A/N: Thank you so much to my reviewers!! Hope you enjoy the next part x

Chapter 10

Rpov

The projects were finally over, maybe now I could start fixing things with my friends. Kyle had suggested that we should go to the diner to celebrate with Angela and Ben, which started out pretty good. I saw Jasper and the guys when we first walked in and happiness faded, Kyle noticed and squeezed my hand in reassurance; he was a good guy, I hope Kate realises how lucky she is.

I caught my friends sneaking the odd glance at me, Jasper attempted and apologetic smile, I guess Kyle had managed to speak to him. I put those problems to the back of my mind, tonight was for celebrating the hard work we'd done, no school tomorrow, and Kyle's impending date. We had a laugh and it was nice not to be doing school work that was until I looked out of the window and saw him.

Royce was here, with a bunch of his friends, just what I needed. He hadn't zeroed his evil gaze on me yet, so I guess he hadn't seen me, maybe I could just slip out and vanish before he realised I was here. Besides, I didn't want him to create a scene. I made my excuses to Kyle, Ben, and Angela and headed outside. I was doing well, he hadn't noticed me, unfortunately one of his friends had and before I knew it they were all standing in front of me.

Shit! Panic started to flare straight through me, all my friends were inside, unaware of me being outside, with no way to contact them.

"Hey Rosie, been a long time" Great, Royce was drunk…again. "Where are your little friends, not all alone are you?"

"Do you want to come and play with us Rosie?" that drawling voice sent bile to my throat, reminding me of times I'd rather forget. "Didn't you have fun with us last time?"

I was frozen to the spot, all my usual sarcasm had completely deserted me.

"Come on babe" Royce took a step towards me, his eyes travelling the length of my body. "I will have you."

Before I could register anything else a tiny blur appeared at my side grabbing my hand, "Stay the hell away from her!"

Alice! Was she insane? They could hurt her too.

"You're a really tiny little person" my thoughts were interrupted by an awestruck voice. One of Royce's friends was clearly taking something not legal, even Alice and I looked at him in wonder, "a really angry, tiny, little person."

Shaking his head Royce turned his attention back to us, "what do you think boys, the more the merrier?"

I felt Alice's tiny hand squeeze mine and I felt hope. If Alice was here, the guys wouldn't be far behind. I just hoped that, she hadn't stormed off in temper. Within moments of that thought I felt a vice- like grip on my other hand. I looked to find Bella, pale but determined as ever; she must be terrified.

"And who's this?" One of Royce's friends started towards Bella.

"None of your damn business who she is" Emmett stared the guy down as he Edward and Jasper stood in front of us.

They'd come; I had never been so glad to see my friends, ever. Emmett stood directly in front of me, effectively blocking me from view.

"Looks like the cavalry has arrived" Royce sneered, "What are you going to do boys? You can't touch me"

"You sure about that Royce?" Jasper said in a low voice.

"I'm sure you all know who my father is. Your word against ours" he signified to his friends, which did outnumber us, only just. "I bet you'd just love to take a swing, wouldn't you Jasper?"

That bastard was taunting Jasper and he knew it. I could see the fury raging through the guys, I really hoped they didn't do anything stupid. But I didn't see another way out of our predicament.

"Still hiding behind daddy Royce?" Jasper countered, which only angered Royce further.

"Take your best shot" Royce continued to taunt.

I could see Emmett tense, he was reckless enough to do it. "Em don't" I said quietly from behind him. The last thing I wanted was for him to get in trouble because of me.

"She's right" we all looked around for the new voice.

It didn't come from our group or theirs, a figure walked through Royce's group casing them to shift uncomfortably. Charlie, how? I looked at Bella, I don't think I've ever seen such relief.

"They may not be able to do anything, but I can" Charlie nodded in Bella's direction then turned to Royce's group. "You're all under arrest."

You could almost feel the ripple of irritation and fury that swept through the group.

"On what grounds?" Royce asked smugly.

Charlie looked him straight in the eye, "Oh let's see. Driving while intoxicated, possession of illegal substances, and oh yeah, harassing minors. That enough for you?"

Charlie's deputies put Royce and his friends into the back of a van whilst Charlie came to check on us.

"How did you get here so fast?" Bella asked as Charlie hugged her.

"We were already following them when I got your message" he replied, "we'll sort this out tomorrow, you guys get home."

