The Twilight Saga belongs to Stephenie Meyer, Summit Entertainment and anyone else who may legally claim ownership. No copyright infringement is intended.


Chapter 15: Tears

Jasper followed the sound of Bella's tears to the sitting room. She was crying in Esme's arms, sobbing her heart out. She was feeling so many different emotions all mixed together that Jasper couldn't get a handle on what was going on with her. He tried to send her calm. It didn't help. Her head rose from Esme's shoulder and she launched herself at Jasper. He caught her just in time to keep her from injuring herself. If anything, being in his arms seemed to intensify her distress, so much that he feared she would become ill. He wondered if he passed her back to Esme if she would calm back down a bit. He couldn't find out, she was clinging too tightly to him. He swept her up in his arms and sat beside Esme on the sofa.

Jasper looked at Esme in question. Her response was a shake of her head and a perplexed look, along with an exaggerated shrug of her delicate shoulders. She reached out and began stroking Bella's hair in motherly concern.

Jasper's voice was gentle. "Bella?"

She didn't answer; she somehow managed to tighten her hold on him and cry even harder.

"Bella, honey, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

"Ca- Carlisle."

Jasper's neck and shoulder were drenched with her tears. He fought to push calm out to Bella and Esme, while trying to remain calm himself. "Did something happen to Carlisle?"

Her answer was given on the breath of a protracted sob. "Nooo…"

Jasper had to get her to calm down. He used just the right amount of strength to pull her out of the joint of his neck and shoulder without hurting her. He put both of his hands on her cheeks and sent concentrated calm to her. "What about Carlisle?"

This time Jasper's emotional control worked. She calmed down just enough to speak between her heart-wrenching sobs.

"In Seattle. A girl. Sh- she was so beautiful."

Esme's eyes grew wide. "Carlisle was with a girl? I'm sure it was innocent, Bella. Maybe we know her, what does she look like?"

Bella shook her head and reburied her face in Jasper's neck. Her words were slightly muffled as she spoke from there. "Pale. Not a vampire. Long black hair. Huge blue eyes. Delicate. Fragile. Broken."

When Bella said broken, Esme and Jasper looked at each other with a mixture of disbelief and dread in their eyes. Neither daring to believe that after all these centuries of perfect restraint, Carlisle had done such a thing. It was impossible. Carlisle was incapable of doing harm, and yet Bella's words had painted a horrific picture in both their minds.

Esme inhaled sharply. She believed nothing, not even coming across his singer, could cause Carlisle to snap. Even though her belief in Carlisle was unshakeable, her mind's eye formed a picture of a bloodied and shattered girl, her clothes torn apart. The red stains on her thighs, along with the blossoming bruises marring her body, made it obvious her innocence had been brutally taken while she was fed upon. Her limbs hung at odd angles from the breaks that occurred during the coupling and concurrent drinking of her life's blood. She lay draped in Carlisle's arms, her delicate features slack in death, his lips stained with her blood.

Jasper too imagined that Bella had stumbled upon some horrific aftermath of three-hundred and sixty-two years' worth of repressed bloodlust breaking free and being released on some poor girl. He knew Carlisle claimed he no longer felt any desire for human blood, but he simply couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that Carlisle managed to will the bloodlust away.

Jasper patted Bella's back and spoke slowly and carefully. "Bella, honey, when you say this girl was broken, do you mean-"

Esme interrupted. "I can hear Carlisle's car."

At that both Jasper and Esme were convinced that Carlisle had not given in to bloodlust. He wouldn't have come back so soon if he had. That meant that mere sexual lust must have been the culprit. That would explain Bella's upset. However relieved they were to know Carlisle hadn't taken a life, one question remained. They couldn't understand how the girl could look broken to Bella.

Another look passed between Jasper and Esme as they came to the same conclusion. Carlisle must have been rejecting the girl's advances; that would make her look broken emotionally. Bella must have seen another infatuated person being let down gently by Carlisle. She could easily have mistaken his gentleness for affection.

Bella's head snapped up. Her eyes were pleading as she looked at Jasper. "Please, I can't... I can't see him. Not like this. Please, Jasper, get me out of here!"

Esme was quiet, but she knew Carlisle had heard Bella and would hear her too. "She's too upset, Jasper, do as she asks. Take her somewhere far enough away. Come back when she's ready. I'll talk to Carlisle."


Jasper looked up at Carlisle's approach. Bella was asleep, her head on his arm.

Carlisle's face was a portrait of pain. He bent down and wrapped a large shawl around Bella, to stave off the chill of a mid October day in the damp northwestern forest. The distress in his quiet voice was unmistakable. "Does she think that I betrayed her?"

