Move Along

Chapter 10

It's been six long months. I have no idea where Jasper is, other than 'over seas'. We've Skype a few times and I've sent care packages to his troop, including things I think they might like. I know he's received them, because that's usually when we'd Skype.

I've been writing freelance for a local magazine here in Seattle, living with my brother is great, with him working long hours, and he'd accepted a position with the Seattle P.D. and putting his Criminal Justice degree to good use. He wanted to work his way up, and to be a detective. Following in our dads footsteps.

"Sis, I need you to be careful if you go out at night. There's a guy we're trying to catch, he's picking out random women and beating the shit out of them, no rape, no robbery, just beating them, and so promise me you'll try to avoid it at all costs. I couldn't bear for something to happen to you and I also don't want to be beat to death by Jasper when he visits." Riley laughed.

"I promise. I'll carry my pepper spray as always." I smiled.

"Thank you!" He hugged me before leaving for the graveyard shift and me crawling into bed.

Two days later I was leaving to go to work as Riley was coming home.

"Long night?" I asked.

"Yes. 3 domestic disturbances, woman getting beat up by their boyfriends and husbands and not pressing charges is disturbing. I also had 5 DUI's, and a hit and run. That's not including a woman who was beat to a bloody pulp, barely left alive. This is the farthest he's taken it. Please be careful. And Bella, one more thing. All the woman are brunettes and all look similar." He sighed, pulling me close for a hug.

"Ri, why didn't you tell me this before?" I asked, now scared.

"I didn't want to scare you. I thought we'd have him by now." He shook his head.

"I'll be fine. I'm headed to the office and I'll be home before you wake up." I hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Oh, breakfast is ready, I put it in the oven to keep it warm. Love you Ri!" I shut the door and headed to work, careful of my surroundings.

I was happy when I made it in the building, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Bella. So good to see you." Liam the Head Editor said.

"You too. Any good topics for writing this week?" I asked.

"I've got a art show happening this weekend at Pike's Market." He smiled at me.

"OK. Sounds good. I'll be there." I smiled and wished him a good day.

In my office I sat down to read my e-mails and saw Liam had sent one saying Eric would be my camera man this weekend and we were to meet at 7am, to interview the artists and get pictures before the crowds arrived and then as I interviewed guests, Eric would take pictures.

I e-mailed Liam back letting him know I got the message and I'd meet Eric at the market.

I arrived home as Riley was getting out of the shower and he informed me that he had already ordered Chinese for dinner. I thanked him and went to change into my sweats. I'd just finished washing my face when I heard Riley accepting our food.

We sat on the couch and ate, watching TV and talking about my day.

I let him know where I had to go this weekend and he was happy I had something I was actually going to enjoy writing about. I heard my computer ding, signaling a Skype chat, I ran in the room and set it up, startled by the image in front of me.

"Jasper, what happened?" I asked, choking back tears.

"It actually looks worse babe, really. I had a choice, call you first or go to the infirmary. I picked you." He smiled.

"But how did it happen?" I asked through tears.

"We met with unfriendlies today. They wanted a fight, they got one and lost." He smiled.

"Ugh! I hate this!" I yelled and Riley came in, a sharp intake of breath when he saw Jasper's face.

His lip was swollen and had a deep gash in it, clearly needing stitches, his right eye was swollen shut and he had a cut to the side of that as well and a bloody nose, not to mention the dirt and ripped clothing.

"Damn, I hope they look worse!" Riley joked and I slapped him.

"Yeah, at least I'm breathing." Jasper sighed and I looked at him with wide eyes and he just shook his head for me to not freak out.

"Hey, I gotta go babe. They're insisting on the Dr. now." He sighed. "I love you." He kissed the screen and before I could kiss it back he was gone.

I stood up and grabbed onto Riley, shaking and crying with such force he had to carry me to the bed.

He grabbed my anxiety medicine and gave me one.

I gladly swallowed it and let sleep take me.

I'd stayed in bed all day Friday, trying to get the images of my husband out of my head. His bruised, battered and bloodied face and the fact he'd had to kill someone and didn't seem fazed by it that scared me even more. I didn't know where my loving husband is… he's been replaced by a killing machine.

Saturday was finally here and I was glad for the distraction. Riley had breakfast ready for me, which I just picked at, still not feeling 100%.

I was glad to see that Liam had sent a car, seeing as parking would be scarce with this event. Eric was inside and we chatted about where to start and meet up after we spilt.

We agreed we'd start with the more well-known artists and then go to the newer, smaller ones after, that way we could watch some of them as they actually did work and then meet up for lunch.

We got started right away and as I talked to the artists, Eric snapped pictures. After two hours we were done and decided to split up and agreed to meet for lunch.

I headed to the left and him to the right, then we'd do the opposite after lunch.

I was enjoying quite a few of these artists, they were a lot less stuffy than the ones we'd just interviewed and I got a few business cards as well, I'd be looking into a few of them for my personal collection. I headed down the alley to the next set of artists when everything went black.

AN:

Yeah, yeah I know…

CLIFFY!

Sorry!

I hope you still love me though!

REVIEWS=LOVE