AN – And here is another update. Still working along with the original Twilight path, but the tweaking is still happening and soon we will completely veer away. Until then, I give you the next tweaked chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 7

JPOV

Before I knew it, it was time for prom. Everyone was paired off and preparing to dance the night away. I had tried to keep from going, as I was single and really hadn't put any effort into mingling with the idiots I was forced to be around all day at school. I could barely tolerate them there, why would I want to put up with them outside of school when I could stay home and write or sketch? Which is exactly what I had planned on doing. I went to Seattle to get supplies for a few new sketches and was getting everything set up in my study when I was surrounded by my siblings.

Alice had claimed it was an intervention, but I knew it was just so that she could get her way. I shook my head at her already knowing I had lost the battle before it had ever begun and gave in. So here I stood, in our living room, dressed in a classic tux that Alice had picked for me. All of the guys were dressed by her of course, their ties and vests matching the colors of the girls' dresses. I opted for straight black since I was going stag.

We were all waiting for the girls and I decided to distance myself from the group so I was standing near the fireplace lost in thought. Over the past few months, I had spent most of my time researching what could have happened to Bella as well as trying to figure out who or what my mystery stalker was. I made sure to always hunt alone so that it would give her the opportunity to contact me again and after each hunt, I returned home feeling a little more dejected than the last time and that much more determined to figure out what I was dealing with.

I knew that I had promised that I would be ready the next time we met. The only problem is that I didn't know what I needed to do to be ready for her. I knew where I stood in this family, I knew where I stood with my brother and sister in Texas, but I had no idea where I stood with Raven. Just thinking of my nickname for her gave me a small warmth like she was close by, which I knew was not possible. She wanted me to keep my knowledge of her from my family and I have done that, so I knew she was not close by, well not that I would be able to sense at least. I had come to the conclusion that she had to be something supernatural, but not a vampire like me and definitely not a part of the mutts from La Push. If she was I wouldn't be able to stand her smell or to be around her for longer than necessary.

I searched through the legends and myths, but I had come up short. Witches I could understand existing as well as those crazy creatures that are part of the fae world. I mean if I exist why couldn't there be fairies or hobgoblins and so on. Right now I was willing to believe in anything as long as I was finally allowed to see her, all of her. I had a need to see her face and to know her name, to be able to hold a normal conversation where she didn't need to be so cryptic. I didn't honestly care what she was; I only wanted to know so I could learn what I needed to do to be ready for her.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I was completely unaware of the girls coming downstairs and the presence now standing right behind me. I was blissfully unaware until said presence decided I had ignored them long enough.

"Umm Jasper?"

Only my innate abilities kept me from actually reacting to the shock of having someone sneak up on me. Heightened senses usually make that quite impossible and yet this one little human managed to sneak up on me without even trying. Turning I arched an eyebrow. "Yes, Bella?"

She blushed at having my full attention on her, which I found quite amusing since she was the one who came to me. Ducking her head, I watched as her long brown hair fell in waves to shield her face. Peaking up at me, her chocolate brown eyes were gleaming with mirth. "I wanted to ask you a favor, if possible."

"Of course, I will help out however I can, ma'am." I tipped an imaginary hat at her; now that Alice wasn't attached to me I could actually be myself and let the southern boy in me come back out. Besides, it seemed the more southern I was, the easier Bella found it to be around me and I also had a feeling that it would make Raven happy too. I mean, she had been around me my whole life so it would only make sense that she would like the old me better.

Again with the blush, but this time Bella made eye contact with me. With a sigh, she finally spoke. "It's nothing major. Not anything like what I had been considering, but that was a seriously drastic measure and one Edward would not be too fond of. I don't do dances, I don't dance. I need you to help me maintain a modicum of emotional composure tonight so I don't come away scarred for life."

I couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped my lips. Bella really was a strange human. I considered her request and nodded, not like I was going to be doing anything at the dance anyways. Going stag usually meant complete boredom. "I will help under one condition."

A small wave of trepidation escaped her normally emotion free area. "That is?"

"Well, two actually." I smiled as her hope faltered. "One, as I am going alone, I would like one dance and two, I want to know what drastic measures you were willing to go to if my prissy brother wouldn't have gotten his panties in a wad over it."

"Oh, um, I guess you can have a dance as long as you don't laugh at me." She blushed as she darted her eyes in Edward's direction. I followed the glance and I saw Edward grimace, most likely over my previous comment and nod his acceptance. "I don't know about the other condition though."

Knowing that it had to do with the understanding of vampiric hearing, I leaned down so I could whisper in her ear, inhaling her scent in the process. Taking a second to enjoy my reaction to her delectable scent, I whispered so only she could hear me. "If you promise to tell me when they can't hear you, then I will help."

Leaning back I looked in her eyes and saw her dart another glance at Edward before nodding, as she didn't say anything I arched my brow at her in question.

With a huff she nodded again. "Fine, I promise."

"Thank you, ma'am." Again I tipped my imaginary hat. "It was a pleasure doing business with you." I laughed softly as I turned to walk away, but not before placing my hand on her shoulder and sending her a wave of calm and confidence to which she looked grateful.

An hour later found us all enjoying ourselves with the rest of Forks High at their so called Prom. It was a laugh since it really wasn't prom in the least. It was just a dance that the whole school could go to, not just the seniors. Either way, I would admit, to myself at least, that I was glad to have been badgered into attending. Watching the other teenagers act like fools was really entertaining and watching Rose and Em show off on the dance floor was always good for a few laughs. Everyone around stopped to watch them move, never having seen a teenager move like they did. Right now they were waltzing and I had the strangest urge to join in.

