***You continue to blow me away! That's all…

***Thanks to my two lovely betas. I'm still not sure why you continue to put up with me, but I'm glad you do. And, now I've pulled poor Lady Tazz into the mix…thanks for pre-reading.

Bella

He didn't want me hanging around, but I was so tired of feeling unwanted and rejected. Most of the time he was put off by me, but every so often he showed some flicker of hope. I was lonely and for some strange reason, I felt comfortable and at home with him. So, I wasn't giving up on this friendship. Whether he believed it or not, he needed me too.

It was stupid to set myself up like this because he could leave at any time. He so much as warned me he wouldn't be staying in Forks, but I still wanted to be near him. I was an idiot when it came to vampires, so why break the streak now?

I walked up to the front door, but Jasper pulled it open before I could knock.

"You're back," he said as he widened the door for me to enter.

"I told you I'd stop by today."

"So you did." He walked into the family room and sat on the floor by the fire. "Take your jacket off, it's wet and come warm up over here."

It was a cold, damp rainy day and I was chilly. I joined him by the fire and then realized he must have been waiting for me. Why else would he have a fire going? He certainly didn't need it.

"That feels nice," I said as I extended my palms out in front of the fire. "We don't have a fireplace."

He didn't say anything as he looked me over for a few seconds. I pushed the hair from my face and glanced down at my clothes. They weren't designer, but I didn't think I looked too bad. I shifted my position so I was sitting with my legs straight out in front of me.

"You're uncomfortable today," he noted. "Why is that?"

I shrugged my shoulders. He was right, I was feeling uneasy, but it wasn't until he started staring at me that I felt awkward.

"Your eyes have more gold in them today," I noticed.

"I hunted this morning," he said.

"How's that going for you?"

"Easier than I thought it'd be," he said. "It was always hard for me to keep the animal diet but I don't seem to be struggling."

We sat quietly for a few minutes, but the silence was unnerving, so I decided to ask him some questions.

"Jasper?"

"Yes, Bella," he answered. "Your curiosity is going to aggravate me, isn't it?"

"Probably." I laughed. "But, you're already so put off by me anyway, so I might as well ask."

He smirked.

And, that smirk was just as sexy as when he growled yesterday.

Shit! He can feel that.

He cleared his throat. "You had a question?"

"Why did you leave the Cullens?"

"It was time for me to go," he answered.

"You won't elaborate?"

"No, but I feel your guilt, so I'll tell you it had nothing to do with you."

"But, you and Alice seemed so in love," I said. "Did I imagine that?"

"No." He shook his head. "I love Alice, I mean really, how could I not? But, it wasn't the kind of love that keeps two vampires together for eternity. We always knew that."

"She wasn't your mate?"

"No," he said. "She is a very good friend and she helped me through a very difficult time in my life."

"What happened?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter," he said.

"I'd like to get to know you better, but I don't know anything about you other than the charade you played out the last time you were here. Carlisle didn't create you, so who did?"

He thought for a few minutes, and I didn't think he was going to tell me anything, but finally he spoke. His voice was soft, and he had a wounded look on his face. I immediately figured out that his past was probably something he didn't like to discuss.

"Her name was Maria." His eyes were so distant when he said her name. "I was serving in the Civil War. I was a Major. I enlisted at the age of seventeen."

When he spoke of his service record, he beamed with pride. I could tell it meant a great deal to him. He continued on with his story, but the more he told me, the sadder I became. I was so intrigued by his beginnings as a vampire. I had no idea anything like his past existed. Maria sounded like such an evil bitch. She used him for his gift and made him do things that no vampire should have to do. My heart broke for him, but I smiled when he got to the part about the diner in Philadelphia.

"It's a love story." I smiled.

"It was," he said. "In the beginning."

"So, why didn't it last?"

"It wasn't meant to," he said. "Alice was always up front with me about that. We served a purpose in one another's lives. We needed each other then, and I'll always have a special place in my heart for her as I'm sure she does for me, but everything happens for a reason. Alice brought me to the Cullens at a time when I needed them most. I probably wouldn't be here today, if not for them."

"But, you left them," I said. "Why?"

"It was time to go," he simply said.

"So, are they all still together?" I asked.

"Not all of them." He got up and walked around the room, stopping to look out the window. "Edward left shortly after we all left Forks. As far as I know, he hasn't returned home yet, but I'm sure he will."

"How can you be so sure?"

"He needs his coven. He adores Esme and Alice and he looks up to Carlisle. He truly sees him as his father. And, he likes having Em and Rose around too."

"And you?" I stood next to him by the window. "Will he be disappointed you're not there too?"

