Chapter Fourteen

Alice

I wasn't sure how much longer the family would hold together, up to now the thought of Esme's pain was all that had kept Emmett and Rose here but Edward was making things almost impossible. I think he really wanted Carlisle all to himself so he would be only too pleased to see the rest of us go. How he thought separating Esme from her mate was to be accomplished I didn't know although recently I had an uneasy feeling when I looked at her. She was as upset and feeling as unwanted as the rest of us and I knew that leaving Bella had scarred her as much as the rest of us. Carlisle just didn't see it, or maybe he just didn't want to. He'd taken to doing extra shifts at the hospital so he was rarely home and when he was he took Esme hunting. I think he was under the impression this would satisfy her but what he didn't know was that she and I were both well aware of the time he spent with Edward when he was at the clinic.

I had hoped to hear something from Jazz too, after all, it had been well over a year since he had left. Surely it couldn't take him that long to find Bella even if he did take time out to consider what I'd told him. I just hoped he hadn't decided I was crazy, he should know better but love did strange things to people.

I was out shopping with Esme when I got the first vision of Jazz and he wasn't with Bella but her dad Chief Swan! It was only a glimpse and I made light of it when Esme asked me what I'd seen. Until I knew what this meant I didn't want to tell anyone. She could tell I wasn't telling the whole truth, but she didn't push me. These days we clung to each other as our world crumbled around us. I wanted to tell her that everything would work out for the best eventually but I couldn't lie to her, I just didn't know.

The second time I was with Emmett and this time the vision was far more detailed.

"You OK Alice?"

I shook my head,

"How long before Esme and Rose get back?"

He shrugged,

"They said they'd probably take in a movie so no idea. Why?"

"I need your help, Emmett. We have to get to the freeway."

"OK, what did you see?"

I shook my head, I could explain on the way.

"Please, let's go."

Not until we were on our way did I explain what I'd seen and Emmett was as confused as me.

"Why would Jazz be bringing Chief Swan to us? It doesn't make sense. Edward will go mental, mind that might be fun."

"I think Charlie's sick, Jazz must be hoping Carlisle can help him."

"But how did Jazz know about the Chief? And what about Bella? Is she with them? I really hope so, I miss her."

"No, just Charlie. I have no idea where Bella is but Jazz needs to find her, that's why we are going to meet them and take Charlie from him."

"Jazz and Bella? Why does he need to find her? We were supposed to stay away from Forks and the Swans."

"You want to turn around?"

I know my tone was snippy but I was worried.

"Hell no, I liked the Chief, besides it'll get right up Edward's nose and that I will enjoy seeing."

Emmett

I missed Jazz, he was like a real brother and though we hadn't spent a lot of time doing things together I did enjoy hunting with him when Rose wasn't available. We would laugh and chat about crazy things then compete to see who could find the best prey or find prey the quickest. Sometimes if I were in luck he might tell me a bit about his time as a Major in the Confederate army. What I really wanted to hear was about his time with Maria but that subject was taboo and I respected his decision, after all, it was a pretty horrific time for him Alice had told us that much.

All I had left now was Edward and to put it bluntly, he was a fucking moron who hadn't lived and thought he knew everything. I think that's one thing he disliked so much about Jazz and I. We'd both lived before we were turned, unlike Edward who had been tied to his mommy's apron strings. Sometimes he acted like a spoiled brat, no….make that all the time. What I could never fathom was why Carlisle who seemed in every respect to be a man of intelligence and integrity always bowed to Edward's wishes. It had irked me for years, one reason I stayed away from Edward as much as possible and then Jazz had appeared giving me someone else to moan about Edward to. He never said very much but the contempt was there in his eyes and I knew he felt the same way.

The final straw had been running away with our tails between our legs from Forks. I could hardly believe my ears when Carlisle backed Edward on this and I would have left there and then if not for Rose and Esme. Rose was staying only because to leave would break Esme's heart and she didn't deserve that although I had been surprised that she didn't speak up at the time. Rose said it was because Carlisle and she were mates but I disagreed. If Rose had wanted to do something so fucking stupid and cruel I would have spoken up, mating bond or no mating bond. Jazz did and left, and sometimes I wished I'd taken the same stand but here he was now actively hunting down Bella and Alice knew. She still wasn't giving me any details so I assumed Bella must be in some kind of trouble., After all, why else would Alice have sent Jazz looking for her? He was the best suited to keep her safe but from what? And why was he with Chief Swan? I got it that Charlie was sick and Carlisle might be able to help, he owed Bella that much at least but why not take Chief Swan to a hospital, and where was Bella? If she knew her dad was sick surely she would be with him? I wasn't the brightest star in the sky but I thought these were reasonable questions, I just hoped I would be getting some answers before we got back, after all, I had to face Rosalie and she wouldn't take a shrug too kindly when she wanted answers.

Jazz was waiting for us at a rest stop on the highway and held up a hand in recognition as I pulled up next to him. I couldn't see the Chief at first but I could hear his heartbeat, way too fast as was his breathing, yeah he was sick, real sick! Alice hopped out and flew to Jazz throwing her arms around him and I wondered if the two of them were going to be reconciled but then she stood back and I joined them. Jazz was tense, there was no love in his eyes but he did smile when I threw an arm around him and pulled him in for a man-hug.

"Good to see you man, I've missed you."

"Good to see you too Emmett. Look I don't have much time. Bella's dad is really sick and there's something weird going on. He could see my scars."

"No way! You mean he's transforming? Nah, he's way too quiet."

"I don't know what's happening just that he was attacked, bitten and now his blood is attacking his organs, killing him. The hospital was murmuring cancer but I think it's something more complex. I'm hoping Carlisle might be able to help him but I don't have time to take him, I have to find Bella."

"Fucking right you do and how dare you sneak off without me. I thought we were friends."

We all turned and saw Peter Whitlock stalk out of the bushes at the back of the rest stop smiling grimly.

Alice pulled open the back door of Jazzes car, ignoring Peter's arrival and lifted Charlie out while I kept an eye out for any human eyes but the road was mercifully clear at this time of the evening.

"Open the back of the truck Em, I'll sit with Charlie on the way back."

I did as Alice asked then once they were settled in, it was apparent Alice wasn't going to say goodbye, I called a farewell to the others who seemed deep in conversation, or in Peter's case argument and slid in behind the wheel.

"You think we'll see Jazz again?"

"Of course, if Carlisle can save Charlie Jazz will bring her to see her dad."

"And if not?"

She shrugged then smiled but there was no mirth in it,

"If not, I have no idea Em, I can't see his future or Bella's right now. Come on let's get Charlie back, the sooner Carlisle sees him the better."