I just got back from a camping trip and I'm so irritated I can't even try to give you my reasons for not updating. I know this is short, sorry. And this chapter is mostly fluff.

Bella POV

"Please?" Alice asked. "It's only for a few hours."

"I don't know if Edward will let me," I said doubtfully.

"I'll make him let you. He understands that Carlisle is making me leave the "sick room" for a while. He wants someone in there that hasn't had to for a while. And you and Jasper need bonding time."

I rolled my eyes. "Why?"

"Because you do." Alice was sitting on the Cullen's front porch. Jasper's window was open upstairs so she could hear if something was wrong. Corrine's medicine had helped him to get well enough that he could stand a little breeze and not get cold.

"Fine," I huffed.

She smiled sweetly. "Great! Thank you, Bella!" she sang. "Esme, Rose, and I are going shopping, while the guys are going out hunting. Corrine and her coven are out doing whatever they do. You go on upstairs."

I nodded.

When I got to Jasper's room, he was sitting propped up on several pillows, eyes half-closed and sleepy. The breeze wafted through the room, ruffling his hair.

"You okay?" I asked, smoothing his blankets over his chest. Something I'd seen Alice do in the few times I'd been in here.

Jasper nodded, not saying anything. He looked tired.

"Do you want me to shut the window?" I offered.

"No… I like it open. It's too hot in here."

I didn't know what to do now. So I just went and sat in a rocking chair by the door. Jasper eventually fell asleep, and I think I did too, because I woke up to the sound of him coughing violently.

Uncertain what to do, I went to his side. He was bent double, coughing badly. I rubbed his back, trying to stop it.

Eventually, the terrible noise died away and he slumped back against the pillows, head lolling back. "Can I have some water or blood?" His voice was raspy.

"Of course…" Unable to stand the idea of getting him blood, I went downstairs and got him a glass of water, holding it to his mouth.

He drank, seeming to enjoy the cold tastelessness. I pulled it back when he stopped drinking and set it on his bedside table. "Better?"

Jasper nodded and curled up under the covers, closing his eyes without a word to me. I took that as a dismissal and went to sit again.

"Bella?" Alice whispered, cracking open the door. "We're back. You can leave now if you want."

I got up from the rocking chair and started out the door, when I heard Jasper's voice.

"Bella? Where are you going?"

Alice POV

I held Jasper tightly against my side, humming quietly to soothe him. Bella had gone and he'd had a small panic attack. I just didn't know why. He hadn't told me why yet.

"How is he?" Esme poked her head through the door.

"He's fine now," I told her. "I got him calmed down."

"Why did he…?" Her eyes were concerned.

"I don't know."

Jasper stirred beside me. I knew he was awake, but I wasn't sure how aware of our conversation he was.

"Alice? Where's Bella?" he asked.

"She went home, sweetie," I said. "She's fine."

"I know she is. I just wanted to know where she went."

Looking down at his innocent expression, I couldn't doubt his honesty. Jasper wouldn't lie to me anyway. I had no idea why I was so skeptical and doubtful today.

Carlisle came into the room. I looked up at him questioningly.

"His medicine," Carlisle said in way of explanation, coming to our bed. I helped Jasper sit up a little more so he could take it.

Jasper wrinkled his nose in distaste when Carlisle went to give him the liquid. "It's disgusting," he complained. "Do I have to take it? Can't you at least flavor it?"

"Jazz," I scolded gently. "Don't complain. It will help you get better."

He scowled, moody. "I don't like it. It tastes like shit."

"Jasper!" Carlisle reprimanded. "You stop that and watch your language. Take your medicine."

With an obviously reluctant air, Jasper opened his mouth so the spoon could be placed in and swallowed, making a face. His attitude was actually funny, and I couldn't help but giggle.

He flopped back against his pillow and I helped him lie back down. It never failed to amaze me how he could go from wanting comfort and attention to whining about it and hating to have attention on him.

Carlisle left quickly, and I started rubbing Jasper's back in an attempt to get him in a better mood. "He's just trying to get you healthy again, Jazz. Don't get angry at him."

"I don't want him to do that," he mumbled. "I don't like that medicine. It tastes like-"

"Shit. I know," I interrupted him.

"I was going to say skunk," he replied. "But shit is right, too, I guess."

Rolling my eyes, I kept rubbing his back. "Oh, stop that," I said. "You have to take it anyway, honey. It'll get you better. Don't you want to be well again?"

"Yeah, I do, but I just really hate that medicine," he whined.

"Get over it," I retorted.

He didn't say anything.

Of course, talking tired him out and he couldn't talk much after a while. So he lay there quietly while I talked.

Eventually I looked down at him and his eyes were closed. I wondered if he was sleeping, but his eyes flashed open when I stopped talking, so I started again.

And then Carlisle came back in.

Oh, God. His complaints again.

I'll update faster if I get lots of reviews.