"Is this really the position that you want to be in, son?"

Carlisle's arm rested lightly across Jasper back, a finger hooked through one of the belt loops of the boy's jeans barely securing his hold. This was most certainly not a position Carlisle wished to be in but his bull headed boy was determined not to give him any alternative this evening.

"No sir, but it is what I deserve."

In a blur of motion, Carlisle snapped the belt against the curve of Jasper's rear causing his son to come up on his toes as fire seared his tender flesh. Jasper gnashed his teeth as his breath escaped in a low hiss.

"And this is where our problem lies, young man." Carlisle waited patiently for his son to process the pain and did not speak again until he felt some of the tension leave the boy. He needed Jasper to be focused on his words instead of the punishment he seemed so desperate to endure. "Jasper, as your father and your leader it is up to me to decide the consequences of your misdeeds; not you. You always have the option of disagreeing with my decision but I will have the final word in these matters. Are we clear on this?"

The belt came down again, laying a streak of white fire to burn his words into the boy's memory. Jasper's breath became a labored pant as he tried to gain enough air to voice his response. He could not believe that he had been fool enough to push his father to this. Damn it, Jasper! When you find yourself in a hole, stop your damn diggin'. Finding breath hard to come by, he finally gave in and just nodded his head hoping his father would understand.

"I would like a verbal answer, please, Jasper." Carlisle had leaned in closer to his son's ear to whisper his request. "That is the only way I can be certain that we understand each other."

A layer of venom coated the younger man's eyes. If it was more from the fire blazing on his behind or from the devastating dysphoria his father was experiencing, he couldn't say for sure. Forcibly bringing his breathing under control, he heard his voice crack as he finally managed a quiet, "Yesh, sah. Same page. You are the final authority."

"Good." Carlisle released his finger hold as he shifted his grip and tightened his grasp, pulling Jasper closer against his body.

Oh, Holy HELL! Jasper, fearing the worst, grabbed onto his father's leg and prayed that his butt would survive his own stupidity. It was plain to see that he hadn't been thinking clearly and now he was about to reap his reward. Closing his eyes tightly, he held his un-needed breath determined to ride this storm out the best that he could.

"Since we are in agreement..," Carlisle lashed the belt fiercely against its target, wincing when a cry issued from his subdued boy as the stroke hit home. "then I say we're done with this. Lesson learned. No more arguments, Jasper."

His hold loosened but he would wait for his son to regain his balance before he let go completely. When he felt Jasper shift his weight to bring his feet under him, Carlisle gently helped steady him and brought him upright. "It's over, son. You did fine."

Jasper kept his head down avoiding his father's eyes as he wiped away a few tears. He recalled a memory of his human father admonishing him for crying which cause a stab of shame to pierce his chest. The last thing he wanted to do was to disappoint Carlisle yet again. Sighing softly he reached his hand back to rub out some of the fire that raged on his backside but Carlisle halted his progress. His father's firm grip seized his wrist, pulling his hand back in front of his body. Jasper's head shot up to give his father an inquisitive look.

"No, son. For some reason you felt the need to experience this and that is just what you are going to do." Taking hold of Jasper's other wrist, Carlisle brought them together then loosely bound them with the belt. "Ten minutes," he pointed his finger at Jasper as he spoke, "and be glad that I'm not having you sit on your behind for that period of time."

Jasper glanced away in embarrassment for a few moments but then forced himself to look back at his father. "Papa, I don't think this is necessary. I am a grown man after all. I can and will control myself."

A retort died on Carlisle's lips as a raised eyebrow was proven to be enough to check his son.

Jasper's head dropped instantly, his chin tucked tightly against his chest. Sure, like you controlled yourself all evening. Nice try there, slick. "Sorry. Your call. I'll just stand here and be quiet."

It had only been spoken in a whisper but Carlisle had heard it clearly and heaved a sigh of relief at his son's words. Coming from someone else the end of that statement may have been sarcastic, but Carlisle knew Jasper well enough not to take it that way. He visibly relaxed as the boy finally fully surrendered to his authority. Taking a seat on the stump, he allowed the quiet to envelope him. Carlisle's spirit ached as he thought back over the events of the night and what he had put his children through. He kept telling himself that he had only acted on their best interest but his mantra did nothing at all to sooth his tortured soul.

Watching his boy shift his weight from one foot to the other intensified his own painful remorse. Normally a vampire could stand still for an indeterminate amount of time but because of the distress he son was suffering through, Jazz wasn't able to last more then a couple of minutes without moving. This was all Carlisle's doing and he regretted it deeply. All he wanted to do was to take Jazz in his arms and offer him comfort but he wasn't sure how his son would react. After being rejected once by Jasper already tonight, the elder wasn't sure if he could endure it again. Tears welled up in his eyes but he blinked them away as his focus shifted from his son to the belt binding his hands.

