The trip back to Forks was miserable. We waited an hour in the terminal and said not a word to each other. I could only bear to steal glances at Edward. Since our meeting with Declan, Edward's eyes had taken on a pained expression that was, in turn, painful to me. There was vulnerability in those forest green eyes where none had ever been before.

The plane ride was worse. Cramped together in tiny seats, we continued our uncomfortable, frigid silence. He angled himself away from me and stared out the window into the harsh sunlight. There was electricity humming between us, but it was not the pleasant crackle of our warmth mingling together. It was tension and anxiety; a deep, wordless worry for each other. I had always been afraid that the danger that always seemed to find me might harm Edward. But, now…. Now, I could see just how fragile humanity was. I have seen it every day of my life. I have lived it. But seeing it reflected in Edward summoned the sickening anxiety in the pit of my stomach. He still thought he was my protector.

I needed him to be my rock, my safe and happy place. And he needed me to be happy and safe in his arms. I just wasn't sure if we had that anymore. What seemed like forever just a few days ago, now seemed transient, temporary, fleeting. Declan had unraveled it all.

My stomach turned, a mix of fear and motion sickness.

That was it. That was the gorilla in the room, the thing neither of us were talking about.

He turned to me, then, as if he had heard my terrible thought. My stomach lurched again. His eyes were so hurt, so tired from his fear. Fear for me. He forced a smile, unconvincingly.

"It's over for now. Carlisle will know what to do next."

I tried my best to smile, too.

--

"My God…"

From the airport, we went straight to Carlisle. He opened the door and froze for the briefest of seconds before ushering us into the dining room. He shut the door behind him and then took a solid look at the two of us, our hands entwined, faces haggard with worry.

"My God…" Carlisle was still, his amber eyes darting between the two of us. "I'm sorry, Edward, it's just so remarkable to see you this way. It has been a lifetime." Shockingly, he smiled at us and I felt a twinge of anger that he could smile at this.

"Please, Carlisle, you have to help us. Somehow…" I pleaded. His smile faded back into his flawless features.

"Yes. I apologize for being so curt on the phone the other day. I hadn't heard of such a transformation in many years, since before I came to America."

"But you have heard of it?" Edward asked.

"Oh, yes." But he frowned at this. "And I know how you might reverse it." Edward and I shared a glance. His was a troubled, distracted expression I had seen too many times in the past few days. We were thinking about the same things.

Carlisle measured our response. "This is no light matter, as you are aware. It is painfully complicated. How often have we all said that we would give anything to reclaim our humanity? And you have it back, Edward. Is it still what you want?" Edward let out a long breath.

"When I first saw my face in the mirror…when I saw my eyes…. There are no words to describe what I felt. And to have a heartbeat!" Edward smiled his first smile in what seemed like forever and I couldn't help but smile with him. His hand tightened around mine and I returned the pressure, relieved for the moment. "But the other changes…. How am I supposed to be with my family now?" He lingered before answering the question, dodging, once more, the real issue: me.

"Oh, Edward, you know nothing has changed here."

"Then where is everyone?"

"Rosalie and Emmet are not back yet. I asked the others to wait in their rooms so that I could speak with you first."

"How are they?"

"They are worried for your safety, as always. Alice is particularly upset. She feels she let this happen."

"It is not her fault."

"I know. As I said, this is painfully complicated. Sit, please." He pulled out chairs for us and he joined us at the table. "I would appreciate it greatly if you would describe to me the man you met just before you became human." The story flowed swiftly out of us in a great stream. Edward and I described every detail about Declan, human and vampire, often finishing each other's sentences. Relieved to finally be in the presence of someone who could help us, we slipped back into old habits and into the way we used to be before Edward changed. Carlisle sat patiently with his hands folded on the table in front of him, any traces of his smile long faded.

"I'm so sorry, Carlisle. We should have come home sooner." Carlisle waved his hand at me dismissively.

"Edward's humanity is not truly the problem. He can remain this way if he

likes," and then he looked between us, furrowing his brow in concern, "as long as you are willing to bear the consequences. This is not something you trade away lightly. There will always be a home here for you, Edward, and for you, Bella, no matter what your decision. Always." If that were Edward's only concern, I'd feel relieved to hear Carlisle say that. The truth was that our problems ran deeper than that. So much deeper….

"However, we need to have a talk about Declan. I was afraid that he might be involved and, from your description, I now know that my fears are confirmed.