DISCLAIMER: I do not own Twilight or it's original characters, but I guess you probably knew that by now. This is done just for fun, no copy rite infringement is intended.

A/N Thanks as always to Rita01TX for her wonderful editing skills, and Keye Cullen for pre reading. They make my scribble more readable and much less British sounding. MWAH.

Well, it's finally the day of the party *squee* we'll get to see what everyone's costumes look like. This was actually my favorite chapter in the whole story and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

Chapter 10

Saturday morning finally rolled around, making it officially Halloween!

I busied myself gathering all of my costume and crepe paper creations together. My plan was to change later, after the party had been all set up. Jacob called earlier in the week and left a message with Charlie that he would come by and pick me up after lunch. He would take me to Angela's and hang around to help with any of the decorating.

Charlie left early this morning for his fishing weekend and a part of me hoped he wouldn't catch too many fish. As it was, the freezer was already groaning under the weight of foil wrapped fish.

Lunch was simple, a bit of bread and some soup, and I had just washed my dishes when my cell phone rang.

"Hey," I answered, drying my hands on the dishtowel.

"Hey, Bella!"

It was Edward and, for some reason, I immediately stood straighter and smoothed down my hair,

"Hi, you okay?"

"Just wondered what time your friend was coming over."

I checked the clock…it was 1pm.

"I think he's coming around about 2. Why?"

"Well, I figured Charlie will have already left."

"Yeah."

Where was he going with this?

"So, you're all alone?"

I giggled

"Yeah... so?"

Just then, the doorbell rang."

"Oh, hang on. Someone's at the door."

"Okay, I'll wait."

I hooked the phone under my chin while I walked over to the front door. I peeped through the spy hole and there was Edward, cell phone in hand, grinning back at me with his face pushed close to the lens.

"So, are you going to open the door, or just leave me out here?" he laughed.

I flung the door open and he caught me in a tight hug.

"What are you doing here?"

I was pleased to see him, but a little confused.

"Well, the party doesn't start 'til eight and it just seemed too long to wait to see my girl."

He leaned down and kissed me ever so gently. My spine tingled all the way up to the back of my head and I had to give it to the boy; even his gentle kisses were lethal to my senses. I caught myself grinning like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.

He released me and I wobbled a bit before turning away to drop my phone onto the kitchen counter. While I poured water into the reservoir and clicked on the coffee maker, I noticed Edward eying the two garbage bags sitting on the floor in the hallway.

"One's my costume, the other is decorations," I explained.

He nodded.

"So, can I see it?"

"No!" I squealed. "Not 'til the party."

He grinned as he took his seat on one of the shabby kitchen chairs.

I poured two mugs of coffee and handed him one. He blew on it a couple of times before taking a sip. I stared with my mouth slightly open. Just the way he curled his lips was fascinating to me. Mentally shaking myself, I pulled out the chair across from him and sat down. He stretched his free hand out for me to take and that was how we sat, hand in hand, drinking our coffee and just chatting, until the doorbell rang.

Jacob was on time, for a change. He hugged me warmly when I opened the door and was smiling as I walked him into the kitchen. Edward was now standing beside the table with a smile on his face, but something was off. Usually his smile was sparkling, lighting up his whole face. This time, it didn't seem to reach his eyes. It was strained, maybe fake.

It dawned on me then that this hadn't been about seeing me…this had been about marking his territory with Jacob. The possessive bastard was still pissed about Jacob taking me to the party. I seethed inside. Jacob was looking at me all bemused, clearly waiting for me to do the introductions. I took a steadying breath through a clenched jaw.

"Jacob, this is Edward. Edward, this is my oldest friend, Jacob."

"Hey, Edward. Good to meet you."

Jacob held his hand out and Edward shook it stiffly.

"Yeah, good to meet you, too."

He moved across and slid his hand round my waist. Shit, he was like a dog peeing against a tree! Obviously, I was the tree.

"Bella's told me all about you."

Fortunately, Jacob seemed oblivious to Edward's passive aggressive display.

"Only the good stuff, I hope."

I extracted myself from Edward's clutches.

"Jake, would you mind putting those bags in the car for me?"

He beamed a warm smile at me.

"Sure, no worries."

He scooped up the plastic bags and disappeared out into the hallway.

"Edward Cullen," I hissed. "You are a shameless, jealous ass."

He shrugged. The bastard wasn't even going to deny it.

"I'll admit I don't mind this guy knowing you've got a boyfriend."

"You sure you don't want me to wear your sweatshirt?" I growled sourly, crossing my arms.

