DISCLAIMER: I don't own Twilight or the original characters. This is just done for fun, and no commercial gain. No copy rite infringement is intended

A/N Big thank you hugs for Keye Cullen for pre reading and Rita01TX for her wonderful Editing skills, these ladies rock my chapters and make me sound much less "Toodle pip, old bean." for Forks.

I wanted to say thank you to all you lovely readers out there. Last chapter did get a few more of you reviewing for me which was fabulous. While I was poking about on here, I stumbled upon a button which shows me how many people viewed my chapters and from which countries, so I thought I would share this with you…in December I had readers from 52 different countries! You have no idea how hard my jaw dropped, so I wanted to say G'Day, Bonjour, Ola, Goedemorgen, Abends, Xin Chao, Yia Sou, Ciao…apologies if I missed your language out,(or if I spelled it wrong) just know I say hello to you, wherever you are.

**WARNING**
This chapter involves a physical attack. While I don't want to spoil anyone's enjoyment, I understand this could be a difficult subject for some readers, so I wanted to post a warning.

Chapter 11

I squinted as I looked up the narrow hallway, noticing that the light was on in the kitchen. Why would the light be on? Charlie and I had both left in daylight. I quickly ran through possible scenarios in my head.

One: The light had been left on since last night? Not likely. Charlie always did a security sweep of the downstairs before he went to bed, checking that the doors and windows were locked, plugs pulled, that sort of thing.

Two: Charlie had come back early from his trip? Unlikely, and no cruiser sat in the driveway.

Three: Someone else is in the house.

Crap!

I froze, a wave of fear prickling over my skin.

Someone else is in the house!

Shit!

Suddenly, my hearing seemed hyper aware. Listening for any movements, all I could hear was my breath coming in short gasps. I quietly unzipped my bag and fumbled inside for my phone. Shit! Where was it? It slowly dawned on me that I had left it on the kitchen counter this morning. Crap! Bumping the can of pepper spray, I shuddered in relief as my shaking fingers grasped the cold metal. I tugged it free and glanced at it, checking to see if I had it pointed the right way around. It would be just my luck to Mace myself.

I thought about leaving the house, but what would I do? It was close to midnight and I had no truck. It was a couple of miles walk in the dark back to Angela's…then what? Jacob had left and Edward probably wasn't even speaking to me.

Phone! If I could get to the kitchen, I could call the police, or even Jacob. I tried to steady myself. If someone had been here, I reasoned, chances are they will have been frightened off when they heard Jasper dropping me off. That thought gave me some confidence and I drew myself up a little taller, willing my feet to move forward.

I pressed on towards the illuminated kitchen, my heart pounding, holding the pepper spray in front of me at arm's length, just in case. "There's no one here, there's no one here," I chanted over and over in my head as I forced my feet to keep going. My hand felt sweaty around the can.

The hallway seemed to lengthen the further I moved along it. By the time I reached the kitchen doorway. I felt weak, almost like I could faint. I truly hoped that no one would be in there, because I don't think I could have run with my jelly filled legs.

I glanced quickly round the room, my eyes widening as I realised that several of the drawers had been pulled out and their contents spilled onto the floor, proving that someone had definitely been here. Oh, God! I swallowed, my mouth so dry, the saliva stuck in my throat. My hands shook violently as I crossed to the phone that hung on the far wall. I stretched out to reach for it when two large hands grabbed me from behind. One grasped tightly on the arm with the pepper spray, the other clamped on to my mouth, stifling the scream that was trying to escape.

"Well, well. What have we here?" His rough voice was close to my ear. Stubble scratched my cheek. "A little green Halloween bitch."

His breath, smelling of stale beer and cigarettes, wafted across my face causing me to gag behind his hand. My body went limp. He hadn't been in the kitchen…he must have been in the den, waiting in the darkness for me to walk past him.

He kept the tight grip on my arm, but he slid his hand along my arm until he reached the pepper spray. I sagged as he slipped over my hand and twisted the spray from my grip. My only weapon was gone.

He chuckled, knowing he had the upper hand. Tears were beginning to slide down my face as I taunted myself with my own stupidity. Why had I fought with Edward? Why had I asked Jasper to take me home? Why hadn't I just run out of the house the moment I had realized? Then he shoved me hard in the back and spun me around.

Evil had a face and it was grinning at me. He was just inches away from my own face as he licked his lips. I cringed away from him and he delighted in my reaction, laughing loudly, his nicotine stained teeth flashing. "Oh, don't be like that, baby, the fun's only just begun."

