I want to thank Edward-Cullen-Lova01 and Tango Dancer for pointing out the date mixup to me! I hit the wrong number, I didn't mean to put a four.

Edward-Cullen-Lova01, you mentioned that he was born in '43 and should have been bitten in '63. I agree with you, except the day the officers were ordered to clear the city of Galveston of it's people was October 4th, on 1862. Maybe SM didn't realize she had a problem in the time line. I don't know, we'd have to ask her. I'll just side with history, however, and say 1862. xD

I brushed my hair, changed, and then sat in the kitchen with Jasper as I ate breakfast.

Charlie came down after a while and hesitated in surprise. "Oh, hello Jasper. I didn't know you were coming over today."

Jasper forced a small smile, "Good morning, Chief Swan."

I informed my father, "Jasper invited me over to his house today."

Charlie asked as he went over to the fridge, "Aren't you doing anything with your aunt?"

Jasper promptly responded, "No, Emmett and Edward are taking her to Seattle for a movie. She is their mother, after all."

Charlie asked conversationally, "What about your sister and Alice?"

Jasper answered pleasantly, "Shopping trip. I'm saving Bella from being yanked along."

They both chuckled a little bit.

I was just stunned a little to see how fluidly the lies slipped out of his mouth. I could barely pull off a small lie!

Charlie smiled at me, "Well, have fun kiddo. I'll be down in La Push. Fishing with Harry and Billy this weekend. What time will you be back?"

I shrugged and he sighed lightly before going into the living room and turning on the TV.

Jasper asked me impatiently, "Are you ready, Bella?"

I glanced at him, "Sure. I'll go get my shoes."

Before I could blink, my shoes were on the table and he was back in the exact position he had been in, grinning.

I rolled my eyes, "Thanks."

He brushed my sarcasm aside, "You're welcome."

I stepped into my shoes and he took my arm, leading me to the front door. We waved to Charlie and he smiled before we left the house.

Jasper frowned, "Whoops."

I asked, "What."

He informed me, "I forgot to bring the car here. Let's say Rosalie dropped me off."

I shrugged and headed towards the truck.

He called, "Hey, wait."

Glancing over my shoulder I asked, "Are we ever leaving."

He smiled, "Let's go for a walk in your forest. It'll be fun."

I sighed, but as always, he got his way as I began to follow him into the trees.

I twined my hand around his and let my head fall onto his shoulder. The warm early-summer breeze ruffled my hair. I felt his arm stiffen as my scent blew into his face, but he kept himself firmly in control.

After a while I asked, "So, Jasper, what are you looking for down in Houston when we go?"

He was quiet and thoughtful for a second before deciding, "Kin." He smiled a little, "I won't call them family. The Cullens' are my family now, but it would be interesting to see how many Whitlocks' are still running around."

I smiled too, imaging some kids who look like little Jaspers' playing in a big grassy yard. Some great-great nephews or whatever.

I chuckled at the images in my head, "That might be fun." After a second I asked gently, "But what if you don't find any? Are you ready for that?"

I know it isn't plausible, but it's possible for his family line to have died out.

Jasper shrugged indifferently, "Then I don't find any."

I stumbled on a branch and he wrapped an arm around me, pulling me back onto my feet.

He grinned, "You do that a lot, don't you?"

I blushed, "Yes."

I laughed as he swept me off of my feet and held me against his chest. "Want to go for a run, darlin'?"

My blush deepened, "Sure."

He took off like a rocket and I closed my eyes, smiling a little bit. I was getting used to this, and as long as I don't look the wind whizzing past felt sort of nice.

Jasper came to a fluid stop and whispered into my ear, "Open your eyes, Bella."

I did so, and felt my body go ridged with horror. "Are you insane?"

We were in the top of a tree. A very tall tree, at least sixty feet off the ground!

Jasper warned, "Don't move."

I stiffened and clung onto him, terror rolling off of me.

He was standing on the branch, perfectly balanced, as he held me. If I knocked him off balance we were both going to fall.

I could barely breath when I whispered again, "You, Jasper, are insane!"

Jasper chuckled very lightly and moved me so that my feet were planted on the tree. I wrapped my arms behind my back, securing them around the thick trunk.

He turned gracefully and set a hand next to my head, leaning over me.

A smile curled across his face, "You look so pretty when you're scared."

I scoffed, "If I wasn't clinging for my life right now, I would hit you."

His dark golden eyes were serious, "Do you want to go back down?"

I was quaking, but I trusted Jasper. If he thought we were safe up here, I believed him. He'd never have done this if he didn't believe he'd catch me once I fall. If he somehow lets me fall.

"No, we can stay up here for as long as you want. I trust you."

Jasper leaned forward and kissed my neck, "I love you, Bella."

I forced myself not to move. He seemed in control, but his eyes were a lot darker then usual, and I wasn't taking chances.

I carefully breathed then agreed, "I love you too, Jazz."

I heard his chuckle, it was the first time I've ever used the nickname his family had given him.

He asked, "Bella, do you trust me? With your life?"

I answered instantly "Of course."

He took a step closer and set his hands on my hips, holding me firmly. His tongue carefully slid across my neck and my breath hitched. I stayed completely, totally, still.

I felt my heart skip a beat when his teeth very gently nipped my skin.

I firmly told myself that he was in control right now.

I was in no danger.

Jasper would never allow himself to do this if he didn't think he could.

Suddenly, a fierce, guttural, snarl filled the air and at first a flash of panic shot through me, setting my veins aflame.