I own nothing, even though I wish I did.

Chapter 2

I never could figure why the Volturi choose to make their home in Italy. One would think they would not want to be anywhere overly sunny, seeing as the sparkly skin would break their number 1 rule - keep it secret. It was a good thing I was here in the early fall; I had fog, rain and clouds to hide in. In a way, it reminded me of Forks. So, I took advantage of the cloud cover and drove to Volterra

I missed Forks. It was one my happier time, even with the Party Catastrophe also known as one Isabella Swan's 18th birthday. I knew I should have hunted before she came over, that was my plan. How was I to know that I was going to need to stay after class? I suppose Alice would have told me if she would not have left to decorate the house for Bella's party. Well that and Emmett calling me during class; although if I would have remembered to shut the ringer off I would not have gotten in trouble in the first place. As soon as I got out of my detention, I got roped in by Emmett to go with him. He wanted assistance picking out the right radio for Bella's truck. By the time we got back to the house, it was too late to hunt.

I can't blame Bella for the paper cut. I wanted to at the time, oh how I wanted to. I mean what human willingly comes into a Vampire House and then purposely cuts herself. She may not have had any, I mean ANY self-preservation, but she was not that crazy. I blamed myself for the longest time; it was just a drop of blood. Here I was one of the most strong-willed Vampire and I lost control with one small drop of blood. It took a lot of talks with Carlisle, and a beating from my best friend and brother, Peter, before I understood two important things.

One- it was an accident plain and simple. No one could plan for Bella to cut her finger. It wasn't something Alice could see coming. It could have been anyone, minus Carlisle, that could have snapped at her.

Two - I am an empath, I can feel the emotions of others. Strong thirst is a feeling, an emotion. I had five Vampires thirst, plus mine, if anyone's counting that makes six swirling around me. To compound the issue, Bella just happened to be the blood singer to one of the thirsty five.

I was pulled from my walk down memory lane by a buzz in my pocket. One short buzz signaling a text message. I quickly grab my phone out and scanned the screen.

Sun is going to come out soon, may want to do some shopping for a while. - A

Of course she would see that I was near shops the annoying little pixie. Again my phone buzzed.

If you want to meet Aro in the arms of the guard then be my guest and continue to laugh. You have 5 minutes. A

I started to actually look at the shops now. I didn't just want to duck into one at the last minute and find myself stuck somewhere horrible...like a shoe store. Shoe store. Dress shop. Souvenir shop. Bookstore with a little coffee shop inside. Wine-tasting room. As soon as I walked past the Bookstore, I felt a pull from my chest. I tried to walk away from the store, but the pull got worse, when I got near the store again it would lessen. My decision was made. I was going in the bookstore.

As I entered the store, my training as a soldier kicked in. I sniffed the air for any kind of danger. Of course it smelt mostly of humans, but there were also many scents of Vampires all through the store. That was not odd in and of its self, seeing as I was in Volterra where many Vampires lived and worked. Strangely enough, there was also a Vampire scent in the coffee shop to. I got slightly closer to the little shop to investigate the scent. It was familiar, but also not. I could not place where I may have run into that scent before. I was scanning some shelves when it hit me. That scent, I thought to myself, I should know it anywhere, but it can't be.' She was dead, she had to be dead. Alice hasn't been able to see her future for years, she stopped being able to see her about a year after we left. We would have gone back for at least the funeral, but we all knew if... Well if she killed herself it was our fault. It sounded cruel, but as a family we just could not take that information.

I was pulled out of my depressing thoughts by a human that almost reeked of that scent coming up to me.

"Can I help you," I asked him when he stopped in front of me with what looked like no intentions of moving until we talked.

"I am sorry to bother you sir," replied the human. "I think you are a friend of my boss."

"I think you are mistaken," I said calmly. "I am just visiting some very old friends here in Italy. I am not from around here."

"No Sir, I don't think I am," the human shrugged. "You and her have a lot in common. You see you both suffer from the same infliction." Shit, this human knew what I was.

"I... I don't know..."

"I was given the task of delivering this to you," he said, handing me a piece of paper covered in that mysterious scent, then turned and walked away. I quickly unfolded the note, being careful not to tear it.

Jasper, long time no see. You know I forgave you right? No real harm, no foul. If you are interested in talking, come find me in the coffee shop. I will save you a seat. If you choose not to see me, I understand. Although I warn you, I may pop up again as I am staying here in Italy.

It was unsigned, but with that scent I really didn't need it to be. Did I really want to meet with her? I knew she forgave me, I could feel it when I lunged for her, she told Alice to tell me too. What the Hell did she mean no real harm? Because of me the family left, taking her boyfriend, best friend, big brother and surrogate parents away; I think I would call that harm. Was I really debating this? Hell yes I was going to meet with her! As soon as I made up my mind, my body started toward the cause of that scent and some answers.

I soon found myself at the entrance of the coffee shop and there sat reading a book like it was an everyday occurrence was one Isabella Swan. Even from here, I could see she was now a Vampire and what a beautiful Vampire at that. Her hair was longer now, almost touching the top of her butt. Of what I could see of her face, I could see that she had lost some of her 'baby face' as my mama would say. Her face was not the only thing that lost something, her body no longer had the look of an awkward teen, she had really filled out, gained her woman's curves. She would now give any super-model a run for their money. Hell she could give Rose a run for her money and that was saying something.

As I watched her, again I felt that pull from my chest. It was pulling me toward her! It couldn't be! I knew now what that pull was, it was the mate pull. I couldn't be Bella's mate...could I? She couldn't think of me that way...could she? I was never going to know until I talked with her, so I willed myself to start in her direction.

"Excuse me," I said when I was finally in front of her. "Is this seat taken?" I asked pouring on my southern charm and giving a slight smile. What the hell? Was I starting to flirt with her?

"No it isn't," she replied slowly closing her book, almost if she was stealing herself to look at me. Oh My God it really was Bella! At that time, I lost control of my body.

"Bella, is that really you," I asked her literally falling into the chair next to her.

"Yes, it's me," she smiled at me. Oh what I would give to have her always smiling at me, she was so beautiful! "It is good to see you Jasper." And that is when I went into shock.