Jasper Hale

Pain. Fear. Regret. Guilt. Sorrow. Pity.

Those were the only emotions I could feel as I stared at my wife, those golden butterscotch eyes swimming with all those feelings. She was leaving me, I just couldn't believe it. I couldn't get my mind to wrap around that one single fact. After over 60 years of marriage she wants to walk away. She couldn't, she was my savior! She saved me from the darkness, showed me the true meaning of this damned life. She couldn't do this, not now. But she was, all because of my stupid slip up. I was such an idiot; I should've been able to control myself. What was my purpose of living? Now that my mate of 60 years was leaving me, I had nothing. Maybe I could go back to Maria, I'm pretty sure she missed her shiny toy.

"Jasper don't you dare!" Alice must've seen my decision. Why would she care anyway? She was the one leaving me here.

Alice sighed and crossed her slender arms over her chest. "Look, I'm not so happy about this either, but you have to understand, Jasper. You almost attacked my human best friend, and I don't think I can ever forgive you for that. I'm sorry that this is how things turned out to be, I'm sorry for all the pain I must be causing, I'm sorry for even meeting you! That day in the diner was a mistake and I will regret it for the rest of my life."

I was shocked and hurt at her cruel words. How could I not have seen through her before? On the outside, she seemed like an energetic, fun, loving person, but in reality, she was just another selfish creature that only cared for herself. I crushed the divorce papers between my hands and chucked them at her. Of course, she caught them before they could hit her face. She gave me an apologetic look and I returned it with a glare that made her shrink back. All this time she was playing with me, using me for her own little game. How could've I have not known? I was a fucking empathy for Pete's sake. I would've been able to detect her lies, her emotions would be a dead give away. But I guess I was just too caught up in what we, well, I had. For years I had lived a lonely, bitter life full of bloodshed and war. When Alice came, it was like I was seeing the light. She was like an angel, sent from heaven to rescue me from the fiery pits of Hell. If it wasn't for her, I'd still be Maria's puppet back in the Southern wars. Maria was ruthless, selfish and a cunning bitch that only cared for her own needs. In a way she reminded me of Alice; sneaky and smart. Maria had used me for power and sex, Alice used me just for the heck of it. She found me at my most vulnerable and took the chance while she could.

Words were not were not needed to be spoken as I stared at the woman before me. She sighed and turned for the door, closing it softly behind her. I walked over to the bed and sat down with my head in my hands.

What the hell was he thinking? Was he mad? These questions swarmed around my mind as the man I called my brother explained he had just left the love if his life in the middle of the forest. Yes, I believe was indeed mad. Edward glared at me as he read my thoughts.

"You don't what it feels like," he growled. "I loved her with everything I had, and you just had to go and screw that up! You're nothing but a bloodthirsty monster!"

I snarled and felt my eyes darken. The Major was just begging for release. Edward cringed away from my glare and a wave of fear hit me. "You call me a monster, well look at yourself. You say I'm the reason for you having to leave Bella, well fuck you! You don't know what it feels like! Having all that bloodlust hit you like a fucking bus! I'm sorry I couldn't handle all of you guys' bloodlust, I'm sorry that I'm an empath, I'm sorry that I had to suffer from all of your emotions!"

They all flinched and guilt flooded the room. Oh, so now they feel sorry for me? It really took them this long to realize it? Their bloodlust was the only thing besides Bella's blood that had tainted the air that fateful moment. It wasn't my fault, it was never my fault, yet they all blamed me for it. Edward's face grew more and more pained as I continued my thoughts. Good, he deserved to suffer. His bloodlust was the worst out of everyone's, and he was supposed to have the best control out of all of us apart from Carlisle. Alice opened her mouth to speak but I silenced her with a glare. She cowered against Edward and he discreetly rubbed her shoulder. Security, peace and love emitted from her. I growled, oh hell no.

"Jasper, I can explain," Again she tried to make up excuses.

I shook my head, "There's no need for explanations, your sick emotions are enough." She flinched at my tone. Everyone else, except for Edward who stood still and emotionless, looked confused.

"Alice is in love with Edward," I explained.

Disgust, betrayal, hurt and perplexity filled the room. Esme looked the most hurt out of all of them.

"Alice, why?" she whispered.

Alice slightly glowered at me, "I'm in love with Edward, and I have been for years now. At least he cares about my feelings and understands me."

"That's bullshit!" I snarled and she tucked herself against Edward's side even more. He pushed her away and she whimpered, trying to pull him back to her. He shook his head and left without a single word.

