Finding You Finding Me
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 02
Carlisle Cullen watched his family from the grassy bank of the river with a wan smile on his face. It was one of the first good days they'd had since last September.
…since Jasper had destroyed himself.
It was summer now and months had passed but it had been a very rough time for all of them after that night, even more so for Bella. She'd been inconsolable for several months, barely speaking to any of them, just going through the motions. Her reaction had been shocking to him as she hadn't seemed that close to Jasper. It was a mystery he couldn't explain.
Even now, here swimming in the river with the rest of the family, he could see her heart wasn't into it. Something had changed in her that night; something had broken and it had almost been the end of her and Edward.
If there was one thing he could say about his first son though, it was that he was tenacious, at least where Bella is concerned. He hadn't given up on her. Of course, she wasn't the same toward him any longer.
Before, she'd been insistent on taking their relationship to the next level. They all knew she'd wanted more from him; had begged and demanded, but since that night and now? She never mentioned it, readily accepting Edward's chaste touches and kisses without protest and never initiating contact herself which made Edward exceedingly happy. For Bella, Carlisle knew, this allowed her to maintain distance from Edward which she now seemed very content with. She was merely complacent.
In Carlisle's mind however, all of this was a red flag; something that told him Edward and Bella, as an item, would not last. Not once she came back to truly living and found herself once again. He only hoped Edward would be able to handle that when the day came.
"Aw, come on Belly-Boo!" Emmett yelled as she climbed up the bank to her towel. "You've only been in for half an hour!"
She laid on the towel and waved him off as she shaded her eyes with an arm. "Long enough for me Em, sorry. You guys go back to trying to kill each other. I'm good."
Emmett shrugged and tackled Edward as Alice and her new mate watched from the side next to Rose.
'Alice's new mate…' Carlisle mused with a sigh.
They'd all been shocked when, four months ago she'd returned from a shopping trip to Seattle with a young vampire named Riley by her side. Apparently, she'd noticed him in the mall parking lot and struck up a conversation and things had gone very quickly from there. He was now golden eyed and very much a part of the family, though he couldn't attend school since there were missing person posters of him throughout the region.
No, now that they had Riley and once (if) Edward convinced Bella to marry him, they would have to leave this place and not return for a very long time. At least, that was Edward's plan, anyway.
Carlisle sighed again and Esme looked at him while taking his hand. "What's on your mind dear? Care to talk about it?"
He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "You know me so well," he murmured.
She smirked and arched a brow.
He looked back out at the 'kids' in the water. "I just worry for all of them, but I'm really concerned for Bella and Edward." He turned his head to look at his wife. "She's not the same Esme and that has me concerned."
He watched his wife nod. "You're right of course. There's no spark in her anymore. Not since…"
She trailed off and it didn't surprise Carlisle in the least. She'd been unable to speak of what happened that night, or to even say his name.
"It's like something within her died with…with Jasper that night Carlisle," she whispered. She looked back at her husband. "Have you noticed how she avoids Alice and Riley, even when they try to get her to talk?"
Carlisle nodded. "I have."
"And she barely interacts with any of the rest of us, Edward included, though he hardly notices. It's all very wrong Carlisle and it concerns me that Edward seems very content with the changes, as if he prefers zombie Bella to how she used to be."
Carlisle sighed and patted her hand. "So, you've noticed the same things then. I had wondered. Really, I had hoped it was just my imagination."
"It isn't," Esme affirmed.
"What scares me is what might happen when she snaps out of it, if she snaps out of it."
Esme leaned against his shoulder. "What do you think might bring that about?"
He kissed her temple before looking back out to the water. "I have no idea sweetheart. No idea at all."
Half an hour later, everyone was out of the water and ready to go home. Edward helped Bella up and she slipped her shirt and shorts on before climbing onto his back for the trip home.
"Everyone have everything?" Esme asked.
"I have everything I need," Edward answered with a grin and a pat to Bella's leg. "We're set."
