AN: Thanks for your patience and reviews. The next chapter will be up sometime tomorrow :)

S. Meyer owns twlight

CHAPTER 17

JPOV

Fuck! I had changed Bella, I knew it was inevitable but I was hoping for a little more time with her as a human. Em and Pete collected the body parts of the scouts that had attacked. Pete was right; she was a magnet for vampires. Rose helped me keep her steady as we ran back to the house, Bella's teeth clenched against the pain. There was an explosion of fire in the distance and I knew Pete and Em had chucked the bodies in the car and lit it on fire. They caught up with us just as we hit the property line.

Pete started to report; "emergency services are on way to contain the blaze, there should be enough personal belongings left to convince the humans that Bella died. They'll see the ash and be able to make out the VIN to link it back to her."
"Good job. We'll need to call Caius as soon as possible, those scouts were trained newborns. Someone's creating an army. I will not let the south fall to the wars again. This is my fucking home and I intend to keep it safe." I said. I was getting angry. Whoever sent that troop would be dust in the fucking wind. I'd just come to my home state for the first time since the wars and I wasn't about to be driven away by other people's greed. They had hurt my mate. I would make sure the Wars ended for good.
"Yes, J. I'll get Charlie to call the Res so they're on guard. We'll arrange patrols." Pete said.

Pete looked to me "Charlie needs to stay with us, he'll help her." He said. "Will Bella be able to handle it?" I wasn't about to put her father in danger. Pete shook his head and smiled "I wouldn't risk the life of my nephew, J. He'll be safe. Also, I have a feeling he'll be able to help her."
"You sure, Pete?" He nodded at me "Charlie isn't human anymore. He's completed his transformation. Think about it, J. His scent is different and he has no heartbeat." I sighed, he was right. It was a relief my mate wouldn't have to separate from her father.

Peter walked up the steps and headed straight for Charlie, Rose took Bella upstairs to clean and dress her in more comfortable clothes. I stayed downstairs to give her some privacy and listened to Pete. "I'm sorry Charlie we were too late, J turned her." Charlie crumpled to the ground. "Will she survive?" He asked Pete. He nodded his head and answered. "Definitely."

"Do I have to leave? I know newborns are pretty feral." Charlie asked, the relief he felt at knowing his daughter would survive was overtaken by anxiety. Pete had told Charlie everything about vampires to prepare him for Bella's change. Pete shook his head "you won't incite any blood lust. You no longer smell human."
"What do you mean?" Charlie asked. "The spirits have changed your form and bound you to them. You're a hundred percent supernatural." Pete explained. Charlie sighed in relief. "Thank fuck. I'm not ready to leave, I want to be here for her." I crouched down to talk to him. "You'll be there to help her, but Charlie, we need you to call the Res and warn them. Someone's making a newborn army. No one can leave the Res until the threat's taken care of." I glanced at Pete. "Pete, call the Masters, they'll send some back up."

Peter headed outside to call the Volturi while Charlie composed himself to call Theresa. I joined him on the couch and sent some calm his way. He quickly told the spirit walkers to stay on guard warning them about the newborn army and to stay on tribal land, he hung up and smiled weakly at me.

We sat in silence for a moment, Charlie was deep in thought. "J, would you be able to accompany me to the Res? If I can get some stuff I'll be able to help Bells." I nodded, "we'll take my jeep. I'll stay at the entrance where we usually meet while you get what you need to." We headed out leaving a short note for the others.

As soon as we were a few minutes away from the house Charlie turned to me. "How long can I stay with you guys, J?" I glanced at him as I drove. "As long as you want. Speak with Theresa and we'll work something out." I told him. He was a good father, I knew he'd help Bella in any way he could.

We passed the site of Bella's attack, there were Emergency crews inspecting the charred remains of her car. The fire had been put out. Charlie swore angrily. She was lucky to have survived. "How many were there?" He asked me. "Six. We took care of them, but there could be others. The ones who attacked us were scouts, I'd wager there were another twenty back with their Maker. The scouts were young, they had little training or skill. The others in their group will be better trained." I said.

When we arrived at our usual meeting point in front of the Res I parked so Charlie could take the wheel. He disappeared from view as soon as he drove onto tribal land. I looked around for any indication of their settlement, there was none. They were powerful protectors, I could only imagine how strong Bella would be.

I quickly ran a perimeter. I caught the newborns' scent heading for the Res, but it veered off towards the direction where Bella had been attacked. I couldn't sense any other vampires for miles around, hopefully whoever was behind the creation of the army would assume the territory had been claimed and would try elsewhere.

I headed back towards the meeting point, keeping my senses open for signs of vampires. Charlie appeared a few minutes after my return. We'd been extremely lucky there had only been one group of newborn scouts. A large duffle bag lay along the back seat, the heavy smell of dried leaves clung to it. He moved to the passenger seat so I could drive us home.

