Chapter Nine

Jasper

I couldn't believe what I was hearing although it was much more than I was hoping for, I wanted Bella's itinerary so I could follow and keep an eye on her. The others may have washed their hands of her after she broke with Edward but I was aware she was still in danger and as the only one who meant nothing to the Cullens now, with Alice gone, it was easy for me to just go. I'd told Esme and Carlisle I was leaving and I knew Rose was aware of my decision. No one tried to stop me which was good, I could pack my stuff and just leave. Now Bella was offering to make it even easier for me.

"I would very much like that Bella. It's always better to travel with someone else. I think it might be better if we kept it to ourselves though. Carlisle and Edward wouldn't be very happy and I'm pretty sure Charlie wouldn't like the idea of you travelling with Edwards brother."

"OK it'll be our secret. I'll pick you up outside town about ten in the morning."

I slipped back out of the window when she called my name again,

"Yes Bella?"

"Where are you going to spend the night?"

"In the trees around town"

"You can stay here if you like"

That threw me again, Bella was happy to invite the vampire she thought had attacked her to spend the night in her room. It was tempting but I didn't want to push my luck.

"Thank you for the trust but I think maybe I'll hunt if were going to be in close company for a while"

Her smile warmed me as she shut the window and I carried that smile in my memory for the rest of the night.

Rosalie

When Jasper got back it was late but I needed to speak to him alone. I knew something was wrong and although he'd said very little about Alice leaving it still hurt him deeply. He'd never told anyone what Alice said to him as she left, just disappeared for a few days then reappeared as suddenly but he was changed. He hunted alone much to Emmett's disappointment and the rest of the time he spent in their room, reading or seeming to, but I knew my brother, he was unsettled so when he disappeared that night, the night before Bella Swan left I was waiting for his return. Emmett went to say goodbye although he thought I didn't know and I let him keep his little secret. Personally I was glad to see the back of her, she'd been nothing but trouble for the family. I did wonder if she was what Alice had seen when she told me about the interesting times. Why hadn't she said goodbye to us, or me, or warned she was about to go? We'd have tried to talk her out of it but at least we would have been prepared. As it was her leaving, with the Volturi had shocked us all but not as much as finding out she had married Marcus Volturi. What she saw in him I had no idea, he was silent and morose, Alice would be a culture shock for him at the very least. When Jasper came back I smelled Bella on him, so he'd been to say goodbye too, the Cullens seemed to be making a mass pilgrimage to the Swan house.

"I see you went to say goodbye to Bella."

He turned as I walked through the door,

"Yes. She leaves in the morning."

"And you?"

He didn't try to deny he was getting ready to leave.

"I think its time I moved on Rose. There's nothing here for me any longer, not now Alice is gone"

"Where will you go?"

"Peters I guess, or maybe I'll just find myself a college course that sounds good"

"Will you keep to your..."

"Animal diet Rose? Yes I'll try."

"Will you let me know when you find a place. I'd hate to lose contact."

"I don't know Rose, I have no idea where I'm going or what I'll be doing. Look after Emmett and I'll look after myself."

"But will you? Jazz you're much better at looking after other people than yourself. Don't lose yourself in books for ever. You still have to face the world again sometime."

"I'm going to miss you Rose, and Em. You've been good friends to me."

He came over and hugged me, the first time he'd ever done it and it seemed to make his departure more real. Then he went up the stairs and I heard drawers and closets being opened, he was leaving and there was nothing I could say or do which would stop him.

Edward came down a few minutes later with a scowl, which had become his usual expression.

"Where's he going?"

"I don't know Edward, why don't you ask him?"

"He won't tell me, he hates me, he thinks he's so much better than I am but Alice saw through him, that's why she left. Good riddance I say."

"Thanks for the warm farewell Edward"

Jazz had descended the stairs behind him and Edward whirled,

"Didn't hear me coming did you? Maybe you aren't quite as clever as you imagined. See I can block you out like Alice, she taught me that much. Don't worry though, I'm leaving now. Goodbye Rose."

He walked out the door and a few minutes later we heard his bike start up and the sound of his engine fade as he drove away down the track, going who knew where.

Jasper

I didn't tell Rose I was travelling with Bella, only because I knew she disliked her so much although I understood why. Hunting would be a good idea if I were going to travel so close to Bella so I left my bike among the trees and set off looking for deer tracks. As I ran I thought back to the last time I saw Alice. I already knew I'd lost her, so did Rose but she kept it to herself not wanting to hurt me. The crazy thing was that although I was sad to see Alice go and amazed by the way and where she saw her future it didn't really hurt. I'd come to terms with the idea by then, she let me down gently and for that I was grateful, as well as the years of peace and happiness she had brought to my life. Her final words to me were merely mouthed not spoken, "Look after Bella, she's going to need it" and I knew the others didn't hear her, I doubted Edward read her mind either, he was as amazed and horrified as the rest of the family at her actions. She had left me a task and although I didn't know why she asked me to look after Bella, at the time I guess she'd seen the break up with Edward and knew I was the one most likely to be able to keep her friend safe. Bella asking me to join her on the journey south was unexpected but made my task all the more easy. I had no idea how long Bella needed protection or whether Alice would contact me again, I just hoped she would find happiness with Marcus Volturi and he with her.