A/N: Thank you for all of your opinions on the last chapter! I was really surprised by how many answers I received! So I appreciate that. I think the plan is that I will do the original L&D ending with a Twilight alternative ending and epilogue. I won't do L&D's epilogue if that's fine with everyone else, because there really isn't a point in doing it if I'm going to pursue the Twilight series through Edythe's eyes, right? I think so, at least…

…

The porch light was on when we pulled up in front of the Swan residence.

The forest bordering the east side of the property was still and silent in the night. For now, we were alone.

"She's not here. Let's go."

Eleanor leaned over to undo the clasps on Beau's harness. "Don't worry, Beau," she said cheerfully, "We'll take care of things here quickly." Once he was free from the straps, I ordered El and Archie into the forest.

They retreated easily, without so much as a hesitant thought.

It's going to work, Archie assured me as he melted into the shadows.

Then it was just me and Beau, standing in the street. In the lamp's glow, he looked paler than usual. But his expression was focused, the steely tinge of determination in his eyes.

"Fifteen minutes," I reminded him.

He nodded in assent, took a few steps up the walkway, and paused.

"Hurry, Beau," I urged, wondering what his hesitation was for.

"One thing." He wheeled and ducked down to kiss me. I was so surprised by his gesture of brief affection that I froze. "I love you," he said, the blue fire in his eyes blazing into mine, "Whatever happens now, that doesn't change."

I didn't know what to make of his intensity.

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Beau," I cajoled.

"Keep Charlie safe for me."

"Done," I assured him, "Hurry."

He nodded once more, and then pivoted away from me, some unfathomable emotion swimming in his eyes. Indecision warring with grit, it looked like, but I couldn't be sure. He leaped up the porch steps with surprising agility and barged through the front door. It smashed against the wall loudly, and Charlie jumped, looking up from the TV in surprise.

I didn't wait for the door to close behind him—I was already racing around the side of the house, half of my mind in the forest and streets around me—the other half making the unthinking ministrations that would take me up the side of the house and in through Beau's window.

I found his truck key in a pair of dirty pants hanging over the edge of the hamper, and stuffed it in my pocket.

Down below, Charlie's thoughts turned suspicious and concerned when he saw Beau in the front hall. His son's eyes were rimmed in red, and glassy with unshed tears.

Abrupt, side-sweeping confusion tore through Charlie's mind. His first thought was that this wasn't his child; he'd never seen him like this before.

"Beau?"

"Leave me alone," Beau snapped petulantly.

His feet slammed against the steps as he raced up the stairs, and then veered into his bedroom with me, slamming and locking the door behind him. Downstairs, it took Charlie a second to gather himself. He started ticking off the signs and symptoms, comparing his behavior to the frenetic uneasiness from last night, garnering the wrong impression immediately.

I was already at Beau's dresser, yanking out the first items I touched without seeing them, and tossing them to Beau, who shoved them in a duffel bag. From the hamper next to the bureau, I lobbed a few more dirty t-shirts and socks his way, as well as the pants I'd taken the key from. I would need these items to carry out the subterfuge against Joss, later.

Alarmed now, and back to himself, Charlie followed his son up the stairs and pounded on the door. The possibility of our incompatibility hadn't hit him yet; he was thinking more along the lines of drug use.

As they shouted back and forth, understanding flared in the Chief's mind, and a new type of concern swept through him.

Charlie tried the knob, unsuccessful, still calling questions through the thin obstacle.

I didn't pay their dialogue any mind. Distantly, a part of me was aware of the façade: Beau was clearing me of any misconduct—which was far, far from true—and it seemed like he was breaking up with me—which I hoped was not true.

I zipped the bag and secured the strap across his shoulder.

"I'll be in the truck," I whispered, "Go!" I gave him one nudge toward the door, and dove out his window. I summersaulted through the air once and landed silently on my feet in the grass. I ignored the altercation inside the house behind me. I flitted to the truck, and as I pulled open the door and ducked inside, I caught the first bits of Joss's approaching thoughts.

She was not thinking so much with words, but rather with instinct. I had seen into a couple trackers' minds in the past, but hers was the clearest I'd ever experienced, and my sense of foreboding grew. She was picturing Beau's blood trail as a glowing red ribbon, stretching out in front of her.

