Note: I had writer's block. Sorry for the delay. I am not proud of this, but I had to put something down and just finish – especially since it has been months since I last updated. I may edit this one day to be better. Sorry if you are disappointed. This is the End. But I will post a few "after-ending" episodes though.

Jessica Stanley, GOAT

Part XV

Volterra would have been a heck of a lot more enjoyable for Jessica IF she had been visiting on vacation. However, meeting the man- no, vampire! - to be her future stepfather and the ultimate decision maker on her mortality was causing her to stress a skosh more then she let on to the others. This important realization creeped from the back to the front of her mind in such a sneaky way, that when it hit her, she felt like she was battered by a speeding train.

It wasn't until she found herself in a room with massive wooden chairs (some sub-par thrones per say that could have used a bigger budget in her own humble opinion) it was too late to beg Seth to run away with her. Her knees should have been trembling and shallow breaths should have been failing to fill her lungs. Obviously, she was scared. But she wasn't going to let them know.

To save time here, all of the inhabitants of the room Jessica found herself in looked like damn vampires. White, pale, perhaps chalky skin. Red, glowing eyes. Disturbing perfection to their faces. She was most focused on the suspiciously delighted looking man seated in the tallest chair, in the center of the room as her mother walked towards him. Jessica squinted her eyes, scrutinizing his appearance in order to understand his appeal to her mother. To Jessica's knowledge, her mother had never dated a man with dark hair let along hair long enough to be pulled into a ponytail. He was not her mother's normal type, setting aside the fact he was a blood sucking vampire.

"Well my dear, this is a surprise," Aro commented in an intrigued voice with his ruby eyes fixed on Seth as he extended his thin fingers to Jessica's mother. Jessica found it odd that the welcome back greeting they shared was a grasp of hands versus a hug or kiss…until she remembered he had a 'special' gift as well.

Aro raised his black eyebrows before patting the hand in his. Jessica's mom removed her fingers from Aro's grasp and shuffled to stand behind his chair, still in full view by Jessica. Then one by one, Marcus, Jane and Alec touched Aro. Aro's review of Marcus's thoughts was the most entertaining spectacle for Jessica. Due to Marcus's gift. His evaluation of the bond between Jessica and Seth was fascinating and perhaps offered the most valuable feedback in her defense to stay human.

To her shock and relief, Aro did not ask for her hand. Or Seth's! He insisted it was to build trust between them for now. Aro revealed that her mother was originally one of the tourists they lured in for the Volturi's feedings last summer. Aro happened to brush her hand before feeding upon her and found himself oddly intrigued by her human existence. She was spared but knew about vampires. She was left with the option to become their next meal or turn into one if she proved worthy. She chose the latter and under Aro's protection, fell in love and ended up truly wanting this fate. It would have been an ordinary love story if the vampire factor could be removed. Jessica was happy for her mother. Honestly. Earnestly. If this vampire 'king' made her happy, who was she to object when she herself was dating (was she?) a werewolf?

"Well, I am disappointed you won't join us, Jessica. I may have not accepted any other reason to allow you to stay human other than the mongrel in front of us." As Seth began to emit a low growl, Jessica stomped on his foot. The growl instantaneously shifted to a disapproving whine after her foot hit its mark. But, a whine was a less likely noise to instigate anything.

"I also find myself delighted to have such a future son-in-law apart of my…family so to speak." Something sparkled in Aro's bright, ruby eyes that sent a shiver down Jessica's back. Not the good kind either. However, she didn't get creepy, killer vibes from him. Just the uncomfortable new stepparent role she was going to have to accept in her life like she had with Vicky. Jessica contemplated on correcting Aro on his speculation of her and Seth getting married. That was…unknown. Even if they were 'soul-mates'. Marriage was a huge deal and you couldn't just decide that at the drop of a hat. They had only known each other for a few days. They hadn't even dropped the L-bomb yet. But, how could they? Remember? They have only known each other for a just a FEW DAYS now.

To save face, Jessica awkwardly laughed in answer.

"You are coming back in June for the wedding." It sounded more like a statement of affirmation from Aro rather than a question to her. She nodded her head and elbowed Seth so he would get that hint to do the same.

"What do you kids have planned for the future?"

Jessica mulled this over. She herself hadn't let herself get that far ahead. One day at a time is what she told herself on the plane after her heart to heart with Seth.

But as she told Seth, she wasn't the kinda girl where 'Love was enough' to fulfill her life. She needed to do things and see things. She couldn't be a girl tied down to a small town because of a guy. To her surprise, Seth had agreed to her selfish wishes. And he would follow her anywhere. So, that's the only plan she had for when college graduation occurred. She would continue to work on herself and take the opportunity to really live her life. With Seth by her side.

She was Jessica Stanley after all. The GOAT. She could do whatever she damn well pleased.

The end.

