Stephenie Meyer created Twilight. No copyright infringement intended – just lots of fun!

Thanks for the wonderful reviews, and welcome to all the new readers who signed up for alerts this week.

A special thanks to gabby871 for an 'inspired' description of Tanya in one of her reviews, which I have plagiarized shamelessly. :)

There's one fairly significant 'tweak to the Twiverse' this chapter. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.

Posted: Sunday, August 7th 2011
Words: 4170

Chapter 14

Competition

BPOV

"Bella, you'll want to shower and change your clothes," Alice informed me once we were inside the house.

I blinked at her. She was a bossy little thing and, considering her track-record, a little overconfident with her predictions. She had missed the whole 'Edward going psycho in the middle of school' episode, but she'd been right about my appreciating the overshirt and wipes, which was something...I supposed.

I shrugged. "Sure…I guess." Almost twenty-four hours had passed since I'd last showered and changed, but without needing sleep, I was finding it difficult to keep track of time. I'd managed to avoid ruining my clothes when I'd fed this time, other than the black shirt which I'd left in tatters on the lawn. I wasn't too worried about it, as I gathered that was its purpose. Edward's shirt was another matter.

Looking out into the night, I saw that the yard had been cleared of the remnants of both the shirts and the deer's body, which made sense. It didn't take a genius IQ, or a superior, supernatural brain, to know it wasn't a great idea to leave evidence of the Cullens' alternate lifestyle just lying around for anyone to see.

Alice tugged me insistently toward the stairs, but I resisted, jerking her to a halt. It wasn't that I didn't want to go with her—after rolling around in the grass, first with a deer, and then with Edward, I knew I could probably do with a shower—but to accomplish that task I'd have to let go of Edward's hand.

I started to tremble, my insides turning to jelly.

Even counting the time I'd been semi-conscious, we'd spent less than a week together, and yet I was panicking at the thought of a few moments separation.

When had I become so pathetic? Oh right, probably around the time I woke up to my new life as a freakin' vampire!

No doubt informed of my imminent anxiety attack by Jasper, who'd been watching us quietly from just inside the door, Edward edged closer and began rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand. I calmed instantly, his touch sending a sweet, tingling sensation racing up my arm.

"Alice will take good care of you," he assured me with an encouraging smile.

"Yeah, okay," I murmured. His smile widened, and I swayed inexorably toward him.

"I'll meet you back here in ten minutes…no make that five," he promised.

Even that seemed too long, and I reconsidered my need of a shower. Maybe I could get by with just using some more wipes?

"Edward," Alice rebuked. "The Denalis will be here in fifty-two minutes, and I'm sure Bella would like some time to prepare."

The Denalis? Here?

I gasped and snatched my hand from Edward's, Alice's words breaking the spell that had held me captive to his gaze.

"Please, don't worry. They're coming to help us; you don't have to be afraid."

I wasn't sure if Edward had recognized my fear from my body language or if Jasper had tattled on me. Either way, he was way off the mark as to the cause of my anxiety…fortunately.

I glanced to Jasper who returned my worried look with a wink, making me wonder if he was protecting my secret. I still wasn't all that sure how their gifts worked, but it was good to know he didn't have to tell Edward everything I felt. Overwhelming jealousy wasn't something I was used to feeling, or particularly proud of, but the thought of three beautiful, single female vampires vying for Edward's attention was more than I could handle.

Without a word I turned to leave with Alice. Every second counted, though for what, I wasn't exactly sure.

"Meet you back here when you're ready?" Edward called after me, his voice sounding uncertain. I nodded, glancing over my shoulder, then raced up the stairs and along the hallway, my feet barely connecting with the polished timber. Alice followed me into the oversized bathroom and closed the door behind us.

"So…Bella." She grinned. "We have a couple of choices to make. You can go all out and knock everyone's socks off with a truly daring ensemble, or you can just be yourself and wear something more in keeping with your usual style, knowing that Edward will be entirely smitten either way."

"You think so?" I whispered, afraid he might hear us. "You really think he likes me, likes me?"

