Hello everyone,

Wow, you guys. Another chapter with nearly 1000 words. You guys are so lucky!

I think everyone can remember the epic fail that chapter 7 was. It was under 500 words… I think probably half of that, actually and it was because I'd nearly fallen to sleep when I remembered that I'd forgotten to finish and update the chapter.

Feeling bad, I just gave you the chapter after finishing it off a little.

Here is the chapter – in Jasper's POV – a little more thoroughly explored. It'll hopefully make up for that chapter's disgrace.

Alice's hand was on my back, rubbing, the entire time I inhaled… or gulped, I supposed, if that was possible… the fresh, clean air.

As I breathed, I sent up to the God that most likely didn't exist – if the existence of vampires was anything to go by – a thank you.

The air was clean only because of the recent rain, which had washed away any scents that may have been filtered through it.

With each drag of breath – smooth, deep, soothing drags – I felt my body calm and loosen.

The tension left my body, my predator – the monster that wanted that innocent man's blood – slowly leaving me.

My muscles loosened and I felt almost weak.

But rather than hate it… I revelled in it.

Where I used to think that such a thing was ignorant and stupid, I was now glad that I could calm myself.

I was glad that I felt weak.

If this diet meant that I actually had a choice in whether I hurt others or not, if it meant that I wouldn't have to feel their pain and terror as I drunk from them… then I considered it to be a godsend.

And I was also happy that I couldn't feel animals' emotions.

That would leave me with no hope in the world.

That very thought brought a chuckle to my lips, breathy as it was.

Finally, I'd calmed down enough that I felt almost… normal… almost human.

No longer was I having any irrational, blood-crazed thoughts… the very things that I once revelled in.

No longer were my muscles coiled, my body ready to pounce on my prey… something that used to make me smile like the devil.

I heaved a sigh of relief, leaving my thoughts for the moment and turning to face Alice.

She smiled at me, her eyes so beautiful that I felt as if I was falling into them.

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I'd never felt this calm before…

Either way, she was so beautiful in that moment that I kissed her.

My hands cupped her face, her hands moving to my hair and I growled – making her growl – when she tugged.

We moaned as our tongues barely touched but Alice was then pulled into a minor vision.

"We should probably move," she said to me and I looked at her.

"Why?" I said, not really wanting to move from this spot.

She grinned. "Because I don't really think that people would consider this–" she waved a hand between the two of us "–appropriate… would you?"

I sighed and let go of all of her but a hand, "I suppose you're right."

She giggled at me, making me smile, and grabbed my hand.

She tugged on it and in the next millisecond we were racing into the woods.

As soon as we were in the depths of the woods, all alone – well, except for the abundance of animals – she turned on me and grabbed me.

Kissing me deeply, our more animalistic sounds were let out.

A few growls and hisses were released as we clawed and grabbed at each other.

We wanted closer, but were unable to get there.

The next perhaps forty-five minutes were spent waiting.

Alice was excited.

And of course, by 'excited' I mean 'giddy'.

I think it was mostly the fact that we were getting a car.

Or maybe it was also the fact that we were going to be on our way to the Cullens – our destined coven (Alice's words) – in just under an hour.

Either way, she was more hyper than usual.

She could barely contain her excitement when a vision showed her that the car was ready.

She dragged me along with her back out of the woods and into town, seemingly bopping as she ran.

We crossed the road and walked a few blocks to the shop.

"What about registration?" I asked her as we rounded the corner.

She smiled up at me, "Mr Newton was going to take care of all that; he told me could and the $5000 just enforced that, I'm sure."

She had the sexiest, sweetest smirk on her face and I smiled, kissing the top of her head.

"My clever girl," I purred, smiling with satisfaction when her breath stuttered.

I tried to ignore it when she licked her lips… but it was so hard.

Pun intended.

I was distracted however as we reached the doors and I sucked in a deep breath when Alice opened them, pushing hard.

"Mr Newton," she said and I let her talk as I focused on not breathing in the tempting scent of the man's blood.

Kids, wife, family… a life.

That was the only thing that would keep him alive.

"I trust that the car is registered and ready to go?"

The sound of the old man's gulp made me laugh, but I at least made sure to moderate the volume so he couldn't hear it.

"Yes," he finally said, "I can assure you that there will be no problems."

"Thank you," my darlin' chirped.

"Follow me to your car, please," he said and we followed.

The sight of the car in front of us, with the keys in the ignition, affected me.

It was… strange… but there was just something about the fact that we owned a car.

I couldn't put a name – funnily enough – to what I was feeling, but I imagined it was a type of awe.

I owned this car.

It was mine.

Or rather… it was ours.

Alice handled the goodbyes and soon, we were sitting in the car.

Alice let me drive and in a second, we were speeding out of the car dealership, on our way to the Cullens house in Chicago.

Sorry this was late. I was pretty busy the last couple of days and I didn't have internet connection. When I did, I was too tired to write anything.

Please review and I'll see you next week… on SATURDAY, I promise. ;)

bexie25