Not your typical Edward/Bella/Jacob love story.

OOC for Edward. All human.

Serious warning: No matter what, no one ever deserves to be hit, degraded, or punished; under any circumstances. Stockholm syndrome is when a victim sympathizes with his/her attacker. Many teenagers in abusive relationships have this very syndrome and believe it is all simply their fault or an accident. No one who intentionally hurts you loves you.

A/N: Sorry it took a week to upload this next chapter. Usually I have the next chapter planned out and at least half written by the time I upload the previous chapter- but that wasn't the case here. I finished writing it five seconds ago, so it's a rough copy but I really like the way this story is headed. We're nearing some kind of end. Things are starting to pan out for our protagonist.


I shuffled out of my bed slowly, feeling my muscles contract and scream against the pain. I was extra careful with my every movement as I staggered around my bedroom. I grabbed my clothes and my toiletries kit and walked to the bathroom extra slowly. I was hoping Charlie wouldn't be observant again today like he had been the last few weeks.

I turned on the shower and readied myself to start the day. I didn't want to look in the mirror as I took of my clothes but it was impossible. I turned to face the truth in the reflection in the floor length mirror on the back of the bathroom door.

I hadn't realized it had gotten this bad. I knew it hurt- that was beyond obvious. But I didn't realize it looked that bad.

More then fifty percent of my body was covered in terrible looking bruises. Edward was rougher then normal; fiercer then I'd ever seen him. He was really mad that Jacob and I had hung out. But he was even angrier that I hadn't told him and that he'd even come over while Jacob was there.

I quickly turned away from the mirror and got in the shower. The warm water was soothing as well as it was painful as it pounded against my sensitive skin. I couldn't help but replay everything over again as I showered.

"Edward…" I whispered, backing away as he stalked me through the hallway. He glowered viciously at me as he continued to stalk me.

Then the mocking began. "Oh Jacob!" he cheered in a girls voice. "Of course I want to come to La Push with you. A bonfire? How romantic Jacob!"

"I never said-" He slapped me hard across the face. He shoved me backwards, slamming me against the wall viciously. I was partially inclined to believe that the plaster would crack behind me.

"Don't interrupt me!" he berated irately. Then he started grabbing me, throwing me around like a rag doll and slamming me against the wall. He started slapping me and hitting me, treating me like a little punching bag that gave him the joy of whimpering and crying as he assaulted me.

He took delight in my pain. That was obvious in the way he hit me harder when my tears and cries got quieter.

I stumbled out of the shower, remembering everything causing me to feel weak in the knees- even weaker then before.

The outfit I'd chosen wasn't going to work. It was short sleeves and my arms were practically black and blue noodles. So I shuffled back to my room in a towel quickly.

My legs weren't as bad as my arms and it was sunny outside, so I settled for shorts and a long-sleeve burgundy top. I slipped into my sandals and headed out with my backpack. Maybe a day in the sun would do me some good. Charlie was in the kitchen, a surprising thing considering he usually worked all the time.

"Hey, Bells. Good morning; have a good night?" Charlie asked as I walked in the room. He was in his uniform so I knew he would be heading off to work soon. I tried to smile as I went to get my breakfast started. A gourmet meal of mini wheat's and lactose free milk.

"It was okay." I lied as smoothly as I am capable of. Charlie believed me and- thankfully- he wasn't observant today. He let me go about my breakfast in companionable silence and he kissed my forehead before he left the house.

I let my face fall to my arms and the tears stream easily. How had this happened? How had I fallen into this? I was supposed to just come back here to live. I wasn't supposed to fall into this crap.

The worst part was that it was my Edward. He was always so nice to me until now. He wasn't my Edward anymore. He was some other man with a hard face and a solid fist. This new Edward was quick to anger and rarely listened to me. I wasn't so inclined to protect this Edward.

And after nights like last night I was fearsomely inclined to end things. But then he would kiss my forehead and curl me into his chest, reminding me so much of the Edward I'd fallen in love with last summer, and it would nearly break me in half to think of ending it.

"Bells what's wrong?" Charlie asked frantically as he reentered the kitchen with his gun belt half way looped around his waist. I looked up with teary eyes- cursing under my breath for being caught like this.

"Nothing," I whispered pathetically, shuffling out of my seat with my cereal bowl in hand. I washed it out and sat it aside while Charlie thought through the appropriate response. I swiped at my ever-falling tears while he decided.

He made up his mind. "That's it." he said boomingly, slamming his fist down on the counter. I jumped and looked to him. "Your moving back to Jacksonville with your mother and Phil." he continued and my jaw dropped to the counter.

"What?" I screeched, in obvious utter disbelief. His eyes said that he'd made up his mind completely and he was not going back on that decision.

"You've been moping around here, miserable then ever, and it just is not right, Isabella. Frankly it's scaring the hell out of me. Maybe if you get out of the town, get some sun, talk to your mom, I don't know. All I know is I don't know what to do with you. Maybe your mom can help." Charlie said, his anger dissipating but his resolve withstanding.

"No- its…I just- what about…but Daddy I…" I stuttered pathetically, stammering like an idiot. I couldn't believe that was Charlie's response. I couldn't believe Charlie was even considering kicking me out of Forks. As if that would fix anything at all.

"Please don't make me leave, Dad. Please don't." I whispered, unable to raise my voice higher then just that. Charlie looked at me then looked to his hands.

"I just don't know what to do, Bella. You aren't happy."

"I am, Dad, I swear I am!" I lied miserably.

"Come on, Bella, I'm not that naive. I know how miserable you are. Maybe it's not this town…maybe its Edward." Charlie suggested and my world fell to a crashing halt. It ceased to spin for a long time as Charlie continued talking. "He isn't good for you, Bella. I've known it all along; and it's not just because I don't approve of you dating period. He's just bad news. He has been bad news since the very beginning. I don't want you with him any more, Isabella."

"Please don't do this, Charlie. Don't do this to me. I love it here in Forks. I love Edward." I begged desperately, literally willing to drop to my knees and beg him not to send me away. I would love to see my mom again, but I couldn't leave Jacob here alone.

I froze dead in my place. I thought through my mental response a few more times. I tried to tell myself that I meant to think Edward, not Jacob. But I knew that wasn't true. I was more worried for Jake then Edward. I knew Edward would be okay with me- the question was how I would react without him- but Jake needed me. And I needed him.

"Bella I simply can't deal with this anymore. Either you find some way to get yourself happy, or you're going back to Jacksonville." Charlie said sternly. He seemed to debate something then he came over and pulled me into a hug. I winced at the pain radiating through my body at the contact but soon enough I folded into him willingly.

Once Charlie left the house I ran upstairs to grab my phone. I dialed Jacob's number as I grabbed my stuff and ran for the door. I knew what I had to do; as much as it might kill me. I knew it as a positive. I knew in my heart.

"Hey, it's Jake. You know what to do." Jacob's answering machine said before the little beep. I shut and locked the front door behind me and ran down the porch steps.

"Jake pick up the phone. I need to talk to you- like right this second. I need you to call me back immediately." I said in pure panic then ended the call. I didn't think twice about hopping in my truck and headed towards the La Push boundary line. My truck edged as fast as it could, not wheezing like it too knew what it had to do.

The thirty minute drive was killing me and I made it to Jake's place in fifteen minutes. Billy Black was home but I didn't see Jake's motorcycle or the Volkswagen Rabbit he'd built himself last summer. I ran to the door anyway and took the steps two at a time, pounding on the door as if my life depended on it.

Billy answered. "Oh, hello Bella. What a pleasant surprise." he said cheerily but there was something in his eyes. Like he knew something. Like he knew a secret I was trying to keep hidden. I ignored that though.

"Hi, Billy. Is Jacob home?" I asked, in a rush to see my best friend again. I looked past Billy into the little house but all seemed peaceful and quiet.

"Sorry, Bella, Jake's not in. He went down to the beach with some of his friends. What's wrong?" Billy replied and I shuffled my feet while I made up my mind. I made the decision just about as quickly as Charlie had made up his mind to kick me out.

"Which beach?" I asked, backing up a few steps.

"First beach." Billy replied and I flew off the steps, running back to my car. I yelled a thanks over my shoulder as I climbed into my truck and threw it into reverse. I kicked up mud from Billy's dirt driveway as I tried pulling out as quickly as possible.

Billy looked clearly baffled but I let it go and it wasn't long before I was rushing into a parking spot at First beach in La Push. I threw my car in park and ripped the keys out of the ignition, simply throwing them to the seat next to me instead of taking them with me.

I saw Jake's bike parked a few spots over and surveyed the beach as I neared in. I spotted a group of guys down by the water, horsing around and having fun. I hated taking Jake from his enjoyment but I had to do this now before I lost my resolve. I neared in closer to the pack of shirtless, tan boys.

Jake was the first one to notice me- and the almost desperate look on my face. He quickly sprinted away from his buddies to meet me halfway across the beach. He reached out to me and lowered his head so we were eye level as he spoke to me like a parent.

"Bells what's wrong?" he asked worriedly and I could feel the tears pricking at my eyes. I held his eyes though and my determination withstood the test.

