A/N: here we are again... back to the old apartment...

Thank you to everyone that takes the time to review... you guys are the reason that i'm continuing to write this story...

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters in here... they're all thanks to Ms Meyer... I just like to play around with them a little.

~*~ Alice ~*~

Embarrassment isn't even close to how I feel as Rosalie pulls her car up at the back of my old apartment. In fact, I'm contemplating just forgetting about everything that I own and just living in my jeans and tee so I won't have to show them where I used to live.

The Cullens live in a huge mansion; I live in a grotty one bed apartment on the wrong side of town. Hoping the world will open up and swallow me as soon as I get out the car, Emmett opens the door for me to climb out after him.

Utter humiliation rushes through my body as he looks up at the apartments. Two homeless people riffling through the bins by the steps clearly becomes the new lowest point.

"Cool, you didn't have to walk far to the store. That's always a bonus!"

God bless you Emmett.

"I guess," I answer shrugging. "You don't have to come up, I'll be fine, I'll be as quick as I can. His truck isn't here so I'll be safe."

"No chance short stuff. There is no way I'm letting you go up there on your own."

"Nor me, plus three pairs of hands are better than one. We'll get it done quicker."

Jasper is standing to the side of Emmett, I haven't noticed him getting out of the car, and yet again here I am hoping the world will swallow me, I really don't want them to see inside.

"Hey, you're not leaving me down here on my own. I'm coming too. I can help or something!"

So here we are. Four pairs of feet climbing the stairs, walking down towards my old home.

Reaching my apartment, I reach under the window ledge to the left of the door pulling out the key that is taped under there.

Thank god he didn't remember this was there.

Opening the door I poke my head inside to be hit with a disaster zone, it looks like a tornado has swept through the place. The couch cushions are thrown across the room, the couch itself lying on its back in the middle of the room, the chairs to the dining table upside down, a stack of papers are scattered on the floor.

"Erm guys, you don't need to come in, I'll just be a couple of minutes I promise." I say, looking over my shoulder, hoping they can't see inside the apartment as I hold the door close to my body, blocking out as much of the view as possible.

"Erm, do you usually live like this?"

Ah so being short doesn't help when you're trying to stop someone looking in.

"No Emmett, it's usually spotless, this only happens when James is in a fit of rage. He kind of takes it out on the furniture." I reply opening the door up wider.

No point trying to hide it now.

"Where's your room Alice? I'll help you pick up your clothes. The guys can just wait at the door in case he comes back."

"Thanks Rosalie, it's just down here."

Walking down the hall to my old bedroom and opening the door, dreading to think what I'm going to find behind it. Taking a deep breath to settle my nerves, I turn the handle.

Much like the rest of the apartment, he has clearly decided that this room is going to take a battering too. The mattress is no longer on the bed frame, instead hanging half off and half leaning on the floor.

Reaching under the bed, I pull out a suitcase and the duffel bag I'd used last when I first moved here. The tears roll down my face as I place it on the top of the bed, trying to balance it, before unzipping the top.

"Alice?" Rose calls placing her hand on my shoulder, "I know this is hard, but I promise this is the last time you're going to have to come to this place, don't cry any more tears over that man, he's really not worth it. I can't even start to understand what it was like for you, but I promise you, this is the last time you're ever going to have to feel like this; nobody is ever going to hurt you again. I mean it!"

Trying to smile through tear soaked eyes is easier said than done. Plus the speech Rose has just given me isn't that dissimilar to the one James had given me when he did the same as what Rose is now doing for me.

The memory makes me tense and my shoulders hunch forward. As tears roll down my cheeks I walk to the dresser and start to take out my clothes, placing them in the duffel bag.

This is surreal, I've done the same just months before, and as much as I want to believe what Rosalie has just told me, I can't. I've been here before, and the familiar feeling of nausea hits the back of my throat as my imagination runs wild, the Cullens will, without a shadow of a doubt, realise that I am a bad penny and I'll be leaving there too.

Running for the bathroom, I reach the toilet just as the contents of my stomach makes an appearance. Once my stomach is empty my body continued to heave, trying to purge itself of all the self hate and fear that is coursing through my veins.

A hand rubs my back in small circles, as a voice reassures me that everything is ok. Passing me a towel and a glass of water, Rosalie bends down next to me, leaning back against the vanity unit under the sink.

"Sorry you had to witness that." I say coarsely, my throat sore and dry.

