Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story line, SM owns the characters I'm just having fun with them.

Jasper POV
My mind was still reeling from the fact that Peter was here and that he actually wanted me. He never stopped wanting me. All these years we wasted apart were for nothing. All that time I ignored what my heart, my soul, knew to be true and believed the lies that were fed to me. Rose was right, I was a coward.

I was pulled to a stop and looked around, surprised; I hadn't realized we were moving. Peter slipped out from under my arm that was draped over his shoulder and I looked down to see Bella still tucked tightly to my side. Her brown eyes looked at me curiously and I could feel concern coming from her, was she worried about me?

"Are you ok, Jasper?" she asked, "I know it's a lot to take in, but you haven't said a word."

I tried to shake myself from my thoughts and I noticed we were in the parking lot of the high school, next to a sleek black Mustang. Pete was standing by the driver's side door with the keys in hand, looking at me quizzically. I shook my head and looked down at my feet in shame. "This is all my fault. I am such an idiot. How can I ever make it up to either one of you? I don't deserve you." I pulled away from Bella to fold my arms across my chest and sent them both my feelings of worthlessness.

"Jasper, that is ENOUGH! I will not let you sit here and beat yourself up. You are feeling worthless? Do you think Peter and I would go to all this trouble to find you if you weren't worth it? I admit, I planned on coming here and handing you your ass for the way you left Peter, but now I can see you were just as lost as he was. It doesn't matter how long it took to get here, what matters is the fact that we are all three together now and NO ONE is going to pull us apart again. You are worth it! Got it? Now get your ass in gear, get in the car, and let's go home!"

I looked at her completely in shock. Her emotions were sincere: some irritation, conviction, and fierce protectiveness. Was that for me or Peter? "Yes, ma'am. Peter, remind me not get on her bad side, ok?" She is a firecracker!

"Yeah, Eddie and I learned that real early on. She started growling when she was about 2 or 3. Fierce little kitten." Peter had a fond smile on his face as he gazed at our mate; I felt a pang of loss for the years I missed but tried to push it down again.

We got in the car and started out onto the highway and I realized I had no idea where we were going. "Where are you stayin'?"

"We rented a house on the opposite side of town from the Cullens. It's closer to Port Angeles, where we plan to hunt, and further from the reservation. Are the wolves there? We weren't sure if we would have trouble with them." Peter asked.

"Well, there is one wolf, but he's kind of my best friend. I told him I thought you might be comin' and he's actually a big fan of yours. He's been tellin' me I was an idiot to stay away from you. I'm sure he'll want to meet you soon." I realized I needed to talk to Sam and let him know they were here. "I actually better call him in case he runs across Edward's trail. Don't want any misunderstandings." As I pulled out my phone and dialed him, Bella leaned up between us and stage-whispered,

"Did he just say his best friend is a werewolf? How many ways did that crazy cult fuck him up, Peter?" Pete rolled his eyes and laughed softly just as Sam picked up the phone.

Hey bloodsucker, what's up?

"Not much. Just going home with my mates."

WHAT?! Are you serious?! That's really great, man.

"Thanks. Yeah, Peter showed up and he brought our gorgeous little mate, Bella. I can't wait for you to meet them. But I was calling to let you know they brought their brother with them, Edward Cullen."

Bella cleared her throat and shook her head at me- "It's Edward Whitlock. He's part of our coven, not the Cullens."

"Sorry Sam, it's Edward Whitlock now. He was on the original treaty with the Cullens but he kind of has red eyes now. Don't mess with him, ok? He knows to stay away from the rez."

No biggie. I'll keep watch out for him.

"Hey Sam?" Peter called out.

Uh, yeah?

"This is Peter. Can you do us a favor and keep an eye out for Alice Cullen? She is a threat to our mate and she is currently missing. Feel free to use her as a chew toy if you find her, but don't burn her until we get a chance to talk to her, ok?"

Sam's deep laugh echoed through the phone. Sure thing, I never liked her much anyway and she despises me because I block her precious visions.

"Small world, Sam. She hates me for the exact same reason! Look forward to meeting you soon."

You too. Jasper really deserves to be happy, I'm glad you're here now.

"Thanks Sam, I'll call you later, ok?" I hung up the phone with a smile, and a much happier outlook than before.

I put my phone back in my pocket just as we pulled into a long driveway. We stopped in front of a modest brick home on about three acres of land. I was immediately struck by the difference between this house and the Cullens'. This looked comfortable, homey, understated; I could see myself living here. I smiled and sent Peter my admiration and he turned to me and said, "This is all Bella. She used that computer thing to find this place. She made sure it was in the perfect location, and that it had easy access to a wooded area in case you didn't want to change your diet. She thought of everythin'." Computer thing? Did Pete mean the internet? How far behind the times is he staying? I guess the 8-track in the car should be telling me something...

"Bella, this is great! It's beautiful here. But Pete, believe me, I plan on huntin' with you from now on. We have too much lost time to make up for."

