A/N: Hello all! I hope you all had a happy holiday. I was going to try to get this out before Christmas, but obviously that didn't happen. At least you didn't have to wait forever though! (I honestly don't know why you guys put up with me. I try to have a regular updating schedule but it always gets shot to hell.) Anyway, here's the new chapter. Just a heads up, I made my own history for Edward. SM's didn't really work for my Edward, plus I wanted to make my Edward 10 years older than canon to fit Jasper's age better. Hope this doesn't put anyone off too much.

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight and all recognisable characters, no infringement is intended. Only the plot is mine.

Chapter Five

Jasper was waiting nervously by the door pacing back and forth when Edward finally arrived. A thousand questions had been running through his mind all day long. About halfway through the day Jasper had started writing his questions down so he wouldn't forget them. He had an extensive list now and it kept growing.

He didn't race out the door this time. Instead, Jasper watched Edward from the door window waiting for him to make any sudden movements. Like suddenly rushing the house, fangs first, to eliminate all witnesses.

As soon as Jasper had the thought, Edward's head whipped towards the window to glare at Jasper. Jasper tried to smile apologetically, but he couldn't quite pull it off.

Sorry. But I just had to make sure. Jasper thought. Edward slowly nodded and beckoned him towards the car. Jasper hesitated but took a deep breath and opened the door. Point of no return.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked as he climbed out of the car.

"I'm fine," Jasper said. He tried to put on a brave face, but faltered when he got to the car. He couldn't decide if he should be safe and sit in the back seat—away from the man who believed that he drinks blood for sustenance—or if he should trust Edward and sit in the front seat… within grabbing distance.

"I'm not going to eat you, Jasper," Edward growled.

"I know," Jasper lied. Then just to show Edward that he was trying to trust him, Jasper yanked open the passenger side door and threw himself into the car before he could think too hard. Edward was much smoother, sliding into the car gracefully.

"Where would you like to go?" Edward asked quietly. Jasper had the feeling that Edward was trying to keep him as calm as possible, and Jasper appreciated that.

"The park would be fine."

"Where there're witnesses?" Edward questioned coldly.

"I never said that. I didn't even think it." Jasper defended himself. Sure, it sounded reasonable, but people being were there wasn't important. Jasper just knew that he would be calmer in the park. If things got too complicated he could watch the trees or the birds.

"No. That's my thought."

"What?" Jasper asked, confused.

"I don't want to hurt you. And while I don't want to think that I could ever harm you, this is going to be a difficult discussion and I don't want my emotions to overcome my reason. So I want other people around."

"That's not necessary Edward," Jasper tried to assure Edward, "You haven't hurt me so far, I don't think you're capable of hurting me. I trust you. We just need to talk about your… condition," Jasper finished lamely. Edward rolled his eyes and snorted at Jasper's proclamation.

"Condition. That's a polite name for it."

"Well it is a condition. Because it's not who you are, it's just a small part of you. Like my cancer is just a part of me, but it doesn't define me. It's just something that is. Cancer is my condition. And…" Jasper trailed off. He knew that to make his point he had to say the word, but his rational mind protested against it. It was too unreal, too unbelievable, for him to shrug off lightly.

"Are you sure Edward?" Jasper questioned, needing to hear it one more time. He didn't think Edward was crazy, if he said he was… well, that… then he'd believe him. Mostly.

"Yes Jasper. I'm sure that I'm a vampire. You admitted that you knew there was something wrong with me. I know it's unbelievable but I'm honestly a vampire."

"Okay. Okay. I guess I don't need any more proof," Jasper said. There really wasn't anything more that Edward could do; it was only Jasper's mind refusing to believe what it had seen.

"Really?" Edward asked degradingly. "Because I think I could easily demand more proof."

"I might still ask you to do something. But it won't help if I can't find it in myself to believe it. And honestly, Edward, how am I supposed to believe this?"

"I'll do whatever you want but I can't make you believe me. Just know, though, that I would never lie to you."

