A/N: Just a reminder that I still don't own anything or profit from this story in any way, shape, or form.
This chapter was also not beta-ed, so if you catch anything horrific, PM me! Hope you lovelies are having a wonderful weekend!
"...A slight rustling of branches and leaves alerted her to his arrival and Bella gleefully turned to face the sound. The sight that met her eyes, however, had her recoiling nervously. A dark copper-colored head of hair emerged from the woods as the thin, lanky body of Edward Cullen broke through the edge of the forest. Bella's lips curled back to display her teeth as an instinctive snarl ripped its way out of her mouth."
In a fraction of a second, Bella analyzed his stance and build, realizing she'd never be able to outrun Edward the way she had Jasper. Without breaking his gaze, she noted him lean in to charge her. Bella feigned to her right as Edward leaped into the air. She briefly gauged his speed and trajectory, dodging full left once he hit the descent portion of his attack.
His force upon impact shattered the rocks Bella had occupied not 2 seconds before. As he whipped around to face her, a snarl of his own erupted from his chest and rage rolled off of him in waves. For a single second, she hesitated in her fear, allowing him the time he needed to launch himself at her again.
Terrified, she tried again to dodge his attack, turning right this time to avoid him. Unfortunately, that measly second had cost Bella. Edward's arms reached to encircle her head and, horrified, she realized he was going to break her neck.
Letting panic and instinct drive her, she shifted yet again, shrinking away from his hands as she became a barred owl. The shock of watching one animal become another right in front of his eyes must have overtaken Edward, as Bella managed to flap away, crossing the meadow diagonally but had only gotten halfway across when he jumped high into the air after her.
Gripping her left wing, Edward dragged Bella back to the ground as she shrieked in protest. The force of the change in direction in conjunction with the pressure he was applying filled her sensitive ears with the snapping of bones breaking. Her struggles ceased immediately, as the meadow filled with only the sound of her soft hooting, a pleading sound.
Edward snarled angrily at the pathetic owl in his hands until eventually words formed. "What the hell are you?" He roared at her before leaning forward to snap at her, spittle flying through the air to land on her face. The threat of death overtook her and Bella could make no sound.
The ringing silence gave way to the sound of many things running through the woods at once, towards the meadow. Bella flicked her eyes towards the growing commotion of breaking branches and the pounding of feet on the ground. Edward didn't seem to notice the approach of the intruders, however, and took the roll of her eyes away from his face as a refusal to answer, not that she even could in this form, He proceeded to squeeze her, making it difficult for Bella to breathe and causing the pain in her left wing to spike.
This is it, I'm going to die.
The thundering of footsteps filled her ears, followed shortly by the sound of the runners breaking through the trees. Before even another moment could pass, a silver blur darted towards the boy and the owl.
He came! And are those-
The imminent impact caused Edward to release Bella from his grip to better defend himself. She dropped to the ground in an undignified heap but luckily, wasn't injured any further. Able to breathe again, the owl's chest rose and fell quickly in what was surely an avian equivalent to hyperventilation.
The clashing of the two bodies sounded like rocks slamming together; a two-man avalanche. Bella's sharp eyes darted to the trees and noted Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and two others she didn't recognize. They watched, frozen in horror as brother fought with brother in the meadow before them.
Instincts screaming at her, the owl stumbled away from the newcomers while simultaneously keeping track of the fight between Jasper and Edward. Emmett, however, noticed her attempts and slowly walked towards her. Terrified she raised her right wing to cover her face backing away.
"Don't worry, little guy. I'm not going to hurt you," Emmett spoke in a low tone.
The fight came to an abrupt halt as Jasper pinned Edward to the ground, holding the younger boy's arms tightly behind his back.
"DON'T TOUCH IT!" Jasper snarled to Emmett, causing the bear of a man to stop his progress. "Do not touch a single feather on that owl's head."
"It's in pain, bro. It would be horrible to just leave it for some coyote to get. Breaking its neck would be so much quicker," Emmett answered his brother with a frown before turning back to Bella.
"NO!" Jasper roared, causing leaves on the trees around the clearing to shake. "That's not an owl! It's a person!"
Emmett looked at the owl and back to Jasper. "What have you been smoking? You didn't slip up and drink some stoned hikers did you?" The hulking man turned to Carlisle before continuing, "On that note, how many high humans would it take to get a vampire fucked up, Carlisle?"
Jasper growled in irritation and responded "I didn't slip up, you moron," before the man now identified as Carlisle could answer. "That owl is a shape shifter of some kind. I came across this being a few nights ago. I didn't share the information with the family as I tend to gather information better on my own. I was planning on meeting him or her this evening to try communicating again but apparently wasn't fast enough."
Watching the group communicate was surreal for Bella. On the one hand, being in pain and under threat was keeping her painfully aware of her surroundings, but on the other, she was currently using a bird's brain and couldn't seem to make sense of what she was hearing.
Did Emmett say vampire? Am I imagining things? Did they mean campfire? Is there a fire nearby? Are they camping?
