A/N: Hi everyone. Here's the next chapter. Quicker than I expected. I know some of you are wondering what the deal with Trip is. We're in the part of the story where Jasper/Bella storyline is developing, but I wanted to start giving you some hints at the larger plot so there's a bit of Charlotte in here.

Theme song for this chapter is Need you Now, by Lady Antebellum. Link's in my profile.

Please review. I'd love to hear what you think.

I own nothing.

Charlotte POV

Jasper, Peter, and I were sitting out back in a tree, something we did often since Jasper got here. It's something we used to do a lot before he had found Alice.

Peter had just told Jasper that we were going out of town for an impromptu hunting trip. Of course Jasper had told us that if we wanted to be alone that he would be the one to leave. He knew very well we didn't care about that.

The truth was that I got one of the feelings that I got sometimes. I was sure Jasper could use some privacy tonight. I wasn't sure exactly why, but I felt it was important.

Of course Jasper listened. He always did to Peter. I was used to it, it had always been that way. Heck, everyone always thought it was Peter who got these feelings.

Peter was smart and a good right-hand man. He was able to get on Jasper's good side that way, but once I started tellin' him about some of the feelings I had he became especially useful.

I couldn't always pinpoint these feelings. I would just have a vague idea about things. I don't know if I had them forever, I couldn't remember any of my human life. I had always shared them with Peter though. It seemed to me that he chalked it up to female intuition, but he always listened to me.

I had a feeling many, many years ago that when others started to think it was Peter who just knew things, that it was in my best interest not to correct them.

We were going to go hunting tonight, but it was definitely more. I just knew tonight was the start of something, not just for Jasper, but for all of us. I didn't know what it was, but I had been waiting a long time for something and it was starting to come together.

BPOV

It had been a week since I had encountered Jasper that day on the street. The week had passed much like the many weeks before them, but I found myself thinking more about things than I had before.

It suddenly became very real again and though I was good at shielding my mind I found myself thinking more about what had happened in Forks, with him.

Trip left last night, for an art show. His final projects for the year were to be displayed in New York. The class was spending a week there to showcase their work. He had asked me to go with him, even though he wouldn't have much time. I decided to stay though, especially since I had my exam this morning and one more to go in a couple of days.

I walked out of my morning exam and I wasn't sure what to do now. I had spent most of last night studying so the time passed quickly enough. Now I had the whole afternoon, and then all night, with nothing to do.

I decided to go pick up a few Christmas presents, not that I was really in the holiday mood. Half of me had wanted to just blow it off all together, but I knew that I would get something from Charlie and Renee and Phil and that I would feel guilty afterwards, despite myself.

Trip and I had went to see a concert earlier in the month after I got him tickets early. That didn't leave many people. I walked around the mall, not too enthusiastically, it never was my thing to begin with.

Eventually I gave up and I picked up a gift card for Charlie that could be used to buy fishing equipment. For Renee and Phil I chose some chain store card since they weren't in one place for long.

This actually worked better. In case I didn't want to go back for Christmas I could easily maid them. I hadn't made any decisions yet, but Renee and Phil were actually out of town. Charlie had become close with a woman on the reservation and I hadn't been back there since I lost Jake, so that would be awkward. A part of me was still a bit bitter about being continually shipped off too.

After that excursion, I considered returning to my dorm room. I could study, but I didn't feel much like it. My last exam was still a couple of days away and it was my English literature course. I had read all the books so there wasn't much I needed to do.

I decided to head over to Trip's instead of being alone. He wasn't there, but someone probably was. Sure enough Luke was sitting in the living room as I walked in. It was only about four in the afternoon but he was cracking open a beer as I came in. He nodded at me and I just smiled. Sometimes I appreciated his quiet, laid back nature.

As I walked in and removed my coat and boots I greeted him. "Hey Luke. Do you mind if I hang around? If you have to work or something though I can take off." Luke was just finishing up his degree. He was a few years older than Trip and I. Trip and I were the same age but he had skipped the fourth grade, which is why he was a year ahead of me.

Luke was in his last year at the local college, studying to become an electrician. He should have graduated last spring but he was a semester late, as his laid back attitude had allowed him to fall slightly behind schedule. I didn't want to disturb his final progress, but seeing as he was cracking a beer I figured it was okay.

"Nope, as of today I'm all certified and junk." He grinned slightly. "Go grab a beer and help me celebrate."

I laughed and did as I was told. We spent most of the afternoon sitting and enjoying the quiet. About three hours, a few beers, and a couple of joints later we had decided to order a pizza. I was already pretty hungry and now was getting the munchies.

