Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, Stephanie Meyer does. My version would have been way different...

A/N: Oh my goddess! I am so sorry I have been away for so long. There have been issues with not having internet, school started, got a new job... and a lot of other things... I'm posting another chapter right after this one, so I hope that kinda makes up for it a little... Please... Don't be too mad...

Chapter 11

Bella POV

The last couple of days have been pretty crazy. Starting Friday at school; right before we got out for Spring Break. Edward came to me with his usual melodramatic attitude and went on a rambling spree of so-called truth. Apparently, he lied when he told me we were mates; along with everyone in his family. He said the reason he kept up the act was to keep me safe, since I knew the secret and everything. But now, according to what I've heard, he had to break up with me and give me space. He thinks I'm going to ignore them all now though; which is not true. Him and Alice maybe, but not everyone else.

It really wasn't that bad though. I spent a lot of time with Keyria now; although she as usually doing some kind of training with Jasper. He had even suggested that I join them, but I wasn't quite ready for all that. I actually enjoyed just watching them; especially now that Jasper was dressing a little less fancy.

I almost squealed like a little girl when Key told me Alice dumped him. I guess she lied about them being mates too. He was single now though, and I was going to use this chance to practice flirting a little. Not to mention that I could try finding out how he might feel about me as well.

I was sitting under a tree watching them as usual; though today was skill training instead of gift. On the rare sunny days, Jasper worked with her gift from sun-rise to sun-set.

He still hasn't figured out exactly how she does it, but he has gotten a little bit of a range on her. He knows she can cover all six of them without a problem, but only for about 30 to 40 feet. He's figuring her gift is passive and always on, and that she would probably cover any vampire that gets within her range. The only thing he isn't sure of is how it will change when she turns.

Today, however, he was honing her skills. Jasper explained that since she was at least part vampire, her natural abilities would be slightly greater. It didn't really surprise me to hear she was part vampire; I mean, she was too gorgeous, and those eyes were like nothing I had ever seen before.

She landed in front of me then, rolling on her belly as she groaned deeply.

"Don't you dare laugh at me, or I'll spill that little secret of yours." I clamped my hand over my mouth and shook my head as she smiled.

"What's this I hear about a secret? Care to share, Miss Bella?" Jasper's smooth, deep voice brought a blush to my cheeks as I shook my head.

Keyria laughed and pushed herself up with a little wince, giving me a wink before she turned toward him.

"It's nothing, bubba. Just a little crush Bel has for someone, that's all." She darted away before I could grab her, and it brought me face to face with Jasper as he grabbed me.

"And who is this crush, little lady? Wouldn't be anyone I know, would it?" He spoke softly, his body so close I could smell that husky tobacco and whiskey scent that was Jasper.

I couldn't speak; I just shook my head and watched him as he walked off. I swear I could hear him chuckling and I glared playfully at Key.

During the rest of their training, I kept catching Jasper looking at me. Maybe I should be thanking Keyria for her little hint to him. I guess you could say we flirted without even saying much. I know I was seriously starting to consider training with them now.

Almost as soon as Alice decided to watch the events, I figured it was time to go.

"Hey Bel, before you take off I wanna ask you something. We're having a ball game in a few days and we want you to join in." Key had her brows raised and I looked slightly toward Alice and then Edward.

Both of them nodded though, and Alice stepped forward.

"We'd love it if you came, Bella. It'll be fun for everyone; please?" She smiled her usual peppy smile and I looked at Key again.

"You know how clumsy I am. You sure that would be a good idea?" She smiled and started to speak when Edward stepped over and smiled.

"I'm sure it will be fine. Everyone will keep an eye on you; make sure you don't get hurt too bad. Besides, Esme has been planning for this for a while." I had thought he wouldn't have wanted me there, but I guess he really was okay with us just being friends.

I nodded, feeling better about it.

"Okay, yeah. I'll be here. Sounds...fun." I laughed a little, picking at my fingers.

"Don't worry, darlin'. You can be the umpire; less chance o a sport-related injury that way. Little miss'll be the pitcher, most likely. Next spot that'll have the least harm." Jasper smiled, brushing dirt and grass from his jeans.

Alice looked a little miffed, but she sighed and shook her head.

"Jas, please. At lease keep a tee-shirt on when Bella's here. Key might not care, but I'm sure Bella doesn't want to see all those scars. They might scare her." Honestly, I hadn't even noticed anything until now; and I didn't think he was anywhere near scary.

He gave me a smirk and winked, walking off still shirt-less. A ray of light broke through the dense clouds and landed on him; his skin glowing beautifully. Thank god Edward couldn't hear me, cause he'd be furious at how completely sexy Jasper looked right now.

