No More Lies // Alice

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper's eyes flicked towards the clock every few moments, waiting for the time to go by. Anxiety was seeping through his veins, and he knew he still had several more minutes till he could leave to go see Alice. HIs Alice. She had caught him last night in her room, all because he accidentally bumped into her desk while focusing on the pictures that were scattered on the floor. Before he was just thinking she was going through them, making a scrap book or something with them. No, she had been putting the pieces together. Had been trying to figure out what exactly he was. Not to mention she had succeeded.

She finally knew he was a vampire. It certainly felt a lot better, that secret no longer being hidden. It had killed him to have to hide it from Alice for so long. She deserved to know and he wished he could've told her, but he couldn't have. The one rule that they lived by was to not reveal their secret. That was the rule of the vampires. The one and only. Sure there were other things that could be considered rules, but that was the one set in stone. Engraved into their minds deeply, like a tattoo. One that could never be removed no matter how far technology came. That rule could not be removed from their minds for even a second. They could not forget it. Ever. That was that.

Looking at himself in the mirror yet again, Jasper found himself studying his scars. He detested his scars with his entire heart. They were symbols of a monster, of a true and horrid monster. He had helped one of the wickedest people in the world, just so she could have a large territory. He helped her so her thoughts wouldn't have to be read. So she wouldn't have to be destroyed. He helped the worst of them all, and that was a horrid mistake. Of course, he hadn't really known for a while what all he was getting himself in to. She had brought him into his new life and he did what he was told. He was far to much of a Southern Gentleman to do anything else.

Shaking his head, Jasper turned towards the large glass doors that lead to the outside world. They were opened wide, not that it mattered. It wasn't a rainy day in Forks, though the clouds overhead were threatening the town with another shower. Hopefully the rain would hold long enough for him to show Alice. Or perhaps his luck would be pressed as always and the rain wouldn't cover that little area. That little meadow. He had his doubts, but that was fine. As long as Alice saw what they looked like in the sunlight. As he ran towards Alice's house, Jasper started to ease up slightly, a smile gracing his features. He was excited to see the only girl that had ever captured his heart.

Coming to a walk on the sidewalk, Jasper strolled at a normal, human pace till he came to Alice's house. Then it was more of a jog to the front porch. His khaki pants didn't seem to mind the small, human paced jog that he couldn't resist going along with. They had managed the extremely fast vampire run, they could survive a slower jog. His long, dark blue sweater covered each and every inch of his arms. He hated his scars and would never show them in public. That just wasn't like him at all. Knocking three times on the door in a steady, yet strong beat, Jasper waited patiently for Alice to open the door. He would go through the window again if she was asleep. Though that was more of a backup plan.

If you want to move it to another board that's fine. Not sure where to post it.

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[Alice Swan]

Alice glanced at the clock every few moments, anxiously waiting for Jasper's arrival. Charlie was still in the house, so she had to work fast. She was already dressed, a pair of dark, comfortably worn jeans and a dark blue sweater. It was freezing outside - not so surprising due to the geographical location - so she made sure the sweater was long-sleeved, covering all of her arms and her neck as well. She wasn't quite sure how Jasper would take her appearance, seeing as how she knew what he was now. She merely wore it for warmth and comfort, but would he see another reason behind it?

Before she could force herself to change into something that would most likely give her frostbite in the future, she stood from her bed, and began pacing. When he showed up last night, Alice hadn't truly known he was there. Well, not until he woke her up, that is. Apparently, he had been staring at her surprisingly large pile of drawings - all of him, of course - and he had bumped into her desk in response. She had woken up instantly after that, catching him in what most people would consider a creepy act. On the contrary, she found it rather sweet, especially after she'd heard his reasons behind it.

And then her suspicions had been confirmed. Jasper admitted to her that he was, indeed, a vampire. Alice took it lightly at first, hoping that he was joking, while, some where, deep, deep inside her, she knew it was true. Then the questions started, her asking him about when he lived and what it was like. She was more than excited to hear about his history in the Civil War, and it solved one of her many mysteries to him.