"Don't worry about it. It takes a lot to turn my stomach. Drink that water and brush your teeth, then we'll carry on 'k?"

I nod, drinking the water, before standing up and brushing my teeth. Picking up the few products I have in the bathroom, I walk with them in my arms back to the bedroom, throwing them in the bottom of the bag.

Rosalie is standing at my closet, handing my clothes to Emmett.

"You ok short stuff? Hope you don't mind me doing this, just thought you'd want to get out of here sooner than later. I can leave if you want?"

"No no, its fine Emmett, I'm just going to grab a few things from the lounge, if that's ok with you guys to carry on in here?"

"Sure, you do that; me and Emmett can cope in here."

Walking back towards the living room, taking my coat and hat from the peg as I pass the hooks, resting them on the small chair by the door, I walk in finding Jasper sitting on the floor with his back to me.

*****

~*~ Jasper ~*~

I'm huddled on the floor picking up ripped up photographs. I don't want her to see them; I know it'll hurt her.

I stop at the only one that hasn't been torn into two; a picture of her looking extremely young, stood on what looks like La Push beach, her long hair in braids on either side of her cheeks, a cute straw hat sat lopsided on her head. She is leaning to one side, a big cheesy grin on her face, half looking over her shoulder directly into the camera. She looks so carefree, it makes my stomach knot; that's the smile she's gave me, that's the one I promise to do anything for, just to make sure it always stay on her face.

My heart breaks in two.

Absentmindedly I run my fingers across the photograph.

I sense her behind me, I can smell her shampoo and I can feel the current run through my body that seems to be there every time she's close.

I don't even wait for her to speak; I have to get it out there, "He doesn't deserve you."

She doesn't answer, just a hum as she walks past towards the small table in the corner of the room, standing the chair back on its feet, before picking up a couple of school books and some paperback novels from the wall mounted shelf in the small alcove of the wall.

Turning on her heels, she walks towards the kitchen. Standing up, I follow her into the kitchen, putting the photograph in my back pocket.

"What stuff do you want to take with you?"

"Just this," she states reaching for a framed print that's hanging on the wall.

Turning back around, she walks straight out of the kitchen and back towards where I guess her bedroom is; books and print still in her arms. Following her down the small walkway I stop at the door, feeling awkward about stepping into her personal space.

Emmett on the other hand is being his usual self, making everything into a joke, picking up a pair of Alice's panties trying to fit them over his fat head.

"Alice, seriously, you're too small, how can I use these as a bandana huh?"

"Seriously Em, put those down before I slap you into next week!" Rose scolds. "Alice? Do you have any scissors by the way?"

"Sure, they're in the kitchen, why?" Alice answers clearly preoccupied with her thoughts.

"No reason."

Rose saunters out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen. Whatever she has planned isn't going to be pleasant. I can't help but smirk as I follow her.

"Scissors sis?"

"Yep," she replies, popping the p like she regularly does, "Lets just say, boy is gonna need a whole new wardrobe when I'm done."

"Rose! You don't want to make things worse!"

Admittedly, the idea of her cutting his clothes up makes me laugh, and I even want to join in, but there was no way I want to make things worse for Alice, and this is only going to antagonise the situation.

"FINE!" she frowns, "Just a couple of things." Her eyes shine brightly as she sets out a plan in her mind.

*****

Carrying two filled boxes down the flight of stairs back to Rosalies' car, I look on as Emmett placed the things in the trunk. Everything she owns fits into a duffel bag, suitcase and four boxes. It just doesn't seem right. I thought girls were meant to have more clothes than physically possible to wear. It seems Alice has very few of anything.

Climbing into the back of the car, I look to Alice, who is staring up at her old home. She looks tiny, one hand on her hip, the other clutching onto a book that looks like a diary. Pulling it up to her chest and out of my sight, she spins around and walks to the car.

"Come on short stuff, let's get outta here. Rose said I can drive and I can't wait!"

Holding out his hand to steady her as she gets in, she ducks her head and turns to take her seat next to me. Smiling at her, she gives a small grin in return; her eyes give away her emotions though.

"You look tired."

"I feel it; it's been a long ass day. I just want to curl in a ball and sleep." she pouts playfully.

Did I mention how adorable this girl was?

Yes? Well I'm gonna mention it again. She's totally adorable.

"Well you've got a good 45 minutes before we get back to the Cullens', you may as well get comfortable."

"Yeah, that's a point, but I don't want to be bad company."

