I'd like to take the time to ask for forgiveness. I didn't send out teasers this past week, but I swear it will NEVER happen again. I also didn't update on time, and I'm sorry. This past week was awful. We had horrible family issues that caused a ruckus and lots of anxiety/anger/sleep loss (LOL) and then a very sweet furry member of our family went on to Animal Heaven and put us all in a horrible funk. So, yeah… it wasn't a good week. But things are looking up now, so hopefully this won't happen again ;)

I'd like to thank my LC for NOT being fail like me *grin* - Alitriona/Eila, Allysue08, Rags88, and WhatObsession17. I luv you guys!

SM owns, otherwise I'd be in the Caribbean right now after the week I had!

Confusions, Delusions, Illusions, and Allusions

Edward didn't like the sound of the thoughts he was hearing. How could someone know there was a female vampire nearby and that she had no mate? Losing his appetite, he dropped his meal and listened more intently.

He still couldn't hear physical signs of the intruder, so he just listened to his thoughts.

Hmm, there are at least two males and another female, though she's mated. There's another…

"I don't mean any harm, friend. I'm just passing through," the stranger said aloud along with the twigs Edward could hear snapping beneath his feet.

"Hello. Where are you heading?" Edward asked.

Anywhere that I can find food and pussy.

"Um, actually, I pretty much just wander about. The last town was starting to get suspicious, so I had to move on." He chuckled.

Edward could finally see the stranger. He was an average-looking guy – well, as average-looking as a vampire could be. He had sandy brown hair and his eyes were red like Edward's and Bella's, leading Edward to believe he was also a newborn.

He stepped up to Edward and held out his hand. "Hey there. I'm James."

Edward cautiously shook his hand. He didn't know why, but he didn't trust this guy. He introduced himself, "Edward."

James looked around and said, "So… are you… are you alone?"

I know others have been here recently…

"Yeah, I am right now."

He's hiding something. What does he mean 'right now'?

"So, you aren't always alone, then?" James asked. Edward couldn't help but notice how weird and random his questions were. This only made him seem more suspicious.

"Uh… not always. Everyone else is back at the house, though. I just needed to get away for a while."

WHAT?

"Back at the house? You mean… you guys reside here? How is that possible?" James asked incredulously.

Being new to vampirehood, Edward didn't quite understand James' disbelief. "Uh… we live in a house about two miles from here. I don't know what you mean by 'how is that possible?'."

"What I mean is how are you able to reside in the same place without the town getting suspicious?"

Edward still didn't understand. "Why would the town get suspicious? Ohhh, you mean because of the sparkling shit? Yeah, we don't go to town during the day." Some of us don't go to town at all, Edward grumbled to himself.

James laughed. "I would think the sparkling would be the least of their worries. Don't they notice their population dwindling?"

When Edward continued to just stare in confusion, James said, "Or do you travel to eat?"

Man, this guy is a few liters short of a blood bank.

"Oh! Oh, no… we, um… we feed on animals." Edward hadn't realized that this was not a common thing in the vampire kingdom. Yes, Carlisle had told him he was teaching him to go against his instincts, but Edward had thought that this was a common practice among the vampires in this day and age.

James looked blankly at Edward. When he realized Edward was serious, he started laughing hysterically.

Why in the hell would anyone drink from animals? James thought.

"Man, that must suck for you, dude." James was still laughing.

"Eh… it gets easier as the days go by. It was difficult at first, but it's better than the alternative." Edward regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth.

James instantly sobered up. "What alternative? You mean, following instincts and drinking from humans? Did you ever think that maybe vampires were created to be the universe's scavengers? You know, to keep the world from becoming over populated? We prey on the weak." He started laughing again. "Then again, all humans are weak next to us, aren't they?"

Edward knew there was a reason for why he was suspicious of this guy. Apparently, killing humans was of no consequence to him. If he had no regard for human life, what did that say for his character?

