A/N: Later than intended, but here now. Spending any and all time that I can at the hospital by my Grandad's side. So, here's chapter three, I'll be getting on with the other's as and when I have the time. Thank you for all of the reviews, it's great to hear from you guys, and I'll be getting around to proper review replies as soon as I can. Also...can I just say that doing a repost is as fun as the first time around, just with a whole lot less pressure? LOL. It's been six years since I first posted this story, makes me feel old. With that said, and because I really do want to finish my other WIP, I won't be updating Three again until I've got the remainder of the chapter's written and polished. At least then it'll be regular updates.

Anyway...

Enjoy!

Previously…

"Charlie! What the hell am I supposed to say to him?"

…

B~E~L~L~A

Shit…shit, shit, shit. He went mental when I ran off to Phoenix because I was getting too serious with Edward and I didn't want to end up like my mother. As a result, he thinks I fell down a flight of stairs and through a window. This is otherwise known as running away from a deranged vampire with super tracking powers who was intent on killing me, getting tricked by said vampire, tortured by said vampire, bitten by said vampire, and then having my blood sucked clean by supposed perfect boyfriend. I'm pretty sure the only reason that I didn't end up being cuffed to my bed other than when I was in school was because of my injuries. A broken leg, cracked ribs, concussion, and severe blood loss will appeal to most people's sympathies. And here I am, off again, disappearing this time with no explanation.

"Bella, calm down. It's ok, that's why we were late getting to you. This is going to come as a shock to you, but Charlie knows all about us. He always has, the Swan line has a long history with the Volturi. We made sure he was on a plane to Italy, he'll be met there by some of the guard and taken to Volterra to be kept under the care of the Guard."

Huh?

He knows?

My dad knows?

Charlie knows about vampires? He's always known about vampires? But that…that's just ludicrous. He can't know; I would've known if he knew, surely I would've known if he knew. Wouldn't I? Oh flying monkeys' testicles, does that mean that he knows that I know? Calm fell about me like a soft blanket, Jasper's work obviously. I stammered around various unintelligible word sounds before Jasper's gift actually had any effect. Jesus, he's like my own walking, talking pharmacy. Vampire vallium. I closed my eyes, didn't bother trying to organise my thoughts because let's face it – MY FATHER KNOWS ABOUT VAMPIRES. Instead I just attempted to talk without sounding like I needed to be sent to the loony bin.

"He knows? He knows about vampires? That you're all vampires? That Edward is a vampire? That I was dating a vampire? My dad knows this?" I still hadn't opened my eyes or ceased sounding like I needed to be sectioned.

Jasper's influence seemed to be working double time, I sank back and rested my head against his shoulder as he caressed my arms with his large hands. I had the presence of mind to internally snigger about the relationship between finger length and other things, before Carlisle answered my rambling.

"The Volturi work closely with many humans, your father is one of them," Carlisle answered, I recognised his tone, it was how I'd imagine he would sound if he were talking down a crazy person. I took a deep, slow breath.

Then something occurred to me, and I was not happy.

"Hang on a minute!" I sat up suddenly. "He knew where I was and what happened in Phoenix? He knew that the accident was a load of bull? He knew and he still grounded me?"

In what world is that fair?

"It was necessary to keep up his role, what else would a parent have done to their daughter after they ran away?" Carlisle spoke softly.

I opened my eyes, finally. "Still doesn't seem fair," I grumbled. I was getting a headache.

My dad and I would be having one hell of a conversation when I saw him next. Rubbing my eyes with the heel of my palms I decided to change the subject.

"So, we're meeting up with him in Italy?" Carlisle sat back beside Esme, taking her hand in his, before directing his gaze over my shoulder and nodded, apparently giving Jasper the ok to explain.

"That is the eventual plan, Darlin', but right now we need to keep you hidden until your change."

I frowned. "Why not change me right away?"

Jasper turned me slightly so that he could see my face and I tried not to smile goofily at him. Which is much easier said than done.

"What did Edward explain to you about what needs to happen before your change?"

"Er…nothing? He has always been adamant that I wouldn't become a vampire."

