You burn away my nightmares.

Bella/Jane

I'm currently rewriting this fic in between the summer of my second and third year of college. My writing style has changes alot, but I will try to keep the chapter events the same if not expanded on. It will be pretty easy to tell the chapters I've improved upon.

In this fic I'm making Marcus more powerful. It's within the realm of possibility that he can track bonds between people or communicate through them if one is strong enough. Charlie's relationship with Bella will be much better as well. This fic will be more than just a romance like I originally intended. Maybe a mystery? Leave your guesses at who the kidnapper in this chapter is. Any one excited to find out how Didymi's alive?

Bella will be showing some flaws in the next few chapters. It's hard to wright in flaws when I need some good growth to happen before hand.

Rubies, cherry, maybe even merlot tonight. Her hair color changes each night she haunts me. A dream catcher made of sticks and feathers hangs above my bed. I've had nightmares ever since they left a few months ago. They mellowed for a time, but are much worse now. Jake left me, like everyone else. A cool feeling of despair fills me as I grab a feather tug. It's performance last night proves it will work just as well in the trash.

I close my eyes and try not to think. Thinking only brings back memories. I almost laugh at the idea of it. Bella Swan thinking? I acted out of love, out of friendship. Each and every time it bit me in the ass. Moving to Forks for my mother to be happy seemed to be the start of this mess. Maybe he couldn't read my thoughts because I never had any to begin with.

"You are pretty stupid", her sickeningly sweet voice called through my window.

At first her taunts were mainly about them leaving, but slowly they turned into other fears. My dad dying or Jake leaving was a big one. It's almost humerus that Victoria never lied to me. Jake did leave, and now I'm all alone. I still have my dad for the time being, but how much longer will be put up with a daughter like me? I didn't notice his existence after they left.

Branches snap and leaves crunch as she draws closer. At least shes taking the window this time. In some dreams she starts down stairs and makes me listen to her hurting him. Each time I rush down and try to save him. I went to great lengths to keep him safe that night, even if it meant hurting him emotionally. Tonight like most nights she slowly creeps up to the window before tearing into my room and killing me. The beginnings may differ, but it always ends the same.

A loud popping sound occurs as the beating in my chest intensifies. The sound indicates that she is right outside the window but it's too dark to see her. The light reflects her dirty ugly nails as her hands grasp the post, moving in.

She never moves an inch. I watch and wait for her slender beautiful body to pounce but it never comes. After a few moments my dream self tries to leave, but that's when I see it.

Small, multicolored flames appears beside her hands. The long snow white fingers glow bright red before being consumed by green, blue, and other colors. It doesn't stop with her. Instead it spreads to the wall. The blue flames burn faster than the others, but the green ones burn brighter. Smoke begins to fill my room.

In a panic I relies I can't move my body. As I struggle with my body as the flames begin to slowly eat away at the surroundings. No! In a panic I start to think about the bite mark on my arm. The venom felt just as hot as the fire does now. I would do anything to not face that pain again. This can't be happening!

As the first rages on I'm too panicked to notice the image the flames make. I eventually notice that the colors separate into different parts and form complex color. This only reminding me more of the torture of the bite.

"Follow the bond.", commanded the masculine, gravely voice.

I snap out of my fear for a spit second. I watch wide eyed as the fire weaves into a realistic image. Golden flames make up a throne. The man who sits in it is cloaked in a long red robe which touches to the ground. The flames leave little detail for the expression or details of his face. Long black hair frames him. My perspective is as if I am kneeling before him.

A trail of flames from my wall burns into my grey carpet, slowly tailing towards me. My fear tries to return, but something strange happens. This time instead of fear, a strange desire enters me. I feel warm with delight. It increases with each passing moment. The delight mirrored the way emotions felt when Jasper used his gift, but not exactly the same. The delight almost felt like it was watered down somehow. Almost like through a channel or some sort of bond.

