Author's Note - Thanks again to Aly for taking the time to beta even though her schedule got a bit more hectic with school and thank you to all those who review each week. You have no idea how those words encourage me to keep going.


"What's wrong? What does it say?" I saw the look on Bella's face after she read the text as well as felt her fear and did not need to guess that the words she stared at meant anything, but bad news for us.

Her wide eyes darted up to me briefly and then back down at the phone in her small and delicate hand. She shook her head and then handed me the cell with trembling fingers.

I turned my eyes downward to see what had caused so much alarm for Bella, but instead of sharing her emotion, I only felt irritated, "Why would he send you this and nothing else?" I glared at the screen of Bella's phone, irritated at the vagueness of Jacob's words.

He was only telling Bella what we both had already suspected. I checked the time the text had been sent and saw an hour had transpired from then until now.

"Maybe I should try and call him. It's possible that Sam came around and he wasn't able to send me anything else." Bella suggested.

For a brief second I thought about letting her, but my anger got the best of me and instead I hit the send button on Jacob's number and placed her phone against my ear.

"What are you doing?" Bella asked anxiously.

I knew she wouldn't approve, so I remained silent, listening to the sound of the rings that I hoped would eventually lead me to a conversation with Jacob. I wanted to get the information straight from the source and also give him a lecture. My irritation with the wolf hadn't waned any since his visit that morning. If my desire to see Bella hadn't been stronger than my need to enact retribution on him for all those months I suffered away from Bella, there was no doubt in me that I would have fought with Jacob. It did not matter that his intention in telling me was to bring Bella and I back together, because in my mind, even if he said he was on our side, I still could not shake the feeling that Jacob had ulterior motives.

"Yes?" The low bass of Jacob's voice answered after the third ring.

"What the hell, do you think you are playing at here, Jacob?" I spat into the phone as Bella rushed to my side, "What exactly does Sam knows mean? Could you not have called before and given us a more detailed explanation? I sometimes think that this whole thing is just one big game to you!"

"Stop it, Jasper. Let me talk to him." Bella pleaded at my side, but I was unwilling to give up my moment to tell Jacob exactly how I felt.

"Who is this?" The voice on the other line asked.

"What do you mean, who is this? You know all too well who this is. Who else would have Bella's phone, but the person you sent to her this morning." My words were nearing the volume level of a yell and I felt Bella at my side pulling my arm.

"Let me talk to him. You're angry and that's not going to help our situation." She hissed and I turned my head to glance at her, not used to hearing the girl speak to me in such a way.

I hated upsetting Bella, but it was as if the anger and frustration over everything that had occurred since Alice's murder was now boiling over. This wasn't just about his interference with my relationship with Bella. This was about everything that happened before. Bella had told me how Alice had died and also made me aware that Jacob was privy to Sam's homicidal mind the whole time after the incident. Even if he wasn't able to tell me, because of some order his pack leader gave him, there was still anger in me and I needed to direct it at the closest possible person connected with Alice dying.

"Hmmm … This must be Jasper." The boy's words were almost a mock and I was certain that if there was a way to reach through the phone and strangle him, I would have done so.

"Who else would it be?"

A slight scoff at the other end was his reply which infuriated me even more, but my fury rescinded instantly and was replaced with distress with the words that followed, "Well, it's nice to know from you that all my suspicions of Jacob being a rat weren't wrong. we'll be seeing each other soon."

The line went dead and I may as well have too, because now the blame fell into my lap. Bella's life was in danger and Alice's vision was taking shape, all because I was unable to control my anger. It was all me. I felt my hand clench Bella's phone, upset over my lack of self control and she quickly reminded me what I was doing.

"Hey, that phone isn't vampire proof. Let it go before you break it and can you please tell me what is going on. What did Jacob say?" Her voice was irritated, since she had only heard my part of the conversation and knew there had been an argument.

