A/N: Chapter 16! Woot! It came to me pretty easily, and I hope that reflects in the writing. I don't have too much to say about it, other than I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks again to all of my wonderful readers, and especially reviewers, though I only got a chance to answer a handful of you guys last time. XOXO ~Ex

Ch. 16 is from Bella's POV.

Calefaction

Chapter 16

Enlightenment

It was one of those amazing movie moments.

Any girl over the age of perhaps seven would know exactly what I meant. It was the moment in every PG-13 romantic comedy that you'd come to idolize, to hope for. It was the brainwashing you'd willingly accepted, until the very idea of a kiss was accompanied with dark, star-scattered nights and fireworks exploding, sparks cascading down around you in brilliant showers.

And when little Jimmy finally catches you by the pigtails, shoving you to the ground at recess, and transmits his cooties via kiss, you're stunned. Blinking into the bright afternoon sun, scalp aching, sand in places you can't even begin to fathom existed, you wonder what just happened.

Inevitably you come to the conclusion that something must be wrong with him, stand up, dust yourself off, both literally and figuratively, and merrily proceed with the delusion.

How long does it take to figure out that those moments don't exist? That bluebirds will not be flying into the window carrying buckets of confetti, and a magical string quartet that exists solely for the purpose of amazing kisses will not poof inconspicuously into the corner to begin playing a heart-wrenchingly gorgeous melody in honor of your big moment?

I'd hazard a guess of around ten years.

While I was short on personal encounters when it came to such experiences, the stories I'd heard had often involved a good bit of drooling and a whole lot less symphonic expression.

I'd been lucky then, considering my first two kisses had certainly incited fireworks, though both had been flawed in their own right.

The kiss I'd shared with Edward had been marred by the overwhelming fury we'd been feeling at the time, not to mention his behavior afterward. Not that it hadn't been good, because it certainly had, but the romance factor had been rather absent.

As I watched Edward's lips from beneath my lashes, mere centimeters from my own, I decided it'd be best to steer clear of any such memories involving Jasper just now.

His laughter, silken velvet with just a hint of an edge, sent cool breath fanning gently across my lips, causing a delicate shudder to slide up my spine. "I would appreciate it if you refrained," he murmured, the words rumbling pleasantly through his chest and into mine. I laughed quietly in response, glancing away from his face. He lightly nudged my chin upward, and my eyes returned to his darkening gaze. "I only hope I live up to your expectations," he whispered, that incredibly sexy half-smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he continued teasingly, "though I don't believe they allow bluebirds in the museum."

Blood rushed swiftly from my racing heart into my face as I realized he'd followed my entire ridiculous inner monologue. I stiffened slightly in his embrace, but before I could decide if I should be outraged or mortified, he closed the distance between us and thoughts were no more.

My lashes lowered, fluttering softly, tickling faintly as they came to rest on my flushed cheeks, obliterating everything save for the solid strength of Edward against me and his infinitely gentle kiss.

His lips touched mine almost tentatively at first as his large hands moved to cradle my jaw. He pressed a small kiss to each corner of my mouth, and I found myself tipping my head slightly, seeking greater connection. He kissed my lower lip, cautiously scraping his teeth over the fragile skin, and I uttered a quiet gasp. He answered with a quiet groan, and as though the small, unconscious sound I'd made had granted him permission neither of us had realized he was seeking, he allowed his lips to slant fully over mine.

I felt the contact straight down to my toes as he eased a hand into my hair, guiding me gently, a sharp contrast to the solid steel of his other arm, wrapping around my waist as he dragged me tightly against his chest, until there wasn't even room for the suddenly sultry air to come between us.

Our surroundings faded into nothingness. There was only Edward and myself. I found my hands exploring his arms, sliding slowly upward to trace the corded muscles, bunching convulsively in his shoulders, before tangling in his hair, pulling him closer yet.

His breath dusted my lips once more, warmer from my heat, yet still cool enough to cause the most delicious awareness of the difference in our temperatures. I inhaled, enjoying the taste of him, the taste of us.

He growled softly, the sound ragged as his hand briefly fisted in my hair, causing a curious throb low in my belly. I felt my hips instinctively arch toward him, knowing that he had the means to ease the sudden heavy ache.

"Bella," he groaned, sounding torn, and in response I could do nothing but seal our lips together once more.

The wall was at my back before I'd realized he was moving us, and he shifted slightly, easing a strong thigh between my own, crushing me against him as though he never meant to let go. A quiet whimper escaped me, lost in the cool depths of his mouth as the slight friction between my legs caused my head to spin.

More, I thought desperately, clutching at his shoulders, drowning in the tidal wave of unyielding want that he'd unleashed.

His tongue began to lightly trace the seam of my lips, a slow, undemanding swipe, over and over, driving me out of my mind. I eased them open, granting him entrance, and he shuddered, another feral sound clawing its way out of his throat.

I wanted this. This Edward. The Edward that was honest with me, and with himself, about how he felt. The Edward that didn't apologize for his feelings. The Edward that was able to accept my responses without feeling guilty that he'd somehow unfairly influenced them.

His tongue invaded my mouth in the wake of my thoughts, exploring every inch of warmth he could find. His fingers at my waist clenched slightly, perhaps bruising, but I didn't care. As his tongue stroked suggestively over my own, I felt the solid column of marble between my legs shifting slightly, rocking me against it, and I stiffened, sensations I hadn't known existed rocketing through me, turning my blood molten in my veins.

Perhaps feeling my response, he eased back slightly, the wonderful pressure fading, as he panted against my lips, "No?"

"Yes!" I gasped, "Please, don't stop." My fingers clutched at him, trying to draw him closer, and I leaned fully into the wall, easing my legs apart slightly, hoping to invite him back.

His eyes, black now in his lust, raked over me, and before I could even think to plead with him once more, he had me pinned to the wall, his mouth hard on mine, his thigh rubbing rhythmically between my own. The pleasure that throbbed slowly through me was dark, heavy, like liquid honey, causing my limbs to tingle and my ears to buzz with white noise.

Above the static I heard Edward's voice, tense and low as he placed a trail of cool, wet kisses to my ear, "God, I want you," He nipped my earlobe carefully, the tiny frisson of pain nothing more than another form of pleasure. "You smell so good, you can't even imagine what you're doing to me…"

If the pressure of his own arousal against my hip was any indication, I had at least some idea of what was happening to him… The blush that rose to paint my cheeks crimson was a superficial response, as rather than the embarrassment I know I should've felt, I could summon nothing more than a half-hearted murmur, carried on a surge of lust. "I'm not doing--"

His leg moved torturously once more and I uttered a breathy, shaking cry.

"That," he whispered against the shell of my ear, his breath painting my heated skin causing goosebumps to race up my arms. "That's all you need to do, Bella."

"Edward," I whispered, my eyes fluttering open for a fraction of a second, wanting to see his face, wanting to know that he felt as I did. His eyes were black, watching me with intense heat, his features drawn with need. My hands at his neck urged him closer, and he claimed my lips almost roughly, just as I'd been thinking I wanted him to.

I gave myself up to the kiss, letting the fireworks explode behind my eyes, the shower of sparks tingle over my skin.

His fingers lingered on the hem of my shirt, easing beneath it with excruciating patience. I reached down to grasp his wrist, trying to force his hand to move more quickly, but he just laughed softly against my lips.

"Ahem!"

The sound was loud, but it still took several seconds for it to penetrate the lust-clouded haze of my mind.

A woman's voice, exclaiming sharply once more, "Ahem!!"

My mind completely malfunctioned, whether because of what I'd just been doing with Edward, or because I'd been caught doing it, I wasn't sure. I could hear my pulse roaring dully in my ears, a terrible sense of unfulfilled longing raking over my nerves, as though they were exposed.

