Song: "I Wish it Would Rain" – The Temptations

Chapter 13 – Separation

BPOV

I threw the door open and jumped from the truck. My feet could not carry me fast enough. No matter how hard or fast I ran, I was still too slow. Jasper seemed to be a mile away and I was sure I was already too late. I threw myself down on him and put my hands on his face, screaming his name as I slapped his cheeks repeatedly. Geoffrey's arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me away from Jasper, turning me and dragging me up toward the house. I screamed in protest, kicking and struggling against him, but he was too strong. "Bella! He's okay. Bullets won't kill him; they only slow him down!" His words didn't matter to me, though. All I could see was Jasper sprawled out on the driveway, not moving at all. This time, however, I realized that Emmett was there, leaning over him with his hands on Jasper's shoulders. Had he been there a second ago?

Suddenly Carlisle was in front of me with his strong hands on my shoulders. "Bella, listen to me. I can smell your blood. You're bleeding somewhere. You're not safe around Jasper right now. Geoff, please tend to Jasper. Emmett can restrain him, but you'll be better to keep him calm right now." I looked over Carlisle's shoulder and saw Emmett still bent over Jasper with Rosalie standing behind him. I met her eyes and she glared at me, her face contorted with hate. Carlisle shook me gently and I looked at him again. "Bella, we must go inside now." Geoffrey let me go and Carlisle turned me, moving me up the drive and into the house. I looked back to see Geoffrey kneeling over Jasper while Emmett held his shoulders down.

By the time we reached Carlisle's office, I could barely breathe and my heart felt like it would explode. My cheeks were wet with tears and my entire body was shaking with the force of my sobs. Carlisle set me up on the portable operating table he had and I laid back, covering my face with my hands. "It's my leg, Carlisle." I raised my leg so he'd know which one and took a deep breath in an attempt to control my breathing. I felt Carlisle pull up my pant leg and begin unwrapping my bandages.

"There is dried blood on your bandages, Bella. And your cut appears to be recent enough that the scent of your blood is more highly concentrated because it is nearer to the surface. I'm going to clean your leg and rewrap it. Now that it has stopped bleeding, Jasper should be able to be around you with minimal problem."

I laid there in silence, the image of Jasper crumbling to the ground replaying in my head over and over. Because of this, my tears would not stop and I could not stop shaking. When I smelled the gentle wave of smoke, I knew Carlisle had finished and was burning my bandages. I sat up after he pulled my pant leg down and ran a hand through my hair as I took a deep breath. Carlisle smiled gently and patted my hand. "You were fortunate, Bella. Still, we must be more careful." I nodded, now feeling guilty on top of everything. "Did it hurt him?" I asked, staring at Carlisle in search of the truth. He smiled and shook his head slowly. "No, Bella. He probably didn't even feel it. Our skin is like stone; a bullet would do no real damage. Geoff was right; It would only have slowed him down for a few moments. My guess is Emmett took care of the rest. We were fortunate he and Rosalie were so close."

I took another deep breath and shook my head, feeling helpless and fragile. "I'm sick of this, Carlisle. He's always in pain around me and he'll never be able to relax with me. I can't do this for much longer." Carlisle smiled and nodded gently, prompting me to continue. "Can you change me, Carlisle? I'm not quite ready; I need to give Charlie more time before I disappear again. I need a good reason so he won't be as hurt. But… Will you?"

"I think, Bella, you should talk to Jasper first. I have always said you are a part of this family and before we lost Edward, I always knew you would become one of us. Still, I'd like you to talk to Jasper and then the two of you should approach me together. Your relationship is so new, Bella; We must be sure this is the right thing." I shook my head, feeling my defenses rise slightly.

"I love him, Carlisle. And I know he feels the same, even if he doesn't know it yet. And besides, the Volturi will come looking soon. The dreams have gotten worse. I won't be safe here forever."

"Be that as it may, Bella, I have given you my answer. When you and Jasper have discussed it and have figured out how it is to be done, then we will talk further." He smiled and kissed my forehead, patting my hand gently. I heard the finality in Carlisle's voice and knew pressing the topic would be pointless. Sighing and shaking my head, I put my feet on the floor and slid off the table. "I can go see Jasper now, right?" I looked and Carlisle and he stared at me for a second, making me very uncomfortable. After a moment I realized he was listening to what was happening outside. Finally, he nodded. "You can see him, but I should warn you, Bella, if your birthday party was any indication of what to expect from Jasper, you should be prepared to spend some time on your own for awhile."

