A/N: Hey guys! This one is rather short in comparison to the last three chapters; but it is more of a transitional chapter to the missions, and I wanted it separate.

I first of all would like to thank whomever it was that nominated me for The Vampie Awards under the Category of "Bloody Brilliant". I was really excited to be nominated, and I am not sure who did it, so thank you! I also noted I am the only Jasper/Bella story in that category, so it was awesome to see the story in a sea of Edward/Bella stories. If you would like to vote- please go to:

http:/twificpics (dot) com/vampawards/

Also, Leaves of Grass, another great Jasper/Bella story which I just found, is also nominated in the Vintage Vampie award (I think we are the only two Jasper/Bella stories there).

Chapter 26

This time it was Bella who made her way to the door, peering back over her shoulder at Jasper. He stayed only a few steps behind her, noticing that her chest rose and fell as if taking a deep breath, her emotions cutting abruptly off, before twisting the knob to let their visitors in.

It seemed that this time, the brothers had sent several vampires to retrieve them. Jasper couldn't help but be slightly irritated. At this point, if Jasper and Bella were going to try to not keep their end of the bargain, they would have tried to flee by now. Jane and Alec stood impatiently at the doorway, with Demetri and Felix behind them.

"You are here to make sure that we meet our end of the deal I assume?" Bella greeted them.

Jane brushed past her, her nose wrinkling up as she entered, looking distastefully around the suite. "Dear brother, open a window. It reeks of sex in here."

"Please come in." Jasper flatly responded. He placed a hand on Bella's shoulder to defuse her embarrassment and anger at the offhand comment. Jasper on the other hand just shrugged it off. He highly doubted if the ice queen knew anything about mating or vampire needs. He wondered who would ever want to take that frigid bitch to bed.

Alec nodded to the small girl's request, but from Jasper's viewpoint, he could see Alec roll his eyes at Jane when she was not looking. "Of course, dear sister."

A slight breeze began to fill the room, and Jane, placated for the moment, turned her attention back to Jasper and Bella. "Aro would like us all to meet one more time before we all depart."

"All depart? Are we leaving together? Are you going with us?" Bella asked with hope in her eyes that they would not be required to be separated.

Jane opened her mouth, but Felix jumped in to answer quickly. "Aro, Caius, and Marcus will provide all the details downstairs where we will be briefed. They have asked us to advise that you each pack lightly, with several changes of clothes appropriate for outdoors to maintain appearances and any immediate necessities. We will anticipate any other needs that you may have. Any questions?"

Jasper expected as much, shaking his head no, catching the durable backpack that Demetri threw at him. He grabbed some items from the armoire that was in the suite, the clothing durable but easy to move in. Other than that, he did not have anything else to pack, instead ensuring that his cell phone was discretely tucked in his clothing. He walked out of the bedroom once more, with Bella doing the same. "I believe we are ready."

Jane turned abruptly away from the both them. "Fine. Follow me then."

They left in a single file, save Bella and Jasper, making their way to the Throne room. Jasper was surprised to see the both of them led past the great doors where they had been brought now on two occasions.

"Where are we going?" Bella inquired softly. Jasper certainly had the same question.

They were answered with silence; the only response was to instead walk through several additional corridors, into a part of the building they had never been allowed access to. Jasper paid close attention to his surroundings, his senses on full alert for anything out of the ordinary.

The guards led them to a quite inconspicuous looking door, Jasper noting how unremarkable it seemed in comparison to the opulence of the rest of the castle. Bella and Jasper exchanged glances, before being ushered in.

The room was quite modest, almost office like, with a desk in the corner. A vampire sat behind the glare of a computer monitor and motioned the six of them to sit on several couches that appear dated from the 17th century spotted throughout the room. Jasper took in that there were four doors in total, including the one they just entered.

He barely had time to ponder where the other doors led to, when Aro walked out of one of the rooms just then, his head down refilling through a file. Jasper was astonished to see just how almost normal he looked in that moment; Aro bent over, quietly asking what Jasper assumed was the secretary, to please research what was in the contents in his hand, and to please get back to him later today.

He looked up then, a smile lighting his features. "Ah, good. You are here already. Please, come into my office. Mirabella, will you please page my brothers and send them into my office right away?"

She nodded. Aro walked into the room without another word, with Jane and the others following, sitting down in the expensive leather seats provided. Jasper and Bella did the same, but where the posture of the guard were quite relaxed, obviously being in this office before, Jasper and Bella both sat up, backs straight.

When Caius and Marcus joined them in the large office mere moments later, Aro sat down at his desk, his hands clasped, his brothers standing on either side of him. "Welcome. I think that we all agree this is a much better setting then the throne room for this occasion. Jasper, Bella, as I am sure you have figured out at this point, this is where we do a lot of our, more everyday business transactions."

Jasper was not in the mood for pleasantries. The quicker they were on the missions, the quicker they returned and he would be reunited with Bella. "What is the task that you are asking of us?"

