Now

Hayley watched as the two men she'd grown to care about more than she thought herself capable, seemed at a loss for words. Cole's left leg bounced for the last two minutes. Ethan stared a hole into the rug and picked a stray thread on the arm chair. And Hayley was between them, hoping whatever was going on was their overreaction and not life changing serious.

"When was the last time we had to do this?" Ethan wondered.

"2009. I don't want to think about what that says about any of our social lives, so shove it." Cole put his hand over Hayley's as she tried to stop his leg bouncing. "You're going to have a lot of questions."

"I'll save them. Why don't you just start at the beginning, as they say?" At Ethan's laugh she sighed. "Lemme guess, it's a complicated beginning?" She pointed at Ethan as he pointed at her.

"There's just a few beginnings but we'll go with ours and fill in gaps from there." Cole took a breath. "The town we grew up in was pretty tame all our childhoods. Before meeting Ethan and Anna my parents were perfectly comfortable with me roving around even though I was a kid. Ethan's were the same. Anna…well she had that same liberty anywhere so can't really count her. But it was a safe spot and neighbors looked out for each other."

"Still do." Ethan added. "The forests are such a big part but you're raised from an early age what to look out for. So when things started changing it still took a while for anyone to get tense about it because they knew how to handle themselves."

"It started with an animal attack, late in our freshman year of high school. A man died. It's not a shocking thing for the area though it was rare and reminded people to be on alert. A few months later there were animal sightings closer and closer to town. Bears at first until they realized it was wolves. So suddenly all our parents were telling us to stick close to home." A quick smile passed over Cole's face. "No more pirate journeys with the woods as our ocean."

"For the most part we listened. There may have been a few exceptions." Ethan shrugged.

"Surprise, surprise." Hayley agreed.

"Then there were the murders." Cole squeezed Hayley's hand as she turned it over. "They started months before my parents were killed, but none reached Forks. We felt safe in that and got careless. Even after they were gone."

"He also may have had friends that thought distracting him with a wholesome trip to the woods was a capital idea." At Hayley's glare Ethan mock shuddered.

"That was the first time something clicked anyway. I wasn't myself. For the obvious reason of course, but also I had been distracted since the funeral. One of the men there was a doctor in town. Carlisle Cullen. A lot of people from town were there so it wasn't necessarily odd that he was but he usually kept to himself. His whole family did. I never remembered my parents speaking about the Cullen's."

"None of our parents did and frankly that should have been a clue for us. Cuz see, everyone in town did." Ethan explained. "The Cullen's moved to the area when we were still in junior high, and were very tight. You never saw them individually. The town went wild for eccentrics so they fit into that category. But still, our parents never asked us if we spoke to any of the Cullen kids once we got to the high school. I never saw my mother have dealings with them, and she was involved in everything Forks."

"My parents never said anything about knowing Carlisle, but there he was at their funeral. Come to think of it, the three of us didn't consider the Cullen's over much until then. He didn't speak to us. He just stayed for the service, he didn't come to the wake afterwards at Cecelia's." Coles jaw tightened. "But he stared at us the whole service. He stared at me. And it felt….like he knew me. Like he knew everything and I don't know, it unsettled me when I was already flipped upside down. That lingered. And then yes." He jerked his head at Ethan. "Some friends decided a Saturday spent in our forest would help. Especially since one was making time with a new friend."

Then

On the last Friday of the first month of school Holm House stood quietly awaiting invasion. The mistress of the house was out at meetings while the three teenagers were stomping up the driveway, and soon into the halls and up the stairs. The corner room on the second floor had taken a few transformations throughout Ethan's life. The most recent was early summer when his mother had one of the walls knocked down to expand Ethan's room and fit Cole's things. Though there were many rooms in the old house, Cecelia Holm knew her kids and knew when it was push them towards change or provide them comfort.

Perhaps the first month of school was mild on the work, but it was also a glimpse of the year to come. Cole Ethan and Anna each took that glimpse differently. On that Friday afternoon when they got up to the boys room Cole gathered his past essays and reports to see where some may aid for the year. Ethan watched and rolled his eyes. He then kicked his backpack under his bed, plopping on it to boot up his video game. Anna had wanted to putter around the garden at the Grand, but as usual, Philip had other ideas.

