x-x-x-x

I think secretly all of us were hoping Christmas would make time stop, this was certainly true Christmas morning, after we had exchanged and opened presents amongst the family, Bella, Edward, Jacob, and Nessie went to celebrate the rest of Christmas Day with Charlie, Sue Clearwater, Seth, and possibly Leah, though the latter I wasn't really sure about. The main reason I was hoping that time could stop was because of how quickly reality came crashing back to our house

I had been spending most of my morning up in my room, enjoying the peace and quiet and giving Chaplin the attention I had been neglecting to give him for weeks. With Alistair hanging from a rafter up in our loft, I hadn't really given much thought to the noises that accompanied his residency, until a couple of distinct bangs, followed by the groan as the creaky window was opened.

Curiosity got the best of me and I made my way down the hall and up the stairs to the room directly above me. Alistair was at the window, standing near the frame as if he was debating his next move, like a move on a chess board.

He glanced up when he felt me come into the room and sighed

"Well," he muttered "it's the profiler,"

"Leaving so soon?" I asked taking a cautious step towards him, he took a deep breath, as if he was unsure how to answer and was looking for a way to kill time. "It's your decision," I added "no one is forcing you to stay, certainly not Carlisle,"

"You're a profiler boy, what do you predict will be the end of this ordeal?" he asked

"You said it yourself, I'm a profiler, I can't know the future, that's not how my ability works."

"Come off it, you can at least make an educated guess. You know the Volturi will not allow any of you to fight."

"We're not looking for a fight!" I hissed "despite what your Romanian friends may think we're not planning on overthrowing the Volturi." I paused "if a fight must occur it will be because the Volturi instigated it, it will be to defend ourselves only."

"You will be destroyed, all of you."

"Is that why you're leaving? Because you know this is a helpless situation…" My voice trailed off for a second as I studied Alistair "it's not because you're afraid you will be killed."

"It's not?" He asked shortly, trying to mask his surprise at my assumption. "if that's not the reason boy what is it?"

"You are afraid," I started and he scoffed "but not for your own life, you're afraid that if you stay and watch us be slaughtered, you will have to watch one of your closet friends be slaughtered…a man you see as more than a friend, but a brother." Alastair didn't refute my profile, but rather growled under his breath.

"I hate profilers," he grumbled "can't keep a blasted thing from them."

"Am I wrong?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest

"You're a fool boy, just as foolish as Carlisle, to think he can talk to the Volturi, to think he can reason with Aro."

"Carlisle is no fool, he wants to see the good in everyone, that is not being foolish, it's remembering what it's like to be human."

"I have known Carlisle for several centuries profiler," Alastair growled "I've earned the right to call him foolish, and I am older than both of you and have seen my share of foolish endeavors, and this is certainly one of those."

I took a deep breath, knowing I wasn't going to get anywhere with him, but also knowing that my profile was not wrong, he would leave, run before the fight, not because he was a coward, but because he saw a hopeless situation and refused to stand alongside us in that field and watch Carlisle be slaughtered.

"You are entitled to your opinion, but do not call my father foolish in front of me, keep your opinions to yourself on that matter."

"Your father?" Alastair repeated "yet another piece of this coven I do not understand."

"Family," I corrected "and yes, Carlisle is my father and I stand with my father and the rest of my family. We are not fools, but we are not cowards either." I took a deep breath "you're doing what you feel is right by leaving, we're doing what we feel is right by standing up for ourselves."

"You think you're the only one who can profile boy? You wear your emotions and your attachments on your sleeve. Like your commitment to that Irish girl, I can read your entire story in one glance."

"You know nothing about me," I countered, trying to keep my voice level, but I wanted to lunge at him. I was floored by his comment, but I was trying to keep him from realizing, I didn't want to give him any more ammo. I was seriously regretting my decision to investigate, damn curiosity, why couldn't I just leave well enough alone and let him leave, I also should've expected this kind of counter, I had put him on the spot and pointed out something he did not wish to share, so now he was going to turn the tables…or at least try.

"Oh I think I know enough about you, you were born in 1926 to a Scottish physician who was trained in England, but wasn't t allowed to practice his trade in England, until a lawyer friend of his pulled strings, allowing a move from their home in Scotland to London, encouraging one of the more high quality facilities to give the Scot a chance to prove that not all Scots are ignorant savages.."