Clearly I was missing something, another something. In fact, I had come to the conclusion that I had pretty much missed everything. Never a good place to be.

Jasper laughed, it wasn't a particularly happy sound. "He told you that you wouldn't be changed?"

I nodded and he shook his head in disbelief. Carlisle stood up and stormed away into the bedroom, Esme followed after issuing an apologetic smile. It was a little disconcerting to notice that each and every one of the remaining five vampires were all sporting darkening eyes.

Feeling way too human here!

I'd like to say that it was quiet for a few moments while thoughts were gathered together and organised. But the buzz that filled the cabin showed that they were talking out of my hearing range. I planned then to buy a digital voice recorder ASAP, at least then I could play the conversations back at a slower speed.

"Um, guys? Human here, a human that is still lost, still shocked, still doesn't know where this behemoth of a plane is taking us, and still can't understand vampire speed speech."

I figured it was better to point this out now before everything was decided for me. Ah…there's the quiet. I had to stifle a giggle when they all just froze and turned towards me in perfect sync. It's times like these when it's a good thing I'm comfortable with all things supernatural. Jasper closed his eyes, I expected him to breathe deeply and the missing action was peculiar. He opened his eyes and I was pleased to be looking into gold instead of black.

"You're right Darlin', we forgot ourselves." I ignored the disgusted snort that came from Rose. "We are only just finding out the extent of the games that Edward and Alice have been playing. They have kept you to themselves mostly, insisting that Edward be the one to bring you to your full potential. Carlisle walked out because he didn't want to scare you again; he and Edward have had extensive talks about the best ways to proceed with your training. Hell, the little shit has even given him progress reports; I gave him tips for meditation techniques."

"Wait, meditation? Edward had me meditating before bed, something about helping me sleep. He always got frustrated with me when I wouldn't open up enough for his liking."

I thought back to the times when he'd had me lying on my back in the darkened room, his voice lulling me into a state of relaxation, then him getting all pissy when I wouldn't do as he said. And open up what anyway? My legs? Yeah right, like that would have ever crossed his A-sexual mind. I was spun around so quickly it took me a second to register that I was now straddling Jasper's lap, a position that I was more than interested in recreating, just with a little less clothing. Hormonal teenager here.

Then his hands were cradling my face, his eyes boring into mine, "Bella, I need you to tell me everything that Edward did with you."

I panicked, my eyes flitted between his, and I didn't like how important this seemed. I didn't like that it made me feel vulnerable; that Edward might have done something to me that I didn't understand.

"I-I don't understand." I said in a small voice.

He smiled, and just as he meant it to be it was all kinds of reassuring, but he didn't move his hands and he didn't let me lose eye contact.

"How did he lead you through the meditation; what did he say, what did he request?"

"He would have me lie down on my bed and close my eyes, even though he had the light off and the curtains drawn. He would request that I visualise a staircase, he told me to concentrate and imagine that each step down I took the more relaxed I would become. That one by one, each part of my body would relax. He talked me through my breathing. He told me to let him know when I was on the last step, and then he'd ask me to relax my mind, to open up to him, for him."

My voice was so quiet by the end of my explanation that I could barely hear it.

"Jesus Christ." I heard Peter exclaim from somewhere behind me.

Jasper stared at me for a while longer, his expression unchanging from the blank face he had assumed during my explanation. He surprised me by laying a swift kiss on my forehead and wrapping his arms around me, pulling me close. It was nice, hell it was wonderful and if there wasn't a huge flashing WTF sign hanging over my head, I would've melted into him and accepted the comfort. As it was, I wanted to know what had spooked him. Because, let's face it, whatever spooks vampires can't be a good thing. So I went to sit back up and Jasper let me, of course I didn't change from my straddling position. I'm not stupid.

"I want to know what has you worried, Jasper."

"I'm sorry, I am so sorry that it worked out this way. I never should have gone against my gut." He frowned, tucking an errant hair behind my ear before continuing. "What he did wasn't strictly meditating. I think he was trying to put you into a suggestive state."

