Chapter Ten: It all comes tumbling down

APOV

The door bell caused her to jump out of her skin, she heard Ollie start to move to get it and she almost screamed for him to stop "Ollie don't open the door, I'll get it" she said watching his small form move back to the sofa, she slowly got up and grabbed a frying pan and made her way to the front door.

She looked through the peep hole and sighed with relief as she saw it was Jasper and opened the door, quickly looking around for him, who she thought could be hiding anywhere.

"Alice, what's wrong?" asked Jasper, his eyes widening as he gazed at her.

She shook her head, "nothing, what can I do for you?" she asked hoping to get rid of him as quick as possible, to keep him safe.

"Uh well I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime this week?" he asked his tone still confused.

"I'll need to get back to you on that" she said quickly praying that James wasn't around then and there, listening to their every word.

Jasper stood on her doorstep looking more confused. "Alice tell me what is going on, I can help you" he tone was sincere

She pulled back from the door and headed into the house knowing Jasper would follow, she needed help and guidance and she felt deep down that she could trust him, even with this. She sank into one of the chairs again and picked up the note handing it to him.

She looked down while his eyes quickly skimmed the brief note.

"Alice?" he asked as he finished, she shook her head unable to explain it all now, it hurt to much and if she started to talk about it now she wouldn't be able to stop, wouldn't be able to move, he thankfully understood and it was quite in the kitchen.

"Mom, its Jasper, Alice and Ollie need to stay at yours for a little while, no I'll explain everything when we get there" said Jasper the sudden noise in the previously quiet kitchen causing her to flinch, she looked up shocked she didn't want to put anyone else in danger she just wanted him to understand why she had to go.

"Thanks, we'll see you in a while" he hung up and turned to her, "Come on" he gently helped her stand up "you need to pack, everything you'll need for a while. I'll help Ollie".

"No Jasper, I can't your family have no need to be in danger, I just needed you to know why we need to go, that it isn't you, I don't want to be the cause of anyone else being hurt".

His gaze bore into her as the last words fled her form, he seemed to understand the significance of those words, "It'll be fine just come to my parents we can talk there and be safe, then we can figure out what to do".

Jasper darted out of the room while she stood still the fear and panic paralysing her, "Alice" he called walking back into the kitchen "It'll be OK I promise you" he quickly kissed her, galvanizing her into action.

They pulled up to the large house just as twilight swept over the land, "Come on Ollie, my mom and dad can't wait to see you and Violet's here as well" said Jasper helping Ollie out of the car and grabbing the bags quickly running up the steps to the front door.

She watched as Esme open the door all smiles and hugs, Ollie ran inside laughing before Jasper was back at her side opening the door and pulling her out of the car.

"Alice, oh sweetheart" said Esme as she saw her, she was enveloped in a gentle hug as she stepped into the house, the warm feeling trying to push back the numbness she felt.

"Come on in, Carlisle and Rosalie are upstairs we can talk better there and the children are playing in Rosalie's old room so they won't disturb us" said Esme as she steered her to the stairs.

She nodded mutely and let herself be led up to the kitchen, two faces turning to see her walk in.

She sat down slowly, trying to formulate the best way to tell these lovely people about her horrible past the reason she needed to move here. She looked around at the faces of the people she had come to trust and now she was going to ruin it.

She breathed deeply letting it all out in a rush "back in college I had an admirer, it was really sweet at first, small notes left at my desk, or near my classes, roses taped to my on campus locker, flowers at my door" she said looking down at her clenched hands. "Emmett didn't like any of it, which I can now understand it was a little creepy. I got them and thought they were sweet and romantic, but they never signed their name to the cards; they only ever said it was from one who truly loved me" she breathed out shakily the memories flooding back.

"A couple of months went by, I made more friends and the notes and flowers kept coming but they never asked to meet up, or told me their name so I sort of forgot about them" she shook her head, unable to meet any of their eyes.

"I started dating a boy named Ben, he was kind and sweet I thought at first that he was my secret admirer but when they still kept coming with the same signed sentence I knew it wasn't him".

"Ben was great, really attentive, and we had a lot in common, and Emmett even got on with him and my friends adored him" she smiled remembering the good times.

"Everything was great for a while, and then the notes starting getting a bit nasty, they were jealous that I was with Ben, even though they never told me who they were" she looked over at Jasper quickly looking away.

