Some Rise By Sin (Chapter 3)
FFN is still down. I'll post this chapter here for you guys and then repost when the site goes back up. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: The Twilight universe belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
A/N: Thanks to Guardgirl12 and alybee for some the awesome beta work.
--
Chapter 3 - All the Shattered Pieces
“Alice wants a party for Nessie?” Esme repeated.
“Yes. And she wants to invite Tanya and her family,” Bella said again.
Esme frowned at Bella's wringing hands, at her nervous little smile, at her sad eyes. “And Alice called? From her vacation?”
“Right.” Bella shifted from foot to foot. “Would you mind calling Tanya?”
Esme bit her lip gently, her thoughts racing as she worked to figure out what she was really asking. “I suppose. It has been awhile since they visited.”
“So you think they'll come?” Bella's hands stilled as she clasped them together tightly.
“I don't know. I'm sure they will if they are able.”
Bella grinned genuinely, the sadness in her eyes momentarily replaced by a happy little glint. “Thanks Esme.”
Esme frowned again as Bella left her room. Bella really was the worst actress.
She glanced at Carlisle. He was settled in her desk chair, his finger holding the place in whatever novel he was reading. “That was really odd,” he said softly.
She nodded and stared at the door. “Is Edward home?”
“Yes, why?”
Esme shook her head, not willing to let her thoughts take shape while Edward was close enough to hear them. She fiddled with the phone on their bedside table and shook her head. “I've never known Alice to call during one of their vacations unless she was warning us about something.”
Carlisle shrugged and laid his book on the desk. “You know Alice and parties though. If she wants a party, distance isn't going to stop her.”
She forced a smile. “'That's true.”
They stared at each other, each searching the other's face, looking for some sign that they either believed her or didn't. They heard the front door open. She tilted her head as she listened to the footsteps. Everyone but Rose retreated outside. Esme looked out the window as she heard the front door close with a loud thud. She watched Emmett and Edward race into the trees. Nessie danced along after them. Bella trudged slowly behind, her feet dragging in the grass.
Esme frowned again and her mind raced. Bella twisted to look up at her window. Esme smiled slightly and Bella forced a smile of her own. She waved and then took off after Nessie, suddenly playful, clearly working for nonchalance.
“Strange,” Esme breathed.
“Do you want to call Alice?” Carlisle asked. “Maybe something's happened.”
She shook her head. “If Bella's lying, there's a reason.”
He leaned forward in the chair, his hands hooked together. “So you're going to call Tanya.”
She shrugged. “I suppose.”
He sighed as she fiddled again with the phone. “Why do I get the feeling our lives are about to get a whole lot more interesting?”
-
Aro could only grin as Eion and the others led Alice through the doorway. Finally, he had Alice. Finally!
With her at his right hand, he was nearly omniscient. With her at his right hand, there were no threats that the Volturi could not face.
“This is a mistake,” Caius hissed. “You will bring war down upon us.”
Aro shook his head, his smile still in place as Eion guided Alice gently. Her eyes were vacant, her movement tense, nearly robotic. “From Carlisle? Carlisle doesn't fight wars.”
“You said yourself that her mate was a soldier.”
Aro waved a hand, determined not to let Caius spoil his mood. “We have been over this, Caius.” His voice was cheerful. “We must neutralize our greatest threats to lead effectively.”
“The covens that joined to oppose us could overthrow us. Even without the girl.” Caius's voice was low and fast, his tone an angry snarl. “Carlisle might not wage war, but we do not know her mate. Maybe he inspires the same loyalty.”
Aro turned to face his brother. “I have been inside her thoughts, inside Edward's thoughts. There is nothing to fear. Perhaps her mate will come join us. His power could prove quite useful!”
Caius shook his head, a sour expression plastered onto his face. “This is foolish. They have the shield. They have allies.”
Aro leaned forward. His voice was a purr but he knew Caius wouldn't miss the edge there. “We will be able to lead that much more effectively with Alice here. She will allow us to prevent crimes. If her mate decides to strike at us, decides to gather his allies, we will see it and we will neutralize that threat as well. And then we will persuade Bella to join us, and Edward, and Zafrina, and Kate, just as we have with Alice. This is the right action to take. This is the only action that assures our future.”
