Jasper and Carlisle had opted to make the trip to Salem, Oregon alone, in Carlisle's Mercedes-Benz s55 AMG. Advancing down the coast didn't take long--but it still meant they were a few hours too far, if anything were to occur at home.

Yet, to ease Jasper and the family's fears, Carlisle felt certain it was the right choice to put their meeting at the halfway mark. Everyone was on edge at home--who knew when the Volturi were going to make their move against the new kind of supernatural being--the hybrids? Forks was awash with cross-breeds of all kinds; it would not only be a smart place to strike, but the perfect place to begin, if they wanted to announce their goals and mission that clearly.

Carlisle, too, was concerned for Ben. What was his story? He was making a blatant move; that was impossible to doubt. Yet why, and why now? Carlisle knew sometimes motivations just appeared--the gears turned, the locks clicked, the door was open, and you had to take it.

But exposure of Caius's intent was similar to declaring war. Ben may never be allowed to go back, if he decided the "vegetarian" lifestyle, as they were wont to teasingly call it, was not for him.

Carlisle entered the resturant casually, pausing at the hostess booth. He smiled warmly at the young man and woman huddled there, and gestured at a table. They directed him towards Ben Mercy without much ado, whether it be because he was alone, or because they sensed the urgency of the contact Jasper and Carlisle were trying to make. Carlisle tried to never let himself be fooled into thinking humans missed the majority of what went on--he knew better than that.

"Ben," Carlisle greeted, approaching the table and resting one hand upon the back of one of the chairs. He smiled slightly and took a seat, glancing at Jasper to see how the young man was doing; whether he sensed anything amiss or there was something he did not like.

Carlisle was entirely willing to give Ben a chance, if that was what he desired. He had already decided that.

If all was as it seemed.

Jasper gazed out of the window as Carlisle drove, his thoughts still at home with his family. He knew the risks of meeting with the assassin, and Alice was right-it could be a trap. But with the news of the Volturi's latest plan of attack, Jasper could not risk anything happening to his friends and family. Especially to Renesmee.

The trip was a silent one. Carlisle and Jasper were beyond the point of having to make small talk, and Jasper knew they were both in deep thought about their current situation. Both were worried about this meeting, both were suspicious.

And both were worried, about their own families, and Ben. By coming to them, Ben made it clear which side he chose; it was sad that there were sides now, the Volturi versus the Cullens. However, that's where Aro wanted this to be, and so that's what it was. By coming to the Cullens, he would be denouncing the Volturi, or at least that's the appearance he would be making to them. He would not be able to go back, which put added pressure to Jasper. He had promised Alice he wouldn't bring Ben back to the house, at least not before discussing it with everyone. They had their daughter to think about.

They arrived to the restaurant, both Carlisle and Jasper nodding to the waitress and heading towards Ben's table. Jasper took a taste of his emotions from where Ben sat, and right now he felt nothing but hope, peace. He felt nothing about it being a possible trap or anything negative.

He nodded to Ben as he sat down, listening intently to what he had to say. "Thank you for discussing this with us. We appreciate what it means for you to have done this, and we know how hard it must be. What exactly are their plans? Do you know when? How?"

Ben still felt to be sincere, trustworthy. It could stillpossibly be a trap, but it was doubtful. It's hard to get past Jasper with emotions. They could act tough all they want, think what they want, but there would still be that insecurity, that slight fear they were undoubtedly feeling.

Carlisle remained calmly quiet while Jasper spoke, his golden eyes trained upon Ben. He was most concerned for the hybrids out there, now in imminent danger of a brash man with the determination to see out his own goals. However, that did not mean he was not holding an amount of concern for Ben Mercy--even though he only knew Ben long enough to confirm that he was not immediately going to attack them, already he held a degree of thought for the man. He was thinking ahead, trying to consider all the angles of all of Ben's possible choices.

If this was a situation of betrayal... the end of that was obvious. Carlisle sincerely disliked the prospect, and he wholeheartedly hoped it would not come to that. The location was inappropriate, the people here were inappropriate--the final step on that particular road was unediably inappropriate. He relished that for no one, and would avoid it all costs.

If Ben decided to tell them, and return to the Volturi, it was quite likely there would be no more Ben to speak of after this day. Carlisle disliked this prospect near to the amount he disliked the former possibility, though certainly it would not be their hands doing it, and that alleviated a microfraction of their worry. Carlisle would be dedicated to preventing this from happening, too--he didn't wish death upon anyone. [ii]Anyone[/i].

If Ben stayed with them--they would be prepared, and they would be able to teach Ben as much as he desired to be taught. The entire family had something to contribute; they could show Ben this life better than anyone, even better than Carlisle could do on his own. This was ideal--but did the ideal always work out? Carlisle could only hope.

Carlisle rested a hand upon the slightly scarred, glossy wooden tabletop, then, incling his head slightly with evidence of deep though heavy upon his shoulders "Any information you have would be immensely valuable--I agree with Jasper there. Whatever you wish in return, we shall try to help you with. Jasper mentioned in you were interested in our way of life."

The old vampire's eyes locked with Ben's--his own topaz orbs were reflected in the equally bright, similarily-colored eyes of the man sitting across from him. Ben had already made his choice, it seemed--not even a fleck of crimson could be seen in his unique irises. It was a good sign. Now, what next?