Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Twilight.

Chapter 5

The next few days flew by, everyone at work seemed to notice something was up but when I refused to divulge details they gave up asking.

Me and Edward hadn't spoken since Saturday but Bella informed me he was very upset and had annoyingly informed our parents of my plans for Wednesday night which meant I was rather dreading my dads arrival.

Ellie's overnight bag was packed and she was ready to go.

The nerves of seeing Jasper again mixed with my nerves at what my dad would say so I was currently pacing up and down wearing a path in the carpet.

Ellie was in her playpen watching me in fascination.

I'm not sure why I was so nervous, I knew my dad wouldn't be as hard on me as Edward had been but he was still my dad.

He would probably be more annoyed that he'd had to find out from Edward but that wasn't my fault. I had planned on telling him tonight, possibly.

For gods sake Alice you are twenty years old, you're not a teenager, your dad is not going to ground you for going on a date!

I rolled my eyes at how pathetic I was being as there was a knock on the door.

"Hi dad." I smiled hugging him.

"Hi Alice is she ready?"

"Yeah she's looking forward to it." I led him back through to the lounge.

He raised an eyebrow at me "She's not the only one from what I hear."

I gave him a look "It's not that big a deal dad."

"If you say so." he grinned at me.

"Dad."

He held his hands up in surrender "I'm not going to say anything, I'm sure you got more than enough from Edward. Just promise me you'll be careful."

I rolled my eyes in exasperation "It's a date, I'm not planning on doing anything dangerous."

He sighed heavily.

"I'll be careful dad." I promised passing him Ellie's things.

"Good. Have a nice time sweetheart." he kissed my cheek before picking up Ellie and leaving.

Two hours to get ready.

By some miracle I was actually ready by the time there was a knock on the door.

I checked myself in the mirror one last time smoothing out my grey dress. Grabbing my purse I took a deep calming breath and opened the door.

Jasper was stood there looking hot in black dress pants and a dark green shirt.

"Hi." I grinned biting my lip nervously as he stared at me blinking for a second. He broke out of his daze handing me a bouquet of mixed flowers.

"I wasn't sure what you liked so I just got a couple of everything." he shrugged.

My smile widened "Thanks Jasper, they're beautiful." I glanced back into my apartment at the piles of laundry and toys strewn all over the place and blushed scarlet "Erm, I'll be right back, just need to put them in water." I stuttered out hoping he wouldn't be too offended I didn't invite him in.

He smiled and leant against the door jam.

I raced to the kitchen and propped the flowers up in the sink, that would do until I got home.

"Okay, I'm ready." I said as I locked the door behind me "So where are we going?" I asked as he led me to his car.

"You'll see." he said.

I scowled unhappily, I didn't like not knowing, what if I wasn't dressed right? I smoothed my dress again self consciously.

"You look beautiful by the way." he said opening the car door for me. I nearly bumped my head in shock.

"Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself." I smiled shyly as he got behind the wheel.

My nerves melted away on the drive as conversation flowed easily between us only to return full force when we pulled up outside a restaurant. This place looked posh.

Jasper took my hand to help me out the car and kept hold of it as we headed inside, the tingles I was receiving from the feel of his hand around mine distracting me slightly.

We were greeted by a rather snooty looking hostess who looked me up and down like I was something disgusting she'd trodden in.

Jasper sent her a slight glare, hid fingers tightening around me and it was a relief when we were seated.

I glanced down at the menu as our waitress flounced over.

"Hey I'm Jessica."

I zoned out while she reeled off the specials, a little annoyed by the sideways glances she kept throwing Jasper.

He's with me bitch.

I blinked in shock at how defensive I felt. I was never normally the jealous type.

"Can I get you anything to drink?"

I refocused just in time for that, Jasper looked expectantly at me.

"Er, just a mineral water please." I stammered out.

"Make that two please." Jasper glanced up at the bitch and smiled, dazzling her for a second.

He's just being polite, I told myself trying to keep my breathing steady.

"So what's good here?" I asked keeping my eyes on the menu.

"To be honest I'm not sure." Jasper admitted.

I looked up at him confused.

"Rose and Em came here once and said it was nice." he shrugged.

