Wednesday, Neal's apartment

He wasn't expecting any visitors, so Neal was quite surprised to see Sara, with their new friends, at his door step.

Sara had spent part of the day with Bella. She had learned of the young girl's taste for literature and had taken her to visit the Library then some bookstores where Bella had been overjoyed by the variety of books. The day was quite sunny, Edward had remained at the hotel, knowing that Bella was in good hands.

While Neal hugged her tenderly, Sara told him she had spent some time with them trying to accept as much as possible his new 'him'. He gave her a light kiss and turned to his other guests.

Edward and Bella had come to tell him that the ceremony would be held the following day, in a house in the Upper West Side. Edward put a note with an address on the table.

"You will be there Neal, right?" He asked, fearing the answer.

His gift, which he was bound to regret in the future, let him know that Neal hadn't made his mind yet. Edward didn't want to put Neal in a tight spot with regards to Sara, so he went on quickly.

"Bella, we need to leave; the whole family is waiting. This will probably be the last time we are all together.

"All right. Have fun," Neal answered as he went to Sara. "Want to stay tonight?" He whispered in her hear.

"I don't think so!" Edward exclaimed.

Totally dumbfounded, Neal watched the vampire. "Excuse me?"

"Sara is not staying here tonight."

"Wait a minute. Are you telling me who I can sleep with?"

"Vampires do not need to sleep."

"Sleeping wasn't really in my mind, if you want all the details."

"Exactly my meaning, Sara cannot stay."

"Edward, you are taking your 'father' part," Neal actually added quotation marks with his fingers, "a bit too seriously."

Disbelief had now turned to indignation and Bella went discreetly to Sara to move her away. The two vampires were facing each over and the tension was increasing by the second.

Edward shook his head with a sigh.

"Neal, use that wonderful intelligence of yours, and set aside your hormones for a minute."

Neal shoot daggers at him, but the vampire carried on.

"Neal, you do have an incredible self-control, but you still are a newborn. Merlin's magic seems to be doing the trick, of which I am glad; but we are talking about tremendous strength here. Need I remind you that you could break her without even noticing? What do you think will happen if you lose control?"

"Why should I lose my self-control?" Neal exclaimed.

Edward didn't answer and hid a little smile as he watched him. Neal held the stare, meaning to keep the fight, then looked sheepish.

"Oh..." he said in a soft voice.

"Yeah… Oh." Edward answered gently.

Neal watched Sara regretfully. That was an aspect of his new life he hadn't anticipated. How long did Edward say it took newborns to overcome the violence and danger of their new status?

The mood somewhat sobered, they said good bye and Neal closed the door behind his guests.

He checked his watch. Peter was probably back from the office. He would visit him. He missed his friend's voice of reason… who would have thought?

Peter opened the door to his house in Brooklyn.

"Neal, what are doing here?" Peter asked. He turned and shouted, "El, take Satchmo to the backyard." He stepped on the porch and closed the door behind him. "What do you want?" He asked again.

Neal was surprised by this unexpected greeting. Generally, he didn't an excuse to visit. Peter was usually happy to see him come by for a drink

"I…" the conman was at a loss for words.

"Neal, I don't want you near Elizabeth," Peter explained.

Neal felt like he had been given a punch to the stomach. His situation was already quite complicated and now his friend was forbidding him to visit.

"But, Peter…"

"I know. You can control yourself, I did understand Edward's explanations, but that still doesn't change anything. I do not want to take any risks. As long as you are…" Peter wavered on the word, "what you are, you are not welcome in this house."

Neal felt a boiling fury overwhelm him. He fisted his hands tight, turned around sharply and left at a run.

He was a new victim of the damn chalice! His friends locked their doors on him now. He couldn't stay with Sara; Peter had just kicked him out; Mozzie… he didn't even want to consider talking about this with Mozzie, his friends wouldn't stand it.

He was utterly alone, scaring his friends, not able to enjoy the pleasures of life. Wine didn't have any taste, he couldn't eat; drink animals' blood was quite exhilarating when he was hungry but the disgust he felt afterwards made him sick.

