A/N:

Rereading Eclipse, I was curious as to when Emmett and Jasper came up with their little bet regarding Bella in her newborn years. This two-shot takes place between New Moon and Eclipse, and also during Eclipse, extending some stuff. A little bit of Emmett and Jasper's competitiveness, and Bella and Jasper brother-sister fluff, since I feel their relationship isn't highlighted nearly enough.

Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think.

The Bet

"DAMMIT!" Emmett's voice rang through the woods, his frustrated snarl fierce enough to put grizzly bears to shame. His eyes were gold, not red, but they might as well be given how pissed he was.

I laughed, smirking. "Brains beats brawns, brother."

Emmett rolled his eyes. "You're such a show-off, Jazz!"

"It's hardly my fault. I fought in at least ten different wars, nine of those being for vampire territories."

Emmett growled again. "That's it. Someone's gotta knock you off your high horse. You. Me. Mortal Kombat. Right. Now!"

"Are you sure you wanna go there?" I teased.

"Yes!"

"Fine. May the best man win. But I know you're picking Johnny Cage, anyway."

"So, who are you gonna go with?"

"Raiden. Or Sub-Zero."

He glowered at me. "Of course. You're so predictable!"

"So are you."

We headed into the living room, glad that Edward was spending the night over at Bella's house, sneaking into her room past his designated time for being over there since Chief Swan had Edward pretty high on his Top Ten Most Disliked People list. Alice and Rose were shopping in Port Angeles. Carlisle was working late hours at the hospital. And Esme was tending to her flowers and plants in the greenhouse not far from our home. As I booted up the Xbox game system, I hummed "To Arms in Dixie" under my breath, getting ready for what would be another victory. And as I chose my avatar (Sub-Zero), my hums switched to "God Save the South."

"You know, if you go humming those tunes in this time, people will label you a white supremacist," Emmett taunted, hoping to throw me off my game.

I gritted my teeth. At the time, I'd romanticized being in the Confederate Army, not so much for the systemic racism part of that, that part I could do without. But the thought of serving in any army and making my territory proud, the idea of being a soldier, that part I romanticized. But after years of serving under Maria's army, and seeing the impact of everything that had occurred during the Civil War, I began to like the concept less and less.

Sure, I'll always be a soldier at heart. But my thought process on a lot had changed. And the thought of being called "racist" by anyone, when over the years, my mind had adjusted and evolved better than most people out there (at least that's what Alice and Esme assured me), it left a bad taste in my mouth, compared easily to one chafing sandpaper against my throat when I was thirsty.

I knew that now, there was no romanticizing any kind of war, much less the Civil War, and even much less so the Confederate's side due to the fighting for slavery that came along with it.

But there was still a small part of me that was comforted by the Confederate poems and songs. Because I will always be a Texan. And you can't just erase years and years of what had been home to you, no matter how far you run from it. I'd challenge anyone who said otherwise. This was proven when I ran North with Peter and Charlotte, due to my empathy, my ability to feel everything everyone felt.

So, sue me.

You can't change the past. You can't erase history. But you can do whatever possible to be better. Carlisle instilled that in me, all the time, using that as an example for my transitioning to our "vegetarian" diet.

I shook my head as I glared at Emmett. "Shut up. And let's just play!"

"Be prepared to lose," my brother sneered.

"You're on." I shook his hand on it as he selected Johnny Cage, and the fight began.

But even as we played, Emmett said to me, "Why'd you vote 'yes' for Bella to join our family?"

I sighed. "It'll be nice to not wanna kill her all the time. I'd like to be in the same room as her and be a little closer to her. Either way she'll be our sister."

Emmett smirked at my answer. "But you do know what that'll mean."

"It depends. I know newborns are known for having no self-control. It'll be nice, no longer feeling the like inadequate one in this family."

"Shut up, Jasper. You aren't the only one who has a hard time."

"That's why I was glad to see Edward have a hard time resisting her when he met her." I laughed. "It was refreshing, no longer being weak."

"And you're hoping Bella's gonna slip up and kill someone in her first year?"

"I'm not saying I'm hoping for that."

"But you're implying it."

I was silent at that. I felt bad. Of course, I didn't want to see Bella kill anyone. But after having been so weak for so long, I wanted someone to have a taste of what it felt like, for me. After all the empathy I've had for so many people, it would be nice to see someone walk a mile in my shoes for once.

"I think Bella's a lot tougher than that."

"But she's got a temper, brother." From my experience with newborn vampires being bloodthirsty and out of control, I pictured Bella being the same way.

"Still, how she was when she faced James in that ballet studio, alone at that. Her self-preservation sucks. Sure it does. But still, she's damn strong for everyone else, took care of everyone her whole life. You gotta admit that'll play a factor into her transformation."

I considered this for a moment. But that didn't change the truth that I knew. "Maybe. But that doesn't negate the fact that she'll be young, harder to control. I bet you she'll have lots of slip-ups in the first year of her new life."

"I bet you she'll be a lot stronger than you think."

"Whoever loses owes the winner. I say we start at a hundred, and raise it higher each month passes by."

