A/N: - Charlie prepares for the journey home and the possibility of laying down the law in his little town, while Jasper prepares to meet himself xx Alexis
The seconds passed slowly for Jasper, every memory playing out second by second, it was an excruciating experience. This was almost as bad as the fire during the change, but so it should be because he was rebuilding himself within his mind. He saw the moment when he split apart and although it was a valid reason, it was to protect his mind from the unrelenting violence, he allowed it to go too far.
Carlisle was wrong, there was no inner beast, it was just the more aggressive side of your nature exerting itself, it was the adrenalin driven part of us all. Holding it in was wrong, dangerous even, letting it take you over too was wrong. Balance and counter-balance, yin and yang, right and wrong, everything has an equal and an opposite.
Finding the point where all was balanced was his goal, his aim, his target even. The human who shows you a kind face while plotting your demise was just as broken as him, but they can mend, heal and be one again. The want to fix it had to be there and until now Jasper had had no need. He had hidden his aggressive side behind the fake mask that was Jazz Hale.
But he was not him, he was not solely the 'Major' either, he wasn't even 'Cowboy', he had been Major Jasper Whitlock at his first death and was just Jasper Whitlock now. Friend, son, brother, partner and hopefully one day lover and husband too, but still just Jasper Whitlock. There was no monster rattling in a cage in his mind, that too was just an image to hide aggression behind.
As he lay there, breathing more freely now, other memories surfaced in an unused corner of his vast mind, Isabella! He felt a little guilt inside as well before he rushed off he had seen and meant to mention her lovely new hairdo, showcasing her long delicate neck, obviously for him and he had said nothing. But the other memory was of a tantalising glimpse through the thin hospital gown she wore, of blood red underwear. This he knew without a doubt was for him too, Isa's idea he assumed.
He shot upright! "I need to be with my mate, I need to show them I'm whole, that together, we can fix them too", he spoke out loud to no one. But as he uttered the words his phone rang.
"Welcome back my brother, how does it feel to be whole once more?" Peter asked him,
"Good, I think it feels good!" Jasper replied laughing.
"It's time for you to return, I think the girls are distressed! Alice was not really the right babysitter 'Major', shit can I still call you that?" Peter asked flustered.
"Yeah, that's fine, don't worry. What do you mean about Alice?" He demanded concerned,
Peter was the one laughing now, "She's threatenin' them with a whole new wardrobe of girly girl clothes, as far as I can see! Isa and Bella are freakin' out so much it's affectin' Isabella!".
"I'm on my way back now, see you in forks and Peter thanks for everythin'," Jasper said with a deep warmth in his voice that Peter couldn't miss.
"Righty Ho, bye fucker!" with that he hung up and Jasper thought with a smile, maybe Peter needed to get in touch with his gentler side.
WWWWWWWWWW
Alice was panicking, she had just been telling Isabella all about the shopping trips they would go on. About all the brand new modern skirts and dresses she was going to buy her when she arrived in Forks. How she would be throwing away all her clothes from here and starting afresh.
Suddenly Isabella started to get restless, she was thrashing about and her heart rate sped up. Alice had no idea what had caused this vast change in the so far quiet Isabella and she rang for a doctor worriedly. Dr Tom Harrison arrived at the summons of the bell and asked what happened. Alice assured him nothing one minute she was talking to Isabella and then this.
"Well, I've only seen her do this once before and that was when she'd knocked herself out during gym,her mother was telling her all about the dress she was going to get her for a spring dance at the time, some hideous pink concoction if I remember right!" he was laughing loudly,
Alice's face had fallen, had her talking about shopping and clothes caused this? No that's not possible, all woman love shopping, she thought to herself, don't they? Also what on earth is wrong with Pink she thought.
Charlie arrived then and looked at the obviously disturbed girl in the bed. "Hell's teeth, did someone mention shopping to her?" he said laughing and Dr Tom said,
"I thought it must have been, the mention of a dress, a flouncy pink dress!"
Both men shuddered and then burst out laughing, unaware of how upset Alice was. "You know my daughter well then?" Charlie inquired,
"Favourite repeat patient? If the hospital gave out air miles, your daughter would be a platinum member!" he said shaking his head and Charlie nodded knowing that would have been true.
