I don't own these characters. They are the sole property of Stephenie Meyer. I only borrow them. No humans are permanently harmed through my actions, though I do confess to harassing, annoying, torturing, and exasperating them – just because it's fun. I make no money from my little stories, sad day. I only play in the sandbox, I didn't build it.

Author's Note: Sorry this update is a tad delayed. I had an unexpected encounter with an oral surgeon this week. While I was capable of typing, I'm not sure how coherent the words would have been. Pain meds are wonderful things and just might have led to inspiration. Oh well, opportunity lost and I'll have to settle for my usual, ordinary work.

Chapter 9: Changes

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." ~Mary Engelbreit

They walked back from the cafeteria, not holding hands, but it felt as if they were. They were silent. Everything that had needed to be said had been said and nothing else really mattered. Devon was in the waiting area, her eyes darting between them before a smug little smile settled on her face. Emmett held up the bag of food. "I uh...I'm going to take this food in to them."

Rose shifted on her feet. "Maybe I should-"

Emmett turned around and frowned. "You. Stay. There." He looked at Devon. "Don't let her sneak away. She's a slippery little thing when she wants to be."

Devon gave him a mock salute. "Yes, sir!"

Emmett grinned and looked at Rose. "I like her."

"Go," Rosalie muttered, flopping down into an ugly chair. Emmett laughed and made his way down the hallway to Seth's room.

Devon sat down beside her and reached for her hand. "So?"

"So what?" Rose asked innocently.

Devon rolled her eyes. "So what did Mr. Happy have to say?"

"He's got a name, you know. It's Emmett. Emmett James."

"So what did Mr. James have to say?" Devon pressed.

"Not much," Rose answered with a shrug.

Devon settled back in her chair. "You can play it this way, Rosie my girl. And if you insist on doing that, I'm going to innocently let it drop how you kept saying his name over and over again on the drive to North Carolina, or how much you miss him, or how-"

"Jeez, all right, all right," Rose hissed. "God, you're such a pain in the ass."

"I'm your best friend, being a pain in the ass is practically part of the job description," Devon informed her. "So deal with it, darling."

Rose heaved a sigh. "We talked," she finally admitted.

"About?"

"Stuff." Rose knew there was no way in hell she was going to get away with that answer, but it was worth a s hot.

"Like the state of the economy stuff or how you want to ride him like a bucking bronco kind of stuff?" Devon asked, and not quietly.

Rose groaned and looked around to see if anyone was listening. "Oh my God! Keep it down will you?"

Devon pursed her lips, which was never a good sign. "Yeah, who would want to talk about boring old hetero sex? Cock and pussy is old news. Now, give me-"

"I'm not listening," Rose muttered, putting her hands over her ears.

Devon laughed. "Okay, okay." She tugged at Rosalie's hands. "Seriously...talk to me. Give me the dirt."

Rose squirmed and Devon grinned, sensing victory. "We talked."

Devon rolled her eyes and motioned Rosalie to continue.

"And he told me-" Rose stopped and she felt an odd smile tug at her lips. It was there, whether she wanted it to be or not. "He told me that he still loves and that he'll always love me."

Devon sighed and closed her eyes rapturously. "God, it's almost enough to make me believe in hetero love." Then she shrugged. "Almost, but not quite."

"Stop," Rose said without any heat.

"So...he loves you and he always will. What else?"

Rose looked down at her hands. "He said that one day I'll realize I love him too and I'll finally give into it." She looked at Devon in bewilderment. "He still loves me, Dev. He said it straight out. He still wants me. Even after the shitty way I've treated him. He told me to go do what I had to do, but one day, I'd realize that I...I love him."

"Well, he's right, isn't he?" Devon said quietly.

