A/N- Back again for the next installment. Thanks so much for reading!

Enjoy!

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Bella

We didn't waste time in the granary. As soon as Jasper came through the gap a minute or two behind me, we were on our way to some random, god-forsaken ridge outside of Mexico City. We had sped out of Monterrey in our typical running formation; Peter leading the group and Jasper bringing up the rear.

Instead of keeping pace with Peter like I usually did on our runs, I drifted towards the edge of the group closer to the back of the pack than the front. I knew I couldn't be by Jasper's side for too long, but I couldn't help the feeling I had to be near him. So I ran in a spot that had him in my excellent peripheral vision and I was comforted. I saw him eyeing me out of the corner of his eye as well, and I knew he was feeling the same way I was.

I couldn't wait for the time when we could just be free to do what we pleased; no worrying about Maria and her vengeance or when we had to kill another group of newborns to stake a claim on feeding grounds for greedy vampires. The selfish part of me wanted nothing more than to just end Maria and her twisted sisters' existence as soon as possible; not only to free my comrades of their dictator but also so that I could have Jasper fully, without anything in between us. But with a glance at Peter, I knew that I could never do it; something amazing was coming down the line for him and I would immolate myself before I robbed him of it.

Another big reason for waiting was the simple fact that, yes I could kill Maria myself, and I was sure that Jasper and Peter would help with her sisters, but what would the rest of the newborns do? If they followed their instincts, which I knew they would, they would panic at the sudden turn of events and try to kill the threat; probably thinking we would attack them next. We could probably take on most of the newborns, but why get cocky and chance it? What if we couldn't?

The conclusion was always the same; while we bided our time we would try and win over the newborns, ensuring they either helped us or stayed the fuck out of the way. I let out a quiet sigh as I ran, wishing I had the ability to speed time up and skip everything to get to the end; a hopefully good end. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that the journey was as important, if not more so, than the destination. Yeah, right. Patience had never been a virtue of mine.

Something was pushing on my shield directly so I opened it slightly and felt a wave of curiosity and concern hit me. I turned my head slightly and caught Jasper's concerned Ruby eyes with my own. I decided that since we were running and didn't have to interface with anyone I could link our minds. Mexico City was a few hours run from Monterrey, according to Peter, so we had time.

Hey. That was some brilliant opener.

You doin' alright over there, sugar? His mental voice was just as damn sexy as his physical one.

I reigned in my lust before I replied but since he had access to my thoughts he knew what was going on, especially if that smirk of his was anything to go on.

I'm as right as rain, Jazz. Nothin' to trouble your pretty little head over. I teased.

He glared playfully at me before resuming his soldier mask. I sighed again, wishing again that we didn't have to hide, that we could just be free. He caught my thoughts and mentally agreed with me. I gave in and showed him exactly what I had been thinking earlier, including my momentary selfish desire.

Darlin', you are anything but selfish, and truth be told I feel like you do. I'm gonna do whatever I can so this plan of yours and Peter's goes off without a hitch, but I know that if someone tried to take you away from me… Well, lets just say that any plans would be out the fuckin' window. I could feel his determination and conviction, laced with a hint of guilt. He didn't want to risk our lives or Peter's happiness but he really would if it meant keeping me alive. I would too, and I sent him a wave of my understanding, acceptance and love.

Let's just cross our fingers that all of that won't be necessary. I really want us all to be happy, even the rest of the newborns. They didn't ask for this shit either. I still had concerns about what would happen if we succeeded. What would happen to the newborns? Would they leave and be vulnerable? Would they massacre cities?

When everything is said and done, the best we can do is present them with their options and make sure they understand and respect human life enough to not go on a feeding frenzy. I'm sure it will be fine. Jasper assured me, having caught the part of my thoughts weren't directed at him.

Jasper? I began hesitantly. He urged me to continue. I told you once that I was waiting for your life story. Will you tell me now?

I could tell he was gathering himself, organizing thoughts and memories so I focused on making sure the newborns were not looking at either of us; thus allowing him privacy and giving him a chance to opt out and tell me later.

