Creative Original or Derivative (Fanfiction): Derivative
Rating/Warning(s): T
Disclaimer: All copyright, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

The past is a dark place for the mind to wander into. Whether it's reliving previous experiences, looking into your heritage, or even studying your country's history; it will always remain bleak, full of potential it never did reach, the possibilities left to wash away at sea.

For one man, all he knew was the feeling of despair. As a young man, he fought in one of the bloodiest wars his country will ever see, witnessed both brothers and potential friends die over the most insane reasons, acceptance.

But this young man is no longer young. No, despite his appearances he is far older then what you would see. The man who looks to be in his early twenties was in fact nearly a hundred seventy years of age.

How is it possible that this man could live this long and still be youthful in appearance?

Quiet simply, he is a vampire. The living dead. This creature knows what it is like to see the struggles of mankind throughout the years. The pain and suffering of the various illness that spread without a cure, the fall of the the economy.

But what make him so different then the others of his kind that witnessed it all?

He felt their pain.

Jasper Whitlock can feel the emotions of other as well as his own. That's why this creature, for such a long time felt nothing but despair.

Loneliness.

Sure, after his change he had friends. Good friends. But even these friends made his longing worse for they had one thing he did not.

Love.

He didn't know at the time that love was what he was missing from his life. The joy of having a companion to care for, to be with. That was what Jasper Whitlock was missing.

Time passed and his loneliness grew. Soon the colors of the world look that of a black and white photo to him. He survived the way he knew how, drinking the life force of humans, all the while feeling their fear, panic and in some cases resolution that this was their fate. That they were to die in the hands of the reaper.

He wandered aimlessly, leaving his home state of Texas, unsure as to where his next step would take him.

Time had no concept to him. It was all a blur. Then again, traveling at night to keep the suns rays from exposing your secret to all will do that.

Then he found himself in the state of Pennsylvania. What brought him there? Even now he isn't sure but is grateful to have been there.

Remember what I said before, he was longing for something he wasn't familiar with, something that seemed so foreign to him, a monster, a creature of the damned.

The tables changed on him.

He found himself going into the little diner. Laughing bitterly at his internal thoughts as he entered. Why would a vampire want to be in here? Not like I'm going to enjoy a nice cup of Joe.

But it wasn't the cup of coffee that waited for him.

Oh no, it was something immensely different and much more fulfilling for him.

It wasn't the patrons, who's pulsing blood or beating hearts called to him like the old triangle his mother used to ring when lunch was ready from the memories of his youth as a human.

It wasn't the emotions of the teenagers, anxious and lust filled as they shared a malt with the cute boy or girl they had a crush on.

It wasn't even the warmth that the diner provided for it patrons that just wanted in from the cold.

No. It was the petite beauty that sat at the bar. Her outfit seemingly more sophisticated then the fashions of that time.

One look at the raven haired beauty with the skin as pale as his and the rare golden eyes; and he knew she was looking for him.

She slid of the stool and moved towards him with such a grace he had never seen before.

"You've kept me waiting," she stated plainly.

He dipped his head, "I'm sorry ma'am," he apologized. His mother would be ashamed that he kept such a woman as this waiting.

But why was she waiting for him? The thought never entered his mind. Because the for the first time in a century, he felt hope. The minute he looked into her eyes and her hand slid into his, the color in his world had returned. But they weren't as dull as the remembered. They were in fact the brightest and most vibrant colors he had ever experienced. With one look in her eyes he saw his future. He saw the pain, loneliness, despair and all of his longing disappear. For with this mysterious little creature, who had seemed to know him her whole life, was his possibility for all that he wanted.

Happiness, companionship... Love.

---

"What are you doing Jasper," a musical voice asked before joining him on the sofa where he held the infant child in his hands.

"Telling Nessie our story," he answered truthfully, smiling at his wife. She smiled back at him before taking little Nessie in her arms.

"Is Uncle Jasper boring you to tears again?" She teased. Nessie smiled and placed her hand to her aunt's cheek.

"What did she say?" he asked, knowing whatever she had told her aunt was said with love and respect.

"That she loves seeing the man you were compared to the man you are today," his wife explained. Nessie wiggled her way off her aunt's lap, quickly running into the arms of her friend and protector Jacob Black.

"I'm the way I am now because of you Alice," Jasper told his wife as he laced his fingers with hers, slowly bringing her hand to his lips where he placed a gently kiss.

Alice sighed and placed her head on his shoulder. "You say that all the time Jazz..."

"And you doubt me every time Alice."

"Yes, well I know you're a good man Jazz," she said looking up at him.

"I am what I am because of you. Without you, I am nothing." And with that, he ended their discussion with a gentle kiss.

A/n: Thanks to Robin for looking this over and the reaper association with Jasper lol. To my girls on twitter for talking me through the minor (okay major freak out) I was having about this puppy. And A big thanks to the FictionistaWorkshop for creating this. Check them out at http:// www. fictionistaworkshop. com / (just take out the spaces)

Also, don't feel obligated to review, but if you do it would be greatly appreciated ;)