Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Behind Steel Bars

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 31: Time to Wake up Jazzman.

Emmett was surprised when he received a phone call at the prison from Peter. When Peter told him what happened at the hospital he was pissed. Why would they do that to someone who just pretty much got their son a stay at club med instead of some torture box in Houston? Emmett knew Isabella had feelings for Jasper and her solidifying him a place here at her prison was a huge step. Isabella usually doesn’t get involved with anyone let alone men. Emmett was surprised when Isabella first introduced him to Charlotte that day during inspection and then when he was invited to go along to the Bar-B-Que, he thought she had lost her mind. However after meeting Jasper, he understood a little bit about why she liked him. He was quiet, and reserved just like her; they seemed to be able to communicate silently with one another, almost as if they had their own language; he made her social and she made him happy. When Ma Whitlock made that bet with him he thought for sure he was going to win since Isabella was far too protective of herself for that to happen. Then Peter called and told him that Isabella had a panic attack and that the reason was Jasper, Emmett knew he had lost the bet. He wasn’t upset – actually, he was thrilled. Isabella deserved to find love and Jasper deserved to find someone to give his love to. They were a perfect pair.

Emmett waited until after lunch time to go see Jasper at the hospital. He didn’t want to run into Ma Whitlock and say something he didn’t mean. He was still angry with everyone for the way they acted when Isabella took a chance to trust them enough to share her secret. As he pulled into the parking lot, he noticed a young woman with blond hair pacing outside the doors. He walked up to her and asked:

“Ma’am, is there something wrong? Are you okay?”

“Oh, sorry – no, I’m fine. I just had some upsetting news is all.”

“Okay, as long as your alright…”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Emmett turned then and headed inside the building. He walked up to the front desk and signed in. He asked the head nurse the room number for Jasper Whitlock. With a flirtatious smile she gave him the room number. Emmett hurried through the halls and stopped just outside his door. He couldn’t hear anyone inside so he knocked and waited for someone to respond, when they didn’t he entered. Seeing the strong soldier on the bed helpless like that sent a shiver down Emmett’s spine. He thought of the strong presence and commanding aura that Jasper gave off the first time he met him – and this was not that man. He pulled the chair up next to the bed and began to talk to Jasper:

“Yo, Jazzman! I know we don’t know each other well and we have only met a handful of times but you mean something to my Bells and I hate to see her hurting. I don’t know if ya can even hear me or understand what I’m sayin’, but ya need to wake up. I know she loves ya even if she don’t. I don’t know how ya feel about her but even if ya don’t return her love, then at least don’t hurt her…”

Jasper’s heart rate went up and he clenched his fist. He groaned to get Emmett’s attention.

“Dude, your awake?”

Jasper clenched his fist twice.

“So you’re not awake but you can hear us right?”

Three clenches.

“Sweet dude! Does Bells know?”

Three more clenches.

“Wow! So you heard everything I just said then huh?” Emmett said rubbing the back of his neck.

Three clenches.

“I didn’t mean to drop all that on ya- I just thought ya should know.”

Jasper sighed.

“Do ya love her too?”

Three clenches.

“Shit dude! Ya so definitely need to get the hell out of this stupor then and tell her!”

Jasper grumbled.

“Sorry, I know ya probably already thought of that shit. Anyway, wanna here some fuck awesome news?”

Jasper sighed.

“Okay – well, since Bells went all Alpha warden and called in all kinds of favors from everyone she has pretty much ever known, you get to spend your five years in Emmett’s reform school for the criminally stupid.” Emmett said with a chuckle.

Jasper groaned.

“Okay, so it’s not really funny but you have to admit that it is cool that you get to hang with me all the time!”

Three clenches and a sigh.

“Hey, it could be worse, ya know. Anyway, I can assure you that you will have ample one-on-one time with the warden.”

Jaspers heart rate spiked, dramatically.

“Calm down, dude! You act like it’s a bad thing.” Emmett said laughing.

A rumble rang through Jasper’s chest.

“Alright, I get the hint… Stop thinking dirty about your woman… Sheesh – even half out of it you’re scary as fuck!”

Jasper chuckled mentally but apparently it showed on the outside as well.

“Hey, don’t laugh at me! I have a healthy respect for men who can kill me with their bare hands. I may be a big guy myself but I know when I have met my match.”

Both guys chuckled this time.

“You know, you should really wake the fuck up. I hate looking like I’m talkin’ to myself. Bells said I do that enough as it is… and if I keep it up one day someone is gonna see and have me committed to the looney bin. She said she would bring me crayons and stuff when she visits but that I had to smuggle her out a huggy jacket.”

They laughed together again. This was nice. It felt great to have a male besides his brother to talk to Jasper thought, and Emmett was a really funny guy.

