x-x-x-x

I stood off to the side of the field my hands shoved deep in the pouch of my University of Alaska sweatshirt and watched as Benjamin walked through the clearing, almost like he was in a trance. He paid Tia and I no mind as he walked back and forth, every once in a while he would kneel down and place a hand to the ground. Tia glanced down at me and saw my confusion, I didn't even try to hide it from her, I kind of had an idea of what he was doing, but seeing it was still bizarre.

"He's feeling the elements," she explained and thought only increased my confusion and it must have shown because she chuckled. "He can sense what is below the surface what can't be seen and doesn't give off an odor, he's listing what he has to work with should there come a need."

"You mean the dirt?" I asked, it was a serious question even though it came out kind of well skeptical.

"There's that among other things." Tia smiled "think of it like he's profiling the environment" now I nodded, that I could relate to. I took a deep breath and glanced up at the sky, speaking of profiling the environment… "what's the matter?" she asked her voice turning serious for a moment

"It's going to start,"

"Start?" she repeated

"Snowing," I explained

Tia looked up, following my gaze; she put her hand out waiting to catch one of the flakes

"Are you sure?"

I nodded,

"Very," I replied, I could feel it the snow storm that Alice had predicted was on its way, more than that it was here…

Off in the distance I could see one lone snow flake coming our way, it landed on Tia's outstretched hand and sat there, it didn't take long for it to be joined by its brethren. Benjamin didn't seem to notice, he was too engrossed with being one with the elements, but Tia was fascinated as the snowflakes sparkled on her hand.

"It's beautiful," she whispered and I nodded and sighed "what's the matter?"

"It is beautiful," I replied "I never thought I would hate the snow or be fearful of it coming." I paused "we should think about heading back, let the others know. Alice said when the snow sticks that's when we can expect the Volturi."

I took a deep breath, if I looked I could still see the scorch marks from our bonfire, it had damaged that portion of the field and it would take a long time for that particular piece to rejuvenate itself. But it wasn't just that, I could hear the battle itself, I could hear the screams I could hear the cruel laughter from Jane and her goons, I could hear Bree screaming my name over...and over...and over and it was getting louder to the point where I couldn't hear anything else around me, even though I knew Tia was calling my name, trying to get my attention. I took another deep breath, resisting the urge to cover my ears. Tia seemed to sense there was something else that was bothering me, she put a hand on my shoulder and I couldn't help it, I flinched, then gave her an apologetic smile.

"What is it Chris?" She asked "what's wrong?"

"This place...I've got a lot of fond memories here, but at the same time, it's become a place I hate a place I even fear."

"Why?" She asked "because of the Volturi?"

I shook my head, then gave her a half shrug of my shoulders

"Well in part because of them." I pointed across the field at the scorch marks and she instinctively looked "we had a bonfire going there, to destroy the newborns that attacked us this past summer, we had to destroy them they were hell bent on destroying us, if they had succeeded the town would've been overrun and the Volturi would've stepped in anyways. They were innocent pawns, puppets really." I paused and pointed to another area of the field "I set up a cricket match right there, fully intending to prove to Emmett that cricket is a sport. It's just hard to be here and remember the good times, because the bad times are more forceful in their presence."

Tia was about to respond when Benjamin rejoined us white specks littered his hair and he shook his head, grinning at Tia and I.

"This is a prime spot," he explained "plenty of defenses if need be."

"It's never let us down before," I replied "I've whooped my brothers many times on this field in football."

Benjamin chuckled as we headed towards the edge of the woods for home

"And that is where your sister saw them?"

I nodded

"That's what she said," I glanced up at the falling snow

"Any idea what direction they'll come from?" Benjamin asked, not full expecting a set in stone answer, I shrugged.

"If I had my guess, knowing the Volturi like I do, my best guess would be from the northwest. They won't risk travel across the US, they'll come through Alaska, down from Canada, with the guard that might be the best way for them."

Benjamin nodded, he glanced up at the falling snow

"I suppose the time is drawing close hm?"

"Yep," I replied "as soon as this stuff starts sticking," I held my hand out and caught some of the flakes in my outstretched hand "which might be sooner than we think, this is packing snow, and the ground might be just cold enough where it will freeze, at least overnight. I'll let Carlisle and Edward know, we might need to think about setting up camp in the next day or so."

x-x-x

As soon as we returned to the house and I gave my report to Carlisle, I headed upstairs to my room, the snow was coming down harder now and I knew our time was growing short, it was starting to stick and with ever flake that fell adding to the blanket my heart sank further and further. I had always loved the snow, but now watching each layer of it coat the earth it was like a giant blade slowly slicing a thick rope, swish, swish, swish, cutting deeper and deeper into the rope and soon the only thing holding the rope would be a thin thread of rope, once that was cut there would be nothing hold the blade that would come crashing down on us, like a guillotine ready to end our existence in one swift motion.