"All right then, let's go," Carlisle said and took off with everyone following.
~o0o~
Haiel and Mizrael watched as the Major finished disposing of the last of the older newborns, purple smoke hanging thick in the air from the two bonfires he'd set for the task.
"Make damn sure those fires are out before you retire for the evening Captain," Jasper ordered before stalking out of the clearing and to his cabin.
"Haiel…" Mizrael murmured with sad eyes and a shake of his head.
"I know," Haiel answered. "It's a brutal life he leads, but we're here to change it."
"Do you really think this will work, brother? I mean, we're going to take him to meet his human mate." He turned to study his brother for a beat. "Will he kill her?"
"I don't know Mizrael," he murmured before turning to look his brother in the eye. "But this is our last chance—their last chance. We have to take it."
"Isn't there something we can do to make the transition easier, or less risky at least?"
After a moment, a slow smile curved Haiel's lips as his eyes lit up.
"What are you thinking brother?" Mizrael asked with narrowed eyes.
Haiel shrugged a shoulder. "Oh, just that he can't harm her if he can't move, right?"
"This is true," Mizrael drawled with a nod. "But that's also not a very good way to build a relationship between them. If you have them subdue him in some way, he'll be enraged. Clearly, the Major isn't one for being controlled, brother. He'll resent them for it."
"True brother, but if I paralyze him for just enough time to acclimate to her scent and get to know her, then, when I remove the bind, he won't hurt her. Or at least, I hope he won't. It's the best I've got."
Mizrael pursed his lips as he thought. "He'll be able to speak and drink?"
"Of course," Haiel agreed with a grin.
Mizrael nodded. "Let's do it."
~o0o~
Major Jasper Whitlock had just taken a drag off his freshly rolled cigarette and leaned back on his bunk with his eyes closed when the feeling of a presence had his eyes snapping open, a hiss on his lips as he jumped into a crouch. "Who the fuck are ya, and what the fuck are ya doin' in my quarters?"
Haiel held up his hands. "I'm not an enemy, Major, trust me."
Jasper's lip curled, showing a deadly fang. "I don't trust anyone and as far as enemies go, every fucker I meet is an enemy until proven otherwise, and that'll take a hell of a lot more than your word. Now, how'd ya get in here? I didn't hear the door."
Haiel smiled. "That's because I didn't use it, Major."
Jasper's red eyes bled to black and he growled. "I suggest ya get to the point stranger before I end ya and get on with my night."
"All right then," Haiel said with a nod. "I can see you're a man of few words so I won't waste them. My name is Haiel and I'm your guardian angel."
Jasper straightened from his crouch and chuckled as he took a drag from his cigarette. "Pete, that fucker. I'm gonna kick his ass good for this," he muttered through a plume of smoke.
"I assure you Major, this is no joke. I'm here to take you to meet your soul mate. The two of you have given me a…well, pardon my french, but a hell of a time and this is your last chance."
"Bullshit. I ain't never met you before."
Haiel frowned. "True, but I have dealt with you, or tried to, for years—all in the future, of course. Plus, we angels don't exactly make it a habit of interacting with our charges. It just isn't done. I'm breaking all sorts of rules speaking to you now, but I decided I needed to warn you before simply taking you and leaving you with a bunch of strangers."
Jasper cocked a brow, took a slow drag from his smoke and flicked the butt into a corner. "The future," he drawled dryly as smoke curled from his lips. He pointed to the door. "Get the fuck out. Bother me again and it'll be the last thing ya do."
Haiel took a deep breath and blew it out. "Okay Major, you asked for it." He waved his hand and Jasper went still and fell back on his bunk.
"What the hell?" he growled as he pinned the angel with a glare. "What'd you do? I can't move."
"That's right Major, and you won't be able to for a while. At least until I'm sure you won't kill your mate. When I'm sure of that, I'll release the bind."
Jasper's eyes went wide. "You're sendin' me to a strange coven like this? I can't defend myself! Fuck! Ya might as well kill me now!"
