***Hey, you have you have to give me props for the quick update! It's a present for all of the responses to that last chapter.

***Thanks Beta girls! I'm sending you virtual Jasper…you pick… Trilogy Jasper, ARTE Jasper, Innocence Lost Jasper or You'll Be Mine Jasper. Lol I know which one I'd pick;)

***I still own nothing!

BPOV

Edward didn't show up to school the next few days, and I didn't really know how I felt about that. Part of me was relieved that I didn't have to face him after what had happened between us, but the other part missed him. Well, maybe not the Edward of late, but my Edward. I missed him, and I wanted him back.

Jasper had been so amazing to me these past few days, and I knew that having him around me was the only reason I was surviving. His very presence calmed me, and he didn't even have to try. He was so charming and charismatic. He always knew exactly what to say and catered to my every need. He stayed with me at night, picked me up for school in the morning since my truck had mysteriously died the night Edward and I fought, and then he was back every day to pick me up. It had only been a few days, but I felt like I was finally getting to know Jasper. He had always been the Cullen that I had the least contact with. He seemed to just fade into the background, standing a step behind Alice and only speaking when absolutely necessary. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Jasper was a completely different person without Alice. He was his own man and seemed to have a purpose. As much as I loved Alice, I could see that Jasper was better off without her. He was so much more at ease and relaxed. He didn't look tortured or stressed. I think he was enjoying his newfound freedom, and I was happy for him.

"Jasper," I said. "You don't have to pick me up every day."

"Am I going to let you walk home?" He smiled that really sexy smile, and I seemed to forget what we were talking about. He was doing that to me a lot lately, and I knew it was inappropriate on my part.

"Darlin'," he said. "Where did you go?" He tried to get me to focus my attention back on him.

"Nowhere," I smiled. "But, I do have to go in and finish my homework. I'm almost there."

"You must be so excited," he said. "You graduate in a few weeks."

"Yes," I said, as I looked down at my hands. I couldn't help but be a little disappointed that Edward wasn't sharing this time with me.

"I know you miss him," Jasper said. "Maybe when he comes home, he'll be different."

"Do you believe that?" I asked.

"I want things to be right for you," he said. "And, I want my brother back."

"Me too," I said, as I reached for the door handle, but before I could get out, Jasper was already opening the door and helping me out. "You've got to stop spoiling me."

"Says who?" he smiled, as he took my hand and led me to the front door.

"Will you come back?" I said. I knew it was wrong to be so dependent on him, but I liked his company.

"If you want me too," he said. "I need to go for a quick hunt, and then I'll come up once Charlie is asleep."

"Cool," I smiled. "You promised to tell me about your time in the military."

"I did," he said. "I might bore you, though."

"Jasper," I said. "Do you know how intriguing it is to have your best friend have been a major in the Confederate Army? I love hearing your stories, and I'm even considering majoring in American History."

"What?"

"I think I want to major in History," I said.

"No," he said, and I could see the look of disbelief on his face. "What did you call me?"

"Oh," I said. "I guess that was a bit forward, calling you my best friend, but I feel really close to you."

"Bella," he said. "I don't know what to say."

"Jasper, it's no big deal if you don't reciprocate. I didn't mean to embarrass you. I like your company and I do consider you a really good friend. I couldn't have gotten through these past few days without your help. I would have gone crazy."

"I do reciprocate," he said, as he tucked my hair behind my ear. He did that a lot, and sometimes I thought I pushed the hair back over my shoulder, so that he'd have to fix it the way he wanted it. That was more inappropriate behavior on my part. "I'm glad that I could be here for you. I've always felt really bad about what happened between us last year, and now I feel like I'm getting a second chance."

"You didn't need a second chance," I reminded him. "I never blamed you for what happened. I never even think about it."

"You are far too forgiving," he said. "But, I'm grateful for that."

"I'll see you soon?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"As soon as I can," he smiled. He leaned in and quickly kissed my cheek. That was new, and I was sure he felt my shock.

"Bye, Bella," he said, and then headed for his car.

