AN: Twilight character names belong to Stephanie Meyer. All characterizations, plot lines, backgrounds and details belong to the respective author. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without express written authorization.

"Bella? I wondered if you could look at something for me. I mean, you know, if you have time...it's, um...well..."

I looked up to see Tanya biting her lip nervously as she stood in the entrance to my space at work. It was Tuesday morning, May 13th, and I was between meetings. Tanya had come up to my office, and as I lifted my eyebrows, waiting for her to explain what she wanted me to look at that had her so nervous, she sighed and then rolled her eyes.

"Tanya, what do you need?" I asked.

She sighed again, and I watched as she curled her fingers into a fist before speaking. The girl was painfully nervous; I almost felt bad for her.

"So, I write. You know, just...for fun. Well, um, you see..."

I cut her off, lifting a hand. "Tanya, I'm not Mallory here. Stop with the stuttering. What's up? Just ask me."

She relaxed just slightly, and I smiled, nodding at her to continue.

"Alright. So, I wrote this piece for a contest the Chicago Tribune Online is having...it's just a short story - four thousand words - and I wondered if you could maybe look it over for me before I submit it."

I settled even further into my chair and smiled at her. "It means a lot to me that you're willing to let me look at your work with a critical eye, Tanya. Sure. Email me the doc and the premise of the contest. Let me know what kind of feedback you're hoping for and I'll take a look."

Her returning smile was brilliant, and I could have sworn she almost clapped her hands together before stopping herself. "Thank you so much, Bella! God, you have no idea how nervous I was..."

"No worries, Tanya. Send it over."

I watched as she walked briskly back to her desk and took a seat before I turned around to face my computer.

I spent the rest of that day in meetings - about the budget, about the magazine's latest edition, about the special double edition I was heading up. Lauren Mallory and I seemed to have moved into a new stage in our relationship. Instead of just being nicer to me, she seemed to be testing me. I was busier at work than I had ever been, and not with Mike Newton's boring pieces. I was damn near swamped with editing to do, meetings to orchestrate, and the final phase of my project to plan.

Though it was a shock to my system and caused me to have to relearn how to manage my time, I did what needed to be done. I hoped that, in the long run, all of this new responsibility would be enough to earn me a promotion or at least a shot at writing something for the magazine.

Needless to say, Tuesday's work day flew by, and before I knew it, I was collapsing on my couch, a glass of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon in hand. Quiet music played as I waited for the delivery guy to show up. I'd ordered a quick Chinese dinner in the interest of relaxing instead of standing over the stove, and the food was supposed to arrive in twenty minutes.

After pulling myself into a more upright position, I sipped my red wine and hummed appreciatively as it slid down my throat.

As I sat there, I realized I hadn't thought of my two favorite people all day. Edward and Rose had been the furthest thing from my mind as I scurried from meeting to meeting, and there, in my apartment surrounded by the tones of old school Goo Goo Dolls music, I let myself think of them.

My date with Rosalie had been perfect. It was amazing and sexy and sweet, and over all of that, there was a level of ease with her that I couldn't get past. She was so thoughtful and kind, and I was really fucking happy we'd had such a great time. Rosalie and I had a chemistry that was undeniable, and it made me feel damn good.

That said, it seemed like it had been forever since I'd spoken to Edward, so after glancing at the time - 6:45 p.m. - I cut the music, pulled my phone from my back pocket, and dialed his number.

As the line rang, I realized I really missed him, and smiled when I thought about hearing his voice again. I closed my eyes and imagined his laugh...

...and then his fucking voicemail picked up, thereby shattering my anticipation.

"You've reached Edward Cullen. Please leave a message after the tone, and I will return your call as soon as possible. Thank you."

I sighed as the line beeped, and then left a few words. "Hey, Edward, it's Bella. I was just...umm...calling to check in and see how your week has been going. Hope you're having a good one...I...I guess I'll talk to you later. Give me a call, I guess, okay?"

As I hung up the line, I threw the phone to the other end of the couch. I hated leaving messages. I always sounded like an idiot when I did.

Luckily, before I could berate myself too much for leaving such a moronic, rambling message, my doorbell chimed, and I stood up. I paid the delivery man and ate in silence before turning the television on to HGTV and proceeding to watch three hours of What You Get For the Money.

After determining that I should obviously live in Tennessee thanks to the much more affordable cost of living there, I laughed at myself, knowing I could never leave Chicago.

Not with Emmett and Edward and Rose here.

