***Thanks for all the reviews over that last chapter. I wanted to say that I heard from so many first time reviewers and I'm glad you're with us. With this writing pace and RL, it's hard for me to respond back to all of you, but I do read each and every review and I'm humbled.

***There was some kind of glitch in FF, and some of you weren't able to access chapter 36, so in case you've opened the link to 37, please make sure you've read chapter 36 first.

***Thanks to my two fabulous beta's because they shouldn't have to keep up with me, but somehow they do!

EPOV

Not my venom? She didn't want my venom?

Between the alcohol and now the sting of Jasper's venom from when he bit my shoulder, I wasn't processing things as I should have been. I could hear in Aro's thoughts what he had planned for me as he stared at me and smiled. It was obvious that I'd be reading the minds of potential Volturi candidates for quite some time. He kept his hand on my shoulder so that he could monitor everything I was thinking.

I didn't mean to bite her, but I knew it was my last chance to make her mine, but now I could hear the thoughts of Jasper and Carlisle and there was a strong possibility that Jasper could stop what I had done. I knew he'd prove successful because it was what Bella wanted.

I growled as Felix and Demetri tried to hold me back. Emmett stepped in to help, but I could hear in his mind that he wanted no harm to come to me. He still thought of me as his brother, and I could hear Esme pleading with me to stop so that I wouldn't get hurt. The wolves surrounded us, and Jacob mentally warned me that if I tried to escape or go after Bella again he would rip me to shreds.

I spoke for Aro. Tell them to back off. I have no intentions of trying to run.

Wise choice, he stated. You know where you belong. I think that somewhere deep inside you always knew you were destined for my clan.

I nodded.

I just thought that Bella would be with me when I went to Italy. But, now listening to her plead with Jasper not to let me be the one to turn her, I finally saw that it was him she wanted. She had been trying to tell me that since I took her, but I thought I could make her see that it was me she was meant for. But, all I did was strengthen their bond. He would never give up on her and she would always have the utmost faith in him. I used to be her Jasper, but somehow I lost that place in her heart.

"Carlisle," Jasper said, as he took Bella from his arms, placing her in his lap. "Is it too late? Can I stop this?"

"You can try," he said, but I could hear how unsure he was.

Bella was screaming, but Jasper was doing everything he could to manipulate her. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her neck.

"I'll make it all better, darlin'," he said, but I could hear his reservations. They were the same ones I had when I had to do this for her when James bit her. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to stop.

I broke out of Demetri and Felix's hold and dropped down next to Bella and Jasper. I was battling with myself. Part of me wanted this change to take place so that I would have a connection with her, but the other part, the piece of me that still loved her the way she deserved, knew that this was wrong. She wasn't mine to keep; she never was. It might have been my altered state, but I had to try to fix this.

"Let him be," Aro commanded.

"Fuck off! You've done enough," Jasper growled.

"I can do this for you," I told him. "I won't hurt her. I've tasted her before."

"Jasper," Peter yelled. "You are losing time. Make a decision."

Jasper looked into my eyes and for a brief moment he considered it, but then Bella screamed out and he suddenly latched on to the spot on her neck that I had just marked and began to suck my venom from her body.

Bella began to lose consciousness, but I knew from Jasper's thoughts that he was still tasting venom in her blood. He was torn. Should he keep going and risk draining her or should he just push his own venom in her veins?

"Jasper," Carlisle called to him. "You're going to have to stop, it may be too late."

It's not the way she wants it. It's not the way it's supposed to be.

"Keep going," I told him. "You can do it."

What is wrong with you? Your emotions have shifted.

"I didn't mean to…"

Before I could finish, Jasper pulled back from her neck and spit out her blood. "She's clean," he said to Carlisle. "Is she okay?"

Carlisle checked her pulse. "She's weak and I'll need to examine her for injuries from the impact of when you collided with her."

"Why don't you and your family go inside?" Aro said. "I need to speak to Edward."

"Aro," Carlisle said. "Edward is part of my family."

