A/N: I'm not sure what happened. I had this all plotted and then my brain went completely blank. I would pick it up only to write absolutely nothing. I think I have it worked out again though. Enjoy!

Chapter 55 – Getting' Outta Dodge

As soon as they left Jasper alone to take care of Maria, Carlisle had known it was a mistake; and once Bella had broken free and returned to the baseball field, he knew they all had to follow her. It was a good thing they had too. Never before had he seen someone be able to sever the bonds of a mated couple, but Maria had been able to do it with relative ease and forced Jasper to attack the one person he loved more than anyone. Bella was probably saved because Sam had tried to attack Maria again, forcing Jasper to help the person who now controlled him.

It still boggled his mind that there was a gift such as that in existence, and he could only think that it was probably for the better that Maria was dead and that her gift only worked on one person at a time. If the Volturi knew of her gift…Carlisle wasn't even sure Aro could have controlled her.

When Peter, Charlotte, and Emmett had gone after Jasper and Maria, the wolves had almost attacked the remaining Cullens. Sam stopped them before they could and gave the vampire coven till sunset to clear out of Forks. They were no longer welcome. If they chose to stay, they would die. Given the fact the alpha actually gave them several hours to get out of town, it was a great concession, but the house and almost everything in it would be forfeit. The treaty between the vampires and wolves was now null and void, and why? All because of some contentious young pups. Carlisle always did what he could to keep the peace, followed the rules and stayed within the boundaries they gave him, but they had planned to break the treaty themselves and make it appear as if his coven, his family, were the bad guys. It had been their intent that one of the Cullen's would kill Paul, but when that did not happen, they killed him themselves. They were blood thirsty and vindictive, and Carlisle was almost afraid of what would happen to the town under their watch, but there was nothing he could do any longer. The tribe had made their decision, and at least, they had allowed Bella and Charlie to join the Cullen family…although, if one of the Coven had killed Paul, even the two newborns might have found their lives cut short.

Still Carlisle did not trust the pack. They say one thing and do something else. Did his family really have until sundown? For some reason, he didn't think so.

And then there was the issue of Jasper. He had tried to kill his own mate while under the control of Maria. Would he come back to them? Would he be all right? How had Maria done something like that? It was a confusing cluster fuck to be sure. Never before had he been more grateful for Eleazar than at that moment. His gift of being able to read other's gifts proved to be invaluable throughout this ordeal, and once again, he was able to shed light onto this confusing situation, explaining in detail how Maria's gift worked. It must have been enough for Bella because although Carlisle could see how her body trembled the moment Jasper broke through the tree line, it did not let it stop her from going to him. Carlisle couldn't help but think that she might be a better person than him because even with the explanation, he kept a slight distance between him and the southern vampire. Even when he walked up to him, he stopped short and said, "Jasper, it's not good."

Looking up at his coven leader, Jasper could see the hesitation, could feel the trepidation. It hurt a little, but he understood and could not find fault with Carlisle for doing such. He had a feeling this latest development had something to do with the wolves and said, "No offense, Carlisle, but if we survived that bitch Maria, I think everythin' else is minor in comparison. And that includes those damn wolves."

"We have to leave, JW," Bella whispered, a tremor heard in her voice.

His breath blew out in a rush, "I figured it would come to this even before we knew when James and Edward would show up. They want us gone and they would prefer it if we were dust." He could still feel his mate shaking and knew it had more to do with him than leaving, but he was afraid if he held her tighter, she would want to bolt. So he held her loosely and prayed she would be able to forget quickly anything he did to her. Hell, he wished he knew exactly what the fuck that entailed. Still, just knowing he attacked her was enough to tear him up inside. His eyes locked with those of his leader's again, "I've already discussed everything with Mr. Jenks and everything has been prepared."

Nodding, the patriarch stated, "They gave us until sundown, however, I don't…"

"They won't give us that long. As it is, they are watchin' us from the woods. I say we go back, grab what we need and get the hell out of dodge. They'll probably be watchin' the house for a while, so we shouldn't leave anything we need."

"They're looking for an excuse to execute us," Rosalie grumbled. "I want to throw the blame on her," she gestured towards Bella with her chin, "but even I know they have been gunning for us."

"We should teach every one of them a lesson," Emmett growled.

"NO!" Carlisle shouted. "That's the last thing we need to do. Starting a war with them might endanger innocent people and there is no guaranty we will win the fight. As it is, we don't know how many there are in the pack, and I don't believe for a moment that they brought their whole pack here today. We need to be cautious and move quickly."

Eleazar stepped forward, "My friends, I believe this is where we need to leave you."

"Are you sure? It might be safer leaving with us," Jasper suggested.

Shaking his head, the member of the Denali coven told him, "No. The more people in your group, the easier it is to strike. I would suggest that if you don't have to go back to the house then you leave from here." He gave Carlisle and Esme a small hug, and then together with Kate and Carmen, they left the ball field swiftly.

"So, what are we going to do? We need to pack clothes and stuff, but what about the furniture and everything else?" Charlie asked.

"Clothes and such aren't an issue. The furniture can be left where it is along with everything else in the house. There is money scattered about, but it isn't enough that we have to go back and get it," Carlisle began.

"What do you mean they aren't an issue?"

"We can always buy more. There are a couple documents and such that we will need to collect though. While we're there, we can each pack a small bag of essentials."