Jasper gave Carlisle one of his crooked smiles. "Naw. She trusts you, Carlisle, with her whole heart. She knows you'd never do that."

Carlisle's brow furrowed. "Then why was she so upset?"

"Bella, she's a tough one to understand. She had so many emotions runnin' riot at the house I couldn't tell what was making her cry. Once we came out here and got to talkin', I found out that all her tears weren't from pain or sorrow. It seems Bella here cries when she's overwhelmed by love."

Carlisle reached out and smoothed her hair back from her face. "Love?"

"For you, of course." Jasper smiled.

Carlisle smiled softly as he watched Bella's sleeping face.

Jasper's smile could be heard in his voice. "Bella, she's a rare one. If Alice had come across me far from home, cuddling up to some pretty little thing, she would have jumped to all sorts of sinful conclusions. Bella, she figured you were helpin' some poor girl. I take it she was right?"

"Hmm, yes, I was trying to help. But, there was no cuddling. I didn't touch her in a familiar way." Carlisle's eyes were fixed adoringly on Bella as he continued to speak to Jasper. "I give medical attention to the homeless in Seattle whenever I have a chance. I can more easily remain anonymous in a larger city. Megan, that's the name of the girl Bella must have seen me with, she's sixteen and she's three months pregnant. Her parents kicked her out of her home. She's living rough. She has no resources, no support. I spent the afternoon finding her food, shelter and a way to receive regular medical care. I'm trying to find some way to get her into counseling."

"With the state Bella was in, I'd ask you if she's pregnant too; but we all know that can't be."

"Jasper." Carlisle admonished.

Jasper wasn't deterred by Carlisle's tone. "I'm not talkin' about vampirism. I'm talking about Bella still being untouched. Alice is afraid you're startin' to think like Edward."

Carlisle chuckled ruefully. "No, never that. I was thoughtless with Bella three months ago, in my car." Carlisle grimaced and shook his head in self-deprecation. "She tests my restraint in ways I could never have imagined. Since then, I have been trying to avoid getting carried away in an inappropriate place and at an inappropriate time. I've been taking things slower. Bella deserves to have the perfect moment. I will be sure that the place and time are ideal. It's not easy though, waiting for that moment to present itself."

"I sure didn't wait once I met my Alice."

Carlisle's eyes sparkled with mirth as he remembered something Alice had said to him. "When I asked Alice to warn me if she should foresee any future incidence of that nature, she told me, in no uncertain terms, that she refused to be my 'prescient chaperone'. Your wife thinks she's very funny." Carlisle's amused smile belied his cross tone.

Jasper laughed loudly. "Is that how she put it? She's something else." His laughter died down. "Bella may be a virgin, but what I don't understand is why you're turning prudish. Are you planning on backing off, giving Bella chaste kisses and leaving her wantin'?"

Carlisle bristled. "No. I'm not Edward."

"That's true enough, I can't really picture you doin' that. Not with the amount of sexual tension you and Bella are always puttin' out, it's powerful. How come you don't want to-"

Carlisle's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Jasper. "Spare me the colorful euphemisms."

"...Go all the way." Jasper smirked as he finished his sentence.

"I do. However, I refuse to subject Isabella to losing her innocence at an inappropriate time and place simply because I can't control myself. I will make it perfect for her."

"Yeah, you said that already. I think Bella would have been happy to give it up in your car. Lust filled car sex might be perfect to her. What's really goin' on?"

"I don't understand. I just told you."

"When's the last time you knocked boots?"

Carlisle chuckled at Jaspers choice of words. "I haven't been with a woman since Joan."

Jasper's voice held awe. "No one since Joan?"

"No."

"That ended in nineteen-forty, Carlisle."

"Yes. Your point is…?"

Jasper laughed. "Has anyone mentioned your firm handshake?"

Carlisle growled lightly in an attempt to hide his embarrassment. It did no good. This was Jasper. He sighed in exasperation. "Do you even have a point?"

"I think it's your virtue you are protecting, not Bella's. You've been celibate since nineteen-forty. You had understandings with all your women. You made sure they always knew what y'all were getting into and that there were no strings attached. Seems to me like they were nearabout business deals. It wasn't about feelin's, that's for sure.

"You and Bella have never been like that. You two aren't just sex partners with no emotional attachments. You two have a deep emotional connection. I've been feelin' it for a long time now. It was platonic then, but you too were emotionally and intellectually attached even when she was with Edward.

"I think you want Bella's first time to be special for you too. I think you want to set Bella apart from those women who were just your fu-"

Carlisle cut across him. "Don't be vulgar, Jasper."

"Don't be prissy, Carlisle."

