A/N: Many thanks to all my reviewers/followers! You're all wonderful ;) This chapter is primarily from Vi's POV, but I couldn't resist adding some insight from Edward. There's just too much that he'd be reacting to. Enjoy!

Earthshine

Chapter IV

"Steps of Two"

...

"Old timidity has disappeared, and is replaced by silent, quaint fun, with which his face twinkles all over, as he listens."

-Thomas Hughes

...

[Vitalia]

I took another drag from the cigarette between my lips and held it there in my lungs a moment before exhaling. It really was nice. The ache in my shoulder was starting to go away a little, and I smiled as I thought about my conversation with Eddy.

He was such a strange guy. I really didn't think I'd met anyone like him. Ever. I don't know what he'd been all tense about when he first barged into the exam room, but he looked at me like I was a raincloud when he'd been expecting a sunny day.

I chuckled and shook my head. Crazy. Maybe that's what he was. I also couldn't really describe how weird it was to be running into him everywhere. Hell, I was almost convinced sometimes that he really was a stalker. The thing that made me question it though, was that he always looked equally surprised to see me.

Not exactly the reaction one would expect from a stalker. 'Could be a really excellent actor, of course.' It was a funny thought, but I didn't buy it. Something in his eyes just made me feel so sure that his surprise was genuine. Couldn't really explain why. It was just something I knew.

He did intrigue me though, and I was glad he'd agreed to exchange numbers. I wanted to learn about him. He was so closed off, always seeming to have his guard up. It challenged me to try and do my best to get past that, to explore the mystery of him.

I was really excited about it. He didn't seem like the type of person who let himself have fun, and so I, being a person who didn't like to keep things serious, figured I could maybe help him out with that. Life was meant to be enjoyed. It was just sad when it couldn't be.

I lifted my cigarette and breathed in nice and deep then glanced over at the person standing across the walkway. Speaking of strange and mysterious, who was he? It looked like it was taking him a lot of effort to even be, well, standing there.

Maybe he was going to be a future patient at the hospital? Maybe he was nervous about going inside? Maybe he'd just received some really bad news? There was just no way of really knowing.

But…there was also something about him that unnerved me a little bit. He was intimidating. There was like…a certain danger to him, just as there'd been with Eddy.

He looked at me, and it was kind of ironic because of my latest thought, but I noticed instantly that his eyes were gold. I smirked. So, he was another relative. I was just running into them everywhere! Was he waiting on Eddy then? Why was he waiting out here? He looked impatient. Maybe he just liked the fresh air.

I looked away and flicked the tip of my cigarette.

There was a long silence then, and I glanced to the guy again to see he looked kind of indecisive. Was he wondering what to say to me? I thought that was pretty amusing, and I only briefly considered putting him out of his 'misery' and striking up a conversation myself.

But nope. I decided to see what he might say instead. It was always interesting to hear what would come out of a person's mouth first.

I smiled at him and then looked away again. There. Maybe that'd help him along a little bit.

Lifting the cigarette to my lips, I was about to inhale when the guy finally spoke.

"Those things could kill you," he voiced with a recognizable drawl.

I grinned and excitedly looked to him. "Oh yeah! Eddy told me he had a brother from Texas. I'd know that accent anywhere."

His eyes widened a little bit, "you know Edward?" But, then he seemed to remember something. "Oh, right. Emmett told me about you. You're the huntin' family."

"Mhm, that's right," I said with a proud nod.

I saw him fight what looked to be a grin. "Well…congratulations on beatin' Edward in your race. It's rare." I got the impression from his tone that there was some sort of poetic justice thing he was getting out of this.

"Thanks," I winked. "I tricked him."

"That's usually how it has to be."

He still looked a little uncomfortable, and I wondered if he was much of a conversationalist. I didn't get the impression that he was. Still, I was proud of him for speaking first, if it really was a difficult thing to for him to do. He looked like he was probably a little socially awkward.

A friendly smile crossed my face then. Well, I hoped it was friendly, at least. I wanted him to feel comfortable around me. "I'm Vitalia."

He glanced to me, shifting his eyes a little back and forth, before nodding and lifting a finger to his forehead in greeting, a greeting that reminded me of something Rhett Butler might do. A Southern gentleman's courtesy. "Jasper Hale."

"Nice to meet you, Jasper!" I exclaimed. I just loved meeting new people. There really was nothing more interesting to me.

