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


Like the last chapter, I have no beta or computer. I'm one finger typing on a small device. I promise you punctuation errors. There will probably be typos, as well. Let's blame them on autocorrect. (it's probably not autocorrect's fault, it's most likely my mistakes. Shhh...)


Chapter 22: Changes

"What is it, what's wrong?" Bella looked up from her laptop to see Jasper's worried face as he switched off the news. Bella had been sitting cross-legged on the sofa, absorbed in the remote work she'd been doing for MSF. She hadn't been paying any attention to the TV. Only Jasper's muttered curse drew her out of her work.

"It's nothing, Bella. I'm sorry I interrupted you."

In no time the other vampires in the house had overheard their conversation and joined them. Jasper looked around at the concerned faces. "There have been some killings in Spokane, Richmond, Ellensburg, and now Auburn. The news is blamin' animals. I doubt these people were attacked by animals. They weren't hikers." Jasper paused, when he resumed speaking there was a hint of Major Whitlock's military tone in his voice. "It's not obvious enough to draw the attention of the Volturi, yet. The killings seem isolated. There's no obvious connection between them. They have all occurred some distance apart. From the human perspective, they seem random. The assessment of animal attacks was accepted without further investigation by the local officials. That's how it usually is, with cases like this. The victims were people that won't be missed by anyone. So, the easy answer isn't questioned."

Esme's voice was soft and solemn, "You believe it's not animals attacking these people."

"That's right. As far apart in distance as they were, and with the number of attacks, I got to thinkin' there wasn't enough time between the killings for it to have been animals. Unless something mighty odd is going on with the wildlife. Animal attacks in this area ought to have more time in between them. There was something off, I wasn't sure what, but, of course, I had my suspicions."

Esme's lovely brow furrowed. "Nomads have made their way through Washington before, what about this has you so concerned?"

"I was fairly certain it wasn't animals. So, a couple of days ago I decided to hunt in the area of the attacks. After my hunting, I went to investigate the places where the first three attacks happened. I discovered more killings in their vicinities. I discovered killings in Pullman, Sunnyside, and Northbend too. But, these killings won't be on the news. There's nothing humans can see, of course, but it was clear to me. These victims weren't human, I found traces of the remains of vampires. I figure they were probably the ashes of the vampires that did the human killings. Now, there's another human reported dead. I'm wondering if another one of our kind will follow. "

Bella spoke from her place on the sofa. She'd been almost as still as a vampire since the conversation began. "You think vampires are killing humans, and then someone is killing those vampires?"

Jasper sounded sure of himself. "That's exactly what I think."

"Maybe it's Buffy The Vampire Slayer." Emmett's joke did not cause its intended effect. The tension was not broken. "Sorry," Emmett mumbled.

Rosalie sent Emmett a censuring glare, then turned her attention back to Jasper. "We don't kill humans, so whoever this is won't know we're here."

"Unless they already know we're here, and the vampires they've already killed were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Bella ran a hand through her hair, a nervous gesture. The room was silent, everyone was tense, waiting for the rest of Jasper's assessment.

Slowly, each word dropping like the first stones of a devastating rockfall, Jasper continued. "I'm also wondering why all the killings seem to be going east to west..." Jasper looked at each face in turn before continuing. "Headed right towards us."

Unlike her usual soft-spoken self, Esme voiced what they were all thinking in one form or another. "Damn."


Carlisle, Alice and Edward were hunting. They'd run into the wilds of southern Canada. It was always good to take game from various areas unless there was overpopulation in one place. They were sitting together on a moist log, laughing and talking, satisfied with their meals. Edward had two large wildcats. They had been easy hunts. Carlisle had drunk an enormous elderly moose. He was always happiest if his prey was nearing the end of its natural life. Alice, on the other hand, had fought a bear. She'd chosen the strongest most aggressive opponent she could find. She was venting her frustration over Carlisle and Bella's encore wedding being finished. She was pleased with her success, but it was extremely rare for her to be given carte blanche over the planning and execution of an event. She knew it would be a while before she had total autonomy again. She did get her way, for the most part, in any Cullen family event from the smallest to the grandest in scale. However, she always had to take others tastes and preferences into account in her planning; and usually, the family gave her their opinions and even tried to reign her in. Sometimes they succeeded, a bit. For Carlisle and Bella's encore wedding she had been allowed complete control. She knew that wasn't likely to happen again, at least not any time soon. She had been in her element, and she'd loved it. Now, with nothing left to plan and see-through, she felt out of sorts and frustrated. It left her the vampire equivalent of fidgety, even after her hunt.

