Disclaimer. All publicly recognizable characters, settings etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I only do this for fun. –B

Chapter 16
(Lilly's POV)

Have you ever wished that you could just freeze time and stay in that moment forever?

That's how I felt right now as I lay curled up in my Jasper's arms. We were both panting and trying to catch our breaths after hours of love making up here in our bedroom. He held me tightly to his chest with both arms wrapped around me. Never have I felt so loved and so safe. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my mate in my life. I was almost scared to take my weekly nap last night, because I was afraid that when I woke up, I would be back in my own bed and all of this was a dream. I couldn't tell you how relieved and happy I was to wake up to Jasper placing butterfly kisses up and down my neck where his mating mark remained.

I was broken out of my thoughts when I felt Jasper place a hard lingering kiss on my head.

"God, I love you." He mumbled against my hair, sending a wave of love and adoration to me.

"I love you too, mon cher." (My dear) I whispered as I looked up and into his eyes.

He leaned down and kissed my lips, putting off of his emotion and love into the kiss. He pulled me closer and continued to kiss me as he ran his fingertips up and down my side.

A knock on the door broke us apart and I looked at the door as if it had begun to grow arms and legs and started to dance around the room.

"Yeah?" Jasper asked who I now discovered was Edward by his scent as it came in from under the door.

"Can I borrow Lilly for a little bit?" He asked, leaving the door shut. No doubt he could read in our minds that we were indecent and that it would not be wise for him to open the door. Jasper would go ballistic if another male sees me exposed.

I looked at Jasper, my instincts demanding that I receive permission from my mate before answering. Being alone with another male so soon after we have mated without permission would only cause trouble for both myself and the male involved. Jasper is a possessive bastard as it is, so add the recent mating to the mix and you're lucky if you're out of his reach.

"His emotions are frazzled and upset." Jasper observed. "We'll see what the problem is and then I will decide if it's a good idea or not for you to partake in his request."

"Alright." I nodded and sat up, rolling out of the bed and pulling the sheet with me and wrapping it around myself like a toga.

Japer followed suit minus the toga as we went to the closet to get dressed, leaving Edward outside of the door waiting for us.

"Meet me in Carlisle's office, please." He requested and I listened as he walked away from the door.

I threw on a pair of light jeans and a long sleeved baby blue top with my initial over my left collar bone. I added a white belt to match the letter and then threw on a pair of white sneakers.

Jasper dressed in a similar manner, only he wore a pair of light jeans, a baby blue long sleeved top that clung to his muscles, and a long sleeved buttoned down white collared shirt. Sometimes it amazed me how alike we were, not only personality and hobby wise, but just with the everyday things we did.

I smirked at him as I noticed his attire and took his out stretched hand as he pulled me out of the room and down the hallway to Carlisle's office.

I sat down in the chair in front of Carlisle's desk as Jasper stood behind me with his hands gently massaging my shoulders.

"I need help." Edward began as he fidgeted in his seat.

"Anything, Edward." Carlisle promised.

I nodded agreeing with him, always wanting to be there for my best friend.

"Did Alice tell you guys what happened to Bella tonight?" He asked.

"Almost happened." Jasper amended.

"Yes, almost." Edward agreed.

When Alice told me what almost happened to Bella earlier, I was beside myself with guilt. She had invited me to go with her and Jess and Angela earlier tonight, but since I was not in school and didn't know what to do, I told her that Jasper and I were still out hiking and wouldn't be back until late. If I would have gone with her, I could have prevented those guys from messing with her with my gift and she would never have had to feel such fright from almost getting brutally raped and murdered.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Lil." Jasper said, feeling my guilt and distress at the topic.

"Yeah," Edward agreed. "You didn't know that was going to happen, nor is it your fault that it did. Bella just attracts danger and it would be a full time job trying to keep her away from every possible disaster that she would be involved in."

"True." I nodded, and then looked up at Edward with a smirk. "Plus, that job is already taken."