"No," I responded. "Not anymore. Don't let what just happened here fool you. I want to go to Italy. That's where I belong."

"Carlisle," Jasper said. "Bella needs you." He carried her into the house as the rest of the family followed him. Carlisle stopped and stared at me.

I know you're still in there, and after tonight, I can't give up on you. I won't.

He turned away after I didn't respond to him.

"He's still your creator," Aro reminded me. "He'll never stop hoping that you'll return to him."

"I don't belong there," I said. "You know that."

"Yes," he agreed. "I know where you're headed."

"You're not going to make it easy on me," I said, as I looked at the rest of the Volturi. "None of you are."

"Great," Felix said. "Now we have to deal with a mind reader."

Aro laughed. "I have to touch them," he said. "You'll be a lot for them to get used to."

"He has much to atone for," Jane observed. "Can I help him?"

"That won't be necessary, Jane," Aro smiled. "Edward is going to earn all of our trust."

"I will," I assured them. "I want to serve among all of you." I craved the power they had, and I knew it was the only place I could survive. I was restless and I needed a purpose.

"But, first you have to prove yourself to me and my brothers, and you have to serve your time for the havoc you wreaked in my town. You fed in the streets, almost exposing us, you left Victoria for us to deal with and you destroyed newborns we had been training for several months."

"I apologize for my behavior," I said. "But, in many ways, I was like a newborn coming into my own."

"That's no excuse," Aro said. "You have been in our world for many decades. You knew the rules and I can't let you slide. You will come back to Italy and start at the bottom. You are extremely powerful and your gifts are invaluable. I've never seen anyone elude Demetri."

Demetri growled, causing the others to laugh.

"Shut up, Jane," he hissed. "You can't hurt him either."

"In any case," Aro spoke. "You are now at my disposal. Anything I ask of you, you will do. You are not to come back to the States until I say it's okay, and you will leave Isabella alone. You are now at the mercy of the Volturi."

"For how long?" I asked, knowing that I wouldn't get an answer.

"Indefinitely," Aro smiled. "But, don't worry. Once you've proven yourself worthy, you will stand beside them." He pointed to his elite Guard. "But, mind you, it could take years for that to happen."

I rolled my eyes and realized that my life was going to be a living hell for the next few years, but none of that mattered. If I didn't have her, I didn't care where I was or what I'd be doing.

"Would you like to say goodbye to your family?" Aro asked. "It may be years before you come in contact with them."

"No," I said. "There's nothing left for me here."

"Fine," Aro said. "We return to Italy now."

I followed them out, never bothering to glance back inside. I knew that eventually Bella would become one of us and our paths would cross again. I'd just have to be patient and wait for that day to happen, but in the mean time, I'd go to my fate. I knew it wouldn't be all bad. I saw in Aro's thoughts that he needed me, so it wouldn't be long before I turned this situation around.

BPOV

When I woke up, I could tell that we were moving. We were in a car, possibly Emmett's Jeep by the way we were bouncing around. I felt his cold, strong arms wrapped around my body and I didn't have to open my eyes to know it was Jasper.

I looked up and saw him smiling down at me.

"You found me," I whispered, not fully finding my voice yet.

"You didn't think I would?" He asked, as he pushed the hair out of my eyes.

"Edward said you went back to Texas with Alice," I admitted. "I saw the pictures."

"He lied," Rosalie said from the front seat. "I hope you didn't believe him because Jasper has been going crazy with worry."

"Rose," Emmett said. "Of course she didn't believe him. Did you, Bella?"

"No," I smiled. "I knew Jasper would come for me."

"How do you feel?" He asked. "Are you in pain?" I knew he already knew the answers, but he probably wanted to keep me talking.

"My throat feels dry," I said, as I stretched out my body. "And, I'm sore all over."

"Carlisle said you'd be dehydrated," Jasper told me. "And, I'm the reason you're sore. I smacked into you, trying to stop Edward from biting you."

"He bit me?"

"You don't remember?" Jasper asked, and I could see he was concerned, so I thought back to what had happened, but it was all fuzzy.

