Chapter 5: Tracking

Alrighty guys! Every 5 chapters I'm probably going to do a recap on what's happened because I will be getting held up on some occasions. This time it's because of bad weather which has limited my laptop use and my mother taking me out to do something every second for the past weekend! So I apologize for my slow chapter upload.

What's happened so far: Jasper and Alice tell of their histories and find each other in a diner, then proceed to make their way to the Cullens (true to the saga). Then when Jasper slips and feeds on a human the family has to move to lessen the constant temptation and our Major is left with torturing himself with hurtful thoughts, which Edward is getting tired of 'hearing'. Edward drags Jasper out away from the family's range of hearing to talk to him privately, and things don't go according to plan. Jasper gets so enraged that he leaves the family. Alice is formulating some kind of plan of which we still don't know. Jasper has been on his own for quite some time; somewhere within that time Bella was born and soon after Renee left Charlie (true to the saga). Jasper remembers Alice and tries to go find the house where they lived, only to find the family has abandoned it. He is left feeling guilty and then Maria arrives. The Cullens have moved to Forks and noticed Bella (true to the saga).

I plan to be branching away from the actual storyline as the story develops, I just needed a crutch for me to lean on until I got more comfortable and more confident.

Maria POV

I had been told to wait by the old Cullen house, but for what reason I didn't know. I hated it so far up North – the humans blood tasted duller due to colder climate. Oh well, I thought, I'll just have to make do. Then I spotted him from my perch up high in a rotten tree.

My Major.

He hasn't changed a bit – maybe a bit more rugged but still just as handsome and delectable. Once I watched him enter the house I fell from the branch to land lightly on the balls of my feet, making sure to keep my emotions blocked. I strode silently to the doorway of the empty house to watch as Jasper let out a soft emotion-filled cry and fell to his knees which shocked me. What kind of connection did he leave behind? I'd have to ask questions later. First I had a problem on my hands – getting my Major back home with me.

"Hello Jasper" I said in the softest voice I could. He visibly tensed and in a swift breakneck motion he spun and landed in a defensive crouch low to the dust-covered floor as he snarled my name.

I tried to feign hurt and surprise. "Why Jasper, that is no way to greet a lady. After all your time spent in the South you should remember this simple guideline."

"All my learning of etiquette and manners were put in the back of my mind ever since I joined you in your torture zone!" he looked at me with such a black fiery glare that I took a small step back. This is what it felt like to be the Major's target.

"What are you saying? That I am to blame for your behavior?" I was stunned. How could he accuse me of that?

"Yes, Maria, you are. You put me in the worst state of mind for decades. Decades that I could've spent making the right choices, learning the right ways, meeting my mate even. Instead you had me hypnotized into thinking what I was doing was the only way to live. In pain, surrounded by death and snarls of rage. Training cocky newborns into fighters. Being forced to kill them one by one after their enhanced strength, senses and speed faded away. You made me torture the ones that misbehaved, or made me watch as you teased them to death. You tricked me into thinking I loved you, that you were the only one who could please me and I you. I fell victim to your lies. I feel sorry for your mate, if you ever find him." he had not raised out of his stance, but his shoulder relaxed seeing I wasn't immediately a threat.

"My mate is dead. He was killed well before I found you." How dare he say all this to me, after all I gave him. He looked surprised at this statement, so I continued. "I never told you about him because I wanted to give you a chance. You had enough on your mind. Anyhow, him and I were in Europe, traveling the world. We were feeding, and a nomad passed through and got too close to Colby. They fought, but Colby couldn't take him. He got killed, and I wasn't there to protect him. That's why I was so revenge-driven, so brutal. Every time I saw a newborn males face, all I could do was prepare them for the worst situations. When they became weak, I knew they wouldn't make it in the world, being turned so young. I decided to end their lives prematurely to save them the suffering. When I saw you... you reminded me of him." As I was speaking I was slowly stepping forward, my eyes trained on the ground so I wouldn't startled him. He didn't change his position.

We sat in silence for a while. No one changed their stance, and I noticed Jasper's calculating expression. He just might come home with me after all. I leaned forward slowly to press my lips to his, and he tensed before relaxing and hold the sides of my face. The kiss soon heated, and just like old times, I pulled back and crawled backwards a few paces, settling myself in a comfortable position and begging him to come to me.

Then the last thing I saw was a body lunging at me before the flames licked across my granite skin.

Jasper POV

I knew Maria was sincere about her mate, and I couldn't imagine the feeling of losing someone so close. I also knew that she would never change. So, being the man I was, I decided to end her suffering. A sick and twisted kindness. As soon as I was done burning her I ran in the general direction of the rainiest city in the US – Forks, Washington.

I arrived a few days into the supposed fall. The air was crisp and as expected, thick fog covered the land. I took my time roaming the streets, earning a few odd looks. Soon it started to rain, and I knew I needed to find a place to camp out until I came up with my next move. I found an abandoned house that has clearly been untouched for a while. I decided to stay here for a few years, get used to the animals tastes, and slowly wait for any sign of the Cullens. Surely they'll come here eventually, right?

Esme POV

Edward had been getting closer to Bella over the past year and a half, for which we were all grateful but weary. After all, Bella was a human and it was very risky to be with a human for so long. Carlisle has seen many failed attempts. We were all always on edge, but with Alice's gift we were put at ease a bit. Only time would be able to tell.

Edward POV

Bella's blood smelled so appetizing that I tried everything to get near her. I pushed her away only because I knew I would lose the ever-raging battle with my demon. Silly human girl, she mistook the caresses as love, when really they were possessive and longing. I had to have her. One evening we were left alone at my house while the rest of the family went hunting – the perfect opportunity. I blocked my intentions from Alice's visions expertly.

Currently I had her cradled in my arms on the bed I had set up in my room for whenever she spent the night. She was smiling at me with those brown eyes as I whispered words of love to her, and she ate it up. I mentally chuckled at how pathetic it all was. I leaned down to kiss her, and she eagerly pressed into my cold touch. She tried to get on top of me in the way she's always done before I pushed her back – but this time I let her. She was surprised and hesitated, but continued to kiss me. I pressed her close into me, letting my senses bathe in her scent and warm skin. The demon was roaring in need, rattling the door to it's cage. After a few minutes of torturous waiting, I rolled her over onto her back and pressed my body down into hers, her breath hitching in her throat. I casually maneuvered my lips down to brush along her neck, giving tender kisses as I went. She curled her hands in my messy hair, pressing my head closer into her neck. Oh how did she not know how perfect that was? I grazed her skin with my lips before moving down to the pulse in her neck, the perfect place to bite. I lingered, brushing my sharp teeth along the tender skin. This'll surely hurt a lot.

I was stopped in my proceedings by a large bang right outside the window. I sat up, very confused since I couldn't hear any thoughts. I quickly jumped out the window to survey the area, running into the forest. There was nothing out of the ordinary, so I made my way back. Hopping through the window, my mind raced with the situation before me.

Jasper was crouched protectively in front of a shocked but relaxed Bella.