I smelled Bella's sweet blood immediately. She paled, and I knew she was fighting back nausea and dizziness.

I looked down to see the rend in my shirt, exposing a bit of the smooth flesh above my ribcage. There was tiny tinkle as the shard Bella clutched fell to the floor near her feet, but no one aside from me noticed the sound. She pressed her hand over my ribs, her warm blood quickly saturating the torn fabric and slicking my skin.

Margery had gotten to her feet shakily and was now at her desk dialing 911.

"You should sit down," Bella whispered, and obediently I sank to my knees. She crouched beside me. "The gun?" she questioned softly.

I set the weapon on the floor and nudged it several feet toward the door, glad to dispose of it. It had felt uncomfortably heavy in my hand. The painters had heard the gunshot and were clamoring about the exterior of the bank now, trying to see inside. One had pulled out his phone to call the police. Help would arrive very soon.

Bella kept her hand firmly over my side, but her eyes moved to Raymond. "Is he unconscious?"

I nodded, listening to his heartbeat and respiration for a moment before saying softly, "He'll be out for a while."

She nodded, clearly relieved. My own relief washed through me, and for a moment I felt grateful that I was on my knees. I swallowed a few drops of venom that insisted on prickling against the back of my tongue.

Edward. I heard my name in a very familiar mind.

"Thank God," I murmured. "Alice."

Bella's eyes widened. "She's here?"

We'll be there in a couple of minutes, my sister told me. Carlisle's with me. We'll arrive just a few seconds after the police. Don't let anyone near you before then.

Carlisle added, Paramedics and an ambulance are on the way, too. We should get to you before they do.

"Alice and Carlisle are coming," I said softly. "They'll be here soon."

The next few minutes passed quickly. Debra gingerly picked up the gun and removed the clip, still nervous that Raymond might wake before the police arrived. The women watched him warily, but no one dared approach him to tie his hands. I would gladly have done it, but I knew I needed to remain where I was. I continued to monitor him to ensure that he was not regaining consciousness.

Margery unlocked the door, and the painters peered inside, asking what had happened. The open door revealed patchy sunlight. Margery suggested that everyone go outside, but Bella quickly said she wasn't sure if it was safe to move me. Of course everyone assumed she was referring to my apparent bullet wound.

I remained seated on the floor, Bella at my side. She had finally pulled her hand away when the bleeding slowed. She had managed to suppress her dizziness, but she was still pallid. I felt a new surge of relief when the police car pulled up: I knew Alice and Carlisle were only moments behind.

The two policemen spoke with the women outside briefly then entered the bank. One of them moved immediately to Raymond to secure him. The other glanced at Lindstrom, noting the bandage around his head and deciding that the bleeding boy before him was the priority. He knelt down in front me.

Outside I heard the purr of Carlisle's Mercedes.

"How are you doing, son?" the officer asked me. His name plate read Sergeant Collins.

I had placed my hand over the tear in my shirt, but blood was visible beneath my fingers. His hand moved toward the site.

"I don't think it's that bad," I replied, pulling up my knees defensively.

"Let me have a look," he said.

"No—it's okay," I replied feebly. I turned my head toward Lindstrom. "You should check on him. He seems to be hurt pretty badly."

He nodded but remained convinced I required immediate assistance. "I will in a second," he said. "But I need to see how you're doing first." He was distracted momentarily by further noise from outside.

Responding to the call about a potential robbery, a second police car had now pulled up. Two more officers got out quickly as Carlisle and Alice hurried toward the building, careful to keep within the shady areas. I heard my father's questions about the events and the real distress in his tone when he received a brief recap from Margery.

"My God," he said. "My son and his girlfriend were supposed to have a late lunch with us. They were going to stop at the bank first, and I told them we'd meet them at his car." The slightly panicked edge to his voice sounded genuine. "Where are they?"

"You'd better get inside," an officer said somewhat urgently. "I think your son's been hurt."

I heard Carlisle's sharp inhalation of surprise.

