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Jasper

I glanced over with a grin at Edward and Marie. They fit perfectly together, and I could see in his eyes how much he loved her. He gave me a tired, grateful smile when I moved closer to the kids, keeping an eye on them so Marie could have a break. She'd done a lot better this time when he'd been gone for a few days. We could all see that Edward was becoming necessary to her…but I wasn't sure if that was really a good thing. If Marie got too dependent on him…I shook my head. Not really my business who that girl loved, but I cared about her. It was different than the other women somehow. She didn't seem to just see me as a bodyguard or a security guard at the shelter where she lived. I wasn't just the muscle keeping her safe, although I certainly was that too.

We had a whole team here, and although Emmett and I were most commonly inside and around the shelter itself, we also had men and woman escorting the women around and keeping guard at the front. But Marie had been to my home, which wasn't forbidden or anything…but she was also friends with my wife. She was in love with my soon to be brother-in-law. If things went the way Alice predicted, and her predictions were usually scarily accurate, then Marie and I would soon be brother and sister. It was a nice thought.

I knew Alice had hoped Marie would take over her apartment, but even she could admit that that would be a huge step for the girl and that she might not be ready to be alone somewhere. That man was still out there, and I didn't really like the thought of her living alone, even if Emmett and Rose did live nearby. She would need some kind of security…at least to escort her to and from work. That could be pricey, but I knew some people, and so did Emmett who'd work on a temporary basis. Kate Denali came to mind. She was related to an ex-girlfriend of Edward's…somehow. They had the same last name but were apparently distant cousins or something. Either way, she'd never gotten involved in the relationship and had been very good friends with Edward and Emmett for quite a while, along with myself. She would make an excellent bodyguard.

I made a note to bring it up with Edward. I knew if Marie was living alone, he'd have to do something to keep her safe, not because anyone had given him that responsibility, but because he'd taken it upon himself. I didn't blame him. I'd do the same for Alice…but it was a bit soon for Edward to be this close to her. Once again, I told myself it was none of my business. Edward cared about her. She loved him. He wouldn't hurt her, and she wasn't taking advantage of him…that was all that mattered to me.

I glanced over, making sure everything was still okay and then froze. Marie was pale, leaning against Edward as though she was dizzy, and Edward was motioning me over, trying not to alert the kids. I hurried over, smiling at the kids easily to keep them calm, and followed Marie's line of sight. Standing at the fence, staring at her, was a tall Native American guy with long hair, his eyes narrow as he watched her. I reached for my walkie-talkie, calling for Emmett. I didn't know who this guy was, but he was obviously freaking Marie out.

"Hey, Marie?" I murmured, moving to her side and touching her shoulder. "What's up?"

Edward was holding her, his arm around her shoulder as he helped support her. "Marie?" He asked, rubbing her arm. I looked over at the guy at the fence, narrowing my eyes at him. He didn't move, nor did his gaze waver.

"Who is he?" I asked softly.

"Jacob." She finally spoke. "Jacob Black…he works with…with him." I nodded, glancing up when Emmett joined us outside looking worried.

"What's going on?" I nodded my head toward the man.

"Go talk to him. See what he wants with Marie. We need to get her inside."

"No." She shook her head, looking at me. "No…I need to talk to him."

"Let me first?" Emmett made it a question, smiling gently. She thought for a moment, then nodded. "I won't scare him off. I just want to know what he wants, okay?"

"He lives in Phoenix…but he's from here too. He said…he told me once…he's from Forks, Washington. His family…"

"Alright. I'll ask him, okay?"

"Okay." She murmured, nodding. I stayed with her as Emmett strolled over easily to the fence and began talking to the guy who nodded quickly, then shook his head.

"You want to go inside?" Edward asked her. She shook her head, still pale.

"I need to know…what he's doing here."

"Okay. I'm going to go talk to him too. You alright?" She nodded, taking a deep breath and standing up straight, glancing at Edward who hovered protectively.

