Disclaimer: Do I own this? No. Do you? No. There, we're even. I mean I do own Harry Potter, therefore I rule, but whatever.

A/N Thank you to everyone who favorited, alerted, and reviewed! I'm sorry I haven't been updating as frequently as I used to. I'm going to try and work on that. I've been having trouble getting it together, so to speak. But the next chapter should be up much sooner next time. Why? Because the next chapter will be more fun. ;)

I hope everyone had a great holiday! And have a fantastic New Years!

Adore

Chapter 9 – Choosing Sides

Bella often thought that Jasper (as much as she loved him) was slightly insane. Normal people didn't have as many temper tantrums as he did or blow a gasket at small things. Emmett was better. He was surprisingly calm about these matters, even though he was the most intimidating looking of the three. Emmett was the easiest going, but Edward was the one with the least bravado, at least in this instance. He could hold his own in certain situations, but when it came to facing his brothers, it was a different story.

"What did you do?" Jasper had waited patiently for a total of three minutes as Bella got dressed before demanding answers from Edward. It wasn't an easy three minutes. He'd spent it watching Bella, as usual. It wasn't the best idea to watch Bella get dressed, Jasper decided. She was on edge, nervous, the muscles in her back and shoulders tensed, but he still found her irresistible, and he wanted to lock his arms around her and keep her with him so she wouldn't run away. He couldn't get the idea out of his head that Edward was about to tell them that he and Bella were running off together.

It was completely irrational, not to mention unlikely. But it was still floating around in his perverse mind.

It was hard not to feel jealousy towards Edward when he walked in on him and Bella in bed. Jasper knew straight away that whatever problem he and Bella had had been mollified. Normally, Jasper would be over the moon about this. This time he had a dreadful feeling. Without thinking, he stepped towards Bella, pressing her into him. He felt her bare breasts crushed against his chest, and he smelled her hair. He needed to reassure himself, to have her in his arms, so he kept her locked in his embrace. Bella didn't react as negatively as he expected. She was amused, laughing lightly and hugging him back.

"I know what you're thinking." She whispered in his ear, teasing. "And I think you're crazy." She kissed his ear and laid her head back on his shoulder.

Jasper looked back at her, surprised. "You don't know what I'm thinking…"

"Oh, but I do. You're thinking something irrational and negative, like…I'm going to leave you and run away with someone else. Am I close?"

She didn't have to ask. The look on Jasper's face confirmed her suspicion.

How did she know?

"That's not what I'm thinking," Jasper looked away, not appearing as nonchalant as he intended. "Your psychic powers are failing, my dear."

"No, I don't think so. I'm right, as usual."

"Well aren't you a saucy thing…" Jasper twisted a lock of her hair around his forefinger. "You're, um, you're not, right?"

Bella lifted one amused brow. "Running away with another man? No. I'm not leaving you at all, you weird man. Now let me get dressed."

Jasper stuck his lower lip out, something he'd picked up from Emmett. "You could just stay naked. I'll cover you."

"I totally agree." Emmett chimed in.

Bella rolled her eyes. "I'd prefer to be in a clothed state for this."

Bella slipped a t-shirt over her head and shimmied into a pair of jeans. Two sets of eyes were on her, but Emmett focused his attention on Edward.

Emmett had pulled out the desk chair and sat astride it, keeping silent but letting his brother know that he was not-so-patiently waiting nonetheless. "Is this something that's going to piss us off?"

Without hesitation, Edward replied, "Yes."

"Just get it over with." Jasper growled, pulling Bella back towards him.

"Jasper, don't get pissy." Bella warned. "You promised."

Jasper swallowed down his urge to yell at his younger brother. Bella was right, he had promised to behave, and he wasn't about to intentionally break that promise.

"Fine…" He pushed down his rising anger, and stepped towards Edward, who grew more and more apprehensive by the second. "What did you do?" He was tired of waiting.

"Right…" Edward looked to Bella for reassurance. She came over to him and sat on his lap. Jasper was immediately pissed all over again. He resisted yanking her away from him and caging her in his arms again.

"Spit it out." Emmett urged him, not angry, but not patient, either.

"The thing is," Edward said, "I quit work a few weeks back." He waited for their initial reactions. It wasn't a good idea to hit them with both revelations at the same time. Jasper might explode. Literally. Edward was half expecting it.

"You…quit? Really?" Emmett was in disbelief. Jasper didn't say anything. He comprehended what was said, but he was aware enough to know that that wasn't the real issue.

"Why did you quit, man?" Emmett asked. "And why didn't you tell us? You didn't even tell us that you were thinking about it. You could have, we would have supported you. God knows we all want to quit at some point."

Edward nodded. "I'm sorry. It wasn't something I planned. I simply went into school one day, and by lunch I had quit. There wasn't much thought put into it, if I'm being honest. I just did it. I was unhappy there, and I wanted more." He looked both his brothers in the eye. Emmett seemed to understand, to accept it, although it hadn't fully hit him yet. Jasper was unreadable. Whatever he was thinking, it wasn't good.

Bella rubbed Edward's back. He was still worried sick, but having her with him was more than enough comfort to get him through it.

"What else?" Jasper asked. Edward had expected that. Jasper was too smart.

"I applied for another job almost as soon as I quit Forks High." Edward told him, calmer now that he'd resigned himself to what might happen.

"Did you get it?" Jasper asked, wary.

"Yes…"

"Where?" It was Emmett who posed the dreaded question.

Edward glanced at Bella, but barely hesitated when he answered. "Achilles University."

Jasper and Emmett gaped at them. Edward detected some expected emotions: shock, fury, confusion. He knew he was in for a hailstorm of shit. Bella, ever so slightly, positioned herself in front of him protectively.

It was just a matter of time before Jasper exploded. If they had timed it, they'd have found that it took approximately 35 seconds for him to react. Emmett was quick to join in.

"You did WHAT?"

"Behind our backs?"

"How long were you planning this?"

"How the fuck did you get hired? It's Achilles!"

"I know what you're doing. You're trying to keep Bella all to yourself." Jasper fumed, accusing.

"I was gonna say that." Emmett said, frowning.

Now Edward was angry. "I just want to be closer to her, I'm not trying to take her away from you. Don't be ridiculous! You know you'd take the same opportunity if you had the chance."

"Yes, but I wouldn't do it behind everyone's backs!" Jasper hissed.

"I didn't plan it!"

"Yeah right."

"Everyone needs to calm down." Bella said.

"I'm not sure that's possible right now…" Jasper responded. He fixed her with a hard stare then. "Did you put him up to it? Did you know what he was doing the whole time?"

Oh, so now he was accusing her.

"Of course not." Bella thought it was obvious. How could she have known? "I only found out this morning."

Jasper looked as if he didn't know what to believe.

Bella was incredulous. "You don't believe me?"

"I believe you." Emmett reassured her, joining her and Edward.

Bella softened at that. "Thanks."

Jasper sighed. "I believe you, too."

Emmett addressed Edward then. "I do kind of want to flick you or something. You should have told us sooner."

"I'm sorry…" Edward was sincere, but it wasn't good enough for Jasper. He kept his mouth shut, for Bella's sake, but he had no intention of speaking to Edward. Not a word. He gave his younger brother one last withering glance before flying out of the room.

Edward didn't mind letting Jasper cool off for a few hours, even a day. If he ignored him, fine. He deserved it. But Jasper's determined silence and cold shoulder were getting to be excessive. Jasper refused to eat in the same room with him during dinner. Whenever Edward entered a room, Jasper left it. And that night, when it was time to go to bed, Jasper went into the guest bedroom and closed the door.

It was the same story the night after, too. He didn't utter a word or eat with anyone, just wallowed upstairs by himself.

He wasn't even speaking to Bella much. She assumed he was mad at her as well.

Emmet stayed in their room, of course. Bella was currently getting brushing her teeth in the bathroom. Edward looked over at Emmett.

Emmett was still somewhat miffed, truth be told, but he put in a great deal of effort to pretend that he wasn't. It was obvious. He was avoiding eye contact, and he wasn't his usual chatty self. Edward felt terrible. If only he hadn't made such an impulsive decision. But…it was for the best, in the end. Yes, this was bad. He never wanted to give his brothers a reason to hate him, to be angry with him, but he couldn't lie; he was thrilled that he was going to be working in the same building that Bella went to every day. She had said they would drive to and from school together, have lunch together. That sent butterflies aflutter in his stomach.

And then Jasper slammed the bedroom door, and it was ruined. He stormed in, making sure to throw Edward the evil eye once or twice, grabbed some of his clothes from his suitcase, and stormed back out just as quickly.

It was the first time he'd entered the room since the day before. That was a good sign, right?

Bella had just finished washing her face when Jasper swung open the door, which surprised her, because she could have sworn she locked it. It was amazing how often that happened.

"Jasper, I might have been on the toilet." Bella said, embarrassed since she had just been on the toilet a few minutes earlier.