His reply was cut off when Edward came running into the yard, radiating absolute fury. I growled instinctively before I had a chance to tighten my emotions, but I instantly relaxed when I felt Bella's small hand on my back. As Peter went toward Edward I pulled Bella around and buried my face in her hair, breathing deeply. She giggled after a minute and said, "I guess I'll have to get used to two vampires constantly sniffing me now."

I pulled back, completely embarrassed, and said, "I'm so sorry. I didn't even think about it. I just feel so comfortable with you. I didn't mean to bother you."

"Jasper, believe me, you didn't bother me at all. To be honest, I'm glad you're comfortable with me. I worried that you might be jealous of me. And I feel really connected with you, like I've known you forever. I am really looking forward to getting to know you better." When she said that, the little minx pressed her warm body up against me and deliberately sent me some lust.

I growled and dipped my head so my mouth was right next to her ear and whispered, "You're playin' with fire, darlin'." I smirked when I felt her desire shoot up and she shivered against me.

Peter cleared his throat and I felt his desire mixed with amusement as he looked over at us. "If you two are finished, Edward needs to talk to us. Wanna go inside?" I took his hand and followed him through the door, pulling Bella along with me.

We sat down on the living room sofa, me in the middle, with Pete and Bella on either side. Edward came and stood in front of us and started pacing in agitation. "Peter, you're probably going to need to hold Bella when I'm telling you this, it's not going to be easy for you to hear." Bella hopped up and sat in Peter's lap, draping her legs across me and turned to look at Edward.

"Ok, so, when Bella came up to Jasper in the cafeteria, I'm sure you all heard what Alice said right?" He paused while we all nodded. "I saw what she was thinking and it took every ounce of control I had not to rip her to shreds right there in front of everyone. Peter, she saw a vision of Bella as an infant being shaken by her father, before her future went black. She also saw Denver."

I heard Peter and Bella gasp and cling to each other tightly as soon as Edward said that. I was almost scared to ask but I had to know, "What happened in Denver?"

Bella looked between Peter and Edward before facing me and pulling up the sleeve of her shirt. I felt my eyes darken as I looked at the shiny venom scar on her wrist. I looked straight at Peter and growled, "What the hell is this?"

Edward and Peter were both putting off anger, regret, and fear when Peter started talking. "Jasper, this is somethin' I have to apologize for. I didn't do my job right. I didn't protect our mate. She was twelve years old and I left her home with just Edward when I went to hunt in the city. Two soldiers came up from the south and attacked him; they tore him to pieces before Garrett showed up and intervened. But before he could stop them, one of them bit Bella. She was too young to turn, so Garrett sucked the venom out. That's when I showed up. I don't remember much but I ripped them to shreds and then we got the hell out of there and moved up to Canada, where we've been the past four years."

The guilt that Peter and Edward were putting out by the end was suffocating me. I grasped Pete's shoulder and looked him straight in the eye. "You did the best you could. It's just as much my fault as it is yours. I should have come to you long before then. You shouldn't have had to handle it on your own." I turned to look at Edward and said, "Thank you for protecting my mate. I will never be able to repay you for that."

Edward nodded at me and then Peter said, "Ok, so she had visions of what she thought was Bella's death, but was actually my presence causing her to disappear. But the point is she knew Jasper had a mate in trouble and she never told him about her. Is that right?"

Nodding again, Edward continued, "Yes, but there's more. And in some ways it's worse. When Jasper first came to you outside and was begging you not to leave, Alice was guarding her thoughts closely, but one memory slipped through. She was in Carlisle's office in the Springfield house pulling a note out of the safe. She must have destroyed it before they left. She didn't want us to find the family."

We all sat there in stunned silence for a minute while this information sank in. Bella was the first to speak, "Does this mean what I think it means? She deliberately kept Jasper away from the two of us. She interfered between mates. That's a capital offense, right? You can kill her?"

Peter sighed and said, "Sugar, it ain't that simple. The Volturi handles cases like this and we can't risk takin' it to them. They would kill us or tie us to their guard if they knew about us. I can't let that happen."

"Damn it Peter, you sound just like Carlisle. I just had the same fight with him. He spouted some shit about her visions being subjective and how she didn't directly cause harm to anyone. I lived with you Peter- I saw exactly what harm she caused you! You could barely breathe before we found Bella and then you still spent most of your time talking about Jasper and how you wished he was there. This is seriously fucked up! We have to kill her." I couldn't agree with Edward more. I had killed for far less than this, and I had no problem doing it again.

"I don't know about you, Captain, but I don't give a shit about no laws. I'm gonna rip that bitch apart next time I see her and anyone who gets between us too." Bella shocked the hell out of me by climbing over onto my lap and straddling me. Lust was rolling off her in waves and I thought I felt a small burst of love as well. She pulled my face to her and kissed me deeply. Her sweet taste and hot mouth were like nothing I had ever experienced before.