Thankfully, Edward was much more quick to recover. His eyes traveled my flushed face, a rather wicked grin upon his lips, before he turned toward our interrupter with a genial smile.

"Can we help you?" he asked, a strange timbre to his voice.

The woman in question, exactly as I'd imagined her, cat eye glasses and all, parted her lips on what looked to be a rather outraged response, holding her finger in the air threateningly, before her eyes suddenly went blank as she gazed at Edward.

"What?" she asked quietly.

"I asked if we could help you," he repeated slowly.

The woman didn't make any move to respond.

It took a minute or two for my still recovering brain to catch up, and when it did, I uttered an outraged, "Edward! Don't do that!"

His gaze was innocent as it flashed to me, though his smile was anything but. "Do what?"

I shoved his shoulder, with all the success of pushing an Edward-shaped block of steel, and moved around him, glaring all the while. How he could go from arousing me beyond anything I'd ever known one second, to absolutely infuriating me the next was beyond me. "Stop Dazzling her!"

He sighed in exasperation. "Do you really want to have to explain what just happened between us?"

I glanced at the floor, toeing the white and gold marble with a sulky frown. I could hardly explain it to myself, let alone a complete stranger, and an angry one at that. "Well, no…" I grudgingly answered.

His smug smile made me want to knock his teeth down his throat.

"And do you want to be able to come back here again?" he asked insistently, ignoring my violent imaginings.

I shot him a coy smile. "Well that depends on who's taking me."

I'd never been much of a flirt, but the look on his face was entirely worth it. His eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped open slightly, giving him something of a slack-jawed yokel look.

And just as suddenly, he turned the tables on me.

With a fluid, predatory motion, he leaned over me, forcing me back against the wall, his face close to my own. "Would you like me to take you, Bella?" he asked with a pleasant smile.

I swallowed convulsively, this previously unseen side of Edward proving to be both intimidating and exciting.

I couldn't very well let him have the last word, however, and leaning forward, until my lips were oh-so-lightly touching his own, I murmured sweetly, "Perhaps I'll just ask Jasper."

A myriad of emotion crossed his angelic countenance, ranging from fury and jealousy to surprise and amusement. He settled on one that surprised me as he suddenly threw his head back and laughed. It wasn't one of the feeble, half-hearted laughs he'd often politely throw into conversation, he seemed genuinely bemused by my sentiment, and I shook my head, deciding I'd never be able to figure him out.

Resting an arm behind my shoulders and guiding me past the painting that had begun all of this, the poor curator left staring blankly at the spot we'd just occupied, he murmured, "Jasper hates the museum, as you very well know."

Smirking, I eased out from under his arm as we neared the door, silently reminding him that regardless of the kiss we'd just shared, we were not 'together'. His eyes seemed to answer that it was only a matter of time.

"I'm sure I could convince him," I declared in what I hoped was a suitably sexy tone. "I have this shirt that Alice picked out. You've seen it, I think. Blue and lacy? Cut just a little short?" I eased the hem of my shirt up just slightly, revealing the tiniest bit of skin between my t-shirt and my jeans.

"Bella," Edward growled softly in warning.

I decided to ignore it. Stupid or not, I figured that after this afternoon's events it was a bit late to start worrying about what was the smart thing to do.

"I think he likes it, especially this little bit of skin right here," I murmured, turning away from him and glancing over my shoulder at the pale expanse of flesh just along my lower back.

Smiling darkly, he whispered, "Ten seconds."

I dropped my shirt, whirling to face him confusedly. "Ten seconds?" I parroted.

He nodded slowly, glancing at his expensive watch. "Mmhmm, I'll give you a ten second head start."

"Edward," I laughed, shaking my head.

He turned an entirely serious gaze back upon me. "Eight."

Grinning as adrenaline seized me, causing excitement to race through my limbs, I turned heel and ran out the door, feeling almost giddy.

My Edward was back.

I wondered how long it would last.

As I traversed the main building on Monday morning, pointedly ignoring the whispers and stares as best as I was able, Lys at my side, Edward at my back, I felt as though I had both a ferocious Doberman and a snippy little Shih Tzu sharing guard duty.

