Rosalie

For weeks I have traipsed around New York in the quiet hours of the night, on the rainy days. I have shied from even thinking about why I do it when I am home, because then Edward will know, but when I am wandering on my own, I am searching. Searching for the dark, curly hair I spotted while dancing. Occasionally I pause; I see something dark, but it is never what I am looking for. I know it is an obsession, but one I can't seem to throw. I crave it, I'm addicted, I need it. For weeks I have gone on like this and the Cullen's know something is going on, but there is no way I would ever discuss it. Eventually I need sustenance; the scent of human blood is becoming a temptation too strong to ignore. I run, into the trees, as far from civilization as I can before I let my instincts overwhelm me. I have barely time to fix on the scent of challenge, a bear, when I smell human blood and I am drawn in. I can't help it; I know I will fail now. Never before have I allowed myself to taste human blood but the monster is in the forefront, and the smell is so intoxicating....I fly to it. And I am drawn to a shocked halt at the edge of a clearing. There is my bear, enormous and warm, but my eyes hardly even notice. Lying under his feet is the focus of my attention. A man, enormous, almost as big as the bear itself, covered in sweet, warm blood. I don't pounce though, I am drawn to his hair, the exact shade and texture of Vera's little boy, the same hair I have been hunting. And he is dying. It can't happen, I can't let it. I slowly step towards him; I am worried if I come upon him too quickly what little that is left of his life will vanish. Carefully, I pull him into my arms; huge brown eyes flicker open to focus groggily on me.

"I'm dead." He murmurs. If I could cry, I would.

"No...I promise I won't let that happen."

"I'm dead, and you are the most beautiful angel I have ever seen."

I laugh at that, I can't help it. I am so far from an angel...if only he knew. He will soon enough.

Emmett

I thought I could take him. I mean, really, what is some puny bear to my strength? A lot more than I guessed, apparently. Well, what a way to die. The sky is such a beautiful blue above me...I wish I had of paid more attention to the sky before. Now...it's too late for sky. And I'm getting tired. I barely close my eyes before I hear gentle footsteps. I want to see what it is, but my eyelids refuse to cooperate. Instead I listen as the steps grow closer, then a sharp intake of very painful breath as I am lifted into someone's arms. Very small arms. I force my eyes open against the lead weights holding them down. An angel.

"I'm dead." I must be. No human could look like this.

"No, I promise, I won't let that happen." She looks sad. I wonder why. I'm not that much of a loss to the human race. At least to my family. I don't fit their image of a perfect city gentleman.

"I'm dead, and you are the most beautiful angel I have ever seen." The angel laughs at me, it's like the singing of happy birds, as beautiful as the rest of her.

I let my eyes fall closed again; it is too much effort to keep them open. She will be there in the end; she is an angel after all. I feel the wind whip around us and I know I am right. We are flying.

Rosalie

I flew up the stairs, still holding the man in my arms, found Carlisle in his office.

"I need your help, Carlisle."

He raises his eyes from the book he is studying to gaze at me curiously. Only for a moment.

"Rosalie, what have you done?"

I scoff. Of course I must have done it, renegade vampire that I am. I don't have time for this nonsense.

"He was attacked by a bear. I need you to turn him, Carlisle."

He doesn't look happy.

"Why, Rosalie? You have told me again and again I should have let you die, why would this man be any different?"

I don't want to answer. I really don't. But if I withhold my reasons, Carlisle will refuse, and I can't bear that.

"I need him, Carlisle."

He looks at me, questioningly. "What about Edward?"

"Edward?" I'm actually amazed. "You think Edward and me..." I shake off my surprise. "Please Carlisle." By now Esme and Edward have joined us, and Carlisle turns to them.

"She does need someone, Carlisle. It must be lonely...and he is dying." Thank you Esme.

I glare at Edward now, daring him to argue. He looks at me thoughtfully.

"I think you should." I nod my thanks, and look back at Carlisle, who now seems unsure, but determined.

"Ok. The only space we have ready, though, is the dining table. Take him there."

I run out of the room, notice Esme covering her nose as I pass, down the stairs and deposit the man on the table gently. Carlisle quickly follows, and nips at his ankles, wrists, throat, just as he did with me. I pull a chair up next to the table, gently stroke the dark hair. Now we wait.

Emmett

Just as I am sure it is all ending, then it really begins. Who knew dying would be so painful? I always thought of it as peaceful. I guess not when you're ripped apart by a bear. Aside from the burning agony, I can feel a cool hand in my hair, soft murmurs in my ear. My angel hasn't left me. I can cope with the pain, knowing that. I lay there, feeling the burn.

Rosalie

Another day dawns. This makes three days since I brought this human home, and still he is silent, and still I recall the agony of being turned. I say nothing of what he is becoming; my fear that he will hate me is too great. Instead, I continue to stroke his hair, murmur platitudes in his ear.

At the moment the sun reaches its zenith, I look down to find a pair of bright red eyes focused on my face.

"Wow. I thought you were beautiful before..."

His voice was perfect, a deeper bell tone, slightly husky. My thoughts were interrupted by Carlisle.

"Do you mind if I squeeze in there, Rosalie?"

"Rosalie..." the man on the table speaks so softly, like a caress. My skin hasn't tingled so much in...forever. I step back, allow Carlisle to make sure everything is all right. And to let him explain.

Emmett

Rosalie. The angels name is Rosalie. Perfect. I know I need to concentrate on the blond man, who seems like some kind of movie star, though he says he is a doctor. He is saying something about...vampires? I am a vampire now, Rosalie is a vampire? Hmm. They must be mad. Well, doesn't that just bite. I chuckle inwardly at my own joke. He grabs a small hand mirror, something a woman would use, holds it up to my face. Holy mother. My eyes are red. Not some dull red, faded...no, bright red. And my skin is sparkling in the light through the window. I see every grain in the mirrors surface. Shock. I need some time to digest this. With my angel of course. I look at her again. Forever with her? Definitely worth it.

Rosalie

I keep watching his face. He doesn't look horrified, but maybe it is still building? Carlisle tells him he will be this way forever and his eyes turn to me. I shiver. Forever with this man. Could I really be so lucky? He nods at Carlisle, who then leaves the room. I inch toward the table.

"Rosalie. I like it."

I snort. "Gee, I'm very glad you approve."

He laughs, deep and...sensual?

"My name is Emmett. Emmett...well, that doesn't matter anymore does it?"

Emmett. Perfect. He looks just like an Emmett.

"Why did you bring me here? I'm not complaining, the strength to take down anything? That bear is going to pay. I'm just curious."

Now how do I answer that? You remind me of a baby I once knew? No. Not an appropriate answer.

"I needed you." Well, that just slipped out. I think it is true though.

"You know what?" he had an expression on his face I couldn't place. "I think I needed you too."