I don't own Twilight, Stephanie Meyers does.

Last Chapter:

Aro smiled widely at Jasper. "For your first assignment, a coven in China has made an immortal child. They are making newborns as we speak to protect this child. You will take however many you need and destroy the army, destroy the child and destroy the coven. Jane will go with you to...observe."

Jasper nodded, he fought down his emotions. He had really believed that his days of battle were over. He had thought he had finally found rest and love. For a moment he pictured Bella in his mind. Her hair spread out on his pillow, her face flush with pleasure and her eyes shining. He remembered her blowing him a raspberry in the elevator. He saw her coming into the kitchen of the apartment in his shirt, her hair a mess from a night of lovemaking. He rubbed his chest, the ache he knew he would have to live with had already begun. Bella was safe and that was really all that mattered.

Chapter 10

Bella said nothing to Alice while they waited. She was angry with her and angry with herself. She was a fool to come here...but she couldn't let Edward die...She should have told Jasper everything and had him come with them, but Alice had said he would be in danger? Could she really trust anything Alice said? Still, if there was even a chance he was in danger...She wished he would get here, this waiting was making her nuts.

A knock on the door startled her and she rushed to open the door. Alice didn't move, she just sat on the bed staring into space. The door opened to reveal Charlie. It only took Bella a moment before she was in his arms. All the angry tears she had been holding back gushed out. Charlie pulled her into the room and closed the door. He made comforting noises but didn't say anything else.

They stood like that for a long time, before Charlie finally pulled away. "He told me all about vampires Bells..."

Bella and Alice were shocked both looked at him in surprised. "I think he needed someone to talk to and I refused to let him leave me behind. He's a good man Bells." Charlie told her.

Alice let out a sob, but Bella and Charlie ignored her.

"Where is he dad?" Bella asked.

"He's freeing Edward." Charlie told her.

Bella nodded, of course he was. He probably had Peter and Garrett with him. They were probably laughing and joking as they rescued Edward. Peter would be doing something outrageous. Garrett would be laughing and teasing him. Bella smiled a little as she pictured Jasper, so fierce and strong, with that grin firmly on his face. She leaned against Charlie and relaxed a bit. It wouldn't be long now. She would see Jasper and she could tell him how much he meant to her. She just hoped Edward didn't cause too many problems.

They sat like that for hours before there was finally another knock on the door. Bella rushed to the door but Alice beat her. She pulled it open to reveal Edward. Bella frowned and tried to look around Edward. Where was Jasper? Alice had flung herself in Edward's arms but he was now pushing her aside and making his way to Bella. Charlie stood in front of her and glared at Edward.

"We need to go. I don't think it is wise for us to stay here. Jasper got us return tickets, we have to be at the airport within an hour and a half." Charlie said.

Edward looked as if he would argue but he simply nodded. Bella was grateful Charlie had intervened. She didn't want Edward to talk to her, didn't want him to hug her...hell she didn't even want him to look at her. All the times she had played this scenario in her mind she had run to him, forgiving him and was grateful he came back for her but the reality was far different. He just didn't compare to Jasper.

Jasper's grin held humor and admiration, Edward's felt false...arogant. He knew how she once loved that crooked grin and she felt like he was grinning to get a reaction out of her not because he was genuinely happy to see her. His looks were perfect...too perfect, they made her feel self-conscious and insecure. Jasper was beautiful but he always had a way of making her feel beautiful too.

Bella was pulled from her thoughts as the group moved toward the door. "Shouldn't we wait for Jasper?" She asked. Where was he? She felt a gnawing in the pit of her stomach and she was beginning to worry.

"He needed to take care of some business. He said he will fly home later." Edward told her. Bella looked into his eyes searching for a lie but she couldn't find any hint of deceit. He held her gaze and didn't blink.

"He's okay though right?" Bella asked.

"Yes, he made a deal with Aro. There was no fighting or anything. He just needs to fulfill his part of the bargain." Edward told her.

Bella was about to ask what the bargain was but Charlie interrupted. "We need to get to the airport."

She still wanted to ask but Alice and Edward kept up a steady stream of conversation. Every time she got frustrated enough to interrupt Charlie would ask her a question.

