Special thanks to my awesome Beta NCChris!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, twilight is solely own by Stephenie Meyer. I just borrowed the characters.

Well we have come to the end of our journey and they skipped merrily into the sunset! *Sigh*

Chapter 11 – Open Wounds

Morning came as the sun's rays slowly appeared from behind the horizon. Bella's chin rested on her lover's bare chest gazing at the peaceful look he displayed while sleeping. The night's events ran through her mind, every caress and loving whisper, as fresh in her ears as if it was happening again. A permanent smile remained etched on her face. They had been one, even if it was temporarily; they had connected in a way that would stay with them to the end of her days. She was sure of days.

The words echoed in her mind, even though she was not an impatient person. Two days seemed a lifetime away. She contemplated enticing Jasper to leave today. There was an unusual feeling in the pit of her stomach, something similar to a sense of dread and it unsettled her, yet she discarded it. She was probably nervous about leaving, and went back to seeing studying the angelic beauty that was the man she loved.

"What's got you so deep in that mind of yours, darlin'?" he whispered, eyes still closed and body relaxed.

"How…?" she began.

"I could feel you tense, now tell me what's wrong?"

His hand lightly rubbed her back, soothing her rigid muscles.

"Nothing,"

He opened one eye not believing her, but decided now was not the time spoil the calm morning.

"How long were you awake?" she asked curious.

"Awhile."

She kissed the spot over his heart.

"Good morning," she said as she reached his lips for a lingering kiss.

He hummed in satisfaction, "Good indeed, darlin'."

She extended her hand to swipe away a lock of hair that fallen into his eye.

"I love you," she said reverence and awe clear in her deep chocolate eyes.

"I love you too, darlin'. Thank you for everything you've given me."

His other hand began combing through her hair; further unwinding Bella's state of mind. He looked through hooded eyes at her lips wanting nothing more than to taste them again. Sensing his needs, Bella slowly bent forward capturing his top lip between her own.

The kiss began very tender, and slowly built in passion. The sheets crumpled as Jasper proceeded to rest above Bella. He moved his hands from her hair to her sides lightly grasping her waist.

It was as if in the previous night, Pandora's box had been opened. Instead of releasing all of its evil, it released the entire force of the ardor they held for each other. Now that it was set free, the need to hold back had disappeared.

As he buried his head in the crook of her neck, he inhaled deeply, committing to memory every detail about these moments, the way she looked as she climaxed, how her deity like body, which could surpass that of Aphrodite, seemed to glow in the soft light the fire provided.

This morning, it was her smell he committed to memory. Her skin smelled divine, naturally sweet, like a mix between the ripest of fruits and the freshest of flowers. It was impossible for him not to desire a taste. Oh, she tasted even better than what his imagination could have created.

He trailed butterfly kisses along her neck and jaw line. Once he found her lips, instinct took over much the same way it had the previous night. They made love until the sun had fully risen.

~*~

"We should return," Bella said while they ate.

Thankfully, the cold temperature of the night did not allow any of the food Jasper had packed to spoil, enabling them to enjoy some much needed nourishment.

"Yes, I reckon you're right, darlin', I just don't want to leave this," he said looking around the tiny cabin that had become their home in the past few months.

"I will miss this place, but thanks to you I will always have the fondest of memories here," she sighed not really wanting to leave their sanctuary either.

"We'll come back someday," Jasper whispered kissing the crown of her head, "I promise."

"I will hold you to that," Bella murmured, turning her head slightly in order to kiss his lips.

While they dressed Bella decided to forego her corset and one of the two petticoats, to be able to ride more comfortably. The room was left spotless just like the first time they came, and, with one last look, Jasper closed the door behind them.

The ride was quiet; there was no racing, just a slow steady pace to enjoy the still morning's tranquility. By the time they reached Bella's house it was already nine-thirty. The sun had risen completely and everyone was hard at work.

At Bella's window, they reluctantly separated.

Once inside she turned towards Jasper, where he handed her the rest of her clothing. Then she took his face in her hands and kissed him with as much love and passion she could muster.

"Two days," she said into the kiss.

~*~

After Bella saw Jasper off she turned toward her room, only to be surprise when she saw Nelly sitting up on her bed.

"Nelly! What are you doing in my room?" she said clutching at her racing heart.

"Your moder came in dis mornin' to check on you," Nelly replied coolly.

"Oh God! Please tell me she believed you to be me?" Bella pleaded.

"Yes, she didn't evan boder to cheack closely, but I want to know is why half your clothes are in your hands." Nelly said giving her a disapproving look.

Bella looked down her hair shielding her face from showing the blush that had formed there.

"Um… No reason. I just wanted to be comfortable while we slept," she said while preparing herself for the onslaught.

"Don't lie, Bella, you neva had dat ability," Nelly said sternly.

