This one was hard and took me awhile to write but here it is. I hope you like. It's slightly longer than normal so I hope you can bare with me to the bottom. I don't think you'll be disappointed. ;)

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns these characters and the awesomeness that is Twilight! I'm just subjecting them to my fun little schemes.

Chapter 10

Bella had managed to drift off to sleep around three am, waking up on her own at seven. She breathed a sigh of relief when Jake wasn't beside her. Grabbing her robe, Bella put it on, cold despite the warm weather. Cautiously walking out into the kitchen, she was surprised to find that Emmett and Rosalie were both there, once again, as well as Jasper and Alice. The girls looked happy—like nothing crazy was going on but both guys looked nervous. They were probably just worried about Edward.

"Morning, Bells!" Rosalie said cheerfully over her toast.

"Morning," Bella said with a half smile.

Alice looked up at her with a concerned look, the happiness fading away. It broke her heart to see Alice like this, she was usually so happy. "Would you like anything for breakfast?"

"No. I'm not hungry," Bella said, being completely truthful. The idea of food made her sick. She knew Jake was truly off his rocker. He was insane and had put a knife to her the night before. She noticed Emmett texting like crazy and wondered what was going on. Jasper just looked...uncomfortable. "Where's Jake?"

"He left a few minutes ago. Said he had some business to attend to. I don't really know..."

When she came out of the bathroom after a nice, long shower, Bella noticed the house was quiet. Everyone must have left for the studio. She sat on the bed, wondering what Jake meant by saying she'd have all day to eat. When there was a knock on the bedroom door, she jumped before calling out, "Come in."

Instead of her insane husband, Emmett was standing outside of her door. "Are you alright?"

Bella looked at him curiously. Does he know? She nodded and tried to smile. "I don't know what you mean."

"I've already talked to Edward. I've been talking to him. Letting him know you're okay. Here, use my phone, call him. He's really worried about you."

"Emmett..."

"Don't be mad at him. You really think that he'd send you back here without someone else who could help? Call him."

So he does know. Who else does? Rosalie definitely isn't acting like it. Alice is just plain confused. Jasper? Could he know what's going on? Taking the phone from Emmett, she called Edward's cell. He answered on the first ring, "What's wrong?"

"Edward..." She could hear him suck in a breath.

"Bella! Are you okay?"

"Yeah...I'm...fine. Jasper showed up with Alice..." Yep, Jasper knows.

"Did you know that Jake is here?"

Bella groaned.

"Are the girls there with you?"

"Nope. Just one of my bodyguards," Bella answered dryly.

"Are you coming in?"

"I don't know...I'll call you later."

"Do you have my number saved on your phone?"

"No, I can do it..."

"Don't. Don't attach it to my name in case he checks your phone. Let me talk to Em."

Bella handed the phone over and listened, wondering what he had to say. Emmett glanced at her and walked away with the phone in his hand. Great, now I'm a prisoner in my own house. I should just go to the studio. He can't kill me in front of everyone...

Bella never made it to the studio, halfway there, her loyal little car quit running. She had no idea what she was doing and tried to call Jake. It rang and rang. Eventually, she decided to call Danny's office. "Danny? This is Bella. Is my husband still there?"

"No. He left. I was just calling in Edward to tell him the news."

What news? "Oh. Um..."

"I mean, I really didn't see this coming. I know he has a troubled past but Bella, you have to believe that I would never have put him with you had I known."

Know what? What the hell did Jake say to him? Bella began to get a sick feeling in her stomach. "Danny, it's fine, really."

"Bella, no one should ever lay a hand on another person that way. I truly never imagined that something like this would happen. I went against my better judgment when his company offered him over to us." Bella wanted to die. Edward was going to be fired for something he didn't do—all because she wouldn't be honest with herself and admit she needed help. "Bella? Are you still there?"

"Um...yeah. I have to go."

"Alright. Have no fear, come Monday, you'll be paired with Tyler. Mr. Cullen will be sent back home. I'll see you then."

Standing on the side of the road, completely stunned, she quickly called Edward—he wouldn't answer. Finally giving up, Bella called Emmett. "Em, I...something's happened." She went through the whole story and instead of over reacting, he told her to get back in her car, lock the doors, and he'd be there to help her shortly. She did as she was told and tried to call Edward again. Surely he's had enough time to talk to Danny... "What?" he answered.

"Edward! Thank God! Listen, I didn't..."