"I remember you coming with the wolves and the Volturi and I tried to tell you I was okay, but you didn't understand. Oh," I stopped.

"What is it?"

"The burning in my neck," I remembered.

"That's when the bastard bit you," Rose chimed in.

"You made it better," I said. "I asked you to and you did it."

"I'll do whatever you ask," he said. "But yes, I sucked the venom from your system."

"That must have been difficult for you," I said.

"Not as difficult as what happened this past week. Losing you was extremely hard." I saw the pain in his eyes, and then I could feel the desperation and sadness.

"Bro," Emmett said. "She's back, so stop with the projecting. I'm so damn depressed that I feel like a menstruating chick."

"Sorry," Jasper said.

"How come you didn't replace his venom with yours?" I wondered, not fully meaning to say that out loud.

"Because, I didn't want his venom in your system at all," he told me. "When the time is right, remember?"

"You promised," I reminded him.

"I did," he said, as he stroked my cheek. "I'm just glad I was able to stop the change before it was too late."

"Jasper," I said, as I tried to sit up. He held me down and I knew he wanted me to stay put. "I'm sorry about the things I said that day, I didn't mean them."

The car stopped and I could see the others gathering around to greet us.

"Not now, Bella," he said. "We'll discuss everything later." Carlisle opened the car door and slid me off Jasper's lap. I didn't like being separated from him and he must have felt that.

"It's okay," he said. "Go with Carlisle. I have to go for a run. Peter, you want to go with me?"

"Are you sure?" Peter said. "I mean, you just got Bella back. Hey, Bella," Peter said. "It's nice to meet you."

"Hi," I responded, as Carlisle sat me on the porch swing. "Jasper, can't your run wait?"

"I won't be long," he smiled, as he kissed me gently on the lips. "Carlisle, her throat is dry so she probably needs some fluids."

"I'll take care of her," he assured me. "You hurry back."

"Thanks," he called from the woods. He and Peter took off running and I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. Carlisle sensed it.

"He needs to feed, Bella," he told me. "Tasting you wasn't an easy task and now I'm thinking that I should have done it for him."

"No, I wanted him to do it," I said. "But, are you sure that's it? He looks upset."

"He almost lost you and feeling all of our emotions over this past week, especially today, wasn't the easiest thing for him to experience."

"Just give him some space," Esme said. "He'll be fine."

"Bella, I'm Char," she smiled. "I wish we could have met under different circumstances, but I'm glad I got to meet the woman who has Jasper so taken. I can't wait to spend some time with you."

"It's nice meeting you too," I said.

"Peter will take care of him and he'll be back before you know it."

"Okay, I just miss him." I tried to keep a smile on my face, but I couldn't help but think about what was going through Jasper's head.

"Hey, Bella," Alice said, as she sat on the swing with me. "Phillip and I are glad you're okay."

"Thanks," I smiled, but then stared at Phillip. I wondered if Alice had forgiven him for working with Edward. Since Jasper hadn't killed him, I guessed all was good.

"Bella," Phillip said. "I'm sorry for what you went through. I apologize for my part in all of this."

"It's okay," I smiled. "If Alice sees the good in you, then I trust her."

"He was trying to protect me," she said.

I nodded because I knew the feeling. I broke Jasper's heart to protect him and now I was afraid things were never going to be the same.

"Bella," Rose sternly said. "If you scare us like that again, I'm going to turn you myself so I won't feel bad when I kick your ass."

"Bells," Emmett laughed. "Rose really missed you. We all did."

Rose pushed Alice out of the way and sat down next to me, giving me a tight squeeze. I wrapped my arms around her and said, "I missed you too."

"Okay," she said, as she pulled away. "Just don't leave us again."

"I won't," I smiled, realizing just how much I meant to her. "I love you too."

She smiled, but then all of their heads turned in the direction of the trees.

"What is it?" I asked. "Is it Edward?" I started to panic and really wished Jasper was here.

"No," Carlisle assured me. "I think you'll want to speak to this guest."

"Jake," I smiled, as I stood up and walked down the porch steps. "You came back."