Ghost from Carlisle's past came to life to badger him with memories. Memories of a fair haired boy much younger then Jasper's physical age, bound bare to a rail and lashed with a buggy whip until he bled because he had not completed his religious studies like a dutiful son. That same boy cowering at his father's feet begging for mercy as a leather strap raining heavy stinging blows down upon him because he had dared to disagree with his father on some insignificant topic. Those same demons then imposed a new vision, the sight of his own son forced to his knees at Carlisle's feet. They made the sounds of Jasper's cry as the belt bit into his flesh ring out in his father's ears. Oh, God, what have I done? Have I truly become my father? Carlisle's head dipped down heavy with regret as he pressed his fist against his lips to block a cry of anguish that resonated from the depths of his ravaged soul.

A strong wave of melancholy as acute as any agony he had ever experienced rocked through Jasper but dissipated as quickly as it had surfaced leaving behind a cold emptiness. Since he and his father were alone in this place it could only have come from one source. He looked over to his father, finding the man sitting with his eyes closed seemingly deep in thought. Jasper eyes teared as he cleared a lump of venom from his throat.

"Dad, has it been ten minutes?" His voice resonated with nervousness and concern.

Carlisle's eyes remained closed as he softly answered, "Not quite, son but close enough. Go on."

Jasper slipped easily from his bonds then, unraveling the belt, he replaced it around his waist before indulging his backside with a swift overdue rub, all while castigating himself for his stupidity. He groaned as he realized that he wouldn't shrug this one off quickly, then cringed as more debilitating sadness emanated from Carlisle.

"That was just a taste, Jazz. You really don't want to test me on this again."

Jasper looked up to find his father gazing back; his eyes containing a depth of sadness, his voice soft but firm. I thought it was Eddie alone who could read minds.

"No, sir. I don't. You have made that point loud and clear." Both hands briskly rubbed the seat of his pants then slid into his back pockets.

Jasper eased his way towards his father until he stood before him. He looked down for a moment, kicking at the leaves on the ground while a sheepish expression marred his face. "Umm, papa? I ... umm. Well, I was... It's just that..." His mouth felt as though it was filled with cotton. "Dad, I am so..."

"It's alright, son. There is no need for apologies."

"It's not just that."

Carlisle forced his demons back so he could give his son his full attention. "What is it, sport?" Concern darkened his eyes as he grew more concerned about his boy's uneasiness. He was more then willing to help his son in any way that he could.

"Papa." If it were possible for him to blush, Jasper knew his face would be a glowing bright red lighting up the night. "Gawd, why is this so hard?" He gave his head a hard shake at his ineptitude.

His father reached out to him and ran his hand along the boy's forearm. "Do you want to head back to the house to be with Alice? I'm certain she will be more comfort."

He shook his head for a second before reversing the gesture to a nod but as Carlisle rose to his feet Jasper stopped him before he could take a step.

"I do need Alice," he confessed in a low voice, "Momma too, but ..." He shuffled his feet then looked into his father's face and drew a deep breath. "Papa, what I need most right about now is you."

Carlisle threw his head back with eyes closed and took a breath as his demons fled his soul to return to their hellish station. A light smile played on his lips as he gazed lovingly at his boy before pulling him into his arms hugging him tightly to his breast. Jasper returned Carlisle's embrace as he rested his head against his father's neck absorbing the warmth and comfort in his love. Silent tears dampened the collar of Carlisle's shirt as Jasper finally gave in to all the emotions that charged the air around them.

"Papa, I am truly sorry about everything that happen."

"I know, son. It's all water under the bridge. I forgave you back at the house. Most of what happened out here was me trying to find a way to help you forgive yourself." Carlisle rubbed Jasper's back to calm him while his son's acceptance and love did the same for him. "Everything is going to be fine, Jazz. On that, you have my word."

Father and son stood in the serene setting of the forest locked in an embrace until Jasper finally pulled slightly back, a sly grin toying at his lips.

"Papa, do you think my sweet Alice saw all of this?"

"I would not be surprised."

"Hmm, would have saved me a heap of trouble had she shared that with me instead of lettin' me continue to put my foot in my mouth time after time."

Carlisle chuckled a bit as he smiled. "Would you have believed her?"

Jasper thought for several seconds then shook his head. "Probably not. I would never have believed I could be such a dumb ass."

"I think that there are somethings we have to just figure out for ourselves, son even if we do have a window into the future. We learn better that way. Hard lessons albeit, but lessons well learned so they aren't easily forgotten."

"I guess you're right on that." He thought a little more about his situation and then sighed. "Guess we can be headin' back. I'm sure the girls are missing us and poor Edward is still stuck out there somewhere with Emmett and Rose. Now that is one person I owe a serious damn apology to. Not only did I get a good shot in on him, but then I go get him locked up somewhere with Rose. Damn, I'll be lucky if he doesn't kick my butt when he gets home."

"Keep up with the colorful language and I'll beat him to it," Carlisle half heartedly reprimanded as he wrapped his arm around his son's shoulder and guided them both back home.

AN: Oh look.. no real cliff hanger this time. I'll have to work harder on that. There ya go folks. Originally, I wasn't going to actually write out Jasper's whipping. My plan was to pick the story back up after the event but the wealth of comments made me reconsider. This does bring the base story to a close but I have a little epilogue to tack on in a day or two so I hope y'all hang around. Thanks so very much to everyone who has kept me inspired and who have offered suggestions for my next little Twilight tale. Y'all seriously rock my world.