Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer, and the lyrics belong to Wolf Parade and their label. As for me, I currently own. . . *giggles*

Chapter 7: A Strange New friend

I heard all your reasons
I heard all your plans
I have seen the seasons
Clutched up in your hands
You're the one eyed feather
You're the lion's mane
Swear you've heard the weather
Calling out your name
Dinner Bells - Wolf Parade


I hadn't even realized we'd fallen asleep on the bed together. When I woke up, I was disorientated and confused. I was too comfortable. It took me a moment to focus and remember, but then came the pain.

Pain seared through my body like flames, lapping at my muscles as I attempted to move. My head turned to the side and my brain began pounding against my skull. That's when I saw him. Lying exactly as I remembered from the night before. The pillow tucked under his chest, the other end holding his head while his arms were crossed beneath it.

We'd been talking for a long while, talking about what I'd seen and what really happened out on the streets. He was appalled of course.

I couldn't remember when I'd fallen asleep, or who had fallen asleep first, but I was struck by the peace that fell over his features as he drew long breaths in and blew them out.

Then it all started clarifying as the fog in my head subsided. What I did remember, however, was him insisting on taking me to see his uncle, the doctor.

I pulled the covers from me slowly. Holding back the moan of pain that was building in my throat. The muscles in my arms and stomach burned with the movements. I tried to be silent, but when I moved my legs, I whimpered in pain. I could feel the swelling as I moved them, and especially when I swung them from the side of the bed.

I bit my tongue and looked back at Jasper, he was still so peaceful, his blond locks falling gently into his eyes as his body shifted. I sat for a second, just watching him as he slept. I didn't want to do what I was about to do, because I didn't want to leave him. Yet, I really didn't think that I had much of a choice.

Doctors asked questions. Questions I couldn't answer, because the answers would put me back where I didn't want to be. At least on the streets I had a family. People who I cared about, people who cared about me.

Then it dawned on me . . .

Julia!

A cold shiver ran down my spine. I left her all alone out there while I slept in a warm bed, the feather down cradling me while I slept. I hadn't even considered her till now.

Guilt ebbed through me making the pain throb through my body. I had to get back to Seattle. I had to make sure she was alright.

Closing my eyes, I mustered all of the strength within me and said a last silent goodbye to the boy on the bed. He'd been more than kind to me, he'd saved my life in more ways than one. Just being close to him had given me hope. I wished circumstances had been different, but we were from two separate worlds.

I pushed up from the bed, and touched both of my feet on the ground.

I hadn't expected the pain to consume me. I knew it would hurt, I knew that the swelling would make it difficult to move around, but I never expected it to knock the wind from me completely. Before I realized what was happening, my body hit the floor, an agonizing scream pouring from my lips.

"Bella!"

Jasper's warm arms encompassed me as he slid quickly from the bed. He pulled me upright and into his chest as I cried. Cried in pain, and frustration. I didn't want to hurt him, and staying here would only ensure that. It would hurt us both, nothing could happen here other than heartache.

"What were you doing?" Jasper whispered, his full lips resting against my hair as he held me.

"I . . . I was leaving," I sighed, my breath stuttering as I drew in oxygen. "I didn't want to hurt you, you've been so kind, but Doctors ask questions, I can't go back, I can't!"

"Shh, Shh." He smoothed my hair down my back in long easing strokes. His body heat radiated from him. Warming me through the thin t-shirt and shorts of his I was wearing.

"I'm sorry."

He didn't say anything more, he just did what he could; he held me. His arms were like a tourniquet stopping the pain from eating me alive. Stopping the guilt from riddling my mind. He just was, and it was almost frightening how comfortable I was.

He held me silently, his face buried in my hair until the sobs subsided.

"Do you trust me?"

"As irrational as it sounds, I do," I sighed.

And it was irrational, there was no reason for me to trust him so implicitly. Of course I would be at ease with him, he'd proved on more than one occasion that he was kind and honorable; but to put every ounce of faith I had in him was simply preposterous. Yet, I couldn't stop the draw I had to him, the pull. It was easy to be around him.

"I'm going to call my friend, Alice. I think she can help us out. What size clothes do you wear?"

