Disclaimer: All things Twilight are the property of Stephanie Meyer. Everything else is mine. Nothing may be copied without the express permission of the owner. No copyright infringement is intended.

Rating: NC-17 for violence, sex and language.

A huge thank you to RedSummer.

Alice's POV

They washed over me, all the possible futures that appeared and disappeared as Maria thought about what she'd just heard. None were pleasant. All showed someone I cared about either scared or in pain. One particularly vivid possibility showed Jasper wild with grief, being dragged away by Maria. I gasped and pushed the visions away, turning to throw myself into Jasper's arms. He enfolded me with his love and protectiveness without saying a word.

The wild flurry of visions settled and solidified into something that chilled me to the core. Another snow covered battlefield, great pyres of burning bodies, Maria's face twisted in fury and Jasper's scream of pain. Then that all changed, gone. I shook with the horror that still flooded my system, before that, too, was gently soothed away.

…"What are you going to do about it?" Maria asked. Mathias just shrugged and turned away to get dressed. He appeared crushed, as if all the fight and hope had gone from him.

"What can I do? By telling you I have forfeited my life, they won't let me live now that I've betrayed them. I have no chance of ever having a family. You have taken that away from me," he said sadly.

"Can't you take what you want by force?" Maria asked, surprised.

"What force? I am one, they are eight. The last time they were confronted they surrounded themselves with their friends and allies. What can I hope to gain by that? Carlisle said he'd take the secret with him to his end."

"I can provide you with an army," Maria said matter-of-factly.

Mathias snorted in disbelief. "Your kind of army would destroy them. What use is that to me? What do you want from the Cullens anyway? You don't seem the mothering kind."

"They have something that is mine and I want it back. That simple. By helping you get what you want, I can get what I want."

"And what is that exactly?" Mathias asked.

"Jasper," Maria snarled.

Mathias laughed. It was a dark and bitter sound that held no humour in it whatsoever. "Then you have less chance than I of achieving your dream. You cannot break love like that without breaking Jasper, too."

"That's the idea. I want him back with me, fighting like the killing machine he is, not playing house and happy families."

"You don't get it, do you? If you kill Alice, Jasper will be nothing. The first fight you take him to will be his last. You've never been in love have you?" Mathias said bitterly.

"What has love got to do with this?" Maria asked.

"Everything! And that is why you will not win this fight with force. The only way you will ever get what you want, or for me to get what I want, is for it to be given willingly."

"Like that's going to happen," she growled and threw herself down in a chair.

"Then move on, leave what you cannot have."

"NO! He is mine, and I will get him back. It's not as if you could walk away and leave what you cannot have, it is? You want what they know and you aren't going to rest until you've got it. So, don't expect me to do what you're incapable of," she snapped back bitterly.

Mathias sighed. "That's where you're wrong, Maria. I can walk away and leave it. That is the best option I have of ever achieving my dream. If I give them peace and time, then there is a slim possibility. If cannot have a family, then I'd quite happily die."

"Then there is an option open for you, Mathias. Go to the Volturi. Ask for their help. They'll either kill you or back you against the Cullens. Your choice."

"How many ways do I have to say it, Maria? I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT THE CULLENS!" Mathias shouted into Maria's face, finally losing the calm exterior he'd put up around him.

"But that's the beauty of it, Mathias. You won't have to fight, The Volturi can ask them in ways that can't be refused," Maria purred, and moved closer to Mathias to stroke his back and soothe him. "You're not the only vampire in the world to want a family. You'd be helping all the others in the same position as you. There ARE many you know. That's why there were so many immortal children, so many mothers yearning for a child."

Mathias crumpled under her touch, she pulled him close to her and whispered in his ear. "The Volturi need to understand. At the moment if anyone sees the baby they're going to think it's an immortal child. It won't be like the hybrid, it'll be pure vampire. The Cullens won't have a chance if the Volturi don't know what's going on. It'll be destroyed."

"NO! That can't happen."

"It's what will happen if they hear about it and don't know," Maria said softly stroking Mathias's hair.

"Alright, I'll go. Maybe they can help, at the very least it will protect Rosalie's baby," Mathias replied looking defeated. Out of his sight, Maria grinned.

"Don't tell them about me. If you do I'll die. They don't forgive those who fight in the Southern wars."…

I jumped up quickly, anger coursing through me. Jasper followed me, obviously feeling my fury, but not knowing its source. "The twisted little BITCH!" I cursed, and began pacing the room with my fists clenched. I'd been right there in the vision, and now I desperately wanted that closeness to be able to punch her.

