A/N: Co-written with Jeaniverre; this one has been revised.

ALEX'S POV.

Her face lit up my night. She beamed the entire time; never has a person made me as happy as I was. Lissa was definitely not your average girl.

"Okay... What's the most embarrassing thing anyone has ever done to you?" she asked, taking a turn in our game.

I chuckled. "That would have to be when I fell in my mom's store, face-first into Jake's birthday cake."

"That's not too bad," she frowned.

"But you don't have a dozen people in your mind, repeating the incident day and night." I reminded her.

She let shine one of her dazzling smiles. "Well… It's your turn."

I laughed and dropped my head, thinking. "Hmm... I've got one: what's your earliest memory?"

"A nightmare I had when I was three," she replied, sitting up. "What are you thinking?"

This was it - I could tell her how important she was to me. How much this imprint made me love her. "Nothing in particular." Damn...

She narrowed her eyes. "You're lying."

"I want to have sex with you." This time, she threw up her hands and sighed exasperatedly.

"Fine - I was wondering if I could kiss you or not," I revealed.

"That's weird," she whispered after a moment.

I averted my eyes. "I know I-"

"No. I was just thinking the same thing." she smiled, kissing me. It wasn't like the first one; this one felt right. After a few seconds, she backed away and looked into my eyes.

"Mm?" I asked, too incoherent for words.

"You're so easy to be with," she replied, leaning her head on my shoulder.

"Is that a good thing?" I inquired, laughing.

"If you want to take it that way." God, she is amazing.

"I'm glad I got to meet the real you," she said sincerely, running her fingers up my arm.

"There's more to me than this, you know."

"Oh?" she lifted an eyebrow.

"So much more." I pecked her on the lips.

"I think I might just want to get to know that person," she whispered, meeting my face again. "But, I have to get home."

"So soon?" I frowned.

She smiled her big smile and stood up. "That's how it goes."

"I'll walk you."

When we got to her house, she turned and looked at me. "This was fun."

"I agree."

We just stood there for a bit, holding hands. "I want to see you again."

"I'd like that," I cringed internally- how cliché?!

"I better get inside before my mom explodes with anticipation." she smiled sheepishly, looking down.

"Okay." I really didn't want to see her go, but if she had to…

In one swift movement, her arms were around my neck and she was kissing me. Then the light flickered and we jolted apart, startled.

"Okay mom! I'll see you at school," she muttered to me.

"Bye, Lissa."

"Bye, Alex." She bit her lip, closing the door.

Oh my god.

I thought to myself. I'm in love!

I absolutely love running. The power, the breeze, the feeling of being free... it makes me want to run forever.

Alex! How could you tell her?

Sam's voice echoed through my head.

How did you get past the order?

Jake's followed.

I don't understand why we shouldn't have, Sam; I mean, what's wrong with her?

I replied.

It's beyond our control Alex. There's nothing we can do. You'll find out soon enough. Sam ordered.

I growled and phased back. I didn't need all those people in my head right now. Maybe now was a good time to see if she was in her bedroom. When I reached her window, I glanced inside. Her mother was on the phone, tears running down her face.

"I don't know where she is! She was extremely mad at me. I feel horrible." She started sobbing. "Are you positive she'll be alright Sam?"

The gears turned in my head. Sam?

"You don't think it will be tonight will it? Oh, Sam!" she was crying furiously now.

"Alex!" A voice whispered from the trees behind me.

I turned. "What's going on?"

Embry was frantic. "Alex, you gotta hurry! It's Lissa."

I ran over to him. "What's wrong?" My eyebrows met in the middle of my forehead.

"Come on!" He urged, phasing. I followed.

How could this happen? - I thought she was going to be normal. - No wonder Sam told her everything.

What's happening?

Alex...?

Lissa?

Alex, what's going on?

Well, um, you phased?

There was silence.

Why me?

Why

I don't find this very funny, Jake! I don't know how to go back!

We can help.

She plead ed.Sam's cool voice came into the conversation.not you? Jake's voice asked, amused. I said, rather stating the obvious.She sounded ready to burst into tears.I gasped. Well, as much as a mind-voice can gasp.a feminine voice whispered; that definitely wasn't Leah.I broke the stir of words.

Please!

"Sam, why didn't you tell me?" I asked, once we were phased and alone.

"I didn't know how."

My voice was starting to shake. "Really? Didn't you think I would be okay with it?"

"Alex, calm down."

"How do you expect me to calm down?" I growled, my arms quaking.

"You have to," he said sternly, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"I think I've finally got this down!" Lissa's excited voice echoed through the hallway. She strode into the room and I composed myself.

"Hey, Alex," she greeted. All of the sudden, I didn't feel the same when I hugged her. Not as… anchored down.

"It's so weird now; I feel like one of the guys," she laughed, sounding relieved. She stopped when she noticed that we weren't. "Well, my mom is probably freaking out, so I better get home."

"I'll walk you." I cut in.

"Okay," she nodded hesitantly, opening the door.

"So that's what it feels like, huh? The explosion," she said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, you get used to it," I nodded absentmindedly.

She looked at her hands for a minute. There was scarring. "And this?"

"It's because your body isn't used to, um-" I couldn't find a better word. "exploding. But, remember - we heal fast, so those will be gone by the time you get to bed tonight."

"I don't understand it. Why did I turn?"

"No idea. Sam knew; you should ask him," I replied, using all my power to keep my hands from shivering.

"Sam knew? Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't he tell you? This seems like a pretty big deal in my eyes…"

"He's not cracking."

She grumbled and folded her arms. After a minute she loosened and smirked up at me. "I bet I could beat you at arm wrestling."