Chapter Twenty Seven.

Jasper

I made her as comfortable as I could at the back of the villa which was in better repair, then went to buy food. I couldn't take her with me, the Volturi might still be looking in the area. While I was out she'd taken the opportunity to change her clothes for an old tee shirt and pants of mine from my flight bag and I had to say they looked one hell of a lot better on her than me.

"I hope you don't mind only I didn't have anything with me and after I washed I couldn't put my dirty stuff back on. I've washed mine out so it'll be dry in a few hours."

"No problem Bella. Take whatever you need"

"You seem to be well equipped" she said motioning to my bag.

"I keep it packed and in my car, just in case"

"Oh well, thanks anyway. How long will we have to stay here?"

The last was said around a mouthful of fresh bread I'd just bought.

"Not long hopefully. I can find somewhere more comfortable for you, somewhere you can have some space for yourself. It can't be easy stuck in here with me."

"I don't mind" she said shyly.

I couldn't work Bella Swan out, she didn't seem to be afraid of me or nervous even and she wasn't angry with me any more so that was something.

The next day her ankle was less painful and she went out to explore the courtyard while I phoned Peter. In truth I'd rather have just stayed here with her, just the two of us, but that wasn't practical and I didn't think she'd want that in any case although the emotions I was getting from her just confused the hell out of me, when I got anything at all.

Peter

I thought we'd lost both of them, no call, nothing, for two days after he left.

"I'm going over there"

"What good will that do? If they are dead or captured you'll just add to the score and if they got away you could get captured yourself and if you don't how will you know where to look?"

"Dammit woman, I can't just do nothing. I'd like to get hold of that double-crossing bitch Alice Cullen."

"I don't think that's likely do you? She wont come back here knowing we know about her. We should tell Carlisle you know."

"Yeah I guess you're right. You coming with me to give him the good news?"

She agreed to come with me, more to keep me under control than anything but I appreciated her by my side.

When we got to the Cullen house Carlisle was waiting,

"What did Alice do?"

"What makes you think she did anything?"

"You wouldn't be here if she hadn't and where's Jasper?"

"No fucking idea Carlisle. Alice handed Bella over to the Volturi and Jasper went to try to get her back. That was four days ago and we haven't heard anything since. Have you?"

"I had a message from Alice apologising for what she'd done. But she didn't say what it was. She handed Bella to Aro?"

"Well over to the Volturi guard, they ambushed her on her way from the Reservation. I found her truck and her cell phone. Do you know what Charlie thinks?"

"Yes. As soon as I realised Bella was missing I rang Charlie and told him Bella was upset at breaking up with Jasper and was staying here with Alice for the long weekend but he will want her home soon or she'll be missing school. Do you have any idea if she's safe?"

"No. Until we hear from Jasper we have to assume they are both in Volterra."

"They aren't."

"How the fuck do you know?"

"I have a friend in Volterra and he hasn't seen either of them but there has been a rather heated scene between Aro and Jane. So I think its safe to assume that Jasper got Bella away from them."

"Thank fuck for that."

All we could do now was wait but I knew Carlisle was right, Charlie would be on our tails if Bella wasn't back soon. I had no idea what we could do or say to stop him blowing his top if we couldn't produce her or a fucking good excuse and I cursed him for the continued silence. Then Chars cell phone buzzed and she gave me a thumbs up.

"Hi there Major. Got your girl I hear"

"Yeah, we're at the old villa, Peter will know where I mean"

"That's all well and good but Charlie is getting worried. What do we tell him?"

"I don't think its safe for her in Forks."

"Maybe not but if you don't want Interpol on your trail you need to show your face here with us."

"What about Bella?"

I took the phone from her,

"Major, how about asking Em and Rose to babysit her for a few days? You really need to get your ass back here ASAFP."

There was a silence and I knew he didn't like it but we were all associated with Bella and needed to show she wasn't with us.

"OK Send them if they'll come. I'll meet them at the airport and tell them where to go."

We went back to the Cullens to speak to Em and Rose. He was more than happy to help out but Rose flatly refused to get involved with the Volturi He loved all the cloak and dagger crap so was as happy as a pig in shit. Rose kicked off but Em just ignored her as only he could.

Jasper

Bella wasn't happy at the idea of being left here with Emmett and Rose but she understood the need for me to be seen in Forks.

"I'll only be gone a week at the most. I wish you could come with me but I really don't think you would be safe in Forks."

"How about if I rang Charlie?"

"Good idea but what will you tell him?"

"I don't know...how about I'm really upset about things and I need some space so Alice and I have gone away for a few weeks."

"And he's going to be happy with that?"

"No but if I lay it on about Renee he might wear it."

"Without causing trouble for Carlisle?"

"Carlisle can look after himself I'm sure. They can be two worried fathers together."

"OK You can try it but I still have to go back."

I hated the idea and Bella clung to me like a small child. We needed to talk because over the past couple of days something had grown between us and it was still unacknowledged by either. I knew I had feelings for her, feelings I needed to talk to someone about, Charlotte I thought. Whether she felt the same way I didn't know because whenever I tried to feel her emotions her shield came up and prevented me. Was it conscious or unconscious? I had no idea.

I left Bella at the villa, it was safer she not be seen in Pisa in case the Volturi were still looking for her. Em had a huge smile on his face when he met me outside the airport,

"Hey Jazz, you got a lady who needs a bodyguard?"

"Just keep her safe until I get back. Keep her out of sight and amused. She's got a bad ankle so she can't walk far yet."

"Hey I know just the thing for that."

"Don't even think about it Em or I'll have to tell Rose"

"Have a heart Jazz, I'll behave."

"She wouldn't come?"

"No she wont get involved with the Volturi."

"Fair enough. I just thought Bella might be more at ease with a woman around."

"She'll be fine with me now go. Your flight takes off soon and I've got a damsel in distress to see to."

Edward

I watched as they met at the airport and Jasper told him how to find the villa. He'd done a good job of keeping her safe and now it was my turn to be the hero, she was so beautiful and so desirable, and I knew if I played my cards right I could sweep her off her feet now he was out of the way. Neither of them knew I was here and watching but they would soon. When Bella and I took off together for a new life away from the threat of the Volturi. All this worry of her mother and Aro! If they had just taken her away from Forks in the first place instead of pussy footing around, Bella would have been safe straight away. With me to keep her safe she need never worry again.