"Feel the urge. Let it consume you. Distance has no significance.", he commanded harshly as if he was scolding me.

The flames race faster towards me, almost like they have a purpose. My desire turned into a frenzy. Faster, my thoughts whisper, Almost done now. Soon I will meet you, claim you as my own. Come to me.

As if in a trance I take a small step. Heat blasts me, causing me to pause. No! I need you! Don't hesitate! I take more steps towards the heat not hesitating. We almost meet in the middle. I need you now!

I rush down and scoop up the flames, embracing the heat.

The illusion shatters as flames eat my flesh, consuming me. I scream and fall, backing away as fast as I can. You never said it would hurt my mate! As if my world was shattered I relies this is not my voice, harsher but more feminine sounding than my own. What is going on?

As my skin feels like it's boiling I fall to the floor, crying out "Stop, please! It burns!"

"It always hurts", his deep angry voice spoke "but I will help it move along quicker. If not you both may perish."

Snap! Something breaks.

My foot connects with a bed and my head a dresser. Fuck that hurt! I open my eyes and they adjust to the light coming through my curtains. No fire, but I feel really hot. My body stops thrashing calming down. I felt like complete shit. Relief flood me as I see an absence of blood on my body. Feeling lucky I try to sit up but end up gasping half way in my attempt. The world around me twists. My chest feels like a sledge hammer hit it. No way in hell is my body leaving this floor without assistance.

"Charlie?" I try to cry out. My voice is stronger since I started talking with Jake, but nothing compared to before. Months of being mute had it's effects. After a moment with no response I start to panic. What if he doesn't come? I yell as loud as I can, "Dad!"

Crash!

Something must have broke downstairs. Foot steps race and maybe even trip going up the narrow stair way. He must have been eating something before I called, about ready to head to work. Bang! My door slams open revealing a worried Charlie. He rushes to me and kneels. A million emotions race across his face. He's most likely trying to assess whats wrong with me. I bite my lip as I feel guilt. I've lost so much weight Charlie must have a list of fears.

"Fell", I try to speak, "Hurt," I place my hand on my ribs hoping he understands.

Charlie picked me up in an awkward position. By the ease he seemed to have most likely was the way he was taught. I try to imagine all the times he could have did this and how many lives he has saved as he carries me. My body soon is embraced by a soft mattress. He moves my hand and begins to palpate the area. I flinch and try to move away but my shortness of breath along side the heat made me too weak to move.

"Not broken, but will leave one hell of a bruise.", Charlie said as he moves his hand to my forehead. He frown deepens.

"If your fever doesn't break by ten you're going to the hospital.", I try to push his hand away from my head.

"No", I croaked. "No hospital" The last thing I needed was being fussed over at some hospital.

I closed my eyes. My fever made the lights above me hurt. I start to wonder if I did this to my self. Not eating for a while must have made me more susceptible to sickness. I briefly think about the people at school and wonder which of the asshole got me sick. Probably Mike, the bastard. He had the flue last week.

Something cool is pressed against my forehead. "Drink and take this", Charlie commands. He must have left the room to get me some medicine at some point. He pressed two pills in my hand for me to take, but held the glass of water while I drank through the straw. The water soothed my throat. I doubt I have enough strength to lift the glass.

Slowly I drift off to a dreamless sleep. Little did I know it would be the first of many to come.

"I'm not helpless you know", I say as Charlie hands me a cup of hot chocolate.

Ever since the incident it's felt like hes been trying hard to fix me. Charlie took me to the hospital after I wouldn't wake up from my fevered sleep. The first thing I seen was nurses fretting over me, yelling at me to not move. Apparently my fever was over 110 degrees, high enough to cause brain damage. No one knew what sort of state I would wake up in, if I woke up at all. They say it was a miracle that I had no damage to my brain or body.