Caius leaned back in his chair, his face the picture of burning anger. Aro sympathized with Caius. Caius often had trouble seeing the big picture. He simply saw the immediate threat, the immediate danger to their way of life. Yes, perhaps there would be a fight. Perhaps the guard would have to...dismantle the Cullen coven. But the benefits Alice brought to their little company far outweighed the dangers.
He had seen her mate in her mind. They lived for each other. He had considered bringing them both but Jasper would have to come on his own, would have to ask, would have to have thoughts that matched his request. And if he didn't, if he tried to stage some kind of uprising instead, well, that would be most unfortunate.
Eion pushed Alice forward carefully and Aro reached out a thin hand. “Alice! We are so happy to have you.”
Alice blinked and turned her empty stare toward Aro. She remained silent but her lips curved as Cilla stepped close behind her. Such a delightful addition to the guard Cilla was proving to be!
Aro held his hand out and Alice took it obediently. Aro watched intently as all of her thoughts became his. He saw all of it, every thought, every vision, every fear. He saw her speculation on what her mate would do. He saw the vision of her mate's destruction, the willingness with which she went to meet the guard in order to save him. Aro smiled brilliantly as he let her hand go. “Fascinating,” he said softly. Aro turned to Caius and grinned. “Fascinating,” he said again.
He turned his attention back to Alice and Eion. “She's still thinking about her mate.”
Eion shrugged, his chin tilted up in defiance. “I'm touching her, aren't I? I'm focusing. You know as well as I do that my power works differently with each person.”
“You are right, Eion,” Aro soothed. “Do not think I was insulting your ability. It is just interesting that she remembers her mate.”
“That's not so surprising,” Eion whispered through clenched teeth.
Aro clucked his tongue with a gentle smile. “You should invite your mate to join us. She has an interesting power of her own.”
Eion shuddered and shook his head. “Leave her out of this.”
“As you wish.”
“We should get her some food,” Eion said, his voice morose.
Aro looked back, noted Alice's darkened eyes with a start. “Oh! Of course. Heidi, perhaps you could go hunting for us.”
Heidi stepped forward with a beautiful smile. “Of course.”
Eion hissed slightly. “I could take Alice hunting. You know she doesn't drink human blood.”
Aro tilted his head, considering them both with slightly narrowed eyes. When he did speak, his voice was firm, commanding, the thread of kindness diminishing as his impatience rose. “She is a member of the Volturi guard now, not a Cullen. She eats as the rest of us eat.” He turned to Heidi with a nod. “Don't keep us waiting long.”
-
Alice stood very still in the darkness, waiting to see the light again. It felt like an eternity since she saw her dream Jasper last. If she concentrated very, very hard, she could hear what the other Alice was hearing, the Alice that was being led again by those firm fingers.
The light came out of nowhere, an explosion this time instead of a tiny flame. She scrambled back a half dozen steps as the light came to her this time. It rushed forward as if it was going to slam into her, as if it was going to envelop her. She held a hand over her eyes, shielding them from the intensity of the blinding glow.
And then it softened. As quickly as the light burst into her darkness, it was replaced by a warm glow. Alice pulled her hand away and eyed the streetlights through tightly narrowed eyes. She opened them slowly when she saw how dim the lights truly were. It was dusk on the street, the lights had just flickered on.
Alice stepped forward. Her feet crunched on the pebbles of the pavement. Automobiles were in the street as if they had stopped mid-journey. Alice stepped carefully toward a taxi cab. She peered inside, curious now about the scene. There were bodies inside, nameless shapeless people that were little more than dummies. She poked at one with a curious finger. It floated right through. Alice jerked her hand back and moved to the next car, poking again at the “people” inside.
She heard thunder rumble and pulled her head from the open window. Rain started to fall in fat drops. She immediately shielded her head and instinctively ran for the sidewalk. She pulled open the glass door. She stopped inside, grinning hugely.
