I head paid special attention to the Cullen's eyes. All but Carlisle's eyes were pretty dark. Carlisle's were a very light gold. I figured the Cullens would go hunting as I had heard Jacob suggesting.

I morphed into my cat form and went to the Cullens house which looked just as it always had. I watched from a tree for a while. And I saw the Cullens (minus Carlisle) leave, running like a bullet into the forest.

So I waited for a bit to make sure Carlisle was alone now. I figured that with the Cullens hunting animals my animagus form was actually not the safest. But if Carlisle adored me the others would at least let the strange kitten with no survival instinct alone. That way I could use my cat form to do recon.

I entered the house through an open window. I looked around and headed for Carlisle's study.

The door was slightly ajar. I bet he knew already that something was coming.

I squeezed my head through the door and shoved it open further.

I sniffed around a little. I looked at Carlisle's face. He looked at me as if he had never seen a kitten before.

I moved slowly around the table quite thoroughly enjoying myself.

I sat down beside Carlisle's chair. He looked at me, still with that baffled expression. But he seemed to come out of it, almost like he suddenly remembered his manners.

"Hello, there kitten." He spoke softly as if afraid to frighten me away.

I meowed in response. He smiled.

"You know you shouldn't be here it's dangerous" he said seriously.

I cocked my head and meowed in a different tone as if to ask why.

"I and my family are vampires and usually drink animals. You are nothing but an aperitif for us." He explained.

I got up and jumped on his lap and looked at him in the face and meowed at him as if to challenge him.

After getting over his shock he slowly moved his hands and gently rubbed behind my ears. That felt good and I purred contentedly and plopped myself down in his lap.

"I suppose perhaps we could make an exception for you." He said softly.

I purred my agreement. He chuckled softly. I continued to purr in contentment.

"I never knew I wanted a pet." He mused aloud. "I suppose I never really considered it." He sounded sad.

I uncurled myself and clawed myself closer. He leaned back automatically to accommodate me. I shortly paused and then stumped his nose with mine. As if to say 'hey you've got me now'.

He smiled widely. I comfortably lay down on his chest when he did not immediately begin petting me again I meowed complaining. He laughed softly and now petted me with both his hands. He concentrated on me completely. Absolutely fascinated it seemed with this new thing.

I was almost asleep when he spoke softly. "Little one my wife Esme is coming home. She is a vampire like me but don't be afraid she won't hurt you."

My answer was a quiet snort, as if to say 'as if I would ever be afraid'

He laughed seeming to understand.

Then he incredulously mumbled under his breath and shook his head disbelieving. "I am talking to a cat."

Esme seemed to have heard Carlisle. She must have called something from outside that I was unable to hear.

Carlisle spoke "Come in love and see for yourself."

Oddly enough Esme's reaction was quite the same as Carlisle's. As if she had never seen a kitten before.

Before Esme could do more than look astonished. Carlisle looked at me again seriously as if expecting me to understand. "The rest of my family is coming they are also vampires but I am sure they won't hurt you. Would you like to greet them?"

I crawled up the rest of his body and sat down on his shoulder. I meowed showing I was ready. He laughed.

Esme giggled as well.

Carlisle walked into the living room with me on his shoulder. It was very amusing to me that all the vampires looked at me as if they had never seen something like me before.

The stretch of Silence was broken by Emmet: "What the Hell?"

At this the others seemed to unfreeze and they all walked closer to Carlisle inspecting me it seemed.

Edward looked at me curiously. I remember his favorite was mountain lion. I hoped this didn't make me more appetizing. I made sure not to block anybodies thoughts including unblocking some of mine. But the only thing he would get was vague impressions and feelings.

When he came closed and reached out his hand to pet me I let him. I purred. I then walked along his arm to his shoulder and sat down there. I cuddled myself into his hair. He reached up and pet me again.

Good all was going to plan. I would need to be liked by Edward. I had to know what he and the others were thinking. And he was naturally the best choice. Also I could see just how much he had changed or will change. I would use this not only to help me in my strategy for revenge but also to tell me when to end my plan. As soon as Edward respected me not only loved me. As soon as Edward saw and treated me as an equal and a partner I would return to him.

"Looks like, she likes you." Emmet chuckled.

"Yes." Edward answered engrossed in petting me.

The others asked if they could hold me too. I cuddled up to everybody and let everybody pet me. However I always tried to get back to Carlisle or Edward. I especially tried to get away from Alice lest she try to put me into cat clothes or something. (Come on this Alice, she totally would)

After most of the excitement of my arrival had dissipated I got a saucer of Milk from Esme. After I was full I laid down on top of Edward who in turn was laying on the couch.

It soothed some of the longing in my heart to be close to my mate.

After a bit I heard Edward growling I looked at his face. Ready to run. But he was looking at something behind me.

It turned out to be the rest of the Cullens.

"Now, brother dear, since you are most effectively pinned down and won't run away, we will talk!" Rosalie, and she did not sound happy. I turned around. And saw …well she looked just furious.