Bella decided to wait till they were on the plane then she would force them to answer. The way they seemed to be keeping her in the dark was scaring her. What could he possibly have promised Aro that they didn't want her to know?

They sat down in the plane and to Bella's annoyance Edward sat beside her before Charlie could take the seat. Charlie glared at Edward but moved to his seat behind her. Alice sat next to Charlie. Bella thought about standing up and trading spots with Alice but decided against it. Maybe she could get some answers out of Edward.

They were instructed to put on their seat belts and the plane began to move when Bella finally turned to Edward. "So what was Jasper's deal with Aro?" She asked him.

"He joined the guard in return Aro promised to leave all of us alone." Edward told her.

Bella was confused. "What does that mean?" She asked.

"The Volturi are like police officers for vampire kind. Jasper pledged his loyalty too them so he will do what the kings want him to do." Edward told her.

"He will have to fight? Will he be able to come home?" Bella asked. She wasn't sure why but she didn't like the sound of this.

"Yes he will fight and no he won't be allowed to come home. Volterra is his home now." Edward told her.

Bella grabbed her chest as her breathing quickened. She unbuckled her seat belt and growled at Edward to move. Edward looked at her perplexed.

"I don't understand why you are so upset. I thought at first when Alice told me you were with Jasper that you loved him but you came to rescue me. You love me. Jasper gave up his freedom so we could be happy. He knows you love me." Edward told her.

Bella stood up, feeling like her chest would explode. Jasper thought she loved Edward? He gave up his freedom so she would be happy with Edward? "Move!" Bella screamed. Edward just stared at her stupidly.

"Stop this plane! I need to get out...I need to go back...MOVE!" Bella screamed again. Edward moved and the flight attendant came over to see what was wrong.

"I'll take care of her." Charlie said as he grabbed a hold of Bella and pulled her into his chest. Alice moved to sit next to Edward and Charlie sat Bella down next to him. He brushed her hair away from her face.

"What are you going to do if you go back Bells?" He asked.

Bella stopped hollering and stared at him. What could she do?

"The Volturi are a coven of gifted vampires. They are the largest coven in existence. Going back there would be suicide Bella." Charlie told her.

"I don't care. I have to go back. He thinks I love Edward. I didn't tell him...If he knows he will go back on the deal. We can run away together." Bella told him. Edward growled but Bella ignored him.

"Bella he is an honorable man and would not go back on his word. The Volturi have a very skilled tracker who would find you where ever you ran." Charlie told her.

Bella felt her heart breaking. "Do you think he will be happy there?" Bella whispered.

"No." Charlie said simply.

It was like a knife in her heart Bella sobbed at his word. This was her fault. She cried for hours, till she could cry no more. "Tell me what he told you?" Bella asked hoarsely. She wanted to know if there was more. More she wasn't being told. She knew Charlie would tell her the truth even if it hurt her.

He kissed the top of her head and pulled her close. Bella was glad her father was here, she didn't know what she would have done without him. He began to tell her all Jasper had told him. It was the story of his life. Bella listened fascinated. She cried when he spoke of his time in Maria's army. She smiled when she told how he had met Peter and let him go. She growled a little when he told of his meeting with Alice.

"He's had so much pain...all those scars..." Bella whispered.

Alice's head hung low in the seat in front of them. Edward however sneered. "He is a barbarian. You don't know but I can hear his thoughts. They are full of blood and fighting. He is probably happy to be able to fight again."

"No...it was killing him. He hates killing..." Alice whispered.

"He felt guilty about it because of you Alice but his thoughts were full of pride in his skill as a warrior." Edward said.

Charlie kicked Edward's chair. "You have no clue what you are talking about." He told him.

Bella didn't say anything she didn't want to listen to Edward and Alice. She knew their view of Jasper was skewed by their own wants. She closed her eyes, the guilt almost overwhelming her. She was a fool. Edward proved more and more that he was undeserving of the loyalty she gave him. In her desire to be loyal she never asked Jasper about himself. She should have asked him.

She thought over what she had learned the rest of the flight. She was unable to sleep, her guilt was too consuming. Her father held her the whole flight, she was glad for his comfort. He was keeping her from falling into a pit of despair.

