A/N: First, a GIANT thank you to pwtf for beta'ing this chapter. It never would have been posted without her support. If they sold awesome in a can, your picture would be on the front, Rach! Second, thank you to everyone who bid in the September Support Stacie Auction and a special thanks to all who bid on me. Congrats Amymorgan and Infernalheart, who one me! Finally, thank to all of you who waited so patiently (or not so patiently, lol) for this chapter.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

~*~Glue for Broken Pieces~*~

Edward

Leaning against the cold, white surface of the hospital's emergency room walls, I let my eyes drift shut and relished in the aftermath of my talk with Bella. So many emotions were coursing through my body that it was hard to make sense of them all, but I welcomed them willingly. They were a much needed improvement to the gut-wrenching fear I had been experiencing the entire night.

But the fear wasn't completely gone. I still worried about how Bella would deal with what happened to her, how her friends and family would take the news of her attack and, now, I had a new fear as well. A fear of the unknown possibilities for Bella and me.

We were friends. She had asked for it and even though I had always considered her more in my heart, declaring our status out loud was both invigorating and terrifying. I tried to say no, to keep up the boundaries I depended on, but the look of determination and want in her eyes made me cave. It really wasn't all that hard to do.

I could have resisted. I could have stood my ground and stuck to my plan of waiting until after graduation to pursue any type of relationship with her. I could have denied her beautiful, pleading face if I had wanted to. But that was the problem; I didn't want to.

I still refused to take the step that I so desperately craved in telling her how I felt, but if I could just have that pleasant familiarity with her outside the bubble of Forks, I didn't see a problem in it. It wasn't as if we would constantly run into each other in Seattle, but if we did, I would be able to have a conversation with her without the nagging voice in my head telling me I was breaking the rules.

"Looks like you didn't come out unscathed in all this. Nice battle scar." Coming out of my thoughts and lifting my head from the wall, I saw Tanya looking at my bandaged head in concern.

"You don't think it will really scar, do you?" I asked as seriously as I could manage to try and lighten the mood. It worked, and Tanya pushed lightly on my chest, shaking her head.

"So, you seem strangely happy for all that happened last night."

I let out a hesitant chuckle and watched as the woman in front of me quirked a questioning eyebrow, a slightly amused quality to her lips.

"Bella's okay," I said slowly, hoping to delay saying what I already knew Tanya had uncovered in my mood.

It was nice to be able to talk to her, but it was still new for me to be so open with anyone but Bella, and I couldn't exactly ask Bella about my feelings for Bella. I just needed to get used to having someone to talk to.

"Yeah, the nurse said as much when she came out to update Alice. That girl is persistent, if nothing else. But this is more," Tanya inquired suspiciously, narrowing her eyes and waving an accusatory finger in my face. "What are you not telling me?"

"I, um… Well-"

"Spit it out, Cullen."

"We're friends," I said without delay.

I could see the confusion on Tanya's face as she tried to figure out why I was so happy about something so seemingly inconsequential, and I laughed freely. I just felt so light despite everything trying to push me down and decided I might as well bare all to the only person I could really talk to about the matter.

"What I mean to say is, Bella and I talked and we're… I don't know… progressing, I guess. She said that she cares about me and I told her that I care about her. We're working towards something. It was so hard to control myself," I said shaking my head. "I wanted to tell her how much I love her every time I opened my mouth."

"Why didn't you?" I stared at Tanya incredulously, but she didn't back down. "Oh, come off it, Edward. She told you she cares about you. She told a teacher that she cares for him. She's got a lot at stake. Look back on the conversation. Do you really think it's all platonic?"

I scowled at Tanya even though I wasn't truly angry with her. I was just a little put off by her incessant need to push me into more than I was ready for. Of course I didn't think that Bella's feelings were strictly platonic, or, at least, I hoped they weren't - otherwise, my plan to romance her after graduation would have been pointless. But that didn't mean I should jump into something that could inevitably hurt both Bella and myself.

Tanya's idea that I should just come straight out with it was irrational. There was so much wrong with having a relationship with a student, and it wouldn't matter to wait a few more months to be with the woman I loved.

But as much as I wanted to be annoyed with my new confidant, I knew that she was speaking on behalf of more than just me. Her own experience with Rosalie was clouding her judgment, and if Rose happened to have been a lesbian, I would have definitely encouraged Tanya to go for it immediately. Unfortunately, this wasn't the same situation in the slightest, and making the wrong move could ruin everything.

With a much needed change in topic, I asked, "How's Rose?" Tanya's face fell instantly as she closed her eyes, pulling in a deep, steadying breath.

"Not good," she said, taking a moment before opening her eyes again. "She was in her office when I got to the apartment and didn't come out for hours. Then she walked right past us and out the door without a second glance. It was like… I don't know. I can't even describe it. She was in some sort of calm rage."