Struggling to remain conscious, she hooted softly to herself as she hopped lightly away from Emmett's still extended hand.
"Boys, we can talk about this at home," Carlisle interjected. "If that is a person, they are injured and as a doctor, I'd be remiss not to treat them. Do you think you could calm them down enough to change back, Jasper? Do you know if they even can?"
Still standing with his foot on Edward's back, arms pulled skyward, Jasper sighed. "I can try, but only if Eddie here can keep it the fuck together and not try to hurt it again."
"I was hunting!" Edward growled into the dirt his face was pressed against. "I didn't know it wasn't an animal! "
"Bullshit, fucker," Jasper snarled back. "In addition to the dishonesty coming off of you, I heard a mountain lion growling, followed by the hooting of an owl, meaning you saw the being shift and still decided that causing physical harm to a sentient being would be a good idea. What the fuck is wrong with you?" The blonde man twisted the arms he was holding even tighter.
Edward screamed into the dirt, his pain mixing with growing rage. "You can't keep me like this forever, asshole! Let me go!"
"Jasper," Carlisle started, "let Edward go."
Huffing angrily and with a clear reluctance, Jasper let go of the grip he had on Edward's arms and stepped to the side, still on alert. The boy pushed himself up from the ground and dusted his sweater off, refusing to make eye contact with anyone.
"Edward, please either go to your room or take a good long walk. I don't care which it is, but do not approach this owl, -er, shifter again. You've injured them quite seriously and if they are indeed a person, I imagine yours is the last face they would want to see," Carlisle instructed calmly.
With another snarl and a parting glare at Bella, Edward darted off through the trees, the sound of destruction marking his progress as he headed away from the group. After a few moments, Alice pursued her brother more slowly, taking care to not anger him further with her presence.
Everyone else turned their attention back to Bella, and before Jasper could react poorly to his proximity, Emmett wisely backed off, whispering "I'm so sorry, little dude. I didn't know," apologetically at Bella as he went to stand near Rosalie again.
The grouping watched on as Jasper walked slowly towards the ruffled, broken owl before them. He sat down with a few feet remaining between them, allowing Bella the choice to close the distance.
"Hey there, friend. I don't know if you know what's going on or not, but my father over there, Carlisle, is a doctor. He wants to take a look at that wing but he's a people doctor. You're going to have to change back if you want us to help you," Jasper spoke soothingly to Bella.
She debated for only a moment. It wasn't like she had any other options. Emmett was right when he voiced concerns about another animal coming for her. Not only that, but if she shifted, alone, she'd never find her way back and would eventually die, naked and injured in the woods. Bobbing her head up and down, Bella hooted once softly and, with great effort, turned her back to the group, trusting that Jasper would protect her if necessary.
This is going to hurt like a bitch.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Bella started her change, shifting more slowly than normal. A painful five seconds passed, in which time she grew human-sized, her feet, legs and lower body appearing. The stunned silence behind her encouraged her to continue the painful process as her upper body, head and hair took place of the owl's head, feathers disappearing from her back as her right arm and hand emerged. All that remained was her left wing.
"You can do it," Jasper whispered softly from behind her.
Shaking in pain, Bella gritted her teeth and exerted a burst of energy. A single strangled scream broke free from her lips as her broken wing became broken arm, the pain causing her body to slump forward onto her knees. Tears streamed down her face as she refused to glance back through her hair at the family behind her.
"Rose, throw me your jacket," Jasper ordered.
"What?" Came a startled reply.
"Give me your jacket to cover her!" He practically shouted at his sister.
"I'm not going to let you cover her in this!" Rose practically shrieked. Before Jasper could even growl at her rudeness, Rosalie stepped towards them. "She's naked, Jasper! Let Esme cover her, not you," the blonde girl explained. "Idiot," she muttered, removing her long navy blue cardigan. "Here, Esme."
Jasper growled lowly in warning at Esme's approach but she ignored him. "Hello, there," she spoke quietly to the girl. "I'm Esme. Would it be okay for me to help you put this on, honey?"
Bella shuddered but nodded her head in the affirmative. Esme draped the cardigan around Bella's back then knelt in front of the girl to guide her good arm through the sleeve.
"I think it would be best if we kept your left arm out of the sleeve, but I'd like to cover it and tie this closed, Sweetheart," Esme explained. "Can you bend your arm at the elbow and hold it to your chest, dear?"
Bella nodded again and complied, bending and tucking her arm with a small groan of pain that set Jasper to pacing behind them. "Don't hurt her!"
"I'm not, Jasper," Esme stated firmly as she tied the sash on the cardigan. "I'm trying to keep her arm from jangling around because we're going to have to run her to the house."
Bella started hyperventilating and the tears came more quickly than before. Dread at being touched by someone capable of a grip like Edward's filled every cell in her body.
"It's okay, honey," Esme whispered lowly. "We will be very careful. We just need to get you to our home so Carlisle can set your arm."
By this time, however, Bella was shaking her head back and forth and whispering, "No, no, no. Please don't touch me," through her sobbing.