Alice sighed, staring out her bedroom window. The sky was dark, eerie, promising rain. But, fortunately, the weather was the simplest thing when it came to her "gift". When it came to weather and the future, Alice was everone's personal radar. It looked as if it was going to rain, but that wouldn't happen for several hours. That's why she told Jasper not to show up until two. By the time they reached where Jasper was wanting to go - some sort of meadow, it looked like to her; she didn't know, it was a bit hazy - it would be a bit sunny. Just for a little while.

The one thing that worried Alice most was the scars. He'd showed a few of them to her - several, crescent-shaped marks covering his skin - all caused by a traumatic past that she was sure he didn't tell the whole truth about. She understood why he wore clothes that covered all of his skin; she would do the same in his position. She wouldn't want people gawking at her anymore than they already were. She was sure it was the same with him.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she saw Jasper walk into view. As soon as he saw the house, however, he seemed to pick up the pace, continuing with a slow jog as he approached the house. She grinned down at him, turning as fast as she could and practically flying down the stairs, hearing the door knock rythmically three times as she did so. She caught herself at the bottom step, nearly tripping, when she froze. Charlie had beaten her to the punch, answering the door for himself. She froze behind him, hearing her father's voice in that old, questioning boom of his. "Jasper?" he asked, "What's going on, son? Where's your dad?" Alice grimaced behind him. This was what she had hoped to avoid. She hadn't told Charlie about Jasper yet, and she feared the look on his face when he found out. "Dad! I see you've met Jasper," Alice greeted with a fake smile plastered to her face. As she took in the site of Jasper standing before her, khaki pants and long-sleeved, blue sweater, and her smile became genuine. Wait 'till I mention this to him later, she thought smugly, stepping around Charlie and out the door. "You ready to go?" She asked cheerfully, ignoring the look on her father's face. His face was a stony kind of calm, and in truth, it intimidated her a bit.

It's ok. Don't worry, and, seeing as we have no Charlie, feel free to speak for him from time to time, I'm running out of things for him to say. =]

[Jasper Hale]

Most guys paced around anxiously when standing on their girlfriends front porch. This only happened when the girl was his girlfriend, and not just a friend or partner for a project. No, this was only when it came to the girl being a girlfriend. Why that was nobody was absolutely positive, but most were certain it had to do with the fact that the boy was nervous about what to say. It was logical and made sense. Nervous about what to say.

But Jasper wasn't like other boys. He wasn't afraid about what to say in front of Alice, or if Charlie would answer. Few could intimidate him, and none of them were human. It was an exceptional few in the vampire world who could intimidate him. Mainly the Volturi, whom he also respected. That was rather confusing if anything. Still, Jasper refused to budge. His muscles were locked firmly, refusing to move in any way possible. He was not going to be intimidated by anybody. Jasper looked down for a moment, waiting for the door to be opened.

When the door finaly opened it was hardly the person he had been expecting to see. Charlie. Jasper was a tad bit surprised to see Charlie open the door, but not too surprised. It was his house, was it not? "Jasper?" Charlie asked, and Jasper chuckled lowly to himself. Who else would it be? "What's going on, son? Where's your dad?" He hadn't been fully expecting this question, but he also hadn't been expecting to see Charlie behind the door. Thankfully, Jasper had thought of a response for this question just like any other. Jasper opened his mouth to respond, but Alice got a response in from behind Charlie first.

"Dad! I see you've met Jasper," Alice said, and Jasper stopped himself from shaking his head. He had met Charlie last night, had he not. "We met last night," Jasper said, chuckling when he noticed Charlie had said the same thing at the same time. Jasper smiled as Alice stepped around Charlie and out the door. "You ready to go?" Smiling, Jasper nodded. Of course, he would have to inform Charlie and answer his earlier question. "We're going to the park for a while and eventually one of my brothers will come and get us. Then we'll be going to my house for a while, so Alice can meet my family. Don't worry, I'll bring Alice home at nine free of harm."

