Jasper

Bella seemed deep in thought for a moment and then said, "Surely you've touched my skin before?"

"That's what I thought initially but I went over all our interaction in my head and I have never touched you skin on skin. May I?" I asked hesitantly.

Bella nodded and I slowly raised my hand rubbing my thumb over her cheekbone. The feeling of my hand on her skin was almost electric. In that second I felt excited and relaxed all at the same time.

"It's true," Bella whispered, leaning her head into my hand. I couldn't speak. I only nodded.

Peter slid in the window followed closely by Char. "Y'all accept that I was right yet?"

"Peter," Jasper said warningly.

"Sorry Major I just can't help myself. So this changes things a little bit. You want to tell the Cullens what you are to each other because that gives you the right to retaliate if they try to come between you. It also means that they've been coming between you all this time but I'm not sure if it was on purpose. My gift isn't giving me that detail."

"Is it gonna come to retaliation Peter?" I asked. I still hadn't lowered my hand from Bella's cheek.

"I just don't know," Peter admitted.

Bella stepped back and my hand lowered.

"Why did Carlisle insist that I was Edward's mate if I didn't feel the tingles when he touched me?" Bella asked.

"Dunno little darlin', we'll try to find out for you today."

"Well, I think I want some coffee and a couple of really unhealthy pop tarts. They haven't been on Edward's approved Bella diet but that doesn't matter anymore."

I laughed. I couldn't help it. "He had you on a diet darlin'?" Peter asked.

"Oh yeah, healthy food only. Except for dinner. I cooked what I wanted to. He tried to make suggestions but I wouldn't relent. Grandma's recipes have been good enough for my family for years."

"I'll go make coffee while you three chatter," Char offered.

"Jasper, can you walk beside me down the stairs? I'm still a little shaky." Bella said.

"It will be my pleasure, Miss Bella."

Her pop tarts didn't look at all appealing but she grinned hugely as she popped them into the toaster. She drank her coffee as it warmed. She seemed stronger already but I would keep a close eye on her.

"So tell me more about yourselves Char, Peter?" Bella asked shyly.

"Well, little darlin' we're nomads of a sort. We have houses all over but sometimes we enjoy a good wander around. Other times we travel from one house to another. We prefer the north. We try not to get too close to anywhere Maria might still go. She'd love to get her grubby paws on me or Char. I dunno if she'd come after the Major there, probably too much of a sense of self-preservation."

"What do you do while you're wandering around? Do you pretend to be tourists: visit museums and things?"

Char said, "Sometimes we do. Sometimes we just enjoy being free. When we live in our houses we have all the modern comforts but when we play nomad we tend to rough it, packing light and keeping moving. We've met some interesting people that way."

I could see Bella's eyes light up at the thought of wandering from one city to the next and I decided then and there that I'd let her try it out. I wondered how Bella would take to rough it. I expected if it were Bella we'd wander from museum to museum. The thought didn't bother me. It actually sounded good.

Life with Bella would be very different than life with Alice, but there was no need to rush. Bella was still young and he hadn't yet accepted me. Plus she hadn't been changed yet and there was the issue with the Cullens to deal with. I hoped it would all be sorted out soon.

Bella

I could imagine taking time and traveling the country visiting art shows, museums, and other tourist attractions. It would be very fun. With the changes in my life, I thought that one day it might be a possibility.

I enjoyed my pop tarts and the conversation between Peter, Char, and Jasper. Jasper seemed more comfortable than I'd ever seen him. With the Cullens he was always in the background. At school, he looked to be in pain and he never seemed to fit in. Here he fit and that made me happy.

"Bella," Jasper said, "While you were sleeping I ordered you a new set of identification. If you ever need them it's important that you know a few things. First, if you ever have to run don't try to contact anyone from your old life. Ever. Don't even call and hang up. The Cullens and your father both have the ability to trace calls. Don't do internet searches on anyone you know or anywhere you've been. It's possible to flag local pages and track you from that. Basically, if you ever need to disappear, cut contact completely. Don't even call an ally. You could be traced and an enemy might find you sooner than a friend."

"With this one exception." Peter put in. "This is my tech guy. If you ever get separated from us call him. He knows the arrangement and is fine with it. No one knows about him except me and I expect you to keep this number secret."

Peter passed me a piece of paper and I slipped it into my pocket without even looking at it. I nodded.

"I understand. Do you expect me to get separated from you?" I asked hesitantly.

"No," Char said, "But we're preparing for any eventuality. The Cullens are powerful vampires and we're trying to prepare for any eventuality. If you need to run, throw your phone away. That can be traced too. Also, ditch your truck at the first possible opportunity. Leave your truck and buy a new vehicle in two different places. Take no chances. Trust no one. Make up a new history and live like it's a brand new life.

"But," I started.

"Trust only your emergency contact, Bella. I will find you once it's safe for you. It would also be smart to change your appearance in small ways, a haircut, glasses, that sort of thing." Jasper said. "Whatever you do, don't go back to Arizona or stay in Washington. If you're ever on your own I expect you to be smart about it. I'm getting you a new identification with more than enough money for a new car and a head start that would give you time to start over. Don't even trust other vampires that aren't me Peter or Char. Do you understand?"

"Get to a different state, ditch the truck, ditch the phone, no phone calls, even to you. No searching on the internet, live a new life. The emergency contact you gave me is good, but no one else. Do I stay on the move or do I start a life, get a job, and such?"

"If you ever have to run, try to make no decisions. Remember Alice has probably known all along. Zigzag around the country for a while. Even consider going to another country. Stay out of Italy. Stay out of Arizona. Stay out of Texas. Stay out of New Mexico. Change your scent by using different shampoos and lotions and things. Change the type of clothes you wear. Change everything. Decide 100 times to stop somewhere different and then stop somewhere you weren't intending to. You'll have to get around her visions. You'll have to be smart, savvy, and sneaky. Just never doubt I will come for you." Jasper insisted.

"You don't really think I'm going to have to run do you?" I asked hesitantly.

"It's always good to be prepared," Peter said.

"Hope not," Char said.

"No, but if you need to I want to make sure you can do it well." Jasper insisted.

"I better go get that ID," Peter said got up and left. I looked at the clock. It was already ten. I was glad it was the weekend. I was going to have to remember a crazy amount of information. My nerves were high and I was still a little shaky. I took a few deep breaths. Jasper's expression got concerned.

"Why don't we just go to the Volturi if they've really broken the rules this badly?"

"Aro is a friend of Carlisle's," Jasper said. "And you're still human."

"Then change me," I said. "The blood would be gone and Edward wouldn't want me anymore."

"I don't know for sure that would fix it," Jasper admitted.

I got up and washed my coffee mug. While I was facing away I admitted, "I don't want to be alone."

Jasper was there and his arms were around me in less than a heartbeat.

"Shh, little one. This is only worst-case planning. I want you to be prepared for anything, knowledgeable enough to make it out there and with all the tools you'd need to be okay till I get to you. If it goes well you'll never have to think of running after today."

"Alright. Is there anything else I need to keep in mind?"

"I will take care of you. If I have to I will search the world to find you. Now, that's enough talk about worst-case planning. How are you feeling?"

"Still a little shaky, but not bad," I admitted. "I could go downstairs alone but I'd be careful."

Peter

I had a bad feeling but I wasn't sure if it was the meeting tonight or something else. I got to Seattle way too early and decided that I was going to pretend that it was the meeting tonight I was feeling bad about. So I decided to go shopping. What would Bella need if she was going to run? I started at the mall. I bought her a black leather backpack that looked like it was carried by women as a very large purse. I bought a pair of glasses with only glass in the lenses. I got hair dye that is a deep dark red. I found a little skirt ensemble that she would never wear normally but looked like it would be comfortable matching shoes and a pay-per-month emergency phone. I also stopped at one of those horrid women's stores that had everything for personal hygiene and got her new shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. While I was there I got her a few other things that Char couldn't live without. I wish I'd brought her with me for this little jaunt. I packed it all in the bag and looked at the time. I had thirty minutes to get to Jenks's office. I headed out with the bag and caught a taxi.

As I pulled up to Jenks's office I saw Rosalie Hale of all people coming out. I had the taxi driver go around the block to let me out. The gut feeling was getting worse.

I picked up the ID. Jenks was a charming fella I'm sure but he was so terrified of Jasper that he didn't say much. I almost asked him what Rosalie was doing at his office but knew I'd have to hurt the poor man to get him to tell me anything.

I did however call Jasper and tell him that she'd been there. Apparently, the girl was in charge of some of the Cullens business dealings and could have been there for legitimate reasons. I just didn't believe it and neither did my gut.

I packed the ID, checks, credit cards, and all in the front of the bag where they had places for that. I purposefully didn't look at the name. The only other thing I added was her emergency number. Just in case she lost the first copy. The mind raper can't get from me what I don't know. Not even on accident.

I felt better after the bag was packed and ready.

The divorce papers, I left in their envelope. I'd let Jasper handle that. I ran back to Forks.