Now

With a lazy flick of his wrist, Cole opened the bathroom door. Hayley rolled her eyes, calling him a show off as she climbed from the tub and raised a brow at Ethan in the hallway.

"Guarding?"

"No. Callously spying." Amused, he took the hand she offered and stood. Keeping it in his, he tugged Hayley forward to kiss her cheek. "Welcome little sister." With his free hand, he whopped the side of Cole's head. "Congrats."

"More coffee? Cole asked but headed for the kitchen without waiting for answer.

As they took their seats in the living room, Ethan snorted at Hayley's expression. Her glance had landed on the cracked picture frame and she narrowed her eyes back at him.

"It could have been you."

"If we were all revved, yes it's hard to tell who does what damage sometimes. But he and I weren't at your level."

Turning her back from the evidence Hayley considered. "Have you ever hurt anyone? When you were at that level or worse I mean?"

"On accident? No." Seeing her fingers tense Ethan sighed. "We've used it when we needed to and people were hurt or stopped."

"But they would have hurt you." At Ethan's nod she relaxed. "So you've never lost control and…"

"It's not like the movies in that case no. We've been stressed and broken things, like you did, sure. But never in front of anyone who didn't know. Never anything that caused harm. It's not like that." He reached for her hand. "You won't do that."

"I've been stressed plenty of times. I've been really upset before. Nothing like this has happened. I would have noticed." She insisted.

"Maybe you would have. Maybe not if it was something small. Maybe it hasn't happened because we weren't together. There is a lot of speculation on that end. If we would have been this way without meeting."

"What do you believe?"

"That there's no scenario where we wouldn't have found each other, so I just don't care. There's no point in speculating."

"Pfff." Cole came in and passed mugs.

"You're the one who started the sap talk with labeling us all soul mates."

"I did, so I agree with you that we would have found each other. But I still speculate the gift…or curse side of it, whatever you want to call it." Cole took his spot next to Hayley. "I choose to believe we found each other because that's how it was supposed to work out. It didn't have to do with what we can do, and how we're expected to use it….which we'll get into in a minute." He added when Hayley perked up.

"So there are some others, this Carlisle, they think that your bond is tied up with your gifts? That you have one because of the other?"

"Not him per say, though I'm sure he thought it at first. But yes, there have been others that think that. Both on our side and well…the others. They think if they stop even just one of us, all this…." Ethan looked over to a pillow and it floated up and over to Cole where it smacked against the side of his head. "…will go away."

"I'm not saying I believe that" Hayley held up her hands for peace. "From what I can understand of it. But you did say none of you could do anything like this beforehand. And it seems like Caroline coming along pushed it further."

Cole cupped his mug in one hand, looking into the coffee. "You've always been a runner right? Even before it was just a way to exercise?"

"I did well with track in school. I never ran competitively though, or not much. I had the school paper and…"

"But you have a pretty good gage on how many miles you can do and your speeds right? And it's a talent of yours?"

"Well, yeah. I guess. So?"

"You mentioned you've been adding to your distance. Almost two more miles. You said it was because of Spring and the sidewalks are clear, but you're still doing it in less time than you were." When Hayley said nothing but leaned back into the cushions, Cole reached for her leg. "When did it start?"

Letting out a crazed breath Hayley shook her head. "You know when." And now she threw a pillow at Ethan when he laughed.

"Impress me, and use what you got."

"Not happening." She put her mug on the table and held her head in her hands as Cole rubbed her back.

"I think this is the same thing. Something that was already there, but maybe once we're together it gets stronger. We realize it more. Maybe something else would have woken it up; we can't ever know that now. But it gets stronger when we meet. We've seen that."

"For us it was I guess our senses." Ethan thought back and considered. "Before Carlisle told us I think we were always in tune with each other. That was all us. But we were getting more in tune with everything around us."

"Carlisle wasn't like you though. The way you described how he ran, and what he did to those people…."

"No." Cole agreed. "Carlisle isn't like us. He told us that from the jump too. Better for us to believe what he was saying we were if he wasn't exactly normal either."

"Ok." Hayley looked at them both. She tucked her legs over Cole's lap and steeled herself. "So tell me."

