A/N: Okay, I am very very very very very sorry that it has been so long since I updated. I am a disgrace. But this chapter is totally worth it.

Anyone who is emotionally unstable/suicidal DO NOT READ THIS! It is extremely sad and I don't want to send anyone over the edge!

Chapter 10 – Confrontation

I wanted nothing more than to rip Maria's throat out. The bloodlust was overwhelming, but I managed to contain myself. I stood strong, at my husband's side. Edward held me back with one arm.

"Maria, why are you doing this?" Jasper asked.

"Well, I had to get you here somehow!" she smirked. My fury erupted. My shield sprang out from me and enclosed the ones I loved.

"Just give Alice back to me. Please. You can take me, just don't hurt her."

"No Jasper don't!" Alice shrieked.

"SHUT UP!" Maria hissed back at Alice.

Jasper was suddenly furious. "Don't you dare talk to my wife like that again!" he snarled.

"Or what? I'm not afraid of you and your stupid golden-eyed 'family'. You seem to forget my lovely friends over here." She pointed to the gang of bloodthirsty newborns. "To be honest Jasper, I expected more from you."

"Things have changed Maria. I've changed."

"So tell me, Jasper Whitlock, or should I say Cullen." She sneered at the name. "Why did you leave me?"

"That life wasn't right for me, Maria. I was fed up with killing. That was all we ever did. Just fought and killed. I'd had enough."

"So you became one of them did you?" Maria pointed towards us now. "I didn't realise you were so fond of the vegetarian lifestyle."

"You know I don't enjoy that part. It's hard for me, even now, to think of humans as people and not food. But this is where I belong, with Alice. She has shown me so many emotions I'd never experienced with you. Happiness, freedom, hope ... and love. All I ever felt with you was hate and anger. I love her Maria. Please, I beg you, let Alice go!"

"What and just let you walk off into the sunset? I don't think so. I haven't finished with you yet."

This was a nightmare. I wanted to have Alice back with us, to have her safely within the boundaries of my shield. I kept my eyes on her panicked face and I didn't need Edward to know what she was thinking. She wouldn't be worrying about the fact that she was surrounded by ten ferocious killers. Oh no. She would be worrying about Jasper, her true love. Every time Maria took a step towards him, her thin lips trembled.

"Okay, so you left me. Where did you go?"

"I wandered, for a while. Then Alice found me." Jasper smiled reliving the old memories. "She told me about the Cullens, that she'd seen us with them, so we went to look for them."

"And they just accepted you with open arms did they? Even someone with a history like you?"

Carlisle took a step forward. "Actually Maria, we did just accept him like that. And believe me, I was fully aware of Jasper's past."

"I've heard enough. You Cullens are all talk and no action. Come on Jasper, fight back a bit. You know you want to."

"No."

"Have it your way then." Maria tensed herself and crouched, ready to spring. The newborns followed her lead. I shook off Edward's arm and braced myself. Our minds were safe enough, but my shield was useless against physical attack. I didn't care. I wanted to fight, to make Maria pay. A snarl escaped my lips.

Two things happened at precisely the same moment. Maria pounced, her teeth bared, flying at Jasper's neck. He tensed himself, but it didn't matter, she never made it that far. Something large and grey flew from the trees and jumped in between her and Jasper. Maria's teeth closed around its neck and I heard the sickening crunch as she snapped its neck. Maria froze and backed away, realising it wasn't Jasper. I was too stunned to speak as I watched Leah's body fall to the ground like a broken puppet.

A/N: *sobs* Please cheer me up by reviewing! xxxxx