I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Fran, thank you for taking your time to edit for me.

Ch. 12

BPOV

Fine?

Nice?

Good?

Those weren't the words I was hoping for to describe my routine. To be honest, I'm not sure what I really expected from Edward but I hated how he could make me doubt myself.

Perhaps that was just what he wanted — he wasn't quiet about how much he was against me doing this. Maybe he wanted me to doubt myself so I would chicken out and not dance.

I thought I had performed well. I wasn't shaky, and it felt as if it had flowed with the music. In fact, up until I fell, I thought it was my best to date.

I'm not sure what happened that caused Edward to react the way he did. His eyes had been dark and predatory; I seriously thought I was in trouble for a moment. The last time he was like that was after our first kiss when he claimed it was too much for him.

He appeared flustered afterwards, and I could tell he wasn't telling me the truth. That pissed me off, too. He keeps saying he wants to earn my trust, but how can he do that by lying to me.

Twice today, I almost ended up in a compromising position with him. I felt a gravitational pull that made it hard resist him. I knew it would be foolish to give in, since I couldn't be with someone who was still going to continue to lie to me.

I placed the last pin in the red wig — wincing when it dug into my scalp. I adjusted it then whipped my head around a bit to make sure it would stay firmly in place. After one last check to make sure none of my brown hair was visible, I left for work.

My plan was to get there early to speak with Jerome. I need to do this while I still had the courage to do so.

I entered through the back, into the dark hallway. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the lack of light. Instead of heading to the dressing room, I went for Jerome's office.

I reached his door just as it was opening, and he stepped out with a strange grin on his face.

"China, what are you doing down here?" he asked.

"I wanted to talk to you about the tryout for the new dancer." I used my best seductive smile.

"Oh I forgot you were interested in that. I just hired three girls for the price of one; I'm getting a deal." He looked into the room. "They are from Russia and speak very little English. However, I doubt any guy that comes here will care." He chuckled darkly.

"Ladies, this is one of our waitresses, China. China, meet The Sirens." He waved the ladies out of his office.

I took a step back as three, tall blonde women sauntered out of the room. Each of them had flawless porcelain skin. I took another step back when I instantly noticed their golden eyes with a hint of shadow under them.

They were vampires.

I wondered if the Cullens knew about them, and if they did, why hadn't they mentioned anything to me.

The one that stood in the middle looked me up and down appraisingly. Her strawberry curls framed her face perfectly. She was undoubtedly the prettiest vampire I had ever seen.

"Hello," she said with a thick accent, her wide smile showed off her straight, white teeth.

"Hi, I hope you ladies like it here." I met her stare evenly.

She smirked and tossed her head and her eyes danced as if she had found me amusing.

"Excuse me; I need to get ready for tonight." I started to turn.

"China, would you be a doll," he paused to chuckle at his own little joke. The guy really creeped me out sometimes. "Would you show The Sirens their dressing room?"

"Of course; ladies, follow me." I turned my back on them and walked down the hall.

Although, I didn't hear any footsteps, I knew they were following closely. Slightly uncomfortable with them behind me, I slowed and stepped to the side until I was even with one of them.

"So you moved here from Russia?" I questioned, eyeing them.

The one with the strawberry blonde hair grinned and let out a small musical laugh. "Yes, we have come to stay with our cousins. We have missed them and thought it was time for us to be together again. Our cousin, Venus, put in a good word for us here."

I hid my surprise as I continued to smile. "Well, that was nice of her.

"Oh, I am sure that I will. I have plenty to catch up on with an old friend. We have a lot of lost time to make up for now that he has no more distractions," she off-handedly remarked.

My insides clenched and twisted, as I knew she was speaking of Edward and the distraction comment struck a nerve. I fought to keep my face neutral. I got the feeling she was purposely trying to provoke me. She wasn't even bothering to pretend to speak broken English.

"Your dressing room is right here, ladies. Best of luck." I gestured toward the door and walked away.

When I entered my dressing area, I saw Rose fluffing her hair while looking in the mirror. When she saw me, her face broke out into a Cheshire grin.

"Evening, China," she said lightly.

"Venus, I just had the pleasure of meeting your cousins." I dropped my bag and disappeared behind the curtain. I pulled out my phone and checked for messages but found none.