I dismissed Carlisle's comment, knowing there was absolutely no way Jasper would leave me. He needed me just as much as I need him. Still, I nodded and thanked Carlisle before leaving the room.

When I reached the front door, I looked out the glass to find Jasper, Emmett, Geoffrey, Rosalie, and Esme all standing together on the driveway talking. As I watched, Jasper and Geoffrey shook hands and Emmett slapped Geoffrey on the back causing him to stumble forward a step. Esme's laugh carried up to the porch and seemed to be the signal I needed to go outside. I opened the door and everyone turned and looked up at me, Geoffrey looking last and presumably only because everyone else did. I stood there for a second, feeling slightly unnerved by the way they were looking at me, and felt a blush begin to creep across my cheeks.

My eyes met Jasper's and I smiled gently. My smile began to fade away as he stared at me, unsmiling and cold. I took a step out the door and Jasper backed up, moving closer to Emmett and further from me. All at once I felt angry and indignant at the thought of Jasper keeping his distance from me. I locked my jaw, squared my shoulders and pulled the door closed behind me as I strode down the driveway. Esme smiled gently as she passed me, going back into the house with Carlisle.

"Yeah, you don't have to be an empath to know she's pissed off. Come on, Rose, let's get out of here." Emmett's comment did little to distract me, but I stopped dead in my tracks when Jasper grabbed his arm and shook his head immediately. "No, stay. Please." Emmett glanced at me and shrugged before folding his arms over his chest as he stood up straight beside Jasper. I scoffed and turned my focus back to Jasper. "So what, you're scared to be alone with me now?" My eyes flickered to Geoffrey as he shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat. "Well, I really can't be of any more use here, so I think I'll just go get something to eat."

Geoffrey turned to walk and away and then stopped, looking back at me. "Can I bring you something back, Bella?" Despite the anger I was feeling with Jasper, I noticed that Geoffrey called me by my name for once. I looked at Jasper again and took a step toward him, testing him. He backed up again, apparently not wanting less than six feet between us. Rosalie snickered and I turned my sights on her, seeing the look of triumph and amusement in her eyes. My anger intensified and I felt outnumbered now. The three of them stood together opposite me, staring at me as though everything was my fault. My anger swirled into fury and I realized that Jasper was not controlling my emotions; it was as though he wanted me to feel guilty and angry enough to stay away from him.

I felt tears forming in my eyes and fought to hold them back, not wanting to give Rosalie the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Still, as hard as I tried, I couldn't keep two heavy teardrops from sliding down my cheeks. Geoffrey cleared his throat and I glanced at him, making up my mind instantly. "Can I eat dinner with you, Geoffrey?" He glanced at Jasper, who remained still, and then nodded once. "Sure. You could probably use some food." I knew I had absolutely no appetite at all, but I refused to stay where I wasn't welcomed. I stared at Jasper, waiting and willing him to say something. When he blinked and looked away, I felt something inside me snap. "When we're done eating, I'd like you to take me to the Reservation. I'll be staying there tonight."

Jasper's lips twitched and I watched his adam's apple rise and fall as he seemed to swallow whatever words he had nearly let slip. Still, he kept his mouth closed and his eyes focused on a spot beyond me.

"Um…" I looked back at Geoffrey and saw him scratching his head in confusion, staring at Jasper for guidance. When Jasper said or did nothing to protest or agree, Geoffrey shrugged. "Yeah, alright, I guess. I'll grab my bag." He turned to go up to the house and I stopped him, shaking my head. "No, I'll be staying there alone. There's no need for you to stay there too." Geoffrey's eyes flickered to Jasper and I followed his gaze, seeing Jasper staring back at him with his jaw locked. Still, he said nothing.

"As much as I hate to break up the lovefest, I'm gonna have to be the voice of reason here." We all turned to look at Emmett and he smiled at me, his eyes gentle. "I mean… Come on, Bells. I know they're your friends, but they're dangerous. We'd all feel better about you going there if Geoff went with you." He turned and looked at Jasper, staring at him intensely. "Right, Jasper?"

