A/N: So sorry for the wait! Between finals and moving, its been hectic! But again, thank you so much for reviewing, and here is chapter 17! =)


They stood at the doorway of the large brick house.

"This is it," she whispered.

"And they have no idea we're here," he clarified.

"Nope," she said before taking in a breath and knocking on the door.

Jasper could feel her nerves fluttering and he reached for her hand, sending just a little wave of calm over her. They were about to meet her Cullens. Finally.

She looked at him appreciatively and smiled as the door opened.

The first feeling he felt was confusion. A woman that Jasper guessed was Esme glanced over them. She hesitated, especially after noticing his scars, but then offered a friendly smile.

Alice beamed excitedly, "Hi Esme! We've been looking for all of you for so long, I can't believe we're finally here," she looked her up and down, "oh, you look even better in person. I'm so glad to have finally found you!"

Esme's eyes widened in alarm as a man, Carlisle, Jasper guessed, joined her at the door.

"Hello…I'm--"

"Carlisle!" Alice exclaimed, leaning forward. Jasper grasped her hand tighter, trying to let her know that she shouldn't rush forward and hug him, like he imagined she had planned to do.

She got the message and leaned back, but grinned regardless, "Please, may we come in?" she asked.

"We mean no harm, of course," Jasper added quietly, feeling both Carlisle and Esme's fear and hesitation.

They were also curious, though. He noticed that Carlisle's curiosity peaked when he noticed the color of their eyes. Jasper took this to be a good thing.

"Then you are most welcome," Esme encouraged. Alice giggled and followed her in, Jasper at her side.

He glanced around the house quickly. It was very nice. Clean. Very…human.

He swallowed nervously as Alice took in the house, her happiness bubbling.

"Oh, its so gorgeous. Esme, you did a wonderful job. I knew you'd find the right drapes for the living room. I'm glad you went with the emerald rather than the jade," Alice complimented.

Carlisle and Esme were both anxious again. It was making Jasper feel anxious as well. He tried to calm them down, and it worked slightly.

"Thank you, dear. I'm sorry…you seem to know a lot about us…should we know you?" Esme asked hesitantly.

Jasper realized that she didn't want to offend them. He respected that. He decided that Alice could be right…eventually, he might like the Cullens as much as she did already.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. I'm just so excited…I'm Alice. This is Jasper--Rosalie!" Alice grinned as the blonde vampire entered came downstairs to join them.

Rosalie narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "Hello…" she started slowly.

"And Edward and Emmett will be back later…I guess we don't have to wait though. We can explain now and fill them in later!" Alice decided.

The three of them stared at her like she had just grown a second head. He could feel the fear dominating their emotions and he spoke again.

"Alice has visions of the future," he explained, "that's how she knows so much about you."

The tension was relieved slightly. Carlisle's curiosity sparked and Jasper could feel a bit of amusement mixed in.

"Really?" his eyebrows raised, "you can see the future?"

Alice grinned and nodded, "Yes, sort of. And I saw us with you. We're going to join your family. And I'll be 'Alice Cullen.' But Jasper will be 'Jasper Hale' because he and Rosalie look more alike than Edward, Emmett, and I,"

She rambled on, "I've seen you ever since I was changed. You taught me how to hunt animals! I've never hunted a human. Well, I did once, but it was an accident…" she paused briefly, her eyes looking to the ground, before meeting their eyes again, "but I've been good since. We both have, actually. It's been a while for Jasper, too…oh I'm sorry. I'm rambling. I didn't see this. Just that we would meet. I didn't know how you'd react though. I figured it'd turn out all right, though, because we're playing baseball next week. I've never played before, but Emmett helps me out," she said matter-of-factly.

They continued to watch her, amusement growing from Esme as well.

Rosalie's emotions did not become more positive though. He could feel her doubt, fear, and anxiety at having them there.

He tried to send calm feelings her way, but everything he felt from the four of them, plus himself, got in the way. He only managed a small bit of it. He then decided to send some of their fear to Alice, so she could understand them better.

She nodded at him to acknowledge that she got the message.

"I'm sorry," she said again after the pause, "I really don't mean to scare you. Its…a very long story. But we have time!" she said with a grin.

"It is a lot to take in," Carlisle admitted, "but of course, we're curious to talk to you. You don't drink from humans?" he asked, definitely curious now.

