"So, I'm sorry, hummingbird, but I jest had ta tell 'im," Jasper said before taking another drink from his mug.
"What's there to be sorry about?" his tiny mate asked with a cheeriness that belied the seriousness of the situation. "We knew Daddy would find out eventually. He always does. Well just deal with it."
"I don't think yer gettin' how bad this is likely ta go."
"Sure I do, but it's not important. At least not right now. I'm just glad that you're feeling better, and that you're safe. I was afraid that I had lost you, Jazzy. Believe me, a sore fanny is nothing compared to that kind of pain."
"Hummingbird..."
"Shh. There's nothing to fret about. Now, drink that up so you'll heal quicker. Having you confined to bed while not being able to make proper use of that time is plain torture. You have to regain your strength so I can prove to you that there are no hard feelings...except maybe one," Alice said with a sly grin before leaning over to passionately kiss her mate.
"Okay, just so you know, that was something I didn't need to hear. Ever," a voice from the doorway spoke up with slight disgust.
"Who asked you to come barging in on a private moment?" the soldier replied as he parted from his his wife and turned his attention to the intruder.
"Edward!" Alice yelled while a mixture of delight and relief lit up her face.
The pixieish girl slid off the bed and rushed to the door, nearly strangling her brother in a fierce hug.
"You're okay!"
"I won't be if you popped my head off," the mind reader grumbled, but happily returned the hug.
"Good to see you back in the land of the livin'," Jasper commented as he watched his brother extract himself from Alice's embrace before fully stepping into the room.
"I could say the same about you, but you look like shit."
"I'll be up to kickin' yer ass again in two shakes. Don't you go worryin' 'bout that," the southerner drawled while flashing a brilliant smile.
"Yeah, whatever," Edward replied with a roll of his eyes before his countenance turned more serious. "How's the healing going?"
"Slow, but good. My head stopped hurtin' so I guess the old brain unscrambled itself. That's always a plus."
"Heard your side and leg took a real beating."
"Yeah. That's still in the works, but comin' along as well as can be expected. Would be healing quicker if I had the ability to hunt on my own, but you know how that goes. At least the girls have been keeping me well supplied. Of course Em has been lending a hand now that his is back in commission."
"Tell me you at least gave as good as you got."
Jasper sat up a little straighter in bed as Alice wedged herself under his arm.
"You know I did," he said with a decisive nod. "I didn't get in the killing blow, but without the expert care that I get, it's going to take Marcellus a lot longer to piece himself back together."
"Think he'll show up again?"
"Like a bad penny," the southerner stated while a disgusted look play across his face.
"Damn," Edward remarked with a shake of his head.
"I never meant for my past to pop up and bite us all on the ass like this. I should have ... Never mind."
The mind reader shot his brother a puzzled look before quietly sighing.
"Just stop. This is no more your fault than it is mine. You live long enough, you're bound to cross paths with people you hope to never see again. I seriously doubt he came looking for you. It was nothing more than an unlucky twist of fate. He and his gang were passing through, caught your scent, and decided to push your buttons because they knew they could. Nothing more to it than that."
"That twist of faith put all of you in danger. Carlisle should kick me the hell out of here. As long as I call this my home, God only knows what can happen."
"Believe me, Jasper, we all have rivals, and we've all made at least a few enemies along the way. It could happen to any of us. You're not that special. Besides, Carlisle isn't going to let you go anywhere."
"Well I think he's special," Alice chirped as she kissed her mate's cheek, causing him to lower his head in embarrassment.
"Jazz," Edward called, reclaiming the warrior's attention. "We're a family, and if he comes back, we'll defeat him as a family. He's not your enemy anymore, he's ours."
Jasper sat still and silent as he stared over at the bronze-haired boy before finally nodding.
"And we'll hand him his ass if he dares to show his face around here again," the soldier declared. "I'll be thrilled to turn him into a pile of ash and then piss on it."
"That's the spirit," Edward praised before settling himself on the foot of the bed. "Can't tell you how glad I am to hear that you've finally realize you're still Carlisle's lieutenant. All that moping around was starting to get to me. Here they claim I'm the moody one, but you've got me beat by a mile."
