Carlisle

It did not happen very often, that Carlisle Cullen, a well respected Doctor, philantropist and head of the Olympia Clan was left speechless.

But as soon as he heard her voice, strangely altered through the bad reception of his mobile phone, his throat closed up.

He had to look away from Leah to regain his attire and he did not miss the sudden flash of pain in her eyes. It broke his heart. He could only hope that his continueing touch would tell her, what he already knew.

That he could never leave her again.

It was quiet for a few seconds and he began to feel anxiuous. He could not lie to her, but what should he tell her? The truth? That he crossed the American Border to be with another woman? And that he did not plan to let her go? That he threw his vows out of the window and made a decision without regarding her a second?

The words would not form in his head so he said the only thing that would be true.

"I am so sorry."

He closed his eyes and focused on the warmth that was still pouring out of the touch with had something soothing about it, comforting. He felt strangely calm altough his situation was everything but calm. He was suprised when he heard her voice, steady and warm.

"Edward told me. Look out for her, Carlisle."

He knew her well enough to hear the pain in her voice but also the honesty. He knew her well enough to know, that altough she would lie to him just to make him feel better- she was not lying.

Carlisle knew that there are somethings that he could just not change, like the fact that Esme was not his mate. No time, to good intentions, no effort could ever change that. But that did not mean, that he was not hurting for her.

She ended the call and again his eyes found Leah. Unnecessarily he breathed out. Her eyes, dark and foreign, were full of compassion and he could not help the corners of his mouth as they wanderes upwarts.

"I should call home to tell them, that everything was ok."

She blushed and Carlisle could smell the blood rushing into her cheeks. It was endearing. It took a few seconds before he found the Mobile phone in his pocket and gave it to her. She nodded thanks and took a step backwarts. Suprisingly his body followed, keen to keep the connection. To say that he was embarrassed was an understatement.

He knew that he was evading her private space, that he should go an give her time to talk to her family but his feet would not move. Thankfully she did not comment his behaviour. As she dialed a number he already heard an angry female voice.

"Leah? Have you got any idea how worried I was?! Sam drives me crazy, the are all crazy ! Where the hell are you?"

In the backround he could hear a agitated male voice, presuminly from Sam himself.

He did not even need his unnatural hearing, the woman was talking so loud, that even a human would have understand her perefctly.

"I am in Canada, I guess. I'm fine, mom."

She stopped and looked at him.

"Carlisle is here."

As soon as the words were out it grew quiet.

Carlisle got a feeling, that Leahs mother knew very well that he could hear every word.

"Well. Alright. Come back soon."

Leah seemed suprised at the sudden calm voice.

"...when you get home I want to have a word with Dr. Cullen."

Altough she really tried, Carlisle could hear the meaning of it.

In his existence he had to deal with a fair share of angry husbands or fathers. His looks and kindness attracted a lot of woman and girls, not that he was interested or thought much of it. Edward always made fun of his naivety. But this time was different. The approval of Leahs family was essential for him and he felt anxiuous. Surely his behaviour was not taken lightly in the reservate.

Leah seemed to notice his musings and smiled at him.

"She sounds worse than she is."

Carlisle looked at her incredulously.

"She hates me."

He deadpanned. Leah smirked and rolled her eyes.

"No.."

Not even she did believe herself.

"Well.. maybe a bit."

He resigned and pulled a hand through his blonde locks. He knew he would be much more worries, would there not be the touch of Leah. The imprint was a strong forced, that was clear.

Suddenly he heard her stomach growl and he felt the Doctor stirring awake.

"When was the last time you ate?"

She stumbled upon her words so there was his answer. He felt bad, more than bad. Surely he was the reason for her condition. He and his stupidity. But that did not mean, he could not fix it. Or at least try.

With a braveness he did noch recognize he carried her on his back and ran. Soon he found what he was looking for- the smell of rancid fat and engines.

How anyone would like to eat something with that smell was a mystery to him.

He was stopped befor he could emgere from the woods.

"Don't you want to leave this here?"

He still wore his doctors coat. They made a perfectly strange pair, her dirty clothes and his doctors coat made it seem, as they both had run away from the mental hospital.

Fast he shrugged off his coat and stared at her, as she picked a few leaves from his hair. It was strange that a single gesture could mean so much.