Here's the next chapter! Hope y'all enjoy!

Thanks to my amazing beta Xo BellaItalia oX

Please, enjoy...


Jasper's POV

I'm sure, one would wish that things went back to normal after everyone awoke and began to gain their strength back. Only, it never did. To say that things were completely abnormal was wrong as well. The family was in mending condition and everyone was as loving as before. We still stay with the Denali's, living off wolf blood, despite Bella's discomfort. Though she was growing used to the idea of death of her friend's supposed blood, though he was miles upon miles away, she still felt shallow in terms of betrayal. Even so, the others were different, and I often wondered if we would all be the exact same as before. I doubted the possibility, however, as I too had changed.

I was stronger somehow. I no longer felt secure in the role of…husband, I suppose one could say. A husband was meant to love, care, and heal his beloved while still staying true to who he was in himself. It was likewise for his beloved. Personally, I feel as though all of the attributes of being in that position had either changed exponentially or just simply drained away. I loved Bella with all of the poison in my veins, just as I always had. In fact, my love was even stronger now. Not that she wasn't my world before, just that she was now my entire universe frozen in a hypnotic pattern of luscious shadows and wonderful colors.

It was beautiful.

The light in her eyes had grown from that dim star to the glorious moon. She was absolutely phenomenal. She was like a dark angel wrapped in the beauty of the nature of the Earth, every bit of it. Her tremendous heart had grown tenfold. She was stronger, matching me in her brutality for revenge. I wished revenge for her suffering as well our families. She wished revenge for me. I feared where her feelings would take her- be it war or a fight with me. She had proven she could protect herself, as well as all of us, but that did not slow the panicked venom in my veins with every move she made.

She was exquisitely different, as was I. I yearned for revenge, for a peaceful life with my wife, for my family's ultimate protection. And there was only one way I could get that. I had to become what I had started as; a true vampire, a fighter…a Major.

"I can't just let them go free for what they've done, Eleazar." Bella's voice drifted in from below. My gaze strayed from the page I had been staring at for over an hour, lost in my own thoughts. I shook my head, closing the book and placing it on the shelf, moving to the top of the stairs seconds later. I pressed my back against the wall, turning my head so that I could see over the top banister of the stairs. Bella's side was turned to me, and I could see Eleazar resting in the chair. Bella's body was tense, coiled, and ready to spring. Her emotions were frantic, but all of it stemmed from the one emotion that seemed to keep driving her, as it has been since I woke. Anger.

"I understand, darling, but you also can't go after what you can't fight alone," Eleazar stated.

Bella growled deep in her throat. "I fought Alec and Jane alone," she grumbled.

I could just picture Eleazar's lips curling with a cocky smirk. "Indeed you did, my little warrior, but there are stronger foes than those-"

Bella interrupted him, "But what about my power? What of that? Does it mean nothing now that everyone is up and going? I can take care of-"

Eleazar sighed. "It means everything, Bella. That's what you don't understand."

I could see Bella's flawless skin wrinkle ever so slightly as her eyebrows drew together. "What don't I understand, Eleazar?"

Again, our friend sighed.

"What don't I understand, Eleazar?" Bella demanded, growling. She took a step or so closer to him as she spoke, her hair swaying with the motion. Her back was to me now.

Eleazar was in her face almost too quickly for me to see. His hands gripped the tops of her arms, convulsing with every word to make her understand. "Now that Aro knows you had the power to rid the world of Jane and Alec, you, yourself, are in grave danger. They will search for you. You'll be the next target. Just as well, who would not want your power?" He leaned closer to her, his voice lowering to a whisper. I tilted my head down, straining my ears to catch every single word. "You will be the next victim, my dear. You must stay protected."

She stared at him as he leaned away. Her eyes fluttered uselessly as I could swear the venom in both of our veins pulsed and sped through our bodies. My eyes fell closed as I turned my face away. My wife, my angel, was Aro's next-in-line possession. She was a pyro, what more could he want? She would have to be hidden. I shook my head. Forever trapped in a cell of her own affairs to hide from those that hunts her. I growled low in my throat. No, we could defeat them. All the while, she will be protected, just as I had promised myself I would do long ago. I can make up for every mistake I've made by her.

