A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.

Chapter 14- Coming to a truce, of sorts

Bella's POV-

I continued to stare at him, the words he had just spoken ringing in my ears, disbelief and confusion wide in my eyes.

He had a proposition for me…. apparently so.

What kind of proposition?

What did he even mean by proposition?

There was nothing that he could offer that I could want.

It seemed like a huge waste of time to me, to be honest.

"What…what is the proposition?" I still asked, narrowing my eyes in part confusion and part curiosity. I was curious to know what was swiveling through his mind at the moment.

He shrugged nonchalantly in response. "First answer, will you be able to recognize him if he comes in front of you?"

I laughed- humorlessly. Because let's be honest, there was nothing funny about this situation we were in. "I would be able to recognize him even half asleep. I am confident of that. I can never forget the face of that man- ashy blonde hair falling over his dark red eyes, and a huge, evil, grin on his paper white face." I shuddered slightly; talking about my biggest nightmare come to life was never an easy conversation to have.

Jasper was quiet for a few long minutes, deep in thought, before he sighed heavily. "I don't recollect meeting anyone with the exact features you just described…" he trailed off, turning to look at his companion, a question in his eyes.

"Do you, Peter?"

Peter shrugged. "Can't say I do, but maybe he roams around in a difficult social circle? I don't know every Tom, Dick, and Harry of our world, you know?"

Jasper grunted his agreement at that, pondering over his words. "Would Garrett know?"

Peter shrugged. "Maybe….Garrett does know almost everyone there is to know about- the nomads and coven, included, but even Garrett keeps away from the creeps. Why don't you ask Demetri for a favor, that is if you are so inclined to do this?"

I could sense a lot of amusement and a little of disbelief in Peter's tone, but I ignored it- my attention on far more important- at the moment- matters.

Jasper sighed. "I don't want to involve the Volturi, unless it is extremely necessary to do so. If I call in Demetri, Aro will be the first to find out, and that would not bode well for us, needless to point out."

Peter hummed his agreement at that, going silent again.

I rolled my eyes- harshly, deciding that now was the best time for me to break my unofficial vow of silence. I had heard enough already to know the gist of their conversation, not willing to be a silent spectator for any longer.

"You do realize I am still here, right?" I scoffed at the two of them. "Don't treat me like I don't have a say in anything, especially when the topic does concern me," I turned to look at Jasper. "I asked you what your 'proposition' was, a question you have still not answered."

Jasper sighed, meeting my eyes. "I want to help in finding the vampire who killed your parents."

"Why?" my eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Was this a trick of his?

Was he planning to corner and kill me, while I was at my weakest- distracted by the thought of finally attaining vengeance?

Was he going to join hands with that other vampire, planning to end me once and for all- finishing the deed that that other vampire had started?

I could not help but wonder.

This had to be a trick of his…but I would not let him win this easily.

I would fight him.

If I was to die, I would not die alone.

That, I was confident about….

"Please," he put his hands up in an act of defense. "Hear me out once."

I nodded my head briefly, waiting for him to continue, doubt heavily shining in my eyes.

"I have a few sources, reliable ones, who can probably find a needle in a haystack. It will be difficult and a length process- indeed, but it is not impossible. I can guarantee you that I can find your parent's killer, of course assuming you co-operate with me enough."

"Why?" I spat the word out, suspicion and disbelief heavy in my tone.

I was honestly puzzled and shocked- and truly in disbelief. I hated him. He was my enemy. I had been extremely particular about making this fact as obvious as could be.

Why did he want to help me then…if help was what this was?

Was he crazy?

He had to be. There seemed to be no other explanation for his actions.

Why would someone even want to help their enemy, considering said enemy was hell bent on throwing them in the first fire she could find.

Or maybe, he was just one of those who spoke before thinking, regretting their words as soon as they left their mouth.

He did not look to be of that kind- but looks can be deceptive, as I had come to realize in this short-yet long life of mine.

The townsfolk of Forks a living, walking example of this fact; They could not even imagine of what all supernatural creatures were roaming amidst them, while they remained completely clueless to the danger they were most possibly in.

It was a sad reality, but there were laws to the world of the supernatural. Neither could we break them and expose ourselves in front of the humans, and nor could they.

Jasper shrugged, bringing me back to the present. "Consider it a price for your silence."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Excuse me? Are you are trying to buy me?"

I was annoyed and irritated by his words and the implication in his tone.

