Chapter 5

Jasper started his side of events from receiving my text, "I was sat reading in my study when I heard the phone. After reading your message I wanted to confirm and find as much information as I could. I ran out by Angela's house. There was a vampire scent, faded but criss crossing. I bought Alice up to speed as soon as I confirmed vampire involvement," he looked across at Alice, love and respect for his mate shining in his eyes.

"As you know Alice can 'see' humans but not easily. She managed to get a vision of Angela struggling against bindings in an empty room but couldn't get any details as to her location. Alice tried to get a vision of you but all she got was a flash of you laid in the back seat of a car, a hand resting on your shoulder. Your choice of company isn't conducive to visions," the dirty look Alice gave me released my tongue. I don't care how childish I appear sticking my tongue out at her, she knows my reasons for my company even if she doesn't agree.

"They may not be conducive to visions but at least he could accompany me during daylight hours without fear of sparkling and could defend me from nomads and the less friendly side of society," oops, maybe that last little titbit I should have held back.

"At least I sent the message," they had the audacity to growl at me. "I wanted Angela safe," I defended.

I felt a wave of calm flow across the room from Jasper, I looked over and nodded my thanks. I was too annoyed to do that myself.

Jasper continued, "I phoned the pack and told them Alice had some glimpses of nomad vampires in the area that seemed to know how to avoid her vision for the most part. I asked them to be on high alert but not be seen to be doing anything different until we could find out what the nomads were hiding."

"Alice persuaded the family a group hunt was in order. We thought it would be better if we were all sated and better able to resist your blood if things came to a head," the rest of the family glanced at Alice, I assume they hadn't been aware of her reason at the time. I was trying very hard to keep my additional senses closed down for the duration of the conversation. I didn't want get too annoyed with the anger, frustration and hurt being put out as all the details came to light.

"Edward got the wolves side of the story," Jasper glanced at Edwards face and taking his emotions in account gave a brief shake of his head. Even shutting down my empathy power the strength of Edward's emotions pounding out kept spiking and the power tripped in like a phone ringing to make me aware. I could tell how hurt he was that I had contacted Jasper but not him.

Jasper continued "I'll try and fit their side of the story in my time line."

"Jake panicked when he realised you had been taken by a vampire, he caught the sweet acrid scent to their noses. He phased and started to follow the trail. Paul was on patrol at the time and heard all the details from Jake. Jake asked Paul to phase back to alert the other wolves and us. Jake followed the trail until it had dissipated to much for him. When he phased back to report in, he found your note with his phone. Jake was close to the clearing on the border that we have used for meetings in the past. We all agreed to meet there to formulate a plan," more spikes of anger and frustration from Edward as Jasper mentioned the meeting, I shut it off yet again.

"We met on the border. Jake and I filled everyone in. I had to calm a few nerves when they found out you had rushed back to try and save Angela, rushing straight into a trap," he glanced around the room.

I managed to jump in before anyone else, "I was fully aware I was rushing into a trap which is why I contacted you as I did. I didn't dare contact anyone else in case Angela was pushed into more danger. I couldn't sit back and allow a friend to suffer for me,"

"But..," Edward started. Carlisle cut him off, "No, Edward. Who knows what they would have done to Angela if she hadn't come back. She contacted the right person, to ensure we were prepared but not panicked." He gave Edward a very stern glance and I'm sure he continued in his mind but I kept out of it. Edward looked chastised when Carlisle look away from him.

Jasper waited for Carlisle's go ahead before he continued, "Edward, Emmett and Rose covered Forks and surround, Alice and I went towards Port Angeles, the wolves covered La push working out from there. Esme went to meet Carlisle at the hospital, they worked a search pattern from there.

We still hadn't found any leads when our mobile's received the alert that your locator ring had been activated."

It flitted through my mind how worried I'd been about getting bruised toes as I stamped on them to trigger that locator toe ring; bruised toes turned out to be the least of my worries!

