I don't own Twilight, Stephanie Meyers does.
Chapter 10
Bella felt Jasper shift and kiss her forehead, waking her from a deep sleep. "Five more minutes..." She murmured groggily.
"Darlin you have to get up and get dressed. We are going to have company." Jasper told her.
Bella opened her eyes wide. Company? "Who?" She whispered suddenly scared.
"I'm not sure darlin but their emotions feel benevolent. There are three, one I am almost sure is Demetri, the other is probably Marcus and the third I am not sure of. None of them seem hostile." Jasper said as he began to dress.
Bella started to dress too, tripping a little in her haste. He stretched out a hand stopping her from falling and steadying her. "Should we run?" She asked.
"It wouldn't do any good. Demetri is the best vampire tracker I have ever met. We can't run from him. It's better to face them. If they mean us harm I will take care of it. Trust me." Jasper said pulling her close and kissing her softly.
Bella felt her fear melt away she did trust him. They heard a knock on the door and Jasper gave her one last kiss before going to answer it. She noticed that he made sure she was behind him. The door opened to reveal Marcus, Demetri and a woman she didn't know. She had met Marcus and Demetri briefly in Volterra, but didn't really know them well. She wished she had Jasper's gift or Edward's and could see what they wanted.
Demetri looked at Marcus, who was staring at them with an odd expression on his face. The woman stood in the back saying nothing.
"To what do we owe this visit?" Jasper asked when the silence seemed to grow uncomfortable. Marcus shook himself out of his stupor and focussed on Jasper. He smiled widely.
"May we come in?" He asked.
Jasper moved aside, pulling Bella behind him. They entered the room and took seats. Jasper remained standing, so Bella remained standing also. She put her hand on his back needing the small physical contact.
Marcus seemed to be staring again and Jasper growled lowly.
"Forgive me. Your bond...it's beautiful..." Marcus said.
Bella blushed at his words. He had told her that her bond with Edward was intense now he was saying her bond with Jasper was beautiful what did that mean? Suddenly she was angry. The man was playing with words.
"You said my bond with Edward was intense now you are saying my bond with Jasper is beautiful. Are you trying to mislead us? Are you playing games with me?" Bella demanded.
Marcus focussed on her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to mislead you. I never saw you and Jasper together until now. I believe the intensity of your bond with Edward was caused by the fact that you are his singer. Jasper is your mate. I have never seen such a bond..." He began to stare again.
"Can we get to why you are here?" Jasper said in frustration. Bella wished they would get to the point too and was glad Jasper had spoken up.
"Yes. Edward contacted us four days ago complaining that you had abducted his mate." Bella gasped and Jasper shook his head. "Normally we would not have gotten in the middle of this but we have a valuable agreement with you Jasper and have no wish for you...to be unable to fulfill it." Marcus said sitting up straighter.
"I was sent to find out if you had indeed stolen his mate and assess what to do. Demetri came along to find you and Lucy is here to shield us from your wife's gift." Marcus continued.
Bella saw Jasper's eyes widen in shock. "You have found someone who can block Alice's gift?" Jasper said in disbelief.
Marcus smiled. "She is a very strong mental shield."
"Why are you hiding from Alice?" Bella asked.
"After your escapade in Volterra we became very interested in your coven. The talents Carlisle was hiding...Of course your presence has been a strong deterrent to us watching your coven more closely." Marcus said looking at Jasper.
"Aro and Caius have been arguing since then. Aro wants to acquire Edward, Alice and you Bella. Caius wants you Jasper. Both are leery of angering you Jasper. I am to be the deciding vote." Marcus said.
"No! You can take me along with Edward and Alice but you can't have Jasper. I won't allow it!" Bella said fiercely. The thought of Jasper again forced into slavery made her want to cry. She wouldn't let it happen.
Marcus raised his eyebrows and looked at her. Jasper took her hand, not taking his eyes off the vampires in front of them. "Darlin, don't be scared. They aren't going to take any of us without major casualties and they know it."
