A/N: This ends at an annoying place, but it was getting too long and I didn't want the main meeting to extend into two chapters. The next chapter is nearly done and then I just need to do final edits. I should be able to get it posted tomorrow, but if not, it'll for sure be up Tuesday.

If anyone has suggestions about why I stopped getting those notifications that let me reply to reviews, I'd love to hear them. I appreciate all of you who have taken the time to review and I don't like that I can't say a personal thank you. For now, a general thank you will have to do. Thank you:)

Unashamed and Unapologetic

After running around the forest for a while, Jasper eventually headed home. It was already after eleven, so Leah was going to have to start patrol soon, and he knew they had a few things they all needed to talk about.

Carlisle was standing on the porch waiting for them by the time they ran into the yard, and he laughed when he saw Leah clinging to Jasper's neck as they came to a stop. "Good to see you again, Leah," he greeted her.

"You too," Leah smiled as she dropped to her feet and bounded up the steps to shake his hand.

"We don't have a ton of time, so how about we sit down for a few minutes before Leah needs to leave," Jasper said as he walked up the steps at a slightly more sedate pace than his mate.

By the time they walked into the living room, Esme, Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett were sitting waiting for them. After they'd gotten all the greetings out of the way, Leah opened her mouth to talk about possible meeting sites, but she was interrupted by Edward walking into the room with a scowl. Esme cautioned him to either be polite or stay quiet, and Leah just rolled her eyes when his scowl deepened.

"So Jared, Paul, and I discussed everyone meeting on neutral ground, but anywhere that's logical for the vamps and wolves isn't so logical for the elders. Billy's in a wheelchair and Old Quil isn't as steady on his feet as he once was, so a trek through the forest isn't going to work," she explained. "We think the easiest way to do it is to meet at the actual treaty line. There are quite a few places tucked into the trees enough to give us a bit of privacy but are still only a handful of feet away from a turn-off where my mom can park with Billy and Quil. Wolves on one side of the line, vamps on the other."

"That's probably a good way to ensure no one's temper or impulsivity gets them in trouble," Alice pointed out, imagining a fight breaking out if Sam or Jacob get pissed and try to attack one of her family members. "On neutral ground, we can't exactly say 'you stay over there, we'll stay over here'. At the treaty line, there's a very clear boundary we can't cross."

"How about where Jasper met your mom?" Rosalie asked Leah. "There's definitely enough room to park there and the trees come all the way up to the side of the road."

"That'll work," Leah nodded. "Jasper and I are meeting with the elders alone first, then the rest of you can meet us there."

"Alice tells us Sam is no longer Alpha. Am I correct that the position now belongs to Jared?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes. Jared is Alpha, Paul is Beta," Leah confirmed. "I won't share everything that happened in our meeting, but I can tell you that Jared is much more capable of being objective. He knows the wolves can only come into your territory if Jasper meets them first, and he's willing to do that so he can help keep an eye on Forks and Charlie."

"Does Bella's safety not matter to any of you?" Edward asked with a petulant frown.

"Bella will be protected also," Jasper answered with an eye-roll. "The Swan's house and the police station will be the main focus of their patrolling in town, but I'm sure we'd all be open to discussing adding the school if it gives you a greater sense of security."

"I don't need the wolves near the school to keep my mate safe when I'm there with her," Edward snapped.

"Make up your mind," Rosalie snapped back. "You can't whine that we don't care about keeping her safe and then tell us you don't want her protected in the very next breath."

"Perhaps we can work it out so there is a wolf to patrol only on days you can't be at school, Edward," Carlisle offered, wanting to ease the tension in the room. "I'll also ask you again to be mindful of how you speak to us. If you can't treat everyone with the respect they deserve, you'll be asked to stay quiet unless asked a direct question."

"While we're on the subject of respect, there's something I want to be real clear about," Jasper cut in. "You reading the thoughts of the pack or the elders and then airing them publicly isn't going to do anyone any good, Edward. The whole point of this meeting is to have an open, honest dialogue, and if you wade in and cause unnecessary tension in the way you're so good at, that defeats the whole purpose. I'm not trying to be a dick, but unless you hear a direct and imminent threat against one of us, I'd prefer it if you kept your mouth shut."

