Thanks for the great feedback to the last chapter... I'll respond to the reviews shortly. So now, we're into Major territory... and we get to see Bella.

Chapter 32.

Jasper and Demetri had both begun to walk a little quicker now they were further into the trees and then moved to a run. They stopped as they neared the suspected camp, "Is this the right place?" Jasper whispered; his voice barely audible.

Demetri nodded; his eyes focused on the distance. "It's definitely them." He paused slightly, "There are more of them than there were in the attack in Scotland."

Jasper's heart sank a little; it wasn't a real surprise but nevertheless he'd been hoping for better news. They crept closer; using the height of the trees to maintain some distance from their camp as they stood at the top of them looking down onto the vampires. Jasper looked down into the open area and the knot in his stomach grew even bigger as he saw the sheer volume of vampires milling around the area. There were at least thirty that he could see and he knew there'd be more. As they continued to watch he saw some reasons for hope; there was a corner of their camp that appeared relatively unguarded and he knew that would be the point of entrance they'd use; as they watched several vampires began to fight one another and two were destroyed; there would've possibly been more lost but the fight was broken up before it could get going; Jasper saw this as a good thing because unrest within the ranks just meant the numbers they had to face could be less by the time they got there. Jasper closed his eyes and focused on what he could sense instead; reaching out and seeing if he could feel Bella. He'd been apart from her for close to five days now and he wondered, not for the first time, if she was okay. Due to the volume of people there was a lot of background noise for him to wade through and just as he was beginning to lose hope he felt a familiar tingle down his spine; he frowned as he concentrated on that area and a smile broke out on his face as he felt emotions he knew could only be coming from her; she was here. His smile faded slightly as he was able to distinguish the emotions she was feeling; despair, pain, loneliness, hunger and love. Her emotions were weak too; he knew what that meant; she was weak; he let her emotions wash through him and gasped softly as the pain she was feeling crippled him. He felt Demetri grip his upper arm and knew that was the only thing that kept him from falling out of the tree. "I'm going to kill them," he hissed.

"Is Bella okay?"

"She's alive; I'm not sure okay is how I'd describe it. She's in a lot of pain and I doubt she's been fed since she was taken. She's a newborn and needs to feed a lot to quench her thirst so it's not helping her pain."

"Is it the same kind of pain you've been experiencing?"

"Yes but feeding was how I managed to get control of it and was able to function. Bella hasn't had that so she's suffering." He winced again as another stabbing pain shot through him.

"Have you seen enough?" Demetri asked; knowing it would be difficult to pull him away from the camp.

Jasper looked again at the camp and watched the vampires milling around; his senses focused on them now as he pushed Bella's emotions to the back of his mind temporarily; not prepared to let go of them completely. "Just a few more minutes." He whispered as he studied their emotions; trying to ascertain their leader. His eyes snapped open and he stared at one vampire; the one who'd broken up the fight earlier. He settled his eyes on his target and weighed up who he'd be facing; he didn't seem too difficult a challenge although he was physically huge; even larger than Emmett. Jasper knew size wasn't his chief concern; it was whether he had a gift of any sort and he wouldn't know that until he faced him.

The focus of his attention gestured at two of his comrades and they loped off towards one of the buildings. "Jasper, we should be getting back to the others." Demetri said; his voice more urgent now.

"Just a minute." He said softly. The two vampires re-emerged from the building but not alone. "Bella…" he gasped as his love was dragged between them and shoved to the floor in front of Jasper's future opponent. Jazz was only partially aware he was now growling as he tried to move closer to where she was; Demetri's grip on his arm the only thing that stopped him.

"Jasper… there's nothing you can do for her now; we need to get back to the others and work out how we can help her as a group. You can't take on them all on your own."

Jasper fought against Demetri; desperate to get away from him and get to Bella but the other vampire's words eventually filtered into his brain. He couldn't bring himself to walk away from her though; watching the vampires towering over her as she cowered on the floor. "Darlin', you need to stand up to them," he whispered to her even though there was no hope of her hearing him; he watched in surprise as she shakily got to her feet; her posture coiled for attack. The leader laughed at her as he saw her crouch aggressively before him; he was laughing at her openly and beckoned another female vampire forward to stand in the circle of vampires that were now crowded round them. Bella turned to face her opponent and moved to stand nearer to her; this vampire was a similar size to Bella but Jasper could sense a confidence in the way she was standing; she had no doubt she'd be able to take down Bella.

"Will her gift kick in?" Demetri asked; obviously as worried about Bella as Jasper was.

"I don't know; we don't know what it is that triggers it but I hope so; the fact she's physically weak might not help though. The other vampire believes she'll beat Bella; she's not even nervous about what she's facing; I guess the only advantage Bella has is she's possibly over-confident." Bella and the other vampire began to circle one another and Jasper hoped she remembered everything he'd taught her over the last few months because what she was facing now was going to be a lot tougher than anything she'd faced before.

