Jasper

I settled into my new apartment and sighed in relief. It was time to do something for myself. Alice and I had gone our separate ways after we'd learned that we were not mates. I'd suspected for some time, but Carlisle insisted we were and, well, Carlisle had been a trusted leader. Coming to Volterra and educating myself in the ways of vampires had been the best thing for me. In addition, I could be of use instead of a struggling vampire high school student.

My apartment was furnished thankfully. I put my few clothes away and called my brother, Peter Whitlock.

"You can't come if that harpie is coming with you." He said on answering the phone.

"The harpie is history Peter and I wasn't going to visit just now. I was hoping with enough begging you would do me a favor."

"I suppose I could. What's up, Major?" Peter asked genially.

"I've joined the Volturi and I was wondering if you and Char could visit the old house in Forks Washington to pack up my prized possessions and have them mailed here. You're welcome to come visit as well, but I'll be very busy in the near future."

"How did you end up in Volterra?" Peter asked. I had his attention now so I started at our arrival in Forks and ended with the welcome ceremony I just experienced.

"I'll be damned," Peter said. "Char is going to want to hear all about this. Do you need anything else Major?"

"I need to contact our guy in Seattle and get access to my money again but I was going to do that after I called you. I'm fine here, I just didn't want to lose my stuff in Forks, or worse, have one of the others destroy it while I'm learning."

Peter and I chatted away for at least an hour. "I'm glad you've found someplace to belong Major. Expect all of your things within a week. I'll put them on a rush delivery. We will head out here in a little bit to get them packed up. We will even avoid the chief of police while we're in town if we can. I'm sure you've got other things you need to be doing. What do you need Jenks to do for you? I can put the fear of God into the man almost as well as you can."

"I need a new identity. Jasper Whitlock. 21. I also need all my money transferred under my new name and new credit cards and such. He'll know what to do. He's quite good at it. Tell him it's a rush and he'll get a bonus if it's all seen to today. At the risk of echoing Alice, I need to go shopping. I don't have what I need for my new life."

"Consider it done, Major. Plan on us coming for a visit after you've had time to settle in. Are they making you change your diet?" Peter asked curiously.

"No, I was surprised to learn that they are not. As long as I can hunt and attend to my duties they don't care how I feed." I said.

"Sounds like a good setup. Congratulations Major. Maybe you can live now instead of just surviving." Peter said.

"I think I can, Peter. I think I can."

Demetri

Bella was ready to be more independent and I had mixed feelings. I knew she needed this but I was strangely reluctant. We started with her folding towels. She did well only ripping one out of every four she folded. She'd improve as time went on. I was surprised when she didn't get frustrated and throw a tantrum, she just kept working. When we finished she kissed me gently and said, "You can still help me shower after I can do it myself. I love the feel of your hands on me."

Her words led to actions and I spent the evening proving just how much she liked my hands on her. Making love with Bella was better every time. We made love over and over. She needed the reassurance just as much as I did.

All too soon it was eleven o'clock and Bella and I went to feed before meeting with Marcus.

"What do you want to learn today, Bella?" Marcus asked as we walked in.

"Teach me the purpose of the archives Master Marcus. What information can be found down here?"

Marcus's eyes lit up and he started talking about the untapped fountain of knowledge surrounding us. I was unaware that the Volturi researched the genealogy of living vampires quite so thoroughly. I'd have to show Bella my past sometime after she finished her training. The talk went for hours and Bella was just as excited to learn as Marcus was to teach. I took a moment and focused on Jasper. He too was interested in the information being imparted.

When it chimed eight Bella stood. "I'm sorry I can't stay longer Master Marcus. Do you think you could give me a tour someday?"

Marcus's eyes lit and he agreed eagerly.

As Bella and I were leaving I heard Marcus ask, "And what would the Cullens like to learn today?"

I stood by the door and waved for Jasper to join us. "You have an hour to feed if you need to Jasper. Then we'll meet you up on the fourth floor for combat training."

Jasper fell into step with us and he asked me, "How does Heidi choose who will become dinner around here?"

