BPOV

Jasper smirked at me, and I immediately felt like an idiot. I was, once again, just sitting here, ogling him.

Not that he seemed to mind the attention.

"Ya think I could come in? Or were you hopin' to catch a peek at somethin' specific?" he chuckled.

The fucking bastard!

Wait a minute…

"You heard that? Rose telling me about…?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I did. And she's right, I'm not mad or anythin'. I was bound to tell you at some point."

"Why were you eavesdropping?"

He at least had the sense to look slightly ashamed. "That wasn't my intention. I was just comin' up to see if you two needed a hand with anythin', but, not wantin' to piss off your dog, I decided to take a page outta Edward's book."

I had to smile at that. They were learning already.

"Well let's hope Emmett has the good sense to do the same," I laughed.

He laughed with me. It was a rich, musical laugh. But also a little rough. I liked it. A lot.

Get your head out of the gutter, dammit!

"So," he continued, "may I come in?"

"Oh! Yes, yes. I'm sorry. I must be really out of it." Great, now I'm the fruit bat.

He walked; no he swaggered in, leaving the door ajar. When I saw Riley settle himself between the door and the doorjamb, I realized why. He really didn't want to piss off Riley.

Smart boy.

I was still sitting on my bed from when Rose and I were talking, and he took her spot across from me. Only difference, he decided to make himself a bit more…at home.

He leaned back, settling himself on his elbows, and he tipped his head up in my direction, giving me another of his trade-mark smirks.

"Very helpful, I must say. What happened to seeing if I needed a hand?" I shot at him, standing up to put my few belongings away.

"I figured you'd like somethin' nice to look at while you were unpackin'," he drawled.

Nice.

"Well," I smirked, turning back to him, "you are right; it's a very fine view. But I've laid eyes on better." He looked taken aback.

Don't be a tease, if you can't take a tease, Mr. Whitlock.

To his credit, he recovered quickly. "That so?" he asked, clearing his throat.

"Yep," I alleged. Granted, said views had been of the one somewhat- decent relationship I'd had.

Based on his reaction, I could guess he didn't know I was bisexual. He stared at me with a sultry gaze, as I debated whether or not to put the poor boy out of his misery. So I just smiled angelically at him, and went back to unpacking.

I heard the bed groan as he got up, and crossed the room until he was just behind me. With my iPod in one hand, I turned around to face him. The look he gave me was akin to hurt.

I smiled gently at him. "I'm bi, Jazz. I've only ever had one actual relationship. It was with a girl, and it was a long time ago. That'll teach you for being a shameless tease," I snickered at him.

He laughed despite himself. And when he looked back at me, the clouded look had left his eyes.

Maybe he was a sweet boy after all.

"My apologies, ma'am," he drawled, tipping an imaginary cowboy hat.

Or maybe he's just a smug bastard who could do with a good ass kicking.

He glanced at my iPod again, and then at my meager stash of belongings, and frowned.

"An iPod with headphones, an old tennis ball, a kindle, and a small pile of clothes," he listed off.

"And a pair of sneakers, my wallet, and all my papers," I added.

He smiled, "And that too."

I returned it. "It's not much, but…it's mine."

"You're the sentimental type." It was a statement, not a question.

"I'd certainly like to think so," I countered, wondering where he was going with this.

"I don't think, I know. You're not the type to care 'bout flair or extravagance. And, to be honest, it's a breath of fresh air."

He was staring off into space at this point, seemingly lost in thought. I shifted my weight so I was right in front of him, and his eyes immediately snapped back to mine. His gaze was earnest, but there was that same intensity to it that I'd seen earlier.

"What makes you so sure?" I asked quietly. "You just met me. How do you know I'm not a bitter harpy, or a poverty-stricken bitch?"

My questions were rhetorical to a degree, but I also knew that he had overheard my conversation with Rose. And I wanted to see just how much he had gotten out of it.

But obviously, the bastard was clairvoyant based on what he said next.

"I heard Rosie tell you 'bout our aunt and uncle. I also heard the li'l tidbits you added in 'bout your life with your brother and his partner. But what really struck me was how you reacted to hearin' 'bout my scars. You weren't disgusted, and you weren't scared. You were worried 'bout how I was gonna take you knowin'. And you based that off of your own viewpoint. So tell me this: just how many more marks are ya keepin' hidden, Miss Isabella?"

He stared intently at me. He was clearly patient, based on his stance, but it was also real fucking clear that he wasn't leaving without some type of an answer.

I pursed my lips. "Say whatever you want, but Travis and James were the best parents I ever had. The only parents I ever had. Travis may be dead, but Jamie isn't. And the second I turn eighteen, I'm getting the fuck out of here, and going home. And the last thing I'm gonna do is let some sweet talking, country boy stop me."

I was fucking pissed.

Jasper's eyes widened. He hadn't expected me to react like that.

I didn't care, I was mad as hell.

"Excuse me?"

I put my iPod down on the desk with the rest of my things, and crossed my arms.

"You heard me."

He got mad then. "Look, little girl, I'm not tryin' to take away your precious li'l family. I'm just lookin' out for you. Is it so bad for me to want to get to know you?"