"Relax Major. They know you, and I don't think your mate will stand for anyone mistreating you," the angel finished with a smirk. Jasper didn't look convinced. "Besides Mizrael and I will be watching over you."
Jasper narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
Haiel laughed and grabbed onto Jasper. "I just love your dry wit Major! How I have missed it!" He glanced down at Jasper with a grin. "You may want to close your eyes. This will be quite the ride!"
~o0o~
They appeared in a spacious study and Jasper quietly muttered, "Shit," just as his eyes snapped open. The angel hadn't been kidding when he said it'd be a heck of a ride.
Haiel placed him into a comfortable looking lounge chair situated in the corner and adjusted his legs on the foot rest as Jasper growled lowly in frustration.
Haiel smirked. "Don't like being babied Major?" he asked and Jasper shot him a poisonous look. "Huh, I guess not," Haiel muttered.
"Huh, I guess not," Jasper mocked in a high voice before curling his lip at the angel. "You're just damn lucky I can't move right now, fairy god-mother, 'cause I'd tear your ass apart."
Haiel's finely arched brows had climbed as he listened and he giggled when Jasper was through. "Fairy what?" he asked before flapping a hand. "No matter. Believe me Major, luck has nothing to do with my continued well-being." He smiled widely and Jasper hissed at him.
"Oooh, surly. Your mate will take care of that. Anyhow, this is where I leave you Major."
Jasper's eyes widened. "Hold the fuck on, princess! You can't just leave me like this! I don't know these vampires and they don't know me! You haven't even told me this supposed mate's name!"
Haiel frowned. "Princess… I suppose that's a jab at my robes, is it?"
"Looks like a damn dress to me," Jasper grumbled.
"Yes, well, it isn't. And as for their names, you'll learn those very soon, but I will cut you some slack, so to speak, and tell you your mate's name is Isabella, just to prevent any miscommunications. Now, be nice Major. You're going to be depending on these beings for everything for a while." Haiel grinned at Jasper's dark scowl. "Just be thankful you have no need of a bathroom! Ta ta!"
With that, the angel vanished and Jasper cursed lowly as he began to look around the room. Shelves upon shelves of books, many he recognized as being his own, lined one whole wall. The books he could write off as coincidence, but when his gaze landed on the saber he'd carried in the war, well, that was a shock. "What the hell..." he muttered. It appeared these were his things, but if that was so, how did they get here? And how did these vampires supposedly know him?
Gritting his teeth in frustration, he leaned his head back on the chair and stared at the ceiling. "Damn that angel. Least he could'a left me with use of my arms. I'd fuckin' kill for a smoke about now…"
Noise from down stairs, or at least what he assumed to be downstairs, caught his attention and he listened carefully as what sounded like eight or so beings entered the house, most of them chattering away. What really caught his attention was the sound of a lone human heart. "Well, I'll be fucked," he muttered. "Princess wasn't lyin' after all…"
With that, he did the only thing he could do. He settled back to wait with his gaze locked on the closed door.
~o0o~
As soon as they stepped into the house, Bella slid off of Edward's back and straightened her clothes.
He looked at her and smiled. "You okay love?"
She gave him a half smile. "Yep," she said. "Just peachy."
"Good," he answered with a caress of her cheek. "Would you like to take a shower? Freshen up and get into something comfortable while I make you some dinner?"
Before she could answer, Esme smiled and spoke. "That's a lovely idea Edward. I think the rest of us are going for a quick hunt, then maybe we can have a movie night?" She looked at Bella who nodded.
"Sure Esme, that sounds good."
She turned and began to climb the stairs as Edward disappeared into the kitchen. When she reached the second floor, her gaze landed on Jasper's study door and sadness swept through her. With a glance back over her shoulder, she approached the door.
