Not Completely Over

Embry frowned as he jogged down the path to Sam and Emily's house. He had a feeling there was something more. That the situation hadn't fully been handled when they killed the vampire. He slept fitfully and his thoughts were never far off from Mara. Even though they had spoken as soon as she got back and again that morning, there was a near constant worry flowing through him for her safety.

"What's going on?" Embry asked as soon as he walked in, seeing Rosalie, Emmett, Cecily and Demetri in the kitchen with Jacob and Sam. All wearing grim looks.

"There were two," Jacob said, frowning.

"But how? We only had one scent. What's more, how could you miss this?" Embry nearly shouted, glaring at Demetri. "Something wrong with your skills?"

"Relax," Sam said. "We all missed it." Embry just shook his head.

"I did not lose my so-called skills," Demetri said. "It would appear that these two were… gifted on their own." Embry was confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Identical scents. Identical registers," Demetri said. "It's why we did not know until now that there will two. I am not sure if they were both in on the killings or if one used the other as a scapegoat."

"How did you figure this out?" Embry asked.

"After we took care of the one in the woods, I picked up the same register, which should not have been possible since we had just killed him," Demetri said. "I started to follow him, but I see why you were unable to catch him. He is rather gifted in slipping away."

"So, it's not over?" Embry asked. "Is he still here?"

"No, we haven't found any trace around here," Jacob said. "We're hoping that since we killed the first one, the other won't come back. But we're going to have to keep a lookout for the time being."

"We're staying for a bit longer just in case," Rosalie added. "Demetri and Cess are going to go after him." Embry nodded as he sat down, taking in the information. Perhaps he wouldn't come back.

He then thought to the night on the beach. The way the vampire had smelled Mara. His eyes widened. What if they had killed the wrong one? What if the other was now tracking Mara back to Seattle?

"What is it?" Cecily asked.

"Mara," Embry said, looking at Jacob and Sam. "What if the vampire at the beach… what if it wasn't the one we killed?"

"You need to go to Mara," Jacob said. "Now." Embry nodded as he jumped to his feet and started towards the door.

"I should go with him," Demetri said. "We can find him faster with me there."

"Go," Jacob said.

"I'm coming too," Cecily added.

"We need to hurry."

Mara shook out her hair as she walked into the kitchen from her garage. It had been pouring all day and the storm only seemed to pick up as the sun fell behind the horizon.

Even though the story in Forks hadn't turned out to be a serial, Richard still seemed happy with her work and had already gotten her started on a few more stories. She had stayed late at the office, getting in some research and plotting out where she needed to go tomorrow.

She was wet, cold and exhausted, but she couldn't help but smile to herself as she pulled off her raincoat and hung it up. Embry would be coming up tomorrow night and then they would have two full days together. Thankfully after the storm blew through, they were set to have good weather all weekend so they could spend most of the time outdoors.

Mara hummed as she walked over and plugged in her phone to the charger she kept in the kitchen. She then walked over to the fridge and opened it, staring at the mostly empty shelves.

"Dammit," she muttered. "Should have stopped by the store… I'll go tomorrow… Looks like it's takeout tonight…"

"Such a lovely home you have."

Mara froze, her eyes widening as she recognized the voice. But it couldn't be. Embry said they had killed him. The vampire was gone. Breathing heavily, she slowly straightened and shut the door before turning around.

Standing in the living room in front of her TV was the man from the beach, grinning at her. In the light of the living room, Mara saw for the first time that his eyes were a brilliant red. It was off-putting.

"You're supposed to be dead," she said, quickly going through all her options for getting out of the house or at least away from the man. She wished Embry would have told her more about vampires and their abilities, though she assumed he must be fast if he could outrun the pack. She took a tentative step towards the French doors at the back of her house. He chuckled.

"Ah, yes. Your friends, the wolves. Seems they killed my idiot brother," he said smoothly. "He was never all that smart." Mara frowned.

"But… how…"

She was genuinely curious, but at the same time was stalling until she could figure out a way out to safety.