"Bye, Jasper," I whispered, but I knew he heard me. I ran up the stairs and threw my books on the bed. I pulled my sweater off and plopped down. I was starting to get confused. I always liked Jasper, even though I didn't know him that well, but it was the kind of like that I felt for Emmett. They were Edward's brothers and I thought someday we'd all be family, but Jasper never entered my thoughts unless it had to do with Alice. But, now things were different and I wasn't sure what to feel. I wanted him to be my friend, but even I knew that I didn't think of Jasper in that same brotherly way I saw Emmett, and I think that the love I felt for Carlisle was very different than what I was feeling for Jasper. It was all so confusing and too much to consider.

Oh God! It probably wasn't confusing for Jasper. He definitely could feel that what I was feeling for him was different than what I felt for the other Cullen men. Maybe we should have a talk about it? I didn't want him misinterpreting anything. Okay, now I was just being silly. Poor Jasper was trying to comfort me, and I was freaking out over what he did or didn't feel coming from me. How could he interpret my feelings, when I didn't even know how to categorize them? I did know how to place them; Jasper was my friend, and he was taking care of me because he felt obligated to his family. Plain and simple. Glad I got that settled!

"Why so disturbed, love?" Edward said, as he stepped out from the shadows.

"Edward!" I gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"I missed you, and I thought it was time we resolved our problems."

"I think you're the one with the problem," I said. "Have you figured out what's going on with you?"

"Carlisle is working on it," he said. "But, I came to apologize for my recent behavior."

"You did?"

"Yes," he smiled that crooked smile, and I almost forgot that I was mad at him. He sat down next to me on the bed and tilted my chin up, so that I would look at him. "I'm very sorry for hurting you the other night."

"I, well…" I took a breath and tried to calm myself. I really wished that Jasper was here.

"It's okay, love," he smiled, as he stroked my hair. "I was incredibly stupid and completely out of line."

"You hurt me," I said. I wanted to be strong and stand my ground, but I saw my Edward trying to come back to me. "Not just physically, but you were mean and rude to me."

"I was," he said. "And for that I am truly sorry, but I never should have put my hands on you."

"No," I said. "You shouldn't have. You scared me, Edward. I just want to know what's happening with you."

"I wish I knew, Bella," he said, and he seemed so sincere. "But, whatever it is, you can't provoke me. You lied to me and I snapped."

"I shouldn't have lied about Jasper giving me the money, but I was afraid you would snap if you knew."

"It's over now," he said, as he leaned in and brushed his lips against mine.

I backed away. He closed his eyes and said, "Bella?"

"Edward, Carlisle doesn't think that it's a good idea for us to be intimate." I backed away, waiting for his unpleasant reaction. He was silent for a few minutes, and I wasn't sure what he was thinking, His face never gave anything away.

"You spoke to Carlisle about us?"

"He came to check on my wrist the other day, and he wanted to hear what I thought was going on with you. He's worried about you, we all are."

"I see," he sighed. "And, you've come to the conclusion that if we're intimate, I'll turn into a monster?"

"That is when you started to change, remember?"

"I remember everything," he said. "I also know that it was you who pushed us into having sex in the first place, do you remember that?"

I nodded.

"And, now you're saying that you don't want to anymore?"

"I do want to," I said. "I love you so much, but if us being close alters you, then we have to hold off until we figure it out."

"So, you're doing this for me?"

"Of course," I said. "Why else would I?"

"This has nothing to do with your new nightly guest?"

"Nightly guest?" Oh, oh no. "Jasper?"

"I see that the two of you have become quite close," he said. "And, I guess that's my own fault, but he can't continue to come here at night. It's a little crowded, don't you think?"

"You haven't been here." I reminded him. "If not for Jasper, I would have fallen apart again."

"So," Edward said, and his tone was beginning to change, and not for the better. "Does that mean he replaces your wolf?"

"No," I said. "It's just that Jasper has been really kind to me."

"Do you think he'll stick around? After all, where is Jake?"

Now he was making me mad. "I gave up Jake for you," I said. "You made me choose, and I chose you. I won't do that again."

"Oh, Bella," he said as he smiled. "This was not the way this conversation was supposed to go. I won't ask you to give up Jasper, but I'm telling you that he will not be spending anymore time in your bedroom. You can make that clear to him, or I can. Which do you prefer?"

"Are you saying that I can still be friends with him?" I couldn't lose Jasper now, but if the only way I could keep him was to do what Edward wanted, I would do it.

"I have no problem with a friendship between you and my brother," he said. "As long as he knows his place."

"And, you'll work on getting better? You'll do what Carlisle says?"