THEN

Caroline had proven to be exceptionally game when it came to her two new friends and well, whatever Ethan fell into. She found nothing strange about how they'd all fallen so quickly into step with one another. She'd enjoyed watching and being a part of the days byplay. When that day had shifted to the impossible she simply reacted and felt confident of her safety with them, if not for the rest of the world. All things considered, she was handling all of it really well. However she was rapidly approaching her line.

"It's a small town." She insisted with her arms crossed over her chest.

"It sure is." Ethan faced her, his back braced against the school's wall, his hands forming a basket for Anna's foot.

"Meaning the main doors are probably open on Saturdays."

"What's your point?" Anna called down. "Ethan, a little to the right."

He adjusted and then narrowed his eyes at Cole. "You're the one who needs lock picking practice."

"False, I pick the lock on the dark room in there all the time."

"The point is." Caroline called for patience. "There's no need to…."

"Got it." Anna exclaimed and shoved the window open, boosting herself in to one of the classrooms. After straightening, she clapped her hands at the open window. "Give me la petite."

"Trust me Ro." Ethan grinned.

"There are even lower windows." She muttered, but still game she accepted the boost and clasping Anna's hand, swung into the classroom.

"We've climbed those as well, but practice with these are key." Anna faced the room and sighed. "Where are we meeting Carlisle?"

Cole climbed in and reached over to haul Ethan up. "Auditorium is best bet. No windows."

"With the weather this good, no one is going to be around here to see in." Caroline put in.

Ethan shook his head as he jerked his head and walked out of the room. "I told him we'd meet in the gym."

"Doors." Anna agreed with Ethan.

"We can trust him halfway the way I see it." Ethan reached back for Caroline's hand.

"He knows who killed my parents and hasn't said anything to the cops." Cole held open the gym doors. "Halfway is generous."

"Cole based on what we saw I think this is above police paygrade." Caroline looked around the gym, half expecting to see the mystery attackers there. "I don't get how Dr. Cullen things it would be in ours."

"Well. We are pretty impressive." Anna took a spot next to Cole on the bleachers. "How are you doing?"

"We're all in the same boat."

"Always. But you still got double tapped." Caroline sat on the other side of Cole with Ethan.

Cole nodded. "It should help more to know they're dead. If Carlisle is telling the truth I guess. But I don't know. I need to know more."

"You want to know why." At another nod Caroline smiled sadly. "That might not be an answer you get."

"Probably not but I'm going to get more than I have been. You ok? You're getting the double tap too."

Caroline let go a moment to let herself lean against Cole. "Then I guess its lucky we're pals."

A few minutes later one of the side doors from the field side opened and Carlisle came in. He moved slowly, as if approaching a lightening bug he wished to catch. He grabbed a folding chair leaning against a wall and brought it to sit in front of the bleachers.

"Is everyone alright?" At the resounding laughs, he raised his hand. "I had to ask. You're still just kids."

"No we aren't."

Carlisle looked at Anna and his expression showed a twinge of regret. "I suppose not only. But I'll make clear right now, you're still who you were before today. Nothing changes that. You only have talents you didn't know."

"Why do you know if we didn't?" Cole could not quite keep the snap from his tone.

"I have talents of my own, such as they are. You asked what I was and what you were. I am going to tell you both things and you are going to have a hard time believing. An even harder time trusting. That's alright. I will still say that I am not here to hurt you. I'm here to protect and teach you the best I'm able."

"We're strangers." Anna pointed out. "Why would you want to protect us?"

"I would like to think I would even if we were completely strangers because it would be the right thing to do. As it stands, we are not completely strangers, but that is getting ahead. I'll start with this. There are many creatures you've been taught are stories. You all, and myself included, and many others. What I am is characterized as a monster. What you are, are said were created to destroy the monsters."

When the four said nothing Carlisle continued. "I'm a vampire."

NOW

Cole broke off as Hayley let out a laughing scream. Ethan pursed his lips, holding in a laugh of his own. When Cole shot him a look he shook his head and lowered it.

"I'm sorry." Hayley wheezed out, waving her hands in front of her. "Sorry. That was rude of me." Clearing her throat she nodded to Cole. "Please. Continue."

THEN

Cole caught Anna as she leaned too far from laughing, his own laughs nearly shaking him into Ethan, whose laughter had turned to coughs, having Caroline clap Ethan on the back to the beat of her own hysterics.

Carlisle observed the scene with patience. His silence had the other four sobering nearly as abruptly as the laughing had begun. Ethan spoke first.

