A/N:- HERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER, SORRY IT HAS TAKEN AWHILE. i HOPE YOU LIKE IT AND i HOPE YOU REVIEW.
i DON'T OWN TWILIGHT OR ANYTHING RELATING TO TWILIGHT, I AM JUST A FAN THAT HAD A STORY THAT HAD TO BE TOLD BUT COULDN'T GET IT OUT WITHOUT PUTTING IT WITHIN A SIMILAR CONTEXT AS TWILIGHT.
HERE IT IS...
Chapter Seven: Jasper
Next thing I know I was being lifted off the ground, so I looked around quickly. I saw that Edward was standing beside me, which shocked me and so I looked up to see who was carrying me and what I saw shocked me even more. Jasper had never gotten so close to me before, I didn't know why he stayed so far away from me but I could tell that he didn't hate me, unlike Rosalie.
We were stepping over to Edward's Volvo. When we got to the car Jasper, Edward and I hoped into the back. I still had not calmed down totally and I felt another wave of calm wash over me.
"Bella calm down, you need not be upset any longer. I know that you are very angry at what they did to your friend Amy but everything has been taken care of." Jasper said in a calm tone that was full of authority. All I could do was look at him and stare.
He started to rub my back, and Edward's voice broke through my stunned mind. "Bella, love. Please listen to us. It really scared me seeing you lose it like that and I don't want you to get hurt any more so please, PLEASE calm down."
"NO! I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! I AM SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE HURTING THOSE THAT I CARE ABOUT!" I shouted and I tried to shove them off me with all of my strength but it was useless, still didn't calm me down and I continued.
"SHE DIDN'T EVER DESERVE TO HAVE THAT DONE TO HER......" I screamed at them but I trailed off at the end for I had started to sob into Jasper's chest and I brought my hand up and slammed it back down on his chest, now that was going to bruise my good hand later, it wouldn't hurt him though.
Jasper slightly cringed but I felt a new wave of calm through me while he rubbed my back and rocked us back and forth slowly. We reached the house, as we walked in Esme and Carlisle were sitting in the lounge room again and a sense of Déjà vu came over me. Jasper followed Edward up the stairs to my room.
He placed me down on the bed and he sat down next to me on the bed with one hand on my arm and one on my forehead, while Edward came over to lie down next to me. I still was not calming completely down, even though I was a whole lot calmer than before at school. Edward looked over at the door and said something so fast and low I couldn't really make it out. Next thing I know Carlisle was walking in the door with his bag.
"What's going on?" I asked them harshly. Edward placed his hand under my chin and made me look at him. When I looked into his eyes, I saw that he was both scared and worried again. I wasn't really that bad, was I? Why was I really not calming down? Was I overreacting? Or was I now freaking out? Maybe it was all the adrenaline pumping through my veins that was making me react like this. I Felt like I could go a few rounds with Charlie right now and win!
"Carlisle is going to give you something to calm you down if you don't help us and try to calm down without it." Edward said while still staring at me trying to keep my attention on him and rubbing soothing circle on my cheek with his thumb, which really wasn't doing anything.
I thought about what he said for a minute, I wanted to calm down but I really didn't know if I could. I felt really pumped! And I felt powerful like I could do anything right now, but then I thought about what Carlisle giving me something meant. OH NO NEEDLES!!
I started to hyperventilate then. Edward rubbed my arm and my cheek still with more urgency, but that didn't do much. My thoughts were interrupted by Jasper speaking up. "Bella, why are you feeling scared all of a sudden?"
What did he just ask me? How can he know what I am feeling? Oh could that be his 'gift' like Edward's mind reading and Alice's visions?
"Jasper, can you feel my feelings or something? Is that why I felt calmer with you in the car before?" I asked him. He looked at me shocked for a second and then smiled.
"Yes Bella, I can feel your emotions as well as manipulate them. But you were angrier than I thought possible for a human to feel so it was hard for me to calm you down. Not to mention you actually hurt me a little bit when you slammed your hand down on my chest. When you're calmer Carlisle will check out your hand. Now can you answer my previous question please? Why were you scared a moment ago?"
I looked over at Carlisle sitting at my feet, then over to Edward who was lying beside me and then lastly back to Jasper and answered. "Well I was thinking of what Edward said before and then it clicked that whatever Carlisle will give me might be with a needle and I am terrified of needles." I looked down and blushed.
