A/N: So now that I am back to my regular schedule my updates wont be as frequent. It will be more like once a week now rather than every few days. Sorry, but that is the only way I will have enough time to still put out what I believe to be quality content. But no worries, because I will not let this story fall to the wayside again like before.

On another note, I was practically blushing writing this chapter. Im a pretty modest person, so this was a bit out of my realm, but I tried!

Thanks to everyone for sticking with this story so far!

And as always, Meyer's characters, not mine.

When I opened up the door to my room I was surprised to find Tanya sitting on the ground, legs crossed and eyes closed. It almost looked as though she were meditating. Her eyes snapped open at my entry.

"Sorry to bother you." I said quietly. She stood from where she was sitting.

"Not a bother at all. I was just taking a moment to clear my mind." She told me, and I could tell she seemed calmer, more serene than the last time I had seen her.

I began rummaging through my bag for some dry clothes.

"Out in the storm, I see." She noted my appearance.

"Yeah, I was enjoying watching the lightning." I told her. She smiled at me.

"I can't stand the rain. It makes it hard for me to think, because all I can seem to focus on in the sound of it hitting the roof." She replied.

At her words I took notice of what she was saying. It was much louder through vampire ears.

"I can see what you mean." I replied, looking up toward the direction of the noise. I stood there for a moment, simply listening to the sound of the rain before taking the dry clothes from my bag into the bathroom attached to the room. I peeled the wet clothing off my skin and hung it on the towel rack in the room to dry. A new sweater and a pair of dark corduroys replaced the wet clothes and I walked back out into the room.

"So, did you train with Jasper?" Tanya asked nonchalantly. She was sitting on the bed, cross-legged. She patted the space next to her and I sat down there, mimicking her posture.

"Actually, no. He was out hunting. But I did speak to Alice for a bit." I told her.

"Alice?" she asked.

"Yeah. I figured she would have the best idea of what I would be up against with her ability to see the future." I explained.

She nodded in understanding.

"Did she tell you anything useful?" She asked.

"Yeah, I guess she did. More than anything I just found it troubling." My face fell a bit as I remembered just what I was going to be up against.

"Did she tell you who Aro is bringing?"

"She said that he had decided on Chelsea and Heidi. Alice told me about their powers. I'm really worried that I wont stand a chance against the two of them combined." I told her.

"Heidi wont be a problem. Her power works best on humans anyway, and from my experience you are pretty good at fighting seduction." She smirked at me and I laughed, thinking back to the first time I had met Tanya.

"And as for Chelsea, it's true that she's a master manipulator, but I think you will be alright on that account as well. Every decision you have made so far has been to avoid joining the Volturi and staying true to yourself. You are grounded in who you are and that will keep you safe. Often times Chelsea can manipulate those who desire to become something else, but I just don't see that in you."

Her tone was even, calm, reassuring. I still couldn't seem to quiet my fears though.

"Even if you are right, he might bring even more of his guard. How am I ever going to refuse them? Who knows what kinds of powers they will have? What if I'm not strong enough and they do change who I am? How will I-"

"Alec." Tanya interrupted my string of words, placing her hand on knee. I hadn't realized just how worked up I had gotten until that moment.

"You will be fine." She said simply.

"But you can't know that. What if I can't handle this?" I asked, my voice begging for some sort of definite answer to how I could do this.

"Just trust me. You are too kind of a person, too caring to ever want to be a part of something like the Volturi. You have a selflessness about you that I could never even dream to have. And you are stronger than even you know. I have faith in you, have a little bit in yourself." She told me.

I felt embarrassed and completely undeserving of her words.

"Wow. Thank you Tanya." I managed to squeak out. I had never had someone so blatantly validate me, and I wasn't sure how to handle it.

"Really Alec. I mean it." Her tone was serious.

I just smiled at her, although I still wasn't sure I believed her.

"Thank you, Tanya. For everything. I'm glad that I can call you my friend. I really don't think I would have been able to stay sane without you."

