So here is chapter 2. I'm so pleased with the response from the first chapter and I hope this has is the same. The contents of the letter aren't really covered in this chapter; there will be more on that in the next chapter but this does move the story on a little and develops the relationship between Jasper and Bella.

Chapter 2.

By the time Carlisle finished reading the letter aloud both Rose and Esme were sobbing against their husbands. Jasper was hit by the grief from each family member at a time when he could do without it and he wished there was something he could do to stop them feeling this way; to ease their pain and then his.

It was another of the family that momentarily put a stop to their sorrow though as Bella spoke, "They're gone, aren't they?" she whispered; her voice hoarse from her earlier screaming.

They all turned to face her with looks of shock written on their faces; it was unheard of for a vampire to go through the transformation so quickly; it had barely been a day and she was already awake. Esme moved quickly to her side; brushing her hand through her now even longer hair. The letter was correct; her beauty was beyond description. "I'm afraid they are, Bella. How are you feeling?" Esme's mothering instincts kicking in despite her sorrow.

"What the hell is the obliga-thingy Edward wrote about?" she whispered; asking the question they'd all thought at one stage.

"I don't know, dear, but we'll work it out."

"Loosely translated it means bond of brotherhood but I have no idea what he's referring to." Jasper said, looking at Carlisle in deference; it was, after all, mentioned in one of his books.

"I don't either but you're right with the translation. I guess I'm going to need to look at the books in my study."

"I'd like to help you," Jasper said quietly.

"I think it would be better if you helped Bella; you're the most experienced of us all with newborns."

"I'd rather help you as it seems to directly affect me anyway."

"Jasper, please. She needs you and they would want you to do this." He said softly; looking him directly in the eyes; hoping to encourage him to do as he asked.

Jasper frowned and looked at Bella; who was deep in conversation with Esme. "What about what I want?" he muttered; loud enough for only Carlisle to hear. He could feel the confusion rise again from his father but didn't say anything else. He reluctantly stood up and heard the end of the conversation she was having with Esme and knew she was being asked if she felt the urge to hunt. She nodded and Jasper took a step towards her. "We can go and hunt for something, if you'd like?" he offered; begrudgingly.

"That would be good." She said, also getting to her feet; swaying slightly as she did so. Esme's hand steadied her for a few seconds before she walked away, towards him.

"Do you want the others to come too?" He hoped she'd say yes, he wasn't sure he could handle being around her alone. His emotions were still too raw from the loss of the most important people in his life and he didn't want to have to deal with her as well.

"Would it be okay if it was just the two of us? I don't want them to see me doing that… not yet anyway."

He sighed quietly and noticed Esme's eyes turn to look at him abruptly. Obviously he was projecting his disdain a little too much. "Of course. Let's go then." He walked towards the door; pausing slightly until he knew she was following him. He was the first to leave the house and he inhaled sharply; ensuring there were no humans nearby. They were okay so he nodded at her to leave the house. As soon as she exited the building she ran and Jasper had to try very hard to just keep up with her. "Slow down, Bella. Not all of us are as fast as you." He said; his irritation at her flooding his system again.

She stopped abruptly and watched with a smile as Jasper shot past her before also stopping and then jogging back to her. "What?" she smirked at him as he slowly walked back to her side; seeing the look of frustration on his face and wondering what was wrong.

"I wanted to ask if you had any particular requests; hunt wise." This wasn't what he wanted to do but the former officer in him wanted to ensure he was going to do it well. Only because it was almost certainly what Edward and Alice would've wanted; much as he hated to admit it.

She shrugged, "I don't know. What do you recommend?"

"It depends on your taste…"

She stared at him; could he be any more obtuse? Like she had any idea what her taste was… "What do you like?"

"Lions and panthers; any of the big cats really."

"Then maybe we should go for that. If I don't like it, you can have it."

"I don't think you'll dislike it. It has a potent taste." He stared at her intently. "How is the burning at the back of your throat?"

"Harsher than I thought it'd be. I guess none of this is what I expected it to be. I wish he was here with me." Bella looked at the ground and felt her eyes begin to well with tears she could only wish to shed.

"We should get on with this." He turned away from her sharply and began to walk towards the trees in the distance. "Are you coming?" he called back to her; a barely hidden tone of antagonism in his voice. She jogged to catch up with him and then walked beside him.

"So is there anything I should know?" She was trying to draw him into a conversation; suddenly realizing this was one of the first time's she'd ever spent with him; she barely knew him and that was beginning to bother her.

"Your instincts will kick in. I think you'll be a natural." He hated to admit that too but he couldn't deny the fact she was already an extraordinary vampire.

"Then why are you here?"

"To make sure you don't get caught up in the hunt and attack a human." He said bluntly.

"Oh." They were silent for several minutes. "Have I done something to piss you off?" she finally asked him; picking up on the bad mood he was feeling.