"Jake we need to talk." I said sternly, trying to act tough when in reality I was crumbling like a house of card in the midst of a hurricane.

"Of course. Let's go for a walk." he said quickly then turned to the guys behind him. "Hey boys! I'm going to go for a walk with Bella. Don't wait up." he yelled to them and they all made cooing noises at him as if being with me were anywhere near romantic.

Jake grabbed my hand and led me down the beach away from the guys. We walked in silence for a while and I realized how much I really did enjoy being with Jacob. How much I enjoyed the feel of his warm hand covering mine; his pinky drawing absentminded nonsensical patterns on the back of my hand. I really enjoyed seeing his face light up when he saw me and how he would drop everything he was doing to be with me or comfort me. Not a lot of guys were like that.

Heaven knows Edward wasn't like that anymore. Everything seemed to be about him, all of a sudden, like his pleasures and needs were the only important thing and I was merely a tool to get him what he wanted. Jake was different.

He was entirely self-deprecating but raised me up on an unnecessary pedestal. It was nice to be wanted. I never had to wonder if Jacob was too good for me. Because I knew he was just right. Whether or not I was good enough for him, was an entirely different story.

"What's wrong, Bells? You know you can talk to me." Jake whispered, breaking the silence. In its absence, I quickly realized how soothing the sound of crashing waves was.

"Jake you were right…" I started, feeling the words on my tongue like they were a completely different language. It was strange admitting these things, and I didn't like it.

"About what, Bells?" he asked, not understanding me at all. I cleared my throat and took a deep breath.

"Jake Edward isn't who I thought he was. He isn't the man I fell in love with last summer. He's changed and not for the better. He scares me now, and he hurts me. And now Charlie wants me to move back to Jacksonville because he sees how unhappy I am and doesn't know what to do and-" I rushed and stuttered and finally Jake stopped me. He stopped walking and took my shoulders in his large hands. I winced at the pain radiating through the bruises there and he quickly removed his hands.

"Bella slow down. I don't understand. Start from the beginning and work you way to here. Slowly." he told me, serious as ever. He looked me in the eye and gave me a minute to compile all my thoughts.

"Charlie decided today that he's done with my depression. He's not going to take it anymore, Jake. It's either get happy or move out. If I don't find a way to get happy, then I'm moving back to Jacksonville to live with my mom." I said and Jacob's face showed his shock and sadness. But I continued.

"I'm not happy with Edward anymore," I said sadly, knowing it was true but still hating it with a passion. "I still love him and always will; but Charlie's right that I'm not happy. I hurt all the time; and not just physically. I want to be with the Edward I knew last summer, not this new Edward. But I'm afraid the old Edward is lost."

Then finally I said the words I knew I needed to say, but wasn't sure if I could. "I need to end things with Edward."

I was surprised by Jake's reaction. I thought he'd be sad for me or maybe even happy. But what I wasn't expecting was for him to reach out and grab my face, pulling it to his as his lips covered mine. He kissed me softly- softer then I'd ever been kissed before in my life. A gentle kiss but with a kind of passion I'd rarely ever felt.

His soft lips pressed delicately against mine and I felt a kind of fluttering in my stomach. Not like I was turned on, but instead I felt…loved. I felt truly loved and cared for while I was in Jacob's arms. Like nothing else really mattered.

And in kissing me, Jacob was showing me the truth in that. Nothing else mattered. We'd deal with everything as it came but for now, it was just him and me. We were free to comfort each other and revel in our embracement. Because I had fallen in love with Jacob over these last two summers; and I'd fallen harder then I ever had before.

I let myself kiss Jacob back and I gave in to my real desires. Though I loved Edward, I'd never loved anyone as much as I quickly realized I loved Jacob.

He pulled back and leaned his forehead against mine, my face still cradled in his hands. "Sorry," he breathed, clearly breathless as was I. "I couldn't help myself. Do you realize how hard it is for me to be around you?" He let go of my face and took a step back, smiling.

"You're like a drug, Bella." he told me, chuckling. "Like a beautiful, smart drug that intoxicates me." He moved closer and kissed me again, this time a quick peck on the lips that had me practically on my hands and knees begging for more.

"Bella I'm so proud of you." he told me, swaddling me in a hug. "It takes a lot of effort to admit something like this and it takes a lot of guts to end it with someone abusive. You're the strongest person I know. We'll get through this, Bells. We'll get through this together." he whispered in my ear. And I knew it was the truth.

Because Jacob saw me like no one else did. I wasn't so much of a little miss invisibility any more. Not to Jacob. No, to Jake I was the strongest girl. And I liked the sound of that.