Tanya looked distant for a moment then shook her head tightly. "Anyway, Emmett ran after her, but they didn't come back. It was doing Alice no good to just sit around, so I brought them here to find out what was happening."

I nodded my head, taking in the new information. Rose had to be devastated by what James had done, and I didn't know how I could help her. I knew she'd give me a ride home to Forks if I decided to stay behind for her, but I had my classes and LitMag to worry about too. Rose was definitely more important than all that, but then there was Bella.

Bella would be in Forks and I knew, without even having to decide, that I needed to be with her after what happened, even if it was only from a distance. So I turned to Tanya to ask for her help. She loved Rose more than life; if her feelings were anything like mine for Bella, I knew that she wouldn't hesitate to grant my favor.

"Do you think you could stay with Rose?" I felt bad asking, knowing that it would be hard on her, but I needed to make sure my sister would be alright. "I wouldn't ask, but-"

"I was already planning on it, Edward."

I took a shallow breath and rolled my eyes at myself. Of course Tanya would already be one step ahead of me. It was Rose.

"Mr. Swan," I turned to see a small, black woman in cartoon scrubs walking toward me. "Your wife's going to be a while and I figured you'd want to leave as soon as you're able. If you'd like, you can fill her prescription for her."

I gave a short laugh at the universe not allowing me any secrets and smiled at the nurse handing me Bella's papers. I thanked her sincerely and she gave me a playful look, telling me how adorable I was with my "wife." I had to bite my tongue to keep from screaming or laughing. I wasn't sure which I was liable to do.

I couldn't really see Tanya's face from my position talking to the nurse, but I could imagine her smug expression and feel her retinas burning into the back of my head. Oh, the conversation we were about to have would be fun… for her, anyway.

"I'm hurt, Edward." I snorted at the completely false tone her voice had taken on. "I thought we were friends, you and me. Not even an invitation to the wedding!" She sighed dramatically. "I guess I'll just have to take you off my Myspace Top Friends List."

"I don't even have a Myspace." I was trying incredibly hard not to smile, but doing a very poor job of it. All traces of mock annoyance were giving out to humor.

"I'll make you one, and then I'll shun you. It's the only way to be fair," she said so seriously, if I hadn't known better, I wouldn't have realized she was joking. I couldn't take it anymore. I laughed.

"Shush!"

I quieted at the orderly's angry glare, but couldn't contain myself completely and looked over to see Tanya smiling wide with me. Emmett was my best friend, but I knew that I was still constantly guarded around him. Bella was the only other person that I was close with, and I opened up farther to her than anyone, but her being a student still hindered our relationship. Tanya was the best of both worlds.

Tanya knew my deepest secrets, but didn't judge me. She knew about my past through Rosalie and my love for a student, but she still regarded me with respect and a growing sense of friendship. I could laugh with her and talk with her, all without the ever-constant feeling of attraction that radiated off of other women. It was nice not being ogled by my sister's best friend. And it was nice to finally have a friend of my own that I could just be myself with.

"I was wondering how you finagled staying in her room with her." Tanya was smiling softly, but a worried crease marred her usually smooth forehead. "Won't it cause trouble for you?"

"I wasn't really thinking about it at the time," I answered truthfully. "I don't think so, though. It didn't come up when I talked to the police. I gave them Cullen, but I'm using her last name with the hospital staff. The only thing I can think of is that her status on all her medical papers is married."

Tanya made a humming noise in the back of her throat and shook her head. "No, she could just say it was miscommunication or something. That's not a big deal. It's not like they're actually going to look into it."

I sighed in relief. Although the price would have been small in comparison, I was still glad I wouldn't have to pay it.

"Well, that's one potential problem down, only nine thousand, six hundred fifty-two to go," I remarked sarcastically. "Next on the list is talking to Bella's father and making sure she gets to her therapy appointments."

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the wall. I was not looking forward to telling the Chief of police that my sister's fiancé drugged and tried to rape his little girl, but I knew that Bella would make an actual effort in avoiding having to tell her dad about the events that transpired. I needed her to take getting help seriously, and if I had to go through her parents, then so be it.

"You're actually going to turn her into her dad? I understand, but… ouch."

"It's not like he wouldn't find out eventually," I said defensively. "If there's a trial, it's going to be all over the news here in Seattle, and with him being the Chief of Police, I doubt he'll… What?"

My reasonings fell short when Tanya burst into not-so-quiet laughter. I could see the nurse behind the desk growing impatient with us and, although I had no clue what Tanya was giggling at, I couldn't help but find the situation mildly amusing, and a goofy grin spread across my face.

"Edward, my God…" Tanya breathed, still trying to fight off her hysterics. "You have got to be the unluckiest man I know."

