Summary:

After years of abuse, Bella finally gets a chance at freedom. After years of searching, Jasper finally finds what he's been looking for. Will they get their happy endings or will Bella's past and present make their future together become nonexistent? AU. J&B, Cannon couples and Non-cannon couples.

Disclaimer:

Stephanie Meyers owns it all, but there's nothing wrong with playing with them, right?

Chapter 11

Jasper POV

"Is it in regard to those nomads?" Caius Volturi questioned. "Because they seem to have vanished from Arizona after causing a lot of trouble. Aro has requested that these nomads be captured and brought to us as soon as possible. We will carry out their trial."

"Yes." Jasper replied. "Peter and Charlotte are here now with me. They are helping me."

"Good good." Caius's tone relaxed a little. "And how are the vegetarians? Remember, you don't have to stay with them son, if you don't want to."

"You know why I chose this lifestyle for now, father." Jasper murmured. "Alice predicted that I will find my mate … and I have."

"Oh thank goodness!" Aro's voice seeped in from the background. "Is she pretty? Does she have any gifts?"

"Aro, I'm speaking with my son, some privacy should be allowed!" Caius snapped. "Anyway, Jasper … is she pretty? Does she have any gifts?"

"Well, she's gorgeous." Jasper chuckled. "And, I think she has a gift. But she is linked to the nomads, in a way."

"Is she one of them?" Caius asked without missing a beat.

"No, but they were … hurting her." Jasper muttered, trying to think of the best way to say what he needed to say. "They're still after her, so right now, we're currently waiting for them to come for her."

"What do you mean? Why are they so interested in her?" Jasper could hear the frown in Caius' voice.

"She's still … human." Jasper said in almost a whisper. "They were draining from her … periodically … keeping her like a pet …"

There was a long silence that followed, and Jasper instantly regretted telling Caius anything. How stupid was he to have told the one Volturi King who despised all humans that his son's mate was indeed a human? Jasper clenched his fists in worry. Caius had the power to tell Jasper to destroy his own mate because the Volturi law was a strict one in regards to humans knowing about vampires.

"I see." Caius finally responded after a few minutes. "I'm on my way."

"What!?" Jasper exclaimed. "Wait … what? Why?"

"Well, Aro has decided to see Carlisle, Marcus wants to see how strong your bond is with this human, and I, as your father, should meet my future daughter-in-law." Caius explained. "Don't you agree?"

"Yes…" Jasper knew there was no arguing at that point. "But, are you going to make me kill her … because she's human? I know your distaste for humans, father."

"We'll bring some of the guard with us, so tell Carlisle to prepare some rooms." Caius continued, ignoring Jasper's concerns. "We have some stuff to finish up here and then we'll head over to you. So, we'll probably take a flight on Friday. We will discuss everything when we get there. For now, just protect your mate as best as you can from these nomads. Capture them if they show up."

"Alright, I'll see you first thing Saturday morning then, father." Jasper sighed, slightly annoyed, and hung up just as Caius did.

He began to rack his brain to try to remember if he knew of any mated vampires whose mate was human when they met. But his memories instantly went to the first time he met Caius Volturi …

Flashback

86 years ago

Jasper buttoned his trench coat to the top of his neck as he was led down a darkened corridor towards two large oak doors with a "V" at the top of the doors, painted in red. He followed the tiny blond girl through the doors that lead to an elaborately decorated hall. The girl led him to the middle of the hall, directly in front of three golden thrones.

Three men sat on each throne, staring down at him with their bright red eyes. The one to the far left looked bored out of his mind, but Jasper felt complete sadness and despair flowing from him. The one in the middle had long luscious straight black hair. He seemed excited and happy at the prospect of seeing Jasper. But it was the one at the far right that made Jasper curious the most. He had long light blond, almost white, hair. He was staring at Jasper with a look of complete anger on his face, but as Jasper read his emotions, he realized that anger was the furthest thing from the man's mind. Pride … joy … relief and a love similar to a fatherly love radiated through this strange man's body as he stared into Jasper's similar red eyes.

"Master, this is Jasper Whitlock." The little girl introduced. "He's come to surrender himself for the part he played in Maria's coven."

