Double update because both chapters are on the short side. We get to see what Jasper's up to towards the end! I hope you enjoy and thank you so much for all the reviews, I love reading them!

Chapter 8: My Best Friend

Bella ran through the dark and empty mansion. She followed the familiar but haunting sound of his guitar. She saw flashes of his golden hair in the reflection of the window, or ducking into another room. But each time she got close, he disappeared. She climbed the stairs to the next floor and the next, with him always just out of reach. She stretched out a hand as the stairs crumbled beneath her, but he simply watched her fall.

Bella awoke with a dying scream of his name on her lips and Charlie's worried face. "You're alright, Bells,"he whispered, running his hand over her hair. "You're alright."

She nodded, though tears streamed down her cheeks and he brushed them away before handing her a cup of water. She sat up and took a drink while Charlie's eyes drifted to where the dream catcher that Jacob had given her was hanging on the headboard. "I think that thing's busted."

Bella shook her head slightly. "It's not as bad as before."

"Yeah," Charlie nodded. After a minute of silence passed between them, Charlie put his hand on her knee, and said, "Look, I know what it's like. When your mom left, I had a hell of a time. Imagined doing all kinds of crazy things, just to stop the pain. Luckily, I had a few friends, Billy and Harry to help me through. It, uh, seems like Jacob might help take your mind off things?"

"Yeah. He's... he's great. My best friend. I don't know what I'd do without him."

"That's good. He's a good guy."

"Yeah."

They were quiet again for a moment before Charlie patted her knee. "Goodnight, Bells. I'm just across the hall if you need me."

"Right. Thanks, Dad."

He was just about out the door when she called him back. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think you could, um... could you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep or something?"

"Of course," he nodded, heading back into the room and taking a seat on her bed so she could curl into his side.

"Thanks," she whispered into his shirt, the familiar mix of Irish Spring soap, coffee, and pine lulling her to sleep almost instantly.

Charlie wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Always, kiddo. Always."

There was a light rustle off to his right. Nothing more than a shift in the breeze, but his senses were on high alert, and he crouched down, ready for a fight, when a familiar blond head emerged from the trees. "Don't tell me you're feral already?"

Jasper felt his muscles slowly uncoil and begin to relax one by one. "Peter?" he said, still hesitant. It had been decades since they had seen one another, and he couldn't hardly believe it.

His old friend gave him a mock salute. "Reporting for duty, sir."

Jasper forced a laugh, but his smile, for the first time since that wretched night in September, was real. "It's good to see you."

Peter grinned and wrapped his arms around him. Jasper returned the embrace. "What're you doin' here? How'd you find me?"

Peter shrugged. "Alice."

"I should've known," he sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "How much did she tell you?"

"Enough. Even if she hadn't though, I still coulda found you. I could feel your anguish a mile out."

"Yeah, I... I haven't been able to control it much since..."

Peter nodded, and Jasper was relieved he didn't need to explain further. He never had to explain things to Peter. After going through what they had with Maria, there was a bond between them that could never be broken or equaled.

"Charlotte and I want you to come stay with us."

Jasper frowned. What?

"I know what you're thinkin'. And it's not charity. If anything, it'd be us repayin' you for the help you gave us once."

"Peter, I don't think..."

"It don't have to be permanent. Stay as long as you like. Charlotte and I were just talkin' 'bout how long it's been since we've seen you. We're overdue for a visit. So c'mon. Before you become even more feral," Peter smirked, but his eyes held something more. He felt Jasper's ache, the indescribable one, deep in his chest. The guilt and the pain and the loneliness that was swallowing him whole. He didn't know if he could fix it. In fact, he almost doubted that he could. But damn, if he wasn't going to try.

Jasper smirked, the pain ebbing ever so slightly, and nodded. "Okay. Just for a while."