I explained the process to him while guiding Bella to the feeding chamber. She did better this time. She only got a little excess blood on her face. My girl was growing up. This was the first time she didn't need to shower. Jasper didn't look at Bella judgmentally so I thought that was a good sign that he'd fit in too. We made our way to combat training. I put Jasper in charge to see how he would do and he did quite well, explaining both what my team were doing that was right and what was wrong and offering suggestions for improvement.

Bella joined the class at large so I went downstairs to check on Felix. I had hours and once again I thought my girl was growing up too quickly.

Felix met me in the elevator.

"I was just coming to see you, boss. We got a problem." Felix said.

There was a vampire trying to start a newborn army in England. The elites were needed on a mission, including me.

I went to check with Chelsea and Renata and both were willing to help out. I dreaded explaining this to my Bella, but it had to be done and she wasn't ready to accompany us.

Renata and Chelsea joined me and Felix and soon we were back up in the training room.

"Teach them how to kill newborns Major," I instructed when I walked in. I pulled Bella from the group and she looked worried at first, but like I was hoping she smiled when she saw Chelsea. I knew she'd make friends with Renata just as quickly. Unfortunately, as I explained the situation, her happiness didn't last. I was needed and she didn't like it, even with new friends to make.

After everything was decided Bella went with me to pack while Felix explained the mission to the team. We had two hours before wheels up and my Bella, while shockingly more advanced than a normal newborn, was just not ready for me to leave her.

I went back down to the office with her and let her choose a phone so at least she could talk to me while I was gone. We played with it for a while and I put all of the elite's phone numbers in barring Jaspers.

He had not yet received his work phone so I prepared one for him too, recording his number on both my phone and Bella's before we went down to the garage.

After everyone was loaded up I kissed Bella one more time.

"Be safe, I love you," was all she said but I could tell she was trying not to cry.

When I got into the SUV Felix was driving he put it in drive and soon I couldn't even see my Bella anymore. That was when he spoke up. "You can't obsess about Bella while you're on a mission Captain. I know how hard it is but you have to bury it deep so it's not eating at you while you try to do your job. Otherwise, you won't come back to her safely."

I nodded. I had to come back to my Bella safely. She was counting on me.

"I'm with you Felix," I said when I thought I had myself under control.

"Glad to hear it," Felix said and gunned the engine toward the airport.

Bella

Chelsea was going to be my companion while Demetri was gone and Renata was going to start teaching me about my shield. Otherwise, the only appointment I had to make was my midnight talk with Master Marcus.

I wasn't ready for Demetri to be gone, but he was so I was going to learn how to be self-sufficient in his absence. I didn't want him to have to worry so much about me when he had to go away. I knew after I managed my shield successfully I might be able to go with him, so that was important too.

I went to feed before I found Chelsea. I needed to get my emotions under control. That was the best way to do it. I was a mess when I was done. I took a shower and changed my clothes, ripping three shirts and four pairs of pants in the attempt, but eventually, I was presentable.

Chelsea was waiting for me outside of the showers. She helped me throw away the clothes I destroyed and we went to find Renata.

I would get my shield working so I could be of use to my mate and my team. We worked and worked but I couldn't get my shield to appear. I got more and more frustrated the longer it took.

Renata called a halt after three hours, saying we would start again tomorrow at eight.

My chest started hurting on my way home. Demetri was most likely in the air by now, on his way to get the newborn army under control.

I went home and continued working on my shield. I worked until eleven. After feeding and cleaning up Chelsea and I went to Marcus's desk in the archives.

"What do you want to learn tonight Bella," Marcus asked gently.

"Teach me something, Master Marcus. I desperately need the distraction."

"Alright, my child." He said and started talking about covens all over the world. He explained who did what in each coven, where they lived, and what powers they possessed. He told us about the verified members and the suspected ones. He explained which covens were friends and which were enemies.

After he finished the topic he asked, "Any other information you'd like tonight, Bella?"

"What other creatures are out there?"

Marcus explained the rest of the supernatural world to Bella until eight o'clock.

He continued explaining to the Cullens while I went to feed and got ready to meet with Renata.

Renata taught me how to meditate today. I learned quickly but had trouble with intruding thoughts of Demetri. I practiced until Renata called a halt then I went home and practiced some more.