Author's Chapter Notes:
Okay, about this chapter...it's a new POV, so its really an experiment for me. I wanted to try something different. Let me know how I do.
I don't own it. My love for Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series is my inspiration, so the last thing I want to do is infringe on her copyright.
*****
Jasper's POV
As I walked back towards the house with Leia, I worried about my littlest sister. She was too quiet. Our hunts alone together were rare, since I usually spent most of my time with Alice and she usually hunted with Edward. Once we'd had our fill, she was usually talking a blue streak as we took the long route home. I didn't have to respond so much, because as she often said, she was just happy to have me to herself. Now, it was different. Now, I was doing all the talking. Which meant our conversation was pretty non-existent.
Of course I shouldn't be surprised. The last three months away from our overprotective, watchful eyes had changed Leia. Of course it had started during the debacle in Phoenix with James, when she'd gone from being the protected to being the protector. We had stopped seeing her as just our baby sister, the precocious child who thought of Carlisle as an angel, worshiped the ground Edward walked on and lived to help Emmett with his pranks. She had begun to grow up.
But she had never lost her unerring optimism, the childlike joy that had always bubbled out of her. It had been like ambrosia to me. I hadn't felt joy like that from her since the day Edward decided Bella was better off without us. The day we started packing to leave Forks. I missed it and I wanted so badly to take away the darker emotions lurking in her now. Despite the fact that our family was together again, all of us including Edward's Bella, she still struggled with anger, shame and a curious sadness that I couldn't begin to understand.
"So, how is Charlie?" I tried opening a conversation. Edward had taken her to see Charlie last night as promised. Today, Edward, Alice and Carlisle were all at Forks High reenrolling. Leia was back to normal, physically, but she and I had taken off so that we could go hunting. It was the Friday before Spring Break, anyway.
"He's...okay. He was torn between wanting to shoot Edward between the eyes and wanting to ground Bella for life, which would of course have included banning Edward from the house." Leia's mood shifted to one of dark humor. "Like that would have mattered, anyway."
"You say he was torn?" I knew they'd come to some kind of arrangement, I just hadn't asked for details last night. I had been too wrapped up in letting Alice know how happy I was to have her home safe.
"Bella and I negotiated a truce, as it were. Well, mostly Bella. She threatened to come live with us if Charlie wouldn't be reasonable about Edward. I was worried he'd have a heart attack on the spot." Leia's emotions flickered from amused to slightly concerned and back to amused. "So Bella is under house arrest with strict visitation hours until Charlie is satisfied."
That wouldn't take long. Charlie had a soft spot for Bella and she was the model daughter. Well, if you discounted her penchant for hanging out with every monster in the neighborhood. First us, then the werewolves. I grimaced, hoping the whole werewolf situation didn't blow up in our faces. Carlisle had suggested calling a meeting on neutral ground to discuss the treaty. If Bella was going to be turned, we'd have to either renegotiate or move again. Permanently this time.
"What about you? I hear you're supposed to be grounded as well." I couldn't help a grin at the thought. Technically Leia was grounded. Carlisle and Esme had gotten her promise that she wouldn't leave the house without telling them where she was going and when she would be back. It didn't count as punishment, really, because Leia didn't mind the restriction in the least. As long as she was sure Bella was safe, she was happy to stay close to home.
"Part of the negotiations. I get to spend weekends at Bella's house."
"Ah, so Edward can go hunting."
"Yup. No doubt Alice will tag along with me. Edward doesn't trust just me to be enough protection if Victoria shows up. Not that I blame him. After my fight with Laurent, I'm ready to admit I'm not equipped to fight alone." And her mood was back to that curious sadness. I doubted she was sad that Laurent was dead. The only other thing that might be causing it was thoughts of the werewolves. I was about to ask her point blank about it when she stiffened beside me.
"We need to get back to the house." She tugged hard on my hand and we began to run. Despite Alice's 'good as new' prediction, she was still moving a little slow, so I reached out and grabbed her, slinging her around to my back. She murmured a thank you against my ear and I sped along at maximum speed.
"What's going on, Lei?" I needed to know what I was running into.
"Sarah's coming on Jacob's bike." I didn't have to ask who Sarah was. While I had been helping Leia climb the stairs over and over and over again yesterday, we had talked seriously about her time away from us. I knew that Sarah was the twin sister of Adam Talldeer. It was then that I realized what was causing that curious sadness. The only other time I'd felt it was when she was telling me about the Talldeers. Especially when she talked about Adam.