"I can't believe you'd do this! After everything that I told you! Bella, this is all I have. Do you have any idea what they're going to do to me when I get back home? I'll give you a hint. It starts with f and rhymes with wire."

"He went to..."

"You know, if you were so damn repulsed by what I did to Emily, you could have just asked me nicely to leave...or that you wanted another partner..."

"Edward, stop," Bella commanded firmly. "I never said anything to anyone about us...at all! I sure as hell didn't tell them you were trying to have sex with me!"

"Bella, they think I beat you. Jake told Danny you were demanding a new partner...just like before...well, you know what, go ahead and have Tyler."

"Edward, I didn't do it! I...I..love..."

"Stop. Just stop. I'm leaving. Do you understand that? They are putting me on a plane and I'm not coming back."

"Are you in trouble?"

"Yes," he said, annoyed.

"I mean, did they call the police?"

"No but if they do I'm fucking screwed. Bella, for the love of all things holy, fucking get help. He's manipulating everyone around you. He's..."

"He's calling me. I have to take it. My car broke down."

"Where are you? Are you okay?"

Bella told him the street name and said she'd call him back soon. "Hello?"

"It's Jake. I'm on my way home...what road are you on?" he asked suspiciously.

"I broke down."

"I thought I saw you. I'm coming back around. Where were you going?"

"The studio, Jake. It's my job."

"I've informed Danny you won't be in until Monday, when your dearest Edward is no longer there."

"I can't believe you did this! I've never had sex with him, Jake!" Bella cringed when she thought of the make out sessions but what Jake had just done was inexcusable. He quite possibly just cost Edward his job. She knew instinctively what Edward was going to end up falling back into and it made her sick to think about.

"I want to talk to you about something. I'm on my way." Bella was shocked that he completely avoided her outburst. There was obviously something important that he was excited about. There's no way in hell this could possibly be good.

He pulled up less than five minutes later, luckily,she was able to message Emmett and tell him not to come. Jake said it was just a dead battery. When they got home, Jake sat down across from her at the kitchen table—Emmett was no longer there, he was probably still in shock over the word that his best friend was being shipped back to Europe. "Bella, I have a few things to tell you. The first, I'm moving back here for good." Bella felt nauseous. This was way to fucking much to handle all at once. She was still reeling from Edward's situation. "Second, I want a baby. Third, I am asking you nicely to leave the studio for good."

Her heart stopped. This was WAY to fucking much. Unable to speak, to move, to do anything really, Bella just stared at him. There was a possibility that Edward wouldn't lose his career. If that were the case, he'd be safer there than here. She never should have let him get involved with her and Jake from the beginning. This is my chance to push Edward away for good. Jake's moving back. I need to get Edward away from me. I can handle this, I just have to make sure he doesn't lose his job but a child? No way in hell is a child of mine going to be raised around this man. No fucking way.

"Jake..." Bella finally said, "I really, really love dancing. Can we just wait..."

"No. You can have until this set of performances are over and then you are done. Come on, it's not like you're going to make it much farther. You know that, right, Sweetheart?"

"Where are you going to work?" Bella asked through clenched teeth.

"I found a job on the reservation. We'll make enough."

"What exactly did you tell Danny?" she tried to keep her voice from raising.

"Just simply that my dear, beautiful wife was a victim to Mr. Cullen's troubled ways. I let him know that you still had some of the bruises to prove it. It's quite tragic, really." He said it with bravado, as if telling a heart felt story. What have I done? I deserve whatever Jake can throw at me.

Bella gave up. She couldn't fight any longer. After all this time she'd taken his abuse and thought she was eventually going to get away, the realization that she was stuck dropped onto her like fifty cement blocks. She gave up on her future, she gave up on her husband, she gave up on not crying. For the rest of the day, as soon as Jake left for his dad's to get ready for the fishing trip, Bella crawled into bed and cried. She cried for her loss of freedom, she cried for what she'd have to deal with when Jake started on this baby situation, she cried for the hypothetical child who would know him as its father, and more importantly, she sobbed uncontrollably for Edward. She'd gotten so good at lying to protect herself that she didn't realize she was killing everyone else around her. Her father, Edward, Rosalie, and Alice...they were all in danger because of her. Jake and I have to move out. There's no way they can be around him all the time like this.

Thoughts of her best friends reminded her that she hadn't checked her phone since Jake jumped her car battery. Grabbing it off of the kitchen counter, Bella saw she had only one text message. It was from Alice. Why couldn't you just tell me? After all the years we've been friends... I'm not speaking to Jasper right now. I can't. He knew about Edward's past. He knew!

