Okay, so I'm here with chapter four!! This may help answer some questions, but it won't answer all of them. Naturally. What writer would do that, answer all the questions at once?

Anyhoo, I need a little help for a future chapter. Thanksgiving is coming up (in the story, at least), and I really want to put a scene in with how the Cullens would celebrate Thanksgiving with a human. So...I need some ideas. I can't think of a good one, and I really want it to be something special. So what are your suggestions?? Just leave them with your review, and some (or all!!) will get owrked into my awesome grand scheme!!

Chapter Four: Stealing Gifts

I realized after I hit the front doors that it probably wasn't a bright idea. My right foot wasn't cooperative, I had only my school sweater for protection against the cold, and I didn't have anywhere to go. Realizing my mistake, I slowed to a walk. For some reason, I didn't turn around. Instead, I kept walking, until I found myself a few blocks away from school, and right in front of the city auditorium.

Sighing, I slumped onto the steps, ignoring the cold stone as effectively as I had Edward's hand. I had to think, and yet I found there wasn't enough room in my head for extra thoughts. I could hear the secretary just inside the door wondering when her lunch break was, and the mayor upstairs wondering when his coffee break was. I heard the homeless guy across the street wonder if I had any change, and Ipulled out my entire change purse and threw it across to him. He smiled at me and gave me a flower that he probably stole from someone's yard. I thanked him, and watched him run off.

Suddenly, with no explanation, I understood that I wasn't going to find answers with anyone except Edward Cullen. Sighing, and pretty mad at myself for running this far in the first place, I trudged back to school, trying to think of a story for my unexplained absence.

I was just adding the finishing touches to a lost puppy story when a new voice entered the babble and addressed me.

That's not going to work, Adele.

Edward Cullen. Just the man I wanted. I bristled at his jab at my puppy story, and saw his amusement as clear as any thought of my own. We need to talk about this.

Yes, we do. He agreed. Can you meet me by the swings on the playground? The smaller kids don't get recess until after lunch, correct?

Yes. I said. But don't you think we'll get caught.

With us on the lookout? His amusement colored my thoughts.

On the lookout?! I repeated, amazed. I can't even think my own thoughts, this din is so loud!

Oh, right. I forgot. As I rounded the corner, I saw him leaning against the swing set, looking like a model in his uniform. I'll take lookout duty then.

Damn straight you will. I muttered, remembering my thoughts were no longer private. You know, I don't like it that you can hear me.

I don't like that you can hear me. How did this happen? He ran his hand through his messy hair, looking as uncomfortable as his thoughts sounded.

I think I know. I replayed the scene I had been mulling over with the homeless person. Edward and I shaking hands, then as soon as he let go, a weird sensation. He contemplated the scene, sitting down on one of the swings. I follow suit, kicking at the sand underfoot.

Have you been able to do this before? He asked.

Read minds?

No. Steal gifts.

Steal gifts? I blinked a few times, confused. No, I guess.

You've never gotten weird talents all of a sudden, not of your own accord?

Well, once my mother was trying to teach me to cook, and I wasn't getting it. She took my hand to teach me how to stir the batter correctly, and when she let go, it's like I just got it.

So you do have a habit. He seemed smug for a moment, then returned to thoughtful. So apparently we just did a similar thing. I had a talent, and without knowing it, you stole some of it from me. Curiouser and curiouser.

Okay, Lewis Carroll, you're telling me that you could read minds the whole time, and then just decided to let me in on the joke? Do I look stupid?

No, but we are all mad here. He was chuckling out loud. I scowled. I don't think I let you do anything. I think you just did it without realizing. And yes. I have been able to read minds for forty five years.

Hold it. You're supposed to be a freshman.

Damn it. You weren't supposed to hear that.

There are a lot of things I'm not supposed to hear.

Good point. He sighed. I think I should bring you to Carlisle. I have no idea what to do with you.

I didn't realize I was a problem.

I didn't either, until I slipped up. For now, we should go back to class. Try to act normal. If you get confused, or need help or anything, I will know. I'll try to talk you through it. Do you think you can handle it?

His thoughts were concerned and sincere. I nodded. I got this.

Good. He smiled. Now, back to class.

--- --- ---

I didn't pay attention to a single thing my teachers said the rest of the day. Instead, I was listening to their thoughts. Everyone's thoughts. I didn't really want to, but some voices were harder to block out that others. Edward would try to help me, showing me how he turned most voices into just a buzzing, until he heard his name. It was knee-jerk reaction. My name seemed to be on his sibling's minds an awful lot. He told them that he was going to see Carlisle after school, and not to worry if they got home late. They seemed to accept his excuse, but only half-heartedly. The smaller girl, who was called Alice, I had learned, was watching me like a hawk for the rest of the day.

The final bell rang, and I ran to my locker as fast as my lame foot would let me. Edward had beaten me there, his books in one hand, mine in the other.

I figured I'd speed up the process as much as possible. He shrugged. Are you ready?

I nodded. Let's go.

We walked the short way to the hospital. Every walk was short in our sleepy town. We didn't say a word out loud, but I learned that his brother's name was Emmett, and the blonde girl was Rosalie. They were dating, apparently, and only related through the marriage of Carlisle and Esme, the young wife.