He was sitting on the top of June's house, looking at the rooftops of New York. He sighed. The view was as stunning as ever, he had that at least. He thought back to his joy the night before when he had gone to Central Park, the ecstasy of his night ramblings… but the price to pay was too high.

Edward had told him to take his time, to decide if he wanted or not to be human again. He cast a glance to the terrace. He remembered his first meeting with the young man. At the time, he couldn't understand how he could give up his vampire life… Over a hundred years living that life, no wonder he wanted to be over with it.

Sitting on the edge of the roof, he absentmindedly brushed his anklet. He remembered his first day out of jail, coming out the door and showing the anklet to Peter. It had been one of the happiest days of his life; he didn't want to destroy that.

He was going to call Edward. He would be at the ceremony to turn into a human being again. He also needed to talk to Sara; now that the euphoria had crashed, he realized he hadn't been by her side. The woman was probably terrified even if she managed to hide it pretty well.

It was too late to see her now, and she was outside his radius. He opted for a text message. 'Breakfast at my place, tomorrow morning?' He really hoped she would come; he needed to talk to her.

Not having to sleep had its perks. He took his palette, a canvas and started painting. His enhanced vision allowed him to see shades in the colors he had never seen before. He felt like he was discovering a whole new range of hues. He wanted to keep a memory of this unique experience.

The first rays of sun were touching the terrace when he gave the last strokes to his work. A masterpiece whose shades would escape him once his eyes went back to 'normal'. Still – he would remember…

He put away his brushes. He was just in time to prepare Sara's breakfast.

Sara hadn't hesitated when he'd received the message. These last days had been the most surprising of her life; she still felt a bit overwhelmed. Yet, deep inside, her greatest fear was losing Neal. She still loved him, despite what he had become; if he decided to remain a vampire, she would be heartbroken. And she knew he hadn't made up his mind yet. However, she had decided not to ask him anything, he had to make his own decision. She saw how fascinated he was by his powers. The path he had followed working with the FBI and trying to be on the right side, all his efforts were being shattered by the infinite possibilities that had just appeared. The temptation was such that she could understand the thrill and bliss. She would survive; it wasn't the first time she lost loved ones.

Before she had the time to knock, the door opened on Neal, more beautiful than ever, a smile on his lips.

They remained silent, looking at each other. This was the first time they were totally alone since the incident. Neal came closer and bent his head. He put his cold lips on Sara's warm ones. Again, she was surprised by the cold touch, but the kiss was one hundred percent Neal. Moaning, she hugged him and kissed him back with all her soul. Neal lost himself too and weaved his fingers through her hair, kissing her passionately. Suddenly, he felt a desire quite different from the one he usually felt every time he kissed Sara. He froze and stepped back sharply, his eyes wild. He walked away from Sara, crossed the room and grabbed the back of a chair, his knuckles going white under the strain. Bent forward, eyes closed, he didn't breathe.

Sara didn't move. She could see how tense Neal was, although she didn't understand what had just happened.

A moment later, Neal sighed slowly and seemed to relax somewhat.

"Give me a few minutes. Get some coffee," he murmured.

Sara watched the table. Neal had prepared breakfast and set the table… for one person. Sara felt her eyes moisten. Of course, she knew Neal didn't eat, but when she accepted the invitation she hadn't thought about that. Seeing the table laid just for her was too much. A symbol of everything that drove them apart.

"Neal?" She asked after helping herself to some coffee.

"I am sorry Sara. I apologize."

"What happened?"

"My vampire body just made itself known," Neal explained with a bitter wince.

Sara frowned then blanched when she understood the meaning of Neal's words.

"That's the reason why I asked you to come. I want to be a human being again. Sara, will you give me a drop of your blood?" He asked. He almost felt like dropping to a knee. If this request wasn't the closest thing to asking her to marry him, he didn't know what else could be.

Sara's eyes shone in happiness and she came to him. "Yes, Neal, with all my heart."

Meanwhile, after leaving Neal's place, Edward and Bella had gone to meet the vampires, who were waiting quite impatiently. While he pushed the door open, Edward knew what to expect. The thoughts of his brothers and sisters had been pouring over him for the past minutes.

