A/N – Thank you for the awesome reviews. And just an FYI for this chapter, we all know what happened in the baseball clearing. I don't feel the need to get into specifics but if anyone needs a refresher course, send me a PM and I'll make you a pie-chart or something. You're all very sexy and talented and deserve a Texas sized Jasper sundae.

Disclaimer – I own nothing. S.M. does. If I did Edward wouldn't be such a pussy. I also have no beta so all mistakes are mine.

Chapter 3

-APOV-

I've played that accursed vision over and over in my mind and I think I've figured out what decision caused that particular outcome. I tried to stop Bella from leaving. I've looked at every possibility and that's the only one that makes sense. Anytime I try to stop Bella from leaving the hotel room while Jasper and I are there she ends up dead. Not dead like me but the final death. If she leaves while I am hunting, Edward kills her in Renee's house. If she leaves while Jasper is hunting, James comes to our hotel room and kills me before turning on Bella. He is in the process of biting her when Edward enters and kills him. Edward attempts to suck out the venom but ends up killing her.

Why is it Edward who kills her? In every outcome I've seen, it's Edward who finally ends Bella. He has always been so proud of the control he's shown regarding her, but I suppose her free-flowing blood is too much for any vampire, let alone the vampire her blood sings to. Well that settles it. I have to distract Jasper and let Bella run to James. If he had any idea of what I'm about to do, Jasper would kill me and roast marshmallows over my pyre. The thought makes me sick but I have no other choice. This is the only way of keeping her safe. Well…relatively safe.

I can't believe it's only been 24 hours since we were playing baseball in the clearing. We were having so much fun. I even had a vision of Rose picking Bella up and swinging her around like a true sister. The family was almost complete…not the way they thought it would be, but better. When I saw the three nomads approach in a vision I told my family to take defensive positions. The tall, dark haired male was in front flanked by a blond male and a red headed female. They looked pleasant enough but when they caught wind of Bella's scent all hell broke loose. Plans were made and executed and that's how I find myself in this hotel suite in Phoenix with Bella and Jasper.

As soon as we arrived here Jasper asked to speak with Bella. I knew what he was going to say, but in order to give Bella some privacy I told them to go into the bedroom. This will be the last time they see each other before I set my plan in motion and Bella needs to hear what Jasper has to say; those few words might help save her life. I replay my visions one last time before Jasper comes back into the living room. Bella has fallen asleep and Jasper and I begin the waiting game.

A few hours later I notice Bella's heartbeat start to race.

"Jasper, why don't you go in there and try to help her sleep. She seems restless." He looks at me in shock, his lips tugging into a slight frown.

"Her emotions aren't showing any fear. I don't think it's a nightmare but the dreams are very strong." He sighs in resignation, "Alice, why don't you call the family for an update while I try to help Bella?" Jasper leaves the living room with a conflicted look on his face and I hide a small smile. I know he's feeling confused and I know exactly what it's about but I want him to come to me when he's ready. I need to give him time to process these new feelings without my influence.

I call the family and find out that Edward is almost in Phoenix, less than an hour away. Esme decided to stay in Forks to protect Charlie while Emmett, Rose and Carlisle are 15 minutes behind Edward. This update sounds exactly like my vision and it's a little too close for comfort. I scan for possible futures and finally decide on the necessary course of action. I whisper for Jasper to join me in the living room and steady myself. This will be the best acting of my existence.

"What's up Alice?" I look up at him with a wide smile.

"Hey." He waits for me to continue. I don't.

"Hey? You called me out here to say hey?" Jasper smirks at me. I put my best pouty face on and bat my lashes at him. This particular attack has worked for the better part of 50 years and as they say, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Jasper, knowing exactly what I'm doing, sighs and caves immediately.

"What can I do for you Alice?"

I squeal in delight and clap my hands together. I should get a Tony Award for this shit. Not only am I acting like my normal, giddy self, I manage to hide my true emotions from Jasper, which is no easy feat.

"Bella is going to be hungry when she wakes up and she won't like anything room service offers. She will be craving a chicken burrito and some Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey. Would you mind running out and grabbing her dinner? Pleeeaaase?" I watch as he thinks over my request.

"Alice, I'm supposed to be protecting her. I don't think I should leave."

Bella begins to stir and I need to get Jasper out.