Honestly, waking up was the least stressful part for me. I didn't know what the hell was going on after all. A therapist was sent in to try and help me the same day I woke up. I felt thrown under the buss. I could have been given a day to recover or something. When Charlie first took me to the emergency room he had to explain what happened. There the whole story of my stay in Forks came out. My lack of eating, my anxiety along with grief, and apparently mood swings came out into the open. It took blood tests to prove that my concision wasn't a result of a suicide attempt.

At first I wouldn't speak to Siobhan, my therapist. Hell there are still many things I can't say like I was dumped because my boyfriend's brother almost drained me. Only Charlie's outburst and anger caused me to open up. Now Charlie and I see her twice a week. I didn't think it would help things much, but it surprisingly did. Understanding that I didn't want to talk much about my past, she allowed Charlie and I to have a joint therapy session. Charlie who's socially awkward and uses fewer words than I do agreed to go with me and actually talked about things. It wasn't as much as talking as she usually gets from clients since most of our sessions is (insert name) trying to guess and get us to talk about issues. It did mean a lot to Charlie and I.

"Doctors orders", dad says as he smiles.

I'm currently on bed rest until my fever breaks. This fever refused to go away, but isn't as life threatening as it was before. The only thing the doctor allowed me to do was walk, and even then it wasn't for very long. Since they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me bed rest was ordered.

Charlie sat down a turned on the T.V. It was too early for sports games so instead he flipped through the channels. A big relationship goal was for us to watch TV together, since we shared no hobbies. Instead of watching reruns of hunting shows or sports games we would watch something we both enjoyed together. I hope he finds an action film, I love it when dad goes on and on about how unrealistic cops are in those movies. He sometimes even tells stories about his glory days.

Today is one of those days.

"The guy is an asshole," Charlie frowns after spending a few minutes on a movie, "but I was an asshole like that once."

The cop in the movie had pistol whipped a suspect, trying to get him to speak.

"You were?" I asked in surprise. Dad has always been level headed and calm for as long as I've know him.

"Yep, once I lost control in an interrogation. Girls where going missing in Washington and never seen.", he speaks grimly, "I usually notice when strangers pass through town. Sometimes when I have nothing to do I sit and wait for speeders to come by the gas station, or the occasional drunk. One night I seen a shady looking person. Short, messy hair and appearance. Looked like they haven't seen a shower. I had a gut feeling that I should follow them."

"I ran the plates and low and behold it belonged to one of the missing girls. I was so angry Bell's. This was around the time your mother stopped letting you come and visit. She claimed it was because of the kidnappings. I thought if I could only catch the sun of a bitch then I could have you back in my life."

This was the most I ever herd Charlie speak, let along about when mom left. I didn't say a word, hoping he would continue. "As soon as that guy went one mile above the speed limit I pulled him over. He looked terrified Bella. Skin and bones and smelled horrible. I felt proud that I made this monster feel that way. He kept crying but not saying anything. When we get to the station I start interrogating, I started off about the speeding but then brought up the missing girls. The guy just stayed silent the whole time."

He took a drink of water and continued, "I ended up getting so mad the Chantey, the sheriff at the time, called me off. I didn't listen and ended up clobbering him and breaking my hand."

"Was it worth it?", I ask. I found it a little funny that only Charlie is as clumsy as I am. I'm surprised I haven't broke my hand like that yet.

"No", he said calmly.

"No?" I say in surprised, "But he kidnapped all those girls!"

"I thought that too, but I should have waited to get all the facts. See a woman kidnapped all those girls and told them if they helped kidnap another one they would be freed. It's why we never caught the asshole, she always had others do her dirty work. The guy I punched wasn't the kidnapper, he was one of the few male victims trying to escape." he looked regretful, "I punched an innocent victim Bell's. Let this lesson skin in, never act without all the facts."

"You didn't catch the killer?", I asked.

Charlie looked troubled but shook his head, "No, we got a general description. Beautiful and wore expensive clothing. I can't remember all of the details. By the time we found the place the girls where being held the kidnapper was gone. The few victims we were able to save all lost their minds. The rest died."