"Hypnosis?" I asked, and Jasper simply nodded. That can't be good. "He tried to hypnotise me? To what end? Jesus, as if he didn't already have the pint sized pixie's help in keeping me in line? Was he after me clucking like a chicken or something?"

I tried to be serious, really I did, but all hypnosis meant to me was tacky stage shows where they embarrassed a select few of the audience. I should know; I had been one of them and it didn't work then either.

"I doubt it; pretty boy doesn't have a sense of humour. I'd have had you shouting 'go wank over your piano!' every time he referred to you as 'Love'." Emmett had himself in stitches, even going so far as to wipe pretend tears off his cheeks. "God, I'm just too funny."

"This is hardly the time Emmett," Jasper growled, stifling my laughter and breaking me out of my thoughts of Edward dry humping his beloved piano. "From what Bella has said, it doesn't sound like he was able to get you in the necessary state. It also sounds like he was trying to gain access to your mind, rather than program you."

I gulped. "Program me? That doesn't sound good."

"Like I said, it would seem that he was unsuccessful," Jasper reiterated.

"If he had asked more about me he might have known that I can't be hypnotised." I scoffed, "I got dragged on stage at some show that my mom had talked me into. I swear, I have never been told to sleep so much in my life. Everyone else dropped their heads like good little puppets; I just stared at him like he was insane. He let me off the stage soon after."

Good times.

"Bella? Wait, Jas can you please turn her round so that I'm not talking to her ass?" Peter groaned.

Jasper obliged and I tried not to pout at the change of position.

"What did I say about no more ragdoll Bella? You're gonna give me whiplash!" I exclaimed, completely disgruntled.

I liked having my legs around his thighs. I tried not to pout.

Jasper's laughter vibrated through my back. "Sorry Darlin', I'm not used to handling a human."

He told Peter to continue while I tried to think of anything but Jasper handling me.

"Don't worry Bella; I'm sure Jasper will let you straddle him again soon."

Mortified, I was mortified and had the exact shade of red to prove it. I scowled at Peter for being an ass and calling me out; he just laughed and carried on. Git.

"Edward was trying to have you lower your shield. The nosy bastard was trying to read your mind, unsuccessfully it seems going off what you've said about his reactions."

"Yeah, although I don't know if he knows I noticed. I was usually so close to sleep when I would hear him grumbling under his breath. One time he was on the phone to someone, I didn't catch much but when he got pissed he got louder."

"What did he say?" Charley asked.

"That I wouldn't let go, that he couldn't do it unless I let go. Something else about trust…or…needing to gain my trust." I was rather proud at how calm and collected I sounded, because inside I was rippling with anger at Edward's audacity.

"Can you remember when that was?" Emmett asked.

"Yeah, it was the day before the ill fated baseball game." Difficult to forget that episode.

"They arranged the tracker to go after Bella so that Edward could save her. Saving someone's life, that would be an almost fool proof way of gaining a person's trust." Rose surprised me by putting her two cents worth in.

I raised my eyebrow in question but she never looked my way.

"They would never have bothered with all of that shit if Alice didn't see that they would reap the benefits. How the fuck did this get by me?" Jasper's voice had a certain warmth to it, an edge, the undertone of a growl, and the stirrings of anger.

I stroked my fingers along his arms and finally entwined my fingers with his and smiled when I felt him relax slightly. "So, what you're saying is that the gruesome twosome had me chased, terrorised, tortured and bitten…on purpose?" I shook my head. "It worked as well, I felt closer to him after that. After he saved my life, that he didn't drain me even though my blood is so potent to him."

That ginger bastard!

"It would appear so."

I almost jumped out of my skin when Carlisle spoke; I had no idea he had reappeared. Vampires are just too damn quiet, they should be issued with bells or maybe I could come up with some sort of proximity alarm that beeps when they're near.

"Bella will need to be tested to find out the level of Edward's intrusion." Carlisle continued, starting a discussion from the other's.

"Sorry to jump into the discussion that you're having about me like I'm not sitting right here, but do you really think he might have been messing with my brain?" I shook my head. "It doesn't make sense, he-"

"Of course it doesn't! That would be the point, wouldn't it? He's probably had that weak mind of yours playing like his precious piano." Rose, ever the helpful one.