She sat atop Cole's desk, glowering. "I'm sixteen years old."

"You sound like every Disney character. Get over yourself." Ethan put in.

"I won't. The man lets me be the adult in the family for ten years, and now he decided him traveling means I can't stay at the Grand alone? It's a hotel for Christ's sake."

Cole snorted "It is funny coming from the guy who thought letting six year old you paint in an alley was the same as finger-painting. I guess murder changes perspective."

Ethan and Anna looked at one another as Cole paused from digging in the back of his desk drawer. "Huh. First time I've said that then."

"Progress." Ethan reached over to pat his knee. "Should I let Mom know you're cured and to quit nagging you about a shrink?"

"Clearly." Cole cleared his throat and pushed at Anna's hip. "Moooove. You're sitting on my finals binder."

She shifted and rolled her eyes. "Now I have to stay in the guest room, this sucks."

"1. I am telling Cecelia Holm that you think staying here a few days sucks. And 2. You haven't referred to it as the guest room and not 'my room' since 2001…what gives?"

"It's also confusing seeing as there's the official guest room, the one Anna takes and calls hers, and the whole basement which has one." Cole pointed out.

"Can't add the basement, that's Dads music domain." Ethan snorted. "It doesn't at all add to confusion."

Anna caught the controller Ethan winged at her and started shooting.

"Just get me past this level. Damn thing. Now, why are you calling it the guest room and why do you not want to stay in it?"

"You're courting someone."

Cole nodded while Ethan goggled.

"Do you see the correlation?" Ethan asked Cole.

"Yup."

"Kiss ass."

"She's an armed woman."

"Ethan, you've had lunch every day with the girl, you're taking your time introducing her to us which is making it a thing. Clearly you're courting."

"No one courts, they date. I date. Which I'm not officially doing with Caroline. And even if I were, what does that have to do with the friggen guest room?"

"If I get out of the habit of calling it my room now, I won't accidentally say it in front of her one day. I don't want to make her uncomfortable. There, you're clear." She tossed back the controller.

"You're thinking forty steps ahead. And besides, I don't want either of you acting differently."

Now Cole and Anna shared a look. Cole wiggled his brows while Anna did a shoulder shimmy. "Well, well." They both sang.

"Shut up."

"It's surprising that's all." Cole shrugged and zipped up his backpack.

"I've never asked you guys to change who you are while I'm dating someone." Ethan insisted.

"No you've never asked, because you're a good friend." Anna agreed.

"We've done it on our own because we're good friends." Cole returned Anna's high five.

"Have I not done the same? Us being sensitive to others isn't changing. Not exactly." Ethan glared at the tv as his player struggled. "Most people don't get it that's all."

"From what you've said about Caroline I think she could get it. I doubt Anna is suggesting otherwise." Cole waved a hand at Anna while she mouthed a debate.

"Goddamn it." After dying again, Ethan hit the home button on his game. "Look guys, not like I can't see you two in the tv, but lets just get this straight. I know all of us have made certain… allowances…before with dating, but for this one can we just all act normal? Our normal? I want to see where it goes, and however it does I want to know that it's because I was myself. And that includes you psychos."

Cole patted a beat on his heart while Anna wiped away an imaginary tear.

"Oh suck it." Ethan slid halfway to the ground, his legs still propped on the mattress.

"Ok, ok. We'll be us. No arguments." Anna did a scouts honor. "I'll stay in my room this weekend. And every weekend that Peter Pan of a man decides I suddenly can't take care of…"

"Anna!" Both the boys snapped.

"We can go on trail tomorrow." Ethan offered.

She snapped her fingers and pointed. "That's not your worst idea. However Cecelia will cheerfully beat us to death."

"When has that literally ever stopped you? First your room is a guest room now this. You think you know a guy." Ethan took a hit to the shoulder and reached for dinosaur figure that did the deed. "Hello darling."

"Gimme that." Cole grabbed the tiny statue he'd painted during his 'build your own model' obsession days and placed it back on his desk after shoving Anna off. "Use your own stuff."