I could tell that if he could, Edward would be blushing scarlet right now.

"Anyway," He said changing the subject. "I've got a dilemma," He admitted, his expression turning grave. "You see, I want…very much…to kill him," The words started to flow fast and passionate. "So much. But I know that would be wrong, because it would be vengeance, not justice. All anger, no impartiality. Still, it can't be right to leave a serial rapist and killer wandering Port Angeles! I don't know the humans there, but I can't let someone else take Bella's place as his victim. Those other women – someone might feel about them the way I feel about Bella. Might suffer what I would have suffered if she'd been harmed. It's not right –"

Carlisle's wide, unexpected smile stopped the rush of his words cold.

"She's very good for you, isn't she? So much compassion, so much control. I'm impressed." He praised him.

"I'm not looking for compliments, Carlisle." Edward mumbled.

"Of course not. But I can't help my thoughts, can I?" He smiled again. "We'll take care of it. You can rest easy. No one else will be harmed in Bella's place."

I watched as Edward read the plan in Carlisle's head and Jasper and I waited patiently until they were ready to discuss it and what part I would be playing in all of this.

After several moments, Edward finally nodded his head in consent to Carlisle's plan and they were ready to explain it to the rest of us.

"Okay, this is what we're going to do." Carlisle began. "From the research that Alice did on this 'Alonzo Calderas Wallace,' also known as 'Lonnie.' It appears that he is wanted in Portland, among Huston and Oklahoma. Edward can show us where to find him and at that point we will drug him. We will take him to Portland, since it is the closest, and we can have Lilly compel him to turn himself in to the authorities, admit to his crimes, and tell the officials where to find the bodies of his victims." He paused and looked to Jasper. "Is this okay with you, son?"

Jasper was quiet for a moment, then hesitantly nodded.

"On one condition." He said leveling his gaze at Carlisle. "I come with." He demanded. "I will not have my mate in danger, even if they are just humans."

"That is fine, Jasper." Carlisle agreed. "I understand that with it being so close to your mating, that you want to protect your mate from any and all dangers, even if protection isn't warranted."

"Alright then," Edward said anxious to go. "I'll show you where to find him, let's go."

Carlisle grabbed his black bag and the four of us headed out to Edward's silver Volvo. Jasper and I sat in the back and the other two took their seats in the front. Alice was sitting on the front steps as she has for the past few hours. She grinned and waved as we drove away.

"I saw that she checked ahead." Edward acknowledged. "We won't have any difficulties."

The trip was very short on the dark, empty road. He left the headlights off to keep from attracting attention. We all remained silent and left alone with our thoughts.

Edward did not linger in Port Angeles. He took us to the drive where the creature named Lonnie was drowning in his disappointment with his friends – two of whom already passed out. It was obvious to all of us that it was hard for Edward to be so close – for him to hear the monster's thoughts and see his memories, most likely of Bella mixed in with less fortunate girls who no one could save now.

Edward's breathing sped and he clenched his hands on the steering wheel.

"Go, Edward," I told him gently as we exited the car. "We'll make the rest of them safe. You go back to Bella."

Jasper and Carlisle nodded their agreement and he smiled at us appreciatively. It seemed that it was the right thing for me to say. Her name was the only distraction that could mean anything to him, now.

He left us the car and ran back to Forks in a straight line through the sleeping forest.

"Alright," Carlisle said interrupting us as we watched Edward disappear into the night. "Let's get this over with."

We silently nodded and followed after him into the home of the human monster.

(Jasper's POV)

CNN broke the story first.

I was glad it hit the news before we had to leave for school, anxious to hear how the humans would phrase the account, and what amount of attention it would garner. The family stood in the living room, all ready to go to school, as we watched in anticipation.

There was an earthquake in South America and a political kidnapping in the Middle East. So it ended up only earning a few seconds, a few sentences; and one grainy picture.