I bet Jasper could get me a rocket launcher. Maybe some phosphorous grenades. I'd throw in some cheesy 'How do you like me now?!' line.

"My point," I ground out, "is why bother wandering around my subconscious when he has the pint sized pixie 'see-it-all' to help keep me in line? If it was programming and not intrusion that he was after, who's to say that it would have stuck after my shield or whatever was back in place?"

"You bring up a good point Bella, but I think it would be well to check. If we are unable to bring you into a suggestive state then we know there was nothing to worry about. We can do it as soon as we're settled." Carlisle's tone made it clear that there would be no argument on this, so I just kept my mouth firmly closed.

"What the hell else did they engineer?" Everyone turned to Emmett. "Jas, think about it. Each time you slipped, why where you there? Why hadn't you hunted as often as usual? I've been with you when you've resisted a motorbike crash victim, and yet if you were with Alice or Edward you slipped at someone pricking their finger. Alice had you by the short and curlies, fuck we were all under her thumb. She told us where to be, when to be there. She always had the right thing to say, gave us whatever we needed. She endeared herself to us all, made herself indispensable."

Everyone was quiet, I don't know about the others but I was going over all the time that I had spent with Alice. It was filled with pouts, puppy dog eyes, and ways to make me feel self-conscious, but the way she said and did things it always made me feel like she was truly helping me and not trying to make me feel inferior. With hindsight, it's glaringly obvious. She played me, well and truly.

"Right, enough of this, we know that they've been a pair of Machiavellian betrayers, we need to concentrate on our plans and our next move. As it stands, they have no idea where we are or where we're going, thanks to Peter." Peter grinned at that, and I laughed short and quiet before continuing, "I know that you must have a plan of action and I was just wondering if someone could explain this whole training thing to me. I know that I'm not the foremost expert on being a vampire but I didn't think that there was anything involved in becoming a vampire other than a few bites."

I was moved, again, this time so that I was sat across Jasper's lap. This is getting ridiculous.

"You understand that gifted vampires are relatively rare?" I nodded. "Then you can understand that gifted humans are even more of an oddity." I wasn't impressed with being referred to as an oddity, even if the title did fit me, but I nodded anyway. "It is usually through specific bloodlines that gifted humans are born, the Swans being one of them. These bloodlines have been watched over since the Volturi was founded, watched over and protected. As Peter said before, you are highly sought after, Bella. Your gift would render the majority of the abilities useless, this is especially appealing to our enemies. Something that could negate the Guards abilities? Leave the Volturi open to attack? That's gold, Bella. The ultimate weapon caused by the ultimate defence."

I'm liking this less and less, but stayed quiet as there was obviously more. What help would voicing my opinions on how stupid it was to assume I was that important or useful.

"A vampire is almost like an exaggerated version of their human self. Certain traits and characteristics become more profound after the change and that is what also results in powers and abilities. So you can imagine the potential of a human who is already displaying a power. You already have a handle on it, albeit an unconscious thought on your part, but it is still there to be moulded and expanded. What Edward should have been doing with you these past months, was helping you to understand and control your shield. Expand it, have it evolve. As a human you are much more pliant and able to change, therefore your gift can too."

"Huh?" was my brilliant response. Well that was unexpected. "The way Edward used to talk about me was like I was defective; he used to harp on about FM and AM frequencies."

"Yeah well, Edward is a dick and training is something that can start once we're settled and we've made sure that Bella hasn't been brain fucked by said dick" Peter eloquently pointed out.

Well OK then.

That put the end to any further discussions and everyone drifted off talking in pairs, I still needed answers but to be honest my brain was working overtime as it was. Which, of course, my personal therapist/pharmacist/super-hot vampire picked up on.

"Let's get you fed, baby girl, give the revelations a rest for a while."

