Chapter Fifty Four

Bella

Dad watched as Jasper left and I knew he wasn't happy but what could he say? Everything Jasper had said was true, my dad had lost his temper and hurt me, even if only by accident, I hadn't dare tell Jasper that the first instinct had been to lash out at me and only my ducking at the right moment saved me from being hit round the face.

"Dad I'm going now. I'm really sorry it ended this way but I can't stay, I trusted you to look after me as my father and you betrayed that trust. You taught me to question everyone, not to give my trust unless it is earned. Well its been earned by Jasper and his friends. They put themselves in danger to save me. I hope you recover enough to go back to work."

I stood up and he looked at the wall too ashamed to look at me.

"I'm truly sorry Bella but please try to find it in your heart to forgive me and keep in touch."

I nodded and went to the door.

"By the way dad, be careful, not everyone is what they seem, even close friends have dirty little secrets."

I left him then, wondering if Harry or Billy would explain my words if that is, Charlie asked. I doubted it but then I doubted he would even discuss our chat with them, too embarrassing for him.

Outside I saw Jasper but once again he wasn't alone, this time it was Rosalie who stood talking to him, her attitude one of pleading. I wasn't sure whether to walk over or wait till she left but then as if she sensed me she looked over and started to walk towards me. I decided I wasn't hiding from her, after all she was in the wrong not me. Jasper reached me first and put an arm protectively around my shoulders,

"Bella, I need to speak to you please."

"Rose I have nothing to say to you and you have nothing to say to me that I care to hear. I never did anything to you and neither did Jasper who you professed to love like a brother. It appears to me that your kind of love is like Charlie's, very dangerous to those around you. I feel sorry for Emmett, tied to a bitch like you. I'm ready to leave Jasper."

"I deserved all that I admit Bella but I really hoped for Emmett's sake you might try to forgive me. There's nothing I can do to put things right I understand that but I have learned a valuable lesson and I'm not responsible for any deaths."

"Oh that's all right then, I understand. How could I be so insensitive! Jasper let's go now before I lose my temper."

He shrugged,

"I told you Rose. Bella feels the way you would if someone put Emmett's life at risk. People died Rose, humans and our kind and for what? Spite?"

Jasper

Once in the car we drove away from Port Angeles but Bella was very quiet and I wondered what she was thinking,

"Do you think I was wrong Jasper? Should I try to forgive her for Emmett's sake? Its just...I don't know, she reminds me too much of Alice and everything she did. Rose was manipulated by her I accept that but the bottom line is she wanted me dead or at least away from the family by any means. I feel like my whole world, the one I knew, the one I thought I understood and knew who to trust just crashed and burned. There's no one now, just you and me and a few loyal friends."

"You'll always have me Bella you are my family, my world, everything I will ever need."

She nodded and sighed before shrugging,

"You're right. I have all I need in you, I just need somewhere to call home, I feel like a leaf blowing in the wind anchored only by you."

She slid over to rest her head on my shoulder and her hand on my thigh and closed her eyes.

"I'm so tired Jasper. Tired of having nowhere to just relax, to unpack my bags and put my feet up, cook dinner or pick a book from my own bookcase. Do all the normal little things that everyone else takes for granted."

I kissed the top of her head and put my arm tightly around her.

"You'll have all those things real soon darlin' don't worry."

Bella

I must have fallen asleep because it was the lack of noise of the car engine stopping that made me sit upright and open my eyes. We were parked outside Charlie's in Forks and I looked at Jasper confused.

"I thought you might like to get your things while Charlie is still in hospital. I'll come in with you if you like."

I nodded and got out of the car apprehensively, so many bad memories were associated with it now. I could still hear Charlie his anger as he shouted at me and the crash of splintering wood so I grabbed Jaspers hand and walked up the porch steps lifting the flowerpot on the left hand side to retrieve the spare key. Inside I went straight upstairs, I didn't want to go back into the kitchen, the place Charlie had lost it, I just went into my room and started emptying drawers while Jasper piled up my books and CDs into the coverlet and carried them down to the car. It didn't take long to pack all my things leaving behind the computer Charlie had bought me and the family photographs, they were just too painful. Checking the bathroom I heard voices outside and looked through the window to see Jasper facing Edward both looking strained. I'd had enough of being bullied and of people thinking that Jasper was fair game so I flew down stairs and out to his side.

"What do you want Edward?"

He looked at me and smiled,

"Bella, you look as beautiful as ever. I came to ask you to reconsider."

"What exactly Edward?"

"Rose told me what you'd said to her, she's very upset you know. I think you were a little harsh, after all she didn't hurt anyone, she only acted because she was scared. Its Alice who manipulated everyone. She's the one to blame and she's already dead or so I hear."

"Oh? A little bird told you did it?"

"Emmett actually. I'm surprised he didn't try to protect her, he was always fond of Alice."

"Maybe he saw what she'd done better than you. Just go away Edward and tell Rose that you had no luck changing my mind."

"Oh, I'm not here to plead Roses case I just mention it in passing."

"Then why are you here exactly?"

"To stop you ruining your life, Bella you think you know my brother...".

I cut him off here,

"I've heard enough Edward, get away from me and stay away. I'm warning you, my temper is just about shot."

"Bella listen to me."

"No Edward I'm done listening to you, Rose, and anyone else who thinks they know better than me. I'm ready Jasper."

He nodded and moved to open my door for me while Edward stood irresolute.

"I'd get out of the way Edward before I drive over you."

Jasper got in beside me and started the engine then I remembered I still had the front door key.

"Just a minute."

I ran up the steps and replaced it turning to find Edward close behind me.

"Don't go Bella please! Give me another chance."

"I'm through giving chances Edward, to you or anyone else. But thank you for teaching me a valuable lesson."

"Oh what was that?"

"A pretty face doesn't necessarily mean that what's inside is beautiful too. And be very careful who you give your trust to. Now move."

He stood there so I put an arm out and pushed him using a little of my shield too and he overbalanced falling into the shrubs. I ran back down to the car and a smiling Jasper and he drove off in the direction of Seattle.

"Where are we going?"

"I've no idea, let's get to the airport and pick a destination."

"I like the sound of that, let's go."