After her birthday, she'd snuck into his study as often as she could but it had been many months since she'd entered it last. She loved the room; loved the books and the lounge in the corner… Being in there made her feel Jasper's presence and it was comforting somehow, in ways she couldn't explain. Edward had discovered her in there one day and hadn't been happy about it, so that had been the end of that…until now.
With a small smile, she placed her hand on the knob and turned. With a slight push, the door opened silently and she slipped in, closing it softly behind her before reaching for the light switch.
The dark room flooded with light and she wandered toward the bookshelves, her fingers running over the spines as she moved along. A ways down, she stopped at a shelf that held various items from his Army days and above them was mounted a Confederate Officer's saber, polished and pristine, the light of the room winking off the razor sharp blade. "Oh Jasper…" she whispered, heart aching as she ran her fingers over the grip where his name was engraved. "Why?"
"Why what, darlin'?"
Bella gasped and spun toward where the rich, southern accented voice came from and her eyes went wide as her mouth dropped open. It was Jasper in the chair, but he was so much more than she remembered…
Full lips curved into a smirk as red eyes sparkled with amusement and curiosity, and the way he held himself… Proud and confident, like nothing and no one could touch him… He was a picture of male beauty and vampire perfection, rolled into one fuck-hot package and she was speechless. At least for a moment, that is… "You…you're…dead!" she stuttered and his smirk morphed into a wicked grin.
"Obviously sugar but you're in a house full a' vampires. Shouldn't ya be used to that by now?"
She shook her head. "No…that's…that's not what I meant! I meant…you're dead, dead! I watched you kill yourself! Watched you walk into a pyre! I watched you burn, months ago! How…how can you be here?!"
He sighed as he rapidly put the pieces together. They knew him…his things were here…she'd watched him off himself…this was the future…he was from the past… Yeah, didn't take a fuckin' genius to figure out what went on. What he was interested in learning was why the fuck he would ever lay down and die voluntarily?! That was a load of bullshit as far as he was concerned and if he could, he'd kick future Jasper's ass up between his shoulders for even considering such a thing.
He met the girl's gaze and decided to be direct. "I was brought here by a being that called himself my guardian angel. His name is Haiel."
She walked over and sat on the footrest next to his legs. His brows inched up. "Awfully brave, aren't ya darlin'?"
"You haven't hurt me yet," she said with a shrug. "I figure if you were going to, you would have by now. So, an angel, huh?"
"Yeah sugar, that's what he said. He was dressed funny too. Looked like he had a damn dress on."
Bella chuckled at this. "Really?" she asked with a grin.
He grinned back. "Sure enough. Don't think he appreciated my opinion of it though."
Bella laughed. "I bet. So, you said he brought you here…from where?"
"Texas sweetheart…San Antonio to be exact, but the real interestin' part is not the where of it but the when."
"The when…" she muttered as her brow furrowed before she looked up at him with wide eyes. "When?"
He smirked. "1883, sugar."
"So he brought you from the past," she breathed. "Wow…crazy but it makes sense."
He chuckled. "I take it you're good with crazy shit?"
Her lips curved into a smile as she nodded. "I guess you could say that."
"Well, your sittin' next to a strange vampire, brought here from the past by an angel, and not screamin' so I reckon it's a safe bet."
She laughed and looked into his amused gaze. "I'm glad you're here Jasper."
The door crashed open at that moment and Jasper growled as a male vampire entered. "Bella! Get away from him!" he yelled while holding out a hand to her.
Jasper had never felt so vulnerable and wished with everything in him he could move just then. He would have had that pansy-assed boy pinned in a second. As it was, all he could do was glare and growl.
"It's fine Edward," she said with a sigh. "He's fine. He's not going to hurt me."
Edward was hearing her, but he was also busy staring at the vampire, his eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
Jasper smirked and glanced at Bella. "I reckon I'm gonna get that a lot, huh?"
"Most likely," she agreed dryly as she looked over at a speechless Edward.
"You…you're dead," Edward stuttered and Jasper sighed and looked at Bella.
"Please tell me I ain't gonna have'ta tell this damn story seven more times?"
