"Alice you riding with me or are you on your own?"
"On my own."
"See you at school."
Edward pulled out of the drive way and saw Jasper turn in as he reached the end of the street. He pulled into the school parking lot and parked next to Emmett's jeep.
"Hey cuz."
"Hey, Em."
"Where's Alice."
Edward threw a thumb over his shoulder as Jasper's bike roared around the corner.
"With her boy."
"Wait what?"
"My best friend is now dating my little sister. Don't worry about it. Jasper knows I'll kick his ass if he hurts her."
When Alice removed the helmet and took Jasper's hand as she hopped off the bike, the rumors began. Alice was back to her normal style. Bright colors. She looked so happy to be holding his hand. Edward smiled slightly. Jasper was smiling at whatever Alice was saying. Emmett watched as Rosalie's red BMW pulled into the parking lot. Rosalie got out and slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Damn." Emmett muttered.
"Good luck with your blue balls."
"I'll figure her out. She won't date?"
"Nope. Not at all."
"I'll get her."
Emmett went towards his locker.
Rosalie frowned as she walked up. He always seemed to walk away. Did he know? Did he think it was her fault? If he thought it was her fault then it was her fault. She watched him go wondering what had given it away. He was the one she wanted to be excepted by, for some odd reason. The thought of men scared her. Why did she want to be excepted by him? He would just hurt her.
Pain. The sounds. The laughter...
Sitting in english now, her breathing quickened. She stood up and went to the teacher.
"I need to step outside." She whispered.
The teacher nodded. All the teachers knew she had anxiety attacks. She went outside and sank down pulling her knees to her chest. She focused on breathing slowly.
"Rosalie? Is that you?"
Emmett. She looked up at him.
"Are you ok?" He asked sitting beside her.
"Yeah. I had an anxiety attack."
"Do you need me to get anyone for you?"
"No. I'm fine really. I know better than to get lost in my thoughts. It's my fault." She whispered. "All my fault."
She was shaking, almost violently. She was gasping.
"Some one hurt you, didn't they?" She nodded.
"Calm down. Just breathe. You are here at school. Relax. I won't let anyone hurt you, Rosie. You are safe."
"Mr. McCarty you-"
"I was on my way to the bathroom, and found my friend in the middle of a panic attack. Sorry. I was trying to calm her down."
"Very well. Return to class as soon as you can."
"Yes sir."
Rosalie was slowly returning to her self.
"Emmett?"
"Hey. Are you ok now?"
"Uh. Yeah. I'm sorry you had to see me like that." She said looking away from him and running a shaking hand through her hair.
"Why would you be sorry?"
"This isn't how I want anyone to see me. I hit a certian point and I tend to get physically violent."
"Who hurt you so badly that you have flashbacks like that?"
She sighed.
"I'd rather not talk about it."
"Ok you don't have to. I just want to get to know you. You seem to be scared of me, though and I don't want you to be. So you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to."
She looked at him.
"Thank you." He nodded.
"Hey you think that I could get you to look at my Charger? The guy I had working on it, well we sorta fell out and I think he did something to it."
"Sure. What year?"
"1970."
"I haven't had the chance to work on many of those. Is it not running right?"
"No not at all."
"I'll have to test drive it to see."
"No problem. From what my cousins say, you are the go to for my vehicles."
"I've been working on my car since I was 2 years old. I will look at it after school."
"Thanks."
At lunch. Rosalie sat down beside Alice and Jasper.
"You look tired, Rose."
"I forgot to take my meds this morning." Alice looked at her sharply.
"Are you going to have an attack?"
"Already did. And Emmett talked me out of it." She said as he sat down.
Alice was shocked as she looked at him.
"What?" Emmett asked, cluelessly.
"You mean a male can actually calm you down."
"He just sat there and talked to me." She said shrugging.
"He started talking about his Charger. So what's going on with it?"
"It isn't shifting very well and last time I ran it, it began making a strange noise."
"Between what gears?"
"2 and 3."
"I'll have to run it to see if I can hear it."
"It's hard to miss it."
"That loud?"
"Yeah. I want to know what the hell that guy did to my car."
