*grovels* To those of you disappointed in the last chap *pouts* so sorry but I had my reasons. I'd tell you why…..but then I'd have to kill you. Why you ask? Because I'm a ninja. An apologetic but stealthy, secretive, fucker who bakes fuck-awesome homemade bread. That is all.
Dear everyone else, thanks ;-) On with the show….. Oh yeah. M rated for beyond obvious reasons.
And to the best beta ever, stitchcat, who puts up with me goin' back through and messing up her perfect grammar each chapter. You know I luvs you ;-)
And skilial who pre-read this for me; much smooches and glomps bb.
DISCLAIMER: Twi-people and plotline belong to SM. I just enjoy fuckin' with them.
Chapter 21 Due for Some Down Time
J-Mo's POV
We ran towards home and, though my superior brain was capable of processing many streams of thought at a time, all of them were focused on one small brown-eyed girl that had twisted my world until she was all I could see, and all I could think.
In my time in the South, I'd witnessed three newborns scent their mates. No matter what else was going on around them, their internal compass was always pointing toward their mate. If I hadn't been too damned depressed to care, Peter and Char's fate would've been the same as the other pairs I'd sired: death. Mated couples were a liability; a weakness exposed is a target painted on your ass in the heat of battle.
Mating for our kind is pure instinct; animalistic. The beast within immediately recognizes its one true mate, but feeding from animals tends to dull nature's hold over us; weakening our knee-jerk reactions and allowing us to make more rational decisions.
That rainy day, when I stepped into that diner and Alice bounced up and offered me a new life, I immersed myself in the hope, joy, and love that surged from her tiny body, took her hand, and never looked back. I chose to love her and ignore all else in my quest for a peaceful, quiet existence and she ripped out my heart and did a lil' tap dance on the blackened fucker. Naturally, I wasn't lookin' to get into another relationship. Random fuck - hell yeah. To love, honor, and cherish - fuck no.
I didn't believe in love at first sight and shit. Lust at first sight happens and mating is automatic, but whether it develops beyond physical satisfaction and the fulfillin' of basic needs is up to the individuals. Nobody falls in love; you fall into a fuckin' ditch or off of a wobbly-ass stool when you've knocked back one too many or possibly into a hooker whose mouth is open. You grow into love; it matures over time like a good Scotch, and with true mates this creates a bond that's unbreakable. Even in the shadow of death, they walk it together.
I was fond of Bella, sure, but love?
I thought about how a stray ray of light would bring out her subtle red highlights. How her eyes sparked when her temper flared. Her snorts and giggles at Garrett and Peter. Her scent that, like her body, had moved on from childhood; matured but still oh-so-mouth-watering. Her inner strength and her quick, cunning wit. Her confusing thoughts that made perfect sense only in the context of Bella. Her desired independence and her emotional fragility. Her incredible ability to love mythical creatures, despite being burned time and time again. Just everything that was Bella.
Mother-sucking donkey-fucking titty-poundin' shit-faced son-of-a-whore - I'm the dumbest fuckin' empath to ever pull on boots. I shit you not.
Lovin' her wasn't going to be a problem, obviously. She'd already carved her own little spot within in my soul, and now that I recognized it, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do next. Damn it! See, fuckin' weakness exposed.
Due to my Southern upbringin' and my protective possessiveness, I'd always shielded Alice. But what had been a matter of thoughtfulness and choice with her, had come automatically with Bella. Every decision I'd made so far was based off of what she needed; what was best for her.
Thinkin' back on my reaction to her 'death' months ago and, yet again, to yesterday and the aftermath of the doc's fucked-up announcement, my denial-laden shit-streaked glasses shifted to crystal-clear transparency. I knew now, as did every other vampire that had been in that room then, that I'd found my true mate. It was the only logical reason why I'd mourned her to that extreme, and why she survived last night no worse the wear. Not even in any danger.
"By fuckin' George, I think you figured it out. Took you long enough."
"I'm gonna need your help keepin' this asexual, Fucker."
"I think you've got me confused with that hole-stuffin' Manginapire you called a brother. Try that happy-go-lucky bastard back at the cabin; he might be of some assistance in that department. Or, ya know, keep usin' words like 'asexual'."
"Edward's no brother of mine, Asslick. You're right though, I needed to talk to him anyway. Garrett's less of a horn-dog; thinks with the head on his shoulders."
