This was written a while ago, and still unfinished but I figured I might as well do something nice and post this.

"Brooke!" Jo practically screamed as her cousin set foot in the house, her tone suggested she was angry.

Brooke quirked a brow and hesitated for a moment in the doorway.

"Yeah?" She gulped as she continued forward into the Harvelle home, closing the door behind her.

She heard Jo's footsteps become louder and louder as she heavily stomped from her bedroom to the kitchen. Hearing her urgency, Brooke walked forward towards the living room to meet her half way.

"What, what is it?" Her eyes were wide in surprise, wondering what her cousin Jo seemed to be upset about.

"Sam gave me a ride home after school," Jo folded her arms and watched as her cousin still seemed to be confused. "He told me something about you and the Cullen's in lunch, Brooke. What the Hell were you thinking!"

She shuddered as her cousin's voice was raised. "Jo, calm down. It was nothing, just a friendly-"

"Friendly?" She inquired, her voice still raging with fury. "Brooke, there's nothing friendly about them! If my mother finds out, well then we're both dead."

"Well I'm sorry. I didn't think your mother would find out, honestly, and if she does… well there's nothing she can really do about it. I can talk to whoever I want." Brooke matched Jo's stance as she folded her arms across her chest as well.

"Brooke, you seriously need to think about what you're doing. We're hunters; they're vampires. We. Don't. Get. Along. You need to get it through that thick head of yours that even thinks, for one moment, that you could find common ground between that! And, just for the record, there's a lot that Ellen Harvelle can do to you when she catches you talking with Edward Cullen. My mother took you in because you wanted to be here and she loves you here. But the moment she finds out you betrayed her trust, she'll do the first thing and send you on a plane to New York City if it means it'll keep you safe. Don't ever doubt that, Brooke. "

Jo's words sink in as Brooke's hard expression softened.

"I'm sorry Jo, but I like the Cullen's," Brooke kept talking before Jo could interrupt. "I know that I'm not suppose to talk to them, but I don't feel threatened by them. I feel like I should be trusted enough by my own family to let me make my own decisions. Not like my mother or father really let me do that. When I came to Fork's I had to leave everything behind- the family I had in Tree Hill were my best friends because they looked out for me and cared for me more then my real family ever did. And I chose to come live with you guys because I'd rather have almost that same type of lifestyle while living with family that actually gave a damn. And I know you do it to keep me safe, but I just want to be able to talk to who I want to, and try and make new friends here that I won't mind hanging out with. And I know you don't understand it, Jo, but I think Edward and Alice are those people."

Jo let out a heavy sigh and shrunk onto the couch. Brooke was beside her in a moment.

"Brooke, I know you've been through a lot, but you just have to be careful," her eyes were sad. "People can get hurt way too easily in this town. You have to trust yourself, I know. But you also have to trust us, too."

"I do," Brooke nodded, reaching for Jo's hand and squeezing it in a comforting way, knowing that her cousin's eyes held distant memories of her father. "And I know who I shouldn't be hanging out with. I trust my instincts and what I know. I don't believe the Cullen's are bad, but I'm grateful that you both are looking out for me. But I am used to looking out for myself. I ask you to trust me, too."

Jo looked up at the brunette, paused for a moment, and then nodded.

"Fine," She wiped the corners of her eyes to dry the light tears just beginning to form. "But if my mom ever finds out about this, I know nothing."

The two smiled at each other before breaking out into laughter.

"Deal," Brooke held out a hand and shook Jo's own. "Cause I have to meet Edward in the forest for a science project this afternoon while you're at work."

She flinched, awaiting the explosion that was about to come. And it did.

"BROOKE!" Jo shot up off of the couch. "You can not seriously think that you're going to be able to hang out with Edward Cullen, alone, together in the woods, without my mother hunting him down first, right?!"

Brooke stood up as well, laughing slightly.

"Relax, Cuz. That's all under control," Brooke smiled, and Jo's expression was uneasy. "I have a plan. I'll just let Ellen know that I have a science project, and I'm meeting my lab partner, let's say…Mike Newton, in the woods by our house so we can take pictures of nature. It's not a big deal. Besides, I'll be home before dinner with the Winchester's and Ellen won't even be home to make sure I don't leave."