While I could appreciate the odd bonding they seemed to be doing over protecting me from the gossip of my peers, I couldn't decide if I wanted to laugh at Lys, or pinch her as she snapped sharply to a leggy blonde I recognized as the captain of the cheerleading squad, "Hey, hi, yeah, over here? This is Edward. Do you know Edward? Edward, introduce yourself." Edward blinked, remaining stoically silent, though his frown had taken on a hint of menace.

The poor girl glanced between the two of them as though they were crazy. I certainly wouldn't refute the claim.

I brushed my hair forward to cover my blush, hastily continuing onward as I realized Lys' speech wasn't nearly finished, "Edward doesn't like it when people stare at his sister. Do you Edward?"

"I…I wasn't…" the girl stammered.

"I don't want to hear it. Keep your eyes to yourself, got it?"

"I…"

I sent a silent prayer for patience to the ceiling as I rounded the corner, coming to a halt in front of my locker. Sighing softly I leaned forward, letting the cool metal touch my flushed cheek.

"What are they doing now?" a deep voice intoned, causing me to jerk upright, glancing around wildly. Emmett came into focus and I smiled.

"The same thing they've been doing all morning," I complained, spinning the dial to my combination. "She's the mouth, he's the muscle. It's getting real old, real fast."

"Would you like me to take care of it?" he asked, sounding exactly as I felt, an odd combination of irritation and bemusement.

Tugging my Lit texts out of my locker, I shot him a pleading glance. "If you wouldn't mind?"

His smirk let me know that he didn't mind in the slightest, and he tugged me close for a hug, ruffling my hair before declaring, "On it."

A shriek promptly followed his departure, and then a shrill chorus of, "Emmett Cullen, you put me down right this instant!" and other such outraged phrases.

I was just slamming my locker shut when Emmett reappeared, Lys slung over his shoulder, red-faced and struggling.

"Emmett Cullen, if you don't put me down right now…!" she threatened hollowly.

I laughed as he brought a big hand down on the seat of her jeans with a growl, causing her to scream, more in embarrassment than pain, I was sure.

Served her right, considering the crap she and Edward had put me through today.

Emmett strode toward the lunch room as though he were carrying his backpack and not a struggling girl.

I absently wondered if I could convince him to take Edward over his knee…

A chuckle near my ear caused me to jump.

"I don't think so, love," the object of my thoughts declared wryly.

Clapping a hand to my chest, I glared. "Don't do that!"

"I'm sorry," he murmured, in what was possibly the most insincere apology of all time. The very corners of his eyes were crinkled as an amused smile graced his features. I couldn't help but wonder how he could possibly fend off the thoughts of hormonally-charged teenage girls day after day, looking as he did.

Reaching down, he lifted my bag, which I'd dropped at his antics, and laughed. "It's difficult, I assure you."

Resting a hand lightly on my back, he ushered me toward the lunchroom.

I didn't shrug him off as I'd done before, if only for the fact that it seemed as though people were far less inclined to openly point when I was accompanied by someone who could make the threatening glower an Olympic event.

"I assume I'd take gold?" he asked lightly, arching a brow as he looked down into my face.

"Was there any doubt?" I responded teasingly in kind, unable to stay angry with his previous terrorization tactics when he was wearing that grin that I liked so much.

I really didn't know what to think about the turn my relationship with Edward had taken, and we certainly hadn't discussed it, opting to let the car stereo do all the talking on the way home from our museum outing. Upon our arrival he'd judiciously advised Carlisle that I was more than well enough to return to school, and promptly left to hunt.

I'd studiously avoided the dark, spiky-haired head that came bobbing toward me at a frighteningly swift pace, taking the stairs at a dangerous three-at-a-time, and slamming my door shut in such a manner as to implicitly advise I was not in the mood to chat.

I fretted over every little detail, unable to sleep for hours, though I was exhausted; my first time out after my most serious bout of illness wiping me out, though I'd never admit to it.

