria's departure as a sign to take Bella's hand and lead her to their room, the sisters watched them leave and after a long silence began to discuss their tumultuous day.

"Are you Ok?" Rose turned to Bella as she closed their bedroom door, reaching out to the newborn and pulling her close, golden eyes roving over her mate, checking for any lasting damage from her tussle with Edward.

"I'm fine, he barely touched me. Victoria was too quick." Bella confirmed, touched by Rose's concern and the soft fingers on her cheek. "I'm sorry Rosie, I should have stopped him." the newborn apologised as she nuzzled against her mates neck. "I shouldn't have let him hurt you, baby." Rose's heart was breaking.

"This wasn't your fault, Bella," Rose held her mate tightly with her good arm, murmuring reassurances. "I'm fine. Victoria got him. She protected us," the blonde admitted with a sigh, still in shock over the vicious defence Victoria had mounted on their behalf.

"I know, I'm glad she hurt him," Bella growled, her mate's chest rumbling with a growl of agreement.

They both bared their fangs and took up a defensive stance when their balcony doors burst open, startling them into a simultaneous roar. The sound brought the sisters speeding upstairs, all Denali's standing in shock when they faced the intruder.

Xxxxxx

Next on Crimson Bonds

"Bella!" Alice joined in and sped to intercept the newborn, ignoring her warning growls. Bella was not in the mood for questions or small talk, she needed Rose. Alice stood directly in front of her, blocking her path as Emmett trotted over to join her. "I'm so sorry Bella, I should have known Edward wouldn't leave it alone." the pixie apologised, Bella shrugged but didn't respond.