I don't own Twilight, Stephanie Meyers does.
Author's Note: I want to say thank you very much to cathy29jes for her help with the summary XD
Chapter 7
Bella was on fire. Jasper's soft lips molded to hers, moving in ways that made her stomach clench with an unspoken need. She opened her mouth slightly when the need for air became demanding, only for Jasper to take advantage and tentatively move his tongue in her mouth. Bella's knees gave in at the feel of his tongue on hers, Jasper held her tighter not letting her fall. He was warm and soft beneath her hands and lips, she wanted to touch and kiss him everywhere. He was covered well though and she was denied touching his skin so she settled for running her fingers through his hair, thrilling at the silkiness of it.
Too soon for Bella, Jasper pulled away. Bella groaned in disappointment.
"Shhh darlin the others are afraid about something. We need to find out what's going on." Jasper said kissing her nose before pulling her to his side. He kept a protective hand around her waist and Bella leaned into him, feeling safe in his arms.
"Something's wrong Major. I don't know what but my knower is acting up screaming something is happening." A man Bella assumed was Peter said. Just then both men looked up. Jasper pushed Bella behind him, Bella went willingly she trusted Jasper to be able to take care of her. Peter ran forward and Jasper growled low in his throat, crouched and waiting. She heard movement in front of them and Jasper's growl became more threatening. She desperately wanted to see what was going on but didn't look as she wanted Jasper to know she trusted him.
"Son, I'm not crazed, I don't want her blood, I just want to see my daughter." Charlie said.
Bella's heart leapt and she stepped forward wanting to run to her father. Jasper put a hand up to stop her and she obeyed him but she couldn't help a peek. Charlie had always been a handsome man but now he was breathtaking. He didn't quite have the youthful look as the others but he didn't look old either. His slight laugh lines around his eyes were gone and Bella was sorry they were. They were marks earned from happy times and it was a shame she wouldn't see them anymore. He had a distinguished, mature look that made you want to trust him.
"Baby girl." Charlie said with a smile when he saw her peeking out from behind Jasper.
Bella put her hand on Jasper's arm. "It will be alright please Jasper." She asked softly. Jasper seemed to be at war with himself before he finally nodded his head. He did accompany her to her father though and Bella knew he was ready in case Charlie hurt her.
Bella slowly wrapped her arms around Charlie and he carefully followed her actions. He felt cold and hard, and Bella was momentarily saddened missing his warm hugs. The sadness didn't last long though as she was just so glad to see him. She hadn't expected to be able to see him for a year.
"How..." She began only to be stopped by Charlie.
"Let's gather everyone up I have a lot to tell you and everyone needs to know." Charlie said heading to the house. Rose and Emmett got out of the jeep and started following Charlie. Bella was a little surprised that Emmett had no comments to make. Bella took Jasper's hand and started to follow. She was shocked again at how warm his hand felt to her. Maybe it was some weird mate thing.
"Hey Petey you got Call of Duty?" Emmett yelled at Peter in the doorway.
"Of course you ready to get your ass kicked?" Peter replied with a grin. Bella assumed the two were friends the way they interacted.
"Oh it is so on!" Emmett replied with his own grin.
"No time for games yet boys. We have a lot to talk about." Esme said smiling. Bella looked at Esme but Esme looked away nervously. Bella frowned why would Esme be nervous of her.
A petite blonde walked down the porch and smiled at Bella. "Hi, I'm Charlotte, you can call me Char. That tall, blonde, loud, knucklehead is my husband Peter. I'm so glad to meet you." Char said holding out her hand. Bella returned her smile and shook the woman's hand.
"I'm happy to meet you." Bella said shyly.
Char's smile widened. "I'm still sorting rooms. I don't know what good it is having a know-it-all husband when he can't warn me that more people are showing up than we thought." Char said throwing up her hands in exasperation.
"I knew Bella, Rose and Emmett would be here. It's not my fault the Chief defies my knower at times." Peter sulked.
Bella laughed as they all entered the living room. All the couples took seats together. Bella sat as close to Jasper as she could get without actually sitting in his lap. She watched as Esme stood in the middle of the room her hands twisting in indecision. Charlie stood up and grabbed her around the waist firmly depositing her in his lap as he sat back down and kissing her soundly, before setting her down beside him. He kept her hand and grinned proudly at the room.
Bella's mouth dropped in shock. She looked around seeing similar looks on Rose and Emmett's face, but Peter, Char and Jasper seemed to have already known. Bella looked over at Esme who had her face hidden in Charlie's shoulder. Bella began to smile as she stood up and walked toward them. She gently touched Esme's shoulder to get her attention. Esme looked up at her with trepidation, but Bella smiled wider and opened her arms for her. Esme jumped into her embrace and they hugged each other happily.
"Now you will really be my mother. I'm so happy!" Bella exclaimed.
Esme was smiling so big now Bella wondered if her face was going to split. "I'm so relieved dear, I was afraid you would hate me for betraying Carlisle."
A look of anger came over Bella's face. "You didn't betray him Esme. He betrayed us."
"On that note I have a lot to say. So if we could all sit down." Charlie said. Bella returned to her seat and Charlie looked directly at Jasper studying him before beginning.
"This has a lot to do with you Jasper. I think most of this will upset you. I need you to stay calm so I can get through all you need to know." Charlie said.
Jasper took a deep breath and Bella took his hand in hers hoping she could help keep him calm.
"When I was bitten by Victoria something odd happened. She was drinking my blood and taunting me, telling me she was doing this to hurt Bella. I was worried and afraid for Bella but I was also outraged at what she was doing it just seemed wrong. In my anger I touched her throat and felt something leave me. She began to vomit and exhibit injuries similar to mine. She was very angry and I'm sure she would have beat me to death but a man showed up and scared her off. He said his name was Michael and he would help me in return for me helping his son." Charlie paused looking around the room. Everyone was listening to him intently.
"Michael told me that he was not a vampire but his blood would make me stronger than all other vampires save his son. His blood is why I am able to control my newborn instincts." Again the Chief paused as if gathering his thoughts. "His blood has made me stronger, faster, and in more control. It will not dissipate with time as it does for regular newborns. His blood also gave me his memories. While I went through the change I saw his life. At first it was a slow process but as the venom and blood worked its way through my system and my brain power increased it went quicker. Michael is very old so there were many memories. Thank you son for taking my pain. I regret you feeling what was meant for me but it made the torture of so many memories a little more bearable." Charlie said with a small smile to Jasper. Bella smiled too proud of her compassionate mate.
"Michael doesn't remember a childhood or his life before he encountered Akantha. She was a witch who was not quite human herself. She seduced him, from their union the first vampire was born. That is when Michael's memories truly start. He began to be able to see any beings goodness or evil as a light shining from them. He gave me this power." Bella felt Jasper's head bow beside her and squeezed his hand trying to reassure him. Charlie must have seen this because he addressed Jasper.
"Jasper you have a very wrong view of yourself. You shine more brightly with good than anyone I have seen yet." Charlie said with conviction. Peter and Charlotte looked shocked. Bella glared at them for doubting Jasper. Rose nodded in agreement with Charlie and Emmett just watched giving no clue to his thoughts. Esme smiled brightly at Jasper.
Charlie cleared his throat and began again. "Michael is a very unemotional being. He is extremely powerful and he lives his life for one purpose, when a soul is so dark that no light is left he destroys that being. Humans rarely live long enough to get to this point, but all vampires eventually get there if they are not killed by something else."
Everyone looked up in shock.
"Michael theorizes that the need for human blood is what darkens vampires souls. I have seen Michael's encounters but I haven't met enough people to form an opinion and Michael tends to not be able to understand emotions." Charlie said.
"Are you saying we are damned to turn evil and be killed by this Michael because we drink from humans?" Peter asked standing up in outrage.
"It does darken your soul Peter I see the darkness around your throats, but overall you and Char shine with goodness." Charlie said trying to comfort the man.
"Fuck! What are we supposed to do? We try to feed on criminals." Peter said beginning to pace.
Charlie stood up and walked slowly to Peter. "Michael chose me to help his son for many reasons. One reason is because I have an extremely important gift. I can stop your blood lust and turn it so that animal's blood will taste like ambrosia to you and human blood will make you want to vomit. It's what I did to Victoria in the woods and why I told you that story."
Peter stumbled back as the implications hit him. Bella gasped. This was going to change the vampire world.
"This will mean war." Jasper said in a whisper and Bella moved closer to him.
Charlie looked Jasper in the eye. "Yes son. While I am more powerful than most I will not be able to fight alone I need you. We are going to need the God of War." Jasper stared back at him and Bella began to fear. She didn't want Jasper to fight, she didn't want him hurt. Charlie looked over at her and frowned at her discomfort.
"There is so much more you need to know. Michael fell in love with a woman named Caroline. Michael doesn't know how he was able to love, he thinks that every being has a soul mate out there and Caroline was his." Jasper stiffened at Bella's side and she rubbed circles on his hand hoping to soothe him.
"Caroline lived a human life and died long ago but she bore him a son. That son gave him the strength to go on after she died. Michael's only weak spot is his son." Charlie said.
"No..." Jasper whispered.
"Yes son. You are Michael's son." Charlie stated matter-of-factly.
"What? We've lived with Jasper for fifty years, he hasn't shown any signs of being some kind of super hybrid." Emmett exclaimed.
Charlie raised an eyebrow while looking at Emmett. "Really? How do you think he so easily blocks Edward from his thoughts? His mind is able to think on many different levels at once. He is stronger and faster than anyone else. He has only shown you a fraction of his power yet you cower in fear when the Major makes an appearance."
"But Emmy is stronger and Edward is faster." Rose said in confusion.
"Only because he lets them be." Charlie stated.
"The major has killed thousands how could he possibly be as 'good' as you say." Peter said. Bella growled she was angry at Peter, surely Jasper hadn't killed so many.
Charlie stood up his face thunderous. "You of all people should not be so accusing. Michael watched his son all his life and I saw all of it. Maria ordered that the newborns be killed when their usefulness was over. When Jasper refused she had Antonio do it. Antonio played with them, torturing and raping them before killing them. Jasper took over to give them quick, merciful deaths. When Antonio died she was going to have you do it but Jasper insisted that he would do it so you would not feel the guilt of so many deaths on your hands. It would take me all night to list all the lives he saved, two of them being yours and your mates, and all the torture he endured." Charlie stopped and shuddered. Peter sat back down shocked speechless.
"When I think of all the punishments of yours he took or what they did to him when he let you escape..." Charlie was stopped by a low menacing growl.
"Stop Chief. I made my own choices, don't burden him." Jasper said his voice low, but the authority in it causing Charlie to take a deep breath and control his anger.
"Surely Maria should have been killed by ...Michael." Jasper said.
"She had one spot of light. She loved you. I believe we all have a chance of redemption. You were her chance, but instead of letting that light of love grow she perverted it. She hated that light so she tried to kill you to extinguish it. When that didn't work she tried to corrupt you, to make you as dark as her. When you left all that was good in her was gone. Her love was replaced by hatred and Michael was finally able to kill her." Charlie went on.
"Maria is dead?" Char asked in a small, hopeful voice.
Charlie looked at her kindly. "Yes."
Char collapsed into sobs on Peter's shoulder. Charlie waited for Char to calm down before continuing.
"Aro, Marcus, Caius and Carlisle all know of Michael." Charlie stated.
"If they know how come more vampires don't know?" Rose asked.
"Aro kills all who find out. The guard would not fight as viciously if they knew they had to pay for their sins." Charlie said with a grimace. "Of course that is just speculation on my part. As I said Michael only deals in facts except where it comes to his son. All emotions I am guessing at. Aro's soul is nearly completely tainted his thirst for power has thoroughly corrupted him. I don't know what is keeping light there. Maybe he has fatherly feelings for the witch twins or perhaps he loves his mate more than he shows." Charlie shrugged.
"I do know however that his light is getting dimmer and dimmer. Aro knows his time is near and is desperate to stop Michael. It has already been proven the guard cannot stop him as Michael has killed members of the guard easily. He hopes to use Jasper against him, but Jasper has proven too strong to just take so he has started to use his mate." Charlie looked directly at Bella, who blushed beet red.
"Wouldn't Caius be darker?" Emmett asked. "He has killed far more."
"Being a warrior doesn't darken your soul. Caius may be responsible for more deaths but he has killed in the line of duty, protecting vampire kind. While his soul is darker than any of yours he shines brighter than the other kings, brighter than Carlisle." Charlie stated.
Esme gasped. "What has Carlisle done?"
"Michael has watched Carlisle for a long time. When Carlisle was changed he shined brightly, but his thirst for knowledge and his arrogance have darkened him. He performs unspeakable experiments in a quest to find a 'cure' for vampirism. He lives by the code that the ends justify the means...They do not. He knows about Michael and knows about the darkness in his soul but has decided to help Aro stop Michael so he can go on with his 'important' work." Charlie shook his head in disgust. Bella was feeling overloaded with information. It was hard to believe that the fatherly man she had known as Carlisle could be some sort of evil scientist.
"Why did my father sit on the sidelines so long? Why didn't he help me? Don't say he couldn't because I clearly remember him teaching me to ride a horse when I was a boy and if he could intervene to save you why couldn't he intervene to save me!" Jasper said standing up with his fists clenched.
"He hoped by staying away that they wouldn't find out who you are. He is hard to understand but he follows strong instincts that are like commands in his head. Telling him where he needs to be and what he needs to do. He was watching you when he sensed what was happening with me. He saw what I did to Victoria and knew my connection to Bella. He doesn't understand where the commands come from he just knows he was allowed him to help me. He asked me to be a father to you Jasper since he couldn't." Charlie said holding out his hand for Jasper.
Jasper stood up looking at Charlie's hand. "I'm sorry Chief...I need time." Jasper said before heading out the door.
Bella stood up quickly, she only debated a minute before following him out the door. He needed her and she was going to be there for him.