How fucking dare he?

"No…no," he was quick to clarify. "I mean, I want to help you…."

"I don't need your help." I interrupted him, all the rudeness in me coming out at once. "Keep it to your damn self."

How dare he try to insinuate that I needed his help in order to achieve something?

I was not weak.

I could very well manage my own self and take revenge from the vampire whose actions had hurt me.

I was capable enough to achieve so.

He raised an eyebrow at me, clearly not believing my words. "Are you sure? You don't even know in which part of the world your parent's killer is at the moment. It would take you precisely the rest of your life to track him and kill him…. that is if you are lucky. You are not immortal; you will get older and maybe- even weaker. Not to be rude, but you neither have the money to afford or supernatural speed to reach from one destination to another without spending a dime. I certainly see a lot of flaws in your plan, Ms. Swan."

I gulped, recognizing the truth in his words. Of course I had known of this. I could not afford to travel the world- scratch that, I could not even afford to travel our entire country…maybe a small part of it, was all I could afford with my meager savings. It was not enough, I know, but what other choice did I have?

I had planned to travel the longer distances on Jake's back, with him in his wolf form, but that would definitely not be very comfortable or good for my back in the longer run.

I had even thought of taking my truck and going the distance, but my truck was already on its last leg- and even if Jake were to somehow keep it running, what about stuff like gas? I would sooner or later run out of money to pay for it, or for God forbid- food. Jake could still hunt in his wolf form and keep himself filled. I couldn't even do that. I would end up starving or finding whatever work I can to keep my stomach- a little if not completely- filled.

No.

Our plan was heavily flawed.

I had to admit that.

"And you do? I mean, you have the money to travel the world in search of one, random vampire you have never even met?" I questioned, surprised.

He shrugged. "It wouldn't be this complicated, to begin with. I have several acquaintances who owe me enough to do as I say. We would have narrowed down the search, the two of us traveling to only the places where there is actual hope of finding said vampire. And yes, I do have enough money to splurge. I am a simple man with no such extravagant needs. Even if I end up spending all the money that I own, I could still go a decade or two without really being bothered."

"You would do that for me?" I whispered, hesitantly.

He was kidding, right?

No one could claim to spend every bill of money that they own for the benefit of someone else and still not even blink an eye in worry and anger.

He shrugged, deciding against giving me an answer.

I gulped, looking to my feet.

I was no idiot. I knew what he was saying made much more sense, apart from being less time consuming. Narrowing down the search would benefit me a lot; also I wanted to end that vampire as soon as I possibly could. He had lived too many years longer than he should have in the first place.

This would be easier, no doubt in that, but these were my enemies. I did not want to take their help.

It just felt pathetically wrong to take their help.

I sighed internally.

I was standing at crossroads.

I did not wish to even see their face, let alone take their help, but taking revenge for my parent's death was my first and biggest priority.

I could not be choosy.

I could not afford to be choosy.

Billy may not say it out loud, but I had seen it in his eyes.

He worried about Jake coming with me. He worried that Jake would be killed, trying to protect me or as a minor pawn in my drawn up plan.

He never came out and said it, but I could see the worry for his only son in his eyes.

He did not want to lose him. He could not lose him.

It was not fair.

This was my revenge…my life goal, not Jake's.

He should not have to suffer for me.

He should not have to leave his life behind, for the sake of someone else's anger filled decision.

His schooling….his future….everything would go on risk…..everything put on hold just because of my selfishness.

He would never get the chance of having a normal life, finding the girl of his dreams and getting married to her in the beauty of young love, or following the career of his choice and making a name for himself….if I forced him to accompany me. He would lose years of his life, chasing behind what is my dream and only goal.

Of course he could come back home if we survived, hopefully, but by then he would have lost so many precious moments. His friends would have graduated, starting their lives and moving ahead into the next stage of life, and there he would be- stuck where he was when he left. He would miss so much time with Billy- the years that would never come back again, no matter how much he went on to live. Billy was not getting any younger. He had so many health related complications, his unhealthy eating habits to blame. It was only a miracle that he was still with us- happy and somewhat keeping well. But, there was no guarantee of the future….

No.

I could not do that to Jake.

I could not be this selfish.

I could not steal him away from his future.

That was just wrong.

I could not take him away from his family and friends.

I could not ruin his life in my greed.

