A/N- Hello everyone! So I am now back! Now, if you guys are reading this story you should also be reading Kissing Death (KD) which is the JamesOC 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 FD, 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...

Dara was dazed again. I could see it in her eyes. She was probably dreaming of somewhere, anywhere, but Forks. She hated it here and made sure everyone knew it. I didn't really mind it here though. I liked the quiet. The only problem is that the smallest event becomes the biggest due to the gossipers. I liked being forgotten, but my clumsiness has put me in the spot light more than a few times.

I finished drying a few plates and brought out the fruits I would need to start preparing for tonight's cobbler. It was actually my father's favorite and I always brought him whatever was left over. Charlie was the sheriff in Forks and rarely took time off. He used to worry that he left me alone too much, but after I moved into the Running Horse Inn permanently, he hasn't bothered me about it. I know he still worries since I'm his 'little girl' but I've gotten used to it over the years and know how to avoid some of his speeches. He even taught me how to use a gun when I started going through puberty, but decided with my clumsiness, giving me a gun wasn't smart.

I heard some voices, but didn't really think that much about it. A few people came in for lunch, even though it was pretty rare. Dara usually watched the front anyway, so I didn't really have to worry. I could make a sandwich pretty quickly if I had to, but the afternoon was usually spent cleaning up and preparing for the coming night. Dara's parents had bought her the Running Horse Inn and since then, Dara has made it the thriving business it is today. Well, the dining room was always lively while the rooms on the second floor usually remained empty.

We rarely had travelers pass through Forks. Most people didn't want to test the forest that separated us from Blythe, the large city a day's ride from Forks. There were rumors of beasts in the forest that would attack if a traveler ventured to far off the path or too close to Ruthridge Castle. Personally, I think it's just some story the adults tell their children to keep them from playing in the forest.

"Hey Bella, Angela is here and she has some news for us." Dara said. I nodded to acknowledge her and wiped my hands clean.

"You must have some gossip with a smile like that on your face." I said as I sat down next to Dara and across from Angela.

"Well… Mike just got into town." Angela started. I couldn't help, but stiffen with the news. Although Mike might have been one of my biggest fans, I wasn't one of his. "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?" Dara asked. I could tell she was thinking about how this could mean that we might potentially have overnight guests.

"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." Dara muttered. Angela and I both laughed and nodded.

"How did Mike get to town so fast? Will the travelers be here soon then?" I 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 might pick up speed. Mike said they seemed weary of everything and were quite cautious."

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

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

"Great… during the dinner rush." Dara groaned. We were usually quite busy since we were the only diner 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?" I 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." I muttered. Dara elbowed me in the side since Angela was still friends with Mike. It didn't stop me from frowning at the thought of being courted by 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." I 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…" Dara shrugged. "You want to get the other rooms ready?"

"Alright." I agreed.

We had almost made it up to the second floor when we were stopped by the door opening once more. When we turned back around we were greeted by the sight of Mike standing in the middle of the room. I groaned quietly knowing I was going to have to face him.

"Good afternoon Bella." Mike said. Dara coughed next to me in order to get his attention. "Good afternoon Dara."

"Can we help you?" Dara asked.

"I was hoping to talk to Bella actually." Mike said. Dara looked over at me to see if she needed to stay, but I just nodded. She continued up while I returned to the dining room to see what Mike wanted.

"What did you need to talk about?" I asked.

"I know it's not a secret that I've always been trying to… to grab your attention. Everyone knows I fancy you. Bella, I am hoping you'd give me the honor of allowing me to court you. I promise you'll make the other girls jealous with the amount of attention I give you."

"Mike…" I said. I really did not want to tell him yes, but I knew he was going to want an answer. If I said no… I didn't even want to think about it. Mike had already started to show that he had inherited his father's drinking habits and he wasn't the best of drunks.

"Bella, please. I'll make you the happiest woman." Mike begged. God, he was such a puppy, constantly begging! "Your father gave me his approval and was actually happy that I wanted to court you!"

"Mike, let me think about it. I'll tell you tonight." I said. I placed a hand on his arm to try and comfort him, but Mike just looked down. I was going to kill my father for agreeing to this, but that was another issue. Mike was silent for a few minutes before looking up.

"Well, I guess I did surprise you. You promise you'll talk to me tonight?"

"Of course." I said.

"Alright, I'll see you tonight." Mike said. He took my hand and left a lingering kiss on the knuckles. I watched him leave before letting out a sigh.

I stormed back upstairs as soon as I was sure Mike was gone and wasn't coming back. I noticed Dara had finished the first few rooms and found her in the third. I flopped onto the bed, causing her to cry out.

"Bella!" Dara growled.

"Sorry." I muttered.

"So, what happened?" Dara asked.

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

"And what did you say?" Dara asked.

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

"Sounds like a plan." Dara said as she remade the bed once I got up. We finished the room and were walking down the hall to the next bedroom when I heard footsteps downstairs. "I think we have some guests."

"Really?" I asked. I stopped walking and listened before shaking my head. "I'll never understand your super hearing." Dara seemed to be able to hear everything that was going on in the Running Horse if she really focused.

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

"Alright." I nodded.

I took some pillows from Dara and continued onto the last room. It was already pretty neat and ready to go. I turned down the bed and made sure the wash bowl in front of the mirror before moving on to the next room.

I was turning down the bed when I heard the door open behind me. I looked up and yelped… well it was closer to a scream, when I noticed a young man standing in front of the now closed door. I didn't mean to, it just happened.

"I'm sorry to startle you." The young man said. He had bronze hair that seemed to have a mind of his own. It wasn't his hair that captured my attention though, but instead his golden eyes. I had never seen eyes that shade before. But his eyes seemed pained. He moved to the far corner of the room and watched me as I tried to slow my heart rate. "Miss, are you alright?"

"I'm fine… I'm sorry, I'll be leaving." I said. I made a quick dash for the bed, but not before taking another quick glimpse at the stranger. He was still watching me with the pained and confused look as before. I knew those eyes were going to haunt me for a while now.

When I got into the hall I saw Dara standing at the end of the hall. I glared at her and ran after her, not caring that the other strangers were watching from their doors. I grabbed Dara by the arm and dragged her downstairs. As soon as we were in the dining room I spun her around and continued to glare at her. "I can't believe you let him in there while I was there!"

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

"Sure…"I growled.

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

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

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

oOoOoOo

I had tried to talking some sense back into Charlie, but it didn't work. He was just happy someone had taken interest in me and that I'd be provided for in the future. I knew he was worried about what I'd do after he died, but I was hoping he'd understand that the Running Horse was helping me provide for myself. I didn't want to dependent on anyone else. I wanted to be dependent on myself.

I walked back into the Inn to see a few people already at the bar. I smiled and waved at them, but continued walking into the kitchen. I noticed Dara following me with a curious look on her face.

"Everything alright?" Dara asked. I just shrugged and continued walking into the kitchen. "Are you at least ready for the dinner rush."

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

"Alright…" Dara said. I thought she was going to leave me along when she stopped and turned back around. "O, you're going to tell me what your father said later."

"I was planning on it." I replied. I smiled to myself. Dara and I were like sisters and we didn't keep anything from each other. I knew I wasn't going to get away without telling her what happened. I'm just surprised she was going to let me wait till tonight.