I still heard his words as I continued to mentally taunt myself at my petty worries,"We weren't sure if the ring going off was a ruse to send us in the wrong direction or into a trap so Alice and I being closest ran to check it out. Some of the wolves following to back us up if necessary."

He must have pick up on my unvoiced query how the wolves could run and keep in contact with vampires, or in Jaspers case he must have felt the interest and confusion I projected to him when he mentioned the wolves following. I knew about the pack awareness when they were phased, it had saved Jake a fortune in phone calls!

Jasper explained, "More wolves have joined the pack since you left, they have two of the youngest stay in La Push both for the safety of La Push and to relay messages between us and the wolves, one on a phone the other in wolf form communicating with the others, interchanging when they need to tell us anything. It works well."

I smiled my thanks and sent a wave of gratitude, it's so easy communicating with Jasper. I can understand better how Jasper and Alice can have such extensive silent conversations.

We got a few confused glances from most of the rest of the family at Jasper's diversion and my thanks to him. I saw Jasper smirk as he recognised it too.

Jasper picked the story back up, "When I got your text explaining what was happening we were able to confirm your location. Alice slipped into a vision as I started reading the text. She saw the two of us finding you then the vision going dark so she assumed the wolf presence. Alice relayed to the others that the coordinates of the phone matched the coordinates of the ring and we knew that you had sent the message as you included the code we agreed on. We all converged then. Alice and I arrived at the co-ordinates."

Ahhh, so the blurs that bought me hope were Jasper and Alice, "We heard you scream 'No', we entered the building as fast as we could but not soon enough. We burst in. I took out a young dark haired vampire that attacked as we entered. Alice came to get you but Laurent intercepted her, like most he underestimated her and she finished him off. Victoria had you, I think she was that intent on draining you she hadn't realised until too late we were there. She made to run when Sam leapt past me onto her back and finished her off," he looked up at me trying to taste my mood on how I would cope hearing about my change.

Jasper took an unneeded breath, "You had lost too much blood, we couldn't suck the venom out without killing you. Alice saw the change taking at least five days flicking with some visions of your heart giving out as the change took too long. We had to get more venom in. Neither of us was confident, I was afraid I would lose control and feed, Alice has never had human blood and didn't want her best friend to be a test case on her control. Sam phased back to human as soon as the other wolves arrived to take over the clean up. He heard our dilemma and gave his permission to bite you. Alice's next vision settled it. She saw you talking, saying that we both pushed venom in and our eyes had remained golden, when you woke as a vampire. You lifted your arms to us, we took that as your permission. We each took a wrist, neither of us tasted your blood, we both pushed as much venom into you as we possibly could."

"I heard Alice explain to Sam and him give permission, I wanted you to know I trusted you both. Lifting my arms was at the limit of my ability at the time," I knew Jasper could read my feelings but I had to let Alice know I trusted her and thought she did the right thing. Alice smiled in thanks at my words.

"Emmett and Edward came in and assumed the worst, ripping us from you," Jasper winced as he felt my remembrance of the pain due to their actions, I gently shook my head in hope he would say no more on that.

Jasper nodded infinitesimally at me as he went on, "Alice quickly explained what we were doing, they didn't believe us until Alice asked them what colour our eyes were. We were both that intent on saving you our eyes had never darkened in thirst, they were still light and golden, proving we weren't in a feeding state and we had no human blood in us. Edward took over, pushing venom into your neck. He was feeling very territorial of you," I heard Edward growl at Jasper's words and saw Jasper smirk. He had worded it like that on purpose.

It all fitted with my broken, vague memories of events.

I could see Jasper's mind moving on to the next bit of the story, a slight frown flitted across his face before he started speaking again, "Alice had visions of you waking in the normal three days until the moment Edward's teeth pierced your skin. She hasn't had a vision of you since that moment. Edward pushed even more venom in. Alice's panicked scream when she realised she couldn't find you in her visions any more broke through Edward determination to get more venom into your system and he released from you."

I could imagine the silent conversation and worry that must have passed between those two as they analysed the visions and lack of visions.