Suddenly, Alice went completely still. Carlisle and Edward exchanged a slightly concerned look. They both knew Alice was about to have a vision.

When Alice relaxed, and came back from her vision, Edward spoke before she could. He rose to his feet in one fluid movement as he spoke, obviously ready to run. His voice had an edge to it. "Carlisle, we need to go home."

Carlisle put a hand on Edward's arm to stop him from taking off. His beautiful eyes turned to Alice, his voice was soft, his English accent even more prevalent than usual. "What did you see? Is it something we should know about?" Carlisle never demanded that Alice share the content of her visions. He wouldn't presume it was his right to know her thoughts.

Edward rolled his eyes. He'd seen Alice's vision. It wasn't imminent, there was time for Carlise's niceties, but he hadn't the patience for them.

"I don't know what to make of it," Alice answered Carlisle. "It was outside our house. You were talking to, arguing with, a vampire. Someone I don't know. No, that's not right. It wasn't an argument, not really. The vampire was livid, shouting; you looked more upset than angry. Whatever it was, it was intense. Really intense. This vampire was so mad, it looked like he wanted to kill you. I could only make out one word, a woman's name. You said a woman's name, Carlisle. Joan."

Edward interjected. "Let's go!"

Alice looked up at Edward. "You saw my vision. You know there was ice on the ground. It could be late fall, winter, or even spring; but, there's no ice right now. I can't even be certain of the year."

Edward huffed.

Carlisle looked up at Edward's impatient form. Their pleasant trip was clearly over. "We'll go, Edward, but there's no rush."


The hunting party arrived home to find the rest of the family seated around the living room. Rosalie looked aggravated, and Emmet seemed to be fighting nervous excitement. Esme was calm, a bit too calm, it seemed forced. Jasper's expression was rigid, he looked deeply worried, and Bella sat toying with her dinner, but not eating.

It took only the blink of an eye, and Alice was kneeling beside Jasper, his hands in hers. "What's going on?"

Jasper's attractive deep drawl filled the hunting party in on the news, and his investigations into it. When he was finished, Alice told the others about her vision. When she ended her story with the name Carlisle spoke in her vision, Jasper's head snapped to Carlisle. Although he and Alice hadn't joined the Cullens until nineteen-fifty, Jasper was the only one Carlisle had told about a woman he'd known named Joan. He'd never mentioned Joan to Edward, Esme, Rosalie, or Emmett, even at the time he knew her. Carlisle and Jasper shared an unspoken moment. Jasper didn't mention his exclusive knowledge. He trusted Carlisle to tell the others if they needed to be told.

Discussions lasted well into the night. Everyone had many speculations; but, no one, not even Alice, could come up with a likely hypothesis.

Bella had nodded off around one in the morning, when everyone was rehashing, for the umpteenth time, ideas that no one could find facts to confirm. In the end, they all agreed there was nothing they could do now. They would keep alert, Alice would watch, and they would wait.


Bella awoke to find Carlisle looking at her, a serious expression on his face. She sat up a bit, to discover that her husband had put her in her cotton knit, eyelet nightshirt. Her old favorite for its softness and prettiness. Carlisle indicated her nightstand. "I brought you some breakfast." On a tray, she saw her favorite cold cereal, a creamer full of milk, fruit, a muffin, and iced coffee. Carlisle plucked a strawberry out of the bowl and popped it into her open mouth. His serious tone matched his expression. "The others went out. To give us privacy. From the grin on Emmett's face, there was no doubt as to why; but, there's something I need to tell you about."

Bella swallowed the strawberry and looked speculatively at Carlisle. "Okay, shoot."

Carlisle chuckled at her vernacular. His expression softened at the trust he saw in Bella's eyes. "There was a woman, in the late nineteen-thirties." Carlisle paused to gauge Bella's reaction. It was neutral.

Bella gave him a small encouraging smile. "I knew that you weren't a virgin, like me, when we got married."

Carlisle looked supremely uncomfortable. "Yes, Isabella, you did, but you didn't know any of the details. I'm afraid I need to burden you with some details now."

Bella smiled. "Okay, tell me about Joan. Then, Jasper and I will both know."

