Hey! Long time no see, right!?

Okay it's nearly 4: 30 in the morning. Be proud of me! I've stayed up really late this week trying to finish this up so I could post :) I know I've been terrible, not updating in over a month. Shame on me! You can smack my hand with a ruler because I know I deserve it. I blame the horrible case of writer's block I had after the holidays.

You can get on to reading now, I will bug you with A/N's at the end of the chapter ^_~

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I didn't know what was happening. Everything was so blurry. I felt how stiff and numb my body was. But I was aware enough to register that the numbness had come from pain, because I still felt it dully deep in my bones. Even though I felt numb, I also knew that once I opened my eyes and moved any part of my body I'd feel the force of it. I could go without that for a bit longer.

The first thing I focused on was the pain in my chest, as if something great had been smothering me for a while. Then after that, slowly, I started to feel the rest of it. The dull throbbing from my neck down my arms, in my belly down my legs.

I realized my wrist hurt. Maybe it had been dislocated or broken. I didn't know, but it might have happened when he slammed my wrist against the tree...

The sudden recap of the events that insured my stay here—which I now realized was a hospital, flooded my half addled brain. My jaw felt tense, almost painful, probably from being clenched so tightly.

Everything hurt and all I kept remembering was Jacob. I didn't want to, but all I could see was his face, twisted in a scary snarl.

"...Bella?" I recognized that voice, but it sounded so far off. I wasn't sure if it'd even be worth answering; surely he wouldn't hear me....but then I remembered where I was, my surroundings. He must be here. I reluctantly opened my eyes, careful to not open them too quickly. I'd feel like I'd pass out again if I rushed any body movement. And I couldn't give in to the darkness again. He might come back.

...I looked in the direction of the farthest end of the ceiling since my head was propped up slightly by some pillows, and I blinked trying to adjust my numb face, to gain some feeling back. I had to work to relax my jaw for my voice to work. "C-Carlisle...?" Ugh, my voice sounded so hoarse and groggy. I wished I could at least sound stronger. I was coming out of my hazy mind and I noticed a slight nurse shuffling her way to the door with a tray. She glanced at me and her eyes looked...regretful. She looked at me with pity, I realized. I quickly moved my eyes to the other person in the small room. He was at the foot of the bed.

"Bella, even under these circumstances you're fine..." His tone sounded encouraging, like he was trying to make me comprehend that I was indeed fine, but it did little to ease me. "You're safe here, I promise you that. Please, you must relax. Try to. The joints in your body are so stiff, you must give yourself a chance to recuperate." I tried to do what he was saying because I wanted recuperation more than anything, but it was very hard to move to let my guard down. I knew my body was tense, but I couldn't figure out how to unlock the muscles to give my body a chance to heal. All the while I tried to not give into the thoughts my mind kept remembering. If there was any way to forget or destroy that part of my memory, I would do it instantly.

Carlisle came closer around the right side of my bed and I looked at his face, following every movement he made slowly. I had that impatient, ominous feeling someone was going to jump at me out of nowhere. It made me clutch the fabric of the hospital gown I was wearing under the covers to my sides. I tried to repress that feeling, though, because right now I was looking at Carlisle and no one else was in here, and Carlisle would never hurt me. I focused on him as best I could. His beauty always stunned me. His eyes, under the precious tuft of his blonde hair, were gentle, warm, like liquid butterscotch, so much like Edward's when he looked at me....

Oh, Edward....I knew if he was here, holding me, I could relax more easily, maybe even sleep like I wanted to, but there was no way that I could face him right now. The thought was completely mortifying. There was no way I could see him. I felt my head jerk from one side to the other involuntarily for a second.

"I know what happened, Bella. It was confirmed with the examination I handled." I looked away from him and groaned slightly and the sound sounded painful even to my own ears. I knew it was necessary procedure after what happened, but the embarrassment and the extreme hurt of knowing that it really hadn't been a nightmare were still there. I wished so terribly that it had just been a nightmare. I would give anything for it to of just been that, a wicked dream. Jacob couldn't have done that to me. Something as horrific as that couldn't have happened to me. I was in complete denial. I didn't know how I could feel so many things at once. I felt like my head would burst.