"The wolves?" I needed to know if Sarah was alone. If the wolves were converging on our house...Esme was there alone. Rose and Emmett were off on an extended hunt. I pushed my speed, despite Leia's reassurance that Sarah was alone. I heard the motorbike myself about the time I jumped the river. We hit the porch just as Esme wandered outside, no doubt curious about the motorcycle coming up the drive. Leia leaned back against her and Esme wrapped both arms around Leia's waist, resting her chin on Leia's shoulder. I stood on the top step in front of them, waiting.
The bike came into view after a few seconds, a black Harley Davidson Sprint with a tall, leather clad woman astride it.
"Nice bike," I said softly to Leia. She nodded.
"You should have seen the rusty heap of junk it was before Jacob got ahold of it. He does good work."
Sarah Talldeer stopped the bike and cut the engine, slowly easing the kickstand down. I knew she was probably watching us warily, trying to decide how best to approach. She was putting off a plethora of emotions. Fear, curiosity, guilt, relief and even a tiny bit of joy. She finally swung her leg off the bike and reached up to remove her helmet, shaking out a head full of silky black hair. She was pretty for a human. I wondered how much she favored her brother. She looked at us for a moment, as if deciding if she really wanted to approach.
"Hello, Sarah." It was Leia's soft greeting that made up her mind. She hung her helmet on the handlebars and strode forward. She stopped several feet from us and gave Leia a smile.
"Hi, Leia. I was wondering if maybe we could talk?" Leia returned Sarah's smile, despite the confusion and that infernal sadness she was putting off.
"Sure, Sarah. Does Jake know you're here?" Leia's hesitant question caused a surge of irritation from Sarah.
"Contrary to popular belief, I am a grown woman with a mind of my own. Jacob Black is my soulmate, not my babysitter." I felt Leia's surprise at Sarah's comment. Surprise and relief, mingled with something akin to malicious glee. It was hard to name the last because I'd never felt anything like it from Leia. Evidently Jacob Black was not in her good graces at the moment.
"I know that, Sarah, but they way things are..." Leia trailed off as Sarah took the last few steps to the bottom of the stairs. She glanced at me and then back at Leia and Esme. She smelled...odd. Not that her blood didn't call to me, but she was covered in a scent that almost made my nose wrinkle in disgust. I was amazed. For the first time, a human was standing two feet from me and I wasn't struggling to hold back the monster within.
"The way things are is why I'm here. Things are going to get out of hand really quick if we can't find some kind of common ground. There have been two suspicious deaths in the area and the tribal elders are this close," Sarah held up thumb and forefinger a hairsbredth apart, "To sending the pack to 'eradicate the problem'."
I fought down a growl at the very idea of the dogs coming here. Leia must have heard the rumble in my chest, because she pulled away from Esme, laying a hand on my arm as she moved forward. She stepped down in front of me onto the bottom step, putting herself at eye level with the tall Native American girl.
"Sarah, it's not us. It's Victoria, I'd stake my life on it. She's not like us, not a vegetarian vampire, and she's out for Bella's blood. That's part of the reason my family came back. We have to stop her before she does any more damage in Forks."
"Victoria? She wouldn't happen to be a redhead?" Sarah's question made me tense up as Leia nodded. I was about to speak up and start asking questions when Esme interrupted me.
"Girls, I'm sure this conversation would be better had inside." Esme, ever the polite hostess, spoke up. I could feel the concern and curiosity rolling off her in waves. Leia turned her head to smile gratefully at Esme.
"Sorry mom, this is Sarah Talldeer. Sarah, this is my mother, Esme, and my brother Jasper." Leia made introductions and Sarah gave us a polite, if wary, nod. I stepped aside and Esme gestured Sarah up the stairs. I gave the girl credit. She didn't give any outward show of the trepidation she was feeling as she stepped past us. Humans didn't like putting their backs to us as a rule and since Sarah knew exactly what we were, that instinct would be in overdrive. She did start a little when she saw Leia holding open the door since my sister hadn't bothered to move at human speeds. Even slightly slower than normal, Leia's move from the stairs to the door would have been no more than a blur to Sarah.
We all moved into the living area and Leia settled next to Sarah on the couch. I stood against the fireplace and Esme hovered.
"Can I get you something to drink, Sarah?" Esme asked politely and Sarah blinked. I felt her surprise and offered an explanation.
"Bella is a frequent visitor to our house, Sarah. We keep the fridge and pantry stocked for her." She shot me confused look and I offered her a lazy smile. Her brow furrowed slightly and she turned to Esme.
"Some ice water would be nice?" She made it a question and Esme nodded.
"I'll be right back."
"Sarah. How's Adam?" Leia's quiet question made Sarah look at her with a pained smile. The girl patted Leia's knee as if comforting her.
"He's adjusting. He and Sam are constantly fighting and since Sam is the alpha, Adam doesn't win many of those fights." Her voice conveyed a great deal of frustration and Leia sighed softly.
"Tell him I'm thinking of him, would you? I know I can't see him, but…" Leia broke off and I felt her sadness surge. And suddenly I knew why her sadness felt so different to me. It was a curious mix of longing and affection. The wolf was obviously more than just a passing acquaintance. Curiouser and curiouser. And a little bit disturbing. Alice and I hadn't been with the family on their first stay in this area, but I had been regaled with the story from five different viewpoints and none of them had spoken kindly of the werewolves. Even Carlisle spoke of them in wary tones. Perhaps the new generation was less aggressive, but I doubted it.
"We'll find some way around it, Leia, I promise. But for now, this will have to do." She pulled a thrice folded piece of paper out of her jacket and held it out to Leia. My sister's joy was evident, even without my gift. Her face lit up and I swore her hands were actually shaking when she took the letter.
"Can I send one back?" Her question was almost shy and Sarah patted her knee again.
"Of course. Like I said, the current situation needs some adjusting. Sam Uley may be able to keep Adam from coming to see you physically, but he doesn't have any say in where I go and who I see." Her dark eyes sparkled with rage and her jaw was set. Obviously her brother wasn't the only one fighting with the alpha male. There wasn't even a twinge of fear in her now. Something told me she would fight through hell itself for her brother's happiness.
"Thank you, Sarah. I'll be right back. Talk to Jasper about Victoria." And Leia was gone, leaving a startled Sarah behind. Esme came in, casting a curious look at the stairs as she handed Sarah the glass of water she'd brought.
"Sarah brought her a letter from Adam. I think she went to get some paper to write him back. Is Carlisle's office completely unpacked?" Everything in the house had to go back exactly as it was before we moved, or Leia wouldn't be able to get around easily. Not that it would take her long to readjust, but if she was hunting something specific like stationary, it might take her a while if it was still packed in a box.
"No, everything should be in order. Now, what's this about Victoria?" Esme sat in the chair across from Sarah. After shaking off a twinge of discomfort, Sarah spoke with us, her eyes swinging back and forth between the two of us.
"The pack tracked a red headed vampire just last night, crossing Quileute lands. She moved up towards the meadow where they killed the other one. The claim they almost had her cornered when she just disappeared over a cliff." Jasper nodded.
"Victoria seems to have a talent for avoiding capture. Do you think the pack and the elders would be willing to meet with us? Victoria is out for Bella's blood and it would be in both our interests to make sure she is...removed from the area." I hesitated over my wording, but Sarah still grimaced.
"She's not like you, right? She drinks human blood?"
I didn't know how much Leia had told her friend Adam about us and how much he had shared with his sister. If they were using Leia to measure the rest of us by, they were gravely mistaken. Leia's outstanding control would no doubt rival Carlisle's one day, if she continued to push her limits. I held no such ambitions for myself.
"Trust me when I say she thinks of humans as little more than cattle. Most of our kind does." I told her softly. I saw Esme wince and Sarah's brow furrowed.
"Then why is she hunting Bella? I wouldn't think..."
"Vengeance." Leia said in a dark tone, interrupting Sarah's thought. She came down the stairs with her lapdesk under one arm, a pencil behind one ear, blank paper in one hand and Adam's letter in the other. She paused for a moment, no doubt borrowing Sarah's eyes to discern our positions. "Edward killed her mate, so she wants to kill his."
"Oh." And I felt understanding in Sarah now. She had called Jacob Black her soulmate earlier, so perhaps she could understand Victoria's motivation. I knew I did. If anyone or anything threatened a single hair on Alice's head, I wouldn't hesitate to plot their demise before I found some way to follow Alice to smoldering ashes.
