A/N: I am so sorry for the delay in posting and in not responding to reviews. I am usually a lot better. This time of year is crazy for everyone, but luckily this week should be pretty light. I hope to get a few more chapters up in the next week or so.

Hope you like this!


Chapter 4-The Truth Will Set You Free

Alice shut the faucet off and stared at herself in the mirror. She couldn't believe her predicament. She was here, in his house. In his space. She had come to check on her patient, to make sure he was okay and didn't expect the turn that the day took.

She thought back to it. There was definitely an intense moment. She saw the desire in his eyes; it was clear as day. She was convinced he saw hers too.

What kind of idiot answers the door after just getting out of the shower? For Pete's sake, he was still wet! Water was dripping from his hair onto the floor…and his chest. His chest. His sculpted, sexy chest.

Alice shook her head. She had a job to do. She couldn't be distracted by physical desires.

God, he was gorgeous. The towel was tight. And the look of surprise in his eyes was so adorable.

She hadn't meant for him to catch her ogling him. But he did. And a slow smirk formed as he watched her eyes rake over his body. He was clearly enjoying the attention.

Yet, nothing had happened. She had prevented it. She had to. She couldn't allow herself to be in that situation again…to be hurt again. He was dying; if she gave him her heart, it would be torn apart. Besides, he was a patient and she swore to never be involved with one.

So why did everything tell her that it was right?

Sighing, Alice turned and opened the door. It was now or never.

She walked back to the living room and smiled warmly at Jasper. God did he look good! He wore a forest green turtleneck that made his blond hair glow and tight jeans that showed off everything; every curve of his buttocks, every move that he made she could see. And she wasn't complaining.

Get a grip!

She wanted him. There was no denying it. He made her feel special. When he looked at her, there was desire. She wanted to melt. He was so sweet and kind. He made her forget her past.

The past she was about to relive for him.

She sat down on the couch and he turned to walk into the kitchen. He returned promptly carrying a cup of tea for her.

"Thank you," she said softly.

He chuckled and sat down on the opposite side of the couch, his body facing hers.

Oh God!

He looked even better up close.

Jasper could tell Alice was nervous. He smirked internally. She was definitely shocked at how he had answered the door. It wasn't his fault; he had had a late start and barely managed to make it to the door in time.

Alice looked gorgeous. Since it was a casual house call, she just wore jeans and a V-neck shirt, covered up by her coat of course. Her cheeks were rosy red from the cold and she was chilled to the bone. It was definitely not the most attractive moment for her, but Jasper thought otherwise.

And then to find out that while he was letting the cold air in, Alice was ogling him! What a surprise. He had been constantly flirting with her during his time in the hospital and she always kept it light. She never answered personal questions about herself, yet she knew all about him. He figured she wasn't interested, but after that warm reception, he wasn't sure.

Being the gentleman that he is, he offered her some tea. After excusing himself to dress, he returned and the conversation was light…until Jasper finally couldn't take it anymore. He said that he wanted to know about her. If she was going to be his nurse, he would have to know her.

Flustered, Alice asked for the restroom. Jasper complied and went to check on the tea. He let Smokey outside to play. As a malamute, he loved the weather.

When Alice returned, she was much more put together. And still gorgeous. There was no denying it. Jasper wanted Alice. He knew that it was much more than just lust. She had dominated his thoughts ever since he met her. He thought she was an angel for Christ's sake! And the electricity! Whenever they touched, there was a connection. It shot up his arm like a bolt of lightning. Jasper loved it.

He was afraid, though. Afraid of getting hurt again. He told Alice what Bella had done to him. Of course, Alice was kind and sorry for what happened. Jasper appreciated that, but worried he was falling too hard, too fast. What if this cancer can't be cured? She would leave him. No woman in her right mind would stay with someone who was dying…especially one as beautiful as his angel.

And even if his cancer was cured, he believed he was permanently damaged. He didn't love Bella; he knew that. And she didn't love him; he knew that too. But the betrayal of staying with him while sleeping with Edward on the side made him furious. Even now, while he sat watching Alice sip her tea, he felt his hands ball into fists.

She didn't notice. She put the cup and saucer on the coffee table and took a breath.

"I'm sorry about before, Jasper."

He looked at her quizzically. She continued.

"About not answering your questions. You are right; I know all about you and what happened with Bella. It is unfair of me to keep secrets from you. I will change that now."

She shifted so she was facing him. Had he gotten closer?

"There's no pressure Alice," Jasper said softly. He reached out and took her hand. "You are not obligated to tell me anything."

The electricity was back, warming Alice all over and giving her the strength to tell her story.

"No, I need to get this out," she said.

Jasper nodded and waited for her to continue.

"I met Riley in college. He was on the basketball team and a Resident Assistant. At the time, I thought he was so cute! And he was such a flirt. He liked to flirt with all the girls, yet gravitated towards me. We hit it off and were inseparable.

"That was our junior year. During senior year, things changed but not enough for me to notice. He began wondering where I was whenever I didn't answer my phone. He had the guys on the basketball team follow me around and if I talked to another guy, he had to know about it. Riley knew I had some male friends. I figured he was just being overprotective. There had been reports of campus rapes and I assumed he was looking out for me.

"We spent our summer post graduation together and even bought a house. Once I was under his roof, things really went downhill. That was when the abuse started."

Alice's voice had dropped to a whisper. She was visibly shaking. Without a second thought, Jasper moved to her and enveloped her in a hug. She held on to him and continued.

