Alice paced her room as snippets of various visions assaulted her. If what she was picking up was true, then their mother had decided to take a more hands-on disciplinarian role which didn't bode well at all. They all adored Esme, but Alice was only too well aware of how they occasionally would take risks around their amiable mother that they wouldn't dare around their father. Esme's punishments were always fairly benign, but what Alice had heard and seen in the last hour or so challenged that assumption. The young girl shivered at the prospect of having to face her upset mother.

The firm rap on her bedroom door brought a sigh of relief as her heightened senses picked up her father's scent. Her relief was short lived when she recalled the disappointment in his eyes earlier this evening. They had really screwed things up badly and there was no way that she wasn't going to be brought to heel for the part she had played.

"Alice baby, may I please come in?"

She allowed herself a momentary reprieve as she considered her response. Could she actually keep him out? That was highly unlikely so she resigned herself to her fate and softly answered, "Sure, daddy."

As soon as Carlisle stepped through the door, he found Alice in his arms as she stumbled through apologies with her face pressed against his broad chest.

"I'm so sorry, daddy. What we did was plain dumb. It will never happen again. I know that I should have stopped the guys from blowing up the greenhouse, but I just didn't know how. Sorry daddy. Really. I don't know what possessed us to think it was a good idea. You know what they say; it's all fun until someone loses an eye. I told Jasper to make sure that they didn't shoot each others' eyes out. Guess I should have told them not to shoot the glass either. It just seemed so unlikely that just the right circumstances would occur for that to happen."

Carlisle stayed silent as he listened to his daughter ramble on while he held her close. He ran his fingers through her short dark hair comfortingly. He wasn't sure if she had reached the end of her apologetic explanation or had just come up for a breath, but when she quieted he spoke softly, "I know you realize that your fun and games were wrong, baby girl. Sh. It's going to be alright, sweetheart." He kissed the crown of her head then led her over to the bed and sat, pulling her onto his lap.

Alice snuggled up against him with her arms wrapped securely around his neck.

"We didn't mean to destroy anything. You believe me, don't you?"

"Yes honey, I believe you. The problem is that your intentions really have little to do with what ended up occurring. You knew that I wouldn't approve of what you were doing, but decided to do it anyway. That shows a little lack of respect, don't you think?"

Carlisle pushed his princess back slightly so he could look in her eyes. Gently he brushed her hair out of her face, tucking a strand back behind her ear. "You also put yourself in serious danger, young lady. You know all too well how I feel about that."

Alice tucked her chin into her chest, refusing to make eye contact with her father. "Yes, daddy. I wasn't able to sit for a couple days after the last time I got myself into a dangerous situation. I know all too well what approval rating that carries."

"Uh huh, and yet the lesson apparently wasn't learned as well as I had thought."

Suddenly the girl's head shot up as a bright smile formed on her lips. "Then that means spanking me didn't work so you'll have to try some other method, right?"

Carlisle smiled as he shook his head. "Nice try, princess."

"Well doesn't it make sense to try something else? No point in flogging a dead horse, daddy."

"I wasn't planning on flogging a dead horse, baby. I was planning on making a lasting impression on the rear end of a thankfully very much alive young lady who doesn't seem to want to listen to her daddy. I will entertain other options if you can convince me that they will prevent you from ever, and I do mean ever, putting yourself in danger again. The only thing I can think of that would accomplish that would be locking you up so you can't do anything without supervision. "

Alice's eyes went wide at his words. "You would do that?"

"No princess, you know me better than that. It's hard enough to ground you short term because you look so miserable when you aren't allowed to go into town. I'm just saying that is the only way I could be certain that you would never come to harm. Since that isn't an option, I have to fall back to the next best plan which is to try to make a strong enough impression on you that I can be sure you think twice before running head first into a situation that can get you hurt."

Alice considered her father's words carefully as her mind flew while trying to find some flaw that could save her behind. "Daddy, you know I would never lie to you."

Carlisle raised a brow at the statement.

"I try never to?"

"Yes, baby. I'm sure that you do your best to be honest with me, but this has what to do with the topic of discussion?"

