Hey guys! The next chapter is up! Not as long as usual, but it's good. The small introductions of Emmet, Carlisle, and Alice! Review and let me know if you want to see more of them or not! I hope to have the next chapter up soon! Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed and made me feel good about myself :)
EPOV
"Um, Jasper? Can I ask you a question?" I ask hesitantly.
He nods.
"What happened to you? I mean, I know I'm kind of a stranger, but I can't imagine why anyone would want to hurt you like that."
Jasper looks down at his lap. "Well, there are some people out there who are just like that. I left one of those people a few days ago."
JPOV
I couldn't stop myself from telling Edward the truth. He looks sad for a moment, but suddenly he jumps up and hugs me. "I'm sorry." He whispers in my ear. I'm not sure what it is he's sorry for, but I'm too distracted by the fact that I don't want to pull away. When he does pull back, I find myself a bit disappointed.
"So," he says awkwardly, "do you…have any place to go?"
I think about lying. Pity was never something I knew how to handle. But I just can't, so instead I shake my head.
"Well then, uh…" he starts before clearing his throat and trying again, "I'd like you to come stay with me for a while. If you want, I mean. You could get out of here faster, and…" he trails off, mumbling something that sounds like "I'd know you're safe."
"I couldn't ask you to do that for me Edward. You've been so kind already."
But he shakes his head. "It's nothing, really. I have this big house, and I'm the only one there. I was planning to take a few weeks off soon anyway, I've got more vacation days than I know what to do with, and I'd like some company."
I have to smile at his nervousness, but he's right. Where else am I going to go? I can't stay on the run forever. And by spending time with him, I could figure out why he's different. "Alright then. If you're sure I'm not intruding, then I'd love to." I reply.
Edward looks like a happy puppy dog. "Alright then." He repeats.
EPOV
Jasper falls asleep faster than I thought was possible. I sit here for a moment, just watching him, before I jump into action. The first thing I have to do is make some calls.
I call Carlisle first. The phone rings three times before he picks up. "Hey Carlisle, can I ask you for a huge favor?" I hear the concern in his voice when he says, "Sure son, what's up? Are you alright?" I tell him I'm fine, and that I have a patient staying with me for a while due to "dangerous circumstances".
"Can you take Emmett and go to this apartment for me? Just take everything and dump it at my house."
"Sure son," he replies, "but are you sure everything's okay?"
"Yeah dad, I just can't tell you all of it. It's not my story to tell. I'll call Emmett and tell him to meet you at your house at noon." I give him the address of Jasper's apartment and say goodbye.
Well, I've got the brains, now it's time to call in the muscle. "Hey Emmett? I need your help. Meet dad at his house at noon. He'll explain."
"Okay man," he says, "is everything alright?" I tell him that I'll fill him in later.
My next call is to my sister Alice. "Hey pixie, I need a favor. You know the spare bedroom in my house? I need some decorating help." I can almost feel Alice raising her eyebrows through the phone.
"Edward, who's this guy you have staying with you?"
My sister. She knows everything. "Why do you assume it's a guy?"
"Please," she says, "I know you Edward. And I'd be happy to help. Decorating is like crack to me! So what's he like?" she squeals.
"Well…He's kind of sensitive and gentle, but rugged at the same time. Emmett and Dad are bringing his stuff over later, maybe that can give you some ideas. And I'll let you know if I find out anything else."
"Sounds like a plan. I'm so excited!" But I have to add one more thing. "Alice? He's been through a lot. Please make sure it's comfortable."
"Absolutely Edward. I want to know more details soon!" after we say goodbye, I sit back down thinking about what else I need to do. I'm lost in thought when Jasper starts to stir.
When he opens his eyes, he smiles, but I can see the pain in his eyes. "Hey," I say, "Is it hurting?" He pauses for a moment, then nods.
"I can fix that," I say as I reach for the syringe of pain medication on the counter behind me.
When he sees it, he starts to backpedal. "Actually, you know Edward, I'm feeling okay, I don't think…"
But I cut him off. "Jasper, It's not what you think. You won't feel it, I promise. Trust me." He contemplates this, and though he's still radiating nervousness, he gives a short nod. I reach for his right hand, the one with the IV in it, which seems to surprise him. There are two ports in his IV, one of which is connected to the medicine hanging above his head. The other is empty. I stick the needle through the top of the empty tube and slowly feed the medication in. I can tell immediately when the medicine starts to kick in, mostly because the nervous and pained expression on his face changes to a surprised one.
