An Unhappy Ending **Hunting Group** - 01/26/05

[carlisle]

The returned words that were mouthed by Esme, four words that he heard so often yet that were so special every time, lifted Carlisle's spirit. With his wife by his side, the Cullens could over come all obstacles that came into their path, including a tragedy like this. She was his strength, and without her, Carlisle knew that he would be lost. He also knew that without her Edward would be lost as well. The boy might not know it, but he would not have become the man he had, without Esme in his life. Her strong maternal instinct had helped to form all of their children.

Edward's reaction to Carlisle's suggestion was fiercer than the doctor had expected. His son was obviously more emotional over the situation than he had assumed. When was young Edward not bursting with emotion, though? With Alice involved, and the poignant reminder of Edward's own solitude, the young man had to be in pain. The flash of hate the burned in his sons golden eyes made Carlisle's heart twinged and the oldest vampire in the room wished that he could ease the difficult time that Edward was going through.

Carlisle was glad when Jasper finally agreed, of a sort. At least the youngest addition to the coven had offered his help, and that was close enough to an agreement to the doctor. He knew he would have been unable to go through with his plan without Alice's mates assistance, and he was grateful that the young man was willing to help, even if he didn't fully believe the need of the procedure. It warmed his heart that Jasper would trust his father so. Although, the young man had no reason not to trust him, nor would he ever.

First Esme's arm snaked its way along his waist, then her lips found their way to his. Every time their lips met, it was difficult for the aged vampire not to sigh like a schoolboy. There was just something about the enchanting woman he loved that sent a spark through his being. He watched as she tidied up the kitchen, gathering the bloodied towels and disposing of them properly. She then gave Edward a much needed show of support before leaving the kitchen and heading toward the driveway where her car waited to take them both to the hospital. To the blood that he would have to force feed Alice.

A shudder ripped itself from Carlisle's body as he watched her leave, the realization about what he was going to do coming to the forefront of his mind. Luckily his vision and attention was drawn to his paired children, watching as Jasper pulled Alice from the wreck of a counter top, cradling her small and seemingly fragile form to his body before leaving to care for the one they all loved.

Then they were alone. Edward and Carlisle stood at different area's of the kitchen, the doctor only paying attention to his distressed son, and Edward trying to pay attention to anything but his father. Carlisle watched with confusion as his son thought, the process physically evident on the young man's sculpted face. So entranced with the varying display was he, that he was caught off guard when his son came toward him. He was even more astounded when Edward's weight fell against his body, and the strong arms wrapped around his frame.

The father returned the embrace, saying words of comfort, offering his love, his arms wrapped around his son. Almost as soon as it had begun it was over and Edward was walking away, Carlisle's vision still focused on him. The young man hadn't hugged his father in many years. Not like that at least. Not with that much raw unchecked emotion behind it. The last time that Edward had done so was when he had returned from his … from finding himself.

Footsteps faded as the boy walked away. Carlisle was brought once again to the present and the situation that was at hand. He had a lot to do, and an uncertain amount of time in which to do it. Getting started sooner than later was the obvious preference. With a brief glance at the mess of a kitchen, and trying to figure how he was going to explain it to the people that would be called in to replace the counter top. Obviously a job for someone outside of Forks, Seattle perhaps. Nodding at his decision, Carlisle left the kitchen, following the direction in which his wife had gone.

[JAZZ;;]

Jasper scowled slightly as Alice whimpered, looking her over once to find out what was going on. She seemed more focused on something else than herself. So, she couldn't be in pain, right? His jaw tensed as she ground her teeth together. He hated it when she did that. He shook his head slowly as she spoke and then sighed. "You don't have to...so stop..." he replied weakly, feeling the waves of emotion coming off of her, scowling deeply as he tried to fight them off. He focused on her eyes as he fought against her emotions and against himself. He tried a smile as he saw one grace her lips for a moment. He loved this moment, but something told him it was driving Edward a little crazy, but he wasn't going to leave her.

He laughed briefly as she spoke and then poked him with her index finger. He watched as the smile on her face then faded with his words, all of them true in his opinion. He wasn't exactly as strong willed as the others in his makeshift family when it came to the warm, crimson liquid that coursed through all of his peers when he was at school. There had been several occasions where there had been some messed up thoughts in his head and a few close calls. It was Alice that had held him back. That or an angry thought tossed at him from Edward. Something about the younger vampire intimidated him. It didn't help he was the family golden boy, the perfect model of what it meant to be a 'vegetarian' vampire...well, that was probably Jasper's paranoia talking, but yeah...

The rise in Edward's anger and guilt because of his apology unsettled Jasper. He was just trying to do something here. He couldn't help it if he still didn't have an idea what was going on and why the hell would he when they were keeping him in the dark? Jasper kept his expression straight at Alice looked to him, slightly panicked by Carlisle's mention of going to the hospital. "It's okay. I'm not going with him, am I?" he said softly. "You need it," he explained gently. He felt the panic rising within her. "Stop...panicking," he half warned, as he felt her panic rising in his chest now, tightening his grip on his hand more than was really necessary. It was her panic that made him stammer when he tried to agree with Carlisle and Esme.

He felt Edward's anger finally settle when Esme held him, though it didn't seem to completely disappear, but it was less directed at the rest of them and more at himself. This wasn't something that he could be able to figure out like right now. Maybe he would speak to his brother later and express his concern. Now was definitely not the time. He loved how Alice curled towards him and closed her eyes as he picked her up. He loved how close she liked to be and wasn't afraid to be. The sudden sadness that emanated from Edward made him stumble slightly as he climbed the stairs. He shook it off the best he could. He couldn't fathom out what could make his young brother feel like that, especially not right now, but it was clearly something that bothered the younger vampire a hell of a lot.

