A/N: so sorry this is so late. I was running errands all day yesterday and when I got home myself and my tot crashed out. But better late than never right? Lol. This chapter will be Jasper's story, among other things. Also some may feel the relationship between Jasper and Bella is going a little fast. Remember what I wrote last chapter, in my story some mates are different. Some know right away like Jasper and Bella, others gradually achieve it like Carlisle and Esme. Please keep that in mind.

I also hope I explain why Bella smells differently to Jasper than the others, and visa versa, in a way that works. Plus the other explanations I gave for other things. I tried to come up with plausible things but sometimes your imagination just had to take over for you when things don't always have a good way to make sense. That's the beauty of fiction.

Chapter Five

Bella

My hand in Jazz's felt good. Right. I was still a little angry at Rose but I'm sure we could become great friends. Jazz led me a good distance away from the house, it's a good thing I wore flats. When he finally stopped I was in awe. We were in a meadow, a meadow full of purple flowers and lush greenery. That wasn't what held my attention though. It was Jazz. He was sparkling! Like a diamond! The sunlight was hitting his face, neck and hands, the only parts of him not covered.

It was flawed though, like something was causing it to be fractured. I couldn't see what it was. He sat down among the flowers, pulling me down beside him. I have to admit to some disappointment. I'd have rather been in his lap. But suddenly, I was. When I looked up at him he had a smirk on his face. Empath, right, he can feel my emotions. I'd have to watch that. Although I doubt there'd ever be a way to stop it.

"Now that we're settled, how about I tell you about myself and you can ask any questions you have about us? We'll have to leave soon though, if we don't want to make Esme mad you missed her delightful cabbage casserole."

"Sounds good to me."

"Ok, well let's see. I was born, as you know, in 1844. What you don't know is I was born in Houston, Texas to second generation German immigrants. We lived on a small farm. My Papa was tall, like me, and a hard worker. My Mama was a petite blonde haired woman who always smelled of baking bread. I had two siblings. My older brother Jeremy and a younger sister Tilda.

"As my brother was slated to take over the farm, I as the second son wanted to see the world. I was just too young. By the time the Civil War came to Texas I was 16. My brother and I both wanted to join but my Papa didn't want to chance my brother dying as he was the heir so to speak; and I was too young. But I was determined. So one night I snuck out of the house, took one of the horses and went to the closest recruitment camp.

"It's not that I believed in slavery, I didn't, but most southerners didn't. Most of us didn't own slaves, we worked with free men and women. I was young and foolish and thought going to war was the the best way for me to see our country .I should have stayed home. I never even left Texas. Never even saw any real battle, we weren't that close to the actual fighting.

"I joined the Texas Cavalry, and within three years I managed to rise to the rank of Major. They thought I was 20, I was really only 19. One day my men and I were tasked with evacuating Galvaston. We had just delivered a group of women and children to the town we were told to take them to, I can't remember the name anymore, and I had sent my men on ahead. I was returning to Galvaston myself when I came upon three women.

"I thought they were women we had lost on the way. So I went to help them, I was nothing if not a gentleman. One minute I remember asking them if they were ok and one of them saying something to the one called Maria, the next I woke up three days later with a burning in my throat and rage in my heart. Maria was in the room with me. She had me in a cabin. I remember attacking her and her knocking me to the ground. She then told me what she had done. She turned me into a vampire, like her and her companions.

"She trained me to work with her newborns and with my gift we swiftly became the coven to beat. See there are covens in Mexico. The Southern Covens as they're known to the rest of the vampire world, they fought each other over territories. With my help she swiftly took over more territory. And we became lovers. I won't go into anymore details about that life because it's gory and not something I want in your head. Years went by until one day I changed a man named Peter. He was of a similar age to me when I was changed.

"We became friends and he quickly showed Maria he should be one to keep. She usually had me kill the newborns after a year when they became less useful. See we are at our strongest and fastest in the first year. That's what makes newborns the best army. We don't need as many, but no human army could stand against us. Peter became my Captain. He had a gift, we call it his "knower" he just knows when there's trouble. It's saved us more than once.

"Anyway, long story short one day I changed a woman named Charlotte. I don't know why Maria wanted her, pickings were probably just slim at that time. She was a tiny little thing and so gentle. She wasn't a good fighter and I knew eventually Maria would force me to kill her. Problem was Peter fell in love. Turns out she was his mate. When the time came for the next cull her name was on the list just as I had predicted and I had a problem. I knew from their emotions that to kill her would hurt Peter, my friend. So I made a choice. I let them run.