"I told campus police and Emmett made me tell the local police to let them know that this thing had taken a nastier turn, the roses that now turned up where all dead and horrible looking I started to feel afraid" she clenched her hands tight trying to stop the shaking that was now inevitable.

"Ben wasn't though; he and Emmett told me they would keep me safe. After we told the authorities everything stopped, the notes, flowers, everything and Emmett and Ben both laughed it all off but I never forgot the feeling that he had over me" she nodded to herself, she could see Rosalie's face, her delicate features marred with worry.

"We made it to our last year still a couple, and he had proposed to me and I had said yes, I had learnt a week before graduation that I was pregnant, I was waiting for the right time to tell Ben, he wouldn't have been angry probably the total opposite but I wanted to wait until after we graduated" she looked up, she could see the hurt look on Jasper's face and she wanted to explain but now was not the time.

"That night we all had a party, a 'this is the your last bit of freedom party', it was a blast, there was music, food and drinks which I stayed away from but everyone was having a wonderful time" she smiled as the memories came of friends eating, dancing and some of them singing off key flooded back and helped to ward off the dark memories that she would have to face very soon.

"I had popped back to my room which was down the hall to grab my cardigan as it had gotten slightly cold and I wanted to take a walk with Ben to tell him our news, I had just walked into my bedroom when I saw a note and a dead rose lying on my pillow" she looked down, remembering the fear that had gripped her then

"I remember just staring at it, I picked it up slowly, and read the message, he was so angry, that I hadn't noticed him, that I was still with Ben and that we were getting married"

"I ran back to the party, my heart was pounding with fear, I burst through the room to find the part still going strong, I started searching around for Ben and Emmett apparently I had texted Ben and told him and Emmett to come and meet me out in the quad" she said, her breath quickening with the remembered fear.

"I hurried outside, I was terrified of this feeling that something awful would happen to them, and I made it to the quad just in time to see my admirer kill Ben. I ran forward, I didn't even think about my safety I just had to help him"

"It was as I got closer that I saw Emmett lying on the ground blood pooling behind his head, his fiancée lay next to him, dead and small looking next to his larger frame" she could feel the tears threatening to spill as the images played themselves through her mind.

"I made it to Ben, he must have run because he was away from Emmett and Celia, and I screamed as I saw him, his throat had been slit open and he was barley alive, I could see the light going out of his eyes quickly", she paused chocking on the sob that welled in her throat, tears streaming down her face.

"I forgot about the attacker, or rather I don't think I cared anymore, my fiancé and brother were both dead I really didn't want to be alive"

"He struck me across the head and I fell to my side, the wind knocked out of me with the pain, I opened my eyes to see the face of the person who was doing this, I thought if I was going to die I wanted to know who did it" she said venom lacing her words

"I looked up and into the face of a close friend James Stoke, we had been friends since grade school and I would never have suspected him to have liked me let alone enough to have done this, he had always just been there in our friend group" she whispered

"He sat on my ribs making it so hard to breathe, he was shouting at me, telling me it was all my fault that this had happened and I just wanted to die, and I could see Ben out of the corner of my eye, his body lifeless"

"I shouted back, a stupid thing to do given the situation but I was so angry and scared, I didn't understand how he could do this to me, to our friends, to my Ben" she could see Jasper shifting in his seat and she wanted to stop and explain that it was a lifetime ago but this all needed to come out.

"He smacked me hard then, and kept hitting me, I felt my lip split and a bruise was starting to form on my cheek, he grabbed my throat, his hands clenching around it, I thought I was going to die" she heard Esme gasp but pushed on.

"I didn't see much then, tears where blurring my vision, and my sight was becoming dark, I just remember that suddenly the pressure was gone, I looked over to see Emmett standing over him he had hit him with a rock knocking him out"

"The campus security arrived shortly after that reports of screaming and disturbances, and then the police arrived later, hauling James off to prison and me off to the hospital followed by Emmett" she breathed a sigh, the worst was over

"I was in there for a month, a few fractured ribs from him sitting on me, and nasty bruising around my throat and on my cheek but it was Ollie I was worried about, scared that he had been harmed by the ordeal, but the doctors told me he would be fine"

"I left the hospital, and was thrown in front of the cameras, the trial was being rushed and I spoke as the victim, I buried Ben, and Emmett buried Celia. It was a hard time for both of us, it brought back to many memories of Emmett and I burying our parents years before and I didn't get a minute to really grieve by myself."

"We both moved around for a while. Ollie was finally born, and I couldn't have been happier even if he was a constant reminder of Ben, so then I decided to move here as the five year anniversary was coming up, I couldn't take it, the local news re-hashing the past" she said twisting her fingers together in frustration

"Today I got home and there was a note, addressed to me but it had been hand delivered, it was from James he's escaped and he knows where I am, he knows about you all, and about Jasper and I" she said looking up

"I'm so sorry I don't want anyone to get hurt, I thought we would be safe from him this far away" she let the new tears fall.

EsPOV

She couldn't take it anymore, Alice's story cut through her as the young women looked up at them her apology still striking through the air, and she quickly got up and hugged her tightly.

"Shh, it's OK, we'll keep you safe" she whispered stroking the poor girls head "you are staying her until this gets sorted out" her tone spoke of no arguments.

She looked over to her eldest, Jasper; he was just standing there, his face a mask of pain and rage. She could clearly see that he didn't know how to react, how to comfort the women he loved.

"Esme, I couldn't put you in that type of danger. Emmett is coming down but he won't be here until tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know in case something happens, to make sure you protect yourselves, Ollie and I will be fine and I wanted to thank you all for your kindness" said Alice already getting up

"No" said Jasper finally looking over at her, "No please don't Alice" he walked towards her grabbing her shoulders releasing her as he noticed the flinch, and tilted her chin up instead "I need you safe, I need to keep you safe" he whispered

She watched them finally looking at the others in the room, her sweet caring Carlisle looked torn the doctor in him wanted to check her over, but the father in him wanted to kill the person who hurt her, she could see it so clearly written all over his face

She walked over to him letting him wrap an arm around her shoulders. She looked up at her daughter; Rosalie's face was just a mask of pain and upset, she could tell Rosalie so badly wanted to go over to Alice and offer her comfort, but understood the need in Jasper was greater.

JPOV

He held her tightly in his arms, needing to be able to feel that she was safe, that she was with him.

He looked to his parents and saw they were both affected by her story and his dear sister looked broken by the tale, unable to move closer to them but needing to comfort the fragile women in his arms. She met his eye the look in them a clear message keep her safe he nodded to her silent request making his own vow he would not let anything happen to her again.

"What do we do now?" he asked to the room at large.

"First Rosalie can you go and check on Violet and Ollie make sure they're OK" asked Carlisle squeezing Esme's shoulder one last time before standing up straight. "Jasper, please show Alice to one of room upstairs, I'll contact the police so they can get patrols and protection out as well as contact Edward and Bella" he nodded quickly and gently led Alice upstairs.

"Alice, your safe here; we'll look after you" he promised, reassuring the shaking women in his arms.

Rosalie quickly squeezed Alice in a hug before she headed off to find the two children; he turned and gently tucked Alice under his arm before walking her down the corridor, showing her the guest room she would be sleeping in.

"Thank you Jasper," said Alice quietly as she slowly took in the room, "I didn't know what to do; I was frightened when I read the letter. It is all coming back".

He moved forward and turned her around, watching the tears well up in her usually bright happy eyes. "Alice, there is no thanks necessary, I want to help no, I need to help, to keep you safe" he gently kissed her needing to express how he felt.

She kissed back, the panic and fear having an outlet at last, the kiss was both passionate and fierce, biting of lips and crashing of teeth; it was so different from the tender kisses of their previous dates. They pulled back heaving for breath as they stared at each other.

"I feel safe with you, Jasper" whispered Alice shutting her eyes and leaning her forehead against his chest.

He walked back downstairs, leaving Alice to unpack and get a hold of her emotions. He could see his father on the phone, no doubt talking to the police.

"Edward and the family will be over shortly" said Esme as she came up to him, her face still held the sadness she had felt. He hugged her tightly "how is she?" she asked as she pulled away.

"I don't know she seems to be in shock. The story finally coming out and she's scared mom, I just want to make it all go away" he replied.

Esme nodded at him "It'll be OK Jasper, nothing will harm them as long as they are with us" she said. He nodded racking a hand through his dishevelled locks.

They both turned to Carlisle as he put the phone down, "the police have said they will send a patrol car out immediately to watch the house, while we are all here and then tomorrow they will start the investigation and man hunt".