I shuddered a little and reached for one of my many bookshelves, the first book I grabbed was one that has long been my favorite, long been a comfort to me as strange as it sounds. Dracula. It didn't matter where in the book I opened up to, it was easy enough to fall back into which ever page I turned to, like I had only to open up the book and start reading.

I had just started Dr. Seward's diary, his account of Lucy and her mother's funeral, the descriptions included in that chapter are some of my favorite in the story, from a non-morbid side of things, sort of. I heard the stairs creak a little and with the noise Chap was on his hind feet sniffing the air, he wasn't tense and I could tell by the footsteps it was Fi, this was confirmed as she knocked gently on my doorframe "Chris?" she called softly "can I come in for a moment?"

"Of course," I replied when she poked her head in

"Hi," she started, slowly making her way into my room, she slid into my desk chair and looked at me carefully "where did you go?"

"Benjamin wanted to see the field, so I took him and Tia there." I paused "did you guys manage to go hunting?" I asked even though it was a pretty dumb question, I could smell the blood on her breath. Fi must have seen some sort of tension in my body that I wasn't aware of, because she covered her mouth, wincing.

"Sorry,"

"No worries," I assured her "I'm going hunting in a little while with Esme and Rose before I head to the clearing to help out." I paused "Edward and Carlisle left a little while ago, to clear a spot. I'm going to follow on my ATV and bring the tent Nessie will use tonight."

Fi's look was one of timid

"So...this is really happening?"

I nodded

"Alice said when the snow sticks," I glanced outside and sighed "it's sticking." Fi joined me at my window seat and looked out.

"It's so beautiful, but it's also..." her voice trailed off

"intimidating" I guessed and she nodded 'trust me, I know. I feel it too."

"I loved the snow when I was little girl, I loved nothing more than running outside to sled down the hill with my friends or throw snowballs at my sister, but now I look out at that falling snow and it doesn't bring happiness," Fi was trying to find the words, but failing, she seemed unsure what to do or how to continue. I wasn't sure either, but I scooted over closer to the window leaving part of the seat open. She smiled a little bit and joined me, moving closer. Instinctively I put my arm around her, holding her close and she returned the gesture by laying her head on my shoulder "now the snow brings…" she said trying again

"Fear," I finished for her "the unknown and the known," she nodded and I could tell that if we were able to do so, she'd be crying now

"I'm so scared…" she admitted and I pulled her closer, both of us staring out the window at the falling snow "are you?"

"If I said no would you believe me?" I asked and she gave me a weak smile, I took a deep breath "to be honest I haven't felt this scared, truly this scared in a long time." I paused and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to picture the last time I was this scared, I closed my eyes, if I kept them closed, I could feel it, Lucy wrapping her little arms around my waist, the smell of my father's pipe tobacco, the cakes and cookies my mother had baked…her perfume.

*flashback, September 3rd 1939, London*

"Chris, Chris, Chris!" I winced as my youngest cousin Lucy came running in from the garden, her older sister, seven year old Livia and her twin brother, Nathan, and eight year old Greg right on her heels. They had been playing tag in the garden, but I could see in Lucy's eyes, they wanted Billy and I to join them.

Greg had tried to resist going out there, wanting to spend more time with Billy who was busy sneaking cookies from the platter my mum had brought out prematurely and I. I wanted to enjoy the nice Sunday in September with my mates playing cricket along with my cousins. Billy had been anxious to meet my pals and play some cricket together, but my mum and Aunt Wendy insisted we stay and celebrate my father's birthday. The original plan had been to go to Scotland for the weekend, but my father ended up being on call at the hospital for Saturday, making it impossible to leave. So my aunt, uncle, and cousins came down to us for the weekend, they would be taking the train in the morning back.

"Can I help you Lucy?" I asked as the six year old clung to my waist, I tried not to scowl at her,

"It is adorable Becca," my aunt Wendy cooed "how much Christian looks like his grandfather with all that scowling."

"Aye it is isnt it?" My mother agreed giving me a warning look, to which I sighed, accepting defeat.

"Chris, we want to play hide and seek and we want you to count," Livia explained, Nathan and Greg gave me a shrug, grinning "and Billy you have to play too," she added, now it was Billy's turn to grumble and once again my mother shot a look at him, both of us decided to take that glare, very serious.

