Chapter 8: He Waits

"I swear. I almost died back there on the ship, you know."
He let her hand go, but he was staring at her, almost as if he meant to memorize her face. "I know," he said. "Every time you almost die, I almost die myself."
- City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (pg. 449)

Alice is optimistic as always.

Her attention has been focused on finding Edward, although her attempts have been fruitless. Edward has, somehow, been working around her visions. Alice says he must have picked up the tips from Victoria and her newborns when they attacked nine years ago. So, she spends hours meditating and searching the future for any glimpse of Edward that may come. She only seems to be able to find short visions where he is in non-descript places that could be anywhere in the world.

But for two whole days now, she's been acting odd.

No one else notices it, but I do. I know Alice better than I know myself and she is definitely hiding something. But I don't ask what it is. She'll tell me when she's ready. I can tell that she's just bursting to spill her secret, but she, endearingly, holds on to it. I love her.

I have retreated into my study to avoid the emotions of my family. The door is firmly shut to block it all out, but the walls can only do so much. Since Bella and Nessie had moved into the house, the depression has hit the family at an all time high. Nessie has feelings of pain, anger, longing, love, hate and confusion. This is a lot for a young girl to have. She's not receiving any support from her mother (who feels...nothing) so poor Renesmee is forced to keep it all inside.

I try to ignore Alice who is sitting on top of my desk, completely still. She hasn't moved for hours and she is staring blankly at the wall in front of her. I glance at her briefly before returning my attention to the book. When will she move? It's making me very uneasy. What is she waiting for?

I read the words on the page quickly, a new desire to finish this book as fast as possible consumes my thoughts. The house is thankfully silent. Carlisle, Esme, Rose and Em have left for a day of hunting. Nessie and Bella are in their room, refusing to leave the confines of it.

Alice hisses and I quickly put down my book.

"What?" I ask, alarmed.

"Get him out," she speaks through gritted teeth.

"Who? Alice – Then, I hear Jacob Black galloping toward the house and Nessie can be distinctly heard leaving her bedroom quickly.

Alice leaps gracefully off the desk and walks to the door. I tut in disapproval. She has no right to interfere with Jacob and Nessie.

Alice frowns at me and continues to edge her way to the confronting young lovers.

Nessie emerges from the front door, I can hear her sigh, and her emotions have changed to exhaustive annoyance.

"Go away, Jacob," she says firmly.

"Nessie, please –"

"No! I - I can't have you here..."

"Nessie, just – just, please, five minutes. That's all I need!"

"Maybe she should go," Alice says and whips around to face me. I shrug, not really caring what Nessie does. Alice purses her lips and yanks open the door and skips down the hall and out of sight.

My wife. She can't help but chime in her opinion.

"Nessie, Jasper and I will watch Bella for you." Alice has joined the party in front of the house.

Nessie's annoyance increases ten-fold. "No, thank you, Alice," she attempts to say in a controlled manner.

"It's fine! I've looked after a heartbroken Bella before! It's no big deal," Alice says nonchalantly. Nessie does not like this. The fact that Alice is treating her mother's misery so easily is angering the young girl. Jacob's feelings of desperation and heart ache are overwhelming. I would not go down and join the confrontation unless Alice was being threatened. There was no way I'd put myself in that sort of emotional situation.

"It's not fine," she growled. I was stunned at how much she sounded like Edward in that moment. There were times when I wondered if Bella was even the mother...but I had seen her carry that child, unfortunately, so I knew that Bella definitely gave birth to Nessie.

Alice: so calm, so cool. "Go play with Jacob. Everything is fine, I promise. All he needs is five minutes. Surely you can spare such a short amount of time to the man who practically raised you?" Nessie winces at Alice's words. Reluctantly, she follows Jacob into the woods and away from the house that has become her dark abyss.

Alice prances up the stairs and rejoins me in my study, half a second later. She closes the door firmly behind her.

"Finally!" she cries. "We're alone! Have you noticed we've been surrounded by everyone non-stop for the past three months?" She complains. She jumps toward me and I stand up quickly, taking her in my arms, gladly.

Yes, I have noticed our lack of aloneness lately. All I've wanted was to be completely alone with her. Even now, we weren't. Bella was here. But she was so out of it that it was as good as it was going to get for us.

I kiss Alice's neck and pull her up my body. Her legs instinctively wrap around my waist. I'm attacking her lithe body with kisses and touches before she too quickly, pulls away.

"Jasper we don't have time for that," she scolds, and unwraps her legs and jumps down to her feet. I try hard not to groan or glare, but I stand still and stoic, waiting. "You need to go to J. Jenks and ask if he can track down Edward's credit cards or anything. He'll be in a meeting in his office, but we don't have time for you to work around him. Go see him and demand that he does all of this thoroughly and immediately. Then return back here as soon as possible. Go!"

I stare at her in amazement. How long had she been plotting this?

"Alice-"

She pushes me toward the door and I am powerless to stop her.

"Call me as soon as you get the information. Speak cryptically so the others won't find out what you're doing! Now, Jasper!"