"Well, hello Major. I've been dying to meet you. So glad you could finally join us." she smirked and ground her hot core down on my suddenly rock-hard cock before leaning in to kiss me again.

Edward cleared his throat and Peter raised his eyebrow at Bella. "Can we finish our discussion before you take advantage of my mate?" I laughed when she stuck her tongue out at him and sat down between us. "So, what's our plan?"

"I think we need to wait here. Alice will come back, she won't give up everything she has worked so hard for- mainly the family and Jasper. When she comes back, we take her out. Who cares if Carlisle has a problem with it, he's just as much at fault as she is so he can't press his case either." Edward had no reservations about taking out his former sister. His dedication to my mates made me slightly jealous, but he felt only familial love and devotion to them so I knew I had nothing to worry about.

"Ok, so we're stuck in the great town of Forks for now. Are y'all goin' back to school or hangin' around the house with your old man?" Peter was trying to joke but he felt insecure as well.

"Pete, you know I love you, my ancient vampire, but Jasper is older than you. Anyway, I didn't want to go to school with the humans in the first place. I got who I came for, no need for me to go back!" Bella was smug and she shot Edward a triumphant grin.

"Ugh, Bella. Why are you so stubborn? You are human! It wouldn't kill you to act like one every now and then. One hour and one half day at school does not make a full education. Besides, I had those girls eating out my hand." Edward was pouting. The century-old, red-eyed vampire was full out pouting. It was hilarious, until I realized what he said.

"You've never been to school, Bella? How much time have you spent around humans?" Just how isolated had they kept my mate?

"I don't like humans. They are slow, and stupid, and they don't smell as good as vampires. Just because I'm stuck being human until one of you bites me, doesn't mean I have to like it!" She crossed her arms and sat back with a huff.

I met Peter's eyes over her head and sent him my curiosity. "All we can figure is she didn't get off to the best start with her human parents, and from the minute I found her she was right at home with me and Eddie. As hard as I am, she slept on my chest until she was 7. She loves being carried at vampire speed and she seems to get as much comfort from my scent as a vampire mate would. It honestly seems like she was born to be a vampire; she's going to be even more amazing once she's changed."

I thought over the situation and realized this could be my opportunity to do something for my new mate. "How would you feel about school if you were datin' the boy who had turned everyone else down? We could switch some of your classes to mine and we could spend some time gettin' to know each other. Would you try it for a few days at least? I've missed out on so much of your life, I'd like to experience somethin' new with you, before your change."

Her huge brown eyes narrowed at me slightly, trying to gauge my sincerity. She looked at Peter and raised her eyebrows; when he nodded she let out a big breath and said, "Ok, Mr. Guilt Trip. I'll try school, but only for a few days. If we don't get this Alice thing cleared up soon I'm dropping out, for good this time. Deal?"

Peter, Edward, and I all had on identical smiles and we nodded simultaneously. I couldn't wait to show off my mate to those children at school, both the girls who had been relentlessly pursuing me, and the boys who had their eye on Bella. Then I thought of something, "Pete, what about you? Will you be ok without us that long? We don't want to leave you out."

He waved off my concerns. "I won't be far. I'll run perimeters at the school and keep an eye out for the pixie bitch. I'm glad Bella will go to school, you managed to do somethin' Eddie and I couldn't talk her into for anythin'. But I guess this means you have to stick to your diet for now? Would the other students notice if your eyes suddenly changed color?"

Damn, I didn't think of that. "I'll survive. Maybe I'll wait until we change Bella and we can all enjoy our first hunt together. We are changin' her soon, right?"

"Yeah, as much as I'd like to put it off a few years, it's probably safer if we do it sooner rather than later. She'll drive me up a wall if I make her wait longer too." Peter smiled at the end but I could feel his disappointment. He really wanted our mate to stay human longer.

"Ok, ok. Enough fun at my expense. I need to get to bed if I have to get up early for school in the morning." She spat the word out like it tasted bad. "Do I have to sleep alone or what?"

I exchanged a glance with Peter. I really wanted to get him alone but I had a feeling we needed to talk through some things first. I also really wanted to snuggle up with my soft, warm mate while she slept. He sent me his agreement and said, "We'll be up in a minute. Get your shower and let us know when you're ready, ok?"

As we settled into bed, my mates argued for a minute over who was "sleeping" where. They finally agreed that I should be in the middle and I swear I felt my heart beat again when Bella put her head on my chest and wrapped her body around me. Pete curled up next to me as well and laid his head on my shoulder with his hand resting on Bella's back. For the first time in my very long life I felt completely whole.

I sent my mates my peace and contentment as Bella drifted off to sleep. Peter and I held tight to each other and began talking quietly about the past 60 years of our lives. We talked about the places we had been and things we had seen. He told me about raising Bella and promised to show me her photo albums tomorrow. As Bella drifted deeper into sleep and rolled away from me I pulled Peter tight to me and kissed him deeply. We slowly and quietly reaffirmed our love for each other and silently vowed to never let go.