"Alice, gees, if you fall to sleep, I'll just wake you when we get there, nobody is going to think badly of you."

"Hmm."

We've not even made it to the end of the street before she is leaning her head against the side of the car, blissfully sleeping, her lips pursed in a small 'O'.

Emmett reaches out his hand to turn up the stereo without realising there's a peaceful angel sleeping behind him.

"Emm, don't turn it up, please, she's asleep, and Christ she needs the rest."

"Sure thing, I didn't know."

Sitting back in his seat, he reaches out and put his hand on Rosalies'. The gesture is simple but it means a million things all at once. Usually I'd be shying away from this kind of thing. I've never been one to be soppy but I look intensely at how he holds her small hand in his, running his thumb over the back, before lifting her knuckles to his lips.

Rosalie catches my eye in the mirror, she smiles, nods slightly as if she is reading my mind and closes her eyes, leaning back into the seat.

My cell vibrates in my pocket letting me know I have a message. Pulling it out, I see Edwards name on the ID.

U ok? – E

All ok. 5 mins - J

Sliding my cell back in my pocket, I lean towards Alice, not sure how to wake her, after all, I don't want to startle her, but I'm not sure if she's a heavy sleeper or not.

"Alice, we're almost there. Time to wake up."

"Hmm, Jas, not yet." She replies snuggling deeper down in the chair.

Hearing my name come from her sleepy lips is the sweetest sound I've ever heard and a grin sweeps across my face. Reaching out to give her a little shake, I place my hand on the top of her arm.

"Come on sleepy head we're almost back at the Cullens, you don't wanna sleep in the car all night do you?"

Her eyes spring open and her hand goes to the top of her arm, she wraps her hand around where I'd held to give her a shake, biting her bottom lip, like she is trying to stop from crying out.

What the fuck?

"Alice, I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you, its just you didn't seem to want to wake up." I whisper.

Shaking her head, still biting her lip, looking to see if Rose or Emmett are looking at us, she starts to pull the shirt up her arm, her eyes darting from me then back to the others.

"It wasn't you, please don't say anything, but look." She replies to me almost silently.

My eyes follow the sleeve as she rolls it up her forearm. I count the bluish marks as it goes higher, stopping just short of her shoulder.

Four.

There are four individual marks, with a fifth on the underside of her arm. It takes a couple of seconds to realise what the marks are.

Fingerprints.

I go to open my mouth, but she covers my lips with her fingers.

"Please, don't." She mouths, tilting her head towards Rose and Emmett, "I don't want them to know."

It takes every part of restraint inside me not to say a word, but I don't want to go against her wishes. She's confided in me and I'm not going to break that. Pulling her sleeve back down, she pulls her legs up towards her chest.

Emmett pulls the car into the drive and puts it in park, popping the trunk as we exit. Bella and Edward arrive at the car immediately, taking boxes from the trunk.

Leaning to get out of the car I feel Alices' hand on my wrist, turning my head back to look at her.

"Jasper, please don't tell anyone about those."

"You have my word." I answer, bending my wrist towards hers to give her hand a squeeze.

*****

*~* Alice *~*

The small reassuring squeeze of my hand is enough for me to know he's not going to mention the marks on the top of my arm. It's bad enough that they all know about the ones on my face, I don't want them knowing about the others.

The boys carry my things straight to my room; Esme is sitting on the bed waiting for me.

"Could you give me a couple of minutes with Alice please guys? Then I want to talk to you Emmett, you shouldn't have gone there without your father!"

Here goes, you've caused nothing but trouble today, you're outta here.

The guys leave the room, leaving me awkwardly looking at the floor.

"Alice, please relax, I just want to talk with you and remind you you're welcome to stay as long as you need and want to. How were things at school?"

Looking up at Esme her eyes are full of understanding and compassion. Beckoning me over to the bed, I sit down next to her.

"It looked like he must have trashed the place when I didn't go back there last night. It doesn't look like he ruined many of my things though, and school? Some of the girls were horrible and everyone was whispering about me." I sigh.

Stroking my back Esme speaks softly, "They're just jealous of you, you're a wonderful person, just try to ignore it. Alice... is this all you own?"

"Yup." I nod in reply. "I've never had much stuff, and well, this is pretty much my life."

"You'd like for me to help you unpack?"

"I'd rather do it myself, if you wouldn't mind of course?"

