A/N- Hello everyone! So I am now back! Now, if you guys are reading this story you should also be reading Flirting with Death (FD) which is Bella and Edward's version. They run side by side... it's something new that I'm giving a try. Also, I know some of my usual readers are used to me updating every other day or every few days... well, that's not going to be happening for a little longer. IT's looking like one or two updates a week. You'll still get constant updates, just not as quickly as usual.

Just a little about KD, it's partially historical and partially not. It's taking place in a world where the times collide. I think you guys will understand after reading it! If you've got any questions, you can ask them in a review or PM!

Also, I'd like to thank EdwardISLestat for her help with understanding some of the historical aspects of this story. If you need any help with any of your stories, go send her a PM and she'll be able to help you!

Disclaimer: I don't Twilight or any of the character... This is my ONLY disclaimer for the story, but it DOES apply to the rest of the story... Got it? Get it? Good...

The big city, an ocean side village, a grand estate.

These are the landscapes I dream of mainly because they are so much better than the little village I'm in now. My parents were actually from Blythe but moved to Forks before I was born. Their parents still live in the city, but we only receive letters every now and then, possibly a few packages around the holidays, but that's it. I've never met my grandparents since they didn't want to come to forks and my parents didn't want to go back to the city. They always told me how the city was filled with fifth and occupied by the lowest of scum. They thought I'd be happier and safer in forks…well, I might be safer, but I'm not happier.

I sighed and pushed a strand of my dirty blonde hair behind my ear. Most of it was tied back in a ponytail, but it seemed that no matter what I did there was always a strand trying to escape. I took my cleaning rag and shoved it into the pocket of my apron. My parents owned The Running Horse Inn and Pub, but I was the one who really ran it. My parents loved the farm they had bought and worked there most of the time. They grew most of the food we served in the pub, actually. So while they worked the land, I worked in the pub. My best friend and coworker, Bella, usually worked in the kitchen. In fact she was in there now since I had finished cleaning all of the knives and putting them away. She isn't exactly the most graceful of people and I try to make sure all the sharp objects aren't in her way.

"Hey Dara, Bella!" I looked up from the table I was cleaning and saw Angela smiling from the window.

"You do realize there's a perfectly good, unlocked door, Ange?" I asked.

"I know, but the window was easier to get your attention from." Angela replied.

"Come inside and I'll go get Bella." I said. I walked over to the kitchen and called her out. Bella's brown hair was mostly up in a bun, but a few strands had also escaped. When we walked back out Angela was sitting at the table with a large smile on her face.

"You must have some gossip with a smile like that on your face." Bella said as she sat down.

"Well… Mike just got into town." Angela started. I shot a look at Bella and noticed how she stiffened at that news. "Apparently there are some travelers coming. They were first seen at the fork in the road down at Newton's farm. Mike was out helping his father work the fields when they saw them. The group stopped to discuss some things before continuing on."

"How many are there?" I asked. If we had travelers coming then we might potentially have overnight guests and I'd have to make sure all of the rooms were ready.

"Mike said there were three women and four men. All of them were on horses as well. O, and get this, the women were wearing riding pants, just like the men! Apparently they were quite tight as well."

"Well, this is going to stir things up quite a bit." I muttered. Angela and Bella both laughed and nodded.

"How did Mike get to town so fast? Will the travelers be here soon then?" Bella asked.

"Mike's father told him to spread the word so apparently he jumped on his horse and rode over here as fast as he could. Tyler currently has his horse in the stables so it could rest. It also sounds like the group is coming pretty slow, but you never know if they pick up speed. Mike said they seemed weary of everything and were quite cautious."

"But when will they get here?" Bella asked.

"Close to sundown, or at least that's what Mike is guessing." Angela said.

"Great… during the dinner rush." I groaned. We were usually quite busy since we were the only pub around. The Running Horse was the place to go to get all of the day's gossip so even if people ate at home, they still came here to see everyone.

"Where is Mike now?" Bella asked.

"He said he had to go talk to someone, but didn't say who. He did have quite a large smile on his face. O Bella, do you think he's going to go ask your father for permission to court you?"

"I hope my father shoots him if he does." Bella muttered. Bella's father was the sheriff for the small town, although he barely had to do anything. I elbowed her in the side since Angela was still friends with Mike.

"Alright, well I have to get back. Lauren and the others were coming over. I'll see you guys tonight." Angela said. We said goodbye to her and walked with her to the door.

"Why does she hang out with the harpies? She's so nice." Bella asked. When we were younger we had dubbed Lauren, Tanya, Kate, and Victoria as the harpies. Jessica was also hanging out with them even though on her good days Bella and I considered her a friend.

"Who knows…" I shrugged. "You want to get the other rooms ready?"

"Alright." Bella agreed.

We were on our way up to the bedrooms when we heard the door open. Bella and I both stopped in our tracks and turned around. Mike Newton stood in the doorway with a ridiculously large smile. Bella looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Good afternoon Bella." Mike said. I coughed to get his attention. "Good afternoon Dara."

"Can we help you?" I asked.

"I was hoping to talk to Bella actually." Mike said. I looked at Bella to see if she was ok. Bella sighed and nodded her head to tell me it was alright. I sighed knowing this wouldn't have a good outcome.

I remade the beds and dusted down all of the dressers and tables. I made sure the water dishes below the mirrors had fresh water in them and there were fresh flowers in the vases. I was on the second room when I heard Bella come in the room. She threw the door open and slammed it against the bell.