"Fine," I moaned and the youngers cheered, even Greg seemed excited, though he was trying to play it off. "I'll go first, but if I find you you're it, no tag no tears got it?"

"All right!" Nathan exclaimed and ran off before I even started counting, I gave my father an exasperated look and he shook his head, telling me to just go with it.

I knew I shouldn't complain, since moving to London three years ago we rarely see my father's side of the family, my younger cousins whom I am very close with and I look forward to every visit we can.

I had spent a week with them over the summer holiday and I had been ready for the weekend of them…but I was twelve years old, nearly thirteen so I was expected to act older and that meant not playing silly childish games like hide and go seek. But still it was one of my favorite games when I was small and it would be fun to play again. I'm excellent at reading people and I do well with guessing so it makes me a champion hide and seekers. I can usually tell where someone is hiding by the sound of their footsteps.

I rested my head on the door frame, I could hear my cousins' footsteps going all over the house. Lucy didn't go far, to the curtains I deduced, mainly because I heard the jingles of my mother's chimes that she bought in Paris our last holiday there. I began counting.

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7," more footsteps, Livia was going under the dining room table, "8, 9, 10, 11, 12," Nathan was being told by my mother that he couldn't hide in the coat-rack and to find a better spot. By the time I reached thirty I heard a crash and a thud as him and Greg collided, both fighting to get under my father's desk, an excellent hiding spot under normal circumstances, but certainly not big enough for two. "60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66," I grinned, keeping my eyes closed and never moving from my stance at the doorframe I chuckled "Billy you might want to hurry up and find a place to hide or else you'll be IT."

"'Ow in the bloody 'ell," my cousin Billy hissed "did you know twas me?"

"67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74," I paused my counting "first off you just told me such and second process of elimination, You're the only set of footsteps I hadn't heard yet."

"Prat," he muttered and I heard him scamper off towards the stairs that lead up to my room, subtle and covert were clearly not in my cousin's vocab.

"95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100," I called loudly "ready or not here I come!"

I knew if I found Lucy first it would not end well for anyone, especially not our ears; the nicknames that each of us Callaghan kids carry is well chosen by my father and my uncle and matches us to a T, hence mine being Brownie in Gaelic, Lucy is still too young to understand what her's ACTUALLY means, it's Beanie which sounds cute and Lucy thinks so too and it is it is cute but there is an underlying motive for it, it's short for Bean-nighe.

The Bean-Nighe is the Scottish equivalent of the Irish Banshee, same idea, you hear her wail she's coming to take a loved one to the grave. My grandfather swore he heard her when my great grandfather died, I've never believed in her, but when Lucy starts screaming it's how I imagine the Bean-Nighe sounds and my father thinks so too hence Lucy's nickname.

Anyways to find Lucy first is just asking for trouble so I ignored the giggling and feet from behind the curtain and went to a target just as easy, but much quieter, Nathan. I knew he was in the cupboard I had heard the latch and I could hear him sniffling in there. Nathan had just gotten over a cold, which almost kept him from coming to visit. Quietly I crept to the cupboard and lifted the latch. His eyes went wide when he realized he'd been caught.

"Oh come on Chris! 'ow'd you find me!"

"You guys are the ones who wanted me to play, you should've known better" I replied with a grin I patted my younger cousin on the head "guess who is it now!"

"Nuh huh not till you find everyone el-" Nathan started to protest when he stopped, we both heard the wireless get turned up and both of us recognized the Prime Minister's voice. Nathan looked at me and I gestures for him to follow me out of the closet.

"This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a
final Note stating that, unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us."

I exchanged a look first with my father, then with Nathan when I felt his hand reach for mine and hold it tight. He was only eight years old, but he was old enough to understand what was being announced on the wireless. Greg came out of from my father's office and joined us as did Livia from under the table, all of us staring at the wireless. Only Lucy remained behind the curtains and Billy upstairs, he must not have heard the initial wireless call.

"Chris?" Nathan whispered to me "Chris what does withdraw mean?"

"To take away or leave," I answered "it means the Ambassador told Germany to get their troops out of Poland at once." I looked up at my father and he put a finger to his lips, asking for silence as he turned the wireless up a notch.

"I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany." Minister Chamberlain continued on the wireless,

"Bloody hell," I muttered and I saw my mother pull Livia tight as she buried her head in my mother's dress, while my aunt patted her on the back.

"Why did everyone stop seeking?" Lucy demanded breaking the silence as she stormed out from behind the curtain, literally stomping her little feet.

