Author's Note: Thank you for reading. Thank you for Reviews There are over 500 on this section of the story now which is mind boggling and so cool. Thank you! I'm glad people are enjoying a story that I really wrote just because I wanted to read it. This Chapter is a long one. Shout outs and inside info at the end.

If you've got disposable income and you're enjoying the story please consider support this starving artist author and taking a look at my portfolio on artist name MJFITZ I've been working on a Jasper and Alice from this story if I thought people might like it I would put it up.

Friday

Jasper

It's late. How late I'm not sure. There's a clock in the room but I'd have to turn the light on to see it. I know it's after midnight.

It's quite in the house, I haven't heard anyone moving around upstairs in a long time. They're probably all asleep by now. I hope Alice is sleeping peacefully. I've been worried about her. I've been listening for her. I'd go out to the sitting room so I could better listen for her but I'm so tired I don't know if I'd be able to get up in the morning and move at this point.

I need to sleep. I want to sleep. Sleep is not coming.

I'm laying in bed. I think I've been laying here for a couple hours or more now. I've got my back pressed to the wall and the pillow turned sideways under my head and in my arms. The way I slept most growing up.

We had two beds in the room we shared but often Jack and I would wind up sharing the same bed, not every night but when Maria had been particularly spiteful, at least before we both got too big and even then sometime, especially after he started getting sick.

Growing up, when we shared a bed he always let me take the inside spot. The more protected spot. I would move all the way to the wall and he would sleep on his stomach next to me.

When Jack dislocated his shoulder falling from the loft in the barn when he was twelve. He had a lot of trouble sleeping because he couldn't get comfortable. He couldn't sleep on his stomach and he complained that sleeping on his back made him feel too exposed.

So for the first time I gave him the inside spot on the bed and he was able to sleep. That was the first time I'd really felt like I could protect my older brother. I tried my best. It wasn't enough in the end.

Tonight I'm tired and the ever present pain in my side has been unignorable since that I stupidly slipped. I lay my arm over my hip hoping the weight will be comforting. It's not and the subsequent pain has me biting my tongue and burying my face in my pillow. I rub at my thigh and try to ride out the pain.

After laying for so long without sleep or relief I start to get antsy. I push the covers back and decide to get up.

I stand in the dark and my hand finds my crutch by the bed instinctually. My leg is bothering me too much to get far without it. I start to pace the rug next to the bed.

Crutch and right foot, quick left, crutch and right foot, quick left. Turn with a bit of a hop on my left foot. I try to keep the crutch from hitting anything like the side table or the bed's footboard. I press my hand into my right hip and the pressure doesn't feel bad.

After pacing in the dark for I don't know how long, I'm more tired than before and it feels like I can't take another step.

I lean back against the closest flat surface and slide down till I'm sitting splayed out. Rain pounds against the windows as exhaustion finally beats out pain.

Carlisle

I've taken the day off so I can go with Esme to the first day of the fabric expo outside of Seattle. We've been going to this event for the past three years. Esme has lots of business contacts that go to it and it's often been good for her business to go.

"Here's the number for the venue where we'll be, the restaurant we'll be eating at this afternoon, the department store near the expo, and the Grants down the road. Here's the number for the hospital and the police" Esme shows Rosalie, Alice and Edward.

"We know all of that." Edward insists.

"Well Jasper and Alice might not know where to find the numbers so I'll leave the list by the phone. Is there anything else you need before we go?"

"Just for you to have a nice time." Alice smiles at her.

"You're so sweet."

This is normally a fun weekend trip for Esme and I but this year it snuck up on us and we've decided to only go for the day. We talked about it and agreed that we didn't want to leave all the kids alone for too long. As much as our children would love to have the house to themselves for the weekend I think Alice and Jasper need a bit more stability right now.

I want them to feel comfortable. They are our guests. At this point Esme and I really have been thinking about them as part of the family. I get the impression that after these few weeks with us Alice is right where she wants to be but Jasper isn't sure where he fits.