I just nodded and stood up, happy to note that Jasper was following me to the galley. I was surprised by the amount of food; surely if they can slip me past passport control then they can manage to explain why they only need food for one person. Fuck knows, don't care, need sustenance. I went for some pasta bake thing in Bolognese sauce, shoved it in the microwave, set the timer, and thanked the Lord for the wonder of modern machinery. I was not usually one for microwave meals, but at that point in time, when I felt like my brain might start to leak out of my ears, I was thankful for the easy efficiency of nuking a meal.

Jasper still hadn't said anything; he was leaning up against the far wall, ankles and arms crossed. I could feel his eyes follow me as I wandered about searching for a glass for my soda. I found one just as the microwave dinged to let me know it's finished. Drink in one hand, piping hot pile of fused together pasta in the other, I wandered back towards the lounge. I didn't get very far; Jasper relieved me of the plate and wandered off towards the bedroom.

"Guess I'll see you guys later then," I said to the room as a whole, and followed Jasper.

I may have been staring at his ass the whole way there. All these revelations and new…stuff…well, it seems to have opened up a brazen side of me that I'd locked down before. Having a boyfriend constantly 'keeping you in your place' does that to a girl, I guess. I closed the door behind me and went to the bed, curling up against the head board and used a pillow to settle my dinner on. I ate in silence for a while, not really taking any notice of the taste as I was more interested in the golden eyes that were watching me intently from his perch on the edge of the writing desk. Writing desk, I swear this plane is a flying hotel.

I couldn't take it anymore.

"Alright, Jasper, I assume you brought me in here to talk to me about something?"

I knew that the others would still be able to hear anything we said, but the illusion of privacy was welcome. He laughed, shaking his head, and sauntered over before gracefully lounging on the bed beside me. I set the empty plastic bowl down on the bedside table and turned to face him; he was smiling, his eyes shinning and he was all kinds of beautiful. I just looked at him; it was a pastime that I could get used to, who am I kidding? Staring at him is something that I have always done; this is just the first time I've had the pleasure of a close up.

"There was no ulterior motive, other than wanting to spend some time alone in your presence. I felt that you needed some breathing space, this is a difficult situation to come to terms with."

Gah, his voice! Deep and raw and sexy, warm and smooth, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that it, along with everything else about him, was somehow mine.

"Yeah, I suppose this is a lot to take in." I shrugged. "You shouldn't worry about me though, I've only had a few months of their influence where as you and the rest of the family have had decades." I shook my head, frowning. "I don't get it; Edward was Carlisle's companion for years. How does someone just change like that?"

Jasper thought for a moment, his eyes unfocused. "I don't know Darlin', change is especially difficult for vampires. I didn't know Edward from before, so I can't comment as to his change in attitude. However, Alice, it seems, is skilled in deceit. She would have known exactly what to offer him to bring him onto her side, and it must have been huge for him to betray his father, his Sire."

After a second or two, Jasper took my hand and traced the tips of his fingers over my palm. "What I do know is that you are where you are supposed to be, and I will speak to you more about that after we land, but don't worry. We will be safe, for the time being at least. Now, I think that you should sleep, I'll step out while to ready yourself for bed. Would you…" he hesitated, "would you like me to stay with you?"

I grinned; he was looking at my hand as he spoke, tracing my life line like it was the most interesting thing in the world. I never imagined that Jasper would ever sound nervous and I loved that it was me that brought it out of him.

He glanced up at me then, and rolled his eyes. "You are feeling entirely too smug there Darlin'."

"Probably. Smug yes, but happy also and yes I would love for you to stay with me."

His smile came back full force; it was a good thing I was already sitting down or I might've embarrassed myself by falling over. It was my turn to glance away, my cheeks burning. His fingertips traced my cheeks and I jumped slightly at the unexpected coolness, involuntarily closing my eyes and fought not to purr like a damn cat. The frigid smoothness of his lips ghosted against mine and then he was gone, and I could do nothing other than sprawl over the bed. Happiness shot through me and I squealed like an overexcited school girl, stamping my arms and legs onto the mattress in an attempt to channel the nervous energy.

Get a grip girlie! Move, shower, change, sleep.