Bella froze, not knowing what to say back to her. She tried to call Emmett but he didn't answer. Through even more tears, she sent Rosalie a text. I need Emmett to call me. With shaking hands, she sat and stared at her phone, waiting for it to light up. After twenty minutes, she finally gave up and decided to just call Edward. After the eighth ring, he finally answered. "Hello?"

"Edward!"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Alice is mad at Jasper and I don't know where they are and I can't get a hold of Emmett..."

"I know. Emmett and Rose are having a discussion about Keira—don't ask. Are you alright?"

"Jake's moving back for good, Edward. I'm scared."

"I'm going to have to call you back. I'm trying to pack."

"Edward..."

"You are the only one who can make the choice to get out of this mess. If you don't there isn't a doubt in my mind that he's going to end up putting you in the hospital. I need you to understand that you can stop this. It's too late to for me but not for Jasper and Alice and sure as hell not for yourself. Bells, please."

"Do you hate me for what I've done to you?"

"You didn't do anything. He did. I'll go through this if it means you'll come forward and save yourself. It's too late for me but it's not for you. I fucked my life up. I made bad decisions. Decision that I will regret for the rest of my life. Bella, if you don't go to your dad about it...I'm going to make sure he finds out."

"He already knows about you, I'm almost positive. I can guarantee Jake's said something to him and Billy. He's going on a trip this weekend with them."

"Do you think he'll hurt your dad?"

"I don't know. He threatens it but I honestly don't know. I'm scared for him, though. Jake loves Charlie but he's not stable, Edward."

"Is Jake there now?"

"No. He left to go meet them. He won't be back until Sunday."

"So, this is it. After all of the time we've put in, it's over. I'm sorry."

"What the hell are you sorry for? I did this. Not you."

"If I didn't already have myself tagged for domestic violence, I wouldn't have been let go. I'm just sorry that I can't save you."

"I didn't ask to be saved. I didn't ask for you to get involved in this..."

"Well, I am. I have to go. I...I..."

"When's your flight?"

"Four hours. Why?"

"I want to see you."

"Bella..."

"Please. I...I have your hotel key. You'll need it to check out."

"Fine. I'll come when I'm finished packing."

"No. Not here. Not if he comes back. I'll bring it over."

What the hell is wrong with you? He's trying to leave. Let him go! Bella's mind was screaming at her as she slid the key card in and out of the spot by his door. The lock clicked and Bella threw the door open, stopping when she saw he was standing right in the entryway. "Hey..."

"Hey."

The two of them just stared at each other, afraid to move. It was like they were have a staring contest that would determine whether or not they would ever see each other again. If they looked away, it was over. For the rest of her life, their relationship would be over. The idea of it was crushing. Finally, Edward spoke first. "So, do you have the key?"

"Yeah," Bella said quietly, going to hand it to him with with shaking hands.

"I want you to keep it," he said in a gravel-filled whisper.

"You need it to check out, Edward. They won't let you without it."

"I'm still going to pay for it."

"You're coming back?"

"No." He said it with enough certainty to make her want to start crying all over again. The finality of the situation began to bare down on her.

"I don't understand."

"I'm not leaving until I know you have somewhere safe to go. You have the key for here."

"You can't keep paying for it!"

"I have the money. It's not an issue and it will give me a piece of mind. Don't use it if you don't need it but just know you have it. The people from the rental place are coming to get the car, I have to meet them downstairs."

"How are you getting to the airport?"

"I've called a cab."

"Cancel it. I'll take you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." He seemed to be considering it but it added to her anxiety over his leaving. "What if it's not too late? What if we can fix this?"

"It's over, Bella. There's nothing to fix."

"You don't know that!"

"I do. This wasn't meant to be. Emily's gone. I should be rotting in that cell, not here, happy with you."

Before she could say something to help him, he turned and walked out to meet the guy coming to get his car, leaving her by herself in the room. His bags were packed in front of the door and his sweatshirt that said "Masen" across the back was lying on top. Wondering if Emmett and Jasper knew his real last name, Bella thought about all of the secrets she'd been keeping.

Deciding to wonder around the apartment since she couldn't sit still, Bella was walking past the bedroom when she saw something metal on the bed. She stopped in the doorway, trying to see the silver, shiny object when she realized what it was. Striding over, her stomach turned when she saw the sleek handgun lying on the bed. "Still trust me?" he asked from behind her.