"Nope. I saw you hunting after I was changed and at first I didn't encounter any humans, so I didn't know how good they smelled, and I just thought I was supposed to hunt animals. I thought that's how we were," she explained.

"Okay, so you can see the future and you know everything about us," Rosalie started, looking at Alice, her doubt evident even in her voice.

"Not everything, but I've seen you a lot…" she said.

"All right…so what's your story, then?" Rose asked, glaring intently at Jasper and the scars on his hands, neck, and the few on his face.

"Alice knows you all a little better than I do. I don't have visions…I can manipulate emotion," he admitted, "Alice and I found each other two years ago, and I haven't been the same since," he said simply, knowing there would be time for his story later.

He swallowed, trying to ignore her suspicion, attempting to take in just a hint of Alice's optimism. All of the swirling emotions were weighing him down and Rosalie's especially were starting to annoy him.

"And you're…positive you don't drink from humans anymore?" Rosalie asked, scanning over his ravaged body.

Underlying her politeness was a tone of amusement and doubt. He guessed she didn't believe that such a monster would have the control to abstain.

"Of course he doesn't, Rosalie, you can see his eyes," Alice defended, her smile faltering for the first time since they got there.

Rosalie was surprised at Alice addressing her so directly.

"They're black," she retorted simply, as if that proved her point.

A flare of annoyance toward Rosalie rushed through Alice's tiny body.

"We both drink from animals," she said clearly, not unfriendly, but forcefully.

"Then, of course, that's all we ask, dear. You are both warmly welcome here. We're excited to get to know you," Esme said, sending a warning glance to Rosalie.

Esme's emotions were more hopeful, along with Carlisle's, but both still had a hint of uneasiness behind them.

The anger Jasper had been holding back flared. Alice had finally found her "family" and now they would doubt him…would they ultimately doubt Alice? Would they let her down? Turn them out?

He couldn't bear the thought of how devastated Alice would be if that happened. He couldn't let it happen. Not to her. Not after the past two years of searching for them.

"If no one is going to believe in me, at least believe in Alice," he said, his tone more authoritative and forceful now, "she wants this life and she wants this family and she's gone through so much to get here. Alice works vigorously for what she wants--and she wants to abstain. To be good enough for your family. And she is," he looked at Alice before continuing.

"But if you all think that I'm not, then that's fine. What's the use of trying? You're right Rosalie, I'm not positive I don't drink from humans anymore," he said furiously.

"Jazz…" Alice started, her eyes worried, but he cut her off.

"I'm sorry," he hissed before speeding out of the house, leaving her behind.

Alice turned to race after him, but her anger stopped her.

She twisted back to see Carlisle and Esme with identical looks of concern on their faces and Rosalie with a cold glare.

"Rosalie, I knew you could be mean, but did you really have to say those things to him? You really hurt us…" Alice said, her face angelic and heartbreaking.

"I protect my family," Rosalie defended.

"Why don't you focus on protecting them from someone they need protection from, instead of Jasper!" Alice retorted before taking a deep breath, trying to control herself.

Then she spoke quieter, "I should have waited until Edward was back. I'm sorry…"

Shooting Carlisle and Esme an apologetic look, she sprinted outside after Jasper. She knew she didn't need to breathe, but for the first time, she felt like she couldn't catch her breath. It was a panicky feeling and it scared her intensely. She took in little short breaths as she ran, trying to breathe normally again.

Along with that, the absence of Jasper made her feel uneasy, empty, and very alone.

As she got to the forest, she stopped suddenly as a vision crashed into her.

_____________________________________________________________

Carlisle followed quickly behind her in concern. He found her moments later, standing on the edge of the forest.

"I apologize for Rosalie, she says things sometimes…" he started.

"I know," Alice whispered, "I've seen her."

He nodded and looked down at her, "Did you find Jasper?"

She shook her head, "No. I had a vision though. He'll find me when he's ready," she said, calmer now, but her face was worried.

"Would you like to come back to the house and wait for him?" Carlisle offered.

She nodded and started to walk with him back to the house at a human pace. He watched her closely, sympathetically, ashamed that Rosalie's comments had forced Jasper away. He didn't know what else to say to her though.

When they got to the house, Alice gave him a small smile.

"Thank you for coming to find me. It means a lot," she said politely.

"Thank you for coming back," he said with a small, friendly smile.

"Edward and Emmett will be back in a few hours. I'll wait in the living room," she said quietly.

"Please," Esme said, coming downstairs to meet them, "let me make you more comfortable. You and Jasper are welcome to any room in the house," she offered.

Alice hesitated, not wanting to choose a room without Jasper. She searched her visions briefly before saying, "Edward's room has the best view. He won't mind."

Esme smiled in amusement, "You can know all of that from a vision?"

Alice nodded and Esme reached to take her hand.

"Let's start moving things down to the garage, then. We'll help Edward move into a different room later," she told Alice.

Alice sighed, wondering if Esme was just trying to make her feel more welcome. But Edward's room did look nice….

She nodded slowly, knowing Jasper wouldn't be back until after Edward and Emmett. Since they hadn't arrived yet, she figured she ought to pass the time somehow.

_____________________________________________________________

Between Alice, Esme, and Carlisle, it had only taken two hours to move everything except Edward's couch out of his room, which Esme insisted keeping in there until they could go shopping for one that Alice liked.

"We can go tomorrow and get you both a whole new room, bed and all," Esme had told her.

"Thank you, that would be very nice," Alice had said, but her heart wasn't in it yet. Not without Jasper.

"Have you ever been apart for long?" Esme had asked quietly, hoping to find some way to comfort the poor girl.

"I saw him everyday in my visions since the day I was changed," Alice had answered, "and then after he finally found me, we haven't been apart for more than a few hours."

Esme had nodded sympathetically, not knowing Alice or Jasper enough to reassure her that he would be back.

"If you need anything, Alice, let me know," Esme had told her softly before leaving her alone.

"Thanks," she had whispered appreciatively with a small smile.

After Esme left, she went to sit on Edward's couch, searching her visions for some sign of what was going on with Jasper.

The man was dressed in a business suit, his tie loosened around his neck and his shirt untucked and wrinkled.

Jasper approached the man swiftly, as if out of nowhere.

"What? Who're you?" the man grumbled, his breath reeking of alcohol and his clothes smelling of smoke. He had obviously come from a bar.

"Don't worry about it," Jasper said smoothly.

He squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled deeply before sinking his teeth into the man's neck.

She gasped as she came out of the vision. Her eyes focused briefly for a moment before realizing she was staring at someone. Edward.

The look he gave her showed that he had seen it too.

"Carlisle and Esme explained everything they know so far. I thought I'd come introduce myself. I didn't expect that…I hope I wasn't intruding," he explained, suddenly uncomfortable.

"Jasper and I stole your room. We'll call it even," she offered.

Before he could reply, another vision flashed before her eyes and into Edward's head.

As he passed, the woman grinned at him, "Hey, you lookin' for something fun to do tonight? Or someone…" she hinted with a wink and a teasing grin, unbuckling the top button of her coat.

He smiled back and his eyes seemed blank and hesitant to Alice. The woman didn't notice.

She approached him, obviously excited that she had interested someone of such good looks.

He leaned in to her as she stood in front of him. He kissed down her neck and her heart started pounding, pumping her blood faster. He couldn't hold himself back after that.

"Jazz…" she was saying, knowing full well he couldn't hear her.

"Alice, it's okay," Edward started to say slowly, but then he reached forward and grabbed her hand.

She assumed he must have read in her thoughts how much she needed someone's help right now. Usually, Jasper was there to help her through the harder visions. Rarely had she seen such things without him there, holding onto her, telling her it would be okay. Edward must have heard her thinking about that.

She searched once more, bracing herself.

He could hear them from the street. A man was talking seductively to a woman.

"She'll never know, I promise," he said.

"But she's your fiance," the woman said roughly, as if she were distracted.

"If I don't do this now though, I'll forever question if I made the right choice in marrying her. Right now, I want you," the man said.

The woman said nothing else, but it was clear what happened next.

Jasper stood outside of the house and waited until the man had finished. The man then left after the woman had fallen asleep. Bad choice. He should've stayed.

The man was in his mid twenties. As he left the house, Jasper glared at him. He had no soft spot for a man who would throw away a lifetime of love for a night of lust.

The man nodded to him as he passed Jasper, but Jasper walked in step with him.

"Its like…3 in the morning, man. You need something?" the man finally asked, annoyed.

"Yeah. I need something," Jasper said. He wasted no time. The man was dead in just a minute.

At the end of every vision, she glimpsed his cold, red eyes. They were full of sorrow and regret, but also anger. They broke her heart. She hadn't seen him like this since her visions before meeting him. She didn't know what to think.