"Bella!" I growled.

"Sorry." She muttered.

"So, what happened?" I asked.

"He asked to court me. Apparently my father approved!" Bella yelled.

"And what did you say?" I asked.

"I told him I'd talk to him tonight." Bella sighed. "And right now I'm planning on avoiding him all night."

"Sounds like a plan." I said as I remade the bed. We were walking down the hall to the next bedroom when I heard footsteps downstairs. "I think we have some guests."

"Really?" Bella asked. She stopped walking and listened around here before shaking her head. "I'll never understand your super hearing."

"Why don't you finish the last room and I'll go check them in?" I said.

"Alright." Bella nodded.

I had to restrain myself from running downstairs. We didn't usually have overnight guests and I was hoping that these people would be staying. When I made it downstairs I saw the seven travelers. There were three men standing next to three women and one young man standing to the side. Most of the men looked bored and one of the women looked as though she couldn't stand being here. One of the women, the one who had short black hair, seemed to be anxiously jumping up and down in her chair in excitement. I could only wonder why. When she saw me she frowned slightly, but her smile returned rather quickly. The other women, who seemed to be like the mother of the group, seemed to be going over the décor of the room.

"May I help you?" I asked.

"Yes, we'd like four rooms, possibly five." The "farther figure" said.

"Alright, your name?"

"Carlisle Cullen… just put all of the rooms under that." I nodded and wrote down the name in our log book. I picked up the heavy book and laced it on the table for Carlisle to sign. His signature was so elegant, just like his clothes and even his voice.

"Alright, please, if you'll follow me." I said. I started to lead the group up to the second floor where all of the rooms were.

"This is such a lovely little Inn. Did your mother decorate it?" The mother figure asked.

"Uh, no. My parents bought the building a few years ago, but I've been running it with my friend Bella for a few years now." I explained. "I decorated the building slowly as the years passed."

"That's just amazing." The woman said. "Who did all of these interesting little trinkets?" I looked over to where she was pointing. She was pointing to some of the figurines and other trinkets that were displayed on the walls.

"My friend Justin. His father is the blacksmith and he is supposed to take over the family business. He made those when we was first starting the trade." I explained.

"He's very talented." The woman said.

"That he is." I said. "Here are the rooms. You can take the first three on this side and the first room on the other side." I pointed to each room.

"We might have one more coming, but I'm not sure if he'll need a room." Carlisle said.

"Well, I have a few more rooms so it's fine." I said. "I'll check him in as soon as he gets here."

"Would you possibly have a room where we could all talk? Like a private dining room or some sort of larger room?"

"There's just a sitting room on the third floor." I said.

"Could we possibly use it tonight?" Carlisle asked.

"Of course. I'll make sure it's all set up." I said. "Would you like me to let you know when your guest has arrived?"

"No, we'll know." Carlisle said.

I nodded before leaving everyone to find their own rooms. I had made it halfway before I heard a scream. I immediately turned back around and ran up to the hall. My guests were standing in the doorway, trying to see who screamed. That's when the farthest door was thrown open. Bella stumbled out and looked at me with surprise. The bronze haired young man was standing just within the door with a confused and pained look on his face.

Bella ran over to me and grabbed my arm as she ran downstairs. When we finally stopped Bella spun around and glared at me. "I can't believe you let him in there while I was there!"

"I forgot you were in there." I said.

"Sure…" Bella growled.

"What? Did he try something?" I asked.

"No, he was a perfect gentleman actually. I was just taken by surprise." Bella said. "Don't do that to me again."

"I'll try not to." I sighed.

oOoOoOo

I was working behind the bar as a few customers came in early. There were a few men sitting at the bar and laughing happily. They would try to engage me in the conversation, but I would just smile and think of some excuse.

"Excuse me." A deep, sensual voice said. I turned to the end of the bar and was greeted with the sight of the most handsome man I had ever seen. I wiped my hands on a towel and walked over to see what he needed.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"I am supposed to meet some friends here. I believe they were able to make it here some time this afternoon."

"O yes, the Cullens." I said. "Will you be staying the night as well?"

"No. I am just here for a meeting." The man said.

"Of course." I nodded. "Um… they said-"

"James." I jumped at Carlisle's voice. It was comforting as usual, but I just wasn't expecting it.

"Carlisle." James growled. I felt extremely small trapped between the two men.

"Um… I can lead you to the sitting room." I squeaked.

"Thank you." Carlisle said. He never took his eyes off of the newcomer, James.

I led the group up to the third floor, unlatching a red velvet rope that was meant to keep the drunkards from coming up to Bella and mine's private bedrooms. The sitting room was all the way at the end of the hall. I opened the door for the group and smiled as they walked past. The blonde huffed as she walked by while the man with her gave me a large smile.

"Do you need anything else?" I asked. "Food or water?"

"We're fine, dear." The mother figure said.

I nodded and closed the door. I made my way back downstairs just as Bella was getting back. She had gone to see her father to ask him about the whole Mike situation after her encounter with the bronze haired visitor.

"Everything alright?" I asked. Bella just shrugged as she walked into the kitchen.
"Are you at least ready for the dinner rush."

"Ya… I am." Bella said. She poured all of the fruit into a deep iron pot and placed it into one of the ovens to start cooking.

"Alright…" I said. "O, you're going to tell me what your father said later."

"I was planning on it." Bella replied.