Author's Note: Woot woot! We so finished this early AND it is defiantly the longest chapter yet, at 9,000 words! ENJOY!
Chapter 36-Can we save him?
APOV
"Jasper. How strongly are you opposed to prison breaks?" I asked slowly, making him stop walking.
Jasper expression was extremely confused.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, not paying too much attention to what I was saying. He was probably still focused on breaking the news to Davis.
"How much are you opposed to prison breaks?" I repeated, "Like breaking someone out of prison…so maybe they could escape to Texas with a certain someone else..."
Jasper gave me a fierce look as he realized what I was saying. He cut me off sharply.
"No, Alice." He spoke to me firmly, like I was a child. His arm slipped from my shoulder as he took both of my hands in his, pumping them softly.
"Jasper, just hear me out! This could work! Nick could get out of there before it ruins him. I know you saw it too! It is already affecting him! We just can't leave him in there," I protested in anger.
Jasper closed his eyes, not letting my look of frustration penetrate him.
"You can't just break someone out of jail, darling. Criminals try for years. And if they do escape, they always get caught later on and punished even worse," he tried to explain to me.
I refused to let his words sway me. I was already stuck on the idea and no one was going to change my mind.
"Not everyone's best friend is the daughter of the police chief…" I smiled widely, the wheels in my brain turning as I thought of how I could get the keys to the jail from Bella's house.
Jasper's eyes opened again, looking frantic.
"Alice, please. Don't be unreasonable. Just think about it. I don't want you to get stuck in something like this. People who do these types of things go to jail. You are not going to jail. It is my job to protect you. I will not let this happen. And neither will Nick!" he explained, trying to fight back, his blue eyes smothering mine in love and fear.
"Just listen, please Jazz," I pleaded, my eyes saddening. He tried to avoid looking at them, but I took my hands away from his and held his face. He was forced to look me in the eyes.
"All we have to do is duplicate the key. I can get it by going over to Bella's house for a visit! After that we just have to wait until night when they close the place. We can break in, take Nick out of there and send him to Texas with Davis. No one will have to know it was us. No one will know it was me," I explained, trying to sound as sure as I really was.
"It's not as simple as that...there are a million things to consider..." Jasper started to say, but I put a finger to his lips.
"So we'll figure out more details. We can do this together. We can save Nick!" I stated meaningfully, staring intensely into his eyes.
He clenched his jaw, tightening, flexing and relaxing the muscles over and over. He was breaking down...slowly, but surely. He just needed an extra push...
"Please," I begged, my voice barely a whisper. I stood up on my tiptoes so I could meet his eyes more directly.
He leaned his head down so I didn't have to reach so far.
"It's too dangerous, darling…" he tried to plead with me again, looking torn. Jasper couldn't ever say no to me.
"I'll be fine! You'll be with me," I reminded him, knowing he would never let anything happen to me. I put my arms around his neck and pressed my forehead to his.
"Right?" I asked softly, my lips touching his as I spoke. I saw his Adam's apple bob as he gulped.
"You wouldn't ever let anyone get me, would you?" I asked again, kissing him softly after I spoke. My lips still remained where they were, barely touching his.
"I wouldn't," he agreed, his breath short and quick.
I felt a little tinge of guilt about how I was changing his mind, but I knew it would work.
"You want me to be happy, don't you Jazz?" I said, pressing my lips into his, leaving another kiss.
"Of course," he replied, giving me a kiss this time. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into him.
"You wouldn't want me to be sad leaving Nick in that jail either, right?" I asked another question, looking deep into his eyes.
"Alice…" he sighed, closing his eyes to break our connection. I felt him become tense, his mind probably fighting to say no to me.
"And I'll be even sadder because I know you'll be sad for Nick being in jail for something you did," I continued, ignoring his attempt to break away.
I felt Jasper take in a breath sharply. This was the first time I had actually said he had been the one who had killed Allen Meyer.
"Darling...I..."
"Please Jazz," I interrupted, "I just want everyone to be happy," I pleaded with him, pressing my face into his neck. I was really turning on the charm now. I let my breath hit his neck, causing goose bumps to appear on his arms.
"That's not fair," Jasper grumbled, trying to pull away from me. I held him tighter, pressing my lips to his neck, just barely letting my teeth graze his skin.
"Why can you convince me l-like this but I can't c-convince you!" he managed to choke out. I kissed his neck again and answered him softly.
"Because you never can tell me to stop," I smiled widely, knowing he was going to help me break Nick out.
"I-I do believe I've corrupted you, Alice Cullen," Jasper stuttered with his accent as I finished kissing his neck.
I grinned and leaned up, kissing him tenderly to thank him. We were going to save Nick!
"But," Jasper added after pulling out of the long kiss, "we will need to plan this out perfectly first. No flaws. I am not taking any chances with your safety. We are going to do it my way," he insisted.
I smiled widely up at him, looking at his adorable protective expression.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," I agreed, hugging him tightly to me.
________________________________________________________________________
JPOV
I sat in class with a defeated expression plastered across my face. Why couldn't I just pull away when she did that?
Obviously because I could never say no to that adorable little pout. Or her sad eyes… gah, she drove me insane.