"Oh yeah? You might want to wait till you find out what he's done about his human before you go spoutin' off about his level thinkin' and virtuous manner."
"Ah, fuck. You didn't?" Peter raised his hands in surrender.
"I just told him to get rid of her. I didn't care how." I felt his stab of annoyance and flare of anger as he spoke.
"Just what we need. Another fuckin' liability."
I could smell faint traces of Bella all through the woods as we ran closer to our cabin, and I worried that my latest 'slip-up' would be the final straw on the pile that would push her over the edge; finally convincing her that we're creatures to be feared.
I hadn't noticed I'd come to a halt until that fucker blew past me administering a cock punch with deadly fuckin' accuracy. As I doubled over (because I don't care who the fuck you are, whether you're packin' a starter's pistol or my fully-loaded sawed-off, that shit hurts like a motherfucker), he called out through his howlin' laughter, "Just makin' sure you can still man the fuck up, Dickweed. Stop underestimatin' her."
He was right and, fuck me, I was tired of having to admit that. I'd face this head on. It was my way. Honest, straightforward; I'd deal with the consequences of my loss of control. Hell, I'd be willing to grovel at this point.
I was hot on his heels as he burst through the door with a "Honeys, we're home!" Fucker always did have to make an entrance.
My body tensed as I tentatively sought out her eyes to search for any sign that I was still welcome here, by her side, because that's the only place I wanted to be.
All I felt as she flung herself into my arms was the same shock everyone else in the room was feeling for a moment. Until my arms hesitantly wrapped themselves around her slight form and I let out the breath I'd been holdin' since I came through that door; burying my head in her hair at her neck, breathing in her fresh tropical-island scent, as she tried to burrow her way deeper in my embrace. No fear; no panic, just me and her. The way it was meant to be. The way it would always be, if I had anything to say about it.
Feelin' her sudden embarrassment flare I gently squeezed her once more, and though every fiber of my being was against it, I set her on her feet and stared into her big brown eyes as she decided what she wanted to do next. I almost snatched her bony ass back up into my arms as I watched her eyes narrow and felt the rise in her anger. She was just plain ol' pissed off.
Taking a step back, distractin' me for a moment as she puffed out her perfectly palm-sized coconuts, she took a deep breath before givin' me the tongue lashin' I so rightly deserved. But not the one I wanted right now. Focus on her eyes!
Fuck my life.
"What the fuck were you thinking, running off like that! You will not abandon me again! Do you hear me? I deserve at the very least a 'fuck off', maybe a 'hasta la vista baby', hell; I'll even settle for a 'take a flying leap off of a three-story walk-up'; but don't you just walk out on me again. You told me I'm worth it; now prove it. Make me believe." Losing her steam, she continued in a heavy whisper, "Show me that I haven't placed my trust in the wrong people again."
"But I killed-" and she clamped her warm hand over my mouth. I had to resist the urge to stick my tongue out for a taste. Because that wouldn't be awkward at all.
"I don't want your words. I want your sparkly ass not to leave me behind; standing slack-jawed in your glittery dust trail. That's all." I nodded to show my understanding, and she jerked her hand away from my mouth quickly and hid it behind her back. I don't think I could've talked even if I had something to say. That was twice that she'd touched me of her own accord. And I couldn't do anything but stare at her in wonder.
"Stop staring before you freak her out, fucker. She's not naked. There's just no excuse for this shit." For once I was thankful for Peter's nosy ass butting in, because it snapped my out of my dazed and confused state. Luckily, the whole exchange had escaped her notice since she was staring pretty intently at me herself; at least, until her massive yawn broke her out of whatever was goin' on in that pretty little head of hers. I don't think that I really wanted to know.
"It'd be my privilege to help you get to sleep, Darlin'. Can I help?"
She looked in my eyes one last time, and though I wanted to turn away so she wouldn't have to think of the source of the fresh blood that flowed through my veins, her eyes held mine with a force Newton's laws had never comprehended.
"Damn skippy. What do you think I've been waiting on?" And with that she curled up on the couch, closed her eyes, and immediately succumbed to the peaceful emotions I blanketed her in with her lips turned up in a small smile.
Now, to take care of some business. "Garrett."
He cocked his head to the side, just staring at me but I could tell by the bastard's apprehension ampin' up that he knew exactly what I was getting' ready to ask. And I already knew the fuckin' answer.
