Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

EPOV

She was coming. I was going to see her again. Joy sang through me, affecting Jasper so badly he started to bounce like Alice.

I was running through the woods, valiantly trying to calm down enough so that Jasper didn't have to be so affected.

I succeeded marginally.

To distract myself I took a look at the thoughts of my family. I was only just able to hear them.

Esme was overjoyed at the thought of Bella's return. Carlisle was the same, although he was worrying over any psychological scars Felix may have left her with. They had both missed their absent daughter. They had had such a short time with her last time, but they had accepted her as a daughter and had mourned her like one.

Rosalie was also worrying about her. She knew Bella would need someone there for her. She was also worried I'd only hurt her more. My heart warmed at the concern in my sister's thoughts. She'd been cold to Bella, and now she was getting a second chance. Bella would be thrilled to get another chance with Rosalie also, it had saddened Bella before that Rosalie seemed to dislike her so much.

Emmett was thinking of all the pranks he could play on Bella. He'd hadn't used up all his ideas on us yet, and he was reveling in the idea of having another victim. Don't say a word Eddie, he warned me, making me chuckle quietly. The sound echoed in the quiet forest.

Alice was being Alice. Poor Bella. I resolved to try and save Bella from too much suffering. I knew how much she hated shopping.

Jasper was… I pulled out of his mind hurriedly. So much loathing and guilt. The jumping up and down was far better than that churned up mess of bleak emotions.

My phone buzzed angrily in my pocket.

"Hello?"

"I'm scared," my angel sobbed into the phone.

"What of?" I asked gently.

"I don't know if I'm ready to see you again," she admitted brokenly.

"Bella, love," I tried to soothe her; "you know how I love you. We all love you,"

"Even Rosalie?" she sniffed. I laughed despite how upset she was.

"Even Rosalie," I assured her, knowing it was true. She giggled a bit before saying "Okay" and hanging up. I had all of five seconds to feel sad about Bella's fear before Alice's thoughts screamed out Bella's arrival, and I ran deeper into the forest.

JPOV

Emotions swirled around the room as Alice clung to Bella. So much joy and happiness I was swept up in a wave of positive emotions.

"Hi, Alice," Bella whispered, wrapping her arms around Alice. At the sound of her voice Alice clinged to Bella tighter, afraid she would disappear in a puff of smoke.

Rosalie moved across the room towards Bella hesitantly, unsure of her welcome. She felt guilt for how shed treated her before, and she wanted to make it right. At Bella's smile she crashed into them, Esme and Carlisle soon following. Emmett joined them with a shout of "Bundle!" effectively smashing them all to the floor.

Bella's laughter pealed throughout the room, until I was the only one without a smile.

"Jasper? What is it?" Alice asked with concern plain in her eyes. Bella looked down, fidgeting her hands slightly.

It was now or never.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" Bella frowned, honestly trying to think of a past transgression.

"For almost killing you. For being the reason we had to leave. If I -"

"If is an awfully annoying word," Bella interrupted softly. "It whirls around your head, giving you endless possibilities. All it does is drive you slowly insane. You have nothing to be sorry for Jasper." She started scowling as I lowered my eyes to the floor. "Stop feeling guilty! It's a waste of energy and won't do anything but torture you further. I forgave you before you even left the house that night." I met her angry gaze for a moment, looking at this new Bella. She had grown up in the time she had been away, and now she was a force to be reckoned with.

"Mean it?" I asked petulantly, causing her scowl to deepen.

"Yes, dammit!" she cried, making me grin. "It's not funny!" she protested as everyone started to laugh.

"Yes it really is," I chuckled, pulling her into a hug. "It's good to have you back," I frowned as I released her. All through her tirade she had been angry and yet I hadn't sensed it at all. "Why can't I sense your emotions?"

She looked away from us all looking embarrassed before mumbling,

"Shield probably. Don't have control over all of it yet,"

"Shield?" Carlisle questioned, "Is that your power?"

"Yeah. It's like this giant cat's cradle in my head. Each thread does something different though, like hiding me from sight or repelling physical attacks. But they all make up this one large defense,"

"And Aro just let you go?" Carlisle continued, disbelief clear in his voice. It was echoed by everyone else in the room.

But another emotion drowned out the disbelief. It felt like being submerged in icy water, a cold plunge that takes your breath away and makes you fight for every drop of precious air. There was so much guilt and self-hatred, emotions I was all too familiar with until Bella absolved me of them. The tumult was gone as soon as I registered it, but the source was already smiling.

"Guess so," Bella replied, "Where's Edward?" she asked hastily, wanting to change the subject I was sure, but her voice was also uncertain, like she was afraid he had left because she was here.

"He went out hunting," Alice replied, "I thought you might want to meet him without an audience,"

"Thanks Alice," Bella said before running out of the door.

And they're still not together. Sorry. Couldn't resist. I am a bad person. *hangs head in shame*