Disclaimer:Written under the derivative fan works act. All rights reserved to the original creator, Stephanie Meyer.

Title:The Darkest Part of the Night

Rating: M for graphic violence, blood play, vampire feeding, sexual situations, lemons, hot steamy angsty vampire lovin', underage drinking, smoking, drug use and overall bad behavior.

Premise:Edward left Carlisle to live the vampire lifestyle but he didn't leave his family behind. They left with him, feeding off the dregs of human society. What will happen when they finally meet a certain human girl? No Vegetarians Allowed AU OOC ExB Lemons

Alternate Universe: This story uses more traditional vampire canon as opposed to Twilight sparklepires. Canon pairings eventually although Edward and company get a lot of play in this story until things settle down in later chapters (Obviously Bella won't be in the story until after she's born), pretty much OOC, ExB of course.

POV:EPOV (Edward) Edward tells this story. Any commentary from Rosalie, Alice or Bella will be posted as outtakes in a separate story.

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Author Notes:

Please note that this story is rated M for a reason, if you'd prefer not to deal with mature themes, please do not read this story.

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Chapter 3 Rose

Previously…

I got on the motorcycle and Rose climbed on behind me. I heard her moan when I kicked the engine to life, and she wrapped her arms around my waist as she held onto me. I started across town, but I wasn't riding back towards Carlisle house.

"Where are you going now, Edward? We need to get home. It'll be dawn in a couple of hours…"

"We don't have time to make it back to Carlisle's house with a suitable safety margin for error. If we broke down or got a flat tire, it's too far to run before the dawn."

"Ok… Where are we going then?"

The story Continues…

"I have a suite at a hotel here in town. We'll be safe there. I'll drive you back to Carlisle's tomorrow evening."

"You're taking me to a hotel? This is a night for firsts. Are you sure I'll be safe with you in your rooms?"

Do I want to be safe…? I like Edward… He's still arrogant and commanding, but is that so bad? I like a strong man…

"You'll be as safe as you want to be, Rose. Your decisions are your own."

Oh god… he heard me… Of course he can hear me… He can still hear me… God, why can't I just shut up! This is so embarrassing…

"There is nothing to be embarrassed about, Rose. I'm not your mate, and we both know that, but that doesn't mean we can't share affection and companionship. There is no jealousy among our kind as long as you understand that when I find my mate I'll be with her, and I understand that when you find your mate nothing will stop you from being with him. Anything that happens or doesn't happen in the mean time is ok as long as you're comfortable with it and it's what you want."

Ok, this is me shutting up now… Just drive please… this is still all so overwhelming… It's not how I was raised… Good girls don't think about these things…

"Yes they do. Trust me, I know."

"Edward! That's…" Not what I meantYes it is "I like you, but…" I'm not supposed to want that until I'm married, right?

"Our world is completely different than the human world you grew up with, Rose. Humans have rules of propriety and morals about sex because they use sex for reproduction; the pleasurable aspect is just a very pleasant bonus for them. It's important to them because of the rules of property and inheritance. They need to know what a person's lineage is to insure the transfer of property from one generation to the next. We no longer have those requirements. Vampires use sex for pleasure, companionship and to feel human again for a little while…"

What about love…? Oh god… I'm doing it again… This is so not helping me not to be embarrassed right now… Could we have a little less commentary and a little more driving please…?

"Ok, I'll leave you alone with one final comment. Do you want to give your heart to somebody you know is temporary and can't last? You'll know the ultimate love when you find your mate. Anything prior to that is transitory and cannot last."

Rose's thoughts were quiet and contemplative after that revelation and I didn't offer further commentary as she'd requested. I rode into the heart of the sleeping city and drove to the hotel. It was a massive stone and concrete tower in the modern art deco styling that was so popular in this era. There was no valet at this hour to take the motorcycle, but there was a doorman on duty despite the fact that it was the darkest part of the night in the hours before dawn. He seemed annoyed that I had chosen to park in front of his hotel.

"Hey there, son, you can't park that contraption there. This is a private drop off for the Grand Hotel."

I put down the kickstand to park the bike as I shut off the motor and I stepped off the motorcycle. I held Rose's hand while she stepped off. She seemed a little weak in the knees again after this trip and she leaned against me as I held her.

"I'm a guest at the hotel, my good man. Edward Masen, I have the ambassador suite. I'd appreciate it if you could have somebody move my motorcycle into the parking garage for me."

