Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Blood And Steel

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 05:

Jacksonville Beach Florida

“You sure she knows what she is doing?” Michael ‘Mikey’ Allen, former member of Seal team 7 asked.

“She knows. Winter is CIA. She is a bad ass little girl. She can take whatever is thrown at her. She always has. You read her file, same as all the others.” Ty told him peering through his scope at Winter. It was getting dark, the sun setting over the ocean and she had been told not to approach the house until complete darkness fell.

The reasons were simple. The changing light made any shots Ty might have to make difficult and if any resistance was met Ty wanted to test out the new ammo he had just received for his new rifle. That meant he wanted the fucker as strong as possible. Another reason is it would be easier to use his new scope. Webb, Hawk and Ty had just met up with Allen at the base in the desert no one talked about where the new toys were being developed. So far Ty liked what he saw.

“Winter can you hear me?” Webb asked. While Ty was looking out the bedroom window of a 7th story luxury condo looking down on the houses lining the beach with Allen beside him as his spotter, Webb was dressed like a beach bum walking the street with a metal detector propped over his shoulder. He was her immediate back up. Ty was secondary support if shit went real. Hawk had his job as well.

If this op went off without a hitch a few things could be accomplished. First, the team members would actually get to see a real live vampire and could confirm the suspicion that Bella Swan was still being looked for and her family members watched. The second was they would have the location of said vampire. The third would be to test the scopes and see if they could be set to pick up certain temperature patterns and not just ones that emit the most heat, the way a typical human would. Scientists estimated the enemy ran around 90 degrees or so based on how long it had been since the vampire last fed.

And third was to make contact with Renee.

Many of the team felt this was unnecessary, but Connolly insisted and Connolly was the boss.

Winter also felt it was necessary. Her and Summer never had parents. Not ones they could remember at least. She felt it was important that Bella have hers in some form or fashion. That was why as the sun set she was walking in a long black coat, sword strapped to the inside and in easy reach, wearing a thick brown wig, down the street to Renee Dwyer’s home. She was curious as to what would happen.

“Yeah Jack. I got you.” Winter whispered. “I’m taking out my earpiece though. Vampire might see it. Slipping it in my pocket so you should be able to hear everything. If it looks like he or she will attack I will handle it. If there are more than two, bring the heat.”

“Copy. Be careful. I will be around the back of the house, beach side, ready to move. Tango is the call. Copy Ty?”

“Copy.”

“Hawk you there?”

“I know my job. Worry about yours.” Hawk replied tersely.

Winter knocked on the door. Within seconds a very tired middle aged woman who looked older than her years opened up.

Her face registered shock, then disappointment, then confusion as Winter’s face from a few years back dawned on her in recognition.

“Can I come in?”

“Wi…”

“Please? This is important.” Winter told her before her name could be said.

“Of course. Your hair…”

“May I come in Mr’s Dwyer?” Winter stressed looking up and down the street.

Renee stepped aside and Winter stepped inside. As soon as the door was closed Winter placed her fingers to her lips and pulled out a badge. It was an FBI badge.

CIA badges tended to put people off for some reason, Winter found.

“This is a lovely home you have. How has Bella been? I haven’t seen her in years and was hoping to catch up.”

Winter saw the pain on Renee’s face and then confusion as Winter pulled off her wig while stepping into the kitchen. She motioned with her hands for something to write with. Renee slowly walked over to a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper and a pencil, placing it in front of Winter where she sat at the table.

“I actually haven’t seen or heard from Bella in a couple years. She was supposed to get married if you can believe that and then she called the whole thing off. She went on the road to find herself but unfortunately I haven’t been able to find her. I fear the worst. How have you been…”

No names Winter wrote.

“I’ve been good. I just happened to be in town for vacation and I had heard from Bella a couple years ago that you were living here. I thought you might be able to give me a lead on her whereabouts.” Winter said and then began to write.

Bella is in witness protection. She witnessed a crime and is being protected. This is why she has not contacted you. She wants you to know she loves you and she is okay.