Carlisle Cullen watched his family from the grassy bank of the river with a wan smile on his face. It was one of the first good days they'd had since last September.
…since Jasper had destroyed himself.
It was summer now and months had passed but it had been a very rough time for all of them after that night, even more so for Bella. She'd been inconsolable for several months, barely speaking to any of them, just going through the motions. Her reaction had been shocking to him as she hadn't seemed that close to Jasper. It was a mystery he couldn't explain.
Even now, here swimming in the river with the rest of the family, he could see her heart wasn't into it. Something had changed in her that night; something had broken and it had almost been the end of her and Edward.
If there was one thing he could say about his first son though, it was that he was tenacious, at least where Bella is concerned. He hadn't given up on her. Of course, she wasn't the same toward him any longer.
Before, she'd been insistent on taking their relationship to the next level. They all knew she'd wanted more from him; had begged and demanded, but since that night and now? She never mentioned it, readily accepting Edward's chaste touches and kisses without protest and never initiating contact herself which made Edward exceedingly happy. For Bella, Carlisle knew, this allowed her to maintain distance from Edward which she now seemed very content with. She was merely complacent.
In Carlisle's mind however, all of this was a red flag; something that told him Edward and Bella, as an item, would not last. Not once she came back to truly living and found herself once again. He only hoped Edward would be able to handle that when the day came.
"Aw, come on Belly-Boo!" Emmett yelled as she climbed up the bank to her towel. "You've only been in for half an hour!"
She laid on the towel and waved him off as she shaded her eyes with an arm. "Long enough for me Em, sorry. You guys go back to trying to kill each other. I'm good."
Emmett shrugged and tackled Edward as Alice and her new mate watched from the side next to Rose.
'Alice's new mate…' Carlisle mused with a sigh.
They'd all been shocked when, four months ago she'd returned from a shopping trip to Seattle with a young vampire named Riley by her side. Apparently, she'd noticed him in the mall parking lot and struck up a conversation and things had gone very quickly from there. He was now golden eyed and very much a part of the family, though he couldn't attend school since there were missing person posters of him throughout the region.
No, now that they had Riley and once (if) Edward convinced Bella to marry him, they would have to leave this place and not return for a very long time. At least, that was Edward's plan, anyway.
Carlisle sighed again and Esme looked at him while taking his hand. "What's on your mind dear? Care to talk about it?"
He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "You know me so well," he murmured.
She smirked and arched a brow.
He looked back out at the 'kids' in the water. "I just worry for all of them, but I'm really concerned for Bella and Edward." He turned his head to look at his wife. "She's not the same Esme and that has me concerned."
He watched his wife nod. "You're right of course. There's no spark in her anymore. Not since…"
She trailed off and it didn't surprise Carlisle in the least. She'd been unable to speak of what happened that night, or to even say his name.
"It's like something within her died with…with Jasper that night Carlisle," she whispered. She looked back at her husband. "Have you noticed how she avoids Alice and Riley, even when they try to get her to talk?"
Carlisle nodded. "I have."
"And she barely interacts with any of the rest of us, Edward included, though he hardly notices. It's all very wrong Carlisle and it concerns me that Edward seems very content with the changes, as if he prefers zombie Bella to how she used to be."
Carlisle sighed and patted her hand. "So, you've noticed the same things then. I had wondered. Really, I had hoped it was just my imagination."
"It isn't," Esme affirmed.
"What scares me is what might happen when she snaps out of it, if she snaps out of it."
Esme leaned against his shoulder. "What do you think might bring that about?"
He kissed her temple before looking back out to the water. "I have no idea sweetheart. No idea at all."
Half an hour later, everyone was out of the water and ready to go home. Edward helped Bella up and she slipped her shirt and shorts on before climbing onto his back for the trip home.
"Everyone have everything?" Esme asked.
"I have everything I need," Edward answered with a grin and a pat to Bella's leg. "We're set."