"You knew he stripped my position?" Jasper asked as a frown creased his brow.
"Of course I knew. Everybody knew, and we all knew that the demotion was horseshit."
Jasper stared at his brother, but left his question unspoken causing Edward to sigh.
"Not that I needed to, but I picked it up in dad's thoughts. He's been kicking himself this whole time. For an empath, you know you can be really thick when the mood suits you. Seriously, Jasper, you need to pay attention sometimes."
"Then why didn't you say something if you knew the truth?"
"You wouldn't have believed me. You were too bogged down in that pity party to bother listening to anyone. But I have to give you credit on one point, you sure know how to get his attention. Breaking restriction to go to a dance you were specifically forbidden to attend?" The boy shook his head. "That takes balls of steel, but it wasn't a smart move at all."
"Is it bad? Do you know?"
"It's not good, but I don't know how deep in the shit you really are. Mom and Dad have been talking...a lot. As you can imagine, Esme has been trying to plead your case, but from what I've been able to gather, she's not making much progress. Still, at least Carlisle hasn't decided what to do with the two of you yet, so there's always hope."
"The two of us? But I told him..."
Alice's hand lighted on his arm causing her mate to shift focus.
"You didn't go alone. You wouldn't have had any fun going alone. We're in this together."
"But, hummingbird, it really had nothing to do with you."
"As if," the mind reader said with a snort. "Are you going to try to get him to believe that you wanted to go to that dance for your own pleasure?" Edward glanced down and shook his head before he leveled his gaze on his brother's black eyes. "I think you're wrong. I don't think that brain of your has unscrambled after all. You're seriously damaged, Jasper."
"I told Carlisle that it was my decision. I wanted to go to spite him. I'm the one who wronged him. His vengeance should fall on me, and me alone."
"Vengeance?" The patriarch's first born scoffed again. "How long have you been a part of this family? And you think this is about retribution?"
"I disobeyed a direct order because I was angry, and in doing so I put his coven in jeopardy. It's only by the grace of God that you survived. He could have lost everything. He should want revenge. You all should."
"Against Marcellus. Maybe. But not you. You did everything you could to protect the family."
With a groan of frustration, Edward slipped off the bed and began to slowly pace. Stopping several feet from his convalescing brother, the boy raked his fingers through his messy locks then settled with a sigh.
"I shouldn't have to say this again, but I will. You're family, you mule headed fool. You're his son."
Jasper opened his mouth, but a violent shake of his brother's head caused him to snap it shut without a word.
"It doesn't matter if you share his venom or not. You are a Cullen, and an extremely important one at that. He trusts your judgment and abilities enough to make you his second-in-command. He loves you, Jasper. Can you please let that rattle around in your empty head until it finally sinks in?"
"Daddy isn't angry, Jazzy," Alice injected while cupping her soldier's cheek and encouraging him to face her. "He's disappointed. He trusted us to follow the rules, but we decided that what we wanted was more important than doing as we were told. Knowing that we can so easily disregard his wishes has hurt him."
Edward quickly searched his sister's thoughts before grimacing.
"So he has decided," he stated while giving his siblings a sympathetic look.
"He can still change his mind, and often does," Alice offered with a smile that shown with a confidence she really didn't feel. Once Carlisle's mind was made up in matters such as these, he tended to stick to his plan.
"At least he won't do anything until Jasper's completely healed, so you both should be safe for a while."
"Maybe," the petite teen said before biting her bottom lip.
"What's that supposed to mean?" her mate asked with worry.
"I think it might be better if Daddy and I go take a walk sooner rather than later. Right now, with you being confined to bed, there's no risk of you getting into more trouble."
"No, hummingbird. I won't let you catch hell for this," the soldier stated, his voice raising a little louder in his panic.
"It's not your decision. It's Daddy's... And it's mine."
"Alice. No."
"Actually, I think Alice has an excellent idea," Edward remarked.
"Who asked you?" Jasper spat with a feral growl.
"Jasper," a calm, quiet voice called from the doorway. "Stop. Your brother hasn't done anything to earn that sort of response."
Carlisle's disapproval was clearly felt by the empath who immediately glanced away.
