A/N: Thanks so much to my wonderful reviewers, and my amazing-as-hell beta, LittleLea05. You guys rock my socks!!! :-D I'm sorry Jasper keeps torturing you and Alice, but it's all going to be worth it, I promise!!! Reread the prologue if you need a little lovin'. ;-)

It's my 23rd birthday, so please leave me lots and lots of love, OK??!! :-)

Disclaimer: Only the plot's mine.

I threw open the door with what had to be a scowl. There stood Rose and Emmett, his arm thrown over her shoulder, a big grin on his face. Rose's face, however, looked less than pleased to be there.

"Hiya, Ali baby!" Emmett said with an even bigger smile. "Can we come in?"

"Sure, I said stiffly, looking only at Emmett. "How are you?"

"We're good!" he said cheerfully, leading Rose in by her shoulders. "How are you, Ali honey?"

"I'm fine," I said, smiling at him, still seething on the inside at their interruption. Jasper and I were so close…

"Uh, hi Rose," Jasper said awkwardly from the couch.

"Jasper," she said coldly. There was nothing worse than a cold Rosalie. When she got in her bitch mode she was practically made of ice, and it took a long time to thaw her out. I'd seen it in action, but never directed at me personally. It hurt.

"Hi, I'm Emmett," he said, stretching his hand out to Jasper. Jasper stood and accepted the hand shake. "You must be her brother."

"Guilty as charged," Jasper said. I could tell he silently approved of Emmett. Hmm. He approved of Emmett, no problem. So why the hostility to Garrett? "What brings you two by?" He came to stand next to me, and I silently willed his arm to snake around my waist. It didn't happen, but then again, I hadn't really expected it to.

"So what brings you here?" I asked Emmett. If Rose was going to be a frozen solid bitch, I wasn't going to deal with her. I didn't want her to ruin all the good vibes and feelings I'd been having with Jasper.

"We just wanted to stop by and say hello," Emmett said. Rosalie elbowed him in the ribs.

"Well, rather, I did, and Rose was with me so…"

It felt so polarized, Jasper and I on one side, Emmett and Rose on the other. Emmett was trying to be a good guy, and I could see what he was doing here. I was sure that he had heard no end to Rosalie's bitching and whining over the last three weeks, and probably wanted to put a stop to it as soon as possible. A simultaneous selfish and selfless act.

"Can I talk to you?" Rose said suddenly, finally looking at me.

"Um…" I looked at Jasper desperately, and he nodded once. I felt more relaxed looking into his eyes. He gave me strength. "Sure."

I jerked my head towards the kitchen. She followed me silently while the guys tried to make friendly conversation in the living room.

I leaned against the island, crossing my arms. She leaned against the sink.

"So…" she started.

"So," I said.

"Alice, you don't know how hard… What's it like… How much I-" She stopped herself.

"I'm sorry," she blurted out.

"Huh?" I was not expecting that.

"You were right. I was selfish. And it was wrong of me to accuse you of trying to seduce Jasper. I know you're not that kind of person. It's just, I don't want you to get hurt."

"I don't think it's up to you to make that decision for me."

"I know. Alice, I'm so sorry. Emmett helped me to see how I was wrong, and I really and truly apologize." She didn't look at me the entire time, but I could see the tears in her eyes. "I've missed you," she said in a tiny voice.

"I've missed you, too," I said. "I know that the situation wasn't as dire as you said… that Jasper was fine, and I probably overreacted… it's just sometimes you're… well, you're selfish, Rosalie. And sometimes you need to be reminded of that."

"I know," she sobbed. "Alice, you're my best friend, and I love you. I want you to be happy, that's all."

I reached forward and she was falling into my arms, crying. I squeezed her tight and stroked her hair, tears falling down my own cheeks. I really had missed my best friend. Even though I wouldn't trade the last three weeks with Jasper for anything, I figured that I could also have my best friend and my love interest in my life at the same time.

"I'm sorry, too," I whispered. "I shouldn't have said what I did. You didn't deserve that."

"It's okay," she said, sniffling. "I know I'm a bitch."

"Yeah, you are, but I love you anyway," I said, squeezing her before pulling back. She brushed away her tears, and I did the same. "What have you been up to?"

She laughed. "Well, Emmett and I have been spending every spare moment together."

"That's good," I said. "I'm sure you know Jasper and I have been doing the same."

She raised her eyebrows. "Obviously, you haven't been doing QUITE the same as Em and I, cuz otherwise you'd be looking a lot happier."

"Yeah, you're right about that," I said. "But it's progress…"

"Yeah, I heard him and Maria are over…"

I fought the grin that always accompanied those words. "Yep."

"Well… that's good. We'll have to talk about this more later."

"For sure," I said. I took her hand in mine, hugged her once more, and then we strolled back into the living room to our men.

Rose floated across the room, clearly in a better mood, and slid into Emmett's lap on the armchair. I sat on the couch next to Jasper, as close as I dared. I looked at him, and he subconsciously licked his lips when he looked at me. Good sign. I wanted to squeal with excitement.