My smile didn't fade, but I narrowed my eyes and shook my head in incredulous question, opening my mouth to retort but not finding the words. What on earth was she talking about?

Leaning close and lowering her voice, Tanya explained to me what she found so hilarious. I didn't share her sentiment. "You find a woman that you love beyond anything else, and not only is she one of your high school students, she's a cop's kid… the Chief's, in fact!"

I immediately pulled back and glared at Tanya, though it hardly had any strength behind it. Her words were true. I felt like I'd won a cursed lottery in meeting Bella. She was all the riches I could ever want and yet she was untouchable. Just call me Indiana Jones, I thought dryly.

I was about to walk away from Tanya's teasing when I noticed little black numbers peeking out of the sleeve of her blouse. She rubbed her arm absentmindedly and shifted the fabric higher to where I got a glimpse of a name. I grinned and shifted my eyes back to Tanya's face. She hadn't been paying any special attention to where I was looking, and the perplexity on her face at my new mischievous demeanor was priceless.

Ceasing her taunting and giggles almost immediately, she quirked her head, eyes calculating what I could be getting at.

"I like the name Heidi. It's very regal." Tanya's eyes widened and then she smiled, ducking her head. Was she blushing?

"Thank you." It was so soft I almost missed it.

"You don't have to thank me. I didn't do anything."

Tanya looked up at me then, the smile still firmly in place as she rolled her eyes at me.

"There's no way in hell I would have asked her to dance without you physically pushing me to do it. So, thank you, Edward, because I think I could really like her."

The tone of her voice left no room for argument, so I said simply, "You're welcome," and left it at that.

I would have loved to question her about the brunette from the club, but in turning my head, I caught Jasper walking through the automatic doors of the emergency room, holding a bunch of folded clothes in his crossed arms. It wouldn't have been remarkable, the way he glided across the floor at a slow pace, heading straight for Bella's room and not running into anything, save for the fact that his eyes were gently closed and he appeared to be sleepwalking.

"Did they get any sleep at all last night?"

Tanya focused her gaze in the direction of mine and snorted. "Are you kidding? Those two were freaking out the whole time. They couldn't have slept if they'd wanted to. I took them to their hotel to pack and maybe catch a few hours of sleep, but they just wanted to get back here."

"He can't drive home like that. It's three hours if you speed the entire way. He'll never make it."

"You could drive them." I snapped my head to Tanya. "You're going to be talking to her dad anyway, right?"

I grunted and turned back to Jasper who had just turned the corner, now joined by the detectives I'd met the night before. Tanya definitely had a point. I could hardly let three of my students ride home in probable danger, and there wasn't a chance in hell I was letting Bella in that car. The only thing that made any sense was to drive them home.

After a not-so-quick stop at the pharmacy and a small wait for the police to clear out, I popped into Bella's room and confronted Jasper on driving home. Being quiet and rather subdued in LitMag meetings, the guy was more stubborn than I would have expected. The second I even hinted at taking his keys, his eyes narrowed and he took a small step back.

If Tanya hadn't been there, I probably wouldn't have gotten them out of him as easily as I did. I couldn't blame him, though. If someone had demanded the keys to my Volvo for a long trip like the one back to Forks, I would have fought tooth and nail.

The next part was convincing Bella that I was doing the right thing by her. I knew it would be hard, but I didn't want to go behind her back completely. I needed her approval, even if given reluctantly.

She could tell something was up immediately and I knew that I couldn't hide my intentions from her even if I'd wanted to. Surprisingly enough, she didn't put up as much of a fight as I thought she would when I told her about talking to the Chief. I expected her to be stubborn and relentless, but she only looked scared.

Under different circumstances, I never would have allowed myself to pull Bella into my arms so freely. I would have fought the urge to comfort her as best I could and turned the other direction. But within those four walls, I was still her supposed husband, and I could pretend for a moment that I wasn't completely disregarding the line between teacher and student, or friend and something more.

"Hey, you guys have to get going if you want to be back before nightfall."

"Right," I said, turning to Tanya. "I want you to meet someone first."

"This must be Bella." Tanya was beaming as she took Bella's hand in hers and introduced herself as Rose's best friend.

Bella smiled politely in return, but I could see something bothering her. I guessed the hospital scenery was growing tiring, so I ushered the girls from the room and out the automatic doors to the Emergency Room parking lot, where we found Alice and Jasper already asleep in the backseat of Jasper's car.

"I'm going to run in and grab my stuff and make sure Rose is all right. Are you okay to stay in the car?" I asked, turning around in my seat once we were en route to the apartment.

"I'm not as fragile as you think I am, E—um…" Bella glanced at Tanya, furring her brow in what I thought was caution and hint of annoyance. "I'm okay, Mr. Cullen."

