Title: Legendary Travesty

Fandom: Twilight

Pairing: Leah/Esme, established Bella/Alice (Bellice)

Author: Mirandyscrow

Rating: R

Summary: AU Leah imprints in Eclipse. We follow her as she deals with the consequences that this extraordinary event causes. This story take place about a month before the beginning of Eclipse and will be a femslash pairing. If you don't like it then don't read it. Thanks!

Spoilers: Let's say everything up until Eclipse is fair game, but I'm twisting a lot of facts and timelines to suit my story.

Archive: Sure if you really want it. Lol, it would be a surprise to me, just ask my permission first. (It's nice when people ask)

Disclaimer: Did Bella and Alice hook up in New Moon? No? Well I guess that means Twilight isn't mine. Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer. Any and all other brand names belong to their respective owners. I do not make any money on this story. Please don't sue; I only have a box of Easy Mac as collateral. BTW Easy Mac is the property of Kraft. :P

Author's Note: I don't have a clue where this idea came from. I was actually focusing on going to sleep and this plus five other prompts popped into my head and played around in my skull until I wrote them down and attempted to give them a fair shot at being written. Now here we are.

Author's Note #2: I am aware that some of the events don't exactly travel the exact same timeline of the book and/or movie. Please know that it is entirely on purpose to fit the story. So please no comments about, 'how it didn't happen that way' because I'm sure I've messed up the timeline by simply having one of the pairing(s) Bella and Alice, lol.

Big thanks to faithlessfate for being an awesome beta and making this story worth reading! All careless mistakes are my own.

Special thanks to Bablefisk for being my first beta!

Chapter 4: Endless Reverie

Esme Cullen had been alive for 196 years and in that time she'd always lived happily with her husband, Carlisle. He and every one of her children, including her new honorary daughter, Bella, were the lights of her life. Recently, it seemed as though those lights were dimming. Her life now felt as though she'd been living it wrong for nearly two centuries. She didn't understand these new feelings that took away her stability and things that once gave her joy, and yet did nothing for her now. Her normal activities were boring and lackluster to her.

It had been three long days since Esme encountered the young woman in the store that turned her world upside down and outside in. There was a constant gnawing emptiness in her that even blood couldn't fill and it was starting to drive her to distraction. She sighed unnecessarily, the third time in five minutes, as she looked out toward the dense forest. She found herself staring at the forest constantly these past three days as if it held all the answers to the world within it. Well, at least she felt it held the answers to her world within it.

Carlisle and the children had asked her several times if she had a new job or something to do whilst they were gone all day, but for her it was the one time she could be alone with her thoughts. There wasn't an Edward there to read her thoughts, or a Jasper to sense her emotions, and it gave her peace and alone time with herself.

Alone with thoughts of her.

Leah Clearwater.

Esme knew Leah was the only female wolf in La Push. The only one to occur in all of the Quileute's tribal history. The news of the only female wolf wasn't exactly kept secret and it was old news once Edward got the particulars from Jacob's mind. The poor girl and her brother had the misfortune to lose their father at such young ages. The whole horrible incident hadn't occurred that long ago, she may want some comfort.

Esme was shaken from her thoughts when the soft whooshing of the window reached her ears. She looked at her hand befuddled that it could do such a thing without her knowing and looked back at the window. She closed it, turning away from the large, translucent window. This train of thought had to stop.

"I need to do something else," Esme said to the empty room as the thoughts of Leah were tugging at her lifeless heart. She wanted to be in the forest. Even more, she wanted to be in La Push, but that would be suicide. The wolf pack would never allow her two steps into the reservation, let alone permit her enough time for passage to Leah's home. Dying in that manner didn't frighten her but the thought that she would gladly brave the pack for just another glimpse of Leah shook her to the core.

Esme left her room and proceeded downstairs. She went to the small hall closet and gathered the basket of gardening tools on the way out of the back door. It was terribly cliché for a 'middle age' mother, but Esme adored roses. She had six stunning bushes before Alice had a vision of Bella cutting herself on one of the thorns. Esme replaced every bush with tulip bulbs the very day after the vision. She supposed her roses could come back after Bella was changed.

