Chapter Twenty
Jesse was the first one back to the house. Everyone was still out doing their own thing, though Jesse could hear Emmett and Jasper having one of their near legendary wrestling matches across the river. Pacing the living room, he wondered what he would tell Tanya. After the run in with Amanda and Kelli, he didn't for one moment believe that Amanda wouldn't pursue him again. He didn't doubt that Tanya would stand by him, but Amanda was starting to be a thorn in his side. It didn't make sense to him that Kelli would work with her, even though her excuse sounded rational enough.
He continued to pace, his thoughts racing a million miles a minute. He had planned to ask Tanya to marry him. That hadn't changed, but he really wanted to avoid another run in with Kelli and Amanda. He would have to cut them all off from sensing him, but he couldn't do it forever. One good thing about that, was Alice wouldn't be able to see what he was planning. At least Kelli hadn't met Tanya, so she couldn't track him through her. Perhaps it was time to face this head on. He'd run before, knowing Amanda's violent temper, and it had gotten Jessica killed. Though considering her gift, she had deserved it. Maybe it just hadn't kicked in fast enough because she had trusted Amanda. He had no idea.
Coming to a decision, he stopped and looked out the back window. He could see Emmett, Jasper, Edward, and Carlisle jumping the river right now. Edward couldn't hear his thoughts, and they wouldn't sense him unless he made his presence known. Choosing a seat, he sat down, waiting for them to come inside.
Edward was in the door first and he stopped short seeing Jesse sitting in the living room. Emmett was behind him and crashed into Edward when he stopped so suddenly. Jasper and Carlisle were paying a bit more attention and were able to stop without causing a huge pile of bodies in the entry to the room.
"I... didn't realize you were back," Edward said, sounding confused.
Jesse stood. "I'm sorry to have cut you all off like this but something has come up. It appears someone is tracking me, and to avoid leading them here to you, I've cut myself off from the vampiric senses." He smiled wryly. "It does have it's uses."
Carlisle frowned. "Is there anything we can do to help you Jesse?"
He shook his head. "Thank you, Carlisle, but no. This is between me and my past. I do need to talk to Tanya though. Do you know where she went?"
"Rose organized a shopping spree, and all the girls went down to Portland," Emmett said.
"Thanks. I'll call her and have her meet me." Jesse patted Emmett's shoulder on his way past and walked out the front door without another word.
"He's kind of strange, don't you think?" Emmett said when they heard the Viper start and then take off down the driveway.
Jasper looked at Emmett and arched a brow. "Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?" he asked with a grin before punching his brother in the arm.
Edward, seeing Emmett's thought to lunge at Jasper jumped in front of him, and the two collided with a resounding boom. "Esme will tear you into little pieces if you do that in here Em," Edward said.
Picking himself up off the floor, Emmett eyed Jasper. "Round five then outside?"
Jasper laughed. "If you think you're up to it little brother!" He took off back out the door with Emmett and Edward on his heels.
Carlisle watched his sons and rolled his eyes, shaking his head before he went up to his office to do some work.
-
Jesse was flying down the highway, dialing Tanya's number on his phone. It only rang twice before she picked it up. "What's up Jess?" she asked by way of greeting.
"Tanya, I need to talk to you. I'm on my way to Portland, where can I meet you?"
"Well, we were just getting ready to head back up to Forks. There is a little town called Oakville, we can meet you at the Shell station there. It's about halfway," she replied.
"That will work. And just so you know... Alice won't see me."
"What? What's going on Jesse?" Tanya asked, sounding worried now.
"I'll explain everything when I see you. Don't worry, okay? I love you," he said.
Jesse could hear the confusion and worry in her voice when she replied, "I love you too. See you soon."
"Yep." He hung up the phone and tossed it on the passenger seat. Putting the pedal to the floor, he drove on.
-
Jesse arrived first, and stepped out of the car, shutting the door and leaning against the hood. He didn't have to wait long before three cars pulled into the station, bearing seven strikingly beautiful women and an inhumanly beautiful child. Tanya, seeing Jesse, hopped out of the car she was in as soon as it stopped completely and waved them on. None of them moved, and Jesse could see the look of frustration on Alice's face. He figured she must be trying to see him, and couldn't.
Tanya once again waved to them, telling them to go. Jesse gave Alice a wink and a grin, which just aggravated her frustration. They all finally turned and headed out of the parking lot when they realized that they would get nothing by waiting.
Tanya turned to Jesse. "What's going on?" she asked with a frown.
"Let's go for a drive," he said, walking around to open her door. When she slid in, he closed it and walked back around to the drivers side. Once inside, he started up the car and turned it around. Leaving the station Jesse sighed. "Tanya, I have a small problem."
Tanya glanced at him. "What is it?"
"Amanda," he sighed.
Closing her eyes, Tanya groaned. "She couldn't take a hint I'm guessing?"
"Something like that," he replied glancing at her and smiling a bit. "Another vampire that used to be in our coven, Kelli, is with her. Kelli is a tracker."
Tanya opened her eyes and arched a brow. "This Kelli is tracking you?"
Jesse nodded. "For Amanda, but I can't figure out why. Amanda killed Kelli's sister years ago, in a fit of rage. From what I've heard, Amanda wasn't in the least repentant for it either. And suddenly they are working together again? Kelli claims it is because Amanda has an in to the Volturi, which is what Kelli really wants."
Tanya watched him closely. Letting out an unneeded breath, she said, "So Amanda is trying to track you down, and is using an old.... acquaintance to do it. But it could be something more, you're not sure. And you've cut yourself off from everything so they can't find you. Do I about have it?"
He nodded. "Yeah," he sighed. "That's about it. But I need to face this, or it will never stop. My question to you is, will you stand with me?" He pulled the car off the highway, and onto the shoulder. Turning to face her, he took her hand and spoke very seriously. "Tanya, will you marry me?"
