Still wearing all black, Hailey was able to make it to the front of the gate without being seen as it was late in the night. Moments later Alec met up with her and they both sped off into town and both displaying a Cheshire grin.

Painting the Town RED

Alec stopped abruptly, grabbing Hailey by the wrist to stop her as well.

"Perfect!" Alec whispered.

"What's perfect?" asked Hailey.

"He is."

"You mean that drunken guy over there?"

"Yes, have you ever tasted the blood from a drunken person? It's even more ravishing, the alcohol leaves a very delightful aftertaste."

Alec was just about to make his move.

"Wait!" Hailey whispered with a tone of panic.

"What?" Alec asked while never taking his eye off his prey.

"Umm," Hailey hesitated. "I, umm"

"Hailey!" Alec took his eye off his victim and focused his attention onto Hailey. "What is it?"

"I have never tasted human before."

"Never? Really?"

"Really, my father raised me on animal blood. I do crave that human there but now that it's an actual possibility, I don't think I can do it. I'm sorry."

Hailey looked at Alec with big puppy dog eyes then looked away as she felt she had been committing some horrible sin to all vampires. She began to cry.

"Damnit, I must have done something wrong."

"What are you talking about?"

Alec was now giving Hailey his complete and undivided attention.

"Before we left tonight, I did a small ritual to block out the feeling of all pain. I guess I did it wrong because it only lasted an hour."

A feeling came over Alec that he never felt towards anyone before. It was a feeling of true sympathy. He didn't like seeing Hailey in pain.

"Was that your very first time trying to block out all pain?"

"Yes," Hailey sniffled, "why?"

"It's a bit tricky. It took me about three tries before I mastered it. I have to warn you though, it really does mess with all of your other emotions. It's better to just heal with time. I can't believe I am saying all of this but, it's because I really care about you."

Hailey wiped away a few tears. "Really?"

"Yes, in all my hundreds of years I have never met anyone like you. I actually want to give you my time."

Hailey began to suddenly laugh hysterically.

"What is so funny?"

"That, that, you…." Hailey tried to answer. She laughed for a good five minutes before she could get herself under control.

"I'm sorry. It's just that you said what you did about wanting to actually give me your time with the most serious face; I just found it really funny. I am sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at you. I really like you too."

Alec gave Hailey a sideways smile. "It's okay, I rather see you laughing than crying."

Hailey looked Alec directly in his eyes then leaned forward and kissed him. He kissed her back with his soft, full lips. They were interrupted when the drunken man came stumbling towards them.

"Eaaxuuse me but would you happen (hiccup) happen to know the time?" asked the drunken man.

Alec's red eyes turned black, his fangs dropped and he was just about to make his move on his snack when Hailey snapped him out of his focus zone.

"Wait! Please don't. I know I'm being a real pain and I'm truly sorry; but, could you please not feed when we are together? I just can't handle it…damn, I feel so pathetic." Hailey lowered her head, "I'm sorry, I, I just…"

"It's okay. Truly."

Alec told the drunken man it was one in the morning sharp before taking Hailey's hand and speeding off out of town. Within minutes the two teens were far away from the city, from the palace, from all authority.

"Should we go back?" asked Hailey.

"We could or we could keep traveling a bit. Granted, at this point we are both in trouble. If we called and let my dad and Carlisle know that we were safe and not eaten by some werewolf then, well, at least it would be one less thing for them to obsessively worry about."

"Okay, I like your plan. I just have one small adjustment," said Hailey.

"What is that?"

"Instead of you calling your dad and me calling Carlisle, how about you call your sister and I call my brother? They will call us idiots but that is much easier to handle. What do for you think?

"I think I like your adjustment. Let's do it."

"Emmett, it's me, Hailey."

"Hailey, where are you calling me from? I thought you were in your room."

"My room? Aww, so no one has noticed yet."

"Noticed what?"

"Okay, first, please don't get mad."

"Mad? Why would I…Hailey! Spit it out already, what is wrong? Where are you?" demanded Emmett.

"I'm not exactly sure where I am but I am with Alec and we're both perfectly safe. I just wanted to call and tell you and Carlisle that I'm going to be away for a little bit."

"Away? What? Are you crazy? Baby sister, you better get back here right away or dad is really going to have a field day at the expense of your little ass."

"Dad? He's your dad, not mine!" Hailey blurted angrily then fell silent.

"Hailey! Hailey! Are you still there?"

"Yes," she sighed.

"Hailey, I know it's way too soon but Carlisle is your dad now. He already loves you like his own daughter." Emmett explained right before he felt a hand softly touching his arm.

He turned around and found Carlisle standing there and gesturing for him to hand over the phone. Emmett did so obediently.

"Hailey, its Carlisle, where are you?"

"I'm taking a couple of days away with Alec. I just need some time to think. Please trust me when I say that we're safe. Please go back home to the rest of the family. Alec will help me get back, I promise. I have to go, I love you, bye!"

Hailey quickly hung up the phone before Carlisle could protest. She took a deep sigh of relief and turned around to find Alec walking back towards her. He had a big smile on his face. Her phone was ringing, the caller I.D. read: Carlisle. She declined the call, turned the phone completely off and dropped it into the bottom of her purse. She looked up and received a quick but loving kiss from Alec on the lips.

"Why are you so happy? What happened?" asked Hailey.

"I'm just happy to be able to get out for a bit and that it's with you. Truthfully, I'm a bit nervous. When I called Jane it was actually my dad that answered. My sister has a bad habit of leaving her phone in his office. Long story short, if we go back now I'll be able to sit comfortably within three days; if we go back at a later time then I'll be lucky to sit comfortably within a week."

"A week, wow. Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, yeah, I would love to just go and not have to think about anything for a bit but, is it worth it? I don't want you getting in trouble because of me."

Alec brushed back a little of Hailey's hair from her face and looked her directly in the eyes. "You, Hailey, are worth it to me." He smiled and kissed her again on the lips. This time slower, more tender.

"Alright then," Hailey took a deep breath, "where should we go?"

"Humm," Alec thought for a moment, "let's go to Paris."

"Paris? Mmmm, Okay, let's go to Paris," Hailey responded.