Yay. New part, fairly recently compared to my other ones. More Laurent! I wrote two whole chapters without Edward. I guess the bubble bath makes up for all this. There'll need to some snogging later, I think. Hmm. I don't want to sound like I'm begging, but if you read, please review. Not just because I like them (we all do) but I also like to know what you do and don't like. I write for you just as much as me. And if there's something I'm doing that you really like or don't like at all, I want to know about it for future chapters and stories. (And I get disheartened when there's not a whole lot of response; like maybe I should write something else and forget this.) Thanks much!

Conscience, Part Ten: Picnic

Tanya was studying me carefully, watching my facial reactions.

"But… why?" I asked.

"What do you mean, 'why'?"

"Why would someone as profoundly interesting and inhuman as you want to spend time with something as boring as me?" Tanya just stared at me like I had four eyes.

"Bella, don't you understand?" She moved closer, her eyes locked on mine. I felt her cold hands grasp mine. "We all wanted Edward. He pushed us all away, time after time, and for the longest time we thought he would never have anyone. Irina actually thought he was gay, but then you come along… a seemingly normal, otherwise unremarkable human and you've brought Edward Cullen to his knees." Her hand reached up to brush stray strands of hair out of my eyes as I just stared at her stupidly. Her hands gave mine a little squeeze again as her hands went back to mine. "Not only that, but you're the one person who is immune to his power. The one mind he cannot touch. I, personally, find that absolutely fascinating."

I glanced to the other two. Irina looked as though the word fascinating didn't quite describe it. Boredom, irritation, perhaps. Laurent looked smug.

"Don't forget the Volturi. Didn't you say some of the Volturi's power didn't affect you, as well?" His French voice filled the air. Tanya's eyes widened and my cheeks blushed.

"You met the Volturi??" She just stared. Irina, now, was watching me. She looked as though she tried to look uninterested all the same. I smiled sheepishly and nodded.

"Actually, I went to them to save Edward," I clarified. Now Irina was making no pretense of gaping at me.

"You can't just say that and not explain what you mean," Irina bit out, looking irritated. I blushed.

"Well, what I meant was, it's a really long story, but Edward thought I was dead, and went to the Volturi to ask them to kill him. I went after Edward trying to stop him, that's all really," I explained to Irina, glancing to Tanya from time to time. Irina frowned.

"Why would he care that much about you?" I winced.
"Honestly, I don't know," I murmured. Tanya slid over beside me and gave me a gentle hug.

"He loves you, silly. Here. Your blood sugar is low," Tanya said as she dropped the knapsack in my lap. Curiously, I opened it. Inside was a can of soda and a sandwich. I looked up at her, and then to Laurent. Tanya nodded in his direction.

"When we decided to kidnap you for the day, Laurent had the idea to bring you food." I was shocked. Laurent was looking out for my best interest? I smiled shyly, and rummaged around before pulling out the sandwich.

"Thank you," I murmured before unwrapping the plastic. I took a bite of the sandwich a bit self-consciously. I wanted to ask if they were going to eat as per etiquette, but it didn't quite apply in my situation. I took another bite, and then popped open the soda can. Irina and Tanya were staring at each other meaningfully. Did one of them read minds? I realized I didn't know. I took another bite of sandwich and looked down thoughtfully.

"You really are interesting, you know," Tanya said. I looked up at her. I still wasn't sure how I felt about them. Laurent I trusted, but I didn't know if that was because he induced it somehow, or if it was innate.

"I can see why Edward would pick you, actually," Irina surprised me by speaking. "You're both enigmatic as hell." She sighed and leaned against Laurent. I glanced to Tanya. She was smiling mischievously. Scooting closer, she whispered in my ear.

"Coming from Irina, that's a compliment." She grinned and then leaned back.

I just looked between the three, somewhat strange vampires around me. I felt rather self conscious with their studying gazes. What was I? A science experiment? Perhaps.

"So what happened with the Volturi?" Irina asked. Casually, she slid down across the picnic mat until her head rested in Laurent's lap. She stared at me intently, a coy smirk playing at her lips.

"I… er… maybe you should ask Edward…" Irina frowned and sat up, leaning in a little bit closer.

"What's wrong? Too personal? You and Edward have hot makeup sex or something? Too embarrassed to talk about it?" I just stared at her. Irina was ridiculous. How could she go from being so seemingly nice one moment to being so nasty the next? Why did she hate me so much? Before I could respond, Tanya came to my defense.

"Irina, what the hell are you onto Bella about? She's done nothing wrong except for – somewhat unwillingly – graciously obliged to join us today," Tanya said, defending me. Laurent had sat up and was looking between the two. He appeared about as confused as I was.

Irina shrugged and just gave both Tanya and I a rather dirty look before leaning back into Laurent. Tanya just glared at Irina further.

"Can I speak with you a moment?" Tanya rose gracefully from beside me and started walking toward the trees, pausing only to look over her shoulder. With a dramatic roll of the eyes, Irina stood up and grudgingly left Laurent to join her.

As she walked past me, I heard her murmur something to Tanya. What it was, I couldn't make out. I glanced down to my half-eaten sandwich. They disappeared into the trees, leaving Laurent and I alone.