From the corner of my eye I could make out the unsuccessfully repressed grin on Tanya's face, her hunched shoulders clueing me into the fact that she was trying to hold in laughter as well. I chose to ignore it, giving Bella a reassuring half smile and turning my body back to the road ahead.

It wasn't ten minutes later that I was on my way up to the Van Gogh, Penthouse suite, fiddling nervously with the hem of my shirt. I had no idea what I would find when I walked through the door, and I was scared.

My fear didn't lessen with the eerie quiet that I was met with upon entering. I knew they were there because both cars were downstairs, but there were no voices, no TV or radio humming in the background, nothing. I was thinking about breaking the silence with a quick greeting into the air, but heavy footsteps coming from the guest bedroom stopped me.

"Emmett? It's nearly five o'clock. Why aren't you ready?"

The man in question blinked his eyes a few times, rubbing a massive hand over an unshaven face. Emmett was still donning his slacks from the night before and an undershirt; both were wrinkled and disheveled.

"I thought I heard someone come in."

He moved past me to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee, completely ignoring my initial inquiry.

"Emmett…" I prodded. He stared blankly up at me for a minute before I saw a light click on behind his eyes

"Oh, right. Sorry. Rose was restless all night. I didn't get much sleep."

"How is she?" I asked tentatively, leaning against the nearest wall and crossing my arms in front of my chest. I didn't know if I really wanted the answer, but I needed it nonetheless.

"Not so good. I mean, she can't go into her bedroom at all. She was shaking last night when she tried to go to bed in there, so I just brought her to our room." Emmett paused to take a breath and roll the muscles in his neck. "She cried herself to sleep, but kept tossing and turning most of the night.

"I woke up around six, I think, to an empty bed and found her sitting on the balcony. She didn't want to talk about it when I tried, but I got a little out of her." Emmett narrowed his eyes and twisted one side of his mouth in annoyance. "Then she started cleaning."

"Cleaning? Rose never cleans. Or, I mean, she never used to," I added quietly. It was very possible that my sister's habits had changed in our time apart.

"I don't think she does usually." There was an air of ire to Emmett's tone and demeanor that made me uncross myself and move closer. "She fumbled with the cleaning supplies and used wood polisher to start with before I told her what it was. I think… I think she was trying to get him out of everything.

"The way she scrubbed… It wasn't like getting a spot out. It was like if she didn't clean this place, it would kill her. I've never seen something so… so desperate before." Emmett looked up at me from the place on the counter he'd been staring at, and he just seemed lost. "It was hard, man. I couldn't get her to stop, so I tried to help her, but then she'd just do the place I'd cleaned anyway.

"And still, she never went in that room. She completely ignored it, like it wasn't there." Bringing a hand up to rub his eyes, Emmett shook his head a little, to shake off whatever thought he was having, I assumed. My own thoughts were too painful to bring to the surface, but deep down, I knew why she avoided the room that she shared with him.

"She finally got worn out around three and we went back to bed. I was half awake when I heard you come through the door."

"I hate to do this to you, Emmett, but the kids are all exhausted. I have to drive them home."

Giving me a contemplative look, Emmett sighed and got up to walk past me. He gave my shoulder a quick squeeze and then headed toward our bedroom saying, "I'll help you pack."

"You aren't coming?"

"No. I…" He paused just in front of the door, making me rock forward on my feet at the suddenness of it. "I can't leave her," he said quietly.

I had known how sensitive of a man my best friend was since we'd first met over a year prior. Even in his immense size, he couldn't begin to hide his generosity and loving heart, but… this was more. I didn't know fully how Emmett was with women, having only seen him a few times with a girl, but I knew without a doubt the severity of his feelings in that moment.

He was falling in love with Rosalie. I only prayed it didn't break him.

"Take care of her," I said softly, but with a firmness I knew Emmett caught. I wasn't talking about that night or the next, I was talking about a lifetime, if fate allowed.

"I will."

We spent the next ten minutes scouring the room for my clothes and necessities as quietly as we could, so as to not wake the sleeping heap on the bed. It didn't matter much anyway. Rose slept like the dead and I doubted a freight train could have woken her.

Emmett left me to say goodbye to my sister after we'd successfully packed my suitcase, and I sat on the edge of the bed, just looking at her. We had missed so much of each other's lives, and the second we found each other, Rose's world came crashing down around her… again.

She'd lost her parents and then her brother - through no fault of her own, but I was still a missing piece to her life. And, finally, the man she was going to marry turns out to be a monster. Gently stroking back the blonde locks from her face, I wondered how anyone could survive all that, but then I thought of the Rose I used to know, and I knew that if I could get her back, then she would be fine.

"Rose," I said, gently shaking her shoulder. "Rosalie."

"Hmm?"

"Can you wake up for a second so I can say goodbye?"

Rosalie's eyes popped open then, and I was unnerved by their vulnerability.