I keep hoping Jasper will settle in and every once in a while it looks like he is but he's hasn't had it as easy as I would have liked him to after getting out of the hospital.

He definitely had a rough day yesterday.

I knew as soon as I got in the office door and saw his face that he'd been hurt but my hands were tied.

Part of my arrangement with him and his medication is that we follow his lead. If he doesn't want the medication I'm not going to push it unless I truly think he is putting his health at risk. He didn't want anything yesterday even though I thought he could have used something, at very least a seat and some ice.

I wouldn't force him.

He seemed resigned and if he was determined to keep going I was going to let him. I think it's important that he be allowed to make his own decisions. He is the one who has to live with the pain he needs to know how much he can take.

I spent the morning trying to discretely look in on the boys when I could. Jasper seemed to get through the day alright, but from what I heard it caught up with him later that afternoon. I know that at dinner last night Jasper seemed understandably tired and not very happy.

I hope I didn't make the wrong call by not insisting he take something or rest.

I did make sure mats were put down at entrance to the office so no one else would slip.

"I'm leaving Jasper's pill here for him." I put a paper cup on the window sill above the sink. "If there's any concerns don't hesitate to call around to find us."

"We will..." Rosalie nods. "but don't worry we'll be fine."

I look towards the music room. Jasper is still not up which is unusual for him. I'm almost ready to postpone our departure just to make sure he's alright.

Alice seems to understand what I'm thinking.

"I'm sure he was just tired after the week." Alice says looking slightly concerned too.

Jasper

I wake up slowly. I can feel that it's light out and that I'm not in a bed. I vaguely remember the rain the night before and wonder where I am.

Rain and sitting on a hard floor usually means storm cellar. My brain feels foggy as I try to open my eyes. I force my eyes to open even though I'm tired. The storm cellar is never a good place to be especially if the storm has stopped.

When I get my eyes open the sunlight hurts and I slam them shut. 'Where's Jack?' I wonder starting to panic. I try to get up but pain shoots through my side as I move to stand.

Pain means Maria.

My heart jumps. I fall back with a gasp. I hit something next to me and it comes crashing down onto me. It hits me on the head and falls into my lap, making me jump. I blink and look through squinting eyes as they adjust to the light and recognize my crutch.

I look around and realize where I am. Not in the storm cellar.

My heart is still pounding. I let my head rest back against the door. I can't believe I fell asleep sitting on the floor. 'what time is it?' I wonder not being able to see the clock from my seated position.

I close my eyes and rub my forehead where the crutch struck me.

Rosalie

I'm closing the garage door quietly because I don't know if Jasper is still sleeping, I can see from here his door is still closed. He is sleeping much later than usual today. Which could be good or bad I suppose.

I try to walk quietly past his door as I do I hear a commotion coming from the room. I stop in front of his room to listening and trying to figure out what's going on. When I don't hear anything else I figure I'll check on him.

I knock on the door "Hey Jasper you ok in there?"

He answers quickly, quicker than I was expecting. "Yeah fine."

The door shifts and looking down I can see his shadow under the door.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes... just hum...getting dressed."

"You should come get breakfast. If you wait much longer it'll be lunch time."

"Really?" He sounds shocked.

"Yeah it's almost 11." He doesn't say anything but the door shifts again and I can hear him on the other side.

'Is he getting up? Was he on the floor?'

The door opens and he's in the doorway with his hair sticking up and crease a long his face where he must have been sleeping funny. He's still in what I assume he wore to bed, a long sleeve t-shirt and track pants. He's got to be hot in all that.

He looks at me and I can tell he's worried. "I didn't mean to sleep late. Is everything ok? Is Alice?"

"Everything is fine. Alice has been hanging out with Edward watching TV all morning. Uncle Carlisle's and Aunt Esme left a little while ago for the Expo." He looks perplexed.

"Remember they were talking about it at diner last night? Emmett is at work He should be back in an hour or so he's working breakfast shift this morning."

