CHAPTER NINETEEN

ANGEL

Ariel can't give an exact reason why she hasn't told Carlisle what she is yet; she thinks that she gets close to it, but the words always seem to die in her throat as she remembers how none of the mortals ever took the news well. That Linda took nearly months to get over Lucifer being the devil and despite knowing that Amenadiel was an angel, she didn't want to see him either. Chloe almost tried to get rid of Lucifer entirely. While she knows it isn't fair for her to compare this to what she knows her brother faces; she knows that humans have such high ideals for the angels and such negative connotations to her brother; she still feels that ache deep in her chest at the idea of Carlisle not accepting what she is.

Logically, she knows that it is silly; Carlisle has done nothing but be accepting. He is different. Despite that aspect of their relationship never being fully explained, it has not stopped Carlisle from being more openly affectionate; a sentiment that she returns full-heartedly to the staff's disappointment.

While a majority of them had not been blind to the passing flirting from before, it is more apparent than ever that something changed between the two. The subtle glances in the hallway; the way Dr. Cullen always seems to have a hand on her back or her shoulder, Ariel's more bold and brazen flirting that made more than one nurse blush when they heard it in passing. The female nurses immediately jump on the gossip and are quick to try to pry the details out of Ariel, who is more content ignoring them than sharing any personal secrets on her apparent relationship with the resident doctor.

The more regular patients that are familiar with them even comment on it, teasing the blonde doctor in passing in ways that the others aren't brave enough to do so. After a couple of weeks of it, both of them could feel it weighing on them; getting tired from having to excuse themselves, dodging any questions, and having to brush off the comments.

"Finally got her, huh, Carlisle?"

Charlie Swan grins wildly as he greets Carlisle Cullen. Carlisle sighs deeply as he realizes the attention that the sheriff's statement grabs. He looks over toward Ariel, who is watching from a more safe distance with amusement.

"Sheriff," Carlisle politely greets, "What brings you in today? No more loose raccoons, I hope?"

Charlie shifts with mild embarrassment, "Just checking in, had a disturbance nearby -"

Ariel steps in, to Carlisle's relief, with twinkling, concerned eyes and a soft frown. "A disturbance, nothing serious I hope?"

Ariel has always been the better one at diverging conversation. As she steers the sheriff's interest away from their relationship, she gives Carlisle a sly wink. Carlisle looks at her in relief and a hand absently goes to the small of her back, bringing her close to him. Charlie scratches at the back of his neck, not noticing the silent exchange in front of him.

"Nothing too serious, Mrs. Lower thought she saw someone out on her property. Found some footprints, but nothing was damaged. Nothing missing, so I think some of the high school kids were just messing around."

Ariel and Carlisle share a look of concern, but considering the lack of bodies turning up unexpectedly, she doubts that it is another vampire. The chances of it being another vegetarian vampire is even less likely. The more she thinks about it; the more likely it is that Charlie is right about it just being some teenagers messing around. Still, something about it just doesn't settle right in her gut.

"-We think one of them got busted up a bit," Charlie continues, "Probably tripped on one of the tree stumps."

"Well hopefully those kids will be alright," Ariel finally speaks up.

"-If they get caught, they won't be," Charlie snorts, "I've dealt with enough rowdy teens to know that there's no worse punishment than calling their folks on them. Though, Renee is always going on about how she wishes Bella messed around more, but if you ask me, I am more than content that Bella's not a part of that sort of crowd."

Ariel glances at him curiously at the mention of his daughter; though he doesn't speak of her often, he always does so fondly and almost sadly. This time, however, there is something different in his tone. Hope. Excitement.

"How is Bella doing, Sheriff," Carlisle asks casually, the shared look between them lets her know that he noticed the change in Charlie's tone as well.

"She's doing great," a soft smile stretches across Charlie's face as he eyes glow with fondness, "Coming out to visit me next school year. She'll be starting at the high school, same year as your kids, Carlisle."

Carlisle briefly wonders why Ariel's eyes are gleaming with such mischief, as she knows something that he doesn't. As their conversation with the Sheriff briefly continues, he doesn't get a chance to question her on it until well after Charlie leaves.

Carlisle leans into her teasingly, whispering gently into her ear. He doesn't miss the way it makes her shiver as she looks at him with twinkling eyes.

"Should I be concerned as to why you looked so excited about the Sheriff's daughter coming to visit?"

Ariel softly laughs, the sound music to his ears as she gently nudges him, "Carlisle if it is one thing that I have learned, it is that her being in the same year as your kids is bound to bring trouble, some way, somehow, and from my brother's experiences with humans, it is bound to bring a lot of drama our way. You better prepare your kids now."

Ariel still laughs, placing a chaste kiss to the corner of his lips before she disappears down the hall to continue her shift. Carlisle watches her in amusement, before brushing off the comment, knowing that the chances of his children entangling themselves in human drama is a ridiculous idea.


Ariel frowns at the patient chart in her hands; James Briar. A handwritten note from one of the other nurses makes a comment that makes her stomach turn. A priest. She can feel the headache already beginning, but despite the way her own nerves are being shot, she can't help but feel more concerned about the fact that the doctor listed to attend Father Briar is Carlisle.

They've only briefly touched on his past as a priest, but the past is always a touchy subject as it is for anyone. She hopes that this won't bring more grief to him, even more than she hopes that a priest won't expose her. She takes a deep breath, settles her nerves and goes into the room with the hope that she can get in and out.