"Wait, for real?"

"Holy shit we're Van Helsing." Anna gasped and Ethan snapped his fingers and pointed at her.

"Fight or flight, fight or flight?" Caroline wondered.

"Aaaaand wake up." Cole clapped his hands together. And when nothing happened…"Well. Damn."

"Vampire." Ethan gestured to his teeth. "As in…"

"As in I drink blood. Animal, which is a choice of mine, not all of our kind. As in I'm extremely difficult to kill due to strength and speed. As in I'll never age. I'm three hundred and sixty eight."

"Right right right." Ethan slumped back and once again grabbed Caroline's hand.

"Your family?" Anna asked. "They're….? But Bella Swan, she can't be and she just married your son."

"Bella has made her choice and is one of us now. Her father knows. There is no one else in the town who does. I ask a lot of you all. I ask more in that you keep these things to yourselves. These aren't just my secrets to tell but I feel you need to know all."

The four of them seemed to sink as one while the information hit home. The impossible became their reality, and somehow they did not question it.

Carlisle started to tell them about how he was once human and how he turned. His years of hating what he was until finally he accepted it and devoted his life into helping those who would have been taken too soon, and healing any others he could. He explained his family's lifestyle, and their own struggles with others of their kind. Though his family hadn't known about the vampires currently tracking the four teens.

"That's what killed them? My mom and dad and all those people in Seattle?" Cole's jaw clenched and his eyes filled for the first time in weeks.

"I'm sorry Cole. When my family realized what was happening in Seattle we did what we could. There were some we found, and some we couldn't. When your parents were killed I looked into it to make sure it wasn't connected and that you were safe."

As Cole shook, Anna curled closer, Ethan mirroring the gesture on the other side. "Connected?" Cole managed. "Connected to whatever we are? Did they kill them because of this?"

"No. The ones who did were wild and new. It did not have anything to do with what you are or your family. Your parents were just…"

"There." Cole finished the sentence he had heard from the cops when it first happened. "Why were you at the funeral? They didn't know you."

Carlisle took a breath they now knew was out of habit rather than need. "They didn't, no. Nor I them really. But when my family moved here I met Patrick at the gas station. Finding out his name, I ended up tracing his lineage. You see my son Edward, he was born Edward Masen." As Cole shook his head Carlisle went on. "It's a common name and there hasn't been a reason to keep tabs on his birth family. Yet, something about Patrick, I recognized enough to look into it. I was right. Like you, Edward had no siblings, but he had a cousin on the Masen side. You come from him."

The other three looked at Cole. Trying to assess the damage. Cole himself couldn't work out the level. "I'd laugh again if I could feel my face." He managed. "I don't think I've even been in a room with Edward, he definitely has never said anything to me."

"If I had told him, he would have. Believe me. Still, I knew if I told my family what I had found out they would suggest we leave. When we settle somewhere we can usually stay several years, I didn't want to up route them when you were fine. Then when I realized there could be a reason, Edward had found Bella. The timing just never seemed right. You have been cared for, you did not need more family."

"Maybe not but my dad could have. He didn't talk to his, and maybe if his vampire cousin was around to help, they'd still be."

"Cole." Caroline cut in as he yelled and Ethan reached around to clamp a hand on his shoulder.

"Fine." Taking a breath he nodded at his friends and reached back to pat Ethan's hand.

"There's nothing we can do to change that and you're saying it's not connected to what's happening to us. So what is?" Ethan took over.

Carlisle hesitated, and then finally looked away from Cole to continue. "When I was sure I could control what I had been turned into, I started traveling to learn as much as I could of our kind. Naturally, there ended up being just as much information to learn about our enemies. There are few that could destroy us; and for humans it is close to impossible. For centuries the only enemies we had were other vampires, werewolves, and witches."

Anna and Ethan reached for each other the same time, rapidly waving their arms as they grabbed hands over a ducking and just as enthusiastic Cole and Caroline.

"Wait are we actually Harry Potter's? Say yes." Ethan told him.

"Dibs on being Ginny." Anna placed her pointer finger on her nose as Caroline groaned.

"Book Ginny? No fair."

"So we're just going to overlook werewolves?" Cole shrugged. "Ok then."

