Disclaimer: Twilight and its characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.

AN: This story was writen as part of the LiveJournal Vampire Big Bang [ http : / vampirebigbang . livejournal . com] which brought together Authors, Artists and Mixers to create a great collection of fiction and fanfiction vampire stories.

Warnings: Medical Procedure, Strong Language, Sexual Content, Mpreg, Slash

Acknowledgements: To the wonderfully talented davincis_girl who truely captured the story with her beautful art work (see LiveJournal). Also to Pace is the Trick my ever patient and long suffering beta.

Dedication: This story is for sandraj60 who has patiently waited for this story, promised many months ago. Enjoy!

Recrortus

(to recreate, restore, revive - birth, origin, source)

Chapter One

He had not always been a thief. His original career path had been one of science and discovery - finding out the why and the how of the world and how man functioned within it. His role models and mentors had been great men of science. He had spent his years at school working hard so he might one day obtain the opportunity to work with great scientific minds.

He was ecstatic when he had been selected as a lab assistant for one of the newly emerging genetic research labs in Germany, and while on the periphery, he saw the emerging science start to make advances and discoveries that ensured mankind's progress. But then it all fell apart. He had been discovered in a lovers' tryst with another student and although the university did not report the incident to the authorities, both young men were asked to leave the school.

Unlike his co-expellee, he had no family or income to fall back on and resorted to living on the streets, stealing food and breaking into properties for shelter. He wandered around Europe trying to find another opportunity, another who would help him continue his dream in science.

Breaking into an apparently abandoned property in Naples, he set himself up in the lovely, furnished - but clearly closed-up - building and fell asleep. He woke to the light and warmth of a fireplace and the smell of tea and bread. A man sat across from him, watching him intently with eerie golden eyes. The scientist in him wondered how such a mutation had occurred; he had seen white and pink eyes in the research that had been performed, but never gold.

He then realised that the man was well dressed and at ease in the building.

Jumping up, he begged, "I am sorry, my lord, I will leave now. Please, I meant no harm. Please do not call the authorities."

The man continued to watch as the young man babbled on. "Sit!" he commanded. The young man found himself doing so without his volition.

"I will not call the authorities, but I am interested in you. Please eat, tell me about yourself." The man's accent was neither Italian nor French, as was the norm for this area. Instead he spoke in a strong Spanish accent that matched his dark looks.

The young man hesitantly reached for the food. It had been days since he had eaten and he would not turn down such a generous offer. He found himself opening up to the quite solemn man across from him - about his poor start, the loss of his parents, his studies in and fervour for scientific research, and then his disgrace and resulting failure. He described his search for a mentor or sponsor to continue his passion for science and the makeup of man.

After a while he went quiet. Through the whole time his audience had said nothing and moved little, as if he was frozen in stone, intent on the story.

The older man leaned forward.

"What to do with you now?" he mused to himself. "My dear young man, you have a talent…," he raised a finger as the young man went to interrupt. "Please let me continue."

The young man nodded to indicate he would not try to interrupt again.

"You have a talent, but for the life of me I cannot get a fix on it. Normally I would leave you be, but…there is something else, something there that I think would be very…appealing?"

The young man sat, unable to understand what the man was talking about, but as he listened he realised that this unusual man held his future in his hands.

The older man appeared to make a decision. He clapped his hands together. "Well my young friend, I have an offer to put to you. My master is an enlightened man, a powerful and rich man. He respects the arts and sciences and holds a genuine interest in the developments made for the understanding and enrichment of mankind. I think that he could find a place for you."

The young man sat on the edge of his seat; he could not believe what was being offered. But there had to be a catch, this could not be without strings attached.

The older man seemed to sense the young man's hesitation. "I can see you are wary, and so you should be. My master is a hard taskmaster and you might have to undergo a significant change to be allowed to stay with us. But I cannot tell you if that will occur or not, my Master will make that decision, indeed he will make the decision as to whether you are to stay with us at all. I can promise you that I see talent and my Master respects my judgement in such matters."

The young man waited in silence for a minute, "And if I refuse?"

"Well," said the man. "I have caught a thief in my home, I have a right to call the authorities,"- the young man drew a deep breath in "Do not worry my friend, I will not send you to gaol, but I would recommend that you consider my option as the only one in which you have a viable future."