Jasper's eyes darkened slightly and I noticed for the first time that they weren't golden. They weren't black either, but it was obvious he hadn't fed very recently. "Perhaps it would be best if you stayed with your father tonight. I'm sure he'd enjoy the company." Jasper stared at me, his eyes guarded and empty. My eyes blurred again as fresh tears spilled from them and etched their way down my cheeks. Jasper didn't want me here anymore. Knowing exactly how bad my dreams had gotten lately and that he was the only one who could control them, he was willing to send me back to my dad's.

I dropped my head and bit my lip, trying to hold back the sob I felt rising in my chest. I was so overwhelmed with emotions of betrayal, rejection, disappointment, and anger that I was sure I'd never forgive him for hurting me like this. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and looked up again, locking eyes with Jasper. "I'll be staying at the Reservation. You wanted me gone? You got it."

I turned and jogged past Geoffrey, heading into the house to get my things. I was almost entirely packed when I saw Geoffrey leaning against my door with his bag in hand. "Can't let you go alone. Besides, I'd like to get to know your friends." I smiled at him, feeling a rush of relief for some reason that I couldn't exactly pinpoint. With relief came a fresh round of sobs, causing me to drop down onto the bed beside my bag. I took my time getting myself under control, allowing Geoffrey to finish folding (and refolding the clothes I'd already packed). I heard the zipper on my luggage zip close and looked up to find Geoffrey smiling down at me. "Come on, kid. Let's get out of here."

He picked up my bag and offered me his free hand, pulling me up. He put his hand on my back and guided me down the stairs and out the front door. When we walked outside the porch was deserted and Jasper was nowhere insight. "He didn't even say goodbye, much less fight for me." I sighed and took a deep breath, willing myself not to cry again. Geoffrey loaded our bags into his car and we pulled out of the driveway a second later. Looking back up at the house, I heard something crash inside. The sound continued until we were far enough from the house that everything faded away.

JPOV

"Jasper!" Esme's voice was shrill and desperate as I shook Carlisle off my back. Suddenly Emmett had me by the arms, holding them behind my back as he fought to restrain me. "Chill, bro. She's just pissed off. Besides, you said she wasn't safe around you right now."

"She's not safe around them either!" I roared and ripped my arm out of his grasp, spinning so he only had one of my arms restrained. I pushed him as hard as I could in the chest, causing him to lose his grip momentarily. I flew past him and spun around, seeing my entire family staring at me with wide eyes as they stood among the wreckage left in my wake. "You could never understand, Emmett! You don't know what it's like to know you're about to kill the woman you love and be powerless to stop yourself; to have all those images of you draining every last drop of blood from her body, even as she stares at you with trusting eyes. You have no idea what it's like to feel her agony and feelings of betrayal and know you caused them. Don't tell me to calm down. It's not in me. Not tonight."

"Son," Carlisle stepped forward, his hands clasped in front of him. "I know things seem dark and hopeless right now, but I'd like to point something out. You had enough rationale and control of yourself to tell Bella to run. You held yourself back those few critical moments that allowed her to get away."

I shook my head, laughing mirthlessly. "A lot of good it did. If it hadn't been for Geoff's gun and Emmett's strength, I would have caught her. And I would have destroyed her."

Carlisle inclined his head slightly. "Perhaps, but let's think back for a moment. At her birthday party, there was no restraint within you. You did not think; you just attacked. And that was merely a drop of her blood. There was far more dried blood on her bandages this time around. Also, you have not fed since last night. Perhaps if you had fed more recently, you would have had even more restraint than you showed today."

I stared at Carlisle, trying to believe him; desperate to believe him. Esme stepped forward and took my hand, squeezing it in her own. "I'm proud of you. Not many vampires could find a way to think rationally when exposed to human blood as potent as hers. You're right; Without Geoff and Emmett, things may have gone differently, but had you not given them the chance to realize something was wrong and stop you… Well, we'd be having a very different conversation." I stared down at my mother as she smiled serenely and placed her hand on my cheek, patting gently. "You're getting stronger, Jasper. There was a time when you could not be within six feet of Bella and now you have entered into a romantic relationship with her. There's still hope..."

Carlisle stepped forward again and put his hand on my shoulder, pulling my attention to him. "I'd like to do a few exercises with you. I'll need Emmett's help, but I believe he'll be up for it." I looked over Carlisle's shoulder at Emmett and he shrugged, running a hand through his short hair. "Uh, sure. Whatever you need, Carlisle." Carlisle nodded and squeezed my shoulder. "I kept Bella's bandages. I only burned clean gauze while she wasn't looking. I was concerned she would protest for fear of hurting you too much."

