Poison and Wine - Slight AU with some OOC (it's been a while since I've read the saga.)

What Lies We Tell

Chapter 1

Jasper PoV

An all-consuming rage was burning through my veins as I swam through a vision of red. How dare he tell us that we were leaving.

"Bella doesn't want us here anymore," He explained quietly, brokenly. "She wants a clean break. Jasper made her realize how vulnerable she really is around us," Edward finished, a look of remorse marring his face, as he turned to me.

Lies! I could feel it, taste it.

His eyes widened slightly, "It's the truth, Jasper." He said with conviction, like I was stupid for questioning him, his arms crossing over his chest petulantly. Esme was silently sobbing against Carlisle. Emmett was shaking his head, muttering 'no' over and over again. Rosalie looked mostly unaffected and Alice was ringing her hands together, pacing.

I snarled, my harsh and commanding accent clipping into my words, "Do I need to remind you that I am an empath? That I know when you're lying to me?"

Edward's eyes hardened and he growled, "Do I need to remind you that you attempted to kill her on her birthday, Jasper?"

I laughed bitterly, "Oh yes. Blame me."

"I do. I always knew you were the weak link in this family."

I had him pinned against the wall in seconds, his arm twisted around his back, his muscles taut and snapping against the pressure, "I am not weak. I may not have been born into your precious, wholesome family, but I know for a fucking fact that I have more control than you.

"How many humans have you turned?" I snarled into his ear, "How many!?"

"None! What does that have to do with anything?" He spat back as he struggled against me, wincing.

I laughed darkly, "Everything. I've turned hundreds. I've never drained anyone that was to be turned. I've never slipped. I am controlled."

I loosened my grip on Edward after Carlisle coughed. I looked at him sharply and stepped away from Edward. The look of temporary panic flitted across their features and I wondered if my face held the hard and haunted look it did when I was in Maria's army.

I softened my stance and pulsed out a calming wave to my family and asked them, "Y'all do realize that I could feel everyone's bloodlust?" I paused and looked back to Edward, "I could feel the bloodlust for your singer. Pair it with everyone's excitement and subsequent panic and anyone would lose it."

They slowly nodded as understanding sank in, but Edward's jaw was set and his eyes narrowed as he fumed by the wall.

"You still blame me?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes."

I smiled sadly and shook my head, "Fine."

"And we're still going to leave." He said forcefully.

Emmett growled and I snapped my attention to him catching his eyes, I gave him a significant look and he gave the barest of nods. We would talk later. Alone.

Rosalie's anger boiled over and she puffed up as she marched up to Edward, "You have no right uprooting us! You are not the head of this family!" She finished as she enunciated each word with a harsh poke to his chest.

He glared, "It's what Bella wants."

Lies!

I snarled at him again and Carlisle stepped in between Rosalie and Edward with placating hands, "Settle down. Edward, we will discuss this again. Civilly." He said with a hard stare as he turned to Esme and offered her his hand, "Esme and I will be hunting. When we return we will discuss this again."

Edward scowled but nodded in acquiesce before taking off out the door ahead of Carlisle and Esme. I turned to Alice, who had been awfully quiet about the prospect of leaving her best friend and in general. Her distress and sadness hit me in waves, her face crumpled as she ran into my embrace. "I don't know what to do," she whispered.

"What have you seen?"

She sighed, "Too much. It's time for us to go our separate ways, for one."

I dipped my head into a nod, "We knew that was coming Alice."

She smiled sadly, "Doesn't mean I ready for it."

I squeezed her, "I know. For two?"

"For two, the family is going to be temporarily divided."

My brows furrowed in confusion, "Divided?"

She nodded sadly. "That's all I can say for now, at least. Go talk to Emmett, he's been fidgeting by the door for the last ten minutes."

I looked over at my burly sibling and chuckled. He was bouncing on his heels as his eyes kept darting from me to the forest.

"Alright Emmett, let's go."

We took off in the opposite direction of Edward, Esme and Carlisle. I assumed he was making his case and was infusing his lies with his good, first son routine. Emmett and I stopped in a clearing and he took a moment to rearrange the woods with his fists, his frustration abating slightly.

His anger rolled off him in waves and he snarled as he gritted his teeth, "I am not leaving Bella alone. Not with nomads knowing she was associated with us."

A little shocked at his seriousness I answered, "I agree. "

He looked at me, "I know you and Bella aren't the closest, but it's nice to know you aren't going to abandon her."

"I didn't get a chance to know her because of Edward's request for me to make myself scarce in her presence. I scared her apparently." I answered and rolled my eyes.

Emmett's emotions did a one eighty and he laughed heartily, "You are pretty scary Jasper and you did try to eat her." He teased.

I glared at him but I couldn't help the twitch that rippled across my lips, "What are you going to do about Rose?"

He scratched the back of his head, "I don't know but I'm not backing down on this. If it means us taking a small break, then so be it. I can't, I won'tleave Bella."

I looked at him, shocked; Emmett was willingly going to leave Rosalie for an extended period of time? I mentally shook myself before continuing, "I'm sure you heard what Alice said." He nodded, "From what she said, I'm sure she won't be staying behind but Rose may surprise us."

Emmett looked doubtful, "She never understood why we took interest in Bella." A simmering anger rolled off him, "She doesn't understand. None of them know what it means to have that hole filled." I looked at him absolutely bewildered and he shook his head, his emotions strangling his words, "The few human memories I had were of my sister and Bella reminds me so much of her. She brought back memories that I thought were lost."

His guilt and sadness ate at me, "I understand." And I did, to an extent. I had my own haunting memories, however fleeting, of a blurred life that was filled with happiness, of family, of honor.

He nodded once and took a shuddering breath, "Edward can't force us to leave but he can make this a whole lot harder on us. His favor with Carlisle is worth more than both of us combined."

I scowled and then sighed, "I'd hope that Carlisle wouldn't be so blind."

"He can't help it. Edward was his first companion and with him being all angsty and thinking his soul is doomed, Carlisle feels guilty and obligated to bend to Edward's will."

"And where Carlisle goes, Esme goes." I added, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

He nodded, "We'll tell them we're going to take a trip to Africa."

I quirked a brow and he explained with a grin and waggling eyebrows, "Big game hunting, I bet you'd love to get a hold of a lion."

I chuckled and continued, "You know he was lying, right?"

Emmett frowned, "I figured he was. There is no way Bella would want a "clean break" as he said. Hell, the girl was mauled by a vampire this summer and she still came back. Forcefully and clinging at that."

I smiled, "She's either very stupid or very brave. Not sure which."

Emmett let out a booming laugh, "Come on, let's get back so I can talk with Rosie before head-up-ass-ward gets back."

I choked before a laugh bubbled forth and followed him back to the house. Emmett found Rosalie and took off into the woods yet again. I wished him luck. He'd need it. I wound my way through the doors and living room, climbing the stairs.

Padding through the hall, I came to a stop at our room and knocked on the door, "You know you don't have to knock, Jasper." She answered. I pushed the door open and found Alice inside packing. She looked up and smiled sadly and handed me a letter.

My thumb brushed across the thick parchment and I looked her curiously.

"It's for Bella. Give it to her once we leave."

"Will we have any problems with our plan?"

"No. There was nothing to discuss when they left, minds were already made up. I'll tell Esme and Carlisle when they ask where you went." She answered slowly, her eyes darting around the room. "Jasper, he left her in the woods." Her eyes found mine again. Distress and anguish pulsed from her.

"He what?!" I snapped.

"You and Emmett need to find her before the Quileutes do. It very important you do this." She pleaded. "Edward has already taken off to Denali."

I rolled me eyes. So much for discussing this rationally like Carlisle wanted. "Rose isn't going to be staying, is she."

She shook her head, "She's upset she isn't getting her way, that Emmett isn't giving in. Give her time. She'll be back. I'll be back too, when it's needed." She bounded over and hugged me, "You need to go and get Bella, hurry. Emmett's making his way back." She urged me out the door and gave me a small wave.

I tipped my head and called out for Emmett as I raced out the door, he loped behind. I slowed, "Edward left Bella in the woods and took off to Denali. We need to get to her, now."

He growled and nodded. I motioned for him to take the west side of the woods and I took off to the east, hoping to find her quickly. It wasn't long before I was hit with a wall of raw pain and then her scent, her labored breathing. Within minutes I was sliding to a halt, forest litter spraying around me, in front of her I crouched down before calling out to Emmett.

He was by my side within seconds his emotions going haywire and I gave them both a nice dose of calm. He crouched beside me and reached out to her, "Bella?"

She looked up at his voice, clearly shocked to see us, "He said all of you had left." Her voice was hollow and raspy.

"He lied." Emmett answered softly. "Let's get you back to your house. Jasper and I will be here for you."

She nodded mutely as Emmett swept her into his arms and took off at a gentle gate through the forest. I raced to her home, Charlie was still out, thankfully.

Walking into the living room, I made my way to the kitchen, my eyes landing on a piece of paper. 'Went out for a walk in the woods.'

I growled as I shredded the offending note over the trash. Emmett was walking through the door with Bella clinging to him as if he was going to vanish. He headed up the stairs to her bedroom with her guidance as I followed. He sat her on the bed, taking care not to jostle her. He moved to sit beside her, the bed creaking and mattress dipping as it took his weight, as Bella attempted to wrap her arms around him.

I sat in the rocking chair in her room and assessed her emotions; broken hearted anguish, self-doubt, a little bit of hopefulness. I pulled out Alice's letter and fingered it. "Do you think their gone yet?"

Emmett looked thoughtful for a moment, "I'm not sure."

"Who's gone?" Bella whispered.

"Everyone. I'd like to say they didn't have a choice, but I'm not sure." I answered softly, "What happened with Edward?"

Her face crumpled and her eyes watered, "He asked me to take a walk which ended in the woods. He told me that we were leaving and I assumed that included me," she laughed bitterly, "He told me no, just his family. He told me that he didn't love me, that I wasn't good for him. That he didn't want me." Tears were tracking down her face, "A clean break. He told me that it would be like he or his family were never a part of my life." She choked on a sob as she leaned heavily on Emmett. He ran his hand down her back, soothing her.

I sighed, "He told us that you wanted us to leave because of me. That you wanted a clean break from us."

She snorted, "It had nothing to do with you. You did nothing wrong Jasper."

"I know. And neither did you," I added with a pointed look.

She smiled tightly, "I wasn't good enough… I always knew that."

Emmett groaned, "Don't give us that shit, Bella. You're way more than good enough. You can't help Edward is a repressed and prudish eternal teenager full of hormonal angst."

I chuckled and a small smile worked its way to Bella's face, I continued, "Bella, you have no idea how much life you brought to our family. Pun not intended."

She looked at me strangely, "How in the world did I do that?"

Emmett looked at her incredulously, "Are you kidding me?" He rubbed his face before sighing, "Just for me alone, you gave me back memories of my human life I thought lost. You gave me back the chance to be the big brother I never got to be."

She looked at him gobsmacked for a moment before scrambling off the bed and launching herself into him, her arms wrapping around his neck.

I smiled the emotions in the room swirled thick and syrupy, dripping off me in warm rivulets, "I know we weren't ever close Bella, but I'd like to get the chance, if you'd let me."

She turned from Emmett and nodded fervently, "Of course!" And then surged across the room and wrapped her arms around my neck. I stiffened, not used to spontaneous affection, but slowly wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her gently.

She sighed and settled herself into my lap, her eyes boring unfocusedly into the wall across from her. She spoke after a few minutes, "Thank you for not abandoning me." Her words were thick and the high from us being here was wearing off. Reality crashed back into her harshly, the tendrils of despair snaking their way back into her heart, she shuddered as tears welled into her eyes.

Emmett and I murmured soft replies of, "You're welcome and I'd never," to her as I coated her with lethargy and calm, sending her off into oblivion. Her head thudded softly against my shoulder, cradling into my neck. I stood smoothly, Alice's letter in between my fingers, her body cradled in my stone arms. I strode to her bed, tucking her under the covers.

"She should be out for the rest of the night," I said to Emmett. He nodded and sighed, rubbing his face in his hands. I placed the thick envelope on her nightstand, against a photo of her and her mom, so she would see it in the morning.

"I suppose we should talk to her about what she wants tomorrow."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my brows furrowing.

"If she wants us to be in her life like we were before or if she wants us around more often."

I nodded and brought my hand to rest under my chin, drumming my fingers across my cheek as I thought. "Edward and Alice were with her almost constantly. We won't be able to be with her at school."

He grimaced, "Yea, especially since we're supposed to be attending Brown."

Our heads snapped towards Bella's door as we heard Charlie enter the house.

"Should we stay?" Emmett asked.

I thought for a moment, abandonment was a sore spot at the moment for Bella, what would she do if she woke up and we weren't there?

"We stay." I said finally, nodding.

"Now, where to hide two vampires that are over six feet tall." He chuckled.

I looked around her sparse room and frowned, "The closet. It's going to be tight though."

Emmett snickered, "That's what she said."

I growled at him, "Get in there, Charlie's coming."

We both darted to the tiny closet and I nearly ripped Emmett's head off when he snickered again. We waited as Charlie made his way up the stairs, his steps heavy and tired. He paused at Bella's door before pushing it open, "Bells?" He whispered.

He stepped into the room and padded quietly over to Bella's bed, he stopped and watched his daughter for a moment, his adoration radiating off him. He stooped and brushed her hair off her forehead before planting a soft kiss, "Night Bella."

He turned and left, closing the door behind him, going to the kitchen, no doubt to prepare dinner. The TV flickered on and I jumped out of the closet, Emmett guffawing quietly behind me.

I rolled my eyes and settled back into the rocking chair as Emmett made his way back to Bella's bed, sitting at the end. Tomorrow was thankfully Saturday, we'd talk more then.