Aaaaand chapter 3, sooner than expected! This chapter is entirely Edward/Bella, I hope you enjoy!

I apologize for grammer errors, it's 2:35 AM, and I'm not able to get them all. Eventually I'll probably need to get a beta to check everything.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.


"Hello, this is Edward Cullen."

"Hi," I replied, trying to make my voice sound as close to normal as I could. "Uh, it's Bella Swan...from earlier today." I wasn't sure what to say, how to ask for help. It had been so long since there had been someone for me to turn to.

"What's wrong?" he asked, the concern from earlier tainting his voice once more.

I tried to think of how to explain it all, but instead I just began to cry again.

"I don't think I can drive," I choked out. "My ankle, I can't move it. It hurts. Everything hurts," I moaned, leaning my head back on the seat.

"Where are you?" His voice was gruff. I could hear shuffled movement in the background.

"I'm about a mile from La Push, the Indian reservation near town."

There was muffled speaking on the other side of the line, then I heard him again. "I'm going to come find you, Bella. I'm taking you to the hospital."

"Edward, you can't do that." A door slammed shut on the other line, and another opened.

"I can and I will. Bella, you need someone to help you. If your ankle is injured, you'll need medical attention."

"You don't get it, Edward," I said, frustrated now. "I can go in alone. But if some guy came in with me, someone I'm not supposed to know yet, what will happen if Jacob finds out?"

"I assume Jacob is the name of the monster?" he asked sarcastically.

"Please, Edward," I begged. "Please."

The phone was silent for a moment. I could hear a car starting. "I'm still coming to get you. We'll work out a story on the way to the hospital."

It was my turn not to speak. Fear wracked my brain. Somehow, Jacob would blame me, and then I risked Edward getting hurt as well. I couldn't let him hurt a stranger, and not someone as kind as Edward.

"I'll think of something, something convincing. I promise." He was pleading now, and I didn't know how to say no to someone who so genuinely wanted to help.

"Okay," I conceded finally.

"Thank you."

"You shouldn't be the one thanking me," I replied, laughing humorlessly.

"I just meant thank you for finally agreeing to let me help in some way," he told me. He sounded slightly amused through the concern in his tone.

"Oh. Well, you're welcome, then."

He chuckled briefly. "I don't know how you do it, Bella. I'll be there in a couple minutes. Hold on." Then the line went dead.

...

Staying true to his word, Edward drove up not three minutes later, speeding down the road and slamming to a halt upon seeing my truck. He parked the car quickly and jogged over to me, opening the door.

"Hi," I said lamely.

"Now will you tell me what happened?" he asked me sternly. It was clear he wouldn't be taking no for an answer.

I took a deep breath before recounting the evening. I told him about how I'd made dinner, cleaned, and dressed nice in an attempt to show Jacob I was trying. I talked about Billy and how Jake had arranged for him to be gone after dinner, ensuring that we would be alone. When I began to talk about the reset, I couldn't help the sobs that erupted from my chest. I'd never told anyone about it before, and it hurt. I told him how Jacob had locked the door and pretended to be sweet, asking where I'd been. I told him how he'd slapped me, how he'd hurt my wrist, stepped on my ankle, my throat.

"I thought I was going to die, Edward," I whispered. "He's never done that before." I looked up at him and saw his face flushed with anger. He was pinching his nose between his thumb and forefinger, his eyes closed, and his breathing was labored. "Edward?" I asked him, slightly worried.

"Why, Bella?" he questioned, still not opening his eyes. "Why do you let him hurt you like that?" Then he looked up at me, eyes full of concern. Again, I was shocked at how much he seemed to care for a stranger. I wished I could ease his burden, especially since the burden was me.

"I'm sorry," was all I managed to say.

Then he wrapped his arms around me once again, just like in the meadow earlier that afternoon. Even though I was sitting in a truck, he still towered above me. His arms felt like safety after the long evening I'd had. I rested my head on his shoulder and let the tears fall again. I cried for all I endured with Jacob. I cried because of Edward's unwavering kindness to me, despite only meeting once before. I cried because finally someone knew my secret.

And he let me cry. I don't know how long he stood there on the side of the road, holding me in a safety net as I sobbed into his shoulder.

Finally I lifted my head. He pulled away, holding me at a distance.

"You okay?" he asked.

"All things considered." I shrugged my shoulders. He nodded once.

"Let's get you to the hospital," he said after a moment.

"No," I whispered. "Not yet. What's my story?"

