Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight... She and her characters inspired this story, which is all mine.

First of all let me apologize for the delay. I'm a perfectionist. I edit as I think, as I type as I re-read and believe me, it all takes time. I hope you think the end product makes it all worth it.

Thank you Robs! You took the time to beta even when you were busy moving – you rock!

"A best friend it like a four leaf clover - Hard to find, and lucky to have." ~ Anon

Chapter 10 – Aftermath

JPOV

"How did you know?" Alice asked me as I held the cab door open for her. Bella and Rosalie ran to catch up with us so they could share the cab too.

"Bella called." Ali's face fell, I saw her give her friend a sideways look. She didn't look too pleased with Bella. "Hey," I tugged on her hand to get her attention, "She called my cell looking for you and I forced her into telling me." I explained. I didn't want to be the cause of any rift between friends.

Bella nodded nervously as I spoke, her apology written all over her face. I gave the taxi driver our destination – the closest airport.

"Bells?" Alice prompted her again.

"Everything happened so fast Ali; I'm not even sure how it all fell into place really. I was at my desk when I heard Billy come bellowing out of the elevator yelling at Gretchen. He said something about how she'd better hope Mike makes it to Mexico on time or she'd be looking for a new job." She shrugged looking down.

"Then what?"

"Well then I called Rosie and we tried calling to warn you... Jasper answered." She looked over and smirked at me then sighed as she continued, "And when he answered, we thought he was still with you at the airport and –"

"Basically he didn't try to change our perception until after he'd gotten the story out of us." Rose turned and intervened from the front seat. "We told him our plans and that we were booked on the next flight out. I guess he got on the next one out from LAX because we all met up at the airport here."

Alice looked at me and I just shrugged. I didn't care if she was mad at me, I wanted to be here to protect her and I was, so in my mind it was all good. She dropped her eyes for a second and just stared at her lap, I wanted to ask her what she was thinking when a movement from the front seat caught my eye.

Rose was gesturing, obviously urging Bella to say something else but Bella was shaking her head and silently shushing her up. Ali looked up and they both looked away. "What?" She asked, looking quickly around at all three of us. I had to shrug because I really didn't have any idea what was going on. "Rosalie?" Rose shook her head, keeping her eyes forward. Ali turned her stare to Bella and said sternly, "Isabella?"

"Nothing." Bella mumbled as she turned to look out her window.

The taxi was approaching the airport and the tension in the car was getting thick and oppressive. Ali turned whispering to me, "Would it be ok with you if we went home instead of staying here overnight?"

"Anything you want baby" I kissed her just below her ear, I loved the way she shivered in my arms. "As long as I'm with you, I don't care where I am." I lowered my voice to add, "Although if it's ok with you, I wouldn't mind having you in my bed tonight." She blushed slightly, but gave me a naughty little smile before she looked away.

Rose paid the driver and we all piled out onto the sidewalk. "Where are you two planning on going, Los Angeles or Seattle?" Alice asked the girls. When they both replied L.A. Alice raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask any other questions.

I understood the dynamics of their relationship, it was much like the one I had with Edward and Emmett. But at the moment, things seemed off and tension was definitely building. There was definitely something not being said, Rose and Bella seemed to be holding something back from Alice. It's a good thing it's a short flight home, I have a feeling when things finally erupt it's not going to be pretty.

The four of us entered the building and looked around. It wasn't a large metropolitan airport therefore only a few counters looked open for business. Nothing looked familiar to me even though I'd been here only hours before. I didn't have time to take notice of my surroundings when I arrived here earlier, my only concern at the time was getting to Alice. Really my only clear memory was of seeing Bella and Rose rushing towards me; I'd somehow managed to arrive moments before they did and I joined them as they flew by me. All of us running for the exit, piling into a cab, the three of us hoping to get to Alice before all hell broke loose.

In fact, it only just dawned on me now that I had only bought a one way ticket to get here as I saw Alice walk forward to approach a counter. I started to follow only to have Bella grab me by the t-shirt. "No Jazz, wait here." I looked back to Alice as she spoke with the woman at the ticket counter and then back at the girls.