His mouth dropped open as he was struck temporarily speechless. I handed him a tip and waited for him to get the door. He stared at us for a minute until he looked at the tip in his hand. Then he snapped to attention and held the door open for us. I walked through the doors into the lobby leading Rose by the hand and walked up to the concierge desk.

The night clerk at the concierge desk was new and seemed perplexed and undecided what course of action to take. He hadn't been here on my previous trips into the city. We didn't look like the sort of people that would be guests at this hotel from the way we were dressed, but the night doorman wouldn't have let us in if we didn't belong here.

"Edward Masen, I have the ambassador suite. I need my room key and could you check my box to see if there are any letters. I'm expecting some important business correspondence from my brokers and attorneys." I knew he was uncertain what course of action to take so I had my wallet out as I approached the desk and held out my Illinois driver's license for him so he could verify my identity.

"Mr. Masen, yes, of course, Sir, give me one moment to get your key." He reached behind the desk and retrieved the key to hand to me. "I'll check for your messages immediately, Sir. Shall I have them sent up to your suite?"

"No, go ahead and check now. I don't wish to be disturbed once I go up to my rooms."

"Very good, Sir, I won't be but a moment…" The clerk left to go into the office behind the counter, and I knew he was collecting my papers.

"The ambassador suite? Really?" Rose asked. "I like nice things, and I might have been pampered by my parents, but isn't that a little ostentatious?"

"I have the money to spend, and I don't bother to maintain a permanent residence like Carlisle and Esme do. I move around a lot. I like nice things too when I take time out from the road. I knew I was going to be here for a while so I reserved the suite of rooms."

"For seven months? You've only stayed here a couple of nights every two weeks. It sits vacant the rest of the time?"

I shrugged. "It's only thirty dollars a night."

"That's almost $6000 dollars! You could have bought a house for half that."

"A house doesn't have maid service and you have to hire people to keep it up. This is more convenient."

"For that much money, you could have hired a maid…"

Rose stopped talking when the concierge clerk came out of the back office with a stack of letters and papers for me, and handed them over. "Here you are Mr. Masen. Will you require anything else this morning?"

"This should be sufficient for now. Oh, please inform the staff that I don't want to be disturbed until this evening. It's been a long day and night, and I'll be sleeping very late." I handed him a tip and started to turn away to lead Rose to the elevators.

I saw him look down at the bill in his hand through his eyes, and I could feel his excitement. "Thank you, Mr. Masen, Sir! I'll be sure to notify the staff."

I just nodded and we walked out of the lobby and went to the row of elevators in the hallway beyond. It didn't really matter if I used the express elevator this early in the morning. There were no other guests awake and moving around the hotel. Of course there was an operator on duty for the manually operated elevators.

We stepped into the elevator car, and I nodded to the operator, "Ambassador Suite please."

"Yes, Sir." He closed the door and operated his controls to start the car up through the building.

The elevator stopped, and the elevator operator opened the door. "Twenty-fifth floor, Sir. The Ambassador suite is on the north side of the tower. Please enjoy your stay at the Grand Hotel, Sir."

I nodded and slipped him a tip as I lead Rose out of the elevator car. He pocketed the tip, and replied, "Thank you, Sir," and closed the doors for his trip back down to the lobby level.

Rose held my hand as we walked over to the double doors into the suite through the small foyer reserved for the elevator on this floor. The President's suite occupied the south side of the floor, but I'd been concerned with the southern exposure and issues with sunlight infiltration, so I'd opted for the Ambassador suite instead.

I used the key to unlock the door, and then held it open so Rose could walk in. She gracefully walked past me into the suite as she looked around slightly awed at the graciously appointed accommodations. The suite was decorated in sumptuous art deco elegance and looked like the kind of place glamorous Hollywood movie star royalty would expect as accommodations if they were in town.

We walked into a large living room looking out through a glass wall of windows at a panoramic view of the Rochester downtown cityscape and Lake Ontario in the distance to the north. There didn't appear to be any draperies or means to shut the sun out of the room, but I knew the window coverings were concealed and could be operated by means of a remote control unit in the bar. The living area had several couches and easy chairs, and a large console radio cabinet against one wall to listen to music and entertainment broadcasts.

There was a well stock full wet bar along one wall and a separate formal dining room. There was a food preparation area next to the dining room in the event you decided to entertain or host a dinner party, but it wasn't really a full kitchen. It was designed to allow the caterers or hotel kitchen staff to heat and prep prepared items that were delivered to the suite, prior to serving them.

