DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT OR ANY OF

S. MEYER'S CHARACTERS… UNFORTUNATELY.

I JUST PLAY WITH THEM.

Blood In The Snow Chapter 6

Previously:

"Kill him, get rid of the body."

"You got it, Boss."

Oh crap. Thankfully, after a short time, my vision started blurring around the edges and my screams began to quiet down. I must be dying… I was thankful for that. An end to the pain… I drifted out of consciousness.

Slowly I become aware… oh damn, I'm still alive. I can hear someone coming closer…NO! I can't take any more. I roll up, screaming, begging….

JPOV

"It's okay. I won't hurt you. You're safe." The velvety voice soothed. Carefully I opened my eyes, looking around. The vividly green eyes of the man in front of me projected sympathy as he pulled me into his arms as I cried. He rocked me gently, murmuring softly. Blackness engulfed me and I gratefully slid away, into the dark once more.

I slowly become aware of coolness on my forehead. Someone is sitting on the bed next to me. He smiles at me when he notices me looking at him and explains that he is caring for me. I hear him and understand, but can't seem to respond. I take the pills he offers with a sip of water. Just that small effort exhausts me and I lie back, looking at him. Sparkling green eyes, bronze hair… he's beautiful. But who is he and where am I. He tells me his name… Edward… then mentions something about food. I'm having a hard time making sense of everything. Wait… he says another name... Alec? My eyes frantically search the room for this other person. I hear Edward chuckle as he tells me Alec is a dog and it was he that found me in the snow. Glancing down beside me, I see that there is a huge dog snuggled to my side. My fingers automatically reach for him and caress his ear.

Edward leaves the room to get some food for me. Alec stays by my side and I rub his ears and whisper 'thank you' to him. I feel safe with this big dog lying next to me. It's comforting to feel his warm body snuggle close to me.

After a while, I hear footsteps outside the door and Edward comes in with food on a tray. He sets the tray on the nightstand, handing me a mug of soup. We eat and talk a little. He asks my name, but I'm afraid to tell him… I ask him to just call me Jazz. I take a drink of the bottle of orange juice that he brought up and nearly scream as it burns my throat like liquid fire. I start choking, my eyes tearing up.

"I'm sorry. I never thought about the acid in the juice. Are you okay?" He takes the juice and gives me a bottle of water.

"Yes", I can barely whisper. I take a long drink of the water and it seems to soothe my throat. "My throat's a bit raw, I guess."

We finish the soup and my eyes begin to droop. Edward suggests I take a nap and I think that's a good idea. Alec stays snuggled up with me.

"If you need anything, just send Alec down for me." Edward pulled the door partly closed as I nodded at him and settled down into the covers.

Rolling over, I reach out for Alec, but he isn't there. I look around for him and see him headed out the door. Hmmmm… guess he needs to go out. Groaning, I slowly force my body up. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I look around the room. It's a nice room. The bed takes up most of the floor space, but feels cozy, not crowded. I guess that the other two doors are probably a closet and a bathroom. Hmmm… bathroom. I could use a clean up. Easing my way up off the bed, I can't help but groan as my abused body protests the movement. Carefully, I make my way across the room, flipping on the light in the bathroom. After relieving my bladder, I move to the sink and wash my hands and face. Opening the door, I see Edward putting some clothing on the bed. He turns as I come back into the room.

"Hey. Sleep all right?" He smiles at me.

"Yeah. Feel almost human." I ask about the cast on my arm and he explains. Nodding, I make my way over to the bed to see about getting dressed. The short walk takes nearly all I have left, so he helps me get dressed and then helps me downstairs.

"Are you hungry?" He gets me settled on the couch and Alec lies at my feet.

I nod.

"The remote for the TV is there on the coffee table, or if you rather, the laptop is there and you can check your email or if you need to let someone know you're okay…" he trails off, looking at me.

I thank him and pick up the remote, flipping through the channels looking for something to watch. I find the news channel and figure it will work as well as anything. After the commercial break, the announcer starts the top story. Suddenly, I am confronted with footage of my house burning. The announcer says that my parents' bodies were found in the house… that the medical examiner says they were dead before the fire started … that officials were still looking for their son's body as they presume he is dead as well.

I hear screaming, sobbing and for a moment, I don't know where its coming from. Then I realize it's me. I crumple down onto the couch, sobbing. My parents are gone… gone…

Strong arms encircle me, pulling me onto his lap. Edward holds me close, gently rocking, murmuring softly…"Oh baby… I'm so sorry. So sorry…." Gentle fingers stroke the back of my head. "Let it out, baby. I'm here", his velvety voice soothes.

He strokes my back, rubbing slow circles. I try to stop the tears, but I can't control them. Gasping, I struggle to breathe.

"Jazz. Listen to me." His voice compels me to listen. "Breathe with me, baby. Slowly… in… out… in".

I struggle to match him. Slowly my breathing evens out. The tears slow and I relax against him. I feel his soft, warm lips above my ear.

He whispers, "Good… slow, deep breaths." He nuzzles the side of my neck. I lean in to him. The gentle cuddling is just what I need.

I notice the TV is off now. I never noticed him turning it off. I snuggle in closer in his arms, sighing softly. Edward continues to gently rock me, lightly kissing my neck, murmuring that all will be okay, that I am safe, that he won't let anything happen to me.