"Well... okay. But nine o'clock, got it?" Nodding, Jasper knew he'd have Alice home on time if not several minutes before. But not a minute later. Perhaps not even a second. They could leave at the last possible minute and he would still have Alice home by nine. He was good. Jasper wouldn't let Alice get a scratch on her. Being a vampire, he would do anything he could so Alice wouldn't get hurt. Turning around, Jasper smiled and nodded down at Alice. "Now I'm ready," he assured her taking a step off the front porch. He was ready to go, to go and show Alice what they looked like in the sun.

"Don't tell me you're wearing all those layers of clothes because of me," Jasper said quietly to Alice, even though they were now out of ear shot of Charlie. As they walked quietly, Jasper kept looking over, trying to figure out just the right time that Charlie wouldn't be able to see them and they'd be okay to run. Rather him with Alice on his back. "Just a few more blocks, to play it safe. Also, that entire thing about you meeting my family later, I wasn't exactly lying. If we have time and you're up to it, I'd really like to take you to meet my family. My mother, Esme, is dying to meet you. Emmett, Bella, and Edward are also excited, or at least seemed that way when I last saw them. You've met Carlisle, but he's still eager to meet you away from the hospital and Rosalie... well she's not exactly excited but that's Rose."

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[Alice Swan]

"We met last night," Jasper said, chuckling when he noticed Charlie had said the same thing at the same time. Alice could tell, however, that her father wasn't too excited to reveal that little fact. She rolled her eyes, both at the comment and her father's double-meanings, "Oh, yeah," she shook her head in embarrassment, "I forgot about that." Jasper nodded, turning his attention to her father. "We're going to the park for a while and eventually one of my brothers will come and get us. Then we'll be going to my house for a while, so Alice can meet my family. Don't worry, I'll bring Alice home at nine free of harm." He said, and Alice tried to keep her face as composed as possible. She didn't want to show how truly nervous she was around her father and Jasper. After all, he was, as most Southerners would call him, a shot-gun daddy.

"Well... okay. But nine o'clock, got it?" Charlie grumbled grudgingly, and Alice smiled at him, "Now I'm ready," Jasper assured her taking a step off the front porch. "Thanks, Dad. I'll see you later." Alice assured him, and began to walk off with Jasper. She made sure not to grab his hand, for she knew Charlie all too well. As she turned to gaze at the house once more, she noticed the curtains move, and she smiled to herself. Of course he would be watching her, making sure she didn't do anything 'regretable' with a boy, especially Jasper. She knew she would get it when she came back home, but she didn't care. She would gladly take it as long as she could spend time with him.

"Don't tell me you're wearing all those layers of clothes because of me," Jasper said quietly to Alice, even though they were now out of ear shot of Charlie. Alice laughed, pointedly staring at his sweater, "No," she replied with a chuckle, "I did it so we could match." She couldn't help but grin at him. She hadn't noticed it until she noticed him standing outside her front door, and by then, it was too late to change. All in all, she found it rather comical. Jasper continued to gaze back at the house repeatedly, as if waiting for something to happen. "You know, if you keep looking back, Charlie's going to think you're up to no good, no matter how clean your record is." She chuckled.

In truth, Alice knew that Charlie would have nothing on Jasper, though he would do background checks and all kinds of things to figure out a way for her to stay away from him. He was like a guy-proof vest for her. Not a single one could pass the front steps unless he was completely trustworthy to her dad. Translation: single forever. "Just a few more blocks, to play it safe. Also, that entire thing about you meeting my family later, I wasn't exactly lying. If we have time and you're up to it, I'd really like to take you to meet my family. My mother, Esme, is dying to meet you. Emmett, Bella, and Edward are also excited, or at least seemed that way when I last saw them. You've met Carlisle, but he's still eager to meet you away from the hospital and Rosalie... well she's not exactly excited but that's Rose." Play it safe for what? Oh, she realized quickly, the vampire thing. He was going to wait until the coast was clear. Understood.

