A/N: Wow, an update two days in a row. Normally this would not be updated for another week, but as I worked on some of my other stories, I could not get this one out of my head and needed to write another chapter to get it out of my head. So here you go. I would say that I was sorry for the cliffy, but I would be lying. LOL. Well, maybe I felt a little guilty for leaving you hanging, but just a smidge. XD Enjoy!
Chapter 9 – Threat of Danger and Parents
One minute Bella was innocently strolling to her last class for the day and in the next, she found herself sitting in the passenger seat of a car speeding out of the parking lot at school. The only thing she could think as she glanced at the driver was "What the hell is going on here?" Sure she had been prepared for a weird day at school and maybe some animosity from her fellow classmates, but she had not been expecting to be grabbed and tossed into a car towards the end of the day. What was Jasper thinking?
Crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at the driver, Bella ignored the third person sitting in the backseat and demanded, "What do you think you're doing? You just grab me and run for it… faster than I have ever seen anyone run, getting me to this car in a matter of seconds and now we are leaving campus. What is going on?"
"Darlin', you have got to trust me. I needed to get you out of there," Jasper answered.
"Oh really? Care to tell me why?" Bella was fuming and sorely tempted to slap the man.
Jasper exhaled and looked over his shoulder, "Alice?" When he had gotten out of his previous class, the little pixie-like vampire had been waiting for him looking agitated and worried. She only had to mutter the words, "Someone is going to take Bella next period" and he left her standing there with only one thing on his mind, get Bella out of there. He would not allow anyone to take Bella from him. However, when it came to the brunette's questions, he couldn't actually explain why he did what he did. To him, it was act now and ask questions later.
Nodding at the unspoken request, Alice addressed everyone in the car, but first she introduced herself to Bella, "Hi Bella, I'm Alice Cullen. I can't wait to get to know you more. As for what happened today, I told him that you were going to be taken. I don't think anyone saw him run and grab you since there weren't a lot of people around… thankfully." She gave her friend a very pointed look before turning back to the girl, "I'm not sure what Jazz has told you, but I get visions and can see things that are going to happen."
"He told me about that," Bella stated still confused about what was going on and if she wasn't surrounded by insane people.
"Well, I was sitting in class and I got a vision of you getting hit in the head with a volleyball. Someone was going to take you to the infirmary, and when you exited the gym, your escort was going to die and you would be taken. I have never seen this person before, but based on his eyes, I would say that he is another vampire," Alice expanded.
Bella looked perplexed, "Another? You don't know him?"
Giggling, Alice shook her head, "Our population is significantly less than that of humans, but there is no way to know all of the vampires in the world and since many are nomads, who knows how many are actually out there… not only out there, but there could be new ones all the time. We don't take a census or anything."
"Alice," Jasper growled in warning as he continued to speed down the road on his way to the safest place he could think of: the Cullen compound.
"Right! I have never seen this man before, but I had a vision of someone watching you from the woods. I don't know if it is the same person. If this person is a nomad, he could have just been taking advantage of the opportunity that presented itself," Alice answered.
Bella eyes widened and a panicked expression appeared. Jasper could clearly feel the fear and worry she was feeling and instinctively knew exactly why she felt that way, but he didn't know how to reassure her.
"What about the others at school? What is going to happen to them? We have to…!" Bella declared.
"They will be alright. They are not going to strike the school now," Alice stated as if she knew for sure… and she did. The latest vision showed the stranger running far away from the school and leaving town. Bella was safe for the moment; however, Alice had a feeling their trials were far from over. Not only did Jasper have to deal with the family's reaction for going public, and really that would be mainly Rosalie, but according to a vision she received last night, Edward would be home this weekend. Bella was still the mind-reader's singer and the only thing Alice could say for sure is that at some point the brunette would become one of them; whether that came from an attack by Edward or not, at this point Alice could not say. She just didn't know.
Feeling a bit exasperated, Bella yelled, "How do you know for sure? We have to help…!"
Jasper reached over and took his new girlfriend's hand in his and reassured her, "Darlin', if Alice says he's leavin' town, then he is. We don't have to worry about him right now. She can see what's gonna happen. If we thought there was still a problem or concern, we would step in, but right now there isn't. Alright?"
She wasn't sure if she exactly agreed with him, however Bella had no choice but to trust him and Alice. Anxiety still filled her and she wanted to turn around and see for herself that everything would be fine, and yet, she was terrified about going back to campus right now. She felt like a coward. "Alright," she mumbled as she turned to stare out the window, observing everything as they turned down a side road, which she was sure she would have completely missed if she had been the one driving. Where were they going?
He could tell when Bella became even more confused and decided to answer the question she had yet to ask, "We're goin' to my house."
With a small nod, Bella answered, "Oh." So many things were swirling around in her brain: thoughts, imaginings, fears, hopes, and dreams. Did she trust Jasper and Alice? Well, she didn't really know Alice, but she did believe in Jasper. Was she scared? Yes, she was, but not of JW or the girl sitting in the back seat. No, it was something else that sent the chills of terror running through her body. Who would want to take her? Was the school really safe? She wasn't sure, but she would trust what they said, believing that they would not allow innocent people to be slaughtered.
As they pulled up to a house located well off the road, and the beaten path, Jasper got out and appeared at Bella's door before she could even open the door. Pulling it open, he held out his hand hoping she would take it. Relief swept through him when she put her smaller hand in his and allowed him to help her. After he closed the car door behind her, he kept hold of her hand and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "I promise that nothing will happen to anyone at school and I will protect you no matter what it takes."
Breathing in and out slowly, partly due to his proximity and partly to calm her fears, Bella nodded, "Thanks JW."