They laughed quietly at each other, trying not to wake Bella.

"You may be far from a virgin physically, Carlisle; but emotionally, you're the innocent. So, who needs it to be perfect? Maybe Bella, maybe you, maybe both of you; o' course, maybe just letting it happen as it does will be perfect too. I don't know. You should think on it."

Jasper allowed his words to sink in before he spoke again. "She's wearin' your ring."

Carlisle took Bella's left hand in his and caressed her knuckles above where his ring rested on the ring finger of her left hand. He smiled. "Edward knows about us. We decided we no longer need to hide our relationship. I gave her my ring in the hospital. No one but her father noticed."

"Is it an engagement ring?"

Carlisle shook his head. "No. I've ordered an engagement ring for her. I'm having it custom made, so that it will be special and unique for her. It should be ready any day. I only hope that she is ready, and that she is willing to be my wife."

Jasper smiled and spoke earnestly. "I don't think you need to worry about that. She'll accept you."

"You're so certain."

"Course, I am. I know how y'all feel, and I've got Alice." He smiled. "She had a vision the day you ordered the engagement ring. When I asked about the ring on Bella's finger, I just wondered if you'd changed your mind about the one you ordered. Alice thinks it'll make Bella real happy."

Jasper's smile faded. "In the meantime, you oughta talk to Rosalie. I'd hate for her to find out about you and Bella from someone else, when we aren't prepared for her reaction."

"You know that Rosalie will react negatively?"

"Don't you?"

"I hold out hope that she will be reasonable."

"You always think the best of everyone, and you've got a soft spot for Rosalie. I think you need to be a bit more realistic."

"I didn't say that I think she will be reasonable." Carlisle smiled. "It's not really her nature. I know what to expect. Although, I still have a small bit of hope. I'm sure Rose will accept my relationship with Bella in the end."

Jasper laughed. "How many decades do you think that will take?"

"A few, I'm afraid."

"Good to know you can be realistic."

"Has Alice seen anything about any reactions to our relationship?"

"I'm afraid not. After your talk with her, Alice was just worried that you were gonna try'n cool things down with Bella. She didn't have a vision, she just said she knew that if you back off it'll be bad."

"I did wonder about the cause for this turn in our conversation."

"Alice thought you'd take better to it if I talked to you instead of her. What Alice wants, I'll damned well make sure she gets."

Carlisle smiled as he thought about Alice. "A wise course of action."

A welcomed silence descended on the men.

Eventually Carlisle broke it, his sadness obvious. He caressed Bella's cheek. "She came out here to avoid me."

"Only because she figured you had a lot on your plate and she didn't want to add to it. She was a bit jumbled up for a while. She wanted to spare you the drama."

"What do you mean jumbled up?"

"Her love for you set her to thinkin'. It was so powerful that it took her a while to handle it all because it spiraled into other emotions.

"First, she imagined what it would be like if she lost you. That tore her up. I've never felt such devastation and that was only with her imagining it.

"Then, she thought of what your future would be like together and she was over the moon. She felt peace, love, serenity, desire, it all added up to an elation beyond words.

"That elation made her think more about you. She thought about how you are, who you are, and she thought she can't be good enough for you; so she felt seriously insecure.

"Then again, those same thoughts about the man you are made her feel such pride in you.

"She felt all of this at the same time. It was intense. It was overpowering, but when all was said and done, it added up to a whole heap of love for you."

Carlisle picked out the point that bothered him. "She should never feel insecure."

"No she shouldn't. You make sure she knows that."

Carlisle smoothed his knuckles across Bella's cheek affectionately. "I shall do that."

"My talent may be about emotions, but I've had enough talkin' about feelings for one afternoon."

Carlisle smiled. "Good."

"Go on now, get her to the house while Emmett and Rosalie are gone hunting. I may just do you a favor and take my Alice hunting too. I know for a fact Esme is already headed to Denali for a visit. So you two can be alone for a while."

Carlisle nodded his thanks and picked Bella up cradling her close to his chest. He smiled down at her as she snuggled into him in her sleep. His movements were adroit and quiet. Bella's sleep was undisturbed on the brief trip to the house.


As Bella began to awaken, she felt Carlisle's sweet breath tickle her ear. "Hello, My Dear."

She smiled and leant her head back on his chest. "Hi." She sighed.

"What is it?"

"I wish we could disappear together. Go somewhere uninhabited and spend forever alone together."

"What is troubling you so much?"

"Rosalie, Renee and Jacob, your superiors and peers; even Charlie, although not as much with him. He's a big fan of yours."

"Their potential reactions to our relationship, is that what's troubling you?"

