Disclaimer: The Twilight series is the creative property of Stephenie Meyer. I do not own any of the characters. Any references or quotes from Meyer do not belong to me. This is a fan-based story. The basis of this comes from Rosalie's story in Eclipse. No copyright infringement intended.

Notes on Research: Let me just say that after researching for this particular chapter, I have absolutely zero interest in meeting a bear. Ever. If you want to completely gross yourself out, google 'grizzly bear attacks.' But seriously…don't. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park opened in 1934.

Author's Note: A big thank-you to everyone who has been reading this story! It's been so much fun to write and I hope you've enjoyed reading. I have a longer fic that I plan to start soon called, "Hush-A-Bye, Baby." If you're interested, you can put me on alert or you keep your eye out for it!

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If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake

I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light…

-Keane

EPILOGUE

Spring of 1935, Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Rosalie breathed in deeply of the pine forest air, her red mouth twisting in self-satisfaction. It was the farthest she had come in this direction, alone, at least. Nearly seven hundred miles, she guessed, dropping from a high branch to the dark forest floor. Through the gloom of early morning fog, edges of light were just beginning to appear. Like twilight in reverse.

The familiar sound of warm blood pumping made her muscles tense. She inhaled carefully. With the new nature park so close, humans could be nearby. The smell was confusing. It was definitely an animal, something large, predatory…definitely a meat-eater. But there was a different scent, sweeter, more exposed. Rosalie fought against the now familiar burning in her throat. That was not an animal. Automatically now, she stopped breathing and focused on controlling herself. Small movements, small thoughts. She tried desperately not to imagine what must be waiting down in the ravine. Some wounded human, probably cornered by a mountain lion. Someone who would die, anyway. No, she must not think things like that. It only made the burning more unbearable. And she could not feed. She would not feed. Suddenly the smoky morning air seemed ominous, not crisp and inviting as it had been before.

With every ounce of strength she possessed, Rosalie turned away from the mouthwatering scent and forced herself to run in the opposite direction. If she focused only on the ground ahead of her, at the curving branches reaching down to meet her as she flew by them, she might be far enough away before she lost her willpower.

But just as relief poured over, a weak, strangled cry came from behind her, stopping her in her tracks. She stood, frozen, afraid to turn around and face the noise and the smell. For a moment all was quiet and still and Rosalie wondered if she had dreamt the sound into existence. Another second and the cry came again, a little stronger, a little more insistent.

In agony, Rosalie turned and started slowly towards the edge of the precipice, her hands clenched in fists. Whoever he or she was down there…they might not live through this. But she couldn't ignore the noise or the smell or the sadness in knowing they were alone and dying.

She would stop the animal, chase it off, kill it, whatever. And then she would run, as fast as her legs could carry her and hope against hope that she could escape the temptation. It was foolish to attempt and still she walked forward, picking her way through the heavy undergrowth, nearing a faint trickling of water that became a stream only a few miles south.

There was a heavy panting and a soft, whimpering noise. She could hear the beast now, baying, snarling, its thick snout raised in a triumphant roar. The bear stood on all fours, its back to her.

Coiling to spring, Rosalie set her shoulders and leapt. She threw her arms around the creature's enormous neck. The grizzly growled in surprise and reached a large, clumsy paw out to bat her off.

Hissing, she sank her teeth deep into its neck.

The bear yelped and stumbled once.

Rosalie clung to the animal, keeping her mouth firmly at its jugular vein, half in hopes of killing it and half to keep herself from focusing too much on the stronger scent, the free flowing blood of the human. She wrapped a slender arm around the bear's throat and pulled it into the crook of her elbow, squeezing as hard as she could.

It roared again, furiously, and shook her off.

Rosalie flew through the air, her body making a loud cracking sound against an old oak tree. She landed and crouched, baring her teeth at the bear before jumping again and throwing it to the ground. She found herself face to face with the largest set of teeth she had ever seen, foaming saliva dripping from the corners of its mouth.

For the tiniest second, she wondered if she should feel afraid. Vampires were undoubtedly strong but this… She had never hunted anything quite so large before.

The grizzly bear snapped viciously. Its breath smelt of blood and decay. She wrinkled her nose and putting both hands around the bear's neck, she pushed with all of her strength.

The bear made a gurgling noise, pawing frantically at her granite face. Its claws didn't leave a scratch. The animal jerked twice more and lay still.

Rosalie sat frozen for a minute, terrified of moving. Careful not to breathe, she turned her golden head to the gasping form, lying prostrate a hundred yards away.

Run, the little voice inside told her. Run and maybe…just maybe he'll have a chance.

But Rosalie was sure he would not survive this, regardless. Even from a distance, she could see the extent of the damage. It was horrific. From where she sat, straddling the dead bear, she could see his right leg had been completely mauled, all of the flesh torn from the bone. His entire body convulsed with the shock of it.

He's going to die anyway, the voice went on. There's nothing you can do. Run. Don't disappoint your family. She thought of Carlisle and Esme and Edward. What would they do in her place?

An inaudible moan came from the dying man and Rosalie was overcome with pity. Gritting her teeth and willing herself not to breathe in the glorious scent, she stood and walked towards him.

As she grew close, she felt the grass squish beneath her feet and saw she had stepped in a pool of the man's blood. Kneeling uncertainly, Rosalie lifted trembling hands to turn his head towards her. Miraculously, his face had remained untouched by the bear's angry claws.

Rosalie fell open in surprise. A fuzzy memory suddenly bright as a flashbulb…Vera and Tommy and...and little baby Henry, his dimpled, freckled cheeks, the velvet brown of his eyes, the soft curl of his downy hair. Rosalie took a sharp intake of air and instantly regretted it. The smell of the man's blood hit her fully in the face and she bit down on the inside of her cheek.

She was wishing desperately that she had not come back when she felt a hand squeeze around her own. Startled, she looked down to see his shaking fingers wrapped around her own icy, porcelain ones.

"Are…" the man whispered, his voice barely audible. "Are you…my angel?"

Rosalie stared straight into his beautiful, chocolate eyes and knew she could never leave this man here alone in the forest to die.

He coughed and licked his lips once before saying with some effort, "I…always hoped they'd send a pretty one for me. When it was time…"

"Sshhh," she whispered, putting a finger to his lips. "I'm…I'm here now."

The man, a hunter by his garb, reached his hand up to brush a stray curl from Rosalie's face. "It…won't be long now…will it?" he asked, wincing. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead and temple.

Rosalie studied him for another moment and, without thinking, nodded, "No, it won't be long." Another moment and he was in her arms. She began to run.

The trees blurred by and the man smiled, a little wistfully. "Are we flying? Fly me up to heaven, angel." His fingers brushed her cheek again and then fell back against his chest.

"What's your name?" Rosalie murmured, gathering another burst of speed.

"Emmett," he whispered. "My name is Emmett."

THE END

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Author's Note: Thank you to everyone for reading! I hope you'll leave a review and tell me what you think of the end. Any other thoughts, story suggestions, etc. are welcome! New story coming soon! Feel free to put me on author alert if you'd like to stay updated!