Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and messages over the last week or so. I really appreciate it all. My beta is safe, she was just out of contact for a few days. My family is all safe and we are home now. Our home only had minor water damage so we are so lucky. My workplace has a fair amount of damage so I have a few weeks off which will be good to concentrate on things on the home front and my family. (And of course, I know its not as important but my writing too ;) )

So, speaking of which, back to it.

Thank you to RachelMoonblood, aurike, Ninjababe09, shyfan, and Jessie Alice for your reviews.

Chapter 37: Glimmer of Hope

When Olivia reached Alice's room she tapped lightly on the door and when she got no response she gently pushed the door open. She sighed when she saw the young girl curled up on the bed, sobbing her heart out into a pillow and she quickly raced across the room and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Alice, sweetheart?" Olivia murmured. "What happened?"

"I messed everything up," Alice sobbed.

"And how do you think you have done that?" Olivia asked gently.

"Edward was at the store," Alice whispered. "He wanted me to meet with him. I told him no but he wouldn't take no for an answer. He touched me and Gabe saw him and went off. It's all my fault if Gabe is in trouble."

"Gabriel shouldn't have hit him," Olivia sighed. "But honestly Allie, honey, I don't blame him. Edward is mistreating you and abusing you and I wouldn't expect anything less from my sons. They can't stand by and watch someone they care about mistreated, I didn't raise them that way."

"Gabe doesn't care about me," Alice whispered.

"Oh yes he does," Olivia argued. "We all do."

"Gabe thinks I'm a slut," Alice sobbed.

"I can assure you, he most certainly does not," Olivia snapped lightly.

"I don't," Gabriel said from the doorway and Olivia turned and glared at him.

"I thought I told you to wait downstairs," Olivia sighed.

"I couldn't Mom," Gabriel murmured. "I have to talk to Allie. Please?"

"All right," Olivia nodded. "I'll be right downstairs if you need me Allie." Alice just whimpered into her pillow and Olivia got up and gave her son a sad look before she walked out of the room and gently closed the door behind her.

"Allie, I am so sorry," Gabriel whispered once they were alone.

"It's okay," Alice sighed as she sat up and looked up at him with tear stained cheeks and he felt like his heart would break all over again at the sight.

"Allie, I don't think you're a slut," Gabriel said firmly as he walked carefully over to her and sat gently on the bed beside her.

"How can you not?" Alice whispered. "Besides my close friends you know more about the whole situation than anyone here. You heard the rumours at school."

"I don't believe rumours," Gabriel shrugged. "I know the real you Allie and I know you aren't a slut. You got mixed up with a bad guy, that's all. Edward is a prick. You aren't the first girl to date an asshole and you won't be the last. You have to forget him and move on."

"If only it were that simple," Alice sighed. "There is more to this than you know Gabe. Much, much more. Edward knows too much about it all. I'm scared what he will do when school goes back."

"Do you think he will attack you like he has Rose and Rissa?" Gabriel asked worriedly.

"I don't think it will go that far," Alice whispered. "But after the way he has been the last few days who knows."

"And I won't be there to protect you," Gabriel sighed. "It would almost be worth blowing off college and repeating Senior to be there to keep you safe."

"That's so nice," Alice giggled. "But it isn't necessary. I am not really that worried about that. Jazz and Emmett will be there."

"You must stay close to them when school goes back," Gabriel murmured. "Promise me Allie?"

"I promise," Alice nodded. "But I'm really not concerned about him physically attacking me. I'm more worried about the rumours he will start. He knows a lot of private things."

"That doesn't matter Allie," Gabriel sighed. "I know if he does it then it will hurt but try and ignore it. The people that love you know the truth, that's the main thing."

"They do," Alice whispered and turned away from him so he wouldn't see her eyes and know that the secrets she and her friends were keeping from them all were so shameful. "Gabe, can I ask you something?"

"Anything Allie," Gabriel smiled.