"Do you want me to get your bag from the car?" Alice asked, then added for the policemen's benefit, "He's a doctor."

Carlisle nodded, and she hurried back to the vehicle.

I had kept my hand firmly in place, wondering how long I could delay Collins' attempts to view the wound. Fortunately Carlisle entered the bank just as the officer grasped my wrist.

"Edward!" Carlisle exclaimed, hastening toward me.

I looked up. "Dad," I responded, truly glad to see him.

"Who're you?" Collins asked Carlisle.

One of the policemen from the second car stepped inside, quickly gesturing toward me before informing his associate, "This is his father. He's a doctor."

Collins moved aside as Carlisle knelt in front of me.

"How are you doing, son?" he asked. His gaze met mine. Is Bella all right? Alice saw that she cut herself. There seems to be quite a bit of blood. His fingers skimmed the crimson stain on my shirt.

"I don't think it's too bad," I replied to his silent question, but I'm sure my expression showed my distress at the knowledge that Bella had been hurt.

His attention shifted to her for a moment as he assessed her condition. Rapidly appraising her heart rate, respiration, and color, he thought she might be in shock. He cast his concerned eyes upon her, silently questioning her. She gave him a wan smile, undoubtedly intending to reassure him.

He offered a quick nod of acknowledgment in return, then he placed his hand over mine. He wrapped his fingers around my wrist as he feigned checking my pulse. He was stalling for time; he could not examine my "wound" beneath Collins' curious gaze.

Luckily Alice made a timely appearance, Carlisle's black bag clutched in her hand. She gasped loudly as her eyes moved from me to the fallen deputy. Her gasp drew Collins' attention, and she pointed at the injured man.

"He's hurt pretty badly," Bella said, her voice ragged. "He's a deputy. He works with my father in Forks."

"Could you check on him?" Carlisle requested, looking up at Collins.

The other two officers had handcuffed Raymond and were hauling the semi-conscious man outside to secure him in the cruiser.

"Oh, yeah, of course," Collins replied.

He moved quickly to Lindstrom, particularly anxious now that he knew the victim was a fellow law officer.

Carlisle made a pretense of examining my wound, careful to position his hands so that they blocked a direct view of the site to anyone who might glance inside. I had already turned slightly so that the camera would capture my unmarred side.

Alice crouched down beside me, taking my hand in a gesture that I found surprisingly comforting. She offered me an apologetic look as she told me, I'm sorry we couldn't come and help sooner… We were going to, but I saw how that would turn out… not well, Edward. And we considered calling the police, too, but that also had a bad outcome for us. Once Bella made her decision and came up with her plan, though, I knew everything would turn out all right.

While I wished with all my still heart that Bella had not been hurt, I realized that my family had followed the only rational course. I gave my sister a nod of acknowledgment and understanding.

Alice rubbed Bella's back with her other hand. I heard Bella's breathing slow slightly; she was finally calming down, the presence of my family most likely helping allay her lingering fears about the situation.

"Alice, get a dressing from my bag," Carlisle instructed after a few moments of prodding at me.

Quickly she found the requested item and passed it to him. As he pressed the large gauze pad over my flank, he asked very quietly, "How badly is the deputy hurt?"

"I couldn't do more than a cursory check, but GCS is probably five or six," I replied softly. "I suspect an epidural hematoma. He struck his head on the counter there."

A brief glance at the heavy granite slab heightened Carlisle's concern. He asked, "How long has he been unconscious?"

"Since the injury occurred—over an hour," I informed him.

The ambulance was just pulling up.

Speaking loudly enough for Collins to hear, Carlisle said, "You were very lucky, son. The bullet just grazed you. It's not serious—really only a scrape."

I nodded mechanically, but Alice gushed a bit. "Oh, thank goodness! Wow, Edward, that's such good news. I'm really, really glad you're going to be okay."

After cleaning away most of the blood and securing a large bandage over my side, Carlisle hurried over to Lindstrom to assess his condition and offer whatever assistance he could. He wished he had been able to tend to the deputy immediately, but his dedication to his family had taken precedence.