Edward glared at him. "You may be a coven leader elsewhere, but not here. You can't tell me what–"

"He can't, but I can," Carlisle interrupted. "You've already shown us that you're willing to use the thoughts of those around you as a weapon. I will not tolerate that tomorrow. Not only are cordial relations with the pack and elders important because of Jasper and Leah's relationship, but it benefits all of us if we can attempt to work together. I won't allow you to jeopardize that out of spite."

Jasper rolled his eyes again and ignored the telepath's anger and indignation at that. "We need to all be on the same page when we talk to the pack about extended patrols, so I'll just tell you all where I stand as of now and we can go from there. I'm still willing to give Jacob a little more room in Forks and near the Swan's house, but not on his own. My opinion there hasn't changed. Having met Jared and Embry, I'm comfortable giving them some access as well. Forks for sure, and maybe even our whole territory, though I think they should be accompanied by one of us, at least to begin with. Sam is still a very firm no, and I have yet to meet the younger Quil, so he's also a no at the moment."

"Jared and Embry gave you no cause for concern?" Carlisle asked.

"No. They don't have the same hostility that Sam and Jacob do. Based on what I've felt from all the wolves I've met so far, I think the majority of them are more interested in keeping the humans safe than in some inter-species feud with us. The two exceptions are obviously Jacob and Sam, and that hatred stems more from personal issues than with the vampire race as a whole. Or I guess their personal issues are the reason they hate vamps as a whole to the extent they do," he corrected.

"He's right," Leah agreed. "Jake's pissed because he thinks he loves Bella, and Sam… well, Sam's always hated vamps but me imprinting has turned it up a notch or eighty."

"I also don't think it would be reasonable of us to give some of the wolves access but not give the same access to the Alpha," Jasper added. "Jared is in charge of the pack, so he should be allowed to go wherever his wolves can go."

"I'm happy to follow your lead, Jasper," Esme told him. "I trust that you'll put our safety and security first."

Emmett and Alice both nodded their agreement, and after a moment, Rosalie did as well, though a little more hesitantly.

"If more wolves are going to patrol our land, it's not going to be practical having only Carlisle and myself patrolling with them," Jasper said. "Either more of us need to work with them directly or maybe we can ask Leah, Paul, or Seth to partner with them. I'd have no problem with Jared or Embry being on our land with one of them if none of us are available."

"Can I add something?" Rosalie asked Jasper and Carlisle. "I'm willing to trust your opinion on how we should handle this, but I'd be more comfortable if we say up front that access is conditional. They already know it's dependent on you reading them, Jasper, but I think we should add that this isn't a permanent change to the terms of the treaty."

Jasper nodded. "You mean the offer can be rescinded if there's ever a concern about our safety?"

"Yes. If anything happens that makes a wolf more hostile to us I think we should be able to say they can't cross the line anymore."

"I think that's perfectly reasonable," Carlisle agreed.

Leah looked around to see that most of the Cullens were in agreement. Edward was scowling but she was starting to think that was just his permanent expression. "Alright. So Jasper and I will meet with my mom, Billy, and Old Quil at three, then the rest of you will come join us at four. Does that work?"

Everyone again nodded their agreement.

"Shouldn't Bella be there also?" Edward asked.

Everyone gave him a little bit of a weird look at that. "Why?" Leah asked.

"She's part of this family," he snapped. "And this has to do with her safety."

Jasper gritted his teeth and kept his mouth shut.

Edward had always been frustratingly immovable in his insistence on keeping things from his mate that he thought might upset her in any way, so it seemed to Jasper that this was less about whether Bella should be there as a member of the family and more about Edward's determination to be contrary and his belief that his wants and needs were the most important. Jasper was even willing to acknowledge that he had a point. They'd all tried to get Edward to see that Bella should be treated as his equal, but in this particular instance, where tensions were sure to be high, Jasper didn't want to add anything into the mix that would ratchet those tensions up. And Bella being there would surely do that.

But Bella wasn't Jasper's mate and he wasn't the coven leader, so it wasn't for him to decide.

"This meeting is about the vamps and the wolves working together and the pack's ability to cross the treaty line," Leah sighed in annoyance. "Bella isn't a pack member and she isn't going to be patrolling with the wolves. I'm not sure she's relevant to the discussion."

