Alice hurried up the stairs and tapped quietly on the bedroom door before cracking it open to zip inside.

"You didn't need to knock, honey." Jasper's voice was muffled by the pillow that wrapped around his head. Had he still been human he most certainly would have suffocated by now.

Alice tilted her head as she studied her mate carefully. He was lying on his stomach, which was to be expected, but she was amused as well as just a tiny bit frustrated to find him clothed in only his boxers. Clothes horse that she was, Alice could not imagine not wanting to be fashionably dressed unless...

"Jazzy, you aren't feeling frisky, are you? Why aren't you dressed?"

Jasper lifted the pillow slightly so he could glance at his adorably impish mate. "Darlin', I love you with all my heart forever and ever, but if you think I can be frisky right now you are a few sandwiches short of a picnic." He groaned as she bounded over and sat next to him causing the bed to bounce. "I am not plannin' on leavin' this room until tomorrow and with the fire lit on my butt you're lucky that I'm wearin' anything at all."

His wife rubbed his back gently as his head disappeared beneath the pillow again. "You can put on some sweats so you can be comfortable and we can go on a little hunt. Some fresh blood will help you heal faster. I'm sure daddy wouldn't mind; besides getting out of the house will do you good. Fresh air, freedom and all that stuff is good for the spirit. "

The pillow began to mumble softly,"Nope. That aint happenin'. The last thing I need is to have somethin' brush against my behind while I'm trying to limp after some damn doe. I wouldn't be game for that anyway, Sweetness. I deserve to feel this one for a while. It's my own damn fault so I just have to buck up and suffer though. It doesn't seem right to try to fast track it away; as much as I would like to."

"Wanna talk about it? That helps sometimes, you know?"

The pillow gave a grunt.

Alice was at a loss on how to make Jasper feel better. If he didn't want to do anything and he wouldn't talk what use could she be to her mate? "Was it really awful?" Her soft voice wavered slightly as worry for her love tinged her tone while her small hands massaged the tight hard muscles of his shoulders.

"Didn't you see?"

She shook her head before remembering that Jasper couldn't see her. "No. I blocked the vision. I made momma sing silly songs with me to try to keep me distracted. I think we might have scared the clerk at the hardware store. Don't think he has ever had two women go through his line singing Little Bunny Foo Foo while buying a dry wall patch kit and some mud. Was a weird day for him, I'm sure."

"No doubt in my mind about that." The pillow snorted and began to chuckle causing a smile to form on Alice's lips. Her husband would certainly bounce back from this with his usual tenacity; he just needed to do it in his own time and she would be there for him every step of the way.

As her hands ran the length of his bare back a startling thought caused a deep frown to crease her forehead. "Did daddy… Did daddy make you strip, Jazzy?"

"No, hunny bunny. Papa took my belt to my bare ass, but that was it. I ended up getting undressed afterwards since I just wanted to be more comfortable."

Alice gasped in shock at Jasper's admission. "Why did he use a belt on you? Why did he use your belt on you? Daddy is a 'hand only' kind of guy. What the hell was that about?"

Jasper sighed. She wasn't going to let any of this simply drop so he figured he might as well give in and get it over with. Taking the pillow from around his head, he rolled onto his side with a grimace before hugging it against his chest as he gazed steadily into his mate's bright eyes. "Alice darlin', papa did what he felt he had to do to get through my thick skull. I had a lesson to learn, one that he wasn't lookin' to give twice. With the attitude I was givin' him... " He averted his eyes as he thought for a moment then looked back at his lovable wife before he continued, "He let me off rather easy, all things considered. Roles reversed, I don't think I would have had anywhere near his tolerance and...well yeah."

"But a belt, Jazzy?"

"MY belt, babe and I would like you to do something for me. Will you please get rid of it and buy me a new one next time you're out. I know how much of a hardship shopping is for you, " he rolled his eyes as he grinned at his little joke, "but it would mean a lot to me if you could help me out there. Just don't want that reminder hangin' round." He nodded towards the desk where the belt laid.

Alice glared at it as though it were some hideous venomous viper lying in wait to strike. How could her caring father have used that vile creation on her sweet sensitive husband? She closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath. She wouldn't allow herself to become angry with her father. The reason that she hadn't permitted the vision to play in her head was because she knew that she would be angry and didn't want to force Carlisle to fend off her fury. Carlisle and Jasper had both been through enough strife; she refused to add more to their already overburdened evening.

As she forced the anger back, she began to nod. "I'll get rid of it, but if this is going to become some sort of habit for daddy, I'm not so sure about buying you another one."

"Then how am I supposed to hold my pants up?" Jasper brushed his mate's cheek gently as he smiled up at her. "It's okay. I promise you I'm alright, darlin'. Papa didn't really use it that much, and don't be tellin' him this, but I think his hand hurts more. We had ourselves a little hand to butt discussion well before he let the belt wrap up that conversation. Belt is a different kinda hurt, but papa's hand..." He whistled low as he shook his head slightly.

