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BPOV

Cullen and I were waiting for Jasper to get done with his meeting with Maria. I didn't have a very good feeling about him meeting with her alone, but that was the only way she would do it. Jasper was so out of sorts and I could tell how much he despised this woman, and now that Cullen and I were here, it only distracted him and put extra stress on him.

"Mama," Cullen called to me as he ran around the yard. "Why can't we stay here?"

I chased after him, scooped him up and spun him around as he squealed in delight. "Because I made a mistake in bringing you here, and I should have listened to Daddy."

"Can he come to the island with us today?"

"I hope so," I smiled. "He'll let us know when he gets back."

"Where is everyone else?" he asked.

"They are with Daddy." I said. Jasper didn't want them all to go to the castle with him, but they all thought it was better to have them there in case Maria tried to take him against his will, or if Aro had set a trap for him. I shuddered at the thought of Jasper being forced to do anything against his will.

I knew Felix kept making periodic sweeps around the property and that made me feel a bit safer, but I was more concerned for Jasper. I heard a car pull up around the front of the villa. I knew immediately that they were vampires, but none that I had ever encountered before. I didn't recognize the scent. I thought that it was strange that any of the Volturi would be away from the castle and out in the sunlight. That's why it was harder for Felix to stay here for any length of time. He couldn't be detected, and I knew that I shouldn't even be in the yard for as I had been, I was worried that a neighbor would catch a glimpse of me, and that was something we really didn't need now.

"I'll be right back, sweetie," I smiled, as I put him down. "You stay here."

"They're vampires," Cullen said. "And, they're not happy."

"It's okay, baby," I kissed his head. "I'll see what they want." I paused briefly and stared into his beautiful eyes; Jasper's eyes. As I walked back through the villa, I heard a knock at the door. When I pulled it opened I found two huge vampires standing there. I had been around large vampires for several years now, but these two intimidated me, and they hadn't even said anything yet.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

They didn't say anything at first, they just stared at me with their red blazing eyes and that only added to that uneasy feeling that was forming at the pit of my stomach.

"I think you have the wrong house," I said, as I tried to close the door, but then the taller, leaner blond vampire wedged his foot between the door and the frame while the other grabbed my arm.

I looked down at his hand that was tightly gripping me, "Let go!" I demanded.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to startle you," he said in a calm, soothing voice.

"How do you know my name?" I asked, as I pulled out of his grasp.

"It's my job to know," he smiled, but he wasn't being friendly.

"Are you with the Volturi?" I asked, "Did they send you here?" Strangely enough, I truly hoped that to be the case, because the alternative could be detrimental.

They both laughed, but then I heard footsteps in the yard. Cullen! The vampire in the yard with him was so fast, and then I couldn't hear his heart beat anymore; couldn't sense him. I pushed the two vampires back with my mind and slammed the door. I headed to the yard, but I already knew it was too late. I could hear the two of them on the other side of the door.

"I knew she had an active power," one said.

"Pretty impressive," the other responded.

"Should we go after her?"

"Nah, she'll never catch him."

As I ran through the patio doors, the panic started to rise from within me. I ran to the center of the yard and tried to take in his scent. I wasn't a tracker and I didn't know where to begin. Concentrate, Bella!

"Cullen," I screamed. "Where are you?" I took off into the forest, but I didn't even know if I was headed in the right direction. I started to gasp for unnecessary air. I could smell Cullen, but I wasn't sure where it was coming from. I couldn't focus.

"Cullen!" I cried out. I continued to run through the woods. I don't think that I had ever run this fast before, and I still couldn't catch them. I dropped to my knees and clutched at my chest; my heart. "Where are you?" I screamed, but it was no use.

"Jasper," I said. "You'll know what to do." I pulled my cell from my pocket and quickly hit send. He must have been expecting my call.

. "Are you okay?" he quickly asked.

"Jasper," I could feel that knot tightening in my stomach. "They took him." I screamed. "I tried to stop them, but they were too fast."

