3.

"It might have to do with Alice," Edward said thoughtfully. "After I moved here, I was keeping tabs on local crime, you know, murders, disappearances, the usual warning signs. There was nothing unusual, but I got a feeling something was going on. I started patrolling, and noticed a pattern. There were break-ins, muggings, and then once a week there would be a murder. Around the same time, three or four people would go missing, usually male. There didn't seem to be any ethnic preference, but they were all strong, able-bodied people who either went missing or turned up dead."

"So what does that mean?" Jasper asked.

"I couldn't figure it out at first. Then one day I actually saw it myself, and everything made sense. Two of the Volturi guards cornered a guy. They were trying to get him to fight them, and from their thoughts it was obvious they wanted to check his strength and skills. If they thought he had potential, they'd turn him and take him back to Volturi headquarters for training. If not, they'd kill him and look for another quarry."

"So they're trying to make a vampire army? Is that it?" Jasper asked, jaw tight with anger.

"That seems to be part of it," Edward agreed gravely. "But I was more interested in why they would try to do something like that. Since the antidote was developed three years ago, it's hardly the same as before."

"You're right," Jasper agreed, his angry blue eyes trained on the carpet at his feet. "It isn't the same as before."

Edward watched him for a moment, his keen eyes not missing the angry flex of his fist, or the way he gritted his teeth.

"They still want to create an army," he finally continued, his voice almost gentle. "But I think they're planning on something a little more experimental."

"How's that?"

"Carlisle and Alastair have been careful about dispersing the vaccine. Most of the time, they don't reveal themselves to the vampires they help. There have been very few who know what's actually going on. Because of this, while the vampire population has steadily been shrinking, there isn't a lot of information about the process. I think it is only recently that the Volturi have realized that most of us retain certain powers even after we become human again. They don't seem to be too happy about that."

Jasper snorted and shook his head. "Of course they aren't happy. They get such a high from the thought that vampires are more powerful than humans. Humans with powers? Probably makes them want to kill themselves."

"That's what I thought. But why the vampire army then? Are they just planning on creating more vampires faster than they can be turned back?" Edward chewed on his lip thoughtfully. "No, that didn't seem right. So I kept a sharper watch. I started actively preventing their attacks. Sooner or later I knew I'd come across someone who knew why they were doing this."

"Ah, shit," Jasper muttered. "I might have messed things up a bit. Since I started tailing you a few weeks ago, I might have intercepted a few attacks. I thought I was helping you out, but… maybe not, huh?"

Edward's eyes softened, and he let out a reluctant laugh. "Thank you for trying to help me," he said. "And I don't think you messed anything up. In fact, I have it on good authority that you saved my life tonight."

Jasper gasped and clutched at his chest. "Edward Cullen, stop that! You can't go around being nice to me and laughing and shit."

Edward smirked back as he gave him the finger. "I got something tonight, though. One of the guys definitely knew about Alice. Apparently Jane and Alec found out about her, or heard something that made them suspect what she's been working on. That's why they're circling around this area, building up an army specifically to attack her work."

"Ah shit, that does make sense," Jasper sighed. "Alice is so close to developing a vaccine. Carlisle said that if they succeed, kids can be vaccinated against vampire attacks. Can you even imagine? Vampires won't be able to turn humans anymore. Drain them dry, sure, but the sheer inhumanity that was thrust upon us… I can't even…"

Edward nodded in understanding. Jasper never spoke about his vampire life, but they had spent enough time together, both before and after turning human, that he knew it hadn't been nearly as peaceful as his own existence.

"I've been more obvious in my attacks the last couple of weeks, trying to draw them out and distract them from finding Alice," Edward continued. "It seems to be working. They're less focused on turning people and more on finding and attacking me. I saw in their thoughts that they have orders to bring me in alive. I got the impression they want to use me as a bargaining chip for Alice."

"Makes sense," Jasper said, folding his arms across his chest. "And why is it that you haven't told me… or any of us… all this stuff before? I could've helped you, you know?"

"You're helping now, right?" Edward asked, glancing at his watch. "It's late. Are you hungry? Want to eat anything before we go to bed?"

"Is that an invitation?" Jasper winked, then groaned when Edward maintained a blank expression. "Ugh, you are so frustrating! Nah, I'm good, let's just sleep."

"You know where your bedroom is. There are some sweats in the cabinet there that you can use. I'm going to activate the shield around the house, so don't try to go wandering out on your own, alright?"

"You have a shield around the house? Why are you so hi-tech?" Jasper asked, fascinated. "Show me."

"It's just an enhanced safety measure," Edward commented.

"An enhanced safety measure that no one else has," Jasper corrected, following him back to the kitchen. He watched in fascination as Edward tapped a section of wall near the refrigerator to reveal a touchpad. "Well, that is neat. So it's like an electric force-field? Can it keep out vampires… oh right, they'd get fried. Very neat."

"It can't be seen, so most of them would," Edward agreed. "There are a few I can think of who could probably feel it beforehand and neutralize it, but that would trigger the system anyhow and give me a heads up. It makes a sneak attack that much more difficult."

"It's a bit dangerous for animals, though," Jasper said, watching Edward's profile as he set up the shield. "Or wait, you probably got a work-around for that as well."

"There's a fence around the boundary that very few animals get past," Edward agreed. "And animals are way smarter than you give them credit for. They tend to steer clear of the shield perimeter."

Jasper nodded and followed Edward to the bedrooms. "Alright, then, I guess I'll see you in the morning," he said, leaning against the door.

Edward nodded, but didn't move. His eyes seemed softer in the dim light of the corridor, and Jasper couldn't look away. He was tired, and it was a real struggle not to let his confusing feelings about the man in front of him spill out, but at the same time, he really didn't want to break the spell.

Edward's eyes moved slowly over his face, and Jasper could have sworn he felt it as though he'd reached out his hand and actually touched him. Edward's gaze lingered on his lips, and Jasper nearly choked.

Edward smirked and reached out to pat him vigorously on the back.

"See you in the morning, Jasper," he said, stepping towards his door.

Jasper watched him shut the door behind him, feeling a little bereft.

As he lay in bed twenty minutes later, a soft surge of affection wafted over him, followed by the notes of a gentle melody from next door. He fell asleep with a smile on his face.