Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight…though a piece of Carlisle would be nice.

Thank you to all of you who have read and reviewed so far. I do apologize for the inconsistent updates, unfortunately my life has been a bit chaotic lately and I haven't had enough time to sit down and write as often as I would like. Now, enough with my excuses and on with chapter ten.

Chapter Ten

Physical Therapy

CPOV

I tried not to show to how truly frustrated I was at Charlie deciding to spend his lunch hour at home, at least until I got to work and it became very obvious to the people around me that I was not in a pleasant mood. I don't know what happened exactly, but Isabella's fascination with the idea of vampires brought out something…well animalistic in me. I mentally scolded myself for reacting in such a way, I had learned long ago to control my desires, whether they may be, for blood or…other things. Plus the girl is only seventeen and recovering from a near fatal accident, part of me feels guilty for even lettering her know my feelings for her while she's in such a delicate state. The logical part of my mind keeps reminding me that I should have waited, no matter my feelings for her and despite how confident Alice is about our future, I should have waited.

I suppose it's a mute point. We are together, even if it is not known by the general public.

I do worry about her recovery. I know that her body has been through a great trauma, and even after she has recovered fully there will be lasting side effects; the scars, physical and mental, as well as the loss of use in her right hand, and limited function in her leg. Then again, if she does desire to become like me, the venom will heal her to perfection.

As my shift ended I headed home, and wishing the night to move swiftly so I could once again see my Isabella I allowed my mind to enter a relaxed state of slumber. I had found myself sleeping more in the past few weeks then I normally would have in a year, but with sleep came dream, most of which revolved about my sweet Isabella. That night however my normally pleasant dreams turned into horrific nightmares; visions of hundreds of immortal children being slaughtered before my eyes. I understood the reasoning behind the law of forbidding the transformation of children under the age of fifteen into vampires. They were too immature and unpredictable, and combined with having advanced powers of speed and strength, they were too difficult to control, still… they were children, babies…

Babies… it would be something I would never be able to give Isabella.

Would she want children? In my experience, most women did, most, but not all. But she was still young, and who knew how many years would pass before I changed her…if I changed her. It would be her choice of course, and although at this point Alice had seen her embracing our existence, that didn't mean she couldn't change her mind. She would be giving up so much after all, her family, friends, even her very life.

Pulling my mind from images of ashes of hundreds of innocent immortal children, I sat up in bed before turning to glance at the clock which sat on my bedside table; it was only 2 am. Changing into sweat pants and a T-shirt I decided to go for a quick hunt.

XXX

Unlike the previous day I was all smiles when I entered the hospital. I would be seeing my Isabella in just a few short hours, and although it would only be in the capacity as her physician, it would sustain my need to be in her presence, at least for now. The morning went swiftly, the ER was never a dull place, even in a small town like Forks. If fact, in my experience, it was in small towns that more people, having nothing better to do, find themselves into mischief more easily and of course there are often consequences of such activities. Today that included a seventeen-year-old boy and a golf club which had been lodged in a very personal location.

"The area will be sore for a while, Mr. Newton." I said my face a mask of professionalism, though inside I was laughing hysterically, "just apply the cream twice a day for two weeks and then come back in so we can remove the stitches."

The boy nodded mutely before dashing out of the room and in the direction of the lobby where his parents were waiting.

No doubt the poor boy would be the butt of ridicule for weeks to come. No pun intended.

Finally the hour came for Isabella's scheduled therapy secession. Taking my break I made my way to the third floor and towards the Physical Therapy training room. I could hear their voices carry down the hall, Dr. Wong, a pleasant and quite brilliant Physical Therapist laughed before saying, "Oh he defiantly gets his fair share of attention from the female staff, even some of the patients".

Isabella gave a shaky almost nervous laugh. "Yes, well he is an amazing doctor. He's even been coming to my house for my weekly appointments so Charlie doesn't have to take off work to bring me here."

"A benefit of living it a small town."