I felt confusion begin to fill the room, sensing it most heavily from Rosalie. "Why?" She asked, moving away from Emmett and joining us near the door. "What purpose could that possibly serve?"

Carlisle grinned and released my shoulder. "Practice makes perfect."

"I want to start by having you remember the exact moment you smelled Bella's blood. Tell me what you felt, what you saw." Carlisle was seated across from me at his desk with a notepad in front of him. Emmett was somewhere behind us, waiting patiently. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what I was about to put myself through.

Bella smiled up at me, looking at me as though I was the only thing in her world that mattered. Pride and affection swelled within me and I stepped out of the doorway, standing on the porch. As Bella stared up at me, her emotions encompassed mine and I recognized the now familiar traces of love, attraction, and desire. I smirked and began moving off the porch when it hit me. Suddenly I could practically taste Bella's blood, causing venom to pool in my mouth as I stared down at her. She must be bleeding.

Bleeding… Bleeding… How easy it would be to…

I saw myself charge her, catching her and throwing her to the ground before she even knew what was happening. I saw myself rip out her throat with my teeth and drink every last drop of her blood as her writhing began to fade until she was finally dead.

Dead… Dead Bella…

I gasped and stumbled back as the thought of killing Bella knocked the air out of me. "Bella… Run!" I managed to get out as the burning in my throat intensified. I clutched the pillar beside me, willing it to hold me back as Bella looked up at me with shock written across her face. "Jasper?" She said hesitantly. "Run!" I choked out and I felt my body begin to shake as my control stretched thin. Bella took a few steps backwards until she was backed up against the front of the truck, still staring at me with wide eyes. Time was running out…The monster was coming out to play…

I watched as Geoff took Bella's hand and drug her to the truck, throwing her inside. He slammed the door closed behind her and I heard Bella scream in pain. I felt the last membrane of control snap within me and I began moving off the porch, my vision turning red as it so often did. "Drive, Bella. Now!" Geoff turned to face me, pulling his gun from its holster. The monster laughed and threw me aside as it charged the truck, anticipation making it joyful.

"Please, Geoff." I whispered, though I wasn't sure if it even came out. I was no longer in control.

A gunshot sounded somewhere nearby and I felt a sense of relief for a split second. The force of the bullet hitting my forehead knocked me off my feet and I heard a snarl fill the air. The monster's confusion gave me the strength I needed to gain a bit of control. I forced myself to remain on the ground as Bella's scream filled the air. I heard the truck stop and the engine cut off… Then the monster began to stir again, driven by the fresh scent of Bella's blood that was now filling the air once more as she ran toward me.

"Look at me! Jasper! Look at me!" Emmett's voice pulled my attention to him and I realized he was holding me down by my shoulders. "Just in time…" I whispered and felt the monster toss me aside again. Bella threw herself down on me and again I saw myself attacking her. How easy it would be…

Geoff pulled Bella off me and began dragging her away, causing her screams to become more hysterical. I heard Carlisle's voice and knew Bella would be okay now. I collapsed back, no longer fighting the monster, and allowed Emmett to do the dirty work for me until Bella's scent had faded away. Geoff knelt beside me as the monster began to recede and shook his head sadly. "I had no choice." I nodded, and felt Emmett's grip on my shoulders loosen a bit.

"Son?" Carlisle's voice cut through my memories and I looked up at him.

"I would have killed her. I would have gone through Geoff to get to her and I wouldn't have stopped until every last drop of her blood was drained." Carlisle nodded and I sighed, shaking my head. "I felt powerless, Carlisle. The urge is too primal. I can't control it."

"Ah, but you did control it. You gave Bella a chance to get away. And when Emmett and I came outside, you were laying on the ground of your own accord. You had not started to get back up again. You were fighting for her. Am I right?" Carlisle put his pen down on the desk and leaned forward, staring at me intensely.

"I fought it with every bit of strength I had. But it wasn't enough. Emmett had to hold me down or I would have attacked again." I shook my head and leaned back in the chair, damning my own existence.

"Perhaps you would have. But you exercised more control than you've ever shown before. You're learning and it's getting better. Now… Emmett?" Carlisle looked past me and I heard Emmett's footsteps as he came closer. Carlisle pulled a steel box from his desk drawer and put it on top of his desk. "Do nothing, Emmett, until I say." Emmett nodded and I looked at the box again, knowing what it held.

