ONLY TIME WILL TELL

I own nothing that has to do with Twilight, that honor go strictly to Stephanie Myers.

A/N: Special thanks to my amazing Beta JSH, Donna you rock girlfriend.

A/N: A small Lemon in this chapter

CHAPTER TWO

WAR IS HELL


The days carried on as I thought of Jasper, I missed him terribly. The crops were harvested, the canning done for the year and put carefully away in the cellar for winter use. Harold began storing wood for the fireplace and wood stove for cooking, before winter was upon us. He also slaughtered one of the cows along with a hog, curing the meat to be store in the cooling house for the winter months.

Marion, Jasper's mother and I started making quilt's with the help of Aunt Martha who came by once a week, for our little sewing circle, a few other women joined us from the surrounding area, most of them with sons or husband who were off to war as well. We kept each other company so our minds would be off the on-going battle.

It was Thanksgiving Day, Marion and I made ourselves busy cooking the days feast. Harold had went out hunting two days before bringing us back a huge Turkey that was now roasting in the oven, the smell filled the house, making all our mouths water in want of this delectable bird with all the trimmings. When all the food was set out on the table, our family along with aunt Martha and my cousins sat down to the day's feast. Harold began to give thanks when we heard the wooden door open and shut tightly as we turned to spy who our guest was.

To our surprise stood my most beloved husband in uniform, staring at me with a huge smile on his face, he dropped his bag and put his arms out for me to join him. I ran across the room, jumped into his arms almost knocking us both to the floor as I screamed and cried in happiness of Jaspers return. He buried his head into my hair taking a deep breath as he held me so tight. I struggled to breath, but I didn't care, my love, the joy of my existence was home. I didn't want him to let me go not for an instant.

But it was short lived as he released me to embrace his mother, father and sister. His little brother walked up to him and held his hand out for Jasper to shake to welcome him home. Jasper chuckled at his little brother knowing he was trying to impress him and show him how big he had become with a manly welcome home. He finally picked him up and gave him a squeeze that caused little Harold to giggle. Come my son, we were about to sit down to eat, Marion said, a chair was brought over to sit next to me, we took our seats. Jasper grabbed my hand and stared into my eyes clearly glad to be home, as I was glad to have him here by my side.

He leaned over kissing me on my forehead, Harold Sr. said a prayer, thanking god for the bounty we were about to receive and thanking him for bringing his son back to us safe. It brought a smile to my face, and I leaned into my husband. We ate till we were stuffed, Jasper talked about how he had climbed in rank, he was now a captain. Jasper was the only one to do so in such a short period of time, we were all proud of him, we were also glad he was safe here with us for the time being.

Marion and I stood to clear the table, Jasper grabbed me sat me on his lap then wrapped his arms tightly around my waist pulling me close. "Don't leave me darlin'," he said. Marion told me to stay with Jasper, Aunt Martha got to her feet offering to help my mother-in-law clear and clean the dishes. Jasper stood pulling me to my feet, placing his arm over my shoulder then led me to the door, he grabbed my coat and put it around my shoulders then led me outside in the direction of the barn.

After closing the door to the barn, he smashed his lips to mine lifted me off my feet, pressing me against the wall, I wrapped my legs around his waist kissing him hard and long with all the love I had. My hands intertwined into his hair and pulled him tight against my lips. One of Jaspers hand found its way under my skirt and ripped the panties away from my body as I unbuttoned his pants. He maneuvered them down enough to free his erection. I knew this would be fast and short. It had been so long since we had been together and we wanted each other so badly.

He positioned himself at my entrance then slid into me deep and fast, we both moaned in unison as he wildly pushed in and out of me, he buried his face into my hair chanted my name, telling me how much he missed me as we both found our release quickly. Jasper sat me down on my feet and buttoned up his pants. He pulled me to him for another kiss, this one was more passionate. We held one another close; he told me how much he missed me once again. Telling me how much he loved me as I returned the sentiment.

