All recognized characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

I could tell everyone was home once I was in my room. It was amazing how much I could hear. I never really paid attention before. I had been so wrapped up in my own feelings and problems that I had ignored everything around me. I sat down in the middle of my room closing my eyes, really listening to everything around me. I could here Esme somewhere downstairs humming quietly to herself. I couldn't make out the song, but it sounded beautiful. She seemed so calm and peaceful in whatever she was doing. I could here Jasper and Emmett arguing in the living room. They were playing some video game with annoying music. I think Emmett must be a poor loser. He was accusing Jasper of cheating because he lost. Jasper was denying it while laughing at his brother. I heard Esme call to them to be quite and stop fighting. It made me laugh. The exchange was so 'normal' considering this was a houseful of vampires! Alice was busy talking to Rosalie about clothes. They were discussing all the pros and cons of the new styles out this year. I was thankful to not be involved in that conversation. I am a simple person with simple needs. I was very grateful that Alice had thought to pack my clothing when she went to my house to leave a note for Charlie. It gave me something to wear! I suddenly realized with a pain of regret that if I could hear them this well they could hear me this well. Edward was not the only one that had heard my mental breakdowns lately. I dropped my head into my hands and sighed. I will have to be a lot more careful.

I lifted my head again searching for the others. I wasn't sure where Edward was. I tried to concentrate harder on the sounds around me but could find him nowhere. I could hear Carlisle in his study. I decided to pay him a visit. I had some more questions that I needed answered. I slowly made my way to the entrance of his study and knocked gently on the door.

"Come in," he called. I opened the door to an amazing room. It was large like most of the rooms in this house appeared to be. All the walls were lined with bookshelves filled with books. My eyes widened at his collection. I loved to read and wondered if he would allow me to borrow some of his books someday. As I approached his desk I saw that he was working on paperwork, probably something for the hospital. I felt guilty for disturbing his work.

"Hi. I didn't mean to disturb you. If you're busy I can come back another time." I mumbled.

"Non sense a break would be nice. Please have a seat." He insisted gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. I smiled in reply and took a set.

"Now Bella what can I do for you?" He asked.

"Well I have some questions if you don't mind." He simply smiled in reply waiting for me to continue. I instantly felt at ease with him. He was so easy to talk with no wonder Edward loved and respected him so much!

"I did get the chance to talk with Edward about some things today, but some of his answers weren't enough. I was hoping you could fill in the blanks for me."

He chuckled, "Of course. What did you want to know?"

"I was terribly curious about talents. I mean Edward is convinced I have a talent, and well I want to know where they come from. How do you get a talent and why doesn't everyone have them?"

He expression stayed smooth and warm as I berated him with all my concerns. When I was done he smiled at me and asked, "What happened today to make Edward think you have a talent?"

"He lied to me about something, and I called him out on it. He wasn't very happy about it." Carlisle burst out laughing just then. He had such a lovely warm laugh, like nothing I had ever heard before.

"No I don't see where he would have been very pleased with that at all, knowing Edward as I do." He managed to say before he continued, "You have the ability to tell if people are telling the truth or lying very interesting. I had my suspicions of course but I wasn't sure."

"How did I get this ability? Why doesn't everyone have talents or abilities?" I questioned yearning for him to answer my other questions.

"That is a mystery. I have my theories and can only tell you what might be," he said seriously. "You see Bella there are certain traits that each human has some more prominent than others. Some humans are great athletes others talented musicians, like Edward."

At the mention of Edward I thought back over the days events and narrowed my eyes. "Hmpf" I grunted before I could stop myself. Now I understood his smirk when he said he could play the piano 'a little.' Carlisle noticed and looked at me quizzically.

I sighed, "Edward saw me at the piano today and asked if I played. I told him I didn't and when I asked if he did he said, 'a little.' Clearly that was an understatement." I mumbled crossing my arms across my chest.

Carlisle chuckled and shook his head, "Yes well Edward is quite talented. He was good as a human but now is a master pianist."

He looked at me kindly and continued, "I believe that when you are transformed into a vampire you take your strongest human traits with you. You were probably very perceptive as a human, and that could be how you got your talent. I believe that everyone has a talent in a way. Emmett may not be able to read minds but you would be hard pressed to find someone stronger than he. His strength is his talent." He smiled warmly at me as he finished. It made sense. Every human was diverse with different strengths why not every vampire?

"Thank you that helped a lot."

"Is that all you were curious about, or was there something else you wanted to ask?"

"I was curious about my physical appearance. I mean I did talk to Edward about it today, but I want to know about when I am 100 will I still look like this?" I asked curiously.

"Yes Bella you will always look as you do now. You will be perfect no scars and forever 17. When a human is transformed into a vampire they are frozen in time. As the venom spreads through their bodies it heals all injuries, from broken bones to any scars you may have. You will always look 17 no matter how old you get. I myself am over 300 years old and still look like a man in his twenties." My eyes widened and my jaw dropped as I heard Carlisle explain how old he was. He was over 300 years old! The things he must have seen! I could see him chuckling at my expression and I shook my head swiftly from side to side trying to compose myself.

"Sorry." I breathed still shocked.

"It's quite alright. Was there anything else?" He said soothingly.

"No. I think that's it for now. Thank you very much." I got up and slowly made my way to the door once again admiring his book collection.

"Bella." I heard him call as I reached for the door. I turned around to face him and saw him smiling at me. "You are welcome to any of my books if you wish to read anything."

I smiled widely, "Thank you." I said excitedly. "I love to read." I tuned on my heels and quickly made my way to my room.

I spent a good portion of the night thinking about everything that had happened and what I had learned. I listened closely again trying to distinguish all the different sounds in the house. I still could not find Edward and I wondered where he could be. I decided that I would ask him tomorrow. We were friends now, and friends could ask those kinds of questions.