Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Based on the characters created by Stephanie Meyer, in her Twilight Saga series of books

WARNING: This story will contains scenes of domestic violence, strong language and other forms of physical violence, up to, and including death.

A/N: I'm sorry this took so long, and it my be a while for chapter 18 as well. I'll try to give a more detailed explanation at the end of this chapter.

Chapter 17

Dangerous Dancing

Thane's idea of a car, was not what Alice expected. She had seen pictures, in the magazines that Mark had brought her, but this car was larger than she expected. There was the usual back seat, but also a full seat facing the usual back seat. She found out from Mark, that the car was called a Packard Twin Six Limousine. Alice didn't care what it was called. It was her very first car ride, and she was fascinated by the world outside, and the speed of the vehicle.

"How fast will it go?" she asked the driver, while bouncing on the soft leather seat.

"This is a very fast car, Little Miss" the driver chuckled. "It can go as fast as 75 miles an hour."

"Wow," Alice breathed, as she sat back in her seat. She began to wonder if Thane could run faster than the car. She decided no. Thane was fast, but probably not that fast. Then, she began to wonder what 75mph would feel like, and giggled to herself at the silliness of the thought.

It was a short trip to Mark's home. Her face was glued to the window the entire trip. She was excited to see anything, and everything. When they arrived, Alice stepped out into the light of day, and had to shield her eyes from the brilliance of the sun. Mark ran to her, wanting to shield her from the brightness that was so different from the world of the cellar. Alice waved him back, as she closed her eyes, and turned her face up to feel the sun on her face, too see the brightness through her closed eyelids. She smiled at the warmth, then laughed at the freedom of it all. She had the train loop, for her dress, around her hand, as she threw her arms straight out to her sides, and walked in a circle. She enjoying the feel of the air, as it passed through her dress to her silk underdress. The silk brushed against her legs and body, and felt cool on her skin.

Alice lowered her head before opening her eyes, then took Mark's hand, as he led her up to the house. She would sit with his family while he cleaned up and dressed for the Ball. Alice didn't know what it was to be nervous, and her excitement overrode all other emotions, as she rushed to meet these new people. Mark's wife was first; she was waiting at the door for them. She greeted him with a kiss and short embrace. Alice watched how Mark was received, so, when she was introduced to his wife, Alice attempted to emulate his greeting. She was far too short to kiss the woman, but she did embrace her. With great enthusiasm.

"Alice," Mark started, "this is my wife, Helen."

Alice raced up the three steps to the door, and grabbed the tall woman around the waist, hugging her tightly.

"I'm so happy to meet you," Alice beamed up at her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, as well." Helen grinned down at Alice, as her arms encircled the small teen.

Mark touched Alice's arm, and she pulled her arms from around his wife, and looked at Mark, curiosity burning in her eyes.

"When meeting someone for the first time, it is appropriate to shake their hand, or curtsy." Mark smiled at Alice. "Men will shake hands with another man. Women will curtsy, or offer their hand to be kissed by a gentleman. Helen will show you while I get changed." He placed his hand on Alice's shoulder, and gained her full attention. "Is that alright with you, Alice?"

Alice nodded, with a smile. "I'll learn everything I can," she told him, as Helen ushered her into the dining room where their two girls were waiting to leave for the Ball.

"Alice," Helen addressed her, "this is Margret," the tall blond girl curtsied, "and Dorothy," the girl with the light brown hair curtsied next to her sister.

Alice was glad to see that they both smiled warmly at her. Her own smile spread across her face, as she tried to mimic their feminine bow. She frowned as she began to lose her balance, but Helen rescued her, from falling, and completely embarrassing herself.

"Let me show you," Helen offered. "Watch my feet," she told Alice.

She lifted her skirt, so her legs were visible from the knees down.

"Just place one foot behind the other, and bend the knees slightly."

Alice was amazed at the grace she saw in the simple movement. She placed her left foot behind her right, and slowly bent her knees.

"How far do I bend them?" Alice asked, looking up as Helen.

"Just a bit," Helen told her, smiling. "And only for a short time. Margret? Please."

