Ok so one backtracking thing I have to say…I am an idiot sometimes, and I wasn't thinking clearly when I wrote that section where he was thinking about the cars…just because he likes his bike and Edward likes his Volvo doesn't mean it's likely that no one else change their car, ESPECIALLY Rose. So I'm thinking I didn't specify what hers was, which is very good because I'm going to have to change the other cars around. Anyway, that's all on that subject, just wanted to acknowledge that I screwed up, lol.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Alice

The sun in my eyes woke me up, and I dimly wondered why in the hell I hadn't shut the blinds the night before. Then again, I had been pretty sure that I had…

I sighed, frustrated and rolled across the bed, closer to the window but with my back to it. I nestled into the other pillow, pulled the blankets tighter around me. I closed my eyes, took a deep comfortable breath…and realized that I really was going crazy. I could have sworn I could smell Jasper on this pillow, as if he had laid beside me here the night before. Impossible, but it was exactly what I had dreamed. My imagination was working overtime, or maybe I was still in that weird state between sleep and consciousness. Either way, no reason not to enjoy it. I smiled, took another deep breath. Yes, definitely Jasper. And I was definitely crazy.

The knock on my door jolted me awake. "Your boyfriend's here."

Crap! My eyes snapped open and leaped somewhat clumsily out of bed. Shit, shit, shit… My eyes fell on the clock, and it was clear immediately that I had slept straight through my alarm. How did I manage that one? I hadn't done that in ages… I scrambled to the door, whipped it open. "Billy?"

He paused on the stairs, but didn't really acknowledge me. "Thank you. And can you…can you let Jasper in?" I'd have to throw on some clothes pretty lightning fast but he could be here for the rest, hang out in my room or something, I didn't want to make him wait outside.

Though he didn't answer, I hoped that he had enough kindness left for me to at least do that. Shutting the door I darted back to my closet, more awake now that I was slipping into full on hectic rush mode. Now, what was I going to wear... I had seen nothing from today, so no hints in that department. Hmm…it was definitely going to be cool outside if not cold, so a sweater, probably. But green or grey? Or something else entirely? I had a sweatshirt that wasn't half bad, but did it work for today? Orange? Maybe not…

"Can I come in?"

My heart leapt, crashing against my ribs. "I…ah…yeah, sure, Jasper."

I didn't take my eyes away from the closet, listening instead for the sounds of the door. I didn't hear it, but within a second I felt his hands on my hips from behind, resting lightly. "You look sleepy."

More nervous than I could have cared to think about much less explain, I kept stubbornly sifting through the closet. "I was until about a minute ago, yeah. Think the jumping out of bed part killed it, though."

He chuckled, ran his fingers through my hair and leaned in to kiss the top of my head. I sighed, relaxing into his touch. How could I ever stay nervous around Jasper? I had to have looked like a mess, but apparently, he just didn't care. Really, he shouldn't be this perfect. Men were never perfect. Still, it's not as if that were a bad thing, something I should question, something undesirable. "You didn't need to worry on my account. You could go back to sleep, if you want. Bet I can get us to school in five minutes."

"Yes, but I can't get ready in five minutes."

"Alright, maybe I can get us to school in three."

I laughed, shook my head. "And I can't get ready in two, either, but nice try. I'll be fine, I'll wake up on the way." Which still didn't leave me much time, and which was why I really needed to make up my mind.

"Grey. You'll look beautiful in it." I paused in my movements, surprised that he had caught on to the source of my indecision so quickly. "Although…" He stepped closer, brushed a kiss against my cheek. "You look beautiful in anything, so it's up to you. I'm not picky, but you are."

Yes, I was. But if he liked the grey one, I'd go with that. I liked it too, then again, I liked everything I'd ever bought. Well. I liked it all under certain conditions. I pulled a pair of faded jeans and the grey sweater from the closet, fished around on the floor until I found a pair of shoes that worked. Finally, I turned to face him to find him smiling at me, but in a way that was far more adoring than amused. "I'll be right back, ok?"