"Of course not my dear. I'll ask that they leave you alone for a little." She replies standing up, walking towards the door. "Come down when you're ready, and we'll talk some more ok?"

"Thank you."

With that she leaves the room, and I start to open the first of the boxes, arranging a small jewellery box and a few ornaments that hadn't been smashed on the top of the desk. I notice that there is now a big mirror sat on the top, transforming the desk into a dressing table.

Taking the duffel bag and pulling the suitcase towards the closet, I open the door and see just how big it is inside. A large walk in closet, with hanging rails along one side, the other a combination of drawers and beautiful shoe rack.

Oh how I wish I had shoes to fill it. One day maybe.

Placing the few items of clothes I have in the drawers and on hanging rails, I put my two pairs of shoes in the middle of the shoe rack, and hang my coat on the peg on the back of the door.

Taking out the books in the already open box I stack them at the end of the desk, and open up the next box, realising it is full of my sketch books, I close it again and put it in the closet.

Walking back to the closet I pull out a pair or sweats and a long sleeve shirt wanting to be able to relax and get out of Rosalie and Bellas' clothes as not to ruin them. I quickly change and put the last box into the closet, not needing to open it, knowing it is things from my past that I don't want to think again.

*****

Bouncing down the stairs I head straight for the kitchen, everyone is sat around the table eating fresh made brownies and drinking ice cold milk.

"Brownie?"

"Please." I nod quickly, sitting on the empty seat next to Jasper.

"Here," he says pushing a glass of milk towards me. "I poured it earlier; I didn't want you to go without."

I blush and smile as I take the glass of milk in my hand.

"Emmett you have a game tomorrow night right?"

"Yes, tomorrow night" he answers through a mouthful of milk.

"Your father is going to be coming too, he switched his shifts so he can be there, remember to say thank you."

"Course mom. You're coming too short stuff aren't ya?"

"Erm, I didn't realise I was invited, but if you don't mind, I'd love to come to cheer you on." I answer excitedly.

"You've gotta come, its part of being a family." He rolls his eyes at me.

I stare back at Emmett, my mouth wide open.

"Close your mouth unless you wanna swallow a fly." he continues, smirking at me as I feel my face heat up.

"Now are you guys going to leave me be so I can make a start on dinner for tonight? Your father will be home soon and I'm pretty sure he's looking forward to seeing you all."

Leaving the kitchen and heading for the family room, Edward and Emmett are goading each other about who is better at a computer game; Rose and Bella have linked arms, talking about their plans for the next day. Jasper stays behind a little.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine Alice, just wanted to make sure you were. Sorry Emmett gets a bit over excited at times. I hope he didn't freak you out too much." he chuckles.

"Did he mean that? Or was he was teasing me?"

"What about being part of the family? Or going to the game?"

I nod as I answer, "It's like I've got a bunch of brothers and sisters I've never had before over night if that makes sense?" I look at him, with a quizzical look on my face, wondering if he thought I was just talking nonsense.

"I know exactly what you mean Alice; it's the same for them you know? Emmett has kinda taken on the big brother role, so has Edward, but he's not as in your face, his always been like that, he kind of takes a back seat in things. It's because of Emmett that Edward was adopted by Carlisle and Esme."

"It is?"

"Yup, just ask Emmett one time, he'll gladly tell you the story. He's kind of proud of himself because of it."

"I couldn't ask about it, it's private. I'd feel like I'm being nosey."

"Trust me; he'll take great pleasure in telling you, I'll bring it up one time for you. Just see the smug look he gets on is face. You'll laugh yourself silly. You want to watch them play the computer or do you have something else you'd like to do?"

"I need to get some homework done, I don't really want to have to do it over the weekend, plus I'm not that good at algebra, it kind of doesn't make sense to me."

"Algebra huh? You've just found yourself a tutor, I'm in the advanced algebra class, let me get my bag from Rosalie's car and I'll help you out. I'll meet you back at the kitchen table otherwise you'll never be able to concentrate, those guys get a little crazy when they're playing."

"Deal, see you in a second," I answer, heading towards to stairs to my room to get my book bag.

Never before have I been so excited to learn the values of X's and Y's in my life.

Well there you have it...

Let me know what you think if you get a second people.... I love hearing from you.

Oh and although i'm not usually one to recommend fanfics I stumbled across this beautifully written story today - Its called The Long Walk Home by bsmog... its captured my heart...

Take care 'til next time my sweets

Pixie-Tinks x