Chapter 108

Bella

I would be glad when Darius turned up with the helicopter, I was worried about the girl who had been stabbed. Although Jasper's venom repair had worked up till now we both knew it was only temporary and every hours delay was an hour closer to the bleeding starting up again.

"Do you think Carlisle will be able to save her?"

Jasper looked at me and shrugged,

"I have no idea Bella. It's never been my job to save lives and I don't know Dr. Cullen or his skills."

"Oh, no, of course, I'm sorry."

Something struck me then,

"You are coming back with us aren't you?"

"I would like to say no, I don't really fit in with others, but I guess if I'm gonna change my way of life then I have little choice. Besides how could I watch you fly off without me? I'm hoping Cullen will know more about what's going on with the Volturi. I need to find Peter, though."

"Then I'll go with you. I couldn't bear for us to be parted Jasper and I'll help you as much as I can. We managed up here didn't we?"

The Major

I hugged Bella, she was such an innocent, I wondered if she had any idea how difficult life was going to be for us when we rejoined the world. I was a killer pure and simple, terrifying everyone who heard of me. Did she really think people would believe I had turned my life around and become something other than a threat? If she thought I was going to be welcomed with open arms by the Cullens, she was deluding herself, even if Charlie had somehow seen beyond my outward appearance like she had. In some ways I wished we were staying up here on our own but that would be unrealistic and Bella deserved so much more.

Bella

We weren't expecting anyone before the blizzard gave up but suddenly in the middle of the night Jasper stood up and motioned for me to be quiet. He approached the door putting one hand on the knob ready to wrench it open. I opened my mouth to ask what was going on but he shook his head then opened the door and was gone.

Only the chilly breeze and snow on the wooden floor to show his actions. I waited a few minutes then tiptoed to the shutter and peeked through a small knot hole Jasper had always been going to stop up but never did for which I was now thankful. Peeping out I could see Jasper in the shadows by the edge of the outhouse, close to the place he had buried the bodies of the two men. Further in the gloom was another figure I could hardly make out. It seemed to be checking on the grave site and I wondered if the two men had an accomplice we had missed. I tensed as Jasper approached the other figure who swung round and uttered a cry of shock as the moonlight revealed the face of his friend Peter.

Seconds later they both came in shaking snow off their shoulders and heads and talking quietly although I could hear a few of the words,

"the fuck, I knew something...felt that fucking itch...glad you're...sorry to miss all...fun"

He looked over at me and winked and I relaxed,

"Where did you come from? Is Darius here? Where's Charlotte?"

"Whoa girl, remember I'm a poor country boy, I can only answer one question at a time. I came from Portland, I'm on my own and Charlotte is still there. Did I cover everything?"

"How did you know there was trouble? Did Carlisle send you?"

He looked highly indignant,

"No one sent me, I'm not some fucking errand boy. I knew there was trouble because I always know, I get this itch between my shoulder blades and it's never wrong. Well, I guess now I'm here I might as well wait for a ride back down. How's the girl? Hey, Major sloppy work out there. One of those guys wasn't dead when you dragged him out there."

Jasper tried to stop Peter's words, but I'd already heard.

"One of them was still alive?"

"Yeah I left him to freeze Bella but you weren't supposed to know. I didn't want to upset you."

"I wish I'd known. I would have gone to watch the bastard freeze. He tried to slit my throat, did you really think I'd be upset he suffered?"

Peter laughed loudly enough to disturb Sadie.

"Boy, you got a tiger by the tail here Major. I like her."

The next morning the snow had stopped and the air was still and crisp. Jasper and Peter went outside to watch for the helicopter while I stayed with Sadie who woke just as I heard the rotors of the helicopter and she grabbed my hand,

"Where am I? Have they gone?"

"You're safe. There's a helicopter coming to fly you down the mountain and a doctor standing by when we land."

"What happened? I don't remember much, those two me..."

I hushed her with a smile,

"Its OK they've gone and they won't be coming back. Where are you from Sadie?"