"That guy got a name or shall we refer to him as 'That Guy?'" Rosalie asked.
Emmett smiled at her, showing his dimples.
"Marcus. He was know for screwing people over or taking what ever he wanted from who ever he wanted."
"What did he take from you?"
"He didn't take anything from me. He was selling drugs from my car. I called him out and he fucked up my car."
"Rose is your girl then. She can fix anything."
Emmett smiled and winked at her. Rosalie gave a small smile and began to study her finger nails.
"Did you guys hear that Swan's daughter is moving here?"
"Why?" Edward asked.
"She got into some sort of trouble in where ever she is."
"A cop's kid in trouble? That's a rumor. It has to be." Jasper shrugged.
"That's what I heard."
Alice smiled at him and he kissed her forehead. Rosalie took out a piece of paper and began writing a list.
"Here, Edward. This is what I need for yours. I'll make another list soon."
"You got it."
"By Wednesday." Edward nodded.
"Are you running in the race, Jasper?"
"Yeah. So long as I have my cheering section there." He said winking at Alice. She smiled.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He kissed her forehead again.
"Then I'll win for sure." Alice leaned up and kissed the tip of his nose.
"Goofball." He said hugging her into his side.
"Jazz." Edward raised an eyebrow. The glare he received made him laugh.
"Don't you start it."
"When are we going to do movie night?"
"How about Saturday night after the race." Jasper said, winking at Alice again. She smiled she was running her fingers over his fingertips.
"Do you ever play guitar anymore?"
"Not much anymore."
"Why not?"
"I don't know."
That afternoon after school Rosalie's long frame was leaning against the hood of her 69' Mustang. As she waited for the others to show up. The first to arrive was Emmett in his Charger.
"Damn Cullen. It's pretty." Emmett smiled.
"It used to run pretty."
"Lets change that." After about a half hour Rosalie looked over at Emmett.
"You want to grab me a Mt. Dew out of the fridge?" Emmett went inside as a car rolled up.
"Wow. You are a creature of habbit."
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I came to see how you are doing."
"You should leave now."
"You are here all alone? That surprises me."
"I'm not here alone. You should leave now, Royce."
"Aww, doll, you don't want to have fun?"
He had her trapped between him and the front of Emmett's car. He ran a finger along her cheek. She tried to force down the panic.
"Rose? What's going on?"
"Emmett. Royce was just leaving."
Royce leaned foreward and whispered in her ear.
"You are still mine."
"No I'm not. You gave me up when you didn't give me a choice."
Rosalie drove her knee into his groin then walked over to stand beside Emmett. She was shaking violently. Emmett brushed his fingers against her elbow. A tear rolled down her cheek as Royce pulled away.
"Are you ok?"
He led her to the little couch that was there.
"I don't know if I am or not."
"Who is he?"
"My ex. He and a few of his buddies were drunk and they....hurt me."
"When?"
"Nine months ago. I got out of the hospital about three weeks before you moved here."
Emmett held his hand out to her palm up. He wanted to comfort her, but didn't want to scare her any more than she was. She looked at his hand.
"I won't hurt you. You don't have to, but you can if you want."
She timidly touched his hand. He smiled what he hoped was a reassuring smile. He slowly turned her hand over and used his other hand to draw little patterns on her palm and along her fingers.
"I thought I could control the panic." She whispered.
"But seeing him..." She shook her head and more tears fell down her beautiful cheeks. Emmett turned to her.
"Shhh. Don't cry. I won't let anyone else hurt you." He whispered as he slowly reached up and used his thumb to wipe away the tears.
"Ever since it happened I have been scared of guys. Even Edward and Jasper to a point and I know for sure that they would never hurt me. Jasper is like my third or fourth cousin twice removed on my mother's side or some shit like that. He's a relative and Edward was the one that found me. He and Carlisle. The thought of their touch is scary to me. Even Carlisle's and him being a doctor."
She paused to shake her head.
"It scares me. Then there is the long term effects of what happened. Only Carlisle and I know that. I couldn't even bring myself to tell my parents or my best friend. Alice and I have always told each other everything. I can't tell her this. She's so happy all the time. The effects would just make her as bitchy as I am."