What if I'd been a terrible kisser? What if Edward reverted back to the broody self-loathing I'd unfortunately come to expect of him over the years, after he'd finally allowed me back in for a while? What would Jasper think when he inevitably found out? What did this mean for Edward and myself? What did he expect? And for that matter, what did I?

I'd finally fallen into a fitful, restless sleep in the early hours of the morning, waking and feeling as though I hadn't even closed my eyes.

"Bella?"

A quiet voice intruded upon my memories, and I blinked slowly, breathing a confused, "Hmmm?"

When had we gotten to the lunch room? And wow, we were even in line? A quick glance let me know that we were not only in it, but holding it up. The irritated students behind me seemed to be holding their tongues only because of the frigid glares Edward was shooting in the direction of anyone whose lips even twitched.

"Bella?" Edward repeated and I glanced up at him with a frown. "What would you like for lunch?" he asked gently.

Oh. Could I have been more out of it? I shook my head slightly to clear it, leaning forward to glance at Monday's lunch lady offerings. I quickly slid the tray Edward had placed before me down the line from the steaming pile of tater tot surprise that looked an awful lot like vomit, pausing briefly before the bagels, and eying a stack of oranges thoughtfully, before an idea occurred to me.

Edward was trying to give me some space, allowing me some human quirks, wasn't he? Well let's just see how well he fared.

I heard a quite groan behind me, and couldn't help the smile that spread slowly across my face.

I walked past the salad, and the pre-made sandwiches, avoided the warm soft pretzels (though they tempted me), and came to a stop directly in front of the deserts. Brownies, cookies and cake were spread on little Styrofoam plates and I eagerly leaned forward, grabbing a piece of spice cake heaped high with more cream cheese frosting than any single piece of cake had a right to.

My eyes strayed toward the looming figure at my back, and I smiled innocently. "I want this."

He struggled, I could see it, the small muscle in his jaw ticking as he refrained from the undoubtedly Carlisle-esque comments that were on the tip of his tongue. I had to give him points for the follow-through, though the dismount was a little shaky as he asked, "Just that? Are you sure?"

"Oh, no! I forgot!" I exclaimed, enjoying it far too much as the look of relief on his face changed to surprise when I placed both a Coke and chocolate milk next to the monstrous slice of cake. "Cake makes me thirsty," I dead-panned.

He reached beyond me suddenly, grabbing a fairly tasty looking salad and placed it next to my lunch choice. I turned a glare on him, warning venomously, "Edward…"

He held up his hands, all wide-eyed innocence. "It's for me!"

I snorted, taking the tray up to the disgruntled woman at the cash register. Edward paid and I headed to the table that already housed my other siblings and a rather miffed looking Lys.

A small wave of relief swept through me at noting Emmett sat on the other end of the table next to Alice. I'd decided that I wanted to know absolutely nothing about what happened between the two of them. I would just have to trust that they knew what they were doing, the same courtesy I'd asked Emmett to extend to me.

I figured I could hold up my end of the bargain for a good day or two before I broke.

I plopped in next to Lys, with Edward sliding gracefully in next to me. I quickly divested my tray of the salad, setting it before him with a grin.

He offered me a sarcastic smile in response, and I dug into the cake with a sigh.

Jasper watched the exchange with some interest.

"Oh hey, spice cake, I didn't even see that!" Lys suddenly exclaimed, reaching toward my tray.

I lightly slapped her little hand. "No way, get your own!"

She responded with a sulk that had Emmett out of his seat and in line before she could even finish her, "Emmett, wait, I was just kidding!"

Shaking her head, she turned back to her muffin.

"You know," I said, around a mouthful of cake, a bad human habit that had Edward blanching and Jasper smirking, "I'm sure Edward would share his salad with you. He's on a special diet."

Alice glanced at me in surprise (I'd made it a point to never call attention to their differences) before the entire table erupted into laughter.

She froze suddenly, her eyes going glassy in that way that meant Alice was momentarily gone from this world.

"Alice?" I murmured.

"What's wrong with her?" Lys asked, watching with avid curiosity.

"She's having a vision," I explained, more calmly than anyone saying those words should.

Jasper was resting his arm lightly around Alice's shoulders, holding her in place carefully as whatever she was seeing in her mind replaced her eyesight.

"M'lady," Emmett's voice suddenly interrupted, as he placed a piece of cake to match my own in front of Lys.

She rolled her eyes, "I was just playing, Emmett."

His crestfallen expression morphed to one of surprise and then guilt as Alice suddenly gasped, "Emmett!"

Rubbing the back of his neck, he slid in next to Lys, who was watching the exchange as we all were, a swift back and forth of our heads between the speakers.

"What?"

"How could you?" she demanded, suddenly sounding quite furious. She jumped to her feet, and I wsa surprised to see she was trembling slightly.

"You don't know what you're talking about Alice, you have no idea what's going on."

She laughed coldly, a shrilly pitched sound, and I swallowed, dropping my fork; glancing to Edward for some insight.

"Don't I?" she asked mockingly. "Think long and hard about what you're doing, Emmett. Mortal life is fleeting."

He rose suddenly, hands crashing down loudly onto the table. I looked around nervously, noting with some relief that only a few sets of eyes were on us. "Is that a threat, Alice?" he murmured menacingly.

"Think about it, Emmett," she replied softly, and dashed from the room without a single further word of explanation.

Emmett slowly reclaimed his seat, looking worriedly first to me and then to Lys.

Mortal life was fleeting…

Was I dying?

What had Alice seen?

I turned to Edward urgently. He was frowning thoughtfully, stroking his jaw. Obviously my cake was the last concern on his mind at the moment.

"What's going on, Edward?" I whispered.

He seemed to wage a swift inner debate, his eyes darting to the door through which Alice had disappeared, and then back to my face. "Hopefully nothing. Listen, I've got to go after Alice. You'll be alright?"

I chuckled, despite the strange happenings that were obviously going to go without explanation. "Other than being insanely curious, I'll survive."

He pushed away from the table, dropping a swift kiss to the top of my head, and strode from the room. He would catch Alice fairly quickly, I was sure. Hopefully he'd be able to drag her back here and make her explain whatever it was they'd both seen.

"What do you suppose that was about?" a quiet voice drawled near my ear as I picked up my fork and snagged the salad that had been in front of Edward. Cake was all fine and good, but it really wasn't suitable as a stand alone lunch. I munched on a cucumber thoughtfully, eventually shaking my head.

"I have no idea, Jas. Alice's words were rather cryptic. Intentionally, I imagine. I'm just worried. With everything that's been happening…"

A soft, warm wave of calm swept over me as Jasper's hand came to rest lightly on the back of my own, his thumb feathering over the pulse in my wrist.

I leaned into him with a sigh.

"So you and Edward seem to be getting along fairly well," he surprised me by saying.

I glanced up at him curiously, wondering where this had come from. A guilty flush tingled in my cheeks and I looked away to silently study the table for a few moments.

"Um, yeah, I guess so. He's been better lately."

"He told you, didn't he?" he questioned, a bitter note in his voice resounding discordantly.

I knew what he was speaking of, but this was not particularly something I wanted to talk about with him, not when I hadn't even figured it out myself. I pulled away from him slightly. "Told me what?"

My acting skills were right on par with my coordination and I heard Jasper scoff quietly.

"What did you say to him?"

"He knows that I don't feel the same," I whispered, giving up on pretense and poking at the remnants of my lunch.

"Are you sure? That he knows?" he asked insistently.

I scowled, nodding. "Well, I sure didn't say it back, I think that'd be a pretty clear cut sign."

He fell quiet and a quick glance showed that I'd apparently manage to appease him, at least for now.

I sighed heavily.

As far as I was concerned, this day couldn't end soon enough.

Jasper and I rode home in relatively companionable silence, and I was incredibly thankful that he didn't bring up our less than pleasant lunch conversation.

Edward and Alice hadn't returned for the final three periods of the day, and despite my initial pleading, Jasper had convinced me that I'd missed too much school recently to simply cut out early due to curiosity. If it was a matter of life or death, they'd have let us know, he assured me. I knew he was right, but it didn't stop me from pouting at him all through Lit.

We'd left Lys at the bus stop, her laughing explanation that she'd had enough excitement for a while followed with a quickly whispered, "Text me when you find out what's going on!"

Emmett had surprisingly declined to come home.

That was my first sign, I'd later realize.

He'd declared that he needed to hunt, immediately, and would meet us at home. Considering what had happened at lunch, I found this beyond strange, but before I could even think to begin interrogating him, he'd disappeared into the woods surrounding the school.

And so it came to pass that only Jasper and myself inhabited my car as we pulled up the long, secluded drive.

I knew instantly that something was wrong.

Rosalie's shiny red BMW was sitting in front of the house. As far as I knew, she'd rather cut off her own arms than leave her baby out, exposed to the elements.

I parked crookedly, killing the engine before jumping hastily out of the car. Because I was in a hurry, I, of course, tripped over my own feet, nearly taking a gravel bath before Jasper caught me with a low, "Careful, darlin'."

Normally such a close proximity, combined with that faint southern drawl was enough to send me spiraling into a hormone-driven fit, but for now my brain harshly brought my body into line, scrambling to make sense of what was happening.

We ran into the house.

Carlisle was seated in the living room, in one of the wide, leather wing chairs, his posture weary. He glanced up at me, and I felt dread steadily creep through me, tiny icy hands clutching at my veins. The light that normally resided in his gaze, that tiny spark of laughter that I'd always associated with his golden eyes, seemed to have flickered to almost nothingness. The sadness that had replaced it was almost too much for me to bear.

"What--?" I gasped, though before he had a chance to reply, I heard a shout that could have come from no one but Alice from one of the rooms above. I quickly ducked under Jasper's arm and took to the stairs.

He was my shadow, steadying me when I stumbled, as we passed the empty rooms. Mine, Jasper's, Edward's…until we skidded to a stop in front of Rose and Emmett's bedroom. Well, I skidded, Jasper moved with all the fluidity of a predatory feline, slinking to a steady stop as though he hadn't been moving at all.

My eyes darted frantically around the room, assessing the situation.

Rose stood in front of her closet, yanking items out carelessly and tossing them into an open suitcase on the bed. Edward was plucking the garments out of the luggage as swiftly as she was packing them. Alice was pacing, her lips moving swiftly, though I couldn't make out the words. Esme sat quietly on the bed, still as a statue, looking much as Carlisle had.

"M-mom?" I whispered, reaching toward her worriedly.

"Oh Bella," she murmured, swallowing convulsively, though she made no move to come to me.

They were seriously freaking me out. Someone needed to tell me what was going on… Right now.

"W…What is all this?!" I demanded, the question so shrill it was nearly a shriek.

All eyes turned toward me, four pairs concerned, the final, Rosalie's resolute and morose.

She approached me without a sound. Her face held a gentle smile that I hadn't seen from her in some time. It worried me.

"Rose…What's happening?" The urgency I felt couldn't possibly be expressed more as I spoke the question so swiftly it slurred into a single word.

She took my face gently in her graceful hands, leaning in to brush a kiss to my forehead, the touch little more than a butterfly wing caress.

My terror began to rise more swiftly now, my heart racing to a point that almost hurt.

"Rose, please…" I begged, feeling this afternoon's lunch confection threatening to make a reappearance.

Tipping her head slowly to one side, she watched me carefully as with three words she tore my entire world apart.

"Bella, I'm leaving."

A/N: No death threats please. :P Toward me OR Lys. ^.~ Let me know what you thought! The next chapter is pretty much writing itself in my mind so I may be able to get it up this weekend.