"I'm afraid you're not witches." Carlisle's mouth twitched. "And as one who's read those books to patients, I'm sorry there isn't a Hogwarts. Witches are much rarer, even more so than vampires and werewolves. They also date back much further. Like anything, some are good and some are bad. There are many conflicting theories on where shapeshifters and vampires come from but all seem to believe the same that when they were born, the witches decided both creatures had no other potential than danger. And the witches would do something to protect others. Two of the strongest covens, who had usually kept away from one another; instead gathered to construct a spell that would give humans gifts that could fight other supernatural entities."

"Why not just give the gifts to themselves to fight?" Ethan asked.

"Well that was just the thing. To fight would be to risk exposure. Even all these centuries ago, that was something to fear. Frankly, in my opinion they deemed themselves too important to get their hands dirty so to speak. And so they made this spell that created dozens of gifts. Humans could hear others thoughts and Jane discover what they were. Some had speed or strength they didn't possess before. Others could see the past and learn a history that only those who were in it knew of. Then there were the ones who could see the future. There were humans being attacked by a vampire and could take away their senses, or make themselves disappear entirely. The list goes on, and many humans were protected, and kept the witches that taught them safe as well. Some passed their gifts to their children, or they were born with entirely different ones. It worked likely the way the two covens wished it to. That was until the humans they created grew to be more powerful than even they were. Especially ones with your gifts."

Carlisle leaned forward a bit, as if they would be overheard. "Each of you have gifts that mimic a kind of telekinesis. You can do unimaginable things by thinking, and even manipulating either other living things, or what you find around you."

Caroline let out a shaky breath, and took her hand from Ethan's to worry her necklace. Cole looked at Ethan and Anna, then back to Carlisle.

"So we're one of the enemies. We can destroy vampires."

Carlisle met Cole's glare and accepted it. "You can. And you Jane have to. Once vampires discovered what the witches did, some of them sought out these humans and turned them." At the puzzled looks Carlisle sighed. "The leaders of my kind tend to thrive on cruelty and yet reign in chaos. They saw this as an opportunity to make themselves stronger and collect these…gifts. They've been doing it ever since."

"Is that why they're after us? To collect?" Anna rubbed Cole's tense back.

"Not exactly. When your particular gift started to grow, the two covens found themselves once again divided. One saw the humans who possessed telekinesis as beings that harnessed all the gifts the spell had created. It amazed them, and they treated those few as more powerful than their own coven. They suggested if those humans could control so much and keep the enemies of all the covens at bay, they were saviors. The other coven however, saw them as a threat. They began hunting who they could, any of the gifts they created. Even before a human knew what they could do. Those witches see it as cutting the bloom before it can grow. When the first coven started fighting them on it, they got the vampires involved."

Ethan swore. "They couldn't just stop the spell?"

"From what I understand, most spells don't work that way, and certainly not one like this. Even killing the original witch from the first coven did not stop it. It just made a war." Carlisle's eyes seemed ancient then. "This has been a fight for centuries. Your kind has either fled, fought, died, or been turned for generations. My family knows that there are vampires who hunt and collect humans with gifts. Some of my family were once those humans with gifts, though we didn't know that until after they were changed."

Those eyes met Cole's as if in apology. "Edward is one of them, though he only possesses telepathy. Once I realized what Cole was, I wondered if the Masen's could trace back to the original humans that were a part of the spell. They don't, as far as I can find out it is just been you and Edward with gifts."

"What about the rest of us? Have you researched us all?" Ethan asked.

"It's not an easy thing to find. I have to rely on records and words from both sides and see which names come up. Once I started looking into it only one family in this town traced back to the original spell."

Now, for the second time since he arrived, Carlisle let his gaze land on Anna.

Anna let out a sound that caught between a kick to the stomach and a laugh. She looked at Cole and then Ethan, then down at her hands. "It makes sense doesn't it? She hated how she grew up with her parents and still, she was always taking me somewhere new like clockwork until she died. She wasn't playing gypsy." Anna looked back up at Carlisle. "She was running."

"What?" Caroline's question broke off as Ethan shook his head the tiniest bit.

"Is Papa like us?" Anna asked. "Does he know?"

"These are questions I urge you to ask him. Your history is something to hear from family if possible."

"You know more about it than I do. More than these people I've known half my life."

"I don't presume to know your families personal business Anna Jane, I wouldn't have intruded on it. The Preserver's growing bold enough to attack you all is forcing my hand.