"What sort of help can you give Bella?" I asked him as we sped home, Charlie gripped the seatbelt, clinging for dear life, but not complaining about the speed I drove, I appreciated that. I had to get back to Bella. He turned his head to reply "there are some herbs I can burn which will get her in touch with the spirit world, Theresa had suggested it when I told her Bells was going to be turned. It should disconnect her from her body and our ancestors can teach her about her power.

"When she wakes I can brew a tea to help control her blood lust and focus her mind. Pete mentioned how difficult the newborn year is with the amplification of her senses and blood lust. This should ease her in." I exhaled in relief "thanks Charlie, I know you'd do anything to help your daughter, but I'm so glad you're able to help. I know she'll be happy she can spend more time with you."

We arrived back at the house in silence and I raced up the stairs to check on my mate. Charlie set up and called for me to get some blood for when she awakes. I returned downstairs, Pete touched my shoulder "we have something to deal with before you start getting blood for her, the authorities will call her mother when they connect the car with Bella. It'll help if Charlie is pronounced dead too."
"How do we do that?" Charlie asked as he heard our conversation. I answered him; "If we call the police now and tell them you and Bella went out and haven't come back they'll assume you were in the car with her when it exploded."

Charlie agreed easily, joining me in the lounge room with Pete as he made the call to the police. I called Jenks and arranged new documents for the Swans. "What name do you want to go by?" I asked Charlie while Jenks waited, he thought for a second and turned to Pete. "What was your surname when you were human?" Pete smiled "Crow. I changed it to Whitlock after we escaped in thanks to J." Charlie nodded. "I'll keep my first and middle names; Charles Robert Crow. I'll keep it in the family."
"Sounds good, I'll do the same for Bella; Isabella Marie Crow." I said.

"Why not Whitlock?" Charlie asked once I'd hung up. Pete had finished his phone call and butted in. "She can always become a Whitlock later if she wants, besides I think Crow is a good maiden name." He said, Charlie smirked at me "welcome to the family, J. Now I know you're old fashioned Jasper, but don't you dare even think about asking for my blessing, Bella would have our guts for garters. You just do what feels right and respect her choices."
"Will do, Charlie, will do." This was surreal, one minute we're discussing faking Charlie and Bella's death, next minute we're talking about marriage.

Pete slapped me on the back and headed outside with an amused Rose. Char and Emmett had been patrolling since Bella's attacked and had just arrived back from their final sweep. Emmett sat next to Charlie "how are you holding up, Chief?"
"I don't actually know, it's pretty overwhelming. My daughter's changing into a vampire, I just found out I'm no longer human and my ex-wife is about to find out Bella and I are dead. It's a bit much."
"Sounds like it. What do you have in the bag?" Em asked. Charlie opened it and started explaining what each herb did. Emmett was engrossed in what he was saying.

A piece of paper fell onto the floor. Emmett glanced towards it casually then froze in shock. Charlie picked it up "oh, this is the family tree. Oona had a record that her father made, she kept it updated with the help of the Quileutes and Theresa. See? It shows Peter is my uncle. It's a bit strange having an aunt and uncle that look younger than me, I get that he's old as dirt but he doesn't act like it..." Charlie's trailed off as he took in Emmett's still form. He looked at it, searching for a reason why Emmett would react this way. I could feel his surprise when he found what he was looking for. "Your surname's McCarty?" Charlie asked, Emmett nodded.

I grabbed the piece of paper, reading through it.

See profile link Family tree 3

Well fuck...

PPOV

Rose and I did another circuit of the property; there were no new scents, no hint of anything near us. The sun rose in the sky and we headed back. We needed to report. Char ran to meet us and updated us on her phone call to Caius. She'd been acting as a watcher, scanning her eyes over the distance for any signs of an enemy.

Char started to report what she'd learned "Caius is sending a few of his guard. Demitri will try and locate any other vampires here in Texas, I told them to look at the states to the west of us and gave him a few locations that were active army camps during our time. He'll bring Alec, Jane, Felix and Maggie."
"Maggie's part of the guard?" She was part of the Irish coven last I'd heard. Char shook her head and replied, "No, she was visiting Sulpicia and volunteered to come along."

"Did you tell them about the others?" I asked her, a lot had changed since our last report to Caius. "Of course; they're pleased with Charlie's progress and non-human status, they sent their condolences for the attack on Bella and are pleased Rose and Emmett have joined us." Char confirmed.

