Note: Thanks for the reviews guys! It REALLY means a lot, I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to respond individually, for some reason it is giving me problems, I'm not sure why. Technology is just evil that way . . . Big update this time, hope you enjoy it.

And something weird's messing with the document manager . . . when I edit, random parts of my text are italicized . . . anyone know why this is or am I just crazy?

Anyway, I don't own Twilight or anything related, just the original characters!

Five

Chase

So apparently when you think you're going shopping with Alice for a few cloths, you should be planning to translate that to a few hundred. I had to admit though, her fashion sense was top of the line; I wondered if she had ever considered working for a fashion industry. Heck, she could be a model as far as I was concerned. I could never get my hair to behave the way she had hers . . .

"Here, try this on, with this shirt . . ."

"Alice, I don't think –"

"Too feminine for you? You do seem the more hard edged type . . . how about this?"

I took the black plaid skirt from her and draped it over my arm.

"I was just going to say . . . should we really be trying on these types of cloths? I mean . . . it's . . . November and . . ."

"Exactly! It's November and they are all on clearance. You said earlier you were concerned about me spending so much money on you. So, we are spending less and getting ready for next season!"

I sighed. She seemed pretty certain I would still be with them by next season. I still wasn't pretty sure of anything. I looked at her again to see her staring pitifully at me and a narrowed my eyes.

"One more?" she pleaded. "Come on . . . I think it will look really cute on you . . ."

I eyed our pile "one more's" and "last one! I promise's" and sighed. It was hard to resist the look she gave me though, so I gave in – one last time – and grabbed the top from her and stalked into the fitting rooms. She squealed behind in excitement and clapped her hands. I rolled my eyes and couldn't help but laugh a little.

So easily pleased.

When I emerged again, I took a quick look in the big mirror that was behind me and turned. The skirt flowed with me in a rippling motion, even with the staggering circle I had to take with my crutches. My brown hair flowed down around my shoulders, the tips curling down amongst the folds of the blouse. It's not usually something I would wear – actually, nothing Alice got me was something I'd usually wear. But I couldn't help but smile at the girl in the mirror; I actually thought of myself as . . . pretty. I heard soft giggle behind me and blushed when I saw Alice smirking at my antics.

"You like it." It was a statement, not a question.

"It's nice." I confessed.

"Great!" she was glowing again. "Because I found this other outfit that –"

Her cell phone suddenly started to ring and she frowned.

"Carlisle has such timing . . ."

I sighed in relief and returned to my stall to change back into my other cloths. I picked up on Alice's side of the conversation as well; apparently her pity trips didn't work so well on her foster father.

"One more, Carlisle, please . . . But . . . . fine, I'll get her home right now. YES I mean it. Why would I lie to you?"

I heard her giggle mischievously as I stepped out of my stall, holding the new clothing she had picked out for me.

"Okay Carlisle we're on our way."

She flipped her phone shut with a flourish and put the cloths on her arm on a rack on the far end of the wall, sighing sadly.

"Such a waste . . ." she muttered. "Oh well, it's getting late anyway. You're probably hungry?"

I wasn't really but I nodded anyway. She took the last outfit from me happily, adding it too our "to be bought" pile.

"That's a lot of cloths, Alice, are you sure about this?"

She picked them all up and rolled her eyes at me as though shopping for this much stuff was the most casual thing in the world to her.

"Of course! You're going to be staying with us right? And it's not like you had anything of your own so . . ." I must have still looked hesitant because she set the cloths back down and wrapped me in a hug. "C'mon Brie. I really don't mind! You seem so sad all the time. Relax; we all love having you in our home."

I stiffened at first. I wasn't exactly used to being hugged. Maria hugged me, in an offhanded sort of way. But Alice's hug was more . . . intimate, like the way you would hug a best friend or (dare I say it?) a sister. I had only known her for a little over a few days, and most of those days I was sleeping pain away. For one mere moment I felt bare and naked to the world and then slowly I relaxed, her cool body pressed against mine, my worries melting away. I suddenly realized how tired I was and how safe I felt in her embrace. Closing my eyes, I hugged back, resting my chin on her shoulder.

"Thanks, Alice."

We pulled apart and she was smiling again, her feathery black hair framing her face. I smiled back. It felt good to have . . . to have . . . an Alice.

"No problem." She said, turning on her heel in a fluid motion. The way she walked sometimes made me wonder if she was a dancer, she never seemed to miss a step. "Now what do you say we put this shopping trip on hold?"