"Alice, I think it would be best if you left. Now," Carlisle said

She began to protest but Carlisle spoke before she could get the chance to, "Alice, please. Don't make this harder than it has to be."

Alice sent a pleading look to Esme who just turned away. She gave Rosalie and Emmett the same look. Rose responded with a hateful look and Emmett kept a blank expression. Alice swallowed.

"Alright, I'll leave."

She dashed out of the room, hopefully to never be heard or seen from ever again. All the anger in the room ceased but it was still there, just not as bad as before.

"Jasper," Carlisle addressed me, gaining my attention. "Go find Bella, she might need you."

I nodded and started for the door, but Rosalie spoke up before I could open it.

"Why does he have to go, can't it be one of us?" she asked quietly.

"We don't know how emotionally distressed she is, and Jasper may be the only person to help her," Carlisle said

"Oh," she whispered

The room fell silent and I took that as my cue to leave. Tracking down Bella quite easy, I simply followed her scent, but began to worry after about a mile. What was she doing this far out? I kept following her scent; Edward's was slightly mixed in it but after a couple of minutes he took a quick turn back towards town while Bella's continued north. This girl didn't know how stupid she was; I thought bitterly and paused when I heard a small whimper ahead. I took a few more steps forward and Bella's scent hit me hard. I sprung through a thick brush to my right and what I saw shocked me to the bone, if that was even possible for a vampire. Curled up into a tiny ball, pale as a sheet and shivering badly, was Bella. Under her breath she kept on mumbling 'He's gone, he's gone'. I felt pity for her and quickly kneeled by her side, hesitantly touching her cheek. I jumped at how cold she felt. Jesus, she was freezing. I had to get her back to the house before she caught pneumonia. I held my breath as I scooped her up into my arms.

"It's alright, Sugar," I whispered into her ear, using the last bit of oxygen I had. I quickly sucked in another breath, ignoring the burning sensation that spasmed in the back of my throat and took off. Bella whimpered and clung to me, burying her face in my chest. As the house came into view I began to slow down, which ended up jostling her a bit. She whimpered again and I cursed under my breath. Note: Never jostle Bella while she is emotionally depressed. In fact, her emotions were so haywire that I couldn't even get a good read on her.

I noticed everyone was gone as I entered the house. The only sign that anybody had been here was the furniture and the smell that was most prominent in the living room. I ran up to mine and Alice's room and set Bella down on the bed. She clutched the sheets between her fists so hard her knuckles were beginning t turn white.

"Edward." She mumbled. "Edward, please don't leave me. NO!"

I winced at her scream and rushed to her side, holding my breath again as I took her hand in mine. Her skin felt smooth and she quivered against my touch, shrinking back into the sheets. Fear and distress were the main things that she was feeling. Slowly, her heartbeat slowed and her breaths became even as she fell asleep. I let go of her hand gently and took a seat by the window. I opened it a bit to help wash out Bella's tempting smell. After a while of mindless thinking, Bella stirred, dragging my attention to her immediately. Her eyes creaked open and she gazed up at me. Shock flashed in her eyes before they were quickly hidden with pain. I soaked as much of the pain as I could, enjoying the stabbing pain that punctured my chest. Realization dawned in her eyes.

"Jasper, you don't have to do that. I don't want you to suffer," Her voice cracked.

I snorted. "Don't worry about it, I've had worse."

Her eyes softened, but soon clouded with fresh tears as she asked, "Jasper, where are the others?"

I couldn't look her in the eye as I answered. "They left along with Edward."

She sucked in deep breath. "Where's Alice? Why didn't you go with them?"

"Alice left me; she was in love with Edward. She just used me the whole time. I should've known. I should've felt her distance. I guess I'm just a fool who got played," I gave a low chuckle.

Bella bit her lip and stayed quiet. Seconds turned into minutes, but I didn't grow the least bit impatient. I had the rest of eternity to live; I had no worry about time.

"I'm sorry," she finally said.

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, everything was my fault. If I had been more careful opening up that gift, none of this would've happened."

I couldn't resist. I burst out laughing. She gave me an annoyed look.

"What?" she asked. "Why are you laughing at me?"

I just shook my head and breathed. Biggest mistake of my life. Her delicious scent enveloped my senses and I gasped. She looked at me curiously.

"Jasper, what's wrong?"

I stuck my head out the window again, breathing in the fresh, dry air. I closed the window and headed over towards the door. As I grabbed the knob I told her I had to hunt and left without a second glance.

Authors Note: Chapter 2 is all typed up and ready to post, so go ahead and review!