AN.: I don't own Twilight.

Brendan PoV:

The morning of my first date with Nikki was when I woke up from a hard sleep in my own bed, confused as to what to do with the information in my head. The others had left it for me to decide. Should I tell her that I know about her ability? Should I wait until I tell her about me? Does she already know about me? It was a Saturday and for once I missed the distraction of school. I had to pick Nikki up at seven if I didn't want to make her mad and possibly break up with me.

Just the thought of Nikki mad at me, much less out of my life, made me sick to my stomach. I felt like I was going to throw up from the thought of her away from me. Despite that I knew about her ability now, she was still the one that I imprinted on. The one I'd fallen in love with. Even without the imprint, I suspected that I'd still fall in love with her. I'd just have less reassurance that this will all work out in the end. She is meant to be with me and no one else. She is my one and only and I am hers.

In fact, the thought of Nikki's ability might have made her even sexier to me as of today. To clear my head or to distract myself (I don't know which) I toppled purposely off of my bed and onto the floor. As I pushed myself up and away from the floor then back down in a single push-up, my wheels began to turn in my head. To withhold this information from her might make Nikki angry. But if I told her about my own furry little secret at the same time she might understand that I know how it feels to be "gifted". Then my mind turned to that cub.

Nikki had given up the cub for its safety, the same cub she had supposedly birthed from the mother. She had given up her own happiness for the cub's safety. I wondered curiously whether she understood that the Cullens had to feed off of animals in order to refrain from feeding off of humans. Knowing Nikki, she did understand. She probably understood more than anyone else. I smirked to myself as I realized that when I was in wolf-form she might be able to hear my thoughts more clearly than she would if I was human. She might be able to understand me, kept as a translator like Edward often is used as.

But I frowned again as I realized the danger in this possibility. Once Sam knows (he most likely already does) he'll want to use Nikki as a translator for vegetarian vampires when they come across the border. He'll want to use her to bargain with them. But the veggie vamps weren't always so controlled and they could attack her because of her human scent. Jasper could attack her. As much as I liked the dude, I would not want to put that at risk. It's been enough risk that Bella and Edward had come across her when they were hunting. Thankfully it'd been Bella instead of Jasper or Emmett. Those two would've mauled her without a second thought if they were in the hunting mood.

Nikki could be in serious danger. If I didn't tell her that I knew about her ability, then the others couldn't use her as a translator because they'd have to respect my wishes. She could be at least a little bit safer than she is now. A drop splattered onto the floor, followed by another and another before my sweat had fully formed a small puddle beneath me. I hadn't realized I'd been going for so strong.

I finally stood up and headed over to the door, grabbing my towel on the way out. "Bren! Breakfast's ready!" Mom called from downstairs. I rolled my eyes as I entered the second floor bathroom. My mom's cooking was disgusting but she was my mom. I had to eat at least a little bit for her benefit. It's when I get to Emily's that I really chow down. I headed to the shower, shutting the door behind me and locking it. Ever since Trisha had walked in on me one morning I've locked the door. I did NOT want my brother's girlfriend looking me over and blushing every freaking time I spoke to her. I swear to God, that month had been horrible. But then again, that'd been before Nikki. I now considered every month before I'd met Nikki horrible.

I turned the knob on the shower, holding the opposite hand under the steady stream of water to check the temperature. My arm constantly flinched at the temperature either being too cold or too warm despite that everything seemed neutral to me now. My body temp constantly confused me and I could never decide whether something was too warm or too cold. It all seemed fine to me. But when it came to showers, the temperature always counted. I eventually got the setting right and stripped off my blue and black plaid boxers before stepping into the shower. I sighed beneath the water as it streamed down me and I thought once again, absently washing the sweat and grime away.

Did Nikki's parents know about her ability? Did Nick have an ability too? Did her parents have abilities? Where'd she get her ability? Was she born with it or did she swim in a pool of toxic waste sometime in her childhood? Was she bitten by something? Or…were her parents even her parents? Or was she a half-vampire like Renesmee?

