Temporal Tide

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, nor any of its characters or franchises, I am not making money for this, so please don't sue me.

A/N: Readers interested in knowing the status of any of my stories can check my profile. I usually update it once a day, with progress reports on how far along I am in writing a chapter.

x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x

Chapter 08

Tanya

Another fruitless search. Another wasted day.

How do you find someone who has no identity?

No address, job, car or acquaintances.

How do you find someone who can cross an ocean in the blink of an eye?

These were the obstacles I faced as I scoured Europe. Every contact and skill I'd acquired throughout a thousand years was put to use.

As always, my efforts were in vain.

Closing my laptop with a sigh, I peered outside the coffee shop I was sitting in to the misty German streets outside. Nurnberg was a quaint little place, with cobble roads and beautifully aged architecture. The air was heavy with the weight of history, and I felt right at home wandering its rustic streets.

The status reports I'd been reading from my numerous hired detectives and informants were carefully, and respectfully, written ways of saying all of them had found neither hide nor hair of Mari.

My phone began to ring, a light airy tune that Irina was fond of, and I withdrew the offending device from my pocket in a dour manner.

"Hello?" I dully asked, not much in the mood for conversation after my latest failure.

"Tanya," Irina's dulcet tones issued from my cell. "Where are you?"

"Nurnberg." I answered bluntly.

"Any luck?" she cut straight to the point. One of the reasons I loved my sister, but sometimes an annoying trait.

"No." I mumbled, running a hand through my red-gold mane. "I wasn't really expecting much, but I had to try."

There was a pause on the other end, and I could tell my sister wasn't sure what to say.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm just calling to update you on things here. Quite a bit has happened in the last hour."

I perked up, my attention fully focused. Over the years, we'd all become somewhat jaded, and it was sometimes difficult to put any significance into everyday affairs. An event that was noteworthy enough to call me about while I was on one of my 'hunts' was usually pretty important.

"I'm listening." I replied, slipping into my role as coven leader with a subtle shift in tone.

"Isabella Swan has just shown up at the house." A frown marred my brow, and I felt more than a little surprise. What was Edward's pet human doing out of Washington, let alone in Alaska. "Not only that, but she's a vampire."

Once more I felt a mild shock.

As far as I was aware, Edward was still of the opinion that we were all damned creatures, and I had a hard time believing he would willingly turn this girl, mate or no.

"How is that possible? You know as well as I do how Edward feels about vampirism." God knows he made it clear with his attitude. I always got the distinct impression he looked down on my sisters and I because of how completely we embraced our natures.

If it weren't for what happened to our creator, we might still be living off humans, completely untroubled by morals. My own half-hearted attempts to seduce him were just one of the ways I liked to keep him off balance. The boy was so obviously inexperienced that any overtures made him distinctly uncomfortable.

As a pleasant side effect, Edward tried hard to ignore anything going on in my head, just to avoid 'seeing anything indecent or vulgar'. Still, I probably wouldn't have turned him down if he'd decided to take me up on my offer. He was attractive, and the centuries had only honed the sharp ache of loneliness in my breast.

"Kate is getting the story out of her as we speak, but it seems that Edward wasn't the one to turn her. Truth be told, I was surprised when I saw her, I was under the impression Edward was secretly gay…" I smirked, understanding what she was getting at.

"Anyone would. After all, he never showed any interest in us, or even Rosalie before she met Emmett. It's hard to imagine that he wouldn't have been tempted by at least one of us."

"Well, Bella is a brunette, so maybe he just doesn't like blondes?"

"Lemme guess," I sighed. "She's the picture of a wilting flower."

"I wouldn't say that…" Irina spoke slowly. "She definitely seems shy, but from what she's gone through, I think this girl has more steel than any of us could guess."

"Interesting." I mutter, but my mind has already returned to the laptop and my quest to find Mari.

"Tanya," Irina's voice drifts gently over the speaker. "You should come home. We need you here."

I shake my head because I already know where this is going.

"I'll be back at the end of the week." I coldly reply, tired of hearing what she'll say next.

"How long are you going to keep searching Tanya? You've been doing this every other year since the industrial age." She softly questioned.

I huffed.

"Fine," Irina continued. "since before then too; but at least you stuck to the same continent."

