BPOV

I pulled Jasper towards the back corner of the room. If that smug idiot was gonna try something, (a) I wanted to be able to see it coming, and (b) I wanted to be as far away from him as fucking possible!

The class was spent working on the newest chapter packet. I'd taken Latin back in Vegas; excelled at it really. And we had already covered the material we were working on today. I flew through the packet and was done within 15 minutes. Jasper finished five minutes after I did, and turned to me with his eyebrow raised.

Uh oh.

"What's goin' on Darlin'?" he whispered.

I looked away. I really didn't want to discuss this with him here. Especially with that vile thing still leering at me.

"Can't we talk about this later?" I muttered.

Jasper rested his hand very gently on mine; so gently that I could have pulled away with no difficulty.

"Don't shut me out Bella."

When I looked back at him, it was to find his eyebrows drawn in concern, and his eyes heavy with sadness and worry.

And, if I wasn't mistaken, a little rejection.

Once again, damn you Edward.

I flipped my hand, and twined my fingers with his. I lifted our joined hands, and brushed my lips across his knuckles.

I hated seeing the hurt in his eyes. For a long time, Travis was the only one who cared enough to try and take my pain away, and then James, when he came along. Knowing what I did now about Jasper, he had been Rose's Travis. I couldn't help but wonder if he had anyone.

Looking into his eyes made the decision for me. It didn't matter if he did or not, because I would be that person for him now.

I scooted as close to him as these stupid rusty chairs would allow. I kept his hand entwined with mine; for the first time, noticing the scars he carried there.

Is my eyesight that bad?

I ran my fingers over the tiny scars very similar to the ones on my hands.

Must have had a run-in with some glass.

I kissed every scar I could find. They ran along his palm, his fingers, the heel of his hand, and his knuckles. There were even a few scratches on the back of his hand.

"I'm sorry Jasper," I murmured laconically.

He brought his right hand, as I still held his left prisoner, up to my chin and tilted my face so our eyes met. His were gentle and filled with understanding, and something else I recognized but couldn't identify.

"Ssh Baby," he crooned. "I know what you meant. I'm not upset. But I am worried. What's wrong?"

I sighed. The last thing anyone needed was for a fight to break out. And once Jasper found out what it said (not to mention Emmett), that is exactly what would happen.

Because apparently, my right hook wasn't enough of a lesson for the scrawny bastard.

"Later?" I asked.

He stared at me for a minute before relenting with a sigh of his own.

"Fine, but enough with the Bambi eyes." He winked and I smiled.

Talk about dodging a bullet.

Thankfully, the bell chose that moment to ring, signaling the end of the day. Jasper led me out to the parking lot, and over to Emmett's Jeep. He and Rose weren't there yet, so we waited.

Jasper, however, had other plans.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and, leaning back against the Jeep's door, pulled me against him.

"It's later."

I shook my head. "No can do, Cowboy. When we get home."

He shrugged. "Can't fault me for tryin'." And then his mouth was on me.

He kissed my lips, my cheeks, my chin, anywhere he could reach. My fingers automatically threaded themselves through his soft curls, pulling him closer. I forgot where we were, I forgot about the family, I forgot that asshole, hell, I even forgot Travis. That's what I loved about Jasper. With him, I could just…forget.

"If I wanted to watch my best friend suck tongue with my baby sis, I'd have stayed home last night."

I jumped. Partly because I hadn't heard Emmett approach, and partly because of the "baby sis" comment. Both Jasper and Rose had more or less forewarned me about how Emmett already loved me like I was his flesh and blood baby sister. I was glad Emmett liked me and all, but…Travis was my brother. James was my brother. Emmett…he was getting there.

I took a deep breath and turned to glare at my surrogate brother. His nose was scrunched up in disgust, but he waggled his eyebrows at me when I turned to look at him.

"Nice phrasing there, Em," I quipped.

He shrugged, his trademark smirk taking over. "I thought so."

I rolled my eyes and turned back into Jasper's arms. He, in turn, directed me to the now unlocked Jeep, and helped me in.

Rose had been bugging me all day about coming over to meet Carlisle and Esme. I didn't really want to meet them, despite everyone's insistence that they're wonderful parents. But when it comes to "parents," I'm a skeptic and a cynic. I finally relented though, just to get Rose to shut up.

And I was really starting to regret those ten seconds of insane irritation right about now.

Jasper misinterpreted my tension. "Relax Darlin', they're gonna love you," he soothed.

I gave him a tight-lipped grimace. He could compliment them until he was blue in the face; I still wouldn't feel soothed.

After about five minutes, we reached the end of the Cullen's driveway. Never in my life had I heard of something so ridiculous. Back in Vegas, our driveway was a patch of gravel; acted as a garage too.

Speaking of garages, the Cullens had so much freaking space that they used an "outbuilding" (more like a small, ranch styled house if you ask me) for the many cars owned by various family members.

If I thought I was stunned when I got my own bedroom at Charlie's, it was nothing compared to just how flabbergasted I was now.

Jasper took my hand, and helped me down from the monstrosity that was Emmett's jeep. The tires came up to my waist for Pete's sake!

I skimmed the line of cars that took up the Cullen's "garage." Jamie had always been good with cars. He'd even taught me a few basic things should our truck ever die on me.

Obviously, it wasn't the truck I had to worry about.

My eyes landed on a black model '73 Chevy. It was old, but well cared for; definitely not a Junker. The cab was a two-seater and the paint job was faded. The tires and body were splattered with dried mud. And I absolutely loved it.

Jasper came up behind me; his arms around my waist, his lips at my ear. He nodded at the truck. "That one's mine."

I turned to him with what had to be the most idiotic expression ever. I knew I was grinning like a fool, but I couldn't bring myself to care. The truck had Texas license plates; it must have been either Jasper's or his dad's.

He laughed at me. "I'm glad you approve."

I snickered. "I'm a sucker for trucks. Especially old, black, mud spattered, '73 model Chevys."

"That specific, huh?"

"Well, it's the Texas plates that drove it home for me," I breathed.

His grin was slow, but beautiful. His eyes lit up, and he just…glowed. He pressed his lips to my artery, kissing me over and over again. I rested my head back on his shoulder, giving him better access. Jasper hummed against my skin, and I jerked back slightly. He looked up at me in surprised concern.

I laughed. "That tickled."

He snorted and hugged me tighter. He went back to humming, and I scrunched up my shoulders to protect my neck from his tickle attack.

He laughed, pressing his face into my hair. I curled against his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist. My muscles protested but I ignored it; I was not about to get into that with Jasper while in the Cullen's "garage."

"Ready to meet the folks, Sugar?"

I stiffened, consequently hugging Jasper tighter. I tried to stifle my hiss as my muscles contracted painfully, but jasper heard regardless.

He gently pulled me away from him; his eyes alight with concern.

"Darlin'?"

I bit my lip. Jasper's expression darkened. His mouth flattened, his nostrils flared, and his eyes hardened. For the first time since I'd met Jasper, I was afraid of him.

Wordlessly, I tugged up my sleeves, revealing the bruises that marred my arms.

I'd like to thank Prophetical, IheartJW, and KC420 for taking a guess at who is Bella's tormentor. Being the sweet little geniuses that they are, they all guessed correctly. The rest of you will all have to wait! ;)

So…any guesses on J's reaction? How about meeting the Cullen parents? Or, you can still make a last ditch effort at who's been roughing B up.

Until next time, my darlings.