Every Hour of Every Day

by WantJasperspeen

All Human, Alt Universe. Edward and Jasper are best friend, ex:Marines coming home from Iraq to their new lives. Edward's younger sister Elizabeth has been in love with Jasper since she was 2 yrs old-how is she ever going to get Jasper to see & love her.

1. Chapter 1

Edward POV

"Son can I talk to you in my study for a moment please?" Carlisle looked the way he did when he had to tell someone that there is something very wrong with one of their loved ones. His slicked back blond hair was disheveled and the gray at the temples was showing more.

We walked into Dad's Study and Dad took his seat behind the beautiful antique mahogany desk that Mom had searched for years to find the exact one. He loved that desk as it was just like the one his Father had when Dad was growing up. This room was his sanctuary and reflected his taste much more than the rest of the house.

"Edward, I want you to do me a favor and I know that it is probably going to strike you as stupid, but it is very important to me or I wouldn't ask it of you?" He leaned back his leather reclining chair to look at me.

"So are you going to tell me what you want me to do first, or am I supposed to blindly agree to anything?" I was playing with him now, cause we both knew that I would do anything for my family.

"Son, I know the both of you just got back from Iraq and you are very close because of it. Now that you have finished your tours and chosen to leave the Marines, you and Jasper are both feeling a little lost. I know you are both just trying to figure out what next, and I completely understand that, I do. I am going to ask that you don't leave Elizabeth alone with Jasper."

I shot up out of my chair, instantly enraged "What the fuck are you thinking Dad? That man has saved my life; I don't even have the ability to count how many times. And you are asking me to treat him like some kind of child molester?" I was breathing hard and both my hands were at my side in clenched fists.

"Edward, please calm down and let me explain myself and if you are still angry with me after that, we can discuss a boxing match at the gym." When I was a teenager and Dad and I started butting heads, he started taking me to his gym and we would get all prepared with the equipment needed to spar safely, then we would go at it. We always felt better after a good match, and then we could talk without being angry.

"Your sister has been in love with Jasper Whitlock since she was two years old. The first day that you met and brought him home. Your 2 year old sister grabbed a hold of his 12 year old leg and wouldn't let go until your Mother practically pulled her off him. Ever since then, whenever he walks into the house, she is in his arms, being carried piggyback, or sitting on his lap. I know that the only reason that you are so close to Elizabeth, despite the 10 year distance in ages, is because she would go where Jasper went. I know it annoyed you to have your little sister tagging along all the time, but Jasper would always talk you into it. She's 15 years old; she is at the stage where she would be liable to throw herself at him, declaring her undying love and asking him to take her virginity. It is not that I don't trust Jasper, I do trust him with my Son's and my Daughter's lives. I don't think he will give her what she wants this time, and it would crush her. Her self esteem has always been very low since the accident. If he rejected her, after all this time that she has built him up into the perfect man; she would be destroyed. You know how they always joke- she asks him if he has girlfriend yet, and he always tells her that his waiting for her to grow up, then she tells him that she is doing it as fast as she can." Dad was pleading with me to understand and to agree with him about this.

"I am not going to keep them away from each other, cause they love each other Dad. But I will remind him that she is only 15 and I will make sure that they are never alone together."

He stood up and came around the desk to clap me on the back, and then we walked out into the rest of the house. Everyone was waiting for Jasper to make his big entrance. Jasper has the worst luck. On our last day in Iraq and our last Patrol ever, Jasper was hit by Sniper fire and was evacuated to Germany for the surgery and the start of his convalescence. I hadn't seen the fucker in 2 months and I was excited to get my best friend back. We were out of the service and now we could let the good times roll.

I could hear the car pull up in the driveway and then Jasper was yelling at me "Where are you Deadward?" as he opened the front door and was greeted by half of Forks yelling "Welcome Home Jasper".

I had got the same treatment 6 weeks ago, when I came home and I remember well the feeling that was on his face right now. It was overwhelming how much we loved and were loved by our families and friends. I looked around the room not wanting to embarrass him by watching him hug his Mom and being all emotional. My gaze was caught on my little sister Elizabeth Anne Cullen, the look on her face told me that my Dad was right to worry about her throwing herself at Jasper.

Beth was the total opposite of me. I looked like my Mom, Esme with my odd copper penny hair. It couldn't decide between being red or brown and had an almost metallic shimmer. Beth's hair was a golden blonde and Dad wouldn't let her cut it, only trimmed. When down, it hung to her waist and curled in spirals. She called it the bane of her existence since it never obeyed her and she always pulled it up into a bun on the top of her head to keep it out of the way. She hates hair on her face. While I have Mom's emerald green eyes that all the women comment upon; Beth has Dad's blue eyes except for Beth's changes shades all the time. When she is mad or crying her eyes turn a dark blue that is almost black, when she is happy her pupil is ringed in gold and then green with a ring of blue around the outside edges, and when she is nervous or shy they turn a gray blue. Dad says medically it is impossible but he can't argue the point as even he gauges her mood by the color of her eyes. While my coloring and good looks all came from my mother: my 6'2" height is all Dad. I am built long and lean, being in the Marines had really developed my body and I knew that the girls were digging the muscles that I now had. Beth, however, was supposedly built like my Grandmother but as we had never met her I couldn't tell. Mom is short at 5'5", but Beth hit 5'2" in 6th grade and hasn't grown any taller since. When I left for Iraq she was a chubby 13 year old with freckles and braces. The braces were gone as well as most of the freckles. Then all the chubbiness migrated and landed in her chest and ass. Now she is 15 years old with Double D's and an ass that would make a lot of the rappers sing about it, but in between the rack and the ass was a tiny waist. At 15 her body shouted Sex, and then you see the innocent face, the trusting eyes and the worry for everyone but her.

I am a badass, thanks to the Marines and Iraq. Beth was the exact opposite, but then again she always had been. The girl cries during commercials. If someone is winning, she starts rooting for the loser. She will fight to the death to prevent hurt from coming to those she loves but is careless with her own safety. She used to be an annoyance to me, until Jasper.

Flashback

When I met Jasper in school, it was his first day in a new school, in a new town, and a new life. He told me right away everything, he said that we would be best friends forever but that could only happen if we never lied to each other. Then he told me how his Dad constantly beat him and his mother, she finally got up the nerve to leave him. They left with just the clothes on their backs and since she always hated the cold, rain and snow, she headed for a place that was all three. They changed their names and his Mom found a cheap apartment. She worked two jobs for awhile just to keep them going.

I went home that day and told my Mom all about Jasper and his mother. Mom called the school office and since she is the President of the PTA, she was able to get Jasper's address. She waited until after dinner before asking me to come with her. We left Beth at home with Dad. It was always funny when they were alone together; she had Dad wrapped around her fingers and they always got caught. When we pulled up to the apartment building, Mom did something that she never does anymore; she grabbed my hand and led me through the building. She walked up to the door of apartment 101 and knocked. A woman peeked through the crack of the open door. She must have decided we were OK because she removed the chain and opened the door all the way.

She had the same blond hair as Jasper; his face also looked a lot like hers except for the bruises. However she has brown eyes and Jasper has really bright blue ones. Her hair is straight but she wears it chin length and parted in the middle. She looked from my Mom to me and back again. It took Mom a moment to recover from her first sight of Jasper's Mom.

"I'm sorry, please forgive my manners? I am Esme Cullen and this is my son Edward Cullen. Your son Jasper is Edward's new best friend. Jasper told Edward about the two of you and Edward told me. I am so glad they did because we really needed to meet. Is Jasper around?"

She looked shocked and scared "Jasper" she called. He joined her at the door and his eyes went wide when he saw my Mom and me.

Mom took the initiative and said "Jasper, I am Mrs. Cullen or Esme if you prefer. I am Edward's Mom. Do you think you can take Edward into your room and the two of you can hang out while I talk to your Mom?"

Jasper looked at his Mom but she was still in shock, so then he nodded his head and said "Come on Edward, follow me."

I wanted to explain to him but he just closed the door, put a finger over his lips and pressed his ear to the door, so I followed suit. I really wanted to know what my Mom was going to tell his Mom.

"Edward said that your real name is Sarah Whitlock but you are now going Helen Hale. Which do you prefer that I call you?" Mom didn't sound like Mom, usually she is practically in tears when someone is hurt but she was being very businesslike right now.

"Helen, I guess." Jasper's Mom said hesitantly.

"When I met my husband Carlisle Cullen, he was a Doctor in an Emergency Room and I was 5 months pregnant. I had 3 broken ribs, a broken arm and a broken jaw. My first husband didn't like the way I set the table. Carlisle told me that the next Michael beat me, that it would probably kill the baby. He offered me a way out, and I didn't think about, I knew that I couldn't let that man hurt my baby. I was staying with some of his friends; they were married and had a couple of kids in a big house. I helped with the household chores and taking care of the children for my room and board; with a little extra money on the side for me to buy stuff for my baby. They offered to let me stay after the baby is born and I accepted. I gave birth to my little boy on December 30th. He was dead before he was born. I held him and rocked until they came to take him away. That day I made a vow to him. I promised that I would never let this happen to someone else. I promised that if I met a woman like me, I would move heaven and earth to help her and be there for her. Now the only question is will you accept my help?"

"Esme, I may have been stupid to stay with that asshole so long, but I am not suicidal. I would love some help!" Helen sounded relieved.

"Ok, now obviously you are using different names, have you the correct paperwork to go with your new names? " Helen must have shook her head no "Well then, we need to take you and Jasper to go get Passport Photos, and then Carlisle, my husband, has a friend that can get you all the papers that you both need. How did you get him enrolled in school?"

"I told them that we lost all our belongings in the move. The moving truck was involved in an accident and then caught fire. All was lost." she was slow to answer but she sounded determined. Like a woman with a mission.

"Well we can work with that. Now, do you have a job yet?" Mom was taking over now.

"Yes, but it is minimum wage and I have no other money whatsoever." Helen was softly crying.

"Hey enough of that, no more crying, We are woman and We roar. OK Carlisle just lost his receptionist in his office. He keeps regular office hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm. We've been using a Temp Agency for the last month, do you need to give notice to your current job or can you start tomorrow?" We cracked the door open, slightly so that we could see what they were doing. My Mom had a pad of paper out and was busy writing lists down. Mom loved lists.