"Mr. Whitlock!" the man in the middle jumped up immediately and glided towards him. "May I?"

He outstretched his hand toward Jasper, waiting for Jasper to offer him his own. Jasper nodded mutely and placed his hand in the overly excited man's hand. He watched as different shades of light flashed through the man's eyes, before he dropped Jasper's hand with a giggle protruding from his thin lips.

"My name is Aro, young one." The man introduced himself. "That is Marcus, and the angry looking one over there is Caius."

"He's your son." Marcus Volturi stood up in that moment and turned to Caius. "I feel his bond … to you. That boy, is your son."

All eyes in the hall turned to Marcus then. It was obvious to Jasper, in that moment, that Marcus Volturi was a man of few words, but once those words were spoken, all attention was pointed to him.

"I know." Caius muttered, still looking at Jasper with anger. "I can already feel it."

"Congratulations." Marcus lips formed into a small smile, another rare thing, Jasper was sure. "I know how long you've been waiting for this."

"Jasper Whitlock, I know why you're here." Aro made Jasper look back to him. "Unfortunately, we will not be killing you, young one. You are too important. Besides, you are the one who killed Maria. She is the criminal here, not you. You were only doing what your maker ordered you to do. You are not at fault. However, you are now a son of one of the Volturi Kings, and our nephew by association. So, you are to be protected. Also, you have much to learn of our vampire ways, my child. Your maker taught you only pain … and anger."

"Come, son." Caius stood up and outstretched his hand to Jasper. "We have much to discuss, and I have a lot to teach you. Welcome to our family."

Jasper, not knowing his own feelings at the time, but only experiencing a strong pull towards Caius, walked over to Caius and followed him out of the hall.

End of Flashback

Jasper smiled to himself as he remembered how the next 10 years were filled with getting to know the Volturi, understanding what being a vampire meant, and most importantly, how real vampires were supposed to live. The Volturi had quickly become his family, and he now lived a life of no regrets.

He ran his fingers through his hair before reentering the Cullen house. He stopped in his tracks as he was instantly mesmerized by the huge smile on Bella's face. Her entire body seemed to glow with happiness as she was talking animatedly with Rosalie, Esme and Charlotte.

In the past two days, Bella had changed completely. She didn't seem to flinch from people touching her that much anymore, and Jasper knew it was because she was finally able to see a real future for herself. She was in her safe zone now, and she knew that nothing could harm her once she was around him, and the others.

Happiness radiated from him as she turned her head to smile up lovingly at him. They still had a lot to learn about each other, but at least they had a lot of time to learn.

Bella POV

The foreign feeling of happiness that radiated through her system was openly welcomed as she looked into the eyes of her savior. As if on cue, she stood up and moved towards his cold, firm body. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face against his chest.

She smiled to herself as she felt him wrap his own arms around her. She slowly moved her face to look up at him. He smiled lovingly down at her before kissing her lightly on her temple.

"How did Caius take the news?" Peter, the always teasing one, asked with a smirk on his face.

At the distressed look on Jasper's face, Bella instantly pulled away. She needed a clear mind for what was about to come, and that meant no touching Jasper.

"They're coming here." Jasper deadpanned. "I don't know the outcome yet, but I know that they are interested in meeting Bella. Since, I'm like a son to them, this is a big deal … and they want to discuss everything when they're here."

"Well, that doesn't sound too bad." Bella muttered to herself.

"We'll know for sure Saturday morning." Jasper smiled. "We'll have a week before they come, so I think we'll all tell you our experiences with the Volturi during the week, in order for you to really prepare for what you'll be walking into with them."

"Ok, so the only thing left to do today is tell my father everything." Bella took a deep breath and released it. This was becoming a very eventful day for her, and her stomach had begun its hunger call.

"Actually, I think we should wait until the Volturi arrive before we tell your father anything." Jasper suggested.

"That's fine with me." Bella shrugged. She could easily wait the week out. "In that case, can we call it a day and head back home?"

"Yes, babe." Jasper pulled her towards the door, but a sudden thought entered her mind and she quickly tugged his arm to stop.

