Once again, thank you ja4ever and PrettyinBlack8 for your reviews.

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CHAPTER SEVEN

When it was time to head to school the next morning Edward still hadn't appeared and Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper and Alice all climbed into Emmett's Jeep.

"Should we wait a little longer?" Emmett asked as he gunned the engine.

"No," Alice answered after she checked her visions. "He'll meet us there."

When they arrived at school Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper glanced around for Edward but Alice just slid her hand into Jasper's and dragged him towards the school building.

Alice had a quick vision and she sighed as she glanced at Jasper.

"What classes do you have before and after lunch today?" she frowned.

"Spanish and Math," Jasper answered. "Why? You wanting to ditch again?"

"Esme will kill us if we keep ditching," Alice grinned. "They're doing blood typing in Biology today."

"I'll be far away from the science building by then," Jasper assured her. "I have Chemistry first period and then I'm nowhere near that building for the rest of the day."

"Good," Alice smiled.

"Should we wait for Edward?" Jasper asked as they walked through the hallway full of humans. "You'll need to warn him about the blood typing."

"He was in the forest," Alice replied. "I saw a vision of him. He saw us arrive but he wants to be alone. He knows we're here if he needs us. I'll just text him."

Jasper nodded his head, secure in her sight, and Alice whipped out her phone and typed in a quick message as they headed towards their lockers to get ready for the day.

XXX

Although Alice didn't have any classes with Jasper he often met her outside her classes and walked her to her next one. When she came out of History that morning he was standing there and she smiled when she saw him.

"How is that history teacher going on the civil war stuff?" he grinned as they began to walk down the hall together.

"A little better," Alice sighed. "She's still wrong about so much but at least she hasn't bad mouthed you again."

"That's good," Jasper smiled at her. He noticed her eyes glaze slowly and he grabbed her elbow and led her through the crowded hall, ignoring the stares and whispers from some of the students as they noticed Alice.

"Oh Jazz," she giggled as she came out of the vision and he stopped and turned to her, waiting expectantly. "Edward and Bella have their first date. Well kind of. He's going to drive her to Seattle for a trip she's been planning the day of the dance."

"He's going to drive to Seattle, locked in a car, with a human?" Jasper frowned. "The same human he has been avoiding for months because her blood appeals to him."

"Don't be such a wet blanket," Alice chided gently.

"Okay, better him than me," Jasper muttered.

"Wouldn't want to be you," Alice teased and Jasper laughed.

"So where am I walking you?" Jasper asked.

"You aren't," Alice smirked. "Blood typing, remember? Edward isn't the only one that has to ditch Biology today."

"You want me to ditch too?" Jasper offered instantly.

"No, you go to class," Alice smiled. "I want to sort through some visions. I'll go hang out in the forest until lunch."

"You sure?" Jasper frowned.

"Of course, go to class," Alice nodded and leaned up and brushed her lips on his before pulling away from him. He watched as she danced down the hallway, her graceful movements as always amazing him even though he saw them everyday and he smiled as she slipped out the door before he turned and headed to his next class.

XXX

When Alice reached the cafeteria doors at lunchtime Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper were already waiting for her.

"Edward isn't joining us today," she announced happily.

"He came to school though," Rosalie frowned. "I saw him before."

"He'll be in the cafeteria," Alice expanded. "He just won't be sitting with us."

"What?" Rosalie growled.

"You'll see," Alice smirked at her and Rosalie hissed with frustration. As they walked into the room they all saw Edward sitting at a different table on his own.

"Who is he to decide that we switch tables?" Rosalie growled.

"He hasn't," Alice sighed. "He isn't sitting with us today, remember? He's going to sit with Bella."

"Idiot," Rosalie mumbled as they hurried to grab their trays.

As they walked past Edward, Alice suspected he was getting comments from the others' minds from his slight scowl and she flashed him a smile.

"Can I talk to Bella now?" she thought.

"Keep out of it," Edward said under his breath as she walked past him.

"Fine, be stubborn, it's only a matter of time," she thought. "Don't forget about today's biology class."

After Edward nodded his head Alice followed the others to their regular table and slid easily into a seat beside Jasper.