"Yeah."

"I'm fairly certain that your father won't be a problem. Alice has him wrapped around her finger and she's prepared him for us."

"That's good, but, we can't be sure until we talk to him ourselves. I'd really like everyone to just be happy for us, and in some cases, just mind their own business."

"I believe that everything will be fine. I wish I could alleviate your worries."

"I just want to keep the feeling I had when I woke up and saw you, when you took me in your arms. Before I thought about them. I don't want them in bed with us."

"Perhaps, we need to tell them. So there is no more cause for anxiety, no need for worries about them to invade what should be our private time. It's selfish I know, but at times like these I would like all of your attention."

"You have it, Carlisle. That's why thoughts of them invaded my mind. They can affect us."

"Only if we allow them to."

"Really? If Rosalie is hateful, if Jacob is vengeful, if my parents refuse to accept us, if people at the hospital shun you, it won't make any difference to you?"

"No, it will not make any difference to me at all. Nothing will ever alter how I feel about you."

"Nothing and no one can change my feelings for you either."

"You are so concerned about this. I think the opinions of others will affect you."

"No, Carlisle, they won't. My fear is that it will hurt you. I don't want you hurt. I don't want you to have any regrets either. I am especially afraid that Rosalie's reaction will make you regret us."

Carlisle turned Bella in his arms so that he could make eye contact with her. His love and devotion to her was obvious in his eyes. "Isabella, no, never. How could I regret you? What we have is worth everything. No one, nothing, will ever be able to affect the depth of my feelings for you. You come first in all things, forever."

Bella was stunned by the sincerity in she saw in Carlisle's warm eyes. She knew he spoke the truth.

Carlisle's voice roughened. "Isabella, I love you. There aren't any words to adequately describe the depth and strength of my love for you."

Bella's eyes shone as she returned his declaration. "I love you, Carlisle, so very much. My love for you is so much that it's almost beyond my understanding. I never knew, I didn't understand that love could be this way."

As their lips met, all thoughts of family, friends, and peers vanished. They were the only people in the world.


Alice shook her head as she thought about Rosalie. When Carlisle had told the family that he and Bella were going to search for their next home, everyone had been excited. Everyone except Rosalie, she hadn't said a word. Rosalie sneered when Carlisle chose Bella to accompany him, sighting that is was her upcoming change prompting their move, so she was the obvious one to help him. During the entire discussion, when everyone voiced what they would hope for in their new home, Rosalie maintained an uncharacteristic silence. That alone was proof of how deeply she disapproved. Alice smiled as she remembered her own excitement that day. She was the exact opposite of Rosalie. Once she had given Carlisle a list of what she wanted in the home he and Bella would select, she left the family meeting in the middle, rushing excitedly off to begin shopping and making packing lists for them. That had been a week ago, and she still didn't feel that she'd had enough time to make everything she would send with them perfect.

Alice squeezed numerous bags into the spacious trunk of the Mercedes. As she was closing it, Bella opened the door into the garage. Alice smiled enthusiastically. "Bella, everything is ready. All you need to do is pick Carlisle up and get yourselves to the airport on time. The rest of your bags are already on the plane."

"Alice, I know I promised to wear what you tell me to on this trip but-"

Alice cut across her. "Yes, because it is very important! You have to trust me on this, Bella."

"Important, right. Why is it important that I wear this dress for a long flight across country?" Bella looked down to indicate the simple, ballerina length, off-white dress she wore.

"Carlisle will love you in this dress. Although, even I will admit that he would love you in a paper bag. But, I'm sure you would rather wear something that appeals to him, right?" After all, it's you who wanted to start dressing to entice Carlisle. That wasn't my idea."

"True. And it's not like I'm wearing anything I don't like. I really do love the clothes you've helped me choose lately. They make me feel…"

"Beautiful? Confident?"

"Yeah." Bella smiled. "I'm just not sure about the practicality of this dress on a plane."

"Bella, it's not like you'll be on a commercial flight. Remember the last time you flew with Carlisle?"

"Oh." Bella smiled. "I guess this will be fine, then."

"It will. Now, I have each day's clothes, shoes and accessories sorted individually and labeled. Including any times that you will need to change later in the day. Don't give me that look. It won't be too often. But, there will be a day and night ensemble for every day. All you have to do is wear them on the days and times labeled."

"You won't even give me a hint?"

"No. That would spoil everything that I've seen on this trip. You want all the things I've seen to happen, right?"

"How do I know? You won't tell me what you've seen."

"Because, things have to happen as they will. If I tell you about them, it will change things. I have told you that you will be very, very happy with the outcome, haven't I?"