"I'm not Daddy's Little Girl," I deadpanned. "I don't need protecting. And I sure as hell don't need my business becoming the next headline in the Gossip column of the newspaper."

He was still mad, that much was obvious. But he also seemed to be more confused than angry.

But I wasn't done yet.

"And another thing," I snapped, "just because I don't have a penis, does not mean I can't take care of myself. So you can take your Damsel-in-Distress bullshit, and shove it up your ass."

He stared at me; stunned.

Well it's about time I catch him by surprise.

But, once again, he was quick to recover his composure.

"Bella, I was never portentous of that. And for the record, the way you handled Emmett and Alice earlier made it real clear you can handle yourself just fine," he snickered. "And I'm sorry. You're not my sister, but after hearin' what I did, I got a li'l overprotective."

"A little?" I decided to tease him a bit.

He chuckled. "Alright, smart ass. Have it your way."

"Happily," I replied cheekily.

I turned back to the desk. I couldn't really call it unpacking. Kindle and iPod on the desk, clothes, sneakers, and bag in the closet, my wallet and papers…eh, hidden, and the tennis ball would end up wherever Riley decides to drop it.

Jasper reached around me and picked up the Kindle. I watched as he twirled it in his hands, and played with the elastic strap that kept the cover shut. He seemed lost in thought, like he was trying to figure something out.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked.

He pursued his lips lightly, before turning to me. "Explain something to me."

"What do you want to know?"

He held out my Kindle. "This," was all he said.

"I like to read?" It sounded like a question.

He chuckled. "Well yeah, I figured as much. What I can't figure out however is where the Kindle comes in with the lack of belongings." He looked at me.

I snorted. "Honestly, I was waiting for someone's curiosity to get the best on them. We all loved to read. Travis, Jamie, and I. But, what with all our money going towards food, clothes, bills, and school, we couldn't exactly afford the luxury of a giant library. So we did the next best thing. Well, I did the next best thing." I paused.

After a couple of minutes, he broke the silence with a quiet laugh. "Well don't keep in suspense. What did that clever and connivin' li'l mind of yours come up with?"

I smiled internally at the statement. Travis had always told me I was quite the schemer when I wanted to be. I just never thought it had been that apparent, but, then again, this is Jasper I'm talking too. And he seems to know what makes me tick without thought.

I mentally shook myself. I could think on that line of thought later.

"It wasn't just me. I recruited Jamie too," I smirked.

"Oh, so now you're corruptin' your brother-in-law?" he laughed, shaking his head. "Poor guy."

I stuck my tongue out at him, only to elicit another chuckle. I huffed.

"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted," I glared at him, and found him grinning at me, "Travis's birthday was coming up. This was a couple of years ago, but I told Jamie how I wanted to get Travis a Kindle. What with being a Lieutenant General, he was gone a lot. And he was always complaining about the stupid checking out restrictions at the library. We couldn't afford the major fee that would follow returning a book late, so he never took any with him. The poor boy was terribly bored.

"Anyway, Jamie was all for it. We were both getting a little sick of Travis constantly grumbling about it. So I took some money from my savings and bought him the Kindle, case and all. I even threw in a couple of those Kindle cards that work like the iTunes ones, so he could set up a library of his own.

"We all ended up using it, being the avid readers were…are," I shook my head. Not the time.

"So, when Travis died, he stated in his will that it should go back to the person that gave it to him. Even though, technically, Jamie helped me pay for it, he meant me. I knew how much Jamie would have liked to have it, so I insisted he take it. He loved Travis too. But he wouldn't hear of it. Travis wanted me to have it, so I should have it. Not to mention the fact that it had been my idea in the first place and I spent the most money on it. His words, not mine."

Jasper smiled at me and wrapped his arm around me. He gave me a pointed look, silently asking if this was ok, and when I didn't protest he pulled me to him in a gentle hug.

"That's a good story," was all he said.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him back. "And an even better memory."

RPOV

About an hour after leaving Bella and Jasper to themselves, I was back upstairs, standing in front of the door that had been left ajar.

The sight before me is why I had stopped.

Bella and Jasper stood in front of her desk hugging. Not that I wasn't happy; I've been waiting for this sort of this to come around for Jazz. I just hadn't anticipated something like this for awhile.

Damn, that boy works fast.

And it wasn't just your regular one-armed, pat on the back. Bella's arms were around his waist, with her head resting on his chest, and his arm was draped over her shoulders, holding her to him tightly. His cheek rested on the top of her head.

"That's a good story," Jazz murmured.

"And an even better memory," she whispered back.

It was sweet.

And Lady Luck being the bitch that she was, I had to interrupt it.

Yay. Me.

I knocked on the slightly open door, and they loosened their hold on one another as they turned to face me.

I smiled apologetically. "Sorry guys. Charlie sent me up here to tell you that the pizza is here."

Looking between Jazz and me, Bella got a smirk on her face, and her eyes twinkled mischievously.

Uh-oh…

"That's fine Rose. It would seem the Whitlock/Hale twins have a knack for eavesdropping," she snickered.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll remember that next time I catch you two getting down to the nitty and gritty." Bella just laughed, and Jasper looked at her with a sweet smile.

