To those who are returning to this, I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you. Life has been super hectic this year, incredibly stressful at times, though it is getting better. As things settle down, I'm quite relieved to find that my muse is stirring back to life. This chapter was supposed to be longer, but because I'm still tweaking the end of an upcoming scene, I figured I would give you this part to read for the time being. If all goes well, the next one should be posted within the next few days.

As always, a special shout-out goes out to my reviewers: Kayozm, kouga's older woman, Ruiniel, Goldielover, catgrl, BeMyLover, chellkathrynnn, Guest, TheBlueWilderness, Ambray, S1203, Admiral310, nickaroos, s1203. Your kind words bolstered my creativity and encouraged me to write again.

Now onto the story...

CHAPTER 15

INDECISION

The empty lane twisted before him, his new Mercedes purring smoothly as it hugged the winding road. With a troubled expression, Carlisle tapped a finger on the steering wheel. Save for the engine, it was quiet in the car. He hadn't bothered to turn on the radio. Alone with his thoughts, he stared straight ahead, and debated what to do.

When he had gotten in his car earlier that morning, and started driving around the area, taking this road and that road with no clear destination in mind, he had known that the drive would ultimately be one of two things: a poor distraction or a reckless endeavor. The question remained, which one would it be?

Bella was leaving for Seattle today. Charlie had told him late last night, when he and his partner had stopped by the hospital on a routine police matter. Now Carlisle had a choice to make. To go see her or keep his distance.

On the one hand, his brain warned him not to go, that seeing her again would be a terrible idea for them both. But his dead heart was doing the exact opposite, pleading, nearly shouting at him to drive on over there to see her before she left.

How she haunted him… Isabella Swan.

He had but close his eyes to see her as she had been the other night, her upturned gaze locked onto his, her windswept hair brushing her cheek.

"Despite the strangeness of these past few days," she had told him. "Learning that vampires are real, that humans aren't actually at the top of the food chain… And learning that the kind doctor who saved my life isn't human at all… Even with all that, and perhaps because of it, you made this week better."

Bella had worn her heart on her sleeve that night, extending a much-desired branch of friendship to his aching and lonely soul.

"My life is a colossal mess right now." Her confession had touched him. It took a lot of courage to stand in front of someone and speak so frankly of such things. And like a starving and desperate man, Carlisle had devoured her every word, his heart going out to her when she had continued, "My cheating ex is moving out, and all my life plans have gone out the proverbial window. But spending time with you the other night, then trying to figure out exactly what you were… believe it or not, those things kept me sane."

"Have you ever met someone and known?" she had gone on to say. And the way she had looked at him, with such hope, such light in her big brown eyes… "This instinctive feeling that you get right then and there, that tells you if a person is good or not? You've achieved your aim. You're a good person, Carlisle."

Bella had no idea, she couldn't possibly know how profoundly her words had affected him. Even now, he was reeling, recalling the living warmth of her hand, and the heartfelt invitation she had extended before leaving. "If you're willing, I would very much like to see you again."

Would he do it, though? Could he take such a risk? Was he that selfish? Deep down, Carlisle knew what the answer was, only he was too ashamed to acknowledge it, even in the privacy of his own thoughts.

He had been driving for some time now, using various roads to loop around the area over and over again. Back in the middle of town, he paused at a three way stop, and hesitated. Carlisle knew that turning right would be the safest and wisest option. So naturally, because he was a besotted fool, he turned left.

He was on her street now, the one leading to Charlie's house.

Disappointed by his lack of will, Carlisle drove for a few minutes more. When the familiar house first came into view, his common sense kicked in and he pulled over to the side.

What are you doing? he chided himself.

Charlie's home stood some distance away, past several other houses and a few wooded lots. Bella's car was in the driveway, the one she had crashed on that fateful night. Outwardly, the vehicle seemed to be in decent shape. Carlisle could only hope the same was true for the engine.

Back to Bella, he couldn't decide if he was relieved or not. He hadn't missed his chance. She was still there. He could see her right now if he chose, if he was brave enough or reckless enough to take that step.

Still, the car remained in park, the engine idling as Carlisle watched the house from afar. So much for not being a stalker.

As nearby trees trembled in the wind, brittle autumn leaves could be seen skittering across the road. In the stillness of his vehicle, Carlisle chewed his inner lip and almost put the car in drive. Do I go over there or not?

In the end, the decision was made for him, for the front door clicked open, revealing both Bella and her dad.

As Charlie carried her suitcase to the car, Bella followed after him. It was fairly cold today, and she was bundled up in her coat, the front zipper pulled all the way up to her chin.

"You sure you didn't forget anything?" he could hear Charlie say.

"Positive."

Though he was trying to look all stoic and gruff, the police chief was clearly nervous and sad to see his daughter go. Carlisle didn't blame him, and felt much the same.

"You're gonna call me as soon as you get there?"

"I promise."

"Good." A breath, and he gathered his daughter into his arms. "I'm gonna miss you, kiddo."

"Gonna miss you, too, dad."

"You'll visit at Christmas, right?"

"I wouldn't miss it."

Charlie patted her back a few times and, on a nod, reluctantly released his hold. "Okay." As he took a backward step, and waved at his daughter, he told her to drive safe.

Smiling, Bella opened the car door and said goodbye.

Knowing he had missed his chance, Carlisle sat back in his seat, his head thudding lightly against the headrest. Recalling the recent disappearances in the area, he pinched the bridge of his nose, and told himself that it was better this way. She'll be safer in Seattle.

Indeed, he and Rosalie had investigated the scene behind the Thriftway the other day. While the wind had lessened the scent trail, they had picked it up nonetheless. Two different vampire scents. Maybe even a third one. It'd been hard to tell.

Though they had tracked and searched, he and Rosalie hadn't found anything in the end. The victim, that missing teenager, had been carried off to God-knows-where, probably dumped or buried out in the wilderness along with previous victims. As for the nomads, they had vanished as well, their faint and confusing scent trail dissipating a hundred or so miles past the Idaho border.

Because they had veered north, the vampires were probably in Canada by now, in British Columbia or Alberta. Their apparent departure should have been reassuring, but it wasn't, for Carlisle knew they could return at any time, and very well might. The Olympic Peninsula was an attractive hunting ground after all, boasting vast swaths of wilderness, good cloud cover, and a steady menu of both tourists and residents all ripe for the picking. The fact that the nomads had taken such care to hide their bloodless prey made their return seem even more likely. After all, people wouldn't suspect their existence or hunting activities if no clues had been left behind.

Carlisle snapped back to the present. Bella had just started her car and was backing out of the driveway.

With disheartened resignation, knowing he had to leave before she got close enough to see him, Carlisle put the vehicle in drive, did a careful U-turn and began the lonely drive home.

Thank you for reading! For those who are worried that their separation will be long and endless, all I can say is fear not and stay tuned. ;) As always, favs, follows, and reviews are most appreciated.