Father Briar looks exactly as most priests do - down to the black outfit and white collar, though he is younger than she expected. She can see why some of the nurses attending to him were giggling after leaving his room; he certainly looks like a charming bookworm, complete with the soft attractive features and a pair of suiting glasses. While she may not be attracted to him, she is certainly not blind; and she knows that he is the type of many of the small-town nurses who are desperate for new meat.

He doesn't seem injured at first glance, mostly due to his calm composure, until she realizes that he is holding his left arm that is bleeding through his shirt. He seems unbothered by the injury, sitting calmly as he looks out the room's window. When he finally notices her presence, he jumps slightly before breaking out into a huge grin. His eyes light up and any hopes of him not realizing what she is is dashed at the recognition in his eyes.

"Father," Ariel greets evenly, bowing her head slightly in greeting, "A long way from the Vatican, I see."

Father Briar laughs, though the bitterness that flashes in his eyes don't go unmissed and Ariel eyes him warily.

"You could say I'm on an extended vacation," he winks cheerfully at her, "Been traveling through the countryside looking for something…. A journey of self-discovery of sorts."

Ariel is already pulling on gloves, gesturing for his arm. Instead of simply lifting his arm toward her to exam, he opts instead to unbutton the black shirt of his uniform and slip it off before Ariel can stop him. She watches in bewilderment as she starts to realize just why he's not the Vatican and a part of her really hopes that this is not going to end up with a strict conversation with the Board.

"Did you happen to find what you were looking for, Father?"

Trying to get through the interaction as best as she can, she keeps the calm expression on her face despite the crawling sensation that itches under her skin; the uneasiness of the whole situation just not settling right with her. Something nags at her that she can't quite place. The odd uneasiness grows at their close proximity as she examines the wound for any infection.

"I like to think that I did," he says smoothly, something shifting in his gaze that makes her flinch as she reminds herself that she doesn't hurt humans anymore. Besides, she cannot imagine how angry her father would be if she hurt a priest. "Though I should have prepared myself for such a beautiful angel."

Ariel tries not to grimace, forcing a smile on her face as she attends to him, trying to get through a somewhat normal procedure while ignoring his comments and not very subtle flirtations that makes her wonder what exactly they're teaching priests nowadays. Father Briar continues to speak as if he doesn't notice the way she's trying to block him out, an easy smile on his face that would have been charming to most people; but with her heart completely belonging to Carlisle, the entire interaction comes off as annoying. The longer she stays in the room, the more that her frustration starts to build in her chest; the uneasiness being replaced with irritation.

"Well, I think you've done wonders, Beautiful." Father Briar continues, his eyes soft, "Just as one would expect, Angel."

"Careful, Father," Ariel responds through a locked jaw and tense teeth, "I'm not sure the Vatican would approve of your behavior."

She is not very subtle when she 'accidentally' nudges him as she walks past him, snapping her gloves off.

"What the Vatican doesn't know, doesn't hurt them, Angel." Father Briar replies easily in a way that makes her want to tear her hair out or go into a divine, berserker rage.

She is almost too eager when she finally gets the chance to leave, rolling her shoulders as she mutters under her breath. Relief floods through her when she spots Carlisle walking down the hall, the dark shadows in his eyes is the only indication that he heard any of what was transpiring in the room. With her 'conversation' with the priest being somewhat vague and flirtatious, she hopes that Father Briar's use of the name angel can be passed for an unwanted pet name.

When he gets closer, almost closing her in against the wall protectively, she can hear the low growl in his throat, making it very clear that he heard exactly the type of flirtations that the priest was making.

"Are you alright," Carlisle's voice is low.

Carlisle's head spins as Ariel places a brief kiss on his lips, a palm on his cheek. Her touch calms him some, but he can still hear the priest's words and flirtations echoing in his ears. Beautiful, Angel, sweetheart. Pet names that make the venom in his blood boil, making him want to just claim her to make sure that everyone knows that she is taken.

"Of course, darling, but I feel I should warn you that your next patient is a handful."

Carlisle growls slowly, curling into her. Ariel glances around thankful that there are no nurses around to see them as Carlisle continues to press her against the wall. While he was concerned over the priest's use of the word angel, which made his research pop into his mind over the beings, he highly doubts that such a flirtatious priest's words could hold any truth to them. Still, something about it makes his mind whirl, but he swallows his tongue, holds back his questions, holds back what he wants to know. Even if his growing suspicions are right, it is her place to tell him, not his. He will wait as long as it takes for her to be comfortable enough to come forward.

"I could hear it," Carlisle mutters into the nape of her neck, "I cannot say that I appreciated it."

Ariel snorts, "That, darling, would make two of us. Though I should warn you that you will appreciate it even less when you walk in." Carlisle glances at her warily and she continues, "He opted to remove his shirt instead of simply rolling up his sleeve and to my knowledge, he has yet to put it back on. I can already hear the complaints from the Board."

Carlisle can't help but agree as he continues to hold her for a moment - for both of their comfort. Her discomfort from the interaction is visible and noticeable. It makes his own distaste for the new patient grow, until Ariel finally pulls away with a soft smile.

"You still have to tend to him, darling," Ariel finally speaks up, "The unfortunate life of a doctor, I'm afraid."

At Carlisle's hesitation, she urges him gently with the reassurance that she will be okay despite the rock that is still settled in her gut as she can't help but shake the negative feeling that has crept up under her skin about the priest.