At times being unable to sleep during the day had been seen as a curse. That much Jasper would admit. He could rest but in all honesty it was useless. Resting did nothing for the Cold Ones but waste time. Now he wished so badly that he could sleep if only to appear more normal for Bella. She was used to his type of vampire but he needed to get her used to the true type of vampire. They were but a curious anomaly for Jasper and he wanted to find out why they were so different.

Having left Bella to the human staff within Godric's home, the vampire left the home and set about his day. It wasn't often that Dallas was overcast enough that he could go out in the daylight and not raise a few eyebrows. After all the sparkling of their skin was more of an annoyance to him than anything else. When he was far enough from the house that no one would hear his conversation, Jasper pulled out a cell phone.

This one was one that none of the Cullen's knew about. The number was untraceable and once this call was made he would dispose of it. Getting burner phones was not hard, not when you had a wealth of money you hadn't bothered to tap into. Jasper was not above spending his money, especially if it was on family and he considered Bella family. He just needed to figure out what Eric and Godric were doing so that he didn't double up. Bella was not used to having a lot of money or to have things bought for her. He suspected most of it was simply because of the way that she was raised.

Renee hadn't actually bothered to spend a lot of money for her. Yes Bella go things that she wanted when she was a child but there was almost some mitigating factor that came before. If she needed something she had to work for it to earn the money, or her mother would get it, but the woman would complain about it. Jasper wanted nothing more than for his sister to want for nothing for the rest of her life.

With the emergence of vampires in the world, hotels and shops were starting to change and adapt to a new clientage. They were realizing that the vampires had money to burn and they would make the best patrons. Jasper was looking for one of those places now. There was supposed to be a small sign in the window, ignored by most humans but detectable by vampires to let them know it was a safe place. When he found one, Jasper quickly made his way inside.

It was a tiny little coffee shop. Quiet and unobtrusive. The kind of place a person with a love of books would enjoy. Smiling at the woman behind the counter, he noticed that they did indeed have True Blood on the menu and he ordered that. He didn't mind the taste honestly. While other vampires might not actually like it, he found it palatable.

As he sipped at the bottled blood synthetic, Jasper contemplated if he wanted to make this call or not. Mates are a rare thing even among the Cold Ones and while he might have been older than both of the vampires he contemplated calling, he knew that they would drop everything to help. Could he ask that of them? Would the vampire in Dallas even like that he had asked two of his oldest and dearest friends to intervene? He doubted that Eric could stay in Dallas too much longer without raising suspicions and they would need more warriors. This much he could tell.

Jasper thought about his time in the American Civil War and what it meant to be a soldier. He was a fighter, a warrior, true but not to the same degree as Eric or Godric. He had fought for his country, not necessarily for his life. Both of the Elder vampires had been raised in the fires of combat, learned hard and fast what it took to survive. Jasper had just been lucky, at least until he had met Maria.

Taking a deep breath, he dialed a number that he had hoped he wouldn't have had to for a while. When they had separated he had promised them that they would be at peace from his past; their past. Yet here he was calling in a favor to protect a human. As the number rang he grew nervous. Would they even agree to help him? Yes they were his oldest and dearest friends but he'd done many things since joining the Cullen Coven.

"Hello Major."

"Peter."

"Just tell us where you are and Charlotte and I will be on the next plane. Jasper.. Relax. We are here to help."

"We're in Dallas currently. Under the protection of Godric. The Viking is here too but I don't know for how long."

"You took her to her mate already? Does he even suspect? You know what happens if they jump into things too early. There are certain events that must happen before they can join. You know this."

"Peter. I know that if I hadn't brought her here, or at least forced her direction here she would have died a while ago. She's got Were's after her. They were sent by Alice and Edward. This much I can tell. They weren't from a local and while the two hunting her the other night are dead more will be coming. You and I both know what her gift will be when she crosses. It's why they want her so damn bad."

There was silence on the other end of the line and Jasper knew that Peter and Charlotte were talking about events to come. He trusted them more than most people would realize.

"We're on our way Major. Don't tell her why she's there but you must tell the others. They must know of her gift if they are to properly protect her. I rather think that they would like the use of a shield, should they encounter others. Bella is one of the most powerful humans and she doesn't even realize it. If she were to turn, she would keep her ability. We cannot let her become a Cold One simply because of the sheer amount of brainwashing they would do to her."

Jasper let out a shaky breath. He'd known the day would come when he would have to reveal who he truly was to people. That he didn't just have the ability to manipulate emotions. He was a major in the war, a strategist and someone for whom quite a few people owed favors too. Jasper didn't quite need to call him all in, yet.

"Just get here soon. Something is at play that even I cannot see and you know how much I can see."

"We'll see you soon Major."

With the call over, Jasper tucked the phone in his pocket for the moment. Knowing that Peter and Charlotte were on their way was enough to make him relax, slightly. Sipping at the second True Blood that was brought to him, Jasper allowed his mind to try to shut down. Not in a way that would make him dangerous but in a way that would narrow his focus to one single task. Jasper had a gift that he hadn't even told the Cullen's about, a gift that would very soon be needed by those in Dallas.