I was still chuckling as I disrobed and stepped into the shower, allowing the warm water to wash away the stress of my day and the inexplicable anxiety that had suddenly welled up in my chest and stomach over the fact that Edward hadn't answered when I called.

That night, I fell asleep early, and quickly. My mind was blank until the alarm went off at seven the next morning.

*~*~*

I arrived at work on time, and the morning flew by. I liked being busy because it kept me from allowing my mind to wander, but when 11 A.M. came and I saw my phone vibrating on my desk, I snatched it up. I was hoping it was Edward, since I hadn't gotten to talk to him the night before.

It was.

"Hello?" I breathed into the line.

"Hello, Bella," he replied in a soft voice. "How are you?"

I laughed mirthlessly. "Swamped at work. How are you?" I wanted to get to the fucking point, to ask where he'd been last night, but I realized that made me sound like some stalker chick as opposed to a girl he was casually dating, and that wasn't a place I wanted to go.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Are you stressed?" His voice was even, and wherever he was, quiet noises were audible in the background.

I sniffed. "A little, but it's okay. Where are you? What is that I'm hearing?"

"I'm at Starbucks. I thought I'd take a morning away from my condo. You know, a little change of scenery." He paused, and then said, "I'm sorry I missed your call last night. I was at a client dinner, and I didn't see your call until much later in the evening."

"Oh, okay," I said, my voice suddenly tight and filled with emotion. "Well, I hope it went well. I've..." My voice fell away as I realized that suddenly, I wanted to get off the phone.

It made no sense, considering how excited I'd been when I'd seen it was Edward calling, but there it was. I realized I was filled with uncertainty; I couldn't let go of the idea that perhaps he wasn't at a client dinner. What if he was out with someone else? I didn't really want to share him, but then I realized that he wasn't aware that he was sharing me, and I shoved that train of thought away as something to think about at a later time.

Besides, what I had with Rosalie was completely different. We'd all three started out together, and I wished we were together still. That was nothing at all like Edward going out with some random new woman.

I was suddenly incredibly grateful for the short peice Tanya had emailed me earlier in the week, and proceeded to use it as an excuse to let him go. "I'm sorry, Edward. I've got to edit this piece for one of my interns, so I'll talk to you later?"

"Yes, of course, Bella. One thing, though. I wondered if you were free Friday night. I'd love to make you dinner at my place, if you'd allow me to."

In spite of the anxiety that had taken up residence in my stomach and chest, I agreed. Even if I'd been angry as all get out with Edward, I would have agreed, and in that instant, I realized that the same logic applied to Rosalie. What I shared with Edward and Rosalie independently was more than physical, even if it had started that way. There was something growing in me, and I couldn't label it, exactly, but I knew that no matter what happened, I needed them both in my life in some capacity.

I couldn't go back.

Edward and I determined that I would come over at 8 that evening. After a quick goodbye, I leaned back into my chair, my eyes focused just above my monitor, and sighed.

As I sat there, contemplating my date with Rosalie the next night and dinner with Edward the night after, I felt momentarily bad for this game I was playing. I knew it was dangerous, but now that I was there, in the middle of what I'd allowed to develop, I couldn't stay away. I needed them both, in some capacity, and though it felt weak to admit that, it was a fact.

I thought briefly that I really wished we'd been able to continue our threesome. It had been simpler for me, at least, though in hindsight, I knew it had been hell for both Rose and Edward. It was selfish of me to wish for something that had been so hard for both of them, and I found myself hoping that we could all somehow find happiness with this new…arrangement.

Before I could get too embroiled in my thoughts, I shook my head and opened Tanya's piece.

It was a short story centered on a day in the life of a city girl in Chicago, and I was shocked to learn that sweet Tanya had a writer's voice that was sardonic and witty. It leant itself well to the tone she was conveying - one of slight disillusionment paired with fierce independence.

I typed up my critique, complete with suggestions for editing purposes, and emailed it back to her, and finally noticed it was nearly four. The rest of the day flew by.

Thursday, I was largely useless at work, and I was simply glad that it was a slow day for me, because my mind was definitely elsewhere. I couldn't stop thinking of Rosalie. I was so excited to hear her favorite deejay; it felt like I was getting to know her even better. The idea that she'd invited only me to accompany her to this show was so complimentary to me. Granted, it didn't seem that Edward would be much for a deejay's music, but still...I was looking forward to seeing Rosalie again, one on one.

And I had to admit to myself that I was just a little smug that she'd chosen me this time.

