A/N: Here we are another series round-up, a small one anyway. Both Felix and Bella stories in on place xx Alexis

Time Stands Still For No Man

When Bella and Jake arrived back at Charlie's house and saw Carlisle's car across the road, he was absolutely livid and tried to stop her from going into the house. Bella was adamant and eventually he relented but told her if she starts to hang about with them again, she would be crossing the line.

"Oh Jake don't start that old crap again, I'm getting sick of hearing it. This, them and us rubbish does my head in" she tells him,

"If we're going to stay friends you have to accept mine. Shit! I have to put up with Paul for you" she laughs getting out of the Rabbit.

Alice is very surprised to see Bella alive and tells her so; Bella says she is extremely insulted that they would even consider the fact that she would kill herself.

"I've got a little more respect for my life than you apparently think" she huffs,

and goes on to tell Alice about the cliff jumping and how unfortunately Victoria was in the water and nearly got her but thankfully three of the pack were on the cliff and they finally caught and destroyed her. She tells Alice all about Laurent and Victoria's obsession with trying to kill her since they all just upped and left, leaving her totally unprotected.

Alice is horrified and says that she hardly gets any clear visions of her anymore, so seeing this one she rushed back to Forks immediately. She apologises for misreading it, saying she better let the family know right away. As she leaves to phone home Bella went up to get changed out of the damp clothes she was still wearing. Hearing Alice cry out makes her rush back down the stairs.

"Oh no, the fool! He's going to try to get himself killed" she screams,

"Who is Alice?" Bella demands to know.

"Edward, he's gone to the Volturi to get them to end his life" she sobs to Bella.

"Why? Why on earth would he do that?" Bella asks her confused.

"He thinks you're dead, Rose said you were dead and he blames himself" Alice yells.

"What the hell, I've nearly died several times at the hands of the psycho duo and the one time it's not real, that's the time he goes to try and top himself! What an irresponsible idiot" Bella shouts.

Alice looks at her strangely, cocking her head.

"You're different Bella, stronger, more confident and you don't seem worried for Edward!" she says quietly.

"Why would I be? He dumped me, abandoned me in the forest, after telling me how I wasn't good enough or special enough for him to stay for, not the other way round. I'm not responsible for the stupid things he does to himself. I had to rebuild my life after he left me with a broken heart; I was alone with no one to talk to. Not anyone who understood the supernatural, until Jake phased anyway" she replied.

Alice begged Bella to go with her to Volterra, saying he would be able to read her mind and think she was lying, so Bella needed to be the one to stop him. Bella agreed reluctantly but said she was only doing this for the family. Even though they obviously didn't care about her, she said she still had some respect and feelings for them.

Alice tried to explain but Bella wouldn't listen, saying if they couldn't make up their own minds and followed blindly the ravings of a seventeen-year-old boy, then they didn't really care that much for her after all. Alice couldn't answer because she knew Bella was right. They had treated her badly and she didn't know if the damage could ever be repaired.

While Alice sorted out flights etc, Bella phoned her father at the station, told him she was going on a shopping trip with Alice, who had turned up out of the blue to see her. They'd be gone three days and she would get some new clothes for college that she couldn't get locally. Charlie wasn't too pleased but knew he couldn't stop her as she was a grown woman.

He hoped to himself, the Cullen's being back in her life wouldn't set her back to how she was after they left her before. On the plane to Italy, Bella told Alice all about what she had been like and how long it took to get her life back together, then finally realising that he was not her mate and had never truly loved her, well not properly.

First love yes, puppy love but not true love because he could never have left her if he did. So she had set about taking charge of her life and the way it would head and began to like the new woman, she had become. Alice was amazed by this stronger Bella and wondered what Edward would think, she was sure he would try to get her back but could see that it would never be.

