Jasper

I am warm and comfortable. Warmer and more comfortable than I can remember being for a very long time. I don't want to wake up and ruin this; so I don't open my eyes.

I do sense someone is with me but they seem so far away. I want to stay in the comfortable darkness . If I don't move them maybe they will go. I hear them now faintly. A pleasant voice whispers "Jack".

Is Jack here? I hope he's having as nice a sleep as I was.

Wait. That's not right. Jack can't be here.

Here... the trip, the doctor, his house, ALICE. Everything comes rushing back to me like a tidal wave.

I sit up with a start ignoring the pain signals my body is sending my brain. I open my eyes and franticly blink back the haze.

She is sitting next to me, her warm hand is on my shoulder.

"Are you alright?" I ask as my eyes focus. What have I done? I can't believe I fell asleep and left her alone with strangers.

I scan the room quickly checking each corner and doorway, we're alone. Then I study Alice, I check her head to foot.

"Yes, I'm perfectly find. Do you like my new sweater?" She sits back and displays the pretty pullover proudly. She looks lovely in it.

She looks and smells lovely. Has she had time to shower and change? I bite my lip and furrow my brow. "I'm sorry."

Her face drops. "You don't like it?"

"No, I'm mean,... yes I like it. I'm sorry I fell asleep and left you alone." I don't hear anyone moving around down stairs, I suppose I slept through dinner.

"It's alright, I wasn't lonely, I talked to Rose and Mrs. and Dr. Cullen, they were all very kind and good at conversation. I slept in Edward's room last night. It is a big room with big windows you should see it." She stops talking and looks at me funny. I realize my face is twisted with concern and frustration.

She smiles sheepishly. "You don't have to worry Jazz, Edward wasn't home. We thought about moving you to Emmett's bed but you were sound asleep and we didn't want to disturb you."

" Edward and Emmett? Alice, how long was I asleep?" I ask already knowing the answer but not wanting to believe it.

"You slept through the night." The words came out of her mouth in a causal enough way but they nearly knock me over.

"The whole night?" I rub at my eyes and trying to understand what she's said. "Why didn't you wake me up?" She had been alone, and I had been weak.

"You were so tired, you need to sleep." she says and squeezes my hand. "anyway, it's time to get up. You need to take a shower, it's so nice."

Alice

I hated having to wake him up this morning but I had to, Dr. Cullen needs Jasper to get an xray this morning so I had to wake him and get him moving. I felt bad of course and startling him wasn't my intention, I tried my hardest not to. That's not usually a good start to the day for him.

He had seemed to be sleeping so soundly, it was like nothing was bothering him.

I had listened for him last night, I thought he might call out in his sleep or have a nightmare so I sat up a good part of the night and listen for him. He slept the whole night, as far as I know.

He was so shocked about that too and mad at himself for leaving me. I don't want him to feel that way. I wasn't in any danger, I was with the Cullens and I trust them. I know he doesn't trust them yet, but I know he will. I also know that he's going to do what it takes to get better because if nothing else it's what I want for him.

I sit out side the bathroom waiting for him. I hear him start the shower and my nose scrunches as I know the whole process of getting undressed and getting in the tub and so on is painful and unpleasant for him. I hate to hear him sigh and groan, especially when I can't do anything to help.

The one thing I can do, I am doing; he made me promise to not go far, so I won't. I don't want to worry him further.

He'll calm down eventually, I do understand his reservations. I hope he knows if I was in trouble he would be the first person I went to.

Jasper

I protested when Alice said it was time for me to bathe. I didn't want to leave her again. I know I can't be with her every minuet of the day but I hate having her out of my sight especially in a strange place, especially after I let my weakness get the better of me.

I relented because I know I need a shower, I don't want to offend anyone. Certainly not Alice, she's who I care about, she's my hope. She says I stink.

The water pounds against my skin, it stings but I don't plan on changing the temperature.

It has been forever since I've been in a good hot shower like this one. I was never one for taking long showers but I do remember feeling like they were a place to escape for awhile.

There have been so many things to escape.

I let the water run over my head and soak through my hair that's hanging long these days.

I shut my eyes and sigh into the steam. Images start flashing through my mind of the storms I saw in Vietnam, where the rain fell in sheets and waves and buckets. I shake off these memories and think of a more pleasant rain.

That rainy night in Philadelphia.

This makes my thoughts return to Alice. damn it, I've lost track of time, again. I never meant to be in here long.

I shut off the water and the now cold air on my wet skin making me shiver. I move tentatively out of the shower and dry off. I rub the towel roughly, quickly over most of me. Rubbing my face, and chest, and arms as if I could rub the thin white scars off. I take more gentle care of my hip, and leg and other sensitive areas.

I catch my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I've seen the way I look now, pale, tired, pain etched into my features. It doesn't shock me, but for some reason now I think of my mother. What would she think of all that's happened? What would she say?

She and Jack probably would have loved Alice.