The suite had a business office with a telephone and typewriter, and a conference room to hold business meetings, but that didn't interest us right now.

"Is there a bathroom where I can take a bath, Edward?" Rose asked as she toed off her heels and stepped out of them. She bent over to pick them up and I couldn't help but admire the perfect curvature of her bottom in her snuggly fitted pants.

"Of course, Rose, let me show you," I told her.

I led her into the master bedroom apartment. The bedroom was huge with a king size bed against one wall and another small seating area with a love seat and arm chair arranged around a low table. There was a side board with a bar and a walk-in closet where my clothing had been unpacked from my remaining luggage.

Another door led into the sumptuous bathroom. It was done in pale marble shot through with a tracery of raw natural gold. The freestanding tub was huge and would easily accommodate two people if they were very friendly. There were double sinks in the counter and a separate shower with a frosted glass enclosure.

"There are pajamas hanging in the closet, but I doubt they'll fit you. Feel free to take whatever you need. I'll take what I need for the morning, and leave you to your bath. I'll retire to the guest bedroom. I want to take a quick shower before the sun rises." I turned to walk out of the room.

"Edward, wait. I'm not going to drive you from your room. I'll go take a bath in the guest bathroom."

"This is the only bathroom with a tub. Go ahead and enjoy it. Somebody should use it. I'll be fine. I'll make sure the windows are covered before morning."

"Oh… Ok… Well, come back here after you take your shower, and I'll go to the guest room after I finish my bath." Please don't argueJust do itThis is hard enough for me

"Alright, Rose…, if you insist. Enjoy your bath."

I left the bathroom while she went to the tub to run the bath water and went back to the closet to collect a pair of pajamas. I left and went next door to the guest room and had my shower, and then changed into the black silk pajamas when I was done.

I walked out into the living room and gazed out at the view for a couple of minutes. There was still plenty of time until dawn, but I went to the bar and used the control to close the curtains which would effectively block out the sun come morning. We'd be safely asleep in our rooms, but I closed them on principal, regardless.

God… Would you go to bed already… I'm not coming out of here until you're in your bed… I'd prefer not to spend the day sleeping in the bathtub…

I chuckled. Fine, if this was what she wanted, I'd play along with her. I shut off the lights and went into the bedroom. I turned down the bed cover and slid into the pale cream colored satin sheets. I wouldn't sleep until the sunrise, but I lay back against the pillows contemplating the night's events.

My eyes were drawn to the sliver of light shining out from under the bathroom door. Tendrils of steam slipped out from under the door carrying Rose's scent. It was delicate and feminine like honey suckle with a hint of strawberries and cream.

I looked away, not liking the direction of my thoughts. Rose had been through enough at the hands of men. She deserved some space to heal and come to terms with what had been done to her. I was content to play the role of friend, brother, mentor, whatever she needed from me. It was hard enough adjusting to this new life without having those few individuals she could confide in taking advantage of her now.

Regardless, my eyes were drawn back to the sliver of light shining under the bathroom door. I envisioned her in her bath lounging languidly in the tub…

The sliver of light shining under the bathroom door went out, and then the door opened.

She emerged from the bathroom almost timidly, her perfect dainty feet carrying her forward gracefully as she stepped into the bedroom. My gaze traveled upward as I followed her perfect legs up the length of her body from her tiny ankles, the graceful curve of her calves, past her perfect delicate knees, the feminine swell of her hips until they disappeared into my red silk pajama top. The thin shimmery fabric swirled around her tantalizingly as she slipped into the room.

She didn't go to the door…

She walked toward me until she was standing next to my bed.

Can I join you…?

I could feel how fragile her emotional state was as she vacillated back and forth between what she wanted and what was right. What she'd been through and what she thought it should have been like. What she had wanted out of life. What the man she was going to marry had promised her and then ripped away. What she could have now in her new life.

I knew it would destroy her if I rejected her now.

I held back the covers and she slid into the bed next to me.

Just hold me, Edward…

I gathered her into my arms as she cuddled up next to me and rested her head on my shoulder. She laid her arm against my chest and her finger tips stroked the exposed skin of my chest above the top button of my pajama top.

"Edward…" God this is so hardWhy can't I just say it?