Jasper still looks worried. I try to reassure him. "No one is upset you were sleeping you seemed kinda tired yesterday so no one thought much about it." That's not exactly true we all knew it was unusual for him to sleep later than eight but Uncle Carlisle thought we shouldn't disturb him. If he was sleeping that would be a good thing. Alice seemed to agree. "Why don't you get dressed or whatever and I'll let Alice know you're up."

He nods his head and still looks, I don't know, maybe guilty.

"Seriously it's alright." He nods and closes his door. I head to the sitting room.

"Alice, Jasper is up. He's getting changed I think." I tell her as I crash on the couch. She goes back to the music room and then comes back to the sitting room.

About five minutes later Jasper comes into the room. Wearing what he had on before but with his boots. He moves slow and stands beside the end of the couch where Alice is.

"Hey!" She looks up and smiles at him.

He ducks his head. "Hey."

Suddenly she's turning her head and twisting in her seat on the couch. I don't know what she's doing.

"Jasper did you hit your head on something?" Alice asks. Apparently she was getting a better look.

Jasper's hand flies to his forehead. "It was an accident. It's nothing." He looks self conscious.

I didn't notice the red mark over his eye before. Maybe it was because his hair had been in the way. Alice eyes him but then gets up from the couch as happy as ever. "You must be hungry, you hardly ate anything last night. Come on." She takes him by the hand and leads him to the kitchen.

He follows her and I follow them. Aunt Esme and Uncle Carlisle did say specifically to keep an eye on Alice and Jasper but I get the feeling that they would appreciate if someone did.

"How did you sleep Jazz?" She asks using her nickname for him.

"Hum fine... I slept fine." He doesn't look like it. Alice give him a look the says 'I'm not gonna call you on it but I know you're lying.'

She moves around and grabs a bowl and spoon for him and sets it on the counter as he stands back and looks around. I know to expected Jasper to check any area he enters, it was weird when he first got here but it's hardly something I notice now.

"Would you like Cheerios or Chexs, Jasper?" I ask as I'm the closest to the pantry. "Looks like there's Captain Crunch in here too."

"I..." He doesn't have an answer ready. Something about food tends to get him really mixed up.

I pick up the different boxes. "I think the Cheerios have the most. The Captain Crunch is almost empty."

"Cheerios please." Jasper asks quietly.

"Here's your pill Dr. Cullen left for you." Alice places the cup next to him on the island counter. Jasper nods tight lipped.

"Has anybody seen my music notebook?" Edward calls from the other room. I hear him grumbling afterwards "This is getting ridiculous... I think I'm going crazy."

I snort and chuckle. Alice looks at me curiously. Jasper looks uncomfortable half sitting on the stool at the counter. His head in resting on one hand he looks like he might fall asleep in his Cheerios.

Emmett

I get home and peel off my work shirt and pants and change into a t-shirt and shorts. I grab a soda and head out back where I saw everyone when I got home.

Stepping out on the back deck I find Jasper leaning against the railing watching the other's in the yard.

"I know you're hot man." I comment as I step up beside him. Everyone but him is in short sleeves and shorts, it is June now it's gotten hot. "Long sleeves like that in this heat can't be fun."

He looks at me and then down at his arms then out to where Alice and Rosalie are laughing as Alice learns to hula hoop. "This doesn't compare to the heat in Texas or Vietnam for that matter."

Oh yeah, I didn't think about that. "I'm sure, but still, you could roll up your sleeves."

I say it and then remember the bandages he had on his forearms in the hospital.

"Really man no one here cares about scars. Seriously anyone who does make a big deal about them isn't worth keeping around." I know a thing or two about scars and feeling self conscious about them. It took me awhile to get used to my scars and how people look at them.

"I'll keep that in mind." He says but he doesn't move his sleeves. It's fine if he needs time as long as he's comfortable and so long as he doesn't get heat stroke.

Jasper

I head inside after standing with Emmett on the deck for a little while. I want to get some water and stretch my legs a bit without watchful eyes.