Her opponent made the first attack; a punch towards the stomach that Bella was barely able to avoid. Bella shook her head as if to clear it. Jasper sent her a small wave of confidence and smiled when he saw her pause slightly; had she realized he was there? It was Bella's turn to make a move and she charged the female quickly; the pride Jasper felt at watching her move so determinedly removing some of the pain he'd previously experienced. Her hands reached for the other vampire's waist and she shoved her across the open space; the watching crowd splitting as she sailed past them into the wall of a small shack.

"She's good." Demetri murmured. "To be able to fight like that when she's weak is very good."

"She learnt from the best." Jasper murmured; modesty a completely foreign concept to him in that moment; he was so pleased with his angel; his mate had dealt so easily with her opponent. Bella was clutching her waist as she faced the head vampire again and Jasper let himself feel her pain; hoping he could minimize it for her; it wasn't as bad as he'd felt when he was back in Volterra but bad enough for him to wonder how she could walk and function with it. His eyes opened wider as he saw the female back on her feet; stalking towards Bella. His instincts wanted to shout out and warn her but he knew he couldn't do that; it would only put her in further danger. The vampire was moving much quicker now and still Bella hadn't heard her approach; she was going to get hurt; possibly killed. The woman was only meters from her and then she was flying backwards in the air and crashing through the wall she'd hit earlier; Bella's shield had come to her rescue and Jasper was relieved it had. The head vampire roared at Bella and moments later she was being dragged back to the same building she'd been brought out of before. "Let's get back to the others. We have much to discuss."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Pretty much. I need to ask a few questions once we're back and then we should be okay."

*B-o-B*

Jasper folded the map and watched as the guard began to ready themselves for the fight they were about to face. He'd decided their attack would begin in the early hours of the morning as he was hoping that'd be the best time to catch them unawares. He'd got the answers he was hoping for when they'd got back and the plan was now set; they were ready and yet he'd never felt so unready. He glanced at his watch and saw there were several hours before they would need to make their way to the camp site.

He walked away from them and made his way into the shelter of the trees. Once there he sat on the ground and closed his eyes; opening his senses to Bella again; it was now even fainter but he could just about feel her now he knew what he was looking for. It gave him some reassurance and he sent her a wave of love; hoping she'd be able to feel it. He wished there was some way he could warn her they were coming but he knew it was impossible. He pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed the number for his father. It only rang once before it was quickly answered. "Jasper?"

"Hi dad." He said softly.

"Have you found her?"

"Yes. We know where she is and we're going to attack first thing in the morning. I've seen her though. We were scouting the area when she was brought out of the building they're keeping her in."

"How did she look?"

"She's weak; I don't think she's fed at all since she got to Scotland but she seemed okay other than that. Her emotions are a mess; I can feel her now and she's in a lot of pain too."

They were silent for a few minutes and Jasper held his breath; his anxiety increasing and his own pain pressing in on him again as he let himself absorb Bella's too. "How are you?" Carlisle sounded just as worried about him as he was about Bella.

"I wish I could've helped her more when we saw her. I wanted to go to her as soon as I saw her but I couldn't. It would've only ended up with her getting hurt."

"And the pain?" He asked; noticing the one thing his son didn't mention.

"It's there but not as bad as it was in Volterra; it got bad when I saw Bella though; I think I was feeling her pain as well as my own; I still am a little. I want to reduce what she's feeling and I'm trying to take her away from her."

"I know you'll get her back, son; you'll bring her back to her family." Jasper couldn't say anything because he wasn't sure he really believed what his father had just said. "Do you want to speak to your mum?"

"Please…" Either he was becoming too predictable or Carlisle was channeling Edward's gift.

There was a slight pause as the handset was handed over to his mother, "Jasper?" she said; her voice warm and loving.

"Mum…" he whispered.

"Are you okay, darling?" He shook his head; which was pointless because she couldn't see that but she seemed to sense how he was feeling. "What can I do to help you?"

"Nothing." He murmured.

"Talk to me, darling."

"I'm so scared I'm not going to get her back, mum. I know I fought against this after Edward and Alice died but I'm not sure I'll be able to cope if something happens to her."

"There's more, Jasper; I can hear it in your voice…"

"I won't be coming back if something happens to her." he said softly; his voice almost a whisper. He heard her gasp but it wasn't a shock to him. "I can't lose her as well as Alice, mum." He tried to explain.

There was silence and he heard a door shutting, "I've gone out onto the balcony; I don't want the others to hear this," she hissed in a whisper. "Jasper, I know you care for Bella deeply; we all do but we don't want to lose you. If we lose you and Bella it will tear this family apart; it will break us all; it will break me, Jasper. I can't lose you."