"I am working cleaning houses for a maid service, so I don't have to give them notice, but I would probably like to keep that job for weekends only, just until I have some savings and we have a real life?" Jasper's Mom said everything like it was a question, and you could tell her that you don't like it. It was sad.

"Great. Here is what I think we should do: tomorrow go deal with the Maid Service regarding changing hours or clients so that you only have to work doing that on weekends, then you and I are going to go apartment hunting. No offense, honey, I know that you just got what you could afford but this isn't a good place for Jasper to be, especially alone while you are at work. Carlisle and I are going to loan you the money to get on your feet. You can pay us back whenever; there will be no hurry and no pressure. We will get you a decent apartment with two bedrooms so you don't have to share with Jasper. Also we will then go furniture shopping and get household goods for the new place. Once we get you moved in, Jasper will come home with Edward after school. They can do their homework together and then hang out and play sports and video games. It will keep Edward busy and hopefully, they will both do better in school when they can count on each other. You can pick him up when you get off work." Helen was going to interrupt but Mom put up her hand and I could see the twinkle in her Emerald eyes.

"Carlisle just bought me a new car and I am going to give you my old Volvo Station Wagon. That will be a gift and you will not pay us for it. The only way this all works is if you have reliable transportation. This part is really a favor to me. We have a two year old daughter named Elizabeth, that I am a stay at home Mom for her, right now. Having Jasper with Edward everyday is going to make him so happy. He is very much a loner; it hurts my heart to see how lonely he is. Until today, I think I was his best friend. When he came home today all excited and worried, I didn't know what to expect. He was so excited to actually have a best friend, but he was very worried about the two of you. The Volvo is a Thank You for letting me steal your son after school everyday. You know, now that I think about it…I think we should also make a point of the two of you having dinner with us every Monday night. Mondays are usually the worst for the kids, it is hard going back to school after two days off." Mom actually rolled her eyes at that. Dude when she was talking about me, she made sound like some future stalker or serial killer or something. I wish she hadn't said all that but if it makes things turn out right for Jasper and his Mom; then I guess I can't complain too much.

"Mom went on to say "that way when you come to our house after work, you can come in and we can all eat together and Carlisle and I will have someone to have adult conversations with besides each other. Then when you guys get home, you won't have to cook or do dishes or clean the kitchen, you can just relax and spend some time together. It is perfect. OK let's see if I have everything. Job, Apartment, New Documents, Jasper after school, Furniture and Household Goods, Documentation. That is what I forgot, OK I know, it will be just a moment I have to make a phone call." Who is Mom calling now? What does she mean by documentation? Mom walked over to the window in the tiny kitchen, the place looked more like a cheap hotel than a home, but they wouldn't be there long. Mom will make sure of that. We couldn't hear the other end of the conversation, just Mom's.

"Hello Chief Swan, this is Esme Cullen, how are you? That is good to know, but I really called to pick your brains on a professional basis. OK Charlie, a friend of mine was in an abusive relationship and she just got out. She has moved very far away and to protect her and her child, she is using an assumed name. This all just happened a couple of days ago and well she is pretty messed up still. What should we do to make this end without anyone being in danger? I don't have my digital camera with me, it is at home. Oh, I never thought about that, I will run to the liquor store and buy one. OK why the newspaper? Should I save the actual front cover? I don't understand by scale? Ok but wouldn't a ruler be, oh. Yes. Really, if you say he can do that, then I believe you. Let me just write down the number and I will call first thing in the morning. And Charlie thanks again. Bye Bye" Mom turned to look at Helen and I could tell that Mom had already taken Helen under wing and she was now part of our family. Though Mom was trying to get Helen to show more interest in her own life and not just let Mom take over. I think that Helen just really needed someone to just take the entire burden for a little while so she could catch her breath. Mom finally relented.

"Charlie is the Chief of Police; he is divorced and has a daughter a year younger than the boys. When she comes to see him, I help him get her room ready and also to have the things needed for a girl to be in a bachelor pad. That is another story. I called to find out what we should do about documenting the abuse. I am going to go run to the local convenience store and get a disposable camera. Digital camera photos are not good for court because they can be tampered with so easily. I am also getting today's newspaper. I will need to pictures of all the damage on the both of you. CCarlisle is coming to help with that so he can get clued in too. You will like my husband, he is very compassionate. Don't let me forget to hold up a dollar bill beside each of the marks. It helps the jury and the doctors to determine the scale of the injuries. I will be right back. Edward you be good, I 'I'll be right back."

Jaspers POV

Wow Edwards Mom is like a Tornado; she just came in and swept up everything in her path. She just left and my Mom is looking like she is lost. I don't know if I should go out there and comfort her or pretend to be busy in here. I probably should stay put so she can pretend that I didn't hear any of that.

Edward and I just sat on the end of the bed, thinking about all that had just happened and what else will be happening tonight. I was worried about all the changes being too much for my Mom. Then there was a knock on the door and Esme was back, and Edward's Dad must be with her, and he is holding the cutest little girl ever. She looks just like a feminine version of her Daddy, and was holding onto him like he was the only dry land in the entire ocean. Stubborn little cuss, isn't she?

I decided I had had enough hiding in the closet, so I motioned to Edward and we joined our parents in the other room.

Esme talked first "Helen, Edward mentioned that your ex, hit Jasper too? He didn't start hitting Jasper until he got big enough to start trying to protect me. After that, well he would beat both of us. With Jasper, it was also a lot of taunting and hurtful words. Jasper would try to fight back and I wouldn't so he was steadily getting worse. That is when I finally got up the courage to leave. He told me that I could run as far as I wanted to but he would always find me and if I ran, he would kill me. Then who would take care of my precious baby then? I am ashamed to say that I believed him. I wasn't too worried about being killed; it was the worry that he would end up with custody of Jasper anyways that prevented me from leaving before. I should have left the first time he hit me, and stayed gone. Jasper and I would have had a much different life."

"It is your experiences that make you who you are." Edward quietly stated. I knew I liked this guy for some reason.

His sister was staring at me from her Daddy's lap. She has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen on a little kid. She's really cute. Her hair is a golden blond like her Dad's but hers is curly to the point that it almost forms ringlets. They jiggle when she moves her head, almost like they are alive. A vision of Medusa with her head of snake hair came to mind, but I couldn't even think of the two at the same time. Edward's little sister is an angel, definitely not evil. She has a heart shaped face like her Mother's but unlike the rest of her family. She has freckles all over her nose and cheeks. She smiled at me and I got to see her little itty bitty teeth. Everyone was still talking about my Dad, but I couldn't think about any of that shit. I was entranced by my angel. She has the biggest blue eyes I have ever seen; at least I guess they are blue. It is just a kind of blue I have never seen before because it contains green and gold too. Shit she's smiling at me again.

She turns to her Daddy and tugs on his shirt and says "Daddy I want down."

Carlisle looks down at her and says that he doesn't want her getting into anything or making any messes, and she turns those eyes on him and says "Pweese Daddy, I be dood drill?" You could practically see him melting. He picked her up off his lap and set her down on her feet. She was wearing a little black and white checked dress with little red cherries all over it, red sandals and a red ribbon in her hair. She toddled around the living room under her father's watchful eyes.

Finally she stopped in front of me and held both her arms up in the air and said "Up peese?" actually it came out more of a demand.

Carlisle started to get up to scold her "Elizabeth Anne Cullen, we don't demand things from people. We have to ask nicely." and he sat back down when she looked like she was sorry by hanging her head down and looking at her shoes.

This time she tried to be a little more diplomatic and slowly said "Peese up?" I didn't know what I was doing, as I'd never really held anyone else. I was an only kid and my Dad kept my Mom from having any friends, cause they might notice the scars and the bruises. I didn't want to hurt her or drop her, but how could I tell this angel no? I bent over and put a hand beneath each armpit and lifted her up. Now what, I don't think I can hold her like forever. I bring her closer to me so I can smell her for a moment and she reaches up and puts her arms around my neck and wraps her little legs around my waist. So I reach down and support her weight by putting my arms underneath her bottom. Someone would tell me if I was doing something wrong, wouldn't they. She was staring into my eyes, just as much as I was staring at her. She reached out and touched my cheek very softly, and then she grabbed my hair in her little hands. I was expecting her to pull the hair out, but she was just gently finger combing it.

She was staring at me and Edward leaned over and told her "Elizabeth don't pull Jasper's hair out."

She suddenly looked like she was shy and tried to hide her head in my shoulder, but she was looking up at me through her really long eyelashes and very softly she said "Japper Mine". She let go of my hair and wrapped her little arms around my neck and laid her head upon my shoulder. I didn't know what to do so I just kinda rocked back and forth on my feet.

Mom and Dr Cullen went into the bedroom with the Camera and I could hear them talking about the different bruises and scars. She was discussing how she received them and he was writing down each of them. He told her that she should stop by his office tomorrow and sign a consent form for him to request copies of her medical records.

"I don't know if that is a good idea, if you ask for copies of our medical records. Then couldn't my husband find out and then he'll know where we are? "Mom sounded scared.

Mrs. Cullen got up and walked into the bedroom then and said "She's right Carlisle; we can't chance him finding out where they are. Charlie gave me the name and phone number of a lawyer that specializes in obtaining divorces for women who are in hiding due to domestic violence. He said that Jay Jenks is able to hide his client's whereabouts and still get their freedom. I was going to call him tomorrow; maybe he can request their medical records by subpoena and then give you copies?" I hadn't realized that I had been holding my breath until after I let a big breath out. I guess Mom wasn't the only one worried that he would find us.

I could hear Dr Cullen reply "OK, but if he can't get them without giving away their location. I might be able to do it. I have a friend from Medical School who practices in Arizona. I could have him request the records for me and then when he gets the records, he could overnight them to me. But maybe it is better that it looks more routine, like part of the information is needed for the divorce. OK Helen, have we everything documented?"

Mom was straightening her clothing and must have nodded her head. Mrs. Cullen and Mom were holding hands when the came back into the living room. Mrs. Cullen walked Mom to the couch and had Mom sit down. Then she walked over to me "Jasper it is your turn. Elizabeth fell asleep in your arms, here let me take her from you and then go on into the bedroom." She reached out to take Elizabeth into her arms and Elizabeth tightened her grip around my neck.