"I will be protected," Bella said. "Not only can I protect myself, but I've got a husband that will help me."

"Now, dear, Jasper's not healed completely. His full strength has not returned."

Bella nodded. "I'm aware of that, my friend. But he is, and always has been, stronger than anyone has ever accounted for. His strength, his power, will return." She breathed as Eleazar backed away. "He will be glorious…"

Eleazar turned, his face crumbling beneath his faltering will and fight against my beloved. She could convince Satan of something if she had to, no doubt. She had a way with words.

"I fear for all of you, Bella," Eleazar replied quietly, staring out the far window. Bella turned her head so she was staring at the far wall. "I worry you will go unprotected, no matter what you say. One cannot protect oneself with no power, no will to fight." He turned sharply, eyes blazing at the side of her chocolate hair and pale face.

"Do not speak of power with me, Eleazar," Bella growled in command, turning to him and facing him full-on. Eleazar's eyes widened slightly as Bella showed him who she really was, or who she had grown into. "Power may help win a battle, but it is not the main reason."

"Then what is?" Eleazar snarled in return. "Sending your family into the path of smoke and futuristic ashes is madness. You will force your family to be trampled by the top forces of the world. Whether or not you can sustain the force of a blow from the Volturi means nothing if you running forever from your one true enemy."

"I don't care about the Volturi!" Bella yelled. "My family was harmed. The Volturi will fall. And so help me, Eleazar," Bella began as she moved closer to him, pointing her perfectly trimmed nail into his chest, "we will win. And I'm not asking for your help or to fight. Stand in the woods, stay silent, give help if you see fit. Otherwise, run. There's no use of anyone who has their tail between their legs."

Eleazar made a move to talk back but seemed to think better of it. He retreated, moving away from her by a few inches, though by his emotions it felt like a few miles. He tilted his head down and away slightly. "This is no longer a form of discussion. We will be hidden in the trees." He began to walk out of the room, but he paused in the doorway, turning. "I would think about getting some help from others if I were you. The Volturi will bring those they need as well. You can't win, or even stand a chance, if it is only you and your family."

He walked out. "Thank you, Eleazar," Bella whispered. "We have already grown stronger."

There was no reply. Silence settled over the room as Bella turned, carefully leaning against the window. She stared ahead, taking deep breaths. I zeroed in on her face as well as her emotions. The strength with which she held herself with earlier was gone. It had faded into the indescribable pain and fear she had been holding back. She could not hide it from me, even if she could hide it from every other human being and vampire on earth. I turned, resting my forearms on the banister before me, looking down on Bella as she slowly sank to the floor, her legs falling straight out in front of her.

"You should really sneak better if you don't want to get caught, Jasper," she said, glancing up at what parts of my arms she could see.

I smiled. "I agree, my love." I flew down the stairs, stopping in front of her slouching form. I nudged her foot with my own, and she lifted her hypnotic gaze to mine. "Do you really wish to go to battle with them?" I wondered.

"Yes, I do." She glanced away. "I can't let them get away with what they did to you, Jasper," she whispered.

I sighed, moving so I was sitting beside her. Her head lolled onto my shoulder. I placed my head on hers, taking her hand in mine, playing with her dexterous fingers. "I understand, Bella. I would do the same for you, but I can't lose you…"

She tilted her head up so she was looking at me. "You're not going to lose me, Jasper," she whispered.

I looked down at our hands. "But what if I do?" I pulled my eyes closed, squeezing them to stop the disturbing, morbid images that filled my mind of Bella. No head, lain in a blaze of fire, ashes, gone. Then, I grew angry. No one would so much as think of doing that to my beloved.

Bella gripped my hand in hers. "Help me, my love," she cooed. "Every vision you see now I have seen. I am afraid of it. I cannot lose you either, and I've been closer to that possibility in the last week than I ever have been." She sniffed, her breathing speeding up slightly. "Do not go where I cannot follow."