"Then there's that," Jasper said. "You say things like that and I don't understand what you mean. We've just met."

Edward sighed and opened the car door, making Jasper realise that they had reached the park. He quickly got out of the car and followed Edward over to the picnic tables. They sat on one of the tabletop and quietly watched the kids playing on the playground for a few minutes before Edward spoke.

"I was born Ireland in 1822. I had a big family; there were five of us kids. Three girls and then there was my youngest brother and me. I try and I try, but I just can't remember their names anymore," Edward faltered and Jasper was barely able to hear Edward when he whispered the last part. Jasper reached out and grasped Edward's cold hand. Edward squeezed Jasper's hand and then continued. "We were poor, but so was anyone else so I never noticed.

I was working as a labourer when the Great Famine hit. My family was too poor to immigrate to America with five children, so we waited it out. We never thought it would last so long or that so many people would die. Three years into the famine my youngest sister died. I can remember that she was nine. After her death my parents decided to sell all we had and go to America. I was the oldest at twenty-six and though I didn't make a lot of money as a labourer, I had enough to support myself, and a little extra for the family.

I decided to stay behind. It'd save my parents the extra mouth to feed and support and I'd try to send them my extra money. It was a tearful goodbye, but we promised that I'd try to come over after we were settled and had some money. That was the last time I saw them.

I got sick a year later; my official date of death is March 23rd, 1849. Carlisle found me sick on the street. He was a doctor at the local hospital and we occasionally spoke at the pub. He knew I loved music, even though I couldn't read a note. Sometimes he would tell me about the places he had been and he told me that someday I could see the things that he had seen. I wanted to believe him, he made me dream about what my life could become. Of course during the walk home I would admit that it would never happen for me. But Carlisle was a fascinating mystery to me.

I don't remember what happened after he found me. I know I was dying. I hadn't eaten in weeks, I was too sick to pay my rent and was kicked out on the street. I was sick and freezing to death. Then I heard a kind voice calling my name. It asked if I wanted to be saved. Even in my delirious state I knew that I didn't want to die, and suddenly my body was on fire.

I woke up three days later and Carlisle took me hunting. He showed me his lifestyle and soon we left Ireland. I've travelled everywhere with him and never once regretted my decision. Until I met you." Edward's monologue ended and he looked up at Jasper.

"Why until me?" Jasper whispered.

"Because you're mortal. I always assumed that when I found my mate that it would be another vampire. I never thought I'd find you."

Jasper sympathised with Edward, but he was caught up on one word, "Mate?"

Edward's eyes widened and Jasper got the feeling that he hadn't meant for that to slip out. Edward hesitated, "All vampires have a mate, the one they are meant to be with forever. And… you're mine. I don't know how I know, but when I look at you, when I touch you, I feel it deep within me. My body hums for you, my mind seeks you wherever I go."

That wasn't what Jasper wanted to hear. He wanted Edward to like him and maybe even lust after him, but he didn't want Edward to love him. If Edward loved him, he would only get his heart – his immortal heart – broken. Jasper didn't need more guilt on his shoulders.

"Can vampires have two mates?" Jasper asked.

"I'm sure it's possible, though every vampire I know only has the one. When they lose their mate, no one else can take the place of their lost mate." Edward lifted his hand to Jasper's face and traced his jawbone. "I knew about you five years ago and have waited and loved you ever since. Every way that I imagined you is nothing compared to how wonderful you truly are." Edward's hand moved to the back of Jasper's neck.

"Edward," Jasper moaned, trying to get his attention. Edward ignored him and brought his other hand up to wrap around Jasper's neck.

"Do you know how wonderful it is to touch you? I have waited 161 years to feel you beneath my fingertips. You're so warm and soft. You're so perfect," Edward whispered.

"Edward, wait," Jasper tried to stop him. He didn't want Edward to get in too deep and have regrets.

"I'll never regret knowing you Jasper," Edward growled. To prove his point, Edward crushed their lips together and all of Jasper's protests were lost. Instead he tasted Edward and decided that the feel of Edward's lips moving across his was the greatest feeling in the world. Edward parted his lips and swept his tongue across Jasper's lips before he pulled away and leaned his forehead against Jasper's.