"W-wow," he stutters, "that was…fast." He smiles, and now his face shows gratitude; for keeping my promise that I wouldn't hurt him, for not letting him down when he trusted me. He thinks carefully before he starts speaking again. "I wanted to thank you…for keeping your promise. For everything." I can't help but smile. "Thank you for trusting me. It means a lot." I reply, and this time he smiles. It feels like a million suns bursting in my heart.
"So," I say, "All your stuff is at my house, and since we're going to be staying with each other for a while, I was thinking maybe we could get to know each other better." He nods in agreement, then smiles again. "We could play twenty questions."
"Okay, I reply, I'll start. What's your favorite color?"
He thinks for a moment. "Mostly I like denim blue, but I like lighter shades of blue, like sky blue. And indigo, so I guess that's purple-blue."
"Okay, my turn," he says. "What's your favorite hobby?"
"Hmm…well, I know it's boring, but I like reading a lot. I think I just like that books can take me to a whole other world. I'm gonna ask you the same question."
Now he blushes, and it's quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen. "Well, actually, I like animals, more specifically horses. It was always a way for me to forget everything and just get away." I smile, thinking I'll have to report all this to Alice.
"Do you like to ride?"
He blushes again. "Yeah, I've never done it professionally or anything, but it feels…amazing! It's just like this…connection. Horses don't judge, they just listen."
Jasper's got the gentlest soul I've ever seen. It breaks my heart to know someone would hurt this kind man. But I can make sure that never happens again.
We keep playing until we're way past twenty. I tell him about my family, my life. He tells me about his past. Pretty soon it's dinnertime, and while Jasper is eating I go around the hospital tying up lose ends before I leave. I tell my supervisor that I'm taking off for a while, and she actually looks relieved. I tell her that Jasper is coming home with me, and she agrees to let him go home tomorrow afternoon as long as I take care of his medical needs while he's there.
I call Alice outside his room. "Hey Ali, I've got more details for you." I tell her all the things Jasper told me. "And you'll never believe this: he likes animals and horseback riding."
"Wow," she says, "That's kind of perfect considering you live on a ranch."
"I know," I reply, "I think I'm going to surprise him with the horses when he gets there. He's being released tomorrow; do you think you can finish the room in time?"
"Don't worry Ed," she says, "I'm almost done. All the things you told me fit exactly into the direction I was already going. By the way, I put most of his stuff away, and he's got a limited wardrobe. Do you mind if I buy him a few things?"
"Go ahead Ali, jut don't go overboard. I don't want to overwhelm him."
"I understand Ed, I promise. I'm so excited! Will I get to meet him soon?"
I don't know Ali, we'll see. Maybe. Thanks again for everything, I owe you one."
After we say our goodbyes, I go back to Jasper. "I've got good news," I say, and his expression turns curious. "We're going home tomorrow afternoon. Everything is set up, and there are a couple surprises in store for you. I'm going to provide your medical care, so you won't have to come back here."
His face changes for a moment, and he asks a question I wasn't expecting. "What are we going to do…you know…about my past?" This is something I've considered. "Well," I tell him, "I think you should maybe talk to someone about it." He looks at me warily. "Like a shrink? I don't know if I could tell a stranger…"
"What if it wasn't a complete stranger? My dad is a psychologist. If I asked him to, he would help you. I always recommend him, not just because he's my father, but because he doesn't push people. He just listens."
He considers this for a moment, and then he nods. "I think it would be good to talk to someone. Would you be there?"
"Only if you want me to be. If you don't I won't be there. You have to understand, it's whatever you want. You just let me know."
He nods gratefully, and he looks relieved. We talk into the night, and then I convince him to get some sleep. "You'll need it," I tell him, "There's a lot of surprises for you tomorrow."
So? Questions? Comments? Suggestions? let me know in a review. Also let me know if you want to see more of the Cullens or other characters. Carlisle is going to be in it more, because now he's Jasper's psychologist (yay!).
Tell me who you want to see and what you want to happen!
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Thanks again for reading!
~TheSongSmith
