Chapter 53

"I'm gonna go join my woman in bed, that's what," I growled at him. I wasn't defensive, yet. I knew what this was about. He sniffed the air and looked at me.

"He's been here," he said, and I nodded, having already smelled him here. I took note that he must have run as hard as he could to get here this quick, observing that his clothes were disarrayed and his hair had a few leaves in it.

"Hopefully, Carlisle can control him enough to keep him away. I'm not afraid to take his lyin', no good ass out, for good," I stated with anger.

"I'll keep watch around the house tonight. But you have some explainin' to do, major," he growled at me, his eyes full of anger. That shit just wasn't going to fly and I sent him my annoyance and dislike for his attitude.

"I don't fuckin' care!" he whisper yelled. "You bit her! What the fuck, Jasper? Her artery! Her neck! This wasn' jus' a little graze; you started to feed on her. I can see it in you. I can feel it from you." Yeah, he was pissed and he was right, but he doesn't get to talk to me like that.

"Listen here, fucker, one warnin'. One is all you get. Yes, I bit her. Yes, I lost it for a moment. And yes, I learned from it. No, it will not happen again, until the day I change her. And understand this now: you don' ever question me or attack me like that again. You put Bella in jeopardy when you dove at me like an animal back at the house. You would have lost your life, if you would have gotten to me. Make no mistake, asshole, you were a threat to my woman, and one I don't take lightly.

"And Peter, relay this to the rest of the family. The bite mark on Bella's neck is a mistake, which I take full responsibility for. However, any discussion about it is closed, from here on out. That is between me and Bella, and she is not even as upset about it as I am. And she will not be demeaned, harassed, or subjected to witness any conversation concernin' it. It's our business, her body, and my control is better than it ever has been. Case closed, understand?" This was not a request, it was a direct order.

"Yes, major… We can't lose her. I don't want to lose her, and I don't want you to lose…" he growled out, not happy with the outcome but aware that it was not up for further debate as I glared at him. He shut up quickly after that, giving me a nod indicating that he was done. His words still hit hard. I didn't want to lose her and I didn't want to think about it either.

"Now Peter, you don' have to sit out here like a peepin' tom. Go home or come inside and make up a bed on the couch. But lurkin' in the trees like a weirdo is not an option. So what'll it be?" I wasn't going to allow him to sit in the trees like a freak. I knew Fuckward was here, I could smell him. It would be nice to have the extra set of eyes and ears, as well as Peter's gift. I had just enough faith that Fuckward wasn't truly stupid enough to come here while I'm here.

I can only assume he didn't make contact with her because she would have told me. Hell, Charlie probably would have called me, after trying to shoot him. I hope he just lurked outside briefly before Carlisle took his ass away. His scent was strong; he probably left as soon as he heard my truck coming down the street, if not my thoughts. I sighed heavily and Peter gave me a knowing look. We had to watch our thoughts now and it's a tedious chore.

"I'll stay, major, but I need to call Char. I'll be in, in a minute," he spoke softly, looking at the ground submissively. His anger had dissipated, but he still had some annoyance and worry. I didn't want to think on it, so with a nod, I used the key Charlie had given me months ago and let myself into the house leaving the door ajar for Peter.

I rushed to the bedside of my love, hissing as I entered her room. "Un…fuckin'…believable," I ground out between clenched teeth. Fuckward was just sitting in Bella's rocking chair in the corner of the room. He wasn't breathing, his eyes trained carefully on me, and all I got from him was an odd calm. How had I not felt him earlier? The drapes blew in the warm breeze and I guessed that was his point of entry, since I didn't smell him anywhere else in the house.

He sat as still as a statue in a park and just watched me. I moved closer to defend Bella, putting myself between them, emitting a feral growl. Where the hell is Peter?

"I don't want to fight," Edward said quietly, moving his hands slowly up in a position of surrender.

I started thinking about way 192 to kill Fuckward. Get those fuckin dogs, tie one to each limb, and draw and quarter the bastard. I was imagining tying him down with heavy chains, wondering if they'd break? Yeah, they probably would. Well next best thing is to just let them each get a limb in their mouth and pull that way.

