A/N - This won't make a lot of sense if you haven't read Unlikely Endings.


"I don't understand."

In a flurry of movements, she's got her suitcase packed, her passport in hand, and a resigned smile on her usually perky face. "You will soon."

"When will you be back?" I ask, blocking her in.

"I can't say."

I search her mind, but she's focusing on the time of her flight with a determination only Alice is capable of.

The realization that she really plans to go, and the fact that she's being so secretive, causes the desperation crowding my mind to grow. "You can't do this. I need you, Alice. You've been there for me ever since..." I tug on my hair, frustrated and upset. "I need you to stay."

"Edward, please move," she says patiently. "I'd rather not miss my flight."

"That's too bad. You're hiding something from me," I accuse, standing my ground.

Her gaze is glued to the wooden floor. I hate that she won't look at me. I don't know why she won't look at me. She's built a wall between us, and I don't know why. I don't know why, and I can't stand it.

"I'll be back," she promises. "This isn't forever."

"I can come with you," I suggest. "If you need to go, I'll go too."

"No."

The gentleness of her tone is meant to be soothing, but the hard edge coating the refusal tears my heart to shreds. "You're going to leave me here alone," I state.

"Our family is just a few miles away," she reasons. "You're not alone."

She's wrong. Alice has been with me for years. She's the person who got me through losing Bella. I can't lose Alice too. If I lose her, I'll have nothing. I'll have no one.

On the verge of begging, I whisper, "Please."

Glancing up at me, I'm stunned by the sadness in her bright, golden orbs. "This is something I have to do. You need to trust me."

"Alice-"

"Goodbye, Edward," she says, squeezing through the small space between me and the door.

I watch her walk down the curved staircase. I watch her hop into her yellow Porsche. When she's out of sight, I look around her deserted bedroom. Without Alice in it, the room looks desolate, empty.

In a fit of rage, I pick up the jewelry box sitting on her dresser and I throw it at the glass window, shattering the jewelry box and the window into pieces. I reach for a curved vase, but I stop before I toss it out as well.

I can destroy the place. I can tear it down and burn it, but that won't change the circumstances. I need to talk to Carlisle. Maybe he'll know why Alice left so abruptly.

Running north, I race past snow-covered trees and barren land. Four miles in, I make out the gigantic log cabin Esme picked out just a few short months ago. I run inside, and head straight for Carlisle's study.

"Alice is gone," I say when I've cleared the entryway.

Looking up from the book in his hand, he says, "I know. She came over last night and told us she was going away for a little while."

Last night she told me she was going hunting. Apparently, she lied. "Did she say why?"

"I'm afraid not."

Pacing, I shake my head. "How could she just leave like that? There was no warning. She didn't even tell me of her plans until today."

He puts his book to the side. "I'm sure she has a good reason, Edward. Perhaps she's going to visit Jasper and Bella."

"Maybe, but there's more going on than just a simple visit. She wouldn't let me go with her."

A knowing smile lightens his expression. "You haven't told her yet, have you?"

Confused by the question, I stop pacing.

She doesn't know you have come to care for her as more than a friend?

Stunned, I lock eyes with him. "How did you know?"

"I have known you for a long time, Edward," he says out loud. "You wear your heart on your sleeve."

Sighing, I slump into one of his dark leather chairs. "I didn't mean for it to happen, Carlisle. After Bella I didn't think I would find anyone else. I definitely didn't think I would develop feelings for Alice."

"Love has a mind of its own." He smiles sympathetically.

"I don't know what to do."

You go to her. Tell her how you feel.

"She left," I say bitterly. "She left, Carlisle. She made it perfectly clear how little I mean to her."

He looks at me, his eyes full of gentle reproach. "That's not fair, son. You don't know why she left the way she did."

Leaning my head back, I close my eyes. "I'm afraid. I'm afraid she doesn't feel anything more for me than friendship."

I hear him get to his feet, and I listen as he steps around the desk. He places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "That's understandable. No one wants to get hurt, but you will lose her if you don't fight for her."

"It might be better if I let my feelings go. It could ruin everything if she finds out."

Moving to lean against the front of his desk, he crosses his arms. "And if your feelings are reciprocated? What then?"

"But what if they aren't?" I retort.

"You have become attached to her, Edward. She has been your anchor for the last several months. It would help no one, especially you, by pretending you feel nothing for her."

"Why did she run away?" I beseech, needing an answer to the question that won't stop plaguing my mind.

"I can't answer that. Only Alice can."

"You think I should go after her."

"I think you should do what you feel is right," he corrects.

Can I let her go? Can I really deny my feelings for her? Can I pretend that being with Alice doesn't feel right? I'm not sure if I'm capable of letting her go, of moving on. Something about Alice has always drawn me in. It's one of the reasons I've always considered her such a good friend, but friendship isn't enough anymore.

Getting to my feet, I head for the door, steely determination fueling my steps. "Hopefully, I'll be back in a few days."

He chuckles. Good luck, son.

"Thanks, Carlisle. I'm going to need it."

Back at the house I've been sharing with Alice, I call Jasper's cell. Four rings later I hear, "Hello?"

"Jasper, did Alice say she was coming for a visit?" I ask, getting straight to the point.

There's approximately five seconds of silence, and then, "She mentioned she might head our way for a few days, yes. Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. I'll see you soon."

"Edward?"

"Yes?"

"I know Alice pretty well," he says softly. "When she called, she wasn't acting like herself. Are you sure everything is okay?"

Debating on how much to tell him, I settle with, "I don't know for sure what's going on. I plan to find out though."

"I see."

Getting impatient, I race upstairs to pack a small bag. "I've got to go. I'll talk to you in a day or two."

I hang up without waiting for a reply. I've got plans to make.