"What does he think he is doing?" Rosalie mumbled as she toyed with her food.

"Leave him alone Rose," Alice snapped causing Jasper to lightly place his hand on her knee under the table. They noticed Bella had walked into the cafeteria and felt her eyes on them and then Jasper felt her disappointment.

"She thinks he isn't here," he murmured.

"Wait until she does see him," Alice giggled.

As Bella's eyes found Edward's and he motioned to her Jasper felt waves of confusion, nervousness, bloodlust and finally a smattering of love.

"Oh God, will they stop," Jasper smirked as Bella walked over to the table.

"Is it too unbearable for you baby?" Alice whispered as she leaned against Jasper, knowing he would be feeling everything they were feeling.

"For the moment no," Jasper smiled. "If Edward doesn't get his bloodlust under control soon I may have to leave."

"I think we should all leave," Rosalie snapped. "This is ridiculous."

"C'mon babe," Emmett sighed. "Give Edward a chance."

Rosalie just gave him a scathing look and rolled her eyes and she nonchalantly picked at her food. For the rest of the lunch period the Cullens listened to the exchange between Edward and Bella with mixed reactions and then finally Rosalie couldn't stand it anymore and flounced out of the cafeteria. Emmett flashed an apologetic look at Jasper and Alice and jumped up and followed her and Alice glanced at Jasper and noticed he was looking a little flustered.

"You okay?" she murmured as she wrapped her arm around his.

"Yeah," he smiled at her and she noticed his eyes were now completely black. "I'll make it through the day and once we've hunted I'll be good."

Alice just nodded her head and leaned down to rest her head on his shoulder, content just to sit with him.

"I love you Jazz," she whispered, suddenly overcome with her feelings for him.

"I love you too sweetheart," Jasper smiled and placed a light kiss on her head.

XXX

When Jasper arrived at the car that afternoon Edward and Emmett were in the front seat talking and Rosalie was just getting into the backseat with a scowl on her face. As soon as Jasper slid in beside her the fresh scent of Bella's blood overwhelmed him and he knew why Rosalie was so upset. Edward had obviously had Bella in his car that day.

He held his breath, trying to ignore the sweet, tempting smell and knew that he needed to hunt soon unless he wanted to slip again. He hated it when he slipped, the entire family was so understanding, particularly Alice. But he hated to be the cause of the slight sliver of disappointment he always felt slip through when Alice looked at him for days afterwards. She would never dream of voicing it, everything she said and did in the days following a slip was always so positive and loving but he knew what it did to her inside.

He felt a grin spread across his face as he felt her presence and he turned and looked at the stairs leading into the car park and moments later Alice skipped down them. She glided across the car park but instead of coming to the door he had left open for her she stopped at Edward's window and held her hand out.

"I only saw that I was you'll have to tell me the whys," she murmured.

"This doesn't mean.." Edward started.

"I know, I know, I'll wait," Alice smiled as Edward handed her a set of keys. "It won't be long."

She flashed Jasper a grin and then turned and walked away from the car as Edward started the engine.

"Where is Alice going?" Jasper demanded.

"She's driving Bella's truck home," Edward said abruptly.

Jasper wanted to ask more but was content to be quiet as Edward fell in behind the truck Alice was driving and they followed her back to Bella Swan's house. Jasper was pleased to see there was no sign of Bella, not sure if he could resist the call of her blood while he was thirsting so bad.

He watched as Alice slid the key to the truck into the mailbox and then came over to the car and he reached out and pushed the door open. Alice clamoured into the car and gracefully pulled herself over him to settle in the middle seat, leaving her feet draped across his lap as he pulled the door shut behind her.

Edward pulled out to head home and Alice rubbed Jasper's arm softly, sensing his thirst before she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Let's finish this game bro," Emmett grinned as they walked inside and Jasper glanced at Alice.

"Go, I want to do a few things for that project I've been working on with Rose," Alice smiled. Jasper nodded and followed Emmett to where they had eight chess boards set out in their own version of a complicated chess game.

They began to play and Jasper could hear Alice working away on the computer and then suddenly he glanced up in her direction and noticed she had slid the chair back and was watching them around the corner.

