Huge thanks goes out to all the wonderful girls who have helped us with this story from the start: EdwardsFirstKiss, AWayWithWords, and LaPumuckl..

Just want to say sorry there was not an update last week. Things are crazy for us both right now, but we will never walk away or quit on a story. Eleven is with the beta team, twelve and thirteen are both being worked on by us currently. We appreciate your patience and support.

See you at the bottom.

What Do You Want From Me

Chapter 10

The silence becomes too much to handle as the feeling of wanting to get out of this room as far away from her as possible overwhelms me. I should have known she would turn her back on me like any normal person would.

"Now everyone will find out, you will be run out of town, and be back in prison before it's even dark. Why did you tell her?"

I feel Bella's hand on my face turning it to her. I slowly open my eyes to see that she is looking at me sadly.

"What happened?" Her words are asked with the same softness she normally uses.

"I just told you."

She shakes her head.

"No, I am asking you why."

I close my eyes hating that she would believe I was capable of that. She must hate me. "And could be scared shitless since someone killed her mother and hurt her! Have you forgotten that?" My mind hisses at me making my eyes spring open again hoping she's not freaking out on me.

"Why? Whose house did you break into?" she questions and then frowns, her eyes close and open with a roll of her eyes. "It was the principal at the school you attended. The one that stopped you from graduating and lied so that you couldn't go to college; wasn't it?" she questions and all I can do is nod at her.

"Who beat him? Wait ... how would you know that answer if you only found him," she shakes her head looking at me. "Why didn't he say it wasn't you? Surely he couldn't have hated you that much ... unless ..." her face seems to go into shock. "It was his wife, wasn't it?"

I gulp, managing to say, "Yes." I'm surprised at how well she seems to be fitting this together.

"The son-of-a-bitch beat his wife and let you take the fall," Bella hisses. "Why the hell didn't she say anything?" she asks me angrily.

"I don't know ... she ..." I close my eyes. "It wasn't me – I swear to you. I only ... he made my life hell. I just wanted some pay back. I was going to spray paint his wall with F ... you," I try to explain. "But she was lying there, and ... I tried to help her she was ... I thought she was dead. When I touched her to check for her pulse, I could tell she was in pain. I called the police with the house phone; before I could tell them what I found ... he had me in a headlock. I didn't hear him come in." I shake my head trying to forget the blows he hit me with, and I was too shocked to fight back. "She said she never saw me, that I hit her from behind. She said that she could only remember that I screamed that I hated her husband. I never ... I swear on everyth—"

Bella cuts me off by hugging me to her. Without thinking I pull her closer to me.

"I believe you," she whispers making me hold her a little closer.

The bell rings making me pull away from her. "Get to class. I'll clean this up."

Bella again squeezes my hand making me look at her.

"Are we still running and lunch friends?" Bella asks before biting her lip looking quite shy.

I smile nodding at her. "I would like to be friends?" I question hoping that is what she meant.

"Thank you," she says pointing at our mess making me shake my head.

"Thank you," I say back knowing she'll know that I am thanking her for believing me.

I know the Chief says he believes me, but he has seen the court documents, and I am sure he believes my mother more than me. Bella is the first person to trust me on my word alone and for me that is something I am not used to, but I am so very grateful for it.

I wait until she is out the room before cleaning up the small amount of mess we have made. When the room's back in order, I head to the cafeteria to clean up. The lecture the students received seems to have helped a little, but there still needs to be some improvement in cleaning up after them.

As I wipe down the tables, I think over Bella's and my talk and how she's the first friend I've made in a long time. I only sort of became friends with Aro when I was in prison. Before him, I didn't have any lasting friendships. In fact, Bella's the first friend I've made since high school.

But you aren't a high school student and you are five years older than her. Is this friendship even allowed?

"Shit," I hiss aloud. "What if I can't be friends with students?" I rub my head trying to remember the words that Mary used when I told her about the girls who approached me. I close my eyes; I am sure she used the word intimate and we just have a friendship that's not considered intimate is it? I pull at my hair feeling anxious.

"Maybe I should just ask her?" I mutter to myself as I again head to her office.

"Back again, Edward?" Jessica asks with a smile as she picks up the phone. "Edward's here to see you again," she says into the phone and smiles.

"You can go in."