He stepped away from me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I'm trying to get used to your scent, but when we're together for a long period of time, it's hard for me. My throat burns, so I try to create some distance."

"I'm sorry," I said. "I can leave if it's too much." I really didn't want to go, but I didn't want to push him over the edge and have him attack me either.

That would kinda suck.

"No," he said. "I'm okay for now."

"Good." I smiled as I sat down on the couch. "So, will Edward be upset you left?"

"I don't know. He knew Alice and I weren't mated because he could read it in our thoughts. So, he probably knew I wouldn't stick around forever."

"So, what are your plans now?" I wasn't sure I really wanted to know, but I asked anyway.

"I'll probably go back to Texas with Peter and Char."

"Oh," I mumbled.

"Sorry if that disappoints you," he said.

Stupid empath!

"Do you like staying with them?" I asked. "In Texas?"

"Yes, they're my family."

"Then why would you come back to Forks to be alone? That doesn't make sense. If you were so happy in your nomad life, feeding from humans and roaming the country, why would you come back to a place that offered nothing for you? You can't even feed the way you want to here."

"I'm wondering that myself." He sat down on the couch, just inches from where I was seated. "I can't seem to leave though."

"Why?" I swallowed hard. His close proximity was making my head spin.

"Alice said I'd find what I'd lost here," he said. "But, I don't know what it is I lost in the first damn place."

"Maybe I could help you…" Before I could finish, his head snapped in the direction of the window. He closed his eyes and inhaled and then let out a low, threatening growl. This time it wasn't sexy. It actually frightened me.

He stopped and stared at me for a moment, but he looked scary, almost like he was ready to attack. His lips were pulled over his teeth and he continued to growl.

"What is it?" I whispered.

"Wolves," he hissed.

"What?"

"They're approaching the door." He stood up. "Four of them in human form."

"I don't think they're here for you." I stood up and headed for the door, but Jasper was in front of me in an instant.

"It's okay," I whispered.

"Bella Swan!" Jake screamed from the front porch. "You better come out of that bloodsucker's house before I come in to get you!"

Jasper growled louder.

"Stop it!" I pleaded. "I don't want them to phase. Let me talk to them."

He didn't move. "You're not going out there with four angry wolves."

"Please." I bit my bottom lip, hoping he'd give in. I really didn't want to see anyone get hurt over my new friendship.

He rolled his eyes and moved out of the way. I opened the door and stormed out onto the porch and sure enough Jake, Sam, Embry and Paul were standing there shirtless with their arms crossed over their chests.

"Jacob Black! What the hell are you doing here?" I screamed.

"Protecting you, since you're too stupid to do it yourself!" he yelled back.

Jasper stepped out onto the porch and stood in front of me.

What was he doing?

"Back off, cold one," Embry warned.

"Bella, what are you thinking?" Jake asked.

"I'm just visiting with an old friend," I said over Jasper's shoulder.

"An old friend. Do you remember what these vamps did to you?" he asked.

"Jasper didn't leave me," I reminded him. "He's not responsible for Edward."

"Excuse me," Jake said. "But wasn't he the one who tried to drain you over a paper cut?"

"It's time for you to go, dog," Jasper said.

"Not without Bella," Jake countered. "Don't make me drag you outta here."

"You won't make it passed me!" Jasper growled.

"Maybe you can't count, but you seemed to be outnumbered," Paul said.

"Stop it!" I yelled. "Everybody just calm down. Jasper, can you do that? Help me restore some peace?"

"Fine," he whispered and in a few seconds, the wolves backed down and didn't look as angry.

"Thank you." I stepped around Jasper.

"Jake," I started, but he interrupted.

"What did he do to me?" he asked.

"He's just keeping things calm so we can talk," I said.

"Make him stop," he spoke through gritted teeth.

"I will, but first you need to understand I'm just here visiting. Jasper won't hurt me."

"How can you be so sure?" he asked.

"I just am," I said. "So, you'll have to trust me."

"Bella," Jake said. "His kind has been nothin' but trouble for you. And, you know Victoria is after you, so why would you associate with a vamp that could lead her right to you?"

"Victoria?" Jasper said. "How do you know she's after Bella?"

"I'm not talkin' you," Jake said.

"Stop it!" I yelled. "I ran into Laurent a few months ago and he told me she was looking for me."

"What do you mean you ran into Laurent? Why would he let you live?"

"He wouldn't," Sam said. "We took care of him and Bella was able to get away."

"And, now we're doing everything we can to make sure Victoria can't make good on her threat to kill Bella. So, that's why she's leaving right now." Jake extended his hand for me.

"Victoria won't harm Bella." Jasper said.

"And how could you be so sure?" Jake asked. "We can't even find her."

"I killed her five days ago," Jasper informed us.

"What?" I asked. "How?"

"I was in Seattle at Alice's request," Jasper told us. "Something was seriously wrong there; too many suspicious killings and disappearances. Peter, Char and I did some investigating and found out she was starting to assemble an army of newborns."

"Just like your story with Maria," I whispered.

"Newborns?" Paul asked.

"New vampires. They're strong and can be molded into what their leader wants them to be. Victoria was stupid and had no idea what she was getting herself into, so it was easy for me and my friends to go in and eradicate the city of them. She had no battle sense, no organizational skill, just determination and she probably would've made it to Forks had she not been stopped."

"Did you hear that, Jake?" I asked. "Jasper destroyed Victoria, so I'm safe."

"From Victoria." Jake glared at Jasper.

"We should be thanking Jasper," I said. "Now we don't have to worry about what she's planning and when she'll attack. Things can go back to normal."

"They'll go back to normal when he leaves," Jake said.

"I don't plan on staying long," Jasper said.

That made my heart hurt.

Jasper turned and looked at me apologetically.

"Good." Jake looked at me. "Let's go, Bella."

"No." I shook my head. "You can't tell me what to do."

"Stop acting like a child and let's go," he ordered.

Jasper let out a low growl but I wasn't sure why.

"Bella, don't make me tell Charlie where you are. It'll kill him to think that you're messing up your recovery." Jake shook his head at me.

Now he wasn't playing fair. I'd already stressed Charlie out enough and I didn't want to hurt him anymore.

"Does Charlie know what I am?" Jasper asked.

"No, Jake just means that since Edward hurt me so bad, if Charlie finds out I'm here, he'll automatically think I'm looking for Edward." I glared at Jake. "But, that couldn't be further from the truth."

"Then let's go," he said as he reached for my hand.

Jasper stepped down to where Jake was standing and got dangerously close to Jake's face. "Stop telling her what to do."

"Bella, back away," Sam said as he stepped in between Jasper and Jake. "Jacob, stand down. I'm not asking you as your friend."

"Jake, please," I whispered. "I'll go now."

Jake backed away from Jasper. "Fine, let's go."

"I just need a minute to say goodbye. Sam, please." I hoped he would make the others leave.

He nodded. "We'll wait at the foot of the property for your truck."

"Thank you," I said.

"Bella, I'm not done with you, you have a lot of explaining to do," Jake warned me.

"Fine, just meet me at my house and I'll tell you whatever you want to know," I said.

"And, you," Jake said to Jasper. "You better not violate that treaty or you won't live to suck another neck or turn into a bat or whatever it is you things do."

Jasper laughed.

"I won't feed from a human, turn a human or step foot on the reservation," Jasper assured them. "I'm not here to cause a problem."

"Then you're free to stay in Forks for as long as you'd like," Sam said. "And, we thank you for making sure Victoria and her army never made it here."

Jasper nodded.

The wolves took off into the forest and waited for me by the end of the driveway. I dreaded my future conversation with Jake.

"Don't mind Jake," I said. "He's just really protective of me and doesn't want me to have to go through what I did last year."

"I understand," he said. "But, I'm not gonna hurt you."

"I know." I smiled. "I've been telling you that for two days."

"I'm glad Victoria is no longer a threat to you," he said. "We have Alice to thank for that."

"No, I have you to thank for that." I stood on my toes and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

He stepped back, clearly surprised by my gesture.

"Well, I gotta go," I said, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Sorry for the inconvenience."

I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my hand and abruptly pulled me toward him. I looked down at our joined hands and then back up to his eyes.

"I don't…" He stopped and shook his head. "Don't go."

"I'll come back," I told him. "I just have to talk to Jake and make sure he doesn't tell Charlie something stupid."

He continued to stare at me.

"You have to let go of my hand," I whispered.

He nodded, but still didn't release me from his rather tight hold. He looked all possessive and well, kinda hot. After a few pretty intense seconds, when I thought my panties were gonna explode with all the tension goin' on between my thighs, he finally let go.

"Well, umm…" I couldn't think straight and almost stumbled down the steps, but Jasper held out his arm and stopped me from falling.

"Yeah." I giggled. "I gotta go now."

I jumped in my truck and pulled out of the driveway, but stopped to compose myself before I made it out to the road.

What the fuck was that?

I didn't think I'd ever experienced a pull like that before. It was like I physically couldn't leave him.

My shrink was gonna have a field day with this one!

***So, let's not be too hard on Jake. He has his reasons.

***I'm trying to keep to an every other day posting schedule, but if I throw in a drabble, I'll usually post that the next day. Yes, I'm hinting at a drabble being posted tomorrow. Oh, and drabbles will usually be in a POV other than J or B.