Esme focused on weeding her garden and turning the soil. Soon she was in a rhythm and any reflections on Leah Clearwater were a distant memory. A ladybug landed on her hand. She stopped her work, holding her hand up toward the sky. A small, easy smile appeared on Esme's face as the tiny bug crawled up her hand to her fingertip and flew away. A breeze flowed through the trees, bringing the aroma of fresh pine needles to the vampire's nose.

Although the smell was incomplete to the beguiling scent of the younger woman, it still triggered Esme's remembrance of the scene in the supermarket. Esme stared into space as her mind conjured up an alternate ending to her memory. In Esme's fantasy, Leah leaned forward and brushed her lips across hers before the intercom broke the moment and a delightful shiver descended the vampire's spine.

"Esme."

She turned, giving her full attention to her son. "Edward, what are you doing home so early?"

"We've been home from school for about forty minutes now," Edward replied in his usual brooding tone. His eyes stayed locked with hers while he continued to probe her mind.

Esme blinked. She glanced behind Edward to the clock on the far wall of the living room. It was true. She had been staring into space for three hours straight and obviously had not noticed her children's return home from school.

"Oh." was Esme's only response. What was happening to her? Were her fine tuned supernatural instincts failing her?

"Esme, can we talk?" the look in his eyes told Esme he'd heard her thoughts loud and clear. She really didn't want to talk to anyone else because she wasn't even sure what she was feeling herself, but what could she say?

"I don't want to talk," she said simply, avoiding his eyes and shielding her thoughts as best as she could.

"Okay," he said gently. "You don't have to talk to me but maybe you should tell Carlisle."

Esme absentmindedly turned some soil over. "It's not that easy, Edward."

"It could be," Edward said, kneeling. He placed his hand on top of hers, stilling it. "You know as well as I do that things are only as difficult as you make them."

"If I find the courage to tell him what I'm feeling, what happens next?" she glanced over at Edward. "Where do we go from there?"

"You'd have to consult Alice for the future," Edward said with a rare and inappropriate attempt of humor to lighten the situation.

Esme was not amused with his statement, her hand knocked his away as she slammed down the gardening spade, severing a bright yellow tulip and embedding the tool into the ground. She tugged off her gloves and snatched the basket from the ground, storming past him. An immediate blanket of tranquility settled over from Jasper as she returned the basket to the hall closet. She heard Alice and Bella talking before they entered Alice's room and the words became less clear.

She blurred to the kitchen to get out one of the pre-made fruit platters she often kept for Bella's visits. There was no fruit platter in the refrigerator, but instead a note in its place. It read:

Esme

You looked to be deep in thought and I didn't have the heart to disturb you so I went ahead and gathered the snacks for Bella's visit.

Alice

Disappointed that she could do nothing to help at the moment, Esme retired upstairs. She went to the in the library looking for a novel, any novel to catch her interest at least until Carlisle returned home from the hospital, then she could focus completely on being his loving, devoted wife. Esme grabbed a book and finally immersed herself in something that didn't take her mind back to the thoughts of Leah. She was on chapter ten of the book serving as a great distraction when a crash sounded a couple of floors down, breaking her concentration.

"What now?" Esme scowled uncharacteristically. She came downstairs and drank in the scene before her. Rosalie held a smug smile at the sight of her. Edward looked as if he'd just happen to find himself in the middle of the chaos. Jasper was no where to be seen. Bella looked panicked with a receding blush and Alice and Emmett looked miraculously like small children that were just caught painting the walls with all of their mother's makeup after shaving the pet cat and eating all the cookies in the house.

Esme's onyx eyes narrowed in on the remnants of an antique crystal vase. The very same antique crystal vase that was the only thing Esme took from her home after she was turned. Burning anger stiffened her spine as she walked to the middle of the room. Alice and Emmett kept their eyes fixed to Esme as if placed under thrall, unable to move a muscle until they knew what reaction Esme would show.

"What happened?" Esme demanded in a nearly inaudible murmur.

It was as if a shot had been fired to signal racing horses. Emmett and Alice spoke at the same time trying to plead their cases and be heard over the other.

"Emmett teased Bella about our sex life and he knows how sensitive she-"

"Shortie, here just can't take a joke. Apparently she needs to get laid-"

Their words were rushed and overlapping.

"Enough!" Esme hissed. Esme addressed both of them with a steely gaze. "Emmett, you are grounded from video games and television for one month. Alice, you are not allowed to sleep over at Bella's for the same amount of time."