"You owe us a favor Jasper. Will you dishonor the deal you made?" Marcus asked.
Jasper didn't say anything. Bella was very afraid he would honor his deal and go to Volterra.
Marcus went on not waiting for an answer. "As I have said we started to investigate your coven. We have found out a great many things. Your wife...should I say ex-wife?" Marcus asked pausing.
Jasper nodded.
"We have looked into your past more Jasper and we have a more clear picture of you and your power. It seems once...Alice lost her hold on you she began to lie and scheme to separate you from Bella. It also seems you have been helping young Edward more than anyone knew." Marcus said.
"Where have you gotten your information?" Jasper demanded. Bella wanted to know too. Someone close to them had to have told the Volturri.
"Carlisle." Marcus answered without hesitation. Jasper growled. Bella was unsure how she felt about Carlisle's revealing their secrets.
"Here are my suggestions. To you young lovers I suggest you come to Volterra. We will offer you protection from your vengeful ex-wife. We will teach Edward how to deal with his gift and learn to control his temper. Alice is no use to us, we could never trust her enough for her to be any service. I promise you Jasper you will not be forced back into servitude. You will be asked for assistance not ordered. Having you in the guard is enough to cause fear in many of our enemies. And you beautiful Bella, we will not force you to become a vampire till you are ready. When you do change we will assist you with your first year. We suspect you will be a powerful shield but again we will ask for you assistance not order it." Marcus said.
"Your words mean nothing if Chelsea forges bonds on us." Jasper said. "I could kill Demetri now and you would never find us." Jasper said. Bella saw Demetri stand up suddenly growling. Marcus put out a calming hand. Demetri stopped his growl but did not sit back down.
"I do not believe you will kill Demetri, such an act would force us to retaliate or be viewed as weak. The fallout would be dangerous for both of us and unneccessary. This can be settled peaceably." Marcus said. Jasper nodded and Marcus continued. "We do not break our word. We promise Chelsea will not try to bond you to us. If what Eleazer expects is true then Bella's shield will be powerful enough to keep Chelsea from forging false bonds."
"What about my father?" Bella said. If they would agree to let him know about them..."Will you allow us to tell him about vampires?"
Marcus stared at her, making her feel very uncomfortable. "Will he be changed too?" Marcus asked.
"I don't know." Bella answered. She wouldn't force it on him but deep in her heart she hoped her father would join her. She wanted him in her eternity.
"I will have to investigate further. I don't have information on Charles Swan. I have to find out how trustworthy he is. But I am sure we can work something out." Marcus answered.
"We will need time to discuss this and think on it. Any decision we make must include Bella's father and we will not make decisions for Edward his decisions are his own to make." Jasper said then turned to Bella taking his eyes off Marcus for the first time. "Is there anything you want to add darlin?" He asked.
God she loved him. He was allowing her to have her input. Valuing her opinion. "We are going back to Forks. We want seven days to make up our minds." She said smiling. Jasper returned her smile.
"Shall we contact you or would you like to contact us?" Marcus asked.
"We will contact you." Bella said hoping Jasper agreed with her. She didn't want the Volturri coming to Forks. Jasper squeezed her hand and she knew he agreed.
Marcus nodded and stood up. "Till then take care of each other. If you need our help do not hesitate to contact us." Marcus said as he walked out the door.
Bella stared at Jasper after they were gone. He drew her close and kissed her. "We'll start back this morning. I think the weather report called for clouds." He told her calmly.
"Jasper...It all sounds good except I didn't like Volterra it was...scarey. All those red-eyed vampires and what they did to those tourists." Bella said shuddering from the memories.
"We will discuss it darlin. If you don't want to go there then we wont." Jasper said.
"But will they take no for an answer?" Bella asked.
"They'll have to darlin." Jasper said certainly. Bella hugged him tighter. In spite of the danger she felt safe in his arms.
