Wish we did, but we don't. Stephenie Meyer owns it all and she's awesome for it. Enjoy!

"Homeward" Bound

~ Edward ~

"I'm not touching you. I'm not touching you. I'm not touching you." Alice held her hand over mine as it laid on the armrest between our two seats. I still couldn't get used to thinking of her as "Alice". I know she thought if she annoyed me enough that I'd give it up and let her be the one completely comfortable, or as comfortable as you can get on an airplane when sitting in coach. She already had the window seat, and I'd be damned if I was giving her the armrest too, especially since the other was already occupied by my father, "Carlisle", and I was squished in the middle.

"Edward," he whispered as he saw Alice and me in a stare-down, "you know how important it is that we don't draw attention to ourselves. Now, while I completely agree with your position in this battle over an armrest with your eight-year-old sister I would ask that you let her win this one, especially if you value my sanity. Please." I hated being called "Edward" and the look on his face when he said it indicated that it would take some getting used to for him as well. I kept forgetting that I'm not who I was a week ago, and never will be again. At least I get to keep calling him "Dad" and don't have to worry about training myself to use his new name. My little sister had wanted to go by the name Alice since she first read Alice in Wonderland years ago and was all too willing to make the change.

I didn't say anything. I just moved my arm and she looked up at me triumphantly, knowing only that she won and not at all knowing why. Why? That's a question I've asked a lot. I've asked why God allows bad things to happen to good people, as we all do. I've asked myself why I even bother getting up in the mornings, which again I know we all do. But I digress. I can't ask why anymore. It's not fair, and somewhere I heard that life isn't fair, or at least that's the rumor. I do know this about life, though. It sucks…well, it just sucks. I closed my eyes and listened to the hum of the engines below me, breathing deep and thinking that maybe there is a reason that all of this has happened. I exhaled slowly, keeping my eyes closed and wondering what good could come from being placed in the Witness Protection Program after your mother's been murdered and clues indicate you and your sibling are the next targets all because some psycho has a grudge against your doctor father. This is the kind of thing that happens to other people or in those Lifetime movies my mother used to watch, but not to me. Not to my family. Why, God, why? I finally knew what it was like to be so emotionally drained that you physically can't react to anything, or at least don't care to even try. I was empty, hollow, like I didn't have a soul. And with no soul, who knew what waited for me at death. I didn't care. Nothing would ever fill me again.

I finally opened my eyes. I focused briefly on the movie that was about to begin and noticed the flight attendant passing out head-sets. She reminded me a little of my mother, and I think my father noticed it too. She had the same pale skin and silky hair, and it recalled for me memories of my mother laying next to me at night and reading me stories when I was little, and I'd feel her hair against my cheek. The flight attendant noticed us staring at her, so clearly she assumed we were in need of her assistance.

"Good evening. Would you care for a head-set?" My father thanked her and quickly looked away while she let Alice pick out her own from the box. The longer she stood there the longer I stared, and I couldn't bring myself to stop. Once again, she noticed. She looked down and said, "My name is Tanya. Please let me know if I can get you anything. We'll have drinks and snacks out soon." There was a little too much compassion and pity in her voice, and it almost felt like she knew our secret. I bet her name really was Tanya. I inwardly rolled my eyes at myself for thinking like my little sister instead of my 17 year old self. I was so glad that my father made our flying to Washington an issue with the authorities. He insisted that there was no harm in us flying commercial and that it would be the last thing we could do as "us" before the mayhem of the WPP began. Clearly his position in Phoenix and monetary status helped him get his way, but nevertheless I was glad to have these few moments without the Feds all around. We knew there was an agent somewhere on the plane to watch over us, but we didn't know where or who, and we didn't care. I looked around quickly and did a survey of other passengers just out of curiosity. No doubt they were headed toward Seattle or staying on board to other big cities. No one would be doomed like us to head to the tiny, never heard of town of Forks, Washington and call it home.