He was very surprised when the talkative Alice was preceded by Emmett' mocked wrath.

"How could you go and have fun without us? Committing a robbery without your two beloved brothers! I am really disappointed bro. I do hope you have planned a second one and will let us in. First time you come up with a wild plan and you leave us on the side!"

Edward couldn't help smiling as he heard the part Emmett kept for himself. He was already envisioning wild schemes, involving robberies in the greatest museums. It was a good thing Neal wasn't there, Emmett would have had a strong –bad– influence on the man.

Rosalie didn't give Edward time to answer.

"Are you sure this is what you want, Edward? Leaving your family to start a new life? Taking our new sister away from us? All of it because you can't stand your vampire status anymore?"

This took Edward by surprise. She had been the most virulent against his love for Bella, yet now, she was trying to prevent him from breaking the family apart. Her thoughts revealed much more than her words: she was jealous of Edward's possibility to be human. She would have gladly followed the same path if she could. But she couldn't; she was in love with a vampire and couldn't get the blood she would need. Edward was sad for her; he knew how much being able to bear a child meant to her.

Jasper was his equal self. Quiet, calm but as the others, his thoughts betrayed him. He was glad for Edward, he respected his choice. Still he would never do it, he still thought all the wrong deeds he had committed in the past deserved eternal punishment. He would miss Edward greatly, their discussions, their common interests. He had less in common with Emmett. Edward could see that he was already planning a new long trip.

Edward realized that his choice –a bit egoistic– was about to destroy the family. If it did happen, he would feel very bad about it. This family had kept him alive. If not for the resemblance of a normal life with these people, he would have tried to get himself killed a long time ago.

Alice didn't know where to start. She wouldn't go shopping anymore with Bella, wouldn't compete with his brother and their mental games. She would also lose one of the protectors of the family. With both their gifts combined, they could foretell almost anything.

He was surprised to see her so silent, when she usually didn't stop talking. He understood suddenly. She was checking their future. She knew that Edward would be listening so she was hiding her thoughts by translating the US constitution into Spanish. Still, the honest smile she had on her face a few minutes later let him know that he shouldn't be worried.

In the back of the room, Carlisle and Esme were watching him tenderly. No words were necessary.

So Edward was actually surprised when Carlisle talked to him.

"Here. Take this envelope. You will find some documents that you'll need in the future and some gifts from all of us."

Edward reached for the envelope. It was going to be a surprise. The whole family was quite busy remembering poems or books to keep their real thoughts to them. Bella got closer and nudged him to look inside.

There was a flash drive and IDs. Opening the passport he could read a name 'Edward Masen'.

"Jasper took care of the paperwork. He gave you your real identity back. You will now appear on your family tree. We created a full back-story for you. Your parents died two years ago in a car accident in Montana. You had requested emancipation, so you didn't go into foster care. You will find all the relevant details on the flash drive," Carlisle briefly explained.

"You'll still need to keep this secret around Bella's father, but then right before school starts, we will disappear from Forks. We'll let you live a life with no lies. Accidents happen… We will burn the house down, get some bodies, then leave America," Carlisle added.

"Why are you going through so much trouble, Carlisle?" Edward asked.

"The fire will lead Forks' people to believe we're dead, including your father, Bella. We won't exist anymore for the US administration. We will then go to Europe and take care of the vampire side of the story. Some of us will go to Volterra, let them know you disappeared. We will be sure to look sad enough about your death so that no one comes to check. We want to protect your future as much as possible. Make everything possible to get you away from the vampire world."

Bella cast a look at the vampires. They were not human yet she could feel the love radiate from them. These creatures, supposed to be ruthless and bloodthirsty, were capable of sacrificing everything to protect their family. Probably more than actual humans, often much more self-centered. She would miss them. Still she couldn't have it all. A human Edward and a vampire family was too much to ask for. She just hoped she would get to see them again, someday.

There were more documents in the envelope: their registration to the Dartmouth College, music major for him, literature for Bella, and a key.

Alice took the lead.