“Ya know, man – Bells is like my little sister and I love her tons, but she hasn’t been really happy. At least not completely. But since she met you I have noticed a difference in her. That and your brother and sister seem to bring out the Bells I met back in college. She was still fun then but that was before her parents died. Now you have brought that light back in her eyes. So come on man – give it a shot… open them eyes and join the rest of the world.”

Jasper listened to Emmett and thought about Isabella and how her eyes seemed to get a shine to them when he was near. He noticed how dull they were when he first met her to the beautiful glow they had the night he asked her out. He would fight to come back to her. He had to tell her everything. He had to tell her about her dad, and how he changed his life… How Peter was an asshole and always tried to win at everything… How he loved home-cooked meals and walks on the beach, under the stars… How her smile lit up his whole world… Most importantly he had to wake up and tell her that he loved her…

Slowly he felt his eyelids begin to flutter.

“That’s it, man! Come on – ya can do it! Bells needs ya.”

He tried a little harder. His eyes flutter some more before a bright light shown through. Jasper quickly squeezed his eyes shut.

“Hold on, Jazz – I’ll dim the lights.”

Jasper heard Emmett move about the room.

“Alright, give it a go now.”

Jasper tried once more and with little trouble, they opened. It took a minute or two for his eyes to become accustomed to the dim lighting but at least he could see. The realization struck Jasper hard and he gasped.

“Sweet – your awake!”

Jasper tried to speak but his voice was raspy and his throat was sore from not being used.

“Just a minute, man. I’ll get ya something to wet ya whistle with.”

Emmett went and got a large cup of cold water for Jasper. Jasper took the cup thankfully. He was glad that Peter and Charlotte worked his muscles and joints everyday. He didn’t feel weak, just overly rested. Once he downed half the water he tried again.

“Thanks.” it was low but he could work with that.

“You’re welcome. Bells is gonna be pissed that she wasn’t here when ya woke up. But she will be happy ya can talk to her now.”

“Why ya call her Bells?” Jasper said. His sentences were still kinda rusty but Emmett understood.

“When we first met she was singing in the music room at the college. She was in the room alone and when I heard her voice it sounded like someone playing the bells. So it just sorta stuck.”

“I bet she has a lovely voice…”

“She does – maybe one day she will sing for ya.”

“We shall see.”

The two men spoke for hours. Jasper’s voice getting stronger as they continued. It was just before supper time that Carlisle came in to check on him. Carlisle was shocked to see that Jasper was awake and talking.

“Jasper son, why didn’t ya page me when ya woke up?”

“Didn’t feel the need to let the world know just yet. I was enjoying my quiet time talkin’ with Emmett. If I would have paged ya, ya would have called everyone in and I wasn’t ready to be invaded just yet.”

“I understand, and fully agree. I won’t say nothing to anyone just yet. We will keep the visitors schedule as is for now and they can find out on their own when they come to see ya.”

“Sounds good, Doc.”

Carlisle went about his work and checked everything over.

“You seem to be just fine now. I would like ta keep ya for another day or two before we turn ya over to Ms. Swan.”

“Sure thing, Doc.”

Carlisle left once he finished writing on his chart.

“Ms. Swan? What is that all about?” Emmett asked Jasper.

“Did ya hear about yesterday?”

“Yeah, Peter called. I guess it shook Bells up real good and she had a panic attack. Peter found her passed out in the park late last night.”

“What?” Jasper yelled.

“Sorry! I thought you knew already.”

“No, I didn’t know. You mean that they upset her so much she passed out – alone outside – in a park – where someone or something could have hurt her?”

“Sorry, man…”

“Where is she now?”

“She’s with your brother and Charlotte, I believe. He took off from here right after she did and called me to see if I had seen her, but she hadn’t come back to the office nor did she call me. I was kinda pissed that they would do that to her after everything she did to keep you here in Dallas.”

“I know man, I heard the whole thing. I may not have been able to see or move but I still heard it all.”

“She really does love ya, man.”

“I love her, too. I don’t know how or why but I’m not fighting it. She’s the best thing to happen to me since I joined the Marines… Shit, I need to talk to her – and soon. There is so much I need to tell her…”

“Slow down, Jazzman. I believe she is coming in with Peter and Charlotte later.”

“Alright, I guess I can wait that long.”

“What’s so important that ya damn near jumped out of ya skin?”

“Before I went into the Marines, I wasn’t the best behaved southern boy my Mama wanted. I got in trouble with the law a lot. Fighting, speeding, stealing, you name it. Well… the main officer I would get busted by was Charlie Swan.”

“Shit, man – you knew Bells’ dad?”

“In a round about way, I guess you could say I did. He was the one who would always bust me. He told me that I could do better and that I should apply my natural talents more productively.”

“Oh, is that what he called it?”