"Why do you care so much?" Alice asked. "Am I like a replacement sister for Emily or something?"

"For the others maybe," Gabriel shrugged.

"What about you?" Alice asked as she turned back to look at him.

"Do you really want the truth Allie?" Gabriel asked.

"Please?" Alice begged.

"I like you Allie, a lot," Gabriel admitted. "And I don't mean how a brother likes a sister. What I feel for you definitely isn't brotherly."

"Oh," Alice gasped.

"I shouldn't have said anything," Gabriel sighed. "Mom warned me to wait. That you have been through too much right now."

"Your mother knows about this?" Alice groaned.

"A little," Gabriel shrugged. "Don't stress Allie. I'd never admit it in front of her but my Mom is cool. She picks up on everything so don't bother trying to hide anything from her. She knew how I felt about you the moment I knew, maybe even before I worked it out."

"Oh," Alice gasped again.

"I'm sorry Allie, I shouldn't have laid this all on you yet," Gabriel sighed.

"No, its okay," Alice smiled at him. "I'm glad I know. I was feeling bad because I feel different about you to the rest of the boys."

"You do?" Gabriel grinned.

"Yes," Alice whispered and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

"It's all right Allie, we'll take this slow," Gabriel smiled at her. "I know you've been through a lot. What do you say we just have a good time together and see what happens from there?"

"Okay," Alice nodded softly.

"Great," Gabriel grinned. "In that case, do you want to go see a movie tonight in Port Angeles?"

"I'd love to," Alice smiled.

"It's a date," Gabriel smirked and got to his feet as he grinned down at her. "We'll leave here about six and grab something to eat first. Sound alright to you?"

"Sounds good," Alice agreed and he was glad to see her happy again as he turned and walked out of the room.

XXX

Later that afternoon Alice walked downstairs and she grinned when she saw Jasper, Larissa, Emmett and Rosalie hanging out in the living room.

"Can I join you guys?" she murmured as she walked into the room.

"Like you even have to ask that question," Rosalie smirked at her. Alice shrugged her shoulders with a smile and walked over and sat down on the couch beside Larissa and as she did Jasper leaned forward on the other side of Larissa and smiled at her.

"You okay Allie?" he asked softly.

"All good," Alice nodded her head.

"Gabe put his foot in it didn't he?" Emmett asked.

"Yeah but he's taken it back out now," Alice smiled. "It's all sorted. What are you guys up to?"

"Writing out birthday invites," Larissa grinned and pointed to the cards and envelopes on the table and Alice realised both Larissa and Rosalie were filling them out.

"Who for?" Alice frowned.

"Jazz," Larissa smiled. "Olivia is throwing him a party here next weekend. He doesn't have a say on the matter. Hey babe?"

"Nope," Jasper laughed. "I've been told."

"Good," Alice smiled and reached forward and grabbed a card and a pen. "I'll give you a hand."

They sat together for the next couple of hours just chatting lightly as the girls wrote out the invitations for Jasper's party and when they were finished they just settled back and continued their playful banter. It wasn't until it began getting dark that they realised how late it was getting and just as Alice realised what the time was Gabriel walked into the room looking for her.

"You ready Allie?" he asked with a smile.

"Not quite," Alice said as she jumped to her feet. "Give me a minute." She turned and raced upstairs and Emmett frowned as he watched her go and then looked at his brother.

"You guys going somewhere?" he asked.

"Yeah," Gabriel shrugged. "Just into Port Angeles to grab something to eat and catch a movie."

"Like a date?" Rosalie grinned.

"No Rose, not like a date," Gabriel laughed. "I just wanted to make it up to her for what I said to her this morning."

"Oh yeah, that was kind of stupid," Rosalie smirked.

"Cheeky," Gabriel laughed and rolled his eyes. Moments later Alice skipped back down the stairs and Gabriel turned and smiled at her as she rejoined the group.

