Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
The damp morning air floated over Carlisle's livid face as he strode down the deserted street. He ignored his ugly surroundings, the cracked sidewalk and faded buildings that blended into each other like the world's dullest jigsaw puzzle. The nearly dead vegetation poking through the spots where there wasn't some form of concrete or asphalt smothering the natural earth beneath. The mounds of garbage piled precariously on street corners.
It was all there, looming, just like every other day. But Carlisle didn't notice it. He just kept loping down the street.
Until he realized he had no idea where the hell he was going.
He growled under his breath and leaned against a faded brick wall, and only then did he notice his surroundings. But only long enough to add them to the large pile of reasons why he was angry with Edward. He could've be out in the country, a small town doctor maybe, and Esme could fix up a house like she'd always wanted to do.
But not anymore. Now he was doomed to spent who knows how long in this vile city. Because of Edward.
Carlisle sighed and put his head in his hands, just standing there, trying to clear his jumbled mind. He was usually such a calm person. Collected, mature, always the one to handle problems with ease. But having his life torn out from underneath him had finally made him lose his balance.
He felt a cool hand on his shoulder and jolted up, coming face to face with Edward. He tried to keep the frown off his face. It was stuck on there.
"I'm sorry Carlisle." Edward whispered, his face solemn.
"You ruined my dream Edward. My passion was to be a doctor, it was what I was meant to do in this life." he replied coolly. Edward swallowed thickly.
"Carlisle, I know. I can't take it back now, and what I did was terrible, dragging you into a fight when I knew the consequences could turn out badly. But I'm asking for your forgiveness. You're the noblest person I know, and I think of you as a father. Please Carlisle." he begged.
Carlisle's eyes widened, surprised Edward felt that way. He'd assumed he was just a pawn in Edward's ever present schemes.
"And I…think of you as a son Edward. I'm not going to deny that. But I can't forgive you that easily. I lost my medical degree because I was caught in the middle of your illegal incidents. But…I'm sure I'll forgive you soon. I always do." he finished with a resigned sigh. He was well aware his anger would fade sooner rather than later, but that didn't mean he had to like it.
Edward flashed him a lopsided grin.
"I'll make it up to you one day Carlisle. I don't know how or when, but I promise I will. I refuse to work for the Volturi anymore. I'm calling them tomorrow to say I'm out, that they owe me now." Edward stated.
"Hmm…I don't think that will be necessary, Edward." A feminine voice said from the left of them.
Edward's whipped his head around to a terrifying sight.
Jane.
The petite young woman stood lazily on the sidewalk, her hip jutting out as she leaned carelessly against the gray building. She wore jeans and a simple blue jacket. It was a striking contrast to the flowing black robes usually worn by the Volturi gang. Her blonde hair that was tied up into a loose bun bobbed as she tilted her head to the side.
"Judging by the look on your face I'm guessing you're not happy to see me?" she muttered nonchalantly.
"I'm getting that a lot nowadays. Guess my reputation is spreading." she said with a leer. Edward's breath caught in terror. Jane grinned wider.
"What? Scared of a girl? Not so brave without your shield wife to protect you?" she taunted. Edward snarled.
"Don't bring her into this."
"Oooo, a little testy are we?" Jane asked with a mocking grin. Then her face became stone cold, all traces of teasing erased as if by the passing wind.
"So, I overheard you're planning to stop repaying your debt to Aro?" she demanded.
"Yes. We took out a group that was giving him problems. James, Victoria, and Laurent. I'm sure you're aware of them. I think that pays off my debt" Edward said evenly, waiting for the sharp stabs of pain to course through him as they always did when he told Jane anything different from what she wanted to hear. But they never came. He glanced up at her. She had a startled look on her face.
"Really? Well that's news to me, I just came to check up on your other mission. I suppose that doesn't really matter now. But how am I supposed to know you're telling the truth? Do you have proof with you?"
Edward opened his mouth and then closed it.
"No." he murmured. Jane smiled.
"I'm sure you can come up with a better answer than that, Edward." She flashed her eyes up quickly to meet his, pouring her gift into his eyes. He yelped in pain, falling with a thud onto the cracked concrete.
"Stop!" Carlisle yelled, his eyes wide in panic.
Edward had never told him there were other people with talents like Bella's.
Jane did stop. And she turned her gaze to Carlisle. He fell to the ground alongside Edward, the breath knocked out of him. Edward jumped to his feet, growling.
"Stop! I have proof!" a musical voice shouted. Jane looked up, her eyes now so seemingly innocent. But she seemed drained of energy, her shoulders drooped slightly and circles were forming beneath her eyes.
Edward turned around to the sight of little Alice sprinting down the sidewalk, her green dress swishing in the light wind. She came to a graceful stop at Edward's side. Her grey-blue eyes were determined, and for the first time sense Edward had met her, they were angry.
"I have proof." Alice muttered. Jane raised her eyebrows.
"Well, I think we should go for a little trip then." Jane stated, her voice sugar-sweet. Alice nodded.
"Alice!" Jasper's anguished voice shouted from the doorway of the apartment. He started to limp down the sidewalk, his face contorted in pain and panic.
"Don't touch her." he snarled at Jane, wrapping a shaking arm around Alice's waist. Jane rolled her eyes.