'That's sure to work,' I thought with a smirk, as Fuckward cringed.

"Can we just talk?" he asked, lowering his hands.

"Not here. You shouldn' even fuckin' be in here, you asswipe. What the hell are you doin'? You know what, don't answer that. Get the fuck out!" I spit at him.

"Trust me, Jasper…" He gulped down the venom that I'm sure was coming profusely because of her scent. "I know she's yours now. Her whole room smells of you and her, and your vileness," he sneered at me. I took a step towards him. Oh no, you don't talk to me like that.

"It's sex Fuckward. S-E-X. And it's a bedroom, that's what it is supposed to smell like." I glared at him and he put his hands back up.

"I don't want to fight, Jasper. I just want to know why?" he asked, but followed it with nothing.

"Leave. We'll talk tomorrow," I said, pointing towards the window. He tried to glance around me at Bella without making it obvious but he couldn't.

"She stinks like a kennel," he said, wrinkling his nose.

"She was with the wolves, moron. An' my guess is she was too physically and emotionally spent to shower tonight. It's fine. I can deal with it and you can leave." I was getting angrier by the minute and though I have excellent control, I didn't know how much more I could take.

"So you're all powerful now, huh?" he mocked.

'He's taunting me?' I thought and his lips twitched as he read my mind. I immediately went into battle mode and dove for him. He didn't even try to move and I had him by the neck. I pushed him up against the wall and made use of my new found gift to keep him numb and immobile. Peter chose that moment to dive through the window, looking at us in shock.

"What the fuck? When did he get here, major?" he asked, as he surveyed the room. "Sorry to wake you, kitten," he said, looking towards the bed.

Fuck! I sent some lethargy to Charlie to make sure he was still out. I lowered Fuckward so his feet were back on the ground though he was still motionless and turned to focus on Bella.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," I said, giving her sad eyes to convey how sorry I really was, not to mention I just wanted to cuddle with her.

"Well, I'm assuming you didn't bring him with you…" she yawned. "So carry on, put me back to sleep, Jazz. I'm too tired… Just don't set my house on fire," she mumbled, nearly back to sleep on her own, before I helped throw her over the edge into oblivion. She snuggled back into her bed and Peter went to cover her bare shoulder up. I couldn't help the low growl that escaped me as he leaned down to touch her.

"Sorry, major. Just makin' sure she's warm enough. I think we outta take this outside." He nodded towards the open window.

"Fine, but we are makin' this quick. An' if I have to build your pyre, boy, while I'm out there don' think I won't," I said to Fuckward. "Make sure the front door is closed and locked, Peter. We'll meet you out back." He nodded and made for the hallway to leave through the house. I walked over and unceremoniously threw Fuckward head first out the window. He'd have feeling back the minute I let go of him, so I wasn't too worried about a crash landing. Too bad that particular gift only works with touch.

"Don't you ever wear a shirt?" Fuckward asked, as I landed on the ground next to him.

"No-pe," I drawled, pointing towards the back of the house for him to go.

"And you and Peter just walk around Charlie's house?" he asked, like there should be a reason we shouldn't or couldn't.

"Things have changed… we use doors, not windows and trees like monkeys." I felt his anger and frustration at my answer and quirked an eyebrow at him.

"I meant… what if Charlie sees you without a shirt? If he sees your scars?" he asked, looking at me cautiously. I got the feeling he was fishing for information, but I wasn't sure what.

"Charlie sees me daily without a shirt an' has never said anythin'. Now go." I nodded towards the back yard.

He began walking slowly and as soon as we rounded the back of the house we could see Peter waiting for us by the tree line. Silently we walked towards him, as I ran through different pyre formations in my head. I knew Fuckward saw them, but he gave no indication. Another part of my brain, the part Fuckward couldn't see, was seething with hatred and anger, just wanting to get him out of my life for good and really put those pyres to use. I was trying to make myself believe that I don't need to kill the fucker just because he is a heartless bastard that broke up with his girlfriend and never looked back.

