"Aw, come on, Alice. Tell me. I know that you have to know what's going on with Pops. Share. That's what siblings do, right? Pops told us that we should always share. Come on. You know you want to. Isn't it just killing you not to be able to say something? I know that trying to keep something like that to myself would make me crazy. I won't say anything. I swear. PLEEEEASE!"

Emmett sat on the coffee table directly in front of Alice as she sought refuge in her mate's arms.

"You do realize that you just contradicted yourself." Alice tilted her head as she cocked an eyebrow while smiling sweetly at her brother. "No, Emmy. I'm sorry. If Daddy wanted you to know, he would have told you himself. It's not my place to say anything. Unlike you, I can keep a secret."

"I can keep a secret. I swear."

"And cows quack," Jasper remarked snidely as he rolled his eyes.

"By Grabthar's Hammer, I swear that I won't tell a soul." Emmett pressed his fist against his chest over his unbeating heart to prove his sincerity.

Alice blinked in confusion. "By what? Whose hammer?"

"Oh dear God." Jasper buried his face against his mate's shoulder while he moaned as if he was in pain. Raising his head back up he muttered quietly,"It's a quote from 'Galaxy Quest', sweetie. It would appear that someone has been watching way too many late night movies. You need to find another hobby, Em."

"I have plenty of hobbies and that's quality stuff right there, Jazzman; besides, if someone would answer my Xbox challenges I wouldn't have to watch movies to stay entertained."

"Right. Well, I'm sure Rose would be only too happy to keep you entertained. How about you go bother her for a while?" Jasper smirked as he raised a brow while gesturing towards the stairway.

"Of course she would, but then we would have to deal with all the bitching and moaning from you jealous types." Emmett puffed up a little as a grin grew on his boyish face. "Can't help it if you guys just can't deal with the awesome that is my babe and I when we get down and wild with it."

"It's the house that can't deal with it. Y'all need to take that outside where there are a lot fewer things for you two to destroy. Bust up another bed and Momma is going to skin you alive, have Papa heal you up and then skin you again."

"It's called passion, Jazz. You should try it sometime. I'm sure little sis would thank you for it."

"Thanks but I don't need pointers from you, Doofus. We do just fine on our own."

Alice reached up and stroked her lover's cheek before kissing him as she gazed adoringly into his eyes. "I have no complaints at all, Major. You know just how to see to my needs, but I am starting to feel a little needy," she purred hoping that Emmett would take the hint and go away.

It didn't work.

Emmett rolled his eyes at his sister's attempts at seduction. "Don't think that I don't know what you're trying to do, but it won't work. Nu-uh. You're not going to throw me off track. I want to know what's going on with Pops and talking about sex is not going to distract me. Alice, please tell me. It's not nice that you know and the rest of us are kept in the dark," he practically whined.

Wrapping his arms around Alice, Jasper hugged his wife closer to his chest and kissed the top of her head as his eyes locked on Emmett's. His mate was getting tired of her big brother's badgering and Jasper could feel her growing frustration rolling under that easy going exterior that she projected. Rubbing his wife's upper arms gently he commented quietly, "Alice isn't the only one who knows what's going on, Em. Why not find yourself another victim for this investigation of yours and give her a little break? I'm sure if you put your mind to it you can come up with an easier target."

"EDWARD! Of course!" Emmett slipped off the table and quickly found his feet; his eyes alight with premature triumph. "He could never say no to me. He must know what happened since he's always poking around in everybody's heads. He could have picked it up from Alice ..or... well hell, he probably knows straight from the source." Emmy clapped his hands together and rubbed them briskly. "Eddie, prepare yourself because here I come!"

The bruin bounded towards the stairs as Jasper called out, "Hey, Em, you want to make sure that you hit him fast and hard with those questions. If you take the subtle approach Eddie is just going to have time to out think you. He'll clam up and once that happens you'll never get anything out of him."

"Roger that, Jazzman! Thanks for the heads up!"

Taking the stairs two at a time, Emmett swiftly disappeared from view.

"Jazzy, why did you tell him that? He is just going to tick Edward off."

"Yep, which kills two birds with one questing Emmett." His rarely seen cocky smile brightened up his face. "Eddie was being a pill the other day and I told him that I would pay him back. Well, honey bunny, pay back is a bitch and this also assures that Em doesn't get the information that he's after. You know as well as I do, if he was to find out there is just no way he would ever let Papa live this down. In good conscience, I just can't have that happening to Carlisle."

"Emmy is just a silly old bear, Jazz. He would let it go eventually."

"Eventually is like in ten years or so. Can you imagine how much of a grumbly bear Carlisle would turn into if he had to put up with Em hassling him all the time? Darlin' there is no way I want any part in that."