"Atlantic city. I was hitching back home. I broke up with my boyfriend and I was going home to my parents."

"Where are your parents?"

"Portland Oregon. They warned me he was no good, but I thought I knew better. Is that your boyfriend who helped me?"

"Yes."

"He's hot...you did better than me. Stay away from the bad boys they always break your heart. That's what my mom told me and I guess she was right."

"You rest, it sounds like we'll be going down soon."

A few minutes later Jasper came back in and picked Sadie up gently,

"Ready for a short helicopter flight?"

"I'll be glad to get in the warm and some painkillers."

We had run out of pain meds and I knew she was in pain although not as much as I had expected.

"Is it bad?"

She nodded and he closed his eyes,

"Now?"

I could see the tension leave her face,

"Not so bad now. What did you do?"

He looked down on her and smiled,

"Me? Nothing, it must be my magnetic personality."

She smiled before her eyes fluttered closed once more and I saw she had fallen asleep.

"You took her pain away didn't you?"

"She's suffered enough, besides it's easier if she's asleep, moving her to the helicopter would have been painful, even with me taking care."

I kissed him in thanks and followed him out of the cabin, our home for such a short while, and staggered through the deep snow to the helicopter ducking to avoid the rotors. Darius lifted a hand in greeting and as soon as we were aboard, took off. Jasper handed me the headphones while he and Peter held Sadie steady.

"Darius? Thank you."

"That's OK, medic alert, sniffer dog, travel agent, you name it I do it all Bella. We only have a small window to fly and it might get rough so strap yourself in tight."

I did as instructed and I was really glad I had as he banked sharply and started to descend faster than I liked. In fact I didn't really enjoy the flight at all, I felt sick and hated that Jasper was leaning across Sadie to stop her moving around. She had to be laid flat on the floor and couldn't be strapped in so it was necessary, but I didn't have to like it. Jealousy is a terrible thing, but I couldn't help myself, I wanted Jasper's arms around me, not her, why couldn't Peter be the one doing the holding?

When we finally landed I was relieved to see Carlisle and Charlie waiting for us. Jasper picked Sadie up and carried her over to the trolley Carlisle had standing by and laid her down gently before backing away as Carlisle went off towards a private ambulance standing, doors open, at the edge of the field. Peter went over to Charlotte who stood a little apart smiling at me while Charlie walked over talking to Jasper and I tensed ready to stick up for him if Charlie said anything, but they seemed to be talking amicably enough.

"No sweat Bella, Charlie understands The Major did all he could to look after you."

"I hope so Darius because he did. I wouldn't have called you if not for the girl. How did you know by the way?"

"We had two sources, Edward and Alice Cullen."

"Is Alice free?"

"No I don't think so but she got a message out to Esme and Edward rang Carlisle to tell him."

"Edward? Why would he do that?"

"Call me a cynic if you like but I think he was hoping to save his skin, and it worked."

Charlie and Jasper joined us then and my dad gave me a hug before standing back for Jasper to take his place at my side, how quickly I had come to feel that was his place!

"It's good to see you OK Bells and I know I have The Major to thank for that. If not for his quick thinking you might be dead. It was Aro Volturi's doing and I'm going to be talking to him very soon."

"Don't dad, it's not worth it and by the way, it's Jasper, not The Major. He left The Major on the mountain."

Charlie and Darius both looked at Jasper then Darius nodded,

"Fine by me but changing your name doesn't change what people perceive you as."

"I know that, I told Bella but she's determined to change me."

"For the better Jasper, I approve of the change."

I smiled knowing Charlie would, but I could see the skepticism in Darius' eyes and knew he wouldn't be the only one.

"Well, I guess we should get back. I take it you are coming back with me?"

I wasn't sure if Charlie were talking to both of us until Jasper put an arm around my shoulder and answered for both of us,

"So long as it's OK with Darius. I'd like to be sure the girl made it."