"Alonzo Calderas Wallace, suspected serial rapist and murderer wanted in the states of Texas, Oregon, and Oklahoma, was apprehended last night in Portland, Oregon. Wallace appeared at the police station early this morning, almost in a daze as he recovered from a night of drinking and getting high with friends. He admitted to his crimes and gave the locations to the bodies of all of the young women he had slaughtered. We aren't sure what made him decide to turn himself in, but whatever the reason, I'm sure that the families of his victims are happy that they can finally bring their loved ones home and put them to rest. Officials are unable to tell us more at the time, or whether he will be extradited to Houston, Portland, or Oklahoma City to stand trial."

The picture was unclear, a mug shot, and he'd had a thick beard at the time of the photograph. Even if Bella saw it, she would probably not recognize him as the man who tried to assault her last night. We all hoped that she wouldn't; it would make her needlessly afraid. Thinking of this, I pulled Lilly close to me, happy that she was here and safe in my arms.

"The coverage here in town will be light. It's too far away to be considered of local interest." Alice told us. "It was a good call for you guys to take him out of state." Edward nodded, seemingly busy with his own thoughts.

We've done all we could and this monster no longer hunted and none of us were murderers. Well…not recently, anyway.

We made our way to the garage to get ready to go to school. It was obvious that Edward was impatient and no doubt was going to pick Bella up at her house again.

"Alice, do you mind –"

She cut him off. "Rosalie will drive. She'll act pissed, but you know she'll enjoy the excuse to show off her car." Alice trilled a laugh.

Edward grinned at her. "See you at school."

Alice sighed. "I know, I know, not yet. I'll wait until you're ready for Bella to know me. You should know, though, this isn't just me being selfish. Bella's going to like me, too."

Edward didn't answer her as he hurried out the door to his car.

"She'll do more than like you, Alice." Lilly said as she wrapped her arm around her shoulder. "She'll love you! You both got along so well that day that she sat with us at lunch that one day. Just wait until she really gets to know you!"

"Thanks, Lilly." She smiled, her emotions lifting to greater heights. "You're the best sister, ever."

"Hey!" Rose appeared in the doorway and pouted, putting her hands on her hips.

"You both are!" Alice amended and Rosalie smiled.

"Wait, where's Edward?" She asked looking around for him or his car.

"He went to pick Bella up." Lilly answered as Emmett joined us. "Do you mind driving?"

"Ugh!" Rose cried. "What is with his infatuation with his human? This shit is pissing me off!" She grumbled as she grabbed her keys from where they were hanging with all of the others.

"Chill out, babe." Emmett said trying to calm his mate. "Look on the bright side, now you get to show off your car to all the kids at school."

She smiled at that as we all piled in to her BMW and made our way to school.

(Edward's POV)

"Where's the rest of your family?" Bella asked suddenly.

I took a deep breath – registering the scent in the car with true pain for the first time; I was getting used to this, I realized with satisfaction – and forced myself to be casual again.

"They took Rosalie's car." I parked in the open spot next to the car in question.

I hid my smile as I watched her eyes widen at the red BMW next to us.

"Ostentatious, isn't it?" I smirked.

"Um, wow. If she has that, why does she ride with you?" She asked, trying not to offend me.

Rosalie would have enjoyed Bella's reaction…if she were being objective about Bella, which probably won't happen. If only she would be more open and treat Bella the same way she treated Lilly. Then again, it was almost impossible not to like Lilly.

"Like I said, it's ostentatious. We try to blend in."

"You don't succeed." She told me, and then she laughed a carefree laugh; the kind that I have only witnessed in Lilly's memories of the two of them together. The wholly untroubled sound of her laughter warmed my hollow chest even as it made my head swim with doubt.

"So why did Rosalie drive today if it's more conspicuous?" She wondered out loud.

"Haven't you noticed? I'm breaking all the rules now." My answer should have been mildly frightening – so, of course, Bella smiled at it.

"Why do you have cars like that at all, if you like your privacy so much? Lilly doesn't have a car at all." She asked as we walked.

"An indulgence," I admitted. "We all like to drive fast."

"Figures." She mumbled, her tone sour.

"As for Lilly, she has always preferred running to driving a fast piece of machinery; something about the freedom and loving the fresh air. I assume that Rose and Jasper will get her into it though. She is an expert at working on cars, just like Rose, so it's only a matter of time before they get her to actually owning one." I smiled.

"Yeah, that sounds like Lilly." She returned my smile as she must be thinking about her best friend.

Nuhuh! I don't believe this! How the hell did Bella pull this off? The only single Cullen left! First Lilly with Jasper and now her! I don't get it! Why?

Jessica's mental boggling interrupted my thoughts. She was waiting for Bella, taking refuge from the rain under the edge of the cafeteria's roof, with Bella's winter jacket over her arm. Her eyes were wide with disbelief.

Bella noticed her, too, in the next moment and faint pink touched her cheeks when she registered Jessica's expression. The thoughts in Jessica's head were clearly written all over her face.

"Hey Jessica. Thanks for remembering." Bella greeted her as she reached out for the jacket. Jessica handed it to her wordlessly, still in shock from what she was seeing.

I should be polite to Bella's friends, whether they were good friends or not. The only good ones seemed to be Angela Webber and Lilly from what I have seen and heard in their minds so far. It would only hurt Bella to hear what the rest of them think, and that's the last thing that I want to do.

"Good morning, Jessica." I greeted her.

Whoa…

Jessica's eyes popped even further out of her head. It was strange and amusing and honestly a bit embarrassing to realize how much being near Bella had softened me. Before I met her, I wouldn't have spared a glance in Jessica's direction let alone say hello to her. Now, it seems like no one is afraid of me any longer. If Emmett found out about this, he would have a laughing fit and mock me for the next century!

"Er…hi." Jessica mumbled and her eyes flashed to Bella's face, full of significance. "I guess I'll see you in Trig."

You are so going to spill. I am not taking no for an answer! Details, DETAILS! I have to have details! Edward freaking CULLEN! Life is so unfair…

Bella's mouth twitched, obviously catching on to the look that Jessica was still giving her. "Yeah, I'll see you then." She mumbled as Jessica's thoughts ran wild as she hurried across the campus to her first class.

The whole story. I'm not accepting anything less. Did they plan to meet last night? Are they dating? How long? How could she keep this a secret? Why would she want to? I know I wouldn't! It can't be a casual thing – she has to be seriously into him. Is there any other option? I will find out! I can't stand not knowing. I wonder if she's made out with him? Oh, swoon…

Jessica's thoughts were suddenly disjointed, and she let wordless fantasies swirl through her head.

(Jasper's POV)

"You guys are getting worse than us with the public displays of affection." Rose said, breaking the moment between Lilly and I as they took their seats at our lunch table.

"Oh, leave them alone, Rose." Alice said sticking up for us. "They're newly mated and in love." She said wistfully.

"I suppose Edward isn't going to grace us with his presence again?" Emmett asked as he slung an arm around Rosalie, getting comfortable at the table.

"He'll be sitting with Bella again today, if that's what you mean." Alice sighed.

"Of course he will." Rose grumbled.

It was quiet for a while as they all played with their food and I played with the strands of Lilly's hair, occasionally placing a feather light kiss on her shoulder. I had to admit that I haven't felt this comfortable around humans for as long as I can remember. Lilly was a God send!

"Wait a minute…" Rose snarled suddenly, breaking me out of my thoughts. "What are they talking about?"

I felt my eyebrows crease in confusion at what she was talking about, but then realized that it was about Edward and Bella as Lilly suddenly stiffened in her seat. I pulled her closer to me, not sure what was happening, but wanting to protect my mate in any form, regardless; whether it be emotional or physical.

I stretched my senses to listen to what they were talking about over at Edward and Bella's table.

'What would you do if someone dared you to eat food?' She asked in a low voice so that it wouldn't carry to human ears. But we all could hear her just fine.

"I don't know?" Alice lied, her emotions showing guilt and dread. "What are they talking about?"

'Jessica's analyzing everything I do,' He informed Bella. 'She'll break it down for you later.'

"It sounds like she knows about us!" Rose hissed as she slammed her fist on the table, leaving a crack in the wood. "Does she or doesn't she know, Alice? Don't you dare lie to me or I'll burn you where you sit!" I growled under my breath at the thought of Bella knowing the truth about us. It could cause all kinds of problems, not to mention hurt Lilly if Bella didn't accept her for what she was.

'I warned you I would be listening.' Edward admitted to her.

"Rose!" Lilly exclaimed, sticking up for Alice. "Don't take it out on Alice! It wouldn't be her fault if she did know! I understand that you are upset, we all are, but yelling and threatening her is not the way to get your answers!" She turned her attention to me. "And you!" I looked at her surprised. "Don't think I don't hear you growling over there. Knock it off!"

"Yeah, breathe, babe." Emmett said, wrapping his arms around his hyperventilating mate.

I sighed as I turned to look at Alice. "Does she know, Alice?" I asked calmly, but on the inside, I was a mess. I was furious, but knew better than to vent my frustrations out here right now. Rose had that role handled enough for all of us. Not to mention it wouldn't be safe to talk about this in front of so many humans.

"She knows." Alice whispered. "But don't worry, she won't tell anyone."

'Why did you go to that Goat Rocks place last weekend…to hunt? Charlie said it wasn't a good place to hike, because of bears.' Shit. How much did he tell her?

'Bears?' She gasped.

"That stupid, idiotic moron," Rose growled under her breath and turned her attention towards Edward and Bella. "How could he do this to us?" She snarled, getting worked up again.

"Easy, Rosie." Emmett said as he began to rub her shoulders in attempt to calm and relax her. Though, it seemed like it would be an impossible task, if anyone could do it, it would be Emmett.

'If you read carefully, the laws only cover hunting with weapons.'

'But bears?'

'Grizzly is Emmett's favorite.'

Rose growled as she heard this. If Edward was smart, he would shut his big mouth right now. The more I listened, the more pissed off I got.

'So, what's your favorite?' She asked, her emotions showing fascination and interest.

'Mountain lion.' He answered brusquely.

'Of course, we have to be careful not to impact the environment with injudicious hunting. We try to focus on areas with an overpopulation of predators – ranging as far away as we need. There's always plenty of deer and elk here, and they'll do, but where's the fun in that?'

'Where indeed,' She murmured as she listened politely to Edward as he spoke.

"She's going to hate me." Lilly murmured to herself only loud enough for me to hear.

"No, she won't." He said shaking my head. "You're her best friend. I'm sure that she understands why you couldn't tell her."

"Alice?" She asked, her bottom lip trembling as she held back the tears.

Alice glanced back over at Edward's table, then back towards Lilly.

"She doesn't hate you. She understands completely why you didn't tell her, but she will have questions that you might not be ready to answer." She said.

"D-Does she kn-know about my diet?" Lilly asked.

Alice let out a long sigh before nodded her head.

"Edward explained it all last night. She doesn't know what gift you have, but she understands why you need to and knows that you would never hurt her."

Lilly let out a sigh of relief and looked over at Edward's table at Bella who was looking back at her.

'I'm sorry.' She mouthed to her.

'It's okay.' Bella replied and gave her an encouraging smile that Lilly returned. She then returned to her conversation with Edward.

'I'm trying to picture it – but I can't. How do you hunt a bear without weapons?'

'Oh, we have weapons,' He told her and then flashed her a wide smile. 'Just not the kind they consider when writing hunting laws. If you've ever seen a bear attack on television, you should be able to visualize Emmett hunting.' She glanced towards the table and shuttered.

I shook my head in exasperation. He is just digging himself deeper and deeper.

"Fine, I can't deal with him now." Rose said with her head in her hands. "I'll do it when we get home today. He better be there." She then snapped her gaze to Alice. "But you! You should have told us the moment you found out that she knew! How long have you been hiding this information?"

"I haven't been hiding anything!" Alice denied.

"Yeah, right." Rose snapped back at her. "You are a psychic, Alice! You would have seen it the second he decided to tell her! You should have warned us, instead of letting us go into this blind!"

"She isn't going to tell anyone!" Alice tried to defend herself.

"Come on, Rose. You're being mad at the wrong person, here. Though she should have told us the second that she found out, it won't change anything being upset with her. Direct your anger to the guilty party." Emmett tried to coax his mate.

"Yeah." I agreed. "Your anger should be directed at Edward. After all, it was his responsibility to tell us."

"But we might have been able to change things if she had told us before it happened." She growled as she glared at Alice. "All she wants is her precious little human friend. Who cares what happens to us, right? As long as Alice gets what she wants. If she starts telling people, the Volturi will find out and what happens when they get here? They learn about Lilly and she will gain Aro's attention. Not to mention, we all go down with Edward since we didn't do anything to fix the situation like I wanted to! You risked all of our lives with this little stunt! But no, that doesn't matter, as long as you get your little human friend. Is it all worth it, Alice? Are our ashes worth your little human friend? I ought to rip you apart and burn you right here, right now!"

"ENOUGH! ALL OF YOU!" Lilly shrieked, silencing the arguing going on at the table. "First, that's my best friend that you're talking about and I know she won't tell anyone! Second, what about Edward? From what I understand, he's been alone for the last 109 years. Doesn't he deserve his mate, too? So what if she's human. He deserves to have someone to love, no matter their species. Lastly, yes, Alice should have warned us and we all should have had a family vote to decide if it was okay for him to tell Bella or not, but what's done is done. All that matters is what is going to happen now. All of this yelling and arguing isn't going to change anything."

Everyone was silent for a moment before Rose looked at Lilly apologetically. I could still feel that she was really upset with Bella knowing, but she understood what Lilly said. Alice was looking down at the food as she played with the mashed potatoes with her fork, feeling guilty and accepting that Lilly was right in her rant. Emmett was feeling grateful that she stopped the fighting and drama.

Suddenly, Alice tensed as she was pulled into a vision and then immediately turned to face Edward. He looked back at her for a moment as he watched the vision along with her. It must have had to do with him or Bella because he frowned for a second before turning back to his conversation with Bella.

Alice slumped against the table and pouted. I could feel her frustration as she continued to keep looking over her shoulder at Edward.

"What is it, Alice?" I asked gently.

"He's ignoring me." She grumbled, but kept her vision to herself.

Edward glanced back over at her again, but just rolled his eyes at her pleading look and turned his attention back to Bella.

"See! Now you know how the rest of us feel!" Rose began to snap again. "Spoiled, sneaky, ungrateful…"

"UGH! THAT'S IT! I'M SICK AND TIRED OF THE FIGHTING!" Lilly growled as she pulled herself out of my arms and began to collect her things and stood. "I'll see you guys after school. By then, maybe you all can talk about this like the decade year old vampires you are instead of children!" She turned her gaze to me. "Are you coming, Jasper? I need to hunt."

I nodded, not wanting to say anything as I collected my things and followed her out of the canteen.

A/N: So now everyone knows that Bella knows. What do you think about what they did with Lonnie? What about Rosalie's reaction to the whole thing? Read and Review!

If you have any questions, post them on my reviews and I will answer them in my next Author's Note!

If you like this story so far, check out my other stories on my FanFiction page! Read and Review!

I am also still accepting Twilight stories involving Jasper/any female lead or Bella/selected male leads for those who need a Beta Reader. I will make exceptions on the characters depending on the plot. Just PM me for any further details!

-Bella'Xo
Xo BellaItalia oX