A/N: Sorry guys. I'm straddling two stories right now and I was working on the ohter one for the past couple of days. I hit a small block with this one for a bit. I'm still working on bringing my stories to a close, so please forgive. However, there's only going to be like one or two more chapters of this one, though. I'm satisfied that I'll be able to end it fairly decently. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one.

BELLA

I was so far gone as Jasper carried me through the woods that I wasn't completely sure if we were running or not. I didn't even know where we were going. Or if we were still in Forks. I didn't really seem to matter much, though.

My best friend was dead. That fact alone was enough to kill me already dead heart. Top it off with the fact that she died and gave up everything just so I wouldn't have too, and I was pretty much useless. I couldn't even think straight. All I knew was that all of this was my fault. Everything from the fight to Sam, Seth, Leah, and Alice. They all lost their lives because of my actions.

"Isabella Marie Swan, knock it off right now." Jasper said through his teeth. I knew that he could feel all of the guilt pouring out of me. "This is not your fault. None of it is. Do you understand?"

I couldn't find my voice to reply. Instead, I whimpered and buried my face deeper into the crook of his neck. He just sighed and kissed the top of my head. We didn't say anything else after that.

The family ran until we came out of the woods on a small strip just of the highway in Seattle. There was a small Motel 6 on the corner and few other businesses down the street. Thankfully, it was dark out and we were much harder to see.

Had anyone seen us come out of the woods, in this state, they'd be extremely suspicious. We were all covered in dirt and our hair was disheveled. Our clothes were torn it unlikely places and some of us had werewolf blood splattered on them. We'd definitely cause curious glances. Something that we had to avoid for the sake of the secret.

Jasper tried to put me down when we stopped, but my body wasn't ready for the lose of contact yet. I worried that if he let me go, he'd disappear too. I couldn't lose him, not after everything that I'd already lost.

As I felt his arms start to lower me to the ground, I locked my arms around his neck, something that had never been very effective with Edward, and forced myself closer to his body.

"No, No, No!" I cried into his neck.

"OKay, okay." he said sadly and put his arms back around me, kissing my head in the process.

"So what do we do now?" Emmett asked looking up and down the street.

"Well, the first thing we need to do is get cleaned up and recover." Carlisle stated pinching his nose. "Then deal with what happened." I heard the crack in his voice and knew how badly he wished he could cry. "Then I'll call Tanya and we'll arrange to fly to Alaska first thing tomorrow morning and stay there until we figure out where to go next. For tonight, though, we'll just stay there." He pointed to the Motel 6 across the street. It's not a Hilton, but it'll do for the night."

"Okay, but what are we going to do about clothes?" Jasper questioned. "I mean we can't walk into an airport looking like this. That would attract way too much attention."

"I'll go get us some." Rosalie offered. "I'm the least conspicuious of all of us. I just look like some rich girl who had a bad experience camping. No big deal." she shrugged. "And I know all of your sizes, so you won't have to worry about that either."

"Alright, but I want," Carlisle looked everyone over. I guessed he was looking for one of us who looked close to what Rosalie looked like. "Esme to go with her. I don't want any of you to go anywhere alone. I don't think the wolves will change their minds, but I don't want to take any chances. I've already lost two of you. I don't think that I could live through losing another."

"Alright." Esme said and went over to stand next to Rosalie.

I found myself almost angry about how composed they all were. I mean they had just lost a sister and daughter. Shouldn't they all be falling apart or something? Why did they have it all together? How could they talk through a plan without breaking? I didn't understand.

As I watched the scene, though, I realized exactly why they were so composed. They had to be. They had to go through the motions of keeping the secret, that was way more important than grieving. Before we could do anything else, we had to make sure that we were inconspicuious enough to pass for a grieving family. Instead of family who had just lost one of their own in a fight with werewolves. It was all part of being what we were. The secret was always more important than anything. They'd fall apart as soon as the secret was safe. I could see that now.

Jasper attempted to put me down again. I wanted more than anything to fight and cry. I didn't want him to leave me too. Yet, I knew that I was part of this family now, in the way that mattered most. Which meant that I had to learn to do things the way they were doing them. I had to stay composed until we had all our bases covered. I couldn't be losing it, while my family was trying to protect us.

I let him place me on the ground. Getting my balance wasn't a challenge in my new body. I did place my hand in his, though. I wasn't completelt ready to let go. I looked to Carlisle as we waited for more instructions.

"Bella, honey, I know you're only a few hours old and all, but the motel is probably going to smell strongly of humans, old and new. Do you think that you can handle it? Or should have Jasper take you on a quick hunt first?" Carlisle asked looking seriously at me.

I swallowed hard and felt the burning in the back of my throat. It was painful, but managable. I would've felt better if I had more blood in me, but I was sure I'd be alright around humans. Besides, Carlisle was worried about seperating and frankly, so was I. The wolves weren't ones to give up on a grudge. They probably just needed a chance to regroup and be coming after us later. We couldn't afford to seperate anymore than we had to.

"I think, I'll be okay." I stated. "We can't afford to seperate too much right now."

"All the same, Jasper, I want you to keep a hand on her at all times." Carlisle replied. "I want you to be able to restrain her if it does get to her. Also, with the tension and her emotions right now, I don't wanna take any chances."

Jasper nodded.

"Alright, Rose, Esme, go get the clothes, I'll tell the receptionist at the motel to give you guys the room numbers when you get there. Just grab whatever you can find and get back here." Carlisle explained.

Esme and Rosalie nodded and took off.

"Alright, Bella, are you ready?" he asked me.

"Not really, but I don't have much of a choice, do I?" I answered.

"Don't worry." Jasper whispered. "I'll be right there. You don't have to breathe if you don't want to. Just move your shoulders up and down like you are."

"Let's go." I stated with a nod.

Jasper put his arm around my waist, pulled me close, and kissed the top of my head. The four of us headed toward the motel with much trepedition.

I could definitely see the difference in accomadations, right now. I remembered when we were on the run from James, the entryway to the hotel was bigger than this whole building. The small room was decorated very nicely, though and there were some comfortable looking chairs scattered around.

The receptionist looked up at us with a raised eyebrow when we entered. She was, no doubt, trying to figure out where we came from and why we were here. The look was there for only a split second before she smiled a huge smile at us.

"Hello, sirs and ma'am, what can I do for you today?" she asked in a cheery voice.

"We'd like three rooms for the night, please?" Carlisle stated.

"Alright." The woman stated and started typing on her computer.

"And the name?" she asked.

"Carlisle Cullen." Carlisle replied.

The woman's eyes widen in surprise and slight shock when Carlisle answered. She stopped her typing and turned to take in our appearance again.

"And will you be paying in cash tonight, Mr. Cullen?" she asked.

"Yes." Carlise responded. I could hear the concern in his voice at her reaction to his name. The woman continued to stare at us in shocked bewilderment. "Is there a problem, ma'am?"

"Oh no, problem. I'm just a little shocked and confused, is all?" she answered as she went back to typing on the computer. "You see, about three weeks ago, a young woman, short with spiky black hair, reminded me of a pixie. She came in and told me that between then and two weeks from now, there would be a group of you coming in. She told me your last name and that you'd pay in cash. She also said that you'd look like you've been wandering through the woods for a few days." She looked us up and down as if to prove her point, then pulled something from under her desk. "She gave me one thousand dollars not to ask her or you any questions and not tell anyone else. Then she aske me to give these to Bella and Jasper?"

Carlisle looked back at Jasper and I with a furrowed brow. We looked back at him, just as confused about what Alice was up to as we were. He turned back to the woman after a minute.

"Thank you." he stated and took the two pieces of paper that she was offering.

The woman turned back to the computer and Carlisle handed Jasper and I the papers. As soon as he turned around, the woman was handing him three keys.

"Rooms four, five, and six." she stated. "Your total is $150.00."

Carlisle pulled the money out and handed it to her. She put it in her drawer and before she coudl turn back to the counter, Carlisle place a stack of one hundred dollar bills. She saw the bills and looked at him like he was crazy.

"For your trouble, confidence, and cooperation." he told her with a polite smile. "We have to more girls who'll be coming soon, if you'd kindly give them the room numbers."

"Of course." the woman replied still looking shocked.

Carlisle, Emmett, Jasper, and I walked down the hall and towards our room.

"Go to your rooms and get cleaned up." Carlisle passing out the keys. "We'll meet in mine and Esme room in an hour to talk. Jasper, Bella, I'll send Esme with your clothes when the get here."

Jasper and I just nodded as he unlocked our room.

Though it was easier than I thought to keep my thirst under control in front of the receptionist, it was a relief when we made it to the room. The scent of humans, old and new, was being completelty washed out by the scent of popouri and febreze.

I looked around the room. It was a small space with a bed against one wall and a T.V. against the other. The was one other chair and a nightstand with a phone sitting on it. The bathroom was small with just enough room for one person, a shower, a toilet, and a sink.

"Yup definitely not a Hilton." I found myself thinking.

I walked right over to the bed and collapsed on it. I had never felt more drained than I did right at that moment. I wished that I could sleep. Jasper walked over and laid down next to me. We stare into each other eyes for a long moment and he brushed some stray strands of hair off of my forehead.

"Are you alright?" he whispered after a long moment.

I suddenly found myself exasperated with him. What kind of question was that? Of course I wasn't alright! I just had to kill someone, someone who I somewhat cared about. I had to watch him kill a good friend of mine because he was going to kill me. Then I had to watch my best friend kill a good friend and then watch my best friend die. Why would Jasper even think I could begin to be alright?

He must have felt my emotions before I could answer, because he put gently cupped my cheek and said quickly,

"I meant physically, love. I'm sorry. I just meant do you have any injries?"

"Oh." I whispered quickly calming. "No, I'm not injured. What about you?"

"I got a few scrapes and scratches but the venom took care of that while we were running. I'm alright now." he answered.

"Good." I whisered running my fingers through his blood curls.

We fell silent for a few minutes after that. Both lost in our own thoughts and grief over what had happened tonight. Despite what everyone said, I couldn't help but blame myself for everything that happened this year. Yes, I knew that it was Jacob's action that got as where we were, but it was my relationship with him that caused him to do it.

"Bella, I wish you would stop this." Jasper whispered after a minute, still stroking my hair. "None of this is your fault, honey. It's all the stupid mutt's. Even the fight tonight, he caused that, not you. It all comes down to him."

"But you don't understand, Jasper," I stated. "It was my fault for getting in so deep with him. It was my fault because I was selfish enough to keep him as a friend when I knew that we didn't want the same thing. I should've just walked away the minute I found out his feelings for me were more then mine for him. Maybe, if I had, Edward would still be alive, and Alice wouldn't have had to sacrifice herself. Charlie wouldn't have been pointlessly murdered. I wouldn't have spent so many months away from my family. Hell, I wouldn't have spent so many months hurting myself. Jacob would've tried to kill me and he'd still be alive. We wouldn't have had to fight the wolves and Sam, Leah, and Seth would still be alive. And we'd be at home right now, watching a movie like one big happy family? Don't you see, it all comes down to my relationship with Jacob? I could've chosen to end it, but I didn't. I was too selfish to do that."

"First of all, you staying friends with Jacob after everything wasn't a crime, babe." Jasper responded. "You needed a friend and you made it very clear to him that it was all you wanted from him. You just wanted to be his friend. He screwed himself by trying to make you feel the same way about him that he did for you. He only succeeded in pushing you away and it was you walking away that caused him to snap. He brought upon himself and tried to make you suffer the consequences. Secondly, you're only focusing on the bad things that came out of this year. What about all the good?"

"Like what?" I asked not following where he was going with this.

"Like you and me, together." Jasper stated.

"I suppose that is a good thing." I whispered.

"Yes it is." he stated. "And I can almost garuntee that if none of this with Jacob had happened, that we wouldn't be at home like a big happy family."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if none of this with Jacob had ever happened, Edward would still be alive and you'd be married to him. Alice wouldn't have got any kind of advance warning on you and I. Which is something that would've still happened. Our feelings have probably been there since the day we met, but we've been so busy being in love with Edward and Alice to notice. Our feelings would've grown no matter how the whole thing with Jacob played out. Us being mates is a given. That's they way we were supposed to end up. If Edward had lived, you'd be too afraid of hurting him to do anything with me. You'd be completely miserable and Edward would probably be hurt anyway because he could've read me thoughts. Chances are, if Edward had lived and Alice hadn't had the vision to prepare her for it, we'd all have destroyed each other with petty jealousy and pain. And honestly, I think I prefer things this way. I mean, yeah, we lost a lot over the last year, but we gained a lot too. And as mush as I miss Edward and will miss Alice, I wouldn't have changed anything that happened. And I know that Alice, Edward, and Charlie wouldn't either. We're all where we want to be, because that gives you the ability to be where you want to be, which is right here in my arms. That's where you're happy, and that's all any of us ever wanted was for you to be happy. We would give up anything and everything, just to see you happy. Do you understand that?" He questioned at the end of his speech.

I thought about his words. They were very comforting and sounded so right. I had always known that Edward's goal in life was my happiness. And hadn't his angel proven that his goal in death was the same thing. And Charlie, he died not knowing why, just knowing that he was protecting his little girl. And Alice she gave up everything just so I could be happy with Jasper. It all made sense.

"I suppose I do." I told him snuggling closer. "I just wish they didn't have to die."

"I know, love, I know." I whispered and kissed the top of my head. "I love you so much." he stated after a moment.

"I love you, too." I replied.

He then pulled me away from his body and lifted my chin so our lips met. His came down on mine gently. Somehow, this was the most gentle and most passionate kiss that we had ever shared. I could feel him pouring all of his sadness, grief, and pain into that kiss. I poured just as much of the same emotions into it as I kissed him back. We stayed like that for a long time, until we could no longer stand the discomfort of not breathing, and when we did pull apart, I found that I felt much better about everything.

"I'm going to take a shower, now." he whispered. "I won't be long, I promise. Esme should be back soon with the clothes." He kissed the top of my head again before getting off of the bed. "And I know how thirsty you must be, so Carlisle and I will find some way to get you some blood before we get on the plane tomorrow."

I just nodded as he went into the bathroom. I laid on the bed for a long minute, until I remembered that I was still holding the note from Alice. I unfolded it slowly and read through it very carefully.

Bella,

If you are reading this that means my vision came true and I'm no longer with you. I just want to tell you that what I did for Jasper was my decision . I know how you have a tendency to blame yourself for everything. Don't blame yourself for this. I chose to jump in front of Jasper and take the attack. Just like Edward chose to send you away from the fight that terrible day.

We did it because we love you and that's all there is too it. Don't be afraid to get close to Jasper just because of what he was to me. I want him to be that to you too. And don't worry about

Edward, either. He only ever wanted you to be happy. And if Jasper makes you happy then go for it.

Please allow Jasper to help you through what happened to me. I know he really helped you get over Edward. I hope that he'll be able to do it again. Please, let him. I don't want you to end up where we are. You have too much ahead of you for that. Let Jasper help you get there. Please.

Bella, you are one of the smartest, prettiest, and sweetest people I've ever met. I couldn't have asked for a better best friend and sister in this life. Don't let guilt over me stop you from being happy because that's not why I made my decision. I did it so you could be happy. So go be happy, even if it means being happy with Jasper.

I know you love me and don't want to hurt me but I don't want you to be miserable because of me. I wouldn't be a very good friend if I did that. Which is why I made this decision. I wanted to give you a second chance at happiness without the guilt. So just be happy and don't feel guilty.

I love you and hope that you will find the happiness in Jasper that I know is meant for you. Don't let what happened to me or Edward drive you away from him. You need her so please don't waste this chance I've given you?

Bella, you will always be my best friend and favorite sister. I just want you to be happy, so go be happy.

Your sister forever,

Alice

Alice had say the same things to me over and over again for the last few months. Yet, somehow, reading them, now after she was gone, was oddly comforting. In fact, after reading them, I was sure that everything was going to be just fine from now on.

A/N: Well, what do you guys think? Was it a good start to the ending? Could it have been stronger? Please tell me what you think.