I laughed. "How long are your shopping trips?"

"Oh, a lifetime or two!" she chirped.

I shook my head, feeling much better. "I'm frightened already . . ."

After we got checked out by a nervous teenage clerk who seemed stunned into silence at our pile of cloths, Alice surprised me again by easily carrying all the bags. I could have at least carried one but she insisted and glared at me rather evilly when she did. For someone so pixie like in nature, she sure had muscle mass . . . I guess shopping really was a sport.

We were on our way out of the mall when I suddenly stopped, eyeing the store to the right of us. Alice stopped next to me.

"Do you want to go in there?"

I hesitated before answering.

It was one of those new age stores, with crystal globes, meditation music, fountains, and incense. Lavender was wafting out of the doorway and harp music was strumming the sound of a soothing melody, a soft rain fall sound providing back up. There was a young guy behind the counter, writing in a notebook, seemingly out of place in his punk style clothing.

"I think so," I said a little distractedly.

"Great!" she said, skipping ahead of me. "Let's check it out then!"

I followed her in a little awkwardly. Once I was over the threshold, the guy behind the counter looked up, staring at me blandly for a moment and then his eyes narrowed into curiosity. I raised an eyebrow at him and he sneered.

Yeah, I don't like you either, I wanted to say.

But I abandoned the matter and followed Alice, slipping between close, packed shelves. I looked towards the far wall, towards what had originally caught my attention; an entire section dedicated to nightlights. I really didn't want to ask Alice for money again, but after what had happened in my room that night, or morning rather, the nightlights seemed like an inviting idea. I looked over at Alice who had picked up some pretty little bauble and carefully turned the music box on at the bottom. While she was busy, I carried myself over to the wall, studying the ones at eye level.

They were all beautiful, hand painted in a variety of colors. I position my crutch so I could reach out and touch one; it was painted in earth tones with little white stars that had wholes in the center where the light seeped through. The surface was as smooth as glass and where my fingers were, a trail of red followed, fading once my fingers were removed. It must have been heat sensitive.

"Pretty, isn't it?" said a voice next to me.

I looked up to see a middle aged woman smiling down at me, long, wispy hair hung around her shoulders. She smiled and the corners of her gray eyes crinkled. I took a step back, eyeing her cautiously.

"It is." I said. "Do you make them?"

She shook her head and nodded to the punk kid at the counter.

"My son does. Vincenzo is a masterful painter, just like his father. I just buy the glass for them."

Vincenzo. God. I had wrecked into the world's biggest population of weird names. I had at least heard of Dante. Vincenzo was new to me. I looked up to find him staring at me and noticed he wasn't glaring anymore. He seemed interested. I turned my attention back to the light and touched it again. A small, red dot appeared where my finger had been.

"Shall I box it up for you?" she asked again.

I bit my lip and avoided looking at Alice.

"I don't . . . exactly . . ."

"Do you want it, Brie? It really isn't a big deal."

The woman looked taken aback when Alice skipped to my side, bags of clothing in her hands with her purse thrown over her shoulder. I looked up to see Vincenzo glaring again. I glared back at him, feeling defensive; if he had problem with Alice, he had problem with me.

"Oh . . . it has a crack!" I looked back at the woman as she ran her finger down the back of it. She pulled it out to show it to me; it was very minor, easily mistaken for a scratch I thought, but apparently it aggravated her. "I'll tell you what – if you still want it, I'll give it to you free of charge."

"Mother!" her son hissed from behind her, rising up from the counter. She put a hand up and he lowered himself with a grumble.

"Um . . . sure." I said, a little awkwardly. With a flourish, she turned and went into a back room. I shrugged my shoulders at Alice who was giving me an odd look and then gimped to the front counter.

The woman came back out and handed it to her son, looking at him sternly before returning to the back. He heaved a sigh and tucked his notebook under the counter, punching in numbers into the cash register. This close I could see his nose ring (which grossed me out) and the protruding bulb that hung from his lip. I never understood facial piercing, but I guess it was to each his own.

"Anything else . . . ladies?" he said the last word with a sneer, his dark eyes narrowed towards Alice. She didn't even flinch as she set a silver necklace on the counter.

She beamed sweetly at him and he turned away uninterestedly, his black hair, tipped with pink and yellow, falling into one side of his face. The total came to an even $25.00, which Alice paid for without hesitation. When he handed me my bag, he nodded with a dim smile. He didn't bother handing Alice hers before he left his post to head into the back, but Alice didn't seem to mind in the slightest.