He nodded, sidestepped and backed up as if he had already memorized the lay of the floor and everything on it and fell back lightly onto my bed. "I'll be right here, take your time." It really was so hard to stop staring at him, especially when he was smiling like that. Really, really hard. And it probably didn't help that I was still half asleep, like he had said. Shaking myself out of it, I headed toward the door and out into the hallway, somewhat dazed. I was almost sure I heard him laugh again, but it was soft enough that I was sure it was just my imagination.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"Alice."

The bell had barely rang and he had already crossed the space between our desks, his hands cradling my book and easing it into my bag. His movements were the same as they had been every day this week, as normal, but the look on his face was far too serious, all the usual warmth gone from his voice when he said my name. Far, far too serious. "Yes?"

"Would you like to meet my family?"

Was that all? Why on earth was he so hesitant? "Of course I want to, Jasper! Why would you think I wouldn't?"

He smiled a little, almost shy but still a little sad as he shrugged. "I'm not sure. Of course, you're right. Well, come on then." He took my hand and pulled my easily to my feet, leading me gently down the hallway. "They're looking forward to meeting you, you know. Bella especially."

Bella. She was the sister he talked about the most often, and I assumed they were close. I couldn't help the way my heart hurt at the thought, the sharp pain that came with missing my own brother. Billy… I shook it off, focused. I needed to make sure I knew everyone. "So there's Bella, Edward…Emmett?"

He nodded. "Yes, Emmett. And Rosalie. That's all of them."

"So many in one family… I mean, not that that's a bad thing, it's wonderful. Just different."

"Yes. We are different." He smiled, a little more humor seeming to touch him then. "Our parents have been very generous."

They had to be, not to mention rich enough to be able to adopt so many kids. Something clicked then, something I had heard on the first day of school and had all but forgotten. "Wait, aren't you and Rose twins?"

He smiled again, though it looked a little pained. "Yes. We are. And I love her dearly, but honestly we aren't very much alike." He chuckled warmly, then. "Though I have a much better relationship with her than Edward does."

"Do they not get along?"

"They do, usually. But they've had their differences. What do you want?"

I had been so caught up in the conversation I had hardly noticed the cafeteria, and now that we were in line I really had no idea. "Ah…anything."

He rolled his eyes. "Narrow it down."

"I can get-" But he was already shaking his head, and I knew if I fought him I'd get another speech about the fact that he could take care of me. And as adorable as it was to hear it, I wouldn't make him go through it again. "Alright. I'll have a bowl of soup."

"Soup?" He eyed me warily. "Somehow, that doesn't sound like enough."

"It is. I'm not very hungry." He obeyed…sort of. Somewhere along the way, a grilled cheese sandwich found its way onto the tray too but I didn't complain. I could probably get him to eat it, guys always had big appetites. A fact that made me abruptly take notice that he had nothing for himself. "And just what are you eating?"

The corners of his lips twitched. "Nothing. I'm not hungry."

"And you can get away with that, though I know for a fact I never could."

"Yes." And of course, he didn't say anything else. As much as I wanted to question him more, he was already paying the cashier and we'd be heading outside in a minute. I could argue with him about his health later. Right now, I was nervous. Clearly, family was very important to him. I had to fit in with these people, and I hated going in blind. If only I could have seen something! Anything!

He squeezed my hand gently and I felt my fears ease. "Don't worry. They'll love you. They have to."

"Or you'll kill them?"

He made a soft, low sound somewhere between a dangerous laugh and assent. "Maybe. But that's not why they have to." I could feel his eyes on me and I turned to look at him, fell into those beautiful gold eyes. "They have to because there's no way they couldn't. It isn't possible."

It was the closest he had come to outright saying that he loved me, and for a moment I felt too dizzy to worry about anything else, to even think about anything else. I wanted nothing more than to ask him to say that again, to hope that this time he'd be just a little more clear. And if he was, then I was probably going to be capable of flight, right then and there. Either that or die happy, one of the two. Either one would be alright with me.

