A/N: Look at this quick update! Fair warning though, this'll probably be the last time an update is this quick. Sorry. So again, I'll emphasis: Infrequent updates!

Thanks for the response to the prologue, I honestly wasn't expecting that much. Hopefully this chapter will be good enough to tempt you in further.

Also this chapter features a Jasper with a bit of a mouth on him. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The Twilight Series and all recognisable characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended. Only this rather lame plot is mine.

Chapter One: Meeting

Edward was planning on having an easy day today. Over the past several days, he had pressed himself to see so much that what he really needed was some time alone. Well, he was always alone, but he needed some introspective time. Usually he avoided that like the plague. The last thing he needed was to start thinking. Thinking led to thoughts of Carlisle and Esme. Thinking led to guilt. Yes, thinking was something Edward could definitely do without.

But he longed for a day where he could sit and read a book. There was a small bookstore that he had scoped out the day before and he was planning on going back to buy some books for him to read – though for a vampire a days worth of reading could total more than twenty books, depending on their speed. The shop owner told him of another forest an hour away that had some remarkable views, and Edward decided that it would be the perfect place for a relaxing day.

He reached the forest fifteen minutes later, and sat beneath a tree looking out over a lake. There were some families here with their children and Edward wondered if any of these people had lost their family members because of this war.

It was remarkable to think that an entire war was being fought in their town and the humans knew nothing about it. Some of that could be chalked up to humanities' inability to notice and understand things beyond their own limited comprehension. Had they seen anything out of the ordinary, a human would assume it to be a trick of the light, or a mild hallucination, or even a ghost. But never what it actually was.

However, it was also surprising that the vampire leaders had kept so tight a rein on the infant vampires that they hadn't exposed the secret. That was a feat in and of itself. Vampires, especially newborns, were hard to control, volatile, and wilful. It was a strong and dangerous person that could keep a newborn army in check. Edward shuddered to think who that vampire might be.

Edward forced his mind to focus solely on the book, and soon lost himself in philosophy and history. When he finally came back to himself it was pitch black and he was alone in the forest. Cursing at his stupidity, Edward quickly packed his small bag with all his possessions and made his way to the entrance of the forest.

Just as he was about to leave a noise caught his attention. He took a deep breath and alarm shot through his body when he smelled the scents of a large group of vampires. It smelled and sounded like they were to the right of him.

Edward vacillated between checking it out and running away, but eventually his curiosity got the better of him. So for the second time in a week, Edward found himself sneaking into a battle.

This time there were more on both sides. They tore at each other, ripping others apart with their hands and teeth. Three vampires stood off to the side, coldly observing the newborns' massacre. One was a woman with long pitch-black hair, the other a brunette, and finally a man with blond curls.

As Edward watched he saw the blond man stiffen and quickly turn around, eyes zeroed in precisely where Edward was hiding. Edward ducked between bushes, but it was too late. The man muttered something to the black-haired woman then spun around and stalked towards Edward.

So Edward did the only thing he could think of. He ran.

He was almost to the edge of the forest when he was slammed up against a tree with a hand around his neck.

"Who the fuck are you?" The blond man growled, his face inches from Edward's.

But Edward couldn't talk, he could only stare and breathe in the scent coming off the vampire in front of him. His jaw was cut elegantly like a sculpture, one blond curl dropping into his face that held a pointed nose, and one look at his hell-fire eyes convinced Edward that this man was the reason he came to Texas.

"What are you doing here?" The vampire asked again.

When Edward didn't say anything, the vampire pressed his nose into the crook of Edward's neck and breathed deep. It took everything in Edward not to shudder like his body wanted. Now Edward could really smell the vampire and it was the best thing he had ever smelled, including human blood. Magnolia, cut wood, and a lingering hint of grass – a combination perfectly suited for one who spent their time outside.

"You don't smell like anyone around here," the vampire commented. He tightened his grip around Edward's throat, "So again, I'll ask you, what the fuck you're doing here?"

"I just heard voices, I swear," Edward rasped out. The hand tightened again and the vampire slammed Edward's head against the tree.

