Sorry I got it up later then I thought I would. I have been reworking sections still in pen that I just thought made the story ramble around a bit.
Chapter 12
Urg, I thought to myself, Good way to keep your cool, Bella. I wonder what Jasper is thinking about me now, I thought swiping my id card and going into my office. I closed my eyes and turned the mind reading switch on in my mind and tuned into Jasper.
Good way to alienate your only friend here Jasper! He thought. Defiantly not the way to move a relationship farther. What the Hell did he mean by that? Wait did she say the weapons were enhanced? And with that I lost him to the weapons just like most men, I tuned out of his mind and switched off the power.
Taking a deep breath, which I really didn't need, I headed to my filing cabinet. I quickly grabbed the books I came for. I flinted to my closet, reaching in for a plain black shoulder bag and tossed the books in. I walked around the room slowly shutting drawers giving me a few more moments to cool off. Once I was calm enough I slung the bag across my body and left my office.
As I neared the main room I realized how quiet it was, just way to quiet. I allowed my senses to take over, to search for any threat. I still found it quiet so I did the next step and cheated. I used what I called my sensor power, quickly setting it to find Jasper then sent them into the room. Not surprisingly my senses found Jasper hiding just behind the door with a staff waiting to pounce. I am not sure what goes through new guard members heads, but three quarters of them think it is a good idea to try to sneak up on me at some point in their first week. They usually end up making fools of themselves. It would seem that Jasper was no different. He was in for a surprise, I silently giggled to myself as I walked through the door.
As soon a I was through the door Jasper thrust his weapon of choice, the staff, at my chest. I neatly somersaulted over it while grabbing and pulling it out of his hands. As soon as I was on my feet I used some power lifting him up and pushing him into the wall holding him there.
"Really Jasper?" I laughed as I jogged over to the weapons, putting away the staff. "Do you really think it was a good idea to attempt to attack someone who was already slightly upset with you?" I asked walking back to the center of the room.
"In hindsight" he slightly struggled against the wall "Probably not."
"Hindsight is always twenty-twenty" I laughed "In my hindsight I see I was wrong to snap at you before. I know that I have not hunted in awhile but that is little excuse to allow my temper to get the best of me. I would like to apologize."
"There is nothing to apologize for." Jasper continued to struggle against my power pinning him to the wall. " I was being a jerk and was goating you. I should be the one apologizing."
"You know you are very lucky" I laughed watching him.
"How so?" he sighed giving up the fight to get free.
"If you would have tried to attack me tomorrow being pinned to the wall would be the least of your worries depending on who saw you try." I smiled "Now lets get you to your room so we can go for a hunt." I turned and headed for the door.
"Bel…" was all he got out before I released him, he landed with a satisfying thud. I was five steps from the door when he swept me up in a hug from behind, spinning me around twice. He was rewarded with a laugh and a smile. "Thank you" he kissed me on the cheek as my feet toughed the ground again. "So how much farther?" Jasper asked taking my arm wrapping it around his.
"Not far." I continued to smile as we walked through the main doors. "Just out those doors and across the courtyard. It was good planning to put the guard building close to the training center.
"The guard building?"
"Yupe" I popped my 'p' "Every active guard member but me has residence there." I pointed to the building now that we were outside. "The first four and a half floors are for the Castle Guard, the next one and a half are for over night guests, then the next 3 are for the Elite guard."
"Why are there guest quarters in the guard building?"
"Those are the guests that could go to a cell instead of a comfy room." I said "We sometimes make the decision that this 'guest'" I air quoted guest, "just needs to know that he is being watched. It normally works, puts one on edge when everywhere you turn in there a guard is there" I smiled "It helps too that I purposely assign extra guard on those area when we have guests."
"I'm sure it does" he chuckled holding the door open for me. "No locked doors here I see."
"Nope" I laughed " I haven't found anyone stupid enough to attack a building full of any number of guards at any time." I said nodding to passing guards that saluted while stepping aside as we walked toward the elevator.
"That is true" he stepped into the elevator. "The guard really do salute when they see you."
