Hey readers, thanks for giving my story a chance. It's actually a really bad time for me to start writing this what with exams very soon but I just got this idea into my head and had to write about it.

So basically this is before the events of the Twilight books and will eventually catch up with them. I'm afraid I've de-existed some of the beloved characters including Esme and Alice (Sorry). Also I've added witches/wizards to the mix (although not the wand-waving type) but this is just a minor detail, it is mainly a vampire/Cullen story.

I was actually inspired to write this story, randomly, by Keira Knightley's new advert for Womens'Aid (and I imagine Catherine to look like her).

I really don't know where the story is heading yet so constructive criticism would be nice. I think this chapter might seem like it will be a Carlisle love story but that's not necessarily true. I still haven't decided lol.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except Catherine and Craig, all the rest belong to Stephanie Meyer

London 1973

Catherine sat at kitchen table, nervously flicking through some cheap magazine-pretending to herself that she was reading it and not just clock-watching. It was now nearly 3am and she hadn't seen him since 10. He'd said he was 'going out'. Catherine knew better than to ask where or for how long. She didn't dare go to bed, only a week before she'd been awoken with a blow to the head and him screaming at her.

"Who said you could go to bed, huh!? When I come home I expect my girlfriend to be waiting for me, not snoring away you lazy slut!" He'd roared as he raised his fist again.

Catherine cringed at the memory. She wondered why she hadn't got used to it by now. It had been over a year since she'd met Craig. Back then she'd been one of the 'it' crowd. Too cool for school and ready to try anything dangerous, anything that her father wouldn't approve of. Craig was dangerous all right, she thought bitterly, just not the way I had imagined.

No! I shouldn't think like that. I love Craig. He just has problems with his temper that's all.

And there were times that she truly loved Craig. As terrifying as he was one day, he could be as sweet and loving the next. All her friends were dying of jealousy at their 'perfect' relationship. They have no idea.

Just then the front door slammed. Catherine held her breath, anxious to see if he was in a good mood tonight. "Darling? Is that you? Cra-" She stopped short as she saw his stony face. Not again, please. But God, fate or whoever she prayed to wasn't listening tonight. The beating that followed was one of the worst she'd received so far. Once he'd passed out in a drunken stupor, Catherine crawled to the phone. Although blood was pouring from a head wound, her arm stuck out at a funny angle and her chest felt so broken she could hardly breathe; she could not ring an ambulance. Catherine could not allow people to know she was a victim of domestic abuse; they'd take Craig away from her.

There was only one person she could trust with her secret. He had heard her sobbing one day from her open window as she was trying to remove a piece of glass from her hand; a result of a heated argument with Craig over breakfast. It hadn't been long before his honest face, alluring voice and obvious compassion had gotten the truth out of her. Not only a good man but also an excellent doctor he'd offered his assistance to her, free-of-charge, whenever she needed it. And she'd needed it a lot.

Catherine sighed with relief now as she knew he was on his way. All she had to do was ring his number and within minutes he was there in the doorway: a tall figure with shining golden hair and deep, caring eyes; her glorious guardian angel. Or so he seemed to Catherine at times like this.

"Carlisle." She whispered apologetically, embarrassed to find herself in this situation once more.

Lithely he picked up and carried Catherine's broken body away to his home and makeshift emergency room.

"I had hoped we wouldn't see each other again. Well, at least not like this." His soothing voice was a pain-reliever stronger than any aspirin, as he got to work on repairing her.

Catherine bowed her head in shame. "I know I said the last time that I'd leave him...but I just...can't." Her voice broke on the last word. Why am I so weak? He took her face gently in his hands and gravely observed the dark bruises that were forming there before attending to the seeping wound on her forehead,

"I know it's not easy for you, but if you don't leave him there may come a time when I won't be able to put you back together again. You're so young, Catherine. You're wasting yourself on him." His beautiful face was twisted in concern for her. He grew quieter as he tightly wrapped her broken ribs. "Also...," he added and then paused for a while, considering how to say it. It's not like Carlisle to be hesitant, she frowned. "What's wrong, Carlisle?"

He sighed "I'm going to be leaving London soon. Very soon in fact. I should have told you earlier, I'm sorry. It's just time for me and my family to move on."

This news cut deeper than Catherine would have predicted. Carlisle was the only person in the world who knew what she was going through and he was leaving her! They didn't actually spend any time together other than when she needed his medical help, but the frequent occasions over the last year or so were enough for a bond to form between them. He was like a father to her. She hid these emotions by pretending to observe her bandaged wrist with interest. "Oh." was all she could bear to say.

"I'd invite you to come with me, to be part of my family." His honey-coloured eyes beseeched hers.

Catherine's heart ached as she considered the unexpected offer. As tempting as it was, she already knew she wouldn't go.

"I can see you've made up your mind. You must truly love him." Carlisle sighed unhappily for the young girl, not even eighteen and yet so stubbornly tied to this beast of a man. He was afraid to leave her defenceless.

"I'd better drive you home." Carlisle finally broke the silence. After the quiet car journey Carlisle helped her to her door. Silently they embraced. Moments passed as he held her in his cold but safe arms. They didn't need to voice their thoughts; both were painfully aware that this was goodbye, for the last time.