I hurried over, joining Emmett at the fence where he was speaking to Jacob Black in hushed tones. They paused when I joined them. "Jacob Black. He says he's here visiting his Father."

"Your father lives in Seattle?" I asked.

"Forks. It's a little town to the west."

"Then what were you doing here?"

"He says he was just visiting the city for the day…" I could hear the disbelief in Emmett's voice and glared at the guy.

"Look, I know Bella…we were friends. Well…she lived with my friend, then one day she comes to me and asks me for a car. So I give her one and promise not to tell anyone, and then she's gone."
Bella. So her name was really Bella. I filed that away. Right now, she wanted to be called Marie, and I'd honor that. I was sure Emmett would too. He glanced at me. "Have you had any contact with James?"

"I mean…yeah. He's been looking for her, but I didn't tell him anything, and he didn't think to ask me. He…he didn't know that Bella and I were friends." I didn't want to break it to him that she didn't really trust him. "Is she okay?" That wasn't up to us to say. Emmett shook his head.

"She's under our protection right now. You sure James isn't around?"

"Look, I know they fought a lot." Emmett glared and I touched his shoulder, hoping he didn't blurt something out that he shouldn't. "But she asked me not to tell him she was leaving...and she didn't tell me she was coming to Seattle." He glanced between us and I followed his eyes to find Edward's arms around Marie, her eyes watching us anxiously. "Is he why she left?" I glared at him.

"That isn't any of your business." I snapped. "She wants to speak to you."

"Can I come in?"

"No," Emmett told him dryly. "We don't really allow visitors here."

"Looks like he's visiting her."

"What he's doing isn't any of your business," Emmett informed him. "We'll bring her around the front and let you guys talk in the parking lot."

"Fine." He told us simply, looking back at Marie with a half wave she didn't return. We headed over to where the two stood, and Edward looked down at her.
"Are you sure you want to talk to him?"

"I just…I need to make sure he's not going to tell." All of us were aware that she thought she'd seen James a few weeks ago, and I sincerely hoped that was a coincidence.

"We asked him to meet us out front in the parking lot. He's not allowed in here." She nodded, still leaning on Edward a little, but she looked a little less pale. "We're all going. We won't eavesdrop. We'll just be standing nearby." I assured her, not wanting to invade her privacy but also needing to keep her safe. Bella shook her head a little.

"I can't leave the kids right now." I sighed, nodding.

"Okay. I'll watch the kids for a while. You go, and when you get back you can take over again."

"Thank you, Jasper."

"Of course." Although I was curious as to what this man could possibly have to say to the girl, like I'd said to Jacob, it wasn't really any of my business.

They were gone for only about fifteen minutes, but when they returned, Edward looked furious. His jaw was tight, his arm was around her tightly, and his other hand was tight in a fist. Bella, on the other hand, just looked pale and tired. Emmett waved with a grim smile and took off to continue his rounds, and I was left wondering exactly what had been said between the three.

Emmett

I hadn't promised not to eavesdrop. I didn't even pretend to stand too far away when we approached the guy in the parking lot. In my defense, he was a pretty big guy. Maybe not my height, but almost, and he could probably take out my brother if he needed to, not that I was about to let that happen. I had my walkie-talkie on hand and ready just in case, but my first reaction if he made a move was going to be to tackle the guy.

I didn't like letting him talk to her, but we didn't have any rules against the girls heading out front to talk to someone, as long as the guys didn't come inside or near any of the other girls. Jacob Black stood stiffly while we approached, then gave Bella…Marie, a half grin. Edward kept his arm around her, even though she stood just as stiffly as Jacob, watching him warily the way a cat stares at a strange dog. I stepped a few feet away, waiting. 'Go ahead, buddy. Make a move.' I taunted in my head, giving him a friendly smile.