Ethan sighed. "I didn't say we could go up mountain or even deep forest, just on trail. Recharge. You know that's why we're twitchy. Too much cooped up this summer and now it's going to be over."

"I really don't think your mother will see that distinction, but you're right." Anna relented and then her expression shifted to sly as she sat on the floor next to Ethan, leaning back against his bed. "You know Ethan. It might be nice if you invited Caroline. She's not brand new to the area but I'd still venture a guess that with everything going on she hasn't gotten out too much."

At Ethan's narrowed eyes Cole jumped in. "If we recharge most when we get on trail, you could probably suggest that it would be the best time for us to get to know her."

"Best time for her to get to know you too" Anna kept her expression serious. "Give her a chance to see outside the popular Ethan Kel.."

The rest of her words came out in a huff as Ethan swung his legs from the bed using them to knock her to the ground. Cole immediately pulled his own legs up on the chair to keep out of the line of fire as the two wrestled.

"C'mon Lightning Simone, feed him to the fishes."

"The cheerleading is excellent but you could lend a hand." Anna growled and rolled, using momentum to get above and sneer down at Ethan. "Pinned ya."

Her victory was brief as Ethan reversed their positions. "Say your prayers kid." And covered her face with a fallen pillow. While she cursed he looked up Cole. "You think I should invite Caroline? No bull?"

"None." Cole agreed and jerked his chin at Anna. "Quit dicking around."

"And kill her already? You're right." Ethan leaned further onto the pillow, eyes crossing when Anna landed a kidney punch.

"So funny. So very hilarious." She said, flushed as she shoved her hair out of her eyes. "I'm going to go back to being a solo woman show. You clowns will never find me."

"Sure we will, you'll be in the garden at The Grand." Cole's laugh came out in a whoosh as Anna kicked his chair out.

As the three resorted to kicking as well as hits, knocking into furniture in their path, Cecelia stood at the door watching the melee. While she was tempted to shout as a teenage forehead nearly met the corner of the nightstand, Cole's rarely present laughter kept her even tempered. But not wanting to add a trip to the ER to the list she pitched her voice just above the volley of curses the children were so careful not to say in front of an adult.

" I see school has done nothing to calm the zoo within." Like an imploding triangle the three shot apart and looked up, more sheepish than with fear. "And here I thought you'd earned a pizza night for surviving the month."

"I think you'll find we have." Ethan countered.

"If for no other reason than all three heathens under this roof instead of two. Anna Jane, I presume Philip told you you'll be staying here until Tuesday?"

"He didn't give an end date, so that's useful. Really, I can stay at The Grand. Mary is there, Enid and Brance never leave me up to my own devices for long and…" She trailed off and cleared her throat as Cecelia stared coolly.

"I think your grandfather is making the right call, a parental sort of call and I encourage it."

"A fancy people way of saying 'I don't have to yell at the old man for once'." Anna translated to Cole.

"I don't know what she's going to do with all the free time." Cole agreed.

"I'm sorry." Cecelia stepped further into the room as Ethan took two large steps back. "Are you not only wrestling in the house but also sassing?"

Cole and Anna immediately threw up their hands. "I take it back." Cole said quickly.

"I'm just thrilled to be here. Shall I wash the linens on my bed?" Anna upped a southern twang.

Cecelia kept the glare but internally smiled. It was only a handful of years ago that Cole rarely spoke when someone interrupted the three of them playing. When Anna would have been polite rather than joking. And when her Ethan would have been bored stiff. She had her worries, but she prized the normalcy of teenagers in the moment.

"Just get downstairs and pick your choices from the menu I laid out would you?" She cuffed Cole and Anna on the back of the head as they ran passed and jabbed a finger at Ethan before he could. "You can miss out on choosing since you retreated from your comrades."

Cole and Anna laughed as they tore towards the stairs, though both looked back at Ethan nodding at him behind Cecelia's back.

"You're aware I'm the one you created right?" Ethan joked.

"Yes yes. How was school?"

"The same. Some people talking, some ignoring."

"I mean for you." Cecelia gave him a little shove. "Are you liking it so far."

"Classes, don't be silly mom." His grin was quick. "But I was thinking. The weather is gonna be pretty fair this weekend. Tomorrow might be a good day to ask that girl I was telling you about to hang out."

