Emmett PoV rewritten and combined with a chapter I already had written. Thank you guys for all the critique!

(A/N: For the Jasper PoV: I did a lot of research on Southern Texan accents and Appalachian English that Emmett would have grown up with, especially being Scotch-Irish and living in Gatlinburg in 1915. Both would have a drawl, due to location, not a twang. Texas didn't (and still doesn't) have a specific dialect due to having such a high number of immigrants. I do apologize if I mess up with the Appalachian English, I won't be using much of it because it's so vastly different from anything I've ever heard. I'm more familiar with Texan dialects but that still doesn't mean I won't fuck it up. SM also messed up on the dates of the War of Galveston and how they correspond with when Jasper was turned, so I course corrected and fixed it.)

Poison and Wine

Chapter 2

Duck, Duck, Goose

Emmet PoV

I knew two things. One, I really wanted to rip Edwards extremities off to beat the shit out of him with them and two, Bella is really fucking hilarious when she sleeps.

Jasper's got her so doped up on happy feelings in order for her to sleep that she's mumbling been mumbling about ducks and geese and not painting them. She's very adamant about that, so much so I had to relocate myself to floor. Girl flails around, a lot.

It's boring otherwise. Jasper isn't ever much for talk. Brooding bastard.

So, I'm laying here on the floor, counting the weaves in her carpet. Ugh. I forgot how much sleep humans need. If we're going to be on Bella sitting duty, I am not volunteering for the night shift. We stayed like for a couple hours before Jasper got a call.

He looked at me and whispered, 'Carlisle'. Interesting. Wonder what he wants.

He eyed his phone warily and answered after the fourth ring. I feel for the poor bastard. I do, really. But I am so happy it isn't me that Carlisle called. I listened in because, well, I had nothing better to do.

"Evenin' Carlisle."

"Evening Jasper. I just wanted to let you know that we appreciate what you're doing." Jasper's brows shot up. Well shit, did he know?

"What do you mean, Carlisle?"

I could hear him take a deep breath, "Staying and taking care of Bella, of course."

I was up and by the phone and asked, "How did you know?"

"Hello, Emmett. As to how I know, Alice. It's a good compromise. I didn't want to leave her, but Edward…" He trailed off.

Jasper pushed the phone at me, how the hell did this turn into my conversation? I glared at him and he just shrugged. Bastard. I sigh, "We know. What is he up to now?"

"He's out at the moment. I just wanted to let you two know that I your secret is safe with me. Keep her safe and call us if you need us."

Oh goodie, conversation is winding up, "Will do, Carlisle."

"Take care boys." And dial tone. "Well I wasn't expecting that. Looks like Eddie-boy is the only one that is out of the loop."

Jasper smirked, "Finally able to pull the wool over his eyes. I would have done it much earlier had I known it felt this satisfyin'."

"No joking."

So the phone call lasted all of five minutes and it was only a little past two. How much longer does Bella need to sleep? Bah. I throw myself back on the floor and decide that Bella's rug would look mighty fine if it was frayed around the edges.

Around five in the morning we hear Charlie starting to move around. His joints popping and shit as he shuffled into the bathroom. Twenty minutes later he was walking down the creaky stairs, yawning up a storm, to get the coffee that had started brewing ten minutes ago. I'm not sure what he's attempting to cook, but it doesn't smell very good.

He's coming back up the stairs and Jasper groans. We get to share the teeny tiny closet again. I give him a devilish grin and waggle my brows at him. He flips me off and shoves me in. "Eager?" I whisper. Ow, ow, ow, ow! Shit! Fucker just pinched the shit outta me.

I bite the inside of my cheek as Charlie opens the door and strides across the room to kiss Bella on the cheek. Bella mutters something about flying goats and turns over. Charlie chuckles and it takes everything in me to not bust out laughing. He closes Bella's door quietly and a minutes later he's pulling out of the driveway.

We exit the closet and take up our previous positions. I glare up at Jasper, "Paybacks a bitch, you know."

