*Jasper*

Her weight on my back hardly bothered me, and for once, neither did her scent. I was too busy protecting us both. I'd been watching her walk home again, and had decided to follow her when she started wandering towards the treaty line. I'd kept an eye on her from the treetops, when the vile stench of dog had crept around us. Even Jemima had sensed it and ran. From my spot high in the trees, I could see the wolves running alongside her, but not close enough for her to see. I made sure I kept up with them, my eyes trained on the pack, already calculating the strengths and weaknesses of each member. When the unpredictable, fierce one, a grey-haired, large wolf, knocked the tree, I knew I had to act. Even with my speed, I'd only just reached her.

I grimaced now at what could've happened. She could have...died. And I wouldn't have been able to save her. At that moment, I realized that my need to protect her was stronger than my need for her blood. The realization was terrifying. I didn't want to think of why I wanted to protect her, or why she was so attractive to me. After all, I had my soul mate, didn't I?

Once we'd reached Jemima's street, she'd tried to get off of my back. I don't know if it was out of protectiveness, or something else that had made me grab her legs. Her scent was so strong, but I fought my desire away.

"Um, Jasper? Can you let me down, this looks kind of weird."

Hesitantly, I let her down. I scanned the forest warily for any signs of the dogs.

"Get into the house," I commanded, pushing her behind me. Obediently, she ran towards her home.

I retreated towards the house when I was sure the wolves were gone. Casting a glance around the street, I leapt through her open window. Jemima was sat on the floor, her back to the door, her knees pulled up to her chest and her head in her hand.

"Are you alright?" I asked her carefully,

"No."

I sighed, ask a stupid question... Slowly, carefully, I approached her. I made my movements as unthreatening and controlled as possible, as I crouched in front of her.

Reaching across to her, I pushed a strand of her soft hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry...I never wanted...you shouldn't have to go through this."

"What's going on Jasper? What just happened?"

I looked into her eyes. For one strange moment, I wished my eyes were like hers. Without thinking, I touched her face. Her skin was warm, and soft, and strange to my touch.

"Your freezing," She whispered, her emotions worried. She reached up and touched the hand that I would imagine was ice-cold on her face.

I grimaced, "I have to tell you something...something big, and dark. You're not going to like it."

She narrowed her eyes confusedly, and looked deep into my eyes. I felt as if she was looking deep within me, her eyes as sharp as the ice that they resembled.

"Jasper, what happened to you?" She whispered, and began to stroke the dark shadows beneath my eyes, with her free hand. Her other hand was still on mine, that still lay on her face. I was insanely aware of everything that she was doing, and I had to fight the urge not to bite her even stronger. Pushing the craving down, I closed my eyes for a moment.

"Jemima, I'm not...human. I'm a monster. And every second you spend with me, you're risking your life."

I'd had to tell her. Hadn't I?

I'd at least expected some kind of change in her emotions...but there was nothing.

Slowly, I continued, "I'm...I'm a vampire. A creature of the night. A killer."

I was ashamed of what I was, I always had been, but never so much as I was now. I felt I could no longer hold her gaze, and my head dropped.

She put my hand under my chin and lifted my face up to look at hers. Silently, she leant forward. I knew what she was going to do, but I couldn't stop her. Or I didn't want to stop her. Her moist lips met my cold ones. At first, I was so filled with emotion I couldn't physically react. Shock, thirst, desire...and...

I lost my train of thought as my lips, as if they had a mind of their own, moulded around hers. I managed to control myself, from biting her...and...doing anything else...

Desire was coursing through me, but I kept my head.

Slowly, she pulled away.

"I don't care." I said simply.

My heart seemed to stir a little in its permanent slumber. I couldn't stop the smile that crept onto my face, but it soon faded, "You should."

She furrowed her brow, "Jasper, you didn't answer me. What happened...in the forest?"

"Are you changing the subject?" I asked, trying to sound playful, but really it was because I wanted her to know as little as possible. I feared the more she knew, the closer she'd get to breaking point, and the further she'd get from me.

She narrowed my eyes, obviously not fooled, "No. Answer me Jasper."

I sighed slightly, "Fine. You were being chased by werewolves."

She blinked, "Huh?"

I rolled my eyes,

"There's something...attractive about you. I don't understand you at all."

She blinked again, "...Erm, thanks?"

I could hardly believe I'd just said that. But it's the truth. I continued slowly,

"There's something strange about you. You're not like anybody else I've ever met."

Jemima blushed, but suddenly I remembered something. Earlier that day, when I was thinking of her eyes. The deep, dark secret. I caught her face in my hands, "What happened to you?"

She looked startled, but before I changed my mind, I pushed further. "There's darkness behind your eyes, Jemima. Something happened in your past. Tell me."

She looked down, "I don't know what you're talking about."

I pulled her face up to mine, and looked deeply into her eyes, "Jemima."

She sighed, and I felt something inside her give.

"When I was back in England, my parents were together...he was still around.
"My father wasn't a good man, Jasper. He makes you look like a Saint. He hit my Mum, and me. Mum never did anything. I never did anything.
"It was Sunday afternoon. My Mum had gone to work at the hospital in the town, and I was left alone with...him."

Jemima paused, tears welling up in her eyes. I listened to her intently as she continued, her voice shaky.

"He...he came into my room. And..." She inhaled shakily. I touched her hand.

"I think I understand, you don't have to say it." I assured her.

Jemima breathed out gratefully, "Thanks Jasper."

"It's nice to finally understand you a little."

She breathed a laugh, and without warning, she threw herself forward, into my unsuspecting arms.

"You don't understand how good that felt," Jemima said into my shoulder.

My mouth was on her neck. I could feel her pulse beneath my lips...but...I didn't want to bite her. Well, I did, but I...couldn't.

Suddenly, Jemima tensed, and she felt embarrassed. Pulling away, her face red, she said, "I meant telling you about my past, not...well...you know,"

I found myself smiling at Jemima's words. It was funny how she made mistakes like that. Saying things that weren't meant to sound...sexual, but always ended up that way. At least, when she talked about me.

I felt something that I hadn't felt properly with Alice for a while.