Carlisle was taken aback. His young human bride had been more observant than all the vampires in the room the previous night. "Jasper doesn't know much, only that we were..." it took Carlisle less than a second to come up with a term he hoped would suffice. He didn't want Bella to mistake his relationship with Joan for one involving love. He had considered using 'friends with benefits', but he and Joan weren't even friends when they started their liaisons. "Sex partners." Carlisle cringed. Once he said it, he didn't like that term either.

"I can't imagine you being so cold, Carlisle." Bella's tone was softly admonishing. "You can tell me."

"I wasn't cold towards Joan, per se..." Carlisle struggled to put it into words. He had thought about it all night and believed he had found exactly what he wanted to say. Now that the time was here, none of it seemed right, and he found himself struggling anew. "We had an arrangement." Carlisle rushed to clarify. "Not a business arrangement, there were no payments..."

Bella wrapped her arms around Carlisle and nestled her head in his chest. "Just tell me, it's okay I promise. Start at the beginning. Where did you meet Joan?"

Carlisle looked at Bella, wonder and admiration shining in his beautiful eyes. "Joan was a widow. A refugee of sorts. She had gone to great lengths to get herself and her twelve-year-old son out of the Third Reich. She would have done anything to get her son out of the youth program he was essentially forced to join. She made the trip from Germany to the United States in nineteen thirty-nine. She found work in the hospital where I was working at the time, in Seattle."

Bella raised her head slightly. "But, you lived in Hoquiam."

Carlisle smiled. "Yes, we did. It was around the time we made the treaty with the Quileutes. Unbeknownst to the tribe, I worked in Seattle General Hospital. It was only just over a hundred miles if you followed the roads, I usually ran as the crow flies, so it was even closer for me. The trip there and back didn't take much time."

"Was she a pretty young nurse?" Bella asked, forcing a teasing tone into her voice. She was beginning to feel the first stirrings of irrational insecurity within. She quashed them.

Carlisle had picked up on her feelings and held her tighter. "No, she wasn't a nurse. She worked as a medical cleaner. That was the fancy term the hospital used for someone who wasn't a nurse; but, helped the nurses by mopping up all the blood, vomit, and whatever else was needed. One day I was taking a break, as I often did, for appearance's sake. I chose to spend this break outside rather than in the doctor's lounge. Joan was outside on a break too. We got to talking. Soon, we were spending all our breaks together. I learned a lot of things first-hand from someone who lived in Germany in the thirties. I found it fascinating. Human nature and societies are so complex, I'd never heard of anything quite like the one Joan escaped. Joan, due to my vampiric nature I'm sure, found me interesting too. One evening we found ourselves leaving the hospital at the same time. I offered to walk her home. When we got there she invited me in to meet her son, Kurt. Instead of Kurt, she found a note saying he was spending the night at his best friend William's house. She said this wasn't unusual. Both boys were usually at her house or William's house."

Bella was perplexed. "If she'd fled Germany alone with her son, and worked as a cleaner, how did she afford a house?"

Carlisle laughed. "You astonish me, Isabella." Carlisle kissed the top of her head. "I expected you to be angry, maybe even a bit jealous, instead, you are as curious as ever. How did I ever find such an amazing woman?" Carlisle kissed her again and answered her. "Joan was not a poor widow. She could never have made it to the US if she was. When she got here, she had enough left to buy her modest house. It was in a safe, but not rich neighborhood. Once she got herself and her son settled in, her excess money was almost gone. She didn't have enough left for day to day life expenses and Kurt's schooling. She chose to work for what they needed to live on, and put the rest of her money away, for her son's education.

"Okay, now I have to ask what she looked like." Bella smiled up at Carlisle.

"Joan was a fairly pretty woman. She was plump. All German women were encouraged to be at that time, it was thought that plump women could handle childbirth and motherhood better than thin women. The propaganda of those days, came right out and said that women were for childbearing and motherhood, that was all their life should be centered on."

"Pretty isn't much Carlisle, tell me more. Paint a picture of her for me." Bella's tone wasn't commanding, but Carlisle complied.

"In the hospital, Joan wore a uniform. A serviceable grey dress. At home, she wore clothes she'd brought with her. Mostly, simple skirts, blouses, vests, that sort of thing. I really don't pay much attention to the details of fashion. It frustrates Alice terribly." Carlisle paused, as if waiting for a reaction.

Bella disappointed him. She merely asked him to tell her more.

"Let's see... Joan wore her blond hair up. She had bright blue eyes, a nose that turned up slightly, and once she trusted someone, she had an easy smile." Carlisle laughed. "Think of the opposite of Rosalie in that time. I don't think Joan had ever touched makeup in her life. Not that she needed it."