Rose shrugged but refused to meet Devon's eyes. Devon pulled her close and kissed her forehead like Rosalie was a child. "Oh, don't worry about any of that just yet. Your boy said he's going to wait for you. Seth is going to wake up and become a normal, pain in the ass male. You and I are going back to Florida. We'll get our degrees. Then after we graduate will get an apartment together and you can torture Mr. James to your heart's content until you finally decide to give in. It'll be kind of fun to watch actually."

"I won't torture him," Rosalie insisted.

Devon laughed. "Sure you will. It's the way we're made. Lucky us."

~TAOP~

Later that night, Devon and Rosalie were in the room that had been hers before she went to college. "Devon?"

"Yeah, babe?"

"Do you really think Seth is going to be okay?" Rose had to ask. They had left the hospital to give the boys some time with their brother, and Emmett had once more been focused on Seth. Rosalie understood that. But it had been really nice to see Jake and Sam. It had been even nicer when they hugged her like they always had.

"I think he's got a lot of things in his favor," Devon answered carefully. "Do I know he'll be fine? No. But I've got a good feeling about it." Devon never bullshitted, so Rose took some comfort in Devon's confidence.

"Losing him would destroy Emmett," Rosalie murmured. "Losing his dad was tough, but Seth... He's closest to Seth. They're best friends, not just brothers. Even though they're almost complete opposites, they get each other, you know?"

"Yeah, I know," Devon replied. Then she laughed. "I guess that means maybe we're sisters then, huh?"

Rose snorted. "Well, we are pretty opposite."

"I'm brilliant, you're...you."

"Watch it Daniels," Rose warned.

"I like girls and you like...giants," Devon continued.

There was a long moment of silence. "It's funny," Rose said, her voice softly in the darkness. "I forgot how huge Emmett really is until I saw him again."

"Huge? As in, the boy's proportional?" Devon asked with sly interest.

Rose sighed deeply. "Never mind."

"That's a yes," Devon decided.

"It's a never mind," Rose insisted.

"Then he's hung like a chipmunk?" Devon teased.

"Absolutely no- Never mind," Rose cut off her protest and Devon snickered.

"Okay, so Mr. James fulfills the promise of those big ass feet of his," Devon said.

"Shut up," Rose hissed.

"Is he long and thick or just long?" Devon pressed.

"Shut up," Rose said again. "You don't even like...penises."

"Cock," Devon said. "You can say the word, Rosie girl. Cock. COCK." She snorted. "Just keep saying it. You'll warm up to it. I may not like them, but even I can appreciate a good, thick cock...even if it is for appearance's sake."

"Oh good Lord," Rose muttered. "Just shut the fuck up about Emmett's penis. It's none of your business and it never will be."

"Well, someone's a little territorial over a cock she says she doesn't even want," Devon noted.

"I didn't say-" Rose stopped abruptly.

Devon crowed with triumph. "I knew it! I knew you were totally hot for Emmett's cock!"

"I'm going to sleep now," Rose said and rolled over.

There were a few moments of silence and then Devon said quietly, "Rose?"

"What now?"

"I meant to tell you this earlier, but if your Aunt Alice was ten years younger and – you know, a lesbian – I'd totally do her."

Rose screeched and put the pillow over her head.

She could hear just enough to make out Devon's last words. "Hell, forget being ten years younger. She's totally hot. Maybe an older woman would be an adventure."

Rose groaned.

~TAOP~

Devon dropped Rose off at the hospital the following evening, saying she had "stuff to do" in the city that day. Rosalie wasn't sure what Devon could possibly have to do since she had never been to Fayetteville before, but she didn't argue. It was difficult to argue with Devon anyway. She had a habit of talking circles around someone until they gave up and shut up.

Rosalie made her way up to Seth's floor. Mr. Cullen was in the small waiting area, hunched over in a chair and drinking a cup of coffee. "Hi, Mr. Cullen," Rosalie said, looking down toward Seth's room. "Any change?"

Mr. Cullen shook his head wearily. "No, not really." He seemed to force an apologetic smile. "I just had to get out of there for a few minutes. Sometimes the sound of the respirator makes me feel like I'm going to lose it."