"People can be so rude," I muttered, glancing over my shoulder as we exited into the parking lot.

She shrugged nonchalantly, gracefully carrying all the bags with her and still managing to walk right side up (except for my little night light, which I insisted to carry).

"It's Monday, he's a teenager, he probably just doesn't want to be working."

I grumbled but got in the passenger seat quietly as Alice got in the other side. Now without my crutches, I was able to handle the package easier, weighing it in my hands, fingering the box fondly. I looked up to see that Alice was watching me.

"Is it okay that I got this? I didn't even ask . . ."

"Yes its okay!" she shook her head, giggling slightly. "Anything you need, don't hesitate."

I looked down in my lap again and took in a deep sigh.

"Alice can I tell you something?"

"Yes . . ."

"It's kind of embarrassing." What was I doing? I sighed. "I don't mind if you tell Jasper, but no one else."

"Well that sounds serious. Is everything okay?" then she glanced at me sharply. "Did someone say something to you in school?"

I groaned.

"No," I muttered. "Alice, there's a reason . . . I wanted a nightlight."

"Oh . . .?" she said slowly.

"That night that I . . . fell . . ."

"Do you not see well in the dark?"

"No . . . I'm afraid of it."

The car slowed some, or maybe it was just me. I looked up to examine her face which seemed to become oddly tense. She looked confused and yet sympathetic. I suddenly felt childish and glanced out the window. A long moment lapsed between us, which was only broken when I felt her cool fingers touch my hand.

"Why do you fear it?" she asked it as though I had just admitted I was afraid of being loved. I gnawed on my lip nervously and shrugged, though I'm sure she didn't see it. I guess she liked the darkness. "Brielle, if there's something you need to share with us, we won't judge you."

I rolled my eyes. She used my full name; she was treating this like a big deal. I guess because she could sense it was a big deal to me.

"Sometimes . . . sometimes I think I see things, in the dark." I hesitated and clenched my fist, already guessing her thoughts. "I feel like sometimes . . . they're always waiting for me, that they touch my ankles when I sleep . . ."

"So you're not necessarily afraid of the dark, but more . . . afraid of what's in it?"

I looked up to see her peering at me, her eyes suddenly incredibly intense. I swallowed.

"I guess."

She nodded. It was quiet again, save for the soft purr of the Porsche as we sped down the empty . . . dark . . . road. I refocused on my lap.

"Do you know why your hair changes color?"

Nice change of subject . . .

"No." I said evenly, as though it weren't the weirdest thing in the world. "It's done it ever since I was young. Same color, though . . . never quite so suddenly. It's the reason I got kicked out of one my other homes. The father thought I was being rebellious and dyed my hair without his consent when I wasn't able to change it back quickly enough . . ."

"So you do have some control over it?"

"Only a little," I confessed. "I can usually feel it when it's about to change and if I try hard enough I can . . . um . . . will it, to change back I guess. But it doesn't always work."

"Oh . . ."

"Who's Bella?" I blurted out.

The question had stayed in the back of my mind ever since Rosalie had mentioned the name. I didn't want to talk about my hair, I didn't want to talk about how different or weird or unique I was. Alice seemed to hesitate.

"Bella . . ." she seemed to be trying to find the right words, which was odd, because Alice always seemed to be on top of everything, always one step ahead. "Bella's new to our family."

"But Carlisle said . . ."

"She isn't adopted." She said softly. I looked over; she had a slight smile to her lips. "You remember Edward, the one that was sitting next to Jasper the other night.? Well . . . she's his . . . wife."

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. His wife? But he couldn't be older then eighteen!

"Look, before you ask much more, I think there's some things you need to know about us, Brie." I nodded silently, waiting for other surprises. She took a deep breath and moved a stray hair from her eyes. "All of us . . . Carlisle's children, that is . . . well, we are all together. It's not really a fact known to the community, but each time Carlisle . . . adopted . . . another one of us, aside from Edward, we fell in love with the other. I mean, we aren't really related, you know, and . . . Carlisle didn't let us get married until after we were all eighteen . . ."

Okay this was officially the strangest foster family I had ever been apart of . . .

"So . . . so . . ." I stuttered. "They let you do that? I mean . . . it's just that it's . . . and you all live together! So . . . who are you . . . I mean . . .?"

Alice gave a half laugh and shook her head.