Spinning around she almost lost her balance and he caught her. "Edward...why...I mean..."

"When you have a lot of money, you have a lot of enemies."

Bella didn't know what to say to that. So she asked a basic question. "Have you ever...used it...on someone?"

"No. I just feel better having it. Does it bother you?"

"A little."

"Alright, look, you should probably go. See what I mean? You and I are not meant to be together."

"I'm not afraid of you," Bella said, reaching for his hand.

"You should be."

"You aren't going to hurt me! For the hundredth time, I trust you! It takes a lot for me to trust someone. I've trusted you from the beginning!"

"You're still with your husband. I'd say you don't have the best judgment, Bella."

Instead of fighting with him, she took her hand from his and put it to his chest. Looking up into his eyes, she said, "I have never been so sure of anyone in my life."

Before she knew what she was doing, a finger slid into his button down shirt, right in between two of the small white buttons. There was nothing but his skin underneath and she shivered, wanting more. Carefully, she undid one of them and felt him tremble beneath her touch. Afraid to look up and break the tension she could feel between them, she continued to unbutton. When all of the buttons from the middle of his chest down were undone, she ran a finger along the v-line that was created from the buttoned shirt.

Across his skin, she could feel goosebumps. Making it down to the small patch of copper colored hair, Bella licked her lips and ran her fingers over it. This time, he sucked in a breath and she thought this was the point he'd back away from her and run. He didn't. Instead, he reached his hand out and brushed her hair over her shoulder, exposing her neck. When his lips made contact with the spot just below her ear, she let out a soft moan and ran her hand back up to undo the rest of his buttons.

She knew it was wrong but was doing everything in her power to not let him think about it. He had to know it was wrong just as much as she did, but she couldn't help but feel exhilarated as she felt the sexual tension continue to build. Pushing the shirt off of his strong shoulders, she ran her hand over his hard abs and down to his belt buckle. His hold body froze before he nodded his head in encouragement after looking at her with an 'are you sure about this' look on his face.

Going back to kissing her face and neck, Edward turned her around so that her back was to him and pulled the white cotton shirt she had on up and over her head before she could even undo his buckle. She was glad she was wearing a fairly new bra versus her used, stretched out ones. He ran his hands down her bare arms and gently lifted them up over both of their heads. With her back arched, her hands laid flat on his shoulders and she left them there. With both hands free, Edward worked his way down to her waistband, sliding her carpi sweats down her legs. She let go of him long enough to let him bend and pulled them further. When she stepped out of them, he pulled her back to face him, kissing her passionately.

She walked backwards, taking him with her as she led him to the bed. She spun them around so that his back was to the bed, not hers, and she climbed into his lap. In a second, he had the gun off of the bed and in the top drawer of his nightstand. Bella hadn't been afraid, shocked, but not afraid. How can you trust him so quickly? Like this? She shut her mind off and left him to unsnap her bra. She let out a small, anticipatory moan and arched towards him. Not missing a beat, he caught one of her tiny pink nipples in his mouth and began to suck. She cried out this time. It had been so, so long since she'd been with Jake like this. She couldn't even remember when the last time was.

He moved to her other breast, flicking his tongue against her taut nipple. She tried to get closer to him, needed to be closer to him, and felt the middle of her thighs make contact with his hard shaft. She nearly came. Before she could think about it, he stood up, her legs still wrapped around his waist. He laid down so that she was beneath him.

Taking his index fingers, he ran them over her skin, just below her stomach and the sensation gave her the chills. Finally, he hooked them around the little strips of material on each side and pulled her panties off. She immediately became self-conscious, realizing she was lying in front of him, completely laid out and ready for whatever he had in mind. While he still had his jeans on, his chest and arms were bare, the muscles flexed as he moved back over top of her.

Lifting her chin, and pulling Bella's gaze away from his skin, he looked her in the eyes. "I need you to focus and tell me if this is really okay."

"Yes," she managed to get out.

"How much are you going to regret this?"

"I'm not. I want this." She said, saying it with as much dignity and certainty as she could. Dignity. It was something that she hadn't had even fully clothed since she married Jake. She hated him. She wanted to leave him and she was going to, as soon as she figured out what to do about her father.

Edward's face was inches away and she realized how solemn...and guilty... he looked. She wanted to just hug him to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I just feel like I'm influencing you to do this."

