Ha… so I'm extremely sorry for the month long wait for those of you who have this on alert. I was getting back into the swing of things at school, and reading. Lots of that.

So, without further ado, I do not in any way, shape or form own Twilight, unless you count the books. But, really, I only own the paper its printed on…

BPOV

"Rosalie Hale! Why is there a mask on top of my dress?" I asked furiously. It was the day of the dinner, and while I wasn't sure of every social obligation, I was pretty confidant that most dinners, even formal ones, did not require masks to eat.

"Umm…" she stalled uncomfortably. "You see, it's not really a dinner. I just said that to get you to come. It's a masquerade for the boss's son's birthday."

"A what?!" The little sneak…she knew I wouldn't and couldn't dance. Or see with a stupid little mask covering my face. I could barely walk in high heels when I can see clearly, much less when there was something blocking my vision. This was destined for embarrassment.

"A masquerade. You know, a dance where people where masks so no one knows who they are. Come on, Bella, it'll be fun! Besides, you can't back out now, you already said yes." She pointed out.

I growled. "I hate you. If I embarrass myself again, you have to promise not to make me go to another one ever again."

"Fine," she sighed. "But then we get to do your make-up."

"We?" I questioned, confused. Unless she suddenly found a long lost twin, there wasn't anyone else that she would trust with something so 'sacred' as make-up.

"Yep. Me and Alice. Remember her?"

"Yeah…" I said hesitantly. "You trust her with my make-up?"

"Yes. We've been talking, and we've decided the best way to convert you is to double-team you. It's like I found a twin. A short, black haired, overenthusiastic ball of energy twin."

Wow. I had never seen Rosalie take so well to anyone before, especially so quickly. I mean, there was me, but that was it. Most people couldn't look past her perfect body. Actually, it was hard for me sometimes to look past it. But I suppose someone that was just as beautiful as she was would be able to understand. And goodness knows I wasn't even close to Rosalie; but Alice was. And converting me?! I liked who I was, thank you very much.

"And by the way, you might want to get into the dress. Alice will be here any minute, and she'll want to start on your make-up right away. I'll be doing your hair."

I shuddered. I hated getting dressed up almost as much as I hated going to these stupid dances. Why Rosalie's boss decides to have so many formal things, I really couldn't say. I mean, the man owns a car business. He makes and designs cars, Rosalie fixes them up so that they work perfectly, and everyone else sells them. Actually, most people buy his cars. But, why he would need at least one formal dinner or dance or showing a month, I would never know. What was wrong with doing these things in jeans and a t-shirt?

"Wait," I paused her. "When will you guys do your hair and stuff?" I hoped that they had forgotten that and I would be off the hook. No such luck.

"Sorry, Bella. We're doing ours ourselves. We just can't trust you." She smirked at me, and opened the door for Alice, who was laden with all sorts of make-up stuff. Sadly, I was used to this, living with Rosalie was like having your very own mall, including the make-up section.

"Dang. Fine then." I huffed and clenched my eyes, crossing my arms protectively over my chest. "I'm ready."

Alice chuckled. "Bella, honey. We can't fix you up if you're in your normal clothes. Get dressed. Now." They pushed me into the bathroom and shoved the dress bag into my hands. I sighed and complied.

When I walked out, showered and ready for torture, they were both dressed and ready to go. I sat down heavily in the chair that was obviously for me, and pouted.

"Let's get this over with, shall we?"

"Shut up Bella, it's not that bad." They attacked me with their crazy 'beauty' tools, poking my eyes with eyeliner and eye shadow as well as piling and pulling my hair.

"Ta da! We're done." Alice announced proudly, holding a mirror in front of my face. "You look hot!"

I looked in the mirror. I did look pretty good. Smoky eyeliner, and hints of everything else, changing me ever so subtly so that I looked amazing. And my hair was put into an elegant messy bun. I was almost looking forward to going tonight, not that I would tell them that.

"Wow." was all I said. I didn't need any more. They beamed proudly and handed me my mask, gloves, necklace, and earrings.

"No. I'm not wearing this." I said, pushing the necklace and earrings away. "Actually, the set from my mother would work, wouldn't it? This is too garish for me." I grimaced at them apologetically.

