Note: I quoted from Queer As Folk in this chapter: can you find it? (: Even if you haven't watched QAF (How, though, have you not? :o), it's a bit obvious, I think. Maybe there'll even be a surprise if you get it right.. XD

Warnings: Cheesy stuff. Cursing. Serious conversations.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, or any of the characters associated with it. All rights to Stephanie Meyer. I do not own the Queer As Folk, quote, either!

Chapter 21: A Firm Basis for a Relationship

Edward's POV:

Alice pulled the knot on Edward's tie firmly and then double checked it to make sure it wasn't loose. Edward didn't move, standing stock still, as she inspected her work.

Jacob and Jasper were in the room opposite of the one Edward and Alice were occupying, getting ready for the date. Jacob had insisted that they get ready separately, so as to increase the excitement and surprise. After all, it 'was their first date', as Jacob had said exasperatedly when Edward had asked.

Edward had rolled his eyes. Why worry about such frivolous things? He'd rather get ready together, but when he had suggested it, Jacob had, unexpectedly, blushed, mumbling something along the lines of 'counter-productive to our goal'.

Of course, this made Edward insist more upon their getting ready together, now excited about something that was not the date, but Jasper had intervened here, pushing him out the door and saying he was going to stay with Jacob so Edward wouldn't "prey upon Jacob's 'maiden head'", to which Jacob had squawked indignantly about, playing along and saying: "I am no fair maiden, sir!".

Edward had laughed outside the door, hearing their bickering.

He was chuckling now, thinking about it. Alice glared at him, as his shaking body had interrupted her observations.

"If you want me to help you, you're going to have to stay still," the Vampiress said. "Now," she said, rubbing her palms together, like a mad scientist with a plot, "seeing as I am the one who bought all of your clothing, shoes, etcetera, I will be the one to choose your entire attire. You tuxedo is a deep, sea blue, your tie is black, so your shoes will have to match." She began mumbling to herself about these things, completely immersed.

Edward rocked back onto his heels, whistling 'Razorblade' by The Strokes. He mimicked having a drum set in front of him, acted like he had the sticks and was battering away at them. The next moment, he was playing an air guitar, which would have been rather impressive if (a) there was music and (b) someone was watching—Alice was too preoccupied searching for the 'perfect shoes to highlight his suit, blah, blah' and, therefore, missed it.

When she turned around, she caught a peek of him playing, what was surely, the tiniest violin on Earth. She smiled at him indulgently, holding out a pair of black loafers—Stacy Adam's, to be precise. Edward took them with a mocking bow and a salute. Alice rolled her eyes at his childish behaviour.

"So, Alice? Do tell me why you think it a good idea to distance yourself from Jasper, rather than tell him the truth about the Vision you saw for the future?"

Alice looked at Edward, expression carefully neutral. "I do believe, dearest Edward, that that is none of your business."

"You see, dear sister, I object. I've read your mind, Alice—after all, you can't quote Shakespeare all the time. I've seen how you've lost sight of Jasper's future at different intervals of his life. I've also noticed that the same thing happened when Jacob Imprinted on me. You can't see my future anymore, can you?"

Alice shook her head, seeing no reason to deny this: it was the truth, after all.

Edward continued, "I've reached the same conclusion as you: something about the Shifters blocks your ability to See their future. Seeing as my future is Jacob's future, my future is blocked, too. If we can assume with a high percentage of guarantee, I'd imagine that Jasper is set to get involved with a Shifter, as well. Correct?" Edward asked.

"That's my assumption, yes. Of course, Jasper's future didn't disappear until Emmett had placed the bet with him, immediately after that his future became… impossible to see." Alice frowned, obviously discomforted by the fact. "Seth has to be the missing link; I know it. Somehow, he will be the one."

Edward considered this. He had to agree; it made a certain amount of sense. "You still have not answered my question," Edward prompted.

Alice sighed. "Before Jasper's future became… blank, I had Seen him, sad and lonely. See, when you decided to break up with Bella, moments after the party, I had a Vision." Here, Alice glanced up at Edward uncertainly. Edward nodded to show that the topic no longer bothered him, conveying his approval, a 'proceed'. "I saw Bella and myself together. I mean to say, we were involved… romantically," she clarified unnecessarily.

Edward nodded again, with a tinge of impatience. He wanted her to move this along.

"By the time the break up was confirmed, I was already anticipating it, excited and happy—our future seemed a guarantee. However, Jasper hovered over it like a rain cloud. Any Vision pertaining to him showed sadness, one of them even showed him reverting to feeding off of Humans," Alice said sadly.