Helen waved her hand, indicating that she wanted Alice to watch the girl.

Alice watched as Margret demonstrated how to curtsy, and how long to hold the bow. In no time at all, Alice had perfected the move. Helen stood back and observed Alice. She commented on her grace, and smiled as she began to bond with her girls. Alice listened to Margret and Dorothy, as they explained, and demonstrated, many of the required greetings, and behaviors that she may be required to perform, during her night at the Ball. Alice picked up on everything quickly. Helen saw why her husband had called the small teenager a knowledge sponge.

By the time Mark had returned to his wife's side, the three girls were laughing together, as if they had been friends their entire lives. He stood at Helen's side, and grinned at the three girls.

"She's such a tiny thing," Helen whispered to Mark. "Are you sure she's fifteen?"

"Yes," Mark told her. "The night attendant has cared for her since she was about four. He's done a miraculous job of it, too. She must have had a small mother, or father. She doesn't remember. Only that her mother died when she was a baby. If she knows anything about her father, she's not telling anyone. She gets upset at the mention of him."

Dorothy noticed her father, just as Mark finished whispering to Helen.

"Father," she raced to Mark and hugged him, while reaching onto her toes to kiss his cheek. Margret was right behind her. When they had finished greeting him, Alice stepped forward and gracefully curtsied to him.

"Good evening, sir," she formally addressed him.

"It is a pleasure," Mark smiled and bowed low to her. He stood tall and addressed all four of the women surrounding him. "May I escort you ladies to the Ball?"

All four women curtsied to him, and nodded. Mark took Margret and Dorothy, one on each side, and headed for the front door. Helen took Alice's arm and followed behind them.

"I'll give you a few more pointers in the car," Helen whispered in Alice's ear. "But you will have nothing to worry about, sweet Alice. You are beautiful, and will, in all likelihood, be the Belle of this Ball. But, I just want you to relax, and try to enjoy yourself."

Mark helped them all into the car, then joined them. The driver closed the back door, then rushed around the car to slide into the drivers seat. Alice had taken a window seat, so she could, again, watch the world fly by, as the car sped toward the house where the Ball was being held. Alice listened to Helen, as she gave her a crash course in Débutante Ball etiquette. Alice absorbed everything she could, and even managed to retain most of it, as the car pulled into the line of other cars and carriages, in front of the large white house. Alice noticed the brightly lit front of the huge house. The white painted front was lit by large floodlights along the upper balcony, as well as large lights on each side of the immense double front doors, and more floodlights hidden in the shrubbery along the front of the house.

When the car reached the front of the house, the driver opened the back door, and he and Mark assisted the four ladies from the car. As the car pulled away, Alice stopped and took a deep breath. She was very excited, and knew she needed to calm herself. She looked up to the lights on balcony, and the almost flat roof of the mansion. Fear started to overcome her, but she bit it back and faced the front doors. Two men, in odd costume, stood on either side of the open doors. Inside, Alice could see people. The girls were dressed in white, the mothers in an assortment of colors ranging from pastels to bright reds, royal blues, and hunter greens. The men and boys all seemed to be dressed in Black tuxedos. They were in various styles, but Alice thought they all looked about the same.

As she began to concentrate on the women's fashions, her fear began to subside. She took another deep breath, and began to study the dress and the figure it contained. She began to notice skin and hair coloring, when determining whether the color and style of the dress, was the best match for the woman, or girl wearing it. Before long, she was smiling, and ready to walk through the beckoning doorway. Alice looked around her, to find Helen and the girls were gone. Only Mark remained.

"I'm so sorry," Alice looked up at him.

"It's alright, Alice," Mark said softly. "Helen and the girls understand that there have been many firsts for you, today. They went on ahead, so you and I could take our time." He gave a small chuckle. "Helen seems to think you will make a grand entrance, if you enter without them. At least, she hopes so." He tilted his head slightly, as he studies her. "Are you ready, Miss Alice Brandon?"

"Hm," Alice hummed shortly. "Yes, I think I am, kind Sir."