"What about the Denalis?" I asked, hopefully the Cullens were trying to behave themselves around their 'friends.' Char filled us in on what she'd learnt. "Eleazar is keeping Aro informed on the Cullens. They're also keeping an eye on and assessing Alice. Eleazar has noticed Alice's gift has dimmed, Irina has been using her psychiatry qualifications to assess Alice's mental health. It appears she's devolving, possibly headed for a complete psychotic break."
"Holy shit!" Rose gasped. Fate had really hit Alice hard. "She seemed so oblivious, but I had no idea it was that serious." Rose said.

Char nodded at her and continued. "That 'boutique' you mentioned Tanya and Kate wanted to show Alice; it's a thrift store. She had no idea."
"Any news on Esme and Carlisle?" Rose looked hopeful, but Char shook her head sadly. "They're drifting apart. The long term effects of relying on Alice and Edward's gifts are breaking their bond. Irina and Carmen are trying a few marriage counseling techniques, but it doesn't look hopeful. Esme seems to be getting stronger thankfully." That was good news, it seemed fate was going to be kind to her.

We headed inside to report the others and caught them looking at each other in shock. My gift nudged me, it felt like I would get some good news. Rose and Char looked at me, I shrugged "what's up guys?" I asked, J walked over to me and pointed to a sheet of paper. I started laughing as soon as I saw Emmett's name "that's pretty great!" Emmett snapped out of his thoughts and smiled "this is some kind of fucked up family reunion." He said. Rose and Char smiled.

Charlie recovered at that point and commented idly "I never had much family growing up, no wonder considering I have two uncles and two aunts who are vampires. This is fucking weird."
"Bella's going to be over the moon, during one of our talks she mentioned she missed Em and said he was a big brother." J announced, he looked to Rose who had stopped smiling "she doesn't hate you, when I saw her at the accident site she was worried about you, she had a sisterly vibe going on." Rose smiled, but stayed silent.

I couldn't wait for Bella to wake up. Just then my gift slammed me in the head, I landed hard and blacked out, I saw the image of four people; Bella, J, Char and I. We were walking in slow motion just like the guys in Reservoir Dogs. The scene tickled me. A thought drifted into my mind The Four Horsemen. I looked closer at each of us. Bella looked amazing, the word death popped up, I moved my focus to J war, this was incredible! I moved to Char famine...that left me with Pestilence. DAMN IT!

JPOV

Charlie was looking over Peter's prostrate form. Vampires did not pass out. Char was shaking, Rose held her close, her face grim. "I can feel his emotions, he started off confused, but now he's giddy." I grinned, maybe there was some good news coming our way. His emotions turned to irritation and his eyes flashed open. Charlie stood back and Peter ran out of the house with a quick explanation "IhavetogetsomethingforBellabacksoon." Char was going to slap him silly for this.

Charlie headed to the kitchen and turned on the kettle, Rose kept holding Char who was recovering from her panic. Her anger was growing rapidly. Whatever Peter was up to he'd better have a damn good explanation. "Hey Jasper" Charlie called from the kitchen, "why don't you head out and collect some blood for when Bells wakes up? I'll help Char" he gestured to a cup of hot water that had herbs floating around in it. It smelled rather pleasant. I nodded and headed out as he started making himself some coffee. Maybe I could find a bear? She was Emmett's niece after all.

I had been in luck, deep in the forest I came across a cave. I knocked the bear out with my gift and carried it back to the house. I saw Charlie do a double take as I lay the bear down on the ground, I shrugged and yelled "I forgot the thermoses" Char rolled her eyes and headed to the kitchen. Emmett was eyeballing the bear hungrily, Rose sighed and dragged him in the opposite direction "I'll take him hunting." Char came out with a huge soup pot, she held it as I drained the blood. I felt Charlie's interest and turned my head towards him "you wouldn't like it Charlie." I smirked as he shuddered "I was not wondering about the taste, I've just never seen a bear handled that way."

I headed up to our room to check on Bella. Her skin had hardened, for form had lengthened, her hair had darkened, but the red dye streaking through her hair hadn't faded. Rose had put her in yoga pants and a tank top, it had become Bella's signature outfit since we had started training. I saw with some relief her tattoo hadn't faded, the silver barbell through her eyebrow glinted. I'd loved how Bella had changed her appearance, she was nothing like the person I'd met and she was sexy as hell.

Despite the burn of the transformation she seemed to be at peace, it seemed that Charlie had been successful in saving her from the pain. I went to hold her hand, but saw the mud and fur caked all over me. I headed to the bathroom and showered quickly. I walked out with a towel wrapped around me and opened my wardrobe, I heard a throat clear behind me. Charlie smirked "I hope you're not going to change in here with my daughter lying unconscious" he was radiating amusement, I rolled my eyes at him "of course not, I was filthy from hunting for my mate and couldn't bring clean clothes with me without dirtying them." I raised an eye brow and he chuckled.