"All right then, let's go," Carlisle said and took off with everyone following.
~o0o~
Haiel and Mizrael watched as the Major finished disposing of the last of the older newborns, purple smoke hanging thick in the air from the two bonfires he'd set for the task.
"Make damn sure those fires are out before you retire for the evening Captain," Jasper ordered before stalking out of the clearing and to his cabin.
"Haiel…" Mizrael murmured with sad eyes and a shake of his head.
"I know," Haiel answered. "It's a brutal life he leads, but we're here to change it."
"Do you really think this will work, brother? I mean, we're going to take him to meet his human mate." He turned to study his brother for a beat. "Will he kill her?"
"I don't know Mizrael," he murmured before turning to look his brother in the eye. "But this is our last chance—their last chance. We have to take it."
"Isn't there something we can do to make the transition easier, or less risky at least?"
After a moment, a slow smile curved Haiel's lips as his eyes lit up.
"What are you thinking brother?" Mizrael asked with narrowed eyes.
Haiel shrugged a shoulder. "Oh, just that he can't harm her if he can't move, right?"
"This is true," Mizrael drawled with a nod. "But that's also not a very good way to build a relationship between them. If you have them subdue him in some way, he'll be enraged. Clearly, the Major isn't one for being controlled, brother. He'll resent them for it."
"True brother, but if I paralyze him for just enough time to acclimate to her scent and get to know her, then, when I remove the bind, he won't hurt her. Or at least, I hope he won't. It's the best I've got."
Mizrael pursed his lips as he thought. "He'll be able to speak and drink?"
"Of course," Haiel agreed with a grin.
Mizrael nodded. "Let's do it."
~o0o~
Major Jasper Whitlock had just taken a drag off his freshly rolled cigarette and leaned back on his bunk with his eyes closed when the feeling of a presence had his eyes snapping open, a hiss on his lips as he jumped into a crouch. "Who the fuck are ya, and what the fuck are ya doin' in my quarters?"
Haiel held up his hands. "I'm not an enemy, Major, trust me."
Jasper's lip curled, showing a deadly fang. "I don't trust anyone and as far as enemies go, every fucker I meet is an enemy until proven otherwise, and that'll take a hell of a lot more than your word. Now, how'd ya get in here? I didn't hear the door."
Haiel smiled. "That's because I didn't use it, Major."
Jasper's red eyes bled to black and he growled. "I suggest ya get to the point stranger before I end ya and get on with my night."
"All right then," Haiel said with a nod. "I can see you're a man of few words so I won't waste them. My name is Haiel and I'm your guardian angel."
Jasper straightened from his crouch and chuckled as he took a drag from his cigarette. "Pete, that fucker. I'm gonna kick his ass good for this," he muttered through a plume of smoke.
"I assure you Major, this is no joke. I'm here to take you to meet your soul mate. The two of you have given me a…well, pardon my french, but a hell of a time and this is your last chance."
"Bullshit. I ain't never met you before."
Haiel frowned. "True, but I have dealt with you, or tried to, for years—all in the future, of course. Plus, we angels don't exactly make it a habit of interacting with our charges. It just isn't done. I'm breaking all sorts of rules speaking to you now, but I decided I needed to warn you before simply taking you and leaving you with a bunch of strangers."
Jasper cocked a brow, took a slow drag from his smoke and flicked the butt into a corner. "The future," he drawled dryly as smoke curled from his lips. He pointed to the door. "Get the fuck out. Bother me again and it'll be the last thing ya do."
Haiel took a deep breath and blew it out. "Okay Major, you asked for it." He waved his hand and Jasper went still and fell back on his bunk.
"What the hell?" he growled as he pinned the angel with a glare. "What'd you do? I can't move."
"That's right Major, and you won't be able to for a while. At least until I'm sure you won't kill your mate. When I'm sure of that, I'll release the bind."
Jasper's eyes went wide. "You're sendin' me to a strange coven like this? I can't defend myself! Fuck! Ya might as well kill me now!"
