I couldn't leave you with a cliffhanger on Christmas day, could I? Love Jules x

Chapter Thirteen

Jasper

It was great to see Emmett and Rose again especially as they now not only understood why I had been shadowing Bella but agreed it was the least we could do. Rose especially made a big thing about apologizing to me. She and I had become close during my time with the family and it had hurt me that she refused to give Bella a chance.

After a hug that would have cracked ribs if that were possible, she pulled me down beside her on the couch.

"Jazz, I know I was a bitch but I was right. Bella didn't belong. Not with Edward anyhow. I could see that and so could Alice. I think she saw something although she never said so in as many words. When she volunteered to run from James with Bella I was shocked. So was Emmett. I mean let's be fair, if anyone could track down and stop James it was you. Yet Alice persuaded Carlisle that you and she should be the ones to guard Bella. I never understood that at the time but I think I do now."

She was beaming at me and I knew I was missing something.

"I'm not with you, Rose."

She smiled and touched my cheek, "Sure you are brother. Alice saw that you and Bella belonged together and did all she could to push you into her life. I think part of Edward's jealousy of the wolf-boy was misplaced. He felt that someone was a threat to his relationship with Bella but he chose the wrong target."

"You mean he should have been watching me? I would never have come between Edward and Bella. That would have been wrong."

"Actually, stupid, allowing her to get tied up with our dear brother was wrong. I hoped to drive her away by being a bitch but she just kept coming back for more. Now, it's your chance and no one is standing in your way."

"Rose, were you not listening to Esme earlier? Bella has a boyfriend. A boyfriend who intends to ask her hand in marriage. If that's not someone standing in my way I don't know what is."

She waved a hand airily, "Yes, but that's different. From what I hear he's an idiot and certainly not right for Bella. It's your turn to step up and the masked ball will be a perfect time. Esme told me that Bella asked if you would be there and we both know that she has serious reservations about the boyfriend. So, get in there. Turn on that Southern charm and win the lady's heart."

I laughed, "You sound like a romance novel."

She smiled, "And what's wrong with that? We all need a little romance in our lives. Anyhow, Emmett and I are rooting for you."

It seemed that everyone had seen what I had missed until very recently or at least refused to even consider. I was in love with Bella but I still wasn't sure I was any better for her than Edward or this Patrick. At least Patrick could offer her a good life with no worries and a family. All things I couldn't compete with. The only thing I had that he didn't was an endless eternal love for the woman.

I discovered that Rosalie had taken it upon herself to source my outfit for the masked ball and I was presented with another confederate uniform only this time without the bloodstains and bandages. It was that of a Confederate Major complete with a sword.

"Rose, I don't think it's allowed to take weapons into a charity ball."

"That's OK, it's a ceremonial sword, look. No edge to it."

As far as I was concerned it still constituted a lethal weapon but I wasn't going to argue with my sister.

When I came downstairs dressed ready for the ball Rose took a photograph, "I'm going to frame this. You look dashing, Major Whitlock."

It felt strange to be in uniform again, especially as it was another authentic one and felt like an old friend.

"Don't lay it on too thick, Rose."

She grinned at me, "She won't be able to resist you."

I was picked up in a bear-like grip and Emmett spun me around, "I can't resist you either Major. Can I have this dance?"

When Esme appeared Emmett and I were rolling around on the floor like a couple of teenagers but she merely rolled her eyes.

"It's like running a kindergarten. Now boys play nicely. Jasper you are going to ruin your uniform for heaven's sake get up."

Emmett was first up and went whooping up the stairs, "Hey Scarlett, the confederates are here, flee for your life."

Rose stared after him with an indulgent smile, "You know I haven't seen him so happy since before we left Forks. Maybe this is the beginning of good times again. That will be my Christmas wish."

"Mine too, Rose. Carlisle is due on the 24th and I just know it's going to be a happy Christmas for us all."

I still wasn't so sure but I didn't want to dampen their festive spirit so I busied myself straightening up my uniform then followed Esme out to the car. Tonight it appeared, was make or break time.

Bella

I awoke to find myself on a trolley in the ER although for a few seconds I couldn't remember how I got here.

As I tried to get up I felt a pain in my arm and looked down to see it sported a cast.

I groaned pitifully, "Oh great."

"Ah, our sleeping beauty has awoken. Do you know where you are, Bella? Do you remember what happened to you?"