Carlisle took something from the small table next to the bed I laid in. "I can't guarantee it will work, because as far as I know there hasn't been cases like yours before that I know of. Because of what he is, Jacob—" I could hear his reluctance to say the name, and it wasn't like I wanted to hear it either, my slight wince told him that. "—Is built differently, but he is still human, so I ask you, would you like to take some emergency contraceptives to prevent any possible conception..." I nodded my head, not wanting him to finish. I definitely didn't want to risk any chance of becoming pregnant. He nodded with the relief of not having to continue.

Just then the same nurse from earlier came in baring a clear pitcher of water—I assumed—and some cups. Carlisle thanked the nurse and I knew he was grateful for her sudden appearance as a diversion. His hand moved to flick on the lamp. Again the nurse looked at me with pity in her eyes, but this time she gave me a tentative smile before she left, turning off the main light as she went. I knew Carlisle wasn't embarrassed to talk to me about what happened, but he must sense my distress, which probably made him feel reluctant to go on. Instead he handed me a pill which I willingly took from him with my good hand. My arm felt heavy but I pushed through the discomfort as bravely as I could. It would be very hard to swallow but it'd be harder to deal with a possible future pregnancy if I didn't. He poured water into a cup and I had to drink several gulps of it before I could force the pill down my throat, and then several more afterward to keep it down. The pill had a slight chalky taste—but that could have just been my own mouth—and was fairly small, but in my stiff throat it felt like the size of a golf ball, trying to force its way down inside my hurting chest.

He waited a few minutes for me to pull myself together before continuing. "You don't have to say anything right now....but your father is outside, awaiting news of your state. Do you want to tell him the truth...? I wouldn't normally suggest lying, but in this situation, taking into account your feelings is of much greater importance to me. Although I advice that the truth be told...."

I felt my eyes start to tear up and even though it was an improvement to the lack of feeling in my face, I still wish I hadn't. What would I tell Charlie? My poor father didn't need something like this in his life. His only child, only daughter, rap—I couldn't bring myself to think the dirty word.....and by a man he trusted completely. A man he would have even wanted as his own son. I wished I could lie to him about this. I didn't want him to be burdened by something that was my fault. No one should be burdened by this but me. Still, I knew it would have some degree of effect to those around me, and I wished Charlie didn't have to go through it. I seriously, wholeheartedly wished that I was strong enough to lie to him...but I knew I was a mess, and I knew I couldn't put up a charade with my father. Not one of this magnitude and especially not now that he would be watching me so closely.

I took a deep breath. "....No..." I blinked repeatedly, willing the tears to go away, before I looked at him. "No...but I don't—" I exhaled. I didn't think I could continue.

He stood straight but his posture was still inviting, not at all reproachful. His eyes were very warm and gentle as he waited for me to go on, but the seconds trickled by and I wasn't sure I could get another word out with the ever present knife that kept stabbing at my chest with every breath I took. "It's alright, Bella, I promise." He placed his hand on my right shoulder and I couldn't help the ghastly shiver that ran through me. I looked into his eyes, hoping he didn't think that I trembled at his touch, it was just that it felt like any sort of contact would set me off now. I was glad his gaze was still gentle. "You don't have to do it, Bella. Would you like it better if I told Charlie the truth?"

I was very grateful that he asked me this. I silently thanked him for trying to make this easier for me. He was truly the most gentle, greatest doctor the world had ever had. I quickly nodded, but the movement made me lightheaded and I waited a few moments to catch my breath before saying anything more. "...Yes, I don't think I could hide this from him," I rasped out. I was glad my voice only broke once. "And I know h-he must be waiting to see me, but." I talked slowly, trying to keep my voice steady. "But I'm not ready just yet."

