Thank you for reviewing, xBloodLustx, ShiningDay, and Udumuhv! I'm so thrilled that you all enjoy the story so much! And thanks to megggaroni, EvilHusky, and AcidTrip90 for the favs/alerts.

OK, so the dream sequence in this chapter is a dialog/monolog thing. The italic words are bits of dialog from Carlisle, and the italic/bold is Cornelia's monolog. It may be a little confusing, but I'm just trying to catch a wide effect of memories. (Carlisle-related, of course. Tehehe.)

Thank you all for reading. Enjoy this chapter.

-Scarlet

Chapter 32: Across the Ocean Blue

December 30th 1931, 11:08am

Somewhere in the Atlantic

My cheeks filled with color as we met Demetri and the children at the piers the following morning, with thoughts on the events of the evening. Demetri smirked at this, which made Jasper laugh at how embarrassed I became. Alec then asked what was so humorous, and Jasper replied with "When you're older." This made Alec glare at me; which made Jane, in turn, scoff.

I blamed Demetri.

The sun had risen behind a layer of clouds, fortunately. My goodbye to Jasper was short; we had agreed upon a concise farewell that morning. We boarded a cargo liner – a large, long, low vessel by the name of Steel Ferry – which departed from the dock in record time. I watched Jasper's figure standing on the shore until my heightened eyes could see him no longer. And then I stared, just for the sake of staring. The frosty sea breeze blew whipped at my flushed face and loose hair, and rustled my skirts... my gloved fingers were numb after clutching the ice-coated rail for so long.

Sighing when I finally turned away, I watched the few crewmembers shore up some final things on deck. It was boring and monotonous. I leaned out against the ship's metal railing once again and gazed at the swiftly moving water beneath the hull. The vessel glided along the inky surface, as silent as an eel. Part of the hull above the water, where the waves rose up and lapped, was coated with black ice. The crew had told me that the journey to Lisbon would take under a week, if the weather permitted. Bringing my fingers up to the silver charm around my neck, I softly –

I gasped in horror. It's gone!

My eyes darted all around deck, but I didn't see a glimpse of silver anywhere. I scurried about, thankful that most of the crew had already gone below deck. I was sure someone had stolen it... perhaps it had slipped from my neck. I overturned every crate and barrel in sight. The ship was carrying a shipment of leather and cinnamon to Portugal; the vast cargo had overfilled the hold and was scattered around the main deck.

I was carefully peeling through the layers of a coiled rope when a black boot stopped my search. "Excuse me," I snapped, bringing my eyes up to glare at the owner.

It was Demetri, smug and smiling. His ruby eyes were a shade lighter than the day before; he had fed during the night. "Is this what you're looking for, by chance?" he asked coolly, holding a delicate silver chain before my face.

"Yes!" I exclaimed, immensely relieved. I reached out to take it, but he pulled it away at the last second. I spared him a tolerant, questioning gaze. He's making a fool of me.

His eyes were amused. "I'll make a deal with you, half-breed," he said with false pleasantness.

I held up a finger to stop him. "Actually, I prefer the term 'hybrid,'" I corrected.

His expression deadpanned, and he ignored my request. "If you behave yourself this entire journey, half-breed, and do not question my authority... then you shall have your necklace back at the conclusion." His tone was formal, but his eyes were mocking.

My temper flared. "It belongs to me," I said through my teeth.

He shook his head, like a father scolding a child. "That comment would be classified as 'questioning my authority' – ah!" He sidestepped my lunge for the necklace, and chuckled.

I glared openly at his arrogant face. "Very well." I turned my face, determined not to show my weakness. "It matters nothing to me, anyway."

"Ah, I see." He stepped toward the ship railing. "Then it would mean nothing if I –"

"Don't!" I sprinted for the shimmer of silver that he held out over the railing. I was detained by Demetri's arm, which brushed me aside forcefully. I stumbled back and stared at him, panicked. "You mustn't, please!"

He only grinned at me. "What does this mean to you, half-breed?"

How dare he... I glared back, infuriated. "Currently, it means the world to me. I would be miserable if it were lost in such a manner." My eyes darted to his hand, which grasped the necklace out over the water. Changing tactics, I carefully stepped closer and softened my gaze. "Certainly you know the feeling of leaving a loved one..."