Jasper was still talking, "Fortunately Carlisle took over reinforcing your heart beat was strong and your change was proceeding normally. Edward was extremely worried about you. Carlisle administered morphine to try and reduce the pain of the change. You were still calm even in the huge amount of burning pain. You reminded us about Angela. Rose found her, checked she was okay then came back and told you. I could feel your relief even through your pain once Rose told you Angela would be all right. Rose took her responsibility for her care from then on."

As Jasper spoke I thought back to the memories, my pain fogged mind hadn't put everything together but it all slipped into place as he recounted details, "Emmett and the wolves disposed of the vampires that attacked you. They were talking in the background that all the pieces of the three vampires had been accounted for. Esme had run the area to check for any other threats. She returned and confirmed no other vampires had been in the area. Carlisle confirmed with the Sam that the treaty was still intact after three of the family had bitten you, he was quite shaken but extremely proud that three of us had bitten you but none of us had succumb to feeding. Sam formally informed Carlisle that permission had been granted before any of us had bitten you. You felt more relief at that and I think you passed out after that," Jasper looked at me amazed as he recalled that days events.

Everyone in the room was caught up in the remembrance of their emotions from that day. Jasper vocalised the feelings that swirled around us, "We were all so worried about you. Rose shocked the wolves with her compassion for Angela, very few have seen anything but Rose's frosty side outside of family. Rose couldn't let you down by giving any less than 100% in her care for Angela even though she hardly knew her.

Emmett helped the wolves dispose of the remains, trying to stay busy to distract himself from worrying about his little sister's suffering.

Esme went out to check the perimeter to ensure no other trails going in or out. Her daughter was silently burning and she could do nothing. If she didn't keep busy she would have been overwhelmed with worry and grief for the open hearted girl that had gave her family humanity back. After reporting back she went to help Rose with Angela.

Alice tried so hard to find a vision, any vision with you in it. She was so frantic with worry, no amount of reassurances from Carlisle that the change was going well would calm her, her visions were failing her. The first time she calmed was when you opened your eyes even then only your reassurances calmed her fully.

The wolves were and still are distraught, they kept flitting round you to try and check for themselves that you were okay.

Carlisle, Edward and I all stayed with you. Carlisle left you long enough to check Angela over before rushing back to you. I felt your relief and calm at Edward's touch before you blackout so he stayed in contact with you until the final beat of your heart. I push as much calm, serenity and lethargy into you as I could, I don't know if it helped you but it help me feel like I was doing something for you," he looked so abashed at that admission. "The wolves watched you, Bella, with the same dedication and love as each of us 'Cullen's' each of us wanting to do more to help but knowing only time could make a difference. Your heart beat was our hope."

The overwhelming emotions I felt when I heard Jasper explain everyone's actions and their nods and compassionate faces floored me. Pushing out my thanks and feelings didn't seem enough so I stumbled over trying to vocalise my thanks.

"The morphine helped," I looked at Carlisle and smiled.

"The emotions you pushed into me along with the morphine are what helped me sleep or black out depending on your point of view," I smiled at Jasper in thanks.

I squeezed Edwards hand gently, "Your touch made me feel whole, I needed you there. Your presence kept me grounded, your voice a balm. You being with me gave me the strength and hope to push the pain away enough so it didn't sweep me away."

"I heard the wolves and Emmett talking as they cleared up. Esme coming back and reporting the area was clear. Knowing Angela was okay and hearing Rose's assurances that she would look after her. Hearing that biting me, to save me thanks to Alice's visions, wouldn't cause problems with the wolves. Hearing Esme and Rose looking after Angela together. I can't tell any of you how much that help me, what a huge relief it was knowing everyone was all right. Thank you everyone," I would have cried if I could as I looked round at each of them trying to convey my gratitude.

Esme rushed over to me pulling me into a hug, dry sobbing in relief that I was here with them. One by one we were joined. I have never felt so loved or so much part of a family. I push that feeling out to everyone to share. I don't know how much time passed in that huge huddle but eventually we all sat back down and allowed Jasper to continue.