"Edward, I thought I told you to go to your room and try to rest. You think you're back to 100%, but my exam has already proven that's not the case. You suffered a great deal of trauma. You have to give your body more time to regain its strength."
"I just wanted to check on Jasper."
"I understand that, and now that you've accomplished that feat, it's time to let your brother have some peace and quiet."
The mind reader nodded as he sank his hands deep into his jean pockets.
"Feel better, Jazz. You too, Aly."
"I'm fine," the tiny brunette cheerfully said while trying to suppress the butterflies flittering around in her stomach.
As Edward ducked out the doorway, Jasper swallowed back his anxiety and looked to his coven leader.
"Papa, please reconsider."
"Reconsider what exactly, son?"
"We've already discussed that it wasn't Alice's idea to go to the dance. It was mine. She doesn't deserved to be punished like this."
Carlisle crossed his arms and glanced down at the floor in thought. Inhaling deeply, he raised his head and caught his little girl's eye.
"Princess, did you understand that you weren't allowed to go to that dance?"
"Papa," Jasper began, but a pointed look from his leader halted any further comment.
"I was speaking to Alice. Please, let her answer for herself," the patriarch stated in a soft rebuke.
The dark haired girl untangled herself from her mate and left the safety and comfort of the bed to face her father before responded with a clear, "Yes, Daddy."
"But you decided to attend anyway."
"Yes, sir."
"Were you coerced into going?"
"No."
"No threats were made? Jasper didn't force you, or browbeat you into accompanying him?"
"He would never do those things."
"Then it's safe to say that you disobeyed me of your own free will, knowing there would be stern consequences if your transgression was discovered?"
"When it was discovered," Alice corrected before nodding in agreement.
A sad sigh escaped from the elder as he worried the bridge of his nose. Dropping his hand, he looked back at his precious baby girl.
"Then I don't believe there's any question in you being responsible for your own behavior."
The pixie lowered her eyes and slowly shook her head.
"Please don't do this," Jasper implored. "Punish me, but don't blame my Alice."
"Your turn will come, but you have to accept that Alice wasn't innocent. You both played a part. Just like you could have said no when Alice encouraged you to distribute those copies of my credit card, she could have said no to you."
"I'm very persuasive," the soldier argued, causing his father to smile.
"A trait you both share. Now if you could only use that power on each other for good problems like this would cease to exist."
"I'm sorry, Daddy."
"I know, pumpkin," Carlisle said in a soothing tone as he tipped his daughter's head up to gaze into her chocolate brown eyes. Rubbing his thumb along her cheek, he graced her with an expression of understanding and pure paternal love. "I'm proud of you for taking responsibility for your actions, and I think it may be a good idea for us to take that walk now."
"Papa!"
"Jasper," the doctor sternly scolded. "You need to understand something. When you're placed in charge of this family, it's inevitable that you'll have to make some hard decisions. Correcting those under you should never come easy or be taken lightly. The time may come when you'll have to take your mate in hand. Will you be up to that challenge? Answer honestly."
The soldier scrubbed his hands over his face. When he let them fall away, he stared directly into his leader's eyes.
"Yes. I've had to do it before. I can do it again if need be."
"And in the past, was it an easy decision?"
The youth shook his head.
"Not at all."
"But you did it because ignoring the behavior meant there could be a repeat and, in that moment, Alice's safety was the most important thing to you. You risked the possibility of her anger and rejection because you loved her enough to do what you knew was needed to keep her safe."
Closing his eyes, Jasper pushed back and let the pillow cradle his head.
"That's all I'm doing, son. I love both of you too much to allow you to disobey me over something this insignificant, because if I ignore your misbehavior now it will be easier for you to flaunt the rules next time. And that next time could be in a situation that is a danger to the two of you or this family. I will protect my family at any cost, and I know you would do the same. You've proven that."
"Jazzy."
The southerner opened his onyx eyes and was met by his wife's cheery smile.
"It's okay," she said in a happy tone that had no place in such a dire conversation. "I earned this. I accept it."
"I don't want you paying for my sin."
"I'm not. I'm paying for mine."
"This feels all wrong," the soldier said with a groan.
"What we did was wrong. We knew how it would turn out in the end. It's not a great outcome, but it is the right one."