"Yes, lucky me."

I couldn't see it, but I was guessing there was a grin behind those last few words.

"Now, let's get started on those exercises for your knee, shall we?"

As I walked into the room my eyes immediately fell to my Isabella, she was biting her bottom lip, I could see the pain the was feeling though her beautiful brown eyes as Dr. Wong slowly and carefully put pressure on her damaged knee, but she refused to cry out, to acknowledge that she couldn't handle it. She was so strong, so proud, so… stubborn. I hated my see my love in pain.

"Can you feel that?" Dr. Wong asked pushing on the ball of her knee cap slightly.

She jumped at the shock of the sudden pain. "Oh yes, I can feel that." I could see the tears welling in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

"Believe it or not that's a good thing." The Therapist smiled kindly as she carefully laid Isabella leg back down on the table.

"If you say so," she sighed letting out a frustrated breath.

"Now we're going to start with some simple stretching exercises. It will help in gaining further range of motion. It is important to regularly stretch in these situations to ensure that scar formation does not get in the way of your rehabilitation. Do you think your dad could help you with that, you'll need to do it every day?"

"If not, I'm sure Alice would be more than happy to help."

Isabella's head spun in my directions at the sound of my voice. Her perfect lips pulled into wide grin. "Carlisle."

"Hello, Isabella, how are you?" I asked, doing my best to stay professional around my colleague, though I would have loved nothing more to pull her into my arms and kiss her.

"Okay, I guess. I know this is supposed to help with my recovery," she said glancing at her knee, "but it's not exactly fun."

Dr. Wong gave a small laugh. "It never is dear, but trust me, it will help you recover quicker and with less complication then if you had done nothing. Isn't that right Dr. Cullen?"

The middle aged woman looked to me, the corner of her mouth pulled up just slightly, her eyes seemed to have a knowing look in them. I think she had an inclining of Isabella's feelings for me, though I don't think she realized I reciprocated them, at least not at that point.

"Indeed it is. I hope you don't mind, but I thought witnessing the therapy may help in my overall evaluation of her recovery."

Smiling she nodded motioning to a wheel stool a few feet from away. "If you think it will help, then yes, of course."

It was quite difficult to watch my Isabella go through the exercises, to watch her wince in pain and to purposely hold back the tears that desperately wanted to fall. I had seen the same reaction in thousands of patients in my years as a doctor, and although I felt sorry for them, with Isabella I wanted not only to take the pain away but would gladly carry it for my own if it only meant to ease her suffering.

Just as Dr. Wong declared the secession complete Isabella's phone rang.

"That's probably my dad," She said reaching into the front pocket of her back pack and pulling out her phone. "Yep," she said looking at the number on the screen," it's him," she flipped down the receiver and held it up to her ear. "Hey dad."

"Hey, Bell's, how'd it go?"

"Oh just dandy. Sorry the secession ran a little late, but we're done now, you waiting in the lobby?"

Dr. Wong had wanted Isabella to try some massage techniques on her hand before finishing and so the secession ran a few minutes over because of it.

"No, actually I'm at work. There was a robbery at Newton's Outfitter's, I'm headed out there now. I'm sorry honey but can you call one of your friends to give you a ride. Angela maybe, or Alice?"

She sighed, obviously frustrated. "Sure dad."

"Great. I'll try not to be too long."

"Okay, be safe."

"Always am."

With another deep sigh she closed her phone and shoved it back in her bag."

"Problem?" I asked, I very well couldn't let her know I had actually heard the entire conversation. Now could I?

"My dad has to work. I need to find a way to get home. He suggested I call someone but…I don't want to burden anyone. I'll just take a cab, I'm pretty sure I have enough cash for one." She went to grab for her wallet, but I quickly slid my hand into hers before she could. Thankfully Dr. Wong had left and the training room was completely empty.

"I will gladly take you home." I then brought her hand to my lips and kissed it.

She smiled at my offer but then asked, "Don't you have to work?"