He heard Carlisle and Esme leave and Edward move to his room for his much needed showed as he continued to focus on Alice, searching her face as he undressed her, watching her staring at the other wall. He smiled softly at the smile starting to spread across her pretty little face. She'd smelt the bubble bath. "Your senses still work just fine then?" he played, prodding her nose a little with his index finger. "You'll get better," he whispered encouragingly. He threw her clothes into the basket and moving it out into the hall. He couldn't deal with that sickly sweet smell. It was wrong that now he was hungering for Alice in a way he never had before. It certainly made things very difficult for him.

He smiled gently as she nodded in response to his question. At least he was good for something right now. He didn't know how else he could possibly help. Maybe something would come later where he'd be of more use. He felt a tad confused at the growl that he suddenly heard rumbled from Alice, just before she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into the water on top of her, fully clothed as he was, water and bubbles spilling over the edge of the bath and all over the floor. That was going to be interesting to explain. He felt her arms wrap around him as they were both submerged in the water. He tried to keep himself supported, but wrap his arms around her at the same time, as he kissed her back fiercely, oddly enjoying being under the water and how she was being.

[alicecullen]

Jasper's words to try and stop her rising panic did little to calm her. It all felt so wrong to her, she didn't want this... Wasn't Carlisle always saying how things didn't have to be a certain way? She wanted to know what her other option was, but she knew she wasnt going to get one. So what did this mean? She had to drink human blood or she would die? was that it? But from what she had seen the alternative was worse... she would rather die than have her family turn her back on her... She would rather die than see that look of disgust in Jaspers eyes, she felt her heart breaking as she looked into his troubled eyes. All of this was her fault, she knew he could feel her erratic emotions. She listened as he tried to explain, she didn't want to need it. It was when she saw how her emotions were affecting him that she knew that for Jaspers sake she had to stop. She was pulling him apart and she couldn't do that, trying to take comfort in his touch she tried her hardest to calm herself, though it only helped a little.

Though when he picked her up, held in his arms she felt safe. She knew that Jasper wouldnt do anything that would harm her. She needed to trust him, she had been so deceitful to him and she felt guilty for that. She had promised him only a few days before that everything would be fine, she had lied to him. She had never lied to Jasper before, she wished she could take it all back. She nuzzled gently into his chest as he carried her up to their room, she would be nothing without her Jazzy and she knew it. She knew though that as long as they were together things would be fine, at least she hoped.

She heard the squeal of the tires as Esme and Carlisle left, she felt a shudder run through her body, knowing all too well where they were heading. Though the manner the car had pulled out sent a wave of guilt through her... Esme NEVER drove like that... Never. She had managed to incite feelings in her family she had never thought possible, it felt like the world was tipping upside down. Carlisle was unsure of himslef and the situation, Esme was falling to pieces, Edward too was falling apart and Jasper... Her beloved Jasper was the one hold her together. She looked up into his eyes and laughed weakly as he prodded her nose 'Yeah... Just about.' The scent of blood was dulling her smell, not to mention her hunger was making her feel things she had never felt before. She felt her teeth grit again as she recalled the look of shock in Carlisle's face when he saw her eyes... The black empty pools that had stared back at him. She looked to Japser with those same empty pools that had cause Carlisle alarm and smiled gently. She hoped she would, but her visions werent giving her anything to be hopeful about.

She couldn't help but admire how strong Jazzy was being, she knew all the blood would be hard for him. Though perhaps since it was blood that had passed through her it wasnt nearly as bad as if it was a humans blood sprayed all over the room. The feel of the warm water on her skin made her sigh, feeling as the sticky dried blood mixed in with the water. It wasnt often Alice had a bath, it was fairly pointless for Vampires, but it was a nice human luxury she partook in every now and then. She was strange like that sometimes, doing little human things. The whole being human thing facinated her, she had tried many little things out, all in the sake of human behaviour research as she liked to call it. Though there was certainly one aspect of human behaviour she had never felt the need for. Something she knew that Rosalie and Emmett did on a regular basis, even Carlisle and Esme on occasion, was to give into their more lustful side. Alice never fully understood those emotions, she was generally happy just holding Jaspers hands and being close to him. That though was something that was changing.

The growl that left her lips suprised her possibly more than it did Jasper as she truely didnt understand where it had come from. Her movements as she reached up and grabbed him certainly were not of her own doing, well it was, but it was her instincts and hunger controling her rahter than her brain. Alice very rarely let instinct take over, even then it was only when hunting.
So this certainly was very out of character and for a moment it scared her as she dragged Jasper down into the water. However as their lips met she let the fear dissapear... Feeling as he kissed back, hungrily, fiercely. Her lips kissed back just as hungrily and needily, thankful for the fact neither of them needed to breathe. Her hands held him close to her, her nails found his back as they dug in, clawing him in her hunger. His reactions to the situation spured her on as she reached one hand up to tangle in his hair, she never believed she would ever feel this way, or behave like this with Jasper.

It was a strange sight, and one that would have shocked any of the other Cullens if they had been there. Alice giving into a side of her she never even knew existed... More over, Alice enjoying her more animalistic side. Though she was sure this lapse in her normally composed self wouldnt slip Edwards attention, she didnt really care. That moment then and there was between her and her mate, her teeth grazed his lips playfully as they clashed in their passionate kisses. She wanted to be selfish for that moment... Hell she didnt know how much longer she had anyway... Why not try out the one human behaviour she had been missing out on?