His affronted eyes traveled between my own questioningly. I suddenly wished Edward was there, to tell me what was behind Demetri's curious gaze. However, he said nothing, and tucked the necklace into his cloak as he stalked off.

I rubbed the lines on my forehead viciously, feeling quite lost after he left. Without something "Jasper" to hold onto, a consuming feeling of loneliness was bubbling in my chest. I sniffled from the cold, and I stomped the metal decking of the ship, pretending it was Demetri's face.

He didn't drop it, at least, Positive said.

But you're still going to take it back as soon as possible, Negative retorted.

I shambled off to the quarters the crew had set aside for me – bless them. I twisted the latchstring around its peg securely and glanced about the small room. A fold-down cot was mounted upon the back wall and an awkward-looking latrine was off to the side. A small clothes cupboard was secured to the floor, along with a out-of-place lounge chair.

I sat upon the uncomfortable cot, and rubbed the coarse sheet. The springs of the thin mattress squeaked under my weight, as though pained somehow.

This is fine. You can endure a week of this, Positive consoled.

Negative scoffed. Of course you'll endure this – right after you recover from acute insanity, that is.

I nearly laughed. If only Edward could hear my inner voices now...

Due to my restless sleep and the gentle rocking of the sea, sleep found me easily.

*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*

Carlisle Cullen.

"Are you well, Miss?"

A rainy street; I felt cold, alone, miserable.

"May I ask what keeps you so in the rain, Miss Cornelia?"

The barriers that I built between us...

"I've heard a rumor that my niece is in town."

Fell quickly.

"I've brought you here to answer some questions I have about you. And, of course, you may ask me anything as well."

I felt as though there was finally someone that cared about me...

"I apologize for my curiosity; you are quite fascinating to me."

Who accepted me for who I was.

"You are not human."

His golden eyes became a comfort to me...

"I do not wish to be condemned for my nature alone. A nature I did not want to accept."

A drug...

"So, what excitement has left you so dauntless on this clear day?"

A hunger...

"I'm afraid the gift I planned for you is not as inspired,"

A need.

"It was; I wanted to wait for the right occasion."

I began to love him...

"A good effort, Cornelia. However, it so happens that you are the true vampire slayer present."

Everything about him...

"Certainly, the trouble must be that I care too much."

And my love was returned.

"You were my ultimate test, Cornelia."

I couldn't live without him...

"I'm sorry for deserting you, Cornelia. It was for the best."

Without his love.

"Cornelia, I love you."

It was that comfort...

"I have loved you since the day I knew we were meant for each other... which was the first time I saw you."

That drug...

"You are my soul mate and my true love, Cornelia."

That hunger...

"I promise to love you for the rest of eternity."

That need.

"Will you marry me?"

I would never be without it again...

"Thank you for letting me – in all that I am."

Because I couldn't possibly survive without it...

"I love you, Cornelia. With my whole heart and soul... nothing will ever break us apart."

And neither could he.

"Wherever you wish. I will follow you, my dear... always."

OR SO I THOUGHT.

"I found her several years ago, in a hospital."

I felt broken; more broken than I had before.

"We were married."

Words weren't enough.

"I only beg your forgiveness."

They would never be enough again...

"I never meant for any of this to happen... it's unthinkable..."

Because just as sweet as words can be...

"I... don't know what you wish me to say, Cornelia."

They can also be SOUR...

"I only ask that you trust them, Cornelia. And me."

They can HURT.

"I never wanted to hurt you..."

*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*

"Well, you did!" I screamed, lunging for the source of my pain. My memories faded into the blackness of a ship cabin.

The floor was cold and hard beneath me, and my face was sticky with dried tears. The room rocked heavily to each side, and I heard the deluge of rain on the deck above me. My heart constricted with sorrow. I tipped over flaccidly with the swaying of the ship, and my cheek stuck to the damp, hollow metal of the ground. My body felt empty, void... without Jasper to fill it with some kind of emotion. My mind drifted to the concept of a drug addict – unable to cope without his fix.

I stayed there on the ground, unmoving, for quite some time. It was after a full hour of this that sobs began choking up my throat. I curled in on myself like a pillbug, holding my chest as it heaved with the force of my tears. I hadn't felt such crushing sadness for many years... not since...