Brooke smirked at her cousin, who still looked a little unsure.

Suddenly, the two heard the front door in the kitchen open.

"Girls?" Ellen's voice echoed through their home.

Jo gulped when she heard her mother's voice. "You were saying?"

"Crap," Brooke whispered harshly to Jo. "I thought you were meeting her at the Roadhouse?"

"I thought I was," the blonde snapped back.

They hastily walked into the kitchen, trying not to act suspicious.

"There you two are," Ellen grinned when the two entered. "How was school girls? Rough first day, Brooke?"

"Hey Mom," Jo gave her a hug, and then when to the refrigerator to grab a soda.

"H-hey Ellen," Brooke smiled. " It was pretty good, everyone was really nice. I thought you were suppose to be at work?"

"Well that's good," Ellen sat herself down at the kitchen table and began eating the last half of a tuna sandwich she brought home for lunch. "I was, but there was more rain on the forecast for the evening so I didn't want Jo riding that death trap motorcycle on the slick roads later when she comes home, so I figured I'd give her a ride."

"Death trap?" Brooke smiled and raised an eyebrow, clearly interested.

"Yeah, actually, your father bought me it last year for my birthday about a year before it's distribution. It's a black Aprilia SMV 750 Dorsoduro. He always spends way too much money on my presents, I feel bad actually using them. Besides, Ash and Bobby Singer fixed up this old bike my dad used to own, so I usually ride that. The Aprilia handles really well, but Mom rarely lets me drive it. Especially to school. So I ride the old Honda Nighthawk."

She threw her mom a look, but Ellen simply scrunched her nose in response.

"Actually, I was talking about the Honda as a death trap. Besides, that Aprilia thing is far too valuable and dangerous for you to be riding it to school for it to only be stolen by some punk or for you to go skidding off of these wet roads." She took another bite of her sandwich.

"Sounds cool though. You'll have to teach me how to ride it," Brooke grinned.

Ellen almost choked on her sandwich, causing the two to laugh.

"So what are you doing while we're gone, Brooke? You're welcome to bus some tables at the Roadhouse and make a few bucks." Ellen questioned.

"Um, actually I have a science project to do with my lab partner," She began to explain. "We have to take pictures of nature for this collage thing, so I'll be meeting him in the woods a little later. But I'll be home in time for dinner, don't worry."

"The woods? Now, you really don't think I'd be letting you go in the woods alone, with a boy, do you? Especially here in Forks, it's not safe."

"Well it's okay Mom," Jo interrupted. "Sam Winchester's her lab partner. I'm sure he'll watch out for her."

"Oh," Ellen half smiled. "You're hanging out with Sam, then that's fine. You know he's a hunter, as well as his family. That makes me feel a little better."

Brooke glanced to Jo before talking again.

"Well that's good," She said simply. "So I'll see you guys later, then?"

Ellen stood up and threw the remains of her sandwich into the garbage.

"Yeah, just be careful, alright? I'll see you later and have fun," Ellen tightly squeezed her niece before grabbing her keys on the counter and heading back toward the door. "Grab your jacket and I'll meet you in the car, Jo."

"Sure thing Mom," Jo called to her mother before she exited outside. "That was close."

Brooke let out a sigh, "Sure was. It's a relief you thought about the Sam Winchester thing. Otherwise I would have been on my way to the Roadhouse right now. Thanks."

"Don't mention it," Jo smiled, then reached and picked up her jacket that was hanging over one of the kitchen chairs. "Just be careful, okay?"

"Sure thing," she smiled, and then gave her cousin a quick hug. "Later!"

Jo let the door slam accidentally on her way out.

Brooke quickly checked the time on the microwave, telling her that she had less then ten minutes to meet Edward in the woods. She ran to her guest room and fumbled through some draws, pulling out an old pair of light blue jeans and a purple sweater that still hugged her perfect curves, felt tight on her arms, and hung low on her chest as well as kept her warm. She kicked off her shoes and grabbed a pair of boots she found sitting in Jo's closet. Luckily, they were about the same size.