As we'd predicted, she'd caught his scent in town, and was on her way to the Swan residence. She paused, briefly, when she caught my siblings' and my fresh scents in the area, leaping into a tall hemlock to avoid confrontation. She watched the house from her perch, her thoughts smug. She was feeling quite self-assured—she'd found the boy's house in no time at all. But she was disappointed that we were here with him. Part of her had expected it, that we would be protecting him, but she placated herself with the idea that she would find a way to get him alone, sometime. She wouldn't attack here, and relief flooded through me.

Quickly, I dialed Carine's cell phone and told her we were on our way.

Inside the house, it sounded like the conversation was coming to a close.

"Just let me go, Charlie!" Beau was grinding out through his teeth, "It didn't work out, okay? I really, really hate Forks!"

Charlie's mind went blank with anguished shock. Dimly, I could sense that the words were familiar; he'd heard them somewhere before, and they'd caused him great pain then, as well as now.

"I'll call you tomorrow!" Beau shouted as he strode toward his truck. I slipped the key in the ignition, keeping tabs on Joss, who was watching him. There was a swirling combination of heady bloodlust and exasperated self-restraint in her thoughts. To her, the boy smelled undeniably sweet, but she could not reward herself with the taste yet. Not here.

Beau's distress was clear on his face when he swung his long body into the driver's seat, having deposited his bag in the bed of the truck. His lashes were sticking together damply.

He twisted the key sharply in the ignition and pulled away from the curb.

I reached for his hand, desperate to sooth him in any way that I could. I was concerned about his ability to drive properly, as overcome with emotion that he was. I was worried he couldn't see clearly enough through the tears in his eyes. One lone droplet snaked down the straight edge of his nose.

When we were out of sight of the house, I insisted he pull over.

He didn't look at me. "I can drive," he argued.

But I wasn't having it. I slid across the bench seat and over his lap. I nudged his hands from the wheel and his foot from the gas pedal, and eased myself into the space between his leg and the door. Then I slid him out of my way, across the bench seat, with my hip.

"You wouldn't be able to find the house," I excused. Though that was certainly a factor, I didn't feel comfortable with letting him drive in such a state.

Behind us, Archie flipped the Jeep's headlights on. Beau jerked and whipped his head around to stare, wide-eyed and aghast, out the back window.

"It's just Archie," I murmured, slipping my hand back into his.

Beau turned back around and took a breath, tightening his fingers around mine. "The tracker?" he croaked.

"She caught the end of your performance," I informed him, "She's running behind us now—about a mile back." She was putting more distance between us than was usual, hesitant to get too close in case we decided to turn and attack.

Beau went rigid. "Can we outrun her?" he asked.

"No," I said through clenched teeth, pressing the gas pedal into the floorboard anyway. The truck's engine wheezed in protest.

Eleanor, who had been running parallel to the truck, pushed aside her desire to wheel on Joss. She'd decided she wasn't a threat if she was confining herself, straggling behind as far as she was, and she leaped toward the truck.

"E—!" Beau began to shout, but I slid my hand over his mouth.

Sorry! El thought as she settled into the truck bed.

Dammit. I should have warned him.

"It's Eleanor!" I told him.

He exhaled, slumping in relief, and I dropped my hand to his knee.

"It's okay, Beau," I mollified him, wishing beyond all belief that my words could be true. Things were not okay; they were far from okay, but I would do right by him. I would put things back to how they were. I would make him safe again.

I explored another avenue of conversation, pushing aside my own dark thoughts in favor of distracting Beau—or, at least, attempting to do so.

"I didn't realize you were still so bored with small-town life," I mused, in reference to the farewell conversation that had taken place between Beau and his father. "It seemed like you were adjusting fairly well—especially recently. Maybe I was just flattering myself that I was making life more interesting for you."

"That was below the belt," he replied lowly, shamefaced. "Those were the last words my mother said to him when she left. It would have done less damage if I'd punched him."

"He'll forgive you."

Beau clamped his eyelids shut, and sorrow crossed his face so suddenly, it alarmed me.

"Beau, it's going to be all right," I soothed him again. It's going to be all right. I will make it that way again.

His eyes slid open, and he dropped his gaze to my face, pain convulsing in the depths of his eyes, darkening them. "It won't be all right when we're not together."

"It's only a few days," I tried to convince the both of us, as if a few days wouldn't feel like an eternity, "Don't forget this was your idea."

"That makes it worse," he groaned. "Why did this happen? I don't understand."

Anguish seared through me like transformative venom. "It's my fault," I despaired, "I shouldn't have exposed you like that."