"You aren't bitchy. You're just protecting youself."
"No one else sees it that way."
"Then fuck them. If they want to be stupid then let them. What is so bad that you can't tell The Pixie?"
"You know that I said that I was having an anxiety attack? Well I was having an attack, but if was from PTSD. Then there is the other thing."
"What do you mean, sweetheart?"
"There is a 90% chance that I'll never be able to have a child. That's all I've ever wanted and he took it from me."
"That's not zero. You have a chance. And the man you end up with, whether you can have children or not, will be the luckiest man on this planet."
He was drawing patterns on her palm again.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"I'm always here. To talk or shoot shit or complain or what ever. Oh and if it makes you feel better, remind me to never piss you off. I don't feel like getting kneed."
Rosalie smiled. They heard a car pull up and she tensed. Emmett went to see who it was.
"Eddie!"
"Damn it Em. Don't call me that. Where's Rose?"
"I'm here." She said, walking up behind Emmett.
"What's going on?"
"Royce showed up."
Rosalie's voice shook. Edward looked at Emmett.
"You didn't happen to kick his ass, did you?"
"No. I didn't really know who he was until after he left. Rose got him pretty good, though. She kneed him."
Edward noticed she was standing closer to Emmett.
"Lets take the Charger for a spin so I can hear what you were talking about, because I didn't see anything wrong."
"Sure."
Jasper and Alice pulled up on his Harley as Rosalie shut the hood.
"We'll be back in a bit."
Emmett handed Rosalie the keys and climbed into the passenger seat. She got into the car and they drove off.
"Does this scare you?"
"What?"
"Me. being here?"
"For whatever reason, no. I just want you to be ok with me. You normally walk away from me. Is there a reason you always walk away?"
"Edward and Alice said something happened and you weren't completly comfortable with new people around and I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
"You don't scare me."
She began shifting. Emmett winced when the car made a loud grinding noise.
"My car did this once, when I let my dad's guy look at it. He didn't like that there was a better machnic in town. Ever since then I haven't let anyone but me touch the engine of my cars or the teams. I can have this fixed by tomorrow afternoon."
"You are amazing."
She parked the car and looked over at Emmett. He was looking at her. His dark curls and hazel eyes. He was smiling softly, revealing dimples. Her heart told her that she wanted something with him, but her mind was sending up the red flag. She started the car and went back to the garage. Alice was leaning against Jasper's bike.
"I'll get working on it as soon as I talk to Alice."
"No rush."
"Thanks, Em."
They got out and Emmett went into the garage and Rosalie went over to Alice.
"Edward told me what happened. Are you ok?"
"Yes. I am. Lets drive the Blueberry and we can talk. Ok?"
The pixie like girl nodded and went into the garage and whispered something to Jasper then kissed his cheek. He turned and brushed his thumb across her cheek then her lower lip. She smiled and kissed the pad of his thumb. Rosalie sank into the driver seat.
"What's up, Rose?"
"Your cousin."
"What did he do? Cause I'll kick his ass."
"It's what he doesn't do."
"What doesn't he do?"
"He doesn't scare me." She whispered.
Alice was looking at her with her mouth hanging half open and a half smile on her face.
"That scares me, Alice. Part of me wants to really get to know him. The rest of me wants to run and hide. I don't know which to listen to."
She pulled over on the side of the road. Rosalie sighed and leaned forward. Her forehead resting against the steering wheel.
"Em's a good guy, Ro. Listen to what your heart says."
"I don't know if my mind is strong enough to listen to my heart though."
"What happened this afternoon?"
"Royce came and started talking to me. He, uh, cornered me. Em came out and I kneed Royce in the nuts and then he left and then I talked with Emmett."
"Did you tell him?"
"I feel like I can trust him." She whispered.
"That really bothers you, doesn't it?"
"Look at what the last person I trusted did to me."
"Emmett wouldn't hurt you."
"Deep down I think I know that, but my brain keeps sending up the red flag. I don't want to hurt him and lead him on. That will happen if I try to get closer."
