Chapter 24

Later that night, Bella, Jake and I went to a "party". It was just the pack sitting around the campfire, listening to Billy tell the story of how they became to be werewolves.

"The Quileute have been a small tribe from the beginning. We've always had magic in our blood. We were Great Spirit warriors, shape shifters that transformed to the powerful wolf. This enabled us to scare off our enemies and protect our tribe." The fire had his tanned skin glow as he told the story. "One day our warriors came across a creature that looked like man but was hard like stone and cold as ice."

Hard like stone and cold as ice? A vampire.

"Our warriors' sharp teeth finally tore it apart, but only fire would completely destroy it. They lived in fear of the cold man was not alone. They were right. She took her vengeance out on the village. Our elder chief, Taha Aki, was the only spirit warrior left to save the tribe after his son was killed. Taha Aki's third wife would see that we would lose. The third wife was no magical being, no special powers but one. Courage." He looked over to Bella and I. "Third wife distracted the cold woman long enough for Taha Aki to destroy her. She saved the Tribe. Over time our enemies have disappeared but one remains. The cold ones." He looked around to the young faces. "Our magic awakens when they are near and we sense it now. We feel the threat in our blood. Something terrible is coming and we must all be ready." Billy looked at Bella and I again. "All of us."

I rubbed at my arm. "The Cullen's are different than those campfires. They care for human life. Some had no choice on becoming one." I said softly. "I'm not trying to make you all friends, just understand that they mean no harm to anyone."

Edward and Jasper hate the idea of us being here with the wolves, but they know that we are safer here than alone. They know that they need to all be strong just in case.

"We know that." Billy said with a small smile. "Carlisle is a good man. I trust that he will keep the treaty going."

I took out my phone and texted Jasper. Is it sad to say I missed him?

Lori [9:13pm]: Hey, Jazz. I miss you. :( I'm having fun learning about their past though. I like learning about history. Would you mind if I asked questions tonight? They're nothing over the top, just…silly questions. Love you!

Jasper [9:13pm]: I miss you as well. I'm glad you're having fun. It's killing me not being with you, but you're right about being strong. You can ask me any question you want, over the top or not. I can't wait to be home. We are almost done. It'll be fifteen minutes before we head back. And if it's not too much of a hassle, I'd like my girlfriend back by 10pm…tonight. I love you too.

His message made me laugh. I looked over at Bella and nudged her arm.

"Hey, Bella. Jasper said that in fifteen minutes they'll be heading back home. If it's alright with you…can we meet Edward soon? I'd like to try to be home by ten." I smiled when I saw her smirk.

"You mean Jasper wants you home by ten?"

I gave her a shrug. "Maybe."

"Don't worry, Edward is like that too. I'll text Edward to meet us at the usual place." Bella said as she pulled out her phone.

I tapped my cell on my leg. The pack were in their own discussion.

I leaned over and started to whisper to Bella so no one would hear. "Bella…I'm worried that when I'm a vampire…" I sighed. "Do you think Jasper will still love me? I won't be warm anymore. I won't smell good anymore. I'll be like a cold steak…"

Bella put her hand on my back when she sent the text. "Don't be like that. Jasper loves you. It's weird to know that you don't know what he does when you aren't looking or paying attention."

"What do you mean?"

"He's always touching you and when he's not…he's watching you. Unless if he's hunting." Bella explained. "But the way he holds you makes me feel like he's your shield or armor. He's very protective over you and to tell you the truth…" She looked around and saw no one was paying attention to us. "He asked me if you would ever consider eloping. He really wants to marry you, Lori. It was weird when he came to me for that, but I found it cute that he asked me and not Alice or Edward."

"I don't get it, Bella. Look at him and then look at me. It has to be my blood he loves…not me."

Bella sighed. "You honestly should talk to him about this. I know what I see and hear. He's crazy for you."

"I'm just scared I'll say the wrong thing and he'll just leave me…again. Like, oh I can do much better than her." I felt my heart sink. "Which he can."

"No he can't. I look up to you, Lori. You're the sweetest…generous…best friend ever. You're like a sister to me. Jasper would never think anything bad about you. I bet you could…get sick and look so miserable from it and he'd still find the beauty that you are." Bella hugged me with one arm. "Just talk to him, Lori."

Her words gave me hope and courage. Yes, I need to talk to him about this. I sent a text to Jasper.