"Finally, Jasper!" The voice was loud and booming, much more of a joyful whoop than I expected. Beside me, I felt Jasper tense as he sat our tray down on the table, pulling me down to sit very close to him on the end of a bench.

"Alice, this is Emmett. Emmett," I heard the emphasis on the word clearly, and from the way Emmett rolled his eyes it was plain that he had too. "This is – Alice." There had been a pause I was half sure I had imagined before my name, and maybe I had imagined it because no one else looked interested. He pulled my hand to rest against his leg, squeezed it gently again. "There's Rose." The blonde beside Emmett. She was breathtakingly beautiful, astonishing really. They definitely shared each other's good looks, although honestly, so did the whole family. "And Bella and Edward will be here-"

"Now. Hello, Alice." He came around from the behind us to slide in beside me. There was something soft about his smooth voice, something calming in a far different way than Jasper's was. I looked up to see him, but I didn't get much chance.

Instantly, I was seeing something else.

Edward stepped up behind me, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. "That's enough. Can't you see that she has lost as much as you? Can't you leave her alone, even now?"

My father was dressed in his best suit, and though he had been looking at me with a mix of utter hatred and something close to fear, the look he gave Edward was one of contempt. "She's my daughter. I'll tell her what I-"

"No, you won't." Edward's voice was grim, hard. Barely controlled fury. He dipped his head to whisper close to my ear, his words gentle once more. "Alice, Jasper shouldn't be long, but can you go stand with Carlisle and Esme? I'd like to speak to him for a moment."

I nodded, though I could still feel my whole body shaking. In my mind, I was thinking how I didn't have much longer to go, much farther to hold on. I would be theirs soon enough.

The hand that held my shoulder tightened reassuringly just before he let me go. "No. You already are."

For a moment, I stared at the pale, bronze haired boy next to me with a mixture of shock, awe, and undeniable warmth. Wherever we had been, whatever my father had been yelling at me about, he had stepped in to protect me. The safety I had felt beside him wasn't entirely foreign. It reminded me of being a girl again, standing behind Billy when the other kids had picked on me for being short. Billy I had lost forever it seemed, but Edward…could I really be part of their family in their eyes? Could he really treat me as his sister? Apparently he could, he would. But what had happened? And when was I going to be theirs? My heart jolted frantically as my mind caught up to itself. Would I be moving in with them? Could I? The thought of escaping the hell of being continually ignored at home was a joy that I almost couldn't contain.

As my mind cleared I caught up to the stranger parts, not the least of which was the way he was looking at me now. The expression on his face seemed to be a mirror of my what my own must have been, except there was worry there as well… He seemed to wipe it away as soon as I noticed, but there had been that strange moment in the vision now that I thought of it, the one where he had seemed to know what I needed to hear at the exact moment that I had…

He turned away from me, to the girl beside him. "Alice, this is Bella."

She leaned forward, smiling warmly, her elbows coming to rest on the table. "Hey, Alice."

"Alice…" Her voice was almost a whine, the desperation in it a palpable thing. Not that I cared.

"No! I told you, I already know you're going to sit down and cooperate, so just make this process easier will you?" She sighed, bit her lip then finally sat down in the chair, holding her hand out so I could paint her nails.

"This is ridiculous."

"No, it's fun! And besides, this makes me very happy, being able to do this with you. I never thought I'd have a best friend to get ready for a big dance with, and I'm only going to do this for the first time once you know."

"But this..blueish whiteish color? It's-"

"It has a name, Bella. Alpine Frost. And this is the winter formal you know, it's perfect!"

"Uh-huh."

"Edward's going to love it!"

She groaned.

I softened my approach, lowering my voice. "You really are making me very happy, Bella. You know I love you, don't you? I'm not trying to ruin anything for you, it's just-"

She sighed. "No, you're not. Promise." She even smiled, a little. "And you know I love you, too." She grinned wider then, laughing a little. "At least you better know it, after this."