"Why would you think that?"

"I may not be an empath but I'm getting a vibe from you that you're annoyed with me." He didn't say anything in response so she prompted him a little further. "I have, haven't I? Please tell me what I did?"

"You don't want to know, Bella. Let's just get this over with."

Her relief was almost palpable and she knew he'd be able to feel it. "At least you admit there's a problem. I'm sure I'll be able to work out what it is."

"I'm sure you will." He said and then they started to run again; this time Bella kept pace with Jasper; all the time wondering what his problem was. She followed after him for a while and soon they came to a clearing several hundred miles from the house. They headed up into the mountains until she smelt it; the most intoxicating smell she'd ever come across. Her throat was burning and she knew there was something nearby that was calling to her. She stopped and tried to work out which direction to go. "Close your eyes, Bella."

She did as he said and her senses honed in on the enticing scent; she opened her eyes and her head turned in the direction she knew whatever it was, was. She began walking in that direction and she could just hear the almost silent footsteps of Jasper following behind. She tried to block him from what she was feeling; she didn't want to be near him now; or him to be near her. She slowed to a stop as she heard the heartbeat of her prey in the distance. She realized she needed to get some help from her companion; however much she despised him at the moment. She wished she knew what his problem was. She whirled round to face him; her vampire speed confusing her for a second. "How do I do this?"

Jasper realized he needed to help her; she needed to know what to do or she'd just end up getting hurt and his parents would be even more upset. "You need to approach it slowly; take your time, there's no rush, Bella."

"My throat is burning. I want it to stop." She almost begged him.

"It will when you've fed; or at least lessen. You should approach it from downwind so it doesn't pick up your scent. Animals flee when they feel our presence; it's something to do with the fact that to them, we wreak of death. You should make the death quick; teeth in the jugular and snap it's neck. Then you're home and dry; or not as the case may be."

"Will you be nearby?"

"You'll be fine, Bella. You won't need my help."

"That wasn't what I asked. Will you be nearby?"

"I'll be close but I won't get in the way."

"What if I need some help?"

"You'll be fine." He repeated.

"You know, I could do with some confidence right about now." She snarled at him.

"No you don't." he growled back to her.

"Well, thanks, Jasper. Thanks for being so helpful." She said sarcastically.

"Anytime," he said, just as sincerely.

"I don't know what your problem is, but I wish you'd snap out of it."

"Just go and kill the lion, Bella. We can discuss this later."

So it was a lion she could sense; she remembered Edward telling her it was his favorite which made her want to smile; Jasper being the only reason she wouldn't. She stared at him; then pivoted and stalked away from him in the direction of her future food. Despite the way he was being with her, she still heeded his words. He did, after all, know what he was talking about. Slowly she approached the lion and she stared down at her target. His words rang in her brain and she ran through what he'd said like a mental checklist as she stealthily moved closer. Her eyes narrowed as she got closer; something must be going right because it hadn't yet sensed her presence. She paused in her movements and took another deep breath. She was just feet from it now and she took a few seconds to admire its beauty. Her thoughts turned once more to the conversation she'd had with Edward and the despair of losing him and Alice hit her hard. Before she could lose it completely she pounced on the lion; landing gracefully on its back and sinking her teeth into its neck; her hands grabbed around its throat and with one quick twist the neck was broken. Once it was lifeless beneath her she let the blood pour into her mouth and she swallowed eagerly; the burn in her throat soothing slightly with each mouthful. She sucked on the corpse until it was dry and then dropped it to the floor and stepped away.

As she rose to her feet she saw Jasper in the distance; his head tilted to one side, watching her. "Was that okay?" she said quietly; knowing he'd be able to hear her. She looked down at herself and she saw she was covered in blood from her meal and a surge of embarrassment went through her.

He was in front of her in an instant, "I've seen worse." He admitted; his eyes not meeting hers.

"I've had enough of this, Jasper. Just what is your problem?" He didn't say anything; just stared into her still crimson eyes. "What have I done that could make you hate me so much?"

"You killed my wife and my best friend." His voice was bitter and it hurt her as much as his words did.

She gasped and stared at him. For a second she wished she was human so she could cry because she had the urge to do so; again. "You're not the only one hurting, Jasper." As soon as she'd finished talking she turned and ran; her instincts telling her which way to go. She had no idea whether he was following her and she didn't care in the slightest either. Just thirty minutes later she was back at the house and she ran through the door and sat on the couch. The room was empty and she was glad it was; she wasn't in the mood to see anyone now as part of her was worried that they all felt the way Jasper did.

TBC

A/N: So that probably wasn't what you were expecting was it? Let me know what you think. I kind of like pissed off Jasper and there will definitely be more of him. Hopefully chapter 3 will be up later today but please review this chapter too.