This is where New Moon starts.

I'd like to take a moment to dedicate the chapter to three particular readers. Insideitall, Angel-Cullen-46, and aredente farfalla. Telling me you are guys are addicted to the story really made my day. lol

The next month seemed to fly by. It was the absolute greatest month of my entire life.

Today was the second week of school. It was the 13th.

It was, unfortunately, my birthday.

I was informed yesterday that Alice was throwing a small party, and I was going to come, and Charlie was in on it! The second the school bell rang I sulked outside of the school.

Edward nudged me, "C'mon Bella, it's your birthday! Smile!"

I glared daggers at him and he laughed, stalking towards his car.

Alice grinned, "See you at the house, Bella." She skipped after Edward and I rolled my eyes, going over to Jasper's car.

He leaned over to kiss me the second I was seated and declared, "Happy birthday, Bella!"

Despite my requests, he refused to pretend today was normal.

'Bella, you're a year closer to our maybe-forever. Why should I pretend it isn't a special day?'

That's what he said. And, when he words it like that, how am I supposed to disagree?

We talked about nothing in particular during the drive, and pulled into the garage.

I grumbled, "Here we go."

Jasper laughed and held my hand as he led me into the living room. My steps faltered and my eyes widened when I saw it.

Little candle bowls were everywhere. There was a table with a cake, and presents, and the others were hovering around the room waiting for my arrival.

Esme was on the love seat. Edward lounged on the floor in front of her, waving when I glanced at him.

Alice was in the recliner, holding Silas in her lap.

I was whisked over to the couch with Jasper. I shot Alice an unhappy glare, and she just smirked.

Esme announced, "The others wanted to be here, but Rose and Emmett's flight is delayed, and Carlise had an emergency."

I smiled, "It's okay." Less people meant less fuss, which was fine with me.

Jasper handed me a box, "Open this first."

I asked first, "Who's it from?"

"Alice and Edward."

I slipped my finger under the wrapping paper, hissing and yanking my hand promptly away a moment later.

I grumbled, "Paper cut."

That's when it happened.

It wasn't like I had imagined it might be. There was no snarling, no drama, and absolutely no warning.

The second that single drop of blood bubbled onto the tip of my finger was the same second Jasper finally lost his control.

I gasped when I felt his teeth, sharper than anything I've ever felt before, slice right into the flesh on my neck. First the fire was from the bite it's self, but then it intensified.

I felt him suck against the wound and I flinched, my body going rigid. It felt so very strange, and painful, at the same time.

I very vaguely heard the others shouting. My mind was solely concentrated on the two of us. I didn't make out any words.

Jasper was giving in into his wilder side. I had to tame it, if I didn't want to die.

I closed my eyes and managed to whimper, "Jasper."

My voice was haggard with a mixture of shock and agony. I was getting light headed.

I felt Jasper's body stiffen and I took in a shuttering breath before whispering, "Jasper, let go."

For one long second nothing happened.

Then, suddenly, Jasper detached from me, pulling away so violently he tumbled right onto the floor.

Seeing him was surprising. His eyes were a dark black, and they had a haunted look to them. He was taking in short, sharp breaths. Almost like the breathing was hurting him. His face was so very pale it looked like snow, and there was blood smeared on his mouth.

My blood.

I flinched and clutched at the wound as the fire, worse than anything I have ever felt before, stabbed through my neck. It was worse, even, than when I broke my leg.

Jasper croaked, "Oh God, t-the ve-venom!"

Edward had left the room, and taken Silas with him. I was glad, the very idea of my little Silas accidently being bitten was enough to make my heart cry.

Esme helped Jasper back to his feet and Alice was beside me in an instant. She moved my hand away from my neck as I began to tremble, gasping for air. Fire was beginning to spread through me. Into my throat, and my chest, and my lungs.

I felt my eyes start to water and I wailed, "It's burning!"

Jasper began to panic, "Oh my god, she's going to turn. She's going to… Oh god!! Bella, I'm so sorry,

I never wanted this. Not like this."

Esme asked, "Alice, can't you help her? Can't you do something for her?"

The fire was starting to claw at my stomach now.

It was Alice's turn to fret. She whined, "I can't! What if I don't let go?"

I flinched as the throbbing began and whined, "Jasper, w-what's going on? Can't you make the burn stop?"

He was my own personal morphine, wasn't he?

Jasper stumbled over to the couch and the others instantly moved out of his way. You just didn't get between mates in the vampire world unless you wanted to loose an arm.

He sat down beside me, his eyes wider then a pair of full moons.

He pulled me into his arms and I trembled against his chest. He whispered, "I can't make it go away, Bella, not this time."

I struggled for air as more and more of my body seemed to be catching on fire. I was sobbing now, even though I couldn't feel it. I only knew it because my vision was so blurry I couldn't see.

I begged him for information, "J-Jasper what's g-going on?"

I felt him laying me down on the couch, his cool forehead pressing against my chest. He sounded agonized, "Bella, the venom, it's spreading."

I breathed, "What v-venom?"

A horrible spasm of electricity rocketed through my body and he groaned. I realized that he was feeling what I was feeling. He was sharing in my hurt if he wanted to or not. If I wanted him to or not.

I felt his body starting to quiver, he was crying. No tears would ever fall from his beautiful golden eyes, but he was still crying all the same.

My body was screaming to me, every nerve felt like it was being tugged in the wrong direction. However, I managed to weakly squeeze Jasper's hand and ask, "What's wrong?"

He whispered, again, "I'm sorry, Bella. I couldn't help it, I didn't mean for this to happen like this."

Esme warned, "Alice, it's going to spread too far. You're the only on that can do it. You're the only one strong enough."

Alice looked horrified for a moment before determination flashed across her eyes. She violently shoved Jasper off the couch and growled, "Get out of here, you idiot."

I opened my mouth to protest her anger at him, but rather then words a scream ripped out of my throat. It hurt so much! Worse than anything I have ever felt, tenfold.

Alice knelt down beside me and asked, "Do you want me to help you, Bella? You might die, but I can try to make the pain go away."

Death wasn't something I was afraid of. I never have been. This horrible fire that was eating me alive was worse than death, I was sure of it.

I squealed as another ripple of flames shot through my throat, "Yes, yes! Please Alice, please!"

Alice took a deep breath then lowered her head. I felt her cold lips press against my wound, and flinched when her teeth re-pierced the flesh. I began to get light headed as she started to remove the infected blood. The burn began to dull, and lessen in perimeter.

Jasper excitedly announced, "It's working!! You're doing it Alice!"

My vision started to go black. The last thing I heard before I grew unconscious was Esme's voice instructing, "Alice, she's fine now. You need to let go…"