"What's going on exactly?" I was starting to lose my patience.

"Nothing… Just let Alice handle it." Bella said quietly.

"Handle what?"

"Our flight home…" Rose snapped at me. "Did you get a return ticket?" I shook my head. "Well neither did we. Alice had a private flight so she's taking care of it."

I looked from the girls to Alice at the counter. "So what's wrong? What's going on between you two?" I asked, turning my attention back on them.

Rose spoke up first, "Bella got fired." Bella crossed her arms as she turned her back on us. "She doesn't want to tell Alice yet because she's sure Ali will blame herself. I think she should just tell her." Rose stated, obviously trying to make her point.

I put my hand on Bella's shoulder, "You ok Bells?" She nodded.

"I've been trying to tell her she's better off. That job –"

Bella spun around on Rose, "That wasn't just a job, it was a career Rosalie. I worked damn hard for the last five years and for what? Not even a reference."

"They wouldn't dare, not give you a reference."

"Why should they? I. Was. Fired! They don't give references for that Rose." Rose's eyes darted up over my shoulder and they both made their expressions neutral. I turned to see Alice approaching.

"Okay, all set. We're leaving pretty much now so we should get over to gate two." Ali said, sounding a bit more cheerful. Then she looked around at the three of us. "Will someone please tell me what's going on!" The distress in Ali's voice was clearly evident again.

"Never mind. Come on… Let's just get on the damn plane." Rose grabbed Bella's arm and dragged her towards the gates.

Alice stared up at me, her eyes looking for answers. I pulled her in for a hug and I felt her arms go around me as she rested her cheek against my chest. She sighed heavily. "It's gonna be fine sweetheart, stop worrying." I assured her as I kissed her head and rubbed her back.

"Do you know what's going on Jazz?" she spoke, but she didn't move.

"A little." I admitted, shrugging to hopefully stop her from asking me what I knew. It didn't matter though as we were suddenly distracted by yelling.

"ARE YOU COMING OR WHAT?!!" Rose screamed at us from across the terminal.

Alice and I both chuckled, still snuggling. "I think she wants us to leave."

"You think?" Alice snorted.

She pushed back, but I only gave her enough space to turn in my arms, I wasn't ready to let her go yet so I wrapped my arm around her waist and we walked arm-in-arm as we followed after Rose and Bella.

APOV

When we arrived back in L.A. Edward was there to meet us. Bella ran into his arms and buried her face in his chest. He held her, kissing the top of her head and whispering soothingly to her. Bella hadn't said much on the way home, she only spoke if she couldn't nod or shake her head in reply.

Rose wasn't much better, but when she did speak it was pretty snippy. I was going to get to the bottom of this one way or another. "Where's Emmett?" I asked her.

"He's less than an hour away." Rose replied, flipping her cell phone closed. "He's going to meet us at his place.

"Okay, so we'll all meet there at eight o'clock, that'll give us a few hours." I looked at Jasper and Edward, they both nodded. "Rose you go with them and be nice, alright?" I gave her a pleading look.

"I'm always fucking nice." She growled, then huffed, "Fine… I'll be nice." She put her hand on Bella's shoulder saying in a resigned voice, "Come on Bells, let's go." Bella let go of Edward and threw herself into Rose's arms. I heard Rose say, "Yeah honey, I'm sorry too," as they walked away with Edward following.

I blew out a big noisy breath of relief. "Holy shit I'm tired!" I exclaimed as I smiled at Jasper. He was just standing there kind of dumbstruck by what was going on. "You ok Jazzy?"

He snorted and nodded his head with a smirk on his face, "Yeah darlin' I'm fine." He put his arm around me as we walked towards the parking garage. "How 'bout you?"

"Oh I'm fine. Really tired and I can't wait to get this suit off." It had been months since I had to wear business clothes and frankly I didn't miss them one bit. The near tropical weather of Mexico and L.A. was too warm to be dressed up, at the moment I felt uncomfortable and I longed for comfy clothes like my bikini or shorts.