I chuckle a little feeling a little embarrassed as I walk into Mary's office

"Hi," she says.

I start to pull my hair. "Can I be friends with Bella? Is that allowed?" I ask in a small voice.

"We live in a relatively small town, Edward, and a lot of the people you are around are also around Bella. It's quite clear that you two will end up spending time outside of school together."

I just look at her confused to whether she is saying 'yes or no.' "Is that a yes?"

"Yes, just as long as it stays at a friendship level, and doesn't move to a sexual one."

I feel my face heat up as I shake my head. "What – no ... I'm ... no sex," I stutter feeling even more embarrassed.

Bella is the first girl I have become friends with. I never really talked to girls before her let alone been to first base with any of them. I'm pretty sure I would be like a fish out of water if I even tried to kiss her.

Mary nods at me. "I would also suggest that you tell Charlie."

I nod at her that was my next step after I spoke to her.

"And lastly, Edward, you don't have to check in with me about every little thing. If you see something that needs to be done then trust your judgment, like I do. I only need to know if there is a big issue, that you can't fix right away, or if you need to leave, or are unable to come in."

I give her a nod as I start to pull at my hair. "Having to check on everything in prison is a hard habit to break when you're no longer there."

She again nods at me. "You are fine, Edward, and if it makes you feel better then please check with me. I was thinking of getting walkie-talkies, that way you would just need to radio me. Anyway, I want to have a fire drill tomorrow at ten. Jessica will be with you to walk you through the steps. After that, it'll be up to you to do it once a quarter," she tells me.

I give her a nod and walk back out of the room.

"Thank you, Jessica."

She gives me a smile that I am sure is over the fact that I have used her name.

~WDYWFM~

At the end of the school day, I walk outside along with the students.

"You're leaving early today?" Bella asks sounding a little as if she is suffering in pain.

I look at her seeing that her face matches her voice, she looks like she's in pain.

"Are you okay?" I ask moving my hand to touch her back and arm.

"Yeah," she huffs.

I raise my eyebrow at her as I give her a look as if to say 'don't bullshit me'.

She sighs a little. "Okay, I may have overdone it in gym, and twisted the wrong way."

I give her a small nod and look around. "Come and sit down, or do want me to run you home?" I ask feeling unsure of how or what I can do to help her.

"I'll be fine with a seat and some pain meds."

I start to help her move to the edge of the stairs so that she can sit.

"Bella," is called before I can help her to sit down. "Are you okay?" the Chief asks as he reaches us.

"I'm fine," she lies again.

"She twisted the wrong way in gym class and her hip is sore," I tell him making Bella glare at me. But if she's not going to tell the truth, then someone has to.

"Stop with the glares. I am not taking your photo," I joke. "He has a right to know," I tell her softly hoping she understands. "Maybe think about holding off on running tomorrow; rest your hip." Bella just looks at me sadly. I roll my eyes at her pout. "I'll drop by and if you're not in pain, I'll show you some more punches on your bag."

Bella's lip quivers a little and I know that I have won.

"Come on; let's get you to your Dad's car."

My eyes glance at the Chief.

"Can I have a word once she's in the car?"

He nods at me and takes over helping her to the car.

He helps her to sit and then closes her door, moving a few feet away.

"Chief, can I be friends with Bella?" I ask keeping my eyes on Bella who is looking at me with worry in her eyes.

"Isn't that something you should ask her?" he replies sounding confused.

"We sort of said that we were friends this afternoon, but I wanted to check with you, to make sure that you are okay with it," I mutter as I give Bella a small smile hoping to lessen the worry on her face.

"I'm fine with it," the Chief says cheerfully making me look his way. "You'll be her youngest friend; there is only five years between you two," he chuckles a little. "Everyone else who she thinks of as a friend is all in their late twenties and more than doubles that in some cases."

"Has she always been alone?" I ask wondering if this was something that developed after her mother's death.

"Not to this extent, but she's always been timid and shy. She always had more of an introverted personality, like her mother. But, what happened that night seems to have made her even more closed off than she was already. I'm just happy she's making new friends. I best get her home so she can take some meds and rest that hip."

"Can you text me and let me know how she is?"

The Chief gives me a nod as he walks around to his door.

As they drive off, I give Bella a little wave. I head back inside the school to finish my shift.