Two paramedics rushed in, immediately noting my bloodied shirt. However, I held up a hand to gesture toward the injured deputy.

"I'm all right," I said quickly. "He's hurt pretty badly."

One of the paramedics strode toward Lindstrom, while the other began to bend toward me, heedless of my request. His thoughts showed his intention to check my vitals. Luckily Carlisle intervened. He had previously met one of the medics, who had brought a couple of patients to the hospital in Forks several months ago after a major highway collision.

"McMurphy, isn't it?" Carlisle asked crisply yet politely.

The paramedic nodded, quickly recognizing the unusually handsome, young physician from Forks. "Doctor… Cullen, right?" he asked.

Carlisle nodded. "I need both of you over here." His tone was quietly authoritative.

For the moment I was left alone. I focused my attention on Bella. Her color had not improved, and I could see the light sheen of perspiration on her clammy skin. She was still fighting against the nausea and dizziness.

"How are you doing, love?" I asked gently.

She swallowed. "I'm okay."

Alice had stopped breathing the moment she entered the bank. She took one shallow breath then said, "Let's get you cleaned up a little."

Bella gave a grateful nod, and Alice helped her to her feet, keeping an arm around her as they walked to the bathroom.

"Alice," I cautioned softly, "be careful. I think the cut on her hand is pretty deep."

I'm just going to rinse off the blood, my sister assured me. If I don't, the results won't be pretty. I caught a mental flash of Bella's knees buckling as she retched. Yes, by all means, I wished to avoid that outcome.

I couldn't shed my shirt yet, so I hoped the bloodstains wouldn't prove too overwhelming for Bella. I suddenly realized that I had dealt with the blood rather successfully. There had been a few trickles of venom to tease me, but I'd had little difficulty quashing any strong urges. I suppose I had been so concerned about Bella and the deputy that my priorities had lain elsewhere. Even now, the scent, while utterly delectable, enticed me but did not spark any primal impulses.

I heard the water running and Bella's little gasp as the cool liquid ran over her hand. Alice murmured a few soothing words to her. Collins had hurried outside to bring a gurney for Lindstrom. He and another officer wheeled it past me.

Carlisle had done what he could for the deputy. He was now on his phone, speaking with the neurosurgeon at the Port Angeles hospital. I knew the man's condition was critical, but Carlisle believed he would still respond to swift intervention.

Bella and Alice returned from the bathroom to sit down on either side of me just before the paramedics wheeled Lindstrom out. Carlisle waited until they had passed through the doorway then darted toward Margery's desk to pluck something from the floor, moving so quickly that Bella could not see him. Slowing his pace, he walked back toward us and knelt before Bella.

"How are you doing, sweetheart?" he asked, scrutinizing her closely.

"Better," she replied, her voice a little stronger. "Now that most of the blood is gone, it helps."

"Has the bleeding stopped?" he inquired softly, glancing at her loosely curled fist. She held a crumpled paper towel in her hand.

"I think so. Mostly, at least."

"I'll have a look at it as soon as I can," he assured her.

We all understood that he needed to wait until we were away from the police and other witnesses. While we could likely create a plausible explanation for the cut, it was best not to raise any suspicions, particularly when the injury did not require immediate treatment.

Carlisle pretended to help me to my feet, keeping an arm around my waist. Collins re-entered the bank to inform us that the paramedics had left. They would arrive at the hospital within a few minutes.

"We're sending another ambulance for you, son," he added, looking at me.

"Oh," Carlisle replied quickly, "that won't be necessary. The wound isn't deep; he doesn't even need sutures, thank goodness. I've already cleaned and dressed it."

"I really just want to go home," I said as pathetically as possible.

Collins frowned slightly. "We're gonna need all of you to come down to the station so that we can get formal statements."

The sun was shining brightly now. There were few areas of shadow, and it was difficult to know how much natural light would bathe the police station.

Alice had obviously foreseen this issue. She had passed her phone to Bella several moments ago, whispering, "Call your dad. Tell him you want to come home now."