"She sounds very pretty," Bella commented, without malice. Carlisle didn't confirm or deny Bella's statement. Which couldn't have made it clearer that he thought Joan was very pretty.

Carlisle stroked Bella's hair and continued. "That evening, Joan kissed me. With the note from her son still in her hand, she just walked right up to me. She stood on her toes, which wasn't enough, she wasn't tall; so, she reached up, pulled me down and kissed me. I was shocked. That was bold and unexpected. After the brief kiss, we sat at her table and talked. We came to an arrangement. We would be lovers with no strings attached. She wasn't ever going to love anyone but her late husband, and I did not love her, but we were both lonely."

A slight tinge of disbelief made its way into Bella's voice. "You were lonely, but you didn't want love? That doesn't sound like you, Carlisle."

"I never said I didn't want love. I wanted love, very much. I'd been waiting for love for centuries, and I still had some more decades to wait for you. What I said was, I was lonely, but I did not love Joan. We gave each other physical contact, sexual release, nothing more. At least not at first. It wasn't long before we were friends of a sort too; we didn't have anything in common, but, we could discuss the hospital and world events. It was pleasant, but it was never love."

"Okay." Bella clearly believed him. "What happened with you and Joan?"

"We kept on like that. It was a good arrangement for both of us. Then, on the thirtieth of December, in nineteen forty, she had a day off. Kurt was on holiday from school, he was spending the night at his friend's place; so, I was to come to her house after I got finished working at the hospital. When I got to her home, I entered, using the key she had given me for these occasions. I was only a few feet in when I saw her. She was crumpled on the floor, paler than I am. Her blue eyes were open and lifeless, her clothes soaked with her blood. Of course, I ran to her, but I was too late to help in any way, she'd been gone for a while. She had been completely exsanguinated. I knew a vampire had killed her. I decided to look around, in case the vampire was still near. I found the back door completely broken in, but nothing more. The vampire must have surprised her, there were no signs of a struggle, not that there would have been anything she could have done. Then I heard a sound, it was so quiet I could barely hear it. I couldn't tell what it was. Hoping I'd been mistaken about Joan, I ran back to her, not bothering to hide my vampiric abilities. I took her in my arms, but I had been right, she was long gone. As I held her, my face ended up near her vicious gaping bite wounds. That's when Kurt came in the door. That's how he found me. I knew he must have thought I'd hurt, killed, his mother.

"I had to think of the family. I realized if Kurt spoke of what he was seeing no one would believe him if there was no evidence. I cleaned and repaired Joan's house at vampiric speed, allowing Kurt to watch me. If he accused me, seeing this would only make his story seem more ludicrous. I left no trace that the forensics of nineteen-forty could find. I whisked Joan's body out, leaving Kurt there. He was shocked, but in no physical danger. I hid Joan's body in the hospital. I had to make sure nothing could be traced to me. I used my vampiric persuasion on several colleagues and some patients who would now believe that they had been with me. I had solid alibis, respectable witnesses for my entire day and night if Kurt accused me. When I was through building my alibis I retrieved Joan's body from where I had hidden her in the hospital. In seclusion, I cleaned her, wrapped her wounds, and dressed her in her favorite outfit. I shrouded her body and buried her in her church's graveyard. Kurt did accuse me of killing her. He had recently read Bram Stoker's Dracula and insisted that is how his mother died, a vampire had killed her. So many upstanding people had said they were with me at the time Kurt swore he saw me killing his mother, that I was never a suspect. Joan's disappearance remained a mystery. The only thing that came of it was a brief stint in an asylum for Kurt. In that day it would have been common to keep him locked in the asylum for life. I couldn't let that happen to Joan's boy. After some more vampiric persuasion, they decided he was just a confused boy who was missing his mother, and who'd read too many scary monster stories. They deemed him no danger to himself or others. He was released to his best friend William's family. William's family raised him as their own. Joan's savings put Kurt through Harvard. What I did at the hospital, to protect our family, and at the asylum to help Kurt, are the only ways I believe vampiric persuasion should ever be used; for protection, and in such a way that it harms no one. Even then, I believe it should only be a last resort."

"Carlisle." Bella reached up and caressed his cheek. She was overwhelmed with love for her new husband. "That took so much strength and courage. You ensured your family's safety. You cared for Joan's body, rather than simply incinerate it at the hospital, as you so easily could have. You put off grief and anger until your friend's son's future was safe. You are incredible."