"You left her alive?" I snarled.
"She is her parents' only remaining child. She helped us to the best of her ability, and I do not kill women. You know this, my friend."
"Damn it, this is not what we need right now. We can't keep leavin' deaths, government institution break-outs, and humans who know too goddamn much behind like graham cracker crumbs leading straight to us. If the Volturi get wind of this -"
"You asked me to get a physician; I did so. Peter told me to get rid of her; I did so. It was my decision, and I stand by it. No matter what the consequences, they rest on my head alone."
"Saying that doesn't change the fact that we'd stand with you and die by you if it comes down to it." I took a deep breath to control my loss of cool. "Are you sure she can be trusted?"
"Yes. I would not endanger your coven or our little one." I felt the burst of familial love and sincerity and I knew it was the truth. Fuck, anyone with eyes knew the same damn thing. This big, bad Revolutionary soldier was at Bella's mercy; she was lucky to have his love but she'd earned his respect and loyalty somewhere along the way too.
I didn't have as much confidence in the doctor as he showed, but I trusted Garrett with my life and now the lives of my coven; that'd have to be enough for now. If it became a problem later; well, we'd deal with it then. I had to admit I was glad to have her out of my fuckin' house at last.
"I have a favor to ask you." I'd said it quietly but it seemed to echo around the now-silent room. A moment later, the pregnant pause was interrupted by Pete, of course.
"We're goin' out. I need to hunt and I'm sure Char has some needs of her own that I need to attend to." He smacked her ass; chasing her out of the cabin with only her giggles hanging in the air behind them. After a few more minutes of nothin' but silence and his conflicted emotions, I continued.
"I don't ask this lightly and I wouldn't at all if I didn't truly feel that it could help her, but I'll leave it up to you." It'd been almost a century since we'd last had a conversation along these lines, but vampires don't forget. Not that he could anyway.
He nodded, showing he'd at least consider what I was askin' of him, and made his way to the back porch rail where he could be found sitting with Bella most days. Settling in for my shift of nightmare patrol, I crouched against the wall and watched her sleep peacefully under my influence for the rest of the night.
"Hey Fucker, quit pacing. You're wearin' a track in the fuckin' carpet."
This morning had been awkward to say the least; the very least. When Bella woke up, she hardly made eye contact, practically racing to the bathroom, and her emotions were a muddled mess. But for the first time since reuniting, the negative didn't consume all of the positives. She was cycling through so fast though, as soon as I'd identify one, she'd already moved on to the next.
Deciding I'd give her her privacy, I parked my ass in the corner of the room with Vol ll of Lanny Smith's "The Stone's River Campaign" and just waited. For what, I wasn't sure, but I had time; we had time. When she continued to ignore my presence and left for her walk with Garrett, needless to say I was less than pleased. He knew it too. Hell, everyone but her did.
However, I had asked him to do this as a personal favor, and though I belonged to her, she didn't feel the same. Yet. Hell, she may never feel the same, so I'd have to get my instincts under control before I killed any male who happened to venture too close to her. This was all still so new and my skin was crawling with the raw need to just be near her, with her.
Feeling the increased stress from Peter's direction, I wondered what could possibly be his malfunction right now. Weren't we due some down time before the next drama-ball landed in our court?
"Afraid not. Something's comin', Brother. And it's big. That's all I know."
"Bella's out there!" I roared out in frustration.
"She'll be fine with Garrett and you know how my gift works. For me to get so little, this attack, or whatever the fuck it is, is still a while away." The worry he was giving off sure didn't back up the confidence of his words.
"We should head it off before it comes to us. I prefer to choose my fights, not wait for them to choose me."
"Well fuck Major, so do I, but you listen to me. As much as I don't know right now, I do know that it's not time for that fight yet. You're itchin' to go after those flea-ridden bitches and we will. But not yet."
"Why not? Those fuckin' mutts are dead already; why delay the inevitable?"
"You know it doesn't work like that."
"Well fuck your cryptic, unreliable gift and your cryptic fuckin' explanations!" And I headed out the door only to have him block my fuckin' way.
"Where the fuck do you think you're going?"
"To run a perimeter. We've gotten lazy -"
"Preoccupied -"
"Sloppy. And we can't afford that right now. Too much is at risk." He nodded begrudgingly ,and I headed out to do a sweep of the woods. Hopefully, if Garrett and Bella needed help, I'd be close enough to assist.