"Oh, sweetheart, that boy is putty in your hands. You've absolutely no reason for concern…or jealousy," she added dryly. I cringed, embarrassed that she'd seen through me so easily.

"But if you feel like having a little fun, I can suggest a compromise," she continued in that quicksilver, chirpy way of hers.

My head jerked up, and I eyed her with cautious interest. "What sort of a compromise?" I thought it might be a little too obvious if I went down to meet Edward's family 'dressed to kill'...so to speak.

"My idea is simple. I picked out an outfit that I've seen you wear—you look fabulous in it—and I know, without a doubt, that it will bowl Edward over. After you've tried it on, you can change into something more suitable for a little family get together, but believe me, the damage will already be done."

I frowned at her, confused. "So, you'll get Edward to come and see me in the fancy clothes and then I'll get changed? Won't that seem a little weird?"

"Oh, no need for that. You can just show me, and I'll make sure Edward is watching."

A slow smile spread across my face as I considered Alice's plan. I wasn't much for dressing up, but the thought of 'bowling Edward over,' right before my competition arrived—all three of them—held a very strong appeal.

I was tempted to avoid looking at my reflection in the mirror after Alice left me to shower, but an irresistible curiosity drew me in its direction. That wild, out-of-control kiss had left me feeling...different. Would it show? Or would this new epiphany of sensation, longing, and desire be hidden by the changes that made the new 'me' so unrecognizable?

I froze, stunned by the image of the girl reflected back at me. She was even more amazing than I remembered, and oh yes…the effects of that wild make-out session were clearly visible. Her long hair was tousled in what could only be described as sensual disarray...bed hair. A spaghetti strap from her camisole had fallen off one shoulder, leaving the smooth, creamy flesh totally exposed, and her lips were red and swollen. But it was the eyes, with their smoky sheen and sultry, sleepy, half-lowered lids that told the biggest tale. This girl was seriously hot, and she looked like she'd done things that I could only dream of.

The bewildering thing was that this girl, who somehow reminded me of a younger, sexier—if that was even possible—Angelina Jolie…was me! And I had done the things that put that look in her eyes. Just remembering made me sway a little on my feet.

Who was this girl, and what had she done with plain, insecure but reliable Isabella Swan?

I was tempted to shower quickly, but I took some time under the soothing spray to try and make sense of my careening thoughts. The possessiveness I felt for Edward wasn't logical—I barely knew him!—but I wanted him like I'd never wanted anything before in my life. I should be focusing on my family, their loss, my loss, but I'd somehow managed to lock my grief away...no doubt temporarily. I knew the pain and confusion would be waiting for me whenever I chose to open that particular door, or when it forced its way open, but for now I had the world's best-looking vampire to impress. My confidence was at an all-time high in terms of my new and most definitely improved appearance, but he'd gone this long without noticing the available females in his life. It would be just my luck if he started noticing them now.

Drying quickly, I gave myself over into Alice's extremely capable hands. When I was deemed ready, she left, and I dressed in the little black dress she'd laid out for me. She wanted her first viewing—and Edward's—to be of the final results.

Eyeing the five-inch stilettos I'd strapped to my feet with trepidation, I was surprised to find my newly acquired vampire skills made walking in them ridiculously easy. I quirked an eyebrow. That wasn't something I'd ever imagined being able to do.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to view myself in the full-length mirror and gasped in a startled breath. Even after my earlier viewing, the stunningly beautiful woman reflected back at me was so unlike my mental image of myself that I had to wave a hand to confirm that 'she' was indeed 'me.'

A slow, sultry smile curved my lips.

Yes, this was the image I'd like burned into Edward's brain just before my rivals arrived. He'd said I was the only girl he'd ever been attracted to in his entire life…and I hadn't even been trying.

~OB~

EPOV

I paced across the foyer, awaiting Bella's arrival. It had been nearly forty-three minutes, and I wondered what was taking them so long. Peeking was not an option…but I was sorely tempted.

Oh, Edward, Alice chimed, just when I thought I couldn't wait another minute. There's something I think you might like to see.