She knew that although Bella had grown and changed, Edward had not and he would just repeat the same mistakes over and over and Bella would no longer stand for it. He was a fool and had lost the best thing that had ever happened to him, not just her love but her friendship too. But Bella was right they were not mates and never had been she could see that now, it had just been first love, never meant to last and would have fizzled out naturally if Edward had stayed. He was so melodramatic, well this last stunt proved that.

Bella was very calm all the way to Volterra; she hoped they could save Edward for Esme's sake. She didn't tell Alice about knowing now that she was a shield and that the Quileute elders had been working with her to make it tangible and usable even though she was still human. They had told her that in the past many of the tribes had had people with special abilities. It was never the same one twice and so over the generations, they recognised the signs and worked with those few to get the most out of it.

It was a twofold thing, the inner shield that protected her mind and the outer that protected her body now it was activated. She often wished it had worked sooner as she would have had a lot fewer scars. Old Quill had thought the bite James had given her had left behind some residual venom that was what had triggered it. She also thought that the few times Edward had sealed minor wounds with his venom had probably contributed too.

Alice had seen what Edward intended, once again giving into his overly dramatic side. So they knew where he would be and when for best effect. So Bella ran through the crowded square, using her shield to push people gently out of the way to make her path easier. Just as she reached Edward she used her shield to stop him moving into the sunlight. As he vainly pushed against it, he opened his eyes to see Bella standing there shaking her head at him and holding up his shirt.

"Put your damn clothes on Edward, you look like a fool," she told him and at first,

he thought he was dreaming but by the look of anger and disgust on her face, he came back to reality quickly.

"Love, you're alive! What are you doing here it's too dangerous?" he said loudly.

"I'm here to save your sorry ass, Edward, why else would a sane person come to the Vampire capital of the world?" she told him.

Just as Alice reached them Edward tried to embrace Bella and could not.

"Not happening Eddie-boy, you lost that right last September," Bella said smiling.

They were both looking at her strangely as three vampires appeared as if from nowhere.

"Bella love, run, they are dangerous and will kill you" he ordered.

"Shut up Edward! Stop telling me what to do and stop being so OTT, it's embarrassing" Bella snarked at him.

"Well well, what have we here?" said the tallest vampire Bella had ever seen.

Not as tall as the pack, but pretty tall all the same.

"It's a Buffy the Vampire Slayer Convention! And you're not invited" Bella laughed at him.

Felix was stunned by this response, humans were normally terrified of him and never in his long life as a vampire had one laughed at him. He liked it and her right away.

"You can't be Bella? I was expecting some boring, plain, mousy thing. If you were involved with him" he said smirking at Edward.

"I was, but then the glamour wore off," Bella said,

"Turns out the real me's a bit of a bitch, but I love her" she laughed.

"Well the Kings wants to see you, they saw you on the CCTV and have to meet you in person" he stated.

"Why are you talking to your food, Felix? Just grab her and let's get going" said a small blonde childlike vampire.

"Whoa there, short stuff. If Aro wants to meet me, all you need to do is ask, there will be no grabbing, ever" Bella replied loudly.

"No Bella, you can't go in there, I won't allow it," said Edward.

"Dear god Edward! Did Carlisle drop you on your head when he turned you? Cause you're acting really stupid. You don't tell me to do anything anymore, dumb, dumb! And I really don't think they are going to take no for an answer" she shot back at him.

She strolled forward taking Felix's arm and said

"Lead on, big guy. By the way, who's the kid?" Felix choked back a laugh saying

"That's Jane and the silent one is Alec her brother".

"Ah the twins, heard of you guys, a pleasure to meet you" she called over her shoulder and everyone just stared at her.

"What? Manners cost nothing, you know" Bella said with a smile.

Edward was so confused; this was not his sweet, delicate Bella. Alice told him inside of his head what did he expect, that he was so goddamn stupid; she had outgrown him while he was gone. He had made her the person she now was, because of his hurting her emotionally and abandoning her she had changed. Edward was not happy at all about this, he had forgotten the most important thing about humans, they grow, age and change.