There he was.
Jasper hopped off the stool, his long legs unfolding, his feet touching the ground so lightly, he may have been floating. He stalked toward her, his expression set in the one she must know the best. His eyes were filled with love, never wavering from their contact with hers. His smile was soft, a little crooked, and completely adoring. “You've kept me waiting a long time,” he said, a teasing tone in his voice.
“I'm sorry,” she said automatically. She sucked in a breath when he held out his hand. “This is how we met,” she breathed.
“Yes, in reverse.”
“You called me 'ma'am.'” She laid her hand in his. “And you took my hand.”
His grin grew. His pride was written across his face as he took a deep breath and squeezed her hand. “You found another memory.”
She closed her eyes briefly as his fingers wrapped tight around hers. “A good one.”
“Would you like to sit?” Jasper motioned toward the booth in the back corner.
She nodded and he led the way, his hand warm and firm in hers. Alice looked around as they walked. Some of the people had faces now. The woman behind the counter had her red hair in a braid. Her cat's eye glasses were perched on the end of her nose. She held the order pad in her hand, her pen poised over the paper. The man in the kitchen was round and cheerful looking, his cheeks rosy, his smile wide. Various diners sat in booths and at the counter, nursing cups of coffee or half eaten burgers.
They were all motionless. The entire scene looked as if someone had pushed the pause button. “Why is no one moving?”
Jasper slid into the booth, all long limbs and unconscious grace. “You don't remember what they were doing once I walked in.”
“Oh.” Alice settled in across from him. “And the people outside?”
“You weren't outside. You just imagined there were cars and added them to your memory.”
“Very strange,” she whispered.
He smiled softly. “Your mind.”
She laughed and leaned forward, her hands were suddenly cupping a warm mug of coffee as if the scene was catching up with her returning memory. Jasper watched her intently as his fingers made meandering little paths over the smooth surface of the table. She watched the paths, grinning when she saw that he was writing her name again and again. “I feel like you aren't the Jasper everyone else sees, like this is all private.”
He smiled that crooked little smile. “You do see a different Jasper than anyone else. And I see a different Alice.”
“What are you like normally?”
He opened his mouth as his eyes narrowed, searching for the answer. She searched with him. If he was in her mind, he knew what she knew. He closed his mouth and smiled, his eyes relaxing as they found the answer together. “This is how you've always seen me.”
One corner of her mouth pulled up as her lips pressed together. She touched her forehead lightly. “We're in my mind.”
“Yes.”
“Down the rabbit hole and through the tiny door and into the garden?”
He laughed again. “You have to stop reading that book.” His fingers stopped and reversed their course. Long black streaks trailed over the table as he drew, as his fingertips made their paths. Alice laid her head close to the table, searching for the ink, for the magic there. There was nothing, his fingers were as pale as ever, hovering a breath away from the surface of the table. “Your mind,” he whispered again as an explanation.
The drawing took shape. Suddenly it was a little white rabbit with a waist coat and a pocket watch. She smiled at the familiar image. “Is this you? Are you going to guide me through this strange land.” Alice laughed as she said it, spreading her arms and using a booming, theatrical voice.
His expression was more serious as he met her gaze. “The darkness will - it will drive you to madness.”
“The white rabbit got Alice more lost.”
Her imaginary Jasper shrugged, his arms held out over the picture of the rabbit. “I'm a part of your mind. A defense against the darkness.”
“You'll stay with me?”
He held out his hand and she considered it for a moment before placing her hand in his. “I'm yours to keep or send away.”
“Keep,” she whispered. “Keep.”
-
Jasper was settled at Peter and Charlotte's table. His head was pillowed in his hand. The fingers of his other hand were making little trails across the table. When Alice sketched, her method was much the same. She made wild lines, senseless little strokes of the pencil that somehow became whole portraits, whole renderings of her thoughts.