"Isn't it obvious, Daddy?" Alice rolled her eyes at Carlisle's inability to follow her simple logic. With a soft sigh she continued, "Since I don't lie to you, if I say that I will never do it again…" She nodded as she allowed her words to drift off so her father could catch up on his own while a smile of triumph played on her lips.

"Alice, what did you tell me during that last time that you just mentioned?"

The smile slowly faded before she glanced away from Carlisle's expectant expression.

"Mhm, that's how I remembered it also, princess."

"But Daddy!"

"I'm sorry, honey but your track record isn't exactly stellar."

Alice pouted slightly as she crossed her arms in a huff.

Carlisle sighed. Sometimes his little girl really did live up to that perpetual teenage attitude. He tapped his knuckle lightly beneath her jaw causing her to glance up and meet his eyes.

"Mary Alice, I suggest that you rethink that attitude. I'm sorry that you don't like hearing what I have to say, but maybe that's because you know I'm right."

Alice deflated at her father's gentle reprimand and looked away with a slight nod. "Sorry," was her whispered response.

"It's alright, baby." Carlisle gave Alice a quick hug before slipping her off his lap onto the bed to sit beside him. "Alice, I think it's safe to say that you are well aware of what you did wrong."

His dark haired pixie nodded. "I did something that I knew was dangerous. We all could have been hurt and it was only because we got lucky that we're okay. I'm also really sorry that we ruined momma's greenhouse and I know that it could have been way worse." Alice looked down avoiding her father's gaze.

"Yes it could have, Mary Alice. I'm glad that you recognize that fact. I don't want to supervise you like a young child, but I will if that's what it takes to keep my family and home safe. I know that you're a responsible young woman so please act that way." At Alice's nod, Carlisle continued quietly, "Part of being responsible, sweetheart, is accepting the consequences for your actions without all the theatrics. If you feel that I'm not being fair with you, by all means speak up, but if you can't in good conscious say that, then I think it's time to address your behavior."

Without further prompting, Alice got to her feet and stood in front of Carlisle with her head bowed. Her pitiful stance tugged at her father's heart. Ducking his head to catch her eye, he gave her a slight smile. "It's not the end of the world, princess." He offered his hand which she hesitantly accepted and allowed herself to be eased down over his lap.

"It is the end of my behind, though."

Carlisle chuckled softly as he repositioned his hold and flipped Alice's skirt up over her lower back. "Your mind always makes it out to be worse than it is."

"Humph. You can say that because it's not your butt." She squirmed a little before wrapping her arms around his thigh then tensed in expectation.

"No, but it is my hand, and I must say that tonight all of you have taken a serious toll on it."

The strength of Carlisle's first stroke caught Alice a little off guard causing her to squeal. "Ow. Too hard, daddy."

Carlisle ignored her protest as he set about to see to it that this time the lesson would be learned, but by the fifth blow he was shocked when Alice went limp across his knee. Panic over took the patriarch as he scooped his little girl upright in his lap, concern shining in his eyes.

"Baby, what's wrong? Are you alright? Talk to me, sweetie. What happened?"

Alice's eyes were bright with unshed tears but she appeared no worse for wear. "I'm okay, daddy."

"Then what just happened that caused you to collapse, sweetheart? Is something hurting you?"

"My tail, but it's not too bad. Just a little stingy. I'm sure I'll live."

Carefully, Carlisle lifted Alice from his lap and stood her before him. Cocking his head to the side he looked her over quickly with a physician's trained eye then, finding nothing out of the ordinary, he crossed his arms over his chest as worry gave way to frustration.

"Mary Alice Cullen, explain yourself."

Alice fidgeted nervously and kept her eyes downcast as she spoke, "I was only thinking of you, daddy."

"What was that about never lying to me? The truth, if you please."

Alice began to wish she could curl up and hide somewhere. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, but it hadn't played out at all like she had hoped that it would. Fingers beneath her chin forced her head up until her father's stern eyes locked on hers causing her to cringe.

"I'm waiting, Mary Alice."

