Author's Note: It always takes me so long to update. I wish I could change that, but here's chapter 9, finally. When you're reading it, just remember that things have to get worse before they can get better.

Thanks to my amazing, wonderful betas, carter.emily and alexz1jude for helping me talk through my story and editing it. I don't even want to think about what this story would be like without their help.

Oh, and remember that if you post, I'll send you a quote from next chapter. And you should all know I'm adding a chapter, which I wasn't going to do originally, so if I get 8 reviews this chapter, I'll make it longer. So make sure you review and not just read:)


Chapter 9: Rescued

Oh, say you'll miss me one last time
I'll be strong, but whatever you do
Please don't get me rescued...

I looked around the white-washed room, the bland eerily empty bed and the plain TV. I took in the too-clean smell which somehow seemed so foreboding. After crashing that night, I don't remember anything. However, the records seem to know quite a bit.

20-year-old male, Edward Anthony Cullen, charged for dui after crashing into fence and admitted into hospital for concussion and broken arm. Fined 760.

If my drug use before wasn't enough to shake the idea of my parent's perfect Edward out of their heads, much to my chagrin. Everybody was surprised, none more than myself.

A quick knock on the door stopped my train of thought. For once, she wasn't bouncing off the walls.

"Hi, Alice," I sighed.

She sat on the edge of my bed, and I pretended to kick her, emitting smiles from the both of us. "Edward," she stressed my name out, "how were the 'rents?"

"Ugh." Out of everything, it shamed me the most what Esme and Carlisle thought of me and what I had done, the son they had worked so hard to raise properly. "They said they were disappointed in me."

"Harsh. They only pulled that one on me once—when I maxed out the credit card." I rolled my eyes, but it was not unseen by Alice. "Hey, I had to get that new wardrobe!"

"I'm sure," I muttered. "So, does anyone hate me yet for what I did?"

Alice pretended to mull it over for a bit before answering. "I don't think so. Well, except for Jacob most likely considering…"

I didn't remember much, so I only had the faintest idea of what I'd done that night. "Considering what?"

My sister actually seemed to be truly shocked, but then she shook it off. "Your fight. You, um, kicked him in the crotch."

"I did?" I said in between laughs. "That's priceless!"

"Oh, you know," Alice said in an airy voice, "Alcohol, 37. Dui Fine, 760. Kicking your ex's new boyfriend in the balls, priceless." Now I really couldn't stop laughing, and neither could Alice. She started snorting, which got us to laugh even harder.

Who knew hanging out with your little sister while you're in a hospital bed could be this much fun?

My older brother strutted into the room and noticed our laughing, so he began laughing too. At that, Alice and I had to share a glance, from which we started laughing at Emmett. To any passerby, we'd seem like three psychos maniacally laughing over, well, psychotic things.

"Hi Emmett," I greeted him once I could manage to breathe.

"Brava," he replied with the head motion, which I returned.

Alice looked offended. "Excuse me?"

"Hola Alice," he boomed. "Wait, you didn't say hi to me in the first place. I should disown you as my sister."

"I should disown both of you," I mumbled as reality hit home once more. While I was just having a good time, I was still in trouble, and not just with myself.

Emmett took a step back, faking it as a hit. "Woah, that's the moody Eddie we know."

"Edward," I corrected him, pinching the bridge of my nose as I usually do whenever I get irritated. "Guys, seriously, I'm in trouble, and I can't just laugh it off."

Alice sighed. "Edward, it'll be fine. And you know we're here for you, even though we haven't always been in the past."

"Thanks, but that doesn't help much." My siblings smiled apologetically as they murmured their goodbyes and left the room, leaving me by myself.

I turned on the TV. How odd it seemed that I could do such a normal, simple task when I was in such turmoil. I really screwed up this time I realized as I slowly began to remember what happened that night. I had thought I was happy up until that point.

One drink too many, or rather in my case, all too many. I had been doing well up until then, all because I saw Jacob and how happy Bella was with him.

The fight. God, I was lucky I didn't get arrested just for that. I could have been charged for assault. I was beginning to like Jacob more for not calling me out on that.

Getting into the car and driving when I wasn't fit for it.

Everything led up to it.

The car coming as I swerved and hit my head on the dashboard. I rubbed my head, remembering the pain. Someone named Sam had found me. I had been barely conscious as he opened the car door to check if I was okay after calling 9-1-1. He had pulled my wallet out of my pocket for identification, and I had mumbled something in protest, too far incoherent to remember what I had tried to say. There had been sirens and bright lights as the ambulance and police came, but all I could see was my reflection in the mirror. It reminded me too much of my face in my bathroom mirror that one day that changed everything. I had blacked out shortly after that.

I could never let that happen again. I had to put myself back together, piece by piece.

"Edward," a solemn voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up, and it was Bella. I wasn't prepared for this.

I sheepishly smiled at her in return. Relief spread over her face and she ran over and hugged me, jostling my arm. "Ow," I cried at the searing pain in my arm.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Her voice was obscured by sobs.

"Are you crying?" I asked, somewhat appalled. She should be mad at me. I had done everything wrong. I had hurt her boyfriend, and consequently her.

Bella moved her head slightly so our faces were barely inches apart. "I can't help it. I'm just so glad you're okay." Okay? I was far from it.

"Bella," I muttered as I wiped away a tear of hers. "You can't do this."

She seemed bewildered. "Do what? Cry? I'll stop, it's just--"

I cut her off. "No, you can't try to help me get out of this. I need to do it alone."

She still seemed as if she had no clue what was going on. "I don't understand."

"You can't come back to me. You can't always forgive me. I know I've done things wrong, and I have to sort it out myself. I keep on letting everyone down, and I can't do that anymore. I have to fix things by myself."

"But, Edward." Her voice was small, which only made it worse. I stopped her by placing a finger on her lips.

"Bella, you can't rescue me. Not this time. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you." This was hurting me, but I had to say it. "Just tell me you'll me one last time, and I'll get through this."

Her tears were flowing freely now as she hugged me. "I love you and I'll always miss you, Edward," she said fiercely.

I smoothed her hair and smiled despite myself. How bitter-sweet that this would be the first time I hear her say those three words flat-out.

"I love you too," I whispered as she left me, my arms, and the room for maybe the last time.