it's never the same on the way down
how does it feel when your feet finally hit the ground?
when all of your bridges aren't around
and the sandcastles you built are falling down

-"Falling Down," Staind

APOV

Tensions in the Black-Brandon-Cullen-and now temporarily Masen house have been extremely high for the past week. I knew that everyone would be upset that Edward was staying with us, but it was the right thing to do. He was number two most wanted in the Trackers eyes. Plus, it helped to have an extra pair of eyes looking out for Bella as well insight into what the "other side" would consider in some instances. I mean, I would have some access to that anyway dating Jasper but they didn't know that.

I did have ulterior motives for making him stay here; I knew that Bella still loved him and that she was absolutely miserable with Jacob. I couldn't be sure because I couldn't see anything definite in that area just yet, but I hoped that having him stay here would help fix the future that I tarnished by revealing Edwards alter ego too soon.

Walking through the house now however, I couldn't see how any good was coming from this arrangement. Bella would lock herself in her room seventy percent of the time unless she was in class, showering or eating. Emmett stayed out a lot; he was sneaking out to 'challenge' the Black Rose, whom he invited over to dinner tonight without telling any of us. And poor Jacob, he has been extremely on edge. He barely speaks, not trusting Edward though Edward doesn't know that Jake is Werewolf, and he practically guards Bella's door, though she doesn't even let him in most of the time. How can he not see that she doesn't like him that way? Edward, well he has been trying his best to be on good behavior though no one, besides myself have been very nice to him. Carlisle has even shown him the cold shoulder whenever he is around. I personally talk to everyone, letting myself into Bella's room, talking even if I get no response from Jake.

Since I knew that Rosalie was coming for dinner, I decided that it was time to bring Jasper over for dinner also. I couldn't just let him be alone in the apartment by himself; God only knows what trouble he would get himself into. The only thing is that I saw how mad Bella would be seeing Rosalie, but for some reason I couldn't see her reaction to Jasper. Maybe that was a good thing? Maybe she didn't know who he was?

I whirled over to his apartment and found him reading a book called The Civil War: Day by Day, he was so into it that he didn't even notice that I was in the room. Jasper had been reading a lot more since I told him not to use his powers. He said that it helped him concentrate on something that doesn't emit emotions that he would be able to change or use his powers on. He found that he was really into anything relating to history, especially wars which kind of concerned me knowing that his favorite part was their methods of killing and attack and how effective they were but I had accepted a long time ago that he had those thoughts, and I knew he would never do those things now, he was just fascinated.

I decided to sneak up on him and cover his eyes. He jumped about a foot off the couch before relaxing and pulling me over the back of the couch onto his lap and kissed me. "I was trying to read," he complained.

I rolled my eyes, "You are going to turn into Bella with all the reading you've been doing!" I picked up his book and threw it. He looked shocked, then pretended to look angry but you could see a smile trying to peek through on his lips so I just kissed him.

"So what do I owe the honor of your presence? It seems a bit early for you to be popping by the apartment."

I leaned back so I could look at him in the eyes so he would know I was serious, "I want you to come over for dinner tonight." Jasper's face showed no emotion and he said nothing, he just stared at me waiting for me to continue, like this was a joke or there was a greater meaning behind my words, "I don't want you to have to eat alone tonight."

"Alice I don't eat alone, I unfortunately have Rosalie," he countered my argument.

"Not tonight you don't, Emmett invited her over for dinner. Apparently they sort of have something going on. I would really feel more comfortable if you came over for dinner." He didn't look convinced, "Jasper, if Emmett can bring Rosalie why couldn't I bring you?"

"Alice, Rosalie didn't try to kill Bella." I gave him a pointed look challenging that statement, "Ok, maybe in the past she might have, but I am the one that tried to kill her knowing who she was, I am the reason the Tracker wants her so bad and that she doesn't have powers. I am the one that tried to make Edward kill Esme. There is a bit more bad aimed at me than at Rosalie." The man did have a point.

