Disclaimer: SM owns all.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The view depicted in this story on Iran and Iraq is in no way how I actually see these countries. Please understand that the view of Iran, and Iraq, and their people are not my opinion, I do not wish to offend, and if I have, I am truly and deeply sorry. See AN after Chapter 5 to read full explanation

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Jasper POV

After the briefing, Edward I sat down at our desks to do the paperwork that was waiting for us. The whole time we just sat there, quiet, I couldn't let go of the look on his face when I attacked him. Every time I blinked or closed my eyes, it was right there. That is what bothered me the most; that I had managed to hurt him, to scare him. Because I felt so shitty about what happened and what I didn't mean to do this morning, I decided I'd take him out to dinner, on a date, to make up for everything, even if he tries to say that it won't be necessary. It's necessary to me. I need him to realize that I may have 'issues', but that I can still be attentive and I want to show him that I can still make this -- us -- work.

When we finished with the paperwork, I grabbed Edward's hand in mine and led him out to my car. I opened the door for him, to which he grinned and his eyes sparkled, and he slid inside. I waited patiently, making sure that nothing would get caught in the door when I shut it, and once I was absolutely sure that he was completely inside and that I wouldn't be able to shut a finger or a hand in the door, I closed it securely then walked around the front and slid into the driver's side. Shoving the key into the ignition, I twisted it and started the car, listening to it purr and backed out of the spot I was parked in and started off towards Edward's house.

The car ride was completely silent, save for the low music coming from the stereo. I needed to ask him if I could take him out, and I didn't want to wait until the last possible second when he was about to get out of my car. I needed to do it now.

Keeping my left hand securely on the steering wheel, I let the other one drift over to Edward's lap where he was twiddling his thumbs -- out of nervousness or sheer boredom, I wasn't sure -- and I laced my fingers through his left hand, effectively stopping the motion. "Listen. I am really sorry about this morning," he opened his mouth up to protest like I knew he would, but I held up a hand and continued, "Please let me finish?" Edward nodded and closed his mouth again. "I want to try and make it up to you. By taking you out. On a date, an actual date. Will you let me take you out on a date?" I asked, a little nervous for his answer.

I turned my head away from the road for a quick second to catch his head nod and smiled at him, then turned to look back out the windshield again. I brought the hand I was holding up to my lips and kissed his knuckles and heard his breathing catch in his throat. I smiled wider.

I pulled into his driveway and set the car into park, but didn't turn off the engine. Turning toward Edward, I said, "I'll be back to come pick you up in less than an hour. Please wear something nice. Okay?"

He just nodded and smiled, and opened to door to get out. Before he could get his other foot out and onto the pavement, I reached my hand across and grabbed his arm to stop him. When he turned his head, brows furrowed, I leaned in towards him and he smiled when he realized what I wanted to do and leaned in to kiss me back.

I went home and the first place I hit was the shower. I made sure I was extra clean and that my hair was thoroughly washed. When I was sure that I couldn't get anymore cleaned than I already was, I shut off the shower and stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist and walking into my bedroom to stand in front of my closet. I told Edward to dress nice, so I picked out a pair of black dress pants, a white button-down shirt, rolling the sleeves up to my elbows, and a blue, grey and white-striped tie. When I picked Edward up he was dressed almost the same, except his button-down shirt was a deep green that matched his eyes perfectly. I walked him to his side of the car and opened the door like I had earlier. He sat down and before I could shut the passenger door, I couldn't resist any longer and leaned in to kiss him quickly on the lips, and then shut his door and walked over to the driver's side and got in.

I took him to this nice, quaint little restaurant on this side of town. I held his hand, we drank our wine, and it was just . . . romantic. I stroked his cheek while he ate, and we kissed. A lot. A few people in the restaurant appeared to be disgusted, but the server and hostess seemed happy that we were happy, and smiled genuinely at us every time they walked by our table, either to ask us if we wanted anything else, or because the next table they were serving was close by.