Rose nodded and sat down beside him. Edward turned and smiled at her again, this time it looked more genuine. "I'm really glad to see you, Rosalie. We've all missed you."

She started to say something but Mr. Cullen just shook his head. "No, no worries. I'd like to think of us as family, and that means you don't have to explain. I just wanted to let you know that it was really good to have you here. It means a lot to us...all of us. So thank you."

"I think of Seth like a brother," Rosalie said quietly. "I had to be here."

Mr. Cullen reached out and squeezed her hand. "And I think that Seth knows you're here, that we're all here."

A moment later, Emmett's voice was above them. "Mom wanted me to make sure you're okay, Pops."

Mr. Cullen looked up with a rueful smile. "That woman," he muttered with fond exasperation. "She should be worrying about herself, but no. She's got to cluck over me." He stood up with a loud groan. "Take a break, Em. I'll make sure your mom gets a bit of sleep." He held up the coffee cup. "I'm good for another few hours."

There was a moment of silence, which Emmett broke by asking, "How are you holding up?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Rose said with a slight smile.

Emmett leaned in close and brushed his knuckles over her cheek. He had changed a lot during their time apart. He wasn't a boy at all anymore. He was a man, young and untried, but a man nonetheless. He had always been mature for his age; his circumstances had made that almost inevitable. He had always taken his place as the oldest seriously, watching over his brothers as much as he tormented them. Then Dani had come along and Emmett had been transformed into some sort of hulking guardian angel and personal slave, bowing to his sister's every command.

"How is Dani?" she asked suddenly. She hadn't seen her.

"She's...confused," Emmett said. "Aunt Alyssa is staying with her at our house to keep things as normal as possible. She keeps asking for Seth." He stopped and shook his head, pressing his lips together.

Rose sensed that he needed a little distraction, so she stood up and tugged on his hand. "Come on," she urged. "I'm hungry." That was a lie. Aunt Alice had insisted on feeding them before they left. But Emmett needed to get away from this floor, even if he wouldn't leave the hospital. And Rose knew better than to suggest that he needed to leave the hospital.

Emmett allowed her to lead him to the elevator and then down to the cafeteria. She wondered when he had gone home to shower and change. She had a feeling that Mr. or Mrs. Cullen had insisted. She got him some food, some of his favorites, and then a salad for herself. That was all she thought she could eat. Emmett followed her docilely the whole time, not saying a word. His face was etched with lines of fatigue and worry.

"Eat," she said quietly and pushed his first burger toward him. Mechanically, he began taking bites. She had a feeling that he wasn't even really tasting what he was eating, but that was okay. It would still give his body fuel, and he needed it. Anxiously, she watched him take bite after bite. She reached across the table when he had finished the second burger and squeezed his hand. "He's going to get better," she said, then released his hand.

Emmett sighed and rested his head in his hands, rubbing at his eyes for a moment. "It's been two days, Rosie," he said finally. "Two fucking days, and he just – he just lies there in that fucking bed and doesn't do anything except twitch now and then." He looked up, his blue eyes blood shot and scared. "What the hell am I gonna do if...if..."

"He won't," Rosalie said. "He wouldn't dare. He knows you'd kick his ass."

Emmett forced a weak smile. "Yeah, I would."

"What's Seth been up to?" Rose asked, just to get him talking.

Emmett laughed then. "I think the little fucker's been getting laid," he said with a shake of his head.

Rose leaned back in shock. Seth? Little Seth? But he was just a kid. He was only...seventeen. The same age that Emmett had been when –

"Holy shit," she muttered. Suddenly, seventeen seemed much younger than it had a few years ago.

"Yeah," Emmett said. "Tell me about it."

"Who?" Rose asked, wondering if she knew the girl, wondering if she was worthy of Seth. Because if she broke Seth's heart, there was going to be a little girl-on-girl action, and not the kind that Devon liked.

