Penname: javamomma0921

Derivative Fiction

Rating: T

Disclaimer: All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: Fanatic

Fanatic

"Honestly, Alice, I don't know how you have so much energy!"

Gabriella was bustling around the back of the shop, organizing the latest shipment of expensive materials. She had fit into the atmosphere of the shop seamlessly. I loved watching her and Brienne interact; Brienne had taken Gabriella under her wing immediately, showing her the ropes of the of the store. This morning when they arrived after having breakfast together, I was already at the shop laying out the final drawings I had made for Gabriella's dress. She was ogling them now.

"It doesn't take me any time at all to draw these things, Gaby," I said. "Besides, I love designing for you. You're so grateful!"

Both women chuckled and clucked over the drawings, pointing out little features on the dress which appealed to them.

"But this is too much, Alice," Gaby said, tears standing in her eyes. "I can never repay you for the time it will take to make this."

I looked at the two women standing close together, Brienne's arm casually wrapped around Gabriella's waist, and smiled a little sadly. It was almost time for me to go; after I finished her dress, but before the wedding. I was pleased to see the two of them getting along so well. They would miss me when I left, but they would have each other now.

"You already have," I whispered, inaudible to the two humans.

I began staying later than the both of them in order to work on the dress. My time was running out here and I needed my vampire speed in order to finish what I was working on. One night as I was working on the dress, I had a vision of Brienne and Gabriella coming back to the shop trying to find me. They had been out having drinks and decided it wasn't fair that I never came along. They were going to insist on me accompanying them and they didn't intend to take no for an answer.

I froze in place as the vision released me, standing in the middle of the shop like a marble statue. Only my eyes roamed around the shop at the litter of material, thread and plans strewn around my work station. I didn't have long. I needed to cover my tracks.

I flew around the workroom, tidying up at lightening speed, hiding things which I wouldn't have had time to work on and displaying what I could explain away. I finished just before I smelled them approaching the shop. They were not drunk, but they were louder than usual. They had been celebrating and were very happy.

I heard the key turning in the lock, but waited to react until I heard the tiny bell ring as the door opened.

"Hello!" I called out, sounding surprised. "Who's there?"

"It's just us, Alice dear," Brienne called. "Are you in the back?"

"Yes, sorry. I was working on Gaby's dress."

"Oh! May I see?" Gaby asked.

"Of course! It's your dress after all."

They swept into the room, giggling like school girls and chattering about how cleanly I worked. I rolled my eyes behind their back; if they only knew.

"How ever did you get so much done?"

I shrugged. "It wasn't that difficult; I've been staying after you leave every day to work on it."

"It's really beautiful, Alice," Brienne said. "It's your best work."

"Of course!" I said. "It's for my girl, after all."

Gabrielle looked at me with a smile and a few tears in her eyes. She then shook her head as if clearing it.

"No, you've been working too hard," she said. "You must join us for a drink and a late dinner."

"I can't," I said. "There is so much more to do. Besides, I ate earlier."

It wasn't entirely untrue. I had hunted in the early morning hours just outside the city. I'd had a lovely run and encountered some deer on the way.

"You always say that," Brienne frowned. "I don't think I've ever seen you eat."

"Oh, believe me, it's nothing special," I said laughing and waving my hand. Yes, it would need to be very soon; they were getting suspicious.

I found myself trying to find excuses to draw out my time here. I really cared for both of these women; couldn't I make it work somehow?

"Surely you can't enjoy spending all your free time working on my dress!" Gaby insisted.

"Don't be silly! You know I'm a fanatic for the details. I love doing this for you."

"Well, you know I appreciate this more than I can say," she said. "I can't wait to wear it!"

"You won't need to wait long," I said, getting a shadowy vision of her walking down the aisle to meet her husband dressed in her gown. She was looking around for me and was surprised that I wasn't there.

I knew then how I would make my escape. I would finish the dress and get to see her try it on, fitting it to her properly. By then, I'd have passed on all of the secrets I wished share with her. I'd leave a short note for Brienne just before the wedding, talking about how traumatic the wedding was going to be for me, given my "delicate history" and apologizing for running away. Then I would just disappear. They'd forget me soon enough; they had each other and their fragile human memories were far from permanent. But I would never forget. They would always be a part of me, the first friends I had allowed myself in this my new life. Also, the first friends I had lost.

A/N: Sorry for the downer. I imagine that Alice's life was full of ups and downs before she met Jasper. It must have been difficult for a social person such as her to constantly break ties with people, leaving places any time that people got suspicious. But without a family to help her keep up appearances, I imagine it happened often to her. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! ~Jen