When five came around, I rushed from the office and arrived home, where I showered and made a quick dinner in the form of a double decker turkey and cheese sandwich. I checked my email and sent a quick text to my brother, just checking in to make sure he was alright, and finally, called Rose.

"Hey, Bella," she answered, her smile evident in her voice.

"Rose! I was wondering what I should wear. What are you wearing?"

She listed off a few options, including a pair of black skinny jeans and a fitted white top with heels, and as soon as the mental image of Rosalie in that outfit crossed my mind, I begged that she wear it.

"Please, Rosalie, for me?" I asked softly.

She giggled and faked a dramatic sigh. "Oh, okay, fine. Do you want to meet me there?"

We agreed to meet at 9:00 - it was 7:30 - at a parking lot that was half a block from the club, and I hung up, almost vibrating; I was so excited to see Rose again.

I dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of my favorite jeans and a black, Asian-inspired top. The thick, purple seaming that criss-crossed at my chest was my favorite detail about the shirt, and I smiled as I ran my hands down my sides, feeling the silken material beneath my palms.

I slipped on a pair of simple black heels and ran a brush through my hair before putting on some light make up and heading out the door, thankful for the warm evening we were having.

The drive was quick, and I easily found parking. By the time I was climbing out of my car, Rosalie was standing at the front of the space I was in, smiling at me broadly. I wiggled my fingers at her as I locked up, and she said, "You look beautiful."

"So do you," I said as she walked toward me.

I leaned against my car, and she took my hand in hers. Quickly, her lips found mine, and she kissed me. It was soft and sweet, and when we parted, I allowed my eyes to remain closed, savoring the moment before she spoke.

"Bella?"

Her tone was so questioning that I popped my eyes open and found that her face was conflicted again. I remembered that look from our day at the spa, and I immediately asked, "What's wrong, Rose?"

"Bella, I... Look, I don't want to ruin the evening, but I have to ask you something."

Suddenly, breathing was difficult. It felt as though my throat had closed, and the muscles in my arms tightened, locking them in place as they hung at my side.

"Oh?" I managed.

She nodded as she ran her fingertips along my jaw. When she finally met my gaze, she asked, "Don't you think we should tell Edward we're seeing each other? I'm going to explode if I can't fess up soon, and he and I have been seeing each other more this week... I just want to be honest."

Rosalie was rambling, and though I kind of felt like shit over the fact that she was clearly worried, all I could think of was that I needed to find a reason to deflect this. I needed a little more time with the two of them on my own. I needed this...arrangement...as badly as I'd needed our threesome, and I couldn't allow it to end.

Not if I couldn't have both of them together.

Not yet.

Fleetingly, I realized that Rosalie was probably one of the most honest people I'd ever meet, and I wondered if Edward would say anything about wanting to be up front with Rose when I saw him the next night.

"Rose, don't you think we should wait? Just a little longer? I don't want you to go to Edward now, and for us to maybe decide to cool off a bit later, you know? Mind you, that's not what I see happening here..." My voice fell away, and I leaned toward her, barely grazing my lips across hers.

Her perfect brow was furrowed for a moment, and her blue eyes bored into my brown ones as she said, "But Bella..." Then, she sighed. I knew she wasn't fully sold on the idea of keeping our relationship a secret, but she shook her head and pulled me forward, in the direction of the club, and I knew the conversation was over, at least for the moment.

I breathed a silent sigh of relief as we stepped into the club. Texture was small but packed, and the music was just starting, a strange mashup of a Lauryn Hill song and a classic hip hop track, both of which gave way to..."Like a Rhinestone Cowboy."

I looked at Rose, who was beginning to grove to the music, and she laughed. "I swear, he's great, Bella. You'll see."

We slipped through the crowd to the bar, and just as I took the first sip of my margarita, the deejay allowed a beat to overtake Neil Diamond's rough vocals, and suddenly, we were surrounded by pulsating drums and guitar riffs. It was nothing short of amazing how well the music sounded, given the independent songs being used to create it, and I smiled appreciatively.

Then, Rosalie pulled me forward and into the crowd, which was already thick and writhing to the beat. As we moved toward the throng of people, I downed my margarita fast enough to give myself a quick brain freeze and placed my empty cup on a table en route to the dance floor.

When we were sufficiently buried among the mass of dancing bodies, I stood still and looked up at the deejay, whose head was bobbing along with the beat he was creating. After a moment, I looked back at Rosalie and was blown away by what I saw.

Her arms were bent at the elbows with her hands relaxed and open at about her shoulder level. Her hips were moving in a rhythmic sort of figure eight, and I thought perhaps I could watch her dance all evening.