"I was thinking about both of us, I guess. I wanted the spanking to be over and I didn't want your hand to have to go through anymore trauma today." The youth swallowed back venom and a touch of fear before she could continue. "I know that once I stop fighting … Well, daddy once my body gives up, you stop spanking me. I figured if I gave up at the beginning you would figure that I had learned my lesson and wouldn't spank me anymore. That would save your hand and my butt from some pain that neither of us wanted."

Carlisle heaved a sigh as he rubbed his eyes. A part of him wanted to laugh at his daughter's cleverness, but a larger part was frustrated by her bratty attempt to manipulate him in an attempt to escape punishment. Getting to his feet, Carlisle grasped Alice's elbow firmly and led her into the nearest corner delivering a strong smack to keep her in place.

"I'll be right back and I expect you to be here with your nose in the corner. "

She sniffled as she nodded her head before leaning her forehead against the wall. Satisfied that she would mind him, Carlisle slipped out of the room only to return within seconds locking the door behind him. Siting on the bed, Carlisle willed himself to calm while he studied his daughter. "You are too smart for your own good, little miss."

Alice gave a little whimper in reply.

"Come here, baby. Let's try this again." The teen shuffled over to her father until she stood before him once again silent and contrite.

"Alice, look at me." Carlisle sighed as she was slow to comply. Once their eyes met he took note of the regret that her little game caused her to feel. Along with regret there was also fear mixed with sadness reflecting in her eyes. "We are going to do things a little differently this time, angel. Suffice to say that stunt was more than a little foolish. I won't be manipulated, baby girl and you are about to understand just how serious I am when it comes to something like that."

Taking her wrist in his hand he once again pulled her down over his knees. His grip was much firmer this time as he pulled her tightly against his body. She tried unsuccessful to relax as her skirt hem was tucked into her waist band, but when her panties were tugged to her knees, Alice began to struggle in protest.

"No daddy! Please don't!"

A sharp sting blossomed across her backside causing her body to tense as she hissed at the pain. It didn't take long for Carlisle's attention to her behind and upper thighs to cause her tears to flow freely. "Daddy, please no more. I won't do it again. I won't."

"What won't you do, Alice? Why are you getting this particular spanking?"

"I'll never try to manipulate you again."

"That's good, baby because that is a serious hazard to your rear end and what did we say about putting yourself in danger?"

"I won't do it. I swear." Alice kicked, squirmed, and twisted, but there was no breaking her father's iron hold. The harder she fought the firmer his strokes became until Alice's cries turned to soft whimpers as she reached a point of true submission.

When Carlisle felt her give in to her punishment, he lightened his blows.

"Baby, don't try this again. Put that clever mind to work on something more appropriate."

Alice nodded as she wiped her eyes against his pants leg. When his hand stilled, the girl gave a sigh of relief, but her respite was short lived as she felt something firm and cool press against her stinging cheeks. "Daddy?" Her voice squeaked as anxiety crept into her tone.

"I'm sorry baby, but you will remember this one and keep in mind that you were the one who was worried about saving my hand from further damage."

Alice screeched as the stroke burned her already painful behind. The shock caused her to make one last bid for freedom, but with the majority of the fight already taken out of her, she soon passively accepted her punishment. Much to Carlisle's relief, a half a dozen blows and the ordeal was finally over. He allowed the leather soled slipper to drop to the floor as he rubbed his daughter's back to offer comfort. As carefully as possible, he pulled her panties back up then freed the hem of her skirt, wincing at her whimpers as the fabric touched her skin.

When Alice had regained enough control to try to get up, Carlisle lifted her and cradled his little girl to his chest. His baby wrapped one arm around his neck while the other hand clutched his shirt tightly as though she was afraid that he would disappear.

"You're alright, angel. I have you." He cooed softly as he placed his cheek against the top of her head while his hand continually rubbed her back. "It's all over."

"Daddy, what…"

He kissed the top of her head then pushed her back just enough to look her in the eye. With a sad sigh Carlisle brushed a tear from her cheek before pulling her back into his embrace. "Extra incentive to make sure you behave yourself, baby. I don't plan on having to put either of us through this again."

"It hurt, daddy."

"I know that it did, baby. I would have been more surprised if it hadn't."

They both fell silent as they took comfort in each others forgiveness, but once Alice's crying had completely stopped she whispered into Carlisle's neck, "I will never suggest that your hand needs a reprieve ever again."

