Here's some father/daughter bonding for ya. Hope you like. Thanks to everyone who is reading and extra thanks to everyone who is reviewing. It's much appreciated. As usual, I don't own.

Jasper POV

I escorted Kira out of the Black's house. Most of the pack were waiting outside, eager to hear news on their fallen companion. Their emotions were mostly gratitude when they saw Kira. They still didn't like me much, but at least their feelings were more civil. They weren't blaming the family for Jacob's injuries, either.

I watched Kira closely as we walked to her car. On the outside she was cool and composed, emotionally however, it was another story. She had almost lost it back with Billy, but he had ended the moment before she could breakdown completely. She was a strong person, but she could only hold the facade for so long. She was already starting to tremble slightly as the adrenaline produced over the last few hours began to dissipate. She needed to be away from strangers before her mask broke entirely. They didn't need to see what would happen if her past demons decided to come to haunt her.

I knew before I asked Kira to participate that the fight could be difficult for her. Ghosts of the past are hard to ignore once something stirs them up. I had hoped this situation wouldn't bring up Kira's ghosts. I had a feeling, however, we weren't going to be that lucky.

We had only been driving a few minutes, just long enough to make it a few yards past the reservation border when she broke down. Her slight tremble turned to full blown shaking. She sobbed quietly, pulling her knees to her chest. Her emotions surprised me, though. She was afraid. It was a mind numbing fear I had only felt in her one other time. It wasn't a fear of being hurt physically, but of being hurt emotionally. Unfortunately, the fear was caused by me that last time.

I pulled into an unused driveway, parking close enough to the abandoned house to mostly conceal the car. I turned the car off, then crossed over the center console, sitting on it awkwardly. I touched Kira's shoulder gently, trying to get her attention.

"I'm not mad at you. I'm not disappointed in you. You can feel my emotions as well and I can feel yours. You came here to fight the newborns and you did what you came to do. This is nothing like what you did as a teenager. I'm very proud of you right now. You not only helped save our family, but you saved Jacob's life. Do not be afraid of my reaction, or anyone else's, for what had to be done"

Kira looked up at me with almost a smile. Not quite, but almost. Her emotions brightened just a little.

"We all have skeletons in our closets." I continued, settling on my awkward seat. "I have so many, I'm surprised I can even function some days. You have one too. I forgave you for it a long time ago and I thought you had forgiven yourself for it as well. You are not a bad person and I will never be disappointed in you or mad at you for doing what must be done to protect the ones you love. This was nothing like your past."

I pushed as many feelings of love and support I could to Kira. She rarely liked it when I manipulated her emotions, but at the moment, I didn't think she'd mind much. After several minutes, she took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then let it out slowly. Her emotions calmed and lightened. I removed my influence and her improved mood held on its own. She wiped her eyes, then turned to face me. She gave me a fierce hug. I returned it and I held her as I did so many decades ago, when she had her "bogeyman phase" back when she was 7 years old. She may have been older and wiser now, with more emotional scraps and scars, but she was still the little 5 year old girl I had rescued from that field. One of the few people I would give up my existence for.

"Do you remember when I told you I agreed with Carlisle about vampires having souls and not being automatically damned just because of what we are?" I asked, still holding Kira close to my side.

"Yes." Kira replied softly.

"Did I ever tell you why?"

"Not that I recall." Kira's voice was tired, but attentive.

"It's because of you." I looked down into her eyes. "If there is a god or some higher power somewhere who decides whether we go to heaven or hell, they wouldn't have blessed me with you, if I was doomed to burn in hell for all eternity. I must be doing something right and good if I still have you in my life."

Kira was crying, cuddling closer to my side. I could feel she was crying happy tears this time. "You know, dad, you're suppose to be helping me stop crying." She joked.

I chuckled softly, kissing the top of her head.

"I love you, dad." She whispered.

"I love you too, kid." We continued to sit quietly, absorbing the events of the day for a few more minutes, then she pulled away and straightened up in her seat. I returned to mine, starting the car back up.

"Do you want to go home, or would you like me to drive around of a spell?"

"Drive for a bit. I don't want to walk into the house looking like my cat was just ran over by a car. It would only make Esme worry more about me."

Kira pulled down the vanity mirror from the visor, trying her best to wipe the remaining tears from her eyes.

"You got it, darlin'. We'll take a few laps around the back roads before we head home."

Esme POV

I could hardly stand it.

I stood in our kitchen staring at the cell phone sitting on the counter. Carlisle, Edward, Jasper and Kira were all still down on the reservation and I was beginning to get antsy about it. I knew they were all probably still safe, but there was just the slightest of doubts weighing on my mind. All of them being surrounded by the wolves meant that Alice was blind to them, so we wouldn't know for sure they were OK. It just made me nervous to think that almost half my family was on the reservation. A day ago, we would have been attacked if we had been there, now my husband, sons and granddaughter were all down there playing nice.

Not that I didn't care about Jacob. His poor father! I couldn't imagine how I'd feel if the situation were reversed and he were here treating one of my family.

Emmett and Rosalie were sitting at the kitchen table, trying not to watch me pace, but failing miserably. Alice was upstairs with Bella, trying her best to distract her. Bella was terribly worried about Jacob, even with Carlisle's assurances that Jacob's supped up immune system could heal just about anything.

"Don't worry, Esme." Rosalie finally spoke up. "They'll be fine."

"She's right." Emmett agreed, leaving Rose at the table and walking towards me. He wrapped me into a supportive hug. I had to admit, it did make me feel a little better. "Sam invited Carlisle down there. It would be breaking the treaty if they attacked any of them. They hold onto that thing almost as tightly as the Volturi hold onto their rules. Besides, I think we've all had enough fighting for one day."

I relaxed slightly, but tensed back up when I heard my phone vibrate. I grabbed it quickly, leaving Emmett to jump up and sit on the counter where the phone previously sat. The caller ID read Carlisle's name.

"Yes, Dear?" I asked, as calmly as I could manage with my nerves being as they were. I didn't want to let on to Carlisle how worried I really was about him.

"Let Bella know Jacob is going to be fine. I reset all his bones and in a day or two, he should be good as new. He is asking for her, but he shouldn't have visitors until tomorrow. Edward and I are on our way back."

"What about Jasper and Kira?" I asked, concerned.

"That's interesting." Carlisle commented. "They left almost an hour ago."

"Oh dear, what do you think happen..." I was almost in full panic when Alice came down with Bella close behind.

"They're fine. Jasper is currently driving circles around Forks. Kira looked upset in my vision. He's probably giving her a chance to calm down before she has to face us. They'll be back before Carlisle and Edward get back."

"Thank Goodness!" I sighed.

"See, dear." Carlisle said from the phone. "We're all fine and will all be home soon. See in a few minutes. I love you."

"I love you too." I answered, hanging up the phone. I conveyed Carlisle's message to Bella, then sat down at the table with Rose.

My family would soon be home, safe and sound.

To be continued.

It might be a week or two before I update again. I'm gonna be away from the computer for about a week and I don't have any more chapters on paper yet. I'll just need a few extra reviews to get me motivated when I get back. Please let me know what you think so far. Ideas for improvement are always welcome.