"Alice, have you and Edward been planning something behind all of our –"

"Jasper!" she screeches. I nod, not asking anymore questions, but still immensely suspicious. I'm out the front door just as Nessie bursts through the trees with Jacob close behind her.

"Nessie, I can't take this anymore!" his voice cracks.

"Goodbye, Jacob. Where are you going Uncle Jasper?" She gives me a curious look, and seemingly relieved that someone interrupted her and the dog.

I nod to her in acknowledgement. I walk into the open garage and jump onto my motorbike, turn on the engine and am now whizzing down the driveway. In my haste, I had forgotten to put on the regulation helmet, so I made myself extra aware of any cops in the vicinity. My destination was Seattle, and obviously there was a reason why Alice wanted me there and now, so I hurried fast. The green trees were blurs as they passed by me and I smirked at the speed. I loved to drive fast just like any other vampire.

I had to slow down the speedometer a few times as I had close encounters with the police, but I kept at an incredible pace that would baffle most humans and I reached Seattle in record time. I swiftly weaved in and out of traffic making my way toward the offices of J. Jenks. I pull up in the underground garage not too far from his place of work. I turn off the engine and put on the safety before running to J at an inhuman speed. I had to get there in time for whatever Alice knew would happen. I knew she knew something was going to happen and I was curious as to what it could be.

I walked into the building and slipped into the elevator just before the doors closed. There was a woman who seemed to have pushed herself into the corner of the small room of transportation. Her smell was intoxicating. I hadn't hunted in nearly nine days. I sniffed the air sharply before closing my mouth and nose, trapping out any desirable smell. Since, Bella became a vampire; I had always found her story inspiring. I hadn't hunted on humans in a very long time and I had every intention to keeping it that way.

When the elevator dinged I exited and walked down the familiar corridor that led to J's office. His secretary, April, was sitting at her station oblivious to my presence at the moment. I stood there waiting for her to notice me before she looked up and let out a noise of shock.

"Mr. Cullen! It's been a while since you've been here..."

"Is J available?" I don't have time for her inane questions.

"He is in a meeting right now...it should be over soon."

"Tell him, I'm here." I look around the office space expectantly. She nods anxiously and picks up the phone and presses it to her ear. She punches a few numbers before she breathes a sigh of relief when J answers.

"Mr. Scott, Mr. Cullen is here to see you," her voice shakes as she glances up at me and then quickly looks down at the phone when our eyes meet.

"Mr. Cullen?" he croaks out in shock. "Where is Mrs. Cullen – Bella?"

"I don't know, sir. But, Mr. Cullen would really like to see you," she says urgently.

"Uh, yes, very well. Very well, just a moment. Tell him I'll be a moment," J says quickly. She nods and hangs up the receiver.

"Mr. Scott will be with you shortly. Please have a seat," she holds up her hand to show me the seats.

"No, thanks. I'm fine here," I say standing right in front of her desk. She gulps nervously and turns to her work, pretending that I'm not here. She fails at this though, because I am so overwhelmingly close to her. She busies herself with 'important' emails and chews her thumb nail anxiously.

Finally, a group of men are being ushered out of J's office. "I'll see you tomorrow; I promise we'll finish the meeting then. Ah, Mr. Cullen! It's been a while, please come in." J has gotten much older over the years, I notice. I've allowed Bella to do business with him since she took a liking to him eight years ago. So I haven't had any reason to see him since. God, he must be retiring soon, surely.

I follow him into his office. He rushes behind his desk and sits down clumsily in his large leather swivel chair.

"What can I do for you? Is Miss Bella alright?"

I am irritated that Bella allows him to address her so. "Mrs. Cullen is fine given the situation."

"The situation? What's happened?" I don't sit in the chair that is clearly present for visitors.

"I need you to track down all the activity that has been on Edward's credit cards in the past six months."

"Edward has left Bella?" J whispers in astonishment.

I stride toward him and he cowers in his seat. I restrain myself as I slam my fist threateningly onto his desk. I am careful not to break it. "I don't have all day, Jenks! Do it, now!" I snap. He frantically pulls over his keyboard and types furiously away at the keys. He searches his computer for any tracing of Edward's files.

I'm silent as I loom over him with my arms crossed threateningly. I wait for ten minutes, not moving an inch before J finally makes a noise that signals he's found something.

"Well, there hasn't been much activity over the past three months. In fact there are only two interactions I can see..."

"What are they?" I wonder impatiently.

"Uh, one of them is for a hotel room in Italy..."

"Italy?" I say alarmed. I am immediately given the thought of the Volturi. "Where in Italy?" I forcefully gripe.

"Venice," J says.

"That transaction happened about two months ago, though...ah, here's something. His last use of his credit card was two hours ago."

"Two hours ago?" I say quickly.

"Yes, a place in Spain. It's another hotel room..." His facial expression turns into one of confusion when J's fax machine starts up. I look over at it curiously and J twists in his chair, confused. He gets up and walks toward the fax and reads the letter that was just sent to him. "Um, Mr. Cullen. I think this is for you," he holds out the paper.

I yank it from his pathetic grasp and look at the words printed on the page in Times New Roman computer font:

Blood!

The phone rings and J jumps a mile high. I somehow know the call is for me. I reach forward and pick it up. I don't say anything as I press the phone to my ear.

"Jasper?"

It's Edward.

What is going on?

"You're in a hotel room. In Spain," I say, because that's the only thing that comes to mind. Not anger, not hurt, not confusion. Facts. That's what I want from Edward. I don't want nor need an apology.

"Yes, but not for long," his voice is calm. It's odd to hear from him after silence on his part for so long. I remember J is here, and he looks quite intrigued by the events occurring in his office.

"I see. What have you called me for Edward?" I ask, not wanting to play games.

"I'm going to need your help soon. And when I do, I want you to come to my side as soon as possible and with no questions asked. I trust you can do this," Edward says promptly.

"Yes," I say. Of course I can do this. "But, I'm guessing you don't want anyone to know about this little tryst."

"Yes, I would appreciate that."

"They're unhappy with you."

There's silence. I wonder if he's still there. "And you?"

I think about this for a moment. "Yes, I'd like you to return home," I admit.

Edward sighs. "Wait for my call," he says quickly and before I can say anymore the line is dead. I stare at the phone before slowly hanging up.

"Are things okay, Mr. Cullen?" J hesitantly asks.

I nod. "That will be all," I say and turn quickly out of his office and don't even bother with the elevator as I dart down the stairs faster than anything. As soon as I reach outside, I pull out my cell and quickly dial Alice's number.

"What happened?" was all she said when she answered the phone.

"Did you know this was going to happen?" I ask, I might sound stern, but hell, I had a right to be. Did I have to keep this secret? Not tell my family that I heard from Edward.

Alice didn't respond at first. "Yes."

I wait for her to continue in some way, but she doesn't. I sigh and continue toward the parking garage, still waiting for her to answer my question more thoroughly.

"What...?" She wants to ask the question, 'what did he say?' but obviously doesn't want to be heard by our family so she leaves it unspoken.

"Don't you know?" I grumbled, locating my motorcycle and swinging my leg over one side and sit comfortably.

"Well, yes. But the exact wording could have been incorrect," she says.

I roll my eyes. "How long have you known what's going on with Edward, Alice?" I ask out flatly.

"Sh! Jasper! I haven't! Okay, I'll meet you on the highway. Leave, now!" She hangs up the phone and I start up the engine. I dart out of the garage after paying the person at the toll booth, and weave in and out of traffic toward the highway that will take me out of this rush-hour filled city.

In no time at all, I'm making my way down the twilight-lit highway that was near deserted, getting closer and closer to home by the second. When, expectantly, I see Alice and her car on the other side of the road. I figure we are far enough that no one from home will hear us. I cross the street and bring the bike to a halt. I turn it off and Alice is sitting on the roof of her car, waiting.

"You've kept me waiting a long time," she teases. I smile slightly, though my heart warms at her words.

I lean against the hood and look up at her. "Will you tell me what's going on?" I lift up a hand and gently stroke her cheek, her eyes flutter closed. I'm softening her up on purpose. She knows this.

"I trust you with everything I have and know, Jazz..." She kisses my palm and takes my hand from her face and holds it tightly. "A week before Edward left, he cornered me. It was when we went hunting together. He took me far away, when he really didn't have to. He said that something was going to happen soon. I had no idea what he was talking about so, instead, I searched our future. I saw Carlisle and Edward, he was saying goodbye. Bella was miserable. I saw it all. Edward told me that I should wait for what was going to happen. He said that he'd call you, and ask for your help. I asked him what he was going to do, but he wouldn't open his mouth. So I searched his future, but saw nothing real incriminating. I hadn't been focusing on our future much at the time. Everything was going so great with our family that there was no point. Oh, Jasper, I hate keeping this stuff from everyone. But I promised Edward!" She cries and throws her head into the crook of my neck. I grab her neck with my free hand and cradle her softly and closely to me.

"I'm such a horrible sister," she mumbles, her breath tickling my neck.

"You're a great sister," I correct her.

"No! Here I am, I know so much –"

"From what I can tell, you don't know that much, Alice."

"I know enough! I knew Edward would leave. I know he's doing something...bad. Dangerous. He shouldn't be doing what he's doing without our help. I keep seeing flashes of him. And certain members of the Volturi. Oh, I'm just so glad that he's still alive!" She lets out a soft sob and I pull her away from my neck and look her in the eye.

"I'll be with him soon, no?" I confirm.

"Yes," she nods, miserably. "Be careful, Jazz. I get that Edward only needs you...at the moment. I'm so worried. Just make sure, no matter the situation, you pull Edward out of whatever he's doing and you get the two of you far away from anything he has planned for."

"What's he doing Alice?"

She shrugs. "I don't know his sudden motivation. But..." she struggles with what to say next, but I hush her. I can wait. I don't mind.

"Don't die," she whispers.

"Is Edward dragging me into a life or death situation?" I ask, slightly shocked.

"Yes."

R/R!