They traveled back quicker. Jasper sped a little though he never approached the speeds that scared Bella. He was anxious to get back. He was worried what Alice was up to, how Edward was coping, and to find out if Carlisle was in fact betraying them. They only stopped for Bella to eat and to make love. When the sun was out Bella drove, and he laid down in the back seat.
"Jasper no matter what happens I want to keep this car." Bella said suddenly breaking into his thoughts.
Jasper turned to her and smiled. "I agree darlin. This car will always hold my fondest memories." He said honestly.
Bella blushed but then moved across the seat and cuddled into his side. They had entered Washington a two hours ago. They would be back in Forks soon. Jasper was glad for the physical contact he needed it. He was very nervous about what awaited them.
"Do we go to your house or the Cullen's?" He didn't say his house because it didn't feel like his house. It was Edward's home, Alice's home but it wasn't his.
"I want to see my father. I'm a little worried for him." Bella said.
They were silent again, taking comfort in their closeness but worried about what they would have to face. They pulled in to Forks and made their way to the Swan residence. The house was dark when they got there. Jasper frowned it was only eight at night. To early for Charlie to be asleep.
Jasper stopped the car. Alice was in the house, but Charlie was either unconscious or not there as he couldn't feel his emotions.
"Alice is there darlin. I can't feel your father there. Do you want to leave or confront her?" Jasper asked. He wanted to leave her there. Anything that came from her lips would be lies but he was concerned about the absence of the chief.
"The cruiser is in the driveway. Do you think she's done something to him Jasper?" Bella asked. He could feel her fear rising and wished he could give her assurance but he had a bad feeling about this.
"I don't know darlin." He answered.
Bella took a deep breath. "Let's face her."
Jasper nodded. "Stay close to me darlin." He said exiting the car and drawing her close to his side. The light switched on as they walked up the steps to the door. Jasper opened the door slowly.
Alice stood inside smiling at them. "Hello my husband and best friend." She said in her bubbly voice.
Neither of them said a thing. Jasper studied her, she seemed pretty pleased with herself. He sent her some calm and a little trust.
"Ah thank you Jasper. But you didn't have to do that. I am very calm and I trust you without your manipulation." She said with a little giggle. She bounced on her toes a little.
"You wouldn't be interested in sharing would you Bells? Best friends do share everything." Alice asked with a smile. Bella actually growled and would have attacked her if Jasper hadn't held her back.
Alice laughed. "Didn't think so but it was worth a try to ask. Still I think you will share, even though you don't want to. I know I can't kill you, that would kill my Jazzy and I don't want that. Still I think you will loan him to me for the life of your father. Poor Charlie." Alice pushed a button on a remote. The TV turned on and there was Charlie tied to a chair. Alice turned off the picture quickly.
She walked over to Jasper grinning. She ran a hand over his chest. Jasper decided at that moment to kill her and enlist Demetri's aide to find Charlie. Alice anticipated his move and ducked away from him. She scowled angrily at him.
"You will come to me and beg me to let you love me!" Alice said before taking off out the back door.
Jasper started to run after her but the thought of leaving Bella alone and vulnerable stopped him. He growled in frustration.
"Will she kill Charlie?" Bella whimpered.
"No she needs him. She must have seen my intention to call on Demetri to help us. She can't hide from him. Demetri will find her wherever she goes, and even though her gift may allow her to stay ahead of him. There is always the chance he will catch her. She needs Charlie alive as a bargaining tool." Jasper told her coming to her side and drawing her into his arms.
"Bella if I call the Volturri we will most likely have to go to Volterra to gain their help. Do you want me to do that or try to find another way?" Jasper asked her.
"Is there another way?" Bella asked.
Jasper went over hundreds of scenarios in his head. Finally he answered her. "None that are quick enough. Her gift is enough to avoid most trackers but I don't think she knows about Lucy and if Lucy is involved we should be able to catch up with her."