"I know, it's a little strange, Brie. But after living the foster life, as you well know, it's nice to finally find that one special home . . . and person." Yeah, I guess I could relate to that, sort of. "And well, obviously there's Edward and Bella. And then, well, Jasper and I are married, which leaves Rosalie and Emmett. And that's all of us. . . Well, mostly. Then there's Renesemee, Nessie for short and she's . . . well . . . um . . . the product of Bella and Edward's relationship during High School . . ."

"Wow . . . so you have a child living with you too?" Rosalie did say something about a child, now that I remembered.

"Um . . . yes! And she's rather small for her age, but she's really smart." She laughed. "So be warned, she's a charmer. Bella and Edward have a small home near us though, so we aren't subjected to her magic as much as we may like."

I smirked, a little queasy; I usually felt like this after delving into someone else's personal life. I guess I couldn't really say much though; it wasn't like I was exactly the most normal person on the planet.

The rest of the ride home, Alice told me Bella's story, about how Edward, the youngest of them all, had found her when she first moved to Forks from Arizona. They had had a series of ups and downs, but eventually, after much help from Alice apparently, they discovered their love for each other was long lasting and unbreakable and everything else you see in the movies. Especially with Renesmee in the picture, both were willing to wed, and now both had a place of their own.

It seemed weird, but I took it for all it was worth.

When we pulled up to the Cullen house, there were a few more vehicles than normal parked outside. Alice pulled into the garage, rubbing her head.

"Oh . . . I feel a headache coming on . . ."

Jasper met us as we opened the car door. I propped myself up on my crutches, offering him a kind smile that he returned, though I couldn't but feel funny when I looked at the two of them, knowing that they were a couple. Jasper helped unpack all the bags, apparently used to all of Alice's shopping experiences and together we entered the house.

Several eyes met me the instant I walked into the door, still clutching my bag that had the nightlight in it. First I spied a small girl, standing between the legs of a dark haired, brown eyed young woman. I could only assume that that was Bella and her daughter . . . Nessie. Bella smiled, pulling the small child closer. When the child reached her hand to her mother's cheek, Bella grinned, nodded and kissed her tiny hand. The others in the room were three, large, muscular, darker skinned men; I knew they were native, coming from being next to several other reservations, and I wondered what tribe they were from. The biggest one was talking to Carlisle, mentioning something about a new member. The other two were sitting on the couch.

"Oh hey! You're that girl we saved from the wreck!" One said, jumping up from his seat. "Hey Jake! Look, it's . . . what's her name? Brie? Look!"

The one speaking to Carlisle turned sharply, casting an irritated look at the other before looking at me. He smiled and crossed his arms over a broad chest.

"You came out looking better than I thought you would. Seth and I thought you were worm food."

"Ew, Jake! Really? She just met you!"

The one called Seth approached me and introduced himself. I smiled and meekly returned the needless introduction as Jake smirked from behind. I gave him a sharp look, wondering what his problem was.

"Oh don't mind Jake!" Seth said excitedly. "He's just feeling really cocky tonight; someone new just moved onto the Quileute rez. Hey Chase! Come here, meet Brie!"

I looked over his shoulder to see a wide eyed looking Quileute looking at me. He looked younger than the other two, but still broad and strong. He smiled shyly at me and stood up, long black hair falling over his shoulders. His face was sharp featured, eyes a startling brown that stood out with the amber color that lined them. I felt something twist in my stomach as he smiled at me and inwardly cursed when I felt my cheeks grow hot. He looked at Seth and then at me . . . or rather he looked down. He was really tall . . . taller than Dante . . . and Kirby.

"Hi," he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Name's Chase Sage. We actually moved back to the reservation . . . I was born there, but raised in Montana."

"Oh." I said stupidly. His voice was deep and had a kind of ring to it . . . the kind that held my attention. After I realized I had been staring for a moment, I cleared my throat nervously and smiled again, shifting awkwardly on my crutches. "Um, nice to meet you."

"Yeah," he said. "Nice to meet you too."

Seth had bounded up to Jake again, joining in on the conversation, leaving me alone with Chase. Silently he nodded to the couch; yes, the disabled one wasn't too keen on standing up right now. Bella stood as we approached, Nessie peering behind her leg. She had a fire in her eyes; she looked eager. She was beautiful, as all of the Cullen's were, but she was a simple beauty, like she didn't need make up or anything to make her attractive at all.

"You must be Bella." I said awkwardly.

"Yes!" she said with a dazzling smile. "Fairly new to the Cullen family . . ."

