good old fashioned chivalry [ALICE]

[JASPER WHITLOCK-HALE]

Up in Seattle there were whispers of a cereal killer. Something serious was going on up there, and even the humans knew it. Jasper knew as much as it was vampires. Bodies were found, drained of blood. He’d gone far enough north on his own to smell them. There were a lot of them. He didn’t have an exact number, but he knew there were enough that it was a problem. How old were they though? Any older vampire would be smart enough to keep their nose clean. They’d know to fear the Volturi. He guessed that the vampires were young. It had been his first thought when he heard about the deaths. But who was changing them, and why?

Rather than stew over reality more, Jasper had settled down in the font room … or at least he’d gone and stood in the middle of the room. Jasper was standing in front of their big screen pasma TV, playing the new Call of Duty. Part of him knew that it was terribly juvenile to be playing a video game for hours on end; especially when his brothers could likely be persuaded to turn the concept into live action. They could run around the forest and shoot each other without leaving a mark. Emmett would probably think it was brilliant. But Jasper knew that dragging his brothers into it would make it more strategy, and less entertaining. This was just so pointless and juvenile that it tended to cheer him up.

There were few things in this world that genuinely entertained Jasper. Since he’d finished his book a few hours prior, and his first choice in entertainment was off shopping, that only really left the Wii to kill time with. More often than not Jasper would have gone shopping with Alice. Of course she hardly needed his input. She didn’t even need him to hold bags for her. She could carry them herself, or hire someone to follow her around and do that. But Jasper was well accustom to following Alice around being her shopping caddy. He almost liked it. It was fun to see her so wrapped up in a task. She loved shopping, and as stupid as it sounded, Jasper just loved seeing her so happy.

One of the biggest reasons he was so attracted to her was her sense of joy. Unlike most vampires, Alice had never resented this life at all. She barely remembered her human life at all. Most memories she had were due to research she’d done about her past. All she knew was this life, and she loved it in a way that no one else did. She never had moments of depression over immortality the way Rose did. She didn’t beat herself up over the fact that she’d never have a child. She was just happy. After over a century around newborns, a century at Maria’s side, she was like a breath of fresh air. Jasper had long since accepted that this life would be nothing without her. Maybe it was just selfish, but he needed her in his life. That was why he was so willing to do anything to keep her safe. If she wasn’t around, he didn’t want to go on existing. Life would be hollow, empty, and meaningless.

So dramatic, he reminded himself, glad that Edward wasn’t around to comment on the thought. Though Edward was probably well use to it by now. How his brother managed not to comment on everyone’s stupid thoughts, Jasper would never know. It would be tiring. The only thing he really envied was the silent way that Edward and Alice communicated.

He’d just saved his progress when he heard a familiar engine rumbling up the driveway. He’d know the sound of Alice’s Porsche a mile away. Jasper lacked her love of fast cars. He was the only member of a family that didn’t have his own car. What was the point? He was faster than any of them. Jasper was practical. A car wasn’t necessary … ok a lot of things in his world weren’t necessary, but he’d find no joy in owning a car. Furthermore, Jasper had no desire to tinker with them, and learn how to build an engine like Rose did. No. He was just happy with his immortal existence … for the most part.

When the engine cut off, Jasper was in the garage. His wii-mote was abandoned on a coffee table, the came sitting idle. From in the garage he could hear as he was killed … a few times. It wasn’t like he cared. His attention had been captured by someone else. He pulled the door open before Alice could, and offered her a hand to help her out. Silly. Old fashioned. Call him whatever you want, but at the end of the day Jasper held to his outdated chivalry.

“So did you out do your last trip?” He inquired casually.

[MARY ALICE CULLEN]

"You can just keep the change," Alice responded to the hand that was handing her back the extra money, smiling. "I don't like coins, or mainly, the sound they make." She laughed lightly, watching as the woman blinked at the sound. There was a lot of things that were beautiful about Alice; one was definitely her laugh and she certainly used it often. Occasionally, she'd even laugh about things that happened yesterday, or even things that wouldn't happen until a few days later. The woman wasn't the politest of people, or maybe just not talkative. Alice found some strange joy in talking to strangers; not for their reactions like other immortals did, but simply because she loved meeting others. Everyone was different, had different stories to tell and different lives, Alice wanted to know them all. It probably came from not having a story about her past, atleast not one she knew well, but she wasn't complaining. Jasper had become her story. He made all the difference in the world for her, created this life. It was as if the world wouldn't change without him in it, there would be no seasons anymore. She thought of him more often then she supposed she should, he was the best distraction in the world, especially for someone who easily jumped from one thought to the next. It was selfish, she knew, but she was so thankful for his immortality.

Alice thanked her; grabbing her bags and walking from the store. She was glad to get out into the city, it was the lifestyle that fit her personality best, but not her life best. This many people had always made her and her family, nervous. No matter what she wanted, she figured Forks was the best for what was needed. She flitted easily through the crowd on the sidewalk, moving torward her yellow porsche. That was one thing she never got tired of. She loved her car, and even more, the looks when people saw her getting into it. She knew they were all thinking the same thing, seeing as she was carrying shopping bags from boutiques and driving a car worth more then anyone who looked her age should drive. She didn't care, spotlight was good in her opinion, atleast most of it. One spotlight she hadn't enjoyed, was Aro's. She didn't live in fear of the man's desire for her ability, but she didn't just forget it, either. It was on her mind frequently, wondering when he'd finally pursue that craving. She simply prayed she'd have fare warning to go to him before coming to her. She'd never let Jasper get involved in that, though, she knew he'd try. Revving her engine, she eased onto the street with speed, pushing any thought of Aro from her mind.

