Chapter twenty three: Couldn't have picked a better time?!

It was him. It really was him. Here. Right in front of me. His face, masked to perfection. His hands held out for me to take, gloved with white satin. His luscious smile, blinding me almost. My heart at this point was in competition of completely combusting, melting and racing. My mind was running over everything. Over how much I missed him, how good it felt to actually lay eyes on him in reality and not in my dreams, and how god offaly how much I wanted to smack that charming smile off his face for leaving then kiss it back just because he did the exact same thing. He came back. He didn't have too. Not after my idiotic mood swing, nor my insults towards him and his sister. But he did... Oh, he did!

He was gazing down at me, eyes as violet as ever. Lighter than usual, but still the eyes within the face I had missed terribly. Hiding his pale face, the skin I wanted to touch, was a mask; almost identical to my own. Only much, much more complicated. It was metal, by the looks of it. Swirls and such, but on the right hand side, it raised up more, cutting off with wild curls. He had a white shirt, with a red... piece of material; it was bold and puffy. Kinda looped over and tucked into the black waistcoat under his black jacket. His collar was up, but it was the style thanks to that old fashioned tie like thing. He was wearing black pants, with knee high white socks and black shoes to match. Alec seriously looked as if he had just stepped out of Venice. He probably has...

Oh, that doesn't matter now! All that matters was that he was here. With me... matching my outfit. Without hesitance, I took his hands. A jolt of complete and utter happiness rushed through me. He was here... It was him. I cursited in time with the music. It was a new song. Strange how I ended up staring at him for the rest of the previous song I had been dancing with Nathan. Once I was standing again, Alec lent forward; keeping eye contact. He released my hands, which left me craving his touch once again. I held them up; just in touching distance of his and began to move around. All around us, people were doing their fantasy slow dance and what they believed to be romantic. But how could you get better than this? Than what Alec and I were doing? You couldn't. We stopped; and then our hands touched. Again, we circled the other way around. The look on Alec's face was as if he was keeping track with my moves, and yet there was a hidden look within his eyes. Passionate, to say the least. We stopped; taking one another's fingertips; bringing one set over our head; almost like a arch, while the other circled by our waist. Again, we moved. I was sure eyes were on us; watching in complete dazzlement at our elegant moves. Wondering how the hell we had come up with something as amazing, even teachers were watching; swaying side to side. We had now found our way into the middle of the dancefloor. A large circle had formed of people watching and others dancing to their own accord. None compared to this...

My hands found Alec's shoulders; and in time with the music; Alec lifted me into the air; half spun us and then it truly began. Waltzing side to size, diagonally. He'd spin me, and then bring me back to his arms. The only one spin I wished hadn't ended when it did; was when I had my back to his front. I felt his gentle breath on the base of my neck; causing the hairs to stand on edge.

He was whispering... The words of the song.

"So close to reaching that famous happy end

Almost believing this was not pretend

And now you're beside me and look how far we've come

So far we are so close"

He spun me outwards quickly; bringing me to him and once again; began to move us across the hall with great deal. It was the instrumental, the mere music causing shivers to erupt through my spine. He was gliding us, across the hall, closer to people watching, then back the way into the middle where he would spin, turn, lift and bring me closer to him. Then, when the music began to slow down, he brought us closer to one another; so that our chests meshed with one another's. My breathing was narrow and quiet, but he continued to keep his eyes locked to mine. Alec then whispered a few times of the song, dazzlingly. It was as if he was answering my hidden questions, once I was longing to ask; but couldn't because of his 'no talking' statement at the start. Weird how I couldn't talk... but he could sing. Who wrote this song anyway? It was defo going on my ipod!

"How could I face the faceless days

If I should lose you now?"

We were staring into one another's eyes the whole time; while he turned us around slowly. Then, suddenly when the music picked up again; we were waltzing around again. He wasn't singing anymore, though. It was the singer who had taken lead with that.

"We're so close

To reaching that famous happy end

And almost believing this was not pretend

Let's go on dreaming for we know we are

So close

So close"

Alec began to slow us down; pushing me out with great ease but keeping our hands together. Oh no. I knew what this meant... It was the end of the song. Alec's head then bowed; as did his posture. Leaning forward, but still looking to me through the eyelashes. My heart was fluttering a million times the second. Reluctantly, I curtsied and it was as if we were at the start once again. I wished we had been.