Then they all cracked up laughing and I swear I could hear someone else in the house laugh and I thought it was Emmett. That got me worked up again, I thrashed against their holds yet again and Jasper sent another wave of calm my way, I looked at him and then I yelled "Well if you want me to calm down then DON'T LAUGH AT ME RIGHT NOW!"
They all stopped laughing and Edward smiled my favourite smile again and I calmed down a small bit but I still felt pumped, angry and scared all at the same time. "Bella, we are not really laughing at you, but it is kind of funny to us seeing as we saw how you were at school and how brave you were. Not to mention everything you have lived through without saying anything, only to find out your afraid of something as simple as needles.
"It may be funny to you, but it is very real to me." I said back to him and then Carlisle spoke for the first time. "Bella, you need to rest, all this stress is not good for you. I think the easiest and quickest way to calm you down right now is if I give you something.
"Now I'm sorry if this knowledge scares you but I think it is best seeing as your still recovering from previous injuries and I don't want you to hurt yourself further or impede your recovery with all this." He smiled at me, nodded at Edward and whispered something to Jasper. Then before I could say anything to anyone they held me down, Jasper picked me up slightly and turned me into his chest while Edward held my arm out for Carlisle.
I tried to kick and scream and thrash about but Jasper calmed me down enough so I didn't hurt myself against their hold of me, I felt the needle go into my skin and I also felt Jasper hold his breath and turn his head away. That's odd, must remember to ask about that later.
I started to feel the medicine working it's magic throughout my body and I felt myself being turned onto my other side and placed into someone else's arms and that person kissed my forehead, I then fluttered my eyes open I saw that I was in Edward's arms and I sighed a happy sigh, with that fell asleep.
For the rest of the week, nothing else bad happened. Tanya didn't come back to school and I later found out she was transferred to a boarding school somewhere. Mike left us alone but Amy had to take some time off to gather herself together, I was gathering all her work for her. I was going over to her house on Sunday to drop it off and spend some time with her. She was grateful to me for standing up for her but she was just still very shaken I told her not to worry and that I would be there for her no matter what, however I can be because she was there for me.
When it was the weekend Edward had to go and hunt, I didn't want him to leave and I know he didn't want to either. But it was necessary if he didn't want to attack me. Going with him was everyone but Jasper. I was excited because I would get to know him and get some answers off him but I was also worried of what I would find out.
Before I had woken up everyone had already left to go hunt. I woke up to find a note on my pillow. Written in Edward's beautiful script the note read.
Take care my beautiful beloved; I will be back before
you have time to miss me. Feel free to look
around the house sweetheart. Never forget I love you.
Edward
I walked down to the kitchen after getting dressed. Jasper wasn't any where in sight but I knew that he was there somewhere in the house. When I had made and eaten my breakfast, I decided to walk about the house and have a look around.
I walked up to the second floor and was walking past a room that had its door slightly ajar, I stepped forwards and opened the door a bit more and poked my head in. What I saw there was amazing! The room was some kind of study or something because every inch of the walls were covered in books and Civil War paraphernalia.
"Good morning Bella, I see you have found my study." Jasper said. I looked over to see he was sitting down in a chair with his back to me. I jumped at his words and he gave a small chuckle. He turned and looked over at me; he smiled and motioned for me to come in.
"Oh I am so sorry Jasper; I didn't mean to disturb you. I was just looking around the house and as I walked past this door I noticed it was slightly open so I peaked in. I can leave if you want me to?" I said and smiled back at him.
"It's ok Bella. I don't mind you being in here, do you like to read? I only ask this because I feel your curiosity and wonder." He said while waving a hand towards the bookshelves. I walk over to one wall and ran a hand over the books.
They all looked so old, I picked one out and opened it. It was a book about the Civil War and it looked like a first edition to. I love old books but I have never held one that looked, felt and smelt this old before. I closed it and was about to put it back, even though I really wanted to read it, when Jasper spoke again.
"You don't have to put it back! You can read it if you want to. I can tell you appreciate old things by how you held it and by how you were admiring it." He smiled and I couldn't help but smile at him.
"Do you like to read about the Civil War? Because you have a lot of books and stuff about it in here." I asked and he just walked over to me slowly and gently took the book from my hands and then looked at me and smiled again.