Gratefully invading Alice's mind just as she looked up from the fashion magazine she'd been reading, I saw Bella enter the bedroom dressed in a very short, silky black dress. It left her shoulders bare, dipped low in the back and only reached a quarter of the way down her thighs to where her incredibly long, silk-clad, legs stretched to her delicate, stilleto clad feet. Her hair was swept up in a messy, sexy style, and her already stunning eyes smoldered with a smoky sheen.

All the blood left my head and went…elsewhere.

My balance deserted me and I fell sideways, landing on one of Esme's antique tables, demolishing it and sending a large vase of flowers crashing to the floor. The family came running, all except for Alice who was busy laughing and reassuring Bella that I was perfectly fine.

I snorted. I doubted I'd ever be 'fine' again.

What was Alice trying to do to me? Restart my non-beating heart just to kill me all over again?

Ignoring my family's teasing thoughts, I helped Esme clean up the mess I'd made, all the while trying to suppress the tension rising inexorably within me. As much as I would have preferred to think only about Bella, in particular how she looked in that amazing dress...the Denalis were getting close. I'd begun catching snatches of thoughts as their car approached the turn-off to our property.

It had been a few years since I'd seen the clan that was essentially our extended family, choosing not to accompany my family on their trips to Alaska and making sure I was many miles away when the Denalis came to visit. The arguments I'd had with my family over my perceived 'rudeness' were legendary, but in the end I'd chosen my sanity over their understanding.

It's not that I hadn't tried to explain why I wanted to keep my distance…many times, but for reasons I'd never fully understood, this was one battle I always lost. In all other circumstances, Carlisle and Jasper were the epitome of reason and understanding, but not this one. Only Alice had remained my ally, her visions never aligning with the rest of my family's, or the Denalis', determined wishes.

I was not destined to be with Tanya, no matter what she, or anyone else, wanted.

Fear gripped me as I considered the possibility of Bella reacting the same way my family did whenever the Denalis were around.

I should never have agreed to this, I thought, shaking my head as I paced the foyer. My only hope was that she might somehow be as immune to Tanya's charm as I was…as I was determined to be.

~OB~

BPOV

Edward was waiting for me at the foot of the stairs, as promised. He smiled up at me, but the expression didn't quite reach his eyes.

What had I been thinking, wanting him to see me all dressed up like that? Did he think badly of me for wearing such a daring outfit, or was he disappointed that I'd changed into casual clothes?

I hesitated at the top of the stairs, feeling like an idiot for having behaved so out of character...that's assuming my character had survived my transformation. I hadn't exactly been 'myself' lately.

Edward closed the distance between us in the space of a heartbeat. He reached out, and I gratefully placed my hand in his, carefully returning his gentle, reassuring squeeze. When he stared down at me, I swayed closer, my body drawn to his like a magnet.

"You look wonderful," he whispered huskily.

"Thanks. So do you," I replied in similarly hushed tones, as sweet, tingly butterflies invaded my stomach at the sexy timber of his voice. I had changed into jeans and a dark blue sweater, nothing special, though I had to admit Alice seemed to have very nice taste in clothes. Edward, on the other hand, was wearing casual black pants that hung quite low on his hips, and a grey shirt that hugged his torso in a way that made my mouth go dry. I found myself wondering what he thought of the dress I'd modeled for Alice—and him—but was too shy to ask.

The realization caused me to smile. Hopefully my character hadn't changed that much after all, bloodlust and occasional episodes of outrageous behavior notwithstanding.

The sound of a vehicle pulling up to the front of the house caught my attention, that and the alarmingly close, crystal clear voices I could suddenly hear.

I flinched, and tightened my grip on Edward's hand.

"It's all right, Bella. It's just Carlisle and Esme greeting the Denalis."

"But it sounds like they're standing right next to us!" I looked around in alarm. Edward had no reason to lie, but it sounded like his parents and the others were standing right beside us, not outside the house.

"It's one of those things about being a vampire that can take some getting used to...being able to hear everything," Edward said with a rueful shrug. "The family has been keeping the noise down as much as possible so as not to alarm you. But you're coping so well, they're letting themselves get back to normal."

Coping well, I mused. I was glad someone thought so. Considering my behavior out on the back lawn, I didn't want to know what 'not coping' looked like.

