Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does. I do now own a triple Christmas CD, oh yeah I'm in the spirit!

A/N: Thank you so much as always to my amazing beta 4StringQueen. If you haven't already you should mosey on over and read her story The Legend of Green Eyes, it's beautiful and hypnotic!

Thank you all so much for your amazing reviews, they genuinely mean the world to me. Love to the forum girls as always, you make me laugh when even Blackadder doesn't so thanks!

Special thanks also to Nostalgicmiss for talking me down off the ceiling at 5 o'clock this morning when having a meltdown about later chapters! You should definitely get that kettle story published! ;-)

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Chapter 10

"Comfort in sound

It's all around

Ease back the strain

Come heal your pain

Comfort in sound

Its all around you now."

Comfort in Sound - Feeder

Jasper POV

"Your turn Alice."

I looked up from the chess board to see that Alice's eyes had gone blank and her head was tilted back on her neck. Her whole body was trembling, and she was gasping and repeating the same words over and over.

"No, no, no! Not her, not now."

I grabbed her shoulders and shook her firmly, trying to pull her from her vision.

"Alice what is it? What do you see?"

Her eyes shot open wide. They were full of fear and she took a moment to focus on me.

"Oh God Jasper, it's Victoria, she's found them. She'll kill them both. She's not alone."

By now the room had filled with the rest of the family, Emmett was already halfway to the door.

"Where are they Alice?" His voice was furious, his hands clenched into fists.

"They're by the river somewhere, I didn't recognize it."

"I know where they are, come on." Emmett ran and we all ran after him. The forest flew by in a blur as we ran.

We reached the edge of the forest and could see the river. I heard Victoria's voice speaking menacingly to them, and could just make out Edward's form, standing protectively in front of Bella. It broke my heart to see how frightened she looked. Not again, I thought to myself. She can't be hurt again.

I didn't know how much more my little sister could handle. I thought about what Alice said about Victoria not being alone and made a snap decision right there. I doubled back slightly then dove silently into the river. I would take Bella back to the house and protect her there. If there was going to be a fight then she would be caught up in the middle and would more than likely get hurt. If anybody came after her at the house then I would be there to protect her.

She fought against me when I pulled her into the river with me, her desperate flailing and struggling completely useless against my strength, but I didn't want her to be afraid.

"Bella, relax, it's me, Jasper." Her fighting didn't stop, she couldn't have heard me. I shouted the words again, and this time she seemed to hear me.

Her body relaxed into my grip and she allowed me to tow her along towards the house. I spoke reassuringly to her, unsure whether she could actually hear me above the roar of the river, but I had to try. I could feel so many emotions coming off her that it almost physically hurt to feel it: fear, guilt, a small hint of something that felt like happiness, but an overwhelming amount of dread. She was obviously frightened for Edward, and she wouldn't be aware that the rest of the family was there now too. I would keep it from her for as long as possible.

As we reached the river bank, I pulled her up into my arms, and then ran into the house, not stopping until we were in the bathroom where I wrapped her shivering form in a large fluffy red towel. Her teeth were chattering loudly and her heart thumped heavily in her chest. Tears were streaming down her face as she looked at me, evidently waiting for some sort of explanation.

"I'm sorry Bella, I had to get you out of there, and if they were going to start fighting then you could have been hurt."

"But Edward is all alone, what if..." She stuttered off, shaking uncontrollably.

"It's ok Bella, the others are all with him, and they will be fine. We need to get you warm. I don't want you to get sick."

I pulled a blanket from the closet in the hallway and wrapped it round her tightly. She took it absentmindedly, and then we went downstairs and waited. She sat on the sofa, her body rocking with sobs, and still trembling with the cold. She was silent for such a long time that I was just about to ask her if she was ok when she turned to me, her eyes full of tears.

"He asked me to marry him." Her voice was sad, like she didn't believe that he was going to come home.

"That's great Bella, welcome to the family."

I smiled as encouragingly as I could, but I couldn't help but worry about Alice, and the rest of the family fighting out there. I had no idea what Alice meant when she said that Victoria wasn't alone. That could mean that there were two of them, or hundreds. I hoped fervently that I hadn't acted rashly and left my family in danger. What if they were outnumbered?

"Thanks." She sniffed, before grabbing my arm frantically. "Go to them Jasper. Please, you have to go help them." Her eyes were begging me, frantically.

