Chapter 1: Back in Texas

Edward

I'm glad to be on the ground again. It wasn't that long a flight or a particularly rough one but it's been like the most tense flight ever.

We got to board early and get off the the plane before anyone else because Jasper and his crutches.

He was not happy when the stewardess insisted on taking his crutches to be stored during the flight. If he'd looked frustrated and worried before it was doubled when she took the crutches away.

Jasper's death grip on his knees through take off and even after the plane made it into the air, made me nervous. I wouldn't be surprised if he's got finger shaped bruises on his legs.

I got the window seat which was fine with me. Jasper sat in the middle sit and Dad sat on his other side. Jasper never made a move to look out the window even though I kept the shade open and asked if he wanted to see.

He was very quiet and still the whole time. One of the stewardesses kept coming around and calling him 'honey,' asking if he needed anything. He grimaced each time she did.

Jasper's expression was mostly a grimace for the whole flight. Dad tried to talk to him, asking if there was something he'd like to do while back in Texas.

Jasper mostly stared straight a head. He said he didn't know.

When asked if there was anyone he wanted to see, he answered 'no' very quickly. I can't believe there's not one person he'd want to see in the whole state.

"Is there anything you don't want to do while we're in Texas?" I asked, I meant it as a joke. Honestly I was trying to help lighten the mood.

Jasper got very quiet and I almost couldn't hear him over the sound of the plane's engines.

Very seriously he said "Talk about the army."

Dad and I agreed, we certainly won't bring up Jasper being in the army. I think it might be a little hard to keep quiet, honestly, one look at him and people will likely have questions.

I slept and read off and on through the three hours of the flight. I think Jasper was awake the whole time. I know Dad was.

Now we've just got off the plane and I can already tell it's hot. It's definitely hotter than back in Forks.

"Look." Dad points up ahead of us as we leave the gate, I see what he's pointing at, it's a man with a sign that says 'Whitlock.'

Jasper slows down like he's unsure of what he's looking at.

The man is wearing a light tan suit and a cowboy hat, which I find amusing. Looking around I actually see lots of cowboy hats. I really shouldn't be surprised.

"Wait here a second, I'll go see what's what." Dad walks a head of Jasper and I to go talk to the man.

Jasper stands very still but I can see his eyes are moving, jumping from one person to the next checking everyone in the vicinity.

Jasper doesn't jump when Dad is suddenly back but I do because I was so intent on watching Jasper.

"He's a driver sent by the lawyers. He said he'll takes us to the hotel and then to meet with the lawyers." Dad nods back towards the man.

Jasper narrows his eyes.

"If you're uncomfortable we could get a cab." Dad suggests.

Jasper looks curiously at the man and seems to be weighing his options. "No... It's alright, it'll be fine."

Dad nods. "Let's go see about our bags then."

The driver falls in step with Dad and helps get our suitcases. I stick with Jasper.

On the ride the stern set of Jasper's jaw definitely sets the tone in the car. Mr. Marshall, the driver, tries to make small talk to lighten the mood. Dad talks with him, I look over to Jasper but he's busy staring at the back of the headrest. I look out the window as we head into the city and don't try to make him talk.

It's not what I'm here for... my job on this trip is to help, help carry bags, help Dad watch Jasper, help Jasper not freak out. I can do that.

Jasper

I sit down on the end of the bed furthest from the door in the hotel suite. I know I shouldn't sit down we don't have long.

Mr. Marshall says we have thirty minutes at the hotel before we need to be at the lawyer's office. He's waiting down in the lobby for us.

We've got thirty minutes.

Dr. Cullen is on the next bed using the phone to call Mrs. Cullen and let everyone know we've arrived.

I should get ready for the meeting, I should put on a nicer shirt. Maybe I could wash my face. Should I wear a tie? Should I brush my hair? Try to get it to lay a little straighter. I don't know, I don't know... how long would it take? I've only got thirty minutes.

I know I should be doing something. I don't know where to start. I look intently at my feet. My army boots.

I'm wearing my army boots.

I should change into other shoes. I think there were other shoes packed...

I look around for my suitcase. They were all brought up by a man working for the hotel. All the bags are still by the door in the other room, the small sitting room. Do I want to go get it or ask for help, or...

"Jasper... Jasper..." I look up and see Dr. Cullen is holding out the phone receiver to me. My first thought is 'why?' "It's Alice."

He doesn't need to say anymore. I reaching for the phone without another thought. The phone cord is short and I have to get up and move to take it comfortably. I forget the crutches and instead hop a bit on my left leg.

Dr. Cullen hands the phone over and then moves out of the room.

"Hello?" I ask.

"Jazz!" Alice's excited voice comes through the phone. "How was your flight? Did they give you peanuts? Was it exciting? How is the hotel room? Is it nice? Is it fancy?"

I don't think to answer her questions I'm too eager to ask my own. "How are you? are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Jazz." She says sweetly. "Miss you. Are you doing ok?"

"I... I have to meet with the lawyers in... about twenty minutes." too soon.

"I won't keep you than." She sounds disappointed, I'm disappointed.

"I..." I wish I didn't have to go, I don't want to leave her again.

"Don't be nervous Jazz, I know I would be, but you shouldn't be, you're gonna do great." I wish I felt her confidence.

"Alice, Thank you."

"I'll be thinking about you."

"Thank you."

"Bye now."

"Alice..." I start but I find I can't get the words I want to say out.

"Jasper?"

"There's, in the room on the table... the copy of Henry the Fifth. I left it."

"Oh...I can put it back..."

"I left a note in it for you." It wasn't Shakespeare but I just wanted to let her know how I felt one more time.

"Oh." I can hear her surprise.

"That's all." It's nothing special, I sigh.

"Ok Jazz."

"...bye."

"Bye now."

Alice hangs up the phone on the other end of the line. The dial tone rings and The receiver feels heavy in my hand as I place it back in the cradle.

I know it's time, we need to go. I rub my hands against my knees. A nervous habit. I stop myself. I need to stop that. I need to not let anyone see that.

Carlisle

The lawyer's office is not far from the hotel and Mr. Marshall explains that the courthouse is only a few blocks away from there.

Downtown Dallas is bustling, not unlike Seattle but certainly sunnier.

Mr. Marshall brings us to the front of the office, holds the door for us. It's almost startlingly cool when we walk from the heat outside into the air conditioning. We all seem to stop from the shock of it in the entry hall. Mr. Marshall moves around us and introduces us to the receptionist.

"I'll be here to take you back when you're done. Just let Josie know when you're ready. " He says as he slips past the reception desk and into a back room.

"Thank you." I nod.

The receptionist tells us we're expected and calls to let the lawyers know we've arrived. Edward puts his hand on my shoulder to get my attention and says he'll wait in the small waiting area with chairs and magazines. It's probably a good idea. I nod as the receptionist, Josie, comes around her desk and ushers Jasper and I into a conference room.

"You can have a seat in here, Mr. Ford and Mr. Tillman will be with you momentarily. Can I get you anything while you wait, coffee or tea?" She smiles at me but her eyes keep cutting back to Jasper.

Jasper has the same serious dark eyed look he's had since this all started. I smile at her and decline. "No thank you, we'll be fine."

I see her take one last look in Jasper's direction before exiting and closing the door behind her.

Jasper stands close to the wall facing the door. He'd look like he was at attention if it wasn't for the crutches. I take a seat on the other side of the table.

We don't wait long.

Two men in suits and ties come in with a woman following them.

She takes a set at the far end of the table with a note pad and pen. The two men quickly make the rounds shaking hands.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'm Ustice Tillman. This is Donald Ford." The tall one gestures to the one with glasses.

"Carlisle Cullen." I stand and offer my hand."And this is Jasper..."

Mr. Ford shakes my hand but the other lawyer Mr. Tillman is focused on Jasper. "Jasper Whitlock. We're glad you could join us son." He says in a big voice. He's a large man, he looks like thirty years ago he could have made a formidable linebacker. He has his hands on his hips and he seems to take up half the room. I can see Jasper eyeing the door but he stands his ground.

"We do appreciate you coming..." Mr. Ford moves around Mr. Tillman to offer a hand to Jasper. Jasper looks at in and for a second I think he might not shake the man's hand but he does. "We believe you will be an asset to the state's case."

"Won't you have a seat, son?"Mr. Tillman offers, he's looked Jasper up and down at this point no doubt trying to assess what's wrong with him. The way he's watching he probably saw the way Jasper flinched when he said 'son.'

Mr. Tillman pulls out a chair and gestures for Jasper to take a seat. "What happened to you? Did Maria do... that... to you?"

"No." Jasper says curtly as he sits down and leans the crutches against the table.

"Damn." Mr. Ford shakes his head. "It is still good, you look sympathetic and not threatening if you'd looked like a linebacker we'd have had to rethink our plan."

"Your plan?" Jasper asks.

"Francine Bowman at the moment won't take the stand..." Mr. Ford starts and Mr. Tillman jumps in.

"She's terrified of Maria Bowman, which won't mean a thing if she doesn't testify that she's terrified of Maria Bowman. If you looked like you played for the longhorns we couldn't put you on the stand to try and convince people Maria is a mad woman, people wouldn't buy it but you... this... whatever it is that's happened to you, it's good."

"We can work with this." Mr. Ford smiles and I'm reminded why I've never been a big fan of lawyers.

"What we need now is you to tell us your story."

Jasper sits tight lipped as both lawyers pull up chairs and get ready to listen.

"Tell us about your time with Maria Bowman. Don't leave anything out." Mr. Tillman motions to the secretary at the end of the table that she should take notes.

Jasper gulps. I brace myself to hear Jasper's story again.

tbc...

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