Thanks for the reviews! I want to hear from someone else this time too! Just a reminders, I'm not Stephenie- drat- and these aren't my creation- big drat. Angry Angels… remind me to get the next chapter of Halfling from the family computer. It's mostly done, & I don't want to rewrite about Leader again. I wanna finish it for good! *note to shelf… find another editor who likes vamps in a non obsessed way*
The moon is low and a beautiful golden orange. The stars seem to shine brighter tonight, the hottest blues crystal clear, and the red stars like rubies looking down on us. The cool night air rustles the leaves and grass and bushes, stirring the scents around us. I smell bears a little ways away, and there are plenty of birds, but none of these interest me. I know the smells slightly disgust Jasper, but he's trying not to let me see.
He kisses my head and whispers old Civil War tunes in my ear. I hum along to the ones I know and laugh to the silly tunes. He doesn't mind as I cuddle into his chest, my little arms hugging his waist. He simple holds on to me tighter.
"Look at me," he sighs, repulsed. "I've never felt like this, only felt what was around me… so much like…"
"Like Peter and Charlotte?"
"And the first time it crosses my mind about how I feel, I think about this! In response to her, too. Why aren't you backing away? You're not helping me."
I lean back a little to look at his face. Guilt and anger are written all over him, but his bloody eyes still reflect a monster all women want to see. Butterflies fill my stomach as I realize the monster is there for me.
"If you think this is strange for you, put yourself in my shoes for a second. I've lived all my known life figuring out what I'm doing in life. At least you knew what was going on around you. I've found you, we are looking for the Cullens, and I love you."
We stare deeply into each other's eyes, and it's obvious what comes next. My hands run up from his waist to his shoulders and back down again. His head falls back, but he gives nothing away. I unfasten the first few buttons, but his cold hands stop me.
"Not while thinking about her," he whispers in my ear.
"I'm not. All I see is you."
He lifts my head towards him, and our lips meet.
It had been another long day of avoiding the sun. I was beginning to hate this life. How did the Cullens do it? I tried to ignore my frustration and focus on the great night ahead of us. The vision would happen soon; the sky was very clear today and would continue through the night. Still, I wasn't sure where the woods were.
I laid my head against Jasper's shoulder, but he didn't seem to notice. I looked up at the stone man beside me, and still he didn't notice me. He was stiff, his muscles tense and ready to attack, and his face was locked on a young girl a few seats down. Her window's open, and the strong Chicago wind is our worst enemy, her form of suicide. Every turn, scratch, and shift flung her sweet, honey suckle smell straight towards us.
I pulled myself up to distract my companion. His eyes were bright crimson like mine. I shuddered at the memory of the small massacre. Jasper needed to hunt, and the more often I hunted the easier it was for me to be normal. I didn't mind us delaying our trip for this essential. He willingly let me drag him away from city limits, but on the way out of the train station, a late train rushed past us and a nearby couple. The smell was too much for Jasper, and my instant concern wasn't enough to keep him sane for me.
He easily broke the girl away from her boyfriend and began sweet talking her into coming with him. He erased all her fears and replaced them with a safe blanket. His cold, stony skin couldn't scare her as long as she stayed with him. I would've gone to stop him, but the man in his attempts to get her back sliced his hand on the old staircase handles. The fresh, warm blood was too much. Jasper pushed the girl away from him and began advancing towards my meal, but he learned that size doesn't matter. I crouched down and growled, not even caring that countless humans were probably seeing too much. Strange humans with an obsession for demons doubtless saw us for what we are, but nothing mattered except drinking the man's blood and keeping this dangerous vampire away from me.
I pulled the man away, barely strong enough to control myself in public, and threw him over the nearest alley trashcan. I heard his bones snap under my fingers, and I could hear Jasper and the girl behind us. Somehow I knew Jasper wouldn't be able to ignore the bloody man half conscious. Without breathing, I pulled my prey down further in the dark and drenched him in water. How convenient for someone to leave the buckets out for me!
Instincts took over from there, and my mind protested. Still, his blood was delicious. I hadn't tasted human blood in years, and watching the expert just feet away encouraged my darker side to continue. We'd both safely disposed of the bodies before regaining ourselves.
We hadn't spoken to each other since our mistake this afternoon, and it was well after sunset. I was tired of the silence and wished to hear his perfect accent again.