Carlisle smiled indulgently. "I'm glad you think so, but I only did what had to be done."

Bella looked concerned. "I wish you'd shared the whole story with Jasper. He could have helped."

"I had already made peace with it all by the time Jasper joined us. I only ever mentioned it to him at all because..." Carlisle trailed off.

"Because..." Bella prompted.

Carlisle looked embarrassed. "I told Jasper to... I... Isabella, please don't make me say it."

Bella sat bolt upright. She looked Carlisle straight in the face. "You two were bragging about, what, female conquests?" Bella's tone was appalled.

"I know, it was shameful of me." Carlisle put his head in his hands. He looked up when he felt the bed shaking.

Bella was rolling around in fits of silent laughter. When she saw Carlisle looking, her laughter became audible.

"Isabella, what on earth are you laughing about?" Carlisle was confused.

"You..." She had to hold her sides. It was a struggle to get the words out through her gales of laughter. "You... You and... the... The... Southern gentleman... Comparing notes."

Carlisle didn't know what to make of Bella's reaction. Instead of trying to figure it out, he took action. The rest of their alone time lived up to Emmett's expectations, and then some.


The family came home, arms laden with boxes and bags to find the newlyweds in the kitchen. Bella was perched on a high stool by the counter and Carlisle was leaning against it, hand feeding her from a charcuterie board replete with many varieties of dips, nuts, meats, cheeses, crackers, vegetables, herbs, and fruits.

Alice's voice rang out like the pleasant tinkling of well tuned wind chimes. "Lunchtime for the human." She smiled affectionately at the pair at the counter.

Carlisle laughed. "What's all this, Alice."

Alice turned up her nose and marched out the back door, still carrying her parcels. "Never you mind, Carlisle."

Jasper smiled indulgently at his wife's back as she was disappearing from sight. "For once, all this wasn't Alice's idea."

Rosalie smiled. "It was Emmett's."

As she passed through with an armload Esme contributed. "But, we were all conscripted."

Edward laughed. "And a good thing too. Emmett's idea needed some refining, and the women's touches."

Carlisle looked at Emmett. "What is it?"

"You'll see." Emmet called back over his shoulder as he was disappearing at vampiric speed.

Edward slapped Carlisle on the shoulder on his way out. "Just stay clear for a while. It will ruin it for them if you catch them working."

Carlisle shook his head indulgently. "Whatever you say. We're headed to Charlie"s after lunch anyway." Carlisle took a deep drink from his glass of blood.

Esme reappeared as if out of thin air. Her hands empty now, she clasped them in front of her. "Would you like me to come with you? Maybe I could be of help, clean up the house for Charlie or something."

Carlisle responded absently as he packed up the remains of Bella's charcuterie tray. "We're just dropping this food off for Charlie, we won't be staying." Carlisle indicated the large pile of containers he was placing in a canvas bag. There was some of everything left, enough for several people.

Esme's face brightened. "Why don't I do it for you? It'll save you the stop on the way to wherever you're going."

Bella spoke. "We're headed to meet Billy Black in upper Queets Valley. It should be deserted there now."

Carlisle looked contemplative. "I suggested we meet somewhere more public, so he would feel safer with me, but he declined."

All thevelation wasvgone from Esme's face now, her voice sounded worried. "You won't be protected under the treaty there."

Carlisle smiled softly. "Neither will he."

Esme was still concerned. "He will have wolves with him."

Carlisle nodded. "I expect he will. Nevertheless, I will meet with him in good faith, and I believe the same of his intentions."

"You should bring us all." At the look on Carlisles face her tone turned almost pleading. "At least take Emmett."

"I'm sorry, Esme. I told him Bella and I would come alone."

Esme was flabbergasted. "He asked you to go there alone! Carlisle, can't you see—"

Bella cut across Esme, something she wouldn't normally do. "No, he didn't."

Esme turned her attention to Bella. "This meeting was set up through me. Billy did not ask that Carlisle come alone. However, Billy and I both thought that a group of vampires and a pack of wolves glaring at each other would not be conducive to any discussion. It's only going to be me with Carlisle and Billy will only have Jacob with him"

"What does he want?" Esme was clearly suspicious.

Bella sighed. "To talk with Carlisle. He wouldn't say what he wanted to talk about."

