Chapter Info

Title: Making moves ...

Number: 7/?

Warnings: Language, teenage angst, mentions of violence.

Author's Note: So is this a frequent enough chapter?

- ʚɞ -

- Jasper -

In his vampire life; Jasper had seen every different kind of newborn there could be. He had seen ones who were so out of control from the moment they woke up that the only humane thing to do was to end their afterlife as quickly as possible. He had also seen ones that woke up and acted as though nothing had changed, perfect control settling within their system and making them more manageable. They were a rarity and off the top of his head he could say only one was still alive; that one being Peter. The young vampire woke up and blinked at Jasper who had been ready for a fight but Peter had surprised him by simply sitting there quietly. No sense of aggression bleeding through his emotions.

To this day Peter was still surprising him. Though Jasper would admit that he was no longer quiet and was quite literally a pain in his ass. But he wouldn't change him for anyone, even if he was sure Peter's mission in life was to give Jasper a migraine or a stroke. Or hell even a heart attack was quite literally a viable option.

Either way Jasper had seen every type of newborn there was; which was why Bella's emotional breakdowns didn't surprise him. She was both cursed and blessed with the memories of her human life. Blessed in the sense that she would never forget her parents; two people he knew she loved with every fibre of her being. Along with her human friends. The small clique at Forks High School had wormed their way into Bella's heart no matter how much she tried to hold them at bay.

But the curse outweighed the blessing.

For Bella was cursed with not only remembering every second that led to her death, but also the two people who had orchestrated it all. The two vampires who had taken a human and used her to their own advantage, playing with her as though she was a doll to use. Immersing her in the vampire world, putting her at danger and then wanting to simply erase her like she was old news. It made him sick to even think about.

And knew it made Bella angry.

He had heard the ruckus from her 'room' but knew better than to get involved, it wasn't his place and he also didn't have the words to soothe the bleeding wound. But on the other hand he knew it wouldn't get easier the more she let it swallow her whole, for they were just like humans. Had the innate ability to hold onto things that were better let go. Not that he was saying she should, but she needed to work through the emotions that were currently choking her. So that he could help her.

Especially if there was a war on the horizon.

It was why he'd finally gone into the room, giving her an outlet for her anger. And he hadn't been surprised when she lunged at him; her every instinct wanting to rip him apart. The one who made her what she was, the one who had stolen her last dregs of humanity. As that was indeed a sin that was all his own. With some miracle Bella may have lived; just as she did in that ballet studio. But he'd made the conscious choice to turn her, to damn her to an eternity of fighting the thirst and the monster inside.

His choice.

It's why at first Jasper doesn't fight back, letting her get her hits in and simply working on protecting himself. Yet soon he feels it. That switch in the back of his mind slowly shifted and opened the cage to an old persona he had locked away when he left the southern wars. His actions are no longer truly his own as he pushes on Bella's shoulder blades, sending the newborn hurtling into the ashes of her previous breakdown. With a flick of his legs he is once more standing, his eyes he knew were once the burning butter topaz of a freshly fed vampire but he could only guess were now nothing more than onyx pits of black.

A loud growl works its way through his chest, vibrating deep in his soul as the very sound escapes and impregnates the air with its power. The simple sound demanded nothing but submission from the younger vampire. Every molecule of noise and shift of his stance, showing he was far more than she was. She was young, he was old and deadly.

The Major was awake.

"Enough Isabella. "

His voice brokers no room for arguments, yet it evokes something else in the newborn. He can scent it in the air as she reacts. Just not in the way he expects. And even as she slowly submits to his will, handing over her very being to his more experienced hands. He can't help but latch onto the traces of arousal that were now permeating the room.

Or the fact he could feel her emotions again.

And that heady mix of arousal both in her scent and her emotions was enough to send his thoughts swirling down a path they had no right going. She wasn't his. She was the ex - technically - of his faux brother. The one who had claimed her as a mate. Though okay technically that claim was to hide the fact he wanted nothing more than to drain every drop of her blood. But still she wasn't his. She was his child in the eyes of the vampire world and it was his job to teach her, this first year being the very foundation for forming who she'd be as a vampire.

If a newborn vampire was broken in any way during their first year; it was more than likely that they'd end up being nothing more than vicious and using humans as nothing more than sport. Just as James and Victoria had. Those raised in war knew how to fight a battle and never lose. Like himself and his two other children - Peter and Charlotte.