"Take your time, Rose. You don't have to rush. We have time…"

"No we don't. It'll be dawn soon. I don't want to wait anymore…" I can do thisI know I can dot hisThey hurt meI don't want to be hurt anymoreEdward won't hurt me

"I won't ever hurt you, Rose."

"I know I'm not your mate, Edward. I know you'll be with her when you find her… I trust you, Edward… I don't want to think about what happened to me anymore. I can't even touch myself without thinking about that night… Show me what it's supposed to be like… When people care for one another…"

"Are you sure, Rose?"

Please don't make me ask you again… You said we do this to feel human again… My throat doesn't burn… This is the most human I've felt since I woke up… I killed for this… Don't make me beg too… don't say no… I need this…

I turned to face Rose and reached for her face. I lifted her chin with my fingers so I could look into her eyes. I gently cupped her cheek with my palm as my thumb stroked her cheek bone.

"Just say the word if I do anything that upsets you, and I'll stop."

Ok…

I closed the distance between us and my lips touched hers. She stiffened for a second as images of her attack flashed through her mind and then she relaxed into the kiss. My lips moved on hers tentatively at first and then she returned the pressure, kissing me back.

My hand moved to the small of her back, pulling her against the length of my body. My other hand moved into her hair, cradling her head as I pulled her against me, kissing her harder.

My lips parted as my tongue slipped out licking across her lower lip. Rose parted her lips allowing me entry as my tongue slipped against hers. It was slippery and sweet as her intoxicating scent filled my nostrils, driving my passion.

Our kisses grew more passionate as I deepened the kiss and my tongue slipped into her mouth exploring and teasing as my tongue danced with hers.

Her hands were moving on my body as they touched and explored. Her hot little hand slipped under the hem of my pajama shirt and stroked across my stomach and then around my body to cup my shoulder blade. She stroked along my spine to the small of my back, and then she reached lower cupping my ass before she squeezed my cheek.

God I've wanted to do that for so long…

Our hands touched and explored each others bodies. My hand slipped lower and squeezed the bare cheek of her ass. She ran her fingers through my hair pulling me closer. My hand ghosted up the length of her body skimming up her ribs and grazing along the edge of her breast.

I gently pushed her shoulder down as she lay back against the mattress. My hands moved to the buttons on her shirt working them open one by one.

I broke the kiss and planted tiny kisses along her jaw to the hollow beneath her ear. My hands finished opening the buttons and pushed the front of the silky pajama top open as they traveled up her body grazing across her flat stomach.

My fingertips traced along the edge of her rib cage as I kissed down the column of her neck. Her breath was coming in little gasps as my hands slid higher. I kissed along her collar bone and then back to the hollow at the base of her throat.

God… Touch me, Edward… I so need to feel you touch me…

My hand slid over her ribs and cupped her breast. I gently squeezed it and my thumb brushed over her pink nipple.

"Oh god…" Rose moaned as her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me against her.

She dragged my head back up to her mouth and my lips crashed onto hers as her tongue pushed into my mouth.

I squeezed her breast and rolled her nipple between my fingertips as it hardened under my touch. My other hand moved onto her and gripped and kneaded her other breast, tweaking at her nipple as it hardened and pebbled under my touch.

Rose's hands slid down my body to the hem of my pajama shirt and started to pull at it, sliding it up my body. She couldn't reach the buttons but she didn't want it between us any longer. I quickly sat up and grabbed the hem and pulled it off over my head. I ignored the buttons; the silk shirt was loose enough to come off without opening them.

I gazed down at Rose in all her glory, laid out on the bed before me. She hadn't put anything else on, besides the silk pajama shirt, and it was lying open exposing her perfect naked body to my heated gaze.

"Beautiful," I said. "Absolutely perfect…"

She purred at the compliment, and I leaned down, running my hands over her body. My lips captured her nipple, and she gasped as I sucked on it.

My hands cupped her breasts as I ran my tongue around the crinkled flesh of her aureola. She moaned as I squeezed and massaged and played with her chest.

Rose ran her hands up and down my body, exploring my newly exposed flesh, caressing my shoulders and back. Her hands slipped lower onto my ass and squeezed my ass cheeks.

I knew what she wanted to do, and I moved to make room to accommodate her need. All she had to do was think about how she wanted me positioned and I moved to satisfy her desire. I settled between her legs as she spread her knees to make room for me to move over her body.

Her hand slid between our bodies as she reached between my legs. She rummaged around for a second, learning the shape of my body, and then her hand gripped my cock through my silk pajama pants. This was completely new territory for her, and she gasped as she explored the length of my erect penis.