"Despite everything, he was still trying to resist her. He doesn't want to fight or hurt us. She's twisted that to make him do the one thing that will ensure we're destroyed!" I growled, still pacing in front of Jasper. He grabbed me and held my arms tightly, capturing my eyes with his own.

"What's she done?" he asked.

"Persuaded him to go to the Volturi!" I wailed.

"WHAT! Why?" Jasper asked aghast.

"She said that if they knew it wasn't a hybrid, they'd think it was an immortal child. She told him the child would be destroyed, and that it would protect Rosalie's baby if they knew the truth," I said.

"That would be Maria's way. She had a way of getting what she wanted; she manipulates people easily. She'd find a weakness and use that against them," Jasper explained.

"She's still after you, Jasper. She's going to use him to destroy us and get you," I said as my voice cracked into a sob. I remembered Mathias standing up to her about that, and I thought he was right. I knew that if Jasper died, I'd be looking for a way to follow straight after – why would it be any different the other way around.

"She's never going to get me, Alice. I'd never go back to her, ever. You know that. There's a new future I want to have with you now," Jasper said softly, lifting my face to kiss me. "You are going to have the chance to be the mother of our child one day, and I am going to be there for that day to happen." He wrapped his arms tight around me.

…Aro paced with fury on his face. "You expect me to believe this fanciful tale on just your word? After the complete farce with the hybrid, I will not be taken for such a fool again."

"I thought you should know so you are not taken in by any other reports of the Cullens having an immortal child. Rosalie is pregnant. She will be having a baby and it will be pure vampire. But it will not be an immortal child," Mathias explained carefully and patiently.

"And you expect me to just believe you?" Aro asked incredulously.

"Yes, I am a man of my word," Mathias replied.

"I do not believe in words, even memories can be deceiving. Show me," Aro commanded and held out his hand.

"I have memories I do not wish to share. I have no wish for you to 'shoot the messenger' as it were."

"You believe you have a choice?" Aro asked coldly.

"I do. I would not have come otherwise," Mathias answered cryptically.

"Jane, dear. Would you?" Aro purred in her direction.

"Aro, please. Enough of your posturing. Are you interested or not?" Mathias asked calmly as Jane hissed from across the room.

"Interesting! Are you a shield too?" Aro asked smiling.

"Anything but," Mathias stated as he strode up to Aro. Renata cowered behind Aro as Mathias approached, but his path never wavered. Aro looked momentarily stunned then covered quickly. He put his hand out to touch Mathias's, but removed it again after a moment.

"Now you know," said Mathias.

"I know nothing, you blocked me."

"Exactly. Now you know what I am capable of, is what I meant," Mathias explained.

Aro smiled, and ushered Renata away. "Interesting indeed. You want me to protect the Cullen baby in exchange for what, exactly?"

"In time, I want their secret. I want a family. But they are not prepared to share it right now. Carlisle said he would take it to his funeral pyre rather than divulge it."

Aro laughed. "You are a contradiction aren't you? Powerful, but without the need for power. I take it Chelsea would have no effect on you either?"

"Absolutely none," Mathias replied wearily.

"In that case may I offer you our hospitality? I want to check out your tale discretely to avoid another farce."

"It would be my pleasure. I've always wondered how the great Volturi lived."

"Demetri, Jane, Felix. See what you can find out"…

I let out a huge sigh of relief. "They don't believe him! He wouldn't let Aro read him." I was almost bouncing with excitement. "He's still on our side, even if Maria has manipulated him into going, he thinks he really is helping."

Jasper smiled and ran a finger down my cheek. "You're speaking in the past tense again, about something that hasn't happened yet! Do you have any idea how confusing that is?" He bent to kiss me. "Do you know when this is going to happen?"

"Soon, his eyes were still golden. He hadn't hunted," I explained. "But Jasper, Aro is sending some of the guard to check on us," I said suddenly deflated.

"Who's he sending? And when do they get here? Did you see that?" he asked, the Major in him in charge again.

"He sent, is sending, Felix, Jane and Demetri. I haven't seen when they arrive. I'll search," I said as I reached for the visions that were gathering at the edges of my mind. Everything was so clear all of a sudden.

…"That's disgusting! You cannot seriously be considering doing that!" Felix said aghast. Jane wrinkled her nose and stared at Demetri.

