summary: Does anyone know what polyfidelity means? Edward wants Bella. One problem: he's with Alice, and Bella is married to Jasper.

characters (this chapter): Bella, Edward, Rosalie, Tanya, Alice

warnings: au/ah. wip.

disclaimer: fic•tion [fíksh'n]: literary works of imagination

author's notes: update time! i'm really glad everyone is enjoying this story so much. thanks to all of you that are reviewing/commenting.

OF LOVE AND RAZORBLADES

chapter 13: lying is the most fun a girl can have

BPOV

Rosalie was having one of her days. Granted, lately Rosalie was having a lot of these days, because her wedding was getting closer and things were starting to shape up. If I thought I'd seen her excited before, I'd seen nothing yet. It had been a week since Jasper returned, and things were finally getting back to normal, to what it was before, except none of my friends knew what had happened, and I hadn't spoken to Alice for almost two weeks now. Not since skipping out of the dress-fitting to go help Esme.

"Esme is going to help me decorate the garden," Rosalie told me and Tanya over lunch. Whatever pills Esme was taking, or whatever therapy she had agreed to, it seemed that she was slowly but surely getting her life back on track. It seemed fast, it had after all only been two weeks, but something told me that designing and decorating for Rosalie's wedding got her mind of things the way that few things had done in the previous months. I rejoiced in seeing Esme – and in turn Rose – this excited. "Tanya is picking out flowers with me this afternoon, and Bee honey, don't forget that Alice expects you at three for your bridesmaid dress."

"I will be there on time, and will turn off my cellphone if I have to. This dress is happening," I smiled at Rose, though the corners of my mouth probably betrayed my less-than-eager willingness to be poked and measured by Alice. Rosalie went back to her magazines, not commenting, and perhaps not even noticing my hesitation. I knew that from the way Tanya was staring at me, she'd noticed all too well.

"How would you guys think about getting Alice her tat?" Rosalie asked without looking up from her bridal magazine.

I almost choked on my coffee once Rosalie's question had fully sunk in. And here I thought I was just enjoying another normal lunch with my girls, without there being any need for anyone else, least of all Alice.

"Don't you think it's a little early for that?" Tanya answered for me while I continued coughing, her eyes going wide in question. Tanya had gotten her tattoo months after meeting us, in her stead I would be offended too. And besides, the tattoo wasn't mandatory or anything; we'd started out with wearing rings at first, until Emmett had gotten Rosalie's name tattooed on his shoulder one drunken night. We'd all gotten the little ring tattoo a week later.

"You don't think she's ready?" Rosalie looked up at us, frowning.

Tanya and I exchanged looks before looking back at Rosalie. "Look Rose, she's been helping us out tremendously," I started, not sure exactly where this conversation would go. I remembered the condition Jasper had set me a week ago, and I had every intention of abiding by it, but I wasn't going to blurt everything out during our lunch break. "...and she's absolutely fabulous, but..." I was at a loss for words.

"But what?" Rose's eyes went wide now too. I probably wasn't making a whole lot of sense. "You're the one who suggested we..." I didn't need anyone to tell me this had been my idea from the start; I'd been beating myself up about it enough already. Seriously, my bottom lip was starting to feel like mush from all the worrying.

"I know that," I said, but that was before little Miss Sunshine decided it was okay to take what she saw and claim it, that was before she thought she would get away with mind-fucking with Jazz and me, and going around behind all our backs. "And now I'm having second thoughts." That was putting it to her gently. I wasn't having seconds thoughts; Alice was going down, simple as that. "Look, I have to go," I said, looking for any excuse to get out of this conversation. "We can talk about this later."

I realised this was about as close to a fight Rose and I had ever gotten. I hated it, but I wasn't going to destroy this dream wedding for her. All I had to do was get through the afternoon, and then maybe I could tell her everything. She wasn't going to like the idea that I'd kept it from her, but I couldn't risk Alice backing out of this party now.

"Bee, wait up." I heard Tanya's heels tap the ground behind me. She grabbed my shoulder and whirled me around in the middle of the quad. "What's going on?" she asked, worry riddled across her features. I should have known she would notice. In any other circumstances Rosalie would have noticed too. I might have had Jazz back, but from the moment I had found out what Alice had done to him, a fist had coiled tightly around my heart, and hadn't let go since. "I thought there were no secrets between us," Tanya added.

I knew she was right, keeping this from my friends was one of the most horrible things I'd ever done, especially when I knew they would support me every step of the way. "I don't want to ruin this for Rose, Tan. I know how much Alice's help means to her." I looked up at Tanya, and took hold of her hand, lacing our fingers together. "I just don't think she's any good for us."

"So there is something?" Tanya stared at me hard, unrelenting. Jazz's condition came floating back in my mind. He'd made me promise I wouldn't go behind anyone's back. I had to tell Rose, Emmett and Tanya about what Alice had done, even though he'd hoped it would never come to that. But then I had found out what happened, and now he felt like everyone should know. He hadn't specified when to tell them though.