I knew then I was going to collect on that dance promise. Walking over to Edward, I heard him chuckle. He knew what I was doing. Stopping in front of him, I mock bowed then moved to stand in front of Bella. With a more formal bow, I held out my hand to her. "Ma'am, I believe you owe me a dance."

Fear spiked through her as she looked to Edward for support and got none.

"You did promise him a dance, love." He said as he lightly pushed her forward.

Instinctively she placed her hand in mine to help keep her balance and I took advantage of the connection to send her some confidence with a tinge of boldness. "Fine, but don't complain later if the klutzy human manages to break an indestructible vampire."

I laughed as I tucked her hand in the crook of my elbow and led her out to the dance floor. Turning to stand in front of her, I bowed again before placing my right hand on her waist and taking her right hand in my left. I flashed her my most charming smile and winked. "Trust me, if you let me lead I will make you look as good as Rose over there."

"Really." She hmphed as she looked to where Rose and Emmett were dancing. "I think someone has an inflated ego."

"Nope, I just know what I can do." I had to laugh again as we were already dancing and she seemed not to even notice. Listening to the music, I followed the rise and fall of the notes and spun her out with perfect timing to the music. She finally noticed we were dancing. Pulling her back into my arms, I turned so that I was leading but going backwards. "Why are you so surprised?"

"Damn vampires with powers." She blushed. "Well, one I hadn't noticed that we were dancing and two, I have never danced before where I didn't either trip over my own feet or hurt my dance partner. So I know it's coming and it was shocking to realize I had been dancing without mishap so far."

"I promise, Bella, as long as I've got you I will never let you fall." I felt a wave of annoyance hit me from the other side of the dance floor. Oh can it, Edward, you know what I meant. Even over the music I could hear his sigh. "And Bella, you can't hurt me."

Bella laughed as I lead her around the dance floor and as promised, she neither fell nor hurt me for the rest of the song. As the song ended, I stepped back from her and bowed. "Thank you for the dance, ma'am."

"Ever the southern gentleman, Mr. Hale." She giggled as she curtseyed. "Thank you for the dance and for not letting me fall."

"I keep my promises, Ms. Swan. Now I believe there is a certain stricken young man hovering on the edge of the dance floor awaiting your return to his side." I placed my hand at the small of her back, guiding her towards said vampire. "You don't need me to make you comfortable here, Bella, just be yourself and you will be fine."

As we reached Edward, she stopped and turned to look at me. I couldn't read her emotions or her face as she was keeping it studiously calm. Then she surprised me for the second time that evening and this time I did react.

"Maybe you should take your own advice, Jasper." Bella whispered before placing her hands on my shoulders to pull herself up, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.

I gasped and looked at her in complete shock. She was still keeping me from feeling her emotions, but I knew I was projecting my shock and bemusement. Here was this small human showing no signs of fear to be around me, unlike my family, and she was giving me advice while kissing my cheek. That was quite the turnaround and I wish all of my family would pay more attention to our little human. She was bringing about changes in us by just being around us and that is hard to do as vampires are not notably known for accepting change well.

Edward shook his head as he pulled her back into his side, turning them away to go get her something to drink most likely. They made it to the table with the drinks on it when I caught Bella looking back at me, winking at me when she caught my eye.

"I mean it Jasper, take your own advice."

I nodded and turned away, not sure where I was going until I found myself standing outside looking up at the stars. I leaned back against the building as I looked to the heavens for answers. Answers to all of my questions. Why did my family think I had such little control? Why did they think that and still let me go to school? Was I not meant to be a part of this family? What did I have to do to be accepted by them? What did I need to do to be ready for Raven?

That last one honestly bothered me more than the rest as I had all but accepted how my family looked at me decades ago. Everyone else can have a slip up and be forgiven, but since I spent so long drinking from our natural food source and had a soldier's background, they all worried more about me. Yet I had only slipped once since starting this new diet. Carlisle and Rose were the only two who had never slipped since their changes and yet everyone else was forgiven but me. I knew that one day it would cause a rift in the family and I always wondered if they would be better off without me around to drag them down. If I left, they wouldn't have to worry about me.

I could always go back to Peter and Charlotte. I knew they would always accept me with open arms. I missed them; it had been too long since I last saw them. Thinking hard on that, I decided to go visit them after we graduated for the umpteenth time. Planning that out made me feel better, but then I was struck by Bella's words from earlier. I chuckled as I remembered her telling me to take my own advice. Did she think I wasn't being myself? Did she think I was hiding something?

I thought about that and I had to admit that I was. Ever since I found Alice in that diner, she had molded me into what she wanted. And I let her. I thought that if I allowed her to turn me into what she wanted then she would want to stay with me and wouldn't leave me alone. That thought process continued well into our first years with the Cullens and then it just turned into a force of habit to let Alice dress me along with the rest of the family. She had instantly turned her nose up at my choice of jeans, button downs and boots.

I realized then just how far from my roots I had allowed her to drag me. I no longer resembled anything of my former self and I missed that. I needed to find myself again, I needed to be Jasper Whitlock, not this fabricated preppy follower Jasper Hale. After graduation I was going to change my name back, but starting tomorrow, I was going to go back to being Jasper Whitlock, Major from the Civil War, southern gentleman and cowboy extraordinaire.

AN –So who expected sweet little Bella to throw Jasper's words back at him? I love that she is a bit more feisty and that Jasper is going back to his roots. Why would anyone want to kill that sexy southern drawl? Ok, enough of all this. What are your thoughts? Please, I live for reviews.

Don't forget there is the FB page for updates and discussions. Just search for Bella & Jasper – Love Under a Blood Moon and you should be able to find it easily. It will be the hub for all Twilight fanfic discussions as I have Darkness as well as one shots that are in the works. If you aren't reading Darkness…I highly recommend it, lol, but I may be a bit biased.