Author's note: I apologise profusely for this slow update, and I'd just like to thank the Jasper/Bella over 1000 Club for adding me to their ranks (;
Bella
I woke up to a cold sensation on the back of my neck – I opened my eyes to find myself face first in a pillow and lying quite comfortably on my stomach. I heard a throaty moan from behind me, and I felt something hard being pressed against my ass.
I smiled and sighed happily, "Good morning, Jasper."
He continued kissing my neck and stroking my spine, as he murmured, "Good morning, Baby."
His strong hands massaged my ass, and I groaned, "Taking liberties while a lady is asleep, Cowboy?"
"You're my lady, Sugar – it's somewhere in the fine print of being mates that I get to wake you up however I see fit," he breathed into my ear, pressing his hardness into my ass again.
I moaned breathily, "I don't mind – just promise that all my other mornings will be as good as this."
"Even after your change, I'll love you like this every morning," Jasper promised, going back to kissing my neck.
Just then, I heard something.
Jasper stiffened above me, halting his ministrations – I heard Charlie moving about in his room.
I squeaked, "Get the hell downstairs, Cowboy!"
Jasper grinned, giving me one last passionate kiss, before picking up his clothes and zipping out of my room. I could hear Charlie drawing closer, and I quickly rolled over and under the covers – he shuffled up to my door and knocked.
"Bells?" He asked quietly.
"Yeah, Dad?" I murmured sleepily.
He opened the door and slipped inside, wearing his usual plaid pyjama pants and a football shirt. He looked at me emotionally, before seemingly snapping out of his thoughts and looking at his feet.
"I was wondering if you'd like to come with me and get some breakfast? Just us two, Bells. Jasper, Peter and Char can stay here for as long as they like, but I'd just like some time to talk to you alone?" Charlie's nervousness made what he was saying come out like a question, and I smiled at him broadly.
"I'd love that, Dad. Give me fifteen minutes?"
He nodded and grinned, pure joy lighting up his face as he left the room. I shot out of bed, naked as the day I was born, and scampered about for some clothes – unfortunately all the things I wanted to wear were downstairs in our bags.
I grabbed a robe from the closet and wrapped it around me, and I tied it up and jogged downstairs. The bags were still in the hallway, and I opened up the one Jasper and I shared – I pulled out a Beatles t-shirt, a pair of tight-fit jeans and my Converse.
I was just straightening up and preparing to go upstairs, when I heard a groan – the next thing I knew, a pair of cool hands were holding me by the hips.
"How am I supposed to keep my hands off you in your father's house, when you go around wearing little robes that ride up when you bend over?" A growling voice asked me.
I laughed lightly, turning my head to look over my shoulder at a very hungry-looking Jasper, "Sorry."
Jasper groaned, nuzzling my neck in our bent position, "Don't apologise, Darlin'. I quite enjoyed the show."
I wiggled against him, and his unnecessary breath caught in his throat – a low growl rumbled in his chest against my back, and I felt a tingle between my thighs at the sound of it.
"Come on now, lovebirds," a sudden voice chuckled. "We don't need Charlie kickin' us out for despoilin' his only daughter."
We both turned to glare at Peter, who was standing on the stairs with a hand casually tucked in his jeans pocket looking amused.
"Asshole," we both muttered at the same time, and then another sudden noise interrupted us.
"Bells?" I heard Charlie call, and a soft knocking on my bedroom door.
I nudged Jasper, gave him a swift kiss on the cheek and ran upstairs – needless to say, Charlie was surprised to see me in my state of undress, but he quickly mumbled something about waiting downstairs and left.
I just hoped that today would go smoothly, and that Charlie wouldn't ask anything I couldn't answer without Jasper the Lie Expert beside me.
I sat back in the passenger seat of Charlie's cruiser, waving to Jasper on the front porch – he looked like he was dying to rip the door off the car and climb in with me.
To be honest, I felt the same.
But I wanted time with Charlie, and I knew he was going to ask something that embarrassed me – I didn't need Jasper there for that.
I whispered, knowing he'd hear me, "See you later, Cowboy."
Jasper beamed, and Peter came out of my house and slung his arm around Jasper's neck as Char walked Charlie down to the cruiser.
Charlie loved her already – I could see that glint in his eye.