"And the rest of the boys and that means you too Carlisle. Sit down on the couch now." Alice hissed.

Even the normally so soft Esme looked livid. I wondered what this could be about.

Esme started. "First of all Edward, not only is it not up to you to dictate Ella's life but your mindset is not only stuck centuries in the past but you have demonstrated a very clear inability to learn. Also you have shown great disrespect to women. Have I, or your sisters ever given any indication of being too stupid to think for ourselves? Have we been irresponsible? Are we weak? And do not say it's different because we are Vampires."

"I never implied B… Ella was unintelligent; I merely stated she could avoid injury by avoiding competitions or fighting all together." Edward defended himself.

"Bull-Shit." Rosalie sniped.

Alice nodded her agreement "We all saw her fight. True she would not stand a chance against a vampire" oh little did she know "however she is good enough to fight normal mortals quite effectively. And she might be a walking bruise now " nope but thanks for the reminder Alice I'll have to put on some long sleeves "but she will heal. While to us Mortals are incredibly fragile, they are quite resilient at the same time. Aren't they Carlisle?"

"Uh yes, she seemed fine. Even though I could have sworn I heard something breaking." Carlisle added.

"She could have been seriously hurt." Edward stated. "After only just finding her again, it was agony to watch her fight. To watch her being hit. And not being able to shield her from all harm. People have died in that competition." he paused his voice breaking. "I could not bear seeing her hurt, and losing her again would destroy me."

Oh Edward, he was an idiot. But an idiot that was in love. I turned around again to comfort him. He gave me a weak smile.

"Oh Edward. "she shook her head "I checked on that one death by the way." Alice announced proudly. "The contestant had overdosed on a barely legal but dangerous drug that allowed him to perform better than he ought to be able to. The fighting caused his heart and adrenaline rate to spike. Eventually this would have caused a heart-attack, but his body tried to shut down to protect itself. All in all good, but hyped up as he was he unfortunately got kicked and landed on the floor breaking his neck. The report says any even half experienced fighter could have landed mostly unharmed. You know falling is the first thing they learn in Martial Arts? Also Ella didn't strike me as someone who doped. "Her expression changed "Unless you count chocolate, she seems to have quite the sweet tooth."

Everybody laughed a bit at that. I knew I was a bit of a chocoholic. But I didn't know I was that obvious.

Esme spoke next in a very serious tone "Also I want to speak to you about your manners. You were very disrespectful to Ella's Father. He is quite right. It is better for a girl to be able to defend herself, as some of us know only too well. " She looked at him pointedly. She probably was thinking something at him. What I could only guess much later. She continued. "Also her father is right. With set rules and ambulances nearby a competition is a relatively safe way for a mortal male or female to test their skills. I for one am proud that Ella is not only strong in spirit and mind but body as well. And I am proud to call her my daughter in spirit if not in fact."

At this I was getting a few twinges of guilt, yes I would reveal myself that afternoon but I would still be playing a game, mostly with Edward but a game all the same.

"Yes I feel that same way, too. I understand you are afraid for your mate but she has time and time again proven to be most competent. And you not believing her to be capable of taking care of herself in any situation is not only old fashioned but disrespectful to her courage, her personality and her intelligence. True I have spent little time with Ella but she seems to have the same spirit as Bella and the self-assurance to go with it" Carlisle's words warmed me and gave me a warm feeling, but also again a bit of guilt.

"Yeah man how can you not dig what a sexy bad-ass Bella is in this life. She is like totally awesome." Emmet ( who else ) I mentally chuckled at his statement.

"I too am fond of Ella, she will make a most formidable vampire that might even be able to give me a run for my money." Jasper stated proudly.

I felt a wave of affection for Jasper, and a bit of sadness that I wouldn't get to try out what it was like to be a vampire.

"While I am glad that you other boys see that there is one matter in which each of you has disappointed me." Esme said seriously.

All of the men with the exception of Edward looked confused like they couldn't imagine what this was about. I had an idea.

"All of you looked uncomfortable with Ella's Parents and you Edward even so far as to speak disdainfully of them! The boys despite their age are somewhat infantile however you Carlisle. I am very disappointed in you. I would never have thought you would be uncomfortable with homosexuality." Esme stated.

"Then I am glad to be able to relieve you of your concern. I have in principle nothing against those with a different sexual orientation. While I cannot quite understand it, since I have a great deal of love for you, I am not prejudiced. The reason I was uncomfortable is that I could see the deep love between the two and when they were sharing a kiss I averted my eyes because it seemed a very meaningful and private gesture and I felt odd witnessing such a moment." Carlisle stated with absolute certainty.

That was very nice, I approved I showed it by crawling toward Carlisle and purring in contentment.

"Emmet what do you have to say for yourself." Rosalie asked her poor husband glaring at him.

"I kinda agree with Carlisle. I have nothing against it but it squicks me a bit. And I dare you to find a straight man that does not feel squicked at least a bit." Emmet said, apologizing with his eyes and giving Rosalie a dimpled smile.