"I know, hummingbird, but..."
With a heavy sigh, Jasper bowed his head and closed his eyes while his shoulders fell in utter defeat. In a day of battles, this one hurt the worse.
Alice regarded her crestfallen mate for a few seconds before glancing up at her father. After receiving a barely noticeable nod from the patriarch, she returned to her husband's bedside and gently pushed the curtain of hair out of his face.
"I don't want you to feel bad," she said once she was staring into the inky depths of his eyes. "I had fun at the dance. I wanted to go and for us to have a good time. You made that possible. Sure we were wrong to go, but what's life without a few risks? I know I shouldn't say this with Daddy in the room, but I wouldn't change a thing about tonight."
A dark expression suddenly came across the pixie-ish girl as she chewed her bottom lip in thought.
"Well, I would change having that Marcellus and his thugs coming around to spoil our evening and hurt you, but otherwise it was a nice night."
Jasper snorted and moved to turn away, but Alice quickly cupped his cheek in her hand and made him focus on her alone.
"Every moment I spent with you is priceless. I couldn't hope for anyone better to be my life companion. You're my soulmate. I know you want to protect me and sometimes, like now, just knowing that is enough."
The sadness in his eyes was enough to break her heart, but she offered him an encouraging smile before kissing his cheek.
"I'm going to go with Daddy while you work on getting better. Just like Edward and Emmy still need to rest, so do you. Once you're healed it will be your turn, and I'll have to be the one to let you go. That won't be any easier for me than it is for you, but it's something that has to happen. You know that. In your heart you know it. You're a born leader. You know what it takes to keep a rambunctious group like us in line. Don't make it harder than it has to be."
With venom tears glistening, the soldier swallowed hard then nodded before relinquishing his wife into the care of their father.
Taking her husband's hand, Alice gave it a squeeze then let go and returned to Carlisle's side.
"I'm ready to go," she quietly informed the patriarch.
Draping an arm over her shoulders, he gave his little girl a hug.
"The sun should be just coming up and I know the perfect place to enjoy that spectacle. Come on, Princess," he said as he aimed her towards the door before glancing back at his son. "And you are to stay in that bed until I say you can get up. Your mother will be in to check on you and bring more for you to drink. Behave yourself, do as the doctor orders, and you'll be back on your feet in a few more hours."
"Yes, sir, and I know I don't have a right to ask anything of you, but will you keep in mind who's really at fault while you...talk to Alice? It wasn't her pride that was hurt and led to her fall. She gets swept up in the moment as times and some of her silly ideas get her into trouble, but she's not one to disobey you."
"I know, son, and I can assure you that she'll be treated accordingly."
"I can be just as disobedient as the next person," Alice injected with a huff that caused Carlisle to chuckle.
"Then come on, my little hooligan. Let's see if we can come to some sort of understand that will change your criminal ways," the elder replied while giving her a swat that sent her scurrying out the door and down the hall.
"Papa."
Carlisle stopped at the doorway and gazed back at his troubled son.
"Please be careful with her."
"Jasper, she's just as precious to me as she is to you."
With that, the doctor departed, leaving a very worried soldier behind to contemplate his wife's near future as well as what awaited him in the not so distant.
"It's beautiful, Daddy," Alice declared as she sat on the rocky outcropping and leaned back against her father's chest watching the sky's multi-hued performance of the sun greeting the dawn. "It's a shame we don't get to see it more often."
"You just have to climb high enough to get above the cloud bank, sweetheart. It's always here if you take the time to look."
"I know, but we're usually busy getting ready for school or something. It's not easy to find time even when you pretty much have all the time in the world."
"There's time, sweetheart. You just have to prioritize, and decide what's the most important thing for you to do at any given time."
Carlisle felt his daughter inhale deeply then exhale in a slow, soft sigh.
"Like if it's more important to go to a dance or honor my punishment and stay home?"
"That can qualify as an important decision," he agreed in an non-judgemental tone.
"I made the wrong choice."
"Um hm."
"According to Jazzy's stories from when he was little, I guess this is the point where I should be out picking a switch," she said sadly as she glanced down at her lap.
The elder smiled and gently tussled her hair.