"Are you trying to compromise with me?" he laughed.

"Edward?" I sighed. "I can't let you hurt me anymore."

"Love," he said, as he leaned in and took my face in his hands. "I don't want to hurt you, please believe that. I'll do what Carlisle asks. I'll try for you."

"I think it would be okay if you kissed me."

"Good," he smiled. "Because, I was going to anyway."

He slowly leaned in and gave me a soft, careful kiss. It was nowhere near as steamy as what we had become used to in the last few weeks, but it didn't matter to me. What did matter was that I was getting Edward back, the Edward that I had fallen in love with. I had been so worried that I had lost him forever.

JPOV

Her best friend? That was what she had called me. I couldn't fight back the smile that spread across my face. I liked it. I wanted to be her best friend. It made me giddy.But, that was a feeling that wasn't going to last long; not only could I smell that Edward had been in the house, but as soon as I passed Carlisle's study, I felt his ominous emotions. Esme was in there with him, and I felt her disappointment.

"Jasper," Carlisle called. "Would you join us?"

"He's back," I said, as I walked in and sat in the chair in the corner.

"He is," Carlisle said. "And, he wants my help."

"Sure he does," I said. "Has he given up is human drinking vampire?"

"No," Esme whispered. "He reeked of her, but I told him that was unacceptable and I would not tolerate him cheating on Bella."

"He won't listen," I said. "I'll have to tell Bella."

"No," Carlisle said.

"You can't be serious," I said. "Why would you protect him?"

"Because he isn't himself," Carlisle sighed. "Jasper, you know what it's like to lose control."

"This is different," I defended.

"How many chances have I given you?" Carlisle said.

"Too many," I said, as I put my head down in shame.

Esme was standing over me now, rubbing my back, trying to comfort me.

"Jasper," Carlisle said. "Edward has asked for our help, he has promised not to return to this vampire and he has agreed not to be intimate with Bella. We need to support him. I can't have you telling Bella of his indiscretions, because I'm not sure how her reaction will affect Edward. You saw what happened when she lied to him about where she got the money. What if he reacts more violently than that?"

I growled at the thought of him putting his hands on her again. "He needs to tell her the truth and let her decide."

"I agree," Esme said. "Bella deserves to know what Edward had been doing behind her back."

"Edward will tell her," Carlisle said. "But, now we need to focus on getting our Edward back."

"Maybe Bella doesn't want that," I said, and I felt their joint pity for me.

"Jasper," Carlisle said. "I know you have been spending a great deal of time with Bella, and I'm sure she needed that from you, but she's in love with Edward."

"I know," I said. "But, I won't let him hurt her. He doesn't get any more chances, Carlisle."

"I don't want Bella to be hurt either," Carlisle said. "But, this is a delicate matter. I have never seen Edward react the way he did the other night. I can't take the chance of something setting him off again. I'm not playing with Bella's safety. Don't do anything to provoke him."

"Are you suggesting I stay away from Bella?" I asked, knowing I couldn't do that.

"No," Esme said. "I think she needs you, but I think that Carlisle has a point. This is not our Edward; I could tell today when I looked in his eyes. He's not there," she looked at Carlisle and I felt her sympathy. "Even when he was pleading for your help, Carlisle, it wasn't him."

"We don't know that he wasn't being sincere," he said. "I have to try and help him."

"I'll know if he's lying," I said. "He can't get around my gift."

"He did already," he reminded me. "You are having a harder time manipulating him."

"Yes," I said. "But, I can still feel what he is projecting. I'll know if he's being honest."

We heard Bella's heart beat, as she and Edward came through the door.

"You didn't tell me they were together," I said.

"I didn't know," Carlisle said.

"She's not entirely comfortable with him," I said. "I can feel it."

"Give them some time," he said. "If Edward is trying to work through this and we don't trust him, he could snap."

I heard Bella's voice in the foyer as she whispered, "Not now, Edward."

"Love," Edward laughed. "You don't have to whisper. They can hear you anyway."

"I don't think it's necessary for me," Edward cut her off as he called up the stairs.

"Jasper," he said. "Bella wants to speak to you."

I looked at Carlisle as I rose from the chair, "Can you guess what she's going to tell me? I can guarantee that it isn't something she's doing of her own free will."