"Yupe" I pushed for the top floor. "When they started I saw told by the older guard it was a sign of respect and I should accept it as such." I shrugged
"They were right" he replied as the elevator rose, "All I get from them is loyalty and respect, well from a few I get fear but is small."
"The fear is from the newer members" I giggled "For some reason they fear for a few months and then it goes away. They probably see that I still end up on the floor from my own accord if I am not paying attention"
"Please don't say you are still clumsy?" Jasper laughed with me.
"No where near as bad as before!" I smiled " Back to the salute" I said "I never intended for it to go as a rule. The bow is only a rule when I am in this cloak" I pulled the blue lined cloak up a bit. "But it became apparent that it was never going to stop and no matter who it was they all saluted. It just became easier to make it a rule, that way I could regulate it some." I said as the doors opened.
"There are only five rooms on this floor?" he questioned. "Why are they numbered?" he stopped.
"These are the room of the inner circle members" I said. "That one with the six" I pointed "is Alec's room, the one with the five" I moved my hand "is Demetri's, four" I went to the next "is Felix's and three is Jane's." I walked toward the last room "This room" I stood next to the emblazoned number 2 "belongs to you."
"What?" he whipped around at me.
"Jasper would you just unlock your door so we can go inside." I said with a sigh "I would rather not have this conversation in the hall."
"But this must be wrong" he said.
"For Craps sake Jasper either let us in or I will port us in." I snapped "I will explain once we are inside but not out here." I gestured to the hall. He slowly withdrew the key and unlocked the door. "Thank you"
"Now would you explain what stupid idea made you think I could be in the inner circle."
"If you only knew it also put you as my second in command" I muttered under my breath as I walked to the sofa.
"What did you say?" Jasper stopped walking
"Oh you heard me" I crossed my arms glaring at him.
"Fine then explain what stupid idea made you think I could be in the inner circle let alone your second?" He snapped.
"That is one of the reason's" I sighed uncrossing my arms and looking down.
"What?" again with the snapping.
"Just that even though you are aware that I am Leader of the Volturi Guard and a Volturi Leader you are not afraid to argue with me. Most hide their anger near me, scared what I might do." I crossed my arms again. "You still see me as Bella and believe it or not I need that. Even my brother treat me differently."
"That still is not a good reason" he calmed slightly as he sat down. "I could and would be like that in any position"
"You want reasons?" he nodded "Fine" I started, "You are a strong and gifted fighter." I raised my hand to stop his protest "I understand you might not be up to our standards but you will be. Your years with Maria has taught you to statagize and I always need help there. You happen to be gifted empath and knowing the emotions of a person can be vital information."
"And" he prompted when I stopped.
"And?" I looked at him "Obviously I missed the fact that you always seem to know when I am hiding something" I sighed checking my shield " even without you gift." I smiled, he just crossed his arms and waited. "Alright yes there is more and if you tell anyone I will happily dismember you" I sighed again. "I trust you" I again raised my hand to stop his protests "I trust the others too, but this is different. You, I trusted my human life and that makes a bond that the others are never going to have."
"Yes but it was a trust that I broke when I tried to attack you on your birthday." He said sadly.
"That's where you are wrong Jasper I never stopped trusting you. You would have seen that if you would have stayed, but that makes no difference. Yes, I trust you with my life, probably a little more then everyone else but there is more. I trust you to tell me the truth, to tell me I am wrong if I am. I know that the other circle members easily give me their opinion but they are never brave enough to argue even though they know I am in the wrong."
"I could do that in any position" he stated.
"No Jasper you couldn't" I replied. "You wouldn't be in the meetings and it is not like I could just bring you in the meetings that would be breaking the rules."
"Correct me if I am wrong but you wrote the rules so you should be able to change them"
"Or you could just suck it up, put your big girl...I mean boy pants on. Become my second and make my life easier."
"Are you just putting me in this position because of our past relationship? Is this an actual offer to be your second?"
"I always try to do what is best for the guard and I think you as second in command is what is best for the guard."
"What does the rest of the guard think?"
