Chapter 11

A/N: I'm trying to figure out ways to get this moving a little more quickly. I hope I was successful this time. The lack of reviews is starting to really bum me out.

"So...how are we going to do this?" Dawn asked.

"It's going to have to be gradual. No one's going to believe that Carlisle just met someone and brought her home. You're going to have to spend some time together so that your scents will get on each other. And you're going to have to start acting affectionate towards each other when you're around them. And we'll have to work on Dawn's vampire habits."

It seemed like an impossible list at the moment, but Dawn was determined not to let Victor win. She knew that if Aro had the sword now that she was as good as dead.

"We don't want another run-in with them either," Edward said, reading her uncertain thoughts, "it would be easier if we just avoid them altogether."

Dawn nodded.

"The first thing we have to do is fix your scent. I'm guessing you smell the way you do because you eat human food," Edward said.

The look of disgust on Dawn's face showed that she'd figured out where this was going.

"Oh, no! Not that! Everytime I see blood, I pass out. That is NOT going to work."

"Do you want us to help you or not?" Carlisle pressed.

Dawn sighed, but she looked as though she'd throw up any second.

"I'll try," she muttered.

"Let's go hunt," Edward suggested, "I'm a little thirsty."

They all ventured out of the castle, Dawn dragging reluctantly behind.

"We'll go first so that you can watch," Edward said.

Dawn shuddered. If it was possible for her to look more pale, she certainly did. Edward, Rosalie, and Alice moved around, trying to catch the scent of something. Within seconds, they all rushed forward towards their prey. It seemed as though they'd stumbled upon a wolf pack.

"I think I'm going to be sick," she muttered.

"Remember how you made the French fries taste better? Do that," Carlisle suggested.

Dawn closed her eyes and concentrated. The bitter, coppery smell of blood gradually faded into the background, replaced with the scent of hot chocolate. The animals took on a very sweet smell. Dawn's mouth suddenly watered.

Carlisle took off next. It took him all of ten seconds to catch a wolf. Dawn sighed, knowing she was next.

The other Cullens immediately started to chuckle. Dawn was not nearly as fast as they were...at least not yet. Inexperience was written all over her as she circled the wolf five or six times. It almost got her before she finally brought it down. The bitter taste of venom filled her mouth and that nearly made her sick. Trying not to think about what she was doing, Dawn broke the animal's neck before breaking the skin.

Despite the fact that her own illusion made the blood taste very sweet, Dawn was still sickened that she had to do this.

It would be so much worse if I had to kill a human, Dawn reminded herself, forcing down the blood. Shakily, she stood back up and swallowed hard, willing the blood to stop churning in her stomach so much. It was strangely hot, like magma threatening to force its way back to the surface.

"You're already starting to smell different," Edward said.

True. Dawn's blueberry scent was taking on a sweet undertone, as if the blueberries were now part of a pie.

"Look at you! You're such a mess!"

Everyone started laughing again. During the fight with the wolf, Dawn's clothing had been shredded.

"Urgh," Dawn grunted in frustration, "I better go change."

"Stay here. I'll be right back."

Alice took off.

"I don't think any of her things would fit me," Dawn sighed, "and why does she want to give me clothes? I have my own."

Seeing that her shirt was in shreds, Carlisle took his jacket off and handed it to her. She gratefully accepted it. Had her hearts been beating, she would have felt them flutter.

"Thanks," she muttered.

The moon was shining beautifully overhead. In the silver light, she could see his amused grin and she couldn't help but smile herself. Having to drink blood was so worth that smile....

"I just might have to kidnap this," Dawn said, surprised that it was a near-perfect fit.

Carlisle decided not to comment. Esme had gotten him that jacket. It seemed odd that it had been so big on her but fit Dawn so well.

"How long were you together?" Dawn asked, reading the pain that flickered across his face.

"Sixty years, give or take," he sighed.

"That's a long time to know someone."

"A very long time."

Alice reappeared.

"You're pretending to be the mate of a doctor, so dress like one!"

She thrust a pile of clothing into Dawn's arms.

"Fine," Dawn pouted, "but I'm keeping the jacket."

She went into a clump of trees to change.

"I'm going to see what Emmett's doing. He might be mad that I went hunting without him," Rosalie said.

"I'm going to check on Bella," Edward said.

"I'll go see Jasper."

Within seconds, they were gone. Dawn emerged from the trees, her tattered clothes replaced with designer jeans, a tank top, and red ballet flats. She still wore Carlisle's navy blue jacket over them all.

"Where did everyone go?" Dawn asked.

"Good question."

Dawn came closer.

"I just want to thank all of you. For everything."

"You're welcome. Now, let's go find them."

They raced side by side back to the Cullen house where Dawn would, once again, prove her acting skills.

"Let me get this straight," Alex said in disbelief, "you and him met at the hospital a while back?"

Dawn nodded.

"It had actually been a couple of years ago," Dawn said, spinning the tale like a true master, "I was still human then. I was dying of pancreatic cancer when he found me. We became friends very quickly, but only friends. We didn't get to hang out much, mostly because I was still in high school and he was married to Esme. I went on to college and we went our separate ways while I was in remission, but that didn't last long. Carlisle had just lost Esme when we met again. He didn't like the thought of losing a friend as well as a wife, so I told him to bite me. He wasn't going to do it, but seeing that I wouldn't last another day, gave in. I gave him Hell as a newborn, but he got me squared away into the animal diet after I stopped fighting. It helped that Jasper was there to calm me and Edward was there to read my thoughts as a 'just in case' factor."

Alex studied her carefully, but there was nothing that could give her away. Normally, some of the human gestures and expressions that gave away lying would be perfectly obvious right now. Dawn had none of those dead giveaways. Carlisle was impressed. The look on Edward's face said that he was as well.