Alice hesitated for just a second before jumping in. "I'd maybe also add that any time you, Bella, and Jacob are in the same place the mood is noticeably worse," she said, choosing her words carefully. She loved Edward, she did, but his attitude recently had caused a whole lot of headaches for everyone. "We already have enough issues without adding more tension."

"Maybe if he could control his thoughts about my mate I–"

Emmett interrupted Edward with a laugh. "Dude, he's a sixteen-year old kid. They're pretty much known for thinking with their di–"

"Emmett!" Esme cut him off. "Please don't finish that sentence," she laughed.

Carlisle smiled and shook his head. "Edward, as much as I understand you wanting Bella there, Leah and Alice are both correct. This is a conversation regarding our treaty with the tribe. When it comes to general family matters, of course Bella should be included in those discussions, but she is not bound by the treaty. I also expect all of you to treat everyone at the meeting with respect and you seem to be struggling with that as of late."

Edward glared at just about everyone in the room but managed to bite back a growl. He needed his punishment lifted and the only way Carlisle and Esme would do that is if he played nice.

Leah turned Jasper's wrist a little so she could see his watch. "If there's nothing else, I need to get going."

Carlisle looked around to make sure no one had anything else to add. "I think we covered everything we can. I know that Sam could be an issue, but unless he attacks you or anyone in this family, it's not up to us to police his behavior."

Leah stood up and pulled Jasper up with her. "The elders will keep him in line," she assured him. "I'll see you all tomorrow."

"Bye, Leah," most of the room chorused as she left.

Jasper pulled her into a hug on the porch. "Do you still have your phone on you?" he asked.

"Oh damn," she cursed. "I should've given it to my mom or Seth to take home. I'll just leave it here with my clothes and you can bring it with you tomorrow. I'd say I'll come back at the end of my shift, but by that point I'm just going to want to crawl in bed."

"Want me to put it in a bag with your clothes and leave it somewhere closer to home? Maybe Seth can grab it for you in the morning."

Leah smiled and kissed him. "Nah, I doubt I'll need it. I plan on sleeping until about three minutes before we meet up tomorrow. Just bring it with you then."

Jasper agreed and leaned down to kiss her again but pulled back with a laugh after only a second. "I think someone's a little impatient."

Leah looked at him curiously but then heard the sound of approaching footsteps and rolled her eyes. "Paul?"

"Yep," Jasper nodded with a smile just as the silver wolf broke through the trees. He walked right up to them and head-butted Leah to get her moving.

"Okay, okay, pushy," she laughed, then gave Jasper another quick kiss. "I'll see you at three."

"Be safe," he said, taking a chance and sneaking in another kiss. When Paul playfully growled, he let go of his mate and gently pushed her towards the room for her to phase in. "Go on, before he starts nipping at your heels," he laughed.

Jasper smiled as he watched the two wolves head out on patrol a minute later. He was grateful Leah had a friend like Paul. He'd always have her back and he kept her laughing. He'd originally thought their friendship was similar to his and Alice's, and it definitely was in some ways, but Paul reminded him a little bit of Peter too. Both were strong-willed, didn't take shit from anyone, would defend the people they cared about however they needed to, and once they loved, they loved hard. Peter had managed to keep Jasper smiling and laughing even through some of his worst moments, and it seemed like Paul did the same for Leah. Friends like that were worth their weight in gold.

The next afternoon as Jasper was getting ready to leave to meet Leah and the elders, Esme darted downstairs and pulled him into a hug. "Good luck," she whispered. "Just be yourself and let them see the wonderful man you are."

Jasper smiled at the love and protectiveness she was feeling. "It'll be fine," he assured her. He knew those mama-bear instincts of hers were flaring up and she was wishing she could come with him.

"I know," she nodded with a smile. "Now go on, you don't want to start off on the wrong foot by being late."

"Wait, can we run with you?" Rosalie asked as she and Emmett came in the house through the back door. They'd gone for a quick hunt early that morning. "I don't want them to think we're crashing your meeting, so we'll only come part of the way."