Alice and Emmett looked at each other with disbelief. This was certainly one the harshest punishments Esme had ever given. Esme dashed into the kitchen, when she came back she handed Alice the broom and dustpan. She gave Emmett the handheld vacuum cleaner. "This vase will be repaired or replaced by days end tomorrow or the punishment will be extended. Rosalie will take Bella home."

"But-"

"You can't be serious!"

Alice and Emmett sputtered in argument. Bella shifted uncomfortably, the tension in the air was so thick it felt as if it would be able to choke her.

"Take Bella home, Rosalie." Esme's tone was unwavering as she headed back to the library, ignoring Alice and Emmett. Not another word was said as Rosalie rolled her eyes and flashed to the garage.

Edward frowned as he caught a peep of his mother's irritated and conflicting thoughts as she made her way back to the library, but he chose not to comment. He wanted to talk with her. There was something bigger happening, he just didn't know what it was. He couldn't shake the small voice in the back of his mind that told him that this was going to be pivotal in regards to his family.

Bella shifted again, cringing as the rustling of her fabric sounded almost as if it echoed off every room in the house. She tucked a bit hair behind her ear. "I-I guess I'll see you later Alice."

Alice was across the room in an instant. By the time she grasped Bella's face in her hands, she heard the clatter of the broom and dustpan against the floor. Alice brushed her lips against Bella's in a passion filled kiss. "I'll miss you," Alice whispered once they parted and Bella blushed in response.

They ignored the snort and Emmett grumbled, "You don't have to be so dramatic." as Alice accompanied Bella to the Jeep that held a perturbed Rosalie.

-x-

Carlisle was baffled as he walked into his home. It was devoid of a blasting television, arguing video game combatants, jokes, or even Edward's soft melodic music. It was devoid of most of his family, really. The only people he could see were an arguing Emmett and Alice sitting in the middle of glass shards and glue. Although this was one of the more peculiar occurrences to happen in the household, he thought it best not to question it and continued upstairs. He found his wife just as he sensed her, in the library. Esme was glowering at the book in front of her. She was either ignoring him or didn't feel his presence.

He leaned against the doorway with an amused expression. He watched as she all but tore a page out of the book with the force in which she turned the page. "Convince the pages to read to you that way, Love?"

Esme's eyes flicked up to glare at her husband before her eyes snapped back down to continue staring at the book in front of her. She said nothing while her grip tightened around its cover, bending the stiff cardboard of the book flaps.

Carlisle frowned at the incensed expression on his wife's face. He made his way over to her and pulled her from the chair, removed the book from her hands and held her tight to his chest. Esme was still tense in his arms as he began to rub soothing circles into her lower back. She closed her eyes and tried her best to let the ministrations take the away the tension in her body. While Carlisle's touch was comforting, it only made Esme want to shy away.

She itched to be far away from him and was forming an excuse in her head to be alone when a sudden burst of lust rolled through her body. Her onyx orbs eyed Carlisle before her lips slammed against his with ferocity. Carlisle didn't immediately react because of the extreme mood change, so Esme to pulled him impossibly closer, her left hand gripping the hair at the base of his neck while her right hand teased his inner thigh. The second he started kissing her back, Esme stopped. She ended the kiss abruptly. It felt like someone had dumped a glass of arctic water over her libido. Her eyes became gold once more and she leapt away from Carlisle, running to their bedroom.

Esme took her familiar position in front of the windows facing the forest, hugging herself. The thought of sex right now made her want to shudder. No, that wasn't exactly the case. The thought of having sex with her husband right at this moment just felt wrong somehow. She banished the thoughts to a dark corner of her mind as she felt the approach of Carlisle.

"Esme," Carlisle paused just inside the bedroom, closing the door behind him. "Is there…have I done something wrong?"

She didn't turn around. "No, you've done absolutely nothing wrong," Esme assured him. "I'm just not feeling quite like myself."

"I have noticed that you haven't felt like yourself for days now and I hoped you would talk to me." He was right behind her.

"I'm not ready yet and I…" Esme sighed, touching the slick glass in front of her. "I don't even know if I can. I wouldn't know where to start."

"We've been together for over one hundred years, my love. Whatever is going on, you can tell me."

"I fear it isn't that easy," Esme mumbled.