"Really? You're right, they would. Go ahead. Just don't lose it!"

I walked as quickly as I could in these impossible heels to my bedroom, opened the safe, and put the age-old necklace and earrings on. I knew it was a risk to wear them, but they matched perfectly.

I walked back to Rosalie and Alice. "I'm ready. Let's go."

We marched out the door of the apartment and I stopped again, shocked and looking for our cars. "Um, what is that?"

"That, Isabella, is called a limousine. It's our ride there, silly."

"Wow…seriously? No way… what happened to your cars? What happened to my car?" I asked frantically, searching the parking lot for our cars.

They laughed. "We moved them so you wouldn't be tempted to drive one of them." Alice said. "When I go places, I go there in style."

I slumped my shoulders and got in the limo. There was no way I would win that fight.

We were laughing and drinking a little as we pulled up to the club. There was a horrendous line, and I groaned, thinking of standing in line in these heels. And I knew that asking them to leave - God forbid! - would be out of the question.

"Rose…look at the line!" I complained as we got out. I waved to the limo driver, and he winked at me. I blushed, as usual, and looked away.

She shook her head at me and sauntered up to the bouncer.

"Rosalie Hale, co-chief of Motors & Floaters." she said flirtatiously, trailing her fingers down his chest. His eyes glazed over and he smirked at her, whispering in her ear. She laughed and shook her head.

"Maybe later." she waved her fingers at him as she motioned for us to join her.

"You ladies enjoy Twilight." he said huskily and watched us amble towards the entrance.

We laughed as we entered. The club was horribly decorated, and it was obvious who had decorated. Or rather, ordered people around and made them do it. Mike never did anything he could pay someone else to do. Alice shuddered, horrified, and we both looked at her.

"What? I can't stand hideous decorations. And this is hideous. Who the hell decorated?" She cringed again.

We both laughed, knowing who it was. You could always tell.

"Speak of the devil…" I muttered as he walked up.

"…and he shall appear looking like a freaking disco ball." Rose replied as we both put on fake smiles. Mike was coming to 'greet' us. He was dressed in a tuxedo, but with a little twist. He had covered the entire thing with diamonds. It was gruesome.

"What?" Alice asked confusedly, alternating between my grimace-smile, and Rose's poker face.

"Hello Isabella!" he greeted cheerily, leering at me. It was obvious that he was checking me out, even through the disgustingly encrusted mask. "Oh, and Rosalie of course." He said, trying for a husky voice, and not succeeding. At all.

We all tried to cover our laughs, having a sudden burst of coughing. Mike just looked confusedly at all of us, having no idea why we were suddenly coughing.

When we had finished, he had finally noticed Alice. "And who is this?" he asked, sneering at her.

She shuddered slightly. "Alice Whitlock. Wife of Jasper Whitlock. My baby's name is going to be Sun Rises in the Early Morning Before the Dawn Crow Sings, Whitlock." she lovingly rubbed her belly. Rosalie and I were coughing our lungs out, trying not to give her away.

Mike looked stunned for a moment. "Funny. You don't look Indian."

She drew herself up to her full five foot four height. "It's Native American! And that's racist! You should be ashamed of yourself! For your information, I thought it was a beautiful name!" She glared at him, and he just stared at her, unfazed.

"Well, give me a call if you need anything. Anything at all." He smirked and walked away.

As soon as he was a suitable distance away, Rose and I couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.

"Really Alice?" I gasped, bent over. "Sun Rises in the Early Morning Before the Crow Sings, Whitlock? Who thinks of this on the spur of the moment?"

She shrugged, holding back her own laughter. "Me." She said simply, and then started chuckling.

As the chuckles died down, we went to go find her 'husband.' It was weird being in a club in a dress, good enough for the runway. There was still grinding, and drinking, and who knows what else, but it seemed more proper, or something.

I tripped over thin air - or my ridiculously long dress - and nearly landed on my ass. In spite of this, I was caught by a strong pair of arms. I looked at him shyly as I stood back up and apologized. He was muscular, but not like the bouncer. His muscles were more hidden, not as noticeable. Kind of lanky, like Jasper. He seemed almost perfect. Except for the hair. God, it was awful! The man must not have realized how horrible he looked with black hair - there was no way it was his natural color - and smiled enchantingly at me. I stammered another apology, and rushed away, cursing my inability to stay away from the ground. I hope he hadn't noticed how often my incredulous stare drifted to his hair. And I was extremely embarrassed at falling like that. Give me a horde of martial arts students? Sure, no problem. But a smooth floor and heels? Disaster!