Jasper easily agreed and the three of them set off. When they were a mile or so from the house, Jasper looked at his twin. "What's wrong?"

Rosalie smiled a little and shook her head. As unlikely as it sounded, she sometimes forgot her brother was an empath. Unlike Edward, who was constantly reacting to people's thoughts, it was pretty rare that Jasper even talked about his gift, and it was rarer still that he called people out on their emotions publicly.

When he and Alice first joined the family, she'd been annoyed that they were gaining two members who had gifts that invaded her privacy. She already had to deal with Edward constantly being in her head, and then suddenly there was someone who could see all her decisions and another who could feel her emotions. It didn't take her long to realize that Alice and Jasper were much different in how they used their gifts.

Alice might see some of the decisions she made, but she usually kept quiet about it, though sometimes there was a sneaky smile or a quick wink. If there was anything coming in their futures that was a potential threat to the family, she shared that, but otherwise she mostly kept what she saw to herself. Occasionally she got a little too excited about a vision, like some of the times Rose was planning a surprise for Emmett, but she'd only bring it up when they were alone.

Jasper was even more discreet with his gift. Thoughts could be hidden and they'd all found ways to work around Alice's visions on occasion, but emotions were difficult to hide. On Rosalie's bad days - and in those early years there were a lot of bad days - Jasper was a silent support. If she was feeling particularly sad, he'd grab a book and sit beside her. Not talking, not asking what was wrong or trying to fix it, but just silently sitting beside her.

He also never manipulated her emotions unless she asked him to. She knew she sometimes felt things a little too intensely for the empath's comfort, but he never dialed back her anger or eased away her grief. He might share his own emotions with her so she could feel his love or reassurance, but that was the extent of it. And after some time, she came to appreciate that his gift was a way they could silently communicate with each other.

"Nothing's wrong," she assured him. "I just know you still sometimes doubt yourself, and I don't want you to walk into this meeting feeling like you have to apologize for anything."

Jasper smiled a little at that. For the most part, he was okay with who he'd once been and who he'd become since leaving the south, but yes, sometimes he did feel like he wasn't as 'good' as the Cullens because of his history.

"She's right," Emmett agreed. "I know you think we're all biased because we love you, but you know Rose doesn't bullshit anyone just to be polite, no matter how much she loves them. The two of you are very much twins in that respect."

"Very true," Jasper laughed.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of in your past," Rosalie added. "You had a shitty start to this life and you still managed to come out of it as a good man I'm proud to call my brother."

Jasper let them both feel his love and appreciation before answering. "I'm honestly not that worried when it comes to the elders. I've already told Sue a good deal about my history, and I know she's more inclined to be accepting because of my connection to Leah, but she wasn't anticipating Billy or Old Quil to be dicks about it," he explained. "The pack is another matter. Or some of them, anyway. From Leah's memories they know a lot also, so I expect some uncomfortable questioning at the bigger meeting. From Sam for sure, and I know Jacob will probably open his mouth a time or two. But overall, I really do think it'll be fine."

"Just keep that head high," Rose said as they came to a stop a mile from the meeting site. "And maybe warn the elders that I'm every bit as protective of my family as you are but I have about half the manners and a much sharper tongue," she added with a laugh.

Jasper laughed and pulled her into a hug, then gave Emmett a hug too. "Thanks. I'll see y'all in an hour."

Leah was waiting for Jasper a little ways away and smiled when he got to her side. "They're right, you know," she said quietly. "Never be ashamed of who you are. You survived a hell that none of us can begin to imagine. There's no shame in that."

Jasper leaned down and gave her a long and lingering kiss. "Thank you," he murmured against her lips.

Leah just smiled and took his hand. "Come on."

Sue had brought along a couple camping chairs with her, so she and Old Quil were sitting on either side of Billy.

Jasper felt he should shake their hands, but they were on the other side of the treaty line. Not by more than a few feet, but he didn't want to risk upsetting them straight out of the gate by coming onto their land. "I'd shake your hands but…" he trailed off and gestured to the ground at his feet.

Sue smiled at him. "I think it's fine in this instance."

Jasper nodded and walked over to shake the hands of the elders he'd already met, then hesitated for a moment in front of Quil. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, so you're free to decline," he said as he held out his hand.