He was dirty, most likely from sleeping rough for a while. His filthy blonde hair hung limp over his shoulders, his narrow eyes dark and soulless. He took a moment to examine me, raking his eyes slowly down my body. I shivered with fear as I desperately tried not to think about what he was capable of doing to me.

"Hmm," he hummed appreciatively, nodding slowly. "Maybe I need to see what's under this sack."

He grasped the homemade dress at the neck and pulled hard. The seam gave way easily and the garment fell to the floor. I was glad I had been wearing a long sleeved shirt and leggings underneath. He seemed disappointed.

"Well, this is like skinning an onion. How many more layers you got on?"

I was sobbing hard now, tears clouding my eyes. It didn't stop him.

"Don't cry, honey." He dragged a calloused finger across my cheek and I recoiled. "Relax and you'll enjoy this as much as I will."

He moved his hand down my neck and squeezed my breast.

I knew for certain then what he had planned for me and I felt my chest tighten. This wasn't how it was meant to happen.

Not him…not here. Edward's face, smiling and laughing filled my mind. Oh, Edward, my beautiful Edward. How could I have been so naïve? I was light headed now, my breath coming in short gasps. I thought about Charlie, the man who had raised me, the man who had taught me self-defence, which I couldn't now remember, and who had been so worried about Edward he had slipped pepper spray in my purse. The same can that was now lying useless on the floor.

"I think we can go do better than this," he sneered at me. "Let's take this party somewhere a little more comfortable."

He pulled me roughly towards the stairs, but my feet refused to cooperate and I stumbled. He tightened his grip on my arm, the pain focussing my mind. I visualized the contents of my room, desperately thinking of something, anything, I could use as a weapon. Other than the lightweight desk lamp, I drew a blank.

He forced me up the stairs. I knew he was much stronger than I was, but maybe if I could run into the bathroom and lock the door. He kicked the door to my room open and flicked on the light. I couldn't help but look at the window, hoping to see Edward hanging in the tree. Nothing. He loosened his grip on me for a second and I knew it was now or never. I bolted, desperate to make it through the door. I felt a sharp blow to the back of my head and I fell, hitting my head hard against the door frame.

"My dad is the Chief of Police," I blurted out, as if that would stop him.

"Hah!" He was laughing at me. "Well, his workload is just about to get bigger."

I was on the floor but I lashed out anyway, trying to kick him. He was too fast and grabbed my legs.

"You fucking bitch!"

He dragged me roughly by my ankles back into the room. Pain seared through my head, making the room spin. All I could do was close my eyes tightly. I decided then that the only control I had left was to imagine it wasn't him doing whatever vile things he was going to do to me. Instead, I would picture Edward…my handsome, jealous, wonderful Edward. As he started to claw at my clothing, I realized that all I wanted in the world was Edward…I loved him.

Then the world went black.

~oOo~

Voices softly speaking in the distance. Couldn't quite make it out.

Blackness.

"She's comfortable…"

Couldn't open my eyes. Couldn't feel.

Blackness.

"Thank God, you were there."

Charlie?

Blackness.

"Bella, baby! Open your eyes!"

Edward? I love you!

Blackness.

"Will she be okay?"

Will I? Where am I? Tried to open my eyes.

Blackness.

The light. Hard bright light, flashing in my brain. No. Flashing in my eyes.

A cool hand on mine, wrapping round my wrist.

A burst of fear pushing through my body and I gasped out loud.

"Charlie! Charlie! She's awake."

The sounds of footsteps rushing towards me, then Charlie's face hovering over mine, relief and love and panic riotous over his familiar features.

"Dad," I croaked.

Searing pain in my head. I tried to lift my arms to examine the source, but they were heavy, like lead, and it was too much effort.

He smiled at me, smoothing his rough hand over my hair.

"Shhh. It's okay, Bells, I'm here. It's okay, you're safe now."

"Welcome back, Bella. You gave us all a scare."

Carlisle Cullen's smooth voice was soothing.

"Where am I? What had happened? I don't remember...then it all came crashing back over me and I panicked, scrambling up the bed, away from my remembered attacked.

Charlie grabbed onto me, holding me tightly.

"It's okay. You're in hospital. It's all over."

Oh no! Have I been, did he.. I didn't know. Tears and sobbing came then, racking my body with their power.

"Shh, shh." Charlie soothed me, rocking me gently in his arms until I had cried myself out.

"Dad," I whispered hoarsely, "I'm sorry. I couldn't get away..."

He cut me off.

"Honey, It's not your fault. You did nothing wrong. I'm just glad that Edward was there. I can't think about what might have happened if he hadn't come back to the house."

"What? Edward was there?"

I was confused.

"Yeah, he came to talk to you and, for some reason, he climbed up our tree."

