I felt something brush along my stomach, slowly bringing me awake. I'm glad I didn't have to work today, or I'd be dead in the water. My head was pounding, and body was stiff. I slowly opened my eyes, trying to shield from the harsh morning light, and smiled at what I saw.

Bella. Bare naked, wrapped up in my quilt, with her head rest on my stomach. Bella's hair was fanned all around her head, some of it falling in her face. I pushed a large clump out of her eyes, causing her to stir. Slowly her eyes opened, batting away the sleep.

"Mornin, darlin." I said in a soft voice. In my head was pounding, I'm sure hers was too. She drank just as much me, and she couldn't hold her liquor nearly as well.

She popped up quickly, sucking in a deep breath. Her eyes were wide, her full lips shaped in an O. "Oh, shit..." Bella muttered. The quick movement seem to catch up with her and she pressed her palm to her forehead. "Ow..."

I chuckled and reached over into my nightstand. Just what I thought. I pulled out the aspirin, along with the bottle of water I always kept on the nightstand and handed it to her. When you're a bartender you either have a headache from the loud music, or a bit of a hangover. You have to learn the best ways to deal with it. She swallowed them down quickly before laying back down beside me. "How are you?" I asked gently, not wanting to upset her.

"I've got a hangover." She mumbled, putting an arm over her eyes. "So, last night wasn't a dream?"

"Depends on what you think happened..." I answered, rolling over to my side to look at her.

She rolled over closer to me and wrapped her arms around my neck, bringing her ultra soft lips to mine. We kissed for a minute, gentle and slow. I massaged her hip, pulling her closer to me. When she pulled away, she rested her head on my shoulder... and began to cry.

Dammit...

"Bella, honey, I'm sorry... I've made things uncomfortable between-"

She shook her head, pressing her lips against mine again. "No, you were the best part of yesterday. Just so much happened. I mean, what about us now? About Alice or him?" She growled out his name, still refusing to say it out loud. "And," she sniffled loudly, "my head hurts."

"Lets take care of one thing at a time, okay?" I said, brushing some of her tears away. "It doesn't matter about them right now, either of them. Are we okay though?"

"I really enjoyed last night, Jasper. That was the best... best I've ever had." She admitted with a heavy blush. I couldn't help but feel my ego inflate a little bit. Having a beautiful woman tell you that you were the best she ever had does that to you. And, since Bella can't act for shit, I knew she was lying.

"I enjoyed it, too." I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Bella, I like you. You have to know that."

"I like you too, Jazz." She said softly, smiling shyly.

I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist, and pulled her closer to me. Her head tucked underneath my chin, breathing in deeply. "Do you want to see where this can go from here?"

"Jasper, you deserve better than to be the rebound guy. I don't want to make you feel that way, ever." She said, lifting up on her arms. The quilt dropped from her chest and it was a challenge to keep my eyes away from her full chest. Sometimes it was it was hard to be a gentlemen when all you wanted to be is a man.

"I know you better than that. So, let me worry about that, okay? I'm a big boy and I can figure out if something is good for me or not."

She smiled slightly, leaning down to kiss me lightly. "Then, yes. Lets see where it goes from here."

I smiled, weaving my fingers in her thick soft hair. I pulled in her close, placing little kisses along the corners of her mouth. "Well, I can see where this is going to lead in the very near future."

"Where is that?" She asked in a rather sensual voice, causing something under the blankets to stir. I swallowed hard, trying not to shove her back into the bed and dive between her legs.

"To breakfast and a shower."

Her face visibly deflated, her lips pulling down into a frown. I couldn't hold back a laugh. "Darlin, I don't want you be distracted the next time I make love to you. That means no headaches, not hungry and not uncomfortable. I want you to be ready for it."

"I'm ready now..." She said with a wicked little smile, her tears all forgotten. She began to lick and kiss down my chest, her talented little mouth causing me to groan.

"Girl, we ain't gonna get out of this bed today if you keep that up."

"What if I want to stay here all day?" She purred against my stomach.

I growled loudly and rolled her over onto her back, going between her opened legs. My mouth went to her neck, kissing it roughly. Bella lifted her hips up, grounding against me. "At least let me make you breakfast. I think we both need our energy." I lowered my mouth to her full, bouncy, breasts, kissing them carefully. Her nipples were rock hard and fit perfectly in my mouth. I swirled my tongue against it, flicking it playfully. Her back arched off the bed, moaning loudly. I continued my exploration downwards until I reached the sweetness between her legs. She was already glistening, and didn't need anymore teasing. I used the flat of my tongue to lick her over and over again, whipping her up into a little frenzy. "And, as much as I'd like to have you for breakfast, we need real food." I informed her as I pulled away.

