A/N: OK, this is a bit of a mish mash of POV's. We need to wrap some things up and start some others so we can move onto the big Valentine's Day party! I'm as anxious as some of you seem to be to get there.

CHAPTER 12: Aftermath

EPOV:

Friday night was heaven and hell, all rolled into one. Bella had finally opened up about her mother, just a little. And she'd done it with me. That had to say something didn't it? I just wanted to fix her, and make it better. But I knew it was a slow and steady road to recovery. Being able to sit so close to her while she wept made my body ache. Under any other circumstances I probably would have taken advantage of the situation. Screw the consequences. But it wasn't the time to make a move on her.

I didn't get much of a chance to spend time alone with her for the rest of the night, but merely being in a room where I could watch her smile and laugh and blush was enough for now. And every so often she'd look in my direction, not unlike the last time we'd been in this very room together, the first time we'd laid eyes on each other. I tried to suppress the feelings welling up inside me whenever Rose or Emmett bought up James or her 'boyfriend'. Jasper & Alice knew better than to do it, and there was always a slightly uncomfortable shift when his name was mentioned. Even she didn't seem too comfortable talking about him, I took that as a good sign.

But it was when Bella went up to bed that I was feeling the most uncomfortable. She would be sleeping just down the hall from me, agonizingly close, alone. I'd kept an eye on the amount she'd had to drink and I was pretty sure she wasn't drunk enough to welcome me with open arms should I pay her a late night visit. But it didn't stop me from wanting desperately to check on her. I controlled myself for as long as I could, busying myself in my bathroom getting ready for bed, throwing my clothes off and pulling on a pair of pajama pants. I paced around my room until well after I'd heard all of the others settle down to sleep, chewing on one of my finger nails, biding time.

After what seemed like an eternity I crept silently down the hall way, I thought I'd heard a noise I just wasn't sure where the noise was coming from. Probably not from Alice's room, but I wanted to make sure Bella was OK.

As I approached the spare room she was sleeping in I could hear her. Was she talking? The door wasn't completely closed, so I slowly pushed it open, the room wasn't large so the bed was relatively close to the door. I could hear her breathing, it was faster than you would expect for someone sleeping peacefully and she shook her head a little from side to side, her hands fisting in her hair. She looked to be having a nightmare. Bella made a muffled sound, it was like she was screaming, but her mouth wouldn't open to let the noise out. I panicked a little, until I remembered my own nightmares. I stepped closer to the bed and gently sat down. It was a double bed and she was sleeping on the far side so she probably wouldn't notice the bed dip down. I placed my hand on her arm and gently caressed her soft skin, hoping not to wake her on one level, but hoping like hell she'd open her eyes on another. It seemed to do the trick. In a few moments she seemed to calm down considerably, her breathing returning to a peaceful rhythm.

I should have known that once I was in here I wasn't going to be able to leave. I wanted to kiss her beautiful face just once more. I would give anything just for that. But I felt a bit stalkerish so I removed myself from the bed and sat in chair in the corner of the room, watching over her, waiting for the next nightmare that I was sure would come. And it did. I stayed in there for hours, calming her each time her breathing became rapid and she began to make small noises. I wondered if she ever dreamed. Or was she only plagued by nightmares. And did she ever dream of me the way I had dreamed of her. Still dreamed of her. Probably not. She had James. What the fuck are you even doing Cullen? She's got a fucking boyfriend, oh and don't let's forget you have a fucking girlfriend.

I didn't think I could last with Jessica until after Valentine's Day. Her birthday tomorrow was going to be bad enough. At least Jasper should be there to help keep me company at her fucking dinner party. But with James coming to the party next weekend I knew I needed some sort of distraction, and Jessica would at least be that. Fuck, that was a fucked thing to think and I knew it. She deserved better than that.

As I sat there in that chair, dawn rapidly approaching my mind wandered back to that night, as it often did. The moment I first saw Bella was etched into my mind with so much clarity. She walked into the party looking so uncertain, not making eye contact with anyone, seemingly pissed off. It wasn't until later I found out why, I was still surprised she'd gone back to him after the way she'd spoken about him that night.