I let my silence speak for me.

Exhaling exasperatedly, Irina knew better then to continue the topic. I'd gotten very touchy over the centuries about anyone questioning my dedication to finding Mari.

"Just-" She hesitated. "stay safe."

"I will." I remarked, my icy demeanor thawing slightly. "I love you."

"I love you too, no matter how aggravating you are sometimes." Irina shot back with amused annoyance.

Once we finished exchanging goodbyes, I hung up and took a little time to contemplate what was going on back in the States.

When I'd first heard of Isabella Swan, my family had an uproar. The fact that a human knew of our existence, and worse, that they were allowing her to live was inconceivable. I'd come very close to flying down to Forks to kill or turn her myself. Alice's vision of Isabella as a vampire, despite Edwards wishes, was the only thing that held me back.

I both liked and trusted my smallest cousin, and her reassurances were enough at the time.

Ever since the death of our surrogate mother at the hands of the Volturi, we'd all staunchly upheld the law.

Still, it appeared that things hadn't resolved themselves in a happy way, and now my sisters and I were sucked into the Cullen's disputes.

Putting Isabella Swan from my mind for the time being, I continued my search. Unfortunately, time passed too quickly, and before I knew it, it was time to board the plane back to Alaska. Since I'd reserved first class tickets on the fastest plane available, it only took twenty hours instead of the standard thirty eight to make it back to Anchorage.

Standing in the airport, trying to ignore the many stares I was receiving, I slung my bag over one shoulder and turned my cellphone back on.

Three missed calls and a voice message, all from Kate, blinked up at me from the screen. Curious about what could be so important that she'd call me three times within the span of ten minutes, I pressed the button to access my voice-mail.

Kate's voice, slightly breathless and more than a little pissed off, graced my ears.

"Tanya, I know you're on the plane right now, so I'm leaving a message to tell you that we can't meet you at the gate. Bella has run off to do something stupid in Seattle, and we're going to try and catch her before she gets herself killed. Please wait at the house just in case a miracle occurs and she comes to her senses. With luck, hopefully I'll see you soon."

I stared at my phone blankly, before shaking my head and tucking it away in my jacket. I wasn't worried, I was sure my sisters could handle anything they encountered, but the fact that Edward's mate was putting them in a dangerous situation in the first place was aggravating.

Retrieving the rest of my luggage, I recovered my white Lamborghini from the airport garage and began the drive back to Fairbanks.

Cranking my car stereo up, I listened to Nat King Cole's soulful voice.

The air was sweet and silent as I drove up the wooded path to our house. Being away from my family for so long was always taxing. Germany was a beautiful country filled with wonderful sights and people, but nothing gave me as much joy as my sisters.

Except, perhaps, Mari.

Lost in my thoughts, I was already out of the car before I noticed her.

Alice was standing in the driveway.

Her face was set into grim lines and for a moment I felt a brief spark of fear. Had something happened? Were my sister's alright?

Before I could voice my concerns, a slight shuffle of cloth caught my attention. Turning my head, I stared at a face so familiar to me; I knew it better than my own reflection.

She was exactly the same.

Logically I knew she would be, but some part of me had expected the weight of our years apart to leave a physical mark.

Her hair was the same rich auburn, framing her heart shaped face in subtle waves that brought attention to her clear topaz eyes. The lips I'd spent centuries remembering, the top slightly fuller than the bottom, fit my memory perfectly.

A tidal wave of emotions crashed over me in one overwhelming jumble. Elation, joy, relief, and love were the strongest among them.

Before I could think; my body was moving on its own, drawn inexorably toward Mari.

However, I hadn't taken more than a step in her direction when Alice threw up her hands and shouted, freezing me in place.

""Just wait," Alice begged, as I glared at her. What was so important that I couldn't greet my mate, who I hadn't seen in the last sixty years? "Not everything is as it seems." My eyes narrowed as she lifted a finger to Mari. "This is Isabella Swan."

"You're lying!" I hissed; my denial so automatic and ingrained that it'd escaped me involuntarily. Did Alice think I couldn't see? That I lacked eyes? Even Mari's honeydew-jasmine scent remained the same. Implying that my Angel belonged to another, or worse, that she belonged to Edward grated on my instincts.