"Really. Hmm. Where are you thinking of taking her?"

"Actually I thought the three of us would take her on a tour. I know she's been here a bit but…stop it. Not you too." He added as Cecelia's brows shot up. "I have had girls around them before."

"Of course you have. I didn't raise a jerk." Though his latest growth spurt brought him taller than her own five foot ten she didn't have to reach far to stroke his hair. "But if you're arguing that it's not a thing, you're going to lose against them and me."

"Great. But you're cool with that? I'll call her before the pizza comes."

"If you stick to town during the day and call me if you're staying out for dinner. I'll be excited to hear about it, and Caroline from the others perspective."

"Yeah yeah. Can we go down now?"

"One more thing."

Her tone had Ethan softening the attitude. "Name it."

"You make sure she doesn't sneak out tonight."

"I don't know what you mean." Ethan blinked. As his mother's eyes narrowed he nodded. "She never did that from here much, it's usually the hotel."

"I don't like that either. It's calmer in town now Ethan, and I know this isn't Seattle, but I just don't want you three wandering late at night. She may not go far and all she does is sit out, but…"

"She hasn't since the funeral. If she does its no further than the fire escape, she doesn't even go down to the gardens after closing."

Cecelia searched his eyes. "You're not saying that to appease?"

"Cole asked her not to. And that's all it took. I promise." Ethan insisted and reached out to hug his mother. The guilt over lying about Saturday started leaking through. "Just cuz schools started back up doesn't mean that will."

"You're hemmed in though and I imagine with her its worse. Maybe even Cole since his home has changed. You're not dumb kids, I'm just still a dumb mother and have to say it."

"Nothing dumb about it." Especially since the woods during the day technically didn't apply, Ethan thought to himself as they headed downstairs.

Of course the others chose toppings they knew he liked as well and wrote down the calzone Cecelia was partial to. After she placed the order Ethan swiped the phone and headed into the formal dining room, closing the pocket doors as his friends made kissing faces. With a roll of his eyes he dialed the number from the piece of paper he kept in his pocket. The voice that answered on the third ring had him smiling.

"Miss Southgate."

"Mr. Holm. Not who I was expecting."

"Oh?"

"The library was supposed to call me back."

Ethan glanced at his watch. "They close in an hour on Fridays to discourage overachievers like you."

"Hah. Hardly. They were checking if they had a DVD in stock I wanted to rent."

"This isn't painting you in a less nerdy light."

"Did you call for a reason besides criticism?"

"I wanted to see what your plans were for tomorrow."

"Oh. Well the weather is looking pretty clear so probably something outside."

"That's what we were thinking. We wondered if we could give you a little tour of the town and maybe grab a bite. I know it's a bit late in the move for that."

"No, its perfect timing. I'd really like that Ethan."

Usually when a girl said yes to a request of his Ethan felt pleased and maybe a bit smug. This time, this girl, he felt an excited surprise. And not a little humbled. She'd waited to make friends and now she wanted to with his.

"Great. We'll walk over to your place and pick you up there. Maybe twelve thirty?"

"Perfect. See you then."

"Ok, go call the library back nerd."

Cole and Anna, who had their ears pressed to the door, fumbled back from their crouched positions as Ethan's steps neared the door.

"Smooth." Was his answer as they landed in a heap.

"So were you Casanova." Cole agreed.

"Somebody's gotta be so they can teach you."

They continued to rib each other back and forth while they waited for the food and chose some movies. They tended to keep Friday nights relaxing and this one was no different. But the undertone was apparent. The next time there may be four. That brought a fear and maybe a little sadness. But Ethan felt a surge of relief to notice his closest friends feeling just as excited as he.

That excitement didn't keep them dawdling around the house long the next morning, though two of the three of them enjoyed sleeping in.

"We were going to help load this up you know." Ethan gestured the backpack he carried, which he and Cole found Anna loading up when they came down.

"Sure you were, but now I don't have take a turn in carrying it until later."

"It's going to be more annoying to carry by later." Cole reminded her.

"Yes, that's why you'll carry it home, I'll carry it midday."