When I caught up to Alice and Rosalie, they were cracking up over my savior's hair color.

"Oh my God! Do you think he's ever looked in a mirror?" Alice rasped out.

"No way! The mirror would crack!" Rose cackled. "That man must be more clueless than Mike!"

We laughed again, and I pointed out Jasper in the crowd near us. We waded through the mob until we were right next to him.

"Hi Jasper! How's Sun Rises in the Early Morning Before the Dawn Crow Sings? Wow, that's a mouthful. You'll have to think of a nickname for your poor kid." She got distracted. "Oh! There's a bar!" Rosalie sauntered over to the bar, leaving us alone with Jasper.

We laughed again as he looked at us, bewildered. Alice held up a finger, telling him to wait until we were done laughing. As the laughter died down, Alice explained what had happened earlier, and he quickly grew livid.

"How dare he? He thought you were married and completely out of your mind and he still hit on you? That…" he ranted, pacing. His eyes were wild, and he looked like he wanted to rip Mike's throat out. I will admit, I wasn't adverse to the idea.

"Calm down Jazz. If he does it again, I'll tell you. Relax. And crazy?!" She massaged his shoulders, or as much of them as the sprite could reach. As he visibly calmed, I scanned the club, mentally ignoring the horrible decorations that reminded me of prom in a cheesy movie. I could see a few people I knew, and some I wanted to avoid.

"Hey guys, I think I'm going to wander around for a bit." I said, and they waved me off, telling me that they would be fine.

EPOV

"Um, Marcus…I'm not sure this will be the best idea. Jasper and his girlfriend Alice will be there, and he won't know about this, will he?" The man that ruled my life shook his head slowly, the hood covering all of his expressions.

"So how would I be able to avoid him? You've made it clear what Emmett and I are to do, and that it needs to be done without outside knowledge. How will we be able to hide this from Jasper?"

"Simple. This is a masquerade, in a crowded club. We will provide you with everything needed to disguise yourself so that no one will be able to recognize you both by your hair color. That will be enough, as long as you do not speak to him or remove your mask." The deep, gravely voice intoned.

I sighed. "All right. We'll do it." Like I had a choice. I could tell he was smirking, and it only made me angry. This man all but owned me, and he took pleasure from it. Sadistic bastard.

He waved me toward the door and I left, passing the guards and saying nothing until I saw Emmett.

"He wants us to steal from the guests that will be at Twilight tonight. Apparently there's a big event tonight, and a lot of rich people will be there. It's very formal, and we have to wear masks and dye our hair so that Jasper won't notice us. "

He cursed. "All this for a few expensive toys? Jasper will murder us. And Alice will castrate us, and then murder us again. She really likes these people that invited her, something about being friends for life. I wanna keep my balls…" he whimpered.

"Then we don't get caught. Just because we all know each other's tricks doesn't mean that we always catch them. And he won't be on the lookout tonight." I explained rationally, though I was worried as well.

"But what about the pixie? She's the one that would notice." he pointed out, finding the flaw in the plan. The Volturi didn't know anything about Alice, just that she was Jasper's girlfriend. They didn't know that she knew everything about us. They would have insisted she join immediately, or die. None of us wanted that. No matter how much she aggravated me and Emmett, we didn't want her to be subjected to this. And they would have been especially interested in her, and would want to experiment.

I shrugged. "I have no idea."

So that's how I came to be standing in front of the bathroom mirror, reading the hair dye box, feeling like a complete idiot.

"Are you serious? Black?! Does he know what this will do to my hair?" I muttered furiously.

"Damn, Edward. You sound like a girl." Emmett laughed at me as he walked in and picked up his bottle of dye.

"Blonde?!" he asked incredulously. "Seriously?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So that was how we ended up in front of Twilight, attempting to stifle laughter every time we looked at each other.

The bouncer, a heavily muscled man, gave us a long look. We knew him; he was also part of the Volturi's extensive network of people. He started laughing outright, recognizing us at last.

