((Rated M for one of the different quirks I gave to newborns...))

Chapter 1

Jasper was gazing sadly out his study window. He had been trying to read, snuggled in his alcove, but every book he read reminded him of his wife. He felt his eyes begin to swell with extra venom. He sniffed and wiped it away.

Alice was – well, Jasper didn't quite know. Ever since she had gone off to find a witness as to the existence of half-vampires for little Nessie, Alice had been much more independent. She began going out without telling him. It was usually only too the mall, but then it was suddenly all the way to Port Angeles and then into Seattle. He hadn't minded then, as she was only gone for one day at a time. Then one morning, completely unexpected, he had woken up to a note.

Jassy, (That was his first clue that something was wrong. She only called him that in an attempt to make him feel better when he had done something horrible, or when he was in trouble with her.)

I promised that I would always love you, and I always will. Something else has changed though. I cannot explain exactly how or why, but I can tell you that it's not anything you have done. For some reason, I just feel that I have to leave Forks to be on my own.

I have to ask you not to follow me. This is something I need for myself. I think, perhaps, it's the fact that everyone in our family has had their chance to be on their own to experience "life". I was always on the run from the tracker until I met you, and I never had the chance to do this freely. I am not trying to say that you hinder me, not at all, simply that I wish to be on my own.

I will come back, someday. At least, I believe that I will. I love our family, but I haven't the faintest idea if I may find a place even more perfect for myself to live. I will send for you then... I would hope that you will come to me, but if you wish to remain with Carlisle, I understand. I want what is best for you and I really hate to make you choose.

Love you until I die,

Alice

Jasper had been stunned. Too stunned to really be upset at the time. He felt like a small child whose mother had left for the first time. He had no idea what to make of it, and really no clue why she had gone. He had waited, rather impatiently, for her to return. Several days turned into several weeks, then months. Usually his eternity whizzed by, but now he seemed to be running on human time. After almost two years, Jasper was beginning to give up hope. Alice wasn't going to come back.

He put his cold forehead against the windowpane and sighed, his breath making the window fog. Carlisle came in then, frowning at his son's disposition. He thought Jasper had been down when he had first arrived in their home, but he'd never been like this before. He was completely apathetic.

"Jasper?"

"Hmm?"

Carlisle frowned now, himself. Jasper wouldn't even look at him. "Listen son, I've been thinking lately. Perhaps you should get out for awhile yourself. I am not sure that staying here with all of the things that remind you of Alice is any good for you. Why don't you go out for a few weeks and refresh yourself?"

"What good would it do?" Jasper sighed. "Whether I'm out there or in here, I would be just as lonely."

"Perhaps you could go and see how Maria is doing. You would not be lonely there, and after all, she has changed in the past hundred some years."

Jasper shook his head. "I don't want to tempt myself. Besides, I would not want to be a nuisance to her and her mate if I show up unexpectedly."

"I see." Carlisle sat by Jasper's feet. "There is another reason that I wanted to suggest that you leave right now. I heard of a problem they were having in Michigan. A whole clan of newborns was recently scattered by the Volturi. They were not an army, the way you're used to. A couple of male vampires had been hustlers in their human lives. They decided to continue after they had been changed. After all, to the eye, vampire women are much more attractive then humans. They began taking pretty human girls and turning them into vampires for their own ill gain. The Volturi were willing to let the girls go, as they really were not the threat. Several clans in the area have taken in the girls to try to give them a much better existence. Not all of them were newborns, of course, but none were any older then three years into this life. I know that they are your specialty, and I think that this may be your opportunity to do something good with your appeal for them."

Jasper looked at him then. "I... I don't think so. I really do not think it's a good idea for me to be close to them ever again. I don't want to get back into that lifestyle. I may not get out this time."

"But Jasper, don't you see? This is your chance to help them! You can teach them what you wanted to teach them, not what you were forced to. You can keep them away that violent life, and teach them to lead a rewarding, er, future. This time you're completely in charge, and you do not have to hurt anybody. What could be better for you? This is your time to redeem yourself, Jasper. Is that not what you have wanted all these years?"

"Yes... yes it is," Jasper agreed slowly. "But Alice..."

"If Alice comes back, we will let her know exactly where she can find you. This is your time."

Jasper sighed deeply. "Carlisle, what if I do get back into my old ways?"

"Then I'll send Emmett out to drag you back by the seat of your pants," Carlisle smiled.

Jasper smiled slightly, too. "Alright. I'll do it. I guess I can take a break for awhile. When do you want me back?"

"Do you think you can be done in a month? There shouldn't be many left."

"That sounds reasonable. I'll start packing right away."

He thanked Carlisle and watched him go. Jasper got his things together. He packed up his laptop, his cell phone and the other technology he thought he would need first. When he went to the closet, Jasper found himself scratching his head. Alice had always packed for him, not trusting him to pick his own clothes. How was he supposed to know what to take now?

He decided to take fourteen different shirts and only a few pairs of jeans. He would wash them after he'd worn them all, and they should last two weeks before then. Jasper packed a sweatshirt, a light jacket and other gear for different weather, as he wasn't sure what exactly he'd need to wear to fit in. He finally decided that he had stuffed enough into his large, rolling suitcase and zipped it up.

He said good-bye to everyone in the house. It was hardest on Esme. She felt that she had already lost one of her babies and she wasn't looking forward to seeing Jasper go too – not even for a short time. He finally got out to his car, which was much messier now that Alice wasn't around to clean it out. He took one last look at the house before taking off for the other end of the country.