In honor of this story being my very first to hit (almost) 250 reviews, I just want to take a second to say hello to the little fanclub that reviews every chapter of the story. Romance4ever, snowfire81, CeruleanKitten, Music ADD, FRK921, LittleMissGiggles'94', Angels And Airwaves, WonderfullyMade5, iheartquestionmark95. YOU GUYS ROCK! If I missed anyone, sorry! I love you, too. xD

I regained consciousness when a too-powerful, incense-like, smell clogged my sinuses.

A cold arm was under my neck, supporting my body as I was cradled against a familiar, rock-solid chest.

I moaned and Jasper excitedly called, "Carlisle, she's waking up!"

His freezing hand touched my cheek but I didn't flinch away.

I was used to the cold, I wanted the cold. I let my head fall to the side and I leaned into his gentle touch.

Carlisle asked, "Bella, can you hear me?"

Images of what made me pass out flashed across my mind and I trembled, whimpering slightly.

Jasper sounded frustrated, "What's wrong with her, Carlisle? What happened?"

The doctor patiently reported, "She was not expecting to see what she has, Jasper. Her mind is only protecting it's self, guarding her from it until she's ready to accept what she's witnessed. It's perfectly normal."

I tightened my hand around who's ever was holding it and asked what my mind deemed most important, "Rosalie?"

Yes, you heard right.

I wanted to know if Rosalie was safe.

I had seen Alice win her battle, but I had not seen Rosalie defeat Victoria. I only heard that terrible squelch, which very well could have

been Jasper's sister's head.

Jasper laughed gently and promised, "We're all safe, Bella. Can you open your eyes?"

I snapped my lids apart, and found myself staring right at Jasper.

I smiled, "Hey, cowboy."

Oh, yeah, that.

After he told me he was born and raised; as a human at least; in Texas- it's kind of fun to tease him.

He grinned, letting his incredibly sexy accent become playfully thick, "Why, hello there, little darlin'."

I blushed and struggled to sit up. He helped me, still holding me for support.

My eyes instantly snapped onto a sick-looking black flame. Thick, oily, purple smoke was billowing from it slowly. That's what that really strong smell was coming from.

I frowned and asked timidly, "Is that… them?"

I could see the blackening heap the smoke was coming from, and assumed it was James and Victoria.

Jasper frowned as well, "Yeah, it is. Well, was."

I flickered my eyes warily to Laurent, who was talking to Esme and Emmett a few meters away. He didn't look at all remorseful.

My attention was drawn back to Jasper.

Rather, his arms.

He was rubbing his forearm with the opposite hand, his eyes drifting towards the conversations too far away for me to hear.

I moved his hand and found myself looking at his scarred flesh.

Near the wrist, and near the elbow, there were two new wounds.

I could tell they were new because they were not silver like they should be. They were not scarred yet.

They were a dark shade of purple, like the bruises under his eyes.

I frowned, "This is what happens when you get bitten?"

He shrugged, "Well, yes."

I snuggled against his chest and awed, "Does it hurt?"

He has so many! I've seen him without a shirt before; I have seen the thousands of scars that littered every inch of his poor body. Had they all hurt?

Jasper admitted, "Yes, it does, but it will fade."

Carlisle was still with us, and he asked suddenly, "Bella, how do you feel? Are you light headed or dizzy?"

I shook my head and promised, "I'm fine now."

He smiled and affectionately tucked some hair behind my ear before he stood up and walked over to the small congregation.

Rosalie was closer then I had realized, crouched down not five feet away from Jasper and me. Her eyes were thoughtful and intense as she stared at me.

I realized that two people were missing and panicked, "Where's Alice and Edward?"

Jasper stood up, pulling me against his chest. Instinctively I wrapped my arms around his neck.

He reported, "Edward said he heard James thinking something about Alice and they went home to talk in private for a while."

I blinked, "Oh."