Carlisle tapped the box and I looked up at him. He smiled and nodded gently. "This will be slightly different since Bella isn't actually here. But the bloodlust will be the same. I want you to practice control. Force the bloodlust down. Fight it." I took a deep breath and nodded, telling him I was ready. He opened the box and removed the bag with Bella's bandages. My eyes narrowed as I looked at them and I briefly found myself wondering what caused her to lose that much blood. Carlisle opened the bag and I was knocked back in my seat as the scent of Bella's blood washed over me.

I gripped the arms on the chair, closing my eyes as I saw myself with blood dripping from my lips. I heard a growl fill the room and knew it was mine. Emmett placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed, though he wasn't trying to hold me down. "Emmett," Carlisle's voice sounded far away, but still calm. "He needs to do this on his own. You won't always be there." Emmett's hand left my shoulder and I opened my eyes to see Carlisle pick up one of the bandages and hold it closer to me. I squeezed the arms of the chair, feeling them crack under strain. "Carlisle…" I groaned and shook my head. The burning in my throat was now the least of my problems. The monster had reawakened and was licking its lips.

"Fight it, son. Don't give in to it." I groaned and closed my eyes again, fighting off new fantasy sequences. I will not kill her. I am better than that. Using every bit of strength I had left inside me, I began replacing the images of me killing Bella with happier ones.

I watched as Bella rolled over in bed and smiled up at me, moving so her head was laying on my chest. "Promise me you'll never leave me." She looked up at me, resting her chin on my chest and stared at me with soft eyes. "Tell me we'll always be together." I saw something desperate and slightly frantic inside her; something that needed to be assured of our feelings for each other. I smiled and kissed her forehead. "I promise, darlin'."

The scene swirled away, being replaced by yet another memory and then another. Finally, I heard the lid to the box close and I opened my eyes to see Carlisle grinning at me. Emmett slapped me on the back and laughed loudly as Carlisle spoke. "Well done, son. But you were prepared for it. You won't always be. Take a break and then let's start again."

GPOV

Bella barely said two words during the drive from the Cullen house to the diner. I had to admit, I felt bad for her. I knew exactly what it felt like to be in her shoes; to love a vampire who hated themselves for loving you back. There comes a point in time when you start to hate yourself for being human, knowing that little fact puts the one you love in agonizing pain. Throughout the entire ordeal, Bella had done absolutely nothing wrong. As much as I considered Jasper a friend and owed a certain amount of loyalty to him, I couldn't deny that he was acting like an idiot. Pushing Bella away for her own safety would do nothing but put her right back in the situation he had saved her from.

We pulled up to the diner and I turned off the car, expecting Bella to open her door and get out. Instead, she turned to me and shook her head from side to side. "I can't. Do you mind if I just sit in the car and wait for you?" The antagonistic Bella that I had gotten so used to had faded away into a broken, scared teenager who was in way over her head. "How about we just head to the Reservation? You can get some rest and I'm sure someone will feed me eventually." I smirked, hoping to draw a smile out of her, but instead she just nodded and looked down again. "Okay." I sighed and started the car, heading back toward the Reservation for the second time in one day.

When we got there, the same scene as before played out. Jacob came running out of a nearby house, pulling a shirt on as he ran. I parked and got out, pulling mine and Bella's bags out of the car. I turned around in time to see Jacob stop in front of Bella, staring at her as worry began to shadow his face. "What happened?" He asked and Bella took that as her cue to break down. Jacob caught her as her knees buckled and put his arms around her holding onto her as she cried into his shirt. He turned and looked at me, searching for answers. As he stared at me, I saw everything I needed to know about him. I had gotten the impression from Bella's dad that Jacob had a crush on Bella. But now, looking at the way he held her, caressing her hair and telling her everything would be okay, I knew it wasn't just a crush.

Bella took a deep breath as she pulled away from his chest, a chuckle mixing with a sob as she looked up at him. "I got your shirt all wet." I smiled and shook my head, leaning against the truck to wait. "That's alright, Bells. Wouldn't be the first time." She nodded and smiled before wiping her eyes. She took a step back, pulling out of his arms and wrapped her arms around her body.

"Um, we need a place to stay. Is that okay? I didn't want to go home and didn't know where else to go." Bella looked up at Jacob and he smiled, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Anytime, Bella. You know that." She nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I do. That's why we're here."