I glared scathingly at him as we walked in, daring him to keep laughing. He didn't shut up, and I shrugged, knowing that we couldn't look stupider, and besides, we cracked up every time we saw each other.

I watched as a man who reminded me of a sparkly puppy practically ran up to us, glittering with diamonds ripe for the plucking. He held his hand out to shake, and, a little disgusted, I did. Hasn't this boy ever heard of 'too much of a good thing'? I almost laughed as I noticed Emmett silently and studiously picking the diamonds off the boy's tux while he was occupied chattering at me.

When he turned to Emmett, I continued where he had left off, making sure that it wasn't obvious there were jewels missing. How clueless could he be?

I slipped the pilfered jewels into a hidden pocket, sewn in for just this purpose. There were many such pockets in this jacket, and Emmett's.

As the boy left us to talk at another guest, we looked at each other and cracked a smile.

"Twenty," I stated simply. This was a game we played whenever we did something like this. We had decided that, in order to make things like this less tedious, we would make a game of it. Whoever ended up with the most value, won a day off. The losers would have to do his work for him that day.

"Damn. Fifteen. I was positive I was ahead." He looked at his empty hand disappointedly. "You should be nimbler, mister." He shook his finger at it. I just shook my head, chuckling.

"So, do you think we could 'accidentally' run into him again? I bet we could pick him clean, and never have to do a day's work for them again." He asked me hopefully.

"Yeah, but if we did that, he'd notice eventually." I laughed, though it was a nice thought; to be able to be rid of a life ruled by the Volturi.

We split up, knowing we'd be less noticeable apart. I was glad for the masks now. It was extremely difficult to find someone you didn't know extremely well, like Emmett.

Suddenly, a woman tripped and I instinctively caught her, saving her from falling. She stood up and turned around to apologize.

She was gorgeous, from what I could see. She had on a blue mask, with a butterfly wired on, that covered half her face, but not enough to cover her blush. The blush on her cheeks and the deep, royal blue of her dress made her skin look like cream. Altogether, she reminded me of a Faerie Queen.

She stared at my hair for a moment, then seemed to shake herself and stammered an apology at me, glancing back at my hair every few seconds. I was a little cross, assuming that she found the ridiculous color of my hair hilarious. I couldn't blame her though. She must have thought I was completely clueless, to have my hair that color.

I smiled at her anyway, and decided not to annoy the woman in the butterfly mask any longer. I had work to do. She stared at me with a dazed look, but only briefly. Then she hurried to join her friends, who started laughing as soon as she got over to them. I hoped they weren't laughing at her fall; if they were laughing at me, then so be it.

I continued to wander through the crowd, glad that I hadn't needed to take Striga for this. It had…interesting side effects. Actually, they were a little worrisome. But I needed to focus on the task at hand.

I pocketed a bracelet here, jewels there, whatever I could easily take. I flirted with women, snaking my arm around them, or brushing their hair back, snatching an earring. I was always disgusted by my behavior whenever I was required to do something like this. But every time I got worked up enough to quit, I thought of Susanne, and pushed the thought to the back of my mind. I would think of a way to save her, I had to.

I met up with Emmett occasionally, trading numbers and values, switching the lead often. We made sure to avoid Jasper and the pixie; he told me about the bombshell blonde he met at the bar. He had flirted with her, and she had almost caught him taking her bracelet. I told him of the stunning brunette, and he laughed. He was getting weird looks as well.

We split up again, and I started working through the crowd again. I noticed a group by a wall; a cluster of men surrounding a woman. Before I could even think it through, I was walking over towards them.

BPOV

"We meet again Isabella," I was slumped against the wall, exhausted. I hadn't been sleeping well recently - trying to avoid the nightmares, though it never worked. Mike was walking up to me, attemptto look cool. I sighed, and attempted to look like I was excited to see him.

"Hello."

"So, do you wanna dance? With me, I mean?" He stammered out the words, looking embarrassed. If he wasn't so persistent, I would have thought it was sweet. But now it was just annoying.

"Mike. I am not your girlfriend." For God's sake, take a hint.