Mrs. Cullen pried her arms from around me and lifted her up into her arms and Elizabeth cried in her sleep "No Mine Japper" which caused everyone to laugh. Elizabeth was asleep again in but a moment, but the area where she had lain on my shoulder was cold without her there.

Mrs. Cullen smiled at me "Elizabeth is a really shy baby, I have never seen her act like that before, and you must be really special Jasper for both my children to have taken to you so quickly. Now don't worry so much, and let us adults take care of everything. You don't need to take care of your Mom all alone anymore. We are going to help you. Did you want Edward to go with you into the room with Dr Cullen or are you OK doing it by yourself?" She was standing there with Elizabeth draped over her shoulder sleeping and she reached over and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, out of my face. She was the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen, next to my Mom, and I wanted to trust her. I took my time thinking about her question; Edward and I were going to be best friends, so he was going to have to know all my secrets.

"Mam, I don't need Edward to come in with me, but I'm not going to hide anything from Edward" I turned to look at Edward then said "I have never showed anyone the scars, but I don't want to hide them from you and I want you to know how I got them. So since I have to explain them to your Dad right now, do you want to come with me so I don't have explain twice?"

Edward looked a little scared and uncomfortable but he just nodded his head yes, and followed me into the bedroom. Dr Cullen was sitting on the edge of the bed and smiled at me as I came in. "OK Jasper, do you have any current bruises or cuts on you?"

I felt really uncomfortable right then, my Father always made sure that the evidence of his brutality was hidden, where it could not be seen. He was more careful with me, than my Mom because he could keep Mom at home until the black eye went away; but he had to send me to school so he kept his beatings and cruelty in places that wouldn't show while dressed. He also didn't allow us to have any friends. Friends might notice that we were in pain or that we were hiding something. Then I remembered that Mom had just done this, if she was brave enough to let her secrets be seen, and then I am too.

"Yes Sir, I have fresh ones on my back, some bruises on my rear and back of my legs." I kicked off my tennis shoes, unbuttoned my pants and let them slide to the floor. I stepped out of my pants and grabbed the bottom of my long sleeved T-shirt and pulled it over my head. I was standing there in only a pair of boxers, and when I turned around so my back was facing the Doctor; I heard a loud hiss come from him. I could feel myself trembling now; it was hard to stand there with my back to a man. Anytime I had done that before, was while my Father was whipping me.

Edward was standing beside me and he reached out his hand to me, I took it and I looked him in the eyes. I didn't see pity in his eyes, I saw anger. Edward was angry, not at me; but at the Monster who had done this. My friend had seen the worst of me, and now he shared my anger. I came back to the present moment when Dr Cullen started asking questions and taking photographs. He was very professional about his questions, and it helped make it easier to talk about the abuse like it had happened to some stranger and not me. After he finished cataloging the injuries to my back, he had me turn to face him to document the ones to the front of me.

"Jasper, you're going to have a lot scars all over your back, your upper chest and arms and the lower part of your neck; but I am sure you already knew that. As they get older, they will fade and won't be so noticeable. You can get dressed now, I have all the pictures. Can you tell me how you received them son?" I couldn't look him in the eyes, so I looked down as I put my clothes back on. Then I went and sat down on the floor against the wall. He didn't prod me, or act impatient.

Edward sat down on the floor next to me and his presence helped to calm me. I wasn't alone anymore I had a friend and I could do this. "I think I was 8 the first time that he hit me. Mom had fallen asleep that night, and she hadn't ironed his work shirt before she went to bed. So when he woke up that morning and started getting ready for work and his shirt was not ironed; he went ballistic. I heard her crying and begging his forgiveness. He was in a tirade and screaming at her about now he was going to be late for work and they would fire him for her lazy ass. She was on the floor and I didn't even think about it, but I stood in front of her and told him to leave my Mother alone. It pissed him off even more. He told her that she was turning his own son against him with her lying bullshit. Then he punched me in the stomach so hard that I puked. While I was lying there, he took the (now hot iron) and placed it on her thigh, burning her. Then he unplugged the cord and used it to whip me as I lay curled up on the floor. Then he left. I guess he liked the feeling when he whipped me, cause a couple of weeks later he brought home a leather bullwhip. He would sit on the back porch, drinking beer and practicing with the whip. There was a large Eucalyptus tree in our backyard, that he would whip the bark off it. Then he started using it for his fun. He would make me stand with my back to him and hold onto the tree (like doing push-ups against a wall) and whip me. If I let go of the tree or I screamed; then he would add more lashes. He couldn't whip me that often, cause the school might find out; but in the summertime he had free reign. We didn't have any neighbors, cause we lived out in the sticks. He would usually beat Mom senseless first; otherwise she would throw herself in front of me. When I was younger, he would say he was sorry and that we made him do it. If we would just do what he says, then he wouldn't lose his temper like that. Later on, he wouldn't apologize or even try to rationalize what he did. We belonged to him and no one can tell him what to do with his property. When he couldn't use his whip on me because of school or whatever, then he used to have fun finding things around the house that would make a nice paddle to spank my ass. The Monster felt it was OK, because they only left bruises. He thought CPS wouldn't get involved for some bruises caused by a spanking. "

I was scared to look at them. What if they thought that I would become a Monster just like my Father? I had to see what their reaction was going to be, but I was scared that I would lose my first real friend before I even got a chance to know him. I thought it would be easier to look at Dr Cullen first, so I lifted my gazed from where it had been examining my shoes and looked up into Dr Cullen's eyes. His blue eyes were so dark that they looked almost black. He was pissed, and for a moment there I was scared and then I saw the tears and realized that he was pissed at the Monster and the tears were for me. He opened his arms to me and I flew into them. He hugged me really hard, but for the first time in a really long time; I felt safe. I looked up when I felt another pair of arms behind me. I looked over my shoulder and it was Edward; the both of us were being held to Dr Cullen's chest. Then sensing that I was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable with all this male bonding; he let us go and we all stood up.

Dr Cullen put a hand on my shoulder and said "Welcome to the family Jasper, come on lets go see what the women are doing?"

End Flashback

Edwards POV

I realized that I was off in LALA-land and went to greet my best friend. We had only been separated for a couple of months, but it felt like forever. Since that day when we were 12, we haven't been apart longer than 2 weeks at a time. Everything we did together until the day Jasper was shot. I had never been more scared in my life, than I was the day I felt Jaspers blood leaking out of him and I had no way to stop it. That was the moment when I decided that I was going to become a Doctor. I haven't told anyone yet; I was waiting to talk to Jasper about it first.

I walked up to Jasper and put my arms around him in a great big hug. "Damn Jasper, couldn't they feed you while there? You are super skinny man?" I took a moment to really look him over. He was wearing his fatigues and except for being skinnier than I remember and being kind of hunched over. He looked good. His honey blond hair, having always been darker at the roots, was now a kind of light brown or dirty blond as it was only about ½ inch long in his military haircut. His bright blue eyes looked tired but happy. He had lost most of the tan we had had from the Iraqi sun.

Jasper must have been looking me over too, cause it took him a minute to answer "Yeah, I didn't like the hospital food too much. Occasionally, one of the nurses would take pity on me and bring me back a burger or something. Other than being a little skinnier, and a little sore from the plane ride, I am fine. How're you Hoss?" Jasper's Southern accent really returned to him when we were stationed Texas and then Tennessee; before we went to Iraq.

"I am great, as you can see and we have a lot to talk about later." He nodded his head to acknowledge to me, that he understood that I wanted to have that conversation in private. His Mom had picked him up from the airport and she was chatting with Chief Swan in the corner.

Jasper looked at me and back at his Mom and Chief Swan, and said "How long has that been going on?"He didn't look mad or territorial, just curious.

"I don't that there is anything happening there, but if there has, it hasn't been long. He hasn't mentioned anything to Bella about it, at least. "I replied.

"Bella? The Bella?" He was looking at me with the question in his smile; I just nodded my head and smiled back at him. We would talk about that later too. "Where's my girl?" He was looking around the room for Elizabethbut I could no longer see her; then I heard her.

Elizabeth's POV

"Jazz, did you miss me?" I was standing right behind Jasper and my brother and he was so close that I could smell him. I would know that scent anywhere, as it was unique just to Jasper. He smelled like freshly sawn pine, with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Then he yelled "LizzyBeth" and turned around to lift me off the floor into a huge hug. I was dangling a good foot off the ground. Then I remembered his wound, and struggled to get free.

"Jasper, put me down right now! What the hell were you thinking, you could hurt yourself and cause a hernia or rip out your stitches or something." I knew I was panicking at the idea of him being hurt worse and I know that my makeup was all ruined cause I had turned on the waterworks. None of that stopped me from feeling like shit. I almost lost him, he had been shot, and now the idea that it would be me causing him additional pain was more than I could bare.

Jasper, of course, knew what I was thinking and feeling. He stopped me right away and leaned down so that we were eye to eye "Stop it right now, LizzyBeth. You didn't hurt me and I am fine. The stitches were taken out a long time ago and I lift weights in physical therapy sessions that weigh more than you do. So you don't have to worry about a hernia or anything. Now stop the tears, go run into the bathroom and fix your face. Then come right back here, cause I haven't finished saying Hello to my Girl."

I did just as he said and when I looked into the mirror, I realized that I didn't look that bad. The Mascara hadn't run down my face from crying. I washed the rest of my face with some cold water. Then I applied a little bit of pink lip-gloss. I looked again in the mirror and thought, well this is as good as it gets.

Jasper was waiting for me and that made my heart go wild, I could hear its beat at just the thought of being near Jasper. I loved him, I had always loved him. I know that I am young and everyone says that it is just puppy love; but they are wrong. I have loved him since I was 2 years old; and I will love him until the day I die. I know that everyone will give me a hard time about my love for Jasper, but I have a plan that will take care of all their arguments.

I walk back out into the party and over to where Jasper and Edward and standing. Jasper spots me and beckons me over. He hands his beer to Edward and then grabs I back into hug him, this time without picking me up. When he puts me down, I look at his face. I try to see if he is hiding his pain, but there is no trace of pain or deceit in his eyes. He smiles at me and I smile back, and then chew on my lower lip trying to think of something to say that is grown up and smart. I want more than anything for Jasper to see me as growing up. It is part of a little game we play.