"You suck." Cole muttered.

"We can always drop it back off at the house before we stop by Caroline's. We won't need a pack for a town tour." Ethan reminded them.

"You shoulda just invited her for the day. We're not doing the tough trails. I know I know." Anna added before Ethan could go off. "You don't want to get her in trouble with the parents."

"They've moved around a lot but I don't think they've been in a spot where animal attacks are a concern so they're probably not used to hearing it."

Cole paused as they reached the edge of the woods, tilting his head as he breathed. "We were away too long."

"Animal attacks aside, you can't beat this." Anna breathed deep as well and then let out a whoop. "Glory hallelujah, lets get in there." She clapped Ethan's back and the knapsack Cole carried and lead the way.

The air still teased a clinging summer, but the further they got enveloped in the woods the pine and dirt took over. Though the day was dry the sun had only peaked through once in the morning and was now hiding behind some typical clouds. None hinted at rain, making the three teens relieved. Not that the rain would have had them turning back, but this first trip out in so long needed no distractions.

Cole stopped their progress from time to time to snap a picture on his beat up camera. Sometimes of tree roots or fallen widow maker logs. Anna crouched with him to study the dew on moss and the find of a stone stack or fairy house.

"We aren't the only daredevils." Anna ran a fingertip over one of the damp twigs. And Cole took another picture of her hand dancing across the child made roof.

But they didn't see or hear anyone else for the first hour of their walking, stopping, staring, appreciating. Ethan watched as his two friends would dart off. Cole to capture an image, Anna to chase a rock or bit of bark for her collection. He never felt the need to keep anything himself, he always believed they would share their finds. Games of Pirates in their earlier days had turned to this.

So he watched them and because he had the time, took it to imagine how Caroline may fit in. How it would feel to hold her hand and share in watching. He was wrapped up in that daydream when Anna's head snapped up.

"What?" Ethan turned to follow her gaze.

"Nothing, I just thought I saw someone move back there."

Cole stood. "Looks like those trees back there have been scratched up. Showing more light brown. You probably thought it was someone's shirt. Or watching Van Helsing before bed was a bad choice."

"Do you take me for a civilian?" Anna quipped but the teasing tone seemed forced.

"Shine?"

She studied the trees once more as if she were considering them and then her shoulders relaxed. "Maybe we should add Van Helsing to our repertoire." She grinned at Ethan. "The pirates fight the monsters."

Ethan tilted his head and took a few steps to a thin stick and kicked it to Cole as Anna bent to grab one for herself.

"Why do I have to fight her?"

"Cuz you're the one that needs practice little brother." Ethan cleared the way as the Cole dropped their pack and lifted the stick. Turning it as if to search for knicks in the blade.

She gave her stick a few testing spins as she would a baton and then jerked her chin at Cole. He may have still been bested by the other two more times than not but he wasn't the fearful boy they first met either. Sure they played pirates or whatever fighting games they pleased because of scenes from movies and books, but another motivation had been making sure Cole never had to feel backed into a corner again. Or any of them for that matter.

The mock swords smacked together a few times as they circled each other but neither met limbs. Ethan let out a single clap as Anna mid spin whirled the stick to her back to block another shot.

"I'm telling you take dancing lessons with us and your footwork wouldn't be rotten like this." She smirked as Cole backed over a root from her advance.

The change in angle had him squinting over her shoulder, and his expression hardened with recognition. He watched Anna stiffen and turn her head a fraction to look as well, but at the same moment Cole threw his stick as if he was aiming at Anna, who shifted to clear the shot. He watched it sail through and hit the tree the man stood next to.

"Butterfingers." He called out, though the man who'd been staring didn't so much as look at what was thrown at him, let alone flinch. Ethan moved closer to the other two and Anna dropped the stick to her side, but not the ground.

"No foul." Carlisle Cullen replied. "I was hiking not far and thought I heard a fight." But he made no move to investigate closer.

The best of the doctors that Forks boasted was not dressed for a hike. Still, his hair and clothes were in perfect shape, even if his shoes had spots of mud. The three of them knew he was thirty, and had married young as well as adopted the children of his relatives. Cole realized for the first time that Carlisle hadn't been much older than his own parents when he took in his nephews and niece. Same for his wife adopting children she'd fostered. But the comparison stopped there in his mind. And still, this man had been at their funeral. Had stared at Cole in a way that made him tense now.