"That's awful", I replied. I never knew dad had to see things like that. No wonder why he doesn't talk much. Charlie looked sad and a little angry. Instead of letting him cool off like I once would have, I should try to get him to talk about his feelings more.

"Everything alright dad?", I asked inquisitively.

"You probably won't like me saying this Bell's, but that's why I never trusted Edward," he looks flustered. I wait for the flinch and the pain, but surprisingly I don't feel as sad as I once did. I don't feel the over whelming, deep hole. Must be the fever, I can hardly feel anything for long with it.

"He was always too perfect, too rich. Something screamed predator to me. The force taught me Bell's it's don't trust anyone who seems to perfect. The rest of them had flaws, but he didn't. The Doctor always acted like he regretted something, making up for his past actions maybe. The blond could be mean to be frank, and the big one seemed immature. The other ones had problems too, but not him. Too quiet, always seems to know everything-"

"Stop please", I ask cutting him off. I felt engulfed in heat, sweat starting to form on my face, "Heat flash."

Dad quickly gets up and comes back with a cool rag. "Sorry", he mumbles with a blush, "Didn't mean to over do it." I watch as he retreats into him self again. I try to take this as a small victory, he opened up to me like he does Billy. That's a step.

It took me a hour for the fever to dye down to a safer level. Charlie looks more upset than usual. I can tell every time he comes back with a new rag he seems more conflicted. I hope he doesn't blame himself for my fever. He still thinks that he should have seen the signs of my depression sooner and somehow convinced me to get help. I've hold him before that I didn't want help back then. I wouldn't have talked to anyone about my feelings and probably would have shut down completely. It's not his fault that I cared more about him than my own father.

After a while Charlie spoke, "I'm running out of days off Bell's. You can't be left alone like this. Don't argue about it either." His tone is angry almost, like he hates what he has to say "You should join your mother in Italy. There are specialist in Italy that could help."

He doesn't say it, but moneys been tight. My medical bills takes a bigger portion of his paycheck then he leads on. He had four months of paid leave stored up from the years of not using it, and because of me it's all gone. Apart of me wants to argue. Charlie has been such a great parent since the accident. I finally feel like someone is on my side. Charlie doesn't have a secret to protect or have to constantly worry about exposure of his entire species. He only cares about his work, friends, and family.

I felt sad, but agreed. "I'll miss you"

He looked for a moment like he didn't know how to respond, before sighing. "I'll miss you to kiddo. Even more than last time"

My last week in Forks is going better than expected. The therapist advised us to spend quality time together instead of doing our normal routine. Despite Charlie and I agreeing that we were more than happy with watching television and talking for my last week, he wouldn't relent. In a true Swan fashion instead of doing something big like going to Seattle or going to the movies, we wanted to avoid any form of social interaction. It was hard to pick since Charlie only wants to fish and I would rather do anything else, but we came to a compromise. We first will go fishing and a surprise.

I came to Forks an adult in many ways. Growing up I could tell my mom anything, but as I got older it was harder to relate with anyone. Mom would always mention how I should start dating or what she did in her glory years. Sometimes I felt like my mom would fit in with the other people at school better than I did. Both seemed silly and child like, free spirited she claimed, to me. I want to give Charlie something that was stolen from him, a moment to be my dad.

I buckle my seat belt and yawn. Apparently fishing started before the sun rose. Charlies enthusiasm was the only reason why I wasn't grumpy right now. He spent all night awake preparing for this trip. Charlie handed me a huge thermos as he started the car.

"Anything I'd like?". I asked in curiosity and open the lid. I need something to keep me awake.

"Don't drink it yet!", Charlie yell and steals the thermos away, "The fish bite better when hot coffee is around."

I smile and watch trees go by. Each sport has some kind of pregame ritual, and it shouldn't surprise me that Charlie has one for fishing. Looking at his unshaven face, I'd say he has quite a few. Interestingly I notice a dull, golden ring on his finger. I ask him about it as he turns the station from modern country to old classics.

