"Too pink, too yellow...ugh," browsing the clothes in an upscale boutique, Dana refused to let her mind wander. Pain had always been a friend of hers, being immortal, she had watched the people she loved slowly wither and die. She had once thought of cutting herself off from the world but her innate sense of right and her belief in the goodness of humanity always negated that choice.

"Dana!"

'Oh no,' Dana groaned to herself. "Hi Alice, how are you?"

The pixie bounced over to Dana and embraced her in a hug, "We've missed you. Where have you been? You should come to the house! Please? I have all these clothes already and we're about the same size. C'mon, I have a sky blue that'll look fabulously ethereal combined with your features."

Knowing that she would get no peace if she refused Dana accepted and had to smile at Alice's beam of enthusiasm and appreciation.

'Please don't be there. Please DO NOT be there! Don't make me use my mask...I hate you...my love...'


Carlisle browsed the books on his shelves for the hundreth time. Trying to rid his mind of thoughts that had been plaguing him too often lately. Thoughts which he had long thought buried, well-buried. Dreams and wishes which he knew he had no right to have. Not now. Not after everything. Not ever.

Esme watched him from the doorway, unseen, a frown marking her features. She wasn't stupid. She could see the way Carlisle looked at her friend. The way his eyes unfocused as long-buried memories came back to him. Yet he refused to discuss it. Of course, she realised that his was because he felt unable to do the story justice and wished not to lower her estimation of him.

'Stupid man, I could never think badly of him. If only he's talk to me. perhaps it would clear his mind...his heart...'

She took one last wistful glance and swept out of the room.

Carlisle turned, breathing in the scent of his wife, wishing that he could take her in his arms and promise that it would all be okay, but he knew it wouldn't...not for them at least. Not for him and Esme...But perhaps...


Ah it is not meant to be, this word count -sighs- I apologise. I am trying. However I fear that if I make the chapters too long they will be overly-angsty...this is a fairly angst-ridden story as it is... I will not stop trying though.

Reviews are long-lost friends, found once more!