Alice POV
It was so great seeing my old friend, but damn it, did he have to hook up with Bella? He totally tuned me out when his eyes lit on her. Damn it to fucking hell…I was doomed to die a sad, poor old cat lady. I fucking hate cats. I sighed and said, "Come on, let's blow the hell out of here."
Esme smiled softly. "Alice…"
I held up a hand. "Save it Esme. I don't feel like being sweet, nice, or any of that shit. I just want to wallow, okay?"
Nessie just looked at me and grinned. "I know something that'll help! Booze and karaoke!"
I smiled. That did sound like it could be promising…
We decided to go to the bar that Seth and Jacob hung out at, Rednex, because Saturday night was karaoke night. We got there and found Seth snuggled up with my friend Danielle and I smiled at them. Everybody had somebody to love but me…I had thoughts of joining them, even though I wasn't into chicks when Jake put a beer down in front of me and sat down. "Rough night?"
I blew out a breath and took a generous swig of my beer. "Well, Bella found somebody to hook up with; Emmett's adoptive brother, Renesmee's cousin, Edward Masen."
"I didn't know you had a cousin in the area Ness." He said as Nessie came to sit on his lap.
She shrugged. "Yeah, neither did I. His mom and my mom were cousins. His mom's family moved up north when she was a baby, so we only saw one another at family reunions and stuff, so it was nice seeing him. He looks good. I can't believe you know him Alice."
I smiled. "Yeah, we grew up together until his dad's job moved them to Tennessee."
"Did anything happen between you two?" Rosalie asked, sitting on my other side.
I shook my head. "We were never like that…though he did star in my first ever wet dream." The girls hooted and hollered at that one and I felt marginally better by the time I had my second beer in me and Carlisle had joined us, hair still wet from his shower after work.
My words were getting a bit slurred, but I kept it together as I noticed Esme drinking a coke. I had the feeling it didn't have any alcohol in it… "Hey! Esme! Why aren't you drinking?"
She blushed, but my already slightly inebriated mind couldn't figure out why.
"Um…" She said softly, biting her lip.
Nessie giggled and said, "What? You're not knocked up or anything, are you?"
Esme's eyes grew wide and Rosalie spit her beer out…all over Jake. "Bullshit! You mean he got you knocked up right out the fucking gate?"
I giggled. "Rose, you've been hanging around Emmett too long. That sounds like something he'd say."
"Ali! Did you hear? She's fucking preggers!"
I blinked. "No, Esme…you're not…?"
A smile split her face. "We were going to wait and tell everyone tomorrow at dinner…but yes! I am! We already set a wedding date for three months from now."
I smiled at her and Carlisle. "That's great you guys!" And it was. So why did I feel like crap? Oh, yeah, because I had no life. How could I forget?
By my second shot of Tequila I was up on the stage singing my favorite Ricky Martin song, "Nobody wants to be lonely". I found it oddly appropriate;
There you are
In a darkened room
And you're all alone
Looking out the window
Your heart is cold and lost the will to love
Like a broken arrow
That could have described me. I felt like that. Cold, alone, unloved. I glanced out over the massive crowd of people and could have sworn I saw a blonde God, but just that fast, he disappeared.
Here I stand in the shadows
Come to me, come to me
Can't you see that…
My eyes were now actively searching for him even as my heart tugged. It was him…my destiny. I felt it to my toes.
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
My body's longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life
Nobody wants to be lonely so why,
Why don't you let me love you
I caught sight of a black shirt, but no, that wasn't him, it belonged to some redheaded guy. Suddenly the song meant even more to me.
Can you hear my voice?
Do you hear my song?
It's a serenade
So your heart can find me
And suddenly your flying down the stairs
Into my arms, baby
I needed to find him like I needed air. I couldn't wait for the song to be over. Please let me find him when the song was over…
Before I start going crazy
Run to me, run to me
Cause I'm dying
It was true. I would die if I didn't find him. I knew it. I don't know how I knew it, but it was true. If I didn't meet this man tonight, I would be dead by tomorrow morning. I knew it in the pit of my stomach.
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
My body's longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life
Nobody wants to be lonely so why
Why don't you let me love you
If only I knew his name…I could practically see him now in my mind's eye; blonde hair, sapphire blue eyes, lazy smile, southern drawl…battle wounds, he would have been a soldier, someone that protected the innocent. A policeman perhaps? No, definitely a soldier.
