I don't own Twilight, Stephanie Meyers does.

Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews! I won't make any promises about updates because it seems when I do life jumps in and makes me break them. So I will just say that this story idea has captured my mind and I will update as much and as fast as I can.

Chapter 2

Jasper's POV

That man had looked a lot like his father, but how was that possible. He had very few human memories but his father teaching him to ride a horse when he was a boy was one of his most treasured. He wasn't sure what had happened to his father later. He knew when he had joined the army his father had not been with them. The man was not a vampire of that Jasper was sure. He shouldn't have let him go but he couldn't leave chief Swan. He looked down at the man in his arms. He was going through the change, from the smell of him he could tell it was Victoria who had attacked him. He knew they should have taken care of her when they had destroyed James. No one had listened to him though, trusting Edward when he said she was not his mate. Edward only read surface thoughts, they should have trusted Jasper. He knew all the emotions a person carried even those that they tried to hide. In fairness it was much harder to guard your emotions than your thoughts. Though he seemed to have an easier time guarding his thoughts than the rest of his family. His surface thoughts consisted of mundane, day to day things. When to hunt, what to buy Alice, what assignment he had to finish in school, little things he didn't care if Edward knew. His deeper thoughts, the guilt that constantly plagued him, his struggle over his blood lust, his thoughts of his unworthiness of the Cullens, the nightmare that simmered in his mind images of pain and brutality, these things he didn't want Edward to know. The boy didn't need to be burdened with Jasper's demons.

Jasper slowed to a walk he knew that traveling with Charlie was hard on the man while he burned with the change, but he was in no hurry to face his family. Besides he was taking the majority of the chief's pain. How were the Cullens going to react? Carlisle was definitely going to be annoyed, though he would hide it behind fatherly concern. He was going to assume Jasper had slipped again. It hurt Jasper but he knew that Carlisle had never really accepted him. He felt his disgust for him often though the good doctor tried to hide it. Jasper shied away from thoughts of Carlisle, he desperately wanted the man's approval but after so many years he now knew he wasn't going to get it. Jasper shook off his thoughts as the house came into view. He could feel the inhabitants from here. They were all gathered in the living room. Even Bella was here.

Jasper stopped and closed his eyes, he opened himself to her emotions. Feelings of intense love swarmed over him seeming to warm his skin as if he was basking in the sun. She loved Edward and his family so deeply that Jasper sometimes was overwhelmed by it. She was more beautiful than any woman he had ever met. Physically she was stunning but add her emotions, her soul and no one could compare. Thoughts of beauty turned his mind to Rosalie and he smiled slightly. Rosalie was vampire perfection and while people thought she was vain Jasper knew better. Deep inside her Rosalie felt dirty, she kept her appearance perfect checking it often not because she liked her looks but because she was deathly afraid someone would see the shame deep inside her. Jasper hated what was done to her and the warrior inside of him wanted to rip the perpetrators apart but Rosalie herself had done that. It didn't help her though it had just added to her self-hatred. Rosalie viewed herself as a tainted monster. Jasper loved her deeply, his twin, his sister. He had told her over and over that she was lovely inside and out but she wouldn't believe him. He identified with her the most out of the family. He had thought about helping her with her emotions. He rarely did more than calm people. He had learned early in his vampire life that it was wrong to manipulate people on deeper levels. There were things to learn even through negative emotions and it wasn't right for Jasper to take that from a person. Rosalie needed to learn how to see herself for what she was and not what was done to her and while he could do that in an instant for her it would not be as deep a lesson as one she learned for herself. They often talked to each other of their self-doubt comforting one another. Jasper knew the talks helped her as much as they helped him.

He took a deep, unneeded calming breath as he entered the house and made his way to the living room. He braced himself for the storm. He needed to keep his focus on the chief and help him with his pain. Jasper could feel all the emotions. All of them knew he was there except for maybe Bella. Carlisle felt irritation, he must have smelled the chief. Esme felt concern and love, Jasper smiled at the thought of her. Esme was one of the few in the family that truly loved him. Rosalie felt apprehension and Emmet felt curiosity. Edward felt a smug satisfaction. Alice felt possesiveness and pride. Not pride in Jasper but a pride in herself. Jasper never felt love from her just want. It depressed him at times but he didn't really deserve her love. Alice was a bright shining star and he was just a lowly mortal gazing at her beauty. He didn't know if he loved her but he knew he would spend the rest of his vampire life trying to please her. He knew her faults, how could he not he was an empath. She was manipulative, materialistic and selfish. Still she was also enthusiastic, happy, and good in a way he only wished he could be. She hadn't been the first to want him but she was the first to want to lead him to a good life. She had led him to this life and for that he would be eternally grateful. He didn't think he would have survived much longer without her. He hated draining humans to live. He had gotten to the point where he was starving himself when he met her and she had brought him to the Cullens.

