Author's Note: Can I just apologize for the ridiculous amount of time that has passed between posting? I really don't have an excuse, I guess I've just been a little busier lately. Anyway here it is!

Chapter 9: From Afar

They watched Bella walk Jasper to his vehicle, she never left his side. They could tell that he was hesitant to let go of her, to get into the car and drive away.

"He senses us," the leader whispered. Such an amusing creature, Major Whitlock was, amazing but a complete waste. Pity.

The trio silently backed away from their hiding place, disappearing into the darkness of the woods.

"When will we take her master?" the young one asked curiously, the burning in her throat flared but she knew master would not let her feed until the task was finished.

"Tonight," Master replied, "In the early morning hours."

Bella POV

"So how long is lover boy going to be gone?" Charlie joked at me when I came back in the house.

"Ha ha," I snapped back at him playfully, "Not long, a few days probably." I didn't want to say goodbye to Jasper, I knew I was being silly but the thought of him so far away left me uneasy. Like there was a part of me exposed now, vulnerable without him. I took a deep breath as I steadied myself on the stairs, he'll be back soon, soon.

"Ah come on Bells, it's not like you're going to die without him for a day or two," Charlie pointed out.

"I thought you liked Jasper?" I asked wryly. Charlie went on the defense immediately.

"I do! Honestly, the guy is wonderful. You just have to remember priorities, it's a little early in your life to have a significant other taking up all your time Bells," he explained gently. I just rolled my eyes and let a small chuckle escape my lips.

"Dad, I make straight A's, I tag along with Angela and the girls constantly, and I spend like at least a few hours a week with Jake, what more do you want?" I challenged. Dad's eyes dropped and I had to stifle another giggle at his look of defeat. I could tell he was trying to think of something smooth to say but eventually he sighed reluctantly.

"You're right, I'm sorry. I guess, well, you're growing up Bells, it's scary for me, ya know?" he raised an eyebrow at me and I saw myself in him. I reached out and placed my hand over his in understanding.

"I'm still you're little girl Dad, I'm just way more mature. But I'll always be your er, trustworthy, little girl," I assured him with a grin. He smiled back at me and patted me on the arm.

"So…" he said awkwardly, ahh Charlie and emotions, life's little mystery. "What's for dinner?"

"I made pasta in pesto basil sauce," I answered.

After dinner, I finished up my homework while Dad yelled at the Portland Trailblazers who were getting their butts whooped by the sound of it. I couldn't stop thinking of Jasper though and as if he could feel my emotion from so far away a text popped up on my phone.

From: Jazz

I'm going to miss you. I love you Bella. Goodnight.

I smiled as I replied with the same message. A few seconds later I got another.

From: Jazz

P.S. Stay safe darlin'.

What a very odd thing to write, still, the fact that I knew he was thinking of me brought some comfort. I decided to call it a night.

"I'm going to turn in, I'll see you in the morning," I told Charlie in passing.

"Probably won't see me till dinner time, I have to go in tomorrow," Charlie responded.

"Tomorrow? What, no fishing with Harry?" I joked.

"Nah," he smiled, "The sheriff next county over called in some extra help this weekend, found a dead body down by the lake out there," Charlie relented.

"That's awful, be careful," I said. Then, totally out of character for me I bent down to give Charlie a kiss on the cheek, he looked just as shocked as me, but just as quickly his face molded into a content fatherly expression.

"I will, goodnight Bells…I love ya."

Sleep came quickly but my dreams were anything but comforting. I was standing in a pitch black room, but I could feel a chilling draft sweeping through it at my ankles. Suddenly Jasper's voice came out of nowhere,

"Bella?" I heard him call, his voice was in a panic. I could feel his emotion as if I was an empath myself, I could feel the urgency the horror coursing through him. I opened my mouth to respond to him, to let him know I was near but no sound came out. Oh no. My blood started to turn to ice as I realized that I was completely immobile. That's when I heard it.

From somewhere in the darkness I could hear a door creak open inch by torturing inch. The creaking of the hinges sounded more like nails being dragged down a chalkboard. The noise was definitely coming from behind me but damn it all I couldn't turn my body to face it…I couldn't even attempt to run though I wouldn't have had a clue where I was going.

I could feel the wet tears stream down my face as I desperately tried calling out to Jasper to no avail. The creaking of the door was now replaced by heavy footsteps moving closer, closer, and closer. I could feel the icy breath of someone right at the back of my neck and every hair on my body stood on end.

I woke up with a jolt nearly knocking over my lamp as I threw my legs over the side of the bed just to make sure they worked. I sighed with relief as I began to realize it had only been a nightmare.

"Finally," a whisper came from behind me. I sucked in too much air as I spun around to see who it was, there was no one behind me yet I could still sense someone was in the room. It's just a dream, you aren't awake yet, it's alright, I tried telling myself but I knew I was awake.

"J-Jasper?" I whimpered into the shadows.

"Not quite," a deep voice came from behind. I started to turn around but was stopped when I felt something hit the back of my head then I felt the warm liquid seep through my hair as everything went black.