I'd been finishin' a fifty mile track when I crossed their scents. Strong traces of liquorice, roses, and salt water mixed dirt and old blood; newborns. Their scents were always stronger and slightly confused because of the amount of blood they consumed regularly. From years of experience, I could separate them and tell with certainty; there were three of those fuckers.
I followed their trail about fifteen miles northeast. They were runnin' in a sloppy grid form, overlapping till they converged together and headed west. Toward the cabin. They were searchin' for something. Fuck it all to hell. Whether it's us or not; they can't be allowed to report back to whoever sent them.
My anger spurred my feet faster, and I reached out with my gift until I found them not that far ahead.
I didn't need luck on my side; I had skill, training, and surprise on my side and it was a damn good thing too because as I came up behind them, Peter's phone, that was still in my pocket, began blarin' "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me". The three stooges zoned in on me quicker than a cheap hooker on an Audi.
Curly, on my left, was mid-twenties, average build, and practically foamin' at the mouth. He couldn't have been over a month old; the same for Larry to my left. But the ass in the center, with the knowing smirk on his face, was a different story. Still a newborn but probably already experiencing the waning of his strength.
Of course, lookin' at Moe, I didn't think he was too concerned with that. This fucker would have a few inches on even Em. He had to have been juicin' it up in his human life, because his muscles took on an almost toon-like quality. As he flexed his biceps, in what I assumed was supposed to be an intimidatin' manner, it looked like the fuckers just kept stackin' up like Lincoln logs. The tendons on his neck drew taut and the veins looked like they were going to burst right through his skin as he crouched and bared his teeth. Oh, this was gonna be fun.
"Let's dance boys." I sidestepped their first grab, easily catchin' Curly in a head-lock as I passed. With a quick swipe of my teeth across his exposed neck, and a well-placed knee to the small of his back, he lost his fuckin' head before the others had even turned back around to investigate the sound of the marble flesh tearing. One down; two to go.
Their fear amped up, and I helped it keep on goin' as I smirked and tossed their partner's head to Moe. Again and again they came at me head-on and, again and again I sidestepped, takin' a small souvenir with me each time. An arm here, a chunk of thigh there. Until Larry got a little sloppy in his whimperin' pain and lost his head. Two down; one lousy mother-fucker to go. All to the tune of the Pussycat Dolls.
"Did the venom put the juice back in your shriveled raisins, Pencil dick?" As he roared and plowed toward me, I jumped over him easily; bitch slappin' him on my way by. "See. That'd be the 'roid rage."
"Who the fuck do you think you are?"
"I think I'll be the one askin' the questions, Hulk."
"Quit playing coy then, bitch, let's do this." I quirked my eyebrow and we clashed together with the sound of our thunder ringin' out for miles around. He got in a few good licks here and there, and a bite to my forearm that stung like a bitch, but as I questioned his stumpy form, I knew I'd won this round.
Before I placed his torso - with his head still attached - into my new bonfire, he found strength enough to ask one last question. "Who are you?"
"The Major." His understanding was immediate and his acceptance was admirable. As his eyes fluttered shut, I had a rare moment of mercy and took his head off before I tossed him in. I didn't like a life taken by my hands and I never took that lightly, well, not anymore, but if it's between my life or theirs, there's no hesitation, no guilt, and no doubt that if faced with the situation again; I'd do the same damn thing.
I monitored the fire until nothin' remained but the sweet stink of the thick smoke and ashes, as I processed my newly gained intel and made my way home.
I could hear them goin' at it the closer I got to the cabin and hearing their game start, I sighed. Pong again. That ancient Atari Pete had dug out of the attic was gettin' plum worn out. I slowed to a walk to catch the end of some passionate bickering.
"Oh! It's on now, Red. Your cheating ass is goin' down!"
"Bring it, Bacon bit." Bella snorted.
"You know, I always bring it, but then it just sits around, twiddling its thumbs waiting for something to do all bored and stuff, but not today. Today it's going to do you!" As laughter erupted from within, a smile made its way onto my face as well. "Hmm. I don't think that came out right."
I hated to ruin this rare carefree moment but what I had to say couldn't wait, and I wouldn't hide things from her. She was strong; she could take it and we'd be there to make sure of it.
AN: Hit the button. You know you want to…..