"Ready now?" he asked.

"Yup," Alice nodded.

"Well have fun kids," Emmett smirked. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"That definitely opens up our options," Gabriel laughed and the others all joined him. They all said goodbye and Gabriel slung his arm casually around Alice's shoulders and led her out into the garage and they climbed into his car and headed into Port Angeles.

XXX

The night was magical and special for Alice as Gabriel took her for pizza and then to see the new comedy just released at the movies. By the time they left the movie theatre she was in a happy, carefree mood and he was glad to see her honestly smiling again. As they walked back to the car he reached over and took her hand in his and she looked up at him and smiled softly but didn't pull her hand away. It wasn't until they got back to the car that she did and when he pulled her door open for her she spun around to look up at him.

"In case I forget to tell you later Gabe," Alice whispered. "I had a really good time tonight."

"Me too," Gabriel smiled down at her.

Their eyes locked and Gabriel lifted his hand to her cheek and his fingers stroked her skin softly. She bit her lip nervously as she looked up at him and he grinned at her before lowering his head to hers and gently brushing his lips over hers. When he met with no resistance he deepened the kiss and as she responded she snaked her arms up around his neck. They melted into each other as they tasted each other for the first time and when they finally broke apart they were both breathless. Alice smiled shyly up at Gabriel and she looked so sweet and innocent he couldn't resist smiling back. He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on the tip of her nose and then pulled back and grinned at her.

"Get in Allie," he murmured and he helped her into the car before closing the door behind her and racing around to his side. Once he started the car he pulled out of the car park and once he had cleared the city streets and got out onto the highway he reached over and carefully took Alice's hand in his own. They sat in silence as they travelled through the night, their hands entwined between them and it wasn't until they reached the outskirts of Forks that Gabriel spoke.

"Are you tired Allie?" he asked softly.

"No, I couldn't possibly sleep yet," Alice smiled.

"Do you want to go somewhere before we head home?" Gabriel asked.

"Sounds good," Alice agreed and Gabriel changed the direction he was driving and headed away from their house. He drove through town and then back into the forest again and Alice's eyes went wide as she realised where he was going. Sure enough moments later he pulled into a lookout just outside town, a known make out spot for the teenagers. Alice had never been there before but every teenager in Forks knew what went on out there.

Because it was the holidays the place was deserted and Gabriel drove to the furthermost parking area and pulled up and shut off the engine. He smiled at her and then got out of the car and Alice quickly got out and walked around to meet him at the front of the car. He reached forward and put his hands on her hips and she gave a little squeal when he lifted her and placed her so she was sitting on the hood of the car. He laughed at her as he climbed up beside her and then he leaned over and moved his arm around Alice's shoulders.

Alice moved closer to him and looked up at him and he grinned at her as he leaned down to kiss her lips. As their kiss deepened Alice snaked her arms up around his neck and he moved his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. Alice let out a slight moan of pleasure against his lips and Gabriel deepened their kiss as he guided her back so they were both lying back on their sides on the hood of the car. Alice moved so she was hovering over Gabriel slightly as their tongues fought for dominance and when Gabriel gasped against her lips Alice giggled. He stroked his hand on her back softly and then moved his hand to entwine his fingers in her hair as he broke away from the kiss.

"Allie," he groaned softly and she giggled as their eyes locked.

She could feel his fingers still gripping her hair and she realised the only time Edward had done that was when he had pushed her head down for a blow job. She let out a soft sigh but she didn't want to refuse Gabriel after he had been so kind to her. He seemed to frown a little when he heard her sigh and she moved her mouth to his chest and placed light kisses on his chest through his shirt as she lowered her head. She dropped her fingers to his jeans and fumbled with the zip for a moment before getting it undone and then she quickly slid down from the car to kneel in front of him as her hand slipped inside his jeans.

"Allie, what are you doing?" Gabriel gasped and he quickly sat up and grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back away from him.