"Lucy Goose," my uncle called "'ush,"

"But," she started to say and my uncle looked towards Livia

"Livia, Nathan, take your sister outside and play,"

"But da'" Livia protested

"Now Olivia," my aunt joined in. Sighing Livia obliged taking Lucy by the hand, Nathan looked at me with such mournful eyes that I gave him a quick pat on the back and nodded. He seemed hesitant, but realized he had to be the older brother to Lucy and followed Lucy and Livia. Now only Greg and I remained, Billy was still oblivious upstairs, but that didn't last as he came down the steps confused

"'ey now I thought we we're-" he started to say then stopped immediately when he saw us huddled around the wireless, I must have had the same bleak look on my face as the rest of my family because Billy came to me first "what's going on?"

I nodded towards the wireless

"Germany refused to withdraw from Poland," I explained as softly as I could "we're going to war,"

"Bloody hell," Billy muttered

-x-x-x-x

"Chris?" Fi's voice pulled me away from 1939 and back to 2006. "Chris?" She repeated my name and squeezed my hand gently "where'd you go?"

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair with my free hand

"When Great Britain declared war with Germany, I had never felt that scared before, and up until my first encounter I hadn't felt as scared since." I winced "and now I'm feeling that fear again," it felt weird, admitting how scared I was to Fi, but at the same time it felt right. "Even when the building collapsed and I was trapped, I was more angry than scared."

"You weren't scared you were going to die?" Fi asked surprised

"The initial part yeah, but I was mad at myself mainly, because I was stupid enough to not be in a shelter I was going to die, not as a soldier of the crown, but as a stupid kid trapped under a bloody piano bench, another statistic of the war. I wanted to fight Fi, fight for my king and the damn German's took that from me. And now the Volturi are coming here, intent on laying down their version of the law, passing sentence without mercy and all I can think about is I hope it comes to a fight, my chance to do something to help for a change, fight for my family." I closed my eyes, my words repeating over and over in my head "that is so selfish of me and so bloody arrogant, Alastair was right, I am a child."

"Chris you cannae take what he said as fact, Liam and Siobhan said that Alastair hasn't been right in the head for a long time, he trusts no one least of all people he calls friend." Fi said softly leaning her head on my shoulder "and as far as being selfish or arrogant you know you're neither of those, at least not to me or anyone else here in this house." She paused "and come what may in the next few days I want to be by your side, no matter what."

My first instinct was to dissuade Fi, but in that moment I didn't want to even try, I just wanted to sit here and enjoy the snow, forget about the coming danger and enjoy the snow with her snuggling close to me, I put my arm around her shoulder and she leaned into my shoulder and that was it, we didn't speak, we just watched the snow falling, ignoring everything else around us.

x-x-x-x

A few hours later (at least it felt like a few hours, truth be told I lost track of time) I heard the front door shut and looking out the window down at the drive I saw Carlisle and Edward, both carrying tent bag and sleeping bags, head towards the woods, they were going to the clearing, time was up. Fi felt my shift as I leaned up to watch my brother and father and looked at me curiously

"Chris?" she asked "where are they going?"

"To the clearing, to wait…they're probably going to set up camp for Nessie, it'll be dark soon." I paused "I know Edward wanted to get up there before everyone else, he's leaning towards the Volturi arriving sooner than later,"

"Are you going to go now too?"

"I'm going to check on everyone else first, but yes I'll be heading up there, there's usually some deer not far from the clearing or perhaps Emmett and I will be in luck and find a bear, either way we need to hunt."

Carefully I slid over her and let her have the window seat to herself, she looked at the snow for a moment, before looking back at me

"Do you mind if I stay here for a while?"

I grinned a little and nodded

"Stay as long as you'd like, Chap will be happy for the company," I explained and leaned down kissing her cheek gently and yes a little unsure. She smiled and reached out, taking my hand and giving it a quick squeeze, before I headed downstairs to find Esme.

It took us a while to get things ready and none of us wanted Nessie to spend two nights in the tent, so I took my ATV back and forth from the house to the clearing bringing supplies, namely blankets and extra sleeping bags, Seth went with me, helping to unload the ATV while Carlisle created a literal nook in there for Nessie. My body may not be able to differentiate between warm and cold anymore, but the tent certainly looked cozy and comfortable, Nessie would be happy.

By Saturday afternoon/evening we were all in the woods. Emmett, Rose, Esme, and I went hunting after the encampment was set up and Emmett managed to stumble on a hibernating grizzly which we were both thrilled with.

At the camp, perched on-top of the hill overlooking the intended fire pit was Nessie's tent, which she loved the second she stepped into it, clutching Bedlington close she crawled inside and fell down laughing onto the very thick sleeping bag. Her laugh was contagious and Bella, Edward, Esme, Jacob, and I couldn't help but join her laughter.

