Disclaimer: Ya'll know what's mine and what's not. Thanks for respectin' both. :)

A/N: Response to the last chapter was about was I expected - most were jumping for joy, some were a bit cautious or confused, and of course it wouldn't be a Lessons story if someone didn't call Bella a whore LOL. The chick's been with two guys in 22 years, both of whom she loves dearly. And really, would you be able to toss either one of them out of your bed? If she's a whore, I'm really gonna burn in Hell.

For those of you who have heard about my recent health issues and were kind enough to PM or email me, thank you. I love you all. Oh, and I was told to remind you that I'm on facebook (Lillie Spencer) and Twitter (Miss_Lillie). This is unbeta'ed. I figured you wouldn't want to wait. ;)

Jasper's POV

So lie to me and tell me that we're going to be alright
Lie to me and tell me that we'll make it through the night
I don't mind if you wait before you tear me apart
So look me in the eye... and lie, lie, lie
"Lie" - David Cook

I could tell you the very moment Edward and Bella saved me from the abyss. I had been lost in darkness, trapped in caverns in my own psyche I had no idea existed until my mind retreated into them. There were moments where a touch, or a smell, or a wave of love or concern would try and coax me out, or where the absence of those things sent me cowering deeper into the caves, screaming for Bella. But it wasn't until I was surrounded by warmth, and light, and love, and Bella that my mind became my own again.

So soft, so tight...I'd forgotten...Oh, Bella...

Her arms encircled me, her scent surrounded me, as did her love. I awoke, for lack of a better word, to find myself snugly sheathed in her folds, her taste on my tongue, her breasts pressed against my chest, heaving as I slowly made love to her. I didn't understand it at first; I mistook it for a dream, another diversion my mind created, this one infinitely better than the others.

I bent down to my quivering angel and captured her lips in my own. I angled my hips in an arc, remembering with perfect clarity the angle I needed to stimulate that sweet spot deep inside her, the one that made her scream my name in pleasure.

I slid my hands up, preparing to kiss my angel properly for rescuing me from Hell when my fingers unexpectedly touched something, no... someone. I opened my eyes and looked around, finding the exact person I was terrified to find.

Edward? Oh God... Edward...

I was instantly overcome with grief. What had I done? But the look on his face and the emotions he was feeling weren't what I anticipated. He face was calm, serene even, and he was feeling only love and...desire? It was desire! Edward was watching me make love to Bella and he was aroused.

I was more confused than ever. Bella turned my attention back to her, whispering reassurances in my ear, loud enough for Edward to hear. She opened her heart to me in a way that had been closed off for over twenty years and I could feel that she still loved me every bit as much as I loved her. And Edward was there, loving both of us and somehow that made it alright.

I was still running on instinct, there were no coherent thoughts, but somehow I still knew the surge of gratitude I attempted to send him in my weakened state did not remotely suffice. So I did the only thing I could. I took his hand, intertwined our fingers and met his gaze, hoping he could see in my eyes everything I was trying to say. Edward squeezed my hand and nodded.

That was all the permission I needed. I went back to my Bella, our Bella. She wrapped her hand around mine and Edward's and they served as my anchor, in both a physical sense and an emotional one. Never had the act of making love been so intense, so filled with emotions. I wanted to pleasure her, I wanted it to last all night. Hell, I wanted it to last forever, but it was just too much. Bella wrapped her legs around my waist, begging me for more and in the background, I could hear Edward touching himself. We all came together in perfect harmony.

As soon as my orgasm subsided, I collapsed, exhausted in a way I don't even remember feeling when I was human. I was boneless, my muscles utterly useless, and I landed on Bella's chest with a thud. I felt Edward's forehead on my arm, our hands still joined, and the haze that had surrounded me from the moment I came out of the emptiness lifted.

It was then the terror hit me. I couldn't bear for it to be over. I couldn't bear to lose her again. I couldn't deal with everything that had happened without her. I clung to Bella as the panic set in, chanting her name like a hymn. I felt their concern and it helped to ground me. I didn't want to scare them. I didn't want to retreat into the darkness again. I didn't want to be alone.

When I'd calmed down, I kissed Bella's collarbone in silent thanks and hesitantly looked at Edward. Thank you. I didn't know what else to say. He squeezed my hand then disappeared, and without his presence, I returned to my safe haven in the crook of Bella's neck, lavishing her with tiny kisses, each one an expression of my love and gratitude. I knew all too well that this moment was temporary, fleeting, but I would not waste it in self-pity. I would savor it, cherish it so I could carry it with me without regret.

I was only remotely aware of Edward's presence when he returned with a couple of towels, one dampened with hot water. I felt Bella's jaw move as she mouthed something to him, then Edward bent down to kiss her forehead, his fingers resting on my shoulder as he did. Then he was gone.

Bella's arms encircled me once more and she petted my hair for a few minutes. I got the sense she was savoring this moment too, afraid to do anything that might cause the bubble to burst. I would have stayed there until the very end of time, however near it might be after we failed our mission, if not for the fact that I knew Bella would not break the spell. She was waiting for me to show her I was alright, that she had truly brought me back, so she could go back to Edward.

I put my weight on a shaky elbow and pushed myself up to look in her eyes before giving her a peck on the lips, pleased as punch when she reciprocated. Her fingers continued to twirl in the curls of hair on the back of my neck and when she smiled at me, all was right with the world.

"Are you alright, Jazz?" she whispered.

"Thanks to you. God, Bella, I love you so much."

She didn't even hesitate, though she was torn and wary. "I love you too." I knew then that I had to let her go once more. I couldn't do this to her again, make her feel as though she had to choose. She had chosen already, and no matter how much she loved me, loves me still, it wasn't me she wanted her forever with.

That being said, I wasn't ready to let her go.

"Come, darlin'. We don't know how long they're going to be gone. Will you take a shower with me? I think it will make this evening easier all around if we are cleaned up before they come back." Bella bit her bottom lip, then nodded. I stood, instantly missing her breasts against mine, her legs wrapped protectively around me, but she took my hand and I had my anchor back, and I was okay.

We showered in silence, washing each other's hair, caressing and massaging each other lovingly. I left not one inch of her beautiful body untouched. Every few seconds I would kiss her, mostly chastely, sometimes desperately, and she would return each one with equal enthusiasm. When my thoughts were turn to things they shouldn't and the darkness would threaten to return, Bella was in tune to me, the way she always used to be, and would hold on to me for dear life until I regained control. She was in every sense my Bella again and I dreaded the moment when Edward would return with Emmett and Adrian and I would lose her again. It wasn't until we were drying off that Bella gathered the courage to attempt to prep me for that moment.

"Jazz... I don't want you to..."

I kissed her once, twice, three times, to stop her from talking. "I know. I understand. I told you I love you because it's true. I felt you, I know the same is true for you. I also know it doesn't change anything. It's okay. Tonight, this," I lifted our joined hands up to her eye level, "is enough." Bella smiled, in opposition to the ping of frustration I got from her, and wrapped her free arm around me, bringing herself against me so we were cheek to cheek in a half hug since I refused to let go of her hand, except for the few brief seconds it took for us to dress.

Bella tried to talk to me a couple more times, but I didn't want to talk. I couldn't handle it. Not now. Not yet. Not when I knew she would either break my heart or lie to protect it. So I pulled her tight against me on the couch and cuddled her until I felt them coming. I whispered my love for her in her ear once more and moved to a more socially acceptable distance. I couldn't bear to let go of her hand, though, and prayed that Edward would understand. It seemed minor compared to what they'd already given me. On the other hand, how much could I take before they withdraw from me completely?

When Edward returned with Emmett and Adrian, his eyes went straight to mine and Bella's hands. He looked up and smiled at us lovingly and I sighed in relief. Adrian was blocking me, which was fine. The only surprising emotion I encountered came from Emmett, who felt incredibly proud, although I had no idea why.

It was quickly forgotten as we got back to business. I was thankful for Bella's hand in mine, I needed the anchor as I retold the horrors of the previous days, and thankfully it didn't bother or surprise anyone. It was cleansing for me, getting it all out in the open. Now we could strategize and deal with the new threats. We came up with a rough plan. It was foolhardy and filled with holes, far too many variables to have any chance of succeeding, but it was all we had. We had roughly two weeks left until the move to the states. We were out of time.

Bella, Edward and I would continue the lie Edward told, portraying us as a triad. It would give Edward and I the ability to protect her without drawing attention, and would hopefully have the added benefit of warding Maria away from me. Although no one vocalized it, it would also allow Edward and Bella to monitor my mental state and intervene if necessary. I wasn't sure how I felt about it. On one hand, it made the most sense tactically. On the other, I worried about how we would all deal with it emotionally. It was reminiscent of our college days, when Edward and Bella had to pretend to be together while she was with me, and we all know how that turned out.

"This isn't the same," Edward replied to my thoughts. "This isn't you taking her away from me, or me taking her away from you. This is the three of us, loving and protecting one another, with honesty and communication."

"What are we, Tinker Bells?" Adrian piped in, pointing at his and Emmett's chests. "Chopped liver?" Bella was quick on the draw.

"We love you and will protect you too, but this isn't some bad HBO series, Adrian."

"Damn. That coulda been fun. What's the matter Bells, can't handle any more brotherly love?" Emmett teased from his seat next to Bella, waggling his eyebrows. That decided it. Emmett was a moron. I couldn't stop the growl in my chest as I bared my teeth at him.

Bella stood up, boxed his ears then grabbed his shirt and tossed his sorry ass onto the floor. Edward laughed hysterically as he stepped over Emmett, who was looking up at Bella utterly shocked, to sit on her other side. Bella took his hand, so she was now holding both our hands, leaned over to kiss Edward's cheek, then mine, before looking down at Emmett.

"Can we get back to business now, Em? You know, the whole saving the world from the Two Horsemen and One Psychobitch of the Apocalypse thing?" She gave Adrian the stink eye, just for good measure, before returning to the matter at hand.

Bella would continue working Maria and the twins, sticking to the original plan of endearing herself to them and then trying to use her influence to try and talk some sense into them, starting with Maria. She was not happy that she had failed to hit her target adoration level with the twins and Maria; she was too stressed at the time to give it the necessary concentration, we assumed. We convinced her we could use it to our advantage. If there were any vampires in this camp that needed the gold card treatment, it was The Big Three. She would also try and be present at any and all meetings she could, enchanting everyone she met.

Edward and I would play the part of enthusiastic commanding officers, if for no other reason than to keep us close to Bella. If we could bend their plans to our advantage, all the better. It may give us some small chance of getting out alive.

Adrian's chemistry background would be put to good use in Dr. Lee's labs, distracting Dr. Lee from Bella and his curiosity about her charms and learning anything he could about their experiments. He wasn't looking forward to it, and while I didn't blame him, I had little patience for whining after everything I had just been through. Apparently, so did Bella.

"Listen, Adrian. One - you volunteered. You came here of your own free will and truth be told, I'd have rathered if you had stayed in Italy protecting Alice and the rest of our family and keeping your ass off the front line."

"I'm a front line kinda guy, Hells Bells." Emmett laughed at the football joke. Bella did not.

"I'm not finished!" Adrian's eyes got wide and for the first time ever, I think he was a little scared of Bella. "Second - yes, it's gonna be horrible and you're going to be disturbed and wish you could throw up, I'm sure, but it's still gonna be better than what I'm going to be going through. I have to sidle up next to Ms. Psychotic in the black leather and stilettos who has suddenly decided she's regretting civil war era women didn't get to have the whole 'drunken sexual experimentation with her sorority sisters' experience. So suck it up, Buttercup, and shut it!"

I'm not sure if it was the experience I'd just had with Bella and Edward, the fact that Maria was infatuated with Bella, or just plain horniness, but the brief image I had in my mind of Bella and Maria, all entwined limbs and lips wearing nothing but sorority sweaters, pig-tails, thongs and stilettos awoke all kinds of urges. I still wasn't strong enough to direct or suppress my emotions well, however, and the whole room was hit with a wave of my arousal. The men in the room chuckled and tried unsuccessfully to hide their own reactions while Bella just rolled her eyes at us.

Emmett, surprisingly, was the one to get us back on track, without one single smart-assed remark. I guess he learned from his mistake. "What about me, Major?"

"Emmett, I want to see if I can get you assigned to security detail, since apparently I've been promoted. We now know there are cameras. We need to know what else we're up against. If the shit hits the fan before we change locations, we need an escape route."

"Should I have brought some spoons?" Emmett made a digging gesture with his hands curled around imaginary spoons and we all laughed. It was the comic relief we needed, and probably the last lighthearted moment we would have for some time. Indeed, it might be our last lighthearted moment ever.

"Jasper, do you really think this will work? So many things have gone wrong already." Bella was biting her lower lip and all of her earlier bravado was gone. She was really scared.

I squeezed her hand and leaned over to kiss her forehead, looked her square in the eye, and lied.

"We'll be fine."

One week later, and I was cautiously optimistic about the progress we had made. Bella had coyly voiced her concerns about their ambitions to the twins, suggesting they search for a diplomatic solution. They listened to her logic, enraptured, and promised to take her suggestions under advisement. It wasn't a stand-down, but it was a start. Their lust and desire for Bella had me concerned, however. It reminded me of Caius.

Bella had even more success with Maria. She was drooling over Bella like a lovesick teenager, yet still lusting after me, and Edward as well. In fact, Maria was very straightforward with her desire to expand our triad into a quad. Bella played into that, suggesting that no future, not even the one Maria was dreaming about, would be possible if we forced a confrontation with the humans and the Volturi and lost. Maria agreed wholeheartedly and, while she still felt the Volturi should not rule over the vampire world, vowed to help Bella convince the twins of the necessity for at least attempting peaceful negotiations before they proceeded with their plan for domination. I would never have anticipated that Maria would come to our side so easily. She had always been very good about compartmentalizing her sexual urges from her emotions, but Bella's gift had truly done a number on her, and I could feel honest-to-goodness love from Maria for the first time in my life, and not just for Bella, but for me as well. I wasn't sure what to make of it.

Edward managed to orchestrate some more red tape into the surrogate recruitment centers, delaying their potential opening by at least a week or two. We were still switching compounds in a week's time, but would have to shift the timeline back for everything else. We still had no idea where in the states the compound was, we were all told it was on a 'need to know' basis, and apparently even their commanding officer's didn't need to know.

Adrian had less success with Dr. Lee. He did get a job in the laboratory, but Dr. Lee dodged him at every turn. More often than not, Adrian would end up being the one backed in a corner, avoiding answering questions about Bella that led him to believe Dr. Lee suspected something and had not given up his search for the truth.

Two days before our departure for the states, Stefan asked to speak with Bella alone. Edward and I insisted on accompanying her, hoping to use our gifts to read him, help protect her, but Stefan denied us and in the end, Bella agreed to meet him on her own. She came back several hours later, bouncing on the balls of her feet, hugging each of us in turn, telling us Stefan was convinced that Bella was right. He told Bella he had tried to talk to Vladimir, but he was not listening to reason. Stefan asked Bella if she would be willing to accompany them on the trip to the states so they could sway Vladimir together and she agreed straight away, much to our horror and dismay.

I had warning bells going off in my head, but Bella couldn't back down now, not without raising questions and potentially exposing us, and Bella seemed so confident in Stefan's sincerity. In the end, we reluctantly decided to let her go. We would follow behind as closely as we could and pray for the best.

As she prepared to board their private jet, she turned and held my face in her hands, bringing her lips to mine in a passionate kiss. I grabbed fistfuls of her shirt at the small of her back when she opened herself to me, her tongue teasing and tantalizing, and I moaned from the pleasure of it before she released me and kissed Edward in much the same manner. I had to remind myself it was for appearances, as Stefan and Vladimir watched our goodbyes from the stairs. They were jealous, which I expected, but there was also a smug sense of satisfaction, of accomplishment there that sent me into a tailspin. I grabbed Bella's hand as she walked away, trying to stop her, but she shook me off lightly, turning with a smile to look at us and wave as she walked towards the plane.

"I love you both. I'll see you soon!"

I tried to argue, but the words didn't come out fast enough and she was gone.

Edward and I reluctantly headed back to the compound, gathered up Maria, Emmett, Adrian, Rafael and the few stragglers left behind before catching our own plane to the states.

"Where's Dr. Lee?" Maria asked as we were taking off, looking around. "He was supposed to fly back with us."

"He said he had something to take care of first and would meet us there," Adrian replied with a shrug.

"When did he disappear?" I asked, already knowing in my gut what the answer would be.

"Shortly before you took Bella to the airport."

Bella was supposed to wait for us at the airport and escort us to the new compound. I knew at that instant she wouldn't be there, and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. When the plane landed, I practically ripped the doors off the hinges, not even waiting for the plane to come to a complete stop, before I frantically began searching for Bella. There was no sign of her, no hint of her scent anywhere. No hint of any of their scents, actually. They had not landed here.

She was gone.

A/N: Someone asked for some Carlisle NCB love, so I'm bringing back one of my favorites from A Lesson in Release - the Naked Carlisle Turtle Sundae!