"I'm sorry, the what now?"

"The second coven and the vampires they work with call themselves the Preservers. They believe they are preserving not only a way of life but what they see as the elite race. One that will be what is left when everything else is gone.

"Do we get a name?" Anna gestured between the others. "Because I don't like XMen or Mutants."

This time Carlisle allowed himself a small smile. "The first coven from the start called the humans they bewitched The Emissary. They were seen as a go between so to speak between the supernatural and the humans."

Anna chuckled. "We were regular this morning, now we're the go between for supernatural forces."

"What a movie." Cole agreed.

"It was just supposed to be a hang out." Caroline added.

"You four were not regular this morning. You never were. And still, you do not have to be a part of The Emissary. You're sixteen, you have choices." Carlisle's tone took an uncharacteristic fierceness. "What you don't have a choice in is the abilities you have and that others may be after you for it. That is why I'm here, I'll help you learn so you can defend yourselves. Your lives are still your own."

"Doesn't exactly feel that way Doc." Ethan looked at the others. "Those people today, whatever they were…it didn't feel random. They knew we didn't know that we could do all this. The only time they seemed surprised was when we figured it out."

Cole nodded. "They knew us already. They weren't trying to….hurt us because of any what we can do."

"Telekenisis. You can't be afraid of the word." Carlisle sighed. "Yes, they knew you already. Or at least they knew about the three of you. Caroline was a bit of a surprise."

"Yeah, I'm not exactly in the know over here either." Caroline said snarkily, but didn't shy away from Ethan's hand.

"They've been tracking your kind for centuries, they know what to look for and would have added you to their list eventually. And…." He hesitated and looked once more at Anna apologetically. "And they've been tracking the Novak and Simone bloodlines since this all began."

"Novak?" Cole glanced at Anna as she closed her eyes. "That's?"

Anna nodded, her jaw tight. "We have to talk this over with Papa." She leaned closer to Carlisle. "Are you going to tell your family now?"

"I cannot involve them just now. There is an added complication now that Bella is one of us. I have to put them first, but on my honor I will not do wrong by any of you. I'll keep you safe. So will the Emissary."

Seeing their surprise Carlisle smiled. "You thought only the other side knew of you? Watched for you? You're the ones the Emissary have been waiting for. They'll all protect and serve you, even if it means giving their own lives."

"Why would they do that? We're four teenagers in a town no ones heard of." Ethan waved his hand. "No, wait, I just heard myself. That's the plot of every fantasy adventure ever."

"There is one of the Emissary I am in contact with. An old friend I'll send your way once you're all ready. If there's more you want to know and to start learning how to use what you are. I'll be there all the way. If not, we'll continue to protect you in silent as I believe today was an anomaly. Or at least for the time being. Now that they know a vampire is involved they won't be coming back here for a while. Though I urge you to consider learning their history and your roles should you choose that path, no one need speak with you more on all of this until a time that you are ready."

The four of them looked at one another. There were tilts of the head or mouth twitches. Arm squeezes, and sighs. It was Anna Jane that spoke first.

"You swear on your family all of ours are safe until we're ready?"

"I swear it."

More looks, and nods. They all stood and Anna continued, "Then we'll let you know once we're ready."

Carlisle's expression took on a prideful smile, though that regret was still present. Here were four teenagers in a small town no one had heard of as Ethan had quipped. And they had their whole lives to make choices. Now they were being faced with ones people four times their age would never know existed. He could feel proud to be on their side to guide as he could. Still he would feel a wish they continued upon their innocent afternoon in the park in the unknown.

After Carlisle again assured them they were safe for now and made sure all four of them had his private number, they parted ways. Cole promised his friends he was alright but that he needed to go to the cemetery. After learning the truth of their deaths all he wanted to do was be where he felt he could talk to his parents. Anna insisted on going with him, and detoured to her own mother's gravestone.

Ethan walked a while with Caroline. At first they said nothing, both quietly processing the shift of their worlds. When they came up on the diner in town Caroline glanced at her watch.

"It's early for dinner, but I'd just as soon be home before dark anyhow."

Ethan stopped, easing down to one of the stone walls. He smiled when Caroline shifted to stand in front of his knees, lightly bumping them. "You still want to go on our date?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I wasn't sure if you were angry."