"So Jasper, I don't see a girlfriend with you?" He laughs cause he knows that I am playing our game.

"Nope, I couldn't decide which girlfriend to bring as I have so many, darlin" He said with a heavy southern twang.

"Now, Jasper I don't believe you. When are you finally going to get a real girlfriend?" This the part that I really get afraid of what his response will be.

"Now you know darlin that I am waiting for you to grow up" he is grinning now, and I am feeling a little breathless under his gaze. It is like we are the only two people in the world.

"I'm growing as fast as I can" I really am, but I don't think he has even noticed. I haven't seen him in over a year and in that time, my entire figure has changed and he can't even be bothered to notice.

He replies to me "Well then darlin, I'll be waiting. However, I smell food, and since you probably heard my stomach growling. I am starving. How bout you show me where it is all spread?" He smiled at me and gestured for me to lead on and he will follow. He told Edward "Later". Then he followed me into the dining room, where the table was laden with big silver chaffing dishes and food everywhere.

"Mom had it catered by this little hole in the wall Mexican food place, that has the best food in the Northwest. They had never catered before so Mom took over. She bought them all the chaffing dishes and then she made them a catering menu. She put huge prices on everything, so that they would make a good profit from the catering business. Now Mom gives out copies of their catering menu to all the society ladies and the doctors at the hospital. They are really busy. The owner/chef Miguel doesn't speak English that well, but all his children work in the restaurant too. Their oldest daughter Maria is like 28 and so Mom is showing her how to do bookkeeping for the business and how to cater. Today is a self-serve buffet so it is easier for them as all they had to do is put the food in the correct dishes and keep it hot, then leave. Other ones require that they have waiters and/or servers. One of his sons is going to Bartending school so he can act as the Bartender at the events. No matter how busy they are, Miguel always says yes to Mom when she calls about a party."

"Esme is right, as usual, this is some of the best Mexican food ever." Jasper hadn't even filled his plate yet. He was already putting mouthfuls into him, between each Chaffing dish. Then going back to the same dish to pile more into his plate. Once he finally had his plate completed, I showed him where everyone was congregating to eat. The basement has always been this giant empty room, right now it looked like a restaurant. There were round tables scattered throughout the room and each could seat 8 people. The laughter and the murmuring were low, as everyone was engrossed in their food. We found a place to sit by Chief Swan and Jasper's Mom.

After everyone had eaten their fill, people were mingling again and reminiscing with Jasper and Edward. I was feeling a little left out, or out of place. I decided to go upstairs and get a head start on the clean up. I took a shortcut to the dining room and ran into a couple making out in the short hallway behind the stairs.

It wasn't until they had broken apart that I could see who it was… Rosalie and Emmett?

Rosalie is Jasper's cousin. His Mom had finally called her brother and told him about her abusive marriage and her escape when Jasper was 16. Her brother, Jack, had been considering moving out of state at the time; he realized that he didn't have to raise Rosalie alone. He could move to Washington to be near his sister and Jasper and Rosalie could grow up together. Rosalie's Mom is hooked on drugs and Rosalie won't have anything to do with her. Rosalie is 2 years younger than the boys. Everyone thinks that Rosalie and Edward would make a cute couple. Now I know why she hasn't seemed interested.

I can certainly see what Rosalie sees in Emmett, afterall he is my cousin. He is a year older than the boys. He has always been kinda muscular but it is the gentle side that I love. It was Emmett's idea to join the Marines after 9/11. We were all watching the rescue efforts on TV, when Emmett states "I'm going to join the Marines tomorrow, I will go back to college after I get out of the military, that way I will have the GI Bill for tuition. Of course the boys talked to each other about it, then later that night they called Emmett into Edward's room. No one knows what was said but it ended up that they all went to the recruiter the next day. Later that night the three of them told their parents that they had joined the Marines. That Edward and Jasper would continue to go to school and get their diplomas, then the 3 of them would got to boot camp a couple of weeks after their graduation. Emmett finished his first year at college. Now Emmett was a massive mountain of a man. He got out of the service the same time as Edward.

Now here he was making out with Rosalie, by the looks on their faces, they didn't want anyone to know. They were both single, disease free, and adults. It was none of my business anyways, so to let them know that it was ok, I made the motion of zipping my lips closed, applying a lock and then throwing away the key. Then I covered my eyes with one hand covering each eye. Then I took my hands off my eyes and covered my ears. I followed up with both hands covering my mouth. See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. They both smiled at me.

I was pretty much done with the dining room, so from there I went into the kitchen and hummed as I worked. I realized that it was almost time for dessert. I set out a new a new table cloth for the dining room. After I got the table cloth on, I went back into the kitchen to get the industrial coffee pot, and the expresso/capaccino maker. I gently placed them on the sideboard. I set it all up with the ingredients needed. Then I traveled back to the kitchen to get out all the desserts. Mom and I spent all of yesterday baking for today's party.

I went downstairs to the basement and located my Mom. She was easily the most beautiful woman in the room, besides Rosalie. She was looking especially good today. She was wearing an emerald green wrap dress with a pair of white stilettos. She was wearing the Jade and Pearl necklace and earrings that Dad had given her for Christmas this year. She had pulled her auburn hair up into a French twist and allowed little tendrils of hair to frame her face in soft curls.

Mom was talking to a group of ladies that I recognized as working with Auntie Helen in Dad's office. (Mom wanted me to call Jasper's Mom Mrs Hale, but Helen wanted me to call her Helen- so they compromised and I grew up calling her Auntie Helen) Auntie Helen was Dad's receptionist when she started and now she is the Office Manager for Dad's practice. She keeps and office of 3 Doctors (including Dad) 3 Front office workers, 6 Nurses, and 3 Nurse Practitioners running smoothly and working as a team.

I walked up beside Mom and waited for a break in the conversation "Excuse me Mom, I cleaned up the buffet and I set up the desserts and the coffee/capaccino machines, did you want to make an announcement?"

Mom turned to look at me and smiled, her whole face lights up when she smiles and her gorgeous green eyes twinkle. "Honey, thank you for all your hard work the last couple of days. How about I come up there with you to see if we are missing anything before we send up the hoard? That way I get to see your beautiful table scape before it gets destroyed by the hungry. Ladies, please excuse me as I need to attend to the duties of a hostess. It has been a pleasure speaking with you all." Then Mom put her arm around my shoulder and together we walked upstairs.

We got to the dining room and Mom looked it all over . She pronounced it perfect and couldn't think of anything that we forgot to put out, or anything that needed to be put out. So she went back downstairs to announce that dessert and coffee are available in the dining room.

I decided not to be there for the mad rush, so I took a brownie and a piece of cherry pie and escaped to my room. I was tired and Jasper was busy being the guest of honor. Everyone else treated me like a kid. I laid down on my bed and looked over at the picture that was in a frame on my nightstand. The picture was taken right before the boys left for Iraq. It was of Jasper and I. Jasper was handsome in his Camis and I was wearing a sundress. Neither of us were looking at the camera, we were only looking at each other. I remember the moment so vividly. I could never forget it.

Flashback Elizabeth's POV

This was going to be the time we could see them before they shipped out to Iraq. Everyone was on edge. Mom and Dad, who never bicker, had spent the whole 5 hour drive snapping at each other. Mom was complaining about how Dad was driving and Dad was picking on her for making us late to get on the road and packing enough stuff for a months's vacation. I had long since decided to tune them out.

I knew that they were both feeling the stress and trepidation, their only son was going to war. I was feeling it too. He is my brother, but I was also feeling absolute terror at the fact that Jasper was going. Edward may be my big brother, but Jasper is the love of my life (he doesn't know it yet, but I do and that is all that counts when it comes to my fears for his safety). If I were to lose any of the boys, it would devastate me, afterall Emmett is my cousin.

All the way there in the car, my mind has gone over and over what I want to say to Jasper. I want him to know that I love him, but I don't want him to think it is some silly schoolgirl crush. It is much more than that and deeper than anything else in my life. I have always known since I was small that I would marry Jasper someday. The question is how to make sure that he knows it?

We finally arrived at the base and Dad had to go into the office to show his driver's license, registration and proof of insurance before they would give him a pass to go onto the base. We were then directed toward a large aircraft hanger. Dad parked the car next to the hanger, by a bunch of other families. Everyone was gathered together and frequently hugging teary eyed family members. Uncle Eli and Aunt Carmen, had followed us up here and Auntie Helen had ridden with them. They had decided that they would be going back home to Forks tonight and Auntie Helen wanted to go home tonight too. Since Mom and Dad are going to stay in a hotel near here and drive home tomorrow, they took separate cars.

We walk into the hanger and there are bleachers against both walls and the families are sitting on the bleachers. We quickly find a spot for us to it down all together. After awhile an officer comes up to the microphone and gives a little speech about the sacrifices our boys are making for their country and how grateful our country should be, and then advises that they only have 3 hours for this last visit with friends and family. Then he states that the boys are not to leave the hanger. He hopes that we will all have a nice visit and that our boys make it safely back to us. The Moms and Wives are crying as he calls them into the hanger. They are standing at attention, and then he releases them. Everyone is running at each other looking for their families in the chaos.

Emmett is the first to find us, he climbs up the bleacher to us and grabs Aunt Carmen in a bear hug. Since Emmett won't let go of Aunt Carmen to hug Uncle Eli, Uncle Eli hugs the both of them. While we are watching them, Edward sneaks up behind Mom. Mom gives a cry of surprise and then she throws her arms around Edward and starts to cry. Edward looks up at Dad helplessly and Dad just pats him on the shoulder. Jasper comes up behind Auntie Helen and wraps his arms around her. She leans back and snuggles her head on his shoulder. She covers his hands with her own. They are all with us now.

The emotions that I have been trying to hold back all day, overwhelm me. I can't handle it any longer, so I just walk away from my family. They won't notice cause they are involved with the boys. I ask someone where I can find the bathroom? And get pointed in the right direction. The bathroom is empty. I guess no one wants to waste their precious time with their loved ones. I open a stall and put down a couple of toilet covers and fully clothed sit down and cry.

I cry because I don't want to be an only child, I want Edward to come back to us whole and healthy. I cry because I can't imagine the rest of my life if Emmett isn't around to provide a bit of silliness, Emmett is the only one that I have ever told about my feelings for Jasper. He doesn't think I'm being melodramatic or acting like other silly schoolgirls. I cry because I am only 11 years old and the man that I will love for all my life is going off today to fight in a war. I may lose him before I am even old enough to show him my love for him. I cry because this sucks.