Bella's expression showed that she understood. She held the phone to her ear, waiting for Charlie to answer. As soon as he did, she cried, "Dad!"

"Bella?" he asked. Something in her tone alerted him to her distress. "What's the matter?"

"Oh Dad, you won't believe what happened!" Quickly she related the day's traumatic events to him. When she told him about Lindstrom's injury, she had real tears in her eyes.

"Her father is Chief Swan from Forks," Carlisle explained to Collins. "Mark Lindstrom is his deputy."

Collins recalled that Bella had said something to that effect, but in the chaotic aftermath of the robbery attempt he hadn't pieced it all together. She mentioned Collins' name as she spoke with her father, and Charlie asked to speak with him. Before she passed the phone over, however, Bella made a single, heartfelt request.

"Dad, Edward and I just want to come home. I… I need to see you. Is that okay? They want us to stay and give statements, but can we come back tomorrow to do that?"

Charlie's voice was rough with emotion as he answered. "Of course, Bells. Don't worry about anything. I'll take care of it."

She handed the phone to Collins and turned to me with a relieved little smile. We waited a minute or so while Charlie sorted things with Collins. Chief Swan had an excellent reputation in the local law enforcement community, so the favor he requested was easily granted.

Carlisle and I conversed subtly while Charlie and the officer talked.

Emmett and Jasper are waiting about half a mile away, Carlisle informed me. We didn't know what sort of damage control might be needed… He glanced at the security camera.

"It's okay," I said, too quickly and softly for Collins or Bella to hear, "I made sure I was slow."

He apprehended my meaning, and his lips twitched upward for an instant. Is there anything else? he inquired.

I shook my head. I felt certain that nothing I had done or said would arouse any unusual suspicion. Still, it was best to err on the side of caution.

Foreseeing that I would need to speak with Bella, Alice wrapped an arm around her shoulder, drawing her in for a hug. She whispered to her, "Can you think of anything Edward did or said that wouldn't have seemed human?"

Bella's pretty brow furrowed as she attempted to recall all of the events she had witnessed. After a few seconds, she gave a small shake of her head. "He did everything right," she murmured, lifting her eyes to my face.

It required considerable self-restraint to keep myself from enveloping her in my embrace and kissing her. Instead, I permitted my fingertips to brush against her hand. It was enough for now.

Collins returned the phone to Bella so that she could speak with Charlie briefly. The officer informed us that Chief Swan would bring us back to Port Angeles in the morning to give our statements. He requested that Carlisle or another physician from Forks prepare an official report detailing my injury, explaining that it would be necessary when the D.A. filed formal charges against Raymond.

Carlisle was familiar with the protocol and assured Collins that he would provide the necessary documentation when we returned in the morning.

Lisa, Margery, and Debra came inside then to gather up their things. After inquiring about my well being, all three women hugged Bella, and Margery kissed my cheek, thanking me sincerely for intervening and bringing the situation to a close. The two other women conveyed their gratitude as well, their minds full of admiration for my bravery and devotion to my girlfriend. All three wished us well as we walked slowly toward the door.

Alice offered to bring the car around, ostensibly so that I would not need to walk any further than necessary. Of course, it was really to avoid exposure to the sunlight. She flitted away, and Carlisle, Bella, and I waited in the shelter of the doorway until the Mercedes pulled up to the curb. I pretended to hunch over in pain as I walked the few feet to the vehicle. Since we were nearly the same height, Carlisle conveniently had to lower his shoulders and head, too. He helped me into the back seat and slid in beside me, grateful for the tinted windows that prevented direct sunlight from shining into the car.

Bella climbed into the front seat, and Collins leaned in to offer a few words before we drove off. We were all considerably relieved when Alice turned around in the alley and left the bank and remaining police car behind.

A hint of color had returned to Bella's face when she stepped out into the fresh air, but now I could see her growing pale again. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she inhaled shakily. The hitch in her breathing was not an act this time.


To be continued...