Carlisle grasped Esme by the shoulder and turned her gently around to face him. He used his two fingers to lift her chin to look him in the eyes. "Are you unhappy?" He said after a couple of moments of silence.

Esme's mind drifted from the conversation as Carlisle looked on. She felt that was a dangerously broad question. Was she unhappy? Was she unhappy with what? Was she unhappy with her family? No. Was she unhappy with her life? No. Was she unhappy with her marriage? No. Yes…no?

Was she? She still loved Carlisle with all her heart but now it felt as though her heart was growing, making a spot especially for one Miss Leah Clearwater and the love she had felt and still felt for Carlisle could hardly compare. There was no way she could continue to deny what she was experiencing and neither she nor Carlisle deserved to be dragged through that. Could she, would she end two centuries of marriage over a few seconds of pure bliss? Could she hurt him? The argument could be made that she was hurting him now. She was hurting him by pulling away emotionally and physically and not talking to him. He deserved more than that.

So was she unhappy with her marriage? Yes. She was.

Esme's response lodged itself in her throat, making it tight and uncomfortable as she looked at the love and devotion flowing from Carlisle's liquid gold orbs. She was silent, but her revelation must have shown on her face because Carlisle let her go as if he was suddenly burned.

His jaw tightened. He glanced away from his wife unable to look at her anymore. "I see." He held up a hand to stroke her hair or face, but his hand fell to his side as he changed his mind. "I'll be in my study when you're ready to...talk." and he was gone.

Esme didn't go to Carlisle's study that night or the next night.

-x-

Esme was perched on a branch high above the forest. The thirst that raged in her throat was almost unbearable. She closed her eyes and became still, appearing as a perfect, pallid statue crouched on the thick branch. Her nose twitched and then Esme was falling with her arms outstretched at her side. Her feet hardly touched the ground as she ran through the brush of the forest. She could smell the meal up ahead, so close it was mouthwatering. When she reached the mouth of the cave, she saw her prey was asleep. She moved so fast that the bear didn't awaken until Esme sank her teeth into its neck. It reared back onto its hind legs, raking its claws in a failed attempt to dislodge the vampire. She just wrapped her arms and legs around the bear in a crushing embrace. The crack of its ribcage echoed in the cave and the bear bellowed in agony. She was still perched upon its back, following its descent to the cave floor as the blood was pulled from its veins.

When she had her fill, she stood, her eyes trained on the corpse of the large animal. Even with the thick fur, its body looked thin and drawn. She licked the blood from her face as she walked back outside; staring into the sky at the soft glow of the moon. Her eyes clouded with longing and her chest began heaving with unneeded breath as she moved forward until the strong odor of wet dog and fresh earth brought her out of the trance. She was surprised to find her foot just two inches from the treaty line.

The strong, victorious howl that pierced the night air wrapped around Esme, seeping through her marble skin and joining the fresh blood coursing through her veins, heating her entire being. The urge to cross the treaty line was overwhelming. She took another step. The next howl that erupted from the forest wasn't so inviting. She ignored the near crippling ache to go into La Push, turned and ran. She didn't stop moving until she was home.

-x-

The day of rare sunshine over Forks had Esme in great spirits. She barely paused to put on a royal purple wrap blouse and black slacks before blurring downstairs, eager to start her day.

"Good morning everyone!" She greeted her family with a smile before flashing to Carlisle, giving him a sweet kiss. Nausea rolled in the pit of her stomach but she shook it off, determined to have a good day and keep up appearances in front of her children. She turned and saw everyone smiling at the cheery, infectious mood she sported.

"Emmett, Alice I know I haven't quite been myself and I do realize that perhaps the punishment I issued a couple of days ago was too harsh so I'm lifting it," Esme said. "It's not like I can't hear you sneaking out of this house or playing a handheld game," she said with a raised eyebrow. Alice and Emmett had the decency to look a little embarrassed.

Alice easily shook off her embarrassment, dancing to the center of the room. "I'm so glad you're having a good day today because we're going to the beach!"

"What about hunting?" Jasper inquired to the room.

"I've already checked everyone's future." Alice's smile only wavered only slightly. "We'll be fine until the next sunny day." Her eyes clouded briefly. "I'm going to go pick up, Bella!" She said on her way to the garage. The canary Porsche raced down the road just a couple of seconds later.