Shortly before the sun rose I begrudgingly slipped from Bella's room crashing as soon as my head hit my own pillow.

When I awoke several hours later I didn't hear any movement in the house. Rolling over I looked at my alarm clock, it was 12.39pm. I was going to be in so much shit for not having called Jess already for her birthday. Fuck my life.

APOV

Before I even opened my eyes I knew he was still there. I don't think I'd actually slept, just drifted in and out of consciousness, knowing that the guy I was desperately in love with had his arms tightly wrapped around me, seemingly unwilling to let me go. I could only hope. I'd heard enough stories about Jasper to know that he never stayed. But this was different, and probably meant even less to him than all of the girls he'd been with.

I rolled over so I was facing him as my eyes slowly fluttered open. I could only imagine I looked shocking. While I'd managed to remove all traces of make up before laying down next to Jasper I knew my hair would be a mess and my eyes would probably be puffy from lack of sleep. And as for my breath....eeek! But he was probably still sound asleep, why else would he still he here, holding onto me for dear life?

The sight that welcomed me as I rolled over was mesmerizing. Jasper was there, awake, looking back at me, like he'd been awake for hours, looking fresh as a goddamn daisy! How on earth did he do that? Oh that's right, he was Jasper Whitlock...perfect, in every conceivable way......oh, except for the way he treated women. Shut the fuck up inner monologue, now is not the time to be having this discussion!

"Mornin' butterfly." Sigh.

Jasper's eyes were locked on mine, and his mouth was turned up in the most breathtaking grin I'd ever seen. I think I just woke up in heaven....but I was very aware that I could come crashing back down to hell in a matter of moments.

"Hey." It took me a moment to wake up properly. "Did you sleep well?" I said, trying to sound as casual as possible given I was in my bed with Jasper Whitlock's arms around me. Yeah, but nothing's happened. Oh, shut the fuck up.

"Like a hibernating bear."

I giggled like a hormonal teenager, unable to control myself in front of him. I had keep the nerves at bay, if I didn't I would remain all shy and wouldn't be able to say what I should have a long time ago. I had the perfect opportunity to finally say something to Jasper, and goddamit I was going to do it. Today, right now, in this bed, with his arms wrapped around me, making me feel all warm and fuzzy....quit stalling Alice.

"Ali?" He wanted to ask me something first? Please don't ask me 'what are you thinking'. I fucking hate that question.

"Yeah?" I replied.

Jasper inhaled deeply. "Are you doing anything tonight?" He looked away as if nervous for a moment. "I mean, if you're not busy do you want to maybe go out. Maybe see a movie...or something."

What. The fuck. Was that. ???

?

I think I'm still asleep. Although my dreams about Jasper are usually a lot more X rated and a lot less sweet.

"Sorry what?" Did I really just respond that way? That's not how it had gone in my head the hundred million times I'd imagined it. Farck!

"It's OK if you don't want Ali, I just...don't worry...I mean....I just thought that maybe...." I put my fingers up to his lips to get him to shut the fuck up. Why was he nervous? He was never nervous when I saw him talking to girls. His arms loosened from around me a little. I had to stop him from letting me go.

"Jasper," I whispered quietly, moving my hand to his cheek and pulling his face back around to face me. "Were you....did you just ask me out on a date?" I tried desperately not to look incredulous, but to convey some sort of excitement and surprise. My previous response needed to be erased as quickly as possible.

"Well, yes I did." I wanted to ask him why. Why now, why me? Jasper didn't 'date', he just fucked around. Was I different? Was this different? Please don't get my hopes up Jasper. But there would be time for questions later.

"I think I'd like that," I whispered quietly. You bet your tight perfect ass I would. Jasper's beautiful blue eyes sparkled and his mouth pulled up into a beautiful grin, I'd never seen this look on his face before, it was breathtaking.

"You would?"

"Of course silly." Jasper had a look of doubt on his face which quickly disappeared. But suddenly his brow furrowed. "Jazz, what's wrong."

"This isn't going to come out right.....but...would you mind not saying anything to Edward."