She said once that she wondered what his idle little paths would make. Would they be scribbles? Just mindless little symbols of his boredom or nerves or discomfort. Or would they be something great? He smiled at the thought as his eyes traced the lines. Scribbles, undoubtedly. But it was so like Alice to see the greatness in him, to see the greatness in the most mundane of his actions.
“Jasper,” Peter said softly.
Jasper lifted his head, wondering how long he'd been calling his name. “Yeah?”
“What's your plan?”
He linked his fingers together, watched as Charlotte leaned against the door frame behind Peter. “I don't know, exactly. I'm going to see if Edward and Eleazar will go to Italy.”
Peter glanced back at Charlotte before his eyes settled again on Jasper. “And then what?”
“Then I'll know what I'm up against.”
Peter leaned forward, his fingers linked together. “We need plans, Jasper. Are - are we fighting? Are we forcing their hand? Are you joining them? What are your plans?”
Jasper shook his head. “How can I plan without knowing what I'm up against? I'm - I'm trying to do this the right way.” He touched the table again, making letters, spelling out her name. “If I run in there right now and try to get her out, I'll probably get us both killed. I'm trying to be smart.”
Charlotte moved to sit next to Jasper. She pushed at her blonde hair before she spoke, brushing it out of her eyes. “If they just want Alice, what will you do?”
“I'll join them.” He answered automatically, no hesitation in his voice. “And I'll wait for an opportunity to get her out of there.”
Peter glanced again at his mate, his eyes flicking over for the tiniest moment. “What if this is just the first strike?”
Jasper frowned, his eyebrows drawing together as he considered the question. “Then I suppose I'll need to know if you'll stand with me.”
Peter and Charlotte gazed at each other for a long moment, a whole conversation passing between them. “Of course, Jasper,” Peter said. “Of course.”
Jasper let out a breath on a shaky sigh. Somehow it was easier with confirmed allies in his corner. Whatever he chose to do, he'd have Peter and Charlotte on his side. He knew he could count on the Cullens as well and Tanya and her family. It wasn't enough, not nearly enough if they had to take on the Volturi and the guard, but it was a start.
It was a start.
--
And to those that were asking if it was all right to friend me, feel free. I love meeting new people and learning more about you guys. :)
Disclaimer: The Twilight universe belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
A/N: Thanks to Guardgirl12 and alybee for some the awesome beta work.
--
Chapter 3 - All the Shattered Pieces
“Alice wants a party for Nessie?” Esme repeated.
“Yes. And she wants to invite Tanya and her family,” Bella said again.
Esme frowned at Bella's wringing hands, at her nervous little smile, at her sad eyes. “And Alice called? From her vacation?”
“Right.” Bella shifted from foot to foot. “Would you mind calling Tanya?”
Esme bit her lip gently, her thoughts racing as she worked to figure out what she was really asking. “I suppose. It has been awhile since they visited.”
“So you think they'll come?” Bella's hands stilled as she clasped them together tightly.
“I don't know. I'm sure they will if they are able.”
Bella grinned genuinely, the sadness in her eyes momentarily replaced by a happy little glint. “Thanks Esme.”
Esme frowned again as Bella left her room. Bella really was the worst actress.
She glanced at Carlisle. He was settled in her desk chair, his finger holding the place in whatever novel he was reading. “That was really odd,” he said softly.
She nodded and stared at the door. “Is Edward home?”
“Yes, why?”
Esme shook her head, not willing to let her thoughts take shape while Edward was close enough to hear them. She fiddled with the phone on their bedside table and shook her head. “I've never known Alice to call during one of their vacations unless she was warning us about something.”
Carlisle shrugged and laid his book on the desk. “You know Alice and parties though. If she wants a party, distance isn't going to stop her.”
She forced a smile. “'That's true.”
They stared at each other, each searching the other's face, looking for some sign that they either believed her or didn't. They heard the front door open. She tilted her head as she listened to the footsteps. Everyone but Rose retreated outside. Esme looked out the window as she heard the front door close with a loud thud. She watched Emmett and Edward race into the trees. Nessie danced along after them. Bella trudged slowly behind, her feet dragging in the grass.