"We were fooling around a bit. First week of school hype and all." Cole answered.

"Sorry to bother you." Ethan added.

"No bother either. You three should head back into town though. I haven't come across any but the wolves haven't been spotted too far from here."

"We're careful, but thank you." Anna offered her smile.

Carlisle looked at them from left to right and sighed as he stepped forward.

In one move Ethan reached into his boot for the knife he'd put there earlier, Anna flipped the stick up, and Cole positioned in front of the other two.

Carlisle showed no hint of surprise, but perhaps a bit of regret. "You don't even know you're doing it do you?"

"Why were you there?" Cole questioned as he glared. "And why are you here now? Any trails by your house are miles from here and you barely have mud on those shoes.

"Loafers too, you've lived here what four years?" Anna clucked her tongue. "Your feet are either bleeding or you started the trail out by town."

Ethan pushed Cole back a step with his shoulder. "That's painting a picture like you followed us."

Carlisle sighed and looked only at Cole. "I was at the funeral to pay my respects to your parents and to check on you without disturbing anyone. I see that I did." He took two steps back, his tone soothing. "I'm not here to hurt anyone. I did see you three head into the woods and didn't want anything to happen. Your family has been through enough."

He looked at Ethan now and pointed to the knife. "It's good that you have that. You two should get your own." With another look at Cole he turned and headed back through the tree's he'd come from.

Anna let out a low whistle and dropped the stick and clasped her hands to her knees. "Jesus Christ Kelly. When did you start carrying?"

"You know when." Cole answered for him as he shook his head. "Knock it off with the elbow block next time. I'm not nine anymore."

"Yeah sure, the next time a perfectly decent towns member see's us in the woods I'll be sure to let you have at them first. Shit." Ethan rolled his shoulders. "Maybe we're jittery over all this."

"He may have been perfectly decent, but he still followed us." Cole insisted. "What the hell did he mean? You don't even know you're doing it, what does that mean?"

Anna wandered over to the pack and drank deep from a water bottle before throwing it at Cole. "The thundercats are go moment I guess. That was a damn good assemble, maybe we should join the army."

"Army. Son of a bitch." Ethan checked his watch. "We have to get moving so we're not late to Caroline's." He caught the bottle Cole tossed. "Or do you want to cancel? We can go home."

"That's two of us you've insulted. What do you take me for, asshat?" Cole clapped his hands and Anna tossed him the pack.

"He's the weapon carrier. He protects us now and that includes from emotional stress." She rolled her eyes as Ethan muttered and hooked her arm through each. "Forget Dr. Cullen. Bladerunner here can tell us more about the girl."

They walked on through the trail they had started. And though their voices were light, they were pitched lower as if to listen. Although their steps were at a stroll, they changed positions often to keep a wide vantage. While they still stopped to look at what interested them, it now came with a quick glance around.

And still they didn't see or hear what followed. And had followed long before the doctor.

Now

Hayley sat still as she waited for them to continue. Ethan sat back in the armchair and she wondered if he just realized he'd been tense the last few minutes. And now the mention of Caroline had eased him. Cole had been mostly tense throughout, and she'd noticed that when Ethan had been the one talking Cole seemed to tune in elsewhere. As if he was listening for the door.

She didn't know where this was going for sure but she knew it went beyond their childhood.

"Do you need a break?" She asked when no one said anything.

"Sorry, just thinking how to keep up." Ethan answered.

"You're doing fine." Hayley encouraged and reached for Cole's hand again.

"I know it's not making sense yet but I need us to do it this way." His eyes met hers. "I know you said you're not moving but I need you to have all the information so if you change your mind." His jaw tightened but he didn't break away. "You'll know how to protect yourself."

Hayley fought back and won against a shiver. She had no intention of leaving, but she was human. And she knew whatever was coming was what would change her life. It wasn't just Cole and the other two. But still, she didn't break his gaze. She didn't drop his hand. She gave him and then Ethan her smile.

"What do you take me for?"