She laughed. "Okay. Thanks again Jasper, for making me feel better."

"Not a problem." Then I made her feel happy that she laughed but glared at me. I snickered.

"Not fair. Ground rules. No use of power on the human!" she whined.

I held up my hands in surrender. "Okay. Clear on that now let's go."

I was feeling happy for the first time in months. And I felt Bella feel a little happy as well.

She was willing to try with me. It's not now but soon.

Yes. I have my chance.

I really am in love with Isabella Marie Swan.

Chapter 3: Reach Out For It Next

As I drove Bella to her house, she fell asleep. I sighed at her and watched her sleeping form bracing myself for the nightmares to come but they didn't I felt relieved.

Taking advantage of the situation, I'm sure Bella wouldn't mind it if I cheat right now. So brushing some strands of hair on her face, I placed my hand lightly on her forehead and made her feel serenity to push her further into a deeper sleep.

"I really do love you, you know." I muttered. Then I moved my sight to the road ahead. I decided to drive even more slowly so that Bella could sleep longer.

"I know."

I jerked back and froze. Then I stared at Bella. Did she just answer me? I checked to see if she was awake but I relaxed at once. She was just sleep talking again. I chuckled softly.

"And you'll feel it better as days go by…" I whispered.

…

I saw Bella's driveway and made out Charlie's cruiser parked nearby. He's home and…frantic. I felt Charlie's anticipation and panic then relief as he heard us pull out. He was doing his best of calming down and decided to ambush Bella when she comes in rather than run here. That was good at least. Thank goodness that it was raining as well so he won't be able to make out that I was here.

I looked at Bella and she was still sleeping. I debated upon carrying her home, preparing for any reaction Charlie might have from seeing me but decided against it. Very gently, I shook Bella and said softly,

"Wake up sleepyhead. You're home." She stirred then opened her eyes. Then she jerked upright shocked again.

"Jasper! You're still here! I thought everything was another dream."

I snickered, "Hmmm… you're so silly. Of course I'm still here. I could kiss you and refresh your memory if you like," I hinted followed with a wink. Hey, I'm a gentleman but I was bolder than Edward. And I'm not wasting any moment.

Instantaneously, she flushed crimson again then scowled at me. "Ha-ha. Good one, Jasper. But I believe I'm not dreaming anymore." She was so embarrassed.

I stifled a laugh then raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Well if you change your mind then. But you should go inside now, Charlie's going to have a meltdown if you don't. Brace yourself, he's pretty…well, frantic."

She slapped her forehead and blushed harder, "Oh right!" Then she looked at me with horror, "But wh-where will you go? You're n-not l-leaving, right?"She said with her own hand a being frantic and with pleading in her eyes.

I held her face and this triggered another round of the redness, "I told you, I'm not going anywhere."

She held her breath.

"Oh Bella, you're forgetting how to breath again."

She took a deep breath automatically then gulped. "Sorry. You vampires keep dazzling me. It's all your dumb fault."

"So I do have a dazzling effect on you as well! Interesting…" I said bemused and satisfied.

At that her heart raced and she was at a loss for words.

I broke the silence. "Do you want me to come in with you? Maybe calm down Charlie a bit?"

She blinked then thought it over then cringed, "Er… I don't know…"

"Come on. I don't see any harm. Charlie will be just happy seeing you safe."

"Okay then. But you do the explaining." I nodded eagerly.

I smiled and opened her door happily. I didn't know how much time I had with Bella so I think its best that I come into good terms with her father as soon as possible.

I let Bella open the door with her key so that Charlie won't be suspicious of me. The moment she opened the door, Charlie was there and ready to ambush. He didn't even notice me come in. he grabbed Bella and hugged her then started yelling.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN YOUNG LADY? I HAVE THE WHOLE STATION LOOKING FOR YOU! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS? GOD BELLS! WHERE WERE YOU?! AND –

Oh. He saw me and his eyes widened like saucers his already swelling red face turning white. Then he blinked and faced Bella again.

"What is he doing here? Well? Explain yourself!"

"I…uh… I was… um… ah… you see…" Bella was flustered and I decided to intervene for her. I cleared my throat and offered the warmest smile I could muster and worked my charm.

"Good evening Chief Swan. It's me, Jasper Hale, if you remember me. I came for a visit to Forks from college and I saw Bella's truck parked near the woods then became worried and tried to follow her in. I found her looking blue so I tried my hand at cheering her up."

My charm was working on Charlie. He was calmer now. I smiled wider.

"Hm. I see. Thanks for that but it's almost midnight, what took you guys so long?" he said suspiciously. It can't be helped.

"Well, I offered to take her home but she said she didn't want to go home right away so I took her to my house and we watched a movie. I'm sorry, I should've called you, sir but…" I glanced at Bella.

Charlie grunted then sighed. "Okay, okay. All's good I s'pose. But Bella, you shouldn't run off just like that. You're lucky that someone saw you or I can't imagine what I would do if anything happened to you."

"I'm sorry dad. It won't happen again." Bella apologized.

"Good, now thank Mr. Cullen here and go freshen up and sleep." Then he turned to look at me, "Thanks Jasper. You should go on home too. But you rode Bella's truck right? You don't have a ride. You can borrow the truck if you want."

"It's no trouble at all, really sir. And I don't need to borrow Bella's truck. My ride is parked not that far from here. I'll manage. Thank you."

"You sure? Suit yourself then. But before you go, can I have a quick word in the kitchen?"

