Chapter Seventy Three

Bella

I hurried out back to the restrooms praying there would be a payphone only to be disappointed but as I turned to enter as another woman came out I saw he was watching me from the table he had chosen presumably because it gave him a view out back as well as the front of the diner. Pretending I hadn't seen him I went inside and locked myself in a cubicle sitting down to think. He was extremely cautious and he seemed to be genuinely concerned about my safety.

Maybe I should just go along for now, if I appeared to be doing everything he said then maybe he would relax his guard. Of course I wanted to be safe but I also needed to let Charlie know I was still alive, he must be suffering the agony of guilt. I knew Carlisle and Esme would look after him and hoped one day soon to see them all again. Deciding I'd been quite long enough I made quick use of the facilities then washed up and rejoined him to find he had already ordered for me and surprisingly he'd chosen well. He seemed to be suddenly nervous but I just sat down and picked up my fork looking at my plate.

"I guessed what you'd like, we don't have time to hang around, it isn't safe."

I ate quickly and gulped down my coffee before I spoke,

"Where are we going? Surely you can tell me now."

"You'll find out soon enough but you should get some stuff for a couple of days, I won't be stopping again, you can sleep in the truck."

"I hope I'll get comfort stops."

"You tell me when and I'll find you somewhere."

"Gee thanks"

I know I sounded like a petulant child but his cold demeanor was annoying me as well as confusing me he blew from hot to cold in an instant. Back at the truck he indicated I should get in the back,

"You need to sleep, that bump on the head really knocked you out."

"And we all know who I have to thank for that."

He ignored my cutting remark and threw me a travel rug and a pillow,

"I thought these might make you a little more comfortable."

I took them with a thank you and lay down in the back positioning myself so I could see his profile as he drove and when he pulled out into traffic I noticed him readjust the interior mirror so he could see me at a glance.

"I won't jump you, I'm not that keen to die."

"I'm pleased to hear it. Now go to sleep."

My head was throbbing and it took some time to make myself comfortable then he switched the radio on searching for some music and finding something he approved of he smiled,

"Maybe this will help you sleep. Peter says country music always puts him to sleep it's so boring."

I listened to Garth Brooks singing for a minute there. Not my favorite but it did begin to lull me to sleep and soon my eyes closed although I struggled to remain awake, to watch him as he concentrated on the road, his face illuminated now and again by the headlamps of an oncoming car. As I slipped under I heard his voice, he was singing along to the latest song on the radio, one I didn't recognize but his voice was soft, like velvet and wrapped around me lulling me into unconsciousness.

The Major

I watched Bella struggle to stay awake noting how she relaxed into sleep at the sound of my voice. I hadn't listened to music or sung in a very long time but suddenly it felt right besides which it would help relax Bella and I didn't want her to be afraid of me. She was even if she denied it but her fear was nothing like the terror I inspired in others. Bella Swan, what is your secret? How was it Peter and I both came across women that meant something to us at the very same time, women who were friends in fact.

I wanted to get to my destination as quickly as possible, I wanted to be safe to talk to Bella with no one else around, to work out exactly what it was she was doing to me. I'd known what I was, The Major, emotionless, hard, cruel, and totally in control but she was battering away at all my defences and I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold out against her magic. As it was she slept soundly for the next ten hours only waking as the afternoon stole into evening. When she sat up looking around her I thought she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen, even with her hair all tousled and her eyes heavy with sleep.

"You feeling better?"

She started to nod then decided against it,

"A little but I really need to use the restroom and clean my teeth. I'm thirsty too."

I nodded and half an hour later pulled into the parking lot of another diner, this one equally as shabby as the last, people took less notice in places like this, lots of people had things to hide and no one wanted to look too closely at anyone else.

Bella

The Major handed me some dollar bills and indicated the small store next to the diner,

"Get what you need then join me inside and Bella...don't try anything stupid."

I nodded and he watched me enter the store before moving off towards the diner.

"Nice looking lad you got there girl. I can tell it wasn't him that did that to your face. I like to see a young couple in love."

I looked up blushing at the cashier who was smiling and trying to get a last glimpse to him,

"Oh...thank you. Is there a phone booth here?"

"In the diner, by the rest rooms."

My heart sank at that news and I wondered if he knew that before allowing me to go off on my own. I picked up what I needed and paid the still grinning woman before going out into the chill of the evening and then joining him in the diner when once more he had ordered for me and again I approved of his choice much as it galled me. I had to remember this was the man who let my dad think he'd killed me, the man who had tortured Charlie too.

Once I'd eaten we drove on but this time I climbed in front with him and settled myself comfortably leaning against the door post so I could watch him.

"I'm not a painting you know."

"I know. Do I make you uncomfortable? Does seeing my face make you feel guilty?"

He turned to look at me,

"It's already beginning to fade."

"You didn't answer my question but never mind let me ask a different one. I'm guessing we're headed for Texas, are you taking me home to meet the folks?"

That one got him as I saw his jaw clench,

"If you like I could dig them up but they've been dead a long time Bella."

I felt awful, I should have remembered that,

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't, I don't get upset. They were humans and they died."

"Do you still have any family? Descendants I mean?"

"No idea and I'm pretty sure if I did they wouldn't enjoy a visit from me. I have something of a reputation with humans."

"You weren't always like this though."

"Oh? How would you know?"

"I know you were a hero once and hero's aren't dreaded. They don't spread fear."

"Don't presume you know me just because you've heard a few stories about me. That human died a very long time ago and he's best left in his grave. You wouldn't have thought much of him Bella."

I could see he wasn't going to say anything else so I closed my eyes and heard the radio snap on, more quiet country music that lulled me back to sleep once more.