"I feel a lot of things right now. I'm sure angry is one of them, but not with you. Not with any of you. We're all in the same boat, and I guess…" Caroline shrugged. "I guess that's what's making it easier to not feel too much of the other things."

For the first time she was the one to take Ethan's hand. "I want to feel like me right now. Like the person I know. And that person would like to go on a date with you."

Ethan's smile spread and he squeezed her hand. "Well thank god for that. Let's go."

While Caroline and Ethan ate and talked, and Cole picked up a book to escape, Anna strolled up and down the streets of Forks.

The four of them agreed to keep the rest of their family out of it until they had a chance to talk to Phillip. And since he was out of town Anna couldn't let it be while she waited. She knew once Ethan was home and Cole got his nose out of the books she'd feel more settled. They'd give her all the solace she would ever need. And to her delight, she believed Caroline would too. As a side benefit she'd watch her best friend do the dating dance.

Anna had been on a smattering of dates herself. Even had a boyfriend freshman year, such as Bobby was. Had come close to another with Eric the next year but he'd fizzled out when she needed to spend more time with Cole. Anyone who couldn't understand or at least be patient with grief didn't warrant her attention anyhow.

When she looked at the dead end street she just turned in and realized the direction she'd been going Anna let out a little laugh. A whisper in the breeze of the cool evening. The sun had set but it was still light out. That misty purple that was in between full dark. And at the end of the street, the old colonial was also in an in between.

One side was next to a neighbor, while the other hugged the woods. Anna knew she could cut through the trees there and make it back into the center of town. Yet she stopped at the edge of those trees and leaned, looking back at the hushed yellow house. The window panes glowed against the few lights that were on downstairs. On the second floor she saw one of those windows was open, and knew which it was.

Of course it was. And of course there he was.

She knew more of Sylas's move back to town now. When he was thirteen his mother Carrie had suffered a heart attack and didn't survive. After twenty-eight years of marriage, Shawn was lost for a while. When he started to feel stronger, the only place he wanted to be was where he grew up. So he'd asked it of Sylas, a fifteen year old who had already been asked so much. They took over what had once been Shawn's parents' house, and they lived quietly.

Sylas made some friends at school, but Anna wasn't one of them. She'd seen no signs of him remembering her, though she could admit to herself now that she hadn't looked that hard. All of those unanswered letters; Anna didn't see a reason to go down that road. She had the boys, and Sylas was fine. He'd suffered, but hadn't they all? And hadn't he seemed to have everything he needed?

Did she?

Anna looked back up to Sylas. He sat at his desk, facing out the window, but didn't look out it. He seemed to be working on something, his brows touching. Even as he worked, his posture was gracefully straight. A talent she'd noticed when they were children and had never been able to mimic.

Shaking her head clear of memories Anna turned to leave through the trees. She paused as her eye caught something on the forest floor. The bright red still glowed in the dim light. A feather from a Cardinal, she knew. Also knowing how Cardinals could symbolize lost ones, she thought to pick it up for a closer look.

Before the thought was even clear, the feather twitched. Feeling no breeze Anna started and though she took a step back, she looked at the feather still.

Let's just see, Anna told herself and jerked her chin up.

With the movement, the feather flew up and hovered in front of her. Anna caught her laughing gasp with her hand. The feather never faltered.

"Wingardium Leviosa, eh." She whispered and looked to Sylas's window. Going on instinct, she lifted a finger to swing back and forth through the path up to his desk. Her smile grew as the feather made its way up in her imaginary breeze.

Sylas glanced up at the blur of color as the feather smoothly winged past the window. He leaned out a little to follow its flight down the block. His face softened with his smile and unseen by Sylas, so did Anna's.

She could ring the bell Anna thought, hesitating in taking that risky step forward. Mr. Bruan had liked her those years ago. He would invite her in and she could talk to Sylas without their classmates bustling about. She could know for sure if he was all right and if he remembered. If he did, maybe she'd feel that warmth again. The warmth she didn't realize was missing until today.

When everything in her life had been thrown upside down Anna wished she could talk to her mother and she did in the only way she could. And then she wished she could write her first letter in years to Sylas. Could there be more? Would it feel better to simply speak with him? Would he even be safe with her anymore?

Letting out a sigh Anna took a last look before blending into the growing shadows of the forest.