"Bella, who took him?" He was frantic.

"I don't know. They came to the door and I left Cullen in the yard." I could feel him trying to calm me down, but my fear was too strong. "Please. Jasper, you have to get him back. I don't know where he is. They took him."

"Are you sure?" He asked. Of course I was sure. Didn't he think I would know that Cullen wasn't with me?

"Jasper," I heard Edward say in the background. "Get off the phone and get back to the villa."

"Bella, we're on our way," he said. "Call Carlisle and Emmett and tell them to come to you."

"Jasper, you have to get him back!" I started uprooting small trees and bushes, sending them flying across the forest with my mind. I couldn't control it.

"Bella, you have to get a hold of yourself," he said. "You need to think about every detail. I need to know everything that happened." How could I do that? I didn't even know what happened.

"Please, find my baby." I was dry sobbing uncontrollably now. "Sweetheart, I'm coming." He couldn't get here fast enough. I couldn't focus and I knew that I was supposed to be calling Carlisle now, but I couldn't function. I didn't even hear him come up from behind me until he said my name.

"Bella?" Felix said. "What are you doing out here?"

I jumped up to my feet. "Felix, someone took Cullen."

"What? When?"

"A few minutes ago. I answered the door and left him in the yard."

"You have to tell me which way they went."

"I don't know. I ran after them, but I don't even know if I'm headed in the right direction. Jasper is on his way." My body began to shake and my knees started to buckle. The reality of the situation was beginning to set in. He was gone.

"Whoa, Bella," Felix said as he caught me. "I have to take you back to the house and then I have to get the guard out here. We need to start searching. I have to get Demetri here immediately." He slung me on his back and ran me back to the villa. "I'm supposed to be calling Carlisle and Emmett." I said, as we approached the villa.

"Bella," Alice called for me. "Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry."

She took my hand and led me to the back steps of the house. "I left him right here." I pointed to the spot where he was standing. "How did I let this happen?"

She pulled me into a hug and whispered, "Shh, it's okay. We'll find him. I've already had a vision. I just need to figure out where they have him."

Felix walked back over to us. He had been on the phone making arrangements with the guard. "They're on their way. I also called Carlisle and Emmett for you. They should be here in a few minutes."

"You'll search for him?" Alice asked.

"Yes, of course. Demitri is the best tracker that has ever existed, he will find Cullen, and Alex and Jane are going to help me lead the search. They're our biggest assets right now, especially Jane."

"Why would they help us?" I asked. "They don't even know me."

"Because you are under Aro's protection and whatever he tells us to do, we do."

"Are you sure they can be trusted? How do I know Aro didn't take him?"

"I can't be sure Bella," Felix said. "But, right now we have to assume that Maria has him. Aro made it very clear to the guard yesterday that we were no longer helping Maria. He must have read it in her thoughts that she was planning something, but I don't think he knew what."

"I don't think that Maria knew that she was going to take Cullen until Jasper refused her today. I didn't see the vision until right after Maria left the castle." Alice said.

"Where is Jasper?" I asked. "He didn't go after her, did he?"

"No, he's on his way." Alice said. "They were right behind me."

"I'm going to comb the woods," Felix said. "To see if I can pick up a scent or two. I'll have the guard meet me out there. Send Emmett and Rosalie to meet me. We can use all the help we can get, plus they are very aware of Cullen's scent."

"I want to help," Alice said.

"You have to stay with Bella," Felix said. "And, I'll need you to concentrate on that vision. You need to pick up something that will help me with this search." He leaned down and kissed her lips. "Hang in there, baby." He took off for the forest.

"He's very helpful," I said, trying to occupy my mind.

"Bella, you don't have to be strong," she said. "I know this is killing you."

She hugged me closer to her and I collapsed to the ground, taking her with me. "Alice," I cried. "What if they hurt him?"

"No, Maria's too smart for that." Alice said. "Plus, she knows Jasper would kill her."