I turned to her, getting inches from her eyes so my eyes gazed fiercely into hers. "Never."

Her velvety soft skin met mine as she cradled my face in her hands. "Will you help me? I don't know how to fight properly."

I smirked at the turn of events. "What about your quarrel with Alec and Jane?" I questioned, lifting a blonde brow.

She smiled slightly, her chest deflating in a sigh. "That was luck, I'm afraid. But I don't want to take any chances. There are stronger vampires out there."

I nodded. "Indeed there are. And while I agree, you seem to be a natural fighter, Tinkerbelle."

She giggled and my spirits lifted at the glorious sound. "Tinkerbelle?"

I kissed her forehead, smiling. "My Tinkerbelle." She smiled at me as a new scent filled my nostrils.

"But my Bellerina," Emmett crowed excitedly, walking in and plopping to the floor. It creaked beneath his weight.

Bella chuckled brightly. "Of course, Emmelina. Always."

He grumbled, pulling her leg gently. "Alright, whatever, but I want into this."

Bella looked between me and her. "Well, uh, Emmett, I'm not really comfortable with-"

My eyes widened just as Emmett covered his ears and began singing like a two year old. "No, no, no, not like that, you twisted little vampire. Geez, screw your on head on straight." He shook his head, rolled his eyes, and dropped his hands. "I meant that I want in on teaching you how to fight."

Bella nodded. "Sure, that's what you meant. Still, it's fine by me." She winked at me. "If it's alright with my husband, of course."

I wrapped my arm around her slim waist, tightening it and pulling her closer to me. "I see nothing wrong with it. Although," I looked at Emmett, "you better start slow. I won't take unnecessary force while Bella is learning. Otherwise, I'll get Carlisle to help instead."

Emmett waved his hand through the air in front of his chest. "Yes, yes, of course. Whatever saws your fangs down."

A growl rumbled in my throat. "I'm serious, Emmett. Later, when the training grows into more you will fight each other properly. In fact, why don't you wait till then, Emmett? It won't be as much fun for you up until then anyway. You can watch, but how about Carlisle helping out until then?" Just at that moment, Carlisle stepped into the room, no doubt having tuned into the conversation as soon as his name was proclaimed.

Carlisle leaned against the doorframe casually. "I'd be more than happy to. As long as Bella doesn't light me on fire, of course," he joked.

Bella smiled at him. "I've got that under control, dad, but I'll be careful anyway."

Carlisle chuckled. "Thank you, my daughter. I feel much safer now."

Emmett looked glumly between us. Bella must have taken on pity on him because she ended up giving him permission to help no matter what. I rolled my eyes as Carlisle hid a smirk behind his hand. I scowled at him, but that only served to make him laugh even harder. I sighed. Things can never be easy for me, and I don't have the ability to go against my wife either. And still, I can't find it in myself to mind.

"Can we start now?" Bella asked eagerly, jumping to her feet and looking down at me.

I glanced behind me to see the sun begin rising over the snow covered mountains. I rose to my feet. "Yes, let's begin. After the lesson for today is finished, Carlisle, you and I must discuss some plans."

He nodded as Emmett and Bella sped past him and out the door. "Indeed. I've got some ideas of my own."

I began to pass him in the doorway. Just as I was about to, Carlisle's hand blocked the way. I looked over at him, turning my head. "I understand why Bella would do this, my son, and you are aware of my aversion to fighting, but I will follow you and my daughter through fire and hell. Besides, I believe it's time for Aro to get a taste of what he has been putting everyone through." Carlisle began to walk away, and I stood in the doorway, frozen by his revelation.

I unlocked after a few long seconds, following out to the front yard. The glistening snow shone brightly in the morning sun, matching all of our glistening skin. Bella was going around, fire blazing from her hands as she melted away a clean circle for us to begin her training. Emmett stood to the side, his jaw dropped to his chest as he watched her. I chuckled and walked to him, pushing his jaw up. Bella giggled at us as I walked up to her. I wrapped my arms around her from behind as she finished off the rest of the circle. She melted into my chest. I tilted my head down, breathing in the delicious scent of her mahogany mane.