This time, I looked immediately at Edward, suspicious. Of course, it was ridiculous to be suspicious. How could he know? Yet, there was a moment I could have sworn a grin flashed across his face, but it was gone as fast as I saw it. Or I was crazy, and it had never been there at all.

I shook my head a little, settled for waving at Bella. "Hi, Bella!" Bella. Bella Cullen. My best friend. This was going so, so much better than I had expected.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''

I settled back on the bed, watching Jasper as his long fingers trailed slowly over the spines of the books on my bookshelf, clearly absorbing the titles. "Shakespeare?"

"Mmhm."

"And Bronte."

"Yes." I slid forward, moved to the foot of the bed rather than the head. "Fascinated?"

"Very. I love reading."

"I can tell. Your favorite?"

"That's a hard one." He moved back, leaned against the wall. "There's several. I can't pick one, but I can name a couple."

"…Well?"

He grinned, tossed his hair so it fell over his eyes. Damn, did he know what he did to my heart when it did that? It was almost enough to make it beat right out of my chest… "North and South, by John Jakes. And the second one, Love and War, I don't like the third. Anything by Edgar Allan Poe. The Count of Monte Cristo. The Great Gatsby. Many, but that's a few."

"I've read some Poe and I've read Gatsby but not Monte Cristo, though I've wanted to, and I've never read the Civil War books."

"You should. Scratch that, you will. You can borrow mine."

"Well, that settles that then. But you'll have to read something I choose."

"I can handle that." His eyes roamed over the walls, fell on a picture of an actor I had fallen in love with when I was 14. "What do you see in him, hm?" His words were teasing enough, good natured, but I could hear a current of real annoyance behind them and I couldn't help but grin. He was jealous. Jasper, the ultimate man, positively gorgeous, sex-symbol Jasper was jealous of a picture. I could hardly keep from bursting into laughter.

"Next to you, nothing. He's a good actor though. I really fell for him when I was younger."

"Hm."

I giggled, scooted all the way to the edge of the bed to let my legs hang off, beckoning him forward. He came hesitantly, though I could feel him relax when he took my hands and stepped closer, even pulling me forward to lean against him. This was a welcome change to the tension I could usually feel in him when he held me, and though I wondered I would never question why it occurred to begin with or why it was better now. I rested my head on his chest, my fingers gripping loosely to his shirt. "Like I said, next to you, he's nothing."

"Good." I felt his breath against my temple, felt his lips linger there as he sighed. Something was still bothering him.

I pushed him back gently, took his hand in my own. "Jasper, what's wrong? Really?"

"Really? I'm not ready to leave you." He stroked my cheek, his molten eyes blazing into mine.

"Then don't go." My voice was a barely audible whisper, all thought lost. I was mesmerized. "Stay, they won't be home until later, any of them."

He grimaced, shook his head. "I can't. And I won't be at school tomorrow either." He looked down and away, seemingly afraid of my disapproval. "I have to go on a trip with Emmett." Though I knew he'd never miss something he'd promised me, a spike of fear shot through me all the same, my breath catching. His head snapped up almost instantly, eyes wide. "Don't worry, I'll be back by tomorrow night. But I..promised Emmett, and I'm afraid I have to leave this afternoon. Now." A sigh that was almost a growl slipped from his lips and he pulled me closer, one hand stroking my back. "Edward will take you to school tomorrow, alright?"

I nodded, looked down. I didn't want him to see how this hurt me, because it shouldn't. It wasn't that long! It was hardly 24 hours! So why did I feel like this, like my soul was being torn away from me? Somehow, it felt worse than dying, and it was a feeling so intense that I couldn't even convince myself that that was stupid.

Gently he tipped my chin up, made me face him again. "I will miss you terribly, you know that don't you? I can hardly bear it, leaving you now. I…" He paused, traced my face with his fingertips before curving his palm to fit my cheek. "Alice…"

I reached up, pressed my hand against his cheek. "Not as much as I'll miss you."

"I very much doubt that."

"That doesn't mean you can't be wrong." He smiled and it was genuine, a sight that warmed me just a little bit. A fact that reminded me… I took his hand and kissed his palm, careful. "You're cold."