It was getting increasingly difficult to keep calm and not let him know I was surprised, not only surprised but angry too, he was trying to get a rise out of me and was very close to succeeding. But in all reality who could blame me…how the bloody hell did he know anything about my father…and I didn't want to believe the last part, but it was festering in my mind.

My father moved his practice to London when I was nine because a position opened up at the Royal Medical College, his dream position, it allowed him the chance to continue his practice in a city setting as opposed to the small villages around us in Scotland. He wasn't denied the practice it just wasn't available, at least that was what I had always believed. I studied Alastair's face and couldn't help the twist in my stomach realizing that fact or not, he was being truthful, somehow he knew what he thought to be factual about my father.

"Interesting fable," I replied, trying to maintain composure, but in reality my flight or fight instinct was kicking in and it was the latter that was winning, I don't really have a temper, but we Scots are not known for taking things and letting them slide, my pride had been hurt and it was only going to get worse.

"I also know you did all you could to fit in with your peers from the moment you and your parents set foot in London, you studied hard to perfect an English accent to match your friends, you refused to speak your own language outside of the house, even going as far as to ignore your parents when they spoke it to you in public." Alastair looked at me hard, "even your last day as a human." He paused "and since Carlisle changed you, you've remained a scared little boy who has fought growing attached to anyone and yet is incapable of ignoring that constant need of parental figures, constant approval and a need for connection defines you. You use that profiling ability of yours as a shield and hide behind it even though you pretend it does not exist. But will it protect you when it really counts? Will you use it to protect those you call family or will you use it to exact revenge against the Volturi, what exactly is your motive Christian?"

I allowed myself one deep breath, he had given me the out I needed, without intending too I suppose,

"At least I allow myself connections," I said carefully "better to stand with someone than to live alone. It may be foolish, but I would rather die alongside my family than live a recluse, we all have that choice." I paused

"You didn't answer my question about your ability," Alastair pointed out "such a shame." His expression turned to one of actual sympathy before he turned back to the window and was gone, leaving me standing there, dumbfounded by what had just happened.

I walked over to the window and leaned out, I could see a blur that was Alastair heading north and I sighed. I winced as I heard footsteps coming up and recognized them instantly as Carlisle's,

"Alastair I-" he started to say and stopped "Christian?" he called, taking a deep breath I turned and looked at my father "where's Alastair?" he asked even though he clearly knew the answer to that question.

"He's gone dad," I replied softly "I tried to convince him to stay, but…" my voice trailed off for a second "remember what I said after I first met him, what his fears were?" Carlisle nodded "well that's what just happened, he left not from cowardice or fear for his own life, but he honestly couldn't stand the thought of watching his friends be killed."

I couldn't help it, I slumped to the floor, for the first time since Alice's vision I truly felt helpless, like this situation was all but finished, we would be executed alongside our friends who had come to witness for us. I pulled my knees close to my chest and latched onto them, wrapping my arms to them tight.

I knew from profiling her, that Bella had some plan in the works to save Nessie and for that I was thankful, Nessie would live, she'd grow up and be safe…but I was scared, more than I'd like to admit I was very, very scared. I had faced death before, I have experienced loss more than I'd like to count, I didn't want to experience it again, and I certainly did not want to die nor watch my family be slaughtered…any of my family and yes I counted our friends amongst the family now.

Carlisle slid to the floor next to me, he took a deep breath and put an arm around my shoulders. He was in the same boat I was, feeling the same uncertainty, but for my sake he was trying to hide it, hide it from a profiler, he was being the voice of reason, the father I he always was to me and desperately needed at that moment.

"Alastair said something that's troubling you, didn't he?" Carlisle asked and I nodded slowly "can I ask what that is?"

I didn't answer him straight away, my mind working in overtime to come up with some excuse, some answer that was as far from the truth as possible. I didn't want to lie to my father, but at the same time I couldn't face that what Alastair had said may have been true, any of it.

Carlisle didn't say anything to push, instead he hugged my shoulders tight then folded his arms over his chest, waiting patiently.

"I'm always trying to make sure people can't profile me," I started "I know how to keep my body language neutral, I know how to keep my voice level and my eyes set, no tells, nothing that could be profiled. But it was like he was able to see through that defense and profiled me."