He smirked a little uneasily. "…yeah, you too." He shifted his eyes again, before finally settling them on me. "So, you're from Texas too?"

"That's right," I said, pleased we had some common ground here. "San Antonio. And you're from Houston, right?"

"Right," he nodded, and his eyes looked kind of distant. It was strange. "Been forever since I've been there." There was like a fondness he had for his home state, but also something else. Like something was keeping him from really enjoying it. Weird. "San Antonio…" his voice had an edge I couldn't really describe. "It's…interestin'. With the Alamo and…everythin'."

"Yeah, it is," I winked. How could I make him feel more comfortable talking about this? "Craziest weather there is. Basically just really hot all year round. All except for January. It's humid, and impossible to predict too. One day it'll be cloudy and clear, and the next we're hit with a violent thunderstorm."

He smirked again, "I remember that." The way he said it too, made it seem like it'd been such a long time ago. He couldn't be older than twenty though, at the very latest. Did he go to High School too?

"I think that's what I like most about it," I said. "It does its own thing. It's untamed and independent."

He was silent again before continuing, eyes shifting to stare ahead, like he was seeing the place for himself. "I liked…the landscape. It's…really beautiful."

I grinned. It was wonderful to talk about the things one liked. There was something so vulnerable about the guy right now and that was beautiful to me. 'This person's pretty deep too. Just like Eddy.'

Jasper blinked, and looked to me before so obviously trying to change the subject. "You don't have an accent though."

"Nope," I said with a shake of my head. "I'm from the east coast originally. Well, east-south. South Carolina."

"Ah," Jasper said, a wry looking smile crossing his face. "So, not a true born and raised Texan then."

I stuck my nose in the air, playing along with him a little. "Am I an insult to you, sir?"

"Maybe a lil'," he responded before looking away and then shaking his head. "But, not really. It's nice…talkin' about it with someone."

I smiled again and looked to my cigarette. I had sort of forgot about it and now it was almost burned away. I lifted it and got about two or three more drags from it, before leaning down and snuffing it out in the dirt. I flicked it a few feet away, smiled at the distance I'd achieved and then looked over again to see Jasper staring.

"What?" I asked with a little shrug. He was probably going to say something else about my smoking. A lot of people did. I figured that, maybe, that's one the reasons I liked to do it. I had devilish little urges to be rebellious sometimes. A little something I inherited from daddy dearest.

"Aren't you a lil' young?" He asked somewhat lamely. "To be…smokin', I mean. How were you able to buy it?"

I chuckled. Yep. I'd been right. Still, his discomfort with even calling me out on it was pretty funny. I winked and smiled sort of impishly. "Purchasing isn't the only way to pick up a pack of smokes."

His eyes widened, "you mean you…stole it?"

I laughed again, before shaking my head. "Not exactly. I just left the money on the shelf."

"…oh," Jasper responded, before looking like he was trying to decide whether that was still a bad thing or not.

I just grinned at him widely before looking behind me at the hospital doors as I wondered what he was doing out here. "Are you just waiting on Eddy?"

"Yeah," he replied, looking grateful to be changing the subject. "He's going to help me out with somethin'."

"Ooh," I said, interested. "Is this 'something' a secret?"

"Well, sort of," he smiled, and it looked so fond on his face. "It's for my…girlfriend. Alice. Our anniversary's tomorrow."

"Aww," I responded immediately. How sweet. Just looking at his face, I could see how much the girl meant to him. "How long have you been together?"

His smile widened a little bit. "A long time. Feels like forever. But…I guess, it's really been about…five years."

"Wow," I said approvingly. "That is a long time. I think my longest relationship lasted about, let's see, two months? Yeah."

"You can hardly even call that a relationship," he said, and I realized he was trying to tease me.

I chuckled and then nodded in agreement, "you're right. It wasn't much of one." The guy's face crossed my mind, that stupid smirking face, and I immediately got rid of the image. I didn't like thinking about it, and I determinedly kept my smile in place. I wasn't about to let my ex get me down.

I tilted my head, "you know what you're going to get her?"

He actually chuckled at that. "No. She's not the easiest one to surprise. At all."

"Hm," I said. "That's a shame." I tried to think of an idea for him. Something unpredictable maybe. "Well…why don't you just take her do something instead? Just, you know, go out on the town and see what jumps out at you. Don't plan anything."

"Well, I don't know about that," he said. "There isn't much to do around here."