[JAZZ;;]

Jasper felt helpless when Alice's panic didn't seem to settle with his words. There seemed to be nothing he could do and it was driving him crazy. He just wanted everything to stop. He wanted to go back to how things were. When he found out the source of this chaos, he wouldn't know what he would do. If it was a person, he'd probably kill it. If it was one of those mental things, he'd just have to find another way to deal with it, without having to lash out physically. He hoped there was a malleable source that he could kick the crap out of for making his Alice and the rest of his family act this way. Living or non-living, something would pay for the trouble it was causing and Jasper hoped he would be the person to take it out.

The prospect of what Carlisle would have to do to try and get Alice back on the road to recovery bothered him, but if that was the only way to make her better, he would stand by and support him, and support Alice. He would have to see past the human blood thing. She'd still be his Alice and if that was what it took to make her better, she would also have to just live with it. There were just some things that couldn't be changed. Carlisle had had the idea and he was trying his best for Alice. Carlisle was just trying to fix the family as per usual. Jasper would do his best to stand by him and do what he could, even if it turned out he'd just end up getting in the way. He hated not doing anything when there was something that needed to change.

He was willing to accept the fact that the blood might change Alice, but she would never turn out like the animal he had once been. Not from a short exposure to human blood in her system to make her better surely. He wouldn't let that happen to her. She would have to kill him before he let it stand in the way of him taking care of her. He searched her face, trying to understand what she was feeling, but things inside her were messed up, messing up his own insides. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on a less erratic emotion, anything would suit him right now, but it was difficult. Everyone's emotions were running high, which meant he was feeling everything tenfold. He'd have to stop himself.

Alice calmed a little when he had her in his arms, but it wasn't enough to settle his insides. When would he feel calm again? He was meant to be the calming soul and things were just getting worse and worse. He just wanted the pain everyone was feeling to stop, but they wouldn't stop feeling it until Alice did. Something told him that Alice felt bad about something else, other than the pain she was causing the others, but with all the other emotions in the air, he couldn't pick out what it was. He hated being so unfocused. His time with the Cullens had brought with it a better focus for him, a better control, and now he was jeopardizing it in order to try and make sure everything turned out okay.

He tensed at the sound of squealing tires as Esme and Carlisle left. He felt Alice shudder at the noise. He watched her closely. They were doing this for her. They had to make things right again. He felt the guilt instantly. He closed his eyes, screwing up his face slightly. "Stop," he hissed through his teeth. The pain and anguish was enough without throwing her guilt into the mix. Everyone was falling to pieces and it was ripping him apart from the inside out. Everyone was inside of his head, in his feelings. He was made up of the rest of them and he couldn't tell what he was feeling himself anymore. Right now, his gift was a heavy burden that he wasn't sure he was willing to bear anymore.

He opened his eyes again as he moved around wordlessly, sensing Alice's hunger. That was something he definitely felt himself: a vicious hunger threatening to make everything worse. He couldn't do that. He couldn't be another source of the family's anguish. Not again. He looked to Alice just in time to see her look at him and smile gently. He tried his best to smile back, finding the corner of his mouth tilting up slightly. He just wanted to understand, but he didn't think anyone was ready to tell him the full story or even thought it was a good idea for him to know. Would he have to figure it out for himself? He would continue with the brave face as long as it took. He had to keep his head...well, the best he could.

Despite everything, the sudden change in Alice as she grabbed him and pulled him into the water oddly excited him. This wasn't like them. Granted, behind closed doors, they could both get a little bit crazy sometimes, but not as often as say Rosalie and Emmett, but they were a different story. Jasper and Alice were generally happy with the way things were between them: simple, gentle...a whole bunch of things that just kept them going and kept the pair of them happy. Finally, as their lips met, nothing else seemed to matter and Alice felt calmer. He could feel that. Well, when he could feel she felt calmer, she wasn't afraid anymore. She seemed content with dragging him into the water and just taking him under.

He felt her pulling at him, digging her nails into his back, ripping his shirt, making a growl rumble in his throat as she then moved one of her hands up into his soaking wet hair. He kissed her back furiously. His own hand traveling to her lower back, his fingertips pressing against her delicate skin. He chuckled lightly as she bit his lip, snapping playfully at her. That was when he heard the approaching car. Much as he hated to, he'd have to let her go. Releasing her lips from his, rather reluctantly, he brought his head over the surface of the water, readjusting himself and Alice, so their heads were both above the water. He shook his wet hair, feeling the usual curls matted against his head, face and neck.

He grinned broadly at Alice, laughing lightly, panting a little. "I'm sorry to have to do this," he began, eyes hungrily searching her face. "But Carlisle and Esme are back," he went on, moving in to kiss her furiously once more. In one motion, he let go of Alice and got himself out of the bath, feeling himself slip slightly on the water soaked floor, his sneakers not really helping much. He smiled down at her in the bath. "You finish cleaning up," he instructed softly. "I'll see what they need of me," he went on, leaning over her once more, cupping her cheek in his hand and pressing his lips firmly against his forehead before turning on his heel a little too fast and sliding across the floor, rather well into their bedroom.

He laughed a little at himself as he tugged at his shirt. He could really do with getting completely changed, but there might not be time for that. He pulled of the soaking shirt, and abandoned it in the wash basket with the other things, where it most likely wouldn't be washed, it would be thrown out. He moved out onto the main landing, listening out for where everyone else was. Edward was still in the shower probably. He wasn't paying enough attention. He half moved down the stairs, sneakers squeaking and sliding on the wood, the bottoms of his jeans squelching under them as he waited for further instructions from Carlisle and Esme. He thought of how interesting his current state of being soaking wet and shirtless would be to explain.