I wished I could hide it. But Charlie wasn't the only one I wished I could hide this from. I hoped with all the might I could muster that Edward wouldn't be coming back tomorrow afternoon like he had promised. It seemed like such a short time until he came looking for me. I needed more time to prepare myself. I hoped that he and his brothers were having a good hunting trip, that they would take a few days longer. But I knew even that was a stretch.

Suddenly I thought of something and I looked at the gentle vampire again. "....Did my father bring me here, Carlisle? Do you know if h-he found me...?" Something flickered in his eyes, but I wasn't sure what it was, and I didn't have the energy to ponder it anyway.

"Bella, your father was one of the persons who brought you..." One of the—I looked at him, urging him to tell me who else had brought me to this place. He looked a little reluctant to go on. It couldn't be Jacob—I briefly wondered what he could have said to my dad—Please don't let him be here, please. My eyes watered again at the thought. He must have sensed the fear his words caused because he quickly moved on. "Edward came back. Both him and Charlie drove you here."

"Oh..." I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me and my eyes fluttered to the blue covers on top of me. Oh, no...Edward already knew what happened, or would know very soon. If the bed should sink into the ground, I'd happily go right along with it.

"Bella, don't tire yourself with any unnecessary thinking. Your only focus should be yourself, to get yourself better and heal...." Again he placed his hand on my shoulder. There was an edge to his voice that told me he wasn't talking about just the healing of my body. There seemed to be something else he wanted to say, but looked unsure as to whether he should continue. "....Both Alice and Edward are in my office, Bella....I know you're feeling great distress...." Right before I closed my eyes I saw his gaze grow softer, if that were possible. He made me feel like I was truly a part of his family, a part he wanted to protect with all his heart, like he was a real father to me. "....But," he continued, "this isn't something I'm keeping from my son...because you need us all, and we will be here, including him, no matter what you may think." That last part made me feel like my face probably revealed how much I didn't want to not see Edward just yet. Although, at the same time, I longed for him like always. He gave me a tentative smile. "I'm going to go inform your father that you're doing fine before anything else." He must have some inkling on how Charlie must be feeling, being as good as a father himself. He patted my hand softly and gave me another warm smile before he walked out.

I was glad he left. I was glad to be alone. Without the shameful stares of the nurse or Carlisle's penetrating eyes. I didn't want to see anyone right now. I was a coward in that sense, but at the same time I felt that if I was exposed to anyone, my secret would be written all over my face and I'd be a freak show for more pitiful or disgusted stares. I didn't want that. Especially not from the people I loved. Especially not from him.

Minutes passed and I wondered if my father would come in to see me, or if Carlisle telling him that I was fine would be enough for now. More minutes trickled away and I couldn't help the painful memories that resurfaced in my distraction-less solitude. Even though the room was already softly lit by the lamp Carlisle turned on earlier, I still felt like it dimmed around me even more as the memory of him came to mind. I couldn't even think his name because I associated the word with my best friend, not the man that had hurt me like this. I felt the air around me suddenly become musty, like I was breathing in the smell of the dirt floor, not the sterile, clean air of the hospital. I felt like I had the heat of his large body on top of me, hurting, smothering me, and not the plain lightweight covers. My breath came in and out of my chest in quick gasps. The stabbing knife returned to my chest in full force. I placed my shaking, cold hands on top of my wet face trying desperately to block it all out.....No, he couldn't come back. He wouldn't!

....The mental agitation disappeared slightly as a more pressing matter walked in through the door. She wore a black wool, cowl neck sweater that made her pale skin look even more beautiful with her jet black pixie hair. Alice came closer to me. I almost didn't want her to, and although I shuddered at first, her cold arms were now nothing but a loving substitute for the cold arms of the one I, deep down, really wanted.