She sprinted to the bathroom to brush her teeth and comb through her straightened hair. She applied a small amount of light brown eye shadow that looked slightly shimmery as it blended with her skin tone. She put cherry chap stick on her lips, making them even more soft and lightly pink. Nothing else was necessary, she concluded after checking herself over in the mirror, looking as beautiful as she always did.

She skipped from the bathroom to her room, reaching into the purse that was still sitting on the top of her dresser, and pulled out her digital camera. She went back to the kitchen and opened the front door and went onto the deck.

"Edward?" She called out through the misty atmosphere.

She half expected a reply, but didn't receive one as she headed to the yard.

"Okay, you better not be ditching me, buddy. I'm very self-conscious, you know. That'll be a really low blow. I just might cry," She could have sworn she heard laughter as she smirked and continued to the thick wood.

"Eddy? You hooo…Where art thou?" She slowly stepped further and further into the forest, ducking from low hanging branches as she made her way through.

A few scraped her arms and she slid a few times on the mossy rocks beneath her feet.

"Ugh," She groaned and let her head hang. "I hate nature."

There was definite laughter this time, coming from behind her.

"I thought I told you, my name isn't Eddy," Edward appeared, leaning perfectly against a tree truck. Brooke jumped slightly at his sudden presence.

"There you are," She exclaimed, and then smiled. "I was worried you'd left me hanging. Glad you showed."

He moved forward toward her, "I said I would be here, and I am. I couldn't very well let you down, now, could I?"

She returned his smirk and nodded.

"Good thing," She cleared her throat. "We've got work to do. Did you bring a camera? I have one but it takes really crappy photos."

"I have one," He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek silver digital camera, obviously of highest quality from the way it looked. "We have a printer back home, I can print them and bring them to school tomorrow."

"Sounds good to me," Brooke smiled, then folded her arms. "I don't know about you, but do you know of any place that we can get some good shots? I only see trees and moss around here, and I don't exactly hang out in the woods of Forks to know where the pretty nature is."

She watched as Edward's lips curved to a grin.

"Sure, there's this one spot not too far from here, but it'll get there quicker if we run," His facial expression was serious now.

Brooke snorted out a laugh, "Really, you expect me to run?"

"No," He smiled slightly. "I'll be doing the running. You'll just have to hold on tight."

She threw him a questioning look, "Oh, I see. One of your inhuman abilities I'm assuming?"

He held a crooked grin, "You got it."

"Fine, I'm game," She walked toward him. "How does it work?"

"Just," He paused for a moment and held his breath. "Climb up onto my back."

Brooke was still hesitant at first.

"You want me to go piggy back?" She began laughing at the sight she pictured in her mind. "If you say so, Cullen."

He rolled his eyes with a smirk still on his face, "Just trust me on this, Brooke."

"Alright then," She walked up behind him.

She hovered a hand over his shoulder, hesitating at first when she watched him tense. She placed her palms tightly on his shoulders, and gripped tight around him.

"I'm not choking you, am I? Is that even possible?" She somewhat laughed, but was still concerned.

Away from Brooke's sight, he smiled.

"No, I'm fine. Lift your legs up," He held out awaiting arms for her to sling her slender legs into. He held them tightly. "You may want to close your eyes. This might make you dizzy."

She nodded and did just that.

Suddenly, she felt the wind rushing through her hair and past her face. She heard the whirring of air around her when she dared to open her eyes. Trees were flying past them…or maybe they were flying past the trees. Brooke began to feel dizzy so she closed her lids again, and hid her face behind Edward's back.

He flinched slightly from the contact, but kept proceeding forward.

Brooke felt them beginning to slow down. She slowly let her eyelids open up and then took in the scenery around them. No more thick wood was surrounding them, just flat land and grass in an open field, the trees surrounding the serene place. There were wild flowers peaking just above the tall grass, and the sound of a not too distant stream was apparent.