"We got you an apartment in Hanover so you have a place to live in during your studies. It is totally furnished. Relax, we were very reasonable. Nothing extravagant. You'll be like any other students there."

Edward was speechless. They had it all planned. In less than a week, they had organized all their future. While he felt like he was letting them down, they were doing everything to make life easier for him.

Emmett took a key from his pocket.

"Here, this opens a car parked in the apartment's garage. Don't let the exterior fool you; Rosalie has taken care of the engine if you see what I mean," he said, tenderly smiling to his beloved one.

Edward was actually glad he wasn't human yet; he was sure he wouldn't have been able to keep the tears at bay.

Carlisle finally gave him a last document.

"This should help you live some time. Do whatever you want with it; spend it, give it away. We know you will make the right choices," he said.

Edward did a double take seeing the amount on the bank account under their name.

Esme just came to him and hugged him a long time. He was her first 'child" and while she was happy for him, she still couldn't help feeling sad knowing this was the last time she was seeing him.

Edward hugged them all one by one. Playfully rough with the boys, more tenderly with the girls. The vampires then –carefully– hugged Bella.

Her arrival in the family had changed so many things… But one of the coven was now going to be more happy than ever, so they all accepted the change.

The vampires left the house with a last glance to Edward and Bella. Carlisle was staying to be there during the ceremony in case anything happened.

Thursday, a house in the Upper West Side

Edward was relieved when Neal came with Sara the following day. The red head seemed peaceful, probably glad Neal had decided to give up his vampire life. One last time, he read Neal's thoughts and saw the reasons that had made him make the decision.

They had closed the shades on the windows during the night. Bella had set up dozens of candles in the living room. The shimmering light gave a special glow to the room. She had tried to recreate some of the atmosphere that she imagined was Merlin's cave.

Edward took the chalice from the wooden box he had put it in. Neal had found a beautiful silver dagger. It was supposed to have belonged to Juliet… Italy's history kept surrounding them.

"Neal, this cup has only been used by Nicholas. Merlin has promised us it will do its magic again and I wouldn't dream of doubting him, yet I want you to use it first…"

Neal frowned in surprise. "You're worried the magic is limited?"

Edward shrugged uncertain.

"Then, you should use it first," Neal answered. "You have been waiting for this opportunity far too long."

"I'm used to this life."

"You gave me opportunity to experience something extraordinary, I owe you."

"No. I won't allow it."

"Me neither!"

Edward growled and looked at Sara.

She was by Bella, both of them watching them argue. She wasn't going to intervene; she would let Neal free of his choice, but Edward could still read her thoughts. She was terrified that Neal might not be human again. He nodded to her and she took the dagger. With an unwavering hand, she cut her finger.

"Sara, no!" Neal yelled.

But it was too late. His girlfriend had let a drop of her blood fall in the chalice. Just like some nine hundred years earlier, the drop grew and filled the chalice. Neal reached to take the cup from her hands. His eyes dark, he kept watching her while drinking the liquid.

He remained motionless and Sara slowly took the chalice away.

"Neal?" She called softly.

He kept looking at her; expecting some kind of effect. He suddenly remembered the burn of his transformation into a vampire. He had totally forgotten about it and he couldn't help shiver as he remembered the sheer agony. Why was that particular memory coming back now? He realized that during his few days as a vampire, his body had never been an hindrance. Not the slightest weariness, nor pain… Now that he thought about it, it had been quite pleasurable.

He suddenly doubled over with a scream. Oh no, he thought, not again. The burning sensation was back. He looked at his waist almost expecting to see flames coming out. He closed his eyes and clenched his teeth folding his arm over his stomach. His legs wavered and Edward caught him before he fell to the ground. He took him to the bed. Neal clutched the quilt and moaned, curling up into a ball.

Sara went to the bed to comfort him but Edward stopped her with a jerk. Carlisle came closer.

"No! Bella, Sara, stand back."