"I can't believe you're in Seattle, Bella." Jacob began, grinning at the uneasy girl. "I mean…why you decided to leave James isn't any of my business…" He glanced at Edward when he said that, and it didn't go unnoticed by Bella…Marie who cut in.

"You're right. It's not." She told him a bit coldly and he seemed taken aback. "Where's James?"

"I'm not going to tell him you're here if that's what you're asking. You do what you want."

"Where is he?" This time, there was a pleading note in her voice, and he sighed, relenting.

"He's been looking everywhere for you. He's really worried. He's got the police involved…but I don't think he'd think to look up here. He knows you hate the cold weather." He glanced at Edward again. "Then again, I guess this place has its perks."

Edward went rigid and began to take a step forward, but Bella ignored him. I saw her tense, though, and moved closer, ready to get between them. No one upset my girls, not even my brother. If he caused a scene, I'd kick him out on the street. He knew that. The same went for Jacob the minute he went any closer to the girl. "That isn't any of your business, Jacob." She wanted.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But you left my friend for another guy, Bella. You didn't even break up with James."

"He'd have killed me." She spoke in a low, cold voice that made Edward freeze in his tracks, looking down at her and reach a hesitant hand to touch her back.

"Don't be dramatic."

"He raped me, Jake." She murmured…I barely caught her words, but I knew I was right in hearing them because the guy went pale, then tried to push the words aside.

"He was your boyfriend, Bells. How…" I knew Edward was about to lose it, and I really hoped this guy shut up or Bella ended this little interview.

"If I said no, he'd hit me, that's how." She snapped. "You had to know. I mean…come on, Jacob. No one's that clumsy." He shifted uncomfortably. "He'll kill me if he finds me. Jacob, I'm not kidding." Her voice was getting desperate…frightened, and Edward pulled her to his side again. "Please, please don't tell him you found me here. Please." Jacob glanced over at me, probably trying to gauge the seriousness of this situation, and what he found there must have convinced him.

"I won't tell. Okay?" She nodded, looking down at the ground.

"Thank you."

"I'd better go…take care of yourself, Bells."

She stood there for a while after Jacob left, seeming to try and pull herself together. Edward stayed close, wrapping both arms around her and letting her rest her head against his chest. I moved in, touching her shoulder. It took her a minute, but she finally stood upright, giving Edward and I a weak smile. "Ready to go in?"
"Whenever you are," Edward confirmed, stroking his hand through her hair, then leaning in, kissing her forehead. She stiffened a bit, memories probably still fresh, and he didn't push it. "Come on…let's head inside." I lead them back into the building after giving her a reassuring smile. All in all, that little meeting hadn't gone too badly. But the girl was shaken, and I hoped she spoke to my mother or my brother…heck, if she wanted to talk to me, that was cool.

I waved to Jasper who looked ridiculously curious but was trying to play if off. I'd fill him in later. At the moment, I found myself knocking on my mom's office door. She opened it with a concerned smile, reaching up and touching my arm. Before she could ask, I leaned down and engulfed her in a bear hug, my head on top of hers. "Is everything alright?" She asked softly. I pulled back, smiling grimly.

"Yeah, I guess. Don't be surprised if Marie stops by."

"Is she okay?" My mom asked, eyes narrowed in worry.

"I think so…she needs to talk, though, and who better to talk to."

"She never talks to me, Emmett. Not really." She confided sadly, and I touched her arm.

"She needs time," I told her what she already knew. "She might be ready…I hope she is. If not to tell you everything, at least, to talk. She needs it." I paused, glancing around the empty hallway. "This guy showed up and talked to her…they knew each other."

"She's okay?"

"She seems okay," I answered carefully. "Just…be ready," I told her with a weak grin, hugging her once more. "Better get going. See you, Mom."

"Alright. I love you, sweetheart." I smiled.