I looked down at the slip of paper in front of me. I had scribbled down all of the things I needed to do in order to successfully break Nick out of prison.
I needed to talk to Davis about this idea and about us not moving with him… something I wasn't looking forward to.
Then, Alice would swipe the key to the jail from Bella's house. I would need to get the key copied and all the information for a new identity. This would probably be the easiest step. And it wouldn't be easy.
We would also need to figure out a way to get rid of the few guards that stayed overnight at the jail. I never thought I would be grateful for the few times I had landed a stay there overnight. Those times, on top of being there for holding before my trial, would be very helpful. I now knew pretty well what went down at night; this would help us prepare better.
I glanced over the list; this would probably take more than one night to get ready...but it was do-able.
As the teacher announced our dismissal, I folded the list up and shoved it deep into my back pocket.
I walked fairly slowly through the field toward Alice's Porsche in the parking lot. I wasn't dreading seeing Alice; it was Davis I wasn't so sure about seeing.
I had told him I was talking to Alice during lunch, so I knew he would be waiting anxiously for my answer. Everything in me knew that this was the right choice. I was supposed to be here, in Forks, but part of me did want to move with Davis. Who wouldn't want to be with their dad that had finally come back into their life?
Just like I had thought, Davis was leaning up against Alice's car, looking at his feet as all the other students headed to their cars.
As I walked to him, I noticed Mack perched against a tree, watching over the field behind me. I glanced back to see what he was looking at and saw Alice and Bella walking together from class. My intuition told me something was off... it was odd that he would be watching them. Was Greg making him watch Alice for him? Why?
I looked closer at Mack, trying to judge his body language. He seemed relaxed and at peace as his eyes followed Alice. He wasn't insanely alert or nervous, like he should seem if he was doing this for Greg. So what was with his sudden interest in her?
Automatically, my muscles became tight and aware. He wasn't going after Alice, was he? Did he like her…have some sort of crush on her?
I guess who wouldn't like her? She was Alice… cute, lovable, caring, cheerful, beautiful…
No, she wasn't his type. She was too...for lack of a better word, pure...for Mack. I was just overreacting. Maybe it was just a coincidence. It was possible that he had just happened to be standing there as she walked out and he glanced over because he knew her.
My eyes ripped off of Mack hesitantly and made their way back to Davis, who had now noticed me. He stood up straight, a fond smile on his face.
"What did she say?" he asked immediately, his eyes anxious, but also excited.
It felt like something was ripping my heart apart as I opened my mouth.
"Well... she...umm...doesn't...ahh...think its right for us to move to Texas..." I explained painfully.
Davis eyes squinted like he was unsure of what I just said.
"She said no?" he asked in disbelief, a hand running stressfully over his head as his eyes clouded a bit.
"Alice and I talked about what would happen if we went and what would happen if we stayed and...we just... have to stay in Forks right now. We have a life here right now and we have responsibilities here."
I shifted my position nervously, looking down at the ground, not sure if I wanted to look into his eyes.
"And…you won't go without her, will you?" he asked slowly. I could hear the pain in his voice. He tried to hide it by clearing his throat.
"No...no I can't be away from her," I answered sadly, shoving my hands deeply into my pant pockets.
Davis let out a deep breath and I looked up at him. His head was shaking from side to side in disapproval, but he covered it quickly.
"All right. I guess...if that is what you want." His jaw muscles flexed tightly as tried to keep his emotions in check.
"Please understand that it's not something personal against you. I want to spend more time with you...get to know you again... these past few days have been some of the best of my life! And we are going to come down to visit as often as we can...on holidays, in the summer, when we have time off..." I quickly explained, trying to gain his approval back.
"It's not because I don't want to be with you," I tried to assure him.
"You are just doing what Alice wants. What is best for your relationship...yeah, I know. I understand, son," he breathed, glancing beyond me, probably looking at Alice.
"No, not just what Alice wants. This is what I know is right," I disagreed in a confident voice.
It wasn't just because Alice wanted to stay, it was also because I wanted to stay with Alice… and I wanted her to be happy. I knew that if she moved to Texas with me, she wouldn't be happy there, and then neither would I.
"I guess," he shrugged, his voice a bit quieter now. He leaned against the hood of Alice's car.
I cleared my throat before speaking again.
"We were wondering... well I-- I was wondering, though, if you could do something for me. It really important… and kind of big," I started nervously, not knowing exactly how to ask.
"I know you probably don't want to do anything for me now... but..." I continued, looking at him to see how he was reacting.
His eyes narrowed and he looked at me in disappointment.
"You are my son, Jasper. I left you once, I won't do it again. I will always be here for you and help you with anything you need. Don't be ridiculous, Jasper. What can I help you with?" he asked, seemingly glad that I was still including him. It was like it had confirmed that I wasn't just using Alice as an excuse to try to stay away from him.
I cleared my throat again.
"Do you think...maybe... Nick could live in Texas with you?" I asked straight out, not giving details though.
He seemed perplexed for a moment and tilted his head to the side.