I want to feel you need me
Just like the air you're breathing
I need you here in my life
Don't walk away, don't walk away
Don't walk away, don't walk away
No, no, no, no
I saw him again, just a brief flash of gold at the bar. Oh WHY wasn't this song finished yet?
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
Nobody wants to be lonely
I don't want to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
I don't want to cry
My body's longing to hold you
I'm longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life
Nobody wants to be lonely so why
Why don't you let me love you
Why don't you let me love you
Why, oh why, why, why, why, why
Why indeed. He had turned around now and I felt his eyes on me, watching me and I fell in love. Just that quick. He gave me that slow sexy little smile before downing a shot and disappearing from view again. Damn it.
Nobody wants to be lonely
I don't want to cry
Nobody wants to cry
My body's longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Nobody wants to be lonely
I don't want to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
I all but dropped the mike in amidst the applause and raced past our table to the bar, but he was gone. "Hey!" I shouted at the bartender. "Did you see a blonde guy just a few minutes ago? You probably served him a…" Think fast, what would he have drank? "A Texas T?"
The bartender blinked. "As a matter of fact…I did make one of those with a straight tequila chaser just a few minutes ago for Jasper."
Thank GOD! "Where did he go?"
The man scratched his head. "He paid his tab and left, said he had a lot to do tomorrow."
"NO!" I all but screamed, scaring the man. "Um, sorry, thanks."
I turned back toward the table, ready to give up, but I said, no, I'm not going to give up on my dream damn it. I will go find him! And with that, I stormed back out of the bar and down the street.
I wasn't sure which direction to go, so I hedged my bets and turned to the left, walking with purpose down the street, my Manolo Blahniks tapping out a beat as I practically ran down the sidewalk. I had just reached an intersection when I felt a body grasp me and pull me to it. "Hello pretty." (AN: For those of you that watch it, imagine T-Bag from Prison Break…gives me shivers just thinking of the creep.)
Oh fuck…where was my mace when I needed it?
"I've been waiting for you." He said icily as I felt a knife dig into my throat.
I felt my blood run to my toes. James. "You-you're supposed to be in prison."
"Yes, well, sometimes you get let out for good behavior."
I snorted. "More like escaped."
He chuckled. "Smarts and beauty? Oh I have done well for myself. You're such a pretty little thing. I'll bet you've got a sweet little cunt don't you? I can't wait to eat it. Maybe, if you're good, I'll fuck you with my tongue and my cock before I kill you."
"Please, just…leave me alone." I begged.
He sniffed my hair and then licked up my ear. "Nope, not gonna happen pretty. You're mine now."
"HEL-" I tried to call out, but his hand quickly clamped over my mouth and I was helpless as I was dragged between two houses…
Renesmee POV
I felt my cell phone buzz in my pocket. "Shit," I said, pulling away from Jake's grasp. "I've gotta take this. Leach."
"Ness," Booth's voice said.
"Yeah, Booth. What's up?"
"James Townsend just escaped from prison. Bones and I are on our way to your house with a few agents."
"We're not there. We're all at a bar called Rednex out in Alexandria with my boyfriend."
"Whoa, Ness got her a guy." I heard Booth telling his partner.
"As fascinating as that is Booth, I believe the danger to her friend is what is more important at the moment…" Temperance Brennan, always the voice of reason said.
"Yeah, I'll just get Alice and keep an eye on her until you can get here…guys! Have you seen Alice?"
Everyone shook their heads. "The last time I saw her she was heading to the bar…" Carlisle offered.
"Shit. Booth, we've lost her. I don't know how he could have come in here and got her, but she was slightly drunk and kind of sad, so it's possible she stepped outside for some fresh air…" Oh God, what if I had let something happen to my friend?
"Leach. Calm down. I'm sure she just went to the ladies room. Just go check it out. We'll be there in about ten, okay?"
I bit my lip. "Okay. Thanks Agent Booth." I snapped my phone shut. "James escaped. Booth seems pretty certain he'll try to come after Alice."
Everyone at my table gasped and I said, "Rose, check the bathroom, I'll talk to the bartender, okay?"
"I'm coming with you Ness. I know Quil. He'll give us the facts." Jake told me, already standing.
I nodded my head and followed my boyfriend's large frame to the bar. "Yo! Quil!" Jake shouted over the din.
"Jake my MAN! How's it going?!"
"Fine, listen; you see a really tiny chick a few minutes ago?"
"Yeah, sure did. She was out hunting for Jasper. I told her he had just left, and she tore ass out of here."
Jake and I looked at each other and we ran out the door.