"Such as?"

"He said he could read my entire story in one glance, he knew what year I was born, said my father was allowed to attend medical school in England, but was not allowed to practice there until his lawyer friend got him in."

Carlisle rubbed his chin thoughtfully

"Go on,"

"He said I was so desperate to fit in with my peers that I willing ignored my heritage just to make friends, ignoring my own language and even my own parents if they did not follow the norm, he even knew I did it…the day I…" my voice trailed off leaving that particular sentence unfinished we both knew where I was going with that. "that kind of information, how could he know that without profiling me?" I paused "Have I really become that easy to profile or is this just something I've always been like. I can profile others but they in turn have an easy time turning the tables and I've just never noticed" I muttered Carlisle didn't reply right away, contemplating his words carefully.

"Christian from the moment I first found out about your profiling ability I have been not only impressed by its exactness, but also been mystified by what you are able to learn about people and places just from a simple glance...it also gives you an empathy for others that many cannot fathom, much like Jasper's gift and that empathy it unnerved Alastair, and he turned it against you to protect himself. You must have touches a nerve with him, questioning his reason for leaving and him knowing you were correct in your assumptions."

"So he did profile me,"

"Alastair did not profile you Christian,"

I looked at my father quickly, surprised by that statement,

"But he knew all that information about me, I mean some of it he could've find out or heard about, but the details, only a profile could get that kind of information."

"A profiler or someone who is very good at gaging reactions," Carlisle paused "do you remember when we went to that carnival up in Maine?"

"The one with the Ferris wheel and the girl with the gold fish?" I asked, wondering for a moment where Carlisle was going with this trip down memory lane."

"Exactly, you found that carnival act where the man would guess the age and weight of someone, pretending to be psychic?"

"Yeah of course, he had someone in the crowd spying and eavesdropping. Or he'd pick someone he knew was an easy mark and like a fortune teller would feed off of he was being told." I paused realizing very quickly where my father was going with his original question, the road trip now made perfect sense. "Easy marks," I repeated, "I let myself be profiled by someone who can't profile?" this statement was more to myself than to my father, but he nodded. "I was the easy mark."

"It's Alastair's defense mechanism." Carlisle explained "true his tracking ability utilizing similar information you do to profile, but it's very minimal, however he is able to take what little he can gain and make simple statements to gain a reaction to tell him more information. You are correct Chris you are very good at masking your own body language, but at the same time I'm sure Alistair mentioning your father's exclusion from the medical field in England stunned you and that little reaction was all he needed to delve deeper a twitch in your eyes, a blink, subtle signs that you just couldn't control and probably didn't even know happened."

"But the stuff he did know or claimed to know?"

"Chris, I know for a fact your father was a brilliant doctor, but I am also aware of how things were carried out. You may not have been aware because your father was able to keep it from you, protected you. Alastair was most likely correct in his statement, as a Scot it is foreseeable that your father was barred from practicing in England and his friend Nicholas, was a very persuasive and very talented lawyer, I'm sure he made a case in your father's defense as only a lawyer or colleague could do and convinced someone to see the talent your father had."

"I never saw it,"

"Christian, how old were you when your family left Scotland?"

"Eight, almost nine," I replied Carlisle gave me a knowing look and I saw where he was going "and young enough that I would've taken what my parents said as fact and just gone with the flow."

"Exactly my point once Alastair had conformation on that one fact, he was able to just guess the remainder. I'm sure he saw similar situations throughout the centuries, children trying to fit in with their surroundings and peers is nothing new son."

"And knowing that I ignored my mother's goodbye?" I asked, Carlisle shook his head "I guess some things we'll never know."

"Well, I may not know that, but I do know that Alastair must have taken a liking to you," Carlisle explained and I looked at my father quickly, partly gauging his sanity. Not that I doubted my father, but Alastair didn't seem all that fond of me, but then again I've learned what comes from doubting Carlisle, it is possible that I was just been to blinded by Alastair's comments to really see it for what it was, concern and care.

"I'm pretty sure liking me was far from his mind,"

"Some of the things he said to you, those are his way of showing concern."

"Concern?"

"Alastair has always had that way of showing his respect of someone, by distancing himself from them, the more he pushes I've found the more care he has for that person."