Bella's tone was one of mock admonishment. "Yes, Alice. I'll trust you, but you better be right."

Alice laughed as she put Bella's laptop case on the front passenger seat. "I know you want to make sure you keep up with your new job; but really, Bella, I've seen that too. They won't need anything until you return."

"I just don't want to take any chances, Alice."

"I know." Alice closed the passenger door and moved at vampire speed to the driver's side.

Bella slid into the driver's seat and slipped her key into the ignition. She smiled as the swan keychain Carlisle had given her sparkled in the artificial light. She touched a button and her window lowered. Alice leaned in the window and gave her a knowing smile. "Help Carlisle pick a good house for us. I don't think it will take you too long to rejoin society after your change." She giggled, the sound like wind chimes rang in the Cullen's garage. "Honestly, I know it won't." She tapped her temple. "That's one vision I can tell you about, without a chance of spoiling the outcome. It's inevitable. We may start out in the woods, but by the time everything is in final order, you'll be ready too. I can see it. I'm not sure how you become so controlled, so quickly. Jasper thinks it will be your gift, self-control. I think it's because you know what to expect. You chose this life. You're ready for it. None of us were. We were all surprised, not knowing what to expect. Whatever the reason, we'll be rejoining society sooner, rather than later, so we need things in place."

"Don't you already know what house Carlisle will choose?"

"No." The smile left Alice's face. "I wish I could pick and choose visions, but I can't. I really have no idea what you'll find for houses." Her voice took on a bit of a scolding tone. "But I have seen parts of your trip. Everything is going to be perfect. If..." She paused for dramatic effect. "You wear what I have chosen for you."

"Alice, you know I will. It's predestined, after all." Bella laughed.

Alice was serious. "Yes, it is." She stepped back.

Bella started the Mercedes and waved as she drove out of the garage, her exit heralded by the loud boom of a thunderclap. She would have expected this weather last month. She shook her head at the peculiarities of nature as she drove through the October rain.


Carlisle had been on a break from the hospital. His coworkers believed him to be on a walk to clear his head after a particularly difficult emergency surgery. In actuality, he had been on a brief hunt. Bella was picking him up from the hospital for their trip to Maine in just a short while.

On his way back to the hospital, after his thirst had been completely satisfied in the nearby woods, he caught the smell of fire. He followed the scent to find the Inn on Olympic Drive ablaze. His arrival was met with chaos. There were, as yet, no police, fire or EMS presence. He heard the frantic heartbeats of a few people who were still trapped inside. He didn't hesitate to go in and begin bringing people to safety.

A few final raindrops from the passing storm were falling on Carlisle's face, upturned as it was, each drop gathering and sluicing down the side of his nose to drop from his chin onto the man in his arms. He walked at an annoying pace, that of a human carrying a great burden. It was a pretense that had to be maintained in both speed and body language. Not being able to move as quickly as he could, in order to give aid more effectively, frustrated him beyond belief. The people he carried out were not heavy for him. They were no burden at all for one such as he. Finally, he placed the man on the ground. When he was certain that his patient was out of danger, he left him and made his way back into the building at top human speed.

He looked around the dark smoky interior of the blazing building. His eyesight was not hindered by the darkness or the thick smoke. He listened for heartbeats. When he was certain he was unobserved he moved with all his vampiric abilities to get to the trapped people one by one.

Finally, he could hear only one heartbeat remaining in the building. It was coming from the floor directly above him. The stairwell was on the other end of the building. He didn't want to take that much time. He sped out to the back of the inn. Making sure that he was undetected, he pinpointed an empty room near the heartbeat. He leapt gracefully through the second floor window, the glass shattering around him. He was by the side of the injured woman, whose heartbeat he had followed, in no time. She was unresponsive. He assessed her with his vampiric senses. He could still hear her heartbeat, although she was clearly going into shock. Her breathing was labored from smoke inhalation, but her lungs were functional. It was her head injury that concerned him. He was intent on making sure that her spine was uninjured so that he could get her out of the smoke. His focus completely on his charge, he was caught by surprise as the roof over his head gave in. Even his vampiric speed couldn't compensate for his lack of awareness. He hadn't realized that construction had begun on the inn and that heavy equipment had been on the burning roof above him. There was barely time for his eyes to register the danger before it was too late.

Bella spoke to answer the hands-free car phone as she drove. "Hey, Dad, what's up?"

"Bells, I'm at the Inn on Olympic Drive, with Jacob. You're going to want to get here. It's Carlisle…"

Confusion was clear in Bella's voice. "What about Carlisle?"

Charlie's voice was tense. "Just get here okay, I don't like you on the phone while you're driving."

