Thanks for the support guys! You dearies are awesome! ^_^ Well, here ya go!

I sat against the tree, listening to Edward's retreating footfalls. They were getting quieter and faster. He was running away.

Away from me. If I could've cried, I would've been. I felt like he punched a hole in my chest with his words. I felt betrayed. He… reciprocated. He pulled me closer and kissed me. He came with me.

That's not something "brothers" do. No… We had a real moment together. My stone heart ached and I wanted to run after him and beg him not to leave me. Finally, the first time in God knows how long, I was happy. I was overcome with bliss in the clearing with Edward. Touching his skin, looking into his eyes- I was happy.

Why did he have to take that away from me?

I sat there until the sun went down and the nocturnal animals awoke from their slumber. The chirping of different insects pulled me from my thoughts.

"Jazzy? Where are you?"

No. Not insects. Alice.

"Jazzy! Why are you out here still? Edward got home like five hours ago! He said you were right behind him, but here you are, sitting on the ground and getting your clothes all dirty! I swear! You really need to-"

"Alice, just shut up. Shut the fuck up."

I stood up swiftly and walked past her. She had a stupid shocked expression on her face. Whatever. I ran, following Edward's faint trail, absorbing his wonderful scent. Alice wasn't behind me. I really didn't care.

I don't think I ever loved her.

/***/

When she walked into the café in Philadelphia so many years ago, I was fascinated by her golden eyes. Mine were bright red, as were every other vampire's. So why were hers yellow? She saw me almost immediately, and her entire face lit up. She absolutely radiated infatuation.

"Jasper! You've kept me waiting!"

I almost rolled my eyes. Who the fuck was she?

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, ma'am."

I said it sarcastically, trying to get her to leave me alone, but she took it as sincerity and practically yanked me out of the café. I left Maria's coven ten years before, and that was the first interaction I had with another vampire since I left. Thinking back, she could've killed me, but I really didn't care at the time. I was depressed and was contemplating upsetting the Volturi just so I had a way out. Instead, I let myself be pulled along by a pixie. She dragged me shopping, showed me how to survive on animals, and, to my dismay, married me. It was a spur of the moment decision. We went to Vegas and got hitched like a couple that got knocked up. She claimed that she was madly in love with me. I smiled and nodded and said "I do", because what else was there for me to do. Yes, I was indebt to her for showing me that I didn't have to kill people in order to quench my thirst. She also provided me company, although it was almost as bad as being alone again spending time with Alice, but I still had company. Eventually, when she was able to track them, she took me to meet the Cullens.

He was playing the piano when I walked in the house. His eyes were closed, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. He was playing Debussy's "Claire de Lune". I later learned that it was his favorite piece. Edward was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. Vampires are supposed to be beautiful in order to attract our prey, but he was other worldly. When he turned to me, I just about lost my composure. Alice explained our unannounced arrival to everyone, but I was trying to ogle at Edward without him noticing. He had a very guarded aura, as if he didn't want to get very close with anyone. He didn't speak to me until about a month after Alice and I arrived and started living with the Cullens.

"Why did you leave the South?"

Alice went ahead and blurted to everyone that I was a high ranking officer in a Southern Army. I wasn't going to say anything, but she went and opened her big, stupid mouth, so the whole family knew. They all asked polite questions about my time in the Southern Land Wars, but nothing too personal. I was taken aback slightly by Edward's question. Firstly, he hadn't talked to me before then, so I thought he didn't like me. Secondly, he probably could've just read my mind to figure out why.

"I, um, didn't want to participate in the mindless killing and violence. Being an empath, I felt everything my victims felt. It was quite awful."

He nodded and didn't push further. I like Edward, and we got along, but I never felt like I connected with him in the beginning. As time wore on, he opened up a bit more to me. On a few occasions, he let his loneliness become apparent, and all I wanted to do was console him. But every time I tried to get closer to him, something else came up, and I would be pushed out again. Eventually, I gave up trying.

Until today.

/***/

A mile or so away from the house, I heard music rolling through the air. It was soft, sinuous, and absolutely beautiful. As if drawn by a cord, I followed the music all the was to the house, and through the door to the music room.

Edward was at his grand piano, eyes shut, smile playing on his lips and completely enraptured by the picturesque melodies pouring from his fingers. My body began to sway and move on its own accord. I loved to dance, but I never found time to do it. Alice wasn't into dancing, and I had no one else to go with me. My own eyes closed as I was absorbed by Edward's composition. Time ceased, and I we were in our own little universe.

The song came to a stop, and I opened my eyes. Edward gazed at me with utter fascination. If I was still a human, I probably would've blushed. It was a bit embarrassing to be caught losing myself. I stood up straight and unnecessarily cleared my throat, trying to break the awkward silence.

Edward stood up and walked to me slowly. I didn't move. I couldn't move. I was like a bird caught in a serpent's gaze. He stopped a few inches from me and continued to look into my eyes in wonder. What did he see there? Why wasn't he saying anything?

"Edward, wh-"

He silenced me by placing a finger on my lips. He lowered his gaze for a moment, and then looked up again through his thick lashes. He mouthed, I'm sorry. Hesitantly, he stood on tip toes and, with his finger still on my lips, kissed me lightly on the mouth. There was barely a noise, so I knew no one else would hear it. Then, he turned and walked back to his piano and started to play Esme's favorite.

Some of my anger and sadness began to abate, and my heart felt lighter. I closed my eyes and slowly swayed to the rhythm.

Hope this chapter was better than the last!

Reviews are much appreciated!

Darkkite23=^..^=