The young man sat and stared at his potential benefactor. He really had nothing to lose, his life was going nowhere but prison, if not today then another day very soon. The opportunity of serving one who valued the sciences and might give him the opportunity to perform cutting research was just too good to pass up.

He nodded.

The older man clapped his hands, "Wonderful! Thank you…" the man paused; they had never introduced themselves.

"Wilhelm" the young man supplied.

"Wilhelm," the man repeated. He held out his hand, "Eleazar. Wilhelm, you are about to embark on a fantastic journey."

~*.*~

The trip to the city of Volterra was uneventful; however Eleazar had a whim of travelling at night, remarking that he enjoyed the peaceful cool of evening over the warm sun. As a result the journey went quickly for Wilhelm as he was able to sleep most of the way. He would sometimes rouse in the middle of the night as they passed through some village only to spy Eleazar wide awake reading.

Their arrival at their destination was without fanfare, entering a dark stone building by a side door. The only instruction he received from Eleazar was to stay close to him, not to wander or speak with anyone. Wilhelm was already ill at ease with his chaperone and their current location did not help.

He followed Eleazar into a large chamber, lit by a combination of candles and electric light. He was astounded by the latter and his mood improved at the thought that his possible future Master really had a love for science. So focused was he on the twinkling lights he initially did not notice the three beings sitting regally in large gilded thrones. Trying not to stare he followed Eleazar's lead and bowed low to the three.

The being on the centre throne stood and clasped Eleazar's still gloved hand. "Eleazar my friend, it is good to see you. You have brought a gift?" The last was a question, as if there were other reasons to explain Wilhelm's presence.

"Aro," Eleazar smiled. "Might I introduce Wilhelm, a student of the new sciences and a young man with talent?"

The latter caught Aro's interest, "Talent? Can you describe it?"

Eleazar shook his head, "No, it is too vague - nothing specific. But it is there."

Aro's smile dropped, "It is not like you to bring in a vague potential. What draws you to this individual?"

Eleazar looked Aro in the eye, "I am not sure." He is interrupted by a loud snort from the dais, Caius looking less than impressed with the current catch. Aro raised his hand to still any further interruptions, indicating Eleazar should continue.

"Aro, see for yourself. There is something valuable there."

Aro raised his eyebrow and clasping his hands, turned to Wilhelm. "I apologise for being so rude, young man, please let me introduce myself. I am Aro, one of the Masters of this domain." The being held out his hand and Wilhelm took it without thought.

The feeling was nothing he had experienced before. The sensation of his mind being stroked, and while everything remained the same he also had the feeling that something had been taken from him.

Aro let go of his hand and took a step back turning again to Eleazar. "You made the right decision, my friend. I think he will remain secure in the guest quarters for now, let us not rush into any changes." Aro turned to Wilhelm, "Well my dear boy. Welcome to the Volturi. I have much in store for you; we shall work together on this new science of genetics."

Wilhelm, both excited and confused, followed Eleazar out. He was led to a finely furnished apartment and shown where to bathe and eat. Eleazar indicated that workrooms would be set out for him and Aro would be sure to want to talk to him about where to start his work.

The next few days were a blur; he met a number of other people who lived in the wing. However none spoke to him other than to pass on messages or provide basic information. Aro left a message that Wilhelm should start to think of his laboratory needs and provide a list to Eleazar, who would visit Wilhelm every evening for a few minutes to check on him.

Time went quickly and he found himself settling into life with the Volturi reasonably well; but still there was something not quite right, something he could not put his finger on. Five days later, when he was invited to a meeting with Eleazar and Aro, he was informed of the true nature of his new employers.

He was sedated for twenty four hours. His distress at finding out he had sold his soul to the devil had overwhelmed his mind. However, as he battled internally a small part of him, which grew louder and louder, reminded him that this was what he wanted, a sponsor who saw the value in science and was willing to support it.

Who was he to discriminate against a non-human species? In fact he started to consider, would it not be better to aid such beings to evolve through science, possibly give them to tools to develop beyond their current existence.

On hour twenty five he asked to speak with Aro and Eleazar. Upon their entry he stood in front of Aro. Bowing low, he declared himself confidently and asked eagerly, "Master Aro! Where do you wish me to start?"