"Sure there is," I protested. "There's always something to do, no matter where you are."

He just stared at me then, and I really didn't know what to call the look he was giving me. It was sort of similar to how Eddy would just sometimes stare, though it wasn't nearly as…well, intense when Jasper did it.

"Like what?" He asked, seeming genuinely curious.

I lifted a finger to my chin in thought as I tilted my head, eyes lifting to the cloudy sky for inspiration. The climate in Forks was very different than what I was used to. It was very pretty, and had a sort of enchanting quality, but every now and then, I definitely missed home. I missed the sun.

Texas, the land of the proud. There were lots of things to do there. Maybe Jasper and Alice could try for some Texan cliché. A really Southern activity of some kind. 'Let's see,'I said to myself mentally. 'They could cook some barbeque, or go horseback riding, or-'

Aha! I had it. A brief image flashed in my mind, and I stood and faced the guy. "Hey, you know how to two-step?"

He immediately looked a little wary when I stood, and I thought I saw him shrink back a bit. Yep. Definitely socially awkward. "…yes, but it's been awhile," he responded carefully.

"Hm," I said again. "I'm not the best at explaining things, so you want to try it out? See if you remember?"

"What?" He looked completely stunned. "With you?"

I shrugged, "sure." I then winked, "every girl loves dancing, right? I'm sure she'd love it."

"…yes, Alice likes dancin'." He shook his head, "but I don't think this's the best idea."

"Ah," I said knowingly. "Think she might not like it?" It was no secret that some people were just the jealous type, and I definitely didn't want to be causing him any trouble.

"N-no, that's not it," he said uncomfortably eyes moving towards the entrance of the hospital sort of desperately. "I just…don't know if it'd be…uhm, I don't know, a wise thing to do."

He was really struggling with his words, and something about what he wasn't saying unnerved me again. Actually, now that I thought about it, I got even more of an impression of danger from him than I did from Eddy. It hadn't really gone away either.

Again though…like Eddy, I saw a lot of good in this person. There wasn't any reason to be afraid of him. I couldn't even really identify why I should feel scared. It was kind of just like…an automatic response that I couldn't explain.

But, I had never been one to turn away from danger, and more than that, Jasper seemed like a good guy. I decided he definitely had to be. He was really sweet and sort of shy.

I smiled to try and assure him, "it'll be fine. If you still think it's a bad idea we can just stop, alright? Come on, just try it out."

I extended my hand, and my smile widened. He looked to me and then back at the door. He was really weighing his options, and even though it confused me, I decided to just be patient and try not to question any of it too much. Whatever I didn't know about him was probably for the best.

Weirdly, his eyes looked to my shoulder, at the bandage there, and then he stepped closer, seeming to test the waters – at least that's what it looked like – before slowly crossing toward where I stood. He was so tense though, and I decided then that I couldn't exactly say Eddy was tense anymore when comparing him to his brother.

"If I…suddenly run away or somethin'," he said to me, and his voice was a little strained. "Don't question it too much, alright?"

I shrugged, "you're just weird. I get it. It's fine with me." I lifted my hand and placed it in his. I furrowed my brows a little though when I felt how cold he was, and couldn't help but feel that intimidation increase when he came closer.

Seriously…what was with this guy? Or, actually, their whole golden-eyed family? Something really was a little off about them. But I liked it. Whatever it was, it made them really interesting and intriguing. I smiled and lifted my hand to his shoulder.

How could I make him ease up though? Let's see…Ooh!

"Tell me about Alice," I suggested, and the effect was almost instantaneous as his eyes softened. Man…it reminded me so much of the way daddy looked at my mom. There was so much affection there. "You're in love with her, right?" I prompted.

He really relaxed when I brought her up, and he very lightly put a hand around my waist.

"Yes," He nodded. "Ever since I first saw her."

"Ooh, love at first sight," I winked. "Now,that's really rare."

"It is," Jasper replied. "She's…always real upbeat. Energetic and…spunky. My lil' monster."

I chuckled at that. "I love interesting pet names."

"Well, it suits her best," he smiled.

I nodded and then remembered the dancing. "Alright, well, let's see if you remember how to do this."

"Right," he said, seeming to remember too. He slowly, a little uncertainly, moved his feet in the correct set of steps, and I followed along the way my daddy taught me.

I grinned, "There you go. You seem to have the hang of it."