Jasper POV
I saw the dark-haired angel singing on stage and smiled. She was so beautiful. Small, petite, but she carried an almost…fierce expression on her face. She was singing so wonderfully and with such conviction, I felt certain she was singing to someone.
The thought depressed me enough, so I grabbed a Texas T with a Tequila chaser from Quil, paid my tab and left. I wasn't finding anything, and all the new blood seemed to be hooked up with someone.
I took my time walking back to Emmett's house. I would be so glad when my own house, just a few blocks away, was finished. That reminded me…I needed to call the electrician tomorrow. Those wires were still exposed in the downstairs bath and I didn't want anyone getting shocked. I had some decent furniture in there already, including my bed, but I was still hanging out with Emmett and Edward because it was just so friggin' lonely by myself.
I smiled as I thought of my friends. I don't think Emmett had the heart to tell Edward that I didn't pay rent. Well, why should I? I did all of Emmett's plumbing work in exchange for room and board and help with my own house. It all worked itself out. There were times I was grateful my daddy was a plumber in south Texas, and the fact that I could find me a place to stay because of all the work I'd helped him do made it all the better.
I was just turning down onto Emmett's street when I heard someone call out, "HEL-" It was strangled, and I didn't hesitate as I turned around and headed in the direction of the voice.
And there she was, the angel, being dragged in-between two old decrepit houses. "Stop!" I yelled to her attacker.
He pulled her tighter to him and said, "Who'll make me?"
I stiffened up to every bit of my six foot three inch height and said, "An ex-fucking Army Ranger, that's who."
He threw the girl to the ground, and I watched in horror as she hit her head on an exposed natural gas meter in the ground, knocking her unconscious. My heart went out to her even as the man and I started circling. He held a knife in his hand, and I quickly ducked to grab mine from my boot.
"You don't want to do this mister." I told him. "I'd be more than willing to just let you go."
He snarled at me. "I don't like my treats taken away from me, and Alice is the sweetest treat I've yet to find."
I growled at his implications and swooped in for my first strike, slicing open his cheek. He grasped it with his free hand and smiled. "A worthy opponent. How refreshing."
"You ain't seen nothin' yet." I promised him. He struck out like a cobra, slicing my arm, but I paid no attention as he left his upper body open and I snuck a slice into his chest.
He let out a hiss, but kept dancing around me. "You're good. But I'm better."
I smirked. "Prove it." We circled each other forever it seemed, like two lions making a claim on a mate, and I felt a sense of urgency rise in me. I was this girl's, Alice's, saving grace. If he took me down, then he would take her and dishonor her and that would just piss me off and I'd haunt his ass until I could come back and kill him, so had to do it now.
Being a Ranger, we were considered lethal weapons. That, adding to the fact that I had been one of the top in my unit at hand to hand and knife fighting, I knew this guy didn't stand a chance. I was just waiting for him to make a mistake. It came all too soon and I was able to get in close, grab his knife hand with my free one and jam my own knife into his stomach.
I felt him twitch and I let go of my knife, grabbing his in the process as he fell in what seemed like slow motion to the ground. I blew out a breath and made my way over to Alice, who was just starting to stir.
"Are you okay?" I asked her softly as I picked her up and held her lightly in my arms. She was such a tiny thing…almost like carrying a pillow.
She blinked and nodded. "I-I think so…" She looked around before her beautiful hazel eyes focused on me again. She smiled softly. "I've waited a long time for you."
I smiled back. "I'm so sorry ma'am." I said, suddenly shy.
She reached up and brushed a stray curl from my eyes. I knew I was in dire need of a haircut. "Jasper. Your name is Jasper."
I nodded. "Yes ma'am. Jasper Lee Whitlock, at your service."
She looked at me with almost…love and it surprised me to find I felt almost the same way. "And you are?" I asked.
She chuckled quietly. "Mary Alice Brandon."
I don't know what possessed me, but I brushed a kiss to the cut on her forehead. "Nice to meet you."
The hand that was in my hair moved to my face as she said breathily, "Jasper, you're my soulmate."
I nodded. "I know." I responded. "You're mine too."
Suddenly, I heard a cry of outrage and I turned to see the man running at us with my knife in his hands, and I ducked to protect Alice from him when I heard two gunshots. I turned to look and saw the man on the ground, Jake and his new girlfriend both with their guns still smoking.
I blinked. "Jake? What are you doing here?"
"Alice is my roommate," The girl, Narcissa? Nancy? Said.
I smiled down at Alice again. "Are you alright?"
