Hot blood flowed across Jasper's tongue as he held the gentle doe while the light of life left her eyes. Alice had offered to take him further north to hunt wolves but he had declined, in part because he wanted to stay close to home but there was a more important reason. The blood of a predator, the thrill of a more dangerous hunt, was a treat to be enjoyed that would have been grossly out of place at this time. Predator hunts were about reveling in your power but Jasper was feeling anything but powerful right now.

The blood in his mouth turned bitter as bile at the thought of his actions today. How could he have behaved so childishly? He sighed at his rashness, then mentally kicked himself. None of this would have happen if he hadn't had been an ass towards Emmett. He knew that the damage done to his bike had been an accident. He should have been more concerned about the state of his brother instead of that stupid machine. One could easily be replaced where as the other was a one of a kind original whose loss Jasper would have found completely devastating.

Tears came to the sensitive boy's golden eyes as his mind conjured images of Emmett's shoulder being hyper extended as he howled in distress. Thank God Edward and Alice arrived when they did. Jasper shuddered to think how differently things could have ended today.

Untangling himself from the rapidly cooling carcass, the solider rose to his feet and walked towards the cliff's ledge, his arms tightly wrapped around his chest. The sun was just starting its nightly decent, coloring the sky in shades of pink, orange, lavender and mauve. On a normal day he would be standing here with his loving mate in his arms watching as nature peacefully painted her canvas, but today he had asked her to let him hunt alone. She had been reluctant to say the least but eventually agreed to give him some time to himself. As much as he craved Alice's comfort, right now he needed time to think and deal with his own emotional state without her's adding to the confusing mix.

The breeze ruffled his hair as it flowed over him, trying to carry away his worries. Jasper inhaled deeply, allowing the freshness of the air to revive him as it filled his lungs. None of them had a need for air but all found relaxation in the very human action of breathing.

His eyes glazed over with sadness as he recalled what his actions had caused. A simple accident had led to an escalation that resulted in his father's self exile. If he had just accepted Emmett's apology like an adult instead of going off on him like a spoiled child he would have never lost his grip on reality. He would have never attacked Esme which prompted Carlisle's rightful response against him. Small actions do indeed result in huge consequences.

"For the want of a nail the kingdom was lost," he muttered softly as he hung his head while guilt consumed him.

Delicate fingers raked through his hair as his mate came up beside him.

"You need a nail for something?"

The curiosity and concern in her voice caused him to smile slightly in spite of himself.

"No, love. It's a very old proverb that came to mind. It just seems to fit the situation. Too bad I didn't think about it before I went off half cocked on Emmett."

He met her eyes for a brief moment then looked away towards the setting sun.

"I don't know how I can possibly face the others when it hurts so much to face you." He swallowed hard fighting back tears of regret for what he had done to his entire family but mostly for the abhorred way he had treated his wife.

"No one blames you, Jazzy. You need to stop blaming yourself. It's not healthy."

"How can I not blame myself. This is all my fault. Carlisle is out there somewhere hating himself for something that I am responsible for. I know you have seen him suffering, baby, but I felt it just before he left. He should never have to experience that. No one should. And the thing is, he wouldn't have if I hadn't been such a jackass." A single tear rolled down his cheek which he quickly brushed away before wrapping his arm around his mate's shoulders. "What kind of a man does that to those he loves?"

"A fallible one. We all make mistakes, Jazz. The only one who expects you to be perfect is you."

Alice placed a soft kiss on his neck before laying her head against his shoulder to watch the sunset. She knew that this bit of a blunder would take Jasper time to get over but she was determined to see him through it. Their vows had said for better or for worse and she had meant it.

She felt his body tense but she waited patiently for him to speak. Alice knew he had to come to grips with things in his own good time and way. She would try to steer him in the right direction but she knew better then to push.

"Alice..." His voice broke as he removed her arm from his waist and turned her to face him. "Alice, I am so sorry." He blinked rapidly trying to keep the tears of venom which blurred his vision at bay. "I would have never..."

Alice placed her finger against his lips. "Shh. I know, Jazzy. I know. That wasn't you."

"But it was."

"No, it wasn't." He tried to turn away but her hand against his cheek brought his eyes back to hers. "That may have been you but that was a long time ago. That is not who you are anymore." She ran the hand that cupped his face up through his hair as he leaned into her caress. "I know that you could never hurt me, my love. There isn't any question about that in my mind. Besides," she smiled brightly at him, "I'm one pretty tough cookie. I don't mind playing rough sometimes."

Her hand in his hair pulled his head down towards her so she could kiss her mate. Jasper moaned low as their lips met. He hesitated for a few seconds before he nervously returned the kiss.

Alice giggled as she pulled away. "We can fight whenever you want to since that will always give us a reason to kiss and make up after."

Jasper smiled and shook his head at his impish mate. "Minx."

"Oh, you have that right, mister major sir, and tonight I'll show you just how much of a minx I can be." Alice nipped at his bottom lip then drew him into another deep kiss.

This time when she pulled back a dark expression flitted over her face as she slowly let out a held breath.

"We need to get back soon. Momma is going to need all of us."

Alice noticed Jasper flinch at the mention of Esme. She wrapped her arms around her mate and hugged him tight.

"What did I say about you being perfect?" She raised an eyebrow as she looked at him expectantly.

He rolled his eyes then answered, "That I'm the only one who expects that from myself."

"There you go. Momma isn't mad at you." Alice frowned slightly as she gazed off in the distance causing Jasper to tilt his head in wonder as he watched her. "Though I'm not sure that there won't be some repercussions."

"I should expect that there will be."

"It's strange though." She continued to stare for a few more minutes then shook her head to clear away the confusing vision. "Odd."

"What about our family isn't odd?"

Alice's musical laugh filled the evening air. "No arguments from me." She grasped Jasper's hand firmly in hers. "Let's get back home. Race you."

Jasper found his hand released then suddenly he hit the ground as Alice shoved him hard before taking off in the direction of home. Growling playfully he scrambled to his feet and gave chase. He knew the reprieve would be short lived and soon he would have to face the others along with the consequences of his actions but he would enjoy the few moments of exhilaration while he could.

"Alice, my baby doll, you always know just what I need."

AN: Yep, I probably should have put these two chapters together but the feeling of each one of them was so different to me that I just felt they needed their own place. Jasper at least has a little hope coming through for him from Alice's forgiveness. Carlisle doesn't have that yet.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments. Good Lord, guys but y'all can sure make a simple girl blush. *grins*