"Certainly." My, I wonder what Charlie's so nervous about. Bella was nervous as well. I gave her a reassuring smile and followed Charlie to the kitchen.

"Jasper was it again?" he said in a low voice. I nodded.

"Well… I know you've seen her look miserable… and seeing you… after you all left… I'm afraid that she's going to lose it again."

"I understand your concern, sir. But I think she's feeling better… at least even a little."

"I know but when you leave… that's the problem…"

Hm. Now Charlie didn't want me to leave… sort of.

"I'm here every weekend. My university isn't far from here and I believe that my family is moving back here so we'll be here for Bella."

"I see. But what about…"

"Oh. Edward? Unless he pulls out of boarding school, he might come back…" I trailed of. There it was again. Guilt and jealousy. Bad combination. Add selfishness to the mix and we have a party! A tiny part of me secretly didn't want Edward to come back…

"I'm afraid of how that would affect Bella."

"Yes. I understand that's why from now on, I will try to help Bella cope as much as I can. I care for her too. And I'm sure things will work out for the better."

He eyed me suspiciously but then sighed. "Well anything's better than the zombie I'm living with. Good luck with that."

Then he called Bella over, "Bella see Jasper out and thank him." Then he looked at me. "Pleasant evening to you." Then he made his way to the living room and watched TV.

I looked at Bella. She was panicking again.

"Don't worry, I won't really leave." I whispered to her. "Unless you want me to."

Her eyes grew big, "No, no don't leave me!" she whispered anxiously back, tugging on my arm.

I nodded at her and motioned for the door. We made our way to the door and made a show that I was leaving. After I 'disappeared' into the walkway, I zoomed out and climbed Bella's window and sat on the old rocking chair even before Bella entered her room.

When she appeared, she looked surprised but relieved and shockingly threw herself at me.

I blinked then laughed as I put an arm around her waist. She looked up at me with realization dawning on her then blushed for the hundredth time today. This was fun, being with her.

She detached herself from me and stood up in front of me. "I'm sorry." She mumbled.

"It's okay. I understand your exuberant relief."

She smiled a little. "Thanks. I'm just so happy to see you…" she said shyly and my joy increased.

"You should go to bed now."

She nodded, "Give me just a human minute. Don't leave me please."

"Take your time."

…

After her human minute, and after she said goodnight to Charlie who also went to bed, she climbed under the covers of her bed.

"Good night, Jasper."

I sped to her bedside and startled Bella once again. "Hey!"

I snickered, "Sorry." Then I tucked her in and kissed her cheeks and forehead and she shivered. "Sweet dreams." I whispered then made my way to sit on the rocking chair.

I watched her close her eyes and waited for her to drift to sleep. But after seven minutes, the average time for a human to fall asleep, she was still awake.

"Can't sleep?"

"Not really…" she answered.

"Want me to help you fall asleep?"

She shook her head, "No. no powers please."

"Then what can I do to help you? If you want I could stay beside you but I don't want to push things."

"Maybe you should… it will make me feel better… to have a hug or something…"

It was my turn to be startled but then I felt the desperation and the loneliness she felt so I immediately walked up to her and laid down cautiously beside her.

She hesitated for a minute but then moved to snuggle closer to me. If my heart was still alive, it would beat as fast as hers was.

"D-do you mind…?" she asked meekly.

I hesitantly… yet gently put an arm around her in answer. She felt better. This was what she needed. Something to fill the empty space she had reserved. I knew perfectly well it wasn't for me but I was 

holding on to a bit of hope that I would fill this spot permanently. If this was what she needed, this is what she would get. She's reaching out. This was good.

"Want me to sing you to sleep?" I offered. She froze and I stiffened as she felt like crying again. Crap, this was the exact line that Edward said to her. Damn. Edward covered all the places. I'm only reminding her of him. I didn't want that…. I'm trying my hardest not to do what Edward did but I keep on doing things unintentionally similar to what he did. Curses!

"I-I'm sorry." I murmured. Then she relaxed… a bit then said apologetically, "No. I'm sorry. Please sing to me. Thank you…"

I nodded and started singing softly and watched her drift to sleep.

If I give up on you I give up on me
If we fight what's true, will we ever be
Even God himself and the faith I knew
Shouldn't hold me back, shouldn't keep me from you

Tease me, by holding out your hand
Then leave me, or take me as I am
And live our lives, stigmatized

I can feel the blood rushing though my veins
When I hear your voice, driving me insane
Hour after hour day after day
Every lonely night that I sit and pray

Tease me, by holding out your hand
Then leave me, or take me as I am
And live our lives, stigmatized

We live our lives on different sides,
But we keep together you and I
Just live our lives, stigmatized

We'll live our lives, We'll take the punches everyday
We'll live our lives I know we're gonna find our way

I believe in you
Even if no one understands
I Believe in you, and I don't really give a damn

stigmatized
We live our lives on different sides
But we keep together you and I
We live our lives on different sides

We're gonna live our lives
Gotta live our lives
We're gonna live our lives
We're gonna live our lives, Gonna live our lives, Stigmatized

AN: Aren't we lucky, school got cancelled for two days! So rejoice as I get to update more this week! (throws confetti) Whoop whoop!

The song Jasper sang here is Stigmatized by The Calling.

Please give me reviews and I will make two-four more chapters for this week. Thank you! :

Oh right, if you love songfics and Jacob Black, you should find the fic, "Kryptonite" By regan94. Check my profile, it's listed under my fav stories. :

Keep Fueling your Imagination,

Margaux