"I'm sorry." He whispered; struggling to clamp down the emotion building within him.

"Is that all you're going to say?"

"I don't think I can say anything else; I don't want to lie to you."

"Then don't. Tell me you're going to come back to us; tell me you're going to come home to your family." She was getting angry now.

"I won't lie." He croaked; his hand tightening on the phone in his hand.

"Jasper Whitlock, promise me you are going to fight to come home; you aren't going to give up and let them win."

"I won't, mum. There are a lot of vampires there though; and I'm not sure I trust everyone who's supposed to be working with me."

"Make it work." She sounded desperate and he nodded again; a small smile appearing on his face as he realized what he was doing.

"I'll do what I can, mum. I'd better go. Give my love to everyone," he said; ending the call before either of them could say anything else.

*B-o-B*

The guard were ready; all donned in black cloaks and waiting patiently for the signal from Jasper. After checking his watch one last time and a slight nod from Demetri they began to walk into the trees towards the camp they were about to attack. They moved silently across the ground until about one mile from the camp site; at that point they split into smaller groups to wait for the time of attack. Jasper nervously watched the camp site as he stood in a tree near the point they were going to attack from. He was in the lead group with Demetri, Felix and Chelsea. The camp site was relatively quiet; there were a small group of about ten vampires milling around but he knew it wouldn't take long for the rest of them to appear; at least this way they'd have the element of surprise and hopefully with the plan he'd put in place they'd be able to overawe them with minimal losses.

Silently the minutes ticked by and it wasn't too long before it was time for Jasper and his group to move in; they quietly jumped down from the trees and moved stealthily towards the weak point Jasper had identified. They moved as one into the open area and then moved quickly to the unaware group who were sitting near a couple of the buildings. Jasper was the first to grab hold of one and twist his head; pulling it from the rest of his body. The sound of bodies being ripped apart drew the attention of the rest of the camp and soon the fighting was much more intense as their opponents put up a more valiant attempt to defend themselves from the Volturi.

Jasper worked diligently; always ensuring he was slowly making his way towards the building he knew Bella was in. The other groups of Volturi guards had now also entered the compound and were assisting. There was a roar from the leader of the coven as he came out from a building near to where Jasper was standing and Jasper tensed as he knew this was the moment he'd been waiting for.

As per the plan the Volturi guard quickly backed away from their opponents and Jane unleashed her gift on her victims; all of them crumpling to the floor; leaving only Jasper and his target still standing. "Why are you attacking us?" he snarled at Jasper; not backing down as Jasper stalked towards him; now fully in Major mode.

"I've come to retrieve what is rightfully mine and to pass on a message from the Volturi." He said; a menacing look gliding onto his face as he glared at the leader.

"I'm not interested in any message from them and who says we have anything that is yours?"

"You took my mate from the Volturi guard and I want her back." Jasper growled; his body tensing once more as he prepared for the inevitable fight.

"From what I've heard she isn't your mate yet; therefore I believe she's fair game for anyone who wants her. We're fed up of the Volturi poking their nose in our business so I decided it was time we stood up to them. That woman will make a very good mate for me and once I've dispatched up you, there'll be no one to stand in my way."

Jasper took a step forward, "She is mine." He hissed. "No one else's." His opponent didn't back down at all; a foolish move as Jasper knew. "Have you looked around you; there is no one else left apart from you. Who do you think is going to help you take on the Volturi guard? Who's going to stop me from killing you? No one as far I can tell."

"She is mine. What's the human saying; oh yes, possession is nine tenths of the law therefore I think you'll find she'll stay mine for the time being."

"Never!" Jasper roared.

The other vampire took the last few steps towards him but Jasper moved easily out of the way; as with most large vampires, sometimes his size counted against him. Jasper spun to face him once more and this time he moved in for the kill; charging at him but changing his line of attack at the last second and catching him out. Once he was within striking distance his size began to play a bigger part and his strength was enormous. His hands tightened around Jasper's arms; almost tearing them from his body but he was spurred on by the need to reunite with Bella; to fight for his mate and he used his own body weight to turn and shove him to the ground; his hand gripping his opponent's throat as he scowled down at him. He was still struggling but Jasper sent him a pulse of defeat and he simmered down.

Jasper flicked his eyes up and saw the rest of the guard starting the fire and quickly disposing of the incapacitated vampires; tearing them to pieces and then burning them; purple smoke filling the air rapidly. He looked back at the enemy and with one quick twist of his hand removed his head. The rest of his body was quickly torn apart and the body taken and placed on the fire. Once Jasper saw the plume of smoke he turned and made his way to the building. He was still tense as he quietly opened the door and crept into the building; pulling the hood of his cloak back over his head as he made his way silently through the darkness.