Jacob put his arm around Bella's shoulders and she leaned into him, her sobs finally dying away. I followed behind them as we walked up to the same house we had been in before. The house was entirely lit up and I could hear multiple voices coming from inside. When we walked in, I stood back at the door, surveying the room. People moved back and forth, taking bowls and platters of food and setting it on the table in the middle of the room. I watched as everyone worked together, moving as though they knew each other's thoughts.

"Bella?" I turned to see the same woman from before walking toward Bella. She stopped in front of her sighed, shaking her head. "Hi Emily." Bella said quietly and everyone turned to look at her. "Whoa, Bella! Who died?" Four hands arms reached out, smacking Quil in the back of the head. Bella laughed and Emily gave her a gentle hug before standing back again. "I'll make up the guest room."

I cleared my throat and Emily turned, looking at me. "Oh! Hi, Geoff. Didn't see you there. Okay, so then we need two guest rooms. Um… Bella, you can stay at the Black's. Geoff, you can stay here." I paused, torn between not wanting to leave Bella alone and not wanting to be too overbearing. "Alright, thanks Emily." Jacob came over and took Bella's bag from me, stopping for a second as Emily and Bella were distracted. "What happened?" He whispered and I glanced behind him to look at Bella. "I think Bella should be the one to tell you the story if she feels like it. But as you can see, she's not hurt. Just shaken up." Jacob nodded and walked away, leaving the house with Bella's bag.

Sam put his hand on my shoulder and I turned as he nodded toward a hall at the other end of the room. "Come on, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping." I followed him to a room at the back of the house, taking note of my surroundings as I went. I put my bag down on the bed and turned to find Sam staring at me.

"Why are you here?" His voice was firm and for a moment I thought he was trying to exert his authority over me. "I'm here because Bella needed to be with her friend and I needed to make sure she's okay." Sam nodded and ran a hand up his arm, sliding it over the tattoo on his arm as he considered the situation. "I don't like it, I have to tell you. Having two humans, two outsiders, in our house… It unnerves me. But we've gotten used to Bella and there's no talking to Jake when it comes to her. You on the other hand… There's something about you… You're like her. You have a soft spot for them, and yet… There's more. It's like you're more invested in her than you are in them."

"She's the reason I'm here. She's a clumsy, naïve kid who needs to have people around her who actually give a damn. Now, if you're not one of them, why do you care what my role in her life is?" I pushed the envelope a little, hoping to get enough out of him to figure out exactly what I was going to be dealing with during our stay here.

"Didn't say I care. Said you unnerve me. This is my house and since you'll be staying in it, I need to know just who you are." He stared at me, studying me and I stared back, learning him. Finally he nodded and offered his hand. "Sam Uley, Alpha." I grinned and took his hand, shaking it firmly. "Geoff Archer, Green Beret."

"Ah," he said, grinning knowingly. "That makes sense."

"What are you two doin' in here?" Emily came into the room and slid her arms around Sam's waist, leaning against his back. "Hey babe, did you know our friend here is a Green Beret?" Emily peeked over Sam's shoulder and shook her head. "No, but I'm not surprised. He's pretty damn built, isn't he?"

Sam spun around and grabbed Emily up, pulling her against him. "Oh, he's pretty damn built, huh?" Emily laughed and nodded, putting her arms around Sam's neck. I slipped past them and looked back once before leaving the room. "But nothing compared to my man." Emily whispered and grabbed Sam by the hair, pulling him down for a kiss.

I walked back out to where Bella was and found her helping everyone take bowls and plates of food outside. I grabbed a few things and followed them outside, setting them down on a large table that seemed to fit at least 30 people. I looked around, watching everyone bring out more food. Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket and I picked it up to see a phone call from Jasper coming through. I glanced around and saw Bella go back into the house with Jacob and flipped the phone open.

"Yeah." I said and began moving back away from the house. "Is she near?" His voice was calm and I kept my eyes on the door to the house. "She's inside the house. I'm outside. She doesn't know I'm on the phone."

"I'd like to talk to her but she won't answer her phone." I frowned at his words, realizing I hadn't heard Bella's phone ring even once during the time since we left the house. "She must have it on silent or something. Or maybe it's in the car. I haven't heard it."

Bella came back out of the house carrying a plate of food and set it down before turning and glancing around. She spotted me and raised an eyebrow when she saw I was on the phone. Within a few seconds she was standing in front of me with her hands on her hips.