"Right… how did I manage to trick the dogs? To be honest, I didn't know that Thomas would come after me, but when I noticed him snooping around, I decided to use it to my advantage," the man said. "We're identical twins. In life we shared the same DNA and in immortality, we apparently shared the same scent. The same essence. Near impossible to tell us apart."

"So, you were the one who killed all those people in Forks?" she asked. "You let them kill your brother for your crimes?"

"More or less. Thomas was getting rather aggravating. He hated killing humans. Tried to convince me that we could survive off animal blood… always hated the taste," he said, wrinkling his nose. "Granted even he never could resist the call of human blood…"

If it weren't for the terror currently running through her, Mara would have felt guilty about the fact they had punished the wrong vampire. Though she pushed it aside – she'd worry about that if she survived tonight.

"You got away with it, so why are you here?" she asked, lifting her chin slightly.

"After our first meeting, I couldn't get the mouthwatering smell of your blood out of my mind," he said. "So, I bided my time until you were far enough away from the mutts and followed you here."

"They will come after you," she said.

"The Volturi? They won't care," he replied.

"I'm under the pack's protection," she said. The man laughed.

"As if they could catch me. They weren't able to before," he said. Mara was silent. Part of her knew he was right. "Ah, but where are my manners?" he continued. He then dropped into a dramatic bow, his eyes never leaving Mara. "Marcus." Mara swallowed, glancing towards the back door again. "You can try to run if you want, but you won't make it far."

"So, you're here to kill me," she stated, still moving towards the door. She wasn't far from the dining room table. "You won't make it far. The wolves will find you. Or the other vampires with them. One is a tracker."

"Delightful. I haven't made a good chase in a long while. The mutts were rather boring," he said, taking a step towards. Mara could tell he was playing with her. If he could move as fast as he said he could, he would have been to her already. "Well then, I believe that is enough chatting for now. I don't like to play with my food that long."

Mara turned towards the doors, hoping she could make it outside, though what she'd do once there, she didn't know. She nearly stopped as she saw something large moving through the darkness towards the house, fast. An ice cold hand gripped her arm, swinging her around just as there was a loud crash and glass and wood flew through the air. A chunk hit her in the side of her head as Mara was thrown back into the wall. For a moment she saw stars as she slid down. But as soon as her sight cleared she looked up, seeing Embry in his wolf form, snapping his head from side to side with the squirming vampire locked in his jaws. Her dining table was smashed to bits underneath the hulk of Embry's size.

He looked over at Mara and then backed out of the house into the storm, dragging the vampire with him. Somehow, Mara managed to push herself up to her feet, stumbling out to the deck as something sticky ran down her face. The wind whipped her hair around at her face as the rain continued to pour.

It was pure chaos.

Lightning flashed, illuminating the backyard. The vampire had managed to get out of Embry's grasp and was now laughing at him as Embry growled and snapped at him.

The vampire launched himself towards Embry so quickly that Mara barely saw it.

"EMBRY!" she shrieked as Marcus wrapped his arms around him, yanking his head back. There was a piercing whine. It looked as though he was attempting to break his neck. Mara started towards them. She knew there was nothing she could do, but she couldn't stay put.

"STAY BACK!" someone shouted. Mara glanced over, seeing Cecily standing next to her. The vampire's eyes were on the fight, though for a moment she looked over at Mara, her eyes wide as she took a tentative step towards her. Suddenly, she turned and was gone, appearing in the backyard before pouncing on Marcus' back. The vampire let go of Embry but then shoved Cecily off, throwing her into the woods behind the house. As he turned back to Embry, another vampire was standing in his way – the man from before. The tracker.

Lightning flashed again, this time accompanied by a loud crack of thunder. Mara was completely soaked and could barely make out what was happening. Demetri and Marcus disappeared into the trees with Embry hot on their trail, despite an obvious limp.