I quickly released the device and let it drop in Bella's hand, wondering exactly how I would explain our situation to her – the situation I had created. How could I tell Bella what I had done, knowing that I was the cause of her precarious state … that I had angered Sam and not Jacob. I knew that Sam would never intentionally harm a human, but from what I had learned through Bella and hearsay, he had once injured the woman he was now engaged to. I could not let a situation like that arise where Bella was concerned. As long as she was at my side her life was not safe and I had to find a way to convince her of this.

Although, I was all too aware that this would be nearly impossible considering we had just been reunited; not to mention the girl was the most stubborn person I had ever met. I highly doubted she would agree to leave me even if it was for only a short time and for her own good. If there was ever a moment I felt more like my brother it was now. He chose to leave Bella behind for her own safety after my attack on her. I could relate with Edward's struggle, but knew that my actions would differ greatly from his. I was not nearly so selfless. There was no way that I would let Sam tear us apart, because he deemed our relationship wrong, but I needed to find a way of getting Bella to leave me during the next day or so. Perhaps I could let Charlie deal with her while I tried to keep Sam from attacking me and my family.

"What is going on? Why won't you answer me?" Bella reached out her arms and shook me a bit, but her strength did little to move my stone figure.

"It's uh, nothing. It's nothing. Jacob just wanted us to meet up with him." I lied.

The girl raised her eyebrows, sending me a questioning look, "That can't be all."

Yes, Bella you know me too well. I am lying, but I can't tell you the truth right now.

I had to lie. I hated for our relationship to be bogged down in more deception after the truth had finally begun to reveal itself, but it was imperative for me to protect Bella. Alice had seen this coming and I would make sure to keep the girl I loved alive. It was simply impossible for me to survive the loss of another person I felt so strongly for. Yet, there was still one thing I could disclose to her. If anything, letting her know about Alice's vision would keep her more aware of her surroundings and less suspicious of my new found overbearing tendencies with her.

"Jacob wants to see us, so let's get going." I indicated the door trying to distract her and Bella's eyes rolled toward the ceiling at my refusal to answer her question from before.

She moved away from me with a shake of her head and went to turn the knob, but I reached out to keep her from completing the act. Her hand felt so soft and tiny inside mine and I felt a slight ache push against my chest at the thought of losing her once more.

"Why do you look so sad?" She asked, pulling herself closer to me, so that our bodies were pressed against each other.

I really had lost all of my ability to mask my emotions when it came to Bella. I may have kept them from bleeding out for her to experience, but I was unable to push them from showing on my features. Quickly, I transformed my creased forehead into a placid expression and taking Bella's face into my hands, I brought her lips up to meet mine.

"There is something I would like to talk to you about before we leave." I said when my lips relinquished hers.

"Yes?" She replied, her body swaying a bit from the sensory overload my kiss had caused.

I snaked my arms around her back to help steady her and Bella copied my movements with her own embrace around my torso. I stood there hesitating before I spoke, just taking in all that she was and how she felt in my arms. I wanted to drink in this moment and lock it in my brain in case the unthinkable happened and she was forever lost to me. Finally, after a few minutes had passed I felt it in me to continue, "I need to tell you … before she died Alice had a vision and spoke of it to Esme. Esme in turn told me and I've had knowledge of this for a few months now. This vision of hers pertains to you."

"Is this the secret you were talking about?" Bella asked, her dark eyes staring up at me full of question.

I had to briefly look away from her gaze. Seeing Bella like this, so near and so alive sent fear through me that this might be the last time I would see her this way. "Oh, Bella," I sighed retuning my eyes to her, "Alice saw me saving your life one day. That was all she told Esme. I have no idea what exactly the vision entailed, because Alice never gave that information away. She was worried that it might influence my choices in life."

Bella pulled away from me slightly, "Is that why you wanted to help me after Edward died, because of Alice's vision?"

I was reluctant to tell her the truth. Would she think less of my love if she knew that it all had sprung from a request of Alice and not truly from my desire to help her? Already I could feel a tiny form of melancholy reverberating throughout Bella's body.

