A big thank you to those of you reviewing, and hello to those who have fav'd the story or put it on alert. I can definitely recommend you take a look at the Hidden Star Awards; there are some great fics nominated!

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Many thanks as usual to EvilPumpkin and Angel eyes1 uk. Nice to know we will not be breaking up at the end of this.

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SM, I'll be returning your characters soon, and you can borrow Daisy any time.

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Chapter Seventeen. Coping.

Alice's POV

Jasper and I were both fighting to keep Daisy from erupting into one of her tantrums. Bella soon came in to see how we were doing. "I think we should get Esme and Carlisle too, Bella."

"They're not here, Alice. I'm not sure how long they'll be."

"Just the three of us then." It was a cycle of distraction; Jasper tried to influence Daisy, and she was trying just as hard to reject it. Each cycle the task was getting tougher and the tension was building. Finally, Edward returned and came straight in.

"No surprises here," he said. "She's frightened and she wants Emmett. Not much else is going on in her head."

"We already got that." I hissed, then quickly added, "Take no notice, we're a bit strained—sorry."

"Sorry I can't be more help, sis," he replied.

By the time Carlisle and Esme came in, the tension was palpable and Daisy was pretty upset. All hell broke loose, when more people coming in without Emmett, was the final straw for Daisy and something snapped. So much grief and despair came from her that poor Jasper reeled under the onslaught of emotion. Esme rushed to scoop Daisy up in a vain attempt to soothe her, but no one really knew what to do.

I glanced at Jasper—he was evidently trying to regain some control. "Jasper, it's not working. Why don't you come away for a while?"

"No. I have to find a way back in," he argued.

"You've done enough. Take a break now," I implored, tugging on his arm.

"I'm fine, Alice. Let me be." Jasper turned wild, dark eyes on me.

I looked at Carlisle and gestured for him to leave the room, following him out and far enough away to think. "I'm worried, Carlisle. This has been too hard on Jasper."

"You may be right, Alice. Did you have a good hunt this morning?" he enquired.

"Yes, of course." I had made sure that Jasper drained twice the amount of deer that I had.

Carlisle was pacing up and down, deep in thought. "Jasper's eyes are already beginning to darken."

"He's exhausting himself," I explained, "but he refuses to stop. I can't watch him do this, Carlisle." I almost sobbed, and began to shake.

Carlisle held me and said softly, "Shall I call Emmett? I think he would want to be here."

"That...that wouldn't be fair. He'll want to see the rest of the game." I was reluctant to spoil his afternoon, especially as Rosalie had put so much effort into arranging it.

"I think he would want to know," Carlisle reasoned. "To be able to make the choice for himself."

"If you're sure," I conceded reluctantly. "Let me make the call." We went further from the house, Emmett didn't need to hear Daisy's noise over the phone. Carlisle held my hand and I rang Emmett's cell.

Emmett's POV

The car dropped us at Qwest Field with just enough time to find our seats. The game was awesome—the Seahawks' first of the season. The atmosphere was electric, and it was all the more special as Rose was sharing it with me. I would never get tired of shouting and screaming at a live game, and when the Hawks scored their first touchdown I nearly threw Rose in the air. At half-time, the Seahawks were leading by three points and the entertainment rocked. A good way into the third quarter my phone rang. I pulled it from my jeans, surprised to see it was Alice calling.

"What's up?"

"Emmett, it's Jasper," she said at vampire speed. My brain refused to catch up.

"What? Jasper?" Why would Alice ring me, I wondered, and what could possibly be wrong with Jasper? I was confused. Carlisle ringing about Daisy, I expected, but this? Oh, no. "He hasn't...eaten Daisy, has he, Alice?"

"No! Of course not, but I'm really worried about him. Looking after Daisy has been too much of a strain, but he won't give up."

"How is Daisy?"

"She's having one of her tantrums. No, it's not nice, Emmett, but not exactly life threatening. It's Jasper I'm concerned about. Everyone thought Daisy would sleep for hours and went out, but she didn't and Jasper's been trying so hard."

Suddenly the game didn't matter. My sweet girl was upset and I shouldn't have left my brother to deal with her by himself. "I'll get there as soon as I can, Alice."

"If you leave now I know you'll catch an earlier flight. I'll send Edward to Port Angeles." Alice was sounding happier already. "Emmett?"

"On my way, Ally," I assured her.

"Thanks," she sighed in relief.

I turned to Rosalie. "You're going, then?" she sniffed, not even glancing my way.

"It's Jasper and Daisy, Rose." I took her elbow. "Come on, we'll get a taxi from King Street."

"Emmett!" Rosalie glared pointedly at my hand. "I have a car booked in less than an hour."

"But Alice said we can catch the earlier flight. We have to go now," I pressed.

"Go then," she seethed, removing my hand from her arm and turning back to the game. "I'm staying—there's only one quarter left."

"Okay, no time to argue. See you at home." I pecked her swiftly on her stony-faced cheek, then ran to the pick-up point and jumped into a waiting cab; the startled driver spilt his coffee. "Boeing Airport, pronto! If I catch my flight there's an extra twenty in it!"

Alice's POV

I relaxed a little now that I knew Emmett was on his way, but the plane wouldn't land until seven twenty. With Edward driving we could expect them around seven forty.

"Come on, Alice. Let's go and see if we can do anything to help." Carlisle was right. I let him lead me home, his arm around my shoulder.

Edward was playing piano, Esme was cuddling Daisy, and Bella was trying to help Jasper relax by massaging his shoulders. I went over to Edward and said in his ear, "Can you pick Emmett up at the airport seven twenty sharp? Please get him back here fast." He nodded assent and carried on playing. Next, I went to Jazz. I held his face in my hands and looked straight into his eyes. "Jazz, honey, Emmett's on his way home. He should be here in an hour. Take a breather and come outside for a bit, please." He shook his head, so I took over from Bella, rubbing his shoulders and slowly pulling him back to lean on me.

Edward's POV

I don't know if my playing was having any effect on Daisy, but it was all I could do, and it sure helped me— I hoped it helped Jasper, too. I was selfishly relieved when Alice asked me to drive to Port Angeles, but I would keep playing until I had to leave.

When I got up to go, Bella dashed over. "I'll come with you, it's not as if I can do much here." Now things were looking up.

"I'll be driving very fast, are you sure you won't be frightened?" I teased. Bella punched my arm.

"Idiot, you can't scare a vampire." It was nice to have her company and Bella proved to be useful.

Emmett came careering out of the airport, looking harassed. He must have spent the whole flight working himself up. "Can't you go any faster? Let me drive—I need to get back today."

"Emmett, you know Edward is driving as fast as it's safe to go. Now calm down or I'll tell him to stop." That's my girl.

When I pulled up in front of the house, Emmett was out of the car before I'd even stopped.

Carlisle's POV

I heard the car approach and on my way out, I was nearly bowled over by Emmett, I needed to hurry. Edward and Bella were getting out of the car.

"Going for Rosalie so soon, Carlisle?" Bella asked.

"I don't drive as fast as Edward." I held my hand out for the keys.

"We could come with you," she offered.

"That's very sweet, Bella, but I need to do this alone." I shut the car door and sped up the drive before Esme came looking for me. Esme would be upset that I hadn't included her, but Rose needed a father right now. Esme saw Rosalie as a time bomb that needed defusing, and most of the time she was. This time though, she was more of a fire that needed quenching. How was I going to handle it? I could appeal to her better nature, but that was so well hidden I wasn't sure she had one. At least I had the drive to think it through. I reached the Airport with five minutes to spare. Rosalie stomped over and began a tirade.

"I can't believe he just left me there!" Letting it wash over me, I opened the passenger door. "There was only one quarter left—he could have stayed to the end." Let it all out love, I thought, starting the engine and backing out of the parking space. "I mean, just to get back to the little b—her." Not so angry you want to swear in front of dad, eh? I quickly looked out of the side window before she caught me smiling. "How could he though—for that." My smile disappeared and I faced her directly.

"Rosalie, you're hardly a defenceless female, unable to fend for herself, are you?" I asked her softly.

"No." She faltered. "But it doesn't seem right of him to..."

I cut her off. "Emmett didn't just do it for Daisy, did he?"

She paused a while, considering. "Well, no, there was mention of Jasper, but—"

"No buts, Rose. Jasper needed him," I affirmed.

"I guess," she mumbled, and turned away stiffly.

I gave Rosalie's hand a squeeze so that she'd know I wasn't cross, and left her to think it through. The remainder of the drive was silent but companionable. Gradually Rosalie relaxed, eventually giving me a bashful smile. I nodded my head and patted her knee, swinging into our driveway.

As we pulled up to the house, I was struck by how quiet it was.

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AN. If you need a drink or two to encourage you to review...what are you waiting for? It is the weekend.

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Next Friday I'll post the last chapter, so don't miss it. For those of you who will miss their Friday fix, don't worry. I have a new story which I will endeavour to start on the 28th.