"Sorry." Jasper leaned against the doorway. "You look cute on the toilet, so don't worry."

Bella cringed. He had walked in on her when she was peeing once, months ago. Her mortification had lasted almost a month, but Jasper thought it was "adorable". What a freak.

"So you're talking to me again, I see." Bella said.

Jasper paled. "I'm sorry I gave you the cold shoulder. I just though it was best if I didn't talk to you. I didn't want to risk going off on you. Not that I'm mad at you, but…you know how I am."

"Right. Well, thanks. I'm always happy to avoid getting yelled at." Bella dried her hands off, refusing to meet his eyes.

Jasper inched forward. "Are you okay?"

"Fine."

"No you're not. What can I do?"

"Nothing, just…stop being an ass." Bella glanced at him.

"I'll try." Jasper smiled, hoping to make her smile in return. It half worked. She smiled, but barely.

"Well, I'm almost done." Bella told him. "If you want to use it…."

"No, I used the other one." Jasper was cradling a pile of clothes in his arms, Bella noticed.

"So, you're sleeping in the guest bedroom again?"

"Yes. Where are you sleeping?"

Bella had guessed that he'd do this at some point. Make her choose. She refused to make Edward and Emmett the bad guys.

"I'm sleeping in our bedroom." He didn't look at all happy about that, but he expected it.

"Can I change your mind?" He asked.

Bella grabbed her hairbrush and started running it through her hair. "I'm sorry Jasper, but no."

He was visibly displeased. Bella easily could have caved, but she held fast. "You could just sleep with us. You can go back to ignoring Edward in the morning."

"No. I don't want to sleep anywhere near him." Jasper was firm.

"Fine, suit yourself." Hey, if he needed some time to himself, so be it. She was the same way. Hell, two nights ago she'd been as big of an ass as he was being now, only moreso. "You know, Jasper, we have more in common than I realized."

Jasper's eyes lit up in curiosity and hope. "Oh yeah? How do you mean?"

"We're both blockheads."

Jasper laughed. "You may be right about that to a degree. But trust me, I'm more of a blockhead than you are. I've committed more blockheaded offenses than you have."

"I'm not sure about that…I can be pretty awful." It was true. She was. More often than she cared to admit.

Jasper walked up next to her, nuzzling her hair. "Oh, you are awful. So awful. Like moldy cheese and smelly socks combined with leprosy."

Bella quirked an eyebrow, and met his eyes in the mirror. "Hey, take back that smelly socks comment. That really hurts."

Jasper smiled, hugging her. "If you stay with me tonight, I'll lick your pussy… All. Night. Long." He kissed her neck. "And I'll suck on your clit until all of the neighbors wake up."

Ugh! Stop tempting me!

"Jasper, not now." But Bella didn't try to physically stop him. Damn, that felt good.

"Why not?" He smirked, continuing his attack.

"I need to go to bed." Bella replied weakly.

"Oh, I'll take you to bed." Jasper promised, grinding into her backside. "Stay with me?"

Yes! One part of her brain screamed. The other half wanted to get back to Edward and Emmett as soon as possible. Being with Jasper right now almost felt like a betrayal, which made no sense whatsoever. Being with Emmett and Edward, Edward especially, felt like a betrayal, too. Well, it was obvious: it was impossible to make two opposing sides happy during conflict.

"I…oh jesus…I think we should stop." Bella choked out the words. Jasper's hand was rubbing her pussy. He was not making her denial easy.

"Why the hell would we do that?" Jasper teased, slipping his hand into her boxers.

"Just, um, you know, conflict." Bella squeaked as Jasper pinched her clit.

"Conflict?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Stay with me tonight. They'll live." Jasper slipped her boxers down her hips, letting them fall at her feet.

Bella sighed, too absorbed in what he was doing to care anymore. "Hmmkay."

"That's my girl." Jasper turned her around and immediately melded their lips together. Bella kicked off her boxers and wrapped her legs around his waist. Her shirt was off in seconds, followed by Jasper's. Their heated embrace didn't last long, however.

Emmett and Edward were standing in the doorway.

"Fuck!" Jasper released Bella, directing his fiery gaze at his brothers. "Get the fuck out. Can't you see we're busy?"

Emmett shuffled uncomfortably. "Can we join?" He sounded uncertain, given Jasper's attitude, and he had every right to be.

"No!"

"Jasper, don't get mad." Bella begged.

"If they fucking leave, I won't." Jasper challenged his brothers.

"We just came to see if Bella was coming to bed…" Edward said, uncomfortable.