Char was all too happy to cling to him like an overgrown puppy, and I think Peter just found it funny.
"Well, you all be good," Charlie said mock-sternly, as he climbed into the cruiser.
Char giggled, "I'll keep the boys in line, Charlie." She winked at me, "See you later, Bella."
She trotted off to stand on the front porch as Charlie peeled out of the drive.
When we were away, Charlie grinned at me, "I like her."
I laughed out-loud, "I know – I can tell."
"I told her that her and Peter can stay at our house whenever they like. Oh, and Jasper too, of course," my dad blushed a little at forgetting him.
We pulled up at the local diner, and many heads turned towards me – I kept walking straight ahead, went in and sat in a booth at the back. There weren't many people in there, about ten, but they all watched me and Charlie closely.
As Charlie came to sit with me, one of them pulled his sleeve – he was reasonably old, with salt and pepper hair and an expression I didn't like.
"Chief? What happened? We all thought Isabella had been kidnapped or something," he said loudly, giving me a glare.
Charlie shook his head, "No, no, Matt. Bella just went to visit her aunt in Italy – it was a last-minute decision and it wasn't very well planned. That's all."
I looked the man in the eye – daring him to speak up again. He glared one last time, nodded to Charlie and then turned away.
Charlie sat down opposite me, "Sorry about that, Bells."
"Why was he glaring at me?" I asked.
Charlie let out a long breath, "I'm afraid that folks took you to be flighty – none of them believed it was a kidnapping, and since you're Renee's daughter…"
I gaped, "They think that badly of Mom?"
He nodded, with a sigh, "They're just protective of me, Bells."
I snorted, and muttered quietly under my breath, "Good for nothing…gossiping…bastards…"
We ordered our breakfast – me gaining another glare, from the waitress – and sat and ate in silence for a little while.
Charlie spoke first, quietly, "Is it all how Jasper says, Bells?"
I nodded, "Pretty much. I didn't think I would really get hurt or anything – his family was just angry. I'm sure you can understand."
Charlie smiled a little bit, "The curse of being the daughter of a Chief of Police – you know, I am sorry my job's hurt you…"
I cut him off, "No, Dad. There's really nothing to be sorry for – I met Jasper, we fell in love, and we grew closer because of the things that this mess sent our way. If this had never happened I would never had met Peter and Char, and neither would you."
I swear he almost paled at the thought of not meeting Char – he seemed to love her just like me. I was glad of it.
Charlie nodded, "Okay…so. He's older than you, Bella."
Embarrassing talk time…
I nodded, and Charlie continued, "So…he's going to be having a lot of…urges–"
"Whoa! I'm not having this conversation – especially not here." I whispered furiously, "Mom already talked to me, Dad, and have you forgotten I'm a wiz at Biology? You don't need to tell me anything, because I already know it all and nothing is happening – Jasper won't do anything to hurt me."
Charlie looked immensely relieved, "Great."
I eyed him suspiciously, "Is that all you were going to talk to me about alone?"
Charlie blushed a little and nodded, "Sorry, Bells – had to be sure. But I do want to talk about other things. We all lost your trail after Vegas and I had to trust Jasper to bring you back – he did, and so I trust him even more. He's a good kid, and he's already given me the information I need to check out your story."
I nodded, reminding myself to ask Jasper later what he had cooked up back in San Antonio.
Charlie made a noise, "Oh, and I told Char it would be fine for you to sleep over at her and Peter's new house tonight. They said they want you to be there, and they're going to have a tiny housewarming party for you four."
Char had Charlie wrapped around her little finger.
Jasper
I sat in the lounge, waiting for Bella to return, while Peter and Char got a taxi to their new house and took all their bags over.
Char had told me that Bella was coming over to their house tonight, and Peter told me that tonight was the night I would finally see her tattoo. He only told me because I wouldn't quit bugging him about it, and now I was even more curious.
I thought that was why Peter and Char had chosen to leave and do the bag run, so I couldn't ask them any more questions.
A sudden noise interrupted my thoughts, and I smiled as I heard Bella talking to the Chief.
I went to the front door, opened it and stood on the porch waiting for my woman – when the police cruiser rolled to a stop and Bella climbed out, I felt my own happiness fill my body. I hadn't realised how empty I felt without her by my side.
