Disclaimer: We own nothing but the right to fuck with Edward…and Jasper's head as we see fit.

Dark Salvation

AN: Is it wrong that I love it so much that you guys were all sobbing by the end of the last chapter? Maybe I'm an evil mistress after all. Kitty's still on vacay, so you're stuck with me again. Love you all!

So...because I'm tired...and I'm planning on going to bed...and I know of one person that's staying up waiting for me to post, I decided 'what the hell?' and am posting a whole HOUR early! Go me! Whoot!

Edward POV

I looked up from my haze I was in. It was like a really bad headache/hangover/medicine head all rolled into one. I blinked and saw the red numbers on the clock beside the bed. Why the fuck am I in bed? Where is Bella? Suddenly a rush of everything hit me. Jasper, his back bleeding, killing Aro…oh God, I killed someone…I forced my mind from that thought and delved back into remembering. A rush of Seth dressing me, bringing me home, Bella…one look at me and she knew something horrible had happened. I fell into her arms and sobbed.

She dragged the truth out of me and the fury in her eyes wasn't one I'd seen a lot. She told me to come up here and lay down. That was…that was at least twenty minutes ago. I dragged myself up and walked back downstairs. "Bella? Bella, love? Are you here?"

I walked around downstairs and found a note on the countertop. "Damn it, Bella!" I turned and ran out the door to my car, tossing my old 'mow the lawn' sneakers that were in the garage. Tears were rolling down my face. "Why, baby?" I asked myself. The note had said she was going to Jasper's to straighten this mess out. What part of 'you're not my Edward' anymore' didn't Bella understand? He doesn't want me anymore! I'm a monster! I'm not worthy of him…

I made it to his house in record time. I don't even want to think of how fast I'd been going. I pulled up and dashed inside. I could hear them talking. "…also realized in that moment, that I would have done the same thing, Jasper. I've grown to love you. You are a part of my relationship with Edward, even when you do stupid things like mouth off to an old friend. If Edward had done anything less, he would not have been my Edward."

My heart warmed, hearing my love telling him these things. I couldn't help listening in further. "Jasper, if I'd been there instead of Edward, I would have made the same choice. Edward was worried about how I would accept his decision. But like I told him, saving your life by becoming a sub is not choosing you over me. You would have died had you gone back. Neither of us could have dealt with that outcome."

It was true. She had been nothing but understanding when I told her all of this. And I knew I was not worthy of her love either.

Jasper spoke then. "My life wasn't worth Edward's servitude. I would rather die in pain, knowing that the two of you are safe, than live out a long life, worrying every day about what sort of master or mistress he has been given. I love him, Bella. I love you both too much for him to have that life."

He loved me? So…wait…he was lying to me? My heart swelled even as I grew more pissed off at him. "You don't have the right to make the decision about what I do with my life." I told him. I walked in and knelt next to him. "You lied to me."

"I had to make you leave. You both need to go. I'm flying out in the morning."

My heart clenched and broke once more as I watched him stand and go to his suitcase. I peered into it and took out the salmon colored shirt. "Don't take this one." I said softly. "It makes you look pale. Take the green one."

His eyes lit with surprise. "I can't. It's at your house."

I smiled, even though I was dying inside. I realized now, maybe he was right. Maybe…maybe he and I weren't meant to be. I loved him, would love him for eternity. But maybe we weren't meant to be right now. Maybe we had a future in the future. "I know. Spend your last night with us."

His eyes, so deep blue right now, they looked like the bottom of the ocean. I saw tears well there and he whispered, "I want Ali to move in here."

I nodded. "I know."

"You…you gotta keep up your runs and stuff…keep yourself healthy."

I nodded again. "I know. Come on."

He bit his lip, and I noticed it already had a worn place on it. He'd picked up that little habit from Bella, and I almost smiled as I saw it. He was leaving, but we had both left marks on him. Not any like Aro, but good marks, marks that filled him with a bit more light.

Bella started sobbing as she watched us, but she, too, helped. She sensed the change on the rise, and I almost hated I had ever started this thing with Jasper. Almost, because, like it or not, he had a corner, if not half of my heart. And…finally, I figured out that we should just accept things. I should accept things. Change. It was a dirty word to me, but it was what it was.