He apologized once again for leaving the way he did, but I stopped him, telling him it was in the past and I should have guessed that he would have done it. I told him I remembered us talking about how bad he wanted to go fight in this god awful war, which he agreed that it was, but needed to be in the thick of things anyway. That's why I love you so much darlin', you always know what I need and return the love that I feel for you, I missed you so much while I was away.

"I dream of you every night wishing I could be holding you in my arms as I sleep. When this war is finally over, you and I will move into our house we'll start a family of our own," he promised then kissed me once again.

I told him his father had been working on the house in his absence, that he had the fireplace up and the roof on, the house was almost finished. The way things are going he would have it built before Jasper got home from the war.

We found ourselves back in the house as we sat around the fireplace the family talking and laughing, happy that Jasper was home. He told us he would only be there for the weekend that he had to return by the beginning of the week, I squeezed his hand hating the thought of Jasper leaving me again, he looked over at me and smiled, he gave me a wink as he pulled me to his side draping his arms around my shoulders.

That night I feel asleep at Jasper's side breathing in his sweet fragrance of cinnamon and honey, and in return he wrapped himself around me. The next morning I woke up cold and alone fearing I had dreamed the whole thing. I jumped from the bed, dressed quickly and made my way to the kitchen to find Marion with Jasper sitting at the kitchen table talking and drinking coffee. Jasper gave me a sweet smile then put out his hand for me to take, pulling me into his lap.

"Good morning darlin' did you sleep well?" he asked in that southern drawl that I loved so much, a tear slipped down my cheek with relief that it wasn't a dream, that he truly was here. "Sweetheart, what is it? What's wrong?" he asked, I buried my head into his chest while he stroked my hair.

"I woke up and you weren't there, I thought I had dreamed the whole thing," I told him, Jasper chuckled then kissed the top of my head.

"It wasn't a dream darlin', I'm here and tonight we are stayin' in our own house," he claimed. I smiled back at him; he gave me a soft quick peek on my lips. I buried my head into his chest and Jasper tightened his arms around my waist. Jasper sighed when his mother told him how much I had missed him, letting him know they all did but me most of all.

We spent the day doing what we always did, doing chores and being a family, with the one exception of Jasper being there, he stayed by my side the whole day, we went for a walk hand in hand in the field, we made plans for our future when the war was over, but his main goal was to start our family, he wanted a son and he wanted me to give him one as soon as he returned. I agreed of course I wanted nothing more than to give Jasper a son, I wanted to start a family as badly as he did, then he joked about starting it tonight when we retired to the house.

We took the buckboard to carry water, and towels. We made sure we had plenty of blankets and wood to keep us warm, but I was sure Jasper had other ways for us to stay warm.Jasper lit the candles and placed them on the mantel above the fireplace. He laid out the blankets on the floor in front of it and started the fire. He reached for me, pulling me gently to the floor, and Jasper lay down beside me. We cuddled in front of the fireplace, declaring our love for one another. We made love over and over again well into the early morning. Jasper held me tight, repeating how he wished the war was over so we could start our lives together. We finally fell asleep in one another's arms, and this time when I woke up Jasper was still by my side. I smiled at him; he reached down and pressed his lips to mine.

The weekend ended to quickly, Jasper readied himself to return to his division, my heart was jumping all over the place, hating the fact that he was leaving me again, tears found my cheeks a number of times that morning before Jasper finally said he farewells.

I love you darlin', and I will miss you badly, until the day I return to you, he declared.

Jasper my heart is breaking in two, I wailed, I love you and missing you can be so hard sometimes, I will wait for you, until my heart stops beating, but please promise me you will care for yourself, keep yourself out of harm's way, and come home to me, to your family my love, my heart, my life, my reason for breathing. He buried his head into my hair again taking a deep breath, taking in my scent to take with him as he rest his head on my shoulder.