"Talk," I commanded, when we came to a stop in front of Peter, and we both turned to look at him.

"How much?" Fuckward asked.

Well, that was confusing and I looked over to Peter in question. Did he mean how much could he say? How much do I want to hear? What?

Peter shook his head and placed his palm softly over his face, mumbling, "Don't do it," under his breath.

This, of course, put me on high alert. Fuckward had to know by now he couldn't take me physically, but I still prepared for it, as I glared at him, waiting for him to continue without answering his stupid question.

"How much?" he asked again, but continued, "How much will it cost to get you to leave? All of you." He was serious, and he was staring at me, waiting for an answer.

"You wanna pay me to leave? Why? You said upstairs that ya understood she was mine. Has somethin' changed?" I was dumbfounded. I couldn't even be pissed, and then it clicked before he could answer and I was on him like white on rice.

He tried to dodge me and nearly made it, but Peter got in his way. When Fagwad tried to avoid him, I grabbed his arm before he could say 'huh' and numbed him. Frankly, I wanted something a little more physical than just taking him down with emotions. I really wanted to rip his arm off. Thankfully, I had the foresight to realize this was not the time or place. The screeching his dismemberment would have made, would have woken up the whole neighborhood. I had to settle with being satisfied with the two second dance, I got out of it.

"Y'all is one stupid motherfucker. You wanna buy her, so you can drain her. You think I'm jus' gonna sell my mate off, you fuckin' moron? GOD! Where the fuck is Carlisle, ain't he s'posed to be babysittin' your ass?" At my words Peter let out a roar and jumped onto Fuckward's chest, despite the fact that he was already incapacitated and lying on the ground. He was pure animal at the moment. I didn't want to deal with an uncontrolled raging Peter, but I wasn't opposed to letting him get his fight on. I guess Peter knew what the ass was going was going to ask, he just didn't know why.

I released Fuckward, letting him come to life under Peter. His eyes went wide and the fear began rolling off of him because he was already pinned down. I smirked at him, letting my eyes go black with hate, soaking up his fear, relishing it. I needed to be able to control Peter and frankly I was ready to be done with this asshole forever.

I kneeled in front of him and chuckled darkly, "Fuckward meet Captain Peter Whitlock. Captain, Fuckward."

Edward's eyes became impossibly larger as he stared into Peter's onyx eyes. One can only guess what Peter was thinking, or not, for that matter. Peter looked over to me and growled ferociously. I snarled evilly back, well aware that I was the only person, other than Char, that could ever control Peter. I sent him a feeling of familiarity and trust, but did nothing to reduce his blinding rage.

"Stand down, captain," I commanded and he immediately jumped off Fuckward. Fuckward in return, immediately jumped to his feet, looking between us. Looking into the eyes of true vampires; vampires that knew pain, pleasure, and evil. I had to be my demon to control Peter, but I was still very much in control of myself. The red veil that used to take over during war no longer controlled me. I controlled it. Peter, however, was another story.

"Captain, don't kill him," I commanded with a snarl, letting him feel my wrath briefly, so he'd understand the order and the consequences of disobeying it. He grunted in acceptance while staring and snarling at Fuckward. With a murderous look and maniacal chuckle, I looked into Fuckward's wide eyes and said the only word that was needed, "run."

It took him less than a second to process my words and he shot off into the trees, Peter hot on his heels. I felt kind of bad doing that to Peter, sending him on a wild goose chase after the asshole. Fuckward is lucky he is fast. It might be enough to keep him out of Peter's clutches. I pulled my cell from my pocket. Char was going to be pissed.

"Jazz?" she answered the phone.

Fuckward chose that moment to run through the backyard, the wind and Peter following him. "Call him off," he pleaded, like a pussy, as he went by.

"Edward? Call who off? What's goin' on, Jazz?" she asked concerned.

I answered her questions, not bothering to moderate my pissed off tone. "The Captain came out to play tonight when Fuckward unexpectedly showed up in Bella's room and offered to buy her. He's gonna be busy for a while. I'm goin' back to bed." And I hung up the phone. No need to say anything else, and I sure wasn't interested in hearing her bitch.

