Okay, buckle in babes! Now the fun really begins. I'm blown away by the response for this story so tonight will be a double update. So very much appreciate the support y'all! Can't wait to hear what you think about these next chapters. Cheers!

Chapter 3: Twenty Questions

Son of a bitch. There were four. Four large older men had Bella cornered. If only she hadn't left Jessica and Angela to find a bookstore. If only she had just gone into the first one she found. If only she hadn't gotten lost. If only she hadn't gone on this stupid shopping trip in the first place.

Honestly, she was a cop's daughter, how had she gotten herself into this situation?

A car was coming. Maybe she could flag them down and hope they'd be on her side. She couldn't out run these four and she definitely couldn't fight them off. Not totally at least.

It was then she noticed the car was approaching way too fast for her to get their attention. Hell, at this point, maybe she'd just jump in front of it. A broken leg or two and they'd have to stop, right?

Holding her breath, she was about to execute her plan when the headlights nearly blinded her as the silver Volvo swerved to a stop in front of her. The passenger door was flung open and Bella saw a familiar blonde head lean over toward her. "Get in."

She stood for a minute, so shocked she couldn't even speak, much less move. That minute was all one of the men needed to rush the driver's side of the car. Jasper was out of the car and grabbed fistfuls of the man's shirt before Bella could even blink. He pinned him to the hood of the car, glaring and clenching his teeth so hard, she was half afraid they might break. Then, as suddenly as he threw him down, he lifted the man off his feet and threw him over to his friends. Jasper watched as they ran off, making sure they were good and gone. Standing under the lone street light, his hands still balled into fists at his sides and the muscles in his back and shoulders tense beneath his black Ramones t-shirt, he looked like a Greek god. It wasn't until he turned to her that she slammed back to reality. He stalked back to the car and all but growled, "Get in. Now."

She did.

He punched the gas and they nearly spun out as he turned the car in the direction from which he had come. They flew through two stop signs before she remembered her seat belt. Her heart was still racing as she watched the street lights turn to trees as they drove farther and farther out of town. It occurred to her she should be nervous still. She didn't know where they were going, but after what had just happened, she couldn't bring herself to care. She felt safe here, as weird as it sounded even in her own mind.

He, however, did not look as relaxed as she was starting to feel.

"Jasper?" she said softly. "You okay?"

"No, darlin', I'm not," he snapped, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tight, his already pale knuckles were white.

"So um... where are we going?"

No sooner had she asked than the car whipped to a stop at the side of the road. He shook his head, raking his fingers through his hair. "I have no idea."

He slammed the palm of his hand against the steering wheel. "Dammit all to hell, Bella," he groaned, dropping his head for a moment while he tried to calm his breathing. "You can't do shit like that, alright? You just-"

Anger flashed hot in her chest. "I'm sorry, did you think I planned that? You think I wanted those creepy assholes following me and planning God only knows what?"

"STOP!" he shouted, his chest heaving as he tried to control his temper. "Stop, or I'm gonna turn this car around, track those bastards down, and finish what I started."

They were both quiet, for a moment, the only sounds were his harsh breathing and the heater blasting away.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Bella. I know you didn't plan for that to happen. I just... I feel..."

"Hey. It's okay. I'm..." she sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry I snapped. Thank you for saving me tonight."

There was that damn smirk again. Feeling bold, she reached out and covered his hand with hers. She jerked back when she felt his ice cold skin. Their eyes met, and she swore she saw his flash. Before she could say anything, he threw the car into drive and tore back toward Port Angeles. "Let's get you some dinner, darlin'. You've been through a lot."

"Dinner! Shit! I was supposed to meet Jess and Angela."

"Don't worry, darlin'," he winked. "I gotcha covered."

Bella couldn't help but squeal as he parallel parked faster than anyone she had ever seen. Jasper chuckled. She flipped him off which just made him laugh again. She looked out the window to see Jessica and Angela leaving La Bella Italia.

Jasper's door closed as soon as Bella's opened. "My lady," he said with a mock bow, offering her his hand. She rolled her eyes but took it anyway.

When she stepped out of the car, she let go of his hand to wave and called out after them. They turned at the sound of her voice, rushing toward her in relief but stopping when they saw Jasper.

"Where have you been?" Jessica frowned.

"I got lost," Bella shrugged, then nodded behind her. "And then I ran into Jasper."

Jasper dipped his head. "Ladies," he said with a slow, easy grin. "You both look lovely this evening. Would you mind if I joined you?"

Bella was surprised to see the level-headed Angela blush. She was less surprised when Jessica started twirling her hair.

"Er... sure," Jessica breathed. "Yeah, that'd be great. Totally."

Angela elbowed Jessica. "Um, actually Bella, we already ate while we were waiting- sorry."

"Well, since I am the one that so rudely kept her from joinin' you, it's only fair that I treat Bella to dinner. That way you two can get on home before it gets too late. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Bella," Jasper said, putting an arm around Bella's shoulders. "How does that sound, darlin'?"

