Song: "I Can Feel Your Pain" – Manchester Orchestra

Chapter 6 – Memories

BPOV

Jasper and I walked out of the car dealership hand in hand. Jasper had picked his four favorite cars and then given me the choice of which one I wanted. I had no idea of the specifications and makes and models, but I did know that when Jasper leaned against this particular black sports car, there was no other car I could imagine him driving. Jasper signed the paper work and was unable to put me on the title since we didn't have my papers yet. But that was more than okay with me. I would never drive that car unless absolutely necessary.

Geoffrey was waiting at his car and came around the side, greeting us as we approached him. "So? Which one then?" He was looking at Jasper but since he had let me decide, I felt the need to speak up. "The black one." Geoffrey raised an eyebrow and I heard Jasper snicker beside me. "Oh shut up." I walked away, leaning against Geoffrey's car with my arms over my chest while the boys talked makes and models.

"The Maserati. Bella seemed to like that one most." Geoffrey ran his hand through his hair and nodded a little, grinning at Jasper. "Man, she's got good taste then. I've had my eye on that car for awhile now." They talked quickly and loudly, laughing here and there. I picked up words like, "power", "revs", and "speed". I had a healthy appreciation for cars in general, but honestly, I had been happy in my beat up old truck. It matched me.

I cleared my throat, pulling their attention back to me. "So, what now?" They glanced at each other and then walked closer to where I was standing. Geoffrey stuffed his hands into his pockets and Jasper leaned against the car beside me. "Well," Jasper said, glancing around. "They'll bring the car around any time now and then we'll get going. Geoff, you've been indispensable, as always. Thank you." Geoffrey nodded and they shook hands. It was one of those manly handshakes where they latched forearms and stared at each other as though it was the last time they'd ever seen each other. I stifled a laugh, but couldn't hide my amusement from Jasper. He turned and looked at me with a smirk on his face, but didn't say anything.

"Miss," Geoffrey stepped forward, smiling broadly. "I can honestly say it's been a pleasure. I can also honestly say it's been a trial." Jasper laughed and Geoffrey turned back to him. Together the two unloaded the luggage from the car and stacked it up neatly next to Geoffrey's car. When they were done, Geoffrey handed Jasper his suit. "Smooth travels, sir." Jasper inclined his head and I waved to Geoffrey as he rounded the car and opened the driver's side door. "If you should find yourselves back in New York, you know where to find me." He disappeared inside the car just as the roar of an engine approached us from behind. Jasper and I turned and saw the brand new car being driven toward us.

Minutes later, Jasper had the luggage loaded into the car and we were pulling out of the dealership lot. I sat extremely still in the passenger seat afraid to move, much less touch anything. Jasper adjusted his seat and mirrors, keeping one hand on the steering wheel. He glanced over at me and grabbed my seatbelt, pulling it so tight I coughed loudly. "Jasper! What the hell?" He looked at me with a raised eyebrow and then shrugged. "Just making sure you were strapped in. It's time to get to know the car."

I frowned and opened my mouth to ask what he meant when he suddenly stomped down on the gas, causing the car to roar to life as the force of its sudden increased speed shoved me back against my seat. I held on tight as Jasper maneuvered curves in the road and weaved in and out of traffic. Before long we were on the highway where Jasper was a little freer with his speed. I clutched my stomach as he changed lanes suddenly, sliding in between two cars and coming out the other side.

"Jasper, you may be immune to human ailments, but I swear I will throw up all over your pretty new car if you don't cut that out." Jasper chuckled and I felt him let off the gas a little bit. I rolled down the window enough to get some air in the car and closed my eyes as the wind circulated through the car. After a few minutes the chill in the wind got to be too much and I rolled the window back up, turning in my seat to face Jasper.

"So, tell me where we're going. Some place rainy and overcast so we can actually go out in public together?" I smiled hopefully at Jasper and he laughed, taking his sunglasses off and handing them to me. "We're going to New Orleans, Bella. Jenks is taking his family to Florida, but I thought it best if we avoided your mother's home state." I nodded, gratefully and slid his sunglasses onto my head, using them to hold my hair back. "I've never been there before. What's it like? Rainy and overcast?"