Beau gripped my hand fiercely. "No," he disputed, "That's not what I'm talking about. Okay, I was there. Big deal." Big deal?! I stiffened, but let him continue. "It didn't bother the other two. Why did Joss decide to kill me? There are people all over the place—people who are a lot easier to get to." Beau shot a quick appraisal over his shoulder, probably wild with anxiety over Joss's proximity. "Why am I worth all this trouble?"

Trouble? My teeth snapped together. Beau was not trouble. None of my family—save for one outstanding exception—thought so either.

I tried to explain. "I got a good look at her mind tonight. I'm not sure if there's anything I could have done to avoid this, once she caught your scent. It is partially your fault," I admitted, glancing at him apologetically. "If you didn't smell so ridiculously delicious, she might not have bothered. But when I defended you… well, that made it a lot worse. She's not used to being thwarted, no matter how insignificant the object. She thinks of herself as a hunter—as the hunter. Her life is consumed with tracking, and a challenge is what she loves best in life. Suddenly we've presented her with an amazing challenge—a large clan of strong fighters, all determined to protect the one vulnerable element. You don't know how euphoric she is right now. It's her favorite game, and we've just created the most exciting round ever. But if I had stood by, she would have killed you right then!" The impossibility of it all was maddeningly frustrating!

"I thought… I thought I didn't smell the same to others… as I do to you."

"You don't," I told him. "But that doesn't mean that you aren't still a temptation to every one of them. If you had appealed to the tracker—or any of them—the same way you appeal to me, it would have meant a fight right there."

Beau shivered once.

"I don't think I have any choice but to kill her now," I divulged softly. "Carine won't like it."

"I don't like it," Beau admitted.

I jerked my face toward him, astonished. "You want me to spare her?"

He blinked blankly. "No—I mean, yes. I don't care if she… dies," he assured me, "I mean, that would be a relief, right? I just don't want you… What if you get hurt?"

Once again, his concern was in the entirely wrong place. I tried to make this as clear as possible. "You don't have to worry about me. I don't fight fair."

We crossed the bridge, the river churning beneath us ominously. Joss waited till we were across and then made the fifty-foot leap agilely.

"How do you kill a vampire?" Beau's softly spoken words were almost tentative.

I glanced at him, unsure. Was this piece of information vital for him to know? Would it frighten him if I were to tell him? The detailed process was quite horrific and barbaric, and there really was no need for him to know, as he would never be able to accomplish it himself. It took vampire teeth to tear through vampire skin. But I also wondered if this would placate him, sooth his worries somehow.

"The only way to be sure is to tear her to shreds, and then burn the pieces."

Shock did not register on his face. "And the other two will fight with her?"

"The male will." I was sure of it. "I'm not sure about Lauren. They don't have a very strong bond—she's only with them for convenience. She was embarrassed by Joss's behavior in the meadow…"

"But Joss and Victor—they'll be trying to kill you?" he pushed hoarsely.

"Stop," I ordered him. He worried over needless things. My safety was as good as guaranteed. His, however… "You focus on staying safe. You do whatever Archie tells you."

"How am I supposed to not worry about you?" he argued, "What does that mean—that you don't fight fair?"

I forced a sort of smile. Possibly, knowing the full extent of my advantages would placate his needless anxieties, so that he could focus on what was really important here—his own wellbeing. "Have you ever tried to act without thinking of that act first? Aside from involuntary muscle actions like breathing and blinking, it's terribly difficult to do. Especially in a fight. I'll see every single thing she plans, every hole in her defense. The only one who can hold his own against me is Archie—since he can see what I decide to do, but then I can hear how he'll react. It's usually a draw. Eleanor says it's cheating."

It so is! You can't tell me otherwise!

I smirked.

"Should Archie stay with you, then? If he's a better fighter than the others?"

Excuse me?! Eleanor's musings were sharp with affront.

"Eleanor can hear all this, you know," I informed him. "She's offended, and also not thrilled with the idea. It's been a while since she was allowed to really brawl, no holds barred. She plans to keep me and my cheating ways out of this as much as possible."

Damn right, I will! But underneath the competitiveness, her protective instincts were strong. She didn't want her little sister facing 'avoidable danger'.

"Is she still following?" Beau asked now, and the fear quaking in his voice told me that we were no longer talking about Eleanor.

