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CHAPTER FIVE

I woke up groggily, pleased to see my angel still existed. It wasn't a dream… He was still next to me in the bed, on top of the covers, staring at the ceiling but with a hand still in my hair.

He was murmuring quietly to himself, but snapped to my attention as soon as he saw my stirring form. I immediately wished I hadn't called attention to myself, so I would have more time to observe the icy work of art in my room. I knew it didn't make sense, but I honestly was starting to believe these Cullens were angels, and not human. "Good morning." He smiled at me hesitantly, as if he was unsure of my feelings after such emotional intensity the night before.

"Good morning." I offered back, suddenly overcome with shyness. "Umm… Where is everyone?"

He smiled reassuringly, and took a deep breath before answering. "All of my siblings went to school- I volunteered to stay home and care for you. Carlisle is at work, and Esme is here but about to leave for a shopping venture."

I looked to the clock to see that it was 10:00 in the morning. I didn't know what I was expected to do all day, but I was glad I had Jasper here to navigate it with me.

"I've already eaten breakfast, but we can go downstairs if you're feeling up to it and get some food in you. I think we have some things to discuss, and I would feel better doing that if you had more energy. I'm sure Esme would also like to see you."

I wanted to protest, but I was grateful to be taken care of. I allowed him to lead me from my bed and into the long hallway before my knees started give way to the floor beneath me. My angel, sensing this, caught me before the ground did. "How foolish of me to let you walk after you passed out last night and haven't eaten since. Let me rectify the situation." I looked at him meekly, wondering how he was going to fix my drowsiness. My thoughts were interrupted when I felt myself being swept off my feet and carried gracefully down the stairs. I looked to his face to get a sense of what he was thinking, but the mask was back on. He had reverted to the stern angel I had grown comfortable with, but had witnessed another side of last night.

He released me once we reached the kitchen, sitting me down carefully in a chair at the table. Yet, as soon as our skin was no longer touching, I felt an ache for the comfort of the cold hand I had so quickly grown accustomed to. It was possible he felt the same way, because he immediately drew a chair right next to me and inserted himself in it once he had put a plate in front of me. It felt better to at least have our arms touching. You silly fool. Yearning for the touch of a man you don't know, a man who has only phantomed your dreams. Simply because he paid some attention last night. My inner monologue gave me second thoughts, and I decided to slyly shift the chair a bit to the left so we weren't so clearly touching. As soon as I made the slightest movement, two hands were placed at my chin. He lifted my head to meet his eyes, and I could see a war waging in them.

On one level, they looked to be full of longing and desire. Then on another level, confusion painted the depths of his beautiful honey colored irises. The last, and most saddening level, held a disturbing effort to conceal all of these emotions and not crack under the façade he had built for himself.

Our intimate moment was interrupted in an acceptable way when Esme walked in the room.

"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt! Jasper, would you mind running to the grocery store to pick up a few things?" She asked sweetly.

I felt myself begin to panic at the thought of Jasper leaving me, and Esme dimmed my fear at least a little by assuring me she would stay until he returned. I had nothing against that, because I already adored her. It was just that I was just becoming acquainted with this angel, this stranger who was somehow also my closest friend. I didn't want to risk messing it up.

One look at his face told me he didn't love the idea himself, but after a long exchange of looks between himself and his mother, it seemed he couldn't deny her either. He turned back to me, promised that he would be back soon, and was out the door. I couldn't deny the tug that my heart felt as the only piece of familiarity I had at the moment waltzed out of the door.

"So Bella, how are you feeling this morning?" Snow White in the flesh asked me.

"I'm okay I suppose- still in pain but it could be worse. I'm sure Jasper informed you all of my passing out last night."

"Yes dear, he did. We were all very worried. However, he seems to be taking good care of you. I've never seen him act this way." She mentioned as she pranced around the kitchen, moving things around.

I looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"

My pseudo mom stopped and turned to me while smiling gingerly. "Jasper seems to be open with you. It's nice for me to see. He's never been rude to our family, but he hasn't lived an easy life. He keeps to himself often, because I think he has trouble reconciling his past with his present. I'm glad he has a friend in you." She gave me a sweet expression, and then moved the conversation topic to the pattern of my bedding in my room.

We talked and laughed, and I was surprised with how comfortable I was with Esme. I felt like I was her friend, and not a stranger she had taken into her home. She was that welcoming and warm. It was not long before Jasper returned to us, holding two bags of groceries. He set them on the counter, then promptly returned to his seat next to me at the table.

Esme took this as her cue to leave, and winked at me knowingly before she left for her shopping excursion. This caused me to blush, and Jasper noticed but thankfully didn't say anything of it. I wondered about his life, and why it was apparently so refreshing to see him willingly be around me. Is it possible that he's hurting as badly as I am?