When Alice was finished with her selection I muttered, "Thank you," and grabbed a set while staring at my drop-down tray table, feeling like a complete idiot. My father had managed to get himself together faster than I did and was boring holes into the magazine in his lap, no doubt in an effort to forget Tanya's presence and the memory it stirred of my mother. When she walked on past us he looked at me and rushed into conversation, likely in an effort to think of something else to distract him from the same thoughts I was having.

"Alice may have won the armrest battle, but you've won the war. You get first pick of the bedrooms when we get to the new place." He winked and raised one corner of his mouth like a kid who knew he'd just gotten away with something. I had my mother's eyes, but I certainly inherited that smirk from him. She used to tell me, That little look of yours is going to drive the girls crazy. As annoyed as I got at her saying that I'd give anything to hear it one more time. And I never would. Why? There's the "why" question again. I hate that question and I refuse to acknowledge that it even crossed my mind. I closed my eyes and tried to think of something else as my father stood and excused himself to the forward lavatory.

The only thing I could focus on was something that added to the dread of my current existence: starting at a new high school. Not only that, but being known as "Edward". No doubt people would think I was different because I'll be the new guy at school, and that on top of a new identity that no one knows is new is even worse. Stupid name. Alice was excited at the idea of a new school and new friends, but she was also a child. Not me. Who chooses to move in the middle of their junior year and have to struggle to make friends in a group that's already well established? Again, not me. But wait, I don't have a choice. I won't have choices and options again. Ever.

As my father walked back from the restroom I decided I wanted a moment to myself and stood up as he got near to indicate that I wanted past him. As I walked toward the facilities I could feel eyes on my back and a shiver run through my spine, no doubt the Fed making sure they knew exactly where I was headed. I didn't turn around, because what was the point in even acknowledging that I knew someone was staring at me? As the door closed and I placed my forehead against it my mind started to wander again, and I was amazed at how much peace I was able to find in a smelly coach class lavatory on a plane taking me to a doomed life. Nothing as I knew it would remain the same once we landed, and the things set in motion for my family when that low-life bastard took my mother from us is what started the downward spiral of my family's existence. Why? Damn, stupid question that will plague me for the rest of my life. Okay, fine. You want to know why? Here's why, and it's like I said before. Life sucks.

~ Bella ~

"No thank you on the head-set, but I will take a pillow and a blanket, dear." The flight attendant smiled at the older woman next to me and handed her the requested goods. At the last minute I decided it probably wasn't a bad idea to have the same things since I was going to be stuck in this sorry excuse of an airplane seat for a while. She handed me the items and identified herself as Tanya before moving on. Why are flight attendants always so...leggy and beautiful?

I settled in with my blanket and book and realized quickly that I was exhausted and totally capable of sleeping the entire flight. It was no surprise that I was tired, after painting on a happy face all weekend in Phoenix with my mom and pretending I was enjoying every moment of it. I hate pretending like things are fine when I'm with her. My dad, Charlie, used to make me spend two weeks with her every summer, but I put a stop to that when I was 13 and old enough, I thought, to make my own decisions. It turned into one week at the beginning some summer so I could get it over with, then I got smart and made my summers so busy that I could only spare a weekend during the school year, so there was no way I could stay longer and miss classes. A delicious scheme in my opinion, and of course she was none the wiser. Good thinking, Bella, I mentally patted myself on the back. She chose to leave me and dad, not the other way around. I can understand why he wants me to continue to see her - he thinks we'll reconcile, but that won't happen. She's dead to me, but such is my life. Why? I didn't even want to think about it, and I hated that I always asked myself that question. I was happy with my life in Washington, most of the time. On the rare occasion that I do get out of town it's a great conversation piece, because who's ever heard of a town called Forks? It's quiet, rainy and green. All of my friends are there, friends I couldn't imagine living without. Angela and I are practically attached at the hip and even though Jessica and I aren't quite as close I consider her in "the group". What still amazed me was my friendship with Rosalie, the girlfriend of the star quarterback, Emmett, and captain of the cheerleading squad. We were partnered in a biology lab once and hit it off right away after I thanked her for telling my unwanted admirer, 'Take a damn hint and leave her alone unless you want me to break off your spirit stick and shove it down your throat'. Mike took the hint and stopped his admiration after that, thank God, because trust me, no guy wanted Rosalie to break off their…well, yeah. Still, I have those moments where life just sucks. When I think about my mom and all the things she should have done for me and Charlie I'm reminded of just how much of a mother she isn't. Gah! At least when I get back to my tiny hometown everything will be normal again. Nothing exciting ever happens. Nothing ever will. Ever.

