A/N – Thank you all for your lovely reviews. You're all too good to me and I appreciate it. As promised you finally get a looky-loo into Bella's brain. And as your reward for reviewing, here comes The Major!

Disclaimer – I own nothing. S.M. does. If I did, Peter would give Emmett a run for his money in the prank department. I have no beta so all mistakes are mine alone.

Chapter 4

-BPOV-

As the cab pulls away from the hotel I think about the events of the past day. A huge wave of fear overtakes me and I crumble into myself. Why are these vampires after me? I thought I was Edwards's singer, so what was it about me that James finds so appealing? Was it because he believed me to be the Cullen's pet, or was it the chase itself?

For the life of me I will never understand the way vampires work. They always seem to be in control of the situation…but then again I only know how the 'vegetarians' work. Edward once told me that the Cullen's retained more of their humanity since they don't kill humans.

I wish Edward would tell me more about vampires but he's always so secretive about everything and I wonder if he doesn't trust me. I would never divulge his secret. While I understand the need to keep me protected, it does me no good to enter a situation unprepared.

I love him so much and I would never ask him to change, but I think I deserve better. How many times have I woken up in the morning to find my math homework completed? How many papers has he written for me because mine aren't up to his 'standards'? I love the fact that he wants to help, but there are some things I need to do for myself. How am I going to learn anything if I'm not able to make my own mistakes?

Thank god for Alice. I may be walking into a death trap but at least I am doing so fully informed. Alice is the sister I wish I had growing up. I may hate playing dress-up with her but at least, for the most part, she treats me like an adult. She trusts me to do the right thing and when I don't, she is there to help me clean up the mess. She sits with me for hours listening to me talk about my mom and her crazy scheme du jour. She lets me cry on her shoulder when Edward has one of his 'must protect the human' moments. And she's always told me the truth, even when it hurts.

And then there's Jasper. Alice said he loves me. Well if he loves me so much why hasn't he taken the time to get to know me? He has always kept a safe distance from me, participating in whatever is going on from the sidelines. I realize it must be hard for him to be around me since he is the newest 'vegetarian', but I've seen how he looks at me when he thinks I'm not paying attention. His eyes are so full of compassion and goodness that I think he may actually be incapable of hurting me.

Why does he feel the need to stay away from me? I want to know him so badly, to know his story and understand the pain that is so evident in his eyes. It can't be easy feeling the emotions of everyone around you, unable to turn it off. I've seen the scars on his neck that he tries so hard to hide, but does he honestly think I'll run away once I know how he got them? I love my new family, I really do. But out of all of them, Jasper is the one I desperately need to know.

And it doesn't hurt that he looks like walking sex-on-a-stick. Edward looks every bit the 17 year old boy that he is, almost fragile. He is tall and graceful and looks as if he could break at any moment. Don't get me wrong. He is a very sexy man but he doesn't have that raw, almost animalistic energy about him that Jasper does. Jasper is a few inches taller than Edward and built like a god. Wide shoulders, muscular legs, and an ass you can bounce a quarter off of. But I think his chest is my favorite bit. How safe and loved I would feel with his strong arms wrapped around me and my head buried in his marble chest. I can see the difference in the way they look at me. Edward looks like the type to make sweet, sweet love in a bed surrounded by candles and Debussy. Jasper, on the other hand, looks like he would throw you over his shoulder and run off into the woods to have his way with you. He would claim and be claimed all the while letting you feel how much he loves you. Edward would be gentle yet disciplined. Jasper would be overwhelming passion and desire.

I suppose comparing the two isn't the best idea I've ever had, but the thought of being close to Jasper excites the hell out of me and I'm not sure why.

Maybe it's Edward's fault. Could he be the one who told Jasper to keep away? I wouldn't put it past him. Maybe it's all in a day's work in his misguided attempt to protect me. Does he trust his brother so little he would make Jasper stay scarce?

Hmmm…that was strange. As soon as I started thinking about Jasper a strong sense of calm overtakes me. I know he has the ability to manipulate my emotions but I thought he had to be in close proximity. I felt the same thing in the hotel room while I was sleeping.

