Carlisle sat at his desk staring out the wall length window that overlooked the moonlit forest where just hours before he had sought refuge like a feral thing. The forest was where the rogue beast was king but the coven leader was never more comfortable than when he was here in this house in which his family created a home. He couldn't think of a more perfect place in the world than in the company of his family. Knowing this to be true, Carlisle found irritation in the dread he was experiencing as he awaited his son's arrival.

He leaned back in his chair with his hands clasped behind his head and closed his eyes. The image of Jasper's terror-stricken eyes interrupted the soothing darkness, feeding his apprehension. Carlisle groaned softly as his conscience continued to berate him by bringing forth another image, one of Jasper glaring at him with venom seeping from his damaged lip. It was a vile creature that could strike its child in the face; strike out at its child in anger.

"No atonement exists for such an act," he whispered to himself as he liberated his hands, allowing one to rest in his lap while the other rubbed at his eyes in frustration. "No hope for redemption."

"I know, papa." The answering voice was heavy with grief but steady in conviction. "I don't expect clemency for what I have done to momma. I don't deserve mercy nor do I seek it. All I can hope for is that over time I can find a way to regain some of the trust that I managed to so carelessly squander."

Carlisle looked up to find Jasper standing in the doorway, hands clutched behind his back and eyes trained on the floor.

"Come in and have a seat, son. We need to talk and it would seem that there is a lot of ground for us to cover."

Jasper gave a short nod and quickly closed the door behind him before taking a seat across the desk from his father. He sat on the edge of the chair, his body rigid, hands folded in his lap, as he forced himself to make eye contact with the man he had wronged.

"Sir, may I speak first?"

"Of course, son." Carlisle leaned slightly forward with his elbows on the desk, hands intertwined supporting his chin as he gave his son his full attention.

Jasper took a breath then slowly exhaled as he gathered his thoughts. "Carlisle, I know that my actions are unforgivable. Attacking another's mate is a grievous crime but when that mate belongs to the leader of your coven…. I can not make excuses for such behavior as no excuse exist that can mitigate such an offense. I know that the only reason that I am still alive is because of your benevolence of which I am entirely unworthy."

Carlisle listened to his son's apology while studying the boy carefully. As eloquent as his words were, his father could still see the frightened youth behind the soldier's façade.

"Jasper, answer one question for me, please. Why did you attack Esme?"

The boy broke eye contact instantly and his shoulders slumped ever so slightly. Carlisle's heart went out to his son as he couldn't fail to notice the remorse projected through his body language. Jasper closed his eyes and swallowed hard before he managed to find the courage to speak again.

"I don't know what happened." His hand ran through his hair as he struggled to find the least damning explanation; some explanation that wouldn't leave his father viewing him as a constant threat to his coven. "Emmett made me angry, something I should have never allowed to happen. Usually I am much better at controlling my temper but for some reason this afternoon I had a much more difficult time with it. Some words that should have never been said were exchanged and I lost control."

"Who threw the first punch?"

Jasper opened his eyes to look up at his father. "I did."

Carlisle cocked his head to the side as he recalled Emmett's confession. "Those must have been some strong words to lead to an assault."

"As I said, I normally wouldn't have behaved like that. I… I really don't know what got into me." He shifted his gaze to his hands as he sighed. "I knew better than to fight my brother but I just couldn't stop myself."

Carlisle gave Jasper a sympathetic look. "Emmett can have that effect. Sometimes he takes his teasing too far which can cause things to get out of hand. I may have to talk to him about that."

Jasper looked up at Carlisle, his eyes wide and oddly full of regret. "That shouldn't be necessary. Please don't think that it was Emmett's fault in any way. I was the one who lost control. Emmett was much more of a victim."

"A victim who brought it upon himself going by what I can piece together. Jasper, you should know that I was already made aware of the fight. Emmett told me that he was the catalyst because he did some damage to your bike." Jasper looked away as he fidgeted while Carlisle recounted the events as he knew them. "I can only imagine the extent of said damage if it caused you to lose your temper. I would also like you to know that your brother claimed the blame for what happened."

"That's just ridiculous."

"Is it any more ridiculous then you trying to do the same?" Carlisle cocked an eyebrow as he paused to give his words time to penetrate his son's head. "The truth is generally somewhere in the middle, though I have to say that you two boys are unique. Most would try to push the blame off on each other instead of trying to foster it onto themselves.

I am going to tell you the same that I told Emmett. You both do deserve to be punished for fighting but I'm going to let that go this time. I have faith that both of you have learned from this mistake and will see to it that it doesn't happen again."

"Can't make that promise, sir, but I'll do my best to not let it happen."

Carlisle smiled slightly at Jasper's honesty. "Good enough, son. Now, how does this figure into the eventual attack on your mother?"

Jasper covered his face with his hands as he groaned softly then answered, "She wasn't momma."

"I beg your pardon."

The boy slowly dropped his hands back into his lap as he looked into his father's amber eyes before drawing a breath. "She wasn't Esme when I attacked her."

Confusion etched Carlisle's face as he waited patiently for an explanation to his son's strange statement.

Jasper swallowed back the venom rising in his throat before he was able to speak again. "When I attacked Emmett, he was no longer Emmett. He was no longer my brother. I saw him as a rival to be defeated and nothing more. I… my mind was somewhere else; another time to be specific. I was back with Maria's army and I didn't realize the truth until you had me pinned to the ground." He quickly glanced away. "By that time, it was too late."

Several long moments passed in silence before Carlisle spoke. "So she was just another new born in your eyes?"

"Not exactly, sir." Jasper spun his wedding band nervously as he suddenly wished to be anywhere but in his father's study explaining his actions. His father's expectant gaze caused him to continue. "I thought she was Maria. I had failed her and thought that she was going to have me killed."

Carlisle got up from his chair, walked towards the window and looked out at the twinkling stars as his mind wandered. "So, in your mind, you were preemptively defending yourself." He released a held breath as he continued to stare out into the darkness.

"Yes, sir, but that still does not justify my actions."

"Perhaps not but it does explain them." He turned back towards his son with sadness in his eyes. "Jasper, if you weren't aware of what you were doing you can hardly be held accountable for your actions. It would appear that something your brother did or said caused you to have a psychotic break."

He walked over towards Jasper and leaned on the edge of his desk. "Seeing that you are completely functional and in control now, I can only think that this was a brief psychosis brought on by a stress response. It is something that bears noting and watching for, but I don't feel that it is any major threat."

"NO!" Jasper snapped as he slammed his fist against the desk top sending a crack the width of the antique mahogany. "No, you can't just turn your back on me."

"Calm down, son. I'm not turning my back on you. I want to help you. Tomorrow I'll talk to some of my colleagues to get their opinions. For now though, I think it would be best for you to go to your room and take things easy. It's been a trying day for us all."

Jasper was on his feet, a low growl building in his chest.

"Carlisle, do you not understand that I attacked Esme? I nearly killed your mate. You are just going to pretend that didn't happen or that it is some sort of misdemeanor that can be just swept under the carpet. Well it's not! I have committed a crime akin to treason. I betrayed my coven and flaunted its rules. I nearly committed matricide. Do you think that simply because there is a reason for my crime that I shouldn't be punished or is it that you want to torture me by forcing me to deal with the memory on a daily basis? This permissive laissez faire style of control over your coven is a weakness, Carlisle. I have never thought of you as weak but maybe I need to reconsider my stance.

I want you to be more than a coven leader. I want you to be a father to me. I need you to be a father to me, Carlisle but that requires you to be authoritative. I respect you, more than any other man I have ever had in my life, but if you can't control your coven then I can't be sure Alice and I are safe within it."

Carlisle's eyes darkened as Jasper's words stung him. How dare the boy question his leadership abilities? How dare he question his commitment to their welfare? His son's sudden disrespect set Carlisle's teeth on edge as he snarled, "Sit down, Jasper!"

"No! Apparently you have no right to control me so why should I listen to you?"

Carlisle growled in warning then shoved Jasper back into the chair. Leaning over he boxed the boy in by placing his hands on the armrest and spoke in a soft yet dangerous voice as he glared into his eyes.