After dinner, I whisked Edward off to Chinatown. Tonight there was a big festival and there was going to be a parade and fireworks, and I couldn't wait to see it with Edward standing by my side. I parked the car, cut off the engine, pocketed my keys, and climbed out, meeting Edward up on the sidewalk and grasped his hand as I walked us towards Main Street in Chinatown. Edward just cocked his eyebrow in a sexy but curious way, but followed without asking any questions. Walking down to a little resurant I used to frequent, I opened the door for Edward, walking in behind him and smiled.

"Hey, Jimmy!" I called. A short, overweight, older Chinese man stepped out from inside the kitchen and when he realized who it was that had called out his name, grinned widely at me and made his way over to where we were standing.

"Jasper!" he called back, in the same tone, and embraced me. "You've been away for too long. What's been going on?" he asked. Then he noticed my hand linked with Edward's and that wide smile became even wider, and he smiled and hugged Edward in greeting.

"I'm Jimmy. Jasper used to live above me, here, and always ate my food. That is, until he decided to be a hero here," Jimmy chuckled.

Edward chuckled, too, and smiled up at me.

"Looking for the spot, son?" Jimmy turned toward me to ask.

I nodded, "Yeah. I have some making up to do," I smiled.

Jimmy winked and told me where the stand was for him this year.

"The family gonna be there?" I asked him.

"No, Gigi's grandmama is dying, so her and the kids are in Japan."

I clapped Jim on the shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Hah. Hell, I'm not. The woman never liked me. Witch that one was. Hah! Hated me cause I grew up in Canada. I don't even know Chinese!" he all but roared. I chuckled and pulled Edward behind me through the door.

"Well that was . . . interesting?" Edward muttered, his comment coming out like a question.

I shook my head. "Jimmy's something else. Always has been," I muttered back.

Edward laughed and I soon followed.

I pulled him to stand under the tree that Jimmy had told me to look for. The area that was marked off for Jimmy's restaurant. I stood behind Edward and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him back until his body was flushed against mine, and laid my right cheek on his shoulder so I could look at him before the parade started and placed a kiss on his neck. He rested his arms on top of mine and laced our fingers together, his head lolling back to rest on my opposite shoulder.

"This is the best spot. You can see the fireworks and the parade perfectly." I told him.

Edward hummed and laughed and 'ahh-ed' watching the parade and most of the fireworks. He turned to face me, and we hugged each other close, watching as the finale began. He looked up at me, smiled, and brushed my cheek to gain my attention. I looked down into his eyes and he kissed me. The kiss was gentle and passionate, but not needy or wanting. He cradled my face in between his hands while we kissed, and before we knew what had happened, the fireworks were finished, and most of the street had cleared out. Taking my hand and swinging it back and forth between us, we walked back to where the car was parked. I loved the little childlike actions he'd do whenever he was happy. I'm pretty sure that if he wasn't holding my hand, he would have skipped down the street. He was literally bouncing with each step and I knew that I had been forgiven. That I had successfully made up for this morning.

Once back at my apartment, we walked up the stairs and into my bedroom where Edward pushed me onto the bed and we had a good, long make-out session. There was touching and groping, but mostly just kissing, and I was amazed at how fast he learned, somehow managing to know exactly what it was that I liked.

After about an hour of the foreplay that was leading nowhere, he cuddled up on my chest, and quickly fell into a deep asleep. Without him humming that song he usually hums, I found myself drifting off into a peaceful slumber, thinking about how I had made him happy tonight and that I wanted to see him like this everyday.

Nothing would stop me from seeing him this happy everyday.

Mission: accomplished.

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Hi Everyone!

Ok once again I've gotta thank my beta Princess HarleyHeaven. There will never be enough words or gestures to how much I heart her! You're amazing skills have helped my chapters and stories to be the best they can be.

There's uh oh coming next chapter!

Review Please