"Oh no! Not me!" he said through gritted teeth.

"What other option do we have? You heard them. We need to see her with our own eyes. If Aro looks and doesn't see her, what's he going to do?" Jane asked, giggling.

"Ha ha, very funny, Jane. You don't have to enjoy it quite so much," Demetri snapped at her.

"One of you is going to have to do this, Felix? Demetri? You don't want to be on the receiving end of one of my little smiles. Do you?" she challenged.

"I don't think I can. I only fed recently, but your eyes are nearly black. It'll have to be you," Felix said smugly, smiling at Demetri.

"Fine!" he snarled and stamped off leaving the others laughing…

I had to laugh too. "Demetri has to hunt, the others refused. It's only him coming to the house."

"Well, at least we can handle one of them," Jasper said as he smiled. "I hope he takes down a herbivore! That would be a shock to the system for him."

"At least he had, has, the guts to do it. None of the others will," I said in his defence.

"True, but he'd still try and kill us all if he was told to," said Jasper seriously.

…Demetri entered the house with Edward and Jasper at his side. Carlisle and Esme rose to greet him. "Welcome, Demetri. Thank you for your efforts, that can't have been easy."

"You have no idea," muttered Demetri. Edward laughed and Demetri scowled at him. "Oh yes, I forgot you could do that. Enjoy it while you can, Edward."

"I understand you want to meet Rosalie to confirm Mathias's story. You need to see her so Aro can pick it from your mind," said Carlisle purposely revealing just how much we knew. He turned to the door and called Rosalie in.

Rosalie entered the room with Emmett hovering protectively at her shoulder. She was showing her definite bump to its best effect in expensive designer maternity clothes. Demetri's mouth dropped open…

"Oh! It's soon. Rosalie is still pregnant, but only just by the looks of it. She's huge! When did Carlisle say she was due?" I asked.

"Not long, I know that. Did he see her?" Jasper asked.

"You could say that, his eyes nearly dropped out his head. Come on, we'd best warn Carlisle," I said as I grabbed his hand.

I saw him as we got to the top of the stairs, but didn't have time to call out.

…A figure approached, she seemed scared, and confused. "Carlisle? Carlisle! What's going on?" she called across the lawn…

Everything blurred and I heard Jacob apologise. I tried to hold the vision loosely so I could still pick out the words.

…"Sorry, we had to be certain you were safe. A lot has happened recently and everyone is on their guard."

The figure became clear as Tanya ran to the house and into Carlisle's welcoming embrace. "What's been going on? I thought the wolves were your allies, but as I got to the border they surrounded me. When I met these two they dropped back. It was not a welcome I expected here," she said anxiously.

"It is a long story, Tanya. One best told in the comfort of our living room. It's been an interesting few weeks to say the very least. A lot has changed, and unfortunately not all for the better. You're welcome as long as you like, but we will be moving soon," he replied…

"Wow, its all happening. Jacob and Leah are back soon, and they meet Tanya on the way. I think that's happening today," I said uncertainly. Carlisle met my gaze and then looked out into the garden.

"Carlisle? Carlisle! What's going on?" Tanya's voice drifted across the lawn.

"Sooner rather than later then!" said Carlisle as we all moved to the door. As we stepped out, Jacob and Leah emerged from the trees.

"Sorry, we had to be certain you were safe. A lot has happened recently and everyone is on their guard," Jacob apologised.

Tanya ran towards us and straight into Carlisle's arms. He hugged her to him, and then she lifted her head. "What's been going on? I thought the wolves were your allies, but as I got to the border they surrounded me. When I met these two they dropped back. It was not a welcome I expected here," she said anxiously.

"It is a long story, Tanya. One best told in the comfort of our living room. It's been an interesting few weeks to say the very least. A lot has changed, and unfortunately not all for the better. You are welcome as long as you like, but we will be moving soon," he started to explain, but then Jacob and Leah stepped up onto the porch with us.

"Good to see you back. You best check in with Seth and Sam. I guess you've already picked it all up from the pack mind, but I know they'd be pleased to actually see you and talk it through face to face," Carlisle said as he released Tanya and clapped Jacob on the shoulder. He went to hug Leah before he caught himself and awkwardly ran his hand though his hair instead.

"It's okay, Carlisle," she said and quickly squeezed his hand. "Thanks, for… well, umm…" She shrugged and blushed before jogging into the trees.

"I'll catch up with you after my Dad has lynched me," said Jacob as he smiled nervously. The rumour was that Billy was livid that they'd just disappeared. He hadn't expected Carlisle's unorthodox solution to the problem of Leah coming into season.

"Alice!" Tanya cried and grabbed me in a huge hug. "You look like you've just seen a ghost! It can't be that bad surely? What's been going on?" she asked quickly.

"A lot, Tanya. We'll explain, but what about you? To what do we owe this honour?" I asked in return, she seemed to have a slightly frantic edge to her happiness. I could see Jasper frowning out the corner of my eye.

"I just needed to get away for a while," she said, dropping the mask and showing the true sadness that lay underneath. "With Irina gone, the house just seems empty. Well, not empty, but filled with couples. Carmen and Eleazar, and now Kate and Garrett. I'm feeling lonely all of a sudden and I haven't felt that in years," she explained.

I pulled her close to me and held her tight. "Well, you've come to the right place if you need a distraction, but I warn you, it's a bit of a mad house right now." I pulled her inside just as Rosalie and Emmett came down the stairs. Rosalie's face broke into a smile when she saw Tanya and she ran to hug her, too. Tanya went rigid in my arms and her breath strangled in her throat. We'd forgotten to warn her.

"W-what? How?" stuttered Tanya. She was frozen to the spot.

"Sorry, forgot to warn you. I did say a lot had happened," I apologised weakly.

"Geez, Alice! Understatement or what?" Rosalie cut in, grabbing Tanya's stiff arm and dragging her to the living room. "Come on, we'll tell you all about it. It's a long story."

"But, you're… What the hell is going on, Rosalie?" Tanya faltered, stopping them both in the middle of the hall.

"Yes, I am. In about two weeks. Now will you please let us tell you?" Rosalie said softly, and then pulled Tanya towards the living room again. She looked over her shoulder at me, stunned. I shrugged and followed them. It was going to be another long discussion, but hopefully less explosive than the one we'd had with Mathias.

~o~

Jasper's POV

I waited in the hall a moment longer, gasping at the force of the emotions radiating from Tanya. She hid them well, but I knew her hold was tenuous. If she was to hear Rosalie's story then I needed to be near her, preferably with her permission, to help keep those feelings in check. I pushed Tanya's turmoil away from me and focused instead on feeling soothing and calm. I knew it would leak out in spite of my efforts to keep it inside, but it would be subtle and take the edge off the mood without it feeling manipulating.

"Rosalie!" I called, following them into the room with a broad smile on my face. "Where are your manners? You can't grab our beautiful cousin and drag her away before we all get a chance to greet her," I said and walked towards Tanya with my arms open. We weren't the closest, but I could feel her relief as she rushed across the room and into my embrace.

"Oh, God! Help me, Jasper," she whispered into my ear as I squeezed her.

"I'm right here," I breathed back to her. Only Alice was close enough to have caught the exchange, but she showed no indication that she'd heard. I let the calm out from me slightly and felt Tanya relax in my arms.

"Thank you," she breathed, and then pushed herself away from my body and smiled up at me. "Jasper. It's a pleasure to see you, too. I can't wait to hear all your stories," she said as she grabbed my hand and Alice's and dragged us to the sofa, pulling me down next to her, grasping my hand desperately and tucking it out of sight between our bodies. Alice sat curled under my other arm radiating gratitude.

Edward? We've got a visitor. Tanya's here and taking it badly. I could do with some backup. I thought as loud as could and hoped he wasn't shielded.

We talked briefly about Denali; how Kate and Garrett were getting on and news from Carmen and Eleazar. Then I heard Nessie's high voice and tinkling laugh coming through the forest. She clattered up the steps, all grace forgotten in her rush to get into the house.

"Tanya! Daddy said you'd come to stay. Is Carmen coming too?" she trilled as she ran across the room and leapt on Tanya. I felt her surprise, and then the comfort she got from the huge hug.

"She's not, my sweet one. But she did say to give her bebé linda an abrazo grande y muchos besos. I guess you beat me to it," Tanya laughed then kissed Nessie's forehead. Nessie grinned then snuggled down next to her.

Tanya stroked Nessie's hair absent-mindedly as the conversation turned to our own dramatic recent events. I tired to let her feelings flow as she took in the story, controlling them only when they escalated and her hand clenched tightly on mine. She was furious at Maria's attack and subsequent escape, horrified at what Rosalie had had to go through, completely perplexed by Jacob's actions and intrigued by the changes it brought.