He merely raises a brow. Cocky bastard. Stupid rug. There's nothing left to fray. This is boring.

Jasper PoV

Bella bolted awake, her back ramrod straight and her breathing labored. She relaxed after looking manically around the room to find me still sitting in the rocking chair. I pointed to the floor where Emmett's immense figure was sprawled out, his fingers drumming across the carpet. She giggled and looked at me curiously.

"He got bored," I explained.

Emmett grunted and whined, "You slept forever."

Her eyes widened and she squeaked, "What time is it!?"

I quirked a brow, "Charlie left three hours ago. It's nine."

She sighed and looked at her nightstand, her eyes falling on the letter, her curiosity peaked.

"It's for you. From Alice." I answered.

She nodded and tentatively reached out for the envelope, bringing it in front of her. Bella's fingers danced across the flap before slipping under to withdraw the letter. The paper hissed against the thick envelope as she drew it out, her index finger sliding between the folds to open it to her eyes.

She read silently, her face muted but her emotions told a different story. Understanding, elation, sadness, grief, frustration; they all swelled and swirled around me.

She looked at me and for the briefest moment I felt thankfulness, before it warped to guilt, radiate off of her. She stole a glance at Emmett, who had busied himself with pulling at the loose threads of her woven rug, and frowned. "You really left Rose?"

Emmett looked up and nodded, "She'll understand in time. Alice said she'd be back."

"You didn't need to do that for me!" Bella exclaimed in guilty desperation. She looked back at me, "And you left Alice!"

I shrugged, "It was time and it was mutual. We both knew it was coming." Bella looked at me like I had grown a second head. She was absolutely shocked and confused. Her emotions rode on a rollercoaster and I was beginning to think I'd get whiplash from the rapid changes.

"We both stayed because we wanted to, Rose and Alice both had that option as well." Emmett shrugged, "We'd do it again."

She nodded and continued to read. Apparently the note was Alice's way of saying goodbye to Bella and giving her the low down on what transpired at the Cullen home yesterday.

She shot me a sideways glace, "Did you really pin Edward to the wall while verbally chewing his ass out?"

"Yes." I deadpanned.

Emmett chuckled, "It was pretty badass. I've never seen Jasper so pissed. I've only ever heard stories, but to see him in action was something." He picked himself up, graceful even as big as he was, and settled on the bed with Bella again.

I rolled my eyes, "He was lying. I don't tolerate manipulation."

Bella looked at me expectantly and I sighed, remaining silent. Not feeling the need to elaborate further. I would when she asked specifically.

She remained quiet, the wheels in her head turning furiously. She looked at Emmett then to me, "You know, I don't really know much about either of you. Edward only gave me the barest of details." She began, "We could exchange stories, it'd fun," and her stomach growled, "That is, after I have a few human moments."

She rose from her bed and stumbled to the door, "You guys don't go anywhere."

We answered in unison, "We won't." She nodded and ran into the bathroom.

I looked to Emmett, "I wonder what the chaste virgin told her of me."

Emmett snorted, "Only that you lived differently before you joined the Cullen's. He didn't even tell her that I had been mauled, just that Rose found me and took me to Carlisle to be turned."

I rolled my eyes, "That boy needs to get his chastity belt out of its twist before he loses important parts."

We laughed as we heard Bella stumble then curse. She sounded like she had jumped down the stairs before throwing herself into the kitchen. She was digging through the cupboards moments later, the sound of a ripping box and the rustle of a wrapper was heard. Another door opened and she slammed something down on the counter in her haste. The fridge door swung open, the contents in the doors rattling. She grabbed a liquid, juice or milk perhaps, and it sloshed in its container as she moved around. The lid was popped off and its contents poured into a glass. Recapping it, it was back in the fridge within seconds and she was thundering up the stairs shortly after.

The door to her bedroom burst open and she looked around wildly, relaxing when she saw us. Her breakfast and drink in hand.

