Chapter 1

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K: Okay time to get out of the angst and teenage over ridden hormones. Well shit who am I kidding you’ll find that here, just in smaller doses ;) Promise. New story means new things, like posting with the blog!

Robs: Well, here it is, the long awaited More Than Friends... just in case y'all were wondering we've been working on parts of this for more than a year! Also I'd like to dedicate this to Sara (musicalsara), 'cause she wanted this fic more than any other, she supported it and encouraged us.

Thanks to our amazing beta Amber... who loves this fic... and keeps begging for more like the addict she is.

Enough Chit Chat, go read!


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I stood in the terminal waiting for them to start the boarding calls for my flight. You would think I’d be excited about going to see my old friends and my sister. Hell, you’d think maybe I’d be upset about leaving my girlfriend behind while I was gone. But I wasn’t.

If anything, I was scared shitless about going back to Forks. I had to face the wrath of my sister, which is very fitting considering I didn’t even make it home for her wedding and yet here I was, waiting to fly back to be the best man for Edward and Bella.

And no, it wasn’t my sister’s often irrational – although totally expected by this point – hormonal outrage that was scaring me either. Hell, it wasn’t even the pre-wedding jitters that had Edward acting like a complete ass during our last couple of phone calls. No, what had me scared shitless at this point was about five foot three, feisty as hell, and truly the only woman who would ever hold my heart.

I chuckled quietly; she was definitely not just some cheap knock-off.

“What’s so funny?” A whiny voice asked from beside me.

Speaking of cheap knock-offs… I looked to my left where my girlfriend of the past two years sat, flipping through a magazine.

“Just laughing at memories Kelly, relax would you?”

“You’re a shitty liar Whitlock.” She snapped. “And I’m calm. Why should I be worried, you’re with me now, not her.”

I rolled my eyes and looked at my watch. Ever since Kelly found something relating to my past while snooping around, things had changed between us. Instead of being understanding about me trying to leave things in Forks behind me, she brought it up every chance she could. She even went as far as dyeing her naturally blonde hair black, getting a really shitty looking cropped hair cut and dressing like Alice did.

Shit, as if that wasn’t crazy enough, she also tried to get me to call her Alice in bed. I won’t, and never would, because let’s face it, she will never be Alice. If anything, she was just a warm body to keep me company and a constant reminder of what I gave up.

“Jasper,” I heard her purr as she wrapped her arms around me. “I’m going to miss you while you’re gone.” I rolled my eyes again knowing she was only doing it to make me feel guilty.

“I’ll be back in a few days Kel, you know that. I've got a job here, it's not like I'm going to drop everything here to stay in Washington.”

“Is that all you care about? Your crime scene files?”

I turned to face her. “Yes, ‘cause I believe the sick fucks in the world that commit murder need to be found so the victims families can have peace when they bury their loved ones. Isn’t that why you wanted to be a detective?”

She opened her mouth to respond, but luckily for me she was cut off by the voice over the loud speaker announcing that my flight was ready to board. “Well Kel, that’s me.” I said, pulling away from her. She pouted and I knew that look, so I quickly gave her a kiss. “I’ll call you when I land,” I promised her as I handed my boarding pass over to the gate attendant.

“Stay away from Alice please!” She called out as I walked away. I nodded my head, letting her know I heard her but there was no way in hell I could possibly stay away from Alice. Five years was long enough… And not only that, she was the maid of honor.

Yeah, I’m pretty much screwed.

After making sure my bag was safely stored in the over head compartment, I got into my seat and stared out the window. In just six short hours I would be back to the one place that held many secrets for me. I had turned my back on the people who loved me when I left. Would they welcome me back? Most importantly, would Alice?

April 22nd, 2005

I had to get out of here, seeing the way she was laughing with her friends… I was just holding her back. I pushed my way past the other students, making my way to the lobby so I could get to my car. Shit, I had to let Ed know I was leaving her. Damn this isn’t going to go over well.

I started heading back to the ballroom only to find Alice standing in the lobby, her shoes in one hand and purse in the other, as she smiled at me. She looked so beautiful tonight in the light blue strapless dress that showed off her legs.

I should have known that Alice would find me first. “I have to go.” I told her.

She raised her eyebrow at me. “Where? We have a room here NB.” She said pointing above the lobby of the hotel.

“No Ali Cat, I have to go.”

“Then I am going too.” She said, as she put her heels back on.

“No, you’re staying here this time,” I told her, turning to leave. I stopped when her hand grabbed my arm.

She pulled me around to face her. “Who the fuck do you think you are, telling me what to do?”

“Just trust me Mary Alice,” I said shaking my arm free. I started walking towards the main doors. I could hear the click of her heels on the marble floors as she followed behind me. “It's better if you stay here with Ed and Bella okay?”

“Well Jasper Alexander, I don't think so. I’m a grown woman and I can make my own decisions, I'm going with you...” She shot back.

Damn stubborn woman!