Once Ness was settled, Emmett and I dragged some fallen trees to where Jacob was building a fire-pit and one by one our witnesses gathered, standing just outside the perimeter of the fire-pit. The only ones who had sat down was Benjamin and Tia, watching the entertainment. Jacob was trying to get the wet logs to catch, but the freshly fallen snow that had served as our Volturi alarm clock had dampened the wood immensely.

There was a few dry pieces but Jacob couldn't get them to catch, and believe me he tried everything, including the more humourous methods of kicking and swearing at it. I think what made the tense mood lighter was the fact he was trying to light it the old fashion way at first, which cracked Emmett up to no end, even when Garrett produced an actual lighter (why he had one to begin with is anyone's guess) it still wouldn't catch. I was tempted to take a big risk and get some petrol off the back of my ATV, but Edward reading my mind gave me a warning look that could only come from a parent (which was still odd in my book coming from my brother) and my idea of lighting it with petrol was blown out…literally.

Finally after about twenty minutes of Jacob and Garrett playing and Nessie and Seth standing there sadly with sticks, a bag of marshmallows, graham crackers and a chocolate bar, Benjamin took over, I watched in amazement as my friend's hand began to glow and suddenly a spark ignited the struggling fire.

"Bloody Hell," I muttered and he gave me a grin, bowing a little before returning to his seat. Nessie let out a happy cheer and Seth whopped right alongside her as the pair of them made a mad dash for the fire, Seth teaching Nessie the finer points of making 'smores.

It didn't take long for the 'smores to become extinct and for Bella to take Nessie to bed, when the fire started to go down a little, Jacob fetched more wood and Benjamin added a little bit more firepower shall we say to the dying ember. He sat down next to Tia and surprisingly, Jacob settled down next to him, I chuckled a little as I leaned against a tree nearest them.

"What are you laughing at Flea?" Jacob asked with a grin

"Oh nothing at all," I replied

Jacob sighed and looked at the fire, satisfied before looking around at the others, none of whom seemed remotely interested in the fire.

"Now, this is what I'm talking about, a little pre-battle bonfire, telling war stories…" he paused once again looking at the gathering, just outside of the fire's light. "or standing there like freakin' statues." He muttered

"It's a vampire thing," I explained "standing around, you have to remember to blink, move, things like that because you're so accustomed to just standing still."

"Think any of them are nervous?" Jacob asked and I nodded

"They may not show it Jacob, but yes, I guarantee everyone is nervous in their own way and handling it in their own way."

"What about you?" he asked, all sense of laughter vanishing from his demeanor "how are you handling it?"

"By doing what I do best," I replied leaning deeper into the tree's bark "watching, listening, profiling," I paused "hey Garrett," I added just as Garrett joined us, to Jacob appearing out of thin air and settling himself down on one of the fallen logs. He grinned at us and leaned closer to the fire, looking right at Jacob

"Name any American Battle," he said "and I was there,"

I groaned my reply and after giving me a confused look, Jacob took the bait

"Little Bighorn," he suggested and Garrett's grin grew wider as he savored the memory

"I came this close to biting Custer. But the Indians got him first,"

Jacob looked at the Yankee vampire in shock, but before he could comment Kate joined us, sitting on Garrett's lap. Jacob's mention of war stories had attracted attention amongst our allies.

"Try Oleg's assault on Constantinople. He didn't win that one on his own." Kate offered just as Liam decided to show up and speak, something I wasn't expecting. Siobhan, Maggie, and Fi settled themselves down next to him on another log, Fi gave me a warm smile which I returned, ignoring the chuckles coming from Benjamin and Jacob.

"If you're talking battles, you're talking the Eleven Years' War. No one does rebellion like the Irish."

I couldn't help it, I snorted and Liam gave me a glare, Garrett however seemed to agree with me in some semblance because he spoke up

"You lost the Eleven Years' War,"

"Aye, but it was one hell of a rebellion."

Now I grinned, that was certainly true, I've read about it in my history books and I can remember my own grandfather talking about it because supposedly an ancestor of ours fought alongside the Irish during it.

"What about our little Red Coat friend? Any war stories for your friend?" Garrett asked, knowing the answer to his own question.

"Well you could always tell us more about Bunker Hill or even how close you guys came to forfeiting your independence during the Napoleonic War," I replied and Garrett waved a finger at me, grinning "but no unless you count my experience during the Blitz, no war stories for me personally." I paused "but I am a direct decedent of Atair Callaghan who fought alongside William Wallace at the capture of Stirling Castle when he was only fifteen and was the right hand man of Robert the Bruce in 1314 for the Battle of Bannockburn. Story goes he even took an arrow through the shoulder for the Bruce."

"Like I said, no one rebels like the Irish," Liam commented and I growled a little " but the Scots can certainly come close," I stared at Liam in shock, that almost sounded like a compliment…in fact I'm pretty sure in Liam terms it was.

As Vladimir spoke up, throwing in his and Stefan's wartime experience into the mix, I sighed and sat down next to Jacob, trying to stay out of the Romanian's line of sight as much as possible. As I did so, I hesitantly looked over across the bonfire at the Irish coven, instinctively it seemed, Fi looked up at me as well and we both averted our eyes just as quickly, mainly both of us looking at Liam, who despite his quick reprieve of hating Scots, was still not pleased with my interest in his "daughter" hence Fi and I trying to avoid eye contact with one another…sort of. Benjamin followed my quick glances and rolled his eyes,

"Go sit with her you fool, you both are giving me whiplash watching you two pretend you're not looking at one another, I don't think you have to worry about Liam at the moment." He said grinning and I shot a look at him

"Bugger off Benjamin, I'll go when I'm good and ready." I argued crossing my arms, I wasn't avoiding Fi because of Liam, in fact that was the furthest thing from my mind…the upcoming battle however was fresh and I wanted to keep Fi as far from me as possible, I didn't want her to be in danger I knew she would be the moment the Volturi arrived.

I heard Benjamin sigh, he of course had no idea why I was truly avoiding Fi, but assumed it was as Rose and Tia concluded 'puppy love between the two shyest beings on Earth', hence why he took matters into his own hands.

I felt something crawling up my leg, then to my back, then it was on top of my head I looked up and jumped back as a sheet of snow towered over me, menacingly. "Seriously?!" I exclaimed at Benjamin and his grin widened, Jacob leapt off the log and dodged to the other side of the fire out of the range.

"Holy Hell!" he exclaimed

"Go or I'll give you the ultimate whitewash." Benjamin replied, waving his hands a bit as the snow mound jumped at me ever so slightly.

"Prat," I hissed as I headed over to the Irish coven, ignoring the laughter and chuckles of our friends. Maggie grinned at me shyly and covered her mouth, trying not to laugh same with Fi, Siobhan nodded at me and smiled warmly, Liam not so much, in fact he was practically glaring at me.

Siobhan looked over at him and elbowed him gently, she was the opposite of her mate, she was thrilled for Fiona's sake.

"'ello Chris," she said boisterously "lovely fire, you boys did a fine job."

"It is," I replied "thank you, um I was wondering if I might have a word with Fiona for just a moment?"

Liam and Siobhan exchanged a look, before looking at Fi who looked back at them expectantly.

"Well go on now," Siobhan said giving Fi a gently push towards me. I held out my hand and Fiona's fingers intertwined with mine perfectly as I led her away from her coven and away from the bonfire.

"Chris, what's wrong?" she asked when we were safely out of ear. "Are you okay?"

My mind flashed back to our last encounter with the Volturi, to Jane and…Bree. Had I not been an idiot Bree might have survived that night, I drew attention to her. I could've made it so we…she wasn't even in the clearing when Jane and the goon squad arrived, but no, I had to attract attention on Bree, no different than if I had looked Jane right in the face and told her that Bree, a perfect stranger meant more to me then Jane herself could ever mean to me.

I had been the reason Bree was killed, it was my fault, my stupidity, I would not let that happen a second time, not to Fi. I had fallen in love with her over these last few weeks, from the first moment I saw her and I would do all I could to protect her now, our moment in my room, sitting together at my window seat watching the snow fall had sealed my decision, to protect her I had to keep her away.

"Chris?" Fi asked, bringing me back to the present, I looked at her and brought her hand to my face kissing it gently.

"Fi, if I was to ask you for a favor, would you trust me on it and not question it? And agree that I would only ask for this kind of favor if I truly felt it was necessary?"

Fi looked very confused, but she nodded.

"Of course Chris,"

"Tomorrow when the Volturi come…stand with your coven. Don't look at me, don't even think about me, think about Ireland, think about your family, think of anything but me, please for your own safety, promise me you will do this."

Fi was dumbfounded, she looked over at all the other witnesses, obviously hoping one of them would intervene in this conversation, she even looked at Edward, who was watching us from where he stood with Carlisle. He had obviously heard at least in the mental sense everything I had just said, he also understood my reasoning for saying it, I could tell my brother didn't agree with it, which was fine with me, I didn't care as long as he backed me up on it, that's all I cared.

