Chapter Twenty Four

Jasper

Our trip was turning out to be a real hit and although I was missing Bella I knew she was having a great time with her mum and Phil. They'd done this many times and the stories Bella told me put my mind at rest on that score.

"Hey, you think Bella's gonna join us in the future? She sounds like she enjoys the rough and tumble. It'll be good having a little sis that doesn't know everything you're going to do before you do."

"Now what makes you think any sane girl is going to want to associate with you Emmett? You are more likely to frighten the crap out of her. Besides Bella is going to be a newborn and you know what that means Em."

"What Carlisle?"

"She'll be stronger and faster than you and I for one can't wait to see you get handed your ass by a little girl."

"Carlisle, I think I prefer you when you're being the kindly family doctor besides no little girl is gonna get one over on me."

"Oh? What do you think Jazz? After all you're the newborn expert."

It wasn't like Carlisle to mention my past, not the usual one but then this wasn't the usual Carlisle we all knew and loved. This was an altogether more feral creature.

"I have no idea how well Em fights, you stopped the fighting remember Carlisle?"

"Only because you were busy destroying all Esme's hard work inside and outside the house and she was bitching to me about it. Still, there's nothing to harm out here so why don't we have a competition. Last Man Standing."

Now I'd heard of that but I'd only participated once at Maria's insistence and my opponents were newborns not friends.

"Yeah, sounds good to me, what about you Garrett?"

Garrett threw me a look that said, these children really don't know what they are suggesting do they? Then shrugged,

"Why not but I take it we'll be changing the rules slightly Carlisle?"

"Of course, I wasn't suggesting we fight to the death, just to incapacitate the opponent. I think a free for all might be a little dangerous so we'll have to go for a competition. Draw lots for opponents, what do you think?"

It was soon decided we would give it a go, no rules, no referee just one man against another. Emmett would be difficult because he had the advantage of weight and strength, Garrett had experience, Edward's advantage was his gift and I...well I was created a fighter and they all knew it. The unknown entity in all this was Carlisle. He didn't come across as a fighter, as aggressive at all, yet he had lived with the Volturi and survived years before he met them so chances were he could take care of himself but he would be rusty...or at least he should be. I found it never paid to underestimate anyone in our world.

The first round was Garrett versus Edward which was interesting, experience and determination against the ability to read minds and therefore know your opponents moves before he made them. For a while I thought Edward was going to beat Garrett, he certainly proved a difficult adversary as he anticipated move after move but then Garrett did what I would have done and went on instinct alone. Without the advantage of his gift Edward was no match for Garrett and within ten minutes he had lost. We had decided the loss of a limb was proof of defeat and Edward sat holding his right arm in position as it fused while Garrett smiled quietly in triumph. It was rough and dangerous but it was also fun pitting yourself against another vampire, there was a thrill you got from nothing else and I could see it in Edwards face even though he had been defeated.

Next up was Emmett against Carlisle, the match I was looking forward too as Emmett had already decided the outcome in his own mind. At first it looked outwardly as if he had been right, Carlisle was standing back, watching but not concerned by his opponent so much as measuring him in the way I would. When he did move in it was classic strength against agility and a very keen brain. We watched in awe as Carlisle became another man, no longer the vegetarian peacemaker as he was known but a wily fighter who danced rings around Emmett before finally knocking him to the ground and twisting his arm unto. With a wrench it was in his hand and held aloft as a symbol of his win. Carlisle would need watching carefully, he was good, extremely good!

I of course got to sit out the first round, after all it was almost a forgone conclusion I would beat all comers but the next round which would take place the following day after everyone had healed was something different. We spent the night predictably discussing the matches and I could tell everyone was surprised by Carlisle's prowess.

"So Carlisle, tell us your secret. How did you learn all that shit?"

"Well you don't live with the Volturi for years without learning a thing or too Emmett."

The next morning we started again and this time the losers fought first so Emmett and Edward got down to it and this time Emmett's brawn was just no match for Edwards gift. Edward caught Em unawares and took the huge Em down taking off an arm. This may have seemed brutal but pain was a part of being a vampire and we healed pretty quickly. Next were Carlisle and Garrett and this proved to be very interesting indeed, they were well matched and the battle went on for almost an hour before Carlisle caught Garrett as he slipped and almost took his head off as he twisted Garrett round to take him to the ground. Garrett admitted defeat and I knew I would be facing him soon.

We faced off the next morning, giving Carlisle time to hunt and regain full strength. The others were taking bets on the result and I knew my reputation as the God of War was at stake. Not that I used it these days but even so it kept enemies at bay. As Garrett called for us to begin we circled each other looking for weaknesses that really were not there. We clashed and I felt a burning sensation as Carlisle bit me on the arm, he wasn't playing, he was out to win but that just wasn't acceptable to me. It took a little longer than I thought but I was victorious in the end and Carlisle lay on the floor, my booted foot across his throat and his arm twisted so the joint creaked with the pressure.

Deciding we'd had enough violence for a while we went hunting as a group in the river facing the wildlife as we went. Garrett to my surprise had turned to feeding from animals for Alice's sake, it must be serious! From his expression it was clear the taste was not to his liking although he never complained. I was grateful for the diversion all this had proved but I couldn't get Bella out of my mind. My main concern was her reaction to the truth about me and my family. Would she be able to see through the initial shock and remember the man she had fallen in love with, had slept with and had been safe in the arms of. If not then my world would come crashing down and I wasn't sure I would be able to survive without Bella.

"A penny for them Jazz"

I looked up to see Carlisle standing above me and signalled for him to take a seat beside me.

"Just thinking about Bella and how she's going to react to the truth about me."

"Does she love you son?"

"Yes she does."

"Then she'll understand why you didn't tell her earlier."

"I'm not worried about that Carlisle, I just wonder how she's going to react to knowing she's been sleeping with a vampire."

"She loves you, she'll find a way to understand your nature. Especially after all you've been through, you will be telling her your story, that is why you told us more the other night isn't it?"

"I thought you might see through that Carlisle, yes I'm going to be totally honest with her, its the only way."