[After Ending – Episode 1: The Fight]

Summer – Post-Graduation

Jessica watched Seth play football with the 'pack', as they so call referred to themselves. She couldn't help but feel out of place. She pulled her knees to her torso and wrapped her arms around her legs. She knew they all thought of her in the way same that Jake had. She was a bad person and Seth was unfortunate to imprint on her. But it was an unfair judgement. They saw a glimpse of her in high school from her relationship with Bella and assumed she was a stagnant person. Not capable of change or growth. She was somewhat different now.

She was also different than the other imprints she had met so far. Kim and Emily. Sticking around La Push with Seth wasn't enough for her. She felt dreadful telling Seth at the time, but love wasn't enough for her. She wanted love but not at the cost of her dreams and ambitions. She had a mechanical engineering degree to put to use.

The way Seth understood and accepted what she had said had been concerning to Jessica. On a deeper level then she would ever admit to him. In her alone time, she wondered if the imprint bond compelled him to be so obliging in his nature towards her. That was not fair. He should not have to leave his family and friends for her. She should not have to sacrifice her dreams for him. The imprint was wrong. If it was right, she would have wanted to make the same sacrifices that he was willing to.

Understanding what she needed to do now, she pushed herself off the ground and held her head high. Then she lied to Seth. "Seth, I am going to run and get some ice cream real-quick. I'll be back soon!" Jessica sold her lie with a cheerful smile on her face and an enthusiastic wave of her right hand. Seth popped his head from the huddle he was in, returned her smile and winked. She took a mental picture to save the memory. It was the last time she has planned to see him after all.

...

It had been three days since she left La Push without looking back. She missed over 100 plus calls from Seth and ignored too many text messages to count. She had no clear destination in mind aside from heading east. She had an aunt out there her mother hardly talked to, but Jessica figured she would take her chances. Her college graduation gift from her father was a fat lump sum of money that she decided to use on funding this trip. She had to make a fresh start.

Rocking out to some classic 90's Brittany Spears, Jessica jammed on the break pad when she noticed in the distance a large animal crossing the road. "Not again!" She screeched. This time, she didn't swerve hoping her car stopped in time. It didn't, but the animal moved before the collision could occur.

Jessica's mouth fell as her eyes drank in Seth in his wolf form. She would recognize that fur coat anywhere. It had haunted her dreams the last couple of nights.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! Why are you here?!"

She had to scare him away. For him to let her go. It was in both of their best interests. Jessica's hand popped open the driver side door after she parked off to the side of the road.

In an instant, Seth was back in human form and she shut her eyes. She double cursed herself in her head to remind herself to be strong and not think with lust in mind. She rummaged through the back seat of her Camry for a shirt. When she found one, she tossed it to Seth. He knew the drill.

She waited for a "thank you" that never came. Only an awkward air of silence was strung between them. Jessica felt herself backup to her car as she noted that Seth was not his usual happy go-lucky self. But of course he wasn't! She lied, ran away and ignored him. She deserved his glare and the harsh lines on his face highlighting his rage.

"So, ice cream, huh?" His bitter words were so potent that Jessica could taste them herself. Trying to stay in her selfish character, she rolled her eyes and omitted a verbal response.

"How could you just up and leave? Everyone was finally getting on board with you as my imprint and now we're going to be back at square one!" He growled. Jessica's face pinched to the right side in confusion. Wasn't he pointing out the wrong things?

"I lied. I left. I am not coming back. No need to worry about upselling me to your pack. Just re-print or whatever."

Seth stepped forward and Jessica stepped to the side. She was hoping to subtly step around the car to put a shield between them.

"Okay, let's talk about that. I knew you weren't oblivious, but you never said it bothered you."

"What bothered me?" She snapped. Irritated she was not understanding his implication.

"That..." Seth paused. Jessica noted he looked like he was internally choosing his words with care before he spoke on them. "-not everyone was accepting of you. Or perhaps nice at first after we came back from Italy."

"So what? I didn't care. I can handle myself."

"I know you can, babe."

"Don't 'babe' me! You lied to me!" Jessica growled. Her subconscious fucked her over in her time of need to stay strong. Why could it not just let her get away with putting up a front. She had been so good at it before Seth. Years of practice.

The angry tension in Seth's face evaporated and confusion clouded his brown eyes. Jessica hated the concerned look on his face. She didn't need his sympathy or understanding. She was fine without it.

"What do you mean I lied to you?"

"How I didn't need to change more, or you saw the good in me. You fucking liar." Now, Jessica was never one to cuss like that to Seth. But she found herself in a place of hurt from the person she perhaps cared about the most and the pain was excruciating.

"I never lied." Seth's tone was adamant as his eyes hardened.

"Then why is it you have to defend me to your friends and family as your imprint? They don't see it, Seth! They don't get how I deserve you. And it's all about you. You have this great support system of your family and pack. And what do I have? A father who hardly sees me. A stepmother who I guess tries her best despite being only 14 years older than me. A mother who is a about to become a vampire in Italy. To sum it all up, I pretty much have just you. And that is so isolating when your friends and family are still putting me on trial for how things started out between us and who I used to be." The words were just an avalanche of feelings she had barely acknowledged before and when she blurted them out, she understood how real they were. How raw and exposed she felt after releasing them out in the open.

