Chapter 8:

She debated mentally for a moment before walking over slowly, and taking a place beside him, feeling his chest on her back. She couldn't help but shiver at the close contact and from the cool touch of his skin, so he wrapped the blanket around her tightly. She hissed as he touched the sore right rib, but was surprised at how good the coolness felt, so as he pulled his hand away she pulled it back, and placed it on the bare skin.

It was like having her own ice pack on the soft tender skin that she had rubbed raw only an hour ago. She could feel shivers run down her spine, but not only from the cool touch, but from his touch in general. For some reason, she couldn't even describe to herself the relationship she felt with this boy.

Even seeing him, she felt a rush. Her skin would get Goosebumps, and her heart would beat a mile a minute. And when he touched her, it was like an electric shock went through her body. She could remember the first time she had been brave enough to lightly touch his shoulder the first day and she shivered once more.

"Are you cold, Darlin?" He asked softly in her ear, and she bit back a smile. She shook her head slowly and actually leaned even more into his touch. He ran his fingers through her hair with his free hand, and she closed her eyes in contentment.

She had never felt so safe, so content with her life before. She had always been on edge, every second of every day. And in this one moment, she felt utterly relaxed. But she could not figure out how that is possible from the night's events. She sighed softly, but not out of contentment. Her mind was racing. If there was one thing that scared her, it was what she was feeling for Jasper.

They had only known each other for a short while, but she yet she such comfort in his presence. Why was that? Why was he so willing to be with her when he hardly even knows her.

"I can feel your brain working, what are you thinking?" He asked softly as he continued to play with her hair. With his silky voice so close to her ear, she felt momentary distracted, but she soon was able to collect her thoughts. She cleared her throat, being completely honest with the mystery boy.

"You came out of no where, just a new kid in school. And suddenly my world changed in one day. The first time we talked, I knew everything was going to change. But I just…I don't understand why, or how, or even what's going on with us." She carefully turned in his lap so she was facing him, she was sitting Indian style between his legs that were in a V shape. Immediately she felt the lose of control between them and her body sagged for a moment. "I can't explain what I'm feeling with you, and I don't get how."

"Try to explain." His eyes held a desperation she couldn't place. She bit her lip and turned her eyes. "You don't have to be afraid to be honest with me, I'm here, a hundred percent."

"But why? It's been a few days, and you and your family are already saving me? You're taking care of me, and even my little brother. What makes me so special, I'm just some random girl from Forks that has more baggage than an international flight to Paris. I mean… you can't honestly say you want to be with a girl like me."

"A girl like you? I do not understand?"

"A girl like me, a girl that has more emotional trauma than a soap opera. Girls that can barely let you kiss her without freaking out, and it'll probably only get worse. I mean you can't honestly say you won't look at me differently now."

"Now? You think I will look at you differently after what the monster did to you?" She flinched at the venom in his words when he described Jesse. She let one image flash in her mind from tonight before she cowered away internally.

"You should."

"Allison, if anything I see the strength in you, more strength than I have ever seen in any human. You are selfless and kind and beautiful inside and out. If I look at you differently it'll only be in appreciation that I have even a remote chance with someone like you." She felt the desperation and honesty he was trying desperately to convey. "You really don't see how special you are, do you?"

"I am nothing, I don't deserve a guy like you."

"You deserve so much more." Her eyes turned quickly to him, anger almost steaming from her ears.

"How could you say something like that? No. Jasper you need to find someone better. I can't be selfish with you, I can't." She made a move to get up, but he grabbed her gently, looking right into her eyes.

"Allison, tell me what you feel for me."

"Jazz-"

"Humor me, please?"

"I feel... like I can't breath when you're not around. And when I see you, I get goose bumps, and I can feel my heart rate pick up. There's like this pull that I can feel whenever you're not around, like I can find you if I desperately need to. When you touch me, it's like an electric shock that travels through my veins, and I feel whole when you are with me. I know I'm being crazy but-"

"You are being anything but crazy. Has it not crossed your mind that I feel exactly the same way? Maybe even worse?" She shook her head, turning her gaze away. He grabbed her chin lightly, bringing her eyes to his. "It is I who should not be selfish with you. But I cannot help myself. I know that without you, I will not be able to survive. And now that I have you I never want to let go."

