It's time, it's time! Halloween for Bella and Jasper! So, as usual, everything Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I just like to play with the characters. Beta-ing done by the wonderful EdwardsMate4Ever.

(Protective Jasper, bad $$ Emmett)

Cookie Jar – Chapter 2

Just then the two men from the store came out around an SUV. They froze at the sight of Jacob, and then the blond one stepped forward.

Jacob started to shake. "You want to do this here, with all these people?" Jacob asked. "I won't let you have her."

"Friend, I don't know what you think is going on, but I think you should step away from the lady," the blond said. "Come here, darling."

Bella felt an odd sense of peace flowing over her, brushing back the worry she felt at Jacob's odd behavior. She started toward the stranger but stopped short when Jacob grabbed her arm. His grip was so tight she yelped in pain. She heard a snap and realized it was her arm.

Jacob immediately let go of her, looking at her with a horrified expression. "Bella, I'm so sorry…"

Whatever he was going to say was lost because the blond came between them, putting his arm around Bella, and the big man grabbed Jacob, pinning his arms to his sides.

"Don't move," the big man growled at Jacob.

"I'll take her to the doctor," the blond stranger said. "Don't let him follow."

Jacob was shaking and bending over as the blond picked her up and sprinted away with a speed that was frightening. "Just close your eyes," he told her. "I'm going to take you somewhere safe."

She heard a roar and howl behind her, as if a bear and a wolf were fighting in the parking lot. She turned her head to look back, but the stranger pulled her closer to his chest and tucked her face into his shirt. "Better you don't look," he said softly.

"What's going on with my friend, Jake?" she asked.

"Almost there," he said. "I need someone to look at your arm." As if in response to his comment, her arm started throbbing with pain.

She clutched it closer and looked up from his chest. There was a flash of trees above, as if they were moving at an impossible speed. She gagged as she felt a rush of motion sickness so she closed her eyes, hoping the nausea would stop. The sounds of the two animals quickly faded, though she thought she heard an answering wolf's howl from somewhere in the forest.

She sensed the man had slowed and heard the sound of footsteps on wood, so she opened her eyes. The blond man was standing on the porch of a house. It was dark, no lights. As he opened the door, she heard a voice and someone next to them flicked a light switch.

He set Bella down, keeping one arm around her waist to support her. I really need to know his name. Another blond man, whose face conveyed a gentle and confident expression, stood next to them, holding a black medical bag.

"I'm Dr. Cullen, Miss. What happened to your arm?" he asked.

"An accident," Bella replied, trying to get control of the situation. "My friend was trying to protect me, but something happened."

She paused as the doctor's eyes focused on the stranger who had brought her here.

"My son says it happened in a parking lot. Who was your friend?"

"A Quileute from down on the rez," Bella answered. "I've known him forever. He and my Dad are fishing buddies."

She felt a strange rumble coming from the chest of the man next to her. Was he growling?

The doctor stiffened then relaxed. "I see. Let's go up to my office so I can examine your arm."

Bella was surprised at how easily she was giving out this information. She didn't know these people, yet she trusted them. Trusted both of them.

Glancing around, she saw they were standing in the entry of a large room. Only the hallway light was on, so most of the room was in shrouded in darkness, but she could see ghostly shadows of sofas and chairs behind them.

But they didn't go into the living room. Instead, they walked up a staircase, carpeted but without a balustrade. She noticed a large, wooden cross hanging on the landing.

The doctor motioned her into a room on the second floor. It looked like a study, as the walls were lined with bookshelves and art. He took her arm gently, but she winced as he touched her. He regarded her coolly as he examined the ugly bruise that was rapidly staining the middle of her arm. "It appears broken. It's a simple fracture, so I should be able to set it quickly. Take a deep breath."

She inhaled automatically, and before she could process what was happening he had grabbed and straightened her arm. She screamed and tears gathered in her eyes, but it was over quickly, and the doctor patted her hand reassuringly while the blond man stroked her back.

"Let me give you something for the pain then I'll wrap it." He was already sticking a needle in her arm.

"Wait. What is that?" Isn't he supposed to get my Dad's permission or something?

"We need to move," the blond man said.

The doctor nodded just as a beautiful woman appeared beside him.

"This is my wife, Esme," the doctor said, introducing the lady as he dropped the used needle into the trash. "Esme, this is Bella."

Seeing a woman made Bella feel a bit more reassured at the speed this was all happening at. Wait. How did he know my name? I still don't know the name of the guy who brought me here.

"We're not going to be able to stay this time," the doctor told Esme.

Esme looked disappointed but kept a smile on her face as she looked at Bella. "There will always be a future time," she said. "I'll get ready."

Bella began to feel groggy. The pain in her arm was subsiding, but she was starting to fall asleep. "I need to call my Dad," she said.

"Don't worry about that now," said the blond man.

"Whatz yer name?" she asked him, as her lips started to get too thick to speak. What was in that shot?

"My name is Jasper, my lovely mate," Jasper said quietly. "I've been waiting for you for a very long time."

She felt him pick her up and carry her. She didn't care where; she sensed that she belonged in those arms. She was overcome with a feeling of love and longing, tinged with a bit regret.

She heard voices drifting in and out around her, and then finally slipped away.

When Bella woke up, she could feel movement. She still felt groggy, and her body felt heavy. It was too much trouble to open her eyelids. But she could smell something amazing, like cinnamon, honey, and soft leather. Though groggy, she sensed she was in a car, with her face tucked into someone's chest. She felt someone stroking her hair.

She struggled to open her eyes. When she did, she saw a pair of golden eyes staring down at her. Jasper. She formed the name on her lips then sat up. "Where are we?" she croaked, her voice hoarse.

Jasper twisted the cap off of a bottle of water and handed it to her before answering. She took the water and emptied half the bottle. Thirsty.

"Where are we?" she repeated as she looked out the window. "This doesn't look like Forks."

"We're in Alaska, on our way to see some friends in Denali Park. It's beautiful here, you'll love it."

"Hey, remember me?" asked a voice from behind her.

Bella turned to see the big man with the impish grin. She nodded.

"I'm Emmett," he replied. "Brought you some flowers. Don't drop them."

Emmett handed a bunch of orange and yellow mums in the haunted house cookie jar over the car seat. Jasper took them and held them so Bella could see them. She touched the flowers, feeling their soft springiness under her fingers. Orange and black for Halloween. Still so groggy. What day is it? Alaska?

"Got the lid right here," Emmett continued. "Thought you lovebirds should have a memento of the night you two met."

Xx

October is passing too quickly this year!

Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I'll send a preview of the next story to all reviewers.

Next up is the last story…but following that, a Jasper POV of that story.