It's quiet in the house, quite a bit cooler than outside, it's nice.

Emmett did get one thing right. He was right that the long sleeves I'm wearing aren't that comfortable. His guess about me not wanting other people to see my scars is only half right though.

I am self conscious about my scars but there are scars on my face and neck too and I don't cover them.

I'm not covering my arms just so other people can't see my scars but so I don't have to see them.

My forearms are one part of myself that I could see all the time if I didn't cover them. There are things I'd rather not spend all day being reminded of. There are some bad memories engraved on my arms.

I shake the thoughts from my head and the memory of pain from my forearms. I'm ok.

I move into the kitchen, to get water.

I'm standing at the cabinet trying to decide which cup to use when the phone starts to ring. I look at it and look out the back door. Everyone is outside and I doubt I have enough time to get them back in to answer it.

I've never answered the phone here but I've never been told not to answer it so I guess I can. I've never really liked talking on the phone but I can. I see that there is a pen and paper next to the phone that I can use to take any messages so on the fourth ring I pick it up the receiver.

"You've reached the Cullen residence." I say earnestly and wait for a reply pen in hand.

There's silence on the other end and I start to panic, concerned I'm missing something.

"...Jasper?" A voice finally says.

"Yes..." I answer slightly leery.

"Oh...good. How are you?... Did you...Where is..?" The person speaks quickly and I'm having a hard time following. I've never liked talking on the phone.

Then there's silence and I assume it's my turn to talk. I choose to try and get out of this. "If you give me a minute I'll get one of the Cullens to speak with you."

"Wait Jasper, this is Dr. Cullen." He slows down a little and I can make out what he's saying better.

"Good Afternoon Dr. Cullen is there a message you would like me to take down?"

"No, no message Jasper. I'm just calling to let you and the others know Mrs. Cullen and I are back from lunch and plan to spend the next couple hours at the expo." I write down Dr. and Mrs. C at Expo until 3:30.

"Ok I've got you at the expo until 3:30 is there anything else or anyone else you'd like to speak with."

"No that's alright Jasper. How are you? Did you sleep alright?"

"I...I'm fine...hum, how are you and Mrs. Cullen?" I ask unsure if that was the correct thing to do.

"Mrs. Cullen and I are having a nice time, thank you for asking. I'm glad you're doing alright. You got ...pill...right...need anything..." I'm starting to have some difficult understanding him again. I press the pen tip into the pad of paper with growing frustration.

I'm about to tell him to have a good time and end the conversation when Rosalie comes in from the deck.

"Who are you talking to?" She asks surprised to see me on the phone.

"Hold on a second Dr. Cullen." I say into the phone and then hold it out to her. She takes the phone with a funny look and I retreat.

Carlisle

"Hello? Uncle Carlisle is that you?" Rosalie comes on the phone.

"Rosalie, yes. Is Jasper alright?" I'm not sure what kind of difficulty he was having on the phone was but it has me concerned.

"I think he's alright, as alright as he usually is..." She lets the statement trail off.

"There's something else you want to say." I can hear it in her voice.

She hesitates but continues "There was one thing that was odd but I might have been mistaken..."

"What's that?" My stomach twists, maybe I should have stayed home and sent Rosalie or Edward with Esme today.

"Never mind he doesn't seem any worse off than he was yesterday so I was probably mistaken."

"Tell me what you thought." Because you never know.

"Well I just...I heard something bang in his room this morning after you left and I knocked and asked him if everything was alright and he said yes but then there was this commotion and the door rattled and I think he was getting up off the floor..." She pauses and then clarifies as if she can sense my surprise. "I don't know what it was I heard, he seemed ok when he opened the door so maybe it was my imagination."

"And he is alright now." I ask my concern spiking.

"Like I said he seems as alright as usual. He ate breakfast and has been outside with us."

"Alight, we'll be here about another hour and then I think we'll start heading back."

"Really I think everything's fine." Rosalie sounds like she's trying to reassure me now.

"I know, how's Alice and everyone else?"