We made it back to our house and collapsed, exhausted into our bed. We slept, I'm not sure how long we slept, but to my surprise, I was awoken by the feeling of warm lips upon my cock. I looked down, and saw Bella and Jasper both licking at me. I moaned and my morning wood hardened even further.

They looked at one another and continued their ministrations. I moaned once more and Bella's lips wrapped around me, her tongue flicking out to graze Jasper's mouth. It was too much and not enough all at once. "Fuck…" I muttered.

"Sit back, enjoy it," Jasper said softly.

"But, Jazz…I…"

"Shhh, baby," He whispered. "Let us love you."

I nodded and laid my head back once more, reveling in the sensations. Hands moved over me, tongues, lips, I couldn't control myself as I whimpered and bucked and cried. Yes, there were tears too. I was just about to cum when everything left me. I opened my eyes to find Bella hovering over me, her pussy poised to take me in. "Jasper and I have been thinking."

"Oh, God," I muttered as she teased my cock with her pussy lips.

"He and I have talked and played while you slept, Edward. And we think that it's time things were…explored."

My eyebrows both rose into my hair as Jasper came up behind her. His eyes locked on mine. "Bella wants both of us. Then we'll both love you. Would that be alright, Edward?"

I think I nodded, I'm not sure. I remember her sliding onto me and her head going back onto his shoulder. Then…I saw her eyes widen in surprise as she melted. I felt…God, he moved, and I could feel him inside of Bella. "Fuck, Jazz…" I moaned, even as I reached for Bella's breasts.

"I know," He moaned. "It feels so good. Do you feel good, Bella?"

She screamed just then and came all over me. It was as if a dam had broken and she gushed forth. I smirked and sat up, still softly stroking into her, fastening my lips upon her nipple. "Do you like it, love? Do you like us both being in you?"

"Yes! God! Yes!" She screamed. Her hands were busy, one was raking up and down my chest and the other had Jasper's hair, tugging his mouth to hers. The sight, the sounds, hell, even the smells were going to take me over the edge.

"I…love…you…" I managed before I pumped my seed into Bella. She screamed and came, clenching around me. Jasper's eyes grew wide as she squeezed him for all she was worth and her ass milked him of his orgasm as well.

She fell limp from the pleasure and I smirked as I caught her. My eyes met Jasper's over Bella's shoulder. He bent to kiss me softly, murmuring his love to me. Funny, it didn't feel like 'I love you'. It felt like 'goodbye'.

We made love that morning, just as dawn broke, the three of us, twice more before we all dressed and somberly made our way to the airport. That memory will hold me. It has to.

Eight months later

I smiled sadly as I made my way home. Eight months. So many things had changed since Jasper left us. We asked Emmett to help us move Alice into Jasper's house. Emmett and Rosalie had a bouncing baby boy they named Sage and in a surprise to us, Bella found out she was pregnant as well. It turns out it happened that weekend before Aro died. Bella's birth control had failed.

Luckily, we didn't have any…as Emmett would say, 'baby daddy' drama, as Jasper had not been with her in that way that weekend. Besides, that, he always wore protection when he was with us, only Alice seemed to be the exception to that rule. When she found out of Bella's pregnancy, though she was happy for us, it was easy to see she was upset about it, no doubt wishing Jasper were here.

It seemed oddly appropriate that it happened when it did. He fixed me and brought Bella and I closer together. Then he left us. I tried to understand, but some days were worse than others in that respect. Bella then decided that the baby would be named Jasmine if it was a girl, and Whitley if it was a boy, a living homage to our friend, our lover.

I pulled into the garage, unsurprised to see the little yellow sports car in our driveway. I smiled, this time a real one. I hoped I wasn't late for the show…

I walked up the stairs and found Alice and Bella upon the bed. Who knew my wife ever had it in her? The bond that was started the morning before Jasper left had cemented Bella and Alice's relationship. They were best friends now and Alice was often over the nights when I was working late. How odd that I was never jealous of Alice over Jasper, but I was extremely possessive of Bella…to the point that, five months ago, I was told to either accept Alice as another part of our marriage, much like Jasper had been, or for me to get out. Oh, how times have changed. My wife was a timid little mouse no more. And I loved every minute of it.

I opened the bedroom door and sure enough, I was rewarded with a treat. Apparently they had gone to dinner first, as they were just now getting down to business. They were kissing softly upon the bed. I propped myself on the door jamb. "And how are my girls this evening?"