When they reached the throne room, Aro, Marcus and Caius were all seated on their thrones and all but Aro looked bored to tears. Felix ushered her forward and Edward tried to lunge for her to pull her back. She used her shield to avoid the contact. Aro narrowed his eyes and spoke over her head to Edward,

"She's not the girl you lead me to believe Edward! Why and how did you keep this from me?" he said.

To say that Bella was pissed off was an extremely large understatement.

"Eh hello! She has a name, it's Bella by the way and I do not appreciate being talked over. Especially when you're directing your questions to the monkey, and in this situation, I'm the organ grinder!" she voiced.

They were stunned, nobody ever corrected Aro. The guard tensed and held their collective unnecessary breath. Caius leant forward and Marcus lifted his head to look closely at Bella.

"My most sincere apologies, Isabella. My dear, you are correct, Edward obviously knows nothing about you at all" Aro cooed at her,

"Might I take your hand?" he asked and Bella moved forward a step, then she turned to Felix and said,

"If he moves put a leash on him, please". Felix laughed out loud and everyone gasped,

This was obviously a rare sound. So she stepped forward once more and let Aro grip her hand, she tried not to shudder at the feel of his thin papery skin.

"Nothing, I see nothing" he looked alarmed as if this was unheard of.

"Yes well, I'm not surprised, seeing as I'm a shield and all" Bella stated and everyone stared at her amazed.

"You are aware of your gift? Even as a human?" Aro queried.

"Yup, aware and able to use it, I suppose as a vampire it would be stronger and everything, but it works just fine at present," she said blithely and gasps were heard all around the room.

Caius cleared his throat and stood,

"How is it you are aware of your gift? Someone has to have been helping you to use it and they naturally would not be human" he asked and stated.

"Your quite correct, Master Caius" she nodded her head,

giving the warrior king respect, automatically. This did not go unnoticed around the room and the guard relaxed slightly in the face of Bella's show of deference.

"I live in the shadow of the Olympic mountains in Washington State, home to both the Olympic Coven, two members of said coven are here before you now and the Quileute Tribe, indigenous to that area, they are also known as the protectors, humans who can shapeshift to protect the tribe and peoples of the area" Bella's voice was clear and confident as she explained this to the kings.

Caius hissed about damned shape-shifters.

"Well, when my friend Jacob Black phased and took his rightful place as future Chief and current alpha to the pack, he suggested I talk to their Shaman as I was showing some signs of a gift. Other tribes were also asked for their permission, this lead to me being able to control and project my shield and it turned out that a long time ago the Swans married into one of the other tribes, so this made me a special case. It also means I'm under the protection of the wolves." Bella finished off.

During her speech, Edward kept growling at the mention of the pack and Jake in particular. The kings huddled together to discuss what they had learned and Bella turned to Felix once again and said

"God I never realised how immature and irritating he was or how rude, constantly interrupting his betters when their talking" the whole guard sniggered at Edward's expense.

He was totally devastated that she thought so little of him now.

"Friends, we have made a couple of decisions and the first is, Edward you may return home to Carlisle, your sire, but know this your punishment will be to reframe henceforth from interacting with humans until you learn some self-restraint, there will be no more of this childish nonsense of attending school. You will have to undergo some serious retraining and return here to prove to us you are once again safe to be allowed out in public." Aro decreed,

Edward growled at this and Bella motioned to Felix to slap him across the back of his head. Everyone burst out laughing and even the kings had difficulty keeping a straight face. Edward was dragged forcibly from the room.

"Alice my dear, I would extend you a place on the guard, but I know you will refuse me. So you too are free to go also and please give our regards to your mate 'The Major', he has been a good friend and ally to the Volturi over the years" he commented and a ripple of sound went around the room,

As everyone who wasn't aware previously realised just who her mate was. Alice inclined her head and thanked them, saying she would stay to await the outcome for Bella.

"Lastly Bella my young friend, might we ask what your plans for the future are? Have you ever considered becoming a vampire? Would you be interested in joining the Volturi?" he asked her.

Bella looked around her and took a large breath of air.

"Masters, I have been giving it a lot of thought over the last few months and I actually feel as if I was born to be a vampire. I would indeed be delighted to join your guard, maybe not forever but for some substantial length of time to learn from you and help me become a respected vampire, not a parody of one like Edward", Bella informed them.

"Lastly, I wish to ask your indulgence in the timing of this event, my father is a Police Chief and would not stop looking for me if I just disappeared, he also would involve the F.B.I in the matter. The Cullens to would eventually be dragged into the search and maybe too closely looked at." she paused there to let it sink in and then continued with.

"So my suggestion is that I finish high school, which is only for three more months and I could then win a prestigious scholarship to a foreign college here in Italy, sponsored by a family friend Dr Carlisle Cullen. Maybe under the care of a Professor Marcus Volturi, a close friend of the doctor, studying 'Renaissance Literature'. Something along those lines and then I could slowly extricate myself from his life and no harm done. But obviously the wolves would be advised of my change and no more need of their protection" she proffered for them to decide.

"You really have been thinking about this seriously, my dear," said Marcus and he nodded saying

"This would be good, a clever idea".

Bella turned to Alice, lifted her shield and asked how did the future look and Alice smiled and said

"Perfect, Bella just perfect".

And so it finally came to be, Bella now entered a new phase in her life, family and friends were thrilled for her and although sad she would be so far away, no one begrudged her the chance. The tribes accepted her choice and hoped she would help to bridge the gap between the species. The Volturi were happy to find that once changed, Bella was an extremely controlled vampire with little bloodlust.

She decided to feed on animals, mainly for the thrill of the chase and the gold eyes were more human-like. She was aware of the pull she felt for Felix but was not rushing into anything this time. The guard took to her easily and laughter became the norm around the castle, due to her antics and her wit. To everyone's amazement even Jane liked her and they spent a lot of time together.

Felix looked upon her with more and more affection and occasionally he saw her watching him too. With a smile and a nod from Marcus, Felix was happy to bid his time and wait for Bella to return his feelings fully. After all, he had all the time in the world.

Love Is Infinitely Patient

'Il miospirito libero' that's what Felix called her in his head; he loved the zest she had for this her second life and how she embraced being a vampire. Everything about Bella Volturi called to him, her compassion for others, her innocence, her lack of guile and most of all her ability to be herself. Becoming a vampire did not change her in the slightest. She was still that cheeky, sarcastic, irreverent young woman who came to save the Cullen child from himself.

Felix's love for her grew every day and he was aware that although she had not changed. She had changed him; he laughed more and began to see things around him in a different light. He had lost his jaded, bored stoicism, he saw the world through her eyes and he liked it. He actually felt like the young man he once was, so long ago. He like many of the other wasn't exactly sure how old he was but felt he had been probably about twenty or twenty-one years old, before his change.

"Felix, what are you doing out here?" Bella asked as she finally came upon him in the outer courtyard,

"Thinking" was all he said smiling,

"It's overrated you know. Do you want to come hunting with me?" she said bouncing on the balls of her feet, acting a little strangely.

Unaware of how appealing she was and how much he wanted to crush her to his body and kiss her smiling red lips. For the most likely, one-millionth time he thanked the gods for his cloak, as it hid his body's automatic reaction to her presence. Over the last year, she came to him more and more for company, he didn't know if she realised it or not.

But he loved and hated to accompany her hunting, loving to watch the erotic dance of it and hating not to be able to show her how much he wanted her afterwards. She was his pain, as well as his pleasure, but every day, felt like one step closer to him and he would wait. His patience was endless where she was concerned.