Lori [9:23pm]: Actually I need to discuss issues I have with…well…not you, but me. I'm embarrassed to say this, but I have doubts in you wanting me after I become a vampire. Can we discuss this too?

I felt my heart racing.

Jasper [9:28pm]: We're on our way, Lori. Edward and I will pick you two up. Yes, I'd love to discuss this with you. I've been waiting for you to talk to me about this. Edward mentioned something about you being insecure, but didn't tell me what. I didn't want to mention it, because you need to tell me this yourself. If something, whatever it is, is troubling you…tell me. Please.

Jasper [9:29pm]: Also…I'd like to get that dog smell off you as soon as we get the chance, if you don't mind. ;)

Did Jasper just winky face at me? Oh my god. That's adorable.

Lori [9:30pm]: Since when did Jasper Whitlock ever start doing winky faces in texts? (Don't stop. It's cute.) A bath or shower does sound nice…only if I can have one with you. :) I'm sorry that I'm insecure. It's nothing you do…remember…I'm broken. :/

Jasper [9:32pm]: Lori Crowe…do I need to send Major out on you? He doesn't like when you doubt yourself. I'm glad you are telling me these things. I need to know. I can't read your mind, even though I'd love to know what's going on in that beautiful mind. (Don't worry. I will winky face you all you want, Ma'am.)

His message made me smile. Jake, Bella and I said our see you laters and byes to the pack. I sent Jasper a reply while I was being driven to the spot where we meet.

Lori [9:36pm]: I do miss being naughty. ;) I'd love to read your mind too, Jasper. That way I know that this all isn't fake…it's real. You don't know what it's like dating someone who can't be real. You don't know what it's like dating someone who can vanish in a blink of an eye. (I'd love for you to do more than just winky face me.)

Jasper [9:37pm]: Edward just informed me that we are gross.

Jasper [9:38pm]: Lori, you do know that I'm terrified to let you out of my sight right? You could die in a heartbeat and I'd lose you forever. So yes, I know what it's like. When I was away…I mean fully away from you…I may have…killed a human. I didn't drink from him, but he pissed me off. I'll tell you more in person. Carlisle and the other's understand that I lost it. Well…Major…lost it. (Tell me more?)

Jasper killed someone? No, don't go there. I'm sure there's a good reason.

Lori [9:40pm]: We are a couple of minutes away from the spot. If you don't mind…I'd like to hug my boyfriend. :) Tell me all that you want, Jasper. I love hearing you speak. (Why not show you?)

Jasper [9:40pm]: We are here and alright. A hug? Do I have to? ;) (Oh, Darlin'…don't wake the monster yet.)

Jasper [9:40pm]: I was just informed again that we need to get a house, because Edward doesn't want to hear this. It's amusing to me. Oh and he just now punched me.

Lori [9:41pm]: I'll kiss your boo boo! :D Yes, hug me or else! Grr! (I love waking the monster.)

I felt the car brake and I looked up. There was the silver SUV that Edward drove. I felt my chest and throat swell with joy. Jasper!

I darted out of the vehicle, thanking Jake as I did.

Jasper got out of the SUV and pretended like he didn't want to give me a hug.

I jumped up and wrapped my arms and legs around him. My Jasper is back. My Jasper is with me!

"I love it when you're this happy." He whispered as he held me. His face buried in the crook of my neck, taking in my scent. "It makes me happy."

"I'm too happy to respond with sensible words." I responded and kissed his cheek.

He took me to the backseat and put me in. Jasper took the spot next to me, but allowed me to basically sit on his lap. He knew I preferred this over a seatbelt and I think he did too. I knew if something went wrong, he'd save me in a blink of an eye.

"When we get home, can we take a bath together and talk?" I asked softly.

He nodded. "Yes. Whatever you want."

Jasper leaned his head on mine, putting my head in the crook of his neck. He smelled like the forest and of him. It surprised me that he didn't have any hint of blood smell on him.

"Also, I was told you came back for me three or four times a week. I don't remember ever seeing you." I moved my head so I could see his reaction.

It was dark, but the street lights made it possible to see his face.

"There were a few times when you did catch me, but I played it off as a dream." Jasper leaned close and kissed my forehead. "You only spotted me at night when you would randomly wake up. It was adorable how half-awake you were and you would cuddle up to me. You would speak to me and sometimes you didn't make any sense, but to you it made sense. This one discussion you had with me was about kitties and how cute they are. You said that when their pupils, and I quote, "grow big" it gets you all happy inside."