"Who is it?" She whispered and I nodded, telling her what she already knew. She bit her lip instantly and crossed her arms over her chest. "He wants to talk to you." I said, offering her the phone.

Bella stared up at me and I saw the turmoil in her eyes. Finally, she shook her head and a tear fell from her eye. "No. He didn't want to talk to me when I needed him to, so maybe now I don't want to. He can't just decide when—." She sighed and shook her head. "No." She turned and walked away, taking a seat next to Jacob at the table near the house. Jacob looked at her and then looked at me. When he saw I was on the phone, realization dawned across his face and he frowned, shaking his head.

"I'm guessing that's a no, then." I said into the phone. Testing my limits, I continued. "I have to say, she's right, you know. You can't just write her off like that and not expect her to be upset about it."

Silence came from the other side of the phone and for a moment I thought he'd hung up. Finally, he cleared his throat. "I know. But it's not as simple as all that. Bring her home tomorrow, Geoff. I don't care what it takes; just bring her home to me…. Thanks."

The phone clicked and I knew he had actually hung up this time. I closed my phone and made my way back to the table, sitting next to Bella. She looked up at me, smiled sadly and then turned away again. I watched as person after person took their seat at the table until it was completely full and there were a few people standing around with plates. Everyone talked and shared stories, laughing so loudly I thought perhaps Jasper could hear it all the way back at the house.

When dinner was finished, Jacob, Sam, Paul, Quil, and a couple others I hadn't met rose from the table and began saying goodnight to everyone. I felt confused given that it was so early and began to ask what was going on when Jacob leaned down to talk to Bella. "The pack's on duty, Bells. I'll be home late. I'll try not to wake you." He kissed her cheek and jogged off to where the rest of them stood a few yards away. Only Sam was still near the table. He kissed Emily and they shared a quiet moment before he turned to look at me.

"Hey, Beret, don't go getting any ideas about my woman while I'm gone." I could tell he was only partially serious and knew he was only saying it because it was just one of those things that needed to be said. I grinned and nodded. "Sure thing, Alpha." I watched as the entire pack turned and ran off into the nearby forest.

Bella and I sat near the bonfire watching the flames dance. Everyone else had gone their separate ways a long time ago but Bella insisted she couldn't sleep and wanted the company. I picked up a stick and poked the ashes, causing a few embers to fly into the air. Bella sighed and took a sip of her soda. She was clutching her cell phone, which she had retrieved from the car right after dinner and had not let go of since. She rolled it over in her hands, pressing a button and getting the same response each time. The screen lit up showing her there were no new calls or messages.

"Why don't you just call him? You know he's not asleep." Bella looked up at me as though I had said something she'd been thinking already. "I know… But… I don't want to give in that easily. I don't want to have this happen a dozen times over. I can't even have it happen once more. I know I'm weak and delicate compared to him, but… I trust him." Bella hung her head, kicking the dirt beneath her foot gently. "I'm an idiot. I shouldn't trust him. If you hadn't been there…"

"But I was. And I always will be. It's why Jasper brought me here. My job is to keep you safe, kid. Nothing more, nothing less. And I will always be there with my gun drawn ready to take down anyone who threatens you, even if that means standing up to a vampire." I winked at the end, meaning my statement to be reassuring but Bella looked up at me with horror written across her face. "I didn't even think about that. He could have killed you!"

"Nah, I'm indestructible. Besides… When my time comes, it comes. I'll be ready for it. Hell, I've been ready for it for ten years now." I shoved the stick into the fire again, lifting some of the sticks to let air in.

"Geoff…" Bella's voice was soft and I looked up at her. She bit her lip and set her soda down, still clutching her phone. "What was her name?"

I stirred the embers, watching them fly into the air, dancing against the black sky like fireflies. I smiled, seeing her face in my eyes.

"Katrina. Katrina Denali."

A/N: For those of you who adore Geoff as much or more than Jasper, how do you feel about this little revelation? I was originally going to go in an entirely different direction, but I like this much better. I am already well into the next chapter but probably won't post until sometime next week. Christine, Stacey: You guys are indispensable. I hope you stick around for all my future stories. Finally, I want to thank Mynxi who was kind enough to recommend this story to all her readers. If you don't know Mynxi and JamesRamsey, you're seriously missing out. Head on over to their pages and check them out.