Edward let out a puff of air and began pacing, putting one hand on a hip while he ran the other through his unruly hair. "I don't know. God damnit, I don't know. I'm sorry, Bella. I said I'd have something ready." Suddenly, the hand was gone from his hair. He returned to the truck, placing his hands on the seat on either side of me. "Bella, can I take you to my father? I could just tell him you tripped and fell, and you wouldn't have to worry about anyone you knew seeing you."

"Are you sure?" I said warily. "I don't want to impose-"

"Bella, you need help. And my father is a wonderful doctor." He spoke quickly, interrupting me. I could see in his eyes that he wouldn't give up on this idea.

I sighed, holding out my hand. He looked at me, confused.

"You're going to have to help me out of the truck and into your car. I already have a story about the truck if anyone asks, and it doesn't have any witnesses except for an unnamed triple A guy who won't be important."

Edward smiled a gleaming smile at me, taking my hand.

"Thank you, Bella. I promise, you'll be fine. I'll make sure he doesn't know. If he insists, I'll just say you fell."

"How would I explain the slight bruising in the shape of a foot on my neck?" I mumbled.

"I'll say I don't know," was all he said.

And with that, we attempted to get me out of the cab of the truck.

Every attempt had me back in the cab, whimpering in pain. There was much more damage than I'd previously realized. I'd tried scooting out of the truck, but my foot hit the brake pedal. I'd tried to go feet first, but any pressure on my foot had me in tears.

Edward stood for a moment, his hand on his chin in thought. Then he looked up at me.

"It may hurt for a moment, but this is the best way I can think. Would you be opposed to me carrying you to my car?" He gestured to the distance between our vehicles. I thought about it. Even if I could manage to get out of the truck, there was no way I'd be able to walk to his Volvo, or even limp. I didn't have another option. I blushed furiously.

"That's okay," I told him. He smiled apologetically.

"Alright. We'll have you fixed up in no time."

Before even attempting to get me, he went to his car, opening the door, preparing. Then he returned, arms extended. I looked at him, hoping my fear was obvious. He smiled. "Just let yourself fall sideways, I'll catch you. Move your foot more toward you, though, so it doesn't hit anything or get caught on something." I did as he instructed, then took a breath before letting myself fall.

I couldn't have been air borne for more than half a second, but it was more than enough for me. I was already bracing for impact with asphalt when I felt two sturdy arms catch me.

"Gotcha," Edward whispered in my ear. I tried to laugh.

He then proceeded to shift my weight in his arms until he was holding me bridal style, my legs draped over one of his arms. As if it were nothing, he closed the door to my truck and carried me carefully over to his car. I noticed he was examining my ankle a bit himself as he held me.

"What's the diagnosis, doc?" I asked, trying to lighten the suddenly tense mood.

He was silent for a moment, pausing next to his car, before turning his face toward mine and saying, "How could he have done that with just his foot?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's swollen by several inches, Bella. It's sprained at best and you've got breaks at worst. You won't be walking for a while, Bella." I gulped. "He did this to you?" he asked again, staring straight into my eyes. I nodded, tears once again filling my eyes. Edward's expression turned dark.

"Why do you look so angry?" I asked him, not comprehending his anger.

"He hurt you, Bella. To the point that you can't even walk," he growled. "Someone as innocent as you. He choked you. You could have died, and he doesn't even care. I'm glad that if that asshole can't be a human being, I can at least try." He shook his head.

"It's been like this for almost two years now," I whispered. "It's not normally this bad, and he's careful not to bruise me. But..." I got choked up. "I just don't get it. I don't know what I did."

"You didn't do anything, Bella," he assured me. "It's not your fault. I don't need to know either of you well to know that. And besides, knowing you at all, you couldn't have done anything to even deserve a harsh scolding." I laughed darkly. "You don't deserve this," he told me, his eyes filled with grief. "I'd be glad to help you. It's what friends do."

"Is that what we are?" I asked him, genuinely wanting to know.

"If you'll have me," he told me. I held his intense gaze.

"I'll accept as much of your help as is safe for everyone, friend," I replied. He held my stare again, trying to get me to amend. But I couldn't. Finally, he sighed.

"If that's all I can get, I'll gladly take it. Now let's get you in the car."

Then we were off to Edward's home. I hoped his father wouldn't ask too many questions. Or that he would only ask the right questions.


So? What did you think? Anything blooming between them?

Questions? Thoughts? Critiques? Please, I'd love to hear them.

Thank you for reading.

Erin