She growled and pulled the pillow from behind her head and chunked it at me. I caught it, laughing. "Tease."

I grabbed her ankle and pulled her towards the end of the bed, squealing. "It's not teasing if I promise to finish."

She tried to act like she was mad at me, but she was a horrible actress. With her hips swaying she walked over to my closet, quickly pulling down a t-shirt. I always received swag from the liquor companies, so my closet was filled with t-shirts with types of alcohol splashed across the front of them. I pursed my lips, trying to keep from laughing, when I noticed that it had Southern Comfort splashed right across her breasts. "So, what's for breakfast?" She asked as she looked over her shoulder.

I hopped out of bed and pulled on just my jeans. "How does pancakes sound?"

"Sounds good to me," she called from somewhere in the apartment.

I bent down and gathered our clothes from the floor, tossing them into the hamper. I was off for the next two days, so I'd do laundry later. I made my way into the kitchen, where I gathered those clothes as well. After straightening up a little bit, I pulled out the griddle, along with the ingredients I needed to make us breakfast. Bella came into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Bacon or sausage?"

"Sausage," she replied before kissing my back. I looked at her over my shoulder and wiggled my eyebrows at her playfully. She groaned, blushed red, and slapped my shoulder. "Don't be a pervert."

"It's in my nature. Thought you knew that by now." I teased. I took a minute to take in her appearance. She had slipped on some shorts that had no business being shorts. Glorified underwear, maybe. But, I wasn't complaining.

"Oh, I knew. It just usually isn't directed at me."

I turned and wrapped my arm around her tiny waist. "I'll try to control myself from now on, but no promises."

She giggled, leaning against me. Bella decided to change the subject. "I think there is a Mythbusters marathon going on today, want me to check?"

"Oh, a woman after my own heart." I said, placing my hand on my chest dramatic, using my best southern accent. I knew I was laying it on thick, but since it made her giggle, so it was worth it.

"God, you can be so stupid sometimes. But, for some reason I like you..." She muttered as she walked out of the kitchen, closing the door behind her.

I smiled to myself as I worked. I mixed the batter and started to heat the pan for the meat and the griddle. I pulled out the plates and cups. "Hey darlin, what do you want to drink? I'd say hair of the dog that bit ya, but I think it may be too early-" I started to ask but stopped as I came out of the kitchen. Standing at the front door, with a bouquet of a couple dozen red roses, was Edward.

Bella was standing a couple feet in front of him, her face bright red, her fist curled tightly at her sides. I'm not sure anyone had noticed me yet. I thought about backing up into the kitchen, but I didn't think it would be a good idea. I cleared my throat. "Bells, what would you like to drink?"

Bella looked between us, not knowing that to do. The tension in the room was so thick that you could have cut it with a very dull knife. She licked her lips, taking her time before answering. "Edward, could you please wait for me in my bedroom?" She said coldly.

"Yeah, sure." He said with a little smile. "Hey, man. How's it going?" He asked as he walked by. Edward was confident that this would end well for him. I wasn't so sure.

"Good," I muttered before turning to go back into the kitchen.

I wasn't sure what right I had to be mad. What if she went back with him? She had a long history with him. But, he led her along. I didn't care if he was my friend. I would have never treated her like that. I didn't understand his morals, nor did I agree with them. I was jealous though. I should have figured this would happen. He was determined and she was trusting. I kicked one of the cabinets, cussing under my breath.

"Jasper..." Bella said as she came into the kitchen, closing the door behind her.

"So, what would you like to drink?" I asked, keeping my back to her. My hands were gripping the counter tightly, causing my fingers to ache. "We've got orange juice, milk, coffee, or I could make some tea if-"

"Jasper."

"Or, I could whip up something a bit stronger. Lord knows I need a drink."

"Jasper!" She hissed, trying to get my attention.

"What?" I asked, turning to look at her.

"Don't act like that. Please?" She pleaded.

"Like what?" I asked, turning back to the stove. I threw the sausage into the pan with a satisfying sizzle.