I shook the thoughts out of my mind, flinging water sprays against the tiled wall and the shower curtain. I couldn't think about her ability right now. I had a date with her in less than seven hours and I had to regain my composure before that. I had to remember what we've been talking about lately. What had we…oh, the Farah-Collin setup. She was trying to set the pair up together. Actually, Collin's never seen Farah before. He might just…nah; Farah would merely be a distraction before Collin actually did imprint. I was positive that she wouldn't be his imprint.

I quickly shampooed my hair with the special Axe shampoo that my dad told me was only meant for dates. Goddamn it, my dad could be so nosy. He was currently off on some far away business trip in Chicago. My dad's a businessman for some paper-supplier company that runs down in Port Angeles. He constantly gets sent away on business trips but he and my mom are still disgustingly in love. Plus my dad doesn't have the right balls to cheat on my mom. He's the shy professor type who blushes when a chick tells him he looks good in his glasses.

I chuckled at the very thought as I finished rinsing my hair out and turned off the water. I wrapped my towel around my waist before opening up the door and moving towards my bedroom instead of the bathroom. As my brother constantly told me, other people had to use it and I couldn't just use it for my own "grooming" (that little jerk-off). I rummaged through my dresser, thinking about where Nikki and I'd be going tonight. I'd planned on taking her over to a movie and then dinner but what if someone's already seen the movie and she reads their mind? That might ruin it for her. I sighed as I ran a hand through my damp hair. It was rough dating a mind-reader.

I decided to keep the plan, seeing as it was unlikely that someone would go see the same movie twice just to watch it. I pulled out a pair of jeans and a regular grey t-shirt. I decided to wear a light jacket for the appearance. It was just a black army-style jacket that many of my previous girlfriends had thought was sexy. I hoped that Nikki thought so too. I managed to tame my hair into a boy-scout look (upon my mother's insistence when she heard that I was gonna go on a date) and pulled on my pair of tennis shoes.

When I thought that the first floor was clear of my mom I headed out the door and to my car. Jake had helped me tune up the old V8 Volante Aston Martin. He and I had custom painted it a nice sheen black and I guess that counted as brotherly bonding; Sam had encouraged it in the summer when I'd phased for the first time. The hood was pulled up, a clean tan over the chrome rim of the windshield. It was rare that I pulled down the hood because of the rare sunlight.

The second I stepped into Emily's house from outside, wolf-whistles rang out (no pun intended). Surprisingly it wasn't raining out (just a bit cloudy) so it hadn't ruined the look like I'd hoped. I had hoped I'd have the rainy look when I picked Nikki up so that I didn't have to wear the geeky hair. Emily shot a glare at Collin, the one with the most and loudest wolf-whistles, before approaching me. "Don't mind them, Brendan; they're just jealous that you look charming." Emily assured me. I snorted at this as I gave her a thankful smile. She was one of the kindest women in the world. "I know it looks like a prep-geek, Em." I sighed to her as I moved around her to get to the table with the food on it. I was left with scraps.

"I'll make another round." Emily laughed as she saw my disappointed look and headed into the kitchen. "Thanks, Em," I said as I sat down at the table. "So, you sly dog, you revved up for the big date tonight? Ya gonna kiss her?" Collin teased from his seat opposite of me. I swear he had a crush on Nikki or something 'cause he seems to pick on us more than the rest. "Sure will, old friend. I'm gonna put the moves on her and charm her into my arms." I retorted jokingly as I snapped the collar of my jacket. "She'll be mine before sundown." I whispered jokingly. Collin snickered as he rolled his eyes and leaned back in his seat, hands behind his head.

"She thinks you and Farah are sure soul mates." Kim interrupted from her perch beside Jared, per usual. Those two couldn't breathe without the other. I could understand this, though. I was hard of breathing right now. "Sure does; she's determined to have you two fall in love." I added to her. Collin cocked an eyebrow at this. "Bring it on, lovebirds. I'll bet you a fifty I don't end up like you when I imprint." Collin laughed. I blinked at Collin. That was an easy win. "You are so on," Jared and I agreed instantly.