"I wanted to make sure you were okay," he said, as he took my hand. "You didn't look so good when they put you in the Jeep."

"Why don't we give Bella some privacy?" Esme said, as she motioned for the others to go inside.

"Bella, how did you get yourself into this mess?" He asked.

"I had sex with Edward and everything sort of went downhill after that."

"That sucks," he laughed. "No pun intended."

"So, you wanted to save me?" I said. "I thought you washed your hands of me."

"I did," he admitted. "But, I couldn't let him just take you. You're not meant for him. I've always known that."

"Jake," I stumbled over my words. "I still don't feel, well, we can't be more than…"

"Relax," he said. "I know that you love Jasper and I can see how he feels about you. He's better for you than Edward ever was. He treats you differently; doesn't put you up there on that pedestal."

"He's probably afraid I'll fall off," I laughed. "But, you've never even seen us together, so how could you know?"

"I saw how he was when you were gone," he said. "He was willing to work with me to get you back. He'd do whatever it took to keep you safe."

"I'd do whatever I could to protect him too," I said.

"Yeah, next time you might want to rethink that and let the vampires fight it out themselves."

"That's probably a good idea," I said when I realized that I didn't even know what happened to Edward. "Jake, is Edward okay?"

"You never ceased to amaze me," he snickered. "The man kidnapped you and bit you, but you still want him to be okay."

"What he did, well, it wasn't him," I shook my head. "Is he alive?"

"Yes, Bella, he is," Jasper said, as he came up behind Jake. "He went back to Italy with a coven he's better suited for." I knew he felt my relief over the fact that Edward wasn't dead.

"He joined the Volturi?" I asked.

"Well," Peter said. "He wasn't given much of a choice, but if anyone can try to contain him, they're our best bet."

"We'll still be looking over our shoulders for all of eternity," Jasper said, and I could tell he wasn't happy. In fact, I didn't think I'd ever seen him this angry before.

I moved closer to him, and to my relief he wrapped his arms around me. "Let's go upstairs," he said. "Thank you both for helping me to get Bella back. I'm indebted to all of you."

Jasper scooped me up and carried me up the steps to our bedroom. He placed me on the bed and started pacing the room. He was so out of sorts that it was making be a bit nervous.

"I missed our house," I smiled, trying to calm him.

"I missed you," he said, as he sat down next to me. "How are you?" I could see by the way he was studying me he was trying to monitor my emotions.

"I'm okay, a little weak, but not hurt."

"Carlisle gave you some pain meds, so when they start to wear off, let us know."

I reached up and pressed my palm to his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into me. I thought he was starting to settle down, but once he opened his eyes I could tell something wasn't right.

"I came so close to losing you forever," he whispered.

"But you didn't," I said, as I tried to crawl into his lap, but he moved away, stretching out his hand to keep some distance between us. I felt disappointed, like he didn't want me. He sensed that.

"I'm not trying to hurt your feelings," he said. "I'm so happy you're home, but I'm furious with you."

"What? Why?" I screeched.

"Are you serious?" He asked incredulously.

"This has been the hardest week of my life," I said. "And, now we're back together. We survived and we're okay."

"You think it was hard for you?" He yelled. "I'm sure that it was, but I can't stomach the things that you had to do to protect me."

"What?" I wasn't sure what he thought I had to do, other than endure Edward.

"You reek of him," he said. "He's all over you."

"Oh," I said. "If that's what's bothering you, I can take a shower."

"No!" He yelled. "That's not what's bothering me."

"I told you that I didn't mean the things I said last week." I needed him to understand. "I didn't have a choice. He would have killed you."

"He manipulated you into believing that," he said, as he got up off the bed. "You didn't give me a chance to fix it. You just believed everything he said and you had so little faith in me."

"That's not true," I yelled back. He was projecting his anger and it was making me really upset. "I was trying to protect you."

"I didn't need you to protect me," he gritted his teeth. "I told you that."

"But I had to," I whispered. "I couldn't lose you."