I was having the same dream I've had every night since meeting Edward. We start to kiss. Chaste kisses at first but then they become deeper, more passionate. I lay back on the bed, pulling Edward towards me. He follows my lead and lays over me, being sure to keep his weight off me. I grab his hair and pull his lips to mine, my tongue seeking entrance. He refuses, as per usual, and begins running his hands over my arms. I pull him closer seeking more contact. All of the sudden he is on the other side of the room and I'm alone in my bed. He gives me the standard 'We can't do this Bella', and jumps out my window into the cold night.

Usually I wake up feeling rejected and unwanted but today I woke up feeling happier and more loved than I've felt in a long time. Was Jasper helping me sleep? Some part of me remembers his hand in mine, his velvety voice whispering soothing words. Well if that's what it feels like to wake up next to him, I wouldn't mind him being there every morning.

Whoa Bella…I thought you wanted to wake up with Edward by your side.

I guess I did, but lately he has become so clingy. He looks at me like I'm some sort of possession and he never lets me out of his sight. He watches me sleep, he changed his class schedule to match mine, and he even drives me to and from school. Come to think of it, I haven't had a moment to myself since I met him.

Until now.

So here I am, riding towards certain death in the Taxi of Doom and as messed up as it is, I feel at peace for the first time in a month. I wish Jasper was here. I may not know him very well, but I have a feeling that he would hold my hand and tell me that everything was going to work out fine while sending me feelings of calm and pride. I can imagine resting in his marble arms feeling secure. Jasper was the type of man who would always stand by my side. He would keep me safe.

Okay Bells, if we live through this shit, we need to consider making some serious life changes. You're supposed to be thinking about the man you love most in this world. Not his brother.

Well fuck it. If it's Jasper I'm thinking about in my hour of need, then maybe I should do something about it.

At that moment we pull into the parking lot of the ballet studio. I feel the familiar buzz of my cell phone so I pull it out of my pocket expecting a text from Alice. Not recognizing the number I pull up the text and begin to read.

'It ain't gonna be easy, sugar, but you're gonna come out of this a much stronger woman. Just remember to hold your head high and believe in yourself. What my brother said is true. You are worth it. Keep that in mind when you meet up with this fucker. Oh…and sug, don't worry. The Major is on his way.'

Who the hell was that? And what did he mean by brother? I know it's not Emmett because he's never called me sugar. And it sure as shit isn't Edward, there are far too many grammatical errors. Does Jasper have another brother? I swear to God, if I make it through this shit like my 'mystery texter' seems to think I will, I'm gonna need some serious answers. But for now I guess it's time to pull up the big girl panties and get this shit-show on the road.

Wait… who the fuck is The Major?

-JPOV-

As soon as Alice is finished telling me what she saw, my vision turns red. My body starts to tremble as the lock is broken on the mental cage I've kept closed for decades. I know what's going on and I'm forced to take a backseat. Maybe he can deal with what's about to happen better than I can. I vaguely realize Alice's phone is ringing and I hear Peter's voice as she answers the call.

"Listen up pixie. Fall to your knees, bow your head, and put your hands in front of you, palms out. When the family comes, tell them to do the same. Listen to what he says and follow his directions exactly. You have a plan and it'll work. I know you're scared but don't be. He won't hurt you. Get ready to meet the Major."

-Major's POV-

"Alice, where is Isabella now?"

"The taxi just dropped her off."

"How far away is Edward?"

"He will arrive at the ballet studio in 12 minutes."

"We will leave now. We need to get to the studio before Edward does.

"I'm sorry Major, but if we don't wait for the family my plan won't work and Bella won't make it. I'm not sure why, but I know we need them all.

"Will we reach Isabella in time?"

"Yes, Major."

"Good. Call the family and have them meet us here at the hotel. Inform them of what's going on and tell them to hurry."

"Yes sir."

Alice had better be right. If anything happens to my mate I'll throw her on the pyre myself. Jasper may not know what Isabella means to us yet but I do. I listen in as she speaks to the Cullen's and I am pleased that she's following orders. She hangs up the phone and looks me in the eye. I growl at her and she immediately bows her head in submission.

"When will the doctor and his coven arrive?"

"Seven minutes."

"Good. You've done well Alice. You shall be rewarded when this is over and my mate is safe."

She snaps her head up at me with a shocked expression.

I choose to ignore the disrespect and smirk at her response, "Did you honestly think I didn't know what role Isabella was to play in my life? I knew she was my mate the minute she walked into that infernal high school. How Jasper manages to deal with those human children on a daily basis I will never understand." I shake my head in a rare moment of humor.