But those raised properly knew how to blend into the human world, to use it to survive and slip under the radar. Carlisle had done that one thing right, but had failed in others. The family didn't blend in, from the clothes they wore to the cars they drove. They were a beacon signalling that they were different and all humans knew it. He didn't want that for Bella. He wanted her to live a life that bordered both life and death, to be a part of the human world if she wished for it, yet be nothing more than a shadow in a human's mind. So that once she moved on, no one questioned it. Keeping her safe.

That and he wanted all choices to be hers. Which is why he knew, she wasn't his.

Yet every single part of him contested that thought, screamed at him to take her submission and use it to make Bella his. Luckily, enough of his more gentleman-like nature remained that he was able to ignore those instincts. For now.

"Do ya' wanna tell me wha' is wrong?. "

He watches the battle wage in her red eyes, the battle between her mind and heart. A simple shake of her head is the only answer he gets before she's walking out the room. Breathing deeply to cleanse his palette of her scent, and to lock up the thoughts currently waging around his head.

Mine. Mine. Mine.

Growling, more to himself than anything he closes his eyes briefly. Compartmentalised his thoughts, organising them as only a soldier could. Sorting them from most important to outright absurd and of course the most absurd was his current thoughts towards Bella. They had no place in the current scheme of things. Not when he was still so unsure on what was coming for him and his newborn, or when Peter and 'the storm' were due to arrive. Bringing with them, their own plethora of issues.

Coming out of his reverie, Jasper and the Major stay combined, one entity living within the same body as he turns to follow his charge. He can hear where she is, where's she's hunting, and a sense of pride swells within him to know she's learning that one simple task so quickly. Learning how to take care of herself and fulfil her needs; yet he doesn't leave her alone for too long. Lest something happen to her that he can't protect her from - such as scenting a human or another vampire stumbling across her.

Leaning against the nearest tree, his arms crossed against his chest and his legs crossed at the ankles. He acts as a silent shadow, watching over her as she moves from buck to buck, sating her endless thirst and quelling the burn that was no doubt ripping through her young system. Even at his age, it was not something that could be sated so quickly. Animal blood was nothing more than a cheap imitation of what they truly craved.

Human blood.

Jasper continues to lean against the tree, waiting till she is done and acknowledging him once more. A soft smile curling up the edge of his lips as he sees the way her eyes trail to the floor, still offering that submission to what she can tell is his inner demon.

"So, gunna tell me wha's going in tha' pretty head of yours. "

The battle was back. Bella's mind wants to deny him, to keep her secrets. Though she knew if she did that, then her emotions turmoil would just continue. And Jasper would allow it too, he could rebuild or repair everything she physically broke. Could buy her as many clothes as needed should her eating tendencies prove to be too much for the fabric - like right now blood was smattered down her chest and soaking into the cotton staining it forever - but one thing he couldn't do was save her mind.

"I feel out of control. " Bella mutters silently. "As though my very being is torn in a thousand directions. And on top of that, I feel like I'm being kept in the dark, simply coddled so I'll behave. Like HE and SHE did to me. "

Jasper could understand the first part of her statement. It was the joys of being a newborn and adjusting to the afterlife. But the second part makes his hackles rise, and a curse to flutter of his lips and into the air. He knew Edward and Alice had done some serious damage, only just coming to such a realisation, but to see it all played out before him was the worst feeling ever. And something he wished to resolve instantly.

"Feelin' out of control is unfortunately tha' downside of being a newborn, a new vampire, but soon it'll calm down. Allowing ya to once more think clearly. "

His voice is a soft croon, punctuated by his southern drawl.

"But the feelin' in tha dark i can answer now. Ask me anythin' Bella, an i'll answer with all tha truth i know. "

He didn't need to be an empath to know she was surprised, it shone across her features and lightened her eyes in a way that enraptured him. Especially as it bled from surprise to glee, a wide grin spreading wide across her face as she realised he was about to answer her questions.

He vowed himself to always do that, to make her an equal, not as a pawn to be played with.

"What happens now?. "

He could hear the uncertainty in her voice and knew it wasn't the main question she wanted to ask. But he humours her, and settles on the forest floor, his back against the tree and long legs stretched out before him. The epitome of relaxation. Bella follows suit and he smiles softly, hoping to ease that last dreg of unsurity.

