A/N: I have been pleasantly surprised and ecstatic by the support I have received on this story. To the many people that have followed, favored, and read this story, I am grateful! My reviewers have been phenomenal and I have loved reading everything that you have had to say. Thank you much for it all. You rock! Let me know what you think of the next installment.

Chapter 11 – Bait, Breaks, and Hugs

It had been a week since the strange vampire had been in Bella's house and since then there had been no further incident. They had not caught a scent or found any indication of a rogue vampire anywhere in the vicinity. The Cullen's had been on the lookout, but thus far had not found anything.

Carlisle wanted to be sure that all of the bases were covered and decided that he needed to contact the wolves and warn them about the possibility of a new vampire and to fill them in about what happened. He did not want them to be caught unaware. It would also give additional resources for the search and more man power for Bella's protection. Although everyone agreed that it was the best decision, no one liked it, not even Bella. Including the wolves meant including Jacob and she was still not happy with that particular wolf man.

Bella started to feel like she was under house arrest. Edward was watching her at school and Jasper was always there before and after school. He would take her to school and drop her off, staying with her at night. On a rare occasion, they would change it up and she was taken to the Cullen house after school instead of going home. She knew the wolves were always in the woods around her house and the school. Her friends were around before the break in and she would hang out with her friends, Jasper was there a lot the weeks before, but when you are told where to be and what to do, it was completely different. She was starting to feel claustrophobic.

Jasper knew that she was feeling the pressure from being constantly watched. He also knew that she was about to blow and needed a break. So when he picked her up one day, he started driving the opposite direction of her house.

After a few minutes of driving Bella realized that they were not headed towards her house anywhere else she recognized and suddenly got really curious really fast, "Where are we going?"

"Well, I figured you needed a break and thought that you would like to go for a drive. Maybe we can grab a bite while we are out," he smirked at her.

She gave him a large dazzling smile, "Yes, yes that sounds really good right now!" She honestly didn't care that Jasper was there, to be able to get away from the pressure and the watchful eyes of everyone else felt freeing. She wanted to yell jail break and instead found herself laughing.

Jasper watched her and smiled. When she started to laugh, his smile grew and he felt something in his chest. He knew he made the right decision when she looked at him and her eyes sparkled and she seemed more relaxed. If a simple drive could do this much for her, he would make sure he did this more often. He would always be there to protect her, but he could do that on a small drive to make sure she didn't feel so cagey. He knew that feeling and he didn't want that for her. She deserved better. She deserved to have all of her dreams come true and to not have her life be drawn into this dark and twisted supernatural world. He didn't know how he was going to do it, but he would make sure she got everything she wanted. She was his best friend and that is what friends did for each other, wasn't it?

Bella wondered about the strange look that appeared on Jasper's face. It wasn't a bad look, just a reflective one. He had definitely become one of her good friends and she knew that he would protect her at all costs. She realized that out of everyone in her life right now, she trusted Jasper more than she trusted anyone else right now. She wasn't sure how it happened, but she knew that he was special.

They weren't gone too long, but they were gone long enough to distress a bit and let Bella grab some food from a drive thru. It was over too soon, but at least she had gotten a break from her new reality and she was thankful for that little bit of time. Part of her was ready for Victoria to just make a move, but another part of her was scared of what would happen to her friends when something finally happened. She didn't want to see anyone she knew hurt by the psycho queen or any minions she may have gathered. The thought of something happening to Jasper made her physically sick. She told herself that it was just because they had gotten so close and were there for each other lately. It couldn't be anything else, right?

Jasper pulled into the driveway at the Cullen house and shut off the engine. He turned and looked at his friend sitting next to him, "You ok Bella?"

"Yah, it was nice to get away from it all. I guess it is back to house arrest," she joked with a hint of sadness.

Jasper knew that she was trying to make light of the situation, but unfortunately it was what it was, "I'm sorry darlin'. If I could change it I would."

"I know, its fine Jasper, I just don't like waiting," she offered him a small smile.

He studied her for a minute and then smiled, "Ok, let's go."

Bella moved to open the door but before she could, it was wrenched open for her, "What's going on out here? Trying to keep her all to yourself Jazz?" Emmett was trying to give both of them a hard time.