"Please, Jasper!" Fuckward ran by again.

I chuckled and made my way to the back door, using my key to let myself in again. When he got too close to the house, Peter would roar and Fuckward would dart off into the woods again. After that happened twice, I never heard from them again. I couldn't be certain Peter wouldn't kill him, even though I had given him a direct order. But Fuckward needed to learn fear and Peter needed to let off some steam. After my phone call, I wouldn't be surprised if the others didn't want to join in to help Peter. Hopefully, Char stopped them. Peter only had orders not to kill Fuckward, and in that state of mind, he may not recognize the others, let alone not kill them.

I shed my pants on the floor of Bella's room and cuddled up to her. Her body instinctively snuggled back into me, and even if I couldn't sleep, this was where I wanted to be. This was bliss. All the hate and anger and just the day's toll seeped from my body. I decided to use my time to come up with a plan, because we can't keep going rounds with Fuckward or he is certainly going to die.

About 30 minutes before dawn, I grabbed Bella's cell from her nightstand, since it was closer than mine, and sent Char a text

Jasper: Call off the Captain, Lieutenant ~M

Being his mate, she was the only other one that could get close to him in that state.

Char: Already done Major. Reattaching leg now ~C

I chuckled. So he lost a leg, huh? And I knew it wasn't Peter that lost the leg. Hell if it had been, Char would have called me, just to call me every name in the book, but my given one. Bella stirred a little in my arms and I gave her a little more lethargy to keep her asleep. She really did need a good rest and she hasn't had one lately. The return of the Cullens and Fuckward and the grief for Charlie's friend were taking its toll tonight. Not to mention, she smelled horrible, but I'm not making her get up to wash off something she can't even smell.

Charlie left early in the morning after he checked on Bella and me. Something he didn't normally do anymore, but I could tell he was worried about her. At the squeak of the door, I raised my head and tried to look at him through slit eyes, attempting to look like I had been sleeping.

"Oh, didn't realize you came over last night, son. Go back to sleep. I'll probably be home late. I'm going over to help Sue with funeral arrangements," he whispered, and I nodded, laying my head back down and pulling Bella a little closer to me.

At about 9:30, Bella began to stir and I just held her close. I swear, she bathed in those mongrels and no matter how long I held her, their scent was still stuck to her. I tried to not be jealous, and I tried to convince myself they were all grieving and hugging, and hopefully doing it in a very public setting. I tried to convince myself they weren't stealing gropes and glances of my grieving girl. I think I convinced myself the opposite, and by the time Bella actually woke up, I was nearly vibrating with jealousy and anger.

She was too sleepy to notice and I put all those thoughts away as she turned in my arms and nuzzled my neck, giving me small kisses. I could smell her tears as she began to cry softly. I just held her, feeling her grief and sadness, as well as the comfort she was getting from my presence. So I knew I was doing my job. Yesterday was truly a grisly day for everyone.

At one point, I reached over and got her some tissue off the nightstand to blow her nose. She eventually calmed and snuggled back into me, falling asleep for about another 30 minutes. I just held her. I was in no rush to push her back into the Cullen's clutches and I hope they got a few things worked out before we went back. If nothing else, I had a few things worked out and I just needed to present them to Bella.

After our showers, thankfully, we met in the kitchen to get Bella's breakfast. She decided she wanted eggs, and I set to helping her get the ingredients out for an omelet, and then sat down at the table.

"Bella… I wanna talk about our future, darlin." She paused for a moment but then nodded her head. I suppose this isn't what she thought I was going to say.

"Well, I was thinkin' a lot last night and I think you'll agree that bein' around the Cullens for any length of time jus' isn't gonna work," I paused, and she nodded in agreement, still cooking. "Well… tell me what you wanna do, darlin'? We can travel, see the world. I can change ya and we can work through your newborn year. We can go ta college. We can jus' move away an' do nothin' or anythin' you want. Do any of those sound good? Or do you have an idea of your own?" I posed all my ideas and questions at once. I knew what I wanted to do, but I've done it all before and had all the time in the world. This was her decision.

