Chapter Fourteen: The troubles of Protection

-Tara-

Tara gradually opened her eyes to meet the full burst of ultra violet light from the sun, Tara groaned aloud closing her eyes again shading it from the pain caused from the light which flared a headache, Tara rolled over covering her head with a pillow, Tara laid there knowing the width of the bed didn't feel so big last night and it was more noticeable especially now that Emmett has seemed to disappear into thin air.

Tara thought to herself how did Emmett move her limp and heavy sleeping form without her waking up, she knew he was a vampire with strength but even she thought she might of felt movement especially from underneath unless someone helped move her, she blushed at the though of any of the Cullen's seeing her in that position with Emmett even if she was asleep.

Tara knew she would have to get up if she laid here in bed all day she would start crawling the walls she needed to have a walk and breathe in some fresh air but in the back of Tara's mind she pictured Emmett grumbling about her staying in bed to rest, she giggled she will explain to him when he got home, her body wanted to it craved to go to sleep forever curled up in the big comfy mattress but her mind forced her to wake up.

So slowly Tara rose from under the sea of blankets stretching she cringed a little but it was slightly better the edge was off the pain, Carlisle was a miracle medicine man in fact it would of taken her days just to get the edge off but he has the knowledge to shorten that healing time and Tara was grateful for his intelligence and skills as a doctor.

Tara yawned pulling herself off the bed she could see slightly better out of her eye as the swelling went down a little in her cheek, she made the bed to the best of her ability and sadly it was awful Tara felt bad for leaving it so badly as she walked into the bathroom, she was still quite a ghastly sight but it would heal she knew that.

After having a shower and brushing her teeth, she pulled out of the plastic bag Alice got for her the other night her black and gold underwear and matching bra it was the only nice pair of undergarments she had on her personally as well as a loose-fitting Linkin park band shirt which was two sizes bigger making Tara feel more comfortable but Tara looked at her pants she seemed to have lost some weight and she couldn't hold them up even with a belt.

Tara glared at her pants in annoyance maybe if I did this she thought suddenly a loud commanding knock startled Tara "Um. Yeah who is it" Tara said trying to slow her thudding heart and quicken breathing as Alice familiar voice said through the door "Oh sorry to have frightened you Tara but I saw that you needed a pair of pants", Tara opened the door smiling sheepishly at Alice who strolled in with a pair of pants.

"You looked into my future to find I needed pants" Tara said smiling lopsided at Alice who laughed happily "I also see in about two days I take you out shopping that's going to be extremely fun and I'm happy you actually like shopping, Bella always seems to avoid it like it diseased" joked Alice.

Tara felt uncomfortable she personally didn't have the money to afford new clothes and a moped maybe she should actually start looking for a job first before doing any of that, Alice smiled sympathetically at Tara "Do worry we will" Tara held up her hands to stop Alice from continuing "Alice when I find a job I will pay for my own stuff and as I'm staying here for a bit before I find my own place I will pay your parents board" Tara said stating her point clearly.

Alice's mouth dropped open in shock "Oh Tara we never expect you to pay for sleeping here and it's our treat to buy gifts" she said, "I know that but I will pay money as I'm a stranger living at your home, I'm a house boarder so I will get a job first" Tara answered smiling as she knew her mind wouldn't be budged on this topic, Alice pouted saying "Your no fair I now have to wait a week for our shopping together" she left to let Tara get changed in private.

The pants were a fawnish- light brown in colour, it looked like track pants but it fitted snugly on her hips and flared away from the legs it was this type of silky cotton and Tara loved the feel of it as if it was skin, she looked herself in the mirror apart from the punching bag face and body it looked great so Tara finished it off by tying her hair into a messy bun.

Tara walked down the corridor and stairs and stood in the kitchen she was hungry but it was rude to take food without asking even if they didn't eat it, it was still the Cullen's house, Jasper walked in looking at Tara as he sat down still watching her, she stood there looking back at him stupidly.

"Don't look like a starving mouse in a cage its alright you can get something to eat there's cereal on that self, bread above it, toaster and kettle over on that bench and spreads and jams below the cereal and I'm sure you know where the milk and butter is" Jasper said smirking as Tara flushed embarrassed about being caught out in her dilemma.