"Jasper," Carlisle said. "As long as Bella isn't in danger, we have to let her make her own choices."

"You need to tell Edward that," I said, as I walked out and met them at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hey," Bella said, as she tried to force a smile. Edward moved impossibly close to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. It was clear that he was marking his territory.

"You needed to speak with me?" I asked.

"Um, yeah," she looked at Edward. "Can we have some privacy?"

"A few minutes," he said, as he looked at me. "I won't be far." He turned and lifted Bella up so that she would meet his lips, and softly kissed her. I felt his satisfaction.

When did this become a competition?

"When you interfered in my business," he said, so low and fast that I knew Bella didn't hear as he walked outside.

"Bella?" I said as I walked toward her, but for the first time in a few days, she did something she never had before; she stepped back. I stopped approaching her and stood completely still.

"Jasper," she said. "I have to do this."

"Is he threatening you?"

"No," she said, much too quickly. "I have to give him this chance to make things right. He wants to come back to me. He's sorry, I know he is."

"You're afraid," I said. "Don't try to deny it."

"I'm not afraid for me," she said.

"What does that mean?"

"Look, Jasper," she said, and I knew she wanted to get this over with quickly. "I want to be friends and Edward doesn't have a problem with that, but you can't come to my bedroom anymore, and I can only hang out with you here in the house."

"He's dictating where we can see each other?" Now I was pissed, but I didn't know who to be more upset with? Him for treating her this way, or her for allowing it.

"Jasper," she said, and I felt her fear. "I can't lose you and if this is how I can keep you in my life, please can't you do it for me?"

"Are you afraid you'll lose me?" I asked. I had to know where the fear was stemming from.

"Yes," she whispered. "I gave up Jake, because it was too hard to hold onto them both. You and Edward are brothers and I don't want you to fight. I meant what I said about you being my friend." I felt her desperation, and then rejection.

"I won't reject you," I said. "If you think this is how we should proceed, then I'll do it your way."

"Thank you," she smiled, and I felt her relief.

"But," I said. "A true friend would tell you when you were wrong, and Bella, you have never been more wrong. You're playing with fire, and you're going to get burned."

I felt her hurt over my words, but she didn't speak.

"I'll be here for you," I said. "I promise I won't leave, but you promise me that you will come to me if you need me."

"I will," she said.

"I need to speak to Edward," I said, as I headed for the door.

"Jasper, please don't fight with him." I felt her fear again.

"I told you I didn't need you to protect me against him," I turned to look at her. "I know that's what you're doing."

She didn't deny it.

Edward was standing on the porch waiting for me.

"I guess you don't need a recap," I said.

"She did what I asked," he said. "That's all that matters to me."

"I'm not buying your bullshit," I said. "You may have Carlisle, Esme and Bella fooled, but you have no intentions of changing."

"You don't know anything," he hissed. "Just stay away from Bella."

"Or what?"

"I'll have to let her know exactly what kind of man you are," he said. "I'll spare her no detail. I've been in your head. I've seen the lives you took, and I'll describe everything to her, so she knows just how dangerous her new best friend really is."

"If you hurt her again, I'll kill you," I growled.

"Carlisle will never let that happen," he said.

"I don't answer to Carlisle," I said. "Don't push me."

Bella stepped out onto the porch. "Is everything okay?"

Edward pulled her to his side, as he buried his lips in her hair. I could feel how uncomfortable she was with his affection. It was projecting onto me and I didn't like it.

"We're fine," he said. "Aren't we, Jasper?"

"Perfect," I said. "I'm going for a hunt."

"Be safe," Bella said.

Be safe? I thought as I took off running into the forest. Didn't she realize that she was the one who needed to be safe? I would not abandon her. I had this overwhelming urge to protect her. It was the most powerful sensation I had ever experienced. She was my life, and I would serve her in any capacity that she needed me to. I couldn't help wondering why I had these feelings now; all of a sudden. What was drawing me to her? What was causing me to react this way to her?

***Okay…I know, I know! But you have to be patient with me, and realistically I can't have them fall in love yet. Do you trust me? Of course you do, or else you wouldn't be here. I've read the reviews, and I'll give you what you want, but you have to give me time to get there. I'm taking a different approach with this story, so stick with me. Please…

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***Please remember to help me support Stacie. The link is on my profile page and the auction begins Friday, March 26, 2010. Thanks!