Old Quil looked at him with sharp eyes and then nodded once and shook his hand.

Leah sat on the ground on the Cullen's side of the treaty line so she was facing the elders, and Jasper went and sat beside her. "I was expecting Jared to be here," she said. As the new Alpha, he was part of the council.

"He was happy to give us a bit of time just the five of us, but he'll join us before the others," Sue answered with a smile.

Leah just nodded. "So where should we start?"

Old Quil looked at Jasper with those same sharp eyes. "I understand you've shared your history with Leah and Sue, but Billy and I would like to hear it from you."

Jasper nodded and began telling the two men an overview of his human life, and then how he came to be changed and what life was like in the south. "For a very long time, I didn't know there was anything else out there for my kind. I didn't particularly like the life Maria dragged me into, but I was also determined to survive so I became very good at it," he explained. "It wasn't until after Peter and Charlotte escaped that I started questioning whether my survival mattered all that much," he added with a faraway look in his eyes. "The future stretching out before me held little appeal after they were gone," he said quietly, then shook his head and focused back on the people sitting in front of him. "But then they came back for me five years later and I was fortunate enough to find a better life."

"Are those wars still going on?" Billy asked after a few moments of silence.

Jasper nodded. "They are, though on a much smaller scale."

Jared walked out of the trees before anyone could ask any more questions. Jasper wasn't surprised to see him, he'd known there were a few wolves nearby listening to him, and the new Alpha's emotional signature was easily recognizable - he had no hostility, but plenty of protectiveness and caution. It was a combination Jasper respected in the man who was responsible for the welfare of his pack.

Jared sat on the ground beside Old Quil's chair with a solemn expression. "Can you tell us about your threat to Sam? I know from Leah and Sue that his emotions have given you reason to be concerned."

Jasper's eyes hardened a little. "He's been consumed with rage every time I've been near enough to read him, and it started from the moment I met Leah. He feels a possessiveness over her that, in my experience, doesn't end well for anyone."

"And telling him you'd strike at the people he loves first?" Jared challenged.

Jasper smiled a little. "If you're asking if I'd go after Emily or another wolf or any of the elders? No, that's not really my style. But if he hurts Leah or any member of my family in anger, there won't be a speck of land he's safe on. An invisible line won't be enough to protect him."

Jared just nodded. He didn't particularly like the situation Sam had placed them in, but he couldn't honestly say he'd do anything different. If Jasper, or any of the Cullens, ever hurt one of the wolves in his pack, he would absolutely retaliate. The treaty line wouldn't stop him.

"I've also been told I should warn you about my sister," Jasper added with a smile. "In her own words, Rosalie is every bit as protective of our family as I am but she has about half the manners and a much sharper tongue," he laughed. "It might not be great for diplomacy, but at least you always know where you stand with her," he explained with a shrug.

"And she was fine with you meeting us on your own?" Jared asked curiously.

Leah couldn't help but laugh at that. "First of all, Jasper isn't exactly defenseless. He's perfectly capable of taking care of himself. And if I know Rosalie at all, I'd guess she's somewhere within vamp hearing distance," she said, looking at her imprint.

"She is," Jasper laughed, then shrugged again, unapologetic that his siblings were listening in. "Family means everything to Rose. And it's not only my family that's protective," he told Leah. "You know as well as I do that you've got a couple wolves out there keeping an eye on you."

"I'm pretty sure that's nosiness rather than protectiveness," she said as she rolled her eyes.

"Can't it be both?" Seth laughed as he ran out of the trees with Paul.

Leah just rolled her eyes again but she didn't hide her smile. "Is there anything else you guys want to ask Jasper before everyone else shows up?" she asked.

The four members of the council looked at each other and shook their heads. "I think that's enough for now," Sue answered.

Jasper just nodded, glad the first meeting had gone so smoothly. Jared, Billy, and Old Quil were probably never going to be as friendly and warm as Sue, but they also weren't feeling anything that gave him reason to worry. "Oh. I should probably tell you that I expect Peter and Charlotte to make a trip up to Forks in the next few months, but the last time they were here I showed them the whole length of the boundary line so they already know where they can't cross."

"They hunt humans?" Jared asked sharply.