Emmett burst out laughing and I smirked, "We told you that we wouldn't leave."

She blushed and replied tartly, "I knew that." She made her way back to her bed, setting her glass of milk on her nightstand. She settled cross legged, angled to see both Emmett and myself, as she fumbled with the silver wrapper of her breakfast.

"So," she began, taking a bite out of the square pastry, "Who's first?"

Emmett grinned, his dimples forming, "I will."

He turned to Bella and began his story, "I was born in 1915 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee," Bella interrupted, "Tennessee? Shouldn't you have an accent?"

He laughed, "I did. You see, Appalachian English isn't exactly known for its beauty. Rose was on me nonstop about how uneducated I sounded."

Bella snorted and laughed, "Seriously? Uneducated?"

He shrugged, a mischievous smile on his face, his voice drawling, "I had ter agree. After a-hearin' myself, I done made my mind up ter a-tame it."

Bella clutched her sides as she laughed, "Wow."

Emmett smirked, "Told ya," he winked at her and began again, "I was born to a Scotch-Irish family and my name before I took on Cullen was McCarty," he frowned, "I know I had a big family, but I can't remember them. I vaguely remember my baby sister." He looked at Bella, "You remind me of her."

Bella smiled softly, reaching out to lay her hand on his arm.

"I think I was pretty wild and hardheaded too. That is, when I wasn't working with my brother's on the railroad."

Bella laughed, "I can definitely believe that, Mr. McCarty."

Emmett's hearty laugh filled the room, "I haven't heard that name in a while." His laughter calmed, a grin still on his face, "I helped my family a lot. We lived in the middle of nowhere, so they depended on me and my brothers to build and fix things. We hunted," His face sobered, "Edward never told you the specifics of my 'death' did he?"

She shook her head. Her whirlwind of emotions changing again at the seriousness Emmett's voice had taken.

He sighed dramatically, "There's a reason I always go after bears when hunting." He said as his grim expression broke into a predatory grin.

Bella shivered, at Emmett or the thought of Emmett being attacked, I wasn't sure. "You were attacked by a bear?"

He hummed, "Mmm, more like mauled and shredded to pieces, but yes."

Her eyes were wide as saucers and Emmett laughed again, "You think my life was exciting? Wait till you hear about Jasper's."

I leaned forward, my elbows on my knees and looked at Bella seriously, "My life wasn't exciting. Not after I was turned."

She turned herself to me, obviously eager to hear.

"You sure you want to hear it?" She nodded, "Yes."

"Alright," I sighed, slipping into my southern drawl, "I was born in 1844," her eyes widened, "in Houston. I was almost seventeen when the Civil War begun. I lied about my age to join. I was mighty charismatic, a born leader my superior's said. I climbed my way to Major General within two years."

My brows furrowed as I thought, trying to sift through the murky memories, "I was put on furlough when the war lulled after the first battle of Galveston, the Union had taken it and we were to await orders as more conscripts went out. My parents were so proud of me. Their son was the youngest Major in Texas.

"They had welcomed me home with a party. I was made to dress in my uniform." I scoffed at the memory, "I remember hatin' being paraded around and hid for most of it, till my ma found me and pushed me at the first girl that she found, tellin' me to dance."

Bella laughed, "Oh how horrible." But her tone and emotions told me that she didn't think it was horrible at all.

I scowled at her, "Indeed." I took a breath, "I was with them for a month. It was the last time I saw my family. I was ordered back out to Galveston to train new troops, drillin' them until we had news on how we were to proceed. A couple months later, our orders were to attack on the first of January, 1863. In the early mornin' before the battle, we were finishin' off our evacuations when I came across the devil."

Bella gasped.

My voice became detached and my face hardened, "Maria and her two companions Lucy and Nettie. Beautiful and ethereal creatures, I was entranced even though I knew they were dangerous. I stopped to ask them if they were alright, if they needed an escort to safety." I closed my eyes tightly, my voice strangled, "I will never forget their laughs as they ripped me from my horse and tore into my flesh. Maria stopped Lucy and Nettie from killin' me, sayin' that I was a solider and special, that I had potential.