"Relax Major. They know you, and I don't think your mate will stand for anyone mistreating you," the angel finished with a smirk. Jasper didn't look convinced. "Besides Mizrael and I will be watching over you."
Jasper narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
Haiel laughed and grabbed onto Jasper. "I just love your dry wit Major! How I have missed it!" He glanced down at Jasper with a grin. "You may want to close your eyes. This will be quite the ride!"
~o0o~
They appeared in a spacious study and Jasper quietly muttered, "Shit," just as his eyes snapped open. The angel hadn't been kidding when he said it'd be a heck of a ride.
Haiel placed him into a comfortable looking lounge chair situated in the corner and adjusted his legs on the foot rest as Jasper growled lowly in frustration.
Haiel smirked. "Don't like being babied Major?" he asked and Jasper shot him a poisonous look. "Huh, I guess not," Haiel muttered.
"Huh, I guess not," Jasper mocked in a high voice before curling his lip at the angel. "You're just damn lucky I can't move right now, fairy god-mother, 'cause I'd tear your ass apart."
Haiel's finely arched brows had climbed as he listened and he giggled when Jasper was through. "Fairy what?" he asked before flapping a hand. "No matter. Believe me Major, luck has nothing to do with my continued well-being." He smiled widely and Jasper hissed at him.
"Oooh, surly. Your mate will take care of that. Anyhow, this is where I leave you Major."
Jasper's eyes widened. "Hold the fuck on, princess! You can't just leave me like this! I don't know these vampires and they don't know me! You haven't even told me this supposed mate's name!"
Haiel frowned. "Princess… I suppose that's a jab at my robes, is it?"
"Looks like a damn dress to me," Jasper grumbled.
"Yes, well, it isn't. And as for their names, you'll learn those very soon, but I will cut you some slack, so to speak, and tell you your mate's name is Isabella, just to prevent any miscommunications. Now, be nice Major. You're going to be depending on these beings for everything for a while." Haiel grinned at Jasper's dark scowl. "Just be thankful you have no need of a bathroom! Ta ta!"
With that, the angel vanished and Jasper cursed lowly as he began to look around the room. Shelves upon shelves of books, many he recognized as being his own, lined one whole wall. The books he could write off as coincidence, but when his gaze landed on the saber he'd carried in the war, well, that was a shock. "What the hell..." he muttered. It appeared these were his things, but if that was so, how did they get here? And how did these vampires supposedly know him?
Gritting his teeth in frustration, he leaned his head back on the chair and stared at the ceiling. "Damn that angel. Least he could'a left me with use of my arms. I'd fuckin' kill for a smoke about now…"
Noise from down stairs, or at least what he assumed to be downstairs, caught his attention and he listened carefully as what sounded like eight or so beings entered the house, most of them chattering away. What really caught his attention was the sound of a lone human heart. "Well, I'll be fucked," he muttered. "Princess wasn't lyin' after all…"
With that, he did the only thing he could do. He settled back to wait with his gaze locked on the closed door.
~o0o~
As soon as they stepped into the house, Bella slid off of Edward's back and straightened her clothes.
He looked at her and smiled. "You okay love?"
She gave him a half smile. "Yep," she said. "Just peachy."
"Good," he answered with a caress of her cheek. "Would you like to take a shower? Freshen up and get into something comfortable while I make you some dinner?"
Before she could answer, Esme smiled and spoke. "That's a lovely idea Edward. I think the rest of us are going for a quick hunt, then maybe we can have a movie night?" She looked at Bella who nodded.
"Sure Esme, that sounds good."
She turned and began to climb the stairs as Edward disappeared into the kitchen. When she reached the second floor, her gaze landed on Jasper's study door and sadness swept through her. With a glance back over her shoulder, she approached the door.
After her birthday, she'd snuck into his study as often as she could but it had been many months since she'd entered it last. She loved the room; loved the books and the lounge in the corner… Being in there made her feel Jasper's presence and it was comforting somehow, in ways she couldn't explain. Edward had discovered her in there one day and hadn't been happy about it, so that had been the end of that…until now.