They both looked up at me and smiled. "Fine, Edward." Bella said with a smile.

"We're gr-r-r-reat!" Alice said, doing an impressive imitation of 'Tony the Tiger'.

I sauntered over to them. "Is that a fact? And how about this little one?" I asked as my hand fell to Bella's stomach.

"Giving me hell." She answered honestly. She was now in her third trimester and rather large. I was worried about her and was fervently glad I had once more gotten my head out of my ass and acquiesced to Alice's presence. It made life much easier on me, and much better on Bella. For once she had someone that had her at the forefront of their mind.

Mine was on her, but on occasion, I'd drift off…back to Jasper.

Alice…she loved him, but her love wasn't as all-encompassing as mine. Either that, or she was one hell of an actress. And after seeing her alone, broken down that day that he left, I'd have to go with option B. No one can change tack that quick. She's good at hiding things. Better than I.

My eyebrow rose. "Continue, then. I'll just be over here…watching." I never interrupted them unless they asked me to join, and I had never been with Alice other than pleasuring her orally on occasion. She seemed…not frigid, but…cautious of another man. After Jasper and everything that had happened, I could understand why. Though, she had begun to tell me that she loved me, and I her. We had slipped easily enough into the role of friends, almost best friends. She was a meddlesome little pixie, but she often put me in my place better than even Bella could.

"No, Edward. Come join us. We want to talk to you." Bella said.

I took off my shoes and shirt and slipped into the bed. "Yes?" I asked as I spooned up behind Bella.

"Edward, we've been thinking. Tell him, Alice."

She cleared her throat, and for once seemed nervous about something. "Uh…well…see…I…uh…"

"Oh for God's sake!" Bella growled. I hid the smile. She'd been quite short-tempered during her pregnancy. Rosalie told her it was about time she channeled her inner bitch. "Edward, Alice got a postcard from Jasper. He's in Tokyo. We already bought you a ticket. We want you to take your miserable ass over there and go bring our boy home."

My mouth fell open.

And that was how I ended up on a flight heading toward Japan. I've never even wanted to visit Japan and now I'm going to try and bring Jasper back? Are the women crazy? Probably. Alice has always seemed a little crazy and Bella's pregnancy crazy…so…yes. They'd even researched and found where his hotel is and had gotten some hotel employee in on the action to get me a key to his room. What if he wasn't there? What if he'd met someone? What if… don't think 'what if', Edward. Concentrate on the here and now.

Easier said than done when I had ten plus hours of flight time to think about it. I blew out a breath and thought back to the conversation Bella, Alice and I had;

"But, Edward! You have to go!" Alice cried. "He sounded miserable!"

I read the postcard again.

"Alice, hope you are well. Miss you. I'm in Tokyo and met a girl that reminds me of you today. She made me smile and I had to let you know.

Remember. I love you. Jasper

I looked at Alice. "And?" Honestly, I was hurt that he'd sent her a postcard, told her he loves her. And what did I get? Nothing.

"And? And?! Edward, get hold of yourself! He's lonely! He needs us!"

I didn't want to go and face him. Clearly he'd forgotten all about me, probably fucking anything that walked without a thought about me. "Alice, I can't leave." I turned to my wife. "Bella, love, the baby…"

"Will still be here when you get back in a few days, Edward. I'm healthy as a horse. As big as one, but that's neither here nor there…"

"But…but…" I looked at them and knew it was no use. They'd only win. "When do I leave?"

They looked at one another. "Tomorrow night."

I sighed and glanced down at my lap, trying to concentrate on the book Bella had tossed into my bag. She said it was really good, a love story, to put me in the mood. I was in a mood alright. Why would they do this? Didn't they think…didn't they know? If he wanted to be found, if he wanted to come home, don't they think he would have done it in the eight months since he left? And why the fuck was he in Tokyo anyway?

I blew out a breath as we continued along…

I arrived dog tired and more than a little worn out. I trudged off the plane dragging my small rolling carry on and hurried out to the terminal. I made it down to the entrance of the airport and saw a chauffer holding a card that read, "Cullen."

"I'm Edward Cullen." I said.

"Hello." He said in a thick accent. "I will take you to hotel."

I nodded. "Thank you."