"All I could think about was my family and how unfair it was to die this way as I began burning. I woke up rememberin' nothing but I felt everything on top of my already volatile newborn emotions. My gift had manifested but I didn't know how to control it, I felt like I was goin' crazy. My mind held onto the strategy and military training, both kicking in unconsciously, saving me from an early death. Maria let us cull ourselves. The weak didn't last long in her army."

I shifted and sat back up in the chair, my eyes burning holes in the wall above Bella's head, "Newborns run on bloodlust, rage and paranoia. It's how they survive. After my first year, runnin' on that amplified cocktail of emotions, I finally had an understanding that I wasn't feelin' just my emotions. The terror and agony I felt when I ripped someone apart is something that'll haunt me the rest of my life, but it's how I survived. I was somethin' that the vampire world had never seen before and Maria soon found me a place at her side, her second in command.

"My duties were to command her army, incite, terrorize and direct them. Then I was to cull the useless ones at the end of their newborn year. Twenty years into this life, I was ordered to kill Nettie and Lucy for their rebellion against Maria. I did it without thought, without care. Apathy became my coping mechanism. Then Maria decided that I was goin' to help her with turnin' humans, like Nettie and Lucy had. I was nothin' but a puppet and went through this life feelin' nothing but the ugliest of emotions.

"I systematically turned hundreds of humans and killed thousands of vampires over the seventy-five years I was with Maria."

Bella gaped open mouth at me, "H-How did you escape?"

I smiled, "I turned a man by the name of Peter, one of the few that were allowed to live past their newborn year. He was my lieutenant, a good soldier and a tentative friend that talked more than he should have. He had some of the same duties as I; like the culling's. One of the newborns, Charlotte, whose use had ended was his mate. He refused to kill her and I had no idea why, I didn't care. I was entering my seventieth year of servitude and there was nothing left of me, I was a machine. Peter had grabbed Charlotte and ran; I didn't stop them even though I could have."

I scowled and rubbed my shoulder, "Maria was furious and terrified. If she couldn't control me, the monster that she had created, what would happen? She quickly put me in my place, like the underling I was, and ripped my arm off for my impudence."

Bella gasped, "What?!"

I looked her and gave her a lopsided smile, "Why do you think we burn the body parts of vampires after we rip them apart? We can be put back together. Even if our head is taken off."

"That sounds like you're talking from experience." She grimaced.

I nodded, "It only happened once though," I answered, waving my hand dismissively, "Anyway, five years later, Peter and Charlotte returned tellin' me of the freedom and joys outside of Maria's army. I left without a second thought, wanderin' around with them. Ten years later Alice found me and gave me something I'd never felt before; hope. She healed me and brought back some of the humanity that I had lost."

Emmett sat wide eyed; he'd never heard the full story either.

Bella looked at me, sadness rolling off her, "The horrible thing is that your parents never found out what happened to you."

I shook my head, "No. My body was never found, so whatever I kept on me for identification purposes never made it to them."

Bella frowned, "That's awful. Did you ever find out what happened to your family?"

"They died."

She shot me a dirty look and sighed, turning to Emmett, "What about yours, did you ever find out what happened with them?"

He shook his head, frowning, "I was one of the providers. I asked Edward to leave them a bag of fortune on the porch and I never looked back. At the time it was too fresh, too painful to know that I could never see them again."

She nodded, "When were you turned Emmett?"

"In '35. I know that they're all dead. Though, I probably have some great nieces and nephews running round somewhere." He said, stretching out his legs. "What about you, Bells. What's your story?"

She laughed lightly, "My life didn't really start until after I met you guys. Before that, I did a lot of falling on my face. Of course, I still do that."

Emmett laughed and gave her a cheeky grin, "And it's so entertaining."