Jasper must have caught me looking from the corner of his eye, because he turned around and waggled his brows at me playfully. Damn; he was like a marble god standing there like that. A god that made me weak in the knees and practically wanting to fall at his feet.

"Um, hello? Earth to Miss Obvious..." Key's laughter snapped me back to reality; a deep, red-hot blush covering me from head to toe.

"Oh, what? Sorry..." I giggled softly as I stole one last glance at a laughing Jasper.

"Girl, you keep oogling him like that and you won't have to tell him who your crush is. Or anybody else, for that matter. Just be glad the tweedle's left before you went all pod-person, or there would have been serious explaining to do." She laughed with me as she pulled me around the house to my truck.

"So uh, ball game, right? What day?" I mumbled quickly, still thinking about my topless god.

"I'll just send Mac after you. Just stay close to home, alright? He'll pick you up when we're getting ready to play." She was smirking at me, which of course caused me to blush like crazy.

I opened the door to my old truck and clambered inside. She leaned against the door and smiled at me.

"Well, guess I'll see you in a couple days?" I asked her nervously; the butterflies in my stomach waging serious war with each other.

She nodded and chuckled.

"Yeah. Just try not to go all goo-goo. Everyone will know something's up if you're all starry eyed and drooling over you-know-who. I'll call you tomorrow and I should know what day. Be careful getting home, and call if you need anything." Keyria smiled at me and winked a little.

I groaned slightly, nodding my head as the engine roared to life.

"I'll keep that in mind, Key. I'll talk to you later." I gave a slight chuckle, more from nerves than anything.

She giggled and waved as I pulled off, Emmett wrapping his arms around her quickly.

I couldn't believe I just agreed to play baseball; with vampires, no less. I shook me head and groaned again. How did I keep getting myself in these situations? Oh yeah; because I can't stay away from stuff that's different. Well, I was sure the game would be interesting. I knew Jasper would be there in all his god-like glory, and of course I'd end up staring like an idiot. There was something about him that just pulled me in; no matter how hard I tried to ignore it, as soon as I saw him it was over.

Maybe that's why it never felt right with Edward, even though he kept lying to me about being my mate. My heart raced at the thought. Was Jasper really my mate? Is that why I get all goofy and obvious around him? I shook my head, trying to snap myself out of it.

That couldn't be it. There's no way he's my mate. We'd be like Key and Em if we were; and he would feel it too. Plus, someone would have told me by now. No, we weren't mates. I was just involved in some serious infatuation issues. Nothing more, nothing less. I'd get over it the longer I was around.

Jasper POV

I am very happy with Keyria's progress so far. She seems very eager to learn more. Both in regards to her gift and in the life she has ahead of her. The way she has reacted to the new information fills me with pride. She will make a wonderful newborn; and a very intelligent one as well.

The only drawback I have seen so far is her soft-heartedness concerning those she is close to; not to mention her feelings when Emmett is near. However, this can also be a good thing. If I can work with her on controlling herself around people when everything is okay, I should be able to train her well for when things aren't so good. Her deep care for others she is close to could fuel her when they would become threatened; causing her to act purely on instinct to protect them. I only hope she will consider her own safety should anything like that ever happen.

And then we have Bella. My sweet, shy, clumsy little Bella. I am quite confident in assuming she considers herself immune to my gifts as she is with Alice's and Edward's. Unfortunately for her she is not, and deliciously unaware of that wonderful fact. If she knew I could feel her emotions, she wouldn't have let herself think such emotionally fueled thoughts. Of course, I revel in that fact. I simply can not help but use this assumption for my own benefit.

Bella is certainly drawn to me, but her emotions are somewhat clouded by doubt. Most likely she is assuming what she feels is nothing more than a crush or strong infatuation with me. Hopefully, I can use these emotions I feel from her and tease her along. After some time I know I will have to tell her, provided she does not figure it out herself first.

Yes, the first layer of my oh-so-wicked plan is set. I will tease, flirt, hint, and play with her; finally taking her at the perfect time. I know she will see it in time; if she has not already started to.

Of course there is still the Alice issue, though it has not gone as badly as I originally thought. She is still fussing over me; but only because she still believes I was accepted here because of her. And she still believes that without her constant guidance, I will revert back to my heathen, barbaric ways once again. Unfortunately for her, my only heathen and barbaric impulses involve my sweet Bella.

A/N: Yes, it was a fluff chapter.. But it had to be done. As always, read and review! Reviews are like cotton candy to me... An addiction!