"Wrong answer, vagrant. Now we'll try this again. Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"I'm just passing through. Vacation and history and whatnot. I didn't see anything," Edward quickly said, trying to assure the vampire that he wouldn't say anything.

"Now why would you assume I didn't want you to see something?"

Edward was beginning to panic. He wanted to fight back, but he couldn't very well do that with a hand around his neck. One quick flex of the other vampire's hand could possibly snap his head off. Edward wanted his head to stay where it was, thank you very much.

"Look, I swear, I'm just passing through. I smelled you guys, I heard you and wondered what was going on. I don't want trouble. I won't say a word."

"Then why did I smell your scent two days ago at the location of another battle?"

Edward faltered as his brain worked to think of an excuse. He tried reading the vampire's mind to figure out what he wanted to hear, but his mind was a jumble of interrogation techniques, wondering what he would do to him, and, what surprised Edward the most, weariness and regret.

"I was hunting," Edward explained. "I accidently came across some vampires fighting. I stayed out of it and went on my way. I'm not looking for trouble."

"Why were you hunting in a forest? There aren't humans around here."

"I eat animals, not humans." Edward heard the disbelief in the vampire's mind. "Really, I drink primarily animal blood. That's why I was in the forest."

You can do that? Edward heard flit through his mind. The vampire had never heard of that before – he thought drinking humans was the only option available. Yet he was war weary, Edward could tell, and another life not filled with violence and killing appealed to him. Edward felt himself more drawn to him; something about this vampire's mind was beautiful. He was just as lost as Edward, though their circumstances were vastly different. He, like Edward, just wanted to survive in a way that made him happy. However, unlike Edward, the vampire had never been given the option of another life. This was all he knew.

Outwardly, though, the vampire was cold and terrifying. He studied Edward for several moments, and Edward heard him trying to figure out if he was telling the truth or not.

He's scared. And lonely. Edward's eyes widened when he heard the other's thoughts. How did he know that?

The vampire opened his mouth to say something, when there was a noise from the trees.

"Jasper," came a cry. "Jasper, where did you go? We're ready to leave and Maria's pissed you left."

Tell Maria to go to hell, the vampire thought defiantly. Edward couldn't help but agree; he didn't want this vampire – Jasper – to go to this woman. Edward knew that he was supposed to find Jasper, and he somehow knew this woman would try to keep them apart.

Jasper let go of Edward and backed away from him. "If you know what's good for you, I won't see you around here again. If I do, I won't be able to help you. Mind your own business and leave this town."

Then with a flash Jasper was gone, and Edward was left alone.

On the walk back to the motel, Edward considered Jasper's advice. He thought about leaving, but that was instantly flung from his mind. He couldn't leave. Something told him that Jasper was his mate, and he knew he had to stay close by him.

Edward didn't know how he knew Jasper was his mate, he just knew. Carlisle had told him that when he first met Esme, he had felt a deep, instant connection with her. He wasn't sure what it was at first; he only knew that he had to be a part of her life. It was only once she awoke and she reciprocated, that they figured out they were mates.

Had Jasper felt a connection to him?

There wasn't any way to know that if Edward never saw him again. And just like that, his mind was made up. He wouldn't be leaving Texas anytime soon. Not until he got to know Jasper and give him the option of coming with him.

Besides, it was clear from the few moments Edward had been able to read his mind that Jasper didn't like being a part of the war. He was intrigued by a life of safety and nonviolence. Edward would give him that. He would give Jasper anything he wanted. Even if that meant putting his life in danger.

Two days later he was hunting when he smelled Jasper. It was the first time he had seen him since he had been pressed against a tree beneath him – though certainly not in a way that appealed to Edward – and Edward felt the excitement at seeing his mate well up in him.

He had spent the past two days trying to decide how to approach Jasper. For obvious reasons, coming straight out with the truth and admitting that he thought they were mates was out. So Edward decided that he would be Jasper's friend first. It was quite obvious to him that Jasper needed someone. Someone to listen to him, someone to care for him… someone to love him.

Edward tried to smell anyone around Jasper, but it seemed he was alone. Without another thought, Edward rushed towards the smell. As he got closer he searched Jasper's mind and it was confirmed that Jasper was alone. He was running patrols before he had to report to Maria.