Jasper inclined his head slightly. "Sometimes. Sometimes not. But the beauty of New Orleans is the night life. We can go out together without worrying about you being discovered and actually enjoy ourselves. Plus, there's plenty of crime in New Orleans, so I won't have a problem there." My mind was torn between finding a way to make him say "New Orleans" again and bringing up his feeding habits. Still, as much as I enjoyed the way his southern drawl sounded when he mentioned our destination, I needed to talk to him about his feeding and he had given me a way in.

"Jazz… About that…" I bit my lip and gave myself a second to arrange my thoughts in my head. "Well, I was wondering if you were ever going to go back to the vegetarian lifestyle. I mean, it's great that you're only hunting the ones who deserve it, but you're not a murderer, Jasper." I tried to make my words as gentle sounding as possible, but wanted to express my full opinion without holding back. It was now or never. Jasper glanced at me, gripping the wheel tightly. The look in his eyes was hard to read and made me wish I knew him better. He knew me so well and I was still struggling to figure him out. But then again, I wasn't an empath.

"I'm afraid I can't risk it, Bella. Not with you in my company. Even if I felt I could control myself and find some way to stick to my diet, the temptation to kill you would grow tenfold from what it is now. Eventually I would slip and kill you. I just can't risk it."

I frowned and sat back in my seat, biting my nails compulsively. So even if Jasper wanted to stop killing people, he had to keep doing it just because of me? I sighed and shook my head, drawing Jasper's attention back to me. "I hate this. I wish I wasn't like this." Jasper chuckled and shook his head, smirking slightly. "You're quite somethin', Bella. I'm the monster and yet you wish you were different. Trust me, darlin', if one of us needs to change, it's me."

"Stop that." I muttered, looking up at him. "You're not a monster. And saying you are in that damn voice of yours makes my heart hurt." Jasper looked at me again, studying me this time. I raised an eyebrow at him and pointed to the road when I started getting uncomfortable. "You may not be able to die, but I can. Keep your eyes on the road, mister." Jasper blinked twice and then pulled his attention back to the road ahead of us.

"Regardless of what I am or am not, I cannot risk it, Bella. It would put you in far too much danger. I was reborn a murderer, Bella. There is no escaping that fate." I twisted in my seat, pulling my seatbelt so I had room. "Let me help you then. I don't know how, but I want to. I mean, Alice used to help you. There must be something I can do."

"Alice did not tempt me the way you do. Her existence was never in danger around me the way yours is. If you were a sane human, which obviously you're not, you would stay away from me. You know how I am, Bella. You must remember your birthday party." I sat back in my seat again, looking out the window. "Of course I remember. But that was my fault. I was clumsy."

Jasper's laugh filled the car and I turned to look at him, finding him staring back at me. "That's just it, Bella. You are the clumsiest creature alive. We've been fortunate so far, but I bet against the gods each day when I allow you to wake up in my presence. One nick of your shaver, one nosebleed, even a scratch would be too much for me. You'd be dead before I realized I was draining your life. I think that guilt would be too much for me, then."

I stared at him as his voice grew gradually more and more ominous. Of course I knew what he was saying was true, but I was willing to bet against the gods too. "Ironic, isn't it? The first time I've felt any desire to live in months and the person behind it could end my life in a heartbeat." I shook my head and looked away, staring out my window.

"Why the sudden change, Bella? What has given you back your desire for life?" I shook my head and twisted in my seat, pulling my legs up beneath me as I faced Jasper. "Being with you? I can't explain it in any other way. The way I see it, you're the only person in the world who could understand what I've been going through and how… Torn up my spirit is. When you look at me, I don't see pity or condemnation in your eyes. It's just you, looking at me. I feel like… I feel like I'm living again. Like maybe death isn't entirely necessary. I don't know, Jazz. I'm probably not even making any sense. It barely makes sense in my head and most of it isn't even words, just feelings."

Jasper smiled and inclined his head slightly. "Then show me. Let me feel it." I stared at Jasper, unsure of myself. Part of me wanted to give him full access so he knew what I was going through and what he was dealing with. But I didn't even know where to begin. "But how?"