I heard Jasper and Edward approach us. How could I face Jasper now? He didn't even want me here and now his biggest fears were realized. I put our son in the line of his worst nightmare. I stared at him for a brief second, but I needed to be near him.

"Jasper," I ran to him. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to let this happen. I tried to go after them, but they were so fast"

He pulled me into his arms and tried to comfort me by sending me some calm. "Shh," he whispered. "You need to tell me everything that happened, so that I can find him."

I started to tell him what happened, but the words came out in phrases and unfinished thoughts. I didn't even know how it happened.

"You left him in the yard, alone?" Jasper asked.

"I thought it would be better if he wasn't with me when I answered the door." I realized my mistake. "I didn't think, I mean how could I have known?"

"It's okay, Bella," Edward reassured me. "You thought you were doing the right thing."

"I really did, Jasper," I needed him to understand.

We all looked to the house and saw Carlisle, Esme, Rose and Emmett running to us. "Felix filled us in," Carlisle said. "I'm going to meet with Aro now."

"Em," Alice said. "You and Rose need to go catch up with Felix. He needs you to pick up Cullen's scent."

"I'll go," Jasper said.

"No, Jazz," Emmett said. "Rose and I will go. You stay here with Bella." He took Rose's hand and they headed for the woods.

"We'll call as soon as we can." Rose yelled back.

"Edward," Carlisle said. "I need you to come with me. You need to find a way to get around that block that Aro seems to have managed on your power. We need to know if he is truly on our side."

"Okay," Edward said. "Alice and Esme, you stay here with Jasper and Bella." He looked at Jasper. "Don't do anything until you hear from us."

"I can't just sit here and do nothing." Jasper yelled. "I need to find him."

"Edward is right, Jasper," Carlisle said. "You need to be here in case Maria comes here."

"Carlisle, please don't ask me to do nothing." Jasper begged.

Carlisle looked at me and I could tell how much he was grieving for Cullen. "Jasper, you have a purpose here. Comfort your wife and be there for one another." He kissed my head. "Bella, we'll find him."

I nodded in agreement and then they left.

Jasper took my hand. "Alice, Esme, will you excuse us?" he said. "I need a moment with my wife."

"Jasper," Esme said. "This is hard for all of us, I know you can feel that, and I also know that you can feel what Bella is experiencing right now."

"I know, Esme," he said. "I just don't know if I'll be able to take that into consideration right now."

"Jasper," Alice said. "Don't. Let Bella stay here with me and you could go for a quick run."

"Do you really think the fresh air will help me, Alice?" He snapped back.

"Jasper," I said. "Don't take this out on Alice or Esme. I'll go with you." I knew that he was hurting just as much as I was and if he needed a punching bag, I could be it.

He led me into the house and to our bedroom. We walked in and saw Cullen's coloring books on the floor. I quickly picked them up and placed them on the dresser. I closed my eyes and tried to shake the image of him coloring on the floor, not but an hour ago.

He took my hand and sat down on the bed, pulling me into his lap. "He's all around us, Bella," he sighed. "I can't lose him."

"We reacted so fast, and if the Volturi are helping us," I placed my head in my hands. "I'm sorry."

He stroked my cheek and sent me some tranquil vibes, "It's okay. I know how you feel."

"Yes, well I guess you do."

He pressed his lips to mine and I felt connected to him. I knew we could get through this; we had to. We had to be strong for when Cullen came back.

JPOV

It was taking every bit of control that I had not to freak out. I could feel how scared and distraught she was, and I couldn't add to it. As much as my irrational mind wanted to take over and blame her, I couldn't do that.

"How are you keeping me so calm through all of this?" she asked. "It isn't fair. You shouldn't have to get me through this."

"We'll get one another through it," I said, as I stroked her hair. "The hardest part for me is not being able to do anything. I feel extremely helpless."