"Oh, Bella..." She sighed into my hair and wrapped her arms more tightly around my shoulders in a reaction so soothing and full of understanding. What happened next was like a damn bursting, letting the water run free in fury. I broke down and tears I didn't know I still had in me leaked furiously out of my eyes. I could feel myself shaking. I couldn't help the tremors that coursed through my body. I no longer cared to keep composed like I did in front of Carlisle. I let all the anger, all the hurt and sadness out of me. She continued to hold me, whispering words in a soothing tone that I did not hear because my sobs and chokes were much too loud for me to focus on much else. My head dipped into my chest and my legs recoiled, pressing themselves closely to my body in an attempt to shun every corner and image in my mind that screamed of him hurting me. But that did not matter. The memory of the hot, heady smell of him still managed to come crashing down on me. No matter how much I tried to focus on Alice and her embrace, I could still remember the feeling of utter hopelessness as his body smothered mine in the darkness.

She kept talking as the minutes passed and I tried very hard to pull away from everything I remembered. I started listening to her words, the only thing keeping me sane from breaking down again. Her voice came and went in a hazy manner of slurs and hums. In my state I caught some words, but most were inaudible to me until the heaves and sobs eased, when I could hear more. "...Shh...you're part...my family...between us.....it will never happen again." She rubbed my arms and her lips brushed my hair. Slowly I let myself think that I was okay for the moment. My quick breathing slowed. She laid me back down on the propped pillows and I realized that her whole body was lying next to mine on top of the covers. I snuggled closer into her arms and let her soothing embrace take me over. I couldn't sleep, so I consciously drifted in and out in a haze. She was still whispering to me words of safety and love, and again I let myself think I would be alright. I would be okay.

I don't know how long I laid there with Alice like that, but I could tell that she was trying to rouse me to full alertness now. She patted my arms softly. I opened my eyes all the way slowly, blinking blearily a few times before actually paying attention to her.

"Your father will be coming in here in a minute, okay?" She smiled warmly. The gold of her eyes were a bit dark. Other than Carlisle, I had never really thought of how the Cullens would fare in a hospital. I mean, of course I could guess. And now that I saw it, I wondered if she could smell blood from other rooms. Or perhaps she just hadn't hunted in a while. I didn't know, and I was starting to get tired again so I didn't do any further thinking or questioning about it..... "Tell you what, I'll go pretend to fill up the pitcher again." She opened a cabinet and poured the remaining water into a small blue bucket she found. "You'll get thirsty again won't you?" she chirped in her normal happy voice hiding the blue container behind some other supplies. I felt a corner of my mouth lift, and I realized it felt weird. Like I hadn't done it in a lifetime. Like I had almost forgotten how. The realization made me frown. Of course. She came near me again. "I'll let you talk to him. I know he wants to see for himself that you're okay. I'll only be gone a few minutes, alright?" I didn't want her to go. I wanted to see my father, but I didn't want any lingering visits from him. From anyone for that matter, except Alice. I couldn't be a coward though. I knew he wouldn't actually think I was alright until he saw me for himself. I nodded. She kissed my forehead and said, "I promise, I'll only be gone a few minutes."

She made her graceful way to the door and as she opened it Charlie came into view. It seemed he had been about to knock, the look on his face made it seem like he hadn't been sure of whether to knock or just come in. My poor father, he was probably glad Alice had saved him the trouble.

"Bella's thirsty." She held up the pitcher in a gesture that said she was going to get more water. She smiled warmly at Charlie as she left and he nodded and smiled back, and I noticed it seemed a bit reluctant. Like he had forgotten how, just like I had.

He walked in slowly, looking at the ground, which in turn made me do the same. I took a deep breath, already trying to blink back tears that threatened to overthrow me once again.

"Bells..." he whispered next to me in a soft tone. He placed his left hand on my shoulder and his right on the propped rail of the bed. His brown eyes were downcast as he gazed at me from under his tired lids. I turned my watery eyes up to him. Little crow-like wrinkles formed at the ends of his eyes when he looked at me and his face turned sad. I hated for him to look that way.

"Once again I've seemed to of landed myself in the hospital, huh...." My weak attempt at humor was in vain because tears leaked out of the corner of my eye as I remembered the reasons I was here. Reasons that, thanks to Carlisle, he now knew.