Carlisle laughed at the levity that Alice had managed to inject into a serious moment.

Sitting up, Alice noticed the slipper which lay abandoned on the floor. "Oh crap, are those the slippers that I gave you for Christmas last year?"

"Uh huh."

"Well those things need to go. The only thing that you are allowed to wear around the house will be those plush moose hide moccasins. Only soft and fuzzy footwear in this house from here on out. Maybe I can work some sort of deal with the mutts."

Carlisle's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Stay out of trouble and that doesn't need to be a concern." He smiled as he kissed his baby's cheek and was delighted to have his smile returned. "How do you feel? Are we alright, now?"

"Oh, of course, daddy." She gave him a final hug then slid from his lap, yelping as her butt skidded off her father's thigh. Alice danced from foot to foot as she vigorously rubbed at the stinging burn that had just begun to ease.

"Going to have to be a bit more careful, sweetie." Carlisle grinned as he stood and headed towards the door. "Do you want to come down with me or should I send Jasper up to you?"

"I'll come down." She bounced on the balls of her feet as she continued to rub. "You know that wouldn't have stopped him."

Carlisle gave her a puzzled look then realized what she was referring to as he reached for the lock. "I know that it wouldn't have, but I had hoped it would have discouraged him long enough to make him think before he could act."

With his arm wrapped around his daughter's shoulder, Carlisle opened the door to find a southern nightmare glaring angrily at him.

"Then it did wha' cha were aimin' fer it ta do."

Carlisle stiffened slightly but kept his voice calm. "You are supposed to be downstairs, Jasper. I didn't call you up here."

"Mah Alice was the one who done the callin'."

"Calm down, Jazzy. Daddy didn't really hurt me. I'm okay. Let's all go downstairs and relax a bit. It has been a really hard day on everyone." Alice slipped from Carlisle's arm and hugged her solider boy tight hoping to give him some reassurance, but Jasper continued to stare into his father's eyes challengingly.

"Jasper, you and Emmett have something to be working on for tomorrow if I'm not mistaken. I suggest you get to it and drop this senseless attitude this second."

Jasper's hands were balled up in fists at his sides as he lowered his head to protect his throat and let out a low growl.

Carlisle's eyes darkened and narrowed at his son's challenge.

Alice grabbed her mate's face between her hands and forced him to break eye contact with his father and look at her. "No, Major Whitlock. You don't need to do this. I know that you want to protect me, but Daddy is not a threat. All he wants to do is protect me also and sometimes that means protecting me from myself just like he does with you. He has never hurt you so why would he hurt me?"

"Son, you aint got the brains God gave a billy goat. Sorry, Pops. I was trying to keep an eye on him but he got away from me when my back was turned. Momma thought it would be best if I come check on you both." Emmett stepped towards Jasper ready to subdue his brother is necessary.

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Em." Carlisle gave a slight nod to his bruin while keeping his eyes on Jasper. "Alice, maybe you and Jasper should stay up here for a little while until he calms down."

Jasper's head whipped back around at his father's voice and their eyes locked again.

"I think that is the best idea, daddy. Come on, Jazzy."

For several human heartbeats Jasper and Carlisle continued to stare each other down then, without warning the boy looked away submitting to his father's authority.

Giving a nod of acceptance, Carlisle stepped out of the doorway and headed down the hall with Emmett in tow hoping to find comfort in Esme's arms while his son's soul found peace with Alice.

AN: And now all of the little Cullens have paid for their little misadventure. Sometimes Alice is a little too playful for her own good, but she answered a question that I have long asked myself while reading disciplinary fiction; if they stop when you submit, why not submit sooner? ... apparently with Carlisle that isn't necessarily a wise idea. Wonder if it would work on anyone else though. Hmm.

Now to let the family have a little bonding time and give Emmy and Jazz some time to consider their options for the rest of what Carlisle decides they deserve. ...and with Jasper just having to bristle up at Carlisle. Tsk tsk.

Thanks to Splinter for the proofing and thanks to everyone for your kind words and continuing to follow along on a side story that ended up taking on a life of it's own. *hugs*