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Jasper's POV-

In the morning I never had a chance to talk to my mother. After I had gotten off the phone with Alice I had went downstairs and carried her to bed. I stayed with her for about a half hour to make sure she did not have any nightmares like she usually did. When I had left at ten she was still sound asleep in her room. I made sure to throw out the rest of her alcohol before leaving since I did not want a repeat of last night. Now I was pulling in to the Cullen's drive way. I got off my bike and was greeted by Esme who told me Alice was waiting upstairs. I nodded before making my way to her room.

On my way up the stairs Edward was coming down and he knocked his shoulder with mine. I rolled my eyes at his behavior and ignored it. I had no time for his petty shit today. I knew I needed to speak with Alice. I think she may be getting the wrong idea about us and I was going to make it clear. While I found her interesting and I had admitted she was a good kisser, she needed to know we could never be together. I think the pixie like teen girl thought there was more to us than what was actually there.

I stood in the doorway watching as Leah gave Alice some sort of pill. I am assuming it was for pain. I waited until she had swallowed it before I addressed Leah. "Would it be alright for her to go out on a walk with me?"

I did not want to have this conversation in the house where people could hear us. It would be hard enough saying it to her because I had no doubt she would use her puppy dog eyes on me. Leah nodded as she looked between us. I think the nurse knew that something was going on, but she stayed out of it. "As long as it is only for a few minutes. These are very strong pain killers and she is going to get tired quickly. Don't let her walk alone and do not go too far."

When she left I waited for Alice to get ready. I had to help her tie her laces because of the fact she only had one good arm. It was odd doing something nice and not really getting anything out of it. I wasn't used to doing this and it felt weird. Nice was not my thing and either was caring about someone. Yet I cared about Alice Cullen and I knew as we made our way outside that I would have to tread carefully. If I worded this wrong it would screw everything up and for some reason I did not want that to happen. She had been unnaturally nice to me last night and I suppose I wanted to do the same. We could be civil with each other. I had the ability to do that or so I hoped.

I had been up the entire night thinking of how I would approach this subject. We were both quiet as we walking along the property. I noticed she was blushing and kept looking at my hand as if she wanted to hold it. I did not give in though because that would only blur the message I wanted to send her. "Alice you understand that you and I can never happen right?"

I was hoping my tone had remained kind. No matter how I worded it I knew it would hurt her somewhat, but that could not be helped. This was for Alice's own good and she needed to see that. I am not good for someone like her. I would only end up taking advantage of her and her caring nature. It is what the Hale men were good at. We were master manipulators and that is how we had survived so fucking long. Alice was not the type of girl I wanted to be friends with and not because I hated her. Hate had disappeared the moment she told me her past. I wanted to do what was best for her and that meant staying the fuck away from me.

Maria could handle my bullshit. She was a tough bitch and so I never had to worry about hurting her. Maybe that is why I was with her in the first place because I knew no matter what she would never allow herself to be used by a douche bag such as myself. She was like a female version of my father and I suppose in a way I was punishing myself by being with her. It is only what a Hale male deserves. She would use me and spit me back out. It wouldn't make up for what my father had done to my mother, but it was a start, karma and all that bullshit.

Alice spoke after what felt like forever when in reality had to have been only a few minutes. "Why not? You admitted to enjoying the kiss and you know I liked it. How come we can't try Jasper? Is it because you think my parents won't like it? I can assure that they don't judge people based on their past. They would be willing to give you a chance if you give me a chance."

This is where I could have lied. I could tell her that I did not find her interesting at all. I would say how she wasn't my type or maybe tell her something cruel to cement a hatred for me that she should already have. Yet I found myself wanting to be as truthful as possible. I found myself wanting to be honest because deep down I knew she may appreciate that more. I took a breath and ran my fingers in my hair.

"It has nothing to do with that Alice." I paused itching for a cigarette though I did not make a grab for one since I was trying to quit. "Remember how I told you that I was dating Maria? Well I admit that even if I am not happy with her I need to stay with her. You and I are from two different worlds. Maria and I are from the same world. We understand each other in a way nobody else can. We are the only people the other has and to break that would be wrong."

"But you don't love her." She said not as question and more of a statement as fact.

I did not deny her words because she was right. "No I don't love Maria and she knows it. Neither of us believes in love. We made a pact a long time ago that we would stay with the other for as long as we could. I know her and I understand her. I don't have to worry about acting a certain way to please her. She knows who I am and I know who she is. It makes us a perfect match. Love isn't something I want Alice. I don't want to love someone because it is a silent killer. Love is a poison and I do not want to become that."

The small female looked at me with watery eyes and I couldn't tell if she was upset that I did not love her or upset that I didn't want love period. She was a very emotional person and probably could not understand my way of thinking. "Love isn't a poison Jasper. Love is a very powerful weapon and by denying yourself that you are not really living."