"Did you? Aren't they great? I am so happy they could come. It has been too long. Everyone is excited that they could make the trip. Edward and Tanya have always had a special relationship. He thought she would be perfect as a dancer," Rose announced sounding a bit too pleased.

If she was trying to antagonize me, I wasn't going to let her succeed. Still, I was more than a little annoyed that I was left out of the loop. They knew I was planning to dance so that I could get the information I needed. They had plenty of opportunities to tell me that they could have cousins help in this area. Instead, they went above me and didn't even seek my opinion on the matter. They begged me to help, but right now, it seemed as though they more or less want to take control from me.

I stepped out from behind the curtain and looked Rose right in the eye. "A little heads-up would've been nice. If Tanya makes Edward happy, then I'm happy for him. Edward deserves someone special to spend his entire life with," I stated calmly though I felt cold inside.

Rose's smile faltered slightly. "You're happy for them?" She seemed disappointed that I wasn't more upset.

"That's what I said." I stated again.

"But what about … I thought you wanted to be changed," she lowered her voice.

"No, I don't."

What would the point be if he doesn't want it?

I'm glad that I hadn't given in to him at this point. Tanya showing up only proves that Edward could easily be happy with someone else. A vampire would make a better mate for him, since she could keep him happy for all eternity. Where I would only be with him for a short while. He didn't want me for eternity so why force myself on him. I wasn't going to be changed just so I could to end up alone.

"You don't." Rose frowned, looking confused.

"Are you having problem listening tonight. I thought of everyone in the family, that news would please you the most. Well, second to your brother that is." I challenged her; her eyes narrowed but she remained silent. "Once upon a time it made sense to me. But I woke up to reality instead of believing in fairy tales."

I turned and checked my appearance.

Gwen rushed into the room, so our conversation ended.

SG

An hour later, I walked up to the bar towards Emmett. One of the things we had decided on was whenever the patrons were going to buy me a drink or a shot, I would get the order filled by Emmett. He would give me something non-alcoholic that looked like a match so no one would know difference. In the past, I trusted Dylan to do it, but I didn't have the same amount of trust toward him anymore.

Rose was standing in front of him waiting for an order. It didn't escape my notice that things seemed tense between the two. She said something I couldn't hear, and he shook his head slightly. Even though she had a smile on her face, her eyes tightened. She turned sharply and nearly plowed me over in passing.

I leaned against the counter and placed down my tray. "Five shots of Jack for booth six, please." I asked.

Emmett glanced behind me and nodded. He went to work still looking upset, which was unusual for him.

"Everything okay?" I asked.

He nodded placing the glasses on the tray. He tapped his finger twice against the one that was for me.

With a sigh, I turned and headed back to the table. The boys were celebrating a guy's divorce by getting drunk.

"You'll toast with us right?" One of the guys looked at me blurry eyed. He blinked a few times having trouble focusing on me — even though I was two feet in front of him.

"What are we toasting to?" I picked up my glass.

"To my hag of an ex-wife. Ding-dong the wicked witch is gone." One of the men slurred.

"Pft. I'm not raising a glass to that bitch." His friend next to me spat on me as he spoke. I fought not to cringe that my arm was now wet.

"We should toast to the pretty waitress. To China!" a third guy spoke up, he was leaning forward to read my name tag; his nose came close to my chest so I took a tiny step back.

"To China!" The other three chorused loudly. A few men at the surrounding tables also chimed in on the action.

I raised my glass with them and downed the apple juice as they downed their whiskey.

"Dang, did you see that? She downed that whiskey like it was nothing. She's my kind of girl." The one that one almost poked my chest with his nose grinned. He was eyeing me wolfishly.

"Can I get you boys, another round?" I asked.

"Make it a double, beautiful. Will you join …who are they?" something behind me distracted him.

I glanced and noticed The Sirens were getting ready to make their debut.

"That would be The Sirens; this is their first night. I hope you enjoy them; I'll be right back with your drinks." I smirked and headed to the bar.

"Another round, make it a double, but just for four this time." I caught the damp cloth Emmett tossed at me.

"Got it." He grabbed the old glasses off the tray.

I wiped my arms off and tossed it on the counter. "Thank you."