Maria, Edward assumed, was the bitch general that was ruining all these peoples' lives… including that of his mates. For that she would pay.

Edward wasn't paying attention at all to where he was going and before he knew it, Edward slammed into another hard body. Edward looked up and saw Jasper's red eyes glaring down at him.

"You," he snarled, "I thought I told you to leave."

"Er, yeah. Yeah, I know you did, but –"

"But you're still here."

"Well I thought about what you said and then I decided I couldn't leave," Edward explained lamely.

He really didn't want to have this conversation sitting, so Edward reached out his hand, silently asking for Jasper to help him up. Jasper's eyes narrowed in response and he crossed his arms across his chest. Sighing, Edward hoisted himself off the ground and brushed off his trousers. Jasper remained silent the whole time, though Edward thought he heard some quiet thoughts of attraction from Jasper when he brushed leaves off his ass.

"I just… I just thought you could use someone to talk to," Edward admitted, laying most of his cards on the table. Aside from the mate thing, Edward wanted to be as honest with Jasper as he possibly could. Jasper didn't seem like the most trusting person and Edward didn't think lying to him would be the best way to start off their friendship.

"What?"

"You just seemed… well, I thought that you could talk to me about things. See, I read minds, and –" His words were cut off as, once again, Edward found himself pressed against a tree with a hand wrapped around his throat.

"Listen to me, you little –"

"Edward," he managed to gasp out.

The grip loosened as Jasper's glare flickered in confusion for a moment. "Excuse me?"

"Edward. My name's Edward."

Jasper faltered for a moment, but quickly regained himself, "I don't give a fuck what your name is. I warned you to get out of here. This place isn't for you, so leave."

He dropped Edward and turned away, but Edward couldn't let him go. "Wait!" Jasper stopped and even though he didn't turn around, Edward smiled at him. "I know this isn't the place for me. But I don't think it's for you either."

That got the other vampire's attention and he whirled around, eyes blazing, and stalked towards Edward. "Who the fuck do you think you are? You don't know me."

"I'm not saying that I do, I just –"

"Are you a spy?"

"What? No!"

"Then why the fuck do I keep finding you here?"

"Because I want to help you!" Edward yelled.

Jasper turned back around, "I'm beyond help, so why don't you just fuck off."

"I can't," Edward said. He took a step closer to Jasper, cautiously, like approaching a skittish animal. "Don't you feel it? Don't you feel it when you look at me?"

Jasper noticeably stiffened and took a step away from Edward. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Get the fuck away."

"I can't leave you. I won't. Please… I just want to be your friend. I just want to talk with you."

"And I just want you to get the hell away from me."

"Fine, I'll make you a deal. You talk to me and I'll leave you alone."

Jasper's shoulders loosened, and Edward couldn't help the smug smile that crossed his face. Pleased at getting his mate's attention, Edward took a step towards Jasper and managed to catch Jasper's wrist to hold him in place.

"I swear I'll leave you alone. If you want me to," Edward added as an after thought. It just meant he'd have to make sure Jasper didn't want him to leave.

Jasper studied Edward, and Edward could hear his thoughts start to give in to his request. Jasper did want someone to talk to – not about the war, but about himself. And he was drawn to Edward. His thoughts made Edward practically preen with pleasure and determination.

"I can't talk now," Jasper just said.

"Fine, then later?" Jasper nodded, but when he tried to leave, Edward tightened his grip, not willing to let him go until he had a definite time and place for when they would meet. "When?"

Jasper was silent, then he yanked his hand from Edward's grasp and rubbed his wrist. "Tonight. At the forest from last time. Don't come here! You're too close to our settlement. I'll be there about midnight."

"I'll be there," Edward promised.

Jasper didn't say anything more as he raced away into the trees. Edward stood there for what could have been hours, staring at the place where Jasper used to stand and savouring the lingering feeling of Jasper's skin beneath his own. That's when it hit him: he got to see Jasper again. Not only did he get to see Jasper again, but it was something Jasper had actually agreed to!

