Coffee Break *Cullens* 1/27/05 4:15 PM

[carlislecullen]

Carlisle smirked at the growl he heard coming for Edward. He was clearly irritated. He could only imagine why Carlisle's playfulness was bothering him so much. Though, he felt it may have had something to do with the rest of the family finding out about this whole little adventure. He smiled at Jason when he pointed out that some families had more problems than others. “You're not wrong,” he replied with a slight laugh. Jason wasn't wrong at all, Carlisle understood that completely. It was quite amazing how well he was getting on with Jason, to be honest. He was amazed he had spoken about a subject so close to his heart, having only met the man maybe an half an hour ago when he arrived. He paused when he heard Jason mentioned 'as they as they're happy'. He scowled, having his back to Jason now as he selected the first few pieces of bandage he would need. “I'm sorry, I'm not sure I fully understand,” he replied carefully, feeling like he was purposely being set up with that point. He turned, leaning on the counter with the bandages in hand, waiting for Jason's response.

Everything about the Tobias thing and the gene thing felt like a purposeful set up. He was going to have to be careful now that Jason was getting his bearings back. He laughed lightly when Jason said that 'yet again' he was right. He continued to laugh when Jason commented on how you wouldn't have thought that Damienne and Edward had only met today. “Not in the slightest,” he replied with a smirk. “And that's from just seeing Edward talk about her,” he added with a raised eyebrow. He dropped the bandages on the counter deciding that the splint would be more important first. He sifted through the pieces of wood that Edward had brought to him, sizing them up against Jason's arm. “I think that's the best one,” he said, holding a piece just off of Jason's arm that would fit neatly. He secured the piece to his forearm carefully, making sure it wouldn't budge. “You will have to be careful when sleeping, of course,” he said. “I think we can safely say that you've got your wits about you, so sleep shouldn't be a problem,” he continued. He then busied himself securing a few bandages here and there where they were needed.

[Damienne F. Renton]

Damienne stammered over her response to Edward's question about the shirt. “Ummm, you're...quite broad...” she replied, the end of her sentence going up in pitch as if she was making it a question more than the statement she wanted to come out with. “You've got quite strong...looking shoulders...muscular...” she went on, swallowing hard, hoping her desperate attempt to cover up her stammering and her embarrassment was successful, even if just a little bit. However, she felt she was more failing than anything else with every word she said. It was when she had put her hands on his back before that she had really noticed how broad he was. She hadn't even really thought about that before that moment. She laughed when he questioned her reasoning behind the 'James Bond' comment. She felt like she was coming more into her own now that she was inside the main part of the house. She had her own bearings back and fighting back in Edward's little unspoken game seemed easier.

“I was more thinking white shirt, black jacket and bow tie, but you jump to whatever conclusions you like,” she teased, raising an eyebrow at him from where she stood in her doorway. “I mean come on, why would I consider how 'suave' or 'charming' my own brother is?” she questioned, even though she was thinking with a slow sigh, 'My God, you're far from NOT suave or charming.' She smirked, more at her thought than her words, but both seemed to fit with the look on her face thankfully. She was quite proud of how she had dealt with that, considering Edward's honey coloured gaze being fixed on her. From her space under the bed, she could faintly hear Edward chuckle and say something along the lines of 'here, let me'. She jumped slightly when he appeared at her side, lying on his stomach, under the bed with her. 'This is a little backward...' she thought randomly to herself. She looked over to him to thank him, just as he turned to her and she realised how close he really was.

“That's alright,” she responded quickly when he apologised, snapping herself out of the mini trance she had been in when she became hyper aware of his closeness. “I shoulda thought of that in the first place,” she added with a smile. She only just heard the giggle coming from somewhere in the direction of her bedroom doorway. 'What the...?' she began to think as Edward crawled out from under the bed and she just about hear him say 'NOT funny, Alice'. “Alice?” she called. She knew Edward wouldn't be making it up, but she just couldn't shake the feeling that Alice was thinking all the wrong things. A furious blush flew up to her neck and face. She couldn't seem to keep it away today. She pressed her head against the wooden floor, letting the cold laminate cool her face. She slowly shuffled backwards out from underneath the bed. She thought she was clear of the bed. That was when she lifted her head out, catching it on the edge of the bed as she sat up. She winced, sitting down, clutching the back of her head, scowling heavily, not looking at Alice or Edward.

[Jason Renton]

Jason could feel the tension in the room rise between him and the doctor, he was certain now from his reaction that his suspisions were correct. 'I think you do Dr Cullen... I am guessing you know more about the reasonings behind Tobias's behaviour then you are letting on...' He winced and closed his eyes gritting his teeth and steadying himself on the sink counter, he was looking forward to some serious pain killers. 'You learn a lot living around the La Push Reservation, legends, stories... myths. Its why Tobias doesnt want us here...' Of course a lot of the people there didnt know they were true, of course those who knew their half of the legend was true knew the second half was also true. He sighed slowly, breathing was still really painful for him. It was an Awkward situation but it was one that was going to surface sooner or later. He opened his eyes and looked to Carlisle who was looking at him. 'What I mean is that as long as Damienne is happy I dont care about any tensions there might exist between our... so called people.' He smirked a little 'Perhaps you get my drift now?' It was his turn to wait for Carlisle to respond.

He had not seen Damienne this happy for a very long time, he wasnt going to spoil that. 'Shes so much like her mother, she just doesnt know it' He sighed at the thought 'I knew the guy must have been special when she told me today... Even as off handed as it was. Damienne was never the going out with guys type' He chuckled and stopped as his chest spasmed in pain. He held his arm letting Carlisle do his work. Having Carlisle as a friend was certainly going to have its advantage, though if Tobias found out it would probably be the death of him also. He smiled and nodded 'Thankyou Dr Cullen... Really I am greatful for all you and your son have done.' Just because most of his family were mortal enemies with them, didnt mean they had to be.

[carlislecullen]

Carlisle had been rumbled. He should have known not to talk to Jason like he wouldn't work it all out eventually. He was a smart guy. Carlisle should have known better. He let out a long, slow breath. Jason's wits had recovered far quicker than he would have anticipated. This was not good. Carlisle could see Edward's mood dropping the moment he heard him respond to this, but he couldn't lie now, could he? “Boys will be boys,” he tried, knowing that wouldn't be a suitable answer for Tobias' behaviour. He focused on Jason as he winced, leaning on the sink, yet continuing to speak. So he knew more than he was letting on as well. “Now, if you know the legends, stories and myths, you'll have to understand that we shouldn't really be talking about this,” he said, trying to pick his words carefully still. He wasn't just going to go 'oh, yeah, I'm a vampire' at him. “I understand that relating, as such, would make Tobias extremely angry,” he went on. “I can't wish that upon you and your daughter as it's clear that things are already difficult,” he continued to say, expressing his concern, still without mentioning the word 'vampire'.

“I appreciate that you say you 'don't care' about this situation if it makes your daughter happy being around my son. It's just...I'm not sure how Edward will take that,” Carlisle continued. “I'm happy to disregard such tension for as long as you are,” he added. “After all, the 'legends' don't really account for...you and your daughter,” he finished. “I hope you understand my initial...evasion,” he stated in response to Jason's question about catching his drift. He tilted his head, watching Jason closely and listening to him relate Damienne to her mother. He laughed slightly. “Edward's the same way. He's not often so taken by any of the girls around here. Around anywhere come to think of it,” he replied, keeping the conversation light. The current topic, well, where it originated, wasn't exactly a good topic for Carlisle to be speaking about with someone who he had just met, but Jason had worked him out. He couldn't just lie to him now. “Thank me once more and I'm going to have to double check your head,” he commented, finishing off the bandages. “There,” he said simply, signifying that he had finished and that Jason could go ahead and get a clean shirt.

[Edward Cullen]

Once again Edward was amused at her attempts to explain herself. 'You have a very good point... If you did I would have to worry...' He chuckled winking lightly to her. Her thought afterward made him smirk, she was blissfully unaware of him being able to read her mind, that suited him fine. It meant he could easily tell her feelings about not only him, but the situation. It almost made it all too easy... Not that he was going to complain about that. It was strangely reassuring for his fragile male ego.