WWWWWWWWWW
When Jasper returned Charlie looked at him carefully, he seemed to be sensing the change in him and then he nodded as if whatever it was, was acceptable. Jasper smiled Charlie really was perceptive, meanwhile, Isabella calmed as soon as he entered the room.
"Everythin' okay Chief? Is Isabella alright?" he asked, Alice gave out a little moan that only Jasper heard.
"Shoppin' Alice?" he shook his head,
"New clothes? Modern up to date fashions?" he sighed,
"Threatenin' to throw away all the stuff she has at home? The stuff her recently deceased mother bought her! Way to go for tact and diplomacy Ali! Not everyone is so interested in fashion like you are" he said for only her to hear and she dropped her head in shame.
"Well looks like she's calmed down now, so I'll take my leave," the Doctor said after checking her pulse and heart rate, as well as filling in the chart at the end of the bed.
"Well that's it all sorted for tomorrow son, it's an ambulance to the airport, your families private jet to 'Port Angeles' and ambulance back to 'Forks' hospital. It was good of Esme to send the plane back for us. Now what do we do about Renee's house and all of Bells' stuff?" he asked in a worried tone.
"That's where Alice and I can help, we'll box up everythin', get all Isabella's stuff to the plane and the rest transferred to storage in Seattle. When she wakes and feels better, you and she can go through it all and decide what's to happen then. How does that sound?" Jasper said smiling at Charlie and he nodded.
"Sounds great to me son, how long will that take?" he inquired,
"Two hours tops to box up and then it's waiting for an uplift, I'll book it now, so four at most I'd say," Alice told him and he laughed.
"Wow, efficient or what?" he said,
"No just years of practice, Charlie" she answered smiling warmly at him and he flushed and lost his train of thought, Jasper tried not to snigger.
Jasper leant down and kissed Isabella's forehead, "I'll be back soon darlin' and then we'll all talk!" he whispered to her.
WWWWWWWWWW
"You seem different Jazzy! Your future's become blurry to me as well, what happened?" Alice asked,
"Ali honey, please don't call me that. He's gone, Jasper Hale doesn't exist anymore, there is only Jasper Whitlock now!" he answered with conviction.
It wasn't just his attitude, but his stance also had changed. His head was held higher, his back straighter. No hiding in the shadows for this man and Alice knew the man she'd loved was gone forever. Before her, stood the man he'd been before being turned, just a little battle worn and wiser, but basically, he was once again himself, at last, she supposed.
When they arrived at Renee's little house, Alice scrunched up her nose and before she could say anything Jasper growled quietly at her.
"Not everyone has money to burn Alice, some people have to live a simpler life! If you and Charlie get together, I would keep that in mind. He's not the type to be swayed by material goods, you do realise this? He won't stand for waste or havin' shit, just for the sake of it!" he warned her and she looked surprised at first, then resigned, it was obviously she was now scanning her future.
They set to then packing and boxing up the little house, but a cleaning crew would need to come in before the house could be sold. After a quick look through Phil's bags, Jasper phoned Charlie, because in a hidden pocket, in the base of one bag, were some disturbing photos and a notebook detailing his obsession with Isabella. The photos were of her undressing and Jasper removed the nude ones, before handing everything else into the police station at Charlie's request.
They would not impede the case with their absence, but he just couldn't allow pictures of his mate's body to be seen and bandied about before the court case. The man he was and the vampire he'd become, would not and could not, allow that.
Just under two hours later they were done and waiting for a pick up from the storage company,
"You go back to the hospital Jasper, I'll wait here for the van, I'll also take all Isabella's stuff to the plane okay?" Alice said and he thanked her with a hug, he was desperate to get back to his girl.
WWWWWWWWWW
When he arrived back Charlie was surprised, "I thought she was joking, but obviously not! Did you find ...?" he started to say,
"Yes!" Jasper replied,
"Did you ...?" Charlie murmured anxiously,
"I removed and destroyed some, they would have made no difference to the case!" Jasper told him earnestly.
"Good boy! I'm glad you were there to find them, others might not have been as considerate of Bells' or my feelings" Charlie closed that conversation saying and Jasper just inclined his head.
"Jasper? Alice is ...?" Charlie stuttered,
"A handful Chief! But you'll cope fine, a word of advice, though, say no now and again! Otherwise, she'll walk all over you, she a good and kind soul, but she doesn't always remember about boundaries and personal space," Jasper said smiling and Charlie released a breath of air.