The plane landed and they disembarked. Edward and Alice stayed with them but Bella ignored them. Charlie rented a car and they drove to Forks in silence. Her father drove much to Bella's relief. She didn't want to endure Edward's hair-raising driving.

"Do you two want me to drop you off at Carlisle's house?" Charlie asked. Bella sincerely hoped they did because she was tired of their company.

"Yes, thank you Charlie." Alice said. Bella couldn't help her sigh of relief. The rest of the ride was silent. They dropped off Alice and Edward. Alice couldn't look at her but Edward gave her an odd look. Bella turned away from him and he left. Charlie drove them home.

"Bells I have to take care of some business. I don't want you to worry. I'm going to call Peter. We are going to get Jasper back." Charlie told her. Bella looked up at him in surprise.

"What..." She started.

"I promised I would get him out of there and I intend to keep my promise." Charlie told her.

Bella just stared at him with her mouth hanging open. It wasn't until they pulled in their driveway before she had regained a train of thought. "How do you have Peter's phone number?" She asked.

Charlie held up a phone. "I took his phone." He said.

Bella laughed. Her chief of police father stole Jasper's phone. He walked with her into the house. "Get some rest. I have to go to the station and make some arrangements. I'll call Peter on the way. We will raise an army and get him out of there."

Bella began to feel a glimmer of hope as she climbed the stairs. She opened the door to her room and flicked on the light. She screamed in fright when she saw Edward sitting on her bed.

"Hello, love." He said with a grin.

Bella didn't even think she turned around and ran down the stairs. He was in front of her before she could make it to the door. He pulled her to his chest and kissed her. Bella fought but she was no match for him.

"There's no need to fight love. You were right and I was wrong. I'm so sorry I never listened. I will change you, I know now I can't live without you." Edward told her.

Bella screamed again as he moved to her neck. She was panicking...he was going to bite her over Jasper's mark. She kicked and hit him but he didn't feel a thing. Just as she felt his teeth on her neck he was suddenly gone. Bella stumbled back and it took her a moment before she discovered who her rescuer was. Peter stood over Edward's body, his head in his hands. He was kicking Edward's body in anger.

"Peter..." Bella breathed.

Peter looked over at her but he didn't smile and his face looked different without the ever-present smile. He gave Edward's body one more kick before coming over to her. He glared down at her and Bella was suddenly afraid. He looked like he hated her. After hearing Jasper's story she understood why Peter would hate her. Jasper had saved him and Bella was the cause of Jasper being part of the Volturi.

"He loves you. He sacrificed himself for you. All those years he fought...he was finally free..." Peter's glare was making Bella cower. "You left to save this piece of shit." Peter kicked Edward again.

"Now he is back in hell. Do you know how hard it is for an empath to fight? He feels everyone's emotions. He couldn't even eat because they were weighing on him so much. That's why he went with Alice. Because she offered him hope of a way to eat without killing. You don't know the depression he suffered. He's going to die and it's all because of you!" Peter told her his voice low as he growled out his cruel words. Bella's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't die...

Peter turned around and threw Edward's head out the window with all his might. Bella flinched as she heard the glass shatter.

"How many scars has he gotten for me...for you? How many more does he have to get?!" Peter yelled. Bella slowly got to her feet. He was right. This was all her fault. He was a gift, a gift she didn't deserve. Ever since she had met him she had only thought of herself. He gave her everything and she gave him nothing. She straightened her shoulders and looked Peter in the eye.

"You are right. Everything you said is true." She told him her voice steady. She knew now what she had to do. Her dad was right , they needed to raise an army and it was going to start with her and her father. "I am not going to give up though. Not until he is free. I am going to eliminate the Volturi and get him back." She looked Peter straight in the eye. He still glared at her but she didn't back down.

"Change me." She demanded. Peter studied her so long that Bella wondered if he would refuse her. If he did she would get Carlisle or one of the Cullens, if they refused she would find the Denali's. She wasn't going to give up.

Finally Peter nodded. "We will wait for your father. We are going to need all the help we can get."

Author's Note: I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas!