Chapter Fourteen

Jasper

I don't know why I came to the ball. Bella had a boyfriend, was practically engaged to the guy and just because I didn't think he was right for her didn't mean that she would feel the same way. They had been together for more than three years so she must be aware of his shortcomings. I shouldn't have listened to Esme and got my hopes up. If I had continued to keep my feelings for Bella buried deep I wouldn't feel such a miserable fool right now.

Esme told me that I was being impatient because Bella hadn't been knocking at the door the moment the ball started.

"Girls like to be late, they think it looks better. She doesn't want to appear too eager."

"So, you still think she's going to show up?"

"Of course, I've seen the way she looks at you. Bella is shy, she's still coming to terms with her feelings. Besides, she might be having trouble with Patrick. He's crazy about her and I don't think he's going to take no for an answer. He can be very persuasive."

"Exactly, and let's be fair, she never said she was definitely coming. She just asked if I was."

"Jasper. She asked me to engineer that invitation so she could talk to you."

"But she already has. I think you're seeing things that just aren't there."

Esme took my arm, "Give it another hour, for me."

I agreed reluctantly, although it did give Esme someone to dance with when she wasn't talking to prospective clients. Esme never felt comfortable being close to humans so she would never accept a dance invitation from anyone other than Carlisle, Emmett or myself.

People kept turning up but there was no sign of Bella and by eleven I couldn't take it any longer. I would go back to the house, pick up my stuff and leave Phoenix. My job was done, Bella was safe, so my life was my own again. What I would do with it I had no idea but it seemed that Bella didn't feature in my future however much I wanted her to.

Esme did her best to persuade me to stay but I was adamant. I knew she was hoping for the family to be together this Christmas. Rose and Emmett were back and Carlisle was due tomorrow. With Edward and Alice off with their respective partners, I didn't want to be the odd one out.

She tried to force me into promising I would go to Boulder. "If you don't want to spend Christmas with us that's your choice but I hate to think of you all alone, Jasper. Please, at least promise me you'll spend the festive season with your friends."

I kissed her on the cheek, "Esme, stop worrying about me. I'll be fine and I promise to keep in touch. Spend Christmas with your family and enjoy it."

She sighed, "Jasper, you are family. Surely you realize that by now. Take care and look after yourself. I still think you're wrong about Bella."

I glanced around, "I think her absence speaks for itself. Now go, I see one of the staff trying to get your attention. Merry Christmas, Esme."

I walked back to the house ignoring the Christmas lights and the festive spirit of the city. My own mood was much darker.

When I arrived the place was ablaze with lights and the paper lanterns that Emmett had brought back from Germany. Esme had been delighted with them and I had to admit that they looked good but I just wasn't in the mood for celebrations.

Opening the door I was almost knocked backwards by the smell of the Christmas tree, pine cones, holly and the mixed spices from some more of his purchases. They were small figurines, goblins, elves, cobblers and all sorts which when lit emitted plumes of spices into the atmosphere. I had wondered how he managed to bring so much back on the flight from Germany. The excess baggage charge must have been astronomical!

Rose met me at the door smiling brightly but I shook my head. I couldn't stand anyone else trying to cheer me up.

"Don't Rose. Just don't. I'm not interested in talking about the ball. I was stupid to think that Bella would turn up. Why would she want to spend time with me? She has a long term boyfriend who loves her. I shouldn't have listened to you or Esme. Now please, I need to pack."

"Jasper…"

I shook my head, "No. I don't want to talk about it. I'm going to collect my stuff and I'm leaving. If I stay I'd only ruin Christmas for the rest of you. Carlisle will be here tomorrow, you won't even miss me."

She pulled a face but there was something strange in the atmosphere and Emmett stood in the lounge grinning.

"If you don't stop feeling sorry for yourself we probably wouldn't miss you. Now please Jasper, will you just shut up for a minute and listen to me."

I turned to go upstairs but she grabbed my arm, "Come here, idiot."

She guided me into the dining room and lowered her voice.

"I know you're hurt because Bella didn't make it to the ball."

"How did you know? Has Esme been in touch? She didn't waste much time. Look, Rose, I don't want your pity."

"Jazz, she didn't make it to the ball because she couldn't."

I frowned, "Couldn't? Why not? How do you know?"

"Because she rang here. Well, she actually rang the number on Esme's business card but it got her through to the house."

I frowned.

"She left me a message? Don't tell me, she had other things to do? I don't blame her. Why would she want to spend a night with me when she could be with her fiance?"

Rose burst out laughing, "You're beginning to sound like a real loser. Bella didn't make it to the ball because she was involved in an accident. She was in the ER."

I stared at Rose suddenly afraid, "Is she OK? Which ER? What happened?"

"Calm down and I'll tell you. Apparently, Bella's boyfriend wanted to talk to her so she went for a drive with him. They argued and he took his eyes off the road. There was an accident but don't worry, she's OK. A bit banged up, but OK."

"Thank God. So did she leave me a message?"

"Not exactly. She checked herself out of the hospital but she didn't have any money to get home and no one else she could ask for help so she rang Esme."

"Hang on a minute. What about the boyfriend? Where's he?"

"We didn't ask. She just said that it was over between them."

"So, what happened? Where is she now?"

Rose grabbed my arm, "Calm down. Emmett and I went and picked her up from the hospital. She's upstairs asleep right now. She looked beat so I helped her to bed and promised to call you. Unfortunately, you left your cell phone here and by the time we got through to Esme you'd already left."

I broke free of Rose's grip and was up the stairs in an instant and checking on Bella. Now I could smell the faint odor of blood and antiseptic. It wasn't enough to cause my throat to burn but it did explain the overpowering mix of scents in the house. Emmett and Rose didn't have as much self-control as I did. They were protecting Bella from themselves the best way they could. It had been quick thinking on their part.

Bella looked very pale so the bruise on her forehead looked even darker. She was sleeping peacefully, her hair fanned out on the pillow and a bandaged hand lying on top of the comforter. I didn't see the origin of the blood scent until she turned uneasily in her sleep and I glimpsed one heavily bandaged leg.

Sitting down carefully on the edge of the bed I laid my hand on hers and leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Sorry, Bella, I was wrong. I thought you'd stood me up."

Not wanting to disturb her I closed the door carefully and made my way back downstairs. Rose was waiting for me, smiling gently.

"See. She's fine. She told us she has some broken ribs which they've strapped and a deep cut in her leg but nothing serious."

"I don't understand why she didn't stay at the hospital if that's what the doctor's wanted."

She and Emmett exchanged a glance and he filled me in.

"It seems she was getting away from her boyfriend. He's a bit of an asshole. You know the type, Doesn't know when to give up. She said the police might be looking for her too. She never got around to making a statement. We didn't want to press her too hard, she was pretty shaken up. It was great to see her again. Bella always did know how to make an entrance."

I sat down on the arm of the couch shaking my head, "I stop watching over her for a few hours and she nearly gets herself killed!"

Emmett grinned, "Yeah man. I guess you'd better take the job full time. It was good to see her again even under the circumstances. I wonder what Edward would say if he could see us now."

"Edward is the least of my worries. I'd like to know what the boyfriend is doing though. He had money and influence, he might well be trying to track her down."

Emmett stood up looking a little uncomfortable, "Yeah, I thought about that too."

"And?"

"I thought it might be best if we knew where he was for now. Just until we know what happened and if Bella's in any kind of trouble. So, I invited him to the house for the night."

"You did what? Where is he?"

"Oh don't worry. He doesn't know where he is. I don't think he's got a clue what's going on. I locked him in the wine cellar."

Rose rolled her eyes, "I think he's under the impression that he's been kidnapped and is being held to ransom."

Emmett scratched his head, "Yeah, now that might be my fault. I think I might have given him that impression. Anyhow, once we get the full story from Bella I'll take him for a nice long ride and dump him out somewhere. Unless you want me to make sure he goes missing permanently?"

"Emmett! We talked about that. I'm pretty sure Bella won't want his blood on her hands."

He grinned, "I guess not Rosie but a guy can dream can't he?"

"Thank you both for helping Bella."

Rose stared at me, hands on her hips, "You say that as if you expected us to ignore her plea for help. We don't hate Bella, Jazz. Not even me."

"Yeah, but you have to admit she was pretty freaked out when you answered the phone, Rosie."

Rose glared at her husband but I could imagine Bella's reaction when she called Esme for help and got Rosalie instead. The two hadn't exactly hit it off when they first met.

"Are you sure we shouldn't take her back to the E.R? I mean none of us knows how to look after someone who's been in an accident."

"Actually, I do. Or at least I spent some time with Carlisle's medical books. So long as she doesn't start acting weird or we can't wake her up I think she'll be fine. Besides, are you going to tell her that we're calling an ambulance?"

"I'd pay to see that, My money's on Bella every time." Emmett was finding this all too amusing.

"Does Esme know we're harboring a fugitive from the cops?"

Rose shook her head. "Let her enjoy her ball. She'll find out soon enough. In the meantime why don't you do us a favor and get out of uniform? If Bella wakes up and sees you like that she's probably going to think she died or has brain damage."

I went back upstairs and changed quickly before checking on Bella once more. As I opened the door I heard her groan and curse, so she was awake. That was a good sign.

She smiled as she recognized me and I sat beside her on the bed.

"Sorry about this. I wanted to get to the ball but I think dancing is out of the question for a while."

"Don't worry about it. There's always another ball. How are you feeling?"

"Sore and pissed. Mainly pissed though."

I laughed, "Only Bella Swan could walk away from a car wreck angry. Seriously though, do you think it was wise to walk out of the E.R?"

"Probably not but it was either that or batter Patrick to death with my drip stand."

"Do you feel well enough to tell me what happened?"

She gave me an abridged version before yawning and I saw she was dead beat.

"OK well, you sleep. You're safe enough here and when you feel up to it we'll talk some more."

I rose to leave but she called me back.

"Jasper, I am sorry I missed the ball. I was looking forward to our dance."

I sighed, "Me too. Now sleep."

She was sleeping before I got to the door and I stood to watch her. She looked so fragile lying there. I had come close to losing my chance tonight but I wouldn't make the same mistake again. For now, while she was resting I had other business to attend to.

Emmett was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.

"Rose is going to keep an eye on Bella for a while and I thought you and I could have a few words with the asshole in the cellar."

"What did Bella tell you?"

"Enough to know he likes to come out of any situation smelling of roses. He wanted her to lie about the accident to get him off the hook. She told him exactly where to go but I think she expects him to keep trying. Stinking little rich kid doesn't like to lose."

My knuckles stood out as I clenched my fists. If that was true then the bastard needed to pay for what happened but I would have preferred to hear the story directly from Bella.

"We should probably wait until Bella wakes up. We can hear the whole story then."

Emmett stared at me as if I had just spoken in Mandarin!

"Dude, by that time Esme will be home and you know as well as I do that she is not going to be happy with us keeping a prisoner in the wine cellar. She'll probably make us let him go. Now, I don't know about you but personally, I think he should be taught a lesson."

Emmett was right. We probably shouldn't harm Patrick physically but that didn't mean we couldn't frighten him half to death.

"OK. Let's go." I followed him to the cellar door as Rose came out of the kitchen with a glass of milk and a sandwich. She didn't ask questions, just smiled, "These are for Bella if she wakes up. Oh, and boys. Don't mess up the cellar, remember it's only a rental."