Rating M

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyers owns all things Twilight

Big love and thanks to Planetblue and Robsmyyummy Cabanaboy for prereading this blasphemy.
And to my Holy Water spritzing beta, Carrie ZM – thanks for the prayers, baby girl.

Virtue

"But I'm no angel."

His words and the absolute certainty with which he says them make my chest ache. A flash of the moment he fell to earth plays through my mind. I can still remember his terrified eyes and immobilized wings tarnishing from their brilliant gold to a dingy gray as he descended from the heavens.

"I don't believe that."

"Your faith in me clouds your judgement."

"Faith has absolutely nothing to do with it." I stand to leave. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to tend to the flock."

"Pastor McCarty?" I ask, my voice soft and hopeful as I approach.

The shepherd's head snaps up and he stares at me a beat, trying to place me.

"I'm sorry, you don't know me. I just recognized youfrom attending your service last week."

"Oh." His face breaks into a welcoming grin. "Yep, that's me."

I laugh. "I thought so. I, uh, didn't mean to bother you, I just wanted to tell you how much I loved your sermon." I'm met with a curious stare, so I elaborate. "The one about being at the crossroads and having to choose between right and wrong when wrong feels right." I look away. "I don't know, I guess it spoke to me because I'm kind of there myself."

His eyes widen.

"I'm sorry – what's wrong with me, you don't want to hear this on your day off."

"No, no, please." He gestures for me to sit down across from him. "I'm just waiting around for a friend."

I hesitate a moment. "You sure?"

"Of course," he says with a nod, "I'd like to think God put us in each other's path today."

Smiling, I take a seat. "I think so too."

"By the way, I didn't happen to catch your name."

"Oh, yes." I reach out to shake his hand. "Sorry, I'm Bella."

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

"So, what's on your mind?"

I take a deep breath and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear before muttering, "Can't believe I'm even talking about this."

"I assure you," he places his palm on his chest, "I've probably heard it all. And even if I haven't, I'm not one to judge."

His kind eyes crinkle in the corners, and his warm grin makes his dimples deepen. It's easy to see why his parishioners are drawn to his compassion and counsel.

"I'm … I'm in love with someone." It takes everything in me not to let my eyes slide over to Edward across the lobby. "He's all I've ever wanted." I sigh softly. "All I'll ever want, really."

"I'm sensing a 'but' coming."

"But," I say with an uncomfortable chuckle. "He's, um, made a choice that makes it nearly impossible to be together."

"Is he … involved with another?"

"Something like that." I glance down at my lap. "I don't know. I'm just struggling with the thought of how easy it'd be to forsake everything I've ever known to be with him, which sounds insane because I know wrong from right, but …"

"But?"

"The pull to choose him over everything is so strong. It … it scares me."

"That's understandable." Emmett's throat bobs and I don't miss that his gaze shifts to the door where his reason to forsake all others should be arriving any moment. "Have you considered what you're sacrificing if you do choose him?"

"Of course, I have."

"And?"

"I'd be sacrificing everything. Who I am. My purpose in this life. My entire moral code."

"And what about him? Would he sacrifice everything for you?"

"I'd like to think so."

"That's not a yes."

"True, but the question isn't fair. He has less to lose."

"And more to gain."

"Maybe." I shrug. "I don't know. What would you do if you were in my shoes? I mean, not that you'd ever be in a similar position." I wave a hand at him. "Man of God and all."

He laughs. "A man of God, yes, but still a man. I'd like to believe I'd choose to stay the path of righteousness."

"I'm sensing a 'but' there."

Grinning broadly, he nods. "But the heart and the head don't always agree. Human nature, I suppose."

"That pesky free will, huh?"

"Exactly."

"Well, for what it's worth, you seem like a righteous man to me and an excellent shepherd to your flock."

Clasping his hands together on the table, he dips his head down. "Thank you for that," he says, voice low.

I can't quite read his reaction. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"I'm not embarrassed, I'm just," he raises his head and inhales deeply, before blowing the breath out slow, "trying to find the right words of advice."

"Scripture?"

"Nah, that'd be too easy. I'd hit you with Jeremiah 6:16."

I smirk. "And what did good ol' Jeremiah have to say?"

"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, wherein is the good way, and walk therein."

"That's …"

"Clear as mud?"

"Exactly. It's not particularly helpful either."

"Yeah, it's not my favorite. I'm more of a Proverbs 3:5 man, myself."

"Let's hear it."

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path."

"So just sit back and have faith?"

"Pretty much."

"Sounds easy enough."

He shakes his head. "There's nothing easy about it, but I have faith that God will help you stay the course."

"I hope so," I tell him, sliding my chair back and standing. "Thanks so much for everything, Pastor."

"I don't think I was particularly helpful."

"You were, actually." I tip my head. "Sometimes we all need a reminder to … what was it again? Walk therein."

Amused, his shoulders shake with quiet laughter. "Agreed."

As I take my leave, I notice Edward is no longer sitting in the same spot. Scanning the room, I find him speaking closely with our shepherd's greatest temptation near the entrance. He slides his palm against hers smoothly, taking her hand in his to shake. Her long, blonde hair falls from her shoulders as she leans in with her eyes steadily focused on his before a small giggle escapes her lips. I can't hear or make out the words he's saying to her, but whatever it is, it's enough to make her cheeks flush and her free hand cover her heart.

Their exchange seems to go on for an eternity. I watch as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a business card. He holds it up between two fingers, teasingly pulling it back when she reaches for it. Mouth smugly tipped up in the corner, Edward knows exactly what he's doing.

My gaze darts to Emmett whose eyes are locked on their interaction. Any trace of his earlier jovial mood is gone, replaced with a hard stare and tense, curled fingers rubbing over his thighs beneath the table.

Rosalie's laugh sounds again, and this time she's clutching the card to her chest, smiling wide. He bids her adieu with a dip of his chin and two-fingered salute before glibly swaggering away, clearly pleased with himself.

Across the room, Emmett stands, his posture less tense as he waves her over. Stuffing the card in her purse, she makes her way to his table with her hopeful eyes trained on his. She stops just a few feet short of him, unsure. Grinning, he reaches for her hand, but she reaches for him, wrapping her arms around him tight. He melts into the closeness, drawing her nearer. When it becomes obvious that their hold on each other is skirting the line between a friendly hug and a lover's embrace, they both pull away wearing soft smiles and chuckling awkwardly.

Taking their seats, they bow their heads and join hands in prayer. Their eyes are squeezed shut, like they're focusing on the words.

But it's their hands that give them away. The way he gently brushes his thumb over her knuckles. The way she softly squeezes his fingers in response.

The way they don't let go when the word 'amen' is whispered from their lips.

"Seven deadly sins, Virtue," Edward murmurs in my ear from behind before pressing his body to mine. "And it only took the mere hint of envy for pride and wrath to take over. "

He drops a soft kiss to my temple as Emmett brings their joined hands together in the center of the table, no longer feigning a prayerful moment between a shepherd and his flock.

"Lust will take it from here."

A/N: Pals, I wasn't kidding when I said this was a short, little fic – it was more of a writing exercise to get me out of my funk. One more chapter for these two coming next week.

We loved hearing your answers for the writers you wished would come back to the fandom. So many great writers mentioned that I would love new words from. Sound off, fandom – what are the fics you'd give anything to see updated/finished? My list is long, but I'm holding out hope *crosses all my crossables*

Thanks so much to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed, fav'd, rec'd, and lurked this fic : )