Chapter Twenty

Jasper

It wasn't difficult to finally work out why I had the pain in my chest, especially when I found out Bella had the same problem, and when Carlisle spoke to me after visiting her he just confirmed it. I had found my mate and it was Chief Swans daughter Bella. I understood Alice had seen this but what I didn't understand was why she'd kept it from us, me in particular. I wasn't sure I believed her explanation that she hadn't been sure, I thought it more likely that she had decided to watch from the sidelines, amuse herself at my expense but she seemed genuinely pleased that I had finally found my eternal companion. Understanding that Bella had to work on Saturday I asked Emmett and Edward to go on a hunting expedition, partly to keep my mind occupied while I was away from Bella and partly to give Edward a break from the terrible temptation he had been feeling since Bella arrived. I knew I'd been helping him with his desire to drink Bella's blood but I had been impressed by his own strength in resisting the almost overwhelming urge. He had read my thoughts so he knew when I figured out that I was in love with Bella but he hadn't tried to tease me, another plus because Edward loved using his knowledge from mind reading to tease us all at times but in his defence not usually about important things like this. Rose on the other hand was furious when she found out but then that was to be expected, she hated anything that might endanger us and she thought that finding my mate in a human girl put us in danger of being exposed. Luckily both Carlisle and Esme spoke to her and she did calm down somewhat. Then Alice suggested Rose and she should take the opportunity of us "boys" going hunting for a shopping trip to Seattle.

I had spent as much time with Bella as I felt I could without appearing to be pushy but I have to admit when I wasn't with her the ache in my chest became worse and eventually I found relief in spending my nights close to her house, sitting in the darkness and wishing I was in her room with her. Emmett suggested I should watch her as she slept,

"You can get in and out without waking her or her dad. The closer you are the more relief you'll feel."

Though I badly wanted to take his advice I couldn't, I didn't want to become that much of a stalker so I stayed outside thinking about her and waiting until I could see her legitimately again.

The hunting trip was fine although I couldn't help phoning her as she finished work just to hear her voice. When she agreed to go out with me the following afternoon I knew I could cope with the next few hours but when I rejoined Emmett who had gone on with Edward to give me some privacy I found he was alone and looking nervous.

"Where's Edward?"

"I don't know, he started acting weird after we left you, I think it was the thought of you talking to Bella, brought back the thought of her blood. I was going to chase after him but he said he just needed a little while alone. I guess he's finding it hard, you in love with his singer. I couldn't have coped with that when I met my singers and I have no idea how he's held back all this time"

I got a bad feeling,

"You don't think he's gone back do you?"

He didn't get chance to answer before my phone rang, it was Alice in panic,

"Edwards heading back to Forks, I've only just seen it. What do I do?"

"Head to Bella's place and warn her, make up a story about a prowler, get Carlisle to join you."

"We're on our way back but I rang Esme too and she's going to contact Carlisle. She'll ring Bella and make sure she stays indoors."

I ran as if my life depended on it and in fact it did for if Edward killed Bella then he killed me too, I couldn't survive without my mate. I knew we couldn't beat Edward back and could only hope that Esme was quick enough but when my phone rang twenty minutes later I was almost afraid to answer but it was Esme with good news.

"Jazz, I contacted Bella and told her not to answer the door to anyone. I said I'd been driving by and I'd seen what looked like a prowler. Carlisle is on his way too."

I didn't bother to answer it would have taken precious energy I needed to run. Emmett was doing his best but he was much bigger and heavier than me and I pulled away from him unwilling to slow for anything. Reaching Bella's street I saw Carlisle's car parked discreetly away from Bella's and inside two figures, only then did I start to relax before anger overtook me and I almost ripped the passenger door off about to drag Edward out when Emmett caught me up and wrapped iron hard arms around me to stop my action.

"Not cool just up the street from Bella's bro'. Get in the back and we'll drive home."

"Is Bella OK?"

Carlisle nodded smiling at my concern.

"Esme is staying with her tonight Jasper. I think as Emmett says we should go home and decide what to do then"

Edward sat very still his face showing the strain of his actions and didn't say anything which was just as well as if he'd opened his mouth I would probably have reached over and ripped his tongue out.

Once back at the house Emmett walked between Edward and I as Alice opened the door looking tense.

"I did as you asked Carlisle. They're going to pick Edward and I up on their way back home tomorrow."

We all sat round the dining table and Carlisle explained he had decided it would be safer for all of us if Edward went to Denali for a while.

"Alice will go with him until we know for sure that he can control himself. Eleazer has experience with singers and I think he can help Edward with the craving."

Alice sat forward and took my hand,

"Rosalie and I came straight back Jasper. We wouldn't let any harm come to Bella I promise you. Tanya and Carmen are in Portland but they are flying back to Denali in the next couple of days so they'll come via Forks and take Edward back with them."

Edward turned to me,

"I'm so sorry Jasper. I just couldn't stop thinking about Bella and something snapped but I didn't break in, I didn't attack her. I was struggling and that's why I went up to the house and rang the bell. I thought she would just tell me to go away. I didn't think she would open the door, I didn't break in"

I should have been grateful for the self control he had held on to but I was sick with the thought of what might have happened.

"Please Jazz, don't hate me, I tried really I did"

Emmett came to stand behind me, his huge hands on my shoulders,

"You did much better than me Edward, I couldn't stop myself. Jazz doesn't hate you, he just doesn't understand the temptation."

I know they were waiting for me to speak but tension held my jaws closed at first,

"You'd better go Edward, stay away from Bella and me. If I see you anywhere near her again I swear I'll kill you. I wont be able to stop myself."

He nodded to me,

"I understand and again I am so sorry. I should have told you but I'd been doing really well. It wasn't until you left us to ring her that I started thinking about her again and then I just couldn't get her out of my mind"

"Its not the first time though is it Edward? I've seen you watching the house."

He hung his head,

"No, but I resisted Jazz."

"Yeah you did and I'm grateful for that."

I got up and nodded to Carlisle,

"I'm going to Bella's, I just want to make sure she's OK. I wont go in or anything."

"We understand son but don't be seen, remember they'll be looking for a prowler around there now"