Bella looked up, her chocolate eyes connecting with mine in a searing gaze – I found myself floating forwards without telling my body to do so. She grinned and ran into my arms.
"Mmm," I hummed as I spun her around happily. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too, Cowboy," Bella beamed.
The Chief walked by and chuckled, "Young love…" When he reached the front door, he turned back, "Bells, why don't you go on over to Peter and Char's now? I've got a few errands to run, so I won't be here anyway."
Bella nodded, slipping out of my embrace reluctantly – she jogged upstairs and I watched her ass swing in those tight jeans. I growled lowly in my chest.
"Now," the Chief interrupted my thoughts, "No funny business, Jasper."
He gave me a stern look, and I smiled innocently – oh, if he only knew what his daughter and I had done…
"Charlie, I have the utmost respect for Bella, and there will be no funny business," I replied – it was a lie, and it was the truth.
There would be business, but making out with Bella was never funny – it was beautiful, loving, sexy…
"Okay, ready," Bella smiled, jumping downstairs with a bag slung over her shoulder.
Charlie nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Bells. I'll probably be down the station for the whole day, but after that we can…do something? Maybe go fishing with the Blacks?"
Bella nodded, feeling genuinely happy at his suggestion, "That'd be great – I haven't seen Jake in some time."
Two things niggled at the back of my neck as they quickly discussed their fishing trip – one was irrational jealousy, because this Jacob would have Bella when I didn't, and the second was dread… Why was I feeling dread over the trip?
I was still contemplating it as Bella and I got a taxi to the bottom of Peter and Char's drive – when we climbed out and started up the drive it hit me.
Black… Ephraim Black… Shifters… Werewolves…
I stopped all of a sudden, my arm tightening around Bella's shoulders protectively – the Major was begging to be let out in light of my recent discovery.
Bella was friends with a werewolf. Bella was going to be alone with a werewolf…
"No," I hissed, seeing my vision steadily darken.
Let me out, Jasper… We could go to the werewolves and destroy them, perhaps? We would only be protecting our mate…and our mate is WORTH protecting – Isabella is EVERYTHING to us…
As I slowly took in my surroundings, I realised that Peter and Char had come out of the house and were looking worriedly between me and Bella – but I didn't see them clearly, and I hissed at them as I sunk into a low crouch.
My mate was safe as long as she was by my side, and I would not let her be alone with a werewolf.
"Major, you need to chill the fuck out," Peter drawled, and I growled in warning as he stepped closer.
He halted immediately, and turned pleading eyes on Bella – he could see where this was going, and I could feel the Major wanting to burst out of me.
Suddenly, a hot hand was pressed to my face.
I purred immediately, unthinkingly, liking the silky skin on my face – I nuzzled into it as its fingers caressed my cheek, and I took in the scent it held. The blood inside it didn't call to me, but the scent did – it was floral, with berries and sugar…
I purred harder, licking the palm a little and tasting the scent on my tongue – my mate's scent…
The Major purred too, enjoying our mate's caresses and the soothing scent that she brought with her – he backed down as she stroked him into submission, knowing she was well and liking the way she took care of him…
I opened my eyes, surprised to find them closed, and found myself being sucked into chocolate orbs.
I felt my lips fall into a goofy smile as my purr died down – Bella was radiating love and serenity for me, and I soaked it all in as I wrapped my arms around her beautiful form.
She breathed a sigh of relief, and kissed my neck, "Love you."
My purr came harder, but it halted long enough for me to say, "Adore you."
Bella laughed sweetly, and I held her closely to me as I turned to Peter and Char – they looked and felt relieved, but still a little scared.
I gave them a small nod, and they completely relaxed as they nodded back.
Peter went right in there like the silly bastard he was, "So. What made you lose your shit?"
I growled as I remembered, and turned back to Bella, "You can't go fishing."
I heard Peter's snort at my answer to his question, but I ignored him and watched Bella – she felt a little upset, but I could see she was almost entirely worried about me.
"I won't go," she replied. "I won't do anything that makes you feel like that. But can I ask why?"
I felt like a total asshole for saying that she couldn't go, but I didn't want her anywhere near werewolves.
I paused for a moment as I considered what to tell Bella, and then sighed as I knew how stupid this sounded, "It's dangerous."
I felt everyone's amusement, but Bella was still concerned – she was so brilliant for trusting me so much.