Tara walked to the fridge and got out the milk and some coco pops "Ahh coco pops fan least it's a tiny bit better then Bella's breakfast" Jasper said sitting perfectly still and rigid in his sit but he was smiling, Tara got herself a bowl and sat right next to Jasper who stiffened as she sat down.

"Do you want me to move?" Tara asked looking at Jasper in worry, "Could you sit across from me just for now" he whispered he looked in agony with that pained expression Tara nodded and moved around to the other side of the table across from Jasper, "it's a lovely day today" Tara said trying to break the uncomfortable and nervous ice that he settled between them.

Jasper chuckled "you don't have to try and make me feel better", "And you don't have to act like you're a danger every time I'm in the room" Tara retorted looking at Jasper who raised an eyebrow at her, "But I' am a danger to you personally am I not" Jasper stated as if it was evident.

Tara rolled her eyes visibly "If you were going to kill me wouldn't you have done it the times I was alone just here you can lunge over the table and kill me" Tara stated retorting to his fact, "Don't you think I thought of that" Jasper whispered looking Tara straight in the eyes.

Tara wasn't scared she understood human blood was like a drug for vampires and it held its allure over them like junkies, "Don't doubt yourself Jasper I trust you see I'm more appealing then before because of all this cuts and bruises yet you hold up, your strong" Tara said, "Yet I still have the look of devouring on my face" Jasper answered ashamed, "Your not the only one" Tara joked thinking of Emmett.

Jasper smiled "His devouring is for a different reason as is yours for him" he chuckled as Tara blushed at his answer, "Jasper where is Emmett by the way" Tara asked keenly interested when he will be back for his talk about his past, Jasper looked at her calmly "His out with Edward, Carlisle and Esme they found Rosalie's scent and went tracking for it".

Tara shivered at her name mentioned again was she always going to be fearful of Rosalie, "Emmett then is going hunting" Jasper whispered not looking Tara in the eyes, "Jasper, Emmett's already been hunting the other day I know you guys can't drink continuously because you get bloated and sick from it" Tara muttered.

Jasper sighed aloud and Tara was getting slightly annoyed with him and Emmett especially Emmett at the moment, "His trying to prolong our meeting as he doesn't want to talk about his past isn't he" Tara stated looking at Jasper who smiled sadly "Our past sometimes is a painful and terrible thing especially because of…" Jasper said but Tara finished for him "Rosalie".

Jasper nodded and Tara felt this stinging hurt why would Emmett be trying so hard to avoid this subject everyone has had painful or sad pasts Tara knew that for a fact was he shielding her because he was worried about her pain, did he not trust her or did he still have some feelings for Rosalie.

Tara gritted her teeth painfully trying to block out the million questions in her head like if his like this now will he always try and avoid problems needed sorting out, why is she questioning it she loved Emmett but will she be as subjective and overpowered by a man like her mother was he might not physically hurt her but he might emotionally without realising it.

Tara shook her head as she realised her emotions would be transferred from her to Jasper as he watched her with a calm expression but there was a sadness in his eyes "Tara you shouldn't doubt Emmett's affection and love for you, I dunno why he personally wants to avoid the subject" Jasper said looking worried.

"It doesn't matter" Tara said cutting off her emotions completely, Jasper looked at her startled and she just stared at him, "Tara I didn't want you to hurt or get mad at Emmett" Jasper said, "You didn't Jasper I'm fine can I ask you a question" Tara said changing the subject to the topic she was now focussed on.

"Yeah" Jasper said hesitantly looking around as if for exits to run for it, "Can you teach me to fight" Tara asked, Jasper looked confused and ran his hand through his hair, "Edward said you did Karate and self defense classes and are highly skilled at it" he muttered as if trying to remember when Edward told him.

"Yes I can defend myself against humans but I need you to teach me to defend against vampires" Tara stated, Jasper sat there staring at her he didn't move or blink and Tara waited for an answer from him, he coughed and rubbing his hands awkwardly together, "Tara there is no way that's even possible humans cannot match vampire speed, stamina or strength" Jasper pointed out.

"I understand that but if I learn a little bit then I wont be completely useless if I was ever attacked by Rosalie then I might be able to defend myself" Tara answered, "We wouldn't let her that close" Jasper hissed annoyed, "You can't defend me all the time and if it was between my life and Alice's I don't doubt for a second I wouldn't be your choice" Tara muttered smirking.