[alicecullen]

It was a vicious cycle, Alice's emotions unsettled Jaspers, and Jaspers unsettled emotions made hers worse. She wanted to tell Jasper not to worry, that she would find the strength somehow to pull through. Then again she wasnt even sure herself, but even if the future had something bad in store, she didn't want her Jazzy to worry. She knew now that Jasper knew as much as everyone else, which wasn't a lot. She knew Carlisle had no idea what was going on, the uncertainty of the situation was pulling the family apart. It was all focused on her and she didnt want that... She wasn't important enough for the family to be split over.

Alice had never really been scared of her future before, but she was now. The things she had seen out in the mountains had scared her beyond belief... The dying bit perhaps not as much as seeing Edward and Jasper turning away and leaving her... That thought sent shudders through her body, she didnt want to lose her family. She had always known the Cullens would be her family, they along with Jasper had always been her future, now the future was changing and she didnt like it one bit. No matter how much she was told her visions would not come true, how could she not believe them? She was rarely wrong with these sorts of things.

She was scared about having to drink human blood, what if she developed a taste for it? She unlike Jasper could differienciate between different scents. She knew different humans had different 'flavours' but she herself had never taken blood from a human. It wasnt really something she wanted to try. She was scared that by having tasted it she would crave it more and if she fought against that she might lose. If that was the case then who was to say the scene in the cafeteria wouldnt come true? She might murder all of those innocent kids... If that happened, she deserved to lose her family, she would be a true monster. If she turned into that monster she knew there would only be one choice... Her family would have to destroy her, for their sakes. She took in a breath and let it out slowly, there was something oddly calming about that thought.

As Jasper carried her up the stairs she looked up to him, if it were to come to that then she would find peace... Then again what about Jasper? What would happen to him? She sighed and rested her hand against his chest, she had calmed herself, but now she was sad. Sad because she was bringing so much pain to the one person that was her entire life, Jazzy was everything to her and she hated seeing him in pain. She knew having to shoulder the emotions of the family was a challenge on a normal day. Now he had so much more to deal with on top of his own emotions. Once again it was all Alice's fault. Her emotions felt like they were a yoyo on a string, one moment she was scared, then she was sad, then she felt guilty... She was trying to get them straightened out for Jaspers sake, but then as soon as she did she suddenly felt something else.

Alice growled as Jasper told her to stop, but it wasnt at him, he was growling at herself. The sound as it left her throat shocked and startled her, it certainly wasnt a normal reaction from her. She didnt want to add to Jaspers problems. She took in a deep breath 'Sorry Jazzy...' She meant it too, the last thing she wanted was to add to his problems. She reached up gently and touched his face, she was feeling weak and she was having trouble hiding the emotions from the one person she loved more than anything. She gritted her teeth and tried her best to supress it all... For Jaspers sake. She never wanted to be a burden to Jasper, or any of her family. She knew all of this was hardest on Jasper, he had everyones emotions to deal with, as well as his own.

She didnt understand the reasoning behind her actions in the bath. Alice never lashed out, but there was something inside her WANTING to lash out. Her emotions for a moment as she pulled Jasper towards her were confused. Feeling panic, fear, curiosity, hunger and confusion all at the same time. The emotions didn't linger long until they were replaced with pure hunger and need. All her other troubles seemed to melt away in this strange moment between the two, well at least strange for them. The last whisps of breath left her lungs in a happy, hungry sigh, bubbling to the surface. If only that moment could last forever, then everything would be okay. Just her and her Jazzy together forever in each others arms.

She heard and felt Jaspers growl as it vibrated through the water and against her lips and it oddly excited her... She liked it and she didn't know why. Every time his fingers touched her she felt shivers run through her body, there was something about the moment that just felt so perfect and good. Even if the circumstances behind if all was a little odd. As she felt Jasper snap back at her she grinned, having no breath left to growl she snapped back playfully. She was so caught up in the moment she hadn't heard the car returning. Feeling irritated as he pulled away and brought them up to the surface. As they broke to the surface she took a breath and growled, her eyes looking to him accusingly as he mentioned that Carlisle and Esme were back. As he kissed her again with the hunger still lingering her anger waivered a little, only to rekindle as he released her and she felt herself sinking into the bath again.

She watched as he left, her anger at having the moment broken flared. Her emotions were topsy turvy at the moment and this new feeling brewing inside her replaced all other emotions she had been feeling up to that point. She smirked as she saw her rather wet Jazzy slip and slide his way out of the room. She listened as he made his way out of the room before reaching up to the fragrant soap and cleaning herself and then washing her air with the fruity shampoo. She watched as the bubbles that remained in the bath dissapeared before standing and reaching for a towel, wrapping it around herself. Deftly leaping out of the bath and straight into their room, avoiding the wet bathroom floor.

She dried herself quickly, unable to shake the strange, hungry feeling inside her. She listened out to hear what was going on in the rest of the house as she considered what to put on... Another deep growl escaped her lips as she saw the dark eyes staring back at her from the mirror... The anger flared as the emotions and fear came flooding back to her, looking at her reflection with disgust she hissed as she felt her arm flying out and seemed oddly satified as she saw the mirror crack and splinter as her palm made contact with it. The sound of the shattering glass filled the room and a satisfied smirk played across her lips, now unable to see those dark eyes...

She carefully selected out some underwear, unsure what else to put on. The thought of the blood made her grit her teeth, but did she really need to ruin more clothes? She gave up and leaped onto the bed, there was very little grace about her movements, they were raw, instictual. She perched on the edge watching the door feeling another growl rise in her throat. She could smell the blood from the clothes that still lingered in the air and it made her edgy, with her mood having changed so rapidly the blood now was starting to cause a problem. Her fingers curled onto the bed sheets and she heard it rip under her small delicate fingers as she waited...