Oh…the boy's got it bad.

I led the two love doves downstairs. Charlie looked as though he approved, Edward grinned at me, Emmett was giving Jazz the death stare, but a quick glance from me made him hide it a little better, and Alice…

Oh Christ!

It would seem Alice wasn't sparing their togetherness a glance. She was looking up and down at Bella's clothes, while scowling and shaking her head. She had done the same thing to me awhile back when we first met. I shut her up pretty quickly.

Alice, Alice, Alice…will you ever learn?

Little Miss Thang walked over to Bella with a sickly sweet smile. You could tell by her expression she was still pissed about Bella not wanting to hug or really talk to her earlier, but I was with Bella on that one. Alice just never knows when to shut up; it's seriously a wonder that Edward can deal with her.

Bella, being the good-natured human being that she is, nodded politely at Alice, but she was paying more attention to her conversation with Jasper. That's another thing about Alice that gets to me, it doesn't seem to matter to her if you're already in the middle of a conversation with another person; fashion and her opinions on one's wardrobe always triumph.

"Hey Bella, I was thinking, I have some old clothes that I think would fit you. And they are just gorgeous! They'll touch up your wardrobe perfectly!" Alice gushed.

"Alice," Edward warned, as he tried to pull his girlfriend away from Bella, but she just shook him off, as always.

"So what do you think? I could even take you shopping. You're bag looked too small to hold enough clothes."

Bella's eyes flashed, but she covered it with a tight-lipped smile. Oh, this was gonna be good.

"You want to know what I think. Alright, I'll tell you what I think Alice. I think that you need to mind your own damn business. I think you need not worry about my "wardrobe", or the "proper" amount of clothes in it, or the style of those clothes. I think, what I wear, is my decision and no one else's. And I also think that that includes you. Just because you love hugging, and holding hands, kisses on the cheek, and talking a mile a minute about nothing but superficial topics does not mean that everyone else does. And that includes me. If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. Until then, keep your thoughts to yourself."

The whole time she was bitching out Alice, she was moving her hands in what could have only been sign language. You would think that it'd be kind of stupid, but I think it made her seem a bit more menacing, especially since she never lost her calm tone, nor did she raise her voice.

Alice just stood there, in shock I'm guessing. No one, apart from me, had ever told her off like that. And at the time, I had been too angry to give a damn about my tone or volume. While it was still effective in getting my point across, I had to give Bella kudos; even in the face of the Mini Menace, she had kept her head, and hadn't let her emotions get away with her.

Everyone else, even Edward was grinning at Bella. We were all proud of her. It takes some serious balls to put the Little Hellion in her place.

Taking advantage of the situation, Edward dragged Alice over to the couch where they already had their dinner waiting. Charlie was in his recliner, staring at the TV. But he still had a slight smirk on his face.

When I turned back, Bella had taken Jasper's hand, and was pulling him behind her into the kitchen. Emmett looked about ready to protest, but I shook my head at him. Once they were out of ear shot, I walked over to him.

"Be happy for them," I told him.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me? Just what the fuck is the bastard thinking, moving in on my new baby sis?" he whisper ranted.

"It's not like he's doin it to make her uncomfortable. You saw them. They like each other. Be happy for them," I repeated.

"She just got here. It's too soon!"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Em, come on. This is Jazz we're talking about here. It's not like they're gonna jump into bed tonight. Although," I mused, "with how things are going, you never know."

Emmett shuddered at the thought, and I smirked in victory. "Em, you know I'm right. And you know Jasper; he's your best friend. He wouldn't be in this just for sex; I think he really likes her. Give it a chance."

He stared at me as though I'd just grown a second head. "You can't be serious. She is not ready to date!"

"And just how the hell do you know? Like you said, she just got here! Did you not just see the tongue lashing Bella gave Alice? Do you want that to be you? Because then you'll have Bella and me yelling at you. Just stay out of it, and let them see where it goes, by themselves."

Emmett looked at me a moment, before sighing in defeat. "You really think this is gonna work out?"

I smiled and shrugged. "I don't know. But I'd like to think so. I want Jasper to be happy, and with Bella he looks happy. As does she. And after all the hand she's been dealt, I think she deserves a little happiness. Even if all it really is is a moment of calm."

"Fine," he grumbled. "I'll butt out. But that doesn't mean I won't kill him if he hurts her."

I smiled at my boyfriend. Already so protective of his new sister. "If he hurts her, I don't think you'll have to. B's a pretty tough chick. She can handle herself. Now come on, I'm hungry."

He took my hand, and we went and joined the love doves for pizza.

Whew! Well, there you have it. That's got to be one of my fastest updates yet. And for those of you keeping an eye on REDO, it's coming. But if any of you have any ideas for Bella's POV in REDO, please drop me a line. I could use the inspiration.

I'd also like to thank helovesmehelovesmenot. Thanks for the idea on the Bella v. Alice Bitch Out. It really pulled the chapter together.

As always, thank you for reading. The reviews I get really prompt me to write (hint hint).

Until next time, my darlings.