He had no idea what was going to happen, nor how Neal was going to react. He was still a vampire and in obvious pain. Was he still capable of controlling himself? Overwhelmed as he was by the pain, he could turn violent. Edward watched him, sad and a bit worried. Neal kept jerking, whimpering and moaning, curling tighter each second. A stronger spasm shook him suddenly and he screamed –Sara couldn't help bursting in tears–, then Neal remained motionless, stroke down.

Bella swallowed hard. She was on the brink of tears herself. Edward would have to go through the same pain; she couldn't help suffer for him. She watched him through her misted eyes. Neal seemed unconscious now, Edward went to Bella's side.

"That's nothing compared to the happiness of spending my life by your side Bella. We will finally be together," he said to her with a smile.

Neal hadn't moved for over two hours. Sitting in an armchair close by, Sara observed him, wondering what he could be feeling.

The burn had disappeared for a while now; leaving him exhausted with relief.

Suddenly a frozen blackness cut through him like a knife.

Then a sheer terror like he had never experienced engulfed him. He opened his mouth to yell but no sound came out. The threat seemed to suffuse the air, pervasive, as if the air itself was the danger. He curled up, trying to escape the screams, the howling around him, powerless to help the others, too scared to think of anything else other than saving his own life, and at the same time shameful for his own cowardice.

An ominous shadow moved above him, sliding on the ceiling. But, was there a ceiling? Nothing had any substance. The objects were there and not there, he couldn't touch them…

Silvers of light crossed the room like pieces of a broken mirror, taking away the sounds and the air.

The oxygen seemed to disappear, swallowed by a dark force and breathing was more and more difficult.

Parts of human faces reflected on the silver rays, scattering everywhere.

The world itself was ripping, flying into pieces; nothing remained except the obscurity darker and darker, and the huge dread.

His body was drenched in cold sweat, his heart was beating faster and faster, his lungs fought to breathe in a non-existing air.

The pieces of glass seemed to drift closer and shaped a face… Sara? What was she doing there? She had to leave, this was far too dangerous.

"Neal," she whispered.

"Go away, it's dangerous."

"Neal, come back… wake up…" The voice of his girlfriend was terrified, on the brink of tears.

He extended his hand to the reflection. The non-existence of the world around him vanished and he could feel warmth on his hand. He woke up suddenly, mouth wide open, his lungs screaming for air. He caught Sara's arm in a strong grip, watching her without seeing her, still lost in the memories of the nightmare.

"Everything is okay, Neal. Breathe…" Sara smiled softly despite the crushing vice holding her arm.

Neal blinked, seemingly coming back to reality.

"Sara…" he whispered in a broken voice; tired from so much screaming… but he hadn't screamed… he hadn't heard himself… the sounds didn't exist…

Sara's face lighted when she realized he had recognized her.

"Everything is fine, you are back now."

Back? From where? He hadn't left… the world had disappeared…

He watched her for a moment, looked at his hand still holding tight to Sara's arm and made a conscious effort to let go. She must be hurting… He lifted his hand to her face. Then it fell and he felt his body giving out on him as a peaceful darkness greeted him.

"Neal…" Sara said worried.

"He is just unconscious now," Edward explained. He checked Neal's eyes: they were blue again.

She looked up with worried eyes.

"The power of the chalice has done its magic. He is human again," he comforted her.

Neal woke up again an hour later. Sara was sitting on the bed, holding his hand. He opened his eyes and smiled at her, his gaze clear. Sara returned the smile, glad he was really conscious this time.

"Neal?"

Neal brushed her face softly with the back of his hand. "Gives a whole new meaning to being drunk on love," he whispered.

"Sorry?" Sara asked taken aback.

"Such a hangover…"

"Headache?"

"As if the New York symphonic orchestra was rehearsing in my head," Neal answered with a wince.

"I'll get you some aspirin," Sara said rising.

"Thank you, I'll get it. I need to move."

Neal sat up and crumbled back on the bed immediately, holding to the sheets. Even with his eyes closed the bed was lurching. Headache and dizziness, the terrifying nightmare before… being human again came at an expensive price.

Sara came back with the aspirin and a glass of water; she could tell he felt dizzy. She helped him take the caps holding his head. He drank the whole glass of water greedily.

"Would you like more water, Neal?"