"I can't wait to get you out of your clothes either…" He said playfully, "Although, I think I like the suit. You look very sexy in your boardroom clothes." He ran his hand over my linen covered ass as we approached my car. Jasper held the door as I lowered myself into the passenger seat, he crouched down so he could run his hand up my leg. "Yes ma'am, very classy," he purred, kissing my cheek before he closed my door.

As we hit the highway, I leaned back against the head rest and closed my eyes. It had been a very long, stressful day and I knew it wasn't over yet. There was something going on and I needed to get to the bottom of it. "I'm glad it was a quick flight." I said quietly.

"Ali, it was a Lear Jet, it's meant to be quick." I cracked an eye and looked at him. He was facing straight ahead, but I could tell he was watching me from the corner of his eye.

"Yep."

"Are you accustomed to traveling in private jets?" That was a loaded question and I could tell by the look on his face he was concerned with what my answer was going to be.

"I used to be when I was working. I called in a favor when I couldn't get a suitable flight yesterday. That was my company's jet." I explained.

"The company you no longer work for."

"Yes, the 'company I no longer work for'." I swallowed nervously, he didn't really position it as a question, but I thought he deserved an explanation. "I 'was' a partner in the business and it is a very successful company so I figured I was entitled to borrow it."

He nodded and seemed satisfied with my answer. "Well, let me know how much I owe for the flight."

"Nonsense!" I turned to face him, "Actually, you be sure to give me the information for the ticket you bought to get there and I'll see you're reimbursed. You shouldn't have to be out of pocket for coming to my rescue."

We were silent for a few minutes.

"Thank you by the way." I said.

He grasped my hand and threaded his fingers between mine. "My pleasure. I'll always be where you need me Ali." He kissed the back of my hand.

JPOV

We arrived at the loft approximately a half hour late. Traffic was brutal and well, we were a little longer in the shower than expected. Alice was understandably a little tense so I made sure I took my time to help her relax. I smiled to myself as I remembered some of the best parts. It was worth every extra minute to see the way she glowed as we walked into the building. I kissed her nose as she smiled up at me.

We heard the others laughing and chatting as we made our way down the hall. When they saw Ali they all shouted 'Congratulations!' and handed us glasses of champagne. I was relieved to see the tension between Rose and Bella was gone too. Everyone seemed in a jovial mood. Ali was smiling and seemed happy so all was good.

"Congratulations to you too," Alice raised her arm to toast. "Welcome to paradise Rosie." And she drained her glass. Edward steadied her hand while he refilled it for her. "I guess you're next Bella, when are you going to finally pack it in and join us?" The room got quiet and Alice froze with her glass to her lips, her eyes darting back and forth between Rose and Bella. Just like that, the tension was back. "Care to explain to me what really happened?" she said quietly.

"Whoops, time to switch to the hard stuff." Rosie jumped up from where she was sitting and grabbed a tray from the dining room. "Here we go!" She exclaimed with exaggerated excitement as she placed the tray in the middle of the coffee table. There were shot glasses, lemon slices and a salt shaker alongside a bottle of Tequila.

"Oh no…" I looked over, the sound of dread in Ali's voice getting my attention. "This isn't gonna be good huh?"

"Well, depends on your definition of good." Rosie said giving Ali a smug smile and I saw Edwards smile mirror hers as he rubbed Bella's arms. Rose poured the shots and Emmett passed them out.

"Bella?" Ali raised her eyebrows. Bella downed her shot and then Ali did the same.

"Igotfired." Bella blurted out quickly.

"Son of bitch!" Ali stood up like a shot. Rose and Bella did the same.

Emmett, Edward and I all looked at each other and downed our shots before we stood up too. The three of us were at a loss as to what to do.

The girls were all speaking at the same time, voices raised, arms gesturing and flying around. Ali was trying to pace but Rose kept getting in her way and Bella was trying to calm her down saying, "It's ok," over and over again.