She sighed, vibrating against me deliciously as my breath hit her skin. I placed a gentle kiss on the side of her neck. "Are you ready to begin, Darlin'?"

She turned to me, eyes meeting mine and nodding confidently. "Let's do this."

I smiled before growing serious and stepping away from her. My change in mood caused hers to change as well. "For the time being, I am not your husband, Emmett is not your brother, and Carlisle is not your father. We are your trainers, do you understand?"

Bella nodded silently, her eyes never straying nor losing their gleam.

"Great. Now, I'm going to stand behind you and place your body in the proper fighting position. After that, I will get in front of you."

She repeated her action as I walked to her again. I got behind her, forcing myself not to take her into my arms as I did earlier. I breathed in, forcing myself to focus like she was. I tapped her knees, pushing them apart and into a diagonal line. I lifted her hands in front of her chest, near her chin, and balled them into fists. I twisted her shoulders into the proper position before stepping in front of her to check her form. I nodded, barely enough for her to see as close as she was. Her form was wonderful.

I took a step closer so I was in reaching distance. "Today we are coving punching, kicking, and blocking. No more."

Bella nodded, yet again.

"Now, punch me," I said. She paused. "Punch me," I commanded, harsher this time.

Her eyes blazed. I just barely caught the movement, but next thing I know, her fist is clasped in my hand. I looked away and into her wide fading amber eyes. I squeeze her fist before letting it drop.

"Again, and don't let me catch you."

Her eyes pierced mine, captivating me. In that same instant, her fist planted against my chest. The pain was short lived as my body shot backwards. I pushed upwards, rolling into a back flip before my boots came in contact with the ground. I was a good thirty feet from Bella now. Her eyes held astonishment as they gazed at me. I stiffened my body, taking on the trainer role again. I felt uncomfortable as I was teaching my wife, but this is what she asked to do. I would do nothing halfway as this was for my angel's protection. No matter how out-of-place this all was to me, I knew that the stern air would help her most in the end.

I stood in front of her. "Good. Now that you've got the hang of things, we are going to try something a little different." I turned and waved a hand at Carlisle and Emmett, motioning for them to come to me and Bella. They came, and we created a triangle around Bella. I could see her body tense as her nerves picked up on our presences. She was a vampire surrounded by other vampires, and her body knew it. Whether or not we would hurt her, she responded just as she was meant to. It was just as her instincts wanted her to. Bella kept me in her main line of sight, but I could see her eyes fighting a flickering motion. She wanted to look at all of us. Pride flew through my veins as I saw she was running on her natural instincts. She knew exactly what she was supposed to do.

"We are going to walk around you. We may switch places, and we may move to place our hands on you but never touch. Be prepared to fight us off and block our advances."

We began walking around her. Bella did not move, but her eyes were going haywire, frantically sweeping over all of our forms. We passed in front of her for a few rounds, doing nothing. Then, Emmett reached a hand towards her back. She moved so fast she blurred. Her hand struck Emmett's and he was soon on his knees in front of her with her arms around his neck, her teeth resting against the skin there. Emmett's eyes bulged as he found himself in a very dangerous position. Taking the smart way out, he grew limp in her arms. She closed her mouth, hiding her sharp pearls, and looked up at me, questions in her eyes.

I nodded my approval. "Let him go."

She released him immediately, stepping away from his hunched form. He was on his feet in seconds, staring at me in shock. I met his eyes for a moment before walking to Bella. She, too, seemed to be in a little bit of a shock. I glanced at Carlisle.

"Carlisle, how about you work on sparring with Bella? See where her natural instincts take her," I said.

He walked over to us. He looked over at Bella. "Ready?"

She glanced at me then back to him. She stayed silent, nodding. I walked away as they began, standing on the outside of the circle. I was watching every movement as they sparred, my pride growing as Bella often overpowered Carlisle. A phenomenal feat as Carlisle was just as trained in the art as I was. Bella and Carlisle circled each other, growling or snarling occasionally to see if they could take the higher step over the other. Neither had succeeded as they were so evenly matched. Bella made the first move. She shot forward and rolled to the right at the very last second. Her foot planted against Carlisle's back, and he shot into the air. He twisted, dropping to his feet and reaching for her. He gripped her shoulders as she growled and catapulted her over his head. She wrapped around herself and came down hard, creating a crater in the ground. My eyes tightened at the fall. My face cleared, however, as she jumped to her feet, attacking again.