"Well, I suppose we should all get ready for the beach," Carlisle announced. He held Esme's hand, ascending the stairs at a human's pace even after the rest of the family passed them in a burst of colors.

Once in the bedroom, Carlisle slowly released Esme's hand, grabbed his simple black swimming trunks and walked into the master bathroom to change without a word. Esme glanced at the bathroom door, a little sad at the rift that was growing between her and Carlisle, but she felt completely grateful for the space he was allowing her.

She surveyed herself in mirror. The sleek, stylish black one piece stood out heavily against her pale skin but the three pronged shoulder strap threaded through a polished gold clasp brought out her eyes.

She sat on the couch, waiting for everyone to finish getting ready. Bella all but stomped into the living room with a ball of what looked like shredded clothing. Esme took in her new outfit of the stylish midnight blue, tankini top that stopped a little above Bella's bellybutton and matching Pilate pants. It was hardly her normal style and she knew more than likely Alice had something to do with the girl's present irritability. "What happened to your clothes, sweetie?"

"Apparently they were ugly pieces of fabric that needed to be put out of their misery so I was relieved of them and these were all that was left." Bella glared at Alice who was stuck in a vision. The spiky-haired vampire frowned, disappearing upstairs. Bella looked after her with concern.

"I wouldn't worry about that. She would tell us if it was cause for alarm. How did you let Alice trick you out of your clothes?" Esme asked. She smiled lightly at Bella's flushing face. "I see. Well, you know Alice just wants you to look your very best but I will talk to her about her methods of doing that-"

A thud sounded upstairs.

"You are not wearing that in front of Bella!" Alice's shrill voice shouted.

"What's wrong with it? I look damn sexy," Emmett said.

"I have to agree with Alice, Emmett, it would be totally inappropriate to wear that to the beach when you know how sensitive Bella is." Edward's calm tone was now heard.

"You're all just jealous. Isn't that right, babe?" Bella and Esme could practically hear the pout in Emmett's voice.

"Honey, I love you but if those were any tighter you'd lose something vital in our relationship," Rosalie responded completely deadpan.

-x-

Despite the bickering over Emmett's decision to wear a man thong, they finally made their way to the private beach. Though it was sunny it was a bit too cold for Bella to enjoy the water so she and Esme just decided to make a sand castle a little ways from the water.

Esme looked out over the sand at her family. She looked a couple of yards down the beach to her right where Alice and Rosalie were 'sunbathing' glinting like perfect gems in the sunlight. On the opposite end of the beach, Edward, Emmett, Carlisle and Jasper were playing extreme beach football. She smiled at the vision that her family caused and tried to cement the scene in her head. She went back to sculpting one of the northern walls of the castle that Bella was diligently trying to smooth out. The castle was almost complete.

One of Emmett's not so well aimed throws sent Jasper running backwards in a blur across the sand, heading straight for the large sand castle Esme and Bella had constructed. Jasper had already trampled through the left wall of the castle before anyone realized what was going on.

He was so startled by the instant flash of rage coming from Esme that he couldn't react when she snatched the football from the ground in a tight grip and hurled it as far as she could across the beach. The russet projectile whistled as it cut through the air. Every member of the family watched as three tall trees fell to the ground with a thud in the distance.

Bella just watched with wide eyes as Esme turned back to her and the misshapen pile of sand and shells that used to be a pristine castle. The motherly vampire bent over, grabbing handfuls of sand in her hands and started to sob. Everyone else was unsure on how to approach the distraught Esme. Jasper twitched as he was assaulted with the utter sorrow his mother was exuding and began sending tranquil waves to Esme.

Her eyes glazed over and she turned to Bella with an easy smile. "Are you thirsty, Bella?" Esme had gotten juice from the cooler and held the bottle in front of Bella's face before she had a chance to form an answer.

-x-

As soon as Alice returned from taking Bella home, Esme knocked on her daughter's door, waiting impatiently for permission to enter.

"Come in, Esme."

Esme looked on as Alice went around her room gathering her clothes for the next two nights at Bella's house. "I saw your expression, Alice. You didn't see what was going to happen at the beach?"

Alice stopped and approached her bed, motioning for Esme to sit beside her. "I didn't want to worry you but every since that day in the meadow your future has been blurry. If I'm not actively concentrating then I can hardly see you at all."

Esme sighed loudly, tugging at the bottom of her shirt. "Can you try now? What I mean is can you concentrate as hard as you can and tell me the last thing you see for me before I disappear?"