I promise to come home to you my love, soon as I can, he whispered in my ear, pressing his lips against mine, kissing me desperately. He pulled away from me, climbed onto his horse then turned to look at his family then back to me. I love ya darlin', he said as the tears flowed down my cheek, he swallowed hard, clearly finding it difficult to leave us, but knowing he must. He waved at his family then road off down the road, disappearing into the brush.

I stood there crying as my true love, my angel, my husband left to return to the war that I grew to hate so much. I don't know how long I stood there. I felt a hand touch my back, I turned to see Marion standing behind me, she reached up, wiped the tears from my face then pulled me into a hug.

He'll be fine sweetie. He will come home to you, I'm sure of it, she said, I pulled away and nodded my head, Come on lets go have a cup of tea, she prompted and she lead me into the kitchen.

Day's past as did the weeks, I wrote Jasper every day, I missed him so much it hurt deep inside, I tried to keep busy so I wouldn't think of him every waking moment, but it was impossible, I wanted my husband. I began thinking that with every visit from Jasper, it would be harder for him to leave, but that wasn't the case, he always left. It was summer and he had been home twice since Thanksgiving, although I was glad he was home from time to time, I hated it when he left, the pain in my heart would start again then grew almost out of control, it was getting worse for me as each day passed, I needed Jasper like I needed air to breath. I prayed every day for the war to end so my love could come back to me. He again went up in rank, he was now a major.

The fighting was coming closer to home, which also brought Jasper closer. Harold even thought once of moving further south to be farther away from the fighting, not for himself but out of fear for his family. I told him I couldn't leave here not with Jasper being away, he said he had to keep me safe for his son, that his son depended on him to make sure of my safety. I really didn't know he felt that way until he said it, I guess that made sense, but I hated the thought of anyone thinking they had to make sure of my safety. For me if any of them were hurt or died taking care of me, it would be my fault. I didn't want that to happen, especially with Jasper's dad. I love my family, all of them. I wish none of them to come to any harm.

Jasper came home again. He stayed for two days this time around. He said he along with his men, had taken over a town west of here and there were still stragglers that had to be dealt with. He said he had to head back and gather his men to set up post there; he was to keep it safe until the rest of the troops got there. Once they had achieved their mission they would move on. We spent the night in the new house again, made love and held each other tight, I rivaled in happiness of having him home once again. When morning came he left us again. It did help knowing he was close, but I still hated the fact that he had to leave. He assured us that the war was nearly over. He kissed me good-bye like he was leaving for work, which he was I guess in away.

I missed him just like always, until one day a messenger showed up. It had been a few weeks since Jasper had been home, I hadn't heard from him and I began to get worried, I made myself believe that it was only because he wasn't that far away, and the war close to ending, but it still gave me cause to worry. When we saw the rider approaching, my heart sank into my chest, as did Marion's we grabbed each other, screaming for Harold, who came running. He took the envelope with a shaky hand and thanked the soldier who delivered it. Marion's grip as well as mine was iron clad we were both shaking, pleading to god that Jasper was alive and well.

Harold opened the letter, tears sprung to his eyes as I fell to the ground screaming for Jasper. Marion joined me as we leaned into one another and cried harder than we have ever cried before, me for my husband and her for her son. She had lost two sons now and wasn't faring well at all. Harold walked up and picked us both off the ground, he informed us that the letter didn't say that Jasper was dead but he was missing, he hadn't come back from leave. I thought back to the day I watched him ride away, I wondered what had happened to him from the time he left here and when he was supposed to show up there, it was only a few miles from here, which got Harold on a roll again about leaving here.

"I refused to leave." I told him if he didn't want me here then I would stay in Jasper's and my house but I would not leave. Harold argued with me for what seemed like forever but stubbornly I refused. He had to think of his family, which I agreed. Then he took them further south. He made sure I had everything I needed. He contacted my aunt telling her of the situation, then left. I was totally alone now, yes I had my aunt and my cousins but they had their lives. I would only see my aunt once a week when she checked to make sure I was alright.