"Are you doing alright Jack? Rosalie asked me to ask if the clothes fit alright." Alice's voice comes from the other side of the door.

I look down my nose at the sweats that have been left for me. At least they're clean and comfortable even if they are incredibly dorky.

Carlisle

It is interesting; usually in the mornings everyone is rushing around with the kids getting ready for school and me and Esme getting ready for work but today it's like everything has slowed down. I think perhaps it's because we're all interested in our guests.

Rose sits at the counter in the kitchen nursing a bowl of cereal waiting for both our quests to arrive. Esme is busying herself making Rose a sandwich for lunch like she hasn't done since the children where in junior high.

I chuckle a bit to myself as I pour myself another cup of coffee, one more than I usually drink or need.

Alice leads Jack into the kitchen. His hair is damp and he is wearing an old dark blue set of sweats that were Edward's and some old sneakers of mine. The expression on his face reminds me of a cat that's just come in out of the rain and isn't pleased with being wet.

My medical eye watches his limping gait closely as he walks in. He isn't put his full weight down on right leg. Even the little weight he does put on it obviously causes him pain. but he isn't leaning on Alice this morning. He's making an effort to stand up straight and look alert.

Alice holds his hand sweetly as she leads him into the kitchen and over to the counter. Alice smiles warmly and introduces

"Good morning Jack." I greet him, he nods in response "Good morning Dr. Cullen, Mrs. Cullen, and Rose." Alice glows with pride as Jack politely and very southernly greets each of us. I imagine even Rose is a bit enamored with his gentlemanly show.

He seems tired still and his voice sounds thin and tense to my ears. Exhaustion is funny, He slept through the night but the first good sleep is not a recuperative sleep. He definitely needs lots of rest and some good food.

Alice tells him to come and sit next to her at the counter.

All politeness aside he seems a bit cautious of everyone.

Esme sits a bowl and spoon in front of him and Alice "We have Cheerios and Count Chocula, would you like a glass of orange juice or milk?"

Alice accepts the cereal and poured for both of them. Jack was not paying much attention to the food. His Focus was elsewhere, his eyes darted around the room methodically, studying, it was subtle had I not already been watching him I may have missed it.

What is he looking for? Exits, potential threats, is he simple looking at his new surroundings? He tenses like he realizes something and turns his head slightly to look back over his soldier to the living room he and Alice entered through, His whole body seems to tighten. He is noticeably uncomfortable.

I don't think he likes sitting with his back to the door.

I have read articles about the paranoia and fear that persists after soldiers have returned from war, I wonder if the young Sergeant is experiencing this.

Of course Post Traumatic Stress isn't the only thing that could make a person paranoid, living on the streets I know can make a person extremely cautious.

I must have been staring during my musing because the next thing I know he's looking intently at me. That was foolish of me, he's not a case study to be examined. I clear my throat a bit embarrassed "You should eat something, Jack." He hasn't yet touched the cereal Alice has set for him. "Would you like some toast or maybe an English muffin? We need to head out in about fifteen minutes."

I follow Esme and Rose out to the garage to say goodbye. "So you'll be able to pick them up and drop them off at my office, Dear?" I check with Esme.

"I don't know how long my client meeting will go, but I don't think it will go much past noon, I'll pick them up and get them some lunch and drop them off to you, it shouldn't be a problem." She kisses me and starts the car.

"Are you sure I couldn't help out, keep them company or something?" Rose stands with her book bag and bag lunch.

"Not today, go to school." She looks exasperated. "Emmett and Edward will be back tomorrow, you'll make it through one more day." She signs and puts her things in the back of the car.

"See you later." I wave as they drive away. Now to get my patient where he needs to go.

Jasper

I don't like places like these, I didn't like the VA hospital and this place even though it's an xray lab and not a hospital it's cold and many people here are nervous or in pain.

Dr. Cullen came in with us and signed me in and explained to the nurses that I was his patient and Alice and I would be staying here to wait for the appointment and then waiting for Mrs. Cullen to pick us up.

The nurses here seemed to enjoy seeing Dr. Cullen a great deal. They don't give me and Alice a second look, they are too busy to be very concerned about us.

Alice flips through the magazines while we sit in the waiting room, I think she's nearly looked through them all now. Quite a few people have gone back to be xrayed and come out and left. it should be my turn soon.

I don't know how to feel about all this I'm feeling mixed up. I don't know what the xray will find and if Dr. Cullen will be able to do anything to fix it. I'm really appreciative of course of everything Dr. Cullen has done and is trying to do, but I don't want to ask too much and I don't want to accept what I can't repay.

And in the back of my mind I'm worried that this could lead...

"Jack" A nurse calls my name, it's time.

TBC...

I hate to tease and I know I have been with a chapter here and a chapter there, I am still working on this story. I have it planned out just not written down. Thank you for your support and continued readership. If it wasn't for the reviews that I kept getting asking 'what happens next?' I don't know if I would have had the motivation to keep going. Of course I try to write stories that I want to read and I want to read this one, so hold tight, I'm still working on it.