Edward's POV
Seconds after the group split up to follow the plan in getting Alice out of Volturi's grasp, I felt a sense of guilt of not having the most important person in Alice's rescue. My mind went back to the times I had spent with Jasper the past few years. His misery and guilt had been palpable and overwhelming. Even so, it had been comparable to mine, so we made good company. I mentally groaned, remembering our last argument that led to both of us splitting for the time being and scowled at the memory.
"I'm not going to wait around forever, Edward!" Jasper yelled at me as I piloted the ship to Brazil from New York.
"Jasper, you know as well as I do that getting her out of there is impossible—especially if it's just the two of us," I said, looking at him with a glare. "I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do. You heard Alice—she saw only death for you. The Volturi have no use for an empath—they are underestimating you, yes. But that's what will happen if you try to go alone."
Jasper tore off his seat and ripped it into pieces, roaring at me.
"I don't give a fuck anymore Edward, I need her! Eight years is too long of a wait! Nothing is going to change if we do nothing!"
"All we need to do is wait for Bella to come out of that hole—Alice has seen it many years ago, you know that. It's just a matter of time," I said, remembering the visions she had of us together, happy at last in having each other. Alice didn't know when it would happen, but it seemed set in stone. I hoped it still was—even with the situation we got ourselves in with the Volturi. I closed my eyes, praying.
"And when she comes out, what then? Will we all get Alice out?" Jasper asked sarcastically. "No Edward, I am sick of the same argument. I am going to get Alice out—with or without you."
"Jasper!" I scolded him, getting tired of his same lines in every argument ever since we had to flee when Alice was captured.
You know I will, Edward, Jasper thought, staring at me icily. When we get to Brazil, we're splitting up.
"No, we need to stick together!" I yelled at him, cutting the engines.
Jasper sighed and looked at me with apologies in his eyes. I really am sorry, this is getting too much for both of us. I think we need space, get away from each other for awhile.
I shook my head, trying to keep Jasper at my side. I didn't want to be alone, not when I did not know when Bella would be out in the world.
"Please stay, I'm sorry," I tried to placate him, but there was no changing his mind this time. I saw it in his thoughts.
"'Til next time, friend, stay in touch won't you?" Jasper said, taking his shirt off and dove into the ocean.
"Jasper!" I screamed, running to the port side of the ship. But I saw nothing but water. Not even a splash.
My thoughts returned to the present, scolding myself again.
Dammit, if we had stuck together... then he would be here with us, and... ye gods, where do I start finding Jasper so both of them could be together again? I thought, feeling even more morose over the situation that took place not even a year ago. He was right, we should have thought of a way to get her out of there.
I looked at Embry and Jacob's wolf forms in front of me, then decided, No, it's still impossible, dangerous. Not without these guys or the others.
Taking a deep breath to let out a heavy sigh, I smelled a familiar scent and stopped running along the perimeter of Volterra.
"Stop!" I called out, taking another whiff of the scent. There was no mistake.
Jasper had been here, and it was several minutes old.
Oh god, did he..? I wondered, horror filling me, trying to search Jasper out with my mind.
What's going on, Edward? Jacob asked.
I shushed him with my hand, trying to concentrate on all the voices of the mind in the city, searching for the familiar one. My eyes snapped open when I found Jasper.
"Change of plans—everyone hold their positions, you too, Jacob, Embry," I said, going after Jasper.
...this entry is also guarded, but it seems that they're a pair of new ones. Judging from the emotions of these two, it won't be hard to incapacitate them if I sent their way with a sense of over-confidence. From there, I will have to get to my love as quickly as I can...
While Jasper was scheming, I made my way through the city over the roofs as quickly as I possibly could. There was still time, seconds perhaps, but enough. I sent a wave of intense emotion of apology and worry at my lost brother, trying to let him know I was coming. Of guilt, of shame.
…all right, let's do this... Jasper thought, steadying his nerves, knowing it could very well be death waiting at the end for him. All for my love, all for her... hm? What's this?
My hope soared when he sensed me, halting his movements down a manhole. I sent another wave of urgency and apology at my missing friend with everything I had.