"How much do you know about me, Bella?" He asked. In truth I didn't know anything about him. Only what Alice had said when I found out about them being Vampires.
"I don't really know anything about you at all to be honest. Would you tell me?" I replied.
"Well Bella, I lived in Houston, Texas when I was human and was almost 17 years old when I enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861. I actually lied to the recruiters and told them I was 20; I was tall enough to get away with it.
"My Military career was short-lived, but was very promising. You see people always...well....liked me and listened to what I had to say. My father said it was charisma, but now I know it was most likely something more. But, whatever the reason, I was promoted through the ranks quickly, over older and more experienced men.
"The Confederate Army was new and scrambling to get organised and that provided opportunities as well. By the first battle, it was more of a skirmish really, of Galveston, I was the youngest major in Texas, not even acknowledging my real age.
"I was placed in charge of evacuating all the women and children from the city when the Union's mortar boats reached the harbour. It took a day to prepare them and then I left with the first column of civilians to convey them to Houston.
"I remember that one night in 1863 all too clearly,
"It was after dark when we reached the city and I only stayed long enough to make sure the party was safe. As soon as that was done, I got myself a fresh horse, and I headed back to Galveston. There wasn't time to rest.
"About a mile out of the city, I found three women on foot. I assumed they were stragglers and dismounted to offer my aid. But, when I caught a glimpse of their faces in the dim light of the moon, I was stunned into silence. They were, without a doubt, the three most beautiful women I had ever seen.
"They all had such pale skin and I remember marvelling in it. Even the little black-haired one, that was clearly Mexican by her features, was porcelain in the moon light. They seemed young, all of them, still young enough to be called girls.
"I knew then that they were not lost members of our party because I would have remembered seeing them. They talked back and forth between themselves but I could clearly hear them talk about me and finally the small tiny brunette, who they called Maria, said "Yes I'll do it, I really do like this one. Take Nettie away, will you? I don't want to have to protect my back while I'm trying to focus." And turning to me, while the other two went off to do what they called 'hunt', said "What's your name soldier?"
"Major Jasper Whitlock. Ma'am," I stammered, unable to be impolite to a female, even if she was a ghost. "I truly hope you survive, Jasper," she said in her gentle voice. "I have a good feeling about you."
"She took a step closer, and inclined her head as if she were going to kiss me. I stood frozen in place, though my instincts were screaming for me to run. A few days later I was introduced to my life.
"Their names were Maria, Nettie and Lucy. They were putting together an army of newborn vampires and she wanted a superior army, so that's why she would pick out specific humans that had potential. She taught us to fight, and she taught us to be invisible to the humans.
"She was in a hurry for the massive strength of the newborn begins to wane around the one year mark, so she wanted to act while we were still strong. There were six of us when I joined. She added four more within a fortnight.
"We were all male because she wanted soldiers, and we fought amongst ourselves. My first battles were against my comrades in arms, but I was quicker and better in combat than the others. Maria was a good judge of character and put me in charge of the others, as if I was being promoted and that suited my nature exactly.
"We didn't fight as much and our numbers swelled to hover around 20. My ability, as yet undefined, to control the emotional atmosphere around me was vitally effective. We soon began to work together like no newborn vampires had before.
"Even Maria, Nettie and Lucy were able to work together more easily. Maria grew fond of me and she began to depend on me. And, in some ways I worshipped the ground she walked on. I had no idea that there was another way of life that was possible, she told us that this was the way things were and we believed her.
"We took her former home of Monterrey without any human even being aware of anything happening and we only lost four in the process. It was an unheard of margin of victory. The success made Maria greedy and she started to eye other cities. Within that first year, she had extended her control to cover most of Texas and northern Mexico. Then others came to dislodge her.
"The fighting was intense and out of the original 23, I was the only one to survive the first 18 months. We both won and lost. Nettie and Lucy turned on Maria eventually, but we won that one. Maria and I were able to hold on to Monterrey. And though the wars continued, it quieted a little. The Idea of conquest was dying out; it was mostly vengeance and feuding now.
"So many had lost their partners and that is something our kind does not forgive, that's why Edward is so protective of you. We kept a dozen or so newborns around and when they outgrew their usefulness, we disposed of them. My life continued in the same violent pattern and the years passed. I was sick of it all for a very long time before anything changed.