I nodded taking a deep breath, before a final thought crossed my mind,

"Do you think he was right?" I said softly, it was something I only felt comfortable saying in front of my father, "is what we're trying to do hopeless?"

"Don't do that Christian," Carlisle ordered his voice growing stern "do not accept our future as hopeless. We both know how strong hope can be, even if it appears weak in the most basic form, it is stronger than many give it credit for. Having hope even a minuscule bit is what keeps life going. It can help bring a brutal war to an end, reunite families, allow people to climb to their full potential, allow someone to survive in spite of all odds." Carlisle's voice softened, returning to the gentle fatherly voice that has been behind me, guiding me for over six decades.

"It's so hard to not lose it. I mean Alice and Jasper then Alastair high tailed out of here. It feels like all the hope has completely drained out of everything around here."

"I cannot speak for Alice and Jasper, we just need to have faith that they left to help us. There must be a reason Kachiri is not here with her sisters, why she is instead accompanying Alice and Jasper." I nodded slowly, my father's words of course made a lot of sense, even though I still harboured some doubt, others were not going to be thrilled that Alastair was gone, as much as they were unnerved by his presence he was the first of our witnesses to actually leave, believing this was a suicide mission, and I had a sneaking feeling, he would not be the last. "And if more of our witnesses leave," Carlisle continued as if reading my mind "it will be on their own accord, we are not forcing anyone to remain nor are we forcing anyone to stand up to the Volturi."

"You know Amun is just waiting for an excuse to leave, this will be his excuse," I pointed out

"True, but again that is their choice." Carlisle hugged my shoulders "and we do have enough of our family and friends who will stay by our side." He paused "it will work out, have hope Christian, have faith. Aro will see the truth."

If he wants to, I thought grimly knowing full well Aro's friendship with Carlisle only meant so much, his desire for power and control in both the figurative and literal terms was his Achilles Heel, and would either be his downfall or ours.

Carlisle took a deep breath and rose to his feet

"Dad?" I called and he looked down at me "thanks, I needed the pep talk."

"You're welcome, just do me one favour Chris,"

"What's that?"

"Your ability gives you an outlook on life that others cannot see and I trust that ability and your profiles, but do not allow your doubts to cloud that outlook, it can distort what you truly see." I nodded, Carlisle reached down and I took his hand as he pulled me to my feet. "We need to go break the news to everyone, are you up to joining me?"

"Yes Sir," I replied following my father out of the loft and towards the stairs, Carlisle's words echoing in my mind.

x-x-x

Needless to say, I was not shocked by the reaction of our witnesses, many began whispering amongst themselves in such hushed tones that it was difficult for even our superior hearing to make out. Many thought it was typical of Alistair to run, Randall even comparing him to a dog running with his tail between his legs. The Romanians were pretty difficult to gage, I wasn't entirely sure if they were questioning how far we were willing to go in opposing the Volturi, but they were of course one track minded and were only interested in their goal of reclaiming power. Amun I had pretty much predicted would have a adverse reaction to the news, but his issue was not what I expected, he did want to leave and take his coven with him, but the real issue was that Kebi was the only one willing to leave. Tia and more importantly Benjamin were standing up to Amun, refusing to leave, refusing to abandoned the and I quote 'the Cullens like this, we cannot do that to our friends.' This statement while bold on Benjamin's part only fueled Amun's anger and it wasn't directed at Benjamin or even Tia who was also defying him, it was directed at Carlisle.

I refused to leave Carlisle's side during the confrontation and Amun did not like Carlisle having 'the profiler' standing right there, but that was truly the least of his grievances towards Carlisle.

Edward, Bella, Nessie, and Jacob arrived home just as the argument was heating up, well, the one sided argument. Carlisle was doing his best to queall the situation, but Amun wasn't hearing any of it. Esme, Kebi, and Tia moved closer together, but they were not far from the situation and that was where Edward moved to when they walked in the house, heading to Esme's side, Bella in tow as she hugged Nessie tight to her chest.

"Uncle Chris? Grandpa?" I heard Nessie call out softly, I heard Bella whisper 'shh' to her gently

"Amun, if you want to go, no one is forcing you to stay," Carlisle said calmly.