"I have to at least talk to him." She wrapped her arms wrap around my waist as she laid her face against my back. Her skin was hot, beyond that. She was on fire.

"No, you don't." I whispered, looking down.

"Jasper, sweetie, make us some breakfast, please? I want to spend all day on the couch with you watching TV. If you want to still?"

I turned and wrapped my arms around her waist. She lifted up on tip toes, kissing my chin. "I wasn't sure who'd you pick."

"It's not a contest." She sighed, running her fingers through her wildly curly hair.

"Then why do I feel like you're the prize?" I asked, looking away from her.

"Some prize." She mumbled before changing directions. "I'm going to talk to him."

I nodded, turning my back to her before she walked out of the kitchen. I started to make the pancakes, pouring the batter on the hot cast iron.

I suppose I should have felt guilty. He was -is- my friend. But, that never means I liked the way he treated her. He hurt her. She cried too many times because of him. It was too quick. I moved on her too quickly. But, I was drunk and hearing her talk about herself like that was heartbreaking. I wanted her to realize that she was better than that.

He probably wouldn't think anything was different between us, unless she told him. I'm not sure if I wanted her to or not. I guess I'd know shortly if she did. But, honestly, we had always acted this way towards each other. She stole my shirts, or had her own, that she slept in and I called all females darlin or honey. Habit from being from the south and a bartender. We cooked for each other, and lounged around together. We were friends.

But, I was his friend too, even if I wasn't acting like it. I still had his ex-girlfriend on my face, for god sakes. I wasn't sure if we'd be friends after this, no matter when he found out.

I put my mind back on the cooking, trying not to let it bother me right now. I told Bella that the others didn't matter. And, they didn't. Not in the end. I put the first batch of pancakes onto a plate after flipping the sausage patties.

"NOTHING?! WHENEVER I GET MAD IT'S OVER NOTHING!" I heard Bella screamed from her room. "THERE IS JUST SO MUCH OF THE TORTURED ARTIST THAT YOU CAN TAKE, EDWARD!"

"Got him pegged to a tee." I mumbled under my breath as I poured some more batter on the hot pan.

"IT'S NOT LIKE YOU DON'T PLAY THE VICTIM!" He shouted back. I could tell after this he tried to talk to her in his 'calm voice' because of the lull in shouting.

"Marriage? MARRIAGE? HOW COULD YOU EVEN POSSIBLY BRING THAT UP?"

"Because he's a stupid, insensitive, ass. And, apparently it isn't too early." I mumbled as I made my way to the freezer and pulled out the vodka. I poured some into a small glass before replacing it. I briefly thought about keeping it out, but decided against it. I drank about half of it down in one large gulp, letting it burn my throat.

I heard a loud scream, and then things tumbling over. As soon as I heard it I set the glass down and ran to what I thought would be Bella's rescue. As I came out of the kitchen a very angry, and a little bloody, looking Edward stalked past me, flowers still in hand.

"What the hell happened to you?" I said, doing a bad job of keeping my laughter in. I'm sure he couldn't see the humor in this.

"I asked her to marry me and she punched me." He growled.

"Well, no shit Sherlock. I would have punched your dumb ass too." I snorted.

"Gee, thanks. That's helpful." He threw the flowers at me, missing and hitting the wall.

"Wasn't trying to be helpful. Like I said, I would have punched you, too. And, still might. So, I'd get the hell out of here if I were you before I give Bella a bat or better yet, something sharp."

Without a word he went out the front door, slamming it loudly behind him.

"Dammit!" Bella growled as she stomped out of her room, clutching her tiny fist to her chest.

"So, I take it everything went well." I stated sarcastically, receiving an evil glare from Bella.

"Oh, yeah. Peachy. I punched Edward." She hissed as she walked into the kitchen. I followed behind, grabbing a kitchen towel as I went.

"I saw that, honey. Good job. Now, let me see your fist."

Carefully I ran her fist under some cool water to wash the blood away. I noticed that none of it was actually hers. "Do you think I should go to the hospital?"

I put some ice in a zip-lock bag and wrapped her tiny fist in the towel. "Nah, but it's going to smart for a while. You've already got some bruises. Does it hurt?" I asked, bringing her fingertips to my lips. I kissed them lightly.

"More than you'll ever know." She whispered, leaning against me.

Edward isn't the bad guy in this story. Just the ex. They Argue. Remember, it's also OOC and AU.

Do you like it? Would you like another chapter?