"No Bella!" Alice shouted, "It most certainly isn't 'ok'. You got fired because of me, because of Mike and that's NOT ok…" She took a deep breath and let it out noisily. She spun around to pace again and ran into Rose. "Rose, get out of my way!" She side stepped and Rose blocked her again. Ali scowled at her and growled, "Rosalie."

"Alice." Rose growled back. "Just listen for a moment."

Emmett elbowed me in the ribs and whispered, "Is it just me or is this shit fucking hot?"

I scowled, shook my head and pursed my lips; I was seriously trying not to grin. 'Cause really, it was kinda hot. Ali looked fierce all worked up and angry. It reminded me of the night on the beach when she was giving me hell for the trouble Sophia had started. I was a little worried that night and couldn't really enjoy the sight, but wow, she was something when she was mad.

"Give her another shot Em," Rose ordered and Emmett jumped to it. Edward's snort caught my attention and I looked over at him. I think he had the same look on his face as I had on mine as he watched Bella trying to get between Ali and Rose.

"I don't need another drink!" Ali protested, but she downed the shot anyway.

In the moment of silence that fell on the room as she swallowed the tequila, music started to play from somewhere behind us. As the words to the 3OH!3 song, Don't Trust Me rang out the girls eyes focused beyond where Emmett and I were standing for a moment and then they snapped back to each other.

Ali suddenly pushed Rose into Bella's arms and started running for the kitchen, towards the sound. Rose scrambled after her yelling "Stop her!"

OK, so now I had no idea what was going on, but everyone sprang into action following after Alice.

She'd made it to the kitchen and had a purse in her hands; she was rummaging around in it when suddenly her face lit up and she pulled out a cell phone. In one fluid motion she dropped the purse, flipped the phone open, put it to her ear and started yelling, "Michael, you get Bella her job back right now! ... No, there is no negotiating! ... She'll sue! … Wrongful dismissal!"

Alice was pacing, fending off Rose's grabs with her outstretched hand as she continued.

"Fine, what do you want?" Alice barked into the phone just as Bella managed to grab it out of her hand and Rose grabbed Alice around the waist to stop her from taking it back.

"Hello Mike, it's Bella… No I'm sorry, you won't be getting your car back… The only one who fucked you over was you… I know for a fact you got what you deserved."

You could've heard a pin drop in between Bella's words; we were all listening intently to what was going on in front of us. We had no trouble hearing his voice as he screamed into the phone, but unfortunately he was talking so fast and so loud we couldn't make out what he was saying. We could only hear Bella's comments as she spoke to him calmly. "Mike, as Alice said there will be no negotiations and I've already contacted the attorney who will be handling my case. Tell Billy that all communication can be handled through him. Don't try contacting any of us again or you will also be facing a law suit. Yes, good-bye Mike and fuck you too." She snapped the phone shut and smiled triumphantly.

It was silent for a second more then Ali, Rose and Emmett all broke out in fits of laughter. Edward and I just looked at each other in shock.

Bella stepped over to where Ali and Rose were, holding out her arms for a hug. They threw themselves at her, all three of them wrapping their arms around each other laughing and crying all at the same time, each of them whispering apologies, love you and praise to one another.

"Ali," Bella said stepping back a bit, Alice looked at her, "It is ok. Really." They were both nodding and smiling. "I'm gonna move here too. I'm going to marry Edward and be with my two bestest friends in the whole world so, really… it's all ok."

Squealing and jumping ensued.

Emmett and I walked over to where Edward was and shook his hand as all three of us grinned proudly at our girls. Phase one of our plan was complete, we'd managed to get them all in the same state and in the same city.

"OK, so my parts done… The rest is up to you two." Edward said as he slapped us both on the back.