"Alice can look after herself" Jasper defended his lover angrily, Tara whispered "By Rosalie isn't just any normal foe she knows your battle moves, your weakest points, she's strong and a little violent and crazy" Tara said playing out all her trump cards and lining them up, Jasper glared at her for a second.

"It could be dangerous" he added, "What's life without a bit of danger" Tara said shrugging it off like it wasn't important, "I meant from me" hissed Jasper in ashamed, "Its my choice and I want you to teach me deal with it" Tara argued, Jasper head fell into his hands defeated, "What if Emmett finds out, he will kill me and you" Jasper made a ditch attempt.

"Emmett doesn't own me Jasper I'm an adult and make my own decisions" Tara said letting a bit of her anger at Emmett show making Jasper smirk "You got guts you know that taking on Emmett when he could snap you in two", "Let him try after you done teaching me" Tara said cockily making Jasper roll his eyes.

"No wonder Emmett likes you but it still doesn't help human reflexes are slow an your injured" Jasper said looking at Tara, "Yes I'm injured but I will heal its better now that I'm basically numb then when I'm all healed and you know I can take a hit plus I got a plan to help my slow reflexes as you state" Tara said lying slightly about the numb part.

Jasper nodded slowly "And your plan was?" he asked clearly interested in Tara's theories, Tara smirked there was only one thing really to do, "I will ask Emmett to turn me tonight into a vampire" Tara stated smartly, dead silence followed Tara wondered if Vampires could go pale because she thought Jasper went a shade whiter in his face, he didn't reply for a while, Tara was getting bored staring at him so tapped her fingers on the desk.

"Have you really thought hard on that course if action" Tara barely just heard Jasper whisper, "Your giving up your life your own very existence" he continued Tara understood why vampires questioned peoples decisions about turning because there is no way of taking it back but she had decided its what she wants.

"Yes I have chosen my path now will you help me" Tara pleaded looking at Jasper sitting, rigid, uncertain, very pale across from her, "You do know what you ask of me and that it puts you in danger and my family also" Jasper muttered looking at the table, "Yes" Tara whispered "Fine I will help you train one thing though you must promise me it" Jasper muttered.

"Anything" Tara said, "Promise me when I call for quits because I can't control myself you will stopped until I regained myself stay away the furthest away without moving from my eyesight and protection" Jasper whispered softly looking up into Tara's eyes she nodded yes and Jasper sighed standing up he walked out the back.

Tara guessing this was her queue to follow him she walked out into the sunlight closing her eyes in the bright glaring sun after a couple of seconds Tara went to open her eyes but she was tossed on to someone's back "Hold on Tara" whispered the strained voice of Jasper she nodded and opened her eyes seeing blurs of trees go passed suddenly they were in a glade.

Tara got off and move away from Jasper to give him a few moments of collection, she decided to look around the glade Tara ended up near a small pond with little fishes and the bluest water it was magnificent she gently ran her hand through the crystal cold water as the fish darted away Tara smiled at the beauty of it.

"Tara are you ready" Jaspers voice clear and commanding reached her, "Yes Jasper" Tara shouted back getting up and brushing dirt off her pants, Alice is going to kill her maybe she should of changed her pants before hand its to late now if she asks to go back Jasper will probably do a disappearing act.

Tara looked up as and caught by surprise as Jasper was sparkling in the sunlight she heard that the Cullen's and others of their kind sparkled but she never seen it until now, Bella said it was breath taking and it was it was like diamonds or thousands of tiny rain or dew droplets that covered the body it was amazing if only Tara saw Emmett like this it would have been prefect she was kind of shock that having a topless toned Jasper didn't appeal to her she was basically infatuated with Emmett.

Jasper smiled "Ahh the skin of a vampire in the sunlight, humans eyes always go wide when its seen but I'm betting you wished it was Emmett sharing it with you and not me having my arm twisted to teach your self defense on a sunny day" he stated, Tara smiled "You know me to well Jasper" Tara commented.

Jasper laughed tossing her a metal quarterstaff across towards her, Tara caught it looking at him perplexed "Your human there is no way a human can fight hand to hand combat with a vampire you need a weapon until well if you are changed then we can do hand to hand" Jasper explained.