Mara started down the steps of the deck and made it halfway across the yard but stopped. The storm raged around her, making it impossible to hear or see what was going on in the woods. She started again, but before she made it far, Demetri was at the edge of the woods. He looked back and waited. Cecily then appeared, helping an injured Embry, now back as a human. Mara ran the rest of the way, taking Embry's face in her hands, not even registering that he was completely naked.

"What's wrong? What did you hurt?" she shouted over the rain.

"We need to get him inside!" Cecily shouted. Mara looked over at her and nodded. Demetri stepped over to Embry's other side and together he and Cecily helped him across the yard as Mara walked in front of them, glancing back.

They picked their way through the debris of the deck and back of the house. Cecily and Demetri walked over and dropped Embry on the sofa as he groaned slightly, while Mara pulled a throw blanket off the back of the sofa and wrapped it around him.

"Seriously, where are you hurt? Should we take him to a hospital?" she shouted, glancing at the vampires.

"I'm fine. He just bruised a few ribs. They'll heal up in a bit," Embry said, wincing. "You look like you need a hospital more than me." Mara reached up to the side of her face, and then put her hand out in front of her, seeing blood on her fingertips.

"I didn't even realize I was… I'm fine," she said, a bit dazed as the throbbing started up in her head. She had been running on adrenaline and didn't even register that she had been injured until that moment.

"Is there somewhere dry where we could start a fire?" Cecily asked, her body tensing as she watched Mara.

"Uh… the garage, I guess… there are some metal bins in there I pull out to burn leaves. Just crack the door open," Mara dully, her eyes still fixed on her bloody fingertips.

"Mar," Embry said, looking up at her in worry. Mara shook her head and glanced down at him before looking over to see Demetri and Cecily were gone.

"Where did they go?" she asked.

"They have to burn the body parts," Embry said. "It's the only way to truly kill a vampire." Mara's eyes widened. Embry then looked over at her and reached out, pulling her to his chest. "Though it seemed Cess was struggling a bit…"

"What?" she asked.

"Blood. She was only turned a few years ago," he replied. Mara nodded, still appearing dazed.

"Mara, sit. Let me look you over," he said. Mara sat down next to him as Embry reached out and started moving her hair out of the way so he could get a better look. There were several cuts along her cheek, but most of the blood was coming from a gash just under her hairline. He felt around and found a large bump on the back of her head. Mara winced in pain.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"Demetri and Cess figured it out. After we killed the first one, he could still sense the same register. He figured there was another one out there," Embry said.

"He said they were identical twins… and that… the other one… he didn't kill anyone," Mara said, still clearly in shock.

"I was worried about that. The other one, he seemed shocked when we gave chase. Tried to get Demetri to listen to him," Embry said. "We caught him too easily… the other was much harder to track. Now I see it was because there were two of the same scents messing us up."

"But how did you know he would come after me?" Mara asked.

"I remembered the night on the beach," he said. "Once we figured out there were two, I knew that he would come here."

"It's over now, right?" Mara asked. "For real this time?"

"Yea, it is now," he said. "Do you have a first aid kit? I need to clean up these cuts."

"In the kitchen," Mara murmured, still staring straight ahead. Embry stood, tying the blanket around his waist as he walked over to the kitchen. "Under the sink…" He bent down and opened a cabinet, finding a white plastic box. He then turned and started over to the couch.

"Well that's taken care of," a voice said. Mara jumped, seeing Demetri now seated in a chair calmly. "Good to see you again, Mara. Though I'm sorry I did not introduce myself before. I am Demetri and this is my mate Cecily."

"Please don't kill me," Mara said immediately, what color was left in her face quickly draining as Embry sat next to her, laying out the kit on her coffee table.

"Why would we kill you?" Cecily said, now standing at his side. She seemed to be much calmer than before.

"Because I know what you are," she replied. Cecily glanced down at Demetri, the two sharing a look.

"We don't kill humans," Demetri said. Embry frowned at him. "Anymore. Have you not noticed my change in eye color?"