I did not care about myself. It did not matter to me that I would not get to do the 'normal' things. I had never really been normal, and my life had changed forever the day 'it' happened. I lived to take revenge for my parent's death….my life- happiness and sadness- seemed much too small in comparison to that decision taken so long ago. I did not care whether I lived or died. I should have, I know, but I didn't. But Jake had so much to live for. He was hardly sixteen. He had hardly experienced much of life. Yes, he was the alpha of his pack, but underneath it all- he was just a sixteen year old boy who had matured too fast, burdened by the responsibilities on his head.

No. I could not do that to him.

I could not take away more from him.

I could not curse him to this selfishness of mine.

Jasper was older. He was immortal. He could look after himself. Last resort- He would flee me and save his own life, in case we were in any kind of danger. I was okay with that. He was not obligated to be there for me or anything. That would even be better, in some ways...

Jake, on the other hand, would feel obligated to save me. He would happily sacrifice his life if only it meant that I would be safe from any danger.

No. I had to stop that from happening.

I could not be this selfish.

I could not ruin my brother's life.

With Jasper it was different. He would not really miss anything behind in the time that we were gone…at least I hoped that he would not. He would not be paying much of a price for keeping me company, and he could always leave if his life came to risk.

Yes, this seemed to be the wiser option.

I hated it, indeed, but it would be better for everyone in the long run.

I couldn't even fathom why exactly Jasper was doing this for me- he had nothing to gain and everything to lose, in my opinion….but for some ridiculous reason, he had agreed to do this.

"Why are you doing this? Why help me out? I don't even like you, or your kind." I whispered, slightly embarrassed by the turn of events.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Like- is a major overstatement, for the record. Don't worry though, if I haven't fled till now, I am not planning to run. I want to help you out. Isn't that a reason enough?"

"Do you still plan to kill me?" I could not help but ask; no anger or hatred in my tone, only mere curiosity.

He sighed, looking to the ground, rubbing the back of his neck in obvious nervousness. "Bella….I…."

I shook my head, interrupting him, a small smile on my face. "It's okay. You don't need to answer that. I guess we are both stubborn, making our mind and following it through. Anyway, kill my parent's killer and I will gladly give you my life."

"Bella," he looked shocked by my words. "Don't say that. How can you even…"

I cut him off. "I am not suicidal or anything, just have my priorities set."

He shook his head, sighing, but did not say anything else, thankfully.

"When do you want to leave?" he finally asked, meeting my eyes.

I shrugged. "Don't you need time to talk to your acquaintances? I can leave whenever you are ready."

He gave me a small nod. "That won't take much time- just a few calls here and there. We may also have to personally go to search for some of them, not all vampires keep cell phones or computers with them, you know. Anyhow, I can prepare everything by tomorrow. Would you be ready by then?"

I nodded my head instantly. "Yeah, I just need to talk to Billy and the pack. Do I need to pay you anything in advance?"

I did not have much in the name of savings, but I could give him whatever little I had.

He shrugged at my hesitation. "Don't worry about that right now. Let's concentrate on finding that vampire who we need to end. What about your school? You are yet to graduate…"

I shook my head, no second thoughts on my face. "It is not important. Anyway, people on a death sentence don't really need to worry about trivial things like education, right?"

He sighed at my words, guilt visible on his face. "Bella…"

I shook my head, sighing. "Just kidding…sorry,"

His eyes widened as he shook his head, grunting to himself.

"Finally," Peter grinned at the two of us.

He was still here?

Huh. I had not even realized, and that was saying something.

I never let my guard down, and especially not in the presence of their kind.

"What?" Jasper raised an eyebrow in question.

Peter shrugged- amusement clear in his tone. "Finally I can go home to my Char, now that your conversation is over. All this sexual tension and weird, abnormal kind of flirting was really getting to me. Seriously, I was about to suggest you get a room. I even know a few good motels, if you are interested, that is."

"Peter," Jasper growled; a glare on his face.

Peter simply laughed harder, starting to run in a different direction, Jasper following him, throwing loud curses at him, in an attempt to beat him up for his spoken words.

Heck, even I wanted to beat him up.

There was no sexual tension between me and Jasper.

The idea of that was ridiculous.

Peter was probably trying to be funny.

Yeah, that had to be it.

I shook my head, clearing my mind, starting to go back home.

I had yet to tell my brother and somewhat second father that I would be leaving for an indefinite trip with my mortal enemy- the one who I would rather kill than talk to for a few brief minutes.

Great! I could not wait.

Cue the sarcasm.