"Mm."

"You're always cold."

He shrugged his shoulders lightly, though his hand didn't move. "I suppose. Don't worry about it, I'm alright." He eased his hand from my grip, trailed his fingertips across my lips. "So…what time do I pick you up tomorrow? I'd like to take you out to dinner first."

"And you're going to eat."

"Actually, no, I'm…eating with Emmett, earlier. But I want to take you to dinner." And by his tone, I could tell that wasn't an option.

"When will you be back?"

His eyes brightened, clearly pleased. He shouldn't have been so surprised, in fact I had the urge to slap him for not having more common sense. Of course I wanted him as soon as possible. "Can I pick you up at 6?"

"You can pick me up whenever you like."

His eyes sparkled. "Oh really?" Swifter than I would have imagined possible he had swept me up in his arms, my body cradled effortlessly to his chest as if I weighed no more than a grain of sand. "Is now a good time?"

I gasped and giggled, though I clung to him rather than pushing away. "Jasper!" I was, honestly, far, far from exasperated. He could hold me forever, if he wanted.

He grinned mischieviously, set me back down on the edge of the bed as quickly as he had scooped me up. "Impossible to resist."

"I didn't mind."

Something about the way I said, or maybe what he had said or simple the moment itself but something changed, shifted. The playful air fell and there was something more serious, more intense about the way he leaned over me now, the burn in his eyes. I didn't even try to control my own actions though really I should have, but I just wasn't thinking. I took his face in my hands and brought my lips to his, gasping against them when I felt his hand curving against my neck, the pad of his thumb tracing my jaw. This kiss was a little less restrained than before though not by much, and it was equally maddeningly short.

He pulled back with a quiet groan, and I was certain I caught something he whispered under his breath about needing to 'get out of here'. Of course. He had to meet Emmett. Still…

He stroked my cheek, his forehead resting against mine. "I have to go now, Alice."

"Alright."

"Tomorrow at 6?"

"I'll be waiting."

"I'll count on that." One minute he was there, his breath feather soft against my lips and the next he was gone, the air still stirred in his wake. I let my body slump, fall back against the sheets. I could still feel his lips on mine, and darting my tongue out now I could taste him still, barely.

Jasper… I rolled over on my side to look at the clock, checking the time. 4:45. 25 hours and 15 minutes. Wonderful.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

I had expected it of course, but the sight of the silver Volvo waiting for me in Jasper's place was still a little disappointing. Not that I didn't want to spend more time with Edward, I did, but what I didn't like was what it meant. Jasper was already gone, and he wouldn't be back until tonight. A single day had never seemed so long.

I slid into the passenger seat quickly, looking over at Edward to find him already smiling warmly at me. "Good morning, Alice."

"Hey. Thanks for the ride."

He shook his head as he pulled the car out, driving with one hand. "You're not a problem at all, don't even think about it." He turned to me again, eyes drifting away from the road longer than I think I could have managed, though the car didn't veer in the slightest. "We're all very happy to have you around, Alice. More than you know."

His words had such depth of honesty to them that it was impossible to doubt his sincerity, a fact that made me only more curious. "Because of Jasper?"

He nodded, slow. "Yes."

Well, clearly he wasn't going to volunteer too much, but he had brought it up so maybe I could push it a little. "He almost wouldn't talk to me, when we met."

Edward's lips quirked, and I could see his fingers tap on the steering wheel. "Yes, I know. He's not usually…" He seemed to be mulling over the right words, his head tilted. "Social. In any form, really. Not with those outside the family at least, and sometimes he's even difficult with us."

There had to be a reason, but that was the one question I wouldn't ask. Whatever had brought on his defenses, he'd tell me himself when he was ready. I had no doubts that eventually, he would be. "He seems…"

"He is much better, now. Happier than I've seen him." He looked at me again, eyes soft. "Which is why we are all indebted to you, Alice. You do for him something none of us can." His eyes were the same liquid gold as Jasper's, though their burn didn't trap me the way his did. All the same, that was odd considering they weren't really related. Maybe… "Esme wants to have you over this weekend, if you'd like. Saturday afternoon, perhaps?"