His stare turned hard as he processed what I said. He was bursting to say something, but all he did was exhale greatly, his hand fidgeted on the rail. He took another breath trying to subdue himself. "...Well, the bigger accidents never really seem to be your fault, do they?"

I couldn't say anything. I ripped my gaze from him and looked at my interlocked fingers on my lap. I relaxed them because they were pale and cold with tense rigidness.

A few moments went by before he removed his hand from my shoulder and spoke again. "What happened to you, Bells....I-I have to tell Renee."

No! I shook my head from side to side quickly. I should have known by now that the movement would still make me feel woozy. I gasped for air and he patted my shoulder again, trying to calm me. It's not that I didn't want Renee to know, it was just that I couldn't do with worrying about how my mother would be faring with this knowledge. I couldn't take care of her, ease her worry over me, with her being so far away. I didn't want to burden her as well with this. Not when I was trying so desperately to forget about it.

I looked at him, making sure I had his attention before speaking. "Dad, I don't want you to tell Renee," I started to say once I had recovered myself a little. The little wrinkles, the product of anguish, were back on his face. "Please, let me keep one of my parents happy...."

Judging by the firm set of his lips, he no longer seemed capable of speech now. He touched the side of my head, his warm hand over my hair. Slowly his face relaxed and he nodded. "Then promise me you'll tell her soon...when your ready." That I could promise because no obligations were expected of me anytime soon.

"...Okay..." I would tell my mother, though, when the time was right. As soon as I was ready.

Suddenly he crushed my shoulders to him in a fierce, protective hug. "I'm sorry, Bella," he whispered to me. His voice was slightly muffled, and his mouth exhaled his warm breath against my hair. "I've been thinking, and I really shouldn't have told him it was okay to go to the house when I knew you would be there alone. I'm sorry Bells!" He hugged me tighter, like the strong, protecting father he was in the few occasions I had really needed it; most of them during the years of my childhood. He was trying desperately to keep me—his only family, together, and for the first time since he hurt me I felt safe. Truly safe. I couldn't help it now. A new batch of tears poured out of me. When I had been with Alice she had made me feel like I would eventually be alright, she gave me a bit of hope, but my dear father had actually infused my body with a sense of safety and love that I sighed out loud with the relief of it. I had forgotten how something could feel so amazing. The safety wrapped around me made me feel whole. "It-t must have been so horrible for you, honey." My hands hid my face in his chest as more tears soaked through. He pressed his lips to my forehead. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to remind you....But I promise you, sweetheart, I will arrest him and do everything I can to make sure he stays in jail for the rest of his miserable life." A few moments later my sobs were starting to quiet down. I wasn't sure how much good it would do if Jac—if he—went to jail and was locked up forever, but the thought did ease the mess that I was. Charlie noted the change in me and he assured me more fervently—now sounding like both father and sheriff—that he would do everything in his power to lock him up for good. "...I promise you that, honey."

"—And I fully support it if you decide to shoot that dog to pieces, Charlie." Alice had come through the door quiet as ever and came bouncing to the foot of my bed. Charlie gave my forehead another kiss before straightening up. She scrunched up her little forehead thoughtfully for a moment, then pouted and said, "Would you arrest me if I shot him...?" Charlie laughed slightly, perhaps imagining tiny, little Alice with his large rifle in her small hands.

"I will pretend that's not a confession for a future crime if he later turns up dead." His eyes glinted like his old self, and I earnestly thanked Alice and my father's fondness for her. She smiled like the pixie she was. Charlie turned to me again and said he was going to get started right away. "I'll need an official report from Dr. Cullen; Alice, sweetheart, do you know where your father is?"

"I last saw him down at the front desk finishing up some forms. If he's not there anymore just have a receptionist page him." She smiled as she sat daintily next to my feet.

He nodded, smiling. "Thanks...Take care of my Bella, will you?"

"Of course!"

