Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. Duh.

Author's note: I know this only has two (hopefully well written and enjoyable) chapters. I will be adding more, but the progress will be slow due to school and life in general (junior year is HELL). PS reviews would be much appreciated.

Chapter 1.

Homecoming.

Ava.

I rolled down all my windows and took a deep, long breath. Speeding down some empty back road lost in the forests of Washington state, I had been able to feel the air around me changing for at least a half an hour. Thickening with moisture, charged with the coming storm, literally coming alive. I could never figure out why so many people seemed to prefer the hot and dry places of this world. The air there was dead. I took another unnecessary breath, letting the electric smell that fills the air just before a good, long storm fill my nose and clear my head. It wouldn't be long now. I had already passed three signs directing towards the tiny town of Forks, towards home. Home. The word seemed a little strange to me as I tossed it back and forth in my mind. For the first time in a long time it meant more then just some abstract idea, some memory. It was a real, tangible place, and I was going there. I was going home. It didn't matter that I had never been to Forks, never seen more of it then a satellite image on a computer screen. When you've lived as long as I have, as long as I will, home becomes where ever your family is. My family is in Forks.

I pressed my foot to the already floored gas pedal of my 1970 Jaguar XKE Coupe, willing the speedometer needle passed 150 mph.

"Come on Baby.." I whispered to the wheel. The engine purred in response, shooting me further down the winding road like a little grey bullet. I didn't worry about getting caught. It had never happened, would never happen, and even if it did, all I would have to do was smile a little, look up with my round amber eyes through my long, silky lashes, and any human police officer would gladly let me off with just a warning. People tend to treat you differently when you're insanely gorgeous.

The metallic glint of another sign up ahead caught my eye.

Forks. 30 Mi.

I felt a twinge of excitement flit through me. At this rate, I'd be crossing into Forks in just twelve minutes. I pressed harder on the pedal, suddenly impatient with my sluggish speed. Twelve minutes shouldn't feel so terribly long, especially not after twelve years of being away. I should calm down before I punched a hole in the floor of my beloved Jag. But the thought of my extended absence served only to remind me of how desperately I missed my family. These twelve minutes were starting to look like an eternity.

I distracted myself by imagining, for the thousandth time, my long-awaited homecoming. Barely noticing the road in front of me (not that I needed to), I focused on each of their faces. Esme would probably cry - she hated being separated from her children, and she was always so emotional. Emmet would be equally thrilled, although I seriously doubted he would be doing any crying, more like attempting to break me in half with one of his hugs. Despite what he said to the contrary, it had really killed Emmet to let me go. The last to be "born" and younger then any of the others had been when they turned, I was undeniably the baby of the family, and Emmet had always felt this absurd need to protect me. I shook my head, grinning, and turned my mental attention to my sister Alice's face. She, of course, would not be surprised when showed up. If she was still keeping tabs on me (and I had a fleeting suspicion that she was) she would already know that I was on my way. I just hoped she hadn't told the others. I wanted to see there faces when I strolled through the door. Carlisle and Jasper would both be reserved, modest as they were, but I knew they would be just as excited as everyone else. Even Rosalie, who had always been a little bit sullen with me for being just as pretty as she was, wouldn't be able to resist smiling. After all, she and I did share a connection that the others didn't.

And finally I let my thoughts wander to Edward. How would he react? I was more anxious, and more afraid, to see him then anyone else. Anxious because I loved Edward the most, was closer to him then I was to anyone else in my family. Afraid because of the last time I'd seen him. We'd fought the day I left. We'd never fought before, barely even argued, but suddenly I found myself screaming at him. He didn't want me to leave. No. He ordered me not to leave. He didn't understand why it was so important that I go, why I had to go, and it infuriated me. He was my brother and my best friend, my savior, the very reason I even existed. He was supposed to know me better then anyone, better then myself, and he couldn't figure it out. I'd never lost control the way I did that day. Screaming, tearing at the furniture, launching lamps and curses at my brother from across the room. I'm not sure which one of us started the actual physical fighting, but the next thing I knew, Emmet was pulling us off each other and I was flying for the door. Twelve years later I still hadn't spoken to him, to any of them. I knew the rest of the family would understand, but would Edward?

A quaint, hand-painted sign materialized out of the darkened gloom ahead.

Welcome to Forks, WA.

Population 310

"Three hundred and eleven." I whispered softly.

My car was barely passed the boundary line before the giant wolf had leaped onto its hood.