After the decision was made it took some time to have our things in proper order. High school enrollment was always one thing, however matriculation into higher education always posed a greater challenge that sometimes even outweighed the ability of Mr. Jenks Jr.

It was decided the best course of action would involve the enrollment of us during the supposed junior year. All doubts remaining, I had made it through an entire semester without a slip up or even a moments hesitation in control. I had to admit it, Esme was almost right. Reconnecting with who I was, was helping me to remember all the good Alice did in my life. I could say her name in my thoughts without the long-familiar Earth-shattering pain.

It had been an easy agreement to return for another semester, celebrated by the college with none other than their Twilight Walk. I'll admit that I hadn't attended any events prior to this moment, but Emmett and Edward always had entertaining plans that I wasn't permitted to know or miss. Plans to loosen my bitter and cold nature. I wish now that I hadn't waited quite so long.

Emmett and Edward were in the middle of joking about the food getting cold around us, when I felt a thud and sudden saturating warmth on my back. Edward and Emmett both released a gasp, filled with an impossible amount of fear and shock in their now stiff bodies. Did they fear that I'd harm this silly human that bad?

As I turned, I offered an immediate apology to the girl who I had bumped into. The original height I had turned to had been too tall, and as I lowered my gaze to impossible heights, I saw a vision crafted specifically for lost souls.

So as not to test the boundaries of my limitations, and without the necessity to blend into an already packed affair, I had yet to draw a breath. Having done so now to allow for the issuance of my apology, it hit me. I could feel it permeate my every fiber, igniting each damned cell within my immortal body. A blinding combination of the creamiest jasmine blossom, the brightest amber, and purest white musk. I nearly dropped to my snow hardened knees in worship.

...It was her… "Alice?" The small semblance of breath rushed from my still chest.

She stumbled for her words, obviously under the influence of the alcohol that was now soaked into both her and my clothes. I cared very little about this, I only wanted to whisk her away, hold her, keep her safe, and never let her go for the remainder of our eternal existence...

Something was wrong. It seemed like Alice. It smelled like her and resembled her in the vaguest sense of the term. She wasn't an exact match. This Alice was curvy with shoulder length black curls with sparkling green golden hazel eyes reminiscent of a sun basked meadow in the chill right before a spring thaw. She was seemingly so obviously human and well nourished, but that was against everything I had ever known Alice to be.

I didn't mind it. I had been raised in a time when curves were a woman's best feature. While I had never missed them on Alice's body, I hadn't ever even speculated what they would look like on her, but this Alice was impossibly more breathtaking than my Alice. Could she even still be my Alice?

Wait…had she said my name? She looked around at Emmett and Edward, no doubt they were still staring at her. It came then to my attention that I was as well.

"We should probably get you cleaned up and get you some more hot chocolate to stay warm." I couldn't help but being a little playful, allowing the ever-hungry beast inside me take reign for a fraction of a second. Having her back in front of me for the first time in twenty years was bringing forth mixed emotions of happiness, lust, love…and hope.

She nodded then and held out her hand. She obviously didn't understand the irony of her actions, but for the second time in my life I took her hand without stopping to think about what I was doing. I could see the friends that she was standing with start to stare at me, but I glowered at them as I began to walk her towards the apartment. I had the strongest desire to rip their heads off for looking at her in that manner.

Mine I thought heartily in their direction.

"Jasper..." Emmett and Edward breathed hurriedly as the turned on their heels after me.

"I'm s..s..sorry" Alice began to stammer, the alcohol taking an even greater hold on her consciousness.

Emmet and Edward continued to follow. Alice and I to the apartment. I would never pretend to not know why, and I would be telling a lie if I said that her blood didn't sing to me. My previous life had trained me for the opposite of my current situation. I would have spotted the drunkenly girl, given her a charming and dangerous smile, taken her hand gently, and led her to a dark…Edward kicked the back of my leg at that thought. I looked at him gratefully and lowered my gaze to my feet.

"Are we sure this is a good idea?" Emmett looked concerned in Edwards direction as I picked up our pace, Alice stumbling at my side. I had to get her away. I had to protector her. I will not let it happen again.

"You won't hurt her Jasper" Edward stated. I wasn't sure if it was a promise or a threat. I'm not entirely sure which I would have preferred. ",but this cannot be the answer. I mean look at her..." He finished.

Just then Alice had swayed and fallen gracefully into my waiting arms. All the while grabbing my keys with one swift motion, I swung her rough and tight into my chest, perhaps holding her a little too tight. She was intoxicated enough that I did not mind using my immortal strength and speed to do so.

"I know." I let out as barely a whisper.

Emmett placed his hand on my shoulder as we arrived at the door to our luxury apartment. I had been more than content with staying at the family home, but Esme had refused. She would never dream of such a situation, a true immersive experience she had called it. It was fully furnished in white and silver. Edward enjoyed the gift of a grand piano in the foyer of the apartment while Emmett had simpler gratitudes for the deluxe entertainment system.

I unlocked the heavy door and carried her directly to my room without a moment's hesitation.

"Jasper, you have to stop man." Emmett pleaded after me, not daring to try to stop me.

"I know what I'm doing." I declared.

I carried her to my room effortlessly and lowered her onto my bed. What a sight it was. I was filled with conflicting emotions once again but maintained composure all the same. I reminded myself of the task at hand, fresh clothing. I knew that anything I supplied her would dwarf her body even more, so I chose the smallest hoodie I owned. I brought it to her praying for some semblance of consciousness.

My prayers were answered for the second time that night. She drunkenly snatched my hoodie with an incoherently mumbled appreciation. I stepped out of the room to let her change while I brewed a cup of hot tea that Nessie kept stocked at the apartment for her visits, feeling my brothers' eyes on me.

I knocked on the door and waited patiently for a response. After several moments of silence, I entered to see her curled into a tiny ball on my pillows with my comforter drawn tightly under her chin. I set the tea on the nightstand and stroked her hair unconsciously. She nuzzled into my touch and I was surprised to feel her temperature not as warm as a human's normally is. What was she? Whatever happened to her was no matter right now. I had my Alice back. I smiled to myself feeling a heavy depression lifting with every breath she drew.

"Sleep tight my darlin'." I whispered in her ear while kissing her forehead. All inappropriate behavior for someone she didn't know, but I simply could not resist this once.

I met my adopted brothers in the living room. Emmett's eyes black with worry.