"Okay, I'm only about two miles away." Bella disconnected the call and glanced in the direction of the inn. She was surprised to see black smoke curling angrily into the sky.

She pulled up to a scene like those frequently featured on the news. The blazing building shed light on the fire and emergency crews as they worked to save lives and fight the flames. Her father and Jacob approached her just as the Cullens pulled in behind. She heard Alice speak. Her voice sounded tortured. "Oh God! It's exactly what I saw."

Charlie was by Bella's side in the short time it had taken Alice to speak.

"Bells." Charlie's voice was off, he sounded agonized. "Jacob was passing by and stopped to help. He pulled a woman from the fire. Carlisle had been trying help her, to rescue her..." Charlie trailed off.

Bella looked from Charlie to Jacob trying to comprehend. "Yes?" She wasn't sure why fear was beginning to take hold in her chest. Carlisle was indestructible.

"Bella." Charlie put his hand on her shoulder and didn't seem able to say more.

A cold dread seeped into Bella's limbs. Carlisle was indestructible, with one exception. Fire played a part in that exception. Bella's eyes grew wide as she saw Rosalie fall to her knees, her beautiful face twisted in fear and dismay. The rest of the Cullens faces wore similar expressions. She turned away from her father and Jacob to look fully at them. "Alice?"

"I didn't see in time… He didn't answer his phone… I couldn't… we're too late..." Alice was unable to speak further. Jasper, his face twisted with horror and desolation, embraced her. She buried her face in his chest, her whole body shook.

Jacob stepped towards the Cullens. His voice was subdued and solemn. "I couldn't help Dr. Fa- Cullen. He was decapitated."

Bella's eyes snapped to Jacob. "What?"

"I went in to help any survivors I could find. I found Dr. Cullen on the second floor. He'd been trying to save a woman who'd been hurt. When I got there it was too late for him. Something really heavy and sharp had fallen through the roof, it looks like it was made for demolition, to break rock. His head…" He looked directly at each of the Cullens. "He was decapitated." For Charlie's benefit he continued. "It was pretty clean. I don't think he suffered."

Bella's eyes were incredulous. Her voice was a panic-stricken snarl. "And you left him in there to burn?"

"Bella, I had to save the woman, she was alive. There was nothing to do for him. I can't get back in for his body. The fire is too out of control."

Bella's whole being vibrated with her rage. "You believe he's decapitated and you left him to burn!"

She knew none of the Cullens could go in and look for Carlisle, the risk of exposure was too high with the crowds of humans. If one of them tried, the Volturi would execute them all, including Carlisle if they managed to save him. It was impossible for them. Without a thought for her safety, she made her decision. She began to run toward the building. The Cullens couldn't use their vampiric speed to stop her. Jacob was likewise hindered by his own secrecy issues. Charlie couldn't catch her. As she neared the building a fireman grabbed her. She didn't hesitate, a sharp self-defense knee to the groin, and she was free and running again.

The Cullens, Charlie and Jacob watched in dread as she disappeared into the building.

Bella searched frantically. Her eyes burned and her lungs constricted. She made her way carefully through the rubble to the stairwell. She knew if she were hurt she would never get to Carlisle. There was no one else to help him. She had to make it.

She kept low, crawling up the stairs, holding her skirt over her mouth and nose to filter some of the heat and smoke. An ember landed on her sleeve, she tore it off before it caught. Once she was on the second floor, she ran towards the place Jacob had described.

As she entered the room, she tripped. She fell to her hands and knees. She was in control enough not to scream when she saw that the object she had tripped over wasn't an object. It was Carlisle's head. She reached out and picked it up; fighting panic and terror as a heavy sense of faintness tried to pull her under. She cradled her beloved vampire's head in her arms.

She crawled towards where she could see his feet peeking out from between the hotel bed and the window. It took her only a few seconds but those seconds stretched in her mind. It seemed like an eternity in the inferno before she made it to Carlisle's prone body.

When she reached him she wasted no time. Her adrenaline fueled muscles shifted the newly fallen debris off him in less than a minute. Jacob had already unburied him and moved him, to make sure he wasn't still alive. He lay on his back as if in some horrific headless repose.

She couldn't understand how Jacob didn't know that Carlisle could survive this injury, as long as he didn't burn. What good were the wolves if they didn't even understand their job? She briefly wondered if Laurent was still healing somewhere because the wolves had neglected to burn him.

In less time than it took her to wonder about the wolves, she was situated by Carlisle's freed shoulders, where some of his neck remained. Carefully, like a puzzle made of spun glass, she fixed his head to his body exactly as it had been. She held it in place and waited. She didn't have to wait long. Soon she no longer needed to support the connection. He was healing back together.

