The rest of the week passed about as smoothly as I had anticipated. Thankfully, none of the Cullens had approached me regarding my pitiful excuse for a lie regarding my absence from Alice's dream, but the suspicious looks that were sent my way made me sure that it would not be long before questions arose.

My mission had not been forgotten either. Each day after school I would visit Jane and help her out with any issues that she was having. Needless to say that she was slowly beginning to trust me. At least one aspect of my life was working as planned.

Although I had been brainstorming as often as possible, I could not come up with a better solution regarding my two issues. The way that Jasper would physically light up when I was near shows that it is most definitely too late to shock him out of his feelings without physically causing him harm. Something that I would only do if absolutely necessary. And I could come up with no permanent solution regarding the lie either.

I have, as humans so often say, dug myself into a hole. And I had no idea how to climb back out.

So, when the bell signalled the end of the school day on Friday, I had no plan of action other than sticking with the alibi that I had spent the last two weeks perfecting. Walking out into the carpark, I soon spotted Jasper standing beside his car. To my uttermost relief he was alone, meaning that the rest of the blood-suckers had already left. I was in no position to justify myself yet again as to why I was not present in the vision. After all, Rosalie had already tried earlier today during class, all but cornering me. It took nearly all of my will power to not lash out at the obvious show of dominance that she was showing while pinning me to the wall, with me answering emotionlessly and refusing to meet her gaze until the bell signalling the next class went off, and she grudgingly left.

After exchanging pleasantries, I entered the car, with Jasper holding the door open for me like a true gentleman. Indeed, a product of the nineteenth century.

The first few minutes of driving passed rather quickly as we talked about school. Namely, the amount of homework that the teachers had given in preparation for end of year exams. However, as time passed we fell into a comfortable silence. One of the things that the two of us had in common was an awareness for the importance of self-reflection. When we managed to find some time by ourselves, we would spend the time in silence rather than filling it with meaningless conversation. As a member of a family, Jasper rarely ever managed to find time for himself, something that he would often desire more than anything, particularly as it allows him to escape from the influence of the emotions around him. The fact that he could not feel my emotions meant that I was the only person that could be near him without affecting him.

So far, my excuse for self-reflection was that my life was so busy that I could never find the time. However, my real reason is….

Coming up with a blank, I could not seem to come up with an actually reason for wanting to stay silent around Jasper. The excuse for not wanting to talk with a vampire no longer is relevant, as I am seeing Jasper in a more positive light recently. I have come to terms for my tolerance for him being a result of constant contact with the more aggravating vampires Jasper associates with, him being the best of the bunch. Indeed, it would be no more of a chore for me to talk with him than to stay silent. And yet I respect his wishes for staying silent, almost selflessly.

It was deeper than tolerance. Perhaps even an emotional connection….

Wanting to stay alert when meeting the leaders of the Cullen clan, I forced myself to dismiss the idea of emotions for a later date of reflection when I had less problems.

Keeping my thoughts focused on the meeting ahead rather than the vampire sitting next to me, I managed to be on full alert when Jasper finally stopped the car.

But that did not stop me from faking shock at the house that they owned, having made my human alibi as one that was not exactly wealthy.

It was impressive, even by my standards. Two stories high. Room enough to house the entire family and even a couple extra. But the size was not what impressed me. It was the large amount of windows.

When I had come here on that scouting mission two weeks ago, I had not had the time or energy to admire the structure of the building they lived in. The windows had just been both a blessing and a curse, as they allowed me to see the Cullens clearly but meant that it was easier for me to be spotted.

But now that I was given permission to be on the premises, I could not help but admire the amount of light that the vampires were able to draw into the room. It was obvious to me why: in their house they were safe from the prying eyes of unsuspecting humans and can sparkle as often as desired.

Making a mental note to complement Carlisle on his designing skills, I followed Jasper inside, taking my coat off after him and following him into the kitchen, where my sharp nose picked up both the scent of food and the scent of a human. Bella

Rather annoyed that the love sick puppy had taken his pet with him, I took in the situation in front of me. The television was on, the program switched to cooking. Smirking, I saw that Rosalie had broken the bowl full of salad in response to Bella having already eaten. Ironic, since the Cullens have yet to eat anything decent besides animals, yet Rosalie had broken the only vegetarian component of the meal. Her gaze was, for once, not focused in my direction. Perhaps the only thing that I like about Barbie is our shared hatred of the human, so in this case the feeling was mutual. Esme was smiling at me, and I found myself smiling back to show courtesy even of all I wanted to do was kill Bella for her unexpected presence. Perhaps I am a little bit on edge.

Emmet and Carlisle, on the other hand, we're smiling, although for different reasons. Emmet was enjoying his mate's strength, and just purely enjoying her in general. I turned my gaze away from him and his horny response as quickly as humanly possible…

Esme interrupted my room scan by greeting me. "This must be Rose. It is so nice to meet you." Her tone became one of humour as she turned her gaze to her 'son'. "We are very happy that Jasper has managed to actually find a human friend for once."

I could feel Jasper roll his eyes next to me while I smiled back at Esme, returning her greeting. "It is very nice to meet you too, Mrs. Cullen."

Pleased at my show of manners, she told me to call her Esme while Carlisle walked towards me with the intent of making my acquaintance. Or at least he had until we made eye contact, when he stopped abruptly.

Oh dear.

I had made a critical error many years ago. In fact, it was my only mistake up until I met Jasper. For the vampire standing next to me was not the first one that I had been able to tolerate.

…..

It was many years ago

Having just completed my latest mission, I was immensely proud of myself. The girl happened to have been rather difficult to say the least, and it had taken me a while to earn her trust. Feeling joyful, I was walking down the street when I had heard a shout for help.

Normally I would have let nature take its course and kill the worthless human. However, I knew that the man was being attacked by a vampire. Being incredibly hungry at the time I followed the sounds, planning to watch the killing before feasting myself.

It was a typical vampire attack. Some man had managed to find himself alone in a dark alley. The vampire had smelt the blood left over from the bar-fight he had found himself a part of earlier, and was preparing the attack. I watched as the blood-sucker cornered the man, making him scream, in complete and utter glee. I always enjoyed the dance between the predator and the prey.

However, there was something not right about the picture. The vampire was acting most peculiar. Rather than lunge forward he was hesitating, trying to control the urges. I could see by his amber eyes that he was a successful vegetarian, having never killed a human before. In fact, he was a doctor. He saved lives. Shocked at the control that this vampire obviously had that would allow him to have a job, I did not even think when I used my superior strength to hold the vampire back while telling the human to run.

In the years after I would blame my lack of food, and tell myself that I was planning on killing the vampire later. With this mindset I had almost managed to forget the proceedings entirely, not wanting to face the truth.

I had been emotionally compromised. My respect for the vampire had caused me to save him from himself. When I had realised what I had done, I found myself unable to kill the vampire that I was holding. Instead, I told it him to get away from here and hunt.

"What are you?" His eyes open with wonder, the younger Carlisle was unable to reign in his curiosity.

But I had not stayed around, running away from my mistake and vowing to myself to never make it again, for in my world, emotion can get a creature killed.

And as I ran, I had wondered if my actions would bring consequences. What become of the prey when the predator lets it loose?

I had never wanted to find out. But now it was too late.