As he allowed Bella to think through what he had said, Jasper did what came naturally to him – he followed her emotions. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what Bella felt guilty about. The girl was so self-sacrificing that she would find a way to take on the blame for almost anything that produced a negative effect on the Cullen's. Of course she would blame herself and not her soon-to-be killer! When he had begun to feel the blossoming hope she emitted, he thought he had her convinced. Yet when the hope was followed by caution and determination, instead of relief, Jasper knew he was not going to like Bella's answer…

By the time Bella had found the courage to speak, they were approaching Ontario, Oregon. She tried to communicate several times, her lips moving but no sound coming out. Finally, she took a deep breath, pulled her shoulders back and spoke the words she knew would be her last.

"I'm sorry Jasper, but my answer is no."

As much as her emotions had telegraphed her decision, Jasper still felt her words as if they were a punch to his gut. Her refusal did not compare to the pain of being separated from Alice, but he knew he would still regret following through with Bella's choice. Besides, he had not become the youngest Major in the Confederate Army by accepting a giftwrapped defeat. Just as he would have done during the war, Jasper pulled on his boots, settled his hat on his head and prepared for the next round.

"Why," was the only word he fired back at her. When he felt her hackles rise, he was satisfied. Getting Bella to agree without giving her all the details would work better if she was angry.

"Why what Jasper?"

"Why won't you let me protect you, why are you forcing me to hurt you Bella? You told me you trusted me."

With a sigh, Bella answered, "I do trust you Jasper. It's just…I'm not the same hopeful, optimistic, naïve girl you all left behind. I only see two outcomes that don't leave Alice at the Volturi's mercy…either I spend an eternity as a vampire or…you…kill me." Pushing the final words out was not easy for Bella, but she knew they were necessary. Jasper had to understand she knew what decision she was making.

Listening to Bella's explanation, Jasper held back a chuckle. He had her dead in his sights, and he knew it. To save her from herself (and his idiotic brother's superiority complex) he needed to convince her he had a third option. He felt a twinge of guilt, for he knew Bella would see it differently when she knew his full intentions, but he also knew what she did not – his brother truly loved her. And so he set out to sell his plan.

"Bella, you made it clear that you would not accept eternity without knowing if you truly held Edwards heart. You've also told me twice now, that you trust me. So, either you're lying, and you don't believe a word I say, or you do trust me and therefore must believe me when I say I can give you the time you need without an eternity attached."

Feeling somewhat shamed, Bella realized Jasper was right. She had been absolutely clear about what she would and would not accept. So her choice was no longer between eternity and death, but between whether she trusted Jasper to adhere to her wishes or not. One thing was certain – Jasper would see Alice protected…so….she chose to trust him.

"Time without Eternity Jasper?"

Jasper hadn't changed his mind –she had to be willing if she was to be changed, so he answered as honestly as he could, "Yes Bella, unless you decide otherwise, Time without Eternity."

"Alright then Jasper, we do this your way."

Letting out an unnecessary sigh of relief, Jasper turned the truck off the highway and onto Idaho Route 52 heading for the last place he knew Peter and Charlotte to be.