He glanced at my boobs. I rolled my eyes.

"Aw, don't be like that," he said, putting his arms around me. "You're my girl and I want everyone to know it."

Being in Edward's arms was like taking Novocaine; you kind of forgot where you were and why you were mad at him. Just then, Jacob came back. He smiled as he saw us pressed together and suddenly the "forget myself" drug wore off. I wriggled away from Edward's grasp.

"Edward was just leaving."

I gave him a glance with narrowed eyes. He smirked and leaned down to kiss me. He was aiming for my lips, but I turned away and let him hit my cheek.

"Okay. I'll see you later at the party. Jacob."

"Yeah, nice to meet you, Edward."

He stalked out of the kitchen. I watched him leave while I struggled to regain my composure. Jacob was beaming at me, his perfectly straight white teeth contrasting against his darker skin tone.

"You ready to go, Bells?"

His brightness quickly wore away my bitterness.

"Yeah, let's go unpack Halloween."

Angela answered the door clutching a string of spider silhouettes and a rubber wolf mask. Her dark hair was pulled back, but in total disarray, with strands hanging loose all over her head. Her glasses had slid to the end of her nose, but she had a beaming smile.

"Hey, so glad you're here."

She lowered her voice and leaned in conspiratorially.

"Sergeant Major Alice is here already and she's giving out the orders."

I giggled nervously. What was I letting myself in for? Alice was a force of nature and no one was safe when she got the bit between her teeth.

"Angela, you remember Jacob, don't you?"

She nodded.

"Yes, good to see you again. Come on through."

We followed her into the kitchen. Alice was up a stepladder in the living room, fixing streamers to the ceiling. She was holding a thumbtack between her lips, so she just waved to us.

Jacob had been carrying our bags, two of which held our costumes for tonight. Angela asked him to take the costumes upstairs. Once he was out of earshot, she turned to me.

"Why are you here with Jacob? I thought you were dating Edward?"

She was peering at me over the top of her glasses.

"Yeah, I am now, but I had already asked Jacob."

I remembered Edward's ridiculously possessive display and it spurred me on.

"Anyway, Jake is my oldest friend. I'm not going to ditch him just because Edward might be jealous."

"Okay. I just hope Edward is understanding."

"Edward will be fine."

I hoped.

I introduced Jacob to Alice and then unpacked my decorations. Alice immediately organized us all. Eventually, around six o'clock, we had finished and we stood back to admire the finished effect. Angela's home looked fabulous; streamers, props and posters everywhere. The refrigerator was stocked with buffet food ready to bring out later. Alice had made two huge bowls of fruit punch and there were various bottles of soda set out along the kitchen counter tops. We were understandably proud of our efforts and high fived ourselves.

"Well, guys," Alice announced, still clearly running the show. "Time to get changed."

Like the good troops that we were, we all scuttled off to different rooms to get ready. Angela needed help with her outfit, so I was in with her. My costume was fairly easy to put on, but I left off the gloves until the last moment.

My face was covered in the metallic green face paint, with just a hint of purple lipstick. Angela, on the other hand, had had the bright idea to be a mummy. She had put on white tights under a white bathing suit and I now had the unenviable task of bandage wrapping her all over.

"Shit. I don't think you'll be able to bend your arms," I giggled. The thought of her all stiff and unable to eat or dance at her own party tickled me.

"I'll be okay. You can wrap them a bit looser around the elbows, though. Just pin them tight on either side."

"What's Alice's costume?"

"No idea," she snorted, "Maybe she'll be a ghostly interior designer."

We both laughed.

A soft knock on the door disturbed us.

"Who is it?" Angela called out

"It's me…Jake. Erm...I wondered if Bella could...uh...help me with my make up."

We burst out laughing. Jacob was all guy; muscular and tall, usually armpit deep in some engine or other. The thought of him wearing make-up was just too funny. Angela was more or less done, just putting her mask on.

"Yeah, come in. It's okay," I called, pulling my witch's hat on, "And it's best to call it face paint, not make-up…sounds less girly."

"There may be face paint, but lipstick is still definitely lipstick!"

He entered, clutching a blood red lipstick and some tubes of paint. He looked fabulous as Count Dracula. Black dress pants, a white shirt with a red cummerbund made up his costume. His long black hair had been slicked back into a ponytail, fastened low at the nape of his neck. He wore a cross shaped medallion around his neck.

"Wow, Bella! You look great. Love the color green on you."