Esme took a step back and looked to Carlisle, unsure of what to do next. Before he could make a decision, however, Jasper stepped forward. "Let me try," he begged softly, his previous order giving tone replaced by that of deep concern and longing to right the situation.
"You can try, son. If not…we'll try something else," Carlisle offered as Esme resumed her place by his side.
Nodding in confirmation, Jasper slowly made his way to stand in front of Bella, again leaving enough space in between them that she wouldn't immediately feel threatened by his presence.
Bella finally raised her chin from her knees and glanced up through lashes clumpy with tears. Recognition flashed across his face.
"Hey there, Bella," he whispered with a soft smile.
"Hi, Jasper," she mumbled, ducking her face again.
He grinned at her willingness to respond. "I thought there was something different about you! Especially when I saw your eyes today. Your pupils were elongated, almost feline when Edward had you cornered. I just never imagined..."
Bella snorted. "No, I don't think anyone could ever imagine...this," she trailed off.
"Well, darlin'," Jasper started, "I suppose we all have our little secrets.
Bella broke into a small grin, despite the circumstances. "I don't think I've ever noticed your accent before."
Jasper was pleased to note her smile and happily let loose the reigns he normally held on his twang. "I've had a…while to work on it, but proud Texan, at your service, ma'am.
"Now, if you'll allow me, I'd like to scoop you up and carry you back to our home so the good doc can get you straightened out. Is that fine with you," he asked Bella with a friendly smile.
She took a deep breath and slowly nodded her consent before trying to arrange the cardigan so she would be adequately covered before standing. Bella was usually a little free when it came to nudity - it was just part of being a shifter and something you got used to - however, standing in the middle of nowhere after being injured by a member of a family that is currently trying to help you, doesn't typically leave one with a feeling of security.
Sensing her concerns, Jasper slowly reached out for her good arm and used his free hand to help her ensure she remained decent in front of his family.
"It's alright, Bella, I've got you," he reassured her as he pulled Bella to her feet. "Now, put your right arm around my neck and hang on tight while I swing your legs up, alright?"
She nodded and once Jasper leaned low enough, looped her arm around the back of his neck and clenched. When she was secured, he took his left arm and cradled it around her shoulders, then lowered his right to hoist her up from behind her knees. He then stood tall, successfully cradling Bella in his arms.
Oh, God. This is straight off of some trashy romance novel!
Closing her eyes tightly to avoid gazing into the face of her rescuer, Bella turned her face more tightly to his chest, only to realize that could possibly be even more awkward. The only thing worse, she decided, would be if she were to react as if there was anything to be awkward about.
WHICH THERE ISN'T, Bella chided herself. Get. A. Grip. This. Man? Vampire? Whatever. Is just taking you back to his home that he shares with...other vampires, because they feel responsible for your injury.
Oddly comforted by this thought, Bella relaxed a little in his arms before Jasper tapped her shoulder with a finger. "Hey. We're going to run now, but because you're hurting, I'm not going to go too fast. I recommend you keep your eyes closed because the motion could make you nauseated."
Bella nodded against his chest and stiffened in preparation as she gripped more tightly around his neck with her good arm. "Please don't drop me," Bella whispered into his hard chest.
Emmett chuckled at the girl's request. "I wouldn't dream of it," Jasper answered with a tiny squeeze to indicate how good of a grip he had before he took off through the trees. Carlisle and Esme overtook them to prepare for Bella while Rosalie and Emmett hung back to follow Jasper at his slower, more careful pace.
Bella had mentally prepared herself to feel her broken bones jostling against each other in her arm and hand, but was surprised to find that if not for the cool night breeze in her hair, she wouldn't have known they were moving at all.
It couldn't have been more than three minutes when Jasper tapped her again to indicate she could open her eyes. Turning away from Jasper's chest, she faced the direction they were headed to take in an extremely large, wooden and glass home, complete with wrap around porch and sitting areas.
Jasper dashed lightly up a multitude of steps and through the already open doors.
If the outside of the house was beautiful, the inside was stunning. Warm light emitted from multiple sources, and a plush neutral beige carpet practically begged guests to take their shoes off to experience its inviting texture. Dark wood offered a contrast where the dining room met the living room and extended to the kitchen, only part of which she could see. Four puffy, emerald-colored chairs were arranged in front of a massive corner unit bookshelf that extended from floor to ceiling and along the length of the inner walls.
This must be literature paradise.
She was brought back to reality as her arm throbbed in pain, causing her to gasp. "I guess the adrenaline has worn off," she offered as Jasper carried her quickly down a hall away from the kitchen.
"We're almost there, darlin'," Jasper murmured softly as they entered a large office, complete with examination table.
"Thank goodness. Too much longer and Dr. Cullen would have had to re-break the bones to set them." Bella whimpered as Jasper set her lightly on the table and took a few steps back.
As if on cue, the doctor entered the room from another door, arms loaded with supplies. "You must be an extraordinarily quick healer!" He exclaimed excitedly. "Is it because you are…whatever you are? And please, call me Carlisle."
Bella smiled at his enthusiasm and answered him as he laid out multiple temporary casts and arm slings of varying lengths. "Yes, I was told that quick healing was part of the shifter package. Which is nice if you're not being careful enough or get into some kind of territorial skirmish. I broke my ankle once. It took a bit less than a full day to heal completely after my mom set it."
Carlisle agreed, "That definitely makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint," and nodded thoughtfully. The doctor raised a portion of the table to her left to provide a surface to examine her arm on. "Now, Jasper, if you will, please leave the room so I can take a look at Isabella's arm."
Jasper froze, seemingly conflicted between staying to make sure Bella was okay and wanting to follow his father's orders.
Sensing his concern, Carlisle added, "She'll be fine, son. I just need to set the bones correctly before they heal too far along for me to do so."
Carlisle's words didn't seem to have any effect on Jasper, as he stayed rooted to the spot. Bella raised her eyes to meet his own steady golden gaze. "I'll be okay, Jasper. In the woods when Esme wanted to help me up, I think I was still in shock and was only okay with you carrying me because we'd met before and, well, you're the one that stopped him…" Bella trailed off, not wanting to rehash the night's events. Jasper's eyes darkened when reminded of his brother's actions. "I trust that Carlisle won't hurt me," she finished firmly.
Jasper blinked once, nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him.
"It seems my son has taken a shining to you, Isabella," the doctor spoke softly while indicating she untie the cardigan and free her arm. "That doesn't typically happen with us being what we are."
"Just Bella, please," she paused and resituated the cardigan to keep herself covered. "Are you really vampires?" Bella asked him calmly while he examined her extended arm.
"Ah, I wondered if you had caught that. Indeed, we are." Carlisle reached for two syringes. "One of these is for pain, the other is a fast acting muscle relaxant to calm your muscles while I set the bones." Bella nodded in acknowledgment and looked away while he injected her.
"We don't normally reveal ourselves," Carlisle continued. "It is against our laws, actually. However, after discussing it with Esme, we think that you, of all people, would respect our secrecy as we would your own."
Score!
"That definitely sounds fair to me," the girl agreed.
Carlisle helped the girl shift on the table so that her arm was resting against the raised portion. "Now, this is going to hurt despite the painkillers I've given you, so I want you to take a deep breath in - now out - and," before he could finish his sentence, he had set the bone that had snapped between her elbow and wrist. That left just her broken pinky and ring fingers to contend with and after another second passed they had also been set.
Bella groaned in pain and the door burst open, revealing a panicked looking Jasper. "You're fast, doc. I didn't even see that coming," Bella muttered.
"I imagine that's due to the muscle relaxant as you seem to be able to interpret our speed. Or at least when you were in animal form you did," he amended. "Hello again, Jasper. As you can see, the young lady is quite alright. I just need to set her up in a removable cast and send her home with a sling for tomorrow...are you going to need a cover story for your father?"
Bella furrowed her brows in concentration, trying to remember Charlie's schedule, before she remembered her truck was out of commission. "Unfortunately, my truck got hit earlier this afternoon and Charlie will be taking me to school, so yes, I'll need a cover story."
Jasper frowned and stepped forward, "I can give you a ride tomorrow. It was Edward's fault that your car got hit anyways. He was trying to get away from Emmett when Tyler swerved to miss him."
"That's very kind of you," Bella remarked. "I can wear the sling to school tomorrow and have it off by the time he gets home, I'm sure. If not, I'll just say I slipped on ice. I used to be very clumsy so it's not a stretch. Do you have paper and a pen so I can leave Charlie a note about not taking me to school?"
"Perfect, it's settled then" Carlisle declared, doing up the velcro on her cast before turning to the door and saying, "Yes, come in Emmett."
The large man filled the door frame with his shoulders alone and ducked in carrying a bundle of fabric topped off with pen and paper, as requested. He flashed an embarrassed smile at Bella and set the bundle on a chair. "We figured since Alice is too short and Esme a little larger than you that you could just have some of Rose's clothes and roll the legs up, maybe. She tore the left arm off the sweater so your cast would fit. We couldn't find any shoes that would fit you, though."
Bella smiled gratefully at the hulking man with boyish features, "That was very thoughtful of you all, thank you."
"No worries! You can keep this stuff. Alice likes shopping for everyone so it's really no big deal," he grinned, happy that Bella seemed ready to move beyond their tense moment earlier.
Jasper visibly relaxed and ushered Emmett and Carlisle out the door with him so she could change in peace.
Bella set the pile of clothes to the side as she filled out a note for her dad.
Dad-
After you went to bed, I got a text from a friend offering me a ride to school - don't worry about coming all the way back home to get me in the morning! See you at dinner,
B
Sorting through the pile, Bella was pleased to see a pair of leggings with the modified sweater so she wouldn't have to struggle with buttons or zippers. Good thinking, Rosalie, Bella thought with relief.