I couldn't do it anymore. I had tried to be nice and she wasn't living it. I snapped and lost all control I had. "Love is a lie and it destroys everything! You live in your delusion of happy endings, but let me tell you the truth. The truth is that a happy ending is only a story that has not finished being told. I will never love you Alice. I'll never love anyone and I do not want to. I am perfectly happy the way I am. You and I are never going to happen so get over it. I am with Maria and it is going to stay that way. I kissed you once and it was stupid. I do regret it now because it made you think there was something between us and there is not. You and I are never going to be lovers or friends. I am simply doing my hours and then we will go back to the way we were before. Back to our separate worlds where we did not know each other. You'll meet a guy with money and have lots of perfect babies and I'll probably die in a street or at the hands of my father."

"But-" Alice started and I was quick to cut her off.

"No buts Alice just get over it." Get over me I wanted to add though I did not. I turned to head back to the house. I closed off all my emotions not wanting to let her get to me. "The sooner you get better the better off we will both be. What is it going to take for you to understand that?"

Alice's POV:

I watched Jasper storm back to my house, and I started to feel the anger, shame, regret, and hurt bubble up inside me. How could he admit to liking kissing me last night, and then just go and crush me like that? How could he go from being abnormally nice, for him, and then to the must cruel person hell bent on hurting everybody and pushing them away? What was wrong with that boy? Why can't he just admit his feelings?

I noticed how far ahead of me Jasper had gotten, and I started to run after him. My arm stared to bounce around in the sling, and I was biting my lip against the pain. My shoulder was the last thing I was worried about right now.

As I started getting nearer to Jasper, he glanced over his shoulder quickly, his eyes hard, and continued to walk faster. He was taking very long, fast strides, and my short legs running at full speed couldn't keep up with his strides. Damn my shortness!

When Jasper reached the front steps of my porch, I decided I was done playing his stupid game. I needed to open his eyes to the fact he couldn't hide his feelings forever.

"Jasper! Stop! Just listen to me!" I cried out to him, hoping my tone would get his attention. He froze on the top step of my front porch, but didn't make a move to turn around. I took this to my advantage. I ran as fast as I could to the porch, climbing up the steps, tripping twice, until I finally reached Jasper. I tugged on his arm. He just yanked his arm away from me in one cold, swift motion.

"Hey!" I yelled as I almost lost my balance from the quick motion. "Look at me, for God's sake, Jasper!"

Jasper turned around towards me, his eyes hard and the sneer that twisted his whole face into a look of pure hatred back in place. I cringed internally at the look, but kept my eyes hard as I made eye contact with Jasper. If he was going to play like this, I could play too. I was small, but I could be a serious bitch when I wanted to be.

"Did you not hear a single thing I just told you, Alice? I don't care what you say, it won't change a damn thing! You are supposed to hate me, and I you. That's the way this fucking world works. If you don't like it, that's just too damn bad for you. We can't ever be together, we never will be together. Why can't you just get that through your thick, arrogant skull?" Jasper's face was turning red, and he looked really pissed. I mimicked his look, and felt the anger rising in me.

"It doesn't have to be like that. Jasper! Why can't YOU get that through YOUR thick, arrogant skull? I'm trying to do some good for you! I don't want you to be unhappy with that bitch, Maria! She destroys guys, Jasper! And you just aren't seeing that! I don't give a fuck and a half if you 'understand each other! You told me yourself that you understood me a little better now, so I have just as much of a shot as Maria does! I could make you happy, and I could make you a better person! I know I could! So why the fucking hell are you just being a cold bastard about it? It really hurts when you say shit like that, Jasper. It really does. It doesn't hurt because it's the truth. It hurts because you are lying! You're lying to me, and you're lying to yourself! Just admit it, Jasper! For God's sake!"

Jasper's eyes looked as black as night, and he looked as though he thought my rant was over. I was far from done. I wasn't going to let him turn into his worst fear! People can change, I've seen it! And I want to see it now, more than ever before!

Jasper opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off. "You always say you don't want to turn into your father, and from what I've heard, I don't blame you for feeling that way! People can change; you can break this cycle, Jasper! People can change, I've seen it! And I don't give a damn if you don't believe me, because I know you know I'm right! If you just admit your feelings Jasper, if you just try to let people in, it will help you break away from becoming your father! It will help, I promise! Just let your feelings in, let other people in! It will help!"

Jasper's eyes softened a bit, but the scowl was still there. "Oh my God, Alice! You are so…so…so…"

"So right?" I snapped back at him. I eyes narrowed, and I stepped closer to him. He tried to back away from me, but his tall frame bumped the railing. I saw him eyeing the stairs, and then saw his eyes flick to his bike leaned up against the side of the house. His eyes then snapped back to my face as I saw him planning his escape. He could easily push past me, but he wasn't going anywhere until he admitted his feelings for me.

"Don't even think about it!" I spoke in a low, threatening voice. I knew what he was going to do as soon as I saw his hand twitch on the railing, readying himself to most likely hop over it, grab his bike and go.

