Chap 36
Peter
I'd had enough of this fucking nonsense, I wanted to know that Bella was still alive. The whole thing had been a mistake. I should never have gone to Forks in the first place. I pulled away from the others and set off back to the caves, Em following me "If he kills her I blame you" I snapped at him. "He won't. Rose knows these things". I just couldn't believe their naivety "Oh yeah? She has no idea what he's capable of. Bella could be laying in one of these caves raped and torn to bits by now". Em shook his head, "Nah, he wouldn't hurt her, he loves her". I pulled my hair in frustration, Em, he's not the nice quiet little boy you knew. He's hurting and angry and pissed off. In fact I'd say he's about ready to let the Major have full rein. Do you have any idea what that means? I do I've seen it and let me tell you, it's not a pretty fucking sight. Now come on".
We ran the rest of the way and I stood looking at the rocks in front of us. Em studied them "Any ideas?" I shook my head then listened, "Can you hear her heartbeat?" Em cocked his head to one side, "Yeah over that way" and he pointed. "See" he said triumphantly "She's still alive and kicking". "Whoopdedoo, lets hope she stays that way" I snapped. We picked our way as silently as we could across the boulders until I saw a cave opening. From inside I could hear a voice murmuring. Em came up behind me and kicked some loose rocks that clattered away. I raised my eyebrows. "Well done Em. May as well shout out we're here".
As I said this there was a terrible snarling, then we heard her voice. "Peter go away please. He's OK just a bit confused. If you have a jacket could you throw it in, only its cold in here". I was amazed, she's sitting in the dark with a thirsty, angry vampire, and she's worried about the temperature! I took off my thick jacket and threw it as far into the cave as I could. Em took his off too, "Are you sure you're OK" he shouted. There was silence then "Yes. I'm fine. We just need some time. When Jasper's ready we'll come to the house so you may as well go back there. Thanks". I waited a few more minutes but she remained silent. Em touched my shoulder, "Time to go bro"'. I didn't like it but I realized we weren't helping standing here, just racking up the Major's stress levels.
Bella
I waited until I thought they had gone then I stood up, "Jasper I'm going to get a coat, but I'll be back in a second. As i fumbled in my pocket for the tiny torch I felt something brush against my face and settle around my shoulders, it was a coat, Emmett's by the smell of it and I realized Jasper had collected the coat's for me. I found my torch and clicked it on. Jasper was kneeling in front of me, his eyes black with thirst, his beautiful face showing dark smudges under those eyes. He was staring at me with such longing that I couldn't help but react. I brought my arms up slowly and wrapped them around his neck, pulling his head forward to rest on my shoulder. He was so tense I thought he would shatter, but he followed the pressure and as his head touched my shoulder I heard a sigh of relief. I rocked him back and forth like a baby until my knees were raw, rubbing his back and kissing his tangled hair. "It's OK Jasper, I'm here. I'll always be here for you".
Jasper
I heard the exchange between her and Peter, she was cold sitting here with me, but she wasn't leaving, just asking for a coat. She wasn't deserting me, but staying here in the dark with the monster, trusting that he wouldn't hurt her. She was more confident than me, I could feel the beast roaring for her blood but I couldn't let him have her, she was my only hope at salvation. I couldn't lose this final throw of the dice. I passed her silently and picked up the coats hearing Emmett's final words and thanking him silently for his trust. When she told me what she was going to do I was already kneeling before her, coats in hand. I draped one around her shoulders and she never flinched. When she turned on her tiny light and saw my face so close to her she didn't draw back or even gasp but held her arms out and enfolded me in them. My head touched her shoulder and again I experienced that peace and contentment.
Bella
Eventually my knees could take no more and I tried to shift position. Jasper tensed immediately and I knew he thought I was trying to pull away from him. His mind was so fragile I had to be careful. "Jasper would you mind if I sat on the other coat, my knees are killing me". He relaxed again, pulling away to pick me up and sit with me in his lap. He curled his arms around me and rested his cheek against my hair. Again I heard the contented sigh and he relaxed more. We sat for hours in the dark and slowly the light filtered in, changing the blackness to dark grey.
I lifted his arms to stand and stretch my aching limbs, feeling the icy cold of the rock in my muscles. He sat cross-legged watching me. "The sun is up, shall we go outside? It'll be warmer for me" I asked. At first he hesitated so I held my hand out. He unfolded and took it with his white marble fingers caressing the back of mine. I walked slowly to the entrance tugging when he faltered.