Wasteland

Chapter 9

Disclaimer : Still don't own Jasper. Stephenie Meyer does.

Quick note : In case you've forgotten, Jasper got Alice's necklace from their bedroom before he left for Italy. I had forgotten about it myself, so I decided to make it reappear in this chapter.

The sound seemed to echo louder than I was planning to as I knocked three times on the door. I glanced around me briefly as I shoved my hand back in my wrinkled jacket, but the hall behind me was thankfully deserted. I absently toyed with the Alice's necklace residing at the bottom of the pocket while I waited.

I was expecting a "come in", and I nearly jumped when the door abruptly opened. Carlisle stood in front of me, his eyes wide as if he had seen a ghost as he stared at me. I realized I was staring too, and cleared my throat. "May I come in?"

"Yes! Yes, please do." He held the door open for me before closing it once more as soon as I had stepped in his office. I let out a breath, pleased that it wasn't like the rest of the hospital. A large desk was at the end of the room, with many shelves holding books behind it. Here and there, I recognized objects that belonged to him. It was cozy, just like his study at home.

Before I could sit down on the couch by my side, Carlisle pulled me into his arms and embraced me. I stiffened at first, used to this kind of thing from Esme, before I awkwardly returned the hug. "Oh, son. I'm so glad you've decided to come back."

He let me go. "Did you go see Esme yet? She'll be thrilled to know you're back." I looked at him for a moment before answering. "No, I haven't gone to see her yet. I came here as soon as I got off the plane. I don't know for how long I'll stay." I paused. "It'll depend on the outcome of this meeting, I suppose."

He studied me for a minute before gesturing vaguely to a chair in front of his desk. "Tell me them, what brings you back?" I sat down as he took a chair behind his desk. I almost laughed, feeling very much like a student would in the principal's office. He seemed to realize it as well and shrugged. "Sorry."

I shook my head, dismissing it, before speaking. "I don't suppose Edward has told you anything about his trip?" He raised an eyebrow and I went on. "I thought not. She did make him promise, after all." He was monentarily confused, and I didn't have to have Edward's gift to know he was thinking 'who's she?' I took a deep breath. "Alice is alive."

His reaction was immediate, and I held up a hand to stop him from running out the door. "There'll be plenty of time to tell mother. Please, allow me to finish." He relunctantly sat back down and I went on. "Alice is with the Volturi." Although his expression remained neutral, his emotions were anything but.

I went on quickly, telling him only the most important points. "She's well. As well as can be expected. She had a vision, before the battle with Victoria and her newborns. The Volturi were coming, and they wanted her and Edward, and so she gave herself up to allow us more time."

Marking a small pause, I looked away from my mentor, and out the single window in his office. "I have only learned the truth behind her disappearance when I went to them to...End it." He looked, and felt pained by my confession. I couldn't blame him.

He sighed, and smiled a little. "Well, I'm glad to know she still lives, at least."

I couldn't help but smile as well as I looked back at him. "So am I." I was happy she was alive. It was the idea of her feeding on humans that I didn't like. But as Edward had said, it was her choice. There was nothing I could do to change that. "But it's not the only reason I came here."

"Oh?"

"Telling you Alice was alive and well was only half of it." Here came the hard part. "I plan on taking down the Volturi." I could only imagine a frantic Alice calling Edward at that moment. No doubt she had seen my plan by now.

Carlisle looked stunned for a moment as my words sank in. For the first time since I had come into his family, he seemed to hesitate and seach for his words. "Take down the..." He blinked, crossing his hands in his lap as he leaned back in his chair.

"Yes." I had made up my mind. My words became strained as I talked. "Alice will never leave them if there's the smallest chance they'll come back for the rest of us. If war is the only way I can get her back, I'll fight. My life as a vampire began in a war, and it will end in one if it has to."

The silence between us dragged on for a few minutes, and I kept my gaze on him. I would not back down now. "I'll understand if you do not wish to join me in this. All I ask are the names of those you know, or think, oppose the Volturi."

He rested his hands on his desk as he leaned forward. "Are you sure you want to do this, Jasper? The Volturi have been around for more than three thousand years, and there's a reason for that."

I cut him off before he could go on. "I know that. I know how their guards are the best, and their abilities are unsurpassed. But war is my domain, my specialty, Carlisle. I would gladly go to my death, but I would not accept others dying with me if this really were a hopeless case. I know we can do it."

Again, more silence, and had I been human, I would probably be fidgeting in my seat. Instead I stood still and waited patiently. A small knock was heard, and a nurse came in, surprised to see someone else in Carlisle's office. "Um, sorry to bother you. Here are the papers for Mr. Bettington's release." After putting down the papers on the corner of the desk, she left, feeling confused at Carlisle's unusual lack of response.

His gaze was on me, but his thoughts distant. He didn't so much as glance at the stack of papers left by the nurse. He finally spoke, carefully choosing his words. "And what if Aro knows of your plan now?" I frowned, waiting for him to explain. "Alice is with them now, you have said so yourself. By force or consent, it makes no difference. If Aro touches her, he will know of the visions she's had."

"I'm not stupid, I've thought of that as well, father. Aro, on the other hand, is arrogant." It was his turn to look at me with a raised eyebrow. "He knows he has the best of the best, and thinks of himself as unbeatable. I'm counting on that so he won't be bothered to come after me. At least for now."

Carlisle sighed, shaking his head. "I simply think it's a lot to play on such hopeful thinking."

I gritted my teeth, forcing my voice to remain calm. "I also know that, but at the moment, it's all I have. Will you help me or not? Hopeful thinking or not, time is my enemy, so I'd rather not waste any more."

I rose from my seat at the same time as Carlisle, and we both stood facing each other for a moment before, finally, he heaved a small sigh and nodded, his expression grim. "Very well. I will do my best to get in touch with the people I think would join you."

A smile appeared on my lips, and I bowed my head respectfully. "Thank you, Carlisle."

"Yes, well, don't make me regret my decision." He grumbled as he walked closer, guiding me to the door with a hand on my back. "Thinking we had lost a daughter was enough pain for Esme and I, don't let yourself getting killed in this."

I nodded stiffly as we walked out of his office, and down the hallway. I didn't want to promise him that out loud. There was, after all, too many chances that I would end up breaking it. I couldn't lie to myself and think the coming fight would be easy and without any casualty.

No war was ever like that.

I had some trouble posting this chapter. For some reason, the website didn't like me. My apologies for those who have this story on alert if you got two messages saying a new chapter was posted. :O There is only one chapter that is new, and not two.

Thanks again to everyone who read and reviewed!

Happy New Year everyone!