We heard footsteps approaching and I thought it was a little soon for the pizza. The door opened and John and Ryan entered. They lived in the two rooms upstairs. They were both laid back- but more outgoing than Luke and Trip but pretty big stoners. They were not in school, they worked at their mother's art store, which is how Trip met them.

They walked in as one of them carried a case of beer on his shoulder. "Hey little Bella, didn't know you were here. Are you here to celebrate Mr. big college graduate here?" Ryan asked with a grin.

I chuckled a bit. "Sure, what did you guys have in mind?"

I could see Luke roll his eyes. He was much like Trip, and would rather sit on the outside of a party and watch. I could tell he was not interested in a big party. Personally, I was happy for the distraction though.

I could see that Luke was relieved as they related their plan that mostly included beer and pot, a few cigars, and calling a couple of girls from next door.

As the night went on, I was feeling pretty good. I liked being with the guys, I had always found it easier to be around guys. This group especially made me feel at ease, which was hard to do anymore.

It still felt weird when I didn't have Trip to hang around with but I was enjoying the distraction. I ate one of the cold pizza slices that was on the coffee table as the movie played in the background. "That's what I love about these High School girls man. I get older, they stay the same age."

I laughed to myself at the ridiculousness of the movie, but I could see why the guys related to Dazed and Confused. I looked around and by now John and Ryan had moved upstairs with two of the girls from next door. Luke was passed out sitting up in the chair, and I suddenly realized how alone I was again.

I didn't want to go there again, but it came too easy. I started to feel the ache in my chest and I decided to get up and go into Trip's room and try to get some sleep. I turned on the light and rifled through one of his drawers as I pulled out an old Lynyrd Skynyrd t-shirt and threw it on. I noticed a note sitting on the bed and I sat down as I started reading it.

Cookie,

In case you need some help sleeping or with the pain. Don't let the guys get too crazy. Call if you need anything.

Trip.

Trip knew me too well. I looked at the bag of demerol Trip left under the note and smiled to myself. He knew I still had nightmares and they only eased slightly when he was around.

I took one with the bottle of water I had brought in before climbing into the bed. My mind started to wander as I thought about all the things I had been pushing away all week. I closed my eyes and thought about running into Jasper and how easy it felt that day with him. I also started to think about how he was alone, and wondered where the rest of his family was.

Before too long though I started to feel tingly and closed my eyes, drifting to sleep.

I was in a house dancing with Chris. After he got too touchy-feely I decided to head out but he convinced me to have one more drink.

I was sipping on it and before I knew it I was following him without my consent upstairs. Then I was lying on a bed. I looked up at the ceiling, noticing the stucco. It was all happening in slow motion, yet still to fast for me.

I felt his lips press hard against mine as I tried to yell but all that came out was a small moan. It continued in this fashion until he had his hands all over my body.

I tried to squirm but by now my muscles weren't responding. My brain wanted to fall asleep as I fought to keep my eyes open. As he unzipped his pants I couldn't fight it anymore and I fell into the darkness.

My eyes opened again and I wasn't sure how long I had been out. I felt his body pressed into mine as I still struggled with consciousness. In that instant I found myself thinking back to him and how something like used to bring his face to me. It didn't anymore. And in that moment I was so angry. I was angry that he had left me, then and now again. I was angry that I was in this situation. I was all around angry.

I mustered up the strength, somehow, to put my hands up to his bare chest. As I concentrated, I felt all the anger in me pour out and suddenly I felt the heat radiating between us. It was enough to made him jump back.

"What the fuck?" I heard him mumble. Before anything else could happen, I heard Trip outside the door and saw him racing to put on his pants.

I woke with a start, rolling around in the blankets in a cold sweat, realizing tears were streaming down my face. From the anger or the memory, I couldn't be sure.

"What the fuck?" I echoed the question from my dream. I must be really out of it, I thought to myself. I shook my head as I closed my eyes, still feeling drowsy from the pill I took mixed with the alcohol I had consumed.

The second I closed my eyes I immediately saw his face again looming over top of mine and I flung open my eyes reaching for the light.

I sat up on the bed, curling my knees to my chest. I pushed the thought right out of my head and tried to think of other things.

I soon found it impossible and decided to go out and see if Luke was awake. Sure enough he laid where I left him. Shit, he slept dead as a rock when he'd been drinking. I tried and tried to shake him, to no avail.

I started to panic a little, not wanting to be alone. I decided to pull out my phone and hit Trip's contact. I knew it was late but maybe we could just talk. That could probably calm me down.

Soon enough I heard Trip's lazy greeting. "You know what to do."

I hung up, not wanting to alarm him when he listened in the morning.

I started to pace a little before I finally reached down in my purse and found the crinkled paper I had thrown there. I was surprised to find it still there and started dialing the numbers before I could think more about it.