Easing her cast arm through first, the rest of the sweater was pulled on with minimal effort. She stuffed the note into her pocket, then sat at the edge of the exam table, and shimmied first one leg through the leggings, then the other, careful not to jostle her arm against anything in the process. The socks proved a little more tricky but a full five minutes from the vampires leaving the room, Bella emerged, covered and grateful, from the office.
Jasper was waiting for her in the hallway, a frown settled on his face. "Are you in pain?" He asked her quietly.
"A little, Bella admitted. "The accelerated healing is great but that doesn't mean it hurts any less. It just hurts for less time." A few moments of awkward silence built between the two before she continued. Are you…okay," Bella asked weakly. "I mean - the fight. That was...intense."
Jasper laughed openly at her observation. "Honestly, that fight was nothing. I have a very vast experience compared to the rest of my family."
"Well, I'm sorry that you fought with your brother because of me," Bella frowned and looked at her feet.
"Bella! It's not your fault he attacked you. Even if he first came at you to hunt you, he should have known better than to physically harm you instead of trying to communicate with you," Jasper countered.
Bella stood awkwardly, fidgeting with the hem of the sweater, not really knowing what to say to this man. From the first day they met, he had given off the vibes of mild annoyance, not to mention the electric staredowns in the cafeteria. Accepting her and playing with her when she was in her shifter form was an entirely different kettle of fish. How can I bridge the two sets of circumstances?
"Look, it's getting a little late, why don't I drive you home," Jasper offered.
Bella smiled and, lifting her chocolate brown eyes to his butterscotch ones, nodded. "Thank you. I'd like that, Jasper."
Wasting no time, Jasper led her back through the house, out towards the large living room where Emmett was seated playing a video game, while Rosalie, Esme, and Carlisle sat scattered throughout the living room, reading books. Carlisle and Esme stood as Bella and Jasper entered the room and approached them, eyes twinkling.
"Taking her home, son?" Carlisle asked politely.
"Yeah, it's pretty late and I'm hoping to get Bella home before her father notices her missing," Jasper answered.
"Well, it was very nice meeting you, despite the situation at hand, dear," Esme told Bella while extending her arms for a hug. "Don't you hesitate to visit just because one member of our family reacted poorly." Bella cautiously stepped into her embrace. "Carlisle and I will certainly be dealing with it when Edward comes home."
"It was nice meeting you as well. And you, Carlisle," at this, he extended his hand for a shake. "Thank you so much for fixing my arm."
"It was the least I could do, he answered, reaching into his pocket. "Here are a few painkillers. Take one before you go to bed, half when you wake up with your breakfast and the remaining half at lunch and I think you'll be good as new, come evening," the doctor instructed, slipping the pills into the sweater pocket where the sling was already folded up. "You should ice it as necessary, as well."
"Thanks again," Bella smiled and turned to the seated blonde, "and thanks, Rosalie, for the clothes."
"It's no big deal," the golden-haired vampire answered with a nonchalant roll of her shoulders and a small smile in Bella's direction.
Emmett stood and extended his arms, "Do I get a hug too," he asked with puppy eyes.
Bella laughed at his reaction and leaned in for a hug. "Don't worry about it, big guy. I won't hold it against you," she answered his unspoken question.
"Good," he answered with a slight squeeze, "Because I want to come play tomorrow night too if you're up to it!"
"Sounds alright with me," Bella decided, with a glance at Jasper, wondering if he'd be willing to meet up at the meadow again.
"Well, if we're done, it's getting close to midnight and I'm thinking you should try to get some sleep tonight," Jasper interjected before they could get caught up in another conversation on their way out.
Bella nodded and followed Jasper out through the front door and with a whispered "Wait here a moment," he had disappeared. A few seconds later, Bella heard an engine roar to life and a black pickup pulled up along the front of the house. Another second later, Jasper was back at her side, "Is it okay if I carry you again? Otherwise, you're going to get your socks wet."
"That would be fine, thank you," Bella said. Jasper took her right hand and wrapped it around the back of his neck once more but instead of carrying her bridal style, set his hands on either side of her waist and gently lifted her off the deck and whisked her to the truck, placing her inside.
Bella missed the pressure of his hands on her body but banished that thought quickly. He just really wants to get me home. I'm sure he's honestly not thrilled with how things went tonight. He had to fight his brother for me! Behold, Isabella Swan: destroyer of families.
In a few short seconds, they were on their way, heater set to full blast. A few minutes passed before Bella broke the silence. "I really am sorry. I feel as though I've intruded on your life and mucked things up." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I would understand if you didn't want to meet tomorrow night, because of what happened," but even as she said it, tears rolled silently down her cheeks at the thought of losing her new friend.
Jasper pulled over and Bella realized they were just a little ways down from her house, a close enough distance to walk but not too close that the noise would alert Charlie.
"I will absolutely be there tomorrow night, Bella. You couldn't keep me away, especially after tonight. I don't want you to blame yourself for what happened." Jasper reached out as though to wipe the stray tears that had fallen but stopped himself before he could touch her and looked away. "Please don't blame yourself," he whispered.
"I'll try," the girl offered.
Bella glanced at her house down the road and realized they had a problem. "Shit." She rubbed her forehead in frustration.