Alice moved quickly on to the highway that would lead her back home; as much as she loved shopping, she wanted to be home more. She liked shopping alot more when Jazz could come, it made it much more fun for her. She sped down the road, acknowledging the speed signs with a roll of her eyes. She'd never understood the point of those, really. Even humans tended to take a risk and go over it. She was especially reckless, even compared to her family, since she'd be able to see the police officer before he ever saw her. It was one of the many perks to her gift, she loved it. Her visions had been a constant companion for her, something she adored. She loved everyones gift, besides the majority of the Volturi. The way Jasper could make people feel inspired her all the time; he could give happiness. She smiled at the thought and the speedometer moved up a few notches. She was anxious to get home, anxious to see him. He was her light, even if his story was dark. It wasn't long at all before she sped into the garage, smiling as her door was opened before she'd even flinched. My souther gentleman, she thought. She took his hand and stood gracefully, taking in every feature that she never got tired of. He was so handsome, every aspect of him would make a normal girl swoon. It still made her stare for a while, but she was shameless. Most vampires, when seeing his scars, would be worried about their safety. Alice found them strangely beautiful; they told a story. She hated the story, but they were part of him. "Without a doubt," She said with a smile, leaning against the car and running her hand over his neck. "But you'll have to see for yourself. Perhaps I'll give you a fashion show." She laughed again, the same melody that always echoed out of her.

She leaned in, kissing him quickly and pulling back to smile. She was always smiling, especially around him. She never ran out of reasons to do that. Alice didn't brood on anything, really, she thought about everything but tried not to think bitterly. She knew, thanks to Jazz, how emotions affected people and she'd never want to worry Jasper. Besides, she was just a genuinely, happy person. It was part of who she was, but it also made it painfully obvious whenever something was wrong. Even to humans, because it was when she didn't wear a smile. There tended to be no secrets in the Cullen household; not with someone who can read your emotions, another who could read your thoughts, and then Alice, who saw what happened before anyone else. It was definitely an interesting family, but she loved it that way. Who would want anything else? She looked back at the door, smiling and not hearing a sound. "Have you been home alone? Mm, what have you been up to all day?" She asked with a smirk, lacing her fingers with his while carrying her bags in her other hand, leading the way into their home.

OOC// I'll make this all pretty when I get home. It's four a.m and I keep hearing noises. xD

[JASPER WHITLOCK-HALE]

One of the things that set Alice apart from the crowd was the fact that she’d never flinched away from him, not once. It was something that Jasper was annoyingly use to. Any vampire that met him tensed up, and just seemed to be waiting for the other shoe to drop. They saw his scars and their minds jumped to danger mode. No one seemed to think that it was entirely safe to be around him, and it was all because of his upbringing. Alice was the only one that had never been put off by the scars, not even the first moment they’d met. Was that why he’d been so uncomfortable? Because Alice had been too comfortable in his presence? It wasn’t often that he didn’t need to calm the people around him down, at least a little bit. But he never needed to put Alice more at ease.

Jasper squeezed her fingers, and smiled back automatically as she stepped out of the car. She was the only one that effected him this strongly. Jasper had always been effected by the emotions of others. It was difficult not to be effected to a degree. But with her it didn’t even cross his mind to alter her emotions. He was already getting sucked into hers. Whenever he was around Alice, he felt a little calmer, a little happier. When she wasn’t around he worried. It wasn’t that she couldn’t take care of herself. He knew she could. But it was uncomfortable to be apart from her, as if she took a piece of him with her when they were apart. He couldn’t help but smile every time that piece was returned.

“You might have to.” He agreed, when she mentioned a fashion show. That was when she laughed. It was that melody that was more appealing to him than any song. His smile grew at the sound, just before he leaned down to accept her kiss. Jasper was over a foot taller than her, unless Alice was going to jump to meet his lips, he always needed to bend a bit closer. “Does that mean you purchased something that I’d approve of?” He added as she reached into the car to collect her bags. Alice laced their fingers together, then took a few steps towards the house.

Before they got more than three steps away from the car, Jasper reached around his wife, and removed the bags from her grasp. His long fingers slipped easily through the handles, and tugged them away. Those bags were just as much at home in his hand as hers was. He spent a good deal of time holding onto both of them over the year. Of course, it was Alice’s touch that was the more welcome of the two. The feel of her warm, soft skin on his was the most comforting feeling in the world. Jasper wasn’t sure he’d ever understand the appeal Edward found in holding a human. Sure human flesh was rather appealing when you were hungry, but this was infinitely more appealing. A humans scorching flesh was the warm dinner plate that he’d once longed for. Food was much better hot, but it wasn’t something that he wanted to keep close to him.

“I have.” Course there was no need to explain where everyone was to Alice. She already knew. She always knew. Edward was with Bella, nothing new there. Rose and Emmett had gone off hunting, Carlisle and Esme were at some function for the hospital. His lips formed an amused smile at her question. Right as she spoke the words the sound came from the TV of his character dying … again. “I was just wasting time, wondering when you were going to come back home and entertain me.” He responded as they reached the door to the main house. It was still hanging open from when Jasper had entered the garage. He waited for Alice to pass through the door first before following after.

“I’ll be right back.” He informed Alice, as he set the bags down in the hallway. He leaned in to kiss her cheek quickly before running off to the den. Jasper turned off the TV set, as well as the Wii tower, then returned to her and her latest purchases. He picked the bags back up, then led the way towards their room so her new clothing could get put away … or modeled if that was the plan. “How long do we have until the others come back?” He inquired curiously. Asking Alice was always easier than calling someone and asking if they were planning on coming home any time soon.