Who's this? Who the hell is coming here? he thought, tensing up as he searched the area.
I flew down from the roof and landed in front of Jasper twenty feet away, breathing heavily as emotions took its toll on my frazzled nerves.
"Jasper," I breathed, closing my eyes as relief filled me. "I am so sorry, can you please come with me? I promise you Alice will..."
I stopped talking, realizing in horror of what I had done. I had no one with me to block Alice's vision. I snapped at Jasper.
"Just come with me, I have something to tell you but it's not safe here," I said, looking around in the area, tensed.
Jasper glared at me coolly and looked at the manhole for a moment and back at me.
And I was just about to go in too... what the hell is with you, Edward?
I shook my head, not willing to speak of our plan, wondering if we should flee to Africa and decided to go there and stay for a few days, knowing Alice would see this.
"I can't say anything, not with Alice's vision," I bit out, pleading with my eyes. "We're going to Africa."
Jasper narrowed his eyes at me then sighed, and nodded tersely as he followed me. We made our way back to the wall several moments later. The blond vampire blinked at the two wolves, still in their forms and looked at me curiously. A moment later, he remembered a fact about Alice.
"The wolves," Jasper whispered, looking at Jacob again. "I'd forgotten..."
"Yes, and we're getting Alice out today. I just hope Aro had not... seen anything with your antics," I said coolly.
Jacob let out a derisive snort and glared at me, And let's not forget you too! Who was the one that told us we had to stick together at all times?
I winced at his thoughts as the entire pack expressed their annoyance with me.
"Look, I'm sorry, but Jasper was about to blow the whole thing up, I had to act fast. So long that no one is coming after us, we should be safe. For now," I said, taking a few calming breaths thanks to Jasper.
It had been so close, so damn close, I thought with a shiver. I looked at Jasper who looked sorry.
I didn't mean to... well, considering what happened last time... you had to know that I needed Alice, needed her out of there. I've been studying this city for months, Edward. I cannot imagine what... what they're doing to her! He said, shaking his head.
"It's all right, stop beating yourself over it. We're getting Alice today. In matter of hours, you'll be able to hold her again," I tried reassuring the empath vampire, filled with confidence.
Jasper smiled at me appreciatively and then turn serious.
"Why are you getting Alice now? What's going on?" he asked, looking at the wolves again.
I quickly filled him in about Bella's situation and how we needed Alice to get to Bella, and get her away from Leo.
Should have thought of getting the wolves to help us earlier... Jasper thought bitterly.
"Me too, friend, me too," I said quietly. "So, you'll be on our team and get Alice," I stated.
"Right, and what's the plan?" he asked as he relied on his experience as a solider. I smiled, happy to see the old Jasper again.
Once he knew of the plan, he was emitting excitement and anxiety at the thought of seeing Alice again, I had to resist grinning at him because of Jasper's emotions going haywire. I looked at Jacob in the eyes, knowing the entire pack was waiting for my command.
"The plan remains the same, you know what to do, let's go in two, one, go," I said and we set out again, jumping back into setting the plan in motion.
I'm so glad to have you back, Edward, I'm sorry about the fight back then, Jasper said, apologizing again. I don't know what would have happened to me by now if you hadn't shown up... Probably in a cell somewhere. You know I can't stand it, I don't know how you stayed sane after... after all these decades, knowing that Bella is...
I shot a glare at Jasper, feelings still too raw on the subject. Jasper stopped his line of thinking, looking apologetic.
Sorry, I know it's a touchy subject, but I have confidence that this will go without a hitch, then we'll get Bella, Jasper said. I nodded, feeling slightly reassured by Jasper's thoughts. We continued to make our way to the point where we would enter Volturi's hold.
Hi there, just thought I'd mention that I made a twitter account just for fanfiction, so you could be kept appraised of what I am doing. Or even maybe help me with an idea or two if I get stuck on something. The account name is the same as this one—inirini. So, type the url of twitter and add inirini after the slash. Or you could just go to my profile and click on the link, either way.