"I only worked a part time job when I started dating Renee. My parents didn't let us marry until I earned enough money to buy at least some wedding rings. The job was only part time, and I improvised. I won every fishing trip that year and bought our rings with the money. Funny, she hated the ring and chose not to wear one.", he explained.

"Wouldn't a reminder of mom hurt?", I ask. He turned the wheel and kept his eyes on the road.

"It hasn't hurt in a long time Bell's. I don't look at the ring and see her leaving. I have plenty great fishing memories from it. My favorite one being the fifty pound catfish I caught. Renee is one of a kind. She was so happy when I showed her the pictures of my catches, yet hated the ring I bought. Not because she knew anything about fish, you take after her in that regard Bell's, but she always loved it when I was happy with my self.", he continued, "I see those bits of her when I see you."

I don't ask anymore questions. I lift up my sleeve and stare at the bite mark staring me back. Maybe it's been so hard to let go of him because he took all the good away. The meadow, the pictures, and even his own family who I considered friends all left in a single day. I'm always surrounded by their absence instead of the happy memories we made. A nasty, bitter feeling swells up in my chest. I've never thought bad of him for leaving me, but now I guess I do. He could have made things easier on me. My therapist always tells me that it was heartless to leave me in the woods, and I'm finally agreeing.

We drive many more miles and I almost fall asleep when me make it. When is step out of the car I notice how sunny it is out. The cool air blows across my cheeks, cooling my fever down. In about thirty minutes we where ready to fish.

"Watch your step.", Charlie says as he eases me on to the boat. I almost trip a few times, but with dad's steady hand I end up in the boat safely.

He hands me a long, blue rod. "I almost brought your old pole, the tiny frog one you used when you where below my knee. Worms or fake?"

"Definitely the fake.", I answer, "I don't do blood." Again I'm blow away with how good the air around me feels. I almost feel like the old Bella again.

He hooks some bright, colorful plastic fish on my hook. "Next time I'll show you how to do it. If I show you now we might leave early with a hook in your cheek."

Charlie shows me how to operate a fishing pole. Phones seem a thousand times easier to understand compared to that magical device. At least I won't get a hook in my ear if I use a phone wrong. I feel comforted knowing that my dad's by my side. It's almost the same feeling I had when he was around, no matter the speed or the height I felt secured because of the experience he had.

We fished for what seems like the whole day. Charlie caught all the fish in the creek. Every thirty minutes or so a new, bigger fish would show up and was drawn to my dad. I coughed a few too. When I caught my first, a small little one he was so proud. Dad even took a few pictures, despite both of us hating them. For some reason, I started to feel a little dizzy, but ignored it.

At first I thought about releasing the fish back in the wild, feeling bad that Charlie wanted to have them for dinner. They ate animals, didn't they? I felt a little hypocritical for wanting to tell Charlie off for eating the fish when Edward used to kiss me after eating raw animals. I decided against saying anything and enjoyed the day, not noticing that I thought his name.

When it started to get dark we headed back to the car. The air worked like a miracle, leaving me with more energy than I would normally have at this time of day. My dizziness increased with the following hour. It's as if something my my chest was pulling me in many directions at once. Hopefully once I rest it will go away. As I opened my door and hopped on the seat, Charlie looked out into the distance before frowning. He cursed under his breath and slammed the door on his way out.

"Stay in here. I'll take care of this", he said. I looked out and seen Jacob Black, staring at us. He no longer looked like the Jacob I knew. His muscles where bulging in an unhealthy way, almost looking like a professional body builder who's steroids. The saddest and most unattractive feature strangely was his short hair. When his hair was longer, and his face softer I used to be slightly attracted to him. Now I just feel icky for looking at him.

"Why the are you here?", my dad asked calmly.

Jake smirked, "Quileute land. I need to talk with Bella."

My dad stared Jacob down hard, "We are leaving. If the elders change their mind they should give more of a warning."

Jacob started to walk towards me, just to be stopped by a hand to the chest by a pissed off Charlie. "If you step and inch towards my daughter I will hurt you. The drugs you're on won't help you."

Jacob towered my dad by a few inches. Suddenly I felt fear, but I didn't know what would happen if I got out and passed out. Dad would go ballistic if I was hurt. "Look I don't want to make you mad Charlie, you are like an uncle to me but I really need to talk with her."

Almost as if if a damn broke inside Charlie, his anger burst through, "And hurt her again? First that asshole leaves her in the woods alone and left for dead. Then I fucking trust you, a boy I've watched grow up and helped raise to help my only daughter. Before you came around she didn't even eat! I was so proud of you for helping her before you abandon her just like he did!"

Jacob tries to interrupt but my dad's face goes even redder and he speaks over him, "Don't you fucking dare! You told me you would protect her. She almost died in my house, sad and feeling like no one cared. Every night she screamed worse than when Edward left her. You didn't even have enough balls to visit her when she had 120 degree fever, fighting for her life in the hospital. Somehow my baby is alive and I wont have you fucking with her again."

From the faint outline I could see Jacob's face fell and he truly looked at me for a moment. I could tell he started to see the slight red to my cheeks and the numberous other things that where wrong with me, "They told me she was sick but not-"

"Sick? Is sick feeling so hot she has to take ice baths daily? Is sick having to check your own daughters every night because she broke a rib falling out of bed? Is sick being a miracle that shes not brain dead! Shes not sick she's", I couldn't see his expression because my dad was facing Jake's direction, but I could hear the tears in his voice, "She may be dyeing and I can't do anything to fix it, and your own of the ones who put her here. Stay away"

Jacob backed away, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, please tell her that. I didn't know" His sadness suddenly turned into anger as he begins to shake, "Why did they not tell me? I'm going to kill Sam!" He ran into the woods, almost as fast as I could see.

Dad watched him go, almost as if he was wishing Jacob would come back to fight him. "Dad?", I called, "Come on, we had plans remember?"

When he was back in the car, I see that he is crying. I hugged him as non awkwardly as I could. We both weren't used to physical affection.

"I'm sorry Bell's. This is my fault. I just don't want to loose you.", he spoke between tears and snot. I didn't say anything and just held him for a while he cried.

"If only I did something! I just didn't want to intrude. Your mother hated when I tried to too much. I just want to be your dad", he mumbled in my shoulder.

"You should forgive him, and forgive your self. I made my own decisions too. I hate that I put both of you in the spot.", I stopped hugging him to look in in the eyes. His eyes where red and puffy, and noise red as well. "Dad when I leave he's the closet thing you have to family. Make up with Billy and Jacob dad. All of you need each other. Maybe you can even figure out what's wrong with him.

He looked sad again, "I guess I've been a crappy friend to Billy. Hes been upset, probably because Jacob joined that gang at the reservation. He's probably upset with Jacob as well."

I smiled, "When I come back from Italy we have to go fishing as a group. It's kind of grown on me."

That perked him up, "I'll be looking forward to it."

After a few moments of composing our selves we left. As we grow closer to our destination I start to feel more tension in my self, and my fever grows along with my dizziness. I slept on the way to the first place I wanted to go. He woke me up when we reached the dress shop.

"Left or right?', he asked. I give him the directions to the spot where Edward first saved me. When I see the dim lights and feel a creepy vibe I tell him to stop.

"This is where I first started dating Ed...", I take a breath, "Edward. He saved me from a group of guys who tried to hurt me. For the first time in so long I had to rely on someone else, and I guess that feeling got addictive. I liked how he took care of me, with money and emotions. He liked me because I was different than most girls."

"You where almost assaulted? Well I guess he did something right", Charlie replied, "He messed the rest up."