APOV

WOW… Bella was getting married. OhmyGod. I giggled to myself; my thoughts were going a mile a minute even though my brain was a little foggy from the champagne and tequila. I wasn't drunk, but I had a nice little buzz going. This was probably the best I'd felt all day long… well almost. I'd felt pretty darn good in the shower earlier with Jasper. God he's magic. I felt the warmth rush over me again as I closed my eyes, remembering what he did to me in the shower.

Me pressed into the corner, Jasper on his knees with one of my legs over his shoulder, his face pressed between my legs with his gorgeous dark blue eyes staring up at me… I moaned and I wiggled back and forth a bit on the end of Jasper's bed, trying to quench the throbbing I'd started up again.

"What'cha thinking about?" I opened my eyes to see Jasper standing in front of me in just his jeans, smiling his sexy crooked smile at me. Damn dimples and sparkly eyes. I bit my lip, suddenly feeling like he was reading my mind. "It sounded like it was a pretty good thought." Damn sexy Texan drawl.

"I didn't realize I said anything out loud." My face felt hot as I blushed.

"You didn't actually say anything," He stepped a little closer and he brushed my hair back behind my ears, "You just sort of made this sexy sort of moan. What were you thinking about?"

"You." I said truthfully. I opened my knees and ran my hands up the back of his thighs pulling him in closer to me. I heard him gasp. I raised my eyes and gave him a cocky little smile of my own. I liked making him gasp like that.

"Me huh? What was I doin'?" His voice low and husky.

I shrugged a bit. I was feeling a little playful, a little daring; the alcohol loosening me up a bit. Oh, who are you kidding, I chastised myself, you're damn horny! Again! I moved my hands up the backs of his legs and squeezed his behind, resting my head against his zipper as I pulled him in. I felt him, big and hard beneath my cheek. He moaned as he cupped the back of my head in one of his hands and very gently pushed his hips into me. I nodded my head up and down, providing him with a little friction.

He easily let me go as I pulled back and began undoing his belt, I took my time slowly opening his jeans and pushing them over his hips down to mid-thigh. His cock was straining against his boxer briefs, the tip just at the level of my lips so I kissed it once, twice and the third time I grazed my teeth over him through the fabric. He made a strangled groaning sound, I smiled. I really liked that sound.

His eyes were dark, watching me as I slid my fingers beneath the waistband of his underwear and pushed them down to meet his jeans. His tongue darted out, moistening his lips as I pressed my hand along his length, squeezing him gently. God, he was huge. The very thought made my breath catch. I ran my hand up his length caressing him then gripping him. He began to move, slowly thrusting his hips as I held his erection letting him slide in and out of my fist. My other hand was on the back of his thigh keeping him where I wanted him, close to me. Finally, I leaned in and licked around the head of his penis. He sucked a deep breath in through his teeth.

I suddenly felt very powerful, I was giving him pleasure. I took him into my mouth as far as I could and slowly pulled back creating suction before swirling my tongue around his head and plunging down again. His knees bent slightly and his legs were trembling. I glanced up and he held my eyes with a look that made my panties just about combust. Jasper was devastatingly beautiful and my heart skipped a beat. He laced his fingers in my hair as he whispered my name reverently.

I smiled slightly as I pulled all the way up and sucked on the head of his cock, tasting his pre-cum on my tongue. He was getting harder… I was making him harder. I groaned, using my hand to hold him as I took him deep again and I started moving up and down in a rhythm, him hitting the back of my throat with each down stroke.

"God Ali," Jasper panted. His hips bucking gently in time with me, "Baby, I'm gonna cum." He warned loosening his hold on me so I'd be free to move away. I didn't plan on moving. I wrapped my arm around behind him, holding him to me as I increased my pace, my suction and my grip. He realized what I was doing and his hands fisted my hair once again as he cried out, "Fuck Ali, now!" God that sounded so good. I glanced up, he had his head thrown back and his chest was heaving as he worked to catch his breath.

I pulled back as he dropped to his knees in front of me and kissed me hard. Parting my lips, plundering my mouth with his tongue like he wanted to devour me and I returned it with the same desperation.

Apparently, I was a little bit magic too.

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