Bella reached up a hand and laid it on his cheek. "I don't want to trap you into a life you don't want." She whispered.
"As long as I'm with you darlin it is the life I want." Jasper told her honestly.
Bella closed her eyes. "Call the Volturri." She said. He knew it pained her to say that.
He quickly made the call. Marcus readily agreed to help them.
Alice was running. Her mind searched the future and she didn't like what she saw. She had been so sure that kidnapping Charlie would work. Never had she seen a scenario where Jasper would call on Demetri. But once he had made that decision she saw her death.
She knew Jasper had made a deal with the Volturri to keep Bella and Edward out of their grasp but she didn't think they had any kind of relationship. She hadn't been factoring them in her searches. She had never looked at a decision involving them.
She had to get to Charlie quickly. They had to move. Demetri would be able to find them but she should be able to keep one step ahead of them. She wouldn't kill Charlie for now. He might be useful in the future.
Alice growled in frustration. The future was blurry, Demetri faded in and out. She couldn't see him clearly. If she couldn't see then she needed to be fast, a distraction would help. She pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Edward..." She cried when the phone was answered. She tried to sound as scared as she possibly could. Edward was so gullible. "Edward, Jasper is back with Bella." She sobbed a little into the phone even though she wore a little smile. "He's using his power on her Edward. Bella was trying to talk to me, asking about you, but then he came in the room and all the sudden she started singing his praises, saying he was her mate." She let out a couple more sobs but smiled wider as she heard him growl.
"He d..doesn't love me anymore." She wailed. "You have to save Bella, Edward. She's my best friend I don't want her to be hurt."
"Don't worry Alice. I'll help Bella. Are you going to be okay?" Edward asked.
Alice rolled her eyes. "I..I think so. I'm going to take a little time away. I know you can help Bella." She told him.
"I will Alice. We love you and will be here for you." Edward said.
"I love you too Edward." Alice said smirking.
"Idiot." She said under her breath as she hung up the phone. She started to dial again.
"Emmett..." She cried when the phone was answered.
"Alice?" Emmett said.
"Emmett, Bella and Jasper are at Charlie's house. I tried to help Bella get away from him but Jasper hit me. I was so afraid of him Em. You know how dangerous he is. I'm scared what he's going to do to Bella. You have to get over there." Alice said.
"He hit you?" Emmett asked disbelief in his voice.
Alice was a little surprised she didn't think he would be hard to fool. She added a sob to her voice. "Y..yes." Then for effect she hit her arm for the sound effect and screamed before hanging up the phone. She searched the future and found Emmett running to confront Jasper. He was able to resolve it but it took time. Which is what she wanted. She started dialing again.
"Hello." Carlisle answered the phone.
"Carlisle, Jasper and Bella are back. They are talking to the Volturri. I'm afraid they are betraying us. I see them working with Demetri to track me down. They told the Volturri I kidnapped Charlie. I wouldn't do that Carlisle. They are going to trade me to the Volturri for my gift. I'm scared Carlisle." She said in a small voice.
"Come home Alice. We will protect you." Carlisle said.
Alice smiled. She hadn't been sure Carlisle would buy it. She searched the future. He was fifty-fifty. Her smile dimmed but she went on. She just needed to buy time.
"I can't put the family in danger...Just be careful and stay safe. Tell Esme I love her." Alice said and hung up. She dialed her last numbers.
"Hello." The phone was answered.
"Aro please." Alice asked. "Tell him Alice Cullen is calling."
"Right away Miss Cullen." The receptionist told her.
"Hello Alice. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call." Aro said.
"I have decided to join the guard. If you will have me." Alice said in a sure voice.
"Splendid my dear. When should we expect you." Aro asked.
"In four days." Alice told him.
"I will see you then." Aro said.
Alice hung up. Of course she had no plans to go to Volterra but she hoped to stall them. Maybe if Aro thought she might join peacefully he would hold up the search. She searched the future as she ran.