"I want more, but I have to learn to control myself first," Edward whispered. Jasper let his lust overcome him for one more moment as he leaned back in to capture Edward's lips in a quick kiss.

"Practice makes perfect." Edward nodded adamantly and Jasper pulled Edward closer for another kiss. Jasper opened his mouth, inviting Edward to taste him and grow used to him. Edward groaned when their tongues touched and tangled with each other.

Before the kiss could go further they broke away, panting, because both knew that neither was ready for what would happen if they continued.

"Tell me more," Jasper asked to distract both of them.

"What do you want to know?"

"Do you have fangs?" It was the first question that popped into his head. Jasper looked up at Edward's mouth and tried to see a hint of fangs beneath his lips.

"Kind of. They lengthen when I need them and retract when I want them too. It helps us blend in with you humans."

"And no dying when you hit the sun? No coffins?"

"Nope. Like I said, we're just sensitive to sun but it won't instantly kill us. And we don't need coffins because we don't sleep. There's no need to."

"And you drink?' Jasper asked again. He knew that Edward had told him before, but he needed to assure himself of the answer.

"Animals. No humans, only animals. We don't want what we are to harm others. It isn't something we could control, it would be cruel of us to make other's suffer as we have."

"How do you live? Where do you live?"

"Well we can't stay someplace for very long because people start to become suspicious. As a result I've lived on all continents and I assume that at some point I would have called ever country home. Except for the hot ones. We just visit those."

"And your family are all like you?"

"Yes. We were all turned by Carlisle except for Alice who came to us 50 years ago. I'm the oldest in our family beside Carlisle."

Jasper looked back and the playground as he processed everything Edward had told him. He had begrudgingly admitted that he had to trust Edward. Everything added up to him telling the truth. That meant that Jasper had to rethink his entire life. What else was true? Unicorns? And not just mutant cows or other one-horned animals, but real storybook unicorns? Was anything sure anymore?

"What will you do?" Jasper asked still watching the kids swinging. He longed for the days when he was that free and innocent. Everything was simpler then, compared to the fucked up way his life was turning.

"What do you mean?"

"When I die. If I'm your mate what will you do when I die?"

Edward was quiet and he looked out into the distance. "If you die, I will continue to love you after you're gone."

"It's not a question of if, Edward," Jasper got up from the table and stood in front of Edward, "it's just when. You aren't helping yourself if you don't accept that."

Edward grabbed Jasper and held him near him, "Jasper, I will do anything within my power to save you. And I mean anything. Whatever you are willing to let me do, I will do."

Jasper looked at Edward, bemused, "I don't understand what you're telling me."

"Jasper, I'm a vampire. I'm immortal. And I'll do whatever you'll let me to keep you alive."

Jasper could only blink as Edward's words hit home. He wasn't ready to think about that. That was too much right now. I can't think about that right now. I won't. Edward nodded as he heard Jasper's thoughts.

"What do we do now?"

"We get to know each other I guess."

Jasper leaned against Edward, finding comfort as soon as Edward wrapped his arms around him.

"I just don't want to hurt you," Jasper said softly, "You say I'm your mate and yesterday you said that your world now revolved around me. I didn't understand that then. But now that scares me. If your world is me, what will happen when you lose your world?"

"I've already told you, Jasper – "

"No. I won't talk about that now. I'm not read; I'm just barely accepting this. I can't accept that life for myself. I won't."

"Jasper, please just think about it. I'll understand, but please don't brush it off without thought."

Jasper didn't say anything, figuring that silence was better than outright lying to Edward. Maybe he would consider it, maybe he wouldn't, but he knew that at that moment his answer was no. And that was one more way that he would hurt Edward.

"Will you answer my question?" Jasper pressed.