I pretend to scan the future, "Jazz, nothing is going to happen to her while you're gone. I'm sure I can protect her but we'll both be fine. James is nowhere near us and the family is on their way. You'll only be gone for 27 minutes and it'll give me time to do Bella's hair and nails. She needs some quality girl time." I give him another pouty face. As much as I hate lying to him it's the only way to get him to leave.

He thinks for a moment and exhales slowly, "Fine. But stay in the room and if you need anything you call me immediately. I won't be far."

"Thanks Jazzy. Love you!"

"Love you too, Al. Be safe." Jasper steals a look at the bedroom door and with an almost imperceptible look of longing he shakes his head and exits the suite.

Bella wakes up as I enter the room and rubs the sleep out of her eyes. As she silently pads off to the bathroom I take a seat on the bed and think about how to best approach this conversation. After washing her face and changing into some clean clothes she comes back in looking refreshed. Plopping down next to me, she rests her head on my shoulder as I wrap my tiny arm around her and press her into me. Suddenly my body tenses and my eyes glaze over. Bella notices and kneels in front of me.

"What is it Alice? What did you see?" For the first time today a genuine smile crosses my face, reaching my eyes.

"I see him. I've never had a clear picture of his face before, but I finally see him and he's beautiful." Bella shakes me, looking worried.

"Who do you see?" I don't answer and she starts to panic, "Please, Alice, you're scaring me!"

I look down at her with soft eyes and place my hands on her cheeks. "My mate, Bella. I'm finally going to meet my true mate." She looks at me in confusion and I suddenly remember what I have to do. Alrighty…no time like the present.

"Bella? Can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure Alice. What's up?" She looks so frail and tired. I hate to put this burden on her but it's the only way to keep her alive. I pull her back up next to me on the bed and take a deep breath before answering her.

"James is going to call you in 4 minutes and 37 seconds." She flinches at his name but makes no sound. "He is going to ask you escape from Jasper and me and meet him at your old ballet studio. You must agree to go." Shock crosses her face.

"Alice, he'll kill me. Edward told me that James would stop at nothing to get to me and you want me to walk right into his trap? Can't we wait for Edward? He'll know exactly what to do."

I shudder at the mention of my brother's name. If she only knew that Edward was the true danger. How do I convince her to listen to me? I suppose the truth will work. Well…maybe a half-truth.

"You know I love you, right Bella? I would never put you in danger if I could help it. But you must believe me when I say that, in this case, Edward cannot help. James is going to tell you that he is holding your mother hostage. He'll say if you don't meet him at the ballet studio he's going to kill her. Slowly. He'll try to prey on the love you have for you family and you must do what he asks. I promise that Jasper will do everything in his power to see that no harm comes to you or Renee." Bella burst into tears at the mention of her mother but I didn't dare tell her that Renee and Phil were safe in Florida. I need her to take the bait.

Bella stares at me for a moment, calming herself before she whispers, "Jasper? But he doesn't even like me. He never talks to me and when he is near me he acts like I have some sort of contagious disease. Why would he bother helping? I mean nothing to him." If she only knew how wrong she was. How do I reassure her?

"Bella, what did Jasper say to you when we got here? How did he explain his need to assure your safety?"

She squeaks out her reply in a tiny voice, "He told me I was worth it." I shoot her a knowing look. She looks me square in the eye and nods once.

Just then her phone rings and her eyes are immediately filled with terror.

I grab her hand in an attempt to comfort her, as my voice belies my own fears, "Bella. I've seen what's going to happen and you'll come out of it okay. Just do what James asks, and please trust me when I say that Jasper has your best interests at heart."

She nods once more in understanding and answers the phone. I hear James' sickly sweet voice on the other end and I'm unable to contain the shudder at what is about to happen. Bella notices and glares at me.

Shit Alice, keep it together. She has to trust that you are in control of the situation.

I listen to the conversation, squeezing her hand when he says he has taken her mother hostage and nodding my head when Bella agrees to James' demands. She drops her head to her knees as she ends the call, uncontrollable shaking overtakes her. Once more I wrap her in my arms. I tell her that Jasper will be back in just over 8 minutes and she needs to jump in a cab immediately. We will be right behind her. She looks once more at me with a questioning glance. I know what she's going to ask before she gets the chance but I give her time to gather her thoughts. We take the elevator down to the lobby and reach the taxi stand before she finally speaks.

"Why Jasper?"

"Because he loves you," her eyes widen as I quickly add on, "We all do."

I leave her with those final words and put her into the cab. She rolls down the window, determination clouding her eyes.