"Peter came back for me several times after that. By that time I was planning to kill Maria. She wasn't happy over my letting them leave and she punished me for it. I finally learned what I thought was her love was nothing more than a means to control me. She took another to her bed and started treating him like he was the better commander, she replaced me and I knew it would eventually come down to her or I.

"It was then that Peter came back again, and this time I left with him. I stayed with him and Charlotte for a bit but after nearly eighty years of nothing but war and carnage and the depression that came with feeling others emotions, I just couldn't function living with two people so obviously in love. So I set out on my own. I came across a man named Garrett. Another nomad like me. He was also a soldier, changed during the American Revolution. We traveled together for a bit, only killing the dregs of humanity, the criminals.

"He saw how much it wore on me, to feel the emotions of every person I killed so he told me about Carlisle. Told me where I could find them, in Boston. I showed up on their doorstep and they took me in. No questions asked. When they found out who I was, The God of War as they called me, the most feared vampire of our world, they said it made no difference. If I truly wanted to change they would help me. And here I am fifty years later. I left my past behind and became an animal hunter."

He stopped there and I thought about what he had just told me. His story was a sad one. But also triumphant. He persevered and overcame his past. He isn't the same man, I'm sure of it. I don't know how I know but I do. He's looking at me with so much apprehension and I feel the urgent need to soothe his fears. I think he thinks I'm going to run, but I'm not.

"Wow, Jazz, I don't know quite what to say. I have a couple of questions though." His relief is palpable as his body relaxes and he smiles at me.

"Well the fact you haven't run from me screaming says a lot to me. What did you want to know."

"One, why are all of your eyes gold? Is it because of your diet? And two, can you tell me more about what it would mean to become like you. Then I have some questions about the whole mates thing."

Jasper

I should have known she'd want more information about becoming a vampire. I could feel how determined she was. No matter what happens next, the end result will be the same. She will become a vampire. It's just a question of when. I've only known her a few days now, but I can see that she's strong, smart and of course beautiful. I couldn't ask for more in a mate.

"Well the eyes are because of our diet, yes. As for becoming a vampire, it's not easy. When we bite humans, we start the change. As Carlisle told you, we have venom, kind of like a rattlesnake. We can't just bite someone and stop, it'll start the change and they'll become a vampire, just like what happened to Carlisle. It hurts. It feels like you're body has been set on fire from the inside out, and usually lasts about three days.

"When you wake you'll be stronger, faster, eyes red; and angry. That's what happens with a newborn. It's because your human blood still lingers in your tissues. The anger is because it's a lot of information overload. You'll be confused at first. You will be able to see dew on a spiders web, hear a mole digging underground. After about a year the anger and confusion will wear off, two and you'll be like me. You'll always be strong and fast just not as much as during that first year.

"Some vampires are gifted, like me and Edward. He can read people's thoughts. For the most part though the only way you can tell who is a vampire is the way sunlight reflects off their skin, the paleness and most have red eyes, there's only two covens I know of that feed from animals, us and the coven Edward is with right now, the Denali Coven. We can eat human food but it tastes disgusting and will just sit in our stomachs unless we throw it up because our bodies can't digest it. If you and I are intimate in any way I have to be very careful as one wrong move could kill you.

"As for the mates thing, I think Carlisle can explain it better. Anything else you'd like to know?"

"Yes, why does the sun look fractured when bouncing off of your skin? Why are you so covered up? Aren't you hot?"

"No darlin', I'm not hot. We don't feel hot or cold. As for why I'm covered up. I'm covered with scars from my time with Maria. You probably won't be able to see them clearly, because your human eyes are weaker than a vampire's. My scars scream danger to others, so I keep them covered."

"Show me."

I take a deep breath and slide her off my lap to sit next to me. I'm afraid of her reaction but know I have to do this. She has to see me, all of me. I stand and remove my shirt. She stands as well and gets closer, running her hands along my shoulders, no doubt feeling the ridges of each bite. I feel for her emotions and am blown away by what I feel. Love, acceptance, sorrow, and the most powerful, lust. She desires me!

"Oh Jasper, what you went through. I can see them, I'm sure they're not as vivid as they will be once I'm a vampire but I can see them. There's so many! Are they painful?"

"Not anymore."

"Thank you for showing me."

"My pleasure ma'am."

I put my shirt back on and resume our earlier positions. Me on the grass her in my lap.

"Now why don't you tell me what happened to your hand, we never got to that topic."

"Oh, right. Well when I got here Mrs. Newton helped me get a job at her family's sporting goods store and I got a part time one at the grocery store. Saturday I was opening boxes at Newton's when I cut my hand, Carlisle stitched me up."

"Does it hurt?" I hated the idea of her being in pain. I hadn't felt it in her emotions but I still needed to be sure.

"Not so much anymore."

"Good, the thought of you being hurt is abhorrent to me."

After that we sit in silence. I breath her in, reveling in her scent. I don't know about the others but for me she smells of lilacs and vanilla. A warm summer day and baking bread like my Mama, which is probably because that's one of the few memories I have of my childhood. I lost most when I was changed. But I can remember my Mama baking bread. For the first time ever, I feel content, happy. I don't know how we'll do it but I plan on being with her every chance I get. Now that I've found her I can't let her go.

Bella

Hearing his story was hard. I haven't really gotten to know him yet but just from that I can tell he's honorable, loyal, and loved his family. Speaking of...

"Did you ever go back, to see what happened to your family?"

I turn to look into his face and can see the sadness there. Perhaps I shouldn't have asked, but before I can tell him to forget it, he sighs and speaks.

"Once. My Papa and Mama were already gone. Papa of a heart attack in the field, Mama of a broken heart not long after. My brother died in battle. Turns out that after I left he joined up too. Somehow he found himself in Gettysburg. One of the many casualties there. Tilda, thankfully, was old enough for marriage before my parents died and married a man traveling through.

"Turns out he was from Atlanta. I don't know what happened to her, last anyone had heard she had been happily married. I never tried to find out. Didn't want the heartache if it turned out she was gone too. I know she's dead by now, but I hope she got to live a full and happy life. To have a few kids and be surrounded by them, some grand-babies and great-grandbabies."

"I'm sorry I asked Jazz. I can see how sad it makes you."

"Never apologize darlin'. They died a long time ago. The only sadness I may harbor is that they didn't know what happened to me, and that my brother didn't get to grow old, get married or have kids of his own, while I get to live for eternity and now that I've found you it won't be a lonely existence any longer."

"I hope to make sure you're never alone again. How are we going to spend time with each other? The thought of leaving you hurts, but us moving in together is too soon. We've only known each other a few days and haven't even been seen to be dating. I wouldn't want to make anyone suspicious of us, perhaps we could plan a date?"

"Well I know the Jenkins place is surrounded by forest. I could sneak in the back. Spend the nights with you and leave during the day. A date also sounds nice, how about a trip to the movies in Port Angeles on Sunday? I happen to know some of the teenagers from town will be going and if they see us word will spread quickly. That way us spending time together afterwards will be expected."

"I think I can live with that, especially since most of my days are spent at work anyway and most of the teenagers I've met so far have summer jobs now and will be working on Fridays. I know Mike does, that's why I'm off Fridays."

"So we have a plan, I'll spend my nights with you and we'll go on an official date Sunday. Perhaps we should head back now? I'm sure dinner will be done soon and I know Esme looked forward to feeding you. She loves to cook but has no one to cook for. She usually just gives whatever she makes to the shelter in Port Angeles or to the Quileutes at the Clinic."

"Ok, let's head back. I'm actually looking forward to tasting what she's made. And she sounds like a lovely woman. I can't wait to get to know you and your family more."

"She is, and I look forward to you spending more time with us. One thing you should know though, for when I spend the night. We don't sleep."

"Like ever?"

"Never."

"Oh. Well I have movies and books and stuff, maybe you can do some of that?"

"Or I could just hold you."

I blush then. I've never been with a man and the thought of having this man in my bed, well it brings very naughty thoughts to mind. When he removed his shirt at first all I could focus on was his defined chest and abs and the smattering of hair on his chest and that little trail that leads to that certain place in his jeans and what it would feel like to run my hands down it and into his pants.

Now I'm envisioning more. Kisses and touches and being made love to. But it's too early for that. We need to learn more about each other, no matter how much I feel I already love him. Things that can only be seen as time passes. So I'll have to reign myself in, much to my displeasure.

Jasper

I don't know what she's thinking but the lust pouring off of her is enough to make me hard. Too soon, Whitlock, it's too soon! Thankfully vampires have amazing control. I just think about Emmett in a string bikini and my erection dwindles. I have to be careful though because it won't take much for it to come back I'm sure and I wouldn't want to scare her away. I have no idea if she's been with a man or if she's still a virgin, but either way it will be her decision. I can wait for however long she needs.

We make our way back to the house and I leave her downstairs with Carlisle in the dining room where he's pulled out several boxes of momentos from his childhood and marriage- probably figuring she'd want to see them- while I go get a change of clothes and my toiletries. Everything I'll need to spend the night with her. When I come back down Carlisle is explaining to her what drew him to her at first. Besides the fact that she looks like his deceased wife she also smells like the London of his childhood. What he's describing is odd though since she smells different to me. So I decide to ask him what it might mean.

"Well Jazz, as she's your mate she would have a distinctive smell to you. Just as you would to her. Perhaps she smells differently to me because I'm related to her? Why don't we ask the others what they smell?"

"Is that why he smells like sandalwood and sun to me?"

"Probably Bella. He smells like wet earth, horses and gunpowder to me and I know Esme has said the same. We all smell in a way that would attract humans or our mates to us. He smells like only good things to you as you are his mate but to me he smells the way he does because he's just another vampire. My son, but he's not as important to me as Esme is. He probably smells even different to a human. Sweet like sugar, as we all do. It's to lure you in so we can feed. You may be human but you're his mate. So he wouldn't smell the same as all other humans."

"I guess that makes sense Carlisle. Let's go ask the others and then I'm taking Bella home and spending the night if that's ok."

"Of course son. She is your mate after all, it's only natural to wish to be with her and I know you won't hurt her. I know I don't feel thirst when I'm around her so I'm sure you don't either. I'm not sure about the others."

"You're right Carlisle. I feel no thirst for her blood at all."

We walk out into the Great Room and head out onto the veranda where the other four have congregated. This is Esme's favorite spot in the whole house. It's one of the only places we can go and be in the sun but not worry about sparkling. The glass in the windows is some special type of glass that filters the light. I can't remember what she said but the sun touches us, we just don't sparkle.

It's decorated with what she calls Rattan furniture in a light gray with white cushions. The walls are cream like the great room and with all the windows it's bright. She has a lot of plants out here too. Esme has a green thumb, she can make anything grow. Given testament by the wonderful courtyard at the front of the house that's full of flowers and other plants.

"Hello, Bella, you're meal is almost ready."

"I look forward to it Esme." She beams at Bella, then Carlisle asks his question.

"My darlings, there's something we wanted to ask you. It may seem a strange request but can you four describe what you smell when you smell Bella and if you thirst for her blood?"

"Certainly darling."

They each take a deep sniff and describe the same thing Carlisle did. She smells like his childhood. Perhaps it's because he created them? For Alice she smells only of lilacs and vanilla. They also state that while they thirst for her blood, it isn't too overpowering, it's a subtle thirst just like with other humans- which makes me feel better.

Just then we all hear a ding from the stove. Seems her dinner is ready. We head into the breakfast room, Carlisle's things taking over the table in the formal Dining Room- plus it's more personable. I figured she'd be embarrassed with everyone watching her but she doesn't seem to care too much.

"Oh my gosh Esme! This is delicious. Thank you so much for making it for me."

"You're quite welcome dear. You can take the leftovers home with you for later, ok?"

"Thank you. Carlisle, can I ask you something."

"Certainly my dear."

"I wanted to ask about the mating pull. See, I didn't start feeling the ache in my chest until after my parents passed, but Jasper was on this earth longer than me. Why didn't it start earlier?"

"Well, Bella I thought about that. I knew Jasper didn't start feeling it until about six months ago, around the time you said your parents died. Now you've said the same I can sort of come up with a conclusion. While Jasper had nothing holding him back, you did. At first you would have been too young, there are laws against changing children. Then you had the love of your parents, you weren't really missing anything. Once they were gone there was nothing standing in the way of the pull. You followed it here and found Jazz."

"I guess that makes sense. Is it ok with you if I come back here Friday and look through those momentos and stuff? I'd like to learn more about you since you're more tha likely my ancestor. By the way, if you don't mind my asking how did you get that stuff?"