"Firstly, imma be teachin' ya everythin' ya need ta survive ya vampire life. "

her eyes roll and Jasper can't help laughing. Her reaction was so sarcastic to his obvious answer. Of course he hadn't explained all that was encompassed in that but still, that was something he was learning day to day. As whilst he was good with newborns, every one was different. Just as every human had a different reaction to situations.

"What about with the Cullen's?. "

He sighs softly. "Tha' darlin' is where things getting a little confusing. "

Her brow furrow showing her own confusion so straightening his spine, tongue slithering out to wet his dry lips he sets about explaining things as best he could.

"Edward claimed you as a mate, despite wha' we both know as tha' truth. Tha' holds a lot of weight in our world, a claim can not be disputed unless it's proven in some way. Now given' tha i not only turned ya but also claimed ya as my own, via a sire bond. Edward and tha' Cullens are well within their right to get ya back by any means. "

"What … What does this mean? "

"Well firstly, i need ta fill you in on wha' happened after i bit ya. "

Which he does, even though he's cautiously aware that she probably knows most of it. Still, leaning there against the tree he divulges his every action and the phone call with his brother Peter.

She had briefly heard that name before and it didn't take a genius to know Edward was the one that told her. And that simple tidbit of information didn't sit right with Jasper, to know that Eddie boy had most doubtedly tainted Bella's outlook on Peter.

So as the day slowly shifted to night he filled her in on his history, from the small blurs of memory he had of being human, down to the very day he saw her in that cafeteria. Every bloody shred of his history was laid at her feet, like a twisted offering at the altar of redemption. As his tale comes to a close, his eyes drift away from her, to look out across the vast expanse of forest that was slowly coming to life for the night.

Yet the predators stayed far away from him and Bella, knowing danger when they saw it. And whilst those animals stayed away from them, he stayed away from her gaze. Not wanting to see the judgement and pity shining in those crimson orbs. Of course, she was always the tone of surprise.

Her weight settles in his lap as she wraps her arms around him, her newborn strength almost crushing him as she holds him close.

"Always knew you were a warrior. A survivor!. "

The words are innocent, so pure in their delivery and yet they are everything he didn't know he needed to hear. His own arms coming to envelope her in his own hug. His breath dancing along her throat as he chuckles softly, his chest feeling as though it was now free of the pressure that had previously been crushing him alive. Strangling his heart that hadn't beaten in over a hundred years.

"You are always a surprise Miss Swan. "

She laughs, so soft and innocent as she leans back to regard him. Jasper would admit that the proximity of Bella to himself was not helping to keep his earlier thoughts caged. But luckily focusing on the innocence that bled from her was a welcome distraction. Atleast for now.

"So Peter thinks Carlisle will go to the Volturi. " Bella asks softly, bringing the conversation back to more neutral grounds. "Do you? "

"No, I don' think he will. " he says shaking his head lightly. "The volturi are synonymous with tha law in our world, and they will uphold it by any means. But if Carlisle was ta go there, with Edward, one of tha kings Marcus would be able ta see tha you and he weren' mates. Meaning Carlisle's whole plea is just null 'n' void. More than tha', he'd be sentencin' tha whole family to punishment for even allowin' a human ta have knowledge for as long as ya did."

Bella nods as she agrees with his words "But could it still be war?"

"It could, no one can predict tha Volturi. But ma fear is more on tha vampires Carlisle knows. And trust me he knows many. If he was ta call any of those in then we have a problem. And then the Volturi would indeed get involved, simply ta stop the war from being exposed ta humans."

"And there's Victoria!"

A small growl filters passed Jaspers lips "Yeah, let's hope she doesn' make an appearance anytime soon."

Jasper can see her attention is slowly fading, scarred fingers lifting to brush along the curve of her jaw, simultaneously grabbing her attention from wherever it had wandered too. In her eyes he can see a burning question, one that was almost eating her alive.

"Wha' is it darlin'."

A soft sigh "How can we prepare what the Cullen's are planning?"

Holding up a finger indicating to give him a minute, he reaches into his jeans and pulls out his phone. Pressing number one on his speed dial he waits for the vampire on the other end to answer.

"Hello Jas" the voice was far too cheery and has his eyes rolling. The reaction making a giggle fall from Bella.

"Captain, you've been neglectin' ta' check in."