"Okay, where to this time? Do the Masters know we're leaving?" He asked rising to tower over her,

"Yes, yes, I told them we'd be gone three days. You don't mind, do you? I wanted something a bit bigger this time. Something that would put up a fight!" she laughed nervously and grabbed his hand to drag him back inside to pack.

Once again he wondered if she felt the constant buzz of electricity, which he felt at her touch. She never reacted and it worried him, but Marcus said the bond went both ways and to give her time to accept it. But how much time would she need? What he didn't see was the look in Bella's eyes as their hands met. If she'd been human she'd have sighed with relief, she felt complete.

His mind was on why she would be nervous! He was unaware of the half-truths, lies and misconceptions Bella had to wade through before she understood the meaning behind his touch. Edward had told her the tingles she felt when they had touched were the sign of a mate. This was a lie, all humans felt the tingle when touched skin to skin by a vampire. But they were only on the initial touch each time and not a constant hum.

Mates felt the sensation constantly, at every touch and caress. That's why neither Carlisle nor Emmett ever took her hand, they would hug her instead. Touching her body which was clothed, to disguise the tingle. As did the kissing on the top of her head, her hair acted as a barrier and she was misled into thinking only Edward's touch gave her any reaction. Jasper, of course, had never touched her, except for that once briefly in Phoenix when he told her she was worth it.

She had been too stressed then to notice he also made her tingle. In fact, she now knew he had avoided her most of the time. Was this because he didn't agree with what the others were doing? But went along with it for Alice's sake? Probably she guessed; after all Alice was his mate and he'd never hurt her. But Bella was sure Alice would know all about it and have felt his displeasure.

So when Felix's touch gave her a more powerful constant feeling before she was changed it confused and upset her. Then afterwards when he was the only one to affect her she had to stop and think about it and accept the Cullens had lied to her once again. Several long talks over the last year with Marcus had dispelled many of their so-called facts.

Although she had been physically controlled on her awakening, everything was new and confusing; her emotions were all over the place. She would not jump blindly into a relationship ever again, so Bella had avoided the whole thing. Buried it deep inside until she felt she had total control of her emotions once again.

Slowly she let herself be drawn to Felix and got to know him, like him and now accept she loved him. If they were fated to be together for eternity, she wanted him to be her friend first, then her lover, and her all. This trip would change everything for them both and she was nervous but excited too.

Her other decision that Felix was also unaware of was to change her diet; she had given it much thought and talked to almost everyone in the citadel. If the Cullens had lied about everything else then it stood to reason that being a human drinking vampire would not make her evil or dangerous. It would not steal her soul away or make her a monster.

But she would not participate in the tourist feedings that she could not stomach. It smacked too much of shooting fish in a barrel. So she wanted Felix to take her hunting the old fashioned way and they could pick those among the humans who were anything but innocent.

As Felix entered his room he found his suitcase packed, ready on his bed, beside it sat Demetri. These two men were the closest of friends and knew each other's secrets and desires after all these years as friends and colleagues.

"I took the liberty," he said waving his hand over the case.

"Why a suitcase? It's only a three-day hunt, is it not?" Felix quizzed and Demetri shook his head.

"She wants you to teach her to hunt properly! I also think you should be ready for anything or everything" he said cryptically and Felix's head shot up, if he had a heart it would be pounding.

"Enjoy my friend," Demetri said as he swept out of the room. He felt it was only fair to give his friend at least an inkling of what might be going on.

The Citadel had been suspiciously devoid of female guards over the last couple of days and Demetri sensed them all in one place, this could only mean trouble for some poor male vampire. When he realised Bella was involved then he knew it would be Felix. Thanks to the deities she'd made up her mind at last.

But he knew his friend would be oblivious and felt he should at least warn him. It warmed his cold heart that Felix would, at last, get his girl; he'd been more patient than Demetri himself ever would have been in the same position.

D&R

"Felix? I want; no I'd like you to teach me to hunt humans! Human criminals preferably" Bella said in a rushed quiet tone as he drove them out of Volterra.