I was torn, part of me wanted to do just what she was asking of me, to go and help my family, but I didn't want to leave Bella here unprotected either. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her because I left her alone, and I knew that Edward would never forgive me either.

"Bella, I can't. What if somebody comes here for you? I can't leave you here alone." Her eyes flickered briefly with fear, before she pleaded with me again.

"Jasper, do you think I'll care if something happens to me if Edward is gone. I just got him back and I can't survive losing him again. Please Jasper, please." She was almost hysterical now and I couldn't bear to see the pain in her eyes as she talked about losing Edward. What had she gone through when we left?

"Bella, I…" I trailed off as I heard voices approaching the house. I tensed and pulled Bella up and behind me in one fluid motion. I could hear her heart thudding loudly behind me. Her fear was filling my senses so thoroughly that I couldn't discern whether the voices outside belonged to my family or somebody else.

Then, the best sound I had ever heard filled my ears as Alice's bell like voice called out my name as she ran through the door and flung herself at me. I took her into my arms and held her there as though I would never let her go. I sensed rather than saw a similar reunion behind me as Edward and Bella's feelings of relief filled the room.

I felt Edward's hand on my shoulder, and he swung me round and pulled me into a fierce brotherly hug.

"Thank you Jasper. Thank you for getting her out of there." His voice was full of gratitude and his feelings reflected it. I searched around the room to ensure that everybody had made it back and my still heart surged with relief as one by one I took in the faces of my family.

Bella POV

"Bella, honey you're freezing."

It was Carlisle speaking. I had forgotten the cold the moment that Edward had pulled me into his arms. But I felt it again now. My entire body was shaking and my teeth chattering together painfully. I felt a pair of strong arms around me; Esme was pulling me up the stairs, away from Edward. I protested feebly, but couldn't get my words out through the chattering. I stretched my arm out to him and he followed.

"I'll run you a nice hot bath sweetheart and that should warm you up nicely. Can I get you a hot drink? Or maybe some soup?" She looked at me then, an expression of concern on her face.

"A b-b-b-bath s-sounds g-g-good." I stammered out, tactfully ignoring the second part of her question. She didn't force the issue and I was grateful. After seeing Victoria again, I knew that I couldn't stomach anything, and I wanted to know from Edward what had happened out there.

All I knew was that somehow Victoria had got away. All the Cullens had made it back in one piece, I had carefully checked that, and then checked it again, when they arrived. I was unbelievably grateful to Jasper for rescuing me. I knew how hard it must have been for him to leave Alice like that.

The bath felt so good and I could feel all my muscles relaxing as I lay in the wonderful hot water surrounded by sweet smelling bubbles. It felt good to be alone too. It felt like a long time since I had been alone and it seemed that there was always somebody watching me these days. I didn't mind, I knew they were just worried and I liked that they cared about me, but it was kind of exhausting being under constant scrutiny.

Here, alone in the relaxing bath I was able to give in to my fears and let myself feel scared without worrying about hurting Jasper, or worrying everybody else. What had Victoria wanted? She had said something about a mate for a mate. So she was planning to avenge James's death with mine. I knew I ought to be scared at this point, but I felt like there was something important I was missing. What had happened after I was pulled away? Edward had refused to tell me anything until I had warmed up, promising me the whole story when I stopped shivering.

"Charlie!" I jumped out of the bath so quickly that I slipped on the wet floor and had to grab onto the sink to steady myself. The thought that had entered my head was sickening and made my head spin. My dad. He was in Forks, unprotected and Victoria was out there. Would she go after Charlie? I knew perfectly well that she was capable of that, and she already knew where he lived.

I dried myself almost at vampire speed, and pulled on the clothes that Alice had laid out for me, grateful that they were practical rather than stylish. Then as soon as I was dressed I dashed down the stairs, my hair hanging soaking wet down my back.

"I have to call my dad." I exclaimed as I ran into the living room where everybody was gathered. "If Victoria is out there, she could go for him next."

"Calm down Bella, of course you can ring Charlie, here." Edward handed me a phone, and I braced myself for the call.

I hadn't spoken to my dad in months. The last time we had spoken it hadn't ended well. I told him I was going to withdraw from his life so that he didn't have to see me in pain anymore. I'd told him I wouldn't be going home for Christmas, and I said I was going to stay at college instead and get a job to make some tuition money. The truth was that I didn't want him to see the bruises, or to see the shell of a person that I knew I'd become.

I hesitated, my finger hovering over the numbers on the keypad.

