Disclaimer-I do not own Twilight or New Moon ( that includes the characters in it). I could only wish to write that well. That said, the character Sage is mine.

Chapter 10- Live life

Bella's POV

" Bella, Bella! Wake up!" I jolted up, my head darting around to see who was talking to me. Edward was next to me, his hand on my shoulder from trying to shake me awake.

" Edward? What's going on?" I replied, still groggy.

" It's Sage, she passed out." That woke me up.

" Where is she?"

" Living room couch." I flew out of bed and we both ran downstairs. I went to check if she had a heartbeat but Edward stopped me. " She's got a pulse. She's just unconscious."

" Okay, can you go in the kitchen and get me a cold rag."

" Okay." While he was getting the rag I slapped her face a couple of times. It didn't do a thing. I felt Edward tap my shoulder and I turned around; he handed me the rag and I placed it over her forehead. I could only think of one thing to do.

" Go get Carlisle." I whispered. For some reason, I had a bad feeling about this, I only wished Sage was okay.

" You think it's that serious?"

" Edward, she's passed out! Yes it's that serious!" He nodded his head and was gone. I adjusted the cloth and sat next to Sage on the couch, sighing deeply.

" Come on Sage, pull out of this." I muttered. What the hell was going on??

Around ten minutes later Edward returned with Carlisle, who looked extremely worried. He immediately dropped to Sage's side and took her temperature.

" How long has she been out?" He asked Edward.

" About twenty minutes now." Edward answered.

" Okay. I need to get her to a hospital, I don't know what-" All of a sudden Sage opened her eyes and looked around.

" Carlisle? Why are you here? What's going on?" She questioned us. At first I believed her, then I looked into her eyes and saw something. . She was lying about something, if only I could figure out what.

Sage's POV

I could hear them talking about faintly, then I heard Carlisle mention the hospital. I trudged through the darkness and finally opened my eyes. I saw relief flood through Edward's eyes. ' You're okay?' He asked.

" Carlisle? Why are you here? What's going on?" I asked in return.

' God Sage, what's going on?'

' Shut up Edward.'

" You passed out." Carlisle said softly. " I want to take you to the hospital. Give you some tests to see what's going on."

" You want to poke and prod me? I don't think so Carlisle, I'm fine." I sat up more and felt the world spin a little, but I pushed that aside.

" Sage-"

" No Carlisle, I'm fine. Come on, this is me we're talking about. I'm fine, I probably just am getting used to the whole being alive thing."

" Are you sure?"

" Crystal." Carlisle stood up and placed his hand on my cheek.

" I'm not used to you feeling so warm." I smiled and playfully pushed him away.

" Yeah, whatever. Go home, I'll be okay. I'm sure if I faint again Edward will go get you."

" Sage." Carlisle warningly said.

" I'll be fine! Go!" After about ten more minutes of reassuring Carlisle I'd be fine, he left. I sighed and threw my head onto the back of the couch. I could feel it, rising in my mouth. I stood up and walked up the stairs, I needed a bathroom-pronto.

Bella's POV

I turned to Edward, I could see how worried he was. He sat on the couch and rested his head in his hands. I sat next to him gently and rubbed his back.

" Hon, it'll be okay." I whispered. In my head I saw the look in her eyes. He looked up and I swear, if he could cry he would've been.

" Bella, she's like a sister to me. She held my hand while I was changing! Remember when I told you about my rebel phase?" I nodded my head and he began to laugh gently. " Carlisle was upset over it, so Sage followed me and told me to get my ass home or she'd get it home for me."

" Really?"

" Yeah. She can put the fear of God in you too."

" I can only imagine. Sounds like you guys are really good friends."

" One of the best. I mean, I love my whole family. And Sage is part of that family."

" Listen to me, she's going to be okay. She's not worried, you shouldn't be either."

" But Bella, if something was wrong, she wouldn't say anything. That's just the kind of person she is. If there's something wrong, she won't say a thing!"

" If it was serious enough I'm sure she would."

" I hope so." He laid his head across my lap and I brushed my fingers through his hair. Trying to calm him down. Sage came down the stairs shortly after. She looked pale, paler then me even. Edward shot straight up.

" Why do I smell blood?" He questioned her. She held up her finger, a piece of Kleenex was wrapped around it.

" Cut my finger a little. Chill Cujo." She teased and sat on the chair in the opposite corner, I was assuming so Edward didn't get tempted or anything.

" How are you feeling?" I asked her. She appeared to be in her own little world for a moment, then she shook her head and smiled.

" I'm fine. Listen Bells, go get some sleep okay." She replied.

" I want to make sure you're okay."

" I'm fine. Besides, your dad is going to wake up, we've been as quite as we can be. Go. You look tired." I stood up, I was tired.

" Are you-"

" I'm positive. Go on. Edward, you go with her."

" I don't think so, I have to make sure you're-" He went to say but she held up her hand.

" I'll kick your ass if you don't. Go." Edward turned to me and smiled weakly.

