.:Twilight Series - Nightshade's Hale:.
Hay people, if your reading this then thank you, and here's another chapter and its longer this time, so I hope you enjoy it.
Any way, I hope you like this chapter. And just as a little side info, I put in one of my other chapters who I based Sirius' looks off, but since then I realised that as hot as Michael Buble is, his profile doesn't work as well with Avril Lavigne, (who I based Lace's look off), so I choose some I think works well along side her, the guy is called Martin Johnson, and he's in a band called Boys Like Girls, and he's hot.
If you like to see a pick of him there is a link on my page that takes you to my deviantART page, where there is a photo I put together for this story. So feel free to take a look.
As always (I'm putting this for my cookie rewards, cos I'm a good girl, just ask Jasper, he'll tell you), but I own nothing, only my own OC'S, but other wise The Twilight Sage and all its characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. SO PLEASE DO NOT SUE.
.:Chapter Twenty-Two – Baseball And Unwanted Players:.
I take a deep breath as Jasper comes to a stop in a large open field where the others were all waiting for us to arrive. I smile as Sirius comes jogging up to us, and grabs my hand softly, it was strange cos I never freaked out when he made a grab for my hand, but I did with nearly everyone else, I was growing used to it when I was around Alice and Jasper.
"Come on, Emmett seems to think your to sweet to give a good hit with a bat" Sirius tells me as he pulls me over to were Emmett was stood.
Emmett crosses his arms over his broad chest as he says "Yeah, prove to me you can hit it a to a descent distance".
I shack my eyes as I take the bat offered to me by Sirius. "Fine, but only to prove I'm not some wimpy human girl".
Emmett laughs as he runs over to Alice, and takes the ball from her, but just as he's about to take a stance Jasper appears next to him with a worried look. Emmett sighs as he looks down at his brother, and then gives him a small nod as he hands him the ball over.
Jasper then takes Emmett's place, and turns towards me. I roll my eyes as I stand directly opposite him, the bat gripped firmly in my hands as I take the proper stance needed for this. I then take a deep through my nose, and let it out through my mouth before nodding towards him.
Jasper nods as he takes an unneeded breath and then throws the ball towards me, surprisingly at human speed and not vampire speed. I pull the bat back, and then swing forward just as the ball reaches me. There's a solid thwack as the ball hits the aluminum bat, and then I watch as the ball flies across the pitch, going as far as the start of the forest that surrounded the open field.
I look up at Emmett when I find him stood in front of me, ball in hand as he looks down at me, a large toothy smile plastered on his face.
"That was awesome!" he tells me as he hands me the ball. "Where'd you learn to hit like that?".
"Our little Lacey here was the best female baseball at our old school, she was offered a scholarship and everything, but she turned it down" Sirius tells him as he throws an arm over my shoulders.
"Why'd you turn it down?" Alice asks as she takes the ball from.
I shrug as I pass the bat over to Carlisle. "I know it seems odd to turn it don, but as much as I love to play baseball I don't want it as a possible job career. I don't want something that I find fun to suddenly turn into something serious. I want a job I can say I love doing, even after doing it for years, a job that draws me in and always keeps me guessing, never leaves me bored" I tell her and the others.
Carlisle and Esme share a look, a look I can't decipher, and then look towards me with bright smiles. I smile back, turning slightly to look up at my Big Brother when Sirius place a soft kiss to the hair line of my head.
I push him away jokingly with a laugh. Sirius laughs as he pretends to stumble back, he then turns to Alice and pulls her into a deep hug. I smile as I watch the two begin to converse, only to be pulled from the sweet sight of them looking all in love when I feel a gently, but firm hand press against my lower back.
"I know I'm gonna sound boring, but please be careful, I don't want you getting hurt again" he tells me, a look of pure love and care in his eyes.
I gently reach up and brush my fingers across his cheek as I say "Major Whitlock, I love you, but you need to stop been so overprotective. I think I get not to be in the way when vampires play such sports. So I'll stand on the side line, and watch as I route for Team Jasper".
