Author's Note: I am so sorry it has been a month between updates. But with weddings and travel, and life in general, there really was not time to write at all. I wrote this chapter quickly upon my return as a peace offering. :)

The night sky was clear, a million stars shining down on Jasper. He had offered for Bella to go hunting with him, but she declined, stating that she was not very hungry and would rather stay in. Bella's resistance to blood was unparalleled with the exception of Carlisle; so he was not all too worried about her going into town the next day.

Jasper, on the other hand, knew that the emotions of the past two days had taken its toll on him; if he did not hunt, there was a distinct possibility that he would make a mistake. Last thing he wanted in the world was to come back to the Cullens with red eyes. Their disappointment and Alice's would be more than he could bear.

Jasper walked through the forest rather leisurely; spending a few hours familiarizing himself with the territory yet again. It was good land; bountiful in wildlife. He wished that Bella had wanted to go into the forest with him; he found her presence comforting and he needed that in this moment. He needed someone who understood him.

It surprised him it seemed that she appeared to know him so well already; without really trying. Emmett and Rosalie often complained that Jasper was like a puzzle. The pieces were there, but they just needed to be put together. While Jasper did tend to sometimes keep to himself, he did not think he himself was all that entirely complex in reality. Jasper liked that Bella seemed to agree.

But what he liked most about Bella was that Jasper already knew that she was someone he could lean on, when he was feeling emotionally charged.

It was rare for anyone to be given that designation; Peter had been the only one prior to her that he had felt he could always do that with. Peter understood from the past how difficult Jasper's gift truly was; it really was a blessing and a curse.

Sometimes Alice, when they were all alone, was able to provide the support he needed. He did not fault her when she wasn't there for him, most of the time she was not even aware of his problems. Her visions were so emotionally taxing on her, that he usually kept his own overwhelming feelings private.

Jasper decided that he had enough of walking through the forest, finally catching the scent of some Elk about a mile away. He took off in the direction of it, making quick work of several of the large animals, sating his immediate need for blood. It would be enough to last him through tomorrow.

He headed back towards the house. Even though it was close to sunrise, Jasper could tell that Charlotte and Peter had not returned yet; which did not surprise him. Charlotte was very particular about whom she chose to eat. She claimed that certain people left more of a bitter aftertaste than others. Peter, unable to refuse her anything, always indulged her and let her take as long as she wanted on her hunt.

Bella's scent was still lingered strongly coming up to the house, so he moved towards the door. Her emotions hit him like a brick wall before he had ever entered the house. She was miserable; her emotions everywhere all at once. He steadied himself, letting himself calm before hers overtook his.

Bella must have sensed his presence, because her emotions suddenly disappeared, a blank void now in their place. Concerned, Jasper followed her scent into the bedroom that was designated as Bella's. Bella's clothes from this past weekend were scattered around her on the bed. There were a couple of shirts and pants, a brush, her phone, and a couple of books that she had taken with her to read over the weekend.

Bella stared down at the floor. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were coming back yet or else I would have had my shield up. My emotions have kind of been all over the place. One moment I am doing okay, and the next…"

Jasper moved over to the bed, clearing the shirts out of the way with his hand, before sitting down gently on the bed. He looked at Bella and the unshed tears that were in her eyes. He placed both his arms around her, squeezing her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head. "It's okay. You don't need to constantly shield your emotions around me, you know."

She sniffled. "I don't want to overwhelm you."

"I will let you know if you are darlin'. Promise. Okay?" He squeezed her harder.

"Okay." Bella looked around at the bed. She sighed loudly. "This is all I have remaining of my life. I don't have a picture, a video, nothing that reminds me of them, of him. I should have brought something with me on our trip."

Jasper took Bella's left hand into his. Even though she was a vampire, it somehow felt softer than his, more feminine. It was different than Alice's. "You have this." He stated raising her hand, showing her the wedding ring on her finger. She nodded, sniffling slightly again.

"And you have this." He pointed to her head, tapping on it lightly in an attempt to be cute. She smiled a little. "Your memories will never fade. They are better than any picture or video."