"Well, as much as I'd love to stay and chit chat, I, uh… was just heading back." Edward realized he had no good excuse for going back. It's not like he was going 'home' to eat or sleep. He was going home for what? To be inside of a building and be bored out of his mind instead of being out here?

"Well, hey… would you… do you mind if I tag along? I'd like to meet others like you and… well, who knows… I'd like to know about your way of life. It'd be nice to not have to be on the run all the time." He smiled sincerely.

Edward reluctantly nodded. He still was leery about this guy, but if Alice hadn't warned him, then apparently he wasn't that big of a threat.

However, as they got closer to the house – more importantly, when they could smell the others in the house – James' thoughts took on a direction Edward didn't like one bit.

Ahh, so this is where that unmated vampire is. Just my luck.

Edward wanted to know how the fuck he could tell if a vampire had a mate, but he couldn't let on that he was able to read his mind. At least not yet. He wanted a few more insights into his thoughts before he had a chance to filter them.

"Guys, this is James. He was passing through. He'd like to meet you guys," Edward announced while they were still a ways off.

It's okay, Edward. I already warned everyone, Alice mentally assured him.

Everyone took a moment to greet the newcomer. Edward listened to the thoughts of the others as he watched James' reactions.

Emmett and Esme were simply curious about James, nothing more. Of course Carlisle and Esme were accepting of a new friend, family member, whatever he ended up being. Rose and Jasper were both as wary as Edward. Alice…

Alice was mentally reenacting Macbeth, very elaborately. Edward rolled his eyes. He was so sick of Miss Cleo and her secrecy.

Obviously Edward couldn't read Bella's mind, but when Bella greeted James, two things happened simultaneously. James grinned wickedly and imagined very graphic scenes.

Time to turn on the charm. James straightened his shoulders and plastered a sickening sweet smile on his face.

Edward didn't like this one bit. If he warned Bella, James would hear and know he could read his mind. If he tried to stop him or threaten him, then he would give away his gift as well. He was stuck. He had to just sit and watch things play out, hoping that Bella wouldn't want to run off into the sunset with the pervert.

Yeah, the pervert who doesn't think anything but thoughts you have had about Bella already. Is he really so much different? Edward chided himself.

As they walked into the house, Edward tried to glare at Alice, but she was keeping herself busy with a 3D puzzle of Camelot, while still acting out Macbeth. At least she's keeping a theme going, Edward thought.

James immediately began shaking hands with everyone. Again, Edward listened to thoughts – mainly James' – to get a feel for the situation.

Emmett sized him up and found him to be a less than acceptable opponent. Oddly, Rosalie was thinking the same thing. Carlisle immediately noticed his red eyes and worried that James would cause problems with the locals. Esme was too busy watching Carlisle's reactions to make her own assumptions. Jasper was worried about Alice and her lack of socialization. He knew she was hiding something as well.

However, James' thoughts were what worried Edward the most.

Maybe if I pretended to like animal blood, they will let me hang around for a while. Just long enough to get that sweet thing to fall in love with me. Heck, who needs her to fall in love? I just need her to be willing to follow me.

Edward was really uncomfortable with James' plan to 'pretend' to like animal blood, but again, he couldn't warn anyone without letting on to reading James' mind.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! What the hell am I supposed to do? Edward thought.

"So, James, do you travel alone or should we expect more company soon?" Carlisle asked politely.

"Nah, I'm a loner. I usually prefer it that way, but… y'know, seeing your lifestyle, I feel like I'm missing out by being alone. You guys seem to have a nice thing going here." 'Specially that fine piece of ass right there, he mentally added.

Unable to hold it back, Edward growled, causing the whole room to turn to him. "Uh… sorry, I just… you know, it's difficult to think about being alone again," he mumbled, feeling like an idiot.

Of course, Bella had to speak up for the poor, deprived loser. "That must be really hard… being alone. How long have you been on your own?"

"As long as I can remember, actually. About seventy-five years ago, I ran with a guy named Laurent for a few weeks, but he was a weird dude. I couldn't stick around for too long."