"May I speak freely, Major?" I glance up at her words. I see the question in her eye and feel the layers of confusion rolling off her. She may not know me, but Alice has been good to Jasper and I believe she deserves some honest answers.

"Of course, Alice."

"I've known that Bella is your mate for some time. How is it that you know and Jasper doesn't? Aren't you the same person?"

I think about how to reply to her question and I believe full disclosure is the way to go.

"Yes, but I have the ability to keep certain things from him. I knew he wasn't ready to have a human mate so I chose to keep my own counsel. I also knew that Isabella wasn't ready for us. She needed time to understand a few things about herself; to come to these realizations on her own and I believe now she finally has. It was with great difficulty I watched her become close to the mind-reader, but without his childish attempts at love, she would never have known what she truly deserves. Isabella is a strong woman and will be a fierce vampire. She was always destined to be my mate." I thought about my Bella for a moment when a wave of terror washed over me. Alice, knowing Jasper so well, noticed the change in my demeanor.

"What is it Major?"

"It's Isabella. She's frightened."

"How can you tell?" Alice looked genuinely concerned about Bella's well-being and I was pleased that our mate had such a loving sister. I sent Bella a wave of courage with a side dose of pride.

I give her a hard stare, "I can always feel her."

Just then the Cullen's arrive bursting through the door. The coven adopts the same pose as Alice, with the exception of Rosalie. For all of the stories they've heard over the years, they have never actually met me. Rose came close once, though, right after she told me the story of her change. She and Jasper were so close I immediately felt protective of her. When she told me what those bastards did to her all those decades ago, a murderous rage bubbled up. The only thing keeping me from exploding was Rose saying she already disposed of them. All of them. I had never been so proud of anyone in my life. So when she walked into the suite, she kept her head high, looked me dead in the eye, and nodded. I nodded back at her, much to the awe of everyone else. I could feel shock and wonder coming from the doctor, and enormous amounts of pride coming from Rosalie's mate.

I walk over to where Alice is kneeling and, seeing her wither under my gaze, I soften my face and hold my hand out to her. After hesitating for just a moment, she accepts my hand and I pull her to her feet. At that moment the doctor spoke to me.

"Major, what's the plan? How do we save Bella?"

"You will listen to Alice." Again she gasped out in shock, "She is in charge and you will afford her the same respect you do me." I told the males to rise and as we were about to leave the hotel room my phone rang.

"Update, Captain."

"You need to run to the ballet studio. If you drive you won't make it in time. The sun is already down so if you keep to the side streets you should go unnoticed. Alice, Rosalie and Carlisle need to enter through the back door. You and Emmett will enter through the front. You will know what to do once you get there."

"Anything else?"

"Yes Major. Once all threats are eliminated you must let Jasper regain control." And with that Peter hangs up.

I swear to God that this cryptic nonsense will be the death of me. That bastard is the only person on this planet who can get away with that shit, with the possible exception of his wife. Charlotte is one scary woman when she wants to be. Even I wouldn't want to meet her in a dark alley. Shaking my head I look back to the Cullen's.

"Did you all hear that?" After receiving nods from everyone I motion for Alice to start talking. She will tell them the plan while we run to save my mate.

I realize that running through the back streets of Phoenix is faster than driving, but it's still not fast enough for my taste. I need to hold my mate in my arms and know she is safe. I need to claim her. And once she decides to be changed, I will mark her so all of these males who seem to be so interested in her will know that Isabella Swan belongs to Major Jasper Whitlock.

I vaguely hear Alice filling the family in on her visions and our plan to save my Bella. The doctor has his phone out so I assume that his mate back in Washington can hear everything that's going on. In some ways I wish Esme were here instead of the doctor. Never underestimate the lengths a mother will go to protect her own. The sweetest, most doting woman in the world can turn into the most ferocious of warriors when her child is threatened. But if Bella is seriously hurt I need the doctor to assess her injuries.

We finally arrive at the ballet studio and Emmett and I fly through the front door. Taking in the scene before us, any composure I may have had completely disappears. I willingly give in to the monster I was born to be. My eyes turn black as I crouch to attack. The vampire that dare hurt my mate is about to come face to face with the God of War.

A/N – Coming up…The Fight. Three men want Bella but for very different reasons. One for sport, one for blood, and one for love. Who's gonna come out on top? And is anyone ready to meet Peter and Char?