"Jess, I-"

"Don't come closer," Jessica ordered as she slumped down the side of the car to the ground.

"Not only that." If she was being transparent, she was going to go the whole nine yards. "They hate that I don't want to stick around in La Push and that you would follow me wherever I go. They hate that my mom is married to the vampire that wanted to kill Jake's imprint. I am suffocating, Seth, in failure all around you. You are the only positive. But sometimes, a positive can't beat out all the negative."

"Why are you running away?" He cut straight the point. If Jessica knew Seth, it was because she said a lot and he wanted to know the specific ledge he was going to talk her off from.

"At first, I told myself that it was because we both shouldn't have to make sacrifices to be together. I wasn't willing to, but you were. And because I didn't feel the same, I thought you deserved better."

"We discussed that on the plane to Italy already!"

"I know! That's why I said at first. But...thinking on it more. It was an accumulation of everything I just said. I can deal with your pack not liking me or taking time to turn things around with them. I am a tough girl. But when you defend me to them, it feels like you have to justify who I am. If you like me the way I am, let me be me. I don't need you to defend me because it sounds like you're not happy with who I am. I'm an acquired taste. Will I ever be best friends with Bella? Probably not. I can be nice. Will I ever be as gaga over you as a Kim is with Jared? Not in that way, but I show you how I feel. I don't need you to compare me to them, and if they compare me to them, I'll tell them tough shit and get over it. If you're on my team, I can handle it."

"For fucks sake, Jessica, why couldn't we have had this conversation three days ago in La push?"

"I live for the dramatics," she snickered despite the tears streaming down her face.

"I rather you didn't." Seth sighed before running a hand through his short, black hair. Jessica was thankful that Seth didn't invade her space when she had a 'rare' super emotional breakdown like this. He knew with enough talking, she could figure it out for herself. But that was the problem. She struggled to ever admit anything that ran this emotionally deep for her. This was a major tweak she needed to make for herself and him. "You were coming back, right?"

"When the money ran out."

Seth glared as he stepped toward her and Jessica amended her response. "Most likely I would have caved in a day or two. I just needed to sort things out mentally."

Seth sat next to Jessica and her heart untensed itself as Seth laced his fingers through her own. "Next time, run away to your house? Or maybe the ice cream shop so we can at least discuss this while eating ice cream."

Jessica nodded to him before pulling their clasped hands in her lap. "Why did you run all the way out here?"

"Honestly? I was going to give you space physically and just bug you by the phone. Then Jake forced me to chase after you 'like a man should'." Jessica barked in laughter with Seth's imitation of Jake's voice.

"Jake really said that?" She asked in awe.

"Yeah...they were all worried about you." Seth brushed the pad of his thumb along her empty ring finger.

"They? Worried?"

"The pack. And yes, worried. They can be a tough crowd. But when you're in, they wear down eventually. I mean the hardest sell is on Leah, she likes nobody. Except you. So, you have an easy uphill battle, Jess." Seth leaned over and kissed the top of her head. It was such a reassuring thing. Once again, Seth's kindness and over-qualified boyfriend tendencies made her cry.

"I like you as you are. You don't have to change. So what if you don't care for Bella or Edward? Yes, they are my friends but not all my friends have to be yours. Except my pack. I would really like that they like you eventually. Especially before we leave." Jessica felt the hope in his words. Not often enough Seth would express his wants of her. Jessica would do her best. For him.

"Leave?" Jessica dropped her head on Seth's broad, comfortable shoulder. They still hadn't had a serious conversation yet on a timeline of this departure she knew Seth was referring to.

"To chase your dreams and ambitions."

Jessica closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. "They can be put on hold."

"Hold?" Seth parroted. The alarm in her decision was evident in his voice.

"Yeah, I found some engineering firms to apply to within tolerable commuting distance from La Push. I want you to go to college before we head off anywhere."

"But I-"

"Hey, if you can abandon your home and duties to be with me, you can also make college work. I know you wanted to go before. Leah mentioned it. Apply to a community college or an online school. I don't care. I just want you to do it. And don't worry, your tuition is being covered by Aro."

"What?" Seth asked in a harsh tone.

"I traded some time for mula. I visit every summer for at least a month, and he will pay for your education. He wants his step-daughter with a college educated boy," Jessica teased as she nudged him with her elbow.

"And I can make some sacrifices too…" She whispered before kissing his shoulder, knowing that this one thing may be the biggest tweak of all of her self-changes.

After Ending Episodes 2-4 to come: Engagement, Wedding/Marriage, Kids

Response to review:

Cassy-Kay: Thank you! Catching up is always the best!

Marianka: I am glad you enjoyed the detail! I put in more effort for detail in Ch 14 and I am glad it showed and was well received! I am sorry this installment doesn't offer that same level of detail...Sorry for the long wait on this update!

angelacorus: You got it! It will be coming up in After Ending Ch-4!