He could feel the tension between the two of them as they lay there under the bed looking into each others eyes. Her scent engulfing him totally, making him grit his teeth as he felt venom creeping into his mouth. This wasnt good... As he heard Alices childish song he snarled, looking to her with a fierce look in his eyes. It wasnt what she was thinking at all, it wasnt what it looked like. Though he realised that it probably did look that way from where she was standing. 'Grow up Alice' He hissed as she gave him that look, he was too angry to let that work on him right at that moment. He heard Damienne call Alice's name and turned to see her backing out and bumping her head. He growled and moved over to her kneeling down 'You okay Damienne?'

Edward could hear the conversation next door and he tensed looking towards Alice. Jason had worked it out... He frowned, still staying close to Damienne, listening to how Carlisle was reacting. He didnt know exactly how to feel about the situation, it was obvious that Jason would have worked it out sooner or later, especially after Edward caught his thought earlier. He was tense and had totally forgotten that it probably looked odd him just staring at Alice but he wanted to know what was going on. He growled low, inaudible to Damiennes human ears. He was already unsure how anything could work, him being with Damienne would only put them all in danger. Rosalie would have a field day if she found out.

[Damienne F. Renton]

Damienne smirked at Edward, giggling lightly at his words. “What if it wasn't my brother?” she questioned playfully. “Jealous?” she questioned with on simple word, raising an eyebrow for a moment and a playful smirk on her face, giggling for a moment at Edward's wink. He seemed so certain about himself, just like Alice did. She couldn't fathom out how they did it or how they got away with it. She just pinned it down to quick wit and stunning good looks, along with a few other factors. The 'good looks' stuck in her head the most as she looked at Edward and wondered why on Earth he would speak to her, other than through common courtesy, and now, here he was, half dressed, in her bedroom. She chewed on her lip. THAT would look bad if you didn't understand the circumstances surrounding his half dressed state. She could only imagine the gossip that would begin around the school tomorrow, considering the reactions they had got from a few of the patrons in the café. There was no way in a town as small as this that at least one person wasn't linked to the school.

She tried to breath steadily as she faced him under the bed. 'Seriously, what the hell?' she questioned herself. She had never taken this much of an interest in any guy. She certainly wouldn't have reacted this quickly and this extremely if she did, she'd imagine. She wouldn't know. It wasn't something she was familiar with at all. She let Edward and Alice have a moment, figuring he would be able to deal with her reaction to them better than she would and it gave her chance to cool down. Having hit her head, she felt the blush return. Now she was just making a fool of herself at any possible chance. She winced, clamping her eyes shut. She heard Edward's question. “What?” she answered, opening her eyes, taking in a sharp breath when she noticed he was knelt beside her. “Yeah, I'm fine,” she answered brightly, pressing her fingers against the bump for a moment longer before letting it go. She glanced to the bag in Edward's hands still. “Are you going to put that on or did I just whack my head for no reason?” she jested with a light giggle.

She glanced over at Alice, who was sitting on the bed. She smirked, shaking her head at the girl. At least someone was making themselves comfortable. Despite her minor burst of confidence before, Damienne felt edgy again, like she was just going to make a complete prat of herself from now until Edward, Alice and Carlisle went home. She looked to Edward again, who seemed a little tense. “Are you alright?” she questioned in a concerned tone. She chewed on the inside of her lip. “Would you finally put that shirt on and find out if I can see my dad now?” she asked softly. She thought it would be better if he checked. He had already seen what state her dad was in and was clearly adamant about keeping her away from the sight until he was certain she wouldn't react badly. She felt her dad and Carlisle had something to do with that as well, but Edward had started it. She tilted her head as she watched Edward where he knelt beside her, not liking how tense he seemed.

[Jason Renton]

Jason smirked a little as Carlisle said they shouldnt be talking about it 'Oh yeah it would be a problem... If I was telling a pale face about the cold ones.. However I dont think that is the case?' He knew this was going to cause some tension, but he wanted to get it out in the open now. He sighed slightly 'Unfortunatly I think we both know that the day this all came out would arise, better sooner than later no? However I have no doubt Edward already knows that Damienne and I are connected to Shapeshifters.' It wasnt the conversation he was expected to have with Carlisle, but it was one that needed to take place. His voice lowered to a whisper 'There is a lot about our lives that I have hidden from Damienne, and the reason for Tobias not wanting us here is one of them... She doesnt not know the legends of the cold ones... For now I think its best it remains that way...' He still wanted to protect her, finding out about Vampires would be too much after everything that had happened so far since their move.

He nodded 'Dont worry, I know how difficult the subject is. Most of my family have no quarrel with yours, unfortunatly two of my children arent all too happy about it.' He smirked a little shaking his head, it had been a long day and although his head was clearer he was starting to feel light headed from the loss of blood 'I dont want there to be any tension between us Dr Cullen, see us perhaps as refugees trying to escape our pasts. I like to try and see the good in people before I jump to conclusions.' Jason made his way slowly to his cuboard to get a new shirt, a dark coloured one just in case, he just hoped Damienne wouldnt get too excited.

He had to agree that Damienne and edward seemed to really connect, it would be an unusual coupling, and Jason didnt really want to think too far ahead. What ever made her happy made him happy. He slipped on the shirt and looked to Carlisle smirking 'What kind of person would I be if I didnt say thankyou again?' He moved Awkwardly to Carlisle's side 'Dr Cullen... You and your son saved my life... Without either of you I would have suffocated, I think I earned the right to thankyou...' He looked to the door, he was as ready as he would ever be to see Damienne now.

[Edward Cullen]

A Smirk spread across Edwards lips as she asked if he was jealous 'And what, Miss Damienne, makes you think I would be Jealous?' He regarded her as her thoughts turned to her own looks, Edward shook his head slightly. Human girls were so fragile... They never believed in themselves, or their beauty. Then again he prefered this line of thought to the girl who was full of themselves, the girl who knew they were beutiful and thought they could get what ever they wanted. He smirked at that thought, that stank of Rosalie all over... He remembered all too well how Rosalie felt when he hadnt accepted her as his mate. She still thought about it even now, it was another reason he knew she would be jealous of Damienne, she would wonder what she had that Rosalie didn't...

Edward tired not to get into tight situations with humans. Although he was what they called themselves 'Vegitarian' the smell was still tempting, at that moment Damiennes even more so. He was relieved when he was no longer being suffocated by her scent, though at the same time angry with Alice for having ruined the moment. After barking at her he turned his full attention to Damienne, looking to the bump forming on her head. He frowned thinking 'icepack... need and icepack...' before mentally kicking himself and gently as not to shock her laying his cold hand over where she had bumped herself. He smirked a little 'See me being shirtless and cold has its advantages...' He chuckled slightly as she asked if he was going to put the shirt on and he nodded slowly 'Yes miss...' He took his hand away from her head and reached into the bag pulling out the shirt and slipping it on before buttoning it up and turning to her 'Better?' He enquired.

He snapped from his concentrated daze as she asked if he was okay, he nodded slowly 'Yeah... I'm fine...' Even Jason knew that him being with Damienne would cause them even more trouble. He thought lightly whether it would just be better for him just to leave. No sooner had her thought it though a gasp from Alice made him look up again. Her body had gone rigid as she stared at Edward in horror. He immediately felt guilty for even thinking of leaving. He quickly moved to Alice on the bed wrapping his arms around her, he knew what she had seen, he had seen it in her thoughts. 'Alice... Please... I'm sorry' He whispered, desperate to calm her, he didnt want to be the cause of her next fit. 'I wont do that... I..I Promise' He whispered even softer as he felt her untense, wiping away the single tear drop of blood from her face. He looked to Damienne as he held Alice as if he was about to lose her somehow 'Sorry... Alice is prone to fits...' It was the best he could do for the situation.

He released Alice from his grip as she came back down to earth and stood heading to the door looking to Damienne 'I'll see if you can see your father yet...' Of course he knew their little discussion was over now, after all he didnt want to intrude. Though Carlisle's words still bothered him, Carlisle knew that Edward would know about Damienne and her family. The situation would still exist if Jason knew who they were or not. Still, he guessed that Carlisle was just trying to protect him, as usual. He tapped lightly on the door, knowing Carlisle already knew he was there. 'Damienne wants to know if she can come in yet?'

