Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Behind Steel Bars

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 21: Can Somebody tell me what the Hell that was?

A week after the Whitlock picnic, the final day of Jasper’s court hearings arrived. Everyone came to support Jasper; Edward and Alice sat on one side of the court room while everyone else sat behind Jasper:

Directly behind him, Esme and Carlisle sat with Ma Whitlock and directly behind them sat Charlotte, Peter, and Emmett. Isabella was running late, attending a hearing in another part of the courthouse but she had promised she would be there.

Everyone stood as the Judge entered the room, and took their seats again after the Judge took his spot behind his desk. As the Bailiff called the proceedings and read out the charges, the court room door opened and Isabella silently stepped inside. However, everyone seemed to notice her arrival as the Judge met her eyes and a shocked expression overtook his face. The Judge and Isabella nodded at one another as she made her way to her seat, sitting beside Ma.

*****skipping boring blah blah blah********

After the footage of the night in question was played, the Judge called recess for one hour. The group got up and exited into the hall. Peter, the ever so observant one, decided to ask the question swirling around in everyone’s mind:

“What the hell was that all about Isabella?”

“What was what?”

“Don’t play coy with me! We all saw the Judge go all wide-eyed when you came into the court room. How do you know him?”

“He knew my father before he died and he hasn’t seen me in years, so I suspect it was a bit of a shock. I do have a tendency to be a bit reclusive.”

“Oh!” was Peter’s intelligent reply.

Charlotte winked at Isabella over Peter’s shoulder, while Emmett was trying to hide his chuckles. They both knew that anyone who worked in any branch of law enforcement in the state knew who she was so it’s not like she was lying exactly – she just wasn’t telling the whole truth. If she were to be completely honesty, the Judge not only knew her father – since they had worked together often – but he also knew her whole family and their contributions to Texas history.

A man dressed in a court uniform came up and addressed Isabella:

“Miss? The Judge would like a word with you please?”

“Uh… Okay.”

They all were looking at her strangely.

“Be right back – then we can grab something to eat.”

After Isabella disappeared from sight, they all turned toward Charlotte and Emmett. Well, all except for Jasper.

“Okay, I call bullshit!” Peter said.

“Huh?” came Emmett’s response.

“I saw the look on the Judge’s face! It wasn’t one of recognition – it was one of surprise. Who the hell is she? And how does that Judge really know her?”

“Peter, that Judge knew her father. Hell, most Judges did – he was a Texas Ranger!” Charlotte said.

“Yeah, and Bella wasn’t joking about the whole reclusive thing either. Until she met Char, she never went out much at all. She has seen more of the outside world now then she did since we were in college together.” Emmett added.

“Fine! Don’t tell me, but I will figure it out.”

“Just let it go, Peter.” Charlotte said.

Jasper was oblivious to the whole conversation. He was still staring off in the direction that Isabella had disappeared. No one noticed that he hadn’t said anything during Peter’s little rant session and he was fine with that since it left him to his thoughts. He had never felt this type of reaction to anyone before, not even Alice. Sure, he and Alice had connected but now it seems that connection was only made out of infatuation and common interests. There was no spark, no feelings of depression while they were apart. Of course, he loved Alice and would never have betrayed her but looking back now he realized that there was always something missing.

He was suddenly pulled from his musings by Isabella touching his arm.

“Time to go back in, Jasper.”

“Okay.” he mumbled.

“You okay?” Isabella asked.

“As good as can be expecting under the circumstances.”

“Let’s get this over with then.”

“Thank ya, Isabella.”

“For what?”

“Just bein’ here.”

“Wouldn’t wanna be anywhere else – and you’re welcome.”

She led Jasper back in, each silently returning to their seats.

“Will the defendent please stand?”

Mr. Jenks and Jasper both stood.

“After hearing all the evidence in this case and seeing the video footage, has the jury been able to come to a verdict?”

“Yes, Your Honor, we have.”

“Madam Foreperson, will you please read the verdict to the court?”

“Yes, Your Honor. We the people of the Jury have found the defendant, Mr. Jasper Whitlock, Not Guilty.”

The silence in the room was broken by the cheers of Jasper’s friends and family. Hugs and congratulations were exchanged as Edward and Alice angrily stormed out of the court room.

“Let’s go home and celebrate!” Ma Whitlock said.

“Sounds good!” and “Hell ya’s!” erupted from the group.

Mr. Jenks declined saying he had to get home to his family. Everyone shook his hand and thanked him again before Isabella pulled him aside. After whispering something to him, she kissed his cheek and said goodbye.

“What’d ya say to Jenks?” Peter asked.

“If I told ya, I’d have to kill ya.” Isabella replied with a straight face. Peter, alarmed by the response, looked at her in shock.

Emmett was the first to loose it, followed by everyone else.

“That was priceless, Bells! The look on Peter’s face was perfect!” Emmett got out between his laughter.

Once everyone settled down they all headed toward their cars. Carlisle escorting Esme and Ma Whitlock since they were parked side by side. Emmett being a gentleman offered to ride along with Ma. Peter and Charlotte ,of course, rode together, bringing Jasper with them. However, before Jasper could reach Peter’s truck, Isabella called out to him:

“Jasper, would ya mind riding back with me?”

A small smile appeared on his face but just as quickly it disappeared.

“Sure thing, Isabella – I’d love to accompany ya.”

Isabella blushed and turned leading Jasper back toward her truck. Jasper stopped dead, gaping at her truck.

“Is something wrong, Jasper?”

Jasper shook his head no, unable to form any words.

“Well, get in then!” Isabella said, chuckling as she pulled herself up into the driver’s seat.

Jasper climbed in the other side as Isabella started the truck. The purr of the familiar engine relaxed Jasper exponentially.

“Ya like?”

“Yeah, she’s beautiful.”

“She’s my baby.” Isabella said, patting the dash lovingly.

“I have one just like her at home, only mine has a cow-catcher on the grill and she’s midnight blue.”

“Blue is nice but I’m more of a green kinda gal so I went with the hunter green.”

“Beautiful none the less.” Jasper said.

They rode in silence after that. It wasn’t an awkward silence but one of comfort. Once they got to the Ranch the others turned to the roar of the truck. Peter, Emmett, and Ma shook their heads as Charlotte looked between the two occupants of the truck and then between the two trucks that were now parked side by side. Chuckling, she mumbled something that sounded like “two of a kind” or “made for each other”. The group settled around the dining room table inside Ma’s home. Wine, food, and conversation flowed freely amongst the group of friends. The perfect ending to a strenuous day…