"I'd be honored; and I said I didn't go back but that wasn't entirely truthful. I got wind of an estate sale about a century after I was changed. By that point Samuel and Anne were deceased. I actually approached the auction house and bought it all. It cost me a pretty penny but when you've been investing money for a hundred years you tend to have a lot of it. I have the overnight shift so anytime after 10am is fine. Remember we have a meeting with the Quileutes then too, I'll be calling later to let them know you'll be there."

"Ok, see you then. I'll see you at my place right Jazz?"

"Yes, darlin'. I'll be along shortly." After hugs from everyone but Rose, and a kiss to my cheek she walks out of the door and a moment later her car is pulling down the driveway.

I turn to the others to tell them goodnight but Em beats me to it.

"I thought we were going on a hunt Jazz?"

"Sorry Em, I'm spending the night with my mate, I'm sure you can understand that. We decided the best way to get to spend more time together is for me to spend the nights with her. She has a morning shift though, we can go then if you'd like. That ok?"

"Yeah sure, I get it. Believe me. It'll give me more time with my Rosie. I'll see you tomorrow Jazz."

"See you all tomorrow."

I grab my duffel where I had set it by the Dining Room door and make my way outside. Entering the woods I run all the way to her house. Walking up to her back door I go to knock, but she beats me there. She must have sped to beat me to her house. She opens the door and motions me inside.

"Make yourself comfortable, I'm going to take a quick shower, then maybe we can snuggle on the couch with a movie?"

"Sounds good to me."

"My bedroom is just through here." She leads the way into her bedroom, thoughts of making love to her on the queen size mattress grip me before I shake them off to hear what she's saying.

"I won't be long, you can get ready for bed, or whatever, and I'll meet you in the living room. It's through the kitchen towards the front of the house."

"Alright."

She heads into her bathroom and closes the door. I strip down and pull on the pair of sleep pants I brought with me. Usually I'll put on a t-shirt but since she's already seen my naked torso, I don't bother. I go into her living room and peruse her movies, settling on one I haven't seen before. A romance called The Lucky One, it amuses me that the hero is a soldier and the heroine is trying to deal with the loss of a loved one. Sounds kind of familiar.

She joins me a few minutes later, she must have sped through her shower too, with a mug of hot cocoa. When I set eyes on her I can't help my physical reaction. She's beautiful! She's wearing this pink silk nighty and I can feel her lust for me. I can't seem to speak, or move. She breaks the silence first.

"Did you pick a movie?" I finally regain my senses and tell her yes.

I take a seat on the couch and she joins me, shifting to curl into my side and I wrap my arm around her. Just what I wanted. I breathe in her scent as we sit here snuggled together, her sipping her cocoa and me starting the movie. It's a relatively warm night so she doesn't seem bothered by my cold body. About half way through the movie she hands me her mug to sit on the table next to me and snuggles even further into my side.

As the movie gets close to the end I feel the shift. She's breathing evenly now, her head on my chest. She's fast asleep so I cut off the DVD player and tv and take her into my arms and move her to her bed. After tucking her in I go back to the living room and move her mug to the kitchen, washing it swiftly and placing it in the dish rack. I then move back to the bedroom and lay down beside her, pulling her in close and I just hold her until the first ray's of the dawn filter through her curtains.

Alice

So far so good. I had another vision and will approach Bella and Jasper tomorrow night to let them know the truth of who I am and why I'm here. Thankfully Peter will be calling tomorrow to warn Jasper of trouble, so when I warn him about Edward he'll have cause to believe me. My gift being kept secret from Edward is imperative. I haven't gotten all the details yet, because more decisions have to be made and most of them are Edward's.

I just know that something big is coming, and Edward knowing about me will be bad. Something to do with the Volturi and gifted vampires. They've always kept me a secret, a seer in the hands of the wrong people is always a bad thing. That and the fact that Felix has a mate at all- at least outsiders were kept from knowing these things. They did it to keep me safe. Anyone could take me and try to get me to help them and knowing about Felix they could take him too- even a vampire as powerful as him could be overpowered by sheer force-, to hurt him to make me help them.

Something in my visions is warning me that keeping it a secret from Edward is necessary to keep myself, the brothers and the Cullens and Bella safe. If he finds out we're all doomed. Sometimes I hate not knowing exactly what my visions mean. I hate that it's all based on someone's choices and that the visions can change due to a person's whim. I can always miss something vital and that could always lead to someone's doom. The burden is heavy on my shoulders. Good thing I have strong shoulders.