"But…but they might not even know you are Hailstorm, and I mean, if they have a bad reaction we will leave and have dinner on our own, but they don't have any room to talk because Emmett is seeing Rose and Bella dated Edward…though she did break up with him when she found out…but still."

"What is Bella going to do when she see's Rosalie and me at dinner tonight?" he stared at me as if he knew it was going to be bad. It was times like these that I knew that he had changed from the person he used to be. He was now thinking about how his presence would affect Bella instead of how many ways his being in our house could benefit him.

"I know she reacts badly to Rosalie," I admitted, "But she would have anyway, they never got along in high school." Jasper moved his hand in a circular motion to signal me to continue, "As far as you coming…I can't see how she will react, I guess it is a decision she will make when it happens." Jasper looked defeated, I placed my hand on his chin and lifted his face so I could look into his eyes, "but no matter what happens we will deal with it, because I love you, and I want you to meet the other people I love."

He smiled at me, "ok, but only because I love you too."

--&--

BPOV

Ok, so I haven't actually killed Alice yet, but I would be lying if I said that I haven't considered it. This last week has been beyond horrible. Everywhere I turn, unless I am in my room, Edward is there. He is in the bathroom when I have to go in there, he is in the kitchen whenever I want a glass of water, he even transferred into some of my classes, I swear if I didn't know better I would swear that boy was stalking me. He has tried a few times to speak to me but I just walk away. I know I couldn't handle talking to him yet. I still see the image that I see in my dreams, him as the Tracker drinking my blood, and it kind of scares me.

The longest conversation I had with him, and the most awkward one was this morning when I was about to leave to run for a little bit, I had my iPod on and wasn't paying attention to where I was walking and I walked straight into him. It wouldn't have been so bad except he had just gotten out of the shower, he was only in a towel and the floor was wet from his feet so I slipped. I was thankful that he caught me even though I was embarrassed and felt awkward with him being so…undressed. When I finally got my brain to focus on something other than his body and proximity claiming to be dazed, and not quite awake I apologized. He still had his arms around me when I realized that I was stepping on something, I didn't look down because I had a feeling what it was and if I was right the whole situation was about to get a lot more uncomfortable. "Edward," I asked, "did your towel fall?" red crept up his neck and onto his face as he glanced down and then nodded. I closed my eyes and tilted my head up so he could grab his towel and secure it around himself. He went to say something but I had to get out of there, I had to get the new mental image out of my head and being around Edward was not going to help.

Needless I have avoided all contact with Edward even more so than usual since this morning. Now I was afraid of him, hated him for who he was, yet still cared for him, and was picturing him naked. It was an odd combination.

I spent most of my downtime in my room alone reading, I had read ten books in the past seven days. I couldn't help feeling bad that I was locking Jacob out when I locked everyone else out but I just haven't been in the mood for trying to like him lately. There has been too much going on. Thirteen more innocent people have been killed along with two villains and one superhero. Every time a death was reported I heard Rosalie's voice in my head, "What kind of hero can sit there while people die because she is too scared to show herself? What is one life to the hundreds that will be lost if you stay hidden?" It took a lot to remember Alice's warning.

I was sitting in my room, as usual trying to work on my story for my creative writing class. My professor had accepted the fact that I couldn't come up with any ideas on how to start a good happy story so he thought it would be a good idea to give me a scenario, A girl, possibly my main character, is sitting in a coffee shop reading when a guy comes in stuff happens in the end they must end up together and be happy about it. For a creative writing professor, he wasn't so great at coming up with story starters. So far on my computer all it said was, "I was sitting in the New Moon Café, the same place that you could usually find me from 10-1 Monday through Thursday, at the same table in the front corner near the door that I always sat in. This place was always full of regulars so when he walked in it was impossible not to notice."

I was just staring at the screen after that. When I tried to imagine my characters I couldn't change the images that popped up, I was the girl, and he was this mysterious newcomer. I think that is why I was so hesitant to write anymore.