Bella's mouth was suddenly dry. Did he just ask her out on a date? Albeit, in a weird way, but still. She managed to nod.

That seemed to be the go-ahead her friends were waiting for. "Okay!" Angela nodded, ushering Jessica away. "See you tomorrow, Bella... Jasper."

After being seated, Bella ordered a coke and Jasper ordered a jack and coke. She waited until the waitress had left before she hissed, "You have a fake ID?"

Jasper smirked. "You could say that."

"Can I see it?"

Fishing out his wallet, he opened it for her to see his identification card through the little window. Sure enough. Twenty-two year old Aaron Whitlock.

Bella nodded. "It looks real."

"I've got a good guy," he shrugged, shifting to put the wallet in his back pocket again. "Y'know, I gotta say, darlin', I'm impressed."

"By what?"

"You," he said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. Bella nearly choked. "Most girls would be breaking down right now over what just happened."

"I've always been very good at repressing unpleasant things," she tried to joke, but somehow she felt he knew she was more serious than she was letting on.

Especially when he nodded slightly and said, "That makes two of us."

The waitress, Amber, brought their drinks back and took Bella's order. Jasper didn't order anything, but tore off a piece of breadstick to pop in his mouth. Bella rolled her eyes. Figures.

She watched him for a moment, perhaps a moment too long, because he turned to look at her with that damn smirk. "See somethin' you like, darlin'?"

She shook her head. "I just, uh... I don't know. I feel safe. With you, I mean."

She saw a look of surprise flicker across his sharp features before they smoothed into a bitter smile. "You shouldn't." He didn't give her time to respond further, instead suggesting, "How about a game?"

"What kind of game?"

He put a hand to his chest in mock offense. "I thought you said you trusted me?"

"I said I felt safe with you. I never said I trusted you," she teased.

"Smart girl," Jasper winked. "So are you up for a game?"

"I guess?"

"It's painless, darlin', I promise. Our own version of twenty questions. I get ten, you get ten. Deal?"

Bella thought about that for a minute. Ever since going to La Push and hearing the story about the Cold Ones, there were far more than ten questions bouncing around in her head, but this would be a good place to start. The only catch would be the ten questions about her. In the end, she nodded, deciding it was worth the risk. "Deal."

"Excellent," he grinned. "Now, being the gentleman that I am, I'll let you take the first shot."

Bella sipped her coke, chewing on the straw as she mulled over this opportunity. Are you a vampire? was way too obvious. If he was, she'd probably be in trouble for figuring it out, and who knew how that'd end up. If he wasn't, then she'd sound insane and likely never live it down. She decided to start with an easy one. "What's with the fake accent?"

"Fake?" he echoed, pressing his hand to his chest again. "Darlin', you wound me. You happen to be lookin' at a 100% all natural Texan, little lady."

"But no one else in your family has an accent," she said, then added quickly at his amused smirk, "that was not a question! It was an observation."

"I'll allow it, since you already know my siblings and I are all adopted. In fact, I'll give you a bonus answer. I am from the great state of Texas, my sister Rosalie is from New York, Alice is from Mississippi, Emmett is from Tennessee, and Edward, that younger brother of mine who's almost as handsome as yours truly, is from Illinois. We're like those state quarters people collect."

Huh. That was unexpected.

"Now. My turn," he grinned. Bella wasn't sure if she was amused or pissed off by the look on his face. It was a recurring feeling around Jasper though. "You are sweet on my brother, true or false?"

Pissed off. Definitely pissed off. "False."

"Are you telling the truth?"

"Is that another question?"

By this point, the waitress brought out her dinner and Jasper reassured her for the fifth time he did not need anything. Once she left, he leaned back in his chair. "Your turn again, Miss Swan."

"Isn't the Volvo Edward's?" she asked, the question slipping out before she could think of a better one.

Jasper sipped his drink. "It is. And if he asks, it's been in our garage all night. My turn."

Bella popped a tortellini in her mouth while she waited.

"Are you really friends with those two lovely ladies we met earlier this evening?"

The way the question made her bristle was confusing. "Angela more so than Jessica. Don't count on me setting you up though. I'm pretty sure Angela has a thing for Eric and Jessica's obsessed with Mike."

Jasper laughed. "Oh darlin', that ain't what I'm after. It just didn't seem like you had much in common with that whole group."

"I do really like Angela, but new kids can't be picky," she shrugged. "Are you and Alice together?"

"Ah, the high school rumor mill comes around again," he smirked, leaning a bit closer. "How long have you been waitin' to ask that one?"

Bella narrowed her eyes. "You haven't answered yet."

"Fine. We were. Briefly. I knew Alice before we were adopted. All of us were... older when we were adopted by the Cullens. Once she met Edward, I was old news."

"She just dumped you like that?"

"Hardly," Jasper scoffed. "Alice and I were always better friends than lovers. We first got together as a way to protect ourselves, really. I could see how much she loved Edward, and once I knew it was reciprocated by him as deeply as it was felt by her, I happily stepped aside." He watched her for a minute or two, gauging her reaction. Bella stared back. "Interesting. Anyway, my turn. What's the story with you and the Black kid?"