Jasper grinned at her use of his nickname, "I will always be there for you." Stepping back, he pulled her into the house where Alice had already disappeared, probably to give the heads up to Carlisle and Esme.
Indeed when Jasper and Bella walked into the house the perceived parental unit of the Cullen family were waiting for them in the foyer. The brunette's heart started to speed up, not in fear that they would do something to her, however, she wasn't exactly aware that she would be meeting the other members of the family… or in this case the parents.
"Bella, this is Esme and Carlisle, they play the role of my mom and dad. Esme, Carlisle, this is Bella, my… girlfriend." Jasper made the introductions only making a slight hesitation over how to label the brunette at his side.
"Pleased to meet you," Bella spoke softly, nervous about meeting these people.
Beaming, Esme's eyes went from Bella to Jasper and back again, "We are delighted to have you in our home."
"Yes, we are. Welcome," Carlisle grinned, but curious over why this group was standing in their home right now when he was sure the last period in school had yet to be dismissed.
Jasper could feel his leader's bewilderment and finally said, "We'll explain, but why don't we go into the living room first." When everyone was seated, he explained everything that happened that afternoon, and when he was done he stated, "I decided it was best to bring her here. We still need to go back and get her truck, but by then the danger should have passed."
"And her excuse for school?" Carlisle asked.
"She felt faint and I brought her to see you because the nurse was out sick today," Jasper quickly responded.
"And was she?" Esme questioned, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
Snickering, Alice replied, "Actually, she was out this afternoon and the nurse they got to cover for her got called into a meeting."
Esme turned her focus on the girl sitting next to Jasper. Her husband had told her about their connection and what the southern vampire had told him, but to be in their presence, to see it first hand, she could see how important Bella had become to Jasper in a short time… or maybe it wasn't that short since they had met seven years ago and even back then Jasper knew their paths would meet again. A strong bond had formed between the couple and she already knew what it all meant. The question remained, did Jasper? She had a feeling he did, but did not want to push everything on young woman at once, which is understandable, but Bella would need to know at some point. Let them have their moment for now though. Observing everything and listening to the motherly instincts within her, Esme knew Bella would become part of their family, whether she was turned or not, and she would be one of the best things that had ever happened to Jasper… and for that, Esme loved her and would do what she could to protect the couple.
Carlisle had also been studying the girl and had come to much the same conclusion that his mate had. Even around Alice, Jasper had never been so protective, anxious, and loving. He noticed that the southern man constantly touched Bella as to remind himself that she was indeed there and by his side, and Carlisle concluded that Bella did the same. Their lives and destinies were already entwined and they had been for the past seven years. Regardless of the dangers the relationship posed, the doctor would support them because they belonged together. Clearing his throat, he spoke to the group at large, "I don't think it was Edward. I talked to him this morning. He will be home some time on Sunday. Based on how Alice described him, it sounds like a nomad. There have been talk that a wild animal is attacking people around this area, but I don't think it's a wild animal since the blood is completely drained." He figured he could speak with candor since Bella had already been dragged into this and today's attack would have centered around her.
"Wild animal?" Bella's frowned, "My dad was called in to help investigate a wild animal attack in the next county. Are we talking about that wild animal?"
Nodding, the doctor confirmed everything for her, "Yes. Chief Swan should be okay, especially if this guy is leaving, but I want all of us to remain on guard just to be sure. Bella, I would also suggest staying out of the woods and not walking alone… anywhere." He smiled and looked at his son, "Although, I don't believe the being alone thing will be a problem."
"Damn straight!" Jasper declared and pulled Bella just a little closer, trying to be as gentle as possible.
Their conversation was interrupted at that moment when Rosalie stormed into the house with Emmett hot on her heels. Sneering, the blonde looked at the brunette, "I figured she would be here. What the hell are you thinking Jasper? You can barely control yourself and now you want to hang around a human? Are you a complete dumbass? Not just any human, but the police chief's daughter…"
Jasper swiftly rose to his feet and in an instant stood in front of his pretend twin, "Shut the fuck up Rose. You have no idea what you're talking about!"
Rose glared at Bella, "She is going to bring this family down!"
"No, I think you will do that," Jasper snarled and took a step closer, but he was blocked from going further by a bear of a man, "Get out of the way Emmett."
"No can do. Everyone needs to calm down and chill," Emmett replied.
"I agree," Carlisle spoke up.
Shaking her head, Rose declared, "This can only end badly. Wise up Jasper and get rid of her now!" She left the room as quickly as she came in and flew up the stairs in a rage.
Emmett ran a hand over his face and said, "Nice to meet you Bella. Ignore her. I'll go talk to her."
Jasper sighed and plopped down next to Bella again, encircling her in his arms, and breathing in her calming scent before he muttered, "And that was Rosalie and Emmett. She's a peach, don't you agree?"
Snickering, Bella nodded her head against his chest, "Oh, she is a charmer that's for sure, but what she said…"
"Has no bearing between us. I can control myself around you and I can't be without you," Jasper interrupted.
"He's right. He may be the newest vegetarian, but he can control himself around you. Don't worry about what she says," Carlisle smiled warmly. It was true; he had never before seen the Jasper have the level of control he did around Bella. She was definitely a special girl.
Eventually Jasper took Bella to get her truck and then escorted her home. Earlier they had called Charlie and explained the situation just in case the school had called him. The father was worried, but grateful to Jasper's quick thinking. Now as they lay in Bella's bed thinking about the day's events, they both wondered what would happen next. Whatever it was, they were together and that is all that mattered. Rosalie might not accept her, but the others did… even Emmett. Charlie liked Jasper, so there were no problems in that corner. No, now they just had to wade through the sea of the unknown and make it through to the other side.