"It's beautiful," Brooke let go of Edward and let her feet touch the ground.

"Yeah," He wandered off to the center of the field and took out his camera, snapping a few photos of the purple wildflowers. "We better hurry before it starts to rain. I'm sure you wouldn't want to be stuck out here in the bad weather."

Brooke walked up beside him, "Yeah. You're right."

He laughed and stood up.

"What else?"

"Trees?" Brooke shrugged. "Take your pick."

She gestured to the thousands of pine around them, causing him to chuckle.

"I hear a river or something? That could work."

Edward disappeared after her request, and returned a few short moments later.

"Done," He let his lips curve to a smile.

She smiled back, "I bet that comes in handy. Being able to run at lightening speed so no one can see you. Ever steal an old lady's purse? Take a peek at someone undressing? Or are you really all wholesome? And don't lie either, you've been alive for decades…with the time you have, I'm sure you've experimented."

He grinned.

"Let's go take some pictures of the leaves."

"Don't change the subject," Brooke laughed and followed after him, more toward the center of the field.

There was a quick flash of lightening, and Brooke shuddered as the clouds rumbled.

"Wait!" Brooke called and watched Edward come to an abrupt halt, appear next to her suddenly and cower down in a defending stance.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Umm…where's the fire?"

"What's wrong?" He demanded.

"Nothing…" She held up her defenseless hands. "I saw a moth…I thought you should take a picture of it before it flies away."

He eased up and sighed, gazing at the white bug passively fluttering in the distance. He took out the camera and got the shot.

Brooke smiled.

"Thank you," she strode by him, holding her hands out so he could place the camera into them.

She grabbed onto the devise and snapped a quick photo of the clouds, and then of the meadow as a whole. She spun around and quickly snapped a picture of Edward, who was already expecting it, the way his face was fixed.

"Oh, right. I must go in like slow motion for you, or something."

He smiled and shook his head.

"Okay, so that's more than five right? We have a picture of the moss, the trees, the sky, the moth, the river, the meadow, the vampire. I think we're good." Brooke grinned and slid the camera back into his hands.

He nodded, "I guess we're done here then. Unless you wanted to stay…wait for the rain?"

Brooke's expression faltered as she glanced up at the sky.

"What is it?" Edward picked up on something wrong. "Do you like the rain?"

Brooke smiled softly, letting her slip back into thoughts she tried forgetting.

"I used to love the rain in Tree Hill…it holds a lot of memories."

Edward nodded once and let his eyebrows furrow.

She somewhat laughed, "You seem…frustrated?"

"I am…partially. I had never hung out with Jo to actually understand what this feels like…being alone with someone and not having to hear anything but my own thoughts and the sounds from the woods…it's peaceful, in a way. But also very…confusing- not to know what's going on in your mind." He stared at her.

"I like it that way," She tapped her head. "Who knows what dirty thoughts I could be thinking about you right now. If you could know them…well then this would just be awkward."

He stiffened at her mocking smile.

"You should learn to relax, I'm kidding- mostly."

"We should be getting back," He stared up at the sky.

"It's okay to ask, you know. You may not be able to pry my mind open…but I don't mind sharing," She pointed out, and then bit her lip. "Well, depending on the question."

He sighed, "Why do I have a feeling that by me even knowing you,- I'm going to be in all sorts of trouble."

"And I thought Alice was the one who predicted the future?" Brooke smirked. "Get used to it. I'm not going anywhere soon, apparently."

"So…if I asked you- why you came here? Would you answer that question?" He wondered.

She smiled, "I thought you would have known the answer to that one- or heard it in someone's thoughts. My family moved and separated across the country, and I came here to live with Ellen instead of either of them. In case you didn't get the memo, my mom's a bitch and my dad's busy."

He shook his head, "I knew all of that. I meant,- why did you come here, to Forks, when you could have stayed in Tree Hill? I'm sure you would have found a way."