She smiled at Mark, and took his offered arm. With her other hand, she dropped the loop to her skirt, and allowed the short train to flow along behind her. She held to Mark's arm, lightly, with both hands, as they ascended the front steps. As they passed through the doorway into the foyer, she allowed one hand to drop from his arm, and let it fall loosely at her side. She straightened her back, and took another breath, as her wrap was taken by Mark, and handed to a porter. They joined the short line, to greet the host and hostess, and too be introduced to the congregated débutantes and other guests.

Alice was oblivious to anything said, as Mark introduced her through the greeting line. Her eyes flickered around the huge ballroom, and it's considerable number of occupants. They were formally announced, and Alice held Mark's arm tightly, as all eyes turned toward her. She held her grip, as they stepped down the few steps to the floor of the ballroom. Alice had never felt so small, as most of the guests towered above her, but she refused to be daunted by it. Tonight was her night to shine, and shine she did. Alice smiled beautifully, as Mark led her to join the rest of his family. On their way through the milling crowd, as Mark weaved her through without touching anyone, she heard rude snippets of conversation concerning her friend, and his family.

By the time they had reached Helen and the girls, Alice was able to piece together a simple story of love and money, regarding her friend. They seated themselves at a table, Alice between Mark and Helen. As the music began, Alice leaned toward Mark to ask him about what she had heard.

"I understand it's rude, but the things the people were saying?" She was at a loss, as to how to continue. How to ask her question.

"It's alright, Alice. People will always find something to talk about. Especially at functions like this. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. But for tonight, you are to ignore all the rudeness of people, and have fun," Mark told her

His smile showed his teeth, something Alice was not use to. As she looked around, she noticed that almost everyone showed their teeth when they smiled, whether they meant the smile or not. It only took her a moment to realize what the problem was, about the toothy grins. Thane never showed his teeth. She smiled to herself, without showing teeth, as the realization of one of the differences between Thane and humans, suddenly dawned on her. Thane's teeth were dangerous. Human teeth were not. Alice sat up in her chair, with a smug smile. She would have to talk to Thane about this, when she got home.

Helen leaned toward Alice, to speak quietly to her.

"Alice, Mark has told me that you are wise beyond your mere 15 years." Alice glanced her way. "It's alright to keep watching the floor, while I talk to you." Alice heard the grin in her voice, as she continued to watch the guests enjoyed their refreshments, and chat with their table companions, and friends. "I just wanted you to know that, despite what you may hear tonight, my husband is a very compassionate man. It is his need to help people that drives him to work at that hospital. Not a need for money. People believe that it is my money that allows us to keep our place in society, but it is his. His family money. They will talk," Helen waved a small gesture toward the other guests, "but we know better, and refuse to allow them to dictate our lives. Our girls will miss nothing, due to their petty-mindedness." Helen sat back in her chair, with a lop-sided grin.

Alice looked at her, then Mark. She saw how Margaret and Dorothy seemed oblivious to the snide comments, and seemed to just enjoy their own company. Alice reached out and touched Dorothy's hand. She saw a brief glimpse of a happy future, with a handsome husband. Then she touched Margaret's hand, and saw a life more filled with struggle and hard work, but that she was still happy with herself, and her life. Alice saw that nothing that was said, by the herd of the privileged she saw in front of her, would influence anything in the lives of her two new friends, and she was content. She smiled as she ate the small meal set before her, and relaxed as the dancing started.

Mark had seen Alice touch his daughters. He saw the smile that spread across her face, and was curious as to what she saw. A part of him wanted to ask her, what the future had in store for his girls, but another part remembered the smile, and knew it would be alright, and wanted to just let it all unfold. The latter part eventually won out, and Mark relaxed into his chair, and watched the dinner conclude, and the dancing begin.

"She's a little young to be here, isn't she?" Alice's head turned at the sound of the tall boy's voice. "I mean, I thought 15 was the lower limit for attendance to these Balls."