EPOV

Jasper sobs into my chest for such a long time, his arms wrapped tightly around my neck. I know he has to be exhausted. I gently stroke his back while feathering kisses along his neck. He finally gets his breathing under control and the muscles in his back begin to loosen. Soft sniffles seem to indicate that he is winding down. His arms loosen their 'death grip' around my neck and his breathing gets deeper. I think he's slipped into sleep. Carefully, I lean around where I can see his face and he is asleep. I lay him on the couch, covering him with the throw that I keep on the back of it.

I just sit and gaze at him. It felt so right to hold him in my arms. I wish I could be sure that his snuggling is more than just a need for comfort. I hope that he, maybe, is drawn to me. Maybe its wrong of me to feel this way, but… I feel so protective of him. I want to hold him in my arms and keep him safe from the world. I want to taste every inch of his glorious skin and have him taste me. Shaking my head, I chuckle at myself. Jeez… he's been here less than 48 hours and already I want him, to hold him, to protect him, to … love?… him. I am in deep trouble here. I don't even know if he's gay.

I can smell the fresh coffee, so I go and get a cup, bringing it back into the living room. I don't want Jasper to wake up alone. Luckily, the roast I put in the oven will be just fine for a while. We'll eat when Jasper wakes up. Poor guy, it's been a rough day for him. I wonder if it would be better for him to talk it out, or if I should just let him be. Let him tell me what he wants, when he wants… I think I'll just let him take the lead in this. I'm not sure he can take the pressure of any questioning right now.

Settling into the recliner, I put my feet up and gaze out the window at Mt. Rainier in the distance… so peaceful. It is still snowing… looks like we already have a couple of feet accumulated out there. Not only will it keep us here, safe and snug, it will keep uninvited guests out.

I must have dozed off. My eyes open to a beautiful sight… crystal blue eyes gazing across the room at me. Jasper is sitting on the couch with Alec, the silly sot, practically wrapped around him.

"Hey." Jasper ducks his head, looking shyly at me through his lashes.

"Hey." Oh…I don't know how long I've been asleep, but every muscle in my body is screaming obscenities at me. Groaning, I stretch to try to loosen up a bit. I can smell the roast and it doesn't smell burned, so it can't have been too long. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah." He untangles from the dog and stands, stretching. "Something smells awfully good." He keeps his head ducked.

"It's a roast I put in a while ago. Smells like its ready for us." I head into the kitchen with him right behind me. Motioning to the cabinets I ask him to get the us some plates and flatware. He nods and gets them out, setting it up on the bar.

We talk about nothing in particular as we enjoy our meal. Jasper asks about this place and I assure him that we will not be having any unexpected visitors as we are basically snowed in until spring. He seems to be relieved at that. After we finish, I feed Alec and load the dishwasher. Jasper offered to help, but I told him to go and pick out a DVD for us to watch.

JPOV

While Edward cleans up the kitchen, I make my way back into the living room and look through his collection of DVDs. Wow. Looks like he has nearly everything that's come out. Hmmm…'Brokeback Mountain'… I don't think so. Wonder if he's gay… oh god… I hope so. He has a beautiful and caring soul. Shaking my head, I put that DVD back and pull out 'Little Ashes', about Salvador Dali. This will work.

Leaning back on the couch, I close my eyes. I can see the newscast replay in my mind. Deep down, I knew my parents were dead when Demetri was trying to get me to talk. I just didn't want to admit it to myself. It was a shock to see it like that on the news. The only good thing about that newscast is that they all seem to think I'm dead. Demetri must have just dumped me on the mountain, figuring I'd either die from his 'gentle ministrations' or I'd freeze to death.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt someone flop down on the couch next to me.

"Sorry… didn't mean to startle you!" Edward gave me an apologetic smile. "What did you pick out to watch?"

"That's okay… I just didn't hear you come in." I handed him the DVD. "Little Ashes okay with you?"

He set up the player, putting the DVD in and then sitting back down next to me on the couch. "Yeah. I like it. Have you seen it?"

"No. I heard it was pretty good, though." I shrugged. "About Salvador Dali. Always liked his work, so I thought it might be interesting."

The previews were finally finished and the movie started. Edward reached over and turned the lamp off, plunging the room in darkness, except for the light from the TV. Alec curled up on the floor at my feet. I could feel the warmth from his body next to me. I had to fight myself to keep from snuggling next to him. He makes me feel safe. Safe, warm… and if I'm honest with myself, aroused. Peeking sideways at him, I catch him watching me. I can feel the blush creeping up my neck.

"Beautiful." I barely catch his whisper. His long fingers gently stroke down my cheek, and then he jerks them away. "Oh god. I'm sorry." He stammers. "I didn't mean…"

Placing my fingers on his lips, I silence him with a small smile. "It's all right." I peek up at him under my lashes.

EPOV

I can't believe I did that. It was an unconscious instinct to touch him when he blushed like that. He says its all right and then peeks up at me…damn, these jeans are getting a bit uncomfortable.

"Jazz, " I look him in the eye. "I need to tell you something about me." I hope I'm not setting myself up for any problems, but I need to tell him. He cocks an eyebrow, watching me closely. "I'm gay." I wait for his reaction. He stares at me for what feels like forever, with absolutely no expression on his face. Then, total relief rushes over his face as he slides into my side.

"Thank god. So am I."

A/N: Sorry I took so long to update. RL has been a real pain! Still haven't moved, don't know now when or IF it will happen. Such fun… NOT. I'll try not to take so long on the next chapter. Thanks for your patience!