Author's Note: I am exhausted. This extra long chapter (well, I think it is extra long) is dedicated to flippin sweet Twilight lover. Thanks so much for all the reviews you guys!

Disclaimer: Yea, I got a letter today… guess what it said? I now own a cable bill… if only it were Twilight…

Chapter Three

The run to my house never felt so long. Bella's breath was starting to become more and more shallow and I knew I had to hurry. I was hoping beyond hope that we wouldn't arrive too late. I knew that if I lost my Bella, so soon after getting her back, I would have to die. I would go back to Italy… or find some other way to get the deed done. I couldn't live without her. She was my heart and soul. My singer.

I quickly tried to recall any medical information I may have had. I realized now that moving her was probably not the best idea since I didn't know the extent of her injuries. I just hoped that I didn't cause them to become worse when I did. Hopefully, the injuries that monster did give her were just minor... I was just over reacting… she would be better tomorrow or the next day. I wouldn't lose my Bella.

Furtively, I searched for Charlie's mind. Maybe if I could pick his brain I would be able to see exactly what happened, or at the very least see where the hell he was. Ah… that thought was comforting. Getting my brothers together and ripping that monster limb to limb. He would never hurt my beautiful Bella again. No one would. She would stay in my arms forever. I couldn't find a trace of Charlie's mind. I wonder if that means…

We were finally approaching the house. Alice, her tiny pixie face shocked, had the door open before we even cleared the forest. She must have had a vision showing that we were coming. I wonder why she didn't see one of Charlie…

I rushed into the silent house. Jasper was at school, Emmett and Rose had resumed their interrupted vacation in Europe, Esme was cleaning as usual, and Carlisle was telling me to come to the kitchen. Alice must have warned him of the extent of Bella's injuries because he had his bag and some morphine all ready. Quickly, and as gently as I could I laid Bella on the unused island. The last time it had been used was before we left. I hoped that she wasn't making a habit of this.

As I barreled into the room Carlisle looked up. I guess Alice down-played the extent of the injuries. He sat down the needle was preparing and began to pry Bella from my arms.

"Edward, what happened? Who did this to her?" he asked. His thoughts were automatically going to the logical person, Victoria. Ever since we killed James she had been after Bella. A mate for a mate was her reasoning. What she didn't seem to know though was that Bella had vampires and werewolves on her side. Jake said that he wouldn't defend her since she was on our land but I knew deep down that the love he has for her will outshine any decree his Alpha puts out.

"Charlie," I hissed. I knew exactly what my expression was at the moment. My eyes were coal black and the slight pain in my mouth alerted me to the fact that I was clenching my jaw. My hands, which seconds before had been gently holding my love, were now clasped together at my side.

Alice, sensing that I was about to lose it dragged me away from Bella. I desperately wanted to stay but I knew that if I did I risked losing my cool and harming my love more than she already was.

Meanwhile, Esme, hearing the commotion, had appeared at the door. She held her hand to her mouth, her face the picture of horror. Seeing my angered state and Bella's current condition I knew the conclusion she would come to. Boy, she couldn't have been farther from the truth.

"Edward. Oh, Edward, what happened? You didn't… you didn't do this to her, did you?" she asked while sadly looking at Bella.

Even without Jasper's gift I knew precisely how Esme was feeling. She had always been most empathetic and I could sense the pain and sadness rolling off of her. I could only imagine the intensity with which Bella was experiencing those things.

"Not me Esme, not me. Her father. The man who helped create her is now destroying her!" I practically screamed.

Alice's assistance was no longer needed. I half ran out of the house on my own. I couldn't believe it. How could Charlie hurt his own flesh and blood like this? He always so loving, so caring, before Italy. I wonder what could have possibly happened during the three days Bella was gone that would have changed him so drastically.

It was very early the next morning I finally made my way back home. I had spent the rest of the night in the woods hunting. I knew that if I was going to control my rage and really help Bella that I would have to have absolutely no ounce of thirst in me.

Alice was sitting on the front steps, her head held in her hands. My breath began to quicken. No… she can't be… at that moment Alice looked up. I'm certain that if she could cry she would have been.

"I screwed up. I should have seen! I'm so sorry Edward. I feel like it's all my fault. I had been paying attention maybe I could have prevented this." He face was completely sad.

"No Alice, don't blame yourself. Never blame yourself. It's okay. She'll be fine. Carlisle will take care of her. I know he will."

I sat down on the steps next to her and put my arm around her. That's the way we sat watching the sun come up and listen to Carlisle patch Bella up. Mid-morning the sounds inside the house stopped. The only thing we could hear was the shallow breathing of Bella. All of a sudden though even that noise ceased. Both Alice and I jumped up in alarm and ran into the family room. There we found Bella sitting up and eating a bagel. Sheepishly, she looked at us.

"I am so sorry you guys. I can't believe you had to see me like this. I'm so sorry!" she said, all the while looking at the ground.

I went over to her, sat down, and put my arm around her shoulders. Even the slightest touch from me made her twitch. I gazed at her with sadness in my eyes.

"Hey, I thought we had gotten past all that evasiveness," I said. I was using a line that she had used on me when we had first started dating.

She smiled as she realized what I meant. I was so happy to see the face of my angel light up. I gently picked her up and took her to my room. There, I put her on my bed and laid down next to her. She snuggled up close and I put my arms around her. I sang slow love songs in her ear as she drifted off into sleep. Unlike her face from the last time I saw her face this one was happy, a small smile playing on the edge of her lips. Internally I was ecstatic. I knew that the next few weeks would be hard but I was certain that together we would overcome it all.

Author's Note: Okay, this is slightly longer. Well, school starts soon and you know what that means… more frequent updates! Woot! Isn't that what school is for, to write fanfics in class?