Alice grinned at the family part. They were excited to meet her? Rose being the acception, of course, but...his whole family? Nerves suddenly arrested every thought in her mind. "Do they...er, do they know? That I know, I mean?" She asked hesitantly. She wasn't sure she would be able to pull off the whole acting-in-front-of-vampires-that-they're-not-really-vampires act. Then, another thought occured to her, "What if they don't like me?" She wondered aloud, not at all happy with that thought. One of them already hated her. How many more could she handle feeling the same way?

sorry it took so long. went to see The Ugly Truth yesterday. freaking hilarious!!!

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper tried not to stare too long at Alice, but it was hard. He was hers, and whether she liked it or not, she was his. He was going to do every last thing that a person could possible imagine so that he could keep Alice by his side. “Oh, yeah. I forgot about that.” Chuckling softly at Alice for a moment, Jasper’s attention quickly went back to Charlie. Whether Alice told him or not he wasn’t sure and had to have his attention on him. Of course, after he finished his statement about where they were going he tried not to flicker his eyes towards Alice. What was she so nervous about? Without anybody knowing but Jasper and his intended victim, Alice, Jasper let a wave of calm take over Alice’s petite figure, his hopes high that she would calm down. Somewhat at least.

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you later.” Alice said before beginning to walk away with Jasper. He didn’t reach for her hand, but didn’t quite see the point not to. Charlie had seen them kissing in the hospital, holding hands was nowhere near as bad as that. “You still haven’t told him? Honestly Alice, you should just get it over with. He’s already seen us kissing in the hospital, it can’t get too much worse,” Jasper said quietly before chuckling to himself. He knew that Charlie hadn’t really cared for them being so close, but if Carlisle had been the one to see them he probably would’ve went on with his day. Maybe a tad bit concerned, what with Alice being human and human blood all around, but he wouldn’t disturb them. Or try not to.

“No. I did it so we could match.” Jasper looked over at Alice, noting that they both had on long, navy blue sweaters. Looking back up at Alice’s face, he chuckled when he noticed she was grinning at him. “You know, if you keep looking back, Charlie’s going to think you’re up to no good, no matter how clean your record is..” Shrugging, Jasper smiled down at Alice. He never got in any trouble with the law and never would. He didn’t do anything wrong, nor did he have intentions along those lines. Being the ‘adoptive children’ of a doctor and a house wife, most would assume the kids were a little… wild. But they proved them wrong every single day. “So kissing you would be me up to no good, even if Charlie can no longer see us but I can still see him?” Jasper said with a low, even chuckle. So today was going to be another joking and playful day.

"Do they...er, do they know? That I know, I mean?" Jasper noticed Alice asked this hesitantly and smiled down at her. Of course his family knew. There were hardly any secrets within their family. “Yes, they know. None of them had a problem with it except for Rose. She wanted to quite literally kill me,” he said before chuckling to himself. Rosalie had been infuriated when she found out Alice knew they were vampires. She as afraid of one slip and then their family secret would be out. But he had assured her Alice wouldn’t tell anybody. She still didn’t believe him. "What if they don't like me?" Alice asked and Jasper looked down at her again. Not like her? She was worried about them not liking her? Not that she would be visiting a house full of vampires, but that they wouldn’t like her? “Alice, I highly doubt that. I’ve told them a lot about you and I’m almost certain that they’ll love you. But you’re not worried about being in a house with six other vampires—seven including myself—but you’re worried about what they’ll think of you?” Alice was definitely a catch of a lifetime.

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[Alice Swan]

Chuckling softly at Alice for a moment, Jasper’s attention quickly went back to Charlie, and she suddenly felt shockingly calm. She'd have to thank Jasper for that later; she needed it. “You still haven’t told him? Honestly Alice, you should just get it over with. He’s already seen us kissing in the hospital, it can’t get too much worse,” Jasper said quietly before chuckling to himself. She sighed, "I know," she whispered guiltily, "But he's already tried to bombard me on that situation. I just wanted to put off the next attack for a little while." She hated hearing her father's accusatory remarks about boys, especially when she wanted to go out. He even snuck some pepper spray into her back , now that she thought about it. Sigh. Overprotective fathers.