Jasper looked at the road and put his turn signal on, crossing the lanes until he could pull over. When we were finally on a little stretch of empty road, Jasper turned off the car and turned to face me. "Close your eyes." I stared at him for a second and he smiled, nodding slightly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Good, now I want you to picture yourself sitting alone in a quiet room." I nodded and he continued. "There's a photo album in your lap. Inside are thousands of pictures from the course of your life. Look through the pictures."

JPOV

Bella's eyes moved behind her eyelids and I studied her, pulling her emotions from the air. I felt her skepticism, but behind that I felt intrigue and hope. I remained absolutely still, allowing Bella to be alone with the pictures her memories had formed. A smile flickered across her face and amusement filled the car. She continued on, moving through the pages of her past. Her emotions ranged from nostalgic and happy to disappointed and morose. Eventually, her emotions stopped changing and sorrow hung in the air.

I closed my eyes and immersed myself in her emotions, forcing myself to feel every piercing stab of pain brought on by her sadness. I smelled salt in the air and heard Bella sniffle, but refused to stop our exercise. She wanted me to know what she was going through and quite honestly, I wanted to understand so I could save her from it. The car was silent except for Bella's soft sobs and I picked out every emotion that hung in the air: Heartbreak, remorse, desperation, mourning, anger, guilt, loneliness, and finally, fear. I held onto them, making them my own, and then began dispelling them.

"Turn the page, Bella. It's time to make new memories, darlin'." I began countering each one of her emotions with it's opposite. I focused on the sound of her heart and sent wave after wave of new emotions to her. Gradually Bella's sobs faded away and her heartbeat regulated. Without warning, perhaps because I was too focused on the task at hand, I felt Bella's hand on my cheek, cupping it gently. I opened my eyes and saw her staring at me, her eyes glazed with tears, but without fresh spilling over.

I heard the click of Bella's seatbelt being undone and she leaned forward across the seat, staring into my eyes. The moment was so unnerving I nearly pushed her away, but somehow managed to keep absolutely still. When she spoke, her voice was soft and tender, no longer laced with pain. "Don't ever say you're a monster again." I nodded once and barely managed to cut off my breathing before Bella's lips met my cheek. She held the contact for a few seconds and then pulled away, letting her hand fall away from my cheek. I watched her, utterly dumbfounded, as she sat back and put her seatbelt back on.

My reservoir of emotional strength had all but drained by now. Taking Bella's emotions onto myself and giving her all my positive emotions had left me feeling heavy and nearly defeated. And now as I sat back in my seat, gripping the steering wheel dangerously tight, I felt the warmth begin to fade from my cheek. The sensation was disheartening and made me long for the ability to be close to her without killing her. I allowed myself to breathe again now that Bella had returned to her own space and took a moment to wrap myself in her scent.

"This is dangerous." I said quietly, shaking my head as I rubbed my eyes. Bella stirred beside me and I felt her hand cover mine. "Yes, it is. But I have faith in you. And I'd rather live dangerously with you, than carelessly on my own. I don't want to go back to that life. I'd rather die at your hand than my own."

"Don't!" I hissed, turning to look at her. Her eyes widened in shock and I lowered my voice, returning to my normal quiet tone. "You make it sound as though death is waiting for you; As though there is only death by my hand or by your own." Bella squeezed my hand, though I could barely feel it. "Don't you understand, Jasper? One way or another, death is waiting for me. Whether now or in fifty years; whether by your hand, my own, or nature's, death is waiting for me."

I growled, pushing the car door open angrily. I got out and slammed the door closed with far more force than was necessary. I took a deep breath of the fresh night air and almost instantly my mind began to clear. The realization of what was happening rose in front of my eyes like a curtain rising on a theater stage. When I breathed Bella in, especially in a concentrated form like that of the constricted air within the car, I developed a certain dependency upon her. I needed her like she needed oxygen. The thought of her death, while painful even in the open air, was nearly incapacitating when surrounded by her scent.