Jasper laughs slightly at this, and then places a chaste kiss to my forehead. I smile as I take a deep inhale of his scent when he pulls me into a one armed hug.
"Bella's here" he tells me after a few moments.
I pull back and turn to see Bella and Edward walking towards me. Carlisle, who was currently messing about with Rosalie, stops when he sees his son and walks towards him, as does Esme. I smile when Bella walks towards me.
Bella stops suddenly when she sees Jasper, a uncertain look on her face. I look back at Jasper, a small frown played across his face. I take his hand and place a kiss against the back of it causing Jasper to look down at me.
"It's ok, you won't hurt her, you haven't hurt me have you?".
Jasper nods and then looks towards Bella as he says "It's nice to see you Bella".
"You too Jasper" Bella replies after a few moments of stunned silence.
"Go get ready" I tell Jasper.
Jasper nods and then places a kiss to my forehead again before turning and going to join the others. I look back towards Bella with a smile, to which she smiles back.
"How are you today Baby Bell?" I ask her.
"I'm ok. How are you doing? You look a lot better today" she says as stops next to me.
I nod as I gently pull her into a side hug with one arm and say "I'm fine, lot better now that the weekend is here, and I don't have to listen to Jessica's useless prattle".
Bella laughs at this, and then says "Oh, you left your hoodie round at mine the other night, I'd have brought it with me if I'd have known you were here. I didn't think Jasper or Sirius would let you out yet".
"Yeah, I agreed to come before they could say anything. And I'll just grab it next time I come round if that's ok" I tell her with a small laugh.
Bella nods, and goes to say something but stops when Edward walks up to us. Bella smiles at him, and he smiles back. Edward then looks at me, a small smile on his lips.
"They just told me. Thank you" he says as he looks down at me.
I laugh with a shake of my head and say "No need to thank me Edward. After all it takes two to tango, so if your gonna thank me, you should thank Jasper as well".
Edward turns slightly and looks towards his brother, to which causes Jasper to look back at him momentarily. Edward then turns back to face me, a look of debate in his eyes.
"You need to stop think he's gonna hurt her Edward, cos he's not" I tell him softly.
Edward's eyes snap upwards at that, a look of anger in his eyes. "I don't want an argument ok, I'm just saying what needs to be said. He's not gonna hurt her because he hasn't hurt me. Your all more stronger than you know, cos if you were gonna hurt either of us don't you think you'd have done it by know. You need to start having faith in yourself, and your brother. Your not animals, your not monsters, your just having bumps down the road of being human, and there's nothing wrong with that. You pulled through, you didn't hurt her, so believe that he won't hurt her either. I believe in him, I believe in you, in Sirius, in all of you. So you need to believe too. No go play baseball so Jasper can kick your butt".
The anger leaves his eyes as he looks at me, now instead in just amazement and what seems like understanding. Edward then nods before kiss Bella's cheek, and then turns and joins the others. I feel my cheeks blush when I see the others all staring at me.
Sirius looks at me with pride and then sticks both his thumbs up with a large goofy smile. I shake my head with a laugh. Esme walks towards her, a smile on her ever beautiful features.
"We need an umpire, so Bella if you would?" she says as she places a hand on Bella's shoulder.
Bella pulls back slightly with a nervous look as she says "Why can't Lace do it?".
"Sorry Baby Bell, I would if I could but if been benched for this season. I'm a cheerleader for the day" I tell her with a small encouraging smile, and then gently push her towards Esme.
"She only wants you as an umpire cos she thinks we cheat" Emmett calls out with a crocked grin.
"Oh, I know you cheat!" Esme tells him with a laugh. "Just call em as you see em, Bella" she tells her as she positions her in the right spot.
"Ok" Bella replies with a nervous smile.