She shrugged, "I guess it was easier to try and start over rather then facing what I left behind. I hadn't been home since I left in the summer…and- things didn't end so well. And I wanted to try something new…I just guess I didn't know how much I'd really miss it. But here- I actually have family that loves me and wants me here. My friends loved me enough back home that would have made me stay- but it was just…different, I guess."

Edward caught her eyes, "You don't need to be blood related to have a family…especially one that loves you. You should have stayed."

"I know," she rubbed her arm. "But I was afraid of going back. I didn't think I had a choice, anyway…and I guess it was easier not to fight for it. But, so far,- I'm happy here."

"What happened in Tree Hill that made you want to come here?"

"That's a story for another day," She smiled. "Or…for later. I'm starting to feel drizzles. My hair doesn't hold up too well in the rain…and I have to look ready for dinner."

The clouds rumbled above them again. Edward smiled.

"I guess I should be getting you home, then. You have time to get ready."

"Can I go with you to print the pictures? I'm curious…"

"No."

"Aww come on, Edward! Pleaseee,- I've never been to a vampire's house before!"

"Yes. And it's going to stay that way."

"Edddddddd- Jeeze. Okay fine…I'm going to stay right here in this forest…surrounded by vampires and werewolves and sasquatch and God knows what else and getting poured on and maybe even struck by lightening, until you decide that you're going to bring me over."

He cocked his head to the side and smiled crookedly.

"What makes you think I can't force you home?"

"Oh, I know you can. But I'm just going to keep coming outside. And you'll get sick of having to bring me back. And I know you have to go home sooner or later to finish our project…so you won't keep an eye on me all night. So really, you have no choice."

She smiled victoriously and Edward sighed.

"I would find a way to keep you in your house," He spoke. "But I guess…it's not completely a big deal. At least you won't be left alone to do something stupid like…hanging out with vampires."

He nearly grumbled with his last thought. She squeaked out a 'Yay!' and hugged him momentarily.

When she let go, she flipped her hair and climbed up onto his back.

He waited for a moment to process her actions.

"Giddy-up horsey?" She laughed.

He let his eyes roll and then took off into the woods.

"This is your house?" Brooke gaped as she followed Edward up the path to their front door.

He held the door open for her and entered after she did.

The entire house was captivating, and she marveled at it's size and age, not to mention the normal appearance of this assumed vampire lair.

"Definitely not what I expected. This place is…amazing," her eyes sparkled.

"Thank you," he smiled. "Alice is in the kitchen with Esme. The others are out. They want to meet you…Alice saw you coming,- they don't seem too upset with me bringing you here."

Brooke nodded, "Good to know. Esme is…your mom?"

"Yes. Not by birth of course. We may share the same last name, even if we don't share blood. But that doesn't matter," He smiled, hoping she'd catch on to what he was saying.

"I know what you mean," She grinned back. "Well what are we waiting for?"

He took her hand and led her into the kitchen. Alice was sitting on top of the counter, her legs kicking up and down graciously. She smiled widely and greeted them upon their entrance. Esme, who was standing beside her, smiled at their new human guest as well. Brooke was still enchanted beyond their beauty.

"Brooke, it's very nice to see you!" Alice beamed and hopped off of her counter and toward the two and gave her a small hug.

"Brooke," Esme smiled and out stretched a hand for her to shake. "It's so nice to meet you."

She smiled back, "You too. You're house is beyond amazing. And you're all so beautiful."

Esme laughed, "Thank you. You are quite beautiful yourself, Brooke. Not many people like you in Forks…you were very brave to walk up to Edward and Alice today. They told me about school. Do you like it here so far?"

"Yeah," She nodded. "Once you get past the dark and rainy part, it's not so bad. Everyone's really nice it seems."

They smiled.

"Oh," Alice sighed and faced Brooke while Edward narrowed his eyes. "Don't worry about Rosalie…she's like that with almost everyone!"

She giggled.

"Rosalie?" Brooke questioned.

"Rosalie is not home yet," Edward spoke. "But Alice saw her giving you some trouble. Just pay no mind to her."

"Maybe we should hurry with that science project- I really didn't want to upset anyone," Brooke sheepishly said.