"I get off in a little less than two hours, can you stand to wait that long."

"For you, most assuredly." She then leaned up and pressed her lips quickly to mine.

Isabella decided to spend the next couple of hours in the waiting room, I offered my office, but she wisely pointed out that wouldn't be very professional, and then made a joke about gossiping nurses. When my shift ended I found her in the same exact spot I had left her in, sitting in her wheelchair, her leg plopped on several small hospital issued pillows which rested on yet another chair. Her book lay open on her lap, her damaged hand atop it. Her eyes were closed, her head rested on her left shoulder. Gently I placed my hand on her shoulder shaking it slightly in an attempt to rouse her.

"Isabella, wake up, it's time for me to take you home."

With a snort her eyes popped open, as soon as she focued her attention on me she smiled. "Time to go?"

"It is?"

"Great. I wouldn't recommend falling asleep in these chairs," She said rubbing a crick at the back of her neck, "not at all comfortable."

"I'll keep that in mind."

On the ride back we talked mostly about the Therapy, I assured her that Alice would be more than willing to help, and that if she couldn't I would offer my services. She quite liked that idea. "The more we can be together the better, even if it does have to be in a professional capacity." I couldn't have agreed more with her statement.

As we pulled in front of her house she groaned at the sight of her father's police car in the drive way. "I was hoping he was still out."

I loved how eager she was to spend time with me. Leaning over I kissed her soundly. "Can I come by tomorrow?"

"You don't have to work."

"I do, but when my shift is over I can come by and…help you with your therapy."

"As long as said therapy includes your lips attached to mine, I'm completely agreeable to it."

"Oh I don't think I would be doing my job properly if I didn't." I kissed her once again but didn't allow it to linger to long. I couldn't have the neighbors seeing me kissing the Chief's daughter, at least not yet. Once she tuned eighteen however, I will not be so inclined to hold back.

As I wheeled her into the house a few minutes later, Charlie apologized for not being able to pick up Isabella on time thanked me for helping out.

"It was no problem at all, Chief Swan". I then explained to him about the exercises Isabella would need to be doing at home as part of her therapy.

"I'm not sure I'm the best person to help with that. I mean, I don't know a thing about this sort of stuff." He said motioning to Isabella's leg. "Should a nurse of someone be doing it?"

I hadn't expected that type of response, I would have thought he would have been more then eager to help his daughter, though I could understand his reluctance as well. As it would happen, his fear played perfectly into offering my own services.

"Well, the hospital doesn't offer such services, and I doubt most insurance would pay for an aid. I'm sure Dr. Wong would offer, but her schedule is rather tight as it is."

That was when Isabella took her cue. "Dad, can Dr. Cullen help me," she said her eyes drifting from her father and then up to me, I could see the mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"Bell's, Dr. Cullen's a busy man, I doubt he would have time. It's kind enough of him as it is to come check on you once a week, we couldn't impose on him to drive up here every day."

"Actually, Chief Swan, I wouldn't mind. As embarrassing as it is I don't have much of a social life, plus as Isabella's physician I see it as my responsibility to see her recovery be carried out properly."

Although my demeanor was calm and professional, Isabella was blushing like a tomato, the fact that she was chewing on her bottom lip didn't help either. Charlie looked thoughtful as he rubbed the day stubble on his chin. I had a very good feeling we were going to get away with this.

"I suppose it's okay. I suppose you would be the most qualified. Would, Alice be here too?" He asked glancing at his daughter who in turn rolled her eyes.

"She usually is, dad." She added quickly.

"That's fine then, but if your schedule ends up conflicting just let us know and we'll find someone else to do it."

"Of course."

Obviously I had no intention of doing so. I'd rearrange my schedule to work the grave shift if it meant spending time with my beloved.

A/N: Thank you to all of you who read and reviewed and please feel free to let me know what you thought of the chapter. Up next Bella and Carlisle get some quality time together as they prepare for the end of the summer months and the beginning of Bella's senior year.