Bella bit her bottom lip, not knowing how to explain to her best friend what had led to her and Jasper's love making.

"We are leaving," she said, "in two days, and we simply let go of our emotions. It's difficult to explain, but we get to be together forever, Nell. No more hiding, we will just runaway, and make a new life for ourselves. In just two days I will be free to love him, and no one can do anything about it." Bella sighed falling back, landing softly on the bed.

She stared dreamily at the ceiling imagining how wonderful her life would finally be. Meanwhile, Nelly shook her head at the wistful girl. She knew Bella was strong, hardheaded, and somewhat rebellious, but she was also quite naïve and Nelly feared for the day that she would be shown the harsh realities of the world.

~*~

Jasper arrived back to the plantation, finding that everyone was up and working on their daily tasks. The stables were bustling as he parked both Leroy and Sally, making quick work of the bags on each of the horses' saddle and then allowed the caretakers to take them for a wash.

He went to the kitchen, where the staff greeted him cheerily, and helped clean the dirty dishes he had borrowed the previous night. After eating a quick snack, he made his way outside to start on his already delayed chores.

It was lunchtime and Jasper decided to take a break and eat in his room, taking the opportunity to start packing the necessities for his trip. He was in the middle of stuffing a shirt into his knapsack when a shot was heard throughout the property.

"GET THE GUNS!! LAS ARMAS!! ANDELE, ANDELE!!" he heard being shouted.

Leaving his task unfinished, he grabbed the musket he kept in his room and ran towards the outside meeting his mother in the foyer. Her face was pure horror for not knowing what was happening to their seemingly peaceful home. Together they hurried to the back door towards the farm. Jasper started to look around while running to see what had happened, when the piercing scream of his mother made his head spin to her direction.

"JOHN!!!" she screeched.

He followed his mother's sight to the most horrifying scene he could ever witness. On the ground, just a mere twenty feet away, was John Whitlock's motionless body. Blood was seeping through his clothes and pooling around him, some of the men were with him, while the others ran in different directions guns in hand ready to fire.

Rage filled Jasper's heart as he joined those searching for the murderer, when his eyes caught something on the edge of the land. It was a man, musket in hand, and clad in a Yankee uniform.

He turned towards the others and yelled, "I FOUND HIM! LET'S GO!"

When he turned back, the man had disappeared.

"NOOO!" he screamed.

In the background, he could hear his mother's plea to his father, her sobbing breaking his heart. His legs wouldn't move as the men ran past him in the direction he had pointed to. The gun he held fell to the ground. Knowing he was needed there, he ran back to his father's body.

Anne finally forced her shocked legs to move and ran to her husband not caring for gracefulness or how her dress would be ruined. She knelt beside him while the others ran frantic. Her hands quickly became stained with his blood as she looked at his face. Her hand caressed his face, tears running in a steady stream down her face. He feebly turned his face to her hand and placed his own hand over hers. His face was pale as he lost more blood, his lips loosing color as he kissed her palm, making her sob harder.

"Don't leave me here, please you have to be strong and not leave me," she pleaded.

She could tell he was trying to speak, but air wasn't getting into his lungs making it impossible. Jasper approached them quickly and knelt behind John's other side.

John's eyes quickly locked unto his son's face, swallowing hard he drew a ragged breath and mouthed 'I love you, son', and then, he turned his face toward his wife. The one he had courted, the woman who had supported him in everything he ventured to do in his younger years. To him, she was the strongest woman he'd ever met. He knew it would be hard once he was gone, but she would pull through. Everyone would need her in the end. His only regret was that he wouldn't be by her side through everything, but he would be watching.

Using the last of his air supply he whispered, "I love you, you amazing woman."

With one last kiss he fell limp in both their arms. Her sobs grew in intensity as she clung to her husband's now lifeless body.

"JOHN!! NO!! DON'T LEAVE ME!!!" she kept screaming.

Jasper was filled with rage. To shocked to react, he had yet to shed a tear. He was angry at the man who took his father from him and his family, at his father for ever being involved in the military, and at himself for taking his eyes away from the man who had left his family fatherless. He stepped up beside his mother and wrapped his arms around her, attempting to pry her from the lifeless form.

"NO! No, no!" she shook her head, not wanting to be separated from the love her life.

"Momma, come on, you gotta let them take care of him," he said, being strong for the two of them.

Reluctantly, she let go of the body. Her dress was drenched in blood some had even become matted in her golden blonde hair. Jasper took her in his arms as she kept sobbing on his shirt. Her blood shot eyes looked slightly crazed as did the rest of her appearance, and he feared for her mental stability, hoping that he wouldn't lose her emotionally, too.

As her crying diminished to hiccups, he figured she was tiring he took her in his arms and carried her inside. When he entered the house, the maids frantically approached Jasper. They had already heard what had happened and told him that they would care for Anne.