"Yes, though, honestly, James tried to kill Bella, so what did she expect Edward to do? How she could love that sadistic..."
"Leia." Esme's word of warning made Leia cut off with a sigh before she settled in the floor at Esme's feet, her back against Esme's knees.
"I was going to say vampire, I swear. Suffice it to say love makes some people blind and stupid." She spread Adam's letter out in front of her and Esme looked down. I moved two feet to the left so that I could read it as well. This was my little sister, after all. Her welfare was almost as dear to me as Alice's. It seemed innocent enough. He told her how sorry he was that he hadn't been allowed to see her, promised he'd send Sarah with a letter as often as he could and he asked her if she'd write him back. It was fairly short, obviously more a request for communication than a real letter. There were some odd notations at the bottom, though. Some kind of code, I thought. I would ask Leia about that later.
"I never did answer your question, Jasper. I really don't know if the pack will agree to meet with you. I'll do my damnedest to talk them into it, though. I just need a phone number where I can reach you. Adam's been out of his mind the last few days, worried about Leia. Evidently your phone's out of order, Lei." Sarah glanced down at Leia, who was done reading the letter Adam had written and I thought she might be reading through it again. It was difficult to tell, since Leia didn't need look at the paper as she read. But she was running her fingers over some of those notations. The sad longing was in evidence again, but it was laced with anger and shame. I was glad when Sarah distracted her by mentioning her phone.
"It got smashed in the meadow. Dad was going to get me a new one today. Jazz, can she have yours for now?" Esme glanced at me and I nodded. Leia turned a smile on me before she leaned her head back in Esme's lap, allowing Esme to stroke her hair tenderly as she wrote her letter to Adam. Sarah watched her closely and considering the amount of surprise coming off of the Quileute girl, I was grateful she wasn't gaping like a fish. Not only was Leia not watching her hands, she was writing at vampire speed. Neat, perfectly straight lines of text appeared under her pencil as if by magic. I sighed softly when I saw her write about Italy.
'Even if my phone hadn't been smashed to bits in the meadow, I don't know if my service plan extends to Italy. I want your solemn promise that you'll never visit that God-forsaken country. There are monsters there that would make Laurent look like a fluffy bunny. Bella and I had to go rescue Edward from himself. In order to get us out of there in one piece, I did some things I'm not proud of. Things that would make you wonder if you really want to be friends with me.'
Of course the underlying hints of fear and remorse coming off of her at that point made me want to comfort her, but compared to the deep horror and shame she had been dealing with two days ago they were exceedingly mild. I was mightly relieved to note that. Just the fact that she acknowledged that she had acted with a noble purpose was a huge step forward. I was shocked, however, that she even made vague mention of her actions. Esme must have been equally shocked because she asked the question I wanted to in a voice too high and fast for Sarah to understand.
"Why would you even hint at telling this boy things you don't even want Bella to know?"
"Because Bella would blame herself for my actions. I don't think she would think any less of me, because she knows what we are. She's seen the worst side of us, of me, and she still loves us. But I'm afraid Adam thinks too highly of me and I refuse to let him put me on a pedastal. Best I let him know what I'm capable of before he fancies himself my furry white knight." Even speaking so that Sarah couldn't hear, I detected a note of wistfulness in her voice that backed up the longing I sensed in her. Esme's fingers stilled in Leia's hair.
"Oh, Leia. You don't mean to tell me that boy is in love with you?" Esme's concern was prevalent, but I noted just a hint of hope in her as well. Trust Esme to find hope in a nearly hopeless situation.
"Leia..." I began, meaning to convey to her exactly how dangerous this could be. I had been worried about the werewolf situation exploding in our faces. This kind of development could escalate things to nuclear proportions. Leia cut me off.
"I know, Jazz. I'm may be blind but I am not stupid. I haven't done anything to encourage him. I know a relationship with a werewolf would cause serious problems."
"If by serious problems you mean World War III, you understand my concerns." From watching Bella and Edward, I knew that love sometimes happened despite insurmountible odds. But what better example of a Romeo and Juliet style romance than a vampire and a werewolf. Our species were natural enemies. Just the scent lingering on Sarah's clothing and skin from Jacob Black made my nose revolt. And Leia's nose was more sensitive than mine. I wondered how she managed to stand it.