"Ah, right to the point, I see. Very well. Jasper, as I mentioned, we are having quite a bit of a problem with some newborns in France. The situation has become rather… troublesome. At first, our intelligence indicated that the leader was not very competent and that the movement would soon fall apart, but it appears that they have become more organized."

Aro handed Jasper a large manila envelope. "These are your orders and other items that you will need for your job. Jane and Alec are to accompany you and assist you in whatever way possible. Once your mission is complete, you shall come back here, where you can reunite with Bella and the others. Any further questions beyond what I have outlined in the package, I defer to Jane who will answer them on the way to France."

The fact that Jasper was stuck with Jane and Alec left a sour taste in his mouth. He had no doubt that their talents would be useful to him, but dealing with Jane for several days or more was not something he looked forward to by any stretch of the imagination.

Caius then stepped forward, with his own Manila envelope. Caius, as always, appeared impatient. "Bella, these are your orders. Demetri and Felix shall go with you, where you are to rendezvous with another member of your team. Most of these orders are anticipated to take place around the new moon, when the werewolves are at their weakest. Any questions, you can defer to Demetri."

"But the new moon is not for nine days." She replied.

Caius looked at her with little regard. "Nine days is not an unreasonable timeframe to carry out this mission. You agreed to assist the Volturi in return for memories restored, regardless of the timeframe. You should consider yourself lucky that we did not ask you to become a member of the guard for a specified period of time, or that we did not ask for a more demanding request. I believe that we were being quite lenient in our decision to have you both assist with one mission only. You need the time to rendezvous and we need to give you sufficient time to complete your end of their mission. Your job is to protect the others."

"Protect the others from humans since it will not be the full moon? Wouldn't my time be better off with Jasper protecting put him from vampires that potentially have gifts they cannot control?"

Jasper agreed, but nonetheless, his hand on her forearm in a gesture to stand down. This was not time for a battle with the Volturi. Bella stopped arguing, but still wore a disgruntled look upon her face.

Caius rolled his eyes, his annoyance level increasing. "If you were patient enough to read my orders, you would understand that there are vampires that we believe are working with the werewolves. If those said vampires are near, then we will need your special abilities to protect the others. Understood or do I need to make myself understood?"

"I understand." She took the envelope that was still extended in Caius' hand from him, and placed it in her lap.

Marcus cleared his throat unnecessarily, finally speaking up. "When each of the assignments are completed, you are to report back to us immediately for a full debriefing. Provided that you completed your roles satisfactorily, your duties to us will then be deemed fulfilled and no further obligations will be required as per our agreement."

Jasper wondered exactly of their definition of satisfactorily. Aro smiled at the both of them. "I am sure that you will both find fulfillment in these missions, as the others can attest to. It is an honor to serve the Volturi in this capacity, keeping our way of life safe."

There seemed to be more behind those words than Jasper was comfortable with. Jane, Alec, Demetri, and Felix stood at those words, and Jasper and Bella took their lead doing the same. As they were about to head out, Jasper turned to Aro. "If I may, I would like just one more moment with Bella."

Jane rolled her eyes. "If your room was any indication, didn't you say goodbye long enough last night?"

Marcus and Aro gave her a sharp look, and Jane had the sense to look ashamed, even if she did not feel it. Marcus nodded towards Jasper. "Of course we can grant you that request. Jane, Felix, prepare the cars and make sure that the planes are being readied. Alec and Demetri, please give our guests here a few moments to say farewell."

They were led outside the Volturi walls, the first time since they landed in Italy. It should have felt freeing in that moment, but all Jasper felt was the constricting binds of the Volturi wrapped around him and Bella. To their credit, Alec and Demetri did as they were told, giving them a wide berth, to allow them a bit of privacy.

Jasper leaned into Bella, taking in all of her. He reveled in the memory of her marking him last night; Bella's mark an indication the love she held for him. It was a tremendous gift that she gave him, and would make the long days that passed by somewhat more bearable until they were reunited again. Even wrapped in her arms, he felt the pull tug at him already, his vampire not ready to be separated from its mate.

As if reading his mind, she whispered. "I wish I could be there with you. I don't like us being apart."

"I know. I don't either, Darlin'. But in just a few days we will be together again, and we will be free of any obligation to the Volturi and we can move on with our lives." Jasper kissed her forehead, his heart breaking at the thought of being without her. "Bella, always be on alert; I am not sure who these other vampires are that are helping the werewolves. I am guessing they are enemies of the Volturi, and hence they could pose a dangerous threat. Protect yourself."

"I will."

"And keep your cell phone on you at all times. I don't trust to leave it in the backpack." Jasper wanted to say something more, but Demetri was making his way over.

"It's time." Demetri warned.

Jasper pulled away. "I love you. Take care and remember what I said."

Demetri looked almost sympathetic. "Bella, the car is waiting this way with Felix. We need to catch our flight."

She quickly kissed Jasper on the lips on more time. "You mean everything to me. Be careful."

Jasper stood there, watching his mate walk away, praying to God that she would be kept safe from harm.

A/N: Again, thank you guys for all the love, and if you do vote, voting is from 2/14 to 2/28.