A knock at the door saved me from writing any silly nonsense between my characters. "Yeah?" I asked and the door opened to reveal Edward. "I didn't say come in." I hoped that I sounded angry and strong.

"Dinner's almost ready." He announced. "And I just wanted to talk to you."

"I have nothing to say to you," I informed him turning back to my computer and started typing complete nonsense on the screen.

"Well I have things that I have to say to you," He closed the door and moved closer to me. My fingers were hitting all the wrong keys so that every word I typed was underlined as a spelling error.

"I have no desire to hear them," liar, "just get out."

"Bella," he was not giving up was he? "I just want a chance to-"

"Do you give all those people you kill chances before you kill them?" I gave him a hard look in the eyes. Didn't he understand that we were just too different? I couldn't accept his disregard for life, and I wasn't going to let him forget that.

He looked back at me like I had slapped him, "That's not fair."

"Oh, and killing an innocent person who did nothing wrong, who has a family waiting at home worried about them, that sounds really fair."

Edwards face was red with anger and frustration, he started moving, I assumed to the door to leave me alone but instead he stood in front of me. I didn't know if I should be worried, if he would hurt me, I really didn't have any way to defend myself should he decide to attack me. I tried to look confident and just as angry, the latter of which was not very hard. "You are the most stubborn…" he started but got too flustered to finish.

Suddenly he reached out and grabbed my computer throwing against the wall, successfully breaking it into too many pieces to be fixed. That did nothing to help my temper. I reached up and slapped him as hard as I could, which was significantly lighter than the first time I slapped him, but his head turned the same. "Dinner is ready." He said through gritted teeth giving me a hard stare and walking out of the room, kicking the remains of my laptop.

I guess he was back to being an asshole. Great, what am I supposed to do my assignments on now? He is so buying me a new one. I am going to have to make Alice make him buy me a new one. And all my iTunes! Gone! If I had my powers…

I got up and walked out of my room, not even looking at the mess of computer parts on the floor.

I was just entering the living room when Emmett came in the door laughing, "Hey guys, I brought a guest for dinner, hope no one minds." I followed his arm to the girl who it was wrapped around…no. It couldn't be her. Please tell me that the world isn't cruel enough for Rosalie Hale to actually be dating my brother.

My heart started racing in anger and I felt my face started getting red as I stared at her with my jaw tensely held shut. I knew Emmett had a crush on Rosalie as her evil counterpart but how is it possible that he actually found her attractive in person? Wasn't she dating Edward? I couldn't even form words to ask these questions, I wanted to just return to my room, and I was about to do just that when Alice whirled into the room. Clearly she must have seen this massive error in judgment on Emmett's part and was here to correct it as she had done for me years ago.

My assumption could not have been any more wrong. When I saw him standing there with her I thought I was just having another nightmare. There was no way that in real life my brother would willingly bring home the Black Rose and then Alice would bring home Hailstorm.

Through clenched teeth I managed to speak, "What the hell is he doing here?" I couldn't help but glare at our newly arrived guest.

He looked nervous? Alice was trying to find the right words, that's when I realized…she was holding his hand…What is going on? I started backing up, but ran into the wall. I felt like everyone was turning on me. Suddenly everyone was siding with the three people who had always been our enemies.

Edward came up to me to see if I was ok and Jacob immediately started yelling at him to leave me alone, starting an argument between the two of them. Alice started trying to explain why Jasper was there, that he had changed and so on; Emmett was telling me that you just have to go with your instincts. Everyone was talking at once, everything felt wrong, but I wasn't waking up. I had to get out of there so I just pushed my way through to the door and ran.

I ended up running to campus and sitting down near one of the statues in front of the library. I needed to think, but I didn't want to. Is that why Alice really let me get close to Edward, to get to Jasper? No, she wouldn't lie about that would she? How could Emmett be so stupid to want to be with Rosalie? How could Alice be so stupid? How could I be so stupid not to have noticed any of this?

"Hey," I heard an unfamiliar voice say. I looked up and saw a boy who I think might be in my chemistry class? "Bella right?" I nodded. "You look like you are having a rough night."