"Should we go and meet your friends?" I ventured when Edward seemed content to ignore the reunion occurring downstairs. I would have been quite happy to forgo the meeting altogether, but hiding from a challenge, or an unpleasant situation, was not normally my style. Besides, I was curious. I could hear every word of greeting and the rushed explanations, answering rapid-fire questions, about the chaos I'd brought into the Cullen's lives...well, Edward had brought, I supposed. The chaos extended to my life as much, if not more, than theirs.

Edward flinched, not for the first time since we'd met on the stairs, and I leaned back to look into his eyes, wondering at the tension I could feel in his muscles and sensed hidden behind his strained smile.

"Edward?"

"Yes, of course." He nodded, and then surprised me by pulling me close for a quick embrace. I smiled against the wall of his chest, the expression lingering on my face as hand-in-hand we descended the stairs together, almost managing a human pace.

Hesitating at the entrance to the living room where the Cullens and their guests had assembled, his wide brow furrowed into a frown. "Remember, there's nothing to be afraid of. They're our friends."

I nodded, Edward's tensely spoken words not creating the effect I think he intended, as I wondered what it was about the Denalis that bothered him so much.

We entered the room together with our hands tightly clasped…maybe a little too tightly, I realized as I felt the bones in Edward's hand grind together.

"Sorry," I whispered, quickly easing my grip. Glancing up, I caught him smothering a wince.

"It's not a problem," he replied, his smile surprisingly intimate considering the size of our audience.

I knew there was a room full of vampires watching us—eleven of them to be precise—but while every one of my newly enhanced senses was on alert, I couldn't drag my eyes away from Edward's tender gaze.

Then he winced…again, his body radiating tension. Could vampires suffer from headaches? I wondered, concerned.

Stepping closer to my side, he released my hand to tuck me beneath his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around me. "Bella, I'd like to introduce you to our northern cousins." He gestured toward the visitors with a brief nod of his head but kept his eyes fixed on mine. "Everyone, this is my…This is, Bella."

I returned his smile, then taking a deep breath to bolster my courage, I turned to face the room full of vampires…ridiculously good-looking vampires.

"Hi," I offered weakly, swallowing hard, feeling like I'd walked onto the set of a daytime soap-opera.

Everyone was standing, the Cullens to either side of the room and the Denalis in the middle. Carlisle introduced me to Eleazar and Carmen whose Spanish heritage was quite evident, despite their vampire 'pallor.' They smiled in greeting, as did Kate and Irina, but it was Tanya who captured my attention. She was a stunning strawberry-blonde, dressed in a very tight, red dress that showed off the sort of swimsuit-model body that normally graced the cover of a men's magazine. Her smile sent a shiver running down my spine and caused venom to pool in my mouth, the word barracuda coming to mind.

Jealousy reared its ugly head as I wondered how I could hope to compete with her sophistication. While I knew I looked different—better than I had when I was still human—that barely assimilated knowledge didn't stop my old insecurities coming to the fore.

"Edward, darling," Tanya purred, ignoring me completely as she sauntered toward us. "You have been a naughty boy. What would the Volturi say if they knew you'd changed a child?"

Edward growled, reacting to Tanya's clearly inflammatory words, though I wasn't quite sure of the context. My hackles rose, and my shield activated of its own accord...the best I could manage was to keep it wrapped close around Edward and myself. I risked a quick glance at Jasper, but he seemed oblivious to the sudden tension, and I wondered why he wasn't helping.

Edward's arm tightened around my shoulder, "Bella is seventeen years old," he hissed. "The exact same age I was at my change."

Tanya stopped a few feet short of us, regarding me with a dismissive glance. "How sweet," she murmured, her voice sounded anything but. "Maybe we can include her in our fun…since she's almost legal."

Edward shuddered violently, and Tanya's smile widened.

I looked around the room, bewildered. Something horrible was happening to Edward, and yet none of his family were reacting other than to gaze adoringly at the woman, whom I suspected, was tormenting him in some way.

"Leave her out of this," Edward growled, his tone and expression positively feral.

