Jasper stood exactly as his father had left him except now he had taken on a contrite stance with head bowed and hands clasped behind his back. The intense anger was gone, something for which Carlisle counted himself extremely lucky. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as he originally feared.

"Jasper? Son?" Carlisle reached out and placed his hand against his soldier's shoulder. The boy jumped at his father's quiet tone and tender touch. "Please come with me."

"I put a hole in the wall." Jasper's voice was the barest of whispers as he remained glued to the spot.

"So I see."

"Papa, I…"

Carlisle tightened his hold on Jasper's shoulder and turned his son around. Tapping his knuckle beneath the boy's jaw, he encouraged him to raise his head.

"I know, son. We need to talk, but I promise you, everything will be fine. Come on. Let's take this someplace private." Jasper nodded and allowed his father to steer him back towards his office. Once safely behind closed doors, Carlisle sat down on the couch and dropped his head into his hands while his son settled in next to him. Several minutes passed in silence before the patriarch felt a calm come over him.

"Thank you, Jasper, but that isn't necessary. I'm not upset. I'm trying to decide where to start."

"May I speak, Sir?"

"Feel free, son." Carlisle sat back meeting his boy's eyes as he gave Jasper his undivided attention.

Jasper kept his head low as he glanced up at his father. "Is Emmett okay?"

"Yes. A little worse for wear, but it takes much more than a spanking to dampen Emmett's spirits."

The boy swallowed as he casted his eyes downward in shame. "Carlisle, I know better than to question you. I have no idea why I couldn't stop myself from ..."

His father took a deep breath. "You were worried about your brother. There is nothing wrong with that, Jasper. I want all of you to look after each other. That's what a family does. The problem is that you meant to interfere with me. I didn't mind you questioning me, but once I've responded to those questions you should have accepted my explanation.

If you trust me, son, then you would know that I would never harm your brother. This is a serious issue that has cropped up time and time again. I do understand your protectiveness when it comes to Alice, but to see it show itself, even at a milder level, when the concern is Emmett does disturb me. What can I do to ease your mind, Jazz? Tell me what is required to earn your trust, because I'm at a loss."

Jasper hung his proud head low. "I trust you, Papa. Honest. It's just…"

Carlisle placed his hand on his son's knee. "Just what, son?"

"I didn't want to be responsible for that happening to Emmett. He has been with you since he was turned so he doesn't know how other covens work. He may be strong and tough, but he is not use to the harshness that I am accustomed to. I just don't want him to have to experience the types of discipline that I have."

"Jasper, first you need to let go of the idea that you are in any way responsible for the punishment Emmett received. A very small amount was meted out with that paddle. I was never going to use it on him to the extent that you feared, though it wouldn't have done for me to let either of you in on that little fact at the time. I do know what your implement can do. I tested it out first on myself to make sure that I would be in control of just what was being experienced at the other end." Carlisle placed a couple of fingers beneath his son's chin and gently tilted his head up. "I know that it's not what you are used to, Jazz, but by now I would have hoped that my methods would have become more familiar so you wouldn't find yourself worrying so much."

"But I heard ..."

Carlisle raised a hand and stopped his son instantly in midsentence. "No, son what you heard was me hitting the desk to make Emmett believe that I had hit him that hard. That was just a little shock to his psyche. I wasn't striking him very hard at all." Carlisle replayed the final moments of Emmett being taken to task then cleared his throat. "The final few strokes were rather hard, " he admitted softly, "but they were for a different reason than his original offense."

Jasper's eyes held his father's questioningly.

"Emmett may share that information with you if he wishes."

The boy nodded slightly while shifting as he grew more uncomfortable under his father's gaze.

"Jasper, you need to be mindful of your ability to affect others when you are upset yourself. The anger that you were giving off could have caused me to lose my control with Emmett. I don't think you would have been pleased with having been the cause should that have happened."

"No, Sir." The regret was clear in his whispered response.

"Were you angry because you didn't believe I had given your concerns the consideration that they deserved?"

He nodded as he turned away. "I felt dismissed. Since I was the one who made that paddle, I knew it better than you did, but you were really quick to blow off my concerns. I also didn't feel that you took me seriously. I would have taken that ass whipping for Emmett and when you didn't even give it a second thought that just pissed me off. There was no reason that I couldn't have done that, Carlisle; no reason at all. Emmett would have known that I saved his butt. He would have got the message without having to have a sore tail right now to show for it."

Carlisle's chest heaved as his breath escaped in a sigh. "Do you still feel this way?"

"Some…yeah. I mean come on, did you see the look on his face? Also I'm not sure how good of an idea it is to have me workin' at the hospital. I do alright at school, but purposely being around blood doesn't seem smart to me. I don't know that I have that much control. You lecture me about keeping a low profile and then you stick me in a situation that stands to blow up in both of our faces. Doesn't that seem just a tiny bit stupid? I don't think it's going to teach me Jack either. It's a weak punishment, if you ask me. Completely beneath you." Suddenly noticing his tone lacking the respect that it wisely should have carried, Jasper swiftly added a "Sir" in the hopes of appeasing his father.