Knowing he didn't need a bandage, but ever mindful of the law of secrecy and the threat of the Volturi, she tore strips from the bottom of her ivory dress. She wrapped them around Carlisle's closed wound. The fire was spreading rapidly. She looked around for something sharp and found nothing. Her gaze settled on the window located on the only wall that wasn't ablaze. Ignoring the wind and the detritus that whipped in through the hole in the roof, she crawled the few inches to it. Pulling herself up by the sill, she broke it with her elbow. She was so intent on her mission that she didn't notice the strange figure glaring up at the window from the ground below. She picked up a shard of glass and took it back to Carlisle. She slit her wrist and bled on the makeshift bandage she had wound around his neck. She hoped this would explain away Jacob's idiocy.

A new fear gripped her heart when she heard another portion of the roof cave in. Carlisle had yet to awaken.

Charlie was struggling against the hold of Emmett Cullen and cursing at the top of his lungs. He was desperately trying to follow his daughter into the burning building. Alice was in front of him, her reasoning words were falling on deaf ears. His struggles ceased abruptly. Alice turned to see what he was looking at. She exclaimed in relief as she saw Carlisle coming around the building, his white coat flaring in the wind. He was cradling a clearly alive Bella in his arms. He moved quickly, but not quickly enough to arouse suspicion. Carlisle knelt near an ambulance. It was a safe distance from the fire, and it made a welcome barrier from the chaos that was all around them.

An ambulance crew converged on them. One person tried to coax Bella out of Carlisle's arms and onto a stretcher as another attempted to get close to Carlisle and look at his bandaged neck wound.

The authority in Carlisle's voice was unmistakable as he spoke to the white haired EMT who was trying to get to him and treat him. "Leave it, Myra." She backed off immediately; although, she gazed at him in disbelief. Carlisle's next words were spoken in his calm reassuring tone. "It's nothing, really. It's just a surface laceration."

"If you say so, Carlisle." She moved off and watched Carlisle and Bella. She clearly thought that she might still be needed.

The EMT who had failed to remove a shaking Bella from Carlisle was attempting to convince her to put a mask on.

Bella didn't try to hide her irritation at the interloper. "I don't need oxygen. I barely inhaled any smoke. I'm fine."

Carlisle could hear her lungs. They were clear enough.

His voice was warm and gentle as he spoke to Bella. "It's their job."

"I know that, and I'm sorry, but I don't care. I'm not getting on a stretcher. I'm not leaving you. I'm fine. You know that. Carlisle, make them leave us alone."

He looked at the young EMT. "Put the oxygen away, Larry."

"Are you sure, Dr. Cullen?"

"Have you ever known me to be unsure?"

"No, Dr. Cullen." He scurried to do as Carlisle ordered.

Bella's voice was hushed. "I almost lost you." Her tears of fear and relief flowed freely.

Carlisle smiled tenderly, his fingers leaving clear trails in the soot on Bella's face as they caressed her cheeks. "It's all right."

Bella put her arms around Carlisle's thin waist and lay her head on his chest. She clung to him with all of her strength. He smiled, wrapped his arms around her, and laid his cheek on the top of her head. His eyes closed.

Without changing his position, he spoke. "Myra, we have both refused care. Please bring the RMA forms."

"You should both be evaluated."

Carlisle's eyes opened and he looked directly at her, he spoke with quiet authority. "The RMAs, now please, Myra."

Carlisle signed the top form and handed it back. He moved his mouth to Bella's ear and whispered. "If you want them to leave us alone you need to sign this."

Bella raised her head. She took the form and pen from Carlisle. Her forearms, visible through tears in her sleeves, were as white as Carlisle's skin from the tightness with which she had held him.

After scribbling her name she rose to her feet. She turned to face the Cullens, her father and Jacob, who were making their way over to the couple. Carlisle followed her as she met them.

Jacob spoke first. "I'm so sorry. I thought you were decapitated." He stumbled for an excuse. He knew Carlisle had been decapitated. "You, uh, it was dark… and I, uh... I must have seen wrong. I thought you were, um, beyond help." His eyes became downcast and his voice was filled with apology and regret. "I really thought you were dead."

Carlisle heard Jacob but his eyes were on Bella. She stood in her flowing ivory dress that seemed to be a brilliant white in the night. Her long chestnut hair was blowing in the wind. The flames from the burning building were clearly reflected in her dark eyes. She looked like an avenging angel.

Before anyone realized what she was doing, she had her father's gun in her hand. The sound of her releasing the safety echoed clearly amidst the chaos. Her voice was sharp and deadly. She glared at Jacob. "You thought Carlisle was dead?"

