A/N: I'm trying to get back into the writing groove since I only managed to write and update one of my stories last week. Bear with me, I promise I'll update Accidental as soon as I can.
I did have a few requests for a JPOV of his conversation with Alice, and I hope this will suffice. As you'll find out below, Jasper's reaction was a little different than Bella's. I hope you'll take the time to comment.
Please forgive any errors, this is not beta'd.
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the owner, not me.
JASPER
Many things have happened over my years as a vampire. Many have even managed to shock and astound me. But none as much as this. Perhaps I am as much to blame as Alice and Edward.
"All this time I've..." My thoughts aren't in complete sentences, so I suppose it makes sense my words aren't either. "And you've been keeping this..."
"We are sorry," Alice says and steps forward. I step back, fearful I might hurt her. I want to hurt her. "I am sorry." Her head hangs and I think of ripping it off. Such a prime position, such an easy task.
I should have known, of course. I should have recognized my craving for Bella for what it was. My venom was in her, my venom sang for her, as her's did for me. Only I was too blind, too hung up on my love for Alice, my trust in here, to see the truth.
Alice sobs, her face even more grim as the moon casts shadows across it. "Pushing you away, treating you the way I have... it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
She steps forward and I snarl. My hand is around her throat before I even realize I had the thought. She grips my wrist, her eyes fearful. I lift her off the ground, watching as her legs dangle and kick.
"You betrayed me in the worst of ways." Alice shrinks back at the sound of my voice. "A death sentence seems adequate for such a treason."
"Jasper, please," she rasps, though she hasn't much air. "Don't do this."
"It would be so easy," I say as I tighten my hold on her neck. Alice squirms, but her attempt at freedom is futile. "One twist."
"Please."
"I trusted you," I say and a shadow comes over her face. Her eyes fall and she stops struggling, though her hands stay clasped around my wrist. "I trusted all of you."
She's out of air, so no sound falls from her mouth. I can read the words on her lips, though, and sorry isn't going to cut it. Not this time.
"I will never forgive you for this," I say as I drop her to the ground. "I loved you."
Alice weeps as she rubs her neck. Her cheeks stay dry, and I'm thankful she can't shed a tear. She doesn't deserve the relief crying can bring. I shake my head and turn to leave. I am done. Finished.
"I loved you, too," Alice cries. I stop, but keep my back to her. "I will always love you. For what it's worth, I am so very sorry. We were stupid, so stupid, but I didn't know how to let you go." She takes a deep breath and I step forward again. "You'll forgive me one day... won't you?"
I close my eyes, swallowing the anguish that threatens my resolve. This hurts more than any physical wound I've ever endured.
There's a part of me that wants to tell Alice, all-seeing-Alice, to consult her crystal ball and find out. She does it for everything else, why not now? There's also a part of me that still wants to rip her head off in response. It is no less than she deserves. Then I could hunt Edward down and do the same.
But there's a sliver of something else in me, too. A glimmer of understanding and sympathy, and I know I'm not ready to acknowledge it, or what it may mean. I look up to the sky, seeking the answer among the stars. They're in a language I've yet to learn, so if the answers are there, I can't read them.
"I don't know," I finally say, and it's the truth. With my future ahead of me, I take off at a sprint, Alice's sobs echoing behind me.