"And still so far"

A roar of applause rushed on through, pulling us from our eye contact and back onto the location. Teenagers. My friends... Alec. I looked around, hazily for Ivy, Suzannah and Shannon. They were there; clapping with their gloved hands. I even spotted Brittany smiling towards me. Well, that was nice of her...

"Have you been practicing?" Alec asked, causing me to snap around and stare at him. "You've gotten better."

I didn't answer. I just looked at him, tears wanting to run. I couldn't. Not when aunt Alice spent forever on my makeup. Instead, I wanted to get the topic of both of us completely. As if he never left...

"What's the name of that song?"

Alec's lips pursed. "So close, I believe. By Jon McLaughlin."

"It's really nice..."

"Romantic, I believe the word you are looking for." He scoffed, taking my arm and beginning to walk me towards the table my friends were at. I wondered what he was doing, but it became clear when Nathan stood; giving him a friendly grin.

"Good to have you back, bud."

"Good to be back. I hope I didn't steal your date for too long."

He was giving me back. Inside, I was screaming at him not to give me back at all. Not ever. I was his. I just needed to find a way of letting him know that. Nathan eyes ran over us both, grinning.

"Nah, it's good. You're free to dance with her again if you want. Brittany sort of called the next one for me."

I looked to Brittany, who flashed a smile and winked. She was going for the nice approach on Nathan. Good. He was a good guy. "I wouldn't ask such a thing, not unless Renesmee consented to it."

I looked up to Alec, disbelief written all over my face. Was he really asking if I'd dance with him again, when Nathan was going to go off with the 'ice queen'—or should I refer to her as my new friend— Brittany Hill? "That's okay with me..."

Alec's eyes shone for a slight moment, then broke up towards Nathan and gave a nod.

"Awesome.. Well, have fun." He winked towards me, probably suspecting Alec wouldn't have seen it, but unknown to the fact Alec saw everything!

"Ah, so loverboy is back." Ivy teased, coming over to take Nathan's place as he departed. I obviously blushed, looking to the floor.

"That he is," Alec chuckled. "You look beautiful, Ivy. How are you?"

She shrugged. "Getting there,"

Wait, was I missing something? I glanced between them both; and Ivy gave me a cheeky wink. "I saw him come in."

I gaped at her, mouth probably hitting the floor. "Yeah, hate on me later. Right now, I'm going to dance the night away with my very own Prince Charming. That dance was ah-mazing by the way guys. You'll need to teach me the whole thing, step by step, not just the introduction, Ren."

And then Ivy was off; pushing Chris onto the floor with her. Shannon, Josh, Mark and Suzannah all ended up on the dance floor. Amber, Mercedes and Brittany were gone also; so that left me and Alec. Sitting at the table, while I sipped dryly at my punch.

"You're unnaturally quiet. Are you feeling alright?" Alec asked, his tone chirpy.

I looked up to his breathtaking face. Right now, the singer was doing a version of Parachute's Kiss Me Slowly. "There isn't much to say," I lied.

"You're a terrible liar, Reny." He said, his lips pulling into a gentle smile. For the first time hearing that name, I didn't feel the need to flinch. Infact, my insides rang with it. They came to life and began to flutter openly. I would have wiggled in my seat if I wasn't in so much of a trance.

"Do you really want me to ask questions now?"

Alec pursed his lips. "No. Perhaps not yet. But may I ask, is there a lot of questions? It will give me time to prepare myself."

I smirked. "I'm going to let your mind run wild,"

"I'll take that as a yes."

We smiled at one another, playfully. For the first time in a long time... I felt whole.

—xXx—

The singer was singing happily away to The Fray - Never Say Never. Again, I was in the arms of Alec; looking up to his masked face. The lenses of blue in his eyes, were dimming and beginning to show their more orange tint rather than violet. Thankfully, we only had one hour left of dancing left; and in total we would have done five hours straight. The whole time being on Alec's arm, laughing and joking with our friends as if he never left. Both of his hands were rested on my hips; while mine were around his shoulders. He was swaying me along to the music, his eyes dancing with hidden messages I longed to get out. Eventually; he spoke. Relieving me of the frightening silence.

"You look beautiful, Reny."

I scoffed, trying to hide off my growing blush. "You're not so bad yourself."