"I thought he was in jail for murder, he isn't getting out anytime soon, son." He chuckled at my absentmindedness. Or at least that's what he thought it was.
"No… he will be getting out of jail," I informed him, carefully, judging his reactions again.
He raised a curious eyebrow.
"How's that?" he asked, crossing his arms in an amused, but curious posture.
"Well, we are getting him out…" I said, looking straight into the clouded sky, instead of at him.
"Alice's parents are paying for some type of agreement or something?" he asked, obviously not too sure about Nick's exact situation.
I shifted, "No...no they're not involved in how Nick's getting out."
He didn't answer. It was silent, except for the chaos of the students around us.
"We need you to take him to Texas," I continued, since he hadn't spoken, my nerves taking over.
I glanced quickly to him and his eyes were displeased.
"I don't think so," he scoffed, pushing off of the car and stepping closer to me. I flinched, but didn't step back. I knew he noticed, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he lowered his voice as he met my eyes.
"First of all, I just met him the other day." He had just met me the other day, too. Strike one.
"Secondly, I would prefer not to have murderer living with me." That one sent a painful hot flash through my heart. Strike two.
"And lastly, you are not doing any such thing involving getting that kid out of prison illegally. You said yourself that you had just gotten out of a life like that; full of sneaking around, lying, hurting people. You finally left that behind you; this is not a time to go back." And apparently, if I ever went back to that life, which I wouldn't, but if I did, my father wouldn't want to have anything to do with me. His tone confirmed it, in my mind, at least. Strike three, I'm out.
Davis' voice was low, but firm and strict. I couldn't help but notice he sounded like me. This was probably where I had gotten my forceful voice from.
I was unsure of how to respond, but I finally decided I had nothing else to lose.
"Nothing you say will change my mind, Dad. All I am asking from you is that you help me out," I replied, my voice trying for firm, but coming out wavering.
I felt bad talking to him like he was one of my 'connections' that I went to for favors. The part inside of me that always wanted to please him was screaming at me.
"Well, I say no. This is something I can't do for you, son. I'm truly sorry," he shrugged, looking at me, asking what I was going to do now.
"Dad, I've never asked you for anything. I really need you right now. This is important to me... he is my best friend. He has done everything for me. Nick has always had my back; he was always making sure I was okay. We looked out for each other. Now, it's my turn to do something for him--look out for him. He deserves to have a good life. A new one, away from Forks, like you offered me. He deserves it more than me…." My voice drifted off as the night when I killed Allen Meyer flashed through my mind. I could still feel Nick's arm trying to grab me. To stop me. To prevent any of this from happening.
Davis stepped even closer to me now, his voice still low, his hand resting on my shoulder.
"I know. I owe him, too, for being there for you when I couldn't be. But what he did is still illegal. He committed a crime and now he has to pay for it. He killed someone, Jasper. You have to pay for something like that," he tried to convince me, his eyes connecting with mine. He was trying to get the point screwed into my head, but it wasn't really working. This was probably because I kept thinking of everything he said about Nick as if he was saying it about me, since I had actually been the killer.
"That's the thing, he didn't kill anyone…" I said in a very quiet voice, my eyes shifting to the graveled parking lot now. "He doesn't deserve to be in there."
"How could you know that? I understand, son. He is your best friend; you are just hoping he didn't do it, but he confessed to it," Davis said, squeezing my shoulder lightly.
"No. I know he didn't do it," I confirmed, my eyes meeting his now. As our eyes locked on one another's, it was as if he was reading my mind. I let him.
Davis looked unsure, but remained silent for a moment. He scrutinized my guilty, regretful look and his eyes grew wider as realization dawned on him. His eyes searched mine and then looked over my face.
"He lied for you…" he finally breathed out in the smallest voice. He had figured out what had really happened.
I swallowed nervously, not able to verbally answer him. Instead, I stiffly nodded ever so slightly. Davis paled.
"I can't leave him in there," I whispered, my voice full of years of pain that had built up.
Davis nodded stiffly this time, looking around the school, thinking.
"I-I don't know. I have to think about this," he said in a stressed voice, his hand moving from my shoulder to run over his short hair.
"Okay," I agreed, knowing he was probably in shock from hearing his son had killed a man.
What he didn't know was that Meyer wasn't the only person I had killed. I wasn't sure if Alice really even knew that... I think she guessed, but it was never something I had cared to talk about. She had mentioned it briefly once, during one of our more serious talks, but I had just kissed her quietly without answering. She hadn't brought it up again.
A flash of the past shot through me for a moment. A quick mix of anger, grief, confusion, pain, sorrow... and then that familiar empty feeling shot up, trying to push away the emotions. I could feel the numbness settling into my bones.
"I-I'll see you later tonight," Davis stuttered, his face looking a bit overwhelmed.
I nodded at him, trying not to mess up anything more than I already felt I had.
He walked away, looking a bit unstable. I watched him through torn eyes as I battled the grief that was building up, threatening to strangle me if i let it get out of control.
On top of that, the events of my past were still threatening to pour into my present thoughts. The intensity of the emotions I was suppressing were coming in short bursts. It was getting bad... I hadn't felt like this in a while... definitely not since Alice had come into my life.