"I'm not sure a switching is called for in this instance, but I believe there should be some consequences for unruly behavior, don't you?"
A look of confusion came across Alice, and she shifted around to gaze at her father's face.
"I'm not getting a spanking?"
"I didn't say that," Carlisle clarified. "I'm just trying to decide what will make the most appropriate impression upon you. I know forever is a long time, and I don't want to have this happen again."
"Oh," the girl said while glancing away.
"I don't like to see you in pain. Pain I cause, or the pain your conscience inflicts upon you, and I can see that you're hurting right now."
"I should be hurting," she muttered. "I deserve it. I was bad."
"No," he corrected as he caught her chin and raised it so she could see the sincerity in his golden eyes. "You made a mistake."
"But I knew it was wrong to go to the dance, and I still decided to go. That's not a mistake, daddy. That's defiance. This is bad."
Carlisle exhaled and glanced away while carefully choosing his words. Looking back at his little girl, he shook his head.
"You were naughty," he finally conceded. "But the guilt you feel proves that you aren't now and never have been bad. There is a difference, baby. You're going to have to trust me on that. I also agree with Jasper argument. There were extenuating circumstances in this case."
"But, Daddy..."
He raised a finger to stop her protest.
"They don't exonerate you, but they still deserve to be taken into consideration."
The patriarch leveled his gaze upon his daughter and allowed a sternness to harden his eyes.
"I want you to think before you answer this question, young lady, and I want a truthful response. Would you have gone to that dance if Jasper hadn't suggested it?"
"I wanted to go," she immediately replied.
"Mary Alice, I didn't ask if you wanted to go. Now, search your heart and tell me if you would have gone on your own had there been no other influence."
After a long moment of reflection, the young girl shook her head and her father visibly relaxed.
"I didn't think so."
"But I still went."
"I know, baby, and we'll address that. Come with me," he said as he stood and dusted himself off before offered her his hand.
Slipping her hand into his, Alice felt a rush of nervousness flood her body and caught herself wishing she had Jasper and his very useful gift at her side.
Carlisle led her back down the mountain at a human's pace. He kept up a casual chatter aimed at distracting her, but the seer's mind was too sharply focused to be misled.
Stopping at a point deep in the forest, the patriarch claimed a seat on the remains of a huge ancient stump and drew his little girl to stand between his parted knees.
"Mary Alice Cullen, you are the most intriguing of my children, and at times the most exasperating."
"I'm sorry, Daddy."
Tucking a stray dark lock behind her ear, he gently grazed her cheek with the back of his knuckles.
"It's far easier to discipline your brothers. They'll try to defend their shortsightedness, but not you. You know when you're wrong and don't try to make excuses."
"Well, there was that car I accidentally charged to your account a few years ago. I tried hard to find a way out of that one."
Carlisle chuckled and shook his head as a smile lit up his eyes.
"You don't usually make excuses then," he amended before taking a breath and allowing the seriousness nature of the transgression to dictate his expression.
"You and Jasper were made for each other. Two halves of the same whole. I have never know anybody who could make me feel so proud and so utterly disappointed at the same time. You both share a truly singular talent, and I'm not sure that I appreciate it. I don't want to correct you, baby, but you really aren't leaving me much choice."
The elder ran a hand through his hair and silently exhaled as he finally came to a decision.
"Princess, I can't allow your behavior to slide, not this time. However, I don't feel that harsh punishment is warranted. You know that you were wrong, and I trust you'll use better judgment should something of this nature occur again."
"Yes, sir. I will."
Staring into her eyes, the coven leader announced her sentence.
"Your grounding has been extended to a month and a half, restarting today."
Alice sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, but, much to Carlisle's relief, nodded in understanding.
"You'll be given extra chores to keep you busy and lessen the time you have to get into additional mischief."
"Yes, sir," she muttered softly as she looked down at the ground to await the final judgment that she knew was deserved, but dreaded it just the same.
Without another word, her father grasped her wrist and drew her easily across his lap. He made quick work of securing her against his hip, and after no more than a dozen stinging strokes had peppered her jean clad backside, Alice found herself lifted up into a fierce hug.
Blinking rapidly, she was shocked into silence as Carlisle placed her carefully back on her feet.