Jasper merely shrugged and chuckled at her next comments. That was good; this was going to be a good day, then. Perfect. “So kissing you would be me up to no good, even if Charlie can no longer see us but I can still see him?” Jasper said with a low, even chuckle. His voice was just so beautiful, so hypnotic. "In front of him, it would be. You've already got one strike against you, from the way Charlie reacted just now. But, since we're out of sight..." she trailed off suggestively, smirking at Jasper. He would be the one to make the first move today. Then, another idea occured to her, "So, are we done playing it safe yet? Or do we have to walk another two blocks?" She joked.

“Yes, they know. None of them had a problem with it except for Rose. She wanted to quite literally kill me,” he said before chuckling to himself. She couldn't help but grimace. Though now she knew why Rosalie hated her, she still didn't like it. Sure, the girl was mean and rather cruel in some aspects, but she was also a part of Jasper's family. Whether Rosalie wanted to get along with her or not, that was her business, but Alice couldn't help but want to get along with Rosalie anyway. “Alice, I highly doubt that. I’ve told them a lot about you and I’m almost certain that they’ll love you. But you’re not worried about being in a house with six other vampires—seven including myself—but you’re worried about what they’ll think of you?” She could tell he was amused by this thought, but she voiced her own in response, "Well, what's the use in being scared?" she demanded, "You're supposed to be 'vegetarian' and I believe you. If I just happen to become dinner in the process, I become dinner. Simple as that," she shrugged. In truth, she didn't care about the whole 'vampire' fact. What she cared about was whether or not they would accept her, whether or not they would be happy for her and Jasper.

She also wanted to get to know them better, learn their histories. Surely, a vampire would have a history, a perspective on a certain time and age. Jasper, for example, was a Civil War veteran, someone who was trying to abstain from human blood more than any other one in his family. "You said being a vegetarian was hardest for you," Alice noted, "How come it's so easy for you to be around me? How are you able to restrain yourself?"

[Jasper Hale]

As they walked Jasper knew Alice was feeling guilty which made him feel all the more guilty. He had meant for it to be light hearted and joking, not to make her feel bad. Those would never be his intentions. He never purposely tried to hurt Alice, yet no matter how hard he tried, he sometimes did. By something he said or anything along those lines, though it was usually said. Never did he mean it, but it slipped on occasion. Perhaps a little too much for Jasper to be remotely comfortable with. “I know. But he’s already tried to bombard me on that situation. I just wanted to put off the next attack for a while.” Sighing, Jasper wished he could hug Alice but Charlie could still see them. Great, just great. “I didn’t mean it like that, Alice. I never intended for you to feel guilty. When you want to tell him then you can tell him. I’m sure he’s got his suspicions, but really. Don’t worry too much about it. I’m sorry.”

“In front of him, it would be. You’ve already got one strike against you, from the way Charlie reacted just now. But, since we’re out of sight…” Alice said, and how she trailed off Jasper grinned. She was smirking, and he enjoyed her suggestive idea far too much. “So, are we done playing it safe yet? Or do we have to walk another two blocks?” Smiling, Jasper took Alice’s hand and dragged her gently into the forest. They walked for a few yards, to the point where anybody in the street couldn’t see them. Turning around to face Alice, Jasper grinned before quickly and gently kissing her. He hated having to bend down so much, but it was almost necessary. And it was worth it, being able to kiss Alice. Pulling away reluctantly, Jasper knew Alice still had a few things to say and then they would be off. In a mere matter of time.

“Well, what’s the use in being scared? You’re supposed to be ‘vegetarian’ and I believe you. If I just happen to become dinner in the process, I become dinner. Simple as that,” Alice said with a shrug. Frowning, Jasper shuddered at the thought of Alice becoming the meal. He wouldn’t stand for that, not in a thousand years. “You said being a vegetarian was hardest for you. How come it’s so easy for you to be around me? How are you able to restrain yourself?” Jasper certainly hadn’t been expecting this. “I’ve dedicated myself to protecting you so that nobody will ever be able to hurt you and that includes me. Besides, it’s very… easy to get lost in a moment that I forget all my urges for blood. It’s… confusing,” Jasper said quietly, though he could’ve picked a better word. But that worked for now.