"Chris, why? I don't understand."

"You promised you wouldn't question it Fi, just trust me it will be safer for you to stay with your family."

"Chris, I will if you tell me why, you can't just ask me to do something like this and not tell me why."

I sighed, she was right of course it wasn't fair to ask her to do this and not explain things. But where to start…I took a deep breath

"This is not the first time we have been faced with the Volturi coming here to us. Last summer there was an army of newborns that mobilized and came here to Forks to destroy us on the orders of a vicious woman; her mate was killed by us Cullens in order to save Bella. Last spring, she began a personal vendetta against the wolves and us. She sent her newborn army here to distract us while she and her second in command went after Edward and Bella personally. There was a girl among the newborns, our age physically, she had only been recently turned and she was so frightened. She wanted nothing to do with the fighting and spent the battle hiding from place to place until I got to close to her hiding spot, she panicked and tried to attack me to get to a new spot. I felt for the girl, she had been changed without her consent; she had been forced into this life to be a pawn and to me that wasn't fair. I got her to trust me, I'm not sure how, but I calmed her down enough to the point where it gave me hope that she could accept our lifestyle and be spared the same fate as her comrades.

"Up until that point, aside from Jane and Alec, I had never seen or met any of our kind physically my age, I was floored by her and wanted to protect her however possible. The Volturi showed up after the battle of course, when the only newborn left alive was Bree. We pleaded with Jane to spare her, we promised to take full responsibility for her, but Jane didn't care, she had Felix kill Bree. Bree died because of me, Fi, because I allowed Jane to see even the slightest bit of feelings for Bree. Her goal in life has been to see me emotionally destroyed. I apparently broke her heart by refusing to stay with her in Italy, because I rejected her feelings for me fifty odd years ago, I am to be punished. And she does that by taking away whatever happiness from me she can. She hides behind the Volturi laws and used them to justify killing Bree. I will not let her do the same thing to you. If you stand at my side, Jane will see this and she'll go after you. I can't have that Fi."

I looked at Fi, hoping she understood my reasoning, her red eyes were wide with sorrow and a bit of fear, but I could profile her, she understood my reasons, and it seemed she would obey my request. At least I hoped she would.

I felt a hand slip into my own, a tiny hand, I glanced down, it was Nessie, she smiled shyly at Fiona, who recovered from my story enough to return the smile.

"Uncle Chris, you promised me my song before I go to sleep." Nessie informed me.

Fi patted my cheek gently and kissed it, before going back to the Irish coven. I felt as if I had hurt her, but I knew this was for her own good, I would not let Jane have a reason to take Fi from me or from the Irish coven, if I had to protect her by rejecting her I would.

"You're right Nessie, I did, come on," I lifted her up so she was riding on my back, it's getting more and more difficult to do, she's going to be taller than me soon.

"Uncle Chris, you look sad are you okay?"

"I will be Ness, just a little nervous."

When we reached the tent Nessie would spend the night in, snug and warm, Bella poked her head out, she immediately saw the look in my eyes and started to ask, but I cut her off with a shake of my head as I put Nessie down gently on top of her thick sleeping bag.

"She wouldn't go to sleep until you sang to her." Bella explained.

"Got it," I replied, Nessie snuggled into her sleeping bag

"You promised Uncle Chris, you promised that you'd always sing me my song before I go to sleep."

I smiled and nodded

'I did promise that didn't I?' I asked Nessie in Gaelic, I've been teaching her what I remember and she has a real knack for languages which was a pleasant surprise. It helps when I'm telling her a story that my parents told me which were always in Gaelic or I sang to her in a song that my mother sang to me which didn't translate well to English, but Nessie loved it, loved learning the language.

"seadh" she replied slowly, trying to form the right words 'thu" she paused and her face crinkled a little "daed?" she looked at me for conformation and I grinned at her

"Awesome job Ness!" I exclaimed, Bella looked at me confused

"What are you teaching my daughter?" she asked chuckling

"Scottish," I replied grinning wide "she's a quick learner."

"And what exactly did the two of you say?"

"I simply said that I did promise didn't I, and she answered with 'yes you did.'" I lowered myself to the floor of the tent that was thick with blankets and sleeping bags. She took my hand and held it close, like it was a stuffed animal and I chuckled a little.

"Story then song Uncle Chris, please?"

"As you wish Nessie. Long ago, in a small village deep in the highlands…"

I got through the story, but she fell asleep right after the second verse of the song, a song that had once been my lullaby and was now belonged to Nessie. She was exhausted and who could blame her, the last month or so had left all of us mentally and even physically exhausted. At least Nessie and the wolves could sleep it off.

