Chapter Thirty Eight

Jasper

Things went quiet after Bella's speech and Emmett and Rose decided to go hunting while we decided on a safe place to hole up until we worked out just what was going on.

"Well with Rose and Em out we won't be moving for a few hours at least so I think Jay and I will get ourselves a room, he could do with a little time to come to terms with everything that's happened."

"Good idea Alice. We'll let you know what's happening later."

She got up taking Jays hand and he followed her to the door but turned back before leaving.

"I know you don't think much of me, any of you, but I can take care of myself and I want to know why this happened to me just as much as you do. Just remember that. After all I'm the poor fucker who just lost everything he ever thought meant anything to him."

Peter opened his mouth but one look from Bella reminded him that silence was probably his best bet so he shrugged and turned to speak to Charlotte while I just nodded. I couldn't get my head round the idea I had a double who was also family and here with me, a vampire too. Bella heaved a sigh of relief when the door shut and collapsed onto the bed,

"I am exhausted, all the testosterone in the room is overpowering."

"Don't use long words girl, anything with more than two of them symbol things is beyond me."

She frowned,

"What?"

I sighed.

"Peter means syllables, just ignore him."
"Yeah he thinks playing the country boy makes him more appealing."

"Fuck you Hunter, get back to that computer and find out what's going on here before Caius Volturi comes storming in with that ugly fucker Felix."

"Bella would you like me to get another room so you can sleep?"

She shook her head,

"No, I'd like to be here just in case they find anything. Besides I'm so tired I could sleep on a log."

Peter sniggered but she ignored him and curled up on the bed pulling the coverlet over her then closed her eyes and I thought she was falling asleep but then she opened one again.

"Well? Aren't you going to give me a cuddle at least?"

I grinned, a cuddle was just one of the things I wanted to give her but for now it would have to do so I pulled her into my arms and lay there until she fell asleep, her hands clenched around the fabric of my shirt as if she were afraid I might sneak off.

"So Major, you and Bella? That's gonna be interesting. How much does she know?"

"Not nearly enough Hunter. I told her we were mates, that I loved her but I didn't get chance to go further into it. She knows a little from her days with Edward but…."

"Bella was the human Edward Cullen was involved with?"

"Yeah Hunter, fuck you're slow."

"Up yours Whitlock."

"Shush, you'll wake her."

They subsided merely gesturing to each other like two naughty school kids which I guess just about summed them up.

"Major? Would you like Rose and I to speak to Bella? Explain how things are with mates? It's going to be far easier once she understands. I don't suppose she and Edward got that far? Of course since they weren't mated it was different."

"Yeah he didn't have that overwhelming need to jump her bones or go crazy. Mind she's a cute little thing. I could talk to her if you like, explain how it works being something of an expert on such matters."

"Peter, one more word out of you and I'm gonna forget you're on our side and toss you out on your ass."

"Hey Darius, I wasn't talking to you. Anyway what would you know, you're mated to that fucking machine."

I rolled my eyes and made sure the bickering did not disturb Bella.

"So where we going Major?"

"How about our ranch?"

"Don't you think the Volturi might think of that Peter? No we need somewhere not associated with you in any way. How about your place Hunter?"

"Sure Darius if you think its suitable."

"Why?"

Peter looked at him suspiciously,

"Where the fuck do you live?"

"I have a houseboat on Lake Michigan."

"You live on a boat?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothin' I just thought they were for rich assholes trying to impress their mistresses."

"Peter you don't know any rich men so shut up or I'll smack you one."

When Charlotte spoke in that tone of voice brave men headed for the hills and even Peter knew enough to shut up.

"A houseboat? Sounds good, the water gives us an edge if anyone comes and some maneuverability. OK, I say we head for Lake Michigan tomorrow, let Bella sleep tonight."

"Yeah and Mystic Meg and the clone can get it together."

"Peter, why don't you go hunt too? Preferably in Antarctica, give us all a break."

Before a fight could break out Char stood up and dragged him with her,

"What a good idea. See you later folks. As for you, shut up and get moving."

The crazy thing was that Peter went like a lamb, if he wanted any this century he had to!

"So Caius and Maria, hardly a match made in heaven Major."

I shook my head,

"No Maria was just a tool. There's someone else involved whatever is going on. Anything coming out of Volterra Darius?"

He shook his head and cleared the screen,

"Not a whisper. Whatever is going on it seems to be on hold. Unless of course it was all put in motion some time ago and Caius can just sit back now and wait."

"But for what? What good would having a double of me do him?"

"As a fighter maybe?"

We both shook our heads at Hunter's suggestion,

"No, he could never be that good, not in the time frame Maria was given."

"Then it has to be your face but excuse me Major, you may be one scary looking fucker but your face is hardly a weapon of mass destruction. What could Caius be looking for?"

"Well he's always wanted Aro's position on the Volturi but having me wouldn't give him that. We're still missing something guys and I'm relying on you two to work out what it is. How big is this houseboat of yours by the way?"

"It'll be a tight squeeze I don't deny that."

"Major maybe we should split up, or at least Peter and Charlotte, after all you could be where they are. If Caius is looking for you then he might be looking for your closest acquaintances and that means not only the Whitlocks but the Cullens too."

"It means fewer people to protect Jay and Bella though Darius."

"Yeah but if they were within hailing distance and I covered their tracks. I can put them up in a hotel and show them the other side of the country, especially using one of the larger chains. Its easy hacking into their computers and do a little rearranging of the reservations."

It sounded like a good idea,

"OK do it from the day after tomorrow and get us transport to Lake Michigan that's not traceable."

"Hey Major, all my dealings are untraceable, its what I do."

"Sorry Darius I bow to your mastery of the computer world."

I was having a hard time keeping my mind on the business at hand, important as it was. My body was yearning for Bella already and it would only get worse until I could no longer control it. I was pretty sure Edward had never broached that particular subject, prude as he was, but when mates met there was an unstoppable urge to become one and it could only be controlled for so long. Vampire to vampire didn't matter, they understood but, human to vampire was different and I didn't want to scare Bella or hurt her so I decided to take up Charlotte's offer, at least Bella would understand when it happened that way.