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BPOV

When we got home from the club Edward and Esme were still M.I.A. I wasn't worried or concerned about where he was. I wasn't even curious actually. I hadn't thought about the look in his eyes as I danced with Shawn every twenty seconds either. I was totally unfazed, cool, calm, and collected. I wasn't even irrationally enraged when Irina decided to wait until Edward and Esme came back to make her little comment.

"You know, I'm surprised you came home Bella. You were practically fucking that guy on the dance floor and I was sure you would have been actually fucking him by now," she said.

"Irina shut the hell up! There isn't a rule saying we have to jump on every dick attached to an attractive man! You would have done well to remember that when you were laid out in the back of that sleazy blonde guy's car earlier!" I shot back.

I wanted to punch myself in the mouth after seeing the look on Irina's face. The room was completely and awkwardly silent. I had hurt her feelings and embarrassed her in front of everyone and for no good reason. Me and my sisters always teased each other because we all knew that it wasn't personal or malicious. It was just the way we were, but just now I had made it personal and malicious all because I couldn't keep my shit together over one damned man.

"Please forgive me. I have no idea why I said that. I just...I...I don't know. I'm sorry, Irina," I said pleading her with my eyes to not be mad at me.

"Don't worry Bella. I was more offended when you used to borrow my clothes to go hunt and brought me back tattered scraps of fabrics," she laughed and gave me a quick hug.

Everyone else laughed to help get rid of the awkwardness. Irina pushed my hair behind my ear and stared intently into my eyes asking me a question. Clearly she knew that something was wrong and wanted to know what it was, but I shook my head and smiled to let her know not to worry about it. I could tell that she wasn't going to let it go that easily but I turned away from her and smacked right into Edward

I rolled my eyes in annoyance and stepped around him. Why was he constantly around me! Did I no longer have the right to my own space anymore? The Cullens hadn't even been in Denali a full seven days and I was ready for them (Edward) to leave. Then everything would just go back to the way it was! Happy, simple, fun, and easy.

"I'm going for a run," I mumbled to no one in particular as I made my way to the door. I grabbed the door knob but stopped before turning it at the sound of my name.

"Bella?"

"Yea?"

"Mind if I come with?"

I couldn't help the smile that came over my face as I looked over my shoulder at him.

"Of course not, Jasper."

He smiled back and we left together running into the forest. I ran keeping pace with him but I could still tell that he was following me. I had included him in my shield as soon as we had stepped into the trees. Knowing that I had the ability to protect, made me protective and I usually shielded whoever I was with out of habit. He didn't say a word as we ran and the silence was easy and companionable. Jasper was always laid back and calm. His demeanor was infectious and I really enjoyed his company. I was glad that he had wanted to run with me tonight. I was starting to see him as more of a friend than a distraction.

Instead of going to my usual spot I just ran until I felt the urge to stop, which happened to be in a valley that had some of the most lush grass I'd ever seen. I hadn't worn any shoes because I enjoyed feeling the different textures of the earth as I ran and this grass was worth stopping for. I glanced at Jasper's shoes and shook my head in disapproval.

"Take your shoes off," I said and he did it without question. "Doesn't it feel wonderful," I whispered.

"Actually it does," he replied as I crouched down to run my hands through it. I was completely amazed by the grass. It was so thick, green, and soft. This was definitely going to be a spot I revisited often.

"It's so odd being with another person and not sensing anything other than my own feelings. I know that you're feeling something and I'm so curious to know what it is and no matter how hard I try I can't feel a thing," he mused.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" I asked looking up at him but keeping my hands in the grass.

"Not at all," he replied. "It's actually nice. I know you had a strong reaction to the grass but it didn't influence my own reaction when I felt it for myself. It's kind of relaxing to be with someone and only feel what I want."

I smiled, happy that I could offer him peace too. He didn't know that I had made him a distraction against his brother but I still felt better knowing that he would be getting something out of whatever time we spent together too.

"You know it's no problem for me to shield everyone in the house while we're there. If you ever just want some Jasper time and family time simultaneously you could shoot me some kind of signal and I'll help you out," I offered.

He laughed and nodded his head. "Sure. I'll just say something to you but use Isabella instead of just Bella and then you'll know."

"Perfect," I nodded. No one ever called me Isabella except for Kate when she was mad at me which was almost never.

"So do you want me to teach you how to fight now?" he asked.

"Yes!"

I stood up and he came to stand in front of me.

"So your biggest strength is your speed. You'll react faster and make it harder for your attacker to land a blow. We'll start with that. I'm going to try and hit you. Don't worry about trying to hit me in return, just dodge me," he said. "Ready?"

I took an unnecessary deep breath and nodded my head. I had to admit that I was pretty cocky when it came to how fast I was. So I'd already decided that this dodging thing was going to be easy...that was until Jasper's first punch landed right in between my shoulder blades and I stumbled forward.

I had been expecting him to go for my chest or something so when he was suddenly behind me I was confused. By the time I spun around he was behind me again landing another blow to my back. He wasn't hitting hard enough to really hurt me but still enough to make me want to dodge him.

"Come on, B. Stay focused! I won't go easy on you because you'll learn faster this way," he said, never stopping in his movements. "Use your ears and listen to figure out where I'm coming from."

He got at least another ten hits on me before I began to effectively dodge him. That only lasted for a second though because then he started kicking and punching at the same time. It became clear really quick that Jasper was badass.

EPOV

Fucking Jasper. It was always fucking Jasper! Why did he feel the need to follow her around like some lost puppy! He had his own mate to cling to, why did he need mine too? I didn't even understand why he was suddenly being so damned friendly. Back at home in Forks, he rarely even talked or went anywhere that Alice wasn't going as well. Now all of a sudden he wanted to run with my Bella. And to make things worse she had smiled and let him!

I walked into Alice's room and found her staring blankly into space sitting in the middle of her bed. I could see that she was having a vision of some random valley.

"What is that?" I asked.

She blinked and focused her eyes on me as I plopped down on the loveseat in her room.

"Bella must be shielding Jasper. I can't actually see them but I can see where they are." she replied in her head and tried again to see Jasper and only coming up with the valley again.

"What the hell are they doing in a valley?"

"No clue."

"That doesn't strike you as odd?"

"No odder than you and your meadow."

"Yea but I go there to be alone. Are you saying that she took him there so they could be alone?"

Alice looked at me with her brows furrowed in annoyance. "Are you?"

I shrugged. "I'm just saying that it's odd."

Alice glared at me in suspicion for a short while before looking away to focus on trying to see Jasper again.