"Angela needed to go to hospital for treatment for dehydration and shock. We needed to ensure our cover story covered all the details. We decided the best option was to stay as close to the truth as possible. Angela agreed that keeping you out of the story would be safer for you. She knows you came home to try and save her, you were captured to lead us to her. She thinks you have jumped back on a plane so no-one else knows you were here, for everyone's safety. We told her that her captors have been taken to a secure facility to deal to drug addicts and mental patients but the authorities didn't know all the details so as far as others should know they are still at large. She heard some of their talk so the insanity and drugs explained many of the inconsistencies.

The public story goes Angela had been kidnapped as a lure to bring you home. The message they sent you was intercepted by Jared, a team was put together to get Angela safely home without putting you into danger. They found Angela tied up but no sign of the kidnappers. Jared had called Carlisle to get a doctor on the scene. Carlisle was out with Rose and Esme, he confirmed Angela was stable to transport then they accompanied Jared and Angela to hospital. Rose and Esme went to try and make Angela feel more comfortable after her ordeal. As far as everyone is aware you and Jake are still travelling. Jake will stay hidden until you decide what cover story you want to use.

The wolves headed home and we bought you back here.

Angela is back home, she is recovering more from the stress than from anything physical. She heard them talking about how to capture Bella but had no idea of the supernatural connection.

Jake has been keeping up the lines of contact as though he and you are still travelling. Since you have taken it in turns to update everyone, no-one would be any the wiser," Jasper concluded.

I voiced my thoughts, "I think I would like to be believed to be travelling as long as it doesn't put my friends in any more danger. Jake could have decided to come home as I am visiting some of the female friends we met on our travels then I have the appointment in Italy. Thinking of Italy, has Aro been informed?" I looked to Carlisle.

"Jake will be relieved to come out of hiding! Now Victoria and Laurent are out of the picture I don't think your friends will be in any danger further danger if you are believed to be travelling. I haven't notified Aro yet, with Alice unable to see you we thought it better to wait until you woke. I'll ring him now if you would like and arrange the other details," Carlisle told me with a smile.

With relief I stood and went up with Carlisle to his study, hearing and mentally reliving events shook me more than I want to admit. I needed a bit of time to calm and deal with it all.

Carlisle's conversation with Aro was a long convoluted conversation but the upshot was Aro was upset not to have the chance to change me himself but understood the circumstances. To say he was angry with Victoria and Laurent would be and understatement. He was upset their deaths had been quick. Aro wanted me sent to Volterra immediately. Carlisle managed to persuade him travelling with such a young newborn could be problematic. They came to a compromise that we all had to present ourselves to the Volturi a sometime during the summer. Aro offered to provide transportation for us all to ensure our attendance. I didn't like involving the rest of the family but Carlisle was happy with this arrangement.

Before I headed back down to the rest of the family Carlisle asked me if I thought I could cope with the wolves coming to the house. I wanted to try as long as I had Emmett and Jasper ready to hold me back in case of emergencies! He phoned Sam to tell them I had woken and arranged for him to come over to discuss the 'Bella cover up' story.

Carlisle remained in his study to phone Eleazar while I went back down stairs. I didn't make it to the top of the stairs before Alice was bouncing in front of me wanting to play Bella Barbie before the wolves arrived.

I had a look to find out how long we had, "Twenty minutes before Sam, Jared and Jake arrive. I wouldn't need any help, their smell won't be appetising to me."

"But how?" Alice spluttered, "I heard the conversation an no names were mentioned. My vision goes black in twenty minutes but, how do you know?"

"I saw them arrive in a quick vision," I said with a grin.

"But I can't see the wolves or you," she grumbled.

"I can," I teased her.

She dragged me into her room, she was scowling at me. Maybe not the best idea to upset the person trying to dress you!

She was her bouncy happy self as soon as she started pulling clothes out. She gave me a selection of clothes to pick from. I just picked the ones I saw myself wearing while greeting Sam.

