(Jasper's POV)

Anabelle and I progressed down a thin stone walkway, winding our way through a bountiful garden. There were flowers, plants and trees everywhere you turned. We seemed lost in a maze of green, but I didn't mind as long as I was with her. Nobody said anything for a few moments. We just walked along in a comfortable silence. It was a silence that I knew would have been unbearable for Alice. She could never stop chattering away, and it was a trait I once found endearing, but after a century or so the nonstop babbling can become more than a bit grating. I felt guilty. Whatever effect Anabelle was having on me, it was powerful and all consuming. I felt more than a little guilty, and rather worried at my rapid change in feelings.

After another minute or so Ana looked towards me. "Alright, here is the deal. I will answer any of your questions that I deem...reasonable." I smirked. "Reasonable or safe?" I retorted, and I heard her sigh. She sounded sad, and I immediately felt guilty for some reason. "I know it is difficult for you to understand why I want to keep you safe. Why I should bother caring," was her only response. I stopped walking, and stared at her. "Do you really think that? That I don't understand how you feel? Anabelle, the first time we met I was tempted to kill you because of how strong your blood was." The words came out before I could think about what I was saying.

Ana's expression in response to my statement shifted in between a huge smile and a disappointed frown. Her continually wavering reaction was too humorous looking not to laugh. She smiled, and then for last time the grin disappeared, and the scowl returned. "Well, I am not tempted to kill you, but there are others who will be." "Who are the others?" I persisted, but she shook her head. "No, not that one. Ask something else." I chuckled. She was so bossy, but it fit her adorably.

"Why can't Edward read your family's minds?" I asked. Ana shrugged. "Mind block. Theirs was learned, mine was born." I was surprised, for I had not been expecting that. I could LEARN to block Edward out? I smiled at the endless possibilities. "How does that work?" I questioned. "It isn't difficult. I can teach you if you have a couple hundred years." She smiled at me, and my body vibrated with pure joy at the thought of a hundred years next to her.

I decided on my next question. "How is it that I don't smell your blood anymore? I mean, I do, but it is so easy for me to enjoy it without feeling any temptation." "It is a special ability of mine, one of many. I suppose you could call it the gift of emotional manipulation. Similar to yours, but I can't change the person's feelings, just subdue them so they don't make any rash decisions."

I was surprised. I hadn't realized she knew about my gift. She smiled again, and I could've sworn my dead heart skipped a beat. "Yes Jasper, I know you're an empath. I felt it the moment we met."

Was it possible that this girl was made for me? That us meeting was destiny? The one person who could help control the violent urges I often felt, I just happened to have a strong attraction to. I hesitated for only a moment before continuing. "What animal does Reed take the form of?" At the mention of her brother Ana's face took on a proud, idolizing expression, and it was so easy to tell how much her family meant to her. "A Siberian tiger." she responded. Impressive, I thought. The largest tiger breed, not to mention tigers in general are considered some of the world's most dangerous animals. She must have taken some satisfaction from the fascinated expression on my face, for I was rewarded with another dazzling smile.

"Continue." she ordered. "Are you going to run away from me someday?" It was a hard question for me to speak, but I needed to know. I watched the sadness return to her eyes. "I should, but honestly Jasper. I don't know if I can. I've been running for four hundred years. I'm so tired, and something about you makes it so hard to stay away." I smiled, but my happiness was not shared. She looked at me angrily. "Please believe me Jasper. Run far away. Do not let yourself become connected to me." Ana was pleading with me, but instead of agreeing I grabbed her shoulders. It felt as though an electric current was running through me when we touched. "I think it's a little too late for that, darling." I whispered.

(Ana's POV)

It took all of my strength and a bit of the use of my power before I managed to pry my eyes away from Jasper's. His words excited the butterflies in my stomach, but I was scowling. It was selfish to keep him here with me, for the ones who were coming after me were too strong. I knew this hope I was feeling was dangerous and futile. I had to break any connection I had with Jasper if I wanted to protect him.

We continued down the garden walkway in silence. His hand was clasped in mine. The end of this green maze was quickly approaching, for we had entered the rose garden. I had planted it here at the end because I wanted it to be the finale. It was my favorite, and I could stare forever into the endless different colors of the blooms, but now I could see something was out of place.

A pair of brown Manolo heels were clearly visible from underneath one of the bright green hedges. "Esme?" I called. The shoes quickly made their way towards us, and soon we could see the beautiful woman they were connected too. A smile emerged on Jasper's face, but a pout emerged on mine when I realized he had still been worried about her. I shook it off and smiled back at her.

"Jasper!" She exclaimed. She was as surprised as the rest of us had been to see her son here. I attempted a weak smile. "He came to check up on you, so did Emmett and Edward. The girls are at home waiting." The apologetic look she shot me made me feel better. There was no way they were all going to escape a lecture from her and Carlisle.

I quickly realized that Jasper and I were still holding hands. In the next millisecond I had pried mine free, but it was not fast enough to escape Esme's notice. Her eyebrows scrunched and she looked questioningly at Jasper. "Well, we are both fine, and if the girls are waiting we should probably head back to give them the news, unless Alice has already seen us," she told him. "Doubt it," I whispered, so softly that neither of them could hear.

Esme continued, "Thank you Ana, for welcoming us in your home. Your garden is so lovely." I gazed warmly back at her, seeing the mother figure I had never known. "Thank you for visiting. Please feel free to come back anytime, I don't really like having outsiders tend to the plants. I prefer to do it personally, but I would love your help." I knew she would accept.

She nodded vigorously before telling Jasper she would meet him in the car, and glided away. I sighed and sat down on a nearby stone bench. Jasper stayed where he was, clearly torn between following his mother and asking me more questions. "One more." I stated. "Tell me about your other abilities." I raised my eyebrows. He was exceptionally observant. He prodded me on. "How can Alice not see you or Reed? And why do my powers not affect you?" His questions amused me, for I had wondered if he had noticed his abilities lack of power over me. I nodded. "Technically, that is two questions, but I'll answer anyway." He waited. "Alice cannot see werewolves or half-breeds either, correct?" He nodded, and I watched as realization took over. "Because she has never been either of those...So, she cannot see you or Reed because, she has never been what either of you are?" I nodded in approval before continuing, "And as for your second question, I have a shielding ability as well. I can see other's powers coming towards me, and I can shake them off. It is similar to wearing a raincoat while it is raining. The water just slides right off of you."

He did not respond. He just stood staring at me for a few moments. I felt the need to snap him back to reality. "Your family is waiting."