"We went our separate ways for a while, then they moved up here. I happened to be in the neighborhood and I recognized their scent. I was sorry to hear that Esme was gone," Dawn said, sounding truly sympathetic, "but where one door closes, another opens."

Pumpkin entered the room. She and Dawn locked gazes. Dawn's golden eyes seemed to make her gaze more piercing, more demanding. It was if she was saying I dare you to tell the truth.

As usual, Pumpkin latched onto Alex's arm like a clinging vine. Dawn wanted to vomit.

Two can play at that game, you little weasel.

Something flickered to life in Edward's expression, but it was the only warning Carlisle got. Dawn's arms wrapped around him in an embrace. He nearly jumped out of his skin, seething at himself mentally for the near-reaction.

Dawn's skin initially was cool, but the longer she held him, the warmer she got. Carlisle draped one arm casually around her.

"It's been a tough road," Dawn said, her voice dripping with a sickening-sweet affection, "but I'm here now and I don't plan on going anywhere."

Her slight emphasis on "anywhere" made the word have a sharp edge. Pumpkin frowned. Edward could feel the suspicion welling up in her mind, but she was still unable to figure it out.

"And I'm so glad you aren't."

Remember, Carlisle, this is just acting, he reminded himself.

Dawn was even momentarily surprised when Carlisle kissed her on the forehead, but she hid it well. Having had enough, Alex and Pumpkin slipped into the living room.

That was close, Dawn mouthed. He nodded, indicating he understood.

"Just one question," Alex said, returning to the room, "if you're such close mates, why doesn't Dawn live here?"

It was a legitimate one, but Dawn was prepared for that, too.

"We've been taking it slow," she said, "me being an artist, I'm a little too spontaneous for my own good. Him being the doctor...well, one of us has to be the calm and collected one."

For the time being, Alex seemed to buy it. He went back into the living room. Little did Dawn know, he was just as good of an actor as she was.

"You can let go now," Carlisle whispered.

Dawn released him. She would have been blushing furiously if she'd been a human. During the interrogation, her hold on Carlisle had tightened so much that it was beginning to hurt. There were few things that could make a vampire feel pain, but Carlisle had forgotten that she was just as strong as he was, potentially more.

"Sorry," Dawn muttered as he rubbed his sides.

Edward stifled a laugh.

Despite his inability to read her mind, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that she really wasn't.

In their new room, however, Alex and Pumpkin were having a heated discussion.

"She has to be the one! We've been looking for decades and we've only seen three other Sirens and two of them were male!" Pumpkin told Alex.

"Oh, come on! You're just saying that because you don't want her near your precious doctor!"

He pushed Pumpkin up against the wall and held her jaw roughly in one hand. Pumpkin flinched, wishing she hadn't shared her theory.

"You're jealous," he said in a dangerously husky voice, "you want Cullen all for yourself, don't you?"

In a sick, twisted way, Pumpkin did. She saw how kind he was and she longed for Alex to be that way. Shameful tears came to her eyes, though vampires aren't supposed to cry.

"That's it, isn't it? Say it."

Any normal being would have started to shout, but Alex wasn't normal. Knowing that the others would hear him if he started to shout, his voice stayed in that husky whisper. Alex was always more dangerous when he was quiet. Pumpkin knew that she wouldn't win either way.

"At least he treats me as an equal," she spat venomously.

Being careful not to slam her against anything and make noise, Alex pulled her away from the wall, pinning her arms behind her back.

"Nobody wants you but me," he hissed in her ear, twisting her arm painfully, "you're damn lucky you have me. Who would want a spineless little tramp like you?"

It wasn't the first time she'd heard that.

"Aro did."

That made Alex even angrier. She bit her lip to keep from crying out in pain when Alex bit her on the shoulder. The venom seeped into her skin, burning painfully.

"You try my patience."

She could smell the venom still in his mouth and it made her sick to her stomach. The bitterness rose in her throat, but Alex clamped his hand over her mouth.

"Oh, no you don't. They'll hear you."

She forced herself to swallow, but it wasn't easy. The half-circle bite mark on her shoulder was burning horribly now.

"I suppose it's my fault," Alex sighed, suddenly switching gears, "I don't spend enough time with you."

His tight grip suddenly loosened, causing Pumpkin to almost lose her balance.

No...here he goes again....I can't give in, I can't give in...not this time...

But his hands running down her sides screamed an entirely different message. She shivered involuntarily.

"You miss it, don't you? Those days on the beach...us wearing nothing but our smiles..."

His earlier comment of 'tramp' sprang to mind, but only because she felt like one more now than she had when he'd snapped the word out. Her body was responding eagerly to the slightest brush of his hands or lips. The dark fog of confusion and lust clouded her mind. She felt him easing her back onto the bed and she was powerless to stop it.

Damn it...why does he always do this to me?

The tears spilled out over her cheeks as his breath grew ragged in her ear. Mistaking those tears for tears of passion like he had many times before, he kissed them away as he leapt off the edge and dragged her away with him. Afterwards, he tenderly kissed the searing bite mark and apologized like he always did. Pumpkin didn't believe him, of course, but she wanted to.

She began to formulate a plan as they lay silently holding each other. The sooner she could get to the Volturi with the news of Dawn, the sooner she could get the Hell out of here. Maybe she'd find a place where she'd be rid of Alex forever.

But how?

And what would she have, really? She'd be alone again. That thought made her every bit as sick as staying with Alex did. There was only one other option...

Dr. Cullen's smiling face came to her mind, very much the same way as the vision of an angel does. She would have no choice but to turn the Cullens in along with Dawn for hiding her. Maybe she could talk Aro into letting Carlisle live.

Yes....

She drifted into a dreamless sleep.