"Yeah. Bella, come on, you know I wouldn't have left him if I hadn't. If I thought there was any hope for him..." Jacob had never seen her like this. He was obviously frightened. "Really, Bella, I thought he was dead."

Bella spoke in a deadly tone. "Well, you know what, Jacob?" She only paused briefly, she didn't want an answer. "I think that only silver bullets will kill you." She stepped up to Jacob and held her father's gun to his forehead.

"Bella, please…" Jacob begged.

No one dared move, except Carlisle. He stepped up against Bella's back. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. One of his large hands fanned out on her diaphragm, the other on her abdomen, holding as much of her as he could. His calm voice spoke soothingly into her ear. "Isabella, I am here. I am with you."

Her hand shook. She dropped the gun and turned in Carlisle's embrace. She reached up and wound her arms around his neck. "I wouldn't have hurt him."

Carlisle stroked her back, calming her. "I know, my beloved. I saw you remove the cartridge when you took the gun."

Carlisle and Bella didn't notice as everyone except Jacob and Rosalie looked down to see the cartridge lying on the ground beside Charlie. To them, the chaos around them disappeared. There was only awareness of each other.

Charlie frowned and bent down to retrieve the cartridge and his gun. He studied the scene around them. His eyes roved the entire area. Once he was sure that not one person had noticed anything during the few seconds when Bella had his gun, he sighed in relief. He returned his focus to his daughter and Carlisle.

Bella looked up into Carlisle's beautiful eyes. His hands trailed up her sides to her face. He smoothed her wayward hair back from her cheeks and neck. His love for her was undisguised in his eyes and soft smile.

"When Jacob told me you were in the burning building..." Bella's breath hitched. "You're okay. You're okay." She sobbed silently. "Oh God. Promise me that you're okay."

Carlisle's arms circled Bella's waist and pulled her body against his once again. He dropped his forehead down to rest on hers. His breath cooled her overheated face as he spoke. "I am perfectly fine. I promise." He kissed her forehead.

Bella spoke his name like a prayer. "Carlisle."

He kissed the apples of each of her cheeks.

"Carlisle." Bella's breathing was becoming easier, her sobs lessening.

Carlisle bent his head and placed a sweet lingering kiss on her lips. When he pulled back, Bella brought her hand up to caress his face. As she smoothed her hand over his cheekbone, the fire glinted off Carlisle's Cullen Crest ring that dwarfed her left ring finger.

At the choked sounds of shock and anger coming from Rosalie and Jacob, awareness of their surroundings began to seep into Carlisle and Bella. Their sighs of frustration were almost in unison. Carlisle straightened and took Bella's hand in both his. He looked at Rosalie. His tone brooked no argument. "Rosalie, silence."

Rosalie pressed her mouth into a tight thin line. She nodded curtly to Carlisle to indicate her acquiescence; although, her anger and disgust remained clear on her face.

Esme walked soundlessly up to Rosalie. She put her arm around her. She slowly steered her stiff form away from everyone, as she began to speak quietly to her.

Jacob made an angry spluttering sound when he saw Charlie's calm acceptance of the intimacy between Bella and Carlisle Cullen. Jacob's repulsion was apparent on his face and in his angry tone. "Bella? When? Why?"

The fire was back in Bella's eyes. This time it was from within rather than a reflection. "Jacob, don't. You have no right."

Jacob was clearly about to argue, but Bella didn't give him a chance.

"Go, Jacob. I can't talk to you right now. Please, just go."

Jacob's expression was a mixture of anger and pain. He stood still and stared at his best friend and the vampire that he had, before this revelation, no desire to kill. He had promised Bella that he would be her friend and stop attempting to pursue her romantically. Something that was easily said when he was not forced to see her in another man's arms.

Jacob's impulse was to barrage the good doctor with slurs. He refrained, he knew this vampire was not a bloodsucking leech. Instead, he opened his mouth to remind Bella that she was being touched by someone who was dead. Remembering the treaty, he stopped himself. He would accuse her of necrophilia when there weren't any humans to overhear. In his mind he admitted to himself that he would think Bella and Carlisle were a good match, if he didn't still desperately want her to be his. He did the only thing he could. He granted her request.

Jacob turned and ran off without another word. When he was deep enough into the woods so no one could hear him, he phased into his wolf form and released a tortured howl.

None of them noticed the malevolent eyes that had watched them closely.


AN:

If you are reading this, I'm amazed; and thankful.

It's all because we were cleaning out our store room. On a whim, we plugged in my old MacBook Pro. It works! I don't know how long it will work; but, it's good to be on a computer instead of a phone. It's the first time in over a year.