It took everything in him not to jump up and down and punch the air like a kid. Instead he raced back to the motel to take a shower and find his nicest clothes. He had to impress his mate.

At midnight he was ready and waiting at the entrance of the forest, right where Jasper had said. He bounced on the balls of his feet, impatient to see Jasper and speak with him. Edward had spent the rest of the day neurotically showering and making sure he looked his absolute best.

It was an odd feeling for Edward to want to impress someone. Usually he couldn't care less what other people thought of him, but he desperately wanted Jasper to like him, to want him… to love him. So every hair had to be in place, and Edward had even borrowed an iron from the motel housekeeping to make sure his clothes were wrinkle-free. And he looked impeccable if he did say so himself.

He smelled Jasper before he heard him, and his thoughts followed soon after. Confusion, annoyance, and anger were foremost in his mind, but Edward could also find relief and a subtle thankfulness at having someone to listen to him.

Then Jasper stood before him, staring warily and expectantly. Edward tried to think of something to say – anything to say, so long as words were leaving his mouth – but all he could do was stare at Jasper and wonder what the hell had happened to him.

Jasper's clothes were dirtied and ripped, and traces of blood could be found on the collar and long sleeves of his shirt. There were also smears of dirt on his face, and a subtle darkness to his jaw. To human eyes, the bruise would be impossible to see, however to a vampire, that bruise spoke volumes about not only the powerful person who put it there, but the powerful vampire that had withstood the assault and only had some lingering discolouration to show for it. Had Edward not known it before, this would have told him exactly how dangerous Jasper could be.

But Edward couldn't think of that right now. He leapt forward and turned Jasper's jaw towards him. "What happened?"

Jasper wrenched away from Edward's grasp and backed away until there were feet between them. "It's none of your business. I'm only here to give you what you want so you stay away from me."

"You telling me what happened is now a part of what I want," Edward said, growling at the idea that someone could hurt his mate. "So tell me."

"No, like I said, it's not any of your business. Now pick something else to talk about so we can get the fuck away from each other and I can get back to my life."

"Really? I have a hard time believing that you want to get back to fighting and killing."

"You don't know me, so how could you know what I do and don't want?"

"Well I told you I read minds, so…"

"So you think that means you know everything about me?"

"No, not everything. Only what you tell me. And right now you're telling me that you're tired and you want out."

Jasper was silent, so Edward pressed his point. "Like I said, I just want to listen to you. Help you."

"You can't help me."

"I'd like to try."

"Look, I'm beyond anyone's help. You'd be much better off finishing your little vacation and going back to wherever you came from and forgetting all about me."

"I can't do that," Edward said, shaking his head. "I can't forget you." Jasper's face completely closed off, and Edward sighed. He didn't think Jasper would be this difficult to get through to. He had thought that, when presented with the truth of his thoughts, Jasper would at least admit that he needed someone. Instead, it seemed to make Jasper more resolved in his belief that no one could help him.

"Who's Maria?" Edward blurted out.

"My commander," Jasper said, blandly. He sat on the ground at the base of a tree and propped his arms on his knees.

"So she's in charge?"

"That is the definition of a commander."

Edward ignored Jasper's sardonic tone, knowing that if he were to bite back, Jasper would leave. "What were you doing today when we met?"

"You mean when you stupidly entered our territory to seek me out?"

"Yes, then," Edward said, keeping his tone light.

Jasper was silent for a while, and Edward thought he wasn't going to answer, until finally, Jasper spoke. "I was running patrols. Other… covens often send scouts to find a way in or attack an unsuspecting newborn that hasn't learned to be aware of what's going on around them. So we each have patrols to run to check for scouts."

"What do you do when you find them?" Edward asked warily, knowing as soon as the words were out of his mouth that he didn't want to know the answer.

Jasper quirked an eyebrow and drawled, "We kill them."

"So if I…"

"Had I thought you to be a scout, you'd already be dead."

"Well thanks for not killing me, then." Jasper's face tightened at Edward's joke, so he immediately tried to salvage the situation. "And what are you?"

"I'm a General."

"And that means?"

"I'm in command of the newborns."