"Ha ha! Well, it is the traditional color of Forks," I joked. "You look really good. That look suits you."

He rolled his eyes. He was far too tall for me to reach his face properly, so I motioned for him to sit at Angela's dressing table.

Angela went off to see if Alice needed any help, leaving Jacob and me alone. I set to work, my tongue poking out a little as I concentrated. Jacob kept still while I swirled the white paint over his smooth features, his eyes watching me all the while. When I was satisfied with his base layer, I worked some black around his eyes and cheeks. Then I picked up the lipstick and waved it in front of his eyes.

"Don't give me lips like Angelina Jolie."

I laughed at the mental image that conjured up.

"I really want to do that now you've given me the idea."

"Damn it. Said too much, again."

He snapped his fingers and tutted. I giggled.

A second passed as I twisted the lipstick up the tube.

"Is everything okay with you and Edward?"

"Yeah, why'd you ask?" I frowned.

He sighed.

"Well, it's just you seemed a little unhappy this morning."

Well, Jake. How do I tell you that Edward was being a possessive jerk because he thought you might want to run off with me when you got me in your clutches.

"Um... Edward was just being protective of me. I think he wanted to meet you." I think that sounded a little better. "And it annoyed me; like I wouldn't have great friends."

"Oh, okay. As long as that's all." His eyes slid to the floor. "I wouldn't like you to be with someone who was trying to control you. You deserve better than that."

"Aww, thanks for looking out for me."

I drew a thin line of the lipstick across his full lips and trailed some down his chin, just for effect.

"There, what do you think?" I spun him round to look in the mirror, bringing my chin to rest on his shoulder. "Now don't we look a pretty pair."

"I've always thought so."

Jakes eyes locked onto my reflection in the mirror. My smile faded and I swallowed hard.

"Um, Jake... I ...um...better...erm," I babbled. "Alice! I better go check on Alice."

I went to stand, my hand resting on his other shoulder, and he clasped it to him with his large, warm hand.

"Look. I know you're seeing Edward, but I just want you to know I'm here, okay?"

"Okay." I squeaked. "But, I'd better go...Alice"

"Yeah," he said, gently releasing my hand. "Go check on Alice."

I scooted out of the room, taking a moment to compose myself on the landing. Was Jake saying what I thought he was saying…that he was interested in me?

Shit! Edward was right. Shit! This is all wrong. I have always liked Jacob, maybe even loved him, as a brother. But, I've never thought of him as anything else. Now it raised the question, how had he been thinking about me? I was all confused, flattered that he might feel that way about me, irritated that Edward had been proved right, worried that this might spoil our friendship, and anxious for how awkward this could make things tonight when Edward got here. I wanted to rub my hands over my face but, remembering the face paint, I resisted, bunching them into tight fists instead.

Alice and Angela were in her parents' room. I could hear them laughing and joking through the door. I knocked before I entered and found Alice putting the finishing touches to her make up.

"God, Alice, you look...Wow!"

She was a zombie cheerleader. The costume was all tattered and painted to look as if she had been underground for six months. Her hair had talc and what looked like green moss in it. Her make-up would put Rick Baker to shame. Her skin looked cold and dead, with thin veins drawn on her forehead. Her eyes were made up to look sunken and there were loose flaps of latex hanging from her cheek and jaw. She even wore long fake fingernails and had adapted them to look ragged, like she had just clawed her way out of the ground. She rolled her eyes up to the back of her head and stiffly lurched across the room to me, her arms held out in front of her like she was sleepwalking. Angela and I squealed.

"You like it?"

"I love it!"

"Wait 'til you see Edward."

Oh, I never miss a chance.

"What's his costume like, then?"

She frowned at me and shook her head, making the latex quiver.

"I'm not spoiling the surprise…you'll find out soon enough."

"Oh, guys! We better get downstairs. People will be getting here soon."

Angela waddled past us, hesitating at the top of the stairs to work out the best way to get down with her stiff knees. When she was out of earshot, Alice leaned in to me.

"I hope she's had a pee, 'cause there's no way past those bandages."

The thought hadn't crossed my mind but, now that she'd said it, it was obvious and I burst out laughing.

"Yeah, she's got a one piece swimsuit and tights on under the bandages, too."

"Jeez, she's trussed up tighter than a Thanksgiving turkey."

We giggled our way down the stairs while I pulled on my green finger nailed gloves and picked up the broomstick.

"Well, guys," Angela began, fumbling to set some music up, the bandages hampering her. Jacob stepped in to help and I avoided eye contact with him. "We all look great, but I think we need more guests."