Esme then crouches down in front of Bella just as Rosalie takes the first stand for the bating. Alice stands way off as the pitcher. Jasper and Carlisle stand back waiting for their turn at the bating stand.
Across the field Emmett, Edward and Sirius spread out as defence so they can catch the ball. Just then a deep rumble sounds out and seemingly shakes the forest around us.
"It's time" Alice calls out with a happy chime, ball now at the ready.
Alice then moves like a blur, almost to fast to see but I catch enough to see what's going on. The ball fires forward, straight towards Rosalie, who in turn flings the bat forward and collides with the ball, causing a thundering sound to echo out around us.
"Whooo!" I exclaim in amazement as I watch the ball fly off towards the forest.
"Now I see why you need the thunder!" Bella exclaims as she watches closely.
I watch as Edward suddenly disappears after the ball, shooting forward like a rocket, seemingly faster than Jasper. The trees shake slightly as he tares through them after the ball, like a dog after the rabbit at the race tracks.
"That's gotta be a home run right?" Bella asks as she watches Rosalie dash round the pitch.
Esme shakes her head with a small smile as she says "Edward's very fast!".
A look of knowing crosses Jasper's face as he flips and twirls the bat like I imaged he would if he was still a solider on parade with a rifle. I jump back slightly as the ball suddenly comings flying back out of the trees. Esme catches it within a millisecond before Rosalie slides right into the hit the mat for a home run.
"Yer out!" Bella tells her.
"Out! Whoo!" Emmett calls with excitement from across the field.
Rosalie stands up slowly, a look of anger and loathing on her face as she watches Bella.
"Babe, come on, its just a game" he calls back as he sees her actions.
"Nice kitty" I whisper as she passes me by.
Rosalie seems to perk up at this, a small smile pulling at her lips as she looks up at me. I shake my head with a small smile as I watch her. Carlisle pats her back as he walks towards the the hitting mound.
Alice throws the ball again, with the same speed and grace. Carlisle smiles as he hits the ball straight into a drive line, and then shoots forward to the first mat. Almost as if now in slow motion Emmett and Sirius run for the ball, both pushing of the floor to catch it, but at around 15 feet up the collide causing them both to miss the ball.
Edward laughs as he sees this, and quickly retrieves the ball. Emmett jokingly pushes Sirius with a laugh as they both get up. Sirius smiles as he takes he's place again. I whoop in excitement as Jasper steps up to the plate, a look of pure concentration on his face as he waits for Alice to throw the ball.
Alice throws the ball just as Jasper flips the bat, which he catches just in time to swing around and hit the ball straight across the field with one hand. I cover my mouth in shock at this. Emmett runs for the ball, taking a leap and clambering up a tree just in time to catch it, he then lands smoothly and launches the ball back to Alice.
"My monkey man!" Rosalie says as she watches him.
Rosalie bats again, sending the ball just as deep into the forest as she did before. I grip my stomach suddenly as I look out towards the forest, a strange feeling of unease washing over me, like something telling me to run and hide. Like something terrible was coming my way.
My head snaps towards Alice when she suddenly turns in her spot, a worried look pulling at all corners of her petite face.
"Stop!" she calls out.
And then all of a sudden every ones heads, but Bella's snap towards the forest, looks of worry covering their faces. In a second their all rushing back towards the batter's mound.
"They were leaving, and then they heard us" Alice tells the group.
Another pull in my stomach cause me pain, worse than the last pull. And it followed by a nagging sensation in the back of my head.
"Lace? What's wrong?" Sirius asks as he appears at my side.
I look straight towards the head of the family as I say "Don't trust them, the fair skinned one is the leader, not the others".
A look of concern paces around the group, followed by a firm hand on my back. I look up to find Edward, ushering both my and Bella towards the direction of the car he'd arrived in.
"Lets go!" he says.
I stop at this when I feel another pull. "There here!" I tell him in a low whisper.
Edward stops, turning towards the others as he tells us "Get your hairs down!".
We do as were told. "Like that'll help I can smell her from across the field!".