"I'm nothing in comparison to you. You really outshine everyone."

"Why did you pick now to come back?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. Alec continued to give me eye contact. Every now and then, his eyes would brush close; causing his long lashes to sweep across the bottom frame of the eye hole on his mask. "The moment you asked me to teach you the Waltz, I contemplated on coming to your prom. In fact, I was planning on asking you to be my date."

I let out a little laugh. "I basically am now,"

Whisking my eyes across to Nathan and Brittany, who were dancing at the same pace; though they weren't speaking. She had her head on his shoulder with her eyes closed. She looked so... normal. There was no need for the bitchiness anymore. She was finally happy because she got the one person she was after. Brittany and Nathan. It had a ring to it, didn't it? Besides, those two did look immaculate together. Even if her dress was bright pink; and he had a red scheme going on. They still matched on the inside.

"I would have preferred it if I were the one to have escorted you, however. Asked you to be on my arm, rather than steal you away from your date."

Again, I laughed. "You can ask me now."

His brows furrowed from under the mask. "Very well. Renesmee, will you be my prom date?"

I pursed my lips as if I were thinking through the answer. This only caused him to chuckle and press his head against mine; so our eyes burned into one another's. I could taste his heavenly breath. My own breath hitched. "You are the strangest person I have ever had the delight of knowing. You know that, right?"

"Well, I am a freak. Half an' half. If I could be any more strange, I'd have antenna's."

He smiled; his eyes closing for a short moment. "You are wonderfully strange. Promise me you'll never change?"

"Promise you? Oh god, this isn't a dream right?"

"Dream?" Alec asked, opening his eyes once again. This time they were burning with curiosity. "You've been dreaming about me?"

I nodded. "I always dream about you. You made me promise I'd print of the picture and I did. Two copies are lying at home in the cottage on my bed."

"Framed?" He asked, left part of his lips arching slowly.

"Yep." I said, popping the P. "The girl at the store really liked the look of you. She was asking really weird questions."

He scoffed, shrugging. "I'm not interested. Not in her, anyway."

Wait... what? I stared at him, and all he gave in reply was a playful wink. I almost melted in his arms there and then. "Can I ask you questions now?" I whispered, wanting to break myself from the lustful ache within me. He shook his head. "Not yet. Soon. Be patient."

"Will you answer one now?"

He pursed his lips. "One. But that's all."

"Are you leaving me again?" I whispered. It was almost like a plea. It came out in my voice how much I wanted him to stay. How it pained me to even think that he'd run off again. His eyes were soft, all the way to the core. It was calming me all the more. "Not yet. I'm not ready to leave you just yet."

"Good. Because I'm not willing to let you leave me."

He smiled gently; his breath once again sweeping across my face. I took a large inhale of it, intoxicating myself in the beautiful aroma. Alec pulled me in closer, showing that all conversation was over. My head rested on his shoulder; while his rested on the side of mine; leaning down and into it. I sighed dreamily, happily and lovingly. He was here...

—xXx—

One amazing hours later, after a full night of dancing, laughing, and just being teenagers, it was time to leave. The moon was high up in the midnight back sky, gentle specks of shimmering lights lit up the blackness, along with the full, large, breathtaking moon. The band was still playing even when people were leaving. It was another one of Parachute's songs, but one of my favorites. 'The Mess I Made' fitting to us leaving. Considering the hall was full of empty cups, empty plates of party food. There were a few couples on the dance floor, dancing slowly to the tune when we went outside but I could still hear the music perfectly in the cold night air.

Josh was driving us back to Ivy's, where we would all be spending the night. When I mean all, I meant everyone. The plan was me, Ivy, Shannon, Suzannah, Josh, Nathan, Chris and Mark. But it turned out to be added on with Brittany, Mercedes and Amber! I however, was being pushed to leave. "Renesmee, do you really want to be sitting in my room; with him in the next room?" Ivy was hissing. Shannon and Suzannah were nodding along; clutching at their bags.

I glanced towards Alec, who was with the boys, Brittany, Amber and Mercedes chatting lightly among them. Truthfully, no... I didn't. I wanted to confront Alec on what he did. I wanted to scream, shout, cry and then dance around some more because he was there. He was actually there. "I told my parents I was staying at yours.."

