Disclaimer. All publicly recognizable characters, settings etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I only do this for fun.

Realidades Torcidas

A/N: This story is written as a collaboration by both Xo Bella Italiana oX and XxJasper'sAngelxX, but was adopted from PuzzlingApprentice. If you have any questions or comments, post them in my reviews and I will answer them in my next Author's Note! We hope that you enjoy the story and look forward to hearing your thoughts. - B

Chapter 3: Little Victories
(Bella' POV)

I rushed to Edward's room as fast as my human limbs would carry me. I was acutely embarrassed. I cannot believe that I had just been nonchalantly sitting on the floor of a bathroom nearly naked with the vampire I had been lusting after since the rest of the family left.

Though he had shown me a side of him I had never seen before, a side that teased and offered whatever comfort he could without any information, I really didn't want to tell him yet. My reasons were selfish. I simply didn't want him to make me leave before the family comes home, because I know there will be no reason for them to want to protect me once I break up with Edward.

But I decided not to think about that for now and instead elected to concentrate on finding clothes suitable for going to bed. I opened up the large bag Alice had packed for me, knowing that I would find nothing that I will even somewhat like. The only thing I can be thankful for is that whenever she packs my clothing, even though she buys almost everything new, she always grabs the undergarments from my room. I don't even want to imagine what kind of skimpy shit she would pack for me, and I can't help but shudder at the thought.

I pulled out some silky boy shorts and a matching silk bra, both a deep forest green. All of my panty and bra sets were this color; I simply loved it and couldn't find it in myself to care if Edward preferred blue. I used to be very self-conscious when it came to my body, but seeing as how over time I had gained curves in the right places and I had definitely been complemented a few times on my looks by the wolves, I had slowly gotten over it.

I proceeded to slide on my favorite panties and matching bra, and then forced my eyes to scan over the other clothes that littered the large bag. Everything was so pink and frilly. She had packed for a week, and yet only packed one pair of jeans. They were pink, too.

I was sure that Jasper could feel my disgust from wherever he currently was, but I just couldn't find it in me to care at the moment. I looked over my pajama options, once again seeing only frills of pink. I picked up a pair of bright pink sleeping shorts and a very light pink tank top. I knew that the deep green of my bra could be seen through the thin material, but that honestly didn't upset me. Comfort me? Yes.

The idea of being seen by anyone, even myself, in no color other than pink would make me feel like the pixie had won. I reveled in the forest-y color and it made me feel a little more like myself. A little of my confidence returning, even if it was only because when I looked down I could see the faint green outlining and the green straps side-by-side with the offending pink.

Little victories; I swear, they can mean the world to me.

After brushing my hair, I sneaked into the hall, looking around to see if I could pin point where Jasper was at the moment. I had just decided to not allow myself to wallow in my own personal negativities and I didn't want my emotional motives questioned, because I knew that, in the end, I would tell him the truth.

When I noticed that the door to his study was closed, I could only hope that I could make it down the stairs without causing enough of a ruckus to draw him to investigate. While my crippling clumsiness has come to an end, I knew that it didn't take much to cause a vampire's curiosity to spark.

I walked down the stairs as quickly - but also as quietly - as possible and entered the kitchen. I walked straight up to the refrigerator and swung it open. I pulled out a cold water bottle and did a once over of all the other items that may catch my interest, but seeing nothing, I allowed the door to close once again.

While I had planned on going straight back up to Edward's room once my little mission was over, I suddenly felt as though that wasn't the right decision. I already have plans to end our relationship as soon as he gets home, and now I feel as though it would be rude to sleep in his bed.

I scooted over to the counter next to the refrigerator and hopped up so I was now using it as a makeshift bench. I made sure that I could see an amazing view from the window wall as I start to allow myself to relax and crack the water bottle open. I lifted it to my lips slowly, darting my tongue out to lick some of the condensation from the brim, before tilting it ever so gently as to allow the wonderful liquid to enter through my lips.

I must have been parched and not even realized it because as I slowly swallowed the icy water, my eyes closed and small moan sounded from my lips. As I slowly pulled the bottle back away from my mouth, I can't help the small smile that forms.

I leaned my head against the side of the fridge and slowly opened my eyes. While I am slightly startled by what I see, I decide to take it all in stride and forced my heart rate not to accelerate and forced myself not to jerk backwards. I simply stared into his strange copper eyes, only about a foot away from my face, waiting for him to say something. With him being in such close proximity to me once again, my lust returned with a vengeance.

"I have to say, I think I like these emotions much better." Jasper winked at me before turning and walking towards the door, taking position leaning against the door frame that connected to the dining room as he had earlier while I ate dinner.

"I'm sure you do," I grumbled, knowing that it was pointless to be embarrassed when every time I looked at him I felt that lust. "I would be embarrassed, but that can take a lot out of a girl, especially when she feels it every five minutes." I chuckled and hopped off the counter.