Joss was listening to our conversation, having garnered both my mind-reading abilities and Archie's precognition. She stored that away for future advantage—whatever advantage that would provide her. She continued to evaluate and accumulate.

"Yes. She won't attack the house, though. Not tonight."

I turned onto the hidden driveway, maneuvering the truck down the tree-lined three mile side road. Joss had taken to the trees, feeling safer with the wider viewpoint on her side. There was no attack instinct in her mind now. She was committed to biding her time.

I stopped the truck right in front of the house. Eleanor's feet touched the grass and she pulled the passenger side door open before I'd stopped, pulling Beau out of his seat by the arm, and then hooking that same arm over her shoulders. She wrapped her free arm around his waist and we flew up the porch and into the house together.

I could hear the melodical tenor of Lauren's inner voice before we were inside. Her mind was susceptible and inquisitive regarding our lifestyle and what Carine had told her, but she was also wary and distrustful. The guardedness in her mind was very strong against the coming battle with her coven leader.

A warning growl built behind Eleanor's teeth when she saw the nomad, setting Beau next to me so that she could have her hands free to fight with.

"She's tracking us," I spit at Lauren. A deeper part of me knew it wasn't Lauren's fault, but I wanted someone to blame.

"I was afraid of that," she said.

Archie went to Jessamine's side and ducked to whisper the plan in her ear, too low for Lauren to hear in case she got any ideas. They flew upstairs to pack and gather what they would need. Royal's eyes followed them, his thoughts a swirling column of rage, and then went to wrap an arm around Eleanor. He didn't understand what all the fuss was about. He wouldn't have been affected if Joss had stolen Beau away from me. This amount of mayhem over a human's wellbeing was intolerable to him, and he couldn't understand it.

Across the river, Joss broke off, flying away from the house. Her thoughts fixated on the redheaded male, as she turned southwest.

"What will she do?" Carine inquired.

"I'm sorry. I was afraid, when your girl there defended him, that it would set Joss off."

"Can you stop her?" Carine begged. She hoped the two nomads were well-enough acquainted that Lauren might hold some influence over her.

Lauren shook her head, morosely confident. "Nothing stops Joss when she gets started."

"We'll stop her." Eleanor was confident, too. Her confidence was just as essential to her make-up as Royal's tenacity, or Carine's compassion. It was a part of who she was—part of what made her Eleanor.

"You can't bring her down," Lauren argued. I monitored her thoughts closely as she spoke, pleased at the correlation between her inner musings and vocal words. "I've never seen anything like her in my three hundred years. She's absolutely lethal. That's why I joined her coven."

This took my family by surprise, but of course, I had known of their ruse from the beginning. All were shocked, of course, aside from Eleanor. She scoffed her disagreement ingenuously. She took Lauren's words as nothing more than a challenge. She didn't believe in the threat Joss posed.

How could something so tiny be so dangerous? she mused.

Lauren turned to fix her gaze on Beau, her mind swirling with confusion and doubt. She didn't understand my family's reaction; she was flabbergasted by the lengths we were willing to go to. "Are you sure this is all worth it?"

The feverish snarl escaped me before I could stop it. She took a step back, understanding my territorial anger, at least, if she could not understand much else.

Carine's compassion was all-inclusive, but her love for her family went above all else. She could see Lauren could not be relied upon for much else, now. "I'm afraid you're going to have to make a choice."

Lauren debated for a moment. Though she could not comprehend our strange willingness to protect a human, she could see the ferocity of our family bond, and she would not cross us. In her long lifetime, she'd never known a coven so closely linked as ours, and she was captivated by the strong relationships between all of us. For so long, she'd never seen another way. Tonight, Carine had opened up new possibilities to her.

"I'm intrigued by the life you've created here. But I won't get in the middle of this. I bear none of you any enmity, but I won't go up against Joss." She had run with the tracker for too long, and though their bond was by no means unbreakable, she didn't feel comfortable with betraying her own leader. "I think I will head north—to that clan in Denali." Carine had told her about our cousins of sorts, and Lauren figured she might encounter less tension learning from them, as there was no contributing factor to the antagonism—that is, a human boy we were all set on protecting. She hesitated a moment more, sudden compassion rising in her mind. She appreciated Carine, and her attempt to show her another way of life. Despite the incomprehension of Beau's position in our family, she didn't think we deserved the trouble Joss had wrought. She could see the intensity of our bonds, and hoped, when this was all over, that they would stay intact. "Don't underestimate Joss. She's got a brilliant mind and unparalleled senses. She looks wild, but she's every bit as comfortable in the human world as you seem to be. She won't come at you head on… I'm sorry for what's been unleashed here. Truly sorry." She extended another perplexed glance in Beau's direction.