Jasper POV

"Honestly Jasper I do wish you would have brought her with you," Esme told me for the thousandth time as we sat on the couch watching the Trailblazers get their asses kicked on tv.

"I know Mom, but she needs to spend some time with her friends and Father before school starts back," I reasoned hoping that she accepted it. Of course Alice had something to say which she made apparent when she cleared her throat.

"Yes Alice?" I asked sarcastically.

"Oh nothing," she replied, her voice like chimes. "I just think that with three weeks before school left Bells could have spared a few days and nights. I could have taken her back to school shopping," she whined. I let out a large laugh.

"Bells? Shopping together? Alice you don't even know her yet!"

"Not technically but we did go to the same school so we know of each other. Besides, I can see that we are going to be close," she defended. I shook my head and settled back into the couch as Carlisle and Edward cursed at the game again.

I focused my thoughts in on Bella and wished I knew what she was doing. It's was 9 o'clock in Forks so I guessed that she was probably doing her homework on her living room floor, Charlie close at hand more than likely going into fits over the game. I smiled with relief as I thought of the normal and safe image of her. Suddenly though I felt my mood blacken and boil. Edward turned towards me curiously.

"Jazz? Are you alright?" he asked softly, though the entire family turned towards me simultaneously.

"Fine, I just blanked out for a moment, I'll go out and get some air," I said standing up and within a second was outside on the back porch.

I decided to send Bella a goodnight text, knowing that her reply would put me at ease. Sure enough she responded quickly with a cute "I love you." I laughed at myself for worrying over her, her father was a sheriff for God's sake, what could she possibly get into? Still, there was a knot in my stomach so I sent her another message to keep herself safe. To my dismay she didn't respond to that one, but I brushed it off anyway and stepped back inside.

Hours passed and we all decided to go for a midnight hunt. I admit that hunting knowing my family was nearby put a thrill back into me and before I knew it I was in the zone. I'd just picked up on a herd of elk when Alice's murderous scream stopped me in my tracks.

"Alice!" I yelled trying to pick up her scent. Carlisle was by my side in an instant.

"Where is she?" he yelled. Edward ran past us at lightning speed and we quickly ran after him, he knew where she was.

When we found her she was standing still as stone her eyes transfixed on a vision so we all kept our distance from her.

"It's too much…It's too much," she cried suddenly, turning herself towards us. I could tell Edward was trying to read her mind but it was evident that he couldn't catch up with her thoughts.

"What is it? What's wrong?" I asked unable to stand it any longer.

"Jasper you have to go back, now. It's Bella-"

"Bella?" I interrupted, "Alice? Tell me, what is it? What's happened to my Bella?" I pleaded with her but she just kept shaking her head. "ALICE!" I shook her violently, Edward pulled me back swiftly.

"She'd been taken, someone's taken her," he said to me. Taken? Not Bella…please not her.

"Who?" I was starting to unravel.

"I can't tell, Alice can't see…"

"Who the fuck took her?" we were all running back to the house now. I'd left everything there, my phone, my keys…my head was spinning.

"I can't see them, it's a group and their faces just keep blurring together!" Alice cried. Them? There was more than one person? My God what were they planning to do to her? My throat blazed with the thought of what I was going to do when I found them.

"Jasper!" Edward's voice was shaky, he'd seen what I was planning for them.

I almost tore off the front door when we finally reached the house. I grabbed my keys and phone off the dining room table and was at my car within seconds.

"Jazz!" I heard Esme cry after me but I hadn't time for an explanation.

"I need you," I told Carlisle who saw following my every move.

"Give us time to calm Esme down, we'll only be a few minutes behind you before long. You have to call Charlie, he may not even know yet," Carlisle instructed. I nodded as I sped off down the road. The first number I dialed was Bella's cell.

"Please pick up baby, please, please!" No answer. I called the Swan residence next, but the tone went dead on the other end. Of all nights for their fucking phone to be out it had to be this night! I continued dialing numbers with no success. Then it hit me…Jacob Black. I dialed 411.

"I need a listing for Black in La Push Washington…NOW!" I screamed. With a few questions answered I heard the phone ringing.

"Huh? Hello?" A sleepy voice resounded, it was like music to my ears.

"Jacob! Jacob…Bella, Bella!" I couldn't get the words out but I could tell I had his attention now.

"Who the hell is this?" he demanded. I took a breath.

"Jacob it's Jasper Hale…listen to me. Something has happened to Bella, you have to find her," I spat.

"What the fuck did you do?" I heard his voice shaking, accusing me. The anger swelled up inside me to the point that I thought I would surely explode.

"Listen you fucking mutt, I haven't done anything, I'm in Alaska. I can't explain it all right now but all I know is Bella is in danger, you have to get to Forks, get to her house. I'm on my way," I commanded.

"What do I tell Charlie?"

"I don't know, just don't tell him I called you, I definitely can't explain anything to him."

With that the phone went dead on the other end, I wasn't sure what was happening but I knew Jacob was running as fast as he could to Forks.