"Bella, you have to know that whatever my intentions were or what brought them about in the beginning, it does not have any bearing on what eventually happened between us. Yes, Alice wanted me to watch after you, but I knew from that instant you first offered to stay the night with me the day we went into Alice's room together, that I had fallen in love with you. It was something that had been growing in me during our first few weeks together and that one moment sealed it, although I did not tell you of it until that night in the meadow."

I reached down and moved my thumb against her chin, like I had the day of the funeral when I first offered to help her through her pain. I remembered my touch causing her to recoil back then, but she showed no such aversion like that to me now, "I am still in love with you, Bella, so much so that I can't bear the thought that you might be in danger. So, I am asking you to promise to do whatever I ask of you. Whatever is going on with the pack, Jacob or Sam, I need you to trust me."

"Of course, I trust you, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid enough to say I will do everything you ask me to. For all I know you are probably going to tell me to stay here while you go off to fight with your family. Screw that! I'm staying with you no matter what, Jasper. You can't stop me." Bella's voice took on an authoritative tone as she talked and I did not know whether to be angry or laugh.

The girl certainly had come a long way since the time we first met. She was so timid and frightened when Edward first introduced her to me and now as I looked at her, the features of her face scrunched up into what she referred to as Bella's bitch face, I decided just to sigh and let it go. So, it had come to this. If I couldn't keep the girl from interfering, I would just have to find another way to solve the issue.

"Alright, let's get going." I grumbled.

We both walked hand in hand out into the hallway and I tried to ignore the curious stares of the people we passed. Most of them were undulating incredulous emotions, probably wondering why I was with the reclusive Bella who in the past hadn't been around anyone, but Angela. Although, I noticed and felt that a few of those looks were amorous. I could only assume that our love making from before hadn't gone unheard by those nearest to Bella's dorm room. Despite my despondent disposition about everything we were about to face, a soft chuckle rumbled in my throat as I remember the loud screams Bella had released during our time together. I only hoped that I would have many more opportunities to bring out that kind of joy in her. I had hope and Alice's vision to give me a slight sense of reprieve. That was if I was only able to concoct a plan to get Bella away from me when we reached Forks.

"Where is your truck parked?" I asked Bella when we reached the bottom floor of her dormitory just before exiting through the glass doors leading outside.

"My truck? Why would we use that? I thought urgency was the key here." She looked at me puzzled.

I knew she was right, but as we had walked the length of the stairwell to where we stood now a strategy began to shape itself inside my head. It gave me some insight into how I might get Bella to safety and away from me. Driving her truck was the first step. By doing this we could pull up to Charlie's house unassuming. It was a very indistinct idea, and I hadn't configured all the parts to it yet, but I did hope that our hour long road trip home would give me the adequate amount of time I needed to hash out the details.

We walked outside and the cold October night air swirled around us causing Bella to shiver. I pulled off my leather jacket to lend her, since it was really only a human prop for me. As a vampire my need for clothing was minimal. Then I placed it over her shoulders and turned Bella to face me, "Yes, it would be more efficient to use the motorcycle I came here on or even for me carry you as I ran, but the true key in all of this is to show the facade of normalcy. We don't want to risk having our situation mushroom out to involve anyone else and that includes your father. I have no doubt that he will learn of you being home, so it's imperative that we see him first and let him know you are alive and in your own truck before we head on over to my house to meet Jacob. It wouldn't be safe for Charlie to find out you have gone missing and then have him come barging into a scene that might possibly escalate. He could get hurt. I also doubt one phone call would suffice him either after all you have been through this year. We have to make sure he sees you."

Some of what I said was true and some of it was not. I tried not to dwell on the deception I would eventually enact on Bella or the guilt I had for lying to her. It was all for the greater good, I reasoned. In the same token, it was not lost on me that I was basically doing the equivalent of what Bella had done to me three months ago. I was lying to her as a means of saving her life. At least I knew my absence would be temporary. As long as I was able to confront Sam without her being near then when it was all dealt with we would be reunited. I could sense that Bella trusted me and this made the guilt inside me swell to larger proportions.