The drink cart started coming around and I sat up a little straighter to get a view of the options. When I stretched a little I realized nature was calling, so I made my way to the rear of the plane since the front facility read "OCCUPIED" and you can't congregate up there anyway. I nearly tripped over my ballet flats, because I'm the most graceful girl ever, in my attempt to get in line for the facilities and annoyed a few people in the process. As I stood at the back of the plane waiting my turn I did a quick passenger survey. Oh, that girl's top is cute, but what do I know since I'm fashion stupid. Weird, that lady had hair like my mom's crazy neighbor. Uh oh, that baby had better not wake up screaming because I forgot to charge my iPod. Wow, uh, 1986 called and wants that guy's jean jacket back. Goodness, Bella, aren't we feisty today, my inner self said. Yeah, I guess I just wasn't in a mood and was looking for an outlet to vent my frustrations, even if it was just in my own head. I wasn't overly impressed with my plane mates until I saw a mop of hair that was a beautiful shade of bronze and a face profile that did weird things to my tummy. I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. I realized I was staring when a flight attendant brushed past me with a garbage bag and the smell brought me back to my senses. I smiled at her and excused my being in her way, but quickly looked back to begin my gawking again.

I noticed a handsome man walking out of the "OCCUPIED" lavatory from the front. Wow, handsome was an understatement. As he got closer to the row belonging to my object of desire the said object stood up, and the profile shot I got was even more incredible than I originally thought. Wow, incredible was an understatement. The man stepped beyond the row and the bronze haired guy stepped out and headed toward the front of the plane. The way his jeans fit him made me wish I was made of denim. Bella, seriously, who thinks stuff like that? I told my inner-self to shut up and went back to stalking. I truly couldn't breathe, or maybe it was just that I forgot how, and if I thought I was staring before I was wrong. If he felt my eyes on his backside it didn't show, because he never flinched. I could honestly see myself being a little trashy and wanting to join the "mile high club" right here and now, but that act for the first time in an airplane bathroom probably wouldn't be the greatest experience. It was hard not to be completely drawn to him when he looked like he just stepped out of GQ, but I still couldn't believe I was fantasizing about a guy like that when that was not my regular mental behavior. I'm starting to wonder what you believe your normal mental behavior is, she said. But, there's no harm in just thinking, after all… So, the first thing I'd do to him would be…

SMACK! At least the last three rows turned to see why I yelped and slapped my hand against my forehead and jumped back. The lavatory door flew open and they lady stepped out cautiously then, obviously realizing too late that a person received the majority of the force she put behind the opening of the door. She smiled in apology and I quickly stepped inside to get away from the stares that would only be waiting for me when I went back to my seat. Once inside and leaned my head against the door for a moment to think, a moment as alone as possible on an airplane full of mysterious people. So…my mom's a jerk and I got hit in the head with a bathroom door on an airplane and oodles of people saw it happen. You're smooth, Bella! To top it off, GQ up there would never give a girl like me second glance, and besides he was surely headed to LA or some other big city to his beautiful model girlfriend and wear more fabulously fitting denim while I am stuck in Forks, Washington. And I wonder why all of this just…is. Why? There's that question again. Okay, fine. You want to know why? Here's why, and it's like I said before. Life sucks.

A/N: So, what do you think? Please be honest, as we, like many other authors, would like to know your opinion. This is our first FF and we're just playing around with it but we have a great idea on how we'd like things to progress. Let your friends know to read and review!