Disclaimer: Stephenie owns the characters Shakespeare owns the words and I sit here drooling over Edward. All the world's a stage and the men and women simply players.

"Alice what the hell! Why is that mutt Romeo!?"

Edward had waited until after rehearsal and they were in the car to let loose on Alice.

"I'm sorry, I thought Ms Dobson would just give you the part. I told her you wanted it. But she said she got the final say seeing as I picked Juliet."

Edward drove faster taking out his frustration on the acceleration.

"I'll hand in my resignation tomorrow, surely your co-director powers can grant me that much."

He told her through gritted teeth. Alice jumped from her seat staring wildly at him.

"Don't you dare! Look Paris and Juliet still have scenes together right?"

"Yeah then she goes off and has a love affair with Romeo! You can't expect me sit there and watch her pledge her undying love to Jacob Black? '

Alice put her hand on his arm.

"Look you just concentrate on learning your lines; leave the rest to your trusty co-director..."

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"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?"

Playing Paris that's where.

Bella was talking out her lines in her room trying to make sure she sounded convincing. Why did Alice's beautiful brother have to be playing Paris! She didn't even catch his name after Emmett's outburst and Jacob's behaviour. He had been making coy glances at her the entire time through the party scene reading and despite her best efforts her words had been directed at the Greek statue silently brooding by her side.

She should really think of a better name than Greek god or statue, although she was quite sure no ordinary name could encapsulate what he was. What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Bella shook her head and dropped her script by the bed. She needed a break; Shakespeare seemed to have taken over her mind.

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Rehearsals had been progressing for a week now, and despite Jacob's best efforts they still had not reached any of the scenes between him and Bella. Cullen's pixie sister seemed to have put it into Ms Dobson's head that anticipation was the key and that the fight scenes desired the most attention. Jacob tried to talk to Bella, but Alice would quickly sweep her away with costume alterations or director comments.

He didn't really understand the attraction of Bella, sure she was pretty, and basically the entire male population wanted her but none of this seemed to intrigue Jacob. It was that look on Cullen's face when they walked in together. Like he had the most precious thing in the world; and Jacob wanted it. As he watched her over that last week, he seemed to grasp a little of the attraction Cullen held for her. She wasn't as fake and giggly as the other girls, she was very clumsy but not an attention seeker and he liked that in a girl.

Edward was sitting in the audience with Jasper as they watched Rosalie, Emmett and Bella on stage. Alice had insisted that Emmett wear his nurse dress through rehearsals so that he got a "feel for the character." Edward anticipated that his sister didn't have long to live. Alice was trying in vain to get Emmett to stuff the oversized cushions down his shirt to make him look more feminine. Rosalie was attempting to help her. Bella on the other hand was sitting on one of the platforms with her chin in her hand looking at the scene humorously. O! That I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!

"Why am I the only bloody idiot who has to wear his costume in rehearsals?"

Ms Dobson had emerged on stage and was now striding towards Emmett. Even Emmett shrunk back a little at the large woman.

"Because it seems Mr Jenkins you are not taking this role seriously! If you will not act like a female on your own we will make you look like one until you do! Alice would you like to fetch a wig and some makeup?"

This icy tone drained the entire colour from Emmett's face. Bella literally had to grip the sides of the platform she was sitting on so she didn't fall off stifling her laughter. Alice grinned and was just about to walk towards the costume department when Emmett snatched the cushions off Alice and stuffed them down the temporary dress. Emmett then glared down the entire cast daring them to laugh. Ms Dobson straightened up.

"That's better."

She then stalked off towards Jacob and Quil who were practicing duelling with wooden swords. Bella, Emmett and Rosalie then proceeded with their rehearsals under the direction of Alice; Edward and Jasper sinking in their seats roaring with laughter.

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"Hey Bella wait up!"

Bella turned from her truck to see Alice sprinting towards her.

"How are your lines coming along?"

Bella bit her lip leaning against her truck.

"The lines are fine, I've read this play a thousand times, it's the acting bit."

"You're doing great in rehearsals?"

Bella turned her eyes to the floor.

"But those are straightforward scenes we haven't gotten to the ones with Romeo yet. How am I supposed to do those?"

Bella flopped onto the grass slipping a little because of the wet. Alice laughed and sat down beside her, far more gracefully.

"Just try and draw on your own experiences, imagine Jacob as the first guy you loved, as repulsive as that may be."

"Well you see, I've never been, well never felt, that way, about..."

Alice jumped up.

"You've never been in love!?"

Bella yanked Alice back to the grass.

"Geez Alice do you want all of Forks to hear you? Not that that's many people but I'd like some discretion. I just don't want to do these scenes for the first time and have the entire cast gawking at me. I'd rather have some practice before I humiliate myself?"

Alice nodded her head understandingly. Already her mischievous mind was forming a plan.

"What if I ran the lines with you? You could come to my house and I could help you to get it right before you have to do it with Jacob?"

Bella's smile emerged.

"Sure you don't mind?"

"Course not! I asked you to do this because it will be fun, so I'm not going to let you be humiliated if I can help it!"

Alice hopped up and extended an arm towards Bella pulling her off the ground.

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Driving up to Alice's house the next morning Bella couldn't help but notice the timeless magnificence of the home. The walls were made up mostly of beautiful glass windows that cast light onto the meadow in which it resided. Bella had barely pulled up in front of the house before Alice came bounding towards her truck. Her enthusiasm was oozing from her.

