A/N: First actual contact between Chris and Alice. And we now know why Chris wore the gloves. But why does Alice smell different to him than the rest of the Cullen's? Why did Alice get so defensive over Chris? And are Alice's powers ever going to be as strong as they were before Jasper's death? Find these and more … eventually. LOL sorry couldn't help myself. Hope you enjoy the chapter and hope I am giving you a story worth reading. Always I love my readers and love reviews.

ngw-ox: Again, thank you for the review. I know, i felt sorry for her, hopefully this will make you feel slightly better.

The day was winding down to a close when Bella had finished eating and most of the family was sitting around a giant piano, Edward playing a tune that Chris didn't recognize but could feel the sadness with each key stroke. He looked around and noticed Alice still had not left her bedroom. He quickly excused himself, pretending he needed to use his phone and didn't want to bother the beautiful sound. He quickly made his way up the stairs and followed the overwhelming smell of Alice and stopped in front of her door. He raised his hand to knock but held his arm still, unsure if the fact he surprised her would be a bad thing. He swallowed a lump in his throat and decided to knock anyway. There was no response for a while and Chris decided to give up on the quest when the door opened with a faint creek. He peeked in and noticed Alice surrounded by pictures. He sighed; he had never had to experience such a loss, and knew he could not come close to comforting her. She looked up at him and didn't attempt to smile, but kept her eyes locked onto his. The color was a dark gold, borderline black, but Chris had started this so he was not going to chicken out now. He walked the full way in and lightly shut the door.

"I am fine; you don't need to worry about me." She said, her eyes following his every movement, constantly trying to form a thought of what was going to happen. Chris knew what she was trying to do and sighed.

"Don't push it; it will only make things worse. I am sure if you let it come back to you on its own, you will have it back before you know it." Chris said as he sat down on the tiny bright yellow couch. He looked around and finally noticed the brightness of the room and how the feeling did not match the woman that was sitting on the floor now. He couldn't form a conversation and he was feeling worse every second that silence filled the room.

"Why do you wear gloves? It isn't like you have to hide that you are a vampire here." She asked fidgeting with the photos, starting to put a large amount of them back in a box and sighing as she watched each one, like it would walk away on its own. Chris sighed, he didn't want to tell the family about his power, he was scared they would either shun him or want to use him like everyone else did.

"My touch does things to our kind." He said, trying to think of ways to explain it so it wasn't a lie, but not give enough information for the family to find out.

"You are worried about Edward aren't you?" She had an accusing tone in her voice and more stated the fact instead of asked the question. He nodded and she sighed. "Is it that bad?" She asked her curiosity getting the better of her. Chris smiled weakly at her as he stood up.

"Can you keep your thoughts to yourself?" He asked looking at her, thinking maybe a little distance and excitement could make the mood brighten. She looked at him curiously and nodded her head. "Then, follow me and I will show you what it is like." He said before turning and leaving the room down the stairs. When he got looks from everyone in the room, music stopped and the television going at a very low tone, he smiled.

"I am going to hunt, and Alice had volunteered to show me the best places." He said giving her a helpful look and she nodded, not saying anything. Carlisle and Esme smiled, while everyone else still looked curious. The two soon left and ran far into the woods, far enough for Edward to not know where they were with his thoughts.

"Ok, now what is this power of yours?" She asked getting angry with all the secretive movements. Chris merely nodded and removed his glove, extending his pale hand towards her. She looked at it for a second, hoping to see what will happen before she grabs it.

"Do you truly think I would come all this way just to kill you?" He asked placing the glove in his pocket and trying his best to comfort her. She became frustrated with herself and grabbed his hand faster than she had expected to. Suddenly her look changed. Her once pale face began to fill with color. The icy cold that matched Chris's touch soon warmed up and her breathing became ragged and labored. Chris quickly let go and forced his hand in his pocket, grabbing the glove. As quickly as it start, her features returned and she was once again pale, but now she became exhausted and sat down on the ground.