Esme pressed on. "Bella, your dad told me how Mr. Black reacted when we moved back. He told me how his best friend Billy feels about Carlisle. They had a falling out over it, Charlie likes and admires Carlisle. It's Billy Black's doing that the tribe are so distrustful."

Carlisle's soft voice reentered the conversation. "Esme, they came to my wedding to a human. They watched me marry Charlie Swan's daughter. They celebrated with us. There was no trouble."

Esme sighed. "Im not going to change your mind. Just, please stay alert. Be careful. If you are attacked by wolves try to stay in the treetops. If you aren't home when you should be, we'll all come."

Bella spoke, the voice of reason. "Why don't we call you when we get to the meeting site; then, we'll call when we are back in the car, driving home, so you'll know any potential danger has passed."

"Thank you, Bella. That will help." Esme smiled at Bella gratefully. "She picked up the packaged food. "In the meantime, while I know you are still safe, I'll just run this over to your dad."


Carlisle pulled Emmett's lifted Jeep Wrangler in beside an elderly Ford Tempo. Before Bella had time to unbuckle her seatbelt, Carlisle was by her passenger side, waiting to lift her down. He gracefully extracted Bella from the Jeep and set her down. He reached into the small back of the off-road monster and retrieved a full backpack. He affixed this to Bella and kissed her hand. "Ready?" Carlisle smiled.

Bella returned his smile and nodded. Instead of grabbing her and slinging her around, the way Edward used to, Carlisle knelt before her, facing away. She put her arms around his neck, and he stood fluidly, his arms securing Bella to him. Providing her with a secure and comfortable spot for what, at Carlisle's full vampiric speed, might stretch to a five-minute hike. However, Carlisle moved at a pace somewhat closer to a human"s; so Bella could appreciate the untamed wilderness surrounding them,

They headed down the steep bank, beside where they parked. They were almost immediately met by a sandy trail that quickly led them to a waist-deep river ford. Preferring to keep Bella dry, Carlisle lept easily over it. They landed softly, at the beginning of a trail on the other side. Carlisle began hiking between towering spruce trees that were interspersed with occasional maples. The moss was as thick as Bella had ever seen. The trees cleared to reveal a field full of blackberry bushes. Bella wished they were in season. She imagined herself sitting amongst them, warm sun filtering in as she ate. Perhaps an elk would join her. She was pulled out of her fanciful thoughts when they came to the river again. This spot showcasing a gravel bar. She knew Charlie would love to fish here. For a second she thought of bringing him, before realizing he'd have to hike it himself, he couldn't ride as she was. She smiled to herself. Luckily, Charlie wasn't clumsy like her, she thought he could probably hike here. Carlisle slowed, they almost strolled through a section densely populated with hemlocks and smaller ferns, now showing the signs of approaching winter. That lovely part of the hike broke all too soon, only to reveal Bear Creek, where Billy and Jacob Black sat, waiting for them.

Bella had been quiet on the hike in, it gave Carlisle nothing to do but think about what Billy Black might want and why he'd refused to meet anywhere but the late autumn wilderness where they would be utterly alone for miles around. As he saw Jacob and Billy his tense thoughts eased. He'd allowed Esme to get to him. He knelt and Bella stood up. Carlisle reached around her and relieved her of her backpack. She reached in an outside pocket and took out her phone, praying for a signal, so Esme wouldn't panic and show up with the whole family. She couldn't get a strong enough signal.

Carlisle held out his hand. "Allow me."

Bella gave him the phone. He looked at the Blacks. "Please, excuse me a moment. We promised to call and let the family know we made it here easily." In a flash, Carlisle was at the top of the tallest tree near them. Out from under any interference with a cell signal. He was clearly heard speaking three words. 'We're here,' and, 'yes'. The whole thing had taken less than half a minute.

Billy was seated in his wheelchair, Jacob stood beside him. Carlisle handed the phone back to Bella and inclined his head in greeting. "Mr. Black."

"Dr. Cullen." Billy nodded in return.

Carlisle turned to Jacob. "Jacob, how are you?"

Jacob looked exasperated. "I'm fine, how are you? Really? Can we drop the small talk and just get this over?"

Bella smiled at Jacob as he sank down to sit on the ground, heedless of the cold and damp. Bella was warmly bundled, a stark contrast to Jacobs shorts and tee.

Jacob had brought a camp chair for Bella. She sat in it, as Carlisle sat on a cold, mossy boulder beside her. It was easy for her to imagine Jacob carrying his dad here with the chairs strapped to his back.