"If I was you, I would back off because I can still take you," Jasper smirked.

"No, you think you can take me," Emmett said as he grabbed Bella and threw her over his shoulder and ran into the house. Jasper was on his heels.

Bella was quickly deposited on the couch before Jasper could get to her. He grabbed Emmett after she was dropped and they started to wrestle around.

Carlisle and Esme heard the commotion and walked in to their two sons rolling around on the ground. Esme rolled her eyes and took a deep breath before she yelled, "Take it outside you two!"

Emmett and Jasper immediately stopped their play and looked up to the raised voice. Esme was standing over them with hands on hips. Jasper had Emmett in a head lock which could easily have been broken. They weren't seriously wrestling, but upon looking around, they noticed that they had broken a vase and the furniture had been pushed around. They jumped up and apologized while trying to hold in their laughter. Everyone including Bella could hear Esme mutter "boys" when she walked out of the room and soon the laughter could not be held in any longer.

"If you two are done horsing around, I suggest you two straighten up the room before she comes back," Carlisle said chuckling.

The two perpetrators in question immediately started to clean up and were done in less than five minutes. Bella regarded vampire speed and was in awe, she would love to be able to complete tasks faster and in a smaller amount of time.

"Oh crap, I forgot to call my dad!" Bella said quickly getting up and grabbing her phone from her bag. She had a missed call from Charlie and immediately dialed his phone number. When he answered, she didn't give him much of a chance to talk, "Sorry dad! Jasper and I worked on a project and then grabbed a bite to eat and I lost track of time."

Charlie laughed, "You apparently didn't listen to your voicemail did you Bells?"

"Um no, I saw that you called and just called you back."

"I am on my way out of town to go fishing with Jacob and Harry," her dad responded still chuckling.

"Ok then, sorry," Bella said sheepishly.

"It's alright. Just be careful, I will be gone for the next four days," Billy explained. "I will talk to you later. I love you."

"Love you too dad," Bella said and hung up the phone.

"Everything ok?" Jasper asked her.

"Yah. He was just letting me know that he was going on a fishing trip with Harry and Jake. They are going to be gone for four days," she explained as she pocketed her phone.

"Sam said something about Harry and Charlie going on a fishing trip. I guess he decided to send protection along," Carlisle said.

"Have we heard anything? Are there any updates?" Bella anxiously asked.

"Sorry Bells, nothing has changed," Emmett said looking down at his friend. He wished he could do more for her right now, but they were in a holding pattern.

"It's ok; I am just getting a little antsy. I will be alright. Where are Rose and Edward?" Bella asked in order to change the subject.

"Hunting," was the simple answer she received from Emmett.

Esme walked back into the room and looked around with an approving smile, "Bella since your dad is gone, why don't you stay here for the next few days?"

Before Bella could answer, Jasper was shaking his head no and answering in her place, "That isn't a good idea. If that vampire went to her house once, it may come back and if she is gone we may miss him or her. The best idea is to have Bella still stay at her house in case that vamp comes back."

"I'm bait?" Bella questioned sounding on the verge of hysterics.

Jasper was immediately at her side and pulled her into his arms, "We are going to protect you, but Victoria is up to something and she won't look for you here. She will be looking for you at your house. I won't leave you alone there. I promise." She nodded against his chest and he felt her put her arms around his waist. He was trying to calm her shaking, but he knew she was scared and realizing she was the bait made the fear come to the surface. He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head while murmuring soothing words to her and used his gift to send calming waves to her. Soon the shaking was gone and she was more relaxed.

"Thanks Jasper," Bella murmured not moving from his arms. She was safe there and she wasn't ready to pull back. "I just want all of this to end."

"I know darlin', I know," Jasper whispered into her hair.

Esme, Carlisle, and Emmett looked on at the sight before them. It apparently wasn't only Jasper that clung to Bella, but Bella clung to Jasper. The trio wondered what was happening between the two. What was growing between them? Was it more than friendship? They didn't understand what they were witnessing and knew that it might be nothing, but they also knew that it could be the beginning of something big for both of them.