He could picture the very moment Peter realised he wasn't talking to just Jasper, but also the Major. An inaudible gulp sounds down the phone and has Jasper smirking.

"Major!" Peter says breathlessly

"Now, wanna tell me wha's been happening tha ya've been too busy ta, check in?" His anger was fake, and he was joking primarily but Peter didn't need to know that.

"Well for one, Sir. i've been tryna find a way tha's stops us going ta war over tha lil lady. An then of course there was an incident in Forks ta deal with"

The curse that followed that statement was enough to tell Jasper that Peter had said too much. That he was never meant to divulge that much information but now he had Jaspers full attention and he wanted to know exactly what his 'son' had been keeping from him with the radio silence.

An eyebrow lifts slowly "What about Forks?"

Jasper could only guess that the ones behind whatever drama had unfolded was his previous family.

"There was an' incident with the lil lady's papa but tha' has been resolved. Safe ta say some of the local dogs got put ta sleep for a lil while, and Charlie's takin' a well rested nap in tha hospital"

A swift curse has Bella springing back to her feet and once more moving. A growl leaving her chest and mirroring the one that had left Jaspers at that very statement. If the dogs of La Push had done something to Jasper, that meant the Cullen's were at fault. As he knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, how close Charlie was to members of that tribe. And how high he was regarded. So for some harm to happen, they had to have been forced.

"An who's watching Charlie now?"

There is a long pause before Peter speaks again. "Char's watchin' him."

The pause was enough for Jasper to know Peter is not only lying but hiding something. Eyes cut to where Bella was currently pacing, hands tangled in the long locks of her hair as she mutters Charlie's name over and over again. Worry for her father spurring her every movement.

"I don't appreciate being lied to, Peter. So i'll say this once. Get here soon!. "

Ending the call, Jasper places the phone beside him and resumes watching Bella pace. Watching as she takes everything he'd told her previous, as well as what she heard on the phone and processes it. One thing he'd always admired with her was she saw things deeper, and more clearer than anyone else.

Even with worry for her father tainting her every being, that beautiful mind of hers would be working overtime.

- Peter -

A swift sigh falls off Peter's lips as he lowers the phone; the conversation with his sire still rumbling around his head like a herd of warhorses. He hated lying, hated that right now Jasper was kept in the dark. But it had to be this way; the steps he was making were the ones that were needed to make sure that they all lived to see the new year.

"Now; shall we continue. "

Blinking back to reality at the words spoken, he levels his crimson eyes on the male seated before him. Unlike Peter, the male before him was relaxed, shown in the way he leaned back in his chair, one arm thrown lazily over his stomach, the other resting on the table with long fingers wrapped around the rim of a wine glass. His legs, long - and promising that Peter wouldn't win if he won - were just as relaxed with one crossed over his knee. But Peter wasn't fooled, he knew that vampire was ready to run at a moment's notice.

Peter also couldn't help comparing how the two were dressed either. He was wearing his usual jeans and shirt, aged cowboy boots on his feet and his faithful stetson resting on the table at his elbow. He was every inch the cowboy he'd always been - even when human - and he had no shame in that fact. Yet the male before him was a different specimen altogether.

The suit he was wearing was most definitely customised to fight him the way it did. From the way Peter could tell the shirt clung to his muscles, just as the jacket did. To the way the trousers encompassed long legs. It was definitely not a suit you walked into a store and bought off a rack. But what was most definitely custom made was the long robe that hung delicately on the back of the males chair. Its fabric so black it was slowly swallowing every inch of light in the room, and its meaning was so sinister that Peter couldn't help the shiver that ran down his spine.

And of course there was that blasted crest around his neck.

"We shall, Demetri. "

- ʚɞ -

A / N: Reviews are love and highly appreciated - So Bella's not the only one fighting the mate thing, Jasper is. Under the guise of being a gentleman. Do we think he'll last long?

and also Peter's having a chat with the Volturi's resident tracker. Should be fun right?. Also let me know if you wanna see that full conversation as I have two versions of the next chapter, and one starts with Peter and Demetri. It also has Mystery lady's name in it. So let me know.

As yes i am unsure if im gonna have them at war with the Volturi, or have the volturi working with Jas, Peter & Bella (it'd make a change i guess)

- ʚɞ -

Oh, also that bella/Jacob story i was talking about has the potential to change to a bella/paul. So erm i guess tell me which pairing you prefer?