Author's Note: I'm oh so sorry for the colossal wait you had for this chapter. I kind of dropped the ball on the whole 'ultra fast' updates, and I really am sorry.

This chapter is dedicated to EverlastingMuse, for reminding me to update.

And a huge thank you to those who have reviewed the story thus far. I was reading them all for inspiration, and y'all make me so happy :) So, thank you!

Quick Story Re-Cap: Before Bella's first day of Forks High, she was bitten by Maria, who was in town to visit Jasper. 35 years later, Maria and her coven has been destroyed by the Volturi, minus the few he decided to take as prizes, and Bella, who was out of the state on business for Maria. Upon returning home, Bella finds her family destroyed, and is out looking for Jasper, who is the only person she knows of who could possibly hold any answers for her of her existence.

And without further ado, chapter seven...

Chapter Music: Heading For Nowhere, Jets Overhead

Chapter Seven: Collision

Even though she hadn't wanted to, Alice had pointed them in the right direction, telling them where, in the future, they would cross paths with a very angry and confused Isabella Swan. Emmett had been on board from the moment the idea had crossed Jasper's lips, but Edward had taken more convincing, not wanting to get in between Bella and her search for vengeance. It was only Alice's visions and temper that made him come.

They stood in a clearing not too far from their house that bordered north and south territory. Ancient trees of all descent towered over them, providing welcomed relief from the ever pounding sun. It was best not to attract attention until it was absolutely necessary, and according to Alice, that would be soon.

Jasper stood in front of his brothers, hoping that he would be the first person she saw. Emmett and Edward flanked him, standing slightly back, ready to jump in at a moment's notice. Emmett was rocking on his heels in excitement on Jasper's left and Edward's gaze was swinging back and forth on his right.

"Any second now," Edward breathed, replaying Alice's vision over and over again. Bella was to storm in rather violently, trying to attack Jasper as soon as he identified himself. Emmett would hold her while Edward and Jasper would talk her down and convince her to come home with them to talk to Carlisle and the rest of the family. It was sketchy from then, but Alice was sure if they could get Bella back to the house, all would be well.

Edward was fairly certain it would end in bloodshed. Bella was a temperamental, unstable vampire. It would be better to end her misery and go on with their lives, but Jasper wouldn't have it, meaning neither would Alice.

Sighing, Edward continued his scans on the forested areas, hoping to be the first to spot her.

Turned out, Emmett would see her first.

"Shit, she looks mad." He cursed under his breath, taking a defensive stance. Edward swung his gaze to where Emmett was staring, just in time to see Bella burst through the trees at full tilt and stop just in time to not collide with Jasper.

She looked confused, and Edward assumed she was going to just go around them, but her eyes narrowed as she studied Jasper, as though recognizing him.

"Do I know you?" She asked, nostrils flaring as she took in their scents.

Jasper cleared his throat, "My name is Jasper Whitlock."

Bella's eyes sparked with something dangerous, and Emmett took a step forward, putting him level with Jasper.

"You...you're Jasper. Maria's Jasper?" She demanded, her voice low. Edward took a step forward, putting himself flush with his brothers. He had seen this through Alice: Jasper would admit to being the one Bella sought, and she would attack.

"No, not Maria's, not anymore." Jasper said in an even tone, his tawny eyes never leaving Bella's restless form. She frowned, her brow scrunching, and Edward realized that something was wrong.

She wasn't attacking like in Alice's vision.

And he couldn't hear what was going on in her head.

Edward took another step forward, tilting his head to the side as his eyes bore tunnels into her skull, trying to find the secrets she had somehow locked away from him. How was she keeping him out? He had never encountered a mind he couldn't read.

Bella eyed him warily as she came to her conclusion. Returning her focus to Jasper, all the while staying aware of the tall, bronze haired predator that crept towards her. All of the emotions she had kept at bay with her determination to find Jasper spilled out. "I don't know what to do."

Jasper couldn't believe his luck. He had felt Alice's panic as she felt the future shift, had felt Edward's frustration when he acted like he was deaf. Edward couldn't read Bella's thoughts, so Jasper was sure he wouldn't be able to influence her emotions.

But he studied her influx of feelings as she stood there, deliberating what he had said, and with subtle prods and pulls, had brought all of her unstable and upset emotions as he gently buried the violent ones. He almost sighed with relief when she admitted not knowing what to do, her voice breaking in the middle, unsheddable tears welling in her big brown eyes.

Although he knew what emotions she was under the influence of, he had never expected her to cross the distance between them and rest her forehead against his chest.

"I need help." She whispered into his shirt, and he felt Emmett's shock and Edward's confusion. They had been expecting a more violent encounter, and yet, here stood Isabella, resting her head on Jasper.

"We will help you. You are welcome with us until you find the answers you need." He replied softly, much to the disapproval of Edward. Emmett, luckily enough, felt some kind of kinship with the broken girl, and put his hand on her shoulder and steered her back to the house at a nice, even human pace. Jasper and Edward stood in the clearing, watching them retreat until they were out of hearing range.

"I know you played with her emotions." Edward said, his eyes still trained on the direction Bella and Emmett had left.

"I know," Jasper sighed, rubbing his eyes with one scarred hand.

"Then you know when your effect on her wears off, she will look for answers, and she will be angry."

Jasper nodded, "Very angry."

Edward turned to his brother. "Then why? Why calm her down to only have her attack later?"

"Because she's been angry for the past two days. She needs to feel something different now." Jasper turned sad eyes on Edward before he started his trek back to the house, where his wife waited anxiously for him so they could discuss the new turn of events.

Edward stayed behind, thinking what a bad idea this was.

It will be up to me to stop her.

Author's Note: Side note: Bella's only so weepy because Jasper's made her that way. Believe me; this Bella and Book Bella don't coincide with her whole 'I forgive you everything!' attitude. No, this Bella is the type that gets pissed. Shit will go down.

It's gonna be great.

Again, a thousand apologies for leaving you alone for so long. But on the plus side, I won NaNoWriMo. Yay?

If anyone has any music you think would match the kind of scheme I've set up (Indie-Alternative), please let me know! I've run out of viable options at the moment, and I'd love to hear from y'all.

Thanks!

-Maggie