A/N: just to give more background on last chapter and this one. Last chapter Paul has given Bella everything she needs to know about him. He has laid down his intentions for her. However, in Bella's mind this is a lot to take in. Remember, the only guy she ever dated or had interested was Edward. It wasn't like Edward was a regular seventeen- or eighteen-year-old. He was 100 and something. (don't know the exact age) plus he was a vampire for Pete sake who thirsted after her blood. Look, I'm not saying Mr. glitter sparkle did not love her on some level. It just wasn't enough for me. Soo, here we go!

...

Bella shouldn't be here. She knew she shouldn't be here, but she needed to be here. This place was the not the source of her problems, but it had been the place where those problems were brought to her attention.

The Cullen home.

The place where she had once felt at home and yet a stranger at the same time.

This was the place where her identity had been taken. Where she had become a slave of love. She had given her Heart, to a man who did not love her. Or he had but not anymore. He had left her. No Abandoned her, had made multiple decisions for her without her consent. His family had ruled over her and not one of them had said goodbye. But, then again, the blame couldn't entirely be put on them. She had no backbone. She allowed them to take control of her life and her decisions. She had been in love with the glamour of it all. The glamour of everlasting life, of never getting old. Of not always being the damsel in distress. The glamour of a perfect family. A mother who nurtured and a father who affirmed. Siblings who made you laugh. The mirage had lasted a long time and she had basked in it but eventually reality set in. she was not like her supernatural family. They were unbreakable while she was breakable. Fragile in her humanity. Her humanity hindered them. Made certain things uncomfortable. And no matter how many times they accommodated for her; it was blatantly clear.

Bella did not belong.

She never had.

And For once, she was ok with that.

She had spent so long running from herself. Running from her humanity, that she couldn't see the beauty in it.

That was what Paul was trying to show her.

Her humanity.

With a sigh, Bella knew why she was here.

Closure.

Bella needed closure.

She needed to let them go. To be with Paul. Holding him at a distance and yet so close was unfair for both. He had been genuine, willing to offer her everything he could. And it was time for her to accept that.

She deserved to be free, to be happy.

No more hiding in the shadows.

"no more." She said aloud. "No more. I'm letting you all go…I'm slowly finding myself and…. I finally feel free...So... goodbye..."

Bella turned to walk back to her truck but felt something shift and she found herself puking right on the Cullen's, snow covered lawn. Silver and black liquid pouring from her mouth.

It was then that cold arms picked her up and a familiar voice spoke to her

"Bella? What did we do to you darlin?"

Then everything went black.

…

Bella awoke to something cold on her forehead.

Opening her eyes, she was surprised to see Jaspers gold ones.

"Jasper?" she croaked her throat feeling as if it was on fire.

Was it just him? or were the others around somewhere?

"Well, you sure gave me a fright darlin. If I hadn't seen your scars, I wouldn't have known why you were puking black and silver liquid. Let me get you some water and we will talk."

Bella sat up, and realized she was in her living room.

"jasper? Did you drive my truck? Are the others here? Wait?! What happened in Volterra! Is Edward here?"

Jasper was by her side before she could even blink and handed her a glass of water

"alright now, slow down. Drink this water and we will talk. Although, I don't think we will have much time. Your place reeks of wolf. no doubt, they come bursting in here once they get ahold of my scent."

Bella shook her head and spoke "Don't worry about them, I need answers."

"and so, do I. Lets start with you. Bella, your covered in vampire bites and you're not turned. So, it's obvious whoever did this sucked the venom out, well most of it. You seem to puke out the majority. Bella what happened after we left?" Jasper asked His golden eyes genuinely confused.

Bella combed her fingers through her hair.

"well, Edward took in me into the woods, the day after my disaster of a birthday. And just to clarify, I don't blame you Jasper. You're an empath and you felt the thirst of seven other vampires. You were bound to go crazy."

Jaspers eyes softened at her words but motioned for her to continue.

"Anyway, Edward took me to the woods the day after, told me that you all were moving and that I was to stay behind. He told me he never loved me and that I was just a distraction to fill the void of his boring world. He then turned his back on me and left. I, on the other hand, was so shocked and hurt. I couldn't comprehend what he was saying, so I went after him. Eventually I got lost and collapsed onto the ground. I laid there for god knows how long. And then…then…she found me..."

Bella voice dropped into a whisper as visions of red filled her mind.

"Who Bella?"

"Victoria…."

Jasper's eyes went wide.

"That's impossible. Edward told us he killed her. And leaving you in the woods! He told us that you were the one who wanted to cut off communication and he wanted to respect your wishes! That bastard!"

"wait…...what? he told you. - then why did Alice come here a month ago saying that Edward was going to kill himself!? I went to Volterra to save him! He thought I was dead! Jasper none of this makes sense!"

"you sure right it doesn't. Bella, I think I have an answer, but I need to ask you some questions. Have you been sick lately?"

"yes, I have. Been sick for a while actually."

"have you been experiencing vomiting and lack of hunger?"

"Yes? That's exactly what I've been experiencing!"

"ok and one last question. Does your sickness get worse when your home?"

"yes! Why? What does this mean?"

"Bella, I need to check your bedroom. Can I do that?"

"um sure."

With that said, jasper disappeared upstairs. There was the sound of something lifting and then an angry hiss.

Five seconds later, jasper was back next to her, something in his hands.

"Bella, it seems like the left-over residue from Victoria's venom, Edward's venom, traces of James venom and these Items that Edward left is what was making you sick."