I looked around unconvinced "Doesn't seem the type of place Emmett would enjoy."

Jasper smiled slightly "Never underestimate the effect of a women. Em would do anything for Rose, she's lucky to have him."

I raised an eyebrow "I thought you were her older brother, shouldn't you be scaring him off?"

He chuckled shaking his head "We're not all like Edward. I've known Emmett for six years he's a good guy. Besides I did warn him if he hurts her I'll make him suffer, so he knows the score."

I nodded, that made sense, if only Edward was that understanding. I frowned suddenly thinking of something "It's weird we've never met before. I mean you were friends with Edward all through college like Emmett and he's become like a surrogate member of the family. How come I never met you?"

Jasper shuffled a little uncomfortably but tried to play it off.

"Maybe Edward was trying to delay the inevitable." he joked then sighed when he realised I was still waiting for a better answer "You always saw Emmett during holidays and I was…busy."

I decided not to push it seeing as how he was uncomfortable, this was only our second date after all.

"Speaking of Edward though, have you spoken to him since Saturday?" he asked.

I shook my head "Nah, he's still mad at me."

Jessica interrupted us at this point bringing us our drinks and asking if we'd like to order.

I scanned the menu quickly and settled on the risotto.

"He's not too happy with me either." Jasper said once she'd left.

It took me a second to remember we were talking about Edward.

I scowled angrily.

"He's just trying to look out for you Alice. I can understand that." Jasper said softly.

I shook my head "It's none of his business, I didn't get all upset when he started dating my friend."

He chuckled "It's a little different for brothers." he said before thankfully moving on to a different subject.

I was amazed how easy it was to talk to him and whenever a silence did fall it never felt awkward.

"I used to love dancing." I was saying halfway through dessert "There used to be an after school class at my high school and I took classes privately as well."

"Why did you give it up?" Jasper asked with genuine interest.

My eyes dropped to the table. So I could spend more time with James.

"I just didn't have the time for it, with schoolwork and everything." I said stretching the truth a little.

I had completely forgotten about my insistence to pay this time until Jasper started sorting out the bill.

"Hey, I'm meant to be paying." I said trying to grab it off him.

He held it out of my reach "Actually as I recall, the agreement was you could pay if you asked me out, technically I invited you to dinner so I pay."

I scowled, stupid loop hole.

"At least let me put the tip in." I tried.

"I would." he said slowly "But you didn't seem to like the waitress and I like to tip at least twenty percent."

I folded my arms pouting "I would have tipped. I do work as a waitress, I know how appreciated they are but that doesn't change the fact she shouldn't have been flirting with a guy who was clearly on a date."

He kept his eyes on the bill "She was flirting with me? Can't say I noticed that."

Yeah right.

"She was hardly being subtle about it." Why was this bothering me so much?

"Maybe I didn't notice because all my attention was focused on you."

God he was a smooth fucker.

"Got to say Alice my ego is a little bruised at the knowledge I couldn't hold your attention that much."

I looked up to find him smiling at me.

Now I feel like an idiot.

"Sorry." I mumbled.

He gently picked up my hand and brushed his lips across my knuckles sending a pleasurable shiver up my spine.

"It's getting late, I should get you home." he said checking his watch.

I nodded still too upset to speak.

Jasper took hold of my hand as my silence continued on the drive back.

"Don't be upset."

"I'm not upset." I said causing Jasper to roll his eyes.

Great, even a guy I hardly know can call my bullshit.

"I'd have been angry if some guy was trying to flirt with you." he said, scowling as he seemed to think about it.

That made me smile up at him as he pulled up outside my apartment building.

My smile fell as I got out the car and looked up to the main door to see a very pissed off Edward waiting.

"Shit!"

Jasper followed my gaze and I noticed his jaw tense as he saw Edward. Taking my hand he started to lead me up the steps.

Edward's eyes narrowed as they locked onto our joined hands.

"This is a surprise." Jasper spoke calmly as we reached the top of the steps.

Edward glared at him before turning to me.

"Alice, inside now." he growled out.

"I'm not a child Edward." I spat as I felt Jasper's fingers tightened around my hand.

"You could have fooled me" he hissed back "Cause you're sure as hell acting like one."