“Come on, before it rains,” Jasper said before lightly picking Alice up and putting her on his back. “You may want to shut your eyes and hold on tightly,” he warned looking over his shoulder at Alice. With a smile and a nod, he turned back to what was in front of him and took off running. The trees flew by them in a blur of colors, though Jasper could see everything clearly. It would’ve been a mess to anybody else, but not to a vampire. As they ran—more him with Alice riding along on his back—he kept waiting for the perfect spot to stop. When that came, he slowed down and gently lowered Alice onto a pile of ferns. “How was that?” he asked with a grin, though hoping Alice wouldn’t feel bad about it. Shaking his head, Jasper tried to tame his wind blown hair just a little bit, though it didn’t really work how he wanted it.

[Alice Swan]

Jasper sighed, “I didn’t mean it like that, Alice. I never intended for you to feel guilty. When you want to tell him then you can tell him. I’m sure he’s got his suspicions, but really. Don’t worry too much about it. I’m sorry.” He said, and Alice immediately felt the need to correct his worries. "You don't need to apologize," she told him, "It's my brain's fault, anyway. It's too much of a damn coward to deal with Charlie. The idea of telling him just freaks me out." After a moment's pause, she added, "Then again, he can't really do anything about it, can he? I mean, it's my choice, after all."

Smiling, Jasper took Alice’s hand and dragged her gently into the forest. They walked for a few yards, to the point where anybody in the street couldn’t see them. Turning around to face Alice, Jasper grinned before quickly and gently kissing her. She rose onto her toes so that he wouldn't have to lean down as far. Why did she have to be so short? Jasper was like the Jolly Green Giant next to her. Then again, his height did have its advantages.... She smiled into the kiss, not wanting it to stop. His cool, hard, marble lips were smooth and gentle against hers, as if she really were a glass doll compared to him. Why did he have to be so careful all the time, though? she wondered, It wouldn't hurt to let go a little bit, to have get a little carried away. Ugh. Shut up hormones, she growled in her head. She did not want to ruin this moment with Jasper. She wouldn't get carried away, she wouldn't allow herself to.

Jasper frowned at her statement, and for a moment, she thought she saw him shudder. She shrugged it off, cursing her own stupidity for saying something so ignorant. “I’ve dedicated myself to protecting you so that nobody will ever be able to hurt you and that includes me. Besides, it’s very… easy to get lost in a moment that I forget all my urges for blood. It’s… confusing,” Jasper said quietly. She nodded, "I understand," she said, "You don't want anyone else to hurt me, but not as much as you would hate it if you hurt me. So your need to protect overrides your need to...feed? Is that the right word?" She asked, unsure. She was sure that she'd gotten his way of explaining right, but she was also a bit uncomfortable with the idea of discussing his lifestyle with him. She didn't know what to say or how to express it, and was afraid that she would say the wrong thing at some point.

“Come on, before it rains,” Jasper said before lightly picking Alice up as if she were lighter than air, and putting her on his back. She gave a small gasp as he flung her onto his back, and held on carefully, but tightly. "It won't rain until later today," she informed him, tapping her temple as she smiled at him. "Built in weatherman, remember?" she joked. “You may want to shut your eyes and hold on tightly,” he warned looking over his shoulder at Alice. She smiled back, "Why would I-"

But she grew silent with shock as soon as he began running. The trees flew by them in a blur of colors, and Alice held on to Jasper as if he was the difference between life and death, holding him in a way that would normally choke anyone else in his position. She was unable to close her eyes, to shocked to close them, and too frightened that if she did, she wouldn't be able to see which tree they were about to hit. Eventually, thankfully, he slowed down and gently lowered Alice onto a pile of ferns. “How was that?” he asked with a grin. Shaking his head, Jasper tried to tame his wind blown hair just a little bit. Alice gulped, her eyes wide. "Now I can see how you get to my house so fast," she nodded, taking a deep breath. Eventually, her breathing returned to normal, and she was able to see how much of a spectacle she was making of herself. Smiling, she took Jasper's hand. "What now?" She asked, a smile on her face as she stared into his eyes. She still didn't trust herself a bit when it came to walking and speaking, but she would get used to it eventually. She would definitely shut her eyes from now on. No questions asked.

