Chapter 3 - Preparation

By the time they neared Jamie's home, she was worried and beginning to question everything that had just happened. She could not deny the connection they had made in the truck less than half an hour ago. But she didn't know these men and her self-preservation instinct that she thought was long dead had suddenly sprung back to life. When this day started, she was certain that she would not see another sunrise. Her plans were finalized and even her suicide note to her roommate was written and ready to go. Now…now she wasn't sure what was happening. How had everything gotten so screwed up?

She let Peter drive her car since Jasper would not hear of her going off on her own. That was beginning to bother her also. It had been a long time since she allowed anyone to tell her what to do. Why was she listening to Jasper? That was just ridiculous behavior on her part. How dare some young guy tell her, a mature woman of 63, how to function. Like hell was she going to bow down to some wet behind the ears kid! No way, no how! And vampire? Really? Was she going crazy in her old age or just senile? She had to get a grip fast and also figure out some way to keep them out of her house so her roommate would be safe.

Her worry and strategizing was all for naught. Peter had her keys and had already opened the door and entered the place before she was out of Jasper's truck. He had a peculiar expression on his face but she passed it off as nothing as she walked around him and up her stairs. Her roommate was usually in bed by now, needing to be at work early the next morning, and she didn't disappoint. Jasper sensed her sleeping and sent her an extra dose of lethargy to keep her out cold.

"Umm. I really think you guys should wait outside for me. I don't want my roommate upset. I can get together what I need and be out in a flash."

Peter shook his head and Jasper just snorted and grinned. "Your roommate is sound asleep and will remain that way. What are ya hidin' Jamie? What's got ya so twisted up all of a sudden?"

"Nothing…nothing at all. I just think that it would be better if you stayed in your truck."

"I already told you that wasn't going to happen. You have fifteen minutes to pack a few changes of clothing and get anything else you need and then we are heading into the hills."

Jasper's accent had all but disappeared and he was starting to scowl at her. When she hesitated, he stated, "If you won't tell me what's bothering you, get a move on. You now have fourteen minutes…"

"Wait! Wait! I can't be ready that fast! I have to make provisions for my cats and I have books and art work and lots of other stuff to pack. It is going to be a day or two before I can have everything ready. Besides, I told you already that I have to work tomorrow. I can't just call in and leave them in the lurch."

Peter handed Jasper something, and Jamie's eyes widened when she realized it was her sketchbook. Nervous, she watched as Jasper quickly skimmed the page and his eyes darkened as he looked at her.

"It seems that you don't really care about all the stuff you say you need, nor the cats you are so fond of. You were prepared to leave everything behind when you wrote this little essay. What did you think was going to happen to everything when you killed yourself?"

Jamie stuttered and then hung her head in shame. She couldn't think of a single thing to say. All her bluster had melted away with the single tear that meandered down her cheek at Jasper's question.

"You now have eleven minutes. Do you want to pack anything or should we just leave it all behind?"

"Please, I need my stuff. Can't you understand? I didn't really mean what I said in that note. I was just kidding!"

"Don't lie to me. I can feel your deceit. Ten minutes."

"Okay, okay…" Jamie rushed into her bedroom and then stood there looking around, wondering where to start.

Peter came up behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Do you have a bag or something to put some clothes in? I'll help if you point me in the right direction."

Nodding, she gestured toward the closet and he pulled out the suitcase he found on the shelf above her clothes.

"Where are your jeans and shirts? You aren't going to need much. Nothing will fit you once you change. Come on Jamie, we are running out of time."

"Why do you let him boss you around? Why don't you just tell him to stuff it or something?"

"Why would I do that? He is my coven leader. He is the boss, not me. Trust me, we get into our scrapes but he always listens if I have a suggestion or idea."

"So you're just a little sheep, doing as you're told?"

From the living room they heard Jasper say, "six minutes."

"Fuck you Jasper! I can take as long as I want. You are not my boss. You may have Peter cowed, but you cannot dictate to me!"

They heard a chuckle and then a quiet, "five and a half minutes."

"Come on Sweetheart, help me out or you will be walking around bare-assed naked for the next few days." Peter started opening drawers and pulling out things he thought she would need. "Do ya need anything from in there?" He gestured toward the bathroom.

"Oh god. Yeah. I need my pills, and my comb and toothbrush and…"

"Just grab what you need and let's get it packed."

"He really isn't kidding is he? He would leave me with no clothes?"

"Yep. You are pushing his buttons right now and you aren't gonna like the results one little bit, Sweet Cheeks."

Realizing that he really meant it as she heard Jasper say, "Three minutes," she finally caved and called out, "I'm sorry Jasper. I'm hurrying."

Gathering some underwear and socks, she thrust them in Peter's direction as she grabbed a few pieces of jewelry, her mp3 player, the flash drives that backed up the data on her computer, a couple of sketchbooks, and a photo from her dresser.

Peter and Jamie walked out of the bedroom, Peter carrying her bag, as Jasper intoned, "time's up."

He was standing there, feet shoulder-width apart and arms crossed over his chest. He was fierce and beautiful. She could feel the anger rolling off him and was truly frightened for the first time since she met both men, but still drawn to him like no other. He looked into her eyes for a moment that felt like an eternity, and then glanced at Peter. "Is there anything else you may need? Did you get any personal items such as photos or mementoes you want to keep? Is there any medical information we need to know?"

Jamie was afraid to gaze into his eyes, but answered him promptly, not willing to push her luck any further, yet turned on by his look. "I have an x-ray that I usually carry when I travel. I have a fused shoulder."

"Get it."

Jamie flew back into her bedroom and returned clutching a manila envelope.

"Do you need a coat? It is starting to cool down out there and we are heading into the mountains. We also need an extra jacket or something to stage your death."

"Yes, sir. I'll get it, them." Jamie was appalled that she answered him that way, but slightly relieved when she saw his posture relax minutely. She took her favorite long leather coat out of the hall closet, pulling it on before she tugged a fleece-lined hoody off the hanger as she moved back in front of Jasper.

"Let's head out. Pete, you get her car so we can stage her suicide. Jamie, leave your note out here so your roommate sees it in the morning. We won't be coming back for anything so I want no complaints if you forgot to take what you want."

With that, he put his hand on her waist, urging her down the steps and out her door, locking it behind them. Nerves completely shot, Jamie cried softly as Jasper boosted her into the front seat of his truck, taking her away from everything and everyone she knew. Her cats had disappeared the moment Peter entered the house, so Jamie couldn't even give them one final pet before she left. She hadn't said goodbye to anyone, and worried how her roommate was going to cope the following morning when she read the page torn out of her sketchbook. She thought killing herself would be the end of a long and depressing life, but leaving this way might be worse.

For several minutes, Jamie lost herself to the silent sobs that signaled the end of life as she knew it. Jasper didn't intrude on her pain, not even to soothe her distress.

Earlier today, she did not expect to be looking into a new future. A sigh escaped as she finally dried her eyes and straightened in her seat. Because of the beautiful, fierce man next to her, and the gorgeous gentle man driving her car, her life had just changed. Whether the change was for good or for bad remained to be seen.