Jasper's entire body seemed to tense. Rolling my eyes I turned to face him trying to block Edward out, I'd deal with him later.

"Thanks for dinner, I had a really great time." I said trying to get his attention back to me.

His eyes dropped from Edward to me and the anger and tension seemed to flow out of him.

"You're welcome Alice, I enjoyed it too." he spoke softly

Everything faded as he smiled at me, slowly we began to lean in.

I screamed in shock as I felt myself get yanked backwards, my hand ripped out of Jasper's as Edward forced me behind him.

"I told you to stay away." Edward roared, he was right up in Jasper's face. "To cancel tonight and fucking leave her alone."

I stared at Edward in complete shock.

I had misheard, I had to have misheard. There was no way my brother would do something like that to me.

I glanced at Jasper who spoke through clenched teeth "I believe your exact words were 'she doesn't need someone fucking her over again, especially not now' since I have no intention of doing that…"

"Bullshit." Edward yelled causing me to jump, I had never seen him like this before "You think because she's vulnerable now you can get an easy fuck."

Tears sprang to my eyes and it became hard to breath. Did Edward really think so little of me?

Less than a second later Jasper had him pinned to the wall by his throat a terrifying look on his face.

"Don't." I chocked out.

His eyes flickered to me and he slowly stepped back. He glared at Edward anger burning in his eyes.

"I thought you knew me better than that Edward." he growled.

Edward glared back "She's my sister."

"Edward stop it." I said my voice shaking slightly.

I tried to step towards Jasper but Edward grabbed my arm stopping me. Jasper tensed again as his eyes locked onto Edward's hand gripping me.

I needed to stop this before it turned into a full blown fight.

"Thanks again for a great night." I said to Jasper trying to stop the tears from falling, his face dropped in shock as he looked at me.

"I'm not leaving you with him while he's like this." Jasper told me.

Edward pulled me behind him squaring up to Jasper again. "She wants you to leave."

Jasper never took his eyes off me. "Alice…"

"I'll be fine." I told him "I'll call you later okay, I promise."

Please go, I begged him with my eyes. I couldn't take much more of this.

He shook his head still not looking away from me.

"Please." my voice was getting a little high.

He sighed heavily "Okay." he finally breathed out.

He glared back at Edward, an unspoken warning, before turning to head back to his car.

I could tell it was taking everything he had to turn away from me in that moment and leave me behind and to be honest that scared me a hell of a lot more than facing my furious brother.

Pulling me through the main door Edward dragged me all the way to my apartment.

As soon as we were through the door he rounded on me.

"You are never going to see him again Alice, do you understand." his eyes were burning with a strange mix of anger, fear and desperation.

"He's not invited to your wedding anymore then? Even though you've been friends for years." I snapped, annoyed that he'd ruined my evening.

"Damn it Alice I'm not messing around here."

He took a step towards me his 6"2' form towering over my tiny 5"1', but I refused to back down.

No matter how angry Edward was I knew he would never hurt me.

"Neither am I. are you really gonna throw away six years of friendship with Jasper, and possibly Emmett, because he took me on two dates and." I spoke louder as he tried to cut me off "Acted like a perfect gentleman on both occasions."

"James was a perfect gentleman on your first two dates Alice and he left you with a fucking kid." Edward scowled at me "He's only after one thing."

"And I'm too fucking stupid to realise this?" I screamed at him.

"Yes." he yelled back "You've been fucked over and you're on the rebound, the first guy who treats you nice with his fucking southern charms is going to get into your pants."

It was only when I felt my palm sting I realised I'd slapped him.

"Get out." I hissed, tears of anger and humiliation threatened but I pushed them back.

"Alice…"

"Get out now Edward."

He just stood there staring at me, all his anger gone. He seemed unsure.

I shoved him in the chest as hard as possible causing him to stumble backwards.

"Get out." I screamed again, more tears formed making it hard to see but I heard the door open and close.

Staggering forwards I locked it, I was trembling so hard I couldn't walk so I just slid down the wall and hugged my legs. Resting my head on my knees I finally let the tears fall.

How could it have gone from a dream date to a complete nightmare so quickly?