I look towards Rosalie when I hear this, but her eyes are trained directly on Bella. I look round when Jasper appears beside me, worry on his handsome face.
"You both need to be quiet and stand be hind us" he tells us both.
I nod in response, and then grabs Bella's hand as we turn and follow the others. Bella squeezes my hand as we watch three vampires emerge from the trees, and heading directly for us.
Leading at the front was a dark skinned man, with long black dreads and an open dark orange coat with nothing under it. To his right was a woman, a red head with long curls, and a large white fur shrug. To the other side of the front man with a long light brown hair that was pulled back into a pony tail, and a tight black faded leather jacket.
As the drew closer to us I noticed that they were all barefooted, and had fire red eyes lined with think blackness. I felt Bella shrink back slightly at the sight of them, but as I squeezed her hand in encouragement she straightened up.
They stop a safe distance from us. "I believe this belongs to you" the dark skinned man speaks with a slight accent.
He holds up the baseball, and then tosses it with lighting fast speed, but Carlisle catches it with ease as he looks the three over.
"Thank you" he says politely.
"I am Laurent. And this is Victoria, and James" the man, Laurent tells him.
"I'm Carlisle, this is my family" he replies in kind. "I'm afraid you hunting activities have caused something of a mess for us" he then tells them nicely.
Laurent tilts his head slightly at this. "Our apologies, we didn't realise the territory had been claimed" he tells him.
"Yes well, we maintain a permanent residence near by" he replies.
"Really?" he asks as he momentarily looks towards James.
James doesn't respond to this, instead his eyes are directly on Edward, a look on boredom on his face. Edward keeps his eyes locked on him, a look of disturbance on his face as he keeps eye contact.
"Well, we won't be a problem any more, we were just passing through" he tells Carlisle.
"The humans were tacking us, but we lead them east. You should be safe" Victoria suddenly chimes in, her voice coming off far to gently than it seemed it should for her.
"Excellent" Carlisle responds with a small smile.
"So, could you use three more players?" Laurent asks with a small laugh.
Everyone looks towards Carlisle, all awaiting his decision, but he doesn't make one, he simply keeps eyes contact with Laurent.
"Oh come on, just one game?" he asks kindly.
Carlisle lets out a breath as he says "Sure, why not. A few of us were leaving, you can take their place. We'll bat first".
Carlisle then casts a quick look towards Bella and myself, before looking back at the three vampires in front of him. He then throws the balls towards Laurent, but Victoria catches it just before it reaches Laurent.
"I'm then one with the wicked curve ball" she explains simply.
"Oh, well I think we can handle that" Sirius replies with a cocky grin.
Laughter chimes out from the surrounding vampires as they all spilt of and head for their posts. I gently tug Bella's hand as I reach out and places a firm hand on Edward's shoulder.
Edward slowly backs up, all the while his eyes still trained on James. Bella turns slightly as Edward takes her hand, but as she turns a strong gust of wind picks up and blows through Bella's hair.
My eyes widen at this, as do Bella's. "You brought a snack!".
I look round towards the voice, and watch as James moves forward slightly, and then hunches into a crouch, ready to pounce at any minute. I grab Bella, and pull her towards me, making her turn and face away from James as I guard her with my body.
Edward is directly in front of me in a instant, a hand reaching back towards us, and the other out defensively towards James. The others surround us quickly, as Laurent and Victoria do the same for James.
"Your brought a human?" Laurent asks in disbelief.
Sirius, Jasper and Emmett were towards the front, behind them Carlisle's stood next to Edward along with Rosalie and Alice, and Esme had wedge herself between Edward and myself, like a mother would when protecting a child from danger.
"Their with us!" Carlisle proclaims with authority in his voice.
"There's more than one?" Laurent asks as he looks the group over.
I keep my head ducked down as I cover Bella. I know I should have been worried but I wasn't all I could think was 'Protect Bella'. Carlisle doesn't respond to this, instead he just keeps his ground, his eyes never leaving Laurent's form.
