7. The Meeting

Edward

"That stuff can go to the local goodwill," Skye said pointing to the box as she leaned over to pick up Stevie, who had toddled to her and was hanging on her leg. He was walking now, and was even speaking in small sentences. He was just shy of five months. It still amazed me how fast hybrids developed.

She lifted and balanced him skillfully on her full hips without a thought. I watched her unconsciously shift her weight to accommodate his. He was a big boy. Bigger than the twins had been, and solid.

I lifted the box, which was full of the kids old toys, and took it to the Hummer I'd just bought for Skye. It would do a lot better in the dust and swamps of Louisiana than the old Range Rover Skye refused to part with.

As I was walking back to the house my cell rang.

"Dad…" I answered and sat on the front step.

"Edward, how's the packing going?"

"Ugh, it's going, I guess. Skye can't seem to make up her mind as to what stays and what goes. She's making this way harder than it has to be. The house in New Orleans is furnished and I told her we'd buy new clothes when we got there. But you know how women can be. You can't tell them anything. It's quite frustrating."

"I can hear you!" She shouted from inside the house.

"I'm fully aware of that, beautiful!" My smile reflecting in my voice. I heard her huff.

"Yes, well it sounds like you have your hands full."

"You have no idea."

"Oh, I think I do. Can you imagine how crazy it would be if we had packed everything we've accumulated over these years and brought it with us every time we moved…" he drifted off in thought.

These were my sentiments exactly. The only thing I carried with me was my music. Which had grown exponentially since meeting Skye.

"But I digress, and anyway, I was talking about you packing for the trip to Paris, the council meeting." He finished.

"Oh, yes, I'll do that tonight. Don't worry I'll be ready by morning. You picking me up?"

"Yes, Emmett will be dropping us off at the airport."

"I'll be ready." I told him.

"Are we going to see you guys tonight for dinner?" he asked.

"No, I want to spend some time with Skye and the kids before we fly out."

"Alright. See you in the morning then."

"Yes, goodbye." I hung up.

I put the phone back in my pocket and thought about the up coming meeting. I had received the agenda on what things would be discussed and felt like I could've sat this one out. But I had put off going to the last one because Skye was pregnant with Etienne. I needed to make an appearance this time.

0~~~~~~~~0

Skye came out the bathroom bare assed and wet. I lay back on the pillows and turned the volume on the television up a little more. She paused in the archway and smiled at me. I smiled back and waited eyebrow cocked. My dick was getting harder by the second. It was tenting the thin sheet I'd covered up with.

"What…no fancy lingerie tonight?" I asked. "I thought you were sending me off properly." I teased.

"I can if you'd like. But really...what's better than my birthday suit?" She smirked. "'Sides, my friend doesn't seem to mind one little bit." She gestured to my cock.

I stroked him under the sheet.

"He's got a one track mind. You could be wearing mud and he'd still salute you."

"Really? Now that's loyalty." She smiled watching my every move.

"Loyalty and love." I told her. "He only wants you. He doesn't care how you come to him."

"Perhaps I should show him my gratitude then?"

"Yes, you definitely should. Now bring that wonderful ass of yours here and quit standing there teasing me."

She walked to the bed and my eyes glued to her body. Where in the hell did she learn to walk like that? Was that even something you could teach? The sway of her hips was hypnotic and sensuous. The woman was pure sin and I had no thoughts of ever repenting. A devout sinner, I would worship at her alter until I ceased to exist.

She crawled on the bed near the foot of it and made her way to me on her hands and knees. Her breasts were heavy and swaying as her arms moved. I swallowed needlessly and held my free hand out to her. She took it and I helped her straddle me.

She sat on my stomach and I groaned."You're ready for me already." I confirmed.

It wasn't a question. I felt her readiness, her wet heat, leaking on my skin.

She smiled and leaned into me, connecting our lips. The kiss was slow and tender. Neither needy or wanton. Just…beautiful.

I ran my hands through her the wet waves of her hair slowly then down her back and over the globes of her ass. She moaned and ground her hips into my stomach.

I needed to be inside her.

I pushed the sheet down and lifted her bottom, impaling her slowly.

She felt so good. All hot, slick, soft and tight.

She broke the kiss and her head lifted. "Oh god, Edward," she moaned, before her forehead came to rest on my cheek.