"The night I told you that I needed to leave, I lied. Some creepy dude started stalking me. He was like the Cullen's, rich. I knew I couldn't get you involved in any way or he could have hurt you dad. Edward convinced me to leave and to protect you. I only thought of your safety when I lied.", I spoke. Bending the truth seemed better than not telling him anything at all.

"You didn't lie", Charlie stated, almost as if he was trying to wrap his brain around the concept. A blush.

"Dad I love living with you. I can just live without having to worry about social stuff and every day it's the same. With mom one week it was yoga and another art. I fit in more with you than I ever did her.", I stated truthfully.

Charlie smiled at me and I continued, "Dad, you wont like this next part. To get me away, he lured me to my old ballet studio. He found a recording of mom and played it over the phone. I thought he had taken her. I had to sneak out of the hotel we where staying at and met him."

"The injuries I had before prom came from him. He was stronger and faster than I was. Even the pepper spray didn't phase him. For a while he toyed with me, but before he could really do any damage Edward came to save me. He fought James, the crazy guy, off for a while. While they where fighting James used me against Edward. At one point he even bit me", I lifted my sleave and showed him my scar.

Charlie paled and reached out to touch my scar, "I knew it. When you where sleeping I held your hand and felt the cold. He did something odd, didn't he."

I lied easily, "Yes, he had some sort of chemical he rubbed on it after he bit me. Edward cleaned my wound while they rushed me to the hospital."

"What happened to James?", dad asked.

"I can't tell you. Your a police officer dad, it's mandatory to report when the law is broken.", I looked him in the eyes as I say. The only problem with this story is I can either end it with James getting away, and making Charlie worried for me or telling him the truth that the Cullen's killed him.

Charlie sighed, "Damn it Bella. Will he try to hurt you again? That's all I need to know."

I shake my head, "Dad, if we didn't... I wasn't the first one that he hurt."

"Did he," Charlie took a breath, "What all did he do to you?"

I blush. James never had an interest in me in that way. He had to experience some kind of pleasure to keep killing, but his mate Victoria must have fulfilled his other desires. "No, all my injuries where treated at the hospital."

"Is there anymore you are keeping from me?", Charlie asked.

"Yes", I answered honestly, "Some parts I'm not read to tell yet. I may never be ready."

Charlie did something unexpected, and we hugged for the second time today, "I love you so much Bella. I want to know. I think one day you'll tell me."

"Maybe our next fishing trip?", I pull away and suggest. He starts the engine and we drive back home. Tomorrow I will be leaving for Italy, but tonight I fall asleep to classic rock with Charlie watching out for me.

Didymi's Perspective

"You didn't have to be so hard on the girl, Marcus", I say with a slight smile, "I do believe a throne does not justify the actions of a hypocrite."

"Never has a true king dallied in idle chatter. The spectacular bond she wanted was formed. So what of the means?", Marcus replied as he took off the red velvet tunic, revealing log sized forearms.

A vampire coven was never complete without a brute. Marcus was one of the first brutes to join ours, and still remains to be one of the strongest. Even grief could not erode the gifts venom brings, but it helps to disguise it. Not many see beneath the poor posture and depression. Almost laughably, Marcus is considered one of the ugliest of our kind. Instead of rejuvenation him, the venom made his face eternally down trodden and sullen, filled with many small wrinkles and imperfections. Small, aged scars litters his skin having been placed there centuries ago. The illusion was topped with a rather large, hooked noise.

All the imperfections further helped hide the true physical danger he could bring. Towering at seven foot, with piles of muscles one may think that he would be the leader of the army and not Caius. Indeed, the Volturi almost had two leaders instead of three. Many centuries ago Aro and Marcus ruled in peace. For many years both had equal power, but as new threats arose a decision was made for a military to be formed. This would upset the power ration, giving the king who ruled over this new section enough power to take over if he wished. It took many years for Marcus to tell me how he detested the idea of running the army, but feared the outcome if Aro had that much power.