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper hadn’t meant to make Alice feel guilty. He had just thought of asking why she hadn’t, but at the same time in a joking tone. He wasn’t supposed to make her upset. "You don't need to apologize. It's my brain's fault, anyway. It's too much of a damn coward to deal with Charlie. The idea of telling him just freaks me out. Then again, he can't really do anything about it, can he? I mean, it's my choice, after all." Nodding, Jasper almost attempted to hug Alice before remembering that Charlie could still see them. Right, still no hugging. “Tell him when you’re ready, Alice. I’m not going to force you to tell him if you don’t want to. Let alone if you’re afraid,” Jasper said quietly, looking over at Alice.

"I understand. You don't want anyone else to hurt me, but not as much as you would hate it if you hurt me. So your need to protect overrides your need to...feed? Is that the right word?" Nodding with a bit of reluctance, Jasper decided that feed truly was the right word. Well, there was always hunt. He preferred hunt more than feed, mainly because it didn’t sound as blood thirsty as feed. “If you prefer feed that’s fine. I prefer hunt myself. It’s not so menacing and powerful, I suppose.” Jasper’s voice was quiet, anxious to show Alice just what he could do. First the run and then there would be the sparkling. He couldn’t quite control his anxiety.

"It won't rain until later today. Built in weatherman, remember?" Chuckling, Jasper nodded. Alice was like a personal weatherman for him, but he would never use her ability. He wouldn’t ever be able to love Alice just for her ability. There was far more to her than seeing the future. “Why would I-“ As he ran he chuckled softly to himself, laughing because Alice hadn’t been able to finish that. But he wanted to show her soon and that involved running without responding to unfinished statements. He came close several times to trees, though never once did they actually make any contact with him. He was far too good for that.

His grin dropped some when he noticed Alice’s wide eyes. “Now I can see how you get to my house so fast,” Alice nodded, trying to even her breathing. Bending down so he was at her level, he quickly and quietly kissed her, this time just as gently as before. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. That’s why I said close your eyes. It should feel like nothing. And trust me, I won’t hit a single tree,” Jasper said, his grin returning as quickly as it went. As she took his hand Jasper smiled, squeezing it gently and yet affectionately. “What now?” She asked, a smile finally gracing her lips. Smiling back Jasper looked off into the woods. “The rest of the way we walk. Or, if you would like, I could carry you. Just no running, seeing as it is going to happen again no matter where we go after this. To my house or back to yours, we’ve got to run.”

[Alice Swan]

“Tell him when you’re ready, Alice. I’m not going to force you to tell him if you don’t want to. Let alone if you’re afraid,” Jasper said quietly, looking over at Alice. She smiled at him, gratitude and greatfulness seeping through her pores. "Thanks, Jasper," she replied, looking over her shoulder. Charlie was finally out of sight. At this realization, she practically flew into his arms, hugging him tight against her. She breathed in his heavenly scent, not wanting to let go.

Jasper nodded, “If you prefer feed that’s fine. I prefer hunt myself. It’s not so menacing and powerful, I suppose.” Jasper’s voice was quiet, anxious to show Alice just what he could do. Alice nodded in response, "Hunt is good," she replied, "I was just trying to find an easy way to put it. Hunt sounds much better...less gory." She conceded. He was right, hunt was clearly the better expression when it came to a subject such as this. She felt more comfortable using that word. Hunt. As if he were talking about specific game during season rather than free-range civilians.