I felt the cold air escape his mouth when he chuckled against my forehead. I pulled my head back and shook my head.

"I don't remember that. I do remember…some stuff…" I murmured quietly.

I heard a heavy sigh from Edward and it made me laugh. He knew what I was remembering. I looked over in the front seat and found Bella passed out.

I turned my attention back to Jasper when he began speaking. "You can tell me what you remember when we're alone. I think Edward had enough for one day."

"To save me from going mad, thank you." Edward said with a teasing tone.

"You're so old fashioned, Edward." I mentioned and poked his arm in a teasing way.

"Well, I hate to be an old fart…but I did come from a different time. Not to mention, your boyfriend is much older than I am." Edward added as he turned down the road to Bella's house.

"Only by fifty seven years." Jasper replied.

"That is so…I don't want to say weird, but it's cool how much of an age difference there is between you two." I ran a hand over Jasper's chin absentmindedly.

Jasper moved his face so he could place a kiss on the hand I was using to touch his face.

Jasper and I dropped Edward and Bella off at Bella's house. I sat in the passenger seat while Jasper drove. I bit my lip when I had a sudden thought about experiencing car sex or giving road head. I shouldn't do that, because he needs to concentrate on driving.

We got home and he parked inside the garage. I got out of the SUV and made my way to the door with Jasper behind me.

I was greeted by Alice, who hugged me so tightly I couldn't breathe.

"I hate it when you and Bella are with the wolves. I can't see anything and it worries me." She said as she suffocated me with her hug.

"Alice, can you please let Lori breathe? Oxygen is a necessity for humans." Jasper said with humor in his tone.

"Oops!" She said as she let go of me.

I took in a breath of air. "Apparently you didn't have a vision of me dying when you hugged me like that." I gasped out.

"Don't be a baby." Alice waved her hand. "So, don't hate me but I may have bought you an early graduation gift."

The look on her face made it so hard to not be mad at her.

"Okay, what is it?" I asked with a sigh.

Alice bounced in her spot before blurring out of my vision. Seconds later she came back with a royal blue box with a silver ribbon wrapped around it.

I went over to a table and sat the box down. I took the ribbon and pulled it, letting the knot loosen. After I opened the box I gasped when I saw a silver laptop in it. My inner nerd hit the floor, bowing down to Alice for giving me such an amazing gift.

"Alice!" I said excitedly. "Thank you." I wrapped my arms around my sister, hugging her as tightly as I could.

"I'm so happy you like it! I saw your laptop and I decided it was time for a new one for you. No sister of mine will have less than she deserves."

I let out a giggle and looked at Jasper. "She got me a laptop!'

Jasper couldn't hold back his warm smile. As he spoke, his crooked smile was showing. "I see that."

I picked up the laptop and held it to my chest. "This is so awesome, Alice."

"The charger is upstairs already plugged in." Alice replied and patted my shoulder. "Have fun! I'm going to tell Esme all about this." She skipped off towards wherever the rest of the family was.

I turned to Jasper. "Can we take a bath now? I feel gross and…" I used a free hand to grab a part of my hair, smelling the smoke from the fire on my hair. "I smell so bad."

"You smell like smoke and dog." Jasper chuckled and put his hand on my back.

He guided me upstairs and to our bedroom. I sat my laptop on the bed and turned to find Jasper already had a bathrobe for me and two towels for us. He moves so fast, it's hard to keep up.

"Do I slow you down?" I asked and took off my hoodie.

"Not at all." Jasper said and turned on his heel.

I followed him after putting my hoodie in the hamper. I couldn't help but wonder if my questions and concerns will make him angry. I hope not.

A/N: So I've been thinking. I mean I already chose a power for Lori…but then I got the idea about a reverse time thing. I'm not saying back to the past type of thing. I'm saying like...rewind thirty seconds to a minute? What do you think? I've been thinking about the battle sequence in the last movie. I know it was all a vision, but I want to include that vision in my story. She could stop Jasper from being killed. She could stop Carlisle from dying too. You don't understand. I need this! D: She could see Carlisle die, rewind the ten seconds or whatever…and then stop it? Or she could not have full control over it yet and try to, but failed. Then when Jasper "dies", she actually reverses time and kills the asshole(s) that almost kill him. You know what I mean? Am I making sense? D: