Chapter Song: You Save Me- Kenny Chesney
I just thank God you're here
Cuz' when I'm a bullet shot out of a gun
Cuz' when I'm a firecracker coming undone
When I'm a fugitive ready to run
All wild eyed and crazy
No mater where my reckless soul takes me
Baby you save me

A cool cloth pressed to my eyelids startled me. I sat suddenly waiting for the fog of sleep to leave my brain. Once that happens I focus on Alice who is standing above me with concerned look on her face. "Bella, how are you feeling?"

I try to answer but the dryness in my throat caused me to choke. "Here hon, drink this." She says as she hands me a cold glass of water. I slowly take a sip and the sandpaper feeling leaves me.

"I guess I feel as good as I can. My head hurts and I feel shaky, but all things considered I am one lucky girl." I really am lucky; I faced death and one of the most prolific serial killers the United States had ever seen. I knew I had a lot of explaining to do once I was ready. "Where are they?" I asked wondering if the cops captured James and Tanya.

"They are gone Bella. James is dead from a heart attack, and Tanya is jail for a time. We are not sure how long though, all they could charge her with was conspiracy to commit murder." Relief flooded me. The last few minutes I was awake seemed to escape me. I couldn't remember anything about it, besides seeing Tanya enter the room. I looked down at my thumb and noticed that I t was bandaged, such a small price to pay for my life.

"How did you find me? Oh, Tanya probably talked over her plot in her and Edward's room." I added as and afterthought. "How's Charlie? Where's Edward?" I hope I didn't hurt anyone else is this adventure, and with Charlie being so sick, I don't think he could handle this.

"We didn't tell Charlie until after we found you. As far as Edward goes he is pacing right outside the door waiting for me to call him in. We weren't sure how you would react to waking up to a man in your room. What you went through was very traumatic." Truer words were never spoken. While the experience was traumatic, I will probably block out the emotions in time. James was never coming back and Edward no longer had the burden of Tanya hanging over his head. I still don't know what I going to do about that at the present moment. I want to take him back right now, but I don't think I can handle anyone but Alice touching me.

"Send him in, there's no point in him destroying the carpet. I think we need to talk anyways. I know you are going to ask for my story, and I'm only going to tell it once. Record it and have anyone else who wants to listen to it play it back. Sorry, I only want to relive it once."

"Bella, that's fine. Do you want to listen to the tapes? We made a copy before the police took them. Edward hasn't listened to them yet either, I think it might be a good thing for you to hear."

"I would like that Allie, but I want us to listen to them together." I told her as Edward walked into the room. I smiled at him as he took a seat in one of the new recliners in my room. I'm glad he understood my need for physical space at the moment.

"Love, how are you? You aren't scared or anything are you? They are gone, never coming back. Once Tanya gets out of jail she is banished from whatever state we live in. I wish she was in for life, but you're not dead and she was just plotting. I think I hate her." Edward ranted as he tore a piece of paper in his hands.

"I am as fine as I can be right now. I feel slightly panicky, but that is to be expected. I want to get this story out so I can forget." I told them as they looked at me, it's almost like I grew three heads.

"Start any time, Love."

Alice hit play on the tape recorder, "You guys may ask any questions, I want to make sure we never talk about this again unless I bring it. Get all your curiosity out now." I said forcefully before I launched into the tale. "It all started when we got home from Forks. I asked Rose to play the tapes when she got home, and then fell asleep. I woke up to James and Tanya on the side of my bed. James pressed a cloth over my face and I fell back asleep, feeling afraid."

"Why didn't you scream Bella?" Alice asked.

"I didn't think to." I paused again waiting for Edward to ask something and when he didn't I continued with the next part of my story. "I woke up in the apartment handcuffed to the bed, but you already knew that. James was sitting in a chair, with a twisted expression on his face. It took me a little to realize that his mind was warped and he like watching others suffer."

"Why didn't you scream Bella? You could have alerted someone to your whereabouts." Edward commented. I knew he was going to asked that.

"I was quiet because making noise often escalates the situation. It helped me live longer and the worst thing that happened was the cut on my finger. Once I saw the stack of I.D.'s he threw at me I knew he was a serial rapist and that I needed to be calm. Psychopaths enjoy seeing others suffer; if I wouldn't have kept my voice down I would be in much worse shape. You would probably either be setting up my funeral, or something. I am glad I watched all those documentaries on serial killers. Anyways to wrap it up, he moved to get on top of me and I kicked both feet as hard as I could in an attempt to get free, squeezed lube on my hand and tried to run for it. That's when you came in and saved the day." I told them, they don't need to hear all the details unless they ask.

"You were very brave Bella, how did you stay calm?"

"Allie, I internalized everything, I felt like screaming the entire time. I'm glad it's all over. So how did you guys know where to find me?" I never wanted this to be brought up again, and if I didn't ask my questions now some things would always nag at me.

"The tapes and Tanya. After Rose heard the first part of the conversation and realized you were missing, she went in to Edward's room, waking them up and dragged her down to her room to continue listening to the tapes. It would have been quite comical if the situation wouldn't have been quite as dire. Hell, she wouldn't even let go to let Tanya use the bathroom. To answer your next question, I rushed straight over once Rose said we needed to listen without you. I suspected something was up." Alice told me as she looked over to Edward.

"I was in my room, and didn't wake up until I heard Tanya yell that something hurt. I thought you girls had finally had enough and decided to jump her." Edward told me looking down.

I only had a few questions, "How did James die? I know you said heart attack, but he was fine until he collapsed."

"Carlisle said that the drugs sped up his heart rate so much that when he was kicked, it sent his body into shock, causing his heart to freak out. He passed out and then died shortly after." Alice answered.

"Wow, so Tanya led you guys to the apartment and the cops met you there I'm guessing," Alice nodded at me. "I think that's enough for now. Alice, can you put the tape in with the conversation on it." She nodded again hit play and left the room.

Tanya's slightly distorted voice filled the room, and I winced in fear. It would take some time to move on, I could repress the memories, but I would be jumpy for some time. I guess bad things will do that to you. "James, here's the plan. Tonight I will let you in here and you will take her to the beach to get rid of her."

"No, that will happen a few hours later. I will meet you at the apartment about seven in to morning so you can beat me up."

"Yes, we have to wait that long. They need to wake up and find her missing. I need to be bruised and she needs to have her wrists slit. If they realize she's missing and I come down covered in bruises, then they will suspect him. If all works out right, then he will be accused, if not I will press charges against him. He will pay for what he did to Eric."

"Come here at midnight, love you James. Bye." The conversation ended abruptly, and two minutes later a new one started. "Hey honey, how's Bella doing?" I turned off the recorder at this point and looked at Edward.

"I hope she rots," was all he said.

"Me too," I commented.

We sat in silence for about an hour, not knowing what to say. I was clueless on what to say to him, does he blame himself? "Edward, what happened wasn't your fault. Not even Alice and I guessed that she was that much of a bitch. Hell, she didn't even know James's plans for her."

"Bella, if I would have listened to Alice and you this never would have happened. How can I not blame myself?"

"Edward, did you plot to kill me? Did you even know anything about it? No, you didn't. You have no blame in the situation. So please stop blaming yourself!" I nearly yelled at him.

"Bella, can I have some time to think." Of course, if he doesn't leave. Its weird, I'm afraid to have him touch me, but at the same time I want him to cuddle.

"Stay here and think. I am going to get some ice cream." I told him as I left the room. I was hungry and I knew I needed sugar. I made my way to the kitchen and found some caramel and vanilla ice cream. I looked in the pantry, and we also had pretzel rods. Alice knew me better then I knew myself sometimes. I made a bowl up, grabbed a spoon and shoved the pretzels into the ice cream. I probably wouldn't need the spoon, but hey you never know.

I got to my room and realized that I forgot the toffee Andes, I can live without them. Edward was still in the recliner with a blank look on his face. I dug to my ice cream with a pretzel and started munching away.

"It's good to know you still do that."

"Edward, you still blame yourself for things that aren't you fault so I guess we're even."

"Bella, can I try that?" That's odd he always said how weird my concoction was. "Did you forget the Andes? Alice said you would, but you never do so I didn't believe her."

"I did this time; it's still awesome without them though."