"If I tell you something, can you promise me you won't tell Rose?" I asked Tanya. I made myself promise there and then that next time I saw Emmett, he'd learn the truth as well.

EPOV

"And the Raven never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On that pallid bust of Pallas, just above my chamber door

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming

And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on floor

Shall be lifted – Nevermore!"

It always surprised how quiet the classroom went when I recited poems out loud. I remembered that when I used to take classes like this, I'd get fidgety in my seat and it couldn't be over soon enough. I supposed I should feel grateful I had their attention for as long as it lasted. I'd noticed Bella sneaking into my class ten minutes in, and she'd remained quietly attentive the entire time I taught. I supposed she was either curious about my classes, or being polite after I had attended one of Doctor Cullen's classes.

"Well well, Miss Hale. How nice of you to join us today," I told her once I'd handed out class assignments and she walked over to me. She seemed a lot happier and better rested than last time I saw her, which was about a week ago now. I was glad to see her okay again. I also hadn't forgotten the promise I'd made myself. Bella was off-limits, even more now than ever.

"And miss you revering the great Poe?" she said, raising an eyebrow in the process. I noticed she had her own copy of Poe's collected works with her. "Not a chance," she added, biting down on her bottom lip as she cast down her eyes. Was it just me, or was she acting shy? Was it an act or was she for real? "I really enjoyed it," she said, brushing her hair back behind her ears. "You're a great teacher."

Definitely an act. But at this point I wasn't sure I minded. I'd gotten used to Bella playing games around me; I didn't plan on dissuading her in her attempts. It was all good fun after all.

"Thank you," I said, grabbing my things. We walked out of the classroom and into the hallway together. I needed to get to my office, because some students had requested a conference with me right after class. And I didn't have anything better to do; Alice would be working at the store all afternoon. "I heard Jasper's back," I said, hoping to steer this conversation in another direction. Bella was definitely flirting with me again, but very differently than before. "That's good news." And even though I wouldn't mind her continuing her innuendos, I felt like I had to make her realise I wouldn't give in.

"Yeah, since last Tuesday," she nodded, still biting down on her bottom lip. She threw her hair back and ran a hand through it, wafts of her perfume flying in my direction. I cleared my throat, keeping a steady pace, but Bella had no problem keeping up with me. "Hey, he's got... baseball tickets for this weekend," Bella said. I stared at her sideways and frowned. "And Rosalie is dragging Emmett to a family dinner, so if you're interested..." Was she asking me if I wanted to go watch a baseball match with the one man I'd been desperate to hate since I'd met her? "I don't know anything about baseball," she shrugged, crunching her nose. It was adorable.

"Shame shame Miss Hale," I said. Maybe I'd been wrong, maybe she wasn't flirting with me at all. Maybe Jasper's absence and the toll it took on her had shown us both that we belonged with our respective partners, and not with each other. "You do know it's the American pastime, right?"

"You play?" she looked up at me curiously. If ever there was a time where I thought I had Bella figured out, I was proven wrong right there and then. I didn't know what she was trying at all. I'd always known she was a nice girl, but right now it almost seemed like she was trying the high-school girl routine on me.

"My uhm... father taught me how to pitch," I said, coming to a halt in front of the office I shared with Professor Molina. "I was a pretty decent little leaguer," I chuckled, losing myself in thought. This felt like the first real conversation Bella and I had ever shared. I knew she lost her parents, just like she knew I'd lost mine. Was she hoping we'd bond over that?

"I bet you're a lot like him," Bella said softly, a cute little smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. I snapped out of my thoughts instantly; I frowned at Bella. "Your father," she added, and looked me deep into the eyes. I didn't know what to say. This girl was the biggest puzzle I'd ever met. I still had very clear memories of both my parents, but I'd never shared them with anyone.

"Is there a reason why you're following me to my office?" I asked, trying to get off this topic of my parents. Bella was messing with my head again. It was strange how easily I let her.

"Oh, no reason in particular," Bella shook her head gently, and shrugged again. I frowned at myself when she looked away from me. She fiddled with the spine of the book she was holding, and didn't look back up at me when she continued. "I just wanted to thank you, for the other day. You uhm... you have a way with people." It's only then that she looked up at me. The look in her eyes left me speechless; it was one of genuine and undying gratitude. "Thank you for putting up with me."

"Any time," I smiled jokingly.

BPOV

"Why don't Rose's parents want her to get married?" Alice asked me during our afternoon get-together, to which I arrived five minutes early thank you very much. Alice was putting her measuring tape around my torso, right underneath my breasts, and pulled it tight around my ribcage. I couldn't help but think about how these were the same hands she'd groped Jasper with. I almost crawled out of my skin.