NOW

Hayley wiped at her eyes quickly, though she knew of course they'd seen. She went through a multitude of feelings, but all of them took a backseat to compassion. They'd been kids. Less than a decade younger than she was now, but kids just the same. And they had handled so much. Could she do the same now?

Cole took a deep breath. "There's more to tell of that time and what's happened since but for now, you know what we are. What you're a part of too."

"Why now? You didn't plan this, something changed." Hayley glanced to Ethan and then Cole as the two men looked at each other.

Ethan told her about how he found Cole's room tossed. They believed it was only one and that they were more than likely just sending a message that they knew about Hayley and also believed her to be like them. Still, it was enough that they felt she had to know. That she would need to know everything.

"Hayley." Coles voice wavered so he paused, arms tightening briefly on her legs. "I'm sorry this is the way you're hearing all of this. I would have told you even if this didn't happen; I want you to know that." I've never told anyone I dated."

"I don't think he ever would have." Ethan agreed. "Until you."

"Because you think I'm connected."

"Even if you weren't connected to this, you and I are connected. I would have shared this side of myself. I know that."

"I believe you." Hayley reached for his hand on her knee. You don't have to apologize for not telling me sooner. Hell even if I can somehow do the things you guys can, we're strangers. You're insane for telling me as much as you did before we got closer."

"At first I just wanted to tell you about Ethan and Anna. About the core of our friendship. I think. Well…I think I wanted to think part of us would be out there." He looked at Ethan bleakly.

Hayley's jaw audibly snapped and Ethan swore.

"You think we're going down?"

Cole let out a laughing breath. "Wouldn't we be idiots if we didn't? I've probably always been the most cynical of us. Then I met this one."

Hayley snorted. "Yeah I take the cynical crown."

"You do, but I meant you're making me better. In ways I didn't know I needed to be. Fuck off." He added to Ethan.

"I should have been quicker to record that. Anna Jane is going to be pissed."

"Oh my god I wasn't even thinking, should we call her? She should have been here."

"We will but really I'm thinking we should go there. The rest of it, and I'm sure you have questions, both should be done with Anna."

Ethan nodded and pulled out his phone and called up his calendar. "You're going to make me reschedule Cecelia again."

"Sooner is better than later. You don't have to be back on set until when?"

"Ho ho hold it boys." Hayley waved her hands. "I have two jobs if you recall. I can't just hop on a train right now."

"PIN would let you work on your laptop." Cole pointed out.

"I don't feel the bar would do the same."

"Babe." Ethan waited for Hayley to meet his eyes. "If they know what you are now, it might not be a good idea for you to be working nights anymore."

Hayley felt her throat tighten while sat up. "I can't change my life this much at a drop of a dime. Even if I could afford it, this is…Cole…"

"I don't want you to worry about that Hayles. You can take care of yourself, I have zero doubt about that, neither does Ethan."

"Not even a little."

"Ok." Hayley took a deep breath.

"This is different though. We simply mean you don't know all the information. Let us take care of the details while you take whatever time you need to figure this out."

Ethan got up and sat on the arm of their sofa. "A lot of this is already not fair to toss on someone and uproot everything they know. We remember that feeling and we can at least make some of the other worries easier. And at the same time it helps us. We deserve the time to get to know each other more."

"We all have our own lives, but if there's anything Ethan Anna and I have learned its if we're going to survive this we need to take the times to hit pause. It's your choice if you need to go to work and have your normal life then you do that. I'm right here."

Cole stopped to take her face. Softly stroking her cheek with one thumb. At the same time she felt Ethan's strong but gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'll always be right here." Cole told her. "You needing time won't change that and I'll do whatever you need. We all will. If you are ready to consider the other way, then we'll do that too. And it'll all be ok."

"Even when its not, it is. We have each other, you have us now."

Hayley felt their words course through her, as if they trampled over all her doubts. Over all the fears of this knew knowledge. They were replaced with this deep and changing love. A wish she'd long tucked away was true in an instant.

She had a family. And she knew in that moment that whatever struggles she faced in learning about this new pocket of her life it would be worth it. And she would do her part to protect it. Starting with taking the risk.

"Lets go."

While commotion rang in after the words were spoken, and the light changed from morning to afternoon, a man hit a speed dial on his phone and walked away from the building. On the second ring his employer answered. Hastily he relayed what he'd found and was able to see.

The Three were a step closer.