Disclaimer: Any recognizable characters or plot elements belong to Stephenie Meyer. Peter "just knowin' shit" belongs to IdreamofEddy.

Chapter 7

JPOV

Having Bella's body under mine, and around mine, was the closest thing to heaven I was ever going to achieve in this everlasting long life I lead. Over the century and a half I'd existed, I certainly had my share of women, but never before had one matched my passion and reckless abandon. She took everything I had to offer and more; neither of us held back and we met each other, thrust for thrust, felled tree for felled tree. I looked around the surrounding forest and couldn't suppress the chuckle rising in my chest at the destruction around us.

"Well darlin', for someone with no previous experience, you certainly kept me on my toes. I reckon over a year of pent up sexual frustration will do that to a gal, not that I'm complainin' mind you. Best experience of my life," I told her with a sly smirk, while pulling a stray branch out of her hair.

"Oh, shut up, asshat. It's not like the pixie could have been all that adventurous in the sack. Did she even let you touch her? Or was she more worried that you'd mess up her hair and makeup if things got too interesting? I'm gonna wager that I'm not the only one who had some pent up frustration to deal with and let out."

"I can't argue with that, Darlin'. So I just have to ask, where is this fiery, sarcastic personality comin' from? I happen to enjoy it tremendously, it's just a far cry from the girl who just last week was following around Mr. Prep King of the Century Edward Cullen."

At that, she rolled her eyes and propped herself up on one arm so she could look down at me. Casually brushing hair out of my eyes, she replied, "she's always been there Jasper, she was just repressed for the last year or so."

When I gave no further response than a raised eyebrow, she continued, "I've always been a sarcastic smartass. When I came here and met Mr. I-Have-a-Victorian-Stick-Up-My-Ass Cullen, he made me feel like I had to be proper all the time and act like a delicate, turn-of-the-century lady, so the natural retorts got smothered. Besides, I seem to remember a certain blond vampire wearing khakis, a polo and a sweater with loafers at about the same time," she challenged me.

"Touche, dear, touché. Ok, safe to say we've both been repressed by our former other halves, but I think we can agree that we are better off now with our new and improved selves. However, I guess we should probably have that conversation you were so keen on distractin' me from before all of the forestry destruction happened."

Bella flopped back on the ground and let out a groan of frustration. "What the fuck, Jasper? I thought you told me that if I wanted a man, I'd found one. Please tell me you aren't going to start pussy footing around and trying to talk me out of something I've already done, and thoroughly enjoyed, mind you. For the last year, I've had nothing except for Edward fucking Cullen and his half-sized side-kick questioning my every decision, right down to my breakfast choices and wardrobe options. I told you, I'm done with that, so if you're going to go into all of the reasons why we shouldn't do this, then you can just stop before you waste your breath!"

Now it was my turn to lean over her and look her straight in the eyes. "Woah, Darlin', that's not what I was going to say at all, and I resent you jumpin' to the conclusion that I was going to talk you out of anything, if that's even possible. I may have lived with the Cullens for the past 50 years, and Pansyward may have been my "brother," but I am nothing like him. I respect you enough to let you make your own decisions about who and what you want. However, you have the right to know who the fuck you're choosing and all of the baggage that comes with him."

"And you thought naked, on the forest floor was the best venue for this conversation?" she asked with a quirked brow.

"Well, I admit it may not be ideal, but it sure as shootin' beats goin' back to Peter naked with twigs in our hair before getting all of our cards on the table. He's going to be smug enough when we get back there, might as well make sure we both know where we stand before dealing with his 'just knowin' shit'. There's a lot about my past that you need to know, and even though Pete and Char know all of it, since they were there for it, I'd rather have this discussion without any eavesdroppers."

"Okay oh wise one, tell me of your sordid past so I can show you that I won't run screaming from you," she responded with a giggle.

With that, I proceeded to tell her about my beginnings to my immortal life. I explained how I'd been found by Maria and her sisters, trained to do nothing but fight and kill my own kind, even those I had created myself. I told her about the depths of depravity I reveled in for the better part of 70 years. As I told her about the vicious monster I had been for so long, followed by my escape with Peter and Char, finishing with how I met Alice, I was amazed that I didn't feel any revulsion from her. There was maybe a little bit of anger, but mostly I felt her emitting strong waves of compassion and pride. No one had ever reacted that way to my story, even the Pixie, who sought me out, felt fear and disgust every time she saw my scars or thought about my past. No one could even mention the Civil War without Alice cringing because it made her think about all of the horrid things I had done.

Yet here was Bella, wonderful and amazing Bella, so young on this Earth, and yet so wise beyond her years, taking in every word I said about some of the most horrific parts of immortal history, and she took it in stride. She wasn't disgusted by me, she wasn't afraid knowing where my numerous scars came from; she was proud of me and I could not fathom why.

"Darlin', I'm glad you're still here, but how can you be feeling like that right now? I just told you what a monster I am, and you're radiating pride, compassion and a tinge of lust. How is that possible?"

"Because Jasper, that's part of your past, but that doesn't define who you are anymore. Yes, you killed countless humans and vampires alike, but the second someone told you there was another way, you turned around and never looked back. You clearly feel remorse for your actions, and I feel for you carrying that burden, but you don't have to carry it alone anymore. I'm proud of you because you overcame all of that. After nearly 70 years of instant gratification, you not only became more discerning of your victims when you first left the wars, you changed even further and stopped hunting humans all together because you didn't want to feel the fear of even the criminals who sustained your life. I'm so proud of the man you've become and how strong you are today; you ran through a pool of my blood in Phoenix to kill James without faltering even a step. Lastly, I'm proud and feeling lust because my man is a badass motherfucker who has never lost a fight and is not to be messed with, and that is just sexy."

Hearing Bella describe me and how she sees me, I was overcome with emotion. There were no words to explain how I was feeling, so I did the only thing I could think of. I leaned down, gave her a soft kiss on the mouth, my tongue asking for entrance, which she immediately granted. I was drowning in her kisses, and made sweet love to her there on the forest floor.

A/N: I'm so sorry it's been such a long wait in between updates. Real life got crazy, I finished school, got a new full-time job (again) and met a guy and got married. I hope I'll be updating more regularly now, and hope this will be worth the wait in the end.