Chapter Fifty Four

Peter

Somebody needed to straighten Charlie out before he got chewed to pieces and I just hoped Bella could do it or he wouldn't leave here alive in any case. As I sat down she threw me a smile of gratitude, she knew how close he'd come to losing his life just then, if he didn't. Charlie was just waiting to start up again and I had no idea how she'd diffuse the situation long enough for him to listen.

"Dad, you have questions so I guess the best thing would be for you to ask them. Just remember once you start there's no going back and if anyone finds out that you know, it will mean your death".

He snorted and sat quiet for a second before turning to Jasper,

"First, who are you?"

"Major Jasper Whitlock",

"What army?"

"Confederate."

"So you reckon you were born in the 1800s"

"That's right Charlie, 1844 to be precise"

"So how come you haven't aged?"

"That's a long story Charlie"

"Yeah I thought it might be".

He turned to his daughter

"You know the story?"

She nodded soberly and Charlie turned back to the Major.

"So it was fine to tell Bella and put her in danger, but not me".

Bella

This was so unfair, Jasper was getting the blame for things he hadn't done,

"Dad, Jasper didn't tell me about his world. Only his own past".

"So who did? There are more of his crazies around?"

"They aren't crazy, just trying to live their lives as quietly as possible without endangering any humans"

"Humans? You saying he isn't human? What? They're pod people? Martians?"

Jasper stood up, I could see he'd had enough, I was amazed he'd stayed quiet as long as he had.

"Charlie stop shouting at Bella, she's on your side. You want the truth?"

"Yes I Want the truth, it would make a refreshing change".

"OK You asked for it. I am the man in the photo, Major Jasper Whitlock. I served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and I was stupid enough to stop and help what I thought were three young women in danger. They were in fact Vampires and I was bitten. I stopped ageing then, but I still exist frozen as I was then".

I didn't want Jasper to go into his time with Maria because I thought it was just too much for him in one hit

"I think that's enough" I said but Charlie glared at me,

"We'll talk later young lady but as for you".

He took a step forward and prodded Jasper in the chest with his finger

"You are completely mad and I want you to stay away from my daughter. Vampire for Gods sake!"

Jaspers eyes went black and for a second I thought he was going to attack Charlie but he took Dads hand and put it down,

"Charlie don't underestimate me. I'm only keeping my temper for Bella's sake"

Dad laughed in his face

"Boy, you don't frighten me. I've faced bigger than you"

"I don't doubt that, but you've never faced anyone more dangerous, that I promise you".

I could hear the fury building in Jasper's voice, he was a man, a soldier and a vampire, the most deadly of combinations and I stood up taking his hand and putting my other palm to his cheek.

"Jasper please, for me"

He turned to look at me and I saw flashes of gold in the blackness of his eyes. He seemed to come back from somewhere else to me and nodded, but his jaw was clenched and I knew he was close to his limit.

"Dad"

I took Charlie's arm,

"Let's go for a walk".

I just wanted to get him away from Jasper so he could calm down but Charlie shrugged me off.

"I've never heard such a load of shit in all my life".

He grabbed me by the arm.

"You Madam are coming back with me before you end up as crazy as he is".

I tried to pull away and he tightened his grip. I pulled again and he pulled on my arm swinging me around. I collided with the door frame, banging my head and making me fall.

I only closed my eyes for a second but when I opened them again Jasper was leaning over me, cradling my head in his hands.

"You OK Bella?"

I put my hand to my head and felt a bump and wetness, as I brought my hand down I saw blood.

"Oh God I'm sorry Jasper".

He ripped the sleeve from his shirt and put it up to the cut,

"Hold it there for a minute"

He turned back to Charlie who had frozen, realizing what he'd done. Hearing a snarl he turned and we both saw Peter standing, not breathing, in the doorway.

"Go Peter"

I shouted and he turned and fled.

Jasper walked up to Charlie until he was right in his face

"You ever touch Bella again, ever cause her any harm and I will kill you Charlie. Her father or not. Do you understand?"

Charlie continued to look over his shoulder at me so Jasper took him by the shoulders and shook him

"Do you understand what I just said?"

His voice was louder and more angry.

"Jasper" I said quietly and he freed Charlie to come to my side.

"Could you help me to the bathroom. I want to bathe my head"

Jasper swept me up in his arms and ran up the stairs with me while Charlie stood open-mouthed.

Peter

I took some deep breaths and came back in to see The Major disappearing up the stairs with Bella. I went over to Charlie,

"You have no idea just how lucky you are still to be breathing let alone standing. Let me give you a friendly bit of advice. Don't touch Bella again in anger or it will be the last thing you ever do. She's under his protection and he'll go through anyone who hurts her, irrespective of who it is. Get it?"

He nodded and walked out into the yard and I followed. When he sat down on the swing seat I left him alone and went to Charlotte.

"I thought he'd bought it just then. It was only Bella speaking to him that saved Charlie".

She nodded,

"This is getting dangerous Peter. Charlie needs to go home and stop trying to interfere or the Major will kill him".

Bella

In the bathroom Jasper sat me on the toilet and wet the sleeve of his shirt for me. I put it to my head feeling the lump there.

"He didn't mean to hurt me Jazz".

"Doesn't matter, he did hurt you and nobody hurts you and gets away with it",

"Please Jazz let it go just this once. He's angry and hurt and confused"

"That's not an excuse"

"I know, but for me please".

He didn't answer me and I could see he was fighting an internal battle between my plea and his nature as my protector."

I touched his arm, the one now bare after being ripped off as a bandage for me and he looked into my eyes.

"That was his only chance Bella. No more"

I nodded and thanked him, then pulled him down to kiss his cheek

As I did so he sighed and breathed in deeply.

"Bella, I don't know how you do it but you calm me so easily".

I smiled,

"I'd like to do more than just calm you, because believe me, calm is the last thing I feel when you are close".

He looked at me slightly shocked,

"Should I be flattered or worried?"

I guess that depends on how you feel about me".