[alicecullen]

Alice simply poked her tongue out playfully at Edward as he snapped at her. She knew they werent doing anything, but it was amuzing to see Edwards reaction... He really DID like this girl. Of course their sibling tension was soon replaced by the tension going on next door. Alice tensed at the same time Edward did, looking to him with the same look he gave her. Though Alice had been pretty much kept in the dark compared to Edward so she was more shocked by Jasons reaction. 'He KNEW???' She thought as she looked to Edward who responded with a slight nod. So he had known about them all along but still moved here... She didnt understand it herself. She heard as he said that they were the reason Tobias didnt want them living there.

Of course this was going to change things, she knew that Edward would have doubts and these doubts were confirmed when her eyes glazed over and pain shot through her head, she winced slightly but it was what she saw that upset her the most... Edward was leaving, he was leaving them all... She felt her small form tremble slightly before she felt Edwards arms around her. Just as quickly as it had formed the vision had gone, and she came crashing back to reality there on Damiennes bed in her brothers arms. She knew Edward wouldnt want to hurt her. She didnt want him to go, they would work it out somehow... She just knew they would. She only hoped Edward would keep his promise.

Alice looked to Damienne and offered an apologetic smile, out of all the girls in the world, Edward would have to fall for a girl who was related to the shapeshifters. Well at least Alice could never say their lives were dull... She sighed slightly and flopped back on Damienne's bed, having a human...ish friend was something that Alice had always wanted, hopefully Edward would keep up his end of the bargain though.

[carlislecullen]

Carlisle wasn't sure he liked how this was going at all. Jason had worked him out, even when he had tried to be careful, but had relied on Jason's dizziness more than he should have and now he was regretting it. He tensed his jaw at Jason's first words about if he had been saying it to anyone else then there may be a problem, but with him talking to Carlisle about it, there didn't seem to be much of a problem to him. He didn't respond, listening to Jason continue to speak as the other man spoke about how they would know the conversation would arise at some point and that he knew Edward already knew. “You're right,” he admitted softly, letting out a slow, intentional breath. “On both cases,” he added in referencing to Jason being right about him being allowed to discuss this with Carlisle and that he knew they would have this talk eventually. He hadn't accounted for the conversation arising so soon. Rosalie would have a field day about this when she found out. He couldn't decide which would be worse: Rosalie finding out that they were having this conversation or Rosalie finding out that Edward was rather taken with Damienne.

He refocused on Jason when he said there was a lot about their lives that Damienne didn't know about, with the reason for Tobias' displeasure about their choice of relocation was one of them. 'She doesn't know about us?' he thought to himself with a scowl. He nodded slowly when Jason said he thought it was better that she didn't know. Carlisle could imagine how heart broken she may turn out to be if she found out, considering her sudden attachment to Edward. Though, leaving it for the situation to get more intense seemed a little unfair too. “As you wish,” he replied softly. He was simply at a loss for words and he knew that Damienne would want to come in soon. If Jason wanted to keep this secret, it was better that the conversation was wrapped up soon anyway. He tensed again when Jason expressed that he knew how difficult this choice of subject matter was. At least he was certainly that only two of his children weren't happy at all about it. That still left the question of how many children did he have exactly? He nodded when Jason requested that there be no tension between them, making an unusual request.

'Refugees?' Carlisle thought to himself. 'Escape our past?' he repeated in his head. It sounded slightly ironic to him, considering what he and his family were and how they travelled to stay out of the lime light of their past. “You're very gracious, in that case,” he replied when Jason said he didn't jump to conclusions until he'd tried to see the good in people. He allowed Jason to get a shirt, waiting, almost frozen to the spot where he was. He repacked the spare bandages and scissors into his bag. He shook his head slowly with a smirk when Jason questioned thanking him. He stopped when Jason said 'you and your son saved my life'. He hadn't counted on the gratitude so much when Jason had worked everything out, yet it was still there. He nodded slowly, smiling once more. “Well, you're welcome,” he said softly, closing his case. Carlisle heard the knock on the door and knew in an instance that it was Edward before he even spoke. He glanced over at Jason before crossing the room to the door. He opened it, giving Edward an apologetic look. “I don't see why not,” he offered with a sad smile. He had messed up. He knew that.