"What's wrong," Jasper asked in alarm.
"I just remembered that my only way in and out of the house during my shift is through my bedroom window, as a sparrow, which normally wouldn't be a problem except that I can't shift right now," Bella explained, gesturing with her broken arm. "I can't just walk through the front door. It's locked, my bedroom door is locked and...Charlie doesn't know."
Comprehension dawned on Jasper's face. "You got this from your mother?"
"Yes," Bella whispered.
"And she has passed away, meaning you have to shift alone."
"Correct. That's why it," her eyes filled with tears again, "why it was so nice when you were there. It was the most fun I've had since she died. Shifting without anyone else is a very lonely thing. Most animals shy away from us instinctively. So it's not like I could go make friends with the local wildlife population," she laughed at the mental image.
"I'm sorry you've been lonely, Bella. How often do you shift?"
"A couple of nights around the full moon. It isn't like fiction about werewolves or anything. It isn't out of my control, but if I don't do it, I get really irritable and restless. I have to burn that energy off. Renee - my mom - she could shift more frequently, a fifteen-day span or so. I think it's an energy thing," Bella explained, glad to have someone not only interested but also not completely repulsed by this information.
"Do you have to wait for it to be night?"
"Not necessarily, it's just easier at night. Plus, less chances of discover - you never know who is watching during the day. Speaking of which, I have a few questions myself about vampires and your own exposure risks," Bella's eyes gleamed in excitement.
"Since you've been let in on the secret, I'll answer your questions to the best of my abilities. However, maybe they should wait until tomorrow," Jasper countered. "We still have to get you inside and sleeping before your father notices."
"Oh, yeah," Bella muttered, thoughts turning to figuring out a way in.
"I have a solution to your home access problem."
"Would you like to share it with the class, Mr. Hale," Bella teased.
"Whitlock."
"What's that?"
"My last name is Whitlock," Jasper clarified. "I haven't used it in a while. Due to one of the many unanswered vampire questions you probably have that can be explained tomorrow."
"Thank you for trusting me with your name," Bella beamed. "Now, solution, Mr. Whitlock?"
"I'm not sure you're going to like it, but I could jump with you in my arms the way we ran earlier, open your window more and slip us in," he explained with a quirk of his brow to indicate he wanted to know what she thought.
"That definitely beats breaking in on the ground level. Charlie is a deep sleeper but I'm not sure the sound of breaking glass is something a cop could easily ignore, even in sleep."
Jasper's quiet laugh filled the cabin of the truck and was a welcome change to his typically serious demeanor. "I suppose not. You ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be to have a vampire sneak me through my second-story bedroom window, sure, why not?" eliciting another chuckle from her new friend.
Jasper turned off his truck and flitted to the passenger side to help Bella down before swooping low to scoop her up again. Giving her a once over to make sure she was situated comfortably, he darted towards her home. In a blur of movements, she found herself flying through the air with the vampire and in one more flash, entering her bedroom window, oh so carefully.
"I didn't even see you open the window," Bella exclaimed softly as Jasper set her softly onto the floor.
"I didn't have to, it was already fully open." The next second, Jasper's nostrils were flaring and he crouched in front of Bella, a protective arm extended in front of her as he scanned her room. Motioning her to stay quiet, he darted silently to her closet then came back out, sniffed her doorknob and growled. In movements too quick to process, he had unlocked her door and stepped down the hall.
Bella stood shock-still, not wanting to impede his progress. Taking a deep, steadying breath to clear her mind, the girl was able to smell what Jasper had more easily. It was the scent of the watcher in the woods. Extremely angry in addition to frightened, she whispered, "Please come back, Jasper."
Four seconds passed before he stood in front of her, bedroom door closed once more.
"This scent," she uttered lowly, "was in the woods last week. I sensed a presence but wasn't able to shift to...mark my territory. When I was about to shift, the smell was everywhere outside. What the hell is it and why is it in my home?"
"I know the scent and the intruder has left, however, I'm a little confused and this might take some talking through. You might be more comfortable sitting," he gestured to her bed and flitted to the window to close it to the night air.
Bella took a seat at the head of her bed and surrounded herself with pillows before pulling the blanket up around her lap. She pointed to the foot of her bed in offering to Jasper as she didn't have any chairs in her room. "I'd prefer to have this conversation from the same level, if it's alright with you? Standing over me this close to the full moon, discussing a home invasion while I'm injured is slightly intimidating, even if it is just you."
Jasper nodded and took a seat. "Okay, so, for starters, as I said, I know the scent. It's Edward's. I'm guessing in your panic you didn't get a good chance to identify it while he was hurting you." He gave her a moment to process the information before continuing, "However, and hear me out, I do not think the two incidents are related. I do not think he knows you are the shifter. The only reason I say this is that at the time he was ordered to leave, we didn't know you were the shifter either."
"What about my scent," Bella asked sullenly. "It's all over the house I'm sure."
Jasper grinned at her observation, "Oh, your scent is absolutely all over this house, but it's also in the woods, even in places you've never been."
