Thanks, hon! I hope I can finish it one of these days.

Mary! Thank you so much for reading and leaving reviews.

I have no idea what my problem is with this one. I have parts of the next chapter written, but just can't seem to get them put together. I don't know why. Maybe because it's close to the end?

But thank you for reading!

Rick - GeezerWench

I like Spy Games, too! It's so funny.

Yes, I do plan to finish I Live, I'm just having a hard time with getting the next chapter together. I don't know why. It just won't flow, or come to me how to write it, or something like that.

Kind of floundering here, and I don't know why.

Thanks for asking!

Rick - MizzRick - GeezerWench

I Live: ch 25 I See

I try to slip in Firefly quotes where I can. I've even been challeneged to use a few and managed to do it.

Real glad to hear you like how I've written the characters. It's always good to hear that!

Thanks for reviewing!

Rick

I Live, ch 55

Thanks, Hon!

Thanks for the review!

Rick

***

Though stuff can be changed, diligently working on Chapter 56. Here's just a bit of it:

Chapter 56 (as yet untitled)

Jasper's POV

Bella's hands drifted over my forearms, and she leaned into me. "That's probably my diploma. It was so nice of Alice to steal it and send it to me." She sniffed and squeezed my arms. "I thought it would just be in an envelope, but she probably had it framed. Would you open it, Rose? So I don't break it?"

"Sure I will."

It only took a moment, and Rosalie was soon lifting the dark blue stained, wood frame from the tissue paper and bubble wrap, and holding it up for Bella to see.

"Oh. She got it framed in Forks High blue," Bella cried and turned to face me, burying her face in my chest.

I stroked her hair to try and comfort her, and kissed her head. "She probably framed it herself, Darlin'. She wouldn't have let any humans see it."

"You're right, even though they're up in Alaska and nobody up there knows me." 

"She did a good job," Rosalie remarked. "Though I smell Esme on it, too. They probably did it together. Where do you want to hang it?"

Then the sound of three phones ringing and vibrating interrupted.

"Don't answer them," I instructed them as I pulled my phone from my pocket and flipped it open to see who was calling. "It's Edward."

Rosalie frowned as she looked at her phone. "Carlisle."

Emmett was beside me, also looking at his phone with a slight frown. "Esme."

"Let yours go to voice mail, I'll answer this one. We all need to hear what they have to say." I steeled myself against what I assumed would be Edward's panic.

 I hit the button and Edward's desperate voice practically wailed through the phone, and I could hear wind noise through the small speaker.

"Jasper! I'm on my way to Carlisle's. Then we'll be there as quickly as we can."

..

I Live, ch 50

Bella is lucky. I wish I had a Jasper.

Demetri was trying to get a rise out of them. He mentioned Victoria. Would upset anyone.

Thanks for writing a review!

Rick

****

From about page 3, here's a bit of:

Chapter 51, I Talk (maybe. Might change that title.)

Jasper's POV

It was gratifying to see that Bella's second bite was causing him pain, though I wasn't thrilled about her getting more venom into him.

Peter sent me a shot of curiosity, and I knew he wanted to ask his own question. He crouched down beside Bella, and his eyes met mine. "It's clear around us," he said quietly.

I gave him a short nod and dipped my head to catch Bella's eye. "Bella."

She looked at me from the corner of her eye and growled, not wanting to let go.

"Ahhhh, newborns. Always so ... contumacious." Demetri murmured.

Perversely, he seemed delighted.

Bella yanked her teeth from Demetri's arm, swiped the venom from her mouth, and smeared it on the leg that was still kneeling on his stomach. "What?"

Peter's hard gaze caught Bella's. "Pigheaded and stubborn, Bubba."

She took in a breath to make some retort, thought better of it, and snapped her mouth shut.  

..

Thanks for reading and taking time to write a review, Sweetie!

I'm a bit behind on chapter 50 (husband. Need I say more?) But I'm working on it!

Thanks again!

Rick

***

Here's a little bit of:

Chapter 50, I Find

Jasper's POV

"Major, you're gonna have company."

..

I Live, ch 49, I Train

Just ... wow ... and whoa.

Thank you so much!

I love the little smiley face reviews and then I get one like yours! Just wow. You about made my week!

Thanks!

Next update in about two weeks. I've been distracted with Project Team Beta's Smut University and went off on a tangent with my third homework assignment. Might be late on that one.  By the way, those are posted here, as well.