"Red talk you into going vegetarian?" Embry replied, glancing at him as he poured some peroxide onto a piece of gauze.

"I have seen the errors of my way," Demetri replied calmly.

"You've killed humans before?" Mara asked.

"Had to eat," Demetri said. Cecily rolled her eyes and sat on the arm of the chair. "But as I said, I've learned…"

"Told him if he wanted to be with me, he would have to give a few things up," Cecily replied, smiling down at him. Mara then looked at the woman.

"I know you," she said, causing Cecily to look over at her. "You're the reporter that disappeared. I read the articles." Cecily frowned. "Don't worry… I won't say anything. I promise. No one would believe me anyway."

"I'm not worried about that," Cecily said. She glanced over at Embry. "You're one of the pack now from what I understand." Mara nodded and then winced as Embry began dabbing at her cheek. A gust of wind blew more rain into the house, causing Mara to look over at it. "Got any tarp? We should cover that up until you can get it fixed."

"In the garage, I think," Mara replied. Cecily and Demetri were gone.

"I'll see if some of the guys can come out tomorrow and get that fixed for you," Embry said, continuing his work.

"Thanks," Mara said.

"Sorry about destroying your house," Embry said. Mara glanced at him, a smile starting to appear despite the fact that her cuts still stung as he cleaned them.

"I'd rather have a destroyed house than be dead," she replied. Embry looked around the living room.

"It is a nice place," he said. "You said it was your grandmother's?"

"Yea," Mara said. "Though it's a bit big for just one person… good size for two, maybe." Embry stopped cleaning up her face, staring at Mara as a smile tugged as his lips.

"You wouldn't be asking me to move in, would you?" he asked. Mara shrugged.

"You'll need a place to stay," she said. "And it's better than a dorm or piece of shit studio near the university. Plus, I might need a bodyguard again…" Embry chuckled.

The howling of the wind suddenly died down and the two looked over, seeing a large tarp moving slightly as Cecily and Demetri walked back to the living room.

"Should be good for now," Cecily said, smiling. "Until you can get someone out to fix it."

"Could I get you guys some tea? Or something to drink?" Mara asked, suddenly remembering her manners. Demetri chuckled.

"They don't need food or anything," Embry said. Mara nodded slowly.

"Right," she said. "Vampires. Still learning."

"Stay put. I'll get some tea, you're injured," he said, standing.

"So are you," Mara said, looking up at him. Though she noticed he no longer seemed in pain and was moving a lot more easily.

"We heal pretty quickly," he said, walking to the kitchen and looking around in the cabinets for mugs and tea. Mara looked over at her guests, shifting slight on the sofa.

"We can replace the table," Cecily said. Mara shrugged and smiled.

"It's fine… been meaning to get a new one anyway," she said.

"So, what are you going to tell the Volturi?" Embry asked from the kitchen.

"Don't think there is any reason to tell them anything," Demetri said. "The threat has been taken care of. I only check in every few months as it is."

A few minutes later, Embry walked back with two mugs, handing one to Mara, who accepted it and took a sip. She then looked down at her sopping clothes and then over at Embry, who had sat down and was still wearing her blanket like a skirt.

"God, I'm… I think I have some clothes that might fit you," she said, putting her mug on the table as she stood quickly. She faltered a bit, dizziness hitting her.

"Mara, sit," Embry ordered.

"No… need to change. I'll be right back," she said, walking over to the stairs in the foyer and making her way up them. Embry frowned, watching her go.

"Seems a stubborn one," Demetri commented with a smirk. Embry sighed.

"She is," he said. "I'm worried about that head wound. Doesn't need stitches but it's going to hurt like a sonofabitch for a bit."

"Should she go to a hospital?" Cecily asked. "I mean, it would be easy to play it off with the storm."

"Pretty sure she won't let me," he said, glancing over at the couple. "Is it really okay that she knows? I don't want the Volturi coming out for her."

"She should be safe. All the others that your pack have imprinted on know," Demetri said. "The Volturi aren't concerned with shapeshifters at the moment." Though Cecily frowned.