"Good" he replied knowing they would all feel safer with the police outside, he clutched his mother's shoulder as she jumped at the sound of the doorbell ringing.

Carlisle quickly walked to the door "It's just Edward and the others" he called letting the others relax.

He heard them enter the house, "Off you go Jake, you can play with Violet and Ollie for a while" said Bella before he saw her enter into the living room, Nessie was sleeping in her car seat in Edward's hand.

"What's going on dad?" asked Edward as they all sat down, his eyes darting to each of them, the worry filling the air.

He nodded to his father to tell them a brief version of Alice's story, to inform them of what was happening, he didn't think he could get the words out if it was left to him.

Bella was crying by the end like Esme and Rosalie had been, she was quickly gathered into a hug by Esme, while Edward looked angry just like he had earlier.

He heard the creak of the stairs, and looked up to see Alice standing there, a panicked look on her face, he rushed forward to her "It's just Edward and Bella, dad let them know what they needed" he said trying to reassure her. Alice nodded as she slowly made her way down the stairs and into the living room. She walked forward and Jasper could see Bella stand wanting to comfort her friend in her time of need.

"How could you do this?" asked Edward turning to her.

He and Alice stopped in their tracks "sorry" said Alice her voice small.

"You've put our whole family in jeopardy, my wife and children are in danger because we know you" he said anger and fear lacing his words.

"Edward" gasped Esme at the tone of her youngest words.

"No mom, she's put us in danger and no-one cares" he shouted.

He looked down at her, she looked so small in the face of that anger, terror sweeping over her delicate features as he walked forwards, she tried to move backwards, towards a place safer than in front of him, but his own hand kept her where she stood.

"I'm sorry" she whispered, "I'm so sorry, I never meant for this to happen, I just wanted to let you know, I didn't think he would find us" she replied practically clawing at his hand to get him to let go so she could run. "Please don't" she whispered, tears running fast down her pale cheeks as he kept on coming towards them.

"Edward" he all but growled at his brother from her side, causing Edward to stop and look at him, clearly shocked by the venom in the words.

"Back off, and cool down" he said, standing in front of Alice, he could see Edward take in the scene, Alice's shaking form behind him, his own protective stance.

"Jasper, how can you stand there after what she told you, what happened to her fiancé and her brothers Fiancée? How can any of you not be worried, you put my wife and children in danger and you never bothered to say anything" he questioned angrily.

"Edward" he shouted again

"I never wanted to think about it again" said Alice quietly moving out from behind him to stand before Edward. "Can you even begin to imagine having to sit down with your four year old son and explain to him why his daddy isn't around like other children's, why his Uncle Emmett couldn't come and visit?, because he was just so broken over losing Celia sometimes" she asked. "How hard it was to look him in the eye when I felt it was my fault that they were all dead, that I was the reason that Uncle Emmett couldn't come over because he couldn't stand to look at his sister, the sister that had caused his other half's death" she said not able to look him in the eye.

"Do you think I meant to do this, meant to bring this upon your family? I didn't Edward, I love them all so much and I just couldn't bare to remember, I didn't sleep for a year after it happened, the nightmares were so real I would wake up gasping for breath because his hands on my throat had felt so real" she said.

"I couldn't talk about it, because talking about it would have meant I would have to remember it, and then I would dream about it all over again"

He wanted to hold her tight and never let go; he couldn't even imagine what that had been like, the terror of the actual event and the fear afterwards, the guilt that must have racked her every day.

Edward looked down "Alice I'm sorry, I don't know what it must have been like for you, I am just worried, scared for all of our safety" he said in a rush.

"I am truly sorry Edward" she said again, looking around, a haunted look hiding behind her usually bright green eyes "I just need to go upstairs" she said rushing out of the room and up the stairs.

They all watched her depart, Edward hadn't looked up yet, he knew his brother felt guilty and fearful they all did he just didn't realise the fear would over ride his usually compassionate nature.

Authors Note: Yes finally some drama I know a lot of you have been waiting for it and as it has been a long time coming I decided to post two chapters tonight instead of one.

Thank you to all who read this chapter I hope you enjoyed it

Disclaimer: all the adult Cullen's, Brandon's, Nessie and Jake belong to Stephanie Meyer; the other kids are all my own imagination