She pondered everything for a few moments while putting all the ingredients in her omelet and flipping it around. I watched silently while she made coffee and poured a glass of juice. I waited. When her omelet was done she slid it onto a plate and met me at the table. She sipped her coffee for a moment, staring at her plate. I waited with baited breath to hear what she had to say, but for this one I wasn't going to push for answers. She took her time and I let her. After 4 bites of her omelet she gazed up at me and nodded her head in decision. I nodded in return, eager for her to finally give me an answer.

"I think I want to try college, but I didn't apply to any…" I cut her off, holding my hand up.

"I got you into Dartmouth with me, Rose, and Em; we'd all be freshmen together and the next term starts in mid-August," I said, carefully watching her reaction. She nodded her head and gave me a smile, taking a bite of her omelet. I added, "but we can go where ever you want, darlin'."

We talked a bit more and made a plan. As long as Peter and Char were agreeable, we weren't going to be in Forks much longer. With that discussion out of the way, we made our way back to the Cullen house to see what shit had hit the fan while we were gone.

As I pulled up in front of the house, everything seemed fairly quiet. I helped Bella out of the car, but before we went in I gently pinned her between my cool body and the warm truck. I kissed her deeply, letting her feel my love, security, and adoration for her. Our tongues danced lazily as we drew out our time against the truck, neither of us wanting to face the day. I felt some agitation and impatience coming from the house and knew we needed to get in there or they were coming out to get us. So, with a heavy heart, I stepped away from her, giving her a couple more quick pecks. I smirked at her lust induced haze. She was gorgeous with her rosy hue and swollen lips.

"I love you," I whispered as we walked up the stairs to the house and she sent me her love back without saying a word. I decided I was going in with a no nonsense attitude and sent it into the house as we entered. I was serious and I wasn't going to take their crap.

I went around the room and gave each woman a kiss on the cheek while Bella hugged her brothers. When I got to Alice, who was second to last before Esme, I felt a spike of jealousy and then it disappeared quickly. I turned to look at Bella.

"Really?" I asked Bella, and she sent me her shame. I nodded in understanding but still gave Alice the planned kiss on the cheek and moved on. I gave a surprised Esme a quick peck on the cheek also, which garnered a few shocked emotions throughout the room, but I was focused on Bella. "

Seriously, again? Do you have so little faith?" I asked, somewhat teasingly but slightly worried.

"Sorry," she said, as amusement began to come from her she added with a shrug, "I'm only human, after all." The whole room chuckled just a little, well except Fuckward. I looked over at him as did everyone else and I scowled.

"Did you remove his funny bone too?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow at Peter and the laughter and humor increased a little in the room, along with Fuckward's indignation and pretentiousness. I rolled my eyes at him, before turning serious again. "Now," I said looking around the room, confirming that everyone was present. "Can someone tell me why Fuckward here, was in Bella's room last night? Why you weren't wit' him?" I asked, indicating Carlisle before continuing, "And what we are gonna do about the mess we have here?" I scanned the rest of the room and Bella wandered into the kitchen for a drink.

Esme was nervous but glanced at me and then kitchen before she slowly made her way in that direction. I eyed Rose to go with her and she silently followed. Looking back to the rest of the room, all heads were turned in their direction, so I sent out my impatience to Carlisle, hoping he'd answer.

Carlisle did turn to look at me and sighed heavily, bringing all eyes to him. "I'm sorry, S-Jasper. I thought he was just hunting. He said he wanted some time alone and he really did need to hunt. When I heard that he tried to buy," he choked on the word and I interrupted him.

"Are you finally, finally starting to understand what a prick your son is?" I sneered.

"I…I really thought he was supposed to be with Bella. Now, I know it was more an obsession. I think he's either looking to martyr himself by keeping her close and not drinking her blood. Or, he's just trying to keep you two from being together. Maybe both. I had a long talk last night with your family. They told me about the true mate thing and though I've never heard of it happening, I understand that it has. You and Bella are still my children, even if you don't want to be. I will never look at you as anything but.