She tightened her grip on my hand, moving it under her chin and snuggling close to it. Bella giggled softly and gently tried to pry Nessie's hand from mine.

"Sorry Chris," she whispered "she loves your stories and your song."

"It's fine," I replied grinning "my hand can take it." I pulled a blanket up over Nessie and tucked her in, before I leaned over and kissed her forehead.

It sounds ridiculous, but I love being an uncle, it's something I never imagined in a million years I would be. I was an only child I would never have a niece or a nephew and becoming a vampire of course no one could ever fathom Nessie's existence so it wasn't even a possibility that I would be an uncle. But I love it, I love being able to spoil Nessie, her and I sharing secrets and laughing over them, even though she's starting to catch up on me in height I love carrying her around.

Sometimes I think she sees me more as a big brother than her uncle even though she calls me an uncle, but I'll take what I can get and enjoy what I can get for now.

"More importantly Chris," Bella continued as if she was reading my mind like her husband. "she loves you." She finished looking at me hard "and she's not the only one."

"What?" I asked

"I was just about to ask you the same thing.
"Huh?" I replied not even trying to hide my confusion as to where Bella was going with this.

"Fiona looked hurt, what happened?"

"Nothing," I muttered and Bella's look got nasty. When she was human that look was scary, now that she's one of us it's bloody terrifying.

"Come on Chris, it's me." she reminded and I sighed, she had a point

"I…I told Fi to stay with her family tomorrow." I admitted and Bella looked at me in shock.

"Why?" she asked

"I don't want Jane to see Fi as a target. She's safer with her family, nowhere near me. Jane won't notice her if she's just standing with her family, no ties to me nothing." I paused and took a deep breath, I looked at Bella "I can't handle another Bree Bella. I…I've come a long way from that, but if it were to happen again, right in front of me and I couldn't do anything again. I don't…I don't think I'd come back from that Bella, I really don't."

Bella didn't say anything for a moment as she thought this over. In the last few months, Bella and I have become extremely close. I don't know why. Before Ness, when Bella was human she kind of scared me at first then that fear turned into amusement when I got to know her better, but we've never been close like Rose and I or Alice and I. Bella's just kind of been there. I only talked to her about my feelings when she needed to hear them, like when she was so insistent that she become one of us and that it happen right away.

But now, becoming one of us has changed that reality and for some reason…a reason even my profiling ability cannot find an answer for, I feel comfortable with Bella, and can see her not as my sister-in-law, but as my sister.

She reached over and without hesitating, hugged my shoulders, in the past I would've flinched, pulled away from her, but I allowed myself to be hugged. When she released me I took a deep breath and reached up to my neck, undoing the clasp that held my cross, I rarely if ever take it off so I never know if the clasp is going to work or not.

"Chris?" she asked

"Nessie loves it, I want her to hold onto it." I paused, I gently lifted Nessie's head off her pillow and slid the chain around her neck and clipped it "whatever happens tomorrow, I'm glad you're my sister Bella," I added,

Bella looked surprised, like I had stumbled on her secret, I knew she had something planned, something to save Nessie if the Volturi passed judgement against us, I didn't know details and to be honest I was glad I didn't, I could block my mind from Edward, but only if I concentrated and it would be safer the less any of us knew. Bella's mind was safe from Aro, but no one else was, not even me.

"I'm glad you're my brother Chris," Bella replied softly, she reached over and hugged me tight again, before letting me go. As I slipped out of the tent I walked down the hill towards the rest of my family and our friends. Esme seemed to sense me coming and held out her arm for me, which I went to, allowing her to hug me close, as we stood next to Emmett and Rose, watching the fire and listening to the stories being shared amongst our friends.

x-x-x-x

A/N: It was not my intention to take this long to update this fic, trust me I am not happy with myself on how long this took. This chapter was nearly complete when I last updated, but it had some major gaps in it that I needed to adjust and every time I started to fill those gaps I found something else I needed to fix in the chapter and the months just got away from me. The next chapter hopefully will be up the week after next and will yes be the battle itself. I finally figured out a way to incorporate what was brought to life in the movie and I think it may work so fingers crossed. I apologize for how long I have kept you guys waiting on this and trust me I haven't been working on my other fics either because I was so determined to get this chapter done. I hope you all can forgive me. The scene between Chris and Fi at the bonfire and the scene with Nessie and Bella in the tent was part of the fic that I have had written since I first read Breaking Dawn so I'm happy I was finally able to get to that point to put it in here. Take care everyone, till next time, thank you and apologies again.