He didn't feel the need to say anything. We sat quietly in comfortable silence while I nibbled on my sandwich. The comfort of the silence wore thin, however, the longer we sat there. Eventually, I felt the pressing need to say something, and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Thanks," I said awkwardly. He continued to watch me thoughtfully for a few seconds before answering.

"For?"

"Thinking of my… needs." I nodded down to the sandwich in response.

"Ah. I see," he said softly. I kept my head down, looking at the sandwich as I nibbled on it. We remained quiet for a while. When I wasn't looking at him, I didn't feel the urge to spill my guts.

Feeling a little more confident, I glanced up to him, and I lost the restraint to keep secrets from him.

"You know, I'm just not sure what to think about everything," I started. Laurent moved a little closer, carefully watching my expression. I just stared into his eyes, unable to tear my eyes away. With Edward, it was dazzling. With Laurent… it was something else entirely. His dark-gold gaze penetrated deep inside my own, as if he were somehow able to read my mind. I swallowed nervously. I wanted to look over my shoulder to where Tanya and Irina were, I really did. But I couldn't tear my eyes away from his.

"What is it, Bella? Why is your heart racing?"

"I… I don't know," I breathed out, barely able to intake oxygen. Laurent moved physically closer, but he changed his position so that he was leaning away. I blinked once, and something sunk in. "Oh…"

Again, Laurent tilted his head.

"Yes?"

"Are you…" I began. I trailed off, trying to figure out the easiest way to ask a vampire that used to eat humans if he were hungry. Laurent just frowned slightly in confusion.

"Am I what?"

I nibbled on my bottom lip. I still hadn't taken my gaze away from his eyes. Unable to come up with a tactful way to phrase my question, I just waved lightly in the general direction of his eyes.

"Your eyes… are dark now. Shouldn't you…?" Go hunting? I wanted to ask. I just didn't want the answer to be something like 'I am.' Laurent blinked in confusion before looking genuinely amused. He chuckled softly, an unusual sound coupled with his light French accent.

"My dear child, you think I'm going to eat you right now?" He was laughing softly, but it stopped when I paled. He shot me a perplexed look. "Of course I'm not. I'll admit that your scent is more appealing than usual, floral, I believe. I might even to go so far as to say it's quite mouthwatering – oh for God's sake don't stop breathing, I'm in perfect control right now," he said, shaking his head, laughing softly. It was true, my heart had nearly stopped. He flashed a smile – it was a careful smile. Just enough to convey sincere geniality without flashing too many teeth. I smiled weakly back.

"Sorry, it's just that-"

"I used to be a non-vegetarian?"

"Well, yes-"

"And my two coven mates James and Victoria each tried to eat you?" I just blushed brightly and was finally able to avert my gaze. He chuckled softly. "Bella, you worry too much. Do you think I don't understand your situation involving me?" I frowned a bit, unsure how to respond to that. Was he trying to get me to trust him? It was working. It wasn't like he couldn't kill me in a half second right now. He continued. "And do you honestly think your Edward would let us kidnap you for the afternoon if there were any sign of remote danger?" I faltered. He was right about that. My heart rate started to return to normal at the notion that Edward knew about this little picnic.

"No. I don't believe he would," I said. Laurent nodded.

"Neither do I," he said. He smiled carefully again, still staying close. I just watched him, carefully, only a foot between my neck and his razor teeth. "What is it…" he murmured softly.

"Sorry?" What was he talking about? He leaned forward a little more, much to my surprise. On instinct, I leaned back a little more, but he moved with me, staying a few inches from my face.

"What is it about you? You smell nice, but it's more than that… what is it… why does a family of… somewhat unconventional vampires… keep you as one of their own…?" His eyes were locked on mine. My heart was fluttering. "How did you… come to be Edward's…?" He was moving closer still, and I was unable to move nor take my eyes from his. Like I was paralyzed. My heart was hammering furiously.

"Lovely! How are you and Laurent getting along," Tanya's voice rolled across the grass. I could've sworn I heard a groan from Laurent as he leaned back slowly, his eyes leaving mine once to glance to my lips. I had this distinct gut feeling, as crazy as it sounded, that if Tanya and Irina hadn't returned from their meeting, he would've… kissed me. The thought made my stomach twist in terror. I'd just finally gotten past the Jacob-kissing thing. I didn't want to do that to Edward again. And not with an ex-enemy.

Tanya folded up delicately next to me, Irina stepping across and sitting down pointedly in Laurent's lap, glaring daggers at me.

"Are we having fun yet?" Tanya asked, smiling sweetly. I think I looked pale because she patted my head. I just nodded uncertainly. Her eyes dropped to my nearly-eaten sandwich in my lap and my eyes followed hers.

"About finished? We should be getting you home before Edward complains. He'll want to make sure we didn't snack on you like we promised not to." She winked and stood up, offering her arms. I put everything back inside the bag and Tanya took it before hoisting me up onto her back.

I looked over my shoulder; Irina and Laurent were still curled on the blanket.

"No worries, sweets. They'll probably stay here for a while. We best get your sweet innocent mind back to your chivalrous Edward. Holding on? Good."

And we were off. I closed my eyes, my heart hammering. Every step she takes is one step back to Edward, I reminded myself. I couldn't help but smile.