With a small smile, she placed her hand on the knob and turned. With a slight push, the door opened silently and she slipped in, closing it softly behind her before reaching for the light switch.
The dark room flooded with light and she wandered toward the bookshelves, her fingers running over the spines as she moved along. A ways down, she stopped at a shelf that held various items from his Army days and above them was mounted a Confederate Officer's saber, polished and pristine, the light of the room winking off the razor sharp blade. "Oh Jasper…" she whispered, heart aching as she ran her fingers over the grip where his name was engraved. "Why?"
"Why what, darlin'?"
Bella gasped and spun toward where the rich, southern accented voice came from and her eyes went wide as her mouth dropped open. It was Jasper in the chair, but he was so much more than she remembered…
Full lips curved into a smirk as red eyes sparkled with amusement and curiosity, and the way he held himself… Proud and confident, like nothing and no one could touch him… He was a picture of male beauty and vampire perfection, rolled into one fuck-hot package and she was speechless. At least for a moment, that is… "You…you're…dead!" she stuttered and his smirk morphed into a wicked grin.
"Obviously sugar but you're in a house full a' vampires. Shouldn't ya be used to that by now?"
She shook her head. "No…that's…that's not what I meant! I meant…you're dead, dead! I watched you kill yourself! Watched you walk into a pyre! I watched you burn, months ago! How…how can you be here?!"
He sighed as he rapidly put the pieces together. They knew him…his things were here…she'd watched him off himself…this was the future…he was from the past… Yeah, didn't take a fuckin' genius to figure out what went on. What he was interested in learning was why the fuck he would ever lay down and die voluntarily?! That was a load of bullshit as far as he was concerned and if he could, he'd kick future Jasper's ass up between his shoulders for even considering such a thing.
He met the girl's gaze and decided to be direct. "I was brought here by a being that called himself my guardian angel. His name is Haiel."
She walked over and sat on the footrest next to his legs. His brows inched up. "Awfully brave, aren't ya darlin'?"
"You haven't hurt me yet," she said with a shrug. "I figure if you were going to, you would have by now. So, an angel, huh?"
"Yeah sugar, that's what he said. He was dressed funny too. Looked like he had a damn dress on."
Bella chuckled at this. "Really?" she asked with a grin.
He grinned back. "Sure enough. Don't think he appreciated my opinion of it though."
Bella laughed. "I bet. So, you said he brought you here…from where?"
"Texas sweetheart…San Antonio to be exact, but the real interestin' part is not the where of it but the when."
"The when…" she muttered as her brow furrowed before she looked up at him with wide eyes. "When?"
He smirked. "1883, sugar."
"So he brought you from the past," she breathed. "Wow…crazy but it makes sense."
He chuckled. "I take it you're good with crazy shit?"
Her lips curved into a smile as she nodded. "I guess you could say that."
"Well, your sittin' next to a strange vampire, brought here from the past by an angel, and not screamin' so I reckon it's a safe bet."
She laughed and looked into his amused gaze. "I'm glad you're here Jasper."
The door crashed open at that moment and Jasper growled as a male vampire entered. "Bella! Get away from him!" he yelled while holding out a hand to her.
Jasper had never felt so vulnerable and wished with everything in him he could move just then. He would have had that pansy-assed boy pinned in a second. As it was, all he could do was glare and growl.
"It's fine Edward," she said with a sigh. "He's fine. He's not going to hurt me."
Edward was hearing her, but he was also busy staring at the vampire, his eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
Jasper smirked and glanced at Bella. "I reckon I'm gonna get that a lot, huh?"
"Most likely," she agreed dryly as she looked over at a speechless Edward.
"You…you're dead," Edward stuttered and Jasper sighed and looked at Bella.
"Please tell me I ain't gonna have'ta tell this damn story seven more times?"
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.