"And you don't believe in love at first sight. He'll do what it takes to be able to be with you."
"Lets just take it a step at a time. This whole thing is so fucking scary. I don't even know my own feelings anymore." Rosalie said, unevenly.
"Fuck!"
She slammed her palm into the steering wheel.
"Why do I have to be so broken?"
"You aren't broken. You just need time to heal."
"Part of me is never going to heal. It's not possible. I'm too damaged to heal."
"Lets ask Em and see what he says about that."
Rosalie shook her head uncertainly.
"No. Lets not."
"You really like him."
Rosalie's heart began to pound at the thought.
"I...don't know."
"Just let what happens happen."
Rosalie leaned back her resting her head against the head rest. She jumped when some one knocked on the window. She rolled it down part of the way to see Charlie Swan.
"Is there a problem officer?" She asked softly.
"Why are you kids sitting here?"
"I needed to talk to someone."
"About?"
"Some asshole that you refuse to believe me about."
"The Kings are good people."
"So tell me why he tried to hurt me again."
Charlie shook his head.
"Am I doing something wrong or can I go?"
"Hostility isn't a good thing towards police."
"Hostility? When you don't believe a word that leaves my mouth when I'm telling the truth? Give me the benefit of the doubt and test a King's DNA against the DNA from my attackers. See if one matches. It will. Give me a reason to be nice. If we're done here I'll be on my way."
"Go. And Cullen, tell that brother of yours that anymore racing is going to land him in jail. No bail outs this time. Same for that bum friend of his."
"My boyfriend is not a bum. And my brother isn't racing."
"Who is that big guy hanging out with you kids now?"
"My cousin. He's living with us now."
"Huh. I am warning you."
"Yes sir." Alice said rolling her eyes.
"You and Whitlock." Charlie said shaking his head.
"Can we go?"
"Go."
Rosalie left resisting the urge to spin out.
"What an ass." Rosalie hissed.
Once back to the garage she was furious. Her temper was simmering under the skin as she popped the hood of the Charger. Emmett watched her closely. Even to him she seemed pissed. Alice seemed upset too.
"Ali, what's wrong, darlin'?"
"Swan's an ass. He threated to throw you and Edward in jail if he catches you racing again. And he started in about the Kings with Rose, too."
Jasper tugged Alice's small form into his lap.
"We won't get caught." Jasper said kissing just below her ear.
She relaxed against him. Rosalie started looking around.
"What are you looking for?"
"Where is my wrench?"
Emmett picked it up and walked over to her.
"Here."
"Thanks."
"No problem. Tell me what you need. I'll get it for you."
Her temper was quickly ebbing away. Emmett smiled at her. He made everything better, just being there. He wasn't trying to tell her that anything was right or wrong. He was offering to let her boss him around.
"Can you hand me the plyers?"
He handed them to her, his fingers brushing hers. And nothing happened. She wasn't afraid.
"Sorry."
"It's ok." She said smiling at him.
"So, will you show me what's up?"
"You really want to know?"
He nodded giving her a small smile. Alice watched the two as they bent over the engine. She sighed, smiled and looked up at Jasper.
"Thank you for doing that decal for me."
"Anything for you Jazz."
Nothing had changed about the way she acted or the way she talked to him. How had he not known? He kissed her forehead.
"How could I not know?" He whispered.
Alice shrugged.
"I thought there was something wrong with me."
Jasper put his hands on her cheeks.
"Nothing is wrong with you, Ali. You have had me since I was like 10. I didn't want to make things wierd between you and me so I never said anything."
He gave her a soft kiss. She was so tiny. She snuggled into his side.
"You are so perfect."
"Hey, Alice."
"Yeah, Edward?"
"How close are you on my decal?"
"It'll be done before the race."
"Hey, Jasper, take care of her."
"Edward."
"It's ok, little one, let him have his say. He is my best friend and your brother. You don't have to worry. I will take care of her. I've hurt her enough."
"Jazz, don't."
"Sweetheart."
He kissed her forehead. Alice grabbed her laptop and looked over at Rosalie. She was smiling at Emmett. Emmett was a goofy guy.