She could hear Jasper chuckle as she lost her voice. He was making fun of her! Alice resisted the urge to roll her wide eyes. Figures. After all, Jasper is from Texas. The perfect gentleman until he knows he can take the words right out of your mouth. Jasper frowned when he saw her reaction afterwards. As if to make up for it, he leaned down and kissed her. He was easily forgiven. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. That’s why I said close your eyes. It should feel like nothing. And trust me, I won’t hit a single tree,” Jasper said, his grin returning as quickly as it went. She nodded, not exactly trusting her voice at the moment. It took a little while, but eventually, she reached that safe sense of calm once more.

Smiling back at Alice Jasper looked off into the woods. “The rest of the way we walk. Or, if you would like, I could carry you. Just no running, seeing as it is going to happen again no matter where we go after this. To my house or back to yours, we’ve got to run.” She mentally cringed at the thought of running. But she brightened up as soon as she remembered his earlier suggestions. "Could you carry me?" she asked, giving him a sweet smile. She would do anything to spend more time in his arms, even if it ment pretending to be a cripple for the next three years.

=]

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper could easily sense all the gratitude that Alice had and was glad that it was directed towards him. Or at least that's what he thought. He was the only person around Alice, and from how he looked at it what he said was definitely something to be happy about, right? Telling her she could tell her father when she was ready. That he wouldn't force her to do anything if she didn't want to. "Thanks, Jasper," Alice said, confirming his thoughts that it had been towards him. Chuckling when she looked over her shoulder, he opened his mouth to comment but was caught off guard when she nearly flew into his arms, her hug almost like a death grip--though it didn't hurt him. He tensed for a split second, before relaxing and returning the hug, though it wasn't nearly as tight as Alice. "Can we try not to scare me to death?" he joked playfully, smiling at the tiny figure in his arms.

Jasper preferred the term hunt rather than feed, as it sounded much more humane. It didn't sound like they were going on a rampage, killing everything in sight just so they could satisfy the burning in their throat. Rather it sounded like they were actually going hunting as a sport, something most humans--usually men--found to be a hobby. Just like fishing. Hunt was definitely more calm and natural. "Hunt is good. I was just trying to find an easy way to put it. Hunt sounds much better...less gory." Nodding in agreement, Jasper knew that hunt was certainly less gory than feed. Just how it was said and the word in general made it either sound more like a mess and deathly, or less and more along the lines of a game. The less gory it sounded the more Jasper could handle it. He would never be returning to his days as a non-vegetarian vampire. Worst years of his life, right there in his vampire memory that never forgot a thing. He didn't like that at all.

Jasper took a quick and silent mental note of Alice's reaction to the running. Hopefully after today she would be better with it, not to mention that she would no longer being running with her eyes open. Unless she was really in the mood to try that stunt. He certainly didn't suggest it, but Alice could make her own decisions. If she ever felt like running with her eyes open he wouldn't complain. He wouldn't be to excited or thrilled about the idea, but he would go along with it. It was Alice's choice and he couldn't force her into anything. Let alone wouldn't even dare. He wanted what was best for Alice and that involved letting her make her own decisions in life. All Jasper wanted was for Alice to have the best life she possibly could have, to not miss out on anything. Of course, this meant that he wouldn't really be able to change her, would he? He wanted to give her everything, and yet he wanted to have her for all eternity. Was that incredibly selfish of him?

"Could you carry me?" Chuckling, Jasper smiled and easily picked Alice up into his arms bridal style. To him she weighed nothing, thanks to the inhuman strength that came along with being a vampire. Of course, Alice being as small as she was, well there wasn't much challenge into picking her up. Walking along silently Jasper's eyes remained ahead for the most part, flickering down to Alice every few moments. "I'm sorry Alice. I didn't mean to send you into shock or something. Perhaps I should've given you a little more time and actually check to make sure that your eyes were shut before I took off," Jasper said quietly when the silence got too much for him. He enjoyed the silence, sure, but it just didn't fit when with Alice. Like silence didn't belong between the two of them. Some silence, yes, but several minutes, no. It was strange, but it was true. He hated not talking to Alice.

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