I'm doing the right thing, I reminded myself, trying to ignore the nagging of my conscious.

"I'm parked over there." She said, and we walked to her truck, her hand finding mine again, ready to face the long drive that would eventually lead to a climatic situation I only hoped would turn out for the best.

Much of our ride inside Bella's ancient vehicle was spent in quiet reflection. I drove, but whenever I was able, I reached out my hand to stroke her hair. I loved the feel of it against my skin, like silk threads between my fingers. Sometimes I reached down to stroke her leg in a comforting rhythm. Bella would return my gestures with a loving smile, but her mind seemed elsewhere. I did not ask her what thoughts occupied her brain and why she constantly looked forlornly out the window. I did not need to. I knew it, because I felt it. She was scared and nervous, but also curious. I wondered about this last emotion that took shape inside Bella. I did not have to contemplate long though for the girl eventually asked me a question that truly surprised me.

"Jasper," She said, turning her head away from the window and towards me, "There is something I've been meaning to ask you for awhile now, but the timing just never seemed right. Considering that neither of us knows how much of that time we have left, I'd like you to explain something to me."

"Anything." I said, and I truly meant it.

She pulled in her lower lip and gnawed the skin absently, "Do you remember that morning when you were in my room and you mentioned how you realized Alice and Edward were always right concerning me? You made a comment back then about how at first you had thought about ridding your family of me. What did you mean?"

The question had been one I remembered skirting when she had asked it before. I did not want to give her any cause to think me a monster, because when she learned what ridding actually meant, I was sure that there was no way for her to see me as anything, but the horrible creature I was. But, I had told her I would tell her anything. It hardly seemed fair to hold back now when our futures were so uncertain.

I glanced away from the road for a moment, so that I could look deep into her eyes, wanting to make sure she saw the sincerity there. I also made an effort to fill the cab of her truck with all the love I had ever felt for her. Then looking forward again, I spoke, "You have to realize Bella, that when I thought of ridding my family of you I was still very much a vampire ... well, I still am obviously, but something has changed inside me since we fell in love."

"What do you mean?"

I reached with my right hand and began to gently stroke the length of her thigh, "It's true that Alice taught me another way to live as a vampire, but we were still just that - vampires. This made me unable to fully sever the ties I had made with my former murderous self. I may have lived differently with Alice than I had with Maria, but the killer was still there, hiding inside my head waiting to intercede when it felt necessary. Bella, when you came along and threatened the life I had built with Alice, that former vampire inside me took over and told me that you needed to be killed. To even say those words now makes me sick to my stomach, but it is the truth."

I saw out of the corner of my eye, Bella reach up to cover her mouth in shock. I hated that she had to know this, but nonetheless I continued and anticipated that the rest of my story would soften the blow of my admission, "Things have changed for me, though since then. You have made that change in me. Tonight, when I went after that boy who drugged you, I was fully intent on torturing him. I would not kill him, but I would make him suffer. Then as I was about to attack, I felt a very human emotion stop me. I pitied him, Bella. Pity has never been an emotion that has come easily to me even with my empathic abilities and here I was feeling sorry for a despicable human. The experience was strange to say the least, but also comforting, because I knew where that emotion had come from. You have made me human again … not literally, but being with you and in love with you has made me see things in ways I have not been able to in a very long time."

Bella's hand covered my own, stilling my movement against her jeans. I turned to look at her and noticed tears trailing down her cheeks … those damned tears of hers that always made my insides feel like mush and put my emotions into turmoil. Instantly I pulled the truck over onto the shoulder of the road and crossed the distance over the seat divider until she was in my arms.

"Oh, Jasper. That story … it was just … just … it can't be possible that I was able to do something like that for you." She cried into our kiss.

"Bella, when will you ever learn your importance. Must I tell you again? You are worth it. You have always been worth it."