"Love you too, Mom." With a wave, I was gone and on my rounds once more, walking around the building, keeping an eye out for both Marie's 'friend' and her ex-captor. I wondered what it was that made a man want to hurt women. I wondered how a guy could look at a sweet young girl like Bella and think 'prey.' 'Object.' I wondered if she'd tried to leave before, and if so, what the price had been. I wondered what that girl had been like before a monster had changed her. She seemed naturally shy…had he just made it worse. All at once I wished he would show up, and that he would never show his face again. At least if he was caught, she'd never have to worry again.

I didn't know which would be better. I didn't want her to live in fear. Heck, I didn't want any woman to have to live in fear, but I had a feeling that girl was going to be more to me some day than a girl I protected. If the way Edward was acting was anything to go by, I might just be that girl's brother some day. That thought wasn't unpleasant at all.

By the time I made it back to where Bella was sitting in the playroom with the kids, Edward was gone. He'd seemed pretty tired, so I didn't blame him for going home, but I knew he'd be making an effort to hang out around here more often. So much for not being allowed to visit Bella…Marie. I'd have to make sure to call her by the name she preferred. It obviously made her feel safer. I wondered how he'd snuck by Rosalie. Maybe I'd have to remind him about the policy. I knew he loved her and wanted to see her, but we couldn't let boyfriends just drop by. I pulled out my phone, typing a message to him before I forgot.

'Next time, open the clinic for a while. Visiting hours aren't a thing here. ' I hoped the smiley face would soften the blow. He knew I wanted him to be able to see the girl he loved, and Marie obviously needed him. We'd have to work something out. Jasper was apparently willing to let it slide, but as soon as the other women thought they could bring men in here, we'd start having problems. I'd have to find a way to gently talk to Marie about that. Then again, hopefully, Edward would do it again.

Marie glanced up from where she stood at the edge of the room, watching the kids play, and smiled at me. "Hey, Emmett." She murmured when I approached.

"Feeling better?" I asked sympathetically.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"Did you eat anything?" I asked, knowing it was past lunchtime and her shift was almost over. She shook her head.

"I wasn't hungry."

"You need to eat, kid," I told her softly, dropping a hand on her shoulder that she didn't shy away from. "You'll make yourself sick if you don't. Okay?" I hoped she took my concern to heart, even though she just nodded noncommittally. I hoped she'd talk to my mom about how she was feeling sometime soon. I wished there was something more I could do for these women to help them heal. It wasn't fair. Men broke them, left them in pieces, but I couldn't fix them. I couldn't make things right. I could just be a glorified guard dog, making sure they felt safe again. Sometimes it didn't work. I'd take it, though. It was the best job I'd ever had. "I'm heading over to the front. You let me know if you need anything, okay?"

"Thank you, Emmett."

"Anytime." I assured her, nodding and smiling at some of the kids who waved, but feeling a heaviness around my heart. Something was coming. I had a feeling we hadn't heard the last of Jacob Black.

Bella

Edward was concerned I wasn't okay. He was afraid something was wrong. He was right. Emmett was concerned that I wasn't eating. He was right too. I was concerned that I'd never be normal again. It seemed like everyone was right when it came to me. It had been so good to see Edward, but Jacob…Jacob Black from the mechanic where James worked…the man who'd visited me on occasion just to talk, who I had suspected had a crush on me he'd never act on because he respected James too much…not me or my feelings…James. James owned me. Had owned me. And I'd let him. For some reason, I'd let this happen.

I found myself knocking on Esme's door after work, my stomach growling, but I ignored it. Esme didn't seem too surprised to see me, instead ushering me in and taking a seat, gesturing for me to do the same. Instead, I paced, hands clenched into fists, eyes so narrow they were almost closed. After a while, I stopped, letting them close. My head was pounding, but not migraine pounding…not yet. Was I relying too much on Edward? Was I not relying enough on Edward? What did I want? I knew who I wanted…but what else did I want?

"Marie?"