Darlin', how about I show you?

And boy, did he.

He was recalling as much as he could from his human life, and although it was hazy he seemed to remember quite a bit. I saw him as a child a few times, kind and loving with his parents and younger siblings (a sister and a brother). He had friends and was well liked. I saw him leaving his home at seventeen to join the Confederate army; his reasons were rooted in protecting his family, his state and their rights.

I saw him in the battles he fought in for the Confederacy, and the battles with the elements and with the terrain. I could practically feel the adoration he received form his unit mates, and it was no surprise when he showed me his quick rise to the position of Major. I began to get a little worked up when he showed me his last human memory; after evacuating the city of Galveston, Maria and her Sisters had appraised him and pounced.

His vampire memories seemed to run together in my mind, and they probably did in his mind as well. I saw his newborn year as a mass of bloody days of confusion and thirst. His instinct as a commander and fighter passed from his human life to his vampire life and he was quickly recognized as an asset by Maria.

An asset used to kill enemy newborns and the newborns in her own army when they had passed their 'prime'. His feelings of guilt, self-loathing and despair were hard to handle, I hated the thought of him in pain. He showed me Peter's arrival in his life and the impact that having a friend had made. I saw the wariness that Jasper had towards Peter at first, before slowly letting his guard down around him until he accepted him as his brother and friend. The weight of the world was on his shoulders and when Peter came along, the load lightened a bit. Jasper was forever loyal to him for that.

I felt a shift in his emotions and memories by the time he reached his memories of me. Everything that had happened since I was bitten by Maria was shown to me through his eyes, with his thoughts and feelings attached. He saw me as an angel, my tattoo adding to the image. He loved me for my spirit, my kindness, my acceptance of him and Peter, my intelligence, my beauty inside and out…his mental list of reasons was very long and I would have blushed if I could.

My love for him expanded somehow and I knew he felt it. He had a smile on his beautiful lips at my surge in emotion. Jasper Whitlock was many things; a soldier, a killer, a vampire, a man, a leader, a friend, an instructor… But everything he had done, everything that he was, everything made him the man that was running near me; dark blonde hair streaming behind him, ruby red eyes gazing at me with wary hopefulness.

Everything made him the man I loved with my entire being. I loved him; flaws, scars, past and all because he had a beautiful heart. A beautiful soul. No one who felt his guilt, remorse and despair at the cruelty of the vampire world as he knew it could be a bad person. He took no pleasure in killing, feeding or anything that Maria ordered him to do and that was the marker that told me his soul was wounded but still good.

I wanted to cry for him. I wanted to take away all of his pain. I wanted to skin Maria alive and make her watch as I picked apart her vampire body and burned each piece with slow precision. I knew that Jasper had read all that I had been thinking since he finished showing me his life through his memories, and a wave of serene calm and pure love were spilling from him onto me. I let it wash over me and the mental images of torturing Maria faded into images of Jasper and I locked in a very intimate lover's embrace. I was aroused instantly, but the shock of the image had me glad blood couldn't pool beneath my cheeks.

Thought that that might get your attention. Jasper directed the thought to me with a cheeky wink. Two could play that game.

I sent him an image of my own; Jasper on his back, bare from the waist up. My lips trailing up and down his body, my hair grazing the spots that my lips missed. Me gazing up at him before popping the buttons of his jeans and lowering them away from his hard dick- and then I stopped imagining the scenario, sending him a smirk. I could hear his mental groan reverberate in my mind and I laughed inside at his disappointment.

Don't groan at me, honey. I wouldn't want to get you all worked up… I made sure he saw me glance down at his obvious bulge. And not do anything about it.

Wicked woman. He shot back playfully before growing serious. Sugar, are you okay with everything you saw?

I'm not okay with your pain, your self-hatred and I'm not okay with what Maria has done to you and has had you do… But I love you. Nothing you have done or will do will change that. I let him feel my absolute sincerity. I am sure before this mess is over, we are both gonna be doing things that are morally questionable, but its survival right now.