He turned the corner and entered the room, everything went haywire. Everyone rose to their feet, many shouted in alarm. Carlisle rushed over taking the chief from his arms and set him on the couch. Charlie began to scream as his connection to Jasper was cut. Jasper could only control his pain if he was touching him. Emotions he could manipulate at a distance but physical pain could only be controlled if he was touching the person. Jasper shied away from thoughts of the times he was in Major mode and had caused pain without touch. He quickly made his way to the couch and laid a hand on Charlie's bare arm. Instantly the chief quieted and Jasper grunted as the burn entered his own body. He was used to pain though and cornered it away in his mind. He didn't look at his family knowing he would only see accusation in their eyes. They could all smell Victoria on the chief but had jumped to the conclusion that he had changed the chief. He supposed he couldn't blame them he had slipped many times. He really didn't understand how it was that he came here to escape feeding on humans and somehow had trouble controlling himself now. He had never accidentally slipped when he lived with Peter and Char, and he had went long periods of time without feeding.

"What have you done Jazzy?" Alice yelled. He could feel her emotions turn calculating and knew she was thinking of ways to use this to her advantage.

"Figures." Edward snorted.

"I didn't want to move Jasper." Rosalie whispered. Jasper closed his eyes for a moment. Rosalie's conviction of him hurt. He didn't turn and look at her though, he didn't want her to know she had hurt him. He focussed on Charlie, hunching his shoulders and lowering his head trying to stave off the accusations around him. He felt someone come beside him and smelled the sweet perfume of Bella.

"Dad..." She whispered brokenly as she touched Charlie's wounded shoulder. Her emotions were a dark cocktail of fear, guilt and anger. She looked up at Jasper with tears in her eyes and slapped him across the face. It didn't hurt physically but for some reason her belief that he had done this hurt worse than the others. Jasper lowered his eyes, that seemed to fuel her rage. She kicked and slapped at him, taking her anger out on him. Jasper didn't try to stop her, he deserved this. No he hadn't hurt Charlie but he had done many evil things in his unlife. No one stopped her. Finally Bella was exhausted and collapsed into tears on the ground. Edward came and picked her up then.

The silence was stifling. "Ahem well we can't have a newborn in Forks. You have to take him to Denali Jasper. " Carlisle said taking charge of the situation. "We'll get things in order here and join you in a month."

Jasper felt Rosalie's anger and knew she didn't want to leave. "I could go on my own. You don't all have to leave." Jasper said softly hoping to stop Rosalie having to leave Forks. He knew she was content here. The gloomy weather allowed her out of the house often enough but the town was small so it wasn't intimidating. Rose wouldn't admit it but she carried fear in her heart that someone again would do to her what Royce had done. He wanted her to be happy, if it meant him being without the family for a while so be it.

The emotions in the room went haywire. Rosalie felt guilt. Edward felt happiness, Jasper always knew Edward was jealous of him. He tried to let Edward have his victories but it wasn't enough for the boy. Emmet only felt concern for Rosalie. Alice and Carlisle felt irritation and panic. Esme felt sorrow and love. Bella felt guilt.

"No..." Everyone's head turned to the couch to see chief Swan's eyes open and panic radiating from him. "Not Denali...Peter...and Char..." Charlie's eyes seemed to bore into Jasper, he could feel his determination. He wondered how the chief could speak while undergoing the change let alone know about Peter and Char. Really though that would be a better place to go than the Denali's. The succubus sisters were sure to try to get their claws in him. He felt the panic in the room rise.

"You can't they're human drinkers! He needs to be taught our way of life!" Carlisle yelled. Jasper was a little shocked to hear him yell.

"Promise..." Charlie whispered hoarsely. Jasper still caught in his eyes nodded unable to deny his request. The chief settled back down closing his eyes seeming to sleep though Jasper knew he was lost in his thoughts.

"We're going to Peter and Char's. Esme could you please pack me a bag, if I let go of the chief he will feel the pain." Jasper asked. Esme was the only one he had a hope of getting to honor his request.

"Of course dear." Esme said kindly and squeezed his shoulder in a comforting gesture. Jasper smiled he normally didn't like to be touched but Esme was an exception. He knew she loved him like a son and that gave him great comfort.

The room erupted in shouts of anger and desperation. Jasper tuned them out instead concentrating on Charlie. He had made up his mind and they wouldn't stop him. The burn of the change was getting stronger, he didn't know if he could drive to Texas and control the chief's pain. He had to ask someone to come with him at least to drop them off. They wouldn't be able to wait for Peter and Char to come and get them. After weighing his options he decided to ask Bella, it would give her time with her father before she wouldn't see him for a while. It wouldn't be quality time but still she could talk to him while she drove.

"Bella would you like to come? You could drive so I could concentrate on your father and it would give you time to tell him anything you want." Jasper asked when there was a lull in the shouting.

Bella looked at him startled and unsure. Jasper stared straight into her eyes and was lost for a moment, till a growl caught his attention. Edward stood up and shoved Bella behind him.

"No! First you attack her father now you want her? I won't let it happen." Edward snarled.

Bella said nothing but Jasper could feel the fear in her now. Jasper bent his head in shame until he heard another growl, this one feminine. Esme came and stood in front of the family her face alive with anger.