Tara nodded having a couple of swings with the quarterstaff, Jasper nodded "Least you know the basics of weapon self defense training your instructor must of told you self defense is for disarming or disengaging an enemy for protection not to kill now I will teach you stronger faster skills to stop vampire attacks because you personally know that vampires can be only killed one way having the head dismembered and ripping the another body parts into pieces then burning them you must be strong to do that or have a sharp decapitating weapon like an axe which will be hard for a human to attack a full raging vampire but will give them a chance to hold off the vampire to help arrives" Jasper lectured as Tara listened carefully.

Jasper stood looking at Tara calmly "Now attack me with your best shots" he instructed Tara nodded again and with the quarterstaff attack with a lot of the more dangerous human disarm techniques but Jasper's hand were like a blur and blocked all the attacks "Stop" he commanded.

Tara stopped and took a step back breathing heavily and looking at the dinted quarterstaff in her hand she looked at Jasper who picked up another metal quarterstaff and tossed it to Tara she tossed the dinted up one away and held the new one in hand her heart was slowly controlling itself back into a steady pace.

"Now that was very good you got a pretty well even strength in your upper and lower body but as you noticed it didn't leave any marks just dinted your weapon to hell, now did you find any weaknesses in my stance I have a few a habit I can't seem to get out of really" Jasper said happily Tara realised that Jasper looked like he loved teaching but she was confused she couldn't see anything but a blurs when fighting him, she shook her head feeling ashamed.

"I wouldn't expect you to at first don't put yourself down again" Jasper commanded after 6 more attempts and 7 completely destroyed quarterstaffs Tara saw what he meant by flaws panting really hard she rasped "You right leg you favour it in balancing your strength on it when you swing and block" Tara thought she was gonna faint in exhaustion.

Jasper grinned sheepishly as he passed her a bottle of water, Tara gulped it down greedily replenishing the coolness on her dry throat, sweat poured down her face "Yes that's correct its been one of my major flaws since I was first turned it has caught me unaware at times so when your ready I will now fight back slowly but speed up ok" Jasper said taking a stand in the middle again.

Tara got up slowly picking a new quarterstaff up out of the pile there and walking slowly towards Jasper she was tired and wanted to go and crawl into bed and nurse her pains and aches but she knew deep down Rosalie or any other vampire wouldn't care for her tiredness and kill her with a flick of their wrist, Jasper got into his stance and nodded taking a deep breathe Tara lunged.

He blocked her attacks and she blocks his although they were sluggish, Tara knew he was picking up speed and saw that taking out his legs were the only chance she had to stop him, the first attempt he jumped but he didn't expect Tara to reverse it around and hitting him square in the legs taking him out completely, but Tara was about to bring the quarterstaff down where Jasper had fallen was now clear and a blur smacked her weapon out of her hand his nails cutting into her skin.

Tara found herself falling backwards and defenceless , a hand around her throat squeezing painfully as she was pinned to the ground, Tara looked up into Jaspers eyes as he sat glaring down at her like his prey panting heavily almost animalistic, "Jasper are.." Tara said worried not for her but her friend but was cut off but his voice "Don't speak let me breathe" he muttered.

So Tara remained perfectly still trying to calm her heartbeat and remain quiet, Jasper slowly removed his hand and got up he walked over to the stream washing his hands and breathing in and out slowly, "Are you alright" Tara asked from her now sitting position, Jasper looked up his eyes glassed over like he was about to cry.

"I almost .. I couldn't feel myself pull back I almost killed you Tara" he croaked looking miserable and so frightened like a small child afraid of the dark, " But you didn't Jasper I'm perfectly fine" Tara tried to comfort but winced grabbing her wrist trying to hide were he had crawled her.

"Don't lie to me Tara I can smell the blood on my hands..on your wrist, I can feel your heart race and your breathing heavily" he hissed looking at himself in the pond with disgust, "Feel my emotions Jasper, I'm still not over the adrenaline of the fight I'm not frighten of you I trust you with my life, I just worried about you that's all" Tara whispered getting up and moving towards him.

"Stay away" Jasper shouted in anguish but Tara didn't she moved closer and wrapped him in her arms and held him like she would a younger sibling she stroked his hair like a mother would whispering "It's ok Jasper I'm fine I been hurt worse in a fight, I really appreciate what your doing and I feel bad that I'm asking you to affect yourself like this but its got me prepared now even when I strike an enemy vampire be ready for the instant reaction because of vampires quick ability to recover in fights".

Jasper pulled away standing up and moving away but he smiled slightly at her "Your learning really well and quick" , Tara looked around it was dark , guessing around 6 or 7 o'clock at night it was a long tiring day "I dunno about that it's taken me a full day to know your flaw and I still haven't bested you by using your own flaw against you".