I heard Bella's car door open and I took a deep breath, relishing in the clarity the fresh air allowed me before it was filled with her scent. Her footsteps came around the side of the car and she leaned against it, her body facing mine. I felt her hand on my arm and looked down at her. She smiled gently and her hand moved down my arm until her fingers met mine and she laced them together. We stood together like that for several minutes, not speaking, not moving. Finally, Bella pressed her head against my shoulder and looked up at me.

"When you're ready, I'll be in the car." I nodded slightly and watched as she pulled away. Her fingers slid from mine in slow motion, her warmth leaving me despite my silent plea not to. Her car door closed a few seconds later and I remained there, breathing in that fresh night air. "Disappointing." I muttered, feeling a distinct lack of satisfaction. Bella's scent was gone.

Less than ten hours later the sun began to creep up over the horizon, forcing the shadows away. I had timed our drive fairly well and we were nearing a small hotel when the first sunbeam hit our car. I gave Bella money and instructed her to get us a room while I waited in the car. The less time I spent out of the car, the less chance of problems. Bella had slept here and there during the drive, but mostly she had forced herself to stay awake while I drove. We didn't discuss whatever had happened between us while we were pulled over on the side of the highway, but the air between us had changed.

I caught Bella staring at me quite often and there were moments that I could have caught her, but spared her the embarrassment. Her emotions said more to me than she did during the drive. Curiosity and admiration were the two that bothered me the most, though there were others that piqued my interest. I wasn't used to being around humans who didn't fear me. And to say Bella didn't fear me would be a gross understatement.

Bella walked back to the car and I opened my door, stepping out. I pulled my sunglasses from her head, careful not to pull her hair, and placed them over my eyes. She reached up and adjusted them slightly before turning around to get her things out of the car while I pulled my coat on. I carried one of her suitcases while she held the smaller bag that contained her personal hygiene accessories. Both rooms were small and cramped, but for a single day, they would do. I set Bella's suitcase inside the door of her room and pulled my key from my pocket.

"All you have to do is say my name and I'll hear you. If you wake up or something… And you have the phone, of course." Bella nodded and leaned against the doorframe, looking up at me. "Is it hurting, yet?" I knew what she was referring to and smiled, not allowing her to see that it truly was beginning to get to me. "Somewhat, Bella. But I'm managing it. Now, sleep. We have a long drive ahead of us before we are able to settle in New Orleans."

Bella's heart thudded loudly and she bit her lip in a poor attempt to hide a smirk. I raised my eyebrow and narrowed in on her emotions. I felt that now very familiar sense of admiration, but it was paired with a certain amount of… Attraction?

"What?" I asked, not letting it go this time. She shook her head and I narrowed my eyes, though she couldn't see them behind the sunglasses. "Bella… I can feel it. So tell me why." Instantly her cheeks filled with blood and I found myself mesmerized by the sight. "I just like the way you say it, that's all."

Her words pulled my focus away from her blood-tinted cheeks and I shook my head slowly. "Say what?"

She laughed and shook her head. "Nevermind, Jasper." She leaned up and kissed my cheek without realizing how close to death she aligned herself each time. It was especially dangerous this time as my thirst had begun to rise again and her cheeks were stained with blood. "Good night, Jazz." I nodded slightly and stepped back from the door so she could close it. "Goodnight, Bella." I stood there until Bella closed the door, blocking the majority of her scent from me. Although, by now, her scent was everywhere. There would be no escaping it now.

I opened the door to my room and stepped in, leaving the light off. I pulled my coat off and hung it up beside the door before dropping down on the bed. Mostly I was relieved to be free of Bella. I needed a break from the internal struggle between my thirst and my need to protect her. But as I laid there listening to her moving around the adjourning room, I felt like something was missing inside me. The pain I felt for Alice had lessened significantly and, while I felt a certain amount of grief over that fact, I was thankful. Spending the majority of every single day dwelling on Alice's destruction and my role in it had been exhausting and agonizing beyond belief.

I heard the pipes creak in the room next to mine as Bella turned on the water in the shower. A few seconds later the sound of the water changed as Bella stepped under it and I found myself longing for a hot shower.