"We've been out in the backyard. Emmett just got home. Everyone's good " She sounds confident in this which eases my mind a little bit.

"Alright, we'll see you soon. Call if anything changes."

"Ok... yes."

We say goodbye. I hang up the phone and thank the desk clerk.

"You were on the phone quite a while, is everything alright?" Esme asks when I find her standing outside of the expo seller's room waiting for me.

"I spoke with Jasper on the phone."

"Really?" She's surprised just like I was when I realized it was Jasper on the other end of line.

"Yes, I think all the other kids were outside so he picked up."

"How was he?"

"He was very serious on the phone, very professional...but I think he might have been having trouble hearing me." That would account for his oddly timing and lack of answers. He did get somethings though so... "I'm not a hundred percent positive."

"Oh?"

"Rosalie was also telling me that he was fine now but he might not have been this morning she thought it sounded like he was on the floor in his room." There could be a perfectly reasonable explanation but with Jasper I'm concerned he might fall or otherwise hurt himself and not tell anyone.

"We should start heading back." Esme picks up the bags that she had set down next to her. I take them from her.

"Are you ready? I didn't want to rush you." Esme's been waiting months for this event and I'd hate for her to leave for a false alarm.

"You aren't rushing me I've had a lovely day with you, I am ready. We should get back."

Alice

Emmett said Jasper went in the house a little while ago. I head inside to find him.

He stood on the back deck for a long while but wouldn't come into the yard with us. It was so fun hanging out with Rosalie doing cartwheels and jumping rope in the yard. I tried to make sure we didn't go far from the deck.

I wish I could see what Jasper needed.

In the house I hear voices coming from the sitting room. I find Rosalie and Jasper sitting together.

They have hung out in the garage quite a few times now but I've never seen them sit together inside. It's so nice that they have a certain understanding of one another. Jasper has a friend. The thought makes me smile.

"...so then I told this kid he could stick a sock in it and I took my spark plugs and walked out!" Rosalie finished her story.

Jasper nodded approvingly "Good for you."

"How's it going in here?" I ask with a sly smile as I sit in the middle of the couch between the two of them.

"I'm just telling Jasper about some jerks at school. Wait till you met some of the dumb jerks at school Alice. You won't believe the annoying kids that live in this town."

"I can't wait to meet everybody!" They probably aren't as jerky as Rosalie is saying, I bet a few of them would probably be nice to know.

Rosalie tells me all about the different people in the school, nerds and jocks and snotty girls. After a little while I feel Jasper's shoulder touching mine and look over to find him asleep leaning against me. Rosalie and I continue talking a little quieter now. That's were we are when Dr. and Mrs. Cullen get home.

Tbc...

Thank you for reading. Did you know that 'Put a Sock in it' meaning being quiet comes from when record players didn't have volume control and people put a sock in the horn to quiet the music. (I totally gave tours at a phonograph museum for a little while)

If you've got disposable income and you're enjoying the story please consider support this starving artist author and taking a look at my portfolio on artist name MJFITZ

Shout Outs:

Granny: Cindy just had no idea what she was doing to Jasper. Edward has become a bit attuned to Jasper's needs so he did think quick which was really nice! Thanks

Jenandberry: All will soon be revealed soon, pretty soon. Good to hear from you Thanks for your review!

Katy: OH Emmett He takes his role as older brother very seriously and that does include teasing, he's just doing his job!

Baby Cyclopes: Yeah Jasper had had enough for the day but poor Emmett didn't know that. Thanks for your review!

Peekaboo: I debated about putting Emmett's line in there, I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for letting me know!

Brazos: It makes me smile when I get your reviews! I so glad you're enjoying the story it's definitely on my mind a lot. Jasper is a complicated guy. You are correct, Jasper doesn't want to draw attention. He's totally going to go till he can't anymore. Thank you for your review. I hope you continue to enjoy.