"Go in peace," Carine told her softly.

Lauren took one final sweep of the room around her. Despite her long days as a nomad, she was surprised that she craved the peace and predictability our clan presented. To have a home, a family… She hadn't known she'd been missing it until she'd seen the possibility of it for herself. I knew she'd head directly north.

As soon as she made her exit, Earnest crossed the room to enter in the code in the keypad on the wall. Once the combination was entered, it released the metal security shutters that protected the south-facing glass wall.

"How close?" Carine asked me.

"About three miles out past the river," I informed her, "She's circling around to meet up with the male."

"What's the plan?"

"We lead her off, then Archie and Jessamine will run him south."

"And then?"

I felt the muscles in my body lock in anticipation of the showdown. "As soon as Beau is clear, we hunt her."

"I guess she's left us no other choice," Carine said softly. I'll join you and Eleanor on your journey north. Earnest and Royal will take the truck west. With luck on our side, we'll be able to split the male and female up early on.

I nodded in assent, then turned to Royal. "Get him upstairs and change clothes." This would hopefully buy us an extra advantage, mixing up the scent trails. Royal and Beau were closest in height—this was why I'd chosen him—but I had known how he might respond.

Royal's thoughts were infuriated and incredulous. He could not fathom why I would be asking this of him, after he'd taken his stance so firmly. "And why would I do that? What is he to me?" It's not enough that I'm letting you take El from my side to help you? You want me to subject myself to that kid's awful stench now, too?!

"Roy…" Eleanor protested, laying a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to reason with him, but he bucked it off stubbornly.

I didn't acknowledge his furious words with a response. Instead, I turned to Earnest, keeping myself focused on the tasks at hand. I didn't have time to respond to Royal's pigheadedness now. There were matters more worthy of my attention.

"Earnest?"

"Of course."

He hurried to Beau's side and flew him up the stairs to trade clothes.

I kept my voice low as I explained the strategic details to the rest of my family. Beau did not need to be made aware of this part of things. The less he knew at this point, the calmer and safer he would undoubtedly feel.

"El, grab some gear from the garage. The plan is to lead Joss north as long as we can, get her as far away from Beau as we can, and then ambush her." I reached into the duffel bag to unearth the unwashed items I'd grabbed out of Beau's laundry hamper. I tossed them to El, who plucked each item easily out of the air. "Throw these in the travel bag. We'll use them to fool Joss into thinking he's with us."

Brilliant, she conceded on her way out the door.

"Royal," Carine said, and he turned reluctant eyes on her, "You and Earnest will take Beau's truck west as a secondary diversion."

Royal opened his mouth to protest, but Carine held up a hand to stop him.

"Beau is with Edythe, which makes him a part of this family now. We protect our family." Her words were spoken at a low volume, but they rang with the authority of the matriarch that she was. Royal smashed his lips together, eyes burning, and turned his face away.

His thoughts were something else altogether, but I ignored that.

"We're hoping Joss will assume Beau is with me, and she'll follow us," I continued, "And that the male will follow you and Earnest." I fixed my eyes on Royal's averted profile, but his thoughts told me he was listening. He would go along with the plan. He would do what was right. Upstairs, I could hear the same thoughts of acknowledgement—though with far greater compassion—in Earnest's consciousness. "Victor will have no reason to attack or engage you—this is Joss's game. He knows that; and he's only playing his part as reconnaissance. Drive as far west as is prudent, until he turns off. Then return to Forks and keep watch over Charlie. He may return to the Swan residence when he realizes Beau isn't with you. We need to keep Beau's father protected, as well."

A disapproving huff of air exited Royal's nose. Great. Now there's even more humans to protect? And here I thought we were doing too much as is…

I turned an angry scowl on him, and he stared down into my eyes with an expression of burning hatred.

Carine squeezed my hand before I could say or do something I would regret.

We don't have time for this, she reminded me.

I nodded curtly, and then wheeled toward the stairs, where Archie was finishing up in his bedroom, packing what he'd need into a small leather satchel—credit cards, cash, current identification…

Eleanor came back in from the garage then, a travel pack over her shoulders, and came to stand by me.