He blinked and looked away from his target, his mouth turning down. He was remembering, too. He did smile a little as his eyes met mine.
"Alice, what do you have in mind here?"
"Let's just have fun," I said affectionately bumping my head to his neck.
Lately I'd been doing things without thinking, and the more I tried not to the more I saw myself doing more. Like that last vision… the heat was there, and I hoped that would be avoidable. He wasn't ready for us to do that yet. He couldn't even admit that he loved me. I couldn't admit it either. Besides, we'd only kissed once. Last night in fact!
"Fun? I keep telling myself I should be worried, but I'm not. Why is that?"
The train was slowing down considerably now, so much that even the humans noticed. Many were gathering their things, but I already had everything I needed on my arm and beside me.
The city lights were everywhere, and the conductor was talking over the scratchy P.A.
"You know clubbing isn't as bad as it sounds," I laughed.
His white face became even whiter, and his red eyes bugged out. Human contact wasn't his favorite thing, and traveling with me had only pushed him more out of his comfort zone. This would be the biggest risk we'd taken, and, though the thought had just occurred to me, I wanted this to work out.
"Clubbing?" he asked, his voice almost shaky.
Without another word, I pulled him out of his seat and off the train. I pretended to know where I was going- already he trusted my visions more than he should. We walked down the crowded roads and laughed and sang, not caring about the stares that came with our enjoyment.
I'd seen us going past Main Street, so without hesitation, we ran past the sleepy houses and shops. A new ambulance cried as it zoomed down the busy road. By the time we got within hearing range of the music and crowds, I started slowing, realizing that Edward was from here, had "died" just a few streets over at that very hospital the screeching ambulance was going to.
"Edward was from here," I said sadly.
Jasper caught my mood and scooped me up in his arms. His fears were minimal now, and while he still had the courage he wanted to go.
"Do you know where they are now?"
I shook my head. Of course I'd tell him as soon as I knew! I just couldn't see that yet? I wondered why. We were looking for them, so shouldn't their location be obvious now? Maybe there was something else that had to come first.
"Well, let's not worry about that tonight. I hear the band, and I can see that you want to dance. Let's go, since you have so much confidence in me. Confidence I don't deserve."
I playfully hit his arm, and we were off again. The loud bandstand and lights were intoxicating. All worries vanished as soon as we hit the dance floor. We spent hours twisting and turning, being the center of attention. We sang along to songs we knew, and best of all I got to show off the flowy new dress I'd bought just for the occasion. When the night was nearing its end, and the slow couple dances were the band's favorite. We danced once, but figured it was time to leave the floor for the night.
We stood alone in the corner and watched others swirl around in delicate circles. Along the walls women wanted to dance while their beau's griped and came up with sad excuses for why they couldn't. Jasper chuckled and wrapped his arms around me.
"Why can't they just man up and dance? I've seen braver boys facing a loaded Yankee rifle."
"Not everyone can be as brave as you, you know?"
He turned me around so he could fully see my face then lifted me up onto the empty bar. We stared into each other's eyes for a moment, then without warning, he kissed me!
It was like we'd been kissing forever. We both knew exactly what to do, and it surprised me that I was so experienced. It made me wonder if I'd kissed anyone- besides Jasper last night- before. We might as well ignore last night completely though. Where that had been a surprise to us both, full of shock and question, this was an explosion of passion! His hands locked around my short black hair and secured me to him. My arms hooked around his neck, my fingers petting his honey blonde hair.
When we finally broke free the song had ended, and happy couples were ready to leave to club. Many, but not most. The band still continued to play, and the excitement was still high in the room. So I couldn't understand why Jasper was suddenly upset. Had I done something wrong? I quickly looked ahead, but our night time plans hadn't changed.
"Jazz?" I asked, but he wasn't paying attention to me anymore. "Jazz! Jasper Whitlock, what is going on!"
I scanned the room for some invisible threat. I knew it wasn't open blood, otherwise I'd smell it, too But no matter how many looks I took, I couldn't understand. Then I saw her. I'd seen her face so many times during my life that I probably knew her as well as Jasper did. She was small, taller than me, yet not as tall as average girls, and had long, brown hair. Her face was undoubtedly Hispanic, yet her face was as white as ours. Her blood red eyes seemed more dangerous than both Jasper's and mine together. Her feline stance weakened every male's knees, made them puddy in her solid hands. Maria was up to no good again.