"Decades later, a friendship developed between me and a newborn named Peter, who remained useful and against the odds survived his first 3 years. He didn't enjoy the fight but he was good at it.
"He was assigned to deal with the newborns, babysit them really. It was a full time job. It came time to purge again; the newborns were outgrowing their strength and were due to be replaced. Peter was supposed to help me and we would take them individually, it was always a long night.
"This time he tried to convince me that some had potential, but Maria had instructed that we get rid of them all and I told him no. I could feel the toll it was taking on Peter. I was trying to decide whether or not to send him away when I called out the next newborn to go. Peter surprised me by getting angry, furious even.
"I braced myself for whatever mood might foreshadow, he was a good fighter but he was never a match for me. The newborn I had called was a female named Charlotte and she was just past her year mark. When she came into view his feelings gave him away and he shouted at her to run and followed after her. I could have gone after them but I didn't. I felt....averse to destroying him.
"Maria was irritated with me for that..... 5 years later, Maria was mystified by my ever-deteriorating frame of mind. She never felt a moment's depression, and I wondered why I was so different, I soon began to notice a change in her emotions around me and they were the same feelings of fear and malice that gave me advance warning when Nettie and Lucy struck. I was preparing myself to destroy my only ally, the core of my existence, when Peter snuck in for me.
"He told me of his new life and options that I never dreamt I had. In 5 years they never had a fight even though they met others in the north and found they could co-exist. He had me convinced in that one conversation and I was somewhat relieved that I didn't have to destroy Maria. I'd been her companion for as many years as Carlisle and Edward have, yet our bond was nowhere near as strong.
"When you live for blood and for the fight, the relationships you form are tenuous and easily broken. I walked away without a backwards glance. I travelled with them for a few years but my depression still didn't leave me, until Peter noticed it was worse after I hunted.
"As I contemplated that, I realised that in so many years of slaughter and carnage, I'd lost nearly all of my humanity. I was undeniably a nightmare, a monster of the grisliest kind. Yet each time I found another human victim, I would feel a faint prick of remembrance for that other life.
"When I would watch their eyes widen in wonder at my beauty, I could see Maria and the others in my head and how they had looked to me the last night I was Jasper Whitlock. It was stronger for me though, this borrowed memory, than it was for anyone else because I could physically feel what my prey was feeling. And I lived their emotions as I killed them.
"You have experienced a small amount of the way I can manipulate the emotions around myself, Bella, but I wonder if you realize how the feelings in a room affect me. I live everyday in a climate of emotion. For the first century of my life, I lived in a world of bloodthirsty vengeance. Hate was my constant companion. It eased a little when I left Maria, but I still had to feel the horror and fear of my prey.
"It began to be too much.
"The depression got worse, and I wandered away from Peter and Charlotte. Even though they were civilized, they didn't feel the same aversion I was. They only wanted peace from fighting. I was so wearied by killing – killing anyone, even more humans.
"Yet I had to keep killing, I tried to kill less often but I would become too thirsty and give in. I found self – control difficult to achieve after years of instant gratification and that's why I don't get to close to you. I am sorry if I offend you with my distance and hope you now can understand why.
"I was in Philadelphia when I met Alice, it was a stormy day and I was walking out in the open. I wasn't used to it yet and also I was rather thirsty, which worried me, and so I ducked into a little half empty diner and she was there waiting for me. She hopped down from a stool at the counter as soon as I walked in and it shocked me, all my past had to offer about what her behaviour meant was an attack. But she was smiling and the emotions that were coming off her were like nothing I had ever felt before.
"Alice told me about Carlisle and this whole way of life and we went out in search of them and then later met up with them and been with them ever since." He smiled at me, as I took in everything he just said to me.
Wow poor Jasper, everything he has gone through and he still is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Not to mention the fact that he held me close on the day I lost my temper at Mike and Tanya for what they had done to Amy and tried to help me calm down, it must have been like a flashback or something for him.
"Wow thank you Jasper, for telling me your story. What a horrible way to live, but to come out being one of the nicest people I have ever met is just amazing! And hey I think your control, as far as I understand about it, is quiet good. You held me the other day and also look how close you are to me now, so don't put yourself down too much please. I am sorry about the other day when I lost my temper now; it really must have been like being back in a war zone just without armies fighting.