"I was a foster kid." I told her simply. She didn't respond…only watched me carefully. "I never told you that, did I? Well…I guess I didn't tell you anything." I sounded crazy. Maybe I was. It would make sense, after everything. "I wasn't even sixteen yet when my dad died. It was a heart attack…it was my fault." She frowned then, looking very concerned that I'd say such a thing, but I went on. "He ate steak all the time…steak and potatoes and burgers…I tried to cook healthier foods…when he died…he'd been having chest pains. I tried to make him go to the doctor. He…I should have just called an ambulance." I wiped my eyes furiously. This wasn't what I wanted to talk about. "James was a foster kid too, and he was nice at first. It was so nice to have someone…even a friend. When I was eighteen they kicked me out. The foster family. I rented a place with James…he was nice…until he wasn't. Why didn't I leave?" I asked, turned to her with genuine, frightened confusion. "Why? Why would I let a man do that to me? Why?" I wasn't trying to get louder but my voice was anyway. "I tried though. I told him…the first time…and he hit me. And when he found out I was going to leave…he almost killed me. He'll kill me, Esme." I was getting scared again, and in frightened detachment I realized that my eyes were dripping tears down my face that I couldn't stop.

"Jacob thinks I came here for Edward. He never knew…but James's other friends did. He used to threaten me…said he'd share me with them. Why? Why did I stay for that? I could have…could have killed him in his sleep! I could have run while he was at work. And I did…but I let him do all those things first. I was pregnant with his baby." That reminder made me want to throw up and I abruptly place a hand over my mouth, leaning over. Esme hurried over to my side, placing a garbage can in front of my mouth, but I managed to keep my meager breakfast down. The lack of food burned my stomach, but I ignored that. "He wouldn't let me eat when I was bad." I admitted softly, shaking my head in absolute disgust and terror at the memory. "Like I was a child sent to bed without supper. He'd make me cook, and then he'd make me sit at the table while he ate. Why? How could I let a man do this to me?"

"Sweetheart, why don't you sit down?" I was shaking. Maybe because I was hungry, but thinking about food made me think about that day I'd smarted off to him. It hadn't been just one day, of course…in the beginning I'd fought. Never hard enough, though.

"I said something smart. That's what he said. He said I'd smarted off. I made fried chicken for dinner. He didn't punish me then…I mean, he slapped me but he didn't really punish me, and then he made himself a plate of fried chicken, and he made me watch him eat it. He didn't even let me have water. Said I didn't deserve it. That night…after he…after he fell asleep, I snuck downstairs. He threw the leftovers away, and I ate them out of the trash like a dog." I broke off, sobbing, and Esme's arms wrapped around me. "I let him…"

"You fought back, Marie." Esme reminded me softly. "You fought back, and he hurt you. It's a wonder you were able to get away at all. That, in itself, is amazing." I couldn't stop crying, regardless of what she said. She told me again and again that it wasn't my fault, used logic and reason and assured me that I'd tried, but she didn't know. I wasn't really a victim. I hadn't tried hard enough to get away. What kind of woman let a man rape her and beat her and starve her, but stayed with him! Stayed in a house with him! I'd practically invited him to hurt me. My mind wandered to Edward then. He'd find out some day. And when he did…he'd realize what I already knew. What had been gnawing at me for weeks but that I'd tried so hard to repress. I wasn't a victim. I'd consented just by staying with him. Who would want a woman like that? I was sure Edward wouldn't, and with that, I shook even harder, gripping the woman for dear life.

It was Carlisle Cullen's voice I heard next, and I wondered weakly what he was doing there. I was crying. Still. Somehow I hadn't run out of tears yet. I had to explain it to Esme somehow, but Carlisle was taking my arm. "No!" I snapped, yanking away and glaring at him. I didn't want to be sedated. I wasn't crazy…well, I felt like maybe I was getting there, but I didn't want to sleep. She needed to understand. I ignored the concerned doctor and turned to his wife…also a doctor.