My god… it's huge… it'll never fit… it'll hurt… like before…

I slid my hand down the length of her body and my fingers grazed through her pubic hair as my hand cupped her sex. She gasped at my touch, but relaxed as my hand stroked her moist heated flesh.

"I won't hurt you, Rose." I spoke with my lips against her ear. "You're already wet for me. I can feel it," as my finger dipped into her moist heat, pushing between her lips into her pussy.

"I trust you, Edward…" she moaned as my finger stroked through her lips spreading the slippery wetness.

Her hands found the tie at the front of my pajama pants and pulled the simple knot loose. Her hands slid into the waist band, pushing them down off my ass onto my hips. The silk slid down to my knees. Her hand moved back between my legs again and she gripped my naked cock in her hand, stroking up and down my length.

I slipped a second finger between her lips, spreading them apart as I stroked back and forth along the length of her wet pussy. My middle finger found her opening and grazed over it as she gasped against my ear.

I pressed my finger inside, sinking to the first knuckle and she groaned as she panted against my cheek. My lips found hers again as my hand slipped higher and my finger circled the sensitive bundle of nerves of her clitoris.

She was rhythmically stroking my solid cock as my finger caressed her sensitive flesh. I stroked down to her opening, pressing deeper into her wet heat as my thumb worked on the sensitive nub of her clit.

She was hot and panting, and her erect clitoris was pushing out of its hood as I stroked her body. Her knees were pressed to my hips and she hooked her ankles behind my knees as she pulled my body against hers.

Rose broke our kiss as she panted against my ear. "God, Edward, I need you inside me… I need you…"

"Are you sure, Rose?" I asked one last time.

"Yes…" YesPleaseI need you

Her hand slid off my cock as I replaced it with my own. Her hands moved on to my shoulder as I lowered my body against her.

She gasped again as I stroked the head of my cock through her hot slippery folds. I ground the head against her clit and she moaned again.

My lips captured hers as I kissed her passionately, and her hands tangled into my hair pulling me against her mouth as her lips hungrily devoured mine.

I stroked my cock through her lower lips again and settled the head against her opening. I pushed forward into her at the same time my tongue pushed into her mouth.

She groaned against my lips as the head of my cock pushed inside. I stopped to let her adjust when I felt her clench around me. I reached between us and stroked her clit, until she started to relax. I pushed forward again sliding deeper into her as she sucked on my tongue in her mouth.

Slowly I pushed forward in one smooth stroke until I hit bottom and was buried to the hilt inside her. I rocked my hips back, sliding part way out and then thrust back into her.

Rose broke the kiss and was panting against my neck as I pulled back until I was almost out and then thrust deeply into her again. Her hips rose to crash against mine as our bodies moved rhythmically together.

"Oh god… Edward… That's so good…" Rose groaned as I planted wet kisses along her jaw.

Faster… Go faster…

I started thrusting into her, setting a pace as my cock drove deep into her. We moved together as she met every stroke and clung to me, gripping my body with hers, pulling me into her.

I could feel her growing need rising to engulf her sensibilities as our bodies moved together. My hand moved back onto her chest as I cupped her breast, squeezing harder, stroking and tweaking her pebbled nipple. My lips moved on hers as I kissed her deeply and passionately. My hard cock plunged deep again and again as I thrust into her hot wet sex.

Oh god… So good… So close… God I'm so close… Just a little more… Right There… Yes… Yesssss…

I felt Rose's mind come undone as the euphoria took her and she was engulfed in the pure white noise of bliss as her orgasm crashed through her body. Her tight pussy clenched hard around my invading cock as her clit throbbed and pulsed against my shaft. Her muscles clenched as she gripped me to her body.

I thrust hard and fast once, twice, again, and then buried my self to the hilt inside her as I felt the tingle in the base of my cock and testicles that signaled my imminent release. I exploded into her as my own orgasm pulsed through my body and I shot my hot juice inside her tight clenching pussy, filling her with my seed as spurt after spurt shot into her core.

We held each other tight as my body covered hers, my weight settling on her, as I panted for breath, pushing her down into the mattress. It wasn't uncomfortable to her and I could feel how she savored the full body contact. The feeling was intense as we basked in the bliss of our union lying there together, joined in every way physically possible.

I knew when she was ready for me to move, and I rolled off of her, gathering her into my arms. She cuddled against me as she laid her head on shoulder and gently stroked my chest.