Tanya's grip tightened on my hand as we came to Rosalie's pregnancy. I had to work hard to contain the confusion, jealously, longing and fear. But they were nothing compared to the resentment and indignation she felt when Carlisle refused to share our secret.

"But how can you keep it to yourselves, Carlisle? We're the closest thing to family that it's been possible to have. Why can't you share it with us? You know what it means to us. Please," Tanya pleaded desperately. Carlisle looked torn and I could feel his internal conflict. Compassion vying with caution, respect bordering on love weighed against loyalty and obligation.

Edward stood and crossed the room. He crouched at Tanya's feet as he took her hand. "Tanya, this is a very difficult decision for us all. It's not one we've taken lightly, but it is one we've had to make. If our secret got out before we are ready, then lives would be lost. There has already been too much killing, and we will not be the cause of pain such as that caused by the plague of the immortal children."

Tanya visibly flinched at his words and her face went hard as fury surged though her body. I rushed to contain it, but Tanya threw may hand away and rose to stride across the room, stopping inches in front of Carlisle.

"Have you dared to create another immortal child? Didn't enough die last time?" she hissed into his face. I reached out with my gift to sooth her, but she snapped around to me. "No, Jasper. Leave me be!"

"Tanya, please. It's not like that. This child will learn, mature and grow. It's everything that immortal children were not, everything they couldn't be. Don't you think that we would have stopped it before now if there was any danger of that happening again?" Edward tried to explain.

"How can you know? This hasn't happened before. There is no precedent. There is no one who can prove to the Volturi that that baby isn't another immortal child." She was almost snarling.

"Of course we don't want to see them die! We would never risk our family or yours in that way." He seemed to be answering her thoughts instead of her words. Tanya, Irina and Kate had only survived the plague of the immortal children because of their ignorance, but they'd still had to watch their mother, and her child, burn. We, and now her, were all fully aware of Rosalie's baby and if the Volturi ruled against us, we would all die. Her eyes narrowed challengingly.

"Because I can hear it! It's like Nessie was; aware, advanced, understanding already," Edward revealed, stunning Rosalie and Emmett as much as Tanya. Silence filled the room as we all stared at Rosalie's belly. I saw the ripple of movement underneath the thin material.

"It's scared of all the noise and shouting," he said defeated. I reached out and could feel the anxiety overlaid by Rosalie's wonder and annoyance. I sent a wash of reassurance to the little being and felt its whisper relief.

"Why didn't you say?" Emmett asked softly, his hand resting protectively on Rosalie's belly, stroking the baby within.

"It's only been a few days. I didn't want to say in case it didn't end well. I thought it would be easier that way. When Nessie…" he trailed off and his fear and anxiety rocketed. Possibly remembering her touch-and-go birth.

Tanya stood shaking, wide eyed, clasping onto Carlisle's arm for support. Her shame and fear hit me hard, but it was a different kind of fear. Fear for the baby, rather than fear of the baby. I went to her with my hand out, a peace offering.

"No, don't. We understand. Don't feel that way," I said softly, waiting for her permission to help. She slipped her hand into mine and I pulled her into my arms so she could hide her face in my chest. It took a few minutes to calm her, but the shame and grief went slowly. The pity and compassion that replaced it confused me until I realised she had turned her head to meet Carlisle's eyes. I didn't need to read her mind to understand that she was thinking of Esme.

"You can't share it with anyone, can you?" she asked softly.

"No we can't, not even between ourselves. No matter how much we may wish it," he replied equally softly.

"I'm sorry for my outburst, Carlisle."

"I know. It's not the first over this and it won't be the last. There's more to our story you see; we've already been found out."

It was harder to sooth her anxiety as we told her about Mathias, Maria, and his impending trip to the Volturi, that was mainly because I was just as anxious, we all were.

"They'll come in a few days and we'll meet them at the border," Alice explained. "Demetri will have to change his diet temporarily, so it's only the one of them actually coming onto our land." She briefly slipped into a vision and smiled. Edward folded over laughing.

"Oh, I wish you could all see that!" he gasped. "Demetri on his first vegetarian hunt, you should see his face!" Even I had to crack a smile at that thought.

Thank you for your patience. Life is in a bit of a tail-spin. Please, please review. It would make my day! K :o)