He nodded almost imperceptibly. His relief was palpable. I really didn't understand what he had been worried about. I was abso-fuckin'-lutely serious when I had said he was mine and I was his. I had never had another before him and no one could compare to him in my mind and heart so what had he been worried about? My musings were cut short by his reply to my rhetorical question.

I was worried that you would realize that you are an angel and you deserve better. He was serious. He must be delusional. I could hear his mental scoff.

Yes, I said it. You are delusional. I am no angel and even if I was, I want you. Only you. Deal with it. I threw him a pointed stare, my eyebrow raised in challenge.

I surrender then, darlin'. You have me... Are you sure? He questioned again playfully. At my firm nod, he added. Then you're stuck with me. For however long you'd like. The grin that threatened to break out over my face would have been blinding.

We continued our mental conversation as we ran, and somewhere along the course of the run, I found myself next to him. I hadn't realized how close we had drifted until I felt the electric pulses that shot through me whenever our arms touched. It took me a moment after I realized we were too close to open myself up to feel the newborns emotions. Most were obviously not paying attention, but a few were curious and I mentally cursed.

Jasper was quick on the uptake, and the fact that we were still in each others mind didn't hurt. I sent him a wave of affection that her returned before I severed the link and sped up to keep pace with Peter. He was still annoyed that I hadn't given up my threat of dismemberment, but he sent me a warm smile nonetheless.

I knew we were drawing close to the rendezvous point and the worry that had been gnawing at me for the last few days increased ten-fold. I quickly decided to link my mind to Jasper and Peter's to share my concerns.

I have the worst feeling about this. Everything will go to hell if we fight Alphonso. I telepathed to my boys.

I know what you mean, Iz. This isn't right. Peter agreed. Jasper remained silent towards us but I could see possible scenarios flash through his mind quickly.

Maria is stubborn, but she's not stupid or suicidal. If she really does decide to attack, and she sees that she's losing she will cut and run with no hesitation. Every single newborn is dispensable to her. Jasper finally broke through his musings.

You mean she would just leave everyone behind to die for her greed? I clarified.

She's done it before. Peter cut in. His disgust for Maria's cowardly actions was palpable.

Do you think she will have us attack? When she left, she made it seem like it was only a strong possibility, not a certainty. I questioned.

She's worried about her sisters attacking her if she doesn't make a play for the city. She would sacrifice most anyone to keep her sisters with her. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer has been her motto for decades. Jasper explained.

Most everyone? I wondered, an idea forming in my mind.

Ooo. I see what you're getting at. You think that if Jasper refused to lead the mission she would back down? Peter asked me.

I saw inside her mind, she is wary of him to the point of fear. She also respects him and his opinion above all others, even her sisters. If he tried to persuade her, she would consider it. I told them.

So I'm the chosen negotiator? Jasper joked, but the gravity of the situation had our spirits flagging and it fell flat.

You're the only negotiator. She'd kill anyone else if they questioned her. Peter tossed in. His worry for the position we were putting Jasper in wasn't even close to my own. My guilt and anger at the whole situation was spiraling.

It's okay, darlin'. I was gonna try and talk her down anyway. This has been a suicide mission from the start, and she's fuckin' nuts if she thinks I would follow her orders on this one. Jasper tried to reassure me.

You've never refused her orders before. Peter pointed out. I could hear Jasper's growl from behind me, it was fierce and low, sending the newborns into a near panic for a moment.

She's never fucked with this territory before either. She has never been this fuckin' stupid. Jasper angrily replied. Peter sent an apology his way that Jasper shrugged off.

Our best option is to try and talk her out of it, hopefully making it seem like it's her idea to wait on claiming the territory. I surmised.

That's gonna take a lot of manipulation. She isn't easily manipulated. Peter chimed in.

Well that's my gift. I can handle it. Jasper assured us. I severed the link when Peter began to slow and lead us slightly to the east. After a few miles we came across Maria's scent, mixed with her sisters scents. We followed the trail until we spotted them speaking to each other in low hisses and growls.