From what you have just said I think you have come a long way and I'd be more than willing to help in any way I can because you are helping me." I said to him and I moved slowly forward as not to do anything unexpected and put a hand on his shoulder. He smiled and nodded his head at me, while placing a cold hard hand over mine and holding it in his.
"Bella, thank you for your words and I can tell that you mean them. If there is something you can help with, you'll be the first to know. You are truly the most selfless creature I have ever met, and are worth every effort to keep you safe. And do not say sorry for standing up for what you believe in, and I was only concerned for you not worry about what I was feeling.
"I will try to be around you more and maybe that exposure to your scent will help, but I will have to talk with Carlisle, Alice and Edward about that though. I can already tell that this time being in the same room as you, as well as when I held you have helped immensely so.
"I must take my leave of you now though, please feel free to stay and read, as well as coming back here whenever you wish to." He said to me and went to leave but before he was fully out of the room I had to ask him something so I said.
"Jasper, may I ask something of you?" He paused at the door and turned around to face me again "Of cause Bella, if it is within my abilities and power to give you, you can. Why do you ask?"
"Well I was just thinking that, if you are able to or think it's ok, that I could come here to not only read the many books on these shelves but also to talk to you when I need to talk about things that I need help with. I don't feel like I can talk to Edward or anybody else, well at least at first. I know that with Edward's mind reading and Alice's visions and all of your hearing it won't be....just between us, but I just feel so comfortable around you and I can't hid my feelings from you so you could help me sort them out if I am confused about them or something like that.
"Don't get me wrong, I love Edward. More than I think I know how to express because I have never experienced this kind of love, nor did I think I was capable, or even worthy, of ever feeling it let alone give it back to anyone. But I think that maybe I might hurt Edward with that, and you have known him longer so you could help me there.
"And I love Alice like the sister I never had. She does scare me a little with what she put in my wardrobe and all this shopping business, but I do care for her and again I don't know how to deal with that. Or any of the emotions I am feeling about everyone, Carlisle and Esme especially and it's just easier to talk to you about all my feeling then it is with them. Did you understand any of that?" I said to him. He turned his head so he was facing out the door and took a deep breath. He then walked back over to me and engulfed me in a hug.
"Oh sweet Bella, of cause you can talk to me about your feelings and emotions! I can certainly try and help you in any way that I can. I must tell you though that I may be able to feel what you're feeling but you have to tell me the thoughts behind them ok, but other than that I can be your councillor when you need me to be. You're already like a sister to me and I want to help you out however I can. But you have to tell Edward about this; don't worry about Alice because if she doesn't already know then I'll tell her. I will see you later Bella." And with that he walked out of the room and left me alone in his study.
For the rest of the day I was in the study reading books, I must have fallen asleep with a book on my chest because I felt the book being lifted carefully out of my hands and I woke up. When I opened my eyes I saw Jasper bent over me and he wasn't breathing.
"I'm sorry Bella I didn't mean to wake you. I came up to check on you and you were asleep, so I wanted to move you to your bed where you would be more comfortable and warmer. Plus you must be hungry you have been up here all day and your last meal was breakfast. I could find something for you and bring it to your room if you would like? Or I can just take you to your bed?" Jasper said while putting the book down onto the medium sized square coffee table in between the two chairs in the room.
"It's ok Jasper. Thank you for checking on me, I guess I was more tired than I thought I was and I was so engrossed into these books that I completely lost track of time. I think I would like to just go to bed and sleep." I said and got up to stand but my legs fell from under me, I was inches away from the ground when I was caught by Jasper who picked me up and carried me to my bed and placed me into bed while smiling. He wished me good night and I soon fell asleep.
A/N:- WELL THERE IS THE LATES CHAPTER. WHAT DID YOU THINK? I HOPE YOU LIKED IT, I DO AND i HAVE ALWAY THOUGHT THAT IF EDWARD COULD BE DESENSITISED BY BEING AROUND BELLA MORE WHY COULDN'T JASPER, SO I HOPE YOU LIKE THEIR INTERACTION.
TIL NEXT CHAPTER, PLEASE REVIEW AND TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS AND IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEA'S OF WHAT TYPE OF PRANKS I CAN HAVE EMMETT DO TO BELLA WHILE HE IS 'BELLA SITTING' WHILE EDWARD IS OUT HUNTING I WILL ADD YOUR PEN NAME INTO THAT PART OF THE STORY WHEN I WRITE IT!!! THANKS