"Stop now, Jasper won't defend himself so I will. Look at his eyes." She said pointing to Jasper. "You can smell Victoria on Charlie obviously Jasper did not attack him."

There was a deafening silence and Jasper sent his gratitude to Esme. She smiled at him and continued. "I'll drive for you Jasper, just give me a minute to get a bag together."

"What? No Jasper you're my mate you can't leave me for that long." Alice said.

Jasper took a deep breath. "You can come." He said softly.

"You know they hate me Jazzy and the feeling is mutual. Let Rosalie and Emmet take him down. Peter and Char are used to newborns they can handle him." Alice said a pout on her lips.

Jasper felt torn, he truly would do anything for Alice but he felt an obligation to the chief. He had promised. Peter and Char were more than capable of handling a newborn but the chief wouldn't know them. He knew Jasper even if it wasn't very well.

"I'm sorry Alice but I have to do this." He said with true regret.

"You can't go and live with human drinkers for a year Jasper. It will be almost impossible for you to hold this diet." Carlisle said in an even tone.

Jasper turned to Carlisle a little puzzled. Why wasn't he worried about Esme driving him? She would be gone from him for three days at least longer if she waited for Charlie's change to be complete. How could he be more worried about Jasper slipping? Honestly he thought he would find it easier to hold the diet around Peter and Char. He rarely felt blood lust from them so he would only have to deal with his own not others.

"I will stick to the diet Carlisle." Jasper assured him.

"I don't want you using the Cullen name if your leaving." Carlisle declared. Esme gasped in shock. Jasper however was not shocked. He had always known he was a temporary member of this family only allowed in because of Alice. Still it hurt. Esme glared at Carlisle then brushed past him on her way to pack her bag. The room was quiet everyone lost in their own thoughts.

"You'll come back Jazzy the mating pull won't let you leave me." Alice said with confidence. Jasper looked at her and smiled a knowing smile. She was right in a way. The mating pull would hurt but he was used to pain. He was betting it would be Alice who gave in and came to him. She never really felt pain and wouldn't be able to resist the pull. Alice left the room in a huff and Jasper almost laughed at her antics.

Carlisle turned and left the room without a word. His emotions seemed worried and Jasper frowned at his back. Edward rose and pulled Bella with him. She turned back to look at him.

"I'm sorry Jasper I shouldn't have assumed..." She started before Jasper cut her off.

"I understand Bella I will have the Chief call you as soon as he is able." Jasper said. He didn't want her to feel guilty her doubts about him were valid. They left the room with Bella leaning into Edward and crying.

Emmett and Rose were the last two left. Emmett stayed on the couch while Rose slowly approached him. She fell down to her knees beside him.

"Jasper I'm so sorry I should have seen. It was obvious but I was so wrapped up in my own needs I didn't think. They're right about me I am selfish." Rose said with venom filled eyes.

Jasper reached out to her with the arm that wasn't touching the chief. He drew her to his chest. "No Rose you are not selfish. You're a strong woman, who is beautiful inside and out." He whispered into her hair. Rosalie choked on a sob.

"I'm hardly beautiful Jasper I'm a cold bitch. Just ask anyone." Rose said with a self-depreciating laugh.

"Never think that my twin, my sister, I love you Rose." He said sending her waves of love.

Rose sobbed harder and Jasper hugged her tightly. "I'm supposed to be apologizing and comforting you brother." She said with another half laugh. "I love you my twin what will I do with you gone."

"You'll give Alice and Edward hell and run up Carlisle's credit cards." Jasper said with a smirk.

Rose hit him playfully on the shoulder then removed herself from his embrace. "Be careful my brother and come back to us. You are beautiful too though you won't admit it."

Jasper chuckled. "Men aren't beautiful Rose they're handsome." He said with a smirk.

Rose leaned down with a serious look on her face she reached out and caressed his cheek. "You are beautiful brother." She said then left quickly before he could reply.
Jasper just shook his head he could never be beautiful his past was too dark to allow it. He waited another ten minutes before Esme came back.

"You ready?" She asked softly. Jasper just nodded as he reached over to lift up the chief. He was careful to maintain skin contact so he could minimize his pain. Normally he wouldn't take all the pain. In the southern wars Maria wouldn't let him. She believed that the pain toughened them up for the hard life ahead of them, but she wasn't here now and he couldn't let the chief be in pain. The burn was just starting so it wasn't bad yet but soon it would be horrific. He would take it though both for the chief and Bella. They approached Esme's SUV and she opened the back door for Jasper and the chief. Jasper felt a tingling at the back of his neck and turned to find Bella looking at him from an upstairs window. He could see the tears streaming down her face. His heart broke for her, he sent her a wave of confidence and assurance hoping she would understand he would take care of her father. The corners of Bella's lips lifted and she gave him a tentative smile. His returning smile was anything but timid he was beaming at her and he could see a blush stain her cheeks. He stood there for a moment that seemed to last an eternity before Esme cleared her throat and he realised they should get going. He found it hard to turn from her but he managed it and entered the car. Esme took the driver's seat and started the car. Jasper watched the window and Bella till he couldn't see her any longer.