No one spoke. After a few moments of tense silence, Bella decided it was enough. She looked at Jacob's father, neutrality evident in her tone. "So, Billy, what's up; why are we here?"

Billy gave Bella a tight smile and focused on Carlisle. "Your woman speaks for you?"

Carlisle looked at Bella and smiled, when his regard turned back to Billy, he spoke definitively. "Isabella speaks for herself, and, yes, at times she speaks for both of us. My wife is my partner, my equal." Pride and love were evident in his amber eyes.

Billy nodded, seeming satisfied with Carlisle's response. "I would want nothing less for Charlie's daughter. "I asked you here today so we might consider amending the treaty you made with Ephraim. Sam and the council are aware of the proposals we are here to discuss. They have agreed to allow Jacob and me to discuss this with you and make the final decisions. If we should come to more agreements today the entire tribe will be bound to compliance and we expect your entire... Family to be bound as well."

A moment passed before Carlisle responded. "I am willing to discuss whatever you wish; but, I can not speak for my family. If the treaty is altered in any major way, I will need to get my family's approval before agreeing to it. You were able to speak with and be given authority by your council, your elders, your family, and your tribe. I had no idea why you asked for this meeting, so I could not get the authority from my family to make decisions for them. They will need to be consulted."

Bella fearing things were about to take a negative turn, interjected. "Perhaps, if you and Carlisle agree to anything, he could call the others to consult with them, so you don't have to wait."

"Awesome, Bella." Jacob looked at his father. "That'd work, wouldn't it?"

"I can agree to that," Billy said gracelessly.

Carlisle considered for a brief moment. He would much rather discuss any treaty changes in person with his family before agreeing to them. "That could work, depending on what we decide here today. What changes to the treaty see you thinking about. What would you like to add?"

Jacob grinned. "It's not so much adding, as subtracting."

Carlisle was intrigued. "Yes?"

Billy sat up straighter in his chair. "After Bella's skating accident I watched you work in a hospital. I became convinced that you are safe with living humans. I had heard of your work, of course; but, to see it with my own eyes gave me a better understanding of your way of living. I will admit that I wanted to be even more sure before coming here today. I have had you looked into even further. In all the time you've worked in the hospital here there have been no cases of unexplained death by blood loss. The few cases had valid reasons, and multiple witnesses to the deaths, also the lost blood was visibly accountable."

Jacob's tone was a matter of fact. "So, that made dad more suspicious and he used tribal funds to have other places you've worked checked out. He only got the same answers."

Carlisle was obviously appalled. His tone was intense, his golden eyes hard. "Doctor-patient confidentiality, HIPPA clearly states—"

Jacob interrupted. "Chill. The names, addresses, birth dates, socials; all identifying information on all the patients was redacted." No one but Billy noticed how very pleased with himself Jacob looked.

Billy gave Jacob a sideways glance before continuing. Then focused on Carlisle. "You have been married to Bella for over a month, and she remains safe. This is very convincing in itself, I am sure, about you, Carlisle Cullen." it was plain that this was not an easy change in beliefs for Billy. "Jacob has assured me that even your weakest family member has been safe in a school full of human children every day for years."

"Jasper, his name is Jasper," Bella informed Billy. "And he has been in schools for decades. When I was in the hospital after my ice skating incident, Jasper proved that he would never hurt anyone, even in a hospital full of exposed human blood."

"Yes, Bella, I know that too." Billy nodded.

Jacob grinned. "So, I was thinking, this whole, 'no trespassing' thing could be changed to you being allowed on our land as long as you let us know you're coming." Jacob grinned at Bella. "It's not part of the treaty, but dad can encourage our people to go to the hospital if they absolutely need things that can only be done in a hospital. After all, he convinced them not to go, he can convince them to go just as well. Our tribal clinic, if you can even call it a clinic, is one room in the back of Emil's house. It has band-aids and some stuff like that. It isn't up to doing much. People are suffering pretty badly since dad told them to stop going to the hospital." Jacob shifted, his expression was less certain now. Jacob looked squarely at Carlisle. "For simple things, for routine things, dad thought maybe you could hold a clinic on the rez to treat us." Without it being spoken, everyone present realized this was so Carlisle's patients would be guarded by the wolves. Unlikely though he knew it was, apparently, Billy still believed that an accident was not a complete impossibility. "Not in Emily's house, though. We'd find a place for you."

Billy spoke quietly and seriously. "If you agree to see to our tribe's medical needs, we would make a concession,"

Jacob jumped to his feet, clearly agitated.