“Yeah – I laughed about it too. But he told me that if I straightened up and didn’t get into anymore trouble, he would help me make something of myself. So I did. Three times a week I would meet him at a gym down by the station – we worked out together, we trained together and he taught me martial arts and boxing. I thought of the man as if he was my own father. He talked to me about joining the military. We went over a bunch of brochures together. When I was about to graduate high school, I told him that if I were to join the military I wanted to be a Marine, and he agreed that it was a good place for me to start. It wasn’t long after that when I heard he passed away. I had made a promise to him that I would join, so I did. If it wasn’t for Isabella’s dad, I don’t think we would be having this conversation right now since I would either be dead or already serving time in your hospitable establishment.”

“Wow! So not only did he save your ass but now you’re in love with his only child.”

“Yeah, I thought the same thing. I owe that man so much – if loving his daughter and taking care of her for the rest of our lives is what I have to do to repay him, then I am more than happy to oblige.”

“I bet ya are!”

Both men laughed. But their laughed came to an abrupt end when three gasps were heard from the door way.

“Jasper!” Char screeched and then jumped on him, causing Jasper to groan.

“Char.”

“Sorry, Jasper! I’m just so damn happy your awake. When did this happen? How?”

“Slow down, Char! Emmett here woke my ass up, sayin’ I needed to stop bein’ a lazy ass and join the rest of the world.”

“That’s not how I said it… but close enough, I guess.” Emmett said when Jasper glared at him.

“What are we missing?” Peter asked looking at Isabella.

Isabella just shrugged.

“So, Jazzman – I’m gonna leave ya in the capable hands of… well, I’m gonna let ya hang with your fam. I’ll see ya soon!”

“Later, Em. Pick me out a good one.”

“Sure thing, Jazzman.”

With a wave, Emmett disappeared out the door. Leaving Jasper alone with Peter, Charlotte and Isabella.

“Hey, guys – grab a seat.” Jasper said, braking the uncomfortable silence.

Everyone sat around the bed. Isabella took the seat that Emmett just vacated while Peter and Charlotte took seats on the opposite side of the bed.

“So, what’s been happening in the wonderful land of Dallas?” Jasper asked, looking toward Peter and Charlotte.

“Same ole, same ole. You know – crazy ex’s breakin’ into the hospital, psycho ex-friends tryin’ to get there hands on your money and little Swans swoopin’ in to save the day.”

“I see… Would you care to elaborate on all of that? I’ll fill in any gaps that I can.”

“You want me to start from the crash?”

“Yes, please.”

“Okay, well – from the reports they say you ran Prickward off the road.”

“Nope! I was ambushed after I left the ranch. He rode my ass until I got to a straight spot. Then he pulled up along side me and began ramming into my truck. This other car came down the road but he refused to move and I couldn’t do anything ’cause the cliff face was right there. The other car swerved and went off the road. They must have been the ones to call the cops. Edward kept ramming into my truck and we were almost to the last set of curves when I saw the flashing lights up ahead. He must have seen them too ’cause he decided to ram me one last time. My truck ricocheted off the guardrail, careened into him and sent us both down the embankment. The last thing I remember was thinking that I wasn’t gonna make it to my date with Isabella.” Jasper finished looking down. Isabella reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Well, that is not the story the Prickward gave the cops when he came to. Why did they take him to Houston anyway?”

“It was closer to his family.” Jasper added offhandedly.

“What family? I thought his parents were dead?” Charlotte asked.

“His wife and kids are in Houston.”

“How do you know that, Jasper?” Peter asked.

“Alice told me when she came to visit.”

“Shit! You heard everything then!”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Well then, you know everything else from there.”

“Yeah – Emmett also filled me in on what else happened yesterday.” Jasper looked pointedly at Peter.

“So you know about Bella…”

“Yeah, I do and I was not happy with how Ma acted.”

“She came to apologize this morning.” Peter interrupted.

“I don’t care, Peter! She knows how it was for us growin’ up! She had no right to judge Isabella for trying to protect herself.”

“I know, man – Isabella talked to her and they are working on fixing things. Isabella here isn’t ready to let any of them back in just yet.”

“I wouldn’t either. But now on to happier topics. I want to thank y’all for takin’ care of me when I was out. If it wasn’t for ya’s doin’ what ya did, Emmett would have had to feed me, and I’m not sure we’re that close of friends yet.” They all laughed.

“You’re welcome, brother.” Peter said.

“Okay, well – I got that out of the way. Now I love ya n Char a whole bunch – and all that girly shit ya are always spoutin’ at me – but I’m gonna ask ya to get the hell out and let me have some time alone with Isabella. I have a lot of questions for her and we have a lot to talk about.”

“I can take a hint, Jasper.” Peter said.

“Good – then get out!” Jasper chuckled.

Charlotte leaned in and kissed his forehead. Peter shook his hand and said they would see him later. They told Isabella they would be in the cafe’ when she was ready to go. With that, they left the two of them alone.