Bella's brows furrowed, trying to make sense of his reply. Before she could ask, Jasper continued, "Your scent is like nothing I've ever encountered or heard of. You smell exactly like the outside. Cool, fresh and earthy with pine notes. Simple and complex. Either that or you have some built-in shielding mechanism due to your altered genetics. It would be interesting to see if you smell any different around the new moon, though I doubt it."
Bella bubbled with excitement, "So even if he had smelled me in the meadow, he wouldn't connect the dots with the smell in my room, especially with my window having been open all night!"
"Bingo. In addition to this tidbit, you should know that in our family, Alice, Edward and myself are gifted. Not all vampires have a gift or ability, mind you. It's thought that we bring our strongest traits with us when we change.
"In my case, I was very charismatic growing up. I was in the army and climbed the ranks quickly. I became a Major at the age of 18. Now, as a vampire, I have the ability to feel and influence the emotions of those around me. Calm, fear, love, anger, happiness, fatigue and trust are the easiest. Any emotion, I can manipulate. That being said, before you ask, no, I have never influenced your emotions. Not only that, I find I can not read you accurately. You're a bit of a void. I have to rely on your body language and facial expressions to guess what you might be feeling."
Jasper gave Bella time to mull the new information over. Finally, she asked, "Is that why you...don't like me? Or, if I'm not being too presumptuous, didn't like me before?"
Jasper looked shocked. "I never once disliked you! I was confused by you. You're the first person I've ever met that I couldn't feel, in addition to not causing any bloodlust-er, hunger, due to your lack of scent. It was very disconcerting. I'm so sorry my curiosity came off as distaste."
Bella sighed in relief, "I'm glad to hear that. I couldn't imagine what I had done, other than tripping on you, that could have make you so cold to me as a person." Not wanting to revisit her first week in Forks with more pressing concerns, she continued, "What about Alice and Edward?"
"Their gifts also don't seem to function when it comes to you. Alice's past is a bit unknown, but we imagine she had her gift before she was changed. It's her story to tell in terms of details, but she has visions of the future. Though, nothing she sees is concrete. The future fluctuates as different decisions are made," Jasper explained. "When it comes to you and those involved with you, from how your first day would go, to the first night I saw you in the meadow, Alice saw nothing. This evening, however, she saw Edward disappear, probably when his path intersected yours, which is why we were following his trail to begin with."
"If I understand correctly, this could pose a problem if I hang around a lot. It would mean that if she were seeking the future as it pertains to your family, I would cause a…void, I believe you said earlier," Bella speculated.
"I hadn't thought of that, to be honest. But it's highly likely," Jasper pondered with a frown. "Though, again, her visions are never set in stone, so it isn't like we can rely on them as an absolute, anyways."
"Perhaps I should limit my interaction with your family," the girl offered somewhat sadly.
"We'll figure it out, but for now, I wouldn't go that far," Jasper mused. "It's something I'll bring up with Carlisle, though. Now, on to Edward's gift."
"What, does he have super stalking powers, Major Whitlock?"
"He wishes. Intel gathering, fighting and war strategy are more my expertise darlin'," he winked at Bella. "Anyways, Eddieboy must have been very perceptive to what others were thinking as he grew up and as such, he can now read minds. Any thought you're currently thinking. Over the decades-"
"Decades," Bella squeaked. "How old are you, Jasper? Unless that's rude."
"It's not rude, I don't think. I'm about 161 years old. I was born in 1844 and was 19 years old when I was turned. Meaning I was Major Whitlock in the Civil War," he paused to let that sink in.
Holy shit.
"Anyway, over the decades, I've learned how to keep my mind on what I'm doing when I'm around him, only reminiscing when I'm alone, avoiding thinking about private discussions and what not. If I can't focus on anything specific, I'll think about things that embarrass him, specifically so he can tune me out. He must think I'm depraved by now," Jasper laughed quietly.
"And he can't hear my thoughts? Just like Alice can't see me and you can't feel me?" Bella felt her excitement bubbling over.
"No, he can not hear your thoughts. Consider yourself very lucky. It's annoying as hell to have someone not only able to know what you are thinking inside of your own head, but top it off with a personality that doesn't mind projecting your personal, private thoughts to a room full of your family members."
Bella scrunched her face up. "I don't know how you could do it so long. I wouldn't have been able to."
"It's a long story and I'd be open to telling you more, but right now, you should take your painkiller. We can talk tomorrow after school, if you want," Jasper offered.
Bella reached into her pocket to find the pills only to look up and see Jasper was no longer sitting on her bed. A few seconds later, he was back in the room with a glass of water in hand. He extended it to Bella and watched her take a full tablet and smiled. "Do you need anything before I go? Ice or a cold pack for your arm?"
"I'm not sure we have any, to be honest."
Once again, Jasper was suddenly gone, her empty glass had vanished with him. A mere two seconds later he was back. "You were correct, sadly."
Bella sat back down on her bed and sighed. "It's not a big deal. I'll be healed up soon enough. I'd bet the bruises are mostly gone by now anyways."