The protective growl that issued from Mari's throat stopped me dead in my tracks. The fact that she was growling at me, lanced my heart. Why was she defending Alice?

Unable to stop my wounded look, Mari's growl eventually faltered, and a strange mixture of confusion and recognition crept across her features.

"T-Tatyana?" she stammered, moving toward me. Her eyes conveyed such hope and joy, that any hesitation I felt vanished in a second.

My arms slid around Mari so naturally it was almost like the years of heartbreak hardly existed at all. Just thinking about it had me tightening my embrace, desperately seeking the closeness I'd been denied for so long.

"Mari." I cooed, burying my face in her hair as she sobbed on my shoulder.

"I thought you were dead." She muttered into my shirt, and I couldn't stop my strangled laugh. She was the one that thought I was dead? Irony, thy name is Mari.

"Not yet." I replied, murmuring into her ear.

Eventually Mari pulled away slightly, and I took the opportunity to lovingly study every inch of her face. As a vampire I could never forget the slightest detail, but everything about Mari needed to be cherished and noticed.

I never took any moment I had with her for granted, because I couldn't know how long I would keep her. Unable to resist touching her, I tenderly pushed a strand of hair out of her face. I savored the brush of my fingertips on her skin, and let them linger just behind her ear.

My Angel seemed to twitch slightly, her eyes darkening slightly as she gazed at me. I had to repress a grin.

I recognized that look, even if she didn't seem to realize she was doing it.

Tingling with anticipation I began to lean forward, my eyes fastened on her lips, when I felt something that made me stop.

Mari didn't have a scar on her forearm.

It was such a little thing.

Most people wouldn't have noticed it.

However I wasn't most people; and this was a very memorable scar.

Jerking her arm up, I carefully studied her skin, but it remained unmarked.

Scowling, I turned my gaze to Mari, who was looking at me in bewilderment.

"What?" She inquired.

"Where is your scar?" I demanded.

"What scar?" Mari replied as I stared at her in disbelief.

"What do you mean, 'what scar?'" I asked. How was it possible that she'd forgotten?

Alice sighed loudly, and I jerked my head around to scrutinize my cousin.

My clairvoyant cousin.

I suspiciously narrowed my eyes. She must know something.

"I think we should go inside." She spoke bluntly, despite being a vampire she looked worn. The circles under her eyes were deeper, a sign of fatigue. "Bella has a lot to explain."

Unable to argue, I nodded and laced my fingers with Mari's, unwilling to part from her for a moment more than necessary.

It seemed she didn't object, because she lightly squeezed my hand. Warmth spread throughout my body at the contact, and I didn't fight the quiet joy I felt as a result.

Leading the others into the house, I directed everyone into the living room. Mari took a seat in one of the armchairs and I moved to stand beside it. I'd long since overcome any societal pressure to 'sit' in another's company, and holding my lover's hand was more important by far.

Alice flopped down onto the couch opposite Mari, and eyed us with thoughtful curiosity.

"Tanya," She began, resting her eyes on me. "Let me reintroduce you." Alice flipped her hand out, indicating the woman beside me. "This is Isabella Swan, affectionately named Bella."

I frowned; peeved that Alice was bringing this up again. I knew who she was; I'd confirmed it with my own eyes.

This was Mari, my Mari.

"Alice, you are my cousin and I am very fond of you, but you are mistaken. Her name is Mari not Isabella." I gently chided, sounding slightly like I was scolding a child.

However, my confidence wavered when I noticed the sheepish expression across my Angel's face.

"Uhh, technically you're both right." She mumbled, slanting me an apologetic glance. "My full name is Isabella Marie Swan."

I blinked in surprise, a little hurt and definitely confused. Mari (Bella?) seemed to read my expression because her eyes grew even guiltier.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I had a good reason for that."

Glancing between Mari and Alice, I felt my face shut down slightly.

"Can one of you please tell me what's going on? I'm getting tired of being left in the dark." I growled, unable to keep my nerves under control.

Mari opened her mouth to reply when Alice held up a hand to forestall anything she might have said.

"Before we get into this, Tanya, could you please call the others in Seattle? I would prefer that they come back before they get into any trouble."