Are you really with the FBI? How? You and Bella are the same age. Renee wrote, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I really can’t help you. I’m sorry Wi… I wish I knew where she was. You have no idea how badly I wish I knew where she was.”

I was recruited out of high school along with my sister. Since we knew Bella we were placed on her case. She is doing well. You will see her again. Soon I hope. By the end of the year maybe.

Is she in a lot of danger?

I’m protecting her. I give you my word she is safe. Do not tell anyone, even your husband, about this visit. If anyone asks an old friend came by to see if Bella was here. Understand?

Renee nodded.

“I’m sorry I can’t be more help. If I hear from her I will definitely tell you that you stopped by.”

“I appreciate it Renee.” Winter told her, placing the brown wig back on her head. Renee looked at her quizzically but Winter shook her head and wrote one last thing on the paper.

You are probably being watched. I have to find out. Act naturally or your life could be in danger. Understand?

Taking the paper, she pulled a lighter from her coat pocket, lit the paper on fire and tossed it in the sink. Satisfied the paper was sufficiently burnt. She ran some water to wash away the ashes. Renee walked her to the door.

Before leaving Winter pulled out her earpiece and placed it back in her ear.

“I am leaving. I get first shot if one or two show up. If more arrive have fun Jack. I am going silent. You can talk but not unless necessary and shit goes down. Stay quiet. We have no idea how well their hearing is at night.”

After giving Renee a hug Winter began walking off.

Before she had made the end of the block a voice from behind stopped her.

“Bella?”

Winter turned and saw a giant before her. He was the size of Hawk easily. He had dark hair that looked like it had been dyed blonde recently. A poor job indeed. She also noted his golden eyes. So he had been feeding from Bambi, most likely not to draw attention to the area.

“I’m sorry?”

“Emmett recognized she was not Bella the moment she turned around.

“No I am. You looked like someone I know.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“What’s your name?” Emmett asked.

“Excuse me? Being a bit forward aren’t you?” Winter asked.

“My apologies. We don’t get new people around here often.” He said and then lightly laughed, Winter supposed to put her at ease. Every fiber of her body wanted to fight this thing but she resisted. This was bigger than one vampire.

“I was here to see an old friend. I thought maybe she lived with her mother. I came here on vacation but apparently she doesn’t live here. I don’t suppose you know her? Bella Swan?’

She noted the painful look in the vampire’s eyes.

“No, I don’t. Kinda hot to be wearing such a long coat.” He mentioned.

“I carry a sawed off shot gun in it. A girl can’t be too careful at night.” Winter told him.

Emmett had a look of shock on his face until Winter began to laugh. He joined her.

“You had me.” he admitted.

“So do you live around here? I mean you must. Have you seen Bella lately? Her mother has no idea where she is. Sad really. I hope she is okay.” Winter mused.

“Yeah. I live over there.” Emmett told her, pointing to a house three houses down across the street.

“Got it. The blue one across the street three houses over to my right. So how do you know Bella? She lived in Phoenix and moved to Forks. When I found out she wasn’t there I assumed she had visited her mother. No luck. If she hasn’t never been here, how do you know her?”

“Oh… uh Renee has mentioned her before. I saw pictures in Renee’s house. I wanted to meet the mystery lady. I saw your brown hair and you builds are so similar I thought I would take a chance. So where are you staying?” Emmett asked smoothly looking her in the eyes with a soft smile. Winter realized he was trying to enthrall her.

“The Holiday Inn on the beach. I really should be going.”

“Would you like to come over for a cup of coffee? I just made a pot.”

“At this hour? No I would never sleep. But I appreciate the invite. You take care of yourself Emmett. I really do hope you get to see Bella swan one day. I’m sure she would love to meet you.” Winter told him honestly. A buzzing went off in her ear. Slight enough that only she should be able to hear it. She found she was wrong though.

“What is that in your ear?” he asked.

“You are observant. Shall I grab my shotgun?” she asked reaching into her coat with one hand where her sword rested on the grip and checking the area with her gift to see if other vampires were around. Summer saw none apparently. It could be a clean kill but they would just draw more suspicion to Renee’s house if a vampire went missing.

“Hey no! You are right. Not my business.”