"I asked Jane as third, she was hesitant but agreed that you should hold the spot while in your probation period so you can learn. If during that time I find that this position is not working for you then we will move you."
"So after a trial period if I don't fit we will do something else?"
"Yes" I looked up at him "Can you agree to that?"
"I think I can" he smiled "Just wait until I tell Carlisle I am second in command."
"Jasper" I blurted out suddenly "I need you to promise me something."
"What is it?" he asked coming to sit next to me.
"Don't tell them about me."
"Excuse me?"
"When you write or call" I looked down at my hands "don't tell them I am here."
"Why? Everyone would be thrilled to know you're doing well."
"It does no good for them to know" I said sadly. "Everyone has moved on, I would just be bringing heartache to your family and I won't do that." I wiped a tear that started to run down my cheek. "I love them too much to do that" I said mostly to myself.
"They love you too." Jasper said pulling me into a hug. "Our Family" he poked me at Our "might have moved on but we each carry a hole in ourselves where you should be. I think they should know and make the choice themselves."
"Please Jasper" I whispered "I need you not to tell them."
"Alright I won't" he wrapped his arms tighten around me "but speaking truthfully I think it is the wrong choice. I know you're afraid of getting hurt but they would never hurt you."
"They already have" I whispered into his chest, he just froze.
We sat like that for awhile. Me wrapped on his arms wishing the pain away before it slipped through my shield where it would debilitate both Jasper and myself. Jasper trying to find a way to comfort and fix me without his power. I could feel him trying to penetrate my shield, knowing there was hidden emotion that was starting to eat away at me.
"Bella" he whispered into my ear "I can't help if you don't let me. Please lower your shield, I can help ease the pain." I just shook my head, "How can I be a good second if you won't let me help you?"
"Not now Jasper." I said pushing away from him shaking my head "I have lived with this for to many years."
"Talking about it will help" he cut me off.
"No, allowing my mind to bury it again and throwing myself into work will help."
"That won't help" he said finally releasing me. "I tell you what." He looked at me, "I want to add another stipulation to me accepting second."
"What would that be?" I asked warily
"That you talk to me about this," he pointed to my heart "It would seem that our hole is nothing compared to the one you have carried."
"I don't know Jasper" I said standing "I have dealt with this by myself for so long."
"Oh and you have done so well by your self." He smiled a little "I think it is time to heal, what could it hurt?"
"Besides me?" I turned toward him. "I guess" I sighed "It might do some good after all."
"Good then come, sit down so we can talk" he said opening his arms again.
"Not now Jazz" I raised my hand to stop him from interrupting "I still need to fulfill my duty here." He cocked his head at me as I reached for the bag of books I tossed on the floor. "These are almost important as the Bible." I said sitting down on the edge of the sofa. "The first one" I pulled it out of the bag, "is the guard stratige book. It has everything you need to know about the guard. It diagrams entrances and exits for every type of mission, formations that we use for the best effect." I started to laugh "It even tells you how we create the billowing black smoke when we appear places." I placed it on the coffee table, then grabbed another from the bag. "This book is our code of conduct for the entire guard. It covers everything from the salute, the dress code and mentors also describes what happens in lock-downs and how the chain of command works." I placed it with the other on the table. "This last book" I pulled it out of the bag "only goes to the inner circle. This one explains your duties as second and what is expected of you." I turned more toward him. "In the back it explains what to do if something happens to me or my brothers" I placed my hand on the cover.
"Nothing will happen." Jasper said covering my hand with his.
"You don't know that." I sighed, "It is always a possibility. Anyway" I gently pulled my hand away "you need to read and learn these books."
"Are you telling me there is going to be a test? He laughed.
"Actually" I smiled "there will be more then one. Both written and practical. It will go with your training evaluation."
"Who gets to administer these tests? Jasper said with amusement.
"Your mentor of course" I smiled standing up.
"Of course" he smacked himself in the forehead "my mentor would be again?"
"That honor would be mine" I bowed dramatically "Although I am slightly changing how things work here."
"How so?"