"You know, the first time you ever came to my house you made that and I was repulsed. I thought that I could never trust your cooking, and here you are, accomplished in it." He was avoiding the blaming himself question. I handed him a pretzel with a big dollop of ice cream.

He cautiously took the bite, and his face immediately contorted with pleasure. He redunked the pretzel and moaned. "Told ya it was good."

"I will never doubt you again, Love. That is amazing."

"Like I said before, don't dock something before you try it. As far as weird tastes go, you got me started on putting ketchup on my Kraft Mac&Cheese." That's one thing that happened by accident and turned out to be so amazing I do it every time now.

"Well, that's different. Bella, I'm sorry for everything."

"Don't keep blaming yourself for what happened, you were trying to do what's right for you. If anything you strengthened our bond."

"Bella, I mean I am sorry for everything. I am sorry for leaving you, ignoring my feelings, making you jealous, and James. If I would have been honest with myself in the first place, I would have never started this chain of events. I know I am already forgiven, but I need to apologize first. Please, I know I messed up."

"You are forgiven, next time listen to your heart not your head. Now answer me this, why did you stay with Tanya for so long. It was obvious to me that you weren't in love with her, not completely. You looked at her with almost agitation." If he was answering things honestly, then I needed to ask a couple things.

"As you said I was listening to my head. I was afraid that I wasn't good enough for you, that you would hurt me, and I wanted to make it work with Tanya. I liked some parts about her. She couldn't think for herself, which I enjoyed to a point. I could ask her for anything and it would be done. I know it's terrible but it was nice for a little while. Bella, I prefer it with you. You argue when you disagree with something. You have such an amazing brain, and I am sorry I let it go in the first place." That didn't make much sense, he likes it when you think for yourself, but he wants you to be mindless at the same time. I think I need to alter my way of thinking around that one. He liked that she didn't think for herself because it made life easier on him. Now I'm even more confused.

"Edward, a while ago you said that she was pressuring you to get married. How is that not arguing?"

"That is one of the few things she ever asked for, that and moving to Vegas. Since she asked for so few things I wanted to give them to her. She did however push them like crazy." That makes more sense now. When I want something I don't give up either. Hell, I didn't give up on trying break up Edward and Tanya and I finally succeeded. If I hadn't have tried in the first place, I might not be alive right now.

I pondered what he told me for awhile. I lay in bed focusing on nothing more then my slowly melting ice cream. I wondered where we were going after all this.

"Bella, I have something serious to ask you."

"Shoot Edward, I'll answer anything as honestly as I can." Where could this be leading?

"I love you Bella, I can't imagine my life without you. Will you date me again? Will you be my girlfriend?" I know what I want to say, but I think I need to let my head rule this one. My heart is too damaged right now, and I need to heal. He does too, now is not the time to start a relationship.

"Edward, I love you more then I could possibly imagine but right now I do not think that it is a good idea, for both of us. I cannot be what you need, because of what just happened. You just got out of a serious relationship, and need to time to heal as well. I do not doubt your feelings for me, nor mine for you, but now is not the time for either of us to commit to a relationship. I can barely be touched by Alice, let alone you."

"We don't have to touch. I need you Bella. I love you so much, I know now that you are the girl for me. Please give me one more shot."

"Edward, this about healing. I am not saying no so I can run into the arms of some unknown stranger. I am saying no because I simply cannot handle a relationship again. A week ago I would have said yes in a heartbeat, but now I can't. I just can't give myself to you without regretting it later. You need time to heal as well. Right now I know you want this because you almost lost me. That is not the reason I want us to start something up again. I want us to be mentally well, not hurting over other events. Please understand."

"I do Bella, but it hurts. I need you in my life, we can heal together. We can make it work."

"Not now, I am not leaving your life, I am just leaving our relationship at the friendship status for now. I want you to have time to think about this. I need time to get over what just happened to me. It shouldn't take long. Edward, not to be mean but I waited for you for four years expecting you to come back to me, now it's your turn." I know it's harsh, and it killed me. I also know that my heart cannot take a relationship right now. Right now I need to focus on what's best for me.

"I don't understand now Bella, but I will in time. I am going to leave for a little bit. I know you don't want to be left alone for long so I'll send in Alice. Jake's here too though, if you'd prefer him."

