A/N: Hello everyone! This is my first fanfic so please be gentle! I have not written much of this story, but if people respond and like it, I will continue it. Thanks and enjoy.

Oh, I think that I have to say this: I do not own any of the Twilight characters, but Willow is all my own and very dear to me.

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My feet knew the way well. I did not have to think in order to return to Carlisle. Not only was I drawn to my oldest friend, but also I was sure that he was there. How did Carlisle know him? What was he doing there? How strong was their relationship? I had no answers and only questions, questions, questions.

The hood had fallen off my face long before and I surrendered my senses back to the elements. No longer would I plague my mind with these issues, but instead let it run free and enjoy the speed of my return and rescue. I prayed for Carlisle's safety, hoping that I could give it to him, knowing that I would give my life in the attempt. Would he welcome my coming? It has been so long since I have seen his face. I heard he made a family for himself, modeling it after our discoveries, but I had yet to meet any of its members. I am afraid that I have been negligent in our friendship.

I heard he found a wife, Esme; such a beautiful name that I was sure could only fit an equally beautiful woman. He also created a son, Edward, whom I was told had a gift for mind reading. He must be young, he still believed his gift to be great, and he knew not what it could do. I had also heard rumors of Edward's young, newborn wife and the daughter they fought to save. I waited to meet the infant, she intrigued me. Two more daughters and their mates belonged to Carlisle's family as well. An ordinary daughter Rosalie and her monstrosity of a mate, Emmett, were two of the four. The last two, Alice and Jasper, had gifts as well as Edward. Jasper controlled emotions while Alice—poor, poor, Alice—saw the future.

My feet flew beneath me and I felt the big, white house looming just ahead. I slowed my pace until I reached a stop. Knowing I should not and feeling guilty, I ran a hand through my hair and smoothed my clothes. How silly that after three thousand years that I was preening myself for a man I had never met! I resolved not to love him. As punishment for my foolishness, I secured my cloak around me and restored my hood to its original place, covering my face. He would not see me. Slowly, I approached the house quietly with all the stealth my abilities could muster until I heard raised voices.

It seemed that Carlisle was having problems keeping his witnesses placated. A certain vampire, Amun, argued with Carlisle over his creation, Benjamin. Stupid, foolish man. Did he know Carlisle at all?

I continued to listen as I scaled the eight steps to the door, my presence going unnoticed. Several vamps were now pledging their allegiance to the Cullens' cause. I smiled. It was my turn now.

Checking to make sure my hood was in place, I raised a fist and knocked on the wooden door three times.

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My muscles became taut and frantic as I ran to Renesmee and shielded her with my body. What trick was this? That someone could approach a house full of vampires and not be heard? I prepared myself for danger, my lips stretched thin over my teeth. Edward, my love, came to stand by me, shielding us as well. That was not a good sign.

Carlisle looked frightened. He too was thinking along the same lines as I. He looked around the room full of tense vampires, all in crouches, ready to fight, then went to the door. Slowly, he turned the knob and let the door swing open.

He gasped, froze, and then fell to his knees. "It cannot be!" he whispered, but of course, we all heard anyway.

In front of him stood a figure, cloaked in black. The figure was tall and slender with its face and skin hidden. There was no heartbeat, which meant that it was one of us, but I was not relieved. Only the Volturi wore black cloaks.

"Carlisle," it spoke and its voice was melodious, beautiful, and definitely female. "Carlisle, stand up."

Carlisle remained on his knees, his breath knocked out of him, registering only surprise and.…relief? Could that be?

"How?" he croaked. "How is this possible?"

"Carlisle," again she spoke his name. The voice seemed to reverberate around the room and resonated power. "Carlisle, please get up," she pleaded.

Carlisle refused to move and the figure became agitated. She shifted her weight to one of her feet and a slim, ivory arm emerged from the folds of the cloak, its gloved hand gesturing upwards. Without any effort from Carlisle, he rose to his feet, following the motion of the satin, black glove and then stepped aside. His head was bowed with the mystery of this figure's appearance. Suddenly, he raised his head.

"Will," he breathed.

The figure lithely walked around him and entered the room. I saw slender, bare feet peek out from under the cloak as she continued her way forward around the room. All eyes followed her, all thought of defense gone from the first sound of her voice, anger was replaced with curiosity as we all wondered who this woman was whose presence had dropped Carlisle to his knees.

She approached Edward, Renesmee, and I and stopped when she reached us. She then turned back to Carlisle's expectant gaze and nodded. "I stand with the Cullens as well," she said.

Carlisle let out a whoosh of air and walked up to her. "But Willow, how….?"

She placed a gloved hand on Carlisle's shoulder. "You honestly thought I would let you fight them alone, old friend? That I would let you risk your family when it was in my power to protect you, all of you?"

Carlisle remained silent, still struck dumb by her appearance.

"Come, Carlisle," she said. "Come and have a chat with me. It has been too long, my friend."