"What … What did you do?" She asked not looking up from her position on a rock. Chris began to yell at himself for not thinking it through all the way, but had no other clues as to how to help. She forced her head up at him sharply as he noticed the start of tears as he closed his eyes. "I was crying, I can't cry, vampires can't cry. Yet I was crying and I was cold and I could feel how cold you were." She started rambling. Chris opened his eyes and looked at her apologetically.

"You were human, for a second. That is what my touch does, and that is why I hide it. Can you imagine what vampires would do to feel that again, experiments to try and make a cure? I can't have it out and be looked at as a tool instead of a being. I have had to live alone for centuries, keeping vampire contact to a minimum." He said as he sat down on the ground and straightened his glove on his hand and smoothed it against his skin. She looked at him in a new light, the look of amazement that he hadn't seen since he has met her. The look was soon replaced with a quick blank look, than returning to its sadness.

"What did you see?" He asked looking at her, getting a sad sigh as a response.

"I think Edward is on his way." She said, cringing at the word 'think' and deciding to stand and brush her torn clothes off. Before Chris had a chance to do the same, he felt a strong hand pushing him back down on the stone. It was in fact Edward, and he apparently had brought Bella, who was now kneeling near Alice.

"What did you do?" Edward asked as Chris quickly blanked his mind. He had a very good defense of his mind. He would focus on painting a black wall, kind of a double whammy. He didn't look up, just kept his eyes on Alice, who still hadn't moved from her standing position. He could feel the stare leave him and head towards Alice and guessed that she had kept her word about not letting Edward read her thoughts. His frustration was easily shown through the grip tightening on Chris's shoulder.

"Were you crying?" Bella's soft voice broke through everyone's concentration as Bella stood up and cupped Alice face between her hands trying to get a good look at her tear stained cheeks. Bella gave Edward a worried look, which in turn lifted Chris up and threw him over his shoulder. "Edward, put him down!" Bella shouted but he wasn't listening. He walked over to Alice and asks for her to take Bella home. Alice nodded and let Bella grab around Alice's waist. They were soon all rushing towards the house and in the living room, where Chris was thrown to the wooden floor.

"Edward!" Bella, Esme and Carlisle all shouted at the same time, but Chris put up his hand in protest.

"It is ok, in a way I deserved it." Chris responded as he finally was able to stand on his own for the first time since Alice held his hand. He dusted himself off and looked around at all the members of the Cullen family looking at him besides Alice, who had moved her way next to him. "I should probably explain why I was being so secretive. You see, the reason I wear my gloves is…" He began before Alice cut him off.

"No, you do not need to tell anyone. He showed me something and asked for me to keep it a secret. And before you all ask, yes I was crying, and I will not talk about it. Now everyone leave him alone or else." Her emotions shook the family for a minute, she hadn't been anything other than dreary since Jasper's death, and this new Alice was a step in a better direction. Esme hugged Carlisle closely and headed back into the living room. The rest grumbled something and went in different directions. Bella had smiled at Chris and followed Alice to her room. Chris backed up to the door and leaned against it and sighed.

"You don't have to tell me what your power is, I want to know what you did to make Alice act like that" Edwards voice came from the steps, apparently not allowed in Alice's room. Chris sighed and shook his head.

"I really don't know. I am as surprised she did that as you guys are. I am just this small town vampire in a new place. I was going to talk to her one last time before I left, so I may be here for a little longer." Chris said pushing himself off of the wall and walking closer to the stairs. He decided to sit down next to Edward and enjoy this time to talk.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. Alice hasn't been the same since Jasper, and earlier I thought I caught a glimpse of who she used to be. I think if you leave, she will just go back to her old self. Besides, you are still curious as to why she smells different from the rest of us." He gave Chris a knowing grin and shook his head. Chris looked towards the door and shook his head as well.

"I guess, but I don't think I had anything to do with it, not me personally at least." Chris said as he hung his head down towards the floor and sighed. Edward patted his shoulder and stood up.

"Well, I have to see if my wife will let me see her yet." He smiled hurtfully for a second, causing both men to start laughing and Chris wished him luck, before making his way to the living room and sitting on the plush couch.