Alice and Jasper were driving back home from a hunting trip when they were graced by an unexpected visitor. First, the road was completely empty, and in the next instant a dark-haired, black-cloaked figure appeared in the middle of the road in front of them. Alice pressed her foot down on the brake pedal, and the Porsche came to an instant stop in front of the figure. She and Jasper were both out of the car in a flash, ready to spring into a defensive position at a moment's notice.
"Hello, lovely Alice," the figure said.
"Hello, Aro," Alice replied in return. Aro smiled sweetly at her, his crimson eyes glowing with a greedy luster.
"Keep your hands off her," Jasper growled. Aro kept smiling, ignoring the threat.
"You've been well since that untimely fiasco in the meadow?" he asked instead. Alice nodded. Jasper growled.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I merely wished to inform you that my offer is still open should you ever decide to leave the Cullens. Caius, of course, doesn't think I should still offer you a place, but I would be glad to have you join the Volturi," Aro replied. Alice placed a hand on Jasper's shoulder to calm him down.
"Thank-you for the offer, but we're happy with our family," she said.
"I see," Aro said with a nod.
"Can we be on our way now?" Jasper asked through his teeth. Aro nodded, and then he was gone. Jasper stood in silence for a few seconds, then got back in the car. Alice frowned at the spot where Aro had stood and shook her head before climbing in as well.
They drove quietly for several minutes. Jasper was brooding, his usually golden eyes dark. Finally, Alice couldn't take any more.
"Jasper. . .," she said gently.
"If Aro ever tries that again I will attack him. I won't stand for it any more," Jasper said with a low growl.
"Don't dwell on it."
"I'm just a little angry."
"You're dwelling on it."
"Alice. . ."
"What?"
"You amaze me sometimes," Alice grinned and stuck out her tongue.
"Of course I do," she said.