“It’s blue tooth for my iPod if you must know. I have an IPod in my coat.”

“Sounds like you keep a lot in your coat.”

“Oh you have no idea of the surprises I have in here. I really have to go.”

Winter began walking away and Emmett didn’t follow. Once she was a safe distance away she turned on the voice piece in her ear.

“You got no idea how close I was to smoking that fucker.” Ty told her.

“Did the job get done?” Winter asked.

“Tracker and listening device in his car and home, wallet and phone. We will know every move he makes and every word he speaks in his house or near his cell.” Hawk answered.

“He may smell you.” Winter observed.

“Not if this scent blocker works.” Hawk replied.

“Yeah but even that has its limits Hawk. I should have gone in. Your stink is distinct.” Ty mentioned.

“Quiet, he is following her on foot. Winter try to grab a cab.” Webb instructed.

“There are no cabs.” Winter whispered preparing to fight.

“Summer.” she whispered.

The street lights above Emmett’s head exploded, darkening the sidewalk.

Winter ducked into an alley, ran to the end and jumped the six foot fence to the beach without breaking stride. She ran to the water and waded in, Jack Webb meeting up with her and running into the water. Winter took out her sword and strapped it to her back. Rolling up the jacket she jumped in the water with Webb. Two other Seals were hidden in the water, only heads and rifles above water, solid black. If Winter didn’t know they were there she never would have seen them. Their rifles were pointed the direction she had come. She and Webb went underwater as deeply as possible in the calm seas, only surfacing every three minutes to gain a breath.

Five minutes after the street lights blew out over his head, Emmett followed Winter’s scent. He lost her in the ocean. Her footprints and another’s disappeared into the water. In the darkness not even he could see where she had gone.

Emmett had no idea what happened. She must have had a boat. Was she here to see if Bella’s mother was being watched? If so he fell for her game. It was a con. But by who? Bella? Would she come out of hiding, and convince a girl she didn’t know, even a former friend to place a wig on her head and fool Emmett from a distance into thinking she was Bella.

Bella must be near. He had to find her. Maybe she picked her friend up in the boat. If Emmett hadn’t been so distracted by those lights he could have followed the girl.

The girl and Jack Webb surfaced two miles away for the final time, grabbing on to John Bradford’s hand where he waited for the two in an inflatable raft.

“Everything go okay?” She asked Bradford.

“He left his wallet in the house if you can believe that shit. Got a GPS tracker inside it as well. Also got his cell phone signal so we will be able to listen and track him. He isn’t making a move or a sound without us knowing about it.”

“Yeah Hawk told us. He did good. You and Mikey stay back. Keep an eye on Dwyer. If he looks like he is going to make a move on a human especially Dwyer take him out with extreme prejudice. Remember he is strongest at night so make it a head shot.” Jack ordered.

“Copy that sir. You guys heading back to Nevada?”

“Yep.”

“When is Commander Connolly going to be arriving?”

“You know Connolly. He will be there when he gets there. Until then we follow his orders and try not to do anything stupid that will piss him off later.”

Death Valley California

Bella had been here for four days. Every morning she woke up and performed PT with Jason. Every day they hiked until two hours before sundown, when Bella began performing punches and kicks at Connolly’s hands. Every night instead of talking to him she found herself asleep at sundown. Her body desperately needed water and sleep. The drop points gave her water. Sleep was up to her. Tonight she was determined to stay up.

“How can you do it? Stay up so late and be up before me every morning?”

“I trained myself to operate on four hours sleep tops. You will get there.” He told her while taking out the large blade from its holster and beginning to rub it across his face.

“What are you doing?”

“Shaving. Gotta look my best.” He laughed.

“Doesn’t that hurt your face?” Bella asked, looking at his sunburned skin.

“Is there anything on you that doesn’t hurt? I feel the same. I’ve done everything you have.”

Bella admitted it was true. As opposed to what she went through last week Connolly did everything with her. PT, running, hiking, he was there encouraging her to do more, go faster. He wasn’t rude about it. He just encouraged her. When she wanted to stop she stopped. The problem was, Bella found more every day that she didn’t want to stop.