He looked very proud of himself when I said that and began moving a little more surely. "It's…kinda weird without music."

"Yeah, well," I shrugged, "what can you do?" I remembered that I had a few songs on my phone, but didn't really feel like getting it out. I felt like I'd made some real progress with Jasper. He seemed a lot more comfortable.

"I think," he tried again, tone more thoughtful. "That Alice really might like this." He nodded, "so, thank you."

"No problem," I said. "Be sure and tell Eddy so that he can tell me how it goes."

"Oh, right," Jasper nodded. "You two have been talkin'." He looked uncertain again, and his steps slowed a bit. "What's…goin' on with you two anyway? I mean, Edward isn't usually very friendly."

"Hm," I narrowed my eyes a little and smiled teasingly. "You know, I don't really think that you usually are either though, are you?"

He looked stunned again, but then slowly nodded, sort of enlightened-looking now. "That's…a good point."

"There we go," I winked. "But, to answer your question, I just really wanted to get to know him. He's one of the most interesting people I've ever met."

"Well…he's interestin' alright," Jasper drawled, even smiling a little sarcastically. "But, he's definitely not an easy one to get to know. Again, neither am I, and so I guess you could say that it takes one to know one."

"And I like the challenge of that," I said determinedly. "I've got all summer."

"Then back to Texas?"

"Yep," I nodded. "Sadly, we'll be going our separate ways. I'm kind of used to it though. My family moves around and travels a lot, so I've picked up plenty of friends along the way. Guess you could say that I'm pretty used to goodbyes. It always sucks, of course, but I have my family, and that's what matters most."

His smiled turned very genuine at that, and he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're right….nothin' can really replace family." Then he extended his arm, surprising me, but I went with it and did a little spin.

He stepped away then and slightly bowed, another customary Southern gesture. I grinned and curtsied, and even if I was wearing shorts, sort of defeating the whole purpose of a curtsy, it was still fun to pretend.

"I think she's going to love it, Tex," I said, coming up with a nickname for him.

He seemed surprised by the name, but nodded. "Yeah, I hope so." He paused then before continuing. "And, by the way, I think you really could get Edward to open up." He smiled, "and…I also think he could use a friend like you."

I could tell it took a lot for him to say all that, and I definitely appreciated it. I could see he really meant it too. "Thanks," I answered, smiling brightly before winking, "Of course, I'm also definitely willing to be friends with all of you, and I'm interested in meeting your lady sometime."

"Well, maybe you can convince Edward to introduce you to everyone."

"Ooh, think he'd do that?"

"I don't know," he responded sincerely, and I realized then that Jasper was a really sincere person. Eddy definitely always looked like he was keeping some big secret, and didn't always seem like he was telling the truth. He played along with things, but never really answered my questions.

Still, I did sort of think that added to his intrigue, and I really enjoyed him playing along. Jasper didn't seem like he was the type to play along with much because he was so cautious and uncomfortable.

Bottom line…this whole family was just sointeresting!

"Well, I'll try my best to be convincing," I said.

He smiled, and then I heard a car horn from beside me. I jumped a bit, before laughing and shaking my head. Daddy. He smirked and waved, and I turned to Jasper. "Well, I've gotta go. It was great chatting with you, Tex!"

He smiled again and waved, "yeah, you too. See you later. Maybe."

"Maybe," I agreed with a wink as I turned and descended the steps towards where the Camaro was waiting. I knocked on the window, and my mom rolled it down. "Hey, uhm, I just told them we'd pay upfront."

"Did you need stitches?" Mom asked, looking worriedly to my shoulder.

I shook my head. "Nope. Clean cut."

"Ooh, good," she smiled widely.

"Well, get in, squirt," my papa bear said before climbing out. "I'll be right back."

He sauntered around the car, nodded to Jasper, and then I watched as he disappeared inside. I climbed into my seat, shut the door and leaned forward to ask my mom how lunch had gone. She said it had been great, and that the place reminded her a little of the diner she used to go to as a kid.

I smiled warmly and then looked to the window and up at the hospital. Eddy was in there somewhere, and I wondered if he was actually going to send me a response to my text.

My phone notification sound went off then – a cute, little wind chime sounding thing – and I looked down and saw the message was from the man himself.

'Well, speak of the devil,' I thought with a smirk.

…

[Edward]

I was initially a little surprised that it had taken Vitalia and Jasper so long to strike up a conversation. However, I was grateful for the opportunity to hear what she was freely thinking to herself during the silence.