"It would be my pleasure little one. When did you decide this? I know we've talked about it and your dislike of the tours. Why now Bella?" he asked casually, but desperate to know.

"I've been so blind and stubborn, clinging to a lie. I'm a vampire, a predator and not a human. I know now most of what the Cullens told me was lies, so why am I trying to be like them? I want to be like you Felix, but I can't do the tours it's cruel and well lazy really!" she said and he laughed.

"If you'd ever been in the feeding rooms you'd have noticed I rarely join in. I agree it's lazy and I only participate when I'm desperate. I like the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of being my true self" he said smiling warmly at her eagerness.

"That's what I want and I know that if I am ever desperate I can catch an animal and be sustained for a short time. But I want to be able to go longer between meals and this is the natural way. I'm sick of living a lie, I'm a vampire!" she told him ardently and he knew she was happy and content in her decision.

"Then my dear I suggest Venice, there are always undesirables lurking in the underbelly of La Serenissima," he said winking at her as he set a course for Venice.

Bella was happy to sit back and relax; knowing one part of her plan was underway. The Volturi had residences in every major city so they would have a base to work from. She wanted to have some fun as well whilst in Venice. Maybe sightsee, go dancing or just spend uninterrupted time with Felix before she brought up the matter of mates and therefore mating.

As they both relaxed and enjoyed the scenery, Felix couldn't help but notice how often Bella touched him. It might be a pat on the arm or a squeeze of his hand as it lay on the gearstick to gain his attention. But it was more often than ever before and he smiled internally. His heart swelled with love for this beautiful vampire, his mate, his free spirit. He wanted to do something special whilst in Venice, but what?

Then it struck him if this was the beginning of their life together he wanted something to mark the occasion. Something tangible, something Bella could pick out for their new suite. Both had their own rooms, but mated couples were allocated a suite and theirs sat empty at present. He had many antiques and things he'd collected over his long life, but Bella had very little and he wanted her to choose something for them both to appreciate and remember this time by.

"Bella, Venice is renowned for its antique vendors. Would you like to spend some time with me checking a few out?" He asked and was happy to see her face light up,

"Oh, that would be wonderful. I've never had time to just wander around looking for things of my own, yes Felix I'd be delighted" she told him sincerely.

As luck would have it Venice was under a pall of cloud and fine rain, so after depositing their cases in the safe house, Bella and Felix set out to find something special to take back with them. Later he would take her hunting but for now, he wanted her to relax and enjoy Venice's sights and wares. As it turned out Bella had a good eye for things, not flashy or overly ornate. But understated and good quality.

Felix showed her how to spot a fake and by the end of the day she had found an inlaid French ladies writing desk that he was pleased to see would compliment his own.

"Oh Felix, this is the one for me. Look it's like yours but for a woman. Do you think I can afford it? Aro gave me my own card, but I don't know how much money I'm allowed to spend!" Bella said in a rush.

"No worries little one, the card has no limit," Felix said and Bella gasped,

"No limit? Wow, that's scary, to tell the truth" she said stroking the desk longingly.

"Okay then, let's do it," she said smiling at him.

That and a couple of first editions was all she bought and this made him smile, she wasn't wasteful or greedy, just buying a couple of tasteful things and when he mentioned clothes she screwed up her face and said no.

"When I bought my desk they gave me a pair of chairs. One I use the other is just for show would you like it little one" he asked casually.

Bella was not aware that yes they were a pair, but a his and her pair and it would fit her desk perfectly.

"Yes please," she whispered.

Thinking that their desks would look so good either side of a window embrasure that had seating where she could read. While beside her Felix was thinking the same thing and he knew just the room to put them in.

D&R

They were waiting until it was dark before going to hunt, cliché Felix knew. But that was when the human predators were at their most abundant. He wanted Bella to get a real sense of just how evil their prey could be, hoping this would offset any guilt she might feel. Showing her that by taking this one life she could save many others.