“Tomorrow we make the next drop by noon and we start learning how to shoot. We are going to have to hump it. I can’t leave top secret ammo and weapons just lying around in the desert.”

“No problem.” Bella answered without hesitation. “Hey when you are done can I borrow your knife?”

“For what?” Jason asked her.

“You said it yourself. My legs are getting as hairy as yours and my armpits are scratchy as hell. If your knife is sharp enough to shave your face it should work for me.”

“I don’t exactly have any shaving lotion here.” Jason pointed out.

“I didn’t ask for any. I asked for your knife.” Bella pointed out. Jason shrugged his shoulders.

“Knock yourself out.” He told her handing the knife over. Bella wiped it on her pants and stood up.

“What are you doing?” he asked as she unbuttoned her pants.

“I can’t exactly shave with my pants on.”

Before Connolly could peel his eyes away Bella was standing in a t shirt and panties.

“I’ll go and give you privacy.”

“No! I mean we don’t have any reason to be modest. It’s no different than bikini bottoms. Have a seat. I want company.” Bella told him.

Connolly sat down and gazed into the darkness. He couldn’t help his eyes darting toward Bella as she sat in the firelight, legs stretched out.

“Ow!”

“Be careful. It’s sharp.” he told her.

“Yeah no shit. I cut myself.”

Connolly in concern, was in his feet and at Bella’s side in a second.

“Where? I can’t have it getting infected out here.”

“It’s fine. Just a knick. See?” Bella told him. Jason was relieved to see it was only a nick.

“You have the knife blade turned the wrong way. It’s too sharp to play with. Maybe you should just wait.” Connolly suggested.

“Or you could do it for me?” Bella suggested, the idea strangely erotic to her. She had gotten quite a bit of attention from him but not the kind she wanted.

Because over the past four days Bella had come to grips with a truth about herself. She wanted him. She had never wanted anyone who would be good for her. He would probably be no different but she didn’t care. She wanted him. Once this training was done and she had learned everything he had to teach her she planned to make sure he understood her intentions.

“You want me to… to shave your legs?”

“I mean if it’s inappropriate or something don’t worry about it. I’ll manage. I just thought since you were so good with the knife and… you know what? Forget I said that. It’s embarrassing…” Bella reached for the knife but Connolly held it back.

“No. I can’t have you slicing your leg. If I has to be done… I’ll do it. I’ve just never shaved a woman’s leg before. It probably won’t be as fast as you are used to.”

“Take all the time you need Jason. I’m not going anywhere.” Bella told him with a wink of bravado she was not sure she felt, now that he realized how close his nose was to her bare feet.

Instead of the disgust she was afraid he would find she felt her foot being rubbed.

“Your feet are getting tougher. Still soft though. Put your foot on my knee.”

Bella complied and while one of his hands rested on her calve muscle the other began to gently shave the outside of her leg. The blade felt like a normal razor and a part of her wondered how many people he had killed with it. Another, larger part didn’t care. She let out a sigh and leaned back slowly, closing her eyes.

“Am I hurting you?”

“No. You are definitely not hurting me.” She sighed.

He let the blade move so slowly up her leg and couldn’t lie to himself. He enjoyed every moment of this. His hand traced where he had shaved noticing, feeling for the first time how smooth her skin was. His other hand stayed inside her thigh steadying her slightly shaking leg and not letting go. God how he wanted to be between her thighs buried inside her. As his blade reached her panty line, he told her he would have to go on top and the inside of her leg.

Bella agreed and laid back with her eyes closed. She was unable to sleep though enjoying the feel of his hands all over her legs. He too soon switched to her other leg where he rubbed her foot the same as he did the first one. Then starting at the ankle he repeated the process. It seemed slower this time. Once the inside of her thigh was as high as it would go he stopped.

“Take off your shirt.” He told her. Instead of questioning she sat up immediately and did as he said, surprised to see her abdominal muscles contract and give her no problems in the motion. She remained in a sports bra and panties and realized quickly how hard her nipple were, not just because of the coolness of the night either.

“Place your hands behind your head.” Jason told her.