" Hey Bella, c'mon we have so much work to do!"

Bella quickly grabbed her script before she was yanked out of the car and led up to the house. The interior was just as spectacular as the interior. It was so light and polished. Bella was dragged into the large living room where a grand piano forte stood. Her fingers brushed gently over the keys.

" Whose is this?"

Alice grinned before turning a stated casually.

" Oh, that's Edward's."

The name sent a shiver up Bella's smile. All night she went through names, trying to place Alice's beautiful brother.

"Edward."

The name rolled simply and gently across her tongue and if Alice wasn't staring at her she would have repeated it again.

"Yeah you met my brother, he's such a dork sometimes I can't believe he didn't introduce himself."

Bella nodded not really listening stroking the soft polished surface.

"Did you call me Alice?"

Bella swung her body around in shock making her lose her footing, having to grip the piano for support. There he stood, he came so quietly in she didn't notice. His eyes burned intensely and Bella had to remember to look away in case he thought she was crazy. Edward just stared at Alice who was standing behind Bella looking like she'd just won the lottery. She smiled innocently.

"Oh, sorry Edward I didn't realise you were home, Bella just needed to run through her Romeo scenes with me."

Edward looked from Bella, blushing furiously, her eyes glued to the floor, and gave Alice a good glare.

"That was very, thoughtful of you Alice."

Alice ignored Edward's glare and put her arm round Bella's shoulders as if it belonged there.

"Oh! I have a great idea what if Edward read Romeo's lines then I could direct you Bella and see what you're doing wrong."

Bella glanced nervously away, still blushing. Edward shot Alice a glare.

" Alice, I'm sure Edward has better things to do…"

"Nonsense! Edward doesn't have plans plus I'm sure he needs the practice too."

Alice winked and bounded into the kitchen bringing her script and handing it to Edward. She sat herself on the piano stool looking very pleased with herself.

"We could try the balcony scene?"

Bella reeled with horror. She'd barely spoken a sentence to this beautiful creature and Alice wanted them to perform the greatest love scene of all time?

"Um Alice maybe we should start off with something less amorous?"

Edward's pride was a little torn but he sighed in relief nonetheless, nervous about acting with this mysterious girl. Alice pouted.

"Nonsense, the balcony scene is crucial, unless you'd rather practice Act III Scene V?

Both seemed pleased to be avoiding the balcony scene until Bella dawned on the scene Alice suggested.

" Wait Alice, isn't that the scene after the wedding nigh…"

Edward and Bella looked horrified and Alice sat on her stool like she'd suggested a picnic.

" We are NOT doing that scene Alice!"

Edward's usual pale colour remained, never having been one to blush but Bella literally had to turn away to hide her embarrassment. Alice just grinned.

"Then I guess you won't mind the balcony scene. Edward we'll take it from your line. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear."

Edward swallowed heavily and picked up his script and started to read. Alice immediately got up.

" No no, that's not right, it's a balcony scene. We need a balcony."

Alice grabbed Bella's arm and pulled her to the staircase, gesturing for Edward to follow. Bella stood on the fifth stair while Edward stood below. Alice shook her head again and pushed Edward to climb the stair on the other side until he roughly stood at Bella's height. Quite pleased with herself Alice stood back to watch.

"Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear. That tips with silver all the fruit-tree tops-"

Bella moved quickly up the stair in an apparent huff, forcing Edward to further scale the stairs.

"O! swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable."

Her feistiness caused Edward to smirk slightly. He watched her mouth as Shakespeare's words drifted softly off them mesmerized.

"What shall I swear by?"

" Do not swear at all; Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, Which is the god of my idolatry, And I'll believe thee."

The words so quickly escaped Bella's mouth that she didn't recognise the truth they spoke.

"If my heart's dear love-"

Edward had slowly risen up the staircase so that his eyes matched up with hers. Bella stumbled with her next line, his eyes dazzling her making her forget not only the play but what possible motivation she had not to lean over and…"

"Alice!"

All three snapped out of their daze and glanced Esme who had walked in holding a tray of cookies. Edward quickly leapt off the staircase and straightened himself. Seems the "nurse" made an earlier appearance than scripted.

"Mom!" Alice whined. " We're trying to rehearse!"

Esme rolled her eyes at her daughter spotting Bella on the staircase. She smiled warmly and Bella forgot her embarrassment.

"Oh, you must be Bella, I'm Esme, the unfortunate mother of Alice and Edward."

Bella stifled a laugh and came down to shake Esme's hand. Esme clearly had other ideas and pulled Bella into a hug winking at Edward over her shoulder.

"Bella dear you're more than welcome to stay for dinner."

"Um, thanks that's really generous but I should probably go home to cook Charlie some dinner, he can't starve. Thanks for having me over Alice, I'll see you at school tomorrow. See you Edward. Nice to meet you Esme."

Bella bent her head down and exited. Esme, Edward and Alice waited until the roar of Bella's truck could be heard down the driveway before they spoke. Esme smiled and patted Alice's shoulder.

"Great work Alice."

Alice grabbed a cookie and headed into the kitchen before Edward could use Esme's cookies as missiles.

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Hey guys hope your enjoying my story!! Sorry that my updates are staggered but that's what you get from law school… grrrs Special thanks to iluvtwilight93 and jacksp518 you guys are my stars!! Glad you both liked the Emmett stuff (there was a little scene for you ahaha)

Til paths next crossed

XxScarlettPrincessxX