Disclaimer - Everything belons to Stephanie Meyer, they are her characters, I just play with them

Chapter 2

APOV

Too soon he pulled away. I tried to stop him, he chuckled "Alice, Love, you can certainly deliver on hell of a spanking." he said ruefully and I smiled "but if I don't put something on my ass soon I swear I will scream." I laughed and led him to the bathroom.

I put the plug in the large "his" basin before opening the cold tap. When it was half full a helped him position himself on the counter so that his abused cheeked could soak in the cold water. "I'll go get you some ice." I said knowing from experience how much the cold could help. He caught my hand as realisation hit him and for the second time he said "Th... They heard, didn't they?" that drew me up short, I had forgotten the rest of the family downstairs, of course they'd heard, not only the spanking but most of what was said before that.

I quickly ran over everything that had happened from when Jasper entered our room. They had definitely heard what Jasper had said to me and my response. They would have heard my lecturing him and of course the spanks. I was fairly certain that they did not hear our mid-spanking conversation, nor the after spanking one. Shit! They will think the whole thing was for the way he spoke to me!! and because they would not have known exactly when he broke down they probably were thinking that I kept going after he began to cry (no one that I knew of had ever held out that long – most of us would have cried from the spanking Carlisle gave him let alone the one I delivered afterwards).

I realised how cruel the whole thing must have seemed to them! And of course I would never tell them the truth – that was between me and Jasper. Oh god! They were going to give me hell!! Jasper seemed to have followed my train of thought for he pulled me in for a reassuring hug "It'll be ok. Look don't worry about the ice, give me a moment to dress and we'll go down together." He made to move off the counter but I stopped him. I desperately wanted him there to support me but I knew that he had only just come off an emotional rollercoaster and needed time to collect his thought – I didn't want him to have to deal with them just yet. Also I felt certain that they would want to say things to me that they wouldn't be able to with Jasper in the room, and, although I'd never admit this to Jasper I felt I deserved them. "No, I should see them first, alone." he looked like he was about to protest but I spoke before he could "Its something I have to do Jasper, I cant explain it but I just do and I want you to promise me that you wont interfere" Just then I saw …

Jasper came running down the stairs into the lounge where I was with the rest of the family, I could see I was upset and they were furious.

So it was clear having him sit here whist they shouted at me was not an option. "Jasper, I want you to do something for me" I began. "Anything" "Go into the woods, run, hunt or do anything you want but do not come back until I come to find you." I said this slightly louder so the others could also hear. Quieter, I added "there is a slightly iced over steam about 5 miles north of here if you need some relief" he looked at me for a full five minutes; neither of us blinked or looked away.

I came very close to taking it all back and begging him to stay with me, but I didn't. He must have finally found whatever it was he was looking for in my eyes for he nodded and said "I will do as you ask but if you have not found me by sunrise I will return. You are truly the bravest person I know."

"They're our family. Its not like I'm going to face the Volturi or something" I said trying to comfort both him and myself. "Honestly love, I'd pick the Volturi over Rosalie any day" he said with a chuckle. I smiled before helping him out of the basin and passing him a fresh pair of pants and although he tried to hide it I saw him wince as he pulled them over his behind.

He came back over to where I was standing and pulled me to him; he held my body tightly against his as though trying to physically transfer strength to me. We kissed deeply; passionately. When we pulled apart I knew it was too soon for either of us. "Time to face the music." I muttered; he smiled "Just remember, I will be forever grateful for what you did and nothing anyone else says can change that. Love of my life, Love of my heart, my heart is yours forever." he murmured into my ear "Now go" I whispered.

He turned to leave and in the instant before he jumped out the window he called downstairs "And if any one of you hurt her I swear I'll make you regret if for the rest of your existence." he looked back to give me one last encouraging smile before disappearing out the window.

"Time to face the music." I repeated, and taking a long unnecessary breath I left my room.

*****

I walked along the landing already missing Jasper. I knew that I had done the right thing but I knew that without the whole story the others would not agree and as far as I was concerned my siblings would never hear it.

I came downstairs to see Bella on the porch talking to Jacob. God, he hadn't been here the whole time had he? I paused, hiding just out of sight in an attempt to hear what they were saying.

I breathed a sigh of relief. He had only just arrived to fetch Nessie – their house was less than a mile away but Jacob wanted to go hunting with her before they went home. Bella told him that she was with Edward and approximately where to find them. She also asked that he send Edward back when he saw him.

As Jacob ran towards the forest Bella turned to come back inside. "Alice," she said, and although I could not see her I was certain she knew I was here, "Alice, you might as well come down. I know you know we want to talk so just stop delaying the inevitable and come down here." Well that was it – I was done for, if Bella's tone was anything to go by.

I made my way into the room at what would have been considered slow even for a human. I was met by three accusing pairs of eyes. I could hear Edward was almost at the door and thought quickly "Edward, anything I think but do not say is private – do not tell my secrets to defend me" I knew Edward and if I accidentally thought through my reasons he would tell the others to defend me which was the opposite to what I needed.