"But most importantly-" he released Bella's hand. "You have this." He placed his hand where her heart was. "It may not beat anymore, but you can still love with all your heart Bella, and nothing is going to take that away."

Bella looked up at Jasper in the eyes. The tears were still there, but she smiled a full on smile. "You are amazing, Jasper Whitlock, do you know that? Alice is an extremely lucky woman. I can't believe all this time that I was best friends with Alice and I never really got to know you. You held back so much, when I was human."

"There were reasons."

"I know. Valid reasons. But still, I wish during all of that time, I could have known you, the real you."

"We have an eternity, Bella."

Bella looked as if she was going to say something more, but Jasper then heard Peter and Charlotte entering in the house. They walked right up the stairs to the bedroom pausing in the doorway, looking at Bella and Jasper. Jasper pulled away from Bella, giving Peter his best annoyed look. Peter never was big on privacy, a trait that had always frustrated Jasper. Their eyes were a bright red, their hunting trip an obvious success.

Charlotte spoke up. "We are just going freshen up for a bit and then the three of us can leave to go shopping. We figured that we would hit Cheyenne, so we would want to make an early go of it because in the late afternoon, the skies are supposed to clear up."

"What about Peter?" Bella asked, looking up Jaspers old friend.

"I will be staying behind to take care of the cable and some other things."

"Okay. That sounds good Charlotte, thank you." Bella responded quietly.

The shopping trip itself was uneventful. Jasper bought two computers, a laptop for himself and one for Bella. She initially protested, but he won out when he advised her they could get more accomplished with both of them working at once. They both quickly shopped at the mall half-heartedly, it being a constant reminder of Alice. Jasper just bought some jeans and a few shirts, wanting to leave almost as quickly as he arrived. He noticed that Bella did the same.

When Jasper and Bella had finished setting up the computers in the Den, Peter walked into the living room snapping his cell phone shut. "Well kids, the internet cable should be active tomorrow."

"Wonderful." Jasper was worried they might have to wait longer.

Peters voice took on a serious tone. "I have also made calls out to several of my acquaintances this afternoon. None of them have initially heard of anything strange occurring or any vampire that meets any peculiar ability, but they are going to discreetly do some digging for us."

Jasper nodded, not shocked but nonetheless disappointed that nothing popped up so far. "Thank you."

Peter sat down on a computer chair. Jasper could tell he was not done. "It's the least I can do. Jasper, I also made a call out to the Denalis. They were not exactly… forthcoming."

Jasper's brow furrowed and he noticed that Bella's eyes shot up from the computer screen. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I am guessing that apparently that the Cullens contacted them when you left. As soon as you or Bella were mentioned at all, they fucking clammed right up and would barely say another word."

Jasper's voice was low. "Who did you speak to?"

"Kate."

"And what did the Cullens say to her?"

"They wouldn't elaborate. But it must have been something bad. But they sure as hell don't trust anyone associated with you or Bella at the moment."

"Interesting." Jaspers mind was going a million miles a minute, trying to figure out what was going on. He knew there was a chance that the Denali's would be compromised as well. "Are you positive it was the Cullens that said something? Or is there a possibility that that it was their memories changed?"

Peter shook his head. "No I am not positive. I was guessing. I can't be sure what exactly happened."

Jasper nodded. "Did they say anything else?"

"No. As I said, they were in a fucking rush to get off of the phone and were not exactly polite about it either."

Bella and Jasper exchanged a look. Bella spoke up. "Maybe we should pay them a visit?"

Peter looked unsure. "I would try to find out some more information first from another source. They are not going bringing out the welcome wagon anytime soon. But if we come to an absolute dead end, you both could try."

Jasper began to drum his fingers along the desk, thinking out loud. "The Denali's were possibly targeted it appears, but Peter and Charlotte were not. Why?"

"Damn if I know." Peter replied. "All I know is that there is some weird shit happening and we need to get to the bottom of it."

Jasper couldn't have agreed more.

A/N: I know this one is relatively short, but I wanted to get this one out to everyone. Next up, back to Bella.