"Don't worry, Jazz. Once he learns the truth about me, he'll probably tuck tail and run. I hope not, because I really do consider him a very dear friend, but it might be for the best if he does." Leia's comments were resigned. Esme sighed softly and tucked a curl behind Leia's ear.
"He was willing to fight for you in the meadow, Leia, I don't think he'll be frightened off by your actions in Italy. Tell him the whole truth and see how he reacts. If he's a true friend, he won't condemn you for what you did and none of us will begrudge you your friendship." Esme's gentle words and her quick warning glance my way made me grimace, but in the light of Leia's affection for the boy I couldn't disagree with her.
"Esme is right, I suppose. Good friends are hard to find, even harder when you happen to be a blood sucking vampire." I grinned when I felt Leia's surprise and just a hint of that elusive joy I'd been missing from her for so long. And all because I was encouraging her friendship with a werewolf.
"And if he's not satisfied with 'just friends'?" Leia asked, her head tilted in my direction, one eyebrow raised. There was a hint of humor in her question. I snorted softly, catching Sarah's attention. I schooled my expression into a polite smile for her but my words to Leia held a hint of malice and not all of it was feigned.
"Remember how I'd planned to scare Ben Chaney away from you last year at prom?"
"Oh please," she said in an exasperated tone. "I don't think discussing Aztec torture methods with Adam is going to frighten him away. He's not the squeamish type."
"Who said anything about discussing it? I hear the wolves heal pretty quick..."
"Jasper Whitlock Hale! Don't you dare. And don't you encourage your brothers in that direction either." Esme didn't bother to keep her voice at vampire hearing levels this time and Sarah jumped when she started shouting at me. Leia just giggled as she added a few of those odd notations to her own letter before folding it neatly.
"Sorry, Esme." I apologized, being sure to add in a sheepish smile for good measure. I made a note to keep any dealings with Adam Talldeer as covert as possible. Leia might not think I was serious, but if things got out of hand I wouldn't hesitate to have a long talk with the boy, Aztec torture methods optional.
Leia hopped up from the floor and went to offer Sarah her letter. The girl glanced at her watch.
"Thank you, Leia. Adam will be estatic to hear from you. Now, I better get back to the rez before Jacob sends the pack looking for me. He tends to be a little overprotective sometimes." Sarah offered Leia a wry smile. "After I spend a few hours calming him down and delivering Adam's letter, I'll try to talk them into a meeting with you and your family."
I nodded when Sarah glanced at me for confirmation that we really did want to call a meeting. She gave me a half smile.
"It was nice meeting you both." She turned her smile on Esme and Esme returned it.
"Lovely to meet you, too, Sarah. I hope you'll drop by again soon." Sarah nodded shortly and skirted the back of the couch, walking briskly to the door. Leia followed her out.
"You might want to have someone between you and Jacob when he finds out where you've been, Sarah. I know you love him and he loves you, but...accidents happen." I heard Leia voice her concerns to Sarah and I was surprised by her insight into how dangerous her new friends could be. Then again, she had observed them fighting firsthand. Perhaps she knew the dangers better than any of us. Sarah obviously wasn't concerned because she just snorted softly.
"I'm well aware of that, Leia, but I promise I know how to handle Jacob, volatile werewolf temper and all."
"Sarah..." Leia's voice was exasperated.
"Okay, okay. If it'll make you feel any better I'll tell him over the phone."
"Thank you."
"I'll talk to you soon, I hope. Bye, Leia."
"Bye Sarah. Tell Jacob...tell Jacob we've missed him. We've missed both of you." Leia's voice was strained as she obviously spoke for herself and Bella.
"He'll probably never tell you this himself, Lei, but he's missed you and Bella too. Hopefully we can do something about this ridiculous turf war and we can all be friends again."
"I hope so, Sarah. I really hope so."
As Sarah rode away, I felt Leia's ever present sadness mingle with hope as she walked back into the house. She even did a pirouette on her way back up the stairs to her room, the first time to my knowledge that she'd done a dance move since returning home from Italy. She had even refused to do any dancing as part of her physical therapy. As thrilled as I was to see it, I was waiting until Alice got home to let myself feel anything but trepidation about our current situation. I sincerely hoped my wife could shed some light on things to come, because our concern over the Volturi and Bella's change suddenly seemed to pale in comparison to pack of angry werewolves and one pissed off, vengeance-seeking vampire.