Chapter Fourteen

Bella

I woke in the dark, laying in Jasper's arms, my cheek against his stone chest but it was something else that had woken me, a noise and I felt Jasper tense.

"What is it?"

"Jake outside the window"

I struggled upright and put a hand on his chest to stop him getting up,

"Let me talk to Jake please. He won't hurt me"

Jasper wasn't happy about it but he sat on the bed ready to spring to my aid if he felt I needed it. I pulled the curtain back and saw Jake sitting on the window sill so I pulled my window up a little way and waited,

"Let me in Bella"

"No Jake. You broke into the house once already and I don't want you in here."

"But you're happy to have one of the Cullens in your bedroom, another one."

"Jake, I don't remember asking for your opinion on my decisions and I don't appreciate you attacking a guest in my home."

"Oh so its your home again now is it? I thought you'd moved out of Forks for good"

"I came to visit my father Jake and as far as I'm aware that isn't a crime"

"No but bringing a leech with you is."

"Sorry Jake, only in your head"

"I wonder what Charlie would have to say if he knew?"

"Knew what? That his adult daughter had a man in her bedroom and an oversized wolf cub on the window sill? Shall we find out?"

He grabbed my arm to stop me getting up,

"Bella he isn't a man, he's a vampire, a blood drinking vampire and I'm pretty sure Charlie wouldn't be too happy about that."

As Jake spoke I felt a cold hand slip over my shoulder and hover above Jake's hand that still gripped my arm,

"If you don't want to lose that hand I suggest you let go of Bella's arm."

Jaspers voice was very quiet but full of menace.

Jake growled and his hand shook but he let go of me scowling bitterly.

"So, you recovered. I thought the burglary at the vets might be something to do with you. Don't worry though we're ready and waiting as soon as you stop hiding behind Bella."

"Jake shut up. Fran and I were responsible for the burglary not Jasper and if you or your friends try anything I'll come looking for you with Charlie's rifle. Jasper can help himself to wolf blood then."

Jake turned from Jasper to look into my face,

"So that's it. You and him."

"Yes Jake, I'm on his side not yours. Now get the hell away from my window and take your friends back to the Res."

He jumped down from the window and I saw him phasing as he ran for the trees and the rest of the pack.

Jasper

Bella didn't seem to be afraid of any of us and I had to smile at her threat to use Charlie's hunting rifle on Jake and his friends. It made me feel good that she acted so protective towards me especially when my enemy had been a good friend of hers. I knew that sooner or later there would be a showdown between the wolf boy and myself, it was merely being postponed. In reality I could have spent eternity here with Bella and needed nothing more but that wasn't possible. What I needed was a way in through Charlie who wouldn't be happy to see a Cullen back in her life although I didn't blame him. Bella shut the window again and pulled the curtains before taking my hand and leading me back to bed. If she only knew the thoughts that ran through my head caused by that simple gesture she would probably have thrown me to the wolves but I controlled myself...just!

Bella

In the morning I grabbed the shower first and got breakfast cooking for Charlie knowing if he smelled bacon cooking he wouldn't hang around upstairs and the possibility of his discovering Jasper would be that much slimmer. Fran was down before him and she was grinning,

"So who had another visitor last night?"

"You heard?"

"I couldn't sleep so yes I heard the wolf boy and he didn't sound happy."

"He's not and I have no idea how long he and his friends will hang around hoping to finish what they started with Jasper."

"Well we only have a few more days before we have to head back so you'd better work something out. I happen to know that Charlie has accepted an invitation for us to the Res for a New Years Eve party tonight which will leave Jasper exposed, he can't go with us and you can't upset Charlie without an explanation."

"I don't want to go to the Res do you?"

"I go where you go Kimosabe."

"Very funny. Jasper is healed now so I guess if we can thin out the opposition he might be OK."

"How?"

"Well, how about we agree to go if Jake and the pack show up, we need people our own age there or we'll feel left out."

"Sneaky Bella I'm liking you more with every day. Do you think it will fly?"

"Let's see. I hear Dad coming down now."

Charlie

I'd smelled the bacon and eggs cooking and it led me straight downstairs to find the two girls sitting waiting with a plate steaming in my place and a mug of coffee.

"I thought I was dreaming, a cooked breakfast, I haven't had one of those home cooked since you left Bells."

"Well enjoy it while its hot. I wanted to talk to you anyway"

My fork hovered inches from my mouth,

"Oh? What about?"

"Fran says we're invited to the Res this evening for a New Years Eve party."

I nodded and carried on eating.

"Are the guys going to be there? Jake and his friends I mean?"

"No idea why? I would think so, it's a party after all."

"Well if they aren't then I really don't want to go and I think its unfair to drag Fran to a party of old folks."

"Thanks for that Bells it makes me feel real good."

"You know what I mean. Besides there's a party in town and I was planning on going there to see some old friends who are in town for the holidays."

"Oh right, well I guess it would make more sense you catching up with Mike, Angie, and the others. I could make your apologies if you like."

"Well I could ring Billy and find out I guess."

"Good idea Bella"

He finished his breakfast and got up grabbing his things and looking at the clock.

"Sorry folks but I have to go or I'm going to be late. I'll leave it to you to decide what you're doing but let Billy know if you aren't going to the party will you."

"Sure Dad. Have a good day"

Once we were sure he'd gone I turned to Fran,

"Which would you rather do?"

"How about I go to the Res, keep an eye on the wolves and you go into town and see your friends. You can take Jasper with you so you know he's safe and if the wolves disappear I'll ring you."

"Don't you mind?"

"No it should be fun and who knows I might meet a hot date. Charlie can take me"

"I think you're sweet on my dad Fran."

"Well like I said he is kinda cute and remember I'm a lot older than you."

"Eight years."

"So I like older men, sue me"