Author's note: Well, now that hubby and I are finished with a 48-hour bout of food poisoning and my computer has stopped resetting for the moment, I can finally post the next chapter! *pants with exertion* So, here it is. Will post the next one ASAP, if I can figure out why my machine resets any time I try and save or scroll in my word processing programs and find a work around. If I can't get it fixed by tonight, then I'm just going to say fuck it all and use my laptop from now on - this desktop is a pain in my ass lately.

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The day progressed pretty normally – well, as long as Bella didn't think about the winks Angela occasionally threw at her whenever they passed in the hallway between classes, or the fact that in two days she would be starting her 'training.' She was still very curious about what that might entail, but despite the questions she asked Alice, her friend wouldn't tell her anything.

"Don't worry, Bella," she said as they gathered their things and headed toward the cafeteria. "You are going to love it. I mean, you're already hot for the idea," she said with a giggle. Bella just sighted and punched her shoulder. Walking into the lunchroom, they went and got their trays and wandered over to where Edward and Jasper were already sitting. Edward reached out and pulled Bella closer, running his hand through her hair.

"So how has your morning been, love?" he whispered, kissing her cheek. She returned the embrace and turned her attention to her lunch.

"Boring. Usual. Did you…" she trailed off, not wanting to say anything out loud in case anyone overheard. Edward caught on immediately.

"Didn't see him. After I walked you to class, I wandered around a bit, but it seems he showed up late to school today. So Jasper's going to be keeping a close eye out during PE." Bella nodded and made an effort to finish the food on her tray. After a few minutes, she realized it was futile, so she just gave up and began to draw pictures in her mashed potatoes with a celery stick.

"Bella?" She snapped her head up to meet Jessica's eyes.

"What's up, Jess?" she asked, noting how her friend looked extremely tired and worn out. The blonde just shook her head, and when she spoke next it was quiet.

"Can I…can I sit with you guys today?" Bella noticed with shock that the girl was shaking slightly, her eyes not meeting anyone else's for more than a second or two.

"Absolutely!" Bella said, scooting over to make room for the chair Jasper had already gotten from a nearby table. Like the gentleman he was, he waited until she was seated and pushed in to go sit down next to Alice again. Jessica sat in her chair stiffly, not leaning back or relaxing, and Bella caught Edward's expression as it turned from mild curiosity to flat-out fury.

"Jessica," he began softly, "how far?" She started, meeting his eyes guiltily before looking away.

"How far what?" she asked, her voice low. Bella was surprised when he reached over to touch Jessica's cheek lightly, but she was even more surprised when her friend flinched and drew back. Edward didn't say anything, just looked at her with those golden eyes, and Bella began to realize what he was talking about.

"Jess…" she whispered, putting her arm around the girl's shoulder. "It's okay. You can trust us."

"I…I…" she stammered before taking a big breath. "Not in here, okay?" Bella nodded.

"I know just the place. Come on." She stood, as did the Cullens, and with Jess in the middle, Bella and Alice on either side of her, and the guys following like dangerous guard dogs, the quintet made their way out of the cafeteria. Bella led them to the little nook she and Angela had gone to the day before. No one spoke until they were all seated, and Jasper began to calm the obviously frightened girl in their midst.

"Jessica…does Mike know?" Edward's voice was calm, but despite Jasper's influence, even Bella could tell when her breathing quickened. She shook her head.

"Know what?" she said quietly, her words denying but her voice confirming, and Bella understood.

"Jess…" She didn't know what else to say, so she just drew her friend against her and held her as the other girl broke down.

"I didn't want – I mean, I did, but not…not like that…and now…" she looked up at Bella. "What am I going to do? My parents will kill me! And Mike…god, if he finds out, he'll-"

"-do absolutely nothing, if he knows what's good for him," growled Alice. "What do you mean, 'not like that'?" the pixie asked like she didn't already know, like she couldn't read the absolute rage pouring off Edward like water. Jess just shook her head, not answering.

"Jessica," Edward began, his voice tight. "You didn't consent, did you?" Jessica stayed quiet, her only answer being to burrow further into Bella's arms. Bella, however, gasped.