Grudgingly I pulled out my phone and dialed Carmen's number, since she was the first one on my contact list.

Carmen picked up on the first ring. I could hear the wind blowing past the speaker and the sound of numerous pairs of feet, so they must still be in transit.

"Tanya?" Carmen's Spanish accented voice drifted over the receiver.

"Come home." I spoke; a hint of authority tinged my words.

"Did something happen?" She automatically asked, tone laced with concern.

I paused, struggling with the knowledge of Mari's new identity.

"Isabella is here, along with Alice."

Shocked silence met my declaration and I could hear the others in the background speculating on how Mari had managed to get back so quickly. To their knowledge, they were still hot on her trail.

"We'll go to the nearest airport and take the first flight back." Carmen promised, before politely hanging up the phone.

Reassured that my coven wouldn't be running into a deathtrap, I tucked my cell away and coolly appraised my cousin. From the moment I made eye contact with Mari from across the driveway, I'd been Tatyana Korsak. Now, I was slipping into the role of Tanya Denali, leader of the Denali coven.

"I have done as you asked, so I expect answers Alice."

Sighing, Alice and Mari exchanged glances, before Alice gave Mari an encouraging nod.

Haltingly at first, but with greater coherence, Mari began to recount the series of events that led to our reunion just a short while ago. I listened in silence as she recalled her trips to the past, her confusion, and adversity.

Some of it was familiar, and slightly unbelievable, but as I recalled the incidents in question things began to make sense.

Mari's strange clothing, her attitude, and level of education were all glaringly abnormal for the era in question. My child's eyes had been blind to the small inconsistencies that only now, upon reflection, were clearly incongruent.

A feeling of dread began to fester in my gut the longer she spoke, and my feeling proved correct when Mari's narrative ended just after her recount of the day I was turned.

I held my breath, waiting - praying – that she would continue; but she launched into her explanation of how she met my sisters.

I felt my heart break.

Every expectation and hope I had cracked and shattered under one very sudden realization.

This wasn't my Mari.

My lover no longer existed; or to be more precise, had yet to exist.

I stoically sat and listened, but all I wanted to do was retreat to my room and curl into a ball of emotional agony. It was no wonder I hadn't been able to find Mari in the years between her visits. She literally hadn't been born yet.

The only thing that kept me from breaking down right here was my growing anger.

Edward Cullen seduced my mate.

Edward Cullen broke her heart.

Edward Cullen left her unprotected.

Make no mistake, I also held the rest of the Cullens to blame to one extent or another, but Edward was the focus of my ire. Alice's obvious remorse, and the fact that Mari seemed to want her around, was the only thing keeping me from throwing her out on her ass.

As fond as I was of my extended family, Mari ranked far above them in importance. If she asked me to, I would disown the lot of them.

Still, despite their shortcomings, it did seem like they'd saved Mari's life on more than one occasion. She could have died and I would have been none the wiser. For that I would be forever grateful, but right now the two feelings were sharply contrasted. Still, this was the least of my problems, because two important factors remained.

One: Mari had been, or might still be, in love with Edward.

Two: Mari had no memory of being my mate.

Now that she was a vampire, would she seek him out? Jealousy borne of my sudden insecurity was immediately injected into the mix, and it was getting harder to keep my emotions under control. My instincts were telling me to possessively keep my Angel away from everyone else, but the rational part of me knew that wasn't possible.

I was drawn out of my increasingly dire mood when Mari asked Alice a question.

"Alice, why were you in Canada? What happened after you-" she paused; "left." Mari's voice was a weak whisper, and her eyes seemed to shine with remembered pain. I nearly growled aloud just from seeing it; I was so sensitive to her feelings.

Alice's eyes flickered to me with trepidation, possibly because it looked like I was about to attack her. Making a visible effort to calm myself, I waited for Alice's reply.

"You have to understand Bella," Alice began pleadingly. "None of us wanted to leave; I tried my hardest to convince Edward that his decision would end badly. For you, for all of us; but he was so stubbornly insistent that you would be better off. He was convinced that we were soulless blood-thirsty monsters that would only cause you misery and pain."

Bella closed her eyes and became completely still as she listened. Sadness was etched across her features, but otherwise she seemed calm. Encouraged by the lack of anger, Alice continued.