Until I looked at her face.

Rose's eyes were closed as she swayed back and forth, and her lips were pursed just slightly as her hair moved along with her body.

She was so beautiful, I could hardly stand it. Memories of my inadequacy overwhelmed me as I stared at her, but then, as though she could hear my thoughts over the chaos of the club's incredible sound system, she slowly opened her eyes and moved toward me, placing her hands gently on my shoulders.

"Come on, baby; dance with me," she whispered in my ear, her warm breath caressing my skin.

I followed her lead, and soon, our bodies were contoured together, moving in the same rhythmic sway as the music transformed yet again, this time to a quieter, more ambient style.

We danced that way, not speaking, our bodies saying more than our mouths ever could, until the deejay ended his set. By the close of the night, I had a new appreciation for Rosalie's lithe form; she was all beautiful curves and smooth lines, and though I was hot and sweaty because we'd spent three hours dancing without a break - not even for another drink - I felt a different kind of heat developing inside of me, and I wanted Rosalie so badly, I could scarcely focus on anything else.

In the silence of the club, Rosalie and I walked out to the lobby area, holding hands. We made our way through the entrance, and once we stepped outside, a cool breeze swirled around us, a wonderful relief after the seemingly warm air of the dance club.

"Did you like it?" she asked, with a laugh, and I realized I was humming Neil Diamond as we walked down the street toward our cars.

I smiled back at her, giving her hand a squeeze. "I did. What was the guy's name again?"

"Z-Trip," she replied. "I'm really glad you like it. He's definitely just as good live as he is on the albums I have."

We made small talk until we arrived back at our cars, and I prayed she wouldn't bring up the conversation she wanted to have with Edward again. I just wasn't prepared to talk about it at that moment - I wanted to enjoy the end of my night out with Rose, and not think about anything else.

I leaned against my car and ran a hand through my hair, and as I did so, I closed my eyes.

Suddenly, Rose's lips were on mine as she pressed me against the cool metal frame. Her hands splayed over my hips and pushed their way under my shirt, and in response to the sensation of her body against mine again, I growled.

She slipped her tongue between my lips, which accepted her readily.

As her hands crept further upward, and her fingertips grazed the base of my bra, she moved her mouth to suck on what I'm sure was the salty skin of my neck, thanks to the light sheen of perspiration that had been on my body since we'd arrived at the club.

When I spoke, my voice was rough. "Oh God, Rosalie, please. Take me home." She nipped at my earlobe as I begged once more. "Please."

She pulled abruptly away from me and said, "Whatever you want, Bella," in a voice I could hardly recognize. It was heavy and thick like mine, and it sounded as though she had something more to say, but had squelched it.

I didn't press as she kissed me once more and gave a low command. "Follow me."

I nodded and climbed into my car.

As I followed her home, I couldn't help but shift several times in my seat at the thought of her mouth on me again, of her fingers on my bare skin again, of me doing the same things to her.

When we arrived at her condo, I parked and walked inside with her. By the time the elevator doors were closed, I had pressed her against the wall, placing a searing kiss on her lips, and she surprised the hell out of me by reaching down and unzipping my pants as soon as the bell dinged, signaling our ascent to her floor.

"Rosalie!" I gasped quietly as she pulled the fly of my jeans apart, making space for her hand.

"Bella!" she mocked, and at that precise moment, she slipped her hand down the front of my panties and touched the most sensitive part of my body, probing gently with her fingers.

As Rosalie touched me, I closed my eyes and moaned quietly. Her palm was flush with my skin, and her fingers moved softly against my clit as we continued to move upward. "Bella," she whispered. "Bella, baby, when we get to my place, I need you to take these off immediately," she paused, tugging with her free hand at the waist of my jeans, "and then I need you to sit on my couch."

"Okay," I managed to whisper, just as she slowly pulled her hand away from my body and the goddamn doors opened.

Her unused hand curved around my elbow, and as I held the two sides of my jeans together, we walked through the hall and inside her condo. Immediately, right inside the door, I slipped my shoes off, and walked to her living room.

Rosalie watched me as I stepped out of my jeans, and then I watched as she did the same. With the flick of a hand, her shirt was off. In response, I pulled my shirt over my head as well, and then we stood there, eyeing each other carefully.

In that instant, my mind moved back to the beginning of our evening, yet again.

I couldn't let go of Rosalie's desire to come clean about things to Edward. She hadn't really given in to my request that we not tell Edward; I could just tell that I hadn't heard the last of it, but before I could think too much about it, Rosalie whispered, "Sit down, Bella."