"Do you have to go? I mean, you can't stay just a little longer? For dinner, maybe?"

I smiled down at my sister and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. "I have to go and make sure my students get home safely, but Emmett and Tanya are going to stay with you tonight and I'll be back on Friday, okay?"

"Emmett's staying?" The tiny crease between the green eyes that stared back at me let me know that she was confused as to why he would be staying, but the small smile hiding in the corner of her mouth let me know that she liked the idea.

"Yeah. You seem to have him wrapped around your finger," I said with a chuckle.

"I doubt that," she said softly, but her smile grew more pronounced. "You'll be back on Friday, you said?"

"Yep. There's this blondie up here in Seattle that's kind of important to me."

"Get out. I bet she's hot, huh? Gorgeous figure, striking beauty?"

I laughed, relieved at the jokes. It felt like old times, in a way. "Yeah, she's something else. Emmett's going to walk me out and Tanya'll be up in a minute or two. You should get some more rest."

"I love you, Edward. I never stopped loving you, I swear."

"I know." Pulling up the blankets, I leaned in to give her another quick kiss. "I know. I love you too, and I'll be back soon."

It was a quiet trip down to the garage, but not uncomfortable. Emmett asked me to get his lesson plan from his apartment for the sub and to check on things there. He was only staying for one more night, but he didn't feel like letting the neighbors know he wasn't home. I thanked him again for everything he was doing, and he helped me situate my suitcase into the crowded trunk of Jasper's car.

Tanya had already left for the penthouse and I was saying my goodbye to Emmett when I remembered something Tanya had told me about the night before.

"Hey, where did you and Rose go last night? Tanya said she took off, with you following, and never came back."

"Oh, uh…" Emmett lifted and hand to the back of his neck, pushing air through his pursed lips. "She went to the police station."

"She what? Why?"

"It… she had information… on James. Apparently there've been a lot of serial rape/murders and the douche bag was the, um… he was it, man. He's a monster, a straight up psycho."

"Wait, she had information that the creep was a lunatic rapist and she just… what? She didn't care?"

My mind was spinning circles over what I was hearing. Rose had information that could have put James away before he attacked Bella, but she didn't use it. She still slept with him after knowing… Oh, God.

"No, man, calm down," Emmett said as my breathing grew more rapid.

"How can I be calm? She knew!"

"No, she didn't!" I looked up at Emmett, finally registering what he was trying to tell me. "She didn't know shit! Look, the woman was in denial, okay? You don't stay with someone like that without blocking shit out."

I pushed both hands through my hair and braced them behind my head, still trying to control my breathing. Emmett was right. I knew he was right, but it just didn't make any sense. How did she have files on James if she didn't know what he was?

"Explain it to me." I knew I sounded like an ass, but I had to know. I had to make everything fit inside my head or I wouldn't move past it, especially not with mine and Rosalie's wounds so freshly opened.

"She started clicking things together in her head. Subconsciously, I mean. She said that she knew something wasn't right with him, but she didn't want to believe it. And then when you called her and came to see her, everything with James started clearing up and she had to check him out for her own sanity.

"Dude, she was a mess. She started calling in favors a week ago, but she couldn't look at the emails or faxes. Do you know what it's like to know that you could have stopped something if you had just looked? She does, Edward. She knows and it kills her that Bella almost… almost…"

"I get it, Emmett."

"Do you?"

"Yes, damn it! I get it, okay? I know how fucked up she was over what happened between us. I know that this is my fault!"

"What? Edward, that's not-"

"You don't think I feel like shit over how I treated her? You don't think watching her with that disgusting fuck and then finding out what he is rips me apart inside? Well, it fucking does! It was because I wasn't there! I wasn't there and she felt she needed his… his… God, what did I do?"

I ran my hands roughly over my face and tangled my fingers in my hair. My head was pounding with everything I was taking in. It was too much. It was all just too much.

"Edward!" I jerked my head around to see Emmett staring at me with wide eyes. "You need to stop. Now."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. You just need to cool it. Jasper and Alice are awake now."

I turned toward the car and groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. The entire car was alert and looking at me with concern.

"It's not your fault." I looked up at Emmett, my lips still tightly set and my eyes still sharp. "It isn't Rose's fault and it isn't yours, either. It's just… fucked up, and there's not a damned thing anyone can do about it but try to move on."

It was a long moment before I spoke again. "Emmett, I-"

"Naw, man. It's cool. Just make sure the kids get home okay and call me when you get there. I'm sure Rose will want to make sure you're safe." I smiled a little ruefully at Emmett and nodded my assent. Why he put up with me, I'd never know.

I tried to ignore the curious looks as I climbed in the car. I'd lost my temper. I knew that, but I didn't feel like discussing it with Bella's friends and, subsequently, students from my school. It took maybe a half hour, but the wide eyes from the back seat soon drifted shut again, and I let out a heavy breath. It might have been partially in relief, but mostly I just felt resigned to the fact that I couldn't keep my school life and private life separate. Bella was one thing, but Alice and Jasper were another.

"Are you okay?"

I took a quick glance at the worried expression on Bella's face and tried to give her a small smile to ease her fears.

"I'm fine, I'm just… tired, you know? It's been a long day."

"I heard some of what you said." She paused and then continued with a little more caution. "I'm a little confused."

"About what?" I asked, taking in the way she fidgeted with her shirt sleeve from the corner of my eye. I was pretty sure she was biting her bottom lip.

"Why would your sister be… I mean, was she a victim, too, or something?" My mind went blank as to what to say. How did I explain to her who James was? "You don't have to tell me. It's none of my business really, I was just curious. I'm sorry."

"Whoa, Bella, slow down." She was talking a mile a minute trying to let me off the hook. "It's not that. It's just… Rose wasn't exactly a victim, no. But… Well, the guy that attacked you last night…" God, how was I supposed to tell her that I'd had dinner and conversation with him?

"You don't have to tell me, Edward. I understand."

"No, you don't. Not really. The reason I was at the club last night was because I was with him." I could barely get the words out, but I had to be honest with Bella. I didn't have the courage to look at her, though. "He was my sister's fiancé."

I waited for what felt like an eternity for some reaction out of Bella. Would she hate Rosalie? Would she hate me? I had been there, after all. I should have known that the man wasn't right. I should have been more careful, watched him more closely, and maybe Bella wouldn't have come so close to being seriously hurt.

My right hand had been gripping the gear shift on Jasper's car, even though the highway didn't call for much change in pace. I nearly jumped when I felt Bella's cool fingers across the back of it. I stared down at the connection for more than a long second before returning my eyes to the road, and then I flipped my hand to hold hers more firmly, lacing our fingers.

We didn't talk much more on the way back to Forks, a little of Bella asking if Rosalie would be okay and a few comments on the hospital stay. But I didn't need words. That simple gesture was enough to both settle my mind and warm my heart simultaneously. As an English major, I probably should have even thought it, but… words were definitely overrated. Nothing Bella could have said would have eased my fears, but her touch did so much more.

Before I would have liked, the 'Welcome to Forks' sign came into view, and I felt Bella's hand tighten as her body went stiff.

"It's okay," I whispered, still mindful of the snores coming from behind me. "I'll be with you the whole time."

"I know, it's just… I don't want to see him disappointed in me. He taught me better than that, you know?"

"He'll still love you, Bella. He might get upset, but it's only because he cares about you so much."

"I know," she mumbled. I sighed. I didn't want her to dread this meeting. It would be tough, but dwelling on the negative would only stress her unnecessarily.

Laughing, I recalled a moment from my childhood. "When I was thirteen, my dad caught me talking to one of my friends about fooling around with Reverend Fischer's daughter. All lies, of course."

"Oh, really?" Although her worry wasn't completely gone, I could hear how amused she was by the start of my story.

"Really. My dad made me tell my mom about how I was disrespecting women. That is a moment I'll never forget. I had always cared a lot about how my mother saw me. Call me a momma's boy, I don't care. Her opinion meant everything, and the thought of telling her I had been blatantly spreading rumors about a young lady in my class… I was crying like someone had beaten me by the time we got home.

"Mom thought something was the matter with me and almost started hyperventilating when I wouldn't tell her where I was hurt, while my dad just stood there shaking his head."

"What did she do when you finally told her?" There was a frown in Bella's eyes but a soft smile on her lips. Her sympathy was endearing.

"Held me on her lap," I chuckled. "If I hadn't been a complete mess, she probably would have scolded me pretty badly, but as it was, we just had a long talk about why women should be treated with the highest amount of respect. I won't say I didn't mess up a few times, but I've tried to live my life like a gentlemen because of everything she taught me."

The car was quiet for several seconds before I heard Bella's low voice. "She would have been proud of how you turned out."

"You think?" I asked, smiling despite the squeeze on my heart.

"Yeah, I think. She sounds like she was an amazing woman."

"She was," I whispered, more to myself than to her. I needed to get my thoughts away from missing my parents, so I decided to finish the story. "Although, I thought she was pretty harsh with the punishment." I shook my head, remembering.

"What was it?" Bella asked eagerly, all traces of her earlier preoccupation gone. I gave her a wide smile at being able to distract her.

"I had to go apologize to the good reverend and Melanie."

"No!"

"I did," I laughed. "I was mortified. Reverend Fischer was this stern, unforgiving-looking man, too. You can imagine how a thirteen-year-old would fare under that kind of scrutiny."

"What did the girl do?"