"Thank you, Edward…" I needed thisNow I knowThis is what I should have hadThis is what he promised me

"This isn't going to make things awkward between us now, is it? You'll still be my friend…?"

"Yes, Rose, I'll be your friend. This doesn't have to change anything between us as long as you're comfortable with this."

I could feel the lethargy spreading through my body then as a profound weakness percolated through my being that I knew had nothing to do with what we had just shared. The sun was rising and the sleep would soon claim me while the sun made its passage across the daylight sky.

"Sleep now, Rose," but her eyes were already closing as her mind stilled into the death like oblivion of the sleep. I closed my eyes as I held her in my arms and submitted to the death like slumber as oblivion engulfed me.

-~*TDPotN*~-

I inhaled deeply to draw in the scents in the room as I awoke from my sleep and I was instantly aware and awake. All of my senses were alert to any minute change in the environment. I was pleasantly aware of Rose lying in my arms cuddled against me, her naked flesh pressed against mine along the length of my body.

I lazily traced patterns up and down her back with my fingertips while she slept. I felt her stiffen momentarily, inhaling sharply as awareness suddenly returned and she was awake as all of her senses flared to life. Then she relaxed an instant later and stretched languorously against my body as she ran her hand across the muscles of my chest.

"Good evening, Rose."

"You know, I'm never going to get used to that, people telling me good evening when I just woke up. It just seems wrong not to say good morning, even though I know it isn't."

"It's the way of our world, but I know what you mean. It takes some getting used to. Should we get up now? I have some business arrangements to attend to before the hour grows too late, and then I can drive you back to Carlisle's."

"You're leaving so soon?"

"I'm sorry to have to go so abruptly. I could stay a few more days, but it won't change anything, Rose."

"I know… Last night opened my eyes to a lot of new things…"

"I'm glad it was a pleasant experience for you."

I didn't mean just the sex… I liked that too… You hunt humans and feed on them… I know I'm strong enough to take a life now… I can't do that living with Carlisle and Esme…

"Will you help me do something, Edward…?" I want them to sufferI want them to pay for what they did to me

"Rose… Are you sure?"

"Help me hunt down the men that killed me, Edward."

"Is that really what you want, Rose? You can come with me if that's why you're suggesting this. I won't tell you no, but I don't always stay in hotels as grand as this. I live on the road most of the time, and take shelter where I find it. We've taught you some of the tricks. I use all of them to survive…"

"This isn't just about you leaving. I want them to pay for what they did. None of them were even implicated in my disappearance. I haven't even been declared dead, just missing! God, for the first week, my parents thought I eloped! The police didn't even tie my disappearance to the crime scene where they killed me. They got away with it without even a slap on the wrist because Carlisle carried off my body!"

"That happens every day, Rose. I don't want to try to discount the suffering that was inflicted upon you, but crimes like what you suffered happen every day. Most of them aren't even reported. One out of every three women in this country will be the victim of sexual abuse or rape, usually at the hands of somebody she knows."

"Well it's wrong. We shouldn't have to live like that. We shouldn't have to deal with that. It shouldn't have happened to me, Edward."

"But it did, Rose…"

"I was a virgin, Edward. Royce didn't have to take this from me. We were engaged to be married. I'd promised myself to him and I was looking forward to our wedding. I would have told him yes if he would have bothered to ask me. I'm sure I would have played coy and told him to wait for the wedding night because that was what was expected of me, but if he was persistent and asked me nicely, I would have told him yes. I wanted it too. I was looking forward to it. I knew it was what I had to do to have babies. If it was anything like what we shared last night, I wouldn't have been able to get enough…"

"He didn't have to rape me to get what he wanted. He didn't have to share me with his friends and let them do all those vile disgusting things to me…"

Images of her attack flashed through her mind. I could feel the memory of her fear, the intense pain and degrading humiliation she had suffered at their hands, and I knew they had violated her body in every way possible.

"I want those bastards dead, Edward. I'll do it by myself if you won't help me, but they're going to pay for their crimes."

"I'll help you, Rose. We can take a couple of days here, but I have business to attend to in Tennessee."

"That's fine. I want to take my time with this. I want to save Royce for last anyhow. One of his friends was visiting from Georgia. Once he's dead, we can come back for the rest. I can work my revenge around your business dealings if you don't mind a traveling companion for a while."