I glanced over to see a doctor sitting at the table scribbling notes. As there was no one else in the room I assumed it was he who had spoken.

"Where is here?"

"Arizona General Hospital. You were in an accident."

I groaned, suddenly I remembered. The horns and the screeching sound followed by a terrible bang then nothing.

He stood up and walked over, "You were lucky, one broken wrist, a deep cut to your left leg, a couple of cracked ribs, some bruising and a bump on the head. You'll live."

Well, that explained the thumping in my head and the ache in my chest. Then I remembered Patrick.

"My…" I was going to say boyfriend but I couldn't bring myself to call him that any longer, "My friend? Is he OK?"

"Yes. He's outside waiting. The impact was on your side of the vehicle so he got off lightly."

I heard Patrick's voice from the corridor, "I have to see my fiancee. Is she conscious yet?"

The doctor glanced at the door, "Your 'fiance seems anxious to see you."

"I know but I'm not as anxious to see him and I am not his fiancee."

"Yeah, I noticed the absence of a ring. Do you want me to stall him while we find a bed for you?"

"A bed? I'm not staying."

"As your doctor, I have to advise you that it wouldn't be wise to leave. Let us keep you under observation for a couple of days. You were knocked out and that gash on your leg is pretty deep. You need that IV in, for now, antibiotics."

I hadn't noticed the IV line snaking across my arm to a cannula in my hand but when I did I flinched. I hated needles, almost as much as I hated hospitals. The very smell made me feel sick.

He checked the computer screen in front of him, "Well, now. I have you down for a room in the private wing so you'll be very well looked after."

"I need to get home."

"Why? Do you have a pet that needs feeding? I'm sure your friend would be only too happy to help you out."

I glared at him, "Are you going to take this IV out or am I? You can give me antibiotics to take and I promise to rest but I'm not staying here."

"Well you can't drive yourself home and cabs are very expensive. Especially when you don't have a pocketbook. Or at least none that was brought in with you."

I groaned again. It seemed to be all I could do but I continued to glare at him until he shrugged and came over to take the IV out.

"You know this isn't sensible I take it?"

"I know but I have a thing about hospitals and I promise to go straight home to bed."

"If anything changes…"

"I'll come straight back, but I'll be fine. Now if you could just give me the discharge form to sign…"

The doctor rolled his eyes as he slapped a bandaid on the site of the IV.

"So, you know the procedure? Why do I always have to get the difficult patients?"

Patrick was still making a nuisance of himself in the corridor so I asked the doctor to let him in.

"You should probably ask him to get you some fresh clothes. Those you were wearing are pretty cut up and bloodied. You might have trouble getting a cab dressed as a car wreck victim. Which reminds me, there is a cop outside waiting to take a statement from you. Shall I send him in?"

"Just give me a few minutes. Thank you."

He sighed and then opened the door and called Patrick inside, shutting the door on us as he left.

Patrick ran to me and stood there awkwardly trying to hug me without hurting me.

"I'm fine. See."

Apologies tumbled out one after the other and then when he finally realized that I was OK he pulled that ring out of his pocket and tried to slip it onto my finger.

Pulling away I stared at him, "What are you doing?"

"What I started before the accident."

I shook my head and got to my feet swaying unsteadily for a moment. He was unbelievable!

"What are you doing Bella? Everything's arranged. Your medical bills are taken care of and I got you a private room. Then when you've recovered sufficiently I'll take you home."

"I'm not staying, there's no need."

"Sweetie don't be silly. Of course you can't go home yet. We don't have anyone medically qualified to look after you. What if you have a concussion? What if you start to bleed?"

" I'll be fine."

"Bella, when you are ready I'm taking you home with me. I've already spoken to Magda and she's arranging for a nurse to look after you. So you see, it's all under control."

"You mean under your control, Patrick and that's not going to happen. I told you it's over between us and nothing has changed."

"Bella, I nearly lost you. I won't make that mistake again. I'll change, you'll see. I love you. You have to give me a second chance."

"Patrick, no. You and I just won't work. Trust me, we would only make each other unhappy. Now please, leave so I can rustle up some clothes and arrange a lift home."

"Bella, you're still groggy. You can't just up and leave. There's a cop outside who needs to speak to you about the accident. I spoke to the truck driver and he's agreed to back up our story. You and I fought, you freaked out and tried to grab the wheel, the car swerved and he couldn't avoid hitting us."

I stared at him in disbelief. This was the man who vowed that he loved me. The same man who wanted me to take the blame for the accident that he had caused! I wasn't sure what to say. Maybe I was still unconscious and dreaming.

He just stood there staring at me for the longest time, "What's wrong? I mean I can't lose my license and I knew you wouldn't mind. It's not as if you drive much anyhow. I doubt the cops will do anything and my dad plays golf with their Chief so he'll have a quiet word and slip a few thousand bucks into the benevolent fund."

"I think I'm going to throw up."

Patrick stepped back alarmed. "I'll get the doctor."

"I don't need a doctor. You're the one making me feel sick. Go to hell, Patrick. I'm not lying for you."

His face twisted, "There's someone else isn't there? That Jasper guy. We were fine until he arrived."

"No, things weren't fine, Patrick. They haven't been fine for a while. I should have broken things off a long while ago. I was in a relationship where my life was planned for me once before. It was a disaster and I'm not going down that road again. As for Jasper, he's a friend, nothing more."

It felt like a lie but I wasn't going to try explaining my feelings for Jasper to Patrick. He would never understand, How could he? I wasn't sure I understood myself, but looking at Patrick I knew that if my heart belonged to anyone it certainly wasn't him. I felt nothing for him, he could have been a stranger.

When I saw Jasper in the mall my heart skipped a beat. It felt right walking with him arm in arm and I knew those feelings meant something.

Ignoring Patrick's whining pleas mixed with half threats I checked the closet in the room and found a white coat which I slipped on over my gown. Tipping my things out of the plastic bag they had been stuffed in I understood what the doctor had meant. Both my top and pants had been cut off and were wrinkled and bloodstained but I did manage to retrieve my sneakers.

"Bella. Stop this now. You're obviously concussed. You need to stay here. I'm going to fetch the doctor. Now please, lay down and rest."

He pushed me gently towards the trolley and I glared at him, "Don't touch me, Patrick."

"Bella, see. You're being irrational. That just shows you're not thinking straight. Things will look better when you've had some rest. We can talk then."

"Talk? What's the point, Patrick? You aren't going to listen, you never do unless it's something you want to hear. It's over. Just accept it."

He placed the ring on the edge of the trolley, "Please, Bella. Don't do this to me. I love you and you love me. You're just mixed up and that's completely understandable. Now, lay down, and let me put this on you. Then I'll get the doctor and call your mom."

"Don't you dare. I do not want her fussing over me."

I grabbed the ring and dropped it into his hand, "And take this with you. It's over."

He nodded, "Concussion." Then went to the door peering out to look for a member of staff. Not seeing anyone he went out into the corridor and shut the door which was my cue.

I struggled with the white coat, I couldn't do all the buttons up but pulled it closed and then slipped into my sneakers. Laces were beyond me right now so I tucked them inside the shoes and prayed they would stay on long enough for me to get out of here.

Turning the lock on the examination room door I slid open the window relieved that we were on the ground floor and with some difficulty and a lot of pain I let myself out wincing as I put weight on my bad leg and struggled to breathe shallowly so as not to start the stabbing pains in my chest. I was going to need something for the pain soon. Whatever pain relief the doctor had given me was probably already wearing off.

I limped over to some trash containers and under the low lighting, I checked my pockets and found my keys.

I threw the plastic bag in the trash and made my way slowly out of the grounds, keeping to the shadows. I knew Patrick would be looking for me soon enough but hoped the doctor wouldn't call security as he knew I had planned on leaving. As for the cops? Well, I would worry about them later.

Once off the grounds, I checked the flotsam from my pockets. Not much there. Some change and Esme's business card that Patrick had given me. I tried to concentrate. I could hardly walk home and I didn't have the money for a cab. Everyone I thought of was either connected with Patrick in some way or was a business associate and I couldn't call on any of them for help.

That left me with only one possibility unless I was willing to give in and return to the E.R.

As I turned hesitantly to look back at the lights of the hospital a coach went by with a colorful banner on the side and I groaned. The charity masked Ball would be starting soon. Well, I wasn't going to make it to that. I hurt from head to toe, felt sick, chilled and tired. The shock was probably setting in. I needed somewhere to rest and soon or I might collapse on the street.