DISCLAIMER: Some of the text and characters are from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga, which I do not own. Only the characters & text that were not in the original series are mine.

I woke up to someone stroking my back. Moving a bit, I saw my father sitting on the edge of my bed. He paused as I moved, "Feeling better?"

"Not really," I answered, truthfully.

He looked at me, his amber eyes trying to tell how I was feeling, "I could probably help you to feel better if you told me what was bothering you."

I remained silent, and went back to lying on my side. What could I say to him? That sending me away would help out? I had no guarantee that that would even be the case.

When I didn't answer him, he went back to stroking my back. He said quietly, "I'll wait for you to answer… I don't like it when you're upset like this. This is one of the few times that I wish that I was a mind reader like Edward…"

I must have dozed off again, because the next thing I knew, my mother was sitting on my bed, next to Carlisle.

Esme smiled when she saw that I was awake, "Are you hungry at all?" I nodded. "I'll go make you something to eat then," she said, standing up gracefully. As she moved to the door she inquired, "Anything in particular that you want?"

I couldn't help smiling; I knew just what I wanted to eat, "Pizza?"

"All right then," Esme said, smiling as she walked out of my room, softly closing the door behind her.

My father was still stroking my back, and I admitted to myself that I felt better, so I said, quietly, knowing he'd hear, "Thank you."

He paused in stroking my back, "Why are you thanking me? I'm your father; I'm supposed to comfort you."

I moved a bit so my head was resting on his thigh, the back of my head resting against his stomach. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too," Carlisle said, now stroking my hair. "Now will you tell me what is bothering you? Your mother, your siblings, and I have been very worried."

"I didn't think it was that obvious," I muttered, blushing.

Carlisle smiled, "Jasper said that he sense that you were upset once you were upstairs."

"Figures," I mumbled.

"Now will you explain to me what is bothering you?" He questioned.

I thought about what I wanted to say, "I'm useless and utterly helpless… I can't do anything to help everyone with these vampires except possibly leaving the state of Washington."

"Out of the question," Carlisle said instantly.

I sat up and nodded, "That's what I figured… Isn't there anything that I could do to help?"

Carlisle looked thoughtful before he finally said, "Let me think on it, all right? I'd prefer that you weren't in harms way."

Before I could say anything, Esme walked in, carrying the pizza tray, "Thanks, Mom!" I said, my mouth watering. I hadn't realized just how hungry I was.

She set the tray down, and I know she said something to Carlisle, but she said it so quickly that I couldn't tell what either of them said.

With a kiss on my forehead, she left the room once again. Taking a slice of pizza I said, "Can I at least not be cooped up so much? It's not like I'm completely defenseless."

"That's where you're wrong," Carlisle said. "I hope you don't need me to demonstrate the dangers of a mature vampire again."

"No thank you!" I said, remembering that a vampire was the ultimate predator.

He sighed, before he said, "You're right that it is not fair for us to keep you in the house so much…"

"I still want to help too," I grumbled.

Carlisle pulled me against his side, "Rest assured, whatever your mother and I decide is in your best interest."

"But…" I started to say, but I couldn't find the words for my thoughts. But Carlisle waited for me as I struggled to put words to thoughts, "I don't want you or anybody from my family to get hurt just because of me."

Carlisle said, "You're ahead of everyone and everything at the moment. We're still not sure what these vampires are looking for. They might not be looking for you."

"But you think they are?" I guessed.

Carlisle nodded, "We all do. We'll protect you, and do all we can for you to keep you alive."

"Can't you just change me now?" I demanded as one more option to help came into my mind.

"No," Carlisle said. "Even if I did change you now you would not be of much assistance, newborns may be stronger than a mature vampire but they can easily be outmaneuvered."

I sulked, leaning heavily against him, "I am just a burden."

"Not a burden," he whispered as he kissed my forehead. "Just our daughter."

A feeling of warmth spread through me when he said that. "That means a lot, Dad."

He kissed my cheek, "It's true. Your mother and I love you very much, and we'd do anything to protect you."

Something bothered me when he said that, so I asked, "Will that change if I become a vampire?"

"Our love for you?" Carlisle guessed. "No. We will always love you as our daughter, regardless of how fragile you may or may not be."

I caught the hint of a smile in his voice. "I needed to hear that," I whispered.

"I know," he kissed my other cheek. "I know you've been feeling a bit…lost…ever since we told you that you were adopted…"

I cuddle against his side, "That's why you're DEFINITELY my father."

Carlisle laughed softly as he hugged me, "I'm glad that you're feeling better now."

Putting one more chapter up today since this one is kind of short!