Edward sighed, "I will be sad, of course. A part of my soul will be gone. But I know that you would want me to continue on living, and so I would. For you, I would continue to travel and work. After time, I might even find another to love. But every day I would know that something was missing. That you were missing. And I would never be as happy as I would be if you were living."

"Do you want to risk that Edward? If we stop this now and only see each other as patient and doctor, then it would save you heartache. You'd know that you miss me, but other than a few conversations and kisses, you won't have anything to miss. You could move on and I'd be a nice memory for you to look back on."

As soon as the words were out of Jasper's mouth his face was encased in ice-cold hands. Edward forced Jasper to look at him and the fire in Edward's eyes sent chills down Jasper's spine.

"Listen to me Jasper. I would rather know you and lose you than know that my mate was within my grasp and I let him go. If I have to I will fight, not only for your life, but also for the right to know you."

Jasper had never heard anyone talk to him like that. Never before had anyone thought that Jasper was someone to fight for, besides for his parents. And that it was Edward who seemed to care so much made it that much sweeter to Jasper. This was what he needed in his last days. He needed someone who would force him to fight, but would still love him when he couldn't fight any longer.

And Jasper wanted to explore the feelings with Edward. He knew that Edward made him feel more than anyone else had, and that was enough for him. Plus, Edward was one hell of a kisser.

"So let's get to know each other." Jasper said. He got up and stretched his legs.

"What do you want to know?" Edward smiled at him.

Jasper thought for a bit and finally settled on something safe, "Where is the favourite place you've lived?"

Edward got up and took Jasper's hand and led him to the playground swings. All the kids were gone and so they took both swings.

"Scotland," Edward answered, "Glencoe, in the highlands, specifically. Carlisle and I went there after I was turned. It's beautiful, has plenty wildlife, and is secluded enough with all the rocky mountains. I loved it there. Of all the places I've been since, none calm me as much as Glencoe."

"I've always wanted to travel," Jasper said wistfully, "But my family could never afford it. I got to see a lot of the states, but I always wanted to travel around the world."

"I'll take you wherever you want. Just say the word and I'll steal you away."

Jasper laughed but was secretly pleased that he knew Edward was being honest. If Jasper told him he wanted something Edward would do whatever he could to make sure Jasper got that.

"I wouldn't know where to start," Jasper admitted. "I want to go everywhere. I want to see everything. I want to go to Cambodia and see the Killing Fields; I want to see Moscow, Rome, and a Mayan Temple. Hell, I'd just like to see Vegas."

"You've never been to Vegas?" Edward exclaimed.

Jasper shook his head, "Nope. Never got around to it. But I'd like to go."

"Okay, that's an easy place to go. My family will probably tag along. We can't resist a city where most of the action happens at night."

That comment brought Jasper swiftly to reality and thoughts of Edward's family instantly filled his mind. He knew that Edward had once talked about meeting them, but that was before Jasper was privy to family secrets. Who knew if they would want to meet him now.

"They do. Especially since Carlisle and I talk about you. Alice and Esme really want to meet you. They've been pestering me ever since you arrived in town. So as soon as you're ready…" Edward let the end of the sentence float in the air.

"Not quite yet."

"I understand. And so will they. Or I'll make them understand."

"My hero," Jasper teased.

"You bet your ass." Edward smirked at Jasper before using his strength to lift the swing off the ground and launch himself into the air. With perfect grace he landed on the ground. His cocky smile was wiped off his face when he looked down at the dirt he had kicked up during his dismount. He frowned as he brushed some dirt off his pants.

"Show off," Jasper muttered. He considered copying Edward, but knew that he had better not risk it. He bruised easier now, and it wouldn't be smart to knowingly launch himself towards the ground.

He stood instead and followed Edward as he walked away from the playground.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"You're shivering and I thought we should get you inside. I can answer more questions if you'd like." Jasper hadn't noticed that he was shivering, but now that Edward had pointed it out, he noticed how cold he actually was.

"If we go get a coffee, and you drink it, what will happen? Will you be in pain?" Jasper tried to be polite in his questioning, but there wasn't a polite way to ask someone if they'll puke or die if they eat something.