"I'd love that!"

"Good. She's very anxious to meet you, Carlisle too." We were at school, now, and he whipped the car easily into a space beside his sisters green mustang. I was picking up my bag and getting ready to open the door when he stopped me, his voice soft. "Alice?"

"Yes?"

"You'll sit with us, of course…" A statement, but I could hear that the invitation was merely open. Only if I wanted.

I grinned. "Of course."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''

It had seemed like an eternity without him, and I was absolutely dying to see him. Still, I couldn't help but gasp and pause at the car he drove up in. He got out before I could get in and came around to meet me, his arms wrapping easily around my waist. "Alice, you're beautiful." The awe in his voice was enough to make me blush, and I smiled when he leaned in for a brief kiss. "I missed you."

"I know." I slid my own arms around his chest, leaned into him. "I missed you, too. Your trip go well?"

"It was fine. You ready?"

Almost, but it was then that I got a good look at what had stopped me in the first place. "Whose car is this?"

He laughed, ran a hand easily over the shiny hood. "Edward's. His car for special occasions. It's a Crossfire. Do you like it?"

"I don't see how anyone wouldn't like it, it's gorgeous!" It was a beautiful sports car in an unusual glittery burnt orange, sleek and shiny. So, so beautiful. Maybe I could convince Edward to let me drive it sometime…

He whipped the door open elegantly, and I noticed for the first time what he was actually wearing. I had been so caught up in him, his presence, that I hadn't paid any attention to that, at first. He was dressed all in black, his shirt silk with just enough sheen to be noticed. He was breathtaking, and for a moment I could hardly remember anything, including how he had ever been interested in me.

He grinned as he caught me staring, stepped back a little. "Did I do alright?"

"Alright?" My voice was weak and he laughed, nudged me toward the car door.

"I'll take that as a yes. Come on, I have reservations for us."

''''''''''''''''''''''''

We met Edward and Bella on the way into the dance, at the entrance. She looked even more beautiful now than she usually did, dressed in a black and white dress that came just past her knees. Even so, if I was her, I would have been wearing heels with it...but it didn't matter, she was a thousand times more gorgeous than I could have ever hoped to be, and it was plain she wasn't even trying. Edward grinned at me, slowed until we caught up. "Hello, Alice. Jazz. Em and Rose got here first, I believe."

"Probably, they usually do." Jasper pulled me close, his chin resting on my shoulder as he whispered in my ear. "Rose likes to show off, as you might have been able to tell before."

I couldn't help smiling a little. "Yeah, I thought so."

Edward joined in the laughter more enthusiastically than me, though he reigned it in before as we stepped inside. It was dark and well decorated, though not in the same way they did for prom or one of the more important dances. Rosalie was already there, in Emmett's arms in the middle of the floor. She looked like either a model or an angel, though in this lighting angel seemed more likely. She was practically glowing.

"Ready to dance with me?" His voice was low, almost seductive and I shivered, pressed closer to him.

"Absolutely."

He led us out onto the floor, twirling me around before pulling me against him, his movements fluid. He danced far better than me, and I could tell he was deliberately keeping my pace. It felt far too wonderful for me to have ever minded. His eyes were sparkling, his pale skin gleaming in the low light. His hand against my back slid lower, brought me even closer against him.

Something caught his attention then and his eyes bored in on a point over my shoulder, for a moment looking almost dangerous. He chuckled then, low. "Tyson's jealous."

Oh. Tyson. I had all but forgot about him, honestly, but who could blame me? How could I think of anything else when Jasper was holding me like this? I slid closer, slowed our speed down almost to a stop so I could lay my head against his chest as we danced. "Is he?" I slid my hands more securely around his neck, stroked the soft skin.

I was certain I could actually feel the swell of pride from Jasper at the way I claimed him, the fact that I couldn't have cared less if the whole world were watching us. There was a low hum from his chest that was almost a growl, and his arms tightened around my waist. "He thinks this was my plan all along, you know. Stealing you away from him."