Speaking of, she immediately appeared at my side as Davis left.
"Are you all right?" she asked, letting her fingers slip between mine.
"Yeah..." I breathed, my voice contradicting my answer.
Alice frowned and leaned up to give me a sweet kiss on the lips.
I wrapped my arms around her a bit roughly, pulling her closer to me. I needed her. She had to calm me, help me clear my head. Only she could pull me out of this right now. God, did I need her, especially at that moment.
She didn't think anything of it, just squeezed me close to her, rubbing her fingers up and down my back as I breathed her in, holding on to her for dear life. After a few moments, my head began to clear enough to form sentences.
"He has to think about bringing Nick with him," I informed her simply. She nodded against me.
I gently pulled back to look at her and she stared back into my stormy eyes. She brushed her fingers across my cheeks and then down my scarred arms.
"Alice..." I said as I closed my eyes. I concentrated on the touch of her fingers against me. The sound of her name on my lips.
"I'm here, Jasper," she said, somehow understanding me. She just seemed to know exactly the right thing to do and say right now.
I sighed before wrapping my arm around her shoulders. We then walked around the car as I tried not to focus on how upset I was about how things went with Davis. Would he still want me? Would he decide to help Nick?
As I thought, I realized something else. Even if everything turned out all right and Davis agreed to let Nick stay with him, he couldn't take Nick back with him until school was over. It would look too suspicious if he disappeared the same time Nick did. He had visited Nick in jail, too, so he had a connection to him. I sighed. Another thing to add to the list in my pocket; Find Nick a place to hide out until Davis makes up his mind...
Alice seemed to sense that something else was wrong and stopped, looking over my face carefully.
"What's wrong?" she asked, not referring to earlier, but to my present distress.
I tilted my head down and leaned us against the side of her car. I explained about our current predicament; how even if Davis decided to take Nick, we'd still need somewhere for him to hide out until school was over. I let her in on my doubts about pulling all of this off. Nothing had worked up until now and we hadn't even started anything serious yet. Why did we believe we would be able to save him?
When I finished speaking, Alice's facial expression became a bit disappointed, but like always, she kept her optimistic charm going.
"Don't worry. We'll figure out something…" she faded off, looking into the distance, trying to think of some way we could make this work.
At that moment, her phone rang and she sighed. She put a finger up to me, insisting she was not giving up yet.
"Hello?" she sang into the phone, stepping out of my tight grasp. She stood in front of me.
"Oh, hey Spencer!" she grinned largely toward the ground, and then her head shot up in a flash. I could almost physically see her eyes filling with ideas.
"Spencer!" she said to herself, then met my eyes and repeated his name.
So what if it's Spencer? I thought.
But her eyes seemed to put the pieces together in my mind, like a connection. I understood what she was thinking. Spencer could hide Nick out! If he was willing...
Instantly, the same grin spread over my face and I waved to her to hand me the phone.
She obeyed my wishes and handed it to me, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Why do you keep saying my name?" Spencer chuckled, his voice sounded light and cheerful. He sounded a lot better than when we were visiting in New York; he had looked so torn up.
"Because it's such a pretty name to say," I snickered at him.
"Oh, it's you," he grumbled good naturedly. I could hear the playfulness in his words.
"Sorry for the disappointment," I smirked, but then continued, "but, Spencer, could you maybe do Alice and I a big favor?"
"Yeah, sure," he answered casually. I heard him flop down onto a couch or something.
Alice's eyes seemed so happy and pleased, even though he hadn't even said yes yet. Alice seemed pretty sure he would.
I took in a deep breath, then let the whole story out, (excluding the part where I had killed Allen Meyer). I explained what was happening with him, how prison was slowly running him down, and that we knew for sure that he was not the murderer. I made it clear that it was Alice's idea to break him out, but that I was doing my best to make sure we would not get caught. When I finished, he spoke.
"Wow. Sounds like you are stuck in a pickle," Spencer gaped in awe. By the tone of his voice, I could tell he was a little shocked by the story.
"So what do you need me to do?" he asked, still casually.
"We need somewhere to hide him out for a few weeks…" I mumbled hesitantly.
"Ooooh, okay. I think I can figure out somewhere," he answered back, his voice smooth and understanding. Did he just agree? And that easily?
"Y-you do realize this is dangerous? If the cops find out, they could catch you and put you in jail," I tried to explain, just to make sure he understood the seriousness of the situation.
"Jasper, I'm going to be honest with you. I don't really have a lot to lose right now... if I can do something that will help you guys out, I'm all for it. You just give me the details and I'll do it. Please don't mention this part to Alice..." he said, speaking more quietly to make sure she couldn't hear. I could hear the solemness trying to break through his voice. He covered himself quickly by clearing his throat and putting on a happier tone.
"And don't worry, I run fast, none of them will be able to catch me," he joked cheerfully.
I now knew why Spencer and Alice had been so great together before; they were both insane! They were both so relaxed and excited about doing crazy things...even if Spencer was only doing it because he felt he had nothing to lose.
I paused with my mouth hanging open for a moment, still trying to take in his fast acceptance. Alice stood with a huge grin on her face, moving from the balls of her feet to her heels in excitement.