"Oh, no dear, it's not your fault. They're only just as curious as you are," Esme explained.

"I doubt that," she laughed. "Well then, I guess Eddie and I should be getting to the printer."

Alice chuckled.

"We'll be done soon," Edward mumbled. "I can try to have her out before the others-"

"It won't matter," Alice grinned. "They'll be home shortly. Emmett will be really excited. I'll keep Jasper a close enough distance away, of course. Just in case."

"Thanks Alice," Edward turned toward Brooke.

"Shall we?" She held out her arm, teasing him, and he rolled his eyes and led her up the stair case.

"The printer is in my room," he pointed to one of the doors on the far end of the hall.

She nodded and followed him in, again staring at the sight and smiling.

"You must have some really nice interior decorators or something," she laughed and plopped herself down on his couch.

Her arm shot up and held the camera out to the air.

"Here," She yawned. "I don't want to break your printer. It's probably worth more than my house."

Edward let his eyes roll and grabbed the device from her hands and proceeded to the printer in the corner.

He plugged in the chord and turned it on.

"Are you excited for your dinner tonight?" Edward questioned as he worked with the machine.

Brooke shrugged as she watched him, "I guess. Sam's pretty nice to me. I don't know the rest of the family, though. What do you think of them?"

Edward scoffed, "Not nearly as bad as some hunters that we've come across,- but they're not exactly humble."

"What do you mean?" She sat up.

"Well, John Winchester, the father, is very…ill-tempered. He doesn't want to hear our story, let alone try to believe in the fact that something as evil as a vampire could live a separate life other then the one we were designed for. Sam is the more rational one,- I'm not to sure he even wants to be a hunter. Dean on the other hand- almost just like his father…but a little more head-strong, if that was even possible. We don't get along."

Brooke smirked, "Sounds interesting. What about the mother?"

Edward looked over at her, "Didn't anyone tell you?"

"Tell me what?" She asked innocently.

"Mary Winchester was killed by a demon when the boys were young- that's the reason John started hunting."

"Oh," Her eyes fell. "That's terrible."

"Everyone gets into hunting somehow," Edward stated.

His expression changed to stone as he furrowed his eye brows with something he must have overheard.

"They're home," He looked toward Brooke.

There was a faint buzz in her pocket. She smiled and reached to pick up her phone.

The caller I.D. read 'Peyton'.

She gulped.

"Are you going to answer that?" Edward was suddenly right next to her, the pages of printed papers in his hands.

Brooke tried to keep her emotions under control. She hit the 'ignore' button and put it back in her pocket.

"I'll call her back later," She lied.

"Why not?" Edward caught her lie with the changing of her already unsteady heartbeat. "You're…scared? It's very hard not to be able to read your thoughts, you know- and I don't mean literally, unfortunately."

She tried to force a smile, "Don't worry about it, Edward. I'll take care of it…just not right now."

She stood up and Edward mirrored her action.

"It's been fun," She sighed. "I should probably be heading home, though. Ell'll kill me if I don't show up on time. Might as well get some kind of head start."

He nodded, "My family would like to meet you, though. But it's best we don't stay and chat long. They're actually- getting impatient."

"Impatient? To meet me? Wow, I'm honored," Brooke joked. "Well, we shouldn't keep them waiting, should we?"

She made her way toward the door, Edward racing to be in front of her, just in case.

She put her hands on her hips stubbornly while he simply smiled back.

I'm a terrible person for not updating. I don't know when I'll be able to update again…so think of this as hiatus. I feel horrible because I hate unfinished stories and at the moment I have 3 of them I still have yet to complete and another that's still a document (which I probably shouldn't be posting so I don't disappoint any more people!) I'm really sorry, because all you reviewers are great and I appreciate each and everyone of your kind words. Please, let me know if anyone wants to take over a story or want to know at least where I was thinking of going with it, cause I have them all planned out- just no time to update! Life has been so hectic lately and I've been extremely busy. I know it's a poor excuse and yall deserve more, but unfortunately this is what it's come to and I apologize greatly! Love you all. Message or Review.

-hsl