Here you are... I hope it was worth the wait. Not beta'd because I need instant satisfaction from reviews lol.
Jasper sat with Aro in the garden which was surrounded by a high brick wall in varying shades of tan and brown. They sparkled as the noon day sun beat down upon them. Aro assured Jasper they were in no danger of the public noticing; they had been doing it for thousands of years after all, and the walls kept their privacy.
"Jasper, I hope your stay has been more pleasant after we got things, shall we say, under control?" Aro inquired.
"Yes, it's been better, thank you. I am sorry that Bella is spending so much time doing chores, but she brought it on herself." Jasper paused before he continued thoughtfully, "I just don't really understand what you all want with me. I know I'm mated to Bella. But… I'll be honest, I just don't get why we matter."
"Ah, young one. It is written."
Jasper looked away so Aro would not see as he rolled his eyes. Aro continued, "I know the prophecy is upsetting to you, but can you honestly say, that power, rule, and justice are not for you? Not in your blood? Can you honestly say that you are not interested in having Bella as a mate? Can you honestly say that you don't want peace for your kind or to have your thirst sated for the first time in forever? The concept alone that there is a way to decrease or eliminate the burn, are you not the least bit interested?"
Jasper thought for a moment and folded his hands across his lap. "I just don't think that Bella and I can make a world of peace, and of course I would love to get rid of the constant burn, but I don't see that happening either. Especially, not for our population as a whole. I do not believe that my coupling with Bella will bring about these things," Jasper answered honestly, looking Aro in his ruby eyes.
"Are you not willing to try?" Aro inquired giving off a vibe of confusion and anticipation.
"I don't know." He looked away from Aro and shifted in his seat, the conversation was strained but necessary. "I don't know what to try. To be honest my goal since I left the Southern wars has been to live a life free of chaos, free of death and destruction, and free of people trying to control me for their gain." Jasper hoped Aro understood what he was implying, specifically, that he was not going to be used by the Volturi.
"Mmmm," Aro hummed in understanding. "I see you believe we are trying to use you both. I admire that you are sharing these viewpoints and I understand how this all must seem. We have sought to fulfill this prophecy now for over two thousand years. When we realized you were the key, well then it was a matter of figuring out who the other half was. And believe me when I say, we have always intended to fulfill the prophecy. If we must step-down, step away, abdicate, whatever, we will make sure this prophecy comes to fruition."
Jasper was shocked by the admission that the leaders would not seek to rule through him. "Why?" It was a simple question, but the answer literally held all the secrets to the world. The vampire world.
"You keep yourself rigid aware. You do not relax, ever. You think you have left the military and the wars behind you, but they rage within you daily. You are not free of death and destruction, free of chaos, and you are not free of control. You want those things, maybe even strive to achieve them but- you are losing." Aro spoke without heat or smugness, just in a matter-of-fact tone.
Aro's gaze stayed on the petals of a white lily that grows within the garden, the scent assaulting his nostrils with each breath he took to speak. He was hoping he was not going to cause larger problems, but he needed the young soldier to understand what fulfilling the prophecy could bring to everyone.
Jasper narrowed his eyes at the king with each sentence that was spoken, able to feel that the man was being honest and calm.
"You're very sure of yourself and your words," Jasper ground out. He was offended.
"I mean no disrespect. It is an observation. You are uncomfortable around us because you do not trust us. I understand. However, you are never calm, relaxed. You were a soldier for a long time, and you fed on not only the control that was given to you but on the emotions elicited by that control. Giving that up…" Aro paused and looked over to Jasper, meeting his eyes. "I don't think you can give that up. Power is addictive. As much as you love your family, your position as someone's child, going to high school over and over again. That is not you. It has never been you. It is a lie." Aro gave a pointed look while Jasper sat stunned.
Aro continued before Jasper could tell him to, 'go to Hell'.
"As I said, I mean no disrespect, but I am aware of your military genius, I'm aware of the power and control you held over others as a natural born leader and as an empath. I know you as well as you know yourself, Jasper. I know you do not enjoy life as a Cullen, you merely tolerate it. It may be better to you than the war you awakened to, but it is… tedious." Aro concluded as he rose from the stone bench he shared with Jasper. He knew he was losing his audience to anger and knew it was time to depart.
Jasper sat silently watching the man leave. The man who just insulted his family, his way of life, and his reasons for being a part of said family. He was insulted. In the back of his head, his conscience reared and reminded him that Aro was right. He didn't love going to high school over and over again, but he did love his family. He would die for them, he would fight for them, and he would win.
That last thought jolted Jasper into a standing position. He was still thinking with a military mindset. He was unsettled. Jasper was angry with Aro but more so for making him question himself, his freedom, his happiness, his family, his way of life. He was here to make nice with the family of his mate not have his faith in himself and his way of life questioned. He was also acutely aware that his question was not answered.
Why? Why were they so set to have this prophecy fulfilled, as Aro insinuated, at any cost? Why?
Jasper isolated in his room for the next couple of days, calling Carlisle and checking in. Calling Peter to discuss his problems. He didn't see Bella and though he wanted to be with her, he couldn't bring himself to search her out. She spent plenty of time washing cars and cleaning up after herself and others. Cleaning the furnace room only happened once.
Bella had been sent to clean up after the bodies were disposed of and though she had never seen her family feed she was shocked by the amount of ash and blood found in the room. It also took her a great deal of time and elbow grease to clean the room. The family did not feel it was an effective punishment. But she cooked her own meals, did her own grocery shopping, and cleaned up her room and the kitchen and bathroom after herself. She was not as put out by this as they had hoped but this was the one place she had never had to do things for herself.
Bella also got into a spot of trouble because she had accidentally scratched one of the cars, she was washing by dropping the sprayer nozzle against it. She claimed it slipped from her hand which was believable, but Jasper wondered if she did it to see if she could get out of washing the cars. It was a blue Maserati that one of the lower level guards owned. The vampire was upset but Aro promised that it would be repaired.
Jasper continued to focus on his own issues in solitary. Bella spent time with her father and uncles as though it was any other summer break and the men began to worry.
"Bella," Marcus called her into Caius' office where they were all sitting.
"Yes?" she inquired as she walked into the room.
They noted she had just finished washing cars for the day. Bella's hair was pulled back into a disheveled pony tail, she wore a green t-shirt and jean shorts with white flip flops, she was slightly damp, smelling of soap and dirty water.
Aro frowned to see his princess in such a state, but no one took notice of his expression.
"Tesoro, I wonder if there is something we can do to help you with your relationship? You are not concerned that your beloved has sequestered himself in his room for the last four days? Did you have an argument?" Marcus inquired. He sat very still and quit breathing when he finished speaking, waiting for her answer. Between her uncles and her dad, he was the one that most acted like a vampire, even in these little ways.
Aro cleared his throat, unnecessarily but it had the desired effect and brought all eyes to him, "I may have had something to do with that." Caius and Marcus raised their eyebrows but listened patiently while Bella said nothing and took a seat next to Aro. "I spoke with him the other day and laid some very simple truths out for him, but they were difficult for him to accept. At least I believe they were. He did seem… unsettled by my revelations."
Caius rubbed his hand down his face as though he were tired. His voice held the hesitancy that Marcus' thoughts echoed. "Brother, what did you do?"
"I simply told him he was meant for more than being an eternal teenager. That he was successful in the Southern Wars because of his tactical mind and ability to control situations. That the power of war was just as strong as the power of leadership and that he was made for such things." Aro looked at everyone in the room finally coming to stop at Caius who had asked the question.
"Oh Aro," Marcus rubbed his forehead knowing he should have a headache. He didn't but he knew if he could get one, it would be right now.
"I did nothing wrong, brothers. I simply gave him information he needed to contemplate becoming a part of this family. I know from reading him previously that he enjoyed the wars to a degree. He didn't enjoy the blood baths or the torment from his maker but there were times he did enjoy his power over others. He enjoyed his ability to lead and succeed. And that is what we need, a leader. Not a high school kid." Aro again looked around the room but stopped on Bella who was looking down.
"I am a high school kid," Bella responded and stood to walk out the door, ignoring the call from Aro and Caius to 'wait'.
"Well brother, now you are not only alienating our would be king, you are alienating my niece. Well done," Marcus sighed and followed after Bella.
Marcus followed after Bella giving himself time to figure out what he could say to her. Attacking her age and knowledge base was not Aro's intention, he knew that, but when speaking of high school children, he needed to understand she was still only 17.
Marcus followed Bella to Jasper's door but stayed out of sight. When he realized she was coming here, he decided to let it play out. She had not sought out Jasper in days. He was glad to see that she was seeking him out for comfort when she was upset, or at least that's what he thought she was doing.
Knocking on the door, Bella didn't wait for the answer and immediately opened the door.
"Come in," Jasper answered as Bella walked in and closed the door behind her.
Marcus waited, but he didn't have to wait long until he heard his niece blow up at the male.
"This is all your fault! They think I'm just some dumb teenager now!" she nearly screeched at him.
"I'm sorry, what?" Jasper responded looking at her with wide eyes.
"You heard me! They think I'm just a dumb teenager and it's all your fault. I wish I had never met you! I wish I was mated to someone else! Why can't you be someone else!?"