"They think she's only getting married because she sees how well it's working for Jasper and me," I answered, trying to concentrate on my reflection in the three-fold mirror in front of me. I'd kept my tank top on, because I knew I had some bruises at the small of my back, and I didn't need Alice asking me about them. In fact, I would have given just about anything to not go through this now, but I had to make Alice believe that Jasper hadn't told me anything, and that we were just as close friends as before. I thought I was doing a pretty decent job.

"That's a little silly," Alice said, writing down my measurements in her little pink notebook before returning her attention to me. "Anyone can see that Rose and Em love each other." I had to give her that much, she was right about Rosalie and Emmett. I knew she'd been spending quite some time with them these past few weeks, and neither of my two friends were exactly shy or introverted. They loved each other, and for as long as I'd known them both, they had made no secret about that.

"Yeah, it's sad," I said, remembering vividly how Rosalie had stormed into the apartment, tears in her eyes, telling Jasper and me that her parents didn't want her to get married. Ever since that day, Rose's relationship with her parents had gone from bad to worse every time they spoke. Her father had even frozen her trust fund for another five years; she'd only get the money when she was twenty-six. "But try stopping Rose." Because from the moment Emmett and her had met in high school, nothing or no one had ever separated them. Or so I was told.

The room went eerily silent after that. I figured part of Alice must have felt guilty about what she did, or at the least she was ashamed of what she'd done. Some part of me didn't want to believe that at all; if it was up to me she wouldn't get the luxury to feel guilty. I'd already made my first move towards Edward. Even though I could easily tell I caught him off guard earlier today, I was confident that we could become closer friends.

"Do you... dabble?" I asked suddenly, because the silence was giving me too much time to think about my plans, and I preferred scheming away from Alice. She looked at me in the mirror. "I know you're bisexual," I shrugged with one shoulder as she went back to her work, putting her measuring tape around my hips.

"Sometimes, but only with girls," she answered, not once looking at me. I guessed that either she was very comfortable talking about this in general, or I'd given her the impression that she could confide in me. I liked that idea, it would only make it easier for me to break her. The sooner, the better.

"And Edward doesn't mind?" I asked. Edward had told me once that Alice had her – how did he put it – her liaisons, so he must know about some of them. From the way he had said it, I'd always gotten the impression that it bothered him. I wondered if they ever fought about it, or if it was one of those things left unspoken between couples.

"As long as he doesn't know, he doesn't mind," Alice answered. "But I'm never obvious about it; he doesn't like that." Aha, it seemed that I was getting down to some kind of truth, and one I could definitely use. So Edward didn't know about her extra-curricular activities, or most of them it seemed. I'd have to talk to Tanya about that sometime soon. "What about Jasper?" Alice suddenly asked, my eyes snapping at her reflection in the mirror.

"What about him?" I frowned.

"Come on, the sex you two have must be mind-blowing," Alice chuckled, not noticing that while she returned to her work, my eyes were transfixed on her reflection. "I mean, he's strong right?"

I almost lost it right there and then, my heart skipping a beat inside my chest. Who exactly did this bitch think she was? She had to know that Jasper and I were extremely close, we were fucking married after all. Where in her right mind did she find the nerve to ask me about our sex-life? I tried to focus on my breathing instead of answering.

"Bella?" Alice called out. "I'm sorry if I said..."

It's only then that I realised it: she really had no idea that I knew. I knew that I was trying everything to hide that I did, but she didn't even suspect. This was unbelievable.

"No, it's okay," I shook my head, hoping I came across as confused; maybe she'd buy that too. "It's uhm... it's pretty amazing yeah," I nodded, running a hand through my long hair. "Even after six years." Personally I thought our sex life in the past week was at an all-time high. Maybe absence really did make the heart grow fonder, I knew it had made me hotter for Jasper than ever before.

"You guys experiment?" she asked, grabbing a piece of fabric that she draped around my chest. I had no idea what she was doing, but going by the determination in her eyes, Alice had done this quite a few times before. I was going to look amazing; it was almost too much to think about.

"You mean like, with toys and stuff? Sure." I figured there was no need to hold anything back at this point. As far as Alice was concerned, we were bonding, and as long as she believed that, it seemed I would get the most useful information.

"And other people?" Alice said, completely focused on the garment that was beginning to shape up around me. She put pins in to hold it in place, most careful not to prick me in the process.

My mouth almost immediately wanted to yell NO! and don't you think you can weasel your way into my bed bitch, but I thought the better of it. "Sometimes," I nodded, trying to keep as still as possible. "Jasper likes to watch me come." Alice looked up at me briefly, throwing me a coy smile. "He never touches anyone but me though," I added, hoping to dissuade her from any future ventures in trying to seduce my husband.

"Why's that?" Alice frowned, and straightened herself out, moving to stand behind me.

"His past mostly," I shrugged.

"It was dark? Like yours?" She looked at me in the mirror.

I only nodded at her reflection in response.

please read and review!