Alice nodded as she sighed quietly before snuggling comfortably in his embrace. "You're right. Can't let that happen to Daddy, but it does seem a little unfair that we always have insider information because of our gifts, while Emmy and Rose get left out of the loop."

"Well, baby, there are times that I would be only too happy to be left out of the loop."

His mate giggled. "Now you know how I feel all the time."

"Maybe we should go up to our room and console each other since we've been suffering so much." He caught her chin and tilted her head up to kiss her softly. "After all no one understands what all we have to put up with."

"Except for Edward."

"I'm not interested in having Edward in our room, so I'm afraid that he will just have to suffer on his own. Of course, I'm fairly certain that Em is keeping him occupied by now."

Alice laughed and leapt up from the couch. "I'll race you to our room. Loser has to do whatever the winner wants for a week. Whatever. The. Winner. Wants." The look she gave him told Jasper just what sort of plans she had in mind and he was more than game to play along.

"You are so on, little darlin'."

Jumping to his feet Jasper grabbed his mate by the waist before she could get away and tossed her back onto the sofa before running towards the stairs; a giggling recovering Alice close on his heels.

"No, Emmett. Get the hell out of here. I don't know anything and if I did why do you think I would tell you?"

"Eddie, ...my main man... you can't pull the wool over my eyes. I know that you know what's up. You're always in the know. What happened to Pops? You can tell me. I just want to know in case he needs some help. You know that he is too proud to ask for help so the only way I can be there for him is if I just do it on my own. That doesn't work really well unless I know what the problem is. You can see my predicament here. Come on, Big Ed, help a brother out."

Edward turned his Ipod up a bit louder to try to drown the husky pest out.

"Dude, I'll make a deal with you."

"There's nothing I can do for you regardless of any sort of deal, Emmett. Why can't you understand that? No, wait... that's wrong. Why won't you understand that? You could if you wanted to, but you just won't do it."

Like lightning, Emmett snatched the Ipod from Edward and dangled it just out of his brother's reach.

"Give that back to me," Edward growled.

"Not until you tell me what I want to know."

"Emmett, I swear to God..."

The big bruin shook his head as he "tsked" at his bronze haired brother. "You shouldn't swear. Pops doesn't like that at all. Believe me. Been there, done that. Couple of serious swats on the behind and a bar of soap in the mouth." He shivered at the memory. "That crap leaves a film on your teeth that you can taste for days no matter what you do. I couldn't brush it away. Took three, count 'em, three caribou to get the taste out of my mouth."

"Emmett, give me my Ipod."

"Spill what you know and you can have your precious Ipod back, but until then I think I'll hang onto it. Maybe download some of my tunes to broaden your musical experience."

Edward's left eye twitched as he glanced at his expansive music collection. "Emmett, this is the last time I'm going to ask nicely. Give. Me. My. Ipod. Now."

"Pfft. You call that asking nicely? What? I don't at least get a 'please' thrown in there?"

"Oh for crying out... Please, Emmett. Please give me my property back. Please. Please. Please."

Emmett grinned broadly. "Nope. Not until you tell me what happened to Pops."

Edward snarled wanting nothing more than to be able to wipe the grin off his brother's face, but he knew Emmett's strength gave him the advantage. There was also that knowledge that Carlisle would kick both of their butts if they got into a fight.

"You know what, Emmett. Fuck it. I'll buy a new one tomorrow." Walking over to his stereo, Edward flipped on the power and started the CD already loaded in the machine, before dropping down onto his lounge chair. He closed his eyes and vehemently wished that when he opened them, he would be alone.

"That's not playing fair, Bro."

"Seems fair to me."

Emmy sulked for a few moments before a thought struck him. "I know. I'll give you back your tunes...and... I'll keep Rose away from you for a week. No bitching. No griping. Nothing. Peace and quiet and music for a solid week and all you have to do is share what you already know."

Edward raised a brow as he thought for a minute. That was a tempting offer, but no. He shook his head.

"Think of it as a need to know and you don't need to know."

"Yes, I do."

"No, you don't. It's Dad's private business. He respects your privacy; you need to respect his. It doesn't concern you. It doesn't concern any of us. Just drop it, Em. "

"AH HA! So you do know what's going on." The bruin narrowed his eyes slightly as he began to spin the Ipod by its wrist loop. "Tell me what I want to know or the Ipod gets it."

"Are you insane?"

"Maybe, but I'm going to find out what's up if it's the last thing your music maker does."

Edward glared at him and hissed, "You wouldn't."