"Good." He turned to me and told me he'd be back to see me soon. I smiled at him as best I could. It might have been a grimaced grin, but he did not say anything.

Alice and I watched as he exited and shut the door softly behind him. She got to her feet as gracefully as ever and went over to the counter across the room near the door. She came to the side of my bed with the refilled pitcher of water. "Here drink a little, you'll feel better." Her smile was encouraging, so much like Carlisle's had been earlier, as she handed me a cup halfway full. "Your lips look a little pale and dry, and this thing you're wearing—" She pinched the fabric of if near my shoulder and shook her head in disdain. "—Isn't helping." I rolled my eyes at her slightly. She grinned, pleased with herself.

The water felt cool going down my throat. She was right, I did feel better. She took the cup from me and asked if I wanted more. "No, I'm fine...better now." She smiled a half smile at me as she took in my wet face. The tears hadn't complete dried yet. I looked down at my hands, trying to avoid her penetrating stare. She turned my face to hers again and touched my cheeks, wiping away stray tears.

"I wish you really would feel better." The corners of her mouth turned down in a frown of true sadness. She stood in the same spot Charlie had been standing earlier and she did the same thing he had done, and hugged me tightly again. "It will take time but you'll feel better, okay, I promise..."

I rested the right side of my head against her chest and closed my eyes, feeling more tears make their way slowly down my face.

X X X

It was still dark outside, very late in the night, or early in the morning, whatever way you wanted to look at it, and I could hear the sirens wailing their way closer as Charlie—well, it was my guess that Charlie was behind the wheel—pressed his foot on the gas pedal down further. He was speeding his way to me in that old cruiser. I had to be quick if I was going to escape.

Billy's eyes were on me as he watched me get to my feet from my place on the couch. I knew he had come to the conclusion I was planning as his eyes turned reproachful towards me.

After I left Bella all those hours ago, I wasn't sure if the vampire would come running after me. I had transformed to my more natural self and had run west into the forest. I wanted him to come after me. I wanted to fight him, but I left in hope that he would follow me so I could finish him off. I didn't want Bella or Charlie to see what I was capable of in battle—well, I didn't really oppose to Bella watching me fight for her, but I doubted she wanted to witness the battle that would bring her precious vampire's demise. Because that's what this would ultimately lead to. A battle, a raging war between the wolf and its sole enemy. I knew one thing was certain....There was no way I would ever lose this. It was a war for Bella's love. She loved me. I knew she still did. All I needed was to get Edward Cullen out of the picture. Out of her life. Or her out of his life. Only then would she see how incredibly strong the bond of our souls, of our love, is.

I stopped a short distance away from the perimeter around Bella's house. I couldn't sense him coming near me. I snarled, letting the excessive drool of saliva flow down my mouth. Obviously he wasn't ready to face me, the coward. With my sense of the lost battle I thought would approach came room to register the howls and yelps from my fellow wolves. They weren't all there—only two, maybe three voices were distinct, but before I could ponder anything but outrage from them, the ties of our minds were severed. No doubt they would run off to warn Sam of what I had done. No matter though. No assumed Alpha would stop me from my destiny because ultimately it was my choice how my life would play out, and it ended with a happy Bella at my side. That was the course I had decided for myself. And I would do anything to reach it.

I walked the few paces to the window and through the curtains I saw Charlie's cruiser nearing my house. Maybe a half mile away.

"You will not run away, Jacob." Internally I scoffed at the obvious authority in my father's voice. As if I would ever let anyone dictate me. "Do the right thing and turn yourself in." Of course Sam told my father as soon as he got whiff of my actions. No doubt he had phoned him and told him everything the others had gathered from my thoughts.