"He said yes, didn't he?!" she squealed once she noticed my face.
Then her eyes fell just a tad, probably realizing why he had accepted so fast. He would do anything to make Alice happy. But I didn't mind. As long as Nick was getting out of jail, I would be happy as well.
"So when do you want me there?" he asked, a spark of excitement in his voice.
"Umm, tomorrow. We are going to do it tomorrow night," I decided, but then felt a bit unsure, not knowing if we could get it all ready. Could he get here in that time?
"Tomorrow, huh? Okay!" he agreed, "I'd better go get everything ready then. I'll call you later tonight with more details. Oh, let me talk to Alice for a minute though," he instructed me.
I tossed the phone to Alice happily and waited until she had said her goodbyes.
"Now, who was it that said it would all work out?" Alice smirked, waiting for her praise.
I groaned and pushed off the car.
"You did…" I grumbled playfully, pecking her cheek.
"Yep, that was me!" she grinned, her voice light and cheerful.
"But, I am going over to Bella's for a little while. Pick me up after work, please!" she ordered me, turning away with a knowing look.
I was not just picking her up... she would get the key tonight.
___________________________________________________________
After work, I drove over to Bella's house to get Alice. I felt a bit bad as I walked up to the door, knowing that I was about to steal from Charlie. He had been very nice to me while I had been staying in jail. He had also been very considerate about Alice and me visiting Nick.
I hesitantly put my hand up to knock on the door, but it flew open before I could. Alice flew into my arms.
"Jazz!" she sighed into my chest as she hugged me tightly.
Bella walked over to the door, watching Alice with a familiar look of amusement on her face.
"What did you do to her?" I joked, as Alice grasped me tightly, like a little child being picked up from daycare.
"Nothing, I should be the one running to hug you! Do you know how much she can complain about your clothes?" Bella shook her head in awe.
I laughed and gave her a very apologetic look.
"Yeah, trust me. I gave up; she picks out all of my clothes," I informed Bella, hugging Alice tighter into me, liking the warmth of her body against mine.
"If you were smart, Bella, you'd let me pick out all of your clothes too!" Alice smirked, turning her head to glance at Bella, but never letting me go.
Bella snorted in the background.
I vaguely felt Alice lowering her hand down my back, inch by inch. My eyes widened a bit when I felt her hand touch a bit lower than my back.
"Alice," I warned her, knowing Bella was right there watching us.
But then I felt a weight in my back pocket. She had dropped something into it...the key!
Alice pulled back with a teasing smirk. She then gave me a mischievous look, somewhat amused at my earlier reaction. I took a breath.
"Well, thanks for putting up with Alice, Bella. How much do I owe you?" I joked.
Alice elbowed me in the stomach, "Oh, hush. Bella loves me, don't you Bella?"
"Of course, Alice. I would be lost, especially in the mall, without you," Bella said dryly, teasing her.
We said our "see you tomorrows" and Alice and I headed out to the car.
When we got settled in, I started the car and started to drive Alice back to the house. There was no way she was coming with me to get the key copied. It was too dangerous.
"Jazz, I thought you said we had to go out near Port Angeles to get the key?" Alice asked after a moment.
"I do," I answered.
"Excuse me, what?" she asked politely.
"I'm dropping you off at home first. It's too dangerous for you to come with me."
"I'm coming with you, Jazz," Alice said simply.
"Nope." I would not give into her this time. I stared straight ahead at the road as I heard her seatbelt unclick.
"Put your belt on, please," I said.
"But then I can't reach your neck," she grinned, leaning toward me.
"Alice. I am driving," I accented, as if that made any difference to her. I knew it wouldn't.
Out of the corner of her eye, I saw her bite her lip to suppress a smile. She looked so adorable. She leaned over, putting her right hand on my knee as she brought her face closer to mine.
"Alice," I said stiffly, trying not to let her know how much she was affecting me, "it is too dangerous."
"But Jazz...it's only fair... I got you the key, remember?"
And to prove it, she decided to slip her left hand into my pocket--my back pocket--to get it out.
Yes, I was still sitting. And yes, she definitely took her time rummaging in my back pocket for it before pulling it out with a grin.
I let out a breath through my nose. She was driving me crazy, but I wouldn't give in. I continued to drive to the Cullen house.
She was not giving up. She ran a single finger up my arm as I drove, tracing a few of the scars. Her touch left goosebumps on my skin and I took in a sharp breath.
She leaned closer to me and I let my eyes glance at her quickly. Bad mistake. She looked amazing, as usual, working her charm on me.
She whispered softly, her warm breath tickling my ear.
"Jasper, I want to come, please," she sang, "and I promise you I'll listen to you and I'll do whatever you say and I won't put us in danger. I just want to do this with you...please...?"
She kissed my earlobe, letting her teeth graze it ever so slightly, causing shivers to shoot down my spine.
And that's when I groaned and made a sharp U-turn, making sure there was no on-coming traffic as I switched lanes, driving toward Port Angeles.
She beamed and sat back down, putting her seatbelt on, satisfied.
