Chapter Forty Six

Charlotte

I rang Jasper and was surprised when Peter answered,

"Did I mis-dial?"

"Nah, the Major just popped out for dinner leaving me with the human and boy is she tasty."

I heard a giggle in the background,

"So beauty has melted the heart of the beast!"

"Yeah yeah, what did you want Char maybe I can help? I'm just popping out for sex on the cell phone Bells. Back in a minute"

I heard the door close.

"I take it you can talk now?"

"Yes. I just didn't want to upset Bella, she's still pretty weak and tearful. So what's up?"

"I just had Carlisle Cullen on the phone. He wants to speak to Jasper. I think he's trying to smooth things between him and Jake".

"Right, you want me to speak to him?"

"Can you be diplomatic Peter? If not I'll ask him to wait until Jasper gets back"

"I can be diplomatic when its called for. Give me his number, I'll speak to him"

I passed on Carlisle's number with some trepidation.

Carlisle

I ushered Alice and Jake out before the Jasper returned my call, it was going to be difficult enough without Jake breathing down my neck. When it rang I picked up immediately, I didn't want to give him any excuse to ring off.

"Major"

"Sorry Carlisle you got the Captain, the Major is busy right now. How can I help you?"

"Oh, I really wanted to speak to him"

"Yeah well, I really wanted a date with a hot nude model so I guess we're both outta luck"

"Very well. I understand Jake rang and asked if he could see Bella. I think he and Alice just want to put their own minds at rest."

"I understood it was more of a demand Carlisle."

"Well Jake isn't the most diplomatic of people".

"That makes two of us, so why don't you stop beating about the bush and just spit it out before I fall asleep with boredom"

"I think it would be a good idea if Alice and Jake saw or at least spoke to Bella. They are genuinely worried about her and they did help to find her."

"It might have been better if they didn't lose her in the first place then we wouldn't have had to trace her. She's not really up to visitors yet Carlisle, but I'll pass your concerns along to the Major."

"I don't think that will be good enough Captain, they're coming to see her anyway and I thought I might accompany them just in case things get a bit heated."

"I think if they turn up here things will get fucking incandescent not just heated."

"There's no need for that kind of language, I was merely telling you their point of view"

"Well Carlisle I'm not really the diplomatic type but I've tried very hard to be nice to you. The best thing you can do is to tell those two to stay the fuck away from Bella. I'll pass your message to the Major but don't hold your breath for a call from him."

I put the phone down

"Prick!"

When I got back inside Bella was sitting in the chair by the door with it open slightly,

"Hey you been listening in?"

She nodded,

"You handled that very well Peter. What did Carlisle want?"

"Oh Bella don't make me tell. The Major will have my balls for letting you overhear as it is. Come on back to bed before he gets back and sees you"

I picked her up and walked back to the bed, intending to put her down gently but I caught my foot on the comforter which had dropped off the edge and we went down in a sprawl of arms and legs, my weight crushing the breath out of her. As she groaned I was pulled violently backwards and thrown out of the door which slammed at my back.

Jasper

I couldn't stay away from Bella for long so I grabbed a delicacy out of a nearby alley and drained him fast before making my way back in the shadows. As I got to the door I saw Peter laying on top of Bella who was thrashing around unable to get her breath. Seeing red I picked him up and threw him outside slamming the door in his wake. I picked Bella up and cradled her to my chest.

"I'm so sorry Bella I never thought for a second that Peter would attack you. He hasn't bitten you has he?"

I pulled her away to check for injuries. She shook her head and took a few deep breaths.

"He wasn't attacking me. I got up while he was on the phone to listen and he was trying to put me back to bed, he tripped on the cover and fell."

I looked at her skeptically,

"Really? You aren't just covering for him are you?"

"No she's not and I'll thank you not to send me into orbit without checking I deserve it first next time"

Peter was standing in the doorway, hair on end and shirt sleeve missing.

Bella

My heart went out to Peter when I saw him but I felt safe and grateful that Jasper had acted so swiftly on perceiving me in danger. I took Jaspers fist in my hand,

"It's OK Jasper, I'm fine. It was an accident. I know peter wouldn't hurt me."

Peter nodded,

"I'm glad someone realizes it. I could have broken something"

"I'd have paid if you did"

"I mean my neck not the fucking motel property."

I couldn't help laughing, although Jasper had thrown Peter out thinking he was endangering me they both saw the funny side of it now. If Peter had been attacking me I knew the outcome would have been far different and more deadly. These two truly were friends.

"So are you going to tell Jasper what you said to Carlisle?"

Peter glared at me,

"No and neither are you Bella Swan".

Jasper looked at Peter serious now,

"Carlisle Cullen rang me?"

"Yeah, he wanted to persuade you to let Jake and Alice see Bella."

"And what exactly did you tell them?"

"Over, hell, when, freezes, You rearrange the words."

Jasper sighed and looked at me,

"Do you want to see them Bella?"

I shook my head,

"I don't want to see anyone right now"

"That's fine by me. You don't want to speak to your Dad or let him know you're alive?"

"NO." I panicked. "I just want some time on my own."

Peter looked at Jasper, "So what do we do?"

"We find Bella somewhere safe she can be on her own and we tell the others where to go".

I put a hand to my mouth,

"Can't I go back with you?"

Peter looked at me

"Go where Bells? You want to stay at our place because its familiar? That's fine we'll get you all set then move on for a while. I'll ring Char and let her know."

I grabbed his hand as he got up,

"No. I don't want that".

Jasper stroked my hair,

"Bella we're a little confused. You tell us what you want to do and we'll sort it out for you. Where do you want to go?"

I wiped away the tears that had started to fall again,

"I want to go home with you and Peter."

He nodded, "Fine. Then we'll take you there."

"But I don't want you to go"

Peter sighed,

"I must be fucking thick or something because you aren't making any sense Bells. You want to go back with us to my place but you don't want us to go. Now I know were pretty fucking slick but its difficult for us to take you back there without going as well."

I sniffed and wiped my face with my hand,

"I want to go home with you two and I want to stay at your place."

"Great, with you so far. Then you want to be alone right?"

"Yes".

"So we go away then you are alone. That's how it works Bells. If we're there you aren't alone. Hello, am I getting through?"

Jasper smiled at me,

"I think what Bella's saying is that she wants to go back home with us and she doesn't want to see anyone else."

I nodded, "Yeah I get that bit"

"I don't think we're included in the not seeing anyone bit. She wants to be alone with us"

"Well why the fuck didn't she just say that. Remember Bella I'm an ignorant country boy. You have to spell things out simply."

I leaned forward and grabbed his hand,

"Peter, I want to go home to your place and stay with you, Char and Jasper. Is that OK?"

He hesitated then grinned,

"Sounds like a plan to me girl" and he leaned forward to kiss me on the cheek.

"Don't push it Captain" I heard Jasper say under his breath.