Chapter Thirty Seven

Jasper

I kept Bella asleep as much as possible during the road trip, she was weak and frail and I didn't want her to feel worse for the long hours of driving. Instead she slept peacefully in my arms and I could have stayed like this for eternity. The feel of her warm soft body against mine was heaven and I wasn't sure she would stay so happily so close to me when she woke up. Her scent was intoxicating and her blood called to me, my thirst growing stronger the longer we stayed on the road but I couldn't bear to be without her, to leave her, so I suffered in silence staying in the car when Charlotte was forced to pull over and hunt or fill up the car. I appreciated the difficulty being in such close proximity to a human posed for her but not once did she complain or indeed say anything.

Only when Peter and Darius finally caught up with us did she insist I hunt,

"Major this isn't a game and when we reach the ranch you're going to have to let her wake up properly. Do you think she'll feel better for knowing you've starved yourself? Do you think she wont know you are thirsty? It might make her feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Now I'm pretty sure that between us we can keep her safe for a few hours. I'll even keep driving if you like, you can catch us up but you will go hunt if I have to throw you out of the car myself, is that understood?"

Darius burst out laughing to see me getting a tongue lashing but Peter just shook his head,

"I wouldn't argue with her Major. You know how cranky she gets if you argue. I'll go with you if you like. I haven't seen you wrestle a bunny or Bambi in decades, it could be fun"

I rolled my eyes but knew Char was right and eventually Peter and I went off together but I promised myself we wouldn't be away long. As we ran through the forest I asked him if Darius had anything worthwhile to report, we hadn't got a chance to talk before Charlotte started with the threats,

"Yeah some. The guys who jumped Charlie were tribal, so guardians or at least from the guardians. They tried speaking to him first but from the body language they weren't getting far, then they started beating him up. We got an ID on the guy with the knife so I reckon maybe Darius and I could have a short and very bloody conversation with him later on. Charlie couldn't tell me much, he was pretty beat up but he got the impression these guys were pissed that Harry wouldn't tell them where Bella lived. I think they were looking to find us. Kill a few vampires and make a name for themselves. Of course they could have been trying to save the innocent human girl too, who knows? Either way they got the main Intel from Harry or Jake so those two need a short lesson in keeping their fucking mouths shut too it strikes me. What do you intend doing about Bella anyway?"

"Doing?

"Well its pretty obvious she's crazy about you and if I'm not very much mistaken you feel the same way about her so are we gonna hear the patter of tiny vampire feet or what?"

"Make sense Peter."

"Nah, that's boring. Go on then tell me, is she the one?"

"I think so"

"You think? What kind of fucking answer is that?"

"OK yes she is but it wont be easy for her, the reason she got hurt was a vampire and Edward broke her heart so she might not be quite so keen to try again"

"Major, wise up for fuck sake. She looks at you like you're the second coming. I think you should give her a few of my best lines, a bunch of flowers, a box of chocolates then screw her brains out."

"Peter that may be your idea of sweet words and romance but it's not really me."

He looked at me for a second screwing his face up in mock concentration then nodded,

"You're right of course, just screw her brains out, its more your way"

I know he meant it as a joke but it hit me hard because he was right, it had been me for far too long and now I wasn't sure I could manage the romantic stuff and I certainly didn't want to just force myself on Bella, not that it would get me anywhere anyhow. I'd failed too often over the years to believe anything better of myself.

"Shall we change the subject Peter, the attack?"

"On Charlie? Yeah I guess its more important just for now. Well Darius and I did a little brainstorming and we came up with a few more questions."

"OK tell me, see if they're the same ones I have"

"Right, Harry rang some his f friends to collect Jake so they knew where Bella lived while these guys didn't so either they were kept out of the loop or they weren't the same tribe. IF not though, how did they know about Bella and what did they want with her? In short, what the f is really going on here?"

"That about covers it. We need Darius to trace these guys, give us a fix so we can pose those questions to them,"

"Great minds think alike. While we destroy the local fauna he'll be letting those magical fingers do their work. With luck he'll have more information for us when we get back so let's get hunting Major, I think I hear a bunny in the undergrowth although it sounds large, might prove a bit too much for you. I'll cover your back...just in case the Bunny Battalion is lurking around. Don't want to see you gnawed to death or choked by one of those cute little fluffy tails now do we?"

I shook my head, knowing there was no point in saying anything, it would only encourage him so I tried to ignore his antics, checking under every bush then shaking his head and putting a thumb up,

"Looks safe enough, no droppings here"

Bella

I woke up and I knew Jasper was gone, there was a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach and a coldness in my bones. I opened my eyes scared at what I might see but with relief I recognised Charlotte in the passenger seat. She looked over and smiled,

"Well hello sleepyhead. How are you feeling? We'll stop soon so you can eat."

"Where's Jasper?"

I know I should have been a little more friendly but I couldn't help myself. She seemed to understand my concern because she winked,

"He's gone to hunt with Peter. They'll catch us up soon."

The driver turned round then and I saw with a shock that it was a stranger but seeing my concern Charlotte introduced us,

"Bella this is a very good friend Darius. He's joining us for a while."

I held out a shaking hand and he gripped it firmly in his over the seat,

"Nice to meet you at last Bella. I was beginning to think you were auditioning for Sleeping Beauty"

I couldn't help the giggle that burst out and it broke the tension.

"Sorry, I'm not usually as dopey as this, it's the medication"

"Well at least you have an excuse for it, Peter on the other hand...well, lets just say its a natural feature of his character shall we. Right, restaurant up ahead so I'll pull in. You two girls go eat, I'll gas up the car and see if I can get a call through to the other two, find out where they are."

Charlotte accompanied me to the restaurant and I found I was really hungry, a normal feeling after one of my fits, that and weariness.

"Do you think they'll catch us up soon?"

"Oh I wouldn't worry Bella, I don't suppose for one minute the Major will be away any long than he has to be. He's very taken with you."

"Did he tell you what Alice said?"

"Yes, does your memory go after a fit?"

"Sometimes its fuzzy, why did I tell you?"

"Don't worry about it. I know you two are meant for each other but you are both damaged souls so it will take a little time, just relax and everything will come together. We'll be at the ranch in a few hours and you can start to unwind properly, for now you need to eat."

She was right and I really enjoyed my meal although I kept gazing out the window, just in case Jasper returned while I was in here. When we got back to the car I couldn't help the broad smile that crossed my features when I saw Jasper leaning against the hood talking to Peter and Darius but looking in my direction as if eager for a sight of me.

"Well hi there. You're looking a little better for the sleep. How are you feeling?"

He held out a hand and I took it ignoring Peters broad grin, or at least trying to.

"Feeling much better now you're here. I'm sorry about what happened at the apartment. I haven't had one of those in a long while. I guess I just got complacent."

He pulled me closer and kissed me,

"You never need to apologise to me Bella. Not ever, I love you and I'll always be here for you whatever happens"

That was all I needed to hear and I smiled relaxing into his embrace.