"I think you'll make an excellent traveling companion, Rose." I leaned down and kissed the top of her head and she squeezed me a little tighter as she held me.

"Now we should be getting up to get dressed. There are things we need to attend to before the human businesses shut down for the night."

We got up and I showered and dressed in fresh clothes, but all Rose had was the outfit she'd worn the previous day and I wasn't about to make her take the walk of shame. I gave her a robe from my closet after she'd bathed, and called the concierge desk. There was a dress shop and women's clothing store in the hotel, and I asked the concierge to have somebody from the store to bring up some catalogs so Rose could pick out a couple of outfits.

I attended to my business while the manager of the shop and a couple of her attendants came up to take Rose's measurements and show her catalogs of women's wear. She made some selections and surprisingly they had a selection of women's sport and casual wear in addition to their larger selection of evening gowns, dresses and after hour's attire.

She made her selections, and I told her to go ahead and order some luggage and have it delivered to Carlisle's house. She could pack her belongings, and have them picked up later with my bags.

A sales girl from the women's clothing store came back up and delivered Rose's clothes and she got dressed while I finished my business and called Carlisle's house to let them know we were ok. The telephone rang, but the operator was unable to connect us. I knew it was still too early for them to have left their room yet, but I was sure they trusted me to keep Rose safe.

Rose was wearing a dark pair of women's slacks with silk stockings and heels. She'd picked out a nice blouse and a leather jacket so she fit in better when she rode on the motorcycle with me. There hadn't been anyone around but the doorman and the night clerk at the concierge desk last night, and they had no idea how far we'd traveled, but it was early October, and it was getting cold out at night. The cold didn't affect us, but we'd need to dress appropriately to blend in.

Hunters caught more vampires during the change of seasons than other parts of the year because if the vampire was inattentive to the change in weather they would stand out by dressing inappropriately. We had drilled that fact into Rose during her training, and it was paying off now in her clothing section.

I called down to the concierge desk and asked them to have my motorcycle brought around to the front, and then we left for the evening and rode back to Carlisle and Esme's house.

Carlisle and Esme were up when we got back to the house and Rose's luggage and the rest of the new clothes she'd ordered had already been delivered by a messenger from the hotel. I still had to tell Carlisle I was taking Rose with me, and I doubted he'd take it well. I pulled up in front of the house, and we got off the motorcycle to go inside and pack our things to leave.

"Oh thank god, dear," Esme said when we walked in. "I was so worried about you, Rose. I know Edward can take care of himself, but I was so scared for you…" That was about when she noticed Rose's eyes.

Edward! You took her hunting? That's going to make it very difficult for her to accept our lifestyle…! You shouldn't have let her taste human blood…! Oh who am I kidding…? I would have gone hunting with you too if it wasn't for Carlisle… I love him dearly, but his diet is just so goddamned disgusting! It makes me sick to my stomach to swill animal blood… We're moving soon… Maybe I'll have another accident…

Carlisle just looked disappointed.

"The porter from the hotel delivered your luggage and some clothes for Rosalie, Edward, although I don't see why you need more bags. I suspected you'd gone hunting when you didn't return by morning yesterday night."

"The bags aren't for me, Carlisle. I purchased them for Rose."

No! Not so soon… I've only had her here for seven months… She's still a newborn… I think of her as a daughter… Damn it Edward! Did you have to corrupt her with human blood? She was adapting so nicely…

"Rose? Why does Rosalie need luggage? We've been discussing moving. We can't remain here where people might recognize her, now that she can be around people, but I would have made arrangements to have her things packed when we leave."

"I'm leaving with Edward, Carlisle. There are things I need to attend to that he can help me with. I appreciate how you've helped me to adapt to this life, and everything you've done for me since I woke up, but I won't thank you for not letting me die. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh and unappreciative, but I would have chosen death over this existence if I'd had a choice. It's not in my nature to try and end my life, and although I've contemplated suicide, I'll make due with what I've been given and live out my existence as best I can."

"I can help you with whatever it is that you feel you need to do, Rosalie. You don't have to leave… I'd like you to think of this as your home… Esme and I want you to stay… We think of you as a daughter…"

"I appreciate that Carlisle. I'd like to think of you as my father, and I truly love both you and Esme. You care more for me as a person than my real father ever did, but you can't help me with this. I'm going to hunt down the men that killed me, and make them pay for their crimes. Can you help me do that? I can't rape them to death, but they killed me. Turn about is fair play, don't you think?"