"You know we should do an old home movie night. So Jazz and Rose bring over old home movies."
"Uh. Ok?"
"What are you up to?" Jasper whispered in her ear.
"Playing matchmaker." She said quietly. He smiled and shook his head.
"You are so silly."
"I want them to be happy."
"I know, sweetheart. Me too."
This was his Alice. She was so sweet. Other people's happiness was always priority over her own.
"Are you happy, Ali?"
"I am now."
"Good. I really should go run numbers with Edward. There will be a new racer there and he just got the stats on them."
"Ok. Mom wanted to know if you were coming over tonight."
"I am."
"Will you bring your guitar?"
"If you want me to."
"I'd really like you to, but you don't have to."
Jasper ran his thumb along her lower lip.
"Ali, baby, do you want me to bring it?"
"Yes. I do, but you don't have to."
"You are so selfless. You know that?"
She shrugged.
"Ali look at me."
She looked up from her computer. He gave her a chaste kiss.
"You are aloud to want and recieve things. I'll bring my guitar."
Alice kissed the tip of his nose.
"Thank you."
Jasper smiled and pressed his lips to hers again.
"Ask if you want something. Me saying no is not going to happen. I could not say no to you."
"Really?"
"Yes really."
He brushed his fingertips along her cheek. He gave her a soft kiss before going over to Edward. Alice was humming a soft tune. Jasper smiled hearing it.
"Dude, are you in love with my sister?"
"Yeah. I am."
"Glad it's you and not some other douche bag."
Jasper punched Edward in the arm.
"Thanks alot." He said smiling.
"Be careful with my sister, Jazz."
"I will, Eddie."
"Why is it that Alice can call you that?"
"Because it's Alice."
Edward made a motion like he was cracking a whip. Jasper just shrugged.
"She's just adorable."
Edward rolled his eyes.
"You just wait. It'll happen to you."
"Sure." Edward snickered. Jasper rolled his eyes.
"Rachet." Rosalie said softly.
"Here you go." Emmett said smiling.
"Thanks."
"So what do you like to do besides working on cars?"
"I like watching football and baseball and of course racing."
"Awesome. We should get together and watch a game sometime. You can choose the game and I'll talk to the others and put it together."
Rosalie smiled at him again.
"I'd like that. There is a Mariners game in a couple weeks."
"We can start planning it."
Emmett smiled. Rosalie bit her lip. She almost wanted to kiss him. Her heart began to pound at the thought of it. It scared her. She wanted to be closer to him and she was scared of that. Not of him. Every one but the Cullen's and Jasper thought she was lying about what Royce and his friends had done. She was believed to be a lying, manipulative bitch. Everyone included her own mother and father. What would happen if Emmett decided that it was her fault and she was lying? Her heart broke alittle at the thought of it. Not that she'd blame him if that's what he chose. He didn't know her before and he really didn't know much about her now. Rosalie was too damaged for someone as perfect as Emmett. Homecoming was in six weeks. Jasper and Alice were going as a couple. Edward didn't do dances and Rosalie wouldn't go by herself. She sighed.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah. I was just thinking."
"It's something that's upsetting you."
"It's nothing."
Emmett watched her. She bit the inside of her lip.
"Are you sure? You seem really upset."
"Him stopping by really shook me up. On top of Him, Swan being such a dick really got to me. I'm fine."
"If you're sure." She smiled at him.
"I am. Are you going to at the races this weekend?"
"Edward wants me to be there to get a feel for it. I haven't been on the underground for that long and every place is different."
"True. I will be done with the charger long before then."
"No pressure. Take your time."
"I'm quick at it."
"I can see that. Marcus would still be scratching his head trying to figure out what's wrong."
Rosalie laughed a little. Emmett smiled at her. A car pulling up made them all tense.
"Fuck. Jacob. You scared the hell out of us."
"Sorry dude. Who's that?"
His eyes flicked to Emmett.
"Emmett is our cousin."
Alice chirped from the couch. Jasper smiled at her.
"So who's running this weekend?"
"Jasper on Friday, then either me or one of the girls on Saturday. Is that all you wanted?"