I smiled, remembering all the times he had done that before.

"He saw you being attacked and broke the kitchen window, found the pepper spray and a kitchen knife."

My eyes widened. What had Edward done?

"Then he crept up and Maced the guy."

"Oh! Is he..."

"Edward's fine. He managed to tie the guy up and called the police. Turns out James Turner was wanted in five states for breaking and entering, assault, and rape."

I sagged back against the hospital bed. Then an overwhelming urge to see him swept over me.

"Where's Edward? I want him here."

"He'll be here later," Charlie sniffed. "He's been here every day."

He didn't sound too pleased about it and I wondered how many times Edward would have to save my life before Charlie would accept him as my boyfriend.

Then I remembered the party. His jealousy…punching Jacob…our fight… my walking away…Jessica offering him her brand of comfort.

I'm done! My words echoed around in my head. What if he was done with me? What if he didn't want me anymore? What if he had turned to Jessica? Nausea rolled over me and I clasped my hand to my mouth.

"Carlisle!" Charlie was shouting. "I think she's going to hurl."

A nurse appeared instantly with a cardboard bowl. I fought to keep my stomach contents where they belonged. Then another thought occurred to me.

"How long have I been here? What day is it?"

Carlisle was there then.

"It's Tuesday, Bella."

Tuesday, that's three days. Shit.

Carlisle smiled kindly at me.

"I'll let Edward know that you're awake."

"How is he?"

I was hoping for some clue to whether Edward still wanted me. Carlisle gave me one of his 1000 megawatt smiles but, strangely, it didn't dazzle me today.

"He'll be a lot better when he knows you're okay." He pressed his fingers to the back of my ear. "How's your pain?" As his hand moved, a shooting pain made me wince. "You fractured your skull. I'll get you some pain relief." He wrote something on my chart. "Have a rest now. Edward will be here when you wake up."

I was in the woods, running away from something. I couldn't quite see it in the thick undergrowth, but I could hear it…a low throaty growl, coming closer and closer. I was backed against a tree, pressing my body against the spongy moss. Then I saw it, a lion stalking me, slowly closing the gap between us, its long golden mane hanging limp around its snarling face. Eyes, dark as pitch, locked onto mine. Snarling, saliva dripped from its yellow teeth. Closer still, I could smell the stomach churning scent of cigarettes and alcohol.

Then I heard my saviour's voice.

"Bella? Wake up! You're having a nightmare! Please!"

I opened my eyes and there he was, my angel, hovering over me, his beautiful face a mask of worry. He was clutching my hand tightly and, when his eyes met mine, the relief broke on his face and he gathered me into a tight hug.

"Oh, Bella! I've been so worried." He peppered my face with kisses. "I'm so sorry. I should never have let you leave. I'm sorry. Forgive me, please!"

I ran a hand weakly along his cheek and, for the first time, noticed the bruises on my arms; a series of purple ovals marking me with the pattern of James's fingerprints.

"Thank you." He looked confused. "You saved me again."

He shook his head.

"I'm the reason you were there. It's all my fault. I'm such an ass."

I put my finger to his lip to silence him.

"I'm sorry, too. I never want us to fight again."

He pulled me to him tighter.

"I'm sorry. I don't want that either. I love you."

And there it was. He stilled for a moment, afraid of my reaction, maybe. He didn't need to worry. I smiled as the relief ran through me.

"I love you too."

He gently pushed me back to look at my face.

"You do?" He seemed surprised.

I giggled and my head hurt. I pressed gingerly against the cap of bandages that covered the back of my head.

"Yeah, I realized it just before I blacked out. How 'bout you?"

He smirked.

"Seventh grade. I wouldn't have sent you a Freddy Valentine unless I meant it."

I laughed and my head throbbed. For a while, we sat in each other's arms and it felt like home.

I wasn't allowed to leave for another three days. There was a steady parade of people from school visiting me, plus Edward and Charlie. Edward sat at the edge of the bed, holding my hand. Charlie sat on the other side, his moustache twitching. It made me feel a little like an exhibit at Ripley's Believe It or Not museum, everyone gawking at my wounded head and wanting a blow-by-blow account of the attack.

I didn't mind too much, though. I was in a little love bubble.

I just needed to get better and then I could think about maybe getting Edward alone.

A/N Aww, they've finally said the ILYs. Hope you are all still with me...Now then guys, you see that little box underneath my waffly author note? Why not take a second or two to say hello, let me know what you think of it, or even where in the world you are. Don't be shy, I wont bite. (BTW, next chapter will be an EPOV.)

See you next time. Take care.

Claire x