The phone rang once, twice, and I considered hanging up. What was I doing? Before I could, I heard his deep voice. "Hello?"

I paused, considering hanging up. I had to say something, "Jasper?"

JPOV:

Peter and Charlotte had left a few hours ago and I had decided to go for a hunt, Peter and Charlotte had suggested I should. I was so used to listening so I just did without asking.

I was back now and just about to grab a book, when I heard the buzzing of my phone from my pants pocket. I hesitated briefly, wondering who would be calling at this time of night. Not that that made a difference for a vampire. I wondered if it was Alice saying that she had some vision I didn't want to hear about or Esme trying to coax me into coming home.

I decided it could be Peter and Charlotte too, so I better answer it. "Hello?"

There was a pause on the other side but I could hear breathing. "Jasper?"

"Bella?" I was worried at the time of night and the panic in her voice. I hadn't heard a peep from her since our last encounter and wondered what could be causing her to call now. "What is it, are you okay?"

There was another pause on the other end before she replied. "I'm sorry Jasper, this was a mistake."

She was about to hang up when I stopped her. "Bella, wait! What's the matter? Talk to me."

She sighed. "I just.. I just. I don't know what I was thinking. I was just upset and lonely and.." I couldn't feel her emotions over the phone but I could tell by her voice that she was hurting and I wanted to help her.

"Where are you?" I asked, hoping that she would answer me.

"Forget it Jasper. I'm sorry I bugged you." I could hear the defeat in her voice, but I wasn't going to let it go.

"Please Bella, tell me where you are. Let me come to you and then if you want me to leave then I will."

She took a few minutes, struggling with herself. "Okay. I'm where you ran into me the other day."

"I'll be right there." I shut the phone.

I set off to the car, I figured she might not be up for running. I drove quickly, hoping not to encounter any cops. In general there weren't many cars on the road at this time of night, especially since a light snow had started to fall.

I racked my mind with what could of happened to have Bella so upset. I wasn't happy that she was upset, but I was happy at the possibility of her letting me in.

I made it there in just under ten minutes though it felt like longer. I stopped on the road in front of the house, before quickly getting out and pausing at the door for a minute, wondering if I should knock. I listened in and it sounded like everyone was asleep except for one racing heartbeat so I decided to let myself in.

It was dark in the entry way but I could see a guy sleeping in the chair in the living room. I recognized him as the bulky one from the other night. He was sleeping very heavily and I easily walked past him, noting that there were four people asleep upstairs as well.

I listened to the heartbeat coming from the back of the house on this floor and followed it. I could smell her scent and feel her emotions all over the place. She was scared, confused, sad, and nervous. I knocked lightly on the door, "Bella?"

I heard a quick sniffle and whisper, "come in."

I opened the door and she was sitting in the lit room, knees up to her chest. Her eyes were puffy and red and she was still feeling the same things, but with a hint of relief.

"Bella?" I asked as I shut the door and approached her slowly with my hand out. I didn't know what was going on and she was clearly upset and nervous so I didn't want to scare her.

She didn't answer so I continued. "Bella, what's wrong, what happened?"

She wiped her eyes on the sleeve of the t-shirt. "I'm sorry Jasper. I was just so alone, and I had a bad dream about something that happened and I didn't know who else to call and I just..."

I cut her off. "Shh. It's okay. I told you to call me anytime and I meant it." I sat on the edge of the bed as she nodded. She didn't say anything so I continued. "What happened? Did somebody hurt you?"

She shook her head.

I noticed a determination in her emotions as she sat up, tightening her face. She smelled off again and I could tell that her red eyes were slightly dilated, but she was still in control of her actions.

She continued to hold her serious face. "I shouldn't have called you, I'm sorry."

I tried to read into her emotions, finding she was still feeling the determination. She was already acting like the last time I saw her. She was trying to protect herself and not let herself get too attached. I wondered briefly how Trip was ever able to break through this.

"Do you want me to go Bella? If that's what you want I'll go?" I would probably wait outside to make sure she was okay, but I didn't mention that.

Immediately I felt regret enter her emotions. She choked back a sob, not letting it slip out.

"No, I don't want you to go. I'm sorry." She felt vulnerable as she said it, but I was happy she wasn't completely pushing me away.

"Do you want to get out of here Bella?"

She just nodded as she reached for her purse and a bag that was next to it, before shutting off the light.

The car ride back to Peter and Charlotte's was quiet. I was happy now that I decided to take the car. I took the drive back slower, not sure how her stomach was feeling. I sent her some calming waves and she smiled slightly at me.

