Chapter Twenty Five

Peter

We headed south to Silver City, it wasn't that big but there were enough people for us to be just a part of the crowd and Bella stayed hidden on the back seat Neither of us were under any suspicion so we were able to drive into the city in the evening and find a convenient motel smuggling Bella into the room unseen.

"Right folks well great as it is to spend time with you two love birds I'm getting a little uncomfortable, I think I need to hunt, you be OK for a few hours Major?"

He scowled at the term love birds but I didn't give a fuck, besides I enjoyed winding him up, I didn't get enough chances. Bella smiled as I left and I promised to bring her back something,

"Pizza do you?"

"Thanks and a huge coffee please, I'm suffering from withdrawal symptoms."

I grinned and winked,

"Anything you say. Behave you two."

I didn't plan on going far or being gone long, there was sure to be a run down area close by where I could get a meal. I looked around and tested the air, yeah, I could smell drug polluted blood from here and I headed east.

Bella

So it was just Jasper and I for the first time since he told me that he had feelings for me and I just didn't know what to say so I took my time washing my face and hands and cleaning my teeth trying to think of something to say that wouldn't sound stupid. I wondered just how long Peter would be away and how thirsty Jasper was. I couldn't remember whether he'd fed since he went when Peter first arrived. Was my proximity a problem for him? As soon as Peter came back I would insist he went out to hunt, I didn't mind spending time with Peter, I could quiz him some more about Jaspers past although I didn't think I'd get much more out of him. When I went back into the bedroom Jasper had turned the TV on and was sitting flicking through the channels but a soon as he saw me he turned it off,

"Don't let me stop you."

"I was merely wasting time until you came back."

"Really? I'm more interesting than CNN?"

"In my eyes most certainly. How are you feeling now? Have the drugs flushed through yet?"

"I think so, I don't feel tired any more but still a little woolly. Do you think it would be safe for me to go out and get a drink?"

"I'd rather you didn't. I can get you something. What would my lady like?"

"I think I'd like a cold coke."

"Your wish is my command. I'll be back in a minute, there's a vending machine by reception and if they don't have any I'll run to the store, its only a block away. Keep the door locked until I get back."

"I will. Be careful D'Artagnan."

Being really brave I walked up close to him and kissed his cheek,

"Thanks for everything."

Jasper

I didn't like leaving Bella alone but I'd only be a few minutes, ten at most, and I thought she'd be OK for that but I did curse when the vending machine was out of order. I looked back but it was very quiet so I set off at a slow run, I didn't want to call any attention to myself. The store was further than I thought and there was a queue so I was getting anxious by the time I finally got Bella's coke and set off back to the motel. The store was further than I thought and there was a queue so I was getting anxious by the time I finally got Bella's coke and set off back to the motel. As I turned the last corner I saw blue lights flashing and cursed breaking into a run that was too fast but not caring. Outside our motel room three cruisers were parked and as I watched from the shadows I saw four cops emerge surrounding a slight figure who held herself, her arms wrapped around as she looked into the shadows. The last figure to come out was suddenly illuminated by a car coming into the parking lot and I recognised Chief Swan. How the hell had he found her? Alice, of course! I started forward when an arm came round my chest and pulled me back, further into the shadows,

"Calm down Major. We'll work this out but there's no point in you getting caught too. I felt something was wrong and came back as fast as I could. Malice the Boa Constrictor I assume? They didn't have time to arrange this from her calls?"

"Not with her father no."

"Her father was there?"

"Yeah, he's the one getting in the back with her."

Peter peered out again,

"Man he looks pissed! She's in for a rough ride Major. So, we off to Forks?"

"You coming with me?"

"Hey, you think I'm leaving you to have all the fun alone? No fucking chance. We can't go back in there so its good we never leave the important stuff in the room. Lets get to the airport."

Bella

As soon as I saw the blue lights I knew Charlie had found me and I cursed but I was relieved that neither Jasper nor Peter were here to be caught too. I hoped they saw what was going on and hid from the police, somehow I knew they wouldn't be far away wherever I was and that was a comfort. Dad didn't say much he just acknowledged my presence and checked that no one else was hiding in the bathroom before coming out with two bags, one Jasper's, the other Peter's, which he upended on the bed and scattered the clothes looking, I presumed, for any indication of who the bags belonged to but there was nothing in there to identify my saviours and he left the clothes taking my arm and guiding me out to the closest cruiser. I tried to look round but I couldn't see any sign of Jasper before dad pushed me into the back seat of the cruiser and slid in beside me slamming the door. He looked at me sternly,

"So, you gonna tell me who the clothes belong to?"

I ignored his question closing my eyes and leaning back in the seat.

"You gonna tell me anything? Why you ran? Where you've been all this time? Who broke into Renee's? No? Well you're coming back to Forks with me and trust me, I'm gonna be keeping a good eye on you young lady."

The other cops didn't say much, they seemed happy to leave things to Charlie and I guess I wasn't surprised when they drove us straight to the airport.

"You take good care of her Charlie."

"Thanks Hank."

"No problem, glad we found her unharmed. There are some crazies out there."

We sat in silence waiting for our flight to be called until he looked at me again,

"You want something to eat or drink?"

I shook my head remembering the coke Jasper went out to get me and felt a tear roll down my cheek. I wiped it away with the back of my hand hoping Charlie hadn't noticed but of course he had and he took my hand,

"Bella, calm down or you wont be allowed on the flight and trust me young lady, we are going home if I have to get you sedated to fly."

I pulled my hand away from his and sat looking at my feet wondering if Jasper and Peter were close enough to see how upset I was, if they were I just hoped they wouldn't try to get me free, it would only cause even more problems. When our flight was finally called Charlie took my arm and walked me to the plane as if scared I might run off. I tried to pull free but he shook his head,

"When that plane takes off I'll let go, until then you and I are joined at the hip. If I lose you again Renee will have my guts for a necklace."

He made me take the inside seat and then sat in the aisle one and instructed me to put my seat belt on which I did with a sigh then sat back and closed my eyes again, remembering the scene between Jasper and myself, was that it? Would I see him again or was this goodbye? I couldn't believe that or my heart would break in two. As it was my chest hurt and the sobs broke free muffled by my hand and the tears fell as I felt the plane take off, carrying me away from him.