"You will obey me, son. I am still your coven leader and I will have the respect that is due. You, young man, are gravely mistaken. Your word choice is off. Apparently what you want is an authoritarian leader and you are correct in thinking that is not my style, however if you require it I can deliver. If you really want me to be restrictive and punitive without ever explaining why I desire a certain response from you or not allow you to voice your opinions, so be it. I would rather continue to forgive and teach instead of simply rely on punishment. That is authoritative, Jasper. But if you want me to tell you what to do and then knock you back in line when you make a mistake, I'm willing to try since above all else I want you to be contented."

Feeling his control slipping and the beast stir, Carlisle abruptly released the chair and turned away from his son, shutting his eyes tight.

"Carlisle?"

"Jasper, don't say a word; not one word." He forced his lungs to take in deep slow breaths as he fought to calm himself. "I already owe you one apology this evening; I would prefer to not be required to offer a second."

Jasper sat silently watching Carlisle wage war with his inner beast. Just might have pushed him a little too far this time. Hadn't his temper gotten him into enough trouble for one day? Here he had been telling Carlisle that he should have exhibited better control with Emmett and he let it slip again with his coven leader. Jasper quietly sighed. Didn't ya momma learn ya better, son? A sad smile formed on his lips as his mind rambled. Well, it's lookin' like your pa is gonna be fixin' to learn ya this time. You been askin' for an ass whoopin' and now you gotta helluva one comin'.

"Jasper."

The quiet voice cutting into Jasper's thoughts caused the young man to jerk so suddenly in his chair that he nearly tipped it over.

"Yesh, suh?"

Carlisle exhaled as he turned to face his son. His eyes were still dark giving Jasper a clear warning as to his state of agitation.

"I need you to go to your room right now. Your nervous energy isn't allowing me to calm down enough, son. I'm going to need some time alone." Carlisle folded his arms as his head drooped and eyes closed trying to block out his son's projected emotional onslaught. A muscle in his jaw twitched under the strain to remain calm. He listened for several minutes before continuing. "Alice is there now. Please ask her to leave for the time being. I'm sure Esme will welcome her help with something. If she is there when I am ready to deal with your insolence she will find herself in trouble as well. Don't allow her to be put into that situation."

"Nah, suh. Mah Alice won't be a hangin' 'round. Ah'll see ta that."

Carlisle nodded once sending Jasper on his way.

Once his son was out of the room, the patriarch slumped down on his chair placing his head in his hands. Why couldn't he get a little reprieve today? The knowledge that there had been a reason for his son's behavior had come as something of a blessing. It had relieved him of the need to fulfill a disciplinary action that he had not wanted nor felt comfortable executing after all they had been through this evening but Jasper's outburst now forced his hand.

Hearing the boy's speech impediment begin to show through told him that Jasper's nerves were starting to get the better of him. Why hadn't that happened sooner when all of this might have well been avoided?

Running a hand through his hair, Carlisle sighed as he was forced to accept that this was an unavoidable circumstance. Jasper's guilt would have found a way to provoke him. The boy needed to repent for his sin and his father was the confessor to whom he looked to for absolution.

"Why must you be so stubborn, son? Why can't you allow yourself to just be forgiven?"

"Like father, like son." Esme walked over to Carlisle and gently caressed his cheek. "I'm going to take Alice with me to the hardware store. Hopefully we can get some dry wall patches and mud to fix up the hole left by Rose's little tantrum. I figure that will give you the time that you need with Jasper. Alice really shouldn't have to be here for this and it will give me a little time to think about how I want to handle Rosalie."

"Do you want me to address Edward?"

"No my love, you have enough on your plate. Edward and Rose shouldn't give me much trouble. If not for Rose's attitude, the offenses aren't terrible so resolution will be fairly painless." She ran her hand through his hair feeling him relax at her touch then bent down to kiss him gently. "You both will come through this fine in the end. You'll see."

"I do hope so, sweetheart. Really I do."

AN: ... Carlisle was being a pain in my behind so I had to turn Jasper loose. Hope that ends up helping relieve a little bit of the concern about Carlisle punishing Jasper unfairly. Carlisle really was not keen on going through with this which is why I believe he was giving me problems but now it's all good and should be smooth sailing from here on out.

I am going to owe Carlisle a new desk by the time I'm done with these two stories. LOL.

Thanks so much for the continuing support, guys. Y'all are as wonderful as ever. Thanks to Splinter for continuing to try to make my mistakes less apparent. *hugs*