"I love you, baby. Now please give your old man a break and be on your best behavior for a least a little while."
"I don't... What just happened?" she finally verbalized while blinking again in confusion.
"Your punishment is being on restriction, and mind you, I will be keeping tabs on you. Any infraction, no matter how small, and I will finish what I just started. Don't test me, Aly, because I'll give you my word, you won't be sitting for a very long time. Behave yourself and let's get to the end of these six weeks without further incident. Deal?"
"But what about Jazz?"
"That's really none of your concern."
"He is and this punishment won't..."
"Alice, hush and listen. Your husband's welfare is your only concern, not any correction he may be given. I said you are two parts of the same whole, and you are, but that doesn't mean I have to deal with you in the exact same manner. I will do what's in Jasper's best interest the same as I aim to do what's best for you."
She shook her head causing him to forcibly exhale in exasperation.
"Haven't you learned your lesson?"
"Daddy..."
"Yes or no. Have you learned your lesson, young lady?"
"Yes," she finally admitted after several moments of hesitation.
"Then, princess, we're done here."
When she continued to stare at him, Carlisle opened him arms and invited her back into his lap. Once she was curled up against him, he placed his cheek on top of her head and willed her to understand as he held her close.
"Pumpkin, do you really need for me to blister your fanny before you'll let this go?"
"I like being able to sit. I just don't want Jazz to suffer if I haven't. That wouldn't be fair, and I know he's not going to accept this for himself."
"You know I only discuss punishments with the offender."
"I offended," she reasoned.
"Yes you did, and now your slate is clear. You've atoned for the error in your judgment. Jasper will do the same."
"Being grounded for an extended amount of time is punishment to me, but..."
"Alice," Carlisle abruptly called in a stern tone while pushing her far enough away so she was focused directly on him. "How do you think Jasper feels right now? Do you think he's laying back in bed relaxing, or do you think he's sitting there fretting about what's happening to you?"
"He's worrying," she easily confirmed.
"And isn't that punishing to your mate? Knowing that you're in trouble because of some scheme he came up with?"
She glanced down, put a firm rap of his knuckle beneath her chin soon had her eyes fixated on his.
"I can strip his hide off and not cause the pain that he's experiencing right this instant. You know that's true. His punishment has already begun. When he's strong enough, I'll help him to deal with that pain and guilt. How I do that is between Jasper and myself, but rest assured that I'll be a lenient as possible. I know what he's already suffered. Besides, I believe we've all suffered quite enough for one day."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound disrespectful."
"You weren't, baby, but you have to trust that I know what I'm doing."
"I do. I just want things to be fair."
"They will be. I promise."
At his words, she softly sighed and then immediately seem brightened.
"I think once we're allowed out of the house again, I'll take Jazzy for a sunrise picnic. He'd really enjoy the view," she chirped with a grin that put the elder at ease.
"Without a doubt," he stated with an answering smile of his own. "But I don't think you'll have to wait that long. As long as you don't go off any further or stay out too long, we can just call it a morning hunt. After all, you are allowed to hunt," the elder added with a wink that sent his tiny daughter hugging his neck with all her might.
"I love you, Daddy."
"I love you, too, princess. More than you can ever know."
AN: Yep. That one went a little odd all of it's own accord. I just don't think Alice or Jasper really deserve a heavy hand after all they've been through. Alice almost lost Jasper. And Jasper... He got himself beaten up, and is suffering physically and mentally far more than Carlisle would care to see him suffer. Daddy Vamp was feeling generous and agreed with me, but neither of us known how well that's going to work for Jasper. Have to just wait and see how he reacts to a little love and understand from his coven leader.
Thanks for the wonderful comments. I love you guys. I've recently been told, by a member of the morality police, (not an admin, but they will report it to the admins) that I need to take one of my stories down. After careful consideration, and much grumbling on my part, I've decided against it because I don't think it's right to take away something that some of my readers have enjoyed. I also enjoy going back and reading the reviews when I need to little boost. So, like with Jasper in this one, we'll just have to see how things play out, and hope for the best. Thanks again, folks. Y'all rock.
Oh, and Spawn, no it's not too early. You must have known I was on vacation again this week. ;-)
Until next time...