Doing so she felt his blade slightly graze her skin shaving her armpits. She tried to hold her breath as he whispered to her not to move. His face was so close she couldn’t stand it. Yet she did.

Once he was done with both arms he told her she could get dressed. Bella was in no mood to get dressed. She stretched out in her white sports bra and white cotton panties.

It’s a nice night. I think I will sleep like this. Give my body and feet a chance to air out.”

She lay on her stomach and placed her arms under her head as a pillow.

“I uh… I think I will go up a ways to the next outcropping. Take the field lenses and see if I can line out our path for tomorrow. You gonna be okay?”

“Of course I will.” Bella told him, eyes closed.

Connolly immediately walked up the mountain. As soon as he was away Bella’s eyes popped open and she used every trick he taught her to follow and be quiet. Once she caught sight of him she slid behind a rock. Peering around she saw what she needed to see.

He had his back to her but she knew what he was doing by the motion of his hands.

The sight of it turned her on even more. Her hands slipped below her panties where she squatted and her fingers found her clit. Soon two fingers were inside her and her thumb knew exactly what it was doing. She never took her eyes off of him.

She came when he did.

Trying to muffle the sound as best she could she moved quietly down the mountain back to the camp. Falling on the ground she continued to pretend to be asleep.

Connolly to his credit did not miss the signs of her presence. He didn’t know she had been watching but she left one foot print. He would have to work on that later with her. Not now. He didn’t want her to know he knew she was watching. He normally wouldn’t have done this but the feel of her legs was too much for him. Her eyes closed, eyes that appeared to be in ecstasy, trusting him to run a blade across one of the most sensual parts of her body. A man could only take so much. Although Bella pretended to be asleep he knew by now her breathing patterns. She was not asleep but doing her best to make him think she was. He also noticed her panties were wet.

Focus Jason.

He closed his eyes and the sun was up before he knew it. The next day nothing was spoken about the night before. Connolly focused on hand guns. Bella was becoming much better. Almost as natural as he was. By midday they had moved to rifles. She needed much more work on this. They made their target by nightfall and both guzzled down water while Connolly showed Bella how to take apart and reassemble the rifles and hand guns she had shot today.

The next morning after PT they began hand to hand combat.

Bella was shown how to block strikes first. To use her body to move fluidily. Connolly spent more time on her footwork than anything else. They did not have to be to the next drop point until tomorrow so they had all the time they needed.

Once Bella slipped and found herself on one knee with Connolly’s fist inches from her face where it had stopped.

He backed up and she stood angrily.

“Why didn’t you hit me?”

“Why should I? You know what you did wrong.”

“You know I can take it. You promised me you wouldn’t hold back on me!”

“I’m not. There was no reason to hit you. You were down.”

“If you had been a vampire you wouldn’t have shown mercy.” Bella told him seething.

“But I’m not and I did. Now get in position and do it right this time.”

Once again Bella stumbled, on purpose this time. Once again Connolly’s foot stopped inches from her face.

She said nothing, standing there glaring at him.

“I can’t do it. I can’t. I’m sorry.” he said, shoulders dropping.

“Never hit a woman before?” Bella asked.

“Yeah once. She was an Iranian honeypot and tried to take me out in the bedroom. I side kicked her out of a fifth story window. You aren’t trying to knife me in the gut. Big difference.”

“You promised me.”

“I’m giving you everything I got. I can’t bring myself to hurt you. Not like that. If you want I can get Hawk out here. He will knock the hell out of you. But I can’t do it. I can’t watch!”

“Why the hell not!?” Bella screamed.

“Because for the first time in my life I think I’m falling in love with someone and the idea of causing you pain breaks my heart. Watching you go through hell week was bad enough! You think I wanted to bring you to a place called the fucking Funeral mountains in Death Valley? I’m giving you everything I can. Teaching you everything I can. But when it comes to hitting, you are going to have to get Winter to do it or one of the other guys. I can’t. I’m sorry. I can show you how to defend yourself. How to hurt someone. But I can’t hurt you.”

Connolly threw down his gloves and stormed off up the mountain. Halfway up he broke into a run until Bella lost sight of him.

She stood there speechless.

He was falling in love with her?

She knew what she felt for him. She thought of… so many things. It was true he had put her through hell but he had been right alongside of her.

She was falling for him too. She knew it and didn’t have a clue what to do about it.

So she began practicing her moves. She practiced back flips he had taught her. She practiced kicking. She practiced fighting an invisible enemy.

The enemy wasn’t invisible to her. It was Edward Cullen. For the first time she drew her sword and began swinging gracefully. Flying back, sliding, thrusting. She was fighting a samurai on a ledge. She was fighting Aro while Jane stood watch in the background and Aro retreated from her blade.

She was fighting Jason.

And when the killing blow came even in her mind, she stopped. She understood. She could never hurt him either.

She sat and stared at the setting sun.

Eventually he came back to her.

“”Im so…”

“I’m falling in love with you too.” She said before the apology could come out of his mouth.

“You are?” he asked.

“Tell me everything.”

“What do you want to know about?”

“Your life. I want to know everything.”

“Okay.” Jason sat down beside her and looked at the setting sun.

“I was born in Galveston, Texas. My parents were killed when I was 4 in a car wreck. I survived. I don’t remember much about them but I do have one picture I keep. I was placed in the foster system. The family that took me in… well let’s just say the only thing me and my foster mom had in common was we both got the hell beat out of us by the old man.

Only difference is I learned to fight. I learned to fight in the streets, in the school yard, anywhere I could. I read books about different methods of marital arts, I watched movies about Samurai and Kung Fu masters. I was always looking for fights. I got pretty good at it despite being kinda skinny. When I was fifteen, the old man tried to fight me and this time, I killed him. His wife told the cops it was self defense but I didn’t have to snap his neck. She dragged his body to the bottom of the stairs. He was drunk and the cops didn’t care much that a drunk had fallen down the stairs. That was the first time I killed someone. I was taken out of the home and figured I would bounce around a while longer until I was 17 and could get the hell out of town. I was tired of Galveston, tired of the memories.

A man named Max Kobatashi took me in. He already had three sons but they treated me as an equal from the day I stepped inside. Max had heard my story and thought I needed discipline. His idea of discipline was different than my former foster father. Max had been a Seal and knew everything there was to know about fighting and killing. He taught me more than that though. He taught me to be at peace with myself. He taught me to know my surroundings. And God did he teach me endurance. His sons and I fought often in the ring in his backyard. They were fast. I became faster. They were quick and I became quicker.

When I turned 18 I graduated high school. Max told me I had two options. College which he would pay for or the Marines. I chose the Marines. I was at peace with myself but the idea of sitting in a classroom any longer than I had to held no appeal for me. So I joined up. I was Force Recon for my first five years where I learned to track, combat tactics, how to knife fight. Close quarter combat. The fighting we did was different than what I learned from Max and more like the style I learned on the street. Brutal with no wasted movements. No one was bowing to an opponent before a match. I got recruited by a Seal and went through Buds. While in school I took advantage of the online college opportunities the Navy had. Got a degree in Phiosophy. Made Lieutenant. Worked my way up to Lt. Commander and was given command of my own team. Least till this popped up. Now I got two girls with magical swords and a hand picked team of guys I trust to fight the evil nasties of the world, most people think are legends. That’s me in a nutshell.”

“Wow.” Bella whispered.

“Yep. Still fallin in love with me? The guy that killed his own step father.”

“Yes.” She answered without hesitation.

“Good.” Jason said with a smile.

“What about women?” Bella asked.

“What about them?”

“Have you had girlfriends? I mean you must have right?”

“I’ve been with women if that is what you are asking. Girlfriends were never really my thing. I was on the move too much. Always looking for the next fight.”

“Oh.”

“What about you? Besides Cullen? Any boyfriends?”

“No.” Bella answered immediately.

“Not even the shapeshifter? His name was Jacob right?”

“We uh… we kissed once. But that was it.”

“So just you and Cullen then huh?”

“Well… I mean I let him drink my blood but that was as far as it went.”

Connolly and Bella were silent.

