A/N: Review, people, review!

Falling…

Opening quote

Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.
Mae West

The black panther raced through the forest. Freedom, he thought, and he didn't even have to exert himself to reach a speed that effortlessly seemed to eat mile after mile. He finally stopped at a small creek and greedily drank its cold water. Refreshed, he phased and spoke the spell that returned his clothes to him from the medallion he wore around his neck. Severus had enchanted it to hold them and his wand, and the necklace accomodated his neck in any of his shapes. Much better than tying my clothes to my leg and getting them wet and dirty on the run, he thought with a smirk. He'd have to find a way to make this work for the rest of the tribe too.

Severus had grown to love weekends. He used Friday afternoons and nights to grade papers and prepare next week's classes and the weekends were spent with Irene – he took her to the store to do their shopping and then they'd eat brunch together on Saturdays. After supper on Saturday night he'd phase and run all the way around the border to the Cullen land and farther around the edges of town. Due to his coloring he was perfectly camouflaged and even if he encountered any human hunters or cops, they never even saw a whisker of his before he was out of their sight again. As long as it there wasn't too much snow to make it too uncomfortable and wet, he spent the nights outside. Sometimes he phased and lit a fire with his wand, other times he remained in his panther shape. He'd found it gave him a rather unique perspective at times. Sunday morning had him trail another watchful round around his tribe's territory. His tribe, he thought possessively. It felt good to belong. And he truly did belong here. To his surprise he'd found a semblance of happiness and even the thought of Lily did not mar this feeling. Some part of him wondered how she was doing and what was happening in his home country, but somehow it didn't appear all that relevant at this moment in time. Not like he could return and defeat Voldemort. Even though, the thought of what the Dark Lord would say if Severus phased before his eyes made him chuckle.. or rather.. growl with amusement.

Esmé was worried about Carlisle and Renee. She knew that something would have to give eventually. She could only hope it wouldn't break Carlisle's heart. She doubted that she or their family were equipped to deal with it if he went to pieces, even if only figuratively. She decided a good long hike would help her compartmentalise and ignore her anxiety a while longer. She dressed in worn jeans, an old blouse that had seen better days and walked out the door at a steady pace, with no particular destination in mind. She'd give Alice a headache at this rate… her pealing laughter chased a few birds from their places of rest. Soon she tired of her slow progress and started running. The forest flitted by faster and faster as Esmé ran. She enjoyed the cool fresh air and raced a couple of deer who frantically tried to escape from the predator she was for them. As she hadn't planned to snack just then, she let them go eventually and changed course. For a while she ran along the Quileute border, turning south eventually to circle around Forks and return at the edges of town where she wouldn't be seen. It wouldn't do to let the good folks of Forks, her customers among them, see the neat little accountant in torn clothes with wild hair and no make-up, would it?! She couldn't hold back the laughter bubbling up and stopped to enjoy the view. The tall trees didn't let much sunlight reach the forest floor. To her, the shadows weren't dark at all. She found a small clearing and lay in the last of the sunny rays brightening it. Her skin glittered in the light and the reflections skittered across the treeline as she watched them and drank in the warmth.

Severus phased back once more, reassured that no stray vampire wandered around on his watch and that the Cullens had – predictively, but still – stayed on their side of the borderline. Nothing to worry about. He could lope home at a sedate pace. Maybe one more leap around, purely for the fun of it? The little voice inside him coaxed and he acquiesced and started running. He loved it, he had to admit to himself, if to no one else. He was more fit than he had been in years, he had a tan, for Salazar's sake! And his hair was smooth and clean. He wondered how he'd ever been capable of enjoying teaching in the darkness of the Dungeons. He shook his head and decided it was time to head home for a shower and some quality time with Irene.

As he turned around, a scent caught his attention. He knew he'd smelled it once before. But.. when? And where? He sniffed the air once more and a slight breeze showed him the way. He followed it, until a soft voice interrupted his concentration. Singing? What on earth? He listened as the song soothed his case of nerves and silently walked around the edge of the clearing. The voice rang a bell, no, it touched a chord in him and he was familiar with it. But the knowledge eluded him, driven away by the notes floating around him, drawing him closer still. He shook his head, trying to clear it but to no avail. Finally, he chose to phase, clumsily due to the distraction of the music… to find himself face to face with a snarling vampire and his attempt at a growl turned into a suffocating cough when he realised that he was standing in bright sunlight in a clearing in the middle of nowhere, nose to nose with Esmé Cullen.