"Hello Mathew," Dorothy addressed the red haired boy. "Her name is Alice, and she is 15. She is also a friend, so I would appreciate it, if you would not speak as if she were not here." She turned to Alice and smiled. "Sorry, Alice. This is Mathew Anderson. He's a sometimes rude friend of mine." Dorothy chuckled, as she turned back to the embarrassed boy.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I do sometimes forget my manners." Mathew looked at his shoes, as his face turned a brilliant shade of red, close to the color of his own hair.

"It's alright," Alice smiled at him. "I'm very small, for my age." She gave out a deep sigh. "Just something I've had to deal with, all my life." She giggled to show that she was only kidding. "You and Dorothy should go dance," Alice told them. "There's no reason for everyone to sit around her and babysit me. Go." Alice gave Dorothy a small shove and laughed with her, as she took Mathew's hand.

"We'll be back," Mathew nodded to everyone at the table, as Dorothy gave her mother a kiss on the cheek.

Before long, Margret's beau arrived, and Alice was shoving her onto the dance floor. Mark found himself guided by Alice's impressions of the boys that approached his daughters. It wasn't something he intended to do, it just sort of happened, as he saw her touch each one, then push one of his girls toward a particular boy. He watched as some of the older boys caused Alice to shy away completely, almost into a cower from them. He danced with her, and helped her enjoy the evening, as she reveled in the company of some, while avoiding the company of others.

"Mr. and Mrs. Compton. It is indeed a pleasure to see you tonight." The evening was getting late, and the lights had gone down a bit, but Alice still recognized something about this odd, smooth-talking young man. "May I have a dance with this beautiful young lady you have brought with you tonight?" he pushed his dark glasses up on his nose, and leered at Alice.

Mark watched as Alice cowered in her chair, as she appeared to attempt to shrink away from the odd man requesting a dance with her.

"I'm sorry," Mark told him. "It appears she has had enough party, for one night. I was just going to give her one more turn, then escort her to her home," he smiled at Alice, then offered her hand his her. As he walked behind the table, he whispered in his wife's ear, then took Alice to the dance floor.

"Are you all right?" he asked Alice.

"He's a bad one." Alice told him. "I don't want to touch him. Too many deaths." she answered with a shiver.

"I'm going to take you home, now." Mark told Alice. "The party will be breaking up soon, and I would like my wife and daughters in the company of others, while I'm gone."

"I understand," Alice told him, as they both peered at the odd young man, that had caused Alice to shiver, again

Mark escorted Alice to the front doors, then waited for their car. He told the driver to hurry, as they saw the man in the dark glasses attempt to make his way to the front doors. Mark was glad when he saw him pulled from his trajectory, by another patron of the party, just as the car pulled away. The car drove quickly to the hospital, and to the back door. Thane was waiting there for Alice. She quickly flew into his arms while Mark leaned out the door.

"I'll be back to tell you about it, but for now, I want to get my family home," and he closed the door, and the car drove off.

Alice shivered in Thane's arms, as he carried her, bridal style, to her cell. He felt her shiver, as she pushed her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer to him.

"Tell me." Thane ordered her.

"He had on dark glasses, but I knew," Alice mumbled into his neck. "He had eyes like you, Thane." Alice shivered strongly. "But he was a bad one."

"It's alright now, Little one." Thane set her on her bed. "You're home now. Mark did the right thing. This other will not harm you." Thane smiled at Alice, to reassure her. He watched as she slowly lifted her pale face to him.

"You don't understand, Thane," she whispered to him. "I've seen him before. In my dreams." She suddenly launched herself at Thane, grabbing him around the neck, and holding on to him for dear life. "He wants me, Thane. And he wants to kill you."

Well, it took a while, but I finally got it here. RL is kicking me around a lot, this last couple months. My husband needs surgery, my son needs surgery. I may lose the only vehicle we have, between me and my daughter's household. And I'm so stressed that my tremors are worse, making it very difficult to types. And the hits just keep on coming! But I will continue to try. I'll begin work on chapter 18 shortly, but it will be late. I am sorry, but I'll do my best to keep the wait as short as possible.

In the meantime,

Please review!