Alice nodded and closed her eyes. "You're running urgently into the forest, I can't tell when or why. You stop at this large tree…" she spoke in a trance, her forehead scrunched with effort. "You…you." Alice gasped and broke her concentration. "I can't see anything else but for once I'm positive about a vision. Whatever is under that tree you've already made a decision to find and your future is cemented around it," she said, seemingly looking through Esme.

Esme looked down at her lap, allowing Alice's revelation to sink into her thoughts before she glanced up. "Alice, your nose."

Alice blinked rapidly and wiped her nose. She smelled the tangy, metallic scent before she even looked at her bloodstained fingers.

-x-

Esme spent the next four days in a fog after the incident with Alice's vision. With the odd looks she'd been getting from Edward and Jasper, she had no choice but to fake her emotions and thoughts around her family. She knew her odd behavior was still not going unnoticed considering she was getting sustainably weaker everyday and her eyes were almost always tinted black even immediately after hunting. She'd been really nostalgic as well as spacing out when she was alone like she hadn't had enough sleep which was rather strange when she obviously did not need sleep. Her only saving grace was that no one was willing to broach the subject despite the small outbursts she had when Jasper wasn't around to keep her calm.

It was a pleasant morning. She was all smiles as everyone got ready for school and left. Carlisle decided to leave a little late so they could have some privacy at Esme's request.

Esme opened and closed the large oak door leading into Carlisle's home office.

"You want a divorce," Carlisle said as soon as the lock clicked on the door. His chair still faced the window on the back wall of his study.

Esme stared at the back of the chair blankly. "What?"

Carlisle turned the chair, looking at his wife intently. "Isn't that what you came in here to tell me?"

Once again Esme faltered when Carlisle asked her a simple question. "No," she said eventually but not at all convincing.

Carlisle gave her a sad and relieved smile. He made his way around his desk to hold Esme in his arms. She fell into the familiar embrace easily, tightening her arms around his back and cradling her head underneath his chin.

He kissed the top of her head, inhaling the sweet smell of her hair. "My love, I would never pressure you to tell me what is going on with you, but you're obviously hurting yourself somehow by keeping this a secret." And hurting me. He didn't need to say. They stood there silent in the relaxed embrace until Carlisle was forced to leave for work.

-x-

Esme didn't know how long she was sitting on the couch, not really seeing the television. The only thing that broke her stupor was the softly spoken, "Hello, Esme."

After the week and a half she'd been having, Esme wasn't surprised to find that she'd spaced out again, spending hours lost in thoughts regarding Leah.

She shook off her haze, turning with a smile. "Hello, sweetie. How are you today?" She walked toward Bella to give the girl her usual hug when the blistering ache of thirst shot down her throat. She stalked forward, her teeth bared. Esme jumped into the far corner of the living room before Bella could comprehend what was going on.

"Esme?" Bella took a step forward. Esme desperately clawed her way up the wall, eyes black in hunger, hissing down at Bella in warning.

"Bella, no!" Alice flashed in front of Bella, crouched in a defensive position. Her own hiss answered the challenge in Esme's.

Esme's eyes fluttered and were gold once again. She slid down the wall as a hand came to her mouth in shock. "Oh Bella, I'm so sorry I..I'm…" Esme ran upstairs.

"Alice, what was that?" Bella asked in complete confusion and not without a little fear, glancing toward the rest of the confused, alert vampires coming through the garage door.

Daylight came and went while as Esme spent the rest of the evening in her bedroom, avoiding her family and staring out her favorite window. It only became her favorite because it had a great view of the forest. The forest she always yearned to be in so she could at least catch a glimpse of her love. It was the only thing that she felt would bring her solace. Esme's heart twitched in discomfort every time she thought about the distance between herself and the younger woman.

"Leah."

She wished she was with her now. She needed to talk to her and get a clearer explanation of her feelings. The vampire stared longingly toward the forest until she heard a soft whisper reverberate through her mind.

"Esme."

Esme opened the latch and gracefully dropped out of the large window, taking off into the forest.

-End of Chapter Four-

Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much for your reviews, faves, and follows! If I haven't replied to your reviews or PMs, don't worry I will get around to as soon as I can.

Tell me what you think of this chapter. Did it exceed expectations?

-MC