It was a question I hadn't been expecting, and one I didn't even know the answer to. None of my clothes fit me, they hadn't in a while. Most came from the charities that handed out clothes in shelters. They wrote down names, so Julia had always gotten them for me.

Julia.

The fear and memories of leaving her behind crippled me again. I tried to even my breath so my fear wouldn't be so evident, I really didn't want to hurt his feelings, but Julia was the only family I knew.

"My friend, Julia, oh God. I don't even know what happened last night. I have to get back, I have to check on her."

"I promise, we'll get to that, but you can't go anywhere in the state your in. Your leg is black and swollen, your neck is black where that bastard strangled you. Your face is bruised. Then there's what I haven't seen." He rubbed his right eye with his fingers. "I know you must be covered in bruises from being hit. Let's just take one step at a time. I promise, we'll check on your friend, I'll even put her up in a hotel until we get something more permanent arranged. First, we need to call my friend Alice."

"I need to see her soon, she can't move when the weather's like this!"

"I promise, as soon as we see my uncle, we'll figure something out. You can't even walk right now."

I nodded, relenting. I couldn't help Julia in this state. Maybe, if I did what Jasper asked I could get back to her and help her. I was all she had, especially on these cold days were she could barely move.

Jasper picked me up slowly eliciting a cry of pain from me before he lay me back on the bed. His face tensed at the sound and I would have given anything to take that second back.

"I'm sorry, Bella."

"I wouldn't have gotten up on my own," I admitted.

He nodded tensely. "I'll be right back. I left my phone in the car. Are you hungry?"

I felt the blush rise in my cheeks as I nodded. It wasn't until he'd said something that I'd even thought about food. As soon as the heavy door clicked closed, the heels of my hands rubbed my eyes; the damp spots making my eyes ache even more.

I was fighting back another wave of tears.

I hated being incapacitated and dependent on someone else, especially when that someone was entirely out of my league. I couldn't move my own body around without falling down. I was hopeless, and useless.

I pulled the pillow Jasper had been using over my face and cried into it. My whole body shook with sobs sending more waves of pain through my body. What had I done? How the hell had I managed to get here?

I hated this.

I cried until my throat burned and my chest ached, even dragging in the air was painful. I didn't know how long Jasper had been gone, but it was long enough for me to cry myself out. I stayed under the pillow trying to gather myself together. I was wallowing in my self pity.

"Bella?"

I took a deep breath and forced a smile on my face before I pulled the pillow that I was hiding in away.

"I brought you some ice, it may bring the swelling down a little. I don't know why I didn't think of it last night. This is gonna sting a little."

Jasper gently laid the ice pack on the huge black swelling on my shin. Even his delicate touch brought tears to my eyes.

"Sorry, I know that hurts."

"It's fine. Thanks, Jasper."

"You're welcome. Do you want me to help you sit up so you can eat?"

I nodded, holding my breath as his hands shifted under my arms and pulled me up into a sitting position. He situated pillows behind me before nodding for me to sit back. His face seemed to reflect every ache I felt as I leaned back on the bed.

"I'm afraid it's only toast and pop tarts, my culinary skills leave a lot to be desired."

I smiled, I hoped I would eventually get the opportunity to return the favor one day and make him a decent meal. I used to cook for Charlie all the the time.

"It's perfect, thank you. So what's the plan?"

Jasper's worried face rolled into a comfortable grin as he perched on the bed next to me. He pulled on leg under him and twisted his body carefully so he could face me.

"I called Alice, she's coming over to help you in the bathroom. She's bringing you some clothes too. I haven't told her anything yet, I didn't know if you'd be comfortable with her making assumptions before she's even met you. I know I'm not."

I nodded and smiled, my mouth full of toast as he spoke. I didn't care what anyone thought right now, I had too much on my mind. I had also been judged every day for the last year or so, one more person really didn't bother me. I swallowed my toast and smiled.

"It doesn't matter to me, but if it makes you more comfortable, that's fine."

Jasper smiled and shook his head.

We sat quietly munching on the food he'd brought up, smiling at one another at random moments. We talked a little more about Charlie and Renee, and his parents, Charlotte and Peter. Peter had been an alcoholic before the inheritance had been received, one of the first things Charlotte had done with the money had been to put him through rehab.

Jasper theorized that they spent most of their time away from home, because Peter was running away from his addiction. That Peter didn't want to admit how weak he was, how strong his temptation was. So they stayed away, only spending varied holidays at home with Jasper.

I was still having a hard time believing he lived here alone.

"So how long do your parents stay away at any one time?"

"Anywhere from a month to six, why?"

"I just can't believe you stay here alone, it's so . . . so . . ."

"Big, quiet, scary?" he laughed, snapping a corner off one of the now cold pop tarts. "It's not so bad, the accountant takes care of all the bills and all I'm expected to do is go to school."

"It's just so quiet, I know you don't get scared but still, you're so far away from, well, anything."

"It's peaceful, and my friends always drop in and out. Right now Edward, Rosalie and Emmett are in College on the east coast so it's just Alice and I."

"Did I hear my name?" A beautifully petite girl waltzed into the room, her porcelain skin glowing in the dull gray light streaming in from the windows. Her short raven hair was worn in a style I highly doubted anyone else could pull off, but she looked like she's just been styled and stepped from the pages of a magazine. If she hadn't have been so vertically challenged I would have imagined she could make a killing as a fashion model.

"You have quite an affinity for hearing your name in passing comment," Jasper laughed, standing up from the bed and moving across the room to hug his small friend.

"If you wouldn't use it in such an over abundance it wouldn't be a problem now would it?" she asked, squeezing him tightly. "Now, what was so important that you have me coming over with handfuls of Rosalie's clothes. I raided her closet, she'll kill me when they get back for Winter break."

"I will explain, but first, I want you to meet my friend, Bella," He stepped out of the way and walked towards the bed with his ever winning smile. "Bella, this is, Alice. My best friend and co-conspirator."

Alice was still stood in the same spot. Her blue green eyes wide with shock. I ducked my head realizing what I sight I must look.

"Hi, Alice,"

Jasper let out a chuckle beside me. while Alice, stood with her eyes still wide, appraising the situation.

"What . . ."

"I wanted you to be here to explain. I know it looks bad, but we need your help, Al."

Alice nodded before moving to the very end of the huge bed and perching on the corner. Her eyes flickered from me to Jasper and back again, as she waited for one of us to start. I could only imagine what was running through her mind right now.

Jasper looked to me and I nodded I didn't think I could explain it again in less than twenty-four hours. It wasn't something I particularly enjoyed talking about. Not to mention that I had cried myself out completely.

"Where to start?" Jasper sighed, rubbing his eyes with the same two fingers as he had before.

I shifted uncomfortably and bit back the yelp of pain. Where to start indeed.

Jasper launched into the story, he explained that he'd been in Seattle to visit his cousin, how he'd helped me when I'd been knocked over, the fact that, against all odds he'd heard me scream and came to my defense, how he viewed my situation.

It was interesting hearing it from his perspective, because it was so different from my own. I hadn't realized that he'd really seen me when he picked me up from the ground after the crowd had knocked me over. I hadn't realized that his cousin had, in fact, noted my appearance and made the assumption I was simply poor.

Alice sat silently through the whole thing, her eyes moved between the two of us as he spoke, she lingered on my neck as he explained how he'd come to my rescue, about the situation he'd found me in.

I wasn't sure her eyes could get any bigger, but when he started explaining how he'd hit me with his car, I was sure her eyes would fall right of their sockets.

"You did what?"

"I didn't do it on purpose, Alice!"

"Obviously, Jasper, but you hit her. With your car!"

"It was my fault," I whispered.

Alice's eyes shot to me. It was the first time I had spoken since Jasper started telling the story. "I darted across the road without factoring in the blizzard. By the time I saw the car it was too late. The snow was so thick; it couldn't be avoided."

"He hit you. With his car?" she asked in disbelief.

I nodded but closed my eyes briefly as the ache overwhelmed me again. Alice looked to Jasper as though he were completely insane. In her position, I would feel the same way. He didn't know me from Adam. He knew my history, which he was now explaining to Alice, and he knew why I was in the situation I was in; but he didn't know everything. There were some things I was to ashamed to even let him know about right now. Maybe for him to ever know, but I really did trust him, just as much as he seemed to trust me.