"Alice. If I don't make it, please take care of Charlie. I don't want him to be alone," she whispers. With a final burst of confidence she finishes what she has to say. "And Alice, tell the family that I love them."

"Bella. If something happens and we have to make a choice…" My voice trails off. Thank God Bella seems to know exactly what I'm asking as I can't seem to get the words out. She looks down to where her hands are folded in her lap and whispers.

"You have my permission."

I nod my head and with that she gives the cabbie the address and pulls away. I make my way back to the room to await Jaspers arrival. How am I going to explain what I did? The truth seems to be the only way to go. I'm doing this to ensure not only his happiness but that of the entire family and I only hope that when all of this is said and done he can forgive me.

Now, back to this sexy vampire god who is destined to be my mate…

-JPOV-

I can't believe Alice convinced me to leave. She truly is the only person I've ever met who can make me do her bidding. Even that bitch Maria couldn't get away with that shit, but I suppose that evil cunt never had the arsenal of weapons that Alice does. That fucking pouty face works every time, and Alice knows it, the manipulative little minx. Whoever ends up mated to her will have to be one strong bastard and I feel bad for the poor guy. She'll have him dressed like an Abercrombie model within an hour of meeting him.

So against my better judgment I leave the hotel and set about my task. I retrieve my car from the valet, leaving a generous tip, and drive to the Mexican restaurant. I think back to Bella and the emotions she was having during her dream. I was being truthful when I told Alice there was no fear but I neglected to tell her what Bella was actually feeling. There was love of course, but also lust and rejection. Who would dare reject this woman? So while she was sleeping, I sent her all the love and desire I had.

Didn't Edward share her bed every night? What the hell was he doing if he wasn't doing Bella? Knowing him he was probably brushing up on his ancient Greek or some shit. Fuck me; he must be worse off than I thought. If she were in my bed nothing would keep me from claiming her.

Hhmm…Bella in my bed. What a fascinating thought. I can picture her chestnut hair fanning across my pillow as she distorts with pleasure. Squirming beneath me, seeking the friction she so desperately needs, and screaming my name. That one word is almost my undoing. She begins to tease me with her moans and I start to lose it…

Fuck, Whitlock! Focus. You're on a mission. Burritos and ice cream. If that's what Bella wants that's what Bella shall have. I can't wait to see the look in her eyes as I present her with her dinner. The smallest things always make her so happy and, after the events of the past day, I think she's earned a little bit of happy.

After purchasing the foul smelling burrito I head to the grocery store. I walk up and down the aisles and wonder how humans can ingest this shit. Not one thing I've seen looks even remotely appetizing. I finally find the ice cream and make my purchase. As I head back to the car an overwhelming burst of fear crashes into me and I look around the parking lot scanning for the source. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary I jump into the car and head back to the hotel. I try in vain to calm down and feel myself project the feeling. Flinging myself out of the car I catch the scents of both Bella and Alice in front of the taxi stand. Shit. I told them to stay in the room. What the fuck were they doing outside? I throw my keys to the valet, run up to the suite and burst through the door. I see Alice sitting alone on the sofa and from the looks of it she wishes it would swallow her whole.

I start pacing around in an attempt to not destroy everything in sight.

"Where's Bella? I can't hear her in the bedroom and she isn't out here with you. Why did you leave the hotel? What the fuck is going on Alice?" She fidgets with her hands, shame and determination rolling off her, but she doesn't answer.

"Alice, what did you do? Where is she?" I'm seething, venom pooling in my mouth. The Major is rattling his cage and I need to find out where Bella is before he takes control.

"I sent her to see James."

"You did what? Jesus Alice, how could you be so reckless? She has no chance of surviving." She flinches at my roar but stands up and looks me dead in the eye.

"That's just it Jasper. If I didn't let her go she would have died. Every future I looked at she died. Edward kills her and we can't stop it. This was the only way to ensure she lives. Please don't be mad." She breaks down in sobs and I can't help but hold her. She had a very difficult decision to make and I can only pray she made the right one.

Suddenly another wave of fear comes over me, and it sure as hell didn't come from Alice. This is the second time today I've felt an emotion from afar and the second time I projected calm into the ether. I need to ask Carlisle about this, but first things first.

"Okay Alice, start from the beginning…"

A/N – What do we think? Love it? Hate it? And as always thanks for reading. You will all be rewarded with a foul-mouthed Bella. And if you're good girls and boys, a certain Major might come out to play. **Smooches**