Months had passed it was beginning to get cold again, once a week I would ride the horse that Harold had left me to Jasper's family's home, checking to see if there was any mail. I had left a note on their door informing anyone that was looking for me where they could find me, if they knew me, they would know where our house could be found. But no mail ever came for me and no one ever came.

I cried myself to sleep every night wishing this stupid war would end so Jasper could come home. I had thought that maybe he was taken prisoner, that when the war was over they would let him go so he could come home to me. But of course my dream of Jasper coming home never came to pass, the war ended with the south surrendering to the north, no surprise there.

I waited and waited, it was summer time again, Jasper's family returned in the spring trying to get me to come back to them but I refused. I was home, I wished to be nowhere else, they had resolved to the fact that Jasper was dead, where I didn't share their thoughts. I couldn't make myself believe that the man I loved more than life itself was gone, never to come to me again. So I waited.

In early August a woman came to the door. "Hello, I'm looking for a Mrs. Jasper Whitlock, would you be her?" she asked, I looked curiously at the woman, she was pale in comparison to me and I was paler than most, she had long blonde hair that hung to her waist, it was a mess, her clothes looked as if she had sleep in them, her eyes glowed red, that alone had me wondering about her agenda.

"Yes I'm Mrs. Jasper Whitlock, what can I do for you?" I asked nervously. She smiled at me with an evil smirk.

"Would you like to see your husband again Mrs.?" she asked, I looked at her not believing what she had just said. I wondered what she knew of my husband.

"What do you know of my husband? He went missing almost a year ago he's dead." I admitted for the first time since his disappearance as I lowered my head hating the thought of admitting it.

"I know where he is," she said with confidence, in a more southern accent. I jerked my head up to look at her in disbelief.

"I don't believe you", I spit out in disgust at what she had told me. I knew that if Jasper was alive he would have fought tooth and nail to get back to me. I wondered what this woman had to gain by telling me this.

"Why would you tell me something like that? What do you have to gain by lying to me?" I asked.

"Exactly, I have nothing to gain that is why you should believe me, I've seen him, he is a brave man your Major," she proclaimed. I looked at her in surprise, thinking how she would know that Jasper was a Major. I swallowed hard as I stood tall. I put up that wall I had made for myself so I wouldn't get hurt again then asked.

"Where is he?" she looked at me with smirk once again.

"I can show you if you would come with me," she said. I looked at her, debating whether I should go with her or not. But this was Jasper we were talking about. I needed him, I wanted to know where he was, I was worried that he might be hurt and couldn't get home, in that case I needed to get to him to help him, heal him, bring him back to me, to his family.

I turned and grabbed my jacket and followed her out to the barn and saddled Juno. I asked where her horse was and she said she ran here. I asked if she wanted to share a ride with me but she refused with a chuckle. I thought it strange but I left it alone as we started out. She ran ahead of me as I rode the horse at a slow pace, it was getting dark, she would disappear sometimes only to reappear some distance ahead of me, I wondered how she could travel so fast especially with me on horseback and her on foot.

After a couple of hours I found myself on this hill, she told me to make myself comfortable, that she would be back soon, she said not to make a fire or someone would find me and in her words said.

"You wouldn't want them to find you," so I sat with a blanket that I kept on the horse around my shoulders and waited. I kept thinking about Jasper and why this woman had led me all the way out here, my imagination was working overtime as I went through a number of scenarios trying to figure out why Jasper would be out this far. I knew this area somewhat. As far as I knew there was nothing even close to a town out here. I wondered if the union army had maybe set up a camp out here to imprison prisoners. But why would they still have them? The war has been over for months.

I spent the rest of the night coming up with scenarios of what could have happened until finally the sun was peaking over the horizon, it was early dawn when the woman came back, the sun hadn't come up yet but it was light enough to see the surrounding area, She stood by my side and grabbed my arm as we walked into the wooded area, I tied the horse to one of the trees as we made our way to the other side, she stopped me before I walked into the open field.

