AN: Bella's dream and her guardian. Jasper and Bella share first kiss.

Chapter twenty: Time to Wake Up

**Please proceed to the NEXT CHAPTER for a brand new chappie. I've been doing some crazy re-edits. All chapters leading up to here have been done over. A few additions and a little changes here and there, like Jasper's favorite cousin has been changed to the character, Tanya. Writing her flows better for me. Especially that mouth of hers. Thank you and enjoy the newly reconstructed ABT.**

Bella, January, 2011…

I was in a beautiful, open field, blossoming with flowers. The sun was shining; its warmth and the melody of the birds…comforting.

A bright smile was spread across my lips as I took a deep breath, giving way to the senses less indulged and closing my eyes to increase the sounds and scents.

The simple joy of nature filled me, and I spread out my arms, bathing them in the sun.

Before long, my childish nature took over and I started to spin; my long hair dancing across my shoulders and back while my dress filled with the air and took its full shape. Laughter bubbled forth, and the birds changed their tone to imitate mine.

My chest swelled with happiness as I spun and spun in joy.

"Careful, mind you fall over." A heart wrenchingly familiar voice advised, making me pull to a sudden stop, and an ache rose in my throat.

I knew that voice. I'd missed that voice; longed for it, and even sought it out in other voices.

"You can look at me, Bella," Garrett whispered. But I couldn't. I couldn't face him. "I've missed you," he went on to say as his voice drew closer.

"I can't," I wept, the dam breaking as I refused to turn myself around. If I turned and looked at Garrett, it would only confirm what I already felt; it would weigh heavy on my conscience that it was my fault. That I got him killed.

"It's my fault." I choked out, tears streaming down my face.

"No, it's not," he said firmly, his voice closer than ever now. I could almost feel his breath on my neck.

I hadn't forgotten the infectious confidence that Garrett had in me; the protective bond that could relieve any doubt. "He was wrong. James is twisted..." As he spoke, he came to stand in front of me. "...and on some accounts, I was wrong too. I should have told you sooner, Bella. But I don't want you blaming yourself anymore. It wasn't not your fault."

Gazing up at Garrett was like falling through the rings of Saturn. His beauty was ethereal, almost as if he was from another world or the heavens. He was an angel. My angel.

"I am," he said as if he could read my thoughts. "A guardian, in a way. I'll always protect you, Bella." Garrett was the only one in college I ever told my real name to. Everything, all school records for me, were in the name 'Marie Higginbotham' because I foolishly thought Mom and I were running from a bad man; my dad. How wrong was I?

"I could have loved you, you know," I cried, "I was falling for you."

He smiled, caressing my cheek. Closing my eyes, I leaned into his touch, reveling in the feel of it against my skin. He kissed my forehead, and I gripped his forearms, gliding my hands down them; feeling the ripple of muscle under tight flesh while letting memories of our dancing flood my mind.

His lips brushed my cheek affectionately before moving to my ear, his whispered words heating it, "Thank you for everything, and while I'll always love you, it's his time now."

Moving out of his embrace, I wanted to look up into his eyes questioningly, but I knew exactly who he was talking about. "You mean..."

"Yes," he said, smiling knowingly as he cocked his head to the side, peering over my shoulder. "Jasper will always be there for you in a way that I can't. He's strong, and he only wants what's best for you; nothing more. He loves you, Bella. And you love you him too."

"I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," Garrett smiled, easing my worry that seeing me and Jasper together somehow hurts him.

I'm not hurt," he chuckled. "I'm happy. Sometimes, I think if you had meant him first, none of this would have happened. But you still have to be careful."

"Of what?"

"The secrets Jasper holds," Garrett said crossly. "He needs to share them soon, before it eats him alive."

"I can wait," I told him. I was beginning to trust Jasper.

"And that's good," Garrett said. "I want you to trust Jasper. He can protect you, love you."

Garrett smiled and took a step back. "I'll always love you, Bella Swan." Before I could answer, he started to vanish; his entire being gradually fading as I desperately reached out for him.

"Garrett! No!" I shouted frantically, my heart pounding in fear. I spun round and around, screaming Garrett's name until I was wrapped safely into his strong arms. When I inhaled the scent of sandalwood and sunshine, I smiled, knowing whose arms I was in.

"Bella, darlin', it's okay. I'm here now, it'll be alright," Jasper said, and I began to relax at his soothing words. "I'll always be here."