"Mike raped you?" At that, Jessica broke down completely, the words falling from her lips as fast as the tears fell from her eyes.

"I told him…I told him we could…play around a bit…I knew I wanted him to be my first…but he just…he went too far…" She broke down completely, sobbing in Bella's arms. Alice sat down next to them and stroked her hair gently.

"Shh…it's okay now, it's okay," she murmured softly, but Jessica just cried harder.

"It's not okay! If it would have just been that one time…but…" Bella felt, rather than saw, Edward and Jasper stand and walk a few paces away, talking in hushed tones. "And now, I've got to tell my folks somehow that I'm…that I'm pregnant…and Mike – oh my god, if he finds out – he's going to be so pissed! You won't tell him! PLEASE!" She lifted her face, tear-streaked and puffy from crying, to Bella's, a plea in her eyes.

"Shush, Jess. We won't tell him anything. I promise. Jasper?" He came and sat on the ground nearby, and Bella felt a wave of calm wash over her. She knew it affected Jessica too, by the way her trembling lessened.

"Jess," began Edward once he was sure she was calmed down sufficiently. "Why didn't you tell anyone?" The blonde sat up and wiped her cheeks before responding.

"I figured – I mean, it's no secret that I've liked him for years…and I thought that – well, it would seem a little odd that I only accuse him of anything after I find out I'm…expecting…it would sound like every other girl who'd accidentally gotten pregnant and wanted to take the heat off themselves. I'm not like that. Besides, I thought he'd…I thought it would…get better…"

"Jess," asked Bella, not sure how to phrase the question but knowing they had to find out. "How often…I mean, how many times…"

"Has he forced me?" Jess finished bitterly. "Pretty much every weekend all summer." Bella was horrified.

"How far along are you?" Edward's voice, though calm, had a steely undercurrent that made Bella's blood run cold.

"I…I don't know. I mean, I've never really…" she trailed off, obviously uncomfortable. Edward just smiled reassuringly.

"Jess, it's okay. I have sisters, you know. And a girlfriend," he said with a genuine smile for Bella. It was that obvious fondness that had Jessica feeling more comfortable.

"Well, I've never really had a regular schedule for…you know, my periods. So I – I don't know."

"Have you been to a doctor?" Jess scoffed.

"In this town? I wouldn't make it out of the office before they were on the phone to my folks." Edward crouched down nearer to her.

"If I promised that my father wouldn't say a word, would you go for a checkup? Not just for the baby, but for your health as well. If he's been forcing you to have sex regularly, then there's a chance of damage you may not even know about."

"You mean, Dr Cullen..? But he's a surgeon."

"He's also a trained gynecologist and obstetrician. I can't think of anyone more trustworthy, or better at keeping secrets." Jess looked up at Bella as she spoke, obviously considering.

"Are you sure? That he won't…say anything?" Bella nodded. Jessica gathered herself and sat up.

"Okay. I'll do it. I want to make sure everything's okay." Bella hugged her friend just as the bell rang. Jasper and Edward had already stood up, and Alice joined them.

"Um, guys?" Jessica's voice was unsure as she stood, walking over to them. "I'm sorry – that I've been such a bitch to you all. You're a lot nicer than anyone gives you credit for, and I'm sorry it took this for me to learn that." Her face was scarlet with shame, but Alice's perkiness came to the rescue.

"That's okay, Jess. I mean, it's not like we ever really go out of our way to socialize either. Can't blame you for forming an opinion on something you don't know, now, can we?" She gave the girl a quick hug. "Now, since the second bell's about to ring, I suggest we head to class. Jazz and I will walk with you, since yours is on the way to ours. And you and Edward had better hurry to chemistry, since it's a longer walk." Bella nodded, giving Jess a last hug.

"Bella?" she said quietly. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it, Jess. We're friends, right?" The blonde nodded and walked off with the two vampires. Bella and Edward, hand in hand, walked towards chemistry, lost in their thoughts that – had they been able to tell – weren't that different from one another's at all.