"Melanie? Geez, she wouldn't leave me alone after that. Apparently preachers' kids are rebels… well, excluding Angela Weber; that girl is too shy to be anything like that," I mused.

"Angela may be shy, but she does her fair share of rebelling. She's just too smart to get caught and let it mess with her future," Bella admitted. "She got me and Alice drunk once last year because everyone kept telling her how well-behaved she was. She said something about 'not being a dog' and 'she'd show them how well behaved she could be.'"

I looked over and saw Bella roll her eyes. "It was pretty comical, looking back, all of us wasted and sharing our life's problems like they were right up there with world poverty or natural disasters on the importance scale."

I snorted out a small chuckle. "I can almost imagine it. The three of you leaning on each other and stumbling around while talking about the devastations of high school life."

"Hey, don't knock the hardships of teens!" she chided, grinning. "We have it pretty rough, I'll have you know."

"Oh, I wouldn't doubt it for a second."

"Okay. Preacher's kid, rebelling against society's expectations, wouldn't leave you alone. Do continue, good sir," she said, adopting a noticeably fake British accent. "I do believe your story is getting rather interesting."

"Jolly right, then," I said in the same manner. "Good Melanie found my untruths about her training bra very intriguing and wanted to make an honest man out of me."

"And were you a gentleman or did you partake?" she questioned playfully, but I thought I saw a hint of true curiosity there.

"After the chat my dear, sweet mother had with me and the verbal lashing from her father? Please, madam, I was scared to go anywhere near the girl! Or any girl for that matter," I added in my regular speech.

"You poor darling, denied such fruits at your young, impressionable age." Bella wiped a nonexistent tear from the corner of her eye and hiccupped like a pro.

"I feel like I might be in an episode of The Twilight Zone. You two are going to start shoving tea and crumpets down everyone's throats and then take over the world."

Bella burst into laugher at the sleep-filled, monotone voice from the backseat, and I couldn't help but chuckle right along with her. "I'm sorry we woke you, Alice. I guess we got a little carried away."

"No big deal," she said, stifling a yawn. "It looks like we're here, anyway."

Bella turned immediately to take in her surroundings, and her lightness dimmed substantially. During our theatrics, we had dropped our hands, and as much as I wanted to reestablish that connection to try and calm her, I knew I couldn't with two other people in the car, both of whom were now wide awake.

It took only a minute to transfer Bella's and my things from Jasper's car to my Volvo, and I waited in the driver's seat for Bella to finish explaining what was going on to her friends. The look on Alice's face had me more than slightly confused. It was as if they were saying goodbye for years and not just a day.

"Everything all right?" I asked after Bella buckled her seat belt.

"Yeah. I'm just going to miss her."

"I don't understand."

"Alice is going to get her car taken away for a month, and I know my dad will watch me like a hawk for a few weeks, at least." She sounded exhausted by the subject. "I'll be driving myself straight to and from school for a while, and Alice will have to rely on her driver again."

"Get her Porsche taken away often, does she?"

"Huh? Oh, no, Alice just has… Well, she just knows certain things will happen."

I smiled begrudgingly, remembering when Bella got lost in the woods a few weeks prior. Either Alice had a talent for guessing, or her intuition was far more advanced than most people's.

We passed the school on our way to Bella's house and it felt strange being back in Forks. I had been gone only since Friday morning, but the events of Seattle made it feel like a lifetime. For everyone else, school would be back in session tomorrow and it will be like no time has passed. For me, I will have conquered some of my demons and made decisions that I had been avoiding having to make. Tomorrow would be the first day of the rest of my life, and I laughed at how true such a common saying could be.

"Are you ready?" I asked, pulling up in front of the Swan residence. Bella took a deep breath and nodded her head before shaking it in the negative.

"No."

I laughed. "Come on." I was all set to knock on the door, but Bella went right inside.

"Dad, I'm home!"

I'd been focusing on Bella's nerves and not noticing my own, but they became very apparent when the Chief walked around the corner from the kitchen, a small scowl on his face.

"It's almost ten o'clock, Bells. You said you'd be… Oh, Mr. Cullen. Nice to see you again, son. What brings you here?"

I hadn't had much experience with cops in my life, but the last twenty-four hours had given me plenty to pull from. It was clear from his tone of voice and intimidating stance that Bella's father was now in full 'cop mode.'

"I'm sorry to drop in on you so late and unexpectedly, sir, but there was an incident in Seattle that I thought I should discuss with you."

"Did Isabella do something wrong?" he asked gruffly, but I could detect the surprise in his voice as well as his expression.

"No, sir, but there is something important that Bella needs to tell you. Can we move to the living room, or dining room if you prefer?"

Chief Swan ushered us into the living room without another word, and I could see the worry practically etched into his face. He sat forward on the chair, and his posture was anything but relaxed. Bella sat on the loveseat furthest away from her father, and I had to hold back a frustrated sigh at my dilemma.