"Son." Jacob looked at Billy, his expression revealing that he knew what his father was about to say, that they'd already had this conversation, many times. "As the treaty stands, if Bella chooses to become like her husband, she can. The only consequence is that the Cullens, and Bella, could never come to this area again. do She can become like them and just leave here and never come back, is that what you want?"

Jacob didn't answer, instead, he threw himself back to his seated position on the ground. Anger radiating from him.

"Jake." Bella looked into Jacobs's eyes. "Jake, you know the Volturi will kill me if I'm not changed. I've told you about them. No human can know about vampires, it's one of the few laws. It is always punished by death. No exceptions. The Volturi, they know Carlisle and I are married. They know that I know. It's become a vampire or die, for me."

Jacob's shoulders slumped. "I know. It doesn't mean I like it."

Billy looked at Carlisle gravely. "We would allow you to change humans into vampires, into members of your none-human-killing family, if they give fully informed consent and agree to never harm a human. This stipulation applies to you alone. No other member of your family can change a human. I know of your beliefs, Carlisle Cullen. You will not change a human without giving it serious thought."

Carlisle looked solemn. "What, exactly, are the terms of the amendments to the treaty? I do not want to leave room for any misunderstandings."

Billy nodded in approval. "The first, most important part of the treaty is unchanged. No member of your family will harm a human."

"You know that's what I offered to Ephraim. It's a promise we keep without a treaty." Carlisle's face and tone were as solemn as Billy's.

Billy nodded in acceptance of Carlisle's words, "For the times you are living in Washington State, you will provide medical care for our tribe, free of charge."

"I can only agree to that for times when I am available. For instance, if I am performing surgery, or just working at the hospital; or if I am out of town for some reason, I will not be able to treat your people. In those instances, you must come to the hospital. It would be my honor to provide to your tribe a fund to cover any medical expense that I cannot provide at your fund would cover anything that needs to be done in any hospital, as well as medication, and equipment. Whether I am the providing doctor or not." At the look on Billy's face, Carlise hastened to continue. "This is not charity. This is recompense for what you and your people suffer due to our presence." Carlisle's tone was uncompromising.

Billy nodded in understanding and acceptance. He knew Carlisle referred to the resurgence of the wolves and the complications that caused. "We do not expect you to be available at our call. One day a week, or two mornings or afternoons instead, at our clinic, when you are in town and available, should be more than enough time for you to treat the simple, routine, or chronic needs of our people. Any other time, or for any urgent care, I will advise the ill or injured person to go to the hospital. Your offer is fair. We will accept your medical fund for as long as your presence causes our people to change." Billy looked at Bella. "Any vampire member of your family must tell us in advance if they plan to visit our treaty-protected lands. Last, you alone, Carlisle Cullen, may transform a human into a vampire with their fully informed consent and their oath to never harm a human."

"That all sounds reasonable." Carlisle's voice had lost some of its solemn tension.

Billy's voice was slightly wary. "Are there any changes you would ask for?"

Carlise's smile was genuine. "I think you have given to us rather than taking anything away from us, from me. You know how important my work is to me. All I want to do is help. You are giving me more opportunities to be of help. I thank you for that. I can't be anything but grateful that you will allow us to be here once I have made Bella a vampire." Carlisle unconsciously sent Bella a brief loving gaze. "I have no plans to change anyone else, but it's a comfort to know I have your consent should the need ever arise. As you have only asked things that apply directly to me, or that allow my family more freedom, I am willing to agree without consulting them."

Billy withdrew folded papers from his inner jacket pocket and handed them to Carlisle. Carlisle read them quickly. They did not go into specifics. They simply said, we, the undersigned, understand and agree to abide by the verbal alterations made in the treaty today between William Black Jr. and Carlisle Cullen MD. Carlisle took out his pen. He signed both copies and handed them back to Billy. Billy signed both copies. They were then passed to the two witnesses, Jacob and Bella, signed to attest that they understood what was agreed to today between the two signatories, and they witnessed the signatures. Billy looked at all the signatures and dates; then, handed a copy to Carlisle. The tribe's copy he returned to his inner jacket pocket.

Billy extended his hand to Carlisle. Carlisle took it, a new era of more trust between them had begun.


Thank you for the welcome back, and for the reviews!


If anyone knows a beta reader I need one.

I do reread my chapters, but I miss things.

I don't like posting imperfect chapters.