"Hey man! Who's the chick?" A group of drunken men were walking up to me and Mike, and I started looking for a way to sidle away quietly, leaving none the wiser.

"This is Isabella Swan. She's my girlfriend." I looked at him, startled. I had stopped asking him to call me Bella, he always forgot. But girlfriend?! Not a chance!

"Mike. I. Am. Not. Your. Girlfriend."

"Well, you are now." Arrogant asshole…

"No. I'm not." I tried to stomp away, but his cronies stopped me.

"Listen. If Mike says you're his girlfriend, you're his girlfriend. Got it?" One of them ordered me, holding an arm in front of me to stop me from walking away.

I shook my head, livid. I tried to duck under his arm, and he grabbed my arm, stopping me. I stood there, fuming, as he continued to tell me how I was Mike's girlfriend. I was never coming to one of these things again.

I snuck a glance at Mike, and he was sneering. I was glad to see he was missing diamonds on that stupid tux. I was sure someone had stolen them, and applauded whoever it was. That was why I was glad the necklace and earrings I had on were nearly impossible to get off. I would notice if someone's hands were by them that long anyway, or I would feel them taking it off. The two ends wound around each other, and needed to be taken off carefully, and slowly, otherwise they might break. I guess paranoia ran in my family.

"Listen. Can you let go of my arm? I'll stay right here." After a glance at Mike - I was never going near him again! - he nodded and released me. Now I stood facing them, with my back to the rest of the party. I would have tried to run that way, but someone was behind me, I could feel it. Plus, it's not like I could get very far in heels.

Suddenly someone's arm snaked around my waist, and he whispered in my ear.

"Just play along." I nodded mutely. His voice had sent a shiver through my body, it was so beautiful.

But he had started talking again. I really needed to stop this. I was normally a pretty observant woman; I had to be. But when I was around certain people - I refused to think his name - my brain just shut down. It was starting to become a bad habit.

"I would appreciate it if you stayed away from my girlfriend in the future." The man was saying cordially. Too cordially. It was like the calm before the storm. I realized I hadn't looked at him yet, I had just been glaring at Mike and his posse. So I looked up, and stopped breathing. It was the dark haired man! He was even more gorgeous up close, especially if I ignored his hair. If he got me away from this mess, I'd definitely tell him to change his hair color. Or wear a hat.

And really, what was with people and claiming I was their girlfriend all of a sudden?

"…Or you'll be found in a dark alley." He finished whatever he had been saying, almost growling it out. As we whirled around, I saw Mike's stunned face, and wanted to laugh. But I couldn't break the charade, not yet, anyway.

We weaved through the crowd and found an uncrowned corner to talk in, on the opposite side of the club.

"So… thanks for saving me. Again, I mean. Mike was really getting on my nerves." I started nervously; his arm was still around my waist.

He smiled enchantingly at me. "It was no trouble at all."

"But I would really advise a change in hair color. Because, no offense meant, you look ridiculous." I pointed out, hoping that I wasn't being ungrateful.

He surprised me when he laughed, throwing his head back.

"I told them," he muttered. "Don't worry, this is a one-day deal. I…lost a bet." He scowled darkly, before looking back at me and smiling. My breath hitched a little, before I scolded myself. How was it that this man could have this effect on me?

"I see." He had moved his arm from around my waist, and put it around my shoulder, fiddling with my hair. I found it hard to think, and tried to clear my head.

"So how did they get you alone?" He asked. I twisted my head to look at him. He looked genuinely curious.

"I was tired, and went to lean against the wall. Mike came up to me, and started talking. His friends joined, and it just kind of escalated from there. He was insisting I was his girlfriend, and I had said I wasn't. I guess he still doesn't like that neither me nor Rose want to go out with him."

I shook my head, disgusted, and noticed one of my earrings was missing, and his hand was no longer in my hair. He hadn't been messing with it at all, he was taking my earring off! I knew that being so out of it would have consequences.

I whirled around and poked him hard in the chest, pushing him against the wall.

"Give that back." I growled, glaring at him.

"What?" He asked, trying to look innocent.

"Listen, my dad's a cop, and taught me a few things. One I really have a knack for is catching a lie." My eyes narrowed, intensifying my glare.

"Well, I guess you got this one wrong."

