The muffled sounds of those communicating in the room scarcely invaded Aria's ears. She listened to the familiar sounds of beeping machines and the other equipment that were given the mission of keeping her alive. She could feel a cool embrace of one's hand holding hers, easing the pain of her charred flesh.

She could have sworn she heard Esme's whimpers and Carlisle's soft voice which only lead to a pang of despair in Aria's heart. Aria wanted to comfort the woman she had come to know and to love as a mother. Alas, it seemed like Aria's body was at war with itself. What she could only described as fire consumed and coated each part of her body. It creeped into every crevice, penetrating every fiber only to leave a trail of coolness in its wake.

Aria wanted to scream at the agony and to tell Carlisle that the morphine wasn't working. She still felt the icy fingers of death move in her body. Her body tried to fight back, to push the foreign invader out of her system, but the poison continued on its path, making hast towards its destination. At times the pain grew too much, making it easy for Aria to succumb to the blanket of ease that waited patiently to envelop her. Only once it began to wrap around her she would be jolted back into the harsh realm of pain she was currently in.

Aria has always heard of the white light at the end of the long tunnel that greeted one when they died. She would listen to how people would say that one would see their loved ones that waited for them. Only she saw nothing but darkness.

The cold slender hand left its spot on her hand, quickly being replaced with a stronger hand and a greater sense of ease. Aria could feel the tug of her heart alerting her that Alec was near, that he was the one now holding her hand. She could still feel his pain, oh how she wanted to lift his pain, to tell him everything would be alright, yet her mouth wouldn't open to say the words.

She could faintly hear Alec talking with another. Possibly Demetri or Felix, they would visit frequently. Always with words of encouragement or to simply read to their mortal friend. Aria made a mental note to thank them for being by her side, for being the rock that Alec could lean on in this trying time. She would never forget their kindness. She could pick up on Alec's pain in his voice. With a silent prayer, Aria hoped that her mates pain would be lifted.

Time passed as she felt someone fiddle with her hair. The poison continued moving, now it rested in her chest. Aria was screaming though the sounds never escaped from her body as her ribs began to repair. One by one they fused back into their original form before lifting into place. She heard a gasp and the sounds of heels retreating out the room. Leaving her in her pained state once more.

"Songbird," a soft male voice called.

Aria's ears pricked up as she listened closely. "Songbird."

Daddy? Aria thought. Her father and Chris were the only two who would ever call her by that pet name. She could vaguely see her memory of her father. Frosted sandy blonde hair, the kindest brown eyes one had ever seen, crows feet that adorned the sides of his eyes, a charming smile that could ease the greatest of woes.

"Hey sweetheart," her fathers warm voice said.

Aria tried opening her eyes to locate her father. "Not yet sweetheart, don't open your eyes yet."

Daddy, where are you?

"I'm right here songbird, there's no need to panic."

I'm scared.

"I know you are, but everything will be ok," her father stated, "this will end very soon."

What's happening? Aria questioned.

"You're becoming stronger than I could ever dream you would be."

How?

A lighthearted chuckle echoed in the room, "You've always held so many questions, but I think you know the answer to this one baby."

Venom?

The sounds of affirmation resounded in Aria's mind and the room. "Yes."

I can't be a vampire, Aria started, I'll never see you or grandpa or grandma again....

"Songbird," her father cooed, "you may not be able to see us but we have always been with you. We will always be with you."

Daddy, I love you.

"I love you too," her father said, his voice fading, "I have to go now, make me proud baby."

Da-Daddy no! Don't leave me!, Aria screamed as her fathers voice continued to fade, Daddy please.

"Open your eyes sweetheart, it's time to see your new life."

Dad, Aria cried out.

"Open your eyes baby."

Aria listened as her father repeated his request. She could no longer hear the machines in the room and the ticking of the clock became deafening. She could hear the sound of approaching footsteps and the turn on a knob as the lock slide out of its holder. Aria's eyes snapped open, locating the cracks in the ceiling that where undetectable to the human eye.

She knew she was no longer one of the living. Instead she had evolved into something more, something stronger. She was now an immortal.

A vampire.