I listened as he told her a condensed version of my life. A sad story in which a girl makes a decision she sees as the best thing she can do for herself, but could easily be deemed as self-inflicted by others. No one could understand the things I'd gone through since Charlie's death, I wouldn't be going into too much detail either, no one needed to hear the worst of what I'd been through.

By the time I had come out of my inner musings, Alice was sitting in the same spot staring at her hands as tears dropped from her chin. Jasper was rubbing her back in gentle circles.

"What do you need me to do?" she whispered. Her head turning slightly so she could see me in her peripheral vision.

"Well, she needed clothes for one thing, I think she'll need help bathing, and I was hoping you would come with me to take her to see Carlisle."

"I can do that," she sighed, her eyes raising from her lap. "If Bella's alright with me helping?"

"I really would appreciate it, I'm having a little more trouble than I thought I would."

Alice nodded and stood up, offering her hand to me. I didn't know how her tiny frame was going to help me. I knew I couldn't walk on the leg that had been trampled on during the confusion, and the other was just as bruised from hitting the asphalt after the car had plowed into me.

Jasper was immediately on his feet, his warm hand in mine.

"You sure you can do this? I can carry you if you think it would help."

Alice giggled behind him and I leaned to the side so I could see her. I gave her a smile and looked up at Jasper again. His warm sapphire were waiting for an answer.

"I think I need to at least try it," I laughed. "You can't carry me everywhere."

Jasper nodded and stepped out of the way so Alice could attempt to help me. I moved slowly, bending to pick up the ice pack that was still numbing the large swollen spot on my leg, the color was resembling a blueberry, a deep dark purple color that reddened around the edges. Maybe my initial belief that it wasn't broken was completely wrong.

I slowly slid myself from the bed, letting my toes touch the ground. There was no pressure on my legs at all, but I could feel the pain echoing through my body already. I had to push the pain away, I'd had it worse than this before, I could do this.

Alice watched me with congenial eyes. Somehow, I knew she could see through the calm facade I was exuding. She stepped closer again with her hand still raised offering her support. I took it and pushed myself from the bed, she pulled me the rest of the way.

I was finally on my feet. The swollen leg lightly touching the ground as my other held all the weight. The muscles strained against my weight making me wobble slightly.

Jasper stepped forward. His arms outstretched to steady me. Alice looked at him pointedly before stepping towards me and closing the gap.

"She's got it, Jazz, give her a minute."

I breathed in and out, taking measured breaths as I tried to block out the pain that was running through me. I took a step forward and tested the water slowly. It hurt like hell, but I pushed myself forward, putting more weight on Alice as I used my bad foot to take the next step.

It took a while, by I was exultant by the time we reached the bathroom. My breathing was labored and I was close to panting as Alice closed the door with a click.

"Would you prefer a shower or a bath?"

"I need to wash my hair so I guess a shower," a bath sounded amazing though.

Alice led me to the counter and placed my hand on the smooth surface so I could steady myself.

"Bath it is then," She smiled. Dancing towards the huge garden tub. "If your hair's the only thing you're worried about, I'll wash it for you. I know how it can be. I fell down the stairs in our house a couple of years ago and badly bruised my ribs. The only thing that would ease it was the bath tub."

"Thank you, Alice."

Alice smiled and turned on the water tested the heat of it as it came from the faucet. She looked at me shyly and smiled. I knew she must have hundreds of questions for me, and I really did want to make it easier for her.

"You can ask me, I won't get offended,"

"What do you mean?"

I laughed, she looked so conflicted, I couldn't help myself.

"I know you have questions, and I won't be offended if you ask them. I know how strange this must all look to you."

"It's not that . . . I just, well, I wonder if you would tell me about the home you were in?"

"Of course, do you mind if I get in the water first?"

"Shit, sorry."

I shook my head. I hated that she was apologizing to me when she was the one extending the altruistic gesture. I should be the one who was sorry. I should be the one answering her every question as soon as she asked them regardless of my current level of comfort; but in all honesty, standing here was exhausting me.

"Please don't apologize, you're the one taking time out of your day to be here. I should be the one apologizing."

Alice rolled her eyes at me as she tested the water in the tub and adjusted the faucets again. I knew she wouldn't say any more about the subject because it was getting us nowhere.

"Do you feel comfortable undressing with me in the room? Or would you prefer I leave?"