Her lips upturned into a small smile and she seemed to be glowing. I was aware again of her blinding beauty. She laced her fingers through mine and it was as though I were on fire again, only in a much more pleasant way.

"Alec." I could feel her breath on my face as she spoke my name. The sound of it sent a jolt through me. Was she feeling the same thing I was?

"Yes?" I could barely get the word out.

"I know we haven't known each other for very long. But when I see you I…I guess I just…vampire emotions are so much more intense and I never expected…" She seemed to be having a hard a time getting the words out, but my heart soared at her half formed sentence anyway.

Without another thought I pressed my lips to hers.

She was frozen and I pulled my face from hers, suddenly terrified that I had made a terrible mistake.

Her eyes told me otherwise.

She crashed her lips back onto mine and I our mouths seemed to be in perfect synchronicity as they danced together. My fingers wove through her silky hair and I clutched at her waist, pulling myself on top of her. Our bodies were pressed up tightly against one another's. My own mouth parted, inviting Tanya's tongue into mine and our kiss deepened. I loved her sweet taste and then scent of her skin that clouded my brain.

The emotions and sensations that coursed through my body seemed almost foreign to me. They were so much more intense than anything I had ever felt before. I couldn't think straight, couldn't think about anything that wasn't the feel of Tanya's skin against mine.

A small voice in the back of my head told me to stop this. That there might be some negative consequences to my actions but I politely told that voice to shut up.

It did not listen.

I tore my shirt off and her hands ran down my chest and to my belt, causing me to shiver with pleasure. But something even stronger than the powerful lust I felt told me to back off. I flung myself from her and across the room, leaving her looking distraught from the bed. Her expression of despair caused me physical pain. I wanted nothing more than to go back to her. But this had to wait until after my meeting with the Volturi. I couldn't let myself become any closer to her. I didn't want to hurt her if I was manipulated later into leaving her. We both knew heartbreak and I couldn't do that either of us.

"Tanya I can't. Not now." I panted.

"Why?" She asked.

"Not until after I face them. Not until I know that I will be able to stay with you." I told her.

As understanding took over anger replaced her sadness. She shook her head.

"You will be able to resist them." She growled fiercely, springing from the bed and pulling me to her. Her lips would have bruised mine if they could have as she kissed me with force. I couldn't help myself as I kissed back, turning and pushing her up against the wall. She wrapped her legs around my torso, bringing herself impossibly closer. She moaned as I sucked on her bottom lip and the sound nearly sent all my resolve crashing to the ground. She began kissing down my neck, biting down on the flesh there and it took everything in my power to even speak.

"Please Tanya. Don't." The plea sounded pitifully unconvincing, even to my ears.

She paused, looking me in the eyes. Her honey eyes seemed to dance with desire, and they were truly the most seductive things I had ever seen. I lost all touch with reality. She was all that existed.

"Alec." She purred and the sound of my name leaving her lips was too much. Our lips met again, fusing together.

I wasn't sure how I did it but I pushed myself away from her, breaking our kiss and forcing myself across the room again.

"Tanya, I mean it. Just wait a few more days. Then I will be all yours. I promise. Please just do this for me." I begged her, this time with much more force.

She groaned.

"Fine. But the minute you are away from the Volturi, you are mine." She said, her voice almost a growl again.

My desire for her burned in my stomach.

"I look forward to it." I told her.

The lust slowly left her eyes as we both stood on opposite sides of the room, trying our hardest not to run toward one another again. After a few minutes we both seemed back in control of ourselves.

"This is going to be a tough next few days." Tanya told me, and I let out a short laugh.

"Yes. But it will be worth it." I replied.

"I'm not so sure about that, but I'll respect your wishes anyway." She said, heading for the door.

"I'm going to go get some fresh air." She said before closing the door behind me. I was alone again.

I let out a long sigh as I fell back onto the bed. Tanya was right. This was going to be a very long few days.