Closing his eyes, Jasper pulled up a map of the world in his mind. Each of the people that he knew were like little light beacons in specific locations. He called it scent-tracking, but the ability he had really had no clear name. Each scent he had familiarized himself with light up in his mind like little dots. It was what told him that Bella was going towards Dallas, how he knew that Peter and Charlotte were actually on their way. It told him that Victoria had breached the borders of Texas and was on her way towards Dallas. He also knew that the Cullen's had split up and were in different locations.

He was using his gift to track where they were. Taking a moment to study Bella's location he saw it cloudy. The witch was blocking it but it was starting to get clear. Jasper would need to come up with a long-term solution to keep her blocked from everyone else. When they had been in Phoenix running from James and Victoria, Jasper had tried to get them to realize that they were going in the wrong direction but no one wanted to acknowledge that the warrior knew anything.

Jasper was trying hard to figure out where everyone was. Of course just knowing this information would probably raise a few questions and it would be better if he had an actual map in front of him. Opening his eyes he noticed the young woman behind the counter eyeing him. With a smile, Jasper stood up from the booth and approached.

"I'm new to Dallas. Do you happen to know where I can go to get a map of the area? I wanted to do some site-seeing while I was here."

"Sure hun. There's a place about three blocks down. They sell all kinds of maps and even small little tourist trinkets. You should be able to find what you're looking for there."

Jasper nodded as he paid for his drinks and left. Taking the directions, Jasper headed to the shop in question. It was a kitschy little shop that he could tell was meant for tourists. Inside the man seemed to tense up at the sight of a vampire out during the day but Jasper just smiled and eased the man's tensions.

After explaining what he was looking for, Jasper quickly bought two maps and a small little trinket for Bella before leaving. He still had much to accomplish today before he could head back and spend time with the human that had become his little sister.

Walking the streets of Dallas wasn't hard, especially when most people didn't quite gather that he was a vampire. After all, in all the myths they had vampires couldn't day-walk. Well unless they were Blade. He wasn't quite sure that it was even possible, but that didn't stop him from enjoying the movie. With a small smile, Jasper knew what he was going to do.

His first stop was to buy himself a car. He needed some form of transportation and didn't feel right asking the elder vampires to borrow theirs. While he was one of the few in the Cullen family that didn't understand the flashy vehicles, he wasn't above getting one for show. Rose and Edward had always been flashy with their Volvo's and their sports cars. Emmett at least had a practical vehicle and if things went the way he thought they would, Bella would be having two Cullen brother's on her side fighting against the others. Emmett was the only one in the entire mess that he expected to be unknowing and unwilling. Rose, knew everything but Emmett, Emmett was always left in the dark.

He needed to figure out how to get a message to Emmett and not have Rose involved. That was going be the hard part. Snapping himself out of the morose thoughts, he finalized the deal on his truck. This was Texas and more often than not people got around by driving giant trucks. He knew this and yet there were also people who drove cars. While he could afford an Aston Martin, or a Bentley, or something else equally flashy, Jasper was trying to find one that didn't make him stick out too much in Texas. Settling on a Chevy Silverado Extended Cab, Jasper knew that it would have enough room to house many things. He wasn't a van or a jeep type of guy, this much was clear.

Driving off the lot in his new truck, Jasper finished the rest of his shopping. At least this way he didn't have to run back and forth to the house with all the bags. He needed to get himself things as well a few things for Charlotte and Peter. Purchasing small gifts was not a problem and it was something that he'd always done for his friends. Especially if they went to a new city that they hadn't been in before. Charlotte had an impressive snow globe collection from their various travels.

With clothing and other things in the back of his pick up, Jasper spent the rest of the afternoon doing reconnaissance about the werewolves. He was trying to learn if the ones that had come after Bella were part of the Dallas/Ft. Worth pack or if they were rogues. It wasn't hard to have a regular vampire glamour them but he had no idea how any of his kind would be able to manipulate them. He knew what their breath did to humans but these were other supernatural creatures. It wasn't an experiment that Jasper wanted to risk on anyone, unless they volunteered.

Before taking that route, and going out in search of the wolves, Jasper decided that it was perhaps best if he went back to his natural roots. The blonde that he'd been sporting was dyed back to its natural roots and his hair was cut much shorter than what she was used too. Jasper Hale was dying and Jasper Whitlock was finally coming back into play.

It was easier for him to dig during the day than most people, especially humans. Humans were fragile and not the best for the true research that needed to be done. Jasper started his search by retracing the steps of Bella starting at the site of the attack and working backwards. He wasn't going to leave the city but he could at least try to track the scent. It hadn't rained in a few days so there was a good chance that the scent would linger long enough for him to catch a whiff of it.

While they were dead and he couldn't track them, he could use the scents to filter out if others were involved. Once he could learn the scents of those in question he could figure out their next moves. It would be easy to track them in his head then.

Getting out of the truck, the vampire walked around a few blocks until he was satisfied that there was nothing more that he could gather. Checking the time on his watch, Jasper sighed and headed back to his truck. He'd been gone most of the day and needed to get back to Bella before the other vampires woke up. At least he needed to assure her that he hadn't abandoned her and that he would be there for her. It also gave him a chance to do something about her insecurities for a moment.

Inside his truck, Jasper sent a quick text message to Eric and Godric. He explained that he had two more Cold Ones coming in to protect Bella, that he found some information that would be helpful and letting them know that they needed to talk about something very special.

With the messages sent, the vampire drove back to the house he was staying at in Dallas. Having all of them under one roof, while good to protect Bella, could be dangerous if they weren't careful. No one had tried to come after the sheriff yet, but Jasper saw it only as a matter of time before someone tried. He would make damn sure they weren't successful and he was quite sure the Viking would be the same.

Jasper knew it was inevitable that he would have to explain to Bella what mates were. If she was going to survive she would need to know that Edward was not her mate. If a vampire was lucky enough to find that other side of them there was no way they could leave them alone. He doubted even the Viking could if he ever found a mate. Things were not always as they seemed though.

Parking outside of the house in Dallas, Jasper zoomed through with his bags in hand and deposited them in his rooms before trying to find Bella. He could find her anywhere but he didn't want to interrupt if she was in the middle of something fun. He found her though, out by the pool and smiled.

"Having fun Bella? I've got a few things for you if you want to swing by my room whenever you feel like it. Two others like me that I've known forever are on their way here. They won't hurt you. Peter and Charlotte will treat you like the family you need. Godric, Eric, myself, Peter and Charlotte, all of us are the family you deserve."

"Thanks, Jasper. Did you have fun today?"

Grinning down at the human he laughed. Fun was a relative term in the vocabulary of a vampire.

"Fun is a relative term Bella. Perhaps you should show me how you humans have fun? I've been around cold ones far too long."

It wasn't a dig at her. He as honestly curious. She was the first human he actually wanted to get close too and learn about. She was very much like a sister and if she wasn't happy he would do whatever he had to make her happy.

Watching as Bella climbed out of the pool and dried off as much as she could, Jasper smiled.

"Show me what you need to show me Jasper."

Taking her hand he lead her from the outdoor pool into the house and up to his room. With the door open, so they wouldn't be suspicious, Jasper pointed to the bed for her to sit.

"There are a few things that we need to talk about, but we cannot yet. I need to discuss it with Eric and Godric first. However, I thought since this is your first time in Dallas, and won't be your last you might like some things to remind you of the area. Here."

He said softly as he handed her a couple of packages. He'd gotten her snow globe like he had with Charlotte, only he got her one for Phoenix, Forks, Port Angles, Seattle and Dallas. He wasn't quite sure what other cities she'd been too but it was best to start a collection. He'd also gotten her an I Heart Dallas shirt.

"Charlotte, my brother's mate, likes to collect snow globes from the various places that she'd been. She's got two collections actually. Those she's been and those she wants to go. When she gets here she can tell you more about it. You'll like Charlotte."

With a laugh he watched Bella's face as she took her items. She was happy that someone had thought to give her something.

"Did you have fun here?"

"I got to talk to the staff and learn what it was like to work for a vampire. Godric is apparently a very good vampire, unless you piss him off. Eric, they said, has been on his best behavior. They don't understand it but they said not to worry. They wouldn't let me help though."

"I don't think they would Bella. You're a guest here. It would be rude to let a guest clean or cook or do anything but be a guest here. The vampires will be up soon, why don't you relax. There's a few DVDs in there if you want to watch some movies. I saw a large collection in the living room and they did say to make yourself at home."

"I may just do that."

He watched as Bella gathered her things and left the room. Jasper was mentally following her through the house as she took her things to her room and then headed out to watch a movie. When he was certain she was settled he showered and changed. It was good to be back to his normal self, without the fear of Alice trying to fix him to the way she liked him.

Jasper just wondered if Bella just didn't care about the changes or if she was afraid to say anything. He would find out soon enough. Making his way down to the living room, Jasper was on edge. Something was going on with Bella. He couldn't read minds so he wasn't able to know if she was hurting or anything.

"Talk to me sis. What's going on in that head of yours. I feel your emotions and something is bothering you."

"It's stupid Jasper."

Moving to sit beside her on the couch he pulled her face to his and looked deep into her eyes.

"Nothing is stupid. I can't make it better if I don't know what's wrong."

"What if they don't like me? What if I don't get to stay here?"

"Bella..."

Before he could say anything else two voices appeared in the room and both seemed to disagree with what she said.

"Impossible."

"Bella. If we didn't like you or want you to stay you wouldn't be here. Now tell us. What has you thinking this way?"

Bella bit her lip a moment and wondered if she should be honest with them. Would they understand that she didn't want to get the humans in trouble? Would they hurt them if they found out what she had been told? So many of these things were running through her head that she didn't' actually answer.

Godric moved to sit on the other side of her on the couch, taking her hand in his and running his finger down the side of her cheek. Touching her made him calm down some and he wondered if it was having any effect on her.

"You can tell us dear one. What has you thinking that you aren't welcome?"