"I may need your help," I sighed, closing my eyes in embarrassment. "I don't think I can't lift my arms that high."

"Don't worry, it's nothing I don't have myself, and our friend Rosalie is a bit of an exhibitionist."

"Really? Jasper hasn't said much about them, other than their on the East coast," I offered, smiling.

"Yeah, well, he and my brother have butted heads in the past; so I doubt he sees that as much of a loss,"

I nodded as I worked the shirt from my arms with as little movement as possible. Alice pulled the shirt over my head slowly.

She gasped.

She froze on the spot.

This couldn't be good.

"Shit, Bella, you're whole body is bruised!"

I covered my breasts by crossing my arms and turned slowly to look in the mirror behind me. She wasn't lying. From my neck down, there was a formation of bruises, each was a different size and shade but were close enough together to make it seems as though my entire torso was one big bruise. My ribs were black and it worked it's way down under the shorts that hung loosely on my waist.

This wasn't good at all. There was no explaining this without hitting upon the truth. The doctor was going to know. The doctor was going to call the police.

"This isn't good," I whined petulantly. I knew I sounded like a child but I couldn't help myself.

"It'll be fine, we'll figure something out. Jasper won't break his word."

I nodded. I knew she was right, but how could I trust a doctor? I didn't think I could. I just had to believe in Jasper and what he promised me. I refused to go back to that hell hole, yet, I still unfathomably trusted Jasper.

If he truly believed he could pull this off I had to believe it too, the sooner we did this, the sooner I could get to Julia.

I pulled on the string of the shorts and let them fall to the ground. Both of my hips were black, my thighs were raw, and my knees were scuffed.

Black and blue all over was in a literal sense. From the obvious hand marks around my neck, to the bridges of my feet had some form of bruise or scrape.

"You're a mess."

"I know, but bruises fade with time."

Alice nodded and held out her hand for me to take. I felt awkward and terribly exposed being like this in front of her, but she didn't seem at all phased. The girl was an anomaly.

She helped me into the bath and disappeared into the bedroom to pick out some clothes for me to wear. She was gone for a while and I took the time to let the water ease the aches from my body.

I tried not to think. I tried not to dwell on what we were about to do. I knew they were trying to help me, and I felt ungrateful about complaining so much. Everything Jasper had done for me so far, had been nothing short of extraordinary. Why did I expect this to be any less?

Alice returned to me with a small smile. I imagined Jasper had been answering questions she'd been too uncomfortable to ask in my presence.

"You ready for your hair to be washed?"

I nodded and rearranged myself in the tub. I wanted nothing more than to pull my knees into my chest, but even a movement as small as that would be excruciating.

Alice's fingers made quick work of the washing process. She was gentle, taking care to lather it to the ends, and rinsing without getting any soap at all in my eyes. Her fingers on my scalp seemed to relax me even more.

I got out of the bath and into a pair of sweats with juicy written across the butt, as well as a nice t-shirt and a matching hoodie. I felt ridiculous. I had never been into the whole girlie scene, and the very pink material made me feel like a siting duck, a cubic zirconia amongst a sea of diamonds.

Alice towel dried my hair and ran a brush through it slowly. Ignoring my screwed up nose as she fought the tangles that had taken up permanent residence there. By the time we reentered the bedroom, Jasper was pacing.

"What's got your panties in a twist?" Alice asked, rolling her eyes.

"I called Carlisle, he's at the hospital. He told us to meet him in his office in an hour. That was thirty minutes ago."

"Why didn't you let us know?"

Jasper shrugged and Alice shook her head again. "Then you only have yourself to blame, Jackass,"

Jasper raised his eyebrows and came around to my other side to help.

Mastering the stairs had been worse than I'd thought and did nothing but fuel the pain that ran throughout me. The calming effects of the bath had been completely counteracted by the hurried movement I was over exerting myself with to make it to see Carlisle on time.

Alice insisted on taking her big Yukon, because she was convinced it was easier for me to get in and out of. I didn't complain and I didn't comment. I just watched the two of them banter back and forth like an old married couple. They had an ease between them and it was easy to see why they could be such good friends.

We pulled up to the building with time to spare. Alice had a lead foot and the reflexes of a wild cat.

She drove like a cop.