"Not a problem. I'm walking you to your car tonight. Please, don't argue with me." Emmett put the new glasses on the tray.

"I won't argue." It would give me a chance to find out why no one told me about The Sirens and find out more about Tanya.

SG

I had just finished getting dressed when Gwen stormed into the room clearly upset. "Have you seen them? No one looks that good naturally. They had to have had work done," she spat bitterly.

"I saw, and I think you're right. There is nothing natural about them." I laughed at my own private joke. I didn't care if they heard after the way they tried to provoke me earlier.

"This isn't my day at all. Tips were poor because all those men were slobbering over the new girls. Obviously, Jerome didn't give me a second thought about being a dancer, and I could've used the pay raise.

On top of everything, I made a total ass of myself earlier trying to pick up a guy, who turned out to be a kid still in high school. He had this gorgeous rust-colored hair, and these golden eyes. I didn't even know that eye color was possible until recently. He was such a gentleman, catching my lottery ticket and handing it back to me. Like a fool, I offered to take him out and share my winnings if I won. He then told me it can't be a school night because momwon't allow him. Argh! I felt like such a fool," she lamented.

I wondered if she met Edward. If so, it seems as if he was keeping even more from me.

"Well maybe your luck will change and you will win the lottery," I suggested with a smile.

"One could only hope." She sighed picking up her bag. "Have a good night."

"You too," I called after her.

I met Emmett at the door a few minutes later. We walked for a few minutes before I spoke up. I didn't comment about Rose not being with him since I was pleased I could talk to him alone.

"So why didn't anyone tell me about The Sirens?" I asked. I figured I would more than likely get the truth from Emmett before I would get it from Edward.

"I wish I could've told you. But I didn't know myself until they showed up after we got back from your place." Emmett shrugged his massive shoulders.

"Did Edward know?" I prompted.

"I think you should talk to him about that." Emmett responded.

"I would if I thought I could get the truth. He still has a habit of leaving things out, or I would have gotten a call or something about The Sirens. I trust you though not to hold back."

"He didn't until he got back from your place. None of us … Well except for Rose, was trying to keep this from you. By the time we found out, they already had the job. Rose thought it was the best solution so neither of you had to dance," Emmett explained after a moment of silence.

"Then why not suggest it to me beforehand? Don't get me wrong, I wasn't looking forward to that part, but it kind of feels as if she went behind my back." I wasn't happy that I felt like I was losing control of my job.

A big gust of wind came, and I pulled my jacket tighter to me. Emmett moved to my other side shielding the wind for me.

"I apologize on her behalf. You're not the only upset by this. Alice is beyond pissed with Rose at the moment. I'm not too happy with her myself." Emmett looked behind us briefly and sighed as he turned forward.

"What about Edward? Rose mentioned that he thought Tanya would be perfect for dancing. Where he said I …" I couldn't help but ask; I stopped before finishing when Emmett perked up.

He chuckled, but it was without any humor. "Edward isn't completely pleased either. He said Tanya, Kate, and Irina would be perfect for the job, but not the way Rose was trying imply. They are masters in the art of seduction. Giving that they are succubi, they have been trapping men for even longer than Carlisle has been alive."

"Wait…doesn't a succubus kill their prey when they are done?" They had golden eyes, but I wasn't sure if I should be worried.

"They used to a long time ago, but they decided they loved men too much to kill them." Emmet waggled his eyebrows. "Don't go believing everything Rose and Tanya have been saying either. Most of it is utter bullshit."

"I figured they were up to something, but why would they lie? Were they trying to make me jealous or something?" I asked in irritation.

"Bingo. That's why Alice was pissed; she knew it wouldn't work, or it would backfire. You caught on quickly; I've forgotten how observant you are."

"Is that why you're so upset with Rose?" I asked.

He sighed and hung his head a bit. "I hate arguing and going against her, but she is wrong on this one. If you and Edward are to work things out, it needs to be between the two of you and no juvenile high school games."

I was amazed to see this side of him. He was rarely so serious. He sighed again before smirking at something.

"So what did Edward say about your performance?"

I shook my head, refusing to tell him.

"Come on I shared; now you share." He elbowed me knocking me slightly off balance.

