SM owns all things Twilight.

AN: Reviews and alerts already! You guys are the best. I just hope I don't disappoint anyone. Especially SUNSHINE72 for showing such faith. Please keep reviewing and telling me what you think. It's my first AH and I'm still nervous. Now his chapter is still a little angsty, but I have to give some background.

ES POV-6 months earlier

She had been suffering for days. But as we approached a small town called Forks, somewhere outside Washington, the coughs and splutters gave way to a high pitched whining, a final groan and a loud pop and hiss. And despite my pleas, threats and tears, she would move no more. My car was dead. But as scared as I was, stuck in the middle of nowhere, with no cell phone and about twenty dollars, I couldn't be angry at her. She was, despite the salesman's reassurances, at least third hand when I bought her, and if I hadn't been so desperate and short of funds. My mother's jewelry as it turned out, had been more paste and cubic and zercona than real diamonds, I wouldn't have even looked twice at her. But then it had happened.

I can't even remember clearly what the argument had been about. It wasn't like Charles needed an excuse anymore. His shirt wasn't pressed properly, his dinner was cold, I hadn't been listening, I had been listening, I'd spent too much money, which was a physical impossibility considering the pathetic 'allowance ' he gave me every week, which was supposed to fully stock the fridge and cupboards, fill the drinks cabinet and if I was lucky, allow me to purchase anything I may need. The list of my misdemeanor's was endless and subject to change depending on Charles' mood. The punishment however, always remained violent and degrading.

He was sprawled on the bed snoring, whilst I was sat in the bathroom. The various cuts and bruises stung and ached, but what was worrying me more, was the deep cramping pain, low in my stomach. Charles was always rough sexually, but I had never experienced pain like this before. Or out, not caring about the repercussions, that would follow his discovery of the cab fare I had stolen from his wallet, I took myself to the emergency room of the hospital in the next in our town, had put an order on my files, that if I turned up with another inconsistent bruise, break, tear or sprain, the police were to be called.

"Mrs Platt, did you know you were pregnant"? The doctor, who was only a few years younger than me, but thanks to her job, had the tired, cynical stoop of someone much older, asked softly.

"No…"I whispered, swallowing hard, the almost choking ball of tears. After washing her hands, she came and sat by my head, her face softening slightly.

"I'm so sorry, but the pain and bleeding you experienced, were caused by a miscarriage, I'd say you were about six to eight weeks…"

I couldn't hold in the strangled cry that escaped me. I had wanted children so much. And before the wedding, Charles had been as enthusiastic as I had been. Then after the wedding, he had snowed me with excuses about wanting to get more established at work and wanting me all to himself for a little longer. He talked of trips to Europe. But they had quickly been replaced with sneered comments, slaps, punches and cries of "Look what you made me do". And like the idiot, he so often told me I was, I had just taken every blow and believed every tearful apology.

"Mrs Platt, you also have some nasty bruising, look, is there anyone I could call for you,? somewhere you could stay tonight?" The doctor pleaded. I shook my head, still unable to speak.

Thanks to Charles, I had cut myself off from the little family and few friends that I had. I had no one. Now not even the baby, that I would have loved so much. Although, part of me knew, that as painful and upsetting losing the baby had been, it probably was for the best. I couldn't pretect myself from Charles, how was I going to protect a defenseless baby?

And it was there, lying on a guerney, with only a strange doctor to comfort me as I grieved for the child that had been violently snatched from me. That I found the strength, to buy this clapped out old car and get as far as from Charles Platt as I could, and maybe, find the woman that I had once been. But now, as darkness began creeping over the horizon, my confidence was starting to fail me. And Charles' sneering voice, was echoing in my head.

It was no good, the car was dead, I knew that, but I couldn't just sit here. I got out. Twice on my week long trip, the engine had begun over heating like this, and popping the hood to let it cool had helped. Maybe this time…

"Ow! Crap!" I yelped, as the searing heat of the hood hit my hand. I began waving it around before clutching it in my other hand and for some reason, trying to place it under my arm. I didn't notice the car, the first in nearly an hour, until the owner asked;

"Are you alright"?

"Do I look alright"? I snapped, as I spun round to face the most, there was no other word for it, beautiful man I had ever seen. He was about six foot, lean, but with defined muscles, on the parts of him I could see, namely his chest and arms. But it was his face that had rendered me speechless,strong, features, blonde hair, slightly graying at the temples and eyes that were almost hypnotic. Damn it Esme, get a grip. Charles had been handsome and charming and look where that got you.

"Do you know anything about cars"? I hissed

" Very little, I'm afraid, but I can help you with your hand, I'm a doctor." He said, in a voice that was deep, rich and comforting. I desperately wanted to say that I didn't need his help. The last thing I needed, was to be beholden to another man, or have to listen to him patronize me. But the pain in my hand and the fact that I was totally exhausted, gave me no choice.

He led me over to his car, a black Mercedes, opening the passenger door. I almost fell into the plush leather seat. My head was starting to spin a little,I wasn't sure whether that was because of the pain in my hand, or the fact that I hadn't eaten since yesterday, either way he noticed.