So I did just that. The pyjamas that I found were simple and comfortable and I slid between the sheets and called out softly to Jasper. He appeared seconds later and lay next to me, on top of the covers, and began to stroke my hair. Warm waves of comfort and peace washed over me, lulling me into slumber. But there was one thing I needed to know before slept.

"Jasper?" I mumbled. "Yeah, Darlin'?"

"Where are we going?"

He laughed quietly. "England."

My shock was quickly blanketed in calm; cheater.

"England?"

"Uh-huh, Darlin', now sleep."

And I did.

oOo

A cool breeze on my face brought me out of darkness; blinking a few times I finally took in my surroundings. Jasper was carrying me close to his chest; we were walking towards a huge house that seemed to be situated on the top of a hill. The house its self was three stories, facing away from the hill so that it looked down on the town below. It had been built in a deep red brick. I was surprised to find that the windows were relatively small, at least for what I would've expected from the Cullen's. It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere, but we were simply away from the populace, akin to the mansion back in Forks.

"Are we on top of a hill?" I asked, punctuated with a yawn.

"Yes, Holcombe Hill to be exact. Come on, I'll take you to your room."

In a blur of scenery, he had me upstairs and in my new digs. There was everything that you would need in a room; bed, dresser, closet…ooh an en-suite. It was nice, not quite me, like that matters anyway. There are more things in my life to worry about than décor. Besides, knowing Esme it will be redecorated soon enough.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, not because I wanted to know so much, as to have something to say, other than 'Hey, look there's a bed…take me now!'.

"Everyone besides Rose and I left to feed as soon as the plane landed; they'll be back soon. Rose and I are staying here while the others hunt. Its slim pickings at the moment but we have things in place to enable us to feed properly. We'll go when they get back," he spoke as he blurred around my room, unpacking in seconds.

It was weird, one second his voice would be next to me, then across the room, over in the corner, back next to me, in the bathroom.

"If Peter isn't here, does that mean that we are open to Alice's visions?"

"No, you'll see why when you go into the lounge. There, all done, we can get you whatever else you might need later. Now, you clean up and meet me downstairs while I rustle up some grub for you."

"Just one thing before you go?" I asked, sounding thoughtful as I collected together a change of clothes.

"Anything, Bella." Those two words, right there. Sex. Eroticism. Maybe something more?

I genuinely wondered if I were to ask, would he give? I swallowed, my heart trying to break out of my chest, Jesus the effect that this man has over me. But it wasn't just sex, just physical, it was everything. It was butterflies and heat and need, rightness and love and god I just want to strip him naked. Naked Jasper in the shower, naked Jasper on my bed, naked Jasper in the sun, I'm guessing that everything sparkles; does Lady Ga Ga know something that we don't? Has she ridden a disco stick?

"Bella?" Jasper caught my attention, he was watching me with an amused look on his face and his eyebrow quirked.

He might not know what I was thinking, but he would have definitely gotten a read on my emotions. What's a girl to do when in the presence of an empath? Worry? Panic? Both? Probably, but there's nothing I can or want to do about it. So I'll just be.

"Sorry, went away with the faeries for a minute there." Cue blush, awkward throat clearing, "I just wanted to know how you got me past passport control, I mean did you seriously smuggle me into the country?"

He laughed and walked towards me, only looking up when he was oh so suddenly close enough to touch me. I'm pretty sure I forgot how to breathe.

"Carlisle is a vampire King with international connections and more money than God. There really isn't much we can't do."

Then he kissed me, on my lips, he kissed me. It was quick, just long enough not to be considered a peck, as if he were testing the waters. I think I whimpered.

"Meet me down stairs once you're done, Bella." I nodded and he disappeared.

He had, very thoughtfully, left a wash bag on my bed and hung towels in the bathroom so I just went with it. Well, actually I stood in that same spot for at least five minutes before moving into the shower. I found him stretched out on a sofa in the living room, looking like a big cat. He had a book in one hand and was drawing with the other. Oh to have a vampire's brain.

"Show off," I stated as I sat down.