We didn't have to wait long. Jake slipped in his plastic fangs before he answered the door. Emmett and his girlfriend Rosalie were the first to arrive. They looked cute dressed as Frankenstein's monster and the Bride of Frankenstein. She was already tall and, with the black and white wig, she had to duck to get through the door frame. Emmett disappeared into the kitchen and emerged a few moments later with a definite "look" on his face. I had a sneaking suspicion he may have poured a bottle of vodka into the fruit punch.

Tyler Crowley came with Mike Newton and my nemesis, Jessica. She was wearing a devil costume that barely skimmed her ass cheeks. The boys had made some half-hearted attempt at wizard costumes, but they wouldn't have made one good one between the pair of them. Eric Yorkie came next as a skeleton. Then, a few other couples that I didn't really know showed up. The place was getting crowded. I was wondering when Edward would get here and didn't notice when Jake came up behind me and wrapped an arm round my waist.

"Bella, I need to talk to you."

He sounded serious.

"It's okay, Jake."

Really, I didn't want to be having this conversation when Edward could arrive at any moment.

"No, it's not."

I turned to look at him and he sighed

"Look, I've known you a long time and I don't want things to get weird between us. Just realize you've got options, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks, Jake."

How could he possibly think things couldn't get weird now?

The sound of a throat clearing made me turn round to see Edward and Jasper. Jasper was a zombie football player, complimenting Alice's costume, and Edward was a werewolf.

He looked so cute. Alice had made him a fur headpiece, complete with pointy ears, and the fake fur ran all the way down into his collar. He had painted his face and drawn on whiskers. His check shirt was padded and fake fur leg sleeves poked out from the bottom of his ragged cut-off jeans. A pair of furry clawed gloves and more plastic fangs finished the look. I was so taken with his costume that I forgot where Jake's arm was draped.

Edward clearly hadn't missed it, from the way he scrunched his lips up. I pulled away from Jacob and held a hand out to Edward.

"Hey Edward, you look...Wow."

He took my hand and pulled me gently, but firmly, into his side.

"Bella, honey, I missed you."

His voice was like liquid honey. He leaned down to brush his lips against mine but kept his eyes on Jacob like a snake. The tension was thick around us and I thought I could smell alcohol on his breath. I was relieved that Edward didn't seem mad with me but there was definitely an atmosphere. Jacob's jaw flexed.

"Edward. Good to see you again."

Shit, this wasn't good. I needed a distraction.

"Jasper!"

I tried to sound bright and breezy,

"I love the costume. You and Alice will look great together."

Jasper was too busy looking between Jacob and Edward, not really listening.

"Huh…what? Oh, yeah. Thanks."

Crap, that didn't help. Then Edward ended the stand-off.

"Come on, Bella. Let's see who else is here."

He whisked me away from Jacob.

"Alice did a great job with the costume." I tried again to change the subject, but he glared at me. Clearly, I was wrong about him not holding things against me.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

I looked at him wide eyed.

"He had his hands all over you."

"Nothing...Edward."

He snorted angrily.

"Sure looked like nothing."

I'd just about had it with his possessiveness.

"Jake is a friend… nothing more. You don't need to go all Alpha Male."

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Urgh! I don't know why you don't get on with it and just pee all over me."

"I'm not into golden showers."

His tone was derisory.

"Fine. You don't trust me…that's just fine."

I threw my arms up in the air. He sighed.

"I trust you, Bella. I do. It's him I don't trust,"

We stared at each other and, although I hated to admit it, I knew he was right about Jacob. After a moment, he held his hand out.

"Come here. I'm sorry."

He pulled me against his chest and wrapped his arms round me. I relaxed against him, the fur around his neck tickling my nose.

"Look, Edward. I'm your girl, no one else's, but you need to trust me, okay?"

"I know. I'm acting like an ass again but I just can't help it; you get me so worked up."

"Edward."

He looked down at me.

"Kiss me, please."

He wrapped me in a tight embrace and I could feel the apology in his kiss.

For the next couple of hours, Jacob kept his distance from us and Edward and I were getting back on track. The punch had been flowing and I was definitely feeling a little fuzzy around the edges. Suddenly, there was a commotion in the living room as Rosalie and Alice decided to play spin the bottle.

What Alice wants, Alice gets, and soon we were all lined up in two semi-circles on the floor; girls on one side, boys on the other. Everyone had loosened up, thanks to Emmett spiking the punch.