"How's my girls?" Emmett asked, and Jasper looked at him sharply, but didn't say anything.

"We're good," Rose said, smiling. I smiled back. Jasper visibly relaxed.

"I'm really glad you guys are talking again. It was strange having you guys giving each other the silent treatment." He reached out and grasped my hand with both of his. My eyes widened and my heart gave a thump, and I could see that Rose was just as shocked as me. He didn't let go, and I wasn't about to pull away.

"Wow, I didn't know you guys were together!" Emmett said, and I wanted to commit homicide at that moment.

"Um, we're not," I said before Jasper could answer and break my heart by telling Emmett I was actually their long lost runt triplet or something.

"Oh." Emmett's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, but thankfully, he didn't say another word. And thankfully, neither did Jasper. I just wasn't in the mood to hear him spout off things about friends or little sisters.

"So, do you guys want to do something?" I asked quickly. I realized Jasper was staring at my profile, and I swallowed hard, fighting off the blush that threatened to appear. I licked my lips nervously.

"Well, what were you guys up to before we got here?" Emmett asked innocently.

Jasper and I both started stammering.

"Uh, well, we were watching a movie-"

"Just relaxing here-"

"Not much, you know-"

"Just having some dinner-"

Two pairs of bemused eyes were trained on our faces. Rosalie's eyebrows looked as if they were going to permanently settle on her forehead, and Emmett just looked like he wanted to laugh.

"So… just hanging out then?" Rose clarified. Jasper and I both nodded emphatically. Rose gave me that We'll talk later look, and I just smirked.

"Yep! Anyone want a beer?" I asked, playing hostess now. I hated to do it, but I pulled my hand away from Jasper's and stood up. My only consolation was that if I wanted him to see me as something more, I'd have to start making some of the rules myself. If he wanted me, he was going to have to chase me. I'd decided that recently. I was going to make Jasper pursue me.

"Yeah, I'll help you," Rose said, pointing to each guy as they nodded yes. She followed me back into the kitchen. "Oh my GOD," she hissed. "What have you guys been up to? He was watching you leave the room, you know."

"He WAS?!" I whispered back, nearly jumping for joy. "Oh my GOD, Rosalie!"

"Calm down, Alice!" she said, but she looked excited, too. That was a change of heart. I was going to have to ask her about that later.

I pulled a couple of Newcastle's out of the fridge, and popped open the caps with the opener on the edge of the counter. My dad loved his beer, what can I say? I also pulled out a Coors Light for Rose.

"Ugh, how can you drink that crap?" I asked her, wrinkling my nose. Jasper was right. I adored beer now, the real kind, not the piss Rose was currently swilling.

"Just shut up," she retorted.

"Nice comeback," I teased. It was wonderful to have my best friend back. I couldn't wait to catch her up on all the details of The Great Alice and Jasper Reconnection of 2009.

We took the beers back into the living room, and resumed our places. Jasper had spread out on the couch, looking very comfortable and extremely fuckable. His arms and legs were spread out wide, and I briefly wondered if he'd ever like to be tied to the bedposts that way. Hmm…

He moved slightly to make room for me and accept his beer, but he also didn't move his arm, making it so that his arm was hovering over my shoulders on the couch. If he just slipped it a few inches, it'd be resting on my body. I'd take any part of Jasper on my body any day, even with company around.

We chatted, catching each other up on the last few weeks. I was absolutely, 100% positive that Rose and I were both cutting out essential elements to our stories, parts we'd inform each other of later, and the guys weren't saying much, either. I'd pry the truth out of Rose, that part was inevitable. Yet somehow I wished Jasper would share more. I was terrified that the last few weeks had just been some sort of pity friendship, and that now that Rose was back in my life, he'd scamper off into his own world.

And yet, he'd said he needed me.

I held on to that scrap of hope like I was drowning and it was my lifesaver.

After a few hours, Emmett and Rose decided they'd best be off. The look in Rosalie's eyes told me they weren't off to play pinochle, and I decided I'd interrogate her about that tomorrow.

"Call me in the morning, alright?" I said as I hugged my best friend once more.

"Of course," she said. "We have a LOT to catch up on."

"Yeah," I said, excited to give her all the details. "G'night!"

To my shock and amazement, Jasper also waved goodbye. He was staying?! I fought off my inner pre-teen squeal. We all said good night, Rose giving me one last pointed look before I shut the door behind them.

"Want help washing the dishes?" he asked helpfully.

"Sure," I said. No need to remind him we had a dishwasher. I'd go 50s style housewife for him any day if it meant spending more time with him. "You wash, I dry."

"Deal," he said. "But only if I get another brownie."

"I suppose that can be arranged," I said.

We didn't have a lot of plates and pots, so it didn't take long for us to get the kitchen tidy again. Jasper kept humming, and I couldn't help but slip into the fantasy where I was the one elbow deep in dish water, and he comes up behind me and kisses my neck, whirling me around so I'm pressed against the counter, and I have to keep my wet hands out of his hair, clutching the front of his T-shirt, kissing him so fiercely we both nearly drown in the sensations, and then he takes me upstairs and then-

"So you and Rose made up I take it?" Jasper asked, snapping me out of my fantasy.