She mouthed to him what Emmett's next move was and he just blinked his eyes in acknowledgement, something he knew she would notice but Emmett never would. The sound of Edward beginning to play his piano filled the air as Jasper continued to evade Emmett's every move with help from Alice.

Suddenly Edward laughed and Jasper glanced over at him and hid a smirk when Rosalie suddenly jumped up and stomped out of the room.

"What's wrong Rose?' Emmett called after her and then turned to look at Edward. "What's that about?"

Edward shrugged and Emmett growled as he turned his attention back to the game. Jasper glanced at Alice to find out Emmett's next move and she mouthed it to him before shaking her head slightly and then she got up and glided over towards Edward, leaving Jasper to play on his own. Jasper couldn't fault her, reading her boredom and he turned his attention to the game.

Jasper suddenly heard Alice's soft voice, humming with Edward as she helped him finish composing the song he was working on and he smiled as he turned to watch her.

"I like it," Edward nodded. "But how about this?"

He played something on the piano and Jasper continued to watch as Alice and Edward worked together to finish the song, a small amount of jealousy bubbling up in him as he watched her work with Edward in a way he never would. There was something about Edward and Alice, probably because of their similar gifts, that was close and confusing to the rest of them.

As they finished composing the song Jasper let his mind drift, wondering if maybe Alice would be better off with someone like Edward than himself. As Esme and Edward shared a gentle mother and son conversation Jasper glanced over and noticed Alice frowning.

She saw a vision of her asking him what was wrong and him confessing his thoughts and her eyes widened. He immediately felt a wave of love she sent his way and then she turned and began to play Heart and Soul on the piano. Jasper grinned as Edward finished it with her and then he moved on to play Chopsticks for her.

"So I wish you would tell me what you were laughing at Rose about," Alice sighed as they finished. "But I can see you won't."

"Nope," Edward grinned at her and Alice flicked his ear playfully.

"Be nice Alice," Esme chided gently, a smile on her face as she watched her two 'children'. "Edward is being a gentleman."

"But I want to know," Alice whined but Edward just laughed and turned his attention back to the piano and Esme.

"Oh," Alice said suddenly and turned to look at the boys now engrossed in their game again. "Jasper, guess what?"

"What Alice?" Jasper asked as he turned to her.

"Peter and Charlotte are going to come visit next week," Alice said excitedly. "They're going to be in the neighbourhood, isn't that nice."

Before Jasper could answer Esme felt Edward's tension in his shoulders under her hand and looked back at him.

"What's wrong Edward?" she asked.

"Peter and Charlotte are coming to Forks?" Edward demanded before Jasper could respond to the good news.

"Calm down Edward," Alice sighed. "It's not their first visit. They never hunt here, you know that."

"When?" Edward snapped.

"Monday morning," Alice answered in her head. "No one is going to hurt Bella."

"No," Edward nodded but turned to look at Emmett. "You ready Emmett?'

"I thought we were leaving in the morning?" Emmett frowned as he looked up form the game.

"We're coming back midnight Sunday," Edward said firmly. "I guess it's up to you when you want to leave."

"Okay fine," Emmett sighed and shrugged his shoulders at Jasper to let him know the game was over for now. "Just let me say goodbye to Rose."

He got up and walked off and Jasper turned and watched the others as Edward began to play again. When he pulled a bottle cap from his pocket and set it on the music stand Jasper noticed Alice and Esme exchange a puzzled glance but they didn't say a word.

After Emmett returned Edward stood up and the two men said goodbye to the family and left the house. Esme smiled at the couple remaining and drifted out of the room and Alice slid off the piano seat and walked over to stand beside Jasper.

"Are we still going to go hunting with Rose, Carlisle and Esme?" Jasper asked as he reached up and pulled her down into his lap.

"They won't be here until Monday so I see no reason why we shouldn't go hunting," Alice murmured. "Besides, you need to hunt. Maybe we should go on our own."

She wriggled her eyebrows at him and he laughed at her suggestive ideas and nodded his head.

"Let's go," he said impatiently.

They jumped up together and walked hand in hand into the kitchen to let Esme know what they were doing and then they walked up to their room to pack a few things before they headed into the forest.