Chapter Twelve 12
Alice
I was relieved that Jasper was accompanying Bella on her road trip. I knew Caius and Aro hadn't forgotten about Bella, they just had other things on their mind for now. Marcus was uncomfortable, he wanted to leave Volterra and he knew he couldn't do it while Chelsea kept him captive. He worried for my safety too even though I'd explained that I would see any action Aro tried against us. I felt so sorry for Marcus, he had been so unhappy for centuries, living with his first wife's murderer and unable to do anything about it. Although I promised him we would get away from Volterra eventually he was sceptical. He found it hard to trust anyone, even me, and for that reason I needed to work very slowly, proving to him that I was on his side here in a city full of enemies. I hated Volterra but there was no way out yet and I wouldn't leave Marcus alone any more. How he had survived so long was a mystery to me, I felt his pain, his emotional sorrow and did my best to alleviate it. I refused to join the other wives and because I always knew what Aro was plotting I could stay one step ahead of him. Caius was easier to deal with, he just wanted the brothers to get along and keep our world in balance although his methods were a little barbaric at times. I thought about Bella and Jasper sometimes, our fate was tied up in theirs but I couldn't force it, they had to find their own salvation. Fate had a nasty way of biting you on the ass if you interfered too much so I had just given them a gentle push.
Bella
Jasper ordered for both of us although he just pushed his food around on the plate while I was ravenous. Travelling always made me hungry and I even picked a few bits of salad off his plate to his amusement. It was nice, I felt like half of a couple having a relaxing meal out. Edward had always made such a big thing of it if I wanted to go out to eat. He would sit with a drink in front of him and watch as I ate making me really self-conscious. Jasper on the other hand seemed to fit right in, he didn't eat but he had the appearance of someone enjoying their meal and kept up an intelligent conversation not waiting for me to hurry up so we could get out of the restaurant. He even ordered a dessert for me and laughed as I tried to eat without getting cream on my chin. When I did he leaned over very naturally and wiped it off with a napkin. I liked Jasper more the longer we spent together.
After we finished he took my hand again and we went to a nearby hotel, I had protested at the cost but Jasper insisted it was his payment towards fuel costs,
"Dinner and a hotel?"
"Fuel is expensive"
He smiled as he said it and once more I was really glad he was with me. Booking in he escorted me to my room then turned at the door,
"I'm going to hunt Bella, have a good nights sleep"
He kissed me on the cheek and then walked slowly to the elevator and was swallowed up by it. I suddenly felt very lonely, I wanted to call him back but that would be selfish, he needed to hunt and I needed to sleep so I went inside with my bag and filled the tub with hot water and bubbles then relaxed in there until the water was too cold. Putting on my old sweats and climbing into bed I opened a book but I couldn't read, my mind was full of images of my companion, his profile as he drove, his smile, his devastating accent when he let it thicken, the kiss on my cheek. Where was this going? Did I fancy Jasper? Of course, a woman would have to be dead not to, did I hope that he was attracted to me?...well did I? I guess my silence was answer enough. So what to do about it, I didn't want to make him run, the thought of spending the rest of this journey alone made me shudder now. I guess I'd just have to see what happened naturally. I didn't sleep well and in the morning I felt horrible but I showered and went down to reception and there he was sitting in one of the easy chairs reading the paper but he looked up and smiled as he heard me. The smile stopped a little short and he came over to me,
"What's wrong Bella? You are so pale."
I didn't sleep very well"
"Something wrong with the room?"
"No, something wrong with me, all the excitement of leaving Forks I guess. Will you drive today?"
"Sure but breakfast first."
He led me protesting back to the restaurant where he ordered pancakes for me and a large coffee"
"I see you know my poison of choice"
He laughed,
"Yes you like your caffeine shot"
Jasper
I watched Bella from the corner of my eye as I drove, she still looked too pale for my liking, she'd always looked more like one of us than a human but this pallor worried me. She leaned against me and fell asleep as I drove and I had to wake her for lunch. She looked much better and was back to her usual self by the time we started off again but still let me drive. This time she put the radio on and found a country station,
"Do you mind?"
I shook my head,
"Your truck, your radio. Anyway I prefer this to the modern stuff, it reminds me of home"
"Tell me about your home Jasper. About your human life if you don't mind."
I spent the next three hours telling her about my boyhood, my family and the farm we had, finishing with my joining the Confederate Army just as we came into town and I saw a motel.
"That's it for today Miss Bella. I think a walk and dinner is in order."
"Just as you say Master Jasper."
Bella
We walked around the town, window shopping and chatting about our likes and dislikes. He found out all about me without even trying. Whereas Edward had grilled me for hours, firing questions like bullets, Jasper asked in conversation but of course he never forgot anything so when we went into a restaurant for dinner he ordered garlic mushrooms as a starter which I found really funny. He looked at me confused,
"OK You said you liked them, let me in on the joke"
"I just thought it was funny, my vampire boyfriend ordering me garlic...Whoops sorry!"
What a fool! What made me say that? I felt myself going red with embarrassment. He leaned over with a sigh and took my hand,
"Bella, stop worrying. Its fine, I guess in a way I am. I'm a friend and a boy, if only loosely."
He made me feel better and I forgot my slip before we left the restaurant and headed back to the motel. He opened the room door and handed me the key,
"Are you hunting again?"
"Purely a precaution Bella. There are plenty of woods close by so it won't be a problem. Sleep well."
I waited and sure enough he kissed me on the cheek before disappearing into the darkness and again as soon as he was gone I missed him.