Thanks again!

~Rick~

Here's a little bit of:

Chapter 50, I Find

Jasper's POV

(speaking of scars and Maria)

"Bella." I slid my hand up her back and pulled her toward me. My lips brushed over hers. "Before, I was always ashamed of them because I thought they showed everyone what a ... depraved monster I was, though it didn't keep me from using them to intimidate others. But then I found you, and you saw them. You weren't afraid. You know what they mean, and you love me anyway."

"I do. I do love you. So much." She kissed the corner of my mouth and her arm went around my chest. "Why did she do that?"

"To keep us in line. Show her power over us."

"Why didn't you fight her?"

"Her first words to me were ‘You belong to me now.' She told me that's how it was, and I believed her. I was going crazy feeling all those emotions around me, I didn't understand anything that was going on, and I didn't know any different. I didn't know it could be different." I sighed and held Bella to me. "Because I thought I deserved it."

"You ... I ..." Bella's mouth opened and closed several times as she stammered. "You never deserved that!" Her arm tightened around me. "I can't know, but I think I have an idea. It's not nearly the same, but Edward treated me like ... Everything he did made me feel smaller and smaller and worth less and less. I felt privileged to be in his presence. I never thought I was good enough because he kept trying to change me, and ..."

Indignation welled up. "How could she do that to you?" Then her love poured into me; drenching me, filling me, and I gasped at the strength of it.

She cupped my jaw, and her eyes looked steadily into mine. "Jasper, they were never good enough. They made us feel small so that they could feel big. We were vulnerable and overwhelmed, and they took advantage and manipulated us. And that's more cruel ..." She quickly kissed me. "They found us at weak moments, but something in us was stronger than them, and we fought back."

"Bella - "

"Jasper, I'm proud of your mating bites on me, and I want everybody to see them. To me, my mating bites on you are beautiful. All of you is beautiful to me." Her hand caressed my cheek and slid down my neck and across my chest to my shoulder. "Every mark on you shows how strong you are. How hard you fought to stay alive and win. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have found you." Both hands were gripping my shoulders, and she threw her right leg over me to straddle my thighs. "We made it ... you made it through all that to me, and I love you so much! No one will ever do that to you again!"

..

I Live, ch 1

Hello! Thanks for giving the story a read. I hope you like it.

Thoughts? Those are certainly welcomed.

Thanks for taking time to write a review, too.

Rick

I Live, Ch 48

Yeah, Edward is a jerk.

Thanks for reviewing, Hon!

I am la tua gratified?

~Rick~MizzRick~GeezerWench~

Or Geezy? What?

***

Here's a touch of:

Chapter 49 (still untitled at the moment)

Jasper's POV

Bella stood on the boulder above me, her red Converse-clad feet a shoulder's width apart, shoulders back, and her chest out. Her deep brown hair was lifted gently in the light breeze that meandered between the trees. In the filtered morning light, she was a goddess in a red T-shirt and blue jeans. I couldn't take my eyes from her.

Raising her chin, she turned her head to gaze regally at Peter stationed about twenty feet to her right. Then her eyes swept to Emmett crouched about twenty feet to her left. She slowly raised her right hand, index finger extended.

"Two men enter. One man leaves." She snapped her hand toward Peter and said, "Engage."

Instead of sprinting toward Peter to demonstrate to Bella how a newborn would directly attack another vampire, Emmett burst into laughter, grabbing his stomach with one hand and pointing at Bella with the other.

She held her arrogant pose for only a moment before she erupted in delighted cackles.

I sighed wearily and dragged my hand down over my face. Our first training session was not going as planned, and it didn't help that Rosalie and Charlotte kept tittering at all the stupid shit Bella and Emmett were doing.

The only saving grace was Peter. He had quickly become fed up with their antics. He was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, one eyebrow raised and a frown on his face.

"Look, Bubba, you need to cut the sh*t and pay attention," he said in a disgruntled voice. "If you don't straighten up Emmett's gettin' sent back to the house."

"Aw! But that's b*llsh*t, Peter!" Bella exclaimed. "You're gonna make Emmett sit in time-out in the house? I need him to help me-"

"He's right, Bella," Rosalie said, trying to maintain a serious expression and moving toward her from behind Emmett. "If you can't behave, we'll hide the Mad Max movies and there won't be any more Star Trek marathons either."

"And we'll take away your Lincoln Logs," Charlotte added.

Bella spun toward them, flinging her arms out. "Hide the ... Hey! You guys suck! I only broke half the Lincoln Logs, and I love the Star Trek marathons. I wore the red shirt in honor of Jean-Luc!"

..

I Live: Chapter 46, I Want

What is up with Peter? We'll find out eventually.

Hey! You've caught up! Thansk so much for all your reviews! I really appreciate them. I'm reall glad you've been enjoying the story, too.

~MizzRick~

***

Here's just a tiny taste of:

Chapter 47, I Scent

Jasper's POV

She looked up at me. "The scent seems familiar. I ... I don't know who it is. It seems like I should know, but I just can't remember."

..

I Live, ch 34: I Conquer

He has to show the newborn who is boss. Had she flown off the handle and started running around loose, she'd could have gotten them all killed.

Thanks for your reviews!

I Live, ch 28

Yay! Glad ya like Peter. They'll be leaving Forks soon and meet him and Charlotte. I hope you like them.

Thanks!

I Live, ch 20

Jasper helps her. She's upset, but he does help.

Thanks for all your reviews!

I Live, ch 18

"Why did her scent change?"

I touch on it here and there. Her scent changed because of the influx of the venom and who the venom was from.

It's my theory (and I'm stickin' to it) that the venom acts like a virus (Stephenie Meyer touched on this somewhere or other) and it bonds with the human cells, replacing them all. It gets in the human and mutates. Like a cold virus. It's said you never get the same cold twice because the virus gets in your body and mutates. You sneeze and spread the virus to others. It gets in their body and mutates again. They could sneeze on you and you'd get another cold.

The original virus changes in each host, but it is "related" to the first one. That's about as much "science" as I can handle.

She lost a lot of blood in the crash. The mystery vamp who bit her first would have introduced some venom. The transformation would have begun and been very slow, if her heart didn't stop first because it didn't have enough volume of liquid to pump through her veins. It would have taken the first vamp's venom longer to get around her body simply because there was less of it to begin with. Jasper added quite a bit more venom at different points in her body. In this story, Jasper does not have a sweet scent. But I think Bella's own body chemistry would affect the venom as the venom affects her.

Which is why I think she smells like spice cake to Jasper, and she smells like gingersnaps to Emmett. Both of those things are considered "sweets" but they are not real sugary sweet. At least they aren't to me.

I think if Edward had changed her, she would have kept a sweeter scent because he has a sweet scent.

I also kind of think that scent is subjective. Her scent reminds Jasper of spice cake (only made for special occasions) and it reminds Emmett of gingersnaps. It's what they associate with it.

Later in the story, Bella rambles in her head about what Rosalie smells like to her. she also has an interesting interpretation of what Peter smells like.

LOL

I Live, ch 14

Glad ya like Rosalie. I always kinda liked her. she should be a good friend to Bella. Don't ya think?

I Live, ch 12

And who wouldn't claim Jasper? Oh, my God.

I Live, ch 43

Thank you so much, smileya, I do appreciate it. It's always good to hear (see) that someone is enjoying the story. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

~MizzRick~

***

Here's a bit of chapter 44. I haven't finished it yet.

Chapter 44

Emmett's POV

Rose and Char helped us clean up the glass, then Pete and I worked on clearing away the broken window sashes and putting in the new ones. Bella hadn't torn up the frame too bad, though it would need to be repainted.

"How long do you think they'll be gone?" I asked, as we finished up the job. We hadn't heard anything in a while, and I didn't know if that was a good thing or not.

"Few days or so, I guess. Jasper'll be makin' up for lost time." He winked at me. He dusted off his hands and picked up a few tools to put them away.  "I'll be runnin' the perimeter tonight." 

"Let me go with ya."

"No."

..

ch 33

Thank you, Sweetie. I appreciate you taking time to read and write a review. Glad you like the story, too!

~MizzRick~

***

Chapter 34 has been sent to the betas at Project Team Beta. They've even accepted it into transit. (Thank goodness.) They get to have it about a week. That's in their rules and stuff.

A snippet of chapter 34, I Conquer. I took this bit from about the middle.

Chapter 34, I Conquer

Jasper's POV

"Bella, you will listen to me," I whispered harshly in her right ear. I pulled her head to the left and placed my teeth at her throat under her jaw. She froze and even her rapid panting stopped.

I held her there, her back pressed firmly against my chest and stomach, taking in the scent that called to me; the scent that promised belonging, home, and sanctuary, and wished I didn't have to make her submit to me. I wished there was something else, anything else, I could do besides force her to her knees and put my teeth to her throat. But she was a newborn, and I had learned long ago there was no way to reason with them when their instincts had taken over or they had decided to be obstinate.

I felt her fear and absorbed it, touching her with my feelings of possession and my craving for her as I let my anger quickly flicker across the edges of her awareness.

Sliding my teeth across her neck, barely making contact with her skin, I made my way to her ear. "You are mine, Isabella, and you will do as I say."

"I won't!"

"You will."

.

Title: I Live - I Teach.

Hell Kate,

Yep. Who'd have thought Carlisle would suffer from foot-in-mouth disease? LOL

Thanks for reviewing, Hon. I do appreciate it.

~MizzRick~

 ***

 I took this chunk of the chapter from about the middle. An excerpt from:

 Chapter 32, I Growl

 Jasper's POV

 [I] reached for the few remaining T-shirts on the shelves to the right. After dropping them in the duffel, I turned back and reached for my socks and underwear. As I tossed them into the bag, I heard a gasp at the door.

 Bella was standing there, staring at me, with her mouth hanging open. Suddenly self-conscious, I looked down at myself and took a quick inventory, running my hands down my chest. Carlisle's white T-shirt, my blue jeans, and brown boots. Everything appeared to be in place. I glanced up at Bella and couldn't help noticing how lovely she was, despite the mud and her tangled hair. Just seeing her again sent a feeling of peace through me, even though she kept sneaking up on me.

 "What's the matter?"

 "Er, nothing." She stepped slowly into the room. "Uh, is that Carlisle's shirt? It's a little tight."

 Oh?

 Grinning at her, I slid my hands back up my stomach and chest, her eyes following their progress. She was blocking me from feeling her emotions again, but it seemed she liked the shirt. I'd have to remember that.

 She took another step, stopped and inhaled deeply. She darted toward the couch and began to growl. "She was here. What was she doing in here? I smell her." Her bright red eyes darkened to near black, and she growled again.

 Reaching out for her, I walked slowly toward her. "It's okay, Darlin'. I had a few clothes left in Alice's closet, and she helped me carry them in here is all." I touched her arm, and she was nearly vibrating with her emotions. I didn't need to be able to detect them to know she was angry.

 She spun to face me. "I smell her. I smell her on your hands ... on you." Her glistening black eyes slowly made their way up my chest and to my face.

 Oh, sh*t.

.

Glad ya like it!I try to update as quickly as I can.

Thanks for reviewing, Hon.

~MizzRick~

***

An excerpt from Chapter 31. Of course, after the betas get through with it, and I re-write it some more, some of the wording may be different:

Chapter 31, I Teach

Carlisle's POV

"Not that there have been any studies of vampire biting behavior - my knowledge is merely empirical and anecdotal - but biting, in some cases, is related to kissing and all it entails, along with that compulsion we have to mark or claim our territory." Warming to my subject, I continued eagerly. "Biting releases venom onto the skin and into the other vampire's system. This serves three purposes. Venom on the skin places your scent on them, and venom in the other vampire's system will alter their scent to a degree. As you know, venom leaves scars and marks the other vampire as your mate. So, along with scent, it is a visual cue to others. However, in Jasper's case, his many scars show that he has fought and won many battles. They are a warning to others that he is dangerous and vampires instinctively fear him."

Bella shifted her fingers slightly and peered from between them. "But he doesn't make me afraid."

"That's because he is your mate. He looks like a strong, capable male to you. To others, he may appear very strong but that makes him something to be avoided. Like in the animal kingdom, any elk or deer that has lived long enough to grow a large set of antlers has shown that he is not to be trifled with. Other bucks will avoid him, except the occasional male who feels the urge to challenge him, and does will find him attractive."

A very low growl began to rumble in Bella's chest. "But I don't want other does to find him attractive."

I chuckled lightly. "In my experience, most female vampires who have met Jasper have been initially wary of him."

She turned toward me and her hands dropped to grip her thighs. Her eyes narrowed, and she hissed. "Initially? THEN what did they do?"

Seeing that Bella was becoming angry, I tried to ease her concerns. "As you know, Jasper is quite handsome and ..."

Snatching her hands from her thighs, they curled into fists, and she hissed again through her clenched teeth. "Handsome? He's f*cking beautiful." Her eyes narrowed to mere slits. "Then what did they DO, Carlisle?"

.

I Live:

I Confess

Oh yay! Glad you like Jasper. I {heart} him big time! Thanks for reviewing, Hon.

Thanks so much, Hon. Glad you like it. And Jasper? What's not to love?

Thanks for reviewing!

~MizzRick~

***

Chapter 30, I Teach

Carlisle's POV

"Not that there have been any studies of vampire biting behavior - my knowledge is merely empirical and anecdotal - but biting, in some cases, is related to kissing and all it entails, along with that compulsion we have to mark or claim our territory." Warming to my subject, I continued eagerly. "Biting releases venom onto the skin and into the other vampire's system. This serves three purposes. Venom on the skin places your scent on them, and venom in the other vampire's system will alter their scent to a degree. As you know, venom leaves scars and marks the other vampire as your mate. So, along with scent, it is a visual cue to others. However, in Jasper's case, his many scars show that he has fought and won many battles. They are a warning to others that he is dangerous and vampires instinctively fear him."

Bella shifted her fingers slightly and peered from between them. "But he doesn't make me afraid."

"That's because he is your mate. He looks like a strong, capable male to you. To others, he may appear very strong but that makes him something to be avoided. Like in the animal kingdom, any elk or deer that has lived long enough to grow a large set of antlers has shown that he is not to be trifled with. Other bucks will avoid him, except the occasional male who feels the urge to challenge him, and does will find him attractive."

A very low growl began to rumble in Bella's chest. "But I don't want other does to find him attractive."

I chuckled lightly. "In my experience, most female vampires who have met Jasper have been initially wary of him."

She turned toward me and her hands dropped to grip her thighs. Her eyes narrowed, and she hissed. "Initially? THEN what did they do?"

Seeing that Bella was becoming angry, I tried to ease her concerns. "As you know, Jasper is quite handsome and ..."

Snatching her hands from her thighs, they curled into fists, and she hissed again through her clenched teeth. "Handsome? He's f*cking beautiful." Her eyes narrowed to mere slits. "Then what did they DO, Carlisle?"

.

Not reviewing each chapter is fine, Hon. Thanks for the review you did write. I do appreciate it. Oh! And make sure you tell all your friends!

~MizzRick~

***

Chapter 30 has been accepted by the betas. They did not hate chapter 29. However, the commas and the dialog tags ...

*growl* is NOT a dialog tag. You'd think I'd learn.

*sigh*

An excerpt from

Chapter 30, I Fit

Jasper's POV

 Bella taking off into the wilds again worried me, despite the fact she was chasing Emmett. I knew he would look out for her - when he wasn't too preoccupied with trying to keep her from biting him or removing parts.

Trouble was you never knew where a human might happen to show up; even at night. They were always getting themselves hopelessly lost, stuck in crevasses, attacked by wild animals, caught in avalanches, drained by vampires ...

One good thing about chasing her down was it gave me the opportunity to check for the presence of any other vampires. Each time we had run through the national forest, I hadn't picked up any trace of another. If anyone else had, they would have mentioned it. We didn't perform perimeter checks like we should, and I couldn't currently do it, unless I took Bella with me. It didn't really seem like an option for me.

Though it became dark quickly as we entered the cover of the trees, Rosalie veered off to the right and grabbed what looked like a rag out of a clump low bushes. "Emmett's t-shirt ripped to shreds," she said with annoyance and tossed it away. "I wonder if we'll find an arm or a foot out here." She grumbled. "Or maybe even his head."

"Serves him right for being a stupid d*ck. I told him to get the hell out." Remembering his attempts at interrupting Bella and me was cranking up the anger a notch or two. I did recall our little birds-n-bees talk, and he had made a few valid points, but when your mate, who had been rejecting you, came right out and said she wanted you ... well, you didn't pass that sh*t up, I didn't care who you were. I couldn't get my hands on her fast enough. Though, next time, I thought I might start ripping clothes off first thing. I expected a next time very soon, too.

Well, I hoped there was a next time in the near future.

.