"Jazz?" Alice asked she seemed surprised. "I don't what you'll answer, I can't see, tell me!" she added forcefully.

"I don't know why you can't see but..." he paused" Well Darlin' I'm sorry I ain't gonna be vicious about it, I don't have logical arguments against it but Homosexuality feels wrong. All I learned taught me to reject it. And I could feel their deep pure love for each other it was amazin' to feel that. And it still feels wrong. Ah won't say anythin' but ah can't help it. I am sorry love." He did look repentant. And gave Alice the most pathetically puppy dog eyes I have ever seen. I saw Alice say and in an instant ( it seemed to me ) she was in Jaspers lap. "Fine, but be a good boy and let me work on changing your mind." Alice exclaimed.

That left Edward. He was frowning. "I know the social norms have changed since I grew up. But I have revulsion in me for any acts of homosexuality. Not the love but the acts.

Also if Bella didn't have two fathers but a Mother and a Father as is normal she would be more like she is supposed to be. She is confident, confrontational, competitive, brash and a total tomboy. I cannot help but feel that if Bella had had a mother she would be a lady. She once was a lady. A lady should be loving, caring, nice and friendly. A lady should enjoy safe things like books, music and cooking. Not motor vehicles and Fighting."

He paused.

"She isn't who she is supposed to be, she isn't my blushing Bella. She is this brash tomboy wearing my sweet, selfless Bella's face. And It makes me despair if I will ever get her back again." He dry sobbed. "I miss her so much. I want her back. And now there is Ella and I don't know. I just don't know. The darkness is closing in. And I feel like Ella's parents, her fathers , without the womanly kind gentle influence have eradicated what could have been Bella. Replaced her. And yet I still don't want anything to happen to Ella. I mean she looks like Bella maybe in time the damage done to her by her father's could be undone."

I was still on Carlisle's lap but what I wanted to do was to jump up and scratch Edwards face. But since this would only serve to clip my nails so to speak I remained seated.

Rosalie moved towards Edward so quickly I could not follow her movements and gave him the mother of all slaps, followed by Alice giving him a cracking slap as well. I half expected Esme to slap him as well but she just stood before him looking at him angrily and sternly. Then she just turned and left the room. Damn, I wish I could read thoughts right now.

Alice and Rose stood in front of Edward glaring daggers at him. I saw Edward cringing. Probably due to the onslaught of their thoughts. ( Later I learned they illustrated for him that being a tomboy and lady were not exclusive, and that I still was a lady by those standards )

They left the room.

Emmet got up to and looked at Edward. He looked seriously at Edward and shook his head and just said: "Dude" in a condemning tone. He vanished quickly. Probably following Rose.

"Edward while ah can understand ye being uncomfortable with her father's, but ye were being a humongous idiot about Ella. She's a lady no doubt. She is kind to everyone. She is always glad to lend a helping hand. And as you remember she plays the violin like no one's business. And is you recall Bella hated shopping to, as does Ella. Now ah am gonna join Alice and hope she'll to get her speak to ye before the century is out." With that he left as well.

Carlisle hadn't moved either. "Edward." He said in a reproachful tone. He looked at Edward intently for about 15 Minutes. He continued petting me absentmindedly.

And Edward looked ashamed and repentant. Carlisle gently lifted me from his lap and placed me on the sofa. He walked out as well. Arrrgh this was really frustrating not being to hear all that was said.

I crawled towards Edward, cautiously. He sighed. "I am a complete moron. An unmitigated ass and idiot."

No shit Sherlock I thought I just marveled that the mighty Edward finally got that.

He petted me softly, carefully.

"I just always imagined when I found Bella again everything would be good again. Everyone would be happy. I imagined that she would know me and we love each other and be together again. I guess I am disappointed it didn't go like I planned in my head." he smiled his heart stopping crooked smile. "Then I guess this is Bella, of course it wouldn't go as planned. But do you know what?" he spoke to me directly putting a finger under my skin and scratching me lightly. "I will fight for her. She is mine, my mate. And if I have to do a complete 180 on all of my opinions it doesn't matter. I will be what she needs me to be." He moved his hand to scratch me behind his ears." And I don't actually care" he continued" about her fathers. The way they looked at each other, it was love. And love transcends all norms,rules and reason. I should know." I laid down on his lap and he scratched my neck. "God I am such a prejudiced prick. I know in principle there should be no objection. But I guess I am being a typical hetero sexual male. Esme doesn't even want to talk to me anymore. And girls are probably planning their revenge. They are both blocking me." He suddenly stopped and looked at me intently. "You know, the humans are right cats are wonderful therapists."

Oh if he knew.

I jumped of his lap. Keeping the image of a mouse firmly lodged in my surface thoughts.

He seemed to pick up on it and laughed. "Hunting ey, well then good luck Kitty, I hope you will be back to visit us again."

I meowed at him as if to confirm his statement, he smiled and seemed to understand.

"Okay Kit, I better go and apologize for being an idiot." He ran outside at speed that was impossible for any normal being to follow.

I went home.

Next up:

The Telling, Ella reveals her true Identity.