[JAZZ;;]

Alice's silence unnerved Jasper slightly, but things had just happened so quickly, he didn't really expect anything less from the situation. Why couldn't everything be fine? What had gone so terribly wrong to bring them all to this moment? Plus, what the hell was going on in Alice's head? He had finally become aware of the situation, but it had only brought up more questions in his head than it had given him any answers at all. He just knew it was something bad, not if there was anything he could actually do about it. There had to be a way to fix this...somehow. He wanted to help, but he didn't really know where to start. When everything had kicked off in the forest, he found himself unable to cope. He was running on autopilot and he didn't like it. Accidents happened when he was on autopilot and he couldn't have that, especially not now.

Jasper looked down at Alice's hand as she placed it against his chest as he carried her up the stairs. Something was unnerving her and he couldn't help, but feel that. It was like an electrical current, flowing from her, through her hand and into his chest and, in turn, the rest of his body. It wasn't even like the good kind of electrical current he felt when she touched him. This was something completely new. This was a terrible mixture of all sorts of negative emotions and he really didn't like it, especially since it was coming from his Alice. Everything she was feeling before seemed to melt into one clear emotion that flowed into him: sadness. What the hell was going on in her head now? He didn't dare to ask for fear of knowing the full truth. This had something else to do with what was going on and he felt the less he knew now, the more he'd actually be able to help.

Alice's emotions just couldn't settle and that made Jasper, on top of everything else he could feel, feel completely helpless. He didn't like that feeling. He heard her growl, but couldn't discern whether the noise was directed at his instruction or at herself. He didn't rightly care at this point as he heard her apologise. “You don't have to apologise to me, remember?” he questioned in comfort. “You never have to apologise to me,” he added softly. He closed his eyes as she pressed her hand against his face. He loved the feel of her skin against his, he just wished that the positive electricity would come back. He heard her teeth grit together, causing him to open his eyes. She was trying to stop herself venting her emotions to him, but, in her current state, she couldn't help, but be an open book to him. He tilted his head as he watched her closely, willing her to just let go.

He felt the electricity change as she pulled him into the water on top of her: it was positive...finally, but it was still quite confused. This was certainly a different 'Alice' to the one he was used to in his every day life. Then again, events such as today's weren't exactly a part of their 'every day life' in Forks. At least she didn't feel anxious or sad or anything else she had felt prior to him bringing her upstairs. It was relieving for him and no doubt for her as well. He felt her shiver beneath him every time he touched her. This was new, but quite exciting...and he couldn't pin point as to why that was. He tilted his head watching her as she threw an accusing look at him as he brought them both back to the surface of the water. He raised an eyebrow at her with a smirk as he felt her get angry slightly. She knew he had to go and help somehow...in the back of her mind and he knew that.

He seemed to be paying more attention to Alice, despite going to join Carlisle and Esme. He could smell the soap and the shampoo and all the bubbles and hear her splashing about as she cleaned herself. He bit down hard on the inside of his lip as he listened, trying to refocus on the task at hand. He felt her emotions shift and change yet again as he sat on the stairs, waiting for Carlisle and Esme to come inside. His head snapped up, turning in the direction of his and Alice's bedroom as he heard the sound of cracking glass. “Alice...” he called, standing up again and half turning to go back up the stairs. She was fine, right? No panic. She seemed...satisfied now. He turned back to look at the front door. What was taking Carlisle and Esme so long? He had heard them return...he couldn't have imagined that. He heard her picking out clothes...well, barely picking out clothes.

A smirk settled on his face as he turned properly to sit on the step again, slumping his arms across the top of his knees, his hands hanging down loosely as he waited, trying to be patient. Alice's emotions shifted again, causing Jasper to shift where he was sat. There was a wave of something new and it was unsettling and intriguing all at once. He slowly stood, moving back up the stairs. If they wanted him, they would have to come and find him. “Alice...” he called softly and carefully again as he crossed the landing to the door. He pressed his head against the wood...it didn't really serve any purpose, just another human action he'd picked up and annoyingly couldn't let go of. He rested his hand on the door handle, still listening as he heard something rip inside of the room. He opened the door slowly. “Alice?” he questioningly called, opening the door to see her sitting on the bed, in nothing, but her underwear.

[alicecullen]

The past few hour had been so strange for Alice, she knew it was worse for Jasper, with everyones emotions running high, including her own. That mixed with his own feelings meant that Jasper would be a time bomb for an emotional outburst, Alice knew that, all the same she couldnt help the way she felt. The more she thought about the situation the more she worried and the more guilty she felt. She sighed slightly as Jasper told her she never had to apologise to him. She knew that no matter what he did Jasper would forgive her, he always felt her guilt and for him that was probably enough. However for Alice it wasn't, no matter how much Jasper reassured her she couldnt help but feel sorry for all the pain and emotion she was bringing to the family. Alice was the strong one normally, but somehow she was failing. She herself didnt know what was going on, it scared her and her families reaction was scaring her too. She didnt want any of this, she just wanted everything to be normal.

Every bad thought and emotion seemed to melt away as her inner beast took over. Dragging Jasper down into the tub with her gave her a thrill she had never felt before. The electricity between them thrilled her in a way she never could have imagined. She could feel that the strangeness of the moment excited Jasper as well and it calmed her, feeling the moment between them when all the bad emotions filtered away. However all the worry, frustration and anger returned as Jasper climbed out of the bath. She snarled slightly as he smirked to her, she knew all too well that Jasper was going to help Carlisle... Deep down she knew he only wanted to help her, but she felt betrayed and angry all the same. Jasper knew now the visions she had seen, was that not enough to want to stop this plan?

As she looked at the shattered mirror she heard Jasper call her name, bt she didnt respond. The satisfaction that had filled her emotions was enough for Jasper to pic up on. She knew that Carlisle still hadnt entered the house and she too wondered what was taking so long. Crouching on the bed she listened, hearing Jasper as he called her name again, this time closer. Her nails had ripped through the sheets and into the fabric of the mattress. Alice herself didnt understand the feelings inside her. he had never let herself get this hungry before, the hunger was making her instincts more beast like, just like when they were hunting for food. She heard as Jasper leaned up against the door and a smirk played across her lips as she growled softly.

As the door opened and Jaspers eyes met hers, another growl left her lips as she felt herself lunge from the bed towards him. She almost felt like someone else was controlling her body as she came into contact with his. She felt as the impact pushed him back into the hallway and the next thing she knew he was ontop of him, their lips clashed together in the middle of the hall. She heard the door to Edwards room open and the flight of feet up the stairs but nothing bothered her but what was happening between her and Jasper at that very moment. She felt the excitement again and her tension and frustration eased as she let her wilder beast control her completely.

This certainly wasnt the Alice that everyone knew, though she didnt really worry about that. The normally graceful and gentle Alice was raw and animalistic. Her eyes glazed over and she growled as she saw herself being pinned by Jasper as Carlisle readied bags of blood. Her body shook as the vision stirred her anger... Jasper wouldnt do that... Her Jasper wouldnt pin her... She wouldn't believe it. She let out a snarl as the vision was broken by a pair of strong arms pulling her off Jasper. Her eyes focused on Jasper as suddenly he felt worried and scared. Carlisle was back and that meant one thing... They were going to force feed her blood. She couldn't fight against Carlisle's strong grip, she was too weak and he was too strong. So she didn't struggle, but she let her fear seep from her. She knew Jasper could feel it, it was intense and it burned inside her. he knew what was coming, but she wanted to fight against it every step of the way.

[esme]

CARLISLE

Carlisle and Esme hadn't been gone for long, Esme had driven with a need that Carlisle had never seen in his mate before. He knew it was Alice's need for the blood that he stashed in his bag that drove Esme to such extreme behaviour. He had felt guitly taking the blood from the hospital, but he knew his daughter needed it. His famiily meant everything to him and Alice's need out weighed the need of humans at that very moment in time. As Esme pulled him to her to steal a moment from him, how could he deny her? Esme was the onl one keeping him together at the moment and he couldnt deny his mate the reassurance of his lips against hers and his strong arms holding her close. However the moment seemed stolen from them as she pulled away and the urgency of the situation returned to him.

As Carlisle entered the house he used his sharpened to track his children. His eyebrow raised slightly as he heard Jasper head up the stairs calling Alice's name. He felt concern rise inside as he made his way through the house and up towards Alice and Jasper's room. He held the bag containing the blood close to him as if he feared losing it. 'Jasper? Is Alice okay? He called up as he heared Jasper call her name and open the door. He reached the bottom of the stairs as he heard Alice snarl and saw the blur as her and jasper flew out into the corridor. For a moment he stood stunned by the behaviour of his youngest daughter, this certainly wasnt Alice at all and it worried Carlisle deeply that she was acting in such and instinctive way.

After a moment he came to his senses and rushed up the stairs pulling the near naked Alice off her mate. The rucksack hung off his arm as he held her in his strong grip. He looked down to Jasper 'Jasper, I need you to help me...' He knew Alice wasn't going to like this, but it needed to be done and he was greatful that Jasper was so ready to help. He was aware that Alice wouldnt take the blood willingly, he would need as much help as possible. He looked up to Edward who was standing in his doorway looking at at Alice with of shock, anger and fear. Though he was worried for his eldest son, now was not the time, now was the time to concentrate on getting Alice better. He shot Edward a mental thought, telling him to be ready to help if needed and was satisfied when Edward gave him a slight nod. What they were about to do was not going to be easy at all.

Carlisle looked back to Jasper and spoke calmly and softly. 'Jasper help Alice into your room,I will be with you both in a minute.' He knew that Jasper would do anything to help Alice, right now Carlislse needed the time to get everything together and plan exactly how he was going to achieve this with minimal trauma to Alice. He had never had to force feed a vampire something they didnt want to drink, and the fact it was one of his children only made it ten times worse. Before handing her over to Jasper he tightened his arms around her slightly 'Everythings going to be okay Alice...' He hardly believed the words himself, but he needed to be strong, if he wasnt strong then the family would surely crumble beneath this burden.

[alicecullen]

EDWARD

Edward had finished his shower and was dressing when Alice smashed the mirror. He wasnt suprised by it, he had heard her troubled thoughts. No matter how much he hated invading his families thoughts he needed to know exactly what Alice was thinking right now. The time out by himself in the shower had helped calm the troubled vampire, but hearing her thoughts had started to bring the worry back to him. He had heard the relief in her thoughts as she had broken the mirror and it both calmed and worried him. Jaspers concern made him pause as he heard him came up the stairs, Alice's thoughts were strange and Edward was having trouble understanding her intention, they were very basic and controlled by her hunger. This worried him more than ever, this certainly not the Alice that he loved and admired... It was as if she was a totally different person all together.

As Jasper opened the door he heard Alice growl and the impact as she hit Jasper. Within a second he had flung open the door to be greeted by Alice ontop of Jasper on the floor. His lips curled awkwardly into a shocked, disgusted and embarassed expression. He wasnt really expecting to see this from Alice... He heard her thoughts of her and Jasper run through his head and he almost felt sick... He didn't have long to linger on it before it all changed... He steadied himself on the door frame as he saw her vision, Jasper pinning her down and Carlisle force feeding her. His stomach clenched tightly and his teeth ground together, he suddenly felt hatred... Hatred for the suffering his family were inflicting on her... He wanted to scream, to shake them all to their senses.

Before he could act Carlisle was suddenly there pulling Alice from Jasper. He felt his body go rigid as he realised what he was thinking was wrong. Carlisle and Jasper loved Alice just as he did, they only wanted to help her. He felt a surge of jealousy surge through him as Carlisle asked for Jaspers help... He was Alices mate, so it was only natural for him to ask Jasper, but he wanted to be there too. Alice was the only woman he loved... Even though it was different to a mates love, he loved her all the same. Their bond was unique within the family, at least he liked to think so.

Edward was so distracted by Alices thoughts and her sudden acceptance to her fate that he almost missed Carlisle's instructions to him. So Carlisle did want his help, even if he wanted to keep it a secret. He nodded ever so slightly to let him know it was okay. He knew why he did it... He didnt want Alice to know Edward would be there to help them. Though as he stood there watching the scene from his doorway he still doubted himself. He still didnt know if he could let them do this to Alice... He alone had seen the true horrors in her mind and he was determined to not let them come true. Even if that meant him baby sitting her twenty four seven... Then he would do it, for Alice.

[JAZZ;;]

Jasper half ignored Carlisle at first when he heard the elder vampire enter the house, calling out his name and asking about Alice's welfare. “I don't know,” he mumbled to himself as he slowly opened the door to his room. He hadn't expected what he would experience when he opened the door to his bed room. Alice ran straight at him and he had felt himself falling the moment she hit him, but he didn't do anything to stop it, his back and the back of his head hitting the floor hard as she pinning him down. He was forced to kiss her back, despite hearing everyone's returning and feeling a flurry of emotions around him. He let out a sharp breath when he heard her snarl and felt her being dragged off of him. “Alice, calm down,” he said as softly as he could as he leant up on his elbows, darkened eyes focusing on her. “We have to do this,” he explained. He didn't have to see in her head to know what she had just seen. “We have to do this,” he reiterated in a whisper, trying to keep calm, despite everything he was feeling from her, straining himself slightly.

He scowled, hearing Carlisle's request. He nodded quickly, scrabbling up to his feet as well as he could, considering the space he was left to manoeuvre in. “Alice...” he whispered gently, searching her face. He brushed a hand back through his still wet hair, brushing it out of his face. He looked up to Edward's doorway as Carlisle did, scowling slightly at the other guy. He let out a sharp sigh and refocused on Alice. “Alice, come on,” he mumbled, pushing against Alice to motor her into their room as Carlisle moved away to prepare for what had to be done. Perhaps Jasper should have done something whilst waiting for them to return other than have Alice drag him into that bath. He sensed Carlisle's disbelief, but he couldn't project that to Alice right now, she was already wound up with what was going to happen to her. “Please?” he whispered right in her ear, pressing his cheek against hers. He wrapped his hands around her hips, pushing her back into the room. She wasn't going to make this easy, he knew that, but he had to try and get her to relent. She needed to be better.

[alicecullen]

Alice felt almost empty inside, she heard Jaspers voice trying to sooth and calm her. The visions in her mind haunted her, even her mates normal soothing presence wasnt enough to calm her. She felt as Carlisle shifted her weight to Jasper, she clutched onto him as if her life depended on it. She shook her head slowly, they didnt... they didnt have to do this. Hearing him call her name, she could feel the pain he was feeling by seeing her like this. She didnt know how much more she could take. She felt as if she was about to explode in a flurry of wild untamed emotions. She wanted to believe her family were only trying to help her, but she couldnt shake the wisions of her death from her head.

As Jasper started pushing her into their room she tensed and screamed, images flashed through her mind at lightning speed, it felt like her head was about to explode. The image of her in the woods, then of Jasper pinning her, then of her red eyes. It played over like a broken record. She clasped onto Jasper, her nails ripping through his clothes as she held onto him seeking comfort from the pain and the knowledge of what was going to happen to her. She didnt feel the gushing blood, but the pain was just as intense, she felt as if there was someone watching her...

Once she was inside the room the pain faded and she pushed away from her source of comfort, launching herself across the room to the corner. Curling into a ball she cowered there, she didnt want it to happen, perhaps this was some sort of nightmare. Her whole body trembled, the lack of blood, the pain, the hunger, the emotions that ran through her. She just wanted it to stop, she wanted to be wrapped up in Jaspers arms... She craved his attention more than she ever had before. She didnt know how much more she could take. She blocked herself out from her surroundings, she didnt want to hear Carlisle, she didnt want to know what he planned now, though she knew deep down. She just wanted to be normal... Well as normal as Alice could be.

[carlislecullen]

Carlisle looked up the stairs towards Edward, who was standing in his doorway still, watching Alice and Jasper. He shook his head at the younger vampire. He wouldn't need him just yet, he just needed him on hand, just in case. He'd never witnessed anything like this before and it was just his luck that it affected someone in his family. Having to do his best to grab Alice in order for Jasper to help him was an experience in itself. It was difficult to try and hold her back and hold the bag to him still. He couldn't drop it or there was the risk of the mess and they needed every drop of blood he had brought with him from the hospital. He stepped aside as Jasper managed to get to his feet and manoeuvre Alice backwards a few steps. She knew what was going on and the grave realisation seemed to set in as Jasper started to try and control her. He should have known this wouldn't have been easy, considering everything that Alice had seen in her head.