“God Damn it Alice, for once in the twelve years we've known each other, will you please listen to me! Go back to your prom and have fun. Don't worry about me.” I shouted at her as I stepped onto the asphalt of the hotel’s parking lot.

“This was supposed to be about us Jasper... you know our prom because you didn't go to yours.” I turned to face her, silently cursing the rain. She was ruining that pretty blue dress she was wearing, all because I’m a fucking moron and can’t take hurting her. But I’d have to hurt her to make her stay.

I scrubbed my hands over my face thankful that at least the rain could hide any tears that were bound to come from either of us. “Damn it Alice, please don't make me say it...” I warned her.

She shoved me in the chest, causing my hands to drop and me to look at her. “Say what?!” She challenged.

Please don’t make me lie to you Alice.

“If you love me then you'll fucking stay here.” Low blow man, you know she loves you.

“If you loved me you'd let me come along,” she retorted. Her face changed from angry determination, to pleading. Fuck! That’s not a good sign. “Jasper, you promised, everything was gonna be us...“ She held up her left hand. The hand that held the promise ring I gave her. “Remember?” She pleaded.

Damn it she’s going to make me lie to her…

“I lied Alice... I told you what you wanted to hear okay? I'm a bastard. I didn't want to hurt you but I did. So now I'm leaving.”

Her eyebrows furrowed as she took a step back. “Jasper... what are you saying?” She asked. I could hear her voice breaking as it started to register in her head.

I clenched the muscles in my jaw, willing myself to stay still, not to take her in my arms and kiss her. To tell her that I can’t live without her, no matter what my brain is making me say. “I have to go Alice,” I shook my head slightly to get the thoughts of taking her up to our room and showing her how much I really did love her. “I'm... I...” Fuck, I can’t do this! I screamed in my head. I turned to leave her and again, her hand yanked at my arm.

“Stop being a coward Jasper, just fucking say it!”

I swallowed back the tears as I turned to face her. “I don't love you Alice and I think you should move on.”

I could see the pain and betrayal flash through her eyes as they filled with tears. I could feel the warmth of my own tears mixing with the cold rain against my cheeks. “Asshole,” she muttered as she smacked me. “Don't...” She trailed off before running towards the surrounding trees.

“Alice!” I called after her but she was already out of my line of sight. Fuck! Now I need to get Edward to help find her.

This is so not going how I planned. Then again I hadn’t planned on lying and hurting Alice or crushing my best friends trust in me either.

Jesus I’m so screwed, I thought, groaning as I headed back into the ballroom of the hotel. The music was loud and blaring as couples held each other close dancing. I got several looks from people as my wet sneakers squeaked against the dance floor.

Edward and Bella were easy for me to spot. Bella being the wall flower she is doesn’t like to be the center of attention. And Edward, being… well Edward, will do anything to see his girls happy; Rose and Alice included.

I tapped Edward on the shoulder waiting for him to acknowledge me. Bella smiled at me before her smile faltered slightly as my appearance.

Grey suit, seventy dollars. Matching grey Converse, forty dollars. Telling your best friend that you broke his baby sister’s heart and your promise to him, priceless. No scratch that, I’ll be lucky if I can breathe through my nose again.

Edward turned to smile at me. “Sup man?” he asked.

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I'm sorry man, but uh... Ali and I kind of... and she took off...” I gave him and Bella an apologetic look.

He raised his eyebrow at me. “You guys...” he prodded while giving me his ‘don’t bullshit me’ look.”Broke up?”

Crap that means he knew we were secretly dating. I started fidgeting with my tie. “We got into a fight and well, like I said, she took off.”

Bella sighed and went to the table to get her phone from her purse. “What did you do Jazz?” She asked as she dialed a number on her phone. I just glared at her to shut the fuck up.

“What is going on?” Edward asked as he crossed his arms over his chest. “You looked all cozy and happy earlier.”

“Dude, it's pissing rain outside. Do you really want the details when your baby sister is in the cold ass rain somewhere?”

“Edward,” Bella interjected, “she's not answering her cell.”

Edward snapped his attention back at me. He was clearly pissed. The last time I saw him like this was when Alice was dating someone else. “What. The. Fuck. Did. You. Do?”

“She's better off without me man and you know it.”

“After everything that’s happened?” he asked, pursing his lips and glaring at me.

Bella stepped in at just the right moment, ‘cause I know if Edward doesn’t get his answers there will be hell to pay. “Okay, you two knock it off. We need to find Alice.” She said. “Edward,” her tone softened as she placed her hand on his face and his eyes met hers. “Once we find Alice, you can kick Jasper's ass beyond recognition. I'll even get Emmett in on it.” She turned her attention back to me. “You better hope my best friend is okay.” She warned.

Crap.

“I just want to know what the fuck is going on; I swear to fucking god, I will not kick this pencil dicks ass!” Edward snarled.

“Your sister is somewhere out in the rain, crying because I fucking lied to her and broke her heart so she would stay here this time!” I admitted.

“You’re leaving? Again?” Edward asked dumbfounded.

I gave him a curt nod. “I'm destroying things Ed.”