I stepped even closer to him, but he tried backing away, only pushing himself up farther against the railing. "Stop fighting it, Jasper. Just give in. I'm not going to stop this until you admit it. And you can't get away, you still have to come here for the next month and a half. I'm going to pester you. And trust me, I will get it out of you." My tone was very threatening, I was even scaring myself a little.

"Just give up Alice." Jasper spoke in a low husky voice, like he was fighting a losing battle. Which, judging by how we were standing in this battle, I was winning. "I'm destined to be just like my father. All Hale men are. Didn't you ever notice Hale sounds exactly like Hell? There is a good reason for that. We are made to destroy innocent women, and I don't want to do that to you. I can't give you anything, I'll only destroy you. So just stay the fuck away. That's how it's supposed to be. I don't want to turn out like my father, that's why Maria is around."

I took one more step closing the gap between myself and Jasper, so there was barely an inch of space between up. I reached my good hand up, and cupped his face, then brought it down to my level, so his eyes were level with mine. He flinched away from my touch, but I just squeezed his face tighter. His hand flew up and gripped my wrist tightly, trying to pry my hand off. I just held onto his face tighter.

"Stop fighting it, Jasper." I said, pulling Jasper's face closer to mine a half in by the second. I stopped when our lips were less than in inch apart. Jasper still gripped my wrist tightly, but he didn't pull his head back. I smiled to myself. I was winning this game!

"I have an idea, well more of a deal actually, and you must compromise with me, or we can play this game every single day, Jasper."

Jasper just nodded in agreement. He said nothing. I pushed his face back a few inches, and released my death grip on his jaw. Red hand marks were staring to appear, but my hands were tiny, so they were hardly noticeable. Jasper's eyes were locked on mine.

"Whether you want to or not, I want you to kiss me again. But, this time, I won't take anything away from it. If you think of Maria and feel bad for kissing me, I'll leave you alone. However, if you don't, then you must promise to work with me on admitting your feelings. I know you want to stay this shut in guy, but if you do, I can guarantee you will end up another bastard. BUT, if you let me in, and let me help you, I'll do my best to help you. I promise. Do you agree?" I cocked an eyebrow for affect. Jasper, again, just nodded. I smiled. "Ok, here goes then. You ready?" Jasper sighed, and let out a quiet "yes", so quiet, I almost didn't hear it.

I leaned my head in, and very slowly, touched my lips to Jasper's. He didn't do anything at first, but soon, I felt his lips moving softly against mine. He tasted different today, he tasted sweeter today. I let my eyes slip closed as I absorbed myself in our kiss. I knew I'd said I would think nothing of this, but I lied. I was ready to say anything to get Jasper to kiss me.

As our lips worked themselves into a slow, steady rhythm, I felt Jasper his hands up to my face again like he had done yesterday. I did the same thing, cupping his cheek, and pulling his lips closer to mine. Jasper sighed and I ran my hand over his cheekbone, and then rested on his chest, he tensed up for a moment, but relaxed again when I dropped my hand. His hand still rested on my face, and it felt like he was bringing his lips closer to mine. I covered one of Jasper's hands with my own, and felt a spark when our skin touched. There was something about him, and I just knew, we were meant for each other.

Jasper continued to kiss me, but with a faster, steadier rhythm, and I began to lose a sense of everything, the only thing I knew was the man standing over me. I couldn't believe how long we'd been kissing for. I wasn't going to complain about it though, this was one of the most thoroughly enjoyable experiences. After another minute of kissing, I decided to do something risky. I slid my tongue over Jasper's lips, very softly, and very quickly. He didn't pull away at first, like I thought he would, but he dropped his hand from my face, and then pulled his lips off of mine. I opened my eyes to see Jasper with a thoughtful expression on his face, eyeing me over.

I looked down from his gaze, feeling kind of guilty. One for lying I wouldn't take anything away from this kiss, because I defiantly would, and two for taking it too far. I might have just totally screwed everything up, or maybe I didn't… I didn't expect Jasper to do what he did next…

He tilted my chin up, to meet his eyes. He didn't look mad at all, all traces of the hard expression from earlier washed away from his features.

"Did you…? Do you feel guilty about it?" I asked.

Jasper stared at me for another moment, and a felt a wash of panic wash over me as he opened his mouth to speak. "No. Not a hint of guilt. Nothing. I think… I have something I need to do. If you'll excuse me, I have to talk to somebody. I'll be back tomorrow, Alice."

Then Jasper did something even more unexpected, something I thought I would never see in a million years. Jasper brushed a stray piece of hair from my eyes, and leaned down, then placed a soft, chaste kiss on my cheek. "Thanks for opening my eyes…I'll…I'll call you later or something." And with that, Jasper padded down the stairs, grabbed his bike and hopped on, then faded away down the street. I smiled to myself, then did a little dance on the porch, fully happy and confident I could indeed, make Jasper Hale, a better man.

TBC…