That's 1-0-0 for Collin to deal out. He better have that money ready in separate fifties. "I wouldn't do that, Collin," Emily sang as she came up to the table, holding a fresh stack of pancakes on a plate. Collin broke through my pancake-induced haze though. "Hey, Em, you hear 'bout Nix?" Collin asked. All three imprints looked up from either their food or their soul mate. Apparently no one had told them. "No, what about her?" Emily asked. Sam glanced in my direction, asking for approval. I merely shrugged as I began to eat my first syrupy pancake.

"Looks like we got ourselves a little Dr. Do-Little there; girl can read an animal's mind." Collin explained idiotically to the imprints. Kim and Trisha exchanged a look before turning back to Collin, looking for information. "She can read people's minds too. Eddie boy told us last night that she read his mind." He said. I rolled my eyes at his melodrama. "The girly was protecting some baby cub from Bella and Ed." Collin said proudly. "That's why she was surrounded by so many animals when we found her and why she was passed out too." Collin said. I cringed at the fact as I listened to him explain. "Apparently listening to too many minds when still a human can hurt her," He said. I fished a forkful of pancakes into my mouth as everyone turned to see my reaction.

"This is big," Trisha said dumbly. I frowned at her. "I think so," Collin said with a shrug. I rolled my eyes at them as I glanced at the clock. Crap; I still had three hours before I had to pick Nikki up. I couldn't wait that long. "I can't wait," I admitted aloud as I stood up.

Nikki Ann PoV:

The doorbell rang as I was fishing through my drawers. I glanced at the clock, frantic. He was two hours early! I blinked at the clock as I looked through my dresser quicker. I finally pulled out the black fishnet leggings I'd been looking for and pulled them on under my skirt. I was wearing the cargo black mini-skirt that my mom had bought me on a mother-daughter binge along with a black tank top and a mahogany colored fishnet cardigan. The entire outfit was set with my black choker and bell which I reached up to silence once again. My hair was still wet and spiky from my frantic shower.

I quickly combed through my hair before heading to the bathroom to blow dry it. "Nikki! Your…date's here!" Dad called from downstairs. He choked on the word 'date' because of last night; he hated the idea of me being in private with Brendan but he couldn't just forbid me from dating. I quickly blew my hair dry before combing through it and blinking at my reflection. My mom had attempted to put highlights in my hair but it went insanely wrong and she somehow managed to turn my entire mass of hair…brown. I'm not talking about a dark brown either. It looked like caramel, or so she'd said. It looked like old crap. I bit my lip as I looked at my reflection. Hopefully he wouldn't care.

But my hair looked like a camel! I shook the thought away from my head. I'd at least had the decency to dye my eyebrows along with it so that they wouldn't clash entirely. I sprayed that moisturizer spray that my mom lent me and slicked my hair down so that it didn't fluff out or anything. My hair now hung limply against my head, framing my chin and face so that it actually seemed acceptable. I was actually beginning to get used to it. I took a breath through my nose to calm myself down.

The second that I got the sight of him, my soul mate, I was calmed. How could I have even doubted that he wouldn't accept me? Brendan's hair was slicked to the side, giving it a 1950s look like we were going to a sock-hop or soda parlor. His t-shirt and jacket, though, showed off every sculpted muscle he had on his body. His entire sculpted being was flaunted in his clothes and on his frame. He was still the most beautiful creature that I'd ever seen. Who cared how beautiful vampires were? When you compared them to Brendan, they were hideous.

I was tempted to search his mind for just a second, just a single glimpse, to see what he thought of my hair. But I decided against it. I didn't want the headache, the consequence of my "gift", tonight. I only wanted Brendan. I grinned at the sight of him as I paused at the top of the staircase. "Hey," I called down to him. He looked up at me, according to my voice and instantly grinned when he saw me. His eyes lit up at the sight of me and again I was filled with shame for ever doubting his approval. He loved me and I loved him. I rushed down the stairs to get to him, despite that my father stood at the door next to him. I grabbed at my shoes, shoving them onto my feet before heading to the front door.