I quickly changed in the bathroom and returned. "Did you know you don't have a heartbeat anymore?" I asked him, he wouldn't have been able to sneak up on me otherwise. "Really?" I nodded. Charlie continued. "Huh, I wonder if that's part of the non-human thing." He shrugged it off, not having a heart beat would definitely help in encountering vampires.

"You smell different too." I told him. "What do you mean?" He asked. "Your smell blends in with the forest, it doesn't have the sweet tang of human blood. Have you noticed any change in eye sight, hearing or strength?" He nodded and clarified, "I could hear Pete and Rose talking to Char when they met up from patrol yesterday, saw them clearly too."
"They were about a mile away" I confirmed, Charlie nodded. "That's excellent Charlie, it'll help you blend into the supernatural world. I'll have a chat to Pete; would you be interested in learning how to fight and defend yourself?"
"Sure, I know some basics from my time as a cop, but I'm always happy to learn." He said.

We sat in silence for a bit. Charlie was thinking hard about something "what's on your mind?"
"Just seeing if I can sense where Bella is. How long do transformations last?"
"About three days give or take a few hours."
"So Bells has another full day?" I nodded and added; "I pumped a fair bit of venom into her, hopefully it'll be shorter."
"I hope so too, I can feel her becoming grounded. She's returning from the spirit world."
"Is there some sort of analgesic you can make?" He shook his head, looking worried. "It's okay Charlie, she's been lucky enough to be detached this long, I can take some of the pain she feels and swamp her in calm, but it'll still sting."

I wondered how his change had felt "did you feel your transformation, Charlie?" He shook his head, "it wasn't a sensation, it was more like a dream. I'd go to sleep and meet the spirits of my ancestors. I met Pete's little sister and his mom-" I had to stop him there "do you know her name?" He nodded "you should tell him, he lost a lot of human memories during the change, he has regretted forgetting his mom's name especially."
"I'll talk to him before I go to sleep, I'm due for a little down time. I'll see if he's got any questions I can ask on his behalf."
"That'll mean a lot Charlie." I sent him my gratitude. Charlie was thinking hard "hopefully he'll be back from whatever errand he had to run, have you ever seen him collapse like that?" I shook my head and added "vampires usually don't collapse. Whatever intel he received had better be worth it." Charlie nodded "Char's going to kick his arse isn't she?" I nodded, she had calmed down, but still held some anger. "Yep, whatever he's doing better be worth it." I said quietly.

PPOV

I drove onto the dirt road, the new car I'd gotten Bella handled like a dream, she'd better appreciate it. I parked it next to Charlie's truck and covered it. I knew I was in trouble, but hoped Charlie had worked his magic. As soon as I stepped into the house a hand slapped me hard across the face. "Sorry Char" I took on a submissive pose. "Whatever you're up to better be worth it." She scowled. I gave her my best puppy dog eyes "I promise it is! I'll tell you about it soon."
"At least tell me something Peter, you scared the shit out of us!"
"All I can say is we got a promotion. We need to get ready, Bella will be waking up very soon." Char and I raced up stairs, Rose and Em stood at the bottom of the staircase, they knew better than to overcrowd a newborn.

I called to my nephew "Charlie! Get down to the kitchen, it's nearly time. You need to prepare the blood!" Charlie sprinted past me, he was slightly faster than a human. Char and I stood vigil outside the door. I heard J shuffle to the corner of the room and sit down. Bella's heart sped up and she let out an ear shattering scream. "GODDAMNIT! FUCKING CUM GUZZLING, FELCHING WHORE!..." I had to admit she was creative and knowledgeable in the art of swearing.

I heard a surprised laugh come from the kitchen "she better not hear that Charlie or she'll tear you a new one." I said. He abruptly stopped and I heard him working faster. The smell of blood and herbs permeated the house. "Isn't she meant to have more time to change? It's only been two days" Charlie asked. "She's special" I shrugged "I have a feeling it has to do with her long-term exposure to vampires and shifters."
"I hope this works" Charlie mumbled to himself.

Her heart stopped beating and I heard her sigh in relief. J kept still, not moving or talking so he wouldn't alarm her. I heard her shuffle as she rolled over and landed heavily on the floor. "Fucker!" She swore, I felt a stab of humor from J before he reeled it in. "J?" Her voice held the vampiric musical lilt. J whispered "I'm here honey"
"Why are you hiding in the corner?" She giggled a little, I felt uneasy, newborns weren't meant to be like this. J replied to her "I didn't want to scare you." I heard her light footsteps move towards him "come here, J, I'm fine." I'd never heard a newborn so controlled before. I heard them kiss and her voice became breathless "damn, your scars are even hotter with vamp vision."