He didn't understand the full extent of what she had seen, but he knew the essential details, all ending in a very unhappy Alice. Her faith in herself seemed to be totally shattered and that didn't help matters at all. “Alice, please,” he almost pleaded softly at her as Jasper tried his best to get her into their room. He followed closely behind Jasper, half nudging the southern boy into the room and closing the door behind them. He would try and reduce the amount of noise and mess they made and the door closing seemed like a pointless gesture, but he couldn't think of anything else. He slid the bag off of his shoulder and onto the floor as he watched Alice dart into a corner. He stood closer to the door, but didn't approach her. “Alice, we're trying to help you,” he began gently. “You understand that, right?” he questioned. “All we want to do is make you better,” he added, taking a singular step forward, still standing further back from Alice than Jasper. It didn't seem right for him to interfere yet, if she was backing away from her Jasper.

[Edward Cullen]

Edward turned and went back into his room, closing the door and perching on the edge of his sofa. He tried blocking his families thoughts from his head, but it really wasnt working. He gritted his teeth and curled his fists into balls, could he really just sit here and wait whilst they did this to Alice? He didnt really have a lot of choice, he couldnt go against Carlisle, even if he did Jasper was on his side too. However neither of them had seen what he had... None of them had seen the terrible things Alice had seen in the future, somehow Carlisle seemed to think they were impossible, but Alice was very rarely wrong. He wanted it all to be better, he wanted all of this to be a bad dream. However that was impossible, vampires didnt dream and all of this was all too real.

Edward let out a snarl and fell to his knees as Alice screamed, those images moved through his head as it did hers. The images chilled him to the bone, if his family could see it, they would understand. As the visions faded from his mind he punched the ground with a crack, why was this happening? Why to Alice? Why couldnt it happen to him instead? He knew how scared she was, he had never seen her like this. Her thoughts were so alien to her, she didnt understand herself why she was feeling this way. Edward wanted to help her... Make everything okay, but he knew he couldnt, not now. He knew what was coming, he knew Alice knew too. He would be there if she needed him, he growled slightly hearing Carlisle say they were only trying to help. Edward knew Carlisle was at a dead end, he didnt know how to help her. Carlisle, the one man Edward always looked up to was clueless.

[JAZZ;;]

Jasper watched Alice closely, not shifting his vision at all as he moved her into the other room, feeling Carlisle behind him. 'Come on,' he thought to himself as he tried to keep his grip on her and stop her panicking unnecessarily. He felt his jaw tensing shakily, keeping his mouth clamped shut. His words weren't going to help her. He knew that. His entire body tensed as she screamed, a deep scowl forming over his features as he watched her closely. This hurt. One of his hands quickly found the side of his head, fingertips pressing firmly against his temple, then he shifted it slightly, forcing his palm against his temple. His other hand mirrored the motion as Alice pulled away from him, pushing him away. Did she not want his help? He felt her pain and knew she needed him. He couldn't just walk away. He didn't know what she could see, but they had to get on with it and fast. Her pain levels were increasing and seemed to be becoming more and more panicked. He heard Carlisle close the door behind them and move a step towards him, obviously as focused on Alice as he was. Scowl still on his face, he lowered his hands, dropping them to his sides. His scowl softened slightly.

He could hear the concern in Carlisle's voice and his jaw seemed to untense in that instance. “How can you not see that?” he whispered softly to Alice, his Southern drawl softening his tone in a calm manner that he actually couldn't feel in himself, following Carlisle's words about trying to help her and make her better. She obviously couldn't see that if she was being this way. Still focused on Alice, he shifted his head to the side where he knew Carlisle was standing behind. Without averting his eyes to Carlisle, he asked quietly, “What now?” He partially dreaded the response, considering Alice's reactions to him a moment ago. He heard Edward in his room, snarling and falling to his knees. He felt bad for a brief moment. Edward just wanted to help as well, but with everyone being unable to see how they could really help Alice, the less people involved right now, the better, obviously. Sometimes, he just wished he had Edward's gift, then dealing with Alice's visions would be easier. He didn't like the fact that his 'sibling' knew Alice better inside of her head than he ever would. Then again, Edward had that advantage over everyone. The blood in the house didn't help the tension one bit. Jasper could smell it miles away and now he was closed in a room with it.

[alicecullen]

Alice didnt know what to think, she wanted to trust her family, but how could she not trust in herself and her visions? She heard Carlisle, she knew they were only trying to help but it was Jaspers words that hit her hard. She looked up to him, she didnt want to put him through this. Her lips trembled, she trusted Jasper til the end of the world, but that didnt stop her being scared. She wished everything would just go away, she only wished Jasper could see the terrible things that were to come in the future. The words did the visions no justice, no one but Edward could see the true horror of it all. She trembled slightly in the corner, she knew she couldnt stop what was going to happen, then again she didnt know how she could just let it happen.

Her emotions started ping ponging again, feeling guilt, then worry, then anger at herself for causing so much pain to her family. She was never very physical with Jasper, but at that moment she wanted his arms wrapped around her, his voice whispering in her ear, she wanted to believe for a moment that everything was okay... That it was all just some bad dream. She gritted her teeth, she could smell the blood through the flimsy plastic it was wrapped in. She wanted it, she growled looking to Carlisle then to the bag. She wanted it, but she didnt want it as well. The thought of the red crimson liquid made her throat burn, another deep growl errupted from her throat as she leapted onto the bed, her eyes fixed on Carlisle as she crouched there. Her instincts were battling inside her again, her morals against the beast within her. She didnt want the beast to win, but she was so hungry...