I had returned to the house to find that our family had emptied out. Carlisle volunteered to cover a nightshift. Esme and Rosalie went shopping. Only vampires could find somewhere to shop this late at night. Emmett was took his new off-road jeep for another test run. Edward was… well, Alice hadn't told me where he was. I didn't really care that much once I heard the word "alone". I took advantage of it. Alice didn't mind that I had.

Alice's body lay bare next to my own and I couldn't imagine anything more glorious. Every time I looked at her it took my breath away. Not that I needed it to begin with, but… The wonderful thing was she thought I was glorious too. To a vampire on the street, laying eyes on me for the first time, he or she would see me for what I am: A veteran. A killer. Trained and deadly. Not Alice. She saw me the way humans saw me: Beautiful. I was beautiful to her. It made my silent heart sing in my head, and as her fingers absentmindedly traced a couple of overlapping scars on my chest, my skin tingled with joy.

"What's with all the secrecy?" I whispered, tearing my eyes from her and glancing up to see the pale gray of a cloudy dawn chasing away the last of the night.

"I'm trying to give him the privacy he deserves. Jasper, you know I wouldn't keep something from you, not really… I promise you'll know where he's been when he gets home in about ten minutes and forty-two seconds. Actually it will be pretty obvious where he's been. Once he figures things out more… thoroughly, there will be no need for the secrecy." Alice explained.

She knew me so well. This was the first time I'd brought the subject up since… Well, anyways, she understood what I meant about secrecy without having to ask. I tried to digest her explanation. I believed her when she said she wouldn't really keep secrets from me, but I honestly couldn't fathom why Edward would have spent the night away from home or where he had gone to spend it. The others were already back. Where was he?

"We should get ready for school, besides, I want to be downstairs when this new revelation takes center stage." Alice giggled.

I got dressed, I didn't want to disappoint Alice by making her late, but truth be told I wanted to be there too. I could feel curiosity thrumming through the house and knew everyone else would have heard Alice's declaration of Edward's return. They wanted to know what was going on as well. Edward was behaving erratically. Erratic was not a word I would ever have picked to describe Edward.

When Alice and I got downstairs Emmett, who was seated on the couch watching Sports Center, eyed us speculatively. I could feel his anticipation, his mischievousness, and guessed where he was headed. This house had very few secrets and there was no doubt in my mind Emmett had prepared a few quips for this morning, pertaining to Alice's and mine activities. Alice deserved better than that.

Hmm… Keep it simple with disinterest or teach him a lesson with fear? No, I think I'll mix it up a little…

Grief, Emmett.

Emmett's face screwed and wrinkled, his eyes appeared glazed as they searched of the tears they could no longer produce. His eyes focused on me and realization struck as he realized what I was doing. The best defense is a strong offense. He opened his mouth to speak and I hit him with another wave of grief stronger than the last. Much stronger.

Instead of words, a choked sob escaped his throat and was followed by another. The sobs came unbridled now, music to my ears. Well, getting in touch with one's emotional side can't always be pleasant. The sounds of Emmett crying, a sound never before heard in this house, had everyone surrounding Emmett in a heartbeat. Except for Alice who was beaming at me.

"Emmett? Emmett?" Rosalie touched his face, slightly hysterical.

"Emmett? Are you okay?" Esme echoed, slightly afraid.

I released a wave of serenity, letting it wash over everyone but Emmett. I could feel his humiliation now, but he couldn't force himself to stop his sobbing.

"Jas… per. He's…" But Emmett couldn't choke out anymore because his attention, and everyone else's had just been diverted to Edward.

Edward stood there silently for a moment then chuckled. "Nice one Jasper."

I could feel his appreciation. I appreciated that.

I let go of Emmett then as Edward's scent permeated the air. I was closest to Edward so I smelled it first. Shock ran through me. Then as the smell reached the others, I could feel similar shock run through them. After the first wave of shock evaporated, I felt other emotions. Anger. Disbelief. Disappointment. Surprise. Pleasure. Fear. More shock. But I couldn't pay attention to what emotions belonged to whom. I was stuck on Edward's climate.

Happy. Hopeful. Self disgust (but only a very little). Contemplative. Then as he heard our thoughts, our accusations, he had new emotions. Guilt. Humility. Determination. His emotions, though impressive in their intensity, could not distract me from the biggest elephant in the room.

Clinging to Edward, was the sweet, rich scent of human. I knew from his emotions and his eyes that he hadn't killed one. I kind of wish he had. It would have simplified things dramatically. I could only think of one human in this town who Edward might want to spend time with…

"What you done?" I blurted out.

His eyes flicked to me, but switched to Rosalie instead.

"You imbecile!" Rosalie screeched.

His eyes flickered around the room anticipating each new outburst before it occurred.

"How much does she know?" Emmett growled.

"Edward, what did you do?" Carlisle was slightly calmer than the rest which might be why no one took notice of him.

"Edward-" Esme was interrupted by Rosalie.

"You stupid, irresponsible, selfish, piece of--"

"Jazz!" Alice called over Rosalie.

Right, Calm.

Once everyone had calmed down against their will, Edward spoke, "She knows nothing more than she did before. I didn't talk to her or anything-"

Emmett interrupted with, "Didn't talk to her? You spent the whole night with her! What exactly were the two of you doing?"

"She was sleeping… I was watching her sleep." He explained. I felt his twinge of regret as he added quietly, "She didn't even know I was there."

I relaxed a little. This wasn't as bad as it could be.

"You were watching her sleep? Like a Peeping Tom?" Rosalie spat the words harshly through her clenched teeth.

"No! Of course not-" Edward clamped his teeth together.

I could feel him struggling angrily for an explanation that made sense; panicking when he couldn't find one.

Relax, Edward.

He sighed and looked at me.

"Quiet everyone," Carlisle commanded. His "leader voice" rang out clear enough now. "Edward. Explain."

"I just… I wanted to know she was safe. I wanted to see her face. That's all…" He trailed off, staring down at his feet. I had never seen Edward look so vulnerable. Or feel it.

"Ask her to the dance!" Alice exclaimed.

Apparently she was oblivious to the anxiety everyone else felt.

Before I could panic too much Edward replied, "No."

"Edward, there's no way she'd say no to you!"

"No. I won't ask her to the dance. Besides, its girls' choice anyway."

"Well, there is no way she's going to ask you with the way you've been treating her, and not to state the obvious but Eric, Mike, and Tyler didn't worry about-"

"No dance!" Edward snapped.

"School." Esme said suddenly. "School. You need to get ready, Edward… You are going aren't you?" She felt hopeful too.

"He promised not to make us late," I answered for him.

I hope you know what you're doing kid. You could mess this up for everyone, including her. You know that, right? I thought the words loud and clear for Edward alone.

He glared at me for a moment and then silently flew by us all as he went to change.