"I think its best if you leave!" Carlisle tells them after a few moments.
"I can see the game is over, we'll go now" Laurent responds after a few seconds.
He slowly back up, arms out stretched as if they were white flags of surrender. But James doesn't move, he just keep his eyes locked on Edward.
"James?" he asks.
James responds to this, standing up quickly and turning to follow after the other two. As he walks away he throws an arm over Victoria and looks back towards us with a crocked smirk. After a few moments they disappear within the forest.
"Get them out of here! Go!" Carlisle tells Edward with a stern voice.
I stand straight with Bella, and allow her to go to Edward's side. Jasper appears in front of me after a second, and pulls me into his body, placing a quick kiss to my head.
"Go with Edward, I'll met you back at the house" he tells me.
"No, I'm not gonna leave you. Plus, they didn't seem to think I was human, they thought I was like you" I tell him as I look up at him.
"Why is that?" Emmett asks as he looks at me.
"She doesn't smell human to me either. You smell like,..".
I cut Rosalie off quickly as I hear this. "I smell like Jasper, I'm wearing his clothes. His scent is all over me, therefore my scent isn't getting through".
I then turn to Edward with urgency as I say "What are you still doing here, get her home!".
Edward nods as he grabs Bella's hand and pulls her towards the Jeep. I watch as he gets her in and shuts the door behind her, and then gets in himself. A burst of relief washes over me as I watch him quickly drive away from the field.
I turn back to the others as I take a deep breath and run my fingers through my hair. I stop suddenly when I see a dark figure lurking just behind the first trees of the forest. I stumble backwards slightly as fierce red eyes glare at me.
Panic suddenly sets in as I flicker of recognition hits me as the tall burly figure waves mockingly towards me, and then suddenly disappears from my sight. A firm hand hooks around my upper arm, and I'm turned to face Sirius.
"What did you see?" he asks, urgency in his voice, fear dancing in his golden orbs.
"He's here! He's watching me! He moved like you! Like a vampire!" I tell him, the fear dripping from my voice.
"Hold on, I'm talking you home!" he tells me.
I nod as he suddenly pulls me with lighting quick reflexes onto his back, and then races off. The world around us moving into a massive blur, I look back slightly when I hear twigs snapping, relaxing slightly when I see Jasper and Rosalie following after us.
After a few minutes we pull up outside The Cullen's house. Sirius lets me down and then ushers me quickly into the house, a look of determination on his face.
"Sirius, your hurting me!" I whimper in pain at the hold he has on my arm.
I jump back in shock when Sirius is suddenly pulled from me, and slammed into the nearest wall. A small scream escapes my throat when I see Jasper with his hand curled tightly around his throat.
"She said you were hurting her!" he growls out.
Sirius grips his hand and pulls it from his his throat. Jasper stumbles back as Sirius pivots back and then punches him straight across the face. Within a second Jasper has Sirius in a full nelson.
"You have no idea what's going on you idiot!" Sirius screams at him.
"It still doesn't give you the right to hurt her!" he replies in a calm voice.
"Stop it! Both of you!" I scream at them.
They both turn to face me, well Sirius does his best too. "Let him go!".
Jasper does as I say, and always Sirius to fall to the floor. "We don't need this! I don't need this!".
I turn to walk off only to stop when I see Laurent stood inches from me. Laurent look down at me, his red eyes twinkling with curiosity. Jasper suddenly pulls me behind him as he places himself between me and the other vampire.
"I come to you in peace" he says quickly, hands raised in defence.
Jasper growls deep in the back of his throat at this. "And why should we trust you?".
I sigh in relief when I see Carlisle walking towards us. Laurent looks back towards the older vampire, a pleading look on his face.
"I've come to warn you about the others. I tire of their games. I just wish to help" he tells him.
"He's telling the truth" I tell Carlisle as I feel another pull in my stomach.