Carlisle rubbed his chin while patiently listening to his son's explanation. When Jasper came to the end of his little rant, his father leaned back into the soft leather as he slipped into contemplation. Turning to his boy, the elder spoke in a quiet voice that held a tone of unwavering conviction.

"Jasper, you need to understand that I think through everything very carefully before I make any decisions that affect my family; especially my children. There are times, like this one, where I seem to make a rash decision, but that is never the case. Emmett needed to learn a good lesson, which I believe he now has done. You also have a lesson to learn; actually you need to learn a couple of lessons, Jazz. It is unusual for you to give me any real problem, son so perhaps I have become remiss when it comes to correcting your mistakes; maybe I have given you too much leeway." Carlisle crossed his arms as held his son's eyes with a piercing gaze. "Let me explain how I see what you consider a weak punishment. Contrary to your point of view, it is a good idea, but it wouldn't have the needed punitive effect on Emmett; for you, however, it will be nearly too harsh."

"Because you don't think I will be able to control my thirst?"

"No. I think that may be somewhat difficult, but I feel safe in saying that you will do fine. No Jasper. I can't think of a punishment harder for an empath than to be put in a situation where your emotions are going to be consistently bombarded." He stopped to give his words time to seep into his son's thoughts. Once he noticed understanding beginning to dawn in the boy's amber eyes, he spoke again. "The blood is going to be a challenge, but dealing with varying levels of pain, grief, anxiety and suffering eased only occasionally by relief or tinges of happiness will be exponentially harder on you."

Jasper's eyes softened as his mind began to race through a variety of scenarios. "Putting it that way, it is nearly terrifying."

"That is why I am not willing to subject you to working at the hospital for the week that Emmett suggested. Your three day suspension period seems to be just about the right amount of time. Hopefully it is long enough to make an impression without causing you major issues. I do believe that it will help teach you to learn to control your gift. You can block some of the effects, but you need to practice that skill just like any other. You also need to learn to block your projection. You will not increase the suffering of these patients like you managed to cause anger in me. Are we clear on this point, young man?"

"Yes, Papa. I would have never done that intentionally. That was dangerous to Emmett. I never meant for it to happen."

"I know, son but it doesn't excuse the fact that it did. If I hadn't removed you do you think you would have realized what you were doing before I was in fully blown fury?"

A film of venom clouded Jasper's eyes as he shook his head. "Probably not."

"Do you understand that this is a problem?"

"A huge problem."

Carlisle nodded. "Yes, huge is a very accurate assessment of the severity of this situation and you will correct it. This is not a suggestion, Jasper. You may take this as an order if that helps you amend the issue."

"I'll work on it."

"Jasper, you will do more than work on it."

"Yes, Sir." His head drooped. "I will make certain that it doesn't complicate things anymore."

Carlisle gave Jasper's shoulder a light shake causing the boy to look back to him. "Son, I don't expect you to be perfect. I know mistakes will happen and control will slip. What I need is for you to realize that you do have the ability to keep your gift in check much better than you have been as of late. I have faith in you, Jazz; always have and always will." He gave the boy a brief smile that was returned in kind before Carlisle took on a much more somber tone.

"Jasper Whitlock Hale, the time spent in the hospital will serve as discipline for your disregard of your previous punishment; however, your rule breaking at school deserves to be addressed as a separate issue."

Jasper's mouth felt dry as nervousness began to take hold.

"The paddle is on my desk. Would you go get it for me, please?"

The southerner didn't feel quite as sure of himself as he left his father sitting on the couch to shuffle over to the desk. The formidable black rubber strap with the hot pink handle seemed much more menacing as he hefted it from its resting place. Intimidating tiny kitty faces seemed to glare at him with a maliciousness he would have never suspected possible in something normally so utterly cute. You made it. You asked for this. Now just man up and deal with it. Jasper swallowed hard to dislodge a lump in this throat as he turned back and handed the homemade paddle to Carlisle.

Placing the paddle next to him, Carlisle pointed to a spot directly in front of him which his boy promptly took. "Jasper, over the last two days you have made several poor decisions. Today you made a calculated error at school. Remind me, what makes this minor offense a major complication?"

Jasper drew a breath as he raised his head and stared past his father. "My actions threatened the safety of our family by having the potential of drawing undesired attention."

"That is a violation of our coven rules as well as a violation of the laws set down by the Volturi to protect our species and, in our case, the humans that we associate with. This is a serious offense, son that cannot be ignored."

"I know, Papa. My plan was ill conceived and I am prepared to accept responsibility for my asininity."

For several seconds Carlisle sat silently as an acute sense of sadness settled over him. Finally, when he did speak his soft voice carried the strength of conviction. "Jasper, you know the drill. Jeans down."

For a moment the boy glanced at the fiendish implement that lay within his father's reach and felt his courage fail. "Papa, don't you think this is a jeans up time? I mean…well you know…" His eyes grew wider. "Papa?"

