* * * Departure * * *

Now that the understanding between everyone involved has finally reached a truly stable point, Edward speaks up to inform everyone that it's time for them to go home. As fascinating as everything has really been – the activities of the day, along with the resulting conversations, have already kept the English inhabitants up well into their night. As well, on the American side of things – Edward and Bella have now been away long enough that Charlie will have already gotten home from work, and their absence will have been noticed. Even while Alice is sure to have headed off any problems that that may have caused, the fact remains that they really can't afford to stick around any longer.

Suddenly finding himself fighting a yawn at the reminder of how late it has become, with a touch of humor Albus amenably moves the conversation into an explanation of the methodology of apparation, in order to assist the visiting couple in the hopeful endeavor of using their own magic to return home.

The basic theory seems simple enough: know you can do it (or, at the very least, that it is possible), and have a clear picture in your head of where you want to go (or, what you want to accomplish). It's worked for them already – twice. Never having actually tried to use magic before, however, (let alone magic at such an advanced level right off the bat) Bella feels self-consciously unsure of the prospect. After all, all it would take is for one little thing to go wrong, and even Edward could end up vulnerably split into pieces between two different locations. How can she possibly pursue this?

Edward is more confident. Of course… it helps that he has had ample opportunity to witness the conscious performance of magic first-hand through the minds of so many around him. But more than that: he has complete faith in her subconscious magical aptitude. The events of this evening have proven that to him beyond any doubt, and it is a complete thrill to be able to intrinsically share in this wonderful phenomenon with her. With a little bit of practice – and patience – it will naturally develop into a more conscious capability. In the meantime, it will be alright if he can just help her to relax.

By the end of Albus' instructive discourse, Edward and Bella have already moved into a more transport-ready position: he standing behind her with his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. Her muscles are tense with discomfort under the pressure of the situation, and his thumbs are softly rubbing against the base of her neck in small, soothing circles. Teasing lightly, in order to verbally soften the tension, he suggests: "You know, you could always just tap your shoes together three times and recite 'There's no place like home.'"

Bella laughs nervously, though the tightness in her muscles reduces somewhat.

"I bet it would work," he encourages seriously. His certitude regarding the curiously appropriate and comically familiar – even if only fictional – literature reference tickles the interest of everyone else in the room.

"Maybe," she dubiously admits. "But if I did that, we might end up in Kansas. Emmett would die laughing." Her sarcastic tone only partially hides the irrational terror underlying her demeanor.

Stage fright, everyone recognizes, with various degrees of understanding. The Masens, unlike Albus, have never had occasion to learn magic such as this… and even for him – it was never all at once. They know it must be overwhelming for her.

Behind her, Edward snickers unreservedly, expertly diverting her attention. "It wouldn't be the first time." His tone is full of humor.

Temporarily distracted from her fears, Bella looks at him curiously – the natural question clearly in her eyes. His eyes are sparkling with amusement.

"Not very long after Alice & Jasper joined up with us-" he explains artfully, "when the extent of Jasper's talent was still largely undefined – Emmett challenged Jasper to a duel against his powers. The bet was that he could play dead through every emotion Jasper could throw at him from a distance." Edward's keen eyes watch for her reaction with interest, as his fingers continue their gentle massage.

"As it turned out, he was able to manage rather admirably through the first volley… even maintaining his pose through the spike of fear Jasper aimed his way, by recalling the fact that playing dead is the proper human reaction to a fearsome grizzly attack – assuming one wants to live through it." He smiles wryly, "Emmett, of all people, would think of that."

"During the second volley, however – all it took was a surge of passion to get him thinking about Rosalie…" Edward pointedly enunciates her name, "in such a way as to trigger a certain… characteristically un-corpse-like involuntary reaction…" his eyebrow raises suggestively as he amusedly recalls the utter defenselessness of Emmett's thoughts at the time, "and make it all too easy for Jasper to channel our humor to his advantage. Emmett tried so hard to keep a straight face… but in the end – we all could have sworn he died laughing." Edward chuckles at the memory.

Bella giggles, the stress of her earlier apprehension alleviated somewhat amidst the sound of everyone's respectably muffled laughter. "That sounds like Emmett."

Edward smiles at the sound of her humor, and the softer feel of her muscles. "Feeling better?" he asks gently, after a moment.

"Yes, thank you." Bella's nervous voice is appreciative. "Your fingers have been every bit as good to me as your voice is. I think you've just about turned me into a puddle."

His smile widens, and his hands move to gently circle around the front of her waist. "It will be alright," he soothingly reassures her.

"Do you really think so?" Bella worries, glancing up and back at him.

"I know so," Edward regards her encouragingly, his voice sure in her ear. "Subconsciously, you have already gotten the nature of magic all figured out... so much so that you have been able to perform it perfectly, twice, by conscious accident. Since I know that you couldn't consciously wish for any of us to be endangered," his gaze is full of adoring admiration, "there's no chance of a problem." He shrugs in conclusion, and his smile is thoroughly untroubled.

Bella feels encouraged. Elizabeth beams at them.

Ultimately, it is determined that Albus and Fawkes will travel to Forks alongside the returning couple – by immediately following in the wake of their apparation signature, as Fawkes is capable of doing. This is not only so that Albus will be able to get a feel for the unfamiliar location, in order to make such a long-distance apparation possible in the future, but also in order to facilitate believable explanations and friendly introductions should anyone happen to be waiting to meet them there (which is possible, given that Alice is a seer). Most importantly, however, it will allow him to confirm that the two of them have been able to arrive without any complications.

As a precaution, in order to head off any of his family members' potential initial reactions to an unfamiliar and dreaded threat of exposure, Edward advises Albus carefully: "Don't let on that you know what we are just yet, and you should be fine. This is important." Then, by way of explanation, he adds: "Not everyone responds well to such surprises."

As Albus graciously acknowledges the instructive warning, Bella recognizes Rosalie's attitude from her own experiences, and nods silently in agreement.

Now, the only thing remaining is to identify the location, safely isolated away from both of their homes, in which to inconspicuously appear. "So… the meadow?" Edward suggests helpfully.

Bella nods. "The meadow," she agrees with conviction.

Immediately, they disapparate with a pop.

A/N: Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful favorites and reviews! It's fantastic to hear of your enjoyment. Thank you!