Chapter Twenty One

Jasper

I was sitting in my motel room reading or rather wishing I was back in Forks with Bella when I got the feeling that something wasn't right. It was very nebulous, hardly more than a ghost of a feeling really but it stopped me. Then it seemed to vanish as quickly as it had come and I shrugged it off as the result of spending almost three days in the company of an employer who hadn't the faintest idea what he really wanted, I wished I'd never taken the job but as it was a friend of a friend of Carlisle's. A business partner of one of his medical acquaintances I could hardly let him down. Friday couldn't come soon enough, I would be finished with his endless changes of mind and be back in Forks with Bella, this time permanently. Besides, I wanted to propose and the wait was frustrating.

The night went so slowly and once I finished my book I flicked through the television channels. What did humans see in the endless dross that paraded itself as entertainment? Bored with that I went for a long run in the meadows outside of town which helped with the frustration a little and then just before dawn the feeling came back but much more strongly this time, telling me something was very wrong. I looked around but I was alone except for some small mammals and insects, most of the birds were even still roosting it was that early.

Then it hit me, what I was feeling was connected with Bella. My mate was in trouble and I was about a thousand miles away! Trying not to panic I ran back to the motel and snatched up my phone hitting speed dial. If Bella didn't answer I would call Emmett and ask him to check on her. My relief when I heard Bella answer was immense but then I heard the quaver in her voice.

"Bella? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

I waited and after a moment's hesitation she spoke,

"I'm OK Jasper but I need you to come home."

"Of course, I'll be on the first available flight but what's happened? It's not Charlie is it?"

Visions of her father being gunned down while attempting to prevent a robbery flickered through my mind.

"I…...Carlisle will explain."

She had started to cry and I cursed throwing things into my bag as I listened to Carlisle's explanation.

"He did what? Where is he? I'll kill the little bastard. How badly hurt is Bella? She must be terrified."

"She'll be fine and remember even after all the things Edward told her she still came to me for answers and begged you to come home. Whatever Edwards motive for telling her I think it backfired. We have no idea where he is but Esme is contacting Emmett now, if he's at the house we'll soon know. Are you coming home, son?"

He knew he really didn't need to ask,

"I'm already on my way to the airport."

"What about the assignment? What will you tell your employer?"

"Fuck the assignment, Bella needs me to come home."

Carlisle

I understood Jasper's need to see Bella but I worried about what might happen when he and Edward came face to face. We needed to find him and get to the bottom of this but if Edward thought I was going to stand between him and Jasper he was very much mistaken. Much as I loved my son he had to accept the consequences of his actions.

"Emmett says they haven't seen Edward and they have no idea where he is. Do you want them to go looking for him? I think both he and Rose are very keen to have words with him."

More than just words I was sure but I shook my head,

"No, we'll take Bella back to the house where I know she'll be safe until Jasper gets back."

"What about Charlie? He's going to want to know what's happened and why Bella is at our place instead of work."

Bella looked up wiping tears from her face,

"It's OK, I'll tell him Jasper's coming home and I want to be there to see him and he won't question my accident story, he knows it's only too plausible."

"Now, you are sure you feel comfortable coming home with us Bella after all you've heard?"

"Yes please Esme, after all Carlisle's right. Despite my suspicions and Edward being your son I still headed straight for him to help me. I just wish I knew what has happened to Edward."

"Yes, you said he was holding his head and seemed to be in pain? Maybe he realized the enormity of what he had done and it shocked him?"

"Maybe, but he looked in pain to me. I hope he was Carlisle, I'd like to see him squirming in agony after what he's done. Sorry, but that's the way I feel."

"I don't blame you and I can't apologize enough for his actions. Come on, let's get you home and you can ring Charlie from there."

While Esme took Bella to the car I checked that Clive was happy to cover for me.

"Sure thing Carlisle, you've done it for me often enough. I should keep an eye on Bella though, I think she's in shock. That must have been a nasty fall she took. Do you want me to let her dad know?"

"She's going to ring him from our place. Jasper will be home later and she'll be fine once she sees him."

"Right, love's young dream eh? Oh, I remember those days…...well vaguely."

His laugh followed me out into the corridor and I slowed to a halt close to the main entrance and rang Edward's cell phone. There was no reply but I hadn't necessarily expected one, he would probably be keeping a low profile right now so I left a message.

"Edward, Bella told me what happened. I have no idea why you acted as you did but I suggest you stay away until you can find a way to redeem yourself. Right now I doubt you would be welcome or safe at home. I am extremely disappointed, not to say disgusted, with your behavior. You should also consider the other consequences of your actions, you have broken the most sacred law by revealing our existence to Bella and you'd do well to consider the penalty for that as well."

I knew he would listen to his messages and maybe he would begin to understand just how much he had forfeit as a direct result of his attack, both verbal and physical, on Bella. He had certainly lost the trust of all the family and stood to lose much more if he wasn't extremely careful and possibly lucky too.

Jasper

I was in luck, there was a flight leaving almost immediately for Portland where I could rent a car and there were a couple of vacant seats. All the way there I kept hearing the pain and fear in Bella's voice, Edward had scared her badly but more with his actions towards her than what he had said. She hadn't been frightened to approach Carlisle as he said and she had asked me to come home. That was it then, nothing would come between us again, I would never leave her alone to face anything alone again.

When I deplaned at Portland I was relieved and grateful to find Emmett waiting to drive me the rest of the way and as he drove he filled me in.

"Bella is one brave girl. She stood up to Edward pretty good."

"Has anyone seen or heard from him?"

"Nope, just as well, Rose and I are only too happy to have words with the creep."

"Oh don't worry, I intend to do so myself once I know Bella's OK."

"You know something, she hardly batted an eyelid over hearing we're vampires. When I asked her why she wasn't scared she said she'd gotten to know us and she felt safe. That whatever we are we're still her friends and your family. Go figure."

"Yeah, she's one very special lady. I shouldn't have left her Em."

"Bullshit, how were you to know Edward would blow a fuse? Anyway, we'll be home soon."

I nodded, it couldn't come quickly enough for me. Until I had Bella in my arms I wouldn't feel content or stop worrying.