Every cell in my body wanted me to sit next to Bella, but there was an entire couch for me to sit on, and taking a seat so close to her when there was plenty available room was sure to look off. Not to mention, I knew that if I sat next to her I would want to hold her hand or comfort her in some way, so I did the next best thing. I sat in the corner of the long couch closest to Bella and turned toward the Chief.

"What's this all about, Bella?"

"I, um…" Bella took a deep breath and then began, her eyes set firmly on the coffee table. "I went dancing with Alice and Jasper at this club in Seattle. It was a twenty-one and up club, but I swear we didn't drink. I went to the bar to get a Coke and someone put something in my drink…"

Bella's voice choked off and she finally looked up at her father. He was looking at Bella with a blank expression, but I could tell by the way his hands were clasped that he wanted to hit something or yell. Instead, he nodded for Bella to continue.

"It happened so fast, the drug, I mean. I didn't have any time to realize what was happening and then he was there and… and…" tears were now falling down Bella's face and I didn't care what it looked like, I reached out and took her hand.

"I was so scared, dad. I didn't know what was going on and I still don't even remember it all, but I know I was scared and I couldn't move." Bella choked out another sob and I decided it was time for me to take over. I patted Bella's hand and then reluctantly pulled both of mine away.

"I was at the club with my sister and her fiancé when I saw him bump into Bella and distract her while he poured the drugs in her drink. I didn't let him get anywhere with your daughter, sir, but it was still extremely traumatic for her and the doctor suggested she see a psychologist."

The Chief sat quite still for several minutes, then finally turned to look me in the eye. "Why didn't anyone contact me?"

"Honestly, sir? It was so hectic, trying to take care of both Alice and Jasper and my sister, I wasn't thinking about it." Granted, that was mostly a lie for my part, but he didn't need to know that I was too screwed up over his daughter to function. "I just wanted to make sure Bella came out of everything okay and then I drove the kids home because none of them were fit to drive."

The Chief was quiet once more. I knew it probably had to be hard on him, hearing that his daughter was almost a statistic, and he was dealing with it the best way he knew how. After another moment, he stood from his chair and walked over to Bella, kneeling in front of her and lifting her chin to look him in the eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

Bella didn't answer, but tossed her arms around his neck, her brown hair mixing with his of the same color. She held him for everything it was worth and he held her even tighter. I noticed a tear fall from one of the Chief's lashes and decided to give them their privacy for the evening.

"I'm going to head out. I'll see you tomorrow, Bella."

"I'll walk you out," the Chief said, patting me on the back and leaving Bella on the seat. I figured he probably needed to pull himself together a bit before returning to his daughter.

When we made it to the porch Charlie Swan turned me toward him and he was no longer the Chief of Police, but a father in desperate need of reassurance. "I wanted to thank you, Mr. Cullen. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there and… just, thank you."

"There's no need to thank me, Chief. I would have done the same for any woman, but the fact that she was one of my students made it more personal to me. I was just doing the right thing."

"Be that as it may, you saved my little girl, and I don't think I can ever repay you for that." The Chief paused for a moment. "Do you think she'll be all right?"

"I think she'll be fine if she doesn't go stubborn on us and not make her therapy appointments," I laughed, trying to give the man before me what he needed. "That girl has got the strongest will I have ever seen in my life."

"Yeah," he chuckled. "Her mother and I are both stubborn people in different ways. Bella got it from both sides and it made her one hell of a pistol." A far-off look graced his face and he added determinedly, "She'll get through this. I know she will."

"I'd be willing to bet it."

The Chief thanked me once more and then sent me on my way. I was just pulling into my apartment complex when my phone rang. I figured it must have been Emmett, but I felt my heart stutter at the name that was actually on my caller ID.

"Hey," I said into the phone.

"I didn't get to say goodbye."

"I'm sorry, it wasn't appropriate with your dad there and I knew I needed to give you both some room to talk."

She huffed, and I could imagine her rolling her eyes in mock annoyance. "Semantics. I needed to say goodnight to you."

"Needed, huh?"

"Yes, needed. And… I also wanted to thank you… for everything. For what happened at the club and staying with me in the hospital and especially for helping me with my dad. You didn't need to do that, but you did and I really appreciate it."

"It wasn't a problem, Bella. I'm glad I could be there for you." We were both silent for a moment, but it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable. It just was. "So, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yep, bright and early!" I laughed at Bella's enthusiasm. Then her tone softened. "Goodnight, Edward."

"Goodnight, Bella."

I love you, I added silently. I hoped someday I would be able to say the words aloud.

A/N: Good, bad, ugly? I know it's not the most intimate or exciting chapter, but it was necessary. As always, thanks for reading!