She was hesitant, but she leaned towards him, catching his lips with hers ever so slightly. She allowed a short kiss before pulling back, leaning their foreheads together.

"I know you will need time, after everything that has happened. But I am willing to wait as long as you need, I will wait forever for you." Although the gesture was sweet, she felt something gnaw at the pit of her stomach.

"Jazz, I can't wait. That's the thing." She paused and he raised one eyebrow. "Yes, I want to go slow. But I don't want to wait any longer with us. I don't think I can. Without you, I feel like I will break. I think the only way I will get through this is with you. I need you."

"Then we can move at any speed you wish." He whispered, looking straight into her eyes and placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Jazz, right now, I may be a little fragile. But I promise, I will get through this. I think I already am. It's like…something is telling me, that you're the solution."

"Maybe we are the solution." Little did she know, the whole Cullen family was able to hear the conversation, and they all reveled in the joy of their family being whole once again. They were not sure of the possible future of the two, but they knew any future would be enough.

The Cullens already regarded Allison as family, even Rosalie who tended to have a repulsed feeling when it came to humans and their interaction with the coven. Edward and Bella were the happiest though, they had an even stronger bond than most mates because they had fallen in love while Bella was still human.

With their relationship as an example, Jasper knew the limitations of his relationship with his young mate. Especially when it came time to telling her about their secret. He could tell she knew something was up, but she never once questioned them.

Jasper couldn't be happier at that fact, with the thought of the threat from the Volturi to his powerful mate, he knew he had to keep a close eye on her, and protect her at all times. He thought of all the times he would have to leave her and suddenly felt fear. This peaceful bliss of having her in his arms would only last so long before she must return home.

Even a second away from his mate frightened him, and he suddenly felt the impatience of wanting her to be like him, a strong independent vampire. But he knew the choice was not only his to make, but also hers. And also the Cullen clan, whether they were comfortable with taking on such a possible threat.

If he must, he will take his mate and they will hide wherever they need to in order to keep her safe. He knew one thing, if the legend is true, then she will no doubt be a threat to the Volturi. He suddenly wondered how he had been lucky to enough to be given such a powerful mate.

If any other vampire had crossed her path, would the same pull be there? Or are they truly one half to a soul? He suddenly wondered of her future, what if she had no desire to be a vampire? What is she has plans, human plans for her life? Did she want kids? Did she want to grow old have a traditional white picket fence family?

Would he be enough for her? He had never felt so inadequate. But he felt like there was no time but the future.

"Allison." He whispered.

"Jasper." She whispered back. He smiled softly, admiring how cute she was. They had snuggled back into the previous position, he couldn't stop the shiver run through him at the touch of their bare skin together.

"What do you want for your future?"

"What do you mean?"

"Where do you see yourself in ten years?" He asked back softly, and she sighed. She had never truly thought about it. She never saw a future for herself.

"Honest answer?" She felt him nod before her. She sighed once more. "I never really thought about it. I mean, I guess what any girl would want. A husband, kids, a good job. But I've never been one for cliché's, and after my childhood, I really don't want to bring kids into this world unless I know I will be a better parent than my own. I guess the only thing I am certain of for my future is to be happy. What about you?"

"I want to be happy, with you." He whispered and kissed her cheek. The answer was comforting but yet she felt unnerved by it. She really did not know anything about her mysterious companion.

"Jazz, you've never actually told me anything about yourself." His hand froze in it's task, his whole body got still. How could he tell her about himself without revealing everything? Was it too soon? "I know there is something you're not telling me. But I'm patient. You can tell me when you are ready. For now, just tell me the easy stuff, the stuff you are comfortable with me knowing."

He kissed her once again, this young beautiful girl never ceased to amaze him. She was so caring and accepting, how had he gotten so lucky?