Author's Note: A thing that I realized that is different about fanfiction writing as opposed to any other: you write to an audience that already knows the secret. If this was a brand-spanking new story, I would not have ended this chapter with the tease that I do.

Speaking of teasing, please trust that all your plot-related questions will get answered! I will not leave the reader out of the story. ;)

I am looking for a beta to help me with story plot, character development and idea presentation. It's rather difficult to sort through over 3,000 Twilight betas after you've already narrowed the search definitions. If anyone out there is willing to look over my chapters, tell me where things are weak or unclear, and catch the typos that I miss, I will be forever grateful! Send me a PM if you are interested or have any suggestions. :)

This chapter is a step away from action, and a return to character and plot. It's short, but good. Enjoy!

~*~ Chapter Five ~*~

Carlisle found Alice in the dining room, where she was already waiting for him. A massive English oak table, long enough to seat twelve, dominated the room. Carlisle had crafted it himself, as a gift. Esme and Maggie had both been very pleased. It seated more than were actually in the family, but the symbolism of unity had been what mattered most. As time passed, it became natural that no one sat at either the head or the foot. Though he was unofficially head of the family, Carlisle valued that sense of equality. It was at this table where the Cullen family met to have discussions, if needed. This afternoon, it was just he and Alice.

"Alice," Carlisle approached congenially, "how are you?"

Angling her head, Alice looked up and smiled at him. "I'm fine, Carlisle." Carlisle did not need Maggie's intuitiveness to see the sincerity in her words. He nodded, pulling out a chair to sit down beside the small girl. Sitting beside each other, they made a pale and beautiful picture. The virile male, sun-kissed hair topping an impressive figure clothed in wrinkle-free business casual. Beside him, the delicate-boned female, chopped brown hair in stylish chaos, a classy fashion plate of teenaged beauty.

After sliding into the seat so that he was angled toward Alice, Carlisle spoke. Knowing her better than to gradually introduce the conversation, he was up front. "You know that we are beginning to worry about you. Esme and I have both become concerned, especially after you and Jasper ran out of here like that."

"I know I left rather suddenly, but I trusted everyone to understand that I didn't have time to stop and explain. Carlisle, you know better than anyone what it is to not want to see someone hurt." Alice might be playing defensive, but her tone still remained kind and sincere. Carlisle felt that he recognized the technique. Whether she was doing it deliberately or not, it was clearly Carlisle's own influence. After several years together, it was unsurprising that Alice should know him so well. Carlisle felt a quick swell of gratitude and affection for his family.

"True," he answered Alice, "but your interest in this schoolmate of yours is the reason why we're talking, not your neglecting to stop and explain yourself. You know that you're perfectly free to make your own decisions, Alice. It's not a bad thing to see you emotionally involved in the well being of one of your classmates, but you also know that it can be dangerous for us as a family. We do not mix too closely with the townsfolk, Alice, for good reasons that I should not have to remind you of."

"You don't need to remind me, Carlisle." Alice laid her hand on his, a careful gesture of affection before making eye contact. Her newly gold again eyes met his with a significance that weighted her next words. "It is important that this girl remain alive. I did what I could to make certain of that."

"By involving Edward and Rosalie." Carlisle's displeasure and disappointment at the direction Alice had taken was evident, and he didn't bother to hide it. His own gold eyes had already begun to darken towards hungry black. "You went to them before coming to me."

"Don't worry, Carlisle!" Alice interjected, almost laughing her voice was so light. Her amused reaction made Carlisle pause and reassess. "I gave them your advice and I'm certain they followed it."

"Alice, I didn't give you any advice."

"No, but I know what you would have suggested if I had asked." The hand that she had just laid on his now squeezed his upper arm reassuringly. "It really was a matter for them to deal with, Carlisle, not you."

"Yes, I understand Rosalie's connection to what would have happened to the girl. That's one of the reasons why I have been worrying." Carlisle's hesitation was very quick; only a member of his family would have caught it. "However, if you say that they did not do anything that I would not have approved of, then I trust you. Yet, what of this girl, Alice? How much did she see? What do you plan to do about her?"

"I plan to go on as usual. The only thing she saw were two acquaintances showing up at the right time."

"Nothing at all of Edward or Rose?"

"Nothing." Alice emphasized with a hand gesture. "When they showed, they didn't come close enough for it to be possible for anyone other than me and Jasper to pick up on them. They didn't move until after we'd taken her out of sight and hearing."

"Does she plan on pursuing a relationship with you and Jasper out of gratitude?"

Alice smiled. "No. She's grateful, but caught on easily to the do-not-bother-us vibes that Jasper and I put out." Carlisle snorted at her choice of words, and tugged on a lock of her hair in amusement. Cheekily, Alice shook her head out of his grasp before continuing. "Also, she wants to put the incident behind her and forget about it."

Carlisle frowned. "I do not blame her for that. Though I wonder if it is healthy for her state of mind. What is this girl's name? Perhaps I should speak with her, make sure she's alright."

"No." Alice's refusal came quick and firm, causing Carlisle to raise his eyebrows at her. "If you are concerned about her dealing with it, it's best to let her alone. Speaking to her will not be of help."

Carlisle nodded. "I suppose you are right. Also, it would draw her attention to us, which is exactly what I would avoid."

Alice said nothing.

Carlisle placed his hand on Alice's slim shoulder. The paleness of his skin stood out against the dark navy of her shirt. "Our family does not keep secrets, Alice, and you have been notably silent about who this girl is and why she has piqued your interest. I will not ask what you are not willing to tell, but I just need to know one thing. Does this girl pose a threat to our family?"

"No." Alice's gaze was steadfast. "This girl will never be a threat to us. In that I am absolutely confident."

Carlisle smiled and squeezed Alice's shoulder. "I know that your gift can be a burden at times, and I recognize that it might war with the openness with each other that we have in this family. I want you to know that I trust you, Alice. I might not understand what you're doing, but I know you well enough to believe you're acting for the best."

In an ever so delicate and unexpectedly vulnerable movement, Alice tilted her head and rested her cheek against the hand that rested on her shoulder. "Thank you. Our family means as much to me as it does to you. You are the only father I have ever known, Carlisle. I love you."

Touched, Carlisle drew his arm entirely over Alice's shoulders and pulled her to him in a hug. Their mutually cold bodies together created a comfortable and familial warmth for them both. "I love you, too, pixie-brat." With those words, Carlisle let go of any worry that Alice's recent actions would cause suspicion in this unknown teenage girl.

(~*~)

Once the epiphany came, the weight of registering it as reality made Bella's breath come out in one whispered and heavy word: "Vampires."

As ever, I welcome anyone willing to take a moment and leave their thoughts. Please review. ;)