I scanned the coat for the tell-tale seams and bunches where the hidden pockets would be. Spotting a few, I stepped closer to him, so there was no room left between us. Under normal circumstances, I would have been embarrassed, but now I was mad. I smiled sweetly at him, and wound my fingers through his.

"I'm sorry," I purred, stepping in between his legs. I tried hard not to blush. I needed my earring back. "I must have been mistaken."

My unoccupied hand trailed its way up his chest, stopping over the spot I assumed a cache of expensive jewelry was hidden. I was still staring into his eyes, which had taken a glazed look. But the rest of him wasn't dazed. He had dropped my hand and his hands were at the small of my back, pulling me closer into him and…little him. Or maybe not so little. Regardless…

I shook that thought out of my mind and quickly dug my fingers into the concealed pocket and fingering through the contents. I noticed a few that felt like diamonds, probably from Mike's coat.

Hm… so this is the thief. I thought, my opinion of him going from very, very low to just very low.

And then I hit gold. Or, sapphires, really. I pulled out my earring triumphantly, and laughed at his stunned expression.

"Found it!" I exclaimed gleefully. I quickly put it in my ear - my mother having drilled me in the art of taking it on and off so it would go in smoothly - and patted the hidden pocket.

"Your seamstress isn't very good, I've seen better. And, as a bonus, I'm not going to turn you in, because a lot of what's in there is from Mike and other stuck up rich people. But, if I see you again, you're not getting off so easily."

"Wait, how'd you do that? It took me forever to get it off!" He asked, grabbing my wrist as I turned to leave. My mood turned sour in an instant. This reminded me way too much of Mike.

"Edward?!" Jasper yelled as he came towards us. "Alice told me I'd find you here."

"Don't touch me again," I warned at the same time, and slapped him hard. "Wait, Edward?! Whatever, it's not important…" I muttered as I walked away, trying not to fall over. "Maybe I should've turned him in after all…"

EPOV

She left me abruptly, stalking across the room, and I was left with a raging erection.

I shifted and tried to hide it as Jasper walked up to me. He smirked.

"Bella's got a little bite, huh? Like the new hair color." he snickered. "Let me guess, Aro wanted to keep me from noticing."

I nodded silently, still occupied that the beauty in blue, capable of picking my pocket while basically seducing me, was Bella, the woman I kept running into, and simply kept making the wrong impression on. And I should have thought of how being grabbed like that - right after that vile idiot and his crew did it to her - would have set her off. I just seemed to stop thinking when I was around her, which was not particularly smart of me, what with my job.

"So, Alice told me something about how you were over here, and how I wasn't supposed to chew you out about it, because you would let her mess around with your ugly hair before you washed the dye out. I have to admit, I had no idea what she was talking about until I saw your beautiful black head." he snickered. "Well, this was fun, but you better leave. Emmett irritated the co-head of the place that's holding this party, who, interestingly enough, is the other person that invited me and Alice. So, he got kicked out. Forgive me if I find this hilarious, and leave you to your own devices to leave."

He sauntered away, and I stared back at him. I ripped my mask off in disgust, there was no use for it now anyway.

I stomped out, ignoring the bouncer, and ran into Emmett.

He looked at me dreamily. "Go ahead home. I'm going to wait here. I want to bug that blonde some more."

I just shook my head and left him, not wanting to know what he was planning.

"Also, I got an even fifty." He smirked.

"I'll count when I get home. Don't get arrested." I was no longer interested in the game; I was still intrigued by Bella.

The first time I saw her, I tried to rob her, and she knocked me, Emmett, and Jasper out.

The second time, she ran into me, a vision of beauty in shorts and a tank top. Music was blaring out of her iPod, and she had figured out who I was as soon as I told her my name.

This last time, she was at a party for the rich, looking a little out of place. She had run into me again, seduced me, and stole from me. Every time, she left me confused and intrigued. There was just something about her…

The thanks are down here. Thanks to katmom and bitemeplease235, awesome betas, and jake1212, SuperManiac, and luvpuppies7133, my faithful reviewers. You all get cookies with Edward's face on them!!

And, even more importantly, thanks to my beautiful newish laptop, that allows me to write way more than when I had a boring old computer.

Review, my pretties, and your little dogs too!!