“Hold up, if you never… and you and Jake never… and I know you didn’t find anybody in the desert… you mean to tell me you are…?”

“A 20 year old virgin? Yep.” Bella said with a blush, not meeting his eyes.

“Holy shit. I figured I would see a unicorn before I ever saw one of those.” Jason whispered.

“Please don’t make a big deal out of it. Don’t say anything to anyone. Please?”

“Not a word.” he told her. They sat in silence a while longer.

“You are the only one besides Max who I have ever told that I killed my foster father.” Jason said quietly.

“I’ll take it to the grave.” She told him. He nodded. He knew she would.

“Well we need to get some sleep. Big day tomorrow. We leave Death Valley.”

“Where are we going?” Bella asked.

“To the Island.”

“The Island?”

“Yep. Top secret location. Don’t worry you are going to love it once we get there.”

“How do we get there?” Bella asked, almost afraid of the answer.

“We are going to jump.”

“I’ve never jumped.” She told him.

“You will tomorrow. It’s time you learned to jump, to work underwater and make yourself invisible in jungle terrain. You can’t do that here. Relax. You trust me right?”

“With my life.” she answered honestly.

“Good. I trust you with mine. Now relax and get some sleep.” Jason rolled over on his back and closed his eyes.

“Hey Jason?”

“Yeah?”

“You are really falling in love with me?” she asked quietly.

“Yep.” He said with a grin, eyes still closed.

“Then you think you could kiss me goodnight?”

Connolly rolled back over.

Moving towards Bella his lips met hers softly. She opened her mouth slightly and felt the warmth of his tongue.

It seemed to last forever though in reality it was only a few seconds. When he rolled back over he didn’t move away like he normally did. Instead he pulled his roll over to her and lay next to her. She lay her head on his shoulder and the two drifted off to sleep, both having similar dreams.

For the first time in a long time Bella only dreamed of the man next to her.

Outside Los Alamos New Mexico

“She was here, just like the guy at the gas station said. That’s her beat up Cheville parked outside. This place hasn’t been lived in for months though. Probably since he last saw her.” Jasper mused, looking the residence over. It could hardly be called a house.

“Damn girl went to some extraordinary lengths to hide from ya’ll. Wonder where she went?” Peter asked.

“You tell me. You are the one who knows shit.” Jasper said with a grin.

“I don’t know shit about this girl any more than your loving wife does. Where is that bitch anyway?”

“Where do you think? She heard Edward was making a trip to Forks and had to join him. She was afraid the wolves might try something.”

“Why are we doing this? You know that bitch is cheating on you Jasper. Let’s end her and be done with it. Find Edward and end him too if you want. Why the hell are we still chasing Bella for Carlisle?”

“This isn’t for Carlisle. Bella is the key to everything. The Volturi, the Cullens, whatever big bad you feel is coming.”

“I didn’t say she had anything to do with it.” Peter said quickly.

“Trust me Peter, if an Armageddon is coming Bella will find her way into the middle of it. Besides if I decide to kill Alice she will see it and run. I don’t have time to chase her down. No it will be a split second decision. Bella… I don’t know why I need to find Bella. To keep her from the others I suppose.”

“Why?” Charlotte asked.

“Because fuck them, that’s why.” Jasper spit out. His anger at Alice and all the Cullens spilling through. “Carlisle played to many games. Now he has the Volturi involved. This is going to turn into all out war and it isn’t our business. She got caught up in it. If we can hide her long enough for the two factions to blow themselves away maybe she has a chance.”

“A chance at what? A normal life? It’s too late for that shit Jasper.” Peter commented.

“Peter you know things. I always listen to you. Now I have a gut feeling it is important we find her before the Cullens and Volturi. I just know it.”

“Fine man. But she ain’t here and we got no way of knowin where she went.”

“I know. But we missed her by a couple months. Next time it may be a couple weeks or a couple days. We keep looking. We need to find her if we plan on surviving this darkness you feel coming.”

It appeared Jasper would be calling Jenks in the morning. Not one of the others had gotten this close to Bella Swan since she left. Jasper planned to keep it that way.