So that means its legal, right? I asked. They're not going to get busted for incest?

Exactly. Edward laughed. He opened the door to our small hospital. Right this way.

We walked through the bright white hallways, pass waiting rooms and desks, patient rooms and the large OR doors. At the end of the hallway, Edward turned, his arm looped through mine the only thing keeping me on course. He stopped in front of plain white door, the sign next to declaring it Dr. Cullen's office. I could suddenly hear his thoughts, as clear as though he had yelled them to us.

Edward's here with…a human? Edward knocked.

What does he mean, human? I asked. Edward answered me by singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic in his head. I had learned from Alice today that this was a method of keeping minds like ours out. I pouted gently.

"Edward!" There was a note of happiness in Dr. Cullen's thoughts as he opened the door. "And…Miss Foster." The shock was evident from his thoughts.

"I told you, Dr. Cullen. Adele will do." I smiled brightly, hoping it wasn't too fake. Edward snorted with laughter. I glared at him. The whole exchange was only a second long, and yet Dr. Cullen noticed.

"Adele, Edward, why don't you come in." He was wary now. Edward, what's going on?

"We needed to see you, Carlisle." Edward closed the door behind him. "Adele is…well, she…" Even Edward's thoughts were stuttering. He couldn't grasp what he wanted to say, and yet, he was trying to push its importance. "Adele stole my gift." He finally said, looking slightly pathetic as he did.

Dr. Cullen simply stared for a moment. His thoughts were as blank as his face. "She stole it." He stated.

"Think of something." I asked. "Something I wouldn't know about."

He did. My mind was suddenly flooded with the picture of a beautiful blonde boy, his long, lean frame leaning against a bookshelf packed with books, his golden eyes bright with happiness.

"You're thinking of a boy. Probably my age, maybe a little older. Blonde hair, the same eyes as the rest of the family, dressed in khakis and a black shirt." His name suddenly came at me in both Edward's and Dr. Cullen's voice. "Jasper. He's the one at Columbia, isn't he?"

What are you talking about? Edward asked.

That's the story. Dr. Cullen said.

"Story?" I spoke out loud. "So he's not actually there? Where is he?" I felt a sudden pang of fear. "He's okay, right?"

Edward and Dr. Cullen both laughed. "He's fine." Dr. Cullen said, recovering first.

I fail to see what's so funny. I pouted.

Of course you do. Edward said, even his thoughts amused. That's why I've been singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic all day.

"That's not fair." I said.

"How much does she know?" Dr. Cullen asked.

"Just about my gift." Edward replied. "I've been singing the Battle Hymn all day to keep her from discovering things too soon."

"It's annoying." I grumbled. Again, they shared a laugh at my expense.

"How did this happen?" Dr. Cullen asked.

"I think it's a gift of her own." Edward quickly related the scene from this morning to him. "We haven't had contact since." He concluded. "I wanted to talk to you first."

"This is curious." He sat down at his desk, his eyes never leaving my face. "Would it work only with a strong gift like yours?" He wondered out loud. I stood up, reading his thoughts.

"Let's try it." I suggested. He looked at me for just a minute longer, then held his hand up, palm facing me. Softly, almost afraid, I touched my palm to his.

This time I felt the gift flow through me. It was warm, and comforting. Instantly knew that Dr. Cullen was just as compassionate as I had imagined him, and I had stolen some of that compassion. I also felt a strange resistance to blood that I couldn't explain. I had never been particularly queasy, but now I felt performing a surgery was not out of the question.

Two sets of golden eyes were watching me. I looked up to them both. "You're compassionate, Dr. Cullen. That's your super power. That and this blood resistance thing. I don't get that, but I guess it's a good thing if you are a doctor."

"So we have super powers now?" Edward laughed to himself.

"What do you want me to call it? Your mutant power?" I asked him, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

"Call it what you want." Dr. Cullen interrupted. He was still watching me. "I wonder, Adele…" I held up my hand, ready. He touched his palm to mine, and I felt the power return to its owner, felt it leave my body and return to his. Edward watched the transaction take place from inside my head.

"Fascinating." He murmured. "I've never heard of this gift before. And it's so strong already!"

"It is." Carlisle murmured. Should we tell her?

Tell me what?

"I don't know Carlisle." Edward was hesitant.

She won't tell anyone. She's too curious. She thinks she's one of us.

I heard the blame in his voice. Edward flinched slightly. "She is, in a way."

I'm not going to end her life, Edward. There was steely tone in the doctor's voice then, and I suddenly saw him as the father figure he was. Can we keep her safe if she knows what we are?

"I think we can." Edward was confident. "She doesn't want trouble. Her mind has been damaged, but it is no less pure because of that. She knows how to keep a secret. Don't you, Adele?" His voice softened as he said that, and I knew he had found my secret. Iburst into tears at the thought.

"Don't tell anyone, Edward." I begged. "Please don't. My mom still loves him. She'll do anything to protect him. He's going to kill her, I know it, but please, don't say anything. She won't leave him."

"Adele, calm down." Dr. Cullen, once again, caught me before I could fall. This time I was fainting, though.