He led me to a town car and my eyebrow rose. I guess when Bella and Alice put their minds to something, they don't hesitate to do it right. I arrived at the hotel and was immediately accosted by an Asian Alice in all her short, energizer bunny-esque ways. "Hello! I'm Megami, Mr. Cullen! I've been waiting for you!"

The thought terrified me, but I smiled and said, "Thank you. I'm very tired."

She nodded, her pink hair bouncing. "I have you in a room one floor down from Mr. Whitlock. I was told to get you settled for some sleep and then to see you in a few hours to plan your night, okay?"

All this was said in a rush. "O-okay." I told her with a smile. "That will work…"

"Of course it will. Now, follow me."

I followed after the pint sized anime-looking creature and she led me through a rapid check in, muttering to herself in her native tongue before she finished everything and handed me my keycard. "There. We are not like an authentic Japanese hotel, though, we do offer it. Mr. Whitlock requested a Western room, so that is what I have given you. Is that alright?"

"Does it have a bed?" I asked warily. I was exhausted.

"Yes."

"Then it's good enough for me."

She nodded and walked back around the desk, leading me to the elevator. Wow. Talk about service with a smile. I walked into my room and all but fell to the bed in my exhaustion. "Thank you, Megami, I really appreciate it."

"My pleasure, Mr. Cullen. Anything for you, anything for Master Jasper."

I raised my head to look at her, but she had already walked back out. Hmm…apparently Jasper's arm was far reaching indeed.

After a long nap, I was awakened by the sound of a knock at the door. I shuffled over and was met by the bundle of energy again. "You could have just come right on in, you know." I told her.

She giggled. "Yes, but I didn't want to overstep…"

I snorted. "I wouldn't worry about it. This whole thing is an overstepping, so it really doesn't matter anyway."

She frowned but then smiled as she said, "Well, I have you a suit here, and I'm to get you ready for dinner…"

"Hold up, dinner?" I asked.

She nodded. "Of course. You're to make your grand gesture in the dining room. Mr. Whitlock is scheduled to be dining alone this evening…"

"As opposed to…?" I asked warily.

She shook her head. "No, sir, he has been alone his whole stay here." She smirked. "Well, let's hurry up then! Shower! I'll be waiting to help you!"

She pushed me toward the bathroom. "No, no overstepping here, are we?" I teased her. She grinned.

The shower made me feel human again. I draped the towel over my hips and made my way out to my suitcase. Megami was waiting for me, perched on the bed. She already had a suit, shoes, socks, shirt, everything out. Everything except… "Where is my underwear?"

"Oh, you will not need those."

"I'm naked under here!" I said.

She giggled. "Naturally. One would hope you didn't shower in your under things. No, Miss Alice said you needed to be…what was the words? Ah, yes, 'at the ready' for whatever may come your way tonight."

"Meddlesome pixies and their fucking ways…" I grumbled as I grabbed the pants from the bed. I looked at her. "Well? Aren't you going to at least turn around?"

"You are shy? Surely your ring suggested otherwise. I'm sorry. I will leave…"

My ring. I looked down at it. I hadn't forgotten my promise to Jasper. I still wore it, taking it off only for when I did surgery or showered. "Yes, well, I'm a rather oddball case." I told her.

She smiled and promptly closed her eyes, putting her hand over them for effect. "Better?"

"Much." I said with another little growl. She giggled, but didn't look until I had on my pants and undershirt. At least, I don't think she did.

I finished getting ready, cologne, deodorant, shaving, all the usual things men do to prepare for a 'date'. Which is what this felt like. A date. And I couldn't have been more excited. "How do I look?" I asked.

"Sugoi-desu... ah... beautiful." She said with a slightly awestruck voice and a brief stumble in her language. I blushed a little bit. Not many people called me beautiful.

"Thank you." I told her.

Megami then reached up and put a red rose in my lapel. "For love." She said softly.

I brought her hand to my lips. "Thank you, Megami. For everything."

She smiled. "You are more than welcome."

I turned around and she said, "Your things will be moved to Mr. Whitlock's room while you are at dinner."

"But he may not want…" I started.

She winked. "Miss Alice commands it."