"You risked your life," he screamed. "Have you any idea what would have happened, the things I'd be capable of if you were lost to me?"

His voice cracked and for a moment I could see his normal, composed demeanor starting to deteriorate. "Jasper, I…"

"You what, Bella?" He yelled. "It was so easy for you to tell me to go."

"No! It was the hardest thing I ever had to do."

He shook his head as he frantically moved around the room. He was always the one taking care of everyone else's emotional needs, but who helped him? How did he maintain control?

"Jasper, please, you have to understand. I did what I did for you. I'm fine, it all worked out."

"Are you out of your mind? How can you stand there and tell me it all worked out? You were with him for seven days. I saw what you looked like, the both of you, when he brought you out on to that porch. Don't tell me everything worked out."

"I don't understand?" I tried to remember what had happened just before Edward bit me. What had Jasper so upset?

"It's my fault that I couldn't protect you," he screamed.

Peter and Carlisle burst through the door and Peter grabbed Jasper's arm, pulling him out of the room. Carlisle moved me out of the way. Everything happened so quickly that I didn't even see Esme come in the room.

"What the fuck?" Jasper yelled. I had never seen him so full of rage as he tried to free himself from Peter's confines.

"You are projecting all over this house," Peter said, as he took him down the steps. "Get control of yourself!"

"I don't know what happened," I said. "He's so angry with me."

"Not with you, sweetie," Esme said.

"Bella," Carlisle said. "Jasper has been worried sick about what Edward has been doing to you. He was so afraid that he would hurt you; force you to do things you didn't want to do."

"He didn't, Carlisle," I said. "Edward didn't make me do anything with him." That was what Jasper was referring to. When Edward pulled me onto the porch, he was shirtless and my own shirt was unbuttoned and my bra was exposed. He must have thought… oh, poor Jasper.

"Thank goodness," Esme sighed. "We were very concerned about that."

"Jasper is used to being in control. He's a seasoned soldier and he is a strategist, so when you willingly went with Edward, it threw Jasper off. He was left behind and he didn't know how to deal with that."

"Edward was going to hurt all of you, and Charlie," I cried. "I couldn't let any harm come to any of you. I love you all so much."

I heard something glass shatter downstairs as Jasper continued to yell. Peter must have taken him outside because the voices suddenly stopped.

I let out a strained sob. This was not how our reunion was supposed to go.

"Shh," Esme said, as she pulled me to her. "We know that you were trying to protect us and Jasper knows that too. He just wishes that you didn't have to go through any of this."

"Bella," Carlisle said. "Jasper's gift allows him to feel everything so deeply and when you were gone, we were all so upset. We all felt like we failed you that day we walked out and left you with Edward. He was dealing with his own guilt, trying to figure out how he was going to find you, while manipulating us into staying calm."

"And no one helps him," I said. "He carries the entire burden himself."

"He usually does," Carlisle stated. "He went for that run so that he could avoid what happened here in the bedroom, but I'm sure the realization of what had occurred earlier finally set in when he was alone with you. He felt so helpless and then when he had the opportunity to finish the job and kill Edward, he couldn't."

"He had to save me," I said. "But, if he would have killed Edward, that would have affected him so much worse."

"I agree," he frowned. "But, he needs time to process all of this."

I could give him time and if seeing me upset him, then I couldn't stay here. I could give Jasper the space he needed.

"Can you take me home?" I asked them.

"Charlie isn't there," Carlisle told me. "Come stay with us and we'll figure this all out."

"I'd feel better knowing you weren't alone," Esme smiled. "And, Jasper would want you close."

I nodded, but I couldn't help feeling a bit depressed, knowing that I wouldn't be falling asleep in Jasper's arms tonight.

Jasper suddenly appeared in the doorway. I looked up and met his gaze, wanting nothing more than to have him hold me. I literally ached for him.

"You're leaving me?" He asked, and I saw the hurt in his eyes.

***Okay, so not the reunion all of you were expecting either, but I think it's important to let Jasper vent a bit. We all know Bella went through hell, but Jasper had a hard time too. Let's give him his POV next.