"You'll be doing this and more soon enough." He disappeared, only to reappear second later with a plate full of sandwiches. "Here, I can't say I remember ever making a sandwich before so I hope they're alright."

I squealed as he suddenly swung me up, bringing me down onto his lap.

"I'm sure they're fine," I laughed out. "So are you gonna fill me in on why Alice will still be blind to us even without Peter?"

"That," he pointed to something on the wall.

I grudgingly got up, setting my plate down as I went, and walked over to it, at first thinking it was just a work of art, and realised with some horror that it was a collection of teeth. Big teeth. Big, sharp, pointy teeth. Just call me little red riding hood. I felt Jasper at my back, his coolness permeated the shirt I was wearing, I sighed as his hands came to rest on my hips, pulling me back slightly so that I leaned into him.

His sweet, icy breath ghosted and tickled across my ear as he spoke. "Werewolf teeth, even in death they provide protection. Alice cannot see something that she isn't or never has been, and she has definitely never been a werewolf. Each of us now carry one on our person; Eleazar and Kate picked theirs up when Peter called them. Speaking of." I followed his gaze to the front door, which chose that moment to spring open and a very excited Emmett came flying through it.

"Ramsbottom!" He yelled.

"Excuse me?" I laughed out, unsure whether he had gone mad or was simply insulting me.

"Ramsbottom, this here, now is Ramsbottom. Belsy, we live in a sheep's ass!"

He had me by my shoulders, punctuating his nonsense with little shakes. I looked to Jasper for help or an explanation or a gag for Emmett, anything really. It was Rose that came to my rescue, appearing behind him and backhanded his head. The sound hurt my ears but all Emmett did was roll his eyes, let go of my shoulders, and turn to Rose.

"I thought I'd told you to stop doing that, it's annoying as hell. Not to mention emasculating. I'm your husband, woman, not your child."

Yeah, I really didn't want to be in the middle of this particular domestic problem, I backed up into Jasper. Rose lifted one perfect eyebrow and then smacked him again, harder.

"And what have you been told about manhandling Bella? Hmm?" She bit out and then smacked him again. "Refer to me as 'woman' in that way again and it will not be the head on your shoulders that I hit next time!"

And then she gracefully walked over and sat down on the empty sofa. Rose told Emmett to be careful with me? Something to think about.

"Oh come on Rosie, you know you love me, there is no need to go threatening the King now is there?"

I threw Jasper a questioning look.

"He named his dick after Elvis."

Of course he did. I laughed so hard I almost fell over. Jasper caught me, of course.

"Nah man, Elvis named himself after my cock!" Emmett shouted.

Esme, Carlisle, and two others walked in, Carlisle was laughing and Esme looked like she was about to commit mass murder. I swear that Emmett paled when he saw her heading for him.

"Were you talking about your penis again, Emmett?" He nodded. "Have we not had a talk about this before?" He nodded again, I half expected him to start shuffling his feet. "And what did we agree about that?"

"That I am not to speak about my manly parts in public and that if you heard me disrespecting Elvis again that you would make me eat nothing but skunks for a year." He mumbled.

"And?" Esme prompted.

He cringed "And if I referred to a female, especially my mate, in a derogatory fashion then I would have to be a slave to every woman in the household until you say otherwise."

"That is correct, now I think your first task will be to apologise to Rosalie."

He wasted no time. "I really am so-"

"On your knees," Rose interrupted.

On his knees he went, I shook my head in disbelief at what I was witnessing.

"Rose, I am truly sorry for offending you, you are the love of my existence and I love and respect you with everything that I am. I did not mean to demean you in any way. You are a strong, beautiful and intelligent person. Please forgive me?"

It's funny really, you get used to seeing a person a certain way. I am used to seeing Rose scowling or simply disinterested; now I saw her crack a soft smile. For the first time I saw the love she held for Emmett, and I saw the reason why he loved her so much. She tried to hide it, of course, but Emmett saw it and swept her up into a tight embrace.

"So, my beauty, as your slave I offer myself up to your needs. Your wants and desires. What is it that you want, Rose, what is it that you desire?" Emmett's voice was so seductive it took me by surprise, and I watched Rose melt before my eyes.