Peter butted in, "How the fuck is fishing dangerous?"
I gave him a shocked look, "You don't know?"
I thought his gift would have caught onto the fact that werewolves were involved, but it obviously hadn't.
We were still standing on the drive in front of the house, surrounded by the forest, and I thought we should head inside for this conversation – I'd be damned if I'd tell Bella about another mythological being without her sitting down. She'd done extremely well the first time, but I didn't know how she'd handle it a second.
"Let's go in," I murmured, my hand snaking around Bella's waist and pulling her into my side.
As soon as we were inside the house and sitting down in the lounge, I turned to Bella and grasped her hand as she sat next to me on the couch.
"Okay. Bella, you know the Blacks?" I asked, and she nodded. "Well, they're a little…different." I didn't want to fucking sugar-coat this, so I just came out with it as I did when I told her about me, "They're shape-shifters, werewolves."
For a moment, all was quiet and I could only hear the sounds outside in the forest and Bella's heart pumping.
Then, there was uproar.
Peter threw himself off the couch with an enormous growl, "What? Fuckin' werewolves? Here? In fuckin' Forks?"
I nodded, restraining my own anger, "Bella's been invited to go fishing with the descendants of the Alpha."
"No," he growled at Bella, and I hissed at him in warning – the Major was rattling his bars at our mate being growled at.
Peter restrained himself, and took a deep breath, "You can't go, Bella."
I turned to Bella, and she looked…void – she was in shock.
Suddenly, she murmured, "Jake's a…a…a…werewolf? Jacob Black? The Jacob Black who made mud-pies with me? The Jacob Black who used to play on the beach with me? He's a fucking werewolf?"
I sent her a shit-load of calm, and her anger and shock plummeted – I sent Peter a good dose while I was at it.
I cradled her against me, "Bella, I don't know if he's even seen his first change yet, or if he'll ever change, but I don't want you fishing with a guy that could turn into a huge fucking beast with seven-inch teeth and claws at the drop of a hat."
Bella nodded numbly, "Good reasoning, Jasper – I started to think you were a little insane for not wanting me to go."
Peter growled lowly, rubbing his temples, "Jasper, I can't even… ARGH! What the fuck, Man? How didn't I…?"
I shrugged, stroking back Bella's hair lovingly as she tried to process what I was telling her.
Char got up and calmed Peter then, though she was feeling decidedly un-calm herself, "It's okay, Petey. Bella's not going, and we're always going to be around to look out for her. Calm down a little, Hon'."
He did, as she affectionately nuzzled his neck, and then he turned to Bella, "You can't be around them if I don't know any shit about them – you could get hurt and I wouldn't know!"
Bella murmured, "I don't mind staying away – honestly. Can I just ask why one of you guys couldn't come with me – or all of you?"
Peter and Char looked to me, obviously not understanding why I didn't give Bella this option in the first place.
I sighed, kissing Bella's forehead so she melted into me, "A long time ago, when the Cullens first came to Forks, Carlisle made a deal with the Chief of the Quileute tribe. Carlisle wanted a home, and Ephraim Black wanted peace – they both agreed to live peaceably, and create a border between lands. The Cullens are not allowed on Quileute territory, and vice verse, otherwise it will start a war."
"Fuck," Peter groaned, slumping back on the other couch with Char. "So, we're gonna have to tell them we're living here?"
I nodded, "They're probably not going to like it. They only just barely tolerate the Cullens." I turned back to Bella, "How are you taking this, Sweetheart?"
Bella smiled back, "I'm fine…just a little shocked. I mean…I didn't really know you when you told me what you are, but Jake? I've known him my whole life…and it's just a bit difficult to wrap my head around right now."
I nudged her nose with mine, "He probably doesn't even know what he is yet, Bella. He may never know, though as the descendant of an Alpha it seems…unavoidable." I grimaced slightly, "I hope you're not angry, Darlin'. I just want you safe."
Bella turned her head and smiled, "I know that, Cowboy. You're just trying to keep us safe and together."
Her words from the night we first ran from the Cullens made me smile, and I kissed her sweet, pink lips.
Peter interrupted our moment, "How do we get a hold of these overgrown puppies?"
I pulled my lips from Bella's and smirked at him, "Ever heard of a thing called a 'telephone,' Peter?"
Author's note: