I groan in frustration as I lay across the couch in my room.

Ridiculous.

Why should I be hiding in my room? I am Jasper Whitlock, for cryin' out loud!

I hear Edward chuckle from somewhere downstairs and flip him off in my mind.

Truthfully, I've had all of Ember Thompson I can take with out killin' her.

Bring it on, Whitlock!, she yelled at me through my mind and I give her the same treatment Edward had gotten.

Ugh...as if one mind reader isn't enough, I've gotta deal with a friggin' telepathic mind reader as well.

She had come to us a nomad, one that not only embraced our diet, but seemed to thrive on it. She had striking blue eyes and despite her small frame, she packed a whole lot of attitude.

TOO much, if you ask me.

I haven't liked her from the get-go and it would be an understatement to say the feeling was mutual.

It has only been two weeks and I'm ready to end her or myself just to get some peace.

I've got a lighter, want me to start the fire?

God, I hate her.

Yeah...Go ahead and start it. Get it nice and big so you don't suffer when I push ya in! I shout back at her. On second thought, just meet me in the back yard with that there lighter, sweetheart. I think I'd like to take it nice and slow.

You're stupid.

Yeah...this is how most of our conversations go.

Alice comes bouncing in, plopping down on my stomach.

"Ooof!" I say, pretending to feel her weight.

"Hey there big brother!" she chirps.

I don't like that look...She's up to something.

"Hey Ali...Whatever it is, the answer is no." I grin up at her, and her face falls, but only for a second.

"The answer is yes! Don't bet against me, Jazz," she sings.

She bursts into tellin me all about the great X-Box tournament they have planned. Only, it will be Ember and I against Emmett and Bella.

"Are you insane?" I mutter.

"It's your own fault...both of you," she says, matter-of-fact. "If you two win, Rose and Garret get to choose whatever they want Emmett and Bella to do...If you two lose..." She smiles down at me sweetly as I glare at her. "Well...then you're fate is in the very cable hands of Edward and I."

"I can't get out of this...can I?"

"Nope," she replies, popping the "p". "Unless you want to look like a total wuss...Everyone else has manned up."

"Fine," I sigh. "Lets get this over with."

Famous last words.

We lost.

We lost bad.

So now I sit, glaring at my evil little pixie of a sister who just smiles back at me.

"Get on with it, Alice," I growl. "You already know what you're going to do!...You've probably known all day!"

Edward snickers and I know I'm right.

"Okay, okay," Alice giggles. "So basically...all of us are freaking sick of the constant bickering between you and Ember. Sooo..." Oh. I don't like this. Not at all. "The two of you are being banished to the cabin in Montana for two months...Together!"

I think I'm gonna be sick.

"What?" Ember screeches. "There is no way I'm spending any amount of time~"

"You can't back out!" Emmett pipes up, crossing his arms over his chest. "Even Jasper has accepted it...I mean, he looks kinda sick over there."

Still got that lighter?

The next morning, we are on our way, after going over the rules. Yeah, rules...we aren't allowed to kill each other and have to be together at all times besides to shower (I see long, long showers in my future), and if we part company, more time will be added to our banishment. Alice will know if we do.

Fortunately, we are spared the agony of a car ride together.

I watch her pull away in her Challenger, grinning as I listen for her to get a good distance away. My sleek, black Ducati roars to life and soon I pass her, slowing enough to wink and flip her the bird. I can feel her irritation and it satisfies me, probably much more than it should.

Unfortunately, the only problem with A) being a vampire that craves speed, and B) having vehicles that satisfy such a craving, is that you get to your destination far to quickly sometimes.

For the first two days, neither of us says a word to the other.

What fun.

I could have probably spent the rest of my sentence in silence...But Ember wants to fight me over what to watch.

"I am not watching some stupid western!" Ember yells, glaring at me.

My glare matches hers. "And I am not watching some stupid chick-flick!"

I snatch the DVD from her hand and in an instant I'm on the porch, hurling it as far as I can.

Childish?...Probably.

Worth not having it to worry about?...Absolutely.

"Aw, sh~" I'm cut off as I turn to see Ember in the door, glaring at me furiously.

Using yet another ability in her arsenal, she throws me through the porch railing without laying a hand on me, sending me sprawling into the yard. I get to my feet, but not before she locks me into place, charging me.

"Not this time," I mutter, throwing out such a mix of emotion it buckles her knees and lifts her hold just before reaching me.

Snarling, I grab her arm and spin, throwing her into the nearest tree. I'm on her before she hits the ground, the only thing stopping me from throwing her again is the grunt she makes when her small frame connects with the tree.

Its so easy for me to forget...She is not as strong as the rest of us. Had that been Rose or Bella, the tree would no longer be standing and they would be no worse for wear.

I catch her in my arms, wincing when I see her eyes squeezed shut in pain.

"Ember I~"

"Put me down!" she sobs.

I grant her request. "Ember...I'm sorry."

"I'm fine," she sniffles, limping into the house.

My shoulders slump and I hang my head. "See that, Alice?" I ask the air. "Still think this is a good idea?"