"Sweetheart, you're exhausted. You have to try and calm down." I shook my head, not caring that Carlisle was in the room. Edward's father. His son would probably find out soon anyway.

"It was my fault." I told her, shaking my head. "I let him! Esme, I let him hurt me! I stayed!"

"Do you think you could have gotten away before you did? You told me that you did try. And he nearly killed you for it." She reasoned softly.

"I could have tried harder!"

"Then why didn't you?" She asked so quietly that it was almost hard to hear her. I froze, not wanting to answer that. I didn't want to excuse myself. "Did you deserve what he did to you?" She wondered, looking serious, and I felt myself blanch. "Did you deserve to be raped, Marie?"

How did anyone deserve that? I thought I might throw up, but I shook my head. Carlisle was backing away, but I didn't care. I could only see Esme and her soft, sympathetic, reasonable eyes. "No," I whispered, shaking my head. "I…no one deserves that. But…"

She continued as though I hadn't spoken. "Did you consent to sex with him?"

"No, but I…"

"So he raped you, and you didn't deserve it."

"Yes."

"You fought back?"

"Yes! I mean…at first…."

"And what did he do when you fought back?"

"He hit me."

"Could you overpower him?"

"No! But I could have left another time! When he was sleeping, or when he was at work."

"You did."

"Not soon enough."

"Why? Why stay?" I shook my head, staring at my hands. Carlisle hadn't left. I still didn't care. "You didn't let that man hurt you, Marie. You endured it because you thought you had not choice. You were alone and scared." I was quiet, and she went on. "What about the women here? The ones that wait until they have children. The ones who wait until their children are nearly killed by their husbands before they leave. Did they deserve it?"

"No!" I cried, horrified.

"But they don't leave before their children are hurt. They don't protect their children, Marie. Don't they deserve to be beaten then?"

"No! They…they're scared."

"So were you." She reminded me. "You were afraid of him. He had power over you because he was stronger and bigger. So why didn't you leave when he was gone?"

"His friends," I told her quietly, giving in. His friends watched me. He had friends everywhere."

"So how could you have escaped? No friends, no family, I'm guessing no money. How was an eighteen year old girl supposed to escape the one person she thought she could rely on? How was she supposed to get away when she was being held captive and watched all the time? How?"

"She couldn't." I was so tired. And hungry. And my pounding head was transforming to another kind of headache that made me feel dizzy. There were spots and I knew it was going to be bad.

Carlisle knew the signs. He'd probably seen plenty of migraines in his time. Moving forward, he steadied me when I swayed. "Where is your medication?"

"My bed." I told him, dropping my head down on his shoulders. It was just starting and already it was bad.

"Esme, can you bring me some crackers and some applesauce? Maybe a banana? She needs to eat." He spoke quietly to his wife, helping me up. "Let's get you to the clinic, okay? You can rest there."

"I'm sorry." He didn't speak for a moment, then squeezed my hand.

"You don't have anything to apologize for. It's alright, Marie. You can't control them."

"I shouldn't have shouted at you."

"You have every right to tell a doctor not to sedate you. I was worried that you were getting hysterical and would make yourself ill."

"I did." He smiled a little.

"You weren't hysterical. You just needed to talk. It will be a while before you can accept that it wasn't your fault, Marie." He told me gently, helping me onto the bed. "That's okay. It's part of the healing process. It takes time, and we're here to help as much as we can. Okay?"

I nodded, thanking him softly. I wished Edward were here, but he couldn't be. Not now. He wasn't even supposed to be visiting me here. So I'd make due with his parents. They were kind and gentle, and as Esme handed me crackers to eat to try and settle my stomach, Carlisle brought me the medicine I needed and wiped my forehead with a cool cloth, helping me through the migraine. It was the closest I'd come to having parents in a long time, and it was almost worth the migraine.

Long chapter this time…hope you guys don't mind. I was going to stop it before Bella's pov, but…well, the chapter wasn't ready to end. I hope you liked it.