My head jerked up when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Demetri loomed over me, watching my pathetic display with severe red eyes.

"Leave me," I rasped with a throat like glue.

There was a pause, during which I turned my face back to the ground. "Why are you wailing this way, half-breed?" he demanded harshly.

Then an emotion asserted itself... an emotion with which I was becoming very familiar. Anger scorched through my slow veins, and I stood to my feet with rigid quickness. I glared at him haughtily, with all the pride in my soul, and stepped so close that I could feel the coldness of his skin. "I have a name, you infuriating fool! Address me with respect if you wish the sentiment returned!" I yelled in his face.

He seemed staggered for a moment. His crimson eyes blinked for the very first time since I'd met him. Then, his eyes narrowed and he took on a look of annoyance. Reaching into his cloak, he pulled out a black silk kerchief and offered it to me. "You are disgusting, Cornelia."

I scowled at him, and ignored his offering, rubbing my eyes roughly on the sleeve of my petticoat. "Curse you, vampire."

He retracted the kerchief and tucked it neatly into his pocket once again. "Ah, but you forget – I already am quite damned."

I sighed heavily at his sarcasm, and sat upon the ghastly cot. I folded my arms indignantly. "What brought you here to torture me, then?"

"Aro will be displeased if I return with you in ill health," he said simply, with the most impassive expression on his face.

I once again for myself mystified at the mention of the very name – Aro. The most ancient vampire, who had taken the duty of keeping all the other vampires in line. Of course I had heard whispers and rumors of him... of them, the Volturi... but thoughts of seeing him face to face was as exciting as it was appalling. Demetri's sudden smirk brought me from my musings.

I glowered, turning away. "Fortunate for you, I never take ill."

Feeling the bed dip, my head whipped over to glare at Demetri, who was glaring back. He sat next to me, as nonchalant as anything. "Does your thirst not bother you? Your eyes aren't even darker," I noted.

His lips twitched with a smile. "Your blood does not appeal to me at all."

I thought of the difference I'd seen in vampires... how some were less tempted by me than others. Jasper, for example, was not as drawn as Edward claimed he personally was. "I see."

But he wasn't done there. "Your blood smells as alluring to me as... well, a goat's." His eyes glinted scornfully.

I gasped, offended at the outrageous statement. "Well... you're as alluring to me as a... as an ostrich!" I felt the blood rise to my face as he burst out laughing at my pathetic attempt at an insult.

"Honestly, dearest... I wasn't trying to lure you in the least bit..."

His fragmented sentence caused me to glance over at him. He was staring at me intently, with his eyes trained on mine. I immediately become fixated in the force of his eyes, and found myself memorizing every spec and coloration I found there. His irises were a light candied-apple red, except for one dark crimson ring around the very edge. The scent that I'd detected in the forest that day – deep oak and sweet cherry – filled my senses. I leaned forward slightly, drawn by the almost hypnotic affect he caused...

Then he smirked again, and I came back to myself. He had himself a good laugh as I drew away from him, shocked at my own behavior. I felt like smashing his face into the wall, but I knew it would only be to the wall's ailment. I felt like throwing him overboard, but I knew he couldn't drown. "You are a fool and a tyrant, Demetri."

He left without another word, just chuckles.

Without the distraction of his presence, I then heard the howling of the wind against the ship. Our arrival in Lisbon would no doubt be delayed due to the storm. I sighed at the world, and put my hands out on the cot to lean back against them. My left hand touched something cool on the ratty bed sheet, and I quickly looked down to investigate. I moved my hand from the small line of silver that glimmered through the darkness. Smiling with relief, I gingerly picked up the small chain, and fingered the sparkling charm. I turned it over, and read the endearing inscription over and over again.

Had Demetri dropped it?

I clutched the trinket to my chest and felt a small part of my heart return.

Maybe he's not as uncaring as he puts off, Positive suggested.

I immediately denied the thought, and slipped the chain around my neck to fasten it there. The cold metal absorbed some of my minimal body heat as I rested my hand over it.

Positive may have been wrong, but for once, Negative had nothing to say...

Did you like the dream? I'm thinking of doing one for Jasper, too.

Next time: "Volterra and Friends."

-Scarlet