"Either one is fine I just need someone in here." I told him holding back tears. That was quite possibly the hardest thing I ever had to do.

He left and I let the tears flow, I said no to the one thing I had wanted since he left me all those years ago. I knew though that it was the best thing for both of us.

Jake came into my room a short while later with a huge smile on his face. "Hells Bells, how do you feel?" He looked at my face and noticed the tears and immediately put on his angry face. "If you hadn't have killed the bastard I would have."

I smiled at his statement. He moved to sit next to me on the bed and I scooted away from him. "Oopps, sorry Bells." He moved into the chair that Edward was sitting in just moments earlier.

"Jake it's not him that has me crying its Edward." That probably came out wrong.

"What did that ass do now? I swear I am going to kill him." Jake said fuming. "You know, he's still the only Cullen I don't view as a friend. I guess that's because he's such an insensitive jackass. Wait he was crying too. Bella, what happened?"

"He asked me out again and I said no. I can't deal with a relationship right now. It killed me to do it, but it's for the best." I told my blanket, not daring to look Jake in the face.

"That makes sense. Did you say no because you can't bare to have anyone near you?" I nodded and he continued. "It's also because you need time to think about what happened to you too. Bella, Alice was going through the same thing until today. I have some good news." Jake was beaming at me again.

"What would that be Jake?"

"Allie and I are a couple! I asked her out today and she said yes! She said that it was eventual, and she was fighting her urges to stay away from me." Jake was bouncing like an excited puppy. I knew in a short amount of time I would be acting the same way.

"Congratulations! So Jake I have a problem." He looked at me expectantly. "I can't sleep alone but I can't be touched, what the hell do I do about it?"

Edward was walking past my door as I said this and answered, "You sleep in my room. I have been sleeping on the pullout couch for months anyways. Hell, I even made it comfortable. My room is the only one built to accommodate you." He smiled at me and continued to walk down the hall.

After Jake and I sat in silence for a little while I decided to get out of bed and wander into the living room. I took a seat in a chair and started to look for the TV remote. While looking I found a stack of papers.

They were Carlisle's from an exam on Tanya and James. It stated stuff about James that I already knew, but Tanya's was shocking to me. It said that she was AIDs positive. She got it from James. If James were to have done anything to me, I would be in a worse situation then I was now. He would have killed me in an entirely different way.

Beneath Tanya's paperwork, there was one on Edward. Carlisle had given him a rapid HIV test, which came up negative. He would need to be retested in couple months of course, but as of now he was clean.

When I found this out waves of all different emotions shot through me. Tanya was dying, which as sick as it was made me happy. What made me mad was the fact that Edward was tested in the first place. I thought they had never done anything together, and if that was the case why did he need the test? I read a little further and saw my answer, precautionary test. To me that said that Edward was just being safe.

I read over the papers absorbing information about the people who had ruined my life when a voice shocked me into dropping everything. "Interesting read?" Carlisle asked from behind me. I forced my panic back down, I didn't realize I was in a room alone for as long as I was. I guess I was ok with it because I could hear Esme humming and cooking in the kitchen.

"Sorry, I was just curious, and then I saw the AID's thing and I saw Edward's paper, and then I couldn't stop myself." I stuttered out shaking.

"Edward was only tested in case Tanya molested him, or they both had an open wound at the same time." He answered my unasked question. "The rest I feel you the right to read. How are you feeling Bella," He smiled at me like always but he was a bit more cautious then normal.

"I am jumpy but fine. Did you give me a test too?" I asked Carlisle.

"No, it wouldn't show up. I was going to test you when I retest Edward. Your chances of contracting are about as low as Edward's though. You had no sign of any disturbance down there you will be fine Bella." He knelt down to start picking up the papers. "Bella, are you going to be ok alone after I leave, I know how scared you probably get when that happens right now."

"I'll be fine, I can hear Esme. I think I can also hear Rose and Emmett." I smiled back and finally found the TV remote. I started watching Top Model and fell asleep shortly after.

I woke screaming a short time later, and was immediately surrounded by everyone in my family. Charlie moved to hold me but Alice held him back. "Charlie, touching scares her right now. It will freak her out even more."