Just because they were the top of the food chain, didn't mean they needed to be callous or blasé about it. He had been advocating for change in Volterra for many years. Knowing the humans would eventually work out that all the missing tours all went to Volterra and that would be disastrous.

Dear god even in the humans own movies they had make-believe vampires running blood banks and having numerous ways of handling this more ingeniously than they, real vampires did! It was time for a change; Aro's medieval fishing expeditions were no longer safe or practical. All the guard were capable of hunting, they did so on missions. This was the only time he laid down the law, no children, no innocents!

Bella was nervous, but Felix expected that in fact, he would have been worried if she wasn't. The price of being too cocky could be very high, his thoughts strayed to Jane and Alec. They thought that this would be easy and went at it like a bull in a china shop. The cover-up had been immense, but thankfully it was hundreds of years ago and the humans accepted the story of a Smallpox breakout. That fiasco took the mighty Jane down a peg or two.

He watched from above as she took out the pathetic excuse for a human, no matter the species Felix hated rapists. If it has to be taken by force then it's not sex, its violation. Though there are fewer vampire rapists, as they tended to forget and lose their heads to their victims. It's the ones who still prey on humans he loved to kill, sick bastards.

Bella looks up at him smiling and very pleased with herself, there was a small trail of blood on her chin and before he could stop himself Felix was beside her licking it off. She stiffened momentarily, then he felt her arms snake around his shoulders and they kissed for the very first time. It was tender to start with and then became more animalistic, as their mating hormones kicked in and the need to claim each other damn near overwhelmed them.

"Ah, slowly il miocuore, amoremio, lest I embarrass myself," Felix said and Bella giggled.

He scooped her up and returned them to their lodgings within a couple of minutes. As he set her down at her door she took his hand leading him inside,

"I'm sorry I made you wait so long, but I was confused and needed time to adjust. But I know you are my mate, you are my love, my only love" Bella said as she slowly helped him shed his cloak, jacket and shirt.

Felix hugged her to his chest and Bella inhaled deeply sighing loudly as he began to purr. Then he too slowly peeled off the layers of Bella's clothing. She was nervous and tried to cover herself,

"No, Sei bellisima my Bella" he murmured and she relaxed knowing he would never lie to her and for once she felt beautiful and desired.

The sun rose and set twice before they finally stopped and just lay side by side in quiet reflection. Bella knew now without a shadow of a doubt, what it felt like to be loved, physically and emotionally and it was a heady sensation. Felix told her about the empty suite and how he hoped she would like to share it now, with him.

"Yes, I would be delighted, il mioguerriero, la mia anima gemella" she replied surprising him with some Italian.

She'd been studying with Marcus and had at last mastered the language now her newborn emotions had settled down enough to let her concentrate properly. Their last day was filled with sightseeing and dancing, romance and love. No one was surprised at how gentle and attentive the giant of a man was, his face told its own story, he was in love with the little woman in his arms and just as she was with him.

They were perfectly matched in their own mismatched way. Volterra heaved a sigh of relief on their return, it had been a long tense year of uncertainty. But all could see that at last, they were very much together and in love. Many were sure she'd lead him on a merry dance, but that he would go willingly and happily after his free-spirited mate.

Life was looking good for the new couple and they settled back into the routine of the guard easily. Neither aware that a selfish spoiled child was making ready to attempt to ruin their idyllic life. Wanting to once more have his toy back and to hell with what she wanted! Though he was oblivious to the fact she was now mated to the Captain of the Guard. As usual, he was too late, but this time it could cost him his life.

Il mio amore (Italian) - My love

spirito libero (Italian) - free spirit

il miospirito libero (Italian) - My free spirit

Venice is known as La Serenissima (Italian) Bride of the Sea

il miocuore, amoremio - my heart, my love

Sei bellisima - You are beautiful

il mioguerriero, la mia anima gemella - my warrior, my soul mate