Caught all that, she assured me.

I'm listening, Archie thought in resignation—probably already having seen what I was going to say, but knowing I would relay the instructions anyway.

"Don't let him out of your sight, Archie," I ordered him severely, "Not for one second. He is irrationally courageous and self-sacrificing. I hate to think what ludicrous idea he could possibly come up with in the face of this peril."

No need to worry, Edy. I've got this. Beau'll be in good hands—

"Archie…"

Nothing will happen! Trust me!

I huffed. "He also needs to eat several times a day and drink more often than that. Make sure he gets at least eight hours of sleep in a twenty-four hour period…"

Yes, yes. I've got it! Quit worrying!

Like that was going to happen anytime soon…

Having finished changing, Beau and Earnest joined Archie at the top of the stairs. Each hooked a hand underneath Beau's elbows, and carried him down to the main level. Jessamine joined us half a second later, holding a duffel bag that would contain everything they might need in the south—measures of sun avoidance, hats, sunglasses, gloves, scarves, and hooded long-sleeved clothing. Due to our dormant sweat glands, the need for vampires to shower was restricted to instances of hunting, or other outdoor activities. Archie and Jess wouldn't need much in the way of outfit changes or toiletries.

Carine was passing out untraceable cell phones now—one to Earnest, and one to Archie. She kept one for our group. We would communicate via these devices when our adversaries were outside of hearing range.

"Earnest and Royal will be taking your truck, Beau," she informed him. Beau nodded and glanced furtively at Royal, who wore a pinched, truculent expression.

I didn't exactly appreciate the thoughts he was having about Carine—resenting her, in particular, for denying his 'evasive actions' so many weeks ago.

If I'd been able to do away with him then, he was thinking, none of this ever would have happened…

I reoriented myself on Carine's words, quashing the rising swell of anger in my chest.

"Archie, Jess, take the Mercedes. You'll need the dark tint in the South."

They nodded in approbation.

"We'll take the Jeep," she finished, coming to a stop next to me and El. She locked eyes with each family member, leaving the floor open to any questions. There were none; each of us were prepared and ready.

"Archie, will they take the bait?" she inquired.

Archie closed his eyes, focusing, and I absorbed the images floating through his mind. The Jeep's headlights, swerving wildly over an abandoned logging road… Joss, following a mile and a half behind… The male, leaping from tree to tree, eyes on Beau's truck down below, winding down the Trans-Canada highway… The clear, unobstructed way out South… Beau's agonized, exhausted expression in the shifting lights of the Mercedes' back seat… The brief glimpse of a rising sun over craggy red cliffs… The images shimmered and warbled, and then faded completely once he was satisfied he had his answers.

"She'll track you," he confirmed, opening his eyes, "The man will follow the truck. We'll be able to leave after that."

"Let's go," Carine said to Eleanor, and they headed toward the backdoor. Take a moment, she thought in my direction, But just a moment.

Our moment of separation had come, and the heavy leaden weight of dread and fear settled on my chest. The burden of the dark emotions made it difficult to breathe for a moment, though the act was unneeded for my kind. I moved to Beau's side, staring up into his beautiful eyes for a long moment. There were so many things I wanted to say, to express. My gratitude, my devotion, my fear, my anxiety, my love. I wanted to tell him there was no need to worry, that he was perfectly safe with Jess and Archie. I wanted to tell him how much I loved him, if such a thing could be conveyed through words. I wanted to tell him I'd see him soon, but I could not shake the inescapable feeling of wrong-ness welling up inside of me. This was wrong. I could not leave him, I shouldn't. But I had to.

I reached up to grasp his face, reveling in the warm, smooth pulse of life underneath. He leaned down, fingers twining in the long strands of my hair, and I pressed my lips to his, ignoring my family, who studiously kept their sights averted.

I reveled in it for just one moment, allowing myself to get caught up in his scent, his warmth, the feel of his soft, yielding body against mine.

And then I pushed his shoulders back, our lips unlocking. I gazed at him for just a fraction of a second more—the clear depth of his blue eyes, and all the unconveyed emotions within them—and then, stone heart fracturing in two, I turned to face what was to come.

…

A/N: Because boys can cry too, right? I went back and forth over just how much emotion Beau might have shown, and then decided with more. Because it was fitting. Because it was appropriate. Anyway. Hope you enjoyed this one, lovelies! Let me know what you thought if you have a minute! xo