She nodded and I sat her up on her feet. She swayed slightly and my arms wrapped around her tiny waist seemingly of their own accord. "Easy there tiger." I said into her ear. "I think you've had too much excitement and entirely too much alcohol in your system."
She snuggled into my chest and said, "Maybe so."
"Who was that man?" I asked, making sure to keep Alice from having to look at the now dead body upon the ground.
"James Townsend. He's a drug running murderer who had his sights on Alice before Booth and Brennan took him down." Renesmee, that was her name, weird, told me.
"You helped," Jake said to her affectionately.
She smiled. "So I did. And now you helped me take him down permanently."
Gag. They were making goo-goo eyes at each other over a dead body. I chuckled at the absurdity of it all. Just then a black SUV pulled up and two people emerged. "Booth?" I asked.
"Whitlock? Damn, what are you doing here?"
I smiled and shook the other man's hand. "Apparently I'm doing your job for you."
"You shoot him?"
I shook my head. "Nah, Jake and his girl did that. I just gave him the stab wounds."
"Looks like you got a few as well," He told me.
I had forgotten I was even wounded. It didn't hurt too badly. "Just a flesh wound sir."
Booth smiled his toothy grin. "Last time I checked I wasn't your C.O."
I shrugged. "Good. Then I won't have to salute you, will I?" We both laughed, and the woman with him, whom I found out was Dr. Brennan, took Alice from me to check her head.
"I don't think she has a concussion," Dr. Brennan said, "But we should probably have her go to the hospital just to get her head checked out. We can get statements from them both their. Your friend looks like he'll need stitches." She said to Booth, nodding her head my direction.
I glanced down at my arm and was surprised to find my shirt-sleeve soaked through with blood. "Hell. Well, no big deal. I'll ride in the bus with Alice, if that's alright?" I asked her.
She nodded and smiled. Other federal cars pulled up then, and Alice and I decided to go ahead and give our statements while it was fresh in our minds before we were both loaded up into the ambulance. Alice flung her keys at the girl, who I found out likes to be called Nessie and said, "Bring my car to the hospital, okay? I'll make sure Jasper gets a ride home."
I started to protest, but she winked at me and all thoughts left my head as desire slid straight to my groin. We rode to the hospital, both sitting on the bench, with her body tucked into my side. "Don't go to sleep," I warned her.
"I won't," She said softly. "I'm just enjoying the company."
I chucked at that and brushed a kiss to her hair as my arm wrapped around her tighter. It was amazing how she fit right into my side, almost like she was supposed to be there. And, I guess she was.
We were ushered into the large triage room and I made sure I could see her from where I sat. We were both examined and she was sent for an x-ray while I got stitched up. Fifteen stitches in my arm, as well as ten in a wound I didn't realize I had across my stomach. I was sliding my shirt on when Alice came back in, being wheeled in by with a wheelchair. "Are you alright?" I asked. I noticed another woman walking with her and I also saw a doctor as well.
She nodded. "I'm fine. Jasper, this is my roommate Esme and her well, now I guess fiancé, Carlisle."
I shook both their hands. "Pleasure. So are you alright?" I asked her.
She nodded. "Fine. Just a few stitches of my own. Luckily I wear my hair over my forehead. I'll probably have a small scar."
I kissed the bandage on her head. "It's just a battle wound honey. A badge of honor."
She smiled at me and said, "Well, the doctor said I don't have a concussion, so I'm good to go. I'll take you home."
I nodded and we signed our discharge papers and stepped out into the faint hue of daylight. "Goodness, where did the night go?" She asked.
"I don't know. I guess when we're busy getting into knife fights and spending time in the E.R. it passes us by."
She giggled and led me to a rather nice yellow Porsche. I whistled low. "Sweet ride."
She smiled. "This is my baby. Wanna ride?"
My lips quirked and I had the feeling she wasn't talking about the car anymore. "If you're driving I'll be more than willing to come with you." Let's see what she thinks about that!
Her smile grew and she said, "Show me to your place Jasper. Let's see what kind of trouble we can get into."
Oh hell yeah…this woman was mine and I couldn't wait to show her that particular fact.
AN2: Before I get any flames, the next chapter WILL be Jasper and Alice's lemon! I wanted all of this to be in here and it kind of got away from me, so you'll have to bear with me. At least I dropped the idea of torturing you for one more chapter before they met! I did plan on having a "poor pitiful me" chapter all in Alice's POV, but the night just kinda happened…so, now you'll just have to wait. But isn't rescuer Jasper hott? Yum. Gets me all tingly. LOL.