"Naturally." I said with an eye roll. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the hall. I went down to the main floor and looked for the dining room. And there he was…his back was to me, he was chatting with someone, an employee of the hotel, I assume. I felt my heartbeat accelerate. My mouth went dry and I was very glad in that moment, I had put on my antiperspirant. I knew I'd need it. I was metaphorically sweating bullets already. I watched in slow motion as he turned.

Slowly, ever so slowly his eyes grazed the room before they landed on me. His eyes lit with shock, disbelief. He blinked and then a small confused smile graced his visage. "Edward?" He said. He was still about thirty feet from me, but I could hear him as if I was standing next to him.

His voice slid over my frayed nerves like a balm, relaxing me immediately. "Jasper." I said.

His eyebrows knit. "Edward?"

"Jasper!" I said again, quickening my steps that were taking me to him. I stopped before him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked me.

I couldn't be hurt. He couldn't hurt me anymore. I needed him too much. So, I didn't think of hurt. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him. "Alice." I said softly.

He pulled away. "Is she…?"

"She's fine, but she and Bella…they…well, they cooked this up."

I saw his face fall for just a moment before he smiled. "Well, it's very nice to see you. I was just on my way to dinner."

I nodded. "I know. And I'm your 'date' for this evening." I told him.

He chuckled. "Yes, that's Alice, isn't it?" He gestured toward the dining room. "So, shall we?"

I nodded and followed him in. We were led to a table immediately and Jasper ordered a bottle of Sake. I'd had some before at our local Japanese restaurant, but this…this was excellent.

"So, Edward, what have you been doing these last few months?" He asked as he lifted his glass.

Few months? Almost a whole fucking year! I wanted to shout at him. But I took a deep breath. "Oh, not much. I'm an attending now. Bella's eight months pregnant, you know, no big deal."

He spat out part of his wine and choked on the other half. "Excuse me?"

"I made attending." I said with a slight smirk.

"No…the…ah…other part."

"Oh, yes, Bella's pregnant. The little stinker wouldn't give us a view between its legs. It already has Bella's stubborn streak."

"And…ah…do you…I mean…is it…?"

My eyes narrowed. "It's fucking mine, Jasper. Don't worry about it. You know how careful you are. It was…" I couldn't help the shiver, "the weekend before you left. The two of you weren't intimate in that way, if you recall."

He nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.

I sighed as well. My heart couldn't take much more. I could kill Alice and Bella for this. They were meddling in something that should have been left alone. I looked at Jasper. He didn't look happy, but at the same time, he certainly didn't look the worse for wear. "Look, I'm really tired of this, Jasper. You said you love me. I love you. You left anyway, I dealt with it. Does it hurt? Yes. Does it matter? No. Because, no matter what I do, no matter what I say, you won't come home. Not yet. You have other things to deal with."

I grabbed my ring and pulled it off my finger. I looked at it and I noticed he was eyeing it as well. "One little ring. It holds so much power. But why? Why does it?" My eyes met his. "I never saw you as a master, not really. You never saw me as a sub. I loved you, wanted you, enjoyed the pain and the pleasure you gave me, but I never really saw you as a lord over me, not once I got well enough to realize what we were doing."

I sat a bit straighter. "Not once I realized I'm stronger than you. Physically, mentally…Jasper…I love you, man. I really do. But you're completely fucked up. I hope you realize that."

His eyes grew wider and then they grew colder. I slid the ring across the table to him. "I don't need this anymore, Jasper and neither do you. Go finish this fucked up mess, get your head on straight and come back to us. Come home to us for good." I stood and walked out.

I felt as though every weight on my shoulders, on my chest, had lifted. I loved him, but I'd let him go. No longer would I sit and dwell, no more would I think about him. If he were to come back, fine. I thought about my clothes by now in his room, and I didn't give a fuck. My passport was in my pocket, so was my wallet. I didn't need much else. So, with my head held high, I marched out of the hotel.

AN2: *ducks* Yeah...that's about how kitty felt when she read it too. LOL. The cliffie...it just...well...it was just too perfect NOT to do. Not to worry, Monday will be here before you know it. I'll probably be posting because Kitty will probably need a day or two to recuperate. In other news, we've now written all but the last one and one half chapters of Dark Salvation. We are planning on taking a small break, probably for the summer, outside of doing a few fics here and there, one-shots perhaps, but we DO have plans for another story. As of now, we're keeping them tight to our chest though. Just know that it WILL be awesome enough to take over DS's place in our line-up.