She laughed. "And if they call, I'll say you're asleep. Trust me, Reny. I got your back on this."

I blinked at her. She really could be quite pushy. "But.."

"No buts. Go," She pushed me towards the large group and continued to do so until we were there. Attention went to us instantly.

"We ready to go?" Josh asked, opening the door.

"Actually, Reny wants to go home." She shrugged. "She isn't feeling well."

Alec's eyes darted right to mine, examining me. I tried to pale myself, but ended up blushing by the intensity of his gaze.

"D'you want a ride home?" He offered.

"Nope. She has Alec. Besides, fresh air will do her good." Ivy then said; grinning.

"Oh... Alright then. Call us when you get home, Reny;" Josh said, surprising me. He actually used the new nickname! He had only ever called me Nessie before.. "Let us know you got home safely."

I nodded.

They began to pile into the people carrier, and waved as they drove off. I waved back, then looked back to the floor and began towards the exit of the parking lot with Alec beside me. The sound of footsteps beside me was foreign, especially now knowing it was him. I never thought I'd see him again, never the less hear him walking beside me!

I shivered thanks to the night air gust of wind, and put my arms around myself. Then, a gentle pressure was applied to my shoulders, while the captivating scent of cinnamon indulged me. His jacket.

"guys only give their jackets to their property. It's like proving their territory, and whatever. Showing other guys that you are theirs and stuff."

Ivy's voice was most welcoming at this point. My stomach was doing backflips! My conscience was screaming at me to say something, while I shied away inside. What could I say? Tell him you love him! That's a start!

No... Not yet. I'm not sure if he even feels the same!

"Because... The way you looked at him? He looked at you the same."

Well, that was Ivy's perspective. I needed to know if Alec really did, before I went around saying stuff like that! If I said it too prematurely, then hell... I could lose him forever. But because I scared him away! No, I couldn't let that happen. Not yet... Not when I had just gotten him back.

"Thank you," I whispered; pulling the jacket over my shoulders even more.

"You're welcome. Are you feeling better?"

"I'm not sick. It was just Ivy's plan on getting us to talk."

"I heard," He scoffed. "I'm just checking in case anyhow."

How considerate. Why couldn't he had been this consideration when I was hiding myself away from the world, waiting for him to come back. When I was acting like Miss. Havisham. Doing nothing but feeling sorry for myself. I sighed deeply and nodded.

"Why did you leave?" I asked when we had entered the forest. Alec didn't reply right away. In fact, he only answered when I looked up at him. I could tell by the look on his face he was trying to come up with an answer. One being the truth, that would probably scare me or hurt me, or one being a lie which I would rip him apart for telling me. Alec went with the truth, I figured. It wasn't as bad as I thought... In a weird way.

"Because I was fearful that I was going to rip you to pieces. No one has ever spoken to me like that, and I was angered by it. I don't like to think as myself as to having a temper, Renesmee. But I do have one, and mine is severe as Jane's. Only worse, because I never show mine."

"But you could have gone and calmed down, then came back..."

"I don't calm down that quickly."

"You calmed down pretty fine with any other time."

"Any other time you didn't bring me up as being a witch, nor drag my sister into it."

Damnit. He had a point. But then again, so did I.

Upon approaching the cottage silently, keeping as far from the house as possible. We ended up walking ten minutes longer than what it usually would have if we had walked past the house. Even though I knew for a fact my family had gone out hunting, I didn't want to risk it. Alec held open the door, which I walked in and hung his coat up. "Would you like a drink?"

Yup. He was back to acting as if he owned the place. I shook my head, and sat down onto the chair. "I'd like answers."

He sighed. An almost acceptable answer, but he sat down on the sofa across from me none the less. "Alright..."

"Where did you go?" I went right into the basics.

His eyes seemed to narrow. "Does it matter?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because it does, alright? You don't understand that I spent every single day in here waiting for you to walk through that door. Do you understand how crappy I felt when you never did?"

His head lowered ever so slightly. He wasn't breathing, so obviously I had gotten to him. I was fighting the urge to go up and touch him, to show him the long hours I spent waiting. Just laying on the sofa, hugged into a blanket waiting for a lost cause. Not knowing if I were ever going to see him again. If I would ever be able to look into his eyes, laugh with him, laugh at him, talk to him, hug him, smile at him... Talk to him. When he looked up again, he brought his hands up to behind his head; undoing the ribbon of his mask and tossing it onto the table in front of him. I mimicked his actions, but continued to watch him. There was no way I was letting him off with not answering. I needed to know why he didn't come back. If it was my fault, if it was his, or both of ours...