Sky Dog: Jasper has a hard time believe the Cullen's are ready to help him and it's going to take something big for him to ask for Carlisle's help.

painedjasperluvr: You're welcome I hope that satisfied. I have more whump planned. Like seriously that's why I started writing this story totally for the whump!

Evangeline: Aahhh gosh I've been holding onto the line just waiting for a good place to put it in. I'm so happy you got feels from it! Thanks for letting me know!

IPG: Ok timing is admittedly a problem with this story and I've actually been editing Shrapnel on AO3 to try and resolve some of the issues. I confuse myself with the dates and timing and part of that comes because I totally didn't think about basic training when I started writing this story six years ago. So yes he should have been living as Jack for two years maybe more. Alice knew Jasper as Jasper from the beginning and actually she tripped up when they first got to Washington by almost calling him Jasper when he asked her to call him Jack. You're Welcome thank you for sticking with me. I'm so glad you are enjoying the story!

Our Miss Connie: Yes it was meant to be kinda of funny! Edward is a good student and in my mind Emmett wasn't really supported as a kid with his family before the Cullens so he missed out on a lot of good school stuff. I think the Cullens though supportive haven't been able to get Emmett engaged in his education (reading and stuff) Alice though seems to just be someone Emmett is ready to listen to on the subject they are kind of on the same wavelength! Thank you for your review.

Maxie: Totally Poor Jasper is just trying to get through the day and the days keep throwing curve balls his way. He's tough though he'll get through it! Thanks!

Carly: Yeah he totally puts Alice before himself. She is that important to him! Thank you for reading and for your review!

Welsh Angharad: Oh Emmett knows what's important! Got to save the food. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Acadian Angel: Yes Yes totally! you made me smile I love that connection it makes me happy that they met in the rain and Jasper associates Alice with 'here comes the sun' Thank you for your review!

Old Freak: I hadn't thought about bring Bobby back but I totally can. I have a note in my outline for the pictures being ready. I know it seems like it's been forever since the chapter where they turned the film in but in the story it's only been about a week I think so it's coming but in like a week. Gonna have to flesh out Bobby a bit more. Thank for your review! Thank you for reading!

Georgia Peaches: Yes, so Edward is young in what he knows and in his experiences but he's getting to know Jasper and my goal is that he is going to be someone who understands what Jasper needs when he's panic or having other problems and Carlisle and Alice aren't there. This is a play on the troupe from other stories where no one knows what's going on with Jasper but Edward is able to read minds and he can so he knows what Jasper is thinking and needs! Thank you for your review!

FourJays: Of course Edward does Edwardie things in Emmett's mind! Haha thanks for your Review!

Texas River Song/Guest: Thank you! I really appreciate you writing this. This is one of the things that is taking a while when I'm writing now. I know what I want the characters to do but writing and explaining why they do things and what they are feeling is pretty challenging for me. I really like examining what Jasper is thinking and feeling he is so interesting to me. Thank you for your review it means a lot!

Jamaica: Yep Emmett was all kinda of enthusiastic and Jasper was not about it he'd had his fill of people and frustration for the day! That is a really interesting thought about Jasper not wanting Alice to learn Poker, ha there are probably something he'd rather she wasn't exposed to but she'd probably wind up being pretty good at poker! Thanks for the review! And some things to think about!

Gator Bait: Aahhh Yes Jasper in soldier mode. That is totally a part of him so yes it will totally be back. Right now I'm putting the poor guy through the wringer so he's not been that intimidating but he will be again! Thank you for your review I will have to make a note in my outline so I don't neglect soldier mode.

Slightly: Yes, more! This chapter wasn't working and I had to rewrite a lot of it till I was halfway happy with it. I'm still not totally sure it satisfies everything I wanted it to do but I really didn't want to make everyone wait any longer. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading!

lovemesomejasper: Yes so true I think Jasper would like to stay in his room in quiet and not see anyone but Alice for about a week. He really does need something like that to regroup and recoup. Sadly he's not going to get that in this story. Not yet anyway. Thank you for reading and reviewing!

Thanks Everyone!