"Yeah," I said happily.

"Can I ask… why were you fighting?"

Well, darling, it was pretty much all about you and my passionate love for you which intensifies more and more each day…

"It was something stupid. We both said things we really shouldn't have, but they needed to be said. And now I think we can get over it. I missed her a lot."

"I bet," he said. "You guys have never been like that before. It must have been something bad."

"Yeah, it was. But obviously nothing we can't move past." I smiled at him.

"I guess you won't really need me anymore," he said, his tone depressed.

"What?! NO!" I said, too quickly and too desperately. I didn't care. I needed him, and the last thing I wanted was for him to think I could ever somehow survive without him. I couldn't, not knowing how we were together. I hadn't just been imagining how great we were together, it was true. And I couldn't help but notice how sad he'd sounded when he thought I wouldn't need him. It gave me hope.

He smiled sadly. "Alice, what I told you on our hike was true. I do need you, now more than ever. But I understand if you and Rose-"

I took his head in my hands, looking him straight in the eye. "Jasper. I need you, too. I always have. More than you could ever know. And if you think for one second that I don't need you as much as you need me, you're crazy."

He leaned into my touch and closed his eyes. "I'm not crazy," he mumbled with a tiny smile.

I giggled. "Sure you are."

"Not as crazy as you," he said, and slid his arms around me, holding me to him. I wanted to purr with contentment. I settled against his chest, nuzzling his chest, taking in his scent, which was soap and tomato sauce and Jasper.

We didn't say anything, just held each other. My heart was thudding crazily in my chest, and I had no idea how he didn't feel it. Instead, he pulled me tighter, looping my arms around his neck so my feet were off the ground. It took all the self-control in the world not to wrap my legs around his waist to pull our centers together. Oh my GOD, that's all I wanted to do.

Why does he need me? A month ago we were friends, but only because it had always been so and because I couldn't live if we weren't somehow in each other's lives. Now, he was my life, and miraculously, I was his. Fuck. This was so weird, but so right.

It took me a minute to realize he'd started walking. He plopped down onto the couch and took me right with him so that I was practically lying on top of him. Well this I could definitely live with. His hands traced down the curves of my body, resting on my hips, and I could hardly breathe. My hands sought his arms as I rubbed them up and down slowly, feeling the goosebumps erupt there. I kept my head against his chest, almost too afraid to look up at him.

"Alice, what are you doing to me?" he sighed with a laugh in his voice.

"I guess those magic spells I've been casting have worked pretty well," I said with a smirk, hiding my real tone. I felt like I was holding back a huge laugh, or a shout of joy, or something equally explosive.

He laughed, and I felt the vibrations in his chest all the way down to my toes. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Jasper," I said, not wanting to push, but really needing to know. "Will this end now that I'm friends with Rose again?"

"I hope not," he said quietly. "You're part of my life, Alice. Three weeks ago, if you'd told me we'd be this close again, I'd have said they're crazy. And now… I don't want to stay away. I don't think I can."

Holy. Fucking. Jesus. Did he just say he couldn't leave me even if he tried? That he didn't want to be away from me?

"I could never stay away from you, Jasper," I confessed.

He kissed the top of my head, and I tilted my head up to look at him. I willed him to kiss me. Please, please, please…

He leaned forward… my heart started to race… closer and closer… my eyes drifted shut… He kissed my forehead. I sighed in disappointment. I supposed it was too much to hope that Jasper would want to kiss me yet… if ever… I had to face the idea that he might never want to kiss me, that I was slipping from little sister to best friend with ease.

Unacceptable.

A little at a time, Alice, I told myself. He's not going to fall for me over night. I'd be freaked out if he did, actually. You can't leap from practically family to deep in love in just a few weeks.

Once again, I pulled away from him before I wanted to. He has to pursue me, I repeated, my new mantra.

"I should go," Jasper said as I sat up on the couch.

"Yeah," I said sadly.

"Can we hang out tomorrow?"

I smiled. "After Rose and I play catch up."

He grinned back, shrugging on his coat. "Good. Maybe we can go somewhere on my bike. It stays light late now."

"Good plan." Any plan involving me holding on tight to Jasper was a good plan if you ask me.

"Okay, have a good night, Ali," Jasper said, hugging me briefly and kissing me on top my head again. It made me feel juvenile sometimes, but I knew he wasn't trying to belittle me.

"Night, Jasper," I said, and got bold. I leaned forward and kissed the corner of his mouth. Not his lips… that would have been entirely too tempting, and I wouldn't have been able to stop. But I caught the corner, faster than lightening, and pulled away before he could have time to freak out. His lips were incredibly soft, just like I thought.

He stood in the doorway, frozen. His eyes were dark again, and he looked like he wanted to say something again, but had lost his words. It looked like he was trying to mentally compute something.

"Night," he whispered hoarsely. He gave a quick wave and a smile, and then turned and walked down the path.

I didn't know how to read his reaction. I'd analyze it with Rose later.

A/N II: Leave the birthday girl some love, K?? ;-)