~WDYWFM~

"Edward," the Elf calls as I head towards my truck.

I stop and turn to look at her.

"Are you able to close the school up this Thursday night?"

I raise my brow at her in question as to why since Mary hasn't said anything to me.

"Just the drama area. The play may not be until March but I need to start working out all the cast parts."

"Okay; what time?"

"Six-thirty until nine, if that is okay with you?"

"That's fine" I say opening my truck door.

"Thank you," she smiles. "By the way, the new clothes look much better."

I look down at myself and nod as I smile. "They feel better, too."

"That's because the jumpsuit looked like the one you would have worn in prison, and you needed no reminder of that, I'm sure. Later, Edward," she only makes it to the front of my truck before turning back to me.

"Maybe you could help me with casting?"

Pulling my brows together I give her a questioning look. "What makes you think I know the first thing about casting?"

"Oh, just that Mary said that you were tuning the musical instruments; therefore, you have the ability to hear the tune and tone better than I do. So if you could help me with selecting the singer and maybe even a couple of the songs, it would be great. Plus, it's always better to have more than one person, so I am not drawn to the same people doing the same things."

"Okay?"

"Okay, as in you'll help, or okay, as in you still think that I am a nut job?"

I chuckle. "Both," I say with a smile making her grin back at me.

"Great ... thanks, Edward."

I shake my head at the Elf; she may be small but her personality is quite large. She has a good vibe to her, always seems to be happy to help the students and is always smiling. I'm not sure if that's just her or that her husband is the Silent Assassin who has access to drugs. If it's the drugs, then maybe I should ask for some when I see him today.

I feel myself frown a little.

Since I have been here, I have never been keen to see the Silent Assassin, but as I drive to his office, I feel more upbeat than I have before.

My only worry is about Bella and the fact that the Chief hasn't called to tell me how she is.

~WDYWFM~

"Edward," the Silent Assassin says with a nod to his room.

I get up and follow him.

"I still haven't done any writing," I say right away, "however, I have made a friend."

His eyebrows goes up a little. "You're not scared this friend will turn their back on you?"

I swallow but shake my head. "No, Bella knows what I did, and why I was in prison. She believes my side of things ... Just as long as I don't screw it up, then we'll be friends. Not real sure ..." I trail off pulling my hair. "She's my first friend in a long time. I had Aro who was my cell mate, but I must have been around ten years old before that ... as I said, it's been a long time for me."

I again swallow.

"I think it helps as she is not used to having friends either; we're kind of in the same boat."

The Silent Assassin smiles and chuckles. "Yes, you both are reluctant about talking about the things that you are here to talk about."

I frown a little.

"Is she getting better?" I ask even though I know deep inside he will not be able to tell me.

"She told me about being sick ... About her mom being killed ... She seemed to be in so much pain talking about it. She hurt her hip in gym class today."

The Silent Assassin's head tilts a little and his face hardens.

"I think she must have twisted the wrong way. She seemed embarrassed by it like it was somehow her fault."

I sit forward a little. "It's the same with her going to college. She thinks it's her fault that some of her medical bills were paid off with her college fund. Why? Why doesn't she blame him? I know that my not being with my mom when she passed was partially my fault, but more so Mr. Cheney's fault because he lied. Why is Bella blaming herself?"

"She's not blaming herself in the way you think. She is dismissing what happened, so she doesn't have to fully deal with it."

I pull my brows down not fully understanding him. "I know she knows what happened? Is this one of those situations where the brain is protecting itself?"

"Sort of, but she doesn't entirely remember what happened. We know that she interacted with her attacker, at some level. We know she saw her mother hurt before she was attacked. But if she blames herself, then she can have control and stop it from happening again."

I sigh understanding it a little more.

"She saw her mother—" I stop needing to push myself to say the next word, "dead?"

"Yes, her mother's blood was found all over her, yet none of Bella's was on her mom."

I rub my face. How can she trust me so easily? Hell, if she had seen the state Angela Cheney was in she may change her mind about being my friend. I wouldn't blame her. Whereas, I am lucky to have her as a friend, I doubt she can say the same about me. Maybe I should tell her to forget about being my friend. I hate the thought of that as I feel so much more like the old me when she is around. This is why I don't make friends; this is just too much stress and the thoughts are ripping me apart.