They got into a cycle, circling again and attacking until one hit the ground, and the process began again. As I continued to watch, Emmett walked over from his spot to stand beside me. I glanced at him, and he stared at the side of my head.

"What is it?" I wondered.

"It's Bella. She's not meant to be this trained yet, Jasper, natural fighter or not," he stated.

I had to agree. I had found it odd when she first told me of her fight with Jane and Alec, but I never truly thought much of it. As it were, it was abnormal. But then again, Bella was good with weird.

"I know, but I think it was meant to be this way," I murmured.

His eyebrows pulled together. "What makes you think that?"

I sighed. "Think about it, Emmett, have you ever met anyone more perfect to be a vampire? Well, other than Bella?" I stared at him.

He took a few moments to look at Bella. "I see your point. And I'm not going to lie; I almost pissed my pants when she caught me like she had."

I chuckled loudly. "You can't even do that."

"Exactly."

I snorted as Bella and Carlisle walked over us. They were both covered in dirt from having thrown each other around so much. They were both smiling widely, though, so I knew they were both exceedingly impressed with one another. I smiled at Bella.

"I believe we are finished for the day, Jasper," Carlisle said. "Bella is one strong force of nature. She's definitely dangerous." He winked at her conspiratorially, and she giggled, nodding in agreement.

"You're a fantastic fighter, dad," she replied.

He leaned over, kissing her forehead. "Years of practice."

Bella laughed. "Well, I'm going to go get cleaned up. No matter who or what you are, dirt in places where it shouldn't be is still uncomfortable." She walked away grumbling under her breath as we all snickered.

"I believe I will follow Bella's suggestion. See you boys later." He disappeared behind Bella.

"I'm going to go find Rose," Emmett said, turning away.

"Well, don't let me hear anything!" I yelled after him, halfway joking.

He gave me the one finger salute and disappeared. I shook my head as I made my way into the house. I could hear the televisions throughout the house, the sounds of pages being turned, and the unmistakable sound of running water. I made my way up the stairs and into mine and Bella's room. I settled in the chair by the bookshelf, grabbing a pristine piece of paper along the way. The page was covered with words. Words that I had cherished since I had awoke. Bella, as she told me, had taken to writing as she waited for my eyes to open. She had told me it was never meant to be so much, but I loved every word of it. It was her soul on paper, what she was able to express. It was perfection and beauty on paper. It was her.

To My Beloved,

It is so rare for people to find that one person that they would give the world to if they could. I never found myself as a rarity. Though I never fit in, I never stood out. But you, you were always the center of someone's world; mine from the very beginning, even when I did not notice it. Now, I wish I had. All that wasted time, Jasper. All that time with you was being pushed down by someone whose love had faded. When I think back on that time, it hurts me. I feel pain at what I never did in those moments. I did help you heal, yes, but I could have stopped the pain from happening at all if I had just opened my eyes to the world around me.

I was fixated on love. No, I was in love with love. Seventeen, eighteen years, and I was still a child, blind to what was really out in the world. Even so, I am trying to make up for everything that I messed up on. Every missed second…I want to make it all up. At least I have forever to fix things. And now, look where we are; changed, stronger, different, together. It's everything I could ask for and so much more.

But we are mixed in a moment in which I wish and pray had never occurred. Now, I only have one wish after every disastrous moment that has happened in the last few days: Open your eyes. That's all I'm begging for now. I want to see you, see the gleam in your eyes, and I cannot. Have you ever had that feeling, my love? It's that feeling of darkness and never getting the chance to look into the eyes of whom you love and begging for that beam of light and color to take over your world just so you can see something other than the darkness behind your eyelids? Every time I close my eyes I see you're broken, failing body there. It's horrible.