"I knew I should have gotten out sooner, but I believed that he loved me. He would always explain why he hit me but would then follow up with some loving act. I chalked it up to the fact that he was stressed about being unemployed.

"The night he raped me was the last straw. He was angry with me because I was refusing his advances. He didn't understand why I would; he figured I'd never meet anyone. I had it after that. I ran out of the house and sought refuge in a battered women's shelter. I filed charges and so far, he has stayed away."

Jasper noticed the wetness against his chest from her tears but didn't dare stop her. He continued to hold Alice and let her speak. He was shaking now along with her; however his shaking was due to fury. He wanted to find Riley and kill him.

"It's okay Alice," he said softly, willing himself to remain calm. "You're safe now."

She shook her head against his chest. "I know he'll come for me someday. You didn't see the look in his eyes in the courtroom. It was pure hatred. Riley has always gotten what he wanted. I know he would have no remorse if something happened to me."

Jasper's grip tightened. "I won't allow that to happen."

Alice sniffled. "That's not your decision to make."

"Alice," Jasper said sharply. "I'm your friend. More importantly than that, I want you in my life. I promise that I will help you if Riley ever comes around."

Alice didn't want to argue. Instead, she just breathed in Jasper's woodsy scent. "Thank you," she said softly.

He didn't answer; just continued to hold her tightly. At some point along the way, he had started stroking her hair.

They remained like that for some time, finding comfort in each other's embrace. After Smokey barked that he wanted in, Jasper released her and immediately noticed the lack of contact.

Smokey ran right over to Alice and jumped up to lick her face. She laughed and patted him on his head. Smokey liked her; he knew she would be the one to heal his master.

Jasper stepped back into the room and his heart swelled at the sight. Alice was petting Smokey and his head was in her lap. Other than him, Smokey didn't like anyone. It was a wonderful sight.

It's like she fits.

Jasper once again sat on the couch, a little closer to Alice this time. He heard her sniffle again and continue to stroke Smokey's fur.

"I'm sorry for my outburst," she said.

Jasper's kind eyes looked at her. "You have no reason to be sorry," he said. "If anything, you should be shaking with rage at what Riley did." He turned away. "I am."

Alice shook her head. "I've made my peace."

His head snapped towards her. He narrowed his eyes as he noticed the cross hanging from her neck. "How can you forgive him? He committed the most heinous act ever!"

She nodded. "Yes, but what good would it do to hold onto that hate? It would eat me alive from the inside. Forgiving him is the Christian thing to do."

He gestured to the necklace. "I'm surprised you didn't lose your faith after what happened to you."

Alice reached up and fingered the necklace delicately. "My faith is the only thing that got me through that difficult time." She looked into Jasper's eyes. "It's true. I had lost everything; my family, my job, everything to Riley. The only thing he couldn't take from me was my faith. He tried, of course, but it didn't work. I prayed to God every night that He would help me. He did."

Shifting in her seat, she said "I shouldn't have unloaded all of this on you."

"Bullshit!"

Her eyes snapped wide at his response. He softened.

"What I mean is that you didn't unload. I wanted to get to know you, Alice. I still do. You have awakened things in me that I thought were dead." He reached over and placed his hand over hers, happy when she didn't pull away.

She smiled.

"I know this isn't my place, but I would really, really like to take you out and show you the time of your life," Jasper said. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly nervous. "I-I want you to see that not all men are scum. What do you say, Alice?" He gave her hand a squeeze. "Will you do me the honor of joining me for dinner?"

Alice was floored. No man had ever been that sincere to her. She had men ask her all the time, but they were hospital patients who were on medication. She knew that they didn't comprehend what they were saying.

But this…this was different. Jasper was her patient, but since he was not in the hospital, she didn't see any reason why they couldn't go out...once.

I will agree once. That should be enough to get him out of my system. Once he realizes how TRULY broken I am, he will run as fast as he can.

Jasper was still holding her hand and eagerly awaiting an answer. She snapped out of her thoughts and smiled.

"I would love to out with you, Jasper."

The smile on his face was as big as a boy's on Christmas morning. She smiled at his happiness. He was too cute!

"This is so great!" he exclaimed. "How does the day after tomorrow sound? I'll make reservations at a nice restaurant and show you what it means to be wooed by Jasper Whitlock."

She burst out laughing. "Jasper, breathe."

He dramatically took a big breath and then slowly let it out. Alice doubled over in laughter. He quickly joined in.

After she had regained herself, she spoke. "That sounds great Jasper. Thank you for asking me."

His hand was still over hers and he squeezed it again. "No, thank you Alice. I promise you won't regret it."

They fell into a comfortable silence after finding a movie to watch. Jasper's hand hardly left Alice's but when it did, she noticed the lack of contact.

I am in SO much trouble!

When the night was completed, Alice walked to the door and put on her coat. She kissed Jasper on the cheek and stepped over the threshold.

"Alice," he said huskily, causing her to turn and face him. "I hope that your confession didn't cause you too much pain."

She smiled and stroked his cheek gently. "No, it didn't. Thank you for making me tell you. I feel so much lighter now. It's amazing how speaking about a tragedy can make you feel better."

Jasper returned her smile.

"And next time, it'll be you."

His smile vanished and his heart began to beat frantically. Alice laughed at his expression and once again stroked his cheek.

"It's okay, Jasper. Remember, the truth will set you free."


A/N: Now the truth is out. Any ideas how the date will play out?

Riley does make an appearance in this story; he'll be in a little later. I hope he's evil enough for you.

Thanks for reading!