He entered the room, his lips set in a firm line. As he moved to stand next to Bella on the far side of the room his expression changed from confusion to anger to fury – clearly someone was replaying what they had just heard in their head for him. "Alice," Bella began "that was unjustified."

"Never mind unjustified," interrupted Rosalie from the couch where she was seated with Emmet "that was plain cruel." I just stood there, a part of me felt I deserved whatever I got for doing that to my love, but another part of me rebelled. How dare they involve themselves in my private business, it had absolutely nothing to do with them, I mean I didn't involve myself when they did things I didn't agree with.

"Alice," Edward said clearly listening to my little internal rant. "I know we all agreed never to interfere with any couples private business but when someone does something so… so… excessive. We have to step in."

"You do not know what was going on." I retorted "We know how Jasper spoke to you, we know he told you to go to hell and we know you spanked him for a good hour because of it." replied Rosalie

"When you resumed spanking him I could not believe it." added Bella.

"I seriously considered coming in to stop you but I didn't know what I'd see and there are some images of Jasper I just don't need," inserted Emmet "plus I didn't think Jasper needed further embarrassment."

I looked around helplessly – I knew this was going to be bad but it was worse than I'd imagined, it was a good thing I'd sent Jasper away.

"I have a good mind to spank you right here just to show you what Jasper went through. But I won't because I know what Jasper would do to me if I did"

That was too much "Emmet, do you really think I don't know what Jasper went through? I was there. I felt every blow I dealt him; it caused me as much if not more pain than him. Do you really think Jasper would not have stopped me had he not felt he deserved it? He's already forgiven me."

Okay weak point I know – Jasper would have let me go on for a fortnight had I wanted to and still forgiven me. The others seemed to agree

"Alice, that is the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard and I know you know that"

"Edward, you cannot use my thoughts against me, if you think something then say it but don't you dare use my thoughts to support it."

"Fine then I will say it since I cannot be accused of taking your thoughts" said Bella, clearly annoyed by my jab at her husband "Jasper would let you draw and quarter him for forgetting to say good morning to you if you said he deserved it AND still forgive you afterwards. That's why we have to say something, because Jasper never would." She was almost pleading with me to understand. I nodded, I knew what she said was true but they can't honestly think this was about Jasper telling me to go to hell, could they? I had assumed they'd know better.

"Then tell us what it was really about." I let out a hiss "Edward, I have asked you three times now, I know you cannot help what you hear but you can help what you do about it, so again – KEEP WHAT YOU HEAR IN MY HEAD QUIET!" I practically screamed.

My reaction seemed to shock even Rosalie but I knew that if I didn't put my foot down now he would eventually reveal my true reason for spanking Jasper. I cant explain why in a family with few secrets I wanted this specific detail to remain secret but I think it had to do with the fact that Jasper and my relationship was so private that I couldn't stand the though of such intimate things becoming common knowledge.

"We just want to understand." murmured Bella.

I looked at my best friend and relaxed slightly "I know you do." I said looking at each of them in turn "but all I can tell you is I did have a reason for what I did and it was necessary." "Rubbish" said Rosalie "you went too far and now you're trying to cover it up."

"No I am not"

"Then tell us your reason." challenged Rosalie.

"No – That is private"

Rosalie threw up her hands in exasperation before rising, Emmet made to follow. She paused by the door and looked back at me "Well say what you want but Jasper is a fool for letting you get away with it and if you ever behave like that again I will send Emmet in to stop you – Jaspers pride be damned."

I nodded as she stalked out the door. A moment later I heard her and Emmet make off into the forest.

I went to sink into their recently vacated seat and Bella and Edward sat in the opposite couch. I could feel my control slipping. Rosalie had been the easiest to deal with because her reaction was the most predictable. I loved her but I know she disapproves of a great many things I've done so one more did not really matter – okay that's a lie, of course my sister's disapproval hurt but it was manageable.

Bella and Edward were another matter entirely. I needed them to understand.

We sat in silence for over ten minutes. I was sure Edward was waiting for me to think of my reasons but that was not on the cards. I sat there singing "I'm thinking of a brick wall" over and over in my head. Eventually Edward let out an annoyed moan "Alice," he almost pleaded "I get that you don't want me to know but could you at least sing something better than "I'm thinking of a brick wall."

Bella snorted "I'm sorry," she apologised as Edward glared at her. "I know this is serious" she said clearly still trying to smother giggles.

Bella's mirth broke the tension and we all laughed. After a few moments when we had calmed down Bella spoke "Ok Alice. I believe you when you say you had your reasons so we'll let it go this time, but I'm with Rosalie in saying this doesn't happen again."

I knew I couldn't promise that – eternity was a long time and things could happen, so I remained silent. Bella, it appeared, correctly interpreted my response and stilled, her face growing hard. Edward, hearing my thought also stiffened "Alice, you know I love you, we all do, but you should also know that we will not allow you to treat Jasper like that again." he warned and Bella nodded in agreement. With nothing more to say he pulled Bella up and they departed. The moment they left my carefully composed façade crumbled and I let the shudders take me, giving myself over to my emotions.

****

So, what did you think? Please R&R.