"Bella?" Edward looked at me questioningly. "What is it?"

"I haven't spoken to Charlie in a while so this might not go well."

"Charlie loves you Bella, he will be thrilled to hear from you, no matter how long it's been." Carlisle's words were kind, and feeling slightly reassured I dialed the familiar number into the phone and listened to it ring three times before my dad's voice answered.

"Charlie Swan speaking." I hesitated again, unsure what to say. "Hello? Is there anybody there?"

"Dad." I breathed lightly, and heard his breathing catch on the other end.

"Bella? Bella is that you?" He sounded worried.

"Hi dad, it's me. Erm… how are you?" I could hear his breathing speed up and he replied.

"Bella, honey, it's so good to hear from you. Are you ok? How's college?" Hs words came out in a rush, so unlike the quiet reserved father I remembered.

"I'm fine dad. College is good I guess. I just wanted to say hi, see how you are. I'm sorry it's been so long dad." He sighed heavily.

"I understand Bells, I know you needed a clean break. I get that. I miss you though. The food around here sucks without you." He chuckled slightly at his own joke, and I tried to laugh too, but I came out more as a choking sound than an actual laugh. "Honey, you sure you're ok?"

"Yes dad, I'm fine. How's Billy? And Jacob? Still watching all the games together?"

"Billy's ok honey, but I haven't seen Jacob in a while. I don't know what's going on with him, but Billy's always a bit cagey when I ask after him. Maybe he's going through a rebellious stage too eh? Matter of fact Bells, Billy's on his way over now with Sue Clearwater. You remember her?"

"Yeah dad. I remember." I replied softly, my mind filling with memories of Forks.

I wondered briefly what was going on with Jacob, but I figured he was just rebelling like dad said.

"That's the doorbell now, I better go Bells, it was great to hear from you. You gonna call again?"

"Yeah I will if it's ok."

"Anytime baby girl. Love you."

"I love you too dad. Bye." I heard the soft click on the other end as my dad hung up the phone. I stared at the phone for a long moment before I felt cool fingers take it off me and my favorite pair of arms in the world pulled me into a tender embrace.

"It's ok Bella." His velvet voice said, comforting in my ear. "Charlie will be fine, right Alice?"

We turned to face Alice, who was sat in the loveseat with Jasper with her face contorted in concentration, looking irritated and confused.

"I can't see anything." She said after a few moments. "I can't see Charlie at all, I don't think that can mean that something bad has happened because Bella just spoke to him, and I would have seen it, but there's just nothing, just a weird swirling blackness."

"What could be causing that?" I asked.

All eyes turned to Carlisle, who looked just as baffled as the rest of us.

"Charlie could be in danger."

I started to panic, and was surprised when Jasper didn't try to calm me. I looked over to him and his face was not much calmer than mine.

"Bella, would it help if some of us went back to Forks to protect your father?" Carlisle asked softly.

"I can't ask you to do that. What if something happened to one of you? I'd never forgive myself."

"We can take care of ourselves sis." Emmett was making for the door. "Who's coming with

me then?" He looked around the room for volunteers.

"No!" I shouted, the effort hurting my ribs and making me wince. "I'll go." I sighed.

"Bella, don't take this the wrong way, but how are you going to protect Charlie?" Emmett asked, his face incredulous.

"It's me she wants right?" I looked up at Edward, his jaw tensed as he nodded slightly. "So if she gets me, then maybe she'll leave Charlie and everybody else alone."

"No way, no deal Bella, that is not happening."

Edward's hands around my arms were almost painful as he gripped onto me tightly. The whole family was on their feet now, all shaking their heads frantically.

"How about we all go back?" Esme's voice was quiet. I almost couldn't make out her words, but I knew it would have been clear as a bell to everybody else.

The room went completely silent for a few seconds then suddenly the room burst into action. Apparently a decision had been made in the silence. It occurred to me that maybe it had only been silent to me. Had they been talking too low for me to hear?

"Emmett, Jasper, Edward, you go on ahead with Bella. We will follow along when we've sorted everything we need to take." Carlisle's voice was authoritative and certain, as though he was absolutely sure that this was the right course of action. It was comforting to hear in the midst of all this turmoil. Before I knew it, we were in Edward's Volvo with Jasper at the wheel, speeding back towards Forks.

Recommendation for the chapter: Survival of the Soul by Lady Saffir. I had it recommended to me on Twitter and I'm completely hooked. I read 17 chapters in one day!