Edward's head popped up. "You mean… you aren't a newborn?"

James laughed out loud, while the Cullens only laughed mentally. At least they are respectful of my feelings, he thought.

"No… why on earth would you think that?" James said, still chuckling.

"Your eyes… they are red, like mine and Bella's. Not gold like the Cullens'."

Holding up his hand, Carlisle explained. "Well, the eyes are indicative of human blood. You see, as newborns, you and Bella still have human blood in your system, and you will for about a year. James obviously feeds on humans, therefore he continues to have the eye color long after his newborn year has passed."

Edward noticed Bella suddenly had a sorrowful look on her face and he could only hope that it was James' choice of diet that had her so upset.

Unfortunately for Edward, James noticed Bella's face as well.

Oh, purty little thing must not like my diet. I need to fix that real quick.

"Yes, and that's why I wanted Edward, here, to introduce me to you guys. I'd like very much to learn your ways of life. I don't like that I have to feed on humans. I never knew there was another way. I have never met anyone like you guys. It's very intriguing… promising. I'd love to be a humane vampire." James sounded very convincing, but his thoughts said otherwise.

Humane vampire, what a crock! Humans are disgusting, weak-minded fools. The world would be a better place without any of them. Of course, we'd be a lot hungrier without them.

Bella's eyes lit up at James' admission. Edward caught himself rolling his eyes. Of course, Bella also caught Edward rolling his eyes and she glared at him.

"Well, I think it's very admirable for you to want to change your way of life, James," Bella said sweetly, jutting out her chin defiantly.

Wonder-fucking-ful. Bastard comes in and immediately gets in her good graces. I can't win her over no matter how hard I try, Edward mentally grumbled.

8o8o8o8o8o8

Edward was on the verge of losing it. He had desperately tried to get alone with somebody – anybody – to warn them about James, but every time James left, he asked Edward to be one of the ones to come with him. His excuse was that since Edward had fed on humans before and has since become a 'vegetarian' (James' label for them), so he could relate to James' difficulties with conforming.

Though Edward was furious with not being able to stay behind and warn the others, he did enjoy watching James' discomfort with drinking from animals.

Oh my God, this is fucking disgusting! My efforts better pay off, 'cause this has to be equal to a human eating straight shit. James' thoughts usually consisted of some form of complaint and comparison. It was always difficult for Edward to keep a straight face. He loved seeing him uncomfortable. It was quite amusing.

Finally, two weeks after James had appeared, Edward was able to convince Bella to follow him alone. He had to use the excuse of wanting to show her something exceptionally beautiful that he had found in order for her to come, and also to ensure James would stay behind. It would have been extremely difficult for James to come up with a good explanation as to why he wanted to tag along to see something 'beautiful'.

They were near Edward's hang out when he finally stopped and started talking to her.

"Bella, I have to warn you. James isn't exactly what he seems."

Bella huffed and shook her head. "You are unbelievable, Edward. Absolutely unbelievable! I had a feeling you would be jealous of James. But I can't believe you would call me out here just to start talking shit about him! This is low even for you, Edward."

"No, you don't understand, it's not like that. It's –"

"No, Edward, it's exactly like that," Bella said, cutting him off. "You have been nothing but a pain in my ass since the moment we met, and now you can see that I am enjoying James' company and it's killing you. James is a nice guy. In fact, you should probably take some pointers from him and learn to be a nice guy yourself."

Without another word, Bella stormed off again.

Edward had obviously chosen the wrong person to try to warn.

8o8o8o8o8o8

"So you don't crave human blood at all? Not even a little bit?" James asked during a game of Scrabble with Bella.

"Nope, I sure don't. I walked among them in the town nearby and it was no different than I remember as a human. Well, except now I can hear their heartbeats, and that's a little weird." She laughed.

"Hmm."