She giggled. Giggled!

I think my eyebrows were in my hair. They disappeared out the door, mumbling something about hunting. Yeah, like anyone believed that one. Jasper looked relieved; I guess it can't be a good thing to be able to feel the lust of your brother and sister.

"Well, now that that is over I think it is time for some introductions." Esme brought the attention back to herself. "Bella, I would like you to meet Eleazar and Kate, our cousins from the Denali coven. They are both here to help with your training."

I smiled and the two vampires, Eleazar had a slight olive tint to his skin, betraying his Mediterranean origins. He was gorgeous, obviously, with a gentle face; friendly. Kate had long, incredibly straight, blonde hair, so blonde it was almost white, she was breathtakingly beautiful with almond shaped eyes and full pouty lips. I think my self-image dropped to my feet in her presence. She too was smiling, though there was a cheekiness in her eyes that reminded me of Emmett. I instantly knew that I would like them both.

Eleazar offered his hand. "Hello Bella, it certainly is a pleasure to meet you. I am sorry that it is not under better circumstances."

I took his hand, he held me like I might break. "It's nice to meet you too, both of you. Thank you for coming to help us, although I still haven't been filled in as to what is to happen."

Eleazar frowned and turned to Carlisle. "I was under the impression that Edward was seeing to her training."

"Edward has had Bella believing that she would not be going through the change, we have recently become aware that he was having her meditate as a cover for hypnosis. It seems that Edward wanted access to her mind," Carlisle replied, I shivered as I watched his eyes darken. I still wasn't used to this side of him.

"I see," Eleazar replied. "Do we know if he gained access?"

Jasper shook his head. "No, from what Bella has told us we are almost sure that he was unsuccessful but Alice must've seen a positive outcome for them otherwise he would not have kept it up night after night. They went to great lengths to earn Bella's trust; we think the tracker incident was their doing."

"They set that nomad tracker on you?" Kate surprised me by asking me directly, I was used to being in the background.

"Looks like. I overheard him telling someone that it wouldn't work unless I trusted him enough to let him in, apparently saving me from a psychotic vampire was the way to go." I shrugged, I was kinda over it.

No, that's a lie, what I am is saving it up until I'm face to face with them in all my vampire glory and then unleash said vampire glory all over them.

She shook her head. "I truly do not understand, I never thought Edward would be capable of betrayal. Carlisle, we are here at your disposal, what would you have us do?"

"Before we do anything we need to check Bella over, I believe this will be simple enough," Carlisle answered.

"Agreed. Bella, where would you be comfortable enough on the couch or would you rather be lying on a bed?" Jasper asked me.

"A bed, I think. That was how Edward did it, plus it would be easier to block out the light." I said.

I think everyone agreed. I wasn't sure because the air was suddenly rushing past me as Jasper ran me upstairs before depositing me on the bed. I glared at him for a second, everyone joined us in the room while I attempted to sort my hair out so that I no longer resembled Cousin It.

"You know Jasper; one of the first things I'm going to do when I'm all vamped up is to make you move at human speed everywhere," I said as I blew my hair out of my mouth.

That got laughs all around. As if I'm joking. I relaxed onto the bed and waited as Carlisle came and sat on the edge, to my right. Jasper stayed on my left and the others took up various points around the room.

"Jasper, I think it might be best if you stand with the others, I don't want to risk anything distracting Bella." Carlisle spoke carefully, I was surprised and pleased when Jasper seemed to war with himself before walking over to stand with Kate.

I made sure to catch his eye and smile at him, feeling all warm and fuzzy, before turning back to Carlisle. "Are we not going to wait for Peter and Charley?" I asked.

Carlisle smiled and turned to the door, a grinning Peter and Charley wandered through. "Sure you are, Little One; let's get this shit over with."

Carlisle nodded and turned back to me. "Are you comfortable Bella?"

I smiled, going so far as to snuggle further into the bed. "I'm all kinds of toasty."

"Then let us begin."

E/N: I'd forgotten how much fun a cliff hanger could be. Leave me some love!