"Look, I can't look at your hand properly in this light. Why don't you let me drive you into town, to my clinic, you can call a tow truck and maybe I can buy you dinner."He said leaning against the door.

"I'm not hungry.."I began, but my stomach decided to choose that moment to betray me. He smirked. "I'll pay for my own dinner." I insisted. He raised his hands to signal that he wasn't going to argue. He went back to my car and retrieved my bag from the back seat. Once he had stowed it in the trunk of the Mercedes, he slipped in beside me. My head began to swim once more, but this time from the intoxicating scent of clean linen, old books and was that honey?, that seemed to roll off of him. I took a deep breath. He looked across at me. God, he must think I'm some kind of psycho!

"So doctor…"I said as I exhaled nosily "Do you often pick up strange women on the side of the road"?I asked.

"Not often, and it's Carlisle, Carlisle Cullen…"he replied.

"Well…Dr Cullen…"I glanced in the mirror. I couldn't place the look that crossed his face as I spoke. Was it disappointment? I know it was a little sharp, maybe even rude of me to call him by his title, when he had obviously just given me permission to call him by his first name. But I couldn't risk becoming too friendly, becoming memorable, even if, after only five minutes, I really wanted to tell Carlisle, everything. I knew that I would have to stay in Forks for a while. I'd have to earn enough to buy a new car, then I would move. I knew that Charles would be looking for me and wouldn't stop until he had reclaimed 'what was his'.

Suddenly, the car phone rang, shattering the now slightly tense silence in the car. He looked across at me. "I'm sorry, I have to take this."

"Of course." Why was he apologizing? He hit the button.

"Hi Alice…"

"Dad, are you almost home? Bella is threatening to cut off Emmett' fingers if he doesn't stop poking them into all the food." The young girl called Alice's voice echoed round the car through the hands free. Even in the fading light, I could see his small smile.

"Al, I think you guys should go ahead without me…"

"No!Carlisle, just drop me in town"! I burst out, forgetting that Alice could hear me. His smile grew wider as he realized that I had said his name.

"Dad…"Alice began cautiously, obviously surprised that her father had someone, another woman in the car. Oh great, here was this guy trying to help me, and all I was doing for him, was getting him into trouble with his children and no doubt, unimpressed wife.

"Al, set another place for dinner will you, and ask Edward to set up a burns kit in my office."

" 'kay…'she replied, obviously confused, but experienced enough to recognize her father's tone as one that brokered no argument. The connection was cut and Carlisle turned off the hands free.

"Carlisle really, just drop me in town, it's getting late, you're obviously expected at home and I need to call a tow and find somewhere to sleep tonight."

"My house is closer than the clinic and I really do want to dress that hand." I had, temporarily forgotten the pain in my hand until he mentioned it. I was now fully aware of the painful throb. But I was determined. "If you have dinner at my house we don't have to argue about who picks up the check. There is a Mariners game on tonight, so Marilyn Monroe could need a tow and Billy wouldn't move. And, the nearest motel is ten miles, in the opposite direction."

"Oh great." I sighed. It was odd, I had got into the car of a complete stranger, with no fear. But now I was starting to panic and Carlisle seemed to notice.

"You haven't told me your name." he said softly.

"Esme." God, so much for not being memorable.

"Esme…"he seemed to take great delight in my name and coming from his lips, it sounded less like the swear word that Charles had made it, and more the beautiful name that my mother had loved.

"Esme, I don't want you to feel pressured or creeped out. I know we have only just met, but I have a spare room at my house…"

"The motel…"

"I, I don't think you can afford the motel Esme,"

My head dropped and the tears of fear, confusion and exhaustion began to flow. I was useless. The car suddenly stopped. His hand had barely ghosted the top of my arm, but the bruise there was still dark and sore and I winced. He pulled his hand back.

"Please don't cry, I didn't mean to insult or upset you. If I'm wrong, why don't you just stay to get your hand seen too and for some dinner and I'll drive you."his words came out in a rush, but his voice was full of genuine concern. I looked up. His beautiful face was twisted in concern and a little fear.

"You're not wrong, I'm broke."I whispered. "But what will your wife…"?

"My wife died fifteen years ago."

"I'm sorry". He nodded. "Your children…"

"Won't mind in the slightest, Bella always cooks enough for two armies". He said chuckling softly. I smiled weakly. That wasn't what I had meant and he knew it. What was it about this man? I trusted him, wanted to tell him everything, felt safer than I had in years.

"I'll get a job, pay you back…" I insisted. He didn't answer me. I happened to glance out of the window. We were on the drive outside a sprawling, three storey house. I had only known Carlisle for about half an hour and I had yet to meet his family. So why, as I looked between him and the house, the ground floor of which had light spilling from every window, did I feel so at home?

Alright, as I said before, I really need you to talk to me about this one please. It's easy to do. Just push the little green button. Please.

I'm thinking about doing the next chapter from Carlisle's POV, what do you think?

I have a bad shoulder at the minute, so updates will happen as soon as I can either find someone to type for me, or I have the time like today, to do it very slowly, stick with me. As I said before, your comments really do mean a lot.