"I know," she said and I could feel her guilt and shame creeping into her system. It was taking over her whole emotional state. "I felt so helpless today when I couldn't find him. I didn't even know which direction to run in. I let my panic take over and I screwed up. If I had stayed focused, I might have been able to find him."

"I don't think so, Bella." I said, and this next thought almost made me sick. "If you would have caught up to whoever took him, they could have hurt you, and how could I have lived with that?"

"But, what if they hurt Cullen?" She started to sob. "It's my fault."

"They won't hurt him," I said. "Maria is using him as a bargaining chip. She needs him to be safe in order to get what she wants."

"You?"

"I'm afraid so."

"No," she yelled. "She can't have you. She can't have either of you. Jasper, please get him back."

"Bella, don't you think I would, if I knew where to look?"

I knew she was hurting, because it was shooting through my body and only intensifying my own fears and frustrations. I sent her another dose of calm.

"Stop doing that!" she yelled. "I need to feel these emotions."

"No," I said. "I can't handle both of our fears. It's too much for me to feel. If you want me to stay in control and rational, you'll respect my wishes on this." I truly hoped that she didn't try to fight me on this, because the thin grip I had on my self-restraint was quickly slipping away. It would only take the slightest action, and I would lose it, and I was certain she didn't want me to go there.

She jumped off of my lap and started pacing the room. "How much longer do we have to wait? Can't you call Felix or Carlisle?"

"They will call us when they know something." I had to get her under control or I was going to lose it. "Bella," She looked at me with questioning eyes. "Please come and lay with me."

"You want to cuddle?" she asked. "Cullen needs us, Jasper. I can't sit around here and wait. I thought I could, but I'll help with the search." She headed for the door.

I jumped up and slammed it shut before she could leave. "If I stayed behind, then so are you." I turned her to face me. "It's killing me to sit here and do nothing, but we have to support one another."

She looked up at me and I saw my poor, vulnerable girl. She was helpless and scared. "Jasper," she cried out as she slid down the door and sat on the floor. I sat down next to her and pulled her into my lap. "I can't even shed a tear for my baby. Do you know how that makes me feel?"

"Yes, I do." I reminded her. "And not just because I'm an empath. I would be feeling everything you're feeling regardless of my gift." Didn't she understand that I was experiencing the same pain?

"What if he's scared?" she asked. "I know he's afraid, because he has never been away from us or the others."

"Bella, please," I said as I tightened my grip around her body. "I can't go there right now." I was going to snap at any second.

"Jasper," she continued. "What if he's hungry? He didn't have lunch yet. Will they feed him?" I felt her guilt over not being there for him.

"Bella, don't think about that."

"I have to, I'm his mother! It's my job to take care of him."

"Well, maybe you should have thought about…" my phone began to vibrate and I was very thankful, because I wouldn't have been able to take back what I was about to say.

I took the phone out of my pocket and glanced down at the display screen. "Who is it?" she anxiously asked.

"I don't recognize the number." I flipped it open. "Hello."

"Jasper," Maria said. "I think I have something that belongs to you."

"You stupid bitch," I screamed. "You bring him back to me immediately."

She laughed. "No, I don't think so," she said. "I'm enjoying him so. He's quite the character and he reminds me so much of you."

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Well, at first I thought I wanted you," she said. "But, now that I've met your son, I've realized the potential I can achieve if I were to raise him."

"Fuck you," I said. "You give him back."

"You're in no position to issue demands on me," she said. "You had your chance to join me and you refused. Did you really think I was going to walk away empty handed?" she laughed. "All that animal blood has altered your brain."

"I'll make a trade." I said.

"No," Bella screamed and I felt her anxiety.

"Oh," Maria said. "Tell Mrs. Whitlock I said hello and thank her for making the abduction of Cullen so easy. I can't believe you let them come to Italy. Really, Jasper, you are slipping in your old age."

"You can have me," I said. "Just give me back Cullen and I'll go wherever you want."

"That's extremely tempting, but I'll have to weigh my options."

"No, he's a baby." I said. "He's probably frightened and looking for his family."

"Oh, nonsense," she said. "It's only been a few hours and he's already showing me how his power works and he's so smart. Yes, the possibilities are endless. The son of Jasper Whitlock, how did I get so lucky?"

"Maria," I said. "It's not too late. If you bring him back now I won't retaliate, but I promise you that won't be the case in a few hours."

"I'll take my chances," she said. "I have an extremely aggressive, new army that your brother trained for me. Why don't you ask Edward just how lethal they are?"

"If you hurt him…"

She cut me off, "I'm not going to hurt him, but I can't promise that I'll keep him as civilized as you would like. We're hardly a refined bunch here and eventually that will have to rub off. I hope he likes human blood."

"You bitch," I gritted through my teeth. "Don't you dare feed him human blood."

"I'll be in touch, Jasper," she said and I felt the delight in her voice. "Would you like me to kiss Cullen goodnight for you? Oh, and tell Bella how much I adore your son." She hung up.

"Maria," I screamed. "Fuck!" I threw the phone across the room. I looked at Bella who was now trembling in my arms. I moved her off my lap and sprung to my feet. She had sheer terror in her eyes.

"Jas…" I held my hand up.

"Not now!" I started to pace the room. I ran through the conversation and she had given me no indication to where she was. I couldn't even hear background noises. I should have tried to provoke her into slipping up and revealing something. No, she was too smart for that.

Bella stood behind me and placed her hand on my shoulder. She was in so much pain and I wanted to wrap my arms around her and tell her everything would be okay, but I couldn't. I had never lied to her before. How could I reassure her? That phone call put me over the edge. It was real now. Maria had my son and I was helpless.

"Jasper," she said. "What are we going to do?"

Was she kidding me? She was asking me? "Well," I said as I grabbed her packed suitcase off the bed, opened it and began emptying the contents on to the floor. "I guess you can unpack, since you won't be getting on your afternoon flight." I threw the suitcase against the wall and Bella jumped as it made contact.

"Jasper," she said. "Please."

"Oh, you're asking me nicely?" I said. "Well, then yes, I guess I should listen since you always accept everything I say."

She gasped when she realized what I meant, and I felt her shock and hurt. It didn't seem to matter. I saw my guitar in the corner of the room and remembered that Cullen wanted to bring it here. It was just last night that I played for him. I could hear his little voice; it was so clear.

Daddy, will you play the silly song for Mommy?

I quickly ran to it, picked it up and smashed it against the wall. Erratic chords echoed throughout the room, as the pieces flew in every direction.

"Stop it!" Bella yelled. "This won't solve anything."

"What should I do, darlin'?"

"Focus on bringing him back." She tried to touch my face, but I backed away.

I was furious now, and that phone conversation only magnified what I was already feeling. I could no longer be rational. I needed space before I said something that I couldn't take back.

"I have to go for that run," I said. "I need to clear my head and sort out all of the emotions that I'm feeling from everyone else. I can't even tell which ones belong to me anymore."

"You can't just leave," she said.

"I have to," I said. "I won't be long, and hopefully Carlisle will have some news when I get back."

"I need you," she said. "We need one another to get through this."

"I'll have Alice sit with you."

"No," she screamed. "You're not being fair. I've already lost Cullen and I won't lose you, too."

Wasn't she holding out any hope for us getting him back? I clenched my fists and backed away from her. My rage was boiling over, and the words, the ones that I would never be able to take back, came spilling out…

"If you would have stayed in Seattle, our son would still be with us."

***Poor Jasper…Poor Bella…

***On a happier note…Fate Has Brought Us Here was nominated for a Sparkle Award. The Mate Award…Best Cullen Romance. Come on Team Jaspers, let's win this one for Jasper and Bella…they deserve it for all I put them through lol!

The link is on my profile page and voting starts today! Thanks!

http://thesparkleawards (dot) webs (dot) com/

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