Esme frowned again and her mind raced. Bella twisted to look up at her window. Esme smiled slightly and Bella forced a smile of her own. She waved and then took off after Nessie, suddenly playful, clearly working for nonchalance.
“Strange,” Esme breathed.
“Do you want to call Alice?” Carlisle asked. “Maybe something's happened.”
She shook her head. “If Bella's lying, there's a reason.”
He leaned forward in the chair, his hands hooked together. “So you're going to call Tanya.”
She shrugged. “I suppose.”
He sighed as she fiddled again with the phone. “Why do I get the feeling our lives are about to get a whole lot more interesting?”
-
Aro could only grin as Eion and the others led Alice through the doorway. Finally, he had Alice. Finally!
With her at his right hand, he was nearly omniscient. With her at his right hand, there were no threats that the Volturi could not face.
“This is a mistake,” Caius hissed. “You will bring war down upon us.”
Aro shook his head, his smile still in place as Eion guided Alice gently. Her eyes were vacant, her movement tense, nearly robotic. “From Carlisle? Carlisle doesn't fight wars.”
“You said yourself that her mate was a soldier.”
Aro waved a hand, determined not to let Caius spoil his mood. “We have been over this, Caius.” His voice was cheerful. “We must neutralize our greatest threats to lead effectively.”
“The covens that joined to oppose us could overthrow us. Even without the girl.” Caius's voice was low and fast, his tone an angry snarl. “Carlisle might not wage war, but we do not know her mate. Maybe he inspires the same loyalty.”
Aro turned to face his brother. “I have been inside her thoughts, inside Edward's thoughts. There is nothing to fear. Perhaps her mate will come join us. His power could prove quite useful!”
Caius shook his head, a sour expression plastered onto his face. “This is foolish. They have the shield. They have allies.”
Aro leaned forward. His voice was a purr but he knew Caius wouldn't miss the edge there. “We will be able to lead that much more effectively with Alice here. She will allow us to prevent crimes. If her mate decides to strike at us, decides to gather his allies, we will see it and we will neutralize that threat as well. And then we will persuade Bella to join us, and Edward, and Zafrina, and Kate, just as we have with Alice. This is the right action to take. This is the only action that assures our future.”
Caius leaned back in his chair, his face the picture of burning anger. Aro sympathized with Caius. Caius often had trouble seeing the big picture. He simply saw the immediate threat, the immediate danger to their way of life. Yes, perhaps there would be a fight. Perhaps the guard would have to...dismantle the Cullen coven. But the benefits Alice brought to their little company far outweighed the dangers.
He had seen her mate in her mind. They lived for each other. He had considered bringing them both but Jasper would have to come on his own, would have to ask, would have to have thoughts that matched his request. And if he didn't, if he tried to stage some kind of uprising instead, well, that would be most unfortunate.
Eion pushed Alice forward carefully and Aro reached out a thin hand. “Alice! We are so happy to have you.”
Alice blinked and turned her empty stare toward Aro. She remained silent but her lips curved as Cilla stepped close behind her. Such a delightful addition to the guard Cilla was proving to be!
Aro held his hand out and Alice took it obediently. Aro watched intently as all of her thoughts became his. He saw all of it, every thought, every vision, every fear. He saw her speculation on what her mate would do. He saw the vision of her mate's destruction, the willingness with which she went to meet the guard in order to save him. Aro smiled brilliantly as he let her hand go. “Fascinating,” he said softly. Aro turned to Caius and grinned. “Fascinating,” he said again.
He turned his attention back to Alice and Eion. “She's still thinking about her mate.”
Eion shrugged, his chin tilted up in defiance. “I'm touching her, aren't I? I'm focusing. You know as well as I do that my power works differently with each person.”
“You are right, Eion,” Aro soothed. “Do not think I was insulting your ability. It is just interesting that she remembers her mate.”
“That's not so surprising,” Eion whispered through clenched teeth.
Aro clucked his tongue with a gentle smile. “You should invite your mate to join us. She has an interesting power of her own.”
Eion shuddered and shook his head. “Leave her out of this.”
“As you wish.”
