Disclaimer: The Twilight series is owned by Stephenie Meyer.

Jade POV

Edward...and kissing. Two words that I'd never think to put in a sentence, let alone with the word 'me' after them.

But it happened.

And I enjoyed every second of it.

After I had--embarrasingly--admitted my love for him, his face--that glorious, beautiful face--had lit up in ecstasy, something I relished. He gently pulled me to him, cupped my chin in his hand, and pressed his lips to mine.

Now, I admit, I've kissed guys before. But they were rough, sucking my face like no tomorrow. Edward's kiss was cold, like marble, but made my heart race like mad, while being careful. I could understand why---he was much stronger than me while I was in human form.

He was tender, sweet, and made me think that maybe he could love me back. His free arm found it's way to my waist, pulling me flat up against him. My cheeks felt hot---he brought his lips away and rested his forehead against mine, stroking my cheek softly.

"I'll try not to worry about you," he promised, his golden orbs penetrating. "But that may be hard to accomplish---seeing as I absolutely adore you, Jade."

I internally squealed---I was lighter than air. He loved me! I buried my face in the crook of his neck and sighed with joy. "We should have done this sooner," I said. He laughed---I could feel the vibrations in his chest.

"Agreed," he whispered, his arms constricting tighter. "And not in my kitchen." We both laughed that time---until I abruptly stopped, dread filling throughout me. He brought my face up to his. "What's wrong, love?"

While one part of my brain was freaking out because he called me 'love', the other was focused on what I was realized. "Your family can hear everything." A strong blush crept to my cheeks, while Edward gave a half-hearted smile.

"There's no secrets in our family---and they are politely ignoring us anyway. But yes, they can hear." I groaned--he chuckled.

"Stupid vampiric hearing," I mumbled. Edward suddenly looked up, and out the kitchen window.

"The pack's here," Edward explained, letting go of me to go look out the window through the dining room. I followed. "To check on Dayton."

Edward POV

The boys' thoughts were a jumbled mess of worry and anger, directed at both the unknown vampire and their pack brother. It was another unconscious symbol of their bond---they couldn't hate each other even if they truly wanted to. I guided Jade outside with an arm on her waist---silently in rapture---and waited for them to emerge from the woods.

Mark was the first to make his way out---his nose crinkled at the scent. He caught sight of Jade and I, zeroing in our position together--relaxed, arms around each other--and asked the question before it was half-formed in his head.

"So you two are a thing now?" He crudely questioned. Jade rolled her eyes.

"Way to go all 'high-school gossip-queen' on us, man," she mocked. "And yes, we are a thing."

Harry and Jared were next to follow, with Aiden coming close behind.

"Good," Aiden called. "'Cause I was pretty sick of hearing about his beautiful eyes and junk like that."

Beautiful eyes. I smirked. Jade blushed, the inviting pink staining her cheeks.

"Don't be embarrassed," I muttered in her ear.

"How's the kid?" Jared questioned, the 'kid' most likely being Dayton.

"Healing," was Jade's nondescript answer. Her grimace was more of an indication of her feelings, however. "Get inside guys, I'm calling a pack meeting." The four boys frowned. "If it's the smell, hold your nose."

I let go of Jade's waist to hold her hand, and we led them into the living room, where my family had already congregated.

"Guys, this is Esme, Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett," she introduced, pointing to each of them in sequence. They all responded with a curt nod, then sat on the long couch on the opposite side of the room.

"God, the smell," Rosalie thought. I couldn't disagree with her there---the scent resembled rotting garbage at best.

"Boys, I'd like to discuss some extra-patrolling hours..." Jade started, pausing for their collective groans. "Sorry, but if we're going to get this vampire once and for all, we need to be on our guard."

"I don't enjoy the thought of killing another creature," Carlisle said from the top of the stairs, swiftly ascending. "But from the way you've described this person, Jade, he needs to be stopped before he kills another person." But at what cost? he mused, always the compassionate one.

"He hasn't been concealing his tracks well, either," Jasper added. "And with his gift, he'll be difficult to catch."

"Well, I'm up for a challenge," Emmett said boisterously, flexing his muscles without thinking.

"So you can go and catch him for us, then, Em?" Jade jested.

"No, but it seems that the two most likely candidates for the job are these two." He pointed to Alice and I.

He did have quite a point. Alice and I could see wherever he was planning to go before he teleported, giving us the optimum chance for getting to him before the others could. Everyone else soon realized the idea could work, and they agreed. Jade coordinated a new schedule for her pack, along with giving herself a wider range of patrolling land.

The worry swirled through my head again---this time not enough to expel to the back of my mind. Keeping my expression stoic, I tightened my hold on Jade's hand minutely, as if it would prevent her from ever leaving the safety of my presence. I could never lose her---my lovely, grand, Jade.

Dayton POV

I was waiting for him to come home the night I first phased.

Him. Not Dad, not Father. I had learned enough not to call him that by the tender age of eight.

The door slammed, revealing Paul King in all his drunken glory.

I looked up from staring at the floor, even though I was terrified. He had never hit me before, but maybe he was drunk enough not to care now...

"Where were you?" I asked quietly. His dilated pupils somehow focused on me--small, defenseless, just a kid.

"What's it matter to you, child?" He slurred, staggering to the couch where he collapsed.

"It's one-a.m. Just wanted to know you weren't dead somewhere." I lied. I had foolishly hoped he'd come back normal--or at least a shadow of the man Mr. Black or Mr. Uley was. Kind, loyal, a good father, perhaps. I got up and started towards my room, passing Paul, which was a mistake.

He grabbed me roughly by the collar of my worn shirt, dragging me to face him. "Right. My perfect little boy wanted to check if Daddy was okay," he let go of me. I started again towards my bedroom. "Grow up, child."

I was suddenly so angry. At everyone, everything, especially the man sitting not three feet from myself. I felt on fire--burning in my veins, vibrating like mad---

There was a flash of horrible pain, and I was standing on four legs.

------

"Hold on, Dayton," I heard a whisper I couldn't quite place the voice to. "We're counting on you to wake up for us, buddy. Don't let us down."

Annnd, finished. :D Feels good.

UPDATES AND NEWS:

CONTEST: I think there's about 7 entries. There's still 2 weeks to enter!!! xD

For those who read 'Darkness': There's a few kinks in the plot that I'm figuring out. The next chapter is coming---you'll just have to be patient. :D

I SHALL NOT BE HOME NOVEMBER 9TH--13TH: Because I'm going on a trip to the middle of Massachusetts, located in senic nowhere, to learn about nature and such. With all of the 7th grade at my school. alice500's gonna be there too. :D So no updates then. :C

FOR THE EYES OF TRDancer: How did I do on Dayton's little flashback thingy? I wanted to do that justice. :D

THIS CHAPTER'S QUESTION: What's your favorite song on the New Moon soundtrack? What character do you think it applies to most? Remember--first reviewer to answer gets to ask me a question on the future of this story--no strings attached. :D

Review. -LN12