First spin…Lauren, and Tyler. Everyone cheered as they stood in the center and kissed. Next spin…Edward and Emily. She giggled nervously as Edward leaned down and gave her a small peck. Then, it was Emmett and Jessica. He looked terrified as she bounced over to grab him. Rosalie narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth.

Would somebody please remind me why we were playing this? Next spin was mine. Crap! I stood up, chanting in my head, "Please not Jake, please not Jake, please not Jake."

Jacob! Shit! I glanced across at Edward. He was tightly wound, his jaw clenching, as Jacob moved across to me. Jacob, on the other hand, looked like the cat with the cream. He pulled me in tight and bent slowly to kiss me. I didn't want to respond; this didn't feel right. I closed my eyes and deliberately kept my hands by my side. If it had been Edward, they would have been on his chest, or in his hair, but I didn't want to give Jake any encouragement. Jacob's hand moved from my waist to my hip.

Then, suddenly, he was gone.

I opened my eyes and Jacob was on the floor, his nose gushing blood. Edward stood bristling at my side and, for a long uncomfortable moment, everyone was silent. My brain tried to process what must have happened.

I gasped.

Then, pandemonium erupted. Emmett jumped up and grabbed Edward; Mike Newton was helping Jacob back up; Angela was running in with a cloth; Jessica was laughing, and Alice was pulling me to move.

Jacob was on his feet now, squaring up to Edward. Mike was out of his depth and didn't know what to do. Edward was pulling away from Emmett.

"You keep your hands off her!" Edward snarled.

"What, you think you can lock her away from the world?"

"No, but I can keep her away from predators like you. She's MY girl!"

"Your girl? Christ, what century are you from?"

By now, they were facing each other, noses nearly touching, looking like they were going to erupt into a fist fight. I had to stop it before they tore chunks from one another, so I launched myself between them.

"Stop this! Stop it now!" I yelled.

They both stared at me.

"I'm no one's property! Jake, you are my friend, but nothing more. Edward, you're my boyfriend…you should trust me. I didn't weird out when you kissed Emily."

He turned on me then.

"I didn't kiss her like you let him kiss you."

"Like I let him?" I repeated it as a question to him.

His jaw pulsed, but didn't answer. I held my hands up.

"Okay. I can't do this anymore. If you can't trust me, I'm done."

He just looked at me.

I exhaled and walked away.

I found Jasper and asked him to take me home. He agreed and, when we walked past the living room, Jacob had already gone. I saw Jessica Stanley fussing over Edward, rubbing his knuckles and cooing to him. His eyes met mine and I looked away.

Jasper looked uncomfortable and drove in silence. Tears were rolling down my face and I was making a real streaky mess by wiping them with a tissue. It was only a short drive from Angela's and, when Jasper pulled up, he turned to me.

"Edward is a good guy, really," he sighed, noticing how upset I was. "He's just wanted you for so long, he can't stand the thought of any competition."

"But he wants to control me."

Jasper took in a long breath.

"He's had a lot to drink. He wouldn't normally be so...um...unreasonable."

"He doesn't trust me."

"I don't think that's it. I think he loves you, but he's frightened that you might prefer someone who has always been there for you."

Wait a minute! Jasper thinks Edward loves me?

"But, I don't want Jacob," I whined. "He's like my brother…it feels all wrong."

Jasper laughed.

I didn't think it was funny and a whole new round of tears began to fall.

"Don't cry. You two are good together…you'll work it out."

I sniffed.

"You think?"

"Yeah, sure."

He gave me a quick, friendly hug.

I picked up my stuff and opened the door while Jasper got out of the car to walk me in. I didn't need it; I just wanted to be alone for a while.

"It's okay. I'm good."

He looked at me, surprised.

"Well, I'll wait 'til you get in, okay?"

"Sure. Thanks."

I fumbled in my purse for my keys as I walked up the path. I turned the lock and signaled a thumbs-up across to Jasper.

He nodded and waved before pulling away. I tugged off my cape as I let the door swing closed. Shutting my eyes, I leaned my back against it, enjoying the sensation of the cold seeping through my thin costume while I replayed the argument with Edward in my head.

Sighing softly, I slowly opened my eyes.

That was when I realized that something was very wrong.

A/N Argh, a cliffy! Sorry everyone.(Runs away to hide in case anyone throws something.) I will try not to leave you hanging too long for the next chapter.

But if I get lots of lovely reviews it might force me to post it sooner than I was planning…just saying…

May I also take this chance to wish everyone who reads this all the best for 2013.

Take care
Claire x