He smiled and bent his head down to kiss me. It lasted just a second, but it was long enough to make my heart flutter.

He insisted, "You should get home and rest."

I snuggled against his chest, closing my eyes as he began to run.

I woke up early; glad it was Saturday, because I really didn't want to go to school.

I found Jasper sitting in my computer chair, staring at my calendar.

I asked, "What's caught your attention?"

He smiled at me from over his shoulder, "The date. Tomorrow is the 14th, Mother's day. Memorial day is on the 29th."

I asked, "Are we doing anything for either?"

I would love to spend the day with Esme and the rest of the Cullens' if that's what she wants. Or, if she wants the day to herself, staying away isn't a problem.

And, I should realize, Memorial Day might be very important for Jasper. He was in a war, after all.

Jasper sighed, "Carlisle's working late on the 14th, so Emmett and Rosalie are going to take her out on a special hunt."

I asked gently, "Do you want to do something for Memorial Day?"

He smiled softly, "If you want to help, then sure. Every year Edward, Alice, and I stick a little flag by all gravestones of Veterans in a near-by cemetery. The Forks one is really small, so we're going to Seattle, too."

I was oddly intrigued to learn that they do this. "That's very nice of you guys. I'm sure the families appreciate it."

Jasper's eyes wandered out the window, "They do."

His voice was thick with emotion, I wanted to know why.

I walked over to him and sat on his lap, "What's on your mind, Jasper?"

He looked into my eyes and recited, "Major Jasper Whitlock. 23 years young. A friend and a brother to many. Missing In Action October 4th, 1862."

His eyes had grown grave and he whispered, "That's what is says in Galveston, where my old buddies set up an empty grave for me. I saw it for the first time when I was leaving Maria, with Peter and Charlotte. It had our flag, the Confederate flag, set on top of it."

He laughed a little, "It couldn't have even been any of them, they'd all have passed on. It must have been one of their children. Back in 1930 it wasn't un-natural for your child to honor one of your old friends."

He smiled gently, his eyes suddenly bright and thoughtful.

I rested my head against his shoulder and teased playfully, "I would have put a flag on for you."

His deep, rich, laugh filled the room and he kissed me. "Why thank you, Ms. Swan."

I sat happily in his arms as he answered the phone, as always, before it rang. "Jasper here."

Two seconds passed and Jasper glanced at me, "Bella, do you have any plans for the summer?"

School ends on June 6th, so in less than a month.

I remembered, "I'm visiting mom and Phil in Jacksonville in early July, but besides that, no."

Jasper smiled and answered whoever he was on the phone with, "I will, I will, calm down. See you later, Alice."

He hung up and looked at me again, "July what?"

I was suspicious, of course, but I answered, "The 2nd until the 16th. Why?"

He ginned, "Do you want to go sight seeing in some other states down south? Florida is pretty close."

I propped an elbow against his chest and rested my cheek on my palm. "Okay, I'll bite, what are you talking about?"

He explained, "Yesterday, Edward heard James thinking about Alice. Apparently, she was in an asylum because she had premonitions as a child. He was going to hunt her, but her caretaker was an elder vampire who bit her and saved her. He was remembering how she didn't even seem to realize the pain she was in, and that he wasn't about to mess with a newborn, so he just killed the one who change her instead."

I felt my mouth fall open and I gasped, "That's terrible!"

So, that's why she was all alone when she woke up.

Jasper sighed, "Yes, it is. She wants to go to that town, Biloxi Mississippi, and see what she can learn about herself. I'm going with her, and so is Edward. On the way back…"

He hesitated and I patiently waited for him to finish.

He cleared his throat, "On the way back, we're going to take a peek around Houston. It's only 400 or so miles from Biloxi."

He was going to visit his old home?

He wanted me to come with him?

I wasn't sure if he was being polite, or if he thought it might be fun, or if he needed some emotional support.

No matter what the reason, I eagerly accepted, "Of course I'll come with you."