Chapter Twenty Five
Bella
When I heard voices outside my room I remained silent, trying to hear what they were saying. I couldn't make out individual words but suddenly I knew it was Jasper out there. The ache in my chest eased and I felt more at peace. I hammered on the door desperately,
"Jasper help"
My voice shocked me, I hadn't heard it in so long and it was hoarse. A feeling of calm spread through me, he was here, he'd come for me as I knew he would and I touched the door hoping my hand could feel him through the wood.
"Stand away Bella"
So Peter was with him, I stood to one side as there was a terrible crash and the door flew through the air to slam against the far wall. Two figures came in with it and I fell into Jaspers arms, a feeling of contentment flooding through me. I found myself picked up and carried into the corridor before he began to run, so fast the walls were a blur. I wound my arms around his neck and closed my eyes as he ran with me, Peter behind us running backwards. We crashed through another door and I opened my eyes for a second to see a sunlit square before closing them again. How they got through without being seen I had no idea, speed alone I guessed but I never heard any gasps or screams. We didn't slow down for a long time but I heard Peter talking to someone on his cell phone and a few minutes later we came to a halt and I opened my eyes again. I was passed from Jaspers arms to Rosalie's very gently and felt a cold hand on my cheek.
"Bella, Rose and Emmett will take you with them. As soon as I'm sure you aren't being followed we'll join you. Just remember, I love you"
His cool lips on mine were heaven and then he was gone, no we were gone. Emmett was driving way too fast but I knew he had the reflexes to keep us safe. Rose sat in the back with me, a smile on her face as she brushed my hair back,
"Can't you stay out of trouble for a few hours Bella?"
I started to smile then remembered the fire.
"What happened Rose?"
She grimaced,
"You were kidnapped by the Volturi and they set your father's house on fire. Two bodies were found, we don't know whose yet but one was supposed to be you"
"That's why my ring is missing. Did Jasper get it back...oh God he thought I was dead didn't he?"
"Just for a little while. Sam Uley worked it out with him and they've been looking for you ever since."
"Sam Uley? The wolves helped Jazz?"
I didn't understand, my head ached and my stomach churned. I begged Emmett to stop and was violently sick at the roadside, Rose rubbing my back. Once I was finished we set off again and Rose handed me a bottle of water to rinse my mouth out.
"Sorry Rose, all the tension I think"
"Its OK Bella, you've been through a lot."
i asked her what had happened and she explained all she knew.
"We don't know about Charlie, I'm sorry Bella"
I nodded, starting to cry, and she put her arm around me, hugging me close as I soaked the shoulder of her blouse. We drove for hours before I heard voices and Emmet's booming voice then the car started again and Rose heaved a sigh of relief.
"Where are we? Will Jazz catch up soon?"
"We're in Switzerland Bella and I'm sure both Jazz and Peter will catch up soon. They're just making sure Aro doesn't send any bloodhounds after you."
"But why did he want me in the first place?"
"No idea Bella, you'll have to ask them when they get here. You look really pale, I think we should stop somewhere so you can eat."
I was hungry but when I sat down in a roadside Café with Rose the smell turned my stomach.
"Try to eat something Bella"
I chose a tuna salad, I loved tuna but I couldn't eat it. I managed a little of the salad, a milk shake, and some bread and butter, but within half an hour I brought it all back up again.
"Right we need somewhere for Bella to rest, she's obviously stressed out."
Emmett pulled into a hotel forecourt and a little while later I was in bed, curtains pulled against the afternoon sun with hot milk and dry toast. It took a while but I eventually dozed off clutching Rose's hand to make sure she stayed with me.
Rose
Bella was very pale and there were dark smudges under her eyes. I was worried she was sick, especially as she couldn't keep anything down apart from the milk and toast she'd had before she went to sleep. When my phone went I was relieved,
"How's Bella?"
"Asleep Jazz but I think this has really upset her.. How long are you going to be?"
"Should be with you in the next couple of days. Look after her Rose. And Rose..."
"Yes"
"Tell her I love her"
"Will do"
Bella was very restless and still too pale for my liking so when Emmett joined us I left him with her, holding her hand and I found a Pharmacy. I picked up some stomach powders, a thermometer, and flu remedies, hoping I wouldn't need anything else. The stock in the car was almost exhausted. When I got back she'd woken and immediately thrown up, poor Emmett was doing his best but he was relieved to see me. I helped Bella clean up and while she was in the shower I rang Jazz.
"What's wrong Rose? Is it Bella? Is she OK?"
He wasn't his usual cool collected self.
"OK stop Jazz. She's been sick again and she looks so pale, I'm worried. Do you think I should try to contact Carlisle?"
He hesitated, again out of character for him,
"OK I'll be there as soon as I can. Look after her Rose."
If I hadn't known better I would have said he was keeping something back. I rang the hospital Carlisle was working in and I was in luck, he was in his office.
Carlisle
I hadn't spoken to Rose since Esme told me Bella had come to the house for help. I'd been staggered to hear what she had said, after all we owed Bella something for the way we'd left her. Rose and Emmett had gone after them and I'd waited to hear more, hoping Bella hadn't thought I felt the same way Esme did so when the switchboard told me Rosalie Hale was on the line I answered eagerly.
"Rose its good to hear from you. Are you OK? Is Bella? What happened?"
"We need your help Carlisle. Bella's sick and I have no idea what to do"
I made her tell me exactly what was wrong and what she'd done.
"Well it could be stress, or a stomach bug, or something she's eaten. I'd have to see her to tell you more. Where are you?"
When she told me I thought about my shifts for the next week, I could get them covered, enough of the other doctors owed me favours.
"OK I'll get a flight, Emmett can meet me at the airport. In the meantime keep her hydrated and rested."
I packed a bag with a few things just in case and rang the Airport. I had a friend who flew a Private Jet which I'd used on occasion and as luck would have it he was free. I just had time to go home, pack and tell Esme where I was going. I was surprised how upset she was.
"You're dropping everything to run to Bella's side? After I sent her away! Carlisle, she's damaged our family, doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"Esme, she's sick and Rose asked for my help, I couldn't turn her down."
"Yes you could but you won't. Your devotion to duty, healing the sick, clouds your judgement sometimes Carlisle. What will Edward say when he hears? Or Alice? You don't care about their feelings do you?"
"Of course but why should Edward care? He was the one who broke it off not Bella, and Alice, well she made it very clear she was better off without Jasper. I'll talk to them when I get back"
"What about me? Don't my feelings matter? You're leaving me here alone?"
"I didn't think you'd want to come. You made your feelings about Bella very clear"
"Yes and you obviously don't care, don't take me and my feelings into consideration at all. I don't want you to go Carlisle"
"Esme I gave my word to Rose"
"Then go, if they are more important than me, go"
"Esme I love you, but as a Doctor I have a responsibility to the sick. Come with me"
She shook her head, her face hard and bitter,
"Just go"
Then she went into her workroom and slammed the door, a problem that would have to wait if I were to do as I'd promised Rose. Sighing I said goodbye to Esme through the closed door and grabbed my car keys off the hall table.