"Jasper?" Bella's voice floated through the door and I got up, opening it for her. It was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon. Bella had been awake for a couple of hours and I'd listened as she when through a routine of showering, dressing, zipping and unzipping bags, and snacking on junk food. I had a feeling she had stayed in her room to give me peace, knowing my thirst had gotten worse over night. She stepped into the room quickly and closed the door behind her, blocking out the sunlight again.

"Hi." She said, moving across the room. "Hello." I nodded and took a seat in the opposite corner, allowing a fair amount of distance between us as the burning in my throat began to increase in ferocity. "When do you think we'll leave again?" I glanced at my watch and did the math before looking up at her again. "Just a couple of hours, I think. The sun will be setting soon and I'll need to feed then. I'll leave you here while I go out. I have a feeling I won't find much, but there's a forest nearby. It would be better to feed on animals than not feed at all. Though, if it comes to that, I'll need to ask you to keep your distance until I can feed properly again."

Bella nodded and glanced away. I felt a certain amount of disappointment fill the air but I couldn't tell if it was disappointment at the prospect of me feeding on a human after going back to animals, or if it was at the prospect of keeping her distance from me. I chose not to address it and instead glanced out the window. "Will you be okay here while I'm gone?" Bella looked at me again and nodded once. "I'll be fine. I won't be going anywhere. I'll just wait here until you get back." I watched as she moved her fingers to her mouth, biting on her nails as her eyes glossed over as she drifted into deep thought.

We remained like that, an entire room between the two of us as we sat in silence, waiting for the sun to dip below the horizon. When it finally did, I pulled my black trench coat on and moved to the door. I heard Bella stirring behind me and turned to see her coming to the door. She stared at me for a second before pulling my coat together as she had done before. She patted my chest lightly and stepped back so I could open the door. "See you soon."

I left the room and pulled the door closed, hearing the click of the lock as Bella locked herself in. Seconds later the TV turned on and I heard Bella lay back on the bed. Deciding she really would be okay on her own, I turned and left the hotel, walking out of its parking lot.

I had been right when I said I'd have a hard time finding the appropriate prey in this little place. There seemed to be absolutely no crime taking place and I forced myself to keep to my promise to Alice. I gave up my search for human blood and ran into the nearby forest, taking in the sounds of life around me.

My first drink of animal blood was so disappointing I felt anger well up inside me. After months of feeding on humans daily, I was so unsatisfied with the blood I was drinking now, that I nearly gave up on my promise to Alice. I kept her face in my mind, telling myself repeatedly that I would not fail her. I hunted in the forest for nearly an hour, taking down countless deer and elk. Eventually I felt full enough that I knew I could be around Bella without killing her, even though it would be more painful than usual. I walked back to the hotel, taking my time so I could find control over my disappointment and unquenched thirst.

When I got there, I took out my key and let myself in. Bella sat up immediately as the door opened and clicked off the TV, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She sat there, staring up at me and a smile grew on her face. "Can I come closer or will it be too much?" I nodded and she stood up, crossing the room until she was standing in front of me. "Your eyes are golden again." Her smile grew and she stared into my eyes until I felt that familiar sense of discomfort. I smiled and walked past her, pulling my phone charger from the wall.

"It's best if we get going now while my thirst is dulled. The longer we're in the car together, the worse it will get. Let's see if we can make it to New Orleans before I kill you." I turned around to smirk at her and found her biting her lip again, attempting to hide a smirk. I narrowed my eyes and walked over to her, crossing my arms over my chest. "Okay, darlin', you've got to tell me." She laughed and shrugged a little, picking up her coat. "I just like the way you say 'New Orleans'. It sounds nice with your accent."

I grinned, deciding to toy with her a bit. "Ah, so you're attracted to my accent?" Bella's mouth dropped open and she blushed furiously, shaking her head. "What?! No! I never said that! I just said I liked it." I pulled open the door, holding it for her as I continued my scheme. "Yes, but Bella, you forget… I can feel what you feel." Bella made a sound that resembled a growl and I pulled the door closed behind her, handing her the key to my room. She opened her room and I went in, bringing out her suitcase and smaller bag.

