A/N Please read and review. Thank you to all my loyal readers who have reviewed and everyone who has followed and favorited this story. I'll see you with more tomorrow.

Jasper's POV

When bedtime came I slid into bed beside my Bella. I wanted to hold her in her sleep. I wanted to be able to fall asleep with her. I wanted to dream of her as she was able to dream of me.

My little mate seemed comfortable with me beside her. I'd feared that this would be another situation where she would fear my control around her blood but this seemed not to be the case.

"Jasper?" she asked sleepily, "can you tell me more about being mates?"

"Mates are your perfect match. You'll find that mates often balance each other. If one has a weakness, it is their mate's strength. Mates don't do well separated. It feels like a pain in your chest if you are parted for too long."

"So does that mean Peter is in pain while he's helping us?"

"It isn't that bad after the bond is cemented, but yes. He's experiencing some discomfort."

"We should invite his mate to join him." Bella decided.

"I'll give him the choice."

"How is the bond cemented?" Bella asked with a yawn.

"The bond is cemented through sex and a bite but only after both partners are vampires."

"Jasper I haven't... I've never... um."

"I know my little innocent. You have not yet done a great many things. I don't want you to ever feel pressured to do something you aren't ready for. But I also don't want you to deny yourself what you need. We will find the right balance."

"So what's even more reason for me to become a vampire. We'll need to complete the bond." Bella said quietly.

"It is one good reason to change. There are many more but that is a subject for another day. Sleep, my little love. Dream happy dreams." I stroke her hair gently as I send her to sleep.

As I lay there and watch her sleep I sample her emotions. She's happy and content with me. I let myself relax and imagine for just a few moments what it would be like to cement the bond with my Bella. I imagine myself above her, her a vampire already and writhing in pleasure. I imagine sinking my teeth into her delicate neck and us both crying out in pleasure as I empty myself inside her.

I imagine running with my mate, not carrying her but with her running alongside me, smiling widely at the feel of the wind in her hair.

Throughout the night I imagine a great many things, all with my Bella there at my side where she belongs.

I know she can't stay with me today. She has to go to school, so I will guard her. But, I will have to guard her from a distance.

I wake her gently with kisses on her face. She goes to get ready for school and I wait for her downstairs in the kitchen. She sings in the shower. Hopefully, it will be a good day for my little mate. By the time she comes downstairs, she is running late. She quickly grabs her granola bars and sets out toward her truck.

"I'll ride with you if that's okay?" I ask.

"Of course." she enthuses, "It's great!"

I get into her ancient truck and we head off to her school and the inevitable parting that must happen there. At least I will be able to stay close to my mate. I won't be too far away. I'll always be within the sound of her voice.

She kisses me quickly as she gets out of the truck and runs for the school. She really is running late today. I wait until everyone is inside then I find myself a spot to watch over her in the trees.

The day passes slowly. I wait eagerly as my Bella changes classes and I get to see a brief glimpse of her. As I think over the past few days I'm filled with happiness. I realize I'm proud of myself. This new diet is such a relief. The depression that followed me each time I fed before was crippling. On top of that, I have my lovely Bella cheering me on, trusting me to love her and not to hurt her. I realize that I am a lucky man.

When school is over I head back toward Bella's truck. The school bell rings and it feels like a miracle to me that I see my Bella running toward me. If I could have run across the parking lot at full speed I would have. Especially when I see her feet get tangled up with one another and she trips.

I cut off my breath instantly. I know I can't take chances around Bella's flowing blood. When she gets to the truck I see that she is tense. She's scraped her palms and she's worried about my reaction.

"I'll run beside you." Is all I have the breath to say as Bella nods sadly and gets into her truck. She pulls away and I run near her. Never getting too far away.

Bella goes straight into the house. I follow her cautiously. She goes straight upstairs and I can hear her running water over her hands. She's crying when she comes down the stairs to me.

Bella's POV

It was a mistake, just a mistake. He can't leave me he just can't but I know he's going to. I'm human, only human and a clumsy one at that. I'm not good enough for him.

I walk down the stairs, not even acknowledging the tears that are streaming down my face. I keep my bandaged palms away from his face.

"Please don't leave me," I beg. "I'll be more careful. It was just an accident."

"Bella, relax now," he says to me. "I need to go hunting but I am not leaving you. I won't go far and I'll be back soon. I want you to breathe and calm down before I go though. Come on my mate. Breathe for me or I am going to calm you with my gift."

I try but I can't seem to get enough air in my lungs. I feel the calm of Jasper's gift spread over me and I breathe, calming myself down and letting him know it is okay to go hunting. His eyes are black and I know he's using all of his control to stay here with me.

"I'm fine now Jasper, go hunt. I'll be here when you get back. I'll just do some of my homework while you're gone."

Jasper disappears and the tears start again.

When the door reopens I run toward it thinking my Jasper is back from hunting already. I almost fall again in my haste to stop. Laurent is standing in the door opening. I feel a shiver go down my spine.

"I thought I'd never find you unguarded, Bella. You know Victoria is awfully put out by you right now. In fact, she sent me to bring you to her."

"You'll not get away with this. Jasper will be back any minute and he'll stop you."

"I can handle one lone nomad Bella."

"You don't know who you're dealing with then," Jasper says behind him.

Laurent lunges for me at the same time Jasper lunges for him. Luckily Jasper is faster and they go tumbling outside the house. They were fighting on the front lawn. Jasper seems to realize this because he sends Laurent flying into the trees. The noises that follow are like ripping metal.

I scream as Peter appears in front of me. He's crouched down and looks truly frightening. "Go help Jasper," I tried to tell him but he stares straight into my eyes with his black ones and shakes his head no.

Soon there is a sickening pall of purple smoke floating above the trees. Suddenly a woman appears beside me. She has the same red eyes as Peter but her eyes as well as the rest of her posture scream that she means no threat. "He's just protecting you." the woman says. "Let's get you inside so they Major can go calm himself before he comes back to you."

Peter turns around and guides me back into the house. We all go to the living room and I sit down heavily on the couch.

"Is Jasper ok?" I ask.

"He's just a little riled up, He'll be back soon." the woman says.

"Who, um, who are you?" I ask her.

"My name is Charlotte and I'm Peter's mate. It's okay now Bella."

"Thanks for... thanks for coming when you did," I say to her. "Peter, will you go check on Jasper? Make sure he wasn't hurt?" I ask.

Peter disappears out the back door and I lean back on the couch relearning how to breathe. I wait anxiously for them to return. Charlotte watches me carefully but we don't speak until the back door opens again and Jasper and Peter walk in.

Jasper comes to me immediately. "I'm sorry, Bella, I'm so sorry you had to see me like that. You must be so afraid."

"Are you hurt Jasper?" I run my hands all over his body, checking for any signs of injury. When there are none I kiss him and he wraps his arms around me.

"You mean you aren't afraid of me?" Jasper asks.

"How could I be afraid of you. I was afraid for you." I run my fingers through his wild curly hair.

"Sorry Charlotte," I stepped away from Jasper, but he only followed close behind me. "I'm being rude. It's nice to meet you."

Perhaps we were all coming down from the panic because Peter started laughing, then Jasper joined in, then Charlotte, then me. Soon we were all laughing so hard it hurt.