Esmé quickly averted her eyes. Mostly for his sake as she found what she saw quite appealing. No tan lines, her brain registered before she did her level best not to think about this interesting fact. "Fancy meeting you here," she said politely, both snarl and smile turned into cool composure. Going by the sounds she heard it was safe to face him again. Contrary to her, Severus could not wipe the flush off his face so quickly. Did it have to be her he had to run into? Of all the people living in Forks and on the res? He couldn't even accuse her of crossing the border to the land of the reservation. She was off both territories and he wondered why. But he couldn't even open his mouth to be equally polite, not to mention interrogate her. After a deep breath he turned to Esmé and said, "Never know who you'll run across in this neck of the woods, do you?!" She nodded in agreement, even as she wondered how he had managed to dress at the same speed as a vampire. Her gaze fell on the medallion around his neck. Her hand reached for it of its own accord and she just managed to hold back when she saw his eyebrow raise. "Would you elaborate please, Mr. Snape? And I have another question too…" she asked, taking a step back to give him space. Severus argued with himself for a moment before he decided to trust her. After all, she knew he would never betray her secret either. Not hers and not her family's. "Call me Severus, please. I see no point in this formality now. What do you know about me? The sole reason I ask is that I would hate to waste time with needless repitition." "I'm Esmé, Severus, and all I know about you is your name, that you're some relation of the Black family and that you arrived from Great Britain a few months ago. I have no idea about the shape you shift to or where your clothes came from just now. And that's something I'd really like to know. Even though you look pretty good to me without them too. Sorry. The last bit was probably over the top. You.. unsettle me somehow, and believe me, that rarely happens." For some reason, this evoked a smile from Severus' serious face. "Shall we sit down somewhere? I know standing won't tire you, but I'm human, mostly anyway, and after a long run that I started yesterday already, I could do with some rest now while I explain." "The clearing would be suitable, Severus. But consider yourself duly warned. My skin reacts with the light. See for yourself." Esmé walked forward into the light once more and he watched her face and arms turn into a million glittering diamonds. How could anyone be allowed to be so heartbreakingly beautiful? "A dead giveaway, isn't it?! Now you know yet another reason why we take the kids out of school on very sunny days. We can't afford to reveal our nature if we want to live here," she softly said.

When they had sat down on the mossy ground, Severus proceeded to explain the world he'd left behind. He told her about wizards, witches, Hogwarts and Voldemort. At some point, he mentioned Lily and her husband and Esmé saw the short flicker of pain cross his features. She almost reached for his hand, but kept still in order not to interrupt him. His story fascinated her. She wanted to know all of it, Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Dumbledore, house elves, hippogryphs and Muggles. She wondered if she and her kind would count as Muggles too, or if they would be considered a different species like werewolves or giants. She'd never given much thought to definitions like that. Her family was simply that and all she concerned herself with was making sure their existence was safe and secure. Now her horizon had been extended so much farther. Impulsively she touched Severus' arm. "Show me one of your spells, would you please?" she asked, her dark eyes bright at the prospect. She looked like a little girl the day before her birthday, he couldn't help thinking and nodded. He stood, took out his wand and pointed it at a tree across the clearing. "Bombarda", he quietly spoke and watched her flinch a tiny bit as the tree exploded into a zillion splinters. "I'm glad we're not on opposite sides, Severus. Your skills match ours pretty evenly. I wonder how one of your spells would directly affect us…" Esmé mused.

They talked until the sun faded and then, as it set, she turned her back and when he'd phased, they ran towards the border, well matched in speed and graceful motion.

When they reached it, Esmé leaned down to caress the back of the panther's head. "Thank you, Severus. You've given me an unexpected gift and new perspectives. Tomorrow I need to hunt – would you care to join me, late afternoon maybe?" The Panther pushed his head into her hand and growled, nodding his head before he took off running. He'd used his talent as a Legilimens and seen the attraction he felt reciprocated in her mind. He made his way home quickly. He needed to think and weigh the consequences of telling a vampire about his origins. An attractive, appealing, intelligent vampire to boot. Then he would decide what to do about tomorrow. A good night's sleep should help too. He wondered about her scent. Billy had always turned up his nose even at the thought of the supposedly sickly smell that vampires supposedly were surrounded by.

His stomach's rumblings interrupted his thoughts. He was ravenous, he realised. Maybe Irene would have some leftovers, in spite of the fact that he'd neglected her this weekend. Also, it had always helped him to talk things over with her. Not far from the house he phased, dressed and went to knock on Irene's door.