We didn't talk. I didn't want to push her and she didn't want to talk. She didn't ask where we were going, only stared out the window. I could still feel remnants of sadness but she was much calmer. Her determination to pretend to be okay was helping calm her down. I couldn't imagine it could last forever though.

As we got to Peter and Charlotte's I got out and opened her door, but she was feeling a bit anxious.

I tried to calm her. "This is my friends' house Bella, but they are out of town tonight. No need to worry. Why don't you come with me, there's something I want to show you."

I decided to try something to put her at ease. I thought back to what always helped me get some clarity. She got out and followed me to the property in the back yard.

She spoke for the first time in awhile. "What are we doing, Jasper?"

I stopped looking up at the tree. I bent down a bit and when she looked at me I replied. "Get on," I explained as I pointed to my back with my thumb.

She just stared back at my for a minute, but I could feel the curiosity rolling off of her. She did as I asked, seemingly happy for the distraction.

I grabbed her legs and she wrapped her arms around my neck. I held tight and moved slowly up the tree. I was worried she might be sick if I went too fast. I took her up to the second branch, not wanting to take her too high.

It was a thick branch and I sat down, letting her climb off and sit against the trunk of the tree. She looked down slowly and sat back up quickly.

"I've always liked to sit up in trees when I needed to think." I explained. "Peter and Charlotte, my friends used to always find me up there and since I've been here we've spent a lot of time up here."

Bella nodded. "It's nice up here. I can see why you like it."

I laughed slightly and she looked at me. "Mind you, we usually sit much higher up than this."

"I can take it." She replied. Her response made me happy as I saw a flicker of the girl she was before she got all defensive on me last week. It was a mixture of the girl that I saw with Edward and the self-sufficient girl when she wouldn't let people in. She was the girl I found it so easy to talk to last week.

I chuckled. "I'm sure you can darlin', but maybe we should wait until I'm sure you won't throw up on me."

She nodded in agreement. "I guess you got me there."

We sat there for a few minutes in silence before I smiled at her, remembering something from last week that might help cheer her up. "You know what else we do up here while we think?"

Bella shook her head no so I pulled out the pack of smokes that I had put in my pocket before I went to see her.

"I thought you might need some stress relief." She smiled a half-smile at me and nodded.

"So you really weren't judging me I guess."

"Who am I to judge?" I asked rhetorically as I handed her a cigarette and she held it to her mouth. I leaned forward and lit it for her and repeated the action for myself.

We sat there for awhile in silence before she spoke. "Thank you, Jasper." She whispered.

"For what?"

"For being a friend to me when I didn't deserve one. I blew you off and you still came when I needed someone. And you didn't push me. You just sat with me, brought me here."

I nodded. "I'm glad I could help. I am here if you want to talk, but I won't pressure you."

Bella nodded. "Thanks Jasper." She mumbled with a yawn. I could see her blinking trying to stay awake.

She must have been exhausted. From what I could tell she hadn't been sleeping well. Last time I saw her, and tonight she had dark circles under her eyes. I didn't know what she had taken either.

I looked over and she already starting to drift off. I didn't have the heart to wake her so I decided to wait until she was in a good sleep before moving her. It's not like I had to worry about her falling with me there.

It didn't take long anyway. I took her gently into my arms and held on tightly as I jumped down, landing softly on my feet, not even stirring her.

We moved towards the house and we were almost at the door when she let out a scream. She then started flailing around in my arms, though it didn't hurt me any.

I dropped down to my knees, bringing her into my lap. I gently shook her. "Bella? Bella darlin'? You're just dreaming, wake up.

She opened her eyes, searching around her, still flailing. I could feel the fear, anger, and sadness radiating off of her.

I tightened my hold on her a little. "It's okay. I got you, you're fine."

"Jasper?" She whispered as her body settled.

"Yeah, Bella, it's me. You're okay." I felt a bit of relief in her emotions.

She looked at me for about five seconds, not saying anything. Then so quickly that it surprised even me, she threw her arms around me as the violent sobs wracked her body.

I didn't feel any discomfort with her proximity. I'm not sure whether it was because her blood was muffled with substance or because I was too caught up in the moment, but either way I was happy not to have that distraction at the moment.

I instinctively reached back around her, careful to keep her on my lap and off the cold ground. I whispered in her ear as the emotions that had been building up in her all night, and probably a lot longer than that, finally took over. "Shhhhh. You're okay Bella. I got you darlin'.

She gripped the back of my shirt as I sent her a small wave of calm. As much as I wanted to make it all go away I knew she needed to finally feel this. "Don't leave, Jasper. Please, don't leave." Her voice begged me.

"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." And I knew I wasn't. I could see Bella needed me, and hell, I think I needed her too.