"Edward, calm down," he says leaning forward. "She may not talk about that night, but she does talk about her dreams, and the days before and the days after. She sometimes lets out some of her feelings from that night in her drawings. She thinks I don't know, so don't tell her."

He sits back and I can see that he seems to be fighting with himself internally and it makes me tilt my head at him.

"This is between you, me and the four walls."

I nod at him.

"She seemed more cheerful the last time I met with her. She was even a little giddy about the cabin and how much you both have done to it. It took me a little by surprise when she told me that she had told you about her mother, but of course, she changed it a little and felt bad that she had upset you."

"She didn't. I felt bad that my losing it on the punching bag scared her."

The Silent Assassin chuckles again making me look at him.

"I had a feeling that you would say that ... just be her friend, if she opens up to you then maybe you could open up to her. I think it will help you both."

I give him a nod and sit back, needing a change of subject while my mind still settles on being Bella's friend.

I smirk at him.

"Your Elf asked me for my help in casting her play."

"My Elf?" the Silent Assassin snorts. "Oh, I so want to call her that," he carries on with a dark look. "I'm glad she has some help. Last year Emmett tried and ... well, let's just say it didn't end well."

I keep looking at him to continue.

"He didn't want to turn anyone away, so he gave parts to lots of students, even ones that didn't come to the audition. That left Alice to make up parts for them and then had Bella making extra backgrounds. Both of the girls were fit to be tied and wanted to throttle him. In the end the play went well, and everyone had a good time, so no harm, and no foul."

I nod at him and start to tell him about fishing with the Chief, and I am surprised when our hour seems to have flown by.

We get to his door, and I look at my cell before looking back at him.

"Can I ask your advice on something?"

He nods at me.

"I asked the Chief if he would let me know how Bella is doing, but he's hasn't texted yet and I don't have her number to text her. Has he not texted because she's worse than what I thought?"

"Charlie is a man of his word. If he told you that he'd text, then he will. Just give him a few more hours. I am sure she's fine, and there's no need to worry. This isn't the first time she has gone home in pain from school, and this sadly will not be last. On a side note you should ask Bella for her number the next time you see her."

"That's not too forward, or creepy?"

He shakes his head at me. "No, it's something that friends do."

I give him a smile feel a little more relaxed. "Thank you," I whisper to him.

"Part of my job, Edward, feel free to ask me anything. Come on, I'll walk you back to the waiting room."

The Silent Assassin leaves me at the front desk to make an appointment with Tanya.

"Edward," she says with a smile as she hands me my appointment card. "I was wondering if you would like to come to my house for dinner?" she asks giving me a large smile.

I start to pull at my hair.

"You're not allowed to date clients, Tanya, don't make me write you up," the Silent Assassin states, making me jump.

I turn to see him standing in the doorway of the waiting room.

"You are so unfair," she moans.

I turn to face him mouthing 'thank you'.

"Besides, I didn't say date; I said dinner at my home. And can I add that I haven't had sex in six months," Tanya huff's as she pouts at me.

"Tanya!" The Silent Assassin snaps as he approaches us. "Edward, you can head home now," he says tight lipped to me.

I walk to the door, but it opens and Lauren walks in, smirking at me.

"Mom, did you remember to ask Edward to come to dinner?" she asks.

This makes me feel even more nervous. The fact that Lauren's mother works for my therapist could cause her to make life very unpleasant for me.

I shake my head. "She did but I can't," I quickly answer as I walk out of the office.

I run my hand through my hair as I try control my breathing and once I feel able to, I drive home.

I walk in just as my cell bings.

~Sorry for the delay, I was held up. Bella is fine, but still in some pain. Sleeping it off. I'm trying to stop her from running tomorrow morning and have called Mary to have her taken out of gym. Charlie~

I let out a sigh having a feeling that she will be a little stubborn, but also that she will need her running fix in the morning.

~I will take her through some punches, keeping it light and off her hip as much as possible. Thank you, for letting me know. Edward~

I send the text and walk into the kitchen where Esme is working on dinner.

~No problem, Edward. She asked me to give you her number 360-555-8620. I didn't give her yours because that's your choice if you want her to have it or not. Charlie~

"Evening, Edward," Esme says but frowns as she looks at me. "Did you not have a good day?" she asks making me look up from my cell.