Finally I get up off the toilet and walk over to the sink. I know that I didn't go to the bathroom so technically, I don't have to wash my hands, but it is a habit. Leave a bathroom = wash your hands. I look into the mirror over the sink, my face is all red. I splash some cold water on my face and I look a little better. I dry my face on some paper towels and turn to look at the door. I really don't want to go out there. I am feeling very fragile right now, I know if someone says the wrong thing, I will start to cry. Maybe I should go for a walk around the hanger?

I push open the door and I am watching my feet as I walk, not really paying attention to where I am going, when suddenly I am jerked off of my feet and into the air. I am unceremonially thrown over a fatigue covered shoulder and carried with my head hanging down a muscular back that has a nice view of someone's rear. I inhale deeply, I know that scent. Cinnamon, Nutmeg and freshly sawn Pine; Jasper is the one carrying me. He carries me through the crowd and now my face is really turning red with embarrassment. He takes me over to a piece of bleacher that is relatively empty but within 50 feet of where our family is seated . I tried to talk to him but he wouldn't answer me. Finally he sets me down on my own two feet, and then he leans back against the wall and folds his arms over his stomach. He is staring at me and I don't know what he is thinking as there is no expression on his face. He is staring at me, so I start to fidget and study my sandals.

"You want to explain why you took off like that and disappeared for 30 minutes?" His accent is really thick now because he has spent a lot of the last 3 years stationed in the south, and I adore his accent. I could sit there and just listen to him all day.

"No?" Please don't make me tell you about the crying, I don't want to cry again right now? I am begging him to just take my no for an answer, but Jasper wouldn't be Jasper if he let me get away with it.

"LizzyBeth Please tell me what's wrong? I can't go away for a couple of years knowing my girl didn't want to see me?" He said it so softly, that no one else would be able to hear, and it broke my heart him thinking that I didn't want to see him. I quickly closed the distance between us. I threw myself at him and he caught me (like always). I wrapped my arms around his neck and he support my weight by grabbing my thighs. Then I started to sob against his shoulder.

Through my sobs, I kept repeating my plea "please don't die, please don't die".

I was probably getting heavy for him, so he walked a few feet over to the bleachers and sat down with me straddling his lap. Sitting allowed him to use his hands to soothe me. He rubbed my back in little circles. Then he leant down and with his lips touching my ear, he sang to me so softly that no one else could hear.

"you get a line, and I'll get a pole honey,

You get a line, and I'll get a pole babe,

You get a line, I'll get a pole

We'll go fishing in that crawdad hole, honey baby mine."

I started to giggle. He smile at me. Mom took the picture at that moment

End Flashback

I love that picture of Jasper and I, and I so glad that he is home with me safely. Now I just have to figure out how to keep him from falling in love with someone else before I am old enough to fight for him.

Edward's POV

"Kids can you guys meet us in the dining room, please?" Dad yelled up the stairs at us. I had just finished filling out some college applications. Jasper and I had our talk the day after his Homecoming Party. I told him about wanting to be a doctor. He was interested in architecture or maybe engineering, and we agreed that we would both apply to a bunch of colleges, then based on which colleges accept us, we would choose one that we could both attend. That way we could get an off campus apartment together and not have to worry about our roommates. Emmett was going to try also, but his grades during his first year of college weren't the greatest so he may have to go the Community College route for a couple of years before transferring to a 4 year school. He wanted in on the apartment too. We were waiting to get part time jobs until we knew where we would be living. All of us had saved up our military pay and had nice nest eggs to live on for awhile.

"Coming Dad" I yelled back to him, then I went to Beth's door, I knocked 3 times but she didn't hear or answer so I opened the door. She was at her desk doing homework with her Ipod ear buds in her ears.

I touched her on the shoulder and she jumped about a foot in the air, yanked out her ear buds and yelled "What the hell Edward?"

"Dad just asked us to come to the dining room for a family meeting right now." I lifted my eyebrows in surprise at her attire. She actually looked like a girl today. Usually she is such a Tomboy, that Mom would beg or bribe her into wearing dresses. Yet the last couple of weeks she had been wearing stuff from her own closet instead of raiding mine or Dad's. I wonder what is going on with her. I don't think it has to do with Jasper, cause it started a couple of weeks before he got home. Maybe we can talk later.

She led the way downstairs and I followed behind her. Today she was wearing a little plaid pleated skirt and a white t shirt with poofy short sleeves. She kinda looked like a Catholic schoolgirl.

We each took our customary seats at the dining room table and waited for Dad to speak up. Mom and Dad didn't look upset so it must not be anything bad. " Your Mom and I will be celebrating our 30 year anniversary this week and we have decided to take 2 weeks off and go to Isle Esme for a little honeymoon. Since Edward you are 25 years old, we are going to leave you in charge of Elizabeth. Your Mom is going to leave you with a folder that has all the information that you might possibly need. Your Mom bought me a Satellite phone as an early anniversary present so that we can be reached in an emergency on the Island. The file will include papers giving you power of attorney if needed, also things like giving you permission to speak for us should Elizabeth need any medical treatment. We leave on Monday. Any questions?"

Elizabeth and I looked at each other, neither one of us could think of anything, so we both shrugged at the same time. We all ended up laughing at that.

The time before their departure went fast. I drove them to the airport while Beth was at school. That way they didn't have to leave one of the cars in long term parking. We took Mom's SUV and you would think they were going for a month with the amount of luggage Mom had packed but we finally got it all onto a cart, and they were on their way.

The first part of the week was relatively calm. Beth went to and from school everyday. She'd get home and do her homework in her room, talk to her friends on the phone, go on her MySpace page, and chat online with other friends. Jasper and Emmett would usually come over in the evenings and we would watch the game (if there was one on), we would play video games, or watch movies. Sometimes Beth would join us for a time, but she had school in the morning so she would leave us and go to bed early.

Beth and I had a nice chat about Jasper. I even told her what Dad had asked me to do in regards to not leaving her alone with Jasper and his reasons why. She returned my confidence in he, rewarding me by being truthful with me.

"Dad is right Edward. I am in love with Jasper. I think I have been in love with him since I was 2 years old. Of course when I was 2 it wasn't a romantic type love, more a possessive type. Do you remember that I used to call him "Japper Mine"? As I got older, instead of outgrowing my love for him or turning it into a familial kind of love; instead it grew to a love that a woman feels for a man. Wait! Edward I know that you don't think that I know what love really feels like, Mom tried to say it too. Mom was afraid that I would spend my teenage years pining after someone that I can't have, and missing out on the entire High School dating experience. So, instead of waiting around for Jasper to realize that I have grown up and hope he feels the same way; I have decided to live my life right now as if I am not in love with someone. I've been dating and recently gained a boyfriend."

"If you have a boyfriend, how come you haven't brought him over to meet the family?" I was mad, this is my little sister and some punk is calling her his girlfriend and doesn't even have the guts to meet her family first.

" Hey calm down Speed Racer. He just asked me to be his girlfriend the other day, and I hadn't brought him to meet the parents before, because I wasn't sure it would work out. Why go through the hassle of meeting the parents, if we are just going to break up a week later. Don't worry, I will bring him round soon. I just to find a time without you guys here." she had her sly little smile on her face.

"What do you mean by that?" Why didn't she want us around to meet this guy?

"Well, Mom and Dad are intimidating enough, but then add Emmett, Jasper, and you into the mix. The three of you have carried guns on your bodies for the last 7 years, and you have actually shot people. I think you can agree that that would be a little too scary for the kid dating your little sister?" She tried to look sad, but I could see that she was really teasing me.

"OK OK, I promise no guns. Then can we meet him?" I put my hand behind my back and crossed my fingers, cause if the kid did get out of line, I couldn't promise that I wouldn't shoot him.

"OK but not tonight. Tonight the girls and I are going to the Bon Fire at La Push. You wouldn't want to relax the curfew would you? Just to 1am, please? It is just an extra hour, the other girls all end up having to go home early because of me? Please?" She was begging me to let her stay out an extra hour. I thought about it. I remembered Bon Fires that I had attended down at La Push, the party didn't even get started until after 9 pm really and if I made her come home at 12pm, they would have to leave the BonFire around 11:30pm for her to make it on time. Finally I just caved in.

"OK OK 1am. The guys and I are playing Poker tonight as Jasper's house, but I will be home before 1am so you better be on time." I left her room and she started getting ready for her night out.

I went to my room to get some comfortable clothing on for an evening of Poker with the guys. I think tonight that I will suggest that we have Poker night on weeknights, and maybe we should go to a bar or a club on Friday or Saturday nights. None of us have girlfriends right now. I've been really lonely lately. I did the right thing breaking up with Alice, during my last leave. Afterall, she is getting married to that Felix guy she met after we broke up. Lately I find myself thinking about Bella Swan. I thought Jasper was going to go there, but he just said it would be too weird, with his Mother dating her Father.

Poker was fun. It was nice to see Ben, Tyler and Mike. I lost like usual. Jasper was winning most of the night, until he found out about Beth's boyfriend. Maybe there is something between them. He certainly took it harder than I did. If there is something between Beth and Jasper, he probably doesn't even admit it to himself cause there is nothing he can do about it. She is only 15 right now. Though once she is 18, that's another story. If he is still single when she turns 18, and if she says she is still in love with him, maybe I will tell him it is OK with me. I don't know, I will have to think some more about it. Though if I could pick the guy my sister marries, he would be just like Jasper. Maybe that is my answer.

I told the guys that I needed to hit the road about 11:30pm. I had only had two beers and nothing for the last hour except water. Jasper walked me out to my car, I guess so he could have a private word with me. He said, "Edward I have a bad feeling about this guy Beth is dating. What kind of guy doesn't introduce himself to her parents before he asks her out? Just keep an eye out, OK?"

"Sure JazzMan, I had already decided to do that, that is why I am heading home early. Hopefully he will drop her off, and I will be able to catch a glimpse of who it is. Talk to you later man." I got home about 11:45pm and Beth was already home. She was in her room and the door was locked.

"Hey Beth, you're home early." I said through the door, I put my head against the door to listen to see if she was not alone in there.

"Yeah, I wasn't having a good time so I came home early. Now I am going to bed" I couldn't hear anyone else in the room with her but it sounded like she was crying.

"Elizabeth Anne Cullen open this door right now." Something wasn't right, I could feel it. I needed to get into that room.

"No just go away Edward, I'll talk to you in the morning." she moaned quietly.

"Is that boy in there with you? He better not be, open the door so I can check and then I will leave you alone. I'm not going to go away until you do?" Now I was getting really upset.

"There is no one in here but me. I broke up with that boy tonight so you have no reason to come in. Now go away and let me cry in peace." I could hear the sobs in between her words. Why wouldn't she let me in if she is just crying about some stupid boy.

"Alright, let me in now, or I am going to break the door down. I've done plenty of times in Iraq, so don't think I won't." I yelled at her, cause now I was really scared.

I heard the door click and movement behind the door, and she said "Fine, come on in." I opened the door just as she flopped herself down on the mattress face in her arms sobbing into her pillow. I walked in and took a look around the room to verify that she was the only one in the room. Now I needed to comfort my sister. I walked over to the bed, and sat down beside her prone form.

"Beth honey, please stop crying. He isn't worth all these tears. Whatever he did, he didn't deserve you and he is the loser. I reached down to move some of the hair away from her face and that is when I saw it. I was frozen in shock. She must have realized that I saw it, cause she lifted her head to see what my expression was and I took in a loud gulp of air when I could see her entire face. I grabbed her hands and pulled her up. I held her standing in front of me, she was trembling. Whether it was from fear, or as a reaction. It didn't matter cause all I could see is red.

I reached into my pocket and hit speed dial 1. He answered at the first ring. I said "Grab Emmett and get over to my house right now." I ddn't explain anything or wait for his answer. I hung up the phone. "What is his name Elizabeth" I was talking calmly, in an icy tone of voice. Anyone who really knows me, knows that I am at my most dangerous, when I am at my calmest.

That is when she broke, seemed to come out of the spell she was under. "No Edward, please. You can't do anything. You'll end up in jail. He has a lot of friends there and they will defend him. I didn't get you home safe for you to go to jail because I was stupid. Please just leave it alone. I am OK."

"If you won't tell me his name, then I will just have to go down there and ask around. I'm someone at the BonFire will know who you were with tonight." I was so mad I couldn't comfort her. She was sobbing so hard she couldn't stand up, but I stood over her cold.

There was a screeching of tires and the front door slammed. "Edward what the hell is going on?" Emmett yelled and someone took the steps upstairs two at a time.

"Em they're up here." Jasper yelled as he stood in the doorway to Beth's room trying to take in the situation. He instantly noted the cold fury on my face, but he looked around confused to find the source of it. He couldn't see Beth as she was curled up in a ball at my feet, her arms wrapped around my legs, sobbing. Her hair was covering her face again.

Emmett joined Jasper in the doorway, as Beth sobbed again "Please you can't, you can't. You'll go to jail and it will be all my fault."

"What is his name Elizabeth? If you won't tell, then you will leave me no choice but to go to the BonFire and ask around until someone tells me." I was breathing heavily and Emmett and Jasper were still waiting to find out why I was so furious.

"It was an accident, it was my fault" Now she was trying to take the blame to protect that piece of shit? My fury went up a notch. I leaned down and gently grabbed her by her elbows, helping her to stand. Her back was still to Jasper and Emmett.

"It was an accident that your face looks like someone stomped on it. It was accident that your shirt is ripped from top to bottom, it is an accident that there are bruises and claw marks on your inner thighs? Did he rape you Elizabeth?" I was looking into her good eye, as the other was swollen shut between the trauma to it and the tears. I was shaking with fury. I looked at Jasper and Emmett and I could see the fury starting in their faces, since I knew that they had to see it, I turned around for them to get a look at her. Just then Rosalie tried to get around Emmett and Jasper, and saw Beth.

Rosalie ran up to Beth and took her from my arms and sat her down on the side of the bed "Oh my God, Beth what happened to you, Oh Sweetheart. Somebody get me blankets, I think she is going into shock."

Jasper left the room for a minute and was back immediately with a couple of blankets from the linen closet. Rosalie wrapped her up like a burrito, and Beth continued to sob. When she saw Jasper she cried "I'm sorry Jasper, I'm so sorry. Now you'll never love me." and her breathing hitched at a sob. He sat down and pulled her into his lap.

"You have no need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. Of course I still love you. Nothing you can do will change my love for you. LizzyBeth we need to know who did this to you?" As he was talking he was stroking the side of her face that wasn't swollen and black and blue. Her sobs were subsiding a little. I had to leave the room or I was going to start destroying things. I needed an outlet for my anger. Rosalie stayed with Beth and Jasper, while Emmett followed me into the garage where my Dad's punching bag was secured from the rafters. I didn't even bother putting on the gloves, just started right in, punching the bag.

Jasper's POV

I don't think that I have ever been this furious in my life, but she needed me and I had to hold it inside. I was waiting for her to tell me the name of the Bastard who did this, but every moment was an eternity to me. It quickly became apparent that we needed to get Beth to the hospital. Shit Carlisle is not going to like it. Everyone at Fork's hospital is going to know about it before he does. Shit.

Rosalie leaned over and whispered in my ear "She won't tell you guys his name, because she is afraid that you guys will kill the piece of shit and be put in jail. I'm pretty sure that if you call Chief Swan, that she will tell him. Once he is arrested, everyone will know and then you guys might run into him some night." I thought about it for a minute. She was right, my LizzyBeth was just stubborn enough to keep his name from us, but she would tell Charlie so that some other girl doesn't experience this.

I closed my eyes and prayed that he hadn't raped her. I know he tried from the scrapes and bruises on her inner thighs. I just hope that escaped him before he got the chance. I will have that sight haunting me for the rest of my life

I pulled my cell phone from my back pocket and scrolled down to Charlie's home phone number. I know he is at home tonight, cause that is where my Mom is spending the night tonight, so I could have the house for Poker night. He picked up on the third ring. "Swan Residence, Chief Swan speaking"

"Sir this is Jasper."

"Anything wrong Jasper, did you need to speak with your Mother son?"

I liked it when he called me son "No sir, I actually need you in a professional capacity. Could you please come over to the Cullen residence. If you want to bring my Mom with you, I think that may be a good idea. I really can't explain it to you over the phone, I don't think I am that strong."

"Son, just by your voice, I can tell that it is pretty bad. I will have one of my deputies meet me there. We are on our way, and should be there within 10 min."

"Sir we may need an ambulance, but we would prefer to go to the hospital in Port Angeles. Forks is a small town."

"Understood, I will have the ambulance meet us there too."

I felt a little better knowing that we were doing something. Edward was so mad I could hear the sound of his fists hitting the bag in the garage, all the way up here in Beth's room. I turned to Rosalie to ask her to hold Beth for me while I went downstairs to meet the chief and talk to Edward, but Beth's one good eye popped open and she had a death grip on me. She started trembling again and a big fat tear formed in her eye and rolled down her face "Please don't leave me Jasper" her breathing was hitched with sobs again.

I turned to look at Rosalie for what to do, she smiled and stroked Beth's hair. "Jasper, why don't you carry Beth downstairs to the living room. She probably doesn't want a bunch of strangers in her bedroom and she certainly doesn't the paramedics to carry her down the stairs on a stretcher. Then I will go out to the garage and tell them what is happening real quick. Then we can all sit in the living room waiting for them to arrive.

Beth, does that sound OK to you?" Rosalie was being very gentle with Beth, it was a side of her that not many people get to see.

My LizzyBeth looked up at her with her good eye and said "OK" then she turned so her face was hidden in my chest. I reached under her knees, and had my other arm around her back and gently lifted her up so that I was standing. Rosalie went down in front of us to help keep us from falling.

We walked into the living room and I went and sat down in the recliner. I could have put her on the couch, but someone would want to examine her or something and I would have to give her up. This way, with me in the recliner, the couch will be full and there won't be anywhere convenient to lay her down, so they will just have to look at her on my lap. I am not ready to let go of her just yet.

Once I put the rage away, to deal with at a later time and date. It allowed me to feel the other emotions that the situation brought on. I realized that I could have lost her. If the asshole was willing to beat her so badly, what would have stopped him from killing her. There are very few people out there that I love and my Mom, Edward and LizzyBeth are my top three. When did the love I feel for LizzyBeth turn from big brother/protector love to man/woman love; I'm not quite sure.

I know that the first time I began thinking of her as a woman, was at the welcome home party. She hugged me and 'little man' stood at attention. She had gone from being a tiny stick, to a voluptuous little temptress. That evening I spent a lot of time staring at the stars from the meadow where I used to escape to think about things. In the end, I decided to leave it up to fate. I was not going to actively look for a woman to replace LizzyBeth in my heart, if I found one, then it wasn't meant to be. But if LizzyBeth reached age 18 and I was still single and loving her; and she loved me; well, then nothing would stop me from getting my LizzyBeth. It was torture waiting for her to grow up. Slow torture. Tonight was the worst night of my life.

Rosalie brought Edward and Emmett back into the house and we all sat in the Livingroom in silence. Occasionally Beth's breathing would hitch in the wake of her sobs. She had taken her hands down from my neck and now had one buried under my back and the other had a death grip on my shirt. It wasn't until I looked down to see the damage to my shirt, that I saw the state of her hands. I hissed in anger, causing the others to stare at us. I realized my anger was getting her upset again. So I shook my head at the others, indicating I would explain later. I surreptitiously studied her hand, while singing in her ear. Her knuckles were swollen and it looked like she had a couple of broken bones in her hand. How must the other hand be, since she is hiding it behind her.

"Edward they should be here any minute. Can you go grab a package of frozen peas out of the freezer and wrap it in a cup towel and bring it here for her. Actually bring us 3, if you have them. We need to keep the swelling down." I know Edward and if he is left to stew too long, trouble follows. That is why I sent him for the Peas.

Edward got back with the peas right as Charlie, his deputy and the Ambulance appeared. I looked up at Edward and said "Here hand me the peas, you get the door. Ask Chief Swan to leave the rest of them outside for a minute. Tell him he can bring my Mom in with him. Here sugar, take your hand out from under me put them on your lap, I'm gonna lay the peas on top of them."

I couldn't pay attention to the conversation at the door cause I was trying to find a way under the blankets to get the other bag of peas between her thighs, but I managed to do it. Then I took the 3rd bag of peas and held it softly to the right side of her face. Once we got situated again, I was able to hear Charlie ask my Mom to come with him inside. He told his Deputy and the paramedic to cool their heels for a few.

It only took my Mom and the Chief a moment to realize that Elizabeth was the one needing the ambulance. Chief Swan came closer and said, "Alright, who wants to tell me what is going on here?" We all looked at each other, but then since I was the who called the Chief, I figured that I should be the one to speak.

"I'm sorry to interrupt y'alls night Chief. It seems that Elizabeth has had a boyfriend for a couple of weeks now. He wasn't real keen on meeting her folks and since she didn't know how long the relationship would last, she let him get away with that. I mention this only because no one knows his name besides her. Elizabeth won't tell us his name now, because she is afraid we will end up in Jail for making sure that the prick never darkens her door again. Thus we are at an impasse. She has, however, agreed to tell you the name of this now Ex-boyfriend. Beth I am going to sit up a little and unwrap the blankets. Rosalie come take the peas for me. LizzyBeth, we need to show the Chief your injuries, Ok?"

She just nodded her head and turned so her face was against my shoulder again. I opened up the blankets and the Chief mumbled under his breath "Son of a Bitch", but it was my Mom whose gasp, caused Beth to turn her head to look at her Auntie Helen. When Charlie saw the full damage, he swore again "Mother Fucker". Beth quickly turned her face back into my chest and locked her arms around my neck again.

Chief finally found his voice. "OK Jasper, first I want to take a statement. Then Elizabeth needs to go to the hospital in Port Angeles. I understand now, why you didn't want her in Forks. At the hospital, they will do a rape kit and take photos and gather any evidence they can. I'm going to videotape the questioning, the only ones allowed to speak are Elizabeth and I. My deputy is going to serve as witness. If anyone cannot handle what they hear, do not speak, just get up and leave the room. Once I start recording, I can't stop or the tape will be worthless in court. Understand?"

We all agreed, and Charlie went out to speak to his deputy. The two of them came back into the room. Charlie placed the digital camera on a tripod aimed at Elizabeth and I. Then he introduced himself and time and date stamped it. Gave the address and location for the recording. He noted who all was in the room at the time and then he got Elizabeth's vital statistics. Since she is a minor and is not supposed to be questioned without a parent, I handed Charlie a copy of my parent's temporary guardian status naming me and a copy of the Power of Attorney contract naming me. He noted each of those for the record, and requested a copy of each for the file.

"Elizabeth in your own words, please tell me what happened tonight?" he said it gently. I looked down at her face in the light of the lamp, and she had a faraway look in her eye, as if she was watching a movie about someone else.

"Everyone was excited about the Bonfire tonight, and all my friends were doubly excited when they found out Edward gave me an extra hour after curfew. Now, nobody would have to leave early in order to get me home on time. Afterschool we went over to Debbie's house to start getting ready. Joy put my hair in curlers, and since I always take my shoes off at the beach, I painted my toenails red. Debbie's Mom had ordered us a pizza and we ate dinner and watched a movie. At about 8:30pm JoAnn showed up to give us a ride to La Push." She was still staring off into outer space as she talked, and I could feel the trembling start again. I held her hand and gave it gentle massage to remind her that I am right here, and she is safe.

"JoAnn got lost on the way there and we were late. We started walking towards the BonFire and everyone was already having a good time. I was standing by the Fire looking for my boyfriend, when my Biology Lab partner started talking to me. We had a test today and he was feeling like he flunked it. I know he did good, because we did all the labs together, so I was trying to reassure him that he did fine on the test. Then he looked over my shoulder and got really still. He said "Uh Beth, I'll see you in school on Monday Ok?" I thought it was strange but I just shrugged and said OK. I remember I sighed; cause I wouldn't have anyone to talk to while I waited for my boyfriend to show up."

"Then he whispered in my ear "What are you sad that he didn't want to stick around and makeout with you?" At first I was just startled because I hadn't known he was there, and then I was mad that he would say that to me. When I turned around to look at him, and tell him off for saying stuff like that about me; I froze. It was like he was a different person, than the guy I had been talking to for the last month. In his place was a stranger and he was scary. I decided that I should break up with him right then. There is no way that I am going to date someone who scares me. Before I could get the words out. He taunted me "What cat got your tongue, or maybe it is tired from all the action you gave it this evening. Tell me, was he the one you were with earlier. Was he the reason that you were an hour late in meeting me?""

" That is when I smelled the alcohol on his breath. It wasn't beer or tequila, but it was really strong. I was suddenly really scared and no one was paying attention to us at all. He wasn't yelling at me, as a matter of fact, it was almost a whisper. Then he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the woods. I didn't want to go anywhere with him. I tried pulling away but he was too strong, and he was fast. Before I knew it, we were already under the trees. The night was so dark that if you were more than 10 feet from the fire, nobody could see you. The music and the partying was so loud that when I screamed, no one could hear me."

"He punched me in the stomach, when I screamed. Then he threw me down on the ground and got on top of me. He ripped my shirt and said "I don't even get to touch your tits and I have been going out with you for a month, but somebody else gets to fuck you while I get played by the virgin. Bullshit, Jason told me you fucked him at Adrian's party. Well I put in the time, played nice, now its my turn bitch." He kept trying to get my legs apart, but I kept my legs locked together. I fought him the whole time but he was so big. I begged him. He just laughed and slapped me. I kneed him in the groin, and when he could stand. He kicked me in the face, so I curled into a ball and he kicked me twice in the back. "you fucking tell anyone about this and I will make sure that everyone knows what a slut you are. Goodnight bitch." Then he walked away."

" It took awhile before I could stand up, but I was afraid he would come back and want to finish it. So I walked home. I didn't want anyone to see me so I walked in the trees and kept the road in sight. I got home about 11:45pm. I think that I left LaPush around 10pm. I forgot to tell anyone I was leaving, they must be so worried."

All of us were in varying degrees of shock and rage, but we held our tongues. Charlie went over her story again with a fine tooth comb, clarifying the ambiguous stuff and clearing up any inconsistencies. The last thing he did before turning off the Camera, was ask for the name of her (now) ex-boyfriend.

"Oh, I thought I already told you Collin Raincloud." The room was deathly silent and knew the other men in the room were thinking the same thing I was, that Collin Raincloud was a dead man.

Charlie got our attention back on him with his final question "Elizabeth, How old is Collin Raincloud,?"

This question caused her to squirm a little in my lap and turn her head to my chest again, then she remembered that she had to face the camera for the recording, so she went back to staring out into space, took a deep breath and answered "18".

Finally, Charlie he ended the recording and got up to go outside and talk to the ambulance and his deputy. He was giving them both instructions, but while he was gone, we all sat in complete silence listening to Beth's sobs. Something had been troubling me from her statement, and I knew that I had to ask. "LizzyBeth, Collin said that Jason told him, that he'd had sex with you at Adrian's party? Did you have sex with Jason?" I felt like shit for asking her that at a time like this, but something about it was bugging me.

"No, I'm a virgin. Jason had sex with Elisabeth Parker at Adrian's party. I didn't get to go to Adrian's party, I was grounded for riding your dirt bike without a helmet on. You remember, I wrote you the letter all about it." and she started crying again.

I hadn't even realized that I'd been holding my breath while waiting for her answer. Now I could breath again, my Angel was whole and safe here in my arms. Charlie stepping into the doorway locked eyes with me. I think he just realized that I love her, that I am in love with the 15 year old girl in my arms. I tried to convey with my eyes, the promise I had made to her and to myself, that I would wait until she was 18 years old. It must have reassured him a bit, cause he gave me the look that said we would speak about it later.

I knew that there was more business for us to attend to right now. "Mom, Chief Swan, we need to make some decisions. Carlisle and Esme are on a deserted island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil. The return trip takes almost 24 hours. They have a satellite phone, so we can reach them. They aren't due back until the Monday after next. Should we call them? If we do call them, should we tell them everything or just tell them that she is hurt and we need them back here asap? Should we call Emmett's parents? Should we ask them if we should interrupt their second honeymoon?"

We were all quiet thinking through the different options, when Beth made the decision for us "I want my Mom" and then sobbed.

"OK that question answered, who makes the call. IF the Chief calls, it is going to scare them shitless, because police notify people of deaths and when they do it, they usually won't do it over the phone. They tell them that there has been an incident and you need to come down. Then when you get there, they tell you that the person is dead. So Chief Swan is out, since Carlisle will assume that Beth is dead. My Mom is out, cause she will start crying and they won't be able to understand her, same for Rosalie. Emmett is out cause he is all over the place tonight. Edward, that leaves you and me. Are you calm enough to discuss this with your parents?"

"I'd like to say that I am, but I know that as soon as I try to discuss it, I will lose it. I am fine as long as I don't have to talk about it. I think you are going to have to do it man. If I could email or text them, it is just hearing the pain in my parents voices, I won't be able to handle it. Though I think you should tell Dad to walk away from Mom when you tell him, that way he can decide how much he wants Mom to know before they get here. He will probably sugar coat so she can get through the travel ordeal. Otherwise she might lose her mind and cuss out the stewardess for being too slow and keeping her from getting to her baby."

"LizzyBeth, I need to call your parents and tell them to come home. Can you sit on Edwards lap while I am on the phone, please?" I looked down at her ravaged face and dark bruises that were getting worse every minute.

She opened her good eye to study my face and said very softly "Please don't leave me, I'm scared." It nearly broke me.

"Darlin' I am not going anywhere. I will stay right where you can see me the whole time. Edwards going to hold onto you, and keep you safe with us forever. OK LizzyBeth? You will not lose either of us, we'll always watch over our girl. Thought right now, I need you to let go of me so I can and get your Mom home with us." Edward walked over to us and I stood up with LizzyBeth in my arms, I handed her over to him. Edward sat back down on the recliner and though she stayed in the same position with him, her eyes never left me. She followed my movements around the room, as I picked up the phone and dialed the phone number that Edward had given me.

The phone rang 6 times before someone picked up. Esme answered the phone with a happy tone of voice, she sounded like she was having a good time.

