Mrs Cove had been right about my father's stint back home. He had only been able to see me a few times since he had been back, due to business work. One of those times, as it happened, was a formal party that he had thrown in order to socialise his new business partners and with the local people. With my father selling what he grew on his plantations to the people, it seemed only fitting that they knew him, and I, somewhat personally.

I had to admit, it was lovely to see everyone from the surrounding area, though those of Jasper and Alice's class weren't in accordance with the business partner's network. I was sure my father would have invited them in accordance with my mother's beliefs, but they had held more influence for the time being. I felt bad about the fact I couldn't invite Jasper's and Alice's families, but I was twelve years old, and there was nothing I could do. The games of society moulded me, not the other way around.

The night had ended early for me, once I had met everyone; it was not prudent for a young girl to be at a party for very long. I had made my appearance, been dressed in a ridiculously heavy dress and been sweet at pie to everyone I met. I had to admit, I hadn't really wanted to stay that long…the atmosphere in the room seemed rather tense. The reasons why were never explained to me, but I was sure it had something to do with my father's links in the North. What I had heard from passing conversations was that there was a little animosity between the two sides of the country. I hoped it wouldn't last and all would be forgotten.

In bed that night, I dreamt of jumping Abaccus like Jasper had. It hadn't been the first time I dreamt of that horse, but I enjoyed it as though it were my very first night. It was, however, the first night I dreamt of Jasper Whitlock. It was a pleasant affair – he was much quieter in my dreams, and I was thankful for the silence and lack of smart remarks.

As much as people liked to look down on people like Jasper, I had come to realise rather easily that it was all nonsense…at least in his and Alice's case. I hoped that Edward would see that.

Edward had began where Jasper had, and risen through the ranks to a point where he could attend the party that had been conducted that night. That was when I thought of my father and the request I still had to make of him. I didn't want to push Jasper into being something he did not want to be…but I had hoped that getting to know me had at least altered his opinion on people like me. We weren't all the same.

I supposed the same could be said for people like him, but I was a child and he was my friend. What bother was it to me that he didn't compliment my dresses or hold out his hand every time I needed to take a step. Sure, Jasper wasn't quite a gentleman, but he was my friend and I liked him just the way he was. I hoped we would remain friends for a long time.

The weeks passed and my father had left in the early hours of the morning, before I could see him. I felt awful that I hadn't had a chance to ask him about Jasper possibly moving up in the hierarchy, but then I hadn't seen Jasper at all in over a month. I had been busy being the perfect daughter of a wealthy trader and hadn't been able to get away. Mrs Cove kept me busy with things appropriate for a young lady and it was something I couldn't escape when under the watchful eyes of my father's business associates.

Needless to say, I was happy when they left, but I would still miss my father. He would be gone now until after Christmas. It wouldn't be my first without him, but the staff would save me a letter to open on my birthday and Christmas Day...they always had done. Come to think of it, my thirteenth birthday wasn't far off, and I was actually excited. Not for the presents, or the attention, but the sense of getting closer to being able to make my own decisions in life. It would all start with what I wore, I vowed that as I looked down at the lemon dress – with matching ribbons in my hair – that I was currently wearing.

The actual sentence of Birthdays were something that no one needed to get excited about, yet always did. I never understood it, but I certainly fit into the stencil of it.

As I readied myself that day, excited to see Abaccus again, I obliged with everything Mrs Cove said, but it was still nearly midday before I managed to get out. Not wasting time, I ran the entire way. Sure, I was getting sweaty all over my supposedly nice dress, but I wouldn't be wearing it for long anyway.

As I reached the pen, I noticed that Jasper wasn't there and my heart sank a little. I had been hoping to see him, but then again, he wouldn't have known I was coming out today, so I couldn't get upset. I could still do what I had planned to.

Abaccus came to the gate to meet me, and I managed to get over without ripping or dirtying my dress, which was a plus. After a month of having her way, Mrs Cove would have probably loved to see me come back muddy the second I was given a little freedom.

Once I was changed, I got straight into the saddle – so to speak – and ran Abaccus round the pen a few times.

I knew that it was a stupid idea before I did it, but it didn't stop me. I wanted to jump like Jasper had…and Abaccus had done it before, he would be fine. I bit my lip as I leant down to Abaccus's neck and patted him, speaking words of encouragement to him softly.

"C'mon, boy, you've done this before. Jump for me." I said, sitting up a little more in the saddle and kicking my heels inwards. Wait till Jasper hears about this!

He set off like a bat out of hell and I only just managed to get a good grip of the saddle. I had been taught to that when jumping – though I had only done it a few times – and leant forwards. The speed was incredible, and my heart pounded in my chest as the fence approached.

As we did, I realised just how high it was – at least four or five feet, and I hesitated in my stance. This must have translated to Abaccus and he got confused, faltering at the last moment and kicking out. I was thrown from his back, into the air, letting out a scream. I had not gone over the side, like was safe, I went over the top. Falling quite a way, I landed on my back with a huff and rolled several times. I was winded and it was difficult to suck in any air. I felt like I was choking.

Something wasn't right; I was in too much pain.

I cried out, but there was no one around to hear me. If they had not heard my initial scream, my winded-gasps weren't going to draw anyone in. The pen was quite a ways from the house, at least a ten-minute walk, and couldn't be seen from there.

Abaccus, seeming to know that something was wrong, came over and nuzzled my face, but I began to let out hot, salty tears of pain. Something was very wrong; I hadn't felt like this before in all of my injuries.

Unsure of how long I was laying there, I felt the temperature drop and the light of the day fade. Abaccus had long since lay down next to me and kept nuzzling me every now and again when my eyes closed a little too much for his liking. I welcomed the distraction, even if it was only for a few seconds…or if he was looking for apples in my pockets. I was so tired, though…I wanted to sleep.

"Miss Bella!" I heard in the distance. I wasn't even sure if I heard it, it was so quiet.

Several voices then came from different angles, but I didn't have the energy to call out to them. I must have been gone so long that people were looking for me. I lay on that floor for an immeasurable amount of time, slipping in and out of consciousness, in the freezing cold. I could hear Abaccus making a ruckus, but I couldn't bring myself to calm him down.

I knew I was in danger; I knew the dangers of being out in the cold, and the dark, with an injury that rendered me unable to move. Perhaps I could, but it was excruciating to move my arms at this point.

"Bells!"

Jasper?

"Oh, Bells! What have yer' done to yourself?"

Jasper, help me.

"I'm here, don't worry. I'll get you back."

I must have been mumbling some of my thoughts out loud, for he seemed to be answering me. I let out a scream of pain as I was moved, but it didn't deter him from picking me up. I was jolted and thrown about a little as he must have climbed the fence, but when I was finally settled, and he was walking, I felt as comforted as was possible in that moment. The pain was agonising, I wanted it to end; I just wanted to sleep. I knew that I kept crying out, and I could feel Jasper shaking beneath me, but the walk seemed to take a lifetime and my body felt unnaturally contorted despite not being able to feel any of it. I sobbed into whatever my face was pressed against, but I was safe now, I had to remember that.

Thank you…Jasper…

"It's alright, Bella. I've got you. Yer' gonna' be alright." I thought I heard his voice crack, but I couldn't be sure. The blackness was closing in and I wasn't sure if I could fight it off this time. I couldn't feel my arms or my legs anymore, I was so cold. A shiver wracked my body as my head went limp.

"Stay with me or I'll have to get really un-gentlemanly with my language, Bella!" He snarled at me. "I've found 'er!" I heard him yell. "Somebody help me!"

I wasn't sure how much time had passed; the pain was blinding me, making me delirious. One moment I would see the stars in the sky, and the bottom of Jasper's chin, and then nothing.

There was a ruckus again and a changing of hands, a lot of pain and then blackness. I wasn't sure what was happening, but I knew I was exhausted and needed to rest – damn the consequences.

Okay, guys, just to stop confusion here...the next few chapters are going to be in Edward's POV.