"She's the one who came running out here all hero-like, trying to "save" Edward and his friend. They wouldn't have any lasting side effects, it's just artificial pain." she sneered.
Alice seemed confused.
"Artificial pain?"
"It's a gift." Jane stated airily. "Now, show me this "proof" of yours."
"The bodies are back in the cabin a few miles away." Alice said strongly, helping Jasper to the ground, where he leaned against the wall with a sigh and smile toward Alice and a glare toward Jane.
"Okay, but you're coming with me Alice. I can't have Edward, the king of trickery, try and pull something. Capers and scandals don't work for Volturi members."
Jasper growled.
"Take me instead." he pleaded. Jane shook her head with another sneer.
"Only Alice."
Alice dropped down beside Jasper, taking his livid and scared face in her small hands. She put her emotions into her eyes, telling him she'd be fine. Even though he could clearly feel the confidence and assurance radiating from her, he didn't believe it easily.
"Jasper, we have to do what she says, who knows what could happen? There are probably other gang members hiding here now." Alice whispered, her cool breath flowing over his ear. He sent her a panicked look, but nodded. She stood up straight, her eyes turning dark.
"Let's get this over with." she muttered. Jane motioned for Alice to follow her, and they started down the street. Jane paused, turning back around swiftly.
"Whoops, almost forgot something." she sent a torturous glance at Jasper, and he gasped in pain, clasping his fists together. As quickly as it started, it stopped, and Jane continued walking as if nothing happened.
"That one was for Maria, by the way. I saw her the other day." Jane called carelessly over her shoulder.
Alice was still frozen, a single tear running down her cheek.
She looked to Jasper for reassurance that he was okay, but he wouldn't meet her gaze. And that scared Alice more then almost anything else she'd been through the past few weeks. His eyes were full of betrayal, mistrust, pain, hate, and…hurt.
"Move it, Alice." Jane snarled. She turned from Jasper reluctantly. She was sure he could feel the hurt radiating from her more potent and searing than the sun. But he still wouldn't meet her eyes. She bit her lip and followed after Jane.
They went around the corner, and she motioned to a parked car near the sidewalk. Alice climbed in that backseat and Jane climbed in the passenger side. A man was driving that looked strikingly similar to Jane, but he had a completely stoic look on his face, while Jane's face was smug. The man started up the engine, pulling onto the street.
Alice had one of her fluttering feelings in the back of her mind, telling her Jane only mentioned "Maria" to hurt Jasper. And possibly her.
"Who's Maria?" she demanded. Jane laughed.
"Jasper didn't tell you? You two looked pretty close, I'm surprised." she said airily.
Alice ground her teeth, holding back a remark. But she couldn't help but feel wounded. Did Jasper not trust her? Alice violently shook her head, scolding herself internally. There must be some other explanation.
Or maybe there was a simple reason. Maybe it hurt him to talk about it. Or maybe there just hadn't been enough time. They had only had a few moments alone since this whole ordeal started. Alice bit her lip, deciding to just let Jasper take control of this decision. He could tell her when he was ready.
Alice told Jane the turn to make and they headed down the long driveway. Jane walked in the cabin and came out a few minutes later, a small phone to her ear. Alice saw her nod a few times. She snapped the phone shut and got in the car.
"Aro is very pleased. He agreed that Edward and Bella should be let off the hook." Jane muttered in a dead voice. She'd wanted violence.
"You're just lucky Caius wasn't there."
Alice couldn't keep the grin off her face. They drove back to Carlisle's apartment and Alice ran to the front door as Jane pulled away. She threw open the door. Everyone was gathered in the living room, their faces somber. Esme stood up swiftly, wrapping Alice in a tight hug.
"I'm so glad you're okay dear." she breathed. Alice smiled softly.
"You guys are free." she said to Bella and Edward, but her eyes searched the room for Jasper. He wasn't there. Bella noticed. She motioned stealthy to the staircase, passing it off as if she was throwing her arms around Edward. Edward buried his face in her neck and she kissed the top of his head lightly.
"I'm going to take a nap." Alice murmured, slipping around the corner and up the stairs. She knocked lightly on the bedroom door before entering.
Jasper was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking out the window. His posture was stiff. He turned to Alice and gave her a lazy grin, thawing out and patting the bed beside him. She sat down, curling into his side.
"I'm sorry, Alice." he whispered, pulling her close. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"I know." she whispered.
"Of course, you know everything." he teased.
"Yes I do." she agreed easily. He chuckled, then sighed.
"I suppose I have some explaining to do." he murmured.
"Whenever you're ready. Don't rush. I can wait forever if need be." Alice promised. Jasper smiled.
"Don't worry, I won't make you wait forever. I can tell patience isn't your strong suit. And you deserve to know everything, to know if you really want to spend forever with me." Alice rolled her eyes.
"It's a little late for that Jasper. I'm yours. And whether you like it or not, you're mine." she murmured. Jasper grinned.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
A/N: Hello! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, you guys are AMAZING! I'm hoping everything in this chapter made sense, but if something was confusing, please tell me! Bella's gift is the same as in Breaking Dawn, so is Jane's. And, if ya get a chance, please review!