“We should get her some food,” Eion said, his voice morose.
Aro looked back, noted Alice's darkened eyes with a start. “Oh! Of course. Heidi, perhaps you could go hunting for us.”
Heidi stepped forward with a beautiful smile. “Of course.”
Eion hissed slightly. “I could take Alice hunting. You know she doesn't drink human blood.”
Aro tilted his head, considering them both with slightly narrowed eyes. When he did speak, his voice was firm, commanding, the thread of kindness diminishing as his impatience rose. “She is a member of the Volturi guard now, not a Cullen. She eats as the rest of us eat.” He turned to Heidi with a nod. “Don't keep us waiting long.”
-
Alice stood very still in the darkness, waiting to see the light again. It felt like an eternity since she saw her dream Jasper last. If she concentrated very, very hard, she could hear what the other Alice was hearing, the Alice that was being led again by those firm fingers.
The light came out of nowhere, an explosion this time instead of a tiny flame. She scrambled back a half dozen steps as the light came to her this time. It rushed forward as if it was going to slam into her, as if it was going to envelop her. She held a hand over her eyes, shielding them from the intensity of the blinding glow.
And then it softened. As quickly as the light burst into her darkness, it was replaced by a warm glow. Alice pulled her hand away and eyed the streetlights through tightly narrowed eyes. She opened them slowly when she saw how dim the lights truly were. It was dusk on the street, the lights had just flickered on.
Alice stepped forward. Her feet crunched on the pebbles of the pavement. Automobiles were in the street as if they had stopped mid-journey. Alice stepped carefully toward a taxi cab. She peered inside, curious now about the scene. There were bodies inside, nameless shapeless people that were little more than dummies. She poked at one with a curious finger. It floated right through. Alice jerked her hand back and moved to the next car, poking again at the “people” inside.
She heard thunder rumble and pulled her head from the open window. Rain started to fall in fat drops. She immediately shielded her head and instinctively ran for the sidewalk. She pulled open the glass door. She stopped inside, grinning hugely.
There he was.
Jasper hopped off the stool, his long legs unfolding, his feet touching the ground so lightly, he may have been floating. He stalked toward her, his expression set in the one she must know the best. His eyes were filled with love, never wavering from their contact with hers. His smile was soft, a little crooked, and completely adoring. “You've kept me waiting a long time,” he said, a teasing tone in his voice.
“I'm sorry,” she said automatically. She sucked in a breath when he held out his hand. “This is how we met,” she breathed.
“Yes, in reverse.”
“You called me 'ma'am.'” She laid her hand in his. “And you took my hand.”
His grin grew. His pride was written across his face as he took a deep breath and squeezed her hand. “You found another memory.”
She closed her eyes briefly as his fingers wrapped tight around hers. “A good one.”
“Would you like to sit?” Jasper motioned toward the booth in the back corner.
She nodded and he led the way, his hand warm and firm in hers. Alice looked around as they walked. Some of the people had faces now. The woman behind the counter had her red hair in a braid. Her cat's eye glasses were perched on the end of her nose. She held the order pad in her hand, her pen poised over the paper. The man in the kitchen was round and cheerful looking, his cheeks rosy, his smile wide. Various diners sat in booths and at the counter, nursing cups of coffee or half eaten burgers.
They were all motionless. The entire scene looked as if someone had pushed the pause button. “Why is no one moving?”
Jasper slid into the booth, all long limbs and unconscious grace. “You don't remember what they were doing once I walked in.”
“Oh.” Alice settled in across from him. “And the people outside?”
“You weren't outside. You just imagined there were cars and added them to your memory.”
“Very strange,” she whispered.
He smiled softly. “Your mind.”
She laughed and leaned forward, her hands were suddenly cupping a warm mug of coffee as if the scene was catching up with her returning memory. Jasper watched her intently as his fingers made meandering little paths over the smooth surface of the table. She watched the paths, grinning when she saw that he was writing her name again and again. “I feel like you aren't the Jasper everyone else sees, like this is all private.”