I greeted Brendan with a kiss but his kiss was…a bit strained. He was concerned about something. Was he still concerned about last night? I frowned at this.

"See ya, dad." I said as I placed my hand delicately onto Brendan's shoulder. I tugged at the broad shoulder of the jacket to urge him forward. "Don't stay out too late; be home by ten." Dad told me. I rolled my eyes as I tugged at Brendan's shoulder again. He finally got the clue and moved ahead. "Goodnight, Mr. Sawyer," Brendan said politely as he led me away, his arm around my waist. Brendan was distracted tonight; what was wrong? Then it really struck me just how concerned he was about last night. He'd been too concerned. I know that I knew Brendan for a week and that was it but…I needed to tell him. He needed to know that I had to be out there, in the forest. Without their voices…I couldn't live.

I couldn't stand Brendan being concerned and he was probably being tortured by not knowing what I'd been doing out there. He needed to understand that without those animals, I couldn't live without the routine of hearing their voices. I needed to keep in contact with those animals. They were my life. Brendan smiled reassuringly down at me as he held open his car door for me. I smiled back but I knew that neither of us wasn't thinking about what would happen tonight. For him it'd be movie and a dinner; for me, it'd be telling him my deepest secret.

=X=X=X=

We'd decided to watch the new Harry Potter movie. I just couldn't pay attention though. The clock was ticking and I was constantly in my seat, shifting beyond shift and itching to tell him right now. I couldn't tell him at this very moment though. I couldn't just skip the entire night's events. If Brendan thought of me as a freak and wanted to break up with me, at least I'd have this one night. That very thought made me want to break down and cry. No matter how connected our souls were, I wouldn't blame him if he thought of me as the freakiest girl he'd ever dated. I watched the screen before us with blank eyes, nothing registering in my mind.

When the credits began to roll, I noted that I needed to see this movie again so that I'd be able to know just what exactly happened. I smiled at Brendan as the lights faded in and everyone got up to get out of the theatre. "It's time to eat; c'mon," He said to me in that regular husky voice. I grinned falsely at this and accepted his hand to help me up. "Right, 'cause eating is everything you need." I joked. Brendan chuckled too but neither of us felt the humor. He was digging on something and I was digging in on my secret. I had to tell him but if he thought of me as a freak then I'd be heartbroken. I wouldn't be able to handle it if Brendan left me.

I clutched onto Brendan's hand for dear life as we exited the theatre. "Do you just want to get dinner here? I mean, they sell hot dogs and popcorn and that could make a great junky dinner." I offered as I pointed at the concession counter. Brendan nodded eagerly, glad for the escape. "Do you want me to get it or do you want to come with?" He asked hopefully. I shrugged. "I'll just wait over here," I told him as I pointed to the bench near us. He nodded quickly before dashing off. I headed over to the bench and sat down on the hard plastic seat.

I began to think of how I'd tell him. I could read his mind and tell him what he was thinking. I could tell him and wait for him to disbelieve the fact. He'd call me insane then break up with me. I wouldn't blame him. I could take him into the forest and tell him what the animals were thinking. I could…what else could I do? I couldn't go ahead and leave him in the dark about my so-called gift. He had a right to know. Damn it! What do I do?

Brendan PoV:

I'd decided I couldn't do it. I couldn't keep it from her that I knew. I couldn't keep anything from her. And she dyed her hair! It looked great on her, like she was still the Goddess that I knew her to be. She was concerned about something. I was concerned about telling her tonight. I had to tell her tonight. I couldn't keep the fact that I knew from her and she needed to understand that I understood. She needed to know that I knew what it was like to be freaky, to be different. She needed to know that I was a freak too. I mean, it's not like she's a freak but she might think of herself as one and that could be understandable because I constantly called myself a freak because I am one. Dear Jesus, I turned into Trisha.

A/N: CLIFF HANGER! BUM, BUM, BU-U-U-U-UM!

Anyways… I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while but lately I've gotten into Glee and my friend is urging me to write a Glee fan-fiction. Her favorite pairing is Kurt and Dave and quite frankly, they're growing on me too. I've been thinking about adding in a gay character.