"Normally the mentor is in charge of training for combat but I was not sure how you would handle training with me, so I am handing that part to someone else." I smiled reaching my hand to him. "I figured you might be okay taking orders from me but fighting against me might be different."
"You know if I was Emmett you would be wrong" he allowed me to pull him up "But you are right, I would have a slight issue going against you."
"That's what I thought. Although I reserve the right to step in if need be." I laughed "Are you ready to hunt or do you like me, need to change before we leave. Which reminds me… as your mentor if you decide to leave the grounds for any reason, you need to let me know."
"No I am fine" he looked at his clothes, then walked to the door.
"Where are you going Jazz?" I giggled still standing by the sofa.
"I thought we were going hunting?" he turned around.
"We are but I need to change first"
"Then let us go" he gestured to the door.
"Umm Jasper I teleport remember" I looked at him "If you would like to hunt with some daylight left we travel my way."
"Are you sure we need to teleport?"
"You're not afraid are you?" I fought to hide my smile, Jasper just stared. "A vampire that is not afraid to anger one of the most powerful vampires to then try and attack said vampire is afraid of teleporting."
"I won't call it afraid" said Jasper "I would call it unsure."
"I have not lost anyone in port" I reached for his hand "I swear it is safe, but I agree it's a little unnerving the first time, that's one of the reasons I always teleport with people the first couple of times." I shook my open hand at him.
"Still not sure about this." He said finally taking my hand.
"I would not put my brothers in any danger and they have teleported with me and my other porters." I smiled but still he was not calm. "It will be fine Jasper" I walked to him, transferring his hand to my back then wrapping my own arms around him. "I am going to count to three then teleport, okay?" he nodded wrapping his other arm around me, pulling me closer. "I suggest closing your eyes," I smiled as he closed them then leaned his head into my shoulder. "Okay 1… 2… 3…"I teleported. "Alright its over you can let go now."
"I don't think I want to" he whispered, his lips just at my ear. "I think I like it right here" he kissed my jaw pulling my closer. My body reacted all on its own with a shiver. He gently pulled my chin up, our eyes meeting. His lips just brushed mine, the electricity exploding on contact. His kiss became more powerful, more urgent. Again my body moved on its own, my hands went around his neck pulling him even closer.
Soon after my brain finally kicked into gear. This was wrong, wrong in so many ways. I kept telling myself that but still I could not let go. I was leader of the guard and his mentor, I should not be kissing him. On the other hand, said the inner voice, there are other guard members that are together what would be any different. Damn inner voice, it was right. Still I needed to stop this before it went to far. It took all of my willpower to port away from his embrace.
"Jasper" I panted from the other side of my apartment "I am sorry."
"Why?" he turned, his eyes black with something more then thirst.
"Because I…Just…Not now." I turned away. "Why don't you look around my apartment while I change?" I looked around, spotting my locked office. "The only room locked is my office, the rest are open to you."
"You have two offices?" he said calming slightly.
"Yes Just as you do. If you wouldn't have tried to attack me in the center I would have showed you. You probably would have seen the one in your rooms if you were not to busy playing Dr. Jasper." I smiled, "Your office is almost as secure as mine."
"Almost?"
"The locks are set to keep people that are under you in rank out unless you set it differently. Seeing as I am the leader there is no one above me but my brothers and they rarely come to my offices. You as second only have me above you. As of tomorrow you will have access to both my offices at any time unless I state differently."
"Why do that?"
"Well my last second basically glued herself to my side" I laughed "She said it was easier and faster to get information that way, she didn't like to wait to get news. There is an office next to mine in the center for a second, though it has been unused for awhile. She just took residence on my sofa in my office." I shook my head "I guess I got use to having the company."
"Do you want me to do the same thing?" he asked walking toward me, his eyes going dark again.
"I am going to leave that up to you." I backed into my door to the bedroom " I will be right back" I slid into my room.
"Alright" he said as I closed my door.
May not get a chapter out tomorrow... it is family night. Which means out to dinner with the parents and bruises from my rambunctious nephews. They mean well but I always come home with a foot or hand print somewhere!