I regained my footing and glared at him as a small smile twisted on his lips.

"He said it was nice, and it was fine. So, if you were hoping for anything to happen, it didn't. Except that he almost lost control for lusting after my blood." I winced wishing I didn't add the last part. Knowing Emmett, he will probably tease Edward.

Emmett snorted, which quickly turned into full-blown laughing. "He said what?"

"Shit. I shouldn't have said anything," I muttered under my breath.

"Don't worry, I won't say a word — except I highly doubt it was your blood he wanted." Emmett snickered; his mood seemed much lighter.

"Then what else could it be?" I wondered out loud.

"That is for you and Edward to discuss." Emmett winked. "He was probably trying to dissuade you from dancing because he's worried about you getting hurt. Between Carver, the club, and Victoria; he's been stressing overtime."

"Wait … Victoria? Why would he be worried about her?" We had reached my car, but I hadn't pulled out my keys just yet.

"After we killed James, we've been concerned Victoria would want revenge," he explained.

They knew she would want revenge and they left me as a sitting duck for her? I took a step back from him and fumbled for my keys.

"Awww…shit. I shouldn't have said that. Look Edward can explain…"

I held up my hand stopping him. "Don't worry about it. Victoria is dead."

"Wait, she's dead? Are you sure?" Emmett looked surprised.

"Yes, I saw her burn with my own eyes after the wolf pack destroyed her when she tried to attack me," I snapped as my anger started to boil.

"Fuck … fuck… she attacked you and we weren't there … Shit…Edward is going to go ballistic. How the fuck am I going to keep that from him? That wasn't supposed to happen. That's why…" Emmett started rambling and abruptly stopped when his phone rang.

He pulled it out and grimaced at the message.

"That's why, what?" I demanded.

He shoved his phone into his pocket and shook his head. "Edward should explain," he said adamantly.

"But that's the problem isn't it? Edward doesn't really tell me anything despite all this crap that he says he will!" I growled.

Poor Emmett looked at a loss for words, and I felt horrible for yelling at him. "I'm sorry, Em. It's Edward, I'm mad at, not you."

"If I thought it would help I would tell you. However, it is only right for Edward to do so. In his time, men protected their spouse or lover by either making decisions for them or shielding them from hurtful things." Emmett reminded me.

"However, this is 2007, not the early 1900s; things have changed," I huffed.

"I know, but sometimes things are deeply engrained into our minds on how to do things. And it's especially hard to change once we're vampires. He is trying, Bella," Emmett said softly.

I nodded silently. "I should go, school tomorrow."

"Right. I almost forgot. The others won't be in school Monday or Tuesday due to the sun. You won't see Edward tonight either. He went hunting with Carlisle and Jasper. If you want, either Alice or I will come over and keep an eye out." Emmett offered.

"I think I will be all right. Thank you," I said softly. I unlocked my door and turned back to him. "Do you need a ride?"

"I'm going to run back. See ya, tomorrow night." He took a couple of steps away.

"Night, Emmett." I slid in and immediately locked my door.

I looked up, and Emmett was gone.

I ran my hands over my face and took a deep breath. They knew about Victoria, and they left. One part of me felt hurt while the other part of me was pissed. How and why would they leave me, knowing I was in danger like that, yet claim they were worried it would happen?

I wiped the tears of frustration from my eyes and started the car to go home.

I already knew it was going to be another sleepless night.

A/N: Many of you will probably be relieved that Bella will not be stripping(dancing) at the club. There have been a lot of guesses that the Denali sisters would step in or at least Tanya.

I'm sure there are some of you upset with Rose and Tanya trying to make Bella jealous. If you haven't caught on it isn't going to work. And Bella won't give them what they want.

Bella's comment about Tanya being a better match, isn't her looking down at herself; more or less, she's thinking another vampire would be best in the long run so Edward wouldn't be alone. She doesn't understand the mating connection, or that she is Edward's mate.

Of course, Bella is now upset with Edward again for not informing of her things. Do you blame her? Hopefully, he will have a good explanation.

Does he have an excuse for not telling her? Should it have been Rose since it was her idea? Are you pleased to see the sisters at all? What about Bella not wanting to be changed any more?

Thank you, for all the love and reviews, you have given my story.