"What is it?" Embry asked, sitting up.

"Well… if you want her to forget, there may be a way," she started. Demetri looked up at her.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" he asked. "You said you didn't want to use it any more than reasonable."

"It could keep her safe," Cecily replied.

"What?" Embry asked. Cecily looked over at him.

"I have the ability to compel people," she said. "I was very good a persuasion as a human - getting people to talk to me and such - so it manifested as this gift." Embry was silent a few moments, thinking it over.

"You could compel her to forget about vampires," he said. Cecily nodded.

"If that's what you want," she replied. Embry sat back on the sofa, thinking it over. It was true that it could keep her safe from the Volturi – and he did not like the idea of chancing another run-in with them. But at the same time, he was happy that there were no secrets between the two. He wasn't sure he wanted to change that.

"Can I think about it?" he asked, glancing up at them.

"Of course," Cecily said. "You don't have to decide now."

"But the sooner, the better," Demetri said. "Before she learns much more. Otherwise it'll be more difficult to undo."

"Got it," he said with a sigh.

"We should get back. Let Rose and Emmett know what's going on," Cecily said. "Call us if you need anything. We can be back in no time." Embry nodded.

"Until next time," Demetri said as he stood and the couple left.

Embry sighed as he laid his head back against the sofa, thinking it over. Did he want to mess around with Mara's memories? He knew Sam would want him to do it immediately without fully thinking through the possibilities. Jacob would probably say to do what he felt was right.

"Where did they go?" Mara asked, stepping back into the living room with an armful of towels and clothes. Embry looked over at her, assessing her state. She had pulled her hair up into a bun and was now wearing heather grey cotton shorts and a matching shirt. The right side of her face was still cut up and a bruise was starting to appear around her temple, but the blood was completely cleaned up and looked to have stopped.

Her brown eyes were wide, questioning.

"Needed to get back," Embry said. Mara nodded as she walked over to him and handed him a towel and pair of athletic shorts that looked a bit big.

"My cousins come over to do their laundry from time to time. They leave things. Hope it fits," she said.

"Thanks," Embry said, standing as he took them and pulled them on then grabbed a towel and started running it over his head. Mara dropped down onto the sofa, looking deflated.

"Well that was a night," she muttered. Embry paused, looking over at her.

"How's your head?" he asked.

"I'll need some aspirin before bed," she said, staring ahead at the TV. She then looked up at him. "You sure they won't come after me again?" He sighed and sat next to her, taking her small hands into his.

"We don't have to worry about the Volturi. Demetri won't tell them. And they really could care less about us – shapeshifters," he said. "The other vampires… they know that this is Cullen territory. They wouldn't be stupid or rash enough to challenge that."

"But Marcus did," she said.

"Not everyone is like Marcus," Embry said. "Besides, you have me. You'll be safe."

"But you won't always be around," she said.

"Please, Mara. Don't worry so much," he pleaded. Mara nodded, sighing as she leaned on his shoulder and Embry wrapped his arms around her.

"Sometimes I wonder if it was better that I didn't find out," she said. Embry frowned. "Not about you… but the others. The vampires."

Embry was silent, thinking it over.

"If you could forget… if there was a way, would you want to?" he asked softly. Mara frowned and looked up at him.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"There's… there is a way," he said, not meeting her eyes. "A way for you to forget." Mara sat up.

"I thought you said there's no such thing as witches," she said.

"I never said that. I don't really know if witches exist, but some vampires do have special gifts… and Cecily apparently has super persuasion," he said.

"She can make me forget about vampires?" Mara asked. Embry nodded, his jaw tense. "Do you want me to forget?" He sighed.

"I… it's up to you. If you want to," he said. "I can get Cess back to take care of it." Mara looked down at her hands, thinking it over. "And you don't have to decide right now." She nodded, once again putting her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around him.

"I think for now… I just want to stay like this…"

One more chapter to go… and what will Mara decide?

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