Carlisle looks towards me, and the towards Jasper with a questioning look. Jasper nods in response as he stands straight. Carlisle motions for Laurent to follow him. I push forward and grab Laurent's arm quickly, causing him to stop and look down at me.
"How many are in your coven?" I ask.
"Just myself, and the other two you saw with me" he tells me.
"Then the other one is simply following you?" I ask as I release his arm.
"The other one?" he asks, confusion written on his face. "I thought he was with you, after all he was already when we arrived" he says after few moments.
I take a moment to let this sink in. "What can you tell me about him?" I ask after a few seconds.
Laurent tilts his head to the side slightly at this. "From what I've seen, he very old, older than myself, or Carlisle. He's strong, capable of immense speed and power. Oh, and he keeps human company".
I stand in shock at this, trying my best not to freak out or break down. Jasper takes my hand and gently leads me from the room, and leading me into the what I think was the main living room. After getting me to sit down, he kneels in front of me, a worried look on his face.
"What's going on?" he asks me as he brushes my hair out of my face.
I look up at him, my mind still dazed and trying its best to understand everything that had been said. Sirius walks through into the room just at that point.
"Dale's here!" he says for me.
Jasper turns slightly to face him as he asks "Dale? Is that who I think it is?".
"If you think its Lace's uncle, then yeah, it is?" he replies, folding his arms across his chest.
Jasper turns back to face me, a look of anger on his face. I look up at him, fear defiantly evident in my eyes, my vision blurred slightly as I felt the tears well up in them.
"He's gonna kill me. He tried to that night they took me away. He wants the money,.. the farm,.. and me dead" I tell him, tears now falling freely down my face.
"I don't wanna die... I just got my life back... I have so much to do,.. to see... I'm not ready to die yet".
In an instant I'm pulled flush against Jasper's body, one hand cradling my head and the other flat against my back. I grip his t-shirt as tears stream heavily down my face. Sirius stands stock still as tears roll down his face.
I look round suddenly when I see Bella been rushed through the room by Edward, followed quickly by Alice and Emmett. Alice stops in her tracks when she sees Sirius crying, and then walks towards him and pulls him into a hug.
"Lace?" Bella asks when she sees me.
But she has no time to stop as Edward continues to usher her through into another room. I pull back from Jasper when I see the fear, now even more evident in her eyes as she passes by. Jasper wipes the tears from my face as he looks me over.
"I want you to do something for me, both you and Sirius" I tell him.
"I'll do anything for you!" he tells me.
"I want you both to go with Bella, and keep her safe for me" I tell them both.
"I'm not leaving you Lace!" Sirius practically yells at me.
I gently cups Jasper face in my hands as I tell him "You said you'd do anything for me, so please, keep her alive for me. She is one of the most purest souls I have ever had the fortune on knowing, and if she dies, it will kill me. It will hurt me far more that whatever that monster has planned for me. And if you both loved me, you will keep her alive for me".
"But I can't just leave you!" Jasper tells me.
"Yes you can. Because as much as I'm scared, and as much a you think I can deal with this, I can, because I've dealt with it my entire life. I know he won't attack me as long as I stay around any of your scents. He won't chance his own life just to take mine, he's far too prideful for that".
"Jasper, Sirius, its ok. I'll stay with her at all times!".
I look over towards the motherly voice, Esme stood off to the side, the look on her face was one a mother would have if their child was been hurt, and they were going to stop it. I nod in thanks as I stand up.
"We can't leave you,.. I can't leave you" Jasper says as stands as well.
"Yes you can, because you said you'd do anything for me, and this is what I want you to do. So there's no arguing, no debating, if you truly love me, you'll do this one thing for me. Both of you will" I tell him, and then walk through into the room Bella was in.
A/N - I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you'll let me know what you think.
Thanks for reading, and there will hopefully be another chapter up soon. So please until then review, review, review. Thanks ... MarsPlanetsGirl, aka Emma xx.