Suddenly Sam thundered his way through my front door. He took a look at me before coming to stand next to the wheelchair my father sat in. They were perfect together, representing the ultimate united Indian front. I wouldn't let it faze me though. I had a more pressing matter as I heard Sam talk about how wrong I had done. Would I turn myself in? Should I? No, it wouldn't matter too much. I would only lose time. Time, precious time I had to find Bella and take her away from this madness. But then again, if I did turn myself in it might be easier to convince Charlie of my good intentions. I was trying to do this as morally correct as I could, and having Charlie's consent was on thing I needed for Bella's sake. Besides, it wouldn't be too hard to escape if I needed to. Turning myself in was probably the best choice because it would be better to face what was coming head on knowing I could get out whenever I wanted, than living like a coward running away from Charlie, Billy, Sam, and the rest of the pack.

I could hear the cruiser parking in the gravel of the driveway. I could hear Charlie's voice as well as another man's—probably another officer. The door had remained open from when Sam had come in earlier, and I turned at just the right moment to see officer Charlie Swan stomp his way into my house.

X X X

"It will take time but you'll feel better, okay, I promise..."

I saw her in my sister's arms, cradled like the fragile little human that she is. She didn't immediately look at me, for I came in silently, like it was in my nature to do so. If she felt my presence she didn't show it. Her eyes were lowered, her lashes forming dark half-moons over her pale cheeks. Her lips were the rosiest part of her tear-stricken face, but still pale. They trembled slightly as she cried softly against Alice's chest. I stood frozen, staring at the dim lighted scene before me. Alice's gaze was on me. They didn't seem reproachful at my uninvited intrusion. Her thoughts told me that she was glad I was finally here. She hoped I would take over Bella's caring. Not because she no longer wanted to be there with her, but because she felt Bella needed me now that I was finally here, which I agreed with.

....It was just that I was so clueless in this situation. I remember taking care of Rosalie, along with my mother and father, because Rosalie, too, had suffered through this kind of terrible experience. But there were great differences in Bella and Rose as women. Rosalie didn't really like me back then, and I didn't quite love her like my sister, not like I love her now, so I hadn't made a real effort to help her live through it during the time she truly needed it. I tried to help her, but most of the time I did my best to stay away from her fits.

No...Even though they were both the same situation, Rose and Bella were two completely different people. Rosalie had a cold, hard exterior, and although her heart was good, she didn't have the immediate unselfish warmth that Bella always had. Bella's love is so unconditional that there aren't any vain boundaries to break down first. I wanted to give her, keep giving her, all the love and comfort she needed and deserved. But my ultimate weakness still caused me shameful inhibitions. I didn't know what to say. Didn't know what to do. How to act. I had made a conscious effort to break through Rosalie's barriers, but only years after her attack when she had cooled off. For Bella, I expected myself to deal with this now, for her sake and for my own.

I went over to the bed, opposite the side Alice was standing on. Gently I reached my arm out to take hold of the warm hand resting against her leg. I knew she could fell my presence now, but still she didn't look at me. I felt her hand tense as her eyelids lifted. Her expressive, luminous brown eyes were round as she looked at me. I could see that her expression was regretful, almost ashamed to look at me, and I didn't understand why. Slowly her eyelids fell shut again, and her lashes clung to her cheeks as fat, pear-like tears fell down her cheekbones. Right then and there I would have given anything to make Bella happy again. But somewhere inside me I also felt the bloodlust, the urge to kill Jacob, grow stronger, more angrier than ever. It would have been an unsettling feeling had I not known what he had done, how much pain he had caused her—still caused her.

