Chapter 11: Hello Major Whitlock

Alice watched her husband walk right beneath the tree that she was sitting in. When he was in just the right position, she leapt from her perch and landed lightly on his back. "You frightening little monster," he laughed, turning to look at her over his shoulder. Alice took advantage of the opportunity and crushed her lips against Jasper's.

"You know you love me," she said when they pulled apart and she hopped down off him. Taking his hand, they resumed their walk through the forest back to the Cullen house.

"More than I ever would have dreamed possible, Darlin'," he said, kissing her hand. Alice looked up at him and smiled. After last night's storm, the rays of the ever so seldom sun shone between the spaces made by the branches of the trees above them, and Jasper's skin sparkled like a million diamonds. She knew hers did the same thing, but somehow, it looked more remarkable on him. With his blonde hair, golden eyes, and perfectly sculpted body, he looked like a Greek god.

Jasper felt her gaze and the feeling of extreme admiration and love rolling off of her. He looked down at his pixie wife and grinned his crooked grin. "What is it?"

"You," she smiled. When they had first gotten married, Alice had been embarrassed by the fact that Jasper had always known what she was feeling. Eventually though, she had gotten used to it, and even had figured out ways to make it work for her. Like she had a few hours ago in the forest...

"Me?" he scoffed. "I'm nothin' special."

In an instant, she was standing directly in front of him. "That's not true, Jasper Whitlock Hale," she insisted, shaking her head, a motion that sent her short black tresses flying. "To me, you're the most special person in the world. And that's all that matters."

Jasper didn't have time to argue with her. Alice placed her small hands against the either side of his face and pulled him down to her level. She kissed him just as passionately as she had the day they met when they had sat in a corner booth together at the diner in Philadelphia. That had been their first kiss, and every single one since then had been just as sweet. Including this one. But this one was not as innocent, especially with the emotions Alice was feeling as her husband slipped his hands up under her shirt. Her feelings only intensified Jasper's own, and Alice knew soon they'd end up right where they'd been an hour ago...

She pulled away from him, gasping for the air she didn't need. Her arms still wrapped around him, she leaned her head against his marble chest. Jasper leaned down and pressed his lips softly against her temple. She smiled and looked up at him, her smile abruptly fading when she looked into his eyes. They were dark, much too dark, and purple bruises were beginning to form beneath them.

"What is it?" Jasper asked, very concerned about the sudden change of her emotions. They had been on the same page, until now anyway.

"Your eyes," she said, reaching up and gently brushing her finger tips across the bruised area. Jasper caught her hand in his and held it. "How long has it been since you hunted, Jazz?"

"I don't know," he shrugged. "A little over a week maybe."

"Jazz," she sighed. She felt horrible. How had she not realized how much pain he was in sooner? Well, now that she knew, she'd fix it. "I know we told everyone we were going 'hunting', but maybe we really should."

"Alice, I don't want to make you stay out here just because of me," he said, kissing the hand he still held. "You go on back. I'll hunt for a while and then come join you."

"Are you sure?" she asked looking up at him.

"I'm sure," he nodded. "I won't be long."

"You'd better not be," Alice grinned, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek and whisper in his ear. "You know where to find me when you're done."

Jasper's crooked grin, the one she loved so much, spread over his face. "Yes ma'm, I do," he chuckled as he watched her bound off toward the mansion.

Mere moments after Alice had left him, Jasper caught a flash of blonde hair from behind the trees. He froze. Although he had never actually seen Olivia, Renesmee's descriptions had been vivid enough that he knew the flash he had just seen was the newest member of the Volturi. And Alice was alone, without him to protect her, unaware that Olivia was lurking near by. The thought of his little pixie bride coming face to face with that monster was unbearable. God only knew what would happen.

Jasper took off running at full speed through the trees, following the scent that was all too familiar. The scent of a vampire who survived off of human blood was much different than that of those who lived off animal blood, like his family did. In fact, it wasn't until he had moved in with the Cullens that he realized vampires could smell different, just as he hadn't realized before that their eyes could be any other color than red.

He followed her a couple miles before her scent disappeared. Well, it didn't really disappear. Olivia had simply stopped running. Jasper knew she was close for the scent he'd been tracking was much stronger. Suddenly, he was very aware of her emotions. Lust for power, arrogance, and the desire to feared and therefore, respected. Jasper shuddered. These were emotions he had not felt since his days with Maria. He paced a few feet in each direction, searching for any sign of that blonde hair. He wanted this monster gone. He wanted his family to be safe again, and he did not want Renesmee to be scared any more. Although she tried her best to hide it from the rest of their family, Jasper could feel how truly terrified his niece was. While he knew killing a member of the Volturi might have severe ramifications later on, it would be well worth it if it kept those he so desperately loved from suffering.

Footsteps approached him from behind, and a soft, melodic voice seductively called to him. "Hello Major Whitlock."

Jasper clenched his jaw and whipped his head around, readying himself to attack, but then, he caught a glimpse of Olivia's brilliant red eyes.

And everything went black.

I do so love cliffhangers... and Jasper ;) What'd you think? Leave a review and let me know! And thanks for sticking with me through these crazy stories, guys! Love and hugs all around!