"Thank you, Jasper. I owe you! It'll be great, I know it."
I remembered the last time she had said something like that to me, when we had first met. Despite myself, I smiled.
"I'll hold you to that 'owing me' business. I swear, you're going to be the death of me, darling," was all I said. I really had to pick up on some persuasion tips from her!
She was silent for a little while, pleased with herself, as I drove quickly. I was going way over the speed limit, keeping alert for cops as I drove. The last thing we needed right now was to get pulled over for speeding while we had the key to the local prison in our possession.
For the first time in my entire life, I was nervous about a crime I was about to commit. Things had been different before...I hadn't cared if I got hurt or in trouble when I was doing something illegal. My life hadn't mattered that much to me back then...
But now I had Alice. And she was involved. And that made all the difference. I had to watch out for myself and her this time. I was letting her get involved in something that could have terrible consequences if we were caught...and that's why we could not, under any circumstances, get caught.
I clenched the police station's key tightly in my right palm as I drove with my left hand. I tried to push thoughts of getting caught aside as I glanced over at Alice in the passenger's seat. I shook my head in disbelief. Who would have ever thought that Alice would get me into something like this again? I wondered wearily. But we both knew that it was the right thing to do. It was something that was morally right; it was above the law.
"So where are you getting the key copied? You can't get it copied at a normal store because it will look suspicious once everyone finds out Nick got broken out. Or broke out. I wonder if they'll think he did it on his own or think he had help? Maybe they'll think Greg did it! That would be awesome. But probably too good to be true. If anything, they'll probably think we did it, but we'll have an alibi. Carlisle and Esme will attest that we were at home, sleeping all night. They have a good enough reputation. And so do I. And come to think of it, you do too, now. People know you left the gang...I'm sure it won't be hard to get them away from suspecting us. I mean, two teenagers breaking someone out of prison? It's a scary thought. If we could do it, it has to be a piece of cake for someone who is a pro. But I guess you're sort of a pro, aren't you?" Alice babbled on, her excitement filling the car.
I rolled my eyes sarcastically out the window so she wouldn't see me, but I was just slightly amused at how into this she was. "I guess."
"I think you are. So... you're not going to a regular store, right?"
"Right," I replied shortly, focusing on the road.
"Where are we going?" she asked, "we'll have to be discreet about it..."
Obviously, I knew all of this and more...I was a criminal before… but she was so cute about it. I couldn't help but smirk and tease her a little.
"If I told you, I would have to kill you," I responded simply, smirk still intact. I knew that she understood why I couldn't tell her specifically where we were going. It was too dangerous for all parties involved.
She gave me a look, pursing her lips, but nodded and rambled on. She talked about the escape the whole way to Port Angeles. I listened just to hear her voice, enjoying the way the musical tone of it calmed my nerves.
As we got close to our destination, I dimmed my car lights and started hiding down some smaller side streets, pulling through the familiar places. Memories...so many times I had traveled here...
I finally slowed to a stop in front of what looked like an abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere. I parked and turned off the engine. I glanced out the window and in my mirrors quickly, making sure no one suspicious was around. Satisfied, I turned to Alice.
"Darling, I let you come with me, but you are to stay in the car, you got it?" I asked in a firm voice, not playing around. I knew the people I was about to see... I needed her to stay in the car for her safety. And my sanity.
"Fine…" she agreed quickly with a nod, keeping her seat belt on as I undid mine.
"My phone is in my pocket and you have a spare key. If anyone starts to approach the car, climb into the driver's seat, drive away immediately, and then call me. I'll be back in ten minutes," I informed her slowly, making sure she understood how imperative it was that she listened to me.
I started opening the door, but stopped for a moment, turning to make sure she was understanding the gravity of the situation.
"And if you aren't back in ten minutes, then I should come in after you?" she chuckled, half joking. This time I couldn't help but I smile at her, despite my serious attitude.
"You are way too into this," I grumbled, shaking my head as I grabbed my jacket out of the backseat.
"Wait!" Alice yelled as I was shutting my door. I opened the door again and leaned into it with a concerned expression.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I looked over her. Had she seen something? Was I unclear in some direction I had given her?
But her eyes were shining playfully and a smile was tugging on her lips. She pointed impatiently at her cheek, indicating she wanted a kiss.
"You know, you are getting really demanding these days," I chuckled with a sigh of relief. But I still leaned into the car to peck her cheek tenderly.
After this, I slipped out of the car, closing the door softly behind me. I clicked the lock button on my key a few times, just to be safe. I could practically feel Alice rolling her eyes behind me, but I knew who these people were. I knew them very well. I wasn't about to let her near them. The way that Greg already looked at her was bad enough...
I walked over to a small door only a few steps away from my car. I knocked loudly on the metal door, hearing it echo through the wide fields around us.
There was no answer, but I could hear people and things moving around behind the door.
"It's Hale, you idiots, open the door!" I yelled impatiently, knowing that this was how you had to talk with them. This was another part of the reason I didn't want Alice around while I dealt with them--I didn't want her to see me acting like my old self...
The door swung open in a heartbeat.