"Jacob?" Bella asked, startled by the abrupt shift in the conversation. "Um, he's a friend. We knew each other when we were kids when I used to come visit Charlie. Now he's... well, probably the best real friend I've got."

"You do know how to hurt a man, Bella Swan."

She rolled her eyes. "Please, we're not friends."

Jasper became serious again, and Bella felt a warmth in her chest when he asked, "Aren't we?"

"I- Fuck, I don't know. Are we?"

"I'm afraid so, darlin'," he smirked. "Now, I believe the next question falls to you. Fire away."

"Why the bad boy act?" she asked, and Jasper's smirk abruptly faded. "Obviously you're not as terrible as you want everyone to believe. I mean, you basically saved my life tonight. With super-human strength, I might add."

Jasper licked his lips and stirred the ice around in his empty glass before he spoke. "You want the truth?"

"Every bit of it."

He sighed heavily and slightly shrugged his shoulders. "It's easier. Unlike my siblings, I didn't have the most... wholesome upbringing before I was adopted. Keeping people away makes sure no one gets hurt."

"What about me?" she asked, her voice much quieter than she intended.

"I'm still trying to figure that one out. It takes me a long time to trust someone," he said. He stood up, putting some money down on the table. "Rain check on the game, darlin'. Can't have the Chief of Police coming after me for keeping his daughter out too late."

Bella sighed and stood to follow him out. In fairness, she was finished so there was really no point in staying. She felt guilty though. Something about her last question had set him off. Her childhood wasn't exactly idyllic either, but apparently there was something more to it than that for him. They were both quiet as they got back in the car. She crossed her arms to keep warm while she waited for the heat to kick on. Jasper reached in the back and dropped something in her lap. His vintage leather jacket. He'd never actually said it was vintage, but the leather was so worn it couldn't not be.

"Thanks," she said, unbuckling to shrug it on. It was slightly too big on her, but the leather was soft and it smelled like him. That was when she noticed the speedometer. "Fuck! What the hell, man?"

Jasper side-eyed her. "What?"

"How fast are you going? You want to kill us? Slow down!"

"Bella, I'm pretty sure you have at least three near death experiences all before lunch, and you're worried about my driving?"

"Any sane person would be!"

He winked. "Live a little, darlin'. I promise we won't crash. Even if we do, Edward's car, Edward's problem."

She actually laughed at that and found herself relaxing. Truthfully, wasn't a half bad driver. She put her feet on the dash and got comfortable. "So I thought of more questions."

"I thought we said game over."

"You said game over," she reminded him. He sighed. "Oh come on! It's a long drive and I only have like two. Basically."

He chuckled. "Basically two?"

"Basically."

"Alright. Fire away, Miss Swan. But go easy on me. I'm a delicate creature." He grinned, flashing his brilliant smile at her, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Delicate creature my ass," she muttered.

"What was that darlin'?"

Bella ignored him. She knew he'd heard her. "Your eyes change color."

"Is that a question or an observation?"

"Both."

"Then let me answer both. Yes, they do. Think of it like a biological mood ring." He raised one eyebrow as if daring her to believe him.

She scoffed. "Am I really supposed to buy that?"

He glanced over at her and smirked. "Whether you do or don't, it's the only answer you're getting."

Bella huddled down in the seat and snuggled into his jacket. "Fine."

"I have one for you now."

"You do?"

"What stories has Jacob Black told you?"

That was unexpected. She had actually been trying to figure out how to ask him about those for her next question. "Wh-what?"

"There are some Quileute legends I've heard. I was wondering if he's told them to you."

"Well, yeah. Some," she hedged. She wasn't sure how much she should reveal. What was he looking for? "Um, he told me about the tribe's history. How they are descended from Spirit Warriors. They could shift into wolves to protect the tribe."

Jasper nodded, and though he remained quiet, she sensed he was waiting for her to say more. So she did. "They were protecting them from... the Cold Ones."

"So I've heard," he said, turning onto her street. With his driving, the trip was much shorter than she'd anticipated. She had a feeling once they reached the house, the game truly would be over.

Her heart was beating wildly and she saw Jasper tighten his grip on the wheel. "Are you? A Cold One?"

There was a beat of silence, then he said softly, "What would you say if I were?"

Bella shook her head. "I don't care. It doesn't matter."

Jasper didn't say anything, but stopped the car and opened her door to walk her up to the house. She began to give him back his jacket, but he stopped her. "Keep it. I'll get it from you in history on Monday."

"Thanks."

He smirked and slightly bowed. "Goodnight, Bella."

She watched him head back to the car, but called out to him at the last minute. "Jasper!" He turned back to her, waiting. "You know, you can. Trust me, that is. With anything."

"I know, darlin'," he nodded. "Just promise me one thing."

Bella nodded. "Yeah, sure."

"Never trust me."