I would have been lost in his words. I would have let them taken me away like a leaf on a gentle breeze, but I couldn't help but notice the increasing wetness on the back of his shirt.

I dismissed it and tried to focus on his calming words as he repeated them over and over, but the soaked feeling of it was fighting through my subconscious; begging me to pay attention. Then, there was his voice. It was growing weak; getting soft. Too soft.

This was strange.

Pulling away, I moved Jasper back at arm's length, only to look down in horror at my shaking hands which I realized they were covered with blood.

A strangled scream pushed its way out of my throat and I looked up at Jasper, only to see more blood dripping from his mouth and his chest. His enfeebled body collapsed to the ground, taking me with me while I pleaded with him to forgive me.

"I'm so sorry!" I wailed, pulling his upper body to me and rocking him; the ache in my chest echoing with every sob.

It was my fault. Garrett was wrong, I was nothing but trouble.

"You are," James sneered in my ear, licking it, before he moved away.

Looking up, I saw James glaring down at me with a sickening smirk on his face. I clutched Jasper's lifeless body to my chest, sniffling as James smiled down at us.

"Wow, Marie, everywhere you go, people drop like flies. I know what you are," he mused. "You're death. You're a curse. You will bring them nothing but pain. Look!" He laughed, pointing down at Jasper's body in my arms. "You've killed Maria's son, her baby. Such an innocent guy and Marie went and got him killed. I think I know what to do."

Slowly, I started to lower Jasper's body to the ground; watching James' every move as he slowly stalked toward me.

"I know exactly what to do with you," he smiled, leering at me with a sadistic glint in his cold eyes.

I got out from under Jasper's lifeless body and ran. But James was faster. He was moving at an inhuman pace and was in front of me in a second.

I caught a breath and looked around; trying to find an escape route, but this only gave James time to grab me by the throat. I strangled cry left me as I flimsily grasped at his strong hold on me. "You're a fucking disease, Marie, but you're mine. No one else will ever have you. You…belong…to…me."

I hit him and got away. I took off running again, but once again, James gained on me in no time. I made the mistake of looking back, and saw him leaping in the air like an animal, and landed in front of me in a second.

He grabbed me by the throat again, pulled me to him roughly kissed my lips and then threw me clear across the open field. The pain in my back was unbearable and when I tried to get up, I couldn't.

James was in front of me again; his eyes were on fire.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" he screamed. "You're mine, Marie. I made you. I molded you. No one will ever have you. You're MINE!" He snatched me up by the neck again, his fingers digging into my flesh and cutting off my air. The beautiful, sunny sky had turned ominous, dark, and frightening. "You'll be mine again, and this time, I'll never let you go."

"Wake up, Bella!" I could hear him shouting; willing me back to reality. "I'm here, darlin'. Please open your pretty eyes for me," he pleaded.

I followed his command, opening my eyes, blinking once or twice while I let Jasper's words coax me out of my nightmare. His promise of safety from the horror, filled me with contentment, but as soon as he sighed in relief, I burst into tears. But Jasper was ready for it, and he took me in his arms. "It's okay. I'm here." His words made me cry even harder as I clutched to him.

"I'm sorry," I apologized in a broken voice. "I woke you up."

"Nonsense, it's fine," He hushed. "What was it?"

"It-it was a nightmare, but not at first." I sat up, wondering how much I should reveal to him in my sleep.

"I know," Jasper said solemnly. "Garrett was there at first, but then you started crying that you lost me, and then…" He knitted his brows in anger. "James showed up."

"Yeah," I whispered. "Sounds about right." I continued to sob and Jasper pulled me back in a hug.

"Bella, do you want to share your dream with me?" He urged, and I did.

I started out by telling Jasper what Garrett had said about not blaming me for what happened to him and that he'd always be there for me, but he wanted me to be with Jasper. I could feel Jasper smiling against my skin at that. Then I told Jasper about himself being there. My breath etched when I recalled the amount of blood pouring from him, but Jasper told me that it wasn't real and reminded me to trust him; he would never let anything happen to me.

"Garrett told me you'd always protect me."

"And I will," Jasper said softly, pulling away to caress my face. The beauty of his eyes had me enraptured in the dimly lit room. He was so close and his eyes held such promise. His warm breath fanned over my face, both calming and exciting me.

I wanted to kiss him so bad.

