oh no. Tanya came up with some kind of code to defeat poor Edward.

Sneaky Esme. Interesting mix of books. Interesting way to try and find a way around Edward's mind reading.

Oh, poor Edward. Interesting duel with the Volturi and the girls.

Interesting talent for Eleazar. Good for Jasper and panic for Tanya.

even shopping, good for Jasper. now all the attention will be on Edward, poor boy.

The exchange between Carlisle and Esme was great - found his heart's desire has he? good to see mama bear Esme for all her children.

Love Esme. Not his type of girl. So many other funny lines. Just what I need today a good laugh.

I loved the story!

"Just so you know, there's been something of a to-do here." Your Edward is the master of the understatement!

It looks like Carlisle might have bit off more than the Cullen's can chew - I can just picture the total chaos reigning in the house right now.

Givemesomevamp rec'd this over at the Wordybitches site today, and I thought I'd give it a try. I love things written in 'canon', and especially things that delve into the different characters and their personalities. I think I'm going to LOVE this fic!

givemesomevamp recommended your story at :

I’ll admit it. I don’t read fics with no stated pairing unless they’ve been recommended by someone whose taste I really trust, which explains how I (along with many others) overlooked this gem of a story. Today I hope to correct this wrong.

Fair Game is set pre-Twilight, and it begins with the Cullens’ first introduction to those succubi that we all love to hate. That’s right. This is a Denali-centric fic, except I don’t hate them here. In fact, after the first few chapters, I find myself dusting off my pompoms and practicing my high kicks in hopes they score.

Chapter one opens with Edward, Carlisle, and Esme coming upon a massacred herd while hunting and deciding to investigate:

On the very edge of my hearing, I caught one faint thought. Now on to sweeter prey!

“There is another vampire, further to the west. It’s not a mind I recognize.”

Carlisle’s eyes turned westward. “How far?”

“It’s difficult to tell, maybe eight miles. No more than ten. I could barely hear her.”

“Her?” Esme did her best, but I caught the hopes that suddenly darted through her mind. When would she figure out I was simply happier without a mate? “Another ‘vegetarian’ vampire?”

“So it would appear.” Carlisle looked at us indecisively. “Would you two prefer to hunt? I think I’ll go meet our neighbor.”

“You’d find her faster if I came along,” I pointed out. There were more than half a dozen caribou in that pit, more than even a desperately thirsty vampire would need. Whoever this female was, she didn’t hunt alone. I didn’t want Carlisle waltzing off by himself to meet another coven. They may have hunted caribou this time, but that didn’t mean they were necessarily nice. We’d avoided trouble with other vampires for a long time, mostly because we were such a large family.

“Yes, I’d like to meet this female too.” Esme didn’t even bother trying to hide her thoughts this time. I gave her an annoyed look. She shrugged. Alice and Jasper were a delightful surprise. Perhaps this female will be too.

As the Cullens track them, Edward realizes the strangers are hunting as well – just not for blood.

“There are a lot more Hispanics in the Midwest now. Good Catholic boys. They always present a delicious challenge.” The explicit images that went through her head would have made me blush if I were still human.

Esme looked up at me. What on earth are they talking about?

I was not going to tell my mother what I’d just seen. “They don’t hunt to kill. They hunt to… seduce.”

Esme huffed. Then they’re definitely NOT your type of girls.

“You want good Catholic boys, then go to a monastery,” a male voice said dismissively. “You females fret over this far too much. They all crack sooner or later. Aro and Caius weren’t much of a surprise, but even Marcus couldn’t resist for more than a few months.”

Carlisle’s jaw dropped.

“They hunt male vampires too?” Esme hissed. “No wonder Alice was against us coming here.”

“Oh, it was a surprise to Aro,” the fourth female voice purred, “let me assure you.”

Carlisle put a hand over his eyes. I can’t believe I’m hearing this.

“I can’t believe I’m seeing this!” I hissed.

One of my favorite parts in this fic is the glimpse of Esme’s jealousy. But she’s not the only mate that gets all wound up.

Alice was waiting on the front sidewalk for me, tapping her foot impatiently. “I can’t believe you invited them over!”

A bemused Jasper sat on the porch step.

“I didn’t invite them. Carlisle did.”

“You saw their thoughts, you knew what would happen, and you let Carlisle say that?”

I felt as bewildered as Jasper looked. Alice had expected me to stop Carlisle? “They’re game-hunters. Like us. You know as well as I do how rare that is. Why not invite them over?”

Alice’s voice was shrill. “Why not? WHY NOT? Edward, I never in my wildest dreams imagined you this dense! Why do you think I’ve been opposed to this move from day one?”

Now it was my turn to get angry. “You saw something bad happening and YOU DIDN’T TELL US?”

“Oh, I thought about telling you, but the second I decided to, I saw how much quicker it’d all happen. Staying silent was our best chance. And now you and Carlisle go and ruin it!” She was breathing quickly, her face twisting under tears that could not fall. All of you will succumb, Edward — even Carlisle! ALL of you!

Turning on her heel, she dashed up into the house, slamming the front door so hard the glass cracked. I’m going to lose Jasper! I saw him in her arms!

“So,” Jasper asked conversationally, “how was your day?”

And I thought my gift could be a curse! Looking at Jasper, I shrugged. “Met a coven of nymphomaniac ‘vegetarians.’ Saw Esme plan a dozen different ways to slaughter them. Oh, and Carlisle invited them to dinner — metaphorically — for which, apparently, I am to blame.”

Alice’s visions of all of the Cullen males succumbing to the Denali sisters brings chaos for a bit, further convincing Edward he’s better without a mate.

I’ve got a serious crush on this fic, and I also adore Eowyn77′s characterizations! Emmett is funny and carefree without being stupid. Jasper is loving and strong and *shock, gasp, awe* I really enjoy him and Alice together in this fic. Of course, that could be because Bella’s not in the picture yet…

This fic is told from Edward’s POV, and I believe he is portrayed the way Stephanie Meyer envisioned him to be. He’s knowledgeable because of his gift, yet he’s not omnipotent. In fact, he misses quite a bit. He’s a virgin without being portrayed as pathetic or overly prude, but above all else, he’s a gentleman true to his upbringing.

As always, I’m torn between wanting to tell y’all why this fic is SOOOO awesome, original, hilarious, *insert synonym for awesomeness here*, and giving too much away. What I will say is that this fic has far too few reviews to be so well-written and incredibly clever. If you’re tired of reading the same portrayal of the Denali sisters (aka vapid whores), then I encourage you to give this a shot. And, by the way, it’s complete! What more could you want?

Seriously, I could copy and paste it all here, but I’d rather you go and leave her some love. And (of course) finish reading the fic to see if the Denali sisters succeed in their quest for…male domination.

Aw - darn! I wish you'd written more of this - or even an outright sequel - maybe call it 'Persistence' or 'Restraint'? :-D

I love this so much. I laughed and laughed through the seduction scenes. Brilliant and funny and very well written! Thanks for sharing!

Extremely well-written and hilariously entertaining.

I think you captured Edward very well. And Esme, too.

Tanya's turn was very fun to read about. Chess, of all things. It was very creative :)

And Irina.. She's very daring isn't she?xD

But Kate was my favorite. I liked her chapter the best.

Good story! Oh Edward, such a gentleman.