"Oh, I don't think that's going to be an option," Tanya murmured as she turned her attention my way. She reached out, as if she was going to touch my cheek, only to pull back with a hiss when she came in contact with my shield.

"Mmm, the kitten has claws," she muttered, her lips curling into a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes.

I wasn't sure what was going on, but knew enough to want to get the hell out of there, especially if the Cullens weren't going to intervene. Dragging Edward toward the door, I had one goal, to get him to safety, but to my surprise he did his best to hold us in place.

"It's all right, Bella. Tanya and her family are here to help. We need them." His reassuring tone was at definite odds with the tension I felt radiating from his body.

"Yes, of course," Tanya interjected as I reluctantly allowed Edward to draw me back into the room. "We're here to help, aren't we?" She included her family who all added their assurances, along with a few laughing comments about 'newborn skittishness.'

As far as I was concerned, my reaction didn't have anything to do with my being a newborn, and everything to do with the fact that something weird was going on—well, weirder—and that something was hurting Edward.

We took our seats on one of the leather couches, the others following our lead and seating themselves around the room.

Don't worry; Tanya is lovely and very trustworthy. Edward just over-reacted.

The thought came from nowhere, taking me by surprise. I shook my head, trying to clear a sudden fuzzy feeling. Looking up, I saw Tanya watching me from the seat she had taken directly across from us.

She was lovely, and only had our best interests at heart. How could anyone think otherwise?

I sat back a little and relaxed against Edward.

Why had I wanted to leave? I guess I'd over-reacted too.

Tanya smiled at me, and I smiled back.

She and Edward were so well-suited and clearly destined to be together. It didn't make sense that he kept fighting the inevitable. I should step back and let fate take its course, now that Edward had finally 'awakened' to the possibility of being in a relationship. It was only right that he should be with his one, true love.

The thoughts made perfect sense...except that they didn't. I frowned and shook my head again, tapping the heel of my hand against the side of my head.

I didn't really think those things...did I?

A sudden determination gripped me as I remembered Edward's earlier comments. He'd been adamant he wasn't interested in Tanya.

No, I didn't think or believe those things.

Looking around the room at the uncomfortable expressions on the Cullens' faces, I saw the furtive glances they sent our way, and wondered if they were struggling with the same, intrusive thoughts. They'd probably accepted them easily enough in the past, but I imagined the situation was a little more complicated...with me there.

Of one thing I was fairly certain, Tanya was using some sort of mind control. She must have a talent, like Edward, Alice, and Jasper, though I wondered why no one had warned me about it…unless they didn't know. Whatever was happening, I wasn't about to let her control me or continue hurting Edward. From the thoughts she'd tried to force upon me, it seemed she wanted to possess him, not harm him, but regardless of her motives, he was hurting and she was to blame.

I had to find a way to block her control. The thoughts that continued to press against my mind were seriously compelling, and I could imagine how easy it would be to surrender to their allure.

I sat back, keeping a bland expression on my face...as best I could. Tanya seemed satisfied with my apparent submission and allowed the conversation to return to neutral ground. While the two families began to discuss the upcoming memorial service and ideas for hiding Edward and me from the wolves, I let the words flow around me and considered my options. Tanya wasn't the only one with a talent, and while I barely knew anything about mine—how it worked, or what it was capable of—I decdied that now was as good a time as any to learn.

Not even sure if it was possible, I concentrated as fiercely as I could on blocking her thoughts. The shield intensified instantly, its faint glow flickering in my peripheral vision. Seconds passed, then a minute, with no other change, but then the unwelcome yet strangely fascinating thoughts grew quieter and became easier to ignore.

Yes!

I hid my triumphant smile behind my hand and concentrated on blocking the thoughts completely. It took a while, but eventually I could no longer hear the faint 'hum' of Tanya's power. When I was confident I had enough control to maintain my shield at a consistent level, I turned all my efforts to blocking Tanya's attack on Edward.

He was mine, and she wasn't going to hurt him anymore!

~OB~

Can't you just picture her growling away while she's thinking this?

Please review. Reading your thoughts and ideas is such a buzz and very encouraging. :-)

xxx TLS