"Then let's get in and get out. I don't want the wolves to get the drop on us. I just don't trust 'em," Jasper ordered.

Charlie felt like his head was spinning and he couldn't keep up with the conversation, "Don't we need to make plans? What about everyone around town and your job? What about school? The house?"

"Charlie, we're used to this. Don't worry, one of these days, you'll get used to it too. It will all be taken care of," Emmett told him as he clasped him on the shoulder.

Smiling up at her mate, Alice said, "It will be fine."

"Alice, do you see something?" Jasper asked.

She shook her head, "Not really. With the wolves in the picture, I can't…" Her voice trailed off.

"I know. Don't worry about it. We'll git in and git out. Let's go before we burn any more time jibber jabberin'."

It took only about an hour to reach the house, pack, and step foot outside the door again. Grabbing only the essentials and any incriminating documents, they were prepared to leave the house and their lives of Forks behind. For the Cullen coven, it was just another move, another time to start again. For Bella, it was bitter/sweet. She had not been there long, but she had made a few friends and the time she had spent here with Jasper would always be special to her. And for Charlie, it felt as if he was burying his old self. His friends and life were no more, and now he had to find a new life with this group of vampires. Vampires…those were the monsters straight out of a horror movie and now he was living with him. Sometimes he wondered if all hell had broken loose and he was trapped in a dream, but he knew this was his new reality.

Pulling out of the garage with their cars, they were stopped before they could drive off. Three giant wolves lined up in front of them. Behind him, three more. Was this it? Were the wolves picking a fight with the Cullen's now when Sam had originally said they would have until sunset? It wouldn't have surprised anyone in their coven if the alpha had gone back on his word.

Stepping on the gas, Jasper revved the engine of his truck. If he had to run them over, he would. He would do whatever he needed to get him and his mate out of there. To tell with the wolves, the pack, and the tribe. He honestly didn't give one fuck about them or anything that had to do with them. If they wanted to go back on their word, then he would not hold back and he would kill every single one of them.

His lip pulled back in a sneer as he hissed. His gift ramped up, he could see the wolves' ears in front of him start to fold backwards on their heads. Looking in his side mirror at the wolves that were behind the last car in their caravan, and the same thing was happening. He needed more. Timidity, cowardice, and fear were being sent to them. They might not get the full power, but his gift was still working. He actually didn't know how effective it would be on them, however, he would use what he could.

"Jasper! Stop!" Sam called out and stepped up to the side of the truck.

Smirking, Jasper shook his head, "Tell 'em to get the hell out of my way, and I'll let 'em feel their own emotions."

"They weren't attacking you!"

"NO? Funny thing, they're in my fuckin' way, and I'll mow 'em down if I need to. You wanted us out of town, we're leavin'. Now let us leave, or else."

"They can leave. You have a death sentence."

"I don't think so."

"You attacked me!"

"What fuckin' petty argument is that? You set it up so that I would kill Paul. You wanted me to take the fall for that. You were gunnin' for me this whole time. I'm not fallen for it. You want to talk attackin'? You attacked your own pack. What kind of bullshit leadership is that? You have two choices, tell them to move, or I use my gift on you as well and run them the fuck over. I don't care who I kill or hurt. Me and my coven are gettin' out of here. We won't be back and we won't be botherin' you again. So out of the fuckin' way!" To prove his point, he revved his engine again and his back tires made dirt and rocks fly into the air. "I'm not bluffin'. When it comes to a game of chicken, I'll win."

Sam narrowed his eyes and glared at the southern vampire.

"I wouldn't take too long to think about it. My foot could accidentally slip off of the break and all y'all will have to pay the price. Want to explain it to your leaders why your pack is in need of medical attention?"

"Stop what you're doing to them!"

"Not until they git out of our way. Once we're all down the road and I know you won't come after us, I'll let up." He wasn't about to inform the alpha exactly what the radius of his gift was. His foot "slipped" off of the break and hit the gas, sending the truck forward a couple of feet before it stopped again, "The next time won't be a bluff."

"Your truck won't survive."

"Maybe, maybe not, but I guaranty I will kill several pack members before you're able to lay one finger on me. Your choice." Jasper revved the engine again to prove his point.

Still Sam did nothing.

"Have it your way, but remember, this was all your doin'," Jasper snarled and quickly took his foot off the break and slammed on the gas.

Before Jasper could hit his pack, Sam ordered everyone out of the way. The vehicle missed them by centimeters.

"Are we going after them?" Jacob asked softly. He had been one of the wolves in front and was still feeling scared and uncertain.

His jaw clenched, his hands in fists at his side, Sam turned around and punched the tree behind him. "No, let them go. If they ever come back, we'll take care of them then," he growled. He wanted to run after them, to kill his prey, but he knew it was better to stop now. Paul's blood was already on his hands, he would not have others right now.

It took a few minutes, but his tribe finally came back to their senses and disappeared into the woods once again. They would protect Forks from the Cold Ones, but they would not go hunting them outside of their territory.

Down the road, Bella stared at her mate and asked, "Will they come after us?" The memory of her wounds and her fear were still there, but she refused to allow them to control her.

His lips curled up into a lopsided smile and he shook his head, "No, darlin'. We're finally free. Now where do ya wanna go? We can go anywhere ya want in the world."

"I hear Canada is nice this time of year," she winked remembering the time they spent together up north, and smiled when he laughed. They were finally free from James, Maria, Edward, and the wolves; and they could finally start their lives together.