"Yes, please."

When she came back, Neal had let go of the sheets and had his eyes opened; he didn't move though, wanting to make sure the room had stopped moving. He drank the water and tried not to think of his previous drinks. How could have he considered remaining a vampire? Their diet alone was a good reason to decline the prospect…

"How's Edward?" He asked suddenly.

"In the other room; Bella is with him."

Edward had waited for everything to be fine with Neal before starting his own transformation.

Carlisle was by his side. Edward thanked him again for the life he had given him and assured him that he didn't resent him for turning him into a vampire so long ago. It had given him the opportunity to wait for his true love, the one meant for him, Bella…

The vampire left the house early in the morning, leaving in the house by Central Park four human beings who had gone through hell but were now in their own paradise.

The two couples talked for quite a long time and promised to keep in touch despite their age difference. Their incredible experience had created ties that nothing could severe.

Saturday evening, Neal's apartment

Neal had invited Peter and Elizabeth for diner. He owed them that. Sara was there too, they had a lovely evening.

After dessert, leaving the two women chatting, the men stepped outside on the terrace. They remained silent, enjoying the wonderful scenery and the softness of the air.

"I'm sorry I kicked you out of my place," Peter apologized.

Neal shook his head, dismissing it.

"No problem, you were worried for Elizabeth. It's perfectly understandable."

"Maybe, but you needed to talk to somebody, and I locked my door…" Peter sighed. "That was not very human from me. I didn't have that many qualms letting you go to the office, but Elizabeth…" He made an apologetic wince.

"You would do anything to protect her, I get that. It's what gives a real meaning to life. I don't resent it, really; it probably helped me make the right decision."

The chalice had turned up in the mail box of the museum on Friday morning, with a single note "thank you". Peter had been informed and he had relayed the news to the team, from the top of the stairs. He had told them they had more pressing cases to solve and they shouldn't dwell on trying to figure out what had happened. After all, the chalice was back, it was all that mattered.

He had then looked at Neal, watching him from his desk. He had given him a minute nod, answered by Neal by such a discreet sign. That was the only exchange they had had so far about the events of the previous days.

"Huh… I… You…" Peter searched for his words.

Neal smiled at this confusion. "Just ask your question, Peter."

"The… ceremony went well?" The agent didn't know how to ask for details, he just wanted to make sure there were no more vampires in his city.

"Yes," Neal answered in a soft voice.

The images of his awful nightmare were still vivid in his mind. He shivered slightly remembering the fear. It didn't go unnoticed.

"Neal?" The FBI agent asked in a low voice.

Neal turned to Peter with a wincing smile.

"It was… upsetting."

"If you want to talk about it…"

"No… I'm not ready yet… or maybe not drunk enough," he added with a real smile.

He had thoroughly enjoyed the wine with dinner. Nothing like a few days of abstinence to enjoy the real pleasures of life.

Peter nodded in understanding. "Do you miss it?" He asked.

"Being a monster? No, I don't think so…"

"I meant the… super powers. Don't tell me you weren't tempted. A…"

"Former thief suddenly able to enter any museum without getting caught?" Neal sighed. "I'd be lying if I told you I didn't contemplate the idea, more than contemplate actually. But the price to pay was way too high."

"Your friends are gone?"

"Yes; life is going to be different for them…"

"You think Edward will be all right? After all, from what I gathered he had been a… vampire for over one hundred years." Peter had still troubles using the word. He was an FBI agent; vampires belonged to myths and bad novels, not reality. "It's quite a change…"

"He is in love; Bella will help him get through it."

In the dark night, a dog howled. Neal cast a glance at the full moon. Peter jerked and turned to Neal. The conman gave him a shining smile.

"Relax, Peter; it's just a dog…."

Right, just a dog, Peter though. Werewolves didn't have any business in New York, right?

The 4th of July celebration never quite meant the same for Neal, Sara, Edward and Bella…

Living a happy life, the two couples never knew that "lucky stars" checked upon them. A magician and vampires as guardian angels, as protection goes, it couldn't get better…

THE END

Thanks for your time. Reviews welcomed.