"They keep changing," she whispered, "the businessman, the prostitute, the man who is cheating… I see the path people are on while they're on it, but his decisions keep changing. That's why I see him attacking different people…he keeps changing his mind about it…but this last one seemed so certain. So clear. And it would make sense… he would think the last man deserved to die. Even more than the drunk businessman or the prostitute. What if he does drink from him…?" she thought aloud, even though Edward could have read it in her mind.

Edward spoke softly, "Alice, if he came with you this far, he'll come back to you."

Her now black eyes met his light gold ones.

"Are you okay?" he asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"I think I'll go for a quick hunt," she said, not answering his question directly.

I'm not okay…I'm worried. I haven't been apart from him like this yet and it scares me. I don't want him to do something he'll regret later. I want him to believe he can change because I know he can change. I see it all the time. But every slip pushes that realization further into the future… she was thinking.

"Do you want some company?" he offered.

"No, but thank you, Edward," she said.

And thank you for going through this with me. I'm sorry for forcing those visions on you. But I promise you you'll love me like a real sister soon and you won't mind as much.

"I don't mind, Alice. I find your visions…fascinating. And if it helps you to share them, then I'm glad to be here for you," he said kindly, genuinely, with a small smile.

"Thank you," she whispered before standing on her toes to peck him on the cheek. Don't wait up. It might be easier if he finds me outside if…when…if he comes back.

"When," was all Edward said to her.

She exchanged a quick look of gratitude with him before hopping out of the window and onto the dirt outside.

When. she thought hopefully, springing into the woods.

______________________________________________________________

Alice had hunted a few raccoons. They weren't much, but they would due for now.

She now sat on the highest branch of one of the trees, perfectly balanced, looking out beyond the forest. Jasper was near, she could feel him. She didn't know how and she didn't know why, but she also didn't question it. She just knew.

Glimpses of them reuniting kept coming to her, but she wasn't getting a solid vision yet. She wondered if it was due to his indecision or her own.

It was a few more moments before she saw him, moving slightly faster than human speed, just entering the woods, coming her way.

She leaped off of the top of the tree and landed lightly on the dirt floor of the forest before starting to sprint in his direction.

Alice didn't think about anything except him as she ran, just desperately needing to see his face again. She didn't care if he hunted a human, or all three that she had seen, or more. She just wanted him next to her again. She needed him.

They saw each other at the same time, but neither slowed down. She ran right into his arms, crashing herself against him. He cradled her tightly to him, needing to feel her familiar emotions again.

Contentment, love, calm, excitement, anger, relief, ecstasy, love, surprise…the emotions swirled around them, both of them feeling every part of it. Alice held as tightly to him as he did to her for a long time before either dared to separate to look at each other.

When they did separate, they still held on to each others arms as they spoke.

"You came back," Alice whispered, looking up into his face.

"I'm not myself without you," Jasper answered solemnly.

"I felt empty," Alice told him, "I was surrounded by the Cullens, I interacted with them, but I still felt so…alone."

He nodded vigorously, "I'm sorry," he said, his voice raspy, "Alice, I'm so sorry. I thought you'd have a better chance with them if I wasn't with you, but I know I was wrong…I'm so sorry. I need you."

"I need you, too," she said, closing her eyes, letting his love for her wash over her. She knew he was doing the same.

They stood like that, together, saying nothing, just embracing each other's emotions, until Alice spoke again.

"Your eyes aren't red," she stated.

"They aren't," he confirmed.

"I saw you…"

"I couldn't do it," he confessed.

"Why not?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"I saw you every time," he replied, raw emotion in his voice.

Her heart overflowed with joy once more. She was proud of him, but they both knew that even if he had returned with red eyes, she would have still loved him just the same. She was just happy that he had come back to her.

"You kept me waiting a long time…" she whispered finally.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he responded immediately.

"Don't leave me again…just take me with you," she said, holding out her hand.

He took it, sealing the promise, "Deal."

And without making sense of what he was doing, he followed her into their new life, knowing he'd follow her anywhere.


A/N:

So what'd you think? I tried for angst, but this is what I got. Sorry if it wasn't angsty enough, I had a bad case of writer's block!

I'm starting to plan a full length story now, too, but I'm not sure if I want to do post-breaking dawn or all human. what would you be more interested in?

annnd new poll up on my profile, just for fun!

Please review and let me know your thoughts on the chapter & if you have any ideas for future ones! =)