[Damienne F. Renton]

Damienne smirked and then shrugged. “Just the way you were so quick to answer before,” she replied, still smirking. The little exchange had been enough to distract her for at least a little while, so she was glad she had got a little brave. Albeit, to no avail, considering the brave element had gone out of the window again and she was now making a fool of herself in every instance that she could. She heard Edward hissing at Alice, but she left it to sibling rivalry and clutched the back of her head. Edward was kneeling beside her by the time she considered dropping her hand and getting up. Though she didn't get up in the first instance, sitting there with Edward for a moment longer. She turned her head slightly, closing her eyes as Edward put his hand on her head where she had bumped it. She chuckled lightly, feeling the cold. “Yeah...” she said in a slight daze, though she did think how the shirtless thing didn't have this sort of advantage, but it did have some advantages. She smirked to herself for a moment before turning to Edward again as he chuckled.

She smiled when he said he was finally going to put the shirt on. She hadn't meant to, but she ended up watching as his slender fingers did up every single button up the front of the shirt. 'Better?' he had asked. 'No,' she thought quickly and slightly sharply to herself before responded with a simple “Yes” and a soft smile. Her soft smile remained as Edward said he was 'fine'. She wasn't sure she liked the use of the word, but she couldn't really take it as anything else. She snapped her head in Alice's direction as she heard her gasped and then watched Edward go and grab her into a hug, whispered something to her. She raised her hands, slightly defensively. “Don't worry about it. Everyone's got a 'thing',” she replied with another soft smile, looking worriedly at Alice. She nodded as Edward said he would go and see if she could see her dad. “Thank you,” she said softly, moving up onto the bed as he left the room. “Are you alright?” she asked, her tone dripping with concern.

[Edward Cullen]

Listening to Damiennes words and thoughts seemed to amuse Edward more and more, though it seemed that he was also amusing her. Edward was finding it hard to ignore the tension between him and Damienne, it wasnt a tension he had felt before. It certainly wasnt a bad tension, quite the opposite, though it made him feel uncomfortable. It was strange how he felt so protective for this girl, he had only met her that day. The more he learned the more he wanted to protect her, though putting her in danger by doing so was making him unsure. He left his hand on her head long enough to numb the area and to stop the swelling from the impact. He had to smirk as he heard her thought about putting his shirt on, she certainly wasnt a girl who actually spoke her mind all that often... Well at least not with him anyway.

He left Alice on the bed to check on Carlilse and Jason, as Carlisle opened the door and saw the look on his face he felt guilty. He had dragged Carlisle into this and he hadnt exactly been all that subtle, Carlisle had no reason to be sad about it. He reached out and rested his hand on his arm and squeezed lightly, a slight frown on his face 'Its okay Carlisle... Honestly...' He didnt want Carlisle to feel responsible for it. It was all bound to happen sooner or later. He looked to Jason and offered a small smile, he was still unsure how this was all going to work, he wanted to find a way... If not for their sake, but also for Alice's sake too. 'Mr Renton, I still mean what I said before... I would do anything to help you and Damienne...' He didnt know what anything meant though, he looked to Carlisle, he didnt want to fling his family into a war that wasnt theirs. There was a lot running through his head and there was a pained look on his face, he couldnt win. By protecting Damienne he hurt his family, but in not protecting her he would lose not only her, but in her state possibly Alice. He couldnt go against his word...

He turned around 'I'll get Damienne...' He headed back to Damiennes room and offered her a smile 'You can see your dad... Though if I were you I'd be gentle with him...' He knew how emotional girls could get and though he trusted her to be gentle he had to make sure first... He moved over and sat down on the bed next to Alice, now he had two girls in his life he felt protective of... He just hoped it all turned out for the best.

[Jason Renton]

Jason sighed, it was a hard situation to be in, he couldnt deny that. Of all the guys Damienne could have fallen for it was the one that Tobias would happily tear limb from limb. He personally didnt care as long as they were both happy, if they had been malisious in any way then the vampires had just had the chance to kill him... But they didnt and instead had offered their help. Still, the less Tobias knew about it all the better it would be. 'Damienne will find out eventually, but she has been through so much that I dont think now is the right time for her to know. He didnt know how Damienne would react, but he strongly felt that it was better for her to find out later. If she knew they were the reason behind Tobias's outburst she might do something she regretted later.