"Stop, just watch," she said as we stood there gazing across the open field, there were huge tents set up at one end of the field, there was also a huge crater dug into the ground on the other side but far away from the tents, it was quiet and looked like no one was around, I looked at the woman.

"Okay I see a bunch of abandon tents, so?" I asked.I started to leave, she grabbed my arm, her hand was cold, but it was chilly this morning so I figured it was due to the chill in the air, I looked down to her hand on my arm, I gave her a smirk as I looked back at her.

"Just watch," she said again as I turned to look across the field once again. I saw someone come out of one of the tents; she pushed me behind one of the trees as we continued watching.

"Be perfectly quiet," she demanded. I nodded my head in agreement, I watched as the open field started to get more active.

"What the hell?" I said, as I watched the men and women shimmer in the light of day; they looked as though their skin were made of diamonds.

"Shhh," she demanded as I closed my mouth and continued to watch. Who were these people and why did they shimmer in the light? I wondered if they had some kind of skin disorder. Or did they have some kind of cream on their body to make them glow. And then I saw him, he walk out of one of the tent he made his way to a woman, who was barking out orders, I heard him call her mistress and his skin was glowing like all the rest.

"Jasper!" I yelled, the woman that stood beside me clamped her hand over my mouth and drug me to the other side of the wooded area. She let me go; I glared at her once we were on the other side.

"Why did you do that? That was Jasper, his alive, I must go to him," I said, turning to run after my husband. The woman grabbed me and shoved me against one of the trees.

"What are you doing? Let. Me. go! I have to get to Jasper," I cried fighting to get away from this woman with no luck.

"You can't go to him they will kill you," she said, I stopped fighting her and looked into her red glowing eyes.

"Jasper would never hurt me, I scolded. She belted out a laugh that made a shiver run up my spine.

"He doesn't remember you," she said, I looked at her in disbelief and worry.

"What happened to him? Did he get hit in the head? Did he lose his memory?" I asked, worrying about Jasper, it made me want to get to him even more.

"No little one, he didn't get hit in the head," she replied looking at me as if she was bored to tears talking to me.

"He's a vampire now," she said. I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, turned and walked towards the camp to find Jasper, as she stopped me again.

"Let me go, your insane there are no such things as vampires there only in books," I yelled trying to get free from her.

"Isabella there are vampires I am one of them that woman back there, that is my sister, those men, those women you saw are her army she made them as she made your husband, when you become a vampire, you forget some of your human life, it's kind of a good thing, that way you don't go and kill off your entire family," she told me.

"I don't believe you, Jasper is not a vampire, he's my husband and I want him," I cried, the tears began to flow. She turned me loose and I slid down the tree sobbing.

"I can help you little one," she said, I raised my head to look at her, hoping she could help.

"How?" I sobbed afraid of what she had in mind. She smirked at me once again.

"You have to trust me if you want your husband back," she prodded.

"What do I have to do?" I asked ready to do pretty much anything to get Jasper back. She looked at me, grabbed my hand and helped me up, she went to the horse and untied him then smacked him on his backside, the horse bolted towards the barn at Jasper's family's house, I knew he would go there, they always go home when scared. But we needed the horse to get back; I looked at her in disbelief.

"Why did you do that? We need him to get home," I told her, she smiled then shook her head.

"We don't need the horse besides, you made too much noise back there, they'll be checking out the area, when they see the horse they'll think that's what they heard and go back to their everyday routine," she said.

"Well how do we get home?" I asked her. She gave me another smirk. She grabbed me slung me on her back and took off running towards home.

Once back at the house I fell to the ground, nauseous and dizzy from seeing the scenery fly pass me at a rate of knots. I was scared out of my mind, even I knew there are no humans that can run that fast, I went into the house with her help. Then she sat me on the sofa.

"Are you a v v vampire?" I asked. She looked at me a barked out a laugh.

