Hey Guys! Please note I've changed my penname.

"Jasper? Was I really that scary?" Bella asked me. We were in Edward's old room-after her little 'tantrum', we had waited a week before going back in. But Bella decided it was time Edward joined Alice in the closet.

"What in the world are you talking about?" Bella was the least threatening thing I could imagine.

"These journals-read some of these entries." She thrust Edward's most recent journal at me. I opened it up, starting somewhere near the center.

"She's so breakable-I fear each time I touch her will be my last."

And another, two weeks later:

"I worry for her, every day. Each time she walks into this house she risks her life."

And one more, a week from that:

"Jasper lunged at Bella this evening. It was everything I've ever feared, played out before my eyes. She deserves so much better."

That one hurt. I couldn't help but think it was all my fault we were both in this situation. It seemed so long ago-feeling like if I didn't have her I wouldn't survive. Being with her now, like this, I couldn't imagine harming her in anyway. Maybe that was key-getting to know her. Well that solves my problem-just get to know every human in a 20 mile radius and the lust would be gone! I snickered a bit. Bella looked at me and frowned.

"What's so funny?"

"Sorry, it's not this"-I said, waving the journal-"I was just thinking about something else. And no, you're not scary. Edward just didn't know how…to be himself around you. He was always afraid of taking your life, so it made him unable to relax. He honestly only worried about you." She nodded.

"So what were you thinking about just now?" The girl was relentless!

"I was thinking that I couldn't believe I wanted to hurt you. Now that I know you, I couldn't imagine hurting you. I said to myself, 'if I can make friends with all the humans, it will solve my problems!'" She started laughing hysterically, throwing the remainder of the journals in the box next to us. I closed my eyes and basked in her happiness, because my own was so hard to come by. I was only happy when I was with Bella. I took the journal I was holding and put it with the rest of them. The box was full-a hundred years worth-and some of them were torn to shreds from Bella's little tantrum. I taped it shut. There was no point in reading any further, it wouldn't help. The journals were the last thing to pack, and Bella had done remarkably well. She had fawned a bit over the closet, just as I had. The smell of him was thick in there, and it made her sad. But I helped, just as she had, and together we got through it. We got through it. Bella and me.

Bella and Jasper.

The phrase…struck me. I had been a part of 'Alice and Jasper' for as far back as I cared to remember. But I was always the second in that relationship. Alice had the more useful power. Alice was more trustworthy. Alice was more outgoing. They loved Alice more. I was just…there. The one that nobody trusted, not really. But when I was with Bella, we were just…together. A team, per say. She helped me, and I helped her, and neither of us was the better. We both needed each other. I looked at her, still laughing, and stopped.

She had fallen back on the floor, and she was clutching her middle like she was holding herself together-but in a good way. And then, the only thing I could think of in that moment was beautiful. Bella was beautiful. And I felt something that I don't think I'd ever felt.

This tingling was building in the bottom of my stomach-a kind of fluttering-and I couldn't place the emotion. It was…good. And then it hit me. I liked her. It wasn't love-not quite. But the tenor was the same. If it could be described as a color, it would be pink. Not quite as strong as red, but more than just the stark white of friendship. When I was coming to that conclusion, Bella had stopped laughing. She was sitting up, facing me, and looking puzzled.

"What is it?" she asked, and I couldn't tell her. No, it wouldn't be fair. I had no claim on her. "What are you feeling? I feel kind of…weird." Oops. I wasn't paying attention to what I was projecting.

"Nothing, nothing. I was just…thinking about how weird it was-these rooms being empty. I was debating on packing up the rest of the house as well." Not true, but good enough. And it was an idea, now that I think about it.

"I don't think I like that idea. I don't want to block out the rest of the family-they only did what they thought was best. Edward is family, Jasper, and you have to look out for your family. Even if it means leaving someone behind for the greater good." Grief. I saw her point, though, and reached out to comfort her.

"I didn't leave you behind," I whispered.

"Nope, you stayed to eat me!" she chuckled. It was sad but true. I looked down at the floor, refusing to meet her eyes. I felt her hand on mine, but I still refused. "Jasper, look at me."

"You're right, of course. I…"

"Stop. I was only kidding with you. I'm grateful every day that you stayed, even if your reasons weren't pure at first. But how do you feel about me now?" Of all the questions in all the world that she had to ask me, it had to be that one. Hadn't I just realized how I felt about her? And what could I say? I think I like you Bella. No, not just friendly. Yeah, because that sounded gentlemanly and appropriate.

"Jasper? How do you feel about me now?" The tenor of the conversation had changed. I closed my eyes.

"Bella…I…think you're a great friend." Chicken! "And…I like you." There. I felt no fear from her, which I took as a good sign.

"Oh, Jasper, thank you! I think you're a great friend as well." She misunderstood. Fantastic. I was a complete fool. Why was I going to say anything? Why couldn't I leave it alone?

"I think you misunderstand. When I said I liked you, I meant…I liked you. Do you…understand?" I felt confusion and then awareness overcome her.

"Oh." She was staring at me, eyes wide, with that delicious blush on her face. I waited. "Jasper?"

"Yes, Bella?" I was waiting for the crash. For her to tell me I was crazy for even thinking of such a thing. But it never came.

"I think I like you too."

Alice's POV

Faster, faster, faster. I wasn't fast enough. Of course, running with a broken heart was hard to do. Edward was proving to be incredibly difficult to find. He knew how to get around my powers-by not making decisions ahead of time and jumping from one thing to the next. I'd seen him in South America first, and then in Europe near the Volturi. So I hopped a plane, but he wasn't there. I was halfway to China looking for him when I saw him in Africa. So that's where I was headed. I was close, I could tell. He was wearing down. I bet he was exhausted from running, and exhausted from grief. And he didn't know the half of it. Not yet. I wasn't quite sure how to approach the situation.

I had to stop him, that much was certain. But how much did I divulge? That she was happy and moving on? Did I tell him of Jasper's involvement? But he would be so mad…I could see no easy outcome. It all involved an angry Edward fighting with Jasper, and a teary-eyed Bella. And quite frankly, I couldn't see Jasper again. Not right now.

But what? There was no diplomatic way to approach this. I certainly didn't want him to walk in on the two of them-I hadn't looked, but I was certain it was going well. I didn't see Jasper looking for me, however. I was suddenly struck out of my musings by a vision.

Edward was in an airport-Africa. He was looking at the board, showing departure times. I could see him zeroing in on a particular location-Seattle. Seattle, and then run to Forks. All he could see was Bella. Getting back to Bella. Apologizing to Bella. Loving Bella-forever. I watched him get on the plane.

I would be too late. I pulled my cell phone out, intent on calling Jasper and warning him, but it was dead. I had been on the run too long.

I had to move-now.

Okay-I thought this would be the perfect time to introduce some feelings between the two of them-they've been dancing around it for a while now, and I think Edward's room was the perfect place for it-for Jasper to see Bella so carefree in that room in particular. Now, also note that it is like, not love, right now. Love grows, but at least now they know there's something there.