Bella's POV:

How completely and utterly mortifying.

Dr. Cullen had already seen me in the emergency room several times – in fact the first time I'd met him was after Tyler Crowley had nearly killed me with his van. My dad was still sore at poor Tyler.

Dr. Cullen flicked off the headlights as he pulled into the garage. He was out of the car and opening my door before I got my seat belt unbuckled.

"Here Bella, let me," he said, his voice flowing over me like honey.

"No, that's okay," I tried to protest, but he gently scooped me up and effortlessly carried me inside.

His unique scent surrounded me, so like Edward's and yet so different. His coat was warm even though Dr. Cullen himself was like ice.

He sat me down on the living room couch with a soft admonishment to stay there. I was tired enough to obey him, still shivering despite his warm, heavy coat.

I could hear him moving around quietly in the kitchen. Next thing I knew, he was pressing a steaming mug of hot chocolate into my hands. My fingers curled around it automatically, relishing the warmth.

He pulled up a chair and sat down so he was facing me, clasping his hands together at his knees as he leaned forward slightly. "Feel better?" he asked after I'd carefully sipped my way through half the cup.

He waited for my nod before reaching out to touch my face. I flinched a little, and he hesitated, a shadow falling across his expressive ocher eyes.

Slowly he withdrew his hand, tilting his head a little as he studied me. "I scare you, don't I, Bella."

"A little," I admitted, deciding honesty was the best policy. Dr. Cullen seemed to be incredibly perceptive and I had no doubt he could see right through a lie.

"I can understand that," he went on, dropping his gaze. "Considering what I am, I mean."

Horrified, I was quick to set him straight. "Oh, no...that's not what I meant at all," I assured him in a rush, unthinkingly reaching out to take his hand. "You're kind, and compassionate, and I would never be scared of you…because of that."

His eyes found mine again, and he seemed genuinely puzzled. "Then what, Bella?"

I shrugged, embarrassed. "You're Edward's dad. Considering Jasper is afraid he'll eat me, and Rosalie hates my guts, I'm kind of scared I'll strike out again."

To my surprise Dr. Cullen laughed. "Jasper will come around," he assured me. "And Rose...well, Rosalie will always be Rosalie."

I chuckled a little too, and when he reached out to examine my face again, I let him.

"I'll need to clean some of these scratches, but nothing too serious," he announced, moving his gaze down to my knee. I'd torn the leg of my jeans when I fell, and now the abused material hung in dirty, ragged strips around my calf and kneecap. I followed his eyes and winced at the sight of the purple, swollen skin.

He looked to me for permission before gently probing around it. I flinched, biting back a cry of pain.

"I think this will need an Ace bandage and some ice," he said, helping me prop it up on the couch. His long, slender hands were gentle and careful as he pulled an afghan over me, tucking it around me. "I'll be right back."

He rose gracefully, and as he turned to leave, I stopped him. "Thanks, Dr. Cullen," I said, feeling shy. "For everything, I mean."

His answering smile was understanding. "You're welcome, Bella. And I think it's about time you started calling me Carlisle."

"All right…Carlisle," I tried the name out. It felt good.

He paused again at the door. "And Bella, if you could ever think of me in that way, I would like to be a dad to you, too."

Had some free time today so I wrote more. Thanks for the reviews, guys! And I'm making this up as I go, so feel free to point out any glaring errors. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.