I listened to them both argue about her driving as they helped me into the building. Jasper was commenting about getting me to hospital alive, and Alice would counter with the argument of getting me here on time.

"I'm here alive, and on time!" I said, when I'd had enough.

"Thanks, Bella," Alice said, beaming at me.

The doors dinged as they opened and the same blond haired doctor from the clinic was stood on the other side.

"I could hear the two of you coming from a mile away," he laughed.

"Sorry, Carlisle," Jasper said, giving Alice a pointed look before wrapping his arm around my waist. He tried to move my frozen body, but I held my ground.

"Bella?"

I knew I must of had a deer in the headlights look about me, but I could do nothing to unfreeze my features.

"This is your friend?"

Carlisle's voice was calm and held no hint of suspicion, but I still couldn't move. What if he recognized me? Could he possibly remember me from the clinic when I took Julia?

Carlisle nodded and smiled at me with the same look Jasper had given me the first time we'd met.

"Alice, why don't you take Bella here into my examination room. Esme's expecting you."

Alice smiled and nodded, her arm wrapping around my waist as she moved us forward.

"Jasper, you come with me."

My mind started reeling, and I knew Alice must have felt the resistance in my body. Panic started eating away at me, my palms dampened and I could feel small beads of sweat appear on my forehead, yet I was strangely cold.

"Bella?"

Alice sounded concerned, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her. All I could see was flashbacks of the few days I had spend in the facility.

I couldn't tell whether the aches in my body were from this ailment, or ghosts from my past experience.

"You're shaking, what's the matter?"

I looked around and noticed for the first time that Jasper and Carlisle had already gone.

"He knows me, Alice. He worked at the free clinic down in Seattle. He was there when I took Julia!" I exclaimed. I wasn't sure if she would understand what I was telling her.

"I know you're scared, Bella, but you have to trust me when I say that Carlisle is one of the good guys, he wouldn't do anything to put you in danger, and he trusts Jasper's judgment, just as I do."

"But . . ."

"We won't let anything happen to you," Alice said firmly. Her arm flexing around my waist.

I nodded, I had to recede and trust them, I had no other choice.

Alice opened a door to a small reception area. She strode into the room with an air of confidence exuding from her. Something I could never hope to obtain.

Seated behind a desk was a beautiful woman with warm honey colored hair.

"Alice Masen? It's been such a long time. How's your brother and parents?"

"Good thanks, Esme. How are the girls?"

"Trouble. I'm glad for the couple of hours solace Carlisle provides me with. If I didn't have this job for some grown up time, I think I would go a little crazy."

"I don't believe that for a second. Esme, this is our friend, Bella. Bella, this is Carlisle's wife, Esme."

I smiled warmly at the friendly woman for as long as I could without grimacing in pain. I had been stood up for too long, but I wasn't going to complain. Their kindness had already exceeded it's limitations.

"Yes, Carlisle's been expecting you. You can both go back to the examination room. Bella, you look very uncomfortable."

"I'm fine thank you, Esme."

"No she's not," Alice sighed, pulling me towards the room. "You know, there's bravery, then there's stupidity. It's a fine line, but I think you crossed it."

Esme giggled at her, bemused and continued on with what she was doing. As Alice guided me into no mans lands.

A/N: Thank you so much for the amazing response to the last chapter. I can't begin to thank you enough for the kind words and encouragement you all sent my way.

I know some of you were thinking Edward was the Doctor in the clinic, but alas, it was sweet Carlisle. I know some of you are still wondering where Edward is, and I all I can say is he will be here, but all in due time :)

My good friend Bemylullaby has her story, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy in the age of Edward competition. It's an amazing one shot and has a very wonderful warward!!! I highly recommend it, and if you enjoy it, don't forget to vote when the time comes. She also has a story called For Better, For Worse hich is amazing, and so well thought out.

Then there's my obsession, Voice inside my Head by Miztrezboo. It's coming to an end, but the writing is amazing. As sad as I am to see it go, I am excited for her next project the Appointment. All the usual suspects, and one very Sexy Bella!!!

Don't forget Brodev, by goldentemptress . . . tasty suiteward and his manly seductive ways :)

Thanks for all the alerts and faves, and once again toi the reviewers. You guys truly are amazing and YOU ROCK!!

Much love and big hugz ~ Weezy