Edward's habitual breath caught in his throat and he remembered watching the newborn fight, marvelling in terror at the vampire that controlled them. "That's you?"

"Yep."

"But…Why…" Edward stammered, not sure how to respond. On the one hand, he was astounded by how powerful his mate must be to be able to command and control the newborns. One the other hand, however, he was horrified that his mate could lead people to their slaughter. "How could you do that?"

Jasper's eyes took on a dangerous gleam. "What do you mean?"

"How could you train them, knowing their only purpose is to kill for you? How can you possibly live with yourself knowing you send people to their death? That's what you want to go back to? I'm offering you freedom and you want to go back to being a butcher?"

Jasper growled and was on his feet in an instant, launching himself at Edward. Edward had never seriously fought anyone other than animals, so he wasn't used to sophisticated battles. However he was used to pissed-off, instinctual, impulsive fighting, so when Jasper came flying at him, Edward quickly sprang to the side to avoid him and turned around, keeping his eyes trailed on Jasper's form for the next attack.

Jasper cursed and wheeled around to face Edward. His eyes were filled with hatred and anger, but Edward knew there was also pain hidden deep in there. His words had struck a chord with him, and Edward knew there was something in Jasper worth saving. Jasper didn't want to be the general and he resented being accused of leading people to their deaths.

Jasper charged again, but this time, when Edward went to avoid him, Jasper swerved and threw out an arm, catching Edward around his waist. Jasper swung Edward around and locked his arms around his waist, pulling Edward's back flush against Jasper's chest. His mouth was against Edward's ear, and Edward could hear the angered growls bursting forth from his lips.

For a moment, Jasper's lips brushing the curve of his ear distracted Edward, but eventually the words Jasper was speaking broke through his lust. "Never fucking call me that again. You think I chose this life? You think I was given a choice? I fucking do this to survive, so I'm sorry if that doesn't fit your idealised idea of who you want me to be."

"I wasn't… I didn't mean…" Edward stammered.

"You didn't mean to call me a murderer? A butcher?" Jasper spat. His grip tightened and Edward stopped trying to defend himself. "You want me to talk, well I'm talking. This is what I have to do. If it's not them, it's me. So yes, I'll happily lead them to the battlefield and watch them tear each other apart if it means I get another day. I don't give a fuck about them. I care about me and me only."

"I'm sorry," Edward whispered, "I didn't think –"

"Clearly." Jasper cut Edward off. He released Edward and pushed him away from him. Edward's vampire grace, though, managed to keep him upright.

"I am sorry," Edward repeated. "I don't think you're a monster. I was just shocked. I just don't understand how someone can do what you do."

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does, please, I want to… well, not understand, because I don't think I can. But I do want you to be able to tell me these things."

"I still don't understand why you care."

"I just do," Edward said. He couldn't tell Jasper about being mates. He couldn't. Edward didn't know exactly how Jasper would react to that information, but he had a pretty good idea. And it wasn't pretty.

"Whatever. We're done here. You've had your talk; now pack up your shit and go. I don't ever want to see you again."

Jasper started moving into the forest and Edward panicked. "Wait! Please, when can we meet again?"

Shock ran through Jasper's mind, and Edward applauded himself at catching Jasper off guard. He knew that Jasper fully believed Edward would never want to see him again, and there was a small amount of sadness at that thought. "What?"

"When can we meet again? To talk?"

"That wasn't the deal. The deal was we talk once then you go away. We've talked, you've insulted me, I threatened you, now you go."

"I'm reneging on the deal. I'd like to see you again."

"I don't understand you at all," Jasper said in bemused astonishment.

"Please, once more," Edward begged. He could feel Jasper's barriers crumbling. Despite their earlier words, Jasper had enjoyed saying some of what was on his mind to someone who wouldn't judge him, or worse even, turn him in as a traitor. "Please," Edward said again, and he inwardly cheered when he heard Jasper's agreement in his mind.

"Fine, once more. Tomorrow. Same time, same place, but that's it." And then Jasper was gone.

This time Edward did punch the air in excitement, and he raced out of the forest thoughts of the next night already filling his mind.

A/N: Thanks for reading! ~AJ Kelly