" I'll be up there in a minute okay Bella?" He leaned in and kissed me.

" I'll be waiting. . Be careful Sage." She nodded her head and I headed up the stairs. I knew when I was unwanted in the conversation, I knew they needed to talk. About what, I had no clue. . .

Sage's POV

' Edward, I'll be okay. Go up with her.' I thought. I could see Bella out of the corner of my eye, she was waiting next to the stairs. Edward turned to her and gave her a kiss, telling her he'd be up in a minute.

" I'll be waiting. . . Be careful Sage." I nodded my head and watched her turn and head up the stairs. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and lay back.

" Edward, just go with her. I need to rest and I don't want to hear it." I sighed and saw him standing next to me.

" You're not getting off that easy. What the hell is going on? I mean, you're not the kind of person to faint."

" Eh, maybe the human me is?" I joked. He just glared at me in return. " Edward, relax. Please. You're killing me."

" You promise me you'll be okay?"

" Yeah. I'll be fine." He nodded his head and then was gone. I unwrapped the bandage and looked at my finger. . Edward may have been able to smell blood, but too bad he didn't know where it came from. I honestly thought he'd know I didn't have a paper cut. . The copper taste was still alive in my mouth, I was surprised he couldn't smell it when he was near me. Suddenly I felt him, I knew he was there. I walked over to the door and swung it open.

" Aro." I whispered. " What are you doing here?" He walked inside and I could see the sorrow in his eyes.

" It's happening isn't it? I forgot all about it, I shouldn't have done this. I'm killing you Sage!" He cried. I drew him close to me, in a tight embrace. My hands wrapped around him, I didn't care how cold he was. I needed him, especially now.

" It's not your fault Aro, don't blame yourself. Please."

" But it is, if I hadn't gone to Africa-"

" You only did it because you cared."

" Yeah and look what caring got you? Death!"

" I'm not dead yet!"

" Change back, so you want to change back." I let him go, looking into his deep purple eyes. I swallowed and felt a tear run down my face. It was such a foriegn feeling, something I hadn't felt in so long. .

" I don't know if I want to Aro." I whispered.

" Excuse me?"

" I don't know if I want to change back." Now, instead of sorrow, rage flowed through his eyes. I didn't want to wake Bella or her dad so I led him outside, closing the door behind me. He made a good foot between us, he was mad.

" What are you talking about? Why don't you want to change back?" He asked me, trying not to yell.

" Aro, you gave me a decision! You told me it was up to me!"
" Well, maybe I was assuming you'd naturally want to change back!"
" Well you shouldn't assume! Haven't you ever heard that saying? Assuming makes an ass out of you and me?"

" Sage-"

" No Aro!" I closed my eyes for a second and walked near him. When I opened them I saw he was right in front of me. " Maybe I should just go, I. . . I don't know if I really want to live forever! I have family up there, I have a whole different purpose or something. I don't-" Tears were streaming down my face, this all sounded so much easier in my head. He held up his hand and placed it on my face.

" Don't leave me Sage." He whispered. This only made me cry more. He wiped away my tears and bent down; kissing me gently. " I love you way too much for you to leave me. You can't die."

" Aro. I can't. I need time to think. Okay?" He nodded his head slowly, and kissed me once last time-then he was gone. Obviously he didn't know that whenever a girl said she needed time to think, it meant it was the time she needed him the most. My knees gave out and I collapsed onto the ground, it was all so hard. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. Edward smiled and helped me up.

" Sage. What's going on?" He asked. I was sick of keeping this in me, I had to tell someone. Besides, they would all find out sooner or later, I would rather it be before I dropped dead in front of them. So, I took a deep breath, then looked at him intently.

" Edward, I'm dying." I said. His face fell, then he shook his head no.

" No, you can't die! Not you! You're invincible. I mean, how many times have people tried to kill you?"

" This is different Edward-"

" No it isn't! You're fine."

" No, it was enough you had to watch me die, I'm not sitting here and returning the favor." With that, I was left alone. I crossed my arms across my chest and a few more sobs escaped me. But, there's only so much crying you can do. . . I was going to live life as long as I had it. That's all I could do.

Carlisle stared at me, his eyes fell. He held the tests up and nodded his head. Then let out a laugh of disbelief. Edward wouldn't believe me, so I wanted proof to show him. In Carlisle's hands laid my proof. It was the test results.

" You have tuberculosis ." Carlisle stated.

" Yes, I do. Believe me now?" I turned to Edward. He shook his head and was out of the room faster then the blink of an eye.

" Sage, how?" Carlisle whispered.

" I don't know. Stayed out in the cold too much as a child? You're the doctor you tell me."

" I love how you find this funny!" He slammed the folder on the table and rested his head in his hand.

" Come on Carlisle. We all die eventually." His eyes focused on mine and he let out a low growl, something he hasn't done in a while. I stood up, I didn't want to hear anymore. My decision was my decision.

" Sage!" Carlisle yelled. But I walked out of the hospital, where I was going. I didn't know. But, I knew I couldn't stay here.