Bella looked up and noticed James had a sour look on his face. "What? You act as if that's bad or something…"

He smiled and shrugged. "No, it's not bad, I was just thinking how it must be so much easier for you, 'cause I'll be honest with you…" James leaned forward and whispered – as if no other vampire could hear him, "This is really fucking difficult for me." He chuckled.

Bella's face fell and she lowered her eyes to the table.

James immediately felt bad. He reached across the table and put his hand on Bella's and asked what was wrong.

"I just… I don't want things to be easier for me than anyone else. It doesn't seem fair. And I just want to be normal."

He began to rub her palm gently with his thumb. "Bella, vampires aren't exactly normal, you know?" He smiled and winked.

"Yeah, but, I thought at least I could be normal in the sense of being like other vampires, you know?" She sighed dejectedly.

James stood up, still holding Bella's hand, pulling her to her feet and said, "Hey, let's go for a run. It'll be fun."

Alice looked at her watch, and quickly jumped to her feet. "Wait one minute, please, James. I need… um, I need Bella to look at something really quick first."

Bella looked at her questioningly, but complied.

Alice took her up to her room and stopped briefly, looking around like a lost child. Bella started to speak, but Alice quickly cut her off. "Oh yes, that's right. I wanted to know if you'd like for me to make you a skirt like this." She held up a skirt that Bella had never seen before. "I wanted to make you one, but I didn't want to waste my time if it wasn't something you'd like."

Bella gawked at Alice. "Okay, first of all, do you honestly expect me to believe you forgot what you came up here for? Vampires don't forget anything, you already told me this. Second of all, I know you didn't make that skirt. That is the ugliest skirt I have ever seen. I can't believe you would even have that in your hands, let alone make it. And last but not least, you would know if I was going to like or hate something you gave to me, so don't pull this crap on me. Why did you really call me up here?"

"Um… I just wanted to tell you to have fun." She mouthed, 'Be good,' and grinned.

Bella rolled her eyes and shoved Alice's shoulder. "Whatever, skank." Bella laughed as she walked out of the room.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Alice said, laughing.

Bella reached the bottom of the stairs and James was already holding out his hand for her. "Are we ready?" he asked charmingly.

Just then, Edward opened the door. "Who's ready for what?" he asked suspiciously.

Bella looked at him angrily. "James and I are going for a run. Some men know how to treat a lady with respect."

Furrowing his brow, Edward asked, "By taking you for a run? How is that treating you with respect?" Edward laughed even though he felt like doing anything but laughing.

"By being gentlemanly and offering her something to do other than sit around this boring house… or ARGUE with her like some people do."

"Okay, okay… that's enough of this pissing contest… this rather strange and awkward pissing contest," Emmett said. "James and Bella just wanted to go for a run, no biggie. No need for you guys to get all huffy about it. C'mon, Ed, let's go play some L4D2."

Bella and James continued through the doorway, and Edward slammed the door behind them, effectively knocking it off its hinges.

Edward's eyes bulged. "Shit, I'm sorry, Esme… Carlisle… I didn't realize I slammed it so hard."

Edward could hear James chuckling as he ran off with Bella.

He could also hear James' thoughts before he was out of range. That's zero for Loserward and one for the Jamesman.

"Asshole," Edward mumbled.

"Now, Edward, James has been very courteous and respectful. I don't know why you would have issues with him. Besides, it was Bella who was making the snarky remarks just now, not James," Carlisle said, politely.

Edward made sure James was out of hearing distance before he spoke. "That's because he has you all fooled, Carlisle."

"Hey!" Rosalie jumped to her feet, and started to tell him off, but he held up his finger to explain himself.

"You guys don't hear his thoughts like I do. He's only pretending to be like you guys. He does nothing but complain about the diet and make fun of you guys for not drinking from humans. He has no intentions of continuing this way of life."

"I don't understand, why would he pretend?" Esme asked. "We didn't force him to choose our way of life, it was his choice." Her voice took on a tone of sadness.

"Because he wants Bella," Edward sneered. "He somehow knew she had no mate before he had even met her. I have no clue how."