"However, I know my words and actions were hurtful, possibly unforgiveable. So I ask only one thing… let us not fight anymore?" He looked down in shame. All I could feel from him was the shame, hope and guilt that should have been there all along.

He and Esme were trying to make things right, finally, and for that I was thankful. But he's right; his words will take a long time before they are forgiven. I tuned into the talk in the kitchen to hear Esme blubbering and Bella sticking it to her.

"…un-fucking-believable! I can't believe you think you can just say you're sorry and think I'm just going to forgive you! You treated me like trash! Like garbage that you just tossed aside! You ran off and left me here alone… to die on the forest floor. When I needed a mother the most, you know who was there? MY REAL MOTHER! She didn't abandon me! No and neither did my father! Not to mention the last time you came back here, you didn't do it for me, not really. You came because you thought Jasper was going to kill me or maybe change me… because I cut myself on his teeth. Yeah, I know all about it. We don't have secrets. If it wasn't for that incident and the fact that Alice," she sneered the name, this wasn't good. She's on a rampage, she wasn't completely making sense, and her words are starting to come in gasps. "…didn't know what the outcome would be, you never would have come here! You came for Jasper! Because you don't trust him!

"And what did you do when you got here, huh? That first time? You came in to my room with food when I had said I neither wanted it or to see you yet. You couldn't let me be with my boyfriend until I was ready and then… you insulted me! You told me how horrible I looked! Then you goaded Jasper into letting you feel my feelings, my hurt feelings. My feelings! The ones you left me with! Like you feeling that is supposed to make it okay? You didn't have to live with it for months. You didn't have to wish for death. You didn't have to get up in the morning and pretend to live so your father didn't commit you to a mental ward. And I was still committed to a mental ward!

"You return this time with him in your wake," she said, pointing to Fuckward. "And acting like I'm just going to run to him and that's going to make everything okay. Do you really have to belittle me like that? Do you really think me so shallow that I'm just with Jasper until he came back? I know… know you've heard that we are mates. And yet you come back here like we're just gonna be one big happy family, because you brought the lying, controlling, manipulative son-of-a-bitch with you! Because you've formed a relationship with Vicky? I'm not Vicky! I'm not Alice! I'm not anyone of your daughters. You know why? Because you AREN'T MY MOTHER!" she screamed at the end and then turned to me with tear filled black eyes. Those that noticed her eyes were shocked; those that didn't were paying attention to the blubbering Esme.

"Fuuuck," Peter groaned, running his hand through his hair. Rose, Emmett, Alice, and I all looked over at him to see what his issue was. In the meantime, Vicky and Carlisle had approached Esme and were trying to calm her. Char was by the front door on her knees with Spirit watching us all intently. And Fuckward, well he decided now was good time to approach Bella.

"Love, you can't…" he began soothingly, but didn't get half way to her before her cocktail laced with an incomprehensible amount of wrath surged from her body, bringing forth the evil within me. Normally, this kind of thing would have knocked me to my knees, but I assume being her mate it somehow put me in warrior mode instead.

She turned and leveled her glare on Fuckward, Peter dived, tackling Rose who wasn't too far behind Fuckward and Emmett roared in rage that his mate was attacked. In the split second before Emmett could get to Peter and Rose, Fuckward was thrown through the wall into the back the yard, along with a great deal of furniture. Well, it was more like the side of the house was taken out. Everything that had been in front of Bella, including a sofa, two chairs, a massive section of wall, and a cabinet that had been against the wall, everything was gone.

The shocking part was these things weren't just blown out of the house. They were all encased in a bubble that shimmered black and was slowly crushing everything together, including Fuckward. He was scrambling frantically, trying to get out of it. Pushing things away and I'm fairly certain he was yelling, but we couldn't hear him. I wasn't sure if a vampire could be crushed to death, but it looks like I was about to find out. Bella's shield had always been transparent, but this one we could barely see into. We could see Fuckward destroying the stuff within his bubble to give him more space as he turned it to rubble, but there just wasn't a ton of room available. I don't know what was different about this bubble exactly, but I knew this was bad.