A/N: Not a continuation of the Leah vs. Jasper series. A completely different One-shot! It's my attempt at a more serious story. Romance, too. That's a first. Comments are wanted! Flames are ignored.

Warning: This is a Jasper/Leah fic. Don't like, don't read.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all twilight characters. I own nothing, only the plot.

Leah's POV

A couple of years had passed since the Vampire Mafia people came to 'judge' the Cullen Family. Since then, life had gone back to normal. Well, I use that term loosely. We're still wolves and all, but no vampires had come to attack.

The little Halfbreed's celebrated about two birthdays but an outsider would think she was in second grade. Jacob spends whatever time he can with her and that leaves Seth, Quil, Embry and me to do most of the patrolling. Not that I'm complaining. I'm still the fastest of the bunch. It was one of the things I'd miss if I returned to a human form for good. The speed, the feed of being in control of where I went and how fast I went. The only thing in my control.

An important event had occured since the Volturi.

Sam and Emily's wedding. The most painful day of my life.

As promised, I had been a bridesmaid. The ceremony seemed to drag on for lifetimes and even longer as I stared at Sam when he said 'I do'. The way he smiled at her as he said those two words every girl longs to hear from her true love. Years ago, it was me I imagined him saying that to. It was me in his arms, thinking I belonged there. Me in the white dress and holding the flowers. Me getting my now broken dream.

I stood there, a now forgotten lover in his past. I suppose you wonder why I even agreed to be in the wedding. It was a step, an obstacle that I needed to get over in order to forget him. But it was also to support two of the people I loved the most and their happiness. That's all I wanted for them, even if it meant I received only misery. It was all I could give them, considering how bitchy I was all of the other times.

The reception practically had everyone in La Push there. Even the Cullens were grudglingly invited. I didn't spare anyone glances as I sat at the wedding party table, alone, watching the bride and groom dance. I felt gazes every once in a while. Jacob. Seth. Mom. They kept their distance though as if knowing there was nothing they could say that would help.

When I could take no more, I had walked out, barely reaching my car to bawl my eyes out, never feeling so damn insignificant in my life. As I said, the most painful day of my life.

A year has passed since that day and Emily was six months along with a baby boy. I'm still Harpy Leah with my snappish attitude and 'bite everyone' personality.

"Morning, Leah," Edward greeted me at the front door. I was here for the usual. Report to Jacob and stick around till my nose burns off.

"Edward," I gritted his name out, not used to using their first names. It was usually Leech, Bloodsucker, Parasite, or just a plain glare and ignore. "Jacob around?"

"Living room with Nessie," he smiled pleasantly. Such a gentleman. I walked around him and into the living room only to see Jacob working diligently on a doll.

"Hey, Live-in Nanny," I said sourly. He looked up. "We're clear. Playing tea party?"

"Something like that," he glared at me. It was clear if I told anyone I'd be getting a bite out of my butt and I don't think he's had his rabies vaccination. I sat down on the couch, trying to take in the smell carefully, wishing my body would already get used to it. Sickly sweet. I still couldn't come up with a better description for it.

"What's going on here? It seems quiet," I said warily. No vampires around except Edward who was reading at the table. It had been a lot quieter lately around here since Alice up and left. She and Jasper had fallen out of love and agreed that splitting was best. She met some Russian Vampire and they lived somewhere on the East Coast, visiting occasionally.

"Everyone's out," Renesmee answered me. "Save for daddy and us."

"Yipee for them," I stood up. "I think I'll leave, too." I stood and walked out, heading for the woods. After stripping and getting into my wolf form, it was clear Embry, Quil and Seth had gone home. I couldn't hear them. I'm sure mom would have dinner ready so, I had to hurry before Seth ate it all.

While running, I caught the scent of vampire and changed direction instinctually. Damn. And it was gonna be Cheese Enchiladas, too. Moss and foliage flew beneath my feet, and ancient trees passed me by like ghosts. Well, I passed them by like ghosts, my speed ensuring I would get to the vampire in time, whoever it was. A sickening feeling grew in my stomach though as the scent became more and more familiar.

'Anybody there?' I thought out, praying someone had phased but no such luck. The sound of people reached my ears and the vampire wasn't too far. They were listening to loud music. They would never see it coming. I phased back into my human form for an unknown reason, pulling on my clothes as I ran on foot, desperately trying to get between him and them fast.

Everything went quick after that. I saw him, flying through the trees, instinct overwhelming him. I knew that face and I knew it well. I normally would have been happy to take out a leech but I couldn't do it this time. I wanted to use my scent to throw him off. I wanted to save him. I couldn't let him fall. Not him.

He was getting closer and I was still too far.

"No. No. Come on!" I hissed, pushing my legs faster, catching myself as I tripped. "Shit! Shit! Shit! Jasper! No!"