A strange noise broke through my sobs, it took me a while to figure out it was my phone.

Answering it I heard Jasper muttering. "Pick up the phone Alice."

"I did." I said stupidly.

"Alice, thank god, are you alright?"

"No." I sobbed out too exhausted to lie.

There was a pause.

"Did he hurt you?"

I chuckled humourlessly, I was very close to getting hysterical. Over the past few months I'd gotten to know the signs.

"No, well not physically anyway." I muttered.

"Shit, I knew I shouldn't have left you with him I just… I've never seen him like that, I didn't know what to do."

"Jasper." I cut off his guilty ramblings "I asked you to leave, please don't blame yourself."

I took a shaky breath trying to keep control.

"Do you want me to come over?" he asked.

The shock of that question made me lose control over the hysteria I was trying to fight and my body began to shake.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked that, I'm just worried Alice." he did sound concerned.

"It's alright." I whispered "I don't think that's the best idea right now."

You shouldn't be on your own Alice. My mind warned me. He wants to take care of you.

Or fuck you! Edward's voice mocked in my head.

Another round of sobs burst out.

"Alice please calm down. I'm sorry I should have told you I'd talked to Edward. Maybe I should have listened to him." he sighed.

"No" I sobbed.

I didn't want to lose Jasper, even after just two dates he made me feel normal again.

The word 'Rebound' flashed in my head like a neon sign.

"Okay. I'm sorry."

Guy was saying that a lot.

"I just don't know what to do for the best here Alice."

I began to notice it was easier to breath when Jasper spoke, I managed to pull myself to the sofa as he asked. "What can I do?"

I bit my lip at the childishness of the request I wanted to make but pushed it aside.

"I know I said you shouldn't come over but…" I trailed off.

"What?"

"Never mind it's stupid." I said quickly.

"What Alice? Please just tell me what you need me to do." he asked desperately.

His simple use of the word 'need' instead of 'want' made me think he may just understand and gave me the courage to ask.

"Will you stay on the phone for a bit? Until I calm down at least." I asked in a small voice.

He sighed in what sounded like relief. "Of course Alice.

The trembles eased slightly. "Thank you."

"So." he began nervously "Did you want to talk about anything in particular?"

"Not sure." I snuggled down on the sofa and realised I was still fully dressed and my bra and shoes were digging into me painfully.

Wincing I reached down to pull my shoes off, a slightly hysterical laugh escaped as I realised I was undressing whilst on the phone to Jasper. Edward's earlier accusations rang in my head again causing yet another round of sobs.

"Shit, Alice please calm down." Jasper sounded like a nervous wreck on the other end of the phone and I took some deep breaths, trying to calm down for his sake.

"Do you have to work tomorrow?" I asked at a stab at conversation as I flopped back onto the sofa after removing my bra, I didn't have the energy to do anymore.

"Yeah I do."

I bit my lip "Sorry, I'm keeping you up."

"It's alright, I don't have to be in till late."

I rolled my eyes pretty certain he was lying but I couldn't bring myself to let him go and sleep.

"What about you?"

I wrinkled my nose thinking about it "I'm working the early shift."

"You should try and get some sleep then."

"I know." I sighed.

Silence fell.

"Er, you still need me to stay on the phone, because I don't think that will help you get to sleep." Jasper said hesitantly.

Tears burned in my eyes and I bit my lip hard to stop crying, he thought I was some weirdo, I knew it.

Thanks to Edward and my creepy stalker type behaviour he was never going to want to see me again.

"No it's alright." I was amazed I could keep my voice so steady "Er, thanks for talking to me."

"Are you sure." he sounded doubtful.

I'm giving you your out. Take it.

"I'll be fine now honestly." I was full blown lying to him.

Tears streamed silently down my cheeks and I had started to shake again, my chest felt like someone was squeezing it tightly.

By sheer power of will I kept my voice steady, I didn't want him to feel guilty because I was an emotional wreck. He'd already done more than could be expected.

"Okay if you're sure, call me back if you need to okay." he insisted.

"Will do." I hung up quickly and for once just gave up fighting.

I let the damn burst.

I hate being mean to Alice, but things will get better, eventually.

Let me know what you think. xx