His eyes were a scarlet red. That would explain why his contacts were brighter than usual. The red was more vivid. More violent. "I can see we are going to get into a little misunderstanding here. Why don't you ask the questions, I say pass if I do not wish to answer?"

I gritted my teeth. "Fine. Why did you come back?"

His eyes seemed to soften, and shed of light. I was warmed by it, calming me. His words were what made it even more calming. "I missed you. I missed your laugh. Your smile..."

I stared at him with complete and utter amazement. "I missed your dreams, even if they were strange. I missed you talking in your sleep..."

I arched an eyebrow. "I talk in my sleep?"

He nodded. "A lot. That's why I said 'unnaturally quiet.' You can't keep your mouth shut, even when you aren't conscious." He scoffed.

"Gee, thanks." I snapped back.

"All in all, Reny. I missed you being my friend and I'm sorry for leaving without warning."

"Why did you leave?" I asked again. I just wanted to get it straight. No one would leave for three weeks in order to calm down. I didn't believe he had that much of a bad temper. Even if he was scary at times. Alec wasn't that kind of person, no matter what anyone else said.

"It was uncalled for. I shouldn't have gone so long. I never planned on being away that long,"

"Wait... you planned it?"

Alec's posture began stiff, as if he had said something he shouldn't have. Of course he shouldn't have! Here I was, sitting away and sitting around like some idiot because he was gone. Not knowing if he would come back; and what d'you know. He freaking planned going away! He planned on leaving me! "I did, yes."

I stood up quickly, glaring down at him. I had a quick mental flash of the day he left. It was a lot like this one. Me, standing up, yelling at him while he just sat there. The only difference about this one, however... I wasn't going to let him leave. Crossing my arms over my chest, I gave him the best 'you better explain this' look. He seemed to get it, thankfully.

"As you know, you make me feel human most of the time and it isn't a feeling I am used to. Therefore, I was seeking time to mull over some thoughts. I did plan on telling you, however. But, your sudden outburst basically shot that idea out of my head and all I could think about, in my defence, was getting away from you."

I gave a sarcastic laugh. "So, you left me feeling like crap because you felt human? That's hardly a good enough reason, Alec. Don't you get it? We're friends. You could have just talked to be about it!"

He rolled his eyes, which irritated me even more. "There are some things I do not wish to share with you, Renesmee. Especially what is going on inside my head."

"I let you in mine happily."

"No, you let me see your dreams. That isn't the same. I don't know what you think about..." He stopped, his eyes narrowing and then letting out a gentle laugh. He was laughing?

"What?" I snapped.

He shook his head in reply, still chuckling.

"Tell me."

"It's ironic, really. I sound a lot like your father."

Okay, that got me off guard. Honestly, who would bring up someones father in an argument? Unless he was trying to change the subject like he did usually. Oh, I wouldn't let him do it this time. I'd keep us on track. Besides, I wanted to know where he went.

"My dad?" I arched an eyebrow.

Glancing up to me through his eyelashes, with a prying smile; Alec' parted his lips and explained the reason he was laughing. "Your father was forever annoying your mother on what she was thinking. Aro would talk about it with Caius and Marcus every now and again. It drove your father insane, I presume."

"So, you're laughing because you sound like my dad... because you want to know what I'm thinking?"

"Precisely so." He let out another chuckle, shaking his head left to right and leaning back into the chair.

Well, whatever made his mood better was welcome. I wasn't through with him though. Far from it. I continued to stand with my arms crossed, glaring down at him with the want to smile at his infectious grin, at the fact he was really sitting there smiling up at me. Oh, he had a nerve to be smiling. Especially with that little announcement!

"Did you go back to Italy?"

"No. I thought about it though."

"Why didn't you?"

He paused, leaning forward so his elbows rested on his knees. He continued to look up at me, through his lashes. "I thought I answered that question at the school."

"No, you answered if you were going to leave again."

He bobbed his head, waiting for me to get it. When I didn't, he sighed. "I said I wasn't ready to leave you yet."