"Damned if I know," Emmett admitted.

"Then how do you know?"

Emmett blushed and smirked. "I uh...found some condoms in his room."

"That doesn't necessarily mean-"

"A half empty box of condoms," he elaborated.

"Oh."

"Yeah." Emmett stretched back and Rosalie tried not to get distracted by the sight of his abdomen. He was even more muscular than he had been when she left. He was leaner now; the lines of his massive body were sleeker. Damn, she liked sleeker.

Emmett noticed where her eyes had flickered and leaned back a little more, giving her more of a show, letting one long-fingered hand drag across the light golden skin, dusted by dark hairs. "Fucker," she muttered.

Leaning forward, he grinned at her. "Like what you see, Rosie?"

Rose shrugged, deliberately casual. "I've seen better."

Emmett shook his head. "I don't think so."

"How do you know?" she challenged.

This time, it was Emmett who shrugged. "Just do."

"Cocky fucker," Rose added.

They were silent for a while. "When are you going back?" he asked.

Rose tapped her fingers on the table. "Originally, the plan was to go back on Saturday. You know if...if Seth is doing better."

"He will," Emmett said. "He'd better. I love you, Rose, but not even to keep you here do I want to see Seth like this."

"He'll be better," Rose insisted. "Otherwise, I'll help you kick his ass."

"Deal," Emmett agreed. Then he sighed and leaned forward again, taking her hands in his. "Listen, Rosie, when you go back promise me one thing. Don't stay out of touch, okay? I can deal with being in the friendship zone, but not if you don't talk to me."

She searched his eyes, trying to gauge his sincerity about being friends. Nothing but honesty gleamed back at her. She nodded.

His thumbs were rubbing her hands and delightful tingles began zinging up her hands into her arms and then collecting in the region of her heart. Or maybe it was her stomach. Wherever it was, her body was having some sort of visceral reaction to his innocent caress. "When you go back, Rose, I know that there are going to be guys who want to date you."

She started to protest, but Emmett just shook his head sadly.

"It's all right," he said. Then he gave a short bark of laughter. "Well, it's not all right, but I can deal with it. Because I know that one day, you'll get it all figured out in that head of yours. So I want you to do what you've gotta do. I don't wanna hear details, mind you. I prefer to remain in blissful ignorance, as Sam would say." They shared a smile. "But maybe we'll be stronger after this is all over. You'll never have to wonder what might have happened if you'd followed your dreams and I'll never have to worry that you settled for me."

He leaned in even closer and his lips ghosted over hers. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I know you've got to do things your way for now. I love you. I love you so fucking much that it scares me, but if the only way I can have you is to let you go for now, then that's what I'm going to do."

"You're insane," she whispered.

"Just remember, there's no one out there who will love you like I do," he warned, only half kidding.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "So says you." Rose sighed and shook her head. "I'm not sure you deserve me, Emmett James." Even though she knew she was the one who was undeserving, Emmett needed to be taken down a bit.

"And there she is - finally," Emmett said. "There's my girl. I wondered where my spitfire went. This quiet, polite girl isn't my Rosie. My Rosie is snarky and sarcastic, with just enough bitch thrown in to keep things interesting."

"Did you just call me a bitch?"

"Don't act like it offends you," Emmett mocked. "You consider it a compliment and you know it."

Damn. He knew her too well. So she just sniffed and pretended to ignore him.

"You know you love me," he added in a sing song voice.

"As if," she muttered.

"You want to kiss me," Emmett continued in the same annoying voice.

"Gross," she said, even though she licked her lips.

"You want to lick me," he sang softly.

She rolled her eyes.

"You want me inside of you," he finished triumphantly.

And damn if a flash of heat didn't rip through her. Before she could make any reply, Emmett's cell went off. Immediately, he looked at the text and a wide grin split his face before he jumped to his feet. He pulled at Rose's hand.

"It's Seth," he said excitedly. "He woke up!"