After Charlie checked if Bella was coming with us he left to deal with Royce and friends. I still stood there, frozen to the spot, trying to process things. Edward was checking Bella was ok, Alice was still holding on to my hand like her life depended on it, whilst Emmett and Jasper still looked ready to murder someone.

"How did Charlie know about us?" Jasper was the one to break the silence.

"Panic alarm" Bella replied, holding up a small device. "I panicked, ergo alarm. I didn't really know what else to do. I didn't expect him to get here so quickly though."

"We were lucky" Edward spoke from beside Bella.

Yes we were lucky, I did not want to think about what could have happened, had Charlie not shown up, had my friends not shown up. My friends, would they go back to hating me after what I'd just put them through. I couldn't lose them, not now. All the fear, panic and worry came rushing through me forcing tears to slip down my cheeks.

"Rose?" Alice's voice was small at my side, "Rose what is it? Please talk to me"

Emmett was in front of me in an instant, "Rosalie, look at me" his voice was gentle.

I could hear Jasper telling Alice to let Emmett talk to me. I couldn't look at him, if I did I'd be lost. I felt Emmett place his fingers under my chin to make me look into his dark eyes full of concern.

"It's ok, it's over now" he leaned to whisper in my ear, "I've got you."

Emmett gently wiped the tears off my cheeks, "Em" was all I managed to get out before he pulled me into his arms. I clung to his shirt, never wanting him to let me go, I needed him so much. He was my knight in shining armour. Emmett picked me up and carried me to his Jeep, Jasper was going to drive my car back.

Em pov

Rosalie broke down after Charlie left. I've never seen her do that, not in front of all of us, she's usually so strong. I'm not surprised, not really she almost relived her worst nightmare. But we were there this time, she's safe…and currently in my arms, and I want her to stay here.

The drive home was quiet, neither of us said anything, Rosalie just rested her head against the window. Edwards and Bella were both silent in the back, holding hands, tonight had taken it out of all of us…not something any of us want to experience again. I can't even imagine how Rosalie felt the first time, no wonder she has nightmares.

As we switched off the cars my parents appeared at the front door, Charlie must have called ahead. I jumped out of the Jeep and went to help Rosalie out but Alice and Bella were already with her, one look Rosalie and my mom was out of the door. I looked at Jasper who motioned for us to take Rosalie to our house, it's not like we could have stopped my mom's mission to get her inside the house if we tried.

We all relayed what happened to my parents; Rosalie remained quiet, only speaking when asked a direct question. I was worried about her and could see the others were too. Charlie had phoned to see if Bella was staying over, Alice was reluctant to let Jasper and Rosalie go anywhere and I certainly didn't want her going anywhere.

Later that night Jasper had cornered his sister, the rest of us gave them some privacy to work things out. Alice profusely apologised for acting like a child, Rosalie had promised her they would always be best friends and that no one could replace the pixie. I really wanted to get Rosalie alone; I needed to know she was going to be ok. It obviously wasn't going to be tonight; the girls had disappeared to Alice's room, Edward and Jasper were doing something musical, and I was sitting on my bed, lost in thought.

"Hi Em" a soft voice startled me out of my musings. Rosalie stood at my door looking unsure of herself.

"Hey Rosalie, how are you holding up?" I replied, I wanted to leave the ball in her court so to speak.

She shrugged, "I wanted to say thanks, for being there tonight. I didn't think any of you were talking to me."

She sounded so sad saying the last part that I seriously reconsidered that ball in her court thing, "things got a little bit messed up, but we'll always be there for you."

Shit, was that the wrong thing to say? Rosalie was getting tears in her eyes, screw leaving it up to her. I was at her side in a second pulling her into my room and finally I had her back in my arms.

"I'm sorry Rosalie, I didn't mean to upset you."

Rose looked up at me with a watery smile and I swear my heart kicked up a few notches.

"I was afraid I'd lost you"

The honesty in her words hit me like a ten tonne truck, hell I thought I'd lost her.

"I can't lose you Emmett" and again with the sucker punch, damn this girl was hitting hard tonight.

"Rose look at me" I wiped the rogue tears off her cheek, "you will never lose me, I will always be here for you."

Her captivating violet eyes held mine and there was no way I could ever deny her anything, I needed her and one day I hoped she realised that.