"It was mostly good. Bella and I are now friends," I tell her making her smile at me. "But she hurt her hip in gym."

"Oh," Esme says as she looks at her own cell.

"The Chief just texted me to say that she's sleeping it off, but ..." Esme nods at me, "Do you think Carlisle will take me through some medical information for her?"

"Medical information?" Esme asks.

"Yeah, I am going to try to talk her out of running for a few days. But I get the feeling she needs that as an outlet, so I thought I could help her with kickboxing. If Carlisle could fill me in on how to help keep the weight off her hurt hip, that would be great."

"I am sure he'll help you come up with an exercise plan," she says with a smile on her face.

I give her a nod. "I'll see you at dinner," I say walking out the room.

~Thank you, for giving me her number. I was planning on asking for it tomorrow. I'll text her later tonight. Edward~

I let out a long breath as I add Bella to my small list of contacts.

I place my cell down and grab a notepad and pen.

"Okay, what do I need to know?" I mutter to myself.

Leg and arm strength—I should Google stretches that will help her before and after she exercises.

I hum as I write down my thoughts.

Should I ask her about any meds she takes? I rub my head feeling unsure. I know that I should know what her medications are and if there are any side effects just in case. I also know that this is private information, and I know I would hate people knowing what I take. I could tell her my medications though, if it would make her feel better.

"What else?" I think out loud as I tap the pen on the paper.

First Aid. Whereas, I know it and took yearly courses in prison; I need an update next month. Carlisle may know of a place for me to do that as well?

I switch on my laptop and Google for any information I can find. I am also searching videos on YouTube and am so focused that I jump when I hear a knock on my door.

"Yeah," I hum glancing at the door as it opens.

"Esme said you wanted to talk with me?"

I nod as I indicate that he can come in.

"The Chief told me about Bella, about what happened when her mom died," I stutter. "I am planning on helping by training her to kick box, and show her some self-defense moves, but ... I need to know some do's and don'ts with her abilities. Could you also give me information where I can get my first aid updated?"

He just looks at me, he clears his throat. "I can add your name to the hospital list course, it's a sixteen-hour course for your card, and there is an additional training course that runs over a three-month-period that covers you for your work requirements, too."

"How much?" I ask feeling this may take me over my budget this month.

"Free," he says making me just look at him. "The school will cover the program cost, as it is a job requirement for you," he says.

"I haven't asked Mary?"

"That's fine. I sent her an email today ... normally it's just Alice, Emmett, Tia, Jessica, and Rose that attend from the school, she'll be pleased to see your name."

I give him a nod.

"Now as for Bella," he sighs a little, and then looks at my sofa. "May I sit?"

"Yes," I say taking the seat across from him.

"She has more pain in her hip and leg than she lets on, but her shoes are orthotic and help to minimize it. However, if she doesn't wear them and is barefoot, the pain is maximized and can lead to back pain as well."

"She still receives therapy in which they help her walk and check the strength of her leg. I'm pleased to say that she is improving. I can set you up for an appointment with her therapist, and he can show you some massages to give to her leg when she's in pain."

I nod at him as his face looks grimmer than before.

"Her left arm and shoulder ..." he shakes his head. "She used to be left-handed, but the damage was too great. She's lucky that she's ambidextrous and is still able to draw with her right hand. She will never get full feeling or strength back in her left arm. She's gets a pin and needles-like tingling pain in her left arm, which causes her hand and arm to lose strength. Don't let that side of her body get too cold. If you see her left hand begin to swell and - or it turns red or purple, then get it warmed up. Frank can also show you the massages that he uses for her shoulder ..."

"Okay, thanks ... if I need more information can I talk to you again?"

"My door is always open, Edward. Would you like to join Esme and me for dinner?"

I give him a nod and we walk downstairs to the kitchen. Once dinner is finished, I insist on doing the dishes before heading back to my room. I pick up my cell biting my lip and holding my breath.

~Your Dad gave me your number ... hope you don't mind. I just wanted to text to see how you are feeling? Edward~

I place my cell back down and let the breath out I had been holding. I really hope I don't screw up, and that this friendship with Bella is not something I will regret.

A/N: So what do you think of Edward showing that he cares a little more? What are your thoughts?