I felt very amused at first – in reaction to her rain cloud analogy especially – but then, as I acknowledged her excitement through Jasper at the prospect of getting to know me, I felt uncertain and also somewhat riveted by it. I marveled at just how much she was looking forward to it.

It would be a shame to disappoint her, as I really wasn't that interesting, but I consoled myself with the fact that she was bringing it upon herself. Then I heard as she also considered that I wasn't the sort to allow myself to have fun, that life was meant to be enjoyed and that it was just sad when it wasn't.

'She just doesn't have any idea,' I considered silently. Perhaps it was true in most human cases, but not for vampires. The same rules did not apply to us. Her philosophy was entirely misguided when directed to me and my kind.

I had to always stay in control, and I didn't really have much of an actual life. Well, aside from Bella. She was my life. She helped me feel at least partially alive.

Then I watched as Vitalia looked to Jasper. She was considering how strange he was, and she instantly noticed that he seemed rather strained. Her observations were astoundingly accurate, while also entirely inadvertent. It was just an immediate, subconscious bit of knowledge she received.

She questioned why he was there, constantly curious and wondering as she was, but also registered that he was, indeed, dangerous. Just like me. At least she could recognize that, despite the fact it didn't in any way deter her.

Jasper looked over, and I could see and hear the recognition from her. She knew he was one of my relatives when she saw the color of his eyes. She decided to try and allow him to have the first word. It was a rather amusing turn of events, and I wondered if Jasper really would say anything. I wouldn't put it past him to remain silent.

My brother was in a debate of sorts with himself, I noticed, as he weighed whether or not to say something to her about the cigarette. It bothered him that she was smoking it, and also that his own, initial reaction had been relief when he had seen her light it up.

It helped with the scent of her blood. However, he was feeling guilty for that thought, and the urge to say something to make up for it was increasing. And, alas, after she smiled encouragingly, he did.

I was a little surprised actually. Jasper avoided human interaction like the plague. He just didn't really trust himself. However, I suppose his inner battle was too great for him to ignore. He felt obligated to attempt cautioning her.

However, Vitalia paid no mind to that, as if his words hadn't been preceded with a great deal of turmoil, and she instead remarked upon his accent. So, she had remembered what I said, huh? I smirked slightly at the thought.

The two continued in their exchange and as I listened I observed as Jasper slowly started to relax. It was very gradual, but the energy Vitalia was providing for him, that high spirited nature of hers, was helping my brother to react favorably to her presence. It was considerably easier for him to be around happier people. He could share in that feeling.

It was remarkable to witness Jasper conversing with anyone like this, as he hardly even did so amongst his own family. Alice was the single exception to that. But…then, was I much different? I was starting to see that, perhaps, it simply had to do with who Vitalia was. The vitality of her. To us vampires, members of the living dead, such a grand representation of life was a rather compelling thing.

I listened very intently to them both.

With a slight shake of my head, I allowed Jasper's flaunt to slide, his mind openly gloating over the fact that Vitalia had tricked me during our race. He was about as competitive as I was.

They continued, and Jasper opened up a little further as he and Vitalia began talking over Texas. I saw images of the place within each of their minds, and I explored those images briefly. I had never actually been there, but it did seem a very thriving environment, which was perfectly fitting for the girl.

I continued to feel more surprised the more Jasper openly discussed his homeland with her. The memories were both pleasant and painful for him. His experience with Maria had tainted his recollections of it. However, he invited it all, his desire to speak of it overruling his discomfort. I realized then that maybe Jasper was more sentimentally attached to his human home than any of the rest of us.

And I'd just never seen him open up with anyone like this aside from Alice. Vitalia seemed to notice how sensitive the subject was for him as I saw her actively seeking a way to help him discuss it all comfortably. Through my brother too, and his musings over the feelings he was continuing to receive from her, I could see that she was really admiring the vulnerability he was presenting.

She appreciated emotional openness.

I was discovering so much more about her. The fact that she was from South Carolina, for example. I suppose the only downside to all of this was the fact that I would have to ask her all of this again. It seemed she had no problem being absolutely open about herself with whomever she spoke.

I decided I really had to arrange a time where she and I could speak face to face more extensively. Jasper had already managed to learn a great deal about her, more than I had managed to ascertain anyway.