"Good Morning Mam, Is Carlisle available for me to speak with him?" I tried to sound like it was normal for me to call them during their second honeymoon on their private island. She wasn't fooled but handed the phone to Carlisle.

"Dr Cullen, have some bad news to advise you of and it might be best if you separate yourself from Esme. That way you have the option of what to tell her, she may not function once she hears it all and then you would have to carry her through the return trip."

He turned to Esme, "Jasper has a medical question he wants to speak to me privately about, I am going to go outside to take this call. I will be right back, love."

"Doc, first I want to tell you that both of your children are living. Unbeknownst to us all Elizabeth has been seeing a boy from the Reservation for the last month. This evening she attended a bonfire at La Push, and due to some vicious incorrect gossip, the boy got himself drunk and took out his anger on your daughter. From what we were told, he dragged her into the forest, hit her and tried to rape her. She fought him tooth and nail, finally kneeing him in the groin. When he was able to get up, he kicked her in the face. She curled herself into a ball to protect her face and stomach, so he ended up kicking her twice more in the back. She then walked home and locked herself in her bedroom. Edward discovered her and called us when he couldn't get her to talk to him. We didn't even know the boy's name. Finally she agreed to give us his name, only if she was giving it to Chief Swan. You see Sir, she was more afraid that Edward, Emmett or I would be put in jail for killing the Monster, than she was scared of it happening again. Chief Swan is here right now. He just took her statement and we are heading out to the ambulance in a few minutes. We've asked that the ambulance takes her to Port Angeles's Hospital, for reason of privacy. When we leave for the hospital Chief Swan plans to go to the reservation and assist the Quileute Police in arresting him for attempted rape, assault and battery, and anything else he can think about including Child molestation. Since he is 18 years old and she is only 15." I got to the end of my speech and the silence on the other end was deafening.

"Doc are you there, are you OK?" Now I was worried that I had given him some sort of heart attack or something.

"I'm alright Jasper, what was his name? The Monster's name?" I know that Doc has lots of patients from the Reservation and he cuts them slack on their bills for his services, so it wouldn't surprise me if he knew the kid.

"His name is Collin Raincloud" There was a bunch of loud cursing and name calling from the Doc's phone. Then it got quiet.

"How is she?" Should I tell him the truth, or should I sugarcoat it a little. Shit we don't even know how bad the damage really is, since we haven't done x-rays yet.

"Sir she is alive, she knows where she is and she was able to tell us what happened. She won't let go of me, I finally was able to free myself so I could call you but I had to promise to stay within her line of sight and Edward had to hold her for me. She wants her Mother. She has to be in extreme pain. I think her jaw and cheekbone may be broken., a couple of cracked ribs, her hands have multiple fractures from hitting him, the scrapes and bruises are massive. When we get done at the hospital, I can have the doctor tell you everything, so keep the Satellite phone on your person."

"Why didn't Edward call?" he asked like it was just something he was wondering about idly.

"Sir as close as Edward has always been with Beth, I remember that he used to cry whenever she cried. Right now, he is trying to stay strong and be the man of the family for her; but he still wants to cry with her. He felt that hearing your voices, well he thought he would lose the tight control he has on his emotions right now. Sir, he destroyed the coffee table and the garage has a couple of holes in the wall that will need patching up. If I didn't have her in my arms at the time; there probably would have been a lot more. Don't worry though, I'm going to keep Edward and Emmett with us until you get here. It wouldn't be a good idea to let them drive anywhere near the Reservation at this time."

"Jasper take care of my family until I get there. Call me when the doctor has the diagnosis. We will be there as soon as we can get there son. I don't want to have to bail anyone out of prison either. Thank you Jasper"

I turned around and went back into the Livingroom. The Chief had brought in the paramedics and they were trying to get her to let go of Edward and get on the gurney. I walked in and realized that she was too freaked out to do things the way that they wanted.

I raised my voice "Hey Jeesh Chief didn't you explain anything to these people? Excuse me, I know that you just want to take her to the hospital so she can be treated; but she was just assaulted and the guy attempted to rape her. You are guys, she doesn't know you and there is no way that you are going to get her alone with you in the back of your ambulance. Now if I sit on the gurney and she sits in between my legs, like when you take toddlers and infants with their mothers, then we can get this show on the road. Here, Edward hand her over to me. I will walk us out to the ambulance and we can climb up into the ambulance."

I didn't realize my need to hold her close, was as strong as her need for me to hold her. When I felt her weight back in my arms, there was a sense of relief and rightness that was hard to fight against. I held her closer to my chest and climbed into the ambulance. It took a moment to get us settled, but the paramedics cooperated after Chief Swan gave them a few unsubtle hints. Something about his next lunch with a certain supervisor and a mention of how cooperative they were during a sensitive situation? Now they were practically trying to be our best friends. We got settled in and told Edward and Emmett to follow us.

I reminded Edward that he needed to be at the hospital, since he was the only one who could legally authorize her care and treatment. I was afraid that Edward might take this opportunity, now we knew the Monster's name, to go and pay a visit to the Monster for a bit of payback. Chief Swan must have thought the same thing, as he let Edward and Emmett know that he would be heading straight for the Reservation from here.

The drive to Port Angeles went quickly and we were lucky that it was a slow day for the Emergency Room in Port Angeles. The doctor met the Ambulance and we were wheeled into the examination room immediately. The Doctor was a pretty woman with bright red frizzy hair and she introduced herself as Dr Scott.

"Dr Scott, I am Jasper Hale and this is Elizabeth Cullen. She was attacked tonight, attempted rape. Her father is Doctor Carlisle Cullen, which is why we had them take us here. He is away on vacation and her brother has Power of Attorney and Permission to seek Medical Treatment forms for her, he is following us here. Dr Cullen wants to speak to you after you have had a chance to examine her and Chief Swan would like you to do a rape kit for evidence collection. He would have told you himself but he has to get the arrest process started since it involves the Reservation and he has to cooperate with their police department."

"Wow, thank you Jasper, lets get you down off of the gurney so we can examine Elizabeth" She tried to help Beth up into a sitting position, but Beth was having none of that.

"Doc she's really traumatized and hasn't let go of me since we found out. She'll be much calmer, if you allow me to stay and hold her hand." I was begging this nice female doctor with my eyes, she kept looking from my pleading eyes to the death grip Beth had on the material of my shirt. When she said OK, Beth relaxed a little.

"OK LizzyBeth, I need to get down so they can take care of you. So I am going to slip out from under you. You have to let go of my shirt, I ain't going anywhere, I promise . I will be right here, holding your hand the whole time." She was staring at me with the one good eye and there was no expression on her face, but she let go of my shirt and I jumped down and held her hand in my own.

I don't know how long we were in there, but they had her stand on paper and strip off her clothing piece by piece Charlie had warned of this, so I had a bag with a pair of sweats and tshirt for her to put on afterwards. They set up a screen so I could hold her hand but not be in the pictures and not see anything. They bagged and documented everything. Then they searched for fluids with a black light. They found saliva on her breasts, and she started to sob. When they went to do the pelvic exam, Beth's grip on my hand turned painful, so I leaned over and sung a song for her ears only so that she relaxed. They allowed her to dress after that, and we were sent to xray, and did CT Scan. Finally we were back in the exam room and Edward, Emmett, Rosalie and my Mom joined us there.

Dr Scott came into the room and she tried to smile but it didn't last long. Beth had just fallen asleep after dragging me up into the hospital bed with her. She had her head on a pillow on my lap and her hand twisted inside my shirt. My poor shirt would never be the same, it was all stretched out from her twisting her hand up in it all evening.

"Dr Scott, this is my Mother Helen Hale, my cousin Rosalie Hale, Beth's cousin Emmett Cullen, and Beth's brother Edward Cullen. Everyone this is Dr Scott, she is the one treating Beth." Everyone was turned to look at the beautiful red haired doctor. She was giving Edward looks like she would enjoy meeting him again, then she became all business.

"Mr Hale, you had mentioned that you wanted me to speak to Dr Cullen regarding his daughters medical condition, is that right?"

"Yes, he asked for us to call him and let him speak to you once you had examined her. I will call him right now, and you can talk to him. We can listen and that way you don't have to explain everything twice. We can ask you questions afterwards if there is anything that we don't understand, is that alright with you?"

She agreed and I called Carlisle again, this time he picked up on the second ring. "Dr Cullen speaking."

"Doc we are in the emergency room in Port Angeles and Dr Scott is here to talk about Beth's condition. I asked her to explain to you and we will listen, so she doesn't have to do it twice. Here she is."

I handed my phone to Dr Scott and she proceeded to explain to Carlisle Beth's current condition. Her cheekbone and jaw are both broken by the kick to the head, they are going to have to wire her mouth shut for them to heal. She has a concussion too. Her liver was bruised from the punch to her stomach. The bruises and scrapes on her inner thigh, look horrible but are minor. The kicks to her back cause 3 cracked ribs, she is going to tape them up so she breaths more comfortably. The rape kit was negative. Her hymen is still intact, and there were no fluids. There was some saliva on her breasts that they did sample to see if they could get a DNA match. The rape kit evidence, including pictures has been sent to the police laboratory.

Dr Cullen asked her a few questions and then asked to speak with me again. He advised me that they should be landing in Seattle at 4pm today, it is already 7am. I told him that someone would meet their plane to pick them up in Seattle, and since Beth won't let me go. I will be here at the hospital with her at least until they get here. Then he hung up.

Dr Scott answered everyone's questions, and then said that someone would be along shortly to move us up into a private room. She will leave orders, advising the staff of how traumatized she is and to allow me to stay with Beth at all times. Since no one had slept, we planned for everyone but Edward and I to go home and sleep. Emmett would pick up Carlisle and Esme from the airport and drive them to the hospital. Once they were here, we would figure out a schedule so that someone was in the hospital with her at all times.

A few minutes later a couple of orderlies wheeled the bed to the elevator and took us to the 4th floor. A nurse followed us to room 408 and she set us all up, checked the pain meds were on board, and the IV port was clear. She smiled when she saw Beth's deathgrip and left the room, only to come back a few minutes later with an extra pillow for me.

I thanked her and managed to twist myself out from under her and turned onto my side so that we were now spooning, then I let the tension and worry go. My LizzyBeth was safe and in my arms, I could go to sleep.