"It wasn't?"

I could feel him smile as he nuzzled against me. "Oh absolutely it was, but he doesn't need to know that." I felt him take a deep breath, his lips pressed against my jaw. "Much better."

"Hm?"

"Nothing." He pulled away, kissed the same spot again, lightly. "I missed you, that's all."

" 'All?' "

I expected him to catch the humor in my voice, but if he did he chose to ignore it, answered the question as if it had been completely serious. "No, not all. it was terrible. I didn't know it would be so hard, going away now." His voice dropped to a whisper, his forehead resting against mine. "I'm afraid you're stuck with me."

"I'll try not to be too upset about it."

He stroked my cheeks with his thumbs, his cool hands gentle. "And I'll try to be worthy of putting up with."

"Putting up with? Are you kidding? Do you know how happy you've made me, how…how different I can already see that my life is now, because of you?"

His breath caught, and there was something close to fear in his eyes before it was replaced with a warmth so comforting it almost brought tears to my eyes. "Alice…" I felt his breath start again, his hands tightening on my waist. "Have you seen-"

"Are you going to dance, little brother, or just stand there?"

Jasper turned to glare sharply at Emmett, reflexively pulling me closer as he straightened up to his full height to face his brother. "Mind your own business."

"Or?"

"I think you know the answer to that one. And Rose wouldn't like it."

Emmett laughed then grimaced, backing off. "Ok, ok, geez, you don't have to be so touchy." He reached out with one hand and waved in my direction. "Having fun, Alice?"

"Yeah, Emmett. You?"

"Hell yeah! Hey, make sure my brother doesn't just stand around, alright? Make him loosen up, have some fun."

"That's enough, Emmett." Jasper's voice was hard but I stroked his arm, watched the calm slide over him.

"It's alright, Jasper. He's fine." The song coming on then was faster, something I didn't feel like dancing right at this moment. I wanted to talk to him a little more, first. I slid my hand over his, my fingers slipping between as I tugged him backward. "Come on."

He came readily, followed me over against the dark wall. "I'm sorry about Emmett. He can be…"

"I think he's hilarious. Seems like a lot of fun."

Jasper grinned, nodding. "Yeah. He's that too."

I slipped closer to him, every inch of me warming as his arm slid around my waist. "Jasper?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for coming with me."

His other arm came around me, holding me securely against him. "Don't thank me for that. I'll do anything you want."

Yes, I was beginning to see that. And knowing that, it seemed safe to tell him what I had known since the moment I had set eyes on him. I pulled back a little, put just enough pressure on his neck that he would get the idea of what I wanted. His kiss was warm and gentle, slow but still insistent. He shifted our positions until I was against the wall and he leaned over me on one arm, his other hand against my hip. This time, when we broke for air he came back before I had even drawn in a full breath, a soft sigh escaping him as he kissed me again. Tentatively, I opened my mouth to him, surprised when he actually took the invitation. Still he seemed cautious, tasting only as far as my bottom lip before pulling it lightly between his own, then pulling back entirely, his breath ragged.

The room was spinning, but that was really entirely irrelevant, he was almost holding me up anyway. I slid my hands up from his neck, held his face securely between my hands, my eyes locking with his. I could see the wonder there, see that for him, everything was spinning as well. That told me everything, the last thing I needed to be sure of. "I love you, Jasper."

I could feel his body shudder, watched his eyes close as he listened. Without a seconds thought, he was already answering me. "I love you."

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

So there it is!! the dance! And an I love you! :D

Hope everyone enjoyed that chapter, it was a fun one to write.

And I hope all of you American readers are out there voting today!!! Or that you voted already, I know I did a couple weeks ago. I definitely have my own strong opinions on this election, but I'm not getting into that…I hope ALL of you get out and vote, whichever candidate you're supporting! This is your right as an American, use it!

And that's the end of my speech, lol. For me, today is, first and foremost, the release of the Twilight soundtrack, hehe.