"I never took you for a betting man, Eddie. Are you willing to bet the safety of this little thing just because you don't want to let me into the inner circle? Come on, you and Alice already know. It's not like this is any real big secret. It's going to come out eventually. The sooner it does the quicker it blows over. In truth, you would be doing Pops a favor in telling me."

Edward closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. "Just go, Emmett. Please just get out of here and leave me alone."

"Not happening, Buddy Boy. I'm sticking to you like glue until you answer my question. I really hope you don't hog the soap in the shower."

Edward's eyes flew open as he stared at his brother then narrowed in extreme irritation. "You have no right to invade my privacy. Just because you don't know that Dad…." Edward caught himself in the nick of time, but the near slip fueled Emmett's need to ferret out the secret.

"Dad what? What did Dad do? AWWWW COME ON, EDDIE! TELL ME!"

"What did Dad do, Edward?" A soft voice came from near the doorway that caused both boys to freeze.

Slowly turning around Emmett came face to face with his father.

"Oh, hi there, Pops. Didn't know that you were standing there. Um… so… yeah…um. Hi."

Giving Emmett a slight nod, Carlisle returned his attention to his eldest. "I'm waiting for an answer, Son. What did I do?"

"Nothing. You didn't do anything and I wasn't going to say anything either. This Bozo has been up here harassing me. He even stole my Ipod."

"I didn't steal it." Emmett's voice reflected the shock that he felt with the accusation. He would never have stolen anything, and if he did it would certainly not have been from a family member. He wouldn't have even broken the darn thing. "I was just teasing."

"Em, what have we told you about getting carried away with the teasing?"

The large muscular young man suddenly took on the countenance of a small naughty boy. He glanced down at the floor and scuffed his toe against the carpet. "I'm sorry, Pops." Glancing up at his brother he quickly added, "Sorry, Eddie. I wasn't going to keep it. I was just looking for some…leverage, you know?" He handed the Ipod back as he grinned slightly.

Edward, does this pertain to what I believe it does?

Edward met his father's eyes briefly then looked away.

With a sigh, Carlisle crossed his arms and let his head fall as he collected his thoughts. "Emmett Dale, are you torturing your siblings for information that concerns me?"

"I wouldn't exactly call it torturing."

"I sure as hell would," injected Edward.

"Edward, please." Carlisle lifted his head and locked on his bear's eyes. "Em, I …atoned… for my unseemly behavior the other day. That is all that I'm going to say on this matter. Now, I expect you to leave your brothers and sister alone. I don't want to hear about you pestering them any further. Do you understand?"

Emmett considered his father's words for a few moments before his eyes went wide. "You mean…?"

"Have I made myself clear, Emmett?"

"Oh my God!" A huge grin bloomed across the boy's face while his brother groaned softly behind him.

"Emmett," Carlisle called a little more forcibly.

"Yeah, Pops. Yeah. I got it."

"Good. Now behave yourself and let your brother enjoy his music in peace." Carlisle vanished out into the hall in a blink of an eye leaving his sons to their discussions.

"Pops got his ass whipped? Really? That is hysterical."

"It's not funny, Em."

"Who did it?"

Edward cocked his head to the side and gave his brother an incredulous look.

Emmett thought for a second before realization dawned. "Momma?"

"Just get out of here and let it drop, would you? Dad has been through enough. You really need to give him a break. He didn't have to tell you and you know that he would never harass you. Give him the same respect, Em."

Emmett nodded. "Yeah, you're right," he responded in a more subdued tone before brightening up again. "But, I have got to tell Rose."

"Em."

It was too late. The bear was already racing down the hall towards the stairs hell bent on sharing the news with his mate.

Heaving a sigh, Edward prayed for it all to blow over quickly so that their life could finally return to what passed as normal. Turning up the volume on his Ipod, Edward sunk a little deeper into his lounge as he attempted to let the music wash away the pity he suddenly felt for his long suffering father. I can't believe you went ahead and did that, Carlisle. I hope you really do understand what you just unleashed.

AN: Another one of those chapters that was never meant to be. Since there was interest in Emmy's investigation y'all get stuck with an extra chapter before the Epi. LOL. Hope it was worth it. I will admit that once I got involved, I did have more than a little bit of fun with this one.

And now... the next chapter will be the epilogue to wrap up loose ends. That takes a bit more Emmett so be prepared for that. ;-)

Thanks everyone for the comments and PMs. I live for reviews and read everyone of them. Your feedback means so very much.

Special thanks to my wonderful beta Splinter, who gave up some of her time working on school stuffs just to keep me from losing my mind as I try to chase down my mistakes. She has even had to help me keep Jasper from running around nekkid once. ;-) That boy just gets away sometimes.