"No I won't die," Edward laughed, responding to Jasper's thoughts, "And I won't be in pain, just uncomfortable. Food doesn't harm me because the venom in my system dissolves it. Sometimes if I have to eat a lot I can feel a bit sick to my stomach, but it goes away after a while. We usually just avoid it though and don't bring it up. You'd be surprised how many people never notice that our family doesn't eat."

"Really? It was one of the first things I noticed about you."

"Well, that just shows how much you pay attention to me," Edward joked. Jasper blushed and didn't comment, knowing that there was nothing he could say against that. He did pay a lot of attention to Edward. It was almost like his senses would automatically tune in to whatever Edward was doing.

"Shut up," Jasper muttered. "Wait. The venom in your system! What about me? How can you kiss me and do, um… other stuff?"

Edward quirked an eyebrow, but answered the question, "As far as Carlisle and I can tell, the venom is only poisonous when it comes from our fangs and in the digestive tracks. In the other parts of our body the venom is highly diluted and even neutral to avoid the dissolving of the blood we consume until it reaches the proper organs. The venom in our fangs is of the strongest potency. The rest is just like lubricant in the same way your spit is."

"So you're safe for kissing and other shenanigans?" Jasper asked. He couldn't decide if he was joking or serious. One look at the sexy grin on Edward clarified it though. No, he was serious. Very, very serious.

"Yes I'm safe for kissing. As for shenanigans? What could you possibly be thinking of?"

"I think if you put your 161 year old mind to it you can see where I'm going with this."

Edward grinned and opened his car door, "I'll have you know that I have a very active imagination. And it's been working for 5 years on what to do with you." And with that Edward ducked into the car leaving a horny and speechless Jasper out in the cold.

Jasper waved goodbye to Edward as he watched him pull out of his driveway. They had eaten at the dinner where they had gone after their first 'date.' This time Edward had something to drink, humorously watching Jasper with each sip he took because Jasper kept watching him waiting to see if he'd get sick.

They had continued to talk about dumb little things like movies, music, Jasper's job, and more about travel and the places they dreamed they would go together. Jasper learned that Edward was a huge music buff, and he promised that he would show Jasper his music library as soon as he was comfortable coming over to his house.

"Jasper is that you?" Margaret's voice came from inside the house.

"Yeah mom, it's me." Jasper went inside and went straight to the kitchen knowing his mother was cooking dinner. "Smells good."

"Don't try to distract me. Where were you?"

"Oh, um, I was with Edward Cullen."

"The cute doctor?" Margaret asked. Jasper sighed and said yes. He hadn't been ready to tell his parents about his new relationship – if it could really be called that – with Edward.

"Are you boys friends?"

The moment of truth. Jasper didn't want to lie to his mother, so he settled with the middle ground. Not really telling her anything. "Kinda. It's nice to talk to someone my age."

"And I'm sure it doesn't hurt that he's gorgeous, right?" Margaret winked at Jasper's reddening face.

"Mom, please!"

"Fine you keep your secrets. But I'm happy for you. The Cullen's seem like a nice family and Edward's a nice boy. I'm glad you have a friend." Margaret emphasised the last word and Jasper knew that he hadn't gotten away with anything. But Margaret had the sense to keep her mouth shut and Jasper was grateful.

Jasper bashfully smiled at her and then bolted to his room to avoid further interrogation. The first thing he did when he got to his room was to find the list he had made of questions for Edward. He hadn't wanted to carry it with him and look like a geek, but in the privacy of his own room Jasper began crossing off the questions Edward had answered. He looked satisfied at his list. He was able to cross several off and that seemed like a successful "vampire" day to him.

Pleased with his progress Jasper turned on his laptop to dos some coverage of a foreign election. However after an hour of staring at his laptop, Jasper hadn't typed a word.

He had spent the entire time looking out the window, hoping for a flash of red in the trees.

Well, I'm not terribly proud of this chapter, but I wrote this instead of writing one of my final essays so I had to post it and get it off my mind. See you next time!