He shoved past me hard. “I gotta find my baby sister.” Bella just glared and ran after Edward.

I turned in their direction. “I'm sorry Ed.” For lying to you both, I added in my head, hoping he knew what I meant.

He turned towards me, the betrayal clearly written on his face, even in the dimly lit room. “I always hoped you'd be a man of your word Jazz, I guess I was wrong about you,” he said before taking Bella’s hand and leaving me standing there.

“I guess I’m more like my father then everyone thought.” I said to their retreating forms.

The voice of the flight attendant announcing our arrival to Sea-Tac International took me out of the memory. I rubbed my chest, a habit I had developed every time I thought back to what I did to Alice.

Luckily things seemed to mend between Edward and I. It had taken Emmett longer to come around to speaking to me again, but they both seemed to understand. It’s still hard to believe that I was going to be Edward’s best man. I could remember that phone call like it was yesterday.

I had just pulled the covers over my head when my cell started to ring. Christ, don’t be work, I pleaded as I reached blindly for it. “Whitlock,” I answered into the phone.

“Guess what Bitch?” Replied the happy voice of my best friend Edward.

“You finally came out of the closet?” I teased.

“Yes and you promised me I could take your anal cherry, so I thought I would call in the favor.”

I laughed at that, “Sorry bro, that was popped in the academy. What else can I do for you cock lover?”

I could hear Edward chuckling. “I am getting married Forever V.”

I rolled my eyes. Just because I was the last of the guys to lose their virginity didn’t mean I still was one.

“No shit.” About time, I thought. “Mister-different-pussy-every-day is getting hitched?”

“Hey now, I've been in the same pussy for almost seven years now thank you.”

I laughed at how quick he defended himself with that. “I know... poor Bella. Is she the reason why California couldn't get batteries during their crisis?” Shit, that was a lame joke.

“Shut it four eyes,” Edward said laughing. Jesus, I hadn’t heard that one since we were kids.

“You know you love me Pretty Boy.”

“Just for your sweet ass, Blondie.”

“I knew it! You want to dominate me!” I started making retching noises as he laughed.

“Yeah bitch, now suck it!”

We laughed for a few moments longer. “Seriously Eddie,” I said once we had calmed down. “Congrats.”

“Thanks,” He said genuinely. “Okay, moving on before the secretary hears me and thinks I am cheating on Bella or some shit.” Yeah don’t need that getting back to Chief Swan, I thought, snickering some.

“Why Mr. Cullen, I would never be the other woman!” I said in my best southern belle accent, only to fuck it up with my laughter.

“Alright,” he said trying to regain his composure, but I knew the smile on his face was there. “You promised way back when we were eleven, twelve and thirteen, respectively, that you would be my best man, as I would be Emmett's and Em would be yours... so, you gonna hold up your end of the bargain?”

Wow, the ‘we three brother’s plan’. I was surprised that he was pulling that on me. Especially after all the shit I caused.

“Shit, if you really want me there...”

“Of course I do. I know you flaked on Rose and Em though... so I mean, don't say you can if you really can't.”

“I didn't flake. I had to work.” I groaned. I should have known Rose would make a big deal about it. Not my fault we had a serial rapist who left video clues as a calling card, she knew that I was the top tech in the lab. “I told my sister that…” I trailed off.

“Yeah well, work ain't getting you out of this,” he said with a smirk in his voice. “Um...” I heard him clear his throat.

“Does she know you're asking me?” He knew I wasn’t asking about Bella.

“No, and she's the maid of honor.”

I groaned. “Damn it Edward. You know she hates me.”

It was his turn to groan and I could just imagine him, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration like he always does. “I don't think it's all what you think it is man... and besides, I've told you how much I hate the Armani wearing prick she's dating right?”

“Yeah, you've told me. I'll be there man, but you better not feed me to Bella if shit blows up.” I warned him.

“Shit will be fine, I'll tell her eventually, just be polite to her. Dance with her like you used to and I am sure it will be okay.”

Dance with her like I used to? What the fuck? Was he high? I can’t dance with her like I used to because, we’re not in love anymore. Or at least she’s not…

“Of course I'll be polite man.”

“Okay then,” he said satisfied with my answer. He started snickering. “Has anyone shown you a picture of her recently?”

“Nope, the last picture I got was in the care package you claimed Esme demanded you send me.” A package with believe it or not, porn, lotion and a picture of Alice in a bikini. The only thing that I could see being from Esme was the fresh oatmeal cookies. The rest of the package reeked of Emmett’s master plan. “Why?”

He chuckled. “Look your best man, that’s all I am gonna say.”

She never had a problem with my choices before. “Alright?” I was hoping he would elaborate.

“Okay, well I have a meeting here in twenty so I gotta get going, wedding is on the sixth of June, but you gotta get here early.”

“Alright, I'll get things squared away and either tell you or Bella the details of when I'm coming.”

“Sweet, we'll be waiting. Have fun... bye.” He said in a rush, making me wonder if he was running late for the meeting.

“See ya!” I said before I hung up.

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