He grunted, "Bella are you ok?"

I nodded, "Just a nightmare about what happened. When did you get here?"

"Carlisle was going over my chart and started to give me some advice. I think I may be able to make it a few more months." Dad told me. He looked guilty about bringing it up.

I got out of the chair and walked towards him, "Dad don't ever feel guilty about it. It's not your fault." I gave him a hug, and started to make my way towards the kitchen. "Dinner smells good Esme, what are you making?"

"Fried chicken, Mac&Cheese from a box, and a salad, all organic."

I looked at her confused she giggled as I spoke. "How can Mac&Cheese from a box be organic?"

"They started making it recently." I nodded in understanding, and everyone made their way into the kitchen.

Once we were all seated Carlisle spoke, "I understand that everyone has been going through a tough time," he said as I poured ketchup over the orange noodles. "Soon Charlie will need to either stay in a hospital or have a doctor on call constantly. While I am more then willing to do this for him, I think it would be better if he lived in the same house as us." Everyone looked at Carlisle with confusion.

"Dad, there's not enough room here, we are out of spare rooms, unless you give up your office." Edward told him.

"Let me finish, I was going to propose that we all move back to the house in Forks. I am sure that Bella wants to get out of this town for awhile, and the hospital in Forks is now just as decent as the ones in Seattle. There we will have more then enough room for all of us and then some." Carlisle concluded his proposal.

"I think it's a great idea," Alice said earning nods from everyone else.

"So we are agreed. Charlie's house is already on the market, and we will be moving next week. Does anyone else have any comments?" Carlisle is always a diplomat.

Everyone shook their heads and smiled. Forks was home to most everyone but me. It was surprising that I had lived there the least amount of time, and yet the place meant so much to me. It was home. I started to feel better about my current situation immediately after Carlisle made his announcement. I actually felt comfortable near my family. I think the house was contributing to my paranoia.

"Edward, Jake, Alice, and Bella tomorrow I would like you to go out to Forks and get the house ready for us." We nodded again, and smiled at one another.

On our second day in Forks I was sneezing like mad. "Edward, next time do you think you can beat the rug away from my face next time?"

"Sorry Love, but it's kind of hard when you are like three feet shorter then me. Next time I'll bend down a little lower, I know you like the view." I laughed and lightly pushed him, causing him to stumble. I stumbled after him, and we both fell onto the newly cleaned carpet. I was on top of him. I immediately blushed and smiled shyly at him.

I acted on impulse when I bent down to give him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled at me. I got off him before he could get the wrong idea and started to run down the hall. I knew a tickle war was coming. I somehow burst into Jake and Alice's new room and they were making on the bed, "Err, sorry." I blurted before I continued my quest to find a decent easy to find hiding spot.

In the few days since we moved back here I had been doing better with my touching anxiety. Edward and any other family could touch me if I was paying attention. I knew the conversation of Edward and I becoming a couple again was fast approaching, but it wouldn't happen until I was ready. He was over Tanya; I knew it wouldn't take him long. It's amazing how three days can change a lot about our relationship. When I told him not yet, I knew it wouldn't be a long wait, I just didn't want to add the extra stress to my plate at that moment. Now that the fear was fading, I knew it would only be a few more days before we would be a couple again.

While thinking I found my hiding spot, the linen closet. I shut the door a little too loud, so he could find me and hid behind the door. My first day here I would have freaked out about the monsters in the dark, but now I knew I was getting better the monsters where gone and my family would protect me. I wonder if I should get a dog, the random thought went through my mind.

"Got ya," Edward said as he started tickling me all over, bringing me to the point of tears. I smiled at him after he finished and curled into his chest. Tonight I think I may be able to sleep in bed with him, tonight I think our journey from just friends to something more will begin.

End Notes- So here is the next chapter in my story. I hoped you enjoyed. Thank you to everyone who reads. It means a lot to me to know that my story is getting out there. The next chapter will be their night together and moving back into the house. I'm not sure how much longer this story will last. I would like it to go up until Bella and Edward's wedding but I'm not sure that is plausible. It will defiantly go to their engagement though. O and I have started Edward's version of this story, it's called Forever Torn. I will start posting as soon as I get two more chapters of it written.