Standing in front of me was Kenneth Coops; my inside man for practically anything. He got us our weapons, drugs, fake documents, copied keys... pretty much anything we asked him, he could do. For a certain price, of course.
"Jasper, my old friend! Where have you been? I heard you cleaned yourself up or some ridiculous BS. I knew it couldn't have been true. You going straight...what a joke. Not Jasper Hale. Come in, don't be a stranger," he said, his voice a little slurred. He had probably been drinking, or something else. I didn't want to know.
He wore a nice suit, looking clean and tidy, but of course that was just his cover.
Kenneth waved his hand behind him as he walked away, motioning for me to follow him.
I glanced around cautiously, carefully, before following him in.
I was immediately very aware of how many guns were around me. I looked over at Kenneth's workers, all of whom were carrying guns tucked into their pants.
I suddenly felt uncomfortable about leaving Alice alone, but I stepped forward, letting the knowledge that they didn't know she was there calm me slightly.
Kenneth flopped down into his chair behind a old ratty desk.
"So how has the tough man-with-no-emotions Jasper Hale been doing?" he asked casually.
He then threw me a small smile and proceeded to light a cigarette, "Smoke?" he offered.
I narrowed my eyes...no emotions? I guess I had changed quite a bit in the past few months.
"No, I didn't come all the way out here for cigarettes," I said roughly, "I need a copy of this," I told him, throwing the keys over the desk. I didn't bother to engage in friendly conversation. I just wanted to get in and get out. It was weird being back in this position...I was starting to realize how much I really didn't miss it.
"You always did get straight to the point. I always liked that about you," he chuckled, blowing out a cloud of smoke. He looked at the keys and nodded.
"Sure, sure. We can do that. I am sure that's not all you came here for, though. It is never that easy with you," he said as he raised a curious eyebrow at me.
"I need a passport, birth certificate, driver's license...and anything else that would go along with those things. The 'works.'" I threw the order at him in a firm, official voice, showing who was in control of the situation.
He snorted loudly and took a large gulp of a flask on his desk before letting out a smoky satisfied sigh.
I felt myself going numb as I glanced at his flask, no doubt full of straight liquor. The numbness kept me in check and in control as I dealt with Kenneth--I had forgotten what it felt like to feel nothing. It was cold, dreary. It felt so foreign to me now, but I was slowly getting used to it again. I guessed it was some sort of defense mechanism to keep me sane in this situation.
"Impossible." He shook his head, his eyes looking like there truly would be no negotiation.
"If you want it looking legit, then it'll take up to three days, min," he confirmed, flipping some pages on his desk as he took another hit of his cigarette.
"I need it tonight," I ordered, my voice rising ever so slightly.
I vaguely heard a door slam in the distance as my voice echoed through the place. I kept my breathing even, taking in the smell of the old warehouse and cigarette smoke, ignoring the past memories of this place that were threatening to surface.
"Well, man, just 'cuz you need it don't mean its gonna happen—" His words cut off as his eyes shifted from me to something moving behind me.
I began to open my mouth to fight back at him, but I realized I knew those footsteps. Everyone in the room was alert now as she approached.
I flew around, my eyes flying wildly. Had it really been ten minutes already? I told her not to leave the car!
"Well, well, well, who would this incredibly stunning lady be?" Kenneth slurred as Alice walked over to my frozen body. He was not suspicious of her in the slightest. That worried me because it meant he was too captivated by her to suspect anything from her.
My arm automatically wrapped protectively around her waist, holding her tightly to my side. I felt the numbness start to melt away and I wondered if she could feel the tension coming off of me.
"Alice," she answered cheerfully. She stood on her toes to lightly kiss my cheek, most likely to try to get me to relax. Panic shot through me-- would they be able to see that she wasn't just 'some girl' to me?
"Mmm, Alice, I'm Kenneth. If you ever need anything, just ask Jasper here for my number. I'll take good care of you. That's a promise." He winked at her. He put his cigarette out in an ashtray and got up from his desk to walk casually over to us.
His eyes slowly went up and down Alice's small frame. I was surprised to see Alice, unlike me, totally relaxed at my side. She smiled politely, almost teasingly, I noted, at Kenneth.
"Thanks, I'll be sure to remember that," she said smoothly to him, still smiling. I was stunned. She was a natural.
Kenneth grinned widely back at her, but his smile slipped quickly off his face at the sound of my throat clearing.
His eyes darted away from mine in fear; he knew he shouldn't ever try messing around with me. Or my girlfriend.
"So did I hear correctly, Jazz? He can't do it for us? I thought you said he could do everything..." Alice said loudly enough so Kenneth would hear her. She looked him up and down and put on an adorable disappointed frown.
I immediately caught on to what she was doing. I played along.
"I guess I was wrong...we should probably find someone else..." I said, starting to turn us around.
"Hey, hey! I never said I couldn't do it. I said it was impossible, but Kenneth Coops can do the impossible! I was just messing with you, Hale," he chuckled nervously, touching my elbow to pull me back.
I turned quickly, my eyes flashing dangerously. He instantly pulled his hand away, remembering who I was.
I squeezed Alice proudly, glancing down at her.