"Okay, the family, no one minds, they don't think I'm too old?" he asked,
"Alice needs a firm hand, a guidin' hand, she remembers little from her human life. So she often ignores the rules, so to speak, so you will be perfect for her, bein' older and wiser!" Jasper assured him.
"Okay son, well good chat! I'm off to pack my things for the journey home" Charlie said clearing his throat, before leaving with a lighter step and hope for the future brightening his thoughts. He wasn't comfortable speaking about personal things but was happy that Jasper always gave direct and succinct answers.
WWWWWWWWWW
Charlie had barely shut the door and Jasper only just managed to sit, before he was whisked unceremoniously into Isabella's mind. They were standing side by side holding hands as he arrived, in what appeared to be a comfy library come study.
They were both holding their breath and it rushed out in a gasp as he didn't separate, but stepped forward and gently, but firmly hugged them both to him with love and happiness rolling off him in waves. That was when it hit him, he could now feel their emotions and they were strong, love, acceptance, lust and a myriad more.
"It worked!" squealed Isa,
"You're whole again" sighed Bella.
"You're still damned hot" purred Isa and Bella blushed, but nodded her head. Jasper laughed and they both sighed at the sound.
"Ladies, first of all, thank you, for the help and support! I really didn't realise that I was hidin' from myself. It was hard to come to terms with, but vampires don't like change and it was a little painful too!" he told them and Bella whimpered, as Isa checked him over for signs of damage.
"I think it will be easier for you two, though because Isabella is already unconscious! We can start to seriously work on it once we're in 'Forks' okay? Oh and darlins', I love you!" he said smiling and they both hugged him and each other tight.
"Isabella's hairdo is lovely girls and Isa? So was the underwear!" he said to them and Isa had a smug look on here face while Bella hid her face in his chest, blushing profusely.
He stayed with them, just chatting and reassuring them everything would be fine. He told them all about the travel arrangements and apologised for Alice's faux pas, earlier, explaining that she just can't understand how others don't like clothes and shopping, as much as she does.
In the back of his mind, he was aware of what was happening in the hospital room also, his becoming whole had allowed his vampiric senses work properly, as well as his empathic ones. As the hospital room door opened he kissed them both on the forehead and re-entered his own body with ease.
WWWWWWWWWW
The morning had arrived and as Charlie stayed with his daughter, the other two made a mad dash for the airport, avoiding the sun was the biggest difficulty but they were past masters at this and no problems occurred.
Once the ambulance arrived at the hanger they were free to help with getting her aboard and ready for take off. Jasper's being a Doctor made it unnecessary to have a nurse travel with them and the hospital was happy with this.
During the flight, Charlie brought up the only problem he could foresee, 'The Pack'! He was prepared to ban them from town if they caused any problems. He could have them on lockdown on the reservation if he wanted. After all, he was the law in 'Forks' and he would use this to his advantage.
Charlie was well aware what the future would hold for both him and Bells, they would both one day become vampires and although it wasn't happening soon, he wanted no interference from the wolves. So if necessary he would preempt them where possible, giving them no access to the goings on in town.
It all felt so surreal to him still and he wanted to get his head round it and make a decision without the constant barracking and bitching from the council, more like Billy and Harry really.
"The tribe are a little insular and this has made them arrogant and full of their own self-importance over the years," he said "But this is not a tribe matter and my daughter's life is nothing to do with them, hell neither is mine actually!" he stated, Jasper and Alice agreed with him.
Alice explained about the treaty the Carlisle had with the tribe, but as neither Jasper and her were there at the time or were really Cullens, they would not have the family changed it. So it would not be broken if they changed anyone. But she thought that was a while away and didn't need to be done here either.
If they eventually moved on and Charlie and Isabella moved with them as humans, then it was no longer the tribe concern. They all agreed that sounded like the best plan,
"Hell Bells hasn't even finished high school yet! We have time, don't we?" Charlie asked and they both nodded and the conversation ended there as the plane came into land. They were going to be met at this end by Emmett with his jeep and the ambulance for Isabella and Charlie. Carlisle had arranged a private room for her short stay in the hospital.
The plan was for her to be declared fit to go home to hopefully recover there and Carlisle would monitor her well-being, while Charlie hired a private nurse to take care of her day to day.