Rock and Roll Rebel

Chapter 17

Ugh. I don't even know what this is. Let's just use it as a stepping stone to get to the next chapter, shall we? Cheers, loves!

Jasper took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. The intense emotions in the room were beginning to get overwhelming.  They swirled around in his head, building to an unbearable pressure, one he couldn't do anything about because he knew both Bella and Alice would hate him for messing with their emotions.

But Alice saw the small act, and knew exactly what it meant. It had been his tell for years. He was the only vampire she knew who got headaches, and occasionally, even migraines. Then again, he was the only vampire she knew who was an empath.

"Jasper, why don't you go get us checked out? We can move somewhere closer to Bella's mother's house to keep an eye on things while we wait for the others to get here."

He glanced back at her. A rush of tenderness washed over him. She knew. How did she always know? He sighed, "Ali, we can't-"

"Jasper, what if my mom comes home early?" Bella said, digging her fingers through her hair.  He wasn't sure if she had picked up the habit from him, or if he had picked it up from her, but it wasn't something he could afford to dwell on at the moment. He could feel the panic swell within her, though she was fighting to keep it under control, for his sake or hers, he didn't know.  "What if James finds her there or is already waiting for her?" she said, crossing her arms over her chest. She bounced slightly on her toes, and shook her head. "We can't let anything happen to her.  This is all my fault. What if he finds her or Charlie..."

He took her hand, pressing a kiss to her fingers and then rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. "Hey, it's okay," he whispered, his features still cut into a frown. "He won't touch her. We'll relocate closer to the house so Alice an' I can take turns keepin' an eye on things, but far enough that you'll be safe.  Alright?" 

He looked to Bella, then to Alice, and both nodded.

"Alright. I'll go get us checked out. Will you be okay with Alice for a few minutes?"

Bella did her best to give him a real smile and nodded.  Jasper took it the wrong way.

"I trust Alice with my life," he said, placing his hand against her cheek and stroking her cheek, "an' more importantly, I trust her with yours."

She shook her head.  "No, yeah, I know.  It's not that.  I just..."

"What?"

"I can't lose you. Or my mom and dad. Or Alice. Or Esme and Carlisle. Or anyone in your family. My safety isn't the only concern here."

"Mi bella Bella," he smiled softly. "Don't worry. We'll be fine. Most important thing is keepin' you safe."

He quickly kissed her lips before stepping away from her and toward the door. "I'll be right back. You two be good while I'm gone," he tried to tease, but it fell flat as Alice rolled her eyes and Bella gave him an unconvincing smile.

When he shut the door behind him, Alice waited a minute before collapsing on the couch in a dramatic fashion. "I thought he'd never leave."

"What do you mean?" Bella frowned.

Alice shrugged from her position on the couch. "I'm sure you'll notice eventually, but all the emotions can overwhelm him. It gives him a headache."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense," Bella nodded, sitting on the edge of the coffee table to face Alice. She ran her fingers through her hair again and her legs bounced with a nervous energy. "It feels like this won't ever stop. Like my family, my human one and my not so human one, will always be in danger. What if he goes after one of you to get to me?"

Cold hands wrapped around her own and Alice smiled. "We can handle it. I promise. And we'll protect your parents too."

Bella took a deep breath and nodded.

"I'm glad Jasper has you," Alice added, providing a welcome distraction. "I haven't seen him this happy in a long time and I've known him over fifty years. I saw you coming, you know."

Bella could feel herself start to blush. "What?"

"I saw you. That's why I convinced the counselors to change his schedule so you two could have history together. I knew that's where you two would meet."

"Well, thanks," Bella nodded, idly playing with her fingers as she tried to find the right words. "Meeting him was... everything. It's been everything. Even if it all ends now, it was so worth it."

"This isn't how your story ends, Bella. I promise."

Bella smirked. "Is that the psychic or my friend talking?"

Alice giggled, and the light sound floated through the hotel room like a chorus of bells. "Both."