"Yep."
Jacob winked at Rosalie.
"Stay away from me or I castrate you." She hissed.
She set down the tool in her hands and went into 'the office.'
"Bitch."
"No. She's not." Emmett said.
"She just threatened to castrate me."
"You asked for that."
"Who are you to tell me that?"
Emmett rolled his eyes and followed Rosalie inside.
"Hey. Are you ok?" She nodded.
"Of course she won't go to the dance. It'd be nice to see her in a sexy dress." Jacob said to someone in the garage.
"You aren't going to the dance?"
"No. I wouldn't feel safe and I'd be going to it by myself."
"Do you want to go?" She shrugged.
"Yes or no, Rosie."
"Yes I would like to."
"Would you like to go with me?"
"Yes."
"Do you want me to pick you up or would you like to pick me up?"
He gave her the full choice. She smiled at him.
"I don't know yet."
"Tell me when you do, ok? Oh and I want to know a color scheme."
He smiled and winked at her then turned and went back out into the garage. Rosalie came out a few minutes later, she was smiling. Alice went over to her.
"Smiley." Rosalie blushed.
"What is going on?"
"Nothing."
"You're blushing and you don't blush, missy. So spill."
"Emmett and I are going to the dance."
"That's great! Oh wait. Are you ok with that?"
"Yeah I think I am. I actually feel safe with him."
Rosalie seemed nervous at the thought of it.
"Trust your heart, Rose. He's a sweetheart. He always has been."
"It will take alot for me to be able to trust."
"He knows that. He'll take the time. He really likes you. Emmett doesn't normally do the dance scene. If he wants to go to the dance with you, then he wants alot more with you than he ever has from anyone else."
"So a relationship."
"I'd say so."
"I don't think I'm ready for that. I mean, my ribs still aren't fully healed. They still hurt almost all the time."
"Just talk to him. Do you want me to race tomorrow?"
"I'm not supposed to be driving yet."
"I'll go tell Jazz and Edward."
"He lets you call him Jazz?"
"Of course. I've always called him that. He doesn't let you?"
"No. He won't let anyone else call him that. He never does."
A slight blush graced Alice's cheeks.
"I'm not the only one blushing."
"Oh shut up." Jasper walked over to them.
"Which of you is racing on Saturday?"
"Me. Rose isn't supposed to be driving yet."
"How are your ribs?"
"They hurt."
Emmett was looking at her.
"Are you ok?"
There was concern in his voice. She nodded smiling at him.
"What-"
"Three broken ribs."
"How?"
"They kicked me."
Emmett grimaced and shook his head. Rosalie was suddenly nervous.
"Had I known that before, that guy wouldn't have walked out of here."
A look of shock passed her face.
"People don't believe what happened to you."
"No they believe it. They just don't believe who."
Emmett came to stand beside her.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm a racer."
"That's bullshit."
Emmett held his palm up to her. Jasper was shocked when Rosalie took his hand. She sat down and kept hold of his hand. Emmett sat beside her letting her have complete control. He began drawing little patterns on her palm as he had when she was upset. Rosalie found this strangly comforting.
"So Alice is driving?" Edward said walking up.
"Yep." She said popping the p.
Jasper smiled at the enthusasum. He wrapped his arms around Alice and pulled her back against him.
"You'll win, pixie." He whispered in her ear.
She smiled and layed her head against his chest. He kissed the top of her head.
"I'm going to head out and get my guitar, then I'll meet you guys at the house."
"See ya, Jasper."
"Al, are you coming with me or, will I see you there?"
Alice's small hand tightened on his arm. He chuckled.
"That's what I figured. Lets go, darlin'."
He took her hand in his and they went towards his Harley. She smiled at him as he climbed on and held a hand out to steady her as she climbed on.
"You like my bike?"
"Just 'cause it's yours." She said kissing his cheek.
"I'd like whatever you drove."
"You're so sweet, baby." He turned and gave her a soft kiss.
They sped down the road passing by Charlie Swan's cruiser that was returning from Port Angeles. His sixteen year old daughter in the front seat.