I reached the critical point, ready to take his vampire side for the humans. He slammed into me like a cement wall, his hands gripping my arms, digging into my skin and tearing it. Pain shot through, screaming for death to come.

I don't know what I expected to gain from saving the humans and him at the same time. Death? Freedom from Sam? Warm fuzzies? I think I saw death as inescapable the moment I saw him heading for those humans but maybe I wanted to go by making sure I was right by the vampires. But I didn't expect him to do what he did next.

Jasper's hands released their grip immediately, yet his arms wrapped around me and he jumped up into one of the trees, not letting go until the humans left our view. My shoulder was bleeding profusely, my hair ragged and my skin dirty. He sat there for a moment, staring at the bark, looking completely different from the vampire I'd seen. I recognized it, though. Broken, lost and scared.

"I'm sorry," his voice cracked. "So sorry." I did something completely out of character. I pulled him forward and held him. This was what Bella saw when she saw Edward upset. A creature this beautiful wasn't supposed to be sad. I hated hearing those tearless sobs and I wanted to do what I could to make them stop. His scent didn't disgust me, what he was didn't either. He was just Jasper, a vampire trying to retain what humanity he had left. I vowed right then and there to never ever judge anybody before I knew them again.

When Jasper had gained control, he took me back to house and then went straight to his room. Jacob and Edward were staring at me and when Edward saw what happened, his topaz eyes softened considerably, eyeing the last bit of my shoulder wound.

"I'll drive you home, Leah," he stood. I never answered, I collapsed into exhaustion.

Morning light hit my eyelids and I moaned, turning over to avoid it. I was beginning to believe I was allergic to mornings when I shot up. The day before poured into my mind and I ran downstairs to see mom and Seth eating breakfast.

"Leah!" mom's arms wrapped around me. "You're awake! Dr. Cullen said you just needed rest but I was so worried."

"What happened?" I frowned. "Is Jasper okay?" Seth raised his eyebrows.

"More or less," he nodded. "He got an earful from Carlisle but he was worried about you more than anything else. Oh, and Esme wants to thank you. What happened out there?"

"Something big," I said absently, walking back up the stairs, now knowing why I saved Jasper.

That moment when I saw him, when I knew it was him going for the humans, a desire to protect him had washed over me. Commitment, loyalty, adoration, just a few of the feelings that came. I had imprinted on him and I made good by my imprint. A vampire.

After taking a shower and putting on some clean clothes, Seth and I both headed for the Cullens. I didn't expect the welcoming to be so warm. Esme hugged me, practically crying and thanking me for saving her son instead of killing him. If only she knew why but I knew that I would have saved him despite the imprint. After all, didn't I phase before I saw him? Edward took on an expression of surprise but before he could say anything, he appeared. All went silent as Jasper began to look uncomfortable.

"Thank you, Leah," he said, his voice sincere and apologetic. "I'm gravely sorry for my behavior and my actions very nearly cost not only those humans, but you as well."

"You couldn't help it," the words left before I could stop it. "You were forgiven the moment I caught your scent." His golden eyes widened. This was out of character for me and no one said anything for a long moment.

"Holy Shit!" Jacob was the first to shout. "You imprinted!" The blush followed soon after and I punched Jacob.

"I was gonna save him anyways!" I protested. "I phased back before I even saw him!"

"And here you were, so against imprinting," Jacob sighed heavily.

"Shut up! I didn't ask for your opinion, Jacob! Ugh! I'm leaving!" I turned heel and stormed out of the house, ready to phase once I reached the treeline.

"Leah, wait." I stopped willingly when I heard Jasper's voice.

"Listen, Jasper, I understand if you're completely disgusted with the imprint and it's okay if you want nothing to do with me. It's your choice." Truth was, I needed him but I wasn't going to force him to do anything. He rolled his eyes.

"I'm not disgusted. Can I not choose you?" My blood froze in my veins.

"Whatever you want," I whispered.

"And what do you want, Leah?"

I don't know where it came from but happiness hit my heart like a sledgehammer to the head. When was the last time someone asked me that and cared what I wanted? Sam? Dad? His piercing golden eyes locked with mine intensely, never swaying in his decision.

"I want you, Jasper. Now and Forever. I love you and nothing anyone says will ever change it."

"That's all I needed to hear, Leah Clearwater." He took my chin and his head dipped down, catching my lips with his own. The kiss, sweet and deep marked the beginning of my happily ever after. Sure, he did not reply with 'I love you' but he barely knew me. A few dates could change that quite easily. That fact was, he chose me and he was giving me a chance. He was my Jasper, now.

I guess sometimes broken dreams get fixed and sometimes the old face that broke it in the first place, gets replaced with he who fixed it. Imprinting wasn't so bad. In fact, it felt pretty darn good.

The most wonderful day of my life, bar none.

A/N: Horrible? Really horrible? You didn't die, did you? Please review!