The two of them shifted back into more amusing territory then, my brother's reactions to her antics highly entertaining to both myself and Vitalia. I supposed, despite the fact that he'd managed to obtain facts from her that I hadn't, I did already know more about her personality.

Everything she was thinking and saying was so very typical of her. Even though she did somehow manage to still surprise me. It was a rare thing with human beings. Due to being privy to their thoughts, I usually managed to have them all figured out in no time at all. However, with her, I was just left with more questions.

Jasper told her of Alice and I heard her inner remark over how sweet my brother looked when speaking of her. Then she mentioned a previous relationship of her own.

Why did that surprise me? It was more or less the norm for a girl her age to have had some dating experience behind her. Why was I even dwelling on it?

An image of the boy in question came to me through her thoughts, but it was very brief, as she pushed it from her mind almost as soon as it came. It was obviously something that bothered her.

And that made me more than a little curious.

Then Jasper's thoughts took an interesting turn, and I found I could definitely relate to them.

'She's a very…different sort of person,' he was thinking to himself. 'I don't know why it's so easy to talk to her.'

I saw myself within Vitalia's thoughts as she considered the way I would sometimes look at her in comparison to the look she was currently receiving from Jasper. It took me by surprise a moment too, the look I saw reflected from my own gaze. Undeniable fascination. It was when she had shown me the flower. I recalled how intrigued I had been by her in that moment.

That's when I had first realized that I wanted to get to know her. I wanted to learn from her. It served as a very vivid reminder to me. A small smile crossed my face. I couldn't believe I had considered giving up that pursuit.

Vitalia's mind returned to Texas, and she sifted through a few different ideas for my brother before she surprised us both with her suggestion. Was she seriously asking him to dance with her?

All ease from Jasper was replaced with discomfort then, and he understandably began to feel very concerned. There was no doubt in my mind that he would refuse her offer. He knew better than to take that much of a risk with a human.

But, not unlike her father, Vitalia was insistent.

And, at last, it was revealed to me that she did feel fear. She felt uneasy within our presence, and most especially within Jasper's. However, predictably, she didn't shy away from it. She embraced it still and continued her foolish presumption that there was any amount of good in us.

However, I furrowed my brows as Jasper's thoughts shifted a little. Instead of complete denial and uncertainty, he actually began considering her offer. Something about her confident assurance apparently made him feel he could trust himself.

'It…might be alright. Edward and the others do this all the time. She knows I could be dangerous, I feel how nervous she is, but I also feel that she's very sure of herself. I think…I think it could be okay.'

He tested it and I had to resist releasing a frustrated growl of protest. Jasper couldn't be that stupid, could he? Surely not. I readied myself to intervene if I had to, once again tensed in preparation.

And Jasper continued forward, deciding that the scent of her blood really wasn't much different with proximity. In fact, he even remarked to himself that it was a calm sort of scent. Even…subduing. Had I not noticed that myself?

Needless to say, Jasper obviously didn't have much self-control in any area of his life. I felt very irritated with his irresponsibility and very nearly strode right out there to order him to come inside with me instead.

But…Vitalia. She was so very accepting. He made a remark that most anyone else would have questioned, but which she simply took in stride. She definitely recognized that there was something different about our family too, but that only increased her fascination with us.

Was it…really right for me to indulge that?

No. I had arrived at a decision already. I couldn't keep going back and forth like this.

Then, somehow, she knew exactly what to say to make Jasper feel more at ease. I marveled at that. I saw an image of her parents from within her mind, of the way they would look at each other, as she compared it to the look Jasper was now offering. The love in that one look, in both Jasper and her father's eyes, was incredible. I'd always considered how special a relationship Jasper and Alice shared, and had never seen its equal, but the memory Vitalia was exhibiting of her parents came incredibly close.

They started their dancing soon after, and…I found my reaction to the scene to be very strange. And unexpected. My irritation faded considerably, as I again relaxed my posture.

It was touching.

My brother was hardly feeling any struggle, and the excitement at his achievement with the human girl was extraordinary.

'I…maybe I have more control than I thought. And Alice really would like this dancin'. It's too bad I still might have to think of somethin' else. She'll see this for sure. But…if she does see, I hope she's real proud of me.'

I was very moved by it, and found myself inhaling deeply in wonder at the scene. How did that girl manage it? What was it about her, exactly? I couldn't seem to find the answer to that.

I was roused slightly when they began discussing me. Jasper was more confused than anything, and he definitely had a right to be. I was equally as confused, if not more so. He was wondering why I was taking an interest in her.