"They do," Jasper nodded. "But they're respectful of both the Cullens and the treaty, so they won't hunt anywhere near here," he answered firmly and unapologetically. Peter and Charlotte were picky eaters, but in his mind, that wasn't relevant. They could hunt whoever they wanted as far as Jasper was concerned, as long as it wasn't anyone within the Cullen's territory or the Quileute's. Their diet made no difference when it came to the love he felt for them and he refused to justify what they ate or their right to visit him.

Jared gave him a resigned nod. "Be sure they don't."

"Can we come out now?" Alice's cheerful voice called out. "I've waited as patiently as I can."

Jasper laughed and rolled his eyes. Alice was wonderful in about seven hundred ways, but her patience wasn't one of them. He looked at the elders and Sue was laughing also as she nodded.

"Yeah, come–" Jasper was cut off by Alice tearing into the clearing. She skidded to a stop and dramatically flung herself on the ground beside him. "–on," he finished with a laugh.

"Thank goodness, I wasn't sure how much longer I could stand there eavesdropping without adding my two cents," she said, unashamed and unapologetic.

Rosalie was rolling her eyes with a smile as she and Emmett walked out of the trees at a much more normal speed. They both came to a stop beside Jasper and nodded at the elders and Jared. Rosalie hesitated a moment before taking her own advice to Jasper about keeping his head high. "May we shake your hands?" she asked them.

Rather than having them cross the line, Jared, Sue, and Old Quil stood up and walked the few feet that separated them, with Sue pushing Billy's wheelchair. As Rosalie and Emmett walked towards them, more of the pack in their human forms walked out of the trees. Jacob went to stand behind his father, glaring at the vamps, and the younger Quil went and stood beside his grandfather.

Jasper was never one to put himself at a disadvantage, so he stood up, and Alice and Leah did the same. The uncertainty inside Leah as she looked at the pack on one side of the line and her imprint on the other made Jasper's heart hurt a little for her. He gently squeezed her hand to get her attention and then tipped his head towards the other wolves and sent her some reassurance. He never wanted her to feel like she had to choose sides, or put him before her pack.

Leah hesitated for a moment and then went and stood directly on the boundary between the two territories. She now had a foot firmly in both worlds.

Rosalie and Emmett politely introduced themselves and quickly shook hands with the elders and Jared - the younger Quil didn't offer his hand, but he did nod respectfully at all of them - and then stepped back to Jasper's side.

Sam stalked into the clearing just as Carlisle, Esme, and Edward arrived. Edward just went straight to stand with his siblings, but Carlisle and Esme both walked over to the council to say hello. They'd both briefly met with Billy prior to the family returning to Forks, but they hadn't met the other elders that day.

Ever the warm-hearted woman she was, Esme shook Sue's hand with a warm smile. "It's so lovely to meet you," she said quietly. "You have my thanks for how you've accepted Jasper, and I'd like to also offer my condolences. I'm so sorry for your recent loss. From everything I've heard, it sounds like your husband was a wonderful man."

"Thank you, I appreciate that," Sue answered with a sad smile. "He really was."

Carlisle held his hand out. "You and he raised two pretty incredible children," he told her. "Maybe three," he added with a laugh as he looked at Paul.

"Yes, Paul's the second son we never knew we wanted until he turned up one day after school and refused to leave until I promised to add two extra cookies to Leah's lunch because she wouldn't share hers," Sue laughed.

Rosalie and Emmett smiled and gave Paul an approving nod. Sometimes that was the best way to get things done - just barrel in and make your demands, then remain immovable until the other party caves.

Jasper didn't bother looking at Sam, but one part of his mind was monitoring his every step, every breath, every fluctuating emotion. He kept as far back from the vamps as he could, but interestingly, he also kept himself separate from everyone else on his side of the line. He wasn't standing with the other wolves or the council.

Leah decided she might as well be comfortable, so she sat on the ground, then smiled when Paul and Seth sat beside her on the Quileute side of the line and Alice sat beside her on the Cullen's side.

Once the council was done with introductions, Jacob pushed his dad's wheelchair back where it had been, and Old Quil and Sue retook their seats.

Billy Black looked around at the assembled group. "Let's begin."