"How long have you known that he wanted Bella?" Rosalie asked snidely.

"Since the day I met him. He has mentally made it clear from the get-go."

"And you are JUST NOW telling us?" she nearly screamed.

"Have you not noticed that I couldn't get one single minute away from him? It's almost as if he was reading… Oh shit! Do you think he can read my mind, too? Oh fuck!"

"No, he can't, don't worry," Alice said.

Everyone looked to her expectantly.

"He's a tracker. He knows a lot of things about people just by their actions and smells. As gross as that sounds, that's how he knows Bella has no mate… because she…" Alice sighed and quietly continued. "Because she doesn't smell of semen, like those of us who, um… regularly have intercourse do."

"So you knew?" Edward asked disbelievingly.

Alice shrugged and nodded.

Edward shouted what everyone else was thinking, "Why the hell didn't you tell someone?"

Alice sighed and rolled her eyes. "Because, nimrod, nothing happens, okay? At least… nothing bad does."

"What's that supposed to mean? What do you consider bad? Does Bella become James' mate? Please don't fucking tell me she runs off with James?" Edward was shouting and at this point he didn't care if he just told the whole house how he felt about Bella. He couldn't bear to think of her with James. It was too much. He needed to know what was going to happen.

"Well… I don't exactly know yet. Bella hasn't made the decision. But James doesn't do anything wrong either way," Alice explained.

"'Doesn't do anything wrong'? How about lying and telling you all that he wants to live your lifestyle when he doesn't?"

"Yeah, well, since I can't read minds, I didn't know that was a lie. All I see is him actually feeding from animals, so I thought it was legit." She looked toward Carlisle remorsefully. "I really didn't know, I'm sorry, Carlisle."

"Wait, wait, wait," Edward protested. "How did you know he was after Bella?"

"Um… 'cause I saw him ask her."

Just before Alice was able to cover up her thoughts, she let it slip that James was taking Bella to ask her to run off with him at that very minute.

"Alice, what the fuck?" Edward screamed and slapped his forehead.

Jasper stood up quickly. "Hey, now, calm down."

"Why did you let him leave with her if you knew he was gonna ask her right now?"

"Because, Bella is a smart woman. I don't think she would run off with him so soon. She has only known him for two weeks."

Edward huffed and grabbed two fistfuls of his hair. "How long did she know you before she started living with you, huh?"

"That's different. We saved her life. And besides, she didn't know anyone else. She didn't have much of a choice. She has a choice this time, and I really don't think she would run off with a stranger. Unless…" Alice pointed her finger right at Edward. "Unless, YOUR stupid ass pissing contest pushes her away. You're too overbearing. You need to try to woo her. I've stood back all of this time, hoping you'd get that stick out of your ass and wake the fuck up, but you are so… so… childish! All you can do is fight with her like a boy in elementary school."

"Hold on… what do you mean you've 'stood back all this time'?" Edward asked, narrowing his eyes.

Alice blew out a huge breath of air. "You know what? I'm so sick of hiding this crap from a damn mind reader anyway. Do you know how hard it is to constantly find things to keep your mind OFF of what it's automatically on? For fuck's sake! Here's what I know, Edward. I know you want Bella. I know you keep failing at your attempts to win her over and I know that if you don't change your game plan, you are gonna miss your chance."

"Miss my chance? What have you seen, Alice?"

"Actually, Alice's visions have been very sporadic and vague, and she needs to keep quiet before she makes things worse," Jasper said through his teeth.

"No, no, no… please. Please tell me what you mean," Edward begged. Yes, he stooped low enough to beg. "Please tell me… is she gonna run off with James eventually?"

"Honestly, Edward, I haven't seen that far. You have yet to make the correct decision which is the deciding factor. And I honestly can't tell you what that will be. Your future changes almost daily. You are so undecided about everything. You can't make up your mind. If you would just make a decision and stick with it, I might be able to see something."