I was pulled out of my inner musings by Jasper's intense stare and declaration. "Bella, we need to talk." He uttered quietly, but with determination I couldn't dream of crossing.

I simply nodded.

"I don't know what's going on, and that's not something I'm used to. I swear I'm going to figure this out for us, but there's something I want to warn you about. Our family discussed putting out a missing persons report. Not that we wanted you gone, of course, but we wanted you to be surrounded with people you are familiar with. It might have helped in the healing process for you. We were only hesitant because of your preexisting injuries… We didn't want to return you to a dangerous situation." He paused and looked into my eyes. "Don't be afraid. We won't let anyone hurt you." I swallowed, and he continued. "In light of recent revelations, I have suggested that we do a scan of any news from the area that might lead to your abandonment. Carlisle and I worked on it a bit this morning, and I think we found something. I think it would be best if we waited until his return to tell you so that you have a better support system, because it will not be easy to hear. But I want you to know that I'm here and I will answer any questions you may have."

I stared at him, unsure of what to say or think. I could begin to perhaps understand that he would think it best for my doctor to be present while I receive traumatic news, but had he forgotten about the trust I placed in him last night? What was the news they had to tell me? Was someone I loved hurt? Would I be a terrible person if I couldn't even remember them? I could tell by the look on his face that he was awaiting my reaction, and I needed to give him one. So I simply shook my head.

He furrowed his brows at me. "No?"

I shook my head again and gave him a weakly voiced reply. "I want you to be the one to tell me. Please. You're the closest thing I have to home right now."

He sighed gently, and pulled her head to his chest to stroke her hair lovingly. "Bella, I just want to make sure you're ready to hear this. I don't want to hurt you worse than you're already dealing with." His comment reminded me of the sharp pain in my sides, and faltering appearance. As if on cue, "Can you blame me for wanting you to heal quickly so I can show off what a beautiful girl is living in my house?" He winked, melting away all my insecurities for the moment.

I felt myself blush furiously. Jasper and I already had a complex relationship, but there was no indication that he would be interested in bringing in romance. For all I knew, I had a boyfriend out there looking for me. Besides, how could someone with such devastating beauty ever look at a scratched up human with desire? I took a moment to truly look at him. Not just him, but the strong jawline that promoted strength and dignity. The rugged shoulders that gave off energies of protection and masculinity. The scars covering his hands that almost painted pictures of suffering, and through that perseverance. No, there was no way…

"Bella, are you sure you want to hear this?" He asked, in a careful tone that almost held a hint of amusement.

"You won't leave me?" I had no way of knowing how I would emotionally react to whatever news he had to relay. It obviously wasn't good, and she needed the protection of her angel there with her.

He flashed a brilliant smile at me, and took my hand. "Never."

With that, he led me into the living room. On the expensive looking coffee table, a matching expensive looking laptop was ready to be used, ready to potentially shatter me. As we walked closer to the device, my nerves skyrocketed. This could very likely be horrible, and I had no idea what I was about to walk into. Tears welled up in my eyes. How long am I expected to live like this, in this state of dreadful confusion? Jasper turned around immediately, swept away the tear that had escaped down my cheek, and squeezed my hand in support while pouring his sympathy deeply into my eyes.

I looked into the eyes of my angel, finding comfort in knowing that those angel eyes had always been there to keep me safe. Whatever he was about to show me on this laptop, whatever storm loomed ahead, my angel would protect me.

"Okay. I'm ready." I declared, trying to muster all the confidence I could.

We sat down on the couch, and he opened his laptop to reveal a picture of two men. They were both dressed in police uniforms, and stood side by side next to a cop cruiser. "Bella, do either of these men look familiar to you?"

I heard Jasper ask the question, but I couldn't bring myself to answer him. All I could pay any attention to were the two sets of eyes staring back at me. I knew those eyes. They struck me. Before I could rejoice in feeling close to a memory, I was overwhelmed with sharp physical pain and crippling fear. I didn't yet know who those men were, but I was sure they had hurt me at some point. That was the only explanation for my body's response.

My angel, protecting me as always, took me in his arms and rocked away the pain until I felt a semblance of peace and acceptance. He murmured quiet assurances that I would be safe where I was, and I honestly believed him.

Once I was out of my mini panic attack, Jasper carefully redirected my attention back to the screen. He was careful to rub soothing circles on my back so I would continue to feel safe and not freak out again. He pointed to the man on the left first. "Bella, we believe this man is your father." He paused and looked down at me before pointing to the other one. "And this man is dead."

Hi everyone! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. My "name a character" contest will be announced shortly, as the character will be named in my next chapter. Until then, review review review! I also want to assure you guys that I AM planning on having Jasper's point of view in this story. I don't know how far away it is, but it will be crucial to the storyline. Love you all!