Bella sat, staring up at the case, containing all the remains of her angel. She hugged her knees to her chest, her arms had a vice-like grip around her legs, holding herself together.

She heard the almost inaudible footsteps, and scooted over a bit, making room for Carlisle to sit down. She was thankful for his reassuring presence right now, she needed it or else she'd break again. She was already trembling. As he sat beside her, she didn't even glance his way, but greeted him with a simple, curt nod. Yet, the voice that answered her was not Carlisle's.

"Hey, Bella." Her eyes widened the smallest fraction and she turned to face the former soldier.

"J-Jasper." The statement came out more as a question though, Jasper wasn't usually around, and never in her and Edward's room. He nodded and oddly, scooted over closer to her.

She didn't move, but turned back to face forward again.

They were silent, one looking towards the dark box sitting on the dresser above her, and the other gazing at the one looking away.

He didn't need his gift to know how she was feeling; so angry, sad, and confused. You could see that by looking in her hazy eyes, the emotions swirled around there, as well as the internal battle she was fighting and losing. He saw her eyes glisten as she tried to cry, but just couldn't. Suddenly, and unexpectedly, she whipped her head around to face him. Her bottom lip quivered and her whole body shook lightly. "Jasper, why did they go?" The query wasn't meant to cause him pain, yet it did, and he could see it scarred her as well, just salt in an open wound. He shook his head, running a quaking hand through his honey-blonde hair, and sigh softly.

"Bella…I…I don't know." He turned so he was facing her, and she followed his actions, both mirroring each other. He continued; "I'd like to think…that…that A-Alice knew what she was doing…that she knew she and Edward would die…but…the rest of us would be safe." His eyes were darkening as the memory played in his mind again, he hoped that she hadn't died innocently, persay. That she had intentionally sacrificed herself and one other so that the greater amount would live. Even though he was trying to be logical with his reasoning, trying to comfort himself, the words that repeated in his mind were just; Alice is dead. Alice is dead. Alice is dead.

He looked towards Bella, who seemed to be having the same conflict. After a moment of observing her, she let out a cracked sob and leaned forward, arms folded tightly over her stomach as she sobbed. He was suddenly with her.

His arms were around her as he pulled her onto his lap, locking into place as he held the crying girl. He sent out waves of relaxation and serenity, trying to assuage her fears and some of the pain he knew too well. She curled up against him, gripping his shirt tightly in her hands as her body wracked. Soon, he found himself sobbing softly as well, face pressed against her silky hair. They cried together, and then eventually comforted each other.

–

She closed her eyes, her arms locked around his torso and her legs wrapped around his waist as he held her. His hands rubbed her back and stroked her hair in soothing, rhythmic patterns. They had cried until their throats hurt and when the lethargy from the act faded, they had still stayed in their tight embrace, keeping one another grounded. Bella's wound was healing, as well as Jasper's. It would take a while, but they realized the open gash would fade to a stinging scab, one that still burned, but didn't cut. They weren't perfect, but almost. And now, almost was enough.