"Thank you," I said instead when he didn't make a move. But then, I chuckled, "You know most doctors would think that I'm crazy, or that I'm imagining things, yet, you believe me."

"Yes," he said calmly without hesitation, rubbing my shoulders. "I have no reason not to believe in you."

"You're incredible," I said, trying to choke back my tears.

Jasper took me in arms and it was the safest place I have ever been.

~~abt~~

The morning sun came through my windows, warming my face. It was a new day and thankfully after falling back asleep in Jasper's arms, I didn't have any more nightmares.

I woke up before him and just sat there, looking at him.

He was so beautiful. His face looked so cute. Soft snores were escaping him and I wanted to crawl out of bed, and make us breakfast but I didn't want to leave. He looked so peaceful, but I couldn't help thinking about the fact he didn't get to share his own life story with me last night.

What did Jasper want to say? What had happened to him?

He stirred while I was lost in thought and when his beautiful blue eyes met mine, I was trapped in their warm gaze.

"Morning, darlin'," he said, moving to sit up.

"Hi," I whispered, blushing and ducking my head when he smiled at me. Jasper made me feel like a teenager.

"Why are you so far away?" he asked, reaching out for me.

"I didn't want to wake you," I explained, crawling into his arms.

"Mmm…much better."

I chuckled.

"What?" Jasper said. "I like having you in my arms."

"I like watching you sleep."

He chuckled. "It would've been fine to wake me though." Looking up at him, his eyes held nothing but the truth. "I can't think of a better person to wake me up," he continued; his smile was so sincere, it made my heart thump in appreciation.

I giggled, "I'll remember that."

"I don't ever want you to be afraid of me, Bella," Jasper explained in a soft yet compelling tone. "I'll never hurt you."

I nodded and he sighed in content, holding me to him. I felt so relaxed that I almost fell back asleep.

"Bella, are you okay?" His smooth voice broke through my thoughts and I tilted my head up from his chest, only to find myself transfixed by his gorgeous, soul penetrating eyes.

Words were lost to me as Jasper gazed down at me. His eyes kept darting between my eyes and my lips. And I could see that we were back here once more.

Our gaze held a question. A need to go forward, but fearing what that road held.

While words never passed his lips, his eyes spoke volumes, and I knew exactly what they were saying because I felt it too.

There was a strong pull, and nothing in me wanted to fight it. I watched on bated breath as Jasper's head lowered to mine; his hand slowly coming up to caress my cheek.

I closed my eyes, leaning into his palm; only to open them in time to meet his ravenous eyes as he leaned forward.

The moment Jasper's lips touched mine, my world exploded. It was unlike anything I have ever felt before. It was as if time itself stopped, and the world had faded away as he palmed my cheeks while his soft lips moved against mine.

The kiss was soft, yet, so sweet. My hands had a mind of their own, roaming his body, as we moved to sit up on our knees on the bed. Jasper wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me to him, and I surrendered; molding my body to his own while breathy moans rang out in the silent room.

I didn't even know they were coming from me.

Jasper's hands grazed the waistband of my pajama bottoms as he moaned into my mouth while I fisted the hair at the nape of his neck, while his tongue ran along my bottom lip and I opened my mouth to him.

I parted them, inviting his probing tongue inside as he deepened the kiss while pulling me impossibly closer to his hard body. My hands moved from his hair to his neck and then down to his waist, loving the feel of his well-toned form beneath my fingertips.

My body was on fire. I wanted nothing more than to go forward; to just lie back and let Jasper have his way with me. To feel him inside of me, to have his strong body on mine; to let him drive my entire being to ecstasy.

But, we had to stop. It was too soon. If we didn't stop now, it would go too far. And while my body was ready for all the pleasure Jasper could offer it, my mind was another story.

Begrudgingly, I pulled away, panting while I laid my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beating wildly in my ear as he stroked my hair.

"We have to stop," I breathed, trying to convince myself that this was the right decision.

Jasper didn't answer, and for a minute, I feared his disappointment, but I bravely looked up in his darkened lust filled eyes only to find nothing but understanding.

"We should," he whispered.

I stared at him long and hard while willing myself to move. "I…I should go."

"Yeah," he breathed.

I got off the bed and headed for the door. I needed a shower. I needed to think. With one last look at Jasper, I opened the door and walked out of my room.

But my heart and soul were screaming to go back. To go forward. Everything in me was yelling to stay, and it pained me to walk away.