"You're on." But as soon as Emmett said that, I watched as the voice on the screen said, "Flawless victory," as it declared Sub-Zero the winner. I laughed as Emmett growled angrily again.

"Don't mess with Texas."

I entered the house, the tension thick in the atmosphere. And as I neared the dining room, I saw Bella sitting there at the table with Carlisle, Edward hovering over her as Carlisle put a brace on her hand. Concern washed through me as I felt her physical discomfort. Her hand was lightly fractured, a clean break, and it would heal relatively quickly.

"What happened? You okay, darlin'?" I asked. I'd felt Emmett's fear coursing through him earlier, clearly, Bella or Edward had said something that put the fear of God into him.

Bella heaved a sigh. She looked pissed, her brown eyes almost looking black, hard like coal as Edward massaged her shoulders lightly.

"I punched Jacob in the face."

"What did he do?" My voice was low. I still couldn't believe Bella had been surprised when I told everyone she deserved to know my history, that she was part of this family. Hadn't she realized that I love her like I love Rose when I told her last year that she was worth it? I thought that had been implication enough that I was conveying I loved her like a sister. And in turn, that meant I would beat up any asshole who so much touched her the wrong way.

"He kissed me." Her voice was blunt, hard as granite, her teeth ground together as she rolled her eyes.

I chuckled lightly. She really was tough. But even so, I did feel this desire to kill the mutt. Sam Uley should really keep his litter in check. First it was Paul Lahote nearly biting Emmett's head off. Now, Jacob Black kissed Bella without her consent. What would be next?

"If you want, Emmett and I can break his jaw for you," I offered her.

"Not necessary. Edward already threatened him with that."

"And she heard about your and Emmett's little bet," Edward hissed, glaring at me. "You're both disgusting!"

"Apparently Rose thinks you're going to win," Bella said dryly, clearly annoyed.

I put my hands up in the air, defensively. "Hey, can you blame me?"

Bella, despite her anger, managed a kind smile, her eyes empathetic. "No, not really. I know you hate feeling weak. And so do I."

"Come on, you're not that weak. For a human you're tougher than you give yourself credit for, hon."

Bella blushed, her cheeks scarlet. I swallowed back my thirst. "I'm looking forward to finally being Edward's equal around here. No longer needing to worry about being a cluts."

Edward shook his head, rolling his eyes. I just laughed. "I'd love to see you throw Emmett down on his ass. It'll be good for him," I commented.

"Hey!" Emmett yelled from where he and Rose were.

"Besides," Bella continued, "if it makes you feel better, maybe I'll try to slip up here and there."

I beamed at her. I felt that I could've kissed her just for saying that. And as Carlisle went off to get Bella some painkillers for her broken hand, I walked around the table and hesitantly, pulled her into a light hug, and much to my surprise, she returned it, her warm arms wrapping around me. I felt Edward's hesitance at it, him cautioning me. But I was so careful, ever since her birthday last year. The last thing I'd ever want to do was hurt her again.

If there was one thing Bella and I had in common, it was our inadequacy. She felt inadequate to everyone, being surrounded by individuals who were the mirror image of perfection, and before having met our family, feeling as though she never fit in with anybody; it boiled down to how she was with Charlie and Renée, in those relationships, she was the caretaker, the one who cooked and cleaned and looked out for them all the time, and until she met Edward, never really had anyone look out for her and care for her. It was no mystery where her inadequacy came from.

But I felt inadequate due to my lack of self-control, Edward and Alice being so overly cautious with me, watching me all the time, as though they were glorified babysitters, which frustrated me beyond imagination. I hated feeling as though I needed to be the one looked after, all the time, not trusted. Bella was independent whereas I felt as though everyone in my family didn't trust me.

We had more in common than I thought.

Looking down at the mark where James's teeth had embossed themselves on Bella's hand, I gently brushed my fingers over the scarring.

We both were scarred in our own ways, my being more so physical, while Bella more so emotional due to her having always been the caregiver, the one who worried about everyone else, but never herself, never allowed herself to be taken care of.

"You don't have to do that," I told her.

"I'm not saying I will or will not," she countered.

"I know. But I appreciate the effort. Thanks for trying." It made me feel a little better knowing Bella was willing to at least try, for me, even if she had more self-control than I'd probably give her credit for. I ruffled her hair affectionately. It was then I realized Edward wasn't present; he'd left to give us the illusion of privacy for our little conversation.

I leaned a soft kiss to the top of her head, brotherly, nothing more. Regardless if I lost the bet or not, at least I had her for reassurance. I felt Bella shiver slightly.

"You all right?"

She nodded, though her eyes were closed, her pallid skin growing a little paler. I picked up on the spike of fear I felt coursing through her, and rubbed a hand against her arm soothingly.

"And for the record?" I murmured to her.

"Mmmh?"

"Even though I've experienced newborns being out of control, bloodthirsty . . ." I struggled to find the right words. It was hard to admit that maybe Bella wouldn't need my help as much after her transformation, ". . . that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be the same. I'm just . . ."

"Preparing for the possibility?" Her question caused me to nod.

"Yeah."

She nodded back. Neither of us said anything, taking comfort in the silence.