"You're stealing half my coven, Carlisle!" Amun shrieked, and I almost half expected him to stamp his feet like a child throwing a tantrum. He pointed a finger at Benjamin. "Is that why you called me here? To steal from me?" He accused and I growled a little as Carlisle sighed, my growl stopped as Benjamin rolled his eyes, allowing me to really see the ridiculousness of this whole thing, which was solidified by Benjamin's statement

"Yes," he said "Carlisle picked a fight with the Volturi, endangered his whole family, just to lure me here to my death," Benjamin finished sarcastically. "Be reasonable, Amun." Benjamin continued and all eyes in the room were on him "I'm committed to do the right thing here – I'm not joining any other coven. You can do whatever you want, of course, as Carlisle has pointed out."

"This won't end well," Amun replied with a growl. "Alistair was the only sane one here. We should all be running."

Tia, Benjamin and I all exchanged a look and I saw Tia rub her temple

"Think of who you're calling sane," she muttered and I gave her a look of approval nodding.

"We're all going to be slaughtered!" Amun continued

"It's not going to come to a fight," Carlisle said in a firm voice, much like the voice he had used upstairs with me.

"You say!" Amun shot back, I couldn't help but glance at our witnesses, their bodies were still, but I could see their eyes all darting back and forth as if they were watching a tennis match.

"If it does, you can always switch sides, Amun. I'm sure the Volturi will appreciate your help." Carlisle said carefully

Amun sneered

"Perhaps that is the answer."

Carlisle with the patience of a saint replied

"I wouldn't hold that against you, Amun. We have been friends for a long time, but I would never ask you to die for me."

Amun seemed to regain control of himself and became less like a toddler throwing a tantrum and more like a father, at least for a brief moment as he replied

"But you're taking my Benjamin down with you." Again Benjamin and I exchanged a look, rolling our eyes as Carlisle put his hand on Amun's shoulder, which Amun shook off. "I'll stay, Carlisle, but it might be to your detriment. I will join them if that's the road to survival. You're all fools to think that you can defy the Volturi." His face turned into a scowl again as he looked at Nessie and Bella "I will witness that the child has grown. That's nothing but the truth. Anyone would see that."

"That's all we've ever asked." Carlisle reminded him gently

Amun grimaced as he looked at Benjamin,

"But not all that you are getting, it seems." He said turning to Benjamin "I gave you life. You're wasting it."

For the first time in knowing Benjamin his face turned irate and truly serious, it was almost hateful

"It's a pity you couldn't replace my will with your own in the process; perhaps then you would have been satisfied with me."

All eyes turned back to Amun as he narrowed his. He gestured to Kebi and the pair walked out the front door in what can only be described as a huff.

I took a deep breath and blew the air upwards with a sigh, that was not fun at all, but I knew from his body language, that Amun wasn't leaving, but things had definitely shifted around here, he would turncoat on us if given the chance. Edward must have read his mind, because he came to the same conclusion, turning to Bella, he said:

""He's not leaving," Edward said quietly to me, "but he'll be keeping his distance even more from now on. He wasn't bluffing when he spoke of joining the Volturi."

"Why did Alistair go?" Bella asked softly, and I winced as Edward glanced over at me, true my brother like Carlisle did not blame me for Alistair's departure, I had tried to stop him, well at first, I also knew I hadn't helped the situation any. So I was grateful when Edward simply replied with

"No one can be positive; he didn't leave a note. From his mutters, it's been clear that he thinks a fight is inevitable. Despite his demeanor, he actually does care too much for Carlisle to stand with the Volturi. I suppose he decided the danger was too much." Edward said with a shrug.

Thanks for keeping me out of it, I thought and Edward gave me a quick nod Eleazar looked between Edward, Bella, and I, I could tell by their body language, that only Carlisle and Edward knew that of my encounter with Alistair before his departure, but Eleazar certainly had a guess as to what had occurred, I know I did not cause it, but I also knew I didn't help the situation any. Eleazar gave me a comforting nod before he spoke up, joining Edward and Bella's conversation.

"From the sound of his mumblings, it was a bit more than that. We haven't spoken much of the Volturi agenda, but Alistair worried that no matter how decisively we can prove your innocence, the Volturi will not listen. He thinks they will find an excuse to achieve their goals here."

Eleazar looked over at me again and I winced, knowing how true his words were, it was a very real possibility that he was right, but the promise I made to Carlisle about not losing hope was still with me.

All around me, our witnesses glance uneasily at one another. We could all sense that Eleazar's words stung deep. We were all fully aware of what the Volturi was capable of, but many of our witnesses have just stayed off their radar, never giving them reason to investigate. To many of our witnesses, the Volturi were leaders that they knew existed and made the rules, but acted afar, completely away from interaction. However there was not a single vampire in that room that had not heard rumours of the Volturi's cruelty.

The Romanians were the only ones in the room that did not appear uneasy, in fact I'm pretty sure they were relishing in the fear and shock of everyone, as murmurs began floating around the room as each of the witnesses tried to come to terms with the possibility and how they would handle it. I couldn't help my glance over at Fiona and the Irish coven, Liam and Siobhan were deep in discussion, mumbling to the girls every once in while, Maggie was nodding as she held Fi's arm tight. Fi looked up when she felt my eyes on her and gave me the weakest smile I'd seen on her, but before we could acknowledge each other further, Vladimir's voice caught my attention,

"We've been waiting for fifteen hundred years, Stefan." He growled "And they've only gotten stronger with the years." Vladimir paused and looked at Bella, my eyes followed his instinctively and saw Bella was watching them carefully "If the Volturi win this conflict, they will leave with more power than they came with. With every conquest they add to their strengths. Think of what that newborn alone could give them" he said jerking his chin towards Bella "and she is barely discovering her gifts. And the earth-mover." Vladimir nodded toward Benjamin, who stiffened. Now Bella and I were not alone in listening to the Romanians, everyone was staring at them. I could practically hear what was coming next, they were running down all of us with abilities and what we could add to should the Volturi take prizes. "With their witch twins they have no need of the illusionist or the fire touch." His eyes moved to Zafrina, then Kate. "That profiler too is a find and if I know Aro he's already seen and coveted that, the power in this room will only make them stronger.

Stefan looked at Edward.

"Nor is the mind reader is exactly necessary. But I see your point. Indeed, they will gain much if they win."

"More than we can afford to have them gain, wouldn't you agree?"

Stefan sighed.

"I think I must agree. And that means..."

"That we must stand against them while there is still hope."

"If we can just cripple them, even, expose them ..."

"Then, someday, others will finish the job."

"And our long vendetta will be repaid. At last."

They locked eyes for a moment and then murmured in unison.

"It seems the only way."

"So we fight," Stefan said.

Like between Carlisle and Amun it was like a tennis match as our eyes darted back and forth between Vladimir and Stefan

"We fight," Vladimir agreed.

I had been spending most of my time hoping that what was to come would not be a battle, almost praying for some kind of miracle that Aro wouldn't so lightly toss aside his friendship with Carlisle and would listen to reason, but I knew I was kidding myself on that. I'd seen how the Volturi worked and I had experienced their idea of justice. Even though they were speaking to themselves albeit with an audience they clearly knew about, the Romanian's words seemed to spark something in the room,

Tia was the first to speak up, a seriousness to her voice that matched the voice Benjamin had used with Amun,

"We will fight, too," she said, "We believe the Volturi will overstep their authority. We have no wish to belong to them." Her eyes moved to Benjamin who grinned and threw an impish glance toward the Romanians.

"Apparently, I'm a hot commodity. It appears I have to win the right to be free." He exclaimed,

Garrett walked over to Benjamin

"This won't be the first time I've fought to keep myself from a king's rule," he said grinning he clapped Benjamin on the back and then walked over to me "Here's to freedom from oppression." He said "right Scotland?" patting me on the back as well, I stared at him for a few seconds, waiting for some kind of snide remark or something along the lines of calling me a red coat, but none came, he was sincere in his gesture.

"Give me liberty or give me death I suppose," I replied and Garrett actually hugged my shoulder

"That-a-boy!" he exclaimed

"We stand with Carlisle," Tanya said, her voice taking the same serious tone as Tia's, a sharp contrast to Garrett's good humour jabs "And we fight with him.

"We have not decided" Peter said. He glanced down at Charlotte, who's lips were pressed together angrily, she was not in agreeance with her mate's declaration, I could read it in her body language, Charlotte was like Tanya, willing to stand and fight with us.

"The same goes for me," Randall said.

"And me," Mary added.