I held her hand tighter in my cold palm, and as the big tears hit her pale hospital gown with a tiny thud loud enough for my sensitive vampire ears to hear, I knew I would never let her hurt like this again. Not ever if it was in my power to prevent it. I felt my brow furrow in the anguish I felt. I couldn't stand to watch her cry. I knew she was feeling scared and horrible because of what he had done, but I didn't want her to. I grabbed her shoulders and crashed her warm body to me. I heard her cries of the agony she felt. I felt her break her hold on control as she trembled and heaved in my arms. I shuddered as the delight of her warmth coursed through me. I felt that wonderful feeling I always got when I heard her human heart throbbing in her chest. The rhythm grew erratic as she sobbed and heaved, but as long as I could feel and hear it everything in the universe was set right. And I realized how stupid I had been for thinking I couldn't go through this. As if I wouldn't face everything for her! The fool that I am, thinking being with Bella, especially under this circumstance, was anything but natural. I never thought of myself as stupid. Not even when I had been foolish and human. I came to realize that I only felt idiotic in a few situations—all with Bella. Only because I was stupid enough to think that I could ever guess her reactions correctly. I didn't let myself think about that now. I inhaled her floral, distinct scent. I felt her soft, warm skin pressing against me and I kissed her head, willing my thoughts of encouragement unto her. I would make everything in her world perfect again. I had never fully understood why she could be so happy with the monster that I was. But if being with me was what she wanted, what would make her happy, I could only too willingly oblige to her heart's desires.

For now none of us spoke or move, but whenever we did, I would do my best to invoke her with everything she needed and everything she ever wanted.

X X X

It's a great pleasure, securing the silver handcuffs around the wrists of this damn monster that hurt my precious daughter mere hours before. As the other officer read him his rights, sheriff Swan made sure the cuffs cut into his skin painfully. He did nothing to make this small action comfortable in any way. On the contrary, he even secured the cuffs another notch tighter. "I'm sorry, Billy, but after what your son has done to my daughter, I'm going to do everything in my power to keep him in jail," he promised. Charlie didn't feel the least bit of pity for Jacob, but his eyes were dark pools of regret for his best friend when he looked at the grim faced Billy.

"If it were any of my daughters I would do the same....You have every right, Charlie, as sheriff of Forks, and father of Bella. It just pains me that my own son could do something so atrocious...." Charlie nodded because he understood this fully. He had seen in Jake the son he never had. Up until the moment he still hadn't known something terrible had happened Jake had been a man Charlie would have been proud to call a son. A man that he would have loved his Bella to of married.

I should have known. I wanted to believe he was good for her....How could I have let myself get so blinded....I should have guessed what he was capable of. Especially after he forced a kiss on her. That should have been my first clue.

It just went to show you that to a father no man would ever be good enough for his daughter, no matter how clueless he was. Now there's no way in hell I'm ever putting my trust in that Cullen kid. If he had known this would happen to Bella in Forks he would have sacrificed the chance to never fully know his daughter than to of let her stay with him after Renee remarried.

"I'm sure he'll want to contact you later," he said to Billy.

Sam had been there to restrain Jacob, but luckily he wasn't needed. Jacob obliged to everything the officers said. Charlie almost would have welcomed a struggle on his part. Perhaps he could have gotten a good beating on Jacob had that been so. But he made no noise, no sound of protest, not even when he shoved him roughly into the backseat of his police car.

Both Billy and Sam stood still at the door watching the police car drive off with its red and blue lights still shining brightly. Billy wondered what would become of his only son. Sam wondered what this would mean for the pack he was responsible for and for Bella and the Cullens.

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Sadly this isn't as long as I hoped it would be :( and I'm pretty sure I started getting a bit choppy there towards the end because I didn't have too much detail and I'm also positive I left out some things I wanted to include, but it's past 4 and honestly I'm really tired :P So my apologies if there are any grammatical errors :) (because I didn't edit, sorryyyy!)

....But I do have some questions...Do you think I did Bella justice? I mean do you guys think her reactions after being raped were appropriate? What about the rest of the characters...? Say it in a review my loves!

I have to say THANKS to all of you guys and girls who reviewed :) I think I answered all the ones I could, except of course the anonymous reviewers like loveofUndomiel, reader, paris, and dolphingirl79. Shout outs to you guys for being so awesome and reading and reviewing! This one's for you lot!

Also, I must, must, MUST thank Brandy for giving me such wonderful ideas when I was stumped!! Putting Jacob in jail was one of her ideas and I liked it so much I had to write it out. It's thanks to her this story is actually taking shape of a story! My love goes out to you, deaer!

I adore you all and I love hearing from you!