"Alice . . . told me." I muttered. I didn't know how she felt about what she and Edward had done and I didn't want to say anything offensive.

She looked slightly surprised.

"Oh . . . did she?" she smiled and gave me a half hug, careful not to put much weight on me. "Well, she can get inventive, I hope she didn't scare you off!"

I laughed. "Of course not."

Inventive . . .?

"Bella, Nessie!"

We both looked up across the room where Edward stood at the door, his eyes sharp, his face unsmiling.

"Are you ready to turn in for the night?"

"We'll be right there." Bella said, turning to her daughter. "Go say goodnight to Grandma Esme, okay sweetie?"

" 'kay Mama!" said the little girl. I smiled as she bounced off.

Bella smiled fondly and then turned to me. "I hope you stay. Carlisle's so kind, and so is Esme."

"As I've heard." I muttered.

"They helped me, through a lot of tough times." She said, her face growing serious. "They are some of the best people I know, and I feel lucky to call them family. Carlisle told me about you, about what you've been through; this could be your last stop. You could have a home here."

"I . . ."

"Just think about it." She said, turning with a grin. "For the record, I wouldn't mind having another sister."

She left with Edward after that, leaving me speechless. Thankfully I was saved with trying to sort through it when I felt a warm hand touch my shoulder. I turned and saw Chase smiling at me.

"You look kind of tired." He said.

I swallowed hard and sat down. "Yeah, I guess that's what I get for shopping with Alice."

He chuckled, low and deep; it somehow seemed to fit him so well, even though he still had a youthful look to his face. The hair on my arm stood on end when he sat down next to me . . . he was really warm which, after being out the November air, felt really good.

"What do you have there?"

He was pointing to my sack I still had clutched in my hand. Slowly I opened it and handed him the box. He carefully opened it and pulled the nightlight out, admiring it for a second.

"It has a crack in it but . . ." I went to touch the area that the crack had been . . . only to find it gone. I drew back slowly. "I guess . . . I guess it doesn't. Ha . . . Never mind then."

The surface was flawless now, and I knew for a fact it hadn't been before. I had gotten it for free, the lady had seen it, Alice had seen it . . .

"It's pretty." Chase said slowly, holding it up to the light. "Hand painted things always are."

He admired it for a moment more and then returned it to the box. He looked at me inquisitively and then something came over his face, making his eyes seemingly light up. He cast a quick glance at Jacob but he was still talking with Carlisle. Chase started to look . . . worried.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah!" he quickly assured me, shifting. He seemed uncomfortable now and I wondered if I had done something wrong. Maybe he just remembered something he needed to tell Jake. "Yeah . . . I was . . . uh . . ."

"Alright Chase! Let's go, I promised your grandmother I'd have you home five minutes ago." Chase was instantly on his feet as though Jacob had just issued an order to a soldier, Seth ready and attentive at his side. "And I've already been attacked her frying pan once today, I don't care to experience it again."

Seth burst out laughing. "You should have seen it Carlisle! This woman's only 4 foot something and –"

"Shut up, Seth." Jacob grumbled, heading towards the door. "Night Cullens', nice seeing you Brie."

Esme gave them all a hug while the rest nodded and said goodnight. Chase glanced down at me and I found myself disobeying Carlisle all of a sudden and stumbled up without my crutches. I swayed a little and Chase caught me by my shoulder.

"Easy there,"

"Yeah that was dumb . . ." I muttered, wincing a little. "Um, good night, I guess. It's good to know I'm not the only newbie around here."

He laughed a little. "Yeah it is. Well . . . Good night, Brie. Hope to see more of you."

"Maybe I'll see you some other time?"

He turned back around with a hesitant look to his eyes and then he smiled.

"Yeah, I think you will."

I quietly sat down again, watching as the three of them left. Rosalie spared me half a glance before going down the hall and Alice remerged with Jasper close at her heel. Esme beamed at me.

"Are you hungry, Brie?" she asked.

"I guess." I said a little absently.

"How was first day at Forks High?" Carlisle inquired.

"She likes him."

"Alice!" Esme hissed.

Alice's "malicious" tone caught me off guard and I looked up to see her leaning against a wall, her gaze narrowed toward me with a sly grin on her face. I looked down at my lap and felt my cheeks grow hot and had a sudden desire to hide in my room.

"This is going to fun . . ." I heard her giggle.

"Yeah . . . well . . ." I said, smiling a little. "Payback sucks."

I heard Emmett laugh and much to my surprise he said the following:

"My bet's on Brie!"