"Thanks," I said looking down, I probably looked like crap not that I really cared.

"I'm Eric," he extended his hand for me to shake which I did, "I am having this party tonight, would you like to come, it would probably make you feel better."

"No thank you Eric, I am not much of a party girl." I responded, my usual response to these invitations.

"How do you know if you never party?" I had to admit, it was a good question, "Come on, I bet a few drinks will make you feel better."

I thought about this for a second. A long time ago we had all decided not to drink or party because we didn't know how we would act or how it would affect our powers, but I don't really have powers…what harm could it do? "Sure, why not?" And so I went.

Eric drove us to his house and there were already a ton of people there. He made me a special drink, or so he said. I asked him why it was so special, "because everyone else gets beer from the keg, for you I crack open the liqueur." I had to admit that the drink he made was amazing, it was three different colors, red orange and yellow and it just tasted great. I wasn't paying attention and drank it faster than I meant to, before I even went to put my cup down I had another drink in my hand, it looked the same but it tasted a bit different, when I pointed this out Eric just said it was because I had one already and they taste different the more you have.

The music was so loud, and it seemed to just be getting louder, and there were so many people. I was talking to Eric and drinking my drink, but I started feeling funny, I felt like my limbs were really heavy and I didn't have enough energy to move them, the room seemed to be spinning. What was happening to me?

Eric came over to me, "you feeling ok?" he asked smiling a not so innocent smile. Oh no, he put something in my drink. He leaned in and tried to kiss me and I used all my energy to push him away. When he kept trying I got angry, angry that someone like him would do this to someone, so I used my energy to stand up and I used my power and tried to throw him across the room. Unfortunately, I forgot that my powers didn't work and I merely ruffled his shirt for a second. He came at me laughing…

--&--

APOV

Dinner was really quiet, no one wanted to talk about Bella's reaction to Jasper and Rosalie, and any topic that was brought up seemed to pass quickly. Besides the fact that Rosalie could probably care less what happened to her. I had assured everyone that Bella had just gone to the library to sit and think for a while, and that she was going to be fine.

Emmett had decided to tell some old family stories and was at the one about when he broke his first bicycle when I saw it. Bella was at a party, she was defenseless, someone slipped her a drug, then she used her powers, and the Tracker came for her, killing everyone at the party while she watched, then he took her.

"Bella…" I whispered. Suddenly all eyes in the room were on me. I just shook my head; I had to stop her, save her. It was my fault she was there. I shouldn't have brought Jasper here without talking to her.

"Alice what did you see?" Edward demanded. I shook my head again; I couldn't put the others in danger…but all those people… He looked determined then, stood up looking worried, he clearly read it from my mind. I guess I was telling everyone, we had to save Bella, and those kids. I just wish I could see if we would be successful.

A/N: Sorry for the delay, started summer school session 2 and my class is crazy! Hope you liked the chapter though! I have gotten some (what i hope are) good ideas for future chapters recently so...wooohooo

Don't forget about the Fanpire Fiction Awards July 20th (that's when voting starts) and check out the other stories that are up for awards! the other one up for Most Creative (against this one) is good! As are the other ones! Not all of the nominees are listed yet but some are,

h t t p : / / f a n p i r e f i c t i o n a w a r d s . w e b s . c o m /

(just take out the spaces)

t w i t t e r . c o m / d r e a m s k r i b b l e r

if you want to follow me on there.

Playlist songs to add:

I can't be held responsible
This is all so new to me
Just when I think I'm invincible
You come and happen to me

- " Invincible", Crossfade - How Edward feels when he is falling for Bella in high school.

"Ever fallen in love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with"

- "Ever Fallen In Love", Pete Yorn

That's all for now, Let me know what you think!

i welcome all questions (though if you just want to know what is going to happen a.k.a. giving away the story i will not give a clear answer), comments, feedback, suggestions, random thoughts, everything really...

You are all the best readers in the world!!

D!