Maria stood apart from Lucy and Nettie, facing them alone. Jasper ghosted to her side after we had all halted behind Maria. I suppressed my instinctive growl of angry jealousy at the sight and forced my expression into one of apathy. I refused to let what had happened between Jasper and I make me lose control and mess up our plans. Even if it was excruciatingly difficult.

I could see the tense lines of Jaspers shoulders and wondered if I had accidently projected my emotions or if he was just reacting to Maria's obviously angry demeanor. Maria seemed to relax slightly at Jasper's presence by her side and her army at her back. Lucy and Nettie seemed to shrink into themselves slightly at having to face down an entire newborn army. Whatever they had been arguing about was quickly forgotten and they seemed to gain an almost docile demeanor. I knew that Maria was smirking at them.

"Major," Maria purred and rubbed Jasper's shoulder with her delicate hand. "I'm so glad you have arrived." She turned to face the rest of us with a proud smile on her face, as if she was the one responsible for our training and victories. Aside from the venom that she thrust into most of our veins, she was nothing to us.

"Did you have any trouble in Monterrey, quierido?" Her hand was still rubbing my Jasper.

Do not lose it. Do not rip her hand off. Do not move. Do not growl. Don't even fucking twitch. I mentally chanted to myself.

"No problems. This group is one of the best that I have ever worked with. They are obedient and follow directions very well for newborns." Jasper praised. I monitored the emotions of the group and came up with an overwhelming feeling of pride and happiness at being acknowledged in that way. That was a point in Jasper's favor, a point that he knew he was winning.

"Well now that you are all here, we can plan our next step. My sisters are anxious to enjoy a new assortment of flavors." Maria purred, looking up at Jasper from beneath her lashes. My new mantra was coming hard and fast in my mind, repeating itself and taunting me and driving me close to the edge.

My limbs were almost painfully locked in place. I didn't even allow myself to blink or breathe, the human tendencies that I had never given up when crossing over into this fucked up life. I knew that my body would betray me and fly at Maria if any movement occurred.

I knew that in our group of newborns, we were rarely completely still. We touched our throats, we blinked, growled, and shifted; still unused to being able to emulate a statue with no repercussions. Our humanity shone through in the odd twitches we let through.

My stillness stood out among the group and I knew that I was putting myself in danger. As much as I knew that I could easily draw attention to the fact that I was different, coherent and very, very angry; remaining still was the lesser of two evils. It was either shift around and run the likely risk of springing up in rage or get curious and observant glares from the Twisted Sisters.

Just as I was about to unfreeze-to do god only knows what- I spied some seemingly random movement. Jasper disappeared from my view and was replaced with a muscled back. With the image of Maria touching and staring seductively at my mate no longer burning through my retinas, I took a breath. I quickly identified the muscular back's owner with the whiff I took of the air. Alexander.

I instinctively sent a wave of gratefulness to his back, glad for his hard bodied barrier between myself and the scene that lay on the other side of him. I noted that when the emotion reached him he relaxed a fraction. I didn't have to worry about him knowing of that ability of mine, he knew what I was capable of and he didn't let on that he knew anything out of the norm. I knew that he saw my struggle and placed himself in front of me for the purpose of protection. He feared for what could happen to me if I attacked Maria, which he believed I was milliseconds away from doing.

Gathering that from a quick scan of his mind left me feeling better about our position with the newborns. If one felt like this, perhaps more of them did. Hope began to blossom in my chest.

A/N- Guess what?

I suck!

I finally found this chapter buried in my email and wanted to post it for ya'll, so there it is. I will be working on more today and hopefully it wont suck. I dont have a beta, so any mistakes are mine and you can call me out on it if you'd like.

Sorry for the massive delay in updating, had a full time, wacky hour-ed jobby job to work and then decided to quit and finally finish my senior year of college so im taking a bunch of senior classes in order to do that.

Basically it means I will try and update more, but I am getting ready to write a thesis and I have been reading pretty much anything history related that any recognizable historian ever wrote for class, and time is scarce.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the chapter, and I know reviews get me excited to write, so ya, hit the button please :0)