They attempted to get him to rest, but he declined and retired to his father's office to think.

~*~

Once inside, he closed the door behind him. The emotions from the day were weighing down on his shoulders. The pain, the sadness, and the loss were too much and with one look around the office he broke down.

He screamed so loudly the other inhabitants of the house feared the whole town would hear. He punched everything in sight until the blood on his hands was more than just his father's, taking comfort in the blood flowing from his battered fists. When he reached the desk, he saw portraits of his whole family and, angrier then he had ever felt, he rammed the large mahogany desk with all the force he could muster. Papers, books, and other miscellaneous articles plummeted to the floor along with the, now overturned, desk.

His breathing was ragged as he looked around the destroyed office. Finally releasing his frustrations, he fell in a heap onto the floor crying, letting go of all the pain.

The clock in the room chimed; its hands pointing north to midnight, a new day had come and Jasper's whole world had changed in the course of one fateful afternoon.

~*~

Word of the happenings at the Whitlock's had not reached anyone outside the plantation that day, but Bella's feeling of dread had her nerves on edge. After falling asleep, she awoke with a jolt at exactly twelve, the grandfather clock in the living room chiming the information.

Tears were running down her face and her chest was constricted with pain. The only thought that ran through her mind was…

Jasper needs me.

~*~

The next day, Jasper woke up in his bed. With no memory of how he came to be there, he figured one of the workers found him in the office and moved him. The previous day's events ran through his mind. He checked himself over and realized someone must have changed and cleaned him for there wasn't a spot of blood on him. His hands were bandaged to cover his self-inflicted wounds.

He got up and, as he walked the halls, the reality of the situation hit him harder. All the mirrors were covered with black cloth. The dining room, usually a busy and bustling place, was quiet. Food was on the table, his father's place empty, and his mother sat in her seat staring at the empty chair beside her. Her eyes were dull and lifeless, the food on her plate untouched.

Jasper sat beside her as she held a handkerchief to dry the stray tears that fell from her eyes. Someone had dressed her in black mourning clothes making her skin look even sallower than it already was.

"Momma?" he asked, "You haven't touched your food."

"I can't eat, I'm not hungry."

"Ma, you've got to eat, look just this. Get something in that stomach of yours." he said as he prepared half a grapefruit for her.

Taking the spoon next to her plate he scooped out the tart fruit with sugar on top and lifted it to her lips. Tentatively she opened her mouth and ate the piece of fruit. He repeated the process over and over, feeling like he was feeding a child. Once the fruit was gone he wiped her lips clean and softly said, "All done."

"Rosa," Jasper called.

The housemaid came through the kitchen door; she was a mature woman in her mid forties and of Mexican had spent the majority of her life with the Whitlock family.

"Sí, Jasper?" she asked.

"Could you take my mother to the sitting room? It's not good for her to stare at that chair," he kindly asked the helpful woman.

"Claro. Come on, Señora. Let's go relax in the other room."

She gently took Anne's arm and led her to the next room.

Jasper sighed; he hated seeing his mother so vulnerable and broken. He prepared his own breakfast and in the midst of eating he remembered how he had yet to contact Bella. All day yesterday after he had abandoned his task of packing, he had not thought of her. Yet, the truth was he needed her now more than ever. He also realized that these events changed their plans to leave.

He had barely finished eating, when the morning was interrupted. Jasper looked up as two men in official dress entered the room unannounced.

"Can I help you folks?" Jasper's asked, his voice flat.

"Jasper Whitlock?" one of the men asked.

Jasper nodded.

"We are very sorry for your loss. I'm General Lee, I used to work with your father. That man was quite the strategist."

At the title, Jasper stood up and shook the man's hand.

"That he was, sir," he said.

"Well, we just came here to do our part, anythin' you need, son, don't be shy to ask. I know food is probably already pourin' in but my wife wanted to do somethin' for ya'll so she sent a pot roast," the general said, pointing to the dish one of the housemaids was carrying to the kitchen.

"Thank you, sir."

After they left, the rest of the day passed in somewhat the same fashion. People came and went giving their condolences and bringing more food than what they would ever eat. It was safe to say that the cooking staff was off for the day and everyone ate from the food that was brought.

Jasper was sitting in the, now clean, office when there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in," he said his voice rough with emotion.

The door opened to reveal Bella.

"Hi," she said meekly.

"Hey, darlin'," he said standing up and moving towards her.

Taking her hands, he led her further into the room and closed the door behind them.

"What are you doin' here?"

"Um… I felt something bad all day yesterday and last night I had this feeling that you needed me, but it was not until this morning we received the news," she said her eyes shining with tears.

"Are you here with your mother?" he asked, slightly confused due to the feud.