Jasper scowled. "I still can't believe he did that," he hissed in anger before sitting on the edge of her bed again. "May I take a look and see how you're healing? It's been about an hour since Carlisle set it."
"I don't see why not," Bella agreed and stretched the cast arm towards him, allowing him to open first the velcro stability straps, then gently pull open the lining. For a moment, Jasper said nothing, frozen in place as he assessed the damage he brother had caused.
"Bella...how much pain are you in?"
She thought for a moment and shrugged, "It throbs off and on but for the most part, it's tolerable. Why?"
He didn't answer her for a moment and instead, ghosted his fingers above her skin, following a pattern of some kind. The cold from being even close to touching soothed muscles and skin she hadn't realized were aching, causing her to moan involuntarily. "That feels amazing, Jasper."
"Would it be okay if I touch you," he asked more softly than a whisper.
Bella thought for a moment. It was one thing to have someone assist you when you couldn't walk and quite another to trust someone near an injury. Even so, she wasn't feeling instinctively protective which would come quite naturally with the full moon being so close. Not only that, multiple times throughout the evening, even after the attack, he had left the decision to be touched up to her, even stopping himself from touching her face in the truck when it would have been natural to do so.
Jasper doesn't want to hurt me. "Yes, I trust you."
Jasper lowered his finger tips the remaining half inch until they were skimming lightly along her arm, still tracing the patterns, a frown settled on his face.
Bella relaxed against her pillows, keeping her elbow propped up on a side pillow and nodded that he should continue. "You make a great ice pack," Bella offered with a grin.
Jasper lifted his eyes from her arm to her face and gave only the tiniest of smiles before turning his attention back to her arm.
Frowning at his silence, she asked, "Is it that bad? It's a little dark and I can't quite tell."
Jasper stopped his progress and ran his hands through his hair, settling them around his face before answering. "I-it," he paused. "It's badly bruised."
Bella frowned, debating turning on her lamp to see, "How badly?"
"The areas I've been touching...even though you were an owl at the time..." he had to stop speaking for a moment. "The bruises are shaped like his hand and fingers," Jasper choked out. "Seeing the damage it just - it makes me wish I had ripped his arms off."
Bella sat up stiffly and reached her good arm towards her lamp, flicked it on, and surveyed the damage. She gasped in horror before turning the lamp right back off. They sat together in silence. Bella could feel Jasper was looking at her but couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze, even in the dark. Her eyes welled with tears and she finally broke down.
Jasper scooted farther away from her. "Let it out, Bella. It's okay. You're going to be okay. Earlier you were in shock. You had handled it so well at the house, you did amazingly, but you're safe here and it's okay to cry."
Bella leaned back into her pillows, careful not to bump her arm, and turned onto her right side. After a moment of debate, she scooted herself to the edge of the mattress and patted the empty space next to her. "Please come touch my arm again. It really helped and I kind of feel like I need proximity right now. Unless my crying makes you uncomfortable."
"No, nothing like that," Jasper whispered soothingly. "I was worried you'd be afraid of me because a vampire hurt you..." he trailed off but accepted her offer of space on her bed, turning to face her and running his fingers along the bruises.
Bella snorted. "Hardly. I don't think you and Edward could be any more different." She sighed softly as her tears slowed and the panic passed. "I can't tell you how amazing that feels. Are you sure you aren't making me feel calm and a little happy?"
"I can assure you, I'm doing no such thing," Jasper murmured softly. "Are you feeling happy?"
"It's confusing, but yes, I think I am. Last week, I was the new girl in town with a bad reputation, paranoid about a stranger in the woods, stressing about shifting, not to mention lonely, like I said earlier. Now, even though the circumstances aren't ideal, I've met a mostly nice family of supernatural beings that can understand to some extent how alienating it can be, having a secret like this."
"Speaking of the stranger in the woods, I'm going to add your woods to our runs, if it's alright with you. That just means that Emmett, Carlisle or myself will run through and make sure there are no scents where there shouldn't be any. I'm not sure what Edward was looking for in your house and it's disturbing to say the least. I'll definitely be telling Carlisle about this," Jasper finished icily.
So...tired...but I can't forget to ask...
"Jasper..." Bella trailed off sleepily.
"Yes, Bella?"
"Could you really rip Edward's arms off?"
Jasper chuckled darkly, "Oh, yes, Bella. Among other things. Typically not fatal. But for you, I'd make an exception."
"Wh-," she yawned, exhausted. "Why is-, that?" Bella drifted closer to sleep.
"To be honest, I have no idea," Jasper whispered back, not sure she had heard him. He stroked her bruised arm for another hour before gently doing back up her cast. Remembering the note she had written for Charlie, he carefully picked through her sweater pocket and withdrew it. After poking around for some tape on her desk, he adhered it to the outside of her door so her father could see it in the morning without disturbing her. He locked the door as it had been previously, gave Bella a parting glance and climbed out the window. The vampire closed it quietly behind him and vanished into the predawn night.