What if the Cullens weren't the first immortals that Bella met? What if she had an encounter with a more transitory immortal while she was in Phoenix? One that had a history with Caius…

Stephenie Meyer owns the original story, of course. I am just playing with the characters

PLEASE NOTE – THE STORY TAKES A DARK DETOUR BEGINNING HERE. I HAVE WARNED REVIEWERS, BUT EDWARD WAS RIGHT ABOUT HIS WEDDING NIGHT JITTERS…

Chapter 25 – Meeting Caius

My heart is pounding as I study his features. I want to close my eyes and just draw in his scent. I vaguely hear the announcement that the plane is leaving. Caius is studying my face intently, looking for something.

All of the feelings that I thought I had for Edward did not compare to how I felt for this strange man who had just seated himself next to me. I am overwhelmed and feel tears starting to slip from my eyes without warning.

Caius seems to recognize that something is wrong. He leans over and strokes my face, laughing gently, and says, "Calmly, calmly, my dear. I've looked for you across many mortal lifetimes, and now here you are. Do you recognize me?"

I seem to have forgotten how to speak. I just stammer. Caius calls for water, and a stewardess quickly appears. She asks if I am well enough to fly. Caius considers this for a moment, and then asks me, "Where is she? You are American?" I just nod dumbly. Caius tells the stewardess I am well enough to fly, I had just been a little emotional.

He pulls his fingers over my face, touching my eyelids and dragging them closed, very gently. I fall into darkness and sleep.

When I wake up, I open my eyes and see him staring at me. His red eyes remind me of the feeding I had witnessed. I begin to struggle in my narrow seat.

"What is it, what is troubling you?" he whispers.

"I saw…I saw…you feeding…"

He looks at me and then looks at the back of the seat ahead of me. He pauses a moment, as if considering his answer.

"Our connection runs both ways? You could see what I was doing?" he asks.

I just nod.

He thinks for a moment and then closes his eyes before murmuring, "I must seem a monster to you, then. To you both."

"She doesn't like the fireplace, it has a burning log," I whisper softly. His eyes snap open.

"You can communicate with her?"

"I don't know. Mostly I just sense her presence, in a cool, healing kind of way."

"Healing? Are you ill?" he asks worriedly.

"Mostly by the tugging experience," I reply.

"So I almost killed you," he says. Then he seems to notice my wedding ring. My big, gaudy wedding ring from Edward.

"What is this?" he asks simply.

"My wedding ring," I begin, and then stop. He has pulled my hand towards himself, and my sleeve has slid down, revealing Carlisle's bonding mark. Caius reaches for my wrist, then seems to recollect himself, and takes it gently in his hand. He slides his finger along the bite mark, reminding me of Mario's handling of Emily's face last night.

"This may interest me more than your ring," he says. "You have a husband, or are you just wearing your mother's jewelry?"

"I have a husband," I state flatly.

"And is this his mark as well?" he asks, touching my wrist.

"No, that is my father-in-law's," I answer.

Caius lifts an eyebrow. "An interesting arrangement," he comments, more to himself. "Tell me, what is your husband's name?"

I pause for a moment, causing his eyes to leave my wrist. He stares directly at me.

"I am married to Edward Cullen, my father-in-law is Carlisle Cullen," I state. "They will be meeting this plane in New York."

"Interesting," is all Caius says. He leans back in his seat and merely watches me for a moment.

Meanwhile, my heart is pounding. I think I know how Emily must have felt last night. The tears on her face weren't from fear, they were from something else. The feelings raging through me are completely foreign. I feel the heightened emotional intensity I initially felt for Edward, mixed in with the physical emotions triggered by Jasper's touch or voice. They all roll up into something that I think must be love, but it hit me so fast. Thoughts of the other vampires start to fade away, and soon I can only think about Caius.

He is so beautiful. He has striking, even features, with blond hair that reaches his shoulders. His intensity seems to burn through, and I want to burn back.

He reaches for my hand, and at his touch I can barely stifle a moan. He leans over and brushes my nose with his own nose, and gently touches his lips to mine. I lean in and engage him in a quick kiss, before he pulls away.

"It would not do to take you on this plane, my dear, although my body is aching for yours," he says quietly.

I start out of my reverie and become aware of my surroundings. I was about to throw myself at this stranger on an airplane?

"Your feelings for your husband, are they like this?" he asks.

I should be dying of embarrassment at such a question, but the truth is, no, they are not. I shake my head in response, blushing. I wanted Edward at one time, but he seemed to pull away from me. Somehow months of that have left an impact, so that I now feel dirty for wanting him. My feelings for Caius seem strong and natural.

We stare for a few moments, and then he leans back in his seat, keeping hold of my hand. "We will be on the ground soon," he whispers with a smile, as he touches the back of my hand with his lips.

After a few hours, the stewardess comes to my seat. "There is an emergency call from your doctor, Dr. Cullen," she states anxiously.

I reach out to take the phone, putting it to my ear, watching Caius. "Hello?" I say, more a question than a greeting.

"Bella, are you ok?" Carlisle asks, his voice marked with worry and relief.

"I'm good, Carlisle. I'm sorry I worried your family so much, it was something I had to do," I reply.

"I am told that Emily is not with you on the plane. Is she still in Volterra?" he asks in a worried tone.

"Oh, yes. Emily," I had forgotten about her. I glance over to see Caius smiling at me. I had forgotten everything when I saw him.

"Bella, are you sure you are ok? "

"Yes, I'm just fine, but I was kind of falling asleep, that's all," I reply.

"Let me speak to Alec," directs the voice on the phone. I no longer care who is speaking. I'm done.

I hand the phone back to the stewardess. "He may be a doctor, but he's my father-in-law. I'm not sick; he's just a worry wart. If he calls again, he's just being nosy. I don't need to take any further calls," I state firmly. She nods her assent and leaves.

Soon, we reach JFK airport in New York. Caius makes a call before we land.

After the plan lands, and we are safely on the tarmac, Caius and I are allowed to exit the plane via a set of stairs onto the ground, instead of using the usual jetway to the terminal. I see a car waiting, and he lifts me easily and quickly carries me to it.

As soon as we are inside, the car pulls smoothly from the runway, but I see the Cullens through the window at the gate above. Caius merely covers my face with his jacket, and the car speeds off into the night.

Soon we stop at a building. I don't care where we are, he has his arm around my waist as he leads me to a room, and closes the door to the outside world.

Now the only thing that matters to me is that there is no further separation between us. I only feel him against me, as I wrap myself around him. My need for him is so strong it is painful.

I soon begin to feel other pain, but I don't care, the need for him is all consuming. The fire between us burns every part of my eager body as I strive to push myself against him, while pulling him closer with my arms.

Time has no meaning, but I begin to slip into unconsciousness. The world is fading in and out, but all I care about is how close he is. And he isn't close enough. I only feel his touch on my hand and face. I sense worry and even fear in his voice though. I try to turn towards him, but my body won't respond. There is physical pain, but it only seems something that needs to be overcome by getting closer to him.

I hear voices, and someone opens my eyelid against my will, shining a strong light into them. I start to scream, but my throat is dry.

I feel another hand, and I sense it is Carlisle. I sense feelings trying to force themselves upon my consciousness as I feel the presence of Jasper.

I finally collapse under the pain and allow darkness to rush in.

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