*lowers eyes in shame* I have no excuse...I've had this done for weeks and was simply waiting to hopefully update more than one story...ah well.

Next chapter at least! I'd really like your opinions on this one, because I'm a bit nervous. Just let me know what you think please.

Summer's out, so I should be able to update more frequently now! Enjoy and review please!

Chapter Eight: An Understanding

The general returned several times over the following week. She made sure Jonathan had healed and that I was healing as well.

I had thought about this change for a while and decided it was one of two options.

One: She was ensuring we were better only to break us down again.

Two: She had had a change of heart and was sincerely trying to be kind.

If it was the latter, then I might be able to trick her into messing up, letting us go.

Somehow, though, I doubted she would be so foolish as to be fooled.

With either option she was definitely trying to prove something to me. What, however, I did not yet know.

The door opened.

Speak of the devil…

General took her usual place in front of Jonathan's and my cell. She nodded to Jonathan's sleeping form.

"Is he still recovering?"

"Yes."

"Good. And you?"

"I am fine as well."

My words did not have their usual bite. I was still too uncertain about this to have any justified infliction to my voice.

She nodded.

"Major, if you would come with me please."

Well, it wasn't as if I had much of a choice now did I?

I rose and quietly stepped out of the cell.

"What is it you want?" I asked.

General motioned for me to be silent and lead the way out of the dark dank place and up into a well lit hall way. The sun shone through the windows and General led me to a large room, not unlike the 'interrogation' room. I stiffened.

"Relax. I'm not going to do anything. I just want to talk."

Oh. So this was her new tactic. Friendly. Well she wouldn't get a word out of me.

"I'm just curious Jasper. Why? Why do you resist us? Don't you believe slavery is wrong?"

I was wary. I didn't know if I should answer or not.

"I…believe it will be of no use if we release the slaves as you tell us to. That is all they know. Of course, it's about more than the slaves. It's about the money, the taxes you charge us, and our right to do as we please."

General nodded.

"I understand that, but we must do these things. It is just how it is. How it has always been."

I sighed.

"Then we must continue to resist."

"But Major…it is not right to own another human! They deserve their rights and to not be beaten day and night—"

I cut her off abruptly.

"Now hold on a moment. What gives you the idea all salves are poorly treated? There are some out there who are well treated. There are those that are not. But you can't assume it is everyone who mistreats a slave."

General was quiet. After a few moments of absolute silence, she nodded

"I suppose that is true."

I smiled softly at her acceptance.

"The point I'm trying to make, Major, is that this fight you fight is futile. Already the north has more states than the south. Why make this hard for yourself?"

I frowned.

"You know, just because you have more people, does not mean ours are fighting any less hard than you."

"I was not implying that, Major."

"Still. Perhaps we will win. Perhaps we won't. Either way, I'm not giving up."

"It's a pity." General's voice was low now, sad. "I don't want to see you hurt Major."

I was caught off guard at her words.

"What?"

General Brandon looked horrified at what she'd said.

"Emmett!"

McCarty came around the corner.

"Take him back to the cells. He missed dinner, give him some food. I…I have matters to attend to."

With that she fled the room. McCarty glared at me and grabbed my arm roughly. He led me out.

"I'd watch yourself if I were you, Whitlock!" he hissed.

I have every intention to, I thought. I was becoming too comfortable with this. I should never have spoken in the first place and especially not started a conversation with her.

Somehow though, despite all the confusion of the conversation, it seemed we'd come to peace in a way.

An understanding.

Hope you liked! Review please! Also quick question, am I going too fast or slow with Jasper and Alice's relationship? I can speed things up or go at the pace I'm at. Let me know.

Eminnis