Oh... I blinked at him, letting my arms fall to my side. What was I supposed to reply to that with? Insecure if he was going to leave me again, and truth be told, he didn't want to. That's why he came back. Granted, he said we were friends, as did I, but I was seeing far more into it. I didn't just want friendship, I wanted to be loved by him. I was loved by many people. My family, my friends, and even got the attention of a few boys. One being the very boy Alec and I once made a ploy in order for me to steal the heart of. I wouldn't say Nathan loved me per say, but if I had commited to it, I suppose he would have eventually. Jacob couldn't be classed, since he loved me no matter what. I had the imprinting to thank for that. I was grateful with receiving all that unconditional love from everyone, but truth be told... I'd trade it all in just to have him love me. Whether it was 'in love' with me, or just loved me like he loved his sister... I'd give everything up.

THEN TELL HIM! My heart screamed at me, but I flinched away from that. I had just gotten over him being gone. I couldn't risk being shattered again. Knowing that my love wasn't enough would crush me..

"Then... Where were you?" I managed to whisper.

His eyes darkened. "Renesmee, it doesn't matter where I was, or who I was with. I'm here, aren't I? That's what should matter now."

"I guess... But I want to know where you went. Where you saw more need to being rather than here... With me."

Blinking, Alec stood up and shook his head. "I'm failing to see the relevance of where my location was at while I was away. If anything, you should be relieved I came back."

He moved across the room, vanishing into the kitchen. I followed him with fire in my veins. He couldn't get out of this that easy. Call me idiotic, and annoying, but it was a need to know where he was. I wanted to know where it was he saw better being than with me. His friend. His best friend. His only friend. The girl he came to investigate and eventually destroy. The girl who was nothing but a half breed, but the girl who had fallen hopelessly in love with this maniacal killer. His dangerously charming ways got the better of me, and I subsided to them happily.

"I am relieved. I just want to know."

"I'm not telling you. You don't need to know where I am twenty four seven, Renesmee."

He had a glass in his hand, holding it under the faucet so it filled with clear water. I was left wondering why the hell he was getting a glass of water, but it was wiped the moment he turned and handed it to me by placing it onto the island and sliding it across to me. I ignored it, though. My sights were set on him and him alone.

"I think I do," I shrugged.

"I don't. You're not my keeper, Renesmee. You don't own me."

"I didn't say that I did,"

"But that is what you're implying. You needing to know where I am, every day, every hour of every minutes suggests that I am something like a pet. Which, I am not. I'm here to investigate if you are safe or not. Not be submissive in caring to your every whim."

My pupils dilated, trying to process what he was saying. He was back to being technical, so that maybe was a sign. He was somewhere where people spoke the way he used too. But he said he wasn't in Italy, so I could cross that off. Wait... maybe it wasn't somewhere that spoke like that; but with someone who did. I blinked, planning on investigating further.

"Who were you with?"

"Again, I don't see the relevance of me telling you."

"Was it Jane?" Long shot, but there was no holding back.

His teeth gritted. "Does it matter if I was with Jane or not? What matters is, Renesmee, is I do not need to tell you my every location, whom I am with or whom I am not with."

"But you were with her right? Otherwise you wouldn't be talking like this..."

"Renesmee, stop it."

"Not until you tell me."

"Why? Why do you want to know so desperately? Who cares if I was with Jane? You shouldn't. The statement remains valid, but moot. You honestly should look into things that do not concern you. You shouldn't care, nor want to know if I missed Jane or not."

I blinked, my lips forming into a 'O' shape. He was with her. He was. He missed his sister! I knew it. Okay, maybe I didn't, but that isn't the point. I now didn't need to know where he was, because I now knew who he was with. The location part wasn't what kept him away, or what was better, it was the fact he was with his sister that kept him from me. I couldn't blame him, or hate him for that! Family is family, even if it's with a sadistic girl like Jane. She was his family, and he loved her.

"You were with her," I whispered, now fully showing I understood. His eyes seemed to flare, considering he had given away everything he was holding against me. He now knew I knew he had feelings. That he missed his sister just like any other ordinary boy, more probably! And it scared him. I could see it. "You missed her."