Jasper's head flew back almost as though he was slapped, and his eyes remained wide and confused for a second before darkening and narrowing into angry slits.
"You. Don't. Talk. To. Me. Like. That." he growled out. "I am not some punching bag you get to abuse verbally because you're upset with your daddy. I don't know who you think you are, but you are not all that wonderful, princess," he sneered.
Jasper leapt to his feet and moved to stand toe to toe with Bella causing her to take a step back. "I am not some toy you get to play with. I am not a servant. And I am not putting up with your shit anymore."
He turned grabbed his bag off the bed and opened the closet beginning to pack.
"Fine! Leave! You've done nothing but create problems since you got here!" Bella turned to leave and ran right into Marcus' chest as she opened the door to dart out of it.
"No! Please Jasper. Don't leave. We need to talk about this. She's just upset. Do not let her drive you away." Marcus pleaded with Jasper.
Jasper's only response was to snort as he emerged from the bathroom with his hygiene products and tossed them carelessly into his suitcase.
"I'm done. I don't want to be here, and I don't belong here. I belong with her, but I don't want her either right now. Maybe when she comes back to Washington, we can try again but I won't be back." Jasper stood face to face with Marcus demanding silent passage before he forcefully moved the elder.
"Please, she is young and Caius upset her. Please stay and we'll talk this out?" Marcus requested with beseeching eyes.
Jasper again snorted. "All we've done is talk and it is getting us nowhere. Now if you'll kindly get out of my way. I have a home…" he used an arm to swipe Marcus to the side and out of the doorway, Bella having slipped around him shortly after running into him.
Marcus moved but continue to beg the young vampire to stay for his mate.
Jasper did not respond once he was past Marcus who after a couple of attempts at getting him to stay finally followed silently as Jasper made his way out of the castle. Jasper passed many people human and vampire alike that watched with unabashed interest in his departure.
"Jane, will you bring a car around to bring Jasper to the airport please?" Marcus asked as they passed her in the hallway.
"Yes Master," she responded and took off towards the garage.
"That's not necessary. I can make my own way," Jasper nearly growled at his follower.
"No, you can't. It is sunny out. You couldn't make it out of the castle walls. It's no trouble, she'll bring you to the jet and it will bring you to Washington. You are not a prisoner; you are a guest. And despite your attitude we take care of our guests and our family."
Jasper snorted again, thinking they sure do take care of family, feeding the human families they have here to their vampire families, making their vampire family call them Master and Sir, like slaves. Jasper may have fought in the Civil War, but it wasn't about slavery for him. That was a big issue on the table but the real reason the war was fought was more about expansion of southern states into the north and that the southern states not only wanted to bring their slaves with them but become their own governing bodies. For example, Texas has been trying to become its own country even after the Civil War.
Meanwhile back in the castle Bella had made it to her room and threw herself on her bed crying. She was so angry at Jasper, the events that just played out had not fully hit her yet. She meant what she said, she wished he wasn't her mate. Her mate was supposed to be a strong warrior, but he wasn't. He hid in his room, refused to do things with her or the family and he was weak.
Aro and Caius stared at each other where Marcus had left them. They heard his pleas for Jasper to stay float down the hallways as Jasper exited the Castle.
"Do think he will truly leave?" Caius asked almost rhetorically, knowing the answer.
Aro just nodded solemnly asking, "Do think this irreparable, brother?"
Caius thought for a long moment. Was it irreparable? Was it their fault? Was it Bella's? Did Jasper have his own issues with being there and was looking for an excuse to leave? True they weren't very hospitable when he first arrived. The whole summer vacation was set up to fail it seemed.
"I don't know," he answered, as he scowled at the door as though it was the wood's fault.
Jasper had plenty of time to think as Jane drove the blacked-out limo through the rolling green hills of the countryside towards the small personal airport. His mind was on two tracks one replaying Bella's words, 'It's all your fault. I wish I had never met you! I wish I was mated to someone else! Why can't you be someone else!?'
The other was his decision to leave. Peter told him not to leave, that he'd want to but that he shouldn't. He just couldn't imagine staying. They were horrible people, vampires, whatever. He never wanted to be a part of the Volturi, he'd always known that, yet he spent three weeks in Volterra trying to be… what? A part of their family? He didn't think so. He didn't want anything to do with them. Bella lied to him, she was their daughter and niece. She was a princess. He was her mate.
He felt the pull increase with the distance that came between them, but he couldn't find it in himself to care. After all she wished he wasn't her mate, that he was someone else.
Taking his suitcase from the trunk of the limo, Jasper boarded the plane without looking back.
AN: So many people wanted him to leave...he's leaving... now what?