"No… I cannot assist you in that endeavor, but you're not dead, Rosalie…"

"Can you say that I wouldn't have died if you hadn't intervened?"

"To err is human, but to forgive is divine. Can't you find it in your heart to simply forgive them and move on with your life? They can't ever hurt you again…"

"I am neither human nor divine, Carlisle. I'm a predator, and vampires live by killing. I cannot forgive them for what they did to me, and you have given me the means to exact my revenge. Perhaps I am a bit vindictive, but I will settle my score with each of them."

"Go pack your things, Rose," I said to break the tension. "We'll go once we have the luggage squared away. I'll have the hotel send a porter for it tomorrow evening, and then we can decide where to have it shipped next."

Rose nodded, collected her bags and went up to her room to pack.

"Why did you have to take her hunting, Edward?" Carlisle asked as he turned on me. "She was adapting to the animal blood. I understand that you all think it's such a terrible sacrifice to make, but isn't it worth it to spare human lives?"

"The man she killed was a rapist and child abuser on his way home to rape his fourteen year old daughter in her bed. He beat his wife within an inch of her life when she tried to stop him the first time it happened. It had been going on for over a year. Should she have spared his life and allowed him to return home safely?"

"The police…"

"Would have done nothing. The mother and daughter wouldn't have filed a complaint or testified against him, and then he'd just beat them again for reporting him. He can't hurt them anymore. You said you couldn't argue with surgically removing a cancerous growth upon society. Does that only apply to my actions? Shouldn't the same rules extend to Rose's actions as well?"

"You didn't have to expose Rosalie to your lifestyle. She was innocent… She would have healed and moved past this…"

"No, Carlisle, she wouldn't have. She lost her innocence the night she was attacked. She was holding everything inside, letting it fester and eat at her soul. Eventually it would have blown up and she would have done something truly terrible. I showed her the strength she possesses. She doesn't feel powerless anymore. I know you don't like this, but it'll give her closure and allow her to move on with her life."

"I didn't think you'd take her from us too… I wanted us all to be a family…"

"What did you expect when you called me home to meet her? You wanted her to be my mate, but that wasn't right for either of us. She trusts me, and we're comfortable together. We've developed another sort of relationship and she wants to be with me. I hope you'll be able to accept her decision."

"We need to let her go, Carlisle," Esme said. "She's a grown woman, and she's entitled to make her own decisions. We've done for her what we can. Edward will take care of her now, you know that."

Carlisle hesitated as he considered everything we'd told him, and then he nodded. "Be good to her, Edward. I know she isn't related to you, but she's the closest thing to a sister you'll ever have. You may not share a blood relationship, but you're both my children. My blood and venom turned both of you and is a part of you now. Don't let anyone hurt her. Keep her safe."

"I will, Carlisle. I need to go pack."

I went up to my room and packed my bags. Rose was done with her packing and came into my room while I prepared to leave.

"No second thoughts, Edward? You're ok with this, right?" I'm leaving tonight regardlessI want to go with you

"I want you by my side, Rose. I'll help you exact your revenge, and I can teach you how to hunt and pick the right targets."

We collected our bags and walked back downstairs. We set the bags by the door so the porter from the hotel could collect them for us. Esme hugged both of us, and Carlisle hugged Rose and shook my hand.

"Keep in touch, Edward, Rosalie… You're always welcome home whenever you should decide to return."

"Thank you, Carlisle. It's been an eventful visit. You know how to get in touch with me. I'm sure we'll meet again. Goodbye, Esme, take care of Carlisle."

"Goodbye, Edward, Rosalie, I love you both…" God, I wish I was going with themI could never leave Carlisle thoughHe's my life and I love him so dearlyI just wish he wasn't so damned stubborn

We walked outside and I stepped onto the motorcycle. Rose climbed on behind me, and I kicked the engine to life. I turned back to look at Rose.

"Ready?" I asked as I let out the clutch and rode down the driveway. She held me tighter and leaned in to kiss my cheek.

"Murder, revenge, bad guys to eat, what more could a girl ask for? Let's do this. Next stop Tennessee!"

We laughed as I turned off the gravel drive and twisted the accelerator as we sped down the highway into the darkest part of the night.

Author's note:

This isn't the end. The next chapter will be up as scheduled as they explore revenge and Tennessee in the 1930's.

I'm trying something new with this story. Anyone who reviews will receive a teaser for the next chapter, so please let me know what you think.