"I love you." I turned and kissed her forehead while caressing her ass. She swirled her hips and pushed me deeper.

"Oooooh!" I groaned and closed my eyes.

She lifted a little but kept our chests touching, only her hips and ass moved. I held my hands in place and felt the muscles in her ass contract and expand as she moved lusciously over me.

"I love you too…" she ground out lifting her head.

I opened my eyes and they met hers. She smiled at me and I could've sworn my heart beat in my chest.

"Angelique…" I moaned, staring at her before I began to thrust upward.

"Umm…Edward…" she gripped the sheets beside my head and began to grind down on me.

Her soft breasts pressed and rolled against my chest; causing our bodies to instantly became slick with her sweet smelling sweat. Her nipples stuck to and pulled at my skin.

I slid my right hand from her ass and cupped her left breast. I lifted it, and my head, and began to suck on it hard but slow. As the sugary, warm liquid filled my mouth my eyes rolled back in my head. Skye's pussy clenched around me. I moved my head to change breasts and Skye grabbed it for me, feeding it to me. I moaned and cupped her ass in both hands roughly, urging her movements. It wasn't long before I began to feel that familiar pull in my balls and stomach.

"I'm close, amour. I need you to cum for me." I bent my knees and deepened my thrusts. "Can you do that, beautiful?"

She moaned incoherently so I slid my hand between her cheeks and massaged the dark, puckered skin with my fingertip.

"Oh God… Yesss!" she sat up with a jolt.

I watched as she literally, fell apart on top of me. Not giving her a chance to calm down, I held her over me and bent my knees fully. Then I pushed off the bed into her using my feet against the mattress as leverage.

"Oh shit… Oh god!" she cursed. Her head falling back as a second orgasm wracked her body, a little less intense than the first; but still good I figured as she dug her nails into my chest.

I grunted and panted like a wild animal as we fucked. I almost roared as I came, filling her tiny womb with all that is me. The good, and the bad. The human and the vampire.

She collapsed on my chest smiling. I smiled knowing that I'd put that smile there. I lifted her face and kissed the dimples in her cheeks.

"You're amazing." I praised.

"So are you." She giggled and lay her face in the crook of my neck. I felt her hot breath on the underside of my chin and her heavy hair on my shoulder and arm. I reached up to stroke it before tangling my hands in the wild, silky, stands.

"I'm gonna miss you." She sighed and kissed my neck. "I hate it when you leave me."

"I'll be home as soon as I can, Angel. You know I can't stay away from you for too long."

"I know, but as soon as you get home you're going to Nevada with Colin for that medical conference." She pouted.

I looked down at her.

"I know. But he's the keynote speaker and I promised him I'd be there for moral support. I can't back out on him now." I told her.

"Edward…"

"Just think about this while I'm gone… We're moving to New Orleans as soon as I get back and you will have me all to yourself."

"All mine?" she asked.

"All yours." I reiterated.

"You promise?"

I laughed.

"Yes, I promise. A couple more weeks and we're out of here."

She sat up and I missed her warmth and soft skin immediately. She smiled looking down at me. I knew that look and I couldn't help but smile to myself. It was going to be a long night. My wife was going to make sure I thought and dreamed of her the entire time I was Paris.

She lifted her hips and I slid slowly from her pussy. My semi erect, and sticky cock fell on my belly. But it wasn't there long. Skye slithered her way down my body and cupped my balls making my dick jerk. She smiled at my involuntary response then palmed me gently, but firmly.

"Angel…" I hissed.

She didn't respond. At least not with words. She just pumped me in her tiny hand. I couldn't decide if I should keep my eyes open or close when I felt the back of her throat. I grabbed her hair and she moaned, sucking harder and faster. My head fell back on the pillow and I stared at the ceiling in a bliss filled daze.

Fuck, her mouth was...

"Fuckkk!" I growled, tightening my grip on her hair and thrusting my hips off the bed as I felt her tongue swirling around my tip. She sucked harder.

"Yes, love, harder!" I instructed and she complied.

I watched her head bob, and couldn't help but stare at her wet lips wrapped deliciously around my pale rod. The slurping and moaning sounds filled my head. And the feel of her wet, hot, mouth, and soft, pebbled tongue was enough to make any man weak. But it was her eyes that did me in. The love and heat in them burned me alive. They set my soul and body on fire.