What?

He must have noticed the puzzled look on my face.

"He'd murder me if he knew I really.....he'd just murder me. He's very protective of you." Fuck, what was he going to say but stopped himself? And what the fuck did Edward have to do with it. And why the fuck was I swearing so much in my head?

"Edward wouldn't mind Jazz."

"Trust me, he'd mind. This.." Jasper motioned between him and I, "Edward would fucking murder me."

I wanted to ask why, but I think I knew why. I just wanted to know how long ago Jasper had been threatened! Edward was dead.

D.

E.

A.

D.

Dead. I'd fucking murder him if he's kept us apart. But I can't think about that now. I could hear people up and about in the house, and assuming that my fucktard of a brother probably wasn't looking after them I figured I probably should. Also, Jasper looked a little anxious to get away from me now or something. It was weird, he went all quiet and shy or something. He told me he'd pick me up at six o'clock, saying that we'd go to dinner and then see if there was anything on at the movies. Clearly he hadn't put much thought into the whole thing. But, whatever. I didn't care. He was taking me out on a date. Me. Alice Cullen. His best friend's little sister, actually I wasn't his little sister, we were all practically the same age. But maybe that's why Edward had threatened him – he was being protective or something. Who knew? But I was going to find out.

BPOV

I left the Cullen's early on Sunday morning. I'd woken at the crack of dawn and had trouble getting back to sleep. My nightmares had taken a strange turn last night. Instead of consuming me as they so often did they would disappear as quickly as they'd started. It was odd, but it was a change for the better.

As I flopped down onto my bed when I got home I heard my phone ring. Who would ring before seven in the morning?

James. About fucking time. I answered.

"Morning." There was no emotion in my voice.

"Why the fuck didn't you answer your phone last night Bella?"

"Sorry what?" Why was he yelling at me?

"You didn't answer your phone when I called, and when I called your house your Dad said you were out with friends at a party or something."

"What time did you call?"

"I don't know, after dinner some time." Now I was feeling bad that he had called and I'd missed it. He sounded frantic.

"Sorry, I mustn't have heard your call. I was at a friend's place."

"Your dad said you were at a party."

"Well, it wasn't a party, just a regular Friday night thing with a few people from school," I defended. Although I don't know why.

"What friends?"

"Friends. People I've met at school, Alice and Rose and a few others."

"Gee, you made friends quickly." He said in an accusatory manner. What the fuck was that about?

"Don't forget I used to come to Forks for two weeks every Summer James. I wasn't completely friendless when I moved here."

"I thought you said the only person you knew there was Angela." James had always been a little protective of me. Not in a 'I'm concerned for your safety' kind of way. More like a 'I need to veto all your friends to make sure none of them are better than me' kind of way. I used to find it a bit cute, his jealousy had been endearing. But right now it was pissing me off. What, did he expect me to only hang out with Angela for the rest of the year?

"Yeah she's the only one I really know. But she took me to a party last Summer and I met some people then."

"What sort of people Bella?"

"Just people from her year at school. Who are now in my year at school. What does it matter, we weren't together then." I winced as the words left my mouth. That indicated I had something to feel guilty about. Not that I had any reason to, but I guess James probably assumed there had been no-one in between. We had certainly never discussed it.

"What does that have to do with anything? Why point out that we weren't together if you don't have anything to hide?"

"I don't have anything to hide James. What I did during the time we were apart is my business."

"The hell it is Bella. I'm your boyfriend. If you were with someone during that time then I have a right to know."

"Would you tell me if you were with anyone during that time?"

"I asked you first Bella. Were you with anyone?" Sure sign that he's guilty of something. For some reason it didn't piss me off though. It was his business what he did while we were apart. I couldn't care less. But should I care?

"Yes."

"Were you with him in Forks or Phoenix......or both?"

"Forks." I knew where this was headed but for some reason I felt the need to be honest.

"Have you been with him since you've been back in Forks?"

"No."

"This is why you were so eager to get back there isn't it. When your Grandmother went into that resort they call an old people's home and I offered for you to stay with my mom & dad for the rest of the year you wouldn't hear about it. You said you just wanted to go to Forks with your dad. But really you were just wanting to hook back up with some guy weren't you Bella."

"That's bullshit and you know it James. I'm not the one who needs to feel guilty about their actions. If anyone does it's you. Don't forget that you're the reason we were broken up then."

"Fucking hell Bella, we've been through this. It was just a fucking kiss with a random girl I care nothing about. It didn't mean anything."

"Well it meant something to me. How could you be so careless?"

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

"Bella, I didn't.....look, I don't want to fight over the phone."

"Neither do I, I had a shithouse day yesterday and I don't want to start the weekend off badly either."

"I'm sorry Bells. It's been so long and I just miss you so much sweetie."

"Yeah, me too. What time does your flight get in next week?"

"Not sure. I'll have to let you know. I'm kind of short on cash at the moment."

"So you haven't booked yet?"

"No, just waiting for a good deal to come up." Typical.

"Well, I could maybe...um." I can't believe I was offering to pay for his flight after that.

"No, no. You can't do that."

"It's my money, I can do what I want with it James."

"It's fine Bella, I'll book it and let you know when I'll be there OK."

"K."

We ended our conversation but it left me almost wishing now that he wasn't coming. And I didn't know why. Sure he'd been rude to me. It's the first time we'd fought since we'd got back together. It's the first time we'd had any real conversation about anything very important since we got back together. Thinking about it, our relationship seemed to only be based on him trying to look after me and make decisions for me. I should have been grateful for it. And I was. Or I used to be anyway. But after that phone call it gave me the distinct feeling like he was trying to control me.

When I checked the phone for his missed call I noticed that it had come through at 10.15pm. Who calls at that hour. And he still didn't mention anything about my mother's birthday.

I busied myself for the next few hours cleaning the house and going out to get some groceries. Keeping my mind off James and the anger I still felt about our earlier phone conversation was a little easier said than done though. I was in a seriously bad mood with him and I was taking it out on the housework. My phone rang at about three o'clock. It was Alice, hopefully ringing to confirm details for our night of chick flicks.

"What's up Alice?"

"Bella, Bella!! Oh my god!!" I think someone must have given Alice too much red cordial.

"Alice what's going on with you?"

"Oh my god, I didn't see you this morning before you left. And I have news." This had better be about Jasper. I didn't see him on the lounges with Rosalie and Emmett this morning when I left. I didn't know the Cullen house very well but I could only hope that only meant one thing....and it definitely didn't mean being in bed with Edward.

"Spill it Alice."

"Jasper asked me out. We're going out tonight. Oh my god Bella. I'm so sorry but I have to cancel our plans. You don't mind do you?"

"Alice, of course I don't mind. What kind of a friend would I be if I stopped you from going out with the guy of your dreams so you can watch chick flicks with me? But tell me what happened."

Alice proceeded to go into minute detail about her night with Jasper. I then proceeded to tell Alice about my fight with James. She sounded a little sympathetic, but it didn't sound like she was really listening to me. I was so happy for her. But I'd fucking kill him if he hurt her. Come to think of it, I was probably not the only one who would kill him. I was beginning to understand why Edward had kept him away from her. But I had faith in Jasper.

And after my discussion with Edward last night I should probably have a little more faith in him too. Since waking this morning I'd allowed myself to think of my mother. I had to consciously hold back the tears on a couple of occasions, but I realised it was better than not being able to think about her at all. Edward was right. It made me feel better. I couldn't ignore her for the rest of my life. If I never thought about her at all I'd forget, and then I would never be able to think about her because the memories would be gone for good. The more I thought about it the more I realised I needed to remember. I only wished I could talk to someone about her, but I wasn't sure who in town knew her, other than Charlie, and Esme Cullen of course. I wondered how close they were?

A/N: Next chapter is almost complete. Yay! OK, so I've put you a little bit out of your misery. So...do you think Jasper asked her out because Bella said she liked someone and he

Knows that it's him that she likes; OR

Thinks it may be someone else so he's getting in before someone snaps her up? And if so is that a cop out?