I had just decided to be the real me; confidence, sarcasm, and all. If he doesn't like it, then he doesn't like me.

(Jasper's POV)

"I'm sure you do." She grumbled, but the embarrassment I had been expecting didn't show. I didn't have to question it; she answered it on her own. "I would be embarrassed, but that can take a lot out of a girl, especially when she feels it every five minutes." She chuckled and jumped off the counter. I couldn't help but be a little in awe, and that never happens.

I didn't know what happened to the shy little girl that Bella Swan was around Eddie, but I most certainly like this one better. She was emanating confidence that most vampires couldn't even pull off. And as she stood to her full height, I finally got a glimpse of what she was wearing.

The bright pink shorts stopped right under the curve of her ass, and the tight tank top was light pink and gave a clear view as to what bra she was wearing, and also making her perky breasts stand out all the more. The forest green was my favorite color.

"See something you like?" She teased as she wiggled her hips over dramatically while she waltzed towards the trashcan in order to discard the now empty bottle. I still felt her strong lust, but now confidence and amusement were mixed in.

"I must say, I do." I said, allowing her to once again catch my eyes on her body as she turned around. I felt another pang of her lust and smirked. "The green is definitely my favorite." I winked at her, still waiting for her embarrassment which apparently was refusing to come.

"Me, too." She smiled brightly, more confidence and even a little smugness wafting off of her. I raised an eyebrow in question. "Well, personally, I wouldn't be caught dead in all pink." She shuddered at the thought, "I wasn't about to let the little pixie win this battle. I don't get many, so I take pride in my little victories."

"Sometimes they mean the most." I commented and felt her shock. It faded away to a small smile.

"I was thinking the same thing just a few seconds ago." Bella walked towards the doorway I was currently residing in, and so I stepped aside to make some room. When she was just passing me, she turned herself in my direction. "Are you sure you're not mind reader?" she asked challengingly. "Because you were pretty damn spot on."

I liked this Bella, I had only seen glimpses of it before and to see her flaunting who she really is was just about taking my unneeded breath away. But hearing her swear was an even bigger turn on.

I bet I could get her to say so much more . . . To scream it, definitely.

I had only ever heard her swear a few times before, and those were also the times I had felt a few small twinges of this confidence that seemed so natural now. But each time Edward had scolded her, I had felt her resentment.

I swore to myself right then and there that if anyone ever tried to put out this spark in my girl, I would personally kick their ass.

I tensed as I processed what my mind had already decided. My girl? No, she wasn't mine, even if I suddenly wanted her to be. I didn't understand that, but I had no idea as to how I was supposed to fight it. Kick their ass? I had never become violent with anyone of the Cullen's before, and for someone like me, that wasn't an easy thing to do. None of them knew who I was, not really, and if I allowed myself to become angry, they would see it.

Is she worth it? Unfortunately, my mind had already answered that question, too; yes.

I had told her a while ago that she was, while we were in Phoenix hiding her from James. I hadn't realized how true it was until now. This was the Bella who was worth it, the confidence simply sealing the deal.

As I think back to that time, I can't help but to feel a little self-satisfied that I was the one to kill James in the end. I now realize that it would have been simpler to just kill him back in the field. It may have exposed me for who I am, but it would have kept Bella away from the pain of being bitten, a pain that I have had to deal with a few too many times.

Edward had claimed that the reason why, even after reading his thoughts, that he didn't want to attack right then was because he didn't want to risk Bella. But the truth was that he was terrified. But perhaps he was correct; he was an awfully sloppy fighter. I know that if I had killed them, all three would have been in the center of the flames before anyone could have reacted. James may have thought that he was a good fighter, but none of them have seen what I can do. Almost everyone who has witnessed it has already visited the pyre.

The protectiveness I felt over her was starting to confuse me.

I turned around and followed her in to the living room. She sat down and for the first time since she has been here today, she did not collapse. She stared at me for a few seconds, looking deep into my eyes. I was starting to wonder why she felt so curious when she answered my question with her own.

"Why are your eyes different? They have some red in them, making them look more like copper than gold."

I had been expecting this question from her eventually. But what surprised me was that she was honestly curious. She was not radiating any disgust of any fear. She trusted me, I just didn't understand why. Seeing red in a vampire's eyes should make a red flag go off in her mind telling her to be terrified.

Wow, I thought, her self-preservation really is screwed.

I chuckled at the thought, because it really was true. Even the night I had lunged at her, with almost every intention of killing her, she had not been scared. She was not even shocked. It was as if as soon as she saw the blood, she knew that one of us would crack. I had felt her resolve and her trust. While the trust was not completely misplaced then, nor was it now, I still wasn't sure what I had done to earn it.

But her question, I wasn't really sure how to answer it. I could feed her the lie or I could tell her the truth. I could trust her with the truth, because her mind was safe from the family's Golden Boy, but how was I to be sure that she would keep those sexy lips from giving me away on accident?

No, couldn't take that chance, not now. I didn't need more eyes watching me to make sure that I didn't slip.

So, was I to lie to her? No. For some reason that I didn't understand, I felt as though I couldn't. However, a half-truth would do just fine.

"Well Darlin', what do ya know about my past?" I asked; I needed to know the answer to this if I was going to be able to complete my answer.

"Not a thing, Edward told me that he knew more of people's stories than they would be willing to share and didn't want to give anything away by accident. He didn't want to betray their confidences." She answered, and I could feel a small pang of bitterness fall from her as she spoke Eddie's name. I'm not sure why, but it had me fighting to keep a smile off of my face.

"Well, I guess I don't have that in common with most people." I stated with a light laugh, and felt her curiosity become stronger. "With a mind reader in the house, I don't allow myself to think things I am not willin' to share."

"Good thing I'm the one who's mind he can't read, because I know that there is no way in hell I could ever control my thoughts." She snickered, "Trust me, I've tried."

"Not the easiest thing to do," I agreed, but suddenly became interested in what passed through her mind on a daily basis that would make her feel so thoroughly relieved that her mind was a safe haven. "What thoughts have ya been tryin' to control?"

She looked away briefly, an almost devilish smirk forming on her lips. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Her emotions were running haywire, no doubt going over every thought that she was set on keeping private. Anger, love, spite, humor . . . they were all battling with each other.

Her eyes flickered to me before going back to the window which was now apparently just so interesting. Her lust was now winning, and I was starting to understand one of the things that she wouldn't want Ed to know about.

She was just as attracted to me as I was becoming to her.

Her emotions finally settled down to a forced calm, and her eyes reconnected with mine. I couldn't help but to smirk at her, and again, she wasn't embarrassed.

I liked that, probably a little more than I should. I liked that she was comfortable around me. I liked that she was being herself. And most of all, I liked that she wasn't ashamed of her lust. Embracing it? Maybe a little.

I was starting to consider the start of this week a little victory of my own.

I glanced at the clock and saw that it was late, already midnight. Humans should be asleep by now . . . right?

"Bella, it's late. Go to bed."

I stood and started to make my way back to the stairs at human pace. I felt her immense agitation and her hand shot out, grabbing my own. The skin to skin contact felt like a shot of electricity was coursing through my venom. Traveling up my arm quickly and not dissipating. Through her emotions, I felt her shock and curiosity, but she gave no outward sign. Neither of us acknowledged it.

"First, don't tell me what to do. I am sick of that shit and have recently decided not to take it anymore. And second, you never answered the question." She growled quietly, but the underlying confidence didn't falter. I had never heard anything sexier than that tone of her voice.

"I will answer you this way; should I ever explain my past to ya, I will also explain my eyes." Unfortunately, I could feel that if I did share my past, it would be the whole truth. The same thing goes for my eyes.

Will she be disgusted when I tell her? Terrified? Probably, and with good reason. There are only a few people who know about my past and survived.

But no matter her reaction, she would survive. Apparently, the protectiveness I feel for her is even from myself.

She seemed deep in thought, but her emotions gave nothing away. "I can respect that." She told me. "I mean, privacy is a delicacy. Being married to a seer and being a mind reader's brother doesn't offer much, I'm sure." She said with a nod of her head. Though that was not the reason behind not telling her, I liked how understanding she was.

She released my hand, but both of us seemed a little reluctant.

I continued towards the staircase before I paused and turned back towards her. "Aren't ya going to bed?"

She sighed, a little bit of guilt came off of her but I could practically feel her stomping it down. "No, I'm just going to camp out on the couch tonight."

She wasn't going to sleep in Edward's room. So there really was something wrong . . .

I watched silently as she sank down in the sofa. She grabbed the throw blanket that was hanging on the back of the couch and pulled it over herself. She cuddled into the cushions and let out a sigh as she got comfortable. I pushed some lethargy and contentment her way and I smiled when I heard her breathing slow and her heart beat come to a natural languid pace.

Is it wrong that this distance between them is starting to feel like my own little victory?

A/N: Things are getting tense (but in a good way) between Jasper and Bella. Any idea what the reason behind Jasper's eyes are?! What did you think about Bella's change in attitude?! Review!

If you have any questions or comments, post them in my reviews and I will answer them in my next Author's Note at the bottom of the chapter!

To see more, go to either mine or my Co Author's FF page: Xo Bella Italiana oX or XxJasper'sAngelxX

If you enjoyed this story so far, check out some of my other stories on my FanFiction page! Also, I am still accepting Twilight stories that involve Jasper/any female leads or Bella/selected male leads if anyone is looking for a Beta Reader. I will make exceptions on the characters depending on the plot. I am also accepting other story topics as well! PM me for details!
- Bellisma -
Xo Bella Italiana oX