Alice was still messing with my hair when we heard the knock at the door, twenty minutes later. I was surprised to see my reflection. I hadn't taken much notice of my appearance in my visions. I could still tell it was me but it looked like a team of graphic artists had airbrushed and touch up my entire body to perfection. I had more curves in all the right places, I am a few inches taller. My hair is longer, thicker and shinier. My skin is flawless. My eyes were red but not as bad as I thought they would be, more a burnt orange red. I suppose Victoria had taken so much of my blood there was less left in my body to colour my eyes.

Alice made me wait before going down stairs to 'make an entrance'. I took a deep breath when she opened the door. The wolves did smell a bit doggy but not in an offensive way, it was quite a earthy comforting scent not in the least mouthwatering though! I had more 'hooks' attach themselves. This could get a problem if it happens each time I come across a persons scent. I had to laugh at the appearance in my head of the threads to each of the wolves; they looked almost like extra long wolf tails, each the same colour and markings as the individual wolf.

I could feel fear, worry and concern coming from the wolves. I made a point of keeping the mind reading shut down. When they saw me descending the stairs their myriad of emotions hit me; past time to shut down the emotions I think.

Jake looked so forlorn, "I'm so sorry, I should..."

I didn't let him finish, "None of this is your fault. If I hadn't been taken we may have lost Angela. I couldn't leave her in danger in place of me. This," I indicated to my new vampire body, "was inevitable, Aro was forcing the issue. At least this way I am with friends and family so hopefully it will be harder for him to manipulate me. It's better this way.

Can you forgive me for not telling you why we were coming back and can we still be friends?"

"You could have told me," he glanced at me then at Sam, "but I guess it was best you didn't," it was a reluctant admission.

"It will take more than a stone conversion makeover to stop you being my best friend, I'll miss you needing me as your bodyguard now," he came and held his arms out for a hug, he would never have held back in the past. The lack of spontaneity hurt for an instant but I did like have a choice. I stepped forward into his arms. I heard a low growl and a prick of jealously trying to make it's self known but I ignored Edward.

Scalding hot arms enveloped me into a signature Jake hug. The heat was even more pronounced but still as soothing like a hot bath!

Stepping back I grinned at Jake, "Come on you know me better than that, trouble will find me no matter how stone like I am!"

Jake laughed with me, "Too right, but at least I can hug you now without worrying about breaking you!"

It was light and easy after that, the tension had gone. We tied up all the story about my future travel plans, when Jake would arrive home and how Angela was coping.

The wolves all teased me that I would need to practice sounding less 'bell' like before I could make any phone calls. Jake has nicknamed me Bells for years so you can imagine the number of quips they threw in while there were with us. It wouldn't have been as bad if Emmett hadn't decided to join the game, arghh juvenile males!

It was agreed I would email Angela and everyone else until I had time to practice my voice. I would use the time difference and jet-lag as excuses.

I gave them my version of events. It didn't take long. Explaining my reasoning for who I contacted took a bit longer for some to accept but Carlisle and Sam both agreed I did the right thing.

I must admit I'm relieved I was turned here rather than Aro having control, that guy gives me the creeps. I'm still worried about the visit but it's lessened my worries compared to going as a human.

Carlisle had an in-depth discussion with Sam and Jake over the treaty. The territorial aspect was simplified in that they were allowed on each others territory but if possible permission should be granted first, protection being the primary concern. Biting a human is still prohibited unless they are dying and preferably permission is given beforehand.

Esme loved having the wolves over. She cooked up a feast for extremely appreciative stomachs. The three of them ate enough food to feed a dozen ordinary people. Esme had even over-cooked sending them each home with doggy bags. I don't even want to repeat how bad the jokes deteriorated from Emmett and Rose.

Jakes backpack came into it's own for carrying the food. Sam and Jared placed orders for packs for the rest of the pack, ha pack wolves. They still intended sticking to shorts tied to back legs for most purposes but they could see the advantage of having a bag that would survive the phase.

A/N Ok, so I caved. Pretty please let me know what you think even if it's just a smiley. :)