I took two steps backward and sat down silently as Rose moved toward me. She knelt before me and placed her fingers on my knees, spreading them to make room for her body as she balanced on her knees.

She kissed me, her hips placed perfectly between my thighs, and as I lifted my hands to her shoulders, she parted her lips and for the umpteenth time, I tasted her on my tongue. She was soft and sweet, and when she pulled away, I was aware that where the last time we'd been together - a mere few days before - had been light-hearted, fun, even, this felt different.

The air was thick. Heavy. It felt like a sheet around us, and as she walked her fingers around my rib cage to the clasp of my bra, she pulled away from my lips, and I lowered my mouth her her shoulder, kissing her lightly as she freed my breasts from their enclosure.

"Absolutely beautiful," she breathed.

I was wearing cotton boy shorts, and I shivered as she traced her fingers along my hip.

Rose lowered her body so that she was sitting on her heels, and when her fingers swept across the place where my thighs and hips formed the apex of my legs, I gasped.

She easily moved the material over and when I watched - actually fucking watched - her tongue slide along my most sensitive skin, I murmured, "Oh, God. Rosalie."

Her tongue slid up and down, moving tantalizingly slowly, and when she finally traced it around my clit, I groaned and pressed myself back into the couch, overwhelmed by how good it felt to have her mouth on me yet again. Her lips were so soft, her skin smooth, and the absence of the stubble that always made me cringe and brace myself despite how good it felt was…heavenly.

Rose pushed my thighs, slightly widening my position as she continued to lick and suck at my skin, and by the time I was writhing beneath the work of her lips and tongue, I could scarcely breathe. As I gasped for air, she wouldn't let up, even when I whispered, "Rose, oh God, I'm so sensitive, baby, please..."

In my somewhat lounging position, I watched as her cerulean eyes focused on mine and she began to run her tongue around my clit again, and it felt so good despite the way that every nerve ending I had was firing on all pistons, and my entire body had broken out in a light sheen of sweat.

"Rose. Rose, fuck, I'm going to... oh God," I stammered as she led me to another release.

I was actually fucking whimpering when she pulled her mouth away from me, and when she smiled up at me and then stood before walking to the bathroom, I was so drained I could hardly move.

I heard the water running, and then she returned to me with a fresh face and a towel for me. She also handed me a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt. "You don't have to stay the night, Bella," she said quietly. "But I thought you might want to change."

I gathered my strength and spoke softly in response. "Rose, I would actually love to stay if you'll have me, but after that amazing gift you just gave me, I'm exhausted, so I will probably be boring...so, if you don't mind just going to sleep, since I have to get up crazy early..."

She cut me off with a grin, her voice still low. "No problem, Bella. I wasn't expecting you to....anyway, yeah. Let's go to bed. Z-Trip and then you in one evening? I'm pretty beat, too."

I found myself actually blushing as she openly admitted that pleasuring me had worn her out while I followed her to her room. "I'm going to make a pit stop," I said when we entered her room, and I pointed to the open bathroom door. She nodded and moved to her dresser while I made my way to the sink to wash up.

I rinsed my face and changed my clothes, fleetingly wishing I'd had the forethought to bring a new set of clothes. And underwear. I was going to have to leave stupidly early to go home before work in the morning.

I walked back into the room and Rose asked that I flip the switch to turn the light off. I did, and when I laid next to her, I was barely conscious when I heard her say, "Bella, I meant what I said about telling Edward...We'll talk about it later."

I was too tired to argue against her, so I mumbled something incomprehensible, hoping she'd drop it by morning.

Within minutes, I was asleep.

AN: We know Bella's selfish. And now you can see that she knows it, too. There's a bit of a slow burn developing here, so be sure to pay close attention to detail. We're also approaching the point in this story where the plot intersects with "Emulsion", so look for that soon-ish.

Also, Z-Trip is a real deejay, and he really does mash up classic hip hop and rock and Neil Diamond, and it's pretty impressive and fun. The set he would have performed in this chapter is from his album "Uneasy Listening (Against the Grain, Volume 1)", which is actually a collab with DJ P.

In other news: We're contemplating a Darksper story, and if we get it done, it will post here, on our joint pen name, so be sure to put us on author alert if you're interested.

Finally, we both wrote a little something for Ms. K's Haiti Compilation, so if you donated and therefore have 1800 pages of fic to read through, look for us – ahizelm and SorceressCirce.

Thank you for reading.