Chapter beta'd by leggylover03
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Jasper stood up and presented Bella his hand to assist her off the rock. He began rotating to offer her his back, then thought better of it.
Turning back to her he said, "There is something I'd like you to think about on the way to the cabin, Bella."
Bella looked him in the eyes, she was all ears. Running his hands through his hair in frustration, Jasper said, "I'm doing you a disservice, turning you now. Before you've worked this out. Yet that can't be helped."
Bella nodded her head – she completely agreed. Neither of them would risk the Volturi destroying Alice.
"Bella, as much as he fought against your change, there is a part of Edward that wants that more than anything."
Bella began to shake her head in denial, so Jasper gently laid a finger over her lips before her protests could start, "Shh, Bella, just hear me out."
She had come this far trusting in Jasper, so she took a deep breath and let him continue.
"To have you by his side, completely indestructible, on the same level with one another – for eternity – Edward does want that Bella, desperately. But to actually allow it when he believes he would steal your soul, would be completely selfish of him."
"Bella…do you realize the last time Edward gave into his own selfishness, he convinced himself he knew better than Carlisle and set out on his diet of rapists and murderers? He wants you for eternity so very badly, he doesn't trust himself to allow that decision."
Having dropped that bomb on Bella, Jasper watched her closely. Her face turned from one of instinctive denial to deep thought. She took a step back, then another. With the third step she hit the rock and would have collapsed on it, but Jasper caught her and lowered her to sit instead.
With Peter and Charlotte checking the parameter, he could afford to give her a few moments to think this through.
Bella looked up at Jasper, opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it. She repeated this several times. Jasper, who could feel her tumultuous emotions, just waited her out.
Bella thought back to her original epiphany after Italy, and Carlisle's testimony that Edward had only struck out in stress. She combined that with Jasper's information. She trusted both men irrefutably. Try as she might, she couldn't argue against what Jasper had said. Edward had been selfish back then. It had taken him a full decade to return to his family. To this day he deeply regretted his murder spree; she saw that in him herself and had no doubt it was the truth.
Adding all that information together, Bella felt a streak of hope spark inside her soul. Was it an undeniable belief in Edward? No; far from it. But it was a starting point of healing for them.
Jasper felt it too. He had done all he could to repair Bella's emotional state before the turn. He gave her a very gentle chuck under the chin. "Come on, Little Sis; Peter's waiting for his snack." He grinned at her, unable to resist teasing her.
Bella actually smiled back, "You mean his Sweet Treat."
Jasper was still laughing when Bella climbed on his back. Without further delay, they departed for the cabin.
When they arrived, Bella found herself in awe of what appeared to be an 1800's trapper's cabin nestled up against a protective rock wall. It was small, from the outside it appeared to only have one room.
Having set her down, Jasper took her hand in his for the short walk to the shelter's entrance. No sense in letting Bella's clumsiness strike at this late hour.
Before they reached it, Peter swung the door open. In his best Dracula voice impression, he invited, "Velcome, velcome Sveet Treat. Enter my humble abode of your own free vill." He completed his act with a sweep of his arm to the interior of the cabin.
A giggling Bella walked right in without hesitation.
Peter's eyebrow shot up. "Girl doesn't fear us in the least, does she?"
Jasper clapped him on the shoulder, "She trusts us, Pete." Thinking back to her birthday, he added, "She's crazy to, but she does."
Char was already inside the aired out cabin, and offered Bella a seat on one of the logs she had brought in after finding the chairs rotted. The table had held up better and was usable.
Bella felt her nerves kick in as Jasper and Peter each took a seat next to her, and Char across the table. It was time for the serious discussion.
Feeling this reaction from her, Jasper reached over and took her hand in his. He gave it a squeeze and said, "I'll get you through this Bella, you have my word."
"I do know that Jasper," she assured him.
Turning to Peter, he raised an eyebrow in a silent question. Peter immediately pulled his shoulders back, lifted his hand in a mock salute and said, "Perimeter's all clear, Major." He knew that would bring a rise out of Jasper.
Sure enough, Jasper grumbled and said, "Ya know Pete, if Bella wasn't sitting right next to you, you'd be imbedded in that wall right now."
Peter grinned hugely. Pointing his thumb at the human in question while wagging his eyebrows, he said, "But she is."
Char just shook her head and looked at Bella, "Welcome to my world, Bella. Land of Immaturity."
Peter reacted like he'd been shot in the heart. He covered his chest with his hands and said, "That hurts Babe!"
Jasper grumbled, "If the shoe fits…"
Bella couldn't help herself, she cracked up laughing.
Jasper felt the self-satisfied streak run through Peter. The clown had accomplished his goal of helping Bella relax.
Now Peter turned serious, or as serious as Peter ever got, "So what did Sweet Treat decide?" he asked. He wondered if he was going to need to distract Jasper long enough to take a chunk out of the girl. It was no coincidence he'd chosen to sit beside her.
It was Bella who answered his question, "I said yes, that is, if you're willing Peter." In typical Bella fashion, she blushed at the presumption in her initial response.
At first, Peter shook a finger at Bella and said, "Tsk…tsk…tsk…Not fair trying to sway me with that aromatic blush you have." Standing up, Peter then swept into a dramatic bow, complete with the removal of an imaginary Stetson. In a deep John Wayne drawl, he said "Why, it would be my honor, ma'am."
Bella giggled and Jasper predictably rolled his eyes. Peter was really starting to like this human. He thought she just might be the perfect fit for the Whitlock Coven.
"Well, in that case, we'd best get this over with sooner rather than later." Peter didn't need Jasper's ability to recognize that the girl grew nervous as he offered his hand to her.
He helped her up and led her to the center of the room. He then spun her around to face Jasper.
Jasper held his breath and took Bella's hands in his for reassurance and support. Using the physical contact, he sent her courage and love while removing her fear. "Focus on me Bella." He would see her through this even if it killed him.
Charlotte took up a position next to Bella. She was ready to pull Peter off or block Jasper should either lose control. She didn't need to be told that Bella surviving was the only acceptable outcome.
Holding Jasper's eyes, Bella felt Peter walk up behind her. He wrapped one arm gently around her waist and the other hand went to her forehead, tilting her neck. He pulled her into his body, leaving her no room to struggle should she try. She felt him lean in but instead of biting as expected, he said, "Ya know Sweet Treat, you're probably the only female to get this close to me without Char itchin to kill either of us." As jokes went it really wasn't that funny but she actually found herself laughing.
Quick as a viper Peter sunk his teeth into her neck and took several long pulls. Her hands spasmed in Jasper's but her first pained moan didn't escape until he reversed the action and began forcing his venom in. Sealing the wound with his tongue, Peter released her head. Keeping his steadying grip on her waist, he swept his other arm under her legs and carried her to the lone bunk.
Leaving Char in the cabin beside her, he and Jasper stepped outside for fresh air. "How ya holding up brother?"
"I'm fine actually. It helps that I just fed and was expecting her blood scent. What about you?"
Peter didn't answer immediately. When he did, it was void of his usual jokes, "If not for the scar on her wrist, I would never believe Edward managed to stop himself." His eyes were pitch black and it was notable that he avoided using Bella's nickname.
Jasper was certain his own eyes lost a touch more of their gold at hearing Peter's assessment. Nodding his head towards the nearest city, he ordered without hesitation, "Go."
Peter surprised him when he shook his head in refusal. "Nope. Not gunna do that to the girl. I get the feeling she'd blame herself if she knew."
Jasper nodded his head in affirmation, "She would at that. Yet, she also wouldn't want you sufferin' on her behalf."
"I'll be fine. Just need some fresh air for a bit." Putting a look of displeasure on his face, "Maybe I'll try a deer or two if the burn gets too bad."
Jasper was stunned. Never had he been able to convince Peter to even try their diet. Peter would never even risk a gamble that might result in his feeding vegetarian. "She really made an impression on you, didn't she?"
"Oh, don't go gettin' all excited. I ain't talkin' bout convertin or nuttin. Come regular feedin' time I'll be findin' me a juicy human. I'm just sayin' I don't want Sweet Treat blamin' herself for nuttin.'"
"Ah huh. Who are you and what have you done with Peter Whitlock?" Jasper asked with narrowed eyes.
Peter threw his hands up in a gesture of surrender, "Ok ok, so maybe the little darlin' has made an impact on me. Happy!?"
Jasper clapped Peter on the shoulder and grinned, "She has that effect on all of us Pete. For better or worse." Looking at the cabin where further groans could be heard, he said, "I need to get back in there. Gave my word her I'd see her through this."
Jasper winced as now the occasional scream became audible nearing the cabin. Clearly the turn was well underway and further perimeter checks would be unnecessary – there was nothing for Edward to stop anymore. Alice's promise to the Volturi was kept.
Holding his breath as he reentered the cabin, he immediately went to Bella's bedside. She was whimpering and covered in a sheen of sweat. He noticed Char had opened all the windows and cleaned Bella's neck up as best she could.
Sitting on the edge of the bunk, he wrapped his hand over a fist that was tearing at the bedding beneath her. Using some of the air in his lungs, he said, "Remember what we talked about Bella."
She actually opened her eyes and nodded at him. Then a scream ripped from her lips. He watched as she fought to close them. Checking her emotions he found she was feeling protective. Was she afraid seeing her pain would hurt him? That would be a typical Bella reaction. He shook his head.
"Don't dare try to protect me, Bella. I deserve to watch this."
His air gone, he could only respond to the increase in her emotion by layering her with comfort. Her fist relaxed under his hand but her lips clamped closed. Stubborn girl. Jasper smiled, gladdened he had succeeded in safeguarding her. She was worth it.
Carlisle stood looking out the back living room window. The room had been filled with a tense silence since an engine had hurtled out of the garage and landed in a treetop. Rosalie had not taken Alice's narration of her latest vision well. Alice had allowed Edward to watch unhindered.
He had stared in desperation at Alice's forehead as if she had a bullseye tattooed there. Not moving a muscle until Alice reported Peter had succeeded in keeping his control and releasing Bella.
It was done. Jasper had realized his goal of protecting both women and Bella was already deep into the throws of the turn. Carlisle felt a weight lift off him and anger take the place of fear. Although he was certain they had learned a very difficult lesson this week; Edward and Alice both had a lot to answer for.
Before he could follow that line of thinking farther, his phone rang. Four heads snapped up as he looked at the screen. An unknown number. It could only be one person. In a voice that was not to be disobeyed, he said, "You will all remain right here."
Carlisle then took off for the forest and privacy before answering the call.
When Carlisle hung up the phone, the first thing he did was drop to his knees right there on the forest floor and give heartfelt thanks to God. Carlisle thanked Him that Jasper had come far from the man who originally wanted Bella's death after the van incident; he thanked Him for Bella's survival and he thanked Him for the fact that Peter was so loyal a man that he passed up what most vampires would consider a delicacy to turn Bella.
Jasper had told him everything that had occurred since the pair departed Forks. He hadn't been surprised to hear that Bella had won over even Peter and he found himself chuckling at the idea of Bella stubbornly staying silent. It would seem that when it came to overcoming the pain of the change, sibling love was almost as big a motivator for Bella as fear of death at his own father's hands had been for Carlisle.
Standing up, he looked at the midafternoon sun and knew Bella still had the better part of three days to go. She was in good hands though.
Heading back to the house, he did not look forward to breaking the news that only Esme and he were welcome at the Whitlock's cabin. Jasper had made clear the consequences Edward would suffer should he arrive without an invitation from Isabella herself. He winced when he thought of the vision Alice must have experienced as Jasper first asked after her welfare and once reassured she was safe, very obviously decided he was not ready to see her. Such a reaction would have been previously unheard of on the part of Jasper.
As much ire as he currently felt towards his two most gifted children, he did not wish such heartache on them. Carlisle knew that Jasper's decision was not out of retaliation, but rather it came from the simple fact that Jasper had been so hurt by his mates deception that he truly wasn't ready to reunite with her. No explanation was needed for Edward's banishment.
Arriving at the house, he entered the living room to see Esme waiting by the front door with a full duffle bag.
Alice came softly walking up and gave him a forced smile followed by a hug, "Take care of them for me Carlisle."
Carlisle hugged her tightly in reassurance and kissed her forehead before releasing her, "You'll see them both soon, Alice. Of that I am certain."
Emmett stepped up next. His face held a strange mix of worry and anger. "How is she?" was all he asked.
"It sounds as though the turn is well under way and Peter had no difficulties in releasing her." Then Carlisle chuckled and Emmett looked at him like he was crazy.
"What could possibly be funny about this Pops?!" he scoffed.
"Bella being Bella," was Carlisle's only answer at first.
Emmett cocked his head in confusion and the others in the room (who had not been privy to Alice's vision) looked on with curiosity.
Carlisle explained to his family, "Apparently Bella remembered the story of my turn and is attempting to copy it. Jasper said she is stubbornly doing her best not to scream and feeling extremely protective towards him."
Quietly, Edward said, "Of course she is, Bella always worries about everyone except herself. And she must understand how much love Jasper has shown for her to go to the lengths he has in protecting her."
Emmett snorted, "Protecting her my ass."
Alice laid a gentle hand on his massive chest, "Emmett, I know how deeply Jasper has come to respect Bella. Yet even I did not expect this from him. Where my life is concerned, he accepts no compromises." Alice looked down in regret and shook her head, "It's part of why I agreed to keep Italy from you all. Even I believed he would kill Bella without hesitation should a choice be forced between our lives."
Esme spoke up now, "And did you foresee such a possibility Alice?"
"No! Never! It was simply one reason to agree with Edward's request," the sad pixie explained. "My vision of Bella becoming one of us never once waivered until this week."
Edward stepped forward, "None of the blame for this lies with Alice. This was my doing. I insisted we keep the terms of our release quiet. I am the one who chose to leave Bella under false pretenses in the first place. I am the one who lost my temper with Bella and said things I didn't mean and never should have to her. And I'm the one who convinced Alice to keep this even from Jasper."
Carlisle clasped Edward on the shoulder and spoke silently to him, 'I am gratified to see you acknowledging your mistakes; though I never expected anything less. Jasper made it clear you are not to attempt to visit Bella until she requests your presence. Son, I fear you need to prepare yourself for an extended separation. As you well know, Bella's state of mind at her turning will carry with her throughout her immortal life.'
Carlisle gave Edward a moment to process his words then continued, 'I do not mean to say the situation is hopeless, but rather that it will take time for Bella to learn to trust what you feel for her is real. There will be no overnight solution.'
Edward clenched his jaw and nodded, "I didn't expect there would be."
'What will you do in the mean time?' Carlisle asked.
Edward turned his gaze out the front window, in the direction of Forks, "Bella just sacrificed almost everything she holds dear. The least I can do in return is make certain Charlie survives the grief of her loss."
Carlisle nodded in approval. Stepping over to Esme, he took the duffle bag from her and secured it over his shoulder. Hand in hand, the two said their goodbyes to the family then headed outside where they attempted to speak with Rosalie. Rosalie however, would have nothing to do with carrying a conversation beyond nodding her head when goodbyes were said.
Carlisle persisted, knowing Rosalie was hurting, yet she studiously ignored him and continued with working on the vehicle that was being given an impromptu engine upgrade.