"Jasper," she purred. Seeing her in person was ten times worse than I'd thought. "Peter said you'd explore the country. I'm so glad to see you with someone. You were so much of a pessimist with us. And who is your new companion?"
Jasper stood slightly in front of me. He held my hand gently, protecting me from the vampiress, but his eyes were harder than I'd ever seen them.
"This is my Alice," he said flatly.
"Your Alice? Your mate? I'm happy for you. After all this time you've found someone to ease your pain? You've turned into Peter, haven't you?"
"She is mine, and thank you for your kind words. What Peter and Charlotte have isn't the same as our relationship. I'm curious though, Maria, about what Chicago could possibly hold for you? We don't fight for cities here. We can live peacefully here."
His voice was softer, but still on edge. His face still looked as hard as stone, and his crimson eyes were blazing. I so badly wanted to jump back on the bar and relax his face. He looked every bit the dangerous vampire now.
"Not that it's any of your business anymore, but I'm recruiting. The Alamo is having a big celebration, and it will soon be the perfect hunting grounds. Everyone agrees, so I need a little help protecting it. I don't suppose that you would like to help me? Of course, Alice, you are welcome, too. Tell me: are you gifted like dear Jasper?"
I was about to answer, but he completely hide me from view and growled at his former ally.
"Don't talk to her," he threatened.
Maria blinked and backed up a few steps. She shrugged and simply walked on towards the dance floor.
"We need to go. Now!" Jasper growled.
I nodded and let him lead the way out of the club. We didn't bothering worrying about what the late pedestrians might have seen. We "ran" out of the city limits and towards the nearest trees.
We sat down in the trees' full cover and soaked up the moon light. The wind was lightly blowing the leaves, bushes, and grass, and the smells were nice. A nice relief after today's events. Every sound was loud but not uncomfortable.
Jasper gently laid back in the cool grass and sighed. I did my best to stay happy and give him a good atmosphere. He looked over at me and smiled. He knew what I was up to, and his smile was his thank you. I shrugged and curled up next to him. I knew exactly what was coming, but I wouldn't push for my vision to come true. I wanted to live the moment with him.
The stars were as beautiful as I'd seen them. They twinkled and shined bright despite the low, golden moon just in sight among the trees. I sigh at the beauty of it all, but Jasper mistakes it for a hidden emotion. I hadn't realized I'd been sad, too.
"Oh, I've come from the battle-field, I've come right from the war, and well I knw the Twentieth, and gallant lads they are. From colonel to rank and file, I know my comrades well, and news I've brought for you good dame, you Robert bade me tell."
I smiled and sang the mother's part.
"And do you know my Robert now? Oh tell me, tell me true. Oh! Soldier tell us word for word, all that he said to you. His very words, my own boy's words, oh tell me every one! You little know how dear to his old mother is her son."
"Well dame, he saved the colonel's life, and bravely it was done; his dispatch they told it all, and named and praised your son. A medal and a pension's his good luck to him I say, and he has not a comrade but will wish him well again.
"Now soldier, blessings on your tongue, oh Robert could you know? How well I am repaid this day for all that I've gone through. For all I've done, and I've borne the long years past and dead! But soldier, tell me how he'd looked, and all my Robert said."
Jasper laughed and kissed my head.
"How do you know Civil War songs, yet not know anything before you woke up alone in that burning building? We both know you weren't alive when my peers sang that in prayer."
"I like to watch people. I hear all kinds of things that way. And you used to sing some of those songs when you were alone in the south. In the afternoon when it was bright, you'd stand under the shade of your hideout, and sing whatever song came to mind. You still miss the old days, don't you?"
"No," he quickly answered. "My family? Yes, though I don't remember much about them. My friends? They died in the war like so many others my age. If I hadn't been changed, I would probably be with them in Heaven, but I'll never see them now, even if I do die. I don't mind though. I don't remember them either. If I hadn't… I would have never met you. Look at me. I've never felt like this, only felt what was around me… so much like…"
"Like Peter and Charlotte?"
"And the first time I time it crosses my mind about how I feel, I think about this! In response to her, too. Why aren't you backing away? You're not helping me."