He returned the smile as he saw Carlisle relax a little. He was glad at least they were both willing to overlook the tension between their families. He only hoped it would last. He looked to Edward as he came in and smiled 'I Appreciate it Edward... I understand its a strange situation... For all of us.' He sat down, knowing he would get to see Damienne, he had been so worried about her all this time and he knew she would be worried about him too. He knew she would be upset still, but thanks to Carlisle and Edward he was still alive... A big bonus indeed.

[Damienne F. Renton]

Damienne chewed on the inside of her lip as she felt Edward keep his hand on the back of her head. It certainly felt a lot better. She laughed lightly. “If I need an ice pack in future, I know all I have to do is deprive you of your shirt,” she joked, still laughing lightly. With Edward out of the room, she felt her senses clearing back to normal. She didn't feel exactly like she normally did because she was sat with Alice, who was far prettier than she could ever be. “Alice?” she questioned softly again, still concerned, reaching out to rest a hand on the other girl's shoulder from where she sat beside her. She adjusted how she was sat, sitting with her legs underneath her. She was distracted from Alice when Edward returned to the room. She glanced him up and down for a moment, smiling slightly, thankful that he was smiling at her already. The shirt definitely suited him better than it would have suited Dorian. She let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” she said softly, still smiling, climbing off of the bed as Edward sat down on the other side of Alice.

She glanced nervously back over her shoulder at them as she left the room, drumming her fingertips on the door frame in the same nervous manner. She let out a slow sigh as she looked back out onto the landing and made her way to her dad's room. “Dad?” she called, still nervous. She peered round the door, looking into the room to see him looking a little more battered and bruised than normal, but at least cleaned up from the state she imagined him to be in. That was when she noticed the bloody shirt on the landing. 'Edward's,' she told herself, remembering it to be the one he was wearing before. She crouched down to pick it up before moving into her dad's room. “Any more random items of clothing I need to throw out?” she questioned her father and Carlisle, smiling. She couldn't take this badly. He could have looked a lot worse. She knew that. She ran the shirt, that she was clutching with both her hands, through her fingers. The clean material was soft, the bloodied parts beginning to dry out under her fingers.

[carlislecullen]

Carlisle heard Jason's sigh and couldn't help, but feel just as bad as Jason sounded in that one instance. He wasn't going to be able to shake this feeling any time soon. He could imagine what was going through Jason's head, even without Edward's powers. He nodded slowly when Jason said she would find out eventually, though she'd been through enough lately, so, right now, wasn't the best time to share the information. “If she's anything like her father, I'm sure she'll work it out,” he replied with a knowing look. Damienne may not know about the vampires, but if she began to question her family heritage, she would soon find out. “But, I won't say anything and I'm sure Edward won't,” he added reassuringly. Carlisle took in a deep breath as Edward spoke, still not feeling that much better about what he had just shared with Jason. This wasn't right. He shouldn't have messed up that easily. He lowered his head as he listened to Edward say that he still meant what he said before about helping Jason and Damienne. This made him feel a little better. He wasn't going to let this bother his choice to be the protector.

He looked up at Edward, noticing the pained look on his face. He reached out, pressing his hand on the boy's shoulder, slowly shaking his head in a nearly unnoticeable manner, hoping his son would understand that there was going to be no need for that look. There was no fight. He nodded slowly as Edward said he would go and get Damienne. Having packed up his case, he went to pick it up from the floor, reflexively looking up when someone called 'dad'. He looked out of the door to see Damienne, crouching down to pick something up. He had looked up all too easily to her call, even though he knew she was talking to Jason. He smirked at the item of clothing she had in her hands now, laughing lightly at her question. “Your father's shirt,” he replied simply, disappearing into the bathroom to grab the cut up item. He reached his hand out to Damienne. “I'll get rid of them, if you like,” he offered with a gentle smile. He hadn't really spoken to the girl that much, but it was nice to see she had a sense of humour about her. She did seem rather attached to the shirt in her hand, but it would give her a chance to see her father if he got rid of the bloodied items.