"Shit…I'm cumming!" I barked letting go of her head and gripping the sheets, which ripped in my grasp. As I came my entire body stiffened and I sat up panting. I felt like I was having convulsions the way my muscles spasmed.

"Love, you've…got...to let go." I begged but she continued sucking. "Please…Angel…"

I was afraid to touch her. I might have ripped her head off if I tried to remove her.

She release me smiling.

"But you taste so good. Sweet, like fresh honey." She cooed.

I pulled her to me and attacked her mouth.

"I think that's yourself you're tasting." I told her playfully.

"It's both of us. We're so good together," she replied.

"Yes, we are," I said covering her mouth with mine before flipping her on her back.

0~~~~~~~~~~0

We were sitting at a large, round, hand carved table and everyone was carrying on side conversations. The meeting was pretty much over and I was ready to go.

"Well if there's nothing else…" Carlisle started.

"There is something else actually. It's not on the meeting agenda but a few were discussing it before the meeting," Amun said.

"Okay, well you have the…" Carlisle started before I stood up.

"My family is not up for discussion. They are not this council's concern," I said looking at Amun, Mick and then Vladimir.

"Calm down, mate. You didn't even let us ask the question," Mick said.

"There's no need to. The answer is none of your business," I said.

Vladimir looked at Carlisle, who was presiding over this year's meetings. It was someone different each year. It gave the person no extra power over the council, we all were equal and everything was voted on. They were there just to keep things moving. To mediate.

"Carlisle," Amun said and gestured to me.

"Edward, son, sit down and let him speak."

"Carlisle…"

"Edward, he has a right to ask a question or make a request. We'll determine if it's relevant or needs to be addressed once it's presented."

I huffed and sat down. "Fine!"

"So as I've said, some of us were talking before the meeting and we'd like to request an inquiry of the Masen-Cullen family."

I seethed, my hands clenching into fists.

"What kind of inquiry?" Carlisle asked a little pissed too.

"Nothing invasive. We all know that Edward and his lovely wife just had another hybrid. It was the reason he couldn't attended the emergency meeting back in December."

"And?" Carlisle said.

"And we would like to know how this continues to be possible. She is human, is she not? How is it that she is able to carry so many vampire children to term and live?"

"This has already been explained to you. Skye is no regular human. She is a human hybrid. She is stronger and heals much faster…" Carlisle started.

"Yes, we understand all that. But even as a human hybrid it should be difficult to carry a vampire child to term."

"It was!" I growled.

"Yet she keeps doing it. All the women in her family have done it and they aren't hybrids."

"Your point?" I ask.

"My point is…there has to be more to their story than what you've told us. Her mother and aunt both had hybrids as humans and lived. That is nothing short of a miracle is it not?" Amun asked.

"Not when they had vampire men who loved them enough to guide them through the pregnancies and births," I said.

"But the babies should have ripped them apart, or at the very least done irreversible damage on the way out."

"Maybe we should tell them something, Edward. Keep them off our backs." Carlisle said.

I turned and looked at him. The answer in my eyes. We had never told anyone about Skye's potion. And we had our reason's. In the wrong hands, it could be dangerous. I could see it now. Male vampires all over would be taking human women as mistresses to sire children with.

We would have hybrids everywhere. And heaven forbid if the woman wasn't willing or tricked into it. The backlash that would cause would be horrendous. We would be more than exposed to the human population if women continuously came up missing, or were found dead with their wombs torn apart.

"I told you before. Skye's grandfather, uncle, and dad helped their wives through the births. It's not the pregnancy that can kill them. It's the births. But they can survive even that if someone is there to remove the child."

"Still, it is highly unlikely that both mother and child..." Vlad replied.

"But not impossible."

I thought about that. If I had known then what I knew now about hybrids perhaps things would have been different with Reneesme's birth, with Bella.

Amun narrowed his eyes at me then turned toward the rest of the council. "Surely you all see how important this is. The potential for power it creates."

He looked to Carlisle and I. "The entire reason this council was created was to promote equality and stability amongst our kind. To ensure that no one coven had dominance over the other. But as it stands, it is quite clear that this isn't happening. The Cullen's are a very large and powerful coven. Add to this Edward's union with the human hybrid and you get her family, also a large coven. Then of course there is his four hybrid vampire children whose possible powers we have yet to learn of."