He didn't say a word. He just continued to glare at me. His fists were clenched on the island. I wouldn't back down though. Not when I was breaking through. "You're just like any other boy. You miss your sister, you care... You love, just like any hu-"

"Don't. You. Dare. Say. It." Alec hissed through clenched teeth. For once, this angry filled boy was no longer scary to me. If Alec were to have used that tone on me, looked at me like that a few weeks ago, I would have shaken with fear. Now... It was nothing. If anything, my love for him grew in that moment. I carried on. "Human. You're not emotionless. You're not a monster... You had simply gone out to see your sister. It proves that everyone else is wrong. You have a weakness, Alec. And its her,"

His fists slammed down onto the counter, causing it to shake. I did jump, because well... I startled me, but I wasn't scared. He was obviously pissed off at that. He was aiming to scare me. To keep me quiet, but it didn't work. Ha. Instead, his eyes flared even more. He backed up away from the island, to the other counter and jumped up so he was sitting on it. Clearly, he was trying to put some more space between us. He wasn't going to leave, though. So that fear was out of the window.

"Why are you doing this? Yes. I missed Jane. Yes, I wanted to go home to Italy with her. Yes, I love her. But that's it! I'm not a human. I don't feel for anyone else, nor will I ever." I felt a pang in my chest, but continued to watch him. He carried on. "I am a monster. And she is not my weakness. I do not have a weakness!"

"Stop lying to yourself, Alec!"

"Stop telling me what to do! I'm not your pet!" He hissed back, his hands slamming onto the counter he was sitting on. He was acting like some stubborn child not getting their own way. This truly was a breakthrough. Alec, had to be grown up as a child. He never had a normal childhood of being stubborn, clingy, happy... Well, now he was. This was his chance. He would thank me... eventually. "YOU. DONT. OWN. ME!"

Okay, I flinched at that moment. His voice was a little scary at that statement, but I couldn't back down now. Now was my chance. He was breathing deeply, his eyes set in stone on my face. They were burning red, vividly. I started around the island, towards his side. He watched me with every step. "No," I whispered. He continued to watch. "I don't own you,"

His shoulders remained stiff and ready for battle. It was worthless though. I moved closer to him so I was standing between his parted legs. He was my height with sitting on the counter. Finally. I didn't seem so small. This wasn't the time to feel small though. I had to have a bold back to do what I was thinking of. I took a deep breath, in hope to steady my racing heart. "But you own me."

His eyes narrowed down in confusion, but I moved as swiftly as I could before he could question me. Moving up onto my tiptoes and crushing my lips with his. I moved my hands to his face, cupping his jaw from both sides and pulling him to me. I only wanted to prove a point, show him what I meant. Three seconds was my limit. Three seconds was all I had ever done, and admittedly, that was with Alec. One. Two. Thr-

His hand came up and he was loosely cupping the back of my neck. The movement of his mouth on mine was tentative and definitely skilled but unsure, but the attempt was enough to give me hope. I could feel my hormones starting to rev up and I reined them in. Alec was the one who broke the kiss, sadly. He looked down at me and his face was more open and soft than I'd ever seen before. I could see his brain trying to make sense of what just happened. What was going to happen and why it happened. But his eyes were what made me feel weak at the knees. They were kind, pure and... humane.

"Not bad for a second kiss," I whispered.

"No, no. That was your first kiss."

"Don't you class the Romeo and Juliet one?"

Alec shook his head. "That was out of an order. Not because you willingly wanted to kiss me."

"So you didn't.. like it?"

He laughed, bringing his hands so that they were holding my face. His thumb moved across my cheek bone, and then over my lip that was swollen with the kiss. "How could you ask that. That was all I thought about for the entire time I was away. Jane was beginning to get really irritated with me. At one point, I even believed she was going to use her gift just to get my attention."

Oh my. I was on Alec's mind! I smiled sheepishly up to him, trying to act innocent. It wasn't working though. I had shown my intentions were far from innocent. I leant up once again, bringing my lips to his again. I wasn't going to let him break it this time. No, this time I would be in control and decide when we were through. There was no way in hell I was going to stop kissing him no-

"Nessie?!"

Shit. Jacob.

A/N:

Muwha. That's all I can say, to be honest. Reviews, reviews. Lets say... 500 and you get an update? I know, I'm evil.

Jacob doesn't seem happy, does he? ^.^

I enjoyed writing this chapter. It was actually a whole lot of fun!

Want more? Get reviewing. ;D

-C.H