Rolling her eyes, she pulled him down to her and kissed him hard on the lips. "Does it seem like your making me do something I don't want to do?"

"No," he said with a smirk.

"Good." Pushing him so that she was on top, she tucked her hair behind her ears and asked, "So, how much time do we have before your flight leaves?"

"Awhile."

She returned his smirk and slid down so she was sitting on his knees. Her fingers found his belt and he sucked in a deep breath as she undid it. After the button was undone, his phone began to ring and he groaned, reaching over to the nightstand where he'd thrown his cell phone, keys, and wallet after coming in earlier. "It's Keira..." before he could finish his sentence Bella grabbed the phone and threw it onto the soft, carpeted floor.

"Don't you dare answer that phone." Edward was sprawled out on the bed. No shirt. No belt. The top button on his jeans was undone. Bella needed him. Now. Unzipping his pants, she pulled them down to reveal the boxers he was wearing. Giving one final pull, she had those off shortly after. He was definitely ready for her and she realized just how not ready she might actually be. He was huge, way bigger than her husband, and Edward must have seen he shocked face.

"You still want to do this?"

Licking and then biting her lip, Bella practically purred a 'yes' and covered his body with hers. She ground the apex of her thighs against his length and he stroked her back, every touch felt electrifying. When he began to kiss her, she could feel that she was already dripping wet. He turned them so they were both on their sides and slid his fingers down to her core. The second his fingers touched her wet folds, she gave a cry, and he smiled. "Someone's ready."

"Uh-huhhhh," she cried again as his fingers found her clit and began to make circles. Reacting to it, she opened her legs and rocked against his hand. To her delight, she felt one of his fingers slide into her. "Holy shit, yes. Oh, Edward."

He seemed to be moving them around as if he were checking to make sure she was going to be able to handle him before inserting another finger. This time, she moaned louder. Reaching around clumsily for his wallet, he found a little silver packet and pulled it out. She could barely wait for him to open it and slide the condom on. He was easily the sexiest man she'd ever seen in her entire life and she wanted him with her entire being.

Once it was on, he was back over top of her in seconds. Rubbing himself up and down her slit, he kissed her—on her collarbone, her neck, her ear, her cheek, her forehead, until eventually he ended up on her lips. He deepened the kiss as he slid into her. Bella clutched the sheets while she waited for her body to adjust to his. Bringing her hips up to meet his, she nodded her head, knowing the expression on his face was one of excited anticipation. He started out slowly, rocking against her but he began to go faster. Going back and forth between her mouth and nipples, Edward moaned against her skin and she knew it wouldn't be long. To her surprise, he couldn't wait much longer either. "Come for me. Now, Bella." He bit down on her bottom lip while reaching down and touching her clit. As soon as she felt the contact, he cried out against his mouth.

While he rolled so that he was beside her, he removed the condom, tied it and pulled her so she was practically on top of him. They laid there for what seemed like seconds but Bella knew their time together was lessening quickly. He looked so beautiful, lying there with his copper colored hair even more messy than normal, his skin had a layer of sweat on it, and his eyes were closed while a smile lingered on his face. She hadn't seen him this happy in the entire time she'd known him. He was drifting to sleep but she couldn't mistake the words he whispered under his breath, she wasn't even sure she was meant to hear it. "I love you."

Whether it was for her or he was dreaming of someone else, she wasn't sure. What she was sure of was it was either her or his Emily that he was thinking of. She knew she truly didn't have the strength to ask him about it. This girl would always be apart of his life and she could never hold that against him. She also knew this was it. This was the last time she'd watch him with a peaceful look on his face as he fell into slumber. You have to just let him go, Bella. This is what should happen. He doesn't belong with you.

"Edward, hey," Bella said, running a finger over his lips and then kissing them, "we have to go."

With his eyes still closed he smiled and shook his head. He kissed her cheek and rubbed the other one with his thumb. "I don't want to do this, Bella."

"Do what?" He didn't want to sleep with you. Why would he? Think of all the girls he's been with. They were all beautiful, the girls at the club, Keira, and if she ever saw a picture of Emily, she knew the girl would be just as gorgeous. He was way out her league.

"I know I have to. I know it's better...for you. I just...I don't want to leave you."

"You have to..."

"Come with me."

Bella head shot up off of his pillow. "Edward..."

Still with me? I'm not so great at writing lemons but I do love them :) Let me know what you think! Next update shouldn't be very long. Until then, LP xoxoxo