Edward winced at the possibility of it. Jasper had worked so hard in trying to stick with the family diet, even though it was a lot harder for him. But he'd done it without question, for Alice. Knowing that he may revert caused a certain distress to Edward.

"I was worried for him," Alice continued, "but I didn't know how to explain it. I'm sure he's felt my moods, which have been shifting rather fast, depending on my thoughts. Yet, he hasn't said a word, letting me come to terms with it, expecting me to come to him when I'm ready, like always. I can't though." She looked at Edward with tears in her eyes. "Even if this Seth Imprints on him, he will feel pain still. I still love Jasper, but it is not meant to be. How do I explain that to him?"

"Alice, calm yourself, please," Edward said gently. "Jasper and Jacob could enter at any moment." Edward touched her hand before letting go. "Now, about Jasper and Bella: It seems that Jasper being involved with Seth is a guarantee, so no worries there. Bella, you'll have to talk to her, though I advise against trying anything too soon."

Alice nodded. "Do you think it strange, Fate's plan? Before Bella, I never like girls, not even remotely. Now, it seems I'm bisexual," she stated wonderingly.

"Same here. Fate is intricate and complex, but it has its reasons for everything it does. But there's one thing to keep in mind," he said.

"And what is that?" she asked curiously.

"That it's okay to like cock. And it's okay to like pussy, too. Just not at the same time." Alice laughed as Edward pulled her into a hug.

[][][]

When Edward saw Jacob, his heart beat like a hummingbird's wings. He thought his heart would burst out of his chest from the combined wave of adoration and lust that surged forth when he caught sight of the silky, black tresses, the white tux with the black silk vest, the perfectly polished loafers, the handsome face curved into a shy smile. Edward's heart fluttered again.

"Wow," he said intelligently—when he could speak. Jacob chuckled at the fact that he had rendered Edward speechless. Jacob was speechless himself, however, as the sight of Edward in an exotic blue tuxedo, and a silver vest. He had to reign in his thoughts before his mind brought forth other pictures.

Edward grinned, reading Jacob's mind, suddenly much more sure of himself now that he knew they were on equal footing. He held out his arm for Jacob to take.

"Think we're overdressed?" he stage whispered to Jacob, looking over at Jasper who was dressed modestly in a pair of black slacks and a maroon vest, a white V-neck underneath.

"No such thing," Jacob whispered back in kind, with a wink.

Edward laughed. "Shall we, then?" he asked Jacob and Jasper. He received two nods, one enthusiastic and the other more self-conscious. He led them out the door.

[][][]

When they arrived in La Push—the sun already setting making the sky dark, hardly enough sunlight to really look at anybody and see their eyes without aid by fluorescent lighting or light from the sun—Edward was sure it would be to a Pack of Wolves prepared to chide Jasper and himself about safety and promptness. He was surprised, then, to see only Leah and Seth waiting for them when they pulled up in front of the Clearwater house.

Leah was fussing over Seth, rearranging his hair with her saliva and dusting off imaginary fluff from his outfit, which consisted of tight blue jeans, a light blue vest, and a white Hollister T-shirt. Jasper seemed relieved that Seth had also decided to dress more casually. Edward was beginning to feel uncomfortable in his tux. Jacob, as if sensing it, rubbed his thigh reassuringly from where he sat in the front passenger seat of the Edward's Jeep Wrangler.

Jasper got out of the Jeep to greet Seth, while Jacob and Edward stayed in the vehicle, nodding and waving their salutations. Giving Seth a small hug, Jasper said a soft 'hello' to both Seth and Leah.

Leah looked at him critically, much like she had examined Edward when they had first met. She must have approved, for the next minute she pulled Jasper into a brief hug before pushing him away saying, "My brother is to be at this house at exactly eleven o'clock and not a second later. Not a hair on his head is to be harmed and if I find out— —"

"Leah!" Seth groaned, clapping a hand over her mouth, trying to stop her. She continued to speak, but all that came out were muffled words along the lines of, "You hmmmf noffn muggn!" Jasper nodded his 'comprehension'. Leah seemed satisfied, giving Seth a hug and waving to Jacob and Edward before turning on her heel and heading back into her house.

Jasper gestured towards the Jeep, quoting Edward with a smooth, "Shall we?"

Seth smiled brightly, replying jubilantly, "Yes, we shall."

Edward and Jacob looked at each other from their peripheral vision, thinking the same thing: 'Looks like they set a firm basis for a relationship.'

…TBC…