On the other hand Aro hoped that he would find someone strong enough to match Marcus in combat, but instead he found a king intelligent enough. Even as a human Caiuss's strategic mind was brilliant. Continuing to impress, his willpower outweighed his newborn instincts and instead fought with more caution. At this time Marcus convinced Aro to let him build and army and train it due an upcoming war. Aro only agreed with a plan in mind of Caius killing Marcus. After being trained for many years, Aro enacted his plan and ordered Caius to kill. The fight between Caius and Marcus lasted many days and resulted in injuries. Each bears countless marks from the other. Marcus was astonished at Caius's skill in combat, and at last called for a trues. He would surrender control of the military on the condition that Caius became a third king and ruled over the military.

"Death may come to her now. Aro will seek vengeance if a prized fighter looses control.", I say chastisingly, "The streets are stalked, and fights break out due to her feral state. Was the choice a wise one to connect them before a first meeting?"

"The alternative are worse. The dormant soul bond disappeared for weeks! Only death vanishes a bond. Devastated at the news Jane almost left, angered at my suggestion to wait until her mate was older. I was shocked to see the flames of her bond appear. The bond the share is through fire of many intensities. If I denied her wishes, she would have left and scoured the world for her mate. She would be defenseless to our enemies.", he argued back but added, "The strong, smoldering bond they share. Jane would ruin it by her death."

"What if her mate does not show? You predicted that her mate entered the world less than two decades ago. Who even knows if he is turned.", I shoot back.

He looked defeated for a moment. I feel guilt, I'm the only one who can make him feel this way. I try to reach for my gift instinctively but nothing comes. It has been ages since I could last feel joy flood my body and into others. I give a him a sad smile as solace.

"Never has a bond been this complicated. It's almost as if something tries to block my abilities. My only solace is now that the bond is formed, making contact will become easier in time.", Marcus squints and looks at the floor as if focusing on something, "Yes, the bond is strengthening. Bonds that have haunted Jane now are fading, making room for the bond to grow. The old bonds don't compare to the new brilliant bond she shares."

Marcus has always been a complicated man. He cares more about bonds that he does the people he is helping. In the beginning of our relationship he did everything he could to grow our bond. I remember fondly when he caught me dinner in hopes it would strengthen our bond like he seen others do. Instead it backfired. I've always enjoyed the hunt more than the food it's self. In fact this enraged me. I'm no trophy wife. Maybe that is why he secretly disliked how our bond looked and felt.

Glancing at the clock, I decide to change the subject. No need to end on a sour note, "Has Aro and Cauis come to an agreement on the draft?"

Marcus lips twitched up in a smile, causing one of his scars around his cheeks to bend. "I've never been happier to care so little. Aro still think's it's a beneficial idea to make vampires serve us for a limited time, hoping it may persuade a few gifted to join. He just wants more control over how people view the Volturi. Cauis never enjoys when Aro wins. He claims that it let's our potential enemies see how we operate and open us up for an attack."

"Is your opinion still the same?", I ask agreeing with Cauis. Aro can be short sighted when power is within reach.

He looked at his hands thoughtfully, "Both agree a test should be done before implementing the rule. A coven that has good relations was the only thing they agree on. I spoke about was my rule that the members be mated. It will do us no good to put someone in the spot to join us or we loose a member. I would hate put a bond at risk."

"Any ideas of a coven?", I ask.

"Aro suggested the Irish coven. Cauis thought about Maria's small new coven, after all she is in our debt. I prefer Cauis's idea. The Irish coven has to many unmated members.", he stated.

I think of my old friend, Carlisle in fondness. "What about the Cullen's? It's been a while since a last visit. Have the newer members even been in the castle? Most of the coven is mated as well."

Marcus smiles and cups my face, "Perfect my love. You always have the best ideas."

I kiss him, knowing we only have moments left. "I love you Marcus. Our time is short"

"My soul beats for only you my love.", We hug, before I fade away.