A nightmare.

I long for you to open your eyes and for me to never close mine again. Forever with our eyes wide open, my love! What could be better? We could see the world stretch out and change before our eyes every day of forever. I've always wanted to see the world, and it's all the better because I get to see it with you. But I can't now, and that hurts me. It's tearing me up from the inside out, leaving scars that will never heal. I may seem melodramatic, but it's so accurate a description. I want to heal, but I can't until you do. You are my life force, Jasper, you don't even understand.

I beg of you, open your eyes so I can see the world in all its glory. So I can see you. You are my world…my universe. I can't even imagine a life where you are not awake with me…

I wish you could feel me now. The shaking of my bones, the pounding venom in my body that rushed through every dark blue vein. Can you feel that in your sleep? That fear emanating from my body? I pray you can't, but then again, I pray you can. I feel you will wake to comfort me, as I should be the one comforting you. Oh, the tears I wish I could shed… I could cry you a river if I had the ability. We could sail down it, sail away. Get away from here. It would be in our own special place; a place where no one can reach us. No one can touch us… just you and me.

That's my dream. That's what I wish for. You, awake, and for us to be alone. All alone. No bug, human, or vampire around. I could love you with everything in me. I'll make you get as loud as you possibly can as I throw in every bit of passion for you as I can. All until my body grows limp in bliss. I wish that for both of us, beloved. That will be our forever. When we rid of the dangers, we shall go away. Disappear where the silence is never heard.

I love you, my Major, my Jasper. I beg you, do not leave me alone.

Come back to me.

"You came back, Jasper."

The whisper was like pure silk, and it drew me in. I dropped the paper, letting it fall to the floor as my eyes shot up to meet Bella's as she stood in the doorway in a simple blue negligee.

"I will always come back to you," I whispered, standing.

She began to walk towards me, silent as always. She was soon in front of me, her beauty almost stunning me. I reached up brushing her hair behind her should so I could caress the silky skin of her neck. She tilted her head to the side, her eyes falling close as my lips came into contact with the pale skin. Her fingers twisted into my shirt a short moment before lifting to undo the buttons. Her hands soon followed the path of the muscles along my chest, each one jumping at the contact. My breathing sped against her neck as she began placing gentle butterfly kisses along my collarbone.

"The most powerful weapon in the world is a soul on fire," I whispered.

She shivered delicately, her curves pressing against me. "Set me on fire, Jasper."

"Make me a promise." I pulled away, trapping her gaze as our hair fell around us, creating a curtain that held the two of us.

"Anything," she vowed.

I could feel the venom gather in my eyes as I looked at her. Her emotions went haywire as my breathing sped up even more.

"Jasper?" she whispered sweetly.

"Everything we've been through, you've stayed instead of running. You are so strong, Bella, so strong. I am empowered with your strength. You don't understand what it does to me. I never want to let you go…" I shook my head slowly as I pressed my forehead to hers. "Please, don't leave me alone. Don't let me turn into the coward I was before. Keep feeding my fire, Angel. I will not live without that flame, without that blaze. I will be ashes."

"We will always be together," she growled. "I have come too close to losing you. I will not be in that position again."

I could not hold in the emotions. Images of me, on Bella's kitchen floor in Forks, passed through my mind. My emotions were worse than they had ever been then. Why? These emotions were for Bella, my true mate. They were increased, overpowering, suffocating. I fell to my knees before her, wrapping my arms around her waist and burying my cheek into her stomach.

"Don't go where I can't follow," I murmured breathlessly. "Promise me."

She fell down to match me. Her eyes blazed as she cradled my face in her hands with a firm grip. "Promise."

Her lips were on mine in seconds, smothering all of my sadness, anger, fear…every emotion that was raging a war within me. She stopped it all. I was meant to build her flames, but she was really fueling my fire.

And I knew she would continue to do so for the rest of eternity.


There ya go! Hope you liked it!
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Also, I am starting a collab with xoBellaItaliaox very soon! Be sure to check that out. The first chapter should be up in a few days! :)

~Much Love-Zoe-VSA-XOXOX