"Yes, my dear, I told you I was, so is your husband now. He is in the service of Maria, my sister, she is the deadliest of all us vampire's, she trains her army to fight other vampire's for territories. She now is in control of northern Mexico as well as southern Texas, she has never been defeated, she's gotten better since she's required your husband, there is no saving him now from what he has become, but you could join him," she said. I was shaking now, fear rumbled through my body, what if I told her no, would she kill me?

I didn't know what to do. Oh Jasper my poor Jasper is a vampire; my thoughts ran ramped in my head like a thunder storm, trying to figure out what to do. As I was deep in thought, someone pounded on the door, I looked up at the woman that stood in front of me, she looked back at me in return.

"Get rid of whoever it is, or I will kill them," she threatened. I got up from my seat and made my way to the door I turned to look at the woman who had vanished but somehow I knew she wouldn't be far. I opened the door to see Harold standing there.

"Isabella, are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes, why do you ask?" I replied.

"Juno, came back without a rider, I thought maybe you had an accident," he said looking me up and down for injuries. I chuckled. It was true I was clumsy, it was also funny how when thing like this happen they automatically think that I am hurt and start checking me for injuries.

"I'm sorry I worried you Harold, we were out riding and I dismounted to pick some flowers, someone shot off a gun, spooking poor Juno he took off, I didn't worry about it because I knew he would run straight for your house," I told him with a chuckle. He nodded his head with a chuckled of his own.

"I see, as long as you're alright, do you need anything while I'm here?" he asked still chuckling.

"No I'm fine thanks though, I do appreciate it," I told him.

"Look, Isabella, your still my daughter-in-law, we're family, we love you, if you need anything all you have to do is ask, we'll always be here for you," he said, which brought tears to my eyes.

"Thank you, Harold, that means so much to me, you'll never know much I love you all too," I told him as I hugged him. I pulled away wiping the tears from my eyes.

"Well I guess I better get back, Marion is worried, better let her know you're okay, I put Juno back in your barn," he said as he started to walk away then turned to me once again. "Listen why don't you come to dinner with us Sunday? I know Marion would love to see you, you really should get out of this house and visit for a change," he said.

"Thanks, Harold, that sounds nice, I'll see you then," I told him with a smile, he nodded, turned and mounted his horse.

"Take care of yourself, Isabella, we'll see you Sunday," I smiled, nodded then waved as he turned jabbed his heels into the side of the his horse then took off at a full gallop back to his house. I closed the door and jumped when I turned around to the woman standing in back of me.

"Oh I thought you left," I told her, she smirked.

"Not a chance, so what do you think? Want to join your husband?" she asked.

"What exactly do I need to do?" I asked nervously.

"You don't need to do anything, just lay there," she said.

"Huh?" I asked confused as ever. She laughed.

"Look all you have to do is lay there, I bite you, put my venom in your blood stream, you go to sleep, three days later you wake up bam you're a new born," she said.

"New born? Like a baby?" I asked.

"Sort of, you are an adult but you will have needs you'll be hungry, you'll need blood to sustain yourself," she said nonchalantly.

"You mean I'll want to kill someone?" I said horrified. She laughed.

"Well you won't think about that when you wake up, it won't matter to you, all you'll think about is the bloodlust."

"The bloodlust! Does Jasper feed from humans?" I asked scared for the answer I was about to receive.

"Of course he does, well, there are those who feed from animals, I heard about them, they live up northwest around the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. They're a bunch freaks if you ask me," she deemed. I looked at her and cringed at the thought of drinking any kind of blood human or animal but I guess if I didn't have a choice if I wanted to be with Jasper again. Well, that sounds better than killing people, I told her disgusted with the idea of killing people.

"Look, do you want to join your husband or not, I have a lot to do, I can't be hanging out here all day," she said. I looked at her and thought for a second, I need to be with Jasper, I can't live without him, but could I do the one thing to be by his side again, could I become one of them.


So what do you think?...let me know..huggs