Edward growled, "Yeah, well, even I can't decide what I want to do. Every day my mind changes. She's just so… so… so fucking infuriating. And yet…" He huffed and hung his head. "And yet, I can't get her out of my mind."

"Yes, dude, we know. Trust. We know." Emmett not-so-inconspicuously nodded to Edward's crotch, which was luckily NOT bulging at that time.

"Shut up, Emmett, no one needs to hear from you and your horny brain," Edward grumbled.

"What do you mea – oh shit! Dammit! Why the fuck you gonna be all up in my head like that?"

"You think I LIKE being 'all up in your head like that'? Especially your filthy head. I can't turn this fucker off. I'd give anything to be able to sometimes."

At that very moment, the entire room started worrying that they had thought something incriminating in some way or another. Apparently up until that point, they had never realized just how much he could read their minds.

Edward just growled and stormed out of the house, stepping over the door still lying on the ground.

8o8o8o8o8o8

"That was fascinating! I rarely ever run full-speed, and I have never jumped across a gorge like that!" Bella would have been out of breath if she were a human. However, since she was an immortal and it was unnecessary to breathe, she wasn't even the slightest bit breathless.

"Yes, it was fascinating. I have never had the pleasure of running with someone else, especially not a beautiful woman," James said demurely.

"Psh," Bella said, slapping his arm. "I bet you say that to all the girls."

James looked at Bella seriously. "First of all, I have honestly never hung out with a woman, let alone a beautiful one. And second of all…" He turned toward her, and trailed his finger down the side of her face. "You are far from a girl, Bella."

Bella smiled and lowered her gaze to the ground. James hooked his finger under her chin and raised her face to look at him. "Bella, you are an amazing, beautiful woman." James leaned toward Bella, slowly; so slowly that she wasn't sure what he was doing until it was almost too late.

His lips merely inches from her caused her to spring into action. Pulling back, she whispered, "James, I'm sorry. I'm not… I… I can't."

He dropped his hand and groaned, "It's that Lameward idiot, isn't it?"

"Huh?" Bella questioned.

"You have a… a thing for Edward, don't you?" he asked, rolling his eyes.

"No! Of course not. It's just… I barely know you. I'm… I'm sorry, I just… I'm not ready, yet."

"Do you think you will ever be ready, Bella? Seriously? I mean… I really like you. I think we could do well together. We could travel together. You could get away from this boring place. I can see it in your eyes, Bella. You're much too good for this life. These people are holding you back. Come away with me. We could have so much fun together," he pleaded.

"I'm sorry, James, I just… I really like the Cullens. I enjoy it here. Can't you stay and you and I could get to know each other better? I'm not… I'm not ready to leave this place. I'm sorry."

"Hey, I understand. I don't know how long I can stick around, though. I enjoy this lifestyle, but… I'm a traveler, Bella. I'm already itching to go to a new land. But… I want you to come with me. Please?"

"I… I'm sorry, James. I… I just can't. Not yet. I need more time. Can, you just give me time to think? To weigh my options?"

James smiled. "Of course. I will leave you alone for some time. But know this, Bella." He leaned very close to her once again. "We could be so good together." He swiftly leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. "So good," he whispered, and then ran toward the Cullen house.

Bella began to run. She ran this way and that way, and just let her mind wander as she flew through the forest. She finally threw herself down to her knees and held her head in her hands. She didn't know what to do. She was so conflicted.

As if the universe had the answer, the wind shifted and something white blew in the air near her. She followed the object with her eyes until it landed right between her feet. As she picked it up, she realized it was a wadded piece of paper. Slowly, she opened it, and smoothed it out. What she saw took her breath away.

It was a portrait of her. Every minute detail was surprisingly accurate. A Polaroid couldn't have captured her any better. It was stunning. She was mesmerized as she trailed her fingers over each indentation the pencil had made.

At the bottom of the page, Bella noticed written words.

In a beautiful, elegant script were the words: Irritatingly beautiful temptress

Then she noticed the angry scrawl beneath it:

She fucking owns me

Thanks for reading ;)