"Yes, she actually acted human. We brought chicken soup. She said Anne would probably not eat anything heavy. Imagine that, my mother concerned for someone else's well being. She is babbling on to your mother about wedding details to distract her. I think your mother isn't really hearing her," Bella rambled.

He suddenly took her in his arms in a bone-crushing hug. She could feel his body convulsing in sobs.

"Shh, it's ok. You are going to be fine, Jasper," she soothed, "I'm here. I will always be here for you."

He took her back to where he sat behind the desk and set her on his lap. She ran her hands through his hair, and was satisfied when his shoulders relaxed slightly into her caress.

"You know this means we can't leave now, darlin'." he said with nothing but pain and sadness.

They had been so close, but fate always has a way of contorting your life to its whims.

"I figured, but I will still be here. We will get through this together. You are the strongest person I know, all you should be concentrating on is being strong for your mother. She needs your strength Jasper"

"He liked you, he would have loved you if he'd had the chance to truly know you," Jasper said giving her the first smile, though small, that he had given since the incident.

"He knew about me?" she asked confused.

"The old man knew before anyone. If it wasn't for him, I don't think we would be where we are," he said tightening his hold on her waist.

"He sounds like he was a very perceptive man," she smiled back and gave him a small peck on his lips.

"I've been thinking, Bella, and I can't get that man out of my head," he said his rage returning.

"What man?"

"The one who murdered my father, I have to find him."

"And how are you going to do that? From what I heard no one could find any trace of him," she asked worried about were he was taking the matter to.

"I have to join," his eyes spoke volumes of his dislike of this act, how he would hurt her.

"Join? Join what?" Bella said becoming frantic.

He couldn't be serious.

"I am joining the Confederacy and avenging my father."

All of Jasper's wariness was replaced with deadly resolve.

"No! You cannot do this Jasper. What about your mother? Are you going to make her lose a son after losing her husband?"

"They killed my father! What do you expect me to do? Stand by and let them murder someone else's family?"

His voice rose, but not enough to alert others of the argument.

"And how do you suppose to join? You're only seventeen, or have you forgotten your age with your common sense?"

Over her dead and buried body would he walk into battle.

"I can fake my age. It's not difficult. I'm doin' this whether you approve or not."

He took both her hands in his.

"All I am askin' is that you wait for me. Please, darlin'?"

Tears were streaming down her face as she shook her head.

"Please don't do this, Jasper. You can't leave me or Anne here," she pleaded.

"Bella, it is my duty as a son to avenge my father. I can't sleep without seeing his face haunt my dreams. It's my fault he got away and now I'm goin' to find him and finish him," he said leaving no room for discussion.

She turned away from him, her body shaking with sobs.

"I'll come back, Bella, I promise, as long as you wait," he said hugging her shoulders.

"There is nothing I can do, is there?" she asked meekly know the answer before he voiced it.

He shook his head. No matter what he had to do this.

"You have to promise me that you will not do anything reckless. Even if you have to return to me without your legs, you get back here," she said the hardness in her voice betraying how much she still did not agree with his decision.

It was foolish and impetuous, he never thought of the consequences. Yet, she would not become like her mother, unlike her, she would wait for him.

"I will, darlin', always. I love you."

He kissed her.

"I love you, too," she whispered.

"When will you leave?" Bella asked as he held her.

"After the burial. Can you do one last thing for me, darlin'?" he asked.

"Anything."

"Take care of my momma. She is going to need someone after I'm gone."

If they couldn't have him, they would at least have each other.

"Of course."

She left a little while after that, trailing behind her mother with one last glance to Jasper. How could one day change their lives so dramatically?

A/N:PSYCH!! HAHA Who did I have going there for a minute? This story is far from over actually it just got started! I ask for a moment of silence for my favorite DILF(next to Carlisle of course). John Whiltock was a great man, an honest man, a brave man, and an extremely supportive man. It pained me when the decision came to kill him, he is one of my favorite of the period characters (besides Jasper). I always imagined John being a little bit of a younger version of Mark Harmon (he is my mom's only celeb crush, she loves NCIS), if I was older and I mean a lot older he would totally be hot to me(he gave Jasper his baby blues).*Bows head in Silence* In other news to my girl Jasper's Yankee Girl you've been asking about it since the story started and I gave it a lot of thought and this is how I wanted Jasper to go join. I knew he would never go willingly and lets face it my Jasper may be a born soldier but he doesn't want to acknowledge it. It was going to take something big to make Jasper go back on his 'oh so concrete plans.' I don't know if many of you have noticed but my characters need a little bit of maturing and are seeing the world a little through rose colored glasses. The next few chapters are going to be really hard for these two so please show your love and support and review! I have big plans and the next chapter will only bring more angst to the already boiling pot. Thank you to all my readers and all those who reviewed I hope this chapter makes you really stick with my story!