Carlisle raised a brow as he gazed at his son. "Jasper, would you like to lose the boxers as well?"

With a heavy sigh and slightly trembling hands the boy unfastened his jeans and slid them down his muscular thighs.

"Come on, son." The elder blonde patted his lap and soon held the nervous youth firmly across it.

With his hand resting lightly on Jasper's back, Carlisle felt his son take several deep breaths when a sudden calm came over him. "Jasper, you're projecting again."

"I know."

Carlisle smirked then took a deep breath himself to help settle his nerves and steel his conviction as he brought his hand firmly down upon his son's upturned behind.

The first few strokes stung, but were milder than Jasper had anticipated, but before he had a chance to revel in relief his father stepped up the pace and strength. The boy balled up his fist as he tried to fight through the pain of the inferno igniting his rump. At first he focused on keeping his breath steady to help breathe through the worst of the pain, only to find himself breaking down into shallow gasps as the ordeal wore on. His resolve to remain still and quiet deteriorated under Carlisle's relentless attention and soon Jasper found himself trying to wiggle off his father's lap. The disciplinarian merely tightened his grip to maintain control as he quietly began to reprimand his son.

"I expect better from you, Jasper. You are far too intelligent to take the actions that you have today. A Major does not rise to his rank by placing himself or others in avoidable danger. Taking foolish risks will land you right back here every time until a lasting impression is finally made. I will not allow you to endanger your family or yourself as you have done today. Be happy that the only payment extracted for this recklessness comes in the form of a sore behind. Caius would not have gone as easy on you if he were to become involved."

Jasper gritted his teeth as his father's words stung worse than his unyielding hand. You call this going easy, Carlisle? Damn it. The pain of death has nothing on an ass whipping.

"Do you understand the gravity of what you have done, son?"

"Yessss," he hissed as a particularly sharp blow caught the tender weight baring edge of his rear.

"You know, my bearn, I want to believe you, but I still can't quite bring myself to do so. Next time you are moved to do something of this nature think about Alice. What would she do if her soul mate was destroyed; and destroyed by something as trite as lack of forethought and pure stubbornness? By your own admission, both Alice and Edward advised against having a weapon at school, but your stubborn pride wouldn't allow for you to be wrong, would it?"

Jasper clawed at the heavy leather cushion as he tried to focus on anything but Carlisle's words. His gentle compassionate father wounded him deeply with each question that forced him to look at his actions and the repercussions they could bring. His own death was not something to be feared, but he couldn't bear the thought of Alice being hurt. He should keep her safe. Could his stubborn streak really end up causing her harm? The idea of causing his love pain brought tears to his eyes.

Sensing a change in his son, Carlisle made the decision to drive his point home. Taking up the paddle he snapped it smartly across Jasper's barely protected backside drawing a strangled cry from the boy.

"Listen to me, Jazz. I want you to be proud of who you are and your accomplishments. I want you to stubbornly stand up for your convictions. Both of these qualities are wonderful integral parts of your personality, but so is common sense and you need to temper the first two with the latter." The paddle found its mark again and the sob that followed fractured Carlisle's heart. "I love you, son and I hate myself for causing you pain, but I will do it again because I would hate myself more if something happened to you."

A final stroke of the biting rubber and Jasper's tears broke free as he sobbed quietly. The paddle fell from Carlisle's hand with a thud while tears stung his own eyes. Jasper's emotional release hit his father like a tidal wave taking Carlisle's unneeded breath away.

Scooping his son up in his arms, the patriarch held the boy close to his chest while he attempted to soothe him. "Tá sé ceart go leor a mhic. Shhh. It's okay, son. You're alright. Tá sé go maith. Fan socair, a ghrá; tá tú slán liomsa." Carlisle rocked slightly while Jasper clung tightly to him as the boy's tears soaked his shirt. "Calm down, Jasper. You're safe. I have you."

AN: And there you have the mad ramblings of a over heated brain at 2am when it can't sleep. The majority of this chapter was written between 2 and 5 this morning. Was way too hot to sleep and I still had a bit of a charge on my battery. Yay! Cannot wait to have power back. Hopefully today. *crosses everything* I swear that once I have power I will dance naked in the street. ...hmmm... maybe that is why I don't have power. Might need to rethink that plan.

Anyway... I think one more chapter to give some comfort to Carlisle and Jasper along with a bit of a wrap up and this one is done. Wheeee! Thanks one and all who have stuck with me through this severely odd journey. You all rock my socks. Thanks to Splinter for all the clean up, especially on this last chapter. The brain just doesn't work well enough to get those errors in the wee hours. *hugs*

And.. let's see... "bearn" is the Old English word for "son" and most of the Gaelic is translated by the man himself in that last little paragraph. "Tá sé ceart go leor a mhic." means.. "It's okay, son." "Tá sé go maith." translates to "It's okay." "Fan socair, a ghrá; tá tú slán liomsa."..."calm down, love; you're safe with me."... not entirely sure on that last one but it's the best I could do at the time. *nods*