Alice wasn't convinced as she glared back at the strip of leather. "Why your belt, Jazzy? Daddy could have used his own. It seems mean to ..."

"Psychological warfare. Besides, we would get in trouble if we had to make his belt disappear. It's better this way."

Alice crossed her arms and pouted. She looked so cute when she was confused. Jasper let her puzzle on his words for several seconds before he offered an explanation.

"Papa knows his stuff. By making me give up my belt he is making me take responsibility for that ass whipping. If I wasn't agreeing with him that it was deserved, I could have easily refused." She raised an eyebrow at Jasper's words, but he continued before she could speak. "No, I doubt that I would have refused, however knowing that there is that option is rather empowering for the penitent."

His little pixie huffed. She really didn't understand, but Jasper figured that was due more to her not wanting to admit that just maybe Carlisle really wasn't in the wrong.

"Alice, I know you don't really have human memories since they all got jumbled up on you, but I'm sure that you have at least heard of having to pick your own switch. Can't imagine Mississippi being all that different from Texas and switchings were common where I was from."

She nodded.

"That's pretty much the same thing. I'm sure if papa could find a switch that would hold up to my buns of steel he would have gone that way instead of using a belt."

Alice's musical giggles filled the room as Jasper finally managed to break through her frustration. "Those buns of steel are mighty sexy, cowboy." She leaned down to give him a kiss. Without realizing, the pressure she was applying against her husband, she tipped him over onto his back. Jasper winced and broke their kiss as he hissed through clenched teeth. Alice's eyes grew wide. "Oh, Jazzy. I'm so sorry. I didn't..."

Stiffly he shifted back onto his hip and reached his hand behind her head, cutting her words off with a kiss of his own. Tossing the pillow towards the foot of the bed, Jasper pulled his Alice down beside him and hugged her tightly. As the kiss ended, his mate buried her head against his chest while he petted her gently.

After moments of silence she whispered softly, "Did daddy at least make it better?"

Jasper felt his heart break at the level of sadness in her voice. "You know he did, darlin'." He kissed the top of her head before she shifted around to look up into his eyes. "Papa made sure that even though my butt may be sore, my spirit was very much intact. It's lighter as well since he helped free me of my guilt." Jasper sighed heavily. "He made me bawl like a baby, can't lie to you on that, but he forgave me and made sure that I knew he still loves me; attitude and all. You've got nothing to worry about."

A light kissed to the tip of her nose caused Alice to break out in giggles again. "I guess I can forgive him this time."

Jasper raised an eyebrow while a smirk danced on his lips. "You better forgive, papa. Angels of Mercy aren't supposed to hold on to any animosity, you know, or did you skip over that chapter in your rule book?"

"I thought I was a frightening little monster. When did I get promoted to being an angel of mercy?" Alice smiled sweetly as she lost herself in Jasper's amber eyes while her fingers ran through his hair.

Jasper growled at having his words fed back to him. Damn that flawless vampire memory. He closed one eye while his words swiftly formed. "Well, perhaps more of a merciful monster sometimes, but you are always my sweet little angelic treasure."

Alice kissed her husband passionately then cuddled up close against his chest as his arms wrapped protectively around her. Inhaling her scent, Jasper felt his body relax. The stinging throbbing pain was still there, but as long as he had his Alice in his arms all was right with his world. Light kisses suddenly covered his chest before sharp teeth caught his nipple drawing a gasp from him.

"Alice."

"Hm?" She pulled back slightly then released her hold. "Is there something wrong, Jazzy?"

Her wide eyed innocent expression caused him to snort. "Babe, I told you that I'm not up for that right now."

She cocked her head to the side as she gazed at him with a sly smile. "I know you are a betting man, baby and I bet that I can get you up for it." Her fingers grazed his inner thigh as her kisses moved from his chest to his stomach.

He moaned in a halfhearted protest. "Baby doll, my ass can't take it right now."

"I just won't bite it this time." She giggled quietly.

"That's not what I mean and you know it."

"Major Whitlock, I made you a promise this afternoon and I always keep my promises to you." Her hand brushed his cock through the thin fabric of his boxers as she kissed her way back up to his lips. "Do you remember what that promise was?"

He shook his head as his breath caught in his chest and his mind went blank.

"I am shocked, Major. I promised to show you just how much of a minx I can be." She grinned ear to ear as her eyes glittered with mischief. "See, that hunt would have been a good idea since you would have benefited from the faster healing, but with you always being so stubborn I guess I'll just have to give you a break tonight." Kissing his cheek, she nuzzled his neck near his jaw and whispered, "You can be on top."

AN: Even though he didn't want to talk about it, Alice's ability to draw Jasper out seems to have worked in easing his troubles. Funny, even with his busted behind, Jasper seems to have gotten a much better deal than Carlisle. Lucky little bugger. Guess it's a good thing that Esme is keeping Edward busy so he doesn't get put out by his siblings tryst.

As always guys, thanks to you all and thanks to my top notch beta Splinter. Be back soon with Esme, Edward and Rose. ;-)