In his hands were the plane tickets, camera, and photo album, she had received for her birthday. Bella felt a sudden sense of betrayal as she looked at the items.

"Your body wasn't prepared to handle all of that and not be changed. You had been in our presence for so long, that it was causing negative side effects, so when Alice showed up and took you to Volterra it only made it worse."

"But if Edward lied about Victoria, lied about what happed in the woods, why would he want to kill himself once he found out I was supposedly dead? It's obvious he never cared about me. And what was the strange liquid I puked up?"

Jasper shook his head.

"I don't believe that Bella, the emotions I felt from Edward were genuine. but both of you were holding back. Edward wanted you human and to be safe, while you on the other hand. You wanted to be one of us and don't get me started your sexual frustrations. It was suffocating to be around sometimes."

Bella blushed but jasper only smiled.

"And the liquid you puked was the venom of three different vampires. In truth it should have killed you, but it didn't."

"That because she was holding on to it..."

Jasper stood in a defensive crouch, as a deep voice made itself known.

Leaning in the doorway, was a shirtless Paul.

"Paul!" Bella exclaimed as she tried to stand but Jasper gently pushed her back down.

"you're in no shape to stand right now darlin."

He then turned back to Paul; his demeanor changed.

"Who are you to her? And how did you get in here without me noticing?"

"What's it to you leech?"

"Your emotions, towards her, her emotions towards you. I've never seen anything like it. It…It's overwhelming. And I can't smell you. I can't even hear your heartbeat. What are you!"

Paul walked further into the room. towering over jasper.

"Doesn't matter. Its between she and I. Now, you have about ten more minutes to continue your conversation before the alpha and his pack come bursting through here apparently a few red eyes were around and their scent leads here..."

"my apologies. Those are associates of mine. My being here wasn't supposed to be this long. I was simply supposed to grab some items and return back down south."

"Back south? You mean you're not with Alice?" Bella asked never taking her eyes off Paul.

"no darlin. I'm not and It ain't my story to tell just yet. Listen Bella, Lies have been told to you. I'm no longer with the Cullen coven and I don't know what's going on with them. But ill be sure to find out. And if they come back, I'll be sure to warn you because whatever you have going on with this powerhouse here" he said gesturing to Paul "ain't nothing to mess with. Such raw power."

"Five minutes." Paul growled closing his eyes.

"well, then. That's my cue."

Jasper quickly handed Bella a white card and snatched the Gifts she had received on her birthday away, only leaving the plane tickets.

"trust me, you'll only want to keep those darlin. And I suggest you stay out of your room for at least two weeks. Ill send a cleaning crew by in few days. no charge."

He then kissed Bella's forehead.

"I'm sorry for everything we put you through Bella. I can feel the aftermath. You deserve to be happy. Ill do my best to make sure of it."

"3 minutes." Paul warned.

Jasper nodded, took one more look at Bella and ran full speed out the door.

Bella went to say something, but Paul stopped her.

"We will talk later. Listen, the alpha is very protective of you. He is your imprint brother, so your souls are tied together. We will respect that but that doesn't mean we will willingly share you. We already see you as ours. Hear us precious one we are not hiding you nor denying you, but we must handle this delicately. Is that understood?"

Bella nodded

Before either could speak again, Sam with Embry, Jared, and Quill burst through the door.

Sam's eyes were yellow, and she knew he had given himself to the wolf.

"Did you get the leech?" he directed to Paul.

"Nope."

Sam let out a growl and then turned toward her.

"Are you hurt? What happened! Why were you on the leeches land! And by yourself! How could you be so stupid!"

By then he was complexly towering over her.

Not giving a darn, Bella shot back at her Alpha.

"Back off! Sam! Yeah, I was at the Cullen's plaice and I shouldn't have been, but I needed to see it for myself! Besides Jasper wasn't going to hurt me."

Sam let out an ear-splitting growl.

"Do you hear yourself! How long will you continue to be reckless! There were Red eyes stalking your house!"

"What the hell is happening here!?"

All eyes turned to see a red face Charlie swan standing in his doorway, hand reaching towards his gun.

"Well, is someone going to answer me? Because right now I see five naked teenagers hovering around my half-dressed daughter!"

It was then Bella realized she was indeed half dressed. She was wearing a blue tank top and extremely short shorts.

What the-? Did Jasper change me? Why don't I remember?

"and you!" he directed towards Paul who went back to lean in the doorway.

"What are you doing here! I don't want you around my daughter! Get out of my house. Tribal security team or not, I don't trust you! Especially after what you did to Jacob."

"Dad! You- "

Bella opened her mouth to objected but Paul cut her off.

"No problem chief swan. but you might to get your facts straight. Ask Bella what Jacob said to her about a week ago." With that said, Paul walked out the door.

Charlie then turned to sam.

"Sam? What is going on here and why were you yelling at Bella? Who, by the way needs to go change? You're showing a little too much."

Bella quickly wrapped a nearby blanket around herself. Refusing to move just yet. Trusting jaspers word, she couldn't go into her room just yet.

"Charlie, we apologize for the instruction and lack of clothing. "Sam began, his eyes no longer yellow and his wolf quiet.

"We were doing our run and…you know screw the rules. Charlie, I need you and Bella to come down the reservation. There are things you need to know."

Bella eyes went huge.

"Sam? Are you going to tell him?"

"no, you're going to tell him, and we will back you up. I'm sick of you nearing death and Charlie's scrambling for pieces." Sam responded coldly.