Jasper slowed as he walked through the first room; expanding his senses to see if there were any vampires in the next room. There was definitely more than one in there but as he swung through the doorway he could see only one; he placed a lethal strike of his arm through the neck of that one and then spun to face the other person; growling as he automatically crouched in preparation for attack.

What he saw stunned him and he drew himself to his feet but not completely allowing himself to relax; Bella was huddled in the corner; shying away from him. He knew she didn't recognize it as him because of the cloak he was wearing and he wasn't sure how aware of her surroundings she really was. Her emotions were fluctuating wildly and only got worse as he took a tentative step in her direction. His mouth was dry and he couldn't speak; much as he wanted to reassure her he couldn't say anything. She shuffled away from him; pushing herself hard against the wall and he had to wonder just what it was that'd been done to her since she'd been taken.

He sent his emotions towards her; hoping she'd recognize it was him and he saw her head turn to face him sharply as she felt his love ebb through her. "Jasper," she whispered; her voice very faint even for his vampiric hearing. He nodded his head; his throat still parched as he felt her thirst in addition to his own. Within seconds she'd flung herself at him; her arms and legs wrapping around his neck and waist; she was sobbing against him and as her relief and love hit him he sank to his knees; clutching her to him as he shared her feelings. His inner vampire went into overdrive as he began to check her over and make sure she wasn't hurt. His hands brushing across her body as he kissed and caressed her hair, neck and shoulders. The scent of her was intoxicating to him; just as good as any drug and for the first time in days he felt whole.

It was a while before Bella could pull herself away from him and as she did she must've realized what he was wearing causing her to freeze momentarily. He loosened his grip on her and lowered the hood from his head; noticing her eyes studying him as he looked at her. "I'm still me." He whispered; finally able to speak.

"I thought at first you'd become one of them." she said just as quietly.

"Caius and his brothers altered the task after you were taken so the guard helped me retrieve you."

"I thought you'd…"

He smiled at her; his hand brushing her cheek, "You thought I'd joined the Volturi?" She nodded, "I wouldn't do that; they've said I'm welcome to if I want to when we get back to Volterra but I won't be. This is just a temporary thing."

"So you had to work with Jane?"

He hugged her against him, "I got to boss her around for a few days. Some of them didn't like me being in charge but they knew better than to go against me."

"Have you been here long?"

"We got here just over a day ago; we spent the time finalizing the plan and preparing. Demetri and I were watching last night when you fought that other woman." She lowered her head and he could feel the embarrassment flooding from her. "You were amazing; I've never seen anything so hot." He whispered to her; her embarrassment growing further.

There was a cough from the doorway and Jasper and Bella turned to look at the visitor; seeing Demetri standing there. "I thought you may want this for Bella," he said before ducking out of the room and returning with a struggling deer, which he brought over to Bella.

"Thanks Demetri." Jasper said as Bella killed the deer and drained it of nourishment; his hand brushing up and down her back all the time she did so.

"Would you like some more?" the guard asked her once she'd finished.

"Please." Bella said softly. Demetri left in search of more animals for Bella.

"Feel better now?" Jasper asked.

"A little."

"We should phone mum and dad; let them know you're okay."

"I'd rather wait until we're back in Volterra; I want to see them in person."

"I guess we can do that; we'll be back there within the day anyway." Jasper pulled her towards him again; his arms tightening around her. It felt good to have her back in his arms. "For a while I didn't think I was going to get you back."

"Me either." She shivered in his arms slightly and although she couldn't get cold he took off his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"How are you feeling? Apart from not feeding you, did they treat you okay?"

"I was mostly kept in this room; there was always someone with me. I felt so strange when they first took me."

"Crippling pain; like someone was stabbing you in the stomach?" His description didn't even come close to explaining how he'd felt.

She nodded, "Just like that."

"Me too. I was surprised you were able to function at all; the only reason I'm here is because the family literally pushed the animals into my face until I drained them."

"The pain I felt wasn't quite as intense as how you described it. What do you think it means?"

"Aro thinks it just proves the bond will work between us; I think there may be some truth in that."

"Maybe you felt it stronger because of your empathic ability." She whispered.

"I don't know; I'm just glad we're back together because I never want to experience that again." He kissed her temple softly, "I'm afraid, darlin', you're stuck with me for eternity."

"I think that's something I can live with." She replied; a small smile on her face. She moved from where she was sitting, closer to him and lifted her lips to kiss him gently. A kiss that deepened as they both got caught up in the intensity of their emotions. His arms wrapped around her body and she could feel the purr in his chest as much as she could hear it. He wasn't the only one not wanting to experience that separation again.

TBC

A/N: Let me know what you think and send me a review. So there you go - all done and dusted right? That would telling wouldn't it. Next chapter tomorrow.