"Peter … Charlotte, where are you two staying?" Bella wondered.

"Um … well …" Charlotte began as she glanced wonderingly at Peter.

"With us, of course." Esme spoke up quickly. "Besides, you'll be starting school next week, so it makes more sense to stay with us anyway. People would think you're related to us somehow. You'll be Jasper's and Rosalie's cousins."

"Thank you so much, Esme." Charlotte smiled sheepishly as Peter just walked over to Emmett and punched him hard in the shoulder. There was a brief stare down between the two boys before Emmett's mouth broke out into a smile.

"Come on, Petey, I think I've got a game you'd be into." Emmett slapped Peter on the back before they disappeared from the living room.

"I'll show you where you guys can stay." Rosalie offered to Charlotte, who just smiled nervously in return.

"We'll see you soon, Bella dear." Esme walked over to Bella and hugged her gently. "This is your home now, remember that."

Bella nodded with tears in her eyes.

"Come on, Jasper." She said quietly. "I have to get dinner started for Charlie and I anyway."

Jasper nodded and swiftly picked her up bridal style before shooting off into a run towards her house. In less than a minute they were standing on the front porch, staring into each other's eyes.

"Jasper … are you going to be far away?" Bella asked as fear slowly began to slip into her mind.

Now that she was away from her new family, the idea of being left alone with two crazy vampires out there after her was enough for her to be terrified. She knew that Jasper was sensing her fear because in less than a second he had pulled her into his arms. Bella clung to him, not wanting to let go, ever.

"Come on sweetheart." Jasper said gently. "Let's go in and you can start cooking dinner. I'll stay with you until your dad comes, and after that, I'll be waiting right out there in forest until he's asleep and then I'll come to you. I won't leave you alone for a second. You are the only thing I care about and I will protect you with my life."

Bella tiptoed and kissed him quickly before retreating into the house. She walked straight for the kitchen, feeling Jasper trailing in behind her. She decided to make something simple that would go with the fish her father was going to bring home for them for dinner. She started peeling potatoes to boil for a cheesy mash, before taking out some vegetables to make a quick stir fry.

She was just about to add more cheese to her potatoes when the sound of Charlie's happy voice echoed throughout the house. But that's not what made her stop in her tracks. Billy Black had wheeled himself into the kitchen, with a cooler of fish in his lap. Bella's eyes narrowed instantly as Billy glared at Jasper with such disdain in his eyes that Bella wanted to punch him in the face.

"Oh, Bella … who's this?" Charlie asked, oblivious to the look that Billy was giving Jasper.

"Jasper Cullen, sir." Jasper walked over to Charlie and outstretched his hand in respect.

"Ah, one of the Cullen boys." Charlie grinned and shook Jasper's hand happily. "You come for some of Bella's good cooking?"

"Actually, I was about to leave." Jasper's smile didn't falter. "I only came to ask her a question about our English project that we'll be working on tomorrow, and to see if she wanted to hang out with my sister tomorrow."

"Oh, well that sounds nice, right Bells?" Charlie glanced at Bella who was still narrowing her eyes at Billy.

"Yeah." Bella nodded.

"Well, I'm off then." Jasper walked over to Bella and hugged her lightly. "See you tomorrow Bella, and again … I'm sorry for your loss."

"Loss?" Charlie looked from Bella to Jasper. "What loss?"

"Dad … I have something to tell you and I don't think you're going to like it." Bella sighed. "Why don't you sit down."

Jasper quietly excused him after giving Charlie a comforting pat on the back. Charlie frowned but sat down on the kitchen table, looking intently at Bella.

"I got a call this afternoon from a police officer in Phoenix." Bella began. "It seems that someone killed mom and Phil."

The silence in the kitchen could be broken with the drop of a pin. Bella watched as Charlie's face went from angry to relieved in a few seconds. Before he could say anything, the voice of a second guest echoed around them.

"Are you fucking serious!?" Bella snapped as Jacob Black entered the room with a cooler in his hand and a smug look on his face.

A/N

Some people just can't take a hint. Give me your feedback on this chapter! Hope you enjoyed it! See you lovely people later!