He looked at me. "Even you have to see the uneasy predicament this leaves us in."

I looked at Amun. Why was he always so worried that we had some sinister plan to overthrow the council. And why was he still pissed that I got off on the Damien incident. You would've thought he'd known him personally. And to think he was once a close friend to Carlisle.

"Actually I don't. Yes, my family is large. And yes some of us are gifted. But you all know us. Some of you are old and dear friends. We are not, and never have been power hungry. We just want to live our lives in peace, and without disruption.

"I love my wife. We wanted a family and could give each other that. There is, and was never a big conspiracy or plot to take over the vampire world. We just want to raise our children in a loving family and a safe environment." I addressed the council.

"Exactly," Carlisle said. "There is no need for an inquiry into Edward's family because there is nothing to inquire about."

"I disagree. Just the fact that their existence is possible is worthy of discussion." Vlad said. "They are quite possibly the next step in our evolution. Carlisle, you being a doctor and scholar know this."

"Perhaps they are. And that's why I've been keeping close tabs on them."

"Information you will no doubt be keeping to yourself?"

Carlisle raised a brow and shrugged.

"Until I feel it's needed otherwise."

Vladamir humphed.

"Listen, you have nothing to worry about. Other than Edward, what other male vampire do you know that can sire children with a human?"

"Well I now know of eight and the remaining seven are in your coven."

"Eight?" I questioned.

"Yes Edward, eight. You, Carlisle, and your brothers. Your wife's grandfather, father, brother and Nahuel's father, who the Volturi destroyed."

"Well, I'm not sure if we all could do it," Carlisle said looking down.

"Of course you could. If you and your other sons weren't mated already, I have no doubts that you all would have taken human women for mates and have just as many children as young Edward here," Vlad said. "I mean, all of you are willing to mate and procreate with humans are you not? And having your own children and family creates a bond that is stronger than any bond we could ever wish to create with other vamps. And please don't insult my intelligence by telling me that it is just your diet that makes this possible? There is more to it and I want to know what it is."

Carlisle cleared his throat.

"First of all, if myself or my sons were to mate with a human woman and procreate, it wouldn't be to simply grow our coven, Vladimir. None of my boys are that malicious or shallow." He shook his head. "Edward is able to do what he does because he loves his wife."

He laughed. "We've all been in love before, Carlisle and..."

"Have you? Have you ever loved someone more than you loved life itself? Have any of you ever loved someone so much that you'd give your very life for theirs? Your entire existence? Have any of you ever had someone love you so much that you didn't feel that you could go on without their love? Unconditional, unrestrained, raw, passionate, overwhelming and all consuming love. That's what I'm talking about. That's the kind of love you must have. That's the kind of love my son has with and for his wife. It is why he is able to show such restraint with her even in such a...heightened state. And it is something that most vampires are no longer capable of. So you see, there is no big secret.

"And no one in this room was born the way we are today. We're merely infected humans. But Edward's wife, her father, brother, and cousins were. My grandchildren were. Venom has been flowing in their veins from the moment of conception. It is a part of them at their most basic cellular level. So yes, they have traits and abilities that make them different than both humans and vampires. But that same reason is what makes them less of a threat."

"Well I think we should bring them here. Run a few..." Amun replied.

I growled. "Are you stupid? You're not experimenting on my children and wife!"

"But we need to know what we're dealing..." Vlad started.

"Children, they're just children." I told him.

"Very intelligent children from what I understand," Amun said.

"Yes, so what? As Carlisle has just stated, they have venom in their blood. It will make them better humans," I said.

"Well your wife is nothing short of magnificent. So powerful and beautiful. Perhaps she would be willing..." Vladimir added.

I looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"I don't think so."

"Maybe you can tell us if the wee ones have developed any gifts. Then there would be no need..." Mick asked slyly.

I stood up.

"This is bullshit and I've had enough. My family is not this council's business and is not up for discussion!"

"Calm down, Edward," Carlisle said.

"I just think we have a right to know if the Cullen's have added four new gifted vamps to their coven…or family. Whatever it is that you call it," Amun said.

"And I think it's none of your damn business!" I growled.

"Why are you so defensive, Edward?" Mick asked.

"Are you serious? You want to come to my home, invade my life and run all kinds of tests on my wife and kids. Why in the fuck wouldn't I be defensive?"

Kiew from China stood up and all attention turned her way. She was a vision in red. Her silk dress with gold colored buttons and intricate white Calla lilies stitched on the back made her stand out and seem regal.

I took in her petite form and pale skin with gold undertones. Her hair was jet black, pin straight and cut in a classic, chin length bob with no bangs. Her face was small and youthful, considering she'd been changed in her mid forties. She was at least a hundred years older than Carlisle and had a very calm and soothing demeanor. She seemed to have no ill feelings or thoughts toward anyone or anything. She radiated…peace. And that was no easy task considering how she was changed.

From what I gathered from her shady human memories it was the result of an attack, as many other vampires changes had been. But she had been a woman in the prime of her life and had lost everything. Her husband, children, and a grandchild that was born a few months after her attack. Yet she had made her peace with things, and with what she'd become. I envied her for that, because I still wasn't there yet, not totally. But Skye and the kids were making my own personal peace more of a reality everyday.

"I have something I would like to say," she said and Carlisle gestured for her to continue. "After your trial Edward, I have to admit that I too was fascinated by your wife, and your family. And while I would like to know more about them… I have no interest in invading your life."

I took an unneeded breath and waited.

"But… I think Amun and Vladimir are right. We've all seen what your wife can do. We know she's no regular human. She in fact is very special. So there really is no doubt that your children will be gifted, if they are not already. How can they not be with the two of you as parents? And while I don't believe that the Cullen's are…plotting to overthrow the council." She looked at Vladimir and Amun. "I am curious about the things Vladimir and Amun have brought up. It honestly makes me leery that you are trying to hide them."

The rest of the council all seemed to nod in agreement.

"I have my reasons for being evasive. And after what happened with Damien you should all understand this. I take my family's safety very serious. So I don't like it when others invade our privacy.

"It is true. We are the largest coven since the Volturi, and because of that we will always be seen as a threat. Like it or not, my family and I are targets now. Because if any coven or single vampire gets power hungry, who do you think they're going to come after?" I looked around the table and they all diverted their eyes.

"Exactly…none of you. They're going to come after me, my wife, my children, my brothers and sisters, and my parents. People I love. People who love me. People I would die, and kill for."

I sighed and sat down.

"All of you here fought with us in some capacity during the Vampiric War. Most of you sitting here today played key roles in the downfall of the old regime. This is why our peers voted you on this council.

"But for you the war ended the night I killed Aro. All of you went on with your lives. I however, feel like I've never stopped fighting and that I must always be on guard.

"I can't relax and enjoy my life, my wife, and my children. I can't just rest like the rest of you. And most of that is due to the fact that I am a Cullen and that I led the attack that started the war. I am the very first target for any vampire with delusions of grandeur."

I sighed.

"What little semblance of peace and control I have in my life I plan to keep. I'm not willing to relinquish it to you, or anyone else." I looked at them.

They really had no idea the shit that me and my family carried on our shoulders. And then to come here and hear this shit all the time. I could give a fuck who ran what, as long as they left me and my family out it. And I know the rest of my family felt the same way. But that's not how shit worked. The others looked up to us now. They expected us to be leaders and role models. You would not believe how many vamps were vegetarians now. That of course pleased Carlisle, but it also opened a lot of eyes as to the impact we were having on the vampire community and it scared them.

"We're not asking you to give up your…" Amun started.

"But you are." I interrupted. "Giving you every damn detail of my life puts me and my family at risk, Amun. If you want this inquiry into my life then I want one for everyone on the council. I will not be the only one being fucking interrogated and investigated. If I have to open my life up to you and risk my safety, then all of you should have to as well. We are all equals, right? It's only fair," I said.

And the murmuring began.

No one wanted their daily lives being inspected with a fine toothed comb. Vamps by nature were very private beings. It came from all the years of secrecy and hiding. It was okay when my family and safety were on the line. But when their secrets were in danger of being exposed they'd back down. Suddenly my family didn't seem to be such a threat. They were all hypocrites.

Vladimir cleared his throat.

"Fine, we rescind the request for now," he said.

I thought you would. I thought. He had plenty of shit to hide.

"But we would like some clarification on one thing."

I scan his thoughts and only got humming.

"What is that?" I asked.

"Your wife's mother. She was some sort of witch, was she not?"

"What in the hell?" Carlisle thought at me. I didn't turn toward him and I didn't answer Vladimir so he continued.

"I took it upon myself to find out more about your lovely wife. I remembered her telling me at your eldest daughter's wedding that she was from New Orleans so I did a little digging." He smiled. "The people down in the American south really are as friendly as they say. So talkative and willing to help."

I felt my nostrils flaring. Who in the fuck did he think he was?

"Anyway. I found out your wife's mother was some kind of…voodoo queen. At least that's what the townies called her. But we all know that's just a nice way to say witch."

Everyone was looking at him and waiting for more. I cringed when I saw what was coming next.

"My little helper said that her specialty was potion making." He smiled.

"Human superstitions." I tried to sound uninterested.

"Well we all know that most human superstition is based on facts."

"And a lot of it is overactive imaginations."

"If you're going to play games then I'll just come right out and ask then?" He smiled. "Did you wife also gain her mother's talent for potion making?"

I shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come now, Edward. Don't be coy. It will go no further than this room." He insisted.

I looked at him.

"He's not going to elaborate. But we all know that Edward's human is full of surprises. She reads minds, floats things around the room…" he gestured with his hands, "…and now we find out she's a witch too. She will be a forced to be reckoned with once she is changed, no?" Mick said nastily.

"Look Mick, I'm only going to say this once. Keep my wife out of this. If you've got a problem with me, take it up with me." I growled.

"I will, don't you wor…" but before he could finish the sentence I had flit to him, threw him to the ground and had my foot in his throat. His eyes widened in shock and fear. The rest of the Council stood quickly and backed away.

"Not so fucking cocky now are you?" I grinned. "Move and I'll pop your head off like a tick."

He moved his hand, he was going to try and grab my foot so he could flip me. I increased the pressure on his neck and heard it snapping.

"Don't even think about it..." I warned.

He held his hands up in surrender.

Carlisle called from across the room.

"Edward, please. This isn't helping."

I snarled but let him go.

Everyone returned to their seats slowly, watching me like I was crazy. Mick stood up and rubbed at his throat.

"I'm not kidding. Not a fucking word. Don't even think about her." I warned.

Fucking Aussie liked pushing me, which was not a good idea since every time he spoke, I heard Damien's thick accent.

He grumbled a 'fuck you' and sat back down.

"So the motion about the inquiry into Edward's family has been rescinded. Is there anything else? I would like to be home to my wife by tomorrow morning." Carlisle sighed.

"There's still the issue of the potion making witch," Vladimir said.

"All you have is superstitious gossip, and it doesn't affect this Council either way. Besides, even if Skye's mother was a potion making witch, what concern is it of yours? She's not your mother in law and she passed away a long time ago." Carlisle said.

"But..."

"But nothing. The matter is inconsequential. You are just causing more problems than necessary and preventing me from going home. So now if you're finished. I move to adjourn this meeting."

"I second the motion." I blew out a tired breath.

"Alright, all in favor?" Carlisle asked.

A bunch of I's sounded, officially ending the meeting but I knew not the issue. It would come up again. Too many of them were interested now. I just wanted to go home and bury myself in my wife. I needed her so badly right now.

"Great, the I's have it. Meeting adjourned." Carlisle dismissed us.

"I'll see you at the house." I told him before taking off.

He nodded."Don't worry, Edward. Everything will be fine."

I nodded halfheartedly and left the room.

0~~~~~~~~~~~0

Once we got on the jet and got settled, I called Skye.

"Hello, handsome." I could hear the smile in her voice.

"Hello, beautiful. How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"And my babies?"

"Fine, they miss you. I miss you. Are you on your way home yet?"

"We just got on the plane. I should be there by morning."

"Good, hurry."

"I'm trying, mon amour."

"I know."

"Momma!" I heard EJ calling in the background.

"Shit! I've gotta go. Stevie is climbing up the moving boxes again."

I laughed. "Duty calls."

"Yes."

"Angel…"

"Yeah."

"I love you."

"Me too."

"And Angel…"

"Hmm…"

"Send the kids to Rose and Em. I want you to myself tomorrow."

0~~~~~~~~~0

AN: So what'd ya'll think? Next chap. things start to go down hill...Uh oh!