He smiled that crooked little smile. “You do see a different Jasper than anyone else. And I see a different Alice.”
“What are you like normally?”
He opened his mouth as his eyes narrowed, searching for the answer. She searched with him. If he was in her mind, he knew what she knew. He closed his mouth and smiled, his eyes relaxing as they found the answer together. “This is how you've always seen me.”
One corner of her mouth pulled up as her lips pressed together. She touched her forehead lightly. “We're in my mind.”
“Yes.”
“Down the rabbit hole and through the tiny door and into the garden?”
He laughed again. “You have to stop reading that book.” His fingers stopped and reversed their course. Long black streaks trailed over the table as he drew, as his fingertips made their paths. Alice laid her head close to the table, searching for the ink, for the magic there. There was nothing, his fingers were as pale as ever, hovering a breath away from the surface of the table. “Your mind,” he whispered again as an explanation.
The drawing took shape. Suddenly it was a little white rabbit with a waist coat and a pocket watch. She smiled at the familiar image. “Is this you? Are you going to guide me through this strange land.” Alice laughed as she said it, spreading her arms and using a booming, theatrical voice.
His expression was more serious as he met her gaze. “The darkness will - it will drive you to madness.”
“The white rabbit got Alice more lost.”
Her imaginary Jasper shrugged, his arms held out over the picture of the rabbit. “I'm a part of your mind. A defense against the darkness.”
“You'll stay with me?”
He held out his hand and she considered it for a moment before placing her hand in his. “I'm yours to keep or send away.”
“Keep,” she whispered. “Keep.”
-
Jasper was settled at Peter and Charlotte's table. His head was pillowed in his hand. The fingers of his other hand were making little trails across the table. When Alice sketched, her method was much the same. She made wild lines, senseless little strokes of the pencil that somehow became whole portraits, whole renderings of her thoughts.
She said once that she wondered what his idle little paths would make. Would they be scribbles? Just mindless little symbols of his boredom or nerves or discomfort. Or would they be something great? He smiled at the thought as his eyes traced the lines. Scribbles, undoubtedly. But it was so like Alice to see the greatness in him, to see the greatness in the most mundane of his actions.
“Jasper,” Peter said softly.
Jasper lifted his head, wondering how long he'd been calling his name. “Yeah?”
“What's your plan?”
He linked his fingers together, watched as Charlotte leaned against the door frame behind Peter. “I don't know, exactly. I'm going to see if Edward and Eleazar will go to Italy.”
Peter glanced back at Charlotte before his eyes settled again on Jasper. “And then what?”
“Then I'll know what I'm up against.”
Peter leaned forward, his fingers linked together. “We need plans, Jasper. Are - are we fighting? Are we forcing their hand? Are you joining them? What are your plans?”
Jasper shook his head. “How can I plan without knowing what I'm up against? I'm - I'm trying to do this the right way.” He touched the table again, making letters, spelling out her name. “If I run in there right now and try to get her out, I'll probably get us both killed. I'm trying to be smart.”
Charlotte moved to sit next to Jasper. She pushed at her blonde hair before she spoke, brushing it out of her eyes. “If they just want Alice, what will you do?”
“I'll join them.” He answered automatically, no hesitation in his voice. “And I'll wait for an opportunity to get her out of there.”
Peter glanced again at his mate, his eyes flicking over for the tiniest moment. “What if this is just the first strike?”
Jasper frowned, his eyebrows drawing together as he considered the question. “Then I suppose I'll need to know if you'll stand with me.”
Peter and Charlotte gazed at each other for a long moment, a whole conversation passing between them. “Of course, Jasper,” Peter said. “Of course.”
Jasper let out a breath on a shaky sigh. Somehow it was easier with confirmed allies in his corner. Whatever he chose to do, he'd have Peter and Charlotte on his side. He knew he could count on the Cullens as well and Tanya and her family. It wasn't enough, not nearly enough if they had to take on the Volturi and the guard, but it was a start.
It was a start.
--
And to those that were asking if it was all right to friend me, feel free. I love meeting new people and learning more about you guys. :)