"We moved back to England, but things weren't the same anymore. Our family was fractured. Edward took off by himself. Carlisle and Esme tried to go on as normal, and keep us together, but eventually it all fell apart. Rose and Emmett moved out to escape the gloomy atmosphere, and Jazz has been blaming himself for the whole ordeal.

We were broken, but when I started getting visions of you moving on, I thought it was too late for us to make it up to you. Then I got that vision of you and Victoria, and Jazz and I took the first plane back to Washington, but by then it was too late. I thought you were dead.

I tracked Victoria's trail to the edge of Canada. Jazz and I were going to avenge your death, when my gift showed you hunting in a forest.

Since Victoria had gone into Canada, I figured she must have turned you there, and you were in one of the large forests they have. We searched for months. Jazz decided to try and track down his friends Peter and Charlotte to help us find you.

I only realized you were still in Washington until I got a vision of you visiting Leavenworth. However, by the time I got there, you were in Forks, and when I got to Forks, you were in Alaska."

Mari looked slightly sheepish. Alice rose from the couch and took both of Mari's hands in earnest supplication.

"We aren't complete without you Bella. Please come back with me."

I scoffed, loudly, but my Angel appeared conflicted. Her eyes pled for help, so I took it as permission to voice my opinion.

"Alice, you are family and I love you very much, but you have a lot of nerve asking Mari to up and forgive you for leaving her and her father at the mercy of a vengeful vampire."

The pixie wilted at my harsh tone, but there was a gleam of determination in her eyes. Obviously the same determination that had her scouring Canada for months. However, she was clearly underestimating my own fortitude. I had, after all, spent the better part of a thousand years searching for Mari.

In an attempt to keep myself from glowering, I wrenched my eyes away from Alice and caught Mari staring at me intently. Her eyes were bright and focused as she scrutinized my face, before she turned back to Alice.

"I'm sorry Alice, but things won't be the same. Edward broke me. You all did. I've just managed to put myself back together. I may someday forgive, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to trust any of you again."

Mari said with fierce conviction.

Alice's eyes glazed over, and she must have seen that Mari was serious because her shoulders slumped dejectedly.

"Even if you can't trust us Bella, let me call the rest of my family. We are at least partially to blame for what's happening with Victoria. Let us help protect you. Give us a chance to earn your forgiveness."

Alice's eyes were so soulfully large, if she'd been standing on a mound of corpses in full daylight, even the Volturi would've had trouble convicting her.

Unfortunately for Alice, I had too many years under my belt to be more than mildly phased.

"Absolutely not." I immediately rejected the proposal. "After hearing that story, there's no way I want your coven distressing Mari. Outnumbered or not, my sisters and I have more than enough experience to deal with a bunch of newborn. I'm only tolerating you now on her behalf."

Alice grimaced, and I could tell my words had hurt her. The severity of my reaction made it seem like I was cutting familial ties.

Mari, on the other hand, appeared less tense now that she wouldn't have to confront the family who left her.

"I know you have the best intentions Alice, but I'm not ready to see the others. I'm not ready to see Edward." Mari mumbled, staring at the floor.

I loathed the way her words caressed his name, like he was still precious; like he hadn't ripped her heart out and tossed it on the lawn.

"I don't mind if you call Jasper," she continued, "but I ask that you do no more than that."

Sighing dramatically, Alice inclined her head.

"Alright Bella. I'll honor your wish for now, but if things get bad I can't make any promises."

"That seems reasonable to me." Mari replied, somberly returning Alice's disappointed glance.

"You look worn Alice, if you like you can use one of our guest rooms to freshen up. Feel free to call your mate." I interjected, playing hostess despite my misgivings.

Nodding her head in thanks, the pixie flashed upstairs. A moment later the sound of the shower came on.

Like a switch had been flipped, Mari sagged against the couch. It was easy to see that the events of the day had been too much for her. Vampires couldn't wear out physically, but mentally, she was beyond tired.

My immediate instinct was to curl around my Angel and offer what comfort I could, but I hesitated. I couldn't rely on my instincts because they told me to treat Mari more intimately then she was prepared to deal with.