I leaned back to look at his face. He wants to feel this way, but at the same time he knows it's too soon. I feel exactly the same way, but I had my visions to trust. He only had the word of a little freak he'd recently met.
"If you think this is strange for you, put yourself in my shoes for a second. I've lived all my known life figuring out what I'm doing in life. At least you knew what was going on around you. I've found you, we are looking for the Cullens, and I love you."
We stared into each other's eyes, and I saw the electricity behind the crimson. My head is lost in his eyes, but my hands know exactly what to do, as if this was completely natural, like they'd done this before. They travel up from his waist to his collar and unfasten the first few buttons. For a second we both have trouble breathing, but then his cold hands stop mine.
"Not while thinking about her," he whispered in my ear.
"I'm not," I whispered back. "All I see is you."
He sighed in surrender and pulled my face up to meet his. Our lips meet, and this time the passion overcame us. I struggled to take off his shirt, and though he clearly liked it, he wouldn't loosen his sturdy grip around me. It didn't take much longer though to send his shirt flying away from us, and then he had me lying in the cool grass. Item after item disappeared, and we were finally together.
Nothing felt better than his hard, cold body all over mine. I halfway wondered if he could secretly read minds, too because how else did he know to turn me on like that? Everything was perfect, every touch exactly what I wanted, every whisper adding more passion to the night. He made no mistakes. I hoped I was everything he wanted. If something I did wasn't right, he didn't show it.
All too soon, he rolled over on the grass beside me, a peaceful smile covering his face, his eyes closed. Our breaths were uneven, but his were relaxing much quicker than mine. We laid there motionless for a long time. His smile widened and melted just a little as he felt my gushing emotions. I was excited that he felt this way about me to, shocked that I'd just had sex with a man I'd only met weeks ago, madly in love with him, and slightly scared about what damage Maria had done in Chicago and Jasper. Of course, Jasper only felt the feelings, not the reasons behind them. My worry had him anxious.
"So many feelings are running through these woods tonight, but only a few matter. I have scared you off, haven't I? I don't understand because I feel your love and excitement. Am I misreading you? That's never happened before though. I'm an expert of emotions."
His voice was rough, and the southern accent was thicker now than it had ever been. It must have been a habit of his to cover it. I really had him out of his element, didn't I?
"You never misread me," I sighed as I crawled next to him. I rested my head on his bare chest and noticed some more scars I hadn't seen before. Well, I was a bit distracted… "I'm worried about Maria. I know I shouldn't mention her, not after this, but I can't help it. She plans to hurt people just a few miles away from us, yet here we are… And she's done something to you."
"I hate to think about what she's planning," he sighed. His rested his head on mine and wrapped his strong arms around me. "Many men will lose their lives tonight. I don't like that she wants me back, but please don't worry. I'm not leaving you. I love you too much to part with you for any amount of time."
"I'm not leaving you either. I know we'll find the Cullens soon."
"I suppose you know what I want to do now, don't you?"
I frowned. No, I didn't know, and I didn't like that. As much as I loved surprises, I didn't like them thrown on me. Japer saw and felt my confusion and laughed.
"Maybe you've already seen us there? I hear there's nothing more beautiful than Niagra Falls. I want to prove everyone wrong. I want more time with you before we meet our family."
The vision jumped back at me. I saw us watching the Falls, both of us talking, the location of the Cullens coming to me. I smiled and snuggled closer to my military man.
We sighed and looked into each others eyes, both of us smiling wide. He kissed my forehead and fetched our strewn clothes. We dressed and walked out of the wood, taking our time, not wanting to rush anywhere anymore.
It was the easiest way towards Canada, so we had little choice. We crossed the Chicago city limits and stood in awe at the destruction Maria had done. It seemed that Maria's attempt to find the bravest and strongest men hadn't gone according to plan. A quarter of a crowded block was on fire, innocent victims screaming, a couple of men attempting to catch the immortal trouble maker. She played with her food, kicking the fatally wounded men aside for later and narrowing down her search for the next soldier.
I felt Jasper tense up beside me, but I knew he wouldn't go fight her. I squeezed his hand and brought it up to my lips. I kissed it and said, "Let's go."
He turned to me and glanced back at her. He smiled and kissed my lips.
"Lead the way, my little spark."