"We stand with the Cullens," Julianna said, after exchanging a glance with Samuel, who nodded his approval "no matter what the outcome."

"The packs will fight with the Cullens," Jacob spoke up. "We're not afraid of vampires," he added with a grin

"Children," Peter muttered.

"Infants," Randall corrected.

"Puppies technically," I added and Randall, Peter, and even Jacob all in unison rolled their eyes at me and even grinned slightly, well more Jacob than the other two, but the amusement was there.

"Well, I'm in, too," Maggie said, shrugging out from under Siobhan's restraining hand. "I know truth is on Carlisle's side. I can't ignore that."

Fi looked around, first at Maggie, then at Siobhan and Liam, and then me before taking a deep breath and nodded, moving closer to her sister.

"Aye," she said "me too, in I mean."

Siobhan looked down at her 'daughters' quickly, before looking up at Carlisle

"Carlisle," she said almost weakly "I don't want this to come to a fight."

"Nor do I, Siobhan." Carlisle replied, his voice just as unsteady "You know that's the last thing I want." He half-smiled. "Perhaps you should concentrate on keeping it peaceful." He added, once again alluding to Siobhan's gift that she did not believe she possessed.

"You know that won't help," she said.

"It couldn't hurt," Carlisle said.

Siobhan rolled her eyes.

"Shall I visualize the outcome I desire?" she asked sarcastically.

Carlisle actually grinned at that, the first attempt of a true smile I'd seen from my father in a long time.

"If you don't mind." He said

"Then there is no need for my coven to declare itself, is there?" she retorted. "Since there is no possibility of a fight." She put a hand on both girls' shoulders, pulling them back to her. Liam, stood silent and expressionless, but I could see through that expressionless stare, he was in agreeance with Siobhan and with Carlisle, at least to some degree.

Benjamin walked over to me,

"Guess we're in for the big one," he stated and I nodded,

"Aye, you can say that again,"

"Can you take me to this clearing?" he asked "I'd like to see exactly what we will be looking at."

"Sure," I replied, I looked at Carlisle who heard Benjamin's request, he gave me a quick nod.

Tia moved over to us

"I'd like to come as well," she said, the rest of the adults, even my own siblings had moved away from the room, off to do other things and discuss things further, I know for a fact that was what Charlotte and Peter planned on doing, even Siobhan seemed to pull Maggie and Fi away, Liam following to discuss their plan.

Esme looked at Carlisle then back at me, she walked over and hugged me tight,

"Just be careful," she ordered gently

"We will, we'll be back before you know it." I replied gesturing for Benjamin and Tia to follow me to the door, Edward, Bella, and Jacob must have had the same idea, well at least the 'getting out of the house' idea they were taking Nessie to go hunting and were outside talking when we got out there, I hadn't even seen them leave in the first place.

"Uncle Chris are you going hunting with us?" Nessie asked with a warm smile, I returned it and hugged her tight

"Sorry Ness, we're going for a quick run,"

"Will you tell me a story tonight?" she asked, her big eyes looking up at me expectantly

"Of course," I replied "have fun hunting okay?" As they turned to leave, Edward gave me a look, similar to Esme's 'be careful look,'

We will I thought, gesturing for Benjamin and Tia to follow me to the field, I knew why Benjamin wanted to see it, if a fight did occur he wanted to be forewarned what was in the area, what he could use to fight with and defend with. It made perfect sense to me, like scoping out the area or me profiling it to know what I was dealing with. As I ran, Carlisle's words continued to echo with me as did the words of our friends who had pledged their promise to stand with us, to fight with us, not friends, no these were not just friends now they were all our family.

x-x-x-x

A/N: So sorry for the delay, these last few chapters are really providing a challenge for some bizarre reason only my muse knows. But on a positive note I think I've finally figured out how to work the "battle" in, in a way that actually makes sense as opposed to the ideas I've had bouncing around my head. That chapter will be next in this fic and no it will not be the last chapter, there are are still a couple chapters that will follow before this fic comes to a close, but again I do not plan on this being the end of Chris, there will be sequels that follow this fic and I am still working on a few prequels to the series as well. So thank you all for your patience with this I know it has not been easy to follow this fic with the sporadic updates, but I appreciate the fact you guys always give me the benefit of the doubt.

Till next time