I stood next to the couch, standing uncertainly, when Mari made up my mind for me. Without opening her eyes she patted the cushion next to her.

Wasting no time, I slid onto the couch beside her, and was pleased when she leaned her body against me.

Breathing deeply, I luxuriated in Mari's jasmine-honeydew scent. Against my will, my arms wound themselves around her shoulders, pulling her closer. One of my hands gently massaged Mari's scalp, and a deep purr vibrated in her chest. I couldn't help but mirror the sound of contentment.

After a few minutes, Mari languidly opened her eyes. Her gaze ghosted over my face with an astounded sort of wonder. Reaching out, Mari gently grazed my cheek with the tips of her fingers; as if to test I was real.

"How did you survive?" She whispered, casting a heavy stare at my neck. It took me a moment to realize she was speaking of the day I was turned, rather than the interminable centuries I spent without her.

"I wasn't attacked." I stated, meeting her golden eyed regard with my own. Sitting up, Mari looked at me in disbelief.

"Tanya, I was there. I saw you. That vampire was in the process of draining you dry when I got there. So don't sit there and tell me you weren't attacked." Her last three words were practically a growl, and her eyes had darkened from the strength of her emotions.

"As I was saying," I continued, rubbing soothing circles on Mari's back. "I wasn't attacked. I asked her to turn me."

I received a blank stare at this proclamation and it was obvious I was going to have to explain further.

"The vampire you fought that day was my creator. She was in the process of turning me when you interfered. In fact, Sasha thought you were doing the exact same thing. She thought the scent of my blood had driven you feral and that you were going to kill me.

It's rather amusingly ironic upon reflection, but at the time it was pretty horrible. I'm just glad you didn't kill her before you faded, otherwise I would have been a newborn out in the wilderness without a mentor to guide me."

An awkward silence descended on us when I remembered that Mari went through that exact situation. Regret filled my breast. I should have been the one to help Mari through that painful transition, or failing that, one of the Cullens. Their failure to be there for her was unforgivable. At least I had the excuse of ignorance, not that it soothed my conscience much. Mari, bless her, decided to continue the conversation.

"She seemed very familiar, how did you two meet?"

"Sasha was technically my great aunt on my mother's side, which explains the resemblance. She went missing when my grandmother was a young woman. It took her a while to track down my mother, and eventually my father pointed her in my direction. She was my constant companion for a year before she decided to turn me."

Mari cocked her head to the side, and a few strands of her rich auburn hair fell into her face as she watched me curiously.

"Why would you want to be a vampire? The Cullens always made it sound like a curse, and I only wanted it when I thought it would bring me 'forever' with Edward."

Inwardly, I flinched at the proof of Mari's former devotion.

Outwardly, I kept my expression calm and even.

"I wanted to be like you." I breathed, imparting the words like a forbidden secret.

A shocked and heartbroken expression crossed Mari's countenance, and she drew away from me slightly.

"Why?" she asked, uncomprehending. "Why would you submit yourself to that kind of torture, just to be like me? If I'd had any idea what I'd be subjecting myself to when I was human, I never would have gone through with it." Mari's voice was a flat monotone, and her eyes were glazed with remembered pain. I too, recalled that particular brand of agony, and couldn't fault her logic. So I gave her the only answer I could.

"I loved you." I spoke, peering earnestly into her eyes. "You were my savior; really, the only good thing in my life. You were a beautiful, intelligent, independent women and Sasha gave me the opportunity to be the same. Unlike the women of this century, if I hadn't become a vampire I probably would have died in childbirth or succumbed to the common cold.

My sisters and I saw vampirism as the price we paid for freedom, and it's one I would gladly pay again."

Mari's eyes narrowed into a frown, but I could tell she understood my reasoning. She had seen first hand how life was like back then.

Before I could open my mouth to say anything further, Alice zipped into the livingroom like a mini hurricane. Freshly showered, and bouncing with energy, her eyes were riveted to the door.

"The others are back!" she sang, and sure enough, I could hear the sound of crunching gravel in the driveway.

My sisters were home.

X=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x

A/N: Sorry it took so long. I got caught up in life. I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter, but I didn't dislike it, so hopefully you guys will be satisfied.

As always, tell me what you think.