"Well she's staying with me tonight." Jasper spat. "So go away."

Edward and Emmett didn't like that one bit. "Bella, where do you want to stay?" Edward asked her.

Bella wanted to scream. They were all watching her expectantly. Did she have to choose a side? Couldn't she sleep on a couch or something?

"Maybe I'll just sleep by myself." As difficult as it was going to be to sleep away from her boys, it was probably the best idea. That way she didn't have to choose one over the other and hurt someone's feelings.

"What?" Jasper was more surprised than angry.

"Baby, you don't have to do that." Emmett said. "You can stay with Jasper." He knew what she was doing. He'd let her sleep with Jasper if it made things simpler. He wouldn't like it, but he understood.

"No, I want to." Bella insisted.

Jasper frowned. "So you're not sleeping with me?"

Bella shook her head.

"Right." She looked into his pissed off face once more before he left the room. A moment later they heard the guest bedroom door slam shut.

Unwillingly, tears came to her eyes.

"Oh love," Edward came forward, bending down to retrieve her boxers. She was completely naked, which always seemed to be the case in these situations. Edward lifted her right leg, then her left, and slid them back up. She didn't want the shirt back on.

"You're not really going to sleep away from us tonight, are you?" Edward was ready to get down on his knee and plead with her if need be.

"I don't want to make it worse..." Bella explained, reluctant to make any decision. "Maybe I should stay with him. It might improve his mood tomorrow."

Edward deflated. "Okay. You're right. Just yell if he gets to be too much. You can always change your mind."

Bella chuckled. "Edward, it's not a life-changing event. It's a sleeping arrangement."

"Still…" Edward laughed.

"Alright, that settles it." Emmett said. "Bella will sleep with Jasper, and I'll cuddle her pillow all night. Edward, you can take her shirt. That should help us get through until morning."

"You're just weird." Bella went on tip-toe and kissed him goodnight, then Edward. "Thanks for understanding."

"Yeah, it wasn't easy." Emmett said. "Quite hard, actually, so I expect to be reimbursed."

Bella went out into the hallway and took off her boxers. "Emmett, catch." She threw them at his face. He didn't catch it in time. Bella giggled. "Cuddle that."

Emmett winked. "I will, baby, don't worry."

The light was off when Bella crept over to the door. Jasper was awake, no doubt, steaming quietly in the dark. She cracked open the door, the dim light from the hall casting her shadow across the room. Jasper turned over in bed, sitting up. "Bella?"

She closed the door and walked over to the bed, pulling the covers up and sliding in.

Although it was pitch black, she could tell that Jasper was watching her.

"Oh darling…" Jasper grabbed her around the waist and started kissing her.

"You really are a stubborn ass," Bella said. "Now, shall we begin where we left off?"

Jasper grinned, getting to work as soon as the words left her lips. He made his way to her pussy, finding that she was still wet from earlier. He made her cum with his mouth first, and when he couldn't take it anymore, he entered her, taking her slow and gentle.

He tried not to think of Edward or his own insecurities afterwards. Bella was lying in bed next to him, asleep. Everything was alright. Perhaps he made too big a deal about Edward's new job. He trusted him, and he trusted Bella, but that never stopped his stupid paranoia. That was no excuse, though. He'd apologize to Edward tomorrow. It still left him slightly pissed off that he'd done it behind their backs, but he was able to see it from Edward's point of view. Mostly, he was just jealous, and that was not an easy emotion to conquer.

But he'd try making things right, maybe even himself. Hell, maybe he should go to therapy, too. He hated the idea, but if it worked for Bella, it might work for him. Was there a cure for jealousy and paranoia, though?

Jasper pulled Bella closer and settled into sleep, pushing away his thoughts for a few hours.

It was hard to tell who woke up first. It was 3am when Jasper, Edward, Emmett, and Bella were startled awake by the frantic, eardrum-busting house alarm.

"Stay here and lock the door behind me." Jasper told Bella before dashing out of the room. Edward and Emmett were already at the top of the stairs, peering down.

"Did someone break in?" Jasper asked, pulling on his shirt.

"I can't tell." Edward replied, out of breath from the initial panic.

"We should check it out. If some motherfucker is stealing mom and dad's stuff, I'll kick their ass." Emmett cracked his knuckles.

"Where's Bella?" Edward looked behind Jasper, expecting to see her.

"Bedroom. I told her to lock the door." Jasper said. "Fuck, I hope this is a false alarm."

"Well, let's see for ourselves." Emmett said, and began descending the stairs.

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