Vitalia's comeback to his question brought a smile back to my face though, and it widened even at how ridiculous her next words were. She considered me to be the most interesting person she'd ever met? It was almost humorous how wrong she was about that. A fact she was soon to discover.

There wasn't much, after all, that I would be able to share.

And…yes, by the end of the summer, she would be leaving. At least she was used to it, as she said.

When she brought up family, I could hear how appreciative Jasper was of all of us, and I was again somewhat touched by that. He was always so closed off when it came to what he was really feeling. This was…such a rare thing.

His thoughts definitely didn't contain everything, and nor did Vitalia's.

But…family being the most important? I had to disagree there. For my part. Nothing…nothing was more important to Bella to me. Of course, Jasper considered Alice family, but the level of importance he felt for each of us was considerable as well.

I definitely valued my family. Of course I did. I cared for them a great deal. I loved them. But…it staggered me a little as I read my brother's thoughts on the matter. Alice…seemed as if she was his whole world. I thought I could relate to that. To find that it wasn't exactly the case was…jarring. Was I…wrong not to be placing more of an emphasis on my family?

Jasper was considering a great many things then in his own head. He was observing Vitalia very closely, analyzing and considering her success in dealing with me.

And he was very confident in his conclusion.

'Yeah…Edward could use a positive influence in his life. He worries me sometimes. We...don't hardly see him much anymore, so maybe this little lady can help. There's somethin' about her. Somethin' real special. It's a little like what Alice has. And Emmett. They're all real positive people. Nothin' really brings them down.'

My eyes opened, and I stared straight ahead, unseeing but sent into some deep thinking. I glanced over, saw that Carlisle was still working on the blood panel – from his thoughts, I gathered that he merely assumed I was patiently waiting for him to finish – and then continued in my reverie.

Everything began merging together, everything I had heard. Carlisle…and Emmett. They're hidden thoughts. Had they been…thinking the same thing? That Vitalia could…help me? Unlike them though, perhaps Jasper was not so uncertain of his own conclusions. He openly revealed his thoughts on the matter, knowing I could hear him.

Knowing I would start pondering it.

Carlisle was very cautious about what he was thinking around me, and Emmett...well, he wasn't much a thinker in general. However, like me, Jasper contemplated just about everything, but with a great deal more decisiveness. He was more daring than I was. He wasn't afraid to take risks. Such as with Vitalia, and with thinking the things he was.

However, none of them knew the reason for my negative behavior. They didn't know that I was considering leaving Bella. That, for the sake of honoring my love for her, I was going to sever my ties with her completely. If they knew…maybe they would understand. But I couldn't tell them. I couldn't tell anyone. If I did, they would try and talk me out of it, and I was already doing enough of that from within my own mind.

I didn't need help. There was nothing that could fix the inevitable. No amount of positive influence could help with that dread of leaving the very center of my universe behind. All I wanted to do was understand Vitalia, her way of thinking. To observe and study her very strange behavior. That was all. And then, like she said, the summer would end and we would go our separate ways. My hell would officially begin.

I closed my eyes determinedly.

'Sorry, Jasper and everyone else. I don't think her influence will make much of a difference.' They meant well, and I appreciated that, but they didn't understand.

And it was definitely doubtful that Vitalia would ever officially meet my entire family at once. Well, unless it was somewhere public, but the probability of us all being out together during the summer was very slim. At least Jasper was honest with her.

She remarked on his honesty and then, of course, revealed that she knew I was hiding some things. Her perception really was very unnerving at times. However, I was pleased to discover that she did enjoy my teasing. It was something I enjoyed too, and I considered that it would be a bit of a shame if it only served to aggravate her.

Her parents pulled up a moment later, and she enthusiastically said her goodbye to my brother, who was completely comfortable in returning the favor, before I watched – through his eyes – as she greeted her family.

I saw her father step out and pass by Jasper, and then I focused entirely on Vitalia herself.

She was currently doubting my word. It brought a smirk to my place and I decided to proceed with the teasing and send a rather expertly timed response.

'Well, speak of the devil,' She thought to herself.

If only she knew how accurate a statement that was.

Edward: You're right. I wasn't sleeping last night. I had to keep up my ritualistic vigil. Also, if you're really determined to take on the challenge of attempting to get me to open up about my uninteresting self, then I invite you try ;)

To be continued…