Jasper smiled "You did better then I expected from any human being you're a good student" he complimented Tara smiled a little but inside she was thrilled about it but knowing Jasper he felt her bubble of happiness and by the set of that smirk it was a definite yes "Well I had a good teacher" Tara replied getting the equipment and heading in the direction to the house.

"Hey Tara wrong way" Jasper stated Tara blushed turning around and hurrying to catch up to him, "Tara.." whispered Jasper uncomfortable "Yeah" Tara said watching her footing for evil ensnaring roots or unstable ground, "Thanks" Jasper muttered, "No problem ahh" Tara let out a squeak as she tripped but she caught her footing again without assistance.

"Can you carry me please" Tara whispered, Jasper sighed sadly "I can't your wrist is bleeding and its soaking into your long shelve t-shirt making it nearly impossible to be as in control as I would like", Tara nodded slowing a bit so she wasn't causing Jasper so much discomfort as she fumbled along behind him.

It took an hour getting back and it was pitch black and Tara was so very tired her body was now starting to make its complaints now as the house came into view both Jasper and Tara let out a sigh both for different reasons of cause Tara's was knowing that comfy mattress was all she wanted while Tara guessed Jasper was relieved because he felt like he had lived through his own personal hell.

Tara helped Jasper pack the equipment away and both strolled into the kitchen suddenly a booming voice screamed "Jasper when I get my hands on you I will kill you" Tara groaned out loud she forgot that Emmett would probably be mad first she was out of bed, second she was wounded, third she was with Jasper, fourth no one knew that and fifth that its late.

Jasper really didn't look bothered by Emmett's threat as the whole Cullen family came racing into the kitchen everyone but Edward and Alice had a panicked look, Tara yawned "I think I'm going to bed", "No I don't think so not until we had a talk" Emmett growled like his talking to a kid, Tara gritted her teeth who the hell did he think he was her father, Tara was still angry about the avoidance crap.

Edward looked warily at Emmett then back at Tara "Emmett maybe we should leave this for tomorrow" suggested Edward but Emmett shook his head stubbornly "No it was stupid of her she was wounded and needed to stay in bed" shouted Emmett, Tara glared angrily at Emmett.

"Emmett I'm perfectly fine, I was bored that's all I can't rest all day its boring" Tara said trying to not scream, "Oh that's great what if you hurt yourself huh didn't think about how worried we were especially me when you weren't tucked up in bed" bellowed Emmett, Tara sighed loudly he was really overreacting.

"I was with someone, I was with Jasper all day" Tara stated clearly thought there was a hint of acid there, "Oh great we want to protect and you choose the least compatible person to do it" Emmett was losing his mind to anger.

"Jasper isn't incompatible his been helping me out" shouted Tara in anger Jasper looked sadly at her, "By doing what" snared Emmett slightly feral, Tara knew that sound jealously, she almost choked how could he think that of his brother and worst of all her, "He was ACTUAL helping me learn to defend myself against vampires" Tara hissed.

Emmett snorted until he realised she was serious "You got to be joking me you went out to train after you had the massive beat down of a century to practise defense against a vampire your human if a vampire is coming for I will be there to protect you" Emmett said as if it was oblivious.

Tara wanted to cry out in frustration "I wasn't always going to be human I wanted you to turn me TONIGHT" screamed Tara the room fell silent and Emmett looked at her as if she was crazy, "Why would I accept that as your decision to make when you haven't even grown up yet" hissed Emmett.

Tara felt like she had been stabbed in the heart, she glared at Emmett as she suddenly saw him just like her father, the man she hated loving, Edward grasped out loud in shock "Ahh you wanna say something there Tara" taunted Emmett, Tara looked at him her face went blank, Emmett pulled but startled.

"You call me immature when all I wanted to do was not kill the people around me I love and that I wanted to be with you forever, its sad really when you can't even have the guts to tell me about your past, Emmett your exactly like the man that I grew up hating because I loved him, my own father, I guess thats my fault also, goodbye Emmett I'm leaving" Tara stated as she fled the room fearful that her emotions would overpower her.

Dear Reviewers,

That's chapter fourteen done, loved that I finally got to write about Jasper, I hope you liked it please review.

Emmett'sGrizzlyGal