"All right. Get working then. I need the keys now, so start copying them. You have two hours for the documents and if they're anything less than perfect, you'll wish you would have just let us walk out," I said in a low voice.
Kenneth swallowed and then yelled a few names out. A few guys walked over to him.
"Copy these," he ordered them, throwing the keys to them now.
He strolled back to his seat, letting himself fall lazily into it. I noticed his eyes traveling over Alice again, checking her out.
"Coops, if you look at my girl like that one more time, you'll never be able to see another girl again," I growled at him through my teeth.
He chuckled humorously and tore his eyes off her.
"I am a man, what do you expect, bringing her in here like that?" he snickered, letting his eyes slide over her quickly, once again.
I let go of Alice and stepped forward, my mind reflexively blanking out as my hands suddenly grasped his shoulders. Anger pumped fiercely through my veins as I slammed him against the wall behind his desk.
For a moment, it actually felt like the old days as everything turned black and white. I saw his hands raised in the air in fear and noticed a few of his guys start to come closer to us. I didn't care. No one looked at Alice like that. Not with me around.
"Jazz," Alice warned me softly, but firmly, from afar.
Her voice seemed to weave through me, calming every muscle in my body. My head cleared and suddenly I could think again. It was no longer like the old days, where I never would have been able to pull myself out of the violence that had almost occurred.
She skipped to my side like everything was normal as I roughly released Kenneth. Her hand touched my back, softly rubbing circles into it to keep me calm.
"D-h-what?" Kenneth stuttered as he looked at us in disbelief.
"You just stopped Hale from doing some serious damage. No one could ever…" he gasped at Alice, looking at her like she was a super hero.
She chuckled, her laughter echoing through the room like a beautiful orchestra.
"Guess you guys never tried kissing him to stop him then…" she murmured jokingly.
Kenneth let out a burst of laughter and shook his head, still in shock.
"The documents," I grumbled. I wasn't feeling the best about him knowing that I actually loved Alice. That meant I had a weakness, which was never good in these sort of places or with these kind of people.
He cleared his throat, "I need a picture, name, age and place of birth, some miscellaneous stuff here..." he was back to business, a paper ready under his pen. I gave him all the information, filled out the rest of the sheet of paper, and then the keys arrived as quickly as they had left.
I grabbed the original and the new one, sliding them into my pocket.
"All right. I'll be back in two hours for those and I expect them to be flawless," I warned Kenneth. Hearing the venom in my voice, he could only nod.
As we started to walk away, Kenneth cleared his throat. "Erm...Alice?"
I froze and she and I both turned to face him.
"May I have a quick word?"
She glanced up at me, silently asking if he could, and my eyes hardened. "A quick one," I decided, ready to attack him instantly if he touched her.
Alice glided over to him and he leaned down, looking into her eyes. "What I said earlier... I meant it then, but I really mean it after you stopped Hale from ripping me apart. If you ever need anything, a car, a ride, some more papers, drugs? Seriously...I'm your guy."
My hands curled into fists as I heard what he said to her, but she only smiled.
In a pleasant, but dangerous voice, she said slickly, "Kenneth, the only thing I need from you is for you to listen to Jasper and keep your eyes, and hands, off of me." Her eyes flashed as her smile grew, "Oh, and those documents, done to perfection."
He swallowed, "Y-yes, ma'am."
She grinned, scrunching up her nose, "Thanks!" and then she turned back toward me, her eyes lighting up as she saw me trying to hide my shocked expression.
"Bye!" Alice called happily to him with a quick wave as we started to walk away again. I thought I just barely heard him mumble, "Yeahhh she's definitely Hale's girl, all right."
He was too right about that.
As we exited the warehouse and got into the car, she turned to face me.
"So, how'd I do? I know I wasn't supposed to leave, but I was worried about you being in there without any back up, all by yourself. But do you think Kenneth believed me? I tried to mimic you..." She tilted her head to the side, waiting for me to tell her if she had acted correctly.
Had he believed her? Hell, I know I sure had.
I threw my hands into her hair and pulled her toward me, kissing her passionately. When we pulled away, I stared into her glowing eyes.
"Darling, you are a natural. You pulled that off like you've been doing it for years. I am deeply impressed. You were perfect handling them. I am so proud of you." And I was. I didn't want her involved with any of this, but if she was going to be, I knew she couldn't have handled it any better.
I kissed her again, feeling her grinning against my mouth. She moved her lips with mine, perfectly in sync.
I tried to speak as I pulled her as close to me as I could in the confines of the car, "So does this" kiss "answer" kiss "your qu--" kiss "--question?"
Author's Note: Aww they are such a cute but scary couple! I'm not getting on their bad sides! Nooo way. Alice is so horrible! LOL, Jasper must be going insane. But what did you think? This is the longest chapter act, with everything in it too, you got your love/fluff and your drama (with davis) and danger with Kenneth! AND SPENCER WAS IN THIS CHAPTER! Woot woot (becca xx, you better be thanking me :P) My beta and I were really into this chapter, like SUCKED into it! So tell us what you think in a review, reviews are always amazing!
p.s. 7 DAYS TILL VOTING!