"Okay, so I'm attracted to your accent. I've always liked accents. And you're attracted to my scent, so we're even." I shook my head as we walked away from the room. "No, Bella. I never said I was attracted to your scent." Bella stopped walking and turned, glaring up at me. "Well, what would you call it then?" I sighed and stared past her for a second, thinking about it. Finally, I shrugged and resumed walking. "Well, maybe it can be called attraction on some level or another." Bella rolled her eyes at me and we split up; I walked to the car and she went to check out of our rooms.

A few minutes later we peeled out onto the road and resumed our drive to New Orleans. Bella leaned back in her seat and kicked off her shoes, leaving only her socks on her feet. I watched as she reclined her seat slightly and propped her feet up on the dashboard of the car. She grinned and I felt a thick fog of satisfaction and contentment fill the car. Just as I was about to comment on it, my cell phone buzzed gently and I pulled it from my pocket.

Laughing as I looked at the caller ID, I flipped open the phone and greeted my old friend. "Hello, Peter. I was beginning to wonder when I'd hear from you." Peter's laugh boomed through the phone and I heard Bella laugh in response. "Jasper! Do you have any idea what you've put me through? I got this feeling a few months back that I needed to check in with you; that something wasn't right in your world. But your old number wasn't working and I couldn't get in touch with your family. Char and I got fed up and finally sent a letter to the Cullens'. We thought about just making the trip up there, but remembered about Edward and his human mate. It took a while, but we were finally contacted by that shrew you call a sister. Why does she insist on being such a pain in the ass every time I see her? Honestly, how you two can pass for brother and sister is beyond me. She's far more annoying than you are."

Bella's hand flew to her mouth as she held back a laugh and I shook my head, waiting for a second to make sure Peter's rant was over. "Yes, I'm sure it was awful, Peter. Far worse than anything Maria every put us through, I'm sure."

"Low blow, brother. Low blow." I chuckled and carefully guided the topic back to Rosalie, curious about what happened. "Well, my apologies, Peter. When I left Forks, I left my phone there. I got a new one awhile after being in New York but registered it under Whitlock. I'm guessing that's how you found me?" Peter explained how he had remembered mine and Alice's love of New York and got a friend to check registered cell phones in the state. Of course, he checked under Hale, Cullen, and Whitlock and eventually got lucky. "So tell me, Peter, what did Rosalie do that was so terrible?" Peter took a deep breath, more for effect than need, and began talking at vampiric speed.

"She and that big guy, what's his name? Emmett? Well they tracked down Charlotte and I while we were in between homes. You see, we've been looking for a place to settle in for a couple of weeks and have been moving around a lot. Well, they caught wind of us in Alabama and came raging up on us like we had killed their puppy. Only, obviously not, because that's their lifestyle, not ours. Anyway, the blondie started asking all these questions about you and eventually her and Charlotte got into it when I told her we hadn't heard from you. I guess she got it in her head that since we were trying to get in touch with you, we'd be looking for you and must have found you by the time they caught up with us. It was damn near impossible to convince her that we were completely out of touch with you! And that big guy just stood back with his arms crossed the whole time. I tell you, Jasper, I think he was laughing inside. Eventually we had them convinced and got them to explain what had happened…"

Peter's voice lowered and the excitement drained from it. When he spoke again, his voice was soft and full of regret. "Why didn't you come to us? We would have been there for you. I'm really sorry, brother. Charlotte too. She's been a wreck all day. She really loved Alice. We both did. I just can't tell you how sorry I am." I was speechless for a few seconds. I hadn't needed to console anyone over Alice's destruction yet. Bella had been going through it with me, but her mourning was more for Edward and we gave each other support without actually having to address what the loss of our mates meant to one other.

I glanced at Bella and she stared back at me, biting her lip gently. She smiled a sad little smile and I shook my head, brushing it aside. "Thank you, Peter. And give Charlotte a kiss for me." I heard a shuffle and Charlotte was suddenly on the phone. The usual cheerfulness that always filled her voice was missing. "Oh, Jasper. I'm just so sorry. All this time you've been out there on your own. It's just so awful. We want to see you, honey. Wherever you are, we'll meet you or you can come to us. We just don't want you to be alone with this."

"Woman!" Peter's voice boomed in the background again, causing Bella's head to whip around and look at me in surprise. "I told you not to do that! Didn't I tell you he'd never allow it? If you'd just let me do what I had planned to do…" A loud hiss sounded through the phone and I could almost picture Charlotte's icy expression. "Don't. Call. Me. Woman. I am your wife, you fool. Not your ward."

Charlotte turned her attention back to the phone call at hand and her voice was soft again, though less sorrow filled. "Jasper, honey, we love you and want to help you through this. We don't want you out there dealing with this alone."

I cut her off before she could continue with her desperate pleas. "I fear you worry too much, darlin'. Besides, I'm not alone. I have someone traveling with me." I heard Peter move closer to the phone and spoke a bit louder so he could hear better. "However, if you'd still like to see me, perhaps we can arrange a short visit. I'm meeting Jenks in New Orleans and plan to stay there for a little while." Bella grinned and turned away as a blush began to creep across her cheeks. I smiled and turned my attention back to Charlotte. "New Orleans! We'll we're not too far away! We can be there in a few hours. You can introduce us to your friend and maybe we can talk him into hunting with us, even if you won't."

"Actually, Char, I don't think that's a possibility. I'm traveling with a human named Bella. Edward's mate." A deafening silence filled the car and I waited for Charlotte and Peter to process this news. Finally, there was a shuffle and Peter's voice came through the phone loud and clear. "You're traveling with the human Edward didn't want us around? Have you lost your mind, brother?" I sighed and began to speak but he cut me off. "The Cullen's are looking for her, you know. Carlisle and Esme picked up a lead through her medical records. Blondie said they were on their way to New York to visit her in the psych ward. But obviously she won't be there. What did you do? Break her out?"

"Not exactly. She was already out when I found her."

"So take her back! This is foolish, Jasper. You must know that. You've never been one to exercise control and you're traveling with the one human who could bring about your destruction. My understanding is the Volturi have made their wishes widely known. Her knowledge of our life is too broad, Jasper. This will end badly. I—"

I couldn't stand it anymore. Despite having more respect for Peter than I had for any other vampire, perhaps rivaled only by my respect for Carlisle, I could no longer listen to his condemnations. "That's enough, Peter. Bella is better off with me than she is in that damn place. I have kept myself in control around her this entire time and have taken measures to continue doing so. As for the Volturi, I do not know what will come of that. But I can say I will be there when it all comes to a head. I'll change her myself if Aro commands that or her destruction. I will not lose another one."

Bella's heartbeat filled the car and I looked over at her. She was staring at me with wide eyes and I felt an odd mixture of fear, gratitude and affection fill the car. I patted her hand gently, only allowing myself a second's contact, and then turned my attention back to my phone call.

"Peter, you saved my life when you came back for me all those years ago. I can never explain how grateful I am to you. But, if you continue talking in this fashion, I will be forced to hang up on you."

"Only looking out for you, Jasper, as always. Now, let's forget all of this for the time being. Charlotte and I would like to meet your companion and are not too far away from New Orleans. How about we settle in and then make evening plans to meet?" I glanced at Bella and she stared back at me blankly. Realizing Peter had lowered his voice to a tone she probably couldn't hear, I explained the situation to her.

"Peter and Charlotte are interested in meeting you and checking on my well-being. They would like to meet us in New Orleans. Is that something you would be willing to do?" Bella's nerves lurched and anxiety filled the car, though